Twenty-Three Years Ago

 

Twenty-three years ago a slim, blonde young man of 21 was frantically shopping in Bealls Dept. store for a new pair of slacks and dress shirt.  He ran into his brother & sister-in-laws house on Roosevelt to take a shower, put on his new duds and fix his immaculate hair.

 

That same morning a young brunette of 23 dressed for work in the office at the lumber mill in her best off white dress.  She tucked her mother's wedding rings in her billfold and headed to work. 

 

At noon, a red AMX squealed to a stop in front of the offices.  Out came the brunette.  The couple headed off to the county seat.  There they went into the register's office and bought a marriage license.  No blood tests, no waiting was the law of the day. 

 

The couple made their way to Judge Pete McKinney's office, only to find him out to lunch.  So they went out to lunch themselves at a local burger joint.  Burgers, onion rings and malts swirling around inside, they went back to the courthouse.

 

Inside, they found Pete.  And he was willing and tickled to marry this young fellow and his bride to be.  After all, he had been the one of the boy's first employers.  The couple nervously exchanged their vows and he slipped her mother's wedding band on her finger.

 

The couple took off back to his brothers' house.  Whether he confided their secret plans to his sister-in-law or she guessed what was up, as there were plastic champagne glasses and one bottle waiting there for them to toast.  Pictures were made on the front porch.  The happy couple called other family members to let them know they were now man and wife.

 

All around everyone seemed very happy for them and very understanding of why they chose to elope.  They were older than many of their friends had been when they wed, yet they were really very young.  No idea what life had in store for them, but ready to stand and face it together.

 

That slim, hard as a rock young man was Pete.  That petite brunette was me.  Celebrate with us, this our twenty-third wedding anniversary.

 

                     

Tags: weddings, elopement, anniversary

On The Road!

And CarnivAOL has taken to the road!  Catch this weeks edition at it's first stop:

          The Light's On...But No One's Home

Tags: CarnivAOL, blogs

Randomness

    

I GRABBED BUBBA'S CELL PHONE WHILE HE WAS PULLING A MOTOR OUT OF A TRUCK THIS AFTERNOON AND TOOK THIS PICTURE OF A PEACH BLOSSOM ON THE TREE IN OUR BACKYARD.  AS YOU CAN SEE, I'M LOOKING UP.  THIS TREE STARTED OFF SO LITTLE, YEARS AGO, WHEN PETE'S DADDY STILL WAS ALIVE.  I THINK IT MAY HAVE GOTTEN MOWED BY MISTAKE ONCE.  IT BARED IT'S LITTLE HEART OUT LAST YEAR.

WENT OVER TO RACHEL'S EARLIER IN THE EVENING.  SHE HAD A QUIZ THERE.  I BOMBED TAKING HER QUIZ.  PLEASE TAKE MINE AND SEE HOW YOU DO! 

                                                   BARBARA & FAMILY

THE VFW NEEDS OUR SUPPORT AGAIN!!  THERE IS A BACKLOG FOR INJURED RETURNING VETS CLAIMS AND EVEN SOMETIMES SEVERAL MONTHS WAIT FOR APPOINTMENTS AT VA CLINICS AND HOSPITALS.  THEY HAVE A PETITION THEY want to deliver to our leaders on March 20th, the 4th Anniversary of the war in Iraq, so THEY need all signatures by March 6th.   PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME!

AND, HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW AOL BLOG PAGE?  PERSONALLY, I LOVE IT!  ESPECIALLY THE NEW SECTIONS WHERE THEY LIST THE MOST COMMENTED IN BLOGS OF THE LAST DAY AND THE RECENTLY UPDATED BLOGS LIST. 

GUESS THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.  IT'S LATE AND MY MIND IS TIRED.  HOPE YOU EACH HAVE A BLESSED SUNDAY! 

Tags: PEACH TREES, QUIZES, THE VFW, AOL BLOGS

Morning in Texas

This was taken by Bubba's cell phone at 6:50am CST yesterday morning.  The view is from the middle of our front yard, facing the iron pen, with the sun beginning to rise behind the trees of the Jack Gore Baygall Unit of the Big Thicket National Preserve.

     

The difference in the height of the trees in the foreground to those in the background is not due to their stature, but because of the fairly steep slope of the land.  Goes on that way for a fair piece, then more or less levels out as you really get into the baygall. 

I do hope you'll check out the link above.  It explains why this place is of value and beauty to us all.  It is unusually diverse in animal and plant life.  And a treasure to those who enjoy birding.

To us in particular, it's where the cows roamed.  Complete with dipping vat.  It's where children played and roamed.  It is where Easter cookouts and egg hunts were held in a clearing.  It contains locations my father-in-law "watched" for the oil companies.  Places my husband worked, fixed and maintained.  It is where my husband had his first hunting experiences.  It's a personal heritage to him, his family and his children.   

Tags: Texas, Jack Gore Baygall, Big Thicket National Preserve

Those Boys are at it Again!!

The 2006 Texas State Champions are at it again!  Technology Students Association champions in their classification that is. 

                  

For any who weren't around Caneyhead last year, that is Bubba and his friend Brandon I am talking about. 

They set out on a shoe string to design and equip a box with a stereo "system" to take on four wheelers.   They used left over wood and spare hinges from Bubba's uncles cabinet shop.  They robbed their own trucks for components.  Went in together and purchased one set of speakers.  Enlisted a friend to draw out a flame pattern for custom paint job.

                     

They endured through having one stereo stolen.  And various teenage misadventures.  Went to Regionals in Beaumont, TX and won there.  And went to State in Waco, TX and won there!  Came home and presented the winning box to his daddy as a present for his four wheeler. 

                      

He built a couple for other folks afterward.  Made a little cash.

This year, the Regionals will be in Silsbee, TX.  And State will once again be in Waco, TX.  But this year things are a little different for Bubba and Brandon.  Their friend, Logan, has joined the team.  And they are approaching things in a very professional manner.  After all, custom car audio is where Bubba wants to make his living.

Bubba drew out schematics for the new project.  Wrote up a materials list.  Worked up a full budget.  Called around to various businesses and people to see if he could make a presentation to them, asking for sponsorship.  Got an opportunity to make that pitch.  And got his full sponsorship!!

Sorry, can't tell you what they have in store for this year.  Could be spies around.  It's top secret and hush hush for now.   

Tags: Technology Students Association, car audio, stereo systems, four wheelers

I'm Saying it NOW!!

Okay, folks.  Here it goes.  I'm saying it NOW.  I'm saying it before my right to say it is taken away. 

There is only ONE path to Heaven.  And that is through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross!

ALL have sinned!

Have you ever lied?  You sinned.

Committed adultery?  You sinned.

Had sex in ANY form outside of marriage to a spouse of the opposite sex?  You sinned.  That includes gay sex, lesbian sex, goat sex, sex with a prostitute, sex with the easy girl down the street, sex in a group.

Dishonored your mother or father?  You sinned.

Worshiped ANY god other than Jehovah God?  You sinned.

Used Sunday (the Lord's Day) as yours and yours alone to do whatever you want with?  You sinned.

Used God's name in vane....a disrespectful way or not truly addressing Him or speaking of Him in reverence?  You sinned.

Killed any body?  Young, old, useful or not, wanted or not, gay or straight?  You sinned.

Have you ever stolen?  From your employer, your neighbor, your family, a stranger, the store, the government?  A nickel or a million.  You sinned.

Ever been envious or jealous of anyone?  Thought it should have been yours?  Mumbled they didn't deserve it?  You sinned.

You sinned.  I sinned.  Your sainted mother sinned.  Your doctor sinned.  Your spouse sinned.  My children sin.  Our fathers sinned.

God says we have all sinned and fallen short. 

What brought this on?  I went over to Carolyn's to read her recent post:  Famine and earthquakes.  I followed the trail of links.  I read them all.  I followed all of those links and read them all.  I suggest you do the same.

And to our mutual problem?  Sin?  But don't despair!!  There is Hope!  And His name is Jesus.  God's son who gave his life freely on the cross to pay the price for my sin, your sin, our sin.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  John 3:16 KJV

 

Tags: blogplugs, freedom of speech, congress, H.R. 254, David Ray Hate Crimes Prevention Act

The chicken's story

The chicken's story : First you have got to go read this little story over at FazeDaze! And be sure to look at both pictures! Are you not totally blown away by it's simplicity, yet it's significance?!

First she's talking about it seeming like another life.  And there is a whole lot of pretending going on.  Our lives apart from Christ are a whole 'nuther life.  And pretending is always a part of them.  Pretending we don't need God, pretending we are good enough on our own, pretending there is no tomorrow.

Then by chance she sees something she really likes, the chicken.  But she knows the price is too high.  Perhaps you see people weathering the storms of life with hope and certainty.  Perhaps it's joy.  Perhaps it is Christ mirrored to you in someone.  You want to have what you see.  But the price is too high.   

Then she drops it and causes a chip!  The owner sees it.  So one day you come face to face with your need and the sin in your life.  You know God sees it.  You see it.  No denying. 

The owner walks over.  He's a gentleman.  She nervously inquires of the cost.  God comes to you.  The Holy Spirit.  He's a gentleman.  He doesn't offend.  He doesn't push.  Yet you tremble, afraid you cannot meet His demands.  The price will be too high and you can never make it right!

But he looks her square in the eye and tells her she can have it!  The chicken goes home to live with her.  And God tells you "It's paid for."  It's yours.  You may have salvation and eternal life!  You can take Christ home to live in your heart!  It's a gift.

And she was thankful.  And you would be thankful to God!  Thankful for a new, fresh start.  Thankful for His love and mercy.

Did you lookat the second picture????  What did you see on the bottom of the Chicken?

                                                              A cross.

 

Graphics by Emma.
Tags: chickens, antiques, yardsales, blogplugs