I Saw Woody Woodpecker!

Well, it wasn't Woody, but today while a few of us were out at Carol's house, I glanced out her back window and saw what looked like one of those ugly black and white and red ducks - climbing a tree. I realized that was improbable, so I looked again, and saw what I believe was one of these:

A Pileated Woodpecker. Those of you who were there, does this look like what we saw?

Whatever kind of woodpecker he was (and he was a BIG woodpecker), I found him fascinating. I have never seen a woodpecker in the wild (just as I have never seen an owl in the wild), and I really enjoyed watching him in the backyard, attacking a poor defenseless tree. He was really attacking that thing, which leads me to believe they must have very strong bills! (I had to look on a woodpecker website to determine if they have bills or beaks. Apparently, they have bills.)

I have to say, I really enjoyed today's brush with nature! As I told the others (much to their amusement), it made me want to start keeping a Bird Life List!

Complete!

Yesterday at Target I bought this:

Oh, yes I did. I did buy "The Waltons Movie Collection". It was just released on DVD, and contains reunion movies I have never seen.

Do I dare tell you that this completes my Waltons collection? Should you ever have a hankerin' to watch seasons 1 - 9 of the Waltons, I can hook you up.

I am, once again, dating myself (this is what I have decided to say instead of calling myself old).

Lest you think me too much of a sap, remember that I can also hook you up with Criminal Minds, seasons 1- 4; NCIS, seasons 1 - 4; and Burn Notice, seasons 1 - 2. The disturbing violence in Criminal Minds alone should negate the pure sap which is the Waltons.

Someone Was Bad

Look at the 2nd color from the left. That's a paint color from Sears. Hot Pink is what it is called. Today I was at Sears killing time and looking at paint (blues, not pinks). The salesman I was talking to pointed to the Hot Pink and said, "See that?" After I nodded he said a woman had come in and bought 30 gallons of that color. That's right. THIRTY GALLONS!!!

And what was she going to do with 30 gallons of Hot Pink paint? Why, paint her whole downstairs, of course. Kitchen, breakfast room, family room, entry, and whatever other rooms were nearby, I guess.

And why was she painting her ENTIRE DOWNSTAIRS Hot Pink? Well, her husband was with her, and he was being very agreeable to whatever she wanted - "Yes, dear. Whatever color you want, dear." So, the salesman seemed to think he had done something to make her really mad, and this was her form of retaliation.

He must have been a very bad hubby.

Creepiness

Last night, Scott and his friend James were at our house. The phone rang, with the caller ID showing "Private Caller". Scott answered it, and the following conversation took place:

Scott: Hello?

Man: May I speak to Robert?

Scott: He can't come to the phone right now.

Man: I assume you're his son?

Scott: (No remark)

Man: I assume your mother also is away?

Scott: She can't come to the phone either.

Man: Maybe they are out making you a little brother or sister.

Scott: I don't think I should answer that.

Man: So you're pleading the 5th, huh?

Scott: I guess.

Man: Okay. Bye.

What sort of weirdo is that? I think from now on our machine will be answering calls from anyone named "Private Caller".

Lost Marbles

Kristie, Shelley, and I were at an antique store today. We saw a jar full of marbles, so I said, "I still have all my marbles".

Kristie gave me a look, so I quickly told her she had better not make any comments. I knew what she wanted to say!

Here's my question. Who among you would have wanted to make some sort of disparaging comment had you been there when I said I still had all my marbles? You can be honest - I can take it!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today would have been my Dad's 83rd birthday.

This is one of my favorite pictures from when I was little. Sadly, the photo has seen better days, but I still love it.

I couldn't have asked for a better dad. I still miss him, and I'm sure I always will.

Six Months

Six months from today I will be celebrating(?) a birthday. I will be turning 50. In six short months, I will be done with my 40s forever.

Man, that makes me feel old.

Why Do I Question?

When Jeffrey got his Mission Call, four weeks ago today (man, that went by fast), we were all very excited. But we were also a little bummed that he wasn't leaving until April 28th - 4-1/2 months later! It just seemed like such a long time.

Here's where I have to say, why do I question these things?

Jeffrey has a friend whose parents are opening a tax return franchise. Jeffrey was able to take their training, pass the test, and become certified to prepare taxes for them. So he has found a job. And since he's wants to be an Accountant, it's in his field. So it will be good experience.

And when does tax season end?

April 15th. 13 days before Jeffrey reports to the MTC.

Would they have hired Jeffrey if he was reporting to the MTC April 1st? Probably not.

Why, until I'm shown the obvious answer, do I question the Lord's hand in these things?

What a Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday morning I managed to get Scott to Seminary and then get the kids from Seminary to school. After that I came home and dropped into my chair - unable (or more likely unwilling) to move.

The result? My dishwasher never got emptied. More dirty dishes piled up. A terrible clutter took over the kitchen and family room. My house was a shambles.

This morning I did the same driving, but I did not come home and drop comatose into my chair. I unloaded the dishwasher, reloaded it, and did the other dishes. I cleared away the clutter (except for the Nerf gun darts which seem to always litter our floor). I even took all the recyclables out of the house. My house isn't anywhere near perfect, but it's much better than it was yesterday.

If only I could be as productive every morning. Alas, there's no telling when I will again come home and take root in my chair instead of doing something worthwhile.

Exciting Times!

This is another in my series of "I'm getting older, and time is rushing by" posts!

In the past three weeks, Jeffrey and two of his friends from Mission Bend have gotten their mission calls.

How can that be? It seems like only yesterday I was their Den Leader in Cub Scouts.

And now they have all been called to go and serve the Lord for two years.

Those little boys have all grown up to be strong, faithful men. I'm proud to know all three of them.

Time Flies

Brian returned home from his mission on September 2nd. When he first got home I remember wondering what it would be like to have him here for more than 4 months. Now, as mid-January quickly approaches, I have to say it's been (mostly) wonderful. He will be heading back to Texas A&M next week, and suddenly it's coming way too fast. I know it's time for him to go, but I am really going to miss him. It's been especially fun to have all 3 of the boys at home these past few weeks. They really seem to get along, for which I'm grateful.

Soon our house will be down to 3 residents. And, in the blink of an eye, April 28th will be here and Jeffrey will be leaving on his mission. Then it will be just Scott and I in the house.

Those of you with young children, enjoy the days. They will be gone before you know it.

Beyonce - In My Words!

All the Richmond* ladies! All the Richmond* ladies!

All the Richmond* ladies! All the Richmond* ladies!

All the Richmond* ladies! All the Richmond* ladies!

All the Richmond* ladies!

*Or Sugar Land or Rosenberg or Fulshear (Richmond just works better)

(Here's where we skip the verse because it was too hard to change the words)

Chorus:

If you're one of us you need to head to 5 Guys!

If you're one of us you need to head to 5 Guys!

Sink your teeth into a burger and some good fries!

If you're one of us you need to head to 5 Guys!

Uh oh oh Uh oh oh oh oh oh Uh oh oh

Uh oh oh Uh oh oh oh oh oh Uh oh oh

(Brian is disparaging my attempts to change Beyonce's words, but I think it works okay)

Girls Night Out!

5 Guys Burgers and Fries!

Tuesday!

7:00!

Uh oh oh Uh oh oh oh oh oh Uh oh oh!

Seriously Cute Kitty!

This is such an adorable video of a kitten. If you have already seen it, watch it again! It's only 17 seconds, and it will make you smile!

See? I didn't steer you wrong, did I?

Delilah

Have any of you ever heard the radio personality, Delilah? She's nationally syndcated and is on 99.1 in the evenings. I don't listen to her, but I have heard her occasionally when I have been trying to find a good song on a station.

Today I read that she pulled her kids out of their school in Washington. Here's why, in her own words:

"I would like to say that I am merely 'deeply concerned' about a recent addition to the school's teaching philosophy, but instead, I am forced to admit I am actually HORRIFIED by the recent addition of a book by Mormon author Steven (sic) Covey."

Wow! She is upset because the school has introduced a leadership curriculum based on Covey's book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People". Seriously, that is a best selling book that has been read by millions of people. I wish our schools would incorporate some of his leadership ideas into their curriculum.

What's sad is that she will be allowed to get away with this prejudice because it is against Mormons. She will suffer no repurcussions for her bigotedness.

Christmas Song?

Robert dared me to post a video of his favorite Christmas song. So here it is:

Not quite Josh Groban singing "O Holy Night". To each his own, I guess!

A Mother's Happiness

Today at Church my three boys blessed the Sacrament. I loved seeing the three of them sitting behind the Sacrament table together. It definitely brought joy to my heart.

Merry Christmas, Robert!

I realize it's now 10:24p.m. in Abu Dhabi, but I wanted to wish Robert Merry Christmas!

We miss you and wish you were here. It's not the same without you (although I did get to sleep until 8:00, which was nice).

I love you!

Taste of Texas

On Saturday, I took the kids on our annual Christmas pilgrimage to our favorite restaurant:

Man, I love that place! It is beautiful any time you go, but at Christmas it is magical. They remove every decoration in the restaurant (and it's a BIG place), and replace them with Christmas decorations and lights. You could spend hours admiring the decorating job - all done by their employees, by the way.

Then there's the food. Starting off with a luscious salad bar with lots of veggies, fruit, giant blocks of cheese, and mini loaves of bread that are delicious. Then a wondrous steak for a main course. Tender and cooked to perfection with a yummy baked potato side. Then we conclude with a perusal of their dessert tray. Sigh. So much to choose from, so little room. We ended up with an 8-inch slice of chocolate cake, a piece of key lime pie, a piece of Snickers pie, and two pieces of a white and dark chocolate mousse cake. Scrumptious!! And we all brought home leftovers, so we still have stuff to savor!

Plus, our waiter, Steve, was excellent. We've always had good waiters there, but I think he's been my favorite.

Was it worth the 1 hour and 20 minute wait (even though we got there before 5:00)? You betcha!

Jeffrey's Mission Call!!

Jeffrey got his Mission Call! He is going to the Mexico Veracruz Mission! Woo hoo!

Here he is before the big reveal:

Here is a picture of his mission (the medium grey area):
The only downside? He doesn't leave until April 28th - 4-1/2 months away! I hope he can find a job!

I'm so excited for him! I can't believe I am sending out my second missionary already!

Totally Missed It

I just realized that I totally missed my one year blog anniversary, which took place on October 22nd. I missed it by A LOT! I remember when Lori posted her one year blog anniversary post, I thought, "I will have to do that too". Then I totally missed it. Woo hoo for me!

288 posts later (289 if you include this one), I am glad I started this blog. It's not as deep and insightful as a journal should be, but it's the closest I've come to keeping one in years! And it's a pretty good record of what goes on in my family. I actually enjoy going back and reading old posts. They are a little trip down memory lane (and the older I get, the more I need a written reminder).

So, happy one year and almost 2 months blog anniversary to me! And to any of you who haven't joined the world of blogging yet - do it - you won't regret it!