Song of the Week

This weeks song is Merle Haggard’s “The Way I Am” performed by Jamey Johnson, one of my favorite artists out there right now. I think he’s the Willie Nelson of the 21st century in that he’s written more hits for other people than he’s had himself and will likely never go mainstream, but will be the guy everyone else wishes they could be. He’s at the top of my list of people I’d like to see live.
This song has been on my mind for the past few weeks, sort of a theme song for my current life and employment situation.

“The Way I Am”

Wish I was down on some blue bayou,
With a bamboo cane stuck in the sand.
But the road I'm on, don't seem to go there,
So I just dream, keep on bein' the way I am.
Wish I enjoyed what makes my living,
Did what I do with a willin' hand.
Some would run, but that ain't like me.
So I just dream and keep on bein' the way I am.

The way I am, don't fit my shackles.
The way I am, reality.
I can almost see that bobber dancin',
So I just dream, keep on bein' the way I am.

...and here's what's going on today...

Georgia got up early this morning and we made muffins for breakfast. They were from a mix labeled wild berry muffins, but she dropped the berry part and it makes me laugh to hear her telling her sisters and mother that she made Wild Muffins.

We are almost a week into January and I still have a job. Hopefully I’ll be able to hang on for another week or two. That would leave just 6 weeks until March, after which I shouldn’t have to worry about holding a job for the rest of my career.
I think we’ve made the decision that I am just going to stay here during the time I am furloughed. I turned in my application to substitute teach with the Belton ISD, and should start doing that next week on days I don’t work at the railroad.
I’m feeling less stressed about this situation today, in the midst of it, than I was a month ago knowing it was coming. I know there have been people praying for us. Thank you, in particular, to Bill and Joyce Roberts, Irv and LouAnn White, and that old man I met at the Cracker Barrel in Ft Worth. “The prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Right on, St. James.

Rush will be back on the radio today after being off for a couple of weeks for his holiday trip to Hawaii. I’m looking forward to hearing what he has to say about recent events.

For any of you that haven’t heard, global warming turned out to be a myth. I told you so. It’s supposed to freeze tonight and not get back above freezing until Saturday afternoon. Coldest period for our area in at least 10 years. If any of you are still in the tank with AlGore, adjusting your lingo to “man made climate change”, you are a moron.

Jones is going to celebrate her 5th birthday on Sunday. We asked her if she’d like to have a surprise party. She said she would so we are going to surprise her at the Burger King in Belton next Thursday at 2:15. You’re all invited.

One of the best lines Willie ever wrote: “Walking is better than running away, and crawling ain’t no good at all.”

Song of the Week and the New Year

I’m a little bit nervous about the start of 2010.  It’s highly likely that I will be furloughed in the next week or two and will probably be cut-off through the first part of March.  I’ve considered going to Houston for work, but since it should only be for 6-8 weeks we’re still weighing what I would make against the cost of travel and lodging.  I’ll probably just stay here and try to find some day labor or sell a kidney.

Leslie and I have been really focused for the last year on taking better care of our money, sticking to a budget, and getting out of debt.  Reminds me of a line from a George Strait song…”I’ll be paying the rest of my life for the few good times I had.” 

This will be a setback, but I don’t think we’ll starve. 

If we can make it through March, then we should be okay until Jones decides that she’d rather go to a university than cosmetology school.

This week’s song is also my 2010 resolution theme song.  It was a hit for John Anderson in 1981, but is seen and heard here performed by its writer Billy Joe Shaver, one of my favorite songwriters of all time.  I hope you like it.

Christmas Eve and Day

On Christmas Eve we let the girls open one gift. It's always new pajamas. Thanks Gran-Nola and Papa.

Santa came! Georgia received her pink booster seat(says rock and roll all over it!), Polly Pockets, slippers, and a new cup and plate. Annie received a large coloring book and fat crayons, doll with accessories, new shoes, and a new cup and plate. Jones received a High School Musical doll house, HSM dolls, slippers, and a new plate and cup. Highlight gifts for Justin were books, overalls, moccassins, slippers, an Eric Peter cd, and a metal shelving unit for the garage. Highlight gifts for Leslie were New Balance shoes(AA narrow, thanks J), B&BW gift card, new hangers, maternity pjs, an ice cream maker, a purse hanger, scarf, and the shelving unit too.










Our good friends, Irv and LouAnn, had invited us over for Christmas lunch. I was told not to bring anything, but to enjoy the morning with the girls and to take lunch off. So nice!! Thank you Irv and LouAnn for a delicious meal and for the fantastic company. Thank you very much! We love you!

Friday evening we had Christmas dinner with Jimmy, Shirley, John and Sheila. Thanks to Jimmy for smoking brisket, sausage, and sweet potatoes. Yum! Here are some pictures of the evening. We were able to spend all Saturday together too. The boys went to the lake for a couple of hours while the girls had a garage picnic on the new foam mats and a nap.

Much love and thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Hilton, Gran-Nola and Papa Crawford, Mimi and Jazbo Brown and John and Sheila Delony!

Slap bracelets

Kirsten and Madalyn came over to exchange Christmas gifts. Madalyn gave the girls a Shamu Little People set to share and gave each a slap bracelet. I took Georgia's and showed her how this bracelet works. Annie went to crying! She backed up all the way to the front door and would have nothing to do with her bracelet. She will now carry hers around but will not wear it.

Monday before Christmas

I have three things to share with you from this particular Monday.

1. Monday morning around 7:00 Justin was leaving for work. Jones was still asleep and Justin went in to pat and kiss her goodbye. A few minutes later Jones was up and clinging to Justin and would not let him out the door. She is crying and grabbing and kicking and clinging onto Justin. I am trying to pry her off of him. I had her go to her room to calm down and when she was finished she could come have breakfast. She came out calm and we went about our morning. We were getting ready to go to the gym and I went into the girls room to get Annie's socks. What I saw was red on the ceiling and on the fabric hanging on the wall! Jones had colored them with red chapstick. I got her a rag and made her scrub. As she was scrubbing she began singing Salvation Belongs to Our God. It's hard to punish and be mad at a four year old who is signing to God!


2. Annie locked herself in the bathroom for the first time. I can not unlock the kind of doorknobs that are on our bathrooms. Annie remained calm brushing her teeth and adorning herself with headbands. Thanks to our great neighbor, Brad, for coming to our rescue.


3. Here is a picture of Jones and Georgia's afternoon of dress up.

Prince of Peace Luthern Preschool

Otherwise known as Princess Pea Preschool to Jones. Here are some pictures from her Christmas program. We will get the video uploaded soon.