Beautiful sunrise!

Just You and Me Lord

First light of dawn, a brand new day
I arise and read your word
In every promise that I see
Good or bad, come what may
Lord, it's just you and me today
You tell me to place my trust in you
Your word will get me through
Don't worry about what is to be
Or what happened yesterday
My cares, they seem to melt away
As I read your words of hope
I know you'll calm this stormy sea
You'll help me as I cope
You're my only strength and stay
Lord, it's just you and me today

Rehearsals have gone very well! We are all 'getting it'!
We 'revelers' have finally gotten our dance in sync!
Tonight & tomorrow night is dress rehearsal, then Friday night is a special performance for a yet to be announced group.
Saturday & Sunday are open to the public.
The message of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, our Saviour is what this season is all about!
Halleluia!

Christmas blessings Ya'll


PS I realize that some may not share my beliefs, but my faith is what sustains me. I'm just sharing what's in my heart, not trying 'force' it on any one!
Peace, Lainey

I guess people really do read these blogs! I noticed that someone commented on my Thanksgiving poem, but deleted it. Hmmm......Oh well, I'll never know.
This blog thing is still new to me and I enjoy reading others' blogs. I even got the nerve to comment on one recently.
I am so trying to get into the Christmas spirit, but my heart just isn't in it. Things are rather tense between the man and me and I have been having some serious doubts about whether I made the right decision to come back. Let's just say we are definitely not on the same page, much less in the same book! Like Mama always said; 'A leopard never changes its spots'...Me thinks she was right. What to do? Whatever happens, it will have to wait until after the holidays. I am too busy to put up with any of his craziness right now. I'm very busy at work and have rehearsals every night this week for Pageant, plus getting all the make-up ready and co-ordinating my helpers. Ok, I feel better now, so I'll shut up about it, 'cause I was beginning to get mad all over again after last nights 'episode'.
So, I thought I would start decorating the tree anyway. Maybe the house won't feel so empty after I'm all done.
Now, on a more positive note, I have this written in my bible. I don't know who wrote it, but it helped put things in perspective for me today.
Happy moments,
Praise God
Difficult moments,
Seek God
Quiet moments,
Worship God
Painful moments,
Trust God
Every moment,
Thank God

It was a rainy morning here in the 'burb of the big city and I had to get out and go to work for a few hours. I wasn't very busy because of the Thanksgiving holiday, so I left early.
So, what did I do when I came home? Yep...started unpacking and taking an inventory of my Christmas decorations. Looks like everything survived all the moving back and forth so I'm ready to get started. Maybe NOW I'll get into the spirit of the holiday. It just doesn't seem 'real' to me yet. I haven't done any shopping, either. Actually I don't have that much to do because I will take daughter and the girls shopping when I go for my visit. I'll send gift cards to son and his family.
Hooray, my 'room mate'friend (I lived with her during 'the separation')just called and asked if I wanted to go to Harwin with her and her daughter week after next. I can buy for all the girls on my list. I don't have that many guy gifts to buy...I never know what to get the boys, so I just fall back on the handy, dandy gift cards.
Well, I must get back to the mess in the living room. But first I think I'll go nibble on some of that leftover roasted hen.

Another view of the pot rack.
The flower arrangement is perfect on this table. I found it in Canton, also.

 

my new wrought iron pot rack

I woke up to a foggy, damp day. I thought about going shopping, just to see if I could find some bargains, but talked myself out of it when I looked outside. It seemed more like an 'inside day', so I spent the morning putting away Thanksgiving/Fall decorations, cleaning and dusting. The plump hen I bought earlier in the week was still in the 'frige waiting to be roasted...Now she's in the oven, getting all brown and crisp. I brought a bit of sister's cornbread dressing home, but it's not enough for a meal, so I'm making up my own version of rice dressing after reading several recipes. It'll go good with the roasted bird. Green beans will round out the meal, along with a little giblet gravy and some of that succulent cranberry sauce I made Wednesday night. You would think I was having a houseful for dinner! Oh well, we can nibble on it for several days. And, Oh yes, there's Pumpkin-Applebutter pie for dessert! Oh me, I can feel myself gaining weight already!
Now, I'm ready to start on Christmas! Speaking of which, the man just returned from storage with a truckload of decorations. I can see right now I'm going to work off a lot of the calories from that delicious meal when I dive into all those boxes. I hope most of it is still usable, since it has been moved from Texas to Florida and back in the last few years (but that's another story!)
Time for some college football, ya'll! Longhorns & Aggies are at it! Hook'em horns!
Here's a funny:
When I run Spellcheck, it wants to change ya'll to Yale, Aggies to anguish and hook'em to hokum. Isn't that a hoot?

The Pumpkin-Applebutter pie looks yummy. The banana nut bread smells divine! The cranberry sauce is simmered to perfection. I'm off to sister's house where the Turkey and dressing and all the trimmings await to be enjoyed. I'm sure the house is filled with all the wonderful smells associated with a holiday meal.
Daughter called earlier, she was already in the kitchen, working on Memaw's dressing recipe.
Oh, how I wish I could be there! She is such a blessing to me and I miss being with her on special days. She and her friend are getting up early in the morning to go shopping, too! I want to go!
The girls were outside playing and walking the dog, waiting for all their friends to arrive.
Time to get going! Lot's of good food and being with family... what better way to spend the day....(unless it's shopping)
Blessings, Ya'll

Thanksgiving Prayer

Dear Lord as we gather

Around this feast today,

We thank you for our blessings

As we bow our heads to pray.

We thank you for our family,

And for our friendships, too

We thank you for our country

And the red, white, and blue.

We thank you for the freedom

To travel anywhere

For no matter where we go

We know you're always there.

We thank you for our loved ones

In heaven up above

They're gathered at your table

And they feast upon your love.

We thank you too, for family

Who live so far away

Grant them a special blessing

On this Thanksgiving day.

We thank you Lord, for your son

Who loves us all the same

For all these things we ask you

In Jesus' precious name.

Amen

'Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done' 1 Chronicles 16:8

Bless Ya'll! Lainey

What a beautiful day it was! It would have been a perfect day to work in the yard...maybe plant some pansies. My mums need to be cut back so they will bloom some more. Early this morning as I was getting ready for work I watched the blue birds sitting on the back fence , waiting for an unsuspecting grasshopper to become breakfast. They share the fence with whitewing doves and another little bird that I haven't been able to identify. He eats grasshoppers, too. He is greenish gray on his back with a white breast and a solid black head. A white stripe runs from his eye to his neck. It makes him look like he's wearing a black cap. I think he must be some sort of fly catcher. The bluebirds even flew close to the back porch. Since there are no trees in the back yard yet, the birds stay mostly on the fence, so it was a pleasant surprise to see them so close to the house. There are lots of woods and an open meadow in back of the house. I had better enjoy it while I can. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before it gets sold and developed. I have also seen and heard a great horned owl in the early morning just before daylight. He's so big he looks like a cat sitting up in top of the pine tree. It will soon be time to put out the bird feeders for the winter. Wonder what feathered friends will visit me in my new place? Did I mention that I love to watch birds (and butterflies)? They are so free...Just flitting around all day looking pretty!
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving...a day to spend with family and/or friends, eat good food and gives thanks for the blessings we have. I must admit that I'm sort of sad that neither of my kids will be here, but at the same time I am thankful that they both have their own families and friends to share the day with. I will be seeing them soon, anyway.
I didn't stop by Ross after work. I don't need another purse! I need to buy for others, anyway.
Must go get the cranberries ready for tomorrow and ice my cakes.
Happy Thanksgiving eve!

Another fun day in the land of hair. It was a rather slow day, just one color and a few haircuts, but it's OK, cuz I still feel cruddy. More of same tomorrow......blah, blah, blah. Sometimes I just get so tired of talking! Can you tell I don't feel good?
I meant to stop by Ross on the way home today... the girls at work found some great purses..but I forgot and passed right by...didn't want to turn around so I headed on home. I was all engrossed in listening to my practice CD for Christmas pageant. It was obvious after rehearsal last night that I really need to cram. The performance is weekend after next. Yikes, only four more rehearsals, every night next week! Must finish sewing jewels on my costume, also.
Maybe I'll run in to Ross after work tomorrow, then I must get home and make the cranberry sauce and birthday cakes for the nieces. I'll give them cash for their birthdays...they are 16 and 18 and love to shop. Girls after my own heart.
I'm looking forward to spending time with my sisters and their families. Holidays still are not the same with out Mom, though. Hard to believe it's been five years....alas times flies.
Think I'll go have a cup of hot tea and throw my jeans in the dryer.
Later, Ya'll

The Empty Nest

Baby birds, when they're hatched

They're naked as can be

But, soon as the have feathers

And learn to flap their wings

Mama says, 'Now fly away'

Go find another tree

She never gives them one more thought

They're out there on their own

Her work is done when they take flight

She won't be waiting up all night

For someone to come home!

My babies, they have left the nest

They sprouted wings to fly

But I'm not like that mama bird

They're always on my mind

I wonder how they are

And pray that they're all fine

I'd just like to know, God

Why did they fly so far?

Sometimes I wish that I could be

More like that mama bird

I wouldn't have to worry

When I didn't hear a word

She puts them in your loving care

As they go and make their way

Help me be more like her

Father, this I pray

Written in 2004

Lainey

I stayed home from church today. Still trying to shake 'the crud', as we say in Texas. I don't have time to be sick!! Thought if I just took the day off, I will make it through the next couple of weeks. Lot's going on this time of year. Fortunately, we are having Thanksgiving dinner at my sister's house, so I don't have to do the whole meal. I've been asked to make the cranberries and also want to try a new recipe I saw on Paula Deen's show...Pumpkin-Applebutter pie. Sounds yummy, huh? She topped it with whipped cream and crushed praline pecans. Ya'll check it out on Foodnetwork.com. That lady can cook!
Both my kids live out of town and can't make it home this year. Son lives in north Texas, but I think he's going hunting. Daughter lives out of state, but I'm taking off the day after Christmas to spend a week with them. Can't wait to shop with my girls! Sigh, sometimes I don't like the empty nest. I wrote a poem about it. I'll have to look it up and share.
Well, it's back to the couch now. Or is that NASCAR I hear? The man must be watching a race. So much for the couch! Oh well, he went and got me some medicine and hung my wrought iron pot rack above the island in the kitchen, guess I'll let him watch his race in peace. (Yeah, like I could stop him...the guy is rabid about NASCAR!)

What can I say?

I stood all day

Behind the chair

In the world of hair

Snippin' here and

Curlin' there

Oh, the stories

That I hear

As I stand

Behind the chair

We laugh, we cry

Our thoughts we share

As I work my magic

Behind the chair

When smiling faces

I see there

All is well

In my world of hair!

Had a long day at the salon. Met a new client who hosts private wine tastings. I learned a few tidbits of information about wine. I enjoy a good merlot or white zin now and then, but I'd like to learn more about 'the grape'. I told her about a little winery in central Florida that I discovered several years ago. My sis and I stopped in a few years ago and had quite a nice time tasting and touring the place. The A/C in my car went on the blink around Mobile, Al so we were pretty warm by the time we reached Clermont, Fl the following afternoon. It was cool in the winery and we arrived just in time to taste the vintage.....What fun! We made our purchases and arrived at my daughters house feeling pretty good.
I like the Southern Red and Sun Blush.
My client loved her hair, too!
T'was a nice day, indeed.
Tomorrow's another day in the land of hair. Everybody's 'talking turkey' since Thanksgiving is next week. I'm sure I'll hear some interesting stories and share some good recipes.
Later, Ya'll

I just returned from the funeral of my friend's husband. It was a beautiful tribute to a man who loved the Lord, and was a devoted family man. He was still relatively young, hadn't retired yet. Reminds me that we should be thankful for each and every day.
Didn't go to the cemetery because it is so windy and kind of chilly. We finally got our first 'cold front' here in southeast Texas. Woo Hoo! It's gonna get in the 30's tonight. I feel like I'm getting the sniffles, so I'm making a pot of chicken vegetable soup and contemplating life! Must pull myself together so I can cut, curl and color all day tomorrow. Being at the salon is my 'escape'. I love the interaction with my clients and 'the girls'. Sorry, we have no guys working there. We had two at one time, but they moved on. They were too 'high maintenance' anyway. Poor things didn't know how to fold towels or sweep either!
Think I'll go make some cornbread to go with the soup... Yum!
Bye for now, ya'll

Monday... This is the first day of my blog! I spent the day at home, working on window treatments for my kitchen. Not happy with the results. Think I'll go to plan B and buy ready made.
Oh well, gotta go back to work tomorrow anyway. To the world of hair. What fun... I get to hear some juicy stuff at times. It's like show biz sometimes, too. Schmooze, schmooze, schmooze...Tell 'em how wonderful they are, stroke, stroke, stroke...But I love 'em all. (Especially when I go the the bank)!
Oops, better not give away all my secrets. I'll have every one wondering about their hairdresser.
Well ya'll ( I'm from the South, honey) It's time to say G'nite!
Lainey