Gerbils

We had 2 gerbils but one died about four or five months ago. He was grey and the one we have left was white. Well, overnight the white gerbil turned grey. Weird huh? I found a gerbil site that says it's possible they may turn grey when they get old. When we got the gerbils, they were a replacement for a happy hamster that died. They supposedly only live for 1-2 years. Well, Obi is almost 4. Guess we took really good care of them.
We watched "Clean House" on hgtv. Every time I see that show it makes me want to clean out my closet. Tomorrow, that is what we will do.
Sunday is the Super Bowl. Who do you cheer for if you don't really care? Cardinals are pretty birds, but can they play football?

Discombobulated!!!

Do you ever feel that way? Your brain is one way then that way. And, your body is, well, tired. It reminds me of the song we sang as youngsters.
Have you ever seen a lassie, a lassie, a lassie?
Have you ever seen a lassie go this way and and that?
Go this way and that way and this way and that way,
Have you ever seen a lassie go this way and that?
Whew!
Not to be confused by the dog, but the lassie means the "female".
Kady & I watched the wedding video of Anna and Josh Dugger. (TLC) It was nice, but even Kady found it hard to believe they didn't kiss until their wedding day. I can see both advantages and disadvantages. No luggage, but will they wonder what they missed? I totally get waiting until you are married to have sex. That makes sense. Well, diversity is what makes the world interesting. I'm just glad to not have 18 children. (That's how many the Duggers have)
I always thought it would be awesome to have a lot of kids, until I had my first one. Reality sinks in and children take up a lot of energy. Not just their own energy either. A real parent is hands on and expends a lot of energy and time and mental time on their children. Don't think it gets easier as children get older, it just gets different. Older children need time and attention too, they are just less willing to admit they need mom and dad. Therefore, more mental energy expended trying to reason with and reach the older child.
Roseanne Barr said it this way "there's a reason some animals eat their young!".
Hey, being a parent is the hardest job you will ever LOVE.

What happens next?

Well, today, for a lot of people was truly significant. I believe I was totally blessed by being raised by the parents I was given. Especially my father, he never met a stranger. But, neither one of my parents were the tiniest bit racist... towards any culture. I remember the end of the 60's some, but since my parents taught all 4 of us to see beyond (or not see at all) color, race or religion. I know there are still backwoods thinkers, and what a shame.
Tomorrow, another significant day, a new president will sworn in. I actually had a dream... (no pun intended) on the Saturday before election day. In the dream Obama and his wife were sitting at a table in a restaurant and someone introduced us. The introduction was "This is the next president." I remember not being really pleased at that, but in the dream, I was instructed to accept and pray for him.... Daily. I hope I can continue to do that. Some dream huh?
The real show of unity for the USA will be when we don't think of "black, white, mexican, asian" but, we just realize we all bleed red.
Cheers! and God Bless America!!

Yesterday

January 15, 17 years ago, I was in the hospital giving birth to my youngest son. He came out weighing nine pounds and with a broken collarbone (my fault) 17 years later and he is an awesome person. He loves what he does and makes friends easily. I'm really proud of him, and I'm glad we decided (ha ha) to have one more boy. Sometimes the best things are surprises in a little bundle.
Hope you had a great birthday T.J.!

The Big D

We spent the weekend in Dallas. (technically Richardson/Plano) We went initially to attend a baby shower for my great-nephew to be Rayden Matthew Porter. He is due February 17, so this is the party to get loot for the baby boy. It was fun and we enjoyed getting to see our other family "newbie" Addi Mae Ford. She is almost 8 weeks old and a real cutie patootie! We were hoping to see the family longer, but plans don't always work out the way you want when there are more than one decision decider.
We also got a chance to visit the Galleria and The American Girl Store. Kady purchased a Chrissa Doll. See http://www.americangirl.com/ She came with an outfit and we bought an extra one. Plus the Chrissa book and movie. Th next doll she wants and is saving for is Julie, the 70's doll.
We also stopped for about two seconds at the ikea store. http://www.idea.com/ I could have stayed longer at that store, but Spurs game was at 7:30 last night (they lost)
Today is chilly, but at least there is sunshine.
Also, last week my other nephew got engaged. They have a blog/website at http://www.mywedding.com/janellandjeffreyswedding/blog.html Wouldn't that be fun to post all your plans? I happen to love the idea.
TTFN

Isn't it funny how...

Aren't the flowers pretty? I actually got some bulbs the same time my sister did. My son Chris was living with us at the time. The bulbs were in the garage in a trash sack. My husband normally does the trash, but to be nice, Chris did it. Only, what he threw away was all the iris bulbs that we had dug up at mom's house in Enid.
I admit it, I wasn't mad. Hey! He threw out trash! Cheers!

These are Oklahoma irises now in Minnesota

Obviously not today. But I'll share the story of "my" irises in the next blog.

Monday, Monday!

Not to belabor the point but it is cold here! 40 something degrees.
I think it's hard to get back in the groove after being kind of "on vacation".
My favorite scripture is Isaiah 40:31
They that wait upon the Lord,
shall renew their strength.
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary,
and they shall walk and not faint.
So here's to flying high!!!

All about the Weather

Yesterday it was 83 degrees and today it is low 50. Can you just feel the brain bubble then shrink. Yikes! We've got all the decorations put away. So today, the last day of vacation, I cleaned and Gary laid tile. What is wrong with us.
I just finished reading The Host for book club. Good read, but it takes about 8 chapters to really get good. It did feel like an accomplishment when I finished though. 600+ pages
Now I'm reading a Dean Koontz book "The darkest night of the year" I love his Odd Thomas series.I like mystery and Odd books are quirky. I read "The Shack" just before the holidays. You really need to read it if you haven't.
See how my brain has jumped around today. I tell you ITS THE WEATHER.

Resolutions

How many people make New Years Resolutions and then break every one by the end of January? I don't make New Years Resolutions, I find myself making daily ones. That way, the stress is stretched out and not crammed into one day. Aren't resolutions just goals with a fancy name?
I'm going to complain less, say I love you more and let my kids know I'm proud of them. Say it to their face instead of bragging to my friends about my kids. My children would probably like to hear all the great stuff I say about them. Didn't they know that?

Taking down the Christmas stuff.

OK, we play Christmas carols when we put up the Christmas decorations. But what kind of music should we play to put it all away? Once I get my holiday cards out in the mail, the holidays will really be over. Oh, yeah, gotta write Thank you notes. Finish the leftovers. Then, it will really be over. Next year I will start holiday plans sooner. Summer, that's right. I'll make my list and get things done by Thanksgiving. I'll let you know how that one goes.

New Year's Day!

We had a great time on New Years Day at the Rampage Hockey game. Besides the fact they won 6-2. It's just a lot of fun. So, if you haven't ever seen a game. You must! You must! That cute mascot T-bone is a riot too! Interesting what he can get people to do just for a laugh.
I really like Turkey, so we had it again. Pumpkin pie too, mmm, I knew something was calling me a minute ago. (Diet doesn't start until Monday)

Ah the Holidays!

You know you are getting older when New Years comes, you have a babysitter and you end up at Walmart. Yes, thats what we did on New Years. Then we came home and watched the old movie with Clint Eastwood "Dead Pool". Guess we've graduated from parties to homebodies.