<3 Terri

More Movie Trivia

2009-01-14T20:00:00.007-06:00

OK, so I stole this from my own daughter, Lauren. Her friends and I have had such fun guessing her quotes I thought it would be fun on my blog site, too.

1. Pick 10 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb.com and find quotes for those movies. Post them.
3. Have friends try to guess which movies the quotes come from.
4. When someone gets it right, bold the quote and put the title of the movie.

*Have fun!

Movie #1

Person #1 : What do you want to be married to me for, anyhow?

Person #2 : So I can kiss you anytime I want.

Movie #2

Creme brulee can never be Jell-O. YOU could never be Jell-O.

Movie #3

Person #1: "They're Italian."

Person #2: "Now they're practical."

Lauren guessed this right off, one of my all-time favorites "Romancing the Stone"

Movie#4

"Besides, that whole see-through blouse, colored-bra thing... reads a little, you know, desperate, older gal, trying to hard. Don't you think? Yeah, you want to make him work for it."

Movie#5

"Yes, you do have an attitude. If you didn't have an attitude, you would not have raised your voice at me now would you?"

Movie#6

"You are a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity. Farewell."

Lauren, once again, got this one right away, she has endured "Toy Story " no less than a gazillion times.

Movie#7

"Mom, I'm truly not comfortable having this conversation with you. I've been telling you that since I was eleven. "

Movie#8

"Yeah. French writer. Total loser. Never had a real job. Unrequited love affairs. Gay. Spent 20 years writing a book almost no one reads. But he's also probably the greatest writer since Shakespeare. Anyway, he uh... he gets down to the end of his life, and he looks back and decides that all those years he suffered, Those were the best years of his life, 'cause they made him who he was. All those years he was happy? You know, total waste. Didn't learn a thing. So, if you sleep until you're 18... Ah, think of the suffering you're gonna miss. I mean high school? High school-those are your prime suffering years. You don't get better suffering than that."

Movie#9

"Some men are Baptists, others Catholics; my father was an Oldsmobile man."

I didn't think it possible to slip this one by Lauren, as "A Christmas Story" is one of our family favorites, a must see at Christmas!

Movie#10

"Oh, don't be silly - EVERYONE wants this. Everyone wants to be *us*."

Movie #11

"If I were writing this, this is where I would write "an awkward moment". "

Girls Weekend 2008- more to come :)

2008-11-09T22:17:00.002-06:00

Girls Weekend 2008- Corpus Christi

Eat, Drink, and Be Girly!

3 Friends and a baby! (in our traditional matching PJ's)

Nana's nights out........

2008-10-29T20:11:00.013-05:00

Future BAND boy, no doubt!

I LOVE October, such beautiful weather with a crispness in the air, the sky is clearer and, of course, I love the colors and smells this time of year.... pumpkin spice candles burning, seeing a Harvest Moon take up the whole sky, smelling burning leaves in the country, autumn chowder, getting to wear a long sleeve sweater, turning on the heater for the first time, moving the "winter" clothes to the closet and putting away the "summer" clothes, the anticipation of seeing family at upcoming holidays. Love it!

Other exciting things about this time of year include high school football games. {Truthfully, it was hard to attend football games after Lauren graduated until Kendall was in band, and then hard again after he graduated, not being a part of the parental community support. We have enjoyed a couple of Katy Tiger playoff games since then, that are fun in their own right as spirited community traditions}.

I have been blessed to go with my friend Kelly, and her two precious sons, to two of the B****s High School games this year, one away, and one home game. Great fun for me to have a Nana date with Keynan and Parker. Keynan is a trip... he is such a Band groupie. Walking up to the ticket booth, sensing the crowd, hearing the band warming up, Keynan starts getting excited and saying "Band"!!!! Walking up the bleachers he waved to the kids and said "Hi BAND!". We had great fun sharing popcorn and climbing stairs and, of course, jiving with the band music. He has rhythm!! During the first game, Tyler and I put him in the middle of a tuba, with a BHS hat on for a photo op, awesome picture, ought to make the yearbook (would I'm sure if Uncle Leland was teaching Journalism at BHS). The Tuba is Keynan's all time favorite. We had to leave this last game early as Parker was teething and it was becoming rather cold, Keynan did NOT want to leave the game (i.e., band) before it was over! Needless to say, I look forward to more Nana dates with the boys :)

It is fun to watch Tyler as the band director, as well. He is like a kid in a candy store much of the time (except for the stressful times of having to supervise the kids who were late and answering to the parents questions about why THEIR child is sitting out). He gets to play his trombone with the band when he wants (that doesn't happen at 5A schools), assists the drum majorette in deciding which songs to play, etc...., gets to play the cowbell (I had to ask Kelly what that instrument was) and in general teach the kids how to have a good time while they are supporting their school. I was very impressed with his program, the field performance, and the sound and strength of the band for it's size. I'm really gonna miss hearing the band this weekend, they are playing "Thriller" for the game on Halloween.

Tyler playing the cow bell during a peppy fight song!

Too, it has been nice to make a new friend. Kelly and Tyler are Lauren and Scott's ages, and are brother and sister-in-law to some of Lauren and Scott's best friends- Leland and Harmony. Kelly and I have a lot in common (Christianity, scrapbooking, resale shopping, etc...) and I look forward to spending more time with her!

Mini she and me!

2008-10-07T14:42:00.010-05:00

So, I got to spend Hurricane Ike pre and post with the grandkids. I had great fun, got to "work" in a flower shop one evening (after the kids were in bed) putting letters on mum ribbons and making the "Homecoming King" sash for a local high school. I went up to be with Lauren at Inspirations while she was finishing up a late nights work (we got home at 11:30 pm)

Here is Will with the garter Lauren made him...........

During the days it was my good fortune and JOY to be able to keep the kids, get the kids ready for bed, etc.... while Scott and Lauren went about their busy daily activities.

Will had fun riding the colorful Thomas bike I brought him from Katy (I had bought it this summer and he rode it a little bit in July). Claire LOVED the streamers, her favorite part of the bike, for sure!

Claire-playing with the streamers-

After the homecoming rush and football game, Lauren and I took the kids to Midland (shopping with us!) on Saturday (Scott was left home alone to study). The promise was to get a Frosty at Wendy's if Will was cooperative during the trip, through several stores. Thankfully, Gymboree in Midland had a kids area to help him pass the time, I bought Claire a plastic bracelet there to keep her occupied. Finally, our trip to Wendy's culminated our day,,,, we waited in line for about 10 minutes before we ordered, only to find out they were out of chocolate so we had to get vanilla frosty's. (I am a choco freak, but the vanilla WAS quite good- tastes like the old Dairy Queen ice cream).

Then on to Target, for a quick (?) errand by Lauren, while I stayed with the kids in the car. Mini me point #1 -Claire more than held her own with the ice cream, she ate at least half of my Wendy's (vanilla) frosty (16-20oz). Then she saw her momma's frosty and wanted IT!!! She had one tiny bite after another, without stopping, until she had eaten about 1/3 of Lauren's frosty by herself and Lauren came back to the van. Crazy,,,, and I thought I loved ice cream.. she is definitely MY granddaughter.

mini me point #2---- I had brought a box of goodies for the kids with me to Big Spring, one of the things for Claire was a pair of navy shoes from gymboree. The strap is green and has a yellow sunflower that velcros to the shoe to strap it on. Claire LOVED her new shoes, putting them on and taking them off.... which she did everytime she saw them througout the days I was there. She is QUITE the shoe hound. Lauren told me she had taken Claire into a Payless store and that she had to leave because Claire was hyperventilating seeing all the shoes!!!! Hilarious, again definitely my granddaughter, he he. I told Scott about it, and he said "Oh nO, oh well at least it was Payless".

I am mailing a box of stuff for the kids this afternoon, including for Claire- three precious pairs of shoes for her to love!!

Claire is looking and acting more and more like Lauren everyday, the wispy blonde hair, the girly stuff, loving books, the sweet affection (note: not the climbing though- Lauren would never do anything where she could fall, get hurt, etc...). So, looks like we have a "mini she and me" on our hands, watch out world!~

.... And Nature Sings ??...........

2008-08-12T10:02:00.011-05:00

Tim searching for Mr. Toad & Co.

The Sunday night Toad Quartet

The good news is, when your kids are out of the house and responsible, you don't have to worry when the phone rings at 12:00 midnight. They are not out driving when the crazies are out, they are not calling with car trouble, or to tell you they're running late coming home. For empty

nesters, especially ones like us with 4 dogs (courtesy of Kendall's soft heart) it means the dogs have gotten out or are too loud. Actually, we put them in the garage at night so they have soft beds and good airflow, right, who am I kidding, it's because they are the neighborhood alarm system when a siren sounds or with any kind of lights flashing in the night.

So, imagine my suprise when the phone rang right at midnight Sunday night. We had been in bed just 15 minutes or so (us old folks were watching the Olympics) and Tim's phone went off. Since I wasn't going to work because I'm sick, I got up to spare him having to. I saw the number on the phone and saw that it was 347----- and handed the phone to Tim as I said " I think it's one of the neighbors". ( Hey, my night-time courtesy only goes so far!) As he's still wearing his CPAP facemask he listens and then tells the neighbor that the noise they are hearing is the toads in our backyard. The noise HAS been pretty bad the last couple of weeks. It intially sounds like a ceiling fan WAY off balance, making a loud grating noise. Tim has the CPAP machine which puts out air and a good "white" noise and I wear ear plugs, so we can tolerate the croaking, but honestly, I have been suprised that no one's complained sooner. Our good friends and neighbors behind us, that we talk to almost daily, have never said a word..... I digress. Anyway, next thing Tim is out searching for toads wearing his little headstrap light; it straps on his head and gives him light from the forehead area. I think some joggers wear them, he got it to wear when he's working on something so no one has to hold the light for him. So, he is thrashing through the banana plants and then doing a perimeter search of the fenceline to find the offending croakers. This was too good an opportunity for me to pass up recording exactly HOW LOUD the crazy toads can get, so I grabbed my camera to record at least the sound. I think I scared him to death when he parted the leaves and saw me standing there, HA! We looked around for a good 15-20 minutes and Tim caught 4 toads; the bucket they're in is a chlorine tablet bucket for the pool, that holds 35 lbs.!! I'm sure Tim missed Kendall that night, because this is something they used to do together often & Kendall was really good at finding the toads (sometimes they would have more than 10 at a time to relocate). BTW: I don't touch frogs, I'm not even good at locating them, I was just out there for moral support. Poor Tim, by the time he got back from relocating the caught toads to our neighborhood bayou, the remaining toads were croaking again,,,, my response was to turn on the flood lights in the backyard, direct the lights at the pond, and go to bed. Light seems to dampen the croaking substantially; Tim was good with that answer since it was 12:30 and he had to get up for work, so he showered and called it a night. What a crazy night.... really made me miss Kendall!!

Here's the audio, the toads start up good and loud at about 1:18............you're not going to believe it unless you listen!

Spanish Eggs and Doors

2008-08-10T20:45:00.013-05:00

Welcome to our home........... Our front door looks new again !!!

the area stained by Gibron, who "work(ed) at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men"

Stain on the door inset, by the first guy that restained the door.......... splotchy and pooling :{

We've been needing to have our front door refinished for about 1 1/2 years now, it faces west and takes an afternoon beating from the sun. I had tried several times to call the guy who restained the door the first time several years ago. He did a wonderful job and was very reasonable; he also put the original stain on our custom built french doors in the living room, matching the stain PERFECTLY. His name is Heuve. Like I said, I had called the number we had for him and the person who answered spoke mostly spanish and said no, it was the wrong number.

So, we had basically given up on finding Heuve. One Sunday after church, our Bible class went out to eat together, during the course of lunch we got the name of someone who had done our friend's door. We called this guy and made plans for Tim to stay home from work and let the guy restain the door. This is the ONLY contractor who has ever shown up at the time he said he would, so we were encouraged about that. When I drove up that afternoon and then came to look at the door, I was literally sick. It looked terrible. Fortunately, he wasn't done and Tim had only paid him half of the stated amount. The door looked streaky and splotchy, like it had pooled in some areas and was much darker than we had wanted. The weather was bad for a few days and then the grandkids were coming and I didn't want them smelling the urethane fumes, so I was able to put him off until I could get the nerve to fire him. I called my SIL Scott for support in how to word the firing. The guy had already majorly insulted us by telling Tim and then me, that the door was the problem, that it was LAMINATE!!! Uuhh, NO, the door cost a large fortune and is solid wood. So, I successfully told him there was no need to come back. We were OK being out the $162.50 knowing that we would not have to live with the door the way we didn't want it, chalked it up to a mistake that we made.

So, I tried the number I had for Heuve again... I actually said the name (who-ve') this time and lo and behold, it WAS his number... I think I must have said his name (whey-vo) the first time I called and the family didn't recognize my very poor spanish!!!! So, he came out, with his Brother Gibron and said yes, the door was a mess. They could redo it for less than what we were going to pay the first guy. Gibron came out stripped the door, sanded the door, resanded the door, stained the door.... told us it was not to his satisfaction, so re-stripped the door, resanded the door (a little) and restained the door. It is perfect, just what we wanted. Oh, and by the way, he insisted on painting the fancy woodwork trim around the door (forget the name for that)! We really appreciated Gibron taking the time to be proud of his work and that his own expectations were so high. So, that is my saga of the door.

Gibron is going to come reapply the urethane whenever we need it for a marginal cost.... We would be most happy to recommend him for anyone needing a door done right :) He works full-time for a remodeling company and does his work on the side............. He truly works as unto the Lord, Colossians 3:23 and we couldn't be happier with him and his work.

this program is interrupted...........

2008-07-14T22:03:00.008-05:00

I am in fear of my daughter cancelling my blog again, so I feel I must post......

I know you've all seen pictures on Lauren's blog of our WONDERFUL vacation in Panama City Beach and Destin, Florida. If you haven't, go see her blog.

Then July 2-9 Lauren and kids were at our house while Scott was on back to back weeklong trips with his youth group. We thoroughly enjoyed their visit and were quite sad to see them go!! Nana always has a hard time letting go, especially if the next visit is not already somewhat scheduled.

I had bought a bike for Will for him to enjoy riding here, he played with it some, but much preferred to be in the pool as much as possible. He is a regular "fish", though he is so literal he denies "being" a fish, but rather agrees that he can "swim like a fish". He also enjoyed playing over the course of the week in a huge box that I cut into a playhouse for him. (simple/cheap/fun)

Claire was just precious,,, we were able to celebrate her ONE year old birthday several times. We had a great family party at the lake (my aunt & uncle's house) and she LOVED the happy birthday song! Good thing, too, we sang it to her about 25 times over the course of all of her parties and various photo shoots. Her party theme was cupcakes, she had a giant cupcake for her birthday cake (the rest of the guests had little ones)! Hopefully, Lauren will post some pictures of the lake party with the decorations that we took to celebrate (since my camera was "lost" in the floor board of her car the whole trip), oops.

Work has been work.... Crazy surgery schedule in July, I guess people trying to recover before school starts, while family can take care of them, before July 4 was especially crazy.

We did get to stop by Austin and see Callahan's where Kendall works, shop a bit, then met Kendall and Stephanie for dinner before getting back on the road. We got to see their GORGEOUS pictures of their Montana and Wyoming trip, quite spectacular. I had not seen Kendall since April, MUCH too long for a momma to see her young. It did my heart good to see him happy and doing well.

I love reading your blogs and keeping up with your families, it makes the world seem so much smaller, the distances closer, and keeps our hearts joined at the heartstrings <3

Tagged!

2008-05-14T21:44:00.002-05:00

I've Been Tagged!

This tag is easy and different-

Here is how it works:

1) Grab the book closest to you

2) Open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence

3) Post the text of the following three sentences

4) Name the author and book title

5) Tag three people to do the same

"Yes, he is different---and that is a good thing to cherish and nurture. The very fact that we call dyslexia a "disability" reveals that we do not view this neurological condition as a gift. Nevertheless, like anything in life, we can choose to view dyslexia from an optimistic perspective or a pessimistic perspective (the glass is half full or half empty)."

from the secret life of the dyslexic child. how she thinks. how he feels. how they can succeed. by robert frank, ph.d.

I tag Lauren, Daphne, and Tami......

sleeping with a petri dish............

2008-04-24T10:54:00.008-05:00

I am home sick today after feeling crummy most of the week. Yesterday, after telling one of my Dr. friends that I slept with Will (my grandson) the two nights he was here, said "don't you know that kids are little petri dishes!" (even so, snuggling with my grandson was totally worth the inconvenience of a cold...) Hence, the title of the post....................

It was a joy to have Lauren, Will, and Claire here for the weekend. It was a duel purpose quick trip as she needed to pick up our Expedition for our trip to the beach in May and was also here for a drill team reunion. We had a fast and furious weekend. We got to visit with my mom & dad, have dinner with close friends and neighbors, ger Lauren a mani/pedi at Nails by Lee, attend church together, meet our sunday school class, take a few pictures at the church garden, go to the reunion, and spent as much time in the pool/jacuzzi as time allowed. Will LOVES the pool and took to the water like a little fish. Pictures of both the kids in their new Gymboree duds are above, I tried to get them below the post, but blogger and I are disagreeing today & I give up!

Kendall and Stephanie were here for the weekend too. There was a horse reigning show at the Equestrian center that they were interested in and attended on Saturday, after they had an anniversary lunch at PF Chang's. Kendall spent a lot of time in the pool with Will, making a wave pool for his pleasure. Although, Kendall and Stephie's time with us was limited, Steph did finally get to meet Kendall's sister. Kendall, Steph & I went shopping for swim suits, etc... at Katymills after Tim, Lauren & the kids left. (Tim drove Lauren & kids home and flew home to Houston on Monday).

treasuring the moments :)

2008-04-01T21:44:00.004-05:00

Tim and Terri 31 years together :)

Kendall and Stephie

Several thoughts on my mind lately. First of all, I lost a friend and ex-coworker/boss last week. Matt (46) died of an apparent heart attack at his home on Monday. He was an energetic and compassionate nurse, was full of life and fun, loved to laugh and was a good friend to his friends. We entertained thoughts of him at work last week, remembering special moments that he made fun and memorable. He was estranged from the family he was born into because of lifestyle choices he made; his friends became his family. At his viewing Thursday and his service Friday we shared about Matt. I think his family who came learned a lot about the person he was, and what endeared him to so many. He will be greatly missed. It is amazing how the people who should be the closest to you, can not even know who you are. His family definitely missed out :(

So, 1) make a will..... 2) live like there's no tomorrow, 3) be the best _____ you can be today..... That's what I'm striving for, to be the best nurse, best wife, best mother (and MIL), best nana, best friend, best Christian, best daughter, best daughter-in-law, and sister that I can be. I know that I don't give my all sometimes and live like I have all the time in the world. I'm going to treasure the moments more than I have and make sure that my focus is on heavenly treasures.

Next thought, Tim and my anniversary is tomorrow~~~~~~ 31 years together! I love that word and I'm so proud that we are still together. It hasn't always been easy, but we have taken the time and made the commitment to love one another til death do us part. No special plans, other than a mani and pedi appointment for us together tomorrow (his request :) !! ) He did buy me flowers for no reason a couple of weeks ago. I'm proud of the heritage of lengthy and loving marriages and basic stick-to-it-iv-ness that we were taught- that, and the similar family values and our faith in God have really been a strong base in our relationship.

Lastly, above is a picture of my son, Kendall, and his girlfriend Stephanie. Stephanie is an accomplished equestrian and has her degree in equine science. They are having great fun together working with horses and playing on her farm in their spare time. They will be here in Katy in April, the same weekend Lauren's bunch will be here, so Stephanie and Lauren can finally meet.

Finally, I love my red blackberry curve, so cool!!! basically a phone with internet!.... EXCEPT that it randomly dials people occasionally. I have accidentally dialed my mom several times (God is telling me to call her, I suppose) and tried to call Sam in Thailand and Paul in Chad, Africa.... I guess my next phone bill will tell me if I got them :<>

later....

Sandcastles with Gymboree Nana

2008-03-15T21:09:00.009-05:00

We are anxiously looking forward to vacationing with Lauren's family in May, at our favorite beach in Destin, Florida. I have been busy buying out Gymboree, will try to post a picture of the clothes I have bought for the grandkids. What fun I've had, trying to make sure they are the best dressed little ones in Big Spring and at the beach this summer! They each have 3 new swimsuits and assorted shirts and hats. Their easter basket is in the shape of a sand bucket filled with sand toys, Easter candy & books.

Gymboree nana loot:

This aging process~

2008-01-02T21:20:00.000-06:00

4 generations at Thanksgiving!

(You know you're old when........ this is my evening so far!!)

You know you're old when you eat dinner at Cracker Barrel at 5:30

You see a lady who has lived 2 doors down from you for the last 21years and think "she looks familiar" (I did recognize her husband--- for Lauren- the Kings)

You watch the "history of television" on TV on the history channel, and some of them were your favorite shows growing up: I Love Lucy, Andy Griffith, and Dick Van Dyke (in black & white)\

You have a soft moment (for your sons dogs) and pet each one in front of the fireplace

(You know I had a lot to sweep up, after 10 minutes with each dog, one at a time OF COURSE!)

The most exciting part of the evening is washing 2 of the 4 dogs

Your facial masque doesn't peel off after 10 minutes, it soaks in...

You go to bed at 9:30

The best parts about being gray?? Pictures like the above. What a joy to be a parent of Lauren, a beautiful inside and out, young Christian wife, mother and friend who has her own precious family and is in such a great time of her life right now. Kendall is living independently (mostly), making his way in the world, making the world a better place by his kindnesses and compassion and is happy! Tim and I are looking into the same faces we did 31 years ago, and growing older and wiser together, planning for retirement and loving each other, our family, and friends along the way. Life is good~! God is good!~

I had a good day at work today, my first day really back at work after having sinusitis and the stomach flu, etc.... I'm not sure what I had, but I felt really cruddy.

Keep Lauren & family in your prayers as they are all still recuperating from the crud after Christmas. It is so hard being far away from them and unable to help them out. Praise God that their lovely Christian friends helped them through the weekend (God bless the Bibbs). Aren't friends grand!!!!!!...... what a blessing we have to have good friends in our lives.

My aunt Nelda (a very young 69ish aunt) fell and broke her hip last Friday and had surgery yesterday. This is the same aunt that lost her husband to cancer last Jan. and her son to diabetes in Dec. She is one that I asked for prayers in an earlier blog to soften her heart to Jesus's healing and love. So keep praying, thanks :)

2007-12-20T08:10:00.000-06:00

I've Been Tagged!
I was tagged by my daughter Lauren

1. Name: Terri Lynn Watson Reed

2. Birthday: October 9

3. Birthplace: Houston, Texas

4. Eye Color: green

5. Hair Color: remains dark brown with the help of my colorist

6. Height: 5'8"

7. Ethnicity: Anglo

8. Weakness: shoes, Christmas decorations, clothes for Claire, things I think my kids need

9. Most missed memory: my childhood, and Lauren & Kendall as babes in arms

10. Thoughts first waking up: "No, I don’t wanna get up yet".

11. Last time you cried: thinking about how much I love Tracey and that she’s leaving soon

12. Song title that currently says how you feel: “ It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”

13. What is the perfect day for you: sleeping until I wake up naturally, lounging in my pj’s, Spending the day with my family, nice enough weather to do something outside

14. Ever been asked for an autograph? Don’t think so

15. How do you vent anger? I think about it, analyze it and then do have to say something, even if I’m alone.

16. Who do you talk to most on the phone? Kendall, he likes to talk on the phone and calls frequently. Secondly, Scott, when we talk we have long conversations. Tim and Lauren don’t like to talk much on the phone.

17. As a kid, were you a lego builder? Legos weren’t around yet, Lincoln logs were, in the same small tin.

18. Do you chew on your straws? Nope, only use straws at restaurants and for take out

19. Do you sing in the shower? nah

20. Who's the last person you stayed up late talking to on the phone to? Kendall

21. The last place you went to in a plane? Midland

22. Do you cry at weddings? Sometimes, if there is a super-sweet moment that really grabs me.

23. Are you afraid of the dark? No

24. What are you addicted to? Diet Dr. Pepper, buying clothes for Claire, coffee is a must in the morning, chocolate

25. Crunchy or creamy peanut butter? creamy

26. Who do you fight with the most? We don’t really fight, we spar. I guess Tim because he is around me most, we tend to get in each other’s way doing things in the house.

27. Who can you tell anything to? Tim, Lauren, Tracey, Daphne, Traci, Penny, my hairdresser-Amanda

28. Do you recycle? Marginally, all the aluminum cans, plastic, and newspaper is picked up in front of our house 1 day a week.

29. Who makes you laugh the most? Will. The kid is hilarious.

30. What is the worst feeling ever? Not being able to help someone you love either with a physical or emotional issue

31. How many pillows do you sleep with? I use two

32. How many rings before you answer your phone? How many ever it takes to find it in my purse, I often have to call the person back.

33. How many times do you press the "snooze" button? 0-1 depending on the time I’ve allowed.

34. How do you sleep? Well, and often. As far as positions, I start out on my side and often wake up on my back.

35. Last time you laughed: with Tracey & Daphne at our slumber party

36. Ever looked at someone ugly and said “Eww”: I have thought “oh my goodness, that poor person” and known that it was either a genetic defect or from surgery. I have felt sorry that they couldn’t afford to make it better. I have seen one truly ugly baby, where it was an uncomfortable moment (for me) to think of something generic to say, like “oh, a baby” or “you must be so proud”!

I never make a face or stare regardless, nurses don’t do that.

37. What is your favorite color? Green, so many shades. I like maroon also.

38. What is your favorite state? Texas, so much diversity of people and nature

I tag Daphne, Julie, and Tracey

La Centerra with Thailand Tracey

2007-12-05T16:11:00.000-06:00

Beautiful Texas sunset!!

Starbucks at La Centerra/Friends are forever!!

Tim and I have been so blessed to have Tracey using our home as home base as of last Saturday night when she landed in Texas. Of course, most of her time is with her precious daughter, but I will take whatever time I can get while she's in Texas! We've had a great time visiting in our jammies, decorating my house for Christmas and just catching up on her Thailand adventures. The pictures above are from Sunday night when we went to La Centerra in Cinco Ranch to hear the Kingsland chorus at the "town square". What a beautiful sunset we witnessed together, with pretty holiday music and Starbucks in hand. I introduced her to Gymboree and Claire scored two more cute outfits....

Today, Tim and I went to the funeral of my only older cousin on my mom's side. He passed away Saturday morning after being in and out of ICU's for 2 months due to diabetes and complications. He had such a big heart and was such a gentle, sweet and trusting person. He taught our family how to give generously despite having personal difficulties. He always reminded me of of Elvis, as in Presley. His hair was dark and wavy like Elvis and his facial build was very similiar. My aunt has already lost her husband this year, so this has been particularly difficult for her. Please pray for her peace and that she can begin a relationship with the greatest comforter, Jesus.

Next on our agenda, we are off to San Antonio for the weekend to spend it with Tim's mom; Kendall will meet us there on Saturday after work. Sunday is the 4th anniversary of the unexpected death of Tim's dad and Kendall likes to remember Grandpa John by being out on the farm where John lived and passed peacefully to his eternal life.

Keeping up with the grandkids!

2007-11-29T21:10:00.000-06:00

Here are pictures of the grandchildren- our little angel and our little busy boy. Yes, I know the picture of Will has his eyes closed, but it is really hard to get a picture of him remotely still. He is not hyper, just busy. We had great fun playing pool balls, watching cartoons on cable, visiting with family, riding rides and playing games at Chuck E. Cheese's. He talks so well, he is amazing for his age. His latest thing is to ask "so, how's it going? and how is your family?" in a very concerned and sincere tone!! (he even asked HIS mother this, which was a riot!)

Claire is so much fun to dress up and to hold. She loves to stare at you and has the most beautiful toothless baby smiles, it just melts your heart. We are so blessed to have the both of them for our grandchildren, their parents are pretty special in our hearts, too. Can't wait to see them at Christmas time in Big Spring in a few weeks.

My friend Tracey, who lives in Thailand currently, will be flying into Texas this Saturday. She will spend most of her time here in Katy before Sam joins her on December 15. Then they will stay at our house while we are in Big Spring during Christmas, we're excited that we can share our home with them and look forward to this special time.

Talking Turkey

2007-11-25T21:19:00.000-06:00

Well, I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving... we all have so much to be thankful for. We were so blessed to have Lauren & Scott and the kids with us over the holidays. Kendall was not able to be with us and he was sorely missed. Though, it was convenient for Will to have his own room and bed at Nana's.

We had a great time with family at my mom & dad's house on Thursday. Lots of good food and good company and a fun family project to work on. Above is the picture of my dad showing the turkey to Claire! She is such a doll, and so photogenic. We basically had a very low key weekend... Lauren & I went shopping a bit after I got home from work on Friday. The bleary, blustery weather provided good shopping weather, though we had fun just being together, doing a little shopping with Claire in tow. Both of us have a good start on our shopping; Lauren & Scott also ventured out together to return for one sale and to puruse Bass Pro Shop and have the Starbucks experience.

We were able to have a fire burning in the fireplace most of the weekend since it was so chilly. The weather and the overcast skies did help everyone sleep in later in the mornings, which everyone enjoyed. Plus, chicken and dumplings were extra tasty with the weather as it was.

The weather is still so bad in West Texas that Lauren & Scott stayed here until this afternoon and are drove to San Antonio late this afternoon to stay with her Grandma for the night. Then on to home tomorrow, as the snow and ice melt away. Will has missed his first opportunity of the year to make a snowman, <:, maybe he'll have another chance. For our last afternoon, we took Will to Chuck E. Cheese for his kind of fun. A great time was had by all :), then home for naps for the kids and the jacuzzi for the mom & dad.

Tim & I thoroughly enjoyed our time with family and really feel like we had a good long weekend to be together and be thankful for our blessings.

looking ahead

2007-11-14T20:25:00.000-06:00

The view we'll have from our breakfast room and from our back porch!!!!!!

Tim and I had a getaway weekend Sunday afternoon through Monday evening. We tried out a new (to us) B & B near our property south of Canyon Lake. This is a picture of the main house with the cottage we stayed in off to the right, we had a relaxing and fun time together.

This B & B was The Firefly Inn (formerly Aunt Nora's) and is approximately 6 miles from our land. We drove by the land as the sun was setting and then checked in at the Inn. I carried our bags as Tim is still restricted to how much he can carry after his back surgery. We met Tim's brother & sister in law in Gruene at the Grist Mill where Tim & I had the ribs.... yum, they literally fell off of the bone. We had a great time visiting with Paul & Shirley before Paul goes back to Chad next week. Gruene is a really neat place, very laid back, we listened to the music flowing from Gruene Hall, the lights for Christmas are up in the town square and the weather was great for sitting outside on the patio.

The next morning, the most scrumptuous breakfast was delivered to our cottage door, yum, yum. Then we sat on the porch in the porch swing and read the paper, etc.... Then off to explore the parks on the south side of Canyon Lake. We were searching for fishing spots for Kendall and fun places to take the grandkids. We found Crane's Mill Park and looked across the lake at Mystic Shores where Paul & Shirley have retirement property. They will begin building soon, they already have their finalized house plans. We, on the other hand, have a good basic idea of what we want in our retirement home and I have a plan I love right now, but it will be awhile before we can build and, therefore, are in the dreaming stages.

Then we went to our land and checked out the property, checked out the survey flags, checked out the view with binoculars, walked it, dreamed of where the house would be, etc...

This picture is off the deck of the vacant house on our street, similar to what our view off our porch or deck will be!

What the view from our front door will look like!

After we "played" on our land, we drove back to the B&B and checked out and drove to "Havenwood", a property in New Braunfels developed by the same parent company that developed our neigborhood ("Mountain Springs Ranch") and checked out the model home of the builder whose plans I like best at this point in our dream. We actually got to meet one of the owners/founders and loved the model and the quality of the home. From there we drove to Cracker Barrel and had a late lunch and then to a few select stores at the outlet malls at San Marcus for some goodies for the grandkids.

We had a great trip and FUN, Fun, fun dreaming & enjoying time together!

Tim returned to work today and put in a full day. He is doing great after his surgery. Thanks for thinking of us during these last few weeks!

Tonight, please pray for our long time friends Sam & Tracey and their daughter Vanessa. Vanessa was hospitalized last night and is in the middle months of her pregnancy. Exciting news of the day was that they are having a GIRL and she is fine on all counts. OOps, there's a lot of blue stuff going back!

We are looking so forward to having Lauren, Scott, Will & Claire here (Claire for the first time, of course) next week at Thanksgiving. My extended family is just beside themselves to get to soak up the kids for the day. Unfortunately, Kendall will not get to join us as he is a part of the retail world these days....., he will be missed :(

It's almost Thanksgiving and how thankful we are for all that God has blessed us with: Our family, our friends, our home, our faith, our jobs, our country,....our cup runneth over...........

Thursday Thirteen

2007-10-25T20:47:00.000-05:00

(& What Precious grandkids I have...........)

Fall is my favorite time of year, I love the colors & the smells :)

The weather has been gorgeous!!

Tomorrow is Tim's back surgery

Please remember to pray for us

Tim's brother, Paul, has been hospitalized in Paris, France while trying to get home to New Braunfels (from Chad, Africa) for his 28 days off

It was thought he had a blood clot in his leg, but has turned out to be an infection

Please pray for Paul and his wife Shirley, too.

Kendall is enjoying his job at Shepler's in Austin

He knows how to block hats and is learning how to make the hat crown creases

Claire is teething & Will is potty training & Lauren is a great mommy

I have made significant progress in Christmas shopping!

I need to order my Christmas paper from Current

My porch fall decorations are really pretty :> Come see them!

101-202 things you never knew about me......

2007-10-10T17:05:00.000-05:00

August is so hot in Houston that I don’t go outside and bother watering my potted plants, I just let them die

I used to have nightmares about being in small covered places I.e., like stuck under the bed, in a culvert, under an old house crawl space.

When I was little I couldn’t sleep if my closet door was open, it had to be all the way shut

There was an episode of Fix up that house with a plumber under the crawl space of an old house & I couldn’t watch it.

My Grandpa was the preacher at my church when I was young and he baptized me.

I was in the choir in high school and won a 1st place medal in a quartet at UIL

I was the video drama director/cinematographer/producer for the teens at church for 2 years - 01’ +& 02’ and we had rave reviews from judges at the LTC conference and the kids all won gold medals for their work

I own 37 pairs of shoes (I guessed the first time around)

I used to go country and western dancing when I was a teenager
I don’t know how to upload the pictures from my digital camera

I wore contacts only for about 13 years, I didn’t even own a back up pair of glasses

I get migraines a couple of times a month :<

I sleep with my socks on

I almost drowned in Lake Houston when I was young, my mom pulled me up by my hair

I have 2 magazine subscriptions: Better Homes and Gardens, Traditional Homes

I spent a lot of time reading in a willow tree in my backyard as a young girl

I am currently reading "Eat, Pray, Love"

I used to go to Sunday lunch with my Grandparents to Piccadilly cafeteria. to KFC or home to dinner if guests were coming

My hair has an annoying wave that runs at an angle across the back of my head

It has given my hairdressers fits over the years

I was a daddy’s girl

I was a tomboy

I played outside in the yards & in the forest near our house.

Chase, red rover and kickball were my favorites

I had mostly guy neighborhood friends

My two neighborhood girlfriends were both named Jenny

I got bucked off my cousin’s horse twice in one day, into a clothesline, and into a pig pen

I wanted to enjoy our pool a lot this summer, but it was the wettest summer ever

Going to the rodeo once every 3 years is enough for me
Baseball is my favorite professional sport

The Astros are my favorite team

I attended the NLCS play-off game in 86 and sat through the entire 13inning game against the Mets

I saw the Rockets in the NBA playoffs in 94 & 95

I saw Loggins and Messina in concert as a teenage

I took Lauren to see James Taylor in concert when she was a tween (Tim is a big fan~ but he was sick & unable to go

I saw Fleetwood Mac in concert at the Summit in Houston and it was awesome.

I like the OPI nail colors names- they are fun: “Cha ching Cherry“, shoot out at the OK corral“, “Skinny dipping in Lake Michigan”, “I’m really not a waitress” are some of my favorites.

I really like going to high school (and college Scott!) musicals

I like to sit by the window when I fly

I had TMJ really bad several years ago & could hardly open my mouth

I had shots in my jaw by our Korean alternative medicine Dr. (lovingly called our witchdoctor)

They really hurt, but I could open my mouth MUCH wider when I left his office & could eat hamburgers again

I don’t let my dentist use a bite block in my mouth anymore (I’m convinced that caused the TMJ)

Tim & I talked about adopting a child as well as having our own before we were married.

My kids won’t let me dance, even in the car :<

I can sew enough to do repairs, make Halloween costumes, etc… but am not a happy sewer on dresses, etc… (Tim used to make the kids leave the room or the house)

I learned how to paint icing on cookies one year ago (thanks Mary), it’s a lot of fun!

I got my ears pierced when I was sixteen

My holes never grew over, even when I didn’t wear earrings for a really long time

I remember not wearing seatbelts as a child

I remember my brother hitting the dashboard.

I remember many times crying in the floorboard as my mom was taking me to get shots from our family Dr

I remember the medicinal smell of the County health clinics

I flew into Washington DC on 10/11 one month after 9/11

I have worshipped at Washington National Cathedral 2x

I really want to go on a cruise with some of our couple friends or with family

I remember my grandpa smelled like a mixture of olives and cherries, he worked in a food bottling factory

I did not go to Kindergarten

I went to a private Baptist school for First grade

I started first grade a year early

My first grade teacher wanted me to skip 2nd grade and go straight to 3rd. My parents wisely said no.

I have a lot of crowns in my mouth

People comment on my straight teeth

I never wore braces

I drink milk every night before I (brush my teeth &) go to bed

I haven’t exercised at the gym in over a year

I belong to 24 hour fitness

2 years ago I had a personal trainer for 5 months a. my trainer looked like a Greek god b.my trainer needed a psychologist or at least a good counselor

I got into really good shape then and lost 3 dress sizes

I am planning on starting my Masters degree in Nursing next Spring

I can’t wear long or really dangling or really big earrings

It makes me feel like I look like a hooker (I don't mind if other people wear them & don't think that of them :?, weird I know)

I have been bad and not sent out Christmas cards the last two years

My brakes have gone out on me 3 times in my life

I was scared, but handled it calmly & didn’t get hit or hurt

I have never ran out of gas in my life

My HS girlfriends and I watched the sunrise while sitting on a hole of the golf course than ran through the neighborhood where our school was.

On the way to pick up Kendall a spectacular rainbow appeared against a very dark sky- it was beautiful, we got it on film

Some of my favorite sunsets so far have been on the Destin beach

I enjoyed Lauren having slumber parties

I enjoyed Kendall’s pool/pool parties

I would like to live in a loft or in a high-rise

I am looking forward to going to Destin with my grandchildren

Autumn is my favorite season of the year

My favorite books of the Bible: New Testament-Ephesians, Old Testament -Isaiah

My favorite apostle is Paul

People tell me I sound like I’m from Minnesota

I’ve never been to Minnesota in my life

I am really hoping to visit Tracey in Thailand in 2009

My cell phone plays “hello, I love you won’t you tell me your name!” when it rings :>

I like to make lists and cross things off when I accomplish them (I.e., when getting ready for a party or to plan my Saturday)

I wish I had invented baby stretchy headbands (AKA baby head tourniquets) and if I had Lauren would have worn them

I attended BSF for 1 ½ years and loved the indepth Bible study

I wrecked my car in 2002 4mos before it was paid off :<

I am blessed to have both my parents still living and relatively healthy.

I hate cigarette smoke!!

I can only float in salt water (another reason to love Destin!)

I ride the park & ride bus to work as much as possible

I enjoy scrap booking & find it therapeutic to remember relatives who have passed away with a scrapbook for the family.

I occasionally buy myself fresh flowers just to enjoy them in our home

Spelling comes easy for me

I was in drill team in high school and we had to wear wigs to all look alike

OK, whew..... now you really know a lot about me!!!!!!!!!

100 things about me

2007-09-26T17:54:00.000-05:00

My feet are ugly, they are man feet
I enjoy event planning
I have planned 7 events (for 100+ people) over the last 6 years
I am the oldest child in my family
I have three younger brothers
I have the best sister-in-laws ever, on both sides of the family
I have spent way too much time looking over plans/designs for our retirement home
I have spent way too much money on ebay
The clothes I bought for Will before he was born covered our 8ft. pool table
I have been inside the Supreme Court twice in the last 18 months to hear an oral argument
The last case I heard in the Supreme Court involved "Brighton", of which I have 3 pairs of shoes and 1 purse
I spent 250$ for that 1 Brighton purse
That is the most expensive purse I have ever bought
I chewed my nails growing up and never had them all past my fingertips at the same time
I loved having solar/"artificial" nails while I did
I enjoy pedicures, usually once a month
I read People and Us (and other magazines that I don't buy) at the nail salon
I have a great hairdresser and colorist- who is also a precious young Christian mother.
My house is MUCH cleaner without my children living at home
Contrary to what my daughter reported, I do NOT hoard (my dad does though)
I purge my house continuously, because the closets are too small to hoard anything.
I have been mowing the backyard (all few feet of it) myself because the boys don't do it often enough to suit me.
I was obsessive about my grades in nursing school
I don't have a nice sounding laugh
So, I laugh on the inside, but rarely laugh out loud
My cousins thought I was my grandma's favorite
I was!
I was blessed to be with my grandma when she passed away
I am a chocoholic
I can't drink tea because it keeps me awake at night :<
My favorite drink is Diet Dr. Pepper
Exploring Bed & Breakfasts with Tim is one of my favorite things to do.
Brownies are my comfort food.
I was a girl scout leader for Lauren's troop for two years
I prayed to God that I would die when I was 21 and had Hepatitis A and was so sick.
I was yellow and had yucky yellow eyes.
My nails grew the longest they had ever been.
My favorite summer destination is Destin, Florida
I love Washington DC and all the historical buildings and places
I love the subway in DC
I was an "extra" for the movie "The Evening Star" but the scenes I was in were cut. (A snowy street scene & an audience at the opera scene). It took all day to shoot and involved costume changes, etc..
I would like to get into photography
I taught piano when I was 12-13 years old
I took piano for 8 years
I played the organ for VBS at my piano teacher's Methodist church when I was an adolescent
I went to VBS at my grandma's Baptist church
I can remember the smells of VBS- koolaid & glue
I love seasonal decorating
My house is already decorated for fall
my Christmas decorations fill 20+ Rubbermaid tubs
All my linens are 100% cotton
My comforter is down alternative (Tim is allergic to down)
It is white and my sheets are white, very spa like
I love the color of my bedroom walls, it is like candlelight
I like the smell of paint
I can't paint much anymore, because it makes my ulnar nerve/arm hurt.
My grandma had me reading at the age of 4, out of the Bible
She let me grade her first grade papers (she was a teacher) when I was in first grade
I played softball in a church league when Lauren was little.
I don't mind the smell of skunk
I'm always just a little bit later than I intend to be.
I love taking naps
I own around 50 pairs of shoes.
I donate clothing/household goods to Katy Christian Ministries about twice a month
When I bag up donations, I take it to my car and keep it there until I donate.
My favorite soap is Bath & Body Works-Warm Vanilla Sugar
Tim & I just bought land in the Hill Country
Our retirement address will be: 2221 Longs Peak Canyon Lake, TX 78133
I have lost weight the last week since Tim has been on his diet
My first car was a Gremlin
I've been to Phantom of the Opera twice, it's my favorite!
I love the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber
My favorite author is John Grisham
I like artichokes on my pizza
I think "The Office" is stupid, I can't watch it
I think the premise of "24" is not credible
My favorite TV show is "LOST"
I like reality shows- Survivor, Big Brother, Amazing Race, etc...
I have been blessed to see both of my grandchildren born.
my favorite coffee is the "taste of san antonio"
I think Starbucks prices are outgrageous
I really want to go on a mission trip
I have been really lonely for girl friends
I have a new friend named Carol, from church :)
my best friend moved to Thailand 2 months ago (a lot of people call her their best friend :>)
I have to have my ear plugs in to sleep
My favorite surgery is transplants- because people are so happy that they are getting a new chance at life and are so grateful to the donors.
My drivers license has my donor sticker on it
my least favorite surgery is D & C, because it reminds me of the loss of life & the pt's are so sad.
I had a D & C the night of July 4, 1986. The night that the statue of liberty was lit up for the celebration of 100?200? years since the US got it from France.
I don't know punctuation rules the way I should.
I promised God that I would never ride another roller coaster years ago, if he got me safely off the one I was on, and he did!
I know the basic floorplan that I want for our retirement home.
I've incorporated ideas from my friends/relatives houses that I like in my ideal plan
I don't want to live in a house that's being remodeled again (we lived on cement floors for 2 months this summer)
I sang on the praise team at church for 4 years+
I knew at 4 years old that I wanted to be a nurse
I've been married for 30 years, I've got a great husband & we're in it for the long haul!
I've got three great kids
I've got two out-of-this-world fantastic grandkids

I could go another 100 I'm sure..................but, we'll leave it at that!

"the Bee's Knee"

2007-09-25T18:41:00.000-05:00

William Reed and Claire Elise

Just look at those two adorable grandchildren!, what could be better? How blessed we are to have Will and Claire for ours. It has been a true joy to watch Lauren & Scott as parents over the last 2+ years. They have the sweetest family and are so loving and patient in their day to day living, even in the midst of sleepless nights and potty training, they remain Godly and consistent. Next weekend I will be flying to Lubbock to babysit the two of them while their mama and daddy attend their LCU chorus reunion.

I have to confess, at least here on my blog, that I went shopping today and Claire is going to rack up, hey, the girl needed shoes!! Here she is all dressed up for church last Sunday~~~~~

That's all for now.... I had just received these new pics and wanted to share :)

<3 Terri

2007-09-13T21:11:00.000-05:00

Off the blogroll & Up to the Plate

2007-09-13T20:30:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I haven't posted in so long that my own daughter deleted me from her blogroll, ouch, that hurts.

Really, I have never felt like I had enough to say, or was interesting enough to warrant anyone reading my blog. My friends, Daphne and Tracey, have started blogging and I have found a familiar sort of comfort in reading their words and knowing what's on their hearts. So, I will step up to the plate and rejoin blogworld.

Our news of late:

Tims' moms brain surgery (7/2) came off beautifully, praise be to God. Her tumor was bigger than the Dr's fist in size and was pressing on her brain stem. After rehab and a short stint at assisted living, she is now at home recovering and we are still faithful that the feeling in her face and her vision will recover fully. The doctors have been literally amazed at her recovery and her strength and determination in all of this.

We have a most precious new grandaughter, Claire Elise, born July 8. I was honored to be there for her birth and it is a most amazing experience to be a part of. Lauren and Scott are blessed with a very sweet family, what a great time in their lives. I know that most, if not all who would read this, read Lauren's blog and can see the pictures of our new, sweet darling. We have not lost our fascination with Will by any means, he is so precocious. He has a HUGE vocabulary. He is incredibly smart with a great personality,,,, so fun!

Tim, Kendall and I spent Labor Day in Big Spring with Lauren's bunch and thoroughly enjoyed our time with them. I NEED to see my grandkids at least every 4-6 weeks. I am already planning my next trip up there :)

I am still working at SLEH and splitting full time between the OR and Day Surgery. I love what I do and I have learned to like working days rather than nights. It lets me spend time with Tim when he's at home and has given us more freedom to travel on the weekends together.

Tim and I had a WONDERFUL trip to one of my personal favorite destinations in March- we spent six days in Washington D.C. right at the beginning of Cherry Blossom time. We went to the Supreme Court and heard an oral argument, had coffee with Senator Cornyn, had a personal capitol tour by one of his interns, saw a musical at Ford's theater and spent alot of time at the Smithsonians, the Holocaust museum, a moonlight DC tour, went to church at Washington National Cathedral, mastered the subways, spent an afternoon at Arlington National cemetery with all its' beautiful simplicity and complex pageantry, and too much more to tell you about here. Suffice to say, it was a fabulous trip!!

We had a water leak at the house in early May, and had to live through bare floors and dealing with contractors until the house was finished July 19. We have mostly hardwood floors now, with new carpet in the bedrooms. It looks and feels great to have our house back even better than it was. If I can remember how to add pictures, I will sometime soon.

We have been thinking a lot about retirement lately, as to the "where to", "how to" and "when to". We just bought a 1.69 acre lot in a great planned community in the Hill Country close to Canyon Lake. We always wanted to retire to the Hill Country, so this is a beginning of realizing that dream. I have spent way too much time looking at homes on eplans online for design/floorplan ideas. It will probably be another 9 years before we are ready to build.

OK, enough randomness, it has been good to talk to you all. TTYL

Achoo!

2006-11-04T10:45:00.000-06:00

We were supposed to be in Wimberely at a bed & breakfast this weekend: enjoying the cool weather, the great chef and relaxation at Blair House, the Wimberley trade shows and the New Braunfels outlet mall. BUT, I had a tickle in my throat Wednesday night that turned into a frequent cough on Thursday, calling in sick on Friday and having to cancel our weekend. I was in bed on & off, mostly on, all of Friday. I am SOOO bummed, we were really looking forward to the weekend retreat, especially since the weather is so beautiful right now. When we cancelled, we received a gift certificate for a future date, so all was not lost. Nursing notes: be sure to cover your mouth when you cough, use disposable tissues, and practice good handwashing skills, with a minimum of 15 seconds.

<3 Terri

A Day of Rest

2006-10-29T17:54:00.000-06:00

What a needed weekend of rest. The weather has been beautiful and Tim and I had a great weekend. Friday night we went out for mexican food, yum... I could eat mexican food every day. I have been in search of my favorite enchiladas, and actually I'm still searching. Our favorite mexican restaurant is Guadalajuara, our most visited restaurant is El Jarrito's (it's really close) and we visited our old-old time favorite, Las Cucos, this time and had a great meal, though the enchiladas were not my favorite. I've decided that Tim's brother Paul's enchiladas are my favorite, and hopefully I will get to savor them sometime during Thanksgiving week.

We did weekend catch up stuff around the house. We slept in late. We went to a "night of worship" special service at church on Saturday night. It was great, very much an intimate time of worship with a lot of free reign to participate whenever and however you felt moved to, i.e., standing, sitting, lifting hands, "dancing", communing, praying. It was a crisp clear night and nowhere else we'd rather be than worshipping our creator.

This morning the whole town of Katy went out for breakfast. Seriously, we tried Cracker Barrel, IHOP, Waffle House and finally had, a delicious breakfast I might add, at Whataburger ~ their taquitos are excellent!

Then we went to our class and to church. We have been worshipping at Kingsland since early summer. What a blessing it has been for us! The pastor is such a man after God's own heart, and is so encouraging for each of us to have that same passion, to be God-seeking and living for God every moment. He is currently doing a series on "First and Ten", the Ten Commandments and how they are a pattern for living, from our God, that makes our lives nicer, even in New Testament times.

Today's lesson was on keeping the Sabbath. That we still need a day of rest and that God has given us that blessing. He gave practical ways to set the mood in your house for a day of rest and ways to bring that rest upon yourself. Here are some of the ways: pray, meditate, light a candle to set the mood in your family, listen to only Christian music (have it on in the morning while you get ready for church) all day, worship, take a nap, take a walk ~ enjoy nature, read your Bible, give a blessing to your mate and/or children, and allow yourself to be refreshed. What a blessing the rest of the Sabbath is, for our taking. He encouraged us to turn off the world and shared how the church leadership has consciously avoided scheduling meetings for the myriad of good works on Sunday afternoon/evening. Just wanted to share what a blessing our day of rest has been and encourage you to take advantage of the blessing God has given us by giving us a day of rest.

~ <3 Terri

Blogger Trippin

2006-10-22T16:14:00.000-05:00

Blogger is trippin today. I posted a new post a couple of days ago, and it has yet to show up. What's up with that???? SOOO, I thought I'd post a pseudo-post today and maybe force the last post to make it's appearance. This must be what Lauren and Kathy mean when they say blogger is being difficult. Arrgh....

Kendall just left to go back to Waco. He had a Dr's appt. on Friday with a spine specialist, she ordered more xrays (done Fri.), an MRI (scheduled for 11/10), as well as physical therapy for the next 4-6 weeks, and lidocaine pain patches. He tried a pain patch Friday night and it made him really nauseous, but then again I don't think he had eaten much all day. Please keep him in your prayers, for his pain to be relieved and for him to do his part to follow through with the program, i.e, physical therapy, etc...

The weather here is gorgeous.... finally fall- my favorite season of all! Fall breeze, fall colors, fall smells, fall foods, fall clothes...yea for Fall :)

Back Back Blog

2006-10-19T23:56:00.000-05:00

Ok, I know it's been like forever since I blogged :( I have a confession to make~ I have basically kept the blog address so I can link quickly to the blogs I like to read and leave comments as desired. I will try to do better, I know I don't have the MOST boring life around, and some of you do actually check occasionally for updates. Well, I bet you're surprised today! !

Updates for the last couple of months:
August- moved Kendall up to Waco where he is at TSTC studying automotive technology, he is doing well in school and with the independent living and really likes it there. He has a steady girl, Staci, also from Katy, who attends college at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor in Belton. After we moved him in his apartment we drove to Big Spring and spent time with Lauren's family. We are getting used to the empty nest syndrome, it's actually quite nice. A LOT quieter, a TON less laundry and a MUCH cleaner house :) We found a great Bed & Breakfast in Waco, close to his campus, the "Rope the Wind" Retreat- decorated very Texan and Western, an awesome place.

September- Labor Day at the lake with my family, lots of family birthdays to celebrate including my niece Emily's sweet 16 bash, a quick trip for Tim to SanAntonio, and Kendall made a quick trip home for a Dr. visit.

October-brought my birthday trip to Big Spring where I thoroughly enjoyed grandmotherhood and we caught up on the second season of "Lost", Tim had a trip to Gruene for a concert and a golf game the same weekend, and Tim's brother was in the hospital for a blood clot in his leg. Tracey and I went to a Ladies Table Top Dinner Tuesday night at a local church, it was beautiful and the speaker was very inspiring.

Coming up- in November the family will gather for Thanksgiving and I hope to be fully decorated for Christmas at that time. I have actually bought several Christmas presents already! Yea me.

Final notes: Check out Will, the sweetest grandbaby ever at pratherplace.blogspot.com

Praise God with me re: the miraculous recovery and progress of Andrea Luthringer (the link is to your right) Please pray for her complete recovery of her eyesight, she will have surgery on her left eye soon.

Lastly, Kendall and Staci are coming into town late tonight. Kendall has another Dr.'s appt. for his back tomorrow with a spine specialist. He was diagnosed with spondylolithesis in August and we are trying to avoid surgery until it is absolutely necessary, hopefully when he is an old man. He has had a lot of pain since late August with his back and it has limited the activities he can participate in dramatically. So, keep him in your prayers, too.

TTYL, <3 Terri

Nine days of Nana

2006-07-09T20:32:00.000-05:00

We had our lovely daughter and precious grandson for NINE whole days. Will and Lauren left today- their flight was delayed from Houston - what else is new?? It can't be fun to be waiting for a flight with a fourteen month old who doesn't want to miss any action and therefore stays awake to people watch and flirt until his eyes are glazed. In the end though, she was just glad her flight wasn't cancelled, that's what happened last year.

We thoroughly enjoyed our week together, despite the wettest week in Houston for the whole year so far. And all Lauren really wanted to do was sun in the pool. She got to get in a few times and officially "sun" once.

Will learned new words this weeks: Wow, Cool, Toes, Roof-roof (as in what a dog "says"), Cold, and Cat. His favorite words remain to be Cow and Car, he looked for cows everyday out our windows. (We had cows across the street from our country guest house in Fredericksburg on our vacation a week ago). He did call all of our dogs Cows because they are much bigger than his little dogs at home. He tried desperately hard to say Kendall but it sounds more like "daddle"! He is SOOOO close to walking, but hasn't yet, he doesn't have the confidence to let go and take the step. I think he will by the time his other grandparents leave him after their visit at the end of July. They raised 5 boys, and Will is their #11 grandchild, they have more experience in teaching kids to walk. For us, he was still clinging to walls, furniture, etc... He is SO full of expression, I love watching his face as he reacts to new sounds and foods. Last week when I was waiting to see them both come from the gate to baggage claim I saw him looking at all the people with a blank face- just people watching at it's finest. I watched as he looked my way and his face just lit up as he recognized me. That melted my heart!!!!

Lauren and I had fun- we went to "The Devil wears Prada" and "Superman" two different nights after Will fell asleep. They were both very good! We had a family excursion to the lake for July 3rd and 4th and generally had a good time being together the rest of the week despite the rain. Will really enjoys the pool and jacuzzi, like his mama. They got in a lot of visiting with friends in the area, we shopped and ate great food.. Ahh. I know Lauren is happy to be at home with her honey and get a few days of normalcy before they leave for the last "church camp" of their summer next Sunday.

Other news: Tim started his new job with a major energy co. last Monday, here in Houston, and really likes it. He is working downtown again and taking Metro. Kendall has a JOB!!!! (Thank you Aunt Nelda!!!)He started working at my aunt and uncle's welding shop across town last week. We are so glad that he is getting the opportunity to be a working man!!He needed that experience of responsibility, a schedule, people depending on him, hard work and the value of a dollar. He has already lost 5 pounds and has put on major muscle mass in his arms; he comes home utterly exhausted. He is welding sign frames and will continue until he leaves for college at the end of August. It is really helping my aunt out, she is trying to bulk up supplies and has had a hard time keeping up with demand. Hopefully, Kendall will be able to help out occasionally during high demand periods and the winter break. I am off orientation in day surgery and am now 1/2 time day surgery and 1/2 time OR-wherever they need me. I have really enjoyed the new routine and working days and sleeping with my husband every night!

Seasons of our lives change and we are in a major one right now. With our new job responsibilities and about to send off our last child to college. This is a great time for new beginnings and to that end we have been looking for a church home where we can have a fresh start and grow beyond our comfort zones. We feel blessed by God in this endeavor and are at great peace.

Catch-up Tidbits

2006-06-21T08:22:00.000-05:00

To catch you up on what's been going on in our lives.....Kendall's graduation party on May 27 was great..... good food and great friends & family came... about 60 of them!!! Thank goodness the weather was nice and we were able to have a lot of it outside by the pool. Lauren & Scott & Will came from Big Spring for the party, arriving just in time for the blessing and group introductions. The next day Will was introduced to the swimming pool and he LOVED it, check out the picture on Lauren's blog of the aqua sombrero, that cracked us all up! Kendall has been looking but has not found a summer job & that's looking less likely as we head into the last weeks of June. His first day of school at Texas State Technical College is August 28, so we will be moving him up there the Thursday or Friday prior. He has used some of his gift certificates from graduation for apartment necessities and on Sunday began purchasing tools that he is required to have (*Father's day- good tool sales!*) He & his buddies have really enjoyed their time together- they hang out here a LOT.... Later this morning we are leaving for a family retreat at Fredericksburg, in the Hill Country. Lauren & family will meet us there at a guest house for some good, family style R&R. Last weekend we made a short trip to San Antonio (as did Paul & Shirley) to celebrate Thelma's 80th birthday. We took her out to eat at a restaurant on the river (seated inside, in front of a big picture window), the Mariachi trio sang Happy Birthday to her and she had a huge piece of Tres Leches cake. We had a good and relaxing visit together. On other fronts, I am now working in Day Surgery at St. Luke's, the plan is to work 1/2 time in Day Surgery and 1/2 time in the OR, which I think will be great. It has been nice to be challenged to learn something new over the last few weeks as I have trained in Day Surgery. In the OR, I will still get a good variety of services/cases since I will be used wherever people call in sick (that happens EVERY day!). We have almost 50 OR's. between the Main OR (which includes general surgery, urology, neuro, orthopedics, Gyn, ENT, and plastic) and CVOR (cardiac surgery, transplant surgery-heart, kidney, lung & liver) and the medical towers-basically outpatient surgery of all kinds including pedi and eyes. Whew! But I really like the variety as I got used to the hodge podge of different services when I was on the night shift. I have really enjoyed the day shift and am back to sleeping normal again. With the prices of gas these days, it is nice to be able to take the Park & Ride bus again......

The Graduate

2006-05-28T23:31:00.000-05:00

Here's a picture of my handsome son, who will be going to Texas State Technical College in the fall. We had a graduation celebration for him this weekend; many friends and family came to wish him well. Congratulations, Kendall! I love you!

A Man's World

2006-04-19T14:51:00.000-05:00

Pretty funny post I stole re: why men are happy(ier)!

1.Your last name stays put.
2.The garage is all yours.
3.Wedding plans take care of themselves.
4.Chocolate is just another snack.
5.You can be President.
6.You can never be pregnant.
7.You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
8.You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
9.Car mechanics tell you the truth.
10.The world is your urinal.
11.You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
12.You don’t have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
13.Same work, more pay.
14.Wrinkles add character.
15.Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
16.People never stare at your chest when you’re talking to them.
17.The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
18.New shoes don’t cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
19.One mood all the time.
20.Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
21.You know stuff about tanks.
22.A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
23.You can open all your own jars.
24.You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
25.If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
26.Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
27.Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
28.You almost never have strap problems in public.
29.You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
30.Everything on your face stays its original color.
31.The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
32.You only have to shave your face and neck.
33.You can play with toys all your life.
34.Your belly usually hides your big hips.
35.One wallet and one pair of shoes - one color for all seasons.
36.You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
37.You can “do” your nails with a pocket knife.
38.You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
39.You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier. Life is unfair.

Easter with Will

2006-04-19T11:16:00.000-05:00

We had a great weekend in San Antonio where we met up with Lauren, Scott & Will at my mother-in-laws place in the country. Will was so much fun.... he was ADHD with the tupperware all over the kitchen floor. During the course of the weekend, he managed to squeeze his fingers in two different cabinets, you know, where he gets his fingers caught and then presses on the cabinet door smashing them all the more, while he shrieks in pain. Ouchy, poor baby! We got to feed him a few times while mama and dada slept late, it's amazing how wide the kid opens his mouth in anticipation of the next bite. By the way, for the record he wasn't fond of a small piece of strawberry. He had the funniest puckered up face until he got it completely gone from his mouth. He was precious on Easter in his little Winnie Pooh plaid short romper, hunting his eggs in obvious places in the living room (he watched me hide the eggs). It is such a joy to watch Lauren & Scott with him, they are such loving parents, only seeking his best. Like our Father in Heaven wanting the best for us, sending his son to redeem us, in the real Easter story.

Washingtonian at <3 Heart

2006-04-03T12:55:00.000-05:00

If I were in college, or young and single, I would live in Washington D.C. I LOVE that city! March 17-21 I was there for an OR nursing conference. Mostly educational, though I did take a test on March 18 to become a CNOR (more initials after my name)and crammed in all the sightseeing I possibly could. The city is great - so vibrant and metropolitan, it never shuts down. I became a master at riding the subway, even bought my own "SmartCard" to enter& exit more quickly. The highlights are as follows:

Of course, I picked a luxury hotel suite in Georgetown, Dupont Circle, close to the subway with a full kitchen (granite counters) etc., for my friend Candace and I to stay at. I will try to post a picture of 2 of my coworkers in the lobby of my hotel with a life-sized Marilyn Monroe statue with her skirt flipped up in back. It was too great a photo op. One begins to wonder where Washingtonians shop, as there are no grocery stores in the city; but there is a CVS on practically every corner and that's where we bought milk, bread, O.j., etc.... Later I found out most people do their shopping online from "safeway or Pea Pod" and have it delivered to their condo or house.

Ok, back to highlights. Dinner with Candace on the Potomac River, actually we wanted to eat at Sequoia, which is a really classy restaurant on the Potomac, but it was closed for a private party (yes, I did think about crashing!). Instead we ate at Tony & Joe's, next door to Sequoia, also on the Potomac. After dinner we walked up the riverbank and could see the Kennedy Center all lit up & pretty.

The next morning I got up early and caught a bus to Washington National Cathedral, which was amazing. I went to church there, very "high church" and heard a very good sermon, a lot of good readings, excellent soloists, and had communion. It was a holy experience. On the bus ride to WNC & back, you go down Embassy Row, where all of the foreign embassies are located, really beautiful big homes.

That night, I had dinner with a couple of coworkers at a (vendor)party at the Smithsonian Natural History museum. The desert spread was in the "gem" section of the museum where we saw the Hope Diamond (of course, with a 24/7 guard on duty and cameras galore), Napoleon's wife's tiara, and other jewels. It was a lot of fun....

The next night, 4 of us (me, Candace, 2 coworkers) took a cab to the Lincoln Memorial and walked to the White House, seeing the Vietnam Memorial, the reflecting pool, Washington Monument and WWII momument along the way. As soon as we got into good photo position for the White House, the lights went out (note: 11pm), so no pics, but we did chat with the Secret Service guy guarding the fence by the South Lawn. BTW: the buildings (monument type) in Washington are so big, that you think they are not far away-THEY ARE!!! Very deceiving. I wound up with blisters on my feet from walking.

The next day I was leaving, so that was my last chance to sightsee, I crammed in all the things I really wanted to do before I got to the airport at 2pm. First and foremost, was to go to the Supreme Court and hear them in session. That was the major highlight of my trip- I waited in line for 40 minutes or so, then was lucky enough to be alert when they asked for a "single" guest and didn't have to wait as long as I would have. They had us check our coat, lock our belongings in a locker, and go through a metal detector. I was first in line to enter the court for a 3-5 minute session, the doorwoman let me & my group stay a little longer than most. I got to hear pretty much all of the justices make a comment. Alito was on the end and kind of looking around more than the rest of the justices. Awesome experience. So Regal and Surreal.

Next was to the Library of Congress next door where I saw the Guttenburg Bible, Benjamin Franklin artifacts, and actual Civil war battle diagrams, and the most beautiful architecture there, quite awe-inspiring. When I left there it was SNOWING!!!!!! Just barely, but it lasted for 10-15 minutes or so. More subway to the Smithsonian American History where I spent a whole 30 minutes; foremost, I wanted to see the First Ladies' Dresses and their official china, so I made a bee-line to the Presidential section and saw those, and Jackie Kennedy pearls and Clinton's saxophone. It is an amazing place. Then to the hotel to pack & fly home.

The cherry trees were just beginning to blossom, I'll try to post a pic of Candace and I outside our hotel by a cherry tree. The people there are so friendly- I guess because it is a melting pot of a city. It is so neat that every building is an important place, FBI, Homeland Security, GWU, Watergate, etc... all right there together.

A most enjoyable trip ~ if you have never been to DC, I highly recommend it!

Too Boring to Blog

2006-03-28T09:08:00.000-06:00

Sorry guys, I know I am way too boring to blog. But, it's fun occasionally to talk to myself in front of people. I do tend to laugh at myself a lot, too. Anywho, BIGGEST news around here is that Kendall passed all parts of his GED on his first try. We are so incredibly proud of him!! He is officially off to Texas State Technical College in Waco this coming fall to study automotive technology. We visited the campus last April and it is really nice and seems like it will be a good fit for him. Bonus for him: Waco has lakes close by to fish in! The boy loves to fish. He & some of his friends went to Galveston Bay the Tuesday of Spring Break to fish. They had a great time, with pictures of the sunrise and the sunset to show their completed day on the bay. He will have his senior pictures made next Tuesday and we are planning a graduation celebration in early May.

I'm sure everyone who reads my blog reads Lauren's blog too, but just in case - be sure to check out the sweetest pictures of our #1 grandson on her blog "Life and Laughter" and http://www.PratherPlace.blogspot.com. He is SUCH a sweetheart!

the Name Game

2006-03-13T08:15:00.000-06:00

This was kind of fun, I took it straight from Annalee (see links). I know at least Lauren will get a kick out of this (any reference to Star Wars).

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet and current street name)Trixie Earl of Dunmore

2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandmother's maiden name on your mother's side, your favorite candy) Ramsey Heath

3. YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME: (first initial of last name, first two or three letters of your first name)
R. Te

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite animal, name of high school) Otter Eisenhower

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Lynn Houston

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, last 3 letters of mother's maiden name, first 3 letters of your pet's name) Reegragor

7. JEDI NAME: (middle name spelled backwards, your father's middle name spelled backwards)Nnyl Enegue

Marching On !

2006-03-05T19:28:00.000-06:00

Time is Marching on. I can't believe that it is already March. One fourth of this year is almost gone and what do I have to show for it? I've been with Will three times since January 1. I've put money in the bank. I've slept alot. What else have I done? Have I encouraged anyone's Christian walk? Have I walked beside a friend in need? Have I drawn closer to him? God, help me use this time, this very moment, to re-evaluate what I am doing with my time.

Tagged!

2006-03-01T02:31:00.000-06:00

Four jobs you have had in your life:
1. Piano teacher to adolescents
2. Checker/Courtesy Booth operator/Accounts payable/receivable/payroll clerk-Randall's Food Markets
3. Stay at home mom + in home child-care provider
4. Registered Nurse- Cardiology & Surgery

Four movies you would watch over and over:
1. The Parent Trap (the 60's version with Hayley Mills)
2. Romancing the Stone
3. Adventures in Babysitting
4. Back to the Future (1)

Four places you have lived:
1. Houston, TX
2. Katy, TX

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. American Idol
2. Big Brother
3. Survivor
4. Trading Spaces

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Destin, Florida
2. Big Bend, TX
3. San Diego, CA
4. New Orleans, LA

Four websites I visit daily:
1. my blog- www.kty-reeds.blogspot.com
2. Lauren's blogs
3. AOL- to check email
4. all the blogs listed under "blogs I read"

Four of my favorite foods:
1. sour cream enchiladas
2. chocolate
3. my mom's sweet potato casserole
4. my late father-in-law's mashed potatoes

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. in my "favorite place" (my bed)
2. on the beach or in our pool
3. holding Will
4. playing with Lauren's hair

Four friends I am tagging that I think will respond:
If you are reading this and haven't been tagged- YOU ARE TAGGED!

Weekend Recap

2006-02-27T12:26:00.000-06:00

After a so-so busy week at work in the operating room and while I am still thinking about changing jobs within the hospital, Tim got the go-ahead (he passed the criminal background and pee-in-the cup tests) to resign his current job and begin a position with a new company on March 13. When I woke up Friday (I worked Thursday night), he was at the Katy Mills Mall looking at the men's business casual clothes. So, I had him come home & get me so I could shop with him :) We went to Memorial City mall, it took us 45 minutes on I-10 to get there !@#%$ (How can that be a link?) We went to Foley's and they had some awesome sales. But my husband had stated he was "only looking, not buying or even trying on", and by George he didn't. Much as I tried to encourage him! Then we walked the mall which was fun because they have totally redone it and it is REALLY nice. Lauren, the food court bathroom area has special "nursing rooms" which of course, I peeked in, so I could tell you about them. They have a rocking chair, a built in changing area and a sink, very nice. I knew you would be impressed and it would give you another reason to miss Houston :) By then Tim was starving, so we went to Guadaljuara's, our favorite mexican restaurant on this side of town. I tried the special which was Mahi Mahi with crab meat and it was DEVINE!!! I have never tried fish at the mexican restaurant before. We topped it off with a mexican "volcano" which is a huge scoop of cinnamon ice cream on a desert tortilla thing with whip cream and brownie slices and drizzled chocolate. DECADENT. -------------------------------------Kendall was at Soul Link at Bammel Rd. CoC all weekend- they had special guest speakers and music groups and it is one of his "must go to" events of the year. BTW: he is doing well after his surgery, he has a check-up with the oral surgeon today. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Saturday night we had 5 other couples over for a dubs party. We had more yummy food, Greg brought his famous blackberry cobbler with Blue Bell ice cream and we had great fun playing cards. I don't know how people can count cards, that is just beyond my memory's capabilities. I had bought leftover Valentine party favors for gifts for the couples. Each couple opened one gift. The gifties included a cupcake candle, a pkg of red & white stationary, a bag of cinnamon candies, a Valentine cup, a pair of Love dice, and a set of red plastic handcuffs. It was a hoot, the girls of each couple traded first and then the guys traded (in reverse score order, the couple with the highest score each got the last trade). -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------We had a good lesson Sunday from Phil, and Pat was back as our worship leader. He had all of the kids come to the front before "Sonshine Celebration" and sit with him and sing a song, it was sooo sweet! There was one little boy who went up on the stage and danced through the whole song, I thought it quite Funny :) (his mom might not have). That's all I have to ramble about for now......

Nana x 2

2006-02-22T04:19:00.000-06:00

OK, alright, I was going to wait until I at least had one more comment before I posted again, but oh well, who cares. I'll post anyway, even if noone is reading it. It gives me something to do when work is slow. So, here goes the new post.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------How exciting- I got to spend time with my grandson Will and my precious daughter two weekends in a row!! Feb. 10-14 I was with Lauren & Scott in Big Spring. I'll save you the details of my 4 hours delayed flight, but I met some really nice people while waiting in the Houston airport. It's amazing the sense of community you can form with others while waiting. I arrived at Lauren's around 1 AM Saturday morning. Then, we drove to Lubbock for follies on Saturday and had a great time on campus. It was great being on the LCU campus again, they have made some really nice improvements i.e, the mall, the Moody auditorium and the coffee bar next to the library. Follies was a great show, the hosts and hostesses were really good this year. We went to the afternoon show, Will was very amused with the colors and the costumes. He enjoyed Kappas show the best, I know because he talked (made his consonant sounds) during it. We found out later from blogland that Kappa had won first in the girls division. Wahoo!! We had lunch with a bunch of Scott & Lauren's Kyodai/LOA friends. Then this weekend (Feb 17-19) Lauren & Will flew to Houston as my sweet brother Roy gave us a free airline ticket. Tim & Kendall really enjoyed getting to see Will; he changes so much so quickly. Kendall had his (4) wisdom teeth out on Friday so he kind of layed low all weekend, stayed wrapped up with ice packs and doped up on pain medicine as much as possible. He is doing much better and went back to preschool today (he is a teacher/helper for the older 4's at our church preschool). We mailed his application to TSTC in Waco this week and he takes the GED this Thursday and Friday, so say a prayer for him :)

A fresh new look at 24

2006-02-08T09:35:00.000-06:00

So, how do you like the new blog template? I think it is refreshing with clean lines. I don't know why the number 24 is at the top, and have tried to figure out what all of the pictures on the header are of. Best I can tell, is a circuit board, an empty street and a sprig of leaves & berries. So this header is a great representation/symbolism of us. Refreshing clean lines=contemporary Christians, circuit board = communicating across the blogsphere, empty street= our urban environment and/or writing this blog for ourselves, irregardless if anyone else will ever read it, nature scene= colorful opportunities that touch our lives and/or being directed back to the one it's all about. As for the number "24" for the purpose of this blog the 24 will represent that we are HIS 24/7 in whatever we choose to do with that time. We just need to be mindful that is a finite amount of time for us to do according to his purpose for us. Other thoughts on 24?

Follies/Stream, a big weekend

2006-02-07T10:55:00.000-06:00

What a beautiful day :) I'm enjoying reading new blogs- if I can ever figure out how to share links with you I will introduce you to some of my favorite new reads. I'm so excited that I get to see my adorable grandson this weekend. My plane lands in Midland 7:30ish and I will be riding in the church van with Lauren & Scott, Leland & Harmony & kids to Master Follies in Lubbock. I have really missed visiting LCU since the kids graduated, have missed being on the campus, being around the college kids and the excitement that is Follies. Hopefully, Will & Raylee will be quiet enough that I can see at least some of the show; I am the designated Nana to take either of them out if they are misbehavin'. It is also the weekend of Stream in the Desert. Maybe I can sneak away at least to the Sunday morning service at Golf Course Rd. A lot of our friends are making the trek for Stream; it is such an oasis~I do hope to get in a little drink from the well while I'm that close to it.

Mrs. Reed goes to Washington :)

2006-02-01T23:33:00.000-06:00

How exciting!!!!! I found out today that I received the OK (and sponsorship, re: $$) to go to a national nursing convention in Washington D.C. in March for three full days. I have only been to Washington once, for another nursing convention - urology, and felt right at home in that city. I love the historical atmosphere, everywhere you look is a monument or nationally important building. Such history. It was also the first time I rode a subway, one of the stops was "Foggy Bottom", that was hysterical. I got a picture of my nursing friend and I by the sign and also by the mounument to Nurses by the Vietnam wall. Anyway, now I get to plan to do on THIS trip and have fun anticipating!

Techie Grandparents in TX

2006-01-20T09:34:00.000-06:00

Trying to stay current in the times; though we do realize that we are mundane (though we of course, quite enjoy our home, our family, our simple quiet lives).