BEX! The Light of My Life

Mama's: Hug those babies!!!

Today, my sweet Bex turned 17 years old. Where in the world did those years go? I've spent the last hour or so sifting through pictures, pictures and more pictures {and YES...I cried!}. Since my digital world only started a few short years ago...I have a limited supply on the computer. I want to see YOU try to pick a "few" pictures from 17 years!

You've seen many recent pix of my girl, so today I thought I'd share a few oldies with you. Bex is serving at Camp Charis again this weekend...so I have a few days to LIVE before she kills me for putting some of these on here for you to enjoy!

My first opportunity to check this gal out! She was born C-section at 12:12 am on 12/12. After surgery and Bex having a couple of blue spells, it took about 6 hours before I was able to really hold my precious bundle. The nurse brought her to me on her way to the NICU.










Then she started growing.
















This is her bald and barefoot phase. Her feet were so fat I couldn't find shoes that fit. Maybe I should have guessed then that she would pretty much hate shoes the rest of her life!
















Pictures of pictures don't always come out really clear...but this is one of my favorite pictures.















I LOVED dressing her in cute outfits. She doesn't let me do that anymore...{sigh}











Loved the dots! This was such a fun time in our lives. I'm not going to rush her...but I can't wait to see her with her own babies...
















Volleyball became her passion a LONG time ago. This is Bex with my dad who is so faithful to travel sooooo far to watch her play!
















Then ---they start growing up. Hair do's and makeup?







































She fell in love with this guy way back when she was about 6 years old. The love has never died --and its mutual.
(Just a note: the jacket she is wearing was mine in high school...its 30+ years old. I think my parents got their moneys worth out of that one!)















For a gal who's happier outside in the dirt than anywhere else, she and her dad really clean up good!















Then they turn 16 and totally lose their minds! No telling what goes on in the mall with friends...













Or at volleyball games with friends...











OR...in the mountains with her mom! (She'll hate this picture...but "I" like it!)


















Then...all of a sudden...they're 17 and won't go to bed at a decent hour! This was taken this morning at 12:12am. Every year I take a picture of her at 12:12. She's asleep in the majority of those pictures. I admit that she has been awake for a few of them.

Having a LIVE Christmas tree was on her 'birthday' list. Dad took care of that on Monday. She sure doesn't ask for much!

I'm so proud of this girl (as if you didn't know!). She's just finished up her first college semester --where have the years gone? She's growing into a wonderful, intelligent, articulate young woman with a loving, generous heart--except when she's driving... we're working on the road rage. Her mom and dad could not ask for a more wonderful girl. She's our first-born and very much our favorite. Go figure!

Mama's: HUG THOSE BABIES!!! They grow up WAY too fast!



Stay Tuned!

25 Christmas Questions Meme

Today's meme comes from MamaHen over at Clucks from the Henhouse. It sounded like fun...and it counts as a blog post...so I'm game! Maybe thinking about all these questions will get me MORE into the Christmas spirit around here.

So here's the deal...

1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Fill out the questions below
3. Tag 5-7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag. Have FUN!!

Just so you know...this meme is totally voluntary! I'm not tagging anybody, but if you want to snag it and do it, feel free! Then let me know so I can be sure to check YOURS out.

1.Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
No contest here, HOT CHOCOLATE! I remember my mom making it on the stove WITHOUT a mix! Yep! It CAN be made without those little packets. (That little tidbit was so Bex will know back in the olden days we didn't have the little packets.)

2.Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Santa has always wrapped the presents...actually, Mr. Fix-It is the champion wrapper around here. I HATE that part! Just give me a bag and I'll stuff it.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Both. I like colored and white...especially those twinkle lights! We live so far in the woods we rarely decorate outside--nobody ever sees it! In recent years, the girls strung lights all over the place outside. There's just something about lights in a tree... love em!!

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No. Though we do like shooting it out of the trees outside!

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Depends on whats going on in our lives. When Bex was young we waited till AFTER her birthday on the 12th. Now, she wants them up earlier. I absolutely REFUSE to put them up before December 1...but we always leave them up until New Years.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Hmmm...that's a really tough decision. Anything I don't cook is such a treat. I love scalloped potatoes...but never cook them and my SIL and step-mother always make them for Christmas. I like it all...except for green stuff (like broccoli casserole).

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child:
Hmm...I guess the one that stands out most in my mind (kind of weird, I know) but is the year we bought my mom her first microwave oven. A microwave was THEEEE new thing back then. It was an Amana Radarange...SUPER high class in the early '70's! She was sooo excited when my brother brought it in on Christmas Eve. I can still see her eyes lighting up when she pulled the paper off. You're thinking ...She was excited about an appliance? YES!!!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don't really remember. With two OLDER brothers and one younger...THEY probably spoiled it early on.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
We have 3 different gift openings. On Christmas Eve, my whole family (brothers and their families, gparents, and parents) gathers at my Dad's in central Florida...except ONE that we always miss. We open gifts that night with the bigger group. Then Christmas morning we are always at my little brother's house and open gifts with them--more personal. Then when we get back home AFTER Christmas...Bex usually has a special gift Santa leaves at our house while we're out of town. When Bex was small, we thought about being HOME on Christmas morning...but she nixed that idea in quick fashion! She would much rather be with her cousins on Christmas morning...no fun at home alone with just Mom and Dad.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? It's very eclectic. I LOVE homemade ornaments. I still have some I made when I was a kid. Bex generally decorates the tree, anyway. My most special ornament is a decorated instant picture of Bex taken by a nurse at the hospital. Sounds cheesy, huh? But when I was feeling especially blue (and couldn't quit crying) because Bex had to be in the special unit rather than with me, this nurse was wonderful. She taped garland around the edges and brought it to me. I'll always treasure her compassion and understanding.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I would love it! It snowed once the day BEFORE Christmas Eve here in Tallytown. We had a great time throwing snowballs at each other! The next day all the roads were iced over. We were one of the last cars to get across the Suwannee River before they closed the bridge on Christmas Eve. We LOVED it!!!

12. Can you ice skate?
Considering I can't even roller skate, I'm wayyyyy too intelligent to even try. On the other hand, Bex and Mr. Fix-It LOVE it and ice skate anytime they get the chance.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Bex was my best Christmas gift ever! Like Mama Hen, mostly I remember the precious times spent with my family. I think the most memorable gifts are ones I enjoyed being a part of giving to my mom and others. Sounds a little pious, but its true!

14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Again, copying Mama Hen....Celebrating Jesus' birth and spending time with family. For me, remembering the reason for the season is the biggest challenge and the greatest reward!

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Now you're going to find out just how weird I am....I LOVE a piece of peanut butter fudge stuffed inside a warm yeast roll. TRUE! It just doesn't get any better than that!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
I love everybody gathering at my Dad's on Christmas Eve. I told Mr. Fix-It when we got married that I didn't care where we spent ANY other holiday, but on Christmas EVE-- I would be at Daddy's house. We've even left for another venue after the celebration on Christmas Eve, but we've NEVER missed being with my Daddy that night. I'll tell you more about all the special things we do that night in another post...just so you'll have SOMETHING to look forward to!

17. What tops your tree?
Whatever Bex puts up there...sometimes a star, sometimes an angel. I'm not all that picky.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
I like BOTH! But as I get older, I find more pleasure in giving than I do in receiving...of course, maybe if I GOT better things I would like that more!! You know--a bit more bling? I don't think Mr. Fix-It believes in Bling...

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?"
Ahh..I think it changes, but lately..Mary, Did You Know? I love trying to get into the heads of biblical people. What were they thinking? What made them any different than others? I also like Breath of Heaven. Of course, I LOVE all the old standards, too!

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
As long as they are the standard peppermint, YUM!

21. What do you want for Christmas?
I'm so blessed, I can hardly ask for anything more! A safe holiday season for my family and friends is always at the top of my list. After my dad going through a heart-attack this year, I'm just thankful HE is here to celebrate another year with us.

But if I'm just being silly, I would love an iPod to walk with, Bex's car to get fixed, a new stove (since mine has died), or a new microwave. I've also put in for a new frying pan--just in case Santa is checking my blog...

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas Party?
Every year seems different. We've already been to two this year. One was at the Car Museum (Mr. Fix-It is buddies with the owner and put in the security system there) and they fed us the most wonderful, tender, grilled steaks and HUGE baked potatoes. Ahhh...we could do that again ANY day!

23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs?
I guess PJ's in the morning and dressing a bit better for lunch...you know, actually brushing of the hair (and teeth) and the putting on of makeup...yeah..that's dressing up, right? We are always at my brother's and they take in a lot of strays...so there is always a wonderful crowd and LOTS of food for lunch.

24. Do you own a santa hat?
Probably...but it never reaches the head. I have enough trouble with flat hair...No hat-hair for me!

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?
As I said before, we're at my Dad's the afternoon and evening of Christmas Eve, then out to my brother/SIL's for the night. Then we usually spend Christmas Day and night there...unless we leave to go to visit other relatives...which is rare. Usually, by Christmas night, me and my SIL sneak away and head to Ralph's (a burger joint in town).

Well, that's the end of the questions...after answering all of them, I really am starting to get in the spirit of things. Of course, if you know me, I hope you sense the "spirit" in me ALLLL year long! Celebrating Jesus birth is special, but the continuous celebration that HE LIVES should keep us in the spirit all the time!

Stay tuned!

Bloggers Have More Fun!

One more picture to add to my post about the color around town these days. On dreary days, the yellow's look amazing!











NOW on to my real post of the day!

Yesterday, we had a party. A Tallytown-Blogger party. It was really fun to meet and put faces, names and blogs together. We ate, too. Eating is always good!


This great get-together all came about because Kelley (daughter-of-a-polish-man) is in town from Brazil to attend her brother's wedding this month. This is Kelley and her sweet 3 year old, Karis.

So...MamaWeso (wife-of-a-polish-man) decided we should all gather at the Princess Deb's (Cheaper By the Baker's Dozen) beautiful, decorator's dream home.

So, we gathered since EVERYBODY listens to MamaWeso! A few weren't there...like Kara, Mar and Jilma...we really did miss them (AND their food).


For some reason, a lot of the time we gathered in the hallway. Here is Lea (blog it all) and a blogger stalker. Lea is as entertaining and fun in person as she is on her blog.

There was also a huge gathering in the bathroom... but you would have had to be there to understand the wisdom of that!








Another gathering in the hallway. This is allhisblessings in green with one of her little ones. (I know her name...but since she doesn't publish it, I won't either.) I've recently come to find out she is an EXTREMELY talented person; writing, drawing, singing, and probably LOTS more!

Behind her is Laura (Dance Mommy's Odyssey)
who blogged her way through an incredible trip with her family out west this summer.




We also spent gathering time in the kitchen... the PBJ sandwiches and muffins were for the kids. The adult food was in the dining room and was very delicious! Sushi, cheese, crackers, hummus, blueberry cobbler, banana bread, doughnuts, weird mushrooms that MamaWeso makes, and much more that I can't remember.






Here's the Princess getting cups out of her pretty cabinet. She has a strange look on her face because she couldn't figure out why I laughed so hard when a plastic container fell out as she opened the cabinet door.

I laughed because I admire her sooooo much and I think of the Princess as soooooo perfect -- you know... wayyyyy up there on her throne! So its very comforting for me to know that her kids put things up where they fall out, too! It just endeared her to me so much more!


Here's Karis enjoying the party. She is SO cute! I taught her how to roll up the salami to eat it...I'm such an educational person.















On the left is Kahlua Keeping Koala (Winding River Ramblings) with her mouth full of food. She wants a hair straightener for Christmas (JK!). For some reason Laura doesn't seem to be stuffing herself like the rest of us.








Can you have a Blogger party without someone breaking out the computer? Actually, I think the Princess is accessing pictures of that beautiful new grandson to show us.















Here's Kelley perusing a catalog of giant stickers for your home (I refer you to the bathroom gathering). I caught MamaWeso with a mouthfull also!

Kelley says she likes to come home to the U.S. because she feels thinner. Apparently, Brazilian people are very thin and she feels fat over there...around us...not so much. (Should the rest of us be offended? Or just head for the treadmill?)







This is Cindy. She is one of the sweetest, most loving people you will ever meet here on Earth. She used to be a trauma nurse. She's the one that made me go to the hospital when I had a concussion. She's a Blogger-wannabe.

There were other Bloggers and other stalkers in attendance, but I didn't get pictures of them. We love them anyway.







Here's a picture of the whole group. Yes, its blurry (I didn't take it--this time!)... Actually, we blurred the picture like they do on TV to protect the innocent. (Not really, but it sounds feasible!) Maybe somebody else will e-mail me one that isn't fuzzy?

There were a bunch of kids there, too! Somehow I didn't get a picture of them.





We had such a good time. Or should I say...A good time was had by all? NEXT time, you should make plans to come...especially if you're a good cook!

Stay tuned.

The Un-Florida Florida

What does Florida look like to you? For those of you who have only visited Florida, I would guess the picture that comes to mind has a decidedly South Florida flair. You know--beaches, palm trees, and alligators. Well, here in North Florida we have those too...not necessarily in such abundance (except maybe the alligators).

For those of you who aren't familiar with Tallytown, I'll tell you that it is most definitely NOT the "Florida picture" you're thinking.

Tallytown is more south Georgia than Florida. We have BIG hills here in this area. You go 50 miles east or west of Tallytown and it flattens out again. Here, we also have what is commonly known in other parts of the country as "seasons." Again, not to the extent other parts of the country enjoy this...but we DO have seasons. Fall just happens to be one of my favorites. The Bradford Pear trees are spectacular this year!

Since you've been so kind as to put up with my bag lady rant...I'll just post some of God's magnificent artwork for you today. I hope you enjoy some of the beauty I've been looking at every day just going back and forth to work. I wish you could see it in all its splendor...but alas, my photography skills are quite lacking...especially since most of these were taken from a moving vehicle!



















































































































































































Color? We got some color!!!!

Not WORDLESS...but close...for me!

Stay tuned!

No! I'm Not a Bag Lady!!!!

Look at this picture. Go ahead...look closely even though it ain't pretty...

Does this look like a 'Bag Lady' to you?

If so, just go on to your next blog...you aren't wanted here!!! Okay, that's a bit harsh...you are wanted...just not your opinion of my attire. Of course, you won't mistake me for a 'fashionista'...but a homeless, bag lady? Surely not.

So, here's the deal. I was walking happily along the fancy sidewalk in beautiful downtown Tallytown...listening to Casting Crowns sing about the Voice of Truth on my MP3...(I PROMISE I was not singing...out loud). I know I was smiling...I always do when I hear that song.

As I'm walking along past one of the nicer hotels, I notice a well dressed young lady (probably in her late 20's) coming up the sidewalk towards me in her high fashion spiked heels. I'm prepared for this meeting -- I pass folks on this sidewalk all the time. My normal procedure is to make eye contact, smile and say HI!

But NO! Oh, NO!!! Miss Fashion Plate LEAVES the sidewalk, makes a huge arc around me, then gets back on the sidewalk behind me. WHAT???? Does she think I stink? Or that I would accost her? Tell me...do I LOOK dangerous?

I was totally offended by her actions. I was still fuming when I got back to the office so I asked Sandra to take my picture --with my work clothes (I did change my shoes), New Balance sneakers, sunglasses, earbuds, and my Publix sack carrying my water bottle and keys. Again, I ask...Do I look dangerous to you?

Anyone who spends any time at all in downtown Tallytown will see the homeless folks in parks, the library, and walking on the sidewalks. Although I have never scored high in the "MERCY" department, since I've been walking (instead of driving) through downtown, I've developed a compassion for these people that I previously lacked. Yes, the Lord is working on me. He keeps reminding me how much MERCY He's expended on me through the years. So on my daily walks, I have yet to offer any less of a kind greeting to an obviously homeless person as I do to the UPS man I keep passing. (I did tell the UPS man today that "we have to quit meeting like this!" Now, HE probably thought I was a lunatic!) Even though I don't show this type of disdain to these people, this experience really made me think about how other people might treat them.

Starting tomorrow, instead of my usual attitude, I'm going to make it a point to try to see them as God sees them -- as His child that He loves. Yes, I know about security issues, blah blah blah...I'm not saying I'm going to invite them home (just yet)...but I am going to make sure "I" treat them as I would like to be treated -- and that AIN'T making a wide circle around them like their cooties are going to jump off on me when I pass....

Rant over.

Stay tuned.

P.S. I forgot to say this in my Thanksgiving post yesterday. This is for all of you folks who know I despise almost any food that is GREEN! At Thanksgiving (and Christmas) I eat SPINACH!!! Yes! You heard that right. All you health-nut friends of mine will be so proud to know that I eat spinach in a dip a friend makes each holiday. (It doesn't matter that its made up of more other stuff than spinach, but I'm claiming the spinach part! We usually eat so much of that before lunch, we're stuffed before we start! Just thought you should know...I'm eating all healthy now! (HA!)

Thanksgiving Traditions

I hope your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as ours and full of tradition. The table was mostly filled with the same foods we have every year. A few new ones manage to sneak in, though. We had fried turkey and it was fantastic as usual. There was so much food --so many sweets -- it was overwhelming. But I did my best to make a dent in the sweet potato casserole, scalloped potatoes, watergate salad (don't ask me why they call it that...I made it this year according to my SIL's recipe), turkey, ham and so many other things I can't remember. For the "NEW" food department, my SIL from Venezuela made a really interesting bread that had ham, olives, raisins, and some other stuff. I'm going to have to get the recipe...unless its takes more than 10 minutes to make!

Here are a few OLD -- and NEW -- traditions:

OLD: It's not unusual to find Mr. Fix-It perusing my brother's Cabelo's catalog or any of his NRA magazines.











NEW: Seems that all day different groups were gathered around the computer playing games, checking e-mail, surfing, posting to HER blog, etc. Don't think this will be going away anytime soon. The young man in yellow looks a little put out...my niece (in green) invited him, but seems to be paying little attention to him. Oops!







OLD: After stuffing ourselves, all the women spend an inordinate amount of time poring through the sale papers looking for that elusive PERFECT gift for nearly nothing!











I guess this should be NEW...but seeing my crazy brother, Alan, stretched out on the floor with his daughter's dog probably ain't new... weird, but not new.









OLD: Girls gathered around the table to play Tri-Ominoes. One of our favorite games. Hours and hours and lots of laughs keep us coming back to get stomped year after year!










NEW: A "MALE" at the table! Both of my SIL's children spent Thanksgiving with us and tried their hands at Tri-Ominoes. Apparently, Danny whooped up on the ladies--big time!










So, now Thanksgiving is over and we seem to be jumping into the Christmas season with both feet!

After stuffing ourselves at lunch on Thanksgiving, we spent much of the afternoon and evening poring over the newspaper ads. This year, the bargains seemed few and far between...but we went anyway. It's tradition.

This tradition started Friday morning at 4am. Yes, you read that right -- 4 AM!! Actually, I got up at 4, my SIL picked me up at 4:30 and we were heading to Gainesville with another friend by 5am. As far as I'm concerned that is very close to lunacy. Days should NOT start until the sun is well over the horizon! This is yet another SIL tradition... and if its tradition then we MUST keep it without question! Usually, my sweet SIL and I head to town on our own and eventually meet up with other friends and family for lunch. This year, we allowed someone else to go with us. We even let her drive HER car and burn HER gas! Aren't we wonderful to share the love?

This is what happens when you are FINALLY getting to eat breakfast at 7:30am. Folks are a bit crazy! (Sorry, Jeannie. I HAD to post this...its the bloggy rules!)












The AFTERMATH...notice, not much left even after stuffing ourselves the day before!











I rarely buy much on these crazy expeditions. I go mainly for the fellowship with the other shoppers! You believe that, don't you? Actually, I go because I just MIGHT get to watch two women fight it out over some silly toy or find a sale that fits my budget. It HAS happened in years past (both things!), but it usually takes a miracle to find anything good that fits my budget. I hate shopping. I look at things as I pass by...and if they don't scream DEAL! I usually keep going. I also enjoy people-watching. Too many crazy people drag little kids through the mad rush while trying to juggle bags filled with goodies. I always feel sorry for the kids. The mom's, I think, deserve what they get.

All in all, the day worked out pretty well. My SIL shopped mostly in tandem with her friend and I wandered about as I pleased. When I got bored with walking around Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, or wherever...I would get the keys and go sit in the car and read my VERY interesting book. I even took my book into the mall with me. When I got tired of walking at the mall, I just found a seat and enjoyed my book. That's my kind of shopping!

At lunch we usually meet up with other folks. This year we met up with my niece, Tiffany, who works at the hospital right across the street. Since we were at the mall, we decided just to eat at the food court. It was so busy, we had to hover like buzzards to find a table. We finally got a table and left one by one to buy the delightful fast-food of our choice. Tiffany and a co-worker showed up, scarfed their food down and headed back to work. Wow! I'm not sure why we waited around for that!!!

After finishing up at the mall, we headed home. We had one last stop at Lowes and our friend bought a sink fixture and saved $44! The best deal of the day!

Before we could even get on the road, Mr. Fix-It called to find out --very nicely -- when we were going to be home. He and my brother were getting antsy to get into the woods to look for Bambi. Somebody had to be home to look after my SIL's 86 yo father who can't be left alone... so we really tried to hurry that way.

After arriving home, we enjoyed just laying around watching television and eating some more. I sat there, full to overflowing, yet was still thinking about getting another bite of that wonderful potato salad. What? I was absolutely stuffed -- but STILL wanted more. I guess I was being greedy...knowing when we left I wouldn't get anymore. (Not that I can't make potato salad at home...but will it be as good? Probably not.)

So, after relaxing the afternoon away, Mr. Fix-It and my brother finally showed up about dark-thirty. We pulled out all the leftovers, nuked what was necessary and ate again. It was getting so late, I was hoping to spend one more night. Apparently, Mr. Fix-It did NOT have the same idea. At 9:30 pm he said he was ready to go to Tallytown (this is also tradition...leaving LATE to go home). He wanted to be up "early" on Saturday morning...AT HOME. So we headed up the street to my niece's house where our family was headquartered. We quickly packed and we were on the road by 10pm.

We pulled into our driveway about 12:30 am. I drove the whole way and was pretty tired. We all sacked out and didn't budge until "EARLY" Saturday. Actually, nobody (including Mr. Early-Bird) got out of bed before 10am (another tradition...he NEVER gets up even though that's why we drove home so late!). As much as I wanted to stay another night, it was really nice to wake up S.L.O.W.L.Y. in my OWN bed.

Now that I've written yet another long...boring...rambling post, you know how I spent my Thanksgiving...and I'll leave you till another day.

Stay tuned.