So You Think That's Funny?

My husband still makes me laugh.

Every day. 

However, I don't really think much of anything is funny at 6:30 a.m.

People who aren't around him much or
don't know him very well think he's quiet.

 Now that's really funny,

 Sometimes I don't think he's ever going to quit talking.

Especially in the morning.

When we're in the bathroom at the double sinks.

Getting ready for work.

And  he wakes up and instantly

feels like talking.
I don't.

I usually only answer with some sort of grunt, groan,

or body language.

(You might as well know now...I am NOT a morning person.)

Sometimes I use my eyes to talk.

That only encourages him more, unfortunately.

He often decides to morph into one of his many 

impersonation transformations

at that time.

So not only do I share the space with him, but

quite possibly with

Ross Perot,

Barney Fife,

India Guy,

Sean Connery,

or a multitude of other morning bathroom crashers.

I'm pretty sure he delights in the challenge of trying to produce

at least a small smile from me before I leave the bathroom.

That's why I wasn't happy when I was channel-surfing

the other day, and inadvertently stopped for just a few minutes

on Sling Blade,

before realizing the repercussions of my action.

 "Mornin', uh huh.

When are yuh goin' to make 'em biscuits?

Maybe some french-fried potaters, uh huh.

Reckon I'll have some of the big un's."

Growl.

Next time I'll be stopping on 

a Marcel Marceau movie.

Seriously.

Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail

Easter has always been a happy time.

There's the obvious - and the reason...

Christ's resurrection,

which makes me so very happy.

And there are memories.
Lots and lots of good memories.

*Dyeing eggs*  

Back in the day, we didn't have too many choices of dyeing kits.

They basically included dye tablets to drop in vinegar,

a metal dipping tool, and a white wax crayon.
I thought it was pretty grand!

By the time my kids came along,

there were all sorts of fancy choices.

Color-coded cups, stickers,

glitter, paints, etc.

I usually just liked to stick to the simple ones..

similar to what I grew up with.

Funny how we like to hold onto those traditions, huh?

*Hiding eggs*

How could one ever tire of this tradition?

It depended on if you were the one doing the hiding,

or the one doing the finding!

And we NEVER hunted plastic eggs...

they were always the real deal-

the one's we dyed and stored in the 

refrigerator until hunting time.

I remember looking for eggs at my Grandma's house with all my cousins.

One or two of my uncles would always have prize eggs

 with money included.

As my own children got older,

and the newness of watching them hunt for eggs was no more,

the adults would practically offer cash money

to any volunteer who was willing to go

hide eggs again, for the bazillionth time!

Well, who's that handsome fellow?

*New Easter clothes*

Many of my new dresses were homemade.  And I loved them!

I usually also got a new pair of shoes...patent leather, no doubt.

I always enjoyed seeing my sisters and mom all dressed up too.

I imagine Dad was as proud as a peacock to 

show up at church with all four of his girls!

I love the gloves, Mom.

Ummm, hello cute little pink purse.

I have to admit,

I was tempted a few times, 

to dress my boys up in a pretty little pink ruffly dress for Easter.

Well, OK, not really, but I DID in my mind.

Well, OK, maybe I did occasionally really dress them 
up in girl bonnets.  No one will ever know...smile.

So instead of frilly dresses, I put them

in sailor suits, Buster Brown shoes with knee socks,

and baby blue and white attire.

So there.

I did it and with no regrets, Sons.

Matt and Michelle Faber.

Matt and his cousins in Chelsea.

Little Lord Fauntleroy

 Matt with his first best friend.

My little sailor man.

Drew at church with Thelma Farley.



And since I've probably humiliated you both by now,
I'll show you proof that I did dress you like normal
little boys sometimes.

Mike, Matt and Drew 
(who I think looks a little like Eddie Munster in this photo)

*Bunny Cakes*

How many times can you make a bunny cake out of two

round layer cakes, white and green and pink-dyed coconut, and jelly bean eyes,

and not get tired of it?  

Apparently, never!

I made them with my mom and sisters practically every Easter.

Do boys like to make bunny cakes too?

Mmm hmm.

Only difference about boys and bunny cakes is apparently
they liked to make them only half-clothed.



*Bunnies*
Well, I'm sad to say, 
I never had a pet bunny, 
just a garden visitor.

But I DID have the cutest little bunny you've ever seen!

Happy Easter to all!

What a Gift!

What a price You paid.

What a sacrifice made.

What a cross to bear.

What a crown to wear.

 What a gift You gave.

What a world to save.

What a love to show.

What grace I know. 

What a glory given.

What a King who's risen.

What an invitation.

What a future heaven.

What a Savior.

©2011tbowenblog

Who's the Baby Now?

I had the pleasure of having dinner with my oldest nephew this evening.

He's in town on spring break, visiting his dad and grandparents.

I love that boy.

He's recently turned 16 - hard to believe.

I remember driving like mad to Houston 

the day he was born.

My sister, Cindy, and I were so afraid we wouldn't 

make it in time.

He was a cutie!  And so sweet.  He still is.

He has a big heart - 

that's just one of the reasons I love him so.

He use to call me Aunt Baby...

and my sister Aunt Dee Dee.

He also use to make me cry when I had to say goodbye 

leaving Houston, heading back home to Tulsa.

He would latch onto my leg and not let go...

I would call him on the phone and tell him again how much I missed him. 

He was the only one that would let me hold him and rock him.

He still likes to be held...

I love that he sometimes still runs to give me a hug when we see each other.

He is very witty too.

Now that he's older, I appreciate his sense of humor even more.

This, however, is not funny.

Did I say how smart he is? 
 Don't tell him I said so..don't want him to get the big head!
He doesn't wear his underwear(Pull-ups) on his head anymore.
Or at least that I'm aware of.

 

I am looking forward to this summer

so I can spend some more time with him.

I'm thinking when he leaves on Sunday I'm going to

be sure and be there,

so I can throw myself prostrate on the floor and 

grab onto his leg and cry and not let go!

Love you, Tomcat!

~Aunt Baby~

Just Three Little Letters

It's a little word
So tiny and small.
One might think 
It's not important at all.

I long for it so,
Throughout the school year,
And just can't wait
Until it gets here.

It's sister words 
Are fine and okay.
Some better than others,
Some not so great.

It brings me hope,
And visions of rest.
A chance to renew
So I'll be my best.

I have to get through it,
But when it's done...
Visions of rapture,
And oodles of fun.


Oh, how I'm waiting
Through each and every day,
Oh, how I love you,
MAY! Oh, MAY!

©2011tbowenblog

Dozens of Cousins

I have thirty-four first cousins!

Who does that, seriously?

My son's only have three!

I consider myself to be the luckiest cousin in the world,

because of it.

Some of them are older than me,

and some of them younger.

Perfect!

We've lost one of us - she was beautiful on the

inside and out!

She fought a strong battle, 

and was so courageous.

She had three sweet boys.

We love you and miss you, DeAnn!

They say cousins are your very first playmates 

and best friends.

I sure thought so.

I never lived in the same town as my cousins 

for much of my life,

but I wished I did.

I thought they hung the moon,

and couldn't wait to be around them.

And they belonged to my aunts and uncles, 

who I pretty much adored.

When it came time to hop in the car and head their way,

I was beside myself with anticipation and excitement.

My sisters and I were the city cousins.

Now that I'm older, I'm not sure if they thought that

was a good or a bad thing.

I always thought they were the cool ones!

I thought life in the country was grand.

I considered small-town life to be perfect.

Well, at least for the few weeks a summer I spent with them,

or during holiday visits.

I always hated saying good-bye until next time.

Most of them all got to be together, 

or close by.
Luckies.
(Yeah, I know luckies isn't a real word.)

I have lots of wonderful memories spent with them, 

doing things I couldn't do

in the city...

building forts out of hay bales in the barn,

sticking my toes in Grandma's red-muddy tank,

riding horses,

not having to lock the doors at night,

swinging around on the rotating gate at Grandma's house,

going to the movie with my cousin's

(my uncle was manager of the theater in town),

riding bikes down the old dirt road into town

to get a lime-ice at the corner drugstore,
(pretty sure that's why I like frozen margaritas)

heading for the hills to get out of doing the dishes

after a big meal at Grandma's house,

and sleeping on the back porch 

in the country, stars in full view!

I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.

  

Some day I'll tell you about some crazy things that happened, 

growing up with those cousins of mine!

Ha - I still laugh when I think of some of them.

I don't know for sure which one(s) were the most ornery,

but I've got my hunch!

But I want to say to them,

I love each of you,

always have, and always will.

"Cousins from the beginning,

friends 'til the end."

Dumb Things I Do

Sometimes when I go into a restroom and use the 

mirror to checkout my hair or make-up,

I smile at myself.

I eat one food at a time on my plate.

I don't mix, I don't rotate.

I always chew at least two pieces of gum at once
(three is even better.)

Sometimes I accidentally call myself on my cell phone.

I sing the wrong words to classic songs,
and not on purpose.

I usually forget the punchline of the joke.

I snort sometimes when I laugh.

I cry when someone else cries, even
when I don't know WHY they're crying.

Sometimes I look at my wrist to see what time it is.
I don't wear a watch.

I get idioms mixed up and make up
wrong phrases
(like a flea on a Junebug.)

i sleep with my toes sticking out from under the covers.

I eat the outside chocolate shell of my Three Musketeers bar
first, then the inside part.

Please tell me about some dumb things you do.

It might make me feel smarter.

Or less dumber. 

 

Where'd They Go?

OK, I'll be honest.

I thought it would take a LOT longer to get use to an empty nest.

I really did.

I dreaded it for so long before it happened...

I was miserable for awhile after it did...

but I think we're OK.

The papa bird and I.

I do miss those little birdies sometimes, though.

A lot of times, truthfully.

But I'm getting use to the quiet.
Sometimes, I just wanna jump up and down and 
yell at the top of my lungs, 
just to hear some noise!
I miss their loud chirping and screeching.

(Some of you are probably wanting to jump up and down 
and yell for some peace and quiet. 
Better enjoy that noise while you can.)


Those little birds of yours will fly the coop too, 
before long.
They'll start flapping those wings in anticipation,
and whistling a merry tune,
 and on half a breeze-
they'll take off.
Free birds.


You'll be so proud of them.
You'll worry if you taught them all they need to know
for a smooth flight into their new world.


Let them strut their feathers a bit.
They'll come back home and visit the old tree.
They'll  find refuge in your wings, 
when needed.

Every now and then, I find a few feathers
and it makes me smile..
those feathers are like gold to me.
I just tuck them away 
and save them for a rainy day
when the papa bird and I 
feel like tucking our wings under
and resting a bit...
and remembering when our nest was full.
And taking comfort in knowing that...
 birds of a feather flock together.

©2011tbowenblog

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only

begotten Son,

that whosoever believes in Him, 

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

 

You gave the ultimate sacrifice for me.

Please help me show Your love by putting others first.

You forgave me of my transgressions.

Please help me to not hold grudges and to have a forgiving heart.

You taught me to have no other gods before you.

Please help me not to worship the things of this world, but only You.

You gave eternal life to those who will accept it.

Please help me not be embarrassed or afraid to share with others.

You showed me how to be humble.

Please help me to not take pride in my own self.

You give me grace every day.
Please help me be willing to give others more than one chance.

You carry me through all things, lifting me up all the way.

Please help me to fall in your arms and be carried when I can't walk.

You show me unconditional love.

Please help me not to judge others, but show Your love.

You are my rock, my anchor, my sustainer.

Please help me remember to seek shelter under your wings.

You are my peace that passes all understanding.

Please help me to not be anxious about anything, but in all things, with

thanksgiving in my heart, present my requests to you. 

...And the peace of God, that transcends all understanding,

will guard my heart and mind, in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

©2011tbowenblog

This and That

I love the smell of coffee,
but hate the taste of it.


I still enjoy hard rock,
dislike heavy metal.

I love teaching children,
not so much hanging around them during off-hours.


Love the idea of having a dog,
don't love actually having one.

Love the beach,
hate the sand.

I love rain and thunderstorms.
I am terrified of tornadoes.


Fall is my favorite season.
I sneeze all fall.


I loved being the oldest of three girls.
I like being babied.


I love staying up late.
I hate alarm clocks.

I love listening to others talk,
but talking to them, not so much.


I love shoes, 
but don't like wearing them.

I love playing the piano.
I don't love "practicing" the piano.





I love taking pictures.
I hate having my picture taken.


I love slumber parties,
but I don't like sleeping in someone else's bed.


I love salad when someone else makes it.

Salads at home are blah.

I've never been too crazy about bats.

I have a pet bat...Max.

I don't like being bossed around.

I might be a bit bossy.

I like big words.

I don't like having to use a dictionary to understand them.

I hate to exercise.

I love the way I feel after I do.

I love to read.

I hate being read to.

I hate touching feet.

I love getting pedicures.

I love going to baseball games,

but don't like watching it on TV.

I don't mind being late,

and don't like being early.

I'm not impressed with royalty.

but it's good to be queen.

©2011tbowenblog