I have been out of the house more than Once!!!

Back in October, my life long (40 years this August)friend Suzie was given the best birthday present ever by her husband. Today, months later, I am still at a loss for words when I think about her birthday present that she shared with me. Suzie and Bobby know that I can never repay them for the things they do for me and the kids, but I do know that God will continue to bless them way beyond their wildest dreams because He knows that they do it because they love. They love Him, and they love others....a deep loving for other people. Anyway, I could go on about those two forever......Suzie chose the location, booked the flights, hotel room, activities, and then did exactly what I like....told mewhat to bring and when to be ready. I would love to tell you the details, BUT...like they say: What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas! I will say this much, Martina McBride even made her concert (a large conference room at a resort) all about friendship. The two plays contained "friendship" and the ladies at the spa talked about never having a friendship that spanned this many years. I smile today when I think of that weekend away from "mom would you..?"

Just this week was my next "leaving on a jet plane" moment! I gathered up some "guts" and went to Washington DC with 41 teenagers. Yep may I say we were loaded with hormones and testosterone! I was short on both of those, but not short on fun! We had a blast. The weather was amazing, and the cherry blossoms were in full force. This is the 100th year for the cherry blossom celebration. Afraid there will not be many blossoms left when they have the actual celebration, but we enjoyed them.

I survived. Makaley survived! We both enjoyed new friendships as well as already strong relationships. We did all of the "normal" touring stuff, but it was our bus driver who made it the best trip. Joe was a history buff. On his days off, he researches for new information about the town, the memorials, the buildings, the people, and anything else he can find. He was our tour guide at the Cemetery. I would have to say that the cemetery was my favorite. Not because I am a lover of cemetaries (although my grandmother thought no vacation was complete without visiting the cemetery because you could learn so much there) but because of the different emotions I experienced there. Pride...Amazement...Sadness...Pride...hurt...and more Pride. We were part of the wreath laying ceremony at The Tomb of the Unknown Solider. As they played taps, tears ran down my cheeks. The thoughts running through my mind were of family and friends as well as solders who I don't even know but because I know the pain of loosing someone you love so dearly, I understand a moment of a family's pain. Do you know the words to that simple tune? "Day is done...Gone the sun...From the lakes from the hills from he sky....All is well....safely rest....God is nigh." 24 notes that make my skin stand at attention and my hand automatically find a place over my heart. The solider didn't have to ask. After the ceremony, we exited the steps only to find ourselves witness to flag draped casket being carried to its resting place in a wagon pulled by a team of horses, and a military band marching ahead. Soon we heard the band then the sound of the 21 gun salute. Again, it was one the greatest places to be because of the history that never stops. My other place of awe was the memorial to those at the Pentagon on 9/11. Wow...that is an amazing tribute.

We walked and walked and walked. We listened, learned and loved. We ate wonderful meals(one night was all the fresh fish we could muster), and practiced our friendly Texas ways. Those people in Washington don't know what to do with 41 teenagers and 10 sponsors who say "hello", "hi", "how are you" when passing on the sidewalk. Students thanked those in military dress. And again they would just look at us with those sceptic eyes. Don't understand those Texans.
On my return, I realized again how much I miss my grandmother. She would have loved to spend the day with Makaley listening to every little word she said and combing through all of the photos. She would have even listened to the personal stories of the guys getting stuck in the baggage claim, the girls with the drama, the girls she hung with, the sponsor who wanted to roll down hills (don't know that person!) and any other little things that were important to her great-granddaughter. She was the one who for the first time in a long time said that we should spend the money, get on an airplane and fly 1300 plus miles to a city where there are hundreds on the street at a time, guards at every location, and strangers in charge of our lives for 4 days. (My family will understand that) She was so happy we were going. So Matt...we loved it! We had a blast. And, yes, Obama was at the White House. The kids were told he was the person in the window on the west wing (one had a very good camera and took a picture) but no Matt....I couldn't give him a piece of my mind.

Lessons in Life

On December 3 2011, we lost one of the greatest teachers of my time. She was born on Feb. 28, 1916. She taught her first years with just an 8th grade education. She received her GED in 1971 but her teaching stlye didn't change. She never taught in a classroom although her lessons were carried into my room on a regular basis. She was and is....my grandmother!!! I want to honor her by sharing a very very small portion of what she taught me. It is just a short novel.
She taught me the art of cooking. We perfected mud pies. Forget icing, I had Johnson grass, dried fruit,grass and honeysuckle for decoration. I didn't have to eat them thank goodness. She made thebest desserts for Sunday lunch, birthdays and gatherings. My favorite? hmmm apricot cobbler (you know you have to cook the left over crust with cinnamon and sugar on it), banana pudding(no instant pudding used), and her strawberry cake. The strawberry cake was always the best part of the birthday celebration. You never knew what would be in the center. Her best strawberry cake had a used medicine bottle filled with cash hidden in the center under all the icing.
And speaking cooking, she was not just the dessert chef . Let's talk red beans, fried chicken and pea salad. I sometimes think Kelly married me for her fried chicken. After he and I had been dating for about a year, my sister, my room mate and I blindfolded our boyfriends and took them on a picnic. My precious grandmother had made fried chicken and mashed taters. We hadn't gone far when Kelly said something about smelling her chicken. Yep...we each married our date....I am sure the chicken helped. Her #1 rule for cooking: It isn't done until the smoke alarm goes off!
She taught me all about fashion and dressing for success. On Sunday afternoon after church and lunch, the granddaughters would head to the middle bedroom for "dress up and modeling". We were styling because no matter what we selected to wear, we had the accessories to go with it. Matching shoes, hat, purse and sometimes gloves. My favorite....the hot pink suit with hat! Later after I was "gainfully employed" she would say to me...."be sure you wear nice clothes to school. Save the jeans for later. Look professional and you will be respected."
She taught me about "putting on my face" as she called it. During church on Sundays,I would place my head in her lap, and she would "pretend" to put makeup on my face. Patting on the foundation(keeps wrinkles at bay), lining my eyes and lashes, lining and applying lipstick. To this day, I don't use a downward motion while putting anything on my face. Gravity does enough of that!
She taught me to care for pets. My class at school had the "hatching chicken" lesson going on. When it ended we had a chicken with no where to go so my grandmother took her. Henny Penny became the "watch chicken" Even I feared her. She even made the newspaper about every other year. This chicken didn't know how to get off the roost. Iwould have been more than happy to let her rot there after she flogged me a couple of times. But my grandmother lovingly put her on the roost and took her off daily. Years later, she inherited a poodle (Buffy) who had a trust fund. That precious puppy had painted nails, bows, and Grandy's chicken often.
She taught me about Jesus. In the back bedroom of the house was the chest of drawers that is now in my garage. In the big bottom drawer was her stash of Bible lesson materials. We would tell Bible stories on the side of the bed using the bedspread as the flannel board. And in the bathroom for as long as I can remember....sat one of her Bibles. After she got her GED she would read in there. Go ahead, laugh...bet you read in the bathroom too. You would find a Bible by the bed also. One time she told me that she read the entire Bible yearly. Her life showed that in so many ways.
She taught me to be nosey. Living on a busy street, she would have many sirens go whirling by. Many a time we would hop in the car and follow because...well, we might know the people.
She taught me to dance. We bunny hopped through the house on Sunday, waltzed on Saturday, and jigged anytime we were happy. And if we were in the store passing through the "music" department, you just had to know that she was going to cut the rug right there in front of God and everybody in the middle of Montgomery Ward or Sears. Yep, I became the great Houdini...I could hide just about anywhere! She joked about us playing "Prop me up side the Jukebox when I die" at her funeral.
She taught me about love. Even though her husband passed away when I was just 6, my grandmother remained married to Frank Moran until the day she went to meet Jesus. Just last year the minister had those to stand who had been married for more than 5 years. She stood and I was okay with that. Then those married more than 10 remain standing. He continued on and on and she continued to stand. He said something to her about it and she announced to the auditorium something about still married to Frank Moran. She told me stories about starching and ironing his shirts because she wanted him to think about her every time he put one on. And she told me how she gave in to him so that my mom could have her name. She cried with me when Kelly died and without saying one word, I knew she understood my broken heart. She taught me about the love between a mother and her daughter as she cared for her elderly mom during Mother Ray's final years. She taught me about the love between siblings as she rejoiced over a card or call from each one,delighted in going for a visit or wept as she learned of their passing. She loved her last living sibling even when the rest of us thought she wasn't extremely lovable.
She attempted to teach me to see the best in every one. I am still in the early lessons for that one. She always encouraged me practice forgiveness. I am not certain that I could find one person that she held a grudge against. And when things weren't going her way, she would find some way to flip it into something humorous. She preached that life was too short to sit around and mope!
She taught me to drive! and my sister threatened to tell my great grandmother on her during one lesson(I was in the 6th grade)! I know to keep chicken wire in the car so you can get out of the snow drifts. Keep both hands on the wheel. And always chew gum when you drive on long trips. We traveled together many many times. I was her traveling buddy.
She taught me to be a protector. There were many nights that she would come stay with me when things just weren't right or I would come to her house. She always chased away the "boogie man". We once were stranded in Sweetwater Texas because of an ice storm. Since hotels were full, we ended up in a two story house with tons of "junk" in the attic with us. She instructed me to go to sleep, and she would wake me up if the house caught on fire.
She taught me that age is NOTHING and your heart holds it all. Dance till you can't move any longer. Love till you breathe your last. Trust in the One who created you. Drive till the paint wears off. Leave the handicapped spots for those older than you...you need the exercise even at 95. When you go, don't look back or stop to throw salt over your shoulders. When you depart this world, leave a legacy. A legacy of love, respect,pride and strength. Live so that when people say your name in years to come, that they can't say it without a smile on their face and "jig" dancing in their heart!
Love you Matt.....I missed calling you to wish you a happy birthday, but I know you celebrated in style. I have a smile on my face, a jig in my heart and a quiver in my chin.

Oh yes I did!

This has been a great week. Not once but twice my friend of 39 years (this month) has been in my very dirty home to spend the night. I love spending time with her and her family!
This morning after Suzie and Nikki left, I put on my big girl panties (true size) and headed into the "tax free jungle". (Oh yest I did)Not because I was planning on saving a load of money (I had some great coupons) or because I wanted to be like all the other goobers in the world, but I went because I suddenly realized that I needed shoes for both kids and feared that IF I waited until tomorrow I would be unable to fine those shoes,and there might be no more jeans my daughter's size. (she is a teen and very picky!) So, We called Aunt Traci and faced the day. We hit the mall which wasn't too bad. We shopped several stores and then ate.(the eating is another story...had to go home later due to what I ate). At one point we decided to go into Victoria's Secret. My son was looking at the back of his new DVD and didn't realize where we were until we went into the store. At that point there was sheer panic on his face. The scene was as follows:

Kauy: Mom, No, No way am I going into this store. Please No. (he is the one who hides his eyes during the commercials and then asks if it is legal to put that on daytime TV)
Me: It will be okay just a few minutes.
Kauy: No, Mom NO
Me: Noticing two teenage boys standing just inside the door waiting for someone, I said to Kauy: You stay here with these two guys. Don't go anywhere. You two guys...you are in charge of him. Don't teach him to drool.(Oh yes I did!) Everyone laughs...I go deeper into the store.
So, Traci, Makaley and I are looking at a few things, and I hear the sensors at the front of the store go off. Then, I hear it again two more times,and one of the ladies head to the front quickly. She approaches my son whose eyes are huge. she looks at him and says: "Sir, I will need to search your bag". Makaley says: "For what, a bra?" I am laughing because I KNOW that my son has nothing lacy,frilly nor does he have Victoria's sexy secret in his bag! He won't even touch my underwear to do laundry. Makaley is beside herself because she knows how he acts at home to anything that isn't his whitey tighties. So they search his bag which contains the DVD and his new lego man. What they finally figure out is that when he came into the store, he had his DVD in his hand covering up the sensor, but when he put it back into the sack and stepped in front of the sensor,there was nothing to block the detectors hence, the alarms go off. And since he is a little on the inquisitive side, he moved in front of the sensors to see if he really was causing them to go off....hence it goes off three times.
He will probably never step back in there again. When he marries, his wife will have to do her own shopping there. I am sure he is scarred for life.
On the way home (about 2 hours later) the kids are talking about how much fun they had today trying on things, looking, and being silly. Suddenly, Kauy says, "And what lessons can we learn from today?" Makaley makes her statement; Traci hers, and I finish up and ask him what his answer is.
"Victoria's Secrets's detectors are messed up. Of course...that store is messed up!"
All in all....the jungle today was bearable because "oh yes I did....have fun!"

Hey mom...Why?

If you are ever in the car with the kids and me you know how the drive(be it short or long) can become one of three things. Either it is "mom make him/her stop",or miles of unstoppable laughter, giggles, jokes and more laughter,or the the mighty "Mom, why did/are/is...?"
This week it is the "Why" moments and then the laughter that makes it hard for me to drive because either I don't want them to know that I am laughing or I am laughing so hard I can't see, OR I am shocked at the conversation taking place. You may not laugh at the following conversations. You may sit there and wonder "wow...what a great conversation". It's your call, but I will say this, I have had the hardest time giving answers and NOT judging! AND...Don't worry, I am not going to the "Wild side".

After a week at church camp(that is in the next blog) and the Wednesday night missions report which included a slide show featuring the "Interlude dance" by all campers, the ride home went something like this.

Makaley: "Mom, why couldn't we do the interlude dance after the video presentation at church tonight. They asked and were told no."
Me: "Hmmmmm could be the instrumental music. Could be the word "dance". Hmmm hello, what do you think?"
Makaley: "But don't people understand that God wants us to enjoy worshiping and praising Him. That is what we were doing...having fun throughout the day. We just wanted to finish out the year with that fun!"
Kauy: Oh, you know. The elders are saving all the fun worship for when the Lord comes again. Then they will dance for joy at His return, then realize what we missed on Earth, and then ask God for just a few moments for the "interlude dance". And to think........they could have done it all this time.

Conversation #2: This one was tougher.Let me set the stage here too. This week, my family will be the ones to go up on the "stage" area to collect the children's offering. No biggie. Well to some it is no biggie, remember.......I am female. Remember.. I don't have a spouse to introduce us...so
Me: Kauy, you will need to introduce our family, talk about the orphanage we are collecting for, and then offer the prayer. Can you do all of that in a nice loud voice?
Kauy: You got it mom.
Makaley: Mom, can't you just introduce us and let him lead the prayer?
Me: No
Makaley: Why?
Me: I am female.
Makaley: No, your kidding. Seriously mom, why?
Me: I am female.
Makaley: Okay, you mean you can't even say "Hi, We are the Ostliens?" What if Kauy forgets can you prompt him? Seriously mom? It's okay for the girls to lead the prayer in our Bible classes. It's okay for girls to lead songs in Bible Class. Teachers all my life have asked girls to do both in class. Seriously? What if a little girl decides to say AMEN at the end of the prayer while her family is up there?" (On a side note..she was getting a little lively and the pitch of her voice rose here. It truly bothered her that I couldn't introduce our family and she might not be able to say AMEN..which we teach our 3,4 and 5 year olds to say in Bible Class.)
Me: That is not my call. I respect the decision of the elders even if I don't always agree.
Makaley: Mom, this is crazy. It's not like you're preaching.
At this point I started the sermonette that has always been presented to me when I ask "why" concerning this church topic. And I ended with my soap box invitation(which I would never offer to give on a Sunday morning) that no one else hears. Maybe husbands and wives should work together in the Bible classes of our young instead of just the wives! They(males) need to be in there to lead, guide, and teach. Until then, the younger generation of females that are growing into adult women, are going to question because the majority of the Bible class teachers are....women.
And, as one of those female Bible Class teachers, I often forget(well, forget is a good word for now) to include the lesson about about women's roles in the church, authority over men(Eve was a help mate), and all those other lessons that are not in the book of Genesis(which is what I have always taught with two women).
I would probably stroke out if a woman led the song service,the prayer, preached, or served the Communion. However....."Hi, we are the Ostlien family". I get her point there!
And I think she got mine. Well, maybe she just agreed so I would quit preaching. Preaching....the thing a mom does best!

My Aha moment

As my son says...."no, the floor isn't cold so nothing has frozen over". I am sitting here thinking of my beginning of the year note to my children, my friends, and myself when I realize my last post was April! I had saved a certain post until the photos came in. They did...I forgot!
As the 2010-2011 school year came to an end, I found myself being the recipient of a few very special honors. All of these were surprises and made me smile. They all made me remember that God made me who I am, the way I am because HE is the I AM and knows what is needed...even when I am not sure about things, frustrated, and ready for a change of scenery.


That is me...in Grapevine at the Vineyards. You can't tell since this photo is small, but I am holding a beautiful glass award. As you know, my kids are part of Big Brothers Big Sisters...we have the best "bigs". THE BEST. Anyway unbeknown to me, our contact person, Suzanne, and the bigs decided to nominate me for a local award. Suzanne called to ask her normal novel length questionnaire and then ended with, "I just want you to know that there will be a guy from our production group calling to set up a time to interview you, your kids, and the bigs. I am excited to tell you that you won the Charles Allred Parent of the Year Award for this area." Now, at this point, I started to laugh! yep I laughed..in her ear!!! Seriously? Me? My kids will not agree with this I am sure! Then she continued to tell me that I had been nominated at the "Lone Star" level (from Houston to Wichita Falls), and had also won that award. At this point I was laughing so hard I was gasping for air. Me? Hello, I am Trina, the one who yells more than once a week. The one who had just been driving down the road the day before, pulled over, got out, opened my son's door and offered to let him get himself home if he couldn't stop what he was doing. Me? The one who mumbles under her breath? Then she explained. It isn't because I am a wonderful Mom, but because I am a parent who works with her bigs. Now that I could handle. Soon after the phone conversation we recorded the interviews. My house was lighted up like a lighthouse and had company for 4 1/2 hours. Jordan, Ashley and Kauy were interviewed in the barn with the pigs. Makaley and Karyn were interviewed at the house and then headed to dinner. I was last. I didn't listen to any of the others interviews. Glad I didn't. What a precious surprise when at the dinner in Grapevine the video was played. Tears fell onto my nice clean shiny blouse. Oh my, the things my kids bigs said about me! Sweet, loving, kind words that made me proud to be part of theird lives too. Jordan and Ashley couldn't be with us because they were increasing their family population by one...Miss Leighton Grace. Karyn was able to join us as did Tony, my sister and her husband. What an honor to be presented with one of the top honors in an organization because I am who I am....me...the mom who just survives and strives for everyone to feel like a family. As for the dinner...four hours long in a winery with lots of people and little space. A 10 year old who doesn't do veggies, or meat with sauce poured over it. Thanks to Michelle Senter, he had rolls and Dr. Pepper! Yep, parent of the year! And then when I began my little 2 minute speech, he graciously placed rabbit ears on his sister! In front of the populated room!



This is my third award of the year! The honor of attending the top 50 plus banquet for the Abilene High Schools. This young man was in my sixth grade ELA class at Clack. He was one of my favorites.(I have more than 50 or so) His creativity was astounding. His manners, study habits, and personality made him a joy in class. Just have to say he was one of the high lights of that year. Many of my students speak to me for anytime we meet in public. They grow up and become beautiful and handsome young ladies and young men. Just last night I ran into one of my students from 25 years ago. We had a great conversation as she caught me up on you 6th grade son. Love my students!!! One even stopped next to me at a stop light last week and just started honking and waving! Anyway...Marquis made my day when he called and asked me to join him at the banquet. I sat with his family (we are all friends) and I was so proud when he led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. What an Honor for me!!! What a joy to watch as his name was called out along with 2 other students who had blessed my room. Thank you for making me remember why I do what I do!

The final award of the school year came when I was honored for 30 years of service to AISD. Yep, 30 years. I only feel 30 so I must have come from the womb teaching. (Susan, don't say it!) For my 30 years of working at a job that I was made for and love, I received a beautiful chiming mantle clock. I cleared off a spot for it, got new batteries into it set the time and let her go. Hmmmm at 3:30PM the next afternoon, it still said 10:45. New batteries;reset; another 24 hours and it said 10:45. I think they are telling me that I have to teach another 30 years to get a clock that works. I took it back this week (ha, you think I would take it during vacation? I am smarter than that. I gave it over 24 days to work correctly). I will get a new one sooner than 30 years! Even though I love my job....that is good news!
So, I must say that my year ended on an uphill moment. That is good because wait till I tell you about the plateau and the roller coaster that followed!

The perfect heart

My dad, bless his pea picking heart, is Mr. Health. He has always eaten small portions of very healthy food and has gone to the Y daily. One day he lifts weights and the next day he runs. Every Saturday he works on his "acreage" and then Sunday is the "DAY OF REST". Monday...he starts all over again. I can tell you that he drinks chocolate soy milk at breakfast. He drinks a glass of cranberry juice every night at dinner. He eats an apple for his "late snack"(about 8:30PM on the nose). You will find him eating sardines, oysters, and if his mom was still here he would eat liver and kidneys too. Just to really irritate my mom, he refuses to eat the same meat twice in a row, and prefers to have different "main courses" every night. He loves spinach, Brussel sprouts, salad, nuts, dark chocolate, and green tea. Now before you gag here, let me tell you that my momma raised us about like that. When we were young, we had to eat spinach, Brussel sprouts, salad, liver, and fish (not sardines or oysters... thank the Lord for loving me!!!) It is just that I chased all that stuff down with bread, soda, bread and then something sweet for dessert number one, two and three. Then I was so full that I HAD to rest. Therefore...he weighs about 10 more pounds than he did when I was born. (Please insert smiley face with tongue sticking out here!) Why didn't I inherit that from him? Now here it is....that great word...BUT...now life at the Ponderosa has changed. About a week before the West Texas Blizzard of 2011, dad went in for a his bi-annual checkup (have no clue why he went twice a year. YUCK) During that visit our family doctor, was listening to the heart and looked puzzled. He looked at the chart, looked at dad and then announced to him: "You have a heart murmur. A real good one." So on the day that we had inches of snow on top of inches of ice, my mom and dad drove up to the Dr. Office (other side of town) for a visit. Within days we were talking open heart surgery. Hello, this is the man that eats sardines, liver and kidneys? The doctors decided that they would do some testing to decide the next step. After a month, they decided that he would be good to go and just have yearly checkups. Here it is again...BUT...he went with mom for her visit to their heart doctor and the doctor announced that he wasn't happy with that decision. So, 2 1/2 weeks ago, my dad had open heart surgery. Let me explain even better. There was no clogged arteries! There was no damage to the heart! The was no unnecessary pressure on the heart! The valve had ripped. The surgeon discussed a pig valve or a mechanical valve if they couldn't stitch his together. Dad became concerned for sure. A pig valve...Would we take him to shows...would he oink? Now the man with a perfect heart has a perfect mechanical valve AND a perfect pacemaker. he got a bonus feature while in there. What a journey. Surgery went well. He was in CCU one night and ICU (if there really is a difference) another. It was home week since my family either knew the people in ICU or a family member. Lots of visitors came and went. I must tell you that they kept us laughing. One of our visitors had open heart surgery by the same surgeon. When the surgeon walked by he spoke to DR. B. Dr. B just smiled and walked on. At that point, Bill said "Hmmm he must not recognize me." Then he grabbed his shirt and did the superman thing like he was going to rip his shirt off (he is over 75) and said "bet you would recognize me now!" Such a woman and obgyn thing. And now...the man with the perfect heart is doing great at home. However no more chocolate soy milk, spinach, brussel sprouts, and green tea. No dark green leafy salad. All those good things are on hold. Including the cranberry juice that he almost threw my son out of their house for drinking the last of it. And now by doctors orders, he is NOT to have certain things more than once a week. Interfers with regulating the medication. But wait...wait for it...he can have all the beer he might like! Ha Ha. What a turn of the menu! My dad still has a perfect heart. It just got a little "bling" added to it. He is still my daddy...perfect in my eyes even when he has his moments. As my daughter said: "Grandad, glad your here with metal and all. Better than the other options." Best of all...he doesn't oink!

Another year older...a sign of the times

Yes, I have explaining to do. Where have I been? What has been so important that I would forsake my buddies that read my blog? What else do I have to do with my spare time?' Hello, it is TAKS season....as well as baseball, Bible Bowl, as well as tax season. Let me just say that I am running around so that I have to write bathroom breaks into my daily schedule. Not because I am so important that everyone wants me to do things for them, but because I am just goofy enough to over schedule my life. I have so much to tell you...I have them all listed. However, I want to let you know that I am a year older as of Sunday. And as of Monday I have had to take an afternoon power nap just to make it to bedtime which has actually been about 45 min. earlier than 2 weeks ago. What is up with that? A sign of the time or is it that when the candle is burning at both ends, and you only have a birthday candle lit, it just gets tough when the flames get close to the middle. So, how did we celebrate? As you have read in previous years, I have gone to Dallas with the church group to the LTC meeting. This time, Easter comes MUCH later, and we did something different. My kids and I (Tony stayed to help my dad out) drove to Weatherford. Okay, stop laughing........I know you are wondering why not San Antonio, Dallas, or Somewhere full of adventure. We went there because that is where we stayed the night so that my son could attend NASCAR with my dear precious Suzie and her husband Bobby. Of course, I swap one son for one daughter (Nikki doesn't really care for NASCAR). I tell you, it was the best weekend so far this year.....okay, the best since we placed champions in the barn! It was the best because: 1. My kids and I have not been out of town ALONE in over two years. My daughter had not done her chores on Friday so she lost her phone privileges. Therefore, there were no cell phones, no videos, no ipods, no nothing but old fashioned books, magazines, discussions, and laughter!! Best of All......no arguing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2. We were with Suzie, Bobby and Nikki. I can not tell you how much we love being with them. Sometimes, I just need Suzie time. Funny thing is that Suzie was at the track with my son and I had Nikki! We just loved our Sunday drive home with them. We stopped and played all along the way. 3. No adventure? You haven't lived until you have had Nikki and Makaley AND stores! We shopped for about two hours. Then we went swimming. We dined at Logan's. We shopped some more. We ate yogurt. We shopped some more. Shopped until Nikki dropped! I think she just made up the fact that she needed the restroom so that she could sit and rest her weary head for a moment. 4. Sunday, we ate breakfast together while my two swam. Then we went to Whole Foods for shopping. Back to Weatherford to the market, then home. Miracles of miracles, my children voluntarily put up all electronic devices so we could talk and enjoy our time coming home. I am going to post my daughter's quote (said more than once) just so that when she is about to take my head off, I can pull this up and let her read it. She said several times "Mom, that was the best weekend ever." and then she would hug me! About 30 minutes later, she would say it again. Another hug. So, Thanks you Suzie and Bobby for my wonderful birthday! Our family needed that! Thank you to the rest of my family who allowed me to be selfish and leave town on my birthday...which was on a Sunday, the perfect time for family celebration time. The day ended with a wonderful dinner for two (thanks Tony) at Outback followed by a thundershower! And now....it is 9:35. I took and hour nap.......I hear my bed calling. Hope it's not a sign of the times.