Taylor’s Texas Wedding Potatoes

While Terry was doing battle with the septic tank, I was at a brunch to recognize the many volunteers for the Salado Public Library. As a library board trustee, I took on the responsibility for bringing a potato dish. My favorite is the recipe my mom made for my wedding so I took the liberty of renaming it even though it’s not an original recipe. (Will the recipe copyright people be coming to get me?)

I’d post a picture, but there’s not a scrap left. Terry and I inhaled the second casserole dish I made that was supposed to get us through the weekend!
•    2lb. frozen hash brown potatoes (you can also use Potatoes O’Brien with onions and green peppers.)
•    1 large onion chopped
•    2 Cans Cream of Chicken soup (I use healthy request or some low fat soup)
•    1 pt. sour cream (Again, I go for the low-cal brand)
•    1 8 oz. package of cream cheese (need I repeat myself – low-fat or fat-free, again!)
•    1 package Pepperidge Farm Herb stuffing mix (OK, I’m guessing this was originally a recipe on the back of their box. Really, any stuffing will do and I’ve even added crumbled up HEB Wheat and flax crackers, but make sure your guests aren’t allergic to wheat)
•    1 stick margarine melted

Mix potatoes and onion. Place in a large greased baking dish. (I used a 13*9*2 AND still had to put some in another dish! Layer in two dishes, if you like and freeze one for later.) Mix soup, cream cheese, and sour cream in the mixer and pour over potatoes. Sprinkle with cheese. Toss stuffing mix with melted butter and sprinkle over cheese. Bake at 350 for 1½ hours. (Less if the potatoes are thawed.)

Sleepless nights

I do not sleep as readily or as soundly as my husband.

He collapses into the slumber I so desire.

He is peaceful.

Snoring.

Softly.

He is relaxed – in repose – I long to join him.

I will soon.

When my mind is quieted.

When the songs racing through my mind swell

Then resolve.

Tho I am fitful in the eve, he is peaceful

Perhaps exhausted.

Tomorrow many heavy thoughts will consume his energy and I will make all attempts to appease.

By night’s fall

his frets allayed

my vigil begins.

again.

Photos from honeymoon

[I'm not sure how this happened, but I just discovered some blog drafts that never got published. This one is from June 4, 2008]

We had a wonderful two-day honeymoon in a yellow caboose on Lake LBJ. I’m not thrilled with the pictures, but here they are! In the mornings, we ate breakfast in the cupola and looked out over the peach orchard.

Getting up and down the steps was quite a workout, so you could easily work off the calories from your breakfast if you are forgetful and constantly popping down for the butter (ok, if you’re going for butter you probably AREN’T working off the calories) or the silverware or whatever condiment you might want with your breakfast. Hey, that’s a pretty good idea. Maybe Terry and I should copyright “the cupola weight-loss program”.

lost a post.

Crain OK

Terry usually picks up the mail because he works around town and I spend my days lazing around the house goofing off. Oh wait, that’s not right. I’m working. REALLY!

So I had not seen this message taped to the back of our post office box until today.

Crain is WAY better than OK!

Late Night Conversation (and getting to really know each other)

Taylor and I frequently watch TV shows simultaneously. She from the house in Texas, me in Michigan. While we are by no means together physically, we are connected in many more and equally as important ways. We will call each other during the commercials and between shows. We will then talk for long periods after the show is over.

This is the time we discuss important events, little know facts about ourselves, or just the days events.

It was during one such discussion that I learned Taylor enjoys trains and has since about age 4. She has a fascination with them. This is another point we share. I, as a child, lived next door to the local ticker-tape / teletype operator for the rail system through our city. I was privileged to enjoy a few free rides on the local passenger train at the ripe old age of 8. Donny, the neighbor’s son, was about the same age. While he and I never had much of anything else in common, we did both enjoy the trains.

Last night, Taylor and I had a great discussion on the topic of cosmic relationships. I explained that I have felt we are all destined to find the one true love of our life. Whether we do so at an early age or later in life is not relevant. That we find that one love and nourish it, is the important factor.

I also told her, and believe truly, that God is in control and has a plan for each of us. However, it is our mission in life to realize what that plan is and act on it. I feel as though I have finally found that love and not going to let it pass me by.

Those who know us, also know I am in the process of packing. Yes, I am making the move to Texas where my true love awaits me.

I am quite sure we will watch shows together. I am relatively sure we will talk in between the shows. I am positive we will discuss all things from trains to cosmic relationships. May we never stop talking or being curious.

May each of you find your true love. ( Unless you already have, in which case I encourage you to keep working on reinforcing that love every day.) While we delve into the cosmic and the religious and every other aspect, may we be guided by the true love we share and project that to all we have contact with.

My wish for you is to be as happy and in love as I am.

Lingerie Disagreement

@rgibbs posted this survey on his twitter.

Disagreement with wife: best lingerie is a) classy, b) trashy. Your vote?

This hasn’t come up as an issue for us, yet. So help us head off this dispute and settle Rodney’s disagreement with his wife.

Vote now here or reply to Rodney’s twitter.

(If you don’t know what that is, check out Taylor’s post “Short list of why I (and others) Twitter” on her scattered leaves blog or her post “NCDD Conference: What Technology Can Do For Us” on her Austin-Pacific Blog.)

It’s all part of the Waiting Game, or is it a test?

As I have said here before, I have my house in Michigan for sale. As soon as it sells, I will be moving to Texas to marry Taylor.

Well, the economy in Michigan has been sluggish at best. But, the good news is, this past week, my house had five total showings. This is very encouraging. The first two were on Saturday last week. Followed by two more scheduled for Friday. I was home early Friday (due to nothing to do at work) and had a realitor ring the bell. He had a customer who had just arrived from Colorado, and they were driving around looking at homes. Seeing mine, they wondered if they could see the insides. Like I am ever going to refuse someone looking at my house, especially if they are a prospective buyer.

Now I am playing the waiting game. Waiting for a call from my realitor, good news and an offer,. Or the regular update of what they thought and why it won’t work for them. We are going to stay positive. i will continue sorting and packing and when the time comes, I will say my goodbyes and head south for the new future Taylor and are are going to enjoy together.

Then the adventure begins. New wife, new area, new business, new beginning. New me!

Terry

A Different Way of Thinking

Taylor and I were talking last night and during one of my (seldom useful) profound moments, I said: “You think in a different way than I do”. When I think of ways to do something, I start at “A” and am working for “D”. In order to get there I go through “B” and “C”.

Taylor starts with “A” and while trying to get to “D”, she will think of something entirely different and pull in “R” to see how it fits. Usually, she is right on and her thinking outside the box is one of the things I admire about her. That is also one of the reasons she is so good at her work.

I’m not saying she doesn’t leave me behind and bewildered at times. She does. But then again, that doesn’t take much.

We have an ongoing joke about the grammar I use(or should I say the lack of grammar?). She gets a real kick out of correcting me or trying to explain how I could say the same thing with half as many words. She’s right, but trying to relearn the english language after butchering it for 50 years, is to say at least, difficult. For her , this could be a lifelong challenge. But, with a little patience and a whole lot of determination, she may get some improvement. I will probably go down fighting, but in the end she will prevail.

After all, she is the smarter of the two of us. I will readily admit that. She will also argue that point, so we will agree to disagree.

Thinking outside the box is a newer concept to me. But, then again, most of the work Taylor does is a new concept to me. I am willing and able to learn though. That is what will keep us going and keep us having fun during the process.

So, maybe the concept of “A” to “D” while visiting”R”, still eludes me. Following her train of thought, but we will always get there together.

the Struggles With Distance

As I write this, my fiance’ is packing for a business trip. Taylor will be flying to Illinois to work at the college where she teaches. She will have a very hectic schedule and I worry she will put in many long days and nights without much time for rest. She will then fly to Washington, D.C. for more meetings and work. She is nearly inexhaustible when she is working. I envy that but I also worry that she is trying to do too much. She reassures me that this is not even close to her limits. Still, it is my job to care enough and to trust her in knowing her limits, to give her the backing (she doesn’t require), but I can share. It is a small part I play in making sure she knows I love her and believe in all that she is doing.   While she is away, I will remain in Michigan and continue on with my everyday doings. I will hope and pray for the right buyer to come see my house. I will continue to work and do my best to keep busy and not think solely about how much I miss being with Taylor.  After all, she is very good at her work and I am very proud of her ands all of her accomplishments. She is not only beautiful, she is also very smart and caring. She has the passion for her work that makes her an asset to the numerous companies she works for and with.

One of my projects while she is gone is to start on a novelette that I have been contemplating. I want to tell a story, based partially on the time Taylor and I shared in High School. I’ll post later as to how that turns out.  Well, I had better get this finished so I have time to talk with Taylor prior to her trip.

Feel free to comment on any and all of our entries. We really would enjoy hearing your stories and feedback.