put your eye on this kid!

kids have lotsa talents - but this one is one to see. Sharing this link the husband sent this link this morning.
Wondering what this child is going to be when he grows up ....

Did You Miss it?

That was the title of the sermon today - there were some guys on the road who missed the essence of what had just taken place. Jesus comes up beside them and breaks it down - Moses to then present-day-prophets - the Bible as it were, then.

The point of the sermon was, being on the other side of the events, Christmas - did you miss it? There are those out there who completely missed it, wrapped up in the hoopla of the times. We can reveal to them the true essence of what it was about. Kewl, huh? The husband delivered a good word today. Help those out there to understand by the Christ in you. Blessings to you.

loins and elephants

Larger than life are times you can spend with your kids. The youngest has been awarded many certificates which I've collected, but some of them included certificates for things like free lunch. This week we used one for the Elephant Bar - to which neither of us had been before. Thus that trunked image in the background is none other than an elephant, not living of course. This picture was taken with my HTC mogul phone.

I enjoyed the restaurant's decor and ambiance. The youngest ordered a hamburger sans cheese, lettuce and tomato which came with ample fries with chocolate milk which he loves, (it also came with a chocolate sundae) and I had the chicken fingers. The service was friendly and responsive, and the manager came by to make sure all was well. And it was until the bill which had errors; but they were corrected, and we left unscathed and happy. We enjoyed our day out. The youngest had a haircut earlier, but here he has his head hooded. He was an attractive date underneath, and amusing; but not as engaging as the husband.

Speaking of whom gave me a gps device for my birthday - it sure comes in handy. (This could be marriage saving - can you imagine me not getting us lost any more? - He's really cute when he tries to suck in his frustration for the love of me.) Anyways, the youngest and I, we were able to figure how to leave the Montclair shopping center without getting confused amongst all the after-Christmas shoppers. We call it Garmi.

The Giant called. He's officially a navy seaman and soon will be off to master of arms A-school in Texas for a couple of months. He'll be spending a few more days in Chicago before he goes. It was the first time we've had to talk since he left for boot camp. It was good to hear his voice. His boot camp stores were original with dental nightmares and a temperature above 104. He's graduated. He sounds good. He'll be in the same hemisphere as the eldest - afterall TX is more than an state - it's huge!

I have eight kids, mutual or not, I love them all. They are varied in gifts and personality -- each a unique treasure. These 3 came from my loins.

Hits of the Season ...

Christmas on Division Street was initial tissue fare - a good movie with Fred Savage looking at sides of life that matter; aired today

Today, saw the black and white of It's a Wonderful Life showing how a life matters, again. The wife, Donna Reed, in this version reminds me (look at their eyes) of Kirstin Davis who I just saw in the entertaining film, Deck the Halls about getting caught in sides of life that don't matter with Danny De Vito, Matthew Broderick, and the lady with a lovely voice - Kristen Chenoweth - she's filming a Christmas movie coming out next year called 'Four Christmases'

Jane Seymour, who I love most from Somewhere in Time did a review I enjoyed of Christmas films over the years - A Hollywood Christmas

The husband and youngest were at the keyboard singing christmas carols - priceless! We put our lights out today, a lovely nativity scene, and dressed our tree yesterday evening, the first time in my adult years not having natural tree. The youngest assisted the husband with the lights and me with the tree. He went to bed early in anticipation of tomorrow's events

The giant is a navy seaman. He graduates Friday in Chicago and on the same day is bound for San Antonio. Am hoping to see him there, the Lord willing. Two kids - eldest and giant - in Texas ...

Yesterday the children sang for christmas in our worship service, and the night before we gathered for a fellowship of caroling. The Ace sang a moving 'Mary Did You Know', and I was able to accompany her singing 'O Holy Night'. Worshiping the Lord in song in celebration of His birth - precious!

I was able to get the husband a gift he never suspected and would love! Time after time he has been there for me - lifted me up, been my strength, my safety blanket, my as it is described in one of Madea's movies representation of God's love. He loves the wind up clocks that chime the hour. Not long ago, his was over-wound. Come to find out they are expensive to fix or buy. But I found a deal. I hope chime after chime, it reminds him how much I love him.

Merry Christmas every one!

Praise the Lord! Jesus Christ was born! Go tell it!

merry malaise molasses

my taste in Christmas music is indicative of my celebration. Along with the traditional carols which I really enjoy singing and playing (whether I'm really good at either ;-)), these are some songs I I truly love too:

• "Where Are You, Christmas?" How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• "Christmas Don't Be Late" A Chipmunk Christmas
  
• "Christmas Time Is Here" A Charlie Brown Christmas

nearly all of the selections from Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol including:

• "The Lord's Bright Blessing"

but I especially love the one my sister (and later the eldest) and I used to sing all the time

• "When You're Alone"

If you listen to most of them, you know the music is a tangent from the usual Christmas sounds. I know it doesn't make any sense but, along with the Reason, I love the bittersweet, happy endings, hope of the Season. Silly sappy me!

rainy days and decembers ...

It's my favorite time of year - celebrating the advent of Christ. I'm moved by movies, and sentiments, and watching people. And there are birthdays in this month - 2 daughters, 1 brother in law, 1 son in law, and many dear friends, and I became 50.

Two years ago my mom died - it was my birthday. I was going to wake her for church - the husband was giving the message. I found later, after the firemen came and the paramedics lined the front of the house and the stairway, after I encouraged my husband to do what he does so I would have the comfort of knowing all was well with that part of the world, after holding her and wondering what diabetic crisis I had caused in my ineptitude, talking her back to this world with no avail, after alerting the brother and sister we had a situation with mom, later after following over to the hospital - she was having cerebral hemorrhage. She left us two days later.

The season has been this way for me for some time though, before the husband who has done wonderful things to make this season for me, I used to spend the holidays with the sisters family and still struggled. She has her season of difficulty, but Christmas is mine. This year the job is ambivalent, the church has a interim pastor and its in its own state, all the college kids are gone and our house is having quieter days, the giant graduates from boot camp at the end of the month in Chicago and I can't get there between weather and fares. But, life is not just some piece of cake. It's not just going to go my way.

Regardless, I love the season. I love my family. I love my friends. I love this time of year. Christ came and He is coming again! I don't know about rainy days and decembers, but the reason for the season IS!

Friends and Birthdays

Good friends are like cake and ice cream - something you like to have on your birthday :-). Our December birthdays we've been sharing the past couple of years. Mine was Tuesday and we were at Red Robins. Remember those coupons I get. They do coupons too! Well at Red Robins I got a free hamburger. I was soooo stuffed. And last night was the ace's husband's day. We shared that one at Black Angus. The coupon for was for a free steak dinner up to $19.99. I had peppered steak with mushrooms and mashed potatoes.

It's nice hanging out with our friends. Ace was explaining the the youngest the other day why we are all family - because as children of God we are. It's like that - good friends are like close family. You can be yourself and you like who you are and who you are with. They are good people. They are good friends. They are good family.

Berry Delightful Recipe

this dessert just in from Texas! Thanks to the Eldest!

it's easy to make, quick, and delicious. you can throw it in the oven when people come over and seem like martha stewart. if you keep berries in the freezer, you'll almost always have the ingredients for this yummy last minute dessert.

1-2 (16oz) bags of frozen mixed berries
pour them in a pie pan
pour approx. 1/3 cup of sugar over them
then sprinkle lightly w/ cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice
then in a separate bowl mix [1/2 stick of butter, 1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar] until crumbly
pour crumbly mix in pan
bake at 350 until golden brown and somewhat crisp

goes well with vanilla ice cream

I just happen to have an assortment of berries in the freezer!

What a wonderful start to the weekend ...

the husband and I spent time together, both having Friday off. I left early in the morning to have my hair coiffed for Saturday's party. My hairdresser is a blessing and a gem. I don't trust just any ol' body with my hair and hate to get it cut. I actually asked her cut it to a style - shocked my own self! If you wanna feel that way about your hair, hit me up for Lynn. Plus some hairdressers stagger their clients making what the process twice as long - I don't have that kind of time. The person in Lynn's chair is her #1 customer! I feel at home in the shop itself; even take my son there for barbering. Riddled with curls, I called the husband so we could breakfast together. We dawdled over vittles and conversation at a favorite local restaurant. We did a little shopping together and then went to the show.

We were toying between the choices of This Christmas and The Golden Compass , and finally settled on Compass. We were fully aware of the controversy surrounding Compass - and opted to be informed and equipped to be a credible witness with regard to it. I must say we thoroughly enjoyed the movie. There is nothing in this film (I have no interest in the book) I wouldn't allow the youngest to see; not sure if there will be a sequel if their box office sales weren't sufficient - but it came in first place this weekend. It's been a long time since we went to the show; I remember why, when with no more than 20 people in the theater, those two guys had to sit right behind us with sporadic commentary. We do have great theater room at home. However, our date was a lovely cuddly day together.

Funny thing happened on the way to the petstore ...

"Of all the gin joints
in all the towns in all the world" ...
in search of a heater for Sqyrt (his water was getting a bit chilly), we discovered that Santa and his wife were there yesterday. Now that wasn't especially surprising, as many a pet lover indulges in paw prints (pictures) of precious pets with Saint Nicholas, some clad in festive attire. What was surprising is that we knew the red-clad couple (well actually only he had the suit) - it was friends we hadn't seen for quite some time - Lee and Cathy! That's Lee! Really!


I still remember when we first visited our church, they invited us join them for a delicious lunch at Burger Town USA; and the white refrigerator in our kitchen is a blessing from them. He'll be graduating from his ministerial studies this month and they'll be moving yet further away soon. Our prayers and blessings will be with them. It was great running into you. And Happy Birthday Lee!
By the way, the heater works great; Sqyrt is most comfy now!

e're we drove out of sight ...

Merry Christmas to all! To all, a Good Night!

The husband's company knows how to put on a party - this year, it was at Paramount Studios which was all dressed in holiday lights for the season. There was a casino theme with gift raffles, a delicious meal and truly decadent desert. I'm not much for bread pudding - but this chocolate sensation with was it wild turkey sauce was sumptuous. The dinner fare was tri-tip roast, turkey and salmon with an assortment of appropriate accompaniments, as the beverages flowed. Once again, the floral candlelight centerpieces were oh so utterly beautiful. The holiday music was irresistibly toe-tapping. My hats off to the planners. I had a lovely time.

I played blackjack and the husband, dashingly dapper and blithely debonair, mingled and photographed. It was great to see Anna again, Stella, and Susan, and very nice to see Jillian and Debra. I miss the Jarvis' this year; we had such a good time with them the last. All around, though, remembering the harbor cruise when we almost missed the boat (thank you for the lifesaver Susan), and the Dodger Clubhouse, I chalk it up to yet another wonderful holiday season celebration! Thank you!


Was that too fast for you - peruse the album. Looking ahead, my office will have the usual Christmas lunch next Friday. The memories of this night will linger on with the anticipation for the next event.

Oh and we were a raffle prize winner. WooHoo!

Something Small Any Now

I know I keep raving about Max - but the man knows how to put a word together. That's his gift. I'm not following the man, for surely it is God given. Tuesday we did chapter 13 - Trust Little Deeds of Cure. There is no common person. There is no common gift. After the chapter was read aloud around the room - what more needed to be said? Max had said more than a word.

Post this where you'll see it every day

"Do all the good you can,
by all the means you can,
in all the ways you can,
in all the places you can,
at all the times you can,
to all the people you can,
as long as ever you can"

and this

"Moses had a staff.
David had a sling
Samson had a jawbone
Rahab had a string.
Mary had some ointment
Aaron had a rod
Dorcas had a needle
All were used by God
What do you have?"

We answered questions like:
What towering giants are you facing today? What pebbles do you have at your disposal to attack this giant?

The Lord definitely has me facing my giants and the encouragement has been grand. I'm thankful for His constant presence, the study group, and the lessons being learned.

Big deeds are not an every day occurrence, but what keeps me from doing something small any now.

bond...age

One of the gyrlz wondered why no one told them the giant was gone.
Asked her, weren't you the one that called a family meeting about the giant about a year ago.
She said, yeah...but he grows on you.
Family bonding.

He graduates the 28th!

a rainy december's day lilies wont to play

I planted these lilies after the service Resurrection Day. I was surprised to see them already in bloom; but come to find out - they're not early; they're a mite bit late! This was a favorite flower of my mom's.

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these._{Matt 6:28,29}

Think it's time for me to sit down and watch that movie; mom loved Sidney Poitier too. She passed away not two years ago around this time; it's funny the things that come to mind. Interesting that they should bloom now and fade around her birthday after the reprisal of Spring.