Looking for Santa

Everyone in the household is on high alert. The pile of presents under the tree is growing daily and so far Zane hasn't been able to catch the person putting them there. Zane is convinced that Santa sneaks in nightly and if he keeps guard, he will eventually catch him. Some watch dog!
So, the topic of gifts! What to get, how to get them, who to get them for and last of all....what am I getting? I was watching my daughter fret over gift for the kids. her 4 yr' old wants a real space ship and a space elevator. Try and get that up the chimney dear Santa. My daughter's  6 year old daughter wants art stuff and World Peace.
Favorite Aunts are plotting just how to tickle the kids pink with lots of goodies and the UPS truck has graced our door with frequent visits.
How to find the balance? How to instill in the kids a sense of values and thankfulness and concern for the needy?
Give the gift of time. It can be the hardest to give. It can be painful if it's a muscle never used. Get down on the floor and read a book with your child and listen, listen. listen. No matter how small, kids need someone to talk to that doesn't come framed in plastic. They need someone to listen to them even if their words don't make sense. Give the gift of love, companionship and attentiveness. We all want to share who we are.
And in giving....we shall receive.
Merry Christmas 2012  from Laurie Claire Wells

Random Texas Pictures

This was a friendly ribbon snake at Lake Houston Wilderness Park. This was the day we forgot our map and were totally lost for 3 hours..

Here are just a few pictures of Texas beauty

Laurie Claire Wells  2011-2012

The Texas Renaissance Festival 2012

Pics by Teresa Wells and Laurie Glines Wells Nov.2012

Finals

I admire all the people that are attempting school at the moment. Since I have been taking my daughter to college everyday this last year and a half, I have gotten to know some of the students and what they are up against. I was initially shocked by how many people are going BACK to school. I felt odd at first and thought that surely everyone must be staring an me as I walked across campus but then it became obvious that I wasn't such a novelty at all.
So, I have to say I admire the students that are right now cramming to take the semester's finals. young and senior. Seeing the atrange places my daughter studies in, I have to laugh but to some of these people that are older and managing to attend school, work and juggle a family, I just think they are the greatest and I pray they reach their goals....and get good grades!
Well, let's all try and take time to enjoy Christmas in spite of finals and busy schedules. Let's have love, compassion and understanding for each other and  share each others burdens in any small way we can. One small act of kindness can just make the difference!

Christmas 2012 Laurie Claire Wells in Texas.
PS Oh, by the way, it feels like summer here....where's the white Christmas? We are all still in shorts!

Opinions Unsolicited

In the course of my everyday busisness, I have found that I have become more openly opinionated. Maybe it's just an indirect result of the crazy Presidential Elections this year. The whole tone of things amazed me to the point where in spite of me becoming opinionated about other things, I cannot find words for how I feel about the elections. Wait, I do take that back. My overall feeling is one of disappointment in human nature.
Enough said about that,

I went shopping at Sams Club today and ran into a lady wheeling her cart to her car.  She had a bag of Beneful Dog Food in her basket. Dog Food Advisor rates the brand with a big F and explains the reasons why. At the time I was going over the ratings I just happened to be using Beneful. After reading the reasons, I just tossed it out in the nearest garbage can, which happened to be the neighbor's at the time, and changed brands to an brand rated A+ and that was that.

Out of the ear shot of  any Sam's employees, I told her where she could get my new favorite brand. It just so happened to be sold at Sam's big competitor, Costco. I sat in my car for a bit afterwards, thinking that I was in danger of having my picture posted in the local establishments due to my new practice. With all the econonic woes people face, I have just felt we all need to give a hand in getting the best deals for what money we still have.
Someone suggested I just start my own Farmer's Market and open up an adjacent stand for consumer advice. I'd probably eventually get stoned.
Oh well, those are my short thoughts today on being 62 and a lot more opinionated nowdays.

Laurie Claire Wells 2012 and going strong.......

My Father's Roses

I think a lot about my parents lately. They are both in their 80's and facing the issues that come with age. My mom is now coping with losing her memories with Alzheimer's disease.  She is almost in to the last stage.I never realized how much the disease would touch my family and everyone that is a part of our extended family. I left home at 15 years sold and have never lived in my hometown for more than 2 weeks since. Going back recently was one of the more difficult things I have ever done. I knew what was going on and wanted to be there but I was not really prepared.
My dad was going through a serious heart operation and at the same time, my mom was being placed in an Assisted Living facility. It was a time of enormous change for them.
My dad built our house when I was just 10. They chose a place in the country with a white clapboard school. It was  not a one room school house but it  was one building, one hall and 4 rooms on each side. It was white and my Little House on the Prairie schoolhouse. I think it was a dream come true after our previous home was ruined by  the Christmas flood of 1955.
In the years they lived there, my dad turned the property into an amazing garden with fruits and veggies galore. On my trips home, I would just walk around in awe at how well things grew in California and the beauty of my Dad's flowers and green thumb.
This last time, it was overgrown and somewhat neglected. My dad didn't have the strength to care for neither my mom nor his gardens. He had the operation this summer and did fine with the operation and recovery but my Mom's move to the Rest home did not go as smoothly.
We had no option at it took 2 of us to stay with her round the clock at home. Alzheimer's was taking a such a toll on her but she was more physically active than ever. Her mind would send her on so many scenarios in such a short time and she would act them out and you never really were prepared for what time in her early life she was visiting. Most of the time she did not know who we were. I learned about Sundowners and while staying with her,was up  most of the night.
Once my dad was back home and my mom was in her new situation, at least we felt it was a safer environment for her and my dad. was free to rest after his operation. Without my mom, the house seemed so empty but it  was restful and quiet.
Through all of this journey of my parents later years, I had the chance to finally get to know my 3 brothers and my sister. Oddly enough, after almost 50 years away, I felt like I was discovering who I really was also. Normally as one in control, I found I was in surprising new territory and was so unsettled.
I discovered my family! As difficult as it all was, I have to admit that it was a time I treasured and will continue to  do so. The journey is not over and my mom has her ups and downs and continues to surprise everyone and her mind slips around her life. The hours I spent with her, I just loved being there with her. I have enjoyed my parents more than ever and know times will change. Hearing my siblings stories of what they have done and where they have been over the years, keeps my listening ear happy and begging for more. They are such wonderful people all.
If I could only be in multiple places at once. It is hard to be thousands of miles away from places and people you'd love to be with.

To everyone that has a loved one that is experiencing Alzheimer's disease, my prayers are with you all. I admire each and everyone one and thank God for all our moments we share with the ones we love.
Laurie Claire Wells- Dec. 2012

Horses. Kids and Dreams of owning a ranch!

Arabian Horses have always been a love of mine. During last  few years of drought, livestock all over Texas suffered and it was easy to adopt horses. 2011 was a terrible year.  Ranchers just had to liquidate their herds. Here are a few of the horses we met and were able to spend some time with for a few months. During that time we came to love and care for them before they moved on to yet another place where there were greener pastures. 

Red was our favorite during those  months. It's odd to have a large colt following you around like a puppy. Puppies are safer. Overly friendly colts can cause a bit if harm unintentionally.

This beautiful newborn was bounding around the first day. We got to meet her when she was just a few hours old. We were there before her owners were. We were told that this dark little filly would be white as an adult.

 Our Charlotte loved this colt and they became friends for the time they lived nearby.

Valorie seems to have so little fear of horses. This seemed a little too close for me. I believe this is a Rocky Mountain Horse.



Laurie Claire Wells and grandkids.....

And yet another wonderfulThanksgving!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and there is so much to think and reflect on. The world seems a bit crazy this year and I have to fight the tendency to dwell on what's happening. Today I was out in a small town and ended up at one of  their local flea markets...again. I have always enjoyed the experience as well as meeting the locals. Over the years I have come to know some of the people in this small East Texas town and  to care about them and their families. I love small town folks.
One thing Texans are known for, is their hugs. Not being native to Texas, it was a bit hard to get used to at first. Having lived in different countries over the years and having to adjust to local customs, I have always been a bit socially challenged in some aspects. After living in France and used to the air kisses from cheek to cheek, Japan threw me for a loop . The customs were so different and I was ever so thankful that someone sat me down and gave me a crash course there.So much to learn!
Today I was reflecting on how much I have have begun to feel Texas is my home and how much I enjoy the warmth and hugging that goes along with it. I have come a log way.
SO, this Thanksgiving, it's not so much about the festivities and food, but all the more about caring for each other in this crazy crazy world. Reach out and show someone you care today. There are so many little ways and such a need!
PS. Someone asked about my post about Laurie Claire Wells being 62. Yes, it has happened. It feels great! I'm thankful.

Laurie Claire Wells at 62

This is for Kaelyn. She was my inspiration in Japan when it gets around to cooking. She loved to watch cooking shows. We spent a lot of time watching Nerdy Nummies and I loved this cake. I have to admit that Laurie Claire Wells, AKA Gramndma, is not know as being on for following a recipe. This cake took me all day. Of course I had to do all the shopping in between and get Teresa at college and take care of the dogs and cook dinner. This is why it took me all day! It was a lot of fun. It is my 62nd year and this Rainbow cake made for a fun birthday and the kids liked it!

Is today a crazy election day or isn't is? At least we are near a close. It was a relief when I was out of the country for 3 weeks and the Japanese really didn't say too much about it all. Actually nothing.
I have been so disappointed by the content of campaign ads and sad to see how far some people will stoop with their character assassination attempts and that people don't stand up and take notice and say "Hey, this has gone too far!"
We teach our children not to lie and cheat and bully each other in schools. What are we missing here? With all they are hitting us with now, I can imagine anyone feeling comfortable relinquishing their lives and freedom to BIGGER government  when they are so dishonest. We, as a people, deserve to be treated with dignity and we must treat others the same.

It has been such a nice thing to get to know Aris. Since Jason has been staying with us again, we have enjoyed seeing more of the two of them. Aris is in college or we'd see more of her. There is such a difference in height between the two and that is just fine with my grandson Jude who has a bit of a crush on her as she is more his size. At 4, he is quite tall.

My Grandkids in Japan

I had a a wonderful visit to Fukuoka, Japan. It was my first trip overseas alone so I was trying to keep it all together with all the changes etc. I loved being back in Japan and with my Grandkids and Titus and Mia. They made it all possible for me.
So much has changed there and it did take me a while to get out of my "shy" mode but I finally did. The people there are still just wonderful. I took early morning walks on the beach nearby and started making friends with the older people that also walked each day.  They even started bringing me little gifts. Japan has Thrift shops now, an abundance of blonde and red haired Japanese people, There were so many small changes but a lot happens in 20 years, I think I just spent the first few days comparing.
My grandaughter loves cooking shows on Youtube and has the earmarks of a future chef. Deren showed me his school and I met his teacher. I marveled at how he speaks and writes Japanese and does so well in school and then comes home to get his homeschooling done in English. He is a very talented child. I was a bit taken back by the fact that kids go all over alone as it's just a lot safer there. I kept thinking, should  they be doing that? It seems kids just are more independant in a way.
I could never get over the fact that kids aren't really belted in the car while driving. That makes me nervous but I really didn't see any accidents while there.
It was hard to take the plane, leaving my wonderful family there and the island that had won my heart. I just wanted to stay longer. I missed my home but it was so hard to leave. I was sniffling and drying my eyes for hours while crossing the Pacific.
Something always happens to redirect me however, I had a window seat and when needing to use the restroom, could not wake the young man next to me. If he was not a Sumo wrestler, he was that size and he was actually taking up part of my seat. I tried to crawl over him, which turned out to be a disaster as I ended up falling and  hopping in the aisle in the dark all tangled up in headphone wires. It was dark and I caused a big stir and everyone had a good laugh.

Well, here are a few pictures.