Grammy Girlfriend

MY HEART

2012-01-31T02:05:00.000-06:00

This will be the post that I will have to try not to drown the computer from tears pouring over it as I type.

Four years ago Amanda was packed and ready to head to the hospital to deliver my husbands little namesake…We were so honored that this boys name would be Jack Voss, named after both his grandfathers.

It was Super Bowl week and coincidentally Eli was the winner that next Sunday…and look who is playing this Sunday..

Parker had been “the one and only” for so long.
Then Greg married Dana and Austin joined our family, BUT could I love another little boy the same.

Parker had lived with us, he had grabbed my heart and I had held on tight. That’s one I can’t explain.

Amanda and Micah were so gracious to let me stay in labor and delivery with them and be there when Jack made his entrance to the world.

(My girl has babies easy) with no drama…I remember seeing his face and instantly falling head over heels in love…instantly…He was perfect..

we laugh now…if we had only known then how different his personality would be from Parker’s.
Parker is quite, Jack is loud. On the third day he came home totally fine or so we thought…

I have written about what happened next but 2 days after he came home we were in the NICU with him fighting for his life. He had meningitis.
I will always believe had Amanda not gone with a gut feeling something was wrong, we would have lost Jack.

He was a very sick little man and we did not take a deep breath for a couple of weeks. It was one of the scariest times of my life.

Today he turns 4!

Totally fine, the funniest kid ever, a laugh a minute, a strong willed child, a talker, a climber, a mess. No one makes me laugh like him.

He breaks things and he’s sorry but don’t make a huge deal about it because he doesn’t care that much.
He puts stickers on everything and he has signed his name on a wall or two. He is free spirit.

You do not want to have a discussion with him in the toy aisle of Target. He will win. (At least with Grammy)

He does not like gul stuff…that’s girl in Jack language. He really thinks he is Woody from Toy Story and don’t try to convince him he is not.

He thinks he speaks Spanish because he watches “Dora”! He tells us certain words he says are in Spanish.

He hates talking on the phone so don’t call him.

I cannot imagine life without him. So today we are celebrating the gift of Jack. We call him our little hippie…

He has long hair with culs (curls)and he does not want them cut off. The red on his nose in the picture below is because he decided he wanted to be Rudolph and proceeded to color his nose.
Guess what? He has my heart too.

Some of the many faces of Jack.

I LOVE YOU JACK STROTHER

On a very serious note, please pray for little Crew as he has his first surgery on Thursday at Arkansas Children's Hospital.
I was not sure what it would be and his Mom said it was fine to share the details.
The first surgery will be very long.
It will be to move the belly button up to the right place, putting the bladder in his body, breaking/dislocating (not sure which one they will have to do) the pelvis. He will have a scar from his belly button to the pelvic bone and he will be in a body cast from his chest down. His arms will be free. The cast is for his pelvis to heal and he will have it for 4-6 LONG weeks! It breaks my heart to think about it. So please remember the entire family in prayer.

Crew and his Mom Marie

WHO AM I?

2012-01-26T16:37:00.000-06:00

How many of you have written an entire post and just as you go to publish it your hand hits some random something and you lose the entire post?

You think you have saved it and as hard as you try to pull it back up, its nowhere to be found.

Happened to me last night, so maybe it was a post only for me. Actually it was a good one, but for the life of me I cannot type it again.

We are home from our trip to Chicago. Flew out in a blizzard right before they closed the airport. Went from 3 degrees in Chicago to landing in Dallas where it was 73…

We had a great week in very cold Chicago and met so many new friends. Jack is going to be working for a great company and he is so excited for some normalcy.

That’s where this title comes from. Each night we would go to a fabulous restaurant for dinner and because I was not with Jack everyday during the day , I would get the question “Now, who are you?” (asked very nicely as they just did not know) or “what do you do?”

So I thought about those questions, who am I and what do I do.

I can answer that in a few words but in my mind I could write a book.

What I do I can answer in 2 words but no one gets it. So I would say, “I am Teresa, Jacks’ wife and I decorate trees”. Laugh!

I don’t know if they think I go in the woods and decorate trees but people always have a blank look.

But the questions made me think and the long version if you are new to the blog, is I am Teresa, wife of almost 40 years to Jack,(who just happens to be a miracle after having a stroke 16 months ago).

I am Mom to two adult kids Greg and Amanda (who I would choose as friends if they were not my kids).

Then I am MIL to Dana (the lowest maintenance person on earth) and Micah(madly in love with him as a son-in-love but no one can go after each other like he and I..that would be having very ALIKE personalities).

I am Grammy to four precious boys, Parker, Austin, Jack and Gray. They light up my life like nothing else.
If you are a regular reader you already know that.

I have been a Holiday Decorator for the past 20 years.
I am a blogger, I am a snail mail sender, I am a Pinterest addict, I am a lover of football and depression is already setting in as the season ends.

I am in love with Mickey Mouse, I would spend every minute with the “little's” and never be bored.

Grammy is the best job I have ever had.
So that makes me a childcare worker and I would say my place is the most fun in town.

I cook none, hate to talk on the phone, hope I am a good friend.

I stay up late and sleep late…and would love to change that but my internal clock is so stubborn. That’s how I function best.

I am afraid to be without a book and you will never find me without reading material.

I am one of those that has not taken one Christmas decoration down and feels no pressure. I love it and it might still be up on Valentines.

I am a hater of exercise but have never been more convinced I need to do it.

I am a procrastinator (something that only happened later in life).

I am a TV junkie, especially news and politics plus American Idol.

I am a lover of Jesus but constantly struggle with how he could love me…just being honest. I am lover of Beth Moore Bible Studies as she speaks exactly what I am thinking.
My favorite scripture is Lamentations 3:22-23

Now this is just one chapter of the book I could write….but I will spare you anymore.

In the comments in short form tell me who you are and what you do…

Thanks for all the sweet messages to Marie. She appreciates them so much.
Crew’s first surgery is the first week in February.
I will keep you updated. Please continue to check on her if she crosses your mind.

I recently sent you to Callie’s blog.
She wrote a great post this week!

WOULD YOU WHISPER A PRAYER?

2012-01-19T19:47:00.000-06:00

We have been gone almost a week.

For Jack it has been a week of learning, of being excited about new endeavors, meeting new friends and eating fabulous meals. They have wined and dined us well.

For me it has been some R & R, meeting new friends, dressing up for great dinners, reading blogs, catching up on some paper work, sleeping until noon everyday, watching Jack be so excited about a new job BUT it has also been a week away from some little people.

The weather has not been great for much sightseeing. We will come back in the summer. I love meeting new people and I think I can count ten new friends when leaving Chicago. The kind you keep in touch with.

Our flight out is tomorrow afternoon and the weather forecast is not too great. 90% chance of snow possibly accumulating to 5 inches. Right now the weather app on my ipad says 8 degrees
feeling like –6!

I want to get home but and I am not a scary flier, but I am not interested in flying with ice on the wings. AT ALL!!!

Our driver just called and said we needed to leave 2 hours earlier than we had planned to because of the roads. And he lives here so I guess he knows.
We watched another good movie last night George Clooney in The Descendants!

So we are two for two this week since earlier we saw Courageous.

You know I have a heart for babies. I need you to pray for a new little man named Crew. His family lived in Shreveport our earlier years here and we have always kept in contact.

My heart is hurting for them this week. As I got on the plane last week Marie had arrived at the hospital in Arkansas, looking like a model, ready to deliver her second baby. As I got on the plane this was the picture that I saw. Is Marie gorgeous or what?

then with her Mom and my sweet friend Rhonda, who is her sister….

I checked my phone all day for the arrival of Crew. Then this came up on my Facebook…

Crew is here and has been rushed to Arkansas Children's Hospital. There are problems. It's called bladder extrophy.

It's extremely rare, but as a result of his lower abdomen not closing up his little boy part did not fully develop and close up. Very complex situation and he will be facing many surgeries.

Marie had to have a section and was not able to travel with him and then I saw this picture.

Her beautiful Mom traveled with him….The picture of a grandmother loving on a sick baby. Here is Crew with both grandparents.

.

Then Rhonda posted this…..which in my thinking is a miracle
“We got awesome news! It turns out that if Crew had been born 6 months ago, he would have been transferred to Seattle for this surgery. BUT God knew that and 6 months ago the surgeon who can perform this surgery moved from Seattle to Little Rock!! Crew will have surgery in 7 days!”

So precious……and finally Mom and Crew reunited. Please put this entire family on your prayer list. They have a long road ahead of them.

LIFE CAN CHANGE IN A MOMENT!

A HUG FROM MIKE IN WORDS

2012-01-17T13:37:00.000-06:00

Never do I post everyday. If you missed my Chicago post go back and read it here.

I am not that kind of blogger. I wish I was but life does not permit.
This week I have some extra hotel time so I had to share what “encouragement” looks like. What a hug in words looks like.

You will remember Mike from the times he has guest posted on my blog here, here! He is the Marine.

Last week I sent him a note asking him to pray for Jack as he begins this new venture. I have to share his letter to Jack.

Hey Coach,

Ms. Teresa said in passing you'd be heading up to Chicago for some training for a new employment opportunity. I think that's just an incredible prospect for you. I wanted to drop you a note and let you know I’d be praying for you, and really just to encourage you to go for it. As I consider new job prospects myself, I know as men we can feel uneasy about doing something completely new and really outside our comfort zone.

I know how much God has done in your life since the stroke, and how like every competitive football player, you dug down deep and refused to let that one beat you—as you did with heart bypass surgery.
Truly the Lord sustains us and gives us the grace and strength to overcome.

I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing you before your Evangel days, but I know the coaching cloth from which you are cut.

Most people don’t know the seeds of football greats were spawned in Arkansas: Jerry Jones, Ken Hatfield, Barry Switzer, Tommy Tuberville, Paul “Bear” Bryant, Charles McClendon, “Rip” Powell, just to name a few. Fans just don’t get to see what coaches really go through.

Your wife and kids lived with it. I got to see it for a year. I’m pretty sure that year there weren’t many other coaches in Louisiana putting that much work into what needed to be done on a daily basis, much less at Evangel. And I have no doubt that your tenacity at mastering this job will be just as great.

I often talk to my Marines with a football in my hand because it’s a language I know and one most people understand.

So with talk of a former coach starting over, I’d like to share something with you I know you can appreciate. Fans of yesteryear will recall these facts, but most who can appreciate them have silver in their hair.

My uncle, Charles McClendon, didn’t play a down of high school football. He used to say when he got to Magnolia A&M (Southern State later) they had to show him how to put the pads in his pants—since he was there to play basketball.

A few years under Bear Bryant in Kentucky; defensive coordinator for LSU’s 1958 National Championship Team; 18 years as the most successful LSU head football coach—and one too many losses to Bryant at Bama--he was out the door to start something new: Executive Director of the Tangerine Bowl (later the Citrus Bowl).

His first year as director they had their first sell out. When asked how he had succeeded in doing so, he responded, “They’d never hired a scared football coach before.”
I’m sure you feel that you may be facing the same daunting task, but I have every confidence you’ll succeed.

Otherwise, the Lord wouldn’t have given you this opportunity to show himself strong on your behalf.

I’ve attached a link to a story I think you’d enjoy about moving on. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
http://www.coachmac.org/html/CoachMac_Stories/JohnEd.html

You continue to be in my prayers and I hope to see you this summer as we pass through.

Love,
Mike

That friend is what encouragement looks like….and if you have time to read the article, it is GREAT.

Now grab your computer or a pen and paper and encourage someone that needs it.
You don’t have to write eloquent words like Mike does and can…

just say “You can do it” or “You are going to make it”

It just might change someone's day.

Now for your laugh of the day this is what I woke up to today on my phone!

This is JACK, SPONGE BOB, BUZZ LIGHTYEAR, ALL in ONE PACKAGE. HE just appeared in the living room like this…

It is snowing again in Chicago

Chicago

2012-01-17T03:17:00.000-06:00

Short post but so many of you wrote the sweetest comments and emails saying you were praying for our trip.

Saturday was travel day. Jack did great. I don’t know why I ever worried about it. We arrived in Chicago about 5 to lots of snow.
We went to dinner at a great place and wanted to eat in the bar to watch the games.

We ended up at a table with total strangers and two hours later, they were friends.
I love those kind of meetings.
We had kids the same age, they had been married almost as long as us, knew every restaurant in Chicago and shared places that were a must see.

By the time we left she was ready to start a tree decorating business…and wanted to know every detail.
It was such a fun night meeting new friends.

You would be proud of me. I waited until the man showed me pictures of his kids before I pulled out my IPad and showed off the little's.

Yesterday we rested and watched football.

I guess I am pulling for ELI now.
I like the Manning boys.

We ordered the famous Giordano's pizza and it was delish..

After the games we watched a movie we had missed at the theater, Courageous. A great movie.

You have no idea how weird it feels not having at least one little along. One is always with us.

Today training started and Jack was as excited as I have seen him in a long time. That in itself was a good thing.

I joined the group for the afternoon session, taking my IPad and planning to play Words With Friends in my lap.

BUT the presentation was so interesting that I took notes.

They took us to dinner at a fabulous Italian restaurant tonight, Capri.

The food was wonderful.

Tomorrow is another full day of training so I may do a little shopping.

They have another fine restaurant on the agenda for tomorrow evening.

I will try and make some pictures in the next few days. We are here for the rest of the week.

ONE great plus is I am having time to catch up on reading blogs…plus up my Pinterest boards to 940.

Would you call that an ADDICTION? I think so.

Thanks for all your encouragement. Guess the post wasn’t so short.

EXCITED ABOUT A VACATION

2012-01-09T00:26:00.001-06:00

*****Had to add this ....It is hot off the press...Game Day..Jack is READY

I have only known this for a few days,so little time to get ready.
Jack and I are going on a week vacation, leaving the end of this week.

I have FINALLY finished taking trees down (well not mine), totally exhausted, but so happy to wrap up the season.

ELF Terris is hosting a WRAP party this week…then I will be packing for some COLD weather.
We are going to CHICAGO, a city we have never been to.
It is a city I have always wanted to visit. I am really looking forward to it.

It’s half business (will tell you more about that later) and half pleasure so am looking forward to some fun days.

I cannot remember the last trip we took without a LITTLE.

I need those that have been there to send me shopping, dining, fun things to do and see SUGGESTIONS.

This will be Jack’s first time to travel since his stroke,as in a long trip and flying. I would love for you to pray that he will not have any problems. He thinks I am crazy to be the least bit concerned, but I guess I will never feel quite as carefree.

If you would rather email me than write in the comments my email is
annah99@aol.com!

Look what my Amanda got this week…She had worn my Moms wedding ring the first four years of their marriage and this was Micah's Christmas gift to her. He let her design it so she just got it Friday! I am a so happy for her….(she does need to get her nails filled in)

A NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T15:51:00.001-06:00

I am so ready for a new year, a clean slate. 2011 was a year I am ready to put behind me.

I did not do 2011 very well. Anxiety from Jacks health in late 2010 really hit me this year and it was just one of the places I failed.

I was not a great mom, friend, or anything else for that matter. There were more “What If’s” , “How will we?”, and “Help” than in any year I can remember.

I hung on to some things too tight and let go of some important things too easily. To be honest I probably should have seen a counselor. Oops, did I say that?

I had no patience, little grace, no discipline (especially in the exercise area), almost no motivation to do anything. I may have even had a touch of post traumatic stress (stroke) syndrome, though that even sounds a little dramatic.

Whatever it was, I want a different 2012.

I want to love more, cover people in buckets of grace (especially my kids), worry less, control less, seize the moment, trust more, walk more, eat less and better, lunch more, give more, want less, and most of all be MORE GREATFUL for EVERY MOMENT and live in it. Will I do all that perfect? no

They are just goals and now they are on paper.

If you don’t like pictures, stop Here…..But here’s to Counting my Blessings and being Grateful on this first day of January.

I am so thankful for all my blog buddies. You make my life richer. Happy New Year!

(part of my problem is I have gone an entire year without seeing THE MOUSE!)

TAKES MY BREATH AWAY

2011-12-27T23:25:00.001-06:00

Do you ever go weeks and nothing seems blog worthy and then you wake up in the morning with three posts you could easily pen in five minutes? Maybe that’s just me.

This is probably the last time I can get away with this subject as this boy is about to be a man. And Grammy writing about him may not seem quite as cool. I am not going to repeat his story…you can read it here or here.

There are more blog posts on my blog about him than any other subject. He is the title of my holiday blog, he made me a Grammy, he has taught me life lessons, he and his Mom lived with us for six years, he has traveled with us from coast to coast, he has taught me that I just thought I understood love, he has made me prouder than proud, and has been my heart for almost thirteen years. But he has also grown up. Little’s do that.

But from that day in the delivery room in May of 1999 until I walked into Red Lobster on Christmas Eve, he has taken my breath away. This time it was different.

We were running a little late and as we entered the room where the kids had a table, there sitting next to Amanda was this handsome 12 year old in a white button down shirt, with a nice sweater over it, clean shaven (yes he shaves) smiling at me. Took my breath away…again. So handsome, so twelve, so much my heart.

I remember the day my beautiful senior in high school told us she was pregnant. I remember telling her we would all be fine. Fine…what a inappropriate word. We would all be BEYOND FINE. This Baby That Changed Everything is still changing our lives everyday.
I am so blessed to be his GRAMMY!

parker and grammy

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE POWELLS

2011-12-24T03:18:00.000-06:00

There will be some new pictures tomorrow, but this was our trip to the movies last night.

Christmas 2011

This was going to be the year my Christmas letter died.

Who really wants to read about problems and heartaches, aches and pains?

Who really wants to hear how wonderful someone else's grandchildren are?

I do because I love nothing more than a good long newsy Christmas letter, but then I am not normal.
I have NEVER wanted to be guilty of being the "everything is over the top wonderful at our house' letter writer.

For the last three years I have blogged our lives so a Christmas letter seems to be repeat...But then I realize most of you are not blog readers.

If you really want to catch up you can always go to
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/ or http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com/ for my holiday blog.
That's where I log life weekly.

This last month has been the end of a very long year. I had my first tree decorating injury in probably 1,300 trees and 17 years.

It happened near the end of the season which was a blessing, but it has been a PAIN. I wish I could tell you I was stretching across a 24 foot tree, but I missed a step in a clients garage and my ankle may never be the same. Just happened to be at an orthopedic surgeons home.
It was ugly.

It caused me to miss work for the first time in all the years I have been in business. (And at the moment I cannot remember when I did not do trees)

My ankle was not broken, though some have told me that would have been better BUT it required an ER visit, crutches, a boot, and spending two weeks doing nothing more than elevating and icing. It is slowly healing but the emphasis is on slowly.

Never underestimate the value of ELVES (friends)! My elves carried on and finished the season. They decorated my home more beautifully than its ever been plus took care of my every need.

See how wordy I am...There is no such thing as me writing a short letter. I really had one purpose in this letter and that was to share a story from the summer.

Before I do I will catch you up on US!
Rehab would sum our lives up in 2011. When I wrote last year Jack had just had a stroke. This year has been spent finding a new normal.
Some days I do it well, others I fail miserably. He is 95% back to normal but that other five percent is a constant reminder to him that he had the stroke.
So everyday, he works out, hauls little's to and from school, and strives to regain that 5%...

Greg and Dana are relieved parents as Austin had successful heart surgery in Little Rock this summer. They are so happy to have that behind them. Gray is Greg at 2...Total twins.

We took a little family trip tonight to celebrate Austin's 10th birthday. I love the fact the Gray and Jack are best BUDS and Parker and Austin are best friends.

Amanda and Micah moved to a beautiful new home this fall in one of the most gorgeous areas of Shreveport. Great things happened with Micah's job that enabled them to make some dreams come true. Amanda is still in nursing school(making all A's, forgive the brag)

Parker, the BABY that changed everything is a TWEEN. That means in May he will be a TEEN. I can't tell you how that makes this Grammy feel. Twelve years ago he changed my world, he still does today.

His little brother Jack, will be 4 in January and no kid has EVER made me laugh as much or as hard as he does. He stays with us often while Amanda is in school and his one liners are book material.
Amanda really should rent him out to people who are having bad days.

Years mean nothing in real friendships. I learned that anew this summer. In late summer Jack and I had the privilege (which seems an odd word)to spend two weeks with two old friends at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. Keith was there waiting on a liver transplant.
We did something we have never done before and may never do again, but we stayed for two weeks for no other reason than just to be there for them. I wish I could explain it, but all I know is it was just something we were supposed to do...be available to them.
Some days we stayed at the hotel, some days we went and talked over old times, some days we just prayed that the transplant team would come bursting through the door announcing they had a liver.
The transplant world was something I knew little about. Hope is all they have. Hope for an organ. With that hope comes someone's else's loss.

Keith didn't make it. He had waited six weeks, getting more critical by the day. Before a liver became available, a massive infection ravaged his body. That last night as I left his room and said goodbye, knowing it probably would be the last time, as I got near the door, he said "Thanks for staying"!
I think he knew too. I knew as I walked down that hall, tears pouring, I would never miss an opportunity to ask others to be organ donors.
So if you get nothing else out of this letter, in honor of Keith Whatley, please sign up to be one.

If you are like me, you know so many people hurting this holiday season. Dianne's heart is broken as she celebrates her first Christmas in 38 years without Keith. My friend, Gail will celebrate her first Christmas without her Mom and best friend this year and then a few weeks later losing her sweet dog of 17 years. She is hurting.
In the past weeks, a dear tree client and friend of many years found out she has a form of blood cancer. Please add Mischa to your prayer list.
One of Jack's former players, Greg Luman died suddenly this week, far too young.
No one checked on Jack more since his stroke. I want to be a
GREG LUMAN, an encourager.

I could fill a legal pad with names of people I know that need encouragement. Friends that are going through extreme pain and looking for HOPE.
I am sure you can too.
Most of you know I am a snail mail lover and sender. I challenge you today to get a card, get a stamp (yes they are expensive) and encourage just one person.
Let someone that is drowning, know you care.
AND DO NOT FORGET TO SIGN UP TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR...
and I would love it if you would let me know you are....you can email me at annah99@aol.com.

From our family to yours, we wish you a year of
New Beginnings!

With love,
Teresa and Jack
Amanda, Micah, Parker and Jack
Greg, Dana, Austin and Gray

WINNER and SOME ANSWERS TO YOUR HOLIDAY QUESTIONS

2011-12-11T20:43:00.000-06:00

Be sure and read last nights post if you missed it here.

Time to announce the winner of the Christmas Giveaway

THE WINNER is BECKY at JUST A SMALL TOWN GIRL

I need to get your address in the next day so I can get it shipped….

Here are some links I want to share that I loved
http://www.kellehampton.com/2011/12/party-at-north-pole.html
Two posts I loved by a blogger I love Amy, go here and here

A few answers to your questions…

We wire everything…NO HOOKS
I got started almost 18 years ago…
did a friends house,
that turned into 5 houses,
that turned into 20 houses
that is now 70-80 trees….

I am writing a “hot to get started book” that will be out sometime in 2012

We use clients ornaments and then add to them each year ….make notes and plans for the next year….but all the decorations become theirs. Some clients I have bought everything for. Every house is different.

I buy lots of stuff locally, also at market in Dallas….shop after Christmas sales….over twenty years, have lots of sources.

Do I prefer real or artificial?
ARTIFICIAL 100 per cent.
Real trees which we did 2 of this year are 10 times harder.

No rhythm or reason how we put the stuff on…
We add ornaments, sticks, picks, ribbons all at the same time…
Some days we start at the bottom, some days the top and some day the middle.
Normally two of us start on the tree.

One Elf starts on the mantle or mantles,
another elf on the staircases,
then another elf will be putting out all the Christmas Décor.

If there are multiple trees we try and get them all going at once.

No such thing as too much on a tree…The more textures, shapes, ribbons, ornaments you have the better the look

We start working on the schedule in July and August.

We do the take down on about 20 houses…Especially the really large jobs…We are the best packers…

Hope that answered some questions….
Have a great week.

THIS IS CHRISTMAS

2011-12-11T03:02:00.000-06:00

What a special day. I got out for one of the first times since my little accident. Got MUCH NEEDED color on my hair….
bought a few Christmas presents….drug that 10 pound BOOT around and then picked up this little guy.

We have had the most special night.

I had his room turned into a Winter Wonderland and he was in AWE….He kept saying, “It is willy butiful” !

We went to Cracker Barrel and bought all these new friends. We had three and he found two more on the way out…so back to the register.

He then got a sticker book and as we were driving home he said , “This is the BEST sticker BOOK in the WHOLE Wide WORLD.”

Next came his rendition of Jingle Bells. He asked us if we wanted his
high Note voice, his loud voice, or his perfect voice. I am still laughing over that one.

He was determined they were all sleeping with him. We watched a Christmas movie and then looked at Christmas catalogs…He wants everything.

He fell asleep in my arms and since I cannot carry him right now, we had to get Pop to come move him to his bed…I was tucking him in and he said

“Grammy, will you leave the trees on all night?” Then he added, “Put all my animals in the bed”!

So he is sleeping in heavenly peace!

loved, happy and more precious than words!

Don’t forget that Parker will draw tomorrow night for the GREAT CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY!!

I will announce the winner Monday Morning so I can get it shipped.

you still have time to get in on it.

Check out A Baby Changes Everything

pictures of my house are still coming..I promise.

HOW MANY WAYS CAN YOU SAY THANKS?

2011-12-07T20:41:00.001-06:00

I could think of so many titles for this post… some you would get, some would be inside jokes.
All would have been heart felt.

If you read my blog you know I am injured. That is the only word I can think of.

I thought my ankle was better, now I think the injury was worse than I originally thought.
I have missed 3 houses and one today where they had light problems.

My ANKLE! I have iced it, kept it up, stayed off of it and all the rest. I am good at none of the above, so my only alternative is to take a pain pill and sleep. Yesterday that is what I did.

Yesterday about 3 PM Head Elf Terri arrived…

and then Elf Liz ( who originally took me to the ER…and has been a constant encourager)

Then Elves Robin and Sheri

Then my sweet neighbors, Mike and Shoni( and my new ELF)

Then my sweet friend PAM (who has to be the most giving person I know) arrived with hot soup, her special cornbread, and homemade brownies for everyone

All here to decorate my house..
This was the only year I had not decorated early that I can ever remember..
Always in October…
They were still here at midnight…get that…midnight..I slept through it all.

I knew if I were up I would be working. What tree decorator can sit while someone else decorates trees.

I fix trees in restaurants and doctors offices as discreetly as I can.

The only two elves I even saw last night were Terri and Liz..
Liz needed my laptop for the Mickey display from last year and Terri and I talked for a minute when she first got here…

I could hear laughing. It sounded like a great party I was missing (the jokes were probably dust they were finding)!

I could hear vacuuming around midnight…who stays at someone's house until midnight on the first day they have had off in a long time plus knowing they had a long tree day today and it was looking doubtful that I would be there.

My foot is swollen, its black,(I mean all of it)!

It is now coming up the back of my leg. NEVER again will I take an ankle for granted.

I am beginning to wonder if its broken and it was too swollen to tell the night I had it X-rayed.

I don’t consider myself a wimp. I have worked sick plenty of times over the years, but the ankle has stopped me.

I can’t wear the boot.

I cannot find anything that stabilizes it enough for me to stand on it and you have to pretty much stand and bend to decorate trees.

Trust me I have tried to figure out a way. And as hard as I tried I could not stand long enough to do it.

When I got up to get water about 1 AM this morning there was not one big tree, there were trees everywhere…magazine worthy trees.

I had told the elves they could use anything in my shop…and there are trees everywhere…gorgeous trees, big trees, gorgeous mantle.

Every nook and cranny decorated.

From my couch I can sit and see 8 trees.(I promise pictures tomorrow)

I have been banned from getting up so I can’t really get any good shots.

My outside is not decorated this year…first time in 39 years, but if you can get past the front door, its winter wonderland..

To most people that would be nice and you would appreciate it. But that is not what it means to me.

To me it was the greatest gift anyone could give me. I don’t want that to come across dramatic.

I was just so sad to leave beautiful homes everyday and come home to no trees.

I love Christmas lights and Christmas music.

I love Christmas cards and Christmas letters.

I love cold nights where the only light comes from trees and the fireplace.

I love trees, themed trees and old fashioned trees.
I love the smells of Christmas, children at Christmas, Christmas Eve services.

In my job many times that all blurs and this year it was getting very blurry.

Making it more special is that it was done by “tired elves” that had their own families trees to do, on a night they could have gone shopping, watched TV or done a million other things. Instead they served me.

It was a gift I will never forget.

To everyone of you that helped last night a huge HUG and THANK YOU!

That friends is Christmas.

I have not bought a gift..that too is very unusual for me. I am depending on Mr. Online to help me tonight.

Don’t forget to comment here or on A Baby Changes Everything…My best giveaway of the year is this week!

Thanks for all the well wishes…If you have any suggestions for “speed the healing on a very ugly ankle”, please send them!!

Promise to be back with pictures tomorrow!

Must add one funny...they took all my everyday stuff up and in that was a brass urn with Annah's ashes...I keep them in a cabinet behind some books...They were gone...I panicked...Had they not known it was Annah and piled it in with a bunch of other stuff...Finally found them with some candlesticks. My sweet cocker spaniel of 17 years, my faithful friend, took a ride last night around the house.

DO NOT MISS THE GIVEAWAY and A LAUGH

2011-12-04T23:43:00.000-06:00

I just posted a great giveaway on the holiday blog…Do not miss it.

Go here now and leave a comment and you will have two chances.

Plus there are new pictures of another home we decorated.

And now for your laugh of the day…Amanda found Jack like this today.

His RESPONSE was HE JUST WANTED TO BE RUDOLPH.

AFTER 17 YEARS IN THE TREE BUSNESS, AN ACCIDENT AND MORE PICTURES

2011-12-02T00:12:00.003-06:00

If you missed this post, be sure and start there and see the beautiful pictures of the Hinton home. This post will be full of more pictures of the same home.

I guess I better share that I am
out of commission for several weeks.

After seventeen years of no injuries, yesterday that changed. We were at one of my longtime dear friends and clients and I had gone to the garage to put some empty boxes to take to the attic. Just a normal thing we do everyday.

We were about 50% finished with the house. Somehow I missed the step that went down into the garage and in trying to break my fall ( I did fall) I turned my ankle or so I thought.

I came back in the house, not in much pain, and went back to work on the tree. I casually said "Dang I fell in the garage" and at that point I had not even looked at my ankle. We all looked at the same time and all felt instant nausea. It looked U.G.L.Y.

It looked like I had a 10 pound tumor on my ankle and it was continuing to swell and turn blue. Fortunately for me we were working at an orthopedic surgeons home. He came home a few minutes later and checked it out...

I was still working on the tree and determined to keep working until he said I was going to the ER as in NOW.

He called ahead to another orthopedist and he met me at the hospital. Bill was thinking I might need surgery and maybe a pin put in...Not what I wanted to hear...

Long story short, it was not broken but a 4th degree sprain and some torn tendons and ligaments.

I have a soft cast to my knee for 10 days and then a walking boot for 3 weeks...Do the math! That means through Christmas. We are down to 5 houses and the elves are totally able to do them...

I am going to work on one next week on a limited basis..I sure have new empathy for those on crutches...I really am horrible walking on them. Today was the first tree I ever missed during a tree season.

So I will be fine, I will be frustrated ( I cannot drive for a month) I will probably do things I am not suppose to, I will whine, I will do all my shopping online, and I will be so thankful when elves show up to decorate my house. So that's the story and it is what it is.

Now enjoy more shots from this beautiful house.

more pics:)

Now Move over To A Baby Changes Everything to see EVEN more GREAT pictures of this house.

A HOUSE WHERE LOVE LIVES

2011-11-28T22:52:00.004-06:00

This is going to be a post in several parts. This is our biggest project of the year and we have lots of pictures..These are friends of mine and a special family...The title of the post says it all. Love Lives Here.

It is a unique house filled with treasures...so be watching for more pictures in the next day or so. You will not believe how many BIG trees we do in one house....Welcome to the Hinton House.

at least 100 more pictures from this home coming.....

WANTING TO SLEEP FOR A WEEK

2011-11-24T21:06:00.000-06:00

Before I post, someone help me out….The winner of the ornaments was Michelle from http://undeservingyetoverblessed.blogspot.com/
Blogger will not let me comment on her blog nor do I have an email address…
If you know her would you ask her to get in touch with me..annah99@aol.com….

I want to get both sets of ornaments in the mail.

No Thanksgiving post here….
I could fake one but I think I would rather JUST be real.
This has been a hard tree season, a Hard week, a Hard Month, for many reasons, Life has just been hard..
It wont always be that way but today I could not get my head above the Hurts and Sadness.

I have done a lot of thinking about why I cannot seem to smile and this is the list I came up with. I can fake a smile….so its not like the world knows.

1. Last year I was still in shock from Jacks stroke. This year I have lived out the year with so many changes in our life…

so I started trees Totally exhausted this year…BUT I AM THANKFUL I HAVE A JOB AND LOVE all my CLIENTS….

2. There is Family discord (You have it to at times so I am not thinking this is a rare problem)
But it is a weight I have been dragging around everyday.

People let you down and that’s just part of life.

3. I have caught every Bug, cold, you name it, I have worked sick most of the season.

4. I worked today on Thanksgiving.
it was a necessity to get caught up…we are on the downhill push now.

5. The last ten days I averaged 15 hours a day and I am WAY too old to do that. Without me telling you my age, trust me on this one….too old to stay on the ladder for hours…

6. So, so thankful for my elves…This year they have really taken up the slack on Days I wanted to sit in the Floor and Cry.

7. I HAVE a close friend and client that I adore and she has spent the last 11 days in the hospital…I have probably done her tree as long as anyone. She is in Total Kidney failure and there are no answers….Please remember to whisper a prayer for Mischa.

8. I have a blog Buddy who is walking through the Darkest days a wife can.
I cannot even type about it without the tears pouring…Pray for Paige.

I am sorry this is such a downer on Thanksgiving. I am thankful…for so much …..my four little's, my kids, my husband, health, friends that know when I need a lift, great BLOG friends, the ability to still climb a ladder, Epson salt, Marcy who will do my hair at a moments notice, coffee, football (I am finally coming around after Brett and Adopting Tim Tebow),

Thankful that I hate Black Friday and probably could not be Paid to fight the crowds, thankful that we are finished with a house that took a combined total of over 200 hours…I promise pictures are coming..

I have totally Failed at keeping both blogs up this year…

There will be a great POST FULL of PICTURES coming in the next few days on the holiday blog
(an elf is doing it for me)

I will leave you with a few family pictures that will hopefully make you smile..

Gray as Dana was Decorating her Tree

then there is jack trying to get “Stwonga”

then Dana and Greg on their recent Trip to Atlantis

Beautiful Dana

Love This Picture of My Boy!

Love to all my blog friends.
Tell me if you do Black Friday and what great deals you get this year.

ONE WINNER HERE and ONE on A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING

2011-11-14T01:17:00.000-06:00

Random midnight thoughts!

Announcing a winner of Christmas ornaments here and then hop over to A Baby Changes Everything and winner of more ornaments….plus some tree pictures.

1. Have seen no mice this week

2. Need a Celestone Shot

3. Thankful for the Most Wonderful Elves that will do WHATEVER!

4. the week ahead is Daunting. By this time Next Sunday we will (by Faith) have done 8 mantles, 9 staircases, 20 trees as in some very large ones, set out all decorations at
6 houses, Set dining tables, Decorate, 5 chandeliers and I am sure I am forgetting something.
5. I am not seeing my little’s enough…

6. Along with the elves I decked Amanda's halls this week and we got some pictures hung. So we helped out my girl.

7. I have approximately 3000 ornaments in different bins in my den and living room and have been walking around them for a week. It is getting old.

That’s all the Random I have. I have a sinus headache and I think that diminishes Brain cells

The Winner of the HOLIDAY ORNANMENTS…is Life Blessings

NEED A LAUGH

2011-11-08T23:11:00.000-06:00

I hope I can stay awake long enough to type this. FOUR more days to get in the ORNAMENT GIVEAWAY.

So comment again and you will get another chance.

We have just finished up a marathon few days in another town…
As in you would not believe all we did in 48 hours. Just Terri and I travel.
We had the weekend all mapped out….Get a little rest and sleep in on Sat and leave in time to get to the first house around lunch.
This happens to be the sweetest gal, a girl my sons age and someone we love spending time with.

We had already planned our slumber party.
Tree decorating, wine and LSU football. She threw in some great EATS. I will even share two new recipes with you that were the BEST. (next post)
We were almost to her house and I called her only to find out her 2 year old had burned her leg on the stove and she was gone to get a script filled.
(her husband was 10 hours away), but is a doctor and knew what Sage needed.

We arrive at her house, start unpacking ornament boxes, trees, garland, ready to go full speed.
I pulled open a black trash bag with a tree in it AND things changed.

Out jumped a Mouse/Rat! It did not matter to us what you called it.
It hit the floor running and sounded like it weighed 50 pounds. (probably weighed 3)
I had no idea that mice were Amberly’s greatest phobia….mine would be snakes, but none of us were interested in seeing the MOUSE and I do not mean MICKEY.

You will have to just imagine this….This is a HUGE GORGEOUS house….

I ran in the laundry room and jumped on the washer, Terri ran outside and was standing on the car in the garage and Amberly holding Sage jumped on the kitchen counter (bruising her ankle) all of us screaming. It was a reality show at its best. NOW WHAT?

We had no clue where it went. Her pest control man just had a message machine.
We then called 1_800 Terminex and they said call back Monday….that would not work.

We had the broom, flashlights, alternating between laughing and feeling like crying….

There was no way I was sticking my hand down in my stuff because it had all been in open containers and the “creature could be in one of the boxes”!
Amberly could not get to her
phone so I finally came out of the laundry room and rescued her phone…while Terri was going door to door in this very prestigious neighborhood trying to find a man to help us.
Amberly called everyone she knew..no one home. Terri found one man home and he said he could not help us as he had an abscess tooth. Remember that excuse if someone ever wants you to help catch a RAT! At this point we still thought it was.

Finally she decided to call her husbands partner and see if he could get him to come help us.
Ran him down and he agreed…By this time we are 3 hours late getting started on the decorating. Terri and I decided to start on the tree by standing on the stairs where we could at least have a good view if the “rat” was near us…

All of a sudden we hear this scream and heard Amberly say “He is running straight for me”!

Now we knew he was at least in the master bedroom and headed either for the closets or the bathroom….
So one of us stood guard to make sure it did not try to exit before her friend arrived…

In the meantime her dogs got out…It was getting funnier by the minute. Our hero arrives, gets on his hands and knees and crawls all over the area we think it is in…NOTHING….Looks like Hampton Inn hear we come.
If the animal was not caught we were not sleeping there.
At this point we are starving and looking for the WINE.
Getting more behind by the minute…FINALLY, I hear “HE FOUND IT”!

Guess where ….in the toilet paper holder in the master bathroom…and it was not huge…but it was a MOUSE.
So the ordeal was over and we proceeded to the wine and decorating and it was a LONG LATE night. LSU got a win….and we were mouse free!
We finished the next day and then headed to the next house. Came home yesterday tired beyond words…
But we did it and at our age that it a BIG DEAL. This is Amberly and Sage.

So that’s our story of the weekend….Tree decorating really is full of funny stories.

Ok, get your comments in and have an extra chance to win the ornaments..

ORNAMENT GIVEAWAY

2011-11-02T18:50:00.002-05:00

**** Well it is now 5 PM so you can see I did not get this posted last night….a little boy came down the hall with bed head and was just needing his Grammy to hold him…

Its almost 3 AM and the day is winding down. Trees everywhere, more ornaments than my house can hold, ideas running rampant in my head, scheduling problems that always happen, looking for energy boosters, Band-Aids on several fingers, stuck a piece of wire in my thumb and that has been so sore today, nails need filled in, white as a sheet (meaning I need to spray tan), my shop looks like a tornado went through it and we are only into the third week of decorating.

Plus this is the week that my head elf and I travel and work on houses in another town.
Stacks of paperwork (which I hate the most) are piled up, the house is less than clean, I have not changed out our closets from summer to fall (that means I wear pretty much the same thing everyday)! That’s my life right now…

How I would love a night to read blogs.

Instead tonight Parker and Jack spent the night and I let everything GO and just hung out with them.
It makes my “to do” list longer for tomorrow, but it was sure great fun tonight. No pictures…Neither was interested in pictures.
Parker and I had a long talk about bullying and what it meant and who did it.
His school had addressed it several times and he shared with me what he had learned. I was so impressed that he got it…Bullying is not cool!

Jack and I watched the same movie twice. Only a grandmother would do that. When the credits rolled the first time, he laughed and said “Let’s watch it again”, and we did.

We do have some pictures and some new ideas and I plan to post on the holiday blog Thurs.…maybe some ideas you can use….that’s on my list.

Since I have so many ornaments right now, it will be a good time to give away a basket of ornaments. I have some neat cross ornaments that I will include in it. All you have to do is leave a comment and this blog and the holiday blog (so I will know there are still readers over there)!
Also tell me if you would like to share some of your holiday traditions and do a guest post on A Baby Changes Everything.

I know if you are like me you feel like your problems are HUGE!!!!

Here are two blogger friends that desperately need prayer.

Paige and I only know each other through blogging, but I feel like I know her so well. Her husband has pancreatic cancer. It’s a vicious battle…He had to be admitted to the hospital this afternoon. My heart hurts for her.

I don’t know this lady but all I can say is she is superhuman….Praying for Tripp and a word of encouragement would probably make her day.

If you want to read a fun blog read about this family Hope in a Boys World. She is an excellent writer and the neatest family.

If you want to think, read my friend Amy at Snoodlings…she makes me think…This is a gal I know and love.

If you want to hear a real story teller, do not miss this special lady at Cow Patty Surprise.

Ok, that’s enough reading for you…Leave a comment and get in on the ornament giveaway…

Post it on your blog and then let me know and I will have a special drawing just for you for another ornament group. I love to give ornaments away.

Check the holiday blog and you will see some neat ideas….Give me about a day…to get them up.

I am doing the 30 days of Thankfulness of November on Facebook, so will try and include my list on the blog too.
Day 1 For Hope in a Dark World
Day 2 For My Family

Have a good week!!!!!

THE LAST THING I NEED TO BE DOING

2011-10-23T00:28:00.000-05:00

It is very late on Saturday night and the last thing I need to be doing is blogging. My “to do” list is two legal pages long. I have about 20 tree emails to answer…a full plate

I just made me a cup of Island Coconut coffee and decided I had been thinking about a post all day, so the to do list could wait.

We have finished two houses that took a LONG time and we have another huge house tomorrow AND my legs are screaming. (as in drugs screaming and rubbed down with bio-freeze)

Even after doing trees for almost twenty years I still forget how the first week is getting your legs back under you. That probably only makes sense to a tree decorator.
I have a giant bruise on my hand from bending my little finger back last night…I feel bunged up after 2 days.

But that’s not the post….
Not even sure why this is on my mind except that the day before I started trees I did something I still can’t believe I did.

We drove a couple of hours to see one of my dearest friends. Oh, how I wish there had been more hours to stay.
Jack and Jack aka Woody went with me…For the most part Woody was a wild man but I am so head over heels in love with him that his antics hardly move my needle. Plus I am his Grammy.

He had been with me most of the week while Amanda and Micah moved. (he is not good moving help)
He had made me laugh so hard and given me a thousand kisses, so he could get by with almost anything.
He is just a free spirit.

While he and Pop watched TV and ate all the fabulous goodies Pat served them…
She and I set in two green leather recliners, drank wine and caught up on life. She gave me a foot massage and then a head massage and then a (pre-tree) shoulder massage (that’s a friend)…and it was heaven.

She told me about her mission trip to China where she cut 20 heads of hair a day…She is an awesome hair stylist. That is how we met 25 years ago.
Her clients get their hair done, their make up touched up, lipstick applied and then a shoulder massage. That’s her trademark.

We talked about kids, about life, deep stuff, funny stuff. We laughed and hugged and wished we lived next door.
I was reminded again why I love her so.
She is the hostess with the hostess and every visitor she has feels like they are the most special person on earth.

If you are reading this Pat, you are a gift to every person that calls you friend.

We had fabulous soup, chicken salad, coconut cake, wonderful coffee..all served as only Pat serves…with love and flair.

I came home with some goodies for me and some for Amanda's new house.
I forgot to mention she is my favorite decorator of all times.

On the way home, I am beginning to move into panic mode as I think about all I did not have done.
I have a new iPhone 4 and so I got that and my Ipad out and was going to update them. That would be making good use of a couple of hours on the road. I updated Facebook and somehow an entire new look came up on my Ipad.

I have 1000 plus friends on FB and that’s nothing to brag about, (I am not that great of a friend) but we have just lived a lot of places, coached a lot of kids.

I hit friends and instead of a list coming up, the faces of everyone came up…like in nice big sizes..

I started scrolling through and was overwhelmed at all the people that I loved…how my path in this thing “called life” had crossed with all these people.

I took a trip down memory lane…It was so sweet. Many people I know better than others…

Some I have years of history with. Some I only know from the blogging world.
Some I know because they are friends of my kids, some from my childhood (which was a thousand years ago)!

It was one of the best ways to use those two hours…Just realizing I know some very special people and being thankful. Try it and take your own memory trip.

Amanda and Micah are all moved in. I have been little help with tree season here, but hope to get a day soon to help her…

This will be the picture of the week. Dana kept Jack (Woody) today and tonight. He and Gray are having a slumber party.

Greg not only married a beautiful wife, he married ONE BRAVE WOMAN.

This is Hobby Lobby and a picture she sent us today…Gray and Jack in Hobby Lobby! Enough said!

I am not a big baseball fan, but I love the World Series…..

Scotty McCrerry made me so proud singing the National Anthem a few nights ago.

I was so impressed with him just singing the song and not adding anything…Totally loved it.

Have a great week. I will be under a tree or on top of a ladder or in a bathtub of HOT WATER.

MY GIRL TURNS 31

2011-10-16T18:47:00.001-05:00

The winner of the giveaway will be at the bottom of this post….so stay tuned.

One of my first blog posts in Feb of 2009 was entitled “My Girl”!
Since then I have written numerous posts about my girl. Here, here, here, here and here.

I don’t expect you to go and read these, but if you are new to the blog, you can catch up sometime.
For a lot of reasons I don’t think you can say “I am PROUD” too many times to your child. I never heard that one time in my life.

Most of you know Amanda as Our Girl, the Mom of the BABY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING, mom to Jack aka Woody, wife to Micah, sister to Greg, sister-in-law to Dana, aunt to Austin and Gray.

Some of you know her as my girl that had a baby her senior year in high school and is the greatest testament to the fact that an 18 year old single girl can be the GREATEST of Moms.

I get emails often from Moms that need to know how we did it and what they can do to survive teenage pregnancy. I have a lot of suggestions but that’s not the purpose of this post…Email me if you need to talk. annah99@aol.com

That gift Amanda gave us that May in 1999 was the greatest gift we ever received.
Fast forward to today…when that gift from 1999 is 12…and his Mom will be 31 tomorrow.

She is happily married to the man of her dreams, She is his QUEEN.
She has a love affair with two little men that others envy, is a full time nursing school student making all A’s, moving into the most beautiful new house this week. She has a husband that not only adores her but loves Parker like his own.
When I watch them together, I just have to whisper a prayer of thanks…

He has invested more time in fun things with Parker than I ever dreamed possible. There is no doubt in my mind that their relationship was God ordained…

Daily I see Micah teaching him how to be a man. Then there is Jack, our wild and funny boy. Thank you Amanda for another incredible gift. This past year on hard days, he has made me laugh. His hugs are priceless…I guess he got that from his Dad.

Here is a glimpse of Amanda's life today!!!!!!!

     Happy Birthday Amanda!!!!!!
Amanda is a name derived from    Latin, meaning "worthy of love."

I don’t think there is anything in life more rewarding than watching your own child raise amazing kids.

The winner of the giveaway is Debbie at Mama Bears Thoughts! Congratulations to you.

CHECKING IN and A GIVEAWAY

2011-10-08T21:32:00.000-05:00

I feel like the worst blogger. Those of you that post everyday, have more time than me.
I am back from 5 days of hard work at market, working on helping Amanda get ready to move, helping her pick out furniture and paint, getting ready to start tree season.
I started to make a picture of my house (normally everything is in order)but everything is OUT OF ORDER right now. Too ugly to show. You cannot see my dining room table.

I have also have had Jack for the three days I have been home so Amanda can pack…That would be tiny tornado times 10 and proud of it.

Just a few tree pictures I snapped at market!!!!!

a beautiful tree but a not so good picture

another pretty tree

snowman tree

Terri is going to be posting on the holiday blog in the next few days, so please stop by. We are both pretty much on overload right now.

I wanted to give you an update on Brooklyn….she is at Baylor in Dallas and beginning to squeeze hands and do lots of therapy. Please keep praying.
They are still believing for a miracle…

I feel the need to give something away…you deserve something for just stopping by, so I picked up some great Christmas magazines and a cute stocking.

This is not a very great picture…but it’s a good prize. I will draw (Parker will) next Tuesday.
All you have to do is leave a comment….and tell me your favorite Christmas tree theme. It can be Old Fashioned, Snowman, Santa….whatever you love. OR you can go to my PINTEREST BOARDS and tell me your favorite board. I will just admit....MAJOR ADDICTION...

And here is a GREAT THOUGHT for the week!!

A LOVE STORY

2011-10-02T02:13:00.003-05:00

*** Not sure what's going on with Blogger today or if Callie has a setting on the wrong thing...Some of you have tried to leave comments and it not worked...but her blog is Birds on a Wire
http://calliepirtle.blogspot.com/

PLUS

New tree pictures on my holiday blog...
A Baby Changes Everything

I am in a hotel room in Dallas getting some work done and off to market Monday. It is a sober day for us as this time last year we were in the Baylor ER with Jack fighting to live. A year later he is watching football and doing great.

You are in for a treat today. I get to introduce you to a new blogger…a gal I have known for many years. She is one of those people, to see her is to smile. She exudes JOY….whether in the Target aisle or a simple post on FB.

I can still remember her wedding and how unique and all Callie it was. I have known both of their families for twenty years and they come from good, no great stock. But I did not know all the details of this story…Callie is her own person.

Not one that seeks the approval of others…just very secure in her own skin (as you will see later). She lives life to the fullest and makes others want to also. I feel honored to be her friend. So in Callie’s own words, here is a snippet of how she and Ben fell in love. One of my favorite things about blogging is meeting new people AND introducing new bloggers to YOU. Meet Callie!!!!

Enjoy and then go visit this fabulous gal.

A Love Story Written by God

I can promise this is true; I have loved my husband my whole life. There are a thousand different ways to fall in love. You can fall in love because of affection or chemistry.

You can fall in love because of rescue and redemption. You can fall in love because of friendship and companionship.
In my case, the love that I have for Ben started as a deep admiration and respect. God gave me the gift of hiding deep in my heart, a place for that admiration to bloom into attraction and then romance and eventually, the transforming love of a husband.
For that, I'm forever thankful.
There are always two sides to every story. I say Ben is seven years older than I am. Ben says six and a half. Mine sounds more scandalous ( which you will see that I often side with the way of scandal... ) so, I always say seven. My family and the Pirtle's have been friends for years.
Mrs. Pirtle was my 7th grade English teacher and in 8th grade, she taught me Louisiana History. As everyone knows about good ole ECA, back in the day, you could get out of class for just about anything. I remember that Ben would always burst in to his mom's class and ask for lunch money or just want to say hi.

Now that I know him extremely well, I can assure you, his main goal was to disrupt, to make a few jokes and leave the class entertained. He never failed in any of those areas. He was and still is a natural at wooing you into liking him. He is by far the funniest person I know. He is charismatic and you can't help but want to be around him. Even then, I knew that I loved the days that he came by.

At the same time, our families began to be close friends. We started vacationing together every summer. When I was 11 and he was 18, ( that's right ) he taught me to water ski. My dad was driving the boat and he was there with me in the water. He would hold me up until the boat would begin to inch forward. I would sit in his hands and wait. He joked that my whole butt fit in one of his hands. That isn't the only thing that has changed about our relationship. ;)

Those summer vacations that followed hold some of the most precious memories of my life. Obviously, Ben and I were busy with two totally different parts of life. I was in high school and he was in college. My life was about sports and trying to be taller.

His was going to LSU and starting life on his own. He had a girlfriend that I loved. She came with us on those trips and she was just as joyful and full of life as Ben. I watched him love her and again wondered why I cared so much. There's was a love that I wanted to mimic in my future, so I watched carefully.

Then, there was a summer that everything changed. (It's always the summer, isn't it? ) His part of the story is so wonderful at this point, that I can't help but mention it.
One of our dear friends, the namesake of one of my kids, came to him and, in great honesty, told him that the girl he was dating wasn't who the Lord had for him. It was hard to hear for Ben.
She was exactly who and what he thought he wanted. But he trusted this man. He sought the Lord and they ended things. This was just before he graduated. He came home broken hearted. He had spent four years with this girl. He had invested years in what he thought would be his future.

When I found out that they had broken up, I was so burdened for him. Remember, I was on the sidelines to this great relationship. I felt sorry for him and wanted so badly to encourage him. That is when our relationship began to shift.

I truly was blind to see that my heart was bent toward him in a way that the Lord was blooming in a very slow and age-appropriate way. We began to talk and I would share that Lord had his best interest at heart. I would encourage him that this relationship wasn't a waste but rich with hard lessons.

He began to confide in his friends and parents that he was at a loss for what to do and what to look for in a wife. His parents told him one day that he should marry someone like me.

Well, I guess he took them very literally. It was as if, the Lord began to open his eyes to see the things that he really desired in a wife. She didn't look like the head cheerleader or the trend setter. She wasn't the most popular one or even the prettiest. She looked pure and devoted to the Lord. She looked innocent and unaffected by the world.
It became a matter of what the Lord had set me aside for. I loved Jesus. Because of something that is so undeserving, he set Ben to love me back.
We dated on and off for four years. I had to grow up and poor Ben chose to wait and watch. There was so much grace for those years. He had lived an entire lifetime ahead of me. Everyone around me was telling me that I was missing out by just dating one person my whole life. Every one around Ben was telling him that he was crazy to date this indecisive girl. I began to believe them. Ben struggled with believing them. My heart was never out of Ben's hands. We would try so hard to get away from each other. But I knew that in him, lay my whole future.
Ben graciously waited for me. He waited for me to make up my mind that living a life really started in being devoted to our relationship. He waited until I knew that I could lay aside people's approval and desires for my life. Age difference is no big deal now. Let me tell you, it wasn't a pretty picture then. He waited. So graciously. Its the best part of my story. I did a thousand things that should have made him say enough is enough. I had to taste the world and make sure I wasn't missing out.

But here we are, almost 9 years and four babies later. He waited and I reap rewards of that everyday.
We got married in my parents front yard. I get to tell my kids about it every time we go there. It's a story that never gets old.
I tell them I loved their dad years and years before he was their dad.

I tell them that love can look a lot of different ways. I tell them to listen closely to the Lord when it comes to who to give your heart away to. Truly, it is never ours to give. And, I tell Ben that we have to pick friends with very cool kids. ( who may or may not have kids 6 and a half to seven years older than ours. ;) )

These days, you can find Ben and I completely amazed at the gift that is our life. Our kids are the greatest things about us. They are all named for people who we greatly admire. As it would turn out, they all hold personality traits or speckles of great character that we wanted to honor in their namesakes. Copeland Ruth is 6. She is observant and cautious but deeply sensitive and generous. She is as quiet as I am loud and I overwhelm her daily. I know this because she tells me so. Watson Tyler is 4. There is no child more hilarious. He is truly, genuinely funny. He loves to entertain ( wonder where that comes from??) and he has a great heart to love. He is affectionate and complimentary. He is the one that you have to hide your smile while disciplining. There is Grisham Benjamin who is 2 and, as my dear friend would say, is good at it. He is a bull and sweet at the same time. He talks softly and has a great laugh. He has freckles and they melt me everyday. Then, lastly, there is Ms. Callaway Jane. She is my last little one so my heart has a deep affection toward her. I hold her longer and look at her a little closer than I did my other kids. Over and over during my pregnancy, people would tell us that she was going to be a child of great joy. She already is proving it true with her smiles and laughs.

We are in a season of great change. Early in our marriage, Ben was called to the ministry. It has truly been an equipping tool for the Lord to get us to where He wanted us so that we could do what He ultimately purposed us for. We are beginning fresh. Ben started a non-profit called Hello Somebody. There is so much I could share about that journey but that will have to be for another time. He will be doing that full time. There will be lots of travel and missions and adventure. But, what is life if not one big adventure?

Everyday my life looks a lot the same and yet very different. I never know what Monday two weeks from now will hold. I am flying by the seat of my pants and just happen to have four little ones as passengers. We are having a great time. There isn't anyone that I would rather do that with than Ben. If you see us around running from place to place, looking like one huge wad of chaos, don't worry. That is exactly how we do things. And I hope it never changes.

So that’s the Callie I love. And just so you know what this sweet family looks like….here are a few photos I love

Now is this a gal with confidence? This was just a few weeks before she delivered her new baby.

Love this…as this as how I first remember them

Copeland

Watts

Grisham

and new baby

Callaway Jane

Now go encourage her on her blog….she is a great story teller.

EXCUSES OF A BAD BLOGGER

2011-09-26T22:11:00.000-05:00

I have not left the blogging world…I am even losing my commenters…Yikes

Truth is Amanda and Micah have bought a beautiful new house and asked me to be head decorator and furniture buyer. It has been a pleasure to help make their new house a home but also a little stress.

She is getting all new furniture so making sure everything flows has been keeping me awake at night.

I will show you pictures in a few months when we get it all picture perfect.

If I have not been furniture shopping, I have had there little Jack. He is not exactly a help in moving.

Saturday we all went to the circus..Gray went with us and it was a fun day. This was him 2 minutes after we got in the car.

You can see Gray looking at Jack..sweet buddies!

Woody is finally riding a horse…and it was too cute!!!

Just a little update on precious Brooklyn…she really needs prayer tonight.
Her Dad just posted that she was struggling in her breathing and has been having seizures all day She is still very critical and it has been three and half weeks since her cardiac arrest and series of strokes..It just breaks my heart.

The tree schedule is close to finished and just a few weeks until we get started.
I am heading to market and a quick little get away for five days later this week..really shopping for more stuff for Amanda and Micah’s house.

My sweet friend Paige is struggling…her husband did not get the report they were hoping for. She has the most precious family..
Please remember Paige and (for me) leave her a little word of encouragement.

For some good news…Jack had a stress test last week and did great…then he took a simulated driving test at the hospital (he wants to drive college teams again) and he passed with flying colors…

What that means I am not sure our family has settled on, but it has boosted his spirits knowing he is certainly able.
Next Sunday will be the anniversary of his stroke…To each of you that has encouraged me and inquired about Jack through this year, a HUGE thanks. I will never forget your love.

We will be in Dallas just like the first weekend in Oct of last year…counting our blessings.

I have spent the last three days…with Jack (Woody) being here on the pretense os helping his Mom out. It really is to help me out. One post I am going to just share FUNNY Jack stories.

There is nothing like a little to make me feel a tad younger. He has made me laugh until I cried.

I am proud to announce HE IS FINALLY POTTY TRAINED and proud of it…

I need to know you are still out there..I am going to catch up on everyone's blogs while I am away…(in a hotel where there are no interruptions)

If anyone has a name to a great paint color in the gold/mustard/brown tones…please send it to me…I am looking for the perfect paint color for Amanda’s bedroom and living room. There are only 1 million samples out there.

And if you are watching the debates, I would love to hear your thoughts...

300th POST WINNER

2011-09-18T01:24:00.001-05:00

Finally a post to announce the winner of the 300th post giveaway….Drumroll…..

WHIMZIE (AMY) of SNOODLINGS.

I happen to know her so that makes it even more special. I will be shipping her a box of goodies soon. Stop by and read her blog. She has a way with words and a lot of humor.

Also, please stop by
MilandDil Designs
and get in on another Great
Fall Giveaway.

Tell her I sent you and maybe you will get an extra chance. She is in Dallas welcoming her new nephew Tanner.

Another super great post is from Beth Moore…a way with words is putting it mildly. She is just the best.

Please do not forget the prayer requests on the previous post.

Nothing has changed and oh how they need Brooklyn to wake up. It’s been two weeks today. The family is so weary and hurting so bad.

I am praying for a Brooklyn Miracle.

One more request…so many times I have written about little Ashley..
A few nights ago she took a bad fall in while buckled in her wheelchair. Please leave Trish a note of encouragement. She carries a load I could not carry.

Precious Ashley

By the way…thanks for the heartwarming comments you left on the last post)

The holiday blog should be back in swing in the next few weeks.
The calendar is almost full, trees are coming out of storage, glitter is everywhere and I think I already feel tired.

Have I told you lately how much I love my blog friends?
People that don’t blog, don’t get it. That’s OK.

With love,
Teresa

PS..Amanda and Micah bought a wonderful new house.
I am going to decorate it. I want it to be Southern Living worthy…we are going to look for all new furniture this week.
If you have seen any cute tween boy rooms, send me the link.

PLEASE PRAY

2011-09-14T15:02:00.000-05:00

Sorry I have not announced the winner of the 300th blog giveaway..I am waiting on my official “draw-er” as in Parker.
I promise to announce it in the next day or so.

As soon as I wrote that last post, it seemed I knew more needs than I have in months, so I am just going to take this post and share a few and ask you to pray.

This is one of my dear friends from a town we lived in years ago…She was my walking buddy..Her granddaughter is critically ill here in our town on life support. All from an asthma attack…

They desperately need prayer today. Please pray for Brooklyn and her Mom and Dad, Landon and Rita…and all the family members. Life can change in a moment.

Also Courtney Shumway…a friend of a mutual friend..

This is her story…Unbelievable. she was moved to Houston yesterday still in a coma and they need a miracle.

I promise to be back with a cheerful post soon and to introduce you to a new blogger.

Feel free to add prayer requests in the comment section..We all know someone hurting and looking for hope.

WHERE IS THE BALANCE?

2011-09-08T00:16:00.000-05:00

I am not sure if this post comes out of the fact that this is the anniversary week of 9-11, or a conversation I had with Amanda yesterday, or if it’s just a question I ask myself quite often. I guess I really want your thoughts.

Let me preface it by saying I watch a LOT of news, read far too much, and love people’s stories.
9-11 left deep marks on me. I knew no one personally, but today feel like I know so many.
I bought every book I could get my hands on, read every story, sat in a trance for a week as they dug for the dead…

I can still remember sitting on the couch, what I had on, holding Parker as a baby, as the second plane hit.
I don’t think I dressed for a week. America as I had known it, would not be the same America for Parker and my little’s to come.

So that’s part of my somber feelings this week, but another is that I know so many hurting people.
Deep hurts, fears, scares, grief, overwhelming stress that seems insurmountable. I have been there.

Yesterday I was telling Amanda about a little girl that had an asthma attack on Sunday, coded and was eventually flown here to LSU hospital and is now on a vent.
Just a normal day, an asthma attack and now a critically ill child. She is the granddaughter of an old friend of mine.

Amanda hates for me to tell her stories about sick kids. Not because she does not care, she just does not want to hear stories about sick kids..EVER.

Me, on the other hand wants to know every detail, ask everyone I know to pray, send 100 cards, and try to connect with that person.
I have no idea why some stories grip me more than others.

I do know that I have had two critically sick grandchildren, I have had a pregnant teenage daughter, I have had a son that years ago went through a horrible divorce, I have had a husband that was not expected to live through the night, and I lost both my parents within 3 months.
I remember every person that said they were praying, or called or in some way said “ I care”!

Here is the place I can get lost.

How do you balance saying “I care” and “I will pray” and then not think about them night and day and pile burdens on top of burdens?

I get that prayer is the best gift you can give someone, but I want to physically do something.

This was just last week…I was thinking how I could get the addresses of all the families of the Navy Seals killed and send them a note. I don’t know how I can but I thought about it for several days.

A long time ago I was in this seemingly cycle of always thinking about who I had forgotten to encourage.

That’s where the card thing comes in for me…Every night and I mean every night…I sit down with cards, addresses and stamps and ask God to bring to mind everyone that needs an encouraging word…at least the ones I am suppose to encourage…
In 15 minutes I sign all those cards and put them in a place that Jack picks them up and puts them in the mailbox as he goes out to get the paper in the morning. It's as natural as brushing my teeth.
If Jack is not home, you will find me at 2 AM at the mailbox to make sure the cards are there.

Please don’t take this as a star in my crown…It is the only way I can go to sleep.

I will not tell you how many times I have said to someone that I would be praying and promptly forgot that need as quickly as the words slipped out of my mouth.

I was watching the news this morning and they were interviewing 9-11 families ten years later.   I thought “I know them”…
I know their stories..I have followed their families..

I don’t want their loved one to ever just be a number. It was a normal go to work day for their loved ones..
Probably half of them had dinner plans and in an instant, life was over.
Orphans were everywhere.
I won’t even go near how I feel about the firefighters and rescue workers.
Hero is not a strong enough word.

By the time you have gotten this far you are probably convinced I am a nut.

So here’s what I need from you …
How do you become someone with skin to the hurting, the dying, the suffering people in your circle? (Please don’t suggest taking a meal…I cook NONE)Ha

Also, tell me where you were when the planes hit that horrible September day.

One a lighter note…since that was a tad heavy but just been on my mind all day…
Pinterest…(Remember I have an addictive personality)

   I HAVE 423 BOARDS
(full boards) I know a bit over the top..but it’s going to help us in tree decorating this year, plus I have had a blast doing it. You are welcome to repin anything. You can find me at Teresa Powell.
Neiman Marcus has nothing on me in the catalog department.

I have a challenge for you which really stems from Mike’s post.
Find one 9-11 family or one military family, or one rescue worker and say thank you…through a card, a meal, a phone call..however you do it.
In our area that’s really easy now as our fireman are fighting fires day and night…and they are tired.

This is my 300th post on Grammy Girlfriend in 2 and a half years…and I think 125 on the holiday blog…
I will never be an everyday blogger..But I must celebrate the 300 posts since I thought I would only write one.

Leave a comment, leave as many comments as you want…and Sunday night I will draw for a great care package…I am not even going to tell you what will be in it..I have stuff coming from market everyday, so it will just be a menagerie of good stuff. Thank you for being my blog buddy.

WE CELEBRATED

2011-09-06T01:03:00.000-05:00

This was a celebration weekend..a long 4 day weekend with just our little family. And it was FUN. But my pictures are messed up…
I have them on a camera, IPAD, and cell phone…but for some reason the best ones will not load…I will try to get some help tomorrow and come back and add them

To the day, eleven months ago, we were being (what seemed like hounded) to sign a DNR at Baylor.

The doctors were not sure Jack would live through the day. Part of me does not want to write about our miracle when so many are waiting on theirs or even feel like they did not get one.

Trust me ..we are not the perfect family with the perfect life…but this weekend was an exceptionally good one.
While on this earth we will never understand why we saw Jack healed and totally well and others have not had the same ending.
Nor do we know what the future holds, but for today and for this weekend, we celebrated.

We all arrived in Dallas Friday, had great hotel rooms next door to each other, unloaded all the toys and older boys toys…
I never know whether they are playing XBox or what…They have it all.
We arrived first with Jack and then Micah and Amanda.
We made a stop at the Galleria and Amanda got her a “fine purse”! Then we had Mexican food at a new place for us.

Back to the room to meet up with Greg and his family and Parker was with them.… The little's all camped out together (not in my room)..this is when I got great pictures…

Gray and Jack and Mr. IPAD

Saturday morning was the big game day..

Amanda and Micah were up early and ready to head to the tailgate parties. (you can kind of see that fine purse)! They had a long fun day ahead of them.

Two things that make me SUPER happy is seeing my adult kids “parent well” and “have fun with each other”! Ours happen to do both well.

The rest of us headed to Legoland and Sea Life with the four boys. It was kid overload…not ours, everyone else’s.
Another words it was PACKED. Parker and Austin could pretty much do their own thing, but it took me, Jack, Greg and Dana to keep up with Gray and Jack…

I think on that day they forgot their names because they pretty much ignored us when we called them..

All little's had money from Grammy and Pop to spend and those were major decisions, but everyone brought home loot that I will stumble over..

We took a break and ate at Rainforest Café…while waiting for an hour we ended up next door in Books a Million…
For months we have been looking for Jack a Slinky Dog from Toy Story. Gray has one.
I never make a trip to Target or Walmart that Jack does not remind me to look for Slinky Dog…

Right there in the half-price toys was ONE Slinky Dog…We grabbed it up, paid for it and he was one happy camper.
Then we went to Sea Life. It was so nice and the kids loved it….We saw lots of great fish…still kid overload…About 5 we headed back to the room…to get ready to watch the game and maybe serve as a taxi once the game was over.
The boys got all settled playing with their loot, Dana and I got our comfy clothes on, got in the beds with our computers and pinned
(http://pinterest.com/tpowell2/
and watched the LSU Tigers play a good game…

Greg and Jack (pop) went down to the bar for some drinks and to watch the first half there. Everyone was HAPPY..

Micah and Amanda found a ride home to the hotel about 3 AM (a non drinking driver..they are firm on that)!
They had a really fun day at the games and parties…and great seats to watch the Tigers.

We were all exhausted Sunday morning..I could not wake up.
Greg and his bunch had to leave to drive to Texarkana to see Dana’s very sick grandfather so they took three boys…

We were left with Jack.
We had an awesome lunch at The Grand Lux!!!!
The best meal of the weekend. We were dragging and getting all these texts saying the interstate was closed down on a section we had to go through due to wildfires and it was late …so we debated on driving or staying…

instead we spend several hours in IKEA….all tired to the bone..well except Pop, he is never tired.
We are finally back home tonight…Jack came with us and kept me in stitches the entire trip, showing me his prizes.
He will not know where the parts are tomorrow. He did not sleep 5 minutes. The fires were still burning and tonight it seems they are spreading and getting worse.

This was Jack’s attire this weekend
Never without his Woody Hat.

The entire weekend we all looked at Jack, thinking back to where we had been 11 months ago, in the same town, in a scary hospital, hearing not good reports, not much encouraging news, and NOW! Now life is normal, he drives the kids everywhere and can hang with them the longest. We are blessed.

Austin and Parker will be so happy I did not post any pictures of them…

Thank you Micah and Amanda for putting this trip together. You did good. Now time for me to get serious about working on Christmas stuff.

A TIMELY MESSAGE

2011-08-26T20:56:00.006-05:00

******I am going to leave Mike's post up in honor of 9-11 for a few more days.

I don't want anyone to miss this post. This is from my great friend that is a Marine.

I have had it on A Baby Changes Everything blog, but wanted to repost it here, as I have had so many emails regarding it.

Feel free to share it with anyone…

Now a word from a wise man in a time when our country has some major problems..

Thoughts for the day

Last week my dad and I played golf on the course here on base. The great thing about this game is you never know who you'll be paired with.
We drew a single player that morning. I introduced myself to him as he pulled up in his cart. He likewise introduced himself as Aaron.
His voice was, well, Elmer Fudd-ish. "BwootifuI day to pway gwawf." I knew he was a fellow Marine without having to ask.
The hair cut said that. As men often do to each other, we usually--and immediately--ask each other what the other does, fairly--or unfairly--sizing up and evaluating each other based on our chosen professions.

As if our profession in any way defines who we really are. So I avoided the familiar question, "What do you do?"

Having previously worked in surgery for almost ten years, I'd seen enough tracheotomies to know the scar at the bottom of his neck had been one done in a hurry and not with an instrument really sharp enough to do the job.
Amateurish even.
After playing the first hole it was obvious the speech impediment was physical tongue-tying, vice the type often seen with partially deaf individuals or those born with one. Clearly he had no hand-eye coordination issues besides not being able to putt better than I could, thankfully.

Sober golf players tend to not visit a whole lot except on the tee box. We were all focused on the task at hand.

Marines typically size each other up by asking what units they are in, where they've deployed to, battles fought in, etc.

It took us until at least the back nine to get to all that. We had been in some of the same places at the same time. He pulled up his shirt to show me his entry wound just below the left rib cage, and the typical midline incision scar that accompanies such gunshot wounds. That one was courtesy of the invasion of Iraq. A few years later he'd join the Marine Corps’ first Special Operations Battalion and deploy to Afghanistan twice.

That trip to Afghanistan in 2009 would account for the tracheotomy scar. He was crossing open terrain when he got shot in the face by a sniper.
Fortunately, it impacted him in the left jaw bone.

Unfortunately, the fragmentation of the bullet pulverized his tongue and internal carotid artery. After being shot, Aaron sprinted 400 yards to the corpsman’s location so he could render first aid to him.
The corpsman performed a hasty tracheotomy on him so he could adequately breathe until he got medevac’d.
Aaron will medically retire sometime in the next year with a 100% disability. He’s married but no kids yet. He married before his first trip to Afghanistan. “She stuck around after I got shot. Guess I married the right one.” Indeed.

He works private security details from time to time, gouging them for hundreds of dollars a day for VIPs because he’s got a special ops background and is no stranger to a gun fight.

In his time off he’s taken up golf. Aaron’s not sure what the future holds. But right now he’s just trying his best to enjoy life. “Twice was enough.” Getting shot and nearly dying that is.

Another wounded warrior story which, outside of family and a few close friends (and occasional golf partner), no one will ever know.

I thought the same thing a few weeks ago when I was awakened in the dark hours of a Saturday with a text notification from CNN that 22 SEALs had been killed in a helicopter crash. I looked at my watch and started doing the mental math: That got reported at least six hours after the fact.24 hours to gather remains. 48-72 hours to get them out of country and to Dover AFB.

Next of kin will be notified by the end of the day, if not first thing Sunday morning. They try to do death notifications all at once. The logistics of that would be a nightmare. 3-5 days for remains identification and funerals the week following. I know this process all too well.
22 SEALs dead. One or two is acceptable—militarily speaking of course.
It’s the risk we accept. But not 20 at a time. These guys don’t grow on trees.

Who were they?
Where were they from?
What were their stories?
They’re certainly not the sum of their medals. Only through the tears of those who knew them can even we get a glimpse.
And it’s hard not to stereotype about what type of people they were. After all, probably 20% of active forces could be special ops. Less than 10% will apply. 5% will make the screening cut and they’ll cull that down to less than 1% by the end of training. Why?
Because of all the missions that can fail, theirs can’t. Athletes they may have been, but that’s not what makes them great or heroic.

If it was, every star athlete out of college would be recruited for special ops. It’s their heart and mind that make them great.

They were everyday people from anywhere towns asked to do astonishing missions under extraordinary circumstances so everyday people from anywhere towns can live their ordinary lives.

I doubt many standing in football stadiums the past two weeks(or the coming months), watching the NFL circus unfold into the regular season, gave any thought to the security of this nation; that a couple ordinary guys from Shreveport, LA put a bullet hole through a terrorist’s head half-way around the world so Americans wouldn’t have to worry about a bomb disrupting the regular season. We Americans are fickle.

The economy goes to hell and we’re worried about standard of living in our retirement years. Meanwhile the Constitution gets shredded, weakened or re-legislated with no one reading the contents of a bill. The normalcy bias is killing Americans—“Things can’t really be this bad. It’ll get better.”
But it doesn’t. So nothing gets done. It’s a state of unbelief. And it’s paralyzing.
We need a battlefield lesson. When trapped in a cross-fire you move or get killed. Stay put and you die. SEALs know this lesson.
They’re dying so we can enjoy the ideals of freedom printed on a piece of parchment signed in the year of our Lord, 1787—the Constitution.

I’d challenge you to do a couple of things. 1) Get to know your warriors and their families.
Not all military life is glorious or affordable. They’ve been given a tough assignment, by us. They aren’t nameless, faceless anybodies without families.
They bleed and sometimes die. Not always of their own decision.
Read a book about a battle, recent or back to our nation’s birth.
Understand what they go through and what we’ve asked them and their families to sacrifice. If you live in an area where there is a military base, seek their friendship. If not, stop by the local recruiting station—the most thankless job in the military—and thank them. 2) Get involved.
Don’t let your freedoms be destroyed by incompetence or pride. Both get you killed on the battlefield. Both will get your freedoms taken.
There’s no interest like self-interest.
If you care about something, engage your Congressman.
If you don’t, no one else will and they’ll make dangerous assumptions about your lack of assertion. 3)
Live like today actually counts for eternity. Be quick to apologize when you are wrong and take less than your share of the credit when it comes to glory.

There’s a Marine helicopter squadron whose motto is, “Give a @hit.” Great motto. Act like you care. Think. Decide. Act… Love. Eat. Pray…and thank God you weren’t born in Libya.

Our country has been blessed with much. So much is required of us to maintain what was handed to us.

Statistics show that those who inherit large sums of money are prone to squander it quickly because they have no idea the sacrifice with which it was obtained.
Please don’t do that to your freedoms handed to you by the lives of so many. We threw tea in a harbor once because of tyranny. What will you do to keep tyranny, disguised as law, at bay?
Just remember, a couple of boys from Shreveport, and other places, continue to hook and jab with an enemy to keep you sleeping peacefully in your tempurpedic at night. So that when you awaken, you have the moral strength and intestinal fortitude to fight peacefully to keep your rights, and the peace of mind to enjoy them.

I love you Mike McClendon and thank god that 20 years ago God allowed our paths to cross and then connect…You are one of my heroes.

“YOU IS KIND, YOU IS SMART, YOU IS IMPORTANT”

2011-08-22T18:21:00.001-05:00

Be sure you read to the end…a giveaway and a surprise post you.do.not.want.to.miss !

How different our world would be if every child was told that over and over.
If every adult believed those words, it would change history. It is the new mantra in our house with the “little’s”, not that they did not know it, but we are going to verbalize it daily.
I find myself saying it to myself. I know in my life that was not something affirmed to me and that in part controls my thinking even today.
Maybe because I was affected by the lack of affirmation, I feel stronger about the words than they really are. To me they are life changing.

I loved the movie and I see a lot of movies…The message moves me and that’s not something I can say about many movies today. Enough about that…Go see it.
Monday Happys!!!!!
(Monday is my least favorite day of the week)
1) Football season is underway…that makes me a happy camper..though no Brett may push me over the edge

2) We had a great family dinner Saturday night at a wonderful new restaurant…compliments of Micah and Amanda…all four little's.
I did not take one picture…(for which the older boys were so thankful for)

3) Micah (my son-in-law) called me Saturday and these were his words…" Grammy, make a list of any things you need done around the house and list them in priority.
Next Saturday I am bringing my nephew over and we are going to trim your big tree and anything else you need done”! Smile…"Micah is kind, he is smart and he is important”

4)Greg won a fabulous trip for he and Dana….Atlantis….November..

5) Some dear friends that have been out of work for way too long…had to move in with teenage daughters to their parents.
They have had one let down after another over the last 18 months…THEY GOT A NEW JOB…from Texas to Utah…but a new start…Thank you God.
6) We are taking a 3 day, ALL of the Family, trip to Dallas for the LSU game, Labor Day weekend.

7) Parker is SO HAPPY in Middle School. Small brag…forgive me..There are 600 in his grade and he was chosen one of 32 to skip 6th grade Math and go to the advanced class…"He is kind, he is smart and he is important” and he is my heart.

Now for your laugh of the day…This is Mad Jack…after I told him he could not do something…Can’t you just read his mind…

Remember to check out MilandDil Designs….she has lots of new things…
Also I passed several number markers on my blog in post and followers…so I want to celebrate you..

Leave a comment on this post and you will go in a drawing for one of the famous card boxes….
I will draw on Sunday..
Now for the BEST PART of this POST…

Go to the holiday blog and Mike (my wonderful Marine friend)
is guest posting…All comments on that post will go in the drawing too..

When he writes, I listen.
He is kind, he is smart and he is important.

Have a great week!

JUST DO IT

2011-08-14T23:27:00.002-05:00

You might want to get a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or in my case I am craving a diet coke.

You will need something to take this journey with me. I thought about not writing about it, but maybe there is something in it for you. Maybe I just need to clear the cobwebs out of my brain because I have to start working on Christmas tomorrow…

I can’t remember where I left off on this journey, but I think it was with the first week I was in Dallas at Baylor with my dear high school and life long friend and her husband as he waited on a liver transplant.

When Jack and I left two weeks ago on a Saturday headed to Dallas to see them, I just knew we were suppose to go…as in pay it forward…
I had no idea that almost two weeks later we would still be there. We came home for just a couple of days to pay bills.

All I knew was my gut was saying “go back and just be there”!

I did not want to bother them or be in the way, I just wanted to be 10 minutes away and available.

I wanted to be a shoulder for Dianne to fall apart on, I wanted to be a smile to Keith when the world was really dark.
I just wanted to live out “we care” as so many people had done for us 10 months ago.

I may never know why God picked Dianne and Keith to be on the other end of this journey.

Oh wow did I learn a lot about the transplant world. That’s another post, but if you are not a donor…think about it..read about it and just do it.

My regular readers know I don’t go many places without a “little” in tow. Ever. So living in a hotel for two weeks in 110 degree weather without the little's was not my idea of a vacation.
But the entire time I was there I knew I was right where I was suppose to be.

I was able to set up a Caringbridge site for Keith and do the posting for Dianne. We were able to be there for the highs and for the very low times.

Talk about a roller coaster.

Remember from Jack’s stroke, I am NOT a nurse. So every minute I am in the hospital is totally out of my comfort zone.
Dianne is just the opposite…She was the kindest caregiver and could do anything.
Exactly a week ago today we were settled in the hotel for what we thought was another week.

Things changed drastically on Wednesday and we knew there would be no liver…infection was rampant in Keith's body, he had multiple organ failures…on Thursday afternoon around 4 surrounded by his family with old hymns playing in the background, he took his last breath.
His body just had no fight left.

Today, in a standing room only, filled to the brim church, we all said goodbye.

This is the part I was not sure I was going to share. But maybe there is some lady out there that can insert her name and find comfort.
Yesterday was Dianne and Keiths 34th anniversary. All week we had talked about it and I would ask Keith if he wanted me to get her something..and every time he would say as only he could, “Naw” (that’s Texan)..

About 11:45 Friday night I sat down to the computer and decided I would write Dianne a letter in Keith's voice for her to have in her email when she woke up Saturday morning.

A Happy Anniversary wish from her man. It took me exactly 10 minutes, no rewrites, no thinking, meaning it HAD to be God. I hit send and went to bed.

When I woke up I realized I had five missed calls from her. When we finally connected all I could understand was “That was the best gift EVER"!
Understand, I thought only Dianne and I would ever know about it or read it..
Her next words were “Can I have it read at the funeral”?
Of course, but not by me…I can’t..and don’t say who wrote it. So Keith's cousin beautifully delivered the letter.

I am going to share it with you and if you lost a mate and some things were left unsaid ..take it as your own letter.

This one was to my dear friend Dianne.

Dianne,

I am so sorry I am not here to celebrate our anniversary. I wish we could have spent it in Colorado or Gatlinburg. If there was ever a year in our marriage that I need to celebrate you, it is this year.

You have been everything to me. At times it probably did not seem that way. I am so thankful that you hung in there thru the bad years and took those vows of "for better or worse and in sickness and health" as a vow to God and not me.

I was a handful and more....a wild man many times, but I loved you with all my heart.

Dianne, you know better than anyone how the devil worked on me as he does everyone. We know the areas that were a challenge to me. Please remind my friends that life can change in a moment. But with YOU and God I WON those battles. Thanks is not a big enough word to you for fighting them with me.

You have been the greatest Mom and Wife any man could ask for.
These past months you have had to be nurse and no one could have asked for a better one. I KNOW I was NOT an easy patient.
You took care of my every need without thinking twice.
Some of those needs you probably could have lived without ever doing.
The hospital was horrible and humiliating, but I know you know that. Thank you for giving me my dignity.
Thank you for every drink of water, every ice chip, every back rub and bath, every night that you slept on that tiny little bed. Thank you for NEVER leaving me alone.
Thank you for encouraging me and trying to get me the best medical care available, even when it meant being away from home for months. YOU ARE MY HERO!!!
I have been stingy with compliments most of our marriage. Please let me make it up to you now. YOU are the rock that held our family together. You are the love of my life. You stayed when most would have left.
I am well now...reunited with so many people, so much family and totally whole. There really are streets of gold. I have no more pain and everyone I have met loves my stories.
I know you are hurting and today will be extra hard. I did NOT want to leave you but my physical body just gave out.
Live life to the fullest, remind the boys how much I love them and how proud I am of them, kiss the grandkids regularly for me. Tell them stories about me. Keep in touch with my friends and if you don't mine, every once in awhile remind them that I was a pretty good (No Great) football player.

Most of all never forget how much I love you!
Happy Anniversary with all my love,
Keith

Keith Whatley….I wish I could hear one more story.

So tonight my word to you is if your gut tells you to do something, JUST DO IT.

MilandDil Designs Giveaway

2011-08-09T07:38:00.001-05:00

Hey, everyone…it’s Terri (aka Teresa’s elf)…I didn’t make it really clear how to enter your name three times for the giveway. So just an easy clarification on the three ways you can enter the $100 giveaway on MilandDil Designs. I put the links below so it’s easy.

1. Go to the MilandDil Designs Facebook page and hit the like button.
2. Go to the MilandDil Designs blog site and become a follower.
3. After you become a follower of MilandDil, leave a comment on the MilandDil blog and I’ll put your name in the drawing for a third time. *For those of you who have already left comments on Teresa’s blog, don’t worry your names are in the drawing. I realize on the last post the word “blog” took you to her site…oops so sorry.

Remember the $100 can be used for product currently listed or to apply toward a custom item. Here are a couple of more items in our current collection.

If you have time and want to do a little window shopping, you can go to our website to see our entire collection. Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

A One Hundred Dollar Value Giveaway

2011-08-08T18:20:00.001-05:00

Hopefully that $100 value giveaway in the title has gotten your attention. Teresa gave me permission to do a guest post to introduce my new business MilandDil Designs. When I’m not working on MilandDil, I help Teresa during her holiday tree season as one of her elves.

My DIL and I have been really busy trying to get the word out about some of the creative floral designs we have done. So here’s the deal…okay, first let me show you a few of our creations. And you can see many more on our website or our Etsy store.

GIVEAWAY DRAWING IS NEXT MONDAY, AUGUST 15TH.

MilandDil Designs is giving away a $100 credit for any current product we are offering or you can use it toward a custom order…you decide. There are three ways to qualify. Go to our MilandDil Designs Facebook page and like our page. And also become a follower on our blog to enter. AND IF YOU LEAVE A COMMENT ON MY BLOG, I’LL PUT YOUR NAME IN A THIRD TIME! So whatcha waitin’ for????

MilandDil Designs began with me (MIL) and one of my daughters-in-law (DIL) Olga. I wanted a way for Olga to get a little extra tuition money for her nursing school…something that allowed her to spend time with her little one, Lilliana …my 15 month old granddaughter. And yes, just in Grammy style, here’s a picture… or two or three. That’s Olga with Lilliana, her little Russian-looking photo, and her unruly curly hair.

Thanks to Teresa for letting me share our exciting new venture and a special thanks in advance to all of you who enter our giveaway. Now let the liking begin!!!

BECAUSE HE LIVES WE CAN FACE TOMORROW

2011-08-06T22:03:00.000-05:00

I was not planning to post today, not because I did not have anything to say, but because my mind was on overload. Maybe posting will unload it a little.
In the past seven days there have been more questions than answers.
Maybe that’s how life is most of the time. For me this week was intense. Some things you cannot pay back but you can pay it forward. We have been given the opportunity to do that.
We spent five days in Dallas last week and are headed back there tomorrow. It happens to be a month we have the luxury to be gone.
I have watched a dear friend watch her husband struggle to stay alive until a liver can be found. The struggle is ugly and it goes on today…
and if you pray specifically, please pray for no infection, for his sodium level to increase. He is now in ICU on dialysis 24/7, he has super low blood pressure, sodium levels that come close to taking him off the transplant list and a multitude of other complications. Dianne has not had one night away from the hospital in 5 weeks.
It has been our privilege to just “be there” if she needs us. We came home just long enough to do laundry and pay bills, kiss the little's and repack. It’s been a heart wrenching week.
Jack and I had the opportunity to pray with a stranger in the waiting room, a lady that had just learned her brother was getting a liver after 8 months and she was scared to death. I may never see that lady again, but I will never forget her face.
I hate hospitals and just walking in Baylor made my heart race. We spent the hours having long talks about days gone by, football, kids, grandkids; I even got an occasional laugh and smile from Keith and that was as valuable as gold.
He can have little pain medication as his liver no longer is able to filter it out…so he is in great pain. Every few days they drain 7 plus liters of fluid off his stomach. I would look across the room at Jack and see a MIRACLE and know that Keith could be one too. Life is hard right now for Diane and Keith and their boys.
Then the economy splattered. Keith is a stock market man, so he would constantly ask about what was happening…not good news. I could get political here, but B Obama promised change…I hope this was not what he had in mind. And then to see America..America The Beautiful, lose it’s triple A credit rating…I want get started.

Today I woke up to the tragic death of all the Navy Seals in Afghanistan. A few hours later find out one of the dead is the son of our banker. Life is hard tonight for the Reeves family. I don’t know Rob Reeves, but I know he went to work everyday to keep you and keep me safe and free.
So it has not been a week of many answers…a week full of questions…these are the weeks, you hum “Because He Lives”

I heard a new song that I love….
you may know it but it was new to me…

I Call You Faithful

My favorite line is “I Call You All That”…..

If you have started Pinterest…check out my boards…I am obsessed…so much fun

IF YOU ARE EASILY ADDICTED, DON’T GO NEAR IT

2011-07-31T18:20:00.000-05:00

This is just one of my “random posts”, but the title is a warning. If you have an addictive personality like me, this might not be a place to camp out. All I needed was one more addiction. Pinterest !!

I am officially addicted and it is one of the most fun things I have done in a long time….Consolidate my loves, dreams, hopes, words, pictures, cravings onto one page.
If you are doing it….let me know so I can follow you. I think you can find me at Teresa Powell.
I think it is even going to be a great asset during tree season for ideas.

We are in Dallas (106 degrees) for a few days (with no little's which is rare and a little sad) to encourage some friends.
I did something yesterday that brought a flood of memories back. I walked in Baylor Hospital, the same door that I walked in ten months ago, not knowing it I would find Jack alive.
I looked at him as he dropped me off at the door yesterday (he is that kind of guy) and went to find a parking place and thought “What a miracle!”

One of my high school friends who was in our wedding, (whose husband was my first crush)….a million years ago, is sitting in a very small room watching him rapidly decline as he waits for a liver transplant.
As of Friday he was moved from the number 5 spot to the number 1 spot… …so he needs a liver quick. We are just here to encourage them….Jack even gave him a little 4th quarter football talk last night. When the liver shuts down everything is affected and tomorrow may mean dialysis. I am praying that a liver becomes available today.

Looking at him last night made me really think about organ donation. Someone has to die for him to have a chance to live.
Heavy words.

We are staying through the middle of the week hoping we can help out, bring a smile, give a cup of hope. Please say a prayer for Dianne and Keith.

If you have read my blog awhile, you will know little Ashley that I have ask prayer for so many times.    She is turning six this week. She still has huge medical issues, another transplant in her near future…but she is at home now and Trish is throwing her a HUGE PARTY…
I am so honored to be invited and looking forward to attending.

Be sure and stop by the holiday blog and read Terri’s post. She has been working hard to get her Etsy shop up and running.

We are just days away from getting in elf mode. The temperature makes that miserable…I just looked at my phone and they are forecasting 109 here in Dallas for Tuesday…For this gal that loves cold weather, that is torture.

In a little over two weeks, that BABY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING, begins middle school…I cannot explain the emotions that stirs in me. He changed my life 12 years ago and I will never recover from falling so madly in love with him.
He has no idea how much of my heart he owns.
And to make it even better, he is just the coolest kid.
Parker Powell, I love you with everything in me.


How fast the years have gone. How blessed I feel to be his Grammy.

Back to pinning..Have a great week…I am determined to get back to reading and commenting on my favorite blogs…

I am coming up on a big number on my blog, so look for a good giveaway soon…

I am going to market this week while here in Dallas to buy a little Christmas…somehow Christmas and 100 degree plus weather just does not go together.

And not to be political, but I THINK the guys in Washington are a JOKE..Talk about a circus…Some of them might consider joining the circus.

PICTURES TO CUTE NOT TO SHARE

2011-07-26T01:38:00.002-05:00

****Hop over to
A Baby Changes Everything, my holdiday blog for a fun new post from an ELF.

I know I said I am on a blog break….but had to show you my day …It’s now well after midnight and the boys are still going strong. You will see that Austin is doing great….many of you have ask for an update.

Just to keep it real…I have had a month that has not been my best. Between the heat and hormones and a huge serotonin deficit….all this I know because I gave them 7 vials of blood to check everything..I have not been anyone's favorite person…today after a few days of meds I am beginning to feel like me again…

Parker, Austin and Jack have been here all day and are all spending the night…and we have laughed, and we have ordered off EBAY, and we have watched movies and we have had fast food twice and ice cream. Austin and Parker have played video games. As in super serious.

Jack has taken over my iPhone and ipad…and now he is settled in to watch Dora at one in the morning. so its been a party…Next time we are going to have Gray….the older boys thought a 2 and 3 year old might be more than they could handle getting into their stuff. The house looks like a tornado came through….These are the kind of nights memories are made..

The boys trying to decide what to order….a very serious endeavor!

       Jack and Gray
       Partners in Crime

Serious Jack

Remember to stop by Terri’s new Etsy Shop…MilandDil Designs.
She has added lots of new things.

I have a new blogger to introduce you to in my next post…

This is our 30th day since June in the triple digits. We still have August and September to go…

Fall cannot come soon enough.

GOOD NEWS

2011-07-14T21:19:00.002-05:00

***Taking a blog break for a couple of weeks...to finish some projects, get my tree schedule set up (yes, its time) and maybe to find me. Will still be reading blogs as often as I can...so keep blogging.
Teresa

Tonight we are a tired family, a thankful family.

We have a sleepy boy,who had an awesome doctor and we were in a wonderful hospital. I cannot say enough good things about Arkansas Children's Hospital.

BEST of all we have a
repaired HEART!

We are a family blessed with wonderful praying friends, and tonight we are thankful to a great BIG GOD.

All is well.

Austin is resting in ICU and alert.
Because of the type surgery Austin needed there is a “hole’ in the entry point (groin area) that is twice as large as it would be in an adult who’s had a heart cath.
After seeing the before and after pictures the doctor showed Dana , it was even more evident that this surgery needed to be done NOW.

He has an adult size stint in place…but everything looks perfect.

His blood pressure which was extra high before surgery was very normal tonight. That was the goal.

He said I could snap his picture…so I post this with his permission…and then he wanted something from Applebee's.

He was a super brave boy today.

His Mom and Dad are tired but so glad that this is behind them.

Thank you again for caring and for praying for Austin and his family.

We feel blessed to call you friend. We have had two major medical events in our family in the last 10 months. The word “friend” has taken on a new meaning.

Have no idea why this picture has lines around it but am too tired to work on it tonight.

For you bloggers that read Kelly’s Korner, I did not get to see Kelly today,(she was in a consultation) but I got to meet Miss Harper and little Hollis and Kelly’s parents. Her Mom and I have been email buddies for awhile and it was so nice to meet her in person.

A FEW FUN DAYS BEFORE SURGERY

2011-07-12T23:57:00.003-05:00

AUSTIN SURROUNDED BY A LOT OF LOVE! Gray thinks its funny….He needs to make a call….

I will update after surgery on Thursday….Thanks for all your prayers.

And for a laugh….Jack, AKA, Woody is designing a new clothing line….called “I choose my clothes”! Coming soon to a store near you.

PLEASE PRAY

2011-07-10T20:27:00.002-05:00

You will not waste a prayer on our family this week. Austin, (Dana and Greg’s oldest little) is having heart surgery in Little Rock on Thursday morning.
It’s a surgery that they have known was in their future since Austin was small, but they had hoped it was still a a few years off.

Because of some blood pressure problems this last year and some other blood work numbers, the pediatric cardiologist decided the time is now. The doctors at Children's Hospital in Little Rock agreed.

I am sure it is a routine surgery that they do everyday in this hospital (they do not even do it here) but when it’s your boy having it, it becomes anything but routine. It becomes anxiety and sleepless nights.

First thing this morning I saw Greg’s middle of the night FB post and knew he was worried and sleep was not happening. He and Dana along with Austin, Gray and Parker left today. Parker was in tow to keep Austin preoccupied and they are all spending a couple of days in Hot Springs at an amusement/water park. Jack, Jack aka Woody, Amanda and I will meet up with them in Little Rock on Wednesday and spend the rest of the week. The surgery is Thursday morning.

It’s a scary thing to hand your child off to a doctor that you have never even met ( all the consulting is between his doctors here and the ones there).



Austin and his new dog MAX

My beautiful daughter-in-love Dana….I am a fan of two pair of glasses….for me it is reading and sunglasses. Dana just does not have her contacts in.

My Boy that loves his family with a love that is rare. He speaks it daily. He lives it daily.




Austin and his Nanny. Dana’s Mom, Janet is a beautiful lady inside and out.

Austin, very intent at Chucky Cheese!

AUSTIN and his BEST BUDDY, PARKER! We are counting on Parker to keep Austin's mind off the surgery the next few days.

THE FAMILY

Thanks in advance for your prayers. After Jacks stroke last October, the blog community blew me away.

I went back and read all those comments and emails today.

Bloggers by the 100’s that checked in everyday..and I have only blogged for a two and half years. I know people prayed.

At that time I had no idea that the stat counter existed but now that I can go back and read it, many of those first 7 or 8 days, I had over 500 hits each day. And they could not have been because they were reading a fun
Disney post. Forever I will be grateful to you.

Now I am asking you to pray for
My Boys’ Boy.

Please pray that the surgery has no complications, fixes the problem, that Austin does not experience any fear this week and that Dana and Greg have a peace…that same peace we experienced that hard week in October.

The winner of the cookbook is Nancy at Bacardi Mama!

PICTURES SAY IT ALL and A GIVEAWAY

2011-07-07T23:18:00.000-05:00

OK…here is a fun post…well a lazy post…

These are just some pictures I had on my phone, several of a recent trip to see Cars!
If you have read my blog long, you will know the personalities of Parker and Jack. So your job… give me a caption for the pictures…You can do them all or just a couple…
I have the neatest cookbook I picked up at market…the giveaway

I will choose a winner on Sunday night….Some of you are so clever…I am looking forward to your comments.

Have fun with this post. I have two copies of the cookbook so I might pick two winners..