her hands

Today we were standing in church singing songs and Boo put her hands on me because she was cold. So I decided to just hold her hands and hug her while we sang. She's getting older but her petite hands feel much the same way they did when she was two or three.

I'm so glad I can hold her hands today. I'm so glad she still wants me to.

The tops of her hands are so soft and fluffy feeling even though my little bean-pole doesn't have an ounce of fat on her. (I would be GLAD to donate!) I was reminded of little Bubba and how I would hold his hands walking down hallways or isles in stores etc and the fluffy feeling on the tops of his hands. (you'd think they were related or something!) I remember knowing I wouldn't get to hold his hands much longer and rubbing them while I held his hands and trying to memorize how that felt. Mmmmm.... I can still remember! : )

I enjoyed rubbing Boo's hands today. She is so special. But she's growing up.... I wonder how much longer she'll let me hold her hands?

more than I want to see

So I'm going to the grocery store this morning. Not my favorite thing to do on a Saturday. Everybody and their brother is there and I just want to get in and out and get it over with. I'm just getting started when I see 'it'. Let's just say this girl in front of me was showing considerably more than any plumber I have EVER seen no matter how heavy the tool belt or the contorted position. And she was just standing there.

Nobody wants to see that.

Honestly, what goes through a girl's head when she's checking herself over in the morning before she heads out the door. "Wow.. I can show about half my rump in this...even more if they're tall... sa-weet!"

probably.

scrambled

Last night I was trying to pray. I couldn't even find the words. My mind was going in a million directions. It felt like everything was scrambled. I couldn't come up with a better word than that. But I am so thankful the Father sees past our scrambling thoughts to the heart and drew me in to His presence to worship and know Him.

He wants me to be still and know Him when I feel like I've got it all together (honestly, is that *ever* the case? lol) and when I'm a mess... especially when I'm a mess!

I'm so thankful He could help me unscramble the issues and thoughts enough so I could actually, really pray this morning. Like 3 somethin' this morning. The cat woke me up. I could of been pretty miffed about the whole thing, but I decided instead to be with Him. He drew me to pray. He drew me to read some blogs, too. So thanks ladies! Some of you said the very thing that was on my heart.

How long 'til nap time?

what's in a name?

Without further ado... here is our crazy, lazy cat, Annabelle. Excuse the unmade bed. She was curled up on the Boo's bed and I just had to snap a shot of her. Just too cute with the stuffed kitty next to her like that.

We named her Annabelle because she was the most beautiful kitten we had ever seen and we thought she deserved a beautiful name. So Annabelle it was! She's acquired several nicknames over the years... Stinkerbell (my personal favorite), Annasmell (She doesn't smell. It's just funny), Smellybelly, AB, Dumb Cat and the ever popular... Cat. Witty, huh?!

We got her for our daughter, Boo and she was supposed to be HER cat. But she decided she liked my husband the best. She attacks me for walking across the room and merely tolerates the Boo. Poor Boo. But we still love her to death. She's so cute we just want to smoosh her to pieces sometimes.

She's so not into that! Sometimes a (nick) name can be very telling!

how exciting

I'm so excited today I just about died! I had a comment on my blog! I blogged a little while before I commented anywhere and it's exciting when comments come in! I couldn't wait to read it and had to figure out how 'this part' works since I haven't had to fiddle with that yet. But its all fun! And thanks for the compliment on my header. It was pretty easy... well it was easy since I have a techy hubby to help me when I got stuck. I used Scrapbook Factory Deluxe. I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted and didn't want to pay for something and then decide I didn't like it when I can mess with it for free. I've had this program several years and not done a thing with it, so older versions might even be on clearance somewhere.

The Boo and I went shopping for fabric for 'our' first sewing project together. It's kitty fabric of course. Too cute. It's in the wash. I think we may work on it tomorrow. It's been kinda fun spending time with her on little outings etc without all the pressure of fussing over homework and school stuff. I'm enjoying just being us for a little while.

the only one left

The Boo and I got out a little bit today. It was mostly window shopping. But we noticed a new store that seems to be catered to little girls younger than mine. Boo wanted to go check it out and since I didn't know what it was, I obliged. Some of it looked cute and fun.. but then there was this definite 'diva atmosphere' with makeovers and customized lotions and lip glosses the girls can create themselves. By the time we left, I was kinda sick to my stomach. What happened to little girls being little girls and wanting to be little and wear cute little girl clothes and just BE???

It's gone.

We were walking through Walmart the other day and a little bitty girl of maybe 4 was walking around with one of those cards that plays music... it was opened right next to her ear and some Hannah Montana song was blaring out of it! I just about died! She is four, people!

Anyway.... back to the window shopping.... Boo found a dress she wanted at a girl's shop at the mall. We had to decide if we wanted it to be a little tight... or a little low cut. If you get the smaller size, its close fitting.. but the bigger one swoops down in the front. The lady that works there kind of chuckled when I told her Boo is modest. I went on to tell her I was teaching her to be modest and not 'put her business out there' for everybody. I also told her I get tired of bringing her into stores like this.. or any store that carries clothes in girls sizes... and having to tell my daughter she can't get the shirt because you can't wear a bra with it! More smiles and strange looks. We took the smaller size. At least she was covered up and it passed the leaning-over-to-pick-up-your-Bible-on-the-floor test!

Some days I feel like the only one left!

a celebration

I went to a celebration for my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary today. They live in Small Town, Texas and its always fun to visit. I was born there but we moved away shortly after, so my only memories of this town are visits to this aunt and uncle and two cousins and my grandparents, Mamaw and Papaw.

We arrived and I immediately started hunting for my cousin. She and I have always been pretty close. I think we love each other like sisters. We love being together.... whether we're doing something or nothing. Its still fun, because we're doing it together. I found her in the kitchen making punch and I asked her where I could hide my purse so I wouldn't have to hold it for two hours. She told me I could put it 'anywhere.. how about over there with mine. This isn't Big City, Texas, where YOU live'. I laughed. And put my purse 'over there'.

I enjoyed seeing people I hadn't seen in years. And then there were the faces I missed. The ones that aren't with us any longer. Time has gone on. People can't believe I'm grown. They can't believe I have a teenaged daughter. I look into their eyes and faces and try to recall exactly who this is.. retracing my memory of family reunions hoping to remember who this person looks like.. only an older version. Sometimes I was successful. Other times I was not. Thankfully, Cousin saved the day. I asked her several times who this one or that one was and finally put the pieces together of 'my' family tree.

I don't have to be there very long for my pronunciations to change. It happens every time. I can hear it. I like it. Why don't people in Big City, Texas talk like that? So many are trying to be 'big city' and it shows. I guess I am 'big city' since its where I live. But I liked visiting Small Town where nobody laughs or makes a joke when I say something 'that way' because that's the way they say it too! I like that. It's comforting and unpretentious.

We had a nice visit and all too soon it was time to go home. Back to Big City, Texas. I found my purse right where I left it and I headed for home. I miss Small Town, Texas.