It Came and Went

My birthday, that is.
It came and went, and I didn't feel any older.

Until 2 days ago when I swear I had a hot flash in the grocery store.
It may have been the turtleneck/hoodie combo I was sporting. It may have been the pace at which I was running through the store.
But I swear it was a hot flash.

Hello Middle Age.
I greeted the big 4-0 last week, and all in all... it was fairly pleasant.

Dan/Daddy and the boy had a fun little birthday weekend planned for me.

I got lots of cards, some sweet presents, lots of Facebook wishes, some folks singing on the phone, and my front porch decorated. My Christmas reindeer... Remember them? Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert? Well when I took the boy to school, Adam was wearing a Disney Princess party hat. It suited him.

Our friends came over for a Mexican Fiesta Birthday Party, and it was a riot of fun.



(I got some Botox for my birthday. Kidding. Totally kidding. That's my sexy-pouty-I'm-not-really-40 look.)

The highlight of the night was listening to Jeanna try out her Spanish accent. Which sounded a lot like her Russian accent. Which sounded a lot like her German accent. Oh what we Senior Citizens will do for a laugh.


While I may not be thrilled to be climbing "over the hill" this year, I am blessed beyond measure. Good health, wonderful family, and an amazing collection of friends... both here and not so here.
(Thanks Jeanna... for providing the camera and pictures. I am still camera-less. Sniff. Sniff.)






PS.... In looking through picture files, I happened to see last year's birthday pictures. Is it just me or is there a trend developing here?



Feliz Navidad.

This Might Seem Shallow...

I'm just gonna go on and say that, because there is absolutely no eternal significance to some of what I am about to post.

I've refrained for months now... refrained from posting about American Idol.

Last year, I think I offended some nice folks and alienated myself with my choice of personal favorite. I didn't dislike the winner... he was great. I just liked the other guy's singing better. See, there I go again. I feel the disapproving stares.

But that is so last year.

Let's see who I can tick off this season.

I'll start abruptly and say good good goody good-bye to Tim. I had been waiting for that moment for weeks.

I love love love Idol Gives Back. It's nice. And encouraging to see the Idol machine doing something good, besides churning out singers.

Tuesday night's episode was especially special to me because a great friend of mine gave me the laugh I'd needed all day. No names here. This person knows who they are and the rest of the story is for you all...

I have a few "texting buddies" during A.I. One of them is my sis-in-law, the other is my friend from college, and the other one is... well.
We all text and comment and chat during the show. Nothing is sacred. We even rate Kara's choice of hair-do for the night.
(I warned you I might seem shallow.)

My phone and fingers get a workout on Idol nights.

On Tuesday night, I waited a few minutes for this un-named friend to text me. To let me know he and his wife were watching. When I didn't hear from him, I wrote...

"You watchin?"

After a few minutes, this is what I got back...

"I wish!!! I am locked out of my house and (my wife) is (45 minutes away)!!!
Stop laughing!"

We are friends because he KNEW I'd be laughing. But we are also friends because of Idol. We bonded over it back in Season 2.
So being the good friend I am, I texted him updates all the way through the show. Inserting my opinions whenever necessary.
Thankfully his wife made it home, let him in the house, and he watched it on DVR.
His wife probably laughed too... and that's part of the reason I love her!
(I warned you I might seem shallow.)

Now my pick for this season? Because I know you all really give a hoot what I think.

Crystal. The girl has a gift. Her singing seems effortless.
And the thing I like and respect most about her is that she comes across so real. Down-to-Earth. And I'm not just referring to the dreadlocks.

I've always had an appreciation for people who were confident in their own skin. The ones who never seem to be trying to be something they're not.
And they're ok with others around them being real, too.
I may not agree with their personal choices, but I respect them and their ability to be "real" (for lack of a better word).

Maybe I could look for ways to be more like them.

Maybe I'll start by not laughing at my friend who locked himself out of his house on Idol night.

Well... maybe I'll find another way to start...

My Bench Buddy

If I had the time and sense enough to do it, I would write a tribute to each of my most favorite friends.
They all are such blessings to me, and they each one make my life better in some way.

But today, it's all about Amy...

Amy and I met in California; we were residents together of the Army's beautiful post in the middle of the Mojave Desert.

She was my neighbor, and we became instant friends.

We spent HOURS sitting on the park bench at the playground, watching our kids play in the sand. Some of the best times of my life, girl!

Anywho... Amy is creative. I mean CREATIVE. The girl has talent. She makes Martha jealous. She can decorate and craft and sew and paint like nobody's business. And... she re-upholsters furniture! I told you she was good.

All this week, she's giving a "tutorial" on her blog.

If you feel inspired to re-cover something, go visit.

I always felt inspired to be more creative and crafty around Amy. I guess I should have used (abused) her talents when we lived closer...

Her hubby is also currently deployed, and she's done 348,572 projects. They're on her blog, too.

Maybe if I still lived next door to her, I would have accomplished more during this deployment. Maybe I would have decorated and sewn and re-upholstered furniture.

Or maybe... I would be sitting on the park bench with Amy and SHE'D be doing nothing with me!

Just Funny...

... if you know me and my history of grace.

That's grace in the physical sense.

The other night, a few of my friends and I had dinner together. With the kids. Minus the husbands. There's were at a training. Mine is well... you know...

Anyway, I broke my sweet little friend's plate. I didn't mean to; I only dropped it a few inches to the table. But, unfortunately, it was just the right angle to break it.

I was so sad!

But, one of my other friends looked down under the table to see what shoes I had on! I had to laugh! She was checking to see if the flip flops had come out of hiding. HA! I was not wearing the death flops! (I did have on some cute shoes though.)

Apparently, the flops are not just dangerous to me.

They are a curse to all those who come near them!

Take Me Out to the Water Park

I am grateful to the smart folks who came up with the idea for this place!

Now without further ado... Our trip to the Great Wolf Lodge...


This place is HUGE. It has 4 or 5 big water slides, a wave pool, a kiddie area, a fun pool, an interactive "tower" with 2 more slides, a outdoor pool, and more stuff than I can possibly remember.















This one spent most of his time avoiding drowning in the wave pool...




The boy spent most of his time defying gravity on the slides...



There was a brief trip outside to the outdoor pool...



Here's my hero navigating the floating obstacle course...






Almost there...



Yippee!

And the good times continued in the room... PJ wrestling, anyone?






We ate lots of good food, we shopped in the gift shop, and we had happy tired children. And the best part? (Other than my little spill, of course.)

I didn't have to apply 1 single drop of sunscreen to my grumbly-sunscreen-hatin' child. Ahhhh... now that IS a good time!

And a Good Time Was Had By All

Back in the day, we made a couple of friends. We have known them almost as long as we've been married. And that's a long time.

We knew them before any of us had kids.

Eating out used to require a "table for four." Now it's a "table for eight."

We knew them when Friday nights consisted of a long conversation-filled dinner, a movie, and coffee at Barnes & Noble (with more conversation).

Now it's dinner somewhere relatively loud with a good kids' menu, go home and put in a G-Rated DVD for the kiddos, and attempt to sit and talk until one of us (grown-ups) passes out asleep... at 8 pm.

Last weekend, we had a chance to go by and spend some time with them.









And, it was a great time... as it always has been!

I found this little "ditty" on a scrapbooking website, and I love it.

Because every bit of it is true.

"Old Friends are Best Because...
...You share a history.
...They speak your language.
...You can look back on happy times.
...You know them best and trust them most.
...They remember how skinny you used to be and they don't remind you.
...You can go a long time without talking to them and then start where you left off.

The "WHYs" of Christmas... Part I

While scrolling through the photos from our holidays, I was wondering how I could post some of the better ones in a more "interesting" way. Let's just say that I didn't have to look too long before I realized just how "interesting" the pictures were all on their own.

Let me put it another way. As I looked at the pictures, I kept repeating to myself the question, "Why?"

"Why is my son making that face?"

"Why are that person's eyes closed... again?"

"Why is my hair lookin' like that?"

"Why did I think that would make a good picture?"

And, why... why... why...

So. Here are some of our memorable moments.

And some of the "why" ones, too.


We started our Christmas in the best possible way. With the children from our Chapel presenting the Christmas story. The boy had a speaking part and a solo, and I helped some of the other moms direct.

Why are kids in crazy costumes singing Christmas carols so darn cute?


Why does this make me teary-eyed?


And...Why do 9 and 10 year old boys feel the need to pose like rappers?



After the musical entertainment at Chapel, we headed over to the Smith's house for a "Birthday Party for Jesus."

Why did our son make such instant friends with our friends' children?


Why did God bring me these amazing friends? How did He know I needed them?


And...why do parties have moments like this? Who thought plastic knives were a good idea?



Once school was out, we headed down to Pensacola for a visit with the Urquhart side o' the family. Sadly, Dan's Papa's health is declining due to his cancer. So, we spent a lot of time at his bedside in the Rehabilitation Hospital. On a lighter note, we "visited" with everyone and exchanged gifts. Dan and his dad also spent an entire afternoon roasting and eating fresh oysters. (See below for my opinion on this.)

Why does seeing these two girls all grown up and "teen-agey" make feel like an old woman? (That's a cute little boyfriend in there, too!)


Why is this a little frightening? Yep... that's Nana's dryer. And why is he in it anyway?



Why does this make my husband SO happy?


Why do these even qualify as food? (I know... some of you LOVE them.)


And... Why (no matter how hard I try or how often I try or how they are prepared) do I HATE them so? (I tried, folks... see? I can't even get the critters down. I spit this one in the bushes PROMPTLY after the photo was taken!)


And... Why (despite the sadness of it) is this one of my favorite pictures from the trip?



I think that'll do for now. Supper hasn't been made (or even planned), homework has to be checked, and intuition tells me my son just went outside to play without a jacket.

My Wednesday Sermon

I'm gonna do a little preachin' here, so brace yourselves. Something has been on my mind A LOT lately. And, if you know me at all, there is limited space up there (in my mind). So, the fact that this thought keeps sticking around MUST mean something.


In my Bible study discussion group last week, we were talkin' about Moses. More specifically, the battle between Joshua (with the Israelite army) and the Amalekites. If you get the urge to look it up, it's in Exodus 17, verses 8-13.

When Joshua went into battle, old-man Moses climbed a hill nearby with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his staff raised into the air (to signify GOD's power and leadership), Joshua led the fight. If Moses' arms were to drop, the battle would be won by the Amalekites. A very cool story that gives you a lot to think about.

We spent a long time talking about Aaron and Hur. What great friends they were! Not only did they go and keep Moses company up on that hill; they pulled up a rock and propped Moses up when he got tired! And then... my favorite part... they HELD HIS ARMS UP FOR HIM when he felt like he couldn't go on. One on each side. Can't you just picture it?



"Don't worry, Moses. We're right here beside you. We won't leave until this thing is finished."



Aren't those the kind of friends we all want? Aren't those the kind of friends we all need to BE?

In our discussion, it was said that those we love need to be told we are STILL there for them. Still thinking of them. Still praying for them. Still hoping for the best for them. Even when the "battle" they may be fighting seems to go on and on.

I can't help but think of the people I've told, "Sure! I'll pray for you." And I did. But, somewhere along the way, I stopped. I didn't necessarily forget about them or the problem they were dealing with... I just didn't continue to stand there and help them hold up their arms.

We have friends who are missionaries to Papua New Guinea. Good friends. We would do anything in the world for them. I need to KEEP holding up their arms.




We have friends who are dealing with family problems. I need to keep holding up their arms.

I know someone facing medical problems. I need to keep holding up her arms.

I have friends thinking about adoption,
friends trying to sell a house,
friends concerned about their preteens and teens (and Lord help me, I'm not far behind them!),
friends mourning death,
friends whose husbands are deployed,
friends thinking of changing careers,
and the list goes on and on.

I'll bet your list could, too.






In turn, I want to say thank you to those friends who have stood beside me. To those friends (and family) who have held up my arms in battle. To those friends and family who have stood beside those I love when they were feeling too weak to carry on alone. You may not have realized the depth of what you were accomplishing at the time...

That's the kind of person I want to be. That's the kind of friend I want to be.


"I'm still here... holding up your arms for you."

PS... The Amalekites were defeated... thanks to those arm holding friends.

My Long-Overdue Story

How cool is God? I know that there are those among us who would take offense to the idea that God is "cool." He is so many things, and I just happen to like the word "cool" for this story.

Way back in the 1990's, while I was continuing my higher education, I had a room-mate. Not any old "pre-assigned" room-mate, mind you. A room-mate I CHOSE. Jeanna. We had known each other for a few years, we got along, and we both happened to think that everything was funny. Everything. I'm not joking people. We laughed at EVERYTHING. It was a fun few years! When she graduated and moved out, the apartment was a little quieter! She got married to her college sweetie, and I was able to be in her wedding. After I graduated (and married my college sweetie), we kept up with each other through Christmas cards and the occasional "hello-how-are-you" note. Want to see us in 1992? I knew you did.



Yes, I know. The hair... Big hair was still in, folks. We obviously had enough for the entire campus.



FAST FORWARD 12 YEARS...



I knew that her husband had been a minister, and I knew that they had eventually joined the Army. I knew he was a chaplain, and I knew they were living in South Carolina.

When my own husband decided that ministry was best carried out wearing combat boots, we were following in their footsteps. We even got to see them for about 5 minutes at Dan's "chaplain training graduation." They spent the next few years in Korea, and we headed off to California. We did not stay in touch as well as we should have, but that would have ruined my story. And the surprise.



FAST FORWARD 3 YEARS...



We (Dan and I) were working in Children's Sunday School (here at Ft. Bragg) one morning in August. I hear Dan calling my name, so I turn around... and there stands my roomie!!


Jeanna!!


It was that odd brain moment of "Why am I seeing THIS person in THIS place?!?"


"OH MY GOSH!"


We both shrieked and hugged each other and totally disrupted third grade Sunday School. She and her family had just arrived at Ft. Bragg from Korea. HOW COOL IS GOD?!?



Two months earlier, I'd left a great group of close girl-friends back in the desert, and I had yet to "reach out" to anyone new. The Army will do that to you. You either become SUPER-FRIEND MAKER or you tend to retreat into your own little world of unpacking and not putting yourself out there. I was retreating. It's often so hard to get to know people. Especially when you know you will have to leave them. I, honestly, had not prayed about finding new friends. I didn't want "new" friends.


So, God brought me an old friend.


(Jeanna, you are not old... I just meant I've known you for a long time.)



Wanna see us now? I knew you did.



Yep. Less hair. Lots less hair. (I am not bald, folks. I really do have some hair. It's just shorter now. It was a hot afternoon, and in this photo, I have apparently shoved it all behind my ears and sunglasses in an attempt to stay cool. Yikes.)

We have spent the last few months "catching up" on the last 15 years. Our husbands were buddies back in the day, too.



Yep. LOTS less hair, too. It's a job requirement. (Or so they say.)

And, we are all having a hoot of a time. Reminiscing and finding out how much we've changed and haven't changed. And, for the record, Jeanna and I STILL laugh at everything. EVERYTHING.

(For those of you wondering... the pictures were made on a hayride... in a wagon with a top and no hay. But I'll save that for another post. We're not in a school bus... even though it looks like it.)




By the way, I have made some "new" friends, too. They are great... all chaplain's wives. (We've decided there's safety in numbers.)

How cool is that.

Fort Bragg Bound

This may be the last blog from sunny California. We are just days away from the big move to NC. The house looks like a bomb went off in every room. Anything that doesn't breathe has been encased in a Ziploc bag. The pictures and curtains are down, and that funny echo sound is happening. We are attempting to clear out the fridge and pantry, so we are eating odd random assortments of things for meals. The packers come tomorrow, and the movers come on Thursday or Friday (depending on how much the packers do or do not get packed). So, the computer will be turned off and the Internet will be disconnected. Will we survive? Possibly not... the DISH will be off, too! So, I will take this last chance to comment on life in the desert.

Things I will miss about Fort Irwin:
1. all my girlfriends (Amy, Sarah, Donna, Teresa, Tambi, Jennifers, Michelle, and all my other Iron Peaches!)
2. bench time at the park (Amy! Sarah!)
3. the way it cools off the instant the sun goes down (even if it was 100 at noon!)

4. PEWS at Blackhorse Chapel

5. no humidity (I thought, at first, that I would never adjust... but I have learned to love it.)

6. the close-knit feel of a very small Post

7. the "baggers" at the Commissary commenting on how many times I've bought groceries this week!

8. my son's friends (Cameron, Charise, Cousins Ryker and Miriam, Josh and John, the buddies from school, and the pals from karate)

9. Elijah's TKD Sensei... Ms. Sharnae

10. the interesting, although strange, things that happen when you live at Fort Irwin (If you have ever lived here, live here now, or have ever visited here... you know exactly what I mean!)

Things I will NOT miss about Fort Irwin:

1. Summer (Don't misunderstand me. I love Summer. I do not love 120 degrees. From May 31 to November 15.)

2. the blowing winds (not breezes, people... WINDS that blow over small children and almost knock me off my feet... now that is a wind!)

3. the blowing sand (see #2)

4. the blowing trash (see #2)

5. my tiny backyard and the way it collects all of #4!

6. the funky smell that sometimes happens here (may have something to do with that wind)

7. living one and a half hours away from a restaurant, a mall, any craft store, and the movies)

8. living 40 minutes away from Starbucks

9. Fort Irwin Road

10. CA gas prices (see photo!) (This is an on-Post price... it's about 40 cents more off-Post!)

So, the next blog will be from my parents computer(?) in SC. Or, from Dan's parent's computer in FL. But, I have to get there first. 2000+ miles across the country. Two vehicles, assorted luggage, random junk we can't live without, two cats, and one boy... We would appreciate your prayers!

Iron Peaches?

There is a movie that I used to watch on a weekly basis. I actually haven't seen it in a long time (6 years?). I have a friend here (cousin Sarah) who also enjoys this movie, and we both LOVE to quote LOTS of lines from the movie. (Much to the annoyance of the rest of our friends!) Because our year as PWOC Board Members is winding down, we decided that a "Girls' PJ Movie Night" was necessary. (I would post pictures, but I want to keep the friends I have!) Guess what movie we watched?!? Yep... Steel Magnolias. It was just as funny and sad and "true-to-life" in the South as I remember.

"You know what they say... if you can't say anything nice about somebody, come sit by me!"

"I have a strict policy- no one cries alone in my presence."

"This is it... I have found it... I am in hell."

And I could go on forever. But, I won't. I'll get to the point. Watching the movie with all my sweet gal pals got me to thinking. About the real life "steel magnolias" I know. Beautiful women (inside and out) who face daily difficulties and even life-changing tragedies with amazing courage and grace. I am so blessed to know them. They are friends, acquaintances, and relatives. They live in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and right here in sunny Fort Irwin. A lot of them are true Southern girls. Some of them are from the Midwest, and some are even from (gasp!) the North! Regardless of where they were born, they are my real-life "steel magnolias." They make me grateful. They teach me. They encourage me. And, they inspire me.

Oh yeah... I almost forgot. The night I was getting ready to leave for the PJ party, Dan and Elijah were talking to me about their "boy plans" for the evening. Dan asked me, "What movie are ya'll (the girls) watching tonight?" Before I could answer him, Elijah did. "They're watchin' Iron Peaches," he said. We (Dan and I) both looked at him with a very puzzled and confused look. Then, it hit me. Elijah had said "Iron Peaches." He meant "Steel Magnolias." After we figured out what in the heck he'd said, we all got a good laugh. So... with that... I'm sending all my love and prayers to all the "Iron Peaches" out there (and you know who you are)!