Oh America, You Got It WRONG!

Much like when I find out who wins the Abilene Reporter News' Readers Choice Awards, Miss America and Top Chef, tonight I am left scratching my head wondering, "What were they thinking?" I mean, yes, ocasionally I agree with the masses...Christian S. won Project Runway and Ambre is Brett Michaels "Rock of Love" but rarely do I get to jump up and cheer at the popular vote. And as I mentioned, tonight was no different. No, tonight might have been the worst!

As you may all remember, I am new to American Idol. Oh how I have made fun of you all who watched it, but now I just can't get enough of it. I have even bought the individual performances from iTunes because my TiVo crapped out and I missed the performace night. I am hooked!

So my girl is still Brooke White, but she's been kind of choking the past few weeks and last night was her biggest upsetting slip up yet! But she's human. She's Randy's "dog" or whatever...it's all good! As she has begun to choke I have moved into a dead heat love with Carly Smithson - this super cool, tatted Irish woman who just rocks it out every week. This week was Andrew Lloyd Webber week and she truly kicked butt! But America voted and she got the boot!

That's right, America! You kicked off a super groovy rocker chick and left us still waiting to get rid of Syesha "Why can't I be Whitney Houston" Mercado and David, "Destined for the Folk Family Follies at Disneyland" Archuletta. I hope you are happy. Sleep with one eye open if you get rid of Brooke before those other two!

Here is Carly's last performance on AI!
Crank it up and enjoy!

The Rites of Passage Into Manhood

Every boy becomes a man in his own time. The lines are muddied as to when a young lad takes that step across the threshhold between youth and maturity and can never return. Of course if you are Jewish, then it is more simple. "Today you are a man" *poof* - that's it. But no matter when that moment takes place, there are several practice steps along the way. For some it is the first sip of beer, or the first drag from a cigarette...the first time he gets himself out of a jam with little harm and no help from his parents...the first deer shot, or first campfire built...or perhaps...SPITTING?!?!?!?!?



We had a lovely summeresque day today, frolicking in the yard with the waterhose. Ben got out his Elephant watering can and helped me with my plants. Then , deciding he was thirsty, took a sip from the elephant's trunk and well, the above pictures speak for themselves. I'd like to say that I caught this magical moment in these three pictures, but the fact is I caught dozens of spitting photos today. Every time I'd get the camera up, he'd turn his head and spit. I'd like to tell you all that I have nipped it in the bud, but my laughter has done nothing but encourage it!

Here is the slideshow of photos from today (sans spitting as best as I could!)


Enjoy!

Joined by a haircut

Before:

After:

I kid...I kid!

Today was a big day for us! Our very first BIG BOY haircut! It was a very bitter sweet day. I have been joking for the past 2 years that I wouldn't cut Ben's hair until he started school. Oh and I meant KINDERGARTEN. But as time has gone on, his precious baby curls have turned more into a big ol' rat tail. Problem being, I had to keep trimming his bangs so that he could see, but had never touched the back. Thus, the Joe Dirt reference! I kept saying last night, "Just a trim...it will NOT be high and tight!" Thus, the Mark Harmon aka Leroy Jethro Gibbs, ex Marine reference.

But it had to be done! His hair is so cute now and definitely all boy! And the funny thing is the shorter now it is, the more the curls have actually curled! We got home and the back was super curly and blonde and just absolutely made my heart melt.

Let's recap, shall we?

Here we see my darling mop top tot before and after his bath last night. What you don't see is me in a near fetal position over the internal struggle to cut his hair. I have deducted that my stress came from the finality of him just not being a "baby" anymore (yes, he is my baby - but you know what I mean) It was just a very physical reminder that he was growing every day faster than I could ever keep up with and the act of removing the baby hairs he was born with was a very painful thing for me to accept. But what else am I going to do? Shove him in a onesie and swaddle a thrashing 35 lb boy? That's only marginally psychologically damaging, right? So I got over it.

And Voila'!

Pretty cute, huh? I saved the curls in an envelope so that one day I can dig them out and say, "EWWW...HAIR!" - kidding...no, one day I can remember what he was like when he was small and needed me!

*I know this picture isn't the best photo of the outcome...but my computer isn't loading all the pics correctly, so will add when I can.

A little adult time

This weekend I had the opportunity to actually ATTEND the Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit!

(Side note: if you have googled the BGWFS and reached my blog, this is NOT a review...so keep on clickin')

It was a fairly overly exciting event for me because not only did I get to have a girls weekend with my dear friends, but I also got to attend the Summit as a Patron and not a Perini Ranch Employee. Not that I ever disliked working at the BGWFS, I actually loved all of my facets of employment under Tom & Lisa. But you see, I heart food so much that this year was a wonderful treat to actually eat the food instead of setting up for others to serve it and drink the wine instead of pour it. And WOW! What a treat it was!

As I said earlier, this isn't a review - I am too biased. I know how hard these people work to produce a 5 star event right in my back yard, so the whole main tent could have caved in and I would have nothing but glowing remarks. But if you love food and love wine - or just love a darn good party - I highly recommend you saving your pennies for the third weekend in April 2009! You won't be disappointed!

Here is me and Sara and Molly, slightly anesthitized and definitely FULL at the afternoon wine tasting!

And here is one of my darling Stan, showing no signs of the stress and wear of the long weekend!

Oh I'm back....

the fog has lifted,
the earth has shifted and raised the gifted
You knew I'd be back
So hit the road Jack
cause Daddy's home...

Please forgive the totally unnecessary quoting of Kid Rock, but that is how I feel today! I am in my groove. There is just something about a toddler sleeping all night, getting up and using the big boy potty, and then eating breakfast without complaint that really kicks off your day in a truly amazing way! I am invincible! With every compliant breath my little Ben takes I am transformed to Motherhood Saint status complete with perfect hair and Denise Richard's body! Will probably spend the day baking perfect pies and singing with birds out my window! Cue Disney music and Princess Aurora themed woodland scene!

Whew - now that I have that out of my system, let's do a bit of catch up, shall we?

Or perhaps another time!?!? God is reminding me what happens when you boast over accomplishments that you have no control over. Ben is screaming at me that I have not filled his juice glass properly and that he needs a jelly bean before he can finish his breakfast. Wow - that was a really quick wake up call.

I can smell my perfect pies burning and feel myself looking less like Denise Richards and looking more like Michael Richards.

*sigh*

Where's Waldo?

Wow - I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted. Very unusal for me, but I have felt very "uninspired" to write much of anything the past few days. My great-grandmother's funeral was lovely and a very fitting tribute to her long life, but has left me exhausted the past week or so. That and my sweet Ben is growing faster than I can even begin to keep up.

But I have pictures and stories galore and will share soon.

Hang in there with me, internet friends. I'll be back!

Pa Pa's Obituary

Lizzie Lenora (Lee) Young

Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home Saturday, April 05, 2008

Lizzie Lenora (Lee) YoungRoby, TexasLizzie Lenora (Lee) Young, 98, passed away to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, April 3, 2008, at Sears Methodist Center in Abilene.Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church of Roby with burial in Roby Cemetery. Weathersbee - Ray Funeral Home will conduct the services with Rev. Bill Fitzgerald and Rev. Kiefer Cauble officiating.

Lizzie was born December 5, 1909 at Greens Creek in Erath County to William and Vernie (Kiker) Lee. She married George Hale Young at Rotan December 16, 1926. George passed away in 1949 and Lizzie raised their eight children by working extremely hard and loving them with all her heart.She lived in Fisher County most of her life and she lived by her faith and for her family. She made each child, grandchild, great-grandchild, in-law, niece and nephew feel they were special to her. Lizzie was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three daughters (Georgie Faye Young, Peggy Young Rollans and Linda Griffin Moore), three sons-in-law (A.L. Gibson, Alton Rollans and Gene Griffin), one grandson (Todd Moore), two great-grandchildren (Matt Gibson and Jennifer Gibson), three sisters (Lillian Perkins, Elrena Deal and Larue Smith) and one brother (Gilbert Lee).

Lizzie is survived by one sister, Mildred Brown; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Virginia Gibson, Reba and Wayne Moore, Thana and Billy Ray Terry and LaNeta Young; one son and daughter-in-law, Hubert and Nancy Young; twelve grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; thirteen great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Roby Cemetery Fund or the First United Methodist Church.

They would also like to thank Sears Hospice and nursing facility in Abilene for their constant care, love and support.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.Proverbs 3:5-6

Update from Ron

Here is the latest email update from Ron...


We returned home lfrom Houston late last night. Good news and bad news.

Good News---There is almost no cancer activity left in the tumor.

Bad News--Since it takes them so long to schedule surgery at MDA, I have to undergo another 6 weeks of chemo with a harsher drug combination, so they can check its effectiveness in case it must be used in the future and so that I am not off chemo too long before surgery. (Don't want to give the tumor a chance to rejuvenate). Also, they said that after surgery, I will receive chemo again for a while.

Surgery will most likely be the second or third week of May after the 6 weeks.

The Lord is still in control and I's am sure this is not a surprise to Him. Where He takes us, He will preserve us. Don't know right now, but I am assured that He has some blessings to be had during this remaining time.

Please keep praying for little, if any side effects and continued decrease in the cancer activity. Your prayers are felt each day by Brenda and I.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support.
Ron and Brenda Bredemeyer

The End of an Era

At around 2:00 today my Great Grandmother, Lizzie Young passed away. She was 98. Here is the last picture we all took together this past Thanksgiving.

Five generations - all women and little Ben.

Although she lived a full and fruitful life, it is still hard to lose her. We were all very close and my sweet Ben loved to go to the nursing home to visit Pa Pa.

Please pray for my grandmother - she carries a great deal of responsibility on her shoulders with her family. Please pray for my mother - she and her grandmother were extremely close.

Love to you all,

Allison