Saturday After

Thanksgiving and all is good.  Tummy got full, plus I had a chance to ride in this:

'66 Sunbeam Alpine. I much felt like a Bond Girl in this zipping around in this roadster! I only missed a dose of Daniel Craig!  Hmm. Maybe I can be called "T" for  Thomasina?

And then there's the tabby tabby cat: 

 Who even knows being thankful 

Includes rest after so

Much excitement! 

Wednesday Stuff

OK. A few days back, I spoke about having my etsy.com shoppe up by Thanksgiving. Do-able, I said. Indeed it was. Yet I did not quite get it done.

Why? I am my own worst critic. I have an idea. Then I think too much about it. Wonder if it is enough or vice versa. Then to realize after all these thoughts (which make my head hurt) the original thought was the best. I do so have to let some of it go. And learn to give myself some credit.

Tonight I worked on my banner for my etsy.com shoppe. Excited, I was. Yea. This is it. Yep. The world will see my one maybe three products for purchase. Then...then...as I tweaked my banner and pretty dig darn happy for me--my PC burped. An error box popped up. Said some issue happened and would need to re-start.

My marketing masterpiece was MIA. I had not saved it. *sigh*

I thought, well, OK. I got the thought of the banner. Simple. To the point. I liked what I did. Yet the colors weren't all that.....

Yea. I started thinkin' again. I need to stop that.

Stay tuned.

Thanksgiving 2011

Yes, indeed.
I did get on up and headed to Inspiring Body of Christ Church for the Thanksgving Day service. My church is one of the few, in Dallas, opened on this day. A few thousand of my dearest and bestest friends were also in attendence. Pastor Rickie Rush did appear, with a neck brace on. He didn't stay long, yet Pastor gave a Word and let us see he is doing well.

The rest of the day was spent with a wonderful BFF, her hubby, and another friend of the BFF, I hadn't see in a while. Our bellies got full, while conversation spread. Then the BFF's hubby went into his office. That left us three girls to gab to our hearts' content. Sometimes just hanging out with the girls, is what you need to let you know you are doing well.
So for Thanksgiving 2011
Alot to be thankful for.
I am blessed.

Thanksgiving Eve Thought

Searched my memory for Thanksgivings past as I looked in my cluttered fridge and got bummed. No green and red peppers. I love green and red peppers. I got unbummed because I remembered the grocery store cashier informed me earlier that the store would be open on Thanksgiving until 4 pm. So if I needed green and red peppers so bad, I could get them--by 4pm anyway.

Back in yester-century, NOTHING was open on Thanksgiving, save a gas station--maybe. I thought about my parents staying up, what seemed like all night cooking. I fell asleep listening to them talking back and forth. Made me feel safe. If my mom ran out of some ingredient, she was on the phone calling my aunts if they had said ingredient. Or over to the neighbors and vice versa. None of this running to the store for that last bit of ingredient. If you didn't have it or somebody else didn't have it--you wouldn't have it.

NO grocery store was open. My Iowa hometown literally did shut down. A national holiday would soon dawn. The grocery stores my town did have all closed closed their doors and turned out the lights early. Family and company were comin'!

In yester-century the day before Thanksgiving stores would not open their doors again until the day after Thanksgiving. That day is now called Black Friday (that's a whole nother post!). The time away from stores gave folks plenty of time with their loved ones.

Yea. OK. Although I may stop at the grocery store tomorrow before 4 pm to get my green and red peppers, I do ponder about now simplicity of Thanksgivings past:

I miss them.

Sunday Best

Today was good. Yes indeed, I got up and headed to my church, Inspiring Body of Christ Church. We were told Pastor Rickie Rush, may speak for a few minutes on Thanksgiving. Yes, my church has Thanksgiving Service. One of the few churches open on the day. I have been showing up for the service since 2004--when I was actually a member of a another church. Pastor Rush has been away, all of November because of spinal surgery. We pray for an appearance, regardless how short. Will be good to see him.

Just like its good to see this kitty posted here. That's my big ol' at baby cat MaxMaxx. MaxMaxx is tuxedo tabby aka 'tuxie'. We have been together for five years--around Thanksgiving enough, I celebrate that as the day. His purr rivals a lawnmower and he weighs more than any toothpick thin supermodel. This was his way to take on Sunday.

Seems like both of us had the BEST on this day!

In A Week..

Is Thanksgiving here in the United States. Lotsa food. Being with others to give thanks for what you have and WILL have. Yummy pumpkin pie---I can see and taste it now!

Yet before we get there. A week still has to make its presence known. A chum of mine asked me if I will FINALLY post something on etsy.com by Thanksgiving? What a great goal to have! Do-able. Very possible. Quite possible. Indeed.

Gave myself permission it is OK, to share just one plaque, one terra cotta pot, and one blank greeting card with the world. One is more than none. Sears-Roebuck weren't always in every mall. I think is my hardest challenge: I feel I must have a truckload of inventory--yet
when all I need is just one.

Simple. Easy number. One.

In a week

So stay tuned.

December....already?

Wasn't it just yesterday it was over 100 degrees and I prayed the a/c stays on?
Now it's just a few weeks until Christmas!
Where did the time go?
Right now I have a kitty I call Earl Gray
At my feet taking a gander up at me..
I still wish the cats would get a job--
Then I'd feel better about paying the mortgage...
In the mean time-
I still have a hankerin' for some
Pumpkin pie and Cool Whip...
The air of Thanksgiving can still waltz thru the house...

Wonder on Wednesday

President Barack Obama spoke tonight. I appreciate his candor. I want his words to come true. The hopes and dreams I have for this country. I still have the audacity of hope. My prayers to the president, as they did for the former president, who lives cross town from me. Stay tuned.

Also, a few weeks ago I spoke of my across the street neighbor, Mr. Woods. How I'd not seen him since Thanksgiving. How his van was parked in a way he didn't usually park it. Since then, his van is no longer parked there. A light burns inside all day and all night. Mr Woods is not there. Turns out he suffered a stroke. All we know, he's out of the hospital, but don't know location. If in rehab or with family. I've missed his kids at the house, they seem to pull away when I drive up. I'm bound and determined to ask them about Mr. Wood. The street still doesn't feel as safe, without Mr. Wood on patrol.

I wonder about tomorrow. The adventure, good and/or bad tomorrow holds.

Stay tuned.

Single Stuffing

Happy Thanksgiving!

My day continues to be grand--and I hope yours is too!

A day to be thankful, even if more than one of your married friends ask you if you're going to be alone for the holiday. Of course, there is no harm meant. And there was a point in my singleness where I just HAD to be at homebody's house, just had to be somewhere because of whatever holiday it was. That whole thought process took a while to get over...a LONG time.

Sure, who wouldn't want to be with a special someone on a special day? Fight over a turkey leg or sigh in contentment over candied sweet potatoes? Hey, I know I'm not the only one in that choir--although--it ain't such a bad choir to be in. After spending time with folks that mean well, and you know you're gonna get a good meal and after the meal is gone-.then what? They're not your family. Not your kids that begin to fuss and not your cat that bit your ankle. Folks mean well. And you're blessed they want to share their home with you. Yet there are times an invite can be turned down--I've learned that and you still remain to be friends.

Today my 'food' started like it has every Thanksgiving Morning since 2003: get my praise on at Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush. The locale today was a bit different as 2009 inches to the finish line. Today was the first ever service in the new Home--just right across the street from the old one.

The second person I hug at church was Bear. Might have surprised him, since I came right at him for the hug. After I sat down, I then wondered if I'd done the right thing--to hug him. And then I thought, "Well I can't take it back." And frankly, I didn't want to. It's Thanksgiving. Eventho Bear and I aren't the same as we were those years ago, Bear had such an impact on my life, good and/or bad--so I am thankful for him.

The new IBOC Home is gi-normous Thank YOU in itself. I wondered if some of the intimacy might be lost. I don't think I need to worry. Tears still found their way down my cheek as Vicki Winans sang of "Release," while I sat in one of the last rows of the sanctuary, where it was better to watch her on the big screen. Yes, the new Home is gonna do just fine!

Now if you will 'cuse me, pun'kin pie awaits!

I am blessed.

Eve of Giving Thanks

And I think of night before Turkey Days past when Mom and Dad stayed up for hours in the kitchen. I'd hear them laugh, talk and cook and the aromas would tickle my nose. I couldn't wait for Mom's sweet potatoes or the cranberry sauce. Those were my favorites outside of her pumpkin pie! Yep, my mom could cook. I've been told I can make a mean pie and dish of mancotti---alas, not as good as Mom's!

So I think of those nights before. In my jammies. Just waiting for our feast. I recall, as I got older, we didn't do so much the all the family come to the house, or we went to their house thing-I have pictures from those times. Maybe new traditions wanted to be started. And that was OK for me.

I liked being with my parents. To listen at them bicker and laugh. To know they loved me, even if Mom had NO problem in dishing out a spank or two! .

Just like on this Eve to Give Thanks, their spirts embrace me now-

As it should and always will be

And I give my thanks.

Sunday Sum Up

The Iowa Hawkeyes won ugly 12-0. Dallas Cowboys won ugly 7-6. Yet a win is a win regardless how it looks. Still...

Today were the last services at the current location of the Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush. Packed isn't even the adjective to describe how many people were there. Everybody wanted to share in the last moments of being inside. To experience the journey. Like I've said, Pastor Rickie Rush has been an acquired taste for me. And there are some things he says, I'm not 100% with, however that's when I know I have free will at my fingertips. Nonetheless, I admire Pastor Rush because it's been a struggle to get this new House built. Media has not been kind, even those that may have once been IBOC members. He weathered it all.

So on Thanksgiving morning, I will journey to the new location--right across the street--100 yards. The same distance Moses stood from the Promised Land he did not have the chance to enter. The new House looks beautiful. I've attended the Thanksgiving Service since 2003--my tradition. As I sat in service today, I wondered again why I haven't technically joined IBOC--especially since I've been in attendance every Sunday since about August? I continue to pray on that one. Yet, Pastor Rush spoke of how we have something about us that folks think make us not normal--however those very things we use to touch others.

In my case, I was born without a left ear (microtia), then becoming a motherless daughter at 13 and enduring pesky open heart surgery a few years ago. It all made sense. The things that have happened of late--even today. From folks I've known since my growing up years, who enjoy my quotes from The Word on every Sunday morning. These were folks I partied hard with back in the day--and today I smile, because we party--just in a different way. .

So I was in a pissy mood a few days ago. Nothing I can do about it. Already happened. Already done. And it was all pretty ugly--just like the two football games I DVR'd because I wasn't home--and watched in their entirety-not knowing who won or lost.

Games were ugly. Victory triumphed. Just like in Life.

I am blessed.

Black Friday...Indeed

Relationships. Not shopping. It's one of those days when you realize something is over. Finally over. Shoulda been over long ago. Yet you hung on. Nibbled on the carrot dangled in front of you. Think he'll really see how you two could've been. He tells you how important it is to see each other, how much he loves you, longs for you and need to get to know each other again. Have coffee and talk. You agree, tell him how happy you'll be to do just that. You ask when to meet at Starbucks. His response? "I'll call you." That was August. Still no call.

Relationships. Sad in a way. Yesterday Thanksgiving. You do your traditional Thanksgiving church service at Inspiring Body of Christ Church with Pastor Rickie G. Rush. In a crowd of a thousands, he spots you As he walks up the aisle, he starts to wave, yet seems to hesitate to continue the wave. You just nod. He's later in the choir and seems to enjoy himself. Your lives have taken such turns. You do wonder where he'll spend Thanksgiving. You just know it's not with you. You realize there's a reason for that.

After service, as you journey to your Thanksgiving destination, he calls you. To say how good it was to see you in church. That's sincere. You know it is. You don't play around with stuff concerning the church house. He goes on and yaps about something else. You feel empty. There's nothing there. You tell him, you realize choices have been made, and you respect them. He just gets silent. Maybe he tried to reach out. Maybe it was to dangle a carrot.

Just this time you choose not to nibble. Nothing in his actions shown he would do anything different than the past. You've made mistakes where men are concerned. You realize how you let them tell you what was wrong with you. More than one told you how you expected to much. Including this man from yesterday. Your step-mother even told you once to not be so strong. Of course, this is the same woman who told you, while you were in your 20's, 'to have any man's baby, just so you could have one." You never realized that anything could be wrong with the men. That it could be their control factor. You always thought it had to be you. With your usual bold, brash nature, you feared if you spoke up too much, too soon, the men, who you thought you loved and cared for, would run for the hills.

You would stay silent for too long. Because when you finally did rise up, the men were aghast on how dare you say such things! They wouldn't pay you any mind. If you fought the fear and spoke up sooner, woulda saved you alot of heartache. You coulda chipped in for their bus fare to the hills.

Relationships. Whether they work or not, you need to be open about them. Cry some. Laugh some. Eat some ice cream. Yet, regardless of age, always learn from. Don't ever settle. You realized you settled for the bread crumbs thrown to you, by the man in the choir and others.

You deserve the whole loaf. Remember that.

Now, cue Gladys and her Pips tell us how to neither one of us.....