Makings of a Good Naptime!

Can I just tell you how delighted I am today that:
1. We actually made it to Kindermusik on time!
2. Got to have lunch (interesting as it was) with friends.
3. Made it to Bed, Bath, and Beyond for a new shower curtain liner (and the possibility of new spring placemats/napkins).
4. Made it home with only minutes to spare before the rain. This is especially wonderful since I just had my car washed yesterday!!
5. I also was able to get the mail which contained my new Country Home magazine!

Oh, joyful naptime! Sleep inducing rain for the wee one and tea and a magazine for Mama...does it get any better? (Maybe a haircut - oh, but that's the next post!)

This Means War.

Where to start to tell you of the events of the last 5 hours?

I sit finally resting my weary self after quite an ordeal. It all started yesterday as I was making lunch after Reed had replaced the sink. I noticed a small amount of dust and debris on the stove top that I assumed came from the work being done. I was not in the mood to clean it thinking we'd just do one big clean up when they were all done. I mentioned it to Reed, though, this afternoon and we wondered aloud what it could be. Reed suggested it came from the toaster since that had been where it sat during the project. We later both admitted that we agreed to that explanation not wanting to say what else we were thinking could explain it.

Now fast forward to tonight. We went to my mother's to make Valentine cookies with my neices and nephew. When we got home, Reed took Evy to check on the holes he had patched yesterday where squirrels had been getting into our attic causing havoc and making a lot of noise. I decided to go on in the house. The first thing I noticed, however, is that the "debris" that was on the stove top was now much worse and had...well, additions. With much trepidation, I looked above it. Yup, a big ol' gnawed hole in the metal mesh that covers the vent in the hood over the stove.

Now think of Janice's voice from "Friends" in your head as you hear me say, "OH - MY - GOSH!!!" I set everything down and proceeded to look for whatever creature was now freely roaming my home. Hoping it was only a squirrel (which is, of course, bad enough, but not as bad as it could be!). I spied it almost immediately. A big brown, furry body behind the wingback chair in the family room. Big bushy tail. We just looked at each other for a minute.

Then I comically hear Reed outside in his chipper, proud voice: "Yup, Evy, we got 'em all covered! No more noisy squirrels!" Boy, was his bubble about to burst. I reached for the camera. However, as I got close enough to actually get a picture, he bolted! Scared the crap outta me! I watched where he went, then I yelled out the door: "REED!!! Get in here!!"

He did and I, regretfully, sarcastically, asked if he was sufficiently proud of his handiwork. He knew something was up. I showed him the evidence and pointed to where the squirrel had gone. We quickly sent Evy to her room, and well, to spare you every detail, there was yelling (by me), our brave, calm neighbor with dog food, and Reed's pellet gun involved. It ran to the front entryway where it slammed into the mirror, the kitchen, the breakfast room, up my baker's rack to the curtain rod, hesitated on the clock for a while (which was quite a feat) and dashed into the utility room. There it used Reed's hand as a launching point of escape (anyone know about rabies reports in the area?) and somehow, finally, made it's way out the back door.

Because the cleanliness of the kitchen had been clearly compromised, we ordered Chinese and ate it on a plastic tablecloth on the rug in the family room after it had been vacuumed thoroughly. We have spent the last 3 and half hours or so 409'ing, disinfecting, vacuuming every surface of that living room and kitchen (especially the stove!!!!!). We are exhausted. But, hopefully, finally squirrel-free. We better be or next time, I'll be reaching for the pellet gun, not the camera!!

Bragging!

Since my husband does not have his own blog but prefers to live in Blogland vicariously through me (as he reads this over my shoulder while I type - as shown in the picture), I will gladly, happily, proudly boast of his manliness!

He was happy as a (manly) lark today, getting out all his tools and flexing his handyman prowess as he took out our dated, tired sink and faucet to replace it with this beauty:

I should also note that he had some assistance from our neighbor, Chris, because, well, this sucker is a very heavy cast iron puppy (though he did carry it into the house by his own brute strength!). Anyway, I am a happy little valentine today with my new kitchen sink! Thanks, Babe, I love you, too!

Surprises, still

Okay, so, yesterday afternoon I'm taking MaryEvyn out to a doomed, devastatingly terrible trip to Target (there was a spanking right in front of the store by the doors, and at least 3 tantrums, not including the one on the way because she spilled water on her sleeve).

But, blissfully, before all of that, I was putting her in the car in our garage when I hear an odd, but familiar humming sound. I follow the sound beneath the workbench and see this old friend of mine:

I used to have this refrigerator in a hidden corner of my classroom to keep my Cokes and lunch because the lounge was on the opposite side of the school and who wants to waste precious free minutes walking all the way there!

"Strange," I thought, "It wasn't there before." I assumed Reed had moved it there over the weekend when he was doing other outside chores, though I had no idea why. Knowing my hubby, though, I knew there had to be a reason why, and thought maybe it's contents would give me a clue. Never was I prepared to see this:

"What the...?!"
No, ladies, I don't think he got this for our Bunco night.
We are not necessarily a "dry" house, yet we simply rarely have a reason to have alcohol in it and neither of us are beer drinkers, but, apparently, one of us may be changing that! Ever since Reed's trip to Germany (dang Germans!), he mentions a desire for a beer every now and then and I've heard him off-handedly say he had one out with "the guys" when he's at a work dinner or something. It still surprises me. Not that I have a problem with it, it's just, well, it's Reed! Reed's not the surprising kinda guy, ya know. I sorta thought we were past the surprises.
So all I can do is shake my head and go on our merry way (oh, if only I'd known....).
Later the next night as we're finishing dinner.....
"So, Reed...." I begin innocently, "Do you have anything you'd like to tell me."
Girls, he didn't even hesitate before he started blushing and got a sheepish smile. "You mean the...uh... Did you look inside?"
"Um, Yeah, I did," I answered.
" Well, I just thought that Jake (Reed's work pal that's coming over for dinner tonight who's not from around these parts) might like to have one...and maybe if Casey or Phil were over...."
Yes, Casey and Phil, he implicated you, too! Seriously? Does he seriously expect me to believe that the majority of those won't be consumed by him?
Baby, it's fine if you just want beer, okay? You can even keep it in the house if there's room for it. It is just entirely funny that you didn't say anything to me about it, though, and that I "discovered" it the way that I did! So funny!

Next thing you know he'll come home with something like this for me to discover:
P.S. You may want to forward me the names of some good rehab programs, though, ladies, just in case. Isn't "hiding it" one of those signs....? ;-)

When Evy is sick

At 4am this morning Evy came into our bedroom and as Reed was sending her back to bed she pitifully cries, "But I'm all shaky!" Well, that got our parental alert system going and we were quickly reaching for the thermometer. Sure enough, 103.7. Yikes!

She was also coughing and crying because it hurt when she did. I gave her honey for the cough (I'd heard that does as much good as cough syrup for toddlers) and Tylenol for the fever. We gave her water, prayed for her, got her settled back down and went back to bed. She has kept her fever ever since, still hovering around 102/103, and she's oh so sweet!

"Mama, I'm so sorry I'm sick" in a sad little warbling voice.

"Mama, I'm so hot!" only to be followed an hour later by, "Mama, I'm so cold!"

She also comes up to me and lays her head on me and says, "Mama, I love you."

Oh, and then there was, "Mama, don't climb up on my refridgerator again, ok?" which she said upon waking from a feverish sleep and apparently had a disturbing dream. What do you say to that except, "Okay, Baby, I won't."

So, we've read books, played Memory, rested on the couch watching TV and I've tried to coax her to eat (though only succeeded in getting two bites of waffle down) and drink plenty.

It's so sad to see her in such a daze some of the time, and interrupting breakfast just to go and rest. Poor baby.

But I enjoy being her nurse and caring for my baby in the best way I know how. Though she doesn't enjoy the "new" oral way we're having to do her temperature (we're investing in one of those ear ones this afternoon!), she's really handling it well and takes her medicine happily but I'll be glad to have my cheery, energetic little girl back.

CSM Gets an Answer to Prayer

Faithful, prayerful readers,
With a delighted and grateful heart I announce that CSM (Crossbridge Student Ministry) has a new leader. His name is Aaron Statser and he is an answer to our prayers. He has quite a bit of experience with students in OK and here in Houston at Sugar Creek Baptist. He's recently married and his wife, Heather, is all in as well having her own girls' ministry experience!
God has made another of his wonderful matches with Aaron and Heather. They are a perfect fit for our church and are fully plugged in - youth ministry or not. He has a great vision for our church and our students yet is not jumping in to make things happen and/or change as soon as he can...he's getting to know us, the students who attend and those who don't, the parents, the leadership. He is prepared and preparing for the building we'll be moving into soon and is prayerfully considering each step. He's going to be great and I'm so excited to see how God uses him to use us to the best of His glory!
There were literal leaps of joy as I bounded out of the meeting with Brandon and Aaron and I feel as though the world is off of my shoulders! No more guilt, no more falling short because I wasn't even sure where the mark ever was! No more getting swallowed up in a sea of uncertainty and effort! No more organizing camps!! :-) Yet all the more time to teach, to prepare, to disciple, to mentor, to spiritually prepare for battle.
I was faithful, I feel, with the calling laid upon me temporarily thanks to God's faithfulness with me...but praise God for Aaron's arrival and willingness to take on this beautiful mess we call Student Ministry.
So, those of you who prayed along with me, let's thank Him together and now begin to pray for this new leadership and that he would soon be able to be on full time staff!
Thank you for all of your encouragement and prayers!

My Top Five Favorite Movies

Though perhaps you care nothing at all, but then again maybe you might read about one that peaks your interest. But I should explain the type of movie that really stirs me first.

They tend to be dramas, but no particular genre other than that. I enjoy movies that don't just tell a story or look pretty or cool - I just like deep, rich characters and films that have a message - even if I don't agree with it, sometimes. I love films that don't spell everything out for me, don't answer all of my questions, leave me wondering and actually thinking about what it means. I don't mind if the guy does or doesn't get the girl or a depressing end, if it is an honest one - not one conjured up to make me cry and it seems sometimes the ending is the reason the story is told. No, I just want the true emotions, the real talk that I might say or do, not some brilliantly written and edited saga where...oh, look, it's raining right in the middle of this emotional moment, how apropos!
I love films with nobody actors. Or where the known actors are simply so good that I forget who they are in real life. They become the character and I no longer see Julia Roberts, but instead I see "Shelby".
Okay, I think you get it... By the way, I linked some of them to great scenes (though not spoilers)from You Tube.

Here they are in no particular order except that in which they were remembered!

1. "Cider House Rules" - Though I didn't agree with the theme of this movie and it had some disturbing moments. But as I said, I left thinking. It challenged some of my black and white ideas and made me see some things anew.

2. "Dead Poets Society" - When I saw this movie, I remember wishing I had been the only one in the room. Simply because it was intense for me. I got lost in the characters and was wishing that I could stay there and not be intruded upon by other movie goers. There was the scene that left me absolutely sobbing to the point where I was making that unattractive, involuntary noise of gasping for air because you've been trying to stifle your tears when all of a sudden the scene changed and there was no sound except for birds taking wing - and me crying. I was embarassed...a little bit.
Anyway, I was shocked by what happened, inspired by Robin Williams' character and his passion and drive to ignite these young men. Wonderful characters.

3. "Steel Magnolias" - These distinctly southern ladies just steal my heart! For someone who seems so fake, Dolly Parton's characters are always so real and believable. And Olympia Dukakis and Shirley MacLaine are brilliantly funny. But my favorite is Sally Field who fiercely loves her daughter throughout everything, even when she doesn't like or agree with her decisions. (I'm beginning to tear up just writing this!) It reminds me, of course, of my own mom very much and her group of friends who may as well be my mothers, too. (They began calling themselves Steel Bluebonnets, FYI.) Absolutely lovely ending.

4. "Marvin's Room" - Most people have never heard of this movie and that is an absolute shame! It does have big names in it, but they are not in their typical roles and I like to think they did this film for the beautiful characters and the simple story of the joy and fulfillment of real love. Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton...they are terrific, especially Keaton as she innocently demonstrates how to love those you love.

5. "Good Will Hunting" - Again, though Matt Damon is easy on the eyes, I forget that it's him and I just see this hurt, broken genius that needs help and doesn't know how to get it. I liked the developed characters that take you past just their involvement in the story and how you don't really know what happens between Damon and Driver in the end because it doesn't matter to the real story being told. Again, a good message and an honest movie.

Runners Up:

"Terms of Endearment" - I saw this when I was somewhat young and I surely didn't really get it, but it left a big impression on me. Shirley MacLaine is awesome in this one, too. She's a pretty underrated actress in my opinion, though I know she's a little crazy! This one'll make you cry, too, but well worth it. The soundtrack is my favorite music ever!
"Finding Forrester" - This one is just a little too tidy for me, but I did like the honest characters and their unlikely friendship.
"Once" - The real inspiration for this post. I watched this just recently with Reed and it may just move up to the top 5. Billed as a "modern musical", over half of it is music (really awesome music at that) played by an Irish bloke with a hole in his old, loved guitar and the Czech girl he meets who basically gets him moving again. Neither of which do you ever learn their names. Ummm...I did cry at this one, too, but out of sheer sweetness at the end. A great date movie - watch it for Valentine's Day with your sweetie! It was awesome!
P.S. Thought of three more: "Hotel Rwanda", "My Life as a House", and "Spanglish" (I love Adam Sandler's serious roles, and I'll be watching "Reign Over Me" next, thanks, Ashley!)

The Aforementioned Teen 'tude!

This was the scene last Friday night. Reed had been gone all week and I was exhauseted so I'd headed to my parents' house for a little respite and company (and satellite TV!). We had finished a wonderful dinner and it was time to get Evy's bath. I had asked her a few times already to get ready for her bath and get undressed, but in my tired state had yet to make a move to actually prepare myself for the task or to enforce what I'd said. When I finally did drag myself up I nicely, though firmly, asked Evyn once more to get her clothes off. This is the response I received: "Nooooo," as she ran and crashed into the couch, "Shut up!"
It was like a bomb had gone off and no one knew what to do first. Evy froze and looked at me: "Wonder what it does when I say that!" she seemed to be thinking. My dad gasped a little, though he tried to check himself. I'm sure my eyes widened, I glanced at my dad as if to say, "Can you believe that?", then as I heard all the "good" parenting books in my head saying: don't make a big deal of this, I calmly took Evy out of the room to the hallway, so she wouldn't feel the need to perform, or be ashamed. We had a good talk, I explained what she had said and why it was very wrong. She apologized, promised to never say it again, and we hugged and kissed.
However, she has been on a streak lately of at-tit-tude! This little three year old has skipped about 10 years on us! All I have known to do to react is to give her time out every time. Though neither of us may be able to articulate why it's disrespectful, she knows just as well as I do that it just is! So, there's been some time out happenin' up in here lately!
Anybody have other effective solutions for the toddler turned teen overnight? Geesh!!

Just a Little Saturday afternoon craft!

Unfortunately, I always forget to take a "before" shot, but just imagine a plain jane, cheap pink lamp shade. I had bought this elastic sort of ribbon a long time ago intending to use it on a pillowcase, but didn't realize it was stretchy until I opened it, so it was shelved for a while. Then I saw these cute little shades on Better Homes and Gardens and that ribbon came back to mind...and that plain little shade. Add a little hot glue and...Voila!

Q: "I don't know how you do it!"

A: Psalm 3 and 4
Reed has been in Hyderabad, India for the past week and a half. It's been...hmmm....hard.
Just so you know, if it were completely up to me, Reed would quit. I really can't stand the travelling at all. Call me a baby, but I just don't think it's right. However, really Reed and I have not felt like that has been what God is calling us to do (yet!) and we know that this job he has is really amazing!
At any rate, the answer is that I don't do it! I hate it. I hate every minute of it and have to work very hard not to make Reed "pay" for leaving me. Not making him feel guilty. Especially when it's Sunday afternoon, I'm tired, she's got an attitude that would rival any teen (more on that later), and it's been a week of on the job 24/7! The worst times are at night. I get very bored, very lonely. But I won't whine about that (I think I have before) so I'll get to the point. If you're like me, when you're alone in the house, you hear everything. bumps, creaks, scratches, booms...and they are amplified! I tend to stay up very late watching TV until I'm so tired I'm about to fall over so that when I go to bed, I won't be able to keep my eyes open and hear all the noises. But I've discovered Psalm 3 and 4.
This verse is my favorite: "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Not only did this initially relieve my anxiety about being safe, but I realized something in this verse, too. "You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Even if Reed was here, even with our alarm, even with doors locked, it is God alone who gives me safety. Even with the phones (I sleep with the cordless and my cell phone), even if I had a gun (which I DON'T!), it would still be God alone who makes me dwell in safety. It reminds of another verse: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7.
What do you trust in?

Falling in Love: Live from France!

I don't know if you've checked out the link down there to "Tongue in Cheek" but I have so enjoyed it lately! She is a California girl who met the man of her dreams and moved with him to his hometown in the South of France and spends her free time taking great photos and scouring French brocante. Anyway, she's also an incurable romantic and has been playing quite the match maker this past weekend. You just have to check out this story! It's so cute and sweet and I've been really loving watching these two fall in love! It's so sweet and amazing! The story starts here!

Also, if you enjoy that, then you should read this quick story about when her hubby, Yann, proposed to her. Very touching - and not for the reason you'd think.

Her home and photography was also just published in the newly reissued Victoria magazine - a perfect fit, I should think, for her romantic perfection!

Have fun!

Can I have my husband back, now?

Well, it's official, friends. College football is over, at least for a while.

I actually love football, college in particular, but not like my hubby. I'm pretty singular about my love: it's Aggie football and/or any team who's fate affects my beloved Aggies. This is true for Reed as well, though it still goes deeper for him. I will turn football on and just have it going in the background, simply because it's just right. I grew up with it on all the time. Saturdays: college football, Sunday: pro football (the home team , or Dallas), Holidays: bowls, of course! It just doesn't feel right to not have it on. Sunday isn't complete without my nap and then a coke all while "watching" football. I do it even if I'm the only one home. I have been known to listen to an Aggie game on the radio when we couldn't get it on TV (though I'm kinda in and out). I really love to go to Wild Wings and watch it with some fellow Ags at least once a season - that's fun! Then you can all comiserate at the idiotic calls, the deflating interception and you can all high five and celebrate when t.u. goes down....again!!! ;-)

I do love football. I love those capable quarterbacks, the game cinching field goal kickers, the cool coaches who keep it together until the 0's fill the clock. I love the fans (most of them), I love the strategy, the hard nail-you-in-your-tracks tackles, the big throws and I totally love the spirit of Aggieland.

So, here's to the end for this year. Congrats to LSU, congrats to WVU (even though we did were pulling for Oklahoma, sorry, Patrick and Ash) congrats to Tech, bu-bye Coach Fran, and, oh, texas, be sure and come back next year for more butt-kickin'!! Whoop!

On Resolutions

Happy New Year, Friends (and Family!)
So, do you make resolutions? A lot of people I know would quickly tell you no, that they wouldn't keep them anyway, so why do it? There is truth to this, but it's also a little negative and cynical, don't you think? And I think that even these people secretly have a few things that they try to get going in the New Year. Sure, it's just another day with some different numbers attached to it, but how can you resist the urge to be swept up in the fresh newness of it all.
Well, here's what I've decided: yeah, I may not keep these resolutions, in fact I doubt it, but why not make a go of it and why not start now? I mean, it can't hurt, right? And if I should actually keep these suckers, wouldn't that be something? So, here goes:
1. Pray every night with Reed.
2. Brush my teeth. I know, I know...but, really, most of the time, I'm so tired at night that I just can't bring myself to do it. (Yes, I do brush them, just not as often as I should!)
3. Clean my contacts. This, too, is often sacrificed because I just want my bed! I have hard contacts, so it's not the end of the world if I don't clean them, but I can keep them more comfortable for longer if I do.
4. Quiet times more often. Sometimes my quiet time morphs into prep time for youth Bible study. Sometimes it is not so quiet, my heart and my fleshly desires get really loud. I'd like to be more consistent this year (and every year).
5. Mail birthday cards to friends and family - on time, too!

I think that's all.
I'll let you know how it goes....maybe! ;-)
Any other resolvers out there?

My Favorite Christmas Memories of '07

1. MaryEvyn sitting with Santa on our trip to Alabama chatting about a Dora this and a Dora that.

2. Sitting with Mrs. Claus listening to her tell a story about Christmas with Santa.

3. Baking cookies with all three of her older cousins (my brother's kids) at Mamaw's house (my mom).

4. Eating an early dinner so we could get her bath done and watch Rudolph for the first time while sipping hot cocoa. She cried because she wanted Rudolph's Daddy to love him. So sweet!

5. Making s'mores in our fireplace while watching the Charlie Brown Christmas movie.

6. Making and giving my homemade gifts this year.

7. Evyn's class Christmas party.

8. The day we decorated the tree, again, with hot chocoloate in hand. I use all family ornaments that have some significance. I have some from teachers I taught with at the Glen, some from students, from our honeymoon, our firsts (as a married couple, in our house, with a baby...), the yearly homemade one from Gram and featuring Evy's happy face. I love them all and remember them all every year. It is fun to share the stories with Evy and watch her carefully place each one on the tree (all in the same spot, of course!, which I later have to fix). It's also tradition in my family to let the youngest place the star on top. There is an annual picture just like this of me when I'm around her age with my Daddy. I love it!

9. Evy getting more play time with her cousins: Peyton, Bailey and Kyle and especially Ryan and Braden because she hardly ever gets to really see them. We had a great day at the Childrens Museum and Incredible Pizza Co. with them on Saturday. They are big fun!!
10. MaryEvyn opening her ballet shoes and music box. They were a real surprise and she jumped into our laps and threw her arms around our necks in her true dramatic fashion to say, "Oh, thank you, Dada!!" It was really fun!

11. Listening to MaryEvyn tell the "true meaning of Christmas story" (as she so adequately calls it) and sing "Away in a Manger".

12. My absolute favorite: taking time with her Gram to go shopping with her Christmas gift money (though I don't think she really got that it was her money for her gifts) for a few gifts for Vivyana, a little girl in Lake Jackson that was in need. We then got to deliver them to her the Sunday before Christmas. Quite a treat and the beginning of what I hope is a life long journey of serving like Jesus and learning what Christmas really means.

The winner and Merry Christmas!

Thanks, Reed, for your help "shooting" the video!

...and 100!!!!

Yea! I finally did it! 100 posts!!

I always knew I had a lot to say, but it took me a while to get to 100! I've been planning this one for a while...are you ready? Do you like surprises? I have one for you!

I have a special giveaway. No, I know I'm not a rockstar blogger with a thousand readers but there are more of you out there reading this than you let on. Some of you tell me you read my blog even though you leave no trace. So maybe this will bring some of you out of the woodwork!!

I have a really good giveaway (at least I definitely think so!). Do you want it? Good.

Then post a comment!!! I'll choose a winner on Friday... so post a comment, any 'ol comment and you're entered! Heehee, this is so much fun.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

P.S. No, Reed, you are not eligible to win. You should have taken your chance to comment when you could!!! ;-)

One more profession I could do (if it existed, and it should!)

Long title, I know, but here it is. I have strong opinions about public restrooms. I'm sure you do, too, if you've ever stepped foot in a gas station restroom. Here's what really gets me about restrooms: they say so much about an establishment, and it would seem relatively easy to make going to the restroom a pleasant experience, or at least not an unpleasant one.

I would love to be the person who will either visit your existing restroom and tell you what you need to do to improve your w.c. or I could see/hear the plans you have for your restroom and do the same. I'll call myself a Public Restroom Consultant. No kidding!

I mean, there are those places where you're not surprised to find that cleanliness is clearly low on the priority list. I've even refused to go in some places because I just couldn't take it. But then there are those places where you may be enjoying your meal, thinking you've just discovered a little gem of a place until you visit their restroom, and you think, "What happened here?" All of a sudden the little attentions that were obviously given to the menu and decor were just totally forgotten. When we were in Alabama we found this great little Italian cafe and were pleased by the menu and the neat surroundings. However, after a trip to the restroom, I was so turned off that for the first time ever I had to tell the guy at the counter that it needed attention. I will keep myself from telling you why.

Anyway, I was reminded about these thoughts today as I visited a restroom at McDonald's and found a relatively small overlook: no hook in the stall for my purse. I ended up doing my business with my purse over my shoulder! ugh.

So I decided to list some components of the perfect restroom (which, by the way, I've probably only experienced a handful). Some of these are essential, some would just be more helpful.

1. a hook for my purse/bags/sweater/keys. I don't want a little shelf thingy. The bottom of my purse is dirty enough, thanks, and you don't need more horizontal spaces to catch more germs and dirt.

2. clean the floor. thoroughly. 'nuf said.

3. a trash receptacle in every stall.

4. paper towels. I know what they say about the hand dryers being more "environmentally friendly", but they stink. Most of the time, if that's all that's offered, I just shake my hands dry or pat them on my relatively clean jeans. Just put out the towels, that's what we all really want. Then if you must, slap on one of those stickers/magnets that remind us to just use one towel - it's all I really need, and the rest can air dry.

5. a working lock on all stalls.

6. pull the door to enter, push to exit. I've just washed my hands and I don't want to now touch anything. If this isn't possible, put a trash can next to the door so that I can easily throw away the towel (see #4) that I used to open the door.

7. good toilet paper. Not that stuff that I have to get a mile of to have any substance, y'know?

8. extra points: decor that matches the rest of the restaurant. I love how La Madeleine has the audio french lesson. I love their tile floor and full door stalls. Please don't install that full on downward facing lighting right over the mirror (am I right, ladies?)

I'm sure that there are more. I'm sure you have your own list. Go ahead and let me hear 'em. I'll add them to my job description! :-)

Christmas crafts (some of them)

Well, I finally got around to finishing some crafts that were swimming around in my head for a while. I can't show all of them because, well, some of them are gifts that I've yet to give!
Several months ago, I bought these neat plaques that look like old Christmas postcards at a Fort Bend Antiques Fair and mounted them on a red ribbon. Looks like I still need to trim the end and finish it so it won't come unravelled.

Then I've always been unsure of what to do with my Christmas cards. I want them to be out because they're so pretty and meant to be enjoyed but couldn't bring myself to buy one of those metal display things when I was sure there had to be an easier, more natural way. This is what I came up with this year. I found a pretty green gingham ribbon and simply tied it in a bow around a tack with some florist wire. For the picture cards I cut little slits in the sides and just strung them on. I left one end simply wound around a tack so I could easily slip more cards on if necessary.

This picture also shows off my other "craft": my new roman shades that my mother-in-law and Evy helped to make. Here's Evy helping screw in one of the screws that hold the cord. Notice her tongue sticking out in her deep concentration!

And, though it's not a craft, I'm so glad I found these great little clips that fit over our brick mantel. I've tried many different solutions over the years, but these are wonderful!! And they should hold up our full stockings, too! And, believe me, they'll be plenty stuffed come Christmas!

Nativity Ponderings

During this Christmas season, I've found myself wondering some things about the beautifully orchestrated story of the birth of Christ.

- Why are there no pictures of Mary giving birth? I guess I can see why, but, really, in my realistic moments, I wonder why. We see her astounded by the visit from the angel, we see her prego on a donkey (ouch, by the way), we see her calmly, lovingly adoring her sweet baby after the birth. But what was that delivery like? That brings me to...

- Who delivered, anyway? Was there some sort of midwife or someone to help this poor little girl? Surely, it wasn't just Joseph taking direction from some cow nearby...?

- And, ladies, can you imagine with me for a minute the conversation in Mary's head that evening. "I knew we should've left two days ago. I told him so, but did he listen to me...noooooo. Now, look at where we are! Was that....? Ewwww, it was, a mouse!!!" I mean, was there anything sanitary when she delivered??!

- Also, was no one willing to give up their room, even for a night, for a little pregnant girl and her hubby? Who would not have the decency to do that, huh? Maybe the innkeeper was unwilling to ask....

- I've also been thinking about that star. How beautiful it must have been. How God must have created it perhaps so many years ago just for it's light to appear that very night. And how unusual must it have been in order to cause those perceptive wise men to take note and be stirred to follow it. To have either known or somehow found the ancient writings of prophecy of a Jewish king.

- And, what was Mary thinking? I love the verse at the "end" of the Christmas story "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." I'm sure had they had Creative Memories back then she would've made quite the scrapbook of her amazing, perfect (truly) son. Surely she'd have written the words of the angel to her on that amazing night, maybe she would've described how she felt the night Joseph told her he would not divorce her but would support her in what God had called her to do. I bet she would've included bits to help her remember those first little blankets she wrapped him in, the odd way that the animals seemed to revere him somehow, the unexpected visitors who were told by an angel about this boy whose proud Dad just couldn't keep it a secret, and the long journey of the impressive wise men and their lavish gifts. All for her son. Imagine her trying to understand that this is not just her son, not just a baby. That somehow, in this dingy stable, God was trying to tell her and the world that this was their Savior, their King.

These thoughts amaze me. It amazes me how he used regular people to accomplish his most astounding plan of all. How the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace was brought into this world in the most humblest of ways.

And it comforts me. It comforts me to know that the same Father of Jesus, is also mine. That He takes the same care with the details of my life as He does with those of His Son. What have I to worry? If He can comfort this obedient, unwed, teenage girl whose life is suddenly not going at all the way she planned....then I can trust Him to handle mine.

It is a beautiful story He crafted. Only not beautiful in the Hallmark, Disney-esque warm candle glowy look that we sometimes see this time of year...but it's beautiful in the most worthy way of causing us to worship Him more. Causing us to learn more of His character, to trust Him more and to discover how desperately we need Him and how delighted He was to meet that need out of His love.

What a beautiful story of love. What a wonderful God.

Huntsville, Alabama Days 4-7

Day 4 - I needed a break and I felt like Evy did, too, so we stayed in the hotel and got some laundry done. Yes, laundry on our vacation. Evy enjoyed the opportunity to get her fill of Dora, Wonderpets, and Blues Clues on Nickelodeon which we don't get at home. Then that night we did one of the best parts: Galaxy of Lights at the Botanical Garden. It's a mile and a half long drive through of light displays like this:It was really neat. I'm not sure who loved it more, Reed, Evy, or me!

Then on Friday, I took her to Sci-Quest which is like a science version of a Children's Museum, and finally, there were other kids there! They were older, though, so we made our way to the "treehouse" that was for under age 7. They had this little kitchen that she loved...... and other areas made just for her! We built with blocks, played instruments, and after the school group left we went downstairs to try out the exhibits. Most of which were very interesting though over her head (and some were over Mommy's head!).

Day 5 was Saturday and I thought I'd take her to a little natural science museum that was one town over, but though we enjoyed travelling over the beautifully blue, very big Tennessee River to get there, once we did, there was a sign reading "Closed for lunch". Not wanting to wait around for an hour and a half, we drove the 15 miles back to Huntsville. As I tried exiting the freeway to return to our hotel, however, I found it blocked off by police and was forced to turn left. My frustration soon melted when I realized I was on a street I had been trying to locate because I'd read that it had a few interesting sounding local eateries. We did indeed find quite a gem with a killer chicken salad and the owner informed me that the exit was closed for the parade. "Parade?!!" I exclaimed. So we packed up our lunch and chocolate chip cookies, and headed out!

This is what we found! It was a beautiful day and the bands sounded great! I love a parade! We also saw this:

The General Lee (some of you older folk might remember that this was Bo and Luke Duke's ride back in the day!). It even played the Dixie tune for the horn! Very cool!

That night we went to a new outdoor mall that all of the locals had been raving about. It isn't finished we were told, but there's a waterway that will eventually have gondolas and a water taxi, and there's a movie cinema and (what sold us to take Evy)....

...a carousel. This girl can't turn away from a ride on a teacup or a pink pony!

On Sunday, Day 7, we went to the mall play place again to kill some time and eat lunch before we headed out to downtown historic Madison for the tour of homes. Some of them turned out to be a little disappointing (besides the one I already blogged about) and two of the homes were brand new builds!! Why you put brand new homes on a tour of historic homes I still haven't figured out...but it was fun nonetheless.

Monday was a flurry of packing, checking out and picking up Reed from work to take us to the airport. Wow, all I can say is that, once again, I found myself with new respect for single moms. Getting through security alone was enough to turn (more of) my hair gray!! But the flight was much smoother and I was just so delighted to be heading home, though it's missing a lot without my Puppy here. (I miss you, Sweetie, and can't wait until you're home with us!)

So, if you have kids, and want a place to go, Huntsville was really more fun than I had imagined. It's no DisneyWorld or anything, but the people were extremely friendly (and really do have that cute, funny southern drawl), the food was excellent, and the weather was fine! So, head on da-yown ta Huhnts-veeeeille, y'all, and tell 'em thuh Cutshawwwls sentcha!