Happy New Year Hubby!

My Hubby is the Greatest and I don't tell him that enough...

First...he loves his children and grandchildren and would do anything for them.

Second...He can fix anything...I mean anything...I love a handy man!

Third...He is kind to everyone...never an unkind thought or deed!

Fourth...he loves me...I don't know why but he does and I am grateful!

Fifth...He takes almost all of our pictures...I complain...about how they look but I always forget to pick up the camera...he gets the shot...I love that he hasn't told me to shove it!

Sixth... Not every man could pull off those slippers but my guy can!

Happy New year to all... especially My Honey!

It's that Time of the Year

We are busy here doing end of year stuff...or I should be busy doing end of year stuff...but I am putting it off!

Always it seems this time of year...you look back and whether it's your finances or your personal life...you review...What would you do differently?...What worked? What didn't work so well? Anyone else working on New Year's Resolutions or Goals as others have put it? I have a bucket list I am reviewing and seeing if it's still what I'd like to do before y'know...

I was wondering who is going to BlogHer in July in Chicago. It sounds like a lot of fun...but I know a few who can't come because of finances...it is pricey! If I would put together a cruise for a long weekend...say in March 2009...going out of Tampa...Would anyone be interested? We would call it a Bloggy Cruise...for networking...if you have a business...that is an expense!!!

Maybe...just a long weekend at a nice hotel in Tampa...

This blog of mine has really been the surprise of my life...I started it without a thought on my 50th birthday...thinking it was just for me and I never realized how many people...great people I would come to know...it is fun and it's hard to believe it has only been 7 months!

Thanks, everyone for making it so much fun..there are so many talented people out there and you really do make a difference in my life!

Bloggy Book Club

For the Month of December...Bloggy Book Club read Derek Maul's In My Heart I Carry A Star, stories for the Advent.

I really enjoyed this book...I guess a disclaimer of sorts is necessary as I am friends with the author and he is my Sunday School teacher. But I think I am still unbiased enough to be able to recommend a good book for Christians or for those simply looking for a more authentic Christmas experience.

The book is set up as a devotional reading for the advent season and as such is uniquely Christian...unashamedly so. Each morning through this advent season, with coffee in hand my Hubby and I read this book and pondered the readings all day and then quietly in the evenings, as a couple, talked about what the reading meant to us and as it turned out it meant a great deal to both of us.

It is easy I think...or maybe it is just easy for me to be swept away with the consumerism of Christmas and because of that the simple joy of Christmas and it's meaning can be lost in a journey of emptying one's wallet. Not very inspiring! The reading of this book will become a tradition in our home, which for my Hubby and I is heartwarming! We are Empty Nester's now...and if we needed our children to help us conjure up Christmas...it wouldn't have worked this year! Because while we are a close family and we did see them often...things are not the same. And that is a good thing! But, My Hubby and I without realizing it started a new tradition for us!Our morning and evening devotional... kept us focused in the right direction. This has been a difficult year for us financially and at times I have felt panicked but I have been able to keep myself sane and feeling loved because of the reminders in this little gem of a book!

My pastor, whenever we read scripture always says to ask..."Who? What? When? and Where?" and then... "So what?" Scripture needs to be made relevent for your life and you are the only one who can do that for yourself! "Who said this?" "What was happening?" "When did this happen?" and then "So What?" meaning "So what does this mean for my life?"

Derek answers these "So what?" questions with beautiful examples from his personal life...while reading his... it is very easy for you to ask yourself...

"So What does this "Christmas" mean for my life?"

Is it Over?

My grandson, The Cutest Boy in America ...waiting for the food to be done!


Christmas is over...if the presents that Santa did or did not buy you is all you think there is to Christmas...if so, then you may feel a lot like my family room looks!


May you feel the real joy of Christmas all the coming year... no matter how messy our economy looks. May you always feel the presence of God no matter what your circumstance!

God Bless you!

Blessed....

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Visit Candid Carrie for more friday fotos!

If You Give a Kid a Camera....

I have seen other bloggers do this and I thought it would be fun...I gave a kid a camera with his Mommy's permission of course...that's her there...

She is cool...and this is our camera man!

First a picture of his sister and his new bear Ben!

Next the back seat...Mommy and his Aunt Lolo.

Front seat...Gigi and Aunt Rachel.

His left foot....

Both of his feet!

Gigi and Aunt Rachel.

Side view of car and his sister.

Mommy smiling.

Gigi saying something about she can't smile at me and drive or something like that!

Aunt Rachel smiling with her eyes closed!

Merry Christmas to all my blogging buddies!!

Visit Angie at 7 Clown Circus for more Wordful Wednesdays

My Mail ...Seriously!

I am so busy...not sure what to post today!
I don't know if any of you get emails asking questions but I do...I am little surprised at how many...these are emails from people I don't know. There have only been a few unkind ones and I have tried to answer them respectfully!
But...I thought maybe you would like to hear my answers to the most popular ones ...
During the Election...
This question asked nicely and not so nicely...
How can you be a Christian and a Democrat?
How can you vote for Obama and be a Christian?
Well, my answer is that we will have to agree in love to disagree about our idea of what a Christian is...I don't see a conflict in my values and faith here but I accept your right to disagree with that idea.

How can you as a Christian speak to Muslims?
Because I want to understand and I am hoping to be understood. Nothing more than that...just an understanding and respect for one another.

Do you know that there are people who follow and comment on your blog that are not nice and they post vulgar things?
Do you know that one person posted a racist comment on her blog and no one not even you called her on it?
Why not?

This set of questions...I struggle to answer...first...I don't believe in censorship of any kind...now saying that and living with that are two different things!
Vulgar...I am not really interested in it but I don't object to it...I just move on!
Racist...is a different thing and I do struggle with how to handle it, while I would never tolerate it in my presence...commenting on it in a blog would attach my name to it and I don't want that!
So far my policy has been to just move on!

Last question...
How did you hurt your foot?
I've always walked and have done fine but I was trying to start running and I think from lack of support (old running shoe) I have hurt my arch in my right foot! It has depressed me a little and made me feel old...I am doing what the Doc said and hopefully it will be better. I am looking into Pilate's, as I love Yoga!
That's it...what's in your mail bag?

The Sunday Salon

I have had a restful Sunday as I am staying off my injured foot and I am feeling better.
I am reading In My Heart I Carry A Star by Derek Maul for Bloggy Book Club. It is a great book to read for an Advent Season devotional or if you just want a Christmas book that has a wonderful collection of heartwarming stories!
This book reminds us about the real reason for the season which is not to shop until you drop exhausted or to overeat until you feel like popping.
Derek has a great blog where he discusses this book and other great topics.
I have enjoyed this book so much and will blog later in more detail for December's Bloggy Book Club.

You Are A Winner!!!

My winner for the $10 Build-a-Bear Workshop gift card is Karla at Zander and Me...such a great Mom and a really, really cute little boy! I am not exaggerating...look for yourself! This is one cute little boy!

I hope Zander and you have as much fun as we all did!!!

I highly recommend this store for all your Teddy Bear needs!!!

friday foto...Baer er Bear Style

We went to Build-a-bear Workshop on Wednesday and all of us had a great time! This is My granddaughter running...to get into the store! We made a bunny for her named Poinsettia and a bear named Ben for the Cutest Boy in America!

They put lot's of love into their "critters" while they stuffed them full of...whatever that stuff is called!

I love this store...a little boy came up to me and said "What is you name?" and I said truthfully

"Mrs. Baer!" and I realized with his smile...I had the greatest name!!!

Leave a comment here about how much you love Bears or Baers and I will enter you in a give-away for $10 gift card to Build-a-Bear Workshop!

Five more entires if you follow me and one more if you mention the give-away on your blog! I will draw tomorrow!!! Enjoy your friday with more friday fotos at Candid Carrie

Build-a-Bear...or even a Bunny!

Yesterday...for a couple of hours I had some fun...and I was wearing sensible shoes!

All the girls and the Cutest Boy in America went to Build-a-Bear and we did that...I mean Build a Bear and a Bunny, too!

I loved it and can see spending a fortune there in my future!

I will have pictures tomorrow for Candid Carrie's friday foto but today and tomorrow you may enter a drawing for a $10 gift certificate to Build-a Bear!

Follow me for one entry...somehow I lost three of you!

:(

Tell me how much you loves Bears in today's or tomorrow's post for one more entry and mention it in your blog for five more entries!

It is a fun store!

Drawing will be held Saturday,December 20th!

But I Don't Want to Wear An Orthopedic Shoe!!!!

First...Don't ask me why I have this picture in my file...I just do...but I love shoes...however I don't think I am going to like orthopedic shoes!

I haven't been to the Doctor yet...but I am responding to the advice given by the nurse on the phone...

Rest

Ice

Compress

Elevate

I don't care for resting..I hate ice..I do like icing but not ice and I am not good at the compressing thing...and My foot keeps falling off the pillow!

I have a hundred and eighty two things to do...but my foot will not cooperate!!!! Stupid, Stupid Foot!!!!

For happier and fun Wordful Wednesdays visit Angie at 7 Clown Circus

Let Me Tell You about My Pain-in-the...

Well, my running career is over and I do mean over...I got up to about 2 minutes before I would return to my walking-self but I have now injured my right foot and the pain is excruciating...I have had several pseudo Doctors tell me what is wrong...it may be time for actual Doctor to do so as I am not getting better.
When I am in physical pain...I become less tolerant of others and their stupidity...
That is to say...when I am not in pain...I overlook things I should...when I am in pain...it seems necessary for me to set others straight...I guess so I may become a pain in their heel!
Long story made short...Hubby and I are no longer speaking...because clearly...I can't say anything nice!
I am half way through my friend Derek Maul's book In My Heart I Carry A Star...it is a collection of stories to be read during the Advent season. This week is Love...so...I am feeling anything but loving and loved...pain does that to us...it takes our eyes off of our God and makes us become isolated and mean...okay, maybe just me! Derek makes this point so much better than I here.
I am heading off to the Doctor to find out what is wrong and I am going to do exactly what he says for me to feel better...
Many of us are worried about the economy...and they are real worries...I don't intend to make light of it...I am in real pain!
But, regardless of my pain or the world's...God is in control...and we are His personal children and he cares deeply about our pain! There is no greater love than His...
and we are commanded to love one another as I have loved you...
I have some work to do!

A Jolly Good Read!

I just finished reading A Jolly Good Fellow by Stepehn V. Masse and it was a fun and unexpected read. It is well written and it is most deserving of it's Silver Medal from Independent Publisher Awards.

The book cover states:
Two weeks before Christmas, Duncan Wagner gets into his car for another attempt at kidnapping the son of his most despised enemy, State Representative Win Booker. When he drives into the wealthy Boston suburb, he is surprised to find the boy hitchhiking.
So begins Wagner's quest for revenge as he finds himself face to face with a real boy and without a clue about how to run a kidnapping. Wagner, a self styled charity Santa Claus, comes to realize that eleven year old Gabriel Booker is truly a runaway, much more curious than scared. Gabriel has no idea who Duncan Wagner is- or could be.
In an old apartment in downtown Boston, the odd pair makes an unforgettable team, providing each other with what they have been missing in life. Author Stephen V. Masse captures the friendship with a blend of suspense and humor, showing that love is a resource which can bring redemption to the most damaged souls.

This book certainly isn't the typical Christmas story...it reminded me that so many people do not live the typical Hallmark Christmas but rather sad and lonely ones.
A Jolly Good Fellow is a short read that surprises you with it's ending and touches you in it's telling of the relationship that develops between Duncan and the small boy, Gabriel.
I had wished the ending had been different but upon reflection realized it couldn't have ended any better for all characters involved. This is a sweet and sour Christmas story with humorous moments sprinkled throughout while telling the lovely relationship of a young boy and a lonely man during Christmas... and a kidnapping!
This would make a great holiday gift!

Can You Say Double Standard?

So...the other night..The Hubby and I watch Casino Royale...I know we are a little late to the party! I liked Peirce Brosnan in the role of 007...I liked that he was a suave 007 who seemed to have a sense of humor and I wasn't ready for him to leave the role. I don't think he cared as much as I did. Anyway, Hubby didn't suggest going to see it and I boycotted it the same way I did Mr. and Mrs. Smith...yes, I know I am insane!

Back to Casino Royale...My daughter and Her Hubby bought it and lent it to us to watch...Hubby is quiet and so am I...

It starts off really violent but y'know what's a murder or two in the first few seconds of a movie and then real soon there is a roll- in- the- hay ..I know I sound like my mother...I now have her arms too!

Hubby is still quiet...I think he has gone to sleep...but it gets bright at one point and I see he is indeed awake... just really quiet!

So we get to the "Halle Berry" shot only it's Daniel Craig coming out of the water in his little swim suit and I hear this loud sighing sound like someone letting the air out of a tire...

It's Hubby...

"What's wrong?" I say.

"Oh...nothing!" he says. I have this feeling we have done this before but the roles are not quite right...something is different!

Then the big torture scene...

I am a little confused at this point but I see this guy kicking the cane bottom out of a chair and then...the next scene Daniel Craig is naked...naked!

So...I am still confused and I say out loud to Hubby..."Is he naked?" (I am thinking that would be torture to me...Take all your clothes off while we make fun of you!)

"Of course he is naked!!" Hubby snaps and seems all mad at me!

"Well, I didn't tell him to take all his clothes off!" I snap back!

All...I can think of is all the dumb movies I have watched over the years ...where girls are being chased and as they run their clothes fall off and all the other preposterous ways women end up naked in films....I mean years of this dumb stuff!

So...My Hubby doesn't care for this stuff any more than I do! I will be interested if he takes me to see the new Daniel Craig movie!

Tampa...My Kind of Town!

Friends visit us recently and we spend the day at Ybor City!

I am a fifth or sixth generation Tampan (or is it a Tampon?)...anyway, a girl from Tampa, Florida. I would know how many generations my family goes back if I ever finished our genealogy!! I love Tampa...not a perfect town but rich in history and flavor!
I have found this amazing book by The Turner Publishing Company called Historic Photos of Tampa, Text and captions by Ralph Brower. It is a collection of old photographs from Tampa, many that have never been published, and information about the history of Tampa to go with the pictures. I love this book...in fact so much so that since I have been invited to three parties this holiday season, this will be my hostess/host gift for each party!
If you go to The Turner Publishing Company web page...you will find other amazing books on other cities across America! Perfect Holiday gift!

For more friday fotos visit Candid Carrie!

What Bugs Me!!!

The things that make me happy...really "don't cost a thing!" I love long walks, hot coffee, and time with my children and grandchildren. We have a new shopping mall down the road and it has this great synchronized light show on the trees and buildings with terrific music...we sit with our coffee and watch the show...free!
My Hubby and I sometimes light a fire outdoors and sit and have long chats...the rules are we have to be positive...no negative comments...not about our family or the economy! We talk about movies, books I have read or our house we want to build in the mountains! This is free and it is one of my favorite times with Hubby.

What bugs me is people who are negative and critical of other people...I don't know how I keep finding these people. My theory is that like some kind of creature from outer space I morph into their persona...I dislike that about myself! That I allow their negativity to absorb into my pores and become a part of my being! I have started being very choosy about my friends...I have allowed relationships to drift away because they were more about what I could do for them than a mutual relationship.They were exhausting! When I started to say "No, I wouldn't be able to do that for them!"...I wasn't quite as popular as I once was however, my time with my family is quality time and I feel very good about the relationships I have left!
I wonder if people consider what we are teaching our children with this "You Can't do this!" attitude. We seem as a country ready and very quickly to find what is wrong with each other but slow to see what is right...to encourage each other and be kind to each other rather than tearing each other down! These people rarely talk about what they have learned from their mistakes...they use others as example to make a point. The best teachers in my life have used their own life experience to teach me..not by talking about others! When I look back on my life...it is the mistakes that I have made that have taught me the most...the times I have been humbled that have given me a compassionate out look on life! I am grateful for every one of my screw ups as they have made me who I am today. I think, as a country we could be a little more tolerate of others as they find their way...if you can't just don't sit next to me...I have big pores!

rejoice in our suffering, suffering produces perseverance, perseverance- character and character - hope...

Romans 5:3

This Makes Me Happy!!!

My Grand daughter makes me happy!

The Cutest Boy in America makes me happy!

Flowers make her happy!

He doesn't look happy but he is...this is his serious modeling look...The Magnum look...for really, really good-looking people!

How cute is this? Our little flower girl! For more Word "full" Wednesdays

Visit Angie at 7 Clown Circus

The Engagement Party!

When the food is not ready and 48 people are coming to your home...the 50's housewife has a glass of wine! My youngest, Ryan and I pose for a picture!

The Engagement party was so much fun! We did a "I Love Lauren theme...with I love Lucy overtones!" Everyone dressed in a 50's theme. We had greasers, bobby soxers, Sandy look-a-likes, men in suits and 50's housewives! Only a few bumps...my food and the catered food was not ready on time!

The Bride-to-be and me!

We are Empty Nester's ...so our home isn't really big...so when you have 48 people coming you take the party outdoors for overflow!

We emptied the patio and the living room and filled the space with round tables!

Notice...the empty serving plates on my stove...waiting for the food that is NOT done cooking in the ovens!!!!

It was a lot of fun and I am so blessed to be getting her in our family...it's not just our son who loves Lauren...we all do!