Our Family.......

Time out!!!

I break from the happy family Christmas stories/pictures to bring you this:

Seventies rewind

the farther you read, the more you laugh! Especially if you lived it once.

More Christmas......

One of the things I love about Christmas in Okeene is the Christmas program.  With a small amount of bribery.....okay they could pick anything in the store, Riley and Kendell were going to sing "Away in a Manger" in the Christmas Program.  They did great. 

Sorry the picture isn't better.  Can't figure out how to lighten it!

Anyway, they did awesome.  A really cute little girl a couple years older than Riley and Kendell got up and sang "way in a manager" also.  Kendell leaned over and loudly whispered "hey! that's OUR song!"

It's usually a really quick program, followed by the old fashioned sacks of candy with an apple and an orange in each sack.

Dig those bright pink nails....

Every princess knows pink is the best color!

In between solos, one that would have been SO right for an American Idol audition......I let Kendell have my camera.  Don't worry, I turned off the flash. 

But now I have 27 pictures of my father-in-law's ear:

And a boat load of these....

I completely forgot about that clock in the back of the church.....                                                                                          

Cute smile!

And if you ask Riley what Grandma looked like after she got run over by the reindeer.............

We nearly laughed ourselves silly at this one!

Christmas morning....

We had so much fun!!  Family, friends, and lots of time together.  With great food, too.  Andy and Tera were so sweet to share their family with us, and we had kids in the house for Christmas Eve!!  I'm doing this a little backwards... because our Christmas started the weekend BEFORE Christmas.  I'll post some other stuff tomorrow.  Or later today.  Who knows????  I'm off this week and I'm HAPPY.

Anyway, on Christmas Eve I had laid the groundwork earlier with a story about being "somewhere around 8 years old" (a bit older than Riley and Kendell) and that I heard Santa's sleigh bells on Christmas Eve.  Only the luckiest boys and girls get to actually hear those sleigh bells.  We set out cookies and milk for Santa and made it all nice and inviting. 

SO...... getting ready for bed that night...we were downstairs getting the little blow up beds I had purchased for them all nice and ready (poor Kendell, hers came with a zillion holes in it and we just couldn't patch them fast enough) and at just the right time.........we heard SLEIGH BELLS!!!!  Outside our window!!  Just to make sure it wasn't a "fluke" we got real quiet and HEARD THEM AGAIN!!  Well, everyone knows that Santa won't come unless you're asleep, so Riley started telling us to hurry up he had to go to bed!  NOW!  Quick!  "You people are keeping us up!!"  (why didn't we do this at 8:00??)  he promptly threw all the adults out of their "bedroom" and JUMPED into bed! 

Then......Christmas morning.  Oh, the magic.   Kendell tiptoed in our room......and gently said - wake up!  He came!  If you believe that, I've got a bridge...... Actually she came in squealing "He came! He came!  Come see!!  Quick! Get up!"

And it was the best Christmas EVER!!!

I loved the part when they opened their stockings and she shrieked with delight - "He brought kissy canes!!!"   

   That's what she calls candy canes.  I think from now on, I'll always call them kissy canes.  It's so much sweeter.                                                                                                                            

And, who wouldn't want to get a check up from the cutest little doctor on earth??!?!!

And.......a red ryder BB gun.  j

It's truly a very merry Christmas.

And a playhouse!!!

And he came and ate cookies and drank milk and left a thank you  note.  Isn't Santa wonderful????

But I know that THEY know the real meaning of Christmas.  Tera asked the kids what is the real reason we celebrate Christmas.  They know very well why we REALLY celebrate.  But Riley was so funny.  His answer, all in one breath: "baby Jesus birthday - do we have to go to church again???" 

Priceless.  Simply priceless.

Toffee....Yummmm

I have certain things that I like to make for Christmas.  Some I don't like to make, but I "have" to.  It's kind of like Tera and I were discussing this week about being busy and baking.  She said that Charlene had a doctor appointment here and one there and sixty seven more things to do, plus make BUCK EYES.  Cancel the doctor!  Don't get the car repaired!  Stop everything!

It's one of those things that you just don't forget to do.  Or else.  Everyone remembers the Christmas of 1999.  Charlene came, but didn't make the buck eyes that year.  Let's just say..... it hasn't happened since.  Skip might be the biggest fan...but Rick and i are a reeeeeal close second.  And the other 15 of us are third.  Anyway....

I had exceptionally good luck this year making toffee.  And it's something that can be intimidating, and it's kind of tricky.  And, since I won't post a huge failure on here (say.... the burned Christmas cookies) I'll post my toffee!

Very simple ingredients. 

One cup of butter (not margarine)

One cup of sugar

A squirt of white syrup

And GOOD no-stick spray.  That's IT!!

Melt two sticks of butter (1 cup) in a medium size sauce pan.  Make sure the pan is squeaky clean.  Not just because it would make my mother in law crazy if it wasn't, but when it starts to thicken, if there is ANYTHING, any speck, it will cling to it and burn. Before you add in the cup of sugar, wash the butter up on the sides.  This is the lazy woman's way of buttering the sides of the pan. 

Add a squirt (or a tablespoon) of corn syrup.  I don't know if you can use dark, I always use light.

Then you watch and stir. 

and stir.....

Getting there......

When you start to see it getting a rich amber color, you can test it in some really cold water.

If you're reeeeaally lucky, it will look something like the one on the right.  nice and crispy.  If you're to this point.....NOW!  QUICK!  Pour it in a greased pan....

If I need to spread it, I spray the back of a large spoon with no stick spray and hope for the best...Then spray the tip of a  big spatula and quickly make marks that will HOPEFULLY make it break in the right places.  Very similar to how and why you put those cracks when you're pouring cement!

Then you can add chocolate by either laying three regular size hershey bars on the top and waiting until they're glossy and spreading, or use the melted chocolate you already have on the stove for the 379 other things you've already made!

Wow.  Santa needs to give me a manicure for Christmas, huh?!

The chop some really fresh pecans.  I like to put them in my big sifter and get out the little paper-y yuckies off.  It just looks nicer.  And paper-y yuckies is a new cooking term.  It will be in next years dictionary.

Then.......wait for the chocolate to set up. 

And with any luck it will break right on the little lines.  Giving you nice squares.  If not, hey, it all tastes the same!

Enjoy!  And all your friends will be impressed by your candy making ability!!!  Yummmmmm.

If you need a laugh..........

If you don't do anything else today......you GOTTA see this.  I promise it will be a much needed "pick-me-up"!!!

http://www.sermonspice.com/videos/3838/12-crazy-days-of-c/

Merry Christmas.  From me to you!

You GOTTA check this out........

Isn't this the MOST adorable picture?  They are REALLY checking the list with Santa!!

Check out Tera's blog at:  http://www.brownstreetjournal.blogspot.com/

Kids.....

I think my daughter has the best job in the world.  She has never wavered in her desire to be a teacher.  And she is reeeeeally good at it.  To go to work every day and be idolized and loved.......is there anything better?

I volunteered to help Shell and Heather with an art project.  I tied and stapled bows on about 50 "wreath" pictures.  The kids dipped their hands in green paint and made a circle or handprints, then put their thumb in red glitter paint and made "berries".  I WISH I had taken a picture of the wreaths, it would be better than trying to visualize it.  Anyway.....Shell's kids made me thank you cards.  And it absolutely made my week!!  Here are some of them:

These two are my favorites:

Are you really her mom?

You can't see the thank you, but it says "thank you for pooting (putting) the bose (bows) on are (our) ryf (wreath)".  Isn't that the cutest thing you've every seen???! They are so sincere.  So loving.  And she's teaching them to be thankful and to say it.  Teaching is definitely more than ABC and the "three R's".  And she's doing a wonderful job of teaching them so much more. 

They are ALL darling, and I am so thankful right back!  Yep.  She's a lucky girl.

Brrrrrrr

Right in the middle (almost) of the week.....I got a day off!!!  Paid! I swear, it was a gift from God.  Of course...some others might not see it that way. 

I heard a news clip that had a woman in Oklahoma City talking about how eerie it is, especially at night, to hear absolutely NOTHING outside except the moan and crack of the trees giving way to the tremendous ice coating.  you just do NOT know how quiet it is without electricity.  You might THINK you do...but it's quiet unlike anything else. Oh, the memories.  The pain, the horror!

January 7th or 8th 2005...It starts out well enough.

The first night we're playing games by flashlight and roasting marshmallows and we have hot water and one telephone.  Hey.  It's a party!

The second night we're feeling a little deprived.  No television, no microwave, no heat.  But we have warm beds and that's good.  We'll just enjoy the cuddling and use our body heat to stay warm. It's still a little adventurous.

The third night we're thinking that the fun has been sucked out of this deal.  It's not nearly as much fun to keep stoking the fire, the bathroom is COLD, especially after a nice hot shower.  I have a headache because I haven't had coffee in a couple days and caffeine withdrawl is no picnic.  Hey!  Let's go out to eat!  Crap.  Can't.  All the restaurants are without power also.  And it's really creepy driving down completely dark streets and you KNOW those houses should have lights on...... feels kind of apocalyptic.

Fourth night of heck - No fun.  Not one bit.  I'm tired of the ring of ice that serves as a toilet seat, if I see another sandwich I'm going to cry, the laundry is piling up, and my computer and cable have deserted me.  Plus, a wicked caffeine withdrawl fueled by hormones threatens to make Attila the Hun look like Mr. Rogers.  I'm going to lose my mind!

Fifth circle of heck hell- There isn't a hotel room is this forsaken ghost town.  We've given up hope and we'll never be warm or happy again.  Get away from me!  Body heat, shmody heat!  Cuddle up to the stinking snow plow! I have the recorded message from the electric company memorized.  If they tell me 72 hours one more time, I'm going ape on them.  They're probably the only building in town WITH power.

and on the sixth day.... a wonderful friend came by and showed us how to hook the generator up to our electric box.  God bless Larry Cook.  We don't have a dryer or stove but we're going to make it!  I have the Gloria Gaynor song playing in my head...... "I will survive!!"  The next day, some wonderful handsome intelligent noble generous good looking men from Arkansas or Louisiana (don't care which) came down the alley and had the power back on!!!  So cheer up Oklahoma (and parts of Kansas)!  Just keep the ice the heck away from me!

My Guy and little boo-boos

Friday was a really baaaaad day for someone in our house.  Since we're now officially "empty nestors" and I'm blabbing about it, that leaves.......Larry.  For those of you that aren't real familiar with blogging, for privacy reasons we don't make it super easy to be identified.  Yes, I know that our name appears in the address to FIND the darn blog.  I refer to my charming son in law as Chad, and that's his real name (as far as you know.....) but not his last name.  Or my favorite shopping buddy.....but not her address. 

ANYWAY......Friday was a really bad day for Larry.  He tries so hard.  He works like a fool at his job, and he's really good at what he does. 

Spoiling the granddog. 

No, really his job is putting in furnaces for people that need assistance.  He works with lots and lots of elderly people, and some single parents that can't otherwise afford to keep their kids warm. 

And he's got a crew that he's in charge of, and a warehouse.

  He just bought his second van like this one.  And that's part of the story......                                                      

He's helping one of the guys rearrange the vans.  Now, the warehouse is a lot more crowded than these pictures because, well, it has another full size van in there and more of everything else.  When I took these pictures, I was riding along because he was delivering a whole pallet of water (in our truck) so the guys stay hydrated on the job. 

Anyway....long sordid story short, the guy he's helping move vans isn't helping him watch, and...yep....P*O*W*!  He crashes one van into the other.  Well, maybe not "crash", but they collide.  Okay, they don't collide, but they sure bumped.  Two.  Brand new.  Company vehicles.  See why it's a bad day?   And Larry couldn't feel worse.  Accidents happen.  But he doesn't think they should happen to the "boss". 

And speaking of Larry, I think I need a new monniker for him.  Although I do like larry, and it is fitting.  Marlboro Man is taken.  Darn.  Any suggestions???  Please??!

Grateful.......

Coming home Saturday night, after sharing GREAT times with our friends, we smelled smoke.  The closer we got to our house, the stronger it was.  Started feeling a little uneasy...... rounded the corner.... nothing.  But smoke.  Not our house (thank you God), but STRONG smoke smell.  Larry wants to call 911. 
"and tell them WHAT??@!!"

That we smell smoke! 

Okay....but then they'll come HERE. 

"oh.   I'll just tell them that we smell it then, but don't know where it is."

Great plan. 

So I ran in took care of some business (potty break)......then I went out to drive around and find out where  it was.  See, it was very VERY wet here on Saturday, and it couldn't be grass...which pretty much left a house or building. 

So I walk out the front door and see this:   

And that is the view from a half mile away.

A view that was not there ten minutes ago. 

And I hear sirens. 

And I know Chad is working for someone else at the fire station. 

So, I'm thinking that if the white Lincoln goes whipping down the street tailgating the fire truck, he might be a little embarrassed.  But I'm hoping and praying he is safe.

So, the Lincoln goes creeeeping down a side street....  Oh.  After I pick up my trusty sidekick.  She wants to see what her hubby is doing.  She is SO proud of him.  But scared.  Because even though these pictures don't come CLOSE to how big it was, you get the idea.  (The picture is pop-up enabled, so click on it twice and it should give you a bigger picture.)

This is Mrs. Renner's house from about two blocks away.  When Shell was little and we lived near Dorothy Holm, Mrs. Renner would buzz over in her little red station wagon at least once a week.  The spunky little old ladies would take off in that red roadster for the afternoon.  Tea, ladies meeting, church, etc. 

And everyone knew Mrs. Renner lived here.  Until about five years ago when she died and the house sat vacant.  Then kids discovered a place to gather and have parties.  I'm pretty sure that's what happened Saturday.  They threw a cigarette butt down, left a candle lit, did something unintentional....and this happened. 

But more importantly, my sweet son-in-law is in the very bottom right corner of that picture.... I wish you could see it in the picture.  But we could see a little stream of water and they looked small and tiny.  And it looked like throwing a cup of water on a forest fire.  And my daughter starts praying out loud... and thankfully we didn't know it was him until the next day. (That white Lincoln might have just four wheeled across that muddy wheat field with two crazy women in it). 

Actually I was kind of grateful when he told me that they can't see really well with all that gear on.  I was a little afraid he might see the flash of my camera and if someone asked, he would say "that's just my idiot mother-in-law taking a picture for her stupid blog).

But I thought too of how seriously he takes his job.  And how much training he's had. And I have to admit, if I ever had the misfortune of this happening to me, or of being in a wreck and needing help, I would want someone like Chad to help me.  He really tries.  And he studies and learns and trains.  A LOT.  Every day.  And he's smart.  And tough as an old boot.  (Except when Zoey is working him for a dog biscuit, then he's kind of marshmallow-y).  And, in case you can't tell, I'm proud of him, too.  And very very grateful for God's protection.