Need Your Help

Can you help me, please?

I am presently working on an article about the top five books every Christian should read (besides the Bible, obviously). Would you list the top five most influential books in your life, and then a 1-2 sentence explanation of how/why each book impacted your life? And if you don't have five, no worries. Just list what you know!

You can reply by clicking "Comments" at the bottom of this post. I need your contributions by noon on Monday, January 11.

And thanks!

Happy Birthday, Dad

January 3rd would have been my dad's 68th birthday. While my relationship with my father was mostly strained, a good friend of mine encouraged me to think about the good memories and moments I had with my dad. So, I tried and came up with this:

• When I had moved out in my first "big girl" apartment, my roommates and I were missing a few kitchen items--okay, a lot of kitchen items. Dad overheard my conversation with my mother about this. I wasn't asking for anything, just joking about our makeshift appliances and what not. Although during this visit, he never sat foot in the same room as me, before I left, a brand new set of cookware was setting on the quilt box in the living room. He had gone to the store and purchased it for me. That meant a lot.
• He taught me "righty tighty, lefty loosey." I still use that to this day.
• He also encouraged me to think critically. While that probably came back to bite him, he did always push me to think what a song, movie, or book was really saying.
• I love Law & Order; so did my dad. He watched detective shows all the time. I watched television with him because that was my time to be with him without chaos. Columbo was one of his favs.
• Dad taught me everything I know about sports--basketball being my fav.
• When he played any kind of board or card game, he always bemoaned, "What to do when you don't know what to do." That always made me laugh.
• When he traveled, he would draw me cartoons on notepads from the hotels where he stayed.
• He played pass the balloon more time than I can count. You know, blow up a balloon and don't let it hit the ground.

T.C.Ew

Preface: I am not trying to make enemies in Fort Worth. :-)

Snuggled up in my FWBBC blanket last night, I watched the Monday night BCS bowl featuring the TCU horned frogs and the BSU broncos. Seeing that I live two blocks from TCU, I thought I should support the hometown troop. Before last night, I had never seen TCU play anything, but had heard heaps about them, especially about their stellar, undefeated season this year. I was prepared to be impressed.

Maybe I'm bad luck. Whew, it was rough.

(I'll try to avoid bad jokes like "they croaked" or "ribbet.")

Now, I have seen my fair share of bad football games--did I mention I'm a die-hard Kentucky fan? But this one was perhaps the most ridiculous BCS football I've ever witnessed. Certainly, it was not all TCU; BSU looked less-than-exceptional on many, many plays. I have pondered all day--how did this happen? Was it truly a powerhouse defensive game, resulting in all those hideous offensive moments? Or, what I suspect to be true, these two teams were not ready for the big stage--playing on the big boys playground. Only a few weeks back, several friends were bemoaning the BSU match-up, saying this was too easy. "Give us Texas. Give us Alabama. Give us Florida." Give me a break.

Maybe TCU will work hard, improve, and be able to swing it in a few years; but from what I saw last night, my only reactions was--Really?

A White Christmas!

Thanksgiving Review

Sure Christmas is next week, but I'm just now writing my Thanksgiving blog. I like to make the holidays last, you know?

Thanksgiving was really fun this year. We spent turkey day with the Youree family--everyone was there, except a few "grown" nieces and nephews. :-) Of course, we ate too much; but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Friday I spent time with my mom and Baylee . . . shopping. Our venture into the madness was minimal and late, compared to the before-dawn-shoppers. We got to spend some time with Chris too in the evening.

Saturday was a real treat because I had breakfast (that nearly turned into a lunch!) with dear friends from high school, who I haven't seen in YEARS! Catching up was too fun--so fun we stayed nearly three hours!

I also got to see and squeeze little Amelia, my "adopted" niece. She's the cutest 3-year-old around.

Enjoy pics from the weekend:

Recent Happenings

Nothing too life-shattering or glamorous happening at the Youree house of late--and we're happy about that!

Acorns are still falling like leaves, or as I say drowning my yard. It is a never-ending battle to pick them up; heck, we're even bribing the neighbor kids with money and sugar so they'll help. How about we play a game? Whoever can count all the acorns in the pic, gets a prize: Two, all-inclusive nights at the Youree acorn farm!

Aside from our domestic duties, we're also getting into the party spirit with the holidays around the corner. Last weekend, I hosted a Pure Heart International party. It's a great organization who ships jewelry right to your door. This hand-made loot is crafted by at-risk women in Thailand. All the proceeds from the sales goes directly back to this organization to help provide income and housing for women coming out of prostitution and poverty.

This weekend is full with a holiday party, lunch with a special niece, Christmas shopping, service project with our small group, church event, and a birthday party to boot. Whew, I'm tired just typing it. The Sunday afternoon nap will be soooooo enjoyable. :-)

Next week, we are traveling to Oklahoma and Arkansas. I'm so looking forward to it. We will spend Thanksgiving with Bryan's side, and then see my mom and hopefully my brother and niece on Friday.

Family Photos

After dad passed away, we had a private viewing for the family. We all gathered at my mom's house later. These pics are from that night.