Christmas In The Hamptons

Our up and back trip to Fort Worth turned into four days and three nights in the Hamptons.  Well, that’s ThatManILove’s version - Christmas in the Hamptons.

Since the highways were closed due to snow (yeah, in TEXAS!) and the airports were closed as well, it’s not a far walk to figure out he meant the Hampton Inns - one in Hurst and one in Mansfield, Texas.  

He’s comical that way!

We met up with friends for dinner in Mansfield, then went to Euless the next day to meet a friend from TMIL’s past.  They had actually gone to Israel together in 1992 or 1993.  It was awesome to see them reconnect.  (TMIL’s friend brought his 21 year old son with him - what an awesome, intelligent young man!  I so love seeing young people with a plan - Godspeed to this one!) We had a great time visiting with our friends.  While we were at the restaurant, Mother Nature decided to dump a ton of snow and ice on the DFW area, effectively pooping on destroying all our travel plans.    It turned out to be a good year for  Younger Son to be in Ruidoso NM and Elder Son to be in Angel Fire NM!

Yesterday, we spent Christmas Day resting, and then took in two movies - “It’s Complicated” and “Nine”.  We loved both of them.  So shoot me.  Today, we drove back to Mansfield to pick up the power cord to my Mac (I’d left it in the "Hamptons") and had lunch with Mike and Pam.  Fun!  

Oh, yeah...and I was stupid enough today to go into Coldwater Creek, where they were having a 50% off sale.  I had grabbed two armfuls of stuff before I realized the checkout line was all the way to the back of the store and up again.  What’s a girl to do, leave all the stuff she’s gathered it, in a pile on the floor?

Believe me, I’m more polite than that.  Nooooooooooooooo! I stood in line (sounds like y'all might need to call Shopaholics Anonymous) and waited my turn. Have I told you I HATE shopping?  By now, Mike and Pam had arrived and waited, along with TMIL, for me to finish.  Well, truthfully, they went to Hoffbrau and had a drink and waited. (Sots) Sweet, huh?

Now, we’re driving home...gonna stop by my brother Scott and Lisa's, see the kiddos, and have Christmas hugs and stew, since I missed our Christmas.  And then home to Midland to reconnect with the Wonderdogs, who might have a thing or two to say to us about why we left them at home!

It’s been a very good Christmas.

We are so blessed.

A Blessing

It’s Christmas Eve. We’ll hopefully be headed towards home soon, and I’ve been reflecting. Remembering the ups and downs of the last year, the tears and thankfully, the laughter. The blessings that have been showered down upon my life - my husband, my sons and my crazy dogs. Woven between all those strands of the tapestry that is Mi Vida Loca are each of you, my bloggy friends.

I have laughed with you, travailed for you, and cried with you. I’ve celebrated with you, and for you. I’ve prayed with you, and sometimes, have screamed out your name to the Heavenlies because I didn't know what else to do and thought the good Lord might need a little reminder that you needed a miracle. (I know, He gets a kick out of me, He has to - he designed me!)

And you, my friends? You’ve been with me, every step of the way. Traveling with me on my many trips across this nation, making calls with me. Having adventures beyond compare. Never will I forget the support you showed me when I experienced the layoff, or the the way you celebrated when I took another job. Or how you support me when ThatManILove is working away from town. Or how you encouraged me to go away with ThatManILove and take much needed time for ourselves - time that changed us and melded us.

I have been greatly blessed by the gifts I’ve received. Never could have I imagined making friends like you - some of you, I’ve not even met in real life - but God, The Lord Almighty, is good. He gives great gifts...and you are a such gift to me.

Merry Christmas to you and yours. May you be blessed beyond compare in this next year. As for me? I bless you. I bless you with love, life, health, friends - and laughter.

May you hear the music specifically designed for your life...and dance. Baby, dance!!

Much love. Much much love,

It's About Time...

It's late tonight - we've had a full day. And ThatManILove and Younger Son are flying to Dallas tomorrow for a day trip.

I walk into our TV/music room and find them both playing guitars. And finally, Younger Son plays a couple of his songs and sings for us. We've heard him play, but this is a first, him singing for us.

His voice? Beautiful. His lyrics? Awesome.

I'm blown away. I've waited for this for a long time - I knew the apple didn't fall far from the tree - ThatManILove has a tremendous gift in writing and singing. It's sweet to see the manifestation of heritage in Younger Son.

It's a precious, precious thing I'm seeing tonight, and I'm so very grateful to the Lord for his giftings to the men of my house.

Inspiration...and Reflection

Last night, we attended a Jubilee party for friends of ours who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. It was a beautiful celebration. We saw lots of old friends. It's always a blessing to reconnect with people we love.

We visited for a while with one couple, Chris and Terri. Chris asked, “Do you ever write stories about when you were young?” (Chris and I grew up together in the small town of Big Spring, Texas.)

I thought about it for a second, and said, “Wow. I don’t guess I do. I’ll have to think about that!”

He said, “You know, I know you as two different people - now, and then.”

And, in a way, I guess that’s true. I think what he was referring to is the “then” me didn’t have a relationship with the Lord...and the “now” me does. It’s true of a lot of of people I know, but I’ve never thought about it, until now.

So, Chris, thanks for the inspiration. And I’ll start resurrecting some old stories...which is kind of scary! I’m sure brother Scott will be glad to help me out!

PS - Chris is an acccomplished jewelry designer - you can check out some of his designs here.

Secret Santa - Is Here!!!

CHECK THIS OUT, PEOPLE!!!! Woohoooo!

Does my Secret Santa know me, or what? Burt's Bees...SUGAR DADDYS...a beautiful red jewel ornament/pin...a huge Christmas tree lollipop.

And to top all that off, a $10 Starbucks card!! There was really nothing I could put on my list...(yeah, how do you buy hunting stuff for a hunter? A girl in the oilfield?) Georgie and Amy had to ask me to get more specific.

Let me tell you all - my Secret Santa could not have done any better on my present!

I love my Secret Santa - YOU ROCK!!!! Thank you so very much!

This was so much fun....Georgie, Amy - can I play again next year, please?

Have a great Christmas, y'all!

Secret Santa....As Yet to Be Revealed!

Little mother-son talk while I'm downloading pictures...and I snuck in a couple of shots! "Mammarazzi!!", he says. He cracks me up.

I think I received my Secret Santa Soiree box.

I say I think, because I've not yet opened it.

Tomorrow afternoon, I will, I promise. And I'll post the little Linky thingie.

Elder Son threw a wrench in my plans...by announcing he now has a job at Angel Fire as a ski instructor. And he has to be there...yesterday. Needless to say, when he hit town last night, we got busy. And busier, today.

Here, he is packing his truck, my son of many vocations! Anyone need some ski lessons in Angel Fire, NM? Here's your man!

All is well, he's enroute. And I'm a little sad he won't be here for Christmas - but he's only young once, right!??

Grounded

Yeah.

I would post a picture of my current dilemma, but I cannot.

I'm pinned to the bed. And it's not what you think. Remember, ThatManILove is in North Dakota.

Zanna the Wonderpup is crashed across one leg, all 35 spotted pounds of her. And Zack, the big 75 lb. lug, is snoring across my other leg. I say, "Kennel". They shift a hair or two, you know, like they are in full obedience, and keep on snoring.

Will someone please bring me a bottle of water and a blankie? The rest of me is freezing.

Yummy...

Y'all know the definition of a friend?

A friend is one, when her dad is in the hospital in ICU, who remembers that the hospital deli makes awesome homemade apple dumplings and, with all she has on her mind, brings one home to you. Thanks, Connie!

Want a bite? Yummmmm.

I've been a wee bit busy - please forgive me for my lack of reading/blogging. I'll be back!