Merry, Merry Christmas!

It's been almost a month since I posted. YIKES!

Joe turned 16. We celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. Bill completed his first semester of college (successfully I might add). And then there's the reason for the season...

I hope each of you fellow bloggers out there in bloggityville have a wonderful Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our savior.

Blessings on your home,
Jan

Gobble Gobble

Good morning fellow bloggin' buds,

I am happy to report that Thanksgiving at the H house went off without a hitch! This was our fifth year to be in our own home with just the four of us. Since my mom passed away 5 years ago, we lost our central meeting place in east Texas. It was a great location for all of us (mainly because she was a Proverbs 31 woman to the nth degree) since our family consists of my two older brothers who have seven kids between them and their spouses and my kids and family friends, etc. etc...we were fortunate enough to have a house large enough to hold about 20 folks!

Those were great Thanksgivings filled with lots of great memories (except for the time my twin nieces showered us with head lice... but that is another story for another time) but the time has come for us to build our own traditions and memories.

Bill's girlfriend was with us on Thanksgiving day and throughout most of the weekend. (she is precious by the way) So, there were two, count them TWO, women in the house! I cooked all day Wednesday--which meant that all I had to do was throw the bird in the oven on Thursday and heat things up. Joe was as happy as a pig in a poke because he got to veg with his brother and play video games all day and night. Life is good!

I settled in for a weekend full of SEC football. And can I just get an AMEN to the ARKANSAS game?! Hellooooooooo LSU fans! I was so stinkin' nervous throughout the zillion overtimes that I had to relocate to the kitchen and clean out cabinets while listening to the game on my midget tv in the kitchen!

And how about that TENNESSEE game? Patty, my Siesta buddy from somewhere in TN probably stroked out during their game! I haven't ventured over to her blog yet, but I just imagine it is solid orange today.

Finally, I thought alot about being thankful this weekend. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the day to day things of life that I forget what is truly important to me. So, I shall list a few things that came to my mind this last weekend:

1. A husband who loves me unconditionally after 23 years and 342 days.
2. Two teenage sons who know Christ and love their momma.
3. Two older brothers who still seem 15 and 18 to their kid sister.
4. A life full of godly girlfriends.
5. Two new bloggin buds.
6. A new friend at HomeLife magazine who gets my warped sense of humor.
7. Second chances.

And finally, a Savior who never gives up on me!

I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are ready to dive into the holiday madness. Until tomorrow!

Jan

Thank You for your Prayers

Hi there my five faithful readers! I have returned from the big city with incredible news! As you know, I was in Houston for 7 days and 7 long, long (did I mention long?) nights. I got to play aunt/nanny/ babysitter to three incredible kiddos while my friend had major surgery. The story is long. So here are the highlights:

• "A" left for the hospital at 4:00 a.m. on Monday morning. Little (5 pound) baby G and I spent our first night together getting to know each other. Very well, I might add.

• Each morning at 8 a.m. I fed a 2 year old, a 1 year old and got them ready for daycare while their daddy showered. They all left and baby G and I got to spend the day together.

• Each afternoon I loaded baby G in the Suburban and drove through TRAFFIC to the daycare to retrieve the two girls. And yes, I had THREE CAR SEATS in a row. Which, BTW, all buckled differently. FOR THIS PART I SHOULD RECEIVE AN HONORARY ENGINEERING DEGREE FROM SOME PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITY...

• Each afternoon we played games, changed numerous diapers, snacked and sang songs.

• Dinner, bath time, and bed followed with the usual 20 questions about when Mommy was coming home. Is her boo boo better? And where is my purple bunny?

That is the daily rundown. Which, to you young siestas out there, is about what every day is like for you. But for this 47 year old, it isn't anything close to what my every day is like at this stage in the game. PTL

Now on to the important stuff. Here is a list of how our sweet, sweet LORD answered your prayers:

1. I remained pain free for an entire week.
2. I didn't catch any daycare germs, although there was an abundance of green snot for everyone and their cousins.
3. Toward the end of the week, I actually got 4 hours straight sleep instead of 2.
4. A's surgery took 1 hour and 45 minutes instead of the predicted 4 hours.
5. They did not have to remove any part of her lung, ribs or diaphragm.
6. She came home in a record 5 days--not 10 to 15 days as predicted.
7. I drove from the suburb to downtown Houston without swearing, crying or hitting another car. (actually, I did begin to cry one time when I drove under Highway 59 four times and still couldn't figure out how to get up on the silly thing...)
8. No lab results are back, but the pulmonary doctor is 99.9% sure that it was not cancer.

I felt your prayers like I have never felt prayers before! Even when I was caring for my terminally ill mother. I thank you from the bottom of my tired heart! I have so much more to write, but will do it tomorrow. There are many funny stories to tell on myself...oh, so many...

Give God glory! He is faithful and merciful!

Until tomorrow,

Jan

Autumn in the Ozarks and Prayer Request

Hello there! I have been on a picture-taking binge this week. Probably because the leaves are spectacular this year. I posted two pictures I took with my phone. They do not do the trees justice, however. But if you zoom in and put on red glasses you'll get the effect...

This morning I was lucky enough to drink coffee with my oldest and dearest bff, Elizabeth, (the traitor who moved to Kansas). She was in town for a girls' weekend since hubbies are off in the woods shooting at BAMBI and all his friends. Five of us were able to meet at Panera's and talk about our oldest children who all started college this fall. Except Alice, who has about 20 kids scattered here and there. NO...seriously, she only has four and three are in college.

Anyway...Miss Kansas brought us all a little gift of packaged chocolate covered sunflower seeds--coated in purple and white: Kansas State colors. They are soooooooooo good! I'd never seen them--much less tasted them.

All of which has absolutely NOTHING to do with anything except--well--that was the highlight of my morning. Which brings me to my main reason for posting today. I have a very serious prayer request that hope my fellow Siesta Bloggity Buddies will take to heart.

Sunday afternoon, I will fly to HOUSTON for seven days leaving my hubby and Joe at home.

My good friend, A, is having a softball sized tumor removed from a lung. The doctor's will remove the tumor, part of a lung and two ribs.

This is the young woman (36) who used to babysit my boys when they were babies. She has a 2 year old, a 1 year old and now a 3 week old baby. The baby was born prematurely (5 weeks) but was able to go home last week, praise God! without an apnea monitor or oxygen etc. I am taking care of the baby 24/7 by myself for 7 days. The little girls will be at daycare until Ipick them up in the afternoons. A nanny will come in from 6 pm to 9 pm each evening to help me with dinner, bath time, bed time etc. so her hubby can go from work to the hospital to be with her.

I covet your prayers, ladies! With my RA and fibromyalgia this is no small feat. I am asking that you all pray for the following:

• complete recovery for A after the surgery
• strength for her hubby
• NO GERMS FROM THE DAYCARE
• complete rest and calm for me
• complete calm and health in my home
• mostly: for God to be glorified in all of this

This young woman is like my daughter/little sister. She is precious to me and my family. It's funny because both of my boys were preemies (2 pounds and 5 pounds) and she took care of them as a young college girl looking for some extra spending money. And here I am--taking care of her baby who isn't even due yet.

What I love most about this story is that they found the tumor when A was in the early stages of pregancy. She and her hubby chose to carry this baby as long as she could which was life threatening for her. I am so proud of her for choosing life.

So............if you girls would please pray I would appreciate it. I have plenty of quilting and sewing and writing to take with me, but it's never the same when you're away from home.

I will send pictures if I can. Until then,

Jan

Beauty and the Beast

For three nights, I have covered my beloved hydrangea bush because Dan the Weather Man has promised a hard freeze. And for three mornings, I have retrieved king sized sheets from my back yard. Ozzie had fetched, chewed and EATEN every chip clip, clothespin and hairchip I own. We are in for some stale Tostitos, gals...

What can I say? I gave in to the beastly coldfront, cut 30+ blooms and have taken on the role of candystriper in my community. No kiddin'--our house looks like a flower shop. But I am not complaining because, after all, that would be stinky.

And I am not stinky...I smell rather nice.

I have posted about my hydrangea bush before. So, if you have already read about it, you may want to go on over to another siesta's blog because I'm gonna write about it again. Yes ma'am I am.

Someone sent this lovely plant to me when I was recovering from childbirth with son #1. I planted it in the backyard 18 years ago. I gotta tell ya girls, this bush brings me almost as much pleasure as a Dairy Queen ice cream cake. And that is sayin' a lot, because here in Northwest Arkansas, we don't have DQ.

Which, by the way is just wrong. W R O N G. I grew up on Dilly Bars, DQ Dudes and praise the LORD---the Texas toast and steakfinger basket. Can I get a umhum?

But, I digress.

So...Dan the Man says we are in for a hard freeze tonight. Low 20's. It was 72 degrees on Monday and 33 degrees when Ozzie awakened me with a kiss this morning. (it just occurred to me why his breath smelled like chips...) Tonight I shall send the dog to sleep with his personal chewtoy, Joe, and will cross my fingers that Dan the Man is wrong once again.

I snickered to myself as I cut those huge, gorgeous blossoms. Darwin, my foot. Boy was he wrong.

I just know that God continues to grow my flowers for me because, well, He is just sweet that way.

And creative. And kind. And His mercies are new every morning.

Unlike me, when I have to munch on stale chips because of Ozzie.

Until tomorrow my bloggity buddies,

Jan

JOE GOT SAVED

Hello there my fellow bloggers!

I know it's been a while since I posted, but what a busy week! And what GREAT NEWS! Joe, our 15 year old sophomore, made a profession of faith on October 25 at his school. It was Spiritual Emphasis week and Jamie Ragle was the keynote speaker. He was amazing! The Holy Spirit really convicted Joe during the first part of the week. Mid-week he went to one of his teachers and talked with him, and it was then that Joe prayed to receive Christ. Hallelujah!!!

The first picture is Joe, Isaac (a friend since kindergarten) and Jonesy, waiting in line to be baptized. Our church is rather large (12,000 members) so we have a double baptistery. It's really neat because families stand behind their loved ones as they are being baptized. I love it! We were right there with him! Talk about a bird's eye view (as you can see from the pics). This was one of he happiest days of my life...

I am a little under the weather today, so I shall post more tomorrow. But I did want my siestas to rejoice with me and hubby and Bill and Joe on a most remarkable day!

Blessings,

Jan

Me and My Man!

Well, goodness gracious alive! It is 12:09 in the morning and I am still awake. Perhaps it's because we had such an incredible evening here in Northwest Arkansas. Hubby and I attended a fundraising banquet this evening for a local pregnancy crisis center named LOVING CHOICES. I have so much to say about it! But mainly, tonight, I just wanted to share a picture of me and my man of 23 years,10 months. Isn't he just the cutest thing? And he's all mine!

Recently, I realized there was no picture of me on my blog. Probably because I take such rotten pics. Or perhaps because I am now the proud owner of two chins. Or maybe it's that I am the primary picture taker in our family. Doesn't really matter---what does matter is that we got dressed up tonight and Bill snapped our picture.
And I wanted to share it with you all. Because...after all...you are my bloggy buddies. And I love all four of you.

Until tomorrow!
Jan

Bill cut off our bodies with this pic. Oh well...two out of three ain't bad.

Good afternoon girlfriends and my son Bill and nephew Bill (don't act like you don't read my blog because I know you do...)

It's raining cats and dogs outside and is about 50 degrees. I am loving it! I have stayed home all day today being a most excellent wife. Yes, you read it correctly. A most excellent wife.

I ironed, baked cookies, folded laundry and mailed a few cards. Wow, am I tired. But tonight is Monday, which means that I shall sit in the family room with hubby and watch Monday Night Football while I work on some embroidery. Hmmm...this is sounding more like Proverbs 31 each minute. HA HA But seriously, I did read Proverbs 21 today and a few lines smacked me upside the head. See what you think:

• It is better to live alone in the corner of an attic, than with a contentious wife in a lovely home. Prov. 21:9
• It is better to live in a desert than with a crabby, complaining wife. Prov. 21:19

I don't know about you, but the option here is pretty bad. Can you imagine living in the corner of the attic? Hmm...perhaps we really should speak kind words to our husbands and kids. What do you think?

On another completely random note, I took a few pics of my hydrangea bush. We missed the spring blossoms because of a late freeze, but it is full force this week with lots of flowers to come. Enjoy the pics! Until tomorrow my 2 faithful readers,

Jan

GOOD HEAVENS! WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT?

Good afternoon, bloggy buddies! Yesterday, I promised a picture of my incredible birthday cake. If you recall, I mentioned that it was missing a little of the icing toward the back of the cake. As you can clearly see, I was telling the truth. But there is a funny story that accompanies my birthday cake. Here it goes:

I ran a quick errand before we all met for dinner at Bizzy's. While I was away, my hubby removed the cake from the container and placed it on the kitchen table. As he added the candles, he noticed the not so noticeable (!) spot on the cake. He called Bill over to take a look.

"What do you think happened? Think someone at the bakery took a bite? Or maybe a mouse got into it at the bakery?" Upon closer inspection, Bill noticed what looked to be fork marks.

"I think Mom had a couple of bites, Dad. Look at those marks!" Upon closer inspection of my kitchen, Bill found a fork in the sink with chocolate AND lipstick. They giggled and helped themselves to a little pre-dinner dessert. (Bill's detective skills make me happy that we appear to be getting our money's worth at the U of A)

When we came home from a yummy dinner they both accused me of taking out half the cake with a fork. I proceeded to remind them that the birthday boy/girl can do anything to their cake they want. These have always been the family birthday rules.

So...I am happy to report that I had a very happy birthday and that my gifts were awesome.

On another note, I wore my Siesta tee shirt that my friend Patty mailed to me (YOU ROCK PATTYCAKE) to my bible study today. I will never wear it out in public again as long as I live unless it is to San Antonio!!! If I explained what an LPM Siesta is once, I explained it 27 times!!! And don't be telling me it can be a witnessing tool, because I can't witness to someone while they are staring at my bosom which reads: LPM SIESTAS in hot pink. I am a bit curious, though.

Have any of you other siestas been questioned when you wore your tee shirts? Let me know. This could be interesting.

Until tomorrow, jan

Happy Birthday to Me

Hey there my five? faithful readers!

I am happy to report that I am officially back in the swing of things. I had to take a break for a while but am back in full bloggity force. My 47th birthday was October 13th (Saturday) but we are in full celebration mode today. We thought my brother, Pat, would be visiting us from Mississippi, but his business plans were changed yesterday and he couldn't make it. Needless to say, I am VERY disappointed because he is my favorite brother. (Pat, if you are reading this, don't tell Mike. He thinks HE IS my favorite brother)So...Bill is coming home from the dorm, and the four of us are headed to Bizzy's for dinner. At our house, the birthday person gets to pick the restaurant. I love to eat at Bizzy's because it has something for everyone! And let me just say that it is hard to please all four of us at the same time when it comes to food.

Hubby purchased a Chocolate Caramel Cake from Rick's Bakery. It is sitting in the refrigerator as I write this. (There is, however, a bit of missing icing from the backside...draw your own conclusions.) I must say that I love birthdays. Not so much for the gifts (although hubby rocks at gift giving) but because it is the one day where pink, purple, and lime green (my favorite) flourish at a house filled with men. There are no dirty dishes and I get to wear my pink fuzzy tiara. Seriously...

So, tomorrow I will describe my birthday cake and its gooey, chocolate covered self in much detail.
Until then,
Jan

I've Been Tagged

Hello there, girls. As you may have noticed, I have not posted in a while. I have so many things to tell you! First things first! YES, Miss Kim, I know the HOGS lost to Auburn yesterday (and on my birthday of all days...) but don't get too excited there, missy, because well, we've lost to everyone except Northeast Texas and some other high school team...Aaaaaahhhhh...

Now, I have been tagged by Miss Kim. So, after absolutely no thought whatsoever, I list my fours:

FOUR JOBS I HAVE HAD

1. Advertising/marketing gal at a now non-existent trucking company (right out of college)
2. Part time flower shop girl
3. Part time quilt store girl (hence the email: quiltgirl)
4. Waitress at the Holiday Inn (college)

FOUR MOVIES I CAN WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN

1. North by Northwest (Cary Grant)
2. The Pelican Brief
3. The Thrill of It All (Doris Day and James Garner)
4. Pillow Talk (Doris Day and Rock Hudson)

FOUR TV SHOWS I WATCH REGULARLY

1. O'Reilly Factor
2. 24
3. The Office
4. Life Today

FOUR PLACES I HAVE VACATIONED

1. Estes Park, Colorado
2. Puerto Vallarta (yuk, yuk, and more yuk)
3. Naples, Florida (my absolute favorite)
4. West Palm Beach, Florida

FOUR OF MY FAVORITE DISHES

1. Fried Chicken (but only the hand battered, homemade kind)
2. Sushi
3. Cheeseburger & Fries
4. Cheese grits

FOUR PLACES I'D RATHER BE

1. The island tower condominiums at Hilton Head, South Carolina
2. My friend's house in Naples, Florida
3. My friend's log cabin in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
4. San Francisco

So, there you have it! I shall post tomorrow about my wonderful 47th birthday yesterday.

Blessings,

Jan

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaack

Good morning my five faithful readers! I just realized that I haven't posted since September 18th...no wonder my house is so clean :) just kidding. Seriously though, I have been convicted about much time I've been spending in blogland and decided that I needed to re-prioritize a bit.
So....here's an update:

• I cleaned out the garage. It was a mess and it depressed me each time I pulled in.


• I sewed. (pics to follow)


• I played substitute teacher at my son's high school.


• I watched ALOT of SEC football and concluded that I wasted a lot of valuable sewing time.


• I went to the dentist


• I went to the female doctor (fun fun)


• I ironed all of hubby's khakis and golf shirts.


• I baked.


• I spent valuable time with Bill while he was home from college one weekend


• I dragged Joe (15) to Wal-Mart and made him push the cart (he was one happy teenager)


• I went back to the gym (this was not pretty)


• I took the dog to the vet for his annual immunizations where he promptly tried to take the vet's hand off with his big canine teeth (BAD DOG...BAD, BAD DOG)


• I read three books.


• I spent alot of time with my best bud who was back and forth between here and Kansas. (She moved if you recall my lamenting in earlier posts...which proves my theory correct: Arkansas is much more fun than Kansas because she keeps coming back here. Lizzy, if you read this, don't be mad...you know in your heart that I am correct and Dorothy and Toto were highly misinformed about Kansas)


• But the best of all is that I almost completed my novel. I have three chapters left and I will have written my very first book which will probably remain in a box with a whole lot of rejection letters, but hey...if God wants it published, it will get published. Lucky for me, He has a whole lot more confidence in me that I do.

So, there you have it. That is how I spent my Bloggy Vacation. Notice the diaper bag. This is the girl's version (thank you, Captain Obvious) I also bought the blue polka dot fabric for the male couterpart. As of today, I have absolutely no one to give this bag to--but I will have it on hand when a friend's son or daughter "births" a baby girl which is happening more and more at my tender age (46). Just out of curiosity, what would you pay for a custom sewn diaper bag lined with pockets for a cell phone, diaper, bottle and wipes? Let me know. Who knows where this could lead???????

I'M TAKING A BREAK

I'm taking a little blogging break, siestas. I have million things to do around my house and a whole of writing to catch up on...So, until next week, GO HOGS: BEAT kentucky. Talk to you then...
Jan

THOU SHALT NOT SPIT

I was in Smalltown, USA yesterday running an errand for my hubby. I'm not going to mention the name of the small town but let's just say that it was an hours' drive from here and the population is about 3000 people. I' m not even going to go into the details of why I was there. Because, well, to be honest, you would push that big 'ol X button and go on over to BooMama's Blog for a good laugh. I know you would. Don't deny it.


So...I am in this small office building and I notice a sign posted over the water fountain. I stopped. Read it again just to be sure that my menopausal self read it right the first time. Yep. I did. It states very plainly : DO NOT SPIT in the water fountain. Huh? I ask you my fellow Siestas--is this a social habit of which I am not aware? Did I miss something growing up in East Texas? Or is this a practice common in some circles?


Well, after I read the fine print: Look around--cameras are watching from both directions I had the biggest urge to SPIT IN THE WATER FOUNTAIN . Of course I refrained, ladies. Because after all, I am a well reared Southern gal who didn't even have the word "spit" in her vocabulary until she gave birth to two sons. (Ahem)

The sweet lady in the office must have seen me looking at the sign, because she came out of her office and explained that she had been the one to make the sign. "Do people really expectorate (spit) in your water fountain?" I asked. "Oh yes, honey. Just last week I had to call the plumber to come unclog the thing. It was so full of tobacco juice that it just kept overflowing everywhere. The plumber called us out here to show us what he cleaned out of it and it was pretty disgusting."

This--as I choked back my strawberry pop-tart and excused myself to the ladies room. Where, by the way, there was a SIGN that read: Please close the door behind you. HELLO? Is that sign really necessary too? Do ladies need to be told to close the bathroom door in a public restroom. Hmmm...

Needless to say, I was happy to load myself into my minivan and hoof it home--where (can I get an amen here?) I don't have a water fountain. And if I did, you can bet it would not be used as a spittoon. Know what I'm sayin'?

Until tomorrow my five faithful readers,
Jan

Rain, Rain, Rain

Good morning ladies,

No. I did not attend the Deeper Still Conference in Nashville. I had a ticket, a motel room and the blessings of my DH, but a still small voice kept saying "you need to stay home". So...after prayer and confirmation from my DH, I stayed home. And boy...am I glad I did! We had some serious family time around here. We worked a 550 jigsaw puzzle of three cats (fleabags as my DH calls them) with the majority of the pieces being solid white. Then we watched it rain. Then watched it rain. Then watched it rain some more.

Did I mention that it rained? The LPGA tournament was at the Pinnacle Country Club just up the road. I felt so sorry for everyone involved. I think it rained the entire tournament. The only two living beings that haven't complained about all the water are Aquilla and Priscilla (our two koi that live in the backyard pond) and that's because they live in the water!

Joe is home with a cold today and with a bit of the "common crud" as we call it. I worked on a logo for my sister-in-law's new business venture. I haven't done any graphic design in a LONG time, so it was a treat to play with different shapes, typeface etc. on my computer.

One last note...our church just hired Kim Noblitt as our Music Minister. He wrote the song We are Saved by Faith and several others that we all sing. It was so exciting to have him lead in worship yesterday. I am anxious to see what he will bring to the already incredible mix of our church family. Our pastor has a great blog if you want to read it. Here's the address: http://www.ronniefloyd.com/ and click on his blog: Between Sundays.

Praise the Lord for His mercies that are new every morning!

Until tomorrow my five faithfuls,
Jan

COUNTDOWN---FIVE DAYS

Only five. Yes, that's right! Five days until Deeper Still when I get to meet my new Siestas. I've decided that God must have a great word for us since He has orchestrated tickets, motel rooms, and new friendships!!!

That sweet Kim over at Connorcolesmom has been hard at work getting our arrangements together. And my other new friend, Patty (who is a HUGE Tennessee fan) has worked so hard on our tee shirts. I just can't wait to meet her too! Oh my stars! I hope our shirts aren't ORANGE. You wouldn't do that to us would you now, Patty?


What a great time of worship we had today at our church. (www.ronniefloyd.com)Pastor is teaching a series on 1st John. Today we reflected on who Jesus is to us as shown in His word. Our advocate, propitiation, and our example. While I've known these things for a long time, it really hit home today when Pastor Floyd was preaching on Jesus' example to us. I had to ask myself if I, indeed, follow these:

• Do I prefer one another?
• Do I judge others?
• Do I bear one another's burdens?
• Do I fully love others?

I have to confess that these are hard things for me sometimes--okay, a lot of times. I caught myself making a mental checklist of all the things that I had committed and/or omitted just while I sat in the sanctuary! The list was rather large ladies! It was then that God's grace sank into my heart as I realized (once again) that Jesus took care of all of this at the cross :) I can wear my robe of royalty because HE IS my advocate, my propitiation, and my example. Praise God!

Bill and his friend are here today. He attended his first RAZORBACK game as a student and got to see one of his elementary school friends score a TOUCHDOWN for the Hogs. He had great pictures of the Razorback mascot body surfing in the student section. Oh......to be a freshman in college again! Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Joe is at a birthday sleepover/paintball party. I took my Sunday afternoon nap, gave Ozzie a bath and watched Hubby ride across the yard on his John Deere. I think Hubby and I may just go to Bizzy's for dinner and hit the hay early...Sounds like a plan to me. I may even sleep in tomorrow. zzzzzzzz

Until tomorrow my five faithful readers,

Jan

Mayonnaise Cake Recipe

Okay Siestas,
Here is the cake recipe I promised yesterday. By the way, half of it was devoured by the time Bill left for the dorm. It goes fast!

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3 Tbsp. cocoa
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 cup Miracle Whip
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Mix with electric mixer. Bake at 350 degrees. Ice with fudge frosting.

Soft Chocolate Fudge Frosting

• 2 Tbs. cocoa
• 1 1/4 cups cold milk
• 4 Tbsp. flour
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Sift flour, sugar and cocoa together, then add other ingredients in saucepan. Boil to the soft ball stage. Stir constantly until desired thickness. Cool. *My mother added this note: Jan, I usually cook it until it thickens, don't pay too much attention to the boiling stage. Love you, Mom -August 26th 1989

Mom always baked hers in a loaf pan. I usually bake mine in a bundt pan.

Blessings to you! Jan

Men's Night Out

Well good afternoon my five faithful friends!

It's Men's Night Out at our house which means that I didn't have to cook dinner tonight. Yippeeeeee.!!My three guys go to a local steak house and order steaks bigger than my laptop. No frills, no tablecloths, just tamales and steak. The great thing about this is that our oldest son who is now a freshman at the University of Arkansas (cue Razorback fight song) can meet his brother and dad since their favorite steak house is right bt the campus.

Being Men's Night Out and all, I get into the action by serving up dessert and hoping that Bill can come home and have a slice with us. I've posted the photo of a chocolate mayonnaise cake.

Now before you get totally grossed out by the name, let me just say that the cake is unbelievable! It was my mother's recipe and let me tell you---it lasted about 24 hours at our house when I was growing up! We four youngins loved it something fierce.

I can hardly stand the excitement of getting to attend Deeper Still thanks to my new precious Siesta Sista KIM!!! I can't wait to see her and all of my other new BFFs. :D

Tomorrow I will try to post the recipe for this cake. It is FABULOUS.

I may just have to have a small piece with my coffee and scriptures tomorrow morning.

Hmm...Jesus and chocolate!! It just doesn't get much better.

Blessings,

Jan

Wordless Wednesday

Three Men and a Mom and a Dog and a Guinea Pig

Well, after reading the post about Amanda's cute Beckham, I just had to put a photo of out beloved "Miss Scamper" who went to be Lassie, Rin Tin Tin and all the other great canines before her. She was the BEST dog we ever had and probably ever will have.

This portrait was a gift from my hubby on our twentieth wedding anniversary. We'd been in Naples, Florida on vacation one year and stumbled into a gallery off the main drag. There was an artist whose paintings were so realistic that we thought they were photographs. Kenneth kept his card and VOILA! on December 17th he presented me with the best present I've ever received in my life. (wonder how he'll top it with twenty-five coming up?)

Anyway, the amazing thing about this portrait is that it is taken from a Christmas card photo that resulted after much screaming and gnashing of teeth by my boys--grades 8 and 5 at the time. I remember fighting with them over wearing matching shirts. Joe (on the left) is actually wearing navy pants but the artist changed them in the painting. Now Scamp is gone and Bill is off at college and Joe is in high school. BUT, I still have my beautiful portrait.

Our resident Pooch, Ozzie, is shown two or three posts below. You can't miss him. He's the one floating on the raft in our pool :) And below is MY guinea pig Gracie who happens to be a male (don't tell him though) who lives in the laundry room. (S)he is a very lovable and beautiful animal. (S)he and Oz actually play together. Isn't that a hoot? And yes, I know s(he) is a rodent, but I do not care... So are squirrels...And I love them too.

Until tomorrow, my five faithful readers,

Jan

Nice Matters

My goodness gracious alive! I've been awarded the Nice Matters Award. Thank you Kim over at connorcolesmom. I accept this honor on behalf of all the southern gals who learned that being nice, courteous and respectful was synonymous with good breeding. (no matter how many of your closets were filled with family lunatics etc.) I would like to thank my mother, grandmother and the generations of women before them who learned that no matter what life throws your way, southern girls ALWAYS smile, begin each salutation with Mister or Miss and accept compliments like this one with humility. I would also like to thank my producer, director and make-up artist who had a huge role in my winning this award. Kudos to you all (y'all).

Okay...on to real life.

I awakened with a bad case of the "common crud" this morning. (how's that for generational manners and breeding?) Seriously, I feel like a hippo is sitting on my chest and forcing all the air out of my lungs. I have deducted that this ailment can be traced to the vast amount of DUST that I inhaled while cleaning my college freshman's bedroom. (see previous posts) When I get like this I have to call on the medical community for vast amounts of antibiotics. They should be here shortly. Nothing like starting the weekend off in bed with a golden retriever mix who's been digging in my flower beds and an array of 78 channels with only one decent selection worthy of watching.

Which brings me to share the following factual information. If you are squeamish, you may want to pass up the following scientific data.

• Did you know that when the female crocodile has buried her eggs, she can hear them hatching? And that she gently digs them up, puts them in her MOUTH and swallows them?
• And that they go into a special pouch behind her throat while she swims to a safe place in the river to deposit them?
• And that she can carry as many as 15 in this pouch at once?
• And that she will abolish any predator who even THINKS about harming her cute little babies?
• That fortunate crocodiles live to be 80?

How handy would it have been to have that pouch when my guys were little, I ask you? And to carry around a set of JAWS like hers to ward off predators that might hurt my children?

I shall look at the female crocodile with renewed respect--from my comfortable bed. Gotta go. The wildebeest are making their annual trek to the other side of the river. I hope they all make it:)

Until tomorrow my faithful four readers!

Jan

A Quiet Day

Today, I will post in ORANGE for my new friend, P, who is a huge Tennessee Vol fan. This flies in the face of everything Razorback, however...

Well, I finally did it. I spent yesterday cleaning up Bill's room. I walked by it for a week looking at the mess. I told a friend it looked like a bomb had gone off or a really bad renter had been evicted! God gave me the grace and laughter to tackle the undertaking without a single tear--which is good because I think my well hath runneth dry.

I tuned his stereo to our local Christian station and cleaned away. It felt sooooo good. This morning my husband loaded up the four trashbags of junk and took them to the office dumpster.
I found enough school supplies from years past to supply an entire class of first graders. lol.
I really am a neat freak but I decided that this summer was to be the summer of fun in the sun and letting the small stuff go.

Really messy small stuff...

Extremely messy small stuff...

The kind of messy where you find old Sonic cups growing penicillin kind of stuff. Hmm...maybe I could start a new career.

Oh well, if any of you siestas take Lifeway's HOMELIFE, check out the September issue. My other article is in it--along with a photo on page one or two? with extremely red lips and really big hair. Oh well, at least I didn't send my high school yearbook photo. (for you chick flick movie lovers out there, you'll get the joke) For the other three of you, well, you'll just have to rent Must Love Dogs.

So, "ta ta for now " as Tigger would say and to my new VOL friend--tomorrow I going back to pink or RED,

Jan

Help! I'm all Alone

Well, Bill is settled comfortably in the dorm (ahem...residence hall) and Joe is now in high school. I am still here...washing laundry and talking to the dog and guinea pig. In that order.

Move in day went reasonably well. It was amazing to see my son unload his belongings on the sidewalk. A pickup load full of stuff. Stuff. And more stuff. When we found his room, one of the beds had not been lofted, and the other bed was too short. So, K and I found a maintenance man and resolved the problem. Then, we discovered mold was growing on the wall behind Bill's bed--right where he head would be resting for A YEAR. So, K and I found a custodian and resolved the problem with a little bleach water. Now...what makes all this so funny, is that while we were resolving problems, Bill and his roommate were busy loading their dvd's into their spiffy dvd rack that they had purchased for a mere $20. I mean, priorities right? It brought back so many memories!

I must admit, my biggest problems included matching comforters and curtains. And a coordinating carpet square. Aah......the differences between boys and girls!

Now, if this isn't enough change for one girl, my three closest buddies have moved! One to Kansas, one to Oklahoma, and another to Alabama. Yikes! A whole lot of changes are going on around here.

Today, I will continue to wash, clean, and listen to a little Beth Moore while I fold the 17 piles of laundry that have magically multiplied in my laundry room. So...have a good day and I will talk to the three of you who actually read this crazy thing tomorrow!

Jan

Countdown: Two Days Left

Well ladies, the day draws near. I can't begin to tell you all the feelings that are going on inside right now. This morning when I stumbled into the kitchen for my coffee, I saw BOXES stacked in my kitchen floor with BH on all of them. WHAT? His boxes should read FIRST ROOM ON THE LEFT AFTER THE KITCHEN AND ACROSS FROM THE FRONT BATHROOM for crying out loud. Good grief! After the initial shock, I gently opened his door and saw that most of the posters were rolled up, the cd's and dvd's boxed up and a WHOLE lot of dirty clothes crammed into a laundry basket. In just two days, my son will move into the dormitory...the one that is air-conditioned...without his mom or dad or his little brother...
*On a happier note, it is official: We get to add one more (let's hear it) ARKANSAS RAZORBACK to the list. Yes, boys and girls my oldest on can officially sit in the student section of Razorback stadium with the other 75,000 screaming fans like his mother and father before him.
*Okay, back to reality...Joe starts HIGH SCHOOL on Friday. He actually drove us home today from Missouri. Other than a few dips to the right (where those really annoying tread things are)
he drove great!
*On a happier note, there will be less laundry and groceries. A lot less noise. Fussing with his sibling. Fewer "Shut the door! It's 103 degrees" yelled on a daily basis.

BUT TODAY, AT THIS MOMENT, I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE NOISE, MESSES, LAUGHTER, LOUD MUSIC, AND EMPTY MOUNTAIN DEW CANS IN OUR HOME.

Blessings to all,
Jan

The Dog Days of Summer?

Ahem...what a way to beat the heat!

My bff, Joe, takes me everywhere.

Much better than the Animal Shelter...

As you can see, Joe and I took a dip in the pool. I, Ozzie, actually enjoy the water. I have a friend, Millie, that lives down the street. I may invite her over tomorrow so we can float around the pool and share a box of Dog biscuits while everyone else is at church. But until then, Joe and I are going to beat the heat.

See you tomorrow,

Ozzie aka Oswald F

Shop til you Drop

Hello there girls!

Today, Joe and I took a little road trip north. We drove 2.5 hours to Springfield, Missouri to meet a friend. I'm really not much of a shopper, but I gotta tell ya, I had a blast today. They have a GREAT--no AWESOME mall! I kept thinking that it couldn't get better, but we'd turn the corner and voila! Macy's, Ethan Allen, Dillard's and on and on...Dillard's was having an incredible sale. 30% off the already discounted prices. I had to catch myself from drooling on the jewelry!
The mother of Joe's friend (who lives in Springfield) and I walked around for 4 hours and shopped until we dropped while our teens did the same--without us of course!

We were in one store, trying on costume jewelry (rings) and were laughing so hard at ourselves that a security guard soon showed up and positioned himself close to us! We just kept on trying on hats and rings. I'm sure someone probably whispered "TWO NUTS IN COSTUME JEWELRY...POTENTIAL PROBLEM" in his earpiece because he kept pushing it in his ear and looking our way.

I actually bought one of the rings. (at 30% off, why not?) But what makes the story so funny, is that I have really fat fingers. Seriously, there's nothing dainty about them. Arthritis has claimed my joints and my ring size varies between an 8 and a 9. So, I was telling this friend about how I have a big head and big fingers and what sizes to look for in rings and sunhats. We were howling looking for these big rings! And lo and behold, I saw the security guard checking his fingers!!! It was a hoot.

Tomorrow, I will post a pic of my new size 81/2 ring...I'm too tired from shopping and driving all day. We stopped at Blockbuster for a movie and in the new selections, they had The Ghost and Mr. Chicken with Don Knotts:) Of course I grabbed it right up! I remember my sister and I watching it in the late sixties and being scared to death. Is that a hoot??? It's not scary at all, but we thought it was...I guess it was the organ music.

Oh well. What a blessed day with my teenage son (he's my baby even if he is 15..) There won't be too many more days like today.

Until tomorrow,
Jan

Ah...Summertime

Are these not the cutest pictures you've ever seen? Kenneth snapped the one on the left when Joe was coaxing Ozzie into the pool. He's actually sitting on the first step. We've put Oz in the water a few times so he could find the steps in case he ever fell in the pool.

He is the funniest dog, ever. He runs around the pool while I swim laps each morning. Then licks my feet and legs while I try to towel off. At night, he waits patiently on Joe to go to bed. Since it's summertime, Joe is the last to sleep and the last to get up in the morning...ah...the lazy, hazy days of summer.

Looking at my calender last night, I counted the number of days till Bill moves into the dormitory--20! I still can't believe it. And 22 days till Joe starts school. It's going to be mighty quiet around here during the day time...But I hope to put the finishing touches on my novel that I've been writing for four years. I've probably worked on it more this week than any other time this summer. Bill works nights and Joe works late afternoon (yard man) so the mornings are free to write. I'll let you know when I finish!

Yesterday, I blasted the neighbors with Travis Cottrell's praise and worship cd while I worked in the yard. I think that particular cd draws me in to worship more than any other cd I've ever owned. I just lift my hands in praise then dig up another weed! Someday, there won't be any weeds to dig and we'll get to worship for eternity:) Won't that be fabulous!!!

Well, I am off to the laundry room. I am soooooo far behind on my ironing that Kenneth is going to be wearing his pjs to the office if I don't get busy. So until tomorrow, have a great day!

Blessings,

Jan

I've been tagged

Good afternoon girls! I am so excited to have been tagged for a meme. I kept seeing this on other people's posts and didn't really understand what it was until I was tagged! I am supposed to write five things I love about Jesus and tag five others. Thank you, Kim , at connorcolesmom for the tag. So, here it goes!

Five things I love about JESUS

• I love the fact that he loves me. Really REALLY loves me. I can't imagine giving my life for another person, but He did that for me :)



• He is all knowing. I love that He already knows my future and my family's future. What peace that brings.



• He sees me as a princess. Yes, you read that right...how else would you view someone who you love unconditionally. (my tiara is in my closet)



• His name alone is the most powerful name in all of history. Of Time. Of Eternity. And when God looks at me, He sees that name.



• He hung out with normal, unassuming, regular folks. But His salvation story crosses all cultures. I love that He was so inclusive of women.

So...there you have it. My top five. I am tagging the following five blogging sistas: Facedown,SouthernSomedays, DomesticBliss, thouartloosed, and HeatherBug.

Blessings!

Jan

quiltgirl

Why is your email Quiltgirl?

I added a couple photos to my blog tonight. I am pretty excited about the fact that I actually loaded the memory card and figured out how to post them online.
Just don't ask how long it took me to find them once they were downloaded :)

One picture is of my favorite quilt that I made several years ago. We were vacationing in Colorado three summers ago and wandered into a quilt store in Estes Park. Lo and behold they had all the block patterns to a quilt I had seen in magazine and absolutely fell in love with! Being the queen of cheap that I am, I was going to buy only a few...but my sweet husband insisted that I purchase all of them. Hot diggity dog, four years later I had myself a new wall hanging.
I wish I could remember the designer's name...but it is 12:13 am and my brain cells are almost asleep.

I also posted a picture of our dog, Ozzie the golden retriever mix who refuses to drink from a bowl unless I hold it for him. He will drink from a coffee cup...but not a bowl. He is the oddest dog we have ever owned. He has the most beautiful blue and brown eyes. When we saw those eyes looking up at us from the cage at the animal shelter, it was love at first sight.

Okay, my entire body is now tired. Ozzie is lying at my feet on the cool tile...snoring like a freight train!

Happy evening to all and to all a goodnight.

Blessings,
Jan
aka: Quiltgirl

Getting Ready for the Dormitory

Well, the time has come--the time to prepare my firstborn for college. I knew it would get here--eventually. I just didn't think it would be quite this soon!

I must admit though...I had a blast shopping for all the goods and reliving my college days! Of course, there was no Bed Bath and Beyond when I was in school. (ahem....was it that long ago? ) Only Ben Franklin's Five and Dime and a NEW Wal-Mart. And I live in Wal-Mart country. Really...the world headquarters is just up the road a bit.

I couldn't believe all the cool stuff they make just for dorm rooms! You can "loft" your bed and put a chair and a desk under it. You can buy the neatest small plastic shelf to fit on a dorm bed. It's just the perfect place for a small lamp, alarm clock, etc. And they're in the cutest colors!

I told my son about how we carried real mop buckets to the showers with our shampoo etc. Now they make shower totes that come in every shape, size and color. And they coordinate with towels, bath wraps and every possible toiletry imaginable. Of course, my 18 year old son has informed me that he WILL NOT be carrying a shower tote this fall. Okay, so I emailed my best friend who is buying dorm goodies for her daughter.

On to other news:
My three guys just left for a popular steakhouse right off campus. I opted to stay home and do my nails :) There's just something about a ordering a steak the size of my Thanksgiving turkey platter...not very ladylike...although I DID remind them to bring any and all leftovers home to me.

So, while they are out eating the "hunter/gatherer" meal, I am going to put Doris Day in the dvd player and change my nail color from Texas orange to pink.

Have a great day.

Blessings,
Jan
quiltgirl

Can I Drive?

Well, the day finally came.

I took Joe (15) to get his driver's permit. We drove to the state troopers office ,(where they told us we were in the wrong place) and found the NEW building allocated for teenage drivers. It's amazing how quickly you forget everything you need for a permit. I just did this three years ago with Bill!

Joe made a 96% on his test and asked if he could drive home. "N.O. No!" I answered. "Let's drive around our neighborhood first."

So we did.

And, yes, we are still alive.

Actually, he drives quite well for the first time out of the gate. "The brakes are your new BEST FRIENDS!" I tell him. "When in doubt, slam on the brakes!"
We drove around the neighborhood practicing left turns, then right turns, then up and down hills. We only had one close call when four mailboxes jumped out in the road on my side. (just kidding)

All in all, my baby is now driving. He and his dad are out right now practicing...and I'm at home praying....

I'll keep you posted.

Blessings,
Jan

Three Special GIRLS

Today was a very special day for me.

Sixteen years ago, a young college girl answered an ad I posted at my college sorority house for a babysitter. At the time, I had a two year old and one on the way. She was THE BEST sitter we ever had. She was so special to us, that we have kept up with her all these years. Imagine the shock when she asked me to be her matron of honor three years ago. Yes, girls... at 42, I donned a blue taffeta dress and proudly marched down the aisle with the other young gals! What a day!

And now, I get to be "Aunt Jan" to two precious little girls.

I love to watch how God brings people together. Who could have dreamed that the cute little sorority girl would become such an important part of my life? Last year, Joe (15) and I flew to Texas to help with the birth of her second child. And now...I will fly back during the holidays to help with the new baby!

The Lord brings people in and out of our lives for a reason and for a season. As I write this, my feet are propped up on a chair because my "dogs" are barking. We helped host a party for my very best friend who is moving to Kansas. (I told her Dorothy really wasn't happy there...she preferred Arkansas...) But I will write more on that tomorrow!

I included a picture of the older girl (2 1/2) playing with my dog, Ozzie. Isn't she precious? The picture is at the bottom of my blog. I hope to have more pics tomorrow! Hopefully from the party last night!

Blessings,
Jan

I'm Published!

Well ladies...one of my dreams has come true! I can say that I have been published!

My biggest dream has always been to write a book and actually have people purchase it...and like it! I've taken the first step. Here's how it's played out so far.

When my mom was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, my two older brothers and I became her caretakers. She and my daddy live five hours from each of us. My brothers live in Texas and Mississippi. I live in Arkansas.

After Momma went to be with the Lord, I sat down and wrote her eulogy. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I was determined that those who attended her funeral know what a servant's heart she had. After the service, many people told me that they thought I had a knack for writing. I didn't think much about it at the time. (I thought they were being extremely polite in a funeral setting :))

Months passed and I found that I needed an outlet for my grief other than my husband and prayer. God prompted me to put my feelings down on paper. After a while, the musings turned into stories of wacky relatives, family memories and growing up in the south. (My Yankee friends love to hear stories about what we did in east Texas to pass the time)

So...four years later, I have a manuscript that is almost complete. I am finishing the ending as we speak. When I began this adventure at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I asked the Lord to please let my words be honoring to Him. More than anything, I want to write Christian fiction that is funny, southern and uplifting. As my husband says: Chick lit.......

My former pastor's wife encouraged me to send in a story to HomeLife magazine. We receive this magazine at our church. I did and lo and behold they printed it in the June issue!!! Not only that, but I will be in the September issue as well.

Girls, this is God's sweet gift to a stay at home mom who is about to lose her oldest child to college. I can't tell you how humbling it is when someone actually pays good money (an expression my mom always used...is there such a thing as bad money I wonder?) for an article!

So... if any of you siestas (you know who you are) out there in blog land happen to take HomeLife, look me up. Because I'm finally published!!!!

Your blogging friend,
Jan
aka quiltgirl60

One garden

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to spend most of my time in my backyard piddling in the dirt. I don't know what it is about flowers and dirt, but it lures me in like a fly in molasses. A month ago, I was bemoaning the fact that my hydrangea and rose of sharon bushes probably would not bloom. We were zapped so hard by the 19 degree temperatures in April that the buds froze and fell off. But lo and behold all perennials are in perfect working order and blooming their little hearts out.

I planted a blue hydrangea the spring after Bill was born. It is officially 18 years old. It must love the soil where it lives because I really don't do much to it. This year was the first year that I really cut it back because of the damage. I love to give friends and neighbors cuttings of that bush! There is a remarkable bond between gardening friends, is there not?

I have four o'clocks that have seeded beds as far away as Big Sandy, Texas and southeastern Arkansas. My aunt tells me she thinks of me when her four o'clocks open. My mom used to call me her morning glory--even though she didn't care for gardening--she never wanted to get dirt under her nails!

As I plucked, pruned and planted yesterday I was gently reminded by the Holy Spirit that pruning is essential to the spirit filled life. God has pruned me up one side and down the other this last month! I thought a lot about conversations, my speech and thought patterns every time I ripped out a stubborn weed. My, my how they grow if not tended to!

And as I gently pruned my summer companion, the blue hydangea, I thanked God for the reminder that He loves me enough to cut away the old, dead branches to make way for new foliage that grows more beautiful with time. I will try to scan some photos of my small flower beds if I can figure out how to do it without breaking the laptop!

If I can coax Bill or Joe into taking some pics with the digital camera today, I will post them later. Until then, have a blessed Fourth of July!

Blessings,
Jan (quiltgirl)

One Husband and Wife

Last night my main man and I attempted to watch a movie. A friend (who shall remain nameless but his initials are TT) recommended this 1980s flick. Halfway through, I got up and perused the new stack of used books I purchased at the bookstore. "I need chocolate!" I yell. "Me too!" my 51 year old hubby replies.
We had to stop by our office and put the trash in the dumpster since Monday is trash day. So, after out usual Sunday night task, we pulled into the local Walgreen's. We both know exactly where the candy aisle is located. Years back, I could blame it on the kids--but now I blame it on hormones. I don't know what my man blames it on except that he is a prince of a fellow who stops by and picks up candy for his wife on occasion.

So.....there we are at the checkout counter: two 40+ somethin's in old shorts and tee shirts. I am armed with a Dove Creamy milk chocolate bar and Kenneth is armed with a Heath bar. (does it get better than this, ladies?) There is a woman ahead of us in line (about our age) and she looks at us and starts laughing. Yes, you read that right: l-a-u-g-h-i-n-g. Then she has the gall to say," Big night for you two? Nine o'clock at Walgreen's buying candy?"

I'm so stunned that I just kind of look at her. Kenneth, being the razor sharp legal minded man he is said, "I wouldn't say much if I were you. Two bags of Frito's and Salsa?" Then we all start laughing. By this time I was down right giddy. "It's kind of sad isn't it?" she said, "when a trip to Walgreen's is a big night out? Hey, at least I am buying my supper!" She pays and leaves. Kenneth looked at me and said, "At least we remembered our dessert."

Of course, by the time we got home, Bill and Joe were home and asked where their candy was. I rubbed my belly...Kenneth shared his Heath bar. I am so thankful that God gave us a sense of humor, aren't you? Being able to laugh at the little things in life with your soul mate is priceless...

Blessings,
Jan (quiltgirl)