Ruthie and Brett

We finally got Ruthie and Brett's wedding pictures back. The date was August 21, 2008 and the day was perfect. The ceremony took place at the Mildred P. Cooper Chapel in Bella Vista, Arkansas. What a handsome couple!

Our New Baby

This is our new baby. Her name is (tentatively) Sadie. She came to be a part of our family in an unusual way. When our Keety had been missing for three days, Keith went to the animal shelter to see if someone had taken him there. When he didn't find him there, he looked around at the baby kittys to see if there was one that "caught his eye". Well, this baby looked into his eyes with a "come hither" look and he was smitten. There was a 24 hour waiting period (they have to call your vet and make certain you're not a kitty-beater, you know). After all, our kitty must have died or gotten stolen because he never stays away from home. I made Keith promise that, if I die some day, he won't immediately go to the "people shelter" to get a new wife in such a hurry. Anyway, we passed the test and so did Sadie. She's sweeeeet!

In Memory of our Keety

We lost our Keety this week. He was the sweetest Keety in the world. He was the only cat I've ever had that loved to take a bath with me. He wouldn't actually get in but, as soon as he heard the water running, he would come to my bedroom to get ready for our routine. When I got in the tub, he would jump up on the side and step down onto my shoulder so he could drink the hot bathwater. Cat tea, we call it.

He went out to do the usual crazy night-cat things on Monday night. Tuesday morning came, but Keety didn't, which was very unusual. after 3 days of calling and talking to the neighbors, Keith went to the animal shelter to see if someone had taken him there, but nothing. Thursday evening he drug himself home, so weak. We took him to the doctor for fluids and medicine on Friday but had to put him to sleep on Saturday after the doctor exhaused all his options on how to treat him. He feels certain he had gotten bitten by an animal.

Thank you, Keety, for loving us and making our lives more fun for three years. We will miss you very much.

Look! We're in Colorado

No, wait. Maybe we're still in Arkansas. Thanks, Ruthie and Jana, for sending us some of your snow. It's beautiful.

Happy Holiday

Upon reading an article from Zig Ziglar about some ideas to build relationships with potential customers, I learned that some random holidays provide creative ideas. For instance, you could take a bucket of popcorn to an office during National Popcorn Month. I found a website that gave some REALLY creative... and real... holidays. Check it out. Find a new way to greet the people you love.
http://www.holidayinsights.com/
Today is National Beer Can Appreciation Day. And National Compliment Day. Hey, by the way. You don't look so bad today...

The Bucket List

Keith, Mom and I went to see The Bucket List yesterday. I've seen some lukewarm reviews of the movie but determined, since we're probably older than some of those critics, that maybe I would have a different opinion. Well I was right. I loved it. It really made me think..and laugh. Keith and I had a date night afterward, grilling steaks and eating by candlelight and the movie subject was brought up, just as he thought it would be. One of the things Carter (Morgan Freeman) brought up, as he and Edward (Jack Nicholson) were sitting atop a pyramid in Egypt, was how the ancients were told that they were allowed into their reward. At the door of heaven, they were asked two questions and the right answer to one of them was the determining factor. "Do you have joy in your life? Have you brought joy into the lives of others?" It really makes one think. I love my life as it is, but I told Keith that one of the things I would like to do before I die (other than the most inportant: see our kids walk with God) is to travel. We agreed we'd like to see more mountains (the Alps), see some castles, and go to Hawaii.

So tell me, not that I'm planning to die any time soon:
Have I brought joy into your life in some way?
What would you like to do before you die?

My Blessing

This is my Christmas blessing. I am thankful that God saw our pain and hopelessness and saw fit to send his only, perfect son to save us. In return for our disobedience, he gave us forgiveness. I am thankful that Mary was obedient to carry her son and give birth to Him, knowing that she would be giving him up for me. For my sin. And I am thankful that Jesus was willing to come down from his throne, sitting next to God, to do that for me. Merry Christmas.

My big back yard

This is just one of the reasons I love our "back to nature" back yard and the field behind it. There's always surprises out my big glass doors. Thank you, God, for such a beautiful world.

It's good to be home

First day in Silverthorne
Third Day; Hello Snow
Thanksgiving Dinner together

Happy Birthday, Alli (Spencer, Alli, and Brett)

Before Skiing, the first day (man-made snow!)

Ruthie putting up her groceries

We just got back yesterday from a trip to Colorado to see Ruthie's new home, see the beautiful Rocky Mountains, and for Keith, Payton and Mackenzie to do some skiing. We got to go to Ruthie's church, meet some of her friends, and have a general good time. Except when it was time to drive home. Winter escorted us out with snowy and icy roads. It took us two days to make the drive. Home sweet home!

Happy Birthday, Jana Banana

Happy Birthday, Jana Banana. God gave me a special gift when he sent you to me and Kent 28 years ago. Thank you for being a compassionate, sweet, creative, spiritual young lady. You have enriched my life and I am proud of you.

Tallest tree in the forest

This is what I see driving to work each morning. This is the biggest dang tree I've ever seen. It's 150 feet tall. Can you imagine being a hawk perched in this tree? He'd be able to see for miles around. Funny how my cell reception is better near this intersection now...

Fall at the Lea house

This is a fall ritual that my family is familiar with. We have lots of trees on our acre and each year we have a serious yard-cleaning and bonfire. We've made some good memories around that fire pit. We've had parties for the Razorbacks for Christ, with singing and making smores (remember Heidi with the melted marshmallow stuck in her beard?). That was the year of the hayride/truck/trailer that burned to the ground due to overcrowding. I guess a farm truck can only hold so many people. When Rico got initiated into our family, he got to have a bonfire. He actually jumped over that fire. When we have friends over, it's nice to fix coffee and sit in chairs around the fire, with the field behind and the stars above. Thank God for life in the country.

New member of the family

This is not a very good picture, but this is Keith's new ride. It's a 2003 Saab 95 Aero Turbo. It has heated and air conditioned seats, tiptronic transmission (switches from automatic to manual), leather seats, power everything, sunroof, 50,000 miles, and it's nice. And guess what? No exhaust fumes inside. My sweet husband doesn't have to smell like the city bus any more. But... we're keeping the green Saab convertible...for the weekends.

The Patient

This is Polly, the little girl that stayed with us while Susan and Larry were in St. Louis last weekend. See that front leg? BB gunshot wound. That's what happens when you go prowling around in someone else's yard. Don't get me wrong. I'm not against prowling. You'd just better know the neighbors. She's not bitter, though. She's just glad to get some lovin.

Arnie and Repunzel

See what happens when you leave Arnie here with Repunzel?

Ruthie's Big Adventure

Well, as you can see, Ruthie's making the big move to Colorado to work in Keystone Resort this winter. What an exciting adventure. She'll also be working with Summit Resort Ministries. She was welcomed by two inches of snow, new friends and roommates, and a new pair of warm boots (compliments of her Dad). Keep us up to date on what's happening on the mountain, Ruthie. I'm jealous.

Our Little Dogwoods

We planted these little dogwoods soon after we married. They speak different languages all year long. In spring, they burst with pink beauty. In summer they leaf out with moles gathering around their roots, blocking the view of the new shed I'm so proud of. But in fall, which is my favorite time of the year, by the way, they say that they are light deprived and their feet are cold; they will have to go away for a few months to hibernate. But, as they go, they will leave some pretty red leaves for us to admire. We'll see you next year when Ms. Wren comes back to her box to raise another family.

The Ron Paul Revolution

I have never been active politically. I guess I see myself as more of a political spectator. I figure, I don't really believe that what they say they will do is actually what they can do, even if they wanted to make good on their promises. Well, my sweet husband, being the student that he is, has discovered Dr. Ron Paul, an OB/Gyn from Texas who is running for President. He actually believes in things that make me feel positive, such as protecting our social security from being taxed and/or being spent on other things, reducing government spending and getting us (and our children) out of incredible debt, protecting unborn babies, reducing government intervention into what medical care I'm allowed to have, who I talk to on the phone, and many other things I don't even understand. I love our American government but, at times, I feel like we are becoming so dependent, it makes me think of the story in the bible of the Israelites who moved into Egypt when a famine hit and they needed food. If I'm remembering this right, Egypt said, "Come on in; we have plenty of food for you". Later, we read that the Israelites had become slaves of the Egyptians. If we keep depending on our government for everything we can't do for ourselves (arrive immediately when a hurricane or some natural disaster hits?), we will give ourselves over to them, just like the Israelites. Besides, when did the American government become the world's police? (Sigh) I'm so confused.

Don't get me wrong. I'm still a political spectator, but I'm listening a little more closely these days. Especially since I get a daily e-mail from Ron Paul...

Favorite Girls

Mackenzie at the Washington County Fair Pageant

Jana and Ruthie back in their High School days
I'm really proud of our girls right now, as always. God has blessed us with beautiful, sweet, tenderhearted, smiling ladies. Thank you, Ladies, for making me proud.

Louisiana Trip

I had the opportunity last weekend to travel to north Louisiana to see my sweet Mama. Before getting to her house, we passed over the old Sterlington draw bridge (pictured). I was always afraid of it as a child; it's creepy. It will soon be replaced by a nice new cement bridge. Won't be the same. My mom, Ms. Opal, lives on Finch Lake, next to where her mom, my Mamaw Lita, once lived. Pictured is my Mamaw's house. Ruthie went with me so we all had some of that good Girl Time. We also had some meatloaf, cabbage, taters and gravy, baby limas, and cornbread. That was just the first night. The next night was chickin and dumplins with cornbread. I love my Mama's cooking almost as much as I love her. Passing through Bastrop was the funeral home with the "Krispy Kremate" truck. Makes me wonder...