Category Archives: Family & Friends

Baby J is Walking!!

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Our precious little grandson Baby J, who just recently turned one year old, is walking.  He’s been taking a few steps here and there, and when we were there for his birthday party, he would take a few steps and then plop down and start crawling.  Well, our daughter made a video of him this week walking from one side of the kitchen to the other without crawling at all.  She said it’s hard to get used to seeing their baby walking around the house.  We’re planning on visiting soon and are looking forward to seeing this in person!  🙂

Another Tip From My Mother-In-Law

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I told my mother-in-law a long time ago how I use the 2 pound Velveeta boxes (the brown bottom part) for various uses around the house.  They are clean, very sturdy boxes which are great organizers.  And being the recycler and reuser that I am, I use these boxes for several things such as organizing my make-up drawer or desk drawer.

Well, my mother-in-law told me this week on the phone about a great way that she uses them and to write about it on my blog.  She uses them to hold boxes of over-the-counter medicine and pills.  All she has to do is reach up in the cabinet and get down the box, and then she can easily access the small box of medicine that she needs.  Great tip!

I just thought of another good use…to hold Jello and Pudding boxes.

Here’s an idea from one of my readers, Christi:  “You could also use them to organize a junk drawer – pens, scissors, etc. or if toy have kids you could let them decorate them to become houses, train cars, etc.”

Anele says, ” Just get some pretty wrapping paper to cover the Velveeta part and no one would ever know! Pretty cool!”

Special Birthday Celebrations!

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When you want to plan a special birthday party, don’t forget the birthday invitations.  When Baby J, our grandson, celebrated his first birthday recently, his parents designed a special invitation just for him.  Our daughter and son-in-law are creative and very artistic so designing a special invitation was easy for them.  But most people either don’t have the time, inclination, or talent to design an invitation.  That’s where The PartyStartsHere!.com can help either by designing a card or you can choose one from their great selection.

Summer is Almost Over

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Well…actually the “summer season” will last a while longer, but “summer” according to the school calendar is almost over.  Even though we didn’t actually take a week long vacation this year, we did take a couple of two-day trips.  One trip was to Hillsboro, Texas, to shop at the Hillsboro Outlet Mall.  I found a lot of clothes there for Baby J for his birthday, and I had so much fun shopping for him!  Another trip was to Waco, Texas, to visit the Dr. Pepper Museum which was very interesting.  We also got to walk on a historical bridge and visit the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum.  It was truly a fun trip!

We’re not big movie goers, but we saw three movies this summer which we thought were really good movies.  We saw the Indiana Jones movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and Journey to the Center of the Earth.

I went to a ten week Bible study at my friend’s house this summer on Thursday nights.  There were several friends there (we all attend church together) to study “Believing God,” which deepened our faith even more.  This Bible based study was written by Beth Moore.  It was a great time of fellowship and studying God’s Word!

And last, we had a lot of good family visits with our daughter (“C”), son-in-law, and Baby J.   We got to have a mini family reunion in June when my mother-in-law flew down to visit for a week.  Lots of wonderful memories were made!

These are the highlights of my summer which centered around God, family, & friends!  It’s been a wonderful summer for me in that regard.

Air Travel Discounts

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My mother-in-law has been back home for three weeks now from her trip to Texas to visit us.  I wish she were close so we could go shopping, sit on the porch and drink coffee or tea and talk, or go out for lunch and talk in person.  Being over 800 miles away makes it impossible to do that on the spur of the moment.   She was able to come visit us because my husband found a great deal on airline tickets.

If you’re planning on booking a flight, check out the flight deals at Sherman’s Travel.   Compare their air travel discounts!

My Mother-in-Law…a Dear Friend!

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We took my mother-in-law to the airport today to fly home, 800 miles away.  So, not only did I tell her goodbye, but I also told a dear friend goodbye.  I feel very blessed to have that kind of relationship with her because I know of some people who have the opposite kind of relationship.  I’ve read about some who don’t get along at all.  It’s the complete opposite for me.  We had a great week talking in the mornings on the porch in our PJs while having coffee, going shopping on five different days, eating out, eating here at the house, having so much fun when our daughter “C,” s-i-l, & Baby J came for the weekend, and the list could go on and on.  We had an awesome week!

PS

Despite much encouragement from family members, my 86 year old m-i-l does NOT do email, but at least we can talk on the phone and send pictures through the mail.  However…I will give her credit…she does get on the computer to check for pictures of Baby J every other day!   I don’t know if I mentioned it or not, but Baby J is THE reason she flew to Texas so she could meet her great-grandson in person!!  🙂

Tip From My Mother-In-Law

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I asked my mother-in-law to give some of her favorite tips from her 86 years of experience:

When she’s out shopping and it’s raining hard, she takes along a plastic bag so that she can put her wet umbrella in it when she goes inside a store.  That way she doesn’t drip water on herself, the things she’s buying, and the merchandise in the store!

Having a Wonderful Visit!!

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My mother-in-law arrived safely last Tuesday, and we’ve been having a wonderful time.  I took her shopping on Wednesday and Thursday, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

On Friday evening, our daughter, s-i-l, and BABY J arrived.  We had so much fun over the weekend!

Saturday, we had girl’s time out.  I took my m-i-l and daughter to this really neat tea room, and my m-i-l treated us to lunch.  We shopped some while we were out, of course, and then headed home to check on the guys.

Sunday, we went to church and then all went out to lunch.  There were eight of us in all including our s-i-l’s mother and sister.

After we got back home, we took a lot of “four generation” pictures. Then Baby J & family had to head back to their home.

Today, we’re taking my m-i-l out to our daughter and s-i-l’s to see their house they bought in February.  It’s a two hour trip, so it won’t take too long to get there.  We plan to have fun eating lunch at some cute little place, seeing the office where our daughter works and maybe seeing our s-i-l’s cool office, depending on how busy they are there.  And, of course, we plan to get in lots of “Baby J” time!!  🙂

My Mother-In-Law Arrived Safely

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My dear, 86 year old mother-in-law flew to Texas today to spend a week with us. (She doesn’t look or act 86!) We’ve already made a shopping list of places that she doesn’t have in her little town. She wants to go to Tuesday Morning, Macy’s, Dillards, Super-Target, and Pier One.

We had supper tonight at Black Eyed Pea, one of her favorite restaurants. She also wants to go to Red Lobster as well as a couple of cute tea rooms.

And best of all…our daughter, s-i-l, and BABY J are planning to come this weekend! This will be the first time my m-i-l has gotten to see her great-grandson in person, and he’s nearly 10 months old. We are all excited about this little family reunion…such a blessing to be able to all get together.

Of course, we’ll have to take lots of “four generation” pictures! 🙂

Happy Mother’s Day…

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Happy Mother’s Day…at least there’s two hours left. We went to visit our daughter, s-i-l, & Baby J and had a wonderful weekend. Our daughter graduated with her master’s degree, and we’re very proud of her. Baby J is crawling and pulling up, so he was the center of attention most of the time. We never lack for entertainment! 🙂

I heard “Things Mothers Say” on KLTY radio. Let me share with you:

  • “Can’t” means “Won’t” (a friend told me yesterday that her mother said that, too, all the time when she was growing up)
  • Pretty is as pretty does.
  • Pretty girls are a dime a dozen – get an education!
  • Anything worth having is worth waiting for!

Here are some my mother-in-law said to my husband while he was growing up:

  • Wash your neck and ears.
  • If you act as good as you look, then you’ll be OK.
  • Pick up your room.

I asked our son and daughter if they could remember anything I said, and they couldn’t. Actually, our daughter, “C,” said she’d have to think.

Are there any sayings you would like to share?

We Needed “Closed Captioning”

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When our daughter was in high school, one of her best friends who is deaf was over at our house a lot. In fact, many times we would have a whole group of kids over at our house to watch a movie. Or instead of having four at the supper table, we might have six, seven, or eight. (I learned to cook extra if I thought there was a chance extra kids might be there.) On movie nights, it was vital that we had closed captioning so that our daughter’s friend could understand the movie, too. It was wonderful to have that available so we could all enjoy the movie together!

If anyone has something they would like closed captioning added to, there are people at a company called Video Caption Corporation who can do that. That is really cool!

Kathy Tagged Me…

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I was tagged by Kathy from Is 8 Enough?

Here are the rules:

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

************

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?

I was teaching first grade in public school. Our daughter had one more year of high school, so we were already doing all the things like senior pictures, etc. My mother’s health was not very good, so I would get her to all her doctor’s appointments and help her with things.

2) What are five things on your to-do list for today?

(Since today is just about over, these are on my list for tomorrow:)

Do volunteer work tomorrow morning at the Benevolent Center &  run errands.

Do laundry and start the beginnings of spring cleaning. (My mother-in-law is supposed to come visit for a week June 3rd. I have a LOT to do between now and then!)

Tutor at 4:00;  Cook supper. (something with chicken)

Do a lesson in Beth Moore’s “Believing God” study. (a group of us girls get together at a friend’s house on Thurs.nights to watch video & go over lessons)

3) What snacks do I enjoy?

Nuts which are so healthy: natural almonds are my favorite (I eat nuts every day!)

Ants on a Log which is a satisfying snack (daughter “C” and I have eaten lots of those through the years!)

Fiber One “Oats & Chocolate” Chewy Granola Bars (really good & 9 grams of fiber)

Hot-air popped popcorn drizzled with EVOO and sea salt

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire?

First, pray for wisdom in using it! 🙂 I would love to help Foster’s Children’s Home and other children’s homes, missionary hospitals and schools in poor areas, and help people who come to the Benevolent Center. Of course, I’d want to set up a college fund for Baby J and give some to our kids.

5) Three Bad Habits

I stay up too late, don’t exercise regularly like I should, and sometimes slouch when I’m sitting at the computer.

6) 5 places I have lived…

Texas, Texas, Texas, Texas, & Texas…LOL (I guess I’ll always be a Texas gal.)

7) 5 Jobs I have had

Babysitter (in high school), College cafeteria worker (in college)

Teacher (Special Ed, first grade, second grade, first & second grade bridge class)

Part-time at a flower shop ( I’m supposed to work two days this week for Mother’s Day)

Private tutorer (which I do now)

Six people I want to know more about…

Valmg known for “Four Foods on Fridays” & always giving links to participants – we appreciate you Valmg! (I’d like to find out more about FFoF friends. I wanted to pick more, but maybe some of these will tag the others.)

Blueyes , Tina Kubala , Corrin , Val , & Skeet (who gets to enjoy the beauty of Hawaii every day – let’s all go visit Skeet!)