Season Finale

The hills ended its season tonight. Tony and I got a little caught up in the drama of Lauren, Heidi, Spencer, Whitney, Audrina, Brody. My guess was that Lauren would go to Paris, and sure enough she's going.

Tony and I also are goofy for Newport Harbor the real OC. He and I went out to Newport Beach this summer and let me tell you it is one of my favorite places. Something about that area. Balboa Island, and Ruby on the Pier. The Fun Zone and the rental boats of all variety. The Ferry crossing, so romantic on a warm summer evening. Everyone lined up to pull on to the ferry in their cars, or my favorite just walking and sitting on the benches. Take a ride on the ferry yourself, you can check it out on the web site http://www.talesofbalboa.com


Here are some of my memories of Newport Harbor....

15 Days till Christmas

The Girls Have A Tree

Saturday Tony took Stacy's car to get the tires replaced at Sears. Meanwhile I went over to the girls apartment with the intention of getting these girls in the Christmas spirit. They've had some tough times lately and it seemed to me a tree might just perk them up a bit. I pulled out some ribbon and told them what I had in mind.There was some orange ribbon in the bag I brought over, and I tied it around some candles the Marissa had, to give them a little flair. It sort of started getting them excited about the tree. Marissa was going to see if her mom would bring Marissa's tree over to the apartment, but she lives quite a distance from them and declined the task. I decided to just go to Wal-Mart and buy these girls a tree. Prelit so it's easy to put up. We found some adorable cubed decorations for the treeat the dollar tree. They were aqua or robin egg blue little glass squares, with a white snowflake on each side, sooo cute. Then Stacy loved these golden yellow feathered balls so we got some of them. We also got some little silver balls, and a big star to top the tree. We headed back to the apartment and the girls started decorating. It came out great. I can only hope they feel more like Christmas now. MERRY CHRISTMAS GIRLS I LOVE YOU!

Our Christmas Tree

This week we decorated the Christmas tree. Tony pulled down all the ornaments and decorations. After sorting through things a plan started developing, and I saw how I wanted the tree to look this year. Red and gold ornaments in several sizes, with lots of ribbon. Strings of beads draped daintily around the tree. Some poinsettas and berries placed here and there for a little drama. The result.... excellent! Exactly what I wanted. My husband Tony said he thought it was my best tree ever. My youngest daughter said it looks gooood. I think that's a compliment. I told her that her momma has "skills". She laughed. My mantle is the proud display space for the hand made Santa and Mrs. Claus that belonged to my mother-in-law Connie. They are made from antique bowling pins. That's right under there cute clothing is a wooden bowling pin. I think they're adorable. We have two beautiful white angels on the dining table they each hold two six inch red candles. We have lots of lovely Christmas wreaths and some lovely garland for the mantle and over our French doors in the dining room area.
Hope all of you have as much fun, joy and love as we do when decorating your home this holiday season. Let us not forget the true meaning of the season. The birth of our lord and saviour Jesus. God gave his only son for us who he loved so much. Give thanks for what you have, faith in God, love of family and friends, and may you and all have peace this Christmas holiday.
With love me

Cotton Bowl Bound

Arkansas Razorbacks are Cotton Bowl Bound!

The University of Arkansas pulled out the season and now they are headed for dallas and the Cotton Bowl.

We planned to go to the big bowl game in Dallas. I immediately got on the computer and looked for tickets. Me and every other Arkansas football fan must have been scrambling for tickets for I couldn't pull up any tickets until the day after they announced the BCS decisions.

Finally I was able to purchase 4 tickets, I only needed 3 but no one would sell 3 I could get 2 or 4 but not 3. My father in law owns a motorhome and he's going to meet us in Dallas. We'll stay with him at the stadium with all the tailgators. This game is on New Year's Day so New Year's Eve in Dallas will be great. We like to go to the Hard Rock Cafe there and enjoy the bands and bring in the New Year.

Razorback fans love their HOGS we love them so much we devise all sorts of Hog creations like the Hog mobile. I've included a few photos of this vehicle.

Lights of the Ozarks

Our small town still has a wonderful tradition of lighting up the downtown square. The old post office which is the center of the square is the centerpiece of the lights. The sidewalk and trees surrounding the old post office ablaze with 1/2 million lights, and yes I have heard some say this will be the last year to have the lights due to the cost and the energy consumption. You see Fayetteville wants to be a green city and having the lights would go against that direction. All I can say is when the lights go on the families and friends all gather to see the lights, to enjoy a feeling of Christmas and the little downhome feeling you get in the little one block space that is our square. To hear the Christmas carols, to catch a picture of a child or grandma, a mom and dad under the mistletoe or beside a glimmering archway. Then theirs the pony rides, the carriage rides with the horse drawn carriages and bells around their necks and tails in braids with Christmas ribbons red and green. Even a camel for the children to ride. The smell of roasted peanuts and the wonderful hot chocolate and cotton candy. The memories the family traditions that have been built by this wonderful event cannot be measured. So here are a few snapshots of Tony and I at the Lights of the Ozarks Fayetteville, Arkansas.

BIG DOG

One of the things I do is usher for the local university at the different events, and last night my husband and I worked the Chris Tolbin concert. This young Christian Rock singer was very entertaining. His music was easy to listen to and most of the show is actual audience participation. He sends a simple message with his music, praise God, and our lord Jesus. His guest speaker during this concert event was Louie Giglio, who spoke on our lord and savior and the molecular connections to him. It was amazing, and powerful. He spoke of the lord, and how in just his breathe, his word, he said let their be light, and of course we have our sun. But then Louie showed how there were 3 other stars many mega sizes larger than our son. He showed a relationship to them using a golf ball as representing the earth and how many earths could fit in our sun and then in the 3 other stars. The last and furthest star from the earth was given the name something Cannis. The something I'm sorry I don't remember the word meant Big and Cannis of course Dog. Louie told us how in just the breathe of our lord he created such light. I cannot justify in my writing the message we heard that night, but it was powerful. He led into how a thing called laminum a human protien that holds everything in our body is the form of the cross. That's right a cross. Amazed. You would be if you had been their to see it. After describing the miracle of creation and showing a slide show presentation of DNA and the formation of the human chromosomes from the parents that come together to make the DNA that makes you and me who we are. I am just simplifying the message he gave, but when you saw the laminum or luminum and you just become amazed. We were shown a diagram of the protein and it was in the shape of the cross. That's right the protien that holds all of our parts together is the shape of the cross. I totally loved the concert and the message meant so much to me as I have been going through some personal problems in my life and it was a great weight off me to hear this message and to have it laid out so plainly in front of me that god is my saviour and that Jesus died to carry the weight of all mans sins. And that who so ever believeth in him too shall be forgiven that message lifted the huge burden that I had been feeling. Then to hear Louie remind me that our heavenly father has already written our lifes out for us and he is here with us and he will take care of it. He does all, we must believe. For if we stop believing in him our world will get harder. When we choose to carry the burden instead of giving it to god then we have eliminated the very reason for his being. He loves us so much he wants us to give him our troubles and not to carry them.
Well a wonderful sermon and a great concert. Peace be to everyone and may god bless each and every one of you tonight, tomorrow, and all the days of our lives. Amen

Color Splash

Tony and I are painting the old home stead. Just a clue for all you home owners, don't wait 14 years to paint your home. My home is drinking up paint. It is so dry the old paint had to be wiped of to assure the new paint would stick. What old paint was left on our home was a powder as it seems. We were unaware of the condition of our home until this time.

The old house color was that good old country blue. Now a richer darker color and crisp white trim with white accent lamps, and house numbers. Our door will be red but we haven't gotten that far yet. We are so tired but we are loving seeing our house come alive with the new paint. Here's a few shots of some of our crew in their paint gear.

This summer my husband and I vacationed in California where we visited his aunt, and other family members. While there we saw lovely homes and beautiful water and boats. We are busy painting our home trying to give it life again, as the color is worn off our home and needs dire help. We decided we loved the homes we saw while at Balboa Island, CA. So when choosing our paint we decided to go with a rich blue as our primary color, and a crisp white trim color for some fachia boards and the porch railings. Above are some of the memories of our trip to Balboa Island from this summer. As you can see it is quite beautiful, most days I go to the site for Balboa Bay, a web cam shows time sequenced shots of the ferry crossing the bay. The memory of being on the ferry comes back and I am taken there again with each changing view. There is a quick video of the trip across the bay on Balboa Bay Autorun, check it out for yourself I'm sure you'll enjoy it. And maybe you'll be inspired to want to go to this quaint little place in the middle of the large California scene.

We are nearly done with our paint job on our home and I'll add photos soon to show you my homes transformation from faded country blue to rich nautical blue actually resembling probably more like a Nantucket look. I suppose that is nautical though isn't it? So that's where Debra is as of today.

Happy Halloween!

As the years go by and the trick or treaters come knocking at my door I reminisce about my own childrens halloween days. Going to the grade school carnival visiting all their old teachers and the office staff I grew to know quite well. Then home to roam the neighborhood looking for porchlights on and knocking on doors. Then of course back to the house so the kids could compare who got more candy in their bag. As with all things time passes and my children are all grown now. I see them less and less each Halloween. They are for the most part adults, although they will always be my children. They are home handing out the candy to kids in their neighborhoods. With the exception of Stacy, she still lives with me. This year she dressed up as a cat. A rather sexy looking cat, she has a boyfriend Bryan and they went to out tonight to listen to a local band perform. Stacy's adorable she's 20 and so sweet. I took a few photos of her and some of the decorations around the house to show you our halloween this year.
Hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween!

EASTER SUNDAY

What a wonderful day this was for me. I was invited to join family members in fellowship at their church today. I was happy to accept and had a really spiritual time in worship. It felt good to sing some of the hymnal tunes I had not heard in some time. When you visit your church only, you find you have the comfort music and even sermons that your church feels the need to hear. So to visit others at their place of worship only helps to appreciate Gods word. Brings new life to the word of God.
After worship we ate some of the wonderful food many of the members had brought to easter fellowship and it was delicious.
My sister in law Cathy invited me to come with her family to her mother Joyces house to share easter at her house, Joyce had some strawberrys and shortcake of which I indulged, and may I say it was quite good.
It was all in all a wonderful day.
This is the day we celebrate Christ's rising up after the cruciviction to justify our belief in his life and in God's word. I am so thankful to our lord and saviour Jesus!
May the lord bless you and keep you. Amen

Kids Say The Darndest Things

Don't kids say the funniest stuff. I think they do, especially the 28 year old ones that call you at 9 o'clock at night to let you know they've been arrested, they're being booked and will be transported to the county facilities when they are done.
Folks this is not what a mother wants to hear from her child. I love my daughter to death but I did not teach her to be this way.
She feels terrible and she should feel terrible. Miserable, awful, regretful, all of it.
You spend your whole life teaching them right from wrong and then this.
No matter what happens this will follow her, how will she get another job. Who will hire her even if she is freed of any wrong doing her picture was in the paper, and on the news.
I will always love my child even when she's 80 and I'm 97. I'll still love her but I may not live that long with this kind on thing happening.
Oh well, what's a mother to do?

Go Fayetteville!

Yes! I am so happy with the way our city is stepping up. This morning I heard we will be taking steps to use the Mexican Original factory as a shelter this is wonderful. The city of Fayetteville is planning to use this facility as a home for its Fire fighting, but for now the city has stepped up and started making room to help people.
This facility is close to my heart as my husband was employed at M.O. for 18 years. It is not far from my home so I feel like my neighborhood is opening up to help those in need.
The city needs donations blankets, sheets, new pillows, many other types of items like hygiene products, soap and shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste. Folks these victims need everything.

End Of Summer Ritual

Tomorrow is Monday, Labor Day, and for most a holiday, a day to stay home with family or go on a final cookout. Maybe some have spent their last holiday of summer at the lake, camping or having an outing with family.
For me it is back to work, taking care of those who chose to shop. For as I have stated I work in retail. And as the demand for people to shop steadily grows, so the need for stores to be open to tend to their needs. But enough about that. This is that wonderful 3 day weekend. The one we look forward to if we have run out of vacation time for, for most of us we are off to enjoy all 3 days. My 2 days this weekend was very exciting we had a big kick off to our University football team. And boy was it glorius. Quite a score 49 to 17, Hogs on top. Go Razorbacks! Lots of tailgate parties. Plenty of folks yelling Wooooo Pig!.
One of the best things that happened this year was hearing that we were finally getting the people of Louisianna taken care of. I didn't mean to be to critical, but seeing people suffer in such peril and dismay seems to tragic to believe. The many that were lost who never made it to see this Labor Day, but will toil no more on this green earth. Their days of labor gone and I pray their heavenly peace has been reached. God Bless all who could help, did help, and are still helping, for your kindness is amazing.
We end this summer on somewhat sad times, but we must have courage, spirit, and the will to go on ever plodding our course in destiny. And so the days become shorter, the telethon begins that marks the closing of the summer season. Of Jerry and his kids. What a giver he doesn't have to do this telethon, but he does, because he cares. This tradition on Labor Day weekend for many also marks going back to school. Although these days school starts about 2 weeks before Labor Day. So much to teach our youngsters these days they need more time.
I'll close now may your time with friends and family be a blessed time.
And as the air will seem cooler, and our weekends will be full, we'll share

What! New Orleans Destroyed By Act of God?!

Well this one will really raise some eyebrows. Instead of showing love compassion and action to get folks taken care of. Some can only find reason to blame for New Orleans disaster. Make up you own mind but check this out. I found this on a blog by R. Blevin called The RBlog it was entitled Vengeance it was written about a group called repent america. They are saying that because of the sin that has been increasing there in New Orleans, God destroyed the city. Unbelievable really, anyway here's a site:
http://rblevin.blogspot.com

What I Know

I do know that I could have had the buses that went in to take people out filled with food and water to distribute as they got there.
I know that military tents could have been set up on the closed lanes of the interstate to house and Krations sent in for immediate help.
I know that the helicopters could have flown out of the area loaded with people to meet with buses or transport vehicles that should have had food and water on them.
I know that if you have a large transport vehicle you can put out a response with your local radio station to announce you need to fill it with food and non perishables. And within minutes it would be filled to capacity and your tanks would be full to get you there. Bring back all you can. Your fellow neighbors and church members will take care of them.
I know that I would have opened the military housing of the closed bases all over America so these people would have someplace to live. These bases have beds kitchens just like small cities.
I know I would ask cities towns and states to open their arms and find housing for these dislocated people. If you are able to open your homes apartments civic centers churches recreational centers empty stores or any shelter do it. Take the initiative, don't try to place the blame these people need action taken NOW. Water NOW, Food Now, Do NOT GO IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THESE ESSENTIAL NEEDS.
You are AMERICA ! AMERICA! You are the richest country in the world these fellow Americans, AMERICANS people, these folks need help. If you don't know where to go let me tell you go where you see people in need and if you see a hand outstreached reach out to them. The freeways are full of people lining the highways, reachable highways. We must reach them.
In Africa we drop in food supplies. We have the christian food ministries who have warehouses with food meant to go overseas its here now pick it up in a helicopter and drop it from lines to the ground to the people.
These Americans seem to be quite orderly to me I believe if you would got this food to them they would stand in line for food and water.

I pray and I will do.

Take a Look at This

Here's a satellite view of the New Orleans area before and after the hurricane and break in the levies.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/new-orleans-imagery.htm


Also check out this address for more viewpoints:
www.athonymontalbano.com/katrina1615z-050829-1kg12.ipg

Just incredible what happened.

Is It The Beginning of the End of Days?

Points of interest:

* Recent Sunami destroys

*Millions dying in Africa from Aids

*India hundreds dying from encephalitus

*600 Die from stampede in Iraq

*New Orleans destroyed devastated

Yes there have always been disasters. I am well aware of this, but is this part of what we have read about in the scripture. Are these plaques that are starting. If the diseases do develop in New Orleans that they anticipate we too could have our own plaques right here in this country. What comes next we may have a gasoline shortage in this country and from that I worry we may see the seeds of the Anti Christ. People are becoming displaced, is this how the mark of the beast will be set in place. Will the use of GPS devices make people believe that tagging people with transmitting devices in order to locate them be far away. I have heard many say they thought this method may be put to use on child molestors who they have trouble keeping track of. Where I feel we need to do a better job I do not feel this is the right thing to do.
We spend less time with our families, we are not involved in the right way with our children. We want to educate them, but we do not teach them the lessons of love, compassion, humanity, that we must care for others and not think of what's in it for me. Parents buy, give, things objects to their children, but giving to others, doing for others, these are the lessons we need to teach.
So we are seeing unbelievable disasters. We know there are countries attempting to create nuclear weapons. We would hope they would think responsibly when creating these weapons.
Some I know have looked into the writings of one in the Catholic church who was said to have received visions of the future. One of these being this Pope from the House of the Benedict would be the last Pope before the end of days. We looked at the information, we were surprised at the Popes decision for his name which seemed to support what was predicted.
Whether it may be the end of days or not, we should live like it is and learn to love and cherish mankind. I hope you all find the Lord and have the blessing of reading the Bible, it could save your soul. Thanks for reading in. Debra