Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Unwrapping the Hodgepodge...

Hodgepodge time again.  This week went by especially fast, could be cause we were enjoying Arkansas and the grands.  If you would like to join in please do, it's a lot of fun!

1.  With that being said I think I need to dive right in to some Christmas related questions, don't you? Which do you prefer-pretty gift wrap with a bow or a pretty gift bag with/without a bow?  What percentage of your holiday gifts are currently (as in right this very minute) wrapped in some form or fashion? 
I prefer the pretty gift wrap and bows.  I have a whopping 0% wrapped and what is really sad about that much bought.  Sad, sad, sad!

2.  What is one item on your Christmas list this year?

I really do not have a list, last year I told my hubby I wanted to give Christmas bags with goodies in them to some of the Homeless here in Springfield.  That is what I will probably do again.  That was a humbling experience and they were so appreciative and thankful.  

3.  What makes a home?

A place where friends and family can gather and relax.  Where there is love and happiness and you can feel it when you walk through the door.

4.  Motown founder Berry Gordy celebrates his birthday on Hodgepodge Day-November 28th. Are you a fan of the Motown sound?  If so, who's your favorite Motown artist and/or song? Here's a list in case you're stuck. 
Gosh I love Motown, used to listen to it when I was a teen.  I think my favorite would be The Temptations -My Girl.  And then "War" by Edwin Starr.  My brother was in Nam so I was very aware of surroundings in 1969-70 even though I was 12 years old.





5.  Red or green-which one is more prevalent in your closet?
Really neither one, you would have to really look but probably more green.


6.  True or false-bacon makes it better? If you answered true, what's your favorite dish made with bacon? 

I love bacon, if it is done.  BLT's rank at the top of the list, but so does a Egg/Bacon/Cheese biscuit from Mickey D's!  I also tried a new dish at Thanksgiving, green beans with bacon, onions and water chestnuts chopped up.  It was pretty good, they were almost all ate.

7.  Share a favorite holiday memory.
Oh gosh I have so many holiday memories it is hard to choose one.  I love the time that I spent with my daughter making candies. We made all kinds of different ones and we usually worked on it for a week. Christmas music would be playing in the background, and lots of talking and laughing going on.  Good times!


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

This crazy thing evidently messed up on me last night.  It was okay on the preview but it sure wasn't this morning.  
Now my real random thought...  lol
I was so proud of myself doing the Thankful posts and staying caught up and then it happened.  I went to Arkansas and did not have time.  Amazing how those grand kids can take up so much time.  I love it!  We had a wonderful visit, did a lot of cooking, visiting, laughing, and a few tears wiped.  Nothing better than spending time with family!

Cain just made a basket.  He is a pretty good player!

Angel... yes, but the halo is slipping off.  lol
until next time... nel

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Thanksgiving Style...


I love me some Wednesday Hodgepodge!  Join in and have a little fun with us.  Joyce is a wonderful hostess.  And you will meet some great people...Come on you know you want too!

1. Turkey-love it or leave it?  White meat or dark?  What's your favorite thing to make using leftover turkey?
I love turkey, my refrigerator usually has turkey lunch meat in it.  White meat for me, my hubby prefers the dark, so all is good in our household.  lol.   I think my favorite is Turkey Salad, no particular recipe, I just go with it.


2. Gotta burn off all those carbs the day after a holiday feast so which would you rather do-run a 10K or climb a mountain? 
I am so glad Joyce has a sense of humor, you are kidding right Joyce?


3.  Do you feel like social networking has made your relationships better or worse?  Explain.
There are a lot of people who hate Facebook.  I for one love it, that is how I stay in tune with what is going on in my friends lives since I live in a different state.  My daughter and I share pictures and funny stories.  It can be bad, and yes there can be a lot of drama with other people, but you can adjust it where you don't even have to read their posts. Or if someone is using a lot of profanity, Ignore them, you can adjust it where you only get their important posts, or just delete them.  It really can be a good thing, like anything in life it is what we want out of it.


4. How do you find and express gratitude for the hard things in your life? 
I have always believed that everything happens for a reason.  You just have to pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and keep on keeping on.  It is hard at times, but I always try to find something good in everything.  God knows what He is doing!  The trials and hard things in our lives make us stronger.  I would not be the person I am without those times.


5.  In the US, the day after Thanksgiving has been dubbed 'Black Friday'.  Is most of your holiday shopping done live and in person, or is it done more through the magic of the Internet? How do you feel about stores opening at midnight Thanksgiving night? Will you be out amongst the masses on Friday? 

My shopping is about half and half, I also make part of mine.  I am not a Black Friday person, nothing is worth fighting the crowds.  I know some live for Black Friday, different strokes for different folks.  I do sometimes catch deals on the internet. The opening on Thanksgiving, I can understand, look how many people are just waiting to get in.  With this economy the stores have to do anything and everything to stay grounded.

6.  Speaking of the color black-which black item in your wardrobe would you say is your favorite?
Actually, I do not have anything black, not by choice.  That however is going to change due to the fact that my Psoriasis is finally getting under control.  I am so excited.  You can read about that here


7.  What do you appreciate about your life today? 
I appreciate the love and security I feel from my husband.  I do not worry about tomorrow because today is perfect.  I appreciate the time we spend together discussing scripture and enjoying our church family together.  God is Good!


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We are in Arkansas for Thanksgiving.  Nothing like spending holidays with families and friends.  There will probably be 15 and 2 little ones at my daughter's house for dinner.  I will be making the turkey and she will be helping with side dishes and desserts.  Life is good!
You know I cannot pass up a chance to mention my grand kids.  They are growing so fast.  Cain is now about 2 inches taller than me and Eden Jade is getting taller also.  She read me a book last night instead of me reading to her.  Amazing...   Here are a couple of pictures I could not resist sharing.
He is making a good basketball player!
Can you tell she is a mess?  

Sunday, November 18, 2012

A Thankful Month - Day 18


Today I am thankful we have running water in our little house at Appleton.  For several months last year we did not have.  Our pipes had froze and busted and it took awhile to find someone that could come while we were in town to fix them.  We took showers at Jan's, and we carried water to flush the commode and we had to heat some to wash dishes.  Not a lot of fun, it is so much easier when you can just turn that faucet on.  I am not sure I would of made it in olden times.  How spoiled we have become and how we take things for granted.  Yep running water, very thankful for it!

until next time... Nel

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Playing Catch Up - Day 15, 16 & 17


A Thankful Month - Day 15 
I am thankful that we will spend Thanksgiving in Arkansas.  I love it that my hubby has no problem with making frequent trips south.  We have to get in some spoiling time with the grand-kids. And I so enjoy my time with my daughter.
A Thankful Month - Day 16
I am thankful for my extended family.  Stan and I our friends with Janice's dad (my ex) and his wife Gina.  We share our grand-kids and our kids.  Friday night I helped with her dad's 50th Birthday Party.  It turned out great and we all had a great time.  There were about 45 - 50 family and friends there, several whom I had not seen in several years.  It was a lot of fun.
A Thankful Month - Day 17
I am thankful for our house in Arkansas.  It was my mom's little house and was left to me.  It is great because we have somewhere to stay when we are visiting the kids.  It is kind of our home away from home, our getaway.  And the grand kids can still come to Granny and Papa's house!  That I love, and Eden Jade is asleep in the recliner right now.  Life is good!

until next time... nel

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

A Thankful Month - Day 14


Today I am Thankful for my camera.  I have a Canon Rebel Digital and I love it.  I love capturing what the Lord has blessed us with and sharing it with others.  My hubby teases me that I would remember my camera before I would remember him.  He also has realized when I yell STOP going down the road, it is not an emergency.  I just want to take a picture of something. Yep it would be hard to live without my camera. 
until next time... nel

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

A Thankful Month - Day 13


Today I am Thankful for my blogging friends.  It is amazing to me how many wonderful friends you can make just by reading each others blogs.  Memes like Wednesday Hodgepodge is a great way to make friends.   It is so cool how you know these bloggers only online (unless of course your are lucky enough to meet each other) but you still feel like they are your friends.  If they are missing you tend to wonder what is happening in their lives.  Or you pray they are safe if they live in the area of a storm.  You know if you need prayer all you have to do is ask and you will have a team of friends praying for your need.  Blogging friends are special people and no one understands that unless they are a blogger!
until next time... nel

Monday, November 12, 2012

A Thankful Month - Day 12


Today I am Thankful for my dermatologist.  I have had on on-going problem for about 18 years with scaling on my scalp, my neck and the last 6 months or so my ears.  My hubby finally convinced me to make an appointment and of course it took about 4 months to get in since I was a new patient.  I had been told before it was dermatitis or eczema but she diagnosed it as psoriasis.  She looked at it closely and said there was quite a build up of plaque.  I was instructed to wash my hair daily switching between two dandruff shampoos and she gave me a prescription for a foam to use twice a day on my scalp and ears.  After two weeks I was to cut back to once a day.  She warned me that there was a good possibility that this would not work.  I have a follow up appointment in 6 weeks. Can I just say Praise the Lord!  Tomorrow will be 2 weeks and I have no scaling at all.  I actually can comb or brush my hair and not have to brush my shoulders off.  See some of you may not understand... that brought tears to my eyes because I have been dealing with this for so long.  And there is no itching at all, before it was constantly.  I can't wait to go back in four weeks.  She is going to be surprised!  Unfortunately there is no cure, I will probably have flair ups now and then, but now I will have something to control it.  Yes for this I am very thankful!

until next time... nel

Sunday, November 11, 2012

A Thankful Month - Day 11



Today I am Thankful for all our Veterans past and present.  You guys and gals are awesome!  Thank you for putting your life on the line for our freedom!  For leaving your families and homes whether on foreign soil or in the USA I thank you.  My Dad fought in Germany, my brother Tom fought in Nam, my nephew Jeremy Curtis and Dustin Curtis fought in the Army and were in Afghanistan, my great nephew Eric is in the Air Force in Germany and my great nephew Corey joined the Marines and is in training in California.  If I missed anyone I am truly sorry!  We don't say it enough - THANKS TO ALL OF THE VETERANS!

until next time... nel

Saturday, November 10, 2012

A Thankful Month - Day 10


Today I am thankful for my family and friends.  Besides my brothers and their families I have cousins everywhere.  But families are so important and so are friends.  Life would be lonely without family and friends.

until next time... nel

Friday, November 9, 2012

A Thankful Month - Day 9


Today I am Thankful for my mom and dad.  We were not raised in a Christian home but we were raised to know right from wrong.  We knew they loved us even though they may not of said it.  They both worked hard, and we had a life we could be proud of.  Family was very important to both of them.
I still miss both of them!

until next time... nel

Thursday, November 8, 2012

A Thankful Month - Day 8


Today I am thankful for my cell phone.  And folks I have to be honest we have just a cell phone, it does not have all the bells and whistles, we don't even have texting, but it does have mobile to mobile on it. And I am so thankful my daughter is with the same provider.  It is such a good feeling to know that she can pick up the phone and call me or I her and not have to worry about how long we are talking.  That was the only request she made when he asked me to marry him, that he would make sure I always had a cell phone.  What did we do before cells?  I would hate to pay the long distance bill between us.  We usually talk every other day if not every day, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day, sometimes for an hour or more.  Wouldn't you hate to pay that bill?  Yes sirree I am thankful for my cell phone!  (and I know Stan and Clint are!)

until next time... nel

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

A Thankful Month - Day 7


Today I am Thankful that I live in the United States of America.  We have many freedoms that other people in other nations do not have.  Yesterday, I along with everyone that was registered got to place our vote for who we supported.  Not everyone across the world is given that opportunity.  Granted I am disappointed today because it looks like my choice did not win, but I still got to voice my opinion.  As a nation we need to turn it over to God, He is still on the throne, and He will protect His people.

until next time... nel

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

A Thankful Month - Day 6


Today I am thankful for our Church and Church Family.  We are not a very big church in fact we are known as 'the country church at the edge of the city.'  We have a wonderful pastor and his wife is a sweetheart!  And we are all like family.  When we started there about 6 years ago we averaged 12 on a good day, now we average 24 or 25 and at times we have 30.  I love the fact that I feel like I have been to church on Sunday mornings and Sunday nights.  On Wednesdays we have a wonderful Bible Study.   About the time we switched pastors, an older couple started attending.  Talk about a piano player and song leader...the Lord has really been blessing us!  If you are ever in the Springfield MO area look us up.  Heritage Chapel Free Will Baptist on Farm Road 146 off the Bypass.  You would probably even get to hear my hubby and I sing a song.  
Yep, definitely thankful for my church and church family!

until next time... nel

Monday, November 5, 2012

A Thankful Month - Day 5


Today I am Thankful for my son-in-law Clint Alan Lusk.  He is a great husband to my daughter and a great daddy to my grandkids.  He is a wonderful provider and a hard worker, my daughter says to hard sometimes.  lol.  He amazes me at times, it is wonderful to see someone at his age setting goals and working towards accomplishing them.  But most of all I love it that he loves my daughter and makes her happy.  I am proud to call him one of mine!

until next time... nel


Sunday, November 4, 2012

A Thankful Month Day 1 - 4...


Isn't he the cutest?  I received that on an e-mail years ago.  Hopefully I am not infringing on anyone's rights or property.  If I am I am sorry and I will gladly remove it.  No harm was intended.  
I love the little guy though.  He just speaks the season we are in.  He looks like he needs a little sign that says "Happy Fall Y'all!"

I have decided I am going to try and do a post every day on things I am thankful for.  I noticed a lot of people were doing it on Facebook and I thought I could do it here and just share it there and kill 2 birds with one stone as they say.  Don't you just hate cliche's!  If you do you are probably at the wrong place.  Would love to have you join me on the Thankful posts.  Just leave me a comment on mine and I will head over your way to read yours.  As usual I am already behind, but I am going to try my best to stay caught up this month...lol.  Yeah right!  Okay I will give it my best shot.  First I want to say I am always and forever thankful for things in my life not just one month out of the year.  I do think sometimes it is a good thing to write those things down just to remind ourselves how good life is.  Okay now I will shut my mouth and get started.

Day 1:  I am thankful for God who sent his son Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for my sins so I can have a home in heaven.  
Day 2:  I am thankful for my sweet hubby Stan.  I truly believe he is my soul mate, we were made for each other. He is my provider, my friend and my lover.  He loves me in spite of myself.   Prayers do get answered!
Day 3:  I am thankful for my daughter, Janice.  She is the best, always has been.  She is a wonderful daughter, but yet a best friend!  She has grown to be a beautiful woman and a wonderful wife and mom.  I only pray her and her kids are as close as her and I.
Day 4:  I am thankful for my grandkids, nothing like those grandkids.  Eden Jade is a mess, she is so funny and loves to make you laugh.  She is my sunshine!  And Cain Alan is growing up on us.  He is so serious about some things but has such a sense of humor.  I am so glad I can call him mine!  I love both my grandkids!

until next time... nel