This Reminds Me

Archive for the ‘Celebrate’ Category

Christmas last year:

Christmas this year…..well, I’m afraid this is the closest to the beach that we’re going to get:

Today I am thankful for….

Good friends like John and Linda, with whom we’ve co-hosted Thanksgiving for years including enjoying the company of airmen trainees from Lackland AFB.  This year (l-r): Tyler from Mississippi; Germaine from Ohio; Tyler (“Cooler Tyler”) from Iowa and Daniel from New Orleans.

Two phone lines – because seriously, they got a workout.  What was funny:  The guys would call a loved one and leave a message, then move onto the next call.  The first loved one would call back but call waiting got ignored.  So the voice mail built up through the day.  I’d periodically go to the bedroom and check them on my iPhone, listing off who was supposed to call who back.  “Tyler whose mom is Rhonda – you need to call Jordan back.”  The airmen trainees are graduating next week – so  – lots to tell!

A husband who can fry turkeys with the assistance of (nephew-in-law) Joe.  The airmen had never before enjoyed fried turkey, or that most luscious of all delicacies – pig candy.

A kitchen to feed our nation’s finest.

A brilliant niece like my Sarah, who cooks, cleans  and converses.  In addition to the four airmen, we hosted a three-star captain from the Lebanese army in training at Camp Bullis (on the right, between the airmen.)  We think more people – especially people from all over – is more fun.

Goofy girls, like our four, and my great niece Laura.

Butter turkeys!  We got them years ago at Costco, and never saw them again until this year.  I snapped up six to grace our tables today.  The poor beheaded leftovers will be melted in Julia’s oatmeal in the weeks to come.

The ability to buy and cook foods even if I don’t like them – like sweet potatoes.  And a great nephew (James) to express my feelings.

Happy Thanksgiving!  And to Tyler, Cooler Tyler, Germaine and Daniel – guys, it was a blast.  Take care.  Be safe.  And thanks, Germaine, for friending me already on Facebook!  We’re proud to know you.

It’s a toss-up about who’s more excited for Halloween – 10-year-old Julia, or her three teenage sisters.

Today Rachel bought mini-pumpkins for all to decorate.

Rachel’s inclusive rainbow pattern…

……and on another, a simple reminder of the holiday

Lois’ pumpkin isn’t finished yet.  After this first coat is dry, she’ll continue to decorate it as an apple.  Why?  “To fill the cracks of my heart, since you won’t get me an Apple i-Touch.”   As Keith sing-songs to them at least once a week, “Life is so hard, my parents are so mean.”

Hannah shows her Twilight fixation….

…including painting Bella, Edward and Jacob on the back.  She claims membership in “Team Edward.”  Hourly.

Yep, that’s Julia’s “Trick or Death.”

When all dry – the pumpkins may join other decorations on the fireplace.  Aunt Judy gave Rachel that stuffed white ghost when she was two or three years old.

My favorite fireplace decoration is the candy can toddler Hannah made in pre-school.

Halloween breakfast plates – of course!   I have a terrible, terrible dish weakness.  Breakfast/dessert plates for Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas – I’ve got ‘em.   It’s a sickness.  There was a super-cute set at the Disney outlet store a few months ago that I didn’t dare buy.  I was afraid Keith would set the dishes outside – and me with them.

Halloween flag out front….Thanksgiving flag is on top of the stack, ready to go next….  Did you know Halloween is the second only to Christmas in decorating dollars spent?

Lois and Hannah are soon to host the Halloween party for the Latin Club at school, and we’ll be going to the church “Fall Festival” soon, too.

I know a lot of folks – especially Christian friends – object to Halloween.  “It’s Satanic, its origins are evil, etc.”  Maybe so, maybe not, I don’t care. Whatever primitive people did or do now – just don’t care.  For me, it’s always been about dressing up, feeling down to the bottom of the bag for the caramels and having fun….except in 5th grade, when the only costume in my size was Fred Flintstone.  Having to wear a boy’s costume was more horrifying that any “ghost” in his mom’s old sheet, I tell you.

I don’t argue with anyone about their choice to have fun, or, instead, turn off their porch light.

But for me – we’ll be handing out candy* October 31.  Big boo-tiful handfuls of it.

Enjoy!

*San Antonio friends – We are gathering “stuff” for Samaritan’s Purse boxes.  I will go to Wal-Mart and buy about $100 worth of candy on 11/1.  If you have any left-over, non-chocolate (non-melty) candy or gum you’d like to contribute – just bring it to work, church or our house on or before Wednesday, 11/3 – when we’ll be packing.

Rachel, Lois and Hannah hosted an end-of-summer swimming/slumber party for the youth girls at our church last night.

Our new youth minister - Jeff Martin – dropped by to say “hi.”  He’s the one with the beard, though he immediately felt testosterone-challenged.   Note Julia, front’n'center.  She very much enjoyed the snacks (everybody brought something), drinks, jokes, swimming, etc. – but was decidedly miffed when I put her to bed at 11 p.m., so the girls could share about themselves. “It’s not fairrrrr.” Is there a child anywhere that doesn’t whine that defense?  Well, come to think of it – I’ve been known to use it myself.

Rachel talked me into loaning her my little waterproof Olympus for the night swim at the neighborhood pool.  I was impressed with many of her pictures.  She’s really has talent, I think.  And it’s not “just the camera.”   I used to take a lot of pictures for work, church, home, etc. and was always irritated by viewers who would say, “Oh, you must have a good camera!”  Well….not so much terribly much until very recently when Keith surprised me with a Nikon D-90.   What I’d had before was certainly “good enough,”  but not great.  I’ve always believed you could have an amazing camera and without “the eye” (as I call it) – forget it.  Anyway, I think Rachel has “the eye.”

Lois flanked by friends Kelley and Chantelle.  Love the cool water reflection with the warm night background.

Underwater hand stand by Jessica – you have to be “down there” and ready to catch this kind of action, especially at night.

Love Julia’s big eyes and swirling hair.  She has four loose teeth right now.

Hannah’s friend Bailey – without the bubbles and the swirling strap, you might think she was above water.

Self-portrait of the photographer, complete with facial bubbles.

Some of the girls crashed around 2:30 a.m., which is the last time I was aware of the herd of elephants stampeding in the game room above us.  Some stayed awake all night and were the first to snag the doughnuts Keith went to get.

There wasn’t much “slumbering” at this “slumber party.”  But there will be tonight – at least by me.   And the washing machine.  And the dishwasher.  And the broom.  And the mop.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz