Texas Rangers

In March 2009 I spent several days in Dallas, TX. In addition to Six Flags, the Textbook Depository, and Fort Worth stockyards, I did a tour of The Ballpark at Arlington, the home of the Texas Rangers.

The tour guide was a little old lady in her late 80s I think. She had been a Rangers fan since they were a minor league team. She knew the players, the stats, and she knew the ballpark. During the season she worked in concessions and souvenirs, and when the team wasn't in town and in the off season she did ballpark tours. She was so proud of the stadium. She literally beamed talking about various players lockers. She thought it was very strategic that the Rangers had better batting cages under the seating than the opponent. It crushed her that the team was putting up advertising in front of the the bullpen. And she giggled when she talked about the Rangers bullpen being air conditioned but the opponents wasn't.

So somewhere in Arlington, TX, a little old lady is finally seeing her dream come true this week: the Rangers in the World Series.

Side story about the Rangers. Josh Hamilton, Rangers outfielder, almost blew his career away due to a drug and alcohol abuse problem. Josh used his strong faith to lead him back to a sober life and his career took off. To respect his alcohol abuse issue, the team sprayed each other with ginger ale rather than champagne when the team won the American League championship Friday night. That says a lot of the respect the team has for him.

Miscellaneous Sunday Ramblings

It's been a different kind of weekend.

1. I got my CU grading completed Wednesday night so I don't have that hanging over me.
2. I've been fighting (and now winning) an cellulitis in my ear lobe. The infection was going down into my neck so I left work early Friday afternoon to go to the doctor.
3. This morning I realized that sometimes it's ok to go against the flow in a discussion. By pointing out how I disagreed with the author of the book we are using in my ladies' Bible study, a couple of other ladies spoke out. Another lady afterwards told me that she was troubled all week about it and was so hurt and discouraged that all she do was sit there in tears and couldn't tell her experience.
4. Lots of good football this weekend--Michigan State won, Auburn won, Alabama won, wanted to see the Bears win today. The good news--the Lions didn't lose today!
5. Yesterday my friend's husband asked if Michigan won. Almost in unison she and I said, "Well, they didn't lose." It was an off week for them.

Thankful Thursday 10/21/10

1. Had a very interesting Sunday with some very good missionary presentations during my church’s annual missions festival. That included a very enjoyable special music on Sunday morning from a missionary couple--he on piano and she singing


2. Dinner with a friend from work at OBI tonight!

3. I'm enjoying having furniture re-arranged in my living room. The room feels much less crowded.

4.  Dates are set to go to SC to Mom and Dad unpack.

Ornament 2010

Saturday was ornament shopping day at Bronner's in Frankenmuth.  While I typically don't do the reveal (Think "Move That Box Cover!!!") until I send them to the kids, I'm excited about this year's. 

I like to get them all in the same style if possible.  And this year it was each niece and nephew's item on a round ball.  Renae, Glenn, and I spent an hour and 15 minutes walking back and forth in Bronner's to find them all, but we got them.

Here is the assortment:

One of the ornaments pretty much "broke the bank" but it was that or have to get one very different from the others.  Top to bottom, left to right is : Lauren's teddy bear, Lindsey's snowman (not the best picture to see how cute it is, Whitney's star (there are several stars all around the bulb), Lindsay's greenery, Mary Lee's angel, John Michael's gingerbreadman (and woman), Haley's candy cane, Jaimie's bell, Andrew's horse (will need some work to make it a rocking horse), and Jeffrey's stocking.  I need to put names and year on each them as well.

Now if I just don't forget them when I go to SC in a few weeks!!!

It's ormanent time!

Tomorrow is ormanent (sic) day and one my very favorite get ready for Christmas things to do.  In 1987 I bought Andrew a rocking horse ornament and every since then it's been a rocking horse ornament for him.  With every new niece or nephew I chose a new item to get them.   Typically I send it around Thanksgiving time so they can hang it that year.

MaryLee--angel
Lauren--teddy bear
Lindsey--snowman
JM--gingerbread man
Jeffrey--stocking
Lindsay--greenery (wreath, tree, etc.)
Whitney--star
Jaimie--bell
Haley--candy cane

Originally I wanted to do nutcrackers for Andrew and I'm not sure why I didn't, but every time I choose a new one I realize I still haven't done nutcrackers.  Surprisingly the rocking horse is the hardest to find.

I like to try to do them in the same style each year if possible, and I always write the year on them some way and usually their name as well.

Today I texted all of the nieces and nephew who out of high school to see about this tradition.  I love to do it, but maybe they are starting to feel too old for an ornament.  I'm glad they all quickly replied that they liked it and wanted to keep getting them.  Several graciously said they thought it may be a lot for me to do, but I really love this tradition.

So tomorrow I'm off to Bronner's.  Maybe next week there will be a picture of this year's ornaments.

Thankful Thursday 10/14/10

1.  Had fun texting my brother during the AL game on Saturday even though AL lost, during the Braves game on Sunday even though the Braves lost, and Monday during the Braves game even though the Braves lost. I would say there is a theme going here, but the previous two Saturdays when we texted during the AL game the Tide won.

2. Lots and lots of sunshine lately. Take it all in now because February is coming.

Chilean Mine Rescue

The Chilean mine story has really impacted me.  I remember when the miners were first stranded, and I thought how could they stay until possibly Christmas?  The dilemma of do you tell them they could be down there for up to 4 months was just wrenching.  Then as the reports came that the rescue would be sooner.  To hear the men singing was fascinating. 

Monday the report was rescue was imminent.  I thought that meant that day and as I got ready for work that morning I was excited.

This morning as I watched one man surface I literally cried.

I don't know why, but this is such a gripping news story to me.

Thankful Thursday 10/7/10

1.  Got some good mail so far this week that I haven't opened.  :  )   Hee-hee.
2.  Today several people were discussing a movie and a couple suggested I had to see a particular one.  Later one of the oneswho said I needed to watch it contacted me and said the vulgarities of the movie overshadowed the humor.  I'm thankful she realizes that I try to be discriminate in what I watch and she realized I would not appreciate this movie.
3.  What beautiful weather we've had this week.  It's made for great ArtPrize viewing.

Apple French Toast

This was my culinary effort for the weekend:  Baked Apple French Toast.  It was a hit with the Bishop family.

Thankful Thursday 09/30/10

Don't know why this didn't post yesterday when scheduled so here it is a day late:


1.  My Fit sold last Friday for a good price!
2.  The weather this week has been wonderful--a hint of chill in the mornings with lots of sunshine.
3.  My father's appointment today showed that his replacement hip does not need to replaced as part of the large hip replacement recall.  He can be treated with medication for the pain he has been havin