Letting Go

I started last night cleaning out and packing up my first kitchen cabinet for the remodel project. I must remind you that I married the first time 32 years ago; I have been in this house for 30 years; and I am a pack rat. Can you imagine what treasures I found?

I started with a corner base cabinet. This cabinet is where I stored my glass platters, large bowls, and cake stands on one shelf. This was a nice trip down memory lane. I have a mixture of my dishes and mothers. These were all keepers. Then I came to the jewels – a popcorn popper, a waffle iron, and a pan that poaches eggs. The popcorn popper went in the trash pile, the waffle iron went to the Goodwill pile, and the egg poacher is the only thing I kept of these three. The poacher was from Mother’s kitchen. I had many poached eggs as a child out of this pan. I am sure you kids have no idea what this is – considering I did not cook too many eggs since I stopped eating eggs as a teenager. I also had a crock jar full of old utensils that made the trash pile.

The next items were the appliances that go to my Nutone Food center. All the pieces went to the trash pile. Many good things have been prepared with these items – the mixer, the food processor, and the blender. However, it was time to retire these things.

As I was packing things away, I could not help but think back to 30 years ago when this kitchen was built. Carl was 25; and I was 22. I am amazed that God gave us the wisdom and resources to build this house. The other thing that kept going through my mind was what a great job Carl did on the house, and he was so young. The quality of work is unbelievable. As I start this major project, I can certainly tell that it is going to be hard to let go of so many things (including the yellow counter tops, Chad).

Kennith Marlow Scoggins

January 25, 1920 - April 14, 1990

What a Great Weekend!

It saddens me that another weekend is over, but I can't or shouldn't complain. It was fantastic.

We are focusing on prayer at church in the worship service and Sunday School. Both just made me realize just how much God wants us to have very personal two-way relationship with Him. It reinforces what we are also studying in our Women's Bible study about prayer.

Rick and I are in the planning stage of the kitchen. We have looked at so many stoves, ranges, and cooktops that I could get a job selling them. We actually made a decision after many stores, sales people, and internet reviews. Yes, he did call me hard-headed several times in this shopping excursion; however, we both compromised and hopefully made the right choices for our needs/wants.

Saturday night we went to a concert of the Platters, Coasters, and Drifters. The music was unbelievable. I am musically challenged, but I actually recognized all but two songs. Back when I taught keyboarding, my students typed to one of the Platters' Greatest hits CD. Also when I used to play the piano for my enjoyment only, a few of the love songs I played were from these groups.

The highlight of the weekend was Chad and Tara showed up Sunday morning to go to church with us. We got to take them to lunch and cook dinner for them. They got the picture albums out from their high school years. What a great trip down memory lane. I am so glad that I had it documented with pictures. Both talked about how young they looked. I disagreed. Neither have aged. Chad doesn't have the blond tips, but he still has the great smile. Hopefully, they will not mind me adding the picture from today.

Welcome 2010

As the new year has got off to a fast start, I realize that I have not blogged in this new year. So I guess it is fitting that my first blog of 2010 should be a list of things that I would like to accomplish this year. The items are in no particular order:

Enjoy life with family and friends.

Remodel the kitchen from top to bottom. This will be the biggest challenge for Rick and I. He actually called me hard-headed when we were just discussing doors. I am sure there will be many more blogs and pictures on this one.

Be more aware of others and their needs. Be an encourager.

Take the boys on an educational family vacation.

Have a greater appreciation for the small things in life.

Develop my photography skills to a higher level. I finally cashed in my anniversary coupon for the fancy camera.

Take trips with the Ditzy Dolls.

Work on the family genealogy and visit new cemeteries.

Find and cook new recipes.

Put more pictures on my blog.

Go to the lake more than last year. At least get in the boat once this year.

Have a greater personal relationship with God.

The Big Loser

No - I am not the big loser in any weight loss contest. I am the big loser when it comes to family games. I have been beat big time at Scrabble by Chad. I had no idea he was the KING of Scrabble. Then last night I was beat like a drum by Diana and Greg at Canasta. I did not know that my sister was the QUEEN of Canasta. I had a hard time facing the fact that I was a big-time loser at some games. I know that I should have just been thrilled with all the great family time that we have been having with family games. I guess one of my New Year's Goal can be to learn to lose gracefully. I wish this losing would transfer to weight loss. There is where I would like to be the BIG LOSER.

Christmas 2009

The Christmas season is behind us. Almost all signs of the Christmas season are tucked away in the attic and closet, but the memories linger on. Without being too. lengthy, I will list some of the highlights of the season.

• The anticipation of Chad making it home for Christmas in the snowstorm that hit Oklahoma is near the top. A three-hour trip became a 8 1/2 hour trip.
• Diana and Keelie both in the hospital emergency room on Christmas Day.
• Twelve hours of Christmas games with the Rick, Greg, Chad, and Jenna. I bet we were one of the few families that NEVER turned a TV on - on Christmas Day. We listened to the Range Christmas music on the radio.
• An "unlikely" angel.
• My families "presence."
• Good food.
• Christmas outtings and events.
• Greg killing a wild hog.

Jesus - Wise men still seek Him.