GallBlabber: November 2008

38-28

We're going bowling!!!

jump

Thanksgiving 1985. One of the few times in my life that I got to sit at the grown up table. This bunch looks sweet, but in about 5 minutes, they will have finished their food and run upstairs to jump on my bed. Growing up, the Fantastic Five were constantly ordered to not jump on the beds. We would do it anyway, and, inevitably, get into serious trouble. We never understood how Fred, Shirley, Dan, and Martha knew...but they always knew.

Did I mention that my room is directly over the dining room? It turns out that when you jump on the bed, the chandelier over the table swings.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving tomorrow, whether or not you get caught jumping on the bed...

Labels: family, holiday

41-10

HOW 'BOUT THAT WOLFPACK!

Labels: football

old friends

I met Meredith when I started working at the insurance company earlier this year. Not long after we met, we realized that we were related. Her great grandmother and my great grandfather were brother and sister! My grandmother Louise and her grandfather Bill were first cousins.

I was going through some old pictures the other day, and look what I found. Grandmother had written on the back "Elmer and Louise Burt, in Fayetteville, NC, March 1947" (they would have been married about a month at this point). I'd seen the picture next to it before, but never known who the people were. I take it out of the album and flip it over. There, in Louise's handwriting, "Bill and Louise Foster, Fayetteville, NC, March 1947."

I thought this was great! The same day, same car, same house. I had to call Meredith immediately. I guess we were just destined to be friends!

Labels: family

21-17

Labels: football

Riley!

I realized that I have been a bad cousin. I failed to announce the newest member of our family! Meet Riley Gabriel Swan - born last Friday.

His mom Alla and dad Steve are doing great...can you believe that my Aunt Martha is a Grandmother?!? Here's my favorite shot so far...Steve's such a good daddy!

Alla and Steve would only tell us his initials before he was born...so we've spent all summer coming up with the most ridiculous names for him. He's been Randolph Gibson, River Germaine, and Rasheed Geronimo. Riley Gabriel is definitely best.

I can't wait to see him at Christmas!

Labels: family

pass the popcorn

It's that time of year again. I know it's a bit early, but I'm ready to pour myself a glass of egg nog, switch on the fireplace, and put on a Christmas movie while I set up the snow village. I love Christmas movies. Sometimes I watch them in July, just because it's been 6 months since I've seen them. Here are my top 5:

#5 - Whatever Christmas movie of the week that comes on between Thanksgiving and Christmas. You know the story: a man/woman who has forgotten the real meaning of Christmas comes (by chance) to a small town, where they initially hate, then fall in love with someone who lives there, just in time to kiss under the mistletoe on Christmas eve.

#4 - While You Were Sleeping. "All the great ones were tall. Argentina has good beef. These mashed potatoes are so creamy. No one plays the clarinet any more. Can you imagine Dustin Hoffman saving the Alamo?" Want me to keep going? I can...

#3 - The Holiday. What's better than a Christmas story where someone falls in love? A story where TWO couples fall in love! This is my favorite Jack Black movie ever. It's just so sweet!

#2 - The Muppet Christmas Carol. Anyone that has known me more than 5 minutes knew this one was coming. Everyone together now: "It's in the singing of a street corner choir; It's going home and getting warm by the fire; It's true wherever you find love it feels like Christmas!"

#1 - White Christmas. The Christmas movie to end all Christmas movies. Singing, dancing, and a bit of conniving! I've seen this movie about a thousand times, and I still tear up when they sing for the general at the end.

So those are my favorites. What are yours?

Labels: holiday, movies

veterans' day

...O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

Take a moment to thank a veteran today!

Labels: family, holiday

comforting

Wonderful, merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Oh you rescue the souls of men

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost the way
Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way

Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne

You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for

© DAYSPRING MUSIC© WORD MUSIC, LLC

Labels: faith

election day

Everybody go vote! I think I've said all that I needed to say over the last few weeks. So I'll leave you with the enduring words of Ronald Reagan: "We are never defeated unless we give up on God."

Labels: politics