Cracker Barrel

This was a picture taken by my one and only sister, Megan. She is much younger than me, 26 years actually. Our dad passed away in July and this is the day of his funeral. We are at a Cracker Barrel near his home which is close to Denton, Texas. Daddy liked to eat at Cracker Barrel and IHOP. I sure miss him. I can't say that Cracker Barrel is my favorite place to eat, but I will never see one and not think of my dad. My son and I like their apple butter on biscuits.

My shower remodel

This bathroom is so small, I had a hard time getting back far enough to take pics. I love everything about it though, I picked it all out myself. Slate, niko blue walls, texture, creamy-white cabinets, clear glass shower doors, rain shower head, Kohler sink and toilet, Brizo faucet, satin nickel finish and stainless steel, green slate counter (very small vanity), heated tile floors, so great in the winter with a timer to come on in the morning and evening.

Rich Mullins - The Color Green

This is my favorite song

Barney Fife on Andy Griffith

"Like they always say...the quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth like a gentle dew from Heaven...well, you're not talking to a jerk you know!" - Barney
That is one of favorite Barney quotes. It is from the Merchant of Venice.

"The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath: it is twice blessed; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes: 'tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes the throned monarch better than his crown; his scepter shows the force of temporal power, the attribute to awe and majesty, wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings, but mercy is above this sceptered sway, it is enthroned in the hearts of kings, it is an attribute of God himself, and earthly power dost then show likest God's when mercy seasons justice."

I once saw a movie about Nero, he was killing Christians right and left. He was told that mercy became a ruler and that the power of pardon was the greatest power of all. Supposedly Nero found this to his liking and started pardoning prisoners.

Van Gogh "The Cafe"

My favorite impressionists are Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet. I love the water lilies. Impressionism = romanticism in my book. Van Gogh's Night Stars are also my favs. I like Edvard Munch's "The Scream". Henri Matisse too. Those little cafes in Paris are so cool.

Another Chance Ranch Giveaway

Here is the link to this contest:
http://anotherchanceranch.typepad.com/another_chance_ranch/2007/10/the-first-evah-.html

She is giving away
http://anotherchanceranch.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/09/27/gift10.jpeg

Such fun! She's so pretty!

Older brother Kenny

Kenny is my older brother, but he is the youngest of my three brothers. He is just 19 months older than me, which put him only one grade ahead of me in school. He was a December baby and I am an August babe. LOL. He is holding my son, John, when he was two. It's funny, my son John and his little sister, Becky, are exactly the same distance apart in age as Kenny and I are, almost to the day! My birthday is August 4 and Kenny's is December 11. Becky's birthday is August 11 and John's is December 17. Becky and John are 19 months apart just like Kenny and I are. Well, anyway, I think that is the way it happens in families. You share a lot in common. I love all three of my brothers, they are great. My oldest, I have always been in awe of, and Dennis and I have always been buds, and Kenny, I got to play with the most after the older boys started back to school. Kenny and I had one whole year of playing together before he started first grade. After first grade started, he came home a little mad at me that I did not have to go to school yet. Yeah, those were the days, my friend. (I thought they'd never end)

Second older brother, Dennis

Now this brother and I got to be on the same team with each other when my oldest brother and youngest brother chose up sides. We used to build forts in the snow, big ones like four foot high, and fight each other. Wayne always got to choose whether he wanted Dennis or Kenny on his side, I got whoever he didn't want, or I should say whoever he didn't choose got stuck with me! Three boys and one little girl, not a lot of options, bro. At least they didn't all three side together. Oh, the days!

Wayne, my oldest brother

My brother and his wife Jean tried for years to have a baby. They even went through in-vetro fertilization. They tried to adopt and were put on a waiting list. Finally, they got past a certain age and were taken off the list. Then, miracle of miracles, Jean got pregnant!!! And here is living proof. You can certainly tell that Wayne is so proud and pleased to have them in this pic. Adam and Sarah are now 14 years old. Wayne just retired from 30 years teaching high school physics. Yes, he is an intelligent person.

Harvest Moon

I took this picture tonight as we were driving home. My camera is only a Sony DSC-H2 and I'm not the great photographer, but it still was a beautiful sight. l guess this might be called a harvest moon. Psalms 8:3-9
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Speaking of birthdays

I had my 50th birthday this year. My children gave me a surprise birthday a week early and it did surprise me. Sadly, my dad had passed away two days before the party, but the kids decided to go ahead with the party to cheer me up. With the family coming over, I just assumed it was a get together for comfort and guess what? it was a comfort. We all enjoyed being together and also got to play with my darling niece, my brother Kenny's grandchild.



Life is definitely a blessing and having birthdays means you're still around to enjoy it. Hold your loved ones closely and remember to tell them that you love them. My dad's last words to me were,"you know that I love you," and it was hard not to cry. I said,"Yes, daddy, I know that you love me." And I do know it.

Going to the dentist yesterday reminded me of the time I fell down the stairs when I was five years old. I was the baby of the family with three older brothers. We were very close in age, as my oldest brother is only five years older than me. Wayne was 10, Dennis was 9, Kenny was almost 7, and I was 5. My mom never left us alone, but this one day she had started a new job working at Wayne's Grocery in the small town where we lived. Only we lived way out in the country about 8 miles on a dirt road. My dad was supposed to be home after we came home from school on the bus. But for some reason he was not there yet. Now my oldest brother was like an adult anyway, so he was in charge of us until dad arrived. Now I had been told many times not to carry my doll crib down the stairs by myself. On this one and only occasion, left alone to my own decisions, I decided that I could carry it down all by myself. I guess I didn't want to be upstairs in my bedroom or maybe I wanted to watch tv downstairs. I really can't remember the trip down the stairs, maybe I blocked it out? My doll crib was made of metal and painted pink, so cute. But when I fell and hit my teeth on it, it knocked my two front baby teeth out. I don't remember if they were loose already and ready to come out, but they sure did pop right out! My big brother Wayne was really good in an emergency situation, even at this age, he knew what to do. I can remember lieing on the couch with a wet washcloth on my toothless mouth, lots of blood!! Wayne calmly called our mom at the grocery store and said, "Terri's bleeding." LOL. That makes me laugh!! Cracks me up. Well, I can't remember the rest, I need to ask mom. I guess that's where my youngest daughter gets her independent spirit. I will have to write another post later about my mom's new driving skills. Oh, it's good.
Here is another pic of my siblings and me, we are standing in birth order, youngest (on the bucket!) Kenny, Dennis, and Wayne. This picture was 20+ years ago. They are so tall and I am so short.

Cardboard inserts

You know those cardboard inserts that they put in pantyhose? I can understand why they need them to display the details of the hose, but it is always irritating (just a little) to get them out, and the stretch that they put on only one leg! Ha ha. Well, it does no harm actually. I used to think what could I use that cardboard for? That was my home-schooling instinct kicking in, perhaps a flashcard?

My new car

After driving a mini-van for 14 years, I finally got to upgrade to a new car. This one really is an upgrade! A 2007 BMW 328i. All the kids are in college and I don't drive anyone around anymore. It was useful to move kids to college though!! I do miss it occasionally when shopping for groceries, but not that much. This car also was purchased two days before my birthday so I am calling it my birthday present. Now this was not just any birthday, but my 50th. Hard to believe, huh? LOL. It's true, I was born a '57 model, came out in August. My mother gave me the middle name June, not for the month, but after her. She was born in June though. That's why I'm known as Junebug, that's what my dad called me. Anyway, I am happy with my present, just wish my dad were around to see it.

Kitchen Madonna

Ok, I'm not this tall, I had to stand on a stool to take this picture myself. LOL This is my new apron from Kitchen Madonna. I think it very nifty. You should see the details of it. She matched up pocket lines perfectly with the picture lines. Pretty impressive. So thanks to Pioneer Woman Cooks blog and Hyacinth displaying hers and providing a link, I bought myself one.
You can find yours at kitchenmadonna.com. If you look closely you can see the little bucking broncs!

My dearest

This is my dearest husband. We have been married 32 years. That's about 2/3rds or 64% of my life. LOL. He's great. my gosh, he works hard. It is amazing. He never takes sick days, he just goes to work every day. He runs his own business and it isn't air conditioned, just big fans in the summer. He keeps our three kids in college, soon they will be out and he can slow down a little. I am very thankful that I am married to a man who doesn't drink or run around. I don't have to wonder where he is, I grew up with a dad like that, yet thankfully he changed his ways later in life after he became a Christian. My DH is a guitar player too. He was able to move some of his amplifiers and guitars into #2 daughters bedroom now that she moved out. We are still going to keep a smaller bed in there for her visits. Our #1 daughter moved out a couple of years ago and we have a twin bed in her old bedroom also. I moved my office computer in there and my piano keyboard. So DH can finally have his space, except he decided to move the new MAC in his space. Our son is in college, but he still uses his bedroom quite regularly. Life sure changes and time seems to fly. Anyway, I appreciate and love these precious gifts that God has given to me!!

A brand new day with no mistakes in it!

My beautiful family!! What a great time we had in Colorado. I can honestly say it was the best trip we have ever taken. Everything turned out better than expected, nothing was disappointing. That's saying a lot. We stayed for seven days in the most beautiful cabin in the most beautiful location about 9200 ft. It was awesome. I can't wait to return.

God put a smile upon my face

This is my first post. I am totally new to this of course. I guess I'll see what this is like. Right now, it is getting late and I seem to be at a loss for anything amazing to say. I will say that my title is from a song by Coldplay. I learned about them from my daughters, they have gone to their concerts. It is an excellent song and I do feel like God has put a smile upon my face. It is hard for me not to automaticallly smile at people. It doesn't matter if I know them or not. Some people don't smile back, oh well. It doesn't stop me, I just have this thing about smiling.