How will you spend the last day of 2013? How will I? What’s to come for 2014?

As 2013 comes to a close in the Happy Family Trailer Park, I daringly spend a little time in reflection on but just a few highpoints.

2013 marked the beginning of the end of a temporary relocate for the HFTP to the desert in the Middle East. Why God took us there? Many reasons have yet to reveal themselves. I’m still waiting. Patiently. Said no Trailer Park Woman ever!

But! 2013 wasn’t all bad. There were many good moments, some even great! Numerous opportunities to explore the local region, even if finances dictated the range of those opportunities. Folks in the HFTP are no different from any others, we’re always on a limited travel budget.

Of those opportunities, the primary one is I got to write my first book. Something I had always talked about, wanted to do, but just never could quite find the time or the discipline to do so. First and foremost I want to give God the glory for making it happen and second I want to thank my sweet Baboo, Jose’, for putting up with those 6 months. The man truly deserves a medal, or a really good home cooked meal, for his perseverance. I should make him healthy oven fried chicken and gluten-free waffles and ho-made maple syrup to dip them in! (recipe to follow soon)

The people and friends we met there…while some, can’t go away fast enough; hopefully, many will last a lifetime! The entire staff at the Danat Resort, Gerry, Dionne and Rachel and many others…you know who you are. Rachel…we’ll ALWAYS have Memphis!

And the trip to Barcelona and the 14 day Trans-Atlantic Cruise home was to die for! Such a great way to CLOSE that chapter of life and mark the return to the original HFTP location in Willer Holler. God took us into the desert, and brought us back out as promised. A lifetime of memories and potential stories that I can write about for years to come!

Plans for 2014 include getting said book published, starting my very own writing group and my very own fitness group. And, as in years past, getting better organized, doing more with less, reading more, riding more, writing more, spending more time with family, friends and the HFTP Queens!, and getting myself in better shape physically, mentally and spiritually. Pretty much the usual.

While mantras from the past years have included such tongue in cheek examples as “I’m gonna make 2011 my bee-yach!” to 2012’s “Let it Go!” and then expanded further to 2013’s “Let it Go…or be dragged.”

2014’s mantra will be, until further notice…

A slight twist of my g-maw’s old mantra “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”

It’s a nice twist.

BTW…Call me…or a cab or somebody, anybody, if you’ve had one 40 oz. too much to drink and you need a ride home.

Call your father if you need bail money.

Wishing you and yours a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Nadine Bodine

Your Very Best Friend in the Whole Entire World

Cancer. That horrible word we all dread to hear. Bad when it involves someone you love. From bad to worse when it’s you. Like Zero to Sixty in less than 10 seconds.

            Today, I sat with Jose’ at the hospital with my church family and my family family, who are also my church family, while a church family member underwent surgery. And, I’m just gonna be completely honest here, it sucked.

            Not the part where I got to have coffee-talk with one of my favorite Aunts or my very favorite Uncle. That part rocked.

Or the part where I got to do my best stand-up routines and tried out my newest jokes in an effort to divert the attention of the surgical-person-in-waiting from their imminent procedure to something totally ridiculous. I liked that part. Humorous diversions in the face of EXTREME STRESS!!! It’s one of my gifts…thank you Jesus!

Or the part where I got to tell the family that I REALLY am there for them ‘post-op/post-dismiss you to home to fend for yourself.’ Here’s my cell phone number, text or call me after you call the Dr. or 9-1-1. Or just if you need someone to pull you back in off the ledge. All parts I liked.

I mean the part where you know, deep down inside, like a sucker punch to the gut when you thought it someone was just bringing you flowers to the door, that this is serious life and death stuff. That there is no playing around here because someone you care for deeply, or love even, is sick. Really, really, potentially sick! Dammit. That’s the part where I HATE CANCER’S GUTS!!! For real.

But here’s the good news. Here’s the part where it gets great! The part where people come together and face enormous physical, emotional and spiritual obstacles…together. Like a Boss.

For weeks now, we have lifted up, pondered, prayed, talked, cheered, fellowshipped, and prayed some more for a miracle. Something only God and the Universe have divine authority over.

            And while it just wasn’t in the cards to deliver a full blown miracle, a partial miracle came in its place. My friend, he’s going to be ok. Because he is going to join the ranks of the Survivors.  He’s got the Eye of the Tiger…and tiger’s only get their stripes by earning them.

Once again…it’s that time of year! And in response to, or probably better said, not to be outdone by the neighbor’s very precious nativity, complete with a stable and a manger made, by hand, by Walter…Casa de Vinton will be staging our Annual “Live” Happy Family Trailer Park Nativity!

It is fitting, as usual to be staged right outside our single wide. And neither rain, nor cold, nor storms nor dark of night will keep us from dressing up and honoring the Holy Family the night of our precious Lord Jesus’ birth. It’s going to be a spectacular debacle for sure. Not one you will want to miss! Complete with search lights shining through the atmosphere to guide you in and midgets, dressed like elves, giving out snacks and selling tickets to the annual mud-wrestling.

In an effort to help out the sky choppers and the Willer Holler Po-Po our new Daughter-In-Law will be our coordinator/planner extraordinaire and will also be on hand to ‘sign’ for the hearing impaired. I’m not sure if any of the ‘signs’ she has taught me thus far will be needed for this event, but I’m ready for the occasion should a need arrive to insult the traffic flow.

Per usual, Jose’ and I will dress as Joseph and Mary, our Mother. Our trip to the Middle East has equipped us with even better costumes than last year! We’re gonna rock the trailer park as the Holy parents.

And since I couldn’t find a suitable plastic life sized realistic looking baby Jesus, we decided dress our lovely 2 year-old granddaughter, Sha-Nay-Nay again as the baby Jesus. Best of Luck! to us, to keep her stationary in that crib. It may take a few more tie-wraps than last year, but I’m locked and loaded with them.

Of course, our children, God love their little hearts, will once again play the Wise Men from Afar…this is because they STILL KNOW EVERYTHING!

Additionally, Chico, the dog, and Clyde, the cat, are cast as the lambs, complete with little lamb sweaters I made myself. They are so cute!

The other two grand-sons, Skeeter and Nacho, will be dueling drummer boys and/or air-guitar players depending on their kindergarten/toddler moods and whether or not they’ve had a nap today.

And finally, as per the usual, our Son-In-Law, will once again be cast as this year’s Ass!…

Merry Christmas to All! And to All a good night!

Gratitude and Blessings be yours,

Nadine Bodine

Your very BEST friend in the whole entire world!

What a week this has been. A roller coaster of job applications, phone interviews, face to face interviews and the blessing of a second interview!

Last week my Pastor, and favorite cousin (just don’t tell the rest of them!) spoke about Blessings. I admit I was half listening, as it was ugly Christmas sweater Sunday and was trying to manage the Trailer Park Barbie sweater I was sporting…the Barbie I had sewn onto the front kept turning sideways and the little car wouldn’t stay perched on its block. Truly a ‘wardrobe malfunction’ in the making from the git-go.

But I was set out to win!

Let the games begin.

Anyway, PG, short for Pastor Greg, was telling us how God blesses us as much as we can handle. Wait. What was that? Rewind the tape. Blesses us as much as we can handle? I always thought of that in the negative. God only gives us as much as you can handle.

And how many times have I questioned him, saying, “Really, God! Just how much more can I possibly handle? The camel’s back is just about to break here. One more stick, and I’m gonna go to my knees.” Oh, wait, that’s probably what he wanted in the first place.

So, all week, I pondered how this concept of God only giving you/me as much as we can handle works for the positive. How awesome is that!?

After praying with my cousins at the altar, and asking God for jobs for me and Jose’ I left it there and went on through the week in search of not only a job, but a job with the right fit. And wouldn’t you know…the right fit came in the form of not just one offer…but two! WOW! I was humbled.

So, now, faced with a choice, it came down to money. Like in, who is going to pony up the most cash? I went to bed Thursday night, knowing that my decision had been made. The job that paid the most had won.

Oh, but wait. An intervention of the Close Encounters of the “Mawdine” Kind occurred. My sweet little Momma, always playing the ‘devil’s advocate’ shed some light on a few items I had failed to see in my haste to cash the check!

And a phone call later my plan had changed as the financial playing field leveled.

It’s not always about the money, and my new boss’ offer helped me sort all of that out. It became a decision for the best fit. Shifting all that superfluous budgeting and financial stuff to the side.

What a relief. To be employed. Truly a blessing.

Color me this Christmas season, counting my blessings.

Gratefully yours,

Nadine Bodine

Your Very Best (now employed) Friend in the Whole Wide World!   

I am grateful today for the Boy Scouts of America.

In particular for the Boy Scout I married. A Scout is ever:

•Trustworthy,

•Loyal,

•Helpful,

•Friendly,

•Courteous,

•Kind,

•Obedient,

•Cheerful,

•Thrifty,

•Brave,

•Clean,

•and Reverent.

And I would add, capable of performing a random act of kindness on a moment’s notice. Jose’ did the sweetest random act of kindness I’ve ever personally witnessed.

Since today marked day 5 of the Icemageddon 2013 Hostage Crisis…we just had to venture out from the safety and security of our single wide and the Happy Family Trailer Park and forage for some groceries…and I had a particular hankering for Mexican food a la El Fenix.

After parking, we noticed an elderly female standing beside her vehicle. At first glance, it appeared that ice had broken lose from the roof of the building and landed on said vehicle. However, upon closer inspection, we discovered the vehicle had been sitting there for a while and the doors were frozen solid shut and there was about 6 inches of ice covering her windshield and hood.  She looked absolutely “conflused.” Her adult daughter, who had ferried her back to the vehicle that had been sitting there since last Thursday!, didn’t look much better.

Of course we wanted to help. But alas, no ice scraper between the four of us. (I see an opportunity for an Uncle Bob Gift!)

Just when we were about to exhaust the efforts of a paper Starbucks cup in my car, the daughter produced a very large sharp shooter shovel.

Well, I’m proud to say my adult Boy Scout took said shovel from the daughter and commenced to gingerly shave the ice off of the windshield, taking great care not to break it while I prayed her insurance was paid up and we would be able to exit the parking lot without her writing down our license plate number!

He managed to not only remove the covering of ice, but then proceeded to clear the pavement in front of the vehicle so that she could mount her trust steed and ride him on home.

It was the sweetest thing I’ve witnessed all season. And to think, my sweet Baboo just jumped in with his instinct and can-do attitude with a small gesture that had a GRAND impact.

As she turned to me to ask me if he would take some money, I winked and whispered to her…just make a donation to the Boy Scouts of America, that’s where he got his training.

She smiled and walked toward her car where he was standing holding open the door.

I smiled at his kindness and made a mental note to myself to write them a Christmas check in his name.

Gratefully yours,

Your very Best friend in the whole wide world

Nadine

I’m grateful for Walmart…yes, that mega superstore that has all but destroyed or reformed small town U.S.A. depending on your take.

A recent conversation with my favorite, Aunt (make sure you’re sayin it right!) Cuisine, has led us to a near breakthrough discovery as to the perfect store.

A damn near epiphany.

She apologized for leaving our Facebook conversation, due to the fact that she had to run down to the local WallyWorld to get back her self-esteem. And it got me thinking.

Without sounding like an infomercial…Walmart is the perfect store for a myriad of reasons. Beginning but not ending with, it’s a great place to shop. Why you ask? Well, Virginia, below are just a few reasons:

Walmart is open 24/7

You can get food/milk/a 40 oz.

You can buy tires and automotive needs

You can buy shoes/clothes

They sell hunting/fishing supplies and guns AND ammo! And if you are military or retired military you can get a fishing/hunting license for FREE!

They will change your oil for you while you shop!

You can have a Subway sandwich or a McDonald’s burger while you shop…but watch the lettuce as it drops from your sandwich paper…it’s not nice to let others step in your mess.

And where else can you can share a large order of fries as you shop?

Once, while shopping, I walked away from my buggy, then walked back and took a couple of fries from my Super-Size fry box…only to discover, that I had walked back to the wrong buggy! The 300 pound lady whose cart it belonged to was less than amused. So, I walked over to my own buggy, checked it first to make sure the kid in there was my own, took 2 fries from my Super-Size box and placed them in hers! We high fived and life went on munching our fries while we shopped.

That Walmart has so many different uses! I mean where else can you pick up a can of Hershey’s syrup, a new battery for the yard tractor, a paint by number picture, a pair of snuggly aloe socks, some hot wings, a 40 oz….AND get your MOJO back just by scanning the folks waiting in line?!

Someone should blog about that!?

ROTFLMAO!!!!!! Do it……do it now’ God bless WalMart !!! I mean, what did we ever do without it.

When I first married and I got a case of the blues I would have to wait until my mother-in-law got home for mood change…….from feeling down to feeling pissed off……..now I just run to Wally World and I’m Happy Happy Happy !!!!!!

Grateful for snow days.

Translated in Texan equals pure, unadulterated icy crapola. It’s not your Hallmark card situation here. Unless you are one of the fortunate ones to stay at home and have a well-stocked pantry. And your heat is still on.

Well, butter my biscuits and color me one of the fortunates!

Because I don’t have to report in to a job as an essential person. I ‘do’ have a well-stocked pantry. And power outages, so far (crosses self and looks toward heaven), we have managed to evade. And thanks to my sweet Baboo, Jose’, we are well endowed with several winter’s supply of cut firewood.

But don’t miss the point here…I’m NOT grateful for icy, snowy weather. Quite the contrary.

While I do love me some snow… for a week… in Colorado. And then love coming home to Texas and leaving it ALL up there till next year! Yeah, buddy.

What I am grateful for today is the memories of snow days past.

Mostly memories of my Dad who made them fun!

He loved a good snow day. No sleeping in for us. It was up early and out to the streets. With a belly full of hot chocolate and oatmeal and layered in as many layers as we could find, he would go out and warm the car, and we would load as many of my cousins and friends in the back seat of our old 1950 Buick and hit the open road, sans Momma. Mawdine quietly chose to remain at home.

First stop was the back of the Buddies grocery store for card board boxes to load in the trunk. At the risk of dating myself, this was pre-crush boxes days, and there were plenty for the taking.

Next he would drive us to the high school parking lot where he would give play-by-play commentary of his driving expertise as “Mario Andretti” while he did ‘donuts.’ As we were slammed from one side of the car to the other, again dating myself as those were pre-seat-belt days, squealing and laughing ourselves silly. It was thrilling! And I never was afraid with Daddy at the wheel of that big old boat for a car.

Once tired of the ‘donut’ game, we then went to the hills by the interstate where we would slide down on the cardboard pieces with total reckless abandon…Daddy leading the way. He always was a bad influence.

And finally, once the day was done, we would head to the store for supplies for chili fixins and hot chocolates.

Snow days were always play days with Dad. He created some fantastic memories for me then. I cherish them now.

‘Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.’ J.R.R. Tolkien

Combining two days…busy times in the HFTP. Grateful for ‘time’ well spent.

Yesterday and today, I am grateful for time. Time. I’ve always had it. Just have to decide how is best to utilize it. Feeling guilty when I waste it.

‘Time’ to put the lights up on the house (confession: I waited till Jose’ left so I could climb up there on the trailer and put them up while he was gone! Ha!) I also spent some overdue time with my baby sister. And with my 96 year old G-maw, and the ladies of L.I.F.T. decorating her tree. And finally with my daughter, Dramamine, some very cherished time.

‘Time’ to cook, ‘time’ to look for a job, ‘time’ to just regroup and breathe. ‘Time’ to just sit on the couch with Jose’.

Time is so precious to me that I’m always scheduling my schedule in advance, only to find that I have to re-schedule my schedule…just ask Martha Shoeline!

Once, I was criticized for living too far into the future. I resemble that remark. Proudly.

Because gratitude is not just for something you have, but for something to come in the future. So, yes. So me.  Grateful for some amazing times in the recent past. And excited for some great times yet to come.

I really like the phrase “timing is everything.” And I couldn’t agree more. While most times, it seems I miss the mark, occasionally, I get it right and am ‘spot on.’

I’ll leave you today with this… waste a little time…and enjoy it…because it’s not wasted time if you enjoy wasting it. Spend some time with the ones you love.

Gratefully yours,

Your very Best friend in the whole wide world

Nadine