Well, Christmas came. There is always great anticipation and planning and family get togethers...then it is over. Jared was an elf in the school play this year. He wore his elf hat and secret agent elf sunglasses and had a lot of fun making a memory for the future. Caleb's fifth grade class played their recorders during the band concert. They did quite well. We were pleased to hear that Christmas music was included. I am so pleased that Caleb and Jared are able to attend a small school where the children still perform Christmas plays and exchange presents or books and eat Christmas cookies. In many schools these joys are no longer allowed. I hope the children who attend the large schools where there are not Christmas plays sing Christmas music along with their parents or their siblings or the radio. I hope they put on their bathrobes and play the part of shepherds coming to worship the baby Jesus. These are activities that bring love and unity to families, or at least I believe so.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

It is almost Christmas. Someone dropped this adorable puppy on our driveway. I think the puppy would rather be with her mom, but we couldn't find anyone who knew her soooooo. Hmmmm what do you do with a lost puppy, or maybe it is a found puppy.

Tom

My husband is celebrating his 70th birthday on Nov. 19th. It seems like only yesterday that I first saw him. My heart did a flip then. I still feel the same. He has supported me through many trials and many accomplishments. It has not always been smooth sailing, but he has always been there. He is the father of my children, my friend, and truly the wind beneath my wings.

Just Say No Parade at the School

Woo Hoooo! I am on my way with cheaper gas

Gas in Mexia is down today. People were excited. Cars lined up 2 deep (not bad) to get some "cheap" fuel. The guy next to me said he was getting it while he could, because he thinks that after the election is over, gas will be going up again. I don't know about that, but it will help me get a little farther down the road.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tom and C. W. in John's "old" car

It is hard to believe the changes that have occurred in the world while I have been on my way. This picture was taken in the sixties and of course the car is from an earlier time. Tom says it was a 1938 or 1939 Chevrolet. It makes me wonder how transportation will change in the future. Will our little electric cars zoom along from plug in to plug in? Will we hover in the air as our children climb down the ladder to school? I suppose they could just put on their packs and jettison down. Hmmmm, maybe they will be able to jetison to school. And of course after school it will be, "Beam me up Mom." My sense is that they may just stay home and have have their lessons electronically fed to them. I guess parents will no longer look forward to the end of summer vacation when the little ones go back to school, but then again, who knows.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

brittany, bian, jeremy, stephen, chris, cole, jessica, michael, B.J. holding Shannon

At one time, I had just a few grandchildren. It was difficult to get them all to remain still long enough to snap a picture. This picture is about 11 years old and now there are more grandchildren. I think the number is 26. They are all amazingly smart and beautiful. Some have embarked on their own journey. I suppose they have always been on their way also, but they seem to be snipping at the apron strings. It is time for a new picture.

Oldsmobile

This would be a nice car for cruising by the lake. I wanted to
drive it home, but nobody would let me.

Tom and Alfred travel

We all have our preferred mode of travel.













And you thought motorcycle guys were tough :)

I have been on my way for a while, and some of the things I have seen are wonderful while others are beautiful. There are no words to describe some. A few of the experiences along the way have not been so great, but we won't talk about those now. Everyone experiences a roadblock or two along the way. We can go around them, over them, or maybe even through them (ouch), but we cannot let them destroy our journey. Tromp, tromp, tromp...