Dear Mom:
Today is your birthday. You would have been 60 years young. I remember the last birthday we got to celebrate with you. We went to Johnny Carinos for dinner and presents. You looked beautiful as always. Dad has a picture of you from our dinner and you looked so happy. I hope that you are enjoying your birthday with the loved ones you are now with. I hope that you spent the day playing with your grandbabies. I also hope that you were able to see how we celebrated without you. We went out to eat for supper and Dad put beautiful yellow roses on your grave for his Yellow Rose of Texas. Rae got you some beautiful sunflowers and tulips. I was going to get you some balloons but I couldn't get to the store but it is probably good because the wind is still blowing so hard around here that they wouldn't have lasted long. We want you to know that our love for you hasn't diminished at all and neither has our missing you. I love you Mom and hope that your birthday in heaven was good.
Love,
me
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Last Night
Last night we had just turned off the tv, hubby had already dozed off and I was close when the phone rang. I looked at the clock which read 11:30 (or so). I picked up the phone and it was my Dad who proceeded to tell me that the house across the pasture and through the woods from us was on fire. And then someone was knocking on our door to let us know about the fire (I still don't know who the lady was!) Although it was almost midnight, the wind was still blowing pretty strongly and again, no measurable rainfall since September. Since you just don't know what a fire will do, Dad suggested that we be prepared. We started deciding what vehicles we were going to be taking if we had to leave and what we were taking with us. In no time flat we had our suburban loaded with computer equipment, photo albums, all my jewelry that would be next to impossible to replace (along with what I received of my Mom's). On a trip to the truck I went out the back door and could see the orange glow of the fire over the treetops. Very scarey. Got back in the house and continued packing our medicine, important papers, etc. I went and took all of the pictures off the wall and got them put together. My Dad called back and said that it looked like the fire department (remember, we live in the county so it was the volunteer fire department and local) had everything under control and that we should be ok. We went down to my Dad's (which was very close to the fire) to see what there was to see but due to the trees, we couldn't see much. Thankfully the fire was put out completely and our home and land was not in danger. Unfortunately the house that burned was a victim of arson but luckily it had been abandoned for 8 years and better yet was the fact that no one got hurt. We found that we could get a lot of stuff ready to go in a short time, that if there is a fire we will take our truck and suburban and leave my poor little car (wouldn't hurt my feelings too bad) but most importantly we realized that with all our packing we forgot about getting any clothes and I forgot my glasses and stuff for my contacts!!
We got back home a little before 1:00 am and I wasn't able to go to sleep until after 2:00 am. Dad said it took him a while to wind down also. Hopefully tonight we will not have any excitement.
Again, I ask that if you think about, pray for us to get some rain. Our state is in a terrible place right now. There is a huge fire near the DFW metroplex.
I hope you are having a great week. :)
We got back home a little before 1:00 am and I wasn't able to go to sleep until after 2:00 am. Dad said it took him a while to wind down also. Hopefully tonight we will not have any excitement.
Again, I ask that if you think about, pray for us to get some rain. Our state is in a terrible place right now. There is a huge fire near the DFW metroplex.
I hope you are having a great week. :)
Monday, April 18, 2011
MIA
I have been MIA for the last few days for no other reason than I haven't had anything to write about. I have been sick with a sinus infection and probably bronchitus. I say probably because my Doctor's office has changed their checking out procedures. I pay before I go see the doc so now I don't get the receipt telling me what the diagnosis is and we talked about a lot of things when I was there and forgot to ask what I had. I thought that the sinus infection was going to killl me. The pain it was causing in my head, ear and jaw was so painful that I wasn't able to sleep or think for that matter. I am hoping to be fully recovered this week so I can get some things done.
I saw something on tv today that made me think of the expectations I have always had for myself. It was an interview on Rachael Ray with Sarah Brokow where she talked about the expectations that she had for herself that were based on what her Mom had done. I have always done the same thing and have always felt inferior because I couldn't do what my Mom could do and did. I thought that I would get married young and be done having kids by the time I was 23. Well, I wasn't even married until I was 26 but I still thought that I would have my kids soon after getting married because that is what Mom did. Mom didn't have problems getting pregnant so why would I think that I would have a problem. Well, 14 years of marriage and my 40th birthday have passed and there are still no kids in our family or in our future. My Mom could do anything she set her mind to and well, I don't have that ability. I was always calling her for help on most things I did just to make sure I was doing it right. And the last three years have done nothing to help with my feelings of inferiority. I mean, I went to college to get my degree so I could do the job that I felt was my calling. . . three + years later and I still have no job. I don't want to settle for a job, I want to do what I was trained to do. I want to teach. Then six days after graduation our little boy was stillborn. Then another miscarriage. And last but not least my Mom gets sick and passes away. Life has not been easy and I feel like I have failed in so many ways. Well, I am not really sure where I was going with this but I guess I said all that to say that sometimes I set really high expectations for myself and am really unhappy with myself because I feel like I don't meet them. And what this has to do with Sarah Brokow is that she has written a book called Fortytude: Making the Next Decades the Best Years of Your Life and I think I need to read it. So there you have it. Something that I have thought about writing about but wasn't sure about letting the world read about my most private feelings. And I know that it isn't very well written but well, that's life.
And now on to other things. The weather here has been so hot. Today I think the high was 95. Where did Spring go? Yes, Jennifer we usually have spring with very nice temperatures and rain but not this year. I was looking at the grass as I was driving to town and it isn't green, there are hardly any wildflowers but there is lots of dirt. Our state is in drought conditions and our county and those surrounding us are in extreme drought conditions. According to our weatherman we have not had any measureable precipitation since September. There are huge wildfires - over 1 million acres burned this year and I pray everyday that the not so smart people that live around us will not start any fires because of the lack of moisture. Please pray for those whose lives have been lost, homes have been lost, the fire fighters and all others affected by the fires and drought.
And last but not least, I had the a/c people come look at my a/c because it was starting to have a water leak and wouldn't you know it. . . .tonight it isn't working right. And the temps are not going to be very cool tonight so thank goodness for fans!
I hope you are all having a good week. I have felt better today. That is until I went looking for an Easter dress today and couldn't find anything!!! Maybe tomorrow I will have better luck. That is after the a/c guys get here.
I saw something on tv today that made me think of the expectations I have always had for myself. It was an interview on Rachael Ray with Sarah Brokow where she talked about the expectations that she had for herself that were based on what her Mom had done. I have always done the same thing and have always felt inferior because I couldn't do what my Mom could do and did. I thought that I would get married young and be done having kids by the time I was 23. Well, I wasn't even married until I was 26 but I still thought that I would have my kids soon after getting married because that is what Mom did. Mom didn't have problems getting pregnant so why would I think that I would have a problem. Well, 14 years of marriage and my 40th birthday have passed and there are still no kids in our family or in our future. My Mom could do anything she set her mind to and well, I don't have that ability. I was always calling her for help on most things I did just to make sure I was doing it right. And the last three years have done nothing to help with my feelings of inferiority. I mean, I went to college to get my degree so I could do the job that I felt was my calling. . . three + years later and I still have no job. I don't want to settle for a job, I want to do what I was trained to do. I want to teach. Then six days after graduation our little boy was stillborn. Then another miscarriage. And last but not least my Mom gets sick and passes away. Life has not been easy and I feel like I have failed in so many ways. Well, I am not really sure where I was going with this but I guess I said all that to say that sometimes I set really high expectations for myself and am really unhappy with myself because I feel like I don't meet them. And what this has to do with Sarah Brokow is that she has written a book called Fortytude: Making the Next Decades the Best Years of Your Life and I think I need to read it. So there you have it. Something that I have thought about writing about but wasn't sure about letting the world read about my most private feelings. And I know that it isn't very well written but well, that's life.
And now on to other things. The weather here has been so hot. Today I think the high was 95. Where did Spring go? Yes, Jennifer we usually have spring with very nice temperatures and rain but not this year. I was looking at the grass as I was driving to town and it isn't green, there are hardly any wildflowers but there is lots of dirt. Our state is in drought conditions and our county and those surrounding us are in extreme drought conditions. According to our weatherman we have not had any measureable precipitation since September. There are huge wildfires - over 1 million acres burned this year and I pray everyday that the not so smart people that live around us will not start any fires because of the lack of moisture. Please pray for those whose lives have been lost, homes have been lost, the fire fighters and all others affected by the fires and drought.
And last but not least, I had the a/c people come look at my a/c because it was starting to have a water leak and wouldn't you know it. . . .tonight it isn't working right. And the temps are not going to be very cool tonight so thank goodness for fans!
I hope you are all having a good week. I have felt better today. That is until I went looking for an Easter dress today and couldn't find anything!!! Maybe tomorrow I will have better luck. That is after the a/c guys get here.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Rain. . . . Where are you?
The temperature today was 92. . .in April with winds blowing constantly at at least 20 mph. If things keep going like this, it is going to be a very miserable summer. We are so far behind on rainfall. Tomorrow I am going to have to water my yard because it is starting to look really bad. There have been some big wildfires in our state including one that burned a friend of mine's place but their home was untouched. Thank goodness. Prayer would be appreciated for some much needed rain.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Just Random
A couple of weeks ago I told you that I had made a baby shower gift and flowers for the cemetary (at least I think I did. . . I am pretty sure I did. Anyway) and I finally downloaded the pictures. And the only reason I finally got them downloaded is because I took pictures of my couch so I can try to sell it. Anyway, here are the pictures.
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| Picture frame for baby Smith |
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| Arrangement for my Granddad |
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| Arrangement for Baby Giggles (I love orange) |
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| Arrangement for Mom. I thought the pinks were pretty. |
I have really been missing my Mom the last couple of days. I had a good cry on the way home from teaching today and one yesterday coming home from my walk. I called my Dad just so I could hear his voice and to tell him that I love him. It just really stinks that she isn't around for me to talk to anymore. Somedays I am not sure that I will make it through. Somedays are just too hard.
Gotta go get ready for church. I hope you all are having a great week.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
National Champs
For the first time in school history. . . . . .the FIGHTING TEXAS AGGIES WOMENS BASKETBALL team are the national champs. We are so proud!! GIG'EM AGGIES!!!
Thank you all for giving us such a great season! Ya'll are AWESOME!
Thank you all for giving us such a great season! Ya'll are AWESOME!
Today Is The Day!!
Well, make that: Tonight is the Night that the Lady Ags play for the national championship. I am sporting my Aggie tshirt and I am sure that when I go to town later I will see that much of the towns people are doing the same thing!! Good luck Coach Blair and the Fightin Texas Aggie Womens basketball team! Beat Notre Dame! Bring home the championship!! Show 'em how Texas girls bring it home.
Yes, I am excited and I just can't help it.
GO LADY AGS!
Yes, I am excited and I just can't help it.
GO LADY AGS!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Weekly Menu
Monday: salad
Tuesday: Mexican chicken and rice
Wednesday: fend for yourself
Thursday: TBD
Friday: out to eat
Saturday: fend for yourself
Tuesday: Mexican chicken and rice
Wednesday: fend for yourself
Thursday: TBD
Friday: out to eat
Saturday: fend for yourself
National Championship Bound!!
No, I still don't like basketball but I am sooo very proud of the Texas A&M Ladies basketball team and their win against Stanford. Folks. . . .we are headed to the national championship game!!!! GIG'EM AGGIES! The excitement around here is going to be crazy! I wish my Momma was here to see how well the Ags have done. She would be so proud! Do it Lady Ags!!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
My Church- Brazos Valley Church of Christ
This week over at Kelly's Korner her show us your life is about your church. Five years ago Mr. Giggles and I decided to leave the church that I had attended all my life, my grandparents had helped start, we were all baptized in, I met my husband at, my sister and I were married in and where many lifelong friends attended and place membership at a church that was just being started. That move, although it was very difficult was the best move for us. We had become stagnant at our old church but when you become part of a church that is just starting, you have to become involved! I do most of the secretarial work which includes the weekly bulletins, monthly calendars and many other things (!), teach classes and help with whatever needs to be done. Mr. Giggles creates the worship order and makes sure that those who are leading singing, saying prayers, preaching, or serving communion knows what they are supposed to do and helps with set up and clean up. We are so much happier being so involved in the work of the church.
First, here is a letter from the elders of our church that will give you some information on our church:
We are one of some 27,000 congregations of the churches of Christ around the world with more than two million adherents, made up of wholly autonomous congregations. Whether more or less, God knows. Church of Christ are not bound together by any kind of church hierarchy or written creed authored by men, but by a common faith derived from the inspired revelation from God through His Spirit, the Bible.
We share a common love for God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ who redeemed us by His own blood. We also share a strong commitment to being biblical in our faith, our work, our worship, and our teaching and preaching.
We call ourselves the Brazos Valley Church of Christ. This is our legal identity to satisfy the requirements of the State of Texas in establishing a recognized tax-exempt religious entity. We do not hold this to be "the biblical name." It is merely terminology of identification. We live, work and worship in the Brazos Valley, and the church, the "called out" body of believers, simply belong to Christ. That the church belongs to Christ is well attested in Scripture. Christ is the builder and the foundation (Matthew 16:18). He purchased it with his own blood (Acts 20:28), is the Head of it (Ephesians 1:22,23), its Savior (Ephesians 5:23), and Redeemer (1 Peter 1:18).
What you will find here are people just like yourself who believe in the God of the Bible who as Creator and Sustainer knew all our needs and has by His grace planned for man's eternal salvation by sending His Son to procure it and His Holy Spirit to reveal it. Further, we believe the Bible to be the inspired authoritative word of God as it claims for itself, and that is completely supplies the child of God with everything for the direction of his/her life, for every good work, for acceptable worship and ultimately one's eternal salvation.
With a troubled world of doubt, relativism, political correctness and multi-cultural-pluralism being adopted into a fragmented denominationalism, a restoration of New Testament Christianity based on God's eternal truth will give new meaning and purpose to life. We invite you to come and explore the eternal truth of God and thereby grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
If you would like to know more about us, or like to study further, please don't hesitate to talk with any of our members. We will be happy to study with you, provide a home study Bible Course for your personal study, or assist you in any way we can.
Sincerely with Love,
The Elders
Our congregation is not large and we don't have our own building but we are a group of people who love the Lord and love each other and we would be delighted to have you come worship with us. If you are in the Bryan-College Station area, come visit with us. For more information, please visit our website here.
First, here is a letter from the elders of our church that will give you some information on our church:
We are one of some 27,000 congregations of the churches of Christ around the world with more than two million adherents, made up of wholly autonomous congregations. Whether more or less, God knows. Church of Christ are not bound together by any kind of church hierarchy or written creed authored by men, but by a common faith derived from the inspired revelation from God through His Spirit, the Bible.
We share a common love for God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ who redeemed us by His own blood. We also share a strong commitment to being biblical in our faith, our work, our worship, and our teaching and preaching.
We call ourselves the Brazos Valley Church of Christ. This is our legal identity to satisfy the requirements of the State of Texas in establishing a recognized tax-exempt religious entity. We do not hold this to be "the biblical name." It is merely terminology of identification. We live, work and worship in the Brazos Valley, and the church, the "called out" body of believers, simply belong to Christ. That the church belongs to Christ is well attested in Scripture. Christ is the builder and the foundation (Matthew 16:18). He purchased it with his own blood (Acts 20:28), is the Head of it (Ephesians 1:22,23), its Savior (Ephesians 5:23), and Redeemer (1 Peter 1:18).
What you will find here are people just like yourself who believe in the God of the Bible who as Creator and Sustainer knew all our needs and has by His grace planned for man's eternal salvation by sending His Son to procure it and His Holy Spirit to reveal it. Further, we believe the Bible to be the inspired authoritative word of God as it claims for itself, and that is completely supplies the child of God with everything for the direction of his/her life, for every good work, for acceptable worship and ultimately one's eternal salvation.
With a troubled world of doubt, relativism, political correctness and multi-cultural-pluralism being adopted into a fragmented denominationalism, a restoration of New Testament Christianity based on God's eternal truth will give new meaning and purpose to life. We invite you to come and explore the eternal truth of God and thereby grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
If you would like to know more about us, or like to study further, please don't hesitate to talk with any of our members. We will be happy to study with you, provide a home study Bible Course for your personal study, or assist you in any way we can.
Sincerely with Love,
The Elders
Our congregation is not large and we don't have our own building but we are a group of people who love the Lord and love each other and we would be delighted to have you come worship with us. If you are in the Bryan-College Station area, come visit with us. For more information, please visit our website here.
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