Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas

&

Happy New Year!

From

The Goodes

Brooke (5), Elliot (4 mo), Maddux (3), Delayne (2 mo) and Davin (5)with Texas Santa

Pinterest Perfect Party (NOT!!)

You know the adage "if anything can go wrong, it will'? Especially true on the day of a party, right?

Last Saturday I was expecting seven friends from the West Houston area to join me for a luncheon.  I had sent the invitation in plenty of time with a clever little theme of "A Pause for Mrs. Claus".  The thought was to take a deep breath and spend an afternoon in the country just enjoying one anothers company.  I wanted to keep the menu simple so soup was to be the main course followed by a bread pudding and maybe a peppermint brownie treat.

Sounds easy enough, right?  Well, let me tell you...it wasn't.  First, I took the advice of all the experts and tried out the peppermint brownie recipe early in the week.  ("Never serve untested recipes to guest." Quote from all the Experts)  My boys were on the fence about it, so I took some to the office and had everyone there weigh in.  The same results...not bad, but not anything to rave about either.  Nix the peppermint brownies.

Thankfully, the brownie recipe was quickly replaced with one for Kimberly's Peanut Butter Blossoms.   A tried and true Bentley family favorite.  I stopped by the grocery store on my way home Thursday night to pick up the needed ingredients.

On Friday, Danielle helped me wrap the "Applause For Mrs. Claus" books that I had been collecting as favors.  We wrapped them in red paper, encircled them with black silk ribbon and glued on a fire sprinkler head washer.  The result was a gift that looked like Santa's suit complete with belt buckle.  Finally!  Something had turned out even better than I had imagined! 

I wanted to stop by the grocery store on my way home Friday afternoon to pick up the makings for soup...but we had some last minute things come up at work and by the time I got out of there I had to book it home in order to make to Santa's Wonderland on time.  (We were still almost 30 minute late, but it wasn't because of me!!!)  My sweet husband stopped by Lowe's on his way home (he left before me) and picked me up a Christmas tree so that I would at least have that up for the party. 

So, Saturday morning, I got up early and headed into Old Magnolia for my soup makings.  I should be able to have the soup steaming on the stove and the bread pudding ready to pop in the oven just before my guests arrived.

And then I turned onto 1774...and traffic stopped.  I assumed it would be something easy to get around just ahead, I didn't think much of it...until I passed the parking lot full of horse trailers and began noticing all the horse poo on the road.  Really?!?!  I'm following a trail ride...today of all days?!?!  (Out where we live you just NEVER know what you might encounter.  One day I had a cow fall out of trailer right in front of my car.  If you don't believe me, ask my cousin, Shelly.  She was with me at the time!)

Just as I was contemplating turning around, the road suddenly cleared and off to Brookshire Brothers I went.  I did my shopping, though it did take awhile since I am not overly familiar with their store.  My time was quickly dwindling...maybe I would have to mix up the bread pudding as everyone was arriving...but this was still doable. 

Then I approached the check out lanes.  Not a one was open.  Well, technically four were open -- the self check lanes.  Really?!?!  I have nothing against self check lanes and I use them quite often for quick trips to the store.  But a cart full of 'scan...place in bag...wait for it to clear...scan...place in bag...wait for it to clear'?  And of course, you always run out of room on the scales, so I am trying to stack things as delicately as possible.  Finally!  I am free!  (By the way, I overheard one of the employees saying that several people had called in or not shown up that morning so they were really short staffed.  Hence the self check only.)

I loaded the truck with my groceries, raced home and then quickly unloaded the groceries with help from Will and Jim.  As soon as they finished unloading the truck they took off to help Josh and to get out of the way.  I put away the groceries and was getting ready to begin the first of my preparations when I looked at the clock and realized that there was no way I was going to make it.

So, I called Brian into the house...gave him some money and sent him off to Waller to pick up Bar-b-que from Carl's and ice from the corner store.  I knew that there was not enough time to make the cookie dough for the Peanut Butter Blossoms, but thankfully Meagan had just delivered three boxes of cookie dough that I had purchased from Davin's fundraiser this fall.  I grabbed the mini muffin pans, dropped a preformed cookie into each one and popped them in the oven.  There wasn't time for bread pudding, so I quickly mixed up a batch of Chocolate Cobbler for the crock pot  and called Brian to ask him to pick up vanilla ice cream while he was out.  (The link will lead you to the recipe found on Tiffany's blog Eat at Home.)

While I waited on him to get home with the Bar-b-que, I arranged the appetizer trays and prepped the serving area.  For the centerpiece, I placed a small pine tree in a bowl filled with pine cones.

I even took the time to make the veggie platter look like a Christmas wreath.

This was originally going to be a cheese ball that was shaped like a snowman.  Plan B was salami, cheese and crackers... with a margarita glass filled with olives in the center...topped by a sprig from my basil plant.

I poured Red Diamond tea into my tea decanter that the kids gave me for Mother's Day and put the baby bottles of water in the freezer to cool.  When Brian got home I moved them into a galvanized tub and topped them with ice.

As the last of the ladies arrived, I moved the food from the Styrofoam containers to serving platters and bowls.  And then we all sat down and ate.  And just as we were wrapping up a delicious home-style served lunch, the chocolate cobbler was ready. 

As we sat around the living room enjoying our desserts, discussing things like my undecorated Christmas tree and someone elses house in moving boxes...the true meaning of a Perfect Party became quite apparent.  It is all about the relationships, not perfection.  Time spent together, not Pinterest worthy pictures.

And here I am...a few days later...when it finally turned really cold...sporting my beautiful new scarf that one of those dear friends brought for each of us.  The ones she picked up at the last minute at Walgreen's of all places!!!

 

I aways knew these were my kind of ladies!!!

 

Thanks to each one of you who accepts me at face value...whether you were in attendance at this particular party or not!  I dream of big and grand and beautiful...but spending the evening with my family trumped staying home up to my elbows in flour Friday night.  And I had told all of my guests that this was going to be a simple, laid back affair.  They just didn't know how laid back.  LOL!

 

 

If you have few minutes you should check out Jen's story of 'The Christmas Party that Almost Wasn't" at her blog Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.  Thankfully I had read this earlier in the week, so when panic began to set in on Saturday morning I was able to relax knowing that I was not alone in my party fears and that true friends aren't looking for perfection anyway.

Friday Night (Christmas) Lights

Last Friday night our WHOLE family met up at Santa's Wonderland for our third annual outing.   It was the first time that we were ALL in attendance.  I know it sounds like I am repeating myself, but it really is a big deal for us to all be together.   We are often missing at least one person...whether it is Josh or Matt (or both) working; Will or Brian out with friends (which almost happened this particular night); or Jim at home tending to animals...we are often missing at least one of us.  We have learned to just make the memories when we can, but when we all get together it is even more special.

Since I have posted so many pictures from this outing in the past, I didn't even take my camera this time.  I just kicked back and enjoyed the time with my family.   (I did snap a few with my phone, as you can see.)

Even though pictures were not high on the priority list for me, there were some traditions that could not be broken.   Like buying a HUGE bag of kettle corn to pass around while we waited to see Santa.  (That picture will be on your Christmas card so I don't want to spoil the surprise too soon.)

And of course we saw Santa, as I mentioned...and we had a nice fajita dinner sitting around the campfire while watching "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" (probably my favorite Jim Carrey movie of all time).

Then we set off on the hayride.  These were my favorite lights of the night (though the airplane was a close second).

After the hayride through the lights we wandered through the little shops (our favorite is the candy store with its homemade fudge and hot apple cider) and even picked up a few Christmas gifts while the grandchildren enjoyed the train ride.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot.  After Santa, most of the guys rode the mechanical bull!  Hilarious!!!  I think Brian has the video evidence...maybe we can post it to Facebook or something.

We arrived at Santa's place just a few minutes after 6...we didn't leave until after 10.  The grandchildren really wanted to visit the petting zoo, but the adults were worn out.  It was a quiet ride home!

(Full Disclosure: If you read my friend Robin's blog post about her family's mis-adventures at Santa's Wonderland, I feel the need to explain that on this particular night (though it did become crowded) we had 11 adults to 5 children.  That seems to be the minimum amount required for a pleasant evening and no one lost!)

Oh Christmas Tree: Office Edition

As I mentioned during the last post, we put up the office Christmas trees Friday. Wanna see them?




This is the main tree in our reception area. Most of these ornaments came from Mimosa Rose (Robin's boutique). I love this rustic tree.




This little tabletop tree is in our back office atop the flat files. Since it is beside Danielle's desk we decorated it in green (her favorite color) and silver. Since it has multicolor lights we added a bit of red too.




And finally, my long awaited Travel Tree. I am so excited about this one. Since we couldn't find an ornament in South Africa I chose a leopard trimmed angel to adorn the top. I also took the left over bottle openers and wired them with an ornament hook.

I think next year I will use this tree with the rustic ornaments in the reception area and use the slightly smaller one in my office.

Now to get my trees up at home!

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Giving Thanks: Day 30

The month of November comes to a close...and yet I hope the habit of thankfulness remains. Sorry for the overwhelming number of posts today. I couldn't post from the camp but I kept notes on my phone. Then when we returned home it was crazy busy. But I didn't want to forget any of the blessings that surrounded me throughout this time.

Tomorrow ushers in one of my favorite times of the year. We have so much planned and so much to do, but I love all of the festivities.

Today is my transition day:
I am thankful for wonderful memories! Danielle and I decorated the office for Christmas today. We put up 3 trees...including, for the first time ever, my travel tree! As I unpacked the ornaments I was swept back to New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Biltmore, Los Angeles, Alaska, Boston, Las Vegas and South Africa. Sweet, sweet times spent with family and friends!

And I am thankful for each one who has taken the time to read this month's gratitude post. Happy Holidays to all!


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Giving Thanks: Day 29

Thankful for breakthroughs...and for finding the perfect gift for our guests this year.


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Giving Thanks: Day 28

I am thankful for Lidocaine patches and pain relievers. I've been doing a lot of walking the past few days, getting ready for our company Christmas party. Tonight the pain in my leg was pretty severe...so thank goodness for modern medicine. I think I'll take it easier tomorrow.


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Giving Thanks: Day 27

The Lord has so wonderfully blessed my life with friendships. [You have often heard me talk about my Girls (Robin & Stacy) or the Bible Study Ladies]

Tonight I had the pleasure of dining with dear 'sisters in Christ' and being reminded once again of God's tender mercies toward me. We have been separated nearly 13 years by a common heartbreak, yet after reconnecting this summer over monthly lunches/dinners it is as though the time apart melts away. There is much to be said for friendships built on the solid foundation of Christ.

So tonight I am thankful for the gifts of grace, forgiveness, humility, friendship and reconciliation.


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Giving Thanks: Day 26

Thankful for a busy, yet productive day at work. It sure is good to see things picking up again.


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Giving Thanks: Day 25

Thankful for an uneventful and safe trip home! Sure will be good to sleep in my own bed tonight.

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Giving Thanks: Day 24

I am so thankful for this time with my family of origin. Last night we were able to share time with Rosa & Steve over Daddy's fried catfish. This afternoon was lunch and shopping with Rosa and Mother. Tonight was spent around the bonfire with aunts, uncles and cousins (with a side trip to see a face on a tombstone at the cemetery - craziness)!



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Giving Thanks: Day 23

Today I am thankful that even with their dad and I away for the holiday my children have chosen to spend their holiday together. Hope y'all have an amazing dinner tonight...just like the brunch you shared yesterday. We miss you guys!


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Giving Thanks: Day 22

Today I am thankful for my extended family. Thank you for laying aside any differences that might exist and spending time together. Thank you to my sister and brother-in-law for hosting the Jenkins clan at your beautiful cabin. And thank you all for keeping me 'real'. Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without a few smoking guns and dead clay pigeons lying all over the yard!


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Giving Thanks: Day 21

Will took his first deer with stick and string. While he celebrated his first archery kill, I ate humble pie!


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Giving Thanks: Day 20

I am thankful for time in a deer stand with My Hero (even though all we saw was a large bodied buck that we couldn't shoot because he only had one tiny spike), lunch with my mother, and dinner with my dad, stepmother and sister.


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Giving Thanks: Days 18 & 19

Giving Thanks: Days 18 &19
On Sunday afternoon I sat in my deer stand and watched a young deer lay up in a bedding area right beside me. I watched as she groomed and rested, occasionally she seemed to doze off but for the most part she was alert to any sounds or movement around her. As Jim and I have often wondered aloud to one another about what deer do all day, I considered this a true blessing to behold.

After an hours nap time, she left her bedding area and began grazing on the acorns all around my stand. I took several pictures of her with my phone and texted them to Jim and Will.




Once she finished feeding on the acorns, she casually strolled off down the road stopping for a bite here and there along the way. I called Jim and asked him to meet me at the end of the road with my warmer clothes and a bite to eat since it was nearly time for the evening hunt and I had not planned on being on my stand for that long when I left.

Moments later, as I took the first step onto the ladder of my stand, the tower of the stand pulled loose from the platform in my hands. As my foot hit that first step, I could see the rear rise and begin to fall toward me. In that split second I knew I would have to jump to the ground or the tower would pull me down with it. I pushed off with my right leg and jumped approximately 7 feet to the leaf strewn ground below.

After jumping, all I remember is seeing the tower falling above me. I knew that it would miss my head so I balled up on my right side and prepared for it to crash across my left.

Next thing I knew I looked up and saw my gun lying across the platform and the tower behind me. I immediately reached for the phone in my pocket and called Jim.

As I told him what happened and asked him to come get me, I sat up and took inventory of what was hurting. I decided to try and stand up, but then I thought about all those football players and how they are told to lay there until the trainers arrive. So I lay back down and waited. The funny thing about waiting is you begin to listen to your body as you concentrate on breathing. My right leg seemed to have caught the brunt of the fall. Thankfully what I feared to be a broken leg was just a major shin splint from landing hard on my foot. Both knees were tweaked and my right ankle hurt.

When Jim and Will arrived to help me up from the forest floor, I realized just how close the tower was behind me. We still can't explain how it happened aside from God setting His angels guard over me -- but the corner of the tower's roof hit about a foot behind my legs and then rolled the whole thing end over end away from me.

My sweet husband took me back to camp,put my ankle on ice, compressed my shin in a wrap, fixed me a strong drink (we didn't even have a Tylenol around) and put me to bed.

As I got up the next day I was surprised to find my right leg doing well while my left knee was worse and my right shoulder and ribs were aching. I went back to bed!

A few hours later I got up and decided I had better at least get dressed before the boys returned from hunting. The more I moved the better I felt. After a quick trip to Walmart for food and ibuprofen, I decided to try to hunt that evening.

I won't lie, getting up in that stand was a little scary...and I was moving slow from the sore ankle and knees. But I just knew that I had to get back on the horse (so to speak) or I might never get the nerve to climb a stand again.

That night I took my first deer of the season.




So for Day 18, I am thankful for God's gentle care -- of me and of that little doe I was privileged to watch all afternoon.

And for Day 19, I am thankful for the courage to overcome minor injuries and return to a family tradition that I love.


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Giving Thanks: Day 17

Just crossed the halfway point to our hometown. Looking forward to spending some time with family and getting out in the deer woods over the next few days. Wishing our other four children could have made the trip too.

Thankful for a few long, slow days ahead.

Updated: just crossed over our last state line. Almost there!


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Location:S Shelby St,Carthage,United States

Giving Thanks: Day 16

This morning I slipped my puffy jacket on for the first time this season. I pulled a piece of paper out of the pocket from our trip to NYC -- the tickets for Accomplice: The Village. Just looking at that piece of paper brought a smile to my face.

So today I am thankful for sweet memories made with dear friends...and I look forward to many more.


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Giving Thanks: Day 15

I am thankful for Pintrest -- it inspires simple but fun creativity when I just need a break.



My Pilgrim hats may not look as good as theirs...but they sure were fun to make. Can hardly wait to try out the turkeys tomorrow!

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Giving Thanks: Day 14

{I did it again.  I forgot to post last night when I got home.}

For day 14, I am thankful for time spent sitting in front of a roaring fire.

Our fireplace looked very similar to this last night...except without the stockings or the garland because this picture was from last Christmas!  LOL!

Yesterday was one of 'those days'.  You know the ones that begin rather calm but then spin out of control as you realize that (1) you are leaving on vacation in two days...and (2) your vacation will be during a holiday...and (3) you have fifty holiday things to do the week you return so (4) you better get some of it taken care of now.  You have those days too, right?

After work I needed to make a stop at Hobby Lobby to pick up a few more supplies for Custom's 'Battle of the Golden Boot' contest based on the football game between LSU and Arkansas.  That place was C-R-A-Z-Y busy!!!  I was trying to talk to my cousin on the telephone as I walked in but I kept bumping into people so I had to cut the conversation short.

It was nearly 7 pm by the time I made my way through the Hobby Lobby madness.  I called Jim to ask if they had started dinner (they hadn't) so I picked up a Super Meal from Taco Bell and beelined it home. 

Because my day had turned so hectic, my sweet husband welcomed me home with a roaring fire!

After eating our dinner in front of the television (bad mama), the boys filed out to their bedrooms.  So, Jim and I turned off the news and just sat in front of our fireplace deep in conversation about everything and nothing.  It was a great way to end a day!

Giving Thanks: Day 12 (On Day 13)

Yesterday I found myself so 'self focused' that I couldn't find a single thing to be thankful for.  I also couldn't bring myself to make a post because I knew it would be dishonest to do so.

Isn't it amazing how quickly a sense of gratitude flies out the door when we focus our eyes on self?

As I look back on yesterday, I see that I began with a sense of not being enough...moved onto a defensive position of justification...and ended the day feeling ugly and grumpy.

Yet I also look back and recognize the blessings I couldn't see at the time:

• Friends to break bread with - literal bread and the Word of God
• Finding the problem BEFORE it affected the innocent recipient
• Getting in the kitchen with My Hero to tag team dinner - we are so much more creative as a team than as an individual
• Face to face dinner time with all three of my boys

So while I am thankful for the unseen blessings of yesterday, I am also thankful that a new day can bring a new perspective and that the Lord never leaves us in our muck and mire.

Giving Thanks: Day 11

I am so thankful for family. Both our immediate and extended. From an early morning phone call from my dad about his deer, to text messages with my sister, and finally an afternoon at the corn maze with my kids and all the grands -- it has been a great day.

(pictures to follow!)


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Giving Thanks: Day 10

Today I am thankful for forgiveness.
Who knew misplaced tools and the lack of a working water hose could cause a girl to act so ugly?
Oh yeah, that's right. Jim knows.
Thanks for being as ready with a hug and a kiss as you were to call me on my tantrum, baby.
(I told y'all we have our days. Good and bad!)
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Giving Thanks: Day 9

Jim and I will be heading out in just a bit for our last regular season game as football parents. When the boys were small I just knew they would both follow in Jim's footsteps and play basketball.  While Brian did just that, Will was never really interested in the whole round ball through a hoop thing.  When we moved to Waller he found his place on the football field instead.  (He had played flag football at the Y in Alief.)  It took me a little while to learn the rules and to be able to follow along, but I have grown to love the game.  

Over the years the kids have taught me so much through their individual passions and talents.  With Meagan I learned the beauty of a piece of choral music, even if the words were foreign to me.  Kelli's time in the Crimson Cadettes taught me to recognize dance routines as either a kick routine, or jazz, or lyrical, or pom, or hip hop.  With Bri it was mixture of choir and theatre and softball...but theatre really had her heart.  So, I learned about one act plays and techie tricks to make a stage look a certain way.  Brian was all about the round ball in high school and I had some knowledge of the game from when his dad played.  (Technically, I played one year too...but I don't think I had a single point, so I started keeping the scorebooks.)  When he picked up art and started playing the guitar, my world broadened once again.

So, even though this picture is of Will and football -- I want my kids to know that I am thankful for each one of them and for all the ways that they have broadened my world.  You are each unique and wonderful and dearly loved!

Mom

Senior Night 2012 at Waller High School

Giving Thanks: Day 8

I am married to the most amazing man.  I don't know what to tell you, ladies.  We met and married at such a young age that by the world's standards this thing really shouldn't have worked out.  When people ask us how we have made it 30+ years, we just smile and say "Only by the grace of God!"  And it is the truth if ever we uttered one.

I was reminded last night that it is not just the big things that make him amazing, but the simple things sometimes mean even more.

• Like watching him hook a fish on Sunday evening and then let Davin reel it in like he had caught it.
• Or the way he played with the grandchildren Monday night at the restaurant.
• Or him volunteering to do laundry on Tuesday evening as I made dinner.
• Or last night when he saw the desperation on my face as I contemplated making dinner and (again, unasked) offered to go pick up something instead.

So today I am thankful for this man of mine -- My Hero!  I love you, babe.

Jim on the day he brought home his new truck!  Like a kid with a new toy.

PS.  For the sake of true authenticity, there are some days when we can barely speak to each other through the gritted teeth.  On those days, I would almost give him away. (And him, me.)  LOL! 

But I still love you, babe!

Giving Thanks: Day 7

Today I am so thankful that the Lord has everything in His faithful hands. 

I was scheduled to meet friends for Bible study today at lunch. After finding out that one of us couldn't make it until Monday, the three remaining decided to just grab lunch instead.  As it turns out, we needed that lunch together.  It was a time of encouragement for which I am most grateful.

Giving Thanks: Day 6

I am so thankful to live in a country where "...government of the people, by the people, for the people" still reigns. (Abraham Lincoln -- the 16th president, not the vampire slayer.)

And I feel doubly blessed to be living in a small rural community where voting took a grand total of four minutes door to door!  I feel for my former neighbors who are enduring near one hour lines in Houston just to cast a ballot.

Whether your choice is Democrat, Republican, Green or Libertarian...I hope you vote today.

Giving Thanks: Day 5

I am so very thankful that all of our children remain close enough that we can celebrate life's milestones together -- the big and the small.


Celebrating Brooke's (belated) 5th birthday.


This boy has been eating salsa since he could hold a chip!


Pawpaw made her squeal with laughter and then promptly put her to sleep. He has still got the touch!
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Giving Thanks: Day 4

On this, what would have been my Grandma Fulton's 93rd birthday, I am thankful that my "raisings" are being passed along to another generation. Sunday dinner followed by a little fishin'.


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Giving Thanks: Day 3

Tired but blessed to spend the day helping out a friend. We were able to hang out and do a little Christmas shopping while we worked so I count that a Win - Win!


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Giving Thanks: Day 2

Sharing Will's last home game with family and friends...including Miss Delayne who was attending her first ever football game. And it was a WIN!


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Giving Thanks: Day 1

An unexpected visit from our 'Baby Girl'.

Total iPhone Randomness

These last few pics from the iPhone are totally random nature pics. I love the sights that God provides for me every day...what else can I say?!?!

This HUGE grasshopper met me on the back steps as I came in from work one evening.

I love the sight of a fresh cut hayfield.  Especially after paying drought prices to keep our cows alive last year.

An almost total rainbow!  We saw this one evening as we were driving into town for dinner.

My new Office Buddies.
This is our 30th anniversary memento from South Africa.  Jim took the Blesbuck to the left and I took the Impala.  Don't they just look like they belong together?

 

This was taken at First Colony Mall the night I met friends at Grimaldi's for dinner.  What this beautifully serene picture doesn't convey is that this was the first BEAUTIFUL fall evening of the year.  Patio weather at its finest.

Mothra -- he met me at the back door on the way in from work just a few weeks back!

Have you taken the time to enjoy the beauty that the Lord has placed in your world lately?  I would love to see it too.

We Have Been Having A Good Time

Today I will share a few pictures of places we have been this fall.

In early September I attended the Toby Keith concert with my girlfriends.  Robin always gets great seats!  Third row!!!  She bought the tickets to see Toby (below)...I went to see Brantley Gilbert (set backdrop above).  Great show from both of them.  And a great night out with the Girls!

A few days after the show I met some other friends at First Colony Mall in Sugar Land.  I have been wanting to eat here since Robin, Stacy and I ate at the original Grimaldi's in Brooklyn.  (That was in February 2008!!!)  They had told us during our visit that they were building one in the Houston area and we were SOOO excited.  Unfortunately, it took longer to get to our area than anticipated...but here it is.  (Well, it has been there a little while, but not when they had originally planned.)

The building even reminds me of the Brooklyn Bridge!  And can I just say that the pizza tastes just as good as I remember.  It was a wonderful evening filled with good food and great fellowship.  I can hardly wait to see them again next week when we try another NEW place!!! 

At the end of September we were given the biggest thrill when Bri and Josh invited us to an Arkansas game!!  Woo Pig, Soiee!!

The seats were great!  And we were so close to the action!! 

Unfortunately, we were in Aggieland...and we were thoroughly, heartbreakingly beaten by those farmers!

But it was still Arkansas Razorback football, so I was in Hog Heaven!  (Side note: Josh did not get to go, so we were spared the hard core ribbing until the ride home when he called Bri to 'poke the bear'.  I will say, if you have never attended a game in Aggieland, you really should do so one day.  The fans are loud and we had to stand (in the rain) because they refuse to sit down; but it was worth every glorious moment.)

Okay, technically I have never been to this final place.  But as I was sitting in line at the bank the other day I noticed their sign and had to send a picture of it to my sister.  How often do two sisters have both their names in the same company name when neither of them have an affiliation with said company?  (Say that last sentence three times fast!)

 



We Are Good. Really, We Are!

The blog has been so quiet lately. And though I have desired to write, each time I sit down to do so...something comes up...or my thoughts flutter away. So, I thought I would try to catch you up on our world via pictures from my cell phone. Some of these have been seen on Facebook, so I apologize for repeats in advance.

Will's back to school haircut.
He has actually had another one since then, but no pics.  How in the world have we managed to get him in a salon twice since school started?  Football...and a coach who says, "Get your hair cut, Goode!"  Heaven knows he would never do it for his mom or dad.

Josh, Will and Jim scoping out guns at the Hunter's Extravaganza back in August.  I'm shocked we didn't walk out with half of the place.  Especially since I was there!  LOL!

Jim's birthday lunch at Las Palmas with our guys.  He's 50!!!

Bulldogs and opponents in prayer before a game. 
(I think this was Willis.)

Davin standing in front of the HUGE stork that the church placed in Meagan & Derrick's yard to help welcome Delayne home.  It is hard to see his head due to the back light...but you certainly can't miss him in person!

The Bulldogs getting ready to run out of the Doghouse before the Montgomery game.

Will + Dirt Bike + Playing without his safety equipment on
(he promised he would wear it!!!)

= Frankenstein foot....just in time for Halloween!
He had the stitches removed on Tuesday.  Probably will not be playing tomorrow night, but hopefully he will be back in full swing by next week.

Oh, and speaking of Mr. Frankenstein Foot, he has also been spending time with a couple of dentists tyring to get a root canal completed.  Dentist #1 had the tip of pick break off in the last canal.  Dentist #2 discovered that there were actually two tips broken in the canal.  Tip #1 has been successfully removed by the endodontist.  He will try to fish out Tip #2 on November 1.  Poor baby has had a tough couple of weeks.

Another New Baby On The Farm

Okay, I knew I had been very negligent of the blog lately but I just downloaded pictures of our new calf to post and noticed that pictures are from September 10th! Man, time sure does fly around here!

Meet 'Spot'.

She was one day old in this picture.  That is her mother, Daddy's Girl, with her in the picture above.

It took me fifteen to twenty minutes to get her to look at me.  Isn't she cute?  The most wonderful chocolate brown color.

Here she is laying in the hay.  It had been a traumatic photo taking sessions with me chasing her round and round the hay ring.

Joker's Wild loves having a new running buddy.  Poor thing, Spot's mother chases him off all the time...but he just keeps coming back, wanting to play.  (See the new baby's white spot on her hind quarter...hence, her nickname.)

And speaking of Joker's Wild...isn't this the sweetest face you have ever seen?

His demeanor just tickles me. 

 

Unfortunately, he no longer lets me put my hands on him.  Bah humbug!

 

Until next time!