Life in the Middle Age Lane

I finally finished decorating the INSIDE of the house.  I started on Sunday, just to give you an idea of my week.   Maybe in the past years it took me just as long and I never noticed.  But for some reason this year I felt like a hamster on a wheel. I do have to admit that having pinterest as a go to website for creative ideas, makes me rethink some of my placements of decorations.  I also re-created two wreaths for the house, and three light fixtures.  All which were taken from pinterest.   Chandelier idea  came from a blog you can check out. I am pleased the way it came out and the only thing I had to buy were the glass ornaments which I purchased at Hobby Lobby for $2.49 for a box of 6. Also, John finally received his alligator skin from the taxidermist.  I loved it so much that I don't have the heart to get it made into anything. I'm using it as a runner on my dining room table. I also wanted to get my stockings looking full and picture perfect so I enlisted

This coming month many people associate it with family, friends, gifts and so many up lifting things.  But what we forget is that it is also a time when many people slump into depression, desperation and hopelessness.  Reach outside yourself and really see the people around you.  You just never know what your neighbors are going through. Some are experiencing a holiday without a loved one this year for the first time, some have been told it will be their last Christmas, and others just feel that way.  We know someone in each category this year and my heart hurts for them.   This reminds me that we all have something to be grateful for in this life regardless of how small it may be.  Let's pray for those who forgot why they should be grateful, pray for those in hospitals, and pray for those battling their demons of self doubt and sadness.   Recently, there was an woman on the news who was not advised her father had died 30 days prior.  She was upset over the fact s

The end of the Thanksgiving holidays are at hand.  It was full of birthdays, family, and friends.  Shelby had a friend from boarding stay with us this week.  It's wonderful to see Shelby making such wonderful friends.  Malaika's family lives in Calgary and they celebrate  Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October. Shelby drove down on Friday with her and it has been a fun filled week. Saturday: Malaika helped Shelby with her Gold Award Ceremony at the house.  She participated in the ceremony and was there to see Shelby get pinned. Afterwards the girls met up with some of Shelby's girl scout friends and went to the Steam Boat Drive In to see Twilight: Breaking Dawn, part 2. On Sunday, we went to the Texans game at Reliant Stadium.  We had the best time except for a really obnoxious twenty-something blonde sitting next to the girls.  We just laughed it off and enjoyed the exciting game.  We had excellent seats and saw everything! We also picked up a smal

Had the best Thanksgiving Day yesterday.  Shelby was chosen to participate in the KHOU Thanksgiving Parade downtown. She rode in the Girl Scouts Gold Award float.  Turned out that a friend's sister was also on the float, so she hung out with her the entire time. She also met some celebrities while there and had a fantastic time.  I love when things work out even though we had to be there at 7:00 am and the parade didn't start until 9:00 am Jennifer and Shelby on the Girl Scout Gold Award Float. They wanted the top tier of the float which they kindly requested and got. The Grand Marshall of the Parade was Debrah Duncan.  The friendlies person I have ever met.  She can start a conversation on a dime!  She was on the float behind Shelby's. While we were driving in, I was joking with her that I wanted a picture of Santa and her this year.  I said I don't care who you approach as long as they have a beard and a red suit.  Just take the darn picture! And in

Shelby was born a Shelby.  She was named Shelby for several reasons, 1) the bad ass Mustang that was produced back in 1965 through 1970, and my favorite american play Steel Magnolias.  Both symbolizing a hard headed, strong female, made of determination, speed and beauty.    What can I say, I love fast cars and a strong Southern woman. Today we celebrated 12 years in girl scouts, 5 different rankings, and her Gold Award presentation.  This girl endured it all and then some, having  a mom that was at every single meeting,   almost every field trip, camp out, and outing in school and girl scouts.  Being the daughter of the camp trained parent and/or leader has it's draw backs. Ask any daughter of a leader or teacher! She is now a member of a select few (6% of all Girl Scouts receive this honor).  She was also chosen to  be on the Girl Scout float at the Thanksgiving parade this coming Thursday in Houston. I have attached pictures of her ceremony today and it went ver

 Recently one of our favorite neighbors celebrated a milestone birthday.  Unfortunately, she was traveling on the day of her birthday and had to catch a 5 am flight that day.  So, we decided to send her off to her appointment with multitudes of birthday wishes.  Dressed in our ninja like outfits, wine glass in hand, (only 1 fatality in the form of glassware) we embarked on our mission.  Since Melissa (birthday girl extraordinare) wasn't returning home until late that night we took pictures of the decorations for her.  Just in case she didn't get to enjoy them all in her rush to the airport.  It was truly a magical sight, plastic dinosaurs, chalk drawings on the sidewalk and colorful streamers on the trees.  This may sound morbid but when I die I want my drive way to look like this.  Just like those little champagne looking bottles full of streamer exploded all over our yard.  To say, well done, good life, time to celebrate an excellent job on living!  

November 2012 John's weekend was special since Emilio was able to fly down for it.  John was just in hog heaven with both his kids home.  Here is what went on this weekend. Friday:     John flew home from Dallas having stayed there all week with Shelby.  We are very blessed that he was able to work from the hotel room and also be there for our youngest.  I was able to sneak off and do the Nutcracker Market with a neighbor/friend.  I spent all day shopping and my feet were killing me.  John and Shelby arrived home before me and had pizza delivered for dinner.  (I know I won't be winning mother or wife of the year again)  But I did come home with some marshmallow guns that both John and Shelby loved. Saturday:  Emilio flies in and we made reservations at Kata Robota on Kirby and Richmond.  Excellent food.  We had a great time, joking , laughing (mostly at my expense) and just enjoying being together. If you want to see their  menu at the restaurant, just click on the