Blonde Moment

SO. Upon arriving home from church tonight, I was faced with the issue of parking my car in our driveway so that it would be pointing back up toward the road. Currently, our drive is still covered in snow and ice- mortal enemies of my Camaro- and is on an incline. I failed to plan ahead this afternoon when I cleaned the snow off my windshield, and thus, did not clear the back glass as well. My first thought when I turned onto my road and pulled up to the drive was that I would back down our driveway to get my car in the proper position for take-off tomorrow morning. I pull a bit past our drive, put the car in reverse, look in the rear view mirror, and see nothing but a big wall of snow.

NEW PLAN. Use side mirrors to back up slightly and get car back in position to enter nose first. Yes, I realize it might have been possible to back down the drive using my side mirrors alone; the thought did briefly cross my mind. However, backing up is not my best skill when my view is completely unobstructed and the ground is as dry as a bone. Therefore, I implement the NEW PLAN.

I feel this requires some explanation, in hopes I will not be perceived as completely addle-brained. On Monday evening, before weather conditions got really bad, I went to the grocery store. During the 20 minutes I was inside Lowes Foods, the parking lot and my car disappeared beneath a blanket of white. I was already skidding and fish-tailing before I even made it out of the parking lot. (I'm telling you, my car HATES the snow.) So I went very slowly, trying not to slide around any more than I could help. When I arrived home, I was faced with the same dilemma as tonight. I solved the issue then by simply turning a big circle in the back yard, coming to a stop right where I wanted to be, no problem.

So, the NEW PLAN was to do that exact same thing again. Brilliant right?! Unfortunately, I failed to take into consideration that the amount of snow on the back yard is significantly higher than it was on Monday when I completed this maneuver. I also made the mistake of not making a big enough circle around the yard. I realized this upon finding my car pointed toward the neighbors' yard, at the point where the ground begins a downward slope. My attempt to reverse here resulted in me spinning my wheels. Now, without the snow, I probably could have made the turn and not risked sliding into the telephone pole standing nearby or putting a dent in the fence surrounding our neighbors' back yard. As it was, my brief attempt to continue on my path produced more sliding, so that idea was quickly aborted.

Being by myself and out of ideas, I call my faithful, loving husband to see WHERE he is at and WHEN he will be home. I explain my situation, hoping for help, and he LAUGHS at me!! jerk! Luckily, he's not too far away. When he gets home, he laughs some more, and then suggests some moves that actually do improve my situation. My attempt at forward motion to cross the yard to my parking space results in another bout of spinning tires, so I get out and let Daniel fix it. I really don't understand why it worked for him and not for me. Oh well, my car and I are out of danger without injury, except to my pride. So that's my blonde moment for the year! :-D

Life Full of Laughter

One of my favorite things about getting together with family and friends is the laughter we share when we're together. Just being able to sit back, relax, and share an hour or two is good for the soul.

The laughter of a child is an infectious excitement, sending you back in time to easier, worry free days and working a slow smile into the faces of all those blessed ones who hear it.

"A good laugh is sunshine in a house."

"With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come." ~Shakespeare Some of my favorite photos are ones in which people are caught laughing. When you look at it, the sound of their laughter fills your ears, and you smile too.

Ah, siblings. A merry-go-round of pranks, fights, fun, joy, pain, and competition, pushed 'round by love and loyalty. I love all of my brothers and sisters: blood, steps, in-laws, and friends close enough they should be counted as such.

"The world has grown suspicious of anything that looks like a happily married life."~O. Wilde

I am so thankful for my crazy, goofy, faithful, loving husband. It's been a tough year for me in some ways, but he was there to hold me till the pain eased and I could laugh again. "You make me smile like the sun..." He's the best.

Life just isn't as fun without a bit of silliness in it. Thank you to all the people who made me smile in 2010.

Oh that we could always see such spirit through the year...

You want to know what's awesome? Getting another piece of furniture for your living room that matches perfectly and is really comfortable- for free!! Is it used? Yes. Is that a problem? Absolutely not. I would like to say thank you to Jonathan for allowing us to use your love seat!

Time has flown since Thanksgiving; everything's been so busy! Pumpkin pie turned out great by the way. One of my very best friends got married the first weekend in December... she wished for snow... and got it! The wedding was absolutely beautiful, and Britt still had a good turn-out, despite the slick roads. It was a great honor to stand beside a life-long friend as she married her soul-mate. And I got to wear a pretty dress! :-D

This past Saturday we had Christmas with my mom & step-family. We all had a wonderful time together. We got a new bedding set for our bedroom, which I'm very excited about... we'll finally have curtains! :-) Mom also surprised me with a few pieces of my china, so today I dusted and rearranged my china cabinet to hold my new stuff. Sunday was our Christmas program at church, which went beautifully. We are blessed with a lot of great singing talent at our church, and of course, it wouldn't be a Christmas program if we didn't have "the voice of Freedom Baptist Church" (Forrest) narrating. :-D

I'm really looking forward to the rest of this week, picking up those last minute gifts and getting everything wrapped, then being able to go and celebrate Christmas with all those we hold most dear. We'll feast, give, sing, and hear many stories- of both the spiritual and not-so-spiritual variety. :-) I hope everyone's Christmas is as full of love and merriment as I'm sure mine will be. Be safe on the roads and enjoy the festivities, and remember that without Jesus, none of it means anything.

Merry Christmas from my house to yours with a big bow on top!!!!

Give thanks!

In the wee hours of the morning this past Thursday, my cousin Erica had her first baby, a beautiful little boy named Mason Curtis. I went to meet him on Friday! :-) He is so precious, I couldn't help but share!

In other news, THANKSGIVING IS HERE!!!! This holiday always seems to sneak up on me for some reason. This year we're going to my grandparents' house, where the whole Beeson family will be in attendance- all 43 of us! It's been quite a while since I've seen everybody, so I'm very excited. This will also be the first year that I have to bring food! Guess I'll have to get up early so I can still watch most of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade ('cause it's just not Thanksgiving without it.). I've been charged to bring a chicken casserole (eh no biggie) and.... dun dun DUN!... pumpkin pie!! I've never made a pumpkin pie in my life. Never cooked a pumpkin anything in fact, but I'm going to give it my best shot! I'm planning to go by Daniel's Grandma Ritchey's recipe, which Daniel has assured me is awesome. I'm really hoping mine turns out as well as hers, since it will be making its debut at the Thanksgiving feast. I'll make sure to have a big tub of cool whip along side it, just in case. That evening I'll peruse the sale papers with Momma and make plans to join the madness that is Black Friday. :-D Yep, I'm one of those people. We always have a blast- it's so fun!! After the shopping extravaganza, I'll head to my other Grandma's to help her prepare for the Thanksgiving feast there. YAY! It'll be a miracle if I haven't gained 10 pounds by Saturday. Hope everyone has a wonderful time at all the various Thanksgiving celebrations!

One of the ladies' groups at church sang this song last night, and I just love it.

Thank You Lord

For making the sun to shine, putting the stars in the sky.

For the flowers that bloom, the ocean so blue, thank you Lord

For the sparrow that sings, it makes sweet melody

For rivers that flow, the rain and the snow, thank you Lord.

I just want to thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord.

For everything that you've done for me, thank you Lord.

I just want to thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord.

For making me whole, saving my soul, thank you Lord.

For my home and family, For life's joys that you've given me.

For shoes on my feet, plenty to eat thank you Lord.

For this church to worship and praise, for the freedom we have today.

Sweet spirit I feel Your presence so real, thank you Lord.

I just want to thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord.

For everything that you've done for me, thank you Lord.

I just want to thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord.

For making me whole, saving my soul, thank you Lord.

For being a friend so dear, giving my sad heart cheer.

For holding my hand when I could not stand, thank you Lord.

For giving your life for me on the cross of Calvary.

For taking my place, for mercy and grace, thank you Lord.

I just want to thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord.

For everything that you've done for me, thank you Lord.

I just want to thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord.

For making me whole, saving my soul, thank you Lord.

Ren Fest!!!

Today I had the privilege of experiencing the Renaissance Festival for the first time!! I loved every minute of it! My geekified self was delighted by all the medieval awesomeness. I had a blast, in spite of being ridiculously cold most of the day. Perhaps next year, it will be warmer and I'll go in costume! HUZZAH!!

The joust was my favorite part!

Maximilian!!!

Max speaking with the master of arms.

The ancient art of falconry

The Cast in Bronze act. This instrument is a carillon.

It weighs 4 tons, has 35 bells, and is played with fists and feet on a modified keyboard by that fellow in the middle of it. Really neat sound.

Sword Swallowing. Ouch.

Dragons!! Shop was full of 'em. Love it.

So, I'm a fan of steam-punk.

(I know you can't see, but the belt buckle is made of watch parts. Coolness!)

And look at these monacle goggles!!! :-D Ever so much fun.

The lovely wood-fairy!!

Mommy and I modeling chain mail headbands :-) They double as necklaces, and I'm still wondering if perhaps I should have purchased one.

oldyweds

Woah... you get a 2-fer today!... but i just saw this quote and it's too cute not to mention...

"Newlyweds become oldyweds, and oldyweds are the reasons that families work"

-Annonymous

...Or maybe I just like the word "oldyweds."

Good reading

This poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning was included in a book I just finished (The Mapping of Love and Death, a Maisie Dobbs novel). Today was a great day for curling up in a blanket and reading- cold and rainy. I absolutely love it, so I thought I'd share.

"The Best Thing in the World"

What's the best thing in the world?

June-rose, by May-dew impearled;

Sweet south-wind, that means no rain;

Truth, not cruel to a friend;

Pleasure, not in haste to end;

Beauty, not self-decked and curled

Till its pride is over-plain;

Love, when, so, you're loved again.

What's the best thing in the world?

--Something out of it, I think.

I would definitely recommend the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. Read them in order, or you'll be a bit lost as to character development. Great characters, plots, and themes abound in this series detailing the life of Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator, set in England following WWI (20's & 30's).