Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas Collage

I'm starting to think Facebook is replacing the "blog."  After all, when you post something, everyone who has friended you sees it whether they want to or not.  And then there's the almost instantaneous feedback.  But since I publish my blog annually to hardcopy, I must post at least some pictures of our 2010 Christmas, before this goes to print.  Believe me, it's easier than scrapbooking.

Hope everyone's Christmas was filled with joy and that 2011 will be filled with wonderful blessings.

Christmas morning.
Wearing new pj's from Great Grandma & Grandpa Smith.

Lauren feeding her new baby.

Jacob's dragon castle?


Giving baby a shot.  If you ask me, this doll is more trouble than a real baby!

Jeremy tending the fire.

Maybe this bottle will keep her from crying.
Whatcha got sis?

Neal's typical "conversing" face.

Jeremy & Trista at Grandma & Grandpa Blevins'.

Heather and Taylor

Green money!!!!

Opening gifts from the Blevins' aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents.

The newlyweds.

Neal and Gary looking on.

Mass chaos.  A Blevins tradition.

Kenny & Leslie.

You'd think since I can review all my photos on my camera, I'd make sure and get pictures of everyone.   Live and learn.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Oh Christmas Tree


Is this pitiful or what?

Even when my boys were toddlers, I had a prettier tree than this.

I've moved the unbreakable ornaments to the top half of the tree.   Total waste of time.  The kitties just keep climbing higher to get the one they want.

Can't plug in the lights, for fear of making this a bonafide Griswold Christmas.

*Sigh*  Maybe next year.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

My Trip Down Under

Not Australia.  Not even close.

Who's bright idea was it to insulate the crawl space?  Okay, it was mine.  But the plan was for NEAL to do the work.  However......due to an incident a couple of weeks ago, when he actually started the job but got stuck between two pipes (not laughing here)...the task would not be completed without my help.  Oh--believe me--I tried to get out of it.  Pleading, whining, faking illness, using the art of distraction.  Nothing worked.  It was inevitable.  I was going under the house.

Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to experience.  Eighteen inches of wiggle room--at the entrance--it narrowed from there.  Army crawling over cinder blocks, rocks, random pipe and some sort of liquid--not really sure what that was, but it didn't smell good.  Banging my head on the same beam THREE TIMES.  And seeing how this house is actually propped up on stacks of blocks, bricks, rocks and boards.  If a house is only as good as it's foundation, we're in big trouble.

I only broke down and sobbed uncontrollably ONCE--but it lasted several hours minutes.  And that was enough for Neal to say, "as soon as we get this place payed off, we're bulldozing this house."  Ahhh....music to my ears.

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Christmas Spirit

This is exactly what I was afraid of.


scoffman (you know who you are) scoffed at me for considering a tree-less Christmas because of the kittens.



Fortunately, I trimmed the tree with all unbreakable ornaments.

And they have learned to fear this:

Thanks, Janet, for the lesson on Cat Discipline.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Just 112 Days

Yes, I know.  Only 24 shopping days til Christmas.

But can you believe there's something even more deserving of a countdown calendar?

Tulsa Workshop begins on March 23!!!!  (Formerly known as the International Soulwinning Workshop.)

I. CAN'T. WAIT.

It's better than Christmas.

Four days of heaven on earth.

It's like a spiritual booster shot.  Required annually.

Last year my bff and I, who both live in a Tulsa suburb, booked a hotel for the occasion.  No distractions.  No laundry pile calling our names.  No meals to plan or cook.  No dust-covered end tables  begging for a Swiffer.  If we could only give up those dad-gum cell phones for 3 days, it would be perfect.  Maybe we'll work up to that.  Maybe not.

"Let the Chains Fall Away" is this year's theme.  If that doesn't rattle your chains, surely a preview of the list of speakers will.  Randy Harris (my hero...I love him...I want to marry him...except I'm already married...moving on...), Rick Atchley, Jeff Walling--just to name a few.

Go to Terry Rush's blog this morning to get a glimpse of what's new on the program this year.  Tell him I sent you and receive a free copy of his latest book.  Ha!  Just kidding.  I get carried away.

So.  When Christmas is over, you won't find me suffering from the "after-holidays blues."  I'll be counting down to the big one!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Better Than a Baby Doll









And now, it's nap time. 


Stella has succumbed, but Sophie is still shooting me the "help!" look.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving Eve

It's the day before Thanksgiving, and I anticipate a very busy day tomorrow.

If you're not into sappy "things I'm thankful for" ramblings, do not delay in navigating away from this page.  I will not be offended.  I really just need to put it in writing for my own benefit.

First of all, this is the bountiful harvest of tomatoes that I gathered this morning.


Out of the 4 tomato plants we had this year, 2 of them died around mid-August.  But the other two, planted in the herb garden inside the pool fence, simply refuse to call it quits.  I took some to Shane a couple of weeks ago, saying it was probably the last of the crop.  Um....no.   I think I know where I'll plant ALL my tomatoes next Spring. 

The weather man says we're in for a cold blast tonight and tomorrow, so I picked most of what remained and will serve Neal one of his favorite delicacies, Fried Green Tomatoes, tonight. Yum, yum.


Today's largest and smallest tomatoes.

Now for the list of things I'm thankful for.

1.  My husband of almost 34 years.  Other than the fact that he is really gonna make me crawl under the house to help with the insulation, he pretty much spoils me.
2.  My parents and two sisters.  Wow.  When I hear about the sad, sometimes traumatic, childhoods of others, I continually wonder how I got so lucky.
3.  My sons.  Healthy, smart, and God-fearing.
4.  My daughter-in-law.  The vows she took at their wedding over 7 years ago were totally redundant, as she had already been through good times and bad and chose to stand by my son.  She's an awesome mommy to my grandchildren...who happen to be...number
5.  Jacob & Lauren.  My heart overflows beyond words.
6.  Health.  I'm surrounded by friends and loved ones who suffer daily with debilitating pain and illness.  For now, I'm strong and healthy, and for that I am grateful.
7.  Wealth.  Don't misunderstand.  I am most definitely middle-class.  But considering the economic state of the world in general and America this past year, I am truly rich.  I never worry about where I'll get my next meal, if I'll have a warm place to sleep, or whether I can afford a new pair of socks.
8.  Terry Rush, David Combs, Jason Thornton, Shane Coffman, Trent Taylor, Linda Scott, Stacey Kendall and Sherri Storm.  The team that I have the privilege to encounter every week in my job.  They all inspire me to be more than I am.  To love each and every day and moment.  To depend on God.  To show the love of Christ in everything I do and to everyone I meet.
9.  God's grace and mercy.  I fail.  Daily.  God gives me another chance. Daily.

I would round this out to 10, but I just can't seem to top #9.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I will now be in the kitchen for the next 24 hours.


Saturday, November 13, 2010

Bark Park

The kittens have taken over my blog (as well as my couch).

Have you noticed?  So I've gotta give the dogs equal web time.

In case you think I've forgotten my grandchildren....I tried to get Jacob to go to the Bark Park with me today...and he passed.  Can you believe it?  I'm already being turned down by my six-year-old grandson.  I knew this day would come.

So.  Gracie and I went to the Bark Park Toy Drive, organized by my niece, Morgan.

Here's a play-by-play, in pictures.

Upon arrival, she had to get some love from Morgan.

And when another canine tries to get in on some of that, Gracie growls and bares her teeth.


Here are all the other dogs in the park.  Frolicking and socializing to beat the band.


And here's Gracie.  Looking for her 7th pee spot in 10 minutes.




Okay, now we're beginning to get friendly.


But wait.  What's that?  Another back scratcher?  Gracie's really more of a people person dog.


And on the way home she is completely wiped out from a full 30-minute outing.


And did I mention that I was mistaken for a "leg-hiking" post by Bo's dog?  Apparently it's a good idea to keep movin' at the Bark Park.

Monday, November 08, 2010

So Smart

By George, I think they've got it!


Sunday, November 07, 2010

Why do I bother?

Our little furballs now have names.  I'd like to thank my true, loyal readers for your suggestions (even though we didn't choose any of them).  The rest of you who only read and don't comment, are officially shunned.  Okay, so maybe I should've offered a prize.  A new kitten, perhaps?


Furball #1 (left) is Sophie and Furball #2 (right) is Stella

I had just spent $95 on shots for James the week before his demise, and although I promise not to withhold any necessities from these two, I have vowed not to buy any "extras." 

However.....

Since they are still indoors, I splurged on this $12.98 cozy cat bed (complete with catnip pocket).

After all--they love getting in bowls...


and baskets....


But would they even CONSIDER sleeping in a cat cozy?


Um....no.

Friday, October 29, 2010

A Contest For You

PW is always having contests...and giveaways.  Here is a contest...but no giveaway.  I like to be original.

I'm looking for names for my new little (female) fur balls.  Because frankly, it's getting a little confusing with them both having the same name.  Fur Ball #1 and Fur Ball #2 isn't gonna cut it.

Fur Ball #1
(Can you even believe someone would abandon this cutie pie on the side of the road?)


Fur Ball #2 is camera shy...

...co-dependent

...and prefers my lap to any other place in the house.

I've already ruled out Road Kill and Coyote Bait, so you can cross those off the list.

Suggestions?

If there are no comments or suggestions, I'll assume I've completely lost all my millions of followers.  Because let's face it.  Who can NOT comment on these adorable fur balls?