I LOVE BACK RUBS! I would love to get a daily back rub/message, oh the life that would be. I've been known to book a message while waiting on my connecting flight, or while on TDY splitting a couples message in half because that was all they had ( seriously 1 session was 1.5 hours so we split it and each got a 30+ minute sessions; seemed like a no brainier to us). I've been given messages gift certificates for Valentines Day, birthdays, and anniversaries. I even think one of the best part of a pedicure is the foot and calf message. Growing up my dad used to rub my neck and shoulders. All I'd have to do is sit on the floor in front of him while he was watching the evening news. It was grand! Then Alan took over and was there to help loosen my tired shoulders at the end of the day. My boys were even pulled into service rubbing my aching neck when I had bad headaches. The warmth of someone rubbing your shoulders and neck helps relax me beyond most anything and is so healing. But this week I had the unbelievable happen. I was so sick that when Alan offered to rub my back I decided it might make me feel better but only a few seconds into it I asked him to stop. WHAT! Stop a back rub! NEVER before have I been the one to end a rub! Always the one giving the rub has either run out of the alotted/purchased time or the family members hands and fingers have worn out longer before I was ready. Now I'd say that I was more than a little under the weather to do this. But thankfully with the proper medications I am on the mend. And I think I am going to ask Alan for a rain check on that back rub when he gets home this evening!

I stumbled across a countdown timer for our return to Oklahoma City last year. It was 339 days ago today that we boarded the plane for our return trip to the good ole U S of A! My oh my how things have changed since our return. We fixed up and sold our home, moved into the Mitchell house, sold our old 5th wheel to a kid that was going to take it to Montana to prospect for GOLD! Sold our boat and all its accessories to the oldest son. Bought a 36 foot Class A Motor home and have torn up the lake deck and storage buildings in prep for leveling the pad for the motorhome. We have enjoyed watching Isabella grow and change from that cute little baby into a precious little toddler girl. She is so sharp, knows what she wants and her vocabulary is growing everyday. She will say a few words to us on the phone and more when we Facetime with her. She knows where the toys are and where we keep the treats! And how to get Cappy to get some "more please". Isabella really likes her cousin "Ryand" and with Ryan's assistance will do things that she would otherwise not do for Nana or Mama. Speaking of Ruan we have been able to see Ryan sing at school programs, be awarded the class math award, play some great basketball and dance in this years recital. She is now texting me and we get pedicures together. Such fun! Ryan is growing up and is no longer a little girl and while still a preteen she is still a child at heart. She made the best Fathers Day card this year and helped Isabella make a card for her Dada too. We are enjoying some trips in the motorhome. Took her (the MMC) to Colorado Springs and Dallas so far with plans to go to the beach later in the year. We are taking each day at a time and looking forward to travels across the USA. Might as well tour the US and get to know her like we did while in Europe. Yes my life is good and I feel so blessed. Not to say I don't have problems. But God never promised a problem free existence. And you know we come through our trials stronger and can look back and see the silver lining (sure it takes longer at times than others). Well that does it I am all caught up on the lat 339 days. Looking for the next 339 to bring much of the same because all in all I truly cannot complain.

In Her Eyes

The depth of a father's love shows in his daughter's eyes.
What's known is what's shown from sunset to sunrise.
A foundation built on more than just what is spoken.
It's commitments kept and promised that go unbroken.
An emotion so immense that nothing in this world can erase.
The permanent impression of love is tattooed upon her face.
A relation so peculiar that only the two can understand,
Yet so immaculate it's obvious that, by God, it was planned.

I believe it all began when she would sleep upon your chest.
Now you're her number one, her favorite, you're the best!
You move and she watches so closely it's as if she's in a trance.
The fact that she can repeat you, exactly, isn't just by chance.
From wrestling, racing, jump roping to being made up like a doll.
Both playmate and best friend, you've done some of it all.
A secret place, a look, special time just for her and you.
When a choice is to be made, it's all about what Daddy wants to do.
And you're there to cater to her every need and every wish.
There's an invisible pedestal for Daddy's little princess.
She's content just to be. She's filled with absolute bliss
Just to sit up under you, giving an occasional hug and kiss.
Sweet dreams are non-existent without Daddy's goodnight kiss.
Your gentle stroke, words just for her, your check on hers is what she'd miss.
It's simply because of how you love her, I surmise.
The depth of your love always shows in her eyes.


With you her laughter is harder and her smile is even brighter.
You have a friendship, a bond, a soul tie that couldn't be any tighter.
It's more than a special bond; it's an exclusive connection.
No room for a third party or attempted interjection.
This love is reserved just for Dad and no other.
It's not the same for siblings, not even for Mother.
It's the kind of love that I could never despise.
For the depth of your love always shows in her eyes.

To her, you'd give anything, but it's not about the gift.
It's that marvelous smile brought on by the spirit you lift.
It's not about what you can give her or about what you can do.
It's about the unconditional love reciprocated between you two.
It's the tears in her eyes when you two disagree.
Nothing's quite right until 'I love you and I'm sorry.'
It's that spunk in her step, the rainbow in her eye-
You'll know she's a Daddy's girl when she passes by.
She's got the kind of love that never fades or dies.
The depth of your love always shows in her eyes.

Upon angel wings you soar; your sparkling golden halo glows
Whenever she's with you, it's Heaven in her eyes that shows.
Her eyes hold a song so beautiful you'd think it was Heaven's melody.
It's the music of love's symphony composed by each precious memory.
The love known is the love you've shown from sunset to sunrise.
The depth of your love will forever show in your daughter's eyes.

acknowledgments:  © Michelle W. Emerson

Cruising

We are finally going to celebrate our 50th birthdays!! 

In 2009, we told ourselves that for our 50th we were going to go on a cruise, book a balcony room and spoil ourselves.  But shortly after Alan's 50th we found out we were going to Germany for 2 years so we postponed the cruise.

Then we said we would take a Mediterranean cruise the summer of 2011 to celebrate our 50th but ended up packing up early and coming home in July so the cruise didn't happen then either. 

Now 2012 has rolled around and we are finally going to go on our 50th Birthday Cruise.  We set sail mid-February on the Mariner of the Seas sailing from Galveston, Texas with stops in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman and Falmouth, Jamaica.  

 I am excited to be getting away.  It has been a tough 6 months with all the moves, surgery and it is time for a get away.  Pictures to follow!

And we sold.....

The Greenview is no longer ours.  We sold her on 27 January 2012.  She was a grand home and her grounds provided much fun and entertainment in her early days.  She hosted many a family holiday dinner, graciously opening her doors to friends and family.  She never minded the smoke from the grills on her back patio.   And she always provided shelter from the inclement weather.  She has built for a large family and served us well over the years.  However, it was time to move on. 

We are not yet sure where we will buy so in the interim are occupying a portion of the Grand Dame of 141 St.  Her owners graciously opened their home up to us once again.  We have filled her extra rooms with a few of our belongings and will use her as our home base until we find our new home.



We think we want the following features:

1800-2000 Sq Feet
3 bed/2 bath
Small lot
Built 2000 or newer
Location: North OKC or  Southeast Edmond



Wish us luck and let the house hunting begin!

Well the move is under way....

The house appraised within the price on our contract, the inspection found nothing major to fix/repair but I am sure they will use as much of the allowance as possible, termite inspection found nothing. 

Packing has commenced!  Kitchen almost done, linens and towels packed, bathrooms almost empty, bookshelves emptied, china hutch and German Glass collection all packed.

Probably have a buyer for the living room furniture so we wont be packing/storing these 3 pieces.

Brother took grandmother's sewing machine, a space heater and has dibs on a dresser, desk and chair.

Alan will make plans for storage and transport tomorrow.  And Sean is making plans to help him move stuff on Tuesday and Wednesday.

I feel like I still have a lot of packing to do and must decide what to keep out for day to day use (clothes, shoes, camera, chargers....).  I have also decided that I have too many baskets but I love them so I have to find the best way to pack them.

But I am happy that I am now doing something!  Back to work tomorrow.....but I probably will wish I was at home getting more done.

What to do, what to do..........

I keep thinking that we need to be doing something...anything.  The stress levels are going to start rising soon, I just don't know when it will start boiling over.


We have a closing date in 2 weeks and have not started packing let alone have any place to put our possessions.  


Plan A was to move into my parents home and rent it until it sold or the current contract expired and then buy it from Mom allowing us both to save on commission fees.  We thought this was a good plan because to date the house was not moving in the Norman Home Sales market.  I had even talked to Mom about our closing date excited about moving in.  But as plans go that was not a good one because early this week Mom called to tell me she has decided to take a another offer much lower than her asking price and she now has a 1 March closing date. 


Plan B (not that we have a firm one) comes in several parts but each starts with packing up the house, putting everything in storage and.....

• Plan B - 1  - is to move into Alan's parents house until we can find something 

• Plan B - 1a  - while at Alan's parents look for some land and build...

• Plan B - 2 -  is to buy an RV and live in it until we can find something...........and then move it to the lake
• Plan B-2a    - buy the RV and look for a place to build
• Plan B-2b    - buy the RV and sell off everything we have in storage. 

Plan C - Chuck it all and move to Belize!  Open a Tiki Hut bar on the beach and buy a big boat to take the tourists out in the waves.


Of course we are open for alternate options if you have any suggestions!!

As I've said before "it is what it is" and I will have to remember it is really all in God's hands.

To Start Packing or Not....

We have an agreed to price for the Greenview and the Realtor told us to start packing..... 
Not sure about the closing date yet but the original offer listed a closing date of 27 January.  I am hoping Alan will find this all out tomorrow as this is only 19 days away. 

 As I look around me I am somewhat overwhelmed about moving all our stuff.  Granted we have thinned out many things since we moved in October 2009 but the moves to and from Germany were fully orchestrated by a moving company...packing, taking apart, boxing, loading, moving, unloading, putting back together and hauling off all the packing materials... I do believe we were somewhat spoiled by those experiences.

Think I will check the Yellow Pages for Movers next....or maybe I should start looking for a place to move into first!

A Future and a Hope

“For I know the plans I have for you” says the Lord, "they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”     ~ Jeremiah 29:11, NLT 

Being the start of a new year, I look forward to the days ahead and I pray that I will continue to hold on to the belief that there will be a positive outcome to the events and circumstances in our life.  


Of course I realize this is not to say there won't be tough times ahead.  We will continue to face challenges in our lives but from these we should look for the tidbits of knowledge that will serve us down the road.


A future with the Lord and the hope of being reunited with loved ones is one of the best plans that could be made for me!

The New Years Day Meal

The background behind a Southern New Years Day meal: 

Black-eyed peas (resembles coins for financial rewards) 

 

 

 

Cabbage greens (resembles folded paper money for economic fortune) both stand for wealth. 

 

 

 

 

Pork (Hog Jowl and Ham) signifies prosperity  

 

 

 

 

Cornbread is served as a reminder to be humble. 

 

 

 

 

Macaroni and Cheese represents comfort and ease. 

 

 

 

 

 

And for dessert, Blackberries (ours in the form of Cobbler)  for alleviating illnesses.

 

 

That's what was on our menu for the day.   We were joined for lunch by Mom and Dad Mitchell, Mom White, Aunt Dee and Uncle Curt, Michael, Annaleise and Isabella.   It was so great to start the new year with this bounty surrounded by the love of family.  Our blessings are many indeed!

 

May you always have work for your hands to do.

May your pockets hold always a coin or two.

May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.

May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near you.

And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer.

~  Happy New Year  ~