Dear Boston...

Today I thought of you and decided it was time to take my flag down.

At times I've been envious.  However, enough is enough!  As pretty as it is in New England I do not think I'd fair well with that much snow.  So, out of respect for you I've taken my flag down.

Christmas is officially over.  Reid helped me tie up the tree and today we took it over to the storage unit.  It had been sitting in the dining room corner undecorated for a while.

Spring comes early along the Texas Gulf Coast.  I noticed yesterday that the tree in the backyard was budding.

I haven't even needed a light jacket the past few days.  I took a walk around the neighborhood and the weather was perfect.  Perfect doesn't last long here.  We basically have two seasons...a little winter and a lot of summer.  Summer can be miserable.  My days of walking outside are limited because of heat and humidity.  Soon I'll be driven inside to walk at the mall.

 I think I spend as much time inside as they do in Boston, but we just do it at a different time of the year.

ETC., ETC., ETC.

I haven't had much computer time lately.  I've been working on getting all the Christmas stuff packed, organized, and put away. 

I had rented a storage place over by the old house but the price kept going up.  The place changed owners three times while we were there and the last time it appeared to me to be going downhill a little.  I noticed trash in the parking lot and the rat traps were gone.  It made me wonder if they still had an exterminator treating the place.  After I brought the Christmas stuff over to this house I decided to go back and get everything out and try to rent a place over here.

The new place is about four blocks from the house and our unit is half the size of the old one.  A lot more convenient and a lot less expensive.  I'm going to store the things that won't be damaged by the heat and humidity up in the attic.  I have everything else over at the storage place now except for the tree.  I need to find a box.  I had one of those large canvas bags they sell for trees, but the first time I picked it up the bag ripped.

I'm so envious of all of you that have basements.  I'm afraid we're too close to sea level.  There are no basements here! 

Today is a beautiful day outside.  If it gets any warmer I can start complaining about the heat again.  :)  It won't last.  It is the end of January and we'll still have some cold days in February.  (Cold to us anyway.)  I spent some time cleaning the outdoor furniture.  It was pretty yucky looking and there's no way anyone would have sat in one of those chairs.  A little bleach and some scrubbing had them looking inviting again.

I haven't had time for Alphabe-Thursday and I've been a little brain dead when it comes to ideas.  I hope to be back there soon.

I entered a Gingerbread House contest sponsored by Ann at Paperminis.com.  Ann sells 1:12, 1:6, and 1:3 scale paper minis for dollhouses and dolls.   I won second place and my Ginny dolls were thrilled.  You can see in this picture how they helped.

I've made quite a few of Ann's paperminis.  Over the holidays I finally finished putting together Barbie's Dream House for my dolls.  (http://www.paperminis.com/other-scales/fashion-doll-kits.htm)  I hope to set up a scene soon with the Ginny dolls playing with their Barbie dolls.

I was in the resale store and saw a dollhouse kit.  Someone had started putting it together and I couldn't resist.  For $25 it came home with me.  It's a Beach Bungalow.  Of course, I still haven't finished the dollhouse I started in 1981, but I plan to work on that one in 2015 and get it finished.  Reid's cat climbed on the roof and broke some of the gingerbread trim so I think I'll start with repairs there first.

I also recently took a class to learn some painting techniques with Cee Cee Caldwell's chalk paint.  Yes, I know there are a zillion You Tube videos, but I prefer the personal touch.  I hope to start painting some furniture soon before it gets too hot in the garage.

"H" as in HOUSTON TEXANS for Alphabe-Thursday

It's time again for Alphabe-Thursday sponsored by Jenny at Jenny Matlock..."off on my tangent."

This week we are studying the letter "H" as in the HOUSTON TEXANS.

I think I've lived in Texas way too long.  I actually love football now.

It's a great diversion for me.  When the HOUSTON TEXANS play my mind zeros right in on the game.  All of my worries are shoved to the side.  For three hours I concentrate on football.

Football has helped keep me sane the last five years or so.

Sadly, this season is over for the HOUSTON TEXANS.  I'll still watch the playoffs and the Super Bowl, but not with as much intensity.

I'll still grab the sports section of the newspaper to see if there's anything about the TEXANS being reported.  I'll still tune into Sports Radio 610 occasionally to hear what they're saying.  I'll look forward to the draft.  Before you know it football will be back.

I've even found a way to combine my love of football with my love of dolls.  I know it's a rather strange combination.

Please excuse my absence last week.  Real life got in the way.

Now head over to Ms. Jenny's blog for a list of this week's participants.  Thanks for visiting.

"F" as in FAN for Alphabe Thursday

Merry Christmas and welcome to Aphabe-Thursday sponsored by Ms. Jenny at Jenny Matlock..."off on my tangent."  Today we are studying the letter "F" as in FAN.

I am a Houston Texan's FAN.  Years ago, I was a Houston Oiler's FAN.  I watched the games, yelled and screamed when everyone else did, and occasionally attended a game at the old Astrodome.  Then the Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee and became the Tennessee Titans.  Houston was left without a football team.

Thanks to Mr. Bob McNair the Houston Texans came into being in 2002.  I have to admit that I never completely understood football and when the Texans offered Football 101 classes for women I went.  I got the general idea, but decided I needed more in depth study and bought the Idiot's Guide To Football by Joe Theismann.  I bought it at a used bookstore so it wasn't the most up to date copy, but how could I go wrong reading a book written by a New Jersey boy and former NFL quarterback?  That dog eared book is an important part of my life during football season.

I've come a long way, but when Marc Vandermeer (the voice of the Houston Texans on Sports Radio 610) and Andre Ware review plays I'm always amazed at what they see compared to what I see.  How in the world do they see so much in a 15-20 second play?  I've learned a lot, but I still have a long way to go.  However, the knowledge that I now have makes the game so much more enjoyable for me.

I've come to love football.  I don't paint my face with the team colors or wear crazy costumes to the game.  I don't boo the opposing team.  I applaud them.  After all, it wouldn't be much of a game if the other team didn't show up.  Although I like to see my team win I still enjoy the game even if they lose.  After all, it's only a game.  I guess I'm a more laid back FAN than most.

I sit in my seat until the very end of the game.  There have been times when there weren't too many of us left in the stadium (the 2013 season was a good example of that), but I've paid for the entire game and they don't give partial refunds if you leave early.  Why leave anyway?  I'm a Houston Texans FAN all the time...win or lose.

I'm proud of my Texans.  I believe our team owner has certain standards.  There are players out there that would probably never wear a Texans uniform no matter how good they play.  Yes, I think Mr. McNair really wants to win, but not at any cost.

The season is almost over.  I try to remain optimistic, but our chances of going to the Super Bowl are pretty slim.  Our quarterbacks have been falling like flies.

That's OK.  There are more important things than winning a football game.  Yes, Houston Texans FANS...you heard what I said.  I just want to see Texans Offensive Tackle David Quessenberry win his game...the game of life.  In June he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  You can watch the video and read about his progress here.  The team had a fund raiser and sold shirts that said, "Texans for DQ."  My son and I committed to wearing those shirts to every game this season.  His diagnosis hit close to home for us.  It took a few years, but my son successfully defeated his opponent...Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Now it's David's turn.  When I watched the video I cried.  So much of what David said I had heard my son say.  My heart went out to his mother too.  I have a pretty good idea of what she's going through.

 
 Cancer certainly does not discriminate. 

This FAN wants a big win.  I want to see a healthy David Quessenberry take the field next football season.  For now that's the most important win for this Houston Texans FAN.

Now head over to Jenny's blog for a list of this week's participants.

My Dolls Last Minute Christmas Activities...

THIS IS A DOLL POST

My Ginny Dolls have been busy doing all the last minute Christmas baking.

This year they're making cake balls, a snowman cake, and lots of cookies and candy.

Their friend Muffy dropped by in her Santa suit.

The Christmas tree is up, the mantel decorated, and lots of presents are under the tree.  The kids enjoy shaking the packages and trying to figure out what's inside.  The girls are wearing their Christmas outfits, but little JJ will only wear his football uniform.  He better watch out because the Elf is on the shelf.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Doll's Christmas Concert/Tree Lighting Ceremony

A DOLL POST

 
Recently my Ginny Dolls had their Annual Christmas Concert/Tree Lighting Ceremony in the park.

Quite a crowd showed up.

 Poor Mrs. Watt had her hands full with Little JJ.  All he thinks about is football.  "Justin James Watt...didn't I tell you to leave that football home?  We're at a concert...not a football game."

The kids were so excited.  The concert was about to begin.

The Christmas Carols were sung beautifully by The Children's Choir.

Christmas Carols and the lighting of the tree filled everyone with the Holiday spirit.

To be continued...

"E" as in EXCUSES for Alphabe-Thursday

This is a busy time of the year, but I'll spare you all the EXCUSES.  Everyone is busy!

I wanted to feature Houston places for this round of Alphabe-Thursday, but I didn't have time this week and probably won't have time next week to ride around and take pictures, so I decided to share a little of our Christmas with you.

We haven't had a normal Christmas in while.  In 2012 my husband died and my son was in the hospital for Christmas that year.  Last year we had just moved into this house.  So, I wanted to get out my Christmas decorations and decorate!  I have a lot of sentimental things.

I don't have a Christmas tree.  I have a Memory Tree filled with things the kids made, ornaments that have special meaning to us, pictures of the kids with Santa, and even some things that I made as a child and my mother saved.

Of course, one of my dolls had to get in on the act.  She's wearing the Christmas Boy hat.  It's been a family joke for a number of years.  Whoever passes out the packages is the Christmas Boy.  You don't even have to be a boy to get the honor.  It's something we picked up on a television show.  I don't even remember the show anymore.

Any tree of mine has to have a doll on the top!  A Madame Alexander doll is the angel.

The tree us full!  It would be difficult to find an empty space to hang anything else.

Another family tradition is the Christmas count down calendar.  I made this when the kids were little.

Back in 1980 we were living in a house with a large picture window.  Macrame was a popular hobby back then and I made this macrame Christmas tree for the window.  However, we moved and I've never had a picture window again.  This tree has been in a large plastic garbage bag for all those years.  I decided it's now vintage and collectible, so I'd find a place to hang it.  The kids told me one of the cats would probably hang from it, but so far nothing has happened.

Of course, I had to put up my vintage silver tree in the den for my Chatty Cathy dolls.

And the mangers.  The large one we bought in a department store in Catania, Sicily.  It's now 40+ years old.  It used to play Silent Night but the kids wore it out.  We even had a cat at one time who used to climb in and sleep.  The smaller one was my mother's.

In the 1970's ceramics was another hobby phase I went through.  We were living in Virginia Beach and they had a great recreation department where you could go and take ceramic lessons.  Some have broken over the years but I still have the tree, choir boys, Santa and a few other pieces not shown in this picture.  The red punch bowl was my mother's and it's filled with vintage ornaments.  The gold tree on the left my mother gave me while we were living in either New Jersey or Virginia, so it's also pretty old.

Did you ever make a stuffed tree?  I did!  That was also many years ago.  I decided to put that out this year too.  Some of my decorations hadn't seen the light of day for a long, long time.

The bells on the door I bought at a craft show in Oklahoma.  They're made out of canning jar lids.  They had some really good craft shows in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  I don't find those really unique items here.

I decorated the mantel, but can't hang stockings there anymore.  The mantel in this house is lower and I'm afraid the cats would play with the stockings.

My sister knitted stockings for each of the kids when they were born.  I hang them on doors now.

I love Norman Rockwell and I have a Norman Rockwell Christmas Village.  In the other house I set the village up on a large table that Jim built, but I don't have room here.  So, I set the village up on the bookshelf.  The bottom shelf is the main street in Stockbridge, MA.  I always joke that before I die I want to go to the Normal Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge!  (My son added something to the village as a joke.  See if you can find it.)

Of course, I have the Grinch sitting around.  I love the Grinch!

My sister-in-law sent us a little live tree.  It fit perfectly on the kitchen counter.  I love it!

This is where we'll have our traditional Italian spaghetti and meatballs on Christmas Day.  Then we'll play Christmas bingo.  We did it last year for the first time and everyone had a good time.  I've got even better prizes this year!

I've been busy.  Please accept that EXCUSE.  It took a while to lug all the Christmas stuff over here from the storage place and then put it all up.  I have no intention of taking it down for a while.  I'm going to sit back and enjoy it.  It's staying up until at least mid January.

The day after Christmas some people here put their live trees down at the curb. I've never had much luck with a live tree here.  They dry out so quickly.

Now head over to Jenny's blog for a list of this week's Alphabe-Thursday participants.  Thank you for visiting and MERRY CHRISTMAS!