Memories

Well, Christmas celebrations went well. Family behaved (although it was touch-and-go there for a bit) and I was able to spend time with friends. Christmas Eve evening service was beautiful at church. And Chad did a great job for his first "midnight sermon." And Jessica Kayrouz - her voice is straight from heaven! It was great to hear her sing again. Unfortunately, on Christmas day I had a serious migraine. It took all the energy I had to move from the bedroom to the living room. I had to miss out on going to friends' houses! It would have great to part of some festivities that day - but I did get an extra 6-7 hours sleep. And I am seriously shocked that I haven't gained 20 pounds from all the dinners! This Christmas season was wonderful - a welcome change from the past few months - and did anyone notice the full moon? Of course, I've been working hard on a blanket project. It's taking some serious time, but I am determined to get it done this week. That, and paint & decorate my bedroom.

I've lived in my new house for over a year. When Jan Pope told me it would take me years to get the house settled - I laughed. Little did I know...I'm still not half-way through with painting the rooms let-alone decorating! I'm anxious to get my Wonder Woman stuff out of boxes.

So to change the subject...memories. This time of year is sensitive to memories - both good and bad, happy and sad. There's been a lot of loss this year for many of us. And I started thinking about other memories.

My little bathroom has got touches of both my grandpas (Udell and Alfred), and they loved me! So I like just going into my little bathroom to play with the Avon "lazy man" or look at this picture I got from my other grandpa's room. Then I get to thinking about the men they were and the things we did together. They were by no means knights in shining armor. Far from it. But there are still points I admired from each of them. And there are so many memories from each.

Alfred was a former Navyman and a truck driver most of his life. He was actually Mamaw's second husband, her first did of a brain hemmorage (which was my biological grandpa - died when my dad was 13). Alfred loved my Mamaw - and dogs - and food - and travelling. They lived in Texas for years, so I got to spend Summer vacations with them when I was little. He and Mamaw took me on my first road trip when I got my driver's permit - all the way to the west coast and back.

Udell was a Korean war vet and a farmer. He was big and rough - temper that would shake the house - but he loved life. Loved his family, loved the land and animals - taught me to write cursive, make Strawberry milk and to not worry about what the food looked like all mixed together "It was all going to the same place anyhow." This was the same grandpa that would bring the runts into the house to take care of them. This is a picture of him with the twins - my mom is on the left. When we would go see his and Bonnie's parents once a month, we would always stop and eat at KFC in Jasper, IN. (Irony nowadays, I know). This picture is Stella and Burnell Small (Udell's parent), Sherry, Udell, Carry (my mom), and me in the front (happy little child, huh). I may have been smarting-off - shocker that would be! LOL! So anyway, we eat at Kentucky Fried Chicken every trip. And I would always ask mom if I could have one of the strawberry shortcakes. You know, those little "bucket parfaits." Mom's answer would be "no." But before we left the restaurant, grandpa would always get me one. So now, when my boss surprises me with one of these little "buckets" it takes me back to spending that time with grandpa. Grandpas are great...they really know how to spoil granddaughters! Boy, do I miss that...

Just one more

I couldn't NOT post this video! If you are liking the choirs - you'll LOVE these guys! Merry Christmas Everybody!

Knitting, Kittens, and Dixie

Ok, Ok, Ok...so I like knitting now...I got 4 whole rows done last night! LOL - I still have another crochet project I HAVE to get accomplished before the end of the year. Once that's done - I am SOoo ready for 2 sticks. And Rebecca, you're a great teacher! No wonder those Jr. high girls love you so much.

Last week we had the Women's Study Gourmet Dinner at the Kane's - Chef Jerome is magnifique! He's a really good cook... And we got to exchange gifts, mine came with an adorable bow & bell - just what my Melody would love to play with. But apparently - not what she loves to have tied to her collar! Nor Maestro...Here are a couple of pictures of them with that bow on this year... They refused to look at me!

And just last year they looked like little angels!

Last weekend I took a family roadtrip to Nashville to visit my great-aunt, shop, and look at lights. Well, a trip to the "South" wouldn't be complete without visiting Cooter's Place! It's across the street from the Opryland Hotel in case you go looking for it. For any of you who were 80's children - I was going to marry Bo Duke when I grew up -- and I still plan on having Daisy's Jeep! So you can imagine my surprise when the Jeep was there! And yes, I got to touch it...although I didn't play the General Lee's horn. I just loved those 80's shows!

Sharing with Christ

Did you ever feel like you couldn't share something with God? Is it hard to confess something you've done, or even your thoughts? I know for me that has been a struggle area. It was almost like, if I said it outloud then everybody would know! Then I realized after reading through John that Jesus already KNOWS (calling Nathanael, woman at the well are just two early examples)! He sees me and knows my thoughts. He knew the thoughts of the Pharisees and called them on it many times (example in Matthew).

Chad brought up the concept in his sermons - would you do something, anything, if you knew that Jesus was right there physically beside you? Well, I think it's even more than that - he knows our thoughts - before we tell him. But what about us knowing his thoughts?

In Psalm 139:17-18, David talks of knowing God's thoughts! "When I am awake, I am still with you..." God does speak to us in our dreams - I think that might be because that's when we're actually being still. I wonder if that's why I have such a hard time waking up - being in conversation with God while I'm sleeping - shoot, I wonder if that's why I'm so TIRED when I get up. I have a lot of favorite passages in the Bible - on this subject Jeremiah comes to mind:

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and

unsearchable things you do not know."

Unsearchable things...Paul talks about that in Ephesians 3:8: "...this grace was given to me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." Isn't it amazing how it truly is all about Christ. And the fact that He takes the time to KNOW me makes me want to open up all of me to Him...might as well, He knows it all anyway!

Getting Caught-up

The Holiday Season is in full swing...work is busy prepping for the end of the year, lots of Christmas dinners to go to, mad scurrying to get housework done before guests arrive, catching-up with friends and family, and the cooking! lots of food to go around, and trying to fit-in work-outs to compensate. It's busy. And my biggest craving right now is not chocolate-covered cherries (Cellas are my favorite!), my biggest craving is spending time in the Word.


Ever since the "Get up!" night, I have thoroughly enjoyed being in the Word. I really like the Old Testament. The stories! Oh MY the stories! Day-time drama has nothing on the Old Testament. And it's amazing to see how the God of the Old Testament is the same God as the New Testament. I've even started memorizing scripture. I have the first 18 verses of John chapter 1 - and Psalm 91 (the guardian angel one) down pretty good. I memorize pretty good when I'm on the treadmill. I can get pretty far in a mile! It's exciting. And if you've never memorized before, I encourage you to try it out. Pick some favorite verses and go from there.



Back to the holiday-time - everybody's getting those family pictures done. Now, I did one last year with me and the cats...we won't be doing that again without some help! Although you've got to admit - we're an adorable family. And I love getting pictures from people. It includes me in their world.



The holidays are also a time for reflection: reviewing the past year, friends and family that have passed on, those plans that didn't quite go the way you planned, etc., and past holiday memories. I remember getting ready for Christmas at my grandpa's. He was a farmer - and they lived in a trailer that had a woodstove in the middle of the living room. Every winter there would be some sort of livestock runt that would need to take residence next to the woodstove in the living room to build up strength. I remember sleeping on the couch next to a calf that would wake me up every hour to feed it by bottle. Ever had a calf lick you on the face in the middle of the night? That's an experience. And the Sears Catalog! Eric and I would pick out stuff all year long for Christmas!



My mom recently received a bunch of old pictures from her mom. Pictures of her and her twin sister and me and Eric, my cousin. Eric was the most adorable little boy I had ever seen! (he's the one on the left). And I just love this picture of me (on the right)! These were both from 1977! Look at Eric's little jumpsuit! And my blue shoes!! What were our mothers thinking! LOL! Times have changed, and so have Eric and I. Although, I still have a teddy bear, but I'm positive Eric's given up the bowl haircut!

Chicago

Daring adventure - right! Right now I am in Chicago at KFC meetings - prepping for the convention that's coming up in February. Originally planned for just Tuesday, stay overnight, and come back Wednesday afternoon. Not so now! When I get here, my bos tells me he needs me an extra day. Guess what - I only packed for one more meeting day, and girls you know what that means! SHOPPING TRIP! So pray for me that I don't overspend (or I can at least find a store that I can afford!), and that I really can come home on Thursday. Crazy, I tell ya. And Rebecca, you would NOT have enjoyed the flight up -- and they're calling for snow up here!