Pictures without Santa

Traditions of your children's picture with Santa is always loads of fun.  Especially with babies and very young children who are afraid of Santa and are screaming and kicking while Santa is trying to hold them.  I have had my share of those fun memories.  It's like you really expect and have to have a picture of a child not liking Santa.

I don't have any small children anymore to get pictures sitting on Santa's lap. Even though I am sure my adult kids would be more than happy to sit on Santa's lap if they would be guaranteed the gift they asked for!

But, I did have fun taking pictures of our "child-like" "house-pet" dog.  But, without Santa. Sorry they are blurry. But I'm holding cell phone camera with one hand and holding her down with the other.

This one she is barking at me.

  This one I was bribing her with a treat.

Here she is finally getting use to the idea. But she wouldn't look at me.

Merry Christmas!

gin

Happy Thanksgiving

God is good. God is great. Thank You for the food you give. Thank You for the birds that sing. Thank you God for everything. Amen.
This is the blessing we said as children at our table every meal. And we said the same blessing with our children as they were growing up.

(our actual Thanksgiving table set)

Another blessing I repeat occasionally is:

Bless my little kitchen Lord, I love it's every nook.
Bless me as I do my work, wash pots and pans and cook.
May the meals that I prepare be seasoned from above,
with Thy blessing and Thy grace, but most of all Thy love.
As we partake of earthly food, The table before us spread,
We’ll not forget to thank Thee, Lord, Who gives us daily bread.
Bless my little kitchen Lord, and those who enter in,.
May they find nought but joy and peace,
and happiness therein.

This blessing is one I memorized at a very early age. It was written on a plaque hanging in my grandma's kitchen. I can't count the number of times I read it over and over and over. And it has been embedded in my memory. I even say it sometimes as the blessing at our table.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

gin

I must . .

...move on to fall. Have I ever told you that I love summer the best! Well, I must give it up, because Thanksgiving is here. I love Thanksgiving, so that"s when I start my fall.

I've said goodbye to my roses (even though they are still blooming) and saying hello to all the leaves that have fallen and to the cooler temperature. Not much has changed with the seasons, because there is still plenty of yard work to do.

The Thanksgiving Holiday - where you have family and friends over, and your go visit family and friends. Four days of travel for everyone to and fro.

A week to spend some time relaxing, playing, doing what you like to do best.

It's gonna be a good week!

gin

Home away from home

Since Trent started working away from home. He takes his home with him. He's always wanted to work away. So he made a plan. He bought a fifth wheel travel trailer last year. And was just waiting for the chance to work away from home. His chance finally came and his work gave him a job at a shipyard.

Here is a look inside his home away from home.

It's really nice -  two slide outs. With a lot of windows with natural light.

Nice black appliances, lot of cabinets with glass fronts, large dressers in bedrrooms and large closets.

 

Two bedrooms and 1 and 1/2 baths.

It works well for home away from home while working away.

gin

Remember when

We celebrated our 35 wedding anniversary last week. No picture because husband does not want his picture plastered all over www.

Just to pharaphase:
Remember when we were young. Thought all we needed was love.
We lived and learned. There was joy and there was hurt.
Loved ones died and new ones born. Life was changed, dissasembled, rearranged.
The sound of little feet were music we danced to week to week
Thirty seemed so old. Now lookin' back it was just a stepping stone to where we are, where we've been. We said we'd do it all again.
When the children grow up and mve away, we won't be sad, we'll be glad for all the life we've had.
Remember when.


I love this Allen Jackson's song Remember When. It's on my music playlist on my side bar.
It tells the story of us. Even tho the words sound good, I still miss the good ole'days. But these days are just as good, but in a different way.


gin

Happy Anniversary to Us

October 2009 = 35 years of marriage. It's been great!!
gin

Happy Birthday Trent

Another year has flown by. Trent made 24 today.  And he's the baby.
We celebrated eating out at Don's, had Baskin & Robbins ice cream cake, a ton of presents, and a lot of fun.

Where does the time go!. You are a great son and we are so proud of you!

Wishing you a great day and many more.

Love, Mom,  Dad, Jennifer, Brandon, Julie

About the cow

Regarding my previous post about all the truck accidents, I do have a report on the cow that was involved.
As the story went, there was one large cow standing in the road. And as the driver rounded the curve (at the posted speed limit) there before his very eyes was this large longhorn Texas cow just standing there.

Brakes were applied, in hopes of avoiding the accident, but unfortunately the poor cow was hit. And sadly did not recover. The cow died in the accident.

It might as well been a whole herd of cattle. Picture this as you are driving down the road.
And you just can't avoid the situation.

gin

Geez, gosh

Remember this:

Well it now looks like this.
Trent hit a cow. That's what happens at 5am in the morning in the rural area 10 minutes from your house. Not just any cow, it was reported, but a huge long horn cow that was just there in the middle of the road and nothing you could do.

And this one:
Now looks like this:
Larry wrecked this one on his way home from work. That's what happens in the middle of no where between Baton Rouge and the MS state line.
These happened about 2 weeks apart. The most important thing - no one hurt and that's why we have insurance.

gin

One true fan

One lucky TIGER sent me this picture of the LSU game in person in Washington played this weekend.

I knew she was on vacation in Seattle, Oregon, and CA and she had shown and told a lot of the places they were going and what they would be doing. But she didn't even mention this. I was surprised to say the least when I got this picture via cell camera.

Just a picture. No text, no words, no nothing! But then, the picture says it all and I didn't need any text. I knew she was there and cheering on the tigers.

I did text her back "U lucky tiger, U!!!!!

See all the purple there. I thought there sure are a lot of LSU fans there. But I find out that Washington is also purple.

Go here to check out her vacation story before they actually left on vacation. Even though I know it was her husband's idea to attend the game. But why not, since you're already there, and your vacation was already scheduled around the date and location. Go figure! It couldn't have worked out better. Wish I was there!

And of course, LSU won!!!!!!!!
gin

Something new

We had to do this today. We had no choice and couldn't think about it twice. So we are gone shopping.
We got up this morning and the fridge was on the blink. Constantly running, kept hearing a drip, drip, drip. Couldn't be fixed. I don't know if I was excited or sad. Excited to get a brand new modern 21st century refrig or sad to have to spend that much money.

But since we had no choice, here it is.Now, you are asking yourself why didn't she get the new stainless still look? Well, I was going too, then I changed my mind, then I chose the stainless still again, then not. Decisions, decisions -- didn't know which to choose. The pros would be 1) stainless still is the most popular, 2) stainless steel looks fabulous; 3) everybody has the stainless steel or wants it. The cons would be 1) all my other appliances are new and they are white, 2) stainless steel takes a little more money 3) my kitchen is not a stainless still match.

So, after a few phone calls to see what "they" would choose, I choose white. Even though my phone consultations were split between white, black and stainless.
Jennifer was there when we brought it home. So I insisted she help me load the new one up with the stuff from the old one. She didn't mind, she just said "tell me in advance when ya'll are in work mode around here." We kind of catagorized the shelves. Like in the freezer - one shelf for chicken, one for beef, one for pork, one for veggies, one for desserts. one for misc. And the same for the fridge side.

Now, I love home magazine pictures. They are just so "perfect". So now I want my refrig to always look like this:
Or this:

In the end it is a good investment and I do like it.

It's the side by side, fridge on one side, freezer on the other, ice and water dispenser on door, nice, nice. I know, I know it's just a fridge!

And I'm trying to keep up with Brandon and Julie. They got a brand new stainless steel fridge last weekend! Theirs is gorgeous (as gorgeous as a fridge can be).

gin

One True Football Fan . . . . . . .

One lucky TIGER sent me this picture of the LSU game in person in Washington played this weekend.

I knew she was on vacation in Seattle, Oregon, and CA and she had shown and told a lot of the places they were going and what they would be doing. But she didn't even mention this. I was surprised to say the least when I got this picture via cell camera.

Just a picture. No text, no words, no nothing! But then, the picture says it all and I didn't need any text. I knew she was there and cheering on the tigers.

I did text her back "U lucky tiger, U!!!!!

See all the purple there. I thought there sure are a lot of LSU fans there. But I find out that Washington is also purple.

Go here to check out her vacation story before they actually left on vacation. Even though I know it was her husband's idea to attend the game. But why not, since you're already there, and your vacation was already scheduled around the date and location. Go figure! It couldn't have worked out better. Wish I was there!

And of course, LSU won!!!!!!!!
gin

Star Status

This is Molly, a Poo-Chon (part poodle-part bichon).
Molly (Jennifer's dog) made her debut on a pet friendly blog.
Go here to see her.

Thank you Lani for finding Molly's story on my blog and asking to use her on the doggie blog.

gin

The Destroyer

How does this sweet innocent little face . . . . . . .
turn into this destructive wild thing?

I see toilet paper scattered everywhere. . . hair equipment cord on the floor . . . and looks like that's not all. Molly is left alone all day while Jennifer is at work. She is usually put in her doggie house because she is known to be a destroyer at times. But some magical way she opens her doggie house door and escapes. And this is what Jennifer comes home to on occasion. Never really knowing what she will find when she gets home. And never really knowing if Molly escaped her doggie house during the day.

Memo to Molly: sometimes we just don't need to come home to a messy house at 5pm. We may have company, you know!


gin

All Washed Up

A hot summer August day, working up a sweat, running here and there. We are drinking water, running water, using water constantly all day.

Trent's home. He's got a dirty truck, with a truck load of dirty laundry.
He's washing his truck inside and out. And I'm washing the laundry.

Molly also dropped by with Jennifer. She needs a bath, too. So in the tub she goes. She comes out so clean, fluffy, and smelly good!
We gotta eat you know. Then there's a sink of dirty dishes to wash.

Stop and think how much water a household uses in one day. It's just non stop, if you are actually doing something around the house. Our water is not measured by a water bill. We have a private water well. So I feel like "free" water all day. Even though Larry tells me it cost electricity to run the pump, that pulls the water from the ground, that fills the water tank that supplies the kitchen and the bathroom and the outside faucets. Ok, don't use the water unnecessary is the moral to this.

But, with the 3 hurricanes swirling out there, we should definitely have no shortage of water in the ground.

gin

Happy Birthday Dear Ol' Dad

88 years young today! My what a good age that is. My what great health you have. My what a big family you have.

My dad, Dempsey.
He is the oldest of 10 children. He has 4 children: Cheryl, Peggy, Me, and Travis. 6 grandkids, and extended family in the grandkids spouses and grandchildren.
He likes politics (local, state, and federal). He keeps up with all the news. He reads his Bible daily. And he has no end to entertainment from the kids and grandkids in and out. Sometimes he can have a pretty hectic day. Also a granddaughter has the same birthday. Happy Birthday Aimee.

(Me on the right in white)

gin

It's been 9 weeks since Jennifer's Rob died in the auto accident. She is moving to her new place. She found an apartment she liked and thought she could make her home there. For the last week us and her brothers and sisters-in-laws have been helping her empty her storage building. A few of us at a time take an afternoon and help her load and unload things. She is downsizing from a 3 bedroom 2 bath to a 1 bedroom 1 bath.

It's a nice, well kept, secure place for her at this time. It's a large complex, pool, workout center, pet friendly, gated community. That's her balcony up on the 2nd floor.
This is the apartment empty. Living room with french doors to balcony, large dining area, separate washer/dryer closet room off the kitchen. Nice walk in closet in bedroom and ample bathroom size.
Then as she moved the first trailer and truck load in, she kept saying "it's not going to fit."

She is right. All her stuff will not fit. She will still be storing a majority of her belongings.
She hopes to finish moving what she wants this week before the holiday. And have everything in order for the weekend.

When I go back to see her and everything is in order I will take finished pictures.

Congratulations on your new home Jennifer and Molly (her dog)!
gin

Going to the Chapel and . . . . . .

They're going to get married. It's really a chapel in the woods. A one room church with a steeple and stained glass windows with 6 short pews on either side of the center isle.
This is the church where my nephew James and fiance" Beth got married Saturday. It was 142 miles from our house. Her parents are Methodist Pastor's and this is the church they pastor. It was a very small and quick wedding and reception. The church did have another building that was the fellowship hall. So after the ceremony, we walked across the yard to the other building for the reception. After the cake cutting, garter throwing, and bouquet throw the bride and groom drove away.

You don't see too many of these small church weddings anymore. A soloist/pianist sang 2 church songs before ceremony. There was no music at reception, no band - live or dj; there was no toast for the bride and groom; there was no first dance; and there was no decorated going away vehicle.
This is the bride and groom with the flower girl.
Congratulations James and Beth on your new beginning together!!!

gin

Happy Fathers Day

It was a happy Father's Day.

First, we spent a few hours with my father just hanging out and visiting with himfor Father's day . It's always fun there, the kids are in and out, a sister lives next door and she is in and out. Everybody goes in and out 100 times, sometimes by their self, sometimes 2 or 3 go out together. Then they come back in, sit a while, pass a few jokes and laughs, and go back out. I don't know what all the action is outside. The only reason I go outside is if my cell phone rings, or if I go over to my sisters for a minute and then back out, or if I have to go to the truck for something. And then I am back inside.

Larry had to work, so me and the kids met him when he got off work at Ryan's to eat an early Sunday Supper for Father's Day -a nice steak, baked potato, veggies, hot rolls, and dessert of your choice. Sorry-a blurry fuzzy picture. But the food was good. I was gone to the restroom and took this picture on my way back.Then to his favorite store... a man's store....to him this store is a mall. Something there for everything he needs == clothes, shoes, sporting items, cooking items, household items... His favorite store is Bass Pro........

After a short shopping spree there, we said our goodbyes and we all split up and went our separate ways home for the evening.

This is the long road back to the wilderness!!!

gin

Gone Fishing

Oh the days are hot! But I love 99 degeees. I love the sun, shorts, sunblock and tanning lotion, the water, and all the sweat that goes with it. So we packed up all we needed for the day and headed to the lake to do some fishing -- the boat and all the fishing equipment, picnic lunch consisting of peanut butter crackers, cold drinks, and bottled water. You just can't eat too much in high temperature weather outside. It'll make you sick!!

Got up at 4:30 am. And was in the lake by 6 am. A nice calm, warm morning. A lot of people already beat us there. But we were in no hurry, just wanted a day to relax.

We were in the water by sun up. Just in time to see the sun rise.


Time for relaxing. That's about all I did because I caught ZERO fish. Larry caught 5 bass. They ranged from 2-3 pounds. I just don't know why they would not bite my line. It could be I really wasn't trying very hard. I really didn't want to catch any and then have to deal with them when you get home. That's the worse part of the day I believe.

So I relaxingly would cast and reel, cast and reel, cast and reel. And when Larry would catch one, I would be so excited and take a picture and keep count and then change my bait to one like he caught the fish on. Still no fish for me!

One fish!
Two fish!

Three, Four and Five fish looked the same as fish One and Two. So I didn't put their picture up.

But what I did get was a nice beginning tan. I used the leftover bronzing inside/outside tan lotion that I used last year at the tanning bed. I haven't been to the tanning bed this year yet. But this stuff really worked well in the sun. I really didn't burn burn. Was red but the next 2 days I am Totally Tan.

By noon Larry's luck had ran out and he caught no more fish. So we boat rode to the other end of the lake where the sking area is. And just did some boat riding. That was very nice with the wind blowing in your face and sprays of water flying over you. We went 4 rounds around the sking area and then headed back to the landing.

The picture looks cloudy, but it wasn't. It was a bright sun shinny day.



gin