Sierra with mom.  

Saturday in Texas.  

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Yesterday my sister had to get a treatment at the hospital so I watched my mom for her.  Tommy enjoyed his great grandmother playing, feeding, talking to him.  

 

The two bowls my mother made in 1967 when we lived in Shreveport when she did ceramics.  She was a very crafty lady in her time but the Alzhemier's has robbed her of that talent.  

My daughter did her grandmother's hair, cut and colored more towards her natural color.  Look down this blog to compare her picture last year when she lived with my other sister.  Mom looks 20 years younger without long gray hair.  

25 Random Things About Me

Once you have been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you its because I want to know more about you.

1. I was born in San Antonio Texas air force base while my daddy was stationed there. I was born on my mother's 20th b'day. After the Air Force my daddy went to college at Texas Tech where my twin sisters were born 2 years later.

2. In 1969 my daddy was transferred to Jamaica to build Alcon's plant in Kingston Jamaica, I was a sophomore in high school at the time. We lived there for 2 years, I was enrolled in a private English school that had about 300 students from K-2 years of college on one campus. What a wonderful time for me and my family.

3. Eddie and I were married 9 years before we were blessed with our first hard to conceive daughter, Cheyenne. After trying for years to have a baby, 2 miscarriages, lots of money spent on infertility Cheyenne Crystal was born. Our first girl baby on both sides of the family.

4. I've lived from the time of my birth to now...San Antonio, Lubbock, Dallas, Shreveport, Texarkana, Houston, Jamaica, Stone Mountain Ga, Midlothian, Waxahachie (now married), Fort Worth, Midlothian, Fort Worth, El Paso, Midlothian and back to my favorite city Waxahachie Texas.

5. I love to paint, do crafts, wood working, remodeling my home, birdwatching, gardening, garage selling, junking at thrift shops, and my newest love....Mosaic crafts. Travel Texas with my friends, taste wine, dinners out.

6. My youngest child, Zachary left home 2 weeks ago to go to college in Austin. I miss my baby, I am so proud of him for deciding what he wants to do with his life and going for it now. He is studying about making movies, films, sports broadcasting. He would love to work somewhere in the sports entertainment field editing film. I adore his girlfriend Aubrie and her dog, Truman.

7. Sierra my adorable beautiful middle child is living in our FIL house by our swimming pool. We built the 700 sq. ft house for Eddie's dad to live his remaining days in. Now all 3 of my kids have lived there since his death. After Sierra moves out maybe that can be my studio!!?? Or Eddie's sports bar and big screen TV house. LOL

8. I love Mexican food, nachos, fajitas, ice cold beer, salsa, chips, Chicken Enchiladas, beef enchiladas, jalapeno peppers stuffed, sliced, anyway! I could eat this for dinner every night of the week. I just saw a great brisket chili recipe I want to try out. I love to cook in my Rooster Kitchen.

9. In 2002 I started hormone therapy, in 2004 I found a big lump in my left breast. I had 4 surgeries to remove the cancer, 8 rounds of chemo using 2 very strong cancer drugs, 35 daily radiation treatments and now it is 5 years later and I am still cancer free as of January 26, 2009.

10. 2 years ago I had a reunion with some of my classmates from Jamaica, Allison, Michelle, John and Even traveled here to spend the weekend with my 2 sisters and I reliving our high school years. What a blast we had catching up on 35 years of our lives. I hate that I don't get to do high school reunions with my old classmates.

11. My daddy died at 52 of cancer, my mother has had Alzheimer's for the past 10 years and now lives with my sister Rhonda and her husband Gary. They take great care of her and she is looking better than she has in almost 10 years.

12 I've been married for 35 years to my own cowboy, Eddie. He works for a western wear company in Dallas. He is my soul mate, help mate, and best friend. He puts up with my hobbies, disordered house and all my dogs. And I put up with his sports memorabilia, love for all his Dallas teams professional, college and high school.

13. Eddie and I organized a dinner club for 6 couples we've known for years, Hachie Nick-Nicks. On the 3rd Saturday night each month one couple host dinner at their house or a restaurant of their choice for an evening together. We're into our 3 year of having a blast with our friends. We even have a Yahoo list to keep us organized and send out reminders.

14. Okay, I love playing Sims 2. Cheyenne and I get on the phone to talk about our Sims and which houses we've decorated or when we find something new in the game. I can get lost in my Sims for hours.

15. I have a library of about 2000 books, romance, mystery, suspense, historical. I use to spend tons a month at B&N but now I am a member of Paperback Swap so I trade my books after I read them for a credit, then get books in the mail from that credit for a new used book. Heaven!

16. I adore my sweet little grandson Tommy. Tommy was born to my daughter, Cheyenne in 2005. He was a gift from God after our family went through the toughest year of our family's lives. I was being treated for breast cancer, Sierra had 4 major surgeries for her Crohn's disease going from 145 pounds on graduation day to 85 when they released her from the hospital. After months of hospital for her treatments and mine we got to bring this wonderful miracle home from the hospital, Thomas Alan Gilbert.

17. I have 3 Chihuahuas. Koko is 9 years old, she is our barker, Pudge is Zac's dog 7 years old and then one of their puppies, Hash Brown. They run this house. In May I lost my little Mouse who was also one of Koko and Pudge's babies, she was 3 pounds tiny! One Wednesday night we went to bed and the next morning she was missing...was she dognapped? We lost Sierra's dachshund a few weeks ago while everyone was moving, again no one has seen her.

18. We had season tickets with our friends for the Waxahachie High School football home games. I love living in a small Texas town.

19. I love Roosters! My kitchen is done in roosters, mosaic roosters, glasses roosters, wallpaper boarder, everywhere you look a rooster is there. I love to cook new recipes in my kitchen.

20. After BC treatment I decided I had to lose weight or risk BC again. I started cooking healthier, giving up fast food - when Zac was in high school he would stop by a fast food place and bring his mommy a hamburger, tacos or anything he was buying. I got up to 177 pounds for my 5'2' frame. I lost over 12 months 68 pounds going down to 109. I was too skinny so I've gone back to my ideal weight of 120. I feel better and love to shop for cloths now.

21. My camera is one of my favorite new Christmas presents. I love to take pictures everything in my life. I have a SeaGate external memory that has nearly 7000 picture of my photos for the past 4 years from the delivery room with Tommy to this weeks working on the mosaic outdoor fireplace for Fat Daddy's restrurant in Mansfield.

22. One of my other new toys AeroGarden, I've got cherry tomatoes, fresh basil growing in the kitchen to harvest during the winter months...made killer spahgetti sauce with fresh basil the other night. Yummy

23. Each October our Hachie Nick-Nicks load up our cars to travel for 3 days around Texas tasting wines from all the wineries in Texas. We've sampled wines from Fredricksburg, to Bluff Dale to east Texas Pittsburg home of Bo Pilgrims chicken. We've been doing this for about 7 years now.

24. Growing up I had 20/20 vision until I hit 40, damn I hate glasses for crafts, reading and computer. Now at 55 (double nickel as my daddy would say) my distance vision is starting to change. Boohoo

25. I love life!! I love my family!! I love my husband!! I love my dogs!! I love my friends!! Life is good my goal for life is to live to see my great great grandchildren!

Friday night I had one of our "Girls Night Out", 6 of my friends met at one of the lady's home for dinner and a movie.

I decided to make an olive cheese French bread. I used fresh basil from my AeroGarden, tomato, bacon bits, cheese and real butter. Yummy.

I took a bottle of wine table wine we bought on our wine tour of north Texas in October.

The movie we watched was MAMA MIA!!! It was fun to watch the chick flick with a bunch of girls.

We also talked about Holly Lisle, I SEE YOU.
"For paramedic Dia Courvant, each day brings the possibility of facing blood and death. But nothing matched the horror of the day she was dispatched to the scene of a terrible car accident and rescued the sole survivor-only to find her own husband dead in the wreckage. Now, four years later, a series of deadly car crashes has brought handsome detective Brig Hafferty into Dia's life. She's drawn to Brig, but can she trust him enough to tell him of the terror that stalks her? For Dia has received a message warning her of danger and death-a message that seems to have been sent to her from beyond the grave. "

The Rooster Kitchen: I am about half way finished with my mosaic backsplash. I ordered ceramic trivets off Ebay to add to the ceramic tiles I've cut.

Yesterday in Texas it was very warm, even turned the AC on because of a sinus headache. We've been very dry lately which is why everyone is getting allergies and sinus problems. Tomorrow we might get freezing rain, how crazy is that! 79 one day and freeing rain the day after.

Anyway, yesterday I fixed my sink...I installed a new facuet after taking the sink out to tile around and grout. I am loving the tile counter tops, next week go back to work on the mosaic backsplash. My SIL said it looks very art deco, whatever that is! LOL Pictures coming up later.

So while on my computer in the kitchen I watched the birds at my feeders on the south side of the house. I saw for the very first time a Titmouse eating sunflower seeds. I love to watch the different birds at my feeders, if possible I want to get a picture with my new camera. The Titmouse is a adorable little bird with a cute song. Since I've been keeping my feeders full I now have Caroline Chickadees, Caroline Wrens (cutest clown bird) a few pairs of Red Cardinals, Golden Finches, Morning Doves, and tons of song Sparrows. Even had a squirrel enjoying some sunflower seeds in the backyard feeder.

Yesterday my grandson turned 4 years old. My daughter baked his cake for him, they even made the sugar cookies for the top together. He is into Hot Wheel cars so he had to new cars on top.

Tuesday Night is Date Night!

Each Tuesday night Mr. G and I try to have an evening together to reconnect to each other.
When the holidays are going on it is hard....we should go out or just stay home. Spend money for dinner out or cook something together at home.

Tonight is a home date. I plan to fix The Pioneer Woman Cooks Cowboy Nachos along with some very cold beers. We have a few new movies to watch from recent Christmas gifts....The Mummy 3, 3:10 to Yuma and the latest Indiana Jones.

Of course, Mr. G would love to watch the next football bowl game tonight but since the Cowboys bombed out and it isn't the Texas Longhorns I could care less about football.

So the beef is on the stove, just refried the beans, grated the cheese and sliced tomatoes and jalapenos for serve on top of the nachos.

I hope tonight is a mummy good night for all!!!

Our family had a wonderful messy Christmas!!

Some of the family even ran out of tape so they Rednecked tape a 12 pack of beer for our Chinese exchange!

We spent an evening with my sister and her family for the first time in about 8 years. We're trying to repair damage done to relationship over the years.

We had a blast with our friends Christmas party exchanging gift....we stole each other's gifts, laughing the whole time.

For dinner with my husband's family I checked out The Pioneer Woman Cooks' website to see what delish dish she had...the beef tenderloin looked great but when we check out the price per pound at my market it was $27.99!!! No way! So I cooked an beef eye of round like she did her beef tenderloin. Okay, it was okay but not the heaven on a fork like she said. LOL

This week I am alone in the house, just packing up the Christmas decorations, taking care of the many dogs (6), trying to fix my kitchen sink...can't figure out how to put the new faucet in.

Tonight is Tuesday...the date night for Mr. G and me. We try to go out to eat, touch, talk, reconnect and even whoopie if the mood strikes us. We'll see if Mr. G want to do a date night since we're in the holiday season.

Mr. G goes to Denver for 10 or more days next month...this is the darkest time of year for me...this time period is the hardest days of my year. He is gone, the days are so short so night fall is by 5:30, bills for the holidays come in each day...just the saddest part of the year for me. I've been looking at my calendar this year to try to think of things that will brighten those daylight hours.

We have a big New Year's Eve party to attend then it seems like winter blows in.

Yesterday morning DH and I got up early to make our shopping list and do some Christmas shopping. On HBO the movie BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN was on so my DH decided we'll watch it. OMG What a waste of 2 hours!! It wiped out all the great moments of watching SANTA CLAUSE 2 the night before as Tim Allen as Santa had to found a wife.

Okay poor Heath Ledges is dead, sad yes....but his best movie, no way.

I had rather watch repeatedly A KNIGHT'S TALE 50 times before having to sit thought one more minute of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. It was totally an uncomfortable movie, so-so acting with the only thing that interest me was the scenic views.

I went to take a shower about half way through and it was still awful when I came back.
I felt no connection between Ledge and Gyllenhaual, the sex scene almost seemed like
rape. Just plain gross.

I think the only reason the movie got even half of the reviews is because it was the year of "Gay Marriage". If movie makes wanted to do a movie about a gay couple they should have used real gay men.

While I was in the shower this morning a little monkey was in my make-up. He likes the lipstick.

It is rainy, gray, foggy, just a all around day for some comfort foods. Maybe a pot of chicken and dumplings on the stove for dinner. Or turn a leftover roast into beef and veggie soup.

I am waiting for some of the tiles to come in the mail before I can continue with the mosaic backsplash in the kitchen. I've finished the counter top with the snow white tile, just a few more places to grout and then put in the sink and new faucet. Can't wait for it to all come together.

This weekend we have a family Christmas party at my sister's home. It will be fun seeing mom and all my sister's kids.

This looks like a great recipe for a frapp that is within my budget and since the nearest Starbucks in in Targets here in town I can make these at home now!

2 cups ice cubes
3/4 cup coffee, cooled
1/4 cup International Delight^®, any flavor
Whipped cream or Delightful Whip

Combine ice, coffee and International Delight in a blender and process until well blended and slushy. Top with whipped cream or Delightful Whip and serve immediately.

Serving size: One Large or Two Small Servings

Some days I forget that I am 55 years old....my mind is in the mid 20s early 30s back when I had my babies.
Now a days I take care of my grandson Tommy who will be 4 years old this January 2. I've kept him since he was 2 weeks old just like my own little babies, our daughter lived with us, worked full time and went to college to get her degree. So Tommy and I have a special connection.

But there is a b_i_g difference between 30 and 55 being full time care taker of a toddler. Oh boy, a day playing, chasing, talking and caring for a 3 year old is harder with age! Those daily 9 hours each day are so long, thank goodness his mommy is a school teacher so I have holidays off!

He is the apple of my eye! Since my last baby of the womb will be 21 years old this May Tommy has brought back Christmas Spirit to this old house. He would love to wrap presents all day or maybe lay on my bed watching Christmas movies. Hey, I can handle Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid's National Lampoon's Christmas for an afternoon.

Have a great afternoon....enjoy a good Christmas show and have a glass of eggnog!

HoHoHo

Working in the kitchen today.

Back to working in the Rooster Kitchen!

I decided I like the solid white counter top against the mosaic back splash.

I set the tiles in this section today...to cure for at least 48 before grouting.

I've been going on Ebay, hunting garage sells and junk stores for ceramic tiles, coasters, and trivets to add to the cut tiles.

Good-bye Boston Legal

I am going to miss my Monday night favorite show BOSTON LEGAL. For one thing it has actors nearer my age or older which they pointed out last week during one episode that Betty White sued the networks because they don't have programs for the over 50ish group.
I love how they pretend to go after the drug companies for promoting so many of their pills to the older viewers...."are you depressed, are you peeing your pants, do you have cancer we can help, etc."
When your sick these ads really stick to in your mind making your believe a little pill will cure all!! Boston Legal showed us it ain't true when Denny was taking so many pills his heart stopped when Candice Bergen's character, Shirley Schmidt tapped him on the chest.

Farewell my friends! I'll miss you each Monday night while the hubby is watching his football and I need a laugh.

I got my courage up to tackle my back splash in the kitchen. The large tiles are ceramic tile trivets I've found at garage sells, been given as gifts or bought off Ebay.
All around the kitchen I want different ceramic tiles, "baking, wine, coffee, vintage pictures and holidays".

The counter top will be in all white tile.

We had a great weekend. Friday night out to dinner with friends at Courtside Grill, while visiting with them we invited everyone over to our home to watch the Texas Tech and OU football game.

Saturday I started cleaning the house from ceiling to floor so I can start bring in the Christmas decorations. Made a big pot of chili for our friends that evening. Hated that Texas Tech got whipped, during the second half we watched the game but also played Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. I made it to the 5th grade but couldn't get the million!

Sunday the kids all came over for birthday dinner. This was a traditions set by Eddie's parents we haven't done in a while. Yesterday was Cheyenne's 26th birthday, Eddie's was the 20th. I cooked a large roast with fresh veggies, rolls and Cherry Delight for dessert. After dinner we all watched Wall*e, what a cute movie.

This week I am working cleaning out for our garage sell this Saturday, just checked the weather hoping for cool clear days. The garage is a disaster plus a few rooms that need cleaning out.

Happy Monday!

When is a box not just a box? When Tommy turns it into his new house.

He has triangle windows on one side, a place to park his cars, and even an outlet to plug in his phone or computer. He has a door with a door knob and a few keys to open it.

We must knock before opening the door or he yells, "Get out!!"