Serendipity Sunrise

Aunt Sara

2012-01-15T23:33:00.001-06:00

I lost my dear Aunt Sara today. A part of my heart went with her as she went through the gates of heaven. This is a post I wrote about her 2 years ago. I can hear her sweet voice now as she saw her family waiting for her. I'm sure she is running and shouting - "Ooo wee! I'm finally home!" Save a place for me at the table Aunt Sara. I'll be there later on.

Love,
Lesa

Hometown Photos

2011-01-06T22:17:00.005-06:00

Here are a few pictures that I took when I participated in a Photo Walk in our downtown area. I could have done this all day but it was 90 degrees outside at 9:00 in the morning in the middle of July. I don't like to sweat.... I felt like my camera weighed at least 50 pounds by the time we finished the walking tour after 2-3 hours. I would love to do this again in cooler weather. I can always put on enough clothes to keep warm but I can't take off enough to get cool especially downtown!
Some of my favorites from my "Day of Sweat" -

Lesa

Why? What was I thinking?

2011-01-03T22:04:00.011-06:00

In cleaning out my pictures, I ran across a few that made me wonder - "What was I thinking when I took this picture?"

Callie and Sister Cat are looking at a baby mouse running around the bottom of the pail. Why in the world would I want a picture of this? At least I didn't take a picture of what happened next.......

No - I was not tipsy at the time.

Bless her heart! The duck on the left has a big cut on the top of her bill. The other duck looks like she is telling her to put some Neosporian and a Band-Aid on it to make it feel better!

Even the neighborhood dogs were tired of seeing all the campaign signs in May!

Lesa

It's A New Year!

2011-01-01T18:20:00.014-06:00

I archive my pictures from the previous year and burn them onto CDs each January. It takes me awhile since I take a lot of pictures - 12 CDs/one for each month.

Tonight I enjoyed looking back at some of my favorites that held a special memory. I thought I might share a few over the next several days.

Here are the first pictures that got me sidetracked -

Garth Brooks - need I say more......

He was wonderful! We had nosebleed seats at the top rail - 5 rows from the very top of Bridgestone Arena at the rail.
They were fairly good seats since there was no one sitting in front of us to block our view to the bottom......
I slipped on the last step going to our seats in the dark and I thought I was going over the rail in the middle of 18,000 people! My fear of heights was really kicking my butt!
I'm so glad I had a great zoom lens on my camera. I didn't stand up until it was time to go.
My sister laughed at me - she knows I'm a chicken.....

Cluck! Cluck!

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-22T20:16:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wedensday

2010-06-23T12:04:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-12T20:12:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-28T21:58:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-14T15:05:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-07T15:54:00.007-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-10T21:50:00.002-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-03T14:20:00.002-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-17T22:00:00.002-06:00

Feeling Old

2010-02-13T18:59:00.012-06:00

I went to see my Aunt Sara this afternoon. She had a broken hip 6 weeks ago and recently returned from the nursing home. Aunt Sara had a stroke many years ago. She is in a wheelchair but her mind is still pretty sharp. She has problems putting her words together sometimes unless she is really mad and then she is very fluent in all words. She normally uses two to three word phrases to communicate. Aunt Sara is Dad’s sister. There are three siblings still living – Herbert, Sarah, and Lucille. Aunt Sarah asked how Mom and Dad were doing and this is how the conversation took a turn for the worse…..

Aunt Sara: “Herbert’s birthday.”

Me: “Yes – Dad has birthday on the 23^rd. He will be 80.”

Aunt Sara: “Lucille’s birthday first.”

Me: “She has a birthday on the 20^th. She will be 95. You have a birthday in June don’t you?”

Aunt Sara: “Yes – 90! September for you.”

Me: “Yes – mine is in Spetember. I’ll be 50.”

Aunt Sara: “Oooo weee! Old!”

It’s bad when your almost 90 year old aunt says “Oooo weee! Old!” when you tell her you will be 50 on your next birthday…..

I'm feeling older every minute that I'm closer to 50.

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-09T23:02:00.002-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-03T17:28:00.002-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-27T07:14:00.002-06:00

Another Year

2010-01-22T22:39:00.010-06:00

Lesa (2 1/2 years old) & Herby (5 years old) - December 1962

I have a friend that recently lost her brother. She asked me if the pain ever gets better or goes away.

No - I can honestly say that it does not go away. Ever.

It does get easier to carry around but it never goes away.

It's always there hiding in the shadows of your heart.

It becomes a part of who you are.

She wanted know if the holidays and anniversaries were hard. The first ones were pretty hard but the worst days are everyday ordinary days.

The everyday ordinary days........ The days when I am reminded of my brother and I didn't expect it.

The days when I see the back of someones head that looks like my brother and my breath catches in my chest because just for a moment - I think it is him.

The days when I see a good friend of his that misses him just about as much as I do and I can see the pain and longing in their eyes. I can hear the catch in their voice as they speak of him.

The days when I see a truck from the company where he worked and think for just a moment - is it him?

Those are the days that hurt the most.

The everyday ordinary days that take a little detour through my heart when I least expect it. That's it. When I least expect. The everyday ordinary days.

Every time this happens - the next thing I know - I am thinking about thinking. This is a link to the post that wrote last year about my brother.

I still love you & miss you Herby!

Lesa

Sunday Reflections

2010-01-17T22:23:00.013-06:00

It was a beautiful day today. The high was in the low 50's and the sun peeped out several times. Neil & I rode over to my favorite place to take pictures - Chapel Hill Church and then on to Clarksville for a little shopping. I think I could take hundreds of pictures there and still not be satisfied! It has to be one of the most peaceful places I have ever been to in my life. It was windy today so we didn't stay very long. I want to go back this summer, pack a lunch, a good book, and sit under one of the trees until my heart is content.

Two year old lambs in Christmas plays do not
usually follow the rest of the flock.....

Jennie is growing up so fast. She talks all the time and has the "2" stubbornness down pat! If she doesn't want to do something - you may as well forget it! She has an independent little mind all her own. We kept her Friday night and took her out to eat with us. As I was putting her in the car seat, I said, "Jennie, I love you so much!" and I gave her a kiss on her forehead. She said, "I love you Sissy!". Well - I have to tell you - my heart felt like it tumbled out of my chest and bounced across the parking lot and just kept on rolling! It was the first time she told me that she loved me! Then she looked up front at Neil, and said, "I love you Neil!". He sat there for a few minutes with silly grin on his face. She is so precious. She loves so easily. I feel so sorry for the first guy that breaks her heart. There will be a line of people ready to break his neck......
Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-13T00:01:00.002-06:00

For Whitney

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-05T22:55:00.009-06:00

I know - she is going to want to
shoot me by the time she is 15.

This reminds me of the post I did last year about
Step Ins.

Lesa

The Wonder of Christmas

2009-12-20T21:15:00.001-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-02T22:13:00.002-06:00

Veterans Day

2009-11-11T13:28:00.002-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-28T17:56:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-14T00:12:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-06T00:03:00.002-05:00

Random Ramblings

2009-09-27T11:41:00.011-05:00

My blog has been neglected once again! Life is just going on and my blog is sitting here in Blogland unattended! Facebook has been biggest downfall as far keeping up with my blog.

I have been painting ornaments for Christmas. This is like therapy for me and Lord knows I need all the therapy I can get these days! Each year I paint ornaments and sell them. I start taking custom orders in September. Every year I come up with a different design or theme.
This year it is snowmen/snow people.

Christmas 2009 Ornaments

Please keep my family in your prayers. We are dealing with my mother who has Alzheimer's. My Dad has his hands full a lot of the time. It seems like in the past 2 weeks she has gone down hill so fast. The doctor is working with a different combination of medications and she is to see a neurologist in 2 weeks. She is having problems with knowing who my father is a lot of the time. It has been so painful for all of us to watch this horrible disease come in and steal away Mom's mind. It's as if it has come like a thief in the night robbing our mother of her memory. She is so sad and afraid most of the time. It's like she is stuck between knowing what is happening and being totally lost. There is no happy middle in her mind right now.

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-02T22:12:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-26T00:01:00.002-05:00

Heavenly Sunlight

2009-08-24T18:34:00.010-05:00

Walking in sunlight all of my journey;
Over the mountains, through the deep vale;
Jesus has said, "I'll never forsake thee,"
Promise divine that never can fail.

Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,
Flooding my soul with glory divine:
Hallelujah, I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

Shadows around me, shadows above me,
Never conceal my Savior and Guide;
He is the Light, in Him is no darkness;
Ever I'm walking close to His side.

Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,
Flooding my soul with glory divine:
Hallelujah, I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

I got up this morning thinking - oh yuck - another Monday! I wish I could stay home. My stomach hurt. My head hurt. You name it - I felt it this morning. I was moaning and groaning about having to go to work. I even grumbled about it being foggy again and tried to think of what Daddy always said about the fogs in August and the winter snows. Didn't we have a lot of fog last August? Is that why we had the horrible ice storm in January? Then I thought about how I was going to be late for work because I couldn't drive at my normal break-neck speed! By the time I got to the end of our road, I was fit to be tied just thinking about everything I had to get done today.

Then I looked behind me and this is what I saw.

Hello & Good Morning from God!! I felt like He had smacked me on the top of my head! I was being so ungrateful for the beautiful day that He had given me and for the blessing of being able to go to work at a job that I love. As I drove to work, I kept singing this song over and over in my mind. When I pulled into the parking lot I was singing out loud! I was even earlier than I thought and didn't have to drive fast! This has been one the best Mondays I have had in a long time. Yes - there were stressful moments but in my mind I kept singing His praises and knowing that Jesus is mine!

I'll try to remember this day when there is six inches of snow and ice everywhere in January.
Lesa

Knock Knock! Guess who is back?

2009-08-21T21:08:00.011-05:00

No – I have not totally fallen off the face of the earth. I’m just clinging to the edge!

School started here on August 6. That’s all I can say.

Work – home – work – home – and back to work. That’s all I have done for over a month.

Well - work and Facebook. Am I the only one that is addicted to Facebook? And FARKLE? Where has FARLKLE been all of my life?? I could sit and play it for hours. I even dozed off playing the other night while sitting up in my chair! FARKLE is like Yahtzee but the game is shorter and you play against your friends. I'm not to sure about how the chips work - I just enjoy playing the game - over and over again until I fall out of my chair!

I’m hoping to post a few things within the next week. I have new recipes I have tried lately that I can’t wait to share.I’ve also started on a few Christmas crafts. I know – Christmas is months away. I have to get started now to get everything finished that I plan to make.

Most important of all – our Jennie is getting to be such a big girl! Here are a few pictures from her birthday party on Saturday. I can’t believe that it has been two years since I first fell head over heals in love with this little sweetheart!

Thanks to everyone for emailing to check on me! I enjoyed hearing from you!

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday!

2009-07-22T07:48:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-15T07:54:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

Organizing My Stuff

2009-06-28T20:59:00.008-05:00

I was off from work last week and decided to organize my craft stuff. I threw away lots of junk and boxed up some stuff to give away.

Jennie "helped" me Monday and Tuesday. She is really into putting things in the trash can. She is also into pulling things out of the trash can too!

My biggest problem has always been how to store my Stampin Up ink pads. I've tossed around the idea of building a shelf for quite awhile. Yesterday, I finally mapped out what I thought about making. I went to Lowe's and started thinking about what I would need. Last night, I started measuring and cutting. I finished it today and sprayed it with a light coat of white paint.

It's not exactly what I had in mind but it will work for now.
It doesn't look professional by any means but that's OK.
It only cost me $23 and a smashed finger.

Next - I have to work on my paper storage.
I may have to build another room on to the house.....

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-24T00:08:00.001-05:00

Signs From the 70's

2009-06-18T21:07:00.014-05:00

I just noticed this sign on the restroom door at school. I have worked here for 15 years and just noticed the picture beside the word “WOMEN”. Doesn’t the woman look like Judy Jetson or the mother in the Family Circus comic strip? Our school was built in 1970. This sign has never been changed!

The sign for the men’s restroom is long gone. I wonder if it looked like George Jetson or Ward Cleaver? It was replaced with one that simply states "Bathroom". There are very few men here. We have a faculty and staff of approximately 80. There are only 4-5 men here on a daily basis. The men were over taken by the women a long time ago! There is only one set of restrooms for faculty and staff. When you have to go, it doesn’t matter where you go, as long as you get to go! Visitors are usually confused as to which one to go in. It really doesn't matter - they are same inside!

There is no confusion for the students.

The boy looks like Charlie Brown.

The girl looks like Charlie Brown's little sister.

I can’t believe that I just blogged about the restroom door signs.

I think I need a break.....

A long vacation with lots of cool drinks to sip.....

Somewhere with lots of restrooms would be nice…..

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-17T08:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday Mary Helen!

2009-06-14T00:01:00.004-05:00

This is a picture of the barn that Mary Helen would see on the way to Granny and Papa's house when she was growing up. She knew when she saw this barn that they were almost there! That was many years ago when it was a long trip from Pembroke to Pee Dee. (I'm not sure if she rode in a horse and buggy or not!) It now only takes 20 minutes. I will not tell how old she is today. Let's just say that she is older than me (and dirt) and that is old.... I love her dearly.

Guess who is coming to see you today?
Love Ya!

Lesa

Bringing Home Lucy Lane!

2009-06-13T17:05:00.014-05:00

My blog friend Kristi left for Ethiopia today to bring home her sweet baby girl. Kristi and Will already have four of the cutest children God ever made. Now they are making room in their hearts for one more. Keep Kristi in your prayers this week as she travels with her sister to bring home Lucy Lane. Also keep Will in your prayers as he "holds down the fort" at home! I cannot imagine the anticipation and excitement that is stirring inside their hearts this week!

You can keep track of Kristi in her travels and read about her journey to this point at Longing for Lucy Lane. You will see that Kristi and Will are truly two of God's most special parents!

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-10T18:05:00.007-05:00

Please forgive me for not posting more. I have been swamped with end of year "junk" at school but somehow I always make time to take pictures!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-03T21:08:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-27T23:12:00.003-05:00

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T00:02:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Friday Fave Five

2009-05-15T17:10:00.023-05:00

It's time for Friday Fave Five! I have been slacking in this area - I've been slacking in a lot areas lately but I had rather not think about that now! Be sure to check out all of the Friday Fave Five entries over at Suzanne's - Living to Tell the Story.

1. Crop Duster – Monday afternoon I kept hearing an airplane buzzing around the house and flying low. Then it dawned on me – it’s a crop dusting plane! I love watching planes fly low and swoop down! I ran out the front door with my camera in my hand so fast that I tripped over my feet at the bottom of the steps and hit my knee on the sidewalk and slipped in the muddy grass on one side. I got up and took off running again with my camera ready to take pictures and video. Thanks goodness I didn't drop my camera! After taking several shots, I realized that two of my neighbors were watching me instead of the plane. With mud all down one side of my body, I very gracefully walked back into the house as if nothing ever happened. They probably sat at the supper table that night laughing about the short chunky neighbor lady, with the white legs and skinned up knee, falling over herself in the yard like she had never seen a plane before. I bet I looked like the guy on “Fantasy Island” yelling – “De plane! De plane!” At least I provided a little free entertainment! Meanwhile – my knee still hurts but I got some good shots of the plane!

2. Jennie – This is Jennie on her rocking horse last Sunday before she had her fit of “Drama”! (See previous post!) The necklace that she is wearing was her grandmother's when she was a baby. I love her little bare feet!

3. Iris – This is my favorite color of iris that are in bloom now. A dear friend gave me these many years ago. They really are more a chocolate brown color. We used to call them "Flags" and I thought they were only purple and yellow when we were growing up. I know a lady that has over 200 different colors. She can tell you the names of each color and she is 92 years old! I do good to remember my own name some days!

4. My Mama – This is a picture of Mom and Jennie that I took last Sunday. Mom’s memory is slowly being robbed by Alzheimer’s. For now, she knows all of us and for that blessing I am grateful!

5. Philippians 4:6-7 – These verses have been in my heart all week.

⁶Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-13T16:51:00.007-05:00

Maybe a few words to explain -

This is Jennie on Sunday afternoon when she did not want to have her picture taken one more time. She had been cute and smiled for way too long!

Lesa

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

This is the picture I'm giving Mom for Mother's Day.

I took it last Sunday in the pouring down rain.
I had it made into an 8x10 and framed it for her.
I hope she likes it!
Lesa

Max & Muffin - Friends or Not?

2009-05-09T08:00:00.013-05:00

Muffin, Callie's kitten, is now almost 7 weeks old.

I named her Muffin because of the "M" on her head.

Max loves cats and kittens. He is very kind and gentle. He can't imagine why Muffin doesn't like him. He just wants to sniff her because cats smell
really great when you are a schnauzer!

Muffin is still not sure of Max and lets him know exactly how she feels. Kittens are so funny hissing and spitting while they fluff out every little piece of fur on the their bodies. It's so funny to watch them inflate like
little beach balls!

Muffin is still not eating kitten food and is perfectly content nursing from Callie. She sees no need to ever eat from a dish! I have been working on this with her for a couple of weeks now with no luck. The vet told me to start taking her away from Callie as much I can. I brought her inside this morning and she did eat a few bites of soft kitten food. I'm going to keep her in the kitchen until about 8:00 tonight and maybe she will eat before she goes back outside to her box with Callie. She has to eat from a dish before she packs her little bags and goes to a new home! I'm ready for her to find a new home!

Callie is not ready to let go of her baby!
I know how she feels!

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-06T00:34:00.004-05:00

Blog Catch Up!

2009-05-03T15:29:00.017-05:00

Good grief! Where did the time go since I posted on here last?! I started back to work part time on April 13 and full time beginning on April 20. I don't think I have stopped since then! I'm ready for another break from work but not like the last break I had with surgery! Only 22 more days of school for the students! I work year round so my fun just begins when school is out for the students.

Back the ark out of the garage!

I may need it to get to work in the morning!

It has rained here for the past three days! This is the radar right now for us. There is more of this moving in tonight and tomorrow. The highs have been in the upper 50's. I am so ready for carpi pants and sandals everyday - not once a week! There is rain in the forecast tomorrow also but the high is supposed to be in the 70's. Yucky and humid. So much for my hair looking good.....
And then I think - if my hair looked good - everybody at work would be totally shocked and amazed!

Last Sunday, Neil & I rode over to Todd County to the Chapel Hill Church Cemetery. My father's sister is buried there. It was an absolutely beautiful Spring day. Here are a few pictures that I took of the church and the cemetery.

This is the tombstone of my father's sister. Dad was born in 1930 so he never this sister. He was the last baby born and the only boy. This was Granny and Papa's first baby. I can't imagine the grief and pain that they felt losing this sweet baby girl. They went on the have five more babies and losing one other little girl. I'm not sure where the other baby is buried. Her name was Mae. I'll have to ask my cousin who is the storehouse of family history knowledge!

Kathleen
Daughter of
W.C. & Mary Thaxton
Born
Nov. 30, 1912
Died
July 10, 1914
"Budded on earth to bloom in heaven."

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-08T10:01:00.004-05:00

Friday's Fave Five

2009-04-03T20:22:00.014-05:00

It's for time for Susanne's Friday's Fave Five. I'm running late posting this today - better late than never!

Here are my five for the week:

1. New Magazines - I just started subscribing to my favorite magazine last month. I received two in one day! I just wish that I had not already bought one of them at the store. Guess I'll have to share my extra copy with someone.

2. Spring Colors - I love the colors of spring. I even like the dandelions in the yard.....

3. New Storage Caddy - I found this at Walmart for less than $5. I'm using it to store my brads for cardmaking. It has 25 compartments on the sides and opens at the top for storage inside. I went back and bought two more. Yes - I'll probably fill them all.

4. Painted Plates - I finished painting these plates this week. (Don't look at the carpet that needs to be vacuumed. That's not one of my favorite things!) Now I have to go to Hobby Lobby to get stands to set them on. Oh no - I have to go to Hobby Lobby! Don't forget the 40% off coupon this week!

5. Sleeping Princess - We had supper Wednesday night with Alan, Susan, and Jennie. We had such a good time talking and playing with Jennie. Carly was there also and I took a picture of Jennie and Carly that I will share later. By the time we left, Jennie had dosed off and was sleeping on Susan's shoulder. If she could only stay this little!

Hope you had a great week!
Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-01T22:44:00.003-05:00

Announcing the Arrival of Kittens!

2009-03-31T18:02:00.008-05:00

Callie finally had her kittens yesterday!
I mentioned her in my Friday Fave Five post.
I took this picture on March 20.
She got a lot bigger after this picture. Bless her heart - I thought she was going to pop!

She is so proud of her sweet babies!

She actually had five kittens. Three were so tiny that they didn't make it. I cried when I found them. I have a big soft heart when it comes to anything baby! These two are so big that you would think they are a week old. They are very strong and moving around the box. Callie instincts are so amazing. She had her kittens outside under some leaves beside the garage. I think the stray dogs that came up in the yard Sunday night frightened her so bad that she started having her kittens. It broke my heart yesterday when she kept going back to where she had them and searched for the other three. I fixed her a box, with some old shirts that I was saving for a yard sale, inside our storage building where she would be safe and warm.

It's just like a new mama to want to show off her babies!

Baby kittens are so sweet!

Lesa

Friday's Fave Five

2009-03-27T13:10:00.016-05:00

Wow! Where did this week go? It's already Friday again and time for Susanne's Friday's Fave Five. It's been a slow week around my house. I'm still recouping from surgery.

Here's my list for the week:

1. Crystal Light Pomegranate Lemonade - This stuff has to be addicting. I love it! I have started drinking more water and feel so much better with more energy. I've been cutting back on the number of Dr. Pepper's I used to drink. I was up 3 or 4 a day in December. Now I drink one a day and drink lots of Crystal Light. I have lost 16 pounds since Christmas. There is only one problem with drinking more water......

2. Smokehouse Black Pepper - This pepper is so good on black eyed peas, white beans, green beans, or anything that needs a little extra smokey flavor.

3. Sweet Potato Vine - I started this several weeks ago and this week it seemed to just pop out with leaves. My Aunt always has one of these growing in her kitchen.

4. Sister Schubert's Rolls - Oh my! The package says - just warm and serve. It should also say - will add inches to your behind - so go ahead and attach them to your rear end with duct tape! It also states - heat only as many as you need. I don't "need" any of these but I "want" to eat half the package when they come out of the oven.....

5. Lamentations 3:21-22 - “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
These verses have been stuck in my head and heart all week. Isn't it great to have something new every morning? This is a good reason to get out of bed some mornings!
Lesa

Friday's Fave Five

2009-03-20T16:31:00.019-05:00

Since it is the first day of Spring, I'm going to show you five of my favorite things about Spring and what Spring looks like around our house. If you want to join in the Friday's Fave Five fun, be sure and visit Susanne.

1. This is the grass that we sowed 2 weeks ago.
It's coming up!

2. I love these little grape hyacinths that grow wild all over our yard.

3. This is what I call double buttercups.

4. This is Callie. She came to us this past fall. She was wild, skinny, and had part of her ear and fur missing. Of course I fed her.... She is now very tame. She has now "filled out" and is waiting for her little family to arrive.
We hope it is a little family......

5. Birds are everywhere in our yard.
Don't worry - the cat is too chubby to climb the tree to catch a bird!

Happy 1st Day of Spring!
Lesa

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T12:39:00.002-05:00

Friday's Fave Five

2009-03-13T22:17:00.014-05:00

I'm going to try this again this week. If you want to participate go over to Susanne's.
You tell 5 favorite things that have happened to you or you are thankful for this week.

1. My Husband who made Rotel Soup tonight since I'm under the weather. My throat is very sore and the soup felt so good going down! I posted this recipe last weekend. My husband has been so good to me. He has had to have the patience of a saint the past few days! I'm not a good patient...

2. God's healing hand and the wonderful care I received at Baptist Hospital yesterday. I had same day surgery on my neck. Everyone was so kind and gentle. They are truly amazing people.

3. Friends that keep me in their prayers. My friends at work and my blogging friends have been so supportive with thoughts and prayers. I feel so blessed to have these prayers surrounding me when I need them.

4. My family - My sister and brother-in-law fixed a great supper Wednesday night before I had surgery on Thursday. My mom and dad brought me a new pair of PJ's and a housecoat today. I could have cried but it would have hurt too much!

5. Pain medication - need I say more.....

Hope you all had a great week. I look forward to next week when I'm sure most of the soreness will be gone and I will feel more like myself again. Right now - I know I don't feel or look like Miss America!

Lesa

Have I Been Under A Rock?

2009-03-10T21:08:00.004-05:00

I saw an interesting display at our local Tractor Supply Store this weekend. You know how it is – you wander around the store with a glazed look in your eyes looking at odd things while your husband looks at stuff he doesn’t need either.

This is what I found.

Have I been under a rock? I didn’t know about this stuff.

There is a guy that I work with that has been under the weather for a few weeks. I think I may get him some. It surely can’t hurt. It looks like it may take care of whatever bothers you, where ever it bothers you.

Who knows? I may even try some myself…..

Makes me wonder what my husband looks at while I’m in Hobby Lobby.

I bet it’s not anything like this….

Lesa

Sunday Soup Night

2009-03-08T20:42:00.011-05:00

This is the recipe for my easy Rotel soup. I usually just add ingredients until it looks good. Sometimes I add mushrooms or a can of sliced carrots. The Rotel gives it a little bit of a warm bite. I hope you like it as much as we do!

Rotel Soup

2 cans of beef broth

1 can of Rotel

2 cans of diced tomatoes

1 can of shoepeg white corn

1 can of black beans or black-eyed peas - rinsed

1 cup of Rotini noodles – uncooked

1 pound of hamburger meat, browned and rinsed in hot water

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Cook covered on low heat until the noodles are done – about 20-30 minutes . I usually double this recipe and freeze leftovers. This is good with cheese and crackers, grilled cheese sandwiches or cornbread. Great for a quick supper or lazy crock pot days.

Lesa

Friday's Fave Five

2009-03-06T10:09:00.008-06:00

I thought I would try this today. I got the idea from Suzanne.

You tell 5 favorite things that have happened to you this week.

Sloppy Joes – We had Sloppy Joes and Tator Tots for lunch this week at school. This is one of my favorite school lunches. My mom never fixed anything like this when we were growing up. We had “country food” – beans, taters, and cornbread!
Robyn Carr books – I just finished the latest book in her “Virgin River” series. This is the 5^th book – I can’t wait for the next one to come out on April 1.
Easy Rotel Soup – I made this for supper Tuesday night. I’ll post the recipe this weekend. It’s quick and yummy!
Hobby Lobby 40% off Coupon – I’m going to Hobby Lobby this afternoon to use this weeks online coupon. I’m excited! Not that I really “need” anything…
Buttercups – Our buttercups are blooming in the yard. I love Spring!

Lesa

What I Love About Working In An Elementary School.....

2009-03-03T20:30:00.013-06:00

As most of you know, I am a secretary in an elementary school. I'm so blessed to work in one the best schools in our district. We have very few discipline problems. Our school has scored the highest or second highest in test scores for several years. There are 570 sweet little darlings that enter our building each morning bright eyed and bushy tailed looking for another day of learning!
This afternoon as I was driving home, I was thinking about how blessed I am to have worked in the same place for the last 15 years. I was also thinking of the reasons why I love my job. Now don't get me wrong. There are days I want to get in my car and go home at 8:00 in the morning. Most of the time it's rather busy in the office You never know what each new day will bring in the door! One thing is for sure - there is never a dull moment!
Tonight I decided to list some of the reasons why I love working in an elementary school.

What I love about working in an elementary school:

Fat Free Chocolate Milk every morning for breakfast
The sound of the children’s voices blending as they say the “Pledge of Allegiance” each morning. – mispronounced words and all.
The feel of little boy heads that have a new haircut.
That sweet smile when you tell them they are handsome with their new haircut – (See #3.)
No one really notices when you spill your drink on your pants or blouse first thing in the morning. By the end of the day, half of the school will have something on their clothes too.
Sloppy Joes and tater tots – I never had them as a child. Mom didn’t fix things like that at our house.
Those gapped tooth grins. Somebody always has their two front teeth missing!
I can giggle out loud and no one thinks it’s unusual.
The amazed expressions on the faces of students that see me at Wal-Mart. Some really do think I live at school. Several even ask where the principal is at….. Like we only travel together in a bus…..
Those little arms that appear from behind you and wrap around your legs, neck, or whatever they can reach, to give you a hug each morning. That's why I go to work on days that I feel like staying home.

Lesa

Snowy Saturday

2009-02-21T17:19:00.005-06:00

It’s snowing here!

I’m staying in today. It feels great just to stay home, cook, and wash clothes. (Yes - I'm enjoying washing clothes...) It’s beautiful outside with the snow falling. It’s even more beautiful inside snuggled up on the couch with a blanket, sipping hot cocoa, and reading a book with no where to go!

Neil is working a jigsaw puzzle while watching a “Walton’s” DVD.

We are such exciting people!

I’m reading this series of books.

I read the first one when it first came out and never got around to reading the last two. I had to re-read the first one to remember the story. (That’s a sign that I’m not as young as I used to be….) I have one left in the series. Is it just me or do you hate to read the last book when you read a set of books? It’s like ending an old familiar friendship!

I’m fixing a beef roast with potatoes, onions, and carrots in the oven, white beans with ham, boiled cabbage, and cornbread for supper. There’s nothing like comfort food on a cold snowy day!

Hope your Saturday is calm and restful too!

Lesa

First Post in Many Moons!

2009-02-17T22:34:00.015-06:00

Life has been so busy on my end of the world lately! I haven’t posted in forever! With work, ice storm, wind storm, going to the doctor for my neck issues (long story for later), and jury duty, I don’t know which end is up most of the time!

Sunday we went to church with Alan, Susan, and Jennie. We had such a great day spending time together. After church, we did a little shopping. Susan and Alan’s grill was destroyed in the wind storm we had last week so they decided to look for a new one at Kmart. I couldn’t believe all of the outdoor stuff they already have out for Spring.

Jennie had to try out the little chairs in the garden section.

She is now 18 months old and never slows down!

Can you tell she loves chocolate?

I love her little black shoes and tights….

She always crosses her little ankles.

Justyn left on Monday for a trip to Charlotte, NC. He will be gone all week for training. This is the first time he has ever flown. He said that it went well and seemed like no time and he was there.

I know – he’s 28 and I need to “cut the apron strings”!

I did hide a few little "Mama" notes in his suitcase….

He will always be my little boy.....

All 230 pounds and 5 feet, 10 inches of him….

I took this picture Sunday night while I was helping Justyn pack.

I don’t think Max was excited about him going.

It’s like he knew he would be gone for awhile.

(Oh pooh - blogger is giving me font problems again!)

Hope you have a great Wednesday! We have a chance of snow flurries tonight, tomorrow, and Thursday. We will be fine - as long as we don’t get ice!
Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-04T23:37:00.002-06:00

Ice, Ice, and More Ice on the Way!

2009-01-27T15:46:00.011-06:00

So far, we have not lost power totally. The lights have blinked and gone dim several times since last night. More ice and snow are expected tonight. Many in our area are without power. A family to the north of us had a house fire this morning. I feel so blessed! We may not get out again until spring but that's alright as long as we are safe and warm!
Our driveway is blocked due to tree limbs. Every time they fall it sounds like a gunshot or an explosion. They started falling about 2:00a.m. and have been falling all day. Just about the time I dosed off this morning, the phone rang at 3:45a.m. We have an automated phone message system in our school district. They were calling to say that there would be no school today.... Anybody with half a brain would have known that there was not going to be school today! After the phone call, I was wide awake worrying about the weather. I hope if we get a call tonight it is at a more decent time!
Hope you all are safe and warm!
Lesa

Yikes! Look What's Coming!

2009-01-26T19:51:00.007-06:00

We are smack dab in the middle of a line of ice. We could get anywhere from 1-3 inches of ice tonight. I stopped by the grocery on the way home to get a few things and that is all they had left - a few things! I had to make the ever dreaded trip to Wal-Mart. I could barely get in the parking lot at 4:00. I grabbed the few items I needed and scurried home like a squirrel going to bury my nuts for the winter.

Let's see.....
I have:
- bread
- milk
- batteries
- ice cream
- Cheetos
- popcorn
- 3 new books
- Dr. Pepper
What more do I need?
Lesa

Remembering My Brother

2009-01-22T00:11:00.020-06:00

Herby Thaxton

December 8, 1957 – January 22, 2006

This is the picture that my Dad did

not want us to use at the funeral home.

Susan and I insisted.

This picture is my brother enjoying his life to the fullest.

It’s who he was – enjoying his “refreshment”!

Three years ago today, I said goodbye to my only brother, Herby. It seems like only yesterday that my sister and I held his hands as he left this world for a much better place. His body was ready to go. At 48 years old, he was not. He loved life. His life choices may not have been the best but he lived his life to the fullest.

He was three years older than me and was the typical older brother. His main goal in life while we were growing up was to irritate my sister Susan and I in any possible way. There was never a dull moment when he was around. He could cheat at any game and never get caught. The only give away to his winning schemes was his smirky grin. When we played cards one time, he had a matching deck under the table so he could pull out the cards that he needed to win. He even had extra Monopoly pieces to place around the board when you looked away. I learned very early to never look away especially when I had something really good to eat!

He was the master mind of many devious plots when we were growing up.

One time, Dad brought home an old parachute from the army base where he worked. Herby and my cousin Mike, decided to attach the parachute to the cat (Felix - very appropriately named) and throw him off the roof of the house to see if the cat would fly in the air with the parachute. Mom was in the bedroom as the cat passed by the window. Luckily, the cat landed on his feet in the middle of the mound of parachute. They didn’t mean to hurt him they said. They were just testing the parachute. Next thing I knew, the parachute was tied to the back their dirt bikes while they rode down the gravel road. Oh - the fun we had entertaining ourselves!

I’ll never forget the time he hid under Susan’s bed one night waiting for her to get in. She was probably five or six at the time. Being eleven years older, he barely fit under her bed. He waited until she turned out the light and got snuggled down in her bed for night. As she laid there he held up her talking Bozo the Clown doll beside the bed making him dance like a puppet. “That’s a rootin’ tootin’ trick!” Bozo said as he pulled his string. Susan screamed while running in mid air out the door of her bedroom. I don’t remember if Mom ever really fussed him – I’m sure if she did - it probably went in one ear and out the other!

Before he passed away, Susan and I spent many nights with him in the emergency room. His mind would ramble in so many directions while we tried to keep him in the bed and off the light fixtures. One night he kept asking the same question over and over again for hours.

“Did you ever think about thinking?” he kept asking.

“Hey Susan! Did you ever think about thinking?”

“Hey Lesa! Lesa! Did you ever think about thinking?”

We would keep answering over and over again. Yes. No. Maybe. Hum.

Just when we thought he had dozed off, he would come back around and ask again.

“Did you ever think about thinking?”

Today I can answer that question.

Yes.

I have thought about thinking.

I have thought about you each Christmas, birthday, and many days in between.

I have thought about how much you would love Jennie.

I have thought about how much Susan and I love you and miss you.

Yes. I have thought about thinking.

Love,

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday - "Hints of Spring"

2009-01-21T16:57:00.002-06:00

New Leadership in Our Nation

2009-01-20T22:56:00.010-06:00

“When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.”

"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

I thought of this song today as the new president took his oath of office and said the words, “So help me God”.

To be found in Him and standing on solid rock is all we can hope for when all is said and done.

I may not support everything our new president stands for but when a man takes an oath and says “So help me God”, I don’t want to be the one standing on sinking sand and trying to support him. We all need to have our feet firmly grounded on what this nation was built on so many years ago.

Faith.

Hope.

Trust in God.

Unity.

The least we can do is stand on the Solid Rock and pray that God will help him.

Lesa

Happy Birthday Elvis!

2009-01-08T17:29:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-07T00:01:00.000-06:00

Step Ins

2009-01-02T00:01:00.010-06:00

My Mom and Dad gave of each us money for Christmas. It was a very simple solution for them. My Mom has Alzheimer’s and doesn’t do very well shopping or buying things for others at this point. She was so funny asking us several times Christmas Eve if we got our cards with the money from her and Dad. (She had just handed us the cards 20 minutes before she asked the first time.) She told us that they put their money together this year since they didn’t know what to get any us for Christmas. She stated this as if they each had two separate incomes, extra jobs on the side, and took up a collection between the two of them! My parents have been retired for many years now and have had the same bank account for a long time. When Mom asked several times if we got our cards with money, one of us would say we did and how much we really appreciated it. Somebody even said it was their favorite shade of green! After she had asked a few more times, I finally spoke up and said that I was going to buy some new underwear with my money.

My grandmothers always got me new underwear for Christmas when I was little. Nanny, my grandmother on my mother’s side of the family, always gave me cotton “panties”. They were so soft and comfy. Sometimes they would be in soft pastel colors. I loved wearing pink panties! Granny, my grandmother on my father’s side of the family, was a whole different story in the pantie department. She always got me the silky feeling, itchy kind. She called them “step-ins”. I remember her telling me that nice little girls only wore white step-ins. Not pink or lavender – just white. Apparently I had a problem with showing my panties when ever I wore dresses. Granny gave me step-ins with lace on the rear end in case my dress came up. I guess it was OK to show your step-ins if they were silky and had ruffles on them.

I had this discussion with Mom on Christmas Eve after I mentioned buying new underwear with my money. My mother actually remembered Granny putting the itchy things on me every time I went to visit. She said that I would start scratching as soon as they touched my behind. Maybe that’s why Granny put the ruffled ones on me. In case I started scratching with a dress on.

I’m sure if Granny was still living she would also tell me that nice girls don’t discuss their step-ins in public.

Lesa

Family Christmas

2008-12-30T19:00:00.001-06:00

We had a great Christmas! Christmas Eve we went to my sister’s house with my parents, Jennie, Carly, and my family. We opened gifts and ate way too much!

When I started this blog, I decided not to use some of our real names. Why? I don't know. I get confused enough with real names, I don't know why I thought I could remember to use fake ones....

So - here are the cast of characters in my family and a few pictures from Christmas Eve. (Sometimes we are real characters too!)

My Niece Jennie, My Sister Susan, My Mom Rosie, My Dad Herbert, Me, and My Son Justyn

Justyn, Me, and Neil

I look like I'm smashed in the middle and I'm really not that short....

Carly, Jennie, and Susan

Alan, Jennie, and Susan

Justyn always gets new boxers for Christmas.
Jennie looks like she is saying
"It's just new underwear. What's the big deal?"
At 16 months, we are sure Jennie is already using sarcasm.....

Carly got a Whoopie cushion in her stocking and decided to try it out.

Jennie didn’t like it at all.

Protect me Justyn!
Notice the grip she has on his sweater!

Jennie was really into opening presents and ripping paper.

It really doesn’t matter what is inside – as long as she can rip a lot of paper and pitch it behind her!

No matter what happens with the economy - there is always lots of love to go around!

I hope you and your family had a very Merry Christmas!

Lesa

Merry Christmas from My Family to Yours!

2008-12-25T16:37:00.001-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2008-12-03T23:05:00.003-06:00

**Special Note - One of the guys at work said that she must be reading a fiction book! Ha!

I'll make him think fiction...........

Game Night - Free Entertainment!

2008-12-01T21:02:00.006-06:00

What happened to the days of getting together with family and friends to play games or cards? I think in the hustle and bustle of life, we have lost a valuable activity. I remember when I was growing up, we would have card games on Friday or Saturday night at our house or we would go to our neighbor’s house. Our social outings for the week were going to church on Sundays, Wednesday night prayer meeting, and going to someone’s house to play games.

On Thanksgiving Day after we scarfed down (is scarfed a word?) a huge meal, we decided to play cards instead of lying around on the couch, dozing off to sleep, and holding our bellies all afternoon.

We played Texas Rummy. Each round you have different requirements for laying down your cards. It’s very easy to play. It’s a twist on regular rummy using 2 decks of cards. I’m not sure where or how it got the name of Texas Rummy. Maybe somebody from Texas came to Kentucky and taught a friend how to play this game. I don’t know. Maybe if Diane came and taught me how to knit, I could call it Arkansas Knitting! Just a thought…..

We enjoyed talking, laughing, and just being together. The best part – it was free! For several years in the past, we have gone to the movie after we eat Thanksgiving dinner. With the economy like it is, we all need more free things to do as a family. What better way to save money than to pull up a couple of chairs, get out some cards or games, and enjoy what you have!

My son, who is 27, lives with us and we never take time to stop and just talk. We eat in passing, leave notes for each other, and get ready for work each morning in three different shifts at my house. My sister and brother-in-law are the same way. We all have meetings during the week and barely have time to call each other before we fall into bed exhausted at night.

My sister and I have made a promise that we will commit to at least two or three nights a month to play games and just enjoy being together as a family. She already has Friday night planned for us. I’m bringing the Rook cards, Dominoes, Dr. Pepper and a cheese ball. My brother-in-law wanted know if this called for a fresh batch of Chex Mix?….. What more do you need for a fun night? Not much!

I’m already looking forward to our free entertainment on Friday night and it’s only Monday! I’m so easily entertained…….

Lesa

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T00:46:00.008-06:00

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

These verses have gone through my head many times today as I have cooked and spent time with two of the most precious girls. Carly and Jennie came early this morning. I enjoyed having a 14 year old and a 15 month old here all day while I cooked for tomorrow. Jennie is my niece and Carly is the daughter of my friend Pam. I have loved Carly since she was born and could not love more if she were my “real” niece.

This morning we made Bacon Bites to snack on today. I also baked a country ham and baked a Turtle Cheesecake today. Tomorrow morning, I will fix a Sweet Potato Casserole and Macaroni & Cheese. We will eat at my sister Susan’s house at 1:00 and then enjoy an afternoon of playing cards – if we can stay awake.

Hope you have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2008-11-19T21:27:00.004-06:00

Caution! Buyer Beware!

2008-11-13T21:03:00.007-06:00

Oh my!

The warning label on this should be -

"Beware! This product is highly addictive, high in calories, sodium, carbs, and fat, and does not last long after purchase no matter the size purchased."

OK - I'll confess.
I don't smoke.
I don't drink alcohol (well - maybe wine once in awhile).
I try not to cuss.
I do drink this!

I'm just warning you......
Lesa

Veterans Day

2008-11-11T08:13:00.003-06:00

Cappuccino Gift Mix

2008-11-10T22:47:00.004-06:00

This is one of my favorite gifts to give and to receive at Christmas or anytime! It's so easy to mix up for last minute gifts. I made some of this with the Caramel Vanilla Coffemate this past weekend. It was really good last night with the cooler temperatures we have had the last several days. I only drink coffee in cold in weather. I know - I'm not normal! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Kim Hill & Lisa Harper - One Amazing Evening!

2008-11-08T13:45:00.032-06:00

Thursday night I had the honor of attending an awesome event sponsored by our local YMCA. It was a Prayer Dinner featuring Kim Hill and Lisa Harper. I was invited by Eva Self along with several of my co-workers from school. The food that was served was really good but the spiritual feeding was even better! We had an amazing time of music, laughter, and fellowship.

The best part was the sharing of God's word through music from Kim Hill and the message presented by Lisa Harper. She gave Hebrews 11 a whole new twist! Her sense of humor is hilarious! It felt wonderful to be able to pray and worship with my friends and co-workers. We needed this message so much to help remind us that we can trust and depend on our Lord and Saviour when situations seem stressful or impossible. Believe me - working in an elementary school can get very stressful!

This is a video of Kim Hill singing Psalm 1. She sang this song acappella at the opening of the program. It was as if it came directly from her soul and into the soul of all who listened. I was sitting next her and could hear humming through the song just before she went on stage. Her voice is an amazing gift from God.

Here are some pictures that I took of Eva Self and Kim Hill. The lighting was not the greatest for photos. There were green spotlights shining on each side of the stage. The one that I took of Lisa Harper did not turn out well. She looked as green as Herman Munster! I don't think she would have appreciated me posting that picture! And no - Eva does not have green hands!

Kim Hill

Eva Self

If you have not had the privilege of hearing these women - you have missed a blessing! Each one of them have their own unique story of God's blessings upon their lives and how He can work within your life also. I encourage you to check their schedules and see if they will be appearing near you. Trust me - it's an opportunity to be blessed that you don't want to miss!
Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2008-11-05T23:03:00.003-06:00

Election Day

2008-11-04T09:54:00.001-06:00

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T10:25:00.004-05:00

I was tagged!

2008-10-29T19:42:00.006-05:00

Earlier this week, I was tagged by Jerri at The Prissy Chicken Memories. Jerri is such a hoot! Be sure and go read her facts! Thanks Jerri for sharing!

This is what I had to do:

So here it goes --

I was born with 3 kidneys. My kidneys work like normal kidneys. No – I don’t have to go to the bathroom more than the normal person. I was also born with only one ovary. This explains why God blessed me with only one child. I didn’t know about the missing ovary until 4 years ago when I had surgery. I would love to adopt but who is going to let a 47 year old couple adopt a child?
I could almost be a vegetarian. I don’t like processed preformed meats. If it wasn’t for bacon and country ham – I could really be a vegetarian.
I have never liked glitter. Even as a child in school – I hated glitter. I can’t stand the way it sticks to everything. The feel of it on my skin bothers me. I look like a cat in a litter pan trying to get it off my hands! I have this fear that it will get in my eyes or up my nose.
The smell of pancake syrup makes me sick. I got sick after eating pancakes when I was pregnant 27 years ago. You just never get over something that comes flying out your nose when you are pregnant.
I got so nervous that I wet my pants in front of the church when I ten years old during Bible drills. It ran down my legs into my white dressy socks and went into my black paten leather shoes. There was never a drop on the floor. My shoes were full. Now this happens when I sneeze or cough suddenly!
I am convinced that I have ADD and OCD. During in-service trainings, I count the ceiling tiles or notice every flaw in the ceiling or walls. Then I realize that I have missed half of what I should of heard. At church, I can tell you how many light bulbs are in each light fixture and which ones needed to be changed a month ago. I look for patterns in flooring or fabrics. I notice odd things that normal people don’t notice.
I am addicted to boxes – all shapes and sizes. I am especially drawn to small boxes. I can never throw away a good box. It’s like a friend that I may need to call on later to help me out! I will admit. I am a pack rat!

So there. I have now confessed some of my unknown secrets and weird facts. I’m not going to tag anyone but if you want to participate – go ahead – knock yourself out! It has been fun reading what people tell about themselves!

Have a great rest of the week!

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-22T18:35:00.002-05:00

Sunday Fall Sunset

2008-10-12T23:16:00.007-05:00

I took this picture of an old shell of a barn just
before sunset tonight. It looked so lonely.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-08T20:38:00.002-05:00

Let the Christmas Projects Begin!

2008-10-07T23:59:00.014-05:00

Every year about this time I start thinking about my Christmas projects. Most people start in July. Not me. I try to pack it all into three months! I create better under stress and we all know how we love stress…….

Tonight I finished painting a few glass Christmas ornaments. I have been painting and selling my ornaments for about eight years. One year I painted over 80 ornaments and sold them. That was before I started working full time during the summer months. Each year I try to come up with a different style. This year I decided to paint candy canes. I always paint the first one for my dear friend. She is like my "World Premiere"! Then I start taking orders from other people. Each ornament has the year, the name of the family, and all the family members names painted on it. I have even painted the names of cats and dogs on a family ornament. I take custom orders so every ornament is different and unique. This is the candy cane ornaments for 2008:

I have been saving burnt out light bulbs. They are so little and cute. Yes – I save everything.
(I think it’s the classic middle child syndrome – more on that in another post…..) I drilled a hole in the top for the ribbon and painted a few of these. These will make great stocking stuffers or small gifts for people at work. (My camera flash does funky things with the glossy finish on the ornaments.)

I try to make a lot of our gifts at Christmas. With the economy like it is this year, I think I need to get busy!

Lesa

The Rumble of Random Thoughts

2008-10-05T22:20:00.015-05:00

I took this picture on the way home yesterday from a wonderful visit with my cousin. I loved the fall colors that are just starting to show and the way that road seemed to jump up and turn.
Yes - I stopped in the middle of the road.....

My cousin reminded me yesterday that I have not posted anything new on here in awhile. I feel like such a slacker! I have been so busy and stressed with work that I come home and collapse just about every afternoon! It seems like work has been consuming every spare moment of my life lately. I'm so ready for things to slow down at work! Fall break starts October 13 and I can't wait!

I've been busy today just enjoying being at home. I made a large pot of beef & vegetable soup and put most of it in the freezer. I froze enough for about 4 meals. It will taste great on those cool evenings when I don't feel like cooking supper. All I will have to do is warm up the soup and maybe fix some cornbread to go with it when I get home. Grilled cheese or pimento cheese sandwiches would be good with it too.

I also made M&M Cookies tonight. I used a sugar cookie recipe and added 2 cups of Halloween M&Ms. I didn't chill the dough like the recipe suggested. I just rolled them into golf ball sized balls and pressed them down with my fingers. I made about 3 dozen and I'm sure they will not last long around here! Here is a picture (click on it to make it bigger) of the recipe card and a few of the cookies:

My big project for today was making a rack to put on my kitchen door. A friend of mine from work showed me this picture in a Penney's catalog this past week and my first thought was - I can make one of those!
My husband gave me a jigsaw and cordless drill for Christmas a few years ago. I have made simple little shelves and racks since then. This afternoon we went to Lowes and I bought some pieces of wood, hooks, and spray paint for my project. I didn't want it as long as the one the picture. I'm going to hang it up tomorrow afternoon in my kitchen. I had to touch up a few places on the wood tonight with the paint where a bug got on it while it was still wet. I can't wait to hang up my old aprons and dish cloths on it! The best part is I spent about $10 to make this rack!

I hope this week goes by fast. I have a big box of pine cones waiting for me to play with next week. I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do with them but I'm sure an idea will come to me soon. If you have any pine cone suggestions, please let me know!
I thinking of some kind of Christmas decorations......

Have a great week!
Lesa

Resting

2008-09-17T20:34:00.006-05:00

I stretched out on the couch tonight after supper. It's been a long week at work already and it's only Wednesday!

This is what I saw when I went to get up and put my feet on the floor.

She seems to be saying, "Us chubby girls have to rest after we eat!"

I wonder if her cholesterol is as high as mine....

I do know that I'm not this cute when I lay on the floor like she does!

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2008-09-10T17:34:00.002-05:00

Two Years from Fifty

2008-09-06T22:30:00.005-05:00

Today is my 48^th birthday. I don’t feel like I’m two years from 50. I’m not sure what I thought I would feel like at this age but I don’t feel any older. People are always saying “Happy Birthday! Do you feel any older?” I can honestly say no – I don’t feel any older. It does seem like as I get older that time goes by faster. It also feels like not too long ago I was playing with my brother and my cousin in the yard building forts and having dirt clod fights in the garden! These are pictures from my 6^th birthday in 1966.

I know – these pictures look like they are 42 years old! I remember getting a doctors kit with a plastic stethoscope and tiny candy pills. My cousin Mike, my brother Herby, and two kids that lived down the road from us came to my “party”. I thought I was queen for the day! Mom always let us pick the kind of cake we wanted and what we wanted for supper on our birthday. I always wanted a yellow cake with chocolate icing, “homemade” Chef Boyardee Pizza from a pizza kit with ground beef on top, and potato chips. That is not very exciting today but I assure you – it was great in the 1960’s! Tonight we ate at Cracker Barrel. As I ate my turnip greens, country fried steak, and cornbread, I couldn’t help but think of all those birthdays my family suffered through pizza and chips!

Lesa

Wordless Wednesday

2008-09-03T22:18:00.004-05:00

Only In An Elementary School

2008-08-29T22:19:00.012-05:00

There is never a dull moment in an elementary school. Our student council for the new school year has started meeting on Wednesday mornings. Being 3^rd through 5^th graders, they have a lot to learn at the start of school. They are so eager to start their new “jobs” helping around our school. Each day they have assignments such as watering plants, checking the bird feeder, hanging the flag in front of the school, and basically learning to be good community helpers. Thursday we had a "small" problem with the flags.

Guess what we learned how to do before this day ended?

These are the best views on a Friday afternoon.
I felt like the little girl on the left. I would have looked rather funny skipping with my hands in the air.
If we could only be like children -
happy and carefree with not a worry in the world!

The best part is that we have a three day weekend!

Lesa

Bacon Bites

2008-08-21T21:15:00.009-05:00

I used a “cheap” package of bacon and cut the whole pack in half with a large knife. I placed 1/2 teaspoon of Parmesan cheese on a club cracker and wrapped each cracker with a half a slice of bacon. I put the crackers on a rack that was on a baking sheet and baked them in the oven for 2 hours on 250. Remove from oven and let them cool on the rack.

The last two days at work have been very stressful, so tonight I decided I needed to fix something a little naughty. I really didn’t need these but - oh my - they were just what I needed! I found this recipe in an old recipe book. My mom used to make them years ago. I don’t remember her adding the Parmesan cheese but then my mom doesn’t remember making these either! They were very easy. The hardest part is waiting for them to bake for 2 hours while my house is bursting with the smell of bacon cooking. I’ll have to remember to make these for the holidays. Needless to say – my cholesterol jumped up a few points tonight! After 2 of these and a glass of wine – I feel like a new woman! I may make it through one more day of work after all!

Lesa