New Year's Eve 2011

2011 - it was a very good year.  Maybe I didn't accomplish everything that I had hoped, but I received a great many blessings for which I am truly thankful.  I made sweet memories with family and friends, and had a few adventures along the way.  Here's hoping 2012 will be the same!

*******************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  spending the day with Lindley; Container Store with Molly and Maribeth; boiled shrimp dinner for Sam's birthday

What Happens When the Granddaughter Sleeps Over

1. Purple toenails and fingernails
2. Lunch/dinner consisting of whatever she will eat
3. Anything and everything getting tossed in the bathtub to encourage said granddaughter to take bath.
4. Birthday presents for 2nd birthday on January 13 get brought out early - like today.
5. As much of Sesame Street/Elmo's World as is toddler possible.
6. Lots of tramp-a-zeen time.
7. Lots more of hugs, kisses, and giggles

What could be better?

***********************************************************************************

Today's blessings: 31 years of Sam; Lindley sleep-over; Molly painting Lindley's toenails and fingernails; MSU winning bowl game; lunch/snack deliveries via Maribeth, Mathieu, and Molly; DVC ressie agents; AAA dude

It's That Time Of Year Again ...

*********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  Pancake Pantry with David and friend; mattress dudes; Home Depot-ing with Mathieu; chatting with Ben Little; chatting with Karen B; Radio Shack dude; Maggie the Cat snuggling with Mathieu

Why I Am Stoo-pidd

Because I am the only person in the house who cleans the bathroom.  

Even those I do not use.

*********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  Warming mattress pad; 3-Day donation from Kat and Sarah; David and friend and Phil and friends coming in for MSU bowl game; progress at Mathieu and Maribeth's house and the successful hanging of the window blinds

Why I Am A Jayn-yuss

1.  Not only do I know how to replace the toilet paper on the toilet paper roll, I know where to buy toilet paper, when we are about out of toilet paper, and which toilet paper the family prefers.

2.  Not only do I know where every item is in the house (or at least am supposed to know), I know where to return to its special place, every item that has been taken out and used (even if I wasn't the one using it).

3.  Not only do I know how to load a dishwasher, I also know how to unload the dishwasher and ... (wait for it) ... put the dishes away.

4.  Not only do I understand that if you turn on  vacuum cleaner and roll it over a surface that it will suck stuff up, but I also know how to empty the container that holds the sucked-up particles.  And I can tell when the sucked-up particle container is full and needs to be emptied.

5.  Not only do I know where the Christmas decorations are stored, I also can put up and decorate a Christmas tree and then un-decorate and take down said Christmas tree before anybody even realizes that Christmas tree decorating is being done.

Mensa, I'm waiting for your call!

***********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  shopping with Maribeth and Mathieu; waiting for Molly's maid man; crock pot chili on a cold rainy night; picking up Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley at the airport

And Then It Was The Day After Christmas

... now when does that diet start again?

***********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  movie with Steve, Molly, and Mathieu; turkey casserole dinner with Steve, Maribeth, and Mathieu; Molly's fudge; 

Merry Christmas!

... from what seems not-so-long ago!

May this Christmas be filled with many happy memories!!

*********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  Christmas Day and all that it represents; movie with Steve, Mathieu, Maribeth, and Molly

I Couldn't Tell It Better Than This!!

From a few of my friends ...

***********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  time with GDizzle; safe road trip back home

24-Hour Travel

In a few hours, Steve, Maribeth, Mathieu, Molly, and I will be headed south to Columbus, Mississippi, to spend the night with Steve's dad, GDizzle.  It will be a quick trip, just enough time to say "Merry Christmas" and to head back home on Christmas Eve.  While it's nice to visit with family at Christmas, it's also nice to wake up on Christmas morning in your own bed - especially when you no longer have little ones waking up early to inspect their Santa goodies!

If you're travelling this Christmas, I wish you safe travels and many happy memories!!

***********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  reading books to Lindley before taking her and her parents to the airport; road trip with the rest of the family to Columbus, MS

Davidson Crock Pot Christmas 2011

Tonight we celebrated our family Christmas.  Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley will leave tomorrow to spend Christmas with the Ogles, so tonight was our big night.

 We had decided months ago to have Crock Pot Christmas. Past Christmases have included Cereal Christmas, Magic Bullet Christmas, and Disney Christmas, just to name a few.  This year, everyone was to bring their part of the meal that was prepared in the crock pot.  Apparently, this could include contributing to Molly's 3-Day fund if she would prepare yours.  Anyhow, we ended up with turkey breast, boiled peanuts, hash brown casserole, macaroni and cheese, spinach dip, mulled wine, and chocolate cake (yes, chocolate cake in the crock pot, and it was quite good!).  Because we are such high-class people, we just took the crocks out of the pots and placed them on the table.  We also used the Thanksgiving plates, which if you have a discerning eye, you might be able to figure out where they came from.

Now for the part you've all been waiting for - Make-It Christmas presents.  I would like to say at this point that the recipients were not drunk at the taking of these pictures, nor do their expressions convey their feelings about their gift. At least I don't think so.  Anyhoo, on to the gifts:

 Sam's gift was an original painting of the track at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney World.  On it are cutouts of him and Lindley at her kids' race in October.  As you can see, he was dumbfounded at my artistic talent.

 Molly, who is not possessed by the way, got a pink piggy bank for her desk at work in which to receive donations for the 3-Day.  On the pig is original artwork depicting the walk.  It's a wonder what one can do with a plastic pig and sharpies.

Lynnette gets the acting award for most enthusiastic.  She got a lap blankie made from squares of Lindley's baby clothes.  Lucky for Lynnette, she has skinny legs, otherwise the blankie would barely be large enough to cover her feet.

Steve got a "Fudge-O-Meter" for the frig to let the candy makers in the house know when he is out of homemade fudge and is in need of some more.  Of course, it would have been nice if there had been some fudge to accompany the fudge-o-meter ...

 Maribeth got 3 hospital gowns for her upcoming days in March when Baby BoBo decides to arrive.  Maribeth decided to demonstrate the Velchro tabs on the shoulder.  She also decided to demonstrate her labor-day game face.

Mathieu got a blankie for the hospital made from the leftover bits of Maribeth's hospital togs so that he will know which laboring woman is his.  He's hopeful he will get a little shut-eye in the hospital  We'll let him live in his little fantasy world for now.

Lindley got Elmo/Abby Cadabby pajamas and blankie.  She was far more interested in the play money Uncle Mati gave her than any boring clothes, so we have no picture of her.  Hmmmm - money over homemade clothes.  The girl has her priorities straight already!

So there you have it - another Davidson Christmas in the books.  And we didn't even have to order from Papa Johns!

*********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  Davidson Family Christmas and all that it entailed!!

Four More Days!!!

***********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  J Alex with Steve and Maribeth; moving furniture, Home Depot, and Sonic with Mathieu

My Twelve Days of Make-It Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, I got out my Christmas list. (Dang it!  Why did I choose to make everybody's Christmas gifts again?)

On the second day of Christmas, I got out my sewing machine.  (And watched it drop a stitch, break the thread, get all jammed up.  Where's the decoupage stuff?)

On the third day of Christmas, I got out my sole cookbook.  (And burned the brownies, forgot to add the sugar, turned the oven on too high.  Who called the Health Department?)

On the fourth day of Christmas, I got out some paints and canvas.  (Forget the paint-by-numbers - won't just painting the entire canvas one color lend more to the imagination?)

On the fifth day of Christmas, I got out some knitting needles.  (And started the blanket which turned into a scarf which turned into a hotpad which quickly unraveled all by itself when I took a bathroom break.)

On the sixth day of Christmas, I bought some silk flowers and a vase.  (The vase broke when the cat knocked it over and the cat was so scared it took off through the front door, trailing the silk flowers behind her.  While the scaredy-cat didn't seem to mind the thunderstorm, the silk flowers did!)

On the seventh day of Christmas, I decided to write a poem.  (Which turned into Haiku since I only had to come up with three lines, which sounds easy until you have to factor in the syllable count.  Poetry is not poetry if a calculator is involved).

On the eighth day of Christmas, I decided to make a CD mix.  (Really?  As if I (a) knew how to make one, and (b) knew where a blank CD might be in my house!)

On the ninth day of Christmas, I decided to create a powerpoint presentation of our family.  (Yep, right after I do that CD mix thing.)

On the tenth day of Christmas, I decided to make my own candles.  (Until I found out I could get a gross of them at Dollar Tree for a dollar.  Time, particularly mine, is money!)

On the eleventh day of Christmas, I decided to make everyone matching Christmas sweatshirts.  (Yeah, that should go over well - can't wait to see the family picture of that!  Why don't I just bang my head against the wall now?)

On the twelfth day of Christmas, I got on my computer and ordered gifts the easy way.  After all, I picked it out, ordered it, and paid for it - all by myself - isn't that making it?!

*********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  4 miles with Karen B; Mathieu and Maribeth's new bedroom and bath finished!; moving furniture at Maribeth and Mathieu's; Lindley-sitting (albeit late)

Buddy Bear II's Lesson

This is Buddy Bear.  Technically, it's Buddy Bear II, but that's part of his story.  Here's how it goes:

I bought Buddy Bear I in New York a while ago for Lindley. Eventually Buddy Bear I ended up in Lindley's crib for bedtime snuggling purposes.

When Lindley started her new school this fall, she was asked to bring a blanket and snuggle friend for naptime.  Rather than run the risk of forgetting Buddy Bear I at school and having bedtime drama, Lynnette decided to arrange for Buddy Bear II to arrive and accompany Lindley to school.

However, even though Buddy Bear II was from the exact same company as Buddy Bear I, he was not made of the same quality fabric as Buddy Bear I.  In short, his paws shredded at the seams, and his ears soon followed.  With one paw completely off, he was also losing weight, via losing his stuffing.  So, Buddy Bear II was brought home from school and a steady stream of replacements were sent to school as substitutes.

Today Sam brought Buddy Bear II over in the hopes that something might be done to help Buddy Bear II.  I found some leftover flannel and stitched some new paws, ears, and feet.  He also received some replacement stuffing for his limp little arms.  Although it wasn't done with the expert stitching of his original maker, he seems quite pleased with the results.

In fact, that's the lesson of Buddy Bear II.  Even though I was sticking him with a needle and sewing him up somewhat sloppily, he kept his smile.  Maybe it was because he was happy to be whole again.  Maybe it was because he has hopes of returning to school with Lindley.  Maybe it was because he is thankful that so many people cared enough to help him out.

I'm not sure, since he really doesn't have a voice to tell me.  I just hope that the next time somebody gives me a helping hand, even though it might hurt a little bit, I have a smile on my face.  Why wouldn't I, if somebody cares enough to make me whole again?

*********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  Steve bringing McCabe's Pub for lunch; finishing a last-minute idea Christmas present; repairing Buddy Bear II; seeing pictures of old classmates

In The Spirit of Christmas

Minnie the Cat and Minnie the Mouse

Christmas buddies -

In Lindley's chair ...

*********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  6 miles with the Karens and Molly; Starbucks via Karen P; Shoney's with Steve and Molly; Shoney's family and Steve's gift card; Lindley time

A Little Love

Today I passed a fresh Christmas tree lot.  There were many beautiful trees - green ones.  And then at the front, I saw them - one white and one turquoise Christmas tree, flocked to every inch with the offending colors.

Sure, maybe somebody will think the flocked trees are beautiful and just what they want.  Maybe somebody will go to the lot searching for that perfect turquoise flocked tree.  Maybe turquoise trees are all the rage this year, and somebody forgot to tell me.

I guess I probably shouldn't have an opinion, since my tree is the same one I've had for years.  I take it out of its box and put it up every year.  It looks about as real as a plastic tree can look, perhaps even more than the turquoise one. At least I know my tree was never alive. But there's something about that turquoise tree that has stayed with me.  It's almost like I saw it cringe as I went past - as though it were embarrassed about what it had become.

I just hope there's a Charlie Brown out there somewhere who will buy that tree and take it home.  And I hope there's a Linus to remind us all with his words:

"I never thought it was such a bad little tree.  It's not bad at all really.  Maybe it just needs a little love."

Words to remember, not just about trees, but about everything that somebody else may not deem important.  After all, maybe all it needs is just a little love.

*********************************************************************************

Today's blessings:  Lunch at Fido with the Karens, Molly, and Pallu, with Gloria and her family stopping by to say hello; Lindley time; barbecue and veggies for dinner with Steve, Sam, Lynnette, Maribeth, and Mathieu; mall-ing with Sam

When Great Loves Collide

My great love:  Lindley M

Lindley's great loves:  trampoline jumping and Elmo

A perfect day:  when it all comes together at my house!!

*********************************************************************************
Today's blessings: Catching up race scrappy; Mathieu's successful Lasix; Lindley time; pizza with Steve, Sam, Maribeth, and Mathieu; Marilyn's sewing class certificate; watching bad movies with Steve, Maribeth and Mathieu

I Admit It - I'm Confused

Today in the Tennessean, I read a story about Lifeway recalling pink Bibles. The Bible in question is called the "Here's Hope Breast Cancer Bible" and LifeWay donated a dollar for each copy to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, an organization whose sole purpose is to fight breast cancer.

Apparently LifeWay decided to recall the Bibles after some people complained that Komen donates some of the breast cancer funds to Planned Parenthood. Although Komen assured LifeWay that the donated funds are used only for breast cancer screening and awareness, LifeWay's president said that "it is not in keeping with LifeWay's core values to have to have even an indirect relationship with Planned Parenthood."

So here's where I get confused. I thought LifeWay was all about spreading the good news about Jesus Christ and God's love. Instead, here's what I know:

1. Recalling the Bibles means that some people won't get to read the Bible. Is that Lifeway's goal?

2. According to Komen, Lifeway had pledged $25,000 to the organization. According to LifeWay, about three dozen complaints had been filed. So, 36 people helped decide the fate of potential Bible readers and mammogram receivers. Could we say that those 36 people have a God complex, if they are so powerful as to make those choices.

3. LifeWay does not want to indirectly associate with Planned Parenthood. I've read the Bible. Jesus, the ultimate LifeWay CEO, directly associated with Mary Magdalene, a prostitute and who was possessed by demons. Yet Jesus loved her and accepted her and her life was changed. Is Jesus' example not the one to follow, instead of judging two organizations whose goals are to help women?

4. I am a Christian and believe that Christianity is about love. Period. Otherwise, with my many mistakes, sins, and bad actions, I would be completely banned from the presence of God. I believe that my purpose in this life is to spread that unconditional love to others - regardless of what tags or labels humans may choose to place. Maybe a Bible verse will help: 1 John 4:7-8 "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

So LifeWay - what is it? Do you love, or do you judge?
*************************************************************************************
Today's blessings: good medical news from friends with serious illnesses; curtain shopping with Maribeth; seeing Nan at Target

For Those Who Appreciated Yesterday's Holiday House Lights ...

... here is your answer to the Christmas tree decision ...

*************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: Four miles with KB; closet and key shopping with Maribeth; Red Lobster lunch with Maribeth and Molly

Why My House Isn't Lit For Christmas

... because this is what it would look like!

**************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: successful shopping; picking up Lindley from day care and going to Pinkberry

And ... I'm Done!!!

With my "make-it" Christmas presents, that is. I finished the last one today and wrapped it along with the consolation present that each make-it will include. This means that I am finished with Christmas shopping and all of the gifts have been wrapped and put on top of the chifferobe in the living room next to the Christmas tree. We can't put them under the tree yet, since Lindley has figured out that presents are made to be opened immediately as soon as they are located. Also, since they are all wrapped and put in one location, there will be none of that, "Wait, did you not open the (insert gift name here)?" and the resulting search under the bed, in the closet, up in the attic, for the missing gift (which may not be found until next July). All I have left to do is pick up a few things to help Santa out with the stockings.

Oh, and in case next fall I blog about how I chose another "make-it" Christmas, PLEASE STOP ME!! That is, if the recipients of these gifts doesn't retire the category this year!

*************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: Watching "Love Actually" and "Elizabeth I" while finishing the last gifts; picking up Maribeth at the airport; Steve picking up Applebees for dinner; Omaha Steak delivery from the Graves

Thoughts to Think On

What very mysterious things days were.

Sometimes they fly by,

and other times they seem to last forever,

yet they are all exactly twenty-four hours.

There's quite a lot we don't know about them.

Melanie Benjamin, Alice I Have Been, 2010

[M]aybe the most any of us can expect of ourselves isn't perfection

but progress.

Michelle Burford, O Magazine, 2003

**************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: Picking up Sam at the airport; furniture moving; Steve's Bubba burgers for lunch with Sam, Lynnette, Steve, and Molly; Lindley time

A Good Saturday And Lessons Learned

It started with the Snowflake 5K. Actually, it started earlier than that when Karen texted me, saying, "Are we going to be snowflakes this am?" Lesson #1: Always have a jogging partner, because generally nobody wants to be the loser and say, "Naw, we ain't wogging - we're staying in bed!" This morning I was not the one who texted hoping for an out. Instead, I was the one who said, "Yes. We be dumb." So we went to the 5K where it was cold and wogged our way to a finish.

Along the way we had our picture with Santa. Lesson #2: If it's Christmas and you agreed to be Santa, please try to generate a little enthusiasm. Even senior citizens still believe in you!!

After we got home from the race, it was time to shower and clean up, since the Karens, Dawn, and I were going to lunch and the "The Nutcracker." Even though I had just logged 3.1 miles, I decided that I didn't need a coat. I thought wrong. Lesson #3: If it's cold and it's December and it's Nashville, carry a coat. It's better to shed than shiver.

Since the cafe we had chosen was only a few blocks from TPAC, we decided to park midway in-between the two locations. We passed one parking lot next to the cafe, rounded the block, and ended up in the parking lost we passed. Lesson #4: Save gas and choose the first parking lot. You're going to end up parking there anyway.

Although we did have a rather long wait for our food, it was delicious. I had a pimento cheese grilled cheese sandwich with a fried green tomato inside. I did say this was a Southern comfort food cafe and not a healthy-for-you cafe, didn't I? Since time was getting tight, we told our waiter we needed our four checks quickly. Karen also told him that she wanted a piece of cherry cobbler, and to put it on her check. Luckily Dawn was the brains of our party and suggested that perhaps he not only going to bring four checks, but also four pieces of cherry cobbler and put it all on Karen's check. Karen jumped up and ran to Mr. Waiter, who confirmed Dawn's suspicions and rectified the situation. Four checks, one piece of cherry cobbler, four spoons. Lesson #5: Always bring one smart person when eating comfort food, since the comfort of the food tends to numb brain cells.

We had time to walk the two blocks (shivering a bit for me) to TPAC, visit the restrooms, and find our seats. We barely managed to stay awake during the first act, get beverages to awaken us during intermission, and settle down for the second act - until Karen said, (as the house lights were going down), "I think I left the candles burning in my house when I left." Needless to say, the Sugarplum Fairy could not dance quickly enough for Karen. Lesson #6: Eating comfort food before a performance in a dark, warm room will induce drowsiness; make sure Red Bull is the beverage of choice. Also, blow out any candles when you leave the house, lest you remember that you didn't blow them out and remember nothing of what conspired during the second act.

Once the play was over, we headed back to Karen's, whose house was still standing and not on fire. We parted ways and made plans to walk for the upcoming week. Lesson #7: Spending time with good friends is a gift in any season - but during this season of peace and goodwill, it's even better!

************************************************************************************

Today's lessons: Snowflake 5K with Steve and Karen and race swag; Lindley time; lunch and Nutcracker with Karen B, Karen P, and Dawn; planning to use Groupon for dinner with Steve and arriving at restaurant only to find it closed (as in out of business)

Friday Facts

1. Baby, it's cold outside. Which means, in our 50+ year old house it's also a bit chilly inside, so the heat gets pumped up. Which also means I want to get in the bed and snuggle under the blankie. Which means I don't get much done, except watch Law and Order - The Early Years.

2. Did not get out to wog any, although we walked in the mall yesterday and have a 5k in the morning. When it's going to be really cold. Which means I will have to layer, which means probably sweating, which means cold again when I stop sweating when the 5k is over and the cold hits the sweat.

3. Got almost all the Christmas presents done and wrapped, except for one last make-it. Which is still in the sorta-planning, sorta-designing stage. Hopefully the idea will come quickly to fruition. One can dream ...

4. Realized how much I have to do in the days, weeks, months, and year ahead, and how much I had planned to do during the past year but haven't gotten done. Wonder if this time next year, I'll be realizing anything differently. Decided that I was thinking and realizing too much and need to go to bed.

So that's it for today. I also ordered one of my favorite Christmas movies, "The Gathering" with Ed Asner. I hope to have all my Christmas stuff done by the time it comes in, so I can snuggle in the bed and watch it. Christmas is coming!!

***************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: Airport run with Sam; Otters dinner and race bib pickup with Steve and Molly; almost finishing Christmas shopping; Steve's safe trip back home; pecans from Ms Wilson; chatting with Matt B; Christmas lights on houses as we went to dinner

Me. Today.

Something about going to the mall to walk at 6am gets the day moving.

Especially if it gets you in the mood to finish up the Christmas shopping.

Thanks goodness for caffeine!

****************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: Mall-walking with the Karens and Molly; taking Maribeth and Mathieu to the airport; Krogering and peeling taters with Molly; successful Christmas shopping; dinner at Molly's with Karen, Karen, Sharon, and Molly

When Being Judgmental Bites You In The Butt

This morning I decided to get out and walk a few miles. Even though it was cold. And dark. And I wore dark clothes, the very thing I fuss at walkers for wearing when they walk when it's dark. So I became the very person I think is stupid.

I hate when that happens, being that person that I railed against the day before, which happens more often that I would like to admit.

Tolerance, anyone?

****************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: Two miles in the early morning; switching desks and organizing; one more present delivered and wrapped; Steve's safe travel to Columbus

Make-It Update

As of today, I have four out of six make-it gifts done. I still have one to make and one to come up with the idea so I can make it. I have consolation presents to go with the make-it present so that the recipient at least has something that might be usable. The four finished make-its (and their consolation accompaniments) have been wrapped, so I am really ahead of the game.

Now if I could just learn to paint/quilt/sculpt/and~or whittle, I might get that last make-it made!!

***************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: Free hot fudge cake and lunch at Shoney's and shopping with Steve; chicken dinner with Sam, Lindley, Steve, Molly, Maribeth, Mathieu, and Adam at Molly's; texting with Marilyn during Biggest Loser; Nigel the dog's health improvement; more Christmas presents delivered

Just a Little Seasonal Help ...

I admit it. I've been busy making stuff and picking up stuff and procrastinating stuff. But I have been busy enough to help you with your holiday photos this year - at least on what NOT to do. Just click here and be amused - unless one of the photos is your family (I especially love little Claire)!

*************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: outlet shopping with Steve; picking up Lindley at day care; Steve's hot dogs for dinner; Christmas present deliveries

Giving Thanks for Unexpected Gifts

So here's my Sunday School lesson, except that I got it on Saturday:

Maribeth and Matheiu have been on a cruise (Disney, of course). While they were gone, it seemed like it was the best time to have the floors in their house stripped and re-stained. Of course, that meant that all the furniture had to be moved to the part of the house that doesn't have the icky floors in question. This included moving the bed, which happened to be a Sleep Number bed, which doesn't have your everyday mattress and box springs. Basically, the mattress is two air mattresses and the box spring is a bunch of over-sized Lego's that you put together (however it sounds, mine has given me the best nights of sleep ever).

Anyhow, after M/M left for the cruise, Sam and I managed to take apart the bed and shove the two parts of the bed into the bathroom and kitchen. The floors got refinished and yesterday morning I went over to meet Carpenter Bill who is doing the remodeling of the house and the painters who are going to paint the inside. C-Bill offered to help me re-assemble the bed in M/M's bedroom, which we did. We both left and I went to purchase a few supplies, including a temp shade for their bedroom, since all the curtains/rods were down for the impeding painting.

I stood on the bed to put up the aforementioned shade, and some of the Lego box spring decided to unattach. I surveyed the damage, and decided that the three puny slats that were holding up the box spring were insufficient, and I would replace them - in the three hours before M/M would be back in Nashville.

I pushed the two parts of the bed up and leaned them on the wall so I could get one of the inferior bed slats for measurement for my Home Depot bed slat run. I brought it home, measured it, and saw that it was about 5 feet. I go to Home Depot and look at the lumber. I see 1x6 pieces, remember that I measured 5 feet and think, "Perfect! Six feet is the exact length I need!" Don't ask me why I thought 5 feet and 6 feet are the same measurement. It was just one of those moments that seemed to make sense.

Of course, when I got back to M/M's, I realized my mistake and that I was going to have to cut the boards. This meant returning to my house and getting my jigsaw and coming back. I was now down to two hours before return, and I still hadn't been to the grocery store to get milk and bread.

Upon my return to my house, Sam was about to arrive with lunch for Lynnette and me. I had a lunch break and said to Lynnette that I was about to leave to cut the boards and reassemble the bed. Here's where the God part comes in. Just as I was getting up to find my jigsaw, my phone rings and it's Carpenter Bill. He says, "Luanne, did you put these wooden boards in here?" I affirmed the news and told him of the predicament. To make this long story short, he cut the planks precisely to the bed and help me reassemble the entire thing. Not only was the bed fixed, but it was fixed far beyond my feeble attempts could make it.

So what's the lesson here? That if we will just realize it, God is a part of our every day lives. He knows what we need and when we need it. He hears us when we pray and even when we don't. Sometimes we don't get the answer we think we want, and sometimes we get an answer that we didn't even ask for. We just need to stop and realize that there is something greater than us in this world, and that we are loved far more than we can ever fathom. We just need to recognize it and give thanks for it.

After all, why else would Carpenter Bill be at the house on a Saturday afternoon after he had already left? Why would he even bother to ask about the boards and then take the time to cut them to exactly the perfect length? Why? Because Somebody knew I needed help and provided it for me.

Thank you God, for looking after me every moment of my life. But most of all, thank for all the gifts and blessings you give, especially the unexpected ones.

*************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: Lindley time; brunch with Lynnette, Maribeth, Mathieu, and Molly; Maribeth and Mathieu's official announcement that it's a girl!

And They're Back

Maribeth, Mathieu, Molly, and Steve came home after a week of cruising/golf (you figure out who did what). Molly came home to find a clean house (thanks to her housesitter) and that Rambo had not run away. Maribeth and Mathieu came home to a finished deck and refinished floors. Steve came home in time to pack a bag and leave with Sam for a golf outing in Alabama.

Meanwhile, I had purchased bread and milk, set up Maribeth and Mathieu's bed, filled Steve's car up with gas, and picked up the major messes in the house.

Home, sweet home!

************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: Lindley time; Factory for lunch with Sam and Lynnette and cheesecake for Lynnette's birthday celebration with the family; Bill Cox help with Maribeth and Mathieu's bed; safe travels for the family; cruise prizes from the cruisers

Clean Up Day

With everyone gone for the week, the house has fallen into a mess. It would seem that with everyone gone, wouldn't the house stay clean? In a word, no.

Here's what happens: I get the time to work on projects uninterrupted. The best thing is that I can leave unfinished projects exactly where I want to, along with the accompanying mess that the project entails. In the case of sewing, that means fabric scraps, discarded thread, and all the other paraphernalia that I need in order to do my version of sewing. The side messes of the week include mail in various parts of the house (wherever I happened to be when I decided to put the mail down), trash cans that need emptying, and recycling that needs to be collected. Because it's Christmastime, it means that there are rolls and scraps of wrapping paper on the bed and on the floor and on my desk. I won't even get into the whole food/eating thing, since it might prompt a call to the health department.

Anyhoo, the family is returning tomorrow, and since I did complete several of my big projects, I could put stuff away. In other words, it was time to clean up the house. After 8 hours, I have one room done. The funny thing is that I don't think anyone will even notice, as long as there is milk in the fridge and bread in the pantry.

So I guess I'd better get to the grocery store ..

**************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: completing major sewing projects; 5k-ish with Gloria; sleeping Lindley babysitting; beautiful sunny day

Happy Birthday Lynnette!

Today is Lynnette's birthday. To celebrate her, I thought I would list what I consider to be the Top Ten Moments since she joined our family:

1. First time I met her - in St. Louis - where she was working at the same summer youth camp as Sam (and where they met). Maribeth and I drove up in my (at the time) car - a Volkswagon Cabrio (small convertible). Sam, his friend Bugg, Maribeth, Lynnette, and I all went out to dinner in that car -boys in front and girls in back. Luckily Lynnette is tiny, which made up for all the space I was taking up in the back seat. However, since she is tiny, I also thought she was still in high school (I think she was in grad school).

2. Doing her first "big" race - the now defunct Minnie 15K. I kept sight of her jogging ahead of me until I finally caught up with her and we finished together. I think that was the last time we finished a race (that wasn't a fun run) together!

3. Her first Davidson Disney trip - she roomed with Molly and got the full Davidson Disney drama - tears, hurt feelings, dining ressies, late night at the parks - and we didn't even stay on property!

4. The "all girls" Disney trip when she, Marilyn, and I all got to the airport at the same time and got the rental car and headed out to Wilderness Lodge - after midnight. We couldn't work the GPS thingy (a first-gen GPS) on the car and ended up driving around and around past the MK, looking for the road to to to Wilderness Lodge. The good news was that there were no lines at check in!

5. Her first (to date, anyway) marathon where Maribeth and I were her race crew, meeting her at every two miles to provide drinks and support. Which was handy, since she was a little preggers (unknown to anyone) and feeling the need to toss her cookies (or crackers or whatever) every now and then on the course. Luckily Sam (who did the half marathon) joined the support team when Maribeth had to go to work and could ascertain whether she needed to quit (she didn't!).

6. Any road trip with the family, which usually involves made-up games, arguments about trivial nothingness, and surveys about ridiculous things.. Luckily she travels with an Ipod and not a gun, because I'm not sure whom she would shoot first!

7. Her willingness to travel with Maribeth for a special mission, which mostly involved Lynnette spending time in her room at a Microtel (which will also hopefully be her last time in a Microtel).

8. Her tenure with the Cabrio and the various car situations it presented.

9. The family Thanksgiving trip to New York City which involved dead batteries on planes and crashing private parade parties.

10. Lindley's first diaper dash - when she couldn't crawl - and Lynnette getting her to the finish line!

These are just a few of the fun times we've had, and there are many more to come - Happy Birthday Lynnette!!

***************************************************************************************

Today's blessings: 2 miles with the Karens in the cold; floor dudes at M&M's house; getting projects complete; actually figuring out the DVD player and watching 3 movies