Birthday Dinner

Robin enjoyed seafood tonight as part of his birthday celebration. Since I won't eat anything that used to swim, I settled for steak that used to graze.

Our salads with cheese biscuits were good and we both devoured our entrees. I had skipped lunch and had a good reason to splurge. Robin seldom gets seafood so he had a good reason to splurge, too.

Never mind that we had German chocolate cake at home, we had to order a birthday dessert. This tasty treat is a hot chocolate chip cookie topped with ice cream. Yes, we ate it all.

As with all December birthdays, the celebration has to end so we can turn our focus to Christmas. Robin had a great birthday with lots of attention, cards, phone calls, and gifts. He doesn't feel slighted at all. Most importantly, he doesn't feel his age. I love you, Big Guy!

Celebrating

Here's the birthday boy with his toys. In a previous post about all the raccoons and opossums he has captured in his trap, I mentioned the opossums are so hideous that we never see stuffed animals of their likeness. I was wrong. I found these two critters side by side on a shelf, as if to say, "Buy us for Robin!" Which I did. Now, the Great White Hunter has two more "trophies" to add to his antler collection and bobcat skull.I considered placing both in the trap and presenting them that way, but remembered that the trap might not be the cleanest of gift holders. Not that it really matters since these creatures are Robin's gifts from the cats. I gave him cologne he'd wanted, but who wants to see a picture of that?

The birthday mug and a generous slice of German chocolate cake made an excellent afternoon treat. We will put off eating out until tomorrow night since we are under a wintry weather advisory. He'll just have to suffer through my spaghetti tonight. But we're still celebrating!

Happy Birthday, Robin!

Happy birthday to that special man in my life! I asked what dessert he wanted and he said we haven't had German chocolate cake lately. I replied, "not since last birthday. I don't just whip those up in minutes." So, I'll be busy baking and he is worth the trouble it takes to make his favorite cake.

Besides cake, I'll be treating him to birthday dinner and gifts. I'm sure more pictures will follow.

Happy birthday, Babe! I love you!

Happy Anniversary, Allison & Brian!

Allison and Brian are celebrating their 13th anniversary today and this recent family photo shows what all has been accomplished in those 13 years. What a beautiful family! I'm very thankful for this union and the three sweet kids who came from it. Jude (aka Indiana Jones), Baylee, and Sophia are dear to my heartHappy Anniversary, Allison and Brian. Remember, my doors and arms are open for a babysitting honor while the two of you enjoy a night out by yourselves. Congratulations and so much love.

Happy Birthday, Angela!

I can't believe this little girl, my baby, is celebrating her birthday today with her husband and three children. The years zoomed past me. When our children are small, we look at raising them to adulthood as being light years away. Then, one morning we wake up and look into a man or woman's face that used to be our baby. It seems it happened overnight as I look at it from this side of the progression.I start filling in the gaps as I remember isolated events, a certain birthday, a special Christmas when there was something exciting to open, or school programs and boring report cards (all A's people! Absolutely no variety). I think of childish art that over the years perfected itself into masterpieces that I proudly display on my walls. I think of games we played and stories we wrote and the love and pride that a mother feels for her child.

Now, I'm the mother of three adults and that is always hard to grasp. But look at these three! My Birthday Girl is the tall one on the right.

Here's my baby girl with her own daughter, Juliet. How thrilled I am that she will know the excitement, enchantment, and miracle of a daughter.

She's zany, funny, disarming, passionate, strong, beautiful and a treasured gift from God.

How happy I am that my baby is celebrating her special day with this handsome bunch! Of course, I'd like to sneak in and offer a big birthday hug, but I'm content knowing she will get plenty of love and attention. Happy birthday, Punkin. I love you so much.

Angela Renee

Lord, I come to You on bended knees,

My heart is full of praise.

And I thank You for that special girl

You gave to me to raise.

Within my womb I carried her

And my love began to grow,

For that tiny little miracle

Whom I had yet to know.

Through the years she's been a blessing,

So thoughtful and so kind.

I thank You, Lord, for choosing her,

A better one I couldn't find.

She's filled my life with sunshine,

Her faith is strong and true.

I'm a mortal, weak and sinful.

All the credit goes to You.

I thank You, Lord, for stepping in,

For all Your help along the way,

In creating a beautiful woman

Out of that girl of yesterday.

I often feel unworthy

That You placed her in my care.

And when I see what she's become,

I'm so glad You put her there.

My life would be so empty

Without my daughter at my side.

Her life's so full of goodness,

Lord, forgive me for my pride!

I'll always come on bended knees,

My gratitude has no end.

For that lovely, special creation,

My daughter and my friend.

- Peggy Chrusciaki, with all a mother's love.

Happy Anniversary, Cheryl & Sid!

My BB and her husband are celebrating an anniversary today. How can I say I am happy for her when this marriage took her away from Texas and the fun we always had? I so remember the day Sid came to get her and her trailer full of furniture and belongings and just drove them all to Florida and a new life together. Never mind that I sat in my car as they passed by with tears in my eyes. Cheryl and I both wondered if we were ready to stand on our own two feet with so much distance between our friendship. Thanks to all the modern forms of communication, we are always close and have proven we can survive this most recent change (providing our computers don't crash).



But I will force my selfishness aside and wish them both a very happy anniversary. They are lucky to have each other. May God bless them both!

A Funtastic Weekend

A lot was accomplished this weekend and Patty and I had a ball doing it all. I made a huge dent in my Christmas shopping and will have to do a lot of wrapping today. I am not a shopper and having a friend along turns a dreaded task into a fun project. Look at all those bags! Patty is almost done while I've only begun.Part of our weekend was spent at a birthday party for Patty's grandson, Austin. It was held at Todd and Amy's and we feasted on pizza and a gigantic birthday cookie. I got a sweet hug from Patty's pride and joy, Eden. She has such a special family and I enjoyed being a part of their celebration. Little Eden is Patty's clone! And she clings to her grandparents. I love that.

Patty and I have laughed so hard this weekend and it was just what the doctor ordered. We were flipping channels last night and came across a very unusual church service, really weird. I wrote the pastor an e-mail and asked that he explain the service. There was a lot of trance-like dancing and repetitive words. I got an automatic reply, saying if God directs, he will write me back. I'm still waiting.

Still Thankful

These two pictures were taken Thanksgiving morning when I went to Patty's to deliver some food I'd made for her family's Thanksgiving. Her house was a festive combination of Thanksgiving and Christmas. This girl gets in the groove.The reason I only have these pictures of our November holiday is because I got busy after that. I had the camera close by, but by the time I slowed down enough to take a picture, the kids' clothes were smudged with chocolate dessert. Allison and her family and Ron came over for dinner and football watching. I had such a wonderful visit with them. But I missed Angela and her family so much!

Thanksgiving at the farm was great as usual. Again, I had the camera, but everyone was going in opposite directions. I guess this just shows how much fun we were having. As always, my mother put on a feast, a feat I couldn't do and wouldn't want to attempt. I admire her stamina and enthusiasm to continue doing this with her growing family. My family is so blessed.