Tuesday: Timeless Memories, Tackles and Touch Downs (Notre Dame vs LSU)

“You get hit the hardest when trying to run or hide from a problem. Like the defense on a football field, putting all focus on evading only one defender is asking to be blindsided.”
― Criss Jami
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Notre Dame Fighting IRISH beats LSU in the Music City Bowl.
Final score 31-28. Yeah!!!!!

I am not a big football fan, but I do watch Notre Dame football. My son, Matt, was a fan from the time he was a toddler and Joe graduated from Notre Dame in ’03, so I appreciate the game and the university. ND football isn’t just a game. It’s a tradition, a feeling of comaraderie, a spiritual experience. This is a university that literally means “Our Lady” and it’s not all about football.

Like I said, I’m not a big football fan. I’m a fan of family. I remember when we would drive to South Bend for tailgating, and watching games with family and friends. I remember freezing, shivering, and screaming at the tiny specks on the field. We also watched a zillion games at home on TV. Our family is no longer together, we will never have those days again, but I’ll have those memories. That can’t be taken away.

This afternoon, Joe, Lindsay and I drove down to Richardson to watch the Music City Bowl Game at the Dallas Notre Dame Alumni game watch at Fox and Hounds restaurant. There was a nice turn out, and it was a way-to-close-for-comfort game. There was a lot of cheering, and a lot of groaning, but Notre Dame won in the last few seconds. Win or lose, I would feel like a winner being able to spend time with Joe and his fiancée, Lindsay.

Old traditions and old memories make way for new traditions and new memories. Touch Down!

Montage Monday:A Week in a Peek

“I avoid looking at the clock, fearing the slow passing of time that will only seem slower if I watch its progress.”
Michelle Zink
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A week in a peek.

Christmas flew by in a flash with New Year’s Day at its heels. Where does the time go?

Eight Tips That Will Ensure Visitors To Your Blog Around The Clock

Good tips, especially taking time to comment on the blogs you follow. I appreciate other writers and their blogs.

Sunday Sermon: Holy Family

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”
― Angela Schwindt
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Today, at Mass we celebrated the Feast of The Holy Family. I was especially pleased to be able to celebrate this special day with Joe and his fiancée, Lindsay. I have been going to Mass on Sunday alone for such a long time. It felt wonderful to have family members with me, and how appropriate on this feast day. I always admire the happy loving families that attend Mass every week, and often thought how nice it would be to have that feeling. Today was the day.

At the beginning of Mass, Father always asks, “If we have anyone worshipping with us for the first time, please stand to be recognized.” I had to give them a little tap, but they both stood up, and the entire congregation applauded. This filled my heart with pride. Family pride.

Family has always been so important to me, and my two sons are the most treasured blessings I’ve been given. Now, I have a lovely young lady who will be joining our little family in July. That very large void in my heart is slowly being filled with love. The broken family with a missing piece will now have a shiny new piece to add to the puzzle. A new family. A time of hope, promise, dreams, old traditions, and new beginnings.

After church, we had breakfast at Snug on the Square, then stopped at Target to buy the DVD “Casablanca” to watch on New Year’s Eve. Watching old movies, having snacks, and sipping champagne at midnight…an old tradition that will continue.

I have had so much fun listening to their plans, talking about wedding songs,
discussing dream houses, and children. My house feels like a home, even if it’s just for a few more days, it’s wonderful.

Matt, Lindsay, and Joe, thank you for my beautiful family and my wonderful Christmas. Thank you for your time, your respect and your unconditional love.

Saturday: Sipping Beer, Strolling the Square, and a Striped Sunset

“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.”
― Abraham Lincoln
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“It was a dark and dreary morning…” Just thought I’d through that in, but really, it was cold, drizzly, and dreary all day. So, what’s a fun activity for such a day? A tour of the Franconia Brewery in McKinney. Who doesn’t appreciate an iced cold draft beer at 11 am on a cold dreary morning?

Actually, it was very interesting, and I probably would have enjoyed it even more if I was partaking in afore mentioned frothy beverage, but alas, my strict policy is NO DRINKING AND DRIVING! Joe and Lindsay enjoyed their tour and their brew, and they plan on taking some back home.

I think Joe wouldn’t mind having a beer Christmas tree like this next year.

After the tour, we had pizza at Mellow Mushroom and strolled around the Square. I had fun bumping into friends and introducing them to my son and his fiancée. Miss Kathy, Miss Elizabeth, and Kaylyn at Sweet Spot finally got to meet them. We stopped at Art on the Veranda and said hi to Dana, Judy and Gail. We bumped into Miss Pernie on the way in.

It was after 4 pm by the time we got home. It was still cold and dreary, but I threw on my gym shoes, bundled up, and went for a long chilly walk. There was a slight hint of sun trying to break through the clouds at sunset. It looked like a pink stripe across the entire horizon. A lovely ending to a lovely day. Cold…but lovely.

Friday Night Lights, Firemen, and Farewell

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away.
~Eva Logue
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The last few days have been filled with holiday festivities, enjoying family and friends, and massive quantities of good ol’ homestyle cooking. Joe, Lindsay, Matt and I strolled around the Square on Tuesday night and enjoyed the sparkling lights.

Last night, after our Christmas dinner, we strolled around my neighborhood to see the houses all decorated and lit up.

Christmas Eve, I did my traditional holiday baking and taking a hand-painted ornament over to Fire Station #5. Firefighter/paramedic Crump answered the door. I just so happened to stop by at the same time as a gentleman carrying a big platter of cookies. He said, “I guess we had the same idea.” It was nice to see a counter full of goodies and baked goods for our local station. Yes!

I asked if I could see their tree. He said it was kind of small. I guess they didn’t get a large tree this year, and the annual ornament that I’ve brought for the past ten years were not there, but the guys all new me from many previous visits. This year’s ornament found a place of honor on the tiny tree.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. Why is that? Matt had a 6am flight back to Chicago this morning. But, Joe and Lindsay are here for almost another week. Yippee!!! I’ll try not to think about when they have to leave and just enjoy our time together. No sad farewells, just…until we meet again.

Theme Song Thursday: Merry Christmas

“Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.”
― Margaret Thatcher
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Here’s hoping that you are having a Merry Little Christmas!

This is a special Christmas Day for me. My sons, Joe and Matt, and Joe’s fiancée Lindsay are here spending the holidays with me. We opened presents this morning, but the greatest gift is just having them here. I’m getting settled in my new house, and it feels wonderful to have children sprawled around the family room, watching old movies, and eating scandalous amounts of food and snacks, just like the old days. They may be in their thirties, but they are still my babies.

We went to a movie this afternoon, “Exodus.” Pretty good, but it was the family togetherness and tradition that made it wonderful. Even though torn apart and incomplete, the loving people that really matter, that’s what makes a family.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, too. Feliz Navidad, y’all!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom and the Wonders of Christmas

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”
― Calvin Coolidge
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Christmas Eve, it’s almost Christmas! How exciting, yet how disappointing all in the same breath. It’s not just that all the build up, hype, and present giving is over in a day, but sometimes all the holiday goodwill and kindness gets thrown away with the crumpled gift wrap and decorative bags. Why is that?

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”
― Bob Hope
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Last week, when I was in that dreaded long line at the post office, waiting to mail a last minute package to my mom, I started chatting to a few of the other exasperated patrons. It was kind of humorous to watch each face as they opened the door, looked down the hall at the snake-like line that wrapped around the corridor, and grimaced, winced, and occasionally turned around and left.

At one point, an elderly woman waddled in with her walker and small package. She scooted to the back of the line. By now, there were about forty or more people in line and I was nearing the front. I felt sorry for her and wondered if anyone would say something or do something nice. It was Christmas after all. About ten minutes later, it was my turn. I turned to everyone in the long line and said, “Merry Christmas everyone. Would anyone one mind if we let the young lady back there with the walker go to the front of the line? Anyone?” They all smiled and waved her forward. She was very appreciative.

I ran into one of the post office patrons at the grocery store a few minutes later. She came up to me and said, “That was a very nice thing you did!” All I could think of was, maybe the old “pay it forward” spirit will motivate others to do something nice, maybe not just during the holiday, but all year long.

Focus on your strengths

I love this.

Ideas for success

This is an example of why it is important to focus on your strengths, not weaknesses.

I recently heard a lecture by Bo Sanchez. He said that a man in the Philippines applied for a job cleaning floors. He got the job, but when the HR person found out he didn’t have an email address, he decided not to hire the man.

The man was very disappointed. He left discouraged, but he had to do something to make money. He had only 300 Pesos (less than $7 US) in his pocket and a young daughter to feed. So he went to the market and spent all his money on tomatoes. He then went door-to-door selling them. After an hour or so he had sold all of them for 600 Pesos. He went back to the market and spent all 600 Pesos on more tomatoes, which he sold. He doubled his…

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Tuesday Tunes and Time With Family

Your children are the greatest gift God will give to you, and their souls the heaviest responsibility He will place in your hands. Take time with them, teach them to have faith in God. Be a person in whom they can have faith. When you are old, nothing else you’ve done will have mattered as much.”
― Lisa Wingate
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Another fun day with the kids. I am cherishing every minute with them. Matt and I did some grocery shopping while Joe and Lindsay waited for a delivery at the house.,Matt suggested we go to Cadillac Pizza for dinner because it was Tuesday Singer Song Writer Night on the Square. The pizza was good, Dillon Myers was great, and spending the evening with the kids was
WONDERFUL.

December 23rd • 7:30pm
Singer-Song Writer Night featuring Dillon Myers

I even had a couple of Lone Star beers…I don’t drink beer. But, Matt was driving, and I was celebrating.

My children ARE the greatest gift that God has given me. I have spent a lot of time with them these many years, taught them to have faith in God, and I’d like to think that I am a person in whom they can have complete faith.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.