Happy Birthday Bill-O

Yes, I'm one month late in posting my eldest son's 20th birthday pics. So, sooooo me. Get it? Sue me? Sooooieeee? Okay, I had to throw that in since you can see the darling cake I ordered for Bill. He had a wonderful day. We went to Shogun's for dinner then we lavished ( chick word ) him with gifts. I had more fun shopping for him. I LOVE to buy men's clothes! They are so easy to buy...pants and shirts. What could be easier than that? Okay, I'm rambling now. I guess it's the talk of shopping.

My precious 20 year old--hard to believe!

Skip forward to the ice storm that hit us about three weeks ago. We were without power for 6 days. SIX STINKING DAYS. We piled the mattresses in the den and hung out together for 24 hours a day. Yes, you read that right. The first three days we couldn't leave because the roads were so bad. Trees were down everywhere. Our neighborhood has 80, 90, 100 year old trees. You can see from the pics the amount of damage. We cheered and threw kisses at the SWEPCO linemen as they drove into our neighborhood. I was never so glad to see anyone in my life!

Now, fast forward again to Valentine's Day yesterday.I made my man a strawberry pie. His favorite treat in the world. Now, I have to admit that I purchased the gel, the Pillsbury pie crust, but I DID wash and slice the berries and put it all together. And because I went to so much trouble, Hubs bought me my favorite thing in the whole world--A RUSSELL STOVER sampler. And to top if off, he found one with none other than Snoopy on it--it sure is nice to be loved, is it not?

I hope you have a great week and Jesus blesses you immensely.

Jan

A New Chapter

After being a stay at home mom for 21 years I have re-entered the workplace. I haven't been this excited since Maybelline started making washable mascara in the seventies.

I am now the Site Director for Loving Choices. You can see our website at lovingchoices.org

I volunteered there as a peer counselor last year and fell in love with this incredible organization. We are a non profit crisis center founded by pro life Christians twenty years ago. What's so awesome is that I had been praying for specific things over the last year and God answered many of my prayers with this new position.

• I prayed for something to do where I could make an eternal difference
• I prayed for a small part time job where I could make some moolah
• I asked God to use me in a way where I could share the gospel (this is my passion...I love evangelism)
• I asked for a new adventure where my family could still be first

You should see our facilities. They are beautiful. One is right by the University and the other is north. (up yonder as my grandmother would have said) I will be working at the one north of my home. It's only a 30 minute drive and with my Travis cds, hey, it's a great time of praise!

So, if you would lift me up in prayer I will be your new BFF. Put me on a prayer list and I'll send you a Razorback memento. Which reminds me...gotta run. The Hogs are on tv.

Hogs and Kisses!

Jan

PSS Go to the website! I'd do a link, but don't know how. Yes, I'm pathetic but I have all my teeth :)

I Can't Think of a Decent Title

Good morning, friends. I can't believe it is December 27th already. We're in between the excitement of Christmas and knowing that Christmas clean-up is imminent. It's raining cats and dogs here and the temperature is suppose to drop this afternoon. In other words--I'm stuck inside with the post Christmas blues and can't even think of a title for this post. Random enough for you?

Oh well. Christmas was wonderful. It was just the four of us--kind of laid back, quiet and uneventful. But we like it that way. The boys were in their own beds (where they belong) and all was right with the world. I still get a kick out of filling their stockings with totally useless stuff, enough candy to keep a dentist in business for years, and one or two "man-gadgets."

We are at such a great stage in life right now. Santa isn't real, but he still leaves presents under the tree. We have to wake the guys up--unlike earlier years when we were up at 5:00 am! It's the best of both worlds, really. Even Ozzie gets into the Christmas spirit. He was in the middle of the wrapping paper and his tail swiped everyone in the face countless times. He's like a toddler on steroids at Christmas.

Every year on Christmas Eve, I give my three men new pajama bottoms. This year it's chili peppers. Last year it was Razorbacks. When the boys were small, I made matching pjs. I still have them. Hopefully, their little ones will wear them one day. (smile)

Hubs bought the Christmas mugs that match my Christmas china. I was sipping java in style!

After a meal of fried chicken, purple hull peas, green beans, mash potatoes and gravy, we played games. They guys played their new video games and Hubs and I played my favorite: YAHTZEE! The boys won't play with me anymore because I am so competitive--can you believe that? Me, competitive? Let me just say that I got TWO YAHTZEES in the first game. Yes, two...

I hope you all have a wonderful vacation and a Happy New Year. Until next time...

Jan

Happy 25th Anniversary to Us

Twenty-five years ago today, I said "I Do" to my sweet husband. If I can figure out how to scan old photos and post them, I shall. If I can't, I won't...

Blessings,
Jan

I'm Such a Good Wife, Really

It's Saturday night at 8:08 and I have just agreed to watch the 1958 Colts-Giant game on ESPN.
Yes, the 1958 black and white game.
What's that, hubs?
Oh, excuse me. It seems someone has painstakingly added color.
Well...isn't that special?
What?
Oh, kickoff is about to happen--50 years ago.

See you after the game in 2008,

Jan

A Few of My Favorite Things

My favorite Santa I painted years ago--preBIFOCAL days.

In honor of my favorite December 17 wedding anniversary.

Santa busy at work cutting trees.

Busy elves hanging out by my favorite clock. When I was growing up Mom always put these two elves by the clock on our mantel. I think they are Snap, Crackle and/or Pop.

My favorite Husband and my favorite dog.

My favorite handmade stockings which resulted in BIFOCALS. Yes, I cross-stitched these suckers by hand. Did I mention that I made these BY HAND?

My favorite Starbucks--right on the corner.

My favorite angel and my cute junior.

Look who decorated the tree this year! Oh how quickly my favorite sons have grown.

Now it's off to catch some zzzzzzzzz's in my favorite bed.

Goodnight,

Jan

What's Wrong with this Picture?

What can I say? Ozzie thinks he's the alpha human...

Jan