SATURDAY STRIP TEASE!

Early this AM, in the dark, and in the REALLY COLD, we ran our weekly 10 mile long run. It was 27 degrees when we started. Thank goodness all of the wind has abated! To run in this frigid (for us Southerners) temperatures, it requires plenty of planning and lots of layers of clothing. I have found if I can keep my core warm it serves to keep me warm. This leads to lots of layers on top. I wear my smart wool socks and one layer of long running pants on the bottom-the business end of the run. The top is totally different. I started with a dri-fit short sleeve, went with a dri-fit long sleeve, and topped that off with a fleece. Two pairs of gloves and a knit headband rounded off this lovely ensemble.

It was cold today-so I didn't start pulling off until about 2 miles into the run-when off came the headband. Another couple of miles and off comes the fleece. At about mile 6, one pair of gloves came off. It would make a great candid camera video to see this strip going on as we run through and around downtown Ruston. There was the day that I would leave clothes in the bushes all over town and have to go back later to get them. I have all that worked out now and just keep them on my person. I wonder what people thought when they saw a blue fleece growing out of the top of an azalea bush. I STILL will take this over the 80 degree-100% humidity days of summer!

One of our Runners-Steph- is training for a half-marathon with her daughter, Jessica. How insulting to find out the name of the race is "Disney Princess Half-Marathon". GOOD GRIEF-that sounds just a little over the top. I found out this AM from another runner that all of the runners in this half wear a tiara while running. OH WOULD I LOVE A PICTURE OF THAT! Steph is not your "Tiara" type-BUT-I plan to get that picture and get whatever I want from her by threatening posting on the WWW. We have seen some REAL sights while running marathons-but a huge group of runners all wearing tiaras may be the ULTIMATE!

CAMILLE-JUST FOR YOU!

BE SURE AND TURN OFF MUSIC ON RIGHT SIDE OF BLOG BEFORE PLAYING!

Friend, Susan, sent another version of this song today and I went to Youtube to get the original with lyrics. Our talented, Tammi, sang this at church for us, but I had forgotten just how funny it is. Camille-you don't have to practice-IT ALL COMES NATURALLY!

ENJOY

WHERE DID THE MAGIC GO?

I have spent the week, since the Thanksgiving clean-up, getting ready for Christmas. We are having BC's office Christmas party at our home. With a down economy, it only seemed fitting that we would scale down and celebrate here. I have spent the week busy with decorating and hope to finish by Saturday. I know the men in our lives think-IT JUST HAPPENS-but it happens with a lot of labor.

As I was shopping for last minute decorating purchases today, I began reflecting upon the holiday and my life long experiences. There was a time that Christmas held a real aura of magic for me, but sadly that has gone. Where did it go and why?

When a young girl, Daddy loved Christmas and his enthusiasm was contagious. I loved Christmas and the anticipation was as wonderful as the day itself. We always had neat and creative gifts under the tree and a stocking with an orange in the toe and filled with fruit and nuts to the brim. It was a magical and wonderful time of the year.

When Daddy died in 1963, Christmas ended for our family. Momma never wanted to celebrate the day again, while in Farmerville and before remarrying. It was a day-like any other day. If there was a tree, I put it up. If there were decorations, they were put up by me. Momma had totally lost any interest. We all were give one gift every year. A gift we decide upon and purchased before the day actually came. No wrappings-just the obligitory gift. It was a sad time every year.

After # 1 came into the world, the magic seemed to reappear. The magic lasted all those years from # 1's early Christmases to # 1 daughter's final Christmas at home. I worked hard to always have the magic that I loved as a child. We had our annual traditions and celebrations that never changed. I loved Christmas-even with all the work it entailed-as much as I did as a child. It did indeed become once again magical.

# 1 daughter married, # 1 had a family of his own & # 2 was off doing his own thing. I continued to decorate-LAVISHLY-inside and out and continued to buy well thought out gifts-BUT the magic had begun to disappear. With the chicks leaving the nest, so did the magic leave Christmas.

As I spent the afternoon decorating, I thought of all of those wonderful Christmases and the wonder in them all. The joy came with the children in my life and their excitement and wonder in the season. That is all gone. We love our grands, but the magic now comes for their parents-it is not the same once removed.

The magic-well today the wonder comes from the true meaning of the season. The wonder of a God that loved us so much that he became flesh to live among us. The wonder of the birth, all of those years ago, of a sacrificial lamb. The wonder that we are so beloved in our Father's eyes that He became flesh among us. He gave Himself so that we, His Beloved, might know the true wonder of His love. The magic has transformed into the wonder of Him. There is no longer any magic-but there is wonder in His boundless love for me and His relentless pursuit of a relationship with me. I have lived long enough, finally, to realize the true glory of the season. I am thankful!

FINAL THANKSGIVING MEMORIES!

Poppa Bob & # 2 Grand
Pensive # 1 Grand

#1 DIL-Also Pensive (#1 Grand looks like his Mom-Yes?)

My 3 Babies & #1 Grand hiding behind pillow

BOYS-NO HITTING!

#1 in Sister's Homecoming Hat-Dry Sense of Humor Is His Mantra

They Still Have It-Bearcat Fight Song Dance

(OH MY GOSH A PG CHEERLEADER!)

They do get quiet occasionally.

CAUGHT!-Roll in his mouth and hand on the next one.

First Night-Over Grilled Burgers

It was a wonderful holiday with the people I love beyond words. I am indeed Thankful!

GETTING IN A LITTLE PRACTICE!

Camille's best friend, Mary Lou was gracious enough to bring over her sweet new baby, Tristyn, for us all to meet. She was precious and we had a good time passing her around and practicing our "Baby Holding". Mary Lou's Mother and I were pregnant at the same time and since we went to church together and LaMaze together-we went through it all-together. Fast forward 25 years, and the girls are still best friends. Pretty neat-Huh?
Here she is in all her glory. ISN'T SHE CUTE!! We never could really pinpoint just who she looked like-so she is probably a unique mixture of both Mary Lou & Brian.

Our Grands taking it all in. # 1 slid up to me and asked to hold her, but since she is not "Ours" I told him better not. Get ready Camille-they are going to hold Baby J!

Camille loved holding Tristyn. Getting in a little practice!

Adam had never held a baby before. I think he is going to be a natural!

There is nothing sweeter than cuddling that baby to you!

BC seems pretty pleased to have his turn holding.

Thanks to The Oswalts for their visit and helping make our holiday a wonderful day! Welcome to the world, Miss Tristyn.

LEFT OVER HAM-NO PROBLEM!

I found a new sandwich recipe for that left over ham from Thanksgiving. It was yummy! Between this and a casserole recipe I made tonight, unfortunately the ham is all gone.



4 slices ham-chopped into small pieces

1 apple (I used a Granny Smith for tartness)-chopped with peeling

a little mayo

2 slices cheddar cheese (we like sharp)

4 slices bread (we always use wheat)does not matter

2 eggs

3 T. milk

2 T. butter



Combine ham, apple and mayo. Spread on one piece of bread and top with cheese. Top with other piece of bread. Dip quickly into egg wash (eggs & milk)-both sides. Brown in melted butter in large skillet-turning after a couple of minutes. Watch this so you don't burn it. I actually turned it several times. Make sure cheese is well melted.



Next time I make this, I will add sauted onions and peppers. This was good, but we like a little zing with our sandwiches.



QUICK & EASY-YUMMY TO TOP!

LOVE THEM OR HATE THEM-NO IN BETWEEN!

One of the added benefits of Thanksgiving is the raw oysters we enjoy with the extra oysters left from the oyster dressing. There are two camps when it comes to raw oysters-love them or hate them. Most of our crew loves them. We all gather on the deck while waiting for the dressing to finish cooking and enjoy a little appetizer. Here are the pics from that annual ritual. Enjoy the reactions!

You have gotta love a man that loves his oysters!
#1 DIL-YUMMY!

Nephew-Uncle-Cousin as the Grands call him-he said YUCK!

#1 SIL was a good sport-but not particularly fond of the taste.

#2 laughs as #1 enjoys his portion

Dr. B fishing for just the right size

Barbara said, "Finger licking good!"

Mark feeds # 2.

# 2 & Yours Truly-DELICIOUS!

Most of us love the ritual, but we do have those that politely decline the offer. They just don't know what they are missing!