Ashes to Ashes

I grew up Methodist in a small town. Ash Wednesday signaled the beginning of Lent. We didn't give up anything---only Catholics did. Hmm. Then I went to college. I politely tried to wipe off the black smudge on my friend's forehead. She was mortified. I was mortified. We laughed about it for weeks. I had much to learn about Lent and religious practices...apparently. Which brings me to now. I usually sacrifice instead of only giving up something. So, well...I haven't quite decided. I could give up napping, checking my email constantly, putting off organizing, blah, blah, blah. I have made a commitment to my new Bible study---Just Walk Across the Room. I have been listening to what the Holy Spirit is telling me. It's a little uncomfortable, but when He calls you follow. You listen and then listen some more and sometimes you just walk across the room or the yard or the hospital room and follow where the Holy Spirit has led you. Maybe I've given up listening to myself and somewhere in the process gain the blessings.

Threatening & Merry Christmas

What sweet children I have until it's time to take a simple Christmas card picture. Once a year for as long as they have been alive, I can count on two fingers the easy picture I have taken. Most years it goes like this: "Alright. Time for pictures! Let's make it in two shots! (smile). It quickly deteriorates into threatening, pleading, sweating with Sam smiling and William acting like he is sitting on tacks. "I AM smiling!" "No you look like you are in pain. Now smile and lean in closer to your brother!" (And Now, a message from Mother Martyrdom)You know it falls on the mothers to document life through photography. Our lives go undocumented while our efforts are rewarded with derision from the family.
After the 15th photo attempt, Curt yells from the other room (he doesn't want to get near this) "Straighten up and smile for your mother!!" As a last resort I pull out the "Don't make me have to get your father." This actually brings a glimmer and so I call Curt in for support. Wouldn't you know it, one funny "Grandpa Face" gets the smile in the above picture.
Merry CHRISTmas everyone! We will see our Indiana/Kentucky friends and family between Christmas and New Year's!!

Cough, wheeze, hack...and a Sock Monkey

I suppose I have been lucky in the respiratory department until yesterday. I was having a hard time running the Melbourne Causeway. My throat was itchy, chest a little tight couldn't seem to really get going. That afternoon the boys and I drove down to "Skim City" near the beach to check out the skim boards and Indo boards. I couldn't even stand outside the shop without coughing! Then it dawned on me..."Red Tide". I had always heard about it and the nagging respiratory symptoms that accompany it, but we haven't had it in the area since we moved here in 2003. What a pain...Good excuse to get the house cleaned and ready for the Christmas decorating.
Curt and 3 of his friends from church road tripped to Atlanta for the SEC Championship this weekend. He had a great time! He really needed to get out and have a Mancation...he never does that. He may become a convert---SEC convert to make it clear :) The boys and I kept busy with YO-Yo Club and saw the movie "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium". It was GREAT! I was never really fond of Sock Monkeys until now!! I highly recommend it.

Instant Gratification Comes in a Can

Can I just say it? "I love the spray paint!" To be clear....not for Huffing.

I have spray painted enough this past month to have black lung. And I mean black lung because I only use black. I buy so much I get "the eye" at my local Ace Hardware. Bought the last 2 cans of black satin 'Fusion' yesterday as a matter of fact. Guess I need to start "Store hopping", like a painkiller addict Pharmacy hops.
It started in October. I had worn out and weathered white plastic Adirondack chairs. They looked pitiful, but I needed them for my annual Halloween Party. So I took the cue from my friend, Jeannie, and bought the "Instant Gratification in a Can". Painted 3 chairs and was hooked. There was an old coffee table in the garage that was water/weather damaged and was on the verge of taking the Dump Trip. I scraped on it, painted IT black gloss. Found an old long metal candle stand and it received the treatment too! Even sat it on the table!! Looked like "The Bomb!" Hooked, I frantically started searching for other objects that needed a boost. I repainted my patio set---black of course. Then came Trunk or Treat at our church. There was pressure. We won last year and I hadn't a clue for this year. So at 4pm I grabbed a large flat box in the garage bound for the trash and a can of black and silver(crazy) spray paint. I am NOOOOOOO artist, although I really wish I was. Anyway, I painted a loosely interpreted fireplace took it to church draped with funky webby stuff and a ghost and came in 2nd! Marble Slab gift certificates in hand--(a black stained hand), we came home victorious :)
Last night, I painted 4 sets of black shutters for the house and Curt and I put them up. They look great!!! I should wear a mask...My chest did feel a little congested though, but a mask drives me crazy(the reason I'm not an O.R. nurse).
I already have my eye on the stereo cabinet. Just have to get that 42 inch TV first. Hmmm, maybe on my next trip for more black spray paint.

Thanksgiving

Thankful for Hula Hoops and Friends

http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z265/moonpiechef/?action=view¤t=47e5c265.pbw
Thanksgiving consisted of...Deep fried turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberrylicious salsa, pies,pies, and a cranberry duff!! Writing blessings on a white table cloth, hula hooping, touch football and Black Friday ad perusing, the Moores and the Hendersons I will say I was holding out for the dessert...i love pie. It is my downfall at Thanksgiving. My favorites are my mom's Custard Pie, Coconut Pie and Karo Nut Pie---known outside the Wolfe family as Pecan Pie. Not a big fan of pumpkin pie, although it really is just a Custard pie with pumpkin added, right? We also played "Paper Head" for lack of a better title. Guess I was a little hard on Daniel. He had 'Puritan'.
Anyway, we ate and then out to the front yard before tryptophan had us in it's grip. I brought about 10 home made Hula Hoops and we hooped it! We even took family photos :) Sam could do 4 at a time with the 'Back bump'! We had a great time and drew some sideways looks from passers by! The Hendersons from Jacksonville stopped in for a visit as well. We haven't seen them in about 12 years!
It was such a blessing to be with friends this time of year and year round.

Salsa with a tuxedo...

Just finished the pre-Thanksgiving preps--candied sweet potatoes, ham green beans, cranberrylicious salsa, Frozen pumpkin dessert. The mashed potatoes will be tomorrow. My boot camp group will run the Melbourne causeway a couple of times and see if Java Surf is open for coffee after.
Finishing Thanksgiving morning after our run. Now I have an excuse to have that 2nd helping of potatoes:) My big tuxedo tomcat--Tail-- is sitting here with me. Sweet thing. He rolled out from under a car that was taking a left on Clay St. in Henderson and into our front yard. He loved Sam, who was only about 18 months at the time. It's almost Parade time!!!! No one in the house gets to excited about it other than me. I love to watch and live vicariously through Katie Couric and have the best seat all bundled up etc! I have no desire to watch it any differently unless I could sit above the crowds on a balcony or in an apartment with a bunch of friends. THAT would be great! Now if I could just find the remote.
I hope everyone's Thanksgiving is fun--not stressful.