Well Thanksgiving has come and gone.
It began with a whirlwind trip to Lubbock to see our Daughter (Sarah) and her family. We were also joined by Hannah and Joe; (my niece and her husband). We decided to start a new tradition "Thanksmas".
Since the Holidays are extremely hectic for Sarah and Hannah; we thought we would celebrate in a 5 day visit. And it turned out wonderful. Lots of family time and playing of games, riding horses and watching movies. West Texas is as beautiful in its own way as East Texas is. Sarah and Donavan live across from "cotton fields" and they had just been harvested
. Add the wind into the mix and you get "red" dirt. It is impaled into your clothes and skin. We just looked at it as a free "dermabrasion"
natural style. It was really neat to see everyone and the dirt was just an added effect. We also met one of Sarah's neighbors who loves to come by and check on her and Donavan; just to make sure they are OK.
It began with a whirlwind trip to Lubbock to see our Daughter (Sarah) and her family. We were also joined by Hannah and Joe; (my niece and her husband). We decided to start a new tradition "Thanksmas". Since the Holidays are extremely hectic for Sarah and Hannah; we thought we would celebrate in a 5 day visit. And it turned out wonderful. Lots of family time and playing of games, riding horses and watching movies. West Texas is as beautiful in its own way as East Texas is. Sarah and Donavan live across from "cotton fields" and they had just been harvested. Add the wind into the mix and you get "red" dirt. It is impaled into your clothes and skin. We just looked at it as a free "dermabrasion" natural style. It was really neat to see everyone and the dirt was just an added effect. We also met one of Sarah's neighbors who loves to come by and check on her and Donavan; just to make sure they are OK. We were blessed to have Joshua home and have him be able to go with us to Lubbock, and to come back and spend "Thanksgiving" week with us. Coming back home I realized why it is that I love East Texas. The trees are all loosing their leaves and I love walking through them
. The air has a crisp snap to it; especially in the mornings. My 3 Mares are almost always by the house at 7am. And they talk more and more each time. It is like they are having this conversation with me and I understand (at least I act like I do) what they are saying. They look like they have velvet coats on. Their coats are beautiful and thick. And love to stand by them when they are eating or just standing still; for what ever reason I have always loved the smell of horses
. And I am hoping that at some point we will be able to get a saddle so we can ride. In the meantime I will just love on them. The dogs are just awesome. Rusty plays with the smallest of the horses (Birdie); they like to play "tag". The nights here are so pretty the stars shine brighter, the moon is so big here lately; it is like you can reach out to touch it. It is what they call a Harvest Moon.
Coming back home I realized why it is that I love East Texas. The trees are all loosing their leaves and I love walking through them. The air has a crisp snap to it; especially in the mornings. My 3 Mares are almost always by the house at 7am. And they talk more and more each time. It is like they are having this conversation with me and I understand (at least I act like I do) what they are saying. They look like they have velvet coats on. Their coats are beautiful and thick. And love to stand by them when they are eating or just standing still; for what ever reason I have always loved the smell of horses. And I am hoping that at some point we will be able to get a saddle so we can ride. In the meantime I will just love on them. The dogs are just awesome. Rusty plays with the smallest of the horses (Birdie); they like to play "tag". The nights here are so pretty the stars shine brighter, the moon is so big here lately; it is like you can reach out to touch it. It is what they call a Harvest Moon. Living here during this "Holiday" season has taught me to appreciate the "family and friends" I have. Around here people concentrate more on seeing family and friends; and allot less on "gift" giving. With the economy the way it is, there are not very many people who can afford to buy things. And that doesn't seem to bother the kids in the least. I have not heard any of the children here say what they want for Christmas
. I believe this is one of the poorest parts of Texas. But you would not know it, unless you lived here. The town squares are all decorated and look inviting. The little shops around the town are decorated to the "enths" degree.
And on Thanksgiving Day there was hardly a place opened. Or they were closed half the day. At least the women at work are beginning to be nicer. Maybe it is just because of the Holidays or "prayerfully" they are really changing. Either way it is easier to go to work and be in a great mood.
. Around here people concentrate more on seeing family and friends; and allot less on "gift" giving. With the economy the way it is, there are not very many people who can afford to buy things. And that doesn't seem to bother the kids in the least. I have not heard any of the children here say what they want for Christmas. I believe this is one of the poorest parts of Texas. But you would not know it, unless you lived here. The town squares are all decorated and look inviting. The little shops around the town are decorated to the "enths" degree. And on Thanksgiving Day there was hardly a place opened. Or they were closed half the day. At least the women at work are beginning to be nicer. Maybe it is just because of the Holidays or "prayerfully" they are really changing. Either way it is easier to go to work and be in a great mood. One of the things around here that I am learning to "stomach" is that people here will kill something take it home and process it themselves
. Especially the wild pigs. I keep hoping and praying that Dale won't do that. Don't get me wrong I love living in the country and there aren't allot of things I won't try; but this is one I will not do.
. Especially the wild pigs. I keep hoping and praying that Dale won't do that. Don't get me wrong I love living in the country and there aren't allot of things I won't try; but this is one I will not do. I really am amazed at the difference here in culture. Sometimes I just sit and am amazed at all the "newness" that I am still learning to adjust to
. One of the "new" things here are the small town "get togethers". This past weekend we had a "Christmas Parade" in Mt. Vernon and Mount Pleasant has theirs coming up. They love getting together for any and all occasions. Dale and I try to make as many as we can. 
People here expect to see you at EVERYthing. I just can't make all of them. But at least the ladies and I are making headway. They do order Avon from me. And I am grateful for that. I do miss the "hustle and bustle" of the Holiday shopping to an extent. But if I look hard enough or drive to Canton; which we did this weekend; you can find lots of "hustle and bustle". Boy it was wall to wall people and dogs. It is however one of the coolest places to find "things" at
. And it is only open once a month. The first weekend of every month. And food oh my; everything is good for you; maybe not to you; but definitely good for you to taste
.The other thing that "smacked" Dale and i this weekend was that here they do loose electricity here due to inclement weather
. So we are going to need to buy a "butane" type heater. Of course my thought is I'll just move in at work. The church has pretty much everything there. I am asking God to keep us warm and with Electricity through the "winter". Of course we have several "elderly" friends and will need to help check in on them. Heck they will most likely be doing better than we are. It is another adventure for us in the making. I have so much to be thankful for that complaining about anything is just wrong So therefore I will spare us all in the "saga" of San Antonio. Truly it is all in God's hands. Even our church is so different than that of the one in Austin. Everyone knows everyone in town and what is going on with who. On my way back from Canton (I went with my Mother in-law and Dales' Aunt) it seemed that everyone we talked about "kids included" they knew or knew about
. So nothing around here is "sacred". Well I apologize for taking so long to get this out. And I will try to blog more. Next week will be the week for lots of patience and "yes Mam's". We are getting ready for the kids Christmas program next Sunday evening. And the kids I work the most with are preforming the most songs. And it is at church; so I will have lots to tell after that. Hugs to All.
. One of the "new" things here are the small town "get togethers". This past weekend we had a "Christmas Parade" in Mt. Vernon and Mount Pleasant has theirs coming up. They love getting together for any and all occasions. Dale and I try to make as many as we can. People here expect to see you at EVERYthing. I just can't make all of them. But at least the ladies and I are making headway. They do order Avon from me. And I am grateful for that. I do miss the "hustle and bustle" of the Holiday shopping to an extent. But if I look hard enough or drive to Canton; which we did this weekend; you can find lots of "hustle and bustle". Boy it was wall to wall people and dogs. It is however one of the coolest places to find "things" at. And it is only open once a month. The first weekend of every month. And food oh my; everything is good for you; maybe not to you; but definitely good for you to taste.The other thing that "smacked" Dale and i this weekend was that here they do loose electricity here due to inclement weather. So we are going to need to buy a "butane" type heater. Of course my thought is I'll just move in at work. The church has pretty much everything there. I am asking God to keep us warm and with Electricity through the "winter". Of course we have several "elderly" friends and will need to help check in on them. Heck they will most likely be doing better than we are. It is another adventure for us in the making. I have so much to be thankful for that complaining about anything is just wrong So therefore I will spare us all in the "saga" of San Antonio. Truly it is all in God's hands. Even our church is so different than that of the one in Austin. Everyone knows everyone in town and what is going on with who. On my way back from Canton (I went with my Mother in-law and Dales' Aunt) it seemed that everyone we talked about "kids included" they knew or knew about. So nothing around here is "sacred". Well I apologize for taking so long to get this out. And I will try to blog more. Next week will be the week for lots of patience and "yes Mam's". We are getting ready for the kids Christmas program next Sunday evening. And the kids I work the most with are preforming the most songs. And it is at church; so I will have lots to tell after that. Hugs to All.Love,
Me
