Thirty-One Years

These days, thirty-one years at anything is a long time.  Our father's and grandfather's often worked for the same company that long or longer.  Our parents and grandparents were all married that long or much longer, unless death parted them.  So, it's easy to understand why I'm so proud and happy that Pete and I are celebrating 31 years of marriage today!  It's an accomplishment!  As the Gatlin Brothers sang "We're number one!  We've fought every battle together."

So, I ask you to celebrate with us.  And I share this from an entry ten years ago:

What convinced you the most in your choice of a spouse?

Humm....was it any one thing? Keep in mind, I was not allowing Christ to be Lord of my life at the time. So I did not consult Him, or seek His will. I made a purely human, worldly, carnal choice when I picked my sweet and precious Pete. He did everything a man was "supposed" to do: opened every door, pulled out every chair, took my coat, you name it. He courted me. Also, when he was out of work briefly, he spent his very last dime on a Valentine card for me. So I knew he was not selfish. He was handsome and fun. Could, can, make me laugh. He respected his parents very much. All the women in his life highly recommended him. But the two things that touched my heart the most were that he was content and able to just hold me, cuddle. And the fact that he was strong enough to stand up to me when I was totally wrong or irrational. Most of the thoughtful and kind men I had ever dated would crumble and back down when I strongly asserted myself. So I felt the odds were good he would never come to resent me and I would never lose all respect for him. So far, this has held true. Twenty-one years together, this past March. (But I owe God much credit and thanks for that!)  

And I ask you to please go and read my tribute to my husband:  This is Dedicated to the One I Love - A Working Man.  (Keep in mind it was written before he found Christ.)

Last year, being our thirtieth, Pete bought me an anniversary ring for my right hand.  (The only jewelry he's ever bought.  I had Mama's rings Daddy had given her when we married and I wanted to use them.  I'm not a big jewelry person, so it was never on my gift list.)  He hinted he might get me one.  And I plainly told him that if he did, all that mattered to me was that he pick it out himself.  I wanted his taste, as I respect his taste in all things.

Our anniversary fell on a Wednesday, the second Wednesday of the month, which is the Business Meeting and Birthday Fellowship at the church.  We have a business meeting and then afterward, everyone with a birthday or anniversary comes up front for the congregation to sing to and afterward we all adjourn to the Fellowship Hall for cake and ice cream.

We both wanted to be there to celebrate our day with them, especially since it fell on the exact date.  But when they called us up front, Pete had a surprise worked out for me. He pulled out my anniversary ring and presented it to me in front of the church.  In front of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  It was beautiful.  And special.  And just another reason I've managed to love this man all these years through everything life could throw at us.

What is your most memorable anniversary and why?

Thirty Years

Earlier this month, Pete & I had our Thirtieth Wedding Anniversary.  It was a Wednesday, so I had to work.  Often times, we don't even get each other a present.  We just acknowledge and mark another year under our belt.  But this year seemed special.

So, when I came in from work, I asked Pete "You want to exchange presents before or after church tonight?"  He told me that I wasn't getting his now.  So I asked if he minded if I went ahead and gave him his gift.  And he didn't.  So I did.  I got him a nice camera with some good ZOOM.  He loves to take pictures of birds, squirrels and everything else.  Hope I can get him interested in sharing some on a blog of his own.  He seemed tickled and pleased with his gift.

We got ready and went on to church.  Just so happened our anniversary fell on our church's Business Meeting and Birthday Social night.  We have the business meeting, then we sing Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all who are celebrating that month and then adjurn to the fellowship hall for ice cream and cake.  

We're both happy to have our 30th fall on the very night.  When the business is concluded the pastor calls for the anniversaries to come forward.  There's about five couples total lined up in the front of the sanctuary.  Then the pastor says something about someone wants to say something before they sing to us.  And the next thing I know Pete is pulling a little blue velvet box out of his shirt pocket and opening it in front of me.  As he does this he is saying "for putting up with me all these years."  Inside is a simple and elegant white gold anniversary ring with a leave design on the top of the band with diamonds in every leaf and diamonds between each leaf!! 

People, my little redneck man done good!!  He made a memory I will cherish as long as and even after the beautiful ring.  

The Numbers Are In! And other assorted stuff.

Yes indeed.  This post is going to revolve around numbers.  It's sort of a catch up with you on a personal level post.  So grab your coffee and join me.

If you frequent L & F, you may have noticed the poll on my sidebar last year "Have you ever been to Caneyhead?"  Well, here's the results: 

Dawl Babe, I grew up there! - This response is written in a local redneck expression, usually used when someone is adamant about something.  No one chose this response.  I feel fairly sure that some that have grown up here have been to my blog....but in true redneck fashion they chose to keep their business to themselves.

Nope.  No way. Nada.  -  Not surprisingly, 57% swore they have never been in this neck of the woods before.  It's not a tourist destination...and we like it that way.

Yes, I have and I'm not ashamed to admit it. - Came in with a resounding 36% of the vote.  My question is, who are these people?!  LOL

Please tell me you are joking! - One person chose this response.  If I had to bet on it, I'd say that person was probably a bloggin' bud of mine with a spoilt rotten kitten.
Well, that kitten is bound to be a cat by now.  If it was you, email me and tell me so.

Now, for more numbers.  Baby Ruth is 10 months old today!
Lovely as all get out!  Taking steps on her own.  The delight of our lives.  If you want to see my baby, like my L & F page on Facebook.  That's where you can find her.

Ninety to one hundred.  That's the grades my bodacious Bug makes in school.  Advanced classes in everything offered that way, too.  Rednecks aren't stupid.  Hicks are dumb.  But rednecks know more in their little finger than most folks know in their whole head.

04-01-2013 -  That's when the new A-Z Blogging Challenge kicks off.  And I do plan to participate again this year. 

Twenty-nine years.   That's how long Pete and I will have been married this coming March.  It's been a ride!  May the Lord give us twenty-nine more. 

Last, but not least, the number 30.  As in the 30 Day Husband Challenge.  I'll be starting it tomorrow.  And it will probably be the biggest challenge I have ever faced.  So lend me your prayers. 

I figure with Valentine's around the corner, and our anniversary fast approaching, it's an ideal time to give it a go. 

Here's what it intells:

To refresh your memory, here's the 30-Day Encouragement Challenge for the next 30

days:

 You can't say anything negative about your husband . . . to your husband . . . or to anyone else, about your husband.

 Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband . . . to your
husband . . . and to someone else, about your husband!

Each day has a little devotional and suggestion as to how to put this to practice.  Not that I've ever been one to blatantly run my Pete down in front of others, I do grouse to my co-horts and children from time to time about him. And God is making so many inroads into Pete's behavior and attitudes, it's a really lovely thing.  So, I figure I'll help Pete and the Lord along by taking this challenge.  Yet, I know that any time you get the Lord involved on working on someone else, He tends to do the most work in you.

I'll give you updates on how this works out.

God bless and keep you until the next time!

Barbara