Monday, June 30, 2008

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 4

Dayle and Gayle

A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

Happiness is reconnecting with friends you haven't seen since high school.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 3


'...the adversary does everything he can to exxagerate the feeling that things have changed. If we are not careful our closest friends will become strangers to us.'
excerpt from With A Palm And A Willow--authored by my friend, Rex Johnson, regarding the untimely fatal accident of his wife, and my friend, Denise


Happiness is looking at pictures which hold precious memories.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 2

"Ronni, you have the kind of faith that makes angels weep."
excerpt from letter from John


Happiness is getting a surprise text from a former boyfriend who still addresses you as 'Beautiful'

Friday, June 27, 2008

Real Love

a gorgeous Montana sunset, April 30, '08

...real love is like God, you can depend on it to always be there. You may not always see it or be able to touch it or feel it, but it’s still there, unchanging and unmovable, just like God. Waiting patiently, interceding for His favor, hoping, trusting, believing, loving.
excerpt from an old love letter

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 1

Elizabeth, my best bud

Happiness is having a trusted friend who will cry with you when it seems that your tears alone just aren't quite enough.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

When Life Throws You a Curve...pray, without ceasing, pray.


...if we know that He hears us---whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of Him. I John 4:14

Monday, June 23, 2008

Sunrise....

Sunrise from my Dad's porch

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Sunday Morning Glories...

How lovely was the stroll through my garden this morning. And some folk say there is no God? Amazing...


Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Earth Box Gardening

In my book, nothing beats 'Earth Box' gardening. Nothing. Zero-zip-nada. Because I was going to marvelous Montana around planting time I decided to put my spring/summer garden on hold until I returned. In this area, the summer gardens are usually harvested in mid-June so I could only cross my fingers and hope for the best when I planted in mid-May. I plant my 'Earth Boxes' annually, but this year I opted to use them exclusively rather than plant directly into the soil in my raised beds. Why? Well, take a look at the results! None of these plants were more than 3" tall when planted and now, just 1 month later, they are loaded with blooms and continue to grow by leaps and bounds. Last year I harvested 120 cucumbers off just one plant growing in this wonderful system and, best of all, no hoeing or weeding or prepping the ground is required. From start to finish, these 5 boxes were planted, fertilized and watered in less than thirty minutes. The boxes have an internal watering system and, the best feature of all is they are totally weed free!


Sweet Basil

Burpless Cucumbers
Beefsteak Tomatoes

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Fathers Day Addendum

I spent the day with my Dad yesterday at his wonderful home on Lake Sam Rayburn. We had a delicious lunch of fried catfish--freshly caught from the lake--and spent most of the afternoon just sitting on the deck and visiting. It was a very nice day that ended all too soon, according to Savannah, who spent most of the time in the water.

Daddy enjoying my Montana pictures.
Cruisin'...
In his new toy, the 'Rhino'
View of the lake from the house...
and the house from the lake.
Andi, chillin' on the great grandparents sofa.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

From Pampers to Pegasus!

Granmommy (me!) & Savannah, February 1997
Savannah's 5th grade graduation, May 2008

Where, oh where does the time go, pray tell? While viewing the pictures from 5th grade graduation it really hit me that 'Granmommy's baby' just isn't a baby any more. How sad! I remember when our trips to the mall involved loading the stroller and diaper bag and shopping for big hair bows and Tele-Tubbies and videos such as Mulan and Aristocats. My, how that has changed! These days it's Books-A-Million and Bath and Body and Macy's and, for heavens sake, please don't dare mention a pretty ribbon or hair barrette unless you're prepared for the eye roll of the century! And if you really, really love an outfit, just act as though she's a little too young for such and, only then, will she surely love it too.

Life being what it is moves swiftly, and with that comes much transition. It seems almost surreal to realize I'm the granmommy of a little lady who will be a teenager in a mere 17 months. But what a proud granmommy I am! Did I mention that Savannah has been an honor student since kindergarten? She sure has! And did I remember to say that she is going into the 6th grade but, because she tested at a much higher level, she has been accepted at an academy and will be starting with 8th grade level work? Yep, Savannah will be in the Pegasus class! My, how I wish I could see what her future holds!

But the greatest joy this precious doll brings me comes from her pure and tender heart and the kindness and sensitivity she has toward others. She faithfully believes God for anything and everything, be it big or small, and she truly loves God and her church. As she enters the next phase of her life it is my prayer that she holds to God's unchanging hand and nevers loses sight of Calvary. I pray that she is always mindful of the fact that the achievements and recognition we gain while on this earth mean absolutely nothing if we lose out with God. She's been taught that since before she was old enough to understand it's meaning and I pray that it is firmly imprinted on the facets of her mind.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Happy Fathers Day!

My Dad and me, 1958

Justin and Savannah, 1998

I was 3 years old when this picture was taken of me with my Dad. Fast track 40 years...Savannah, my wonderful grandbaby was 2 years old in this picture with her Dad, my first son, Justin. Yeah, I know, the math just doesn't quite add up. I was totally devastated when I received the news that Justin would be a father at the ripe young age of 19. Fortunately, God has a phenomenal way of making all the pieces of life's puzzle fit together perfectly, and I fell head over hills in love the day this precious baby arrived. In fact, I feel reasonably certain I was probably the happiest 41 year old grandmother alive! As for Justin, well, you would have thought he had been a Dad forever...in spite of the fact that Savannah was the first baby he had ever held in his life. And talk about genetics, I don't believe a twin could look more like him than his baby girl and fishing buddy, Savannah. A chip off the old block, with a bond much like that I still have with my Dad. Thank heaven for real fathers...they make a difference indeed!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Click It--or--Ticket!

School is out, traffic is a bit heavier and even Andi complies with 'click it or ticket' idea, the Texas Highway Department logo urging the wearing of seat belts!

Savannah was invited to Austin by her best friend (whose mother happens to be her school principal!), so we rose bright and early, packed a bag and as we started toward the door we noticed Andi was right there with us, joyously awaiting a ride in the car.

Granmommy's baby is quite a young lady now.....

Catch is, there was no plan to include her in this venture, however, those beautiful, huge brown eyes will certainly get you everytime! So off we go, with Andi strapped in her most favorite place in the whole world---her car seat---where she sat quite as a mouse, anxious to enjoy the view from her wonderful vantage point. Like always, Granmommy had to take a few pictures and Andi, in the car seat, got in on that action too.

What are we waiting on? Let's go!


My sweet Savannah, just too cool for words....

Monday, June 09, 2008

HaPpY LiSt !

Inspired by my wonderful friend from waaaaay back in time, Dayle @ http://www.xanga.com/MsWrite2, I decided to create my own happy list.
Here goes:

* I have a wonderful job, with the flexibility to do what I want, when I want.

* I'm blessed with two wonderful, successful sons.

* ....and the cutest, sweetest grand daughter I could ever imagine.

* I'm favored with a glorious show of flowers and vegetables in my garden,
my favorite place this side of the mountains.

* I know and enjoy the blessing of real friends...there is quite a difference indeed!

* I know that God is never more than a whisper away... a tried and proven fact.

* ...and He will supply our needs according to His riches...which are more exceedingly abundant than we can begin to imagine

Friday, June 06, 2008




What Your Fridge Says About You



You like to be surrounded by things you love. You aren't exactly greedy, but you can be materialistic at times.



You tend to be a fairly thrifty person. You splurge occasionally, but you're mostly a saver.



You are a very adventurous person. You love to try new things, and you get bored very easily.



You are responsible, together, and mature. You act like an adult, even when you don't feel like it.



You are likely to be married - and very busy.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Why I Don't Have a Doggie Door....


It was quite a sad day when, this time last year, the back hoes and bulldozers arrived and began preparing the wonderful, thick forest behind my property for more 'suburban sprawl.' They boasted of a gated community, with all kinds of perks and bells and whistles for the 46 future home owners who will gleefully flock to the concrete sub-division that was once a wonderful and serene little patch of woods.

With the falling of the old, magnificent trees and the clearing of the brush, came the loss of residence for scores of creatures. Some are quite friendly, others are not. I now have a resident cardinal, Lamar, who graces my lawn each morning and bickers with the bird he sees in my breakfast room window. And the blue jays are a beautiful sight to behold too, in spite of their dominance of the bird feeder.

But the creatures who are less than endearing, and just absolutely do not have a rightful place at this little cottage, are the frightening, bigger than life raccoons who raided the trash cans each evening.

Tiring of these unwelcome guests who regularly lurked around the corner of the house, I called animal control and a nice man delivered a trap and taught me how to bait it with 'dollar store sardines.' Much to my surprise, every single morning---for 11 days--- I had to call the nice man to came back and retrieve BIG, vicious, fighting, growling raccoons, as well as a possum or two, and deliver them to their new abode outside the city limits. I'm sure I didn't make a dent in the population, but it seems that word must have gotten out in their circles because since that time, the coons have certainly steered clear of this territory.

So, THAT is why Andi has very little freedom and must notify me each time she wants or needs to go outside. And THAT is why I do not and will not have a doggie door. I fear a doggie door would serve a multiple purpose---as a raccoon/possum/whatever else door. I can't even begin to imagine my reaction to coming home and finding Rocky chilling on the sofa, watching Food Network. I would rather be inconvenienced, thank you.

Monday, June 02, 2008

A little Nostalgia I Came Across This Morning...

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN...?

All the girls had ugly gym uniforms?



It took five minutes for the TV warm up?



Nearly everyone's Mom was at home when the kids got home from school?

Nobody owned a purebred dog?

When a quarter was a decent allowance?

You'd reach into a muddy gutter for a penny?

Your Mom wore nylons that came in two pieces?

All your male teachers wore neckties and female teachers had
their hair done every day and wore high heels?


You got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped,
without asking, all for free, every time?
And you didn't pay for air? And, you got trading stamps to boot?



Laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box?

It was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner
at a real restaurant with your parents?

They threatened to keep kids back a grade if they failed. . ...and they did?

When a 55 Chevy was everyone's dream car...to cruise,
peel out, lay rubber or watch submarine races, and people went steady?



No one ever asked where the car keys were
because they were always in the car,
in the ignition, and the doors were never locked?

Lying on your back in the grass with your friends
and saying things like, "That cloud looks like a ..."

and playing baseball with no adults to help kids with the rules of the game?

Stuff from the store came without safety caps and hermetic seals
because no one had yet tried to poison a perfect stranger?

And with all our progress, don't you just wish, just once,
you could slip back in time and savor the slower pace,
and share it with the children of today?

When being sent to the principal's office was nothing
compared to the fate that awaited the student at home?
Basically we were in fear for our lives,
but it wasn't because of drive-by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc.

Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat!
But we survived because their love was greater than the threat.

Send this on to someone who can still remember
Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Laurel and Hardy,
Howdy Doody and the Peanut Gallery,
the Lone Ranger, The Shadow Knows,
Nellie Bell, Roy and Dale, Trigger and Buttermilk.


As well as summers filled with bike rides, baseball games,
Hula Hoops, bowling and visits to the pool,
and eating Kool-Aid powder with sugar.
Didn't that feel good, just to go back and say, "Yeah, I remember that"?



I am sharing this with you today
because it ended with a double dog dare to pass it on.
To remember what a double dog dare is, read on.
And remember that the perfect age is somewhere between
old enough to know better and too young to care.

How many of these do you remember?

Candy cigarettes
Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water inside
Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles
Coffee shops with tableside jukeboxes
Blackjack, Clove and Teaberry chewing gum
Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers
Newsreels before the movie
P.F. Fliers

Telephone numbers with a word prefix....(Raymond 4-601).
Party lines

Peashooters
Howdy Doody
45 RPM records
Green Stamps
Hi-Fi's

Metal ice cubes trays with levers



Mimeograph paper
Beanie and Cecil
Roller-skate keys
Cork pop guns
Drive ins
Studebakers



Washtub wringers
The Fuller Brush Man
Reel-To-Reel tape recorders
Tinkertoys
Erector Sets
The Fort Apache Play Set
Lincoln Logs
15 cent McDonald hamburgers

5 cent packs of baseball cards -
with that awful pink slab of bubble gum

Penny candy

35 cent a gallon gasoline
Jiffy Pop popcorn

Do you remember a time when...

Decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-moe"?
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "Do Over!"?
"Race issue" meant arguing about who ran the fastest?
Catching the fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening?
It wasn't odd to have two or three "Best Friends"?

The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was "cooties"?
Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot?
A foot of snow was a dream come true?

Saturday morning cartoons weren't 30-minute commercials for action figures?
"Oly-oly-oxen-free" made perfect sense?
Spinning around, getting dizzy, and falling down was cause for giggles?

The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team?
War was a card game?
Baseball cards in the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle?
Taking drugs meant orange-flavored chewable aspirin?
Water balloons were the ultimate weapon?

If you can remember most or all of these, then you have lived!!!!!!!

Pass this on to anyone who may need a break from
their "grown-up" life . . I double-dog-dare-ya!

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Life Is Too Short To Save The Good Dishes...

Yesterday I had a burst of energy and decided it was time to organize the pantry (again) and trash the Rubbermaid bowls without lids and lids without bowls. The energy lingered after those tasks were completed so I moved on to tackle the 'junk drawer' and before I knew it, I had cleaned out all the kitchen drawers as well as all the lower cabinets. Not willing to stop with the job half done, I grabbed my little ladder and started on the upper cabinets. I straightened plates and bowls and glasses and mugs and mixing bowls and baking dishes before moving to the cabinet with the 'good dishes', my collection of Franciscan 'Apple Blossom' pottery. My what lovely pieces those shelves held! The covered casserole, the gravy boat and the divided vegetable dish were my absolute favorites until the day I spotted those wonderful crescent shaped salad plates on the e-bay auction block. I knew instantly they had my name all over them! I remember sitting at the computer during the final minutes of the auction, anxiously hoping to win the grand prize, which I did. And, oh my, how beautiful and unique these rare, vintage pieces are.
Every Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday or special occasion I would bring out 'the dishes', set a beautiful table, serve a wonderful meal, then return them to their place of rest where they would be safe and secure until the next event. But as I admired my collection yesterday, the thought occured to me that there is truly no day more special than this very one. Yesterday is but a memory and tomorrow I can only hope for, but this very moment, the here and now, is indeed quite special. God has certainly been mighty good to me. I have a wonderful family, a precious grand daughter and a very special man to love who, without doubt, was a gift straight from God. I have a beautiful home, wonderful gardens, good health and a great job. So this day---this very moment---there is indeed much to celebrate in my life. With that thought in mind, I begin to pack the 'everyday dishes' into the Goodwill box and move my prized collection into their place. The 'apple dishes' are the every day dishes now and they will serve as a constant reminder that celebrations need not occur only on the dates circled here and there on the calendar but, rather, with each sunrise we behold and with every breath we take.

This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24