forty three years ago today...

 ...I met Paul!  I'm sure you've heard this story before, and far be it from me to repeat a story! (Does anything sting like hearing one of your kids mumble, Mom, do you know how many times you've told me this?).  But, since this is my blog, and I like telling stories, here we go:

When I was sixteen years old...wow, I'd slap my girls silly if they did this, but anyway.  When I was sixteen, I spent the weekend at my cousins' house.  I could write a book just about these cousins, their house was down on a little creek that flowed into Owasco Lake, they also owned a little empty lot right on the lake, for swimming and camp fires.  They called us their City Cousins, even though we lived in the suburbs.  Back then, before the internet, before satellite t.v., differences of living just an hour or two away from someone could mean different regional sayings (they called soda pop!).  They went to a school that was in the middle of corn fields, and they wore flannel shirts, even the girls.  We loved them so much, and loved visiting them, with their goats and chickens.  

Anyway.  My cousin Susie was 18, and my older cousin Tim took us out to a nightclub that is no longer there.  I had to lie my little butt off to get into that bar, I assured the bouncer that I was born in 1963...back then the drinking age was 18, and places weren't as strict.  So I got in.  My cousin and I didn't drink, we just stood around and picked out cute guys.  I chose this tall thin guy with long curly hair, in a navy blue velveteen v-neck pullover.  (The phrase of the night was wouldn't I like to bring HIM home to mama!)(we were very silly!)

Well, that cute guy was up at the bar getting a beer, and my cousin pointed out that his shirt tag was sticking out.  She dared me to go tuck it in.  So I did.  He turned around and had two Old Vienna splits, remember OV splits?  7 ounce beers.  They were two for a buck that night, I think.  He handed me one and we started talking.  Oh dear, was I ever smitten.  He was in college, and assumed that since I was in a bar, I was at least 18...oh dear.  

Anyway...the rest is sort of history?  We both got converted before we got married, decided to live for God, and things have been very blessed and amazing for us, although of course not without trials!  

Anyway.  That was a long long time ago.  (He said he never went out like that but it was his last night of break before going back to college, and his younger brother dragged him out of the house, good thing he went!)

We're in a snow globe again.  It's lovely. 

Yesterday some grandchildren visited me.  Wulf was building a tower, and next thing you know, he ran out of blocks so grabbed a few from Achilles, which prompted his whole tower to be knocked over...so this was the calm before the storm.  Wulf, Achilles, Tennyson, Rhys across, and Jamie at the end.  Blythe was running around being an angel and not opening cupboard doors, drawers, boxes, and bins.  :)

Margaret made this cake for New Years...

Charlotte Claire and Camille and I went out and about the other day, stopped at a nice little coffee shop.  We then went to the thrift store, where I got a few LulaRoe things, brand new with the tags, for 99 cents.  Someone donated their entire shop of stuff, it was actually rather sad, considering how much they must have paid for those things.  I got two dresses and three tops, for five dollars.  

This fine morning, the lighting all bright from all the snow!  I think it's time to pack up the Christmas stuff today.  The tree has already been taken down, but I've dragged my feet with all the other stuff.  I like it.  But, it's time.  

Yesterday some of the kids came over, Margaret brought some beef to make in the instant pot, I made pot roast with gravy, potatoes and carrots in the Dutch oven, and Char and Cam made a few pizzas with the grandkids.  Football was on, the snow was coming down, and it was a cozy day.  The kids have those bad colds with coughs, but we've all been exposed to each other anyways at this point.  I feel like I'm fighting it.  That sometimes happens and I don't get sick, but who knows?  

Inching away from sugar again has been challenging.  I mostly fast during the day, except for my coffee, then eat dinner.  After dinner, I find myself wanting something chocolate, sometimes a cup of tea will do it, sometimes I find myself with some Hershey's kisses.  Last night I had two Trader Joe's peanut butter cups, they are terrific.  I made a small batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies yesterday, and made the mistake of breaking off a little piece.  What do I think is going to happen, I'm going to think Oh yuck, I don't want anymore of this!?  Nope.  Chewy and satisfying and carmel-y and crunchy and sweet and amazing, oh dear!  Ten times harder to stay away from, ha.  

Ah well.  Time to get moving.  I try not to sit for too long at a time, I washed dishes and did laundry in between, and got a second cup of coffee.  The hard part is that my computer only works when it's plugged in, and if the cord gets jostled when I get up, I have to restart it.  (Oscar replaced the battery for me, and it still happens). (But it still works, so I still use it).  Anyway.  Have a really good day, and if you're in the north east, enjoy the beautiful snow!