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Wednesday, April 30, 2014

sun tea, tulle and the stars in the sky...

Here is my last reply to TLC’s “60 Favourite Things About ELC" (see her posts on March 18th, March 25th, March 28th and March 31st) :


Yep, I’m officially hooked/addicted/obsessed with Pinterest. Thanks sooo much, TLC! (For those of you who would like to see my Boards—please feel free to visit me at ELC.)


Yep. I love camo. When I had my first broken bone ever—I was 55 and broke my right wrist falling in our shower…sigh—I got a camo cast. Why? No rhyme or reason. Except I thought it would be funny. I broke it on Labor Day—the opening of Dove Season in Texas. Guess that was on my ditzy/clumsy mind. Mostly I adore and wear camo pants. Long and Capri. I’m not a hunter. Never have been. Never will be. One of my favourite boards on my Pinterest? Camo and Pearls. Ha.


I am FABULOUS at coloring. In coloring books. (Allow me to brag on myself, okay?) Yes, yes I am. It’s very therapeutic for moi. Will love coloring until I can't do it any longer. Period.


I do love My Sun Tea. Not only is it economical, it’s delish.


Of course I print a lot of pictures off my phone. Duh. What’s the point in taking them (and some really are quite awesome, again, if I do say so myself...) if you’re not going to print and share them? It’s sooo simple—using the Walgreen’s app. Or any other app, I’m sure. That’s the one I have and know. (Plus, I wait for on-line coupons to get the best price!)


I probably would argue with TLC (who is actually the quintessential gift giver—seriously...) about her contention that I'm very thoughtful about gifts. While I do NEED to give gifts to those I love, I’m not so sure I find such “wonderful treasures.” I do try, however. I do try.


Yep. I am always up for a Road Trip! Love to travel by car. Always have. Always will. We call it “adventuring.” Little Leighton’s (LL) eyes have lit up with excitement since she was a tiny babe when we ask her: "Would you like to go on an adventure?” Not sure when she’ll realize that an excursion to get some frozen yogurt or to the Post Office might not exactly be as thrilling as we promise.


Nothing could have made me happier—on my actual 60th birthday day—than to treat LL to an official tu-tu! Nothing. (See "our mini Chiquita banana..." post on April 7th.)


I pretty much have to harmonize—at this point in my life. I haven't been able to sing “high/soprano” in at least twenty years. Everything has to be quite “low/bass.” Music has and always will be a major part of my life. I think that’s why I cried every single day, at the age of 54, for a solid year when I went deaf in my left ear. (The second year it went to every other day...now it's about every other week.) I cannot imagine a day that doesn't include music. And not just the music on the radio. My cell. My computer. The television. I also mean the music of my loved ones' voices. Especially their laughter.


I stopped sending the three roses to TLC two birthdays ago. Once LL was born,  I knew anyone trying to deliver said Birthday Flowers to her could be at risk of losing a finger or hand—ringing the doorbell or knocking, don’tchaknow. (J/K.) I’ll be going back to this cherished tradition. For now, TLC understands and is thankful that a delivery from moi hasn’t woken LL up!


Oh. My. Yes. I love stars! I have from about three years old until this moment. When we moved to the country, I learned there is no place else on Earth that showcases the night skies quite like you see miles from a city or town and undisturbed by other lights around you. Looking up at night literally takes my breath away. Each and every time I gaze upon the billions and zillions of stars I can see in the North Central Texas sky, I'm in total awe. Stars are a big reason I believe in Our Lord God Almighty. I get chills at their magnificence. At His Amazing Creations.


Tulle is magical! It’s fancy! It’s special! It’s Princess fabric! Yes. I love tulle. (Since I’m 60 and not certain I’m of an age that should be even thinking about wearing it, I’m happy to see it on my granddaughters, my daughter, my young friends, pillows, greeting cards, etc. etc. etc.) Tulle ROCKS.


Yep. I do so wish I’d been born to become a Cowgirl. Cowgirls are brave. Cowgirls have their own special "style." Cowgirls also ROCK. (Cowgirls that wear tulle? Extra FABULOUS.)


I say it over and over and over—I don’t think of myself as a “survivor.” I’d been through some hard, bad times before my breast cancer. I’ve been through some rough stuff since. We’re all survivors. If you’re breathing, you’re surviving. What I am is LUCKY. To be alive. That’s it. That’s all.


I do so strive to be kind, brave and honest. Not sure I succeed that often at any of those important qualities. If feeling every little joy, heartache, happiness, and sadness that not only I experience, but also those around me experience, makes me soulful, then I suppose I am soulful. Although, "sensitive" may be a better word for what I am. But I do love soulful—so I’ll take it, TLC. Thank you. Thank you very much.


There is no gift TLC could ever give me, buy me, find me that I could love more than this list she made for me. Thank you, Precious Daughter, from the bottom of my not-getting-any-younger heart. I’ll treasure these posts for as along as I can read, think about, and remember them. I love you, Dearest Child O’ Mine. I adore, cherish and love you. With all of my soulful being.

This concludes two months of learning more about ELC than you ever wanted to know! Thanks for your patience!

We'll be announcing our "theme" for May this week! We're quite excited...

smooches for now, Silly Friends Everywhere...

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Creepy or Cool?

This is a Century Cactus Plant outside our master bedroom door from two views:




My Sweet Hubby (MSH) and I have not seen a cactus on our place grow a spike/spear like this since we moved out here to the country fourteen years ago.

Y’all remember how much I love love LOVE cacti! (See my Coochie Coo post on April 21, 2011…) MSH hollered at me to come outside two weeks ago to show me the beginnings of this “spear.” It currently has to be almost sixteen feet tall. TLC saw it when it was about eight feet tall—Easter weekend. She was totally creeped out by it. Really couldn’t say enough bad things about how weird it looked. She’s no fun.

I’ve embraced its beauty and wonder! I can’t wait to see what else happens to it in the next days and weeks. MSH researched “Century Plants” yesterday. Apparenty the tall, cRaZy-lookin’ stalk means this cactus is at the end of its “life cycle.” That makes me sad, of course. Very.

The “country” is full of sheer and utter amazement to moi. Mother Nature and Her critters, birds, insects, snakes? They fill me with curiosity, love, peace, fear, respect, joy, more fear, and incredible faith in Our Lord God Almighty. The sunrises, sunsets, fast-changing skies, sounds, mysteries—everything I see, feel, touch, and hear makes my heart and soul sing with gratitude.

Hope each of Y’all have a Wonderful Week—Wherever in the World you are! (I also hope you see something like this—something different. Strange. Interesting. Something that makes you say: “Wow! That’s awesome!” Something that makes you glad to be alive.)

smooches and hugs, Dear Friends…


p.s.: Please don't look at our yard and garden! They'll both be much purtier in a few weeks. We're (patiently) waiting for the damage Old Man Winter did to everything in North Central Texas to be healed...

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

stop and smell the...


PETUNIAS!

This was Little Leighton's reminder to her Mother and Grammy yesterday while we were "just a-swingin'"at our neighborhood park.

I wish I could say "April showers" had brought these pretty flowers, but, alas, the rain in Texas has been quite dismal -- to say the least. We ARE very grateful for what we've received, but a couple of the spring storms have been accompanied by hail. YIKES. We could do without that and so could the pretty flowers.

Also, when did my teeny, tiny baby suddenly become a little lady? Maybe it's just the baseball cap? Yes. That's what it is.

I'm now going to go drown my sorrows in a pint of Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream.

Sweet Dreams!

Thursday, April 17, 2014

The Lady with the Lipstick

In the interest of time, I’ll only defend, or comment on, a few of the “part trios” (TLC’s March 28th post) things My Darling Daughter so kindly said she loved about me. Some of them have been discussed by both of us in past posts and don’t need to be re-mentioned. Some, in my humble opinion, could use further clarification.

31. It’s beyond true: I could not survive without hot rollers. I’ve tried. Stresses me too much. Big Texas Hair is much easier to make happen with hot rollers. Period. End of Story.

33. I treasure typing. When I was in high school, one hundred and fifty years ago, before computers, you took Typing. It was required. I have no idea why. (Watching the football players try to learn was, yes, almost painful.) I not only admired my typing teacher, but also her daily encouragement to practice, practice, PRACTICE. To become faster and faster and faster. (It might help you get—and keep—a job, at some point in your future, she said.)  I was not an athlete. There was no amount of practice that was going to make me a fast runner. Or fast basketball dribbler. Or fast swimmer. I fell in love with typing because I excelled at it. From the moment I became proficient, I discovered I enjoyed sitting at a keyboard, doing my thing. (This talent I have does not necessarily mean I am a fast "texter." Quite the contrary. I'm pretty pathetic and I make tons o' mistakes. I refuse to use Auto-Correct. That could be part of the problem. I use ELC-Correct. Occasionally.)

34. As y’all know, I am no Chefette. But I agree with TLC (and others who have complimented me in the past): I am eggcellent (I crack myself up!) at scrambling eggs. I think, as I perfected my technique, it came out of a strong need to make sure there was no “crusty” burned stuff (yuckiness I would not be able to eat without experience major gagging…sorry for that visual) in or on my eggs. I don’t think it’s such a small thing—to be known for cooking good scrambled eggs. Breakfast IS the most important meal of our day, right?

35. Knowing. By Estee Lauder. It truly is my “signature” scent. I’ve been wearing it for at least thirty years. When TLC was in the 4th grade, one of the Moms of a young man that was a 6th grader at her school told me he had told her he always knew I’d been in the halls. He could smell my cologne. He was the same cute fella that called me “The Lady with the Lipstick.” In the three years TLC attended that school, clearly, my work there was accomplished! By the way (43): I may never truly forgive Estee for discontinuing Apple Cordial lipliner. Seriously—she broke my heart. I live in fear she will let Fig and CafĂ© Rose fall by the wayside. I can’t think about that now. I’ll think about it tomorrow.

44. Reading. My escape. My unending obsession. My love. No. 5 on ELC’s List of the Most Important Things in My Life. It comes after God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. My family, most especially My Sweet Husband, TLC and Little Leighton. My amazing friends. My health and safety and all of the marvelous blessings I have received from Lord God Almighty. No. 5: The ability to READ.

As I close this post, on this Terrific Thursday morn, in North Central Texas, I wish each of you a day full of love, laughter, comfort, hope and wisdom...

(Easter Sunday is less than four days away. One of the most emotional Christian celebrations for me, personally. I pray that each of you, no matter what your faith is or spiritual beliefs are, takes time to reflect on the role you play in Our World. I pray you make a commitment to do something for someone—over the next several days—for no reward other than the desire to be a good person and the sheer and utter joy of practicing a random act of kindness.)

smooches and hugs, Dear Friends...Wherever in the World You Are…

Sunday, April 13, 2014

a treat for moi!

When ELC visited last week, she brought me a little treat! She does this quite often -- for me, and, of course, Little Leighton.

Look at what will be hanging in my powder room:


An OFFICIAL "WATER CLOSET" sign! (From World Market -- only one of our most favourite stores ever.)

Do y'all remember ELC's post from January -- Sherman Williams and The Water Closet? She said she simply couldn't resist when she saw this -- it made us giggle and giggle.

Three cheers for THE WATER CLOSET! Thank you, ELC. Smooch.

Hope y'all are having a blessed Sunday!

Monday, April 7, 2014

our mini chiquita banana...


This was the tutu/headdress (reminiscent of Cher, methinks?) Grammy ELC bought Little Leighton on her ACTUAL 60th birthday. Sometimes LL wears this the proper way around her little waist. Sometimes, though, Our Girl likes to think outside of the box and wear it on her head. We think she wears it well, no matter the way. We think she has quite the eye for fashion. We think she's inventive!

Of course, we're not at all biased, are we?

You go, LL!

(And thank you Grammy Mam!)

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Left Turns and Pierced Ears

People/Friends/Family who know me can attest I am not someone who often becomes “speechless.” Rarely happens. In fact, I’m pretty yacky/chatty/verbal. Or, as some might say, I could talk, for several hours, to a wall. So telling y’all TLC’s last three posts about me blew me completely away, made me cry, and shut me up for quite some time is, seriously, an understatement.

I’d like to respond to the second “installment” of her “favourite things” about moi.

the next 15 favourite things… (posted by TLC on Tuesday, March 25, 2014):

Yes. I hate turning left. I especially, positively, and absolutely REFUSE to try to turn left across two or more lanes of ongoing and/or semi-heavy or even mildly steady traffic. It stresses me out. Majorly. Makes me cRaZy. I won’t do it. I go right. Period. (If you happen to work for UPS, give me a buzz. I’ve been retired for three months now and might consider puttin’ on a pair of those sassy brown shorts.)

Dad does roll his eyes when we even talk about splitting a meal somewhere. And, yet, he and I have started to do it. This happens, for example, when we are 100% certain that we’d both be happy to have a hamburger and we’ve seen how big they are (The Shed in Weatherford, Texas!).  If we aren't sure how big they are? We can't risk it. We order two. It really does make sense to even him. It’s healthier. It’s cheaper. End of story.

Yes. Numerology is FASCINATING. I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t think so.

Angels? They are here. On Earth. Guarding us. Guiding us. Protecting us. I have not one single doubt.

Prayer can, and does, help us. Heal us. Calm us. Give us strength when we feel hopelessly weak. I’m most comfortable praying in front of TLC because, as she told y’all, I’ve done it for thirty years. (Ask me to do it in front of several people? People I don't know? Yikes. Could someone else please do it?) We’ve prayed with Little Leighton, now, since she was born. I’m confident she’ll be as devoted to our Lord God Almighty, and His Son, Jesus Christ, as her Mom and Grammy.

Having only our left ear double-pierced? Makes me feel a teensy bit WiLd. However, I don’t even know how many times I’ve simply said “Thank you!” when someone has told me I’m missing an earring in my right ear. When I’ve tried to explain the "extra" hole, I’ve gotten too many strange looks. It’s much easier to go along with the person who believes they are helping me out and thank them for noticing. "Darnnit. Wonder where I lost it?" Ha!

Blue. Sky. Midnight. Navy. Sapphire. Powder. Robin’s Egg. Tiffany. Lapis. Turquoise. Aquamarine. French. I adore them all. Every single shade of blue makes me feel happy and peaceful. (BTW: Sky and Powder and Sapphire are my TOP THREE favs.)

Ha! Yep. Gotta keep my TLC well-informed when I read something she must also consider/study/ponder. My Sweet Nana sent me many different articles from the time I started college until she could no longer get out of her bed. About eleven years. I’ll confess I didn’t always read every word of the clippings. I did always cherish her interest, effort and concern. I still miss her every day of my life. She’s been gone twenty-eight years.

I didn’t make up the birthday song I sing to TLC (and now to Little Leighton!). I honestly can’t even remember where I heard it. Some TV show, I’m a-thinkin’. It’s become our “tradition” and traditions are tres important.

Laying on the floorboard in the backseat of my car, while TLC drove herself and a friend to the Sonic? Completely nuts of moi. What the heck was I thinking? Nowadays, teenagers can’t even have other teenagers in the front seat with them for several months after they get their licenses. That’s smart. I was not smart. I swear I’ll refuse to do that for Little Leighton. (No, I'm not crossing my fingers behind my back.)

I have some of the best, kindest, funniest, sweetest, smartest, wisest friends on Earth. And I’m happy to share them with TLC. Or anyone else who wants to learn from all of these amazing, incredible women.

And then there's Little Leighton ransacking my purse...Naturally, I think it is beyond cute. It’s the same stuff. Week after week. Yet she acts like it’s all new...like she's never seen any of it before. Silly Little Biscuit.

I despise the way I laugh! 98% of the time. Actually, I despise my voice, in general. There are a few times when I’m completely overwhelmed with laughter and I actually don’t mind how I sound. Mostly I think it’s not charming. I'm convinced laughter heals. Our hearts, minds, souls, bodies. We all need to do it more often. With more gusto and less self-consciousness.

You’ve Got Mail. Best. Movie. Ever. Makes me cry every single last time I watch it. I could never, ever, EVER watch it without TLC. Wouldn’t feel right. I can't wait for Little Leighton to plop on the couch with us to enjoy the sheer magnificence of this sweet, dear, precious movie.

I’m usually right-on when it comes to knowing what TLC would enjoy watching when she’s at our casa for a visit. Now, that doesn’t mean we will—or do—always like the same television shows. We absolutely do not. And won’t. But when I know what I know, I know!

Thank each of you for your patience! Hope you’ve had a Terrific Thursday—if it’s still Thursday wherever in the World you are...

smooches and Sweet Dreams...