Just a few images to share…they make me happy and remind me of the blessings that I have…..
Chillin’ in the pack and play…..look at those sweet leg rolls!
Trying to eat a new Christmas Ornament…..
Playing with Lucy Jane…….
Looking cute in shirt Lulu painted for him…
Making friends with Snowman….
Beautiful, beautiful boy………
Some scenes of the wooden bridge leading to my house….it is on the only road we have, about halfway down…..it is lit up with tiny white lights for Christmas! Such a welcoming sight when returning home after dark…… I tried to get some pictures at night….but they didn’t do too good. Adam tried a little earlier in the evening and got some fairly good ones. The first ones are his…..
The one above is mine…with some ‘doo dahs’ added ….fair…and below, is a much better picture of the Glory angel…Adam said mine was not clear enough…and he was right…
Not by my choice, but the very vast majority of the Christmas decorating falls to me. I’m not complaining…I enjoy it. And, I have seen what other members of my household call ‘looking great’….so I will gladly do it all myself. Well, it’s not always ‘gladly’…but , oh well.
Last year, my DH decided that we needed lights outside. Now, I do not know anything at all about the way you decorate…everyone has their own style and likes…but I know what I can accept and what passes as ‘NO WAY!’. Some folks have lots of white lights…enough to light up the street. Fine, by me. Some have colored lights lining the house and every tree…OK by me, too. Some have nativity scenes, or snow men, or what-have-you…all OK. As long as it is tastefully done. But, man, there are several houses in our town that have yards that look like the Christmas sections of K-M*rt and Wal-M*rt threw up all over their house and yard. No kidding, they have one of everything there is for sell somewhere for all the world to see. If that makes them happy, so be it…but it makes me start twitching. Anyway, that’s not what I wanted to write about.
When DH decided to put up the lights last year…without my approval or my coasching…it was on the evening of the night of a big Christmas party-at our house. Somewhere he came up with 7 or 8 strands of white lights and strung them through several trees in the front yard…next to the driveway…where you HAD to walk past to get into our house. Oh. My. Goodness. It was Tacky City, I tell you. It was bad. [ I like those little white lights in the trees, but there has to be a method to the display. It has to make sense, and it has to have enough lights to look like it was well thought out—not just an after thought of throwing up a few random strings of lights]. And, there those lights are still…and the cords…well there are about 8 of those thick outdoor green ones running all over the yard. But, now there is a years worth of growth of our ground cover over them. I tugged and pulled and struggled and yanked and could not get them loose. So, they are there…and there they will stay. Until HE moves them. Or until Jesus comes. Either way.
But what I really wanted to tell you is that our yard is very dark. Someone failed to include enough outside lights…and I’m just saying, I wouldn’t walk up in here in the dark. Not that anyone has any business walking up in here in the dark. There be dogs and foxes and raccoons and armadillos and snakes in these parts…and probably some things I don’t want to know about.
Back to the topic. Joy and I went shopping on Friday and while we were in T*arget, I spotted a very pretty angel in the Christmas Decor Dept. It looked so pretty standing there with a harp in her hand, I thought that it would look even better in my yard. And, so I bought it.
After all the other goodies were put away, I decided that it would be nice to put the thing together quickly and have it burning when DH got home. And, so I got busy. It was a pretty day, so I pulled up a chair and began opening the box. And, that was my second mistake. My first was buying the ‘XXXXXX’ angel in the first place. But, Joy insisted. At least, I think that’s what I remember.
The box was so light that I thought there could certainly not be too much to putting it together. Plus, it said EASY ASSEMBLY…which like a fool, I believed. To start with, just pulling it out of the box was a chore. Friends…there was a bottom skirt front…a bottom skirt back…a top skirt front….a top skirt back….a torso…a right wing…a left wing…a left arm…a right arm…and a halo. ALL SEPARATE. PIECES… BUT CONNECTED WITH A LIGHT CORD !!!! This was a royal mess, I tell you. I pulled out the instructions and they had the nerve to start off. ” RELAX! WE’VE DONE ALL THE HARD WORK FOR YOU!” Oh, how they lied! In the package was also 6 of those plastic zip tie things and 4 yard stakes to hold her upright in the yard.
OK…I can do this. How hard can it be, really? Someone put one together in the store, so, so can I. And, I set about trying to separate the pieces…which you couldn’t because of the light cord. I found the bottom skirt pieces and put them together, and zip tied them together following the instructions. NOWHERE did it say, BE SURE THE LIGHT CORD REMAINS INSIDE THE ANGEL. So, I found the wire cutters and cut one of thezip ties off and put her insides back inside and used another zip tie to fix it back.
Top skirt…this was the worst of all. It couldn’t have been a straight across skirt—-no, she had to be playfully kicking her heels so as to cause one side of the skirt to raise up. However when you put both of the ‘kicked up parts’ together, the pegs would not fit into the bottom skirt. So, I tried it the other way…then the other way…then backwards…then I drop kicked Glory to the yard!!! (I had to call her something, and I figured if I gave her the name Glory, I couldn’t say bad words to her…it just wouldn’t be right).
I sat there in my chair and wondered if I could even manage to get her back into the box and return her to her home in the backroom of the Bulls-eye store. No…I CAN do this I AM WOMAN. And so I started again. I got the skirt together and I zipped it on one side…then the other. Still wouldn’t fit into the bottom pegs. Going on a search mission, I found that some of the pegs had extra paint inside them which was, in turn, blocking the pegs from fitting inside easily. I found something to clean the holes out and now the pegs could fit inside! Then I had an idea that could help me and Glory! I found my wire and my wire cutters and I wired her so tight she couldn’t breathe! But, I DID get the pegs into the holes. And all the while balancing her torso and wings on my feet and knees so her backbone (the main electrical cord) wouldn’t snap. She now looked like what you would imagine those ladies who the magicians cut in half would look like.
I pulled her torso up and fit it into the pegs. Zipped one side, then wired the other. (Why on earth would they only give you 6 zip ties for a girl like Glory…I needed at least 2 dozen!!!) Anyway…wings next. First one then the other…wired them. Then hands. Oh my! One hand keeps drooping like it has no bones. What could be wrong? It has to be this way…I’m quite sure I’ve got it right. Pull it out..put it back…still drooping. Pull it out and throw it over to the side and pick up the other arm. THE PEG WILL NOT GO INTO THE HOLE! Upon closer observation, I discover that they have changed the game on me! Now they are using square holes instead of round ones. Again, no explanation from them. Fixed second arm in and go back to first. Get it in…still droopy, but not as bad. Fit on the halo. Now, just take a good look at her and tell me if you don’t think it looks as if she is ready to backhand somebody! She is!! And, that is just where I am sitting!!!
She is a vision. Wired together within an inch of her life and one arm drooping slightly. For some reason she was leaning just enough that she would not stand on her own. OF COURSE SHE WAS. It would be way too easy for her to stand up right.
I got her harp and fit it into its pegs. Well, well, Glory. I’ve done all this work, and you won’t even hold you own harp. The ‘droopy arm’ just wouldn’t cooperate. Otherwise…she’s a real beauty. And, ‘perfection’ is not beauty, is it? Our flaws give us each our own distinct beauty.
Can you see how she’s so delicately kicking up the hem of her skirt? I think she may just have ‘dancing feet’, as well!
I pulled her out to the yard and tried her here….no, she wouldn’t go there…couldn’t stand up. How about I prop her next to the house? Not a good idea. Put her close to the little tree, and close to the conglomeration of electrical wires and socket thingy stuck into the ground. It was here that I discovered that the wires were all buried beneath the ground cover. Bummer. Lucky thing I bought my own 40 ft extension cord at the Bullseye. I prop Glory up next to the tree and plug her in. I was so anxious to see her shine and remind me that all my work had not been in vain…that she was indeed a vision of lovliness. She just stood there and stared at me as if to say, “Why did you think this would be so easy as to just plug me in? We are going to make a day of this, my dear!” And, she fell over…face first onto the cold ground…saved from a mouthful of dirt by her protruding chest.
I righted her out of the goodness of my heart. Couldn’t bear to see a Glory angel in such a state. Then I set about trying to get her turned on…so to speak. Of course, the 40 foot cord was just not quite long enough to reach the plug on the porch. Luckily I had thought to buy a 15 foot cord just in case. And, this was a case…and HOW!
She’s glowing! I leaned her up and went out to the street to look at my handiwork.. Good job, Tonja! Neighbor came by and said it was ‘real purty’. I need to move her over just a tad. I do and get the stakes out to stake her in place. No. I just thought I was. I moved her all around and she was determined NOT to stand on her own. I can fix that, says I. And, I go get the rest of my wire. And, friends, I wired that girl between 3 trees around the waist, around the head, around the skirt. She is not moving…not an inch.
I left her then. She and I had had enough togetherness for the day. She patiently waited till dark. I patiently waited till dark. Then I plugged her in and went to the street…not looking until I got all the way out, so as to get the full effcct.
And, there she stood…glowing her little heart out. A big wad of lights in her belly…a drooping arm…and a slightly askew halo….the wire reinforcements glittering in the lights. Perfect! For our house…and the people herein…just perfect!
(I didn’t realize until I saw these pictures that I planted the dear girl right in front of a bush…which makes a delightful design on the front of her skirt, don’t ya think?)
And, so the Thanksgiving Weekend comes to a close. It’s been a sweet one for the Owens’.
On Thursday, we celebrated Thanksgiving…..of course, I told you, Joy was in charge of the feast….
It was wonderful, as we knew it would be, and we all enjoyed it!
Sweet Tara came bringing John Thomas, who is into everything and talking a mile a minute! So precious!
And we were all joined by our friend Danielle and her fiance, Zach. It was great to have them with us, as well.
After lunch…Joy cleaned the kitchen…and we set about decorating Pop’s house for Christmas. That was the part I was in charge of…lest you think I was a slackard and just let everyone else do the work! And, as you see here…I managed to put my whole self into the job…
This is not finished, by the way…but I pretty well was by the time I did this cute little trick two times!!!
While we ladies, including Suzanne and Tara worked…Tommy tried to keep John Thomas corralled…
And, Don tried his best to entertain Levi….
Lori came in a little later she had to work at the hospital today… She helped Joy divide the food that was left…
I struggled to get one picture with Sweet Levi…. Isn’t his shirt cute? His Lulu made it for him…:-)
But all he wanted was his Mama…
And all Pop wanted was another piece of pumpkin pie!
As you can see…after the fiasco with John Thomas and Levi (last post) we didn’t even try any more posed pictures.
Posed or not…the family was together and these pictures show us working together…all doing our part…(Ian got the things out of the attic…Adam will put them back…Will was hunting a deer for another feast)…having fun just being together. All the things a family is supposed to do. What a blessed day!
AND—HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET DAUGHTER IN LOVE! WHAT A BLESSING YOU ARE TO US ALL! I LOVE YOU, MY DEAR!
AND, THEN…on Friday evening, Ian announced that he was cooking a meal for us. He snagged Adam to help him and they went to the grocery store and the butcher shop…they got all the ingredients they needed…and came home to begin the creations. He informed us we were having Roast Pork Loin stuffed with Rosemary, Bacon and Onion…..Spoon Bread…..Pear Crostata and Apple Crostata. And, cook it, he did. Yelling to Adam and Alex to ‘stir’ or ‘turn the heat down’ and to Don to ‘hurry up and grate that cheese’. And, my only contribution was to set the table and fix the glasses of tea. Why, friends, we could have been eating in the fanciest restaurant in Anytown, USA. It was delicious! He did a wonderful job at preparing all three. Just look at these……..(and that was no store bought dough, either)
What was left…
And this was all that was left of the roast pork…
I know you are not used to seeing pics of good food on my blog…but, this was too good not to share!
On Saturday, Ian and Adam did computer work. While Suzanne was out he called and asked her to cook some hamburgers. She adds ‘magical ingredients’ when she mixes up her hamburgers and they are so good. Of course, WE didn’t get to sample them this time! 🙂
Sunday was a sweet time at church, and Ian headed out to Birmingham early. This is Monday and Joy and Pop have gone to Birmingham for his first check up since his eye surgery.
Life is full of blessings for us, but we were so sad that Alex could not be with us on Thanksgiving, but he was able to get up for a while to help Ian with his feast. Alex’s health continues to be a matter of prayer for us, and we are content with the fact that God’s hears our prayers. He continues to give us all strength…and we are ever hopeful that we will discover help for him at some point in time. God is good…all the time.
I do not like confessions. Well…those that I have to make, anyway. And, occasionally I have to. Yes. I tend to get excited and go rip-roaring through life, and sometimes that is not a good thing. I frequently find myself having to back pedal. Not fun.
But, my DH is usually just the opposite. Ambling slowly through life is more his style. And, that gives him a chance to correct things as he goes along, or sidestep them all together. And, that is probably a much better way of living than mine…but…it is what it is.
HOWEVER…there are times when he will lose his mind…temporarily, of course…and go on a rip and a tear. In sharp contrast to the ones that I go on…his usually only last a minute or so. What sets him off is usually something that is out of place, or some perceived ‘stack of mess’…which is, in all actuality, NOT. It is usually a ‘stack of things that I want to get to when I have time’. I don’t ‘stack’ junk…just the things that are worthy of my time. DH, unfortunately, has quite a different idea of ‘junk’ than I. And, therein lies the reason for this post.
I have on my island/counter/hub of activity station a large wooden box. Inside are my candles, and salt and pepper, and other things that we frequently need here. And, so, knowing his bent to pitch what he considers junk…I put a small stack of papers and catalogs inside so they would be safe from his hands. Imagine, then, how I must have felt when I walked into the kitchen this morning to go through my stack of goodies while I savored my pop-tarts…and my stack was gone. GONE, I tell you—–nowhere to be seen. In times past I have sometimes been able to rescue portions of other ‘discarded by him goodies’ from atop the garbage can. But, his latest lapse was last night….while he was gathering the trash……to put in the big trash cans to take to the street…for garbage pick-up today since Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, which is our usual garbage day. So, there was no rescue going to take place. There was no getting back what he had thoughtlessly swept into the trash. [Well, actually, he didn’t ‘sweep’ it…he had to make a conscious decision to pick it up and discard it. Which in my book is much, much worse.] So, here is CONFESSION #1——I don’t actually remember what all was in the stack…so I cannot be specific in my fussing. I do know that I had some important coupons, and a magazine, and a catalog that I was going to order something for our sweet little grandson on his very first Christmas and which now he will never have and it’s all his fault. DH’s fault…all his.
So, what was I going to do while I sat and ate? I realize that some of you dear readers do not find it necessary to do two things at once, but I function so much better when I do. Even though it doesn’t make sense, I feel the need to do something else while eating if there is no one to talk to. And, there wasn’t at 5:30 this morning. Looking around the kitchen and the den, I didn’t spy anything that grabbed my attention. There was only one small devotional book lying on the ledge of the box. And, so, here is CONFESSION #2——-I didn’t really want to read the devotional book. I had more important things to read. Not proud of that.
But, I did pick it up. And now I can tell you, that that is what I was intended to read this morning. It is what I needed to read. And, this is the blessing I wish to share with you. There was an article there entitled The Miracle of Food. What a blessing. I have never thought of food in quite the way that this author does. The article consists of an interview with Alton Brown, who is host of several cooking shows and winner of numerous awards for his culinary talent. I offer you the link, and hope that you have the chance to read this before the big day tomorrow. But, even if it is after…the thoughts contained herein are so worth your time. Read it here…The Miracle of Food, A Conversation with Alton Brown. Go, read it now…and come back. I have something else to tell you, but you won’t understand it unless you have read the article. So, GO, I’ll wait for you.
And, now to CONFESSION #3——–I am NOT the one with the gift of service in our family. That person would be my sister, Joy. Quoting from the article…”Cooking is an act of service, an act of hospitality……No one will cook as well for you as someone who loves you and cares for you. That’s the food that nourishes above all, because of how and why it was produced. And, so cooking for our families, eating with our families—that is powerful stuff.” Joy is in charge of Thanksgiving for our family. She has planned it…she is cooking it…she will set it all up at Pop’s house…and she has already told me- she will do all the cleaning up. That is a gift of service.
[I disdain cooking. It never goes right when I do. Someone always complains about this or that…and rightfully so. My mom was a wonderful cook…and my Mother-in-love was a wonderful cook…and my sister is a wonderful cook…and my daughter-in-love is a wonderful cook. And, I think that is plenty of wonderful cooks in any family!!! Seriously, I can cook, but I have never enjoyed it. And, now we have a gas stove which shoots fire at me everytime I turn it on and an oven with so many buttons and pings and dings and sounds it makes you nigh unto crazy just trying to preheat it!] But, back to Joy…
And, this is not the only area she gives of herself. She watches over all the members of her family with love and care and understanding. She serves our church by sharing her musical talents as our church pianist, and she loves and cares for so many of the older members of our church. She keeps in close contact with so many of them, and especially those who were friends with Mom. And, she is the major ‘go to person’ for Pop. She shoulders most of the load in doing things for him and with him. I cannot tell you what all she does, and she would be upset with me if I did. I am so often tied up with Alex and my own health issues, but Joy is always there. I thank her and love her for all she does for us our family. You have heard me say before how my boys love her. And, she, them. We, as the Townsend/Owens/ McKibben family are blessed beyond measure to have her as ours.
To end, CONFESSION #4—–I am still upset about my ‘stuff’ that DH threw away… guess I’ll just have to start a new stack!
Thanksgiving—-it has come to be thought of as most about the food…and that is important. And, it’s not such a bad thing really. Because it serves as a reason for our families to get together…to eat together…to laugh together…to recall blessings together…to pray together.
May God bless you and yours with health, happiness, and peace……and lots of laughter!
I am a Christian woman who has survived many years on the planet. God has blessed me with a wonderful family: husband, 3 sons, a dear DIL, and a precious grandson. I also have dear friends to keep me inspired. I am an artist of sorts and am finding my way through the great blessing of retirement. I recently retired after 20 years as a music teacher. Life is good!
My Boys
"All your sons will be taught by the Lord; and great will be their peace." Isaiah 54:13
Read their stories... Adam Alex Ian
Hello, my name is Everly. I am a blogger living in New York. This is my blog, where I post about interior design and decoration. Never miss out on new stuff.
Trying to eat a new Christmas Ornament…..
Playing with Lucy Jane…….
Looking cute in shirt Lulu painted for him…
Making friends with Snowman….
Beautiful, beautiful boy………
Hello, my name is Everly. I am a blogger living in New York. This is my blog, where I post about interior design and decoration. Never miss out on new stuff.