it's all good

OMG what day is it anyway?  Oh yeah...it's New Year's Eve.  I remember a time when we shot fireworks and banged pans at the old house.  That was Lauren and Kristen and back then we stayed up late.  Not so much now, ya' know.  2023 will come  and go like all of them.  I've been thinking about the highlights of my life this year and they are many.  FUMC has become a constant for me.  Our church is struggling with all kinds of issues and I am an active part of that discernment,  Not like a member of the team but, you know.  I pray for us and enjoy every hug I get up in there.  I called one church member/friend yesterday just to see if he was still kicking because rumor said he was dead.  Wrong guy y'all.  

My girls have become much more of a constant with Gaga.  They come here at least once a week and it's always an adventure.  Sometimes a meltdown but lots of play time.  I do believe she gets manic out here at the cabin.  Her new bike needs the training wheels put on so I'll have to call in a favor soon because spring is coming.  If the neighbors don't slow down I'll be really mad.  My next yard sign will be "this is not a raceway."  Nuf' said.

I hope that 2023 treats us well.  I think about a lot of things like world peace and saving nature.  Climate change is real and killing us at every level.  Biden is not a bad POTUS though I noticed that gas went up thirty cents today.  Damn you Saudi!

Let's all hold hands and pray.  It's a start ^j^

infrastructure

I have heard through the grapevine that we are in a boil water advisory from Fowlkes to Finley which is DSCUD.  Evidently workers have been searching for a leak and have not been able to find it.  Which means that we may be using Forked Deer river water if the leak is under there.  I was so looking forward to a hot shower!  But it can wait, ya know? This is a very poorly managed public utility district that is privately owned.  The city of Dyersburg has offered to buy and manage properly but uh....no action.  Meanwhile, we drink river water.

Dyersburg buddies had lunch today with the addition of Cathy's grandson who is 7.  We exchanged gifts and enjoyed a great meal.  I did some serious cleaning today before the girls came for a visit.  My major purchase was this fancy ass mop bucket at Lowe's.  We shall see!  First I'll have to run the ShopVac and sweep, not necessarily in that order.  

I have my first assignment as a stringer tomorrow with the bee guy down at Finley.  I've seen it several times before and it's an impressive operation.  This time he will explain the entire process from winter to spring and beyond.  He has a seriously sweet dawg down there at the shop just like the barber does.  Trust me, I know what I'm doing.  If it involves critters I'm all in.

It's almost 2023 y'all.  Let's pray for kindness and peace in a world torn to shreds.  I don't care about politics here in the US anymore.  It will always be thus and so, like with Russia and Ukraine.  Anybody who stills supports Trump is an idiot and not in our best interest.  He may never pay for the damage he has done, but I'd be happy if he would just retire to Florida and leave us alone.  Over and our from Pecan Lane ^j^

no room at the inn

My friends just left here after a visit between hotel room check in and out.  They have been living there for three days since their water froze and were forced to move to another one today because of "company policy."  Meanwhile, their son called to say that they need to come shut off the pump because the trailer is floating!

Lauren came to visit me in my sleep last night because she just couldn't pass up an opportunity to see Mama on Christmas.  I was snug in the bed when she arrived at sixish and came in fussing about me not being locked down.  I was on the heating pad and comfy so we just felt each others' presence from room to room.  If she hadn't been obliged to take care of their cat Henry I believe she would have crawled in bed with me.  

I woke up softly again today and most of the aches and pains are gone.  Being on antibiotics has messed with my fragile gut but that's over now.  I can breathe!  

Just got off the phone with my down the road neighbor and exchanged holiday greetings.  She caught me up on what's going on with them and I feel lucky.  And blessed.   

Love ya...mean it...bye ^j^

merry christmas!

It is a rarity for Christmas day to fall on Sunday so today's service was quite a treat of lessons and carols.  There was no water and no heat because, you know.....Elliott struck the pipes.  I got there early after breakfast with Bubba at Huddle House so I sat and visited with Mary Beth and watched some of the musicians practice.  Everyone was huddled into the front section ( also a rarity ) and we ended up circling that section and holding hands while singing Go Tell it on the Mountain.  Mary Beth started the hand squeeze and it went all the around from her back to her.  I was holding my little cousin Livvie's hand as we sang.  It was a wonderful Christ filled service with love everywhere.  

Santa has come to see Reaves both yesterday and today.  Lauren posted pictures of her in awe of what was under their tree.  She opened what was here yesterday but was most enchanted by the kitchen set that Johnny brought from his mother-in-law's house.  Her grandchildren had outgrown it but it's perfect for a budding chef like Reaves.  Now she can make CoCo LeBlanc all day long.  I'm soon to be shopping for an apron and chef's hat.

I have the afternoon to myself with the critters, and maybe Lauren later.  The weather is trying to moderate and recover.  Tomorrow will be our first day above freezing in days.  For some reason I was lucky enough to avoid the rolling blackouts.  I guess my little corner out here was considered not a big priority to cut.  I have learned that birds like Cheeto puffs when snow is on the ground.  Kind of funny to watch!

Y'all remember what it's all about and love each other ^j^

this is a test

In light of current weather conditions that include rolling blackouts, it seems petty to note that I've lost a whole month of FB posts.  Home takes me back to December 8th.  Only on the PC though.  I've been advised to unplug it when the power goes out to avoid frying upon surge.  No, I don't have one of those surge protectors.  I did buy some new power strips so I can use multiple things from the scarce outlets in this house.  I now have one in each room.  

Since I've been cooking more I have noticed how dark it is in there under the counters so I'm gonna' look for some lighting when time permits.  I've just changed clothes for the first time in 36 hours because I was pleasantly layered for survival.  A hot shower is next on the list.  The girls are on the way to visit so there's that to look forward to.  Traffic is moving more today but there's still a lot of ice.  My friends had to get a room when their water froze.  

So your flight is delayed?  I'm sorry but it's Elliott's fault.  We  knew this beast was coming just like we know when a hurricane will hit.  And this thing is bigger than any hurricane ever!  Al Gore was right, ya' know.

I hope your holidays are merry and there is lots of love in your life.  Jesus loved us THAT much which is what we celebrate right now.  His humble beginning as the miracle or virgin birth.  Be not afraid, said the Angel.  And we are not ^j^

a bird in hand

Of course the stormed rolled in last night and continues to blow like the dickens.  I opened the back door to find three birds trapped on the back screen door hanging on.  When I stepped over to open the screen door they took off into the house and chaos ensued.  Bubba was here to check on the heat situation which is, though tolerable, not real good because of the wind.  The thermostat is set on 70 and 62 is all she will do!  He managed to catch one bird in the house with his hands and set it free.  He also snagged the one on the porch and put it out.  There may be one left but I'm sure Rosie will get it eventually.  Right now she is outside but she'll let me know when she's had enough.

And so, we hunker down and wait.  At least the sun is out giving an illusion that all is well.  The snow is just enough to be pretty.  When I went to thaw my car out I kind of enjoyed sitting there with the hot air blowing.  It took about fifteen minutes to de-ice the windshield and set the wipers free.  This time next week it will be in the sixties.  That's Tennessee weather for ya'.

Christmas is coming fast on the heels of this deep freeze.  I'm not sure when I will see the girls because of family stuff and the weather.  Santa will visit Lauren's house and there's a ton of stuff here whenever they come.  Heck it may be New Year's!  She has a new to her Barbie bike here with a helmet thanks to Patti.  I imagine it will stay here for awhile until we get the training wheels on and the cold subsides.  We're going to play dirty santa with what's left gift wise and everybody will get what they want.  I have no idea what's in the ones that I didn't wrap.  

It's time to rotate socks and layer some more.  Y'all stay warm and keep the faith ^j^

lisa

She worked with Bubba at the fuel center and made him deviled eggs like I do.  She brought them in this plastic thingy with a loose lid and I inherited that when she died because Bubba still had it from Thanksgiving.  I hear she had a massive heart attack last year around this time while wrapping gifts with her sister.  Boom.  She was gone, and that is how I got the egg tray.  Bubba had it from a Thanksgiving delivery.  It has been filled and refilled several times since then.

The storm he is a blowing in rapidly.  There was an odd quiet before the wind got up and the snow started.  Slush first.  I can feel it coming through the cracks in the logs and around the windows.  Electricity just blinked so let us pray.

Merry and bright here ^j^

laura

It was just a few days before Christmas that she was out Christmas shopping and was killed by a drunk driver on the way home.  She was a nurse, mother and friend to many.  Her parents found it in their hearts to forgive him while he was in prison.  It was a Christ like move.  Later her sister moved and her mom died and then it was just Steve for a long time.  I remember going to her funeral on Christmas Eve with my daddy and a whole bunch of other FUMC people and hearing Wade preaching on the hardest funeral in his young life as a pastor.  She was one OUR kids that grew up together with Wade as a cornerstone for youth development.  We actually wept when he left to become a UMC minister.

I am reminded of this because Lauren is headed back to Jackson with toys that secret santas delivered today while we were at Headlines.  Joy and I both got our hairs done and we look stunning.   I think Nina found the perfect length for me.  After experimentation with a longer look, I had to go back.  She took about an inch and a half which lightened the load.  Drake kept stopping by to rub my hair because it was so soft!

Let's all pray for peace and good will.  This storm is NOT playing and we have to look out for others.  I may be calling you if the power goes out to see if you have a warm spot.  Feliz Navidad ^j^

rise and shine

I woke up yesterday feeling like I'd been hit by a truck.  Intense muscle pain in shoulders, neck and back.  The longer I was up it worked itself out some but I still had to get in a comfy position to sleep.  It was better today but I still felt like I might have pneumonia so I called trusty old MedSouth and they worked me in with Dr. Turner.  There was an x-ray and tests for Flu and Covid, both negative.  He said they are seeing tons of flu still.  Everybody around these parts is preparing for the big historic freeze.  A bomb cyclone for Christmas.  How niiiice!

I really feel the wind down here in the flats and this windy rain will be the test for our roof repair.  If it still leaks, they come back.  Note from roofing guys for those considering a purchase>>>don't go the tin route if it requires screwing down.  

The girls were planning to come over last night but got side tracked when Reaves opened an early present that required lots of trying out the happy napper.  It's all she really asked for..the rest is just gravy.  With all these angels flying around, life has been less stressful for them. 

Delivery trucks have been burning the road up this week.  Propane guy ran for somebody else and he hit me up last week.  I'm ready for this go around with the weather, praise be.   Last I heard we're still headed for Huddle House on Sunday which is kind of a cute tradition. Every memory begins somewhere ^j^

be an elizabeth

In a world where everyone is a prophet, I learned today at church that is the meaning of my name.  And Lauren and Reaves'.  Spreader of good news that the Lord is coming is what the name sums up.  I was today old when I learned that by name, I am a prophet and a child of God.  Of course Elizabeth Jane grew up known as Janie.  In school Reaves is enrolled as Elizabeth because that's her first name.  And Lauren Elizabeth is her mama.  I doubt that Mama picked my name out for that reason but it's still pretty interesting.  

This past week has been a roller coaster both physically and emotionally.  Oh, and lots of humility.  I still believe that we're all in this together and that kindness will prevail no matter how dire the situation seems.  If you have a warm house, food and good friends nothing else matters.  And for those who don't ?  It is our calling to be Elizabeths to them.  My friends work the Salvation Army five or six days a week.  There is a big rush at meal time and I've waded through the folk while dropping off donations to the thrift store.  Sales from their store go toward food costs for that daily meal.  I've seen some pretty pitiful sights down there and I want to help them all.  

Elizabeth Reaves is quite the artist and loves to cook like, for real.  She has to stand on a step ladder to reach the counter but we've made some amazing memories in her great grandmother's kitchen.  Her last invention was Coco Le. Blanc spoken with a perfect French accent.  It turned out to be like a banana smoothie except not frozen.  Lauren and I both tasted it out of respect and pronounced it wonderful.  

Happy Advent to you and your mama'n'them ^j^

where we sit

If you go to a small church like mine you know there will be a whole family filling a pew or two, especially around Christmas time.  Mama was very territorial about our pew....front row, back left from the altar.  Daddy was in the choir but he came to sit with us after the special.  Our family has moved closer up front behind the acolytes and cross bearer.  Thomas was my favorite but he has folks following in his footsteps, like Charlie.  

There will be no whining today.at.all.  We have been blessed with a lot of miracles this past week and I'm having to make a list for thank you notes.  You might get 'em by March.  When things settle, so to speak.  

My friend Marti is on the last leg of her trip to Croatia back to Nashville and she has shared something from her journey every day.  I love virtual learning!  Bubba and I have a date for Huddle House on Christmas which has become our custom when it's just me and him.  It's amazing what you see up in there on that particular day!

Y'all be blessed.  Love ya....mean it ^j^

dazed and confused

Hey kiddos.  I'm still alive but not kicking too high.  Lots of drama everywhere you turn, ya know?  It's not just me either.  We have to keep our focus on what's important like family and friends.  My roof has been leaking for about a year (only with wind)  and of course last night was a monsoon with lotso' wind from the south.  When I woke up from a short sleep to go potty I moved to the couch to get out of the rain and , of course, Oscar went with me.  I made a wrong move and he bit me so I was up again tending to that.  Once the wind died down I peeled off the top blanket of my bed and moved in there until el baggo decided to blow out early AM.  Then Bubba and the roof guys came by and found a fix for the leak while it was still wet.  They'll probably be here early tomorrow.

I'm out of inspiration for story telling at the moment so I'll be around but not so much as usual.  Call me if you need me.  But not after or before 8.  I have given it all to God one more time. Peace be still ^j^

comedy cures

I've been weeping off and on this morning and decided enough was enough with that. A good cry is , on occasion, a cleansing experience.  Before I went on Celexa I cried every single day.  And then a week later I was s like "huh, this is what feels normal."  I didn't cry for a very long time which was odd.  Now I can go for days on end without shedding a tear unless it all builds up which happened today.  As I cried together with Babygirl we pondered over God's will. " Just maybe it's a sign, I said. "  We started our conversation while she was in the ortho office being told that her knee is totally blown out.  She was scared and overwhelmed with all the other things on her plate.  But every time we talked after that, she sounded calmer.  And we prayed...like a lot.  Sometimes you have to hit the wall to become humble and that's what happened with me today.  I have been blessed with so much in my life but these kids are my priority.  There is a back story, but that doesn't matter right now.  

I tend to look at each little fire that shows up on my path as an opportunity to listen and move forward.  I am by no means perfect, but I try.  And in the end that's all any of us can do.  People are basically good, but when the devil gets involved watch out!  If we truly believe that God is good and Jesus died for us, and we should pay it forward in insignificant small ways.  I got some gas today at the chicken store and there was a guy out there in the cold actually cleaning the pumps.  Without gloves.  We chatted about chances of snow and then I went down to the pecan store to sell mine and Patty's efforts.  Twenty four pounds of Stuarts at a decent price.  

As a last resort I watched some new SNL and laughed for the first time today.  Steven Martin and Martin Short no less!  Colin and Michael.  Laughing is sooooo good for the soul.  I should have been out there rolling pecans but nah.  They will still be there, even after the rain tomorrow.  

Believe ^j^

blowout

You would think that I would have learned by now how to master the ostomy thing after almost three years.  But noooooo.  I constantly have leaks and pancaking which means frequent changes.  Supplies are expensive and so are specialist visits.  My insurance is amazingly good but it only pays 80% on durable medical equipment which leaves me with a chunk out of pocket.  I have to have it so, there ya go.  I am discouraged on many levels as I struggle myself and watch my daughter struggle as well.  She will lose her car if she doesn't come up with 200 bucks by Wednesday which is a long shot.  She has a large cleaning job which she can't do tomorrow because she can't even walk on her bum knee.  She is down and I'm right down there with her.  Prayers up please!

It was on the third Sunday of Advent when my mother went to church and her hip broke.  She didn't fall, it just snapped and she crumpled down on the floor of the church.  EMS was called and I showed up at the ER for what would be the beginning of the end.  We chose the least invasive surgery which was pinning.  That Christmas Lauren and Bubba and I showed up at the rehab with our traditional cheese grits and sausage casserole and some gifts.  I remember looking at her in that private dining room looking so pale and weak and I knew the end was near.  She never went back to assisted living.  She did amazingly well during the first surgery and even the second one where they did a hip replacement.  It all went south when she developed a pain in the belly which turned out to be a ruptured diverticulum.  Her white count was 40K even with four different IV antibiotics.  The only fix was yet another surgery which the surgeon said she would not survive.  And so began hospice and bringing the family together.  It snowed the day before she died on January 23rd.  I was at work and Lauren spent the day after her shift at the nursing home, quietly snoozing in the room next to her.  Tommy arrived from Virginia that night and was with her when she passed.  All of this was only five months after Daddy died.  It was a lot in a short period of time to say the least.  

I think that going through all those deaths in one year (there were more) helped to push me over the edge to retire early.  Life is short.  My parents had long and blessed lives but it shakes me to the bone to think that I am 67 with several health issues.  I reckon I can blame my diverticulitis on heredity.  I have always had IBS with alternating constipation and diarrhea and the one medicine that worked for me was withdrawn because it contained Librium.  All of my scopes showed diverticulosis so it was destined for that to happen. And I have osteoporosis like my mother did, and can't afford the 5K injection with a hefty co-pay.  I've had four and showed little change on this year's dexascan.  

I watched the FUMC cantata online with el baggo this morning and was totally amazed at the musical talent shared in celebration of our Lord's birth.  My cousin is in the choir and I've never heard her sing a solo but WOW.  She has a beautiful voice.  Tonight is the children's program and traditional figgy pudding with men carrying the luscious cakes out on lighted trays while everybody sings.  

I sound like I'm whining a bit, and I suppose I am.  Trying to believe that it will all be alright is hard sometimes, especially when your child is down and out and you can't help.  She has tried so hard for so long and keeps getting knocked down time and again.  

Bubba just brought me some honey from the hives out here, frozen meat and pyracantha limbs from Daddy's old tree that he transplanted in his yard.  It was a gift from Daddy's brother-in-law Jere many many years ago.  What goes around comes around.

Y'all be blessed and thankful for the miracles in your life ^j^

forgive and forget

It's odd how, over time, the things that we got crossways over fade away..  I remember one particular time when a cousin died and I got caught on messenger calling my aunts "bitches" because they didn't tell me.  Come to find out, nobody knew it but her husband and it took him awhile to process the whole thing.  Not his fault, but mine, for making totally wrong assumptions.  Several family members were mad at me for years over that.  But then time passed and we have been reunited in the oddest of ways.  I have one surviving aunt who lives on the road to Paradise and have visited her a couple of times lately.  She's the baby.  I just got a Christmas card today from one of those I thought would hate me forever.  Miracles indeed.

My living room is a total wreck of gifts and pecans plus two live animals who surround me every move I make.  Rosie woke up before daylight when I had a blowout and did the total change.  She then proceeded to play football with the nuts that are drying on a blanket.  That didn't last long because I put her little butt outside and proceeded to sleep until 10.  I am so thankful not to have to show up at the hospital come rain or snow or ice.   At 6AM, no less.  Once it was really dark and there was water on the road to the by-pass and also on the lane.  It's hard to judge how deep it is, especially in the dark.  I called in late until daylight came.  I was truly scared to try it.   There were other times when the boss hubby would pick us all up in his truck so that we were fully staffed.  Never fear!  

When I was a kid we would have to move to town for a week when the backwater was up or electricity went out.  Fortunately we had a couple of good places to go.  That was 60 years ago and still, you can never predict what the Forked Deer will do.

I'm jamming to TS0 and chair dancing.  Hope you are all doing something equally fun ^j^

after the first

I'm shifting into the holiday spirit and learning that some things just have to be put on hold, even when you're in survival mode.  Christmas is not about giving people stuff, but when you have a five year old who believes with all her heart?  You make it happen in her eyes.  Thanks to one elf in particular.  The way I see it we celebrate Christmas every time we do something kind for another person.  Like leaving a tip on the gas station tree or giving anonymously like blog fairy did.

Christmas snows are pretty rare in West Tennessee but I've witnessed a few in my lifetime.  Once was when I was a kid and my Daddy drug something through it to make things look like sleigh tracks.  He was a very devout Christian who turned from Baptist to Methodist because of Mama.  She said he didn't go with her for a couple of years but then he began his journey as a lifelong member/important person/choir member, etc.  I bet he served on a thousand of those committees that meet ever so often.  He said SPCR was the one he disliked the most.  

Patty did the crawl today, in wet leaves, to gather more nuts for the cause.  She's like me....loving the bounty and not wanting to see it all go to the squirrels.  There's plenty for them anyway.  Since it will rain all day tomorrow I plan on spending the day with my Babygirl putting gifts together and seeing what we have.  I'm a firm believer in Santa not being the main character.  Gifts should come from individuals who know you like a book.

Y'all keep it merry and bright ^j^

LEP

I never thought I would be pregnant because I had been off of birth control for a couple of years and nothing happened.  I went to the gyn who did a test and told me that my cervix was blocked.  Whatever kind of scope he did, Lauren Elizabeth Parker was born in September 1984.  I was pregnant when me and Pnoler bought the house on Tickle street, thanks to a kind property manager.  We lived there until she was four and then we cut out for the farm.  The last big event I remember there was when she fell off the boat trailer and had a head injury.  We were only 1 minute away from the hospital but shit!  I remember my friend Terry Nash holding four by fours on her laceration and then a surgeon sewed it up.  

It took me about 20 years to clear out that house on the hill with a full basement and attic.  I kid you not, there were rabbit feed bags up in there.  An old coal stove that kept Charlie's house warm in the winter.  There is a chimney but it's not functional and just for looks.  Soon there will be a gas one like mine.  Slowly but surely it's coming together.  Lauren and her friends grew up there with us.  I was probably a bit stupid for drawing a crowd because they were a rowdy bunch.

She learned to ride a bike there in our rough ass driveway with her Daddy showing her how.  He liked to go over to the riverbed and fish on occasion.  She was definitely a Daddy's girl.  Every little girl needs a Daddy like that who will make them feel safe.  

I am so proud of the woman and mother that she has become.  There were times when I doubted but I prayed and they were answered.  We are closer than ever and understand each other's lives thus far.  Hey...we lived it together.  Me and her friends sat with her for three days until 'dat baby was finally delivered by section.  I was the first to hold her because Mama was knocked smooth out.  I called Daddy and told him to hop on over there for a recovery picture.  And he was there long after that.  Still is along with Mommy Kim and big brother.  

I'm rambling so it's time to go do something constructive.  I've been hearing a strange cat that is NOT Rosie but outside somewhere.  No.More.Cats.  Go dig up mice in the cornfield or something.  I refuse to be known as the crazy cat lady.  To quote Darrin Devault....."stay encouraged"

Peace. Love. Joy. Hope ^j^

tried and true

I am still struggling with Poopie management and thank goodness I have friends to help out.  I'm considering changing brands of equipment to see if that helps any with the leakage and soreness around the stoma.  I'm having to change so often that my skin is literally breaking down. Time for  some collagen.  Got an appointment with a surgeon and my dear pro-bono ostomy nurse looking at solutions.  Her husband has one too and she knows the game.  

In other news, Georgia polls are closed and we shall see.  I'm such an optimist that I take the Trump thing of this day as a sign of change.  Lord knows we need it.  Dude is totally paying for fees concerning Mar A Lago from  PAC funded by his followers.  What is UP with you people?  If I were a Republican I would be seriously looking for a strong candidate who is a little bit more kindly to reaching across the aisle.  Neither party should control the whole country or dictate how we live.  That would be democracy.  You can't just "tear up" the Constitution.  It doesn't work that way.

It's gray for a week around here but, it is what it is.  My AC is on because it's so humid and warm.  And Oscar is smooth laid out on his new bed ^j^

edo

When I was working at the hospital we used to be scheduled for extra days off resulting in less than 40 hours per week.  We all liked it because sometimes we had two in a row off.  The catch was that we were "on call" in case somebody didn't show up.  No extra pay for being on call.  You would get a message early in the morning or late at night saying come in at "this" time.   It was a budget cutting move way before 12 hour shifts came along.  I had night and weekend call for the first ten years that I worked there, but got paid for it.  I slept in a little room with a tiny bed and a phone that would wake me up at odd hours to do something important like an emergency transfusion or a stat chem or CBC.  At that point we only cranked up the big chemistry machine once a day and boiled tubes on call.  With a spectrophotometer to read and calculate chemistry values.  One of my dearest friends now is a urologist who showed up around that time and bitched me out for not having creatinine on the stat list.  I cried.  And he came to lab where I showed him how it was all done by one tech on call.  And he apologized because he didn't know how it was.

I had an EDO today so I took my brother to lunch at Dave's.  We normally meet on the porch in the afternoons but it gets dark pretty early and it's cold.  He is pretty much my rock these days, along with a few others.  I have about 30 pounds of pecans to get cracked for gifts.  It's the little things, 'ya know?  The secret Santa toys are hidden for now so that Reaves won't find 'em.  I need to check the budget and see where we are.  No clothes for her this time around thanks to Patti!

I could seriously have a yard sale with what I've got piled up in here, mostly art and whatnot.  I've only been here for two years you know.  Y'all be merry and bright.  Love you.....mean it ^j^

hanging of the greens

My buddy Calvin and I have a tradition where I help him decorate for Christmas by climbing chairs and hanging the garland (with bows) over his mirror.  I used to have to haul the tree out of the bathtub but that's already done.  I think he just likes me crawling up on the chairs for entertainment!  He only has one leg and just wishes he could do it.  It involves a lot of moving the garland this way or that way to make it just right over the table.  I used to do his shopping until he got a motorized scooter.  From his apartment he can hit up Green Village and the strip mall behind it which includes a convenience store, a 'gentral and a liquor store.  I guess he could ride over to the Chick and get some tasty bites, but he likes to cook.  

Church was great today, in more ways than one.  We have serious business on the table but then there's Advent and the joy of the virgin birth.  I managed to read the scripture with only one word stumbled upon.  I sat behind a recovering addict who was at the pulpit telling her life story.  She cried and I prayed.  Reaves was being all shy and stuff and I read while LP was delivering her to the nursery.  We sat together, she and I and our little family of cousins, and received the good news.  

I made some cookies but that wasn't good enough for Miss Elizabeth so she proceeded to make a smoothie out of yogurt, cookie dough, nutella, peanut butter, sliced bananas chocolate chips and everything else we could find.  It's chilling in the freezer as I type.  Lauren and I went through the clothes that Patti brought and she took the winter stuff back to Jackson after buying kiddo hangers.  They have a big closet but no drawer space.  As mentioned before, she is looking for cleaning jobs to supplement her income.  "I don't want you to work two jobs Mama" said Reaves.  And then she gently explained why it was necessary.  All is well.  Poor Rosie hung right in there with 'dat baby even with all the holding and hanging on.  They ended up in the office chair with a fuzzy blanket watching Jillian and Addie.

It was a blessed day ^j^

the blog fairy

Y'all stop me if you've heard this one because Lord knows, I've told it a gazillion times.  It was Christmas Eve and when I got home from the hospital the mailbox held a surprise.  It was addressed to me but the return was also me.  Anonymous, if you will.  I was single and tired to the bone of being a caretaker and keeper of the peace.  I don't remember what city that first gift was from but it was a money order for a thousand bucks.  For little old me.  I praised Jesus and Mary and whomever the kind soul was who knew that I needed help.  Like, bad.

But wait!  Another package came in January with Kroger gift cards and they just kept coming for a year.  Many were personal so I knew that blog fairy was familiar with me and my likes and needs.  Once it was a book of encouragement that I still have, signed by the fairy herself.  Or it could have been a guy fairy.  Who knows.  Said fairy even sent me a bronze peace sign which I think Lauren swiped.  I still have the Christian fish.  The second year was more sporadic and then I earned my wings and tried to be a fairy myself.  My mother was like that what with writing notes to make people go find their presents!  I guess I got my love of stories from her.  

Yesterday I went by the church office to rehearse for being a liturgist.  I had to ask Karen to blow those words up to about 14 point.  Poor Delores got stuck with all those ancestors' names and I just get to read about how the miracle started.  AND sit with my girls.  They will be here two days in a row because Nina has to fix Elizabeth's hack job on her own hair.  Don't tell me you never did it!  She is getting a party size bag of cheese puffs from me, for sure.

A couple of miracle births happened many years ago that changed the course of who we are and how we treat each other.  Let's celebrate ^j^

big mouth

I am a writer at heart.  I know a lot of people here and yon and I love to tell their stories in addition to my own.  You have to be careful about that what with everybody being all pissy about being protected from the evils of FB identification.  Last week when Reaves was here she was playing on the laptop and somehow managed to pull up a Google pic of this cabin!  "it's a camera!" she said.  More likely a drone that swooped low.  It kind of freaked me out.  I reckon I'm easy to find and hard to love.

I went by the church today to pick up my scripture for Sunday and thankfully it doesn't have all those names that preceded Jesus.  My contribution will be about the angel visiting Mary and telling her that she would have a virgin birth.  Elizabeth was also was great with child, the one who would dunk Jesus and make him forever.  Not making this up kids.  It's biblical!

Both dog and cat are accounted for and comfy with full bellies.  I will be in the bed shortly after doing all the chores.  My latest happy arrived late yesterday via USPS.  I'm set on warm stuff for this winter.  Christmas day service with be pajama/casual.  I am all about that!!

Namaste ^j^