I want more

My grandbaby uses sign language to let us know when she is hungry, needs a drink and is finished etc. She uses the sign for "I want more" the most of all. When she is really wanting something, she does all the signs she knows. I love to see her signing for more. She wants more all the time. I think that God created that desire in her. To want more. I think God created that desire in me as well, to want more of Him. Life can so easily be lived without purpose, just maintaining a routine, and I am telling you, I want so much more. All the time.

Just the Two of Us

Deanie and Julie sittin in an apartment
k i s s i n g (carefully due to scruffy beard on Dean)
first comes love
then comes marriage
then comes a hip replacement
and a holiday together.

Dean on drugs

Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig

Well, we are home from the hospital and ready to sit around for 5 weeks while Dean recovers from the hip replacement. We are also now the proud owners of a potty chair, (which can also be used in the shower) a walker and a "hip kit" which includes all kinds of helpful tools for putting on your socks and reaching for items. If anyone needs to borrow them, check with us in a few months:) We took photos of the scar and will try to post later. (not really very exciting or big, but Dean really wanted to document it) Thankfully he went through the surgery well and we had a wonderful staff to take care of him. Looking forward to a twinkle in his step soon!

Out with the old, In with the new

My Dean is going in for hip replacement surgery this next week. He will be housebound for about 4-5 weeks after he gets out of the hospital. Doctor told him he was getting a "metal on metal, cemented in" new hip which should last longer than the standard hip replacements of the past. This coming after he was laid off (as of today), well, let's just say it is a season of change and definately "out with the old, in with the new". Keep him in prayer and if you want to know more on this subject: http://www.hipreplacement.com/ Tata for now. I will be out doing the wifely thing of loving on him and making sure he doesn't drool when people come to visit. :) and looking forward to some dancing in 2008!

Songs in Your Head

There is a bit of a game I like play at work on occasion, called, put a song in my co-worker's head. I walk around casually singing a line of a song and wait to hear other people singing it later, and feel so amused at my power. But, today, the game is on me. I have a song stuck in my head, an Amy Grant Christmas carol, that my co-worker, DAvid put there INTENTIONALLY by singing one line repeatedly from his office. So, I tried to use my countermeasure of singing "It's Howdy Doody Time" over and over, but so far, Amy Grant is winning. (And, yes, I do get my work done, eventually :)

Thankful

For:
1. A baby in a rooster suit
2. Puzzles with a son in law
3. Crochet lessons with a patient daughter
4. Mere's interpretive dance
5. Snow in Abilene
6. Hugging the parentals
7. A husband who carries on
8. Phone calls from NY
9. An awesome God who provides it all

Dreaming about Tea

I would like to have tea,

with Mollie, in Seattle at Remedy Tea and in Boston, with Katie at Tealuxe.

Donations can be sent to the tea travel fund!

and...

Boston

Two of my girls in Boston town.

and I would like to share a poem

by Edward Arlington Robinson

Boston
My northern pines are good enough for me,But there's a town my memory uprears --

A town that always like a friend appears,

And always in the sunrise by the sea.

And over it, somehow, there seems to be

A downward flash of something new and fierce,

That ever strives to clear, but never clears

The dimness of a charmed antiquity.

Dogless Days

It will be quite a while before I can get another dog, and I am so lonesome for one that I could cry. I found this little photo so that you could cry with me.

A Weekend at the Lake

Heading to Osage Beach, Missouri for the weekend to meet "my friend" Nancy and her husband, John. Looking forward to some beautiful scenery in this lake community. Later!

Speaker of the House

Took my husband out on a political "date" last night. We joined 850 people who support the conservative idealology and had dinner and listened to Newt Gingrich. It was a really good evening (in spite of my trepidation) and Newt was full of ideas and challenges to the conservatives. My favorite was his challenge to become green. Says Republicans are not being responsible and need to change their stand. Overall, the steak and veggies and company were good. The lecture was interesting. I am glad we went. In case you are interested in what Newt is thinking, go to: www.newt.org

Explanations

If that craving for chocolate sometimes feels like it is coming from deep in your gut, that's because maybe it is. Check out this link: http://www.comcast.net/news/health/index.jsp?cat=HEALTHWELLNESS&fn=/2007/10/12/786245.html&cvqh=itn_chocolate

Read this quote today and was moved to share:

“Earth’s crammed with Heaven and every common bush afire with God, but only he who sees takes off his shoes.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Art or Trash

I have just completed a six week course called Sculpting the Figure. After working for SIX long evenings my first sculpture of a female nude lying down, torso is complete. Clapping may commence. I am sure I am not the first person to think that this task would be easier than it actually was. I have learned at least two things during this class: 1. some women shave their privates 2. some wax

Fridays Come to Quickly

I used to say, "oh I wish Friday would get here." But now have you noticed? Fridays come really fast. At lightening speed. They are pushing us forward towards the next without a thought of slowing down. I tried to stop and smell a rose the other day, but Friday was pushing me out of the way so that it could hurry up and get started. I do love a good Friday, but I also wish they would just take it a little slower and come a bit more gradual like. If Fridays don't stop speeding forth, I am going to be really old, really soon. I was hoping to take in a bit more of life before that happens. So, Fridays, I love you, but take it easy. Let us take it one day at a time and you can be the treat at the end, instead of the "can you believe it is already Friday again?" It's Friday!

Mums

When I was 13, I received my first "Mum" from my "big sister" for Lincoln Junior High's homecoming during my 7th grade year. It was a real flower. They cost $5-$10 depending on how big. I go into the craft stores today and they contain every possible item known to man kind to help make your very own synthetic "mum" with every possbile way to show your own destinctive personality and by the time you buy all the parts and pieces, well they cost, $35-$75. I was so proud of that first mum. It was simple and real. Go Real!

Stuff

Last Sunday Dean and I went to the Texas Rangers baseball game with 40 or so of our friends from church who also happen to be Sudanese. Some of the kids had been to a game before, but their parents were baseball virgins. Since I am a baseball genius, I proceeded to explain the game to them. "They are leaving the field because it is raining. They put the tarp over the field to protect it. They have to keep the field so perfect because they don't want their million dollar players to get injured. It should only be another 45 minutes until they start playing again." So, they really know the game now! Oh, yeah, the important part, "Clap when the music plays." Overall we had a wonderful day, saw a few innings of baseball inbetween rain stops, and ate free hot dogs and peanuts. I have no idea who won that day, but we did see S A M M Y .. S O S A
hit a home run! If you would like to see a couple of pictures from that day, you can check out the Texas Rangers home page, then their photo page, gallery 9. Look for dark skin!
texas.rangers.mlb.com/index

Thank You America

Yes, I buy into taking a day off from our laboring and just hanging out with no real purpose other than, well, hanging out. So, thank you America for giving us this day off. I am going to enjoy it and hope you do too! East Texas bound, lakes to explore!

Headin to the Holy City to eat some Beef

Yep, headin out west tamorra to eat some good ole beef at Pereni's in Buffalo Gap. Now don't ch'all go and get yourselfs jealous. Just come on over and join us. Gonna celebrate our ole daddy's birthday with some ribs and poppers. yeehaw.

Band Member Birthday

One of our band members, Ilon Rain, had a birthday this week. She was quoted as saying, "It really is fun to be 1."

New Band

Have you heard about my new band The Mustachios? Really cool new sound. I think you will like the CD (if and) when it comes out.

Waiting Eagerly.

Woke up early to the voice of my heavenly Father this morning, imploring me to come and be with Him So I did, and he had a good word of knowledge and encouragement for my family. So, as instructed, I am "waiting eagerly." So thankful He hears us when we call to Him. If you haven't been doing any asking lately, well, you are missing out. He is faithful to answer us when we call.

Hot Time

"It's gonna be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight!"
Just singing a little tune to get me in the mood to hang out with my main squeeze tonight. Gonna be watching Bourne #2 as we continue in our plan to be ready for the latest Bourne flick coming out this weekend. Heard good reviews. I mentioned "hot" because I usually have to have a fan on me these days as I am "in THAT time of life." hee, but not really haw. Sing with me now. It's gonna be a hot time, in the Dawson's apartment, tonightttttttttttttttttttt. and cut.

I Can Quit Any Time...

Just began a book on tape by Charlotte Bronte titled, Emma Brown.
No worries. I don't have a problem. Maybe I just like the name "Emma". I can quit anytime.
p.s. Some Mermaid is wearing my glasses after our trip to the ocean last week. If anyone should see her, I have the Magic Clips that go with them.

Ocean Bound

Got sunscreen, towels, snacks and a new paperback novel to read. Taking my fam to the beach. Life is good.

A Little Diddy (to the tune of Brother John)

Hot Flash, Nausea
Hot Flash, Nausea
Hip out of whack
Hip out of whack
Knees are really aching
Tummy is a aching
I'm alive
I'm alive

Just Minding My Own Bidness

So, like, I am just sittin in my car, minding my own bidness, when I happen to look at the light pole next to my car. Someone has put a bumper sticker on it that reads:
"Not Circumcised? Lucky Stiff!" Then in small print, www.whack-a-mohel.com
Couldn't help it, had to go check it out. Apparently, this is a legit site. Just in case you are bored and want to check it out too. (as an aside...remember that arcade game "Whack a Mole?" My mom used to love to whack those moles when they popped up. Guess she was getting her frustrations out.) Can just anyone put bumper stickers on poles? Where are the pole police?

12 Step Program

I have joined a 12 step program for people who are addicted to listening to boring books on tape. We are meeting at my house this week to listen to Emma. (there will also be snacks)

Don't Spend It All In One Place

I won 10 cents at the horse races! Big Money! Big Money!

"By My Word Sir"

Just an FYI... in case you were in any way wanting to follow in my footsteps and start listening to Jane Austen's unabridged book on tape of Emma, STOP! It will drive you insane. (Yes Mollie, I said I would quit, but it keeps pulling me back in) The dialogue is tediously boring. Thank goodness we didn't live during this time or I might have died of boredom during a general conversation.

Jazz Under The Overcast Sky

We enjoyed a night out on the DMA lawn along with 300 or so of our newest Jazz loving friends. You spread a blanket, pull out the vino and eats and let the music begin. Last night the Jazz group playing was big into audience participation. The crowd was into lazing on the blanket, drinking, talking and taking photos with the digi. By the time we left, after enough drinko, many had finally gotten into the swing of things and a conga line was going. Thankfully the rain held off and a good time was had by all.

I Might Need Help

I have started on Emma.

Do you have Pride or Prejudice?

Not sure why, but I have been on a Pride and Prejudice kick. I have listened to the unabridged version on CD while driving in my car (isn't there a song with that line?), and watched the English mini series with Colin Firth as Darcy and the woman with the pushed up bosom as Lizzy, and finally rewatched the newer movie, with someone else as Darcy and Kiera Knightly as Lizzy (with a much smaller bosom.) So, both movies had screaming, whiney mothers, obnoxious sisters, absent while present fathers, and blonde Janes. Definately like the second Jane the best, but other sisters were equally obnoxious and liked the first Mr Bingley over the second. Now to the most important decision, which small man, aka Mr Collins??? hmmm, they were definately both icky, but for different reasons. So, thoughts? Do you have favorite characters? And does anyone really knoweth why I have spent the past weeks visiting this family again and again? I doest not noweth, doest thou?

Very Patriotic Indeed!

I was just at the local post office and was delighted to see an elderly gentleman (80's) wearing red trousers with a fine dark stripe, a red, white and blue shirt, a red white and blue tie with a soaring eagle, a pin of an American flag, assorted bling including a cross earring of red, white and blue rhinestones in one ear and the piece de resistance (did I spell that correctly?) ta da.... a mohawk, thinning, but definately a mohawk, dyed in red, white and blue stripes. Life is fun. He let me take a photo on my camera phone. :)

I Can't Help It

I am in love with a baby.

To Tattoo or To Not Tattoo

It is one of the age old questions. Let me know what you think.

Nice

I am blogging from Abilene, Texas while staying with mother while my dad has surgery. I am continually amazed and delighted at the complete "niceness" of the residents of this city. People look you in the eyes and say "hello." They stop and hold the door for you even when you aren't right at the door and ready to go in. Nurses smile, make jokes, and check on their patients regurally and answer when the call button is pushed. WOW. Red, yellow, black or white, old and young, rich and poor, they have treated me with politeness, but more than that, they are just nice. It comes naturally. Since I am from a big city with alot of "entitled" people who love to go first, cut you off and walk right by without seeing you, I am enjoying a taste of being valued for just being alive and it makes me want to be more like them.

quotes

I used a quote in conversation the other day and then questioned my self as to the correct choice of words. The quote was, "Discretion is the better part of valor." Had to look it up and see if I was correct, and I was... (why do I doubt myself?) Made me wonder if any of you had a favorite quote and I am going to be thinking about what mine is. I will get back to you on that.
It is Friday!
Here is a Friday quote:
ARCHBISHOP, n. An ecclesiastical dignitary one point holier than a bishop.
If I were a jolly archbishop,On Fridays I'd eat all the fish up --Salmon and flounders and smelts;On other days everything else. Jodo Rem
Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914),

Storm Warning

So, the weather channel is telling you that you are under a storm warning. Do you:
a) Take cover in an inner room with a mattress over you
b) Go outside to watch it touch down
Just curious.

cat on lap

when you are all alone and missing your honey, it helps to have a cat on your lap.

Friends and Friday

Yesterday I got to hang out with a friend from highschool for a few hours. We had the same haircut even though we hadn't seen each other in years. (totally unplanned!) She was my red headed friend and it was nice to know that she too is getting those new crinkly hairs along with the white ones. We celebrated being 50 at LaMadelines, and caught up on our kids and spouses. Today, Mere comes and I get to hang with her and the cutest baby ever. It's Friday!

Duck Duck Goose

My new abode is across the street from a large park with walking Tree lined trails that surround a series of ponds. I was thrilled the other day to see a mother goose and her NINE babies swimming in a row in the pond. I saw a turtle on a log. I saw a Mallard, fly in low and do a beautiful splashless, gliding landing on a long, shallow, strip of water. I know the other ducks were giving him a score of "10". It was so fun to watch. I am enjoying these simple moments of joy in my new neighborhood.

Monday ?

I was just sitting at my desk thinking about writing a little something for this blog and humming "Monday Monday, la la la la la la" and realized all of a sudden that it is Tuesday. Well, lost a day while in Abilene hanging with my parentals. Yesterday I was blessed to have lunch with the residents of University Place, a Senior Living environment, and today I am back in the saddle again. AND, now that I know it is Tuesday, better get with it and catch up! Over and out.

This is the day

When I was younger, I loved the Bible verse and song, "This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." I just haven't been living it or feeling it. So, today, I am gonna sing it and speak it whether I feel it or not. If you hear loud singing from Dallas, you will know what it is! Do you think that the louder you sing it, the more it will be?

Spring is here!

Got a chance to drive through West Texas yesterday with my folks and enjoyed the signs of spring! Redbuds and Bradford Pears in bloom, new wheat coming up so green. Rainy clouds gave everything a deeper color as if driving through God's painting. Glorious!

Moving Experiences

1. Couch wouldn't fit when delivered, after trying every which way, had to remove the door on the second floor patio and haul it up. I gave them a big tip!
2. We have mounted security in our complex. Man on horse ambled underneath my patio, so of course I said "hey" and asked the horse's name (Savannah), but forgot to ask his.
3. When you wake up to odd noises in new apartment, very possibly cat trying to climb out of a wardrobe box.
4. Friends are the best!

Friday's Messy

We are at the messy part of our move. Most of the boxes are packed and ready to load, but there is all this other stuff that keeps floating around, without a specific box or place. I keep finding little items that should have been in this box or that and now where do they go? Dust bunnies are floating everywhere, el spouso sold our washer and dryer, (when I had a load of clothes in the washer!) and there are still a number of pieces of furniture and a fridge that are not going with us, but we haven't found a home for as of yet. Our curb may be really full after tomorrow. We have met some nice people who have come to buy things we have listed on Craig's list which is our favorite way of selling our no longer needed items without having to put on a garage sale. If you haven't check it out yet, I highly recommend it as a resource for buying and selling items locally. Everyone we have met has been really nice. www.craigslist.com
So, off to pack and sort and ready to move on! I sure hope I can find clean sheets for the bed!
(Oooh, I hope they weren't in the washer!)

Snzzzzzzzz

The trash from the attic is gone. The sofa has been bought and will be delivered to new place. NOW, we have to find a new mattress and box spring. I have always enjoyed looking at home decorating mags and looking at furniture etc., but can I just say that the idea of shopping for a mattress doesn't appeal at all? It is the last large purchase for the move and we are procrastinating big time. Neither of us want to drive around and go in and listen to the verbage from the sales people and lay down and get up and lay down and get up. We are so spoiled. Wow, how sad that I am complaining about being able to actually go purchase a new set. So, today I will go out and choose to be thankful that we have the funds to buy what we need.
Hey since we have been dealing with tons of trash and it is on my mind...check out Mollie Guillmette's latest blog from One Change. It will get you thinking.
http://www.one-change.com/

Ouch

My back went out on Wednesday night. Nuf said.
(ps, to those on the edges of their seats about the stuff in the attic...can you spell c _ _ p?
Thanks Geraldo!)

Boxes Boxes

Packing has begun, and as I am married to a man who gets things done, that means "now." I personally, am one who works better with a hard deadline. So, knowing we are moving in two weeks, you can imagine the possible conflict of opinion on when to pack what. We now have boxes lining our living areas and no sure idea of what is really in them. I am trying to continue living in our home as if nothing is happening yet, and while my man is firmly plugging away. He mentioned the other day that we have alot of boxes in the attic. We both looked at each other and realized that other than a few Christmas decoration boxes, we have no idea what is up there either. Does that mean we should just throw them out or take the time to investigate. Stay tuned. I may call Geraldo to go up and check it out. (Hey, you might want to note the date, March 17th as a good day to check out the trash on our (former) curb.

It's a Little Chilly

We are having to replace our furnace and thankfully it has been warmer lately and hasn't been too bad while we wait for the new one to be installed next week. BUT, the upcoming forcast calls for a possible freeze on Saturday night. Hmmm, I am thinking nice hotel, but what about our kitties? No way I am staying in a hotel that accepts cats! So off this afternoon in search of firewood so that we can have a nice cozy fire and pretend we are warm, and it is a search as people in Dallas are already wearing their shorts and flip flops and wood isn't readily available any more. Just thankful I don't live in New York state!

Sofa, Sedan, Couch, Settee

We have begun the search for a new couch. I was doing a cross word puzzle the other night and realized that there are many words for this particular piece of furniture. But, they all mean the same thing, "Expensive." El spouso and I do not always have the same idea of what it costs to purchase this newest item and it is always interesting to see his face when I go into a showroom and sit on the largest and most expensive piece and yell, "come sit on this one, it is fabulous!" Since we are about to embark on our new life renting a much smaller place with very limited square footage, it makes it even more challenging. So, "come sofa, come couch, come settee, come sedan, come attached cushions with down for a price we can afford upholstered in the most fabulous fabric of all. " We are ready to sit upon you.
(for the right price)

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent, 40 days before Easter and a time to take sober reflection of sin and self...so I am sitting here at my desk with ashes marking a cross on my forehead. People all over the world have gone and had this mark placed on them today. It isn't been in my personal "religious" background, but it is becoming so. If you want to read a bit more about it, as I did, here is one link for more information:
http://torch.op.org/preaching/sermon/790
So very thankful for Jesus and His mercy that endures forever!

Yea! It is Commercialized you have to show me the love day!

This is one day that I love being a woman (and feel really sorry for the men). I truly love being the recipient of the mushy or funny card with those three little words we hear so often, but on this day get to see in print! I love the flowers that come straight from the grocery store, last ones on the shelf, but they are for me, only me. I know that men must feel like they have to give and give well or they will be in trouble with a capital T, and I am sorry for this, but I love being treated and love that this one day, it is all about the LOVE! So, I have bought the card, (very few left to choose from at the grocery store) and the package of oreos for my main man and can't wait to see which flowers were left for me:)

Hot Property!

Today we officially have three offers for our house. Apparently we are the flavor of the day. Pray for the perfect buyer! (ooh, and while you are at it, see if you get any word on where we go from here?)

Hmmmm

Well, we have had our first offer on our humble abode and now the question of "where are we going?" is very real and in our face. So, where are we going to live? What will we do with all of our stuff? Hmmm...

There's a sign!

We finally put our house on the market after two years of planning and working. When people find out, they ask, "where are you going to move?" We reply, "we aren't sure." We are thinking temporary home, for two years or so and then revisiting the situation. But, who knows? So, the search for "home" has begun, while waiting on someone, yes, anyone to come and take a gander at our house, fall in love and think about raising their family there as we did ours. Now that the sign is finally in the yard, we are ready to make the move and hope that it doesn't take as long to sell as it did to get ready to sell. So, come one, come all, and let's get this house sold! Anyone?

Better Than Dead

Somedays the only thing you can do is count your blessings, so here goes: 1. My friend Angie likes to meet me for Thai food. 2. My office is kind of like Cheers..."Where everybody knows your name" and when people come in they know my name. (It is on the sign on my desk) for example when Athian Acuil comes in he says, "Hahlo Julie!", salutes me and then shakes my hand. When Deng Bol comes in he says, "Hahlo Julie Dawson!" and gives me a very appropriate and barely touching hug (which means he has to lean way down as he is almost 7 feet) and David Chrane says "Hello Miss Julie! with a smile the size of the sun. 3. There is chocolate in Leslie's office so that I can have a mini hershey each day (until they run out). 4. Someone is coming to look at our house on Saturday (first call since we put it on the market this week). 5. My husband was ready and waiting to hug me when I got home after a really tough day and went to the store to get my prescriptions filled and to get food to make me dinner since it is healthy meal night after weight watchers. 6. Yesterday I got to hold baby Ilon for awhile during prayer time and she just gives me unexplainable comfort and smiles. She loves me just as I am. Guess that it enough for today. But it has gotten me to thinking of many many more. I am blessed, but today, not as the man at the grocery store always tells me, that he is "truly blessed with no stress." Today I am blessed with stress. That is better than dead.

rainy thursdays

This has been a busy season of moving daughters here and yonder. I had fried shrimp on the gulf and then clam chowder in Boston within four days time. I have seen the bay of Corpus Christi out of one set of windows and the Atlantic out of another. I walked up and down more stairs than I did all of last year. It was fun to see each of them getting settled into their new environments and exploring new places. It was fun for my husband and I to go and see their new homes in such different cities. So, back to the reality of my own home and work and to empty nesting (until somebody else drops in).

December 29, 2006

So, I officially passed over. (not passed away) I am the big 50! I can just tell you that when I was 7 and playing with my dolls in my dress up clothes, I didn't ever think about being 50. This past year, while playing with my dolls and in in my dress up clothes, I have thought about it alot. Guess we just get into more reflection as we get older than snot. So, my motto for this year, "50 is Nifty!". It is all about the attitude and I am going to enjoy getting older even if it kills me!