Saturday, November 11, 2017
Musings : My Drive 11/28/12
Musings : My Drive 11/28/12: Coming home from bible study tonight, I was pleasantly reminded of the articles I used to write concerning my drive to work. I loved those ...
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Summer of 2017
This has been a most unusual summer ... the type that seems to be becoming the norm, though. We had a tragedy in the family again. Brook's husband was killed in an accident, early one morning. It was very early, and he was on his way to work. Apparently, he fell asleep at the wheel. Derrick was such a devoted father and husband; one can only wonder why the Lord needed him, at such a young age. I was actually on my way to Brook's birthday party, when I got the call. Is there ever a good place to receive such a call? I continued on...
Bob, Chrystal, the little ones and I went back for the funeral the next week. Derrick was well loved by his fellow workers and those from the community. I hurt for Brook... She was trying so hard to hold it together. I am so thankful she has family and friends who are helping her walk this painful road.
Not long before Awana was over for the summer, I met a young man and his adoptive family. Jaron is from Haiti. A bashful young man with a heartwarming smile! He was in need of some help getting ready for school next year. He will be a freshman and has not had all he needs to be prepared for his first year of high school. I am tutoring him, and I am really hoping he is getting all he needs from our hour and a half, 3 days a week. I love seeing the lights go on in his eyes! His passion is soccer, and his favorite player is Neymar. Jaron can tell you anything you might want to know about Neymar. He has followed him, closely, for more than 5 years. He did his research paper on this soccer player from Barcelona. I think I need to assign a topic for the next one. One where Jaron will have to dig a little deeper for information. Yes, I still want my students to work!
I had a birthday celebration that lasted for days. Can you imagine anyone celebrating getting "old" for nearly a week? I had lunch with Jamie, her boys, Chrys, and her little ones on Friday. I was able to do that because VBS students were at the pool until nearly two. Carson had come in for the week end, and they stopped by as they were traveling to visit his dad. Claudette came in on Saturday. Jamie and Claudette stayed here with Bob and I. Saturday evening, the girls, Domenick, the little ones, Bob, and I went to PF Chang's for dinner. I love their food! We had a great time. Afterwards, we went to Chrystal's for cake. Oh, my... so, so good!
Sunday Jamie headed out to pick up the boys, so she could head back to Keller. Bob, Claudette, and I headed to Sunday School and church. Lunch afterwards was fun. I enjoy spending time with the Griffins, Karen, and the Smiths. Laughter is like a medicine, and that we did.
Monday, one of my dearest friends from the valley came. Paula and I always manage to have fun. Her reason for coming was to teach me to make tamales. Some of you may be laughing, but I never learned. Needless to say, we had a great time. More laughing and joking ensued for the next three days.
I have been praying for the Lord to give me eyes to see what He sees. He has been answering that prayer. The pain of our fellow men does not go unnoticed by our heavenly Father. He knows the pain: the deaths of loved ones, the illnesses striking both young and old, job losses, individuals needing to make moves that were unexpected, the need for more believers to become His hands and feet on this earth, and our reluctance to do so. He sees it all. I have asked for a double portion of the energy and stamina of our former executive pastor, Pastor Derrick Norris. I am hopeful the Lord will begin to answer that prayer, too. I want to be used by God. I want to be his hands and feet.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Bob, Chrystal, the little ones and I went back for the funeral the next week. Derrick was well loved by his fellow workers and those from the community. I hurt for Brook... She was trying so hard to hold it together. I am so thankful she has family and friends who are helping her walk this painful road.
Not long before Awana was over for the summer, I met a young man and his adoptive family. Jaron is from Haiti. A bashful young man with a heartwarming smile! He was in need of some help getting ready for school next year. He will be a freshman and has not had all he needs to be prepared for his first year of high school. I am tutoring him, and I am really hoping he is getting all he needs from our hour and a half, 3 days a week. I love seeing the lights go on in his eyes! His passion is soccer, and his favorite player is Neymar. Jaron can tell you anything you might want to know about Neymar. He has followed him, closely, for more than 5 years. He did his research paper on this soccer player from Barcelona. I think I need to assign a topic for the next one. One where Jaron will have to dig a little deeper for information. Yes, I still want my students to work!
I had a birthday celebration that lasted for days. Can you imagine anyone celebrating getting "old" for nearly a week? I had lunch with Jamie, her boys, Chrys, and her little ones on Friday. I was able to do that because VBS students were at the pool until nearly two. Carson had come in for the week end, and they stopped by as they were traveling to visit his dad. Claudette came in on Saturday. Jamie and Claudette stayed here with Bob and I. Saturday evening, the girls, Domenick, the little ones, Bob, and I went to PF Chang's for dinner. I love their food! We had a great time. Afterwards, we went to Chrystal's for cake. Oh, my... so, so good!
Sunday Jamie headed out to pick up the boys, so she could head back to Keller. Bob, Claudette, and I headed to Sunday School and church. Lunch afterwards was fun. I enjoy spending time with the Griffins, Karen, and the Smiths. Laughter is like a medicine, and that we did.
Monday, one of my dearest friends from the valley came. Paula and I always manage to have fun. Her reason for coming was to teach me to make tamales. Some of you may be laughing, but I never learned. Needless to say, we had a great time. More laughing and joking ensued for the next three days.
I have been praying for the Lord to give me eyes to see what He sees. He has been answering that prayer. The pain of our fellow men does not go unnoticed by our heavenly Father. He knows the pain: the deaths of loved ones, the illnesses striking both young and old, job losses, individuals needing to make moves that were unexpected, the need for more believers to become His hands and feet on this earth, and our reluctance to do so. He sees it all. I have asked for a double portion of the energy and stamina of our former executive pastor, Pastor Derrick Norris. I am hopeful the Lord will begin to answer that prayer, too. I want to be used by God. I want to be his hands and feet.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Goodbye Aunt Annie aka Annalee Hailey
The nieces and nephews amazing and loving Aunt Annie left this world June 24, 2016. To say she will be remembered and missed is to put it mildly. WE had her memorial this past week end, July 23rd. My children were the only nieces and nephews able to attend, but I am sure their memories and shared stories would be very similar to others who could not attend. Brother Gene was gracious in his words of love and hope, and the shared memories read allowed all to smile and remember the love and warmth they felt each time one or all visited their beloved Aunt Annie and Uncle Cliff. Those two had more love in their little finger than most people have in their entire being. One thing for sure, they knew how to have fun and make lasting memories.
We visited John and Booger's grave sides, and shared more memories and laughter before leaving Mont Meta. Yes, there were tears, but we know that they have been relocated to heaven and probably had tricks to play on Aunt Annie when she arrived.
We ended up going to Longhorn Barbecue in San Benito where we continued the stories and laughter. It was wonderful to see the kids all together again. It has been quite awhile since we have all been together. Katie and Andy were there as well and shared in the laughter. Of course. Madison and Little Guy were there and added to the laughter.
Later that evening we all went to Creasey's Bowling Alley in Harlingen and spent the remaining evening hours laughing at the joking and jesting. I found it amusing that the picking on one another has not changed over the years. Boys against girls and oldest picking on youngest...some things never change.
The next morning, while the boys helped their dad clean up the last of Aunt Annie's home, the girls and I went to church in Rio Hondo. It was wonderful seeing old friends, but sad to see some in ill health. Time marches on. Brother Gene's message of God's love and His willingness that none should parish was refreshing. Little Guy wrote a note : I love you Jesus, Domenick. He left it with Brother Gene. Even the littlest know the love of our heavenly Father.
We had lunch with the boys at La Playa in Harlingen. The food was good, but the portions were too big. There was more laughing and joking and, then, the embarrassing time arrived. It was my birthday, so Jason had told the waiter, prior to our arriving, and the plot was set. As we were finishing our meal, a group of waiters came up behind me and put a humongous sombrero on my head and sang a form of happy birthday. I was totally embarrassed and my kids and grandkids were very amused. One thing they may have forgotten is mom does not forget. LOL
We said goodbye to Jason, Andy, and Jamie, as they were heading home. I truly hated to see them leave. The rest of us went back to the hotel to change and head to the beach. I could not get over how much traffic there was heading to Padre on a mid Sunday afternoon. Once on the beach, the little ones, Uncle David and Aunt Claudette headed for the water. Okay, the mom in me still worries about my kids in the water, and the grandma in me worries even more, and when my son takes my granddaughter out to the second or third sand bar, I really worry. But, they had a blast. I thank God they were safe and memories were made.
After an afternoon of fun, we stopped at Pirate's Landing for dinner. Coconut shrimp how sweet the taste!!!! A magician named Johnny stopped at our table and performed tricks with coins and small red sponge balls. We were all amazed, but the little ones were mesmerized. How did he get the coins into and out of their little hands? How did he put the third ball in Madison's hands? Now, that is something to ponder. Even Uncle David was caught up in the feats. Truly, another remarkable memory to be shared by all.
Those of us still in the valley met one more time for lunch at Pepe's on Monday. There is no finality to a trip to the valley without eating at Pepe's! Again there were memories shared and laughter, too. I hated to see this trip end. I know that Aunt Annie would have loved the way we laughed and joked around. A very fitting farewell to a much loved family member.
Chrys, her little ones and I set out for home about 1:30p.m. I was glad to see the green of the valley and the fields full of cotton. I had hoped to stop and let the little ones pick a boll of cotton, but I would not allow it due to the defoliant. The trip out of the valley was quiet, for the most part. Chrys worked on her computer, the kids watched a movie on the ipad and I listened to music. We decided to take the long way home through Skidmore and Karnes City because I certainly did not want to go through San Antonio during rush hour. I am glad we took that route. I have never been that way, and the little communities and ranch lands reminded me of what Texas is all about. The cattle and goats on the rolling hills was relaxing for me. We stopped several times and just enjoyed the trip. We made it home around 8p.m.
I hope to make another trip to the valley next month. There are many people I did not see. Valley is home.
We visited John and Booger's grave sides, and shared more memories and laughter before leaving Mont Meta. Yes, there were tears, but we know that they have been relocated to heaven and probably had tricks to play on Aunt Annie when she arrived.
We ended up going to Longhorn Barbecue in San Benito where we continued the stories and laughter. It was wonderful to see the kids all together again. It has been quite awhile since we have all been together. Katie and Andy were there as well and shared in the laughter. Of course. Madison and Little Guy were there and added to the laughter.
Later that evening we all went to Creasey's Bowling Alley in Harlingen and spent the remaining evening hours laughing at the joking and jesting. I found it amusing that the picking on one another has not changed over the years. Boys against girls and oldest picking on youngest...some things never change.
The next morning, while the boys helped their dad clean up the last of Aunt Annie's home, the girls and I went to church in Rio Hondo. It was wonderful seeing old friends, but sad to see some in ill health. Time marches on. Brother Gene's message of God's love and His willingness that none should parish was refreshing. Little Guy wrote a note : I love you Jesus, Domenick. He left it with Brother Gene. Even the littlest know the love of our heavenly Father.
We had lunch with the boys at La Playa in Harlingen. The food was good, but the portions were too big. There was more laughing and joking and, then, the embarrassing time arrived. It was my birthday, so Jason had told the waiter, prior to our arriving, and the plot was set. As we were finishing our meal, a group of waiters came up behind me and put a humongous sombrero on my head and sang a form of happy birthday. I was totally embarrassed and my kids and grandkids were very amused. One thing they may have forgotten is mom does not forget. LOL
We said goodbye to Jason, Andy, and Jamie, as they were heading home. I truly hated to see them leave. The rest of us went back to the hotel to change and head to the beach. I could not get over how much traffic there was heading to Padre on a mid Sunday afternoon. Once on the beach, the little ones, Uncle David and Aunt Claudette headed for the water. Okay, the mom in me still worries about my kids in the water, and the grandma in me worries even more, and when my son takes my granddaughter out to the second or third sand bar, I really worry. But, they had a blast. I thank God they were safe and memories were made.
After an afternoon of fun, we stopped at Pirate's Landing for dinner. Coconut shrimp how sweet the taste!!!! A magician named Johnny stopped at our table and performed tricks with coins and small red sponge balls. We were all amazed, but the little ones were mesmerized. How did he get the coins into and out of their little hands? How did he put the third ball in Madison's hands? Now, that is something to ponder. Even Uncle David was caught up in the feats. Truly, another remarkable memory to be shared by all.
Those of us still in the valley met one more time for lunch at Pepe's on Monday. There is no finality to a trip to the valley without eating at Pepe's! Again there were memories shared and laughter, too. I hated to see this trip end. I know that Aunt Annie would have loved the way we laughed and joked around. A very fitting farewell to a much loved family member.
Chrys, her little ones and I set out for home about 1:30p.m. I was glad to see the green of the valley and the fields full of cotton. I had hoped to stop and let the little ones pick a boll of cotton, but I would not allow it due to the defoliant. The trip out of the valley was quiet, for the most part. Chrys worked on her computer, the kids watched a movie on the ipad and I listened to music. We decided to take the long way home through Skidmore and Karnes City because I certainly did not want to go through San Antonio during rush hour. I am glad we took that route. I have never been that way, and the little communities and ranch lands reminded me of what Texas is all about. The cattle and goats on the rolling hills was relaxing for me. We stopped several times and just enjoyed the trip. We made it home around 8p.m.
I hope to make another trip to the valley next month. There are many people I did not see. Valley is home.
Monday, July 4, 2016
Musings : Musings I
Musings : Musings I: I have been retired for six days. I do not think the reality of it has set in yet. Life goes on... It is not my desire to sit! I be...
Musings : Captain America
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Musings : Why I Taught
Musings : Why I Taught: I was working at a middle school, back in the 80s, as a teacher's aide, while I attended school to become a physician's assistant. ...
Musings : Good-bye Jerry
Musings : Good-bye Jerry: Yesterday, August 27, 2011, Chrystal and I left the Austin area on a trip that would allow us to say good-bye to her Uncle Jerry and my form...
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