last week I held a precious boy for 2 days!  Poor little Jacob had the flu and BB came to visit him while he was sick.  Thursday the little guy was so pitiful.  He slept and snuggled.  I loved the snuggles, but hated that he wasn't feeling like his very active little self;  no food other than a small amount of fruity yogurt, just some juice.  Friday morning started out more of the same.  just sad little snuggly guy.  we sat and watched TV, rocked and slept.  after awakening from a nap about midday little man seemed a little different.  when he woke up, he sat up in my lap and looked around with a frown on his sweet face.  I gave him more juice, and he seemed like he wanted something else.  We went to the fridge and when I would point to something, he'd shake his head no.  finally he pointed to a container of tortellini, so I plopped him down in his high chair, heated the food and he started eating for the first time since I'd been there.  he ate like he was hungry!  after lunch we snuggled a little more, and then he acted like he wanted down from my lap.  he toddled over to his toys and proceeded to dig in.  we got down in the floor and I saw him blossom like a wilted flower that had been given a cold drink of water.  we went into his play room and pulled out all the toys and played!  I saw my precious angel laugh.  It was so nice to see him feeling better.  I was excited to send videos to his Mama and daddy!  I know that they were so happy to see him back.  that night I went back to Carrollton, glad to know that my little guy was on the mend. 

BB Camp 2016

Well I was a little sad last night.  A little piece of my heart left me yesterday afternoon.  Sid and I had the privilege of taking care of our precious grandson, Jacob for a long weekend while his parents were away for a work function.  We lovingly referred to our time together as "BB Camp" with Jacob as the only special camper.  I traveled to Jacob's house Wednesday night so that his Mama and Daddy could have one last kiss before they departed for Orlando.  shortly after they departed, we took off for our adventure.  Our first stop was in Batesville for gasoline, since I forgot to fill up earlier.  The Tahoe is really good at reminding me that it is hungry!  That didn't take very long, and soon we were back on the open road, heading south on I55.  Winona Mississippi was our next stop where we stopped through the drive in window at the Bank of Winona to meet Miss Laura and Miss Nan.  I guess Miss Shirley was gone somewhere, because I know that if she knew Jacob was there, she'd have come out to speak.  Well, they absolutely loved our little guy.  Miss Laura slipped Jacob a sucker, which he managed to consume with a plethora of drool down the front of his little onesie.  Walmart was our next stop, since I can't go to town without stopping there for something.  after loading up on coke zero and some more of that squirt baby food stuff, we headed west for Carrollton.  After arriving at camp, Poppa Sid helped us unload our stuff and then we decided to celebrate the opening of camp with lunch at El Cabrito.  Jacob was a little worn out from our morning escapades, so he opted to nap while we grabbed lunch. Thursday afternoon we hung around camp, enjoying the beautiful weather and playing with the pups and toys.  Jacob did well Thursday night, falling asleep and sleeping most of the night in his pack and play.  Friday morning he was up bright and early ready for action.  We tried to get an appointment to visit Cotesworth farms to see Miss Kat, but she was busy with visitors.   Friday afternoon after Poppa Sid left for work, we decided to pay a visit to our neighbors' house.  Carolyn and Johnny were so excited to meet Jacob and little man loved them too.  He made himself right at home, trying on Mr. Johnny's glasses and checking out his books.  Annabelle and Cole were there since they stay with their grandparents during the week.  Annabelle made a fast friend with Jacob, since she bribed him with animal crackers.  We couldn't stay long, since we were due at a surprise birthday party for Brittany.  Jacob was Mr. Personality, charming everyone at the party.  I think he had several offers from pretty girls to go home with them, but he held out for BB!  Actually he fell asleep coming home from the party and slept the rest of the night.  Saturday morning started super early around 4:00 am I believe.  I couldn't get him to go back to sleep, so we got a little breakfast and a bath before waking Poppa Sid up.  Patrick didn't hang around too long after he got up, since he and Brittany had planned a picnic and boat ride at McIntyre Scatters.  Patrick did take a minute to ride Jacob around the yard on the four wheeler. after he left Poppa rode him some more.  Johnny and Carole Morrison came by around 3:00 with their granddaughter Bailey.  Johnny is Sid's first cousin and I'm not sure what that makes Bailey, but I know she is some kind of cousin.  She is around 5 and Jacob thought he was just as big as she!  They had so much fun, feeding the goat, running through the front yard, sitting in the gazebo and hiding in the magnolia tree.  Sammie was a little rambunctious when Bailey found her fetching rope.  She got wilder and wilder until we had to put her up so that she wouldn't hurt the kids.  Poor Jacob already had a bump on his head and Sammie would surely give him another.  Saturday night we all went to Nail's to eat supper.  Again Jacob was the life of the party, entertaining everyone in the restaurant!   Little Man slept well Saturday night and we started Sunday bright and early with breakfast and Sunday school.  Miss Pam and Mr. Howard were tickled to see little man again and he played peekaboo under the table with them.  We started off in the sancturary for worship, and Jacob made his rounds, speaking to everyone he met with his adorable grin.  I decided he'd be happier in the nursery so out we went.  Miss Becky and Miss Ashely were helping Miss Elmira in the nursery that morning and are super sweet.  Miss Elmira tempted our boy with froot loops.  The boy band in the corner consisting of Shawn and Brycen got him interested and lured  him away from me.  When he was sufficiently distracted, I slipped out.  I waited a while and heard no tears, so I mosied back to the sanctuary.  After church Poppa Sid fed Jacob some macaroni and cheese and fruit while I fried fish, hushpuppies, and fries.  before we finished lunch, Jacob's Mama and Daddy appeared to whisk our boy away.  We surely hated to see him go.  It was a great experience for BB and Poppa  anyway.  I know Jacob won't remember it, but we still have our pictures and memories.  That is why I wrote this down before I forgot our adventures.  I sure hope They let him come back again!

Dear Mama and Daddy,

       It's been quite a while since I talked to you guys.  over 18 years.  Guess what?  Yesterday was the first anniversary of me, yes ME being a BB!  or that's what I call myself, the little wild man may change my name, just like Lizzie changed yours!  Mama, you wanted to be Granny, and you called Daddy, Granddaddy.  Liz made you Danny and Knox!  and you loved it.  I am proud that you got to see all 4 of your grands before you left this world. 
       Y'all, you would LOVE this little Great grand-guy.  He is amazing.  Mama, you remember how much you loved it because Jon would sit in your lap!  You really ate it up.  You loved Lizzie, but she was not a cuddly kid, nor is she a cuddly adult.  You didn't have much time with Patrick, but he was pretty cuddly.  He did not like strangers though.  Sometimes, our little Wild man looks just like his daddy and sometimes I see his mama.  Oh, I never told you his name.  Jacob Taylor Morrison!  Isn't that the best name.  I'm sure Daddy would change it to his own little pet name for him, though.  Daddy you did that to all of us!  I was Baboo, Bobby was Rookie, Jim was Bub and Margaret was tiny baby.  You called Elizabeth Lizzie first, I believe and you named Jon JO-Nathan, like the Ole Miss football player.  You didn't hang around long enough to name Patrick, but we call him P man sometimes.  I believe a family friend did that.  Oh, and you both left right after Knox was born.  He is in college now. Patrick, Brittany and I were able to go to his High school graduation last May! 

     Daddy, you would love where Margaret lives!  Spanish fort!  You always wanted to retire to Gulf Breeze, and it is pretty close!  She and Robbie make regular trips to Pensacola beach!  and Remember the Villa Celeste?  We have been vacationing in the same area on 30A for a few years now.  You would LOVE IT!!!!!
    Daddy, you always said that having 2 sons didn't guarantee that your name would live on.  You were right!  But Margaret and I both named our last born sons "Knox".  Patrick Knox and William Knox.  We did our part to let your name live on.
     Mama, Daddy, I miss you both so much sometimes.  I wish you could be here for the good times.  I hope God shares them with you.   All my babies are grown up.  the baby is a sophomore in college.  You would be so proud of them all.  Patrick is so smart, school really comes easily to him.  He is dating a beautiful Christian girl who we adore.  Jon is married and the daddy of our little Jacob.  He is a welding inspector in Holly springs.  Daddy, you would love to see the place where he works! They make some really BIG things there. Remember when you and Jon would ride around looking at tractors and construction equipment?  He loved that.  Remember how you talked about Jon's wisdom?  He still spouts some gems at times.  His wife Julia is a sweet beautiful girl, who we love so much.  (Daddy, she is a yankee, but she's ok!) She is so smart and she has her master's from Ole Miss!  thought you'd like that!   Liz taught school for a couple of years, Mama, but it has changed so much since you were teaching.  She was miserable.  She is now a morning supervisor with UPS.  Pretty cool, don't you think?  Remember Daddy when Mr. Cade called you and told you about the mechanic job opening in Greenwood and you told Sidney to go apply for that job!  Well, he has been there 28 years.
      We are all ok.  I think about you guys a lot and miss you.  I know where you are, though and I know you wouldn't come back for anything.  I wouldn't want you to.  I will definitely see you someday across the Jordan, as you told me in your will, daddy!  All your kids and grands will see you in glory one day.  I am so glad of that.  I'll bet you already knew that, though didn't you?  If the angels in Heaven rejoice when someone is saved, I'll just bet that they shared the good news with all of you up there too!
    Well, I was just thinking about you two a lot today and wishing you could have been there at Jacob's party Saturday.  Oh, Daddy, you'll never guess who one of Jacob's Great granddaddies is!  OAB!!!!  Your old buddy from Lawrence printing company!  It is truly a small world, isn't it. ok, I sure miss you a whole bunch.  wish I could give you another hug.  I love you both!
Belinda

party time!

Have been cooking a lot this week for a party Sunday afternoon!  Made cheese straws, cookie dough, chicken salad, carved a watermelon, made punch.  tomorrow I'll bake the cookies, assemble the turkey roll ups, slice the croissants, wash fruit,and take the punch out of the freezer to start thawing.  This is exciting!

Busy Week!

wow, such a busy week we've had here.  Patrick started College Algebra on Monday, and has had weight lifting as well as working in the afternoons.  I have actually been very busy at home.  I've been getting ready for a party that I am making food for this weekend and I am excited about that as well.  Had a friend call and ask me to make her 2 batches of those "wonderful muffins" because the first batch went way too fast.  Sid and I have been working in our garden, trying to stay ahead of the grass!  We have had a lot of rain this year, so maybe those green beans will flourish!

Last year when we helped Liz move to her new place, there was an old broken table and chairs in her house..I asked her what she was going to do with it.  She told me that her landlord was going to haul it to the dump.  I said, NOOOOOO!  It was too cute, so I took it home with me.  well, it sat in our basement for about a year before  I had time or the inclination to work on it.  It was not in as bad a shape as I first thought.  It just needed tightening up, a little glue and one spindle replaced.  I had been seeing this weathered looking furniture on pinterest and thought that little table would be so cute fixed up like that.  Well, I finished it and delivered it to Liz this week.  Had a really nice visit-got to try out that cement pond!  I also hung blinds and a towel bar for her as well.  She bought me supper at the Hometown, which was awesome!  Love that place. 

Here it is!  She had nothing negative to say about it!  I think she liked it!  I thought it looked cute, kinda beachy! 

Love not working for someone else!  God is good and He will provide!  ;)

Where has the time gone?

Well, since my last post of January 2012, I'm down to a size 8 or 6 depending on the item. In addition to Insanity (R) I have completed, ChaLEAN Extreme, Les Mills Combat, RevAbs, Body Beast and have started Turbo Fire.  Not sure I like this new one yet.  I am a Beachbody Coach now!  YAY!!!  I try to help people reach their fitness goals, not that I am an expert or a professional trainer, but just mainly as a cheerleader, or encourager.  I have found that no matter how much you want something for someone else, they will not achieve success unless they want it for themselves.  I am here, though, for whoever wants me to be!

Since my last post, our family has grown to 6 Morrisons!  Jonathan married Julia Mounger on September 23, 2012, and we couldn't be happier.  They are a good mix and complement each other nicely.  We love her as one of our own.  They share a love of fitness and are both gym members.  I am glad to see them committed to being healthy at a young age instead of waiting until they were 50 like me!

Liz started teaching 2nd grade last August.  She had a classroom of lively kids whom I was able to meet the last week of their school!  I took some cupcakes over and met them and had a really fun afternoon!  It was really fun to put faces with the names and stories!  Mercedes and the pancake syrup/glued reading fair project!  Amaya, the one who hijacked Liz's phone to tell her mother that Miss Morrison is taking me home today, because she needs me to help her! Tinkerbell, the boy that flits all over the room and tattles on everyone else and others.  It was a fun day. 

Patrick just finished his Junior year and finished with a 98 average overall.  He played baseball and was a super scholar.  He is still doing Bible drills, achieving his 9 year award a year early!  Next year he will earn his Bible!  He is taking College Algebra this summer through Holmes Community college.  When he asked me what I thought about it, I told him anytime you can knock out a whole semester class in 3 weeks, go for it!  Doesn't hurt that his sweetie is also taking it!  I didn't know that you could take college classes while you were still in high school, but you sure can!

Sid is still plugging away at UPS.  He will have 26 years in this July2.  Looking forward to retirement in the near future.  I told him NOT until Patrick is done with college!  He is wanting to be a veterinarian, so We really need the income for a few more years.  God will provide, though.

I recently quit my cooking job.  Miss Sippy's was sold in February and became the Carrollton Cafe'.  I stayed for a while, but it was not enjoyable to me anymore, so I came home.  In the 3 weeks that I have been home, I have redone a bathroom, painted Liz's kitchen table and chairs and re-organized my pantry!  I am really enjoying being off...I went to Patrick's awards day without asking anyone to be off!  I took Sid to the skin doctor Thursday without asking off.  I've had a few job offers, too, but for now I am happy just doing my thing. 

Life is good, but mostly God is good, all the time...

Insane?

Did I mention I totally lost my mind?

Yes, I went insane.                                             
Ordered Insanity even though I wasn't sure that I would be able to do it.  Patrick said that there was no way that I could do it.  He said his weightlifting class guys were dying doing the plyometrics and the pure cardio. I didn't tell anybody that I was ordering it and when it came in guess who met the mailman?  Patrick.  Of course it didn't come in a plain brown box, NO!!!!  Insanity written all over the outside.  So my secret was out.  I just thought I would sneak around while nobody was looking and try it and then if it didn't work out, I would send it back.  Now, I gotta do it.  He said I couldn't.  OH NO!!! It is onnnnn, buddy!  I started it last monday, the 16th.  It is everything that it claims to be.  Insane!  I am on  the second week and I really do feel stronger.  I was rather disappointed in the scales yesterday, but thanks to a great support system in Team Excel's fun and Fitness group, I feel much better.  I AM going to go the full 60 days and I am going to earn the Insanity t-shirt!  Insanity makes the pilates videos I was doing on netflix seem like kindergarten level stuff!  I walked this afternoon for 40 minutes after doing pure cardio this morning.  I made it!  I have been eating by the Insanity food guide and drinking lots of water as well.  I know eventually the scales will be kinder.  Even Sid has started exercising with me.  He has gone a whole week and seems to look forward to our workouts together.  I am so proud of him!

Did not get to do a video today, but I did walk for about an hour and 15 minutes this afternoon in the freezing arctic wind!! Good thing I had a friend walking with me to keep my mind off the pain.  Looking forward to spa day tomorrow.  Never had a facial nor a mani/pedi, so this will be interesting.  Love a massage, though.  Can't wait.  Feel like a kid on Christmas eve!

ok, did another pilates video and I am so sore! I am adding running a half marathon to my bucket list. I don't want any smart tails out there making fun of me because you know if you say that I can't do it, I'll do it for spite! can't believe I used to do aerobics 5 days a week along with weight training. I am so weak.

OK, I've started! I found a Pilates video on Netflix and did that today. It's amazing that the moves that look so easy are really not. I feel a little like jello. On the plus side, I did 9 REAL push-ups today. You know, the kind with your legs straight! I'm pretty excited about that. I guess I'll try the next one tomorrow and see how that goes! (that is if I can move tomorrow!) I plan to go see my friend Liz tomorrow. I haven't been to her house since before Christmas. She is making sure that I am catching up on my scrap-booking! I sure hope I can keep this up. I really want to. I'm tired of being all jiggly!

New Beginnings.

January, a time for new beginnings, so by golly, I'm going to do just that. I have worked so hard in the past 2.5 years trying to shed these pounds and for the most part I have succeeded, but I have decided that now is the time to get into shape. Yes, getting into shape is different from getting smaller. I have gone from a size 20 to a 10, but it's flabby and untoned. I walk, but not regularly, so I plan to do better. I know that I will backslide, but I will NOT be the size I was ever again. I think it would be fun to be able to run, something that I have never been able to do. I know it will be very hard, but I hope to succeed this time. I'm thinking 50 isn't too old to get into shape!

Biscuits

2 Cups self rising flour
1 stick butter, frozen
1/2-3/4 cup buttermilk

grate the butter into the flour, and stir around with a fork until the bits of butter are distributed evenly throughout the flour. Add the butter milk and stir until mixture leaves the sides. Turn out onto floured surface and knead a few times. Cut out and bake at 400 until brown. If I am using convection, it takes about 12 minutes. Regular bake tends to take longer.

Can it really be that I haven't posted since March? About the time I last changed the calendar in the kitchen. So much has happened since then! Patrick is a sophomore now, Jon has changed jobs and received his CWI certification, Liz is student teaching. I have had major surgery. I guess Sid is the only constant in the equation! Good thing! I can always depend on Sid for that! It is almost fall and feels so good outdoors. The Lord blessed me with the most gorgeous sunrise this morning on my way to work. His gifts are absolutely the best!

Spring! Beautiful spring!

What an absolutely gorgeous perfect spring day. The sun is bright and warm, and the breezes are cool and refreshing. Daffodils blooming in the yard are white and yellow and pink. Yes, I do have some pink ones! they are white with pink trumpets. I have other varieties that will bloom later that have ruffly centers and they are pink~! I planted petunias in the pots on the porch today. I just could not resist them yesterday. I bought yellow, purple (of course), pink and red ones and mixed them up in my porch pots. The aroma is heavenly.

I am 50 years old. I don't feel 50 years old, but here it is. I did the math. 2011-1961=50. My family was so good to me on my birthday! I got a surprise party at the Hometown restaurant, so I got to see Liz. Jon, Julia, Patrick, G-maw and Sid were all there too as well as special guests Danny and Sherry Holliman--Old friends that we spent many a summer day with on the lake or at the beach or just hanging out at their home watching movies. Jon wouldn't stay with folks when he was little and surprised us one night when Danny said, Jon you coming home with us? He jumped in their van and headed to Itta Bena. No problem! We taught the kids of Itta Bena to waterski right in front of Danny's parents home on Roebuck Lake. We took several vacations together to Panama City Beach with the Hollimans. Great memories like Sid and Andy parasailing and Sid and Danny shaving their mustaches for the first time ever will have us saying "remember when" for years! Maybe I won't tell what Jon did to Sherry when he was just a little fellow while Sid and I went to dinner! shhhh!!! Anyway, it made turning half of a century very painless! It was neat to get over 100 facebook messages as well wishing me a happy birthday.

This summer since our class is turning "fabulous and fifty" we are having an off-year reunion. I didn't make it to the first organizational meeting, so they elected me treasurer. I will be sure to go the next one, next friday night. I really am looking forward to seeing old faces! (specially since I have lost a ton of weight!!!)

WE have been busy with baseball since my last post. I just haven't had time to keep up, even though I said I was going to start blogging again more frequently. Facebook is fun to communicate and keep up with folks, but this is a little more personal. I like writing my thoughts down. It is fun to go back and read what was going on in my world at a particular time.

The Tigers are doing really well so far. Patrick is Junior Varsity, but has gotten a little varsity time in the one sided games. The JV is undefeated and the Varsity has only lost 2 games and they were only by one point each. Tomorrow night will be a test, since Water Valley is supposed to have a very good baseball team. It is an important game since it is a district game and it is at home. Coach Surrell is encouraging the town to come out and support the Tigers.

Jon has retaken the CWI exam again last weekend. He feels pretty good about it. I hope for the best. He should be hearing something from them in the next couple of weeks. He has learned so much. I have been surprised at what a great student he has become and how much knowledge he has retained since beginning his journey.

Liz should be winding up classes soon, I guess. I hope she can stay well so that she can finish and do her student teaching in the fall.

Spring break was last week. The week started off nasty, cold and rainy, but by Wednesday had changed to a beautiful week end! The super-moon on Friday night was so pretty.
It is too pretty outside to be in the house typing on a computer. I am going outside!
BYE!

What a busy week. what a busy year so far. Next week is the last week of February, and it was just Christmas! Well, let's see, so far this week was Valentines day, GA's, Beta Club Induction, field trips, lots of cooking and wondering when I am going to get a birthday cake finished for Sidney. (don't tell, but it's cooling right now. I have to wait til it gets cool so I can ice it! Chocolate on chocolate, homemade icing with real butter, sugar, cocoa and vanilla-His absolute fave! Of course, I must not forget to buy some Luvel vanilla ice cream to go with it. Nothing else will do. I am thinking the Crystal Grill might be the best choice for a Birthday lunch celebration! He can get a fillet Mignon! I thought about buying some and cooking them myself, but I am still waiting on my vent-a-hood, which is on back-order. I don't dare broil steaks without an exhaust fan. Great excuse to let them do the cooking and I don't have to clean up!

Ok, that is what has occurred thus far. Tomorrow is the first day of baseball season for the Winona Tigers. They are playing a jamboree in Ethel. Their first game is at 10:30, then 11:30 and then 1:00. They are just playing 4 inning games. Then we must come home and get ready for the Winona Junior Auxiliary Charity ball. I have never attended this gala before, so it will be a new adventure for Sidney and me. Mr. Patrick Knox Morrison will be escorting Miss Brittany Lynn Hardin in the presentation of the royal court! I will of course be the camera hound--the paparazzi! They have a practice run through tonight at 5:30, but I am sure that Patrick will be late, since their baseball practice has not been getting finished until about 6:00. He is a smart boy, so I believe that if he does miss it all, Brittany can fill him in on his duties.

The Beta Club induction ceremony was nice last night. I am so very proud of Patrick. He has been so blessed- smart, cute and athletic!

Jon and I have been preparing for the CWI exam again. He is so smart and knows this stuff. I just can't understand how testing can throw him off so badly. I never had trouble with testing and always did very well on standardized, timed tests. I am trying to help as best I can. He is very determined and I am determined to help. I fell badly that I wasn't able to help him last night. Elizabeth came home and commandeered the house. She was working on school stuff until around 5:15 this morning. She then had to get up, get back to Cleveland and get to class by 9:00 this morning. I talked to her earlier and she was grabbing a nap before she had to go to work tonight. She had me looking online for pictures to go with her lesson plans. She had Patrick coloring the parts of a plant and cutting them out. He finally told her that he had to stop and study for a geometry test. Poor Jon didn't say a word, but I was sad for him. I will help him tonight for sure. He is trying so hard. He wants so much all at once! I told him to finish one thing before he started on another! He is so precious to me-so sweet. I love them all! :)

Guess I'd better go check and see how that cake is cooling! I'll have to go to Winona before the banks close!

A new Year

A new year, new beginnings... I don't make new year's resolutions because I know myself. I know that I will not keep them! I hope to grow this year as a Christian. I hope to be able to suppress my childish thoughts at times and put others first. I hope to be able to get more exercise and to stay focused on eating healthier. I am not resolving anything, but trying to stay on track!

We had a very nice Christmas. It was relatively quiet; we stayed close to home. The older I get, the more I enjoy staying at home. I am still hoping to get away with Sid for our "honeymoon trip" that we missed out on this past August! It was so hot, and with Patrick playing in the band for football games every weekend until almost Thanksgiving it was not really possible to get away. I don't know where we'll go this time. I have enjoyed all our little getaways. Natchez was really cool! I guess baseball will be starting up pretty soon. They start practicing on February 1 and their first game is February 19. Charity ball is also that day, so Patrick will be very busy! He has the honor of escorting Miss Brittany Hardin that night! I know he will be so handsome. I guess we'd better go get him measured for a tux soon. I'm sure his measurements will have changed since he's grown 2 inches since he was last measured! I guess Sid and I will have to make this Charity ball, since we have one participating in it. I was told that church clothes will be appropriate. I can do that. Don't think I'd like to do a more formal thing, or rather to get Sid to do it. He hasn't worn a tux since he had to escort Elizabeth in the Carroll Academy homecoming Court back in 1997!

Wow, this year flew by. It is always hard for me to start writing the new year. 2011. Doesn't seem right!

Went and took advantage of Sid's Christmas present to me Sunday afternoon. It was wonderful. I believe that I could lay there and let someone rub on me 24/7! I was a little nervous about a guy masseur, but he was great. Very professional and not real chatty once he got started. I just closed my eyes and almost went out! Really helped my right shoulder. He put something hot on my upper back while he was working elsewhere and it felt so good. Then he really rubbed my back! I know I felt elbows! Wish I could afford to get one more often.

Wow, a year ago, I was preparing for my trip to Rome. It was the most awesome trip! Went with 3 wonderful ladies and we all got along famously. I told one the other day that we needed a reunion! I still pinch myself and think. Was that really me? Did I really throw coins in the Trevi fountain? Did I really see the Coliseum? The Pieta? St. Peter's? Did I really eat gelato every night and learn to love cappucino? So fun to relive the memories. I think that I will go back and look at my pictures!

I am going to have to take Patrick to school tomorrow, so I guess I'd better be off to bed. I have missed writing to you, Mr. Blog. I guess I just have to be in the mood to write. and tell you all my thoughts! I guess not ALL my thoughts! Some are better kept to myself! Until later!

It's Christmas time at the Morrison house. We got a tree thanks to Patrick and Jeremiah. It is so beautiful. I love a fresh green cedar, the aroma of evergreen filling the house. It smells like Christmas. It is almost 12 feet tall and covered with colored lights and ornaments. I almost forgot to use my ornaments that I bought in Rome last year. I found them this afternoon. I would have to kick myself if I had totally forgotten them!
I have tried to make everyone on my special list a handmade item for Christmas. Just a little bit of myself, I guess. I am going to deliver a couple of things shortly. My dear friend who takes Patrick to school every day and her family will get a chocolate pie. I made her a "Santa" monkey ornament and got my other son a gift card to Huddle-house! That is because he loves to eat there when he is off at school at ICC. The Huddle-house is always open, 24/7 and he loves to stay up late and hang out with friends there.
I am excited about Christmas. I love celebrating our savior's birth and sharing a little of his love with others. When you think about it, though, we should, as Christians, be doing that everyday of the year, not just at Christmas time. We should treat others as we would like to be treated. We should be a little kinder, a little gentler, a little more patient. When the little old lady in line takes 10 minutes to write out her check for groceries, I need to remember that some day, God willing, that will be me! Probably won't be any such thing as checks by then, I hardly use them anyway, just the debit card.
A servant's heart. That is what Jesus had. He didn't sit around whining about what others could do for him. He took the initiative and did for others. He patiently waits for us. When we think that he is far away, it is not because of him straying from us, it is because we have strayed
from him.
I think that I should try to see how I can make a difference in my actions and not try to change others. The only person that I can change is me! I pray that I will become more like Jesus, more patient, kinder, gentler, loving. I pray that I can wait patiently for his blessings.
I pray that I not be a nagging wife. Proverbs 27:15 says, "A nagging spouse is like the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet."I love Sid with all my heart. I hope that he doesn't see me as a "dripping faucet" Lord knows that nothing is more annoying that that! We have endured much in our 28 years of marriage and 3 years of dating. I have known him longer that I have not known him! I realize that over time I have changed for the better. I can be apart from him and enjoy the sweet reunions! I can let him have his space and he lets me have mine. I think that since I started working part time 4 years ago, he misses me more. He hates to go to work in the afternoons on the days that I work late and we have no time to talk and visit. I enjoy the days that I come home early and we have a few hours to have a "lunch date" or walk around the place or "whatever!" ;) I hope that the next 28 is even sweeter.
Merry Christmas! Life is good. When troubles come and they will come, I pray that I can face them with the help that comes from above. I pray that all my friends will also have a wonderful Christmas and Happy 2011!
Much love to all,
Belinda

Friends are so great to have. Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold! Charlie Flowers is gold. Sid had been working at Delta Chevrolet since 1976 and Charlie started in 1982. Sid would come home from work and talk about his friend "Maynard" and finally I got to meet "Maynard"! Ha, don't know where in the world that came from but Maynard was Charlie and we stopped by Charlie's house in Winona. Or, should I say where Charlie's house was going to be? Charlie and Patty lived in a tiny little camper on the lot where they were building their house. When I say tiny, I mean minuscule! It made Jon's camper seem like a mansion in comparison. We had not been married very long, but Charlie and Patty had been married 3 years. They got married when he was 19 and she was 16. Charlie was in the Air Force and Patty was still in high school. They lived on base in Arkansas until Charlie's term was up and then they moved back to Winona where they were both from. Charlie worked on building loads for the helicopters to drop and they used a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood, which they cut off part of it to use for the loads. Charlie saved the scraps, and eventually used them on his house. Patty drew up the plans for the house and Charlie built it himself. The more we were around them the more we liked them. We would go out almost every weekend to eat somewhere and hang out at each others' homes. WE had the first child and Charlie fell in love with liz. He and Sid built a back porch on our house just in time for her first birthday and we had the party right there on the porch. He built her a toy box and a cute little bench with hearts cut in it. Jon came along next and I remember going to Pancho's and eating tons of their hot salsa. Charlie and Patty were there! WE were there when CJ was born! CJ and Jon grew up together and are still best friends to this day. CJ is a lot like his dad in that he would give you the shirt off his back and help you in any way possible. As life happened and our lives grew busier, we still are great friends, but don't see each other as much. Charlie and CJ stopped by this afternoon to pick up some parts that Jon ordered for him. They found Sid and Jon down at Sid's mother's house cutting up firewood. Charlie grabbed a saw and went to cutting and CJ grabbed the maul and went to splitting. Patrick and I stacked wood, Jon split wood with the splitter and Sid cut up a log with another saw. Even though he had worked all day, he stopped and helped us and Sid would do the same for Charlie. Charlie Flowers is indeed gold.

guess what we had for dessert?????? YES! Sugar free Java Chillers! WE made them with espresso and blue bell low fat sugar free vanilla ice cream. Patrick put chocolate and caramel syrup in his. It was yummy! I cooked a pork loin with sweet potatoes and mustard greens for supper. The boys finally finished cutting wood for today. Or, should I say, they ran out of daylight? Sid is off this week and traditionally this is his annual woodcutting week. Since we heat with wood, we have to have plenty for the winter. We got a little rain today, supposed to have a little more tonight. MC told me today that the fire that we saw on the hill east of town a couple of weeks ago burned down a couple of barns. That was pre-burn ban.

Patrick got his first 9 weeks report card yesterday. All A's! Quite an accomplishment especially for his honors classes. I am so glad that he does well in school and CARES! He even brought up his band grade to an "A"! His tuning slide was stuck tight and we could not get the thing loose. We soaked the trumpet in warm water for an hour, used penetrating oil. Carefully tapped it with a hammer. Still wouldn't budge. I even went to Dollar General and bought some PB Blaster. Jon said if that wouldn't budge it, nothing would. About the time Sid and I were playing tug of war with it, CJ called for Jon and Sid asked if he had ever had a similar problem with his horn. CJ said he remembered Charlie and a hammer! SCARY! Well, Sid wouldn't let CJ talk to Jon until he talked to Charlie first. Charlie told Sid what he did. He took a block of wood and set it on the slide bar and hit the wood block with the hammer. It finally budged. We got that booger out and Patrick slicked it up and regreased it. This particular slide doesn't move much. Only when you tune the horn, so We decided that it would be a good thing to clean and grease it a little more regularly.

Last week was crazy busy. Homecoming week which is always so much fun had us going in many different directions. Had a blast! Have really enjoyed seeing Patrick march with the high school band. They have gotten better and better every week. I am so proud of them.

I was remiss in my walking last week. Last night I walked while the P-man was at "I am Second". It really felt good. I meant to go again tonight, but it rained! Oh well, there's always tomorrow after church.

Went to First Baptist's judgment house Sunday night. I really thought it was good. There were 59 professions of faith Sunday night alone. I hope they were all sincere..... It was all worth it.

Tomorrow I am cooking chicken and dumplings, sweet and sour green beans, cornbread and caramel cake! Hope it turns out good. We have been so slow this week. I am supposed to mark the grocery list online through sams tomorrow. I've never done it, so this should be interesting. Betty said she would be in Salt Lake City tomorrow and would call me. wow.

Well, I must go for now. Poor sid is in the bed. Poor baby got up with me this morning and has been working steadily all day.

weird science

Today I am experimenting. My friend Pam's birthday is this Thursday and she like a lot of us are watching carbs! So...... I decided to try to make a sugar free peanut butter cheesecake. I used fat free philly cream cheese, smuckers all natural peanut butter, eggs, and truvia for sweetness. The batter wasn't as runny as my regular cheesecake, but the sugar tends to melt the cream cheese for some reason. I tasted the batter and it tasted pretty good. Not as sweet as a regular cheesecake, but then again, no sugar. It is in the oven now, so I hope that it will come out alright. If it works, I may branch out and try other flavors. Wish me luck!

AS soon as that cheesecake comes out of the oven, I am going for a walk. I have to be back by 7:00 because NCIS is coming on and it is the only show that I love. Oh, I guess I'd better cook something for supper, too! I came in from getting Patrick and cooked myself a couple of eggs. I was so hungry and I had to have something. I have ground chuck thawed, but Patrick ate a burger this afternoon for a snack. He hates meatloaf, so that's out. Maybe hamburger steak. Sounds pretty good to me. I still have lima beans and string beans in the fridge or I could bake them a potato. Jon is helping his friend Anthony by welding something for him. motor mounts?

Liz called and was hyper! She was on her way to work and had to tell me a little about their bachelorette weekend in NOLA. She said NOLA was very neat and there were lots of shops to go in and lots to see. Of course she did mention Pat O'Brien's, too! LOL I've never been there, but she seems to think that Sid and I would enjoy a weekend there sometime.

had to water my poor mustard greens this afternoon. I managed to get them up, but there has been absolutely no rain in weeks so I have been sprinkling them. I am ready to eat a mess of greens and sweet potatoes!

Beautiful day, loving the cooler temps. It was 34 this morning!