all was not calm...

So Christmas 2017 is now history. In the books. We're moving straight to New Year’s Day 2018!

TLC and her family, My Sweet Hubby (MSH) and I attended my family’s Christmas celebration on Sunday, the 17^th. It was fun. Memorable. And, actually, important. (Maybe some day I’ll take a little time to explain why. Skipping that today so this won’t be my longest post in seven years of blogging! Sigh.)

On that Tuesday (the 19^th), I went to TLC’s for the afternoon and night—in order to stay with The Little Princesses while their Mom and Dad went to Dad’s Bible Study Christmas Party. I woke up that Wednesday morning with a surprising medical issue I’d not had in years. And years. And YEARS. (Listen, I’m not going into details. There’s no point. Trust me when I say I was annoyed and in pain. Confident I could take care of it myself.) I decided not to panic. Left for our country casa around 5:00 that evening and got up Thursday morning ready to get some OTC meds and move on and forward!

I headed to town to the pharmacy for what I thought I needed. Plus, like all of Y’all, I had other necessary/last-minute-ish errands. When I got home I did something I never, ever, EVER do: I stayed dressed. (I ALWAYS head for my bedroom to immediately get comfy, changing into my jammy pants, a t-shirt, and my UGG slippers.) I laughed at myself after about an hour of cleaning, etc., in my cute little Christmas vest and sassy black booties. I decided I’d watched so many Hallmark movies the past month I thought I was one of the actresses that owns a B&B and spends her days and nights being a housekeeper and cook/chef for all her family and guests. While dressed in her most charming Christmas ensembles.  Teeheehee.

After dinner, I realized I could be in trouble with my new health problem. I semi-panicked, knowing my primary care physician’s office might not even be open the next day (typically, on “normal” Fridays, they close at noon…this was the Friday before Christmas Eve…sheesh…). I began becoming worried MSH and I would have to make an expensive trip to our ER. Not something I wanted to do. I rallied myself and became determined I wasn’t going to be in the hospital for Christmas.

I went to bed. Stayed there all that day. Saturday. Sunday (Christmas Eve). Doggedly Determined I would be at TLC’s on Christmas Day to see Little Leighton’s (aka LL) and Baby Elle’s (aka Belle) Santa Haul. MSH became My Sweet Nurse/Caregiver. I love him.

Meanwhile, TLC and Her Hubby were hosting his family for a Christmas Eve Brunch. Christmas Day they were, once again (after having Thanksgiving at their casa—I don’t know when TLC became such a driven, silly young woman…), hosting me and MSH, my parents and one of my two sisters and her son for a late Christmas Lunch. TLC's Christmas Week was jammed pack full of planning, cooking, laundry, cleaning, organizing, and wrapping, all while trying to stay CALM and focused. While reading depressing texts from me. (So sorry, TLC. I was often delirious.)

We made it to TLC’s casa on Christmas Day! Thank You, Lord. It was beyond wonderful.

This past Tuesday, I reached my doctor’s office/nurse first thing. They called me in a script. Confirmed she'd give me a referral to a specialist. (Checked with said specialist to make sure he'd be in his office after the first of the new year.) Got to crack-a-lackin’ on getting myself well. It’s been slow. Maybe semi-steady. I don’t know. I can tell you this: Getting old is HELL, Young Folks. HELL. You simply do not rally as fast as you once did.

We’ve been warned by our Weather Peeps for over a week that North Central Texas will experience a cold blast of frigid air—and possibly sleet and ice—tonight. Many, many of us have prepared to hunker in and down—celebrating New Year’s Eve and Day at home. Cozy. Warm. Wise. MSH and I? Ready. Heartbroken for all the people in America who are experiencing horrid/dangerous weather.

Tuesday Belle is going to come stay with MSH/Pa-Pa and I/Grammy for a couple of nights! We can’t wait. It’ll be our first time to keep just her since she was born—twenty-one months ago! Little Leighton is getting excited about having “Mama Time!” They have plans to see a couple of movies and have a Mom/Daughter mani-pedi. We’re all praying the weather holds and NO ONE GETS SICK. Flu is rampant. Cold germs are EVERYWHERE. (LL has already had an on-going cold for days and days. Belle has not been as sick—but has had some ickiness. A Walmart checker coughed in my face Thursday afternoon—telling me she had fever. I came home and ate an orange for Vitamin C. I’m sure that’ll help, right?)

TLC and I want to once again thank each of you who follow our blog and our cRaZy lives for your on-going interest, friendship, and kindness. Y’all are FABULOUS. We wish you ALL a HAPPY NEW YEAR! (Picture me tooting one of those little horn thingies…)

May 2018 be your BEST YEAR EVER.

Love and Smooches and BIG HUGS!

ELC

the blessing of hope...

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

(Luke 2:11)

Merriest Christmas Day from ELC, TLC, Little Leighton and Baby Elle!

*God bless each of you with The Gift of Faith and The Peace of His Love…today and always...

 

Christmas Eve Eve!

TLC loves lists. Always has. Always will. And I adore reading them! I knew she’d done a list about Christmas (her most favourite time of the year—even over Fall!) and I even thought I remembered it was either in 2011 and 2012. It was tomorrow's date in 2011!

I’ll be letting y’all know in a few days about the specifics. What I think still applies. What I think has changed. She can confirm whether or not I was right!

In the meantime, Silly Friends Everywhere—Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

Smooch!
ELC and TLC

From December 23, 2011:

Y’all know by now this is my FAVOURITE time of the year!

Please allow me to count down The Top 25 Things I Love, Love, LOVE About Christmas (they're in no particular order, with the exception of the first five!):

25. Snow. We don’t see a lot of it in Texas, of course. But when we do, it’s magical.

24. Christmas carols and songs, especially:  Silver Bells and We Wish You A Merry Christmas. I had a Sesame Street Christmas cassette tape when I was a little girl. I distinctly remember their version of We Wish You A Merry Christmas being major fun.

23. Santa. (I Believe!)

22. Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies. Fifteen years ago, Mom and I decided it would be our “tradition” to bake these yummies every year. You know ‘em—they’re the cookies that have a Hershey’s Kiss in the middle!

21. Decorating my tree.

This year, I put our tree in the dining room.

We had Hubby's family over last night to Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

20. Hot cocoa. With a peppermint stick to keep it stirred.

19. Chick-fil-a’s Peppermint Shake.

18. Blue Bell Peppermint Ice Cream.

17. Dairy Queen’s Candy Cane Blizzard.

16. Giving gifts. I love that shopping part.

15. Getting our first Christmas card in the mail! And then being excited, every day after that, to go to our box to gather the others. I truly enjoy the cards that have pictures of cutie-patootie babes, kids and sweet families.

14. MC’s Strawberry Bread. She’s been making it for her family and friends for years and years. When I moved away after college, she was kind enough to start making me my own little loaf every year! It is HEAVENLY. (Poor ELC and Dad. They have to share one. NOT MOI! I admit it: I sometimes don’t tell Hubby we have it. I want it all to myself. That’s bad. I know. I’m sorry.)

13. Christmas Vacation.  It’s a classic.

12. All things reindeer! From the cute ones at Pottery Barn—on plates, napkins, etc.—to the precious ones at Hobby Lobby. I adore reindeer!

11. Christmas lights. Specifically the little, white, twinkle ones. They always seem to have an extra “sparkle!” Dad used to wrap the trees at our old house with strings and strings of those tiny white lights—the house I lived in (and that "Built Me") for the first sixteen years of my life. I learned, about ten years ago, that My Sweet Dad would DREAD the Sunday after Thanksgiving. That was THE day to hang the lights. He’d usually do it by himself, as Mom would be inside, decorating our tree. Although he would have rather skipped a year—or five—he did it for me. Because that process, to me, meant Christmastime was here!

10. Thinking about past, treasured (or humorous!) gifts. From Santa. From my parents. From family. From friends. Most especially, from My Darling Hubby.

9. Anticipating this year’s gifts! LOL. J/K. No, sorry, again. I'm not.

8. The adorable Christmas doormats at Target. I love splurging on a new one every other year.

7. Did I mention MC’s Strawberry Bread? 

6. Etsy! For those one-of-a-kind gifts!

5. Christmas Eve with my Hubby’s family. 

4. Christmas Day with ELC and Dad.

3. Traditions. My Family’s. Hubby's Family’s. Ours. The ones we’ve made together and the ones we’ll continue to make—every year for the rest of our lives.

2. Stockings! Especially Henry’s. (We cherish our Prince Henry!)

1. The Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ. The Reason for this Glorious Season. 

May God bless each of you with peace, joy, happiness, warmth, and, most of all, love. 

I wish you a Merry Christmas!!!

Decor 2017!

Can y'all believe it's almost here? Little Leighton is basically counting down the seconds. God love her. I wanted to share a few pics of my Christmas decorations this year--mainly for my own record. I can never remember exactly where I place "things" year-after-year. Since this is the first Christmas in our new-new house (we were only in the last one for two years, just saying'...), I'm still trying to figure out where everything should be placed/find a home. (And I think it's fun to see how other people decorate their spaces, so thank you for indulging moi.)

(That is a "Hostess" Nutcracker! New to my collection this year. From ELC! 

She's holding a tray of glasses and WINE. ELC knows me so well.)

(Apparently this pic is blurry? Maybe? ELC says not on her phone/computer. Sorry. I have no clue why. I think it pairs nicely with the bottom third of my tree that is light-less. 

I don't have the time or energy to figure out which bulb(s) is/are burned out. 

I'd rather just buy a new tree. Is this where I need to crankily blurt out: BAH HUMBUG?)

Merry ALMOST Christmas, Friends!

my sweet hubby's seminar...

So today My Sweet Hubby (MSH) and I had things to do in Ft. Worth. We left at 8:15 a.m. for Costco. (Discovered if you get there at 9:50, sometimes they open up early! That was a nice surprise.) We’d already gone through a carwash in MSH’s truck and filled up his tank with gas.

Costco (and Sam’s, for that matter) always amazes me. You can be up front—near the cashiers—and there’re no lines. Two minutes later? TWO MINUTES? Every person in the store is now checking out AT THE SAME TIME. Sheesh.

We went from there to a meeting that lasted about an hour and a half. It included lunch. Which was tres nice. Then we made a run by the Apple store. I needed to pick up a new charging cord. (I get the 6-ft cord. Long story.) I haven’t had mine for even a year. It stopped working a few days ago. I can’t even continue this discussion. It makes me NUTS. That store makes me EVEN NUTTIER. (The guy that helped me? I truly never knew if he was talking to me or someone on his ear-piece. I chose to look everywhere but at him while he printed my receipt. I’m old. I can’t handle a lot of confusion.)

Then we went to Wally World in Weatherford. For 30 minutes of last-minute items we needed that we couldn’t get at Costco.

Got home around 3:30. Pooped. Cause we is old.

I’ve not mentioned lately that I’ve lost 44.4 pounds. FORTY-FOUR POINT FOUR pounds! On Weight Watchers! I’ve actually hit my goal and will be a “Lifetime” member in January. I. AM. PSYCHED. They very recently changed the Smart Points program to a program called Freestyle. I’m adjusting. It shouldn’t be such a big deal.  I’m slowly adjusting. Sigh. I’m not big on change.

After we unloaded MSH’s truck, I decided I was going to make me a very, VERY low-point dinner. A lot of veggies and legumes are now “zero” points. In WWs’ terms? That’s big. Huge, in fact. I got out a can of Progresso Light Chicken Noodle soup. Which I think is YUMMY. A can of chickpeas. A can of low-sodium pinto beans. A can of corn. And a can of peas. (I thought the peas were going to be zero—turns out they were 2 for ½ cup. I’m so sorry to bore Y’all with these details.) I then found one of MSH’s sauce pans to combine all of these together—knowing it’d be at least three meals for me. If not four.

Now here’s a little tidbit of minutia for Y’all: I cannot use MSH’s electric can opener. I simply cannot figure out how to work it. You actually hold it in your hand while it opens the can. Makes a lovely “cut” that allows you to keep the lid and use it again. (WTH happened to the electric can openers of days gone by??? They were a piece of cake.)

I tried to learn how to operate it when he purchased this annoying-kitchen-thingy several years ago. I failed. Over and over. Proceeded to buy myself a Kitchen Aid can opener that is just that: ONLY A CAN OPENER. Not electric. Not fancy. Old-fashioned. I adore it.

As MSH watched me begin to open all of the cans, he said: “Could I get my can opener out and do that for you?”

Yes. That was nice. Because he’s nice. A LOT. However, I felt I needed to make my (on-going) point that I don’t need his stinkin’ weird can opener. I said I appreciated his thoughtfulness, but I was good.

His reply:

“You know, you’re invited to my Electric Can Opener Seminar. It’s next week. Tuesday. It won’t last long. Promise. Try to come!”

I, unfortunately, cannot attend. Darnitall. Maybe he’ll have another one down the road. Winky. Wink.

Happy Friday! Happy Weekend, Silly Friends Everywhere! (Try not to eat a lot of food from cans.)

smooch,

ELC

attack of the horsefly...

So I was going to do a completely different post this evening. (I am in LOVE, LOVE, LOVE with a cute little sitcom called 9JKL. I think it’s a CBS show. And I’m not sure what night it comes on. Thursdays? Maybe. It’s about a Mom and Dad that live on the same floor in a high-rise building as their two sons. The oldest son is a heart surgeon. The younger son—the Mom’s favorite and everyone knows it—is an actor. Oldest=married with a son. Youngest=divorced. I think. Y’all would know ALL OF THESE ACTORS. Maybe not the wife of the oldest son. Elliott Gould is the Dad. Linda Lavin is the Mom. They are PERFECTION. I can’t get the sons names to come to my brain right now—but y’all know them. Trust me. The characters are perfection. The writing is HYSTERICAL. I laugh out loud. On my couch. The entire 22-ish minutes (I record it so I pass up 99% of the commercials.).

Sadly, I believe the last episode is this week. (Sorry I’m slow on sharing my excitement about this awesome TV show. If you have Netflix or can somehow watch it on some other service, please, PLEASE do. I would be shocked if you didn’t think it was as wonderful as I’m telling you.)

I am hoping and PRAYING this adorable show is renewed. If y’all have been reading our blog long, you know shows that we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seem to get cancelled. This show is FABULOUS. Funny. Creative. Different! It should not get the ax/a pink slip.

Tonight I want to VENT/share/complain about a RAGING horsefly that literally attacked me this morning as I tried to get into my shower.

My Sweet Hubby (MSH) had left for town to get his haircut. It was about 8:00 a.m. I had the water on and was literally walking in when out flew this cRaZy and HUGE horsefly. (We don’t have a shower door. You walk into the shower and take a hard right. Now you’re in.) I screamed. SCREAMED. At the top of my old lungs. It scared me so much I thought I might have a heart attack. Or stroke.

It flew BACK INTO THE SHOWER. Waiting for me. I got my robe back on in milliseconds and ran to our utility room, which is where I keep two fly swatters. I grabbed the ugly one. (The cute one is animal print and it’s really just there to make me smile when I see it.)

I went back into our bathroom—peeked around the corner of the shower—and couldn’t see the evil horsefly anywhere. I hit the wall a couple of times with the swatter in order to make him (or her—whatever—makes no difference to me it was SATAN) hear and understand I had returned and was armed. And DANGEROUS. No sign of it/him/her. I put the swatter onto my husband’s sink counter and began to get back in.

IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE and tried to attack me again! Y’all. I RAN. Grabbed my robe and ran into our bedroom. Screaming. Like a baby.

I. Was. Done. At this point, I decided I could not deal with this vicious insect. I went into our second guest room bathroom and took my shower in there. This third bathroom has two doors. Closed both as soon as I scurried in. I worried he’d/she’d fly in under one of the doors. I rushed my shower as fast as I could.

When I was finished, I went back into our bathroom to get my makeup on and do my hair. (I had a date with My Dear Friend Emily for a pedicure and lunch. I couldn’t miss it.) While finishing up my routine, I kept looking over at the shower. Wondering if he/she was still in there.

MSH got home about 8:20 and asked me why there was a fly swatter on his counter. I told him My Spellbinding Story. When I’d completed My Nightmare Tale, he shook his head and walked away. I couldn’t determine if he thought I’d made the story up or simply judged me to be silly and, well, a big ol’ CHICKEN Girl. Like I cared that he thought I was a out-of-control scaredy-cat.

I left at 9:40 and didn’t get back home until 3:00. At which time, MSH informed me of The Devil Horsefly’s DEATH. He’d kill him moments before I came in the house. I think MSH had a new-found respect for me. (Okay. Not. But at least he confirmed I didn’t dream up The Horrid Horsefly.)

Here’s hoping each of you has a Terrific Thursday manana—full of butterflies, redbirds and beautiful/regal EAGLES. NO HORSEFLIES or flying things that frighten the bejeebies out of you.

SMOOCHES and HUGS, Silly Friends Everywhere…

ELC

just...flat...lucky

I’ve shared my love for and admiration of My Sweet Hubby (MSH) in the past. He is truly, TRULY the best man I’ve ever known. He’s smart. Kind. FUNNY. (Even though he’s the funniest when he doesn’t mean to be and is surprised that I or TLC or anyone else thinks he’s intending to be funny!) Hard-working. Unselfish. Loyal. Dependable. Oh…and HANDSOME. Very handsome.

Now, do you even think we don’t have “issues?” As a couple? Disagree? Even fight? Because we do. Have issues. Disagree. Fight. (Not physically. That cannot and will not happen. Ever.) We’re scarily alike in thousands of ways. And seriously DIFFERENT in hundreds of others.

It took him the first ten years of our 39 years of marriage to learn how to be thoughtful. In terms of celebrations. My birthday. Valentine’s Day. (By the way: He lets me know EVERY February 14^th that this holiday completely frustrates him. God love him. He’s determined Hallmark created this nightmare and contributes to his inability to remember this day and to find the best gift(s) for me. Mostly because I don’t want flowers. Or candy. Do I adore both? ABSOLUTELY. Neither lasts, however, and I want gifts that last. Please don't judge me as too witchy. He’s used to my preferences about gifts by now.) Then there's Christmas. His ultimate STRESSOR.

As TLC got older and older, she became his GO-TO Gift-Buying Assistant for me. Together? THEY DO AWESOME. Every year my gifts get better. And better. And BETTER. (Listen...NOT more expensive. Trust me. It is not about the money spent. It's about creativity and originality.) TLC has also become a fantastic source for ME—in trying to come up with special gifts for MSH.

The truth is this: MSH and I don’t need or really want gifts. We’re at the stage of our life where we’re trying to get rid of all of our “stuff.” If you’re young, you will reach this stage. Believe it. I suggest you reach it by your EARLY 50s. Take my (unsolicited) advice: Start purging your home, drawers, closets, storage sheds/units, etc. llooonnnnggggg before you need to. Your energy levels create difficulties when trying to find places for items you’ve purchased over the years (other than the trash/dump). It can get stressful. And, you discover, no one you know...not your children, your grandchildren, your relatives or your friends, wants any of your treasures. Sigh. BUT...TLC will not have it. She refuses to allow us to NOT give each other gifts. Apparently she thinks she's Our Boss.

Gifts of clothes? MSH and I both like to pick out our own. Pretty much. Shoes? Heck, no. Jewelry for moi? Yes—occasionally. I’m not really needing much more jewelry, at this point in my old life. It seems to call attention to parts of me I don’t want people to focus on. Like my neck. My hands. Etc.

I’ve shared all of this preliminary info to lead up to what MSH wanted me to “give” him for Christmas. It was something I could actually accomplish without the help of TLC! (This post will be the first she's hearing of this...)

He asked me to show him how to load music from iTunes onto his iPhone. That's it. That's all. Music. Christian. Christmas. Country. I wasn’t even going to have to pay for it! He is the CUTEST.

We worked on this project/gift last weekend. I got the Christian and Christmas playlists started. We have more to download. We might do more loading later on this GORGEOUS Saturday afternoon in North Central Texas. (If I can get him in the house before I become too pooped.)

When we’re driving each other cRaZy(ier)…when we’re tired and annoyed by each other’s shortcomings…when we’re just needing some breaks from each other's nonsense/whining/groaning/neediness? I try to remind myself how lucky I am. 98% of the time I feel like the LUCKIEST Woman on this Earth. To be married to This Wonderful Man. (The other 2%? I want to roll my eyes while I throw a pillow at him and go get in my bed. Keepin' it real, Friends. Just keepin' it real.)

Gotta scoot…laundry to do…rooms to vacuum…Hallmark Christmas movies to watch!

Y’all have some fun out there this weekend, okay? (If you’re married? In a relationship? Try to remember what made you fall in love with your spouse/partner. Try to be patient. Helpful. Kind. GRATEFUL. Feel how lucky YOU are. It's important. Winky. Wink.)

smooch!

ELC

cow visitation

Happy Wednesday Eve, Y’all!

I am recovered! From my horrid cold/sinus infection/whatever-in-the-heck I had. I kept thinking I’d go to the doctor. But I didn’t have to. YIPPEE!!! (Saved myself at least $100. YES.)

Bless My Sweet Hubby’s (aka MSH aka Pa-Pa) heart. A week ago this past Saturday he went to town early EARLY in the morn to purchase this sickly gal some of my treasured tissues. Y'all remember? The ones with lotion and VICKS. I was pretty sure I told him just one box would be sufficient. This is what he came home with:

God love and bless him! Hopefully this doesn’t mean I can get another cold anytime soon. I have ZERO interest in that situation.

So last week, because I was improving health-wise every hour, I got to spend two nights with TLC and The Little Princesses. Then they came Friday to spend the night here at our country casa. Woo Hoo! Felt like it'd been YEARS since their last visit. I do think it'd been over two months.

Little Leighton (aka LL aka Biscuit) and Baby Elle (aka Belle) had not yet seen our two new baby calves (they'd seen Olaf): Baby Belle (yes, named after our second little darlin' granddaughter) and Sven. (Are you realizing Biscuit's Frozen theme here?) They’d seen pictures, of course, but not the babies in person.

So once they arrived around 1:00ish, they boarded the Ranger with Pa-Pa and TLC and went to check out our Mamas and their brood(s?).

Here are a few pictures of their adventure taken by Moi from various spots—our front porch, our driveway, the back porch. A couple were captured by TLC. (Those would be the ones up close and personal!)

Saturday morning, I accompanied Pa-Pa and The Little Princesses back down to the pastures (With no phone. It was wonderful. I could enjoy every second with no distractions.) to find and feed the cows. Once we got back, Buddy Boo Bear and Hunter waited patiently for their friend, MSH, to come from the Barn. When Belle noticed them, she decided she needed to go tell them a couple of things. What were those things? No clue. But she was serious.

MSH and I ADORE our moments/days/nights/times with Our Girls! Nothing—and I mean NOTHING—is better for our hearts and souls than memories created with all of our grandchildren.

Wishing each of you happiness, adventures and sheer JOY tonight, tomorrow and always…

Hugs,

ELC

tarte

Happy December Eve!

Can y'all believe it's Christmastime? I simply can't, but I'm sooooo excited!

Overall, Thanksgiving went well! My dressing was dry (inside family joke--but it also was legitimately dry), but other than that, we had FUN. Now, I've decked my halls, I'm feeling extra jolly, Hallmark Christmas movies are on continuously and I'm ready to celebrate Sweet Baby Jesus' birthday.

This evening, I wanted to share with y'all my new favourite makeup! This past summer, one of my best friends, Taylor, came for a visit before we moved. She is one of the most thoughtful, creative and talented people I know. She puts Martha Stewart to shame! For this visit, she brought me a "goodie bag" containing many of her favorite things. Taylor knows how much ELC and I LOVE mascara and she gifted me the one she thinks is simply the best! It was Tarte's "Tarteiest." I had heard of Tarte before but had never purchased any of their products. Lo and behold, you can imagine my surprise and joy when, as I was looking at the packaging, I noticed it was labeled: GLUTEN-FREE. What the what? YIPPEE! ELC and I are always searching for safe products Little Leighton can use. We have to make sure EVERYTHING is GF. Right down to chapsticks, lipsticks, lipglosses. Taylor blessed me so much that day--and not just with wonderful (GF!) treats but her amazing friendship. I am so thankful for her.

After that visit, I started researching Tarte and learned all of their products are GF. Double YIPPEE! On a recent trip to the mall (in search of blingy hi-tops for LL), we stopped into Sephora and I purchased this:

It's a Tarte set that includes mascara, lipgloss, eyeliner, tons o' eyeshadows, blush, bronzer and highlighter. It's packaged BEAUTIFULLY and is genuinely amazing. Other than needing brushes, I use only this set now--it's so "complete!" It was about $60, and I think it would make an awesome Christmas gift for someone. (My pictures don't do the eyeshadow colors justice--they are so pretty.)

I hope y'all have a wonderful and festive weekend! Next time I post, I'm bringing back one of my infamous lists--per ELC's request! Stay tuned, Readers.

TTFN.

a refuge in times of trouble...

From Jesus Today by Sarah Young…

I AM GOOD—A REFUGE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. I care for those who trust in Me. Even though you inhabit a world full of trouble, I assure you that I am completely, 100 percent good! I am light, and in Me there is no darkness at all. Seek in Me the perfection you have longed for all your life.

Because of the brokenness of this world, you always need a refuge—but especially in times of trouble. When you are hurting, I yearn to shelter you in My powerful, loving Presence. So turn to Me in tough times, and you will find Me faithful.

Many of My children fail to receive My help during difficult times because they don’t really trust Me. When adversity strikes, they either lash out angrily at Me or become so focused on their problems that they forget I am with them. An essential element of trusting Me is remembering My promise to be with you always. Trust in Me, My child, and I will take care of you.

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

          --Naham 1:7

 

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

          --1 John 1:5 NKJV

 

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

          --Psalm 56:3 ESV

Praying each of you had a lovely, blessed, happy, and safe Thanksgiving holiday! (I’m still in bed with my tissues and acetaminophen. Sigh.)

Have a Wonderful Week—wherever in this World you are!

ELC

22

I truly, TRULY love TLC’s lists! She hasn’t done one in a while. Actually, I want to go back to 2011, 2012 and find a few of her lists that were amazing. I’m betting they still would fit her life now. Mostly.

Since TLC is going to “Hostess” our Thanksgiving Lunch manana (her first time and may I say we’re all TRES exicted!), I’ve decided to do an ELC List. In honor of today—November 22^nd. I’m going to share with Y’all twenty-two things I’ll be grateful for tomorrow. Actually, these will be things I’m grateful for every single day of my (long-ish) life.

1. My Lord God Almighty.
2. His Son, Jesus Christ.
3. My Sweet Hubby. (MSH)
4. TLC, Her Hubby, Her Precious Little Leighton (aka LL aka Biscuit) and Baby Belle.
5. My family. Our family. Our sons. Daughters-in-Law. Our AMAZING Grandchildren (seven total!). Sisters. Brother. Aunts. Uncles. Cousins.
6. My friends. I have had the BEST and most AMAZING friends in my 63 years. I cannot thank God enough for everything they’ve done for me. Everything I’ve learned from them. All of the drama, happiness, pain, fears, silliness and laughter we’ve shared. High school friends. College friends. SO. MANY. MARVELOUS. FRIENDS.
7. My health. In general? It ain’t bad. Could I drink more water? Of course. Could I eat more fruits and veggies? Always. Considering some of the health crises I’ve experienced—I am full of gratitude today. (If only ONLY ONLY I could sleep better. Sigh.)
8. The United States of America. Land that I LOVE.
9. Our pets: Buddy Boo Bear, Henry (I treasure him even if he’s technically TLC’s and often cRaZy.) and Hunter the Cat.
10. Our country casa!
11. The food we are lucky enough to eat. Our clothes. Vehicles.
12. The sun, moon, stars (The Stars At Night—Are Big and BRIGHT—Deep in the Heart of Texas!), and magnificent, exquisite skies.
13. Rain. (When we get lovely, nurturing, restoring rain. (Frankly, we can all do without rain that comes as a result of hurricanes, tornadoes and/or flooding. Ain’t nobody got time for that kind o’ rain, Dear God. Sheesh.)
14. Our cute Mama cows and their babies: Dixie and Olaf; Elsie and Belle; Twinkle and Swen. They are just the SWEETEST.
15. Weight Watchers. And, specifically, My WW’s Leader. I’m now down over forty (YEP—FOUR. ZERO. 40.) pounds. I intend to keep this weight loss permanent. The program works GREAT for me. It’s not been fast. In fact, it’s been slow as a turtle/snail. It’s worked. (Thank you, Sunny’s Sister and Oprah!)
16. Writers who write amazing books. Composers who write AMAZING music.
17. Television. Movies. Plays. Gifted people who give us the chance to be entertained. The opportunity to think. Laugh. Cry. Learn.
18. Did I mention My Lord God and Jesus Christ?
19. And did I mention my amazing husband and family?
20. Kleenexes that have lotion and VICKS already in them. We’ve all had yucky, useless, frustrating colds/allergies/upper respiratory infections. I’ve had a low-grade fever for going on three days now and an extremely RED nose. Whoever thought of putting lotion and Vicks in tissues? GENIUS. That’s exactly what you are. Brilliant. God bless you. Seriously.
21. Diet Mountain Dews and Coke Zeroes. (You didn’t think I was going to forget them did you, TLC? Not a chance. And don’t even try to shame me into stopping this unhealthy addiction. Not happening. Sorry. I feel I could have much worse addictions than these two things.)
22. Each and everyone of Y’all! Those of you who have been with us for seven years! Or seven months! Or seven weeks! Or seven days! Thank you. From the bottom of TLC’s and My GRATEFUL HEART.

Happy, HAPPY Thanksgiving Eve, Dearest Friends!
ELC

hoppy loppy

I was supposed to share my favourite new makeup with y'all almost TWO Mondays ago. Oops. I'm genuinely sorry. My husband has been traveling. We've all been sick. Blah. Blah. Blah.

My bad.

So, I promise to share that with you (because it would make an AWESOME Christmas gift!) after Thanksgiving, as I am hosting Turkey Day this year at mi casa. I'll be running around like a chicken (errr...turkey?) with my head cut off all week. I feel certain most of you understand my situation.

In the meantime, I had to bore you with a few funny things my girls have said over the last week.

1. After Baby Elle and I dropped Little Leighton (aka LL) at school one day last week, we headed to Hobby Lobby. I was talking to ELC on the phone as we were pulling into the parking lot. From the backseat, I heard a tiny, cute little voice exclaim, "Hoppy Loppy! Hoppy Lobby!" First, I had no clue Baby Elle could even attempt to say Hobby Lobby. Second, apparently I have a problem if my daughter, who is not even twenty-months-old yet, can recognize the building. Again--OOPS. (Little Leighton=Staples. ELC told this story in a previous post.)

2. ELC came to spend this past Thursday night with me while Hubby was out of town. Baby Elle had been particularly grouchy that afternoon. Sweet Little Leighton had had enough (I don't blame her.) She looked at Elle (while Elle was standing in front of the chair she was sitting on) and said, "Bye, Felicia." ELC and I just about died! She used it properly. (This was after last week when, as we were pulling into our church parking lot, LL, very seriously and completely out of the blue, asks me, "Mom, who is Felicia?" HA!)

3. Later that evening, ELC and I were reading bedtime stories to LL in her room. I can't remember what I did that was annoying her, but she looked at me and said, "CLIP." ELC has mentioned recently my IMPECCABLE taste in TV programming. This particular phrase (which basically means "Stop talking") comes from my favourite Dorinda Medley on Real Housewives of NY. LL has NEVER seen an episode (promise), but I guess I say this a lot now. (Because it cracks me up!) Google it, if you haven't heard Dorinda say it.

4. Yesterday, after an amazing morning at the Fort Worth Zoo, the girls and ELC were riding with me to donate clothes, toys and books to a local charitable organization. I (jokingly) told Baby Elle I was considering donating her, too. Little Leighton, again quite seriously, says, "Oh, yippee! Then there will be just good ol' me left!" God love her.

I hope y'all are having a wonderful weekend!

Stay GRATEFUL this week!

TTFN.

when to wait...

From Prayers with Purpose for Women by Jackie M. Johnson (I adore this little devotional book…)

Being a Woman of Action

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

          James 2:17

Lord, I want to be a woman of action—a women of true faith. Faith by itself—if only thoughts and words—is dead. It has to be accompanied by my deeds, Lord. I pray for the wisdom to know when to take risks, when to act, and when to wait. Help me to know the right thing to do and the best time to do it. Put true faith into me, Lord, so I can perform the good works You have for me to accomplish.

In Your Son Jesus’ Name I pray...

Amen.

This speaks straight to my heart, soul, mind and spirit. I am the MOST IMPATIENT person I know. I’m serious. Waiting on God’s Timing? Sometimes it feels completely impossible for this Big-Haired Texas Grammy. It seems like I’ve spent my entire (long) life waiting…and waiting…and waiting. Frustrated. Often angry. Confused. Sometimes very bitter. Sigh.

My Sweet Hubby (MSH) has a family “crest” I had framed many, many years ago and the “motto” or “creed” is:

Deeds Not Words

This hangs at our back door. The door we use 96% of the time. We can read these words every day. Several times a day. And, yet, we mostly walk right by them. In a hurry to get where we going to do what we think we must do.

My good intentions can make all kinds of promises. To MSH. To TLC. To family members. To my precious friends. But, worst of all, to My Lord God Almighty.

Today I want to intentionally take a risk or two. I want to hear God tell me the right thing to do and the best time to do it. I want to FEEL my faith grow. And grow. AND GROW.

God bless each of you on this Tuesday. I pray for your strength, peace, courage and patience…

With my love and BIGGEST hugs,

ELC

mama mia and hallelujah!

This time last weekend I was on my second night of “Grammy Nannying” Little Leighton (aka Biscuit aka LL) and Baby Elle (aka Belle) while TLC and Her Hubby enjoyed a two-night get-away to Austin.

It was my first time to keep The Little Princesses by myself! I’d kept LL a few times when she was tiny. I’d kept Belle this past 4^th of July by myself. For one night. But I’d never kept both—alone—without My Sweet Hubby (MSH).

I’d arrived at TLC’s casa on Thursday morning. Received all my (millions of/written) instructions and had taken over their care, on my own little lonesome, around 10:30. That day went pretty dadgum good! Baby Elle took a LONG nap. We picked Biscuit up at her school at 2:00 that afternoon. We stayed for almost an hour—on the playground—where Belle thought she was quite The Big Girl.

Once we got home, time went by fast. Snack. Playroom time. Dinner. Baths. (Okay. We had a couple of mishaps at bathtime. LL got out of the bathtub and fell on the tile—because she was running. I accidentally bumped Belle’s head on the linen closet door trying to get some chapstick off a shelf. Both recovered after only a few tears. I felt terrible. We all survived.)

By the Way:  I’d also never had had to bathe the two of them by myself. It’s tricky. Honestly, this was my biggest worry. LL was a HUGE help, though. We got 'er done. Belle was in bed and asleep by 7:00 that evening. Biscuit in bed and asleep by 8:00. Grammy Ga-Ga was in bed and out like a light by 10:30. I don’t think I moved until my alarm went off at 5:00 a.m. Friday morn.

I got up super early to get my makeup on. Fixed my Big Texas Hair. Dressed. Watched the monitor for signs one or both of The Little Gals was about to rise and shine. (The monitor toggles between their two bedrooms.) At 6:30, I saw Belle sitting up in her crib. I was counting on a 7:00 a.m. wakeup. Sigh. Then I heard this:

Mama Mia! Hallelujah! Hi, Ga-Ga! (What Belle calls me—although she’s beginning to say Grammy quite often now…) Hi, Ne-Ne! (What Belle calls Little Leighton…) Hi, Mama! Hi, DaDa! Hi, Pa-Pa! Hi, Olaf! (What Biscuit named our first calf born this year…) Mama Mia! Hallelujah!

Over. And over. And over. I was certain she was going to wake LL up. By the time I got upstairs and retrieved her from her crib, LL was awake. (They slept later the next morning. Praise The Lord.)

Explanation of Mama Mia and Hallelujah:

A couple of weeks ago, TLC and I sang some Abba songs for LL and Belle. While they were having an afternoon snack. (Naturally, we were incredible.) We danced to Dancing Queen. Duh. Belle realized she could say Mama Mia and practiced it. For days. And days.

The first time TLC took Belle to an ENT in Frisco, back in the Spring, they were playing the movie “Sing” on the waiting room TV. Biscuit FELL IN LOVE with it. TLC purchased it as soon as she could and downloaded several of the songs on her phone. Biscuit learned every word of every song. One of them is the Tori Kelly version of the song “Hallelujah.” Belle ADORES it. It is truly the CUTEST thing to hear her sing it. Mostly she just knows the Hallelujah part. And she says it like this: Halleyuyah. But trust me: It is P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S.

I made it with no problems to Saturday afternoon (I confess: I had help from MSH aka Pa-Pa, who came for several hours on Friday, and my youngest sister, Aunt Lucy, who came for several hours on Saturday…Basically, I guess I cheated.)! TLC and Her Hubby were back by 3:00 p.m. With gluten-free cupcakes and stories to tell! I was home and on my davenport by 5:00 p.m. Pooped. But in such a MARVELOUS way.

I’m currently feeling pretty confident I can Solo-Grammy-Nanny again. Soon. Mama TLC EARNS her time away, bless her sweet heart. This was her first trip, in fact, with Her Hubby, just the two of them, since Belle was born. She’s My Hero. I’m serious. She’s THE BEST mother and daughter. Ever.

Mama Mia...it’s Friday night! Hallelujah!

(Be safe and happy and kind and do get some rest, Dear Friends Everywhere…)

ta-ta for now…

ELC

tragedy after tragedy after tragedy...

…and on and on and on…

Just when we think we might all get a break from the latest mass shootings, another one happens. This one in a church. A church. About four hours from our home.

Although many, many, too many of us have been saying for too many years there’s truly nowhere we are safe, we really want to believe, deep down in our spirits and souls, that as we sit in God’s House, we’ll be okay. Our children and grandchildren will be allowed to worship and praise Him in peace. Free from danger and violence.

I was excited about a silly little post I was going to do tonight. I’ll save it. I’ve cried several times this afternoon. I’ve prayed every hour since I heard about this latest tragedy. What I haven’t done is laugh. I still don’t feel like even smiling. It seems like both of those efforts would be disrespectful to the victims, their families and their friends.

So I’ll wait…

In the meantime, let us all PLEASE continue to pray to Our Lord God Almighty for these shocked and heartbroken people. And for everyone’s protection from the despicable, vile, hideous, unbelievable Satans in this world.

In sadness, confusion and despair, but with deep determination, I pray for each of you tonight. Your families. Your friends. Your well-being. Your futures.

 

ELC