This morning as I set out to do the dishes from last night's crab boil, I came across a bowl of (what had been) melted butter. In it sat a small flying insect who had not made it to see the sunrise of a new year.
The average person would think one of two things: 1. Cold, once melted butter looks disgusting! OR 2. I really should have done these dishes last night! However, I am not an average person, so this is where my mind went...Uncle Nelson sitting on the corner of the porch, guitar in hand...
Old tin roof, leaves in the gutter
A hole in the screen door big as your fist, and flies on the butter
Mamaw baking sugar cookies, we were watching cartoons
Heard her holler from the kitchen which one of you youngin's wants to lick the spoon?
Yellow jackets on the watermelon, honeysuckle in the air
Daddy turning on the sprinkler, us kids running through it in our underwear
Old dog napping on the front porch, his ear just a-twitching
Fell asleep on Granddaddy's lap to the sound of his pocket watch ticking
Me and my best friend Jenny set up a back yard camp
Stole one of Mama's Mason jars, poked holes in the lid and made a fire fly lamp
Me and Billy Monroe sneaking down by the river
And I'm still haunted by the first kiss I was too scared to give him
There's a black-top road, a faded yellow centerline
It can take you back to the place, but it can't take you back in time
Oh, oh, oh - Oh, oh, oh
It doesn't seem like it was all that long ago
Oh, oh, oh - Oh, oh, oh
You can dream about it every now and then
But you can't go home again
As his melody played in my mind, I couldn't help but reflect on 2011. I think about the lake house and the wonderful memories we have already made here. Maybe our version would sound something more like this...
Old tin roof, falling down gutter
A hole in the window as big as your fist, and flies on the butter
Nanny making burritos, we were listening to iTunes
Kids yelling from the kitchen, can we go on the pontoon?
Yellow jackets in the hotsauce, suntan lotion in the air
D-Dod turning on the sprinkler, kids running through it in their underwear
Old dogs napping on the back porch, their eyes just a twitching
Chris looking 'round the lake, dreaming of water witching
Cambrey and Whitney set up a back yard camp
Stole every blanket in the house, brought them back dirty and damp
Me and Chris saying "I Still Do" down by the water
Thankful for our first kiss and two beautiful daughters
There is a winding lake road, with no center line
It can take you back to that place, where the sun loves to shine
Oh, oh, oh - Oh, oh, oh
It doesn't seem like it was all that long ago
Oh, oh, oh - Oh, oh, oh
You can dream about it every now and then
And you CAN go home again
Today as we clean up from last night's gathering, and prepare to celebrate today with a house full of family, I am so thankful that Chris moved all the way out to Oak Creek Lake, where my heart has always been... and for flies on the butter!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Table Talk
I just realized it has been over 3 months since I last blogged. It has been a wonderfully crazy busy three months, and I am so grateful to have so many things to fill my time!
It's funny over the years the small things I have found myself being grateful for. Things that in the everyday shuffle are easy to overlook. Today, I find myself especially grateful for the table. Nothing in our house serves more purposes, holds more memories, or has witnessed more Scrabble victories (mine of course) than our table.
It is where we tell our stories, pay our bills, check our Monday folders, enjoy (or turn our noses up) at our food, laugh, cry, laugh some more, tell funny jokes (and some that really aren't funny, but we laugh anyway), talk to God, talk to each other, fold the laundry, forget the laundry, make silly faces, make messes, but most of all, make memories. Our table truly is the heart of our home.
As I thought about the table, however, I realized that not only is it the heart of OUR home, it has been at the HEART of so many things throughout my life.
It's where we CELEBRATE...
and where we CREATE!!!
It's where we carry on traditions...
And where we start new ones...
It's where we rock babies...
It's where we learn to have fun....
And to try to have manners!
It's where we laugh with older generations...
And exchange smiles with new friends!
I am so thankful for the memories made and lessons learned at these tables and so many more throughout my life, but without a doubt the table I am most grateful for is the one prepared long ago, and for the promise it holds. For I know it is not a Methodist table or a Baptist table, not a Church of Christ table or a Catholic table... it is MY table and it is YOUR table.
And tonight my heart is full because of the LOVE at the table!!!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Last Chapter
Over the last couple of months Wednesday has become a favortie day of mine, not because it is King Ranch Chicken day at Mr. T's (which I really do love) or because it is a sure sign that Friday is in reach, but because it has become my day to spend a couple of hours with some wonderful people who are reaching the end of their journey.
Many of the old faces I used to enjoy singing, playing bingo, bowling, and going to the zoo with are no longer there. Nina, who was my one stop shop for all the "gossip"; Royce, who loved to sing hymns and did so with such gusto; Uncle Lum, who loved to study the Word and had the kindest voice I have ever heard... are gone, and their rooms are now filled with new people.
As I head down the hall, there is a lady on the left. I have never seen her eyes open, nor have I ever seen her out of her bed, but I always look forward to the beautiful sounds of Norah Jones coming from her room. I like to think that she is laying there in her very own Calgon, Take me Away commercial. Eyes closed, Norah in the background, imagining she is soaking in a giant bubble bath, relaxing from the stresses of the last 90 years.
Down the other hall is the most delightful couple from the Blackwell area. They are both mentally sharp as tacks. The sweet gentleman fell about 8 months ago and broke his hip. He has been in the nursing home ever since. Each day his wife is dropped off by their son on his way to work in San Angelo. She spends the entire day there keeping him company and bringing cheer to the other residents. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking of the great love the two of them must have shared over the years. They actually sit on either side of one of the newest residents at meals, one fastening her bib, the other cutting her meat.
The newest resident, and the reason for my cherished routine, is Ms. Eula Verne Lee, my precious great- grandmother. Now precious is not a word I would previously have used to describe Mamaw. She is not a dainty lady, she would choose work shoes and a pair of dirty garden gloves over high heels and pearls any day of the week. Up to her 90th birthday she was still hunting any chance she got. Her garden surpassed mine year after year. In fact when I had her a birthday party at our country house just last year, she wanted to go "tend" to my weedy garden! She is the one who over the years has asked me at every family gathering, "Have you lost weight?" Only to reply, "Well, I didn't think so, but I wanted to be nice." She is feisty, she is strong willed, she is blunt, she is a worker, she is a fighter, and she is PRECIOUS.
Precious–noun
Many of the old faces I used to enjoy singing, playing bingo, bowling, and going to the zoo with are no longer there. Nina, who was my one stop shop for all the "gossip"; Royce, who loved to sing hymns and did so with such gusto; Uncle Lum, who loved to study the Word and had the kindest voice I have ever heard... are gone, and their rooms are now filled with new people.
As I head down the hall, there is a lady on the left. I have never seen her eyes open, nor have I ever seen her out of her bed, but I always look forward to the beautiful sounds of Norah Jones coming from her room. I like to think that she is laying there in her very own Calgon, Take me Away commercial. Eyes closed, Norah in the background, imagining she is soaking in a giant bubble bath, relaxing from the stresses of the last 90 years.
Down the other hall is the most delightful couple from the Blackwell area. They are both mentally sharp as tacks. The sweet gentleman fell about 8 months ago and broke his hip. He has been in the nursing home ever since. Each day his wife is dropped off by their son on his way to work in San Angelo. She spends the entire day there keeping him company and bringing cheer to the other residents. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking of the great love the two of them must have shared over the years. They actually sit on either side of one of the newest residents at meals, one fastening her bib, the other cutting her meat.
The newest resident, and the reason for my cherished routine, is Ms. Eula Verne Lee, my precious great- grandmother. Now precious is not a word I would previously have used to describe Mamaw. She is not a dainty lady, she would choose work shoes and a pair of dirty garden gloves over high heels and pearls any day of the week. Up to her 90th birthday she was still hunting any chance she got. Her garden surpassed mine year after year. In fact when I had her a birthday party at our country house just last year, she wanted to go "tend" to my weedy garden! She is the one who over the years has asked me at every family gathering, "Have you lost weight?" Only to reply, "Well, I didn't think so, but I wanted to be nice." She is feisty, she is strong willed, she is blunt, she is a worker, she is a fighter, and she is PRECIOUS.
Precious–noun
a dearly beloved person;
It's funny that over the years I have followed in her footsteps in so many ways, yet it is here at the end that we have truly had the time to get to know one another. I grew up loving the land and house that she and my Pops called home, so much so that I grew up and moved there. There was something special about working outside in the field, knowing they too had plowed that same field. When we argued, I sometimes wondered if they too had long ago had those same arguments under that roof. And when we taught our kids valuable life lessons on hard work and integrity, I was thankful that they had taught those same lessons to my Paw Paw who shared them with me.
Some days we talk, some days we go for walks to see if we can find any blooming flowers, and sometimes we just sit in silence (even though that never seems to last too long). I love to hold her hand and feel the wrinkles. I sometimes look at her and wonder what each one represents. Losing her mom at a very young age, being married, having babies, worrying about finances, running a business, running a family, losing the love of her life, having teenagers, having daughter-in-laws (I can only imagine that causes wrinkles), being alone, having a stroke, ending up here... I feel sad for the hurts I do know, and I often speculate about the ones she keeps inside. But most of all I just look at her and think how blessed she has been to have lived such a long, adundant life and how blessed I am to continue to be able to share in it with her.
Tonight I am certainly thankful for precious memories with a precious lady and for my new friends who are writing their last chapter.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
You Might Be a Coulter...
YOU MIGHT BE A COULTER IF...
* You eat hot sauce three meals a day (and snack on it in between)
* You use lag bolts to hang an 8x10 frame
* You consider 50 guests a "small" gathering
* On vacation you beat the roosters up
* You were in Junior High before you realized you weren't a Mexican
* Your golf cart trailer meets hurricane standards
* Your milestones in life are: Age 8 - Be taller than Nanny, Age 10 - Be taller than Tiffany, Age 12 - Be taller than Turney
* You would pay more money and drive a further distance to a pickin' than any concert in the world
* Your weekly grocery list includes: jalapenos, tomatoes, onions, tortillas, cheese and red beans
* You are more excited to turn 14 than 16 (so you don't have to wear your life jacket on the boat)
* You have cable, the alternative is just more fun
* You don't hire outside help for anything
* All you need is a pinata to make any day a holiday
* You actually WANT to marry someone just like your Mom or Dad
* There is nowhere you would rather be than at the lake!
Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh. -W.H. Auden
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
No Replacement Cost
Our life is many things, but dull is not one of them. Last night we awoke to the sound of a beeping horm and a lady yelling "FIRE"!!! After a trip down the road to check it out, Chris phoned back to tell the girls and I to pack some things and leave the lake. (It wasn't necessarily that he thought the fire would reach our house, but it had already reached the road that is our only entrance and exit.)
I woke the girls and told them what was going on. I quickly instructed them to get dressed and grab clothes and anything that was special to them. I then began grabbing my own things. I knew that I had to fit myself, two kids, two labs and little Jax into the the car. That didn't leave a whole lot of room. I had also already seen Cambrey go outside twice. I later realized that she had quickly pulled every drawer out of her dresser and nightstand, dumped them into laundry baskets and loaded them in the car. I am actually quite proud of her quick thinking! Unfortunately all her good clothes were crammed under her bed or in her closet, but none the less we would have had plenty of things to give to Goodwill when I finally found the time.
Caitlin on the other hand grabbed one t-shirt, an arm full of bracelets, and then started gathering the dogs. She is always looking out for others!
I was not as responsible as either of the girls tried to be. I didn't grab any important documents. In fact, I didn't even grab my purse. I had to borrow money from my Mama Pat just to get gas to get home. In the five minutes Chris gave me I began to grab things that in my mind have no replacement cost. Added up they probably aren't worth $100 dollars, but to me they are priceless. Here they are:
I woke the girls and told them what was going on. I quickly instructed them to get dressed and grab clothes and anything that was special to them. I then began grabbing my own things. I knew that I had to fit myself, two kids, two labs and little Jax into the the car. That didn't leave a whole lot of room. I had also already seen Cambrey go outside twice. I later realized that she had quickly pulled every drawer out of her dresser and nightstand, dumped them into laundry baskets and loaded them in the car. I am actually quite proud of her quick thinking! Unfortunately all her good clothes were crammed under her bed or in her closet, but none the less we would have had plenty of things to give to Goodwill when I finally found the time.
Caitlin on the other hand grabbed one t-shirt, an arm full of bracelets, and then started gathering the dogs. She is always looking out for others!
I was not as responsible as either of the girls tried to be. I didn't grab any important documents. In fact, I didn't even grab my purse. I had to borrow money from my Mama Pat just to get gas to get home. In the five minutes Chris gave me I began to grab things that in my mind have no replacement cost. Added up they probably aren't worth $100 dollars, but to me they are priceless. Here they are:
The quilt made for Chris by his grandmother, and a quilt top made by my great-great grandmother over 100 years ago.
A Jim Beam bottle that belonged to Chris's grandmother.
A picture we keep on the refrigerator to remind us not to take life too seriously.
A hammered aluminum dutch oven that belonged to my great grandmother and was a gift from my dad just this year. A lot of love has gone into the food made in this dish. Especially the spaghetti!
A clock that belonged to Chris's great-grandmother and was given to us by Penny for our lake house.
The letter "T" made as a gift from my dear friend Staci.
And my Bible. When I carried it in today I opened it to a page that I had long ago paper clipped. It just happened to be on a page with a "Monday" (the day of the fire) devotion. The words of the prayer reminded me of God's constance presence in my life, and the small and unconventional ways he sometimes uses to speak to His children. "Give me, Lord, fervour of love, shame for my unthankfulness, sorrow for my sins, longing for your grace, and to be wholly united with you. Let my very coldness call for the glow of your love; let my emptiness and dryness, like a barren and thirsty land, thirst for you, call on you to come into my soul, who refreshes those who are weary..."
So tonight as my children are snug in their beds and all my "valuables" have been returned to their places, a song from my high school days fills my head (and my heart). So light the fire in my soul. Fan the flames. Make me whole. Lord you know where I've been. Light the fire in my heart again.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss
Motivation and management are very serious business. Some people turn to authors like Covey, Blanchard, Gostick and Lencioni. I, on the other hand, turn to none other than Dr. Seuss to find my direction. I have a poster on my office wall that reads, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” I use it as a reminder to employees that they have full responsibility for their actions (and often outcomes).
I have read Yertle the Turtle to our sales team to remind them of the importance of each little turtle like Mac.
The 10 ft. bulletin board in our break room says, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing’s going to get better, it’s not.” Ok, so this one might make it sound like we need lots of improvement, which we don’t. But there is always room to grow and improve. Our goal is to WOW all of our customers, not just 99% (which we do)!!!
My first HR blog at the office was even based on Dr. Seuss. “And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed. Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed.” Did we succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed. One hundred and ten percent guaranteed.
And quite possibly the strangest element of my love for Dr. Seuss is the box of Cat in the Hat hats that I keep for days when we really need to put our thinking caps on. Thanks to my WOW team for joining in on the fun during our meeting on Monday!
Today as you celebrate what would have been the 102nd birthday of Dr. Seuss (which I am sure you all will) remember that “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You!”
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Loudness Disorders and Other Such Nonsense
I am pretty sure it is not a good thing when the two college students who office around me come back from their Special Education class every few weeks ready to diagnose me with something new! They've given me their test for ADD and ADHD. (I still think they should have graded on a curve). They have on occasion accused me of having Tourette's and Brittany is sure I have some kind of hearing disorder. I'm pretty sure she calls it "selective". There is probably at least a little truth to all of the aforementioned disorders, but the last one they diagnosed me with really hurt... LOUDNESS DISORDER. Seriously, girls?!?! Me, loud?
In the days and weeks since this conversation I have really been in tune with the volume of my voice and others. Here are my conclusions:
* Loud people are drawn to loud people. Noticing this among a group of friends the other day, I boldly stated that loud people have many exceptional qualities. One of my friends quickly responded, "No, loud people are just loud." You can imagine her disappointment when I had to tell her that I considered her part of my LOUD inner circle. This led me to my second conclusion:
* Most loud people don't realize they are loud. In fact, the person making my diagnosis is one of the loudest people I have ever met (but I love her anyway)!
* Loud people often breed more loud people. I am pretty sure my cousin Penny and I proved that with Cambrey and Brooklyn!
* Loud people save money on PA systems. Phil, you can thank me later.
* Speaking louder does not help non-English speakers understand you. That's just a freebie piece of advice that I learned the hard way.
* Most loud talkers should NOT be loud singers. Anyone who has ever sat on the pew in front of Paw Paw, Mamaw and I on Sunday say AMEN!
So friends, loud and quiet alike, whatever your "disorder" go out there and own it. Love fully, smile big and LIVE OUT LOUD!
In the days and weeks since this conversation I have really been in tune with the volume of my voice and others. Here are my conclusions:
* Loud people are drawn to loud people. Noticing this among a group of friends the other day, I boldly stated that loud people have many exceptional qualities. One of my friends quickly responded, "No, loud people are just loud." You can imagine her disappointment when I had to tell her that I considered her part of my LOUD inner circle. This led me to my second conclusion:
* Most loud people don't realize they are loud. In fact, the person making my diagnosis is one of the loudest people I have ever met (but I love her anyway)!
* Loud people often breed more loud people. I am pretty sure my cousin Penny and I proved that with Cambrey and Brooklyn!
* Loud people save money on PA systems. Phil, you can thank me later.
* Speaking louder does not help non-English speakers understand you. That's just a freebie piece of advice that I learned the hard way.
* Most loud talkers should NOT be loud singers. Anyone who has ever sat on the pew in front of Paw Paw, Mamaw and I on Sunday say AMEN!
So friends, loud and quiet alike, whatever your "disorder" go out there and own it. Love fully, smile big and LIVE OUT LOUD!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Gone Fishing
Life at the lake isn't always fun and games...or is it?!? When we bought this house we were told that it had two wells, one just needed a pump. A look with the downhole camera revealed that it already had a pump, it was just 90 feet down the hole with about 40 foot of pipe and wire. But as luck would have it, I know a great water well man! (He's kind of cute too!) So this morning's endeavor was to fish the pipe, wire and pump out using a contraption that Chris built. I have to to be honest I was highly doubtful that we were going to have ANY success with that silly bobby pin looking thing, but we did. To be honest I think Chris would have sat there twisting that contraption all day long just to prove me wrong!!!
So here it is, my public admission... Chris knows more about things of the water well nature than I do (and probably a lot of other things if I am being honest).
Success is sweet, but it's even sweeter shared with your best friend. So here's to a great morning of fishing and fun!
So here it is, my public admission... Chris knows more about things of the water well nature than I do (and probably a lot of other things if I am being honest).
Success is sweet, but it's even sweeter shared with your best friend. So here's to a great morning of fishing and fun!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunshine Saturdays
I have always felt that there were few things in life more wonderful than sunshine on a Saturday. That feeling may be the reason we bought a lake house! However this Saturday is special. I have checked the weather all week preparing for THIS sunshine Saturday. Today I am determined to take my first swim in the lake of 2011. Chris and I were able to keep swimming all the way thru the end of October, and I have my mind made up that March 1 will not arrive without me being back in the water.
My mind is so set in this endeavor that I have been training (you know, like a real athlete). Last weekend I spent time in the water knee deep. Wednesday evening the dogs and I splashed around with the water to my waste. All the while Chris sat on his rock by the water, laughing at my hairbrained idea, and developing his "newest" plan to remove trees from the lake.
This morning I woke up early to get Chris and the girls off to Rowena, then I decided that to truly prepare for my afternoon challenge I would need to size up my opponent. So I grabbed my mug of hot chocolate and I headed to the hot tub to do just that! The lake was beautiful this morning, and with warmer weather comes the return of lake lovers like myself. Fishing boats were zooming back and forth across the water (although I have never understood why exactly fishermen feel the need to ZOOM anywhere). Weekend warriors were in full force. I could hear someone running a saw around the bend and a tractor on the hill. The birds were chirping, my flowers were blooming...I was losing focus!
I gathered my thoughts (and my flip-flops), and here I am. So this afternoon, as you enjoy the sunshine, think of me and my alligator floaty facing off against our formidable opponent, the lake I love!
Happy Saturday!
My mind is so set in this endeavor that I have been training (you know, like a real athlete). Last weekend I spent time in the water knee deep. Wednesday evening the dogs and I splashed around with the water to my waste. All the while Chris sat on his rock by the water, laughing at my hairbrained idea, and developing his "newest" plan to remove trees from the lake.
This morning I woke up early to get Chris and the girls off to Rowena, then I decided that to truly prepare for my afternoon challenge I would need to size up my opponent. So I grabbed my mug of hot chocolate and I headed to the hot tub to do just that! The lake was beautiful this morning, and with warmer weather comes the return of lake lovers like myself. Fishing boats were zooming back and forth across the water (although I have never understood why exactly fishermen feel the need to ZOOM anywhere). Weekend warriors were in full force. I could hear someone running a saw around the bend and a tractor on the hill. The birds were chirping, my flowers were blooming...I was losing focus!
I gathered my thoughts (and my flip-flops), and here I am. So this afternoon, as you enjoy the sunshine, think of me and my alligator floaty facing off against our formidable opponent, the lake I love!
Happy Saturday!
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