I wish I knew! Leah wants to put up our tree. I have no desire to do that. I have the bah hum bugs.
I have a HUGE list of things to get accomplished in time for the holidays - orders, gifts to make, cards! I have done a little shopping with Leah, so I have pretty much 90% of what she will get for Christmas purchased; all of which is clothes. Next week is her birthday, so she will get a couple of the items then. The rest will go up until Christmas, with just a few more things as 'goodies' - like maybe a new music cd. I have ONE item for Derek. I bought it back in the summer on clearance. I have no idea what to get him and will not shop for clothes without him going with me. I have no idea when he might be able to fit me into his busy schedule!
Maybe my spirit is dampened because I know this will be a very slim Christmas. I know it's not the gifts that make the holiday. However, I enjoy the blessing of GIVING and it's a bit sad not being able to do that. Not just for my immediate family, but for others too. Then there is the fact that my children are older and there is no 'magic' left surrounding Christmas night and how those gifts appear. I really loved knowing Santa would visit each year! Then it could be the fact that Leah, Derek and I have all had a round with bad sinus, cough and just feeling yucky. I would have gotten many of my projects done in the last 2 weeks if it wasn't for sneezing, coughing and blowing my nose. Not to mention the horrible headaches!
Please pass my holiday spirit and quickly!
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
What I did Thanksgiving, etc.
Thanksgiving was a nice and BUSY day. First stop was my sister's house for my family lunch together. There was a lot of good food; everyone was there and just a tad bit of drama. At least we were all together, right? And the drama....was over pictures of all the kids together of all things. I didn't get one good shot with my digital; hopefully the film picture will turn out ok.
The children and I then went to the farm to visit with Paps, MeMaw and the rest of the Smiths. Derek ate another huge plate of dressing (his favorite dish!), Leah and I settled for a snack. Mine was a slice of pound cake. Mmmmmmmm mmmm good. I enjoyed visiting with everyone. It is always such a warm, inviting and casual atmosphere.
I brought the kids back to town, so they could get ready and go to their Dad's house for the evening. They had a get together with their Step-mom's family.
Friday was leftover lunch, then out to ride around hunting pictures to make for the photo of the day. Also, because I have decided to do a few Christmas presents that include photographs of different subjects. My best friend drove me around the countryside down in her neck of the woods. We did find one good barn and a windmill; however I STILL have not had the time to load the pictures onto my computer from my digital.
While I was taking the photo of the windmill, I noticed a grove of pecan trees. As luck would have it there was an electric fence around the pasture. So we decided to pick up the pecans from the road side. We laughed and laughed as cars passed by; imagining what they were thinking about us with our noses to the ground hunting pecans. They are about $7 a bag here this year and I need just enough for a cake and some fudge! LOL
The ride brought us back through town, where we did stop off in a few stores. This was late afternoon and most of the Black Friday shoppers had headed home it seemed. I picked up a couple of small gifts. Nothing much, however, it will be a small Christmas at our house this year!
I have a few orders for Saks of Memories that I have been working on and a LONG list of items I want to make for Christmas presents. I just wonder where I will find the time for all of it!
The children and I then went to the farm to visit with Paps, MeMaw and the rest of the Smiths. Derek ate another huge plate of dressing (his favorite dish!), Leah and I settled for a snack. Mine was a slice of pound cake. Mmmmmmmm mmmm good. I enjoyed visiting with everyone. It is always such a warm, inviting and casual atmosphere.
I brought the kids back to town, so they could get ready and go to their Dad's house for the evening. They had a get together with their Step-mom's family.
Friday was leftover lunch, then out to ride around hunting pictures to make for the photo of the day. Also, because I have decided to do a few Christmas presents that include photographs of different subjects. My best friend drove me around the countryside down in her neck of the woods. We did find one good barn and a windmill; however I STILL have not had the time to load the pictures onto my computer from my digital.
While I was taking the photo of the windmill, I noticed a grove of pecan trees. As luck would have it there was an electric fence around the pasture. So we decided to pick up the pecans from the road side. We laughed and laughed as cars passed by; imagining what they were thinking about us with our noses to the ground hunting pecans. They are about $7 a bag here this year and I need just enough for a cake and some fudge! LOL
The ride brought us back through town, where we did stop off in a few stores. This was late afternoon and most of the Black Friday shoppers had headed home it seemed. I picked up a couple of small gifts. Nothing much, however, it will be a small Christmas at our house this year!
I have a few orders for Saks of Memories that I have been working on and a LONG list of items I want to make for Christmas presents. I just wonder where I will find the time for all of it!
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
The day before the feast....
First I have to say WOW! 11 comments on yesterday's post. I am honored that so many read my story and enjoyed it.
Today has been a busy day ~ errands, preparations, laundry (is it ever ALL clean?), the annual 'mix up the dressing' and some baking as I am typing this. I am baking up a recipe shared by Sophia Corbridge recently on her blog; Pumpkin Gooey Cake to take to my sister's tomorrow.
Today was beautiful and sunny here, even if it was a bit windy and cool. Leah and I hit Big Lots searching for some tin pans. I was hoping there would be a tad too much dressing made up this evening and I would have a pan for extras! We didn't find any small pans at Big Lots, so we went across the street to the Dollar General (It was ALL about staying out of the big stores today). I picked up some pans and headed home.
I packed up the crockpot full of pinto beans that had been cooking all day and headed down to the 'farm'. The Farm is actually my best friend, Donna's, house about 15 miles out of town in the 'country'. This is also where we board our horses. For the last 9 or 10 years we have a tradition of mixing up the dressing for Thanksgiving together. My 'job' is to debone the chicken. After a dinner of pintos and cornbread, we set out to make the Thanksgiving dressing. Leah was initiated this year and got to mix it up! This is done in a HUGE dishpan by hand. We had 2 small pans left. Did you know you can freeze 'raw' dressing and cook it later? It tastes JUST as good; you'd never know it had been frozen. We froze one pan for Christmas Eve Dinner this year and I brought a small pan back to cook up just for my son. Chicken Dressing is his favorite dish, period. He loves it so much he put it on his Christmas wish list! That is why we saved a pan for then. Could it be he is missing home cooking off at college? If all works out, I will be cooking this small pan on Sunday and sending it back with him, along with a can of cranberry sauce. It really was a blessing to visit with friends and share recipes, stories and fun this evening.
Tomorrow it is off to my sister's house for Thanksgiving 'lunch' with my family. I am taking the Pumpkin Cake, which is cooling now and smells MMMMMM mmmm good! plus pinto beans. My 71 year old Mother still does most of the cooking. Hey, she still works a job 5 days a week too! There will be way too much food, as Mom loves to cook. In the afternoon we will drive down to the farm to visit with Donna and her family. Her Dad says they have just 'adopted' me, because I've been around so long. I am truly thankful to feel a part of 'another' family. Since I lost my Dad eleven years ago, 'Paps' (as we call him) has really helped fill that void.
I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and can find the large and small things in your life in which to be thankful.
Today has been a busy day ~ errands, preparations, laundry (is it ever ALL clean?), the annual 'mix up the dressing' and some baking as I am typing this. I am baking up a recipe shared by Sophia Corbridge recently on her blog; Pumpkin Gooey Cake to take to my sister's tomorrow.
Today was beautiful and sunny here, even if it was a bit windy and cool. Leah and I hit Big Lots searching for some tin pans. I was hoping there would be a tad too much dressing made up this evening and I would have a pan for extras! We didn't find any small pans at Big Lots, so we went across the street to the Dollar General (It was ALL about staying out of the big stores today). I picked up some pans and headed home.
I packed up the crockpot full of pinto beans that had been cooking all day and headed down to the 'farm'. The Farm is actually my best friend, Donna's, house about 15 miles out of town in the 'country'. This is also where we board our horses. For the last 9 or 10 years we have a tradition of mixing up the dressing for Thanksgiving together. My 'job' is to debone the chicken. After a dinner of pintos and cornbread, we set out to make the Thanksgiving dressing. Leah was initiated this year and got to mix it up! This is done in a HUGE dishpan by hand. We had 2 small pans left. Did you know you can freeze 'raw' dressing and cook it later? It tastes JUST as good; you'd never know it had been frozen. We froze one pan for Christmas Eve Dinner this year and I brought a small pan back to cook up just for my son. Chicken Dressing is his favorite dish, period. He loves it so much he put it on his Christmas wish list! That is why we saved a pan for then. Could it be he is missing home cooking off at college? If all works out, I will be cooking this small pan on Sunday and sending it back with him, along with a can of cranberry sauce. It really was a blessing to visit with friends and share recipes, stories and fun this evening.
Tomorrow it is off to my sister's house for Thanksgiving 'lunch' with my family. I am taking the Pumpkin Cake, which is cooling now and smells MMMMMM mmmm good! plus pinto beans. My 71 year old Mother still does most of the cooking. Hey, she still works a job 5 days a week too! There will be way too much food, as Mom loves to cook. In the afternoon we will drive down to the farm to visit with Donna and her family. Her Dad says they have just 'adopted' me, because I've been around so long. I am truly thankful to feel a part of 'another' family. Since I lost my Dad eleven years ago, 'Paps' (as we call him) has really helped fill that void.
I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and can find the large and small things in your life in which to be thankful.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
God and Miss Mae
Yesterday was a yucky miserable day with sheets of icy cold rain pouring down from the dark sky, amid strong gusts of whipping frigid wind cutting right through to your very bones. A day when most will agree they would rather stay in their warm beds.
After work, I had to run by and pick my daughter up from school. She had stayed after to make up a test she had missed when out sick last week. The wind literally rocked my SUV! I needed to stop by the grocery store but decided against it and pulled into McDonald’s instead. So it wasn’t the most healthy meal choice, but it is cheap. The bonus is a friend of mine runs this store and I caught her right before she was leaving for the day. She sat and chatted as Leah and I had dinner. We were just finishing up when a feeble elderly lady wondered in to ask for directions. The young employee at the counter was unsure, so my friend, Donna, stepped up and asked the lady where she needed to go.
The lady said the name of a town about 10 miles from here. She wrote down the directions as they were given then turned to go. As, Donna returned to the booth where my daughter and I were sitting, she noticed the elderly lady crying as she was leaving. Donna caught her and said it was much too bad of a night for her to be upset and driving to please sit down, have a cup of coffee and talk a bit. As we listened from the adjoining booth this lady could not even give her home address to Donna. She said she had been visiting with her son in a local nursing home and must have stayed a bit too late. She wasn’t familiar with the area and it had gotten dark out. The lady introduced herself as Mae. Donna glanced over her shoulder at me. I knew the thoughts running through her mind and just nodded.
Donna told “Miss Mae” that I was her friend and this was my daughter with me and that we would be more than happy to drive her to the next town to make sure she got home safely. Miss Mae broke down into sobs. She replied that she knew if she kept praying hard enough that God would send someone to help her. It is a very heart wrenching sight to see an elderly woman sit there and cry. I felt the tears well up in my own eyes. Donna excused herself from Miss Mae for a moment and I followed her out the side door. She started by saying that she knew that Miss Mae would never make it to the next town tonight and hoped it was okay to offer our assistance. Of course!
We went back in where my daughter had been keeping Miss Mae company, while she still searched her purse for her address. She did say she would recognize the area near home when we got there. I hoped so too. Donna helped Miss Mae to her car and our little caravan started out in the driving dark rain. I am not fond of driving on rainy nights myself and the wind wasn’t making the job easy. So I tucked a little prayer in myself for all of our safety.
We delivered Miss Mae to a cozy little apartment complex that is set up especially for the aging. Her tiny white poodle met her at the door. She hugged both of our necks and said she would never ever be able to repay us. In fact, she said, surely there is something around that I could offer you. We declined and said we were just thankful she was home safe. We said our goodbyes and hurried into my warm vehicle.
As soon as we pulled back onto the road, I asked Donna what she had found out about Miss Mae. I could tell they were having a conversation while behind them at one of the red lights. Miss Mae said as they had pulled out of McDonald’s that she might as well share her life ‘story’ as they traveled up the road.
Miss Mae is 83 years young. She is from West Virginia and has only lived here for about 3 years. She has a son that lives close and another that is in a local nursing home. She raised 7 boys, after her husband walked out on her ~ never to be heard from again. Four of those sons graduated from college, while Miss Mae worked three jobs. Miss Mae also said she had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Usually a lady drove her to the nursing home for her visit; however she thought it was a simple drive and that she could make it on her own. Like I said previously mentioned, she hugged our necks at the door. Giving me that feeling that she was just a warm, giving and loving soul you were blessed that you had crossed paths. Then she laughed and said the ladies at the Senior meeting will get a kick out of this story and really have fun with me tomorrow. Little did she know how she had brought a bright spot into all of our hearts for the night. I think we met an angel wandering into a McDonald’s and I am blessed today to share her story.
After work, I had to run by and pick my daughter up from school. She had stayed after to make up a test she had missed when out sick last week. The wind literally rocked my SUV! I needed to stop by the grocery store but decided against it and pulled into McDonald’s instead. So it wasn’t the most healthy meal choice, but it is cheap. The bonus is a friend of mine runs this store and I caught her right before she was leaving for the day. She sat and chatted as Leah and I had dinner. We were just finishing up when a feeble elderly lady wondered in to ask for directions. The young employee at the counter was unsure, so my friend, Donna, stepped up and asked the lady where she needed to go.
The lady said the name of a town about 10 miles from here. She wrote down the directions as they were given then turned to go. As, Donna returned to the booth where my daughter and I were sitting, she noticed the elderly lady crying as she was leaving. Donna caught her and said it was much too bad of a night for her to be upset and driving to please sit down, have a cup of coffee and talk a bit. As we listened from the adjoining booth this lady could not even give her home address to Donna. She said she had been visiting with her son in a local nursing home and must have stayed a bit too late. She wasn’t familiar with the area and it had gotten dark out. The lady introduced herself as Mae. Donna glanced over her shoulder at me. I knew the thoughts running through her mind and just nodded.
Donna told “Miss Mae” that I was her friend and this was my daughter with me and that we would be more than happy to drive her to the next town to make sure she got home safely. Miss Mae broke down into sobs. She replied that she knew if she kept praying hard enough that God would send someone to help her. It is a very heart wrenching sight to see an elderly woman sit there and cry. I felt the tears well up in my own eyes. Donna excused herself from Miss Mae for a moment and I followed her out the side door. She started by saying that she knew that Miss Mae would never make it to the next town tonight and hoped it was okay to offer our assistance. Of course!
We went back in where my daughter had been keeping Miss Mae company, while she still searched her purse for her address. She did say she would recognize the area near home when we got there. I hoped so too. Donna helped Miss Mae to her car and our little caravan started out in the driving dark rain. I am not fond of driving on rainy nights myself and the wind wasn’t making the job easy. So I tucked a little prayer in myself for all of our safety.
We delivered Miss Mae to a cozy little apartment complex that is set up especially for the aging. Her tiny white poodle met her at the door. She hugged both of our necks and said she would never ever be able to repay us. In fact, she said, surely there is something around that I could offer you. We declined and said we were just thankful she was home safe. We said our goodbyes and hurried into my warm vehicle.
As soon as we pulled back onto the road, I asked Donna what she had found out about Miss Mae. I could tell they were having a conversation while behind them at one of the red lights. Miss Mae said as they had pulled out of McDonald’s that she might as well share her life ‘story’ as they traveled up the road.
Miss Mae is 83 years young. She is from West Virginia and has only lived here for about 3 years. She has a son that lives close and another that is in a local nursing home. She raised 7 boys, after her husband walked out on her ~ never to be heard from again. Four of those sons graduated from college, while Miss Mae worked three jobs. Miss Mae also said she had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Usually a lady drove her to the nursing home for her visit; however she thought it was a simple drive and that she could make it on her own. Like I said previously mentioned, she hugged our necks at the door. Giving me that feeling that she was just a warm, giving and loving soul you were blessed that you had crossed paths. Then she laughed and said the ladies at the Senior meeting will get a kick out of this story and really have fun with me tomorrow. Little did she know how she had brought a bright spot into all of our hearts for the night. I think we met an angel wandering into a McDonald’s and I am blessed today to share her story.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Rainy days & Mondays always get me down....
It is POURING rain out today here. I mean buckets; cats and dogs ....ya know - a LOT! Thankfully it is a short work week - 2 days. For the first time in 16 years I am off the day before Thanksgiving. I called my sister on Saturday morning, she wasn't home; now why would any sane person be up and gone by 9am on their off day? So I left her this message on her answering machine: "I'm dying and making the funeral arrangements, ya better call me for them." I really was feeling awful and I know I sounded like a frog on the phone. Sometime Friday afternoon at work I started coughing and didn't stop. Saturday morning - add to that cough, a stuffed up head, sneezing (non-stop!), running nose, headache. UGH!
It has REALLY been a busy, crazy, strange, wild couple of weeks. Gen's surgery and 2 weeks worth of pampering him; my back went out last weekend - so I was back on meds all week for that. Leah had a sinus infection and we visited the doctor for meds for her. Gen's follow-up visit and then I end up sick. If I wasn't living it; I wouldn't believe it! I am so ready for 5 days off in a row.
I have several 'Saks of Memories' orders in line. So I HAVE to feel better in order to work on those. Plus I have several Christmas gifts I would like to make for family. Christmas. It could be the weather today, it could be the fact that for the last 2 weekends I have actually been under the weather myself. But I am NOT looking forward to the holidays. I don't want to decorate. My cute little house kitten has become the Tazmanian Devil. You know the cartoon one that whirlwinds through everything. Every day is an 'adventure' when I come home from work to see what she has gotten in to and how much of a mess has been made. So I can not even imagine my tree with it's glass ornaments and this little wild kitten.
I have neglected my blog. However, with all that was going on, it was all I could do to keep up with working and my household chores; which have also suffered. Thank goodness I am NOT hosting Thanksgiving dinner this week! My house would not be "Mother" inspection ready.
I also planned and taught a class at work on Friday. We employ 6 student workers in my office (University). I held a customer service class for them, at the request of the Associate Director. So last week I was planning, typing the handouts and getting ready for my 'speech'. (Teaching a class is like a speech to me - I have to read, re-read and know the outline; so it will go smooth). I am not sure it went over as well as some of my previous customer services classes; however, it did recieve positive feedback. So that is ok by me.
One of my high school friends emailed me last week that her daughter would be on TBS this past weekend; during movie and a make over. So Leah and I settled in to watch for her. We actually got to see the clip and she did a GREAT job. I actually "know" 2 famous people now! Make that 3 - my uncle was recently on a lawyer commercial too. *giggles* This was the highlight of our weekend! Pretty sad eh?
It has REALLY been a busy, crazy, strange, wild couple of weeks. Gen's surgery and 2 weeks worth of pampering him; my back went out last weekend - so I was back on meds all week for that. Leah had a sinus infection and we visited the doctor for meds for her. Gen's follow-up visit and then I end up sick. If I wasn't living it; I wouldn't believe it! I am so ready for 5 days off in a row.
I have several 'Saks of Memories' orders in line. So I HAVE to feel better in order to work on those. Plus I have several Christmas gifts I would like to make for family. Christmas. It could be the weather today, it could be the fact that for the last 2 weekends I have actually been under the weather myself. But I am NOT looking forward to the holidays. I don't want to decorate. My cute little house kitten has become the Tazmanian Devil. You know the cartoon one that whirlwinds through everything. Every day is an 'adventure' when I come home from work to see what she has gotten in to and how much of a mess has been made. So I can not even imagine my tree with it's glass ornaments and this little wild kitten.
I have neglected my blog. However, with all that was going on, it was all I could do to keep up with working and my household chores; which have also suffered. Thank goodness I am NOT hosting Thanksgiving dinner this week! My house would not be "Mother" inspection ready.
I also planned and taught a class at work on Friday. We employ 6 student workers in my office (University). I held a customer service class for them, at the request of the Associate Director. So last week I was planning, typing the handouts and getting ready for my 'speech'. (Teaching a class is like a speech to me - I have to read, re-read and know the outline; so it will go smooth). I am not sure it went over as well as some of my previous customer services classes; however, it did recieve positive feedback. So that is ok by me.
One of my high school friends emailed me last week that her daughter would be on TBS this past weekend; during movie and a make over. So Leah and I settled in to watch for her. We actually got to see the clip and she did a GREAT job. I actually "know" 2 famous people now! Make that 3 - my uncle was recently on a lawyer commercial too. *giggles* This was the highlight of our weekend! Pretty sad eh?
Friday, November 11, 2005
Childhood Christmas memories....
It’s really past time to update my blog! I do have the “I’ve been busy excuse” for this last week. Gen continues to do well, but I am babying him just the same. Leah has been sick this week, so we spent 2 hours in the Doctor’s office on Wednesday afternoon. Ugh!
I have orders for 8 mini albums, with one I am currently working on to finish up in time for the weekend. The rest are pretty much anytime before Christmas, but I want to get them out of the way because I have projects of my own to make as Christmas gifts.
I answered a post yesterday about budgeting and spending for the holidays. It really made me think of this question – “What do you remember for your childhood Christmas?” Was it the amount of presents you received? Was it the ‘cost’ of the presents? In 30 years from now (for my children) will any of that matter or what will be their most vivid memories? As I thought this over, I decided to share some of my memories of Christmas over the years of my childhood. I remember before I was 7 years old that we always waited to see what Santa had brought until my Granny Velma and Papa Jim arrived to enjoy our excitement with us. It was shear torture waiting at the top of the steps knowing that in the formal living room all the goodies were waiting for us. I remember the HUGE train track set that my Dad built and put together himself for me. (I didn’t know at the time that Dad did it, of course *wink*). The summer of my 7th birthday we moved to “the country”. Oh yes, old farm house kind of country; icky green paneling on the walls, hardwood (and cold) floors, space heaters, kind of country. LOL
I remember one year having a tree that was shorter than I was. I am almost positive it was an artificial, as we rarely had live trees, due to my sister’s severe allergies.
We put our tree up every year on Thanksgiving Day after lunch. Dad would climb up in the attic and pull down the tree and decorations, then retire to a chair to watch football while we put up the tree. Granny Velma and Papa Jim were usually there and helped decorate too. My sister, Sonya, still puts her tree up at Thanksgiving (sometimes the day before because we all eat Thanksgiving lunch at her house now).
Christmas morning we were up bright and early! We waited until all 3 of us (all girls) were in the same room to see what goodies Santa had left for us. Mom snapped pictures; Dad sat watching in his t-shirt and boxers! After we had squealed about our gifts and emptied our stockings, Mom went to the kitchen to make up a huge Christmas breakfast feast of homemade biscuits, grits, scrambled eggs, bacon or ham with assorted jellies (some even homemade). After the dishes were clean, we usually all got dressed and then after a light lunch we headed out the door. Christmas afternoons were spent visiting my cousins to see what they had gotten under the tree.
My mom is a hairdresser, she went back to work when I was around 9 years old and has worked ever since. She is currently STILL working at the age of 71! I remember her baking goodies for her customers at Christmas; her famous fudge is my favorite. I now make a least one batch of fudge every year. Mom still makes it and takes the fudge along with other sweets into her shop for customers at the holidays too.
I hope that in the years to come that the memories my children cherish are of our annual Christmas Eve dinner and game/movie night, our Christmas lunch at my sister’s house, the annual tree trimming, the visit to a City of Bethlehem (put on by a local church) and not the amount of money I did or did not spend on their gifts.
I have orders for 8 mini albums, with one I am currently working on to finish up in time for the weekend. The rest are pretty much anytime before Christmas, but I want to get them out of the way because I have projects of my own to make as Christmas gifts.
I answered a post yesterday about budgeting and spending for the holidays. It really made me think of this question – “What do you remember for your childhood Christmas?” Was it the amount of presents you received? Was it the ‘cost’ of the presents? In 30 years from now (for my children) will any of that matter or what will be their most vivid memories? As I thought this over, I decided to share some of my memories of Christmas over the years of my childhood. I remember before I was 7 years old that we always waited to see what Santa had brought until my Granny Velma and Papa Jim arrived to enjoy our excitement with us. It was shear torture waiting at the top of the steps knowing that in the formal living room all the goodies were waiting for us. I remember the HUGE train track set that my Dad built and put together himself for me. (I didn’t know at the time that Dad did it, of course *wink*). The summer of my 7th birthday we moved to “the country”. Oh yes, old farm house kind of country; icky green paneling on the walls, hardwood (and cold) floors, space heaters, kind of country. LOL
I remember one year having a tree that was shorter than I was. I am almost positive it was an artificial, as we rarely had live trees, due to my sister’s severe allergies.
We put our tree up every year on Thanksgiving Day after lunch. Dad would climb up in the attic and pull down the tree and decorations, then retire to a chair to watch football while we put up the tree. Granny Velma and Papa Jim were usually there and helped decorate too. My sister, Sonya, still puts her tree up at Thanksgiving (sometimes the day before because we all eat Thanksgiving lunch at her house now).
Christmas morning we were up bright and early! We waited until all 3 of us (all girls) were in the same room to see what goodies Santa had left for us. Mom snapped pictures; Dad sat watching in his t-shirt and boxers! After we had squealed about our gifts and emptied our stockings, Mom went to the kitchen to make up a huge Christmas breakfast feast of homemade biscuits, grits, scrambled eggs, bacon or ham with assorted jellies (some even homemade). After the dishes were clean, we usually all got dressed and then after a light lunch we headed out the door. Christmas afternoons were spent visiting my cousins to see what they had gotten under the tree.
My mom is a hairdresser, she went back to work when I was around 9 years old and has worked ever since. She is currently STILL working at the age of 71! I remember her baking goodies for her customers at Christmas; her famous fudge is my favorite. I now make a least one batch of fudge every year. Mom still makes it and takes the fudge along with other sweets into her shop for customers at the holidays too.
I hope that in the years to come that the memories my children cherish are of our annual Christmas Eve dinner and game/movie night, our Christmas lunch at my sister’s house, the annual tree trimming, the visit to a City of Bethlehem (put on by a local church) and not the amount of money I did or did not spend on their gifts.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Thankful !
Tonight as I sit to type, my Gen Man is laying on the floor beside my desk snoring (Yes, he snores! He is truly the 'man' of the house!). He did remarkably well with his surgery and afterwards. The news, so far, has been better than expected. The vet said the tumors (yes, they found an additional one) were not inside the anal glands as first thought. Both were still encased and had not ruptured. The largest of the 2 has been sent to the lab to be tested.
I am so thankful that I will still have my companion and guardian around, hopefully for many more years. He is as much a member of our family, as I consider my own children.
It is so hard to explain how different this breed is from domesticated dogs to people who have not experienced them in your life. They are different.
Thank you to each and every one for their thoughts, prayers and well wishes. I appreciate them beyond words.
I am so thankful that I will still have my companion and guardian around, hopefully for many more years. He is as much a member of our family, as I consider my own children.
It is so hard to explain how different this breed is from domesticated dogs to people who have not experienced them in your life. They are different.
Thank you to each and every one for their thoughts, prayers and well wishes. I appreciate them beyond words.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Heartache ~
My heart hurts tonight. Yesterday I found out that my dog, Champion American Legend, "Gen" (pictured a few years ago at a Dog Show), has a tumor. He will be having surgery tomorrow morning. The vet said it couldn't wait. I was in a state of shock as my daughter and I left the animal hospital. Gen has been part of our family now for about 6 years. He has been my constant companion. Where I go, he goes ~ numerous camping trips, Washington D.C., soccer fields and just for rides around town. Gen is a Tibetan Mastiff. To understand a bit more about him I am including this information from the AKC history of the breed:
The history of the Tibetan Mastiff - the large guardian dog of Tibet - is hidden in the mists of legend, along with the people of the high Himalayan Mountains and the plains of Central Asia. Ancestors of today's Mastiff breeds are believed to have accompanied the armies of the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks and Romans and later, traveled with Atilla the Hun and Genghis Khan as far west as Europe. During these centuries, it is believed that the Tibetan Mastiff remained isolated on the high plateaus and valleys of the Himalaya to develop into the magnificent animal so highly prized by the people of Tibet.
Tibetan Mastiffs are traditionally kept tied to the gates of the house or monastery, or tied to stakes in the nomad camps, they are let loose at night. In addition, when the flocks are moved to higher pasture, the Tibetan Mastiffs were traditionally left behind to guard the tents and the children The dogs are expected to defend the flocks of goats, sheep and yak, the women and the children and the tents of their masters against predators such as wolves and snow leopards, as well as human intruders.
The close relationship of the Tibetan Mastiff with man throughout the centuries has given the dog a almost uncanny "human" understanding. Generations of working as a guardian of yak, sheep and, more importantly, women and children, requiring always a protector and not a killer, has produced a disposition and temperament of controlled strength, initiative, and fearlessness, tempered with patience, loyalty, and gentleness.
Gen has been our guardian. He is truly a 'gentle giant' with a huge heart. He has looked after my children with soft watchful eyes. Gen is a show champion dog taking many Best in Show awards at Rare Breed dog shows. He has sired champions and family pets. When Gen goes anywhere with me I always get asked "What kind of dog is that?". He 'commands' attention with his stature. He wins hearts with his gentleness.
I first met Gen at a local dog obedience class. I was there with my lab, Blaze. The lady teaching the class brought in one of her dogs...Gen. I was amazed at how well he tolerated my daughter rolling around on him in the floor. She used him for a pillow! After getting to know the teacher really well, I found she owned Gen, his father and his grandfather. Several months later she offered to let me take Gen home for a weekend to see if I really thought I would want this breed of dog. After 2 weekend visits, Gen became a member of our family. He still attended shows, winning more Best of Breeds and Best in Show. He also bred 2 more litters of pups. Over the last couple of years, Gen has been a happy couch potato. I've never known a dog that was this close to being a 'human'. Tonight I took some pictures of him in his favorite spot - lying in the hallway of my house where he can see every entrance; ever watchful. I have said a little prayer that we will still have many more days to share.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
My son - the Telemarketer
Derek came home Friday to work a NFL flag football tournament here. Of course, he dropped in my office to bum some money for lunch. He also told me he had gotten a job making phone calls. I freaked out! My first thought was that some company was recruiting on his campus for telemarketers and that he would be sitting for endless hours being cussed out. How fun is that?
He was like “Chill Mom, it’s with the school”. Oh, ok. So he is making phone calls for the alumni association for the next few weeks for their annual drive.
Last night I was cooking when he called. He was talking a mile a minute about making phone calls. (Last night was the first night of calls). He was on break and wanted to tell me that they get a ‘bonus’ if they get 7 donations in one night. He had already raised $500.00 from 9 people!! He said, “All it takes is being nice”. Of course, he was quite impressed with himself, as no one else had raised that amount of money in donations. He said he was saying “Happy Halloween” when the phone was answered. *Laughs* He said a few thought it was a ‘prank’ call and there were just a couple of old finicky folks. Too funny! However, apparently 9 people decided to make a donation.
It’s just amazing to me to hear his ‘tales’. Seems he turns out to be ‘successful’ at almost anything he tries. Makes a mom proud!
Oh and I will be a bit nicer to the next few telemarketers that call with a polite "No thank you".
He was like “Chill Mom, it’s with the school”. Oh, ok. So he is making phone calls for the alumni association for the next few weeks for their annual drive.
Last night I was cooking when he called. He was talking a mile a minute about making phone calls. (Last night was the first night of calls). He was on break and wanted to tell me that they get a ‘bonus’ if they get 7 donations in one night. He had already raised $500.00 from 9 people!! He said, “All it takes is being nice”. Of course, he was quite impressed with himself, as no one else had raised that amount of money in donations. He said he was saying “Happy Halloween” when the phone was answered. *Laughs* He said a few thought it was a ‘prank’ call and there were just a couple of old finicky folks. Too funny! However, apparently 9 people decided to make a donation.
It’s just amazing to me to hear his ‘tales’. Seems he turns out to be ‘successful’ at almost anything he tries. Makes a mom proud!
Oh and I will be a bit nicer to the next few telemarketers that call with a polite "No thank you".
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