Just a Thought

Likely as not, the child you can do the least with will do the most to make you proud!

In this year . . . . 2009

I Wish in 2009 God gives You... 12 Month of Happiness, 52 Weeks of Fun, 365 Days Success, 8760 Hours Good Health, 52600 Minutes Good Luck, 3153600 Seconds of Joy...and that's all

CELEBRATING IN . . . .
GOA
New Year in Goa means partying the whole night, be it on the cool beaches or sailing aboard cruises. One can also choose to witness the celebrations in various hotels and resorts in Goa during the New Year to make your New Year in Goa an event to cherish forever.

USA
Come January 1 and the whole United States will be seen celebrating the New Year with fun and excitement. Americans simply can’t resist celebrating New Year in USA, as for them it’s the time of the year to remember the achievements and make merry. When it comes to celebrating New Year in the United States, it’s no doubt turns into a gala event.

CARIBBEAN
If it’s the sea that fascinates you, then New Year Celebration on Caribbean beach will take you in for surprise. Dance away the night as the clock strikes 12 on the cool and serene Caribbean beaches. You can also immerse yourself in nature’s bounty listening to the soothing melodies played by the piano players in the New Year Parties on the Caribbean beaches.

Who are YOU?

Know who you are, what you are about and what you value.

Strive to continually improve every aspect of your life.

Here's a quiz.

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Think about this.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away."

You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.
1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
5. You mean the world to someone.
6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7. You are special and unique.
8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.
11. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.
14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

Heading for a New Age

OK, it's almost 2009!
That means: another year older.
That means: I am going to have a teenager granddaughter. OUCH!
That means: I will also have a daughter that is going to reach the grand age of "40". OUCH!

I am going to try and stay UP and cheerful for both of them. Jessica is already saying "3 more years till I can drive." Can't she just be glad to be 13?

I am slowly sneaking up on 60. It shouldn't be so bad! I found that the 50's have been terrific, we have done a lot of traveling, camping and enjoying our life. We have grown to 7 grandchildren, 4 boys and 3 girls. I can just imagine how much more fun we will have in our 60's.

SO WATCH OUT 2009 here we come!

The Twelve Days After Christmas

The first day after Christmas
My true love and I had a fight
And so I chopped the pear tree down
And burnt it, just for spite

Then with a single cartridge
I shot that blasted partridge

My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

The second day after Christmas
I pulled on the old rubber gloves
And very gently wrung the necks
Of both the turtle doves

My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

On the third day after Christmas
My mother caught the croup
I had to use the three French hens
To make some chicken soup

The four calling birds were a big mistake
For their language was obscene
The five golden rings were completely fake
and turned my fingers green.

The sixth day after Christmas
The six laying geese wouldn't lay
So I sent the whole darn gaggle to the
A.S.P.C.A.

On the seventh day, what a mess I found
The seven swans-a-swimming all had drowned
(I think there's a "my true love gave to me" in here somewhere)

The eighth day after Christmas
Before they could suspect
I bundled up the
Eight maids-a-milking
Nine ladies dancing
Ten lords-a-leaping
Eleven pipers piping
Twelve drummers drumming - well, actually I kept one of the drummers -
And sent them back collect

I wrote my true love
"We are through, love!"
And I said in so many words
"Furthermore your Christmas gifts were for the
(Soprani) Birds!"

(Everyone else) Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS

It has been a GOOD Christmas! A little lonely when I stop and think about not being with Bob for the holiday. Him being on the nbeach. NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS! But he is in Dui on the Arabian Ocean. He says he feels like Indiana Jones. He will be back online really soon.

I fixed and had lunch with my parents. It was a very simple meal of Turkey and some of the fixin's. But it tasted good and dad said it was good that we were together.

I went by my daughters and saw all the Christmas presents that Santa brought them for Christmas. Also got to see her new puppy. Check out this 1 1/2 pound little darling Bella

Then I went by my middle daughters and we had a new traditional Christmas Lasagna dinner. I got to check out Cade's presents from Santa Claus.

I have to say that Santa was good to my grandbabies again this year.

Christmas Eve

Well, it's finally here! Sun is shining here. Worked till noon and then headed to mom and dads. Arrived about 1:30pm and they were off to water walk.

I got online and decided that I am going to spend the evening TRACKING SANTA. This should be fun. Why not join me.

ElfYourself

I think that everyone will enjoy this.
From Bob and Kathi - CLICK HERE.

Merry Chirstmas

Better World!

You make the world a better place by making yourself a better person

Christmas Tree

Christmas trees have been associated far back as The Dreams of Joseph a Biblical story. However, there has historically been opposition to the custom of the Christmas tree because of its pagan origins. Thus, Oliver Cromwell preached against "the heathen traditions" of Christmas carols and decorated trees. As pastor Henry Schwan of Cleveland, Ohio, decorated in 1851 what was likely the first Christmas tree in an American church, his parishioners condemned the idea as a pagan practice.

Friday before Christmas

As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same.

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.

Winter Wonderland

Ice isn't over in Enid! As I was driving North to my parents I crossed Highway 51 at Hennessey. It was like driving into the picture below. Everything was covered with snow and ice. The road was clear and dry, but all of the trees look like the trees in my daughters yard. It stayed that way all day. It never got above freezing. The sun never came out.

We took Dad to his doctor appointment. He is doing great. They have an new Golden Chick in town, so we picked up some chicken strips for dinner. After we ate I asked dad if I could borrow his car to go to Garber for the grandkids Christmas program. He said "Sure, but you have to take your mom!". What is borrowing your parents car, if you have to take your mom! LOL

So mom and I started out in freezing temperature and a 30 minute car ride to the small town of Garber. The kids were all dressed up and looked great! They are growing up so fast. Jessica is looking like a model. Jake is getting so tall and handsome. Josh is going to be a ladies man. He will have a string of girls after him. AND then there is Jenni, she is so precious, she is so funny and so very smart. Watch out for that one!

The program was really cute, then we made it home just fine1

Ice is finally over!

The weather is supposed to get above freezing today. So maybe it will melt some ice off the trees.

Doesn't that look COLD? This is a picture my daughter took out in front of her home. I ventured out myself. My mother and I rolled over a pickup on the ice when I was about 10 and I have never liked the ice. So it was a real adventure for me to go 2 blocks to Blockbuster and get the movie that just came out "Mama Mia". So I spent the rest of the day watching movies. OH YA! I did some work too.

Olive

How come you never hear anything about the 10th reindeer "Olive" ?

Olive ?

Yeah, you know, "Olive the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names"

The Yule Log

The burning yule log is symbolic of the light that will return after the dark days of early winter and gives us an excuse to gather with family and friends before a roaring fire.

Little Known Christmas Facts

Saint Nicholas of Myra, the original Santa Claus, was the patron saint of children, thieves and pawnbrokers.

Based on previous surveys, 17 percent of you will embarrass yourselves in some way at your office Christmas party.

A Mongolian wild ass can run 8 mph faster than a reindeer.

It's Donder, not Donner.

Christmas pudding should be stirred from east to west.

56 percent of Americans sing holiday carols to their pets.

53 percent of Americans plan to "re-gift" this year.

The average American takes six months to pay off holiday credit-card bills.

1 in 3 men will wait until Christmas Eve to finish their shopping.

1 in 6 men would like to get rid of all the "gift-giving nonsense."

A traditional Christmas dinner in early England was the head of a pig prepared with mustard.

On Christmas Eve in 2001, the Bethlehem Hotel had 208 of its 210 rooms free.

It's "God rest ye merry, gentlemen," not "God rest ye, merry gentlemen."

There are 1.76 billion candy canes produced every year.

December is the most popular month for nose jobs.

Average wage of a mall Santa: $11 an hour. With real beard: $20.

Pogonophobia: the fear of beards.

There are currently 78 people named S. Claus living in the U.S. -- and one
Kriss Kringle.

Kris Kringel, a man in his 40s, lives in North Pole, Alaska, and delivers pizzas for a living. He drives a 1984 Ford Tempo.

Weight of Santa's sleigh loaded with one Beanie Baby for every kid on
earth: 333,333 tons.

Number of reindeer required to pull a 333,333-ton sleigh: 214,206 --
plus Rudolph.

Based on a 1999 estimated population count of North America and Europe, on Christmas Eve of that year Santa Claus had to visit 42,466,666 homes in a 12-hour period -- that's 983 homes per second.

A Preemie Deer

If this doesn't make you go aaaawwww, nothing will.
Baby Deer

CHRISTMAS CAKE RECIPE

You'll need the following:

1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
4 large brown eggs
2 cups of dried fruit
1 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of brown sugar
Lemon juice
Nuts
1 bottle of whisky

Sample the whisky to check for quality. Take a large bowl. Check the whisky again. To be sure it's the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer, beat one cup of butterin a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar and beat again. Make sure the whisky is still OK. Cry another tup. Tune up the mixer. Beat two leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Mix on the turner. If the fired druit gets stuck in the beaterers, pry it goose with a drewscriver. Sample the whisky to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Who cares?

Check the whisky. Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Spoon the sugar or something. Whatever you can find. Grease the oven. Turn the cake tin to 350 degrees. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Throw the bowl out of the window. Check the whisky again and go to bed.

Santa Claus has the right idea

Visit people once a year.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, Redneck Style

On the 12 days of Christmas, my true love gave to me
12 pack of Bud
11 rasslin' tickets
10 tins of Copenhagen
9 years probation
8 table dancers
7 packs of Red Man
6 cans of Spam
5 flannel shirts
4 big mud tires
3 shotgun shells
2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

12 Days Of Christmas - Bayou Style

Day 1 Dear Boudreaux, Thanks for de bird in de Pear tree. I fix it las' night with dirty rice. I doan tink de pear tree will grow in the swamp, so I swap it for a Satsuma.

Day 2 Dear Boudreaux, You letter say you sent two turtle doves, but all I got was two scrawny pigeons. Anyway, I mixed dem with andouille an made some gumbo out of dem.

Day 3 Dear Boudreaux, Why doan you sent some crawfish? I'm tired of eating dem darn birds. I gave two of dose prissy French chickens to Marie Trahan over at Grans Bayou an fed the tird one to my dog, Phideaux. Marie needed some sparring partners for her fighting rooster.

Day 4 Dear Boudreaux, Mon Dieux! I tol you no more dem darn birds. Deez four, what you call dem "calling birds" were so noisy you could hear dem all de way to Napoleonville. I used dere necks for my crab traps, an fed de rest of dem to de gators.

Day 5 Dear Boudreaux, You finally sent somethin useful. I like dem golden rings. I hocked dem at da pawn shop in Thibodeaux and got enuf money to fix da shaft on my shrimp boat an buy a round for da boys at de Raisin' Cane Lounge. Merci Beaucoup!

Day 6 Dear Boudreaux, Couchon! Back to da birds, you coonass turkey! Poor egg suckin' Phideaux is scared to death at dem six geeses. He tried to eat dems eggs and dey peck de heck out ah his snout. Dey good at eating cockroaches, though. I may stuff one of dem wit erster dressing on Christmas day.

Day 7 Dear Boudreaux, I'm gonna wring your fool neck next time I see you. Thibideaux, da mailman, is ready to kill ya. The merde from all dem birds is stinkin' up his mailboat. He afraid someone will slip on dat stuff and sue him good. I let those seven swans loose to swim on de bayou and some duck hunters from Texas blasted dem out of de water. Talk to you tomorrow.

Day 8 Dear Boudreaux, Poor ole Thibeau, he had to make tree trips on his mail-boat to deliver dem 8 maids a milkin and their cows. One of dem cows got spooked by da alligators and almost tipped over da boat. I doan like dem shiftless maids, me no. I tolt dem to get to work guttin fish and sweeping the shack but dey say it wasn't in dair contract. Dey probably think they to good ta skin nutrias I caught las night too.

Day 9 Dear Boudreaux, What you trying to did Huh? Thibideaux had to borrow the Lutcher ferry to carry dem jumpin twits you call Lords-a-Leaping across the bayou. As soon as dey gots here dey wanted a tea break with crumpets. I doan know what dat means but I says, "Well, La Di Da. You get Chicory coffee or nuttin." Mon Dieu, Emile. What I'm gonna feed all dese bozos? Dey too snooty for fried nutria, and de cows done eat my turnip greens.

Day 10 Dear Boudreaux, You got to be outs you mind! If de mailman don't kill you, I will for sure. Today he deliver 10 floozies from Bourbon Street. Dey said dey be "Ladies Dancin" but dey doan act like ladies even aroun dose Limey twits. Dey almos left after one of dem got bit by a water moccasin over by da out-house. I had to butcher 2 cows to feed toute le monde an get toilet paper. The Sears catalog wasn't good enuf fer dose hoity toity lord's royal behin.

Day 11 Dear Boudreaux, Where Y'at. Cheerio an pip pip. Your 11 pipers piping arrives today from the House of Blues, second lining as dey got off de boat. We fixed stuffed goose and beef jambalaya, finished da whiskey and we having a fais-do-do. Da new mailman he drink a bottle of Jack Daniel an he having a good time yeah dancing with de floozies. Thibeau he jump off de Sunshine Bridge yesterday, screaming your name. If you get a mysterious, ticking package in de mail, doan open it man.

Day 12 Dear Boudreaux, I sorry to tell ya but I not your true love anymore, no. After da fais-do-do, I spent sum time with Jacque, de head piper. We decide to open a restaurant and club on de bayou. The floozies, pardon me, Ladies dancing, can make $20 for to dance der, and de lords can be waiters an valet park de boats. Since de maids have no more cows ta milk, I trained dem ta set my crab traps, watch my trotlines, an run my shrimping business. We will probably gross a million clams nex year.

Learned Something NEW

Today I learned how to tell what side of your car that the gas tank is on. You know when you pull up to the gas pump and you are not sure what side the gas cap is on to fill your car.

Look down at your dashboard. Do you see a little symbol that looks like a gas pump? If you look and see what side the gas nozzle is on, that is the side of the car that you will need to have next to the pump.

Isn't that clever!

==== Another Road Tip ====
On our trip to Memphis, Scott (a former truck driver) told us if you look at the top of the exit road signs, there is always an exit number on the top of each sign. If you will notice that the number will be on the top right side of the sign if it is a "RIGHT EXIT" and the number will be on the top left side of the sign if it is a "LEFT EXIT". Now isn't that something else that can come in really handy!

Enough education for one day!

Why Women Would Love To Be Santa Claus

1. You'd never be expected to make the coffee.
2. There'd be no more early morning decisions about what to wear to the office.
3. You could grow a gut the size of Guam and consider it a job requirement.
4. Buy one big black belt and you'd be accessorized for life.
5. There'd be no reason to have your colors done.
6. Everyone would be extremely nice to you, even if you weren't.
7. Should people suggest your belly jiggled...when you laughed...like a bowlful of jelly, you could hit them with your purse.
8. You'd always work in sensible footwear.
9. There'd be no need to play office politics; a hearty ho-ho-ho would remind everyone who's boss.
10. You wouldn't need to buy an expensive briefcase.
11. No one would dare ask for a ride to work.
12. You'd never again have to wear pantyhose or worry about your slip showing.
13. No more trips to the vending machine...you'd just snack on milk and cookies all day (FOR FREE!).
14. You'd never be asked to take an early retirement package.
15. Juggling work and family would be a breeze because your children would adore you; even your teen-agers would want to sit in your lap.
16. You'd be guaranteed the best chair in the office.
17. Age discrimination wouldn't be an issue.
18. You'd never grab the wrong coat on your way out the door.
19. No one would ask to see your job description.

Scentsy - Their candles are matchless

My daughter has signed up to sell Scentsy! Yes, it's an annoying Home Marketing scheme, but she really does like their products. Kimi's Scentsy Page


She delivered mine this morning. I got a plugIn and "Sweet Indulgence" scentsy bar to melt in the plugIn.

Scentsy Story
Scentsy “Makes Perfect Scents”. We are pioneering the move away from the smoky, sooty candles of today to safe, healthy, fun and creative ways to bring the scents that make us happy into our lives. We offer over 80 high quality fragrances delivered in a variety of ways. Our flagship product is the Authentic Scentsy Bar, an impressively fragrant wickless candle bar that is warmed in a warmer rather than burned with a flame.

I also bought a warmer that plugs into the wall with a cord and "Mulberry Apple Masala" scentsy bar to melt in the top..

I put the warmer on my desk and it smells so good. It really made the office smell TERRIFIC.

ICE and SNOW

It's cold and snow is headed our way. I went to bank and stopped and got a couple of movies. I am going to grab a blanket and try and stay warm. I just hope that the electric doesn't go off. Then it will be more blankets and a book.

Sunday PM

Got dad home. He is not sure he was ready, he felt pretty weak, but he was really glad to be home. He was lost from the time that I picked him up from the hospital till I reached the entrance to their condo. I went to pick up their prescriptions while they had some alone time. I also went to grocery store. I probably bought more groceries than they would have bought in a month. But I got a really good Black Angus steak. Got some fresh green beans and fixed a salad. It was just might taste.

I put up the Christmas tree after dinner and then Chuck brought them a new scale. Dad is supposed to watch his weight. If it goes up mora than 3 pounds in one day he is supposed to call the doctor. Heart failure. Kidneys are working overtime getting rid of the extra fluid.

Christmas carols are playing on the CD player. Bob texted and said that he had made it to Ahmedabad. Slept most of the way. He had no toilet paper, no paper towels, no Dr. Pepper NOTHING. I will talk with him when he gets up tomorrow. Wish that I was with him, but I feel pretty needed right here at this time.

Sunday AM

Dad is doing great. He just got out of the shower and is again asleep in bed. His organs are just wearing out. He just can't give up. Mom is crying because she is worried about dad and afraid that he will give up. Mom is also getting so frail. She just doesn't know what she is going to do with all this stuff. I keep telling her the stuff doesn't matter. She is so close to giving up. It makes you realize how awful it is to get old. Not healthy enough to get out and enjoy life. Mom's knee's keep her from walking. Dad's legs and feets hurt, he has to keep them up. So they just sit at home and wait for company. Which doesn't come very often. They are always so very glad to see you when you finally show up.

Yesterday the doctors came in and mom and dad just can't hear or understand what is going on with dad. His fluid is building up around his heart, his kidney functions are down, has spots on his liver. He wasn't taking his lasix. Now his levels went up that showed he had heart failure. Is it due to the fluid from not taking his lasix or is it he had heart failure and the fuild started building up faster. You can't drain the fluid off too fast, because the body will react and speed up the fluid. So he will be in the hospital until Monday. He's not liking that much.

I am glad that I am spending this time with them. They have been such good parents and gave me a very good life. I want to be here for them like they were here for me as I was growing up. It's tough turning around and becoming the parent to your parents.

India will just have to wait for me another month.

Friday

Seems like time is flying by. Lots to do.

COLD

It's COLD in Oklahoma. I had to get out my winter coat.

Went to see Cade last night. He kept saying "Don't GO" Now I thought that was a pretty dirty thing to do.

I enjoy traveling and being with my husband. I am looking forward to living in our bungalow. But the bombing and terrorist in Mumbai makes it really hard to not be just a little nervous about the trip.

We mailed two packages and one has already arrived.

We are going to see grandkids, daughter and parents today. Going NORTH so it should be alot colder.

Memphis Weekend

We took off Friday for Memphis. We picked up the RV loaded it up and met Scott and Ginny is Fort Smith AR. We then fixed a sandwich in the RV on the road. Then we arrived in Tunica MS at 10pm. Got the trailor parked in the Sam's Town RV lot and we headed to the casino. It was a big WINNER night. I came out with $50 ahead and Ginny had a few toooo many drinks and went back to the trailor, so she only lost $20, but Scott made up for her loss. Bob didn't do so good, but nothing that would break our bank for the weekend.

Next morning we went to Paula Deans Buffet at Harrah's. It was fabulous! Then off to Memphis to get the HAT that the trip was for. We found the Mississippi River RV park for the RV. It was 1.2 miles from BEALE street. Not really much of a RV park, but the lady that ran the park was well worth the parking spot. She drove us down to the HAT store. Bob bought 2 hats, because he left his old hat there to be cleaned and they are going to ship it to us. Then the RV hostess drove us to the car rental place to rent a car.

We made it to the Peabody Hotel, just in time to see the DUCKs walk up to the elevator and up to the roof. Andrew (7) really enjoyed that. We then went to Jillian's restaurant for dinner and the football game. Preston got a good deal on a couple of Abercrombie & Fitch shirts. We are not sure just how they were purchased before they were offered to Preston, but it was a really good deal.

At half time of the OU game, Scott and Bob moved to a bar on Beale street. Ginny and I walked up and down Beale street with the boys. Then we met up with Bob and Scott again.

Sunday we went to Ihop and had breakfast. We took Scott, Ginny, Preston and Andrew to Graceland. Bob and I went to Walmart and bought stuff to prepare breakfast Monday morning, then drove around trying to find Corky's Barbeque. After we picked them up at Graceland we went back to Beale street and then to Corky's for the best BBQ I have ever eaten. Then the banana pudding was SOOOO good. We went back to the trailor and decided to stay in and watch movies. We had been out having so much fun we were all ready for a night of quiet.

Monday morning we fixed: Bacon, sausage, pancakes and eggs for breakfast, then we went to purchase a gift for the RV hostess for driving us around. We then went back to Beale street to go into J Swabs. The best store in Memphis.

We pulled out of the trailor park about 1 pm and took the rental car back and got on the road for home. The boys slept most of the way. We dropped them off in Fort Smith at their car and we got coffee and headed home.

Arriving about 12:30am we unpacked the trailor and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow and I did not want to get up this morning.