Fun with visiting family

 Hannah fishing.

 Mom enjoying the view.

 Hannah taught my sister Roberta the basics of kayaking.

 Roberta took off like she was born to kayak.

My brother in law Wayne had a great time fishing.
I am enjoying my family.  I live so far away that I don't get many that are able to come visit.  I think they are having a good time and will make this their destination more often.

Real Indian Food

We just got back from a visit to Arizona to visit my husbands family.  My brother in law is an Indian from India, not a native American.  We have never experienced Indian food.  We asked him to take us to his favorite place to eat.  It was a little grocery store/diner.  He said they serve more appetizer type food than full meals.  He wanted us to experience the food so he ordered several things all of which were less than five dollars per plate.  As each plate was brought out we ate of it and told him which ones we liked and which ones we did not.  One thing I learned is that for sure you ask for very mild because their spices are quite spicy that's for sure.
When I sent the pictures to my email I titled each one with the name of the dish.  For some reason the names did not show up on my email so I will just try to tell you about them but I wont be able to to name them.

 Most Indian dishes we are told have yogurt and garbanzos beans in them.  The first and third dishes were our favorites with the third one show being our very favorite.

The second dish shown was good too.

 Our favorite.

 This dish was similar to chili but without meat.  The garbanzo beans seemed to take their place.  The bread reminded me of a sopapilla.  You take the bread and tear it and use it to sort of pinch the food to eat it.  This dish was a little too spicy for me.  My brother in law said that when his mom makes these she makes them a lot smaller about the size of your palm.

This dish was a sort of dessert and had a rice or something main part.  It looks a little like an egg but it was cold and the sauce was creamy.  It was not a favorite to me.

We enjoyed the experience and asked that next time we visit that he take us to the same place again and maybe to another Indian restaurant.  We sure loved the food.  I think my brother in law was quite happy that we were interested.

Vacation

We are enjoying visiting with Jeff's family. They have treated us to some fabulous restaurants. Living in the sparsely populated area that we do we are not exposed to the variety and quality of eating establishments that they take as a given. So far we have eaten at a Place called Paradise Bakery, where we had wraps. Then the next day for lunch we went to Mile High Deli and for dinner we went to White Chocolate Grill. I think my favorite so far is the Paradise Bakery. The salads looked divine and the wraps we ate were delish. The White Chocolate Grill was a super fancy cloth napkin expensive place and the food was very very good but we would not be able to afford to eat there except once every five years or so. The Paradise Bakery was higher end but a place we could afford occasionally.

There are 4 million full time residents who live in the valley. The population swells in the winter and goes back down to about 4 million during the summer. Its March right now but the weather is more like late spring or early summer that I am used to. There is very little wind so there are many restaurants with outdoor tables. Living in the mid west we were never really able to enjoy the outdoor facilities because of constant high winds and weather that is either cold or very hot.

The culture here is quite different than I am used to as well. There is a lot more fashion and fancy than I care about. The people dress high society and I am just a country girl. Here I am with denim carpi's and a tee shirt and in the next table are people who are dressed like I would for the fanciest function I would ever attend but to them its everyday attire. Instead of feeling out of place I just feel homesick. I like people who are more down to earth. People who can survive unusual circumstances and get by. Most of the ladies have shoes so tall they can barely walk let alone escape from a threat. Its kind of funny to me. I'm sure they just glance at us and write us off as country bumpkins and that is fine with me. If I had to choose I would choose country bumpkin every time. I feel like my life is more real than theirs. I am just judging by outside appearance of course.

The traffic is hectic too. Constant wrecks and delays. Everyone driving like crazy people. Its a wonderful place to visit but I am so thankful Jeff does not want to live in a place like this and that he is a country boy at heart. I am thankful as well that he is able to find work in more sparsely populated areas instead of a heavily populated area.

This morning we are hoping to visit with Jeff's mom and sister at their home. Until now we have only met in restaurants because someone or other has been sick. We have yet to meet Jeff's niece's little two year old. His birthday was the day we arrived. I have never met him and neither have the girls. Then this afternoon we are to visit Jeff's dad and his wife at their home where they are cooking a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Jeff's dad loves to cook and he loves turkey dinners. I am not sure what the plan is for tomorrow and then we will begin our journey home on Monday and Tuesday. That will give us not quite a week to get rested from the vacation and then Jeff will start work on the 28th.

I am happy and thankful for God's provision and protection and the blessing he has given us.

Almost home

Yesterday we picked Bill and Christina up from the airport. The kids were sure glad to see them. We then went to a restaurant for breakfast and chatting. It was sure good to see them. I would have liked to stay longer but at this time I just was ready to head home.
They gave us each beautiful necklaces with a flower to pin in our hair. Also we each got a t-shirt in pretty colors.

They also gave me a really neat bowl woven out of some kind of leaves. They watched someone make it. It has a rose on the side. They probably don't remember but when we first met them they gave me a rose rock I keep on a shelf. Now I have a rose bowl. It is turning brown but still has some green in it. Christina said it will turn all the way brown and get hard. It is beautiful.

After our late breakfast at the restaurant we headed out. We got to Norman and decided to get a motel. We still have about five or so hours of driving ahead of us today and probably could have made it, but better safe than sorry.

We woke up late and missed the breakfast the motel provides so we must have been tired.

This week we will be finishing the corners for the stone order we have and making stone to set out front to sell. Our stock out front is quite low and needs built up.

I also need to get some more tomatoes planted and cucumbers. Also some acorn squash among other things.

Joy asked me if we ever do anything fun at home and I laughed and said no, I guess we don't. We have plenty of work all the time.

Going to Galveston again

As soon as school lets out we are going to Galveston again. Hopefully it wont be so rainy this time. The kids are looking forward to another romp in the water. This time Hannah is leaving her glasses with me.

Tomorrow morning we pick Bill and Christina up form the airport and then head out. I will call them this evening to see if it would be better if we took two cars and left from the airport or came back to the house and then left. I think it would be better to take two cars to the airport because it would save me two hours of driving and two hours of time cause its an hour from here to the airport.
The girls think we should leave from here. There is a funeral that will be going on when they get here so I know they will rush right over to that so it just makes more sense to me to leave from the airport.
I will ask Bill what he wants us to do.

Today we are packing up our stuff and cleaning house so that it will be clean when Bill and Christina get home. We are trying to get most everything packed into the car so it will be easier to get on the road.

Its always fun to go places but its better to get back home again. I cant wait. I have been away from Jeff for too many days now.

Space shuttle

We had a neat experience after church tonight. We all went outside and watched the space shuttle pass overhead. We would not have known what it was except we were told it would be passing and we were looking for it. It was just a bright white light. It passed from the northwest to the southeast. It was really a fun thing. I wonder how many miles high it was?

Houston Muslims

Harwin Central Mall: The very first store that you come to when you walk from the lobby of the building into the shopping area
Had this sign posted on their door. The shop is run by Muslims. Feel free to share this with others.

Going to Pearland

The girls and I went to Pearland with Sammy yesterday because Mollie wanted to buy some new tennis shoes. She found a pair that looks good on her and fits well. Hannah saw a pair but couldn't decide if she wanted to spend the money. I found a pair of crocks for Jeff. He has feet problems and he likes to wear crocks in the house.

Later we went to Wal Mart and I got 2 pairs of carpi's, and we all got assorted under garments. Mollie also got 2 new shirts.

Well now Hannah wants to go back to Pearland and buy the shoes if they are still there. So as soon as everyone gets around we will go.

We are hoping that the glasses Jeff mailed will come today for Hannah. She is ready to see again. She lost her glasses in the water on Saturday. Update, no glasses today.

Tonight is church. I bought a Thank You note to give to Galen for rescuing us last Thursday. I will give it to him tonight along with some of my home made soap.

I miss hanging laundry outside. They don't have a line here. Its funny too, they have a regular washer and dryer and my kids weren't sure how to run them. I thought that was funny. Of course Joy knew cause they have the old kind at college. We have a front loader.

I do think the Lord is trying to teach me something and I am sure I did not do well in the test. I still have a tendency to bristle when someone begins to yell at me. It looks like there is a lot more refining I need. Refining fire, my hearts one desire, is to love you, set apart for you. One thing I have learned is that I need to put feet to my faith. In other words I need to be able to with stand. It may not always be easy in the days to come. Can I hold up? Can I hold on? Can I hold out?

Clarification

Ok, this is my (sister in Christ) not in real life. She is my former pastors sister. I will try to explain as best I can.
C. just finished a year of christian worship school and does not know what she is doing with her life from now on. Our former pastor (her brother) asked her if she wanted to come to his house to stay and watch the kids while they went to Hawaii. Her response was that she would (have to pray about it) this is her response to anything she doesn't want to answer. Well, I guess God never gave her an answer because she never told him yes or no, so he asked us to come watch the kids. We said ok. We paid our way here, meals, etc. spent lots of money etc.
We were here five days before she showed up.
Apparently she is mad at her brother because he asked us to come and didn't tell her and she is taking it out on me. This is what she told one of my daughters. We had given the pastor some money like we do now and then and he gave some back and told me to pay the girls for watching the kids. I let it slip that he had paid the girls and that was a mistake. I didn't tell her we had given him money first.
The first day she lit into me because I was trying to visit with her and carry on a conversation and apparently everything I said I was judging her. This is when I ended up yelling leave me alone, leave me alone, and she never did.
Two days later the bug man came and I told him she was asleep in her room and he went ahead and sprayed in there and we didn't know it because we were in other rooms. She flew off the handle about that too, I am not sure why she didn't yell at him, but anyway.
Then last night I asked her if she had plans for today and she said she was going to lunch with a friend so I said ok. She wanted to know why and I told her it was because the girls and I wanted to go to the museum of natural science and it was free on Tuesday after 2pm. She was offended that I wasn't inviting her, I was asking her to watch the girls when they got home from school and she wanted me to pay her.
She then apologized and even wrote me a note. Each time she does these things she apologizes and then demands that I forgive her.
This is probably rambling but this is a summary of what is going on.
Anyway, the girls and I decided we would not go anywhere that we couldn't be back in time to get the girls from school or wait and take them with us.
I did explain to her that no we didn't have a food allowance (she thought we did) and I was paying for food and gas so the gas guzzler big car is being driven as little as possible.
We also decided we are not going to any museums or anything else, we will just do short simple things around here.
I can't leave because I gave my word, the pastor doesn't trust her. He said if someone called and asked her to go somewhere she would just go. Once she made her niece change the babies diaper because it was poopy. I am not sure why he asked her. Anyway. It has been no picnic for me and the girls and certainly no vacation for us either.
For some reason she can play monopoly with out asking God about every move so I don't know how she does it. Really, she has to pray about everything and get peace about it. Even buying a pair of tennis shoes.

Apologies and forgiveness

I am having a hard time with a (sister) who seems to believe she can say anything she wants to someone and hurt them as badly as she can, as long as she says she is sorry. Three times in three days she has done this to us. The girls just slip quietly into their room and stay there, leaving me to bear the verbal barrage. When she is done with her snit fit she then DEMANDS that I forgive her for having a fit, my word not hers. Once I said I would try and that led to another outburst.

I just know that if I were not already a Christian and she was my example, it would be the last thing I would want to be.

I know the Bible says:
Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Let me tell you this verse is easier to read than to live. I just feel like I am being attacked. I get all shaky and scared feeling.

I know I only have a few days left and then we can be free from her. The pastors are coming back on Saturday morning and we had planned to stay until Monday but I am sure I cant take it that long. I am having a hard time saying I will stay until Sunday morning. I want to pick them up at the airport and skedaddle as fast as I can.

I know the scripture says to forgive a brother 70 x7 but it also says when we repent we are to go and sin no more.
Joh 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
If I say yes I will forgive you when I don't feel like it am I lying? If I just say I will forgive to get her off my back at the time and then later in my own quite place I try to forgive is that lying? If we (repent) and then do the same thing again and again, is that even repenting?

Help me please Houstonites

We had a fun day today. We went to Galveston and rode the ferry. While we were on the island we had a picnic and then came a massive downpour. We were under a tin roof so it sounded like we were really getting pounded. It was a picnic to remember. Then we rode the ferry back and went to the sea wall and the kids played in the surf. Well the waves were pretty good due to the wind. Hannah went out a ways and the waves washed over her face and the next thing she knows, her glasses are gone. This girl cannot see without her glasses.
Does anyone know of a place in Houston or the surrounding area we can get glasses FAST?
Its getting quite expensive to help this time. First over $350.00 spent on the car then new glasses for Hannah. I hope we get home in one piece.

Off to Galveston

Today we are off to Galveston. We want to ride the ferry, go see if we can find the washed up barges from the hurricane. Then we want to go to the ship museum if its not too expensive. Then the girls want to walk and play on the beach and have a picnic. It rained here in Alvin all evening and all night so we are hoping its not too icky at the beach. This is the only day we can go with all the kids.
We had planned to stay until a week from this coming Monday but I think we will leave as soon as we pick Bill and Christina up from the airport next Saturday. That means we will get a late start, like after lunch, but we have three people who can drive so I think it will be ok.

Long day

This morning Hannah and I drove clear across Houston to north Houston. We arrived at the LDS cannery and made an appointment to can the food I wanted.
Our appointment was for noon and it was eleven so we left to get lunch and come back at noon. We got just a few blocks away and the car died. It was at a stop light in a busy intersection of course. A car stopped by us and blocked traffic with their car so we could push our car to a parking lot. It would not start. Later Hannah and I decided to push the car more into a parking space so it wouldn't block traffic. Two men who were working on the overhead wires came running over and helped us.
I had to call Bill in Hawaii, he gave me a man from church's phone number. I called Galen and he left right then and drove all the way to help us. When he got there he checked it over and we decided to rent a car dolly from U haul. While we were there a man told us he would get some help and come help us push the car onto the dolly.
We took the dolly to the car and tried to get it on, the man wasn't there yet. We couldn't quite get it on, it was pushing uphill onto the dolly.
A couple stopped and asked if we needed help and I said yes. The man got out to help and we still couldn't quite get it so the wife got out and we got it pushed onto the dolly. Of course we told her she had lots of muscles.
Of course we called the man who was coming to help us and thanked him and told him we had it under control and he could go back to work.
We strapped the car on and Galen drove us back to Alvin. Of course we hit just the beginning of rush hour.
Oh and I called the cannery and cancelled my appt. They were very nice and told me I can come back any day and can there.
When we got back to Alvin, Galen hauled the car right over to a mechanic he knows. The mechanic later called me with an estimate and he said he will have the car fixed in the morning. It was the timing belt. So with renting the dolly and the repairs it will still be less than a wrecker to haul the car all that way.
I think I convinced Galen that there are nice people in Houston and not just Oklahoma. He kept telling me that no one would help us. Thanks Houston.

Tomorrow after we pick up the car I would like to go to a few garage sales if possible.

Saturday we are packing a lunch and going to Galveston. We want to ride the ferry, look at the washed up barges, tour the ship, play in the water, and have a picnic. The kids are really looking foreword to it.

Oh and I don't remember if I told you but I messed up my phone last week. I dropped it in Joy's coke and didn't realize it and left it there while we went into a Goodwill. I got my new one tonight. Its a pretty cherry red one. Now I just have to figure out how to use it.

No home made pita pockets for us

I just found out the preachers oven doesn't work, so its no home made pita pockets for us. I will have to figure out meals that don't use the oven.


The Holocaust Museum was really nice. I was hard to read all of the plaques though. When you are reading a book you can put the book down when it gets intense. At the museum you either had to leave or continue with the tour. We finally got to the point that we just couldn't take any more sadness and we left.

If you are in the Houston area, visit the Holocaust Museum.

Off to the museum

We are almost ready to go to the Holocaust museum. I am both excited and worried. I know I will cry for the victims I will learn about.
I will write a post about our day this evening.
I hope all of you have a wonderful day.

Alvin/Houston schedule so far

May 11~Tuesday~find the DAV thrift store and shop
look for other thrift stores.
After school~pick strawberries
May 12~Wednesday~Holocaust Museum
Evening~church
May 13~Thursday~Go to Houston to the LDS cannery and Goodwill shopping.
May 14~Friday~?
May 15~Saturday~Galveston, Ferry, walk on beach, Goodwill shopping. Picnic on beach
May 16~Sunday~am church, picnic lunch at Kemah, then walk around
pm~church
May 17~Monday~After school~ Hermann Park?
May 18~Tuesday~after school, museum of nature and science
May 19~Wednesday~?
pm~church
May 20~Thursday~Houston Audubon Park, water park and log cabin museum
May 21~Friday~?
May 22~Saturday~Bill and Christina return
May 23~Church and spend day with Bill and Christina
May 24~Drive home in Joy's new car Bill and Christina gave her for her first year graduation of bible college.

Thank you for the ideas of places to go and things to see. We may not get to do everything, it depends on weather and if my girls get their school work done so we can head out. They are mostly done with their work, but still have math and some other subjects to finish up. If anyone thinks of other cheap/free places to go, please leave me a comment.