Think Spring...Or Not....!

We are experiencing our 12th 80 degree day this winter...as in since January.  That is unheard of.  In fact we have set a record, and it is really rather sad.  I know this is a great way to spend February, but what does that mean for July?  Probably do not want to even ponder that thought.

 As mild as the winter was, we lost all of our backyard shrubs and it is really unsightly.  My backyard is my go to place for peace and tranquility, which I desperately need some days.

With that in mind, I headed to the nursery to see what I could plant.

NOTHING!!!

It is February and normal temps say it is not time to plant anything.  There is plenty of time for a freeze.

Not to be deterred, I bought a fern and some marigolds just so I could satisfy my need to dig in the dirt.  I know when that final freeze comes I will regret this, but not today!

Love These Cousins.........

 Blessed by these babies who seem to get along well!

No hair pulling, no snatching toys, no eye gouging,

just taking a short ride to nowhere!

Welcome Bishop Burns........

As of today Dallas has a new bishop.  That would not necessarily be exciting unless you were deeply rooted in your Catholic faith.

It does seem, however, that it is newsworthy enough to be live streamed by all of the local news channels and be top news on all the evening news broadcasts.

For me it mattered...enough that I watched the whole thing, and even snapped all of these pictures off the computer screen...a bit blurry I know.

 There are 1.3 million Catholics in the diocese of Dallas.  That is huge.  This man who was formerly in Juneau, Alaska is now shepherding one of the largest Diocese in the United States.

From what I can tell from the brief moments I have heard him speak....he is a rock star.

He is personable, deeply spiritual, and loves his mother....what else do I need to know???

 A brief stop as he was exciting the cathedral to give his mom a hug.

After all she raised him and deserves some of the credit for his outstanding success!

 This was especially memorable to me because Matt was married in this cathedral.  

I love this church for all of the memories it holds.

To see all of the clergy from across the diocese gathered for this event was incredible.  I wish I could have been there.  Bishop Burns is only the 8th bishop of our diocese.  That is amazing in itself.

It is doubtful I will ever get to meet him except in passing but even that will be an honor.

I look forward to him continuing the great work Bishop Kevin Farrell did before him.

It was the Catholic Church that the city of Dallas turned to when they needed to house the man and his family that had contracted Ebola.  They took him in.  That is what we do.

Thank you to Pope Francis for sending us the best.  

Welcome Bishop Edward Burns.

Outside Again....

It has been awhile since I have gotten out of bed, fixed a cup of coffee and gone outside to SIT!

Truthfully, I sit every morning with my coffee but it is usually in bed with my electric blanket on and I dread putting my feet on the floor.

 Today was the day.

The day to go outside on the patio that is covered with dead grass and all of the neighbors leaves and enjoy what has turned out to be an 82 degree day on February 7th.

It is beautiful, No humidity, no wind, and just a few minutes minutes of total pause!

I cherish today.  Jimmy and Sara are at work and no one is peaking around the corner to see if I am still sitting!

Thursday another cold front rolls through and by the weekend we have rain in the forecast but this morning we have the beauty of a spring day in early February.  It is renewing and I am taking advantage.

Back To The 80's.........

So the super star's fan club all came to witness yet another of the great performances of the Garland Therapeutical Musical Department!

This year it is Back To The 80's!!!

 Finley is one of Sara's greatest fans and boy does Sara love her audience.  She waits for this performance from the time one ends until another begins.  Truthfully she should get an Oscar for her performance.  She nails it every year!

 Totally awesome theater director Lory Stewart has been working with these kids for probably 18 years and Sara has been a part for the last 13.  Lory is incredible.  She deserves an award.  The love she has for this group is never-ending.  I cannot thank her enough for all she does.

 Sara and her friend Kelly are the ever so popular cheerleaders this year.  Sara always thinks she has the staring roll of course!

 After the show...a few pictures with her fan club!!

 And hugs from Finley!!

And Brian...well, he was the Captain of the football team.  What else goes along with Sara's roll as the head cheerleader?

Next year .... 

ALADDIN!!!

We can't wait!

Almost One....

 This little baby will be one in just one month.  I am sad.  

This year has past so quickly.

I have been so fortunate to have been able to be with her a lot and watch her grow and develop new skills.

She is taking steps, eats like a horse, and smiles 24/7.

Like my other grand babies she fills my heart.  She is a gift and my greatest joy is enjoying her as often as I can.

I love you Sweet Adeline!!!

Yes, I am In the Kitchen.....

Yes, it is me in the kitchen.  Probably a weak moment!  Since I retired from a career spent in the kitchen at work, I have steered away from the domestic life of food preparation.  Just don't want to be there.

 So on a dreary Friday the cupboard called my name and with apples going bad I whipped up some bread.

 I actually enjoyed it!

It actually was good.

And feeling that my day had been profitable.....

 I spent the evening on the couch!

And It Is February.......

Just like that January is gone and February is here!

Happy moments in the first month of the year...hoping for the same thing in the days ahead.

Humbled.......

It has been almost 15 years since we lost Matt in horrific accident.  Some days it seems like yesterday and somedays it seems like forever ago.  It is hard to imagine Matt now.  To me he will be will be forever 27.  

 This past weekend he was honored by the Texas Legends and The American Fallen Warrior Project.

It was that coincidental type of happening.  Tim spoke at an event where one of the Warrior board members was present and Matt's name was turned in.  

It was humbling.  There are thousands of families whose loved ones have died.  The pain is the same for them and they are equally as deserving.

 We have been blessed beyond measure.  

Matt has been remembered in so many significant ways.

We are still giving scholarships from money that was raising 14 years ago in two golf tournaments.

It is a gift that seems to never end.  Matt has left a legacy that any parent would be more than proud of.

 The presentation was amazing.  

The portrait was beautiful and we are blessed beyond measure.

  It was an evening we will never forget.

To share it with the family, well there are no words.  

My daughter-in-laws and grandkids never knew Matt but it gave them a sense of what an amazing young man he was.  

We did nothing to make it so.

He was a kid on a mission from the day he was born.

 Maybe Matt knew he had a lot to accomplish and little time to do it.

Whatever gave him the impetus to succeed, succeed he did.  

He did not waste a moment and I am grateful for 27 years of memories...and to all of those who have made sure he is remembered.

Thanks to Phil and Lisa Taylor and all of those connected to this incredible event.  We are humbled beyond words.

Time For Trump........

I feel the need to enter this in my book of happenings for anyone generations from now that might wonder how I felt abut Donald Trump.

He was elected.

He took office today.

In an election that caused heated debates on Facebook.  That caused people to unfriend each other, that caused others to wonder if they even know their friends anymore because of the trash continually posted on social websites...the underdog is now President.  

We have NO idea how this is going to play out. 

 Will this be a catastrophe?  

Will this be what America needs to grow stronger and greater?  

Is this non-politician in way over his head?

Will I forever regret the first time I actually voted in an election?

Ten year from now I will know.

Today, I pray.

America is indeed a great country and I hope for the sake of my grandchildren the it stays that way.

Donald Trump, do what you have said you would do.  That is why I voted for you.  Stop being so impulsive, treat all with respect, and stay off of Twitter.

Please "Make America Great Again".

The Massieons....

My cousin Bobby passed away last week.  I guess that would be sad under any circumstances but it is most sad because for years I have felt like I have no family...no roots.

My mom was one of four children.  My dad had one brother.  I lost contact with all of my dads relatives before I ever realized I had any.  My uncle was a Navy lifer.  He moved to Washington state before I was born and I do not really remember even knowing him at all.  

My mom's family remained close even though they were spread out from one side of the US to the other.  We made trips to Illinois at Christmas and I have great memories of the time spent with the Massieon family and cousins.

Then my parents died, my brother disappeared and I lost contact with everyone.

I had my kids and Jimmy's family, but somewhere that I kept locked up I missed MY family.  

I am pretty good at burying things and I guess I just buried this need I had.

I knew when I heard Bobby had passed away I needed to be there.  We had kept in touch by phone but I had not seen him for about 40 years. I was not really sure many people there would even know who I was.  I was wrong.  We are family.

 I found those roots again..a family.  

It was a sad yet joyous time.  My cousin was the best.  My family is the best.  What I found was simple...just simple.  I have extended family that does not pretend to be anything but the simple and loving people they are and it brought me nothing but happiness.

 I love my cousins.

 I love their children.

I love that for a few days I had my family.  

I do not know when we will be together again.  Distance is a huge problem but I am glad I found time to reconnect.  I am proud of where I came from.  I love that they are part of what I think matters in life...simplicity.  I thought maybe my go to words in 2017 would be joy and humility but I guess if you find simplicity, joy and humility will follow.

You Are Five Finley......

It was the birthday she was waiting for...number Five!

I do not know why she thought that was the magic number.  The birthday that would make her grown up. I guess when you are little it finally means kindergarten is ahead and now you can hang with the big kids.

I love this spirited girl.

 She and her big sister are as different as day and night.  

She is outgoing, talks to anyone and everyone, fears nothing (including the dark), loves anything that is full of sugar (like her Gramma), has a crushing HUG, and is full of life.

She loves God with her whole heart and always wants to know why I don't go to "her" church.

 She really does not have much use for anything on TV, she would much rather play and have you play with her.  Dolls, dress up, games, play-do, anything!

She loves sleepovers especially if she can come by herself....and have her special time.  I gladly oblodge because those times are special to me too.

Our natural inclination is to hope they won't grow up so fast but it is going to happen, like it or not.

So...I intend to enjoy every minute I can because the clock won't stop.

Happy #5 Finley James.

Try Again....

Yes, I am going to try again.  Yes, I know that sentiment says 2016 and we have just crossed over to 2017 but the words touched me.  

I do not think I ever make New Years resolutions that say I am going to exercise daily, eat better, drink more water.  It does not work.  I quit.

I would like to think I could aim at being stronger, nicer, more forgiving, and work toward a more positive life. 

So once again I will try to keep up with recording what is important.....Only what is important.  Things like birthday and family fun.  

I am going to try and go back and finish 2016 thoughts, the ones I can remember.  Maybe a little less Facebook will give me that chance. 

Welcome 2017!

Merry Christmas!....

Merry Christmas Jammies!

Just wouldn't be right without them! 

Christmas at the Arboretum................

It just wouldn't be Christmas without making a trip to see the 

12 Days of Christmas at the Arboretum!

 Yes, love finding a kissing booth in the middle of the park!

 Little Adeline's first Christmas....

and what a trooper to hang out on this chilly night!

 Big girls need to ride sometime too!!