Doing a little Scrapbooking

So blessed!!

Memory Lane

Looking for pictures to use on Hadley’s senior poster. It’s so fun! I do get a little bogged down because I enjoy looking through them so much, but I’ll just have to allow for that in my timeline. :) It does make me sad—2010-2012 are pretty light! Those are the years I lost so much when my hard drive crashed. Sad day!

 

Anyway, love this one! Lance was SO cute and I love the look on Grandma’s face as she looks at him. Precious! ♥

 

Project Life for 2013

A few years ago---4 to be exact—I committed to a scrapbook project with a picture for everyday of the year. It’s one of the few projects of its type that I have actually completed and I love looking back on it. I decided to commit to it again this year! It’s going to be a big year—Hadley will graduate and begin college, Bj & Ginny are having a baby, David plans to run another marathon, etc. The new project doesn’t require a picture every day, but encourages a weekly grouping of pictures and journaling to capture the day-to-day happenings. This is the title page. I’m still working out the format options. This is a digital version that I would print in a 12x12 print for each page. The other option is to print the photos individually and place in page protectors individually. (That’s what I did last time.) I think I like the look and feel of the individual prints, but it’s more work. I have to consider what it will take to keep up with it! The kids are less than thrilled because this means more photo ops and they could do without those… However, I’m really excited to have it going again. Look out 2013!

Happy New Year!

I know I’m due for some Christmas pictures. I’ll share those soon! Here’s one from today. Haven’t they grown up?? Happy 2013, everyone!

Tis the Season

We’ve gone to David’s work Christmas party the last couple of years. This year’s was last weekend. Surprisingly, we had a really good time! I even attempted to two-step with David a few times. I could tell that I was better at it this year than last. Maybe I should try it more than once a year! Ha! We hung out with several couples from the Fire Dept. and enjoyed the evening.

 

The food was fabulous, especially when you consider they served steak or grilled chicken to thousands of people and pulled it off. My steak was juicy and cooked exactly the way I like it. The potatoes were hot and well-seasoned and the dessert was delicious! Even more surprising was that it was done by a student group at WT. It was well organized and we did not have to wait in super long lines for cold food, something we’ve experienced often at large catered events.

 

We were really hoping to win a prize this year—they had some awesome giveaways! Several large flat screen TV’s, Kindle Fires, cameras, video cameras, etc. Lots of goodies! We did win, but it wasn’t an electronic. We won a cheese serving set with the company logo on it. Haha! But at least we won something!

 

Here’s our picture. Looking good, no? :)

Weekend Fun

The weather has been simply gorgeous!! Nice temperatures and manageable winds… Can’t ask for more this time of year!! On December 1st, David and I went to Palo Duro Canyon for a ribbon cutting on a new hiking/biking/running trail, Rock Garden. It’s about 2.5 miles long and climbs 600 feet to the rim of the canyon. It’s been under construction for some time. We had a couple of opportunities to help clear it, but never did make it down to help. So many volunteers did and for that I am thankful!

 

Both of us were really uncertain what to wear for the hike. It was the first day of December, but the expected high was around 80*. We ended up with t-shirts and shorts. I took a jacket just in case and ended up regretting it! It was hot tied around my waist! I think I even got a little sunburned…The weather couldn’t have been more perfect! We ran into several friends and enjoyed seeing them there.

 

We hiked for about an hour, not quite making it to the top. At that point, we had to make a choice—make it to the top or make it to our next activity! We opted to make our next activity and hurried down the trail and back to town for the Toy Run at Get Fit. We changed in the car(!!) and joined a large group of runners and walkers. We were each given a bag to fill with toys. We ran to a couple of stores where we chose things from a suggested list for children served by The Bridge. (The Bridge serves children who have been abused.)We ran with our filled bags back to Get Fit where we enjoyed mini burgers and drinks and chatting with a few friends, all for a great cause.

 

Afterward, we headed home and enjoyed watching the Avenger’s with Lance. What a great day!!

One of the many beautiful views!

 

 

Some awesome rock formations! Mr. Cooley would be impressed! (David and I discussed a field trip we took to PDC in college with our fun geology professor, Mr. Cooley. Good times!)

 

 

The ribbon cutting!

 

 

Part of the new trail!

 

 

One of the friends we saw at the Toy Run, an old customer of David’s. We ran with him each way. It was a lot of fun!

Thanksgiving Snaps

I didn’t take a lot, but here are a few pictures I snapped while we sat around and enjoyed full tummies and each other’s company. We ate brunch at Mema’s house this year. As always, we had TONS of good food. While we visited, we watched Jen and Jim’s new puppy, Dexter. He was so cute and quite entertaining. All I could think though, was that next year we get to watch a NEW BABY!! Yippee!!  Bj and Ginny’s little bundle ought to be some great entertainment! ♥

 

Fun with the fisheye!

 

 

What Thanksgiving is complete without some nose-picking??

 

 

The star of the show, Dexter!

 

 

 

For the Stewart side celebrations, we ate the traditional Thanksgiving feast at Anita’s. Unfortunately, I didn’t even get my camera out there! Jamie, Anthony, Brittany and Nathan came, as well as Gary and Anita. I’m really kicking myself for not taking pictures—the kids won’t be back at Christmas so I really blew it! We had a great time visiting with them and enjoyed catching up with their lives. Nathan is in his second year of dental school. Things are going along well for him! Brittany, Jamie and Anthony are all working in various jobs and seem happy. Jamie and Anthony are newlyweds, marrying in October. It’s so hard to believe that they are all so grown up! <sniff>

Senior Stuff

I absolutely love the fact that our kids have been able to make the school journey with such great peers! Some might call it boring. I call it stable! Many of the kids here started at Windsor in kindergarten and have navigated the waters together through their senior year. In this age of constant chaos, that is something special! They gathered for this picture to be placed in the yearbook senior section.  Warms my heart to see them all together again!

Minnie

My great aunt Minnie passed away in October. She was a really amazing lady---so kind and generous with her time and talents. She will surely be missed! Grandma, Jean, Danny and Dee came to town for her funeral. We gathered together with Jim, Jennifer, Bj and Ginny at our house on Sunday night before the funeral for dinner. As always, the time together was so precious!

 

The next day, we traveled to Adrian for the service. It was such a nice service, very fitting for Minnie. I was told she planned it herself. She did a great job because every new song made me think, “That’s perfect for Minnie!” She fought cancer off and on for 37 years. I knew it had been a very long time, but didn’t realize it had been that long. What a battle!! I’m thankful for the person she was and the example she gave to us.

 

I didn’t take my real camera but was thankful my iPhone takes decent pictures. Before the service, this crew sat in the fellowship hall waiting. What a precious family! Left to right: Bea, Jake, Don, Annie, Ida (aka Grandma!)

 

 

 

I love to see a community pull together. The lunch they served the family was simply incredible. Some of the best home-cooking I’ve had in a while and there was NO shortage of food even though around 100 people ate. What a blessing and show of support for Minnie and her family! At our table, left to right: Danny, Jake, Bea, Jean, Ida.

 

 

 

After lunch, Heather snapped this photo for us. Left to right: Janice (me), Ida, Jean, Cris, Annie and Mike.

Since the funeral, I received an email from Heather. It contained a story from her dad, Don, telling a story from the “olden” days. Thought I’d share it here. I might also add that during the lunch, they were discussing directions to someone’s place. You should head down a certain road—I didn’t hear which one, and turn West at the tree. Haha! The Tree. And everyone knew exactly what they were talking about. (except me obviously!)

Here’s the story from Don:

Danny told me about the question of history of the old tractor at Richard's, whether it was Frank's original.  I told him of a clue from my personal experience.  Probably 12 yrs. old then, I was at Frank's old place driving the old tractor to the one-way.   Somehow I got it in reverse gear and backed up

against the plow, breaking the draw bar.   He didn't chew me out, just got that draw bar off and set to welding it.  (He could fix anything.) So if examination reveals an acetylene weld on the draw bar, I think that might be conclusive.

     I remember trundling the old thing from Frank's to Dad's and plowing on the Evans section.  I remember one of Dad's hands declaring it "took 2 men and a boy to turn a corner with it".    I remember plowing a half-mile from where Richard and a hand were cutting wheat with the old Regular and a 14 ft drag combine -- Oliver or Baldwin? -- when I got a big hat wave.  I started with the pickup and got another impatient wave off.  Well, they must want the tractor.  So I managed to get loose from the Hoeme and started to them.  I thought, now if they want the tractor, they must want to pull something.  Now they won't have a chain -- what can I take?  Going by the windmill (this was at the West Barn), I spied a length of cable

and hooked it to the tractor.  Reaching the combine I found it mired in that little flat lake east of the windmill, and Richard fiddling with about a 5' piece of light chain.  I showed him  the cable length and he just marveled and marveled how little brother had enuff sense to figure that out.  My, I felt so good!

     This had to be l947, the great wheat year, when Pop's wheat got hailed down and we had to run the sickle on the ground, and had to take off a spark plug wire to get the old Regular to run slow enuff for the machine to handle the great mass of straw.  What would that be -- one mile per hour??   --- come, don

Random Bits from October

 

October has been pretty busy. We’ve enjoyed our activities, for the most part and have had great weather. These are some of the highlights, or lowlights as the case may be, from the month. First, we sold the red Jeep. We hadn’t made a lot of effort, just stuck a sign on it and parked it out in front of the house. David had a couple of things he wanted to do to it before really marketing it. However, parking it out front was enough! A guy called to look at it and made an offer that day. He had cash and we sold it to him that evening. We were sad to see it go, but happy all at the same time. The guy that bought it was a young guy who wanted it for a toy. It makes a great toy and I hope he truly enjoys it!

 

 

 

Anyone else watch the crazy free fall from space?? It was on TV when we came home from church so we sat around the living room and watched, mesmerized.  I *really* thought we were watching a suicide. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that his body could handle it and that his suit was enough protection. Felix Baumgartner jumped from about 24 miles up, broke the sound barrier on his way down and created a new record. The jump/fall took a little over four minutes. Amazingly enough, he landed easily in a desert somewhere in New Mexico.My stomach was in a knot the whole time!

 

 

 

David and I went to an annual Halloween party. Some folks go all out with costumes and others don’t really do anything. Guess we fall somewhere in the  middle. We dressed up, but we shopped our own closets to do so. I went as Boo from Monsters, Inc. David went as Paden from Silverado, the movie. (Our first date, by the way.) The weather was perfect and we enjoyed time out on their beautiful patio.

 

 

 

Hadley turned 18 just in time to vote for her first time in the biggest election out there. With talk of big crowds on actual election day, we decided to vote early. Hadley and I went together. It was fun and memorable. I’m so honored to be able to vote with her! Unfortunately, the biggie didn’t go our way and the other guy won. I’m very worried about what that will mean for our health insurance, especially concerning Lance and everyone on Medicare. I’m also worried about the national debt. But, I did my part and know that God wins in the end, no matter what happens along the way!

 

 

 

 

Tyler came home for about thirty seconds a few days ago. One of his close friends died and he came home for the funeral. We don’t know exactly what happened, but she did have a seizure disorder. Tyler suspects that she had a grand mal seizure in her sleep and aspirated on her own vomit. We may never hear the autopsy results but regardless, I am heartbroken for her family. Tyler is taking it pretty hard. She was a close friend and someone he saw daily. It’s so hard to face some of life’s realities!!

When he came home, he brought his new puppy. The puppy we didn’t know he had. Ha! Timber is a husky/samoyed mix. He is really cute, but looks like he will be VERY big. He is 11 weeks old and very active. Max didn’t like him at all. No surprise there.

So there’s a brief summary of a few things going on around here. I have one more post coming for October’s activities, but it will stand on its own. Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Tascosa Reunion Weekend

Mom and Dad came back again this weekend for Dad’s 50th class reunion. It was great to see them two weekends in a row!! They didn’t participate in all the activities, but enough to have a good time. Bj, Ginny, David and I went with them to the homecoming game on Friday night. It was a little odd to be sitting on the Tascosa side for a game, but we had a good time. There sure was a lot of red and black though… They played Odessa Permian and stayed in the lead until a last second field goal. They lost 20-17. It was cold so we left at halftime and missed the exciting end. Oh well….

 

While we were at the game, Hadley and a few friends went out to dinner at Napoli’s, an Italian restaurant downtown, to celebrate her 18th then went back to our house for cake. Her cake was adorable!! And yummy too. A couple of the girls spent the night. I think they had a great time.

I met Mom and Dad for lunch one afternoon at Crazy Larry’s BBQ and couldn’t help but take a picture of them playing on their phones. Whatever did we do before smart phones??!! Ha!

Baby girl turns 18!!

Truly hard to believe she is legally an adult! It was just the other day that she was a babe in arms… really it was! We are incredibly proud of her. She’s an amazing young woman—full of love and caring for others, spunk and wit. She’s smart and capable and we couldn’t be prouder! Happy birthday, Hadley!

It wasn’t really part of the plan, but it ended up being a great birthday surprise. We’ve been looking for a replacement car for her for a very long time. The jeep has been so much fun but it hasn’t been reliable and she will definitely need something else for college. She set her sights on a Jeep Liberty, so we concentrated our efforts on looking for a good used one. Turns out, they aren’t all that easy to find. (We hope that means people buy them, love them and don’t’ want to sell them!) David and Hadley have spent countless hours on the internet and driving around town trying to find the perfect one—preferably a 2008 or newer so it’s the new body style, silver or white—an easy color to keep clean, and lower miles so it will last a long time. We found a few, but they were typically pretty far away. Houston may be in the same state, but  it’s still quite a drive! When you add in the dealer fees and the costs to get it back home, it takes a chunk out of any savings we might find.  Fast-forward to Saturday afternoon. They decided to make a round at our local car lots to see if anything was out there. They came across this 2012 with 20,000 miles. The price looked right and she loved it. They brought it home for me to see. David and I agreed that it was a really good deal if it could be bought at what the salesman offered. So, he and Hadley went back to make the deal. Turns out the young salesman spoke without any real knowledge of what he could do and it could not be bought at that price. David talked with them for a while but came home without it. David and I talked about it that evening, figured payments and weighed our options. We decided it really was a pretty good deal, even at the higher price.

First thing Monday morning he went to buy it. The kids had flu shots scheduled for Monday afternoon, which created a good opportunity to present it to her. I dropped David off at the dealership where they detailed it and had it sitting on the showroom floor for him to drive home. He parked it in the garage and put a big red bow on it. I let him know when we were almost home so he’d be ready for us. As we raised the garage door, she saw the dealer tags on the Liberty. She looked at me with complete disbelief and asked if I was kidding her! No dear, we wouldn’t be that cruel!! Watch the video to see. (Lance was in the back seat and couldn’t see. He thought she was reacting to a bodily function from me. Nice one, son. Nice. We all know I never do that!) She was blown away and is so happy. We feel very blessed to be able to give it to her. Nobody deserves it more! The plan is to sell the red Jeep as soon as possible, which we are all a bit sad about. It’s been in the family a while and was Tyler and Hadley’s first car. It’s a money thing, though. It’s gotta go!

Race for the Cure

Saturday morning, David and I went out for the Komen Race for the Cure downtown. He participated with a team from work and I was on a team with girls from my Fit Camp. It was a rainy morning, but it cleared off for the run and was really nice running weather. I was hoping for a PR (personal record) or a time under 30 minutes but that didn’t happen today. I was a full minute slower than the last race. Bummer! Maybe next time!

 

The worst part of the day was that just after the second mile, I realized that the back of my skirt was tucked up under my spibelt. (My spibelt holds my phone and other goodies. Thankfully, the skirt has tights attached so I wasn’t all out there!) Yep. I ran two miles that way. What’s worse, two so-called friends passed me and didn’t mention it!! I asked one if she noticed it and she said she did!! When I asked why she didn’t tell me about it, she said it was kind of cute and my butt looked good. Ha! Thanks, friend. Payback is coming! Ay yi yi. Mom said at least it wasn’t toilet paper. I guess it was slightly better than having toilet paper hanging off your backside. But only slightly!

The Make-Up Lady

Would you ever in a million years think I’d have anything to do with selling make up??? Nope. Me either! An acquaintance owns a Merle Norman store. One day earlier in the year, she asked if I would work for her occasionally. I said yes and have been filling in for her since spring. Most months, I only work 2-3 days. I didn’t work any in July. September has been a different story. Her dad has been ill for a while and was finally admitted to hospice. He passed away on the 17th. She had a lot going on with that so last week I put in 36 hours! It’s a really easy job until someone wants to try a new color. I don’t feel completely qualified to help with that, but I just do my best. The biggest drawback to the job is that I run the store all by myself. If no customers come in, I am BORED. I bring books, listen to audio books and watch Netflix on my phone when I have a strong enough signal. Sometimes I talk to my brother on the phone. Thankfully he has a job that’s slow sometimes too!

 

When I started working there I only used cheap brands that I could find at any drugstore, namely Wal-Mart. Patty gives me a pretty good discount, so I began to buy some of what I’m selling. I’m using a lot of their products now and am enjoying it. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can afford the stuff if I no longer get the discount! Last month, my check was for $93 and I had $113 in product. That’s $113 of discounted product! Ha! I try not to buy unless I know I’ll at least break even for the day. I hate the thought of going in the hole… <grin>

 

Here’s a picture of me on the job. The store also sells wigs, a bit of jewelry, handbags and candles.

 

 

Here’s a shot of the store from the front door. The décor is a bit dated and I’m not really a purple person. The owner is a purple person through and through!! Even the carpet is a shade of purple…

Homecoming 2012

Homecoming night went pretty much according to plan. Hadley and friends came over for supper before the game. (David saved the day by taking off early to fix it! This working girl had to work until 6!) After the game, they came back here and made dessert and spent the night. When Alli finished with her date, she came over to join the other girls. We fixed Texas-shaped waffles with fruit and whipped cream for breakfast. What else would we serve? Ha! Lance and his friends decided to watch a movie instead of go to the game—where’s their school spirit?? ;), then spent the night at another home. Everyone seemed to have a great time!

 

The game was incredibly crowded! We left the house a few minutes late and really paid for it. This is also Fair Week, so the stadium was right in the middle of Friday night at the Fair! (WHY do they ever plan a big football game on Fair Week????!!) Traffic was heavy and parking limited. We had to park in the adjacent neighborhood and walk a long ways to the stadium. Then, we were lucky to find a seat!

 

The queen was announced at half-time. Alli didn’t win, but she looked beautiful in her gown! We cheered for her and were so proud! The new football coach’s daughter won. I’m sure she deserved it, but we were rooting for Alli, of course! The team did well and beat a highly ranked school.

 

Here’s our view from the nosebleeds!

Doin’ a little backtracking

First day of school 2012

Hadley is a SENIOR. Lance is a SOPHOMORE.

Notice the cowboy boots on Lance? That’s new this year. It goes with his truck. :)

Hadley’s Last High School Homecoming!

<Sniff> Can you believe it’s here?? This is the first of many lasts this year! Homecoming seemed to come earlier this year, but I think I’m just not quite ready for the rush of activities we are about to experience. So much is going on already. She’s got 7 dual credit college hours, as well as several AP classes. The one place she’s taking it easy is math and she loves the slower pace of a non-AP class! She comes home surprised at times with how much less is expected. I think it’s great—senior year is for fun, too!!

 

Hadley doesn’t have a date this year. Most of her closest friends are also dateless, so they will go together. I’m sure they’ll all have a great time—with or without a date! Several of them are coming over to our house for dinner, to the game, then back to our house to spend the night. We are making one of her favorites---garlic chicken farfalle. We’ll have brownies for desert and maybe even s’mores on our little fire pit. Lance is supposed to be hanging with friends at the game, then headed to one of their houses to spend the night. It should be a great night!

 

The homecoming parade was tonight. I love how the neighborhood comes out for it. People of all ages are there to cheer the floats on. One thing I noticed this year is that we didn’t have a Veteran’s Float. I always enjoy that one so I’m sad it wasn’t included. Hadley rode the student council float which came at the very end. The overall theme of the parade was super heroes. Hadley’s group was Captain America. She sat next to one of her new friends, Tasha, who will be joining us tomorrow night.

 

 

 

 

One of her best friends, Alli, is a homecoming queen nominee. She got to ride in a cool car driven by her smiling dad. We’ll find out tomorrow night if she won!! Go Alli!!

 

 

Here’s good ol’ David Ballard! Alli, David and Hadley have been good friends since the first grade. Love that kid! He was on the swim team float and rode at the top. He never looked at me, so this was the best shot I got. Apparently there’s a little rift between Alli, Hadley and David right now. It seems he didn’t ask the right girl to homecoming. Ha!

And he’s legal!!

On September 11, Lance had to go to the hospital for a few tests. After we finished, we headed over to the DPS office for Lance to take his driving test. The offices were eerily quiet and our wait time was short. I asked the clerk if it was because it was the anniversary of the attack. She didn’t seem to think so any more—said in the earlier years right after it happened it did make a difference. This time, she thought we just got lucky.

 

Lance, however, can’t seem to catch a break. Instead of one examiner riding along, he got TWO. The examiner was being evaluated but I’m sure Lance felt all eyes on him! He managed to pass---just by the skin of his teeth! But he did pass. He was so relieved and excited and has enjoyed driving himself places all week long. I can hardly believe all my children can drive themselves. I’m almost completely obsolete now. Ha!

 

 

Waiting for the test to begin…

 

Here we go!

 

He did it!!

Say do you rememba…. Septemba??

What a gorgeous September day!!! We’ve had some rain—thank the LORD!!!!—and some grey, cloudy days this week. The rain was much needed, but oh how I love crisp, beautiful fall days like today! The sky is blue. There is only a light breeze and the air is crisp. *Love* it!!

 

David and I ran the Share the Road 5k this morning. The bed almost won. Running 3 miles didn’t sound like near as much fun as staying in the warm, cozy bed. BUT, at 7:30 we finally dragged ourselves up and raced around to be at the run that started at 8!! Yep. We got up, got dressed, got out the door and over to Amarillo College just in time. So really, our race started at 7:30. Ha! While it wasn’t ideal, it worked and we had a good time. Tango’s Tacos provided yummy breakfast burritos after and we enjoyed visiting and basking in the glow of our accomplishment. This was David’s first time to run in about 8 weeks. His torn IT band hasn’t healed as quickly as we thought and today he decided to go for it anyway. He had twinges of pain but we hope it’s more of a soreness than unhealed injury. Of course, he paced me—the one who has been running 4 times a week over the last 8 weeks. How can he do that?? Our time was pretty good---31:40. I’m happy any time I get under 32!! Maybe one of these days I can break 30……

 

New Truck!

So it seems that sometimes, money CAN buy happiness!! That look right there is the look of pure joy! And that look is PRICELESS!

 

 

 

A recent hard drive crash made me realize just how important this blog is… When I think of all I lost---although I haven’t given up hope on it all just yet!—I am reminded that a lot of great memories are right here on the ol’ neglected blog. If I’d kept it up the last year or so, many of the important moments would have been preserved, regardless of my hit-or-miss backups! I hope this reminder will be enough to motivate me to keep it updated!!

 

Today seemed like a great day to start up again. It has been a momentous day!! We bought Lance’s first car today. A 2004 F-150 super crew. It’s really nice, nicer than either car David or I drive. But isn’t that the way of a parent? Anyway, it’s got very high mileage but has been well maintained. We are crossing our fingers that it remains reliable for a good while longer. It belonged to a local preacher who was thrilled that his prized truck was going to Lance. Lance hopes to get his license next week, provided he completes the remaining portions of his driver’s ed. Until then, he will drive it with pride with one of us along.

 

We completed the purchase this morning, finishing just before lunch. David and I drove to AHS and picked Lance up and headed to Chick-Fil-A. He beamed the whole time! He’s been looking for a truck for most of the summer. He has decided that he wants to pay for his truck himself, something his older brother and sister had no interest in doing. We are so proud of his independence and determination. He has saved some money and has budgeted his payments and spending cash for the next little while. If he can do even half of what he’s shooting for, he will do great! What an amazing kid!