Miscellany Monday

{1}I was thinking the other day about the past and future. I thought about all the things that had happened the past 20 years and then wondered what the next 20 might hold.  And, I guess what really got my attention was the fact that in 20 years I will be almost 79 years old.  By most standards, that is a long life and I may not be alive in 20 years.  Yikes!  I can't go there right now.  But, since my maternal Grandmother lived to be 83 and my paternal Grandmother lived to be 94, I'm hoping to top that and live to be 100.  Hey, why not?  But, it's not something I dwell on, I just want to make sure that I enjoy everyday and live life to the fullest and make as much of a positive difference in others' lives as I possibly can while I  have the breathe of life in me. And, God knows it really is best that we not know what the future holds, we might cancel out if we knew.  But, the greatest assurance is that we do know WHO holds the future!

{2}I must confess, I love American Idol.  I am really not much of a TV person, but I started watching AI about 6 years ago and I just really get into it.  I am especially excited about this new season. 

I think they finally have the judges like they need to be. EXCEPT, Steven Tyler needs to clean up his language. I just don't get it! I'm glad that AI "  bleeps"  it out, but it's still just so totally not necessary.  Anyway, it seems to me that the talent this year is going to be some of the best in the history of the show.  I can't wait!


{3} I  recently discovered this neat ice cream snack and it's been my nightly snack the past few nights. In case you don't know

about it, check out the ice cream section of your grocery store and you will likely find it.  It comes in a little individual cup, about 1/2 cup, and only has 150 calories and comes in 4 flavors.  Yep! it is some good stuff!

 {4} This is the look on Clancy's face when he's watching Micky Mouse Clubhouse.  I'm telling you, he is "  zoned out"  when he is watching it.  And, of course, if you are familiar with this show then you are well aware of "  Toodles"   and "  Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog."   Oh, the magic of Disney! I've been known to actually dance around when the Hot Dog song comes on. Now, that's a scary sight let me assure you. ~chuckle~ 


{5} I have things on my heart and mind that I know the Lord is going to work out.  Now, maybe not like I would like for Him to, but, nonetheless, He will work them out and it will be for the best because we know He doesn't make mistakes.  Sometimes I just struggle with how things are going to work out and when.  I'm a
 " want to know the answer right now"  sort of gal. But, that is rarely God's way of answering, and I think He is hopeful that it will increase our faith in Him while we're waiting.  I'm still trying to get to that place.  Surely I'm not the only person with this struggle. ~wink~ 

{6} Okay, girlies, watch out!  I'm taking another step in my photo editing.  I figure one must crawl before he can walk and walk before he can run.  Well, I think I'm moving from a crawl, Picasa, to a walk, Picnik.  I started last summer using Picasa editing and have so enjoyed it but now am ready to delve a little deeper and am playing around with Picnik.  I joined Picnik about a year and a half ago and was totally lost trying to use it.  But, now, I can manage to maneuver my way through and have actually been pleased with some of my finished work.  And, it's mostly you blogging gals that have inspired me.  I mean, Carissa rates right up there at the top. She's always posting the most gorgeous photos. Now, I just had to share this photo (this is the arrangement on my kitchen island) below with you.  I know, it's not much, but hey, it's a start and I actually thought I did pretty good for a first time.  Okay, now let me hear your applause!  Notice that I even put a watermark on it.  Yes, I'm a little proud and just stay tuned for more ..........

As always, it's fun on Monday's linking up with our sweet Carissa.  Click the button above for more enjoyable Miscellany Monday reading.

The things that matter most in this world, they can never be held in our hand. 

A Mouthful of Money

When I saw what Linda's subject was for today, I felt I had to participate.  I could write a book about teeth and dental procedures and I have literally, thousands of dollars of dental work in this mouth of mind.  Here we go, and I know all of you are most interested..........~chuckle~

What are your dental memories of childhood? My very first memory of going to the dentist was probably when I was about 8 years old.  The dentist ran his office out of his house and for those younger folks, the dental chairs you sat in while being worked on were NOT the recliner type that we have today.  They were "  sit up straight"   type chairs with these little "  thingys"   that cradled your neck. I doubt seriously that I went to the dentist much before this time, but I can assure you that I have managed to make up for it. I well remember the huge syringes that the Dr. used to give the deadening agent and I was absolutely scared too death but managed to survive it.

Who pulled your baby teeth and how was it done - with a tissue, string, or other method? Was it a traumatic experience or no big deal? Did you have to have any teeth pulled by the dentist? I well remember it being a very traumatic experience but only because I acted so silly about it.  My tooth would be barely hanging on and my Dad would start to go ahead and pull it and I would start screaming.  Of course, he didn't have much patience for that and things usually escalated from there.  After he got through with me I usually opened my mouth, stood still and he calmly reached in and pulled it out.  I have had two wisdom teeth and one other tooth pulled by a dentist and it wasn't that big of a deal.

Did the tooth fairy visit your house? If so, how much did you get for each tooth and how long did that last? Yes, the tooth fairy did visit our house and I just thought it was totally amazing how she could come into my room, get the tooth out from under my pillow and leave me a quarter in return.  I always said I was going to stay awake all night and see her, but, I never did. ~grin~  I guess she continued to come until we were around 9 or 10.

How old were you at your first dental visit? Did you go regularly? Did you have any/many cavities as a child?  I was about 8-9 years old and I do not remember going regularly, but I do remember that every time I did go, I always had a cavity and it's still pretty much that way. ~laugh~

Was dental hygiene taught in school? Was flossing a big deal when you were growing up? Did you have braces and, if so, for how long? Did you have to wear rubber bands, head/neck gear or other additional "accessories"? Did you need braces but your parents couldn't afford them? Have you had braces as an adult?
I do not remember dental hygiene being taught in school and I do not remember knowing anything about flossing until I was in my 20's and to this day, I hate doing it!  I have never had braces or any other apparatus' for my mouth.

Do you have any fond/funny//traumatic memories of old relatives or friends and their false teeth? Oh, my paternal Grandmother would entertain us with her false teeth all the time.  It is one of my many fond memories of her.  There was never a dull moment with her.  


As I stated, just about every time I have gone to the dentist in my life, I have either had a cavity or something else wrong.  I think I pretty much have a filling in every tooth in my head, and I've had 11 root canals, yes you read that right, 11 of those little fellas!!!  And, I've had surgery on the root of one of my teeth.  Needless to say, I have spent hours upon hours in a dental chair and dollars upon dollars on dental bills.  Its's a shame your family cannot cash in your teeth when you die. ~chuckle~ But, I have managed to keep my teeth in my head and I guess that makes it all worth it. ~smile~


No doubt this was way more than you ever wanted to know or cared to know about my "  dental history"   but hopefully you had a laugh or two while reading.


I'm linking up with my Company Girls too and invite you to click on either button for more Friday entertainment.

 

Hodgepodge Wednesday

1. Did you know there is a National Day of pretty much everything in the universe? February 23 happens to be National Inconvenience Yourself Day...when was the last time you were inconvenienced? 

Wal-Mart is pretty much the "shopping capitol" of our little town.  I go there for most groceries and home needs, which means I am in there 3-4 times a week.  If I miss two days, they call to see if I am okay. ~laugh~ Almost everytime I go I leave so aggravated I could scream.  They have one "human" checker and 4 self check outs and two of them are usually broken.  It is a major  inconvenience when I have to wait an extended period of time to get checked out  just because they will not hire more folks to run the "human checkouts" or get the self check outs fixed. If they had some competition it likely would not be that way. ~sigh~

2. When a room in your house needs painting who does the job? Well, many moons ago, I tackled such jobs, Hubby has never painted, he cannot stand the job.  So, if it is done now, we hire it done and that makes us both very happy.

3. Are you friends with your cousins? I am closest with a girl cousin in Virginia Beach, Virginia, but I'm friends with several more, but we rarely see or communicate with each other.  I have no cousins nearby, most are close to 1000 miles away.

4. Do you use an alarm clock? If yes-is it an actual alarm, music, or something else? 

This clock radio goes off each morning playing music.  I cannot stand the sound of an alarm and think if I had to wake up to a noise like that, that I would likely wake up very cranky every morning.  And, the music that comes on is very low and I'm usually just laying there waiting on it to come on.  I really don't need anything, but it serves as security, should I not automatically wake up one morning.  Even though I have no where I have to be each morning, I like having a regular wake up and get up time.

 5. What do you put ketchup on?

 I cannot imagine French Fries without ketchup but it's the only thing I eat ketchup on.

6. What smells make you nostalgic?

Lavender always makes me think of my paternal Grandmother.  She introduced me to lavender when I was just a little girl and I have loved the fragrance every since.

 And, anytime I smell fried foods being cooked I, once again, think of my paternal Grandmother.  Her house  always smelled like fried food and that was before folks burned candles to make their homes always smell fresh.

7. Have you heard about the high school English teacher recently suspended as a result of some things she wrote in her personal blog? You can read the story here but in a nutshell she vented a lot of frustration onto her blog. She didn't mention individual students by name but she did make some harsh comments about kids in general and their parents. 
I no longer have any children in school (thank goodness!) but I do have a daughter and DIL that are teachers.  They neither one have a blog but they do each have a Facebook account.  I do not know if either of them have any students as friends on their Facebook but I am sure that both of them would handle that with utmost care.

I, personally do not think that FB or a blog is a place to vent your frustrations if it could possibly hurt anyone.  I see folks do it all the time on FB and I usually delete or hide them when it happens.  I feel the same about a blog.  'Nuff said!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Yes, signs of Spring are everywhere here in Northeast Louisiana. These daffodils came out of our yard yesterday and these were picked by our Grandson and brought in to his CiCi. Pure sweetness!
 

For more fun Hodgepodge, click on the link above and read more answers to these fun questions.  Thanks Joyce!!

Home Tour Tuesday

I so enjoy participating in  Home Tour Tuesday but the past few weeks, the tours have not really applied to me.  No children's room to show anymore, no nurseries to show, those days are long gone for us. But, we definitely have a Family Room/TV Room and I'm thrilled to give you a tour.  So, here we go...........

Above is our awesome big screen TV that Hubby and I enjoy very much.  And, I love, love the cabinet that holds it.  The cabinet is mine and the TV is Hubby's.  You women know what I'm talking about.  I stalled Hubby on purchasing a big screen TV until I found an attractive cabinet. ~smile~

Our kids call these the "  Mom and Pop"   chairs, and you know, I guess they are.  It is where you will usually find Hubby and me in the evenings after dinner.  And, it's doesn't hurt that they are heated and have massagers in them.  They really are "  all that and a bag of chips."   

Our comfy sofa and coffee table

Matching swivel rockers with ottoman 

Built in cabinets where I display all my favorite pics

This is the toy corner.  Once Grandchildren entered our lives, I designated this corner of our family room as a place of entertainment for them.  I did not want to have drag toys and such out every time they came to visit.  I wanted it to always be out and ready for them to enjoy.

I hope you have enjoyed the tour and that you felt warm and welcome while visiting.  It is my desire that anyone who visits our home will feel very welcome  and that they are entering a home that is lived in and enjoyed.

For more Home Tour Tuesday, click the button above and check out some more TV/Family Rooms.  Thanks to Daph for being such a gracious hostess.


Always remember:

Miscellany Monday

 {1} I think a lot of bloggers, that use Blogger,  think when they type their blog that the size of the font they have chosen is bigger than it is. I say that because when I first started blogging I would choose the "normal size."  It certainly appeared plenty big when I typed my blog but when I published it, it was much smaller and hard for my 58 year old eyes to read. ~smile~  So, I started using the "large size" and it is just perfect.  I am pretty sure that the size is reduced tremendously once the blog is published and therein lies the problem.  I'm not sure why that happens, but as I was saying, some blogs are hard to read as a result.  Sort of like this:

{2} I'm a "golfer's widow" again and do understand, I'm not complaining. Hubby loves to golf but lays it aside when hunting season opens in mid-Oct.  And, even if he were not a hunter, he likely would not golf in the winter. He is definitely a "fair weather" golfer.  But, this past week's weather gave him the "itch" and back to the course he went this week-end.  I'm just so glad that I'm married to a man that has hobbies and it's something besides sitting around watching TV. ~smile~

{3} Hubby and I will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary with a cruise this summer.  We will be boarding the Holland America ship, ms Maasdam, for a Canada/New England tour. We will add two days on the front and end of the cruise for sightseeing in Quebec and Boston. Wow! bet I'll have all kinds of blog fodder when we get back.  We're excited that dear friends will be going with us.  You know, everything's better and "funner" with friends. ~giggle~ 

{4} I was so thrilled to hear my sweet Dad's voice on the phone Saturday afternoon.  He called to tell me that he and my step Mom had made it safely home from their nearly two week trip to Florida.  Yep! my 81 year old Dad just got back from a fun filled time in Disney World.  They did all the parks and went to Downtown Disney and took in the Cirque du Soleil  one evening.  Oh, how I pray I have inherited his genes!  I bet most 81 year olds that even make it to Disney World are on a mobility scooter.  I'm so thankful that he can still go and do and enjoy life!  And, they drove!  And, get this, they rode the "big Daddy" roller coaster at Animal Kingdom.  Oh, my goodness!  I'm sure sorry that I do not have a picture of that.~chuckle~

My Dad and me - taken last summer

{5} Can we even imagine this? I wonder if these folks even knew what the word "hurry" meant, or the word "stress."

{6} I'll be having dinner for the family this evening.  Of course, the girls are off today for President's Day and Hubby's sister and her husband are in town for a visit, so we'll all be "breaking bread" together this evening.  I've baked another Blueberry Pound Cake for dessert and am making a 3-Cheese Chicken Casserole, Fruited Cream Salad and a green veggie.  It should be a "hi-ho" good time for sure!


Thanks Carissa for making our Monday's a bit brighter by hosting Miscellany Monday!  We "lub" you!


"Live everyday as if it were your last."

Spring Fever and PlasmaCars

I know, I know, it's just February 18th, but I just cannot help myself.  I'm already getting "Spring Fever."  We have had the most gorgeous spring like weather and well, it's just sent me  plum "over the edge" with excitement about spring.  I'm ready to get out and play in the dirt and pot some pretty plants, and get our patio all decked out.  Even my wind chimes have been singing "spring" this week.

 

Last Sunday afternoon we had our family Valentine celebration.  I had the kids and grans over for a fun dinner and the weather was so nice that we actually stayed outside for a good long while.  Both grans would rather be outside than eat when they were hungry.  We let them, swing, pulled them in the wagon and introduced them to the Plasma Car.
They are not quite ready for it, so we adults decided that we would "give it a whirl."  The kids wanted me to get on it and I had no better sense than to do it and here's what I looked like.

I know, a pure "dork."  But, hey, we were making memories! And, even if I had fallen off, it wasn't but about 5 inches to the ground. ~smile~

This Sunday evening will be our first session of "One in a Million" by Priscilla Shirer.  I'm so excited about it and we had 28 ladies sign up to participate.


Hubby's sister and her husband will be in town this weekend from Tacaoma, WA. and we'll get to spend some time with them.  Our siblings are so spread out across this country that it is always a privilege when it works out for us to get to be with one of my Hubby's sisters or one of my brothers.  We have siblings in Tacamoa, DesMoines, Atlanta and near Washington, D.C.  Whatever happened to the days of families all living nearby?  

And, just want you gals to know that the ladies of our church are in for a real treat!  The Women's Ministry of our church has a Ladies Spring Event each year and we always have a guest speaker.  Well, take a guess as to who is going to be our guest speaker this year.  None other than our very own Rachel!!!  Can you believe?  I wish that all of the Company Girls could come, but I assure you we will enjoy her enough for all of you. ~smile~

For more Company Girl reading, click on the button above and sit back, relax and enjoy yourself.

Remember to live everyday of your life! 

Hodgepodge Wednesday

Just so every one will know...........NE Louisiana is having some of the most gorgeous weather right now.  It is wonderful!  I don't mean to rub it in to all your folks that are still dealing with less than desirable weather, but just had to brag a bit.  We're loving it!

1. Your favorite chocolate treat? 

 I like chocolate, but not like most folks.  So, one or two of the little miniature Hershey bars will satisfy any chocolate "  hankering"   I may have.

2. What more than anything else makes you feel loved?  When my Hubby puts my desires ahead of his and he does that quiet often. And, there's a whole host of other things that make me feel loved as well.

3. Cherries or blueberries?

 Oh, no contest, blueberries all the way!!  I just made the best Blueberry Pound Cake this past weekend and it was the hit of our families Valentine celebration.  And, they are so good for you!

4. What is the one trait you most want the leader of your country to posess?  A desire to lead our country in a way pleasing to God.

5. Are you a saver or a spender? I'm afraid a spender, but I find deals and wait for sales.  I make a game out of it at times.  If it's something that I really, really want in a particular size that I think they may sell out of before they put it on sale, I will likely go ahead and "  spring for it."   I love stores like Ross, TJ Maxx and SteinMart where you never have to pay full retail.  Yea!!

6. If you gave a party for all of your friends would they already know each other?

No, my friends span all across this country and there would be all kinds of folks that did not know each other.  The thought of a party like that sounds like such fun!

7. Are you interested in antiques? 

I'm only interested in antiques that have been in our family and that makes them have very special meaning to me.  Otherwise, I don't really care anything for an antique just because it's an antique.

 8. Insert your own random thought here.  When the mail came today there was a package in it for me.  That package was from one of the very special "  blogging buddies"  that I have made.  If you have not met Kelly at "  Blessed Mommy, Blessed Wife"   then you need to go over and meet her.  She is a precious young lady with a precious family and I so enjoy sharing in her life through her blog.  She has become one of my favorite young ladies and I look forward to meeting her in person.




 Thanks to Joyce for being our faithful hostess each Wednesday. It's such fun to read  everyone's answers to the questions. 


"  Wrap your arms around life and give it a big hug."  

All About Me - Part 2 Miscellany Monday

Well, I will continue with miscellaneous things about myself today and this should wrap it up. If you missed part 1, then you can click here and read it.  You will likely know more about me than you really care to know. ~smile~  But, hopefully you have found these tidbits both interesting and entertaining. 

*I am a girly girl, love all things feminine and enjoy being a Southern Belle
*I think laughter is the best medicine and the louder, the better!
*I prefer pie over cake
*I prefer classic style clothes. My favorite stores for clothes are Talbots, Chicos and Cabi (not a store, but I love their clothes)
*I do NOT like tomatoes (I know, really strange!)
*Money was very  tight when I was a teenager and to earn extra money I would do our neighbors ironing, clean their houses and babysit their children.  Now, not all at one time, but at various times. ~smile~   And, I will not even bother to tell you what I got paid but it provided me with some spending money.
*I'm a Spanx kinda gal
*I take a handful of vitamins and minerals every day of my life and I do hope they are all doing what they are suppose to do
*I use Mozilla Firefox, NOT Internet Explorer
*The saddest day of my life, thus far, was Dec. 1, 2008. That was the day my Momma died.  She died very unexpectedly.
*I have such hopes and dreams for my Grandchildren and want more than anything for them to love the Lord their God with all their heart and soul and desire to serve Him faithfully.
*Monday through Friday my day begins at 5:40AM and ends about 10:30PM
*I am not a daytime TV person at all, you will usually find "easy listening" music playing during the day at our house if I'm here by myself.
*I want to grow old gracefully
*I don't ever want to stop learning
*I love my Chi flat iron
*I think  Pioneer Woman is the bomb 
*While I usually agree with him, Glen Beck wears me out with his "ranting and raving."
*I still like to dress up on Sundays and can still be found wearing hose, yep, that's right!
*I began blogging on March 21,2009 and never knew what a fun adventure it would be. 

This will end my "All About Me" and thanks to Carissa for hosting a random day for us.  It's one of my favorite things to do on Monday.  

 

Here's wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day!

Company Girls are the BEST!

Good Morning from what is suppose to be a sunny day. It's a tad too early to tell just yet.  But, I'm, relying on the forecast of a sunny day and they are saying we'll get a "glimpse" of Spring this coming week.  Does that make me happy, you bet it does!!!  This is what it looked like around here on Wednesday afternoon and yesterday morning.

The front of the house

A view of the back yard

A side view

 And, I know, this is absolutely nothing compared to what some of you gals have experienced.  But, for us, this is soooooooo unusual.

 It has been a fun week, in spite of the snow. ~smile~  Last Friday while my daughter and DIL were out of school they brought the babies over and we made Valentine cookies. And,  both babies sneaked in a bite of cookie dough and after they got a taste of that, that's pretty much all they wanted. And, can you blame them? ~smile~

Then last Sunday afternoon I was blessed with a visit from another Company Girl and her precious daughter who happened to be in town visiting friends and relatives.

Momma and daughter-----so, so sweet

Star married a guy from here that grew up in our church and they lived here for 4+ years before moving to TN.  While I knew her, I didn't know her that well until I began blogging.  A mutual friend of ours told me that Star was a blogger too and I immediately found her blog and connected with her.  At that time, a special friendship was born and she is responsible for me becoming a Company Girl.  The rest is history!  Star is the author of the blog, One More Equals Four where she shares about her awesome adventures as the Mom of four and her love of the Lord.  It was so special to spend one on one time with Star last Sunday afternoon. Love you Star!

It was 45 years ago this weekend that Hubby escorted me to our church Sweetheart Banquet.  I say escorted because it truly was just that.  We lived right beside the church and he came and walked me over to the church for the banquet and walked me back.  Oh, my goodness, who would have ever thought where that night would lead.  One just never knows! But, what a ride it has been!!


Again, a big thank you to Rachel for hosting us each Friday.  As the title of my post says, "Company Girls are the BEST!


May the SON shine brightly in your life regardless of the weather!