Blizzard of 2006

Yes, I'm from Canada, and no, I don't remember it ever being colder than it is here in Tulsa today. We've gone from rain to freezing rain to sleet (how is that different from freezing rain?) to snow. The wind is so forceful, it's hard to tell if it's still snowing or just blowing. Jeremy, Trista and kids are snowed in at Trista's parents, so I'm here all alone. Got LOTS done today. Not quite sure what I'll do tomorrow. My mother-in-law called to check on me--what a sweetheart--said to call if I needed anything. Hmmmm. Wonder what she would do if I did need something since she's snowed in as well. Anyway.......

As a diversion to my productive and peaceful day of hemming pants, making chocolate covered pretzels, backing up all my digital photos and listening to Josh Groban, I decided to do my son a favor by checking on his dog, Hunter. Jeremy was worried that he wasn't using his dog house. Since it's apparent Jeremy will not venture out in this weather, I decided to feed Hunter and see what he was using for shelter. As predicted, he wasn't smart enough to crawl into his dog house, but instead, was huddled under a shrub next to the house. My concern was more for myself--how do I get into the yard since the gate is frozen shut? If I try to climb over it, I'll have to put the dog food somewhere and my arms are not long enough to reach over the fence. After much chipping, digging and pounding, the gate opened just enough for me to squeeze through. Now...to get the solid ice out of the dish to make room for the food. (I don't own a dog for this very reason!) Finally the job was done and I immediately called to tell Jeremy that he OWES me! A couple of hours later, news and weather reporters were guilting all pet owners into bringing their animals inside for the night. You've got to be kiddin' me! That ain't happenin'. But soon, the old heart started aching for this poor innocent dog who didn't have a choice (except the choice to get IN THE DOG HOUSE). The garage would be the logical place for him, so I set about clearing an area, plugging in a space heater (which I soon found was broken) and a trouble light. Now to go rescue Hunter. Much to my dismay, the tiny opening I had to squeeze through to retrieve him was plenty wide enough for him to slip through. Hunter!!! Wait!!! I'm trying to HELP you!!! By the time I've taken his bed out of the dog house to put in the garage, Hunter is nowhere in sight. I call him, but he really doesn't know my voice much less obey it. Why did I never learn to whistle? Luckily I've honed my tracking skills and tracked him through the snow to the neighbors house and proceeded to drag him by the collar to his new haven. Now Jeremy owes me BIG!!!

Lauren Update

Papa came home for Thanksgiving and enjoyed some time with Lauren, even though she slept through most of it. Still, Neal was happy to at least get some cuddle time in between hunting trips.

Sunday, November 26, was Lauren's dedication. Again, she slept through most of that. She looked like an angel.

I was finally able to get a photo of her big smile. She obviously was enjoying being with her great aunt Linda. Too bad her daddy had just messed up her coiffure. Her hair was sticking out in every direction.

Tribute to Grandma

I have been blessed to have my Grandma for over 50 years. That era came to an end on Wednesday, November 22, 2006. At the age of 89, Grandma left this earth to go home to be with her heavenly Father. It still seems surreal to me, since I've known for several years that each time I saw her may be the last. I've attended many funerals and tried to imagine what it would be like when the day came that we would bury my precious grandmother. So at her funeral, it felt like another rehearsal, a time to prepare myself for the inevitable.

I have the usual regrets...that I didn't visit her often enough, didn't pick up the phone to talk to her enough, didn't write enough letters. But I KNOW that I LOVED her enough.

I remember Grandma as a hard-working farmer's wife, a playmate for her grandchildren, a servant to those in need. A woman of grace and poise, dressing in her best for church on Sunday and always adding the appropriate accessories--scarf or necklace and earrings to match. She made the best chocolate cake in the world...and knew I liked mine dunked in a glass of cold milk.

She taught me, played with me, scolded me, loved me. Grandma, I will miss you.

Lita's Lagniappe

For those of you who are not multi-lingual, "lagniappe" is a French/Cajun word meaning "a little something extra." Today's post is just that, information that might come in handy at some point in your life.

Lagniappe #1: A solid surface cooktop is very convenient in that it provides a level space to expand your countertop.

Lagniappe #2: NEVER set anything on this area that you do not intend to COOK.

Being such the Susie Homemaker that I am, this morning I decided to brown some stew meat before placing it in the crock pot. Mind you, it was before my second cup of coffee, when my brain was still not functioning on full capacity. Who are we kidding? If you're over 50, full capacity brain function is a relative term. My stew meat, still in it's cellophane wrapper and styrofoam tray and on top of the plastic grocery bag, was sitting next to my skillet. You know where this is going, don't you? A few minutes later, when I figured the oil would be hot enough, I discovered that I had turned on the WRONG burner. The plastic grocery sack along with the styrofoam tray were melted onto the the burner and the meat was already starting to cook!

Lagniappe #3: A combination of baking soda, Bon Ami, and Oops, together with strong thumb and forefinger nails will remove melted plastic and styrofoam from solid surface cooktops. However, once the aforementioned nails become wet, you will need to let them dry in between scrapings else you will only bend them to the point of breakage.

One Month Five Days

Lauren gets more beautiful every day. These pictures confirm that her eyes are, in fact, blue. They were so dark for awhile I was beginning to wonder if I would have a brown-eyed grandchild. She is smiling occasionally, mostly when her mommy or daddy is talking to her. She refuses to smile for me when I'm taking her picture. She's going to be a stubborn one.

Mystery Solved

The globe was found last night in the bedroom upstairs where the kids are temporarily camped out. It was tucked safely behind an old ladder that leans against the wall holding quilts. Needless to say, the lamp has been moved to the opposite end of the piano where it is not so easily accessible.

Case of the Missing Globe

Trista and I have both caught Jacob with the globe to one of my antique kerosene lamps. As you can see, its juxtaposition to the stairs is perfect for a little arm to reach over the banister and lift it off its base. Once I caught him on the stairs talking through it like a megaphone. The other instance was when Trista heard a clanging on the ceramic tile in the entryway, and discovered it bouncing on the tile, unscathed. This morning Trista noticed that it was missing and assumed I had done something with it. Wrong assumption. We've looked everywhere for it and the evidence points to Jacob. He either can't remember where he put it or has hidden it and isn't talking.

More from the Photo Shoot

Classics.

Photo Shoot

An old friend's daughter is making a career of photography. She specializes in babies and children and makes house calls. These are pictures she took of Jacob and Lauren at my house last week. She spent over two hours patiently snapping poses, trying for the ever elusive shot of both of them looking pleasantly into the camera lens. Even though that wasn't meant to be, there are some classics.