Leaving My Heart In Texarkana: Letting Go

Tonight will be the last night we spend in our Texarkana house. It's a bittersweet turning point for us. This old house has nurtured us, and we've so many wonderful memories here. 
We've experienced first days of school, and graduations. Homecomings, dances, and proms. Birthday parties, and barbecues. Ice storms and  hail storms. First dates, and broken hearts. Learning to drive, and wrecks. Broken bones, concussions, and surgeries. Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Football, Volleyball. Going to college and graduating college!! Engagements, showers, and two weddings!! Our patio and backyard evolved from a baseball diamond and volleyball court to a relaxing patio perfect for wine and candlelight. We've opened and closed a business, and experienced the heartache and disappointment when it didn't work out quite the way we wanted it to. Through all of that, this house on Williamsburg was our haven, and our port in the storm.
And this town embraced and accepted and loved us, from the moment we arrived in 1994. Our home church at FBC was the perfect place to raise our children, and we made so many wonderful friends there. Pleasant Grove was the best school we could have chosen for Amanda and Greg, and we are forever thankful for the amazing teachers and coaches they had there.

And now we let go. At the Christmas concert Sunday night, Danny Gokey talked about letting go, and quoted Romans 8:27-29: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

Everything that's happened to us here in Texarkana, and all of our experiences, both good and bad, have shaped us and prepared us for this. So we're stepping out in faith, and trusting God, and we know that He's leading us right where He wants us to be. We know that we have new friends, new memories and new experiences waiting for us in our new home.

(but I leave a little piece of my heart here in Texarkana)

Much love to you all!

Andy

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Memories

I'm cleaning, and cleaning, and cleaning. And organizing, and packing and staging. Trouble is, I keep getting sidetracked by my knick-knacks and the memories attached to them. I'm a saver. I save things.Some worth saving, some SO not worth saving!  I saved a Lego Santa that Greg made me years ago. (worth saving). A bunch of keys I have no idea what they go to! (not worth saving-or maybe they are???) Pictures, pictures, pictures. (worth saving) Lotions and potions and creams and gels and makeup and sprays, six trashbags full to be exact. (not worth saving)


Now I've moved on to the kitchen/living areas of the house. I've packed away lots of framed pictures today, because that's what all the staging pros and HGTV says you're supposed to do. "de-personalizing" it's called. Yep. That's exactly what it is. Anyway, I found a stash of notes and cards from my precious Mom. So glad I saved those! (We should write more real notes these days, and send less emails and texts! Just my opinion.) Inside one of those notes I found this printed poem, with a note from my Mom thanking me for being her precious daughter. What an honor to be hers. As I wipe away the tears, I thought I'd share it with you...

 Two Mothers Remembered

by Joann Snow Duncanson

I had two Mothers - two Mothers I claim
Two different people, yet with the same name.

Two separate women, diverse by design,
But I loved them both because they were mine.

The first was the Mother who carried me here,
Gave birth and nurtured and launched my career.

She was the one whose features I bear,
Complete with the facial expressions I wear.

She gave me her love, which follows me yet,
Along with the examples in life that she set.

As I got older, she somehow younger grew,
And we'd laugh as just Mothers and daughters should do.

But then came the time that her mind clouded so,
And I sensed that the Mother I knew would soon go.

So quickly she changed and turned into the other,
A stranger who dressed in the clothes of my Mother.

Oh, she looked the same, at least at arm's length,
But now she was the child and I was her strength.

We'd come full circle, we women three,
My Mother the first, the second and me.

And if my own children should come to a day,
When a new Mother comes and the old goes away.

I'd ask of them nothing that I didn't do.
Love both of your Mothers as both have loved you.

So. It's inevitable. I'm about to turn fifty. Five-Oh. Uh-Oh. I'm usually very laid back about birthdays. But this one, well....this one hurts. Not sure why. Well. Actually I think I do know why. It sounds old. Fifty. Many of my friends have already pushed that envelope, and in a really good way. I've got some dang good lookin' friends. Men and Women who make Fifty look like child's play. Physically fit, active, stylish, fun loving. They're setting a wonderful example for me as I approach my birthday.

It's really remarkable how quickly time seems to pass now. Especially from my 20's on. During my 20's I was having and raising my babies. Moved 11 times. In my 30's I was a "Stay at Home Mom", doing the classroom Mom, Sunday School teacher, PTA volunteer thing. In my 40's I've partnered with my husband and opened, operated, and sadly, closed the business. I've gone to work full time, leaving the "housewife" part of my life behind. My kids have completed their education, begun their careers and married the loves of their lives. I'm sure that one day they'll be startled to find that they too have watched the years stream by quickly.

I know enough now to know that I will never know it all. That as cliche as it sounds, we're never through learning. That there is ALWAYS something more to do, to learn. I KNOW that God has a plan for me, and that He's preparing a way for me to accomplish His plans. I know that I'm a poor sinner, but that my life experiences, good and bad, have all shaped me and helped make me who I am now and who I will be as I grow even older (hopefully).

I know that the best decision I ever made probably seemed like the most foolish, when I married John almost 30 years ago at the tender age of 20. He's the love of my life, more handsome at 50 than he was at 20. He's been the best husband, the best father, my anchor and my security. What a blessing.

This has been quite a ramble. But if you know me, you know that's just how I roll. I'm not ready for a rocking chair. I still want to drive my convertible Mustang (fast) with the top down and my hair blowing in the wind. I want to travel, but don't have the time. I want to spend MORE TIME with the ones I love, because I'm finding that really is the only thing that matters to me anymore. I don't have an actual bucket list, but there are things I hope to do: go to Hawaii, see a Packers game in Green Bay, take an Alaskan cruise, go to Italy. I hope one day to have an incredible relationship with my future grandchildren, and that they will KNOW me and love me. See, I've got a long way to go and a short time to get there, as the song goes. Happy Birthday to me, and thanks for reading...

Andy

 

NiftySwank: Doing vs. Waiting

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NiftySwank: Doing vs. Waiting

And my problem is in the waiting. I just might possibly be the most IMPATIENT woman on the planet. I want things, and I want them now. I want results, and I want them now. Which is weird, considering I'm also the Queen of Procrastination. Weird, much?

Cheryl's Recipe Archives: Earthquake Cake - Two Versions

Cheryl's Recipe Archives: Earthquake Cake - Two Versions
Definitely going to have to try this recipe soon! Sounds delish!

Lately

Winter. 2012. I love that time right after Christmas, when you un-decorate your home, put all the shiny baubles and glittery ornaments away. Dust everything off, rearrange your décor. Just seems like everything looks new again. And clean. For a minute or two anyway.



Since Christmas, we’ve had some company (Tony and Carrie and kids) gone back to work, rearranged the furniture, and attended the best wedding reception/New Year’s Eve party evah! I’ve started back on my treadmill, though not religiously yet. Trying folks. Trying! I’ve become obsessed with Pinterest, and I’m determined to try new crafts and projects that I find there, not just pin them. The winter garden is producing a bit, some carrots and lettuces. Especially arugula. I’m now obsessed with Arugula. LOVE IT!

I’ve also read the entire Hunger Games series of books. Tore right through them from the comfort of my throne, I mean chair, on my handy dandy ipad. Have to say it’s nice not having to trot off to the bookstore. I love the ease, and let’s face it, laziness of just downloading a book!

There are sure to be lots of changes for us this year. Last year was a downer. We’re determined to roll with the changes this year. Keep us in your prayers. All of us, Schwartzes and Players. We’ll be needing them. Prayers for patience, and peace, and wisdom and strength.


So here’s a few pics from this month. The wedding reception, a bit of Valentine’s and spring décor. A few of Tony and Carrie’s visit. And a few of a fabulous chicken dinner I made a few nights ago.

This chair is my royal throne. I read, relax, watch tv and pin, pin, pin, all from the comfort of my throne!

 The following recipe is courtesy of Coolio!

Coolio’s Fall Off the Bone Chicken

(adapted by me)

4 lbs Chicken thighs and drumsticks

1tsp seasoned salt

½ tsp. fresh ground black pepper

¾ cup balsamic vinegar

4 cloves garlic, diced

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 (4.5oz) can chopped green chilis

1 can condensed cream of chicken & mushroom soup

1 green pepper

1 red pepper

Preheat oven to 400.

Place chicken in a large bowl with chopped onion and peppers. Sprinkled with the seasoned salt and pepper. In another bowl, mix together the vinegar, garlic, green chilis, and soup. Pour over the chicken and mix well. Pour all into a large 9x13 baking dish, making sure the the chicken is well coated with the soup mixture. Bake all for 50 to 60 minutes, until the chicken is almost falling off the bone.

I served this with quinoa, and used the juices from the chicken as gravy. Holy cow! It’s yummy!

I’m thinking this would be easy to do in the crock pot as well.