I was sinking deep in blog

Our Bride and Groom! What a fun day!

2009-03-16T21:58:00.001-05:00

Mr. and Mrs.

Flower Girls and Ringbearer

Best Man and Groom

Comings and Goings

2009-03-11T21:50:00.003-05:00

As Grandfather Clock used to say in Bible Hour many years ago - 'time, time not enough time, to do all the things that I want to.'

I am feeling such a blizzard of emotions. Time has blown by and now our son Trey will be married to Sara. It is a wonderful time in our lives, but I can't help remembering all our kids as babies. God is filling my heart with memories. Our family has been blessed over all these years. Frank and I never imagined (when he was 15 and I was 16 and called him out of the blue, to sit beside me in church that night) that we would have a life so complex. Our Christian beliefs have kept us united and given us strength. My driving desire to have children and now incredibly grandchildren is fulfilled. (oh, and don't forget a son-in-law and now a daughter-in law)

We have shared a roller-coaster of events. The birth of our kids are the three favorite days of my life. The heartache of his mother's stroke that kept her in a wheelchair with aphasia for fourteen years really defined Frank's dedication as a son. Now all our parents and grandparents are gone -"Flown Away". Even holding Cecil's hand as he passed away was a life changing event for me. We have been tested by life, mental turmoil has turned me inside out, Texas Steel going bankrupt, and uncounted surprises. Jesus has somehow been standing by though.

Okay, there's not enough time to list everything. Today, I am just counting my blessings and going one day at a time. Just say a little prayer for us all and I will be praying for you.

Sorry, this is a little melancholy (head like a melon and face like a collie), but time is blistering on.

We rock!

2009-02-12T20:01:00.001-06:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Trey and Sara - THE WEDDING!

2009-01-20T12:34:00.002-06:00

Something his dad and I have prayed for all his life is coming true. Trey has found Sara. We are so excited and can't wait for the big day - March 14, 2009. The wedding will be at Saturn Rd. Church of Christ in Garland. Our whole family is ready! We will be welcoming a great daughter-in-law into our family.

Ever Deeper

2008-07-21T15:35:00.001-05:00

In a continuing SEARCH -“to look into or over carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something”

to SHARE -“to talk about one’s thoughts, feelings, or experiences with others, usually implies that as the original holder grants to another the partial use, enjoyment or possession of a thing.”

HAPPINESS -“a state of well-being and contentment, a pleasureable or satisfying experience.”

We can PROVIDE -“to supply or make available”

WARM -“comfortably established, marked by or readily showing affection, gratitude, cordiality, or sympathy”

FEELINGS, -“an emotional state or reaction, susceptibility to impression

With the aid of GOD’S GRACE {open freely to your interpretation} towards all.

Never Assume

2008-06-23T09:49:00.001-05:00

I was just thinking about don't assume because it, well you know the saying.

So I wanted to officially proclaim my love and affection for my children and grand-children. Maybe you already know I think they are the best of the best, but if by some over-sight I haven't told you, then this my exclaimation of proud-ness.

Thirty-Six years ago when Frank and I got married I already knew that the most important thing in my future was to be a mom. And God provided.

Stacey was the most wanted baby ever. Grandmom Laminack taught me the incredible blessings of having a daughter. All of us always thought she was something special. She's now a wife, mother, multi-career woman, organized, Christian, friend...

Trey, our first-born son, a golden child. His sense of humor and intelligence has shown through since he was a little boy. Our minister and example, loved by children...

Travis, still the baby in my eyes, is very individual. He is a cook, a musician and enjoys his sail boat. Thoughtful, sensitive, friend of many....

Now Stacey and Greg have given us the most incredible grand-children ever: Madison, who is off to Middle School Camp this week. [I was standing in an office at Saturn Road for VBS and the most beautiful girl swept into the room and hugged me. Wow. It was my grand-daughter! She is stunning.] , McKenzie, who seems to be all wrapped up reading books (how has she gotten so grown up), Mary Cate blooming with her blond hair all in braids, and Maddox, the most out-going young 3 1/2 year old blond-haired handsome smiling happy incredible grandson.

So I am Not Going to Assume that you know that I Love My Kids!

My America The Beautiful

2008-06-09T09:57:00.001-05:00

OK, I (MC) have cut and pasted the following to fit what I want from an email I received this week ( maybe it has been around the block, but I like it):

“The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, "What are we so unhappy about?''

A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E... Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I... Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J..You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K...Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
L .. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

The Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or a talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain, OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry, ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a 'general' discharge, an 'other than honorable' discharge or, worst case scenario, a 'dishonorable' discharge after a few days in the brig.So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want, but I blame it on the Media. If it bleeds, it leads, and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner?The Media knows this and Media outlets are "for-profit" corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' themselves in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have in this country... There is exponentially more good than bad! We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'"

--Author Unknown

Forsaking the assembly...

2008-05-13T13:02:00.000-05:00

... as the manner of some is.
We are.
No telephone calls. None.
Six months.
Sad.
Still praying.
In flux.
God is watching.
Mulling.
Life-changing.
Still praying.

Learning Espanol

2008-01-28T12:37:00.000-06:00

I have a darling co-worker Griselda that has agreed to help me in my desire to learn spanish. Better yet - Tex-mex. The spanish I learned in high school is not what is being spoken in the real world. She laughs at my feeble attempts. I told her that all I can do in conjugate verbs. I'm afraid it is going to be a one-word grind. I have taken up writing words on post-it notes to put on my computer screen.

For Example:
Nieta-grand-daughter
My Brain- mi cerebro
Pen- pluma
Paper - papel
slow - despacio (this is how i am learning)
very funny - muy chistoso
to learn - aprender
to teach - ensenar

This is all my 'cerebro' can take in today. Enjoy.
I have been checking all your blogs, just silently. year end at work is too busy.
hugs all around.

Merry Elfin'

2007-11-26T11:13:00.001-06:00

Check out my little elves!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9609598918

Cure for the Peds

2007-10-18T15:38:00.000-05:00

I took my lunch hour today and had a pedicure. It was high time. My feet were barking. I feel 200% better this afternoon. I can't explain it. I had had scraggly toes toooo long. I know what you're thinking... it's fall, you're going to be giving up sandals and it won't matter if you have Caveman toes. Well, I say "Who cares, you have to live a little, even in cold weather."

I tried a new place on Cooper in Arlington just a few blocks from work in a new strip center. It was dreamy. My girl was full of conversation (even if I couldn't understand her). She wanted to know all about me and I in turn wanted to know all about her. She leaned my Spa Chair back and didn't insist that I have the "massage action" turned on. I hate the massage action. It makes me tense up. She had a whole new bag of tricks on the relaxing lotion application and scrubbing techniques. The salon is brand new so everything was very posh. She offered me wine! That sounded great but I had to return to work. Aargh. It was very quiet with soothing music and just one other customer. I now have smooth heels and smaller calluses and trim nails that I can be proud of. I chose a lovely shade of burgundy for fall. Very sexy.

Needless to say, I will return. I was only fifteen minutes late back from lunch. I may be saying good-bye to my nail salon on Hulen that is always too busy anyway.

Pretty feet = Good Mental Health.

A Quantity of Things About M.C.

2007-08-23T12:01:00.000-05:00

1. My mother came home with me in an ambulance when I was born
2. Being a mother was the most important thing I ever desired
3. I took birth control pills for 4 years and the day Frank got a job, I quit.
4. I sucked my thumb.
5. I got to be the title part in "Mary Picking up Paw Paw's" in my pre-school play.
6. There are 5 cats in my house.
7. I have a husband, brother, father, father-in-law, son, great-uncle, grand-father = Frank.
8. I have been on fire for Jesus.
9. My friend Patty taught my 2 yr. old daughter to say 'scum-bucket'.
10. My parent's house flooded when I was 20 years old.
11. I was terrified of storms for many years after.
12. Frank proposed to me after Steve & Deonnah's wedding on Granbury Rd. "I guess we should get married."
13. I like Las Vegas
14. I hate wearing glasses.
15. Frank is the rock of my life.
16. Being pregnant made me feel worthy.
17. Stacey was the "most wanted" baby ever.
18. Trey was "our first son" It's a boy!
19. Travis was "the beloved baby" (still is)
20. I absolutely loved Frank's parents.
21. After 6 1/2 years my job is getting old.
22. I also love Raymond Schultz as a worship leader.
23. I am SOOO proud of my ROCKIN' grandchildren.
24. I try to think how I can tell them about the past and how the future will be.
25. I am diabetic
26. I have a pitiful memory of names and faces.
27. I introduce myself to people over and over again.
28. Oliver the cat sleeps on a pillow on my bed.
29. I say yes to Chocolate.
30. I say yes to anything Frank cooks.
31. I graduated from high school in 1969.
32. I had knee surgery 1 year ago and it still feels like ap-cray.
33. I worked at Southwest Christian School where I tracked tuition and did payroll.
34. Madison, McKenzie, Mary Cate and Maddox are each spectacular
35. My hair has turned gray. no I re-cant that, it is a lustrous lt med brown with golden highlights.
36. I invented "quotation fingers"
37. Housekeeping is non-existing in my vocabulary
38. I gave up cooking 6 1/2 years ago.
39. I am jolly.
40. I am depressed (deal with it, can't explain it)
41. Hermoine the cat sleeps in my lap every evening.
42. My adult children astound my with happiness.
43. Frank is my rock, I said this.
44. I drive an Avalon that I still call Cecil's car.
45. I commute 30 minutes to work like a banshee.
46. I would like a small dog as a pet for my cats.
47. Sanity is only in the Laminack genes.
48. My brother had a heart attack at age 48.
49. I love my brother.
40. I love to read.
41. I like 60's rock and roll
42. I can't remember words to songs
43. I can sing off-pitch perfectly
44. Trey is really my favorite
45. I lie about how tall I am
46. Being in the room when someone dies really changed my life.
47. We went to New Orleans on our honeymoon.
48. It was the first time I had flown (and it was first class)
49. I like pedicures.
50. I own a sailboat.
Well, 100 just was over-whelming so here is 50. I left off some block- busters to protect the innocent and didn't want to get too melodramatic. Sorry, I haven't been blogging, my mind has been elsewhere. However, today I bought a 5 PAK of Gel pens so things are looking up....
M.C.

Grand Kids Visit

2007-06-12T11:00:00.001-05:00

Madison, McKenzie, Mary Cate and Maddox are too cute! We went to lunch at Don Pablos on Mothers Day and it was great!

Ode to Kent Brown

2007-05-15T11:50:00.000-05:00

Just a brief remembrance of Kent Brown.

Kent would always pass you in the church with a blinding smile and quick hi and how are you doing. Beggs and Kent shared the birth of their three first children with us. We had birthday parties together and pictures of children on Christmas cards together. Little did I know that Beggs and Kent were going to by-pass us and add three more kids and after we stopped.

One Sunday probably 20 years ago, Frank was becoming a deacon and we were sitting down front. Well, a strange man, who was talking loudly and in-coherently carrying a book came down the center aisle toward Jim Petty who was preaching about deacons. Earl Campbell, Dit Wright and Kent Brown were the ones who recognized that this man was not in his right mind and escorted him from the auditorium. Kent probably did it with his blinding smile.

It is really difficult to lose a wonderful Christian man. The over-flowing chapel yesterday with the Spirit filled singing was a tribute to Kent and his family. I sat among some young college age girls who wept because I believe they were picturing for the first time that God even takes young healthy fathers that shouldn't go so soon.

I'm praying today as I did all last week for Beggs to give her strength. As the pictures showed, she and Kent have been together since they were very young. Bless Kent's family.

Kent is up in heaven, too early, building a mansion for all of us with a blinding smile.

Madison is Eleven

2007-04-09T08:52:00.000-05:00

It is already that time in a grandmother's life when her oldest grand-daughter reaches age 11. This girl is the cream of the crop. She did so great on her school tests that she will be in accelerated classes next year in middle school (yes, middle school). She has always been the apple of our eye and a leader for her sisters. We are all proud of her.

You might notice that she received a cell phone from her MiMi and Grandy. That's all she asked for from us this year. Mom and Dad are going to give her the rules for its use. Yippee!

That Cave Man Rocks

2007-03-14T16:54:00.000-05:00

Go take a peek at the day to day living of your favorite cave man. Ramble through his humble abode. He's just a stone's throw away. You're welcome in his digs any day. There's something more than dinosaur in the stew pot. Poke around,

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/13790.asp

I'm worried about Britney Spears

2007-02-28T10:19:00.000-06:00

As a mother, I'm worried about Britney. My friends at work are scoffing about her troubles and say she is a spoiled rich girl with too much money and too much fame. I think she is a girl in trouble and probably doesn't have anybody who she can trust any more. Let's face it, everybody around her has probably got their hand in her pocketbook. My take on her outrageous recent behaviour is a gigantic cry for help. She has had two babies very close together, been married and is divorcing a loser guy and is living a life on the razor of blistering fame and flash bulbs.

Post-partum depression my be setting off a lot of her problems on top of living an impossibly photographed glaring life. She needs to get into that rehabilitation unit and stay there. I don't care if she does have the whole wing. She needs to separate herself from all her handlers, and her fans and probably her family for a few months and de-tox. Slow-down, mellow-out, talk to a few therapists, a psychiatrist or two. There is a lot of good a few anti-depressants can do when she quits drinking and taking whatever she has been taking.

My wish for Britney is to just sit in the sun behind 50 foot walls and read a few romance novels and drink iced tea and eat tuna fish salad with a slice of watermelon while everyone else LEAVES HER ALONE.

Blown Away by Valentine

2007-02-15T10:25:00.000-06:00

Just heard that my darling granddaughter Madison had a difficult time choosing which Valentines to give out this year at school. She cheerfully made special choices for all her girl friends, but begrudgingly gave small 'sport' cards to certain 'boys'.

Oh my gosh, time is crushing and ringing in my ears. MY granddaughter is thinking about boys! Just remember those days of carefully choosing who gets what card for your special girl friends and boy friends. Then suddenly you become aware that there might be that very interesting boy in the corner. Yeah, you know what I mean. You want him to notice you, well, no you don't, well, yes you do. OH, the drama. That fluttering in your heart. That giggling with your girl friends. Whispering in a circle. HA, those boys don't stand a chance.

All I can say is Madison is going to knock 'em dead. She is full of Stacey's spunk and Losher/Laminack self confidence. Her heart is pure gold.

Stand back Garland boys here she comes.

That slide of life

2007-01-11T09:26:00.000-06:00

OK, so I am having a birthday today. It's not a real exciting one. It doesn't roll off the tongue. It's not one of those landmarks. It's on a downward slide toward 60 I guess. Somewhat blah. I wish I had something witty to say about it. I am well over the gut renching blast of being 50. Being a good soldier now I have to gird my loins for the future. It's tremendous what I've seen after passing 55 year's of living in America. I love my country and my state. I have experienced great things and some tough life experiences and decisions. Giving birth and being present at the birth of my grandchildren, then holding the hands of my loved ones as they passed away has impacted my life and my outlook.

Now I need to prepare to enjoy the present.

All in all, I'm in good shape... wellll,,, health wise I am blessed and husband wise, I am really blessed and grand children, I am 4 times blessed! The Lord is watching over me.

My job has become a soap opera and way too hectic. I wish in my slide toward 60 I could say I was looking at early retirement from this craziness.

I have a favorite Beatles song - "In My Life" - sing with me now --

There are places I'll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all.

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these mem'ries lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more.

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more.
In my life I love you more.

My Grand Kiddos! What a Wonderful Feeling!

2006-12-01T16:37:00.000-06:00

Are these babies beautiful are what? We ate mexican food together over the holidays and they posed for me. Frank and I are blessed! Each one is healthy and beautiful (or handsome).

My Niche

2006-10-24T10:37:00.000-05:00

Do you know how you have to work through your life to build you a niche? Like finding a small custom made segment where you belong?

I am always narrowly defining my self each day to where I fall in this life. Crazily sometimes.

You have to make judgments on basic stuff like your life (family, genetics, etc.), your home (habitat) and your 'place in the food chain' Ha! We each have our niche. We have environmental conditions that also describe our fundamental niche.

Evidently, through interactions, emotions, upbringing as people we get to narrow down and adapt out Niche. (Money, jobs, belief systems, spouses, friendships, work relations, etc. all help to fine tune our place.)

Now here is something interesting. I can have a different niche at one place, and a different niche at another. For example, to my grand-children, I am a loved, looked up to, thought of the gift bearing, crazy, wonderful Mimi!; At work, I am a cubby-holed, wacky, hard working, dependable, "one of those girls in payroll"; At church, maybe I'm still just pictured as the little girl that grew up at church who married her high school sweetheart, who loves the singing; With my friends, they see a different MC.

Oop, don't forget God, Super-Niche, He sees all the Niches, here is my Spiritual Niche. Yep, it is never up to par as far as my prayer life. God knows the real blended M.C. - all the mini-Niches - into the megla- Niche. Here is where all the semi-niches are pulling and pushing at me all day long. I have to juggle these to find sanity in my day to day life and my ..... Gulp ..... eternal walk with God. Whoa heavy.

Overtime!

2006-10-12T15:06:00.000-05:00

Well, if anybody is still checking my blog, I've been putting in a lot extra hours at work. We have actually worked some Saturdays! Yuck!! I have missed getting on-line and posting little tidbits about our comings and goings. This year has flown by.

Just to let you know that my family is well. My knee surgery went pretty well, although I'm still gimping around more than I wanted to be gimping. Arthritis is sometimes my enemy too.
Frank and Frank are working together now and all seems well.

Hey, a Big Shout Out to a certain somebody that turned 50 on Oct. 3rd. She had to leave Texas to endure this hardship! HA!

My evenings now consist of dragging home about 6-6:30-7:00 and dropping into a recliner and staring listlessly at the new fall lineup on the tube. Frankie Boy has been providing us with dinner and he is the BEST.

Smiles and Kisses to anybody who checks in !

September 11th - SIX years ago

2006-09-08T15:36:00.000-05:00

Granny Ruth and Cecil were joined in marriage 1 year before the fateful day of 9-11. Little did any one know that their anniversary would become so infamous.

What an incredible 80 year old couple!

It brings a little happiness to the date 9-11.

Then some sweet day they flew away.

Crikey! Steve Irwin is Gone.

2006-09-05T13:22:00.000-05:00

What a boisterous young man from Australia that was always an inch away from big teeth as well as poisonous reptiles, snakes and anything that bites. He really kept us on the edge of our seats.

I will miss his incredible smile. Big prayer going out for his family.

thursday

2006-08-24T11:16:00.000-05:00

out of the night that covers me
black as the pit from pole to pole

Let's Say Thanks to Our Soldiers

2006-08-16T08:57:00.000-05:00

If you go to website -
http://http://www.letssaythanks.com/ThankYou.html
you can pick out a thank you card, select a message and send it to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? I sent mine, now you send one too!

I got this wonderful idea from my dear friend Karen, who has such a sweet heart.

So you think M.C. can't dance?

2006-08-10T09:55:00.000-05:00

Well you think I - M.C. can't dance and you would probably be correct... but that TV show has really got me going.

I think it is a cliff hanger between Benji and Travis. My vote is for Travis by a toe. (his name is great advantage)

I started watching the show with a lot of 'yeah right' this will not be worthy. But I have been sucked in big time. Frank and I TIVO back on Crumps, Blues renditions, Pop, Jazz, Hip Hop, their solos etc. just to check their style and to see if they are 'popping' and 'extending' at just the right times.

I feel like Donyelle has had incredible potential and I really like her. She has had some critical judgements go against here by the judges so I think she has an uphill battle. Heidi, like they said, is the perfect "partner" she is light and strong. She could make any partner look incredible. I don't see her as the winner over Benji or Travis. Frank sees her as somewhat trampy. Ehhh?

This show has really got me thinking 'so you think you can dance.' Cha, cha, cha!

Next Wednesday. Travis? Benji? maybe...

Time, Time Not Enough Time

2006-07-19T08:43:00.000-05:00

"Time, time, not enough time, to do all the things that I want to". That's what 'Grandfada', or Grandfather Clock would sing each week in Bible Hour each Sunday night to all the children. Well, I'm feeling it now. Days, weeks and months seem to be flying by. Sorry, I don't seem to post enough. I have several topics lined up that require digital photos that have to be downloaded and formatted (grandchildren and cats).

Right now the most important thing on my mind is the upcoming baptism of our grand-daughter Madison Kae. Time. Time. Can it be? Stacey was just baptized it seems? No, I guess nearly 20 years has passed (can it be?) Stacey is now the proud mom who will get to help her daughter put on the baptismal clothes. Oh dear, of course, I'm tearing up. Well, we will be at Saturn Road Sunday to be the most proud grand-parents of a very mature ten year old to make this most important decision to take on her Lord in baptism.

Frank and I are blessed.

III - On having a super son with a birthday

2006-06-26T15:55:00.000-05:00

Well- our boy Trey "III" is having a birthday this week. It is so hard to believe that time has gone by so fast. He grumbles around about being the middle child, but you must remember that he was the first born son to the Lam fam.

Let me take you back.... Trey was born on a Thursday because Dr. Scheihing did inductions on Thursdays. He was actually due on June 18th but the blasted doctor let me go 10 days late although anyone could see I was enormous. Following in the family history of his mom and dad he was born in downtown Harris Hospital.

Unlike the birth of our first(you know who) child - now we had taken Lamaze childbirth classes. Frank and I were ready with focus points and breathing routines. Believe it or not it was only recently before this that only the most fool-hardy fathers came in the sacred delivery room. (Now, I was ready to go the distance 'drug - free' until this rather un-wieldy child inside me tried in any way to get out.) We were anticipating the birth of little boy/girl Ervin Franklin III(proudly named after Frank and his dad) or Brooke Marie or Robin Moonbeam (cause in those days a sonagram was unheard of) and little did we know if there were those special little bits and pieces.

To sum it up -- It was altogether a miracle that God blessed us with (I know, you thought I was going to tell all the gory details) but basically I would have gone through any thing for the sight of that very round (9 lbs, 9 ozs) baby BOY. The nurse to my right almost spilled the beans because she said "It's a B.." and Dr. Scheihing gave her a dirty look and he very proudly held Trey up and said 'It's a Boy and M.C. I think you've had a ten pounder!"

Our handsome son Trey has from that moment on made us continually proud for 27 years. He is blessed with the quick wit and incredible intelligence with which he astounds us all.

Happy Birthday Boy!

Definitions that = Me

2006-05-23T08:39:00.000-05:00

Spontaneous - done without conscious thought or decision

Impulsive - an irressitible urge

Haphazard - lacking a definite plan

These seem to define me lately, in my don't look before you leap mentality. My obsessive/compulsive nature made me jump off a cliff this last week. Now honestly, I have had some fun moments, but I have stepped on some boundaries.

I can always claim mental feeble-ness. It has always worked in the past. My intentions were for the best for the parties involved.

I love you.

ARE YOU IN? MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL

2006-05-15T13:21:00.000-05:00

ATTENTION

Begin adding you Best Trey Attributes to the comments sections below

TO BE COMBINED IN ONE eHARMONY JOINT BLOG ACCOUNT

if you are joining our

2ND ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL

"TREY MIGHT ENJOY A GIRLFRIEND"

IT WILL BE A GROUP/FRIEND/BLOG COMMUNITY TRIAL RUN USING eHARMONY

TO FIND A COMPATIBLE GIRL FRIEND/BUDDY/PAL/WIFE FOR TREY.

PLEASE ENTER WITH GOOD HEARTED INTENTIONS.

THIS IS MY BOY WE ARE GIVING A HELPING HAND TO.

WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR

"Excellent" PHYSICAL AND MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL

QUALITIES FOR OUR BOY TREY.

ALL OTHERS WILL BE REMOVED BY THE MANAGEMENT.

TREY YOU CAN ADD TO THE LIST TOO.

Yeah It's Vegas Baby

2006-05-06T09:30:00.000-05:00

Well, we had a wonderful getaway to Vegas. We saw the sights and walked our feet off. Everything had really changed since our last visit 15 years ago.

Two really big thumbs up for the Wynn. The entry is so beautiful and the buffet was great. Downtown was still great. The Venetian was spectacular. We stayed at the Tropicana and it is still a great casino.

A highlight of our trip was "Avenue Q" with our own Jonathon Root in the lead. We laughed and enjoyed this fast paced, zany script.

We are not going to wait 15 years to go again. Tee Hee.

Mary Cate = Age 3

2006-04-24T07:37:00.000-05:00

Miss Mary Cate enjoyed a party at Chuck E. Cheese with all her friends and family Sunday afternoon. As you can see by the cake it was a Dora party and all who attended had a splendid time.

Back From Fishin'

2006-04-16T17:46:00.000-05:00

Well we took a long weekend and went fishing. It was a completely beautiful place in east Texas. Frank and I were totally taken with Holly Lake Ranch. We had a condo in a secluded private lake community that was so quiet and lovely.

By the second day we were looking ten years ahead and planning to retire there. We want to build a log and rock cabin in among the fir and cedar trees on the winding lanes. We noticed lots of people have golf carts to get around! Wow, I have got to have a golf cart.

This was a nice weekend getaway from working too much lately. Retirement there someday.... well, maybe... who knows... it was really nice.

Yep! It's Him Again!

2006-04-04T12:56:00.000-05:00

OH Spaghetti!

2006-03-22T09:24:00.000-06:00

Who is this handsome lad behind the spaghetti sauce. Who seems to enjoy his pasta a little too much. Who seems to have inhereited a lusty appetite. Who has a winning smile? Who would love to give you a slimy handshake? Who seems to be missing forks and spoons? Who is the superb-est grandson I know? Who has saucy teeth? Who is ready for a big wet kiss?

M-A-D-D-O-X-!

"It's Hard Out Here for a ..."

2006-03-07T07:39:00.000-06:00

" hmmm. It's a toe tapper, but I'm not sure if I get it.

My February Advice

2006-01-31T08:24:00.000-06:00

OK, here's my February advice to any of my remaining blog friends. I don't have time to post. Go read Trey's blog, he is rockin'. I have entered the world of "Payroll Heck" if you know what I mean. We have acquired more companies and doubled our work load.

Therefore, I can't update. I miss you all. I am reading Trey's Blog once a week or so, so look for me commenting there. Hugs and Kisses to all the Blogging Public.

Adieu, Adios for February probably.

Hugs,
M.C.

(Please keep my little family in your prayers, please, please)

Happy Birthday Stacey!

2006-01-16T12:59:00.000-06:00

Ms. Stacey Christine reaches a landmark age! Happy Birthday!!!

Greetings 2006!!

2005-12-30T15:41:00.000-06:00

Best Wishes to all our friends and family!

Great Gift Idea for Last Minute Shoppers

2005-12-14T16:23:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas and Yule Tide Greetings to you and yours!

The included link could fit as a nifty gift for any family member, office friend, or just to have for a possible forgotten neighbor or drop-in acquaintance ---

http://redriderleglamps.com/

Ride 'em cowboys - watch out they could put your eye out!

Also makes a great stocking stuffer!!

Icey Bridges

2005-12-08T11:01:00.000-06:00

Decade after decade these signs go unneeded and laughable in Texas. On trips across the state in the summer we point and tee hee over the waste of taxpayer money at these ridiculous signs.

Yesterday, I actually got to see real 'ice on bridges' on my drive home from work at 5:00 pm. After piling up decade upon decade of not driving on icey bridges I was white-knuckling it home, although I tried to keep my face set in a pleasant nonchalant half-smile and my shoulders not too jutted forward. My eyes were just bugged out a little.

As I entered Highway 287 in Arlington, evidently these people had seen horror on the highway and they were all obediently creeping along at 30 miles per hour. There was not one outlaw among them. I began to think that I would safely arrive home in 3 to 4 hours (normally 1/2 hour) but, in one piece.

Oh no, we merge into I20 and it got hairy, my cautious fellow drivers were overtaken my crazed SUVS, jacked up 4-Wheel drive Trucks who apparently felt the need to get home at the normal 70 miles per hour. Believe me, this does not mix with the people who feel the need to go 20 mph over total ice on long bridges hunched over their steering wheels with gritted teeth. It is not comforting to pass cars facing backwards and on their roofs.

But hey, for my practically first dry at driving on icey bridges I did really excellent. Only once, in my own neighborhood, where I was on an incline did I feel the need to run a stop sign. So, I got home in one piece (with only one for two desires to do manual signs at a few drivers who are obviously not from Texas).

Let it snow.

Gobbler Calls for Turkey Day

2005-11-21T17:02:00.000-06:00

For those of you who want to go back to nature for your Thanksgiving dining pleasure, I've provided the handy-dandy link for turkey calls at Cabelas: (Frank may be the only one who takes me up on this one)

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/common/search/search-results1.jsp?hasJS=true&_D%3AhasJS=+&QueryText=turkey+call&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.22&N=4887&Ntk=Products&amp;amp;Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=turkey+call&noImage=0

To save you the trouble here's some all time favorites-
Quaker Box Easy Yelper
Strut Li'l Strut
Button Yelper II
Cherry Bomb
Raspy Hen Box
Grave Digger

I'm 'calling mine up' at the back aisle of Krogers this year with the Ultimate Silver Queen Friction Diaphragm. I'll be standing an arm's length away at $.65 a pound. I will give it a special soak in a brine bath and cook in a Turkey Oven Bag, stuffed with 2 sticks of butter (some other onions celery and stuff lying around) until hopefully moist and juicy.

M.C.

Calico Blues

2005-11-16T16:50:00.000-06:00

Okay, I've been daydreaming for a few weeks that the perfect present for myself from a loving family member would be a little Calico Kitten for Christmas. Now of course I'm keeping this under wraps and not telling a soul. Just watching cat food commercials with my mouth watering.

Dreamily looking at pictures of furry kittys. This is what I've been thinking would replace a certain emptiness in my life since a certain little furry crazed animal left our planet.

Well, the skids have been knocked out from under me. Reality has come home.

1. We are getting new carpet in three bedrooms. Hmmm. Kitten my have accidents.
2. Frank hates all animals of all sects, religions and genders.
3. Trey posted on his blog that he hates cats (and that made me remember that he is allergic to cat hair) I really want him to still come home for visits.

AAARGH. I may have to settle for clean carpet, a good husband and son and a warm blanket.

Do you think??? ...

Monster Maddox - Girls Be Afraid

2005-11-11T12:37:00.000-06:00

Next Blog, Next Blog - Stolen Thoughts

2005-11-10T00:03:00.000-06:00

Racking my brain for a creative blog it arrived almost effortlessly in my lap. I have also traveled into the "next blog" world. You just go NEXT BLOG, NEXT BLOG, NEXT BLOG in the upper right hand corner.

So here are what my neighbors are up to today-

1. Ferrari is making LCD monitors for computers

2. Two doors down the guy is from Jakarta, Indonesia

3. "Current world events are providing factual evidence that the end times are upon us. Will you be prepared?" (This guy in Baton Rouge had cool "woo ooo oo ooo" sound effect that played for you so we could be entertained as we sat on this timebomb earth.)

4. Heather's Fitness Diary - She did "45 on an Elliptical all week" ???

5. Next "Whips and Chains, Your Great Danes..." Oil States, my Company, blocked it.

6. Kimmays Blog - Cute pictured high school girls with accompanying great music provided. All the posts told too much about a young girl and her friends. She is learning to drive and types everything in that email and instant messaging shorthand. Someone like me (a grandmother) should warn her not reveal her Marysville, Ohio location to the entire perverted internet population.

7. Several polital rants, George W, blah, blah, blah

8. Oh dear, more blocked blogs

9. Lots of foreign words blogs, bon jour

10. Chaos Theory Blog - hmmmm... I will google this for more details, I'm afraid this goes against my Christian upbringing.

11. And for your viewing pleasure - www.collagecabaret.blogspot.com

[I can't get the link to work for the viewing blog!-HUMPH]

Anyway, amazingly many of these featured blogs had already posted Today. This is just a mini-micro-teeny-tiny view! Isn't blogging fun. So join me in jumping around the blog world with Matt Lauer.
M.C.

Dreamland

2005-11-02T12:03:00.000-06:00

Dreaming is pretty big with me. Last night I drifted in and out of several scenarios. Since the time change I haven't changed my bedside clock so I wake up several times during the night, go back to sleep, per chance to dream and thus my dreams change.

Here's how part of my night played out -

It was drifty and foggy on a ledge and Doris my deceased mother-in-law (who I always loved) and I were stock-piling clothing. We have been to several stores or somewhere (it seemed like Mervyns?) to buy some unknown mid-size clothing for some unknown reason. The feeling was we needed a lot, like for a hurricane or a tornado that was coming. We rushed to carefully fold and stack them with their tags still on and place them in a wooden cabinet or piece of furniture like an armoire. This piece of furniture was floating out on the foggy ledge. .... , okay, wake up to compute the time.

Now I'm dressed in a off-grey, dusty clown suit with grey, gloomy clown make-up with small bowler hat like a man clown. I'm on a cloudy, dusty, grey small stage with poor lighting. I'm shuffling my feet to some off-stage music and softly singing "I'm Mr. Cellophane" from the movie "Chicago". (this is done by the sad husband of Renee Zelweger in the movie) I'm not a good singer but I can clearly hear the tune of "I tell ya, Cellophane, I'm Mr. Cellophane, should have been my name, Mr. Cellophane, 'cause you can look right through me, walk right by me, And never know I'm there!" (it's done very slow and melancholy) Of course there is nobody in the old shabby theater. ...., okay, wake up to compute the time.

Now, new place don't know where and Steve Tate (Frank's cousin and our friend) and I are trying pretty franticly to take our blood sugar. I'm diabetic but he is not. We try over and over to prick our fingers. The lancets are no good or the meters do not register to get a drop of blood. People are looking over our shoulder and waiting impatiently. A crowd is growing, I'm sweating. Lots of pressure. The little lancets are piling up at our feet, my fingers hurt from all the pricking. I feel like B. B. King.

...., okay, wake up it's 7:25 a.m. on the clock, no that's wrong, 6:25 a.m. and I'm going to have to hustle be on time to work in Arlington.

Yikes, M.C.

Hallowean not ween

2005-10-31T07:14:00.000-06:00

I'm not getting to see my children or grandkids today - Pumpkin Day - and I am feeling blue not orange. I am not all a'glow with candles in pumpkins and candy apples and the smell of spices in the air. Boo Hoo. Not Boo.

I will be pouting and waiting for pictures of some or all. Poooooo........

Dallas County vs Tarrant County Traffic

2005-10-17T16:58:00.000-05:00

Just a Cowtown thumbs up for Tarrant County. We made a quick sashay east to Garland yesterday and the drivers and the red lights and traffic over there is heads up worse than in our neck of the woods. It is kill or be killed. OK, not that bad. But, it is lots more cars going hurry up and then scrunch on the brakes. It lots more red lights with people cutting in behind you and in front of you. Pull on you Parnelli gloves and stay alert. For a nice Sunday afternoon, everyone seemed to have their jaws jutted out and determined look in their eye.

Alright, I'm just riding Dallas County a little hard. We here 'in the West' don't mind letting someone slide into the flow of traffic if their trapped in a shopping center. We give them the short Cowboy wave and nod. (now mind you, you let them in if this does not deter other traffic flow behind or beside you, be safety minded)

We will continue to risk our necks on a regular basis to see the grandkids. No problema.

Take Time to Smell the Horses

2005-10-12T00:36:00.000-05:00

Saturday afternoon our company picnic will be at Lone Star Park for dinner and the races. Well, I'm fired up. I'm on the annual party committee and we seem to have hit on a winner this year. We have had a huge turnout. Oil States is providing parking, admittance, programs, Lone Star Bucks and dinner for two adults. This is a pretty big deal and the employees are coming in droves. We are barely going to fit into the Pavilion Garden that we have reserved.

I have always loved horses, they just seem cool. We have been to Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie and it is incredible to see those animals churn and pull and drive when they come out of the starting gates. You have to go right down to the fences to get a real feel for what these powerful horses were bred to do.

The best part of this year's event is the Park is doing everything. The Party Committee just has to show up and eat and watch and enjoy. (at least, I hope, there can usually be some grumbling over something.)

Guess I'd better go study up on Trifectas, Quinellas and Daily Doubles. I understand my grandmother could always pick em and always bet on the first grey horse.

I Love October

2005-10-06T14:52:00.000-05:00

Alrighty! Sometime last night, it finally became fall. It is cool at last. Our six month Texas summer may finally be over, leaves will change colors. And with the rising energy costs we are going to turn off the air conditioner and light candles and roast hot dogs. I like October a lot because there are no high pressure holidays just good ole Halloween. It is the perfect month to be a grandmother.

M.C. dba MiMi

Doggone

2005-09-29T13:00:00.000-05:00

Well... I have allowed myself two weeks of searching for our dog Molly and I must admit to the world now that Molly disappeared from our backyard and it is a total mystery.

I will just say that we have made every effort in our neighborhood to locate this little black and white terrier. We searched night and day calling and whistling. I have made two trips to the Humane Society and the Fort Worth City Pound (these are heart-breaking trips in themselves). I have posted flyers throughout our neighborhood.

I have been encouraged by family and friends to make peace with the fact that probably Molly may not be coming back. This is difficult and the mystery of not knowing is worse. I know with time it will get easier, she was a frantic, bouncy Jack Russell terrier yet we loved her.

Children and now Grandchildren

2005-09-26T10:45:00.000-05:00

You know I decided the day my oldest grand-daughter was born that my mission in her life would be to rarely say "no" to her whenever possible. Teehee. This was dedicated with a twinkle in my eye towards my darling daughter who would most certainly have to say no a lot.

Well, you say 'how's that working out for you?' Great! It is always a pleasure for our grandkids to come and visit. They come for the weekend and we 'take them on the town'. These four kids range in age from nine down to 10 months and so far the sky is the limit. Indulge, indulge, indulge. It's amazing what a trip to Claires and a kid's movie with popcorn and candy can be to a wonderful set of grand-daughters. (Grand-son too young for movies yet.)

OK, yes, it will all change in time, but these young years are so innocent and what are MiMi and Grandy good for? We look through old family photographs and tell stories about our growing up years to the kids sometimes. Our most precious part of the weekend visit is Sunday mornings at church. We pass on our Christian heritage and show them they we believe just as strongly what Mom and Dad are teaching them at home. And HaHa, the "March of Happiness" down the center aisle while Mimi shows off Madison and McKenzie to every member possible is a big part of the morning.

M.C. aka MiMi

Not So Lovely Rita

2005-09-22T11:44:00.000-05:00

"Oh, Lovely Rita meter maid,
where would I be without you.
Give us a wink and make us think about you."

As the Beatles so lovely sang, I'm afraid that Rita won't just wink on us this time.

Big prayer going up.

My Surface of 'Surface'

2005-09-20T15:27:00.000-05:00

OK, saw Surface. Now didn't the producers kind of already tip their hat that the kids are breeding and communicating with the SURFACITTES? (harken, to 'Gremlins') Yes, I was in a work coma while viewing, but I'm already picking up on the "Close Encounter of a Third Kind" bit. You know, where the Government is controlling things and messing things up between the 'good guys' and the SURFACITTES?

I did like the main girl (pictured above),the water skiier and the Cajun guys a lot. You knew these guys didn't stand a chance against the authority FBI/CIA/NASA/SENATE/CSI/ETC when they started stuttering out the horrors they had witnessed first hand. However, the special effects so far look like a hazy whale slash manatee slash squid. (blah)

Ok, just scratched the surface. I'll Tivo it one more time.

Sweet Sassy Molassy - It's Mange !

2005-09-15T11:42:00.000-05:00

Well - it's official. Our vet has diagnosed Sweet Sassy Molassy, or Molly, with MANGE. You should have been there to see the horrified, disgusted, flustered denials from Frank and I. Averted eyes and hung heads.

It all started with a routine check-up and we had un-wittingly even pointed out the little spot of skin where the hair was gone. We thought she had skinned her leg in the back yard. Oh no.

Dr. Morris efficiently brought in a microscope so our horrified eyes could look at mange first hand. He said you could best describe it as teeny tiny alligators. AAAARRRGHGH! We saw them! They moved! Our dog is a four legged plague. We pleaded openly "We sleep with this dog". Her favorite sleeping position is under the covers with no oxygen.

The term “mange” is used to describe a dog skin disease caused by a variety of microscopic mites. It is believed to feed on fluids present in the hair follicle. It causes inflammation in the hair follicle. This inflammation damages the hair follicle and the surrounding skin causing the hair to fall out. It is believed that all puppies acquire a small number of mites during nursing and dogs normally have a small number of mites in their skin. It is believed that susceptibility to mange can also be inherited.

Googled off the Internet

Well, God and Dr. Morris has blessed our household - humans don't get mange. Hallelujah! She has started on her antibiotic which she likes best stuffed into white meat chicken bites. She is currently "our" dog (2 sons have evaporated) and is eleven months old, is longer legged and is not quite the little adorable baby pictured above. She is a good girl at home alone with us, but a crazed MANIAC when ANYONE or anydog or anybird or anybug comes to our house. She wants to greet you with a holy kiss on the lips (literally). She needs some manners. She is truly a Jack Russell terrior through and through. Crazy...

Traversing in Oregon

2005-09-13T08:48:00.000-05:00

Straight from Travis in Oregon-
everything is fine here. Its getting colder and the first rain started today. We will be picking wild blackberries this morning. We are jarring organic veggies as well. I'm learning so much about the ecology of this area. Soon we will check out the old growth forest just south of here, the trees there are over 1000 years old and are epic. The forest service over the last 100 years has allowed logging companys to destroy over 90 percent of the old growth forest.

People here are very environmentally friendly. I've already been inspired greatly in the fine art of organic farming. I know how to milk goats and make cheese and yogurt. I felled a few trees with Mooky for posts to make a horse stable. Tell everyone I'm doing fine and having a great time out here in the country.

I'll post periodically from Travis' travels. M.C.

The Not-So-Simple Plan

2005-09-08T09:03:00.000-05:00

Well, I just did it! I called George W. Bush. I have a plan. Of course, I got his comment line, but I did get to talk to a nice young man and he listened to my brief synopsis of my plan.

Paraphrased - my statement - " I am a Christian mother, grandmother and support President Bush, but in light of the disaster of Hurricane Katrina, we should take this opportunity to bring home a large portion of our troops from Iraq. We need them here now, for rebuilding because we have a huge undertaking ahead. I know this is very complicated, but this is my suggestion."
I told you it was not simple. M.C.

"Gon" to Oregon

2005-09-07T18:06:00.000-05:00

Well, last Wednesday afternoon at 2:45 in the afternoon, Travis, or "Traverse" headed for Oregon with his friend Grayson. They elected to travel by Greyhound bus to Cave Junction, Oregon where they arrived at 5:00 am on Saturday morning. They saw our beautiful sprawling America by way of Amarillo, Flagstaff, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and much, much more. A high point reported was several hands of Texas Hold Em during a ten hour lay over in Las Vegas. A low point was a drunk woman aboard at Sacramento.

Grayson is a seasoned traveler and has been to Oregon many times. The information that has slowly been fed to me, the mom, is they will be staying on a goat farm (goat milk, goat cheese, lots of vegetables) and at a neighbor's land where they have lots of acreage where they will be hiking and camping. Their friend Mookie does have a telephone and Travis has called in. This is what has been told to me so far. I will be updating you as I am updated.

I understand now that Grayson is not coming back for a while. This causes me some concern, because Travis was originally coming back in 4 weeks. Now...... he may stay 4-6 weeks ...

OK, this sounds negative, but when I get over my mother's fear, I am so excited for a young man to have this incredible adventure. He and his buddies have camped in Colorado lots of times and he is between jobs right now so this is a perfect time in his life. Seeing America is something that's incredible, they are just north of the California state line and there are scenic trees, rivers and mountains. They will also go to the coast.

Please pray for their safety and I will be giving periodic status posts. - The Mom

Hurricane Katrina Catastrophe

2005-09-06T08:37:00.000-05:00

God Bless and Heal the Hurricane Survivors

Casting Off to Fourth Grade

2005-08-23T16:28:00.000-05:00

First Born Grand - Daughter

Madison

First Day - 4th Grade

Magnificent Purple Cast

received at Iron Springs

Perfect Smile

Blended Pink Outfit

and

Backpack

God Has Smiled on Us

Red River Valley

2005-08-21T13:14:00.000-05:00

We had a lovely trip to Red River, NM. I enjoyed sending update comments from a Christian internet cafe and from the Public Library.

Frank is seen at our lodge - The Riverside where we overlooked the river. Yes, we did cook in our little kitchen.

You can see the main drag down through town. I really can't explain the saloon shot (paparazzi).

We rented a jeep and went on a rough and wild jeep trail to the top of Greene Mountain. Frank fished at a lake near the top. It was a great relaxing trip, but it sure is hot back it Cowtown!

On The Road Again - a Band of Two Gypsies

2005-08-12T14:25:00.000-05:00

Well, Frank and I will be heading out Saturday for New Mexico. I am so fired up and my spouse is slowly warming up to the thrills of leaving cow city. I am telling you, I have really got to get away. We will headed to North Central NM - first Taos and then to our main destination Red River. We have reservations at a Lodge with a porch that looks out on the river. It has a kitchenette, so you can be assured there will be some serious cookin' going on. Ha! Bagels and Coffee, mostly. We also have a fireplace, so I'm counting on some nice cool weather.

We're planning on taking a jeep ride on the jeep trails, Frank will do fishing and I will do reading and napping. Possible other activities on the burner are: square dancing, arrowhead searching, 50 mile hikes, tree climbing, skinny dipping, buying out all the stores (this one really), of course, horse back riding, snow-boarding, motorcycling, bird-watching, photo-contest picture taking, restaurant eating contests, bear trapping, coon-skin cap making, buying rubber tomahawks, eating some more, napping, napping, napping, ......

NOTE: To All burglars, Travis and all his rowdy friends will be in residence at our house and will be on the look out! No Shenanigans.

Grand Sub-Ette Achieves Age Five

2005-08-08T09:02:00.000-05:00

Well as all tiny Sub-ettes are prone to do, one more named McKenzie Grace turned five in August. I thought the world should know. We celebrated with a Hello Kitty party and it was swell. This beautiful girl had a lovely time with eight of her closest friends along with family members. Cake and Cheetos were served. A Hello Kitty Pinata was excitedly deployed and candy distributed. A grand time was had by all.
Yours truly,
Proud MiMi

Birthday Girl

Tiny Male Sub Crawls!

2005-07-29T16:19:00.000-05:00

Just short of eight months old little Maddox Jay Losher streaks across his home town in a blistering world-breaking crawl!

Yes, I'd bet he's covering four, five or even six inches at a stretch. BUT, it counts. All us grandparents and kin-folks say it counts.

This child is a sprinter and a genius of note. On a happy note, Maddox is a true smiler as well. At McKenzie's five year birthday he never stopped smiling either. So if you want to see a smiling CRAWLING baby. See Maddox.

Tinted Windows

2005-07-27T12:56:00.000-05:00

What's the deal with tinted windows. I found I had to have them.

I have been driving Granny Ruth's car, my Mom's car, now my car for quite a few weeks.

It is a Great Car. It is a 2002 Toyota Avalon with all the goodies EXCEPT tinted windows. It has the most spectacular sound system and plushy leather seats. The suspension must be extra special 'cause it rides like a cloud. Cecil was a dream boat when he picked it out, I knew I loved him, what a great stepdad. Did I mention that we started screaming when we found out the radio told you the name of the songs as it played and you can put six CD's at once. woohooo! I am in stereo heaven.

Two problems with the car though. You may be surprised that I have a problem with the fact that the car has very prominent handicap plates. For some reason I feel like everyone is staring at me like I have a pirate peg leg. I feel like I should roll out an iron lung at every parking lot. Now don't get me wrong, I have been raised with too much guilt to park in a handicap spot. We carried Doris too long who was actually in a wheelchair for me to block a spot that I don't deserve. (and don't any of you do it either) So I'm itching for my Laminack plates to come in and for me to appear to be an average Joe.

Second bigger problem -Which is - no - tinted windows. I had a creepy crawly feeling of being in a fish bowl on my thirty minute drive to work every day. Just look around we live in a tinted car window world. Every SUV, truck, minivan has dark, darker windows. It is a mystery what might be going on inside those cars. Smokin', drinkin', lascivious behavior, children drivin', asleep at the wheel, eatin', drinkin' talking on multiple cell phones, reading books and maps, yelling at the kids, scratchin', personal hygiene, etc. Well, I've been wanting to do all those things and people kept honking and pointing. SOOOO, I got my tint job and it was no big deal. I strolled in to Artech and acted like I get it done every day. I made fast friends with the two fellows waiting there and even wandered over to Half Price books and bought two books.

I chose the Medium tint with the Superior quality to avoid fading and scratching. Excellent! I look like a high class Americano. I can now roll my cigarettes and read "Of Mice and Men" and adjust the radio, and call all my children on my drive home everyday. I look with disdain at my fellow drivers with shabby light or 'tisk' non-tinted windows. And about those bubbled up tinted windows, the nerve! Let's have coffee, we'll talk.

Work is filling up too much of my time

2005-07-14T16:25:00.000-05:00

I have figured out that working for a living is wearing me out. I need the money so I work. However, I come home too tired to spend it. I come home and dream of all kinds of projects around the house and make plans of cleaning sprees, reading inspiring books and going shopping and NO... I find myself plopped in my recliner. Luckily I have a trusty husband and a trusty grand-dog Molly (lately) to assist in being a couch potato.

I seem to make it through an eight hour work day just fine. My brain works pretty consistently (fueled by coffee and a one hour lunch). I mostly sit at a computer, work with some great people, make quick trips around the office during the day. My thirty minute commute is spent listening to the radio, but I come home and if I sit down, then I'm probably never getting up again. Exhaustion sets in. A tidal wave of inertia settles on top of me. Prayers and fast asleep.

Now life should be just the opposite with your energy going into some fun stuff during the eight hour day which leaves you happily exhausted at the sun's setting. I see myself a a Maui beach bum surfer at heart, a race horse breeder and rider in Kentucky maybe, a Tibetan monk-ett spending hours in blissful prayer on top of a beautiful mountain, possibly just a photographer for National Geographic around the globe. Yeah that's the ticket.

I need a new vocation or at least a vacation I'd say. Some one put me in a resume to monster.com for new exciting exotic office placement. Have gun will travel.

Thanks for the memories

2005-07-08T10:16:00.000-05:00

Well, formal thank you notes will be coming out following the death of my mom, but I needed to let everyone know how blessed we felt at her funeral. The service by Wade and Frank was so easy to handle, but the songs were what will always ring in my memory. Emily (composed a new song the day before), Patty, Katie and Maggie - you made my mother's service a send off to heaven! That's all I can say, she had a magic carpet ride of songs into the arms of Jesus. I felt comfort and safety with each note. Thank you all.

It is so peculiar losing a tiny woman called Granny Ruth (4 ft, 7 1/2 " at last count) she was shrinking from a stately 4 ft, 11". Love and guilt go mingled down. A daughter and a mother have a strange and wonderful relationship. I have had several calls this week that I immediately thought that I should call Mom and share with her.... then the realization that there was no mom to call. This is going to be tough for some time I guess. I have to trust that God and Jesus are taking good care of Mom, that she is walking on streets of gold, that there is no pain and suffering any more. She definately was a great example of a Christian mother devoted to having her children in attendance at church and learning the Bible, just as she had learned from her parents. Yes, .... they will rise up and call her blessed.

Ode to Betty Owen

2005-06-27T16:59:00.000-05:00

Just a note of remembrance for Betty Owen. She passed this world into heaven on Saturday. She was an example to all the young ladies of Trail Lake Church of Christ and Altamesa Church of Christ. She was our Bible Class teacher for so many years. She was always so well dressed and her manners were perfect. She never spoke a cross word. I have enjoyed a super friendship with Sharron Owen Drury, where, as teenagers, we were invited to sleep-overs, teas, pool parties and then as we grew older bridal showers. Betty Owen hosted my bridal shower and it was a perfect memory for a 20 year old bride-to-be.

Open up the pearly gate - a pearl of great price - Betty Owen is coming in.

VBS GRAND ADVENTURE

2005-06-23T15:52:00.000-05:00

Whoa Doggies! What an incredible extravaganza put on by Altamesa.

When they parted the Red Sea those kids were really in the sea! Special effects were super, singing and dancing, narrator was extra special, lighting stupendous, set, pharoah, Moses, Aaron, stage loads, Pharoah's son, writers, Ms Jennifer, wow, wow, wow, wizards, writing and songs were INCREDIBLE, extras and choreagraphy - too good! BAFOO - SOCKO. Headed for Broadway! Kids, screaming, auditorium, air conditioning - perfect. Pharoah appearing with his dead son, ohhh myyyy gooossshhhh.... You were all Great.

Praise the Lord.

No Time to Blog

2005-06-21T13:27:00.000-05:00

Love to anybody out there. Mom moving to Nursing Home. Life too hectic. Near Tears. VBS is Good. Peace Out. mc

Good Pride

2005-06-14T12:39:00.000-05:00

Well I am 2 weeks in to a 3 week marathon of VBS-s . Yippee! are Frank and I having fun. I am bustin' my buttons with pride. We get to see our kids and grandkids more often than ever. I looked and found a wonderful scripture to back up my feelings in II Corinthians 7 "Dear Father, who wills the good of all of your children, May all your holy people open their hearts to each other. Let us have great confidence and pride in one another. "

OK, yes, you're saying my pride is all wound up around my family and myself. But out of this happiness it bounces out to the world around me. I embrace others in the circle of my friendships, and they reach out happily to their friends and so on and so on. Pass it on happens. Good deeds happen. Blogs get read and Blogs get written. I feel pride in Blake Morrison when he says the Governor of Texas. I feel pride for the actors of Saturn Road VBS when they deliver a socko performance. There was an incredible evil queen who could dance quite stunningly. I remember the pride of a first born golden haired son named Ervin Franklin the III, who has become a convincing Childrens Minister. Then there is the third child (I know you think he is the favorite) but just the gentle spirited one who we such a special bond with. Now don't get me started on 4 grandkids! Wow! Of course there is a marriage that has lasted 33 years through some tough tests. We've got plenty to be proud of.

Miss Patty - Emily - Trey - Spectacular!

2005-06-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

Spectacular! Spectacular!
First night jitters hit me as I sat in the audience to see the travels of Moses from his humble birth, bundled down the Nile and escaping into the desert. The spotlight came up at R.H. Church and the singing began!! Wow! The packed audience was swept away to a time long past in ancient Egypt.

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. The combined talents of so many people in so many ways... A Christian heritage has come full circle. E. D. King and Patty Weaver have given an incredible Christian torch to two incredible (almost grown-up, tee hee) kids to continue a ministry for children and adults as well.

The church entry set the scene for a journey with a wonderful cast, singing, costumes, set, real Baby Bubba Moses, Statue sans Nose, Sound, Big Screen, etc, etc. THE SCRIPT AND THE MUSIC WERE TO DIE FOR. Emily Tate and Trey Laminack, a new generation, are in a league all their own. I couldn't be prouder. OK, enough about the Holbrook genes! These guys are too cool.

Then, quietly homebound, there... lit, 2 billboards in the night sky advertising our kids "Moses" adventure to the Fort Worth area. Call it what you want VBS is here to stay. Oh my goodness, oh my goodness.

Emotions, Emails and Now Blogs

2005-05-31T11:21:00.000-05:00

On the topic of firing off an email (and now a blog) in the heat of passion, I have been finding out that the recipient(s) can read it totally different from how it was intended. It has been so difficult for me to become a kinder, gentler typist. Evidently, my keyboard fingers go faster than good common sense. Now I am learning I should type it, read it, spell check it, save it for an hour, or maybe a day, sleep on it, then make a decision on whether to send it. Never send an email when your head is spinning [especially when your eyes are rolling back in your head] and you are thinking "I will just fire off a response to bam, bam, bam ..." Oh yeah, cc to a whole herd of friends, families, church members, office workers, -- YIIKKKESS.

It's hard to read into the emotions meant by the sender, you know? I might be just lightly sarcastic, but I come across as "hard and single minded". Just trying to describe this kind of dilemma is almost impossible. I may be trying to be sweet, darling little Mary Poppins, but you may be picturing...

... Composing furiously away. My keyboard spewing forth, scary, bile, stuff that sometimes, ... don't we all, wish I could call back. Picture - trying to be cute, deft, particularly quick with words and instead something like this appears...

(An Aside-- I'm reminded here that Jack Handey always said that if you drop your car keys in a hot lava pool; forget em' man, they're gone.)

So for those of you who have not gone down the fiery lava tube of scorching words and injuring tender unprepared eyes, I gotta say go easy on your friends. Think before you tap on those lethal keys. Sleep on it. That's what I will do now.

OH No, I'm back-MC

Free Lunch and The Birth of MC's Religiosity

2005-05-26T09:57:00.000-05:00

Almost thirty years ago Frank and I, as young marrieds, grudgingly attended the Trail Lake congregation on occasional Sundays. We had both been brought up (just as babies) at West Berry Church of Christ on University Drive, and then at Trail Lake Church of Christ (we were age 5 when our families moved here). West Berry and Trail Lake were the poster children of the old-time 3 songs, a prayer, 1 song, communion, 1 hour sermon, invitation, song, alter call, finish song with no center aisle. Trail lake built our Altamesa congregation in 1976.

We often came late from our apartment in Arlington to Sunday services, just to get a free lunch from Frank's parents, who were the best in-laws anyone could ever have. Now, at this time we didn't have our own faith, but were attending out of a sense of guilt and a (well-enforced) fear of fire and brimstone creeping up on us. Our life style went on for several years, with little commitment from us.

Something changed though -- we had Stacey! Suddenly, we felt a need to bring her to Sunday School and introduce her to Jesus. It was also lots of fun to have all the church members tell us how cute and special she was. We became regular members and began searching for our own faith. (A free Sunday lunch was still a plus.)

Then along came Wade and Patty Weaver, and Ron Beasley, our Youth Minister. We became high school huddle leaders and suddenly realized that we needed to know more about the Bible. We had Bible studies so we could teach the high schoolers. We started to pray earnestly, and developed life-long friendships. Our family grew as Trey and Travis came along and we became a blessed family.

Needless to say, here we are. We've got three independent kids out in the world, a wonderful son-in-law, super-duper grand-daughters, and a baby grandson. Also during all these years the Altamesa congregation has done some incredible growing in wisdom and truth, which has been wonderful to experience. I have to say that we run very, very hot and sometimes a little cold as we seek the right balance with our love of Altamesa, but Jesus remains a constant at the center of our lives.

Family, Pictures, Cars and Sounding Old

2005-05-20T15:52:00.000-05:00

On taking pictures. I do it. I get in the way doing it. It's because I have found lots of pictures of ME as a very young child at my parent's house. I have at some times doubted my existence as a well-loved child. Well, finding those old black and white pictures put a concrete seal on my parents adoration of ME at many times in my life.

Childhood and growing up is not always easy and sweet for anyone, but grabbing a snapshot of yourself and a barefoot neighbor with your feet in the grass, along with your dog Talco feels real good. You can say "remember when ...... " The ice cream man, a soap box derby car that ran away, kick-the-can, trick or treating the entire neighborhood, cowboy and indians every afternoon, the flypaper strip by the backdoor, the sheets hanging on the line, sleeping in a hammock cause it was cooler outside ...

So here's the deal-
+Pictures of your kids
+Pictures of your parents
+Pictures of yourself (the mom will never be in the picture cause she always has the camera)
+Pictures of all your cars (that 1955 light blue Oldsmobile 88 was really bloated looking)
+Pictures of your yard, front and back, and your house too
Can you dig it.

Another issue is family genealogy and family reunions. OK, don't get sullen with me. My grandmother, Emma Christine Swanson Retzlaff (1888-1977), worked to keep her husband's family tree up-to-date since the Retzlaff Family Reunion began to meet in 1947. We have many albums of pictures and can trace back nine generations of Retzlaffs. She typed (on a typewriter) and maintained photographs of every year's additions, marriages and deaths.

See Grandmother

Your genes are cool.
My grandmother was cool. (you can see what has continued---

Click for Retzlaff Family History

This is all I've got to say for now. So jump on me.

Welcome to my world

2005-05-17T14:42:00.000-05:00

Won't you come right in?

Yes, you are in the mellow mid-world of my existence. It can be quite bleak and quite marvelous. You can hit the peak of peaks and the lowest of valleys.

You are in for a magic carpet ride.

So pull up your crazy boy recliner, watch HOUSE, M.D., with me and we will diagnose the world and what's wrong inside my bloggen.

The only thing I know for sure, is I am not the walrus, KOO KOO KA CHOO.