12 Things I Love About Christmas

1. Celebrating the birth of the most special boy ever born . . . Jesus, of course! 2. Seeing my kids faces when they open presents on Christmas morning. Of course, this was the best when they were little, but now is good too. 3. Family gathering together. 4. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". These are staples from my childhood that my own kids also love. They take me back. 5. The Christmas Parade in our town. 6. "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Story" (we watch this over and over and over when TNT/TBS shows it back to back for 24 hours at Christmas, a family tradition!) and "Christmas Vacation" and "The Santa Clause". 7. Our ginormous "Griswold Family" Christmas tree. Live, of course. 9. Lights in my yard and everybody else's yards. I love seeing lights on houses in the distance in the country. Beautiful! 10. Christmas vacation from work. This probably should rank higher then 10. :) 11. Christmas music. I really enjoy the Holiday Traditions channel on Sirius Satellite Radio. Old classic Christmas music from the 40's, 50's and 60's. And, Christmas Eve, and maybe a few days before, they play old radio broadcasts of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby's Christmas shows. I know this is before my time, but I absolutely love it. 12. Saying "Merry Christmas" to people and them saying it to me. Merry Christmas, Y'all!!!

Family

I come from a large extended family. On both sides, actually. My mom is one of five girls and my dad is one of six children, five boys and one girl. There are nine grandchildren on my mom's side and thirteen on my dad's side. There are 16 great-grandchildren on my mom's side and and 17 on my dad's side. I want to talk about my dad's side today.

We just had a family reunion this past weekend. Not everyone could make it, but we had a really good turn out. We had folks from all over Texas, Oklahoma and even Montana and Maryland. It was a really good day. Even though our family is spread out and we don't see each other as often as we would like, we are still pretty close. So, we had a really good time on Saturday. When we get together, we are always scheming for the next time/occasion when we can be together again. The next will be at my cousin's wedding in June 2011. Already, we can't wait.

Something that I think is amazing about our family in this day and age is this: my grandparents were married 59 years before my grandfather passed away. Their six children are all still living, ranging in age from 57 to 72 years old and these six children are all still married to their one and only spouses.

I feel so fortunate to belong to a family where love, devotion and friendship/fellowship is so important. I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!

Animals

We live out in the country. Well, it used to be a whole lot more "country" than it is now. When we bought our four acres, there was hardly anyone else living on our road. Now, neighbors on both sides. Closer than we would like, but that is a subject for another post. Anyway, we do live outside of the city limits (for now anyway, again another post).

Over the years we have had our fair share of animal sightings. Among the list are: deer, a baby fawn nestled right next to the front passenger wheel of my car, snakes, frogs, lizards, squirrels, cotton tail rabbits, opossums, raccoons, armadillos, foxes, bobcats, coyotes and wild hogs. All of these animals have been spotted from our yard one time or another. In addition, we have had visits from cows, horses, donkeys, neighbors' dogs (another post), stray cats, a huge Charolais bull (funny story) and numerous dogs passing by.

Living out where we do, there is also the problem of people dumping unwanted pets. I'm sure that the stray cats were dumped. After a month or two of them trying to beat our cat up and take her food, they disappeared. I'm sure they became coyote or bobcat food. We've had a couple of dogs show up, but when they didn't get a warm reception, they moved on. Obviously, the people who dump their unwanted pets are heartless idiots. However, we folks that choose to live out in the outlying areas cannot be expected, just because we may have the room, to harbor everyone's castoff pets.

This brings me to my story. It's not terribly surprising to discover a dog or a cat that has been dumped. But, what about a goat? Two goats to be exact. Two male goats. They are dirty and destructive and smelly and have very bad behavior. They showed up around our place almost a month ago and they don't seem to belong to anyone around us. I spotted them behind our backyard fence and at first, I thought they were funny. I called my beloved outside and he thought they were funny too. But not for long. Like I said, bad behavior. My beloved chased them off and they left, very much against their will. However, they have shown up periodically over the last month. Don't know where they came from, don't know where they go. It is looking more and more like they were dumped.

But, really? Who dumps a goat?

More on abandoned animals on a future post.

21!?!?

My baby boy turned 21 earlier this week. Wait a minute . . . 21?!?! That can't be right. Let's see . . . born in 1989 . . . yep, 21. Where did the time go? It doesn't really feel like "just yesterday" that he was born, I mean after all, there has been lot of water under the bridge since then. However, I really can't believe that it has been 21 years. You know, they say that time flies when you are having fun and it really does. And, we have had fun.

I have enjoyed each and every stage/age. From newborn -- snuggling on the sofa for hours - how I loved that. To toddler -- falling in love even more with every new "trick" and accomplishment. Then school and sports, becoming more and more independent each day.

One day, when my boy was 3 0r 4 years old I was thinking of how fast he was growing and how much he could already do for himself without my help. It broke me heart! I started crying just thinking about how one day in the future, he wouldn't need me anymore. And, perish the thought, would move out and away from me. My beloved asked me what was wrong and I blubbered my sad tale. He laughed and tried to cheer me up by reminding me that that day was in the far, distant future.

Well, I hate to tell him that that day has arrived. And, it didn't take very long for it to get here, either. No, my boy isn't moving away just yet, but he is a grown man now. The funny thing is . . . he still seems to need my beloved and me. Certainly not in the same ways he did when he was a baby or a boy. But, then again, I still need my parents. I guess you never really outgrow them.

The Picture Show

I love going to the movies, or as my dear friend says, the picture show. As a kid, we didn't go to the movies very much. I remember as a very young child going to the Skyway Twin drive-in movie, in my pajamas, and seeing "Song of the South". The "Ghost and Mr. Chicken" was showing on the other screen. I recall having a hard time concentrating on my Disney movie with Don Knotts on the other screen. I also saw "101 Dalmations" and "The Aristocats" at the drive-in.

We did manage to twist my dad's arm enough to see "The Apple Dumpling Gang" at the Palace Theatre in downtown Bryan. The last movie I saw at a movie theatre with my mom, dad and brother was "9 to 5". Good times.

The first time I remember falling in love with a move was when I saw "Gone With the Wind" on the big screen. It was re-released to movie theatres when I was around 8 or 9 years old. Our neighbors invited me to go with them. I was just excited to get to go to the movies and to be there with my friend Susan. I had now idea what was in store. From the opening scene to "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" I was enthralled. I loved everything about Scarlett . . . she was so beautiful. And her clothes, oh my! And, then there was Rhett . . . what a scoundral, but a very good looking scoundral. I still love this movie. However, there is nothing like seeing it on the big screen.

I have always especially liked old black and white movies. I check Turner Classic Movies on the tv guide each week to see what oldie, but goodie might be showing. Some of my favorites are: "Bringing Up Baby", "The Philadelphia Story" and just about anything by Alfred Hitchcock.

It is still a treat to go to the movies. When my beloved and I first started dating, we saw just about every movie that came out. After all, there wasn't much for teenagers on a date to do in this town then. Then, as we got older and eventually married, we didn't go to the movies much. But, when my boy and girl came along and got old enough, I had movie dates again. My boy's very first movie theatre experience was seeing "Beauty and the Beast". My girl's was "Toy Story".

Now, of course, they are much too busy (and cool) to go to the picture show with their broken down old mother. Guess I will need to find a new movie buddy.

Long Time, No See

I just realized that it has been a month since I last posted on this blog. I don't know if my absence has been noticed or not, as I don't have any idea if anyone reads this thing. If you do, sorry for my MIA status.

Life has been hectic in my neck of the woods lately. College applications (my boy), homecoming (my girl had a blast), football games (Crosstown Showdown), a birthday (my beloved turned 47), and work, work, and more work have taken up my time. I am ready for some "normal" life to resume (whatever that is). Luckily, we have been on a pretty even keel over the last month. Translation . . . no disasters.

All except for one, that is. Our much loved cat, Morgan, disappeared late last week and there is not a trace of her to be found. We all loved that feline. Even those of us that claimed that we didn't (my beloved). She was always good for a laugh. So, we are heart broken at my house at the moment. Morgan actually belonged to my girl, but we all fell in love with her. My girl is handling it well. My boy is sad, but isn't letting it get him down. My beloved just keeps looking for the cat. And, me? I just tear up every time I think about Morgan Von Bad Cat. I didn't realize just how hung up on her that I was. Never fancied myself as a "cat person" always thought I was more of a canine kind of gal. Guess we learn something new about ourselves every once in a while.

Friday Night Lights

It's no secret that high school football is almost a religion in Texas. We love our Friday night lights in these parts. My boy played football for six years while he was in junior high and high school. He had a ball and so did my whole family.

It's funny, but when we were filling out his schedule of classes for 7th grade, he stated that he didn't want to play football. My beloved and I told him that he had to give it a try and if he didn't like it, he didn't have to play in 8th grade. But, he couldn't quit -- he had to complete his 7th grade season. We were just afraid that all of his friends would play and if he didn't, he would regret it. And, if he didn't start out with everyone else in 7th grade, that he would be a year behind.

My boy was apprehensive and skeptical about it, but a bunch of his friends were going to play and he agreed to give it a try. Well . . . let me tell you that after the very first day of practice, this boy was HOOKED! And, when he finally got to don pads and actually hit somebody . . . he was in 7th Heaven. He came home from practice every day saying things like, "Mama, you should have seen it, I blew so-and-so up today!" And, "I tore so-and-so up!" This from a kid that used to be afraid that he would hurt himself all of the time.

At first, my boy's size worked to his advantage. He was at least a head taller than most of the other boys and outweighed them by a good bit. But, by the time he was in high school, it was his skill and dedication that made him successful. He attended Speed Camps every summer (a camp that teaches conditioning and how to run well) and he worked hard in the weight room all year. He drank protein shakes and ate peanut butter sandwiches and anything that was loaded with protein. This boy was serious. And it paid off.

At the end of his sophomore season, he was brought up to Varsity for the playoffs. He never got to play on Varsity that year, but he practiced his behind off. Then his junior year he got to play at least a little in almost every game, earning his letter jacket. Then came his senior season. He ended up moving from right guard to center and was a starter for every game. To say he had a blast is an understatement.

The interesting thing is that the rest of my family also had a blast. We went to every game, home and away. Most games, my boy had his very own cheering section. Parents, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles, great grandmother, cousins. You name it.

Also, my girl and I got involved with the Tiger Moms -- the other moms of Varsity football players. We met in the locker room every Thursday night before a game and decorated the locker room. Banners, streamers, posters, balloons, inspirational cards/notes and snack bags. We moms and sisters had an incredible time. What memories.

The games were so much fun, also. As a mom in the stands, my heart broke for my boy when they lost a game. But, my heart burst with love, pride and excitement when my boy had a triumph. A lot of people asked me if I worried about him getting hurt. Honestly, I really didn't worry about it until his senior season. He hurt his ankle in practice before the season started and for brief overnight period, we thought it was broken. We were in mourning that night. It just made me and my beloved sick to think that our boy had worked so hard from 7th grade on to make it to his senior season and now it looked as if he may not get to play. As it turned out, though, his ankle was not broken, only badly sprained. He wore very big braces on both ankles and managed to make it all season. However, I did hold my breath every time he ended up on the ground.

It's been three years since my boy last played and we still miss it. We still go to a couple of home games a season, but, alas, it's not the same. I know that my boy will remember those times very fondly for the rest of his life. And so will I.

Twilight Zone

I don't know what the deal is lately but my family and I have been having a run of bad luck or misfortune, whatever you might call it. Oddly enough, it seems to mostly center around vehicles. I have mentioned in a previous post how we feel about our cars. So, this current run of bad luck is really beginning to get us down.

It all started as far back as two years ago when my boy had a white 2000 Jeep. He bought it in June and over Labor Day weekend, my beloved repainted the Jeep. My beloved is a perfectionist, so believe me when I say that this paint job was done right. Long story short, my boy wrecked his newly painted toy (his fault) and it was totaled. Good news, of course, is that no one was hurt in the accident.

With the insurance settlement, my boy bought a black 2001 Jeep. This one had quite a few miles on it, but had all the extras that the previously mentioned Jeep did not. However, it was a problem from the very beginning. A rebuilt transmission, new clutch, rebuilt transfer case (4X4) stuff, etc. (almost sounds like I know what I'm talking about, huh?) later, this piece of $%&* cost us a fortune over the almost 2 years that he owned it. And, my boy is a poor college student, so guess who paid for it all. Consequently, we have been holding our breath and waiting for the next thing to go wrong. My boy decided that enough was enough and sold it earlier this summer.

In the meantime, we bought a 2001 Mustang for my girl. In early August, a moron, who was likely texting or talking on his cell phone, plowed into my girl and her little red car. Yes, folks . . . it was totaled. Again, the most important thing is that my girl was not hurt. However, she was hurt emotionally. This was her first car and man, did she LOVE it. Love I say. L.O.V.E. It broke her heart. She had visions of driving to school on the first day of Junior year in her new car. Poof! Up in smoke. The moron's sorry insurance company ripped us off and we were back to square one. No car and less money than we had only 5 weeks before when we bought the Mustang. Again, this was not my girl's fault, yet we got the raw end of the deal.

We went about the long process of looking for and finding just the right car. It was taking so long and the first day of school was looming. Silver lining here is that we found a beautiful smoke grey metallic 2004 Mustang on the Saturday before school started and my girl couldn't be happier. She is in L.O.V.E. again.

In the meantime, again, my boy bought a white 2003 Mustang with all kinds of after market toys on it. Things that make it very LOUD and give it more horsepower. An alarm, headers, and lots of other things I'm sure I don't know about. It also has a remote start feature. This is where the latest fiasco comes in. Last night, the car started all by its self. It was in 1st gear (manual trasmission) and had the emergency brake on. It drove up over our deck, where it became stuck. To say this is bizarre, is an understatement. What in the world?

I tend to really try to see the "silver lining" at all costs. So, I am thankful that this happened at our house, at the time that it did as there was no one outside. I'm also thankful that it got hung up on the deck, because if it had actually gotten over it, the car would have ended up in some trees and our basketball goal. And who knows if it would have stopped there. Thank God it didn't happen in the school parking lot. Or in the parking lot where my boy works. I'll say it again, thank you God.

After about 45 minutes of staring in disbelief and shock and cogitating on the best way to move the car, my beloved figured it out and the car was off of the deck and back in it's parking space. Since this happened after dark last night, we aren't sure of the full extent of the damage to the car or deck, but at first glace, it looks minimal. (Hopefully!) The only known casualty is the 40 year old metal glider/porch swing that was mangled in the melee. And, possibly the barbeque pit. We'll see . . .

See, Twilight Zone . . .

And, so it begins . . . again

Here we are. Again. At the beginning of another school year. Can you tell that I am not very excited? I feel quite a lot of apathy about starting another long year of deadlines, projects, tests, deadlines, schedules, meetings, homework, deadlines, etc. This is compounded by the fact that I work at a university and the first couple of weeks of the fall semester are CRAZY! As my 83 year old friend says, "I am catching 'em faster than I can string 'em. And, our town grows by 60,000 students every fall. In addition, Saturday football games bring in thousands more people. We "natives" feel a bit crowded this time of year. Traffic . . . that is a whole other story. Wrecks increase drastically around our town this time of year.

Truthfully, I am never really ready for school to begin. I have always been this way. From my childhood on through my children's school careers. Summer is just too much fun! Well, most summers are. This one was just wierd. My family wasn't able to enjoy any REAL vacation time. Sure, my beloved and I were off from work several times, however, were weren't able to enjoy any family time away "from it all". Between my dad's health scare in June, my boy taking two intense summer school courses (calculus and physics) and my girl's first job, there just was no time that all four of us could get together and do anything fun. Throw into the mix three intense car searches, selling a car, and a wreck. Everyone is fine, except my girl's red '01 Mustang (Not her fault, by the way). Not to worry though, it has been replaced by a 2004 dark shadow grey Mustang. It was just one crazy summer. One I hope not to repeat next year. Or the next year. Or ever, for that matter.

Of course, there are some good things about the beginning of the school year. Football, for one. Both high school and college. (I love high school football, but that is for another post.) Routine, is another good thing. Starting fresh. New school supplies . . . always liked that.

Okay . . . now I'm ready. Bring on the fall.

Cars

I live with a couple of gear heads. My beloved and my boy are both crazy, CRAZY, C.R.A.Z.Y. about muscle cars. My beloved is a "Pontiac" man and LOVES his '77 Firebird Trans AM. My boy is a Ford kind of guy and is a Mustang man all the way. Actually, my beloved is severely outnumbered. My boy has two Mustangs, a classic 1968 beauty and an newly purchased 2003 coupe with lots of after market toys on it. My girl has a 2001 little firecracker and I have a 2008 fire red honey. I think that some of this gear head stuff has rubbed off on me.

I used to not know didly about cars . . . still don't, really. But, I can sure spot a classic if there is one in eye shot. And, I have come to appreciate the classics that are still on the road today. We usually go to the local annual antique car show which is held at one of the city parks in our hometown and I love to see all of those cars restored to perfection. I have seen first hand how much hard work, blood, sweat, tears and love that go into those cars. I can understand how you could very easily get hooked. As a matter of fact . . . I guess their may be more than just two gear heads in my family.

A New Appreciation

I have always recognized that I have great parents. Well, almost always . . . Of course, there were those teenage years where I thought that most everyone else's parents were way cooler than mine. Don't most teenagers go through that? I think my kids are right there right now. :) Anyway, my mom and dad have always been there for my brother and me. And for my kids. They have been there in all sorts of ways.

They are amazing grandparents (Mimi & Papa) to my children and my kids spent enormous amounts of time with them over the years. Time spent fishing, bike riding, garden planting and picking, cookie baking, card playing, cow chasing and many, many other activities. A relationship that my boy and girl will be able to treasure for years to come.

I have always appreciated them, but I think that I also took them for granted. You know what I mean . . . my mom would call and want to chat and I had more important things on my agenda. The very important t.v. show that I wanted to watch or some other inane waste of time. So, I would hurry her off of the phone. Or, either Mom or Dad would want me to stop by the house, but I had other "important" business to attend to. NOT.

Anyway, recently my dad had a health scare. A tumor on his left kidney. CANCER . . . Let me tell you, when you hear that word, it puts everything else into perspective. He had sugery to remove the kidney about 6 weeks ago. He came through the surgery with flying colors and has recovered remarkably well. He did have a set back about 4 weeks ago, but since then he is doing so great. We are so blessed that the type of tumor that he had is almost always confined to the kidney (as was his) and his right kidney was uneffected. Praise God!!! He is 72 and I am 44, but I'm not ready for him to move on to his Heavenly reward.

So, as a result, I am much more aware of my good fortune to have both of my parents still living and still married to each other after over 45 years together. They are amazing!

Tradition

Tradition is a very BIG DEAL where I come from. HUGE deal, really. Tradition is the reason for almost everything around here. The saying is if you do it more than once, it's a tradition.

My family has traditions too. One of them is that we watch the Major League All Star Home Run Contest together every year. Well, every year but this one. For some reason, it sneaked up on us. We missed it. And, I am very sad about this. I know it's silly, but I feel like I really blew it. I mean, it's not like there was anybody in it this year that we care anything about. But still . . .

My kids are getting older, 20 and 16, and I know I won't have them around for these silly little rituals for that much longer. I guess, that's what I am really mourning. Not the home run contest, but the opportunity for all four of us to be in the same room focused on the same thing and enjoying spending the time together.

Sad Sight

I recently saw something that made me very sad. And homesick. Longing for the "good old days". What I saw was a sign advertising an insurance office. It now stands in what was my grandparents' front yard in central Texas. This sign is planted right around where 1st base used to be. You see, my brother, cousins, dad, uncles, aunt and I played many, many baseball games in that front yard. We also played touch football and "Country Jay" a baseball inspired game that my dad and his siblings invented when they were children. As a matter of fact, as the years went on, my beloved, my cousin's spouses and eventually my children all played their share of baseball in that yard. That yard was perfect for baseball and football. Wide, deep and flat. First base and home plate were usually whatever we found lying around (a piece of wood, old seat cushion, etc.) placed where 1st base and home plate should be. Second base was the pole that held up the martin house (bird house) that my dad made for Granny. Third base were the cement steps that led up to the front porch. Now this blasted sign is right where 1st base should be. Sadness.

My grandparents were farmers. Their home was surrounded by fields that my grandpa cultivated. Corn, black-eyed peas, oats, wheat, maize, all crops he grew. Field corn and sweet corn were always planted in the field east of the house and black-eyed peas in the field to the west. Depending on the time of year, oats or wheat would most likely be planted behind the house. Now there are homes being built on all sides of the little house. Housing developments as far as the eye can see. This makes me very sad . . . homesick for my childhood, my grandparents and open spaces. I don't think I'll drive by there again.

Edith Bunker Syndrome -- Update

As it turns out, I was completely wrong about the source of my condition. After spending a VERY tense weekend in the hospital with my dad, I believe I have inherited Edith Bunker Syndrome from him. His "symptoms" are a little different, but the bottom line is, it's hard for him to get to the bottom line.

By the way, he's fine and now resting comfortably at home. I am so thankful. So much so, that I'm not even going to hold it against him!

Some Things You Should Probably Know About Me

You should probably know that I am a bit of a a "rambler". I sometimes (my beloved would say always) have a tendancy to tell a long story. In fact, my beloved has been know to call me "Edith". As in Edith Bunker. Some of you hopefully are old enough to remember her. She was a character on a '70s sitcom called "All in the Family". Poor Edith. She just really had a hard time getting to THE POINT. I can relate. I feel very strongly that I must give ALL of the pertinent information. The who, the where, the what, what, what, the why, why, and the how, how, how. VERY IMPORTANT. I believe that this condition is hereditary, as I have noticed that my girl sometimes suffers from this malady. Not always, just sometimes. However, I'm not sure which one of my relatives passed Edith Bunker Syndrome on to me. It's not my mom. She always seems to start a story somewhere in the middle. I sometimes feel like I just walked in on the conversation. I always have to ask a bunch of questions to figure out what is going on. I thought my wonderful Granny might be the culprit. But after I thought about it, it's not her either. She used to tell lots of stories, but she always acted like I should already know all about the people she was talking about. Very little background info. It doesn't seem to appear in the males in my family. So, I don't know who to blame. The good news is that I recognize this about myself. The bad news is that I seem to have very little control over my condition.

New to this BLOG Thing

Confession! I LOVE blogs. I don't know why. I can't explain it. I guess I'm a people watcher by nature. I love to watch people in a crowd. Reading other people's blogs is a way to watch them and I don't have to pretend I'm not looking. I have a few favorites that I "spy" on regularly. Some are written by family members. Some are by famous folks. Some are ordinary people that I've stumbled upon. I have been tempted to start one a time or two, but talked myself out of it. I guess I don't think I have a very fascinating life. Now don't think I have a complex or something. I don't. It's just that I don't live on a ranch or in a necessarily exciting exotic locale. I am not famous. I don't have a bejillion children (just two very wonderful human beings). I don't have my own business or about to publish a book of some sort. Just an ordinary girl, daughter, wife, mom. However, lately I have had the "hankering" to write a few thoughts down. Nothing life shattering or profound. Just a few thoughts, memories, hopes. Warning: I am no writer. Don't think that you will be reading a literary masterpiece. Not gonna happen here. This is an experiment. So . . . here I go . . .