Life in the Middle Age Lane

Many have posted about what Thanksgiving means to them, in all honesty this year has turned out to be one of the most profound Thanksgivings yet to date for me and my family.  Without saying too much we have been in a state of crisis for the past two months. But at the same time, we are blessed with health, family, friends, support and so many other pillars of strength that our "crisis" at times seems frivolous.  Please don't ask. Tomorrow my home will be filled with my family and their extended family.  My brother in law will be bringing his fiancee and soon to be step daughter.  My niece will be bringing her first born to her first Thanksgiving and our parents will be with us.  What more can we ask for?  A very joyous occasion indeed. I have to have faith more now than ever.  There are lessons to be learned during this time and I just hope that we as a family will rise to the challenge.  Love may not be enough, but I hope that our faith will carry us through.

What's going around on Facebook:   My friend  Tom Shanks  participated in a game where he is given a number (his was 17) so he had to tell 17 interesting things about himself. Because I liked it, he assigned me a number of 10. I will now attempt to list 10 interesting things about myself. it's just a journey of exploration. you don't have to change your profile picture or anything like that. 1) My name comes from a nickname that my mother was called as a child, her full name is Maria Herlinda and to shorten her name my grandparents called her Marylinda. She loved it so much, she name me that. 2) I was the first ever high school student to receive a "promotion" at my part time job at UnitedBank-Houston when I was 16 years old. They basically moved me from bookkeeping to the Real Estate department. My High School newspaper wrote an article about it. I think it was more creative writing then actual news  3) I moved to Houston from Chicago at the end of 7

Being the first generation in America it was difficult for me to fit in, I tried by observing others.  I was very worried about being the odd one out as a child. Growing up watching the Brady Bunch and My Three Sons, I had certain expectations of what it was to be an American.  I remember being in Kindergarten and having an old german lady as a teacher who was not very nice.  I don't ever remember her being kind or thoughtful.  I did not speak any English when I started Kindergarten in Chicago, but after a few weeks I was fine.  But I will never forget feeling like I needed to learn to be like the others.  Maybe then the teacher would like me. Funny thing is, Chicago in the 70's  was a huge melting pot in itself and we had so many diverse ethnicities that it was hard to define what an American was.  We all were either Italian/American, Polish, Arabian, Mexican, etc. And most all of us were first generation, we all spoke two languages. But I remember not wanting to be

This year was a fun time at the Market.  So many people at this amazing event.  I swear I don't think the ballet ever has to perform and just make the money off this 5 day event. A few years ago I told my husband the men should tailgate outside and my friends and I  can call them to come pick up our packages and save us the hassle of caring bags around Reliant Center.  Well, it just so happen that my husband did not find it entertaining enough or to his benefit to take me up on my offer. However,  I did see a few ladies out there with food, beverages and gates up on their SUV's.  YES, they were actually tailgating!  I'm pretty sure what that lady is pouring isn't water. The one thing about the Market is that if you have a little girl you will absolutely go bananas over the outfits they have here.  So many adorable things. Another great year and one fabulous find of a rhinestone custom cowboy hat.