Esther

Looking forward to beginning a Beth Moore Bible Study on Tuesday nights. This looks like a good one. Please pray that God will speak to me, that I will be able to attend all meetings and that I will also have an opportunity to get closer to the women at Grace Church.

1975.....January 11th...A day to Remember!

Thirty-four years ago....phew....It was a COLD January day. It was about 40 degrees below zero...with 4 ft of snow on the ground....a small path the width of a snow shovel led from the back door of our house to the car...a 1970 VW Beetle Bug. I waddled out of the house at about 9 am - it was a Saturday and headed for the hospital (approximately 20 miles away). I was in labor, but when the nurse asked me, as we arrived.." Are you in labor? "....I thought she was asking if the man with me was my neighbor....I yelled at her, "No, he's my husband!". Poor nurse, she must have thought I was a CRAZY woman in labor. Anyway...checked in (we had already completed a "pre-adnmission" process) and watched cartoons until about 1pm. At about that time cartoons were no longer on my mind....I was starting to experience PAIN. I had learned the breathing techniques and thankfully they helped. Robin was born "naturally" at 4:13 PM. A beautiful baby girl....6 lbs 6 1/2 oz and about 18 inches long. She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. PERFECT in every way. She was most certainly a blessing from God. She has continued to bless my life for 34 years. I know she now blesses many of your lives as well. Share a blessing in the comments...I know that today, Robin's birthday, is a day we all celebrate. Just knowing Robin is such a treat. I love you, Robin....I love you with all my heart....

My "Favorite" Day of the Year!

January 1. Anyone who knows me...even a little....knows this about me. I LOVE the Rose Parade...I love making Jimmy Dean Sausage Balls and watching the ENTIRE PARADE...I look forward to this every year. It is also my BROTHER'S BIRTHDAY. New Year's Day was always a big deal while I was growing up. We used to spend the day at the Sheffield's. The men would watch football, the women would hang out in the kitchen. The kids ran around and did what kids do. In my parent's close circle of friends,the Sheffield's were the first family to own a COLOR TV. Yep, you heard it right....most everyone had BLACK AND WHITE TV'S...so all of my parent's close friends gathered at the Sheffield's so the men could watch football in COLOR. It's always been about the men...right? I think there was always a birthday cake somewhere in all of the food available and some mention of my brother during the day. Those friends of my parents remained throughout the years...in the latter years they called themselves the GOLDEN AGERS. I have so many fond memories of those years. Seeing the rose parade in color was as exciting as watching the Wizard of Oz and seeing Dorothy open the door to Munchkin land after the house landed. Just spectacular! Hope each of my readers enjoy their New Year's Day.
You know where I'll be....in front of my new 37" tv with a sausage ball in my mouth. CHEERS!

Christmas Eve with Robin

I can always count on Robin to make our times together special. She pulled out all the stops and made a dip that tasted like buffalo wings, Cincinnati Chili Dip, veggies, fancy crackers...a pumpkin eggnog...cookies and CHOCOLATE FUDGE CHEESE...a Shrimp salad/salsa with a name that I've forgotten and had music playing softly in the background. The house was nicely decorated and we felt more like special guests than family. I included a photo of their tree. The only thing missing was the scent of pine ( artificial tree)

PaPa's "Unique" gifts

PaPa usually shops last minute, which was never a problem in Boca. He had this little store he always went to...he was probably the only one who shopped there because eventually they went out of business...but Robin and I called it the little Taiwan store...he always managed to find something there...one year, he bought Robin a GLASS HEAD. I still have it. Use it to hold an antique hat. You should have seen her face when she opened it. One year when Robin got a Barbie Pool, he bought a fake plastic rat and put it "poolside". One year he bought me a Clay charcoal heater pot. We still have it. With the economy the way it is...we might need it when we can no longer pay our heating bill. This year....he bought a book for Jacob...the Dangerous Boy Book. It has all kinds of activities that ONLY BOYS would like. Experiments and such....but for Hannah and me...he bought ORCHIDS. They are really lovely. I miss PaPa's plants. He had so many neat bonsais and orchids in Boca. He built a small screened area off our kitchen...I affectionately called it "Lucy's room" after my mom (Lucile) because he made it right after she died. He filled it with beautiful fowering plants and it was the view from my kitchen window. Fragrant and lovely. I hope Hannah appreciates her orchid as much as I do mine.

A Christmas Eve Concert

I just love this photo. I am not the best photographer...but this really captures a beautiful memory for me. Jacob and Jason....one lover of music and one just learning the saxophone. Jacob played so well tonight. I was so proud of him. Now I am looking forward to hearing Hannah on the clarinet and Jacob on the sax doing a duet....actually, I could join them on the electric keyboard...wait a minute....could we start DeeDee's Band? Your thoughts????

I'm a Doris...

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Doris!

You are a Doris -- "I must help others."

Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs

How to Get Along with Me

* * Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
* * Share fun times with me.
* * Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
* * Let me know that I am important and special to you.
* * Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.
In Intimate Relationships

* * Reassure me that I am interesting to you.
* * Reassure me often that you love me.
* * Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.
What I Like About Being a Doris

* * being able to relate easily to people and to make friends
* * knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better
* * being generous, caring, and warm
* * being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings
* * being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor
What's Hard About Being a Doris

* * not being able to say no
* * having low self-esteem
* * feeling drained from overdoing for others
* * not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish
* * criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should
* * being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tune in to them
* * working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings



So those who "really" know me....what do you think about this quiz...was it accurate?

Leftover Turkey

Anyone got any good ideas for using up the LEFTOVERS? I mean New ideas...I'm tired of Turkey sandwiches and turkey and gravy over noodles...something NEW? One of the guys at work shared that he takes his leftover FRIED bird and makes a Turkey Soup. I'm not a big soup fan...I mean I do like soup, and just an FYI...if you have an Atlanta Bread Company in your town...try the Butternut Squash Soup....DELICIOUS...anyway..all you "Martha's" out there...please share. BIRD's the WORD.

I am so thankful for...

...having 17 guests over to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner together, and a home big enough to accommodate everyone.

I made Jason take me to CVS to get a new ink cartridge for my printer...I told him I needed it for Placecards and a "special" activity for our party. I found a clipart of pilgrims...and then wrote.."I am so thankful for..." Each guest was asked to fill in the blank. After the blessing and before we sat down to eat, I read all of the cards. Family and friends was on almost every card. One person said Dark Chocolate, one said "besides my wife and Faith Hill...", one said the "Andies candies in the dish"...it was fun to see everyone's face light up when the cards were read out loud.
I am so thankful that the food was good, the fellowship sweet and that the weather cooperated. Today it is raining, but yesterday, it was GORGEOUS. I peeled off my long sleeve turtleneck and sweater vest and put on a short sleeved t shirt. We were able to sit outside on the deck and enjoy all of the blessings of family and friends.
I pray that Thanksgiving at DeeDee and PaPa's will be a TRADITION. I had hoped we would play games...that was my only regret. I thought a good old fashioned game of monopoly with the kids - or CARDS - or dominos...maybe next year.

Getting ready for Thanksgiving

Yesterday, Robin and I sat for a few minutes and looked over the "menu" for our Thanksgiving Dinner. This year we will have a full house. I think at last count it was total of 17. I am so thankful for the new dining room table, and since I haven't decided the future of my old table, I will have seating for all those invited.
Jason has been making FRIED TURKEYS over the past few years...but this year he may try his smoker for the BIRD. We will have what we call "our" tradtionals...
Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Beans, Cranberry Sauce ( Robin makes a fabulous one...but I did see a new recipe we may try this year). We will have rolls and pies. Robin is making a Brie with Pears and pecans ....yummy..and who would think we need appetizers....but it is usually a LONG DAY so I will have some "extras". I am working on a table centerpiece and trying to be creative with the place cards. There will be FOOTBALL and possibly a game of scrabble or something like Monopoly for the kids.

What have you planned for your day?