One of Nettie's Girls

"They were astonished"

2012-01-21T06:57:00.000-08:00

If you are a Facebook friend you are aware that Dennis was in the hospital from Wednesday until yesterday afternoon. Long story short: I took him to the ER in Pryor on Wednesday morning. He was having chest pains, dizziness, headache and just a general bad feeling. They ran tests there-EKG (normal), chest xray (normal), CT of the head (normal) and blood work (elevated heart enzymes which evidently can indicate heart attack/damage). They called for transport to a Tulsa hospital-St. John. Once there they admitted him to the cardiac floor. They started another round of blood work and scheduled a cardiac stress test for Thursday morning. Three blood draws indicated no elevated heart enzymes. However, the stress test showed some abnormalities. So began the long wait and see process while the cardiologists decided what to do next. On Thursday evening it was decided that they would do a CT angio scan instead of jumping right to the heart cath. That was scheduled for Friday morning. That was done and the cardiologist (he saw four cardiologists in total) reviewed it and explained the results to Dennis. There was no evidence of heart attack, no blockage, no tumor, no irregularities of any kind. His explanation was a false positive on the stress test.....it happens.

I have thought about this a lot as people have asked "well, why did he have the pain and this episode if everything is normal? What do they say about it?". I have offered the answer we were given - "false positive" but have decided that just isn't adequate.

As soon as people knew Dennis was in the hospital they began to pray. Technology is such now that people all across the country were praying for him within hours. What a comfort. We pray for God to intervene and to heal and to restore.....then keep asking why and what and how when He does. It reminded me of the story from Acts 12.

Peter was in prison. Herod had him arrested because of his faith. The church was gathered and praying for him. The Lord sent an angel to bust him out of prison. He walked right past the guards without detection. HE recognized how his escape happened: "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”

He went to the house of Mary where people were assembled praying for him. He knocked on the door. A young servant girl came to the door. She recognized his voice without opening the door and ran back to tell the others. They told her she was crazy. When she insisted they said it must be his angel. But, Peter kept on knocking and when they opened it they were astonished.

Isn't that just like us? We pray for God to heal and restore and when He does we try to explain it away or we are astonished. Weren't they praying for that very thing?

So, my new answer to what and why and how in the matter of Dennis' hospitalization is answered prayer. Pure and simple.

Our God is an awesome God.

Giveaway time with Whitney!

2012-01-09T14:53:00.000-08:00

****Contest Over*****

Go to this site and enter to win something really cute!!!!! Do it.

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

2012-01-03T20:20:00.000-08:00

The new year prompts most of us to make promises and resolutions and pronouncements of better eating, more exercise, etc. I have been sucked into that machine more times than I care to number. Good intentions are just that....good. But, they do not always stick. Guilty.

So, this year, knowing that I desperately need to make major changes in order to enjoy more new years, I have decided to take a different approach. Sure, I would like to lose weight and move more and look better and feel healthy. So, I could announce that I am going to go on a diet and that I am going to train for a 5K. You would encourage me and I would try very hard. I might succeed and I might not. It's happened enough times over the years.

My new approach isn't going to be a revelation to anyone but me. Are you ready for it? I am going to convince myself that Food is Fuel. I have been thinking about it for several days and realize that I see food as so much more than that. All of my life food has been joy, happiness, good times, sadness, comfort, a stress reliever............you name it. If the emotion has a name, I have a food for it!

I am the person who knows her "fuel gage" is sitting closer to full than empty but pulls up to the pump anyway.

I don't do that with my car. I fill it up and run it out. I don't keep going back to the station just to top it off. I wait until I NEED to fuel up. Wow! What a concept. I told you it wasn't profound....well, maybe it is for me. It has taken me 55 years to believe that food is a tool not a crutch.

I am going to work on changing the way I look at food and what it does for me. Today I repeated my new mantra a few (dozen) times whenever I thought about grabbing a snack or a soda. "Food is fuel"- do I need fuel right now or just a walk around the office because I am bored and tired? I know it's just one day, but for today it WORKED for me.

So, I am going to try to only pull up to the

when I really do need FUEL. It's okay with me if you ask me about this.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T19:34:00.000-08:00

Indulge me a little. We had a wonderful Christmas in the Fletcher household this year. There is nothing better than time with family. Here is a glimpse into our "wonderful life".

I love this picture of my girls. They were enjoying themselves or enjoying making fun of the photographer: DAD!

Aaron and his baby sister.

Blankets made by Aunt Debe and her friend Rita. They were a big hit.

Aaron and Jami

The kids in front of our "ghetto fireplace" as Izaac referred to it.

Izaac and his pal.

Another photo of the girls on the porch.

The original Fletcher five.

Ready for dinner.

And now, some shots of my tree which was decorated by Launi Stokes. She did a great job. I love all the colors she added to the tree.

I hope that your family enjoyed the season as much as we did. I totally forgot to take pictures of the ornament/scripture activity we did before Christmas Eve dinner but this is where I got the idea.

Great Joy!

2011-12-18T18:40:00.000-08:00

I hope you are taking the time this season to enjoy the JOY! After all, wasn't that the message?

"Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

As the days countdown to Christmas it seems that a lot of people lose their joy. I see it at work and around town-people are weary, stressed, sad, anything but experiencing GREAT JOY! Why is that? Why, as we draw closer to the day we commemorate our Saviour's birth, do we become less and less joyous?

Years ago I decided to enjoy the Christmas season not dread it. And, I think that is the key-it's a decision. Only you can determine what Christmas will be for you. This year, determine that you will accept the message of joy and let it be the mark of your celebration.

A Perfect Fall Day

2011-10-29T21:11:00.000-07:00

We had such a wonderful day. It wasn't spectacular in any way, just good. We didn't have to be anywhere this morning so we could sleep in. I got up at 3:30 and Dennis got up at 5:00! I just woke up and had a bit of a headache so I got up, took meds and laid down on the love seat in the living room. I couldn't sleep so I fixed a wonderful cup of coffee, grabbed a quilt and read. Then Dennis got up. He searched for something on television and then turned it off and napped in the recliner. We spent the next 3-4 hours like that. He napped a little, I read a little and napped some myself. It was heaven-no schedule, no rushing to be anywhere.

After Katie got up (10:30-she has no trouble sleeping in) Dennis and I took a trip to Walmart. It was so much fun just to be together and talk and enjoy the time. Then it was back home to put steaks in the frig to marinate and potatoes in the oven to bake for dinner later.

The weather was perfect-we had the doors and windows open to let in the fresh air. Dennis watched football. I read. Katie watched movies.

Dennis grilled steaks that turned out as well as any I have had anywhere. The potatoes were just right. Another component to our perfect fall day!

Vacuuming and folding three baskets of laundry filled some of the time but it was rewarding to have it done. Dennis is always a big help around the house. He really makes a better housewife than me!

Saturday is the day for a phone call from my sister Rhonda. We laughed and talked and enjoyed our time. Then it was time to start getting things ready for Sunday dinner-making a dessert, peeling potatoes and cutting up chicken. I like to have as much done as possible for Sunday lunch so we can eat soon after church. This is the weekend the kids come over and I can't wait to spend some time with them all.

Everyone is in bed now except me. You might be reading this and think "this is her idea of a perfect day?" Well, yes it is. I love days where the little things remind me that they are indeed the BIG things! I hope you have many days like mine.

Mini NG-ette

2011-10-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

This weekend was a special treat. My sisters and I had a little get together at Rhonda's NEW house!

It was great that we were able to find a weekend that worked for all of us. We arrived Friday and the fun began. Rhonda had little gifts each day for us. I received bath stuff, a new bracelet and a silicone baking mat. I can't wait to use the mat on my next baking project. She had prepared a fantastic meal of ham, rice, carrots, homemade bread, and pineapple cheese salad. And, she topped our fantastic meal off with her to-die-for rice pudding. We were spoiled rotten.We had to take a little run to Target because I forgot my clothes! Yes, that's right.........my clothes. I had shoes, jammies and underwear but left my clothes hanging in my closet. I was glad for an excuse to go to Target. Why? Well, every Target trip ends with a stop at the Starbucks. Then, it was back to her house for a fun LATE evening of girl talk. Saturday morning was a real treat. Our cousins Sheri and Paula joined us for breakfast-eggs, bacon, Morning Glory muffins and more pineapple cheese salad. And, if I remember correctly, FOUR pots of coffee. Our little breakfast lasted for almost five hours! We sat around the table, we stood around the bar and back to the table. It was wonderful. We have such great memories to share. After we said goodbye to the girls we were off to shop for wall art for a couple of spots in the new house. That was fun. Well, for us, maybe not for the clerks who helped us. We found something for the wall in her bedroom and for a wall in the bathroom. I even got started on my Christmas shopping. We had Ted's for dinner then rolled ourselves out to the parking lot. Full tummies didn't keep us from stopping at Starbucks, though. Rhonda and I tried the Salted Caramel Mocha Latte. So yummy.We spent Saturday night sharing with one another about things that the Lord is teaching us or taking us through right now. We had the sweetest fellowship during this time. I am so blessed to have such great best friends. It was another late night for us which included a crazy round of snacks after 11pm! Shhhh....don't tell.Sunday morning dawned too soon.......the day to leave one another. We sat outside on her beautiful patio and drank coffee and talked. We packed up and drove over to Interurban for brunch. It was delicious. Those last precious minutes were savored until we had to get in our separate cars, Hugs, tears and wishes for safety and we were on the road. I am so glad that we will be together again in just five weeks for Thanksgiving!

A Fine Line

2011-10-02T21:19:00.000-07:00

You would think that after thirty plus years of being a parent I would know what I'm doing. Well, throw that idea out the window.

One of the hardest aspects of this parent/child dynamic is walking the tightrope of caution and protection vs. paranoia and neurosis. I know our desire to remind our daughter of the rules everytime she is going someplace new or crowded or big stems from a deep compulsion to protect her and keep her safe. More often than not,though,we are projecting a spirit of fear onto her.

I struggle with wanting her to be strong and adventurous and independent all while longing to hold her close and keep her from any hurt or harm. I fall off this tightrope more times than I make it across to the other side.

My conclusion: if I approach this in my own strength and wisdom I might as well be working without a net! I am so glad that when I fall it is into His arms. May I teach my three children by example that He is always there and we need not fear.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

One Thousand Gifts 101-115

2011-09-04T23:18:00.000-07:00

101. Friends like Justin and Loretta who hosted tonight's fellowship-great food, awesome music and good conversation.

102 The beautiful fall weather.

103. My grandsons.....they are smart and funny and handsome.

104. My silly family and lazy Sunday afternoons.

105. Reminders of how much my friends mean to me-a card, a hug, a text.

106. Holidays from work and routine.

107. That there are only 79 days until Fin and Feather with my family!

108. Seeing prayers answered already in our Moms in Touch group.

109. The power of technology to spread prayer concerns around the world in minutes.

110. Good start to a new school year for Katie.

111. God's hand of protection.

112. The new baby in our family-Eliot Mark Thomas.

113. Tazo tea.....my favorite: Zen

114. All the people who invest in my children's lives.

115. People who care and act and want no credit for their actions.

The Power of Pictures

2011-08-30T01:23:00.000-07:00

I can't sleep tonight. I don't know if it is the wheezing, the coughing, the congestion or the coffee I am drinking at 3:25 AM, but I am wide awake! This is not the norm for me. I am one of those people who can fall asleep sitting up, talking on the phone and, yes, even driving. (Don't ask)

I finally just gave up and got up. I finished reading The Lincoln Lawyer and started another book. I played Words with Friends with everyone I owed a move to, only to realize that no one was going to be playing at 2:30 in the morning. Decided that coffee sounded good and made a lovely cup of it. Then I turned on the laptop and decided to look at all the pictures I have saved on it.

I realized that a sleepless night + pictures can make one very melancholy and reflective. I am going to share a few.

This is my sister Debe and me. I love to think about how one of my very best friends has been with me all my life! And I have the pictures to prove it!

Much to Blair's dismay, this is one of my all time favorite pictures of her. Obviously, this was taken before her eye surgery to correct a slight problem she had with strabismus. Or, as random strangers would say to me: "Did you know your baby is cross-eyed?" No, really?

These are my handsome grandsons Ricky and Izaac. I don't get to see them nearly as much as I would like but I love them dearly. They make me smile so much.

Aaron and Daddy. I love that Daddy was amused by Aaron's stubborness and individuality. I wish they still had the opportunity to have that relationship.

I get so much joy from watching Katie and her friends grow closer together and have so much fun.

I will never tire of looking at this picture of my beautiful mom. I would love to have one more day with her.

I am one of the few people who loved being "stranded" indoors during the snowstorm. Pajamas and my family together all day! Does it get any better?

Dennis enjoying his snuggie from the kids!

I will end with this one. I am blessed beyond measure with a family that means everything to me.

I am not any sleepier but I have enjoyed counting my blessings.
Good night or good morning.

Writer's Block

2011-07-29T04:49:00.000-07:00

Actually, it's not that I have writer's block. I have writer's diarrhea. But, that doesn't sound like a fitting title for one's blog. I have all of these ideas for blogs running around and around in my head but they just keep slipping away before I can put them on paper.

There was a time when I could sit down, take a thought and flesh it out into a coherent collection of paragraphs. Are those days gone? I don't know.

So, I need some advice. What disciplines do you apply to get the words on paper? Writing has always been something I felt was a part of me but I feel like my ability to express myself is fading.

Puzzling

2011-07-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

This is just a public service announcement to my bloggie friends:

For some reason I am unable to comment on everyone's blogs. I can comment on some of them but not all. So, if I usually comment on your page and haven't in awhile, I still read you and still WANT to comment. It just won't let me.

And, if you never even noticed I wasn't commenting anymore, well, shame on you. I am an old woman with feelings! Just kidding.

Sometimes I Need to Be Reminded.....

2011-06-23T05:19:00.000-07:00

From a Beth Moore study I am doing:

He is my strength when I am weak.
He is my rock when I am slipping.
He is my deliverer when I am trapped.
He is my fortress when I am crumbling.
He is my refuge when I am pursued.
He is my shield when I am exposed.
He is my Lord when life spins out of control.

"I will shout with joy, Lord God, when You make me victorious, and I will lift up a banner in the name of my God." Psalm 20:5

Embrace the Camera.....finally.

2011-05-31T12:52:00.001-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about the Embrace the Camera idea that Keely blogged about here. I am the world's worst at having my picture taken by someone. I do not want to be in the picture. Ever. But, after reading the original blog I determined that I was going to do better.

Have I? No. Until yesterday. We had some friends over for Memorial Day yesterday and our daughter Blair who doesn't live at home got to be there. She and my daughter Katie were in the kitchen with me and started taking cell phone pics of themselves together. All of a sudden I whipped around the counter and said "Take one with me!" I think they were shocked. But...............here it is:

A Prayer for Friends

2011-05-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

A Writing Assignment

2011-05-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning up some files on my laptop and came across this assignment from an online writing class I took about a year and a half ago. We had a two part assignment: we were to write about what we remembered and what we didn't remember. It was a free form exercise. We weren't supposed to worry about punctuation or spelling, just let our minds prompt our fingers as we typed. I thought you might find it interesting to see my mind at work....oh boy.

I REMEMBER
It's funny that the assignment is called "I Remember" because it is a family joke that my memory is so poor. I have a hard time remembering things from years ago and from seconds ago. Memory just isn't my strong suit. things that trigger memories for me are smells and sounds. i can smell a certain kind of perfume and think about a first boyfriend. i can hear someone's voice and think that they sound like someone from my past. I remember being at Nanny and Poppa's and lounging on that chaise in the back bedroom. I loved that so many of us slept in one room. I remember sleeping out in the yard when it was hot. I remember the stemmed glasses with the circles etched in them and those awful metal glasses that made anything you drank taste like metal. i remember going to the pump and pumping water. i remember sitting on the tractor in a big cow pie. i remember playing slapjack with Nanny and thinking that we were so daring. I remember getting that cool blue dress at Christmas that had the hat and pink polka dot tie. i remember playing with cousins in the yard around the old tree with red paint. i remember the pretend horse that was really just a big stump with a saddle on it. i remember riding the runaway pony and ending up on the porch. I remember locking a couple of boys in the outhouse and laughing as we ran away. I remember the spot on the rug where Poppa poured the Vitalis into his hands and slicked down his hair. I remember. Hey, I remember!

I DON'T REMEMBER

I don't remember that we lived with Nanny and Poppa one summer but everyone says we did. I don't remember grandpa jernigan. I don't remember christmas time until we were living in Idaho. i don't remember anything about the kitchen or living room in our house behind the church on Frank street. i don't remember how can you write what you don't remember i don't remember it so i can't write it i don't remember the names of most of the people i went to church with at clovis i don't remember much about being pregnant with Blair i don't remember planning my wedding i don't remember celebrating anniversaries in the first 20 years or so of our marriage i don't remember ever hugging Uncle raymond or Uncle Palmer but I remember hugging uncle joe and uncle beryl. i don't remember when dennis and i decided we were going to get married because it was never asked and answered.

My Mother-a true Proverbs 31 Woman

2011-05-08T05:49:00.000-07:00

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

It Did Not Disappoint

2011-04-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

You would think that it would get old or boring or tiresome. Well, I have news for you: It doesn't!!!! Once again, NG was great and wonderful. I just cannot imagine having a better time than I have with my sisters.

A few snapshots that show you the many faces of NG8:

Decision making is always fun. I am not going to admit that we are directionally challenged but there was quite a bit of discussion regarding left and right!!! (For the record..........I was wrong. I know you are shocked.)

The Riverwalk in San Antonio is beautiful. The weather was perfect. I have never walked so much in my life. At the end of the first long day I declared that I managed to keep up and I did not die. That was my goal.

We did more "tourist" things this year than we normally do at NG. But, you can't go to San Antonio and not see the Alamo, Market Square, Riverwalk and King Williams District. We honestly did walk everywhere we went. The only ride we had was on the Riverboat Cruise:

We celebrate several traditions at NG. There is the giving of gifts. Nora generously took care of ALL of our lodging as her gift to us this year:

Rhonda gave us personalized luggage tags in great fabrics---so perfect for each of us.

Debe had coffee cups made with many snapshots of Nettie's Girls-old and young-for each of us.

I made frames with a photocopy of a page from our mother's Bible. It contains her favorite verse, which she had underlined and noted as her favorite verse.

Another tradition is to share what we did to honor Mother in the way of kindness or generosity (two qualities that she taught us by example). The stories are always moving and inspiring of ways we found to show Christ's love to individuals and families each year.

We also give a financial gift each year from the four of us. This year we will be donating for a benefit for our sweet friend Lindsey. And a new feature, in honor of our sister Vicki, will be to help our nieces and nephews with church camp each year.

Debe gave our Saturday night devotional this year. She challenged us to be women of character. It is always a joy to hear Debe speak. It is truly one of her gifts.

Plans are already made for NG9 which will be held in Branson. The countdown has started....................359 Days.

I Can't Breathe

2011-04-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

I am so excited. That's why I can't breathe. Just one more day and I will be enjoying the company of my three best friends...my sisters. Yes, it's time for NG8!

NG8 is happening in San Antonio this year. This is one of the biggest trips we have taken. Plus, we are adding an entire day and night to the whole experience. This year starts on Wednesday and goes through Sunday.

We have been firing off the emails daily, building up the excitement and anticipation. By Wednesday morning when my Taxi by Terry picks me up I will be absolutely giddy. I am hoping the giddiness will help me overcome my fear of flying. Flying is one of my least favorite things to do. You can say a prayer for me.

I am anxious to hear what each sister did for her random act of kindness in mother's memory. I am anxious to see the little gifts we will have for each other. I am anxious to hear what Debe has prepared for our reflection time and see what challenge she will make to us for the next year. I am anxious to help decide whom we will reach out to with encouragement this year.

Every year when I write about our trip I always try to encourage others to start a tradition like this with their sister(s). It doesn't matter if you just have one or have five or just have a brother.............do it! It is the greatest gift we give each other and ourselves all year.

I thank God for my sisters and for our times together.

ONE THOUSAND GIFTS

2011-03-26T21:26:00.000-07:00

87. Shopping with Katie and Keely.

88. Lazy Saturday afternoons.

89. New mercies every morning.

90. Anticipation of my yearly sister get together. Only 18 more days.

91. Hope for relief for Dennis' back pain after Friday mornings' procedure.

92. Words with Friends..........I love it. It's like Scrabble 24/7!

93. Sunshine; just wish we had some.

94. Prayer time at night with Katie.

95, Inside jokes.

96. Seeing all the kids and babies when checking them in for Sunday School.

97. Lounge pants.

98. James Taylor music.

99. Late nights up by myself.

100. That I made it to 100. Only 900 more to go!

Ideas from bloggie friends

2011-03-24T08:56:00.000-07:00

I love when one of my bloggie friends posts a "How To" idea. One of my favorite "How To-ers" is Sunday Baker. I am drawn to so many of her ideas because they are simple, inexpensive and thoughtful.

Check out Button Art today.

She has lots of yummy recipes and fun crafts. Spend some time perusing her site. And, definitely take the time to read her tab entitled My Story

What's in Your Bag?

2011-03-22T11:02:00.001-07:00

My dear friend Whitney challenged readers to reveal the contents of their bags or purses. So, I am playing along:

My Bag

Contents of my bag "dumped"

Contents organized and accounted for

2 calendar date books
1 check book
1 letter from MCMC saying it's time for my mammogram
1 pack of tissues
3 little post-it pads
7 pens
1 highlighter
2 blank sheets of paper
1 letter requesting donations for a mission trip
1 lipstick
1 Back and Body pain reliever
1 Vera Bradley clutch
1 roll of Sweetarts
1 mint from Los Ranchos
1 pack of gum
1 credit card billfold
1 tube of handcream
1 inhaler
1 pack of mints
1 tea bag my favorite Tazo Zen
1 reminder to pick up Sweetarts, needles and insulin
1 password notebook(my online life is in this book)
1 Wal Mart receipt

Thanks for helping me organize my purse, Whitney. It was fun.

Too hard to imagine

2011-03-13T22:05:00.000-07:00

I have been drawn to the barrage of coverage of the crisis in Japan for the last few days. The images and videos stir my heart and cause me, at times, to exclaim out loud. I cannot believe the devastation each time I turn on the television or log on to the internet. Life is forever changed for thousands and thousands of people in that country. What they held in their hands on Thursday is gone, washed away in a holocaust of waves. So many now find themselves in a place where they have absolutely nothing left that resembles their life a few days ago.

It has brought me to the place where I am looking around at my house and my things, what I call MY LIFE, and asking "Is this really what my life is about? Do the things we possess and the routines of our lives define us? If we lost them, would we lose ourselves?"

Reflecting on the past three years I can point to the two times our home flooded as what I termed "disasters". We lost things we owned and we had to spend lots of money rebuilding our house. I felt so lost when we were displaced both times. Granted, wonderful friends took us in and gave us a place to call home. I cannot imagine how we would have survived without their selfless compassion. But, not having my own place and my own routine was very difficult for me. Those were definitely times that my faith was tested and I felt battle weary.

Tonight, though, I can see something so clearly. As much as the two floods impacted us emotionally and financially they were nothing compared to what the dear people of Japan are facing. I knew where all of my family members were. I knew there was a place of shelter for me and my family. I knew we would have food and water, all the things we needed. But, right now, there are thousands there who don't know. Nothing seems certain to them. And, surely, hope must be weakening, if not altogether gone.

I am thankful that in my time of need I had hope. "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."

I am reminded I am fortunate to know God and to have this hope. I am reminded to put my trust in the name of the Lord our God because everything else will fail us.

One Thousand Gifts

2011-03-08T04:22:00.000-08:00

75. Refreshing received from the E Women's Conference

76. Worshipping with friends

77. Resting when needed

78. A comfortable home

79. Hope

80. God's provision

81. Long lasting friendships

82. Celebrex....take that arthritis!

83. Clean laundry

84. Naps

85. Crushed ice

86. Happy children...my own; life is much better when I know my kids are content

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Blair

2011-03-04T04:34:00.000-08:00

Today is my daughter Blair's 25th birthday!

Her story is hers to share but I will just say this: She has proven that determination and courage can overcome anything. She decided to change the direction of her life and did it without looking back. She inspires me. I love her. I am so very proud of her.

Whitney's giving away stuff again!

2011-03-01T21:54:00.001-08:00

If you want to win it enter at http://glamlifehousewife-reviews.blogspot.com/

One Thousand Gifts

2011-02-24T08:48:00.000-08:00

65. Anticipation of my NG8….our 8th annual sister trip. San Antonio better get ready!
66. New Testament Challenge that has really challenged me to know more about Jesus.
67. The Bible tells us to give thanks in all circumstances so…..thank you for the rain. (Teeth clenched, but I said it.)
68. My children. They have already been on my list but they bring me joy every day as I watch the people they have become and are becoming. All three have wonderfully tender, sweet hearts.
69. Friends who text and call and email to encourage and inspire me almost daily.
70. Brett Cobler’s sweet care and attention to his grandmother.
71. Our church’s praise team and musicians. Sunday’s music was absolutely great for leading us to the throne of God.
72. Upcoming time away with my good friend Lindsay.
73. A church family that provides role models for my teen-age daughter.
74. Tamales

Boundaries: Where to draw the line

2011-02-17T07:35:00.000-08:00

I am going to let someone else speak today. This is an excellent article that so many of us women need to read and take to heart:

Boundaries: Where to draw the line

Is It Me or Them?

2011-02-03T10:55:00.000-08:00

I am starting to think that I am in the minority when it comes to being snowed in. I continue to be amazed at the number of people I am encountering who, upon being asked what they are doing out in this mess, say "I had to get out of the house! I'm going crazy cooped up with the family.".

I have enjoyed every minute of the time I have been "cooped up" with my family. Am I the only one out there that has a family they don't mind being with 24/7? Is it me?

Or, is it them? Have they loaded their lives up with so much activity and so many obligations that they have forgotten how to just sit and be with the people they love? Is their home not a haven? My home is my favorite place to be.

There are countless things to do while home: reading, tv and movie watching, napping, cooking, baking, cleaning (yuck), game playing, talking.......you just won't run out of things to do. So, from where exactly does this boredom and cabin fever come?

I see these times as a chance to reconnect, to just be a family not going in fifty million directions. We stay too busy, do too much and spread ourselves too thin. It's a gift, in my opinion, to have no other choice but to be together. Sometimes we need a "time out".

As far as boredom, my mom used to say that a person isn't bored, they're boring. I think she was on to something. Speaking of my mom reminds me of something else I have realized. To all the kids and young people out there who think one more day with their family is just too excruciating to comprehend: one day they will be gone and, trust me, you will not regret spending TOO much time with them. You will only wish you had spent more.

So, please, enjoy this time. Don't wish it away. Don't whine and complain. Thank God for the gift of family.

New Testament Challenge

2011-02-01T04:33:00.000-08:00

Since January 23rd I have been a part of the New Testament Challenge. By Easter Sunday I will have read the entire New Testament. Here are a few things I have taken from my reading so far:

1. The story NEVER gets old! Reading accounts of the birth, life and ministry of Jesus does not evoke a "been there, heard that" response. I am amazed at how fresh the story seems though it is familiar.

2. I can still learn from the text: I was struck by something while reading in Luke 5. After having quite possibly the most successful day of his professional life, Jesus asks Simon Peter to give it all up and to follow Him. Most of us would view success as God's way of saying "This is what you should be doing. This is your calling." But, Simon Peter's real calling had nothing to do with his job experience.

3. Community is important. I like knowing that there are others out there reading the same passages on the same days, all of us reflecting on them together. I enjoy reading their comments and seeing how the text is impacting their lives.

3. Discipline is my friend. I need structure when it comes to study. I like having a plan to follow and a goal for which to reach.

It's not too late if you want to join the challenge.

href="http://www.mountaintopchurch.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=137890">

One Thousand Gifts

2011-01-24T21:00:00.000-08:00

55. Phone calls from my sisters.

56. Clearance items in the school and office supply section of Walmart! Woohoo!

57. That my 13 year old still snuggles up to me on the couch.

58. Friends and family who encourage me when I am feeling insecure.

59. Quilts. They make me think of my childhood.

60. My sweet, ornery, good, faithful and funny husband.

61. Second chances..........getting them AND giving them.

62. People who love my kids and let me love theirs.

63. More wealth and health than most of the world will ever know.

64. People who look up to me........it keeps me on my toes.

Challenge Accepted

2011-01-22T19:24:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I start a new challenge. It's called the New Testament Challenge. I was invited to participate in this by a man I met many years ago who was involved in ministry to young people-Tony. Tony made an impact on a couple of boys who mean the world to me-my son Aaron and his dear (and my dear) friend Luke. What fun times ensued when these three were together!

So, knowing and trusting Tony as I do, I was more than ready to take up the challenge. The church he attends is going to be reading through the New Testament together. The reading schedule starts tomorrow and goes through Easter. I can't wait to see what new things I learn from this exercise.

You can also listen to a podcast daily of the scriptures for that day if you prefer.

I hope to have some insights to share with you as I read through this timeless story.

Here is the link to the challenge:

http://www.mountaintopchurch.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=137890

One Thousand Gifts

2011-01-17T18:16:00.000-08:00

46. Skinny Vanilla Latte creamer.

47. My children. I have already used that one but today I am reminded of how precious they are and how much my life is richer because of them.

48. Early mornings when I get to spend time reading my Bible and praying.

49. New recipes that turn out well----White Chicken Chili.

50. The longer days now that we are into the month of January.

51. Coffee.

52. Good books.

53. A car that runs and gets me where I need to be.

54. Friends who encourage me and stand in my corner.

Momma's Kitchen

2011-01-15T20:55:00.000-08:00

(When we were kids we loved for Momma to give us a piece of potato when she was peeling them for supper. It was a treat! I wrote this little piece for a writing class when asked to fictionalize a memory from childhood. Some of it rings true. I won't tell you which parts.)

I stand beside Momma waiting. She peels the potato in short, quick strokes with the sharp paring knife. I'm not allowed to use that knife. I can use the butter knife, though. It doesn't cut my skin. I ran it across the palm of my hand one time just to test it. It didn't hurt a bit. I keep waiting. I hope my little sister doesn't come in and start begging. That will just ruin it. I like for it to be just me and Momma. I pretend that she is all mine and I don't have to share with anyone. My friend Darlene doesn't have to share her mother with sisters. And I've got four of them.
Momma turns to me and smiles. She has the prettiest smile. I wish my eyes were brown like hers instead of watery blue. Nobody ever says that I look like Momma. They say that about my little sister. Never about me. That makes me jealous and makes me feel bad at the same time.
"Well, Miss Priss, I suppose this is what you've been waiting for so patiently?" Momma hands me a thick piece of potato. I bite into the crunchy wedge and nod my head. She laughs and turns back to the sink. "There's another slice on the counter for Vicki. Would you take it to her please?"
"Yes, ma'am." I sigh and reach up slowly for the chunk of potato. Momma puts her hands on my shoulders and turns me around. "Is there something wrong, Verla? "
I stand with my head down, embarrassed to look at her. How do I tell her I don't want to share with Vicki? That something as simple as a slice of potato while she cooks supper makes me feel special? How do I say it and not sound like a baby? I look up and shrug. "Nothing. Nothing's wrong."
Momma pulls out a kitchen chair and sits down. Lifting me onto her lap, she hugs me tightly. I can smell her perfume. I snuggle in closer and lay my head on her shoulder.
"I know you get tired of being the big sister," she says, "And little sisters aren't always fun to have around, but she loves you so much. Is it that hard to share a little piece of potato with her?"
"Oh, Momma, it's not the potato! She can have all the potatoes and I wouldn't care." My voice quivers and I feel tears start to slip out of the corner of my eye. I reach up and brush them away. I am not a baby.
Momma leans back in her chair. Lifting my chin, she turns my face so that we are eye to eye. She brushes a tear from my nose and presses her lips to my forehead. "Oh, Verla, if it's not the potato, what is it?"
I put my head back down. I can't look at her. "It's you, Momma. I don't want to share you."

One Thousand Gifts

2011-01-03T19:10:00.001-08:00

35. Thankful for my other bloggy friends whose posts reminded me to continue my thankful list.

36. A husband who had dinner almost ready when I got home from work tonight.

37. Quiet weekends and evenings at home with my family.

38. Countdown to NG8 - my annual retreat with my sisters. Only 100 more days.

39. Food magazines and the recipes enclosed.

40. Monday night television - The Closer and Castle.

41. My job. Yes, my job-the one that frustrates me, stresses me, upsets me, drains me........I am thankful for it just the same.

42. My Kindle.

43. Fuzzy socks.

44. The time I spent with the Lord this morning.

45. Answering machines and caller ID. hee hee

Still learning after all these years

2011-01-02T20:30:00.000-08:00

20 Things I Learned in 2010

1. Finally, how to fry chicken, thanks to the Pioneer Woman.

2. That I really love babies now. I always loved my own, of course, and the babies of my friends. But, now, I love all babies and that surprises me and most who know me.

3. Our children grow up too fast. Blair moved out and Katie started wearing makeup and both things rocked me back just a little bit.

4. Our family court system really stinks.

5. Small acts of kindness make an immeasurable impact on the recipients.

6. Small acts of kindess make an immeasurable impact on the giver.

7. I still have the best sisters in all the land.

8. The more I pray, the easier it is to communicate with God in a real, meaningful way.

9. That my day is seriously affected by whether or not I spend time with God.

10. Compassion is never wasted and there are many, many who need it. It is something everyone can offer if they decide to do just that.

11. Reading is still my favorite past time.

12. Friends from my past still matter to me and make a difference in my life. I have Facebook to thank for that. I know that some people use it for gossip and ranting and put downs. I am happy that my friends, for the most part, use it for encouragement.

13. It's okay to say no.

14. It's okay to rest.

15. It's okay to retreat.

16. I need to reach out more, care more, do more, serve more.

17. Family is precious and should be treasured.

18. Forgiveness is not optional.

19. Every day has the possibility to be the best day you've ever had.

20. I can always do better and be better. It's a choice.

Happy New Year to you all.

Where's the Off Switch

2010-12-28T21:53:00.001-08:00

I am sitting here tonight wishing that I was sleepy. I have to get up and go to work in the morning and need to rest. The problem: I can't seem to locate the OFF switch to my thoughts tonight.

I noticed that a couple of other people commented on Facebook that they were having the same dilemma. So, I thought maybe it would help me to shut down if I expressed some of the things swirling around my head.

My heart seems to be heavy for all the heartache and sickness I see within my circle of friends lately. Almost every day brings news of someone going through a trial or facing challenges they didn't expect to face.

*The friend who lost her mother to illness two days before Christmas.

*Our friends who buried their father in the summer and had to bury their grandfather yesterday.

*Long time family friends who face uncertainty as their mom/sister/daughter/wife/grandmother begins her battle with glioblastoma.

*Our brother-in-law's hospitalized father.

*Family members who are fighting to have their young daughter be a part of their family despite efforts by others to keep her from them.

*Sweet young friend battling cancer for the third time in 2 years.

*Friends who face financial crisis.

*The toddler daughter of a friend hospitalized tonight after a routine surgery because recovery is not going well.

And that is the short list. Is it any wonder that my mind is racing and reeling? I know that I need to release the burden of these things and let Jesus take over. Ask anyone who knows me, though. I am a control freak, emphasis on the freak!

I would do well to remember the words of the Psalmist"

"My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me."

One Thousand Gifts

2010-12-06T19:31:00.000-08:00

26. Family who take care of me when I'm sick.

27. Friends who take care of me when I'm sick.

28. My pellet stove. Warmth.......awwww.

29. Psalms......what a treasure.

30. Answered prayer.

31. My sister Rhonda, celebrating her birthday today.

32. Christmas trees in three rooms of my home.

33. Crushed ice from Sonic.

34. My children.

One Thousand Gifts

2010-11-29T07:57:00.000-08:00

18. A great time with my family on Thanksgiving.....there is no blessing like a loving family.

19. Christmas lights.

20. A new magazine in the mail.

21. Naps.

22. Countdown to NG8. I love the anticipation of getting together with my sisters every April.

23. Old movies............1940s and 1950s.

24. Dennis' green thumb......all the beauty in our yard is his doing.

25. Carol King's Tapestry album....my all time favorite.

One Thousand Gifts

2010-11-14T19:14:00.000-08:00

14. My wonderful friends from church. What a delight to go to a church full of sweet, funny, tender, loving women.

15. Anticipation! I love the "looking forward to" part of any adventure or trip or event. Right now I am anticipating Thanksgiving week with my family at Fin and Feather. They are the dearest in the world to me. What a blessing.

16. Newborn babies.......no explanation required.

17. Online Christmas shopping-shopping in my pjs!

You'll Drool

2010-11-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

Go to my friend Erin's site and enter her contest. Be prepared to crave cake!
http://cakedbyerin.blogspot.com

Therefore we do not lose heart

2010-11-05T05:37:00.000-07:00

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

This verse from Psalm 34 has always been a favorite of mine. It's one of those verses that I figured was a comfort to people who needed it. Not me, of course. I am never brokenhearted or crushed in spirit! I am self-confident and optimistic and upbeat.

Wrong. That's what I thought. But, lately, I have become quite chummy with the "crushed in spirit" part. I just didn't know that was what it was. I have been feeling overwhelmed and discouraged at my job. I feel buried under a load that just keeps growing, with no end in sight. As my old boss liked to say "I'm covered up!"

Then, at Moms in Touch this week we read this verse. I was the one who typed it out and put it on our paper. But, it wasn't until we read it out loud in prayer that it hit me. That's me! I'm crushed in spirit! And the Lord is close to me; it says it right there in black and white!

Why is it that we so often think the scriptures are for someone else? They are mine to claim, too. I may have realized that just in time this week.

Reflecting on that reminded me of a another favorite passage in 2 Corinthians 4 that I hadn't visited in awhile:

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

All the promises in the Book are mine!

One Thousand Gifts

2010-10-16T22:35:00.000-07:00

13. My beautiful Mother-there are no words to describe the depth of love and gratitude I have for her. Happy Birthday Mom. I love you and miss you every day.

One Thousand Gifts

2010-10-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

8. The change in the weather: cool mornings, clear sunny afternoons, doors and windows open.....love it.

9. Countdown to Thanksgiving with the family - 49 days!

10. Beth Moore Bible studies.

11. Bowls of soup (pasta fagioli, chicken tortilla, baked potato) on crisp fall evenings.

12. Texting your best friend when you see or hear something they would think is funny too.

Continued: One Thousand Gifts

2010-09-09T20:13:00.001-07:00

4. Christmas.............ahhhhhh.

5. Miracle babies!

6. Sisters-what a glorious, unmatched gift!

One Thousand Gifts

2010-09-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

I got this from Megan Wood, Eric's sweet wife. I can think of nothing better to count than all the gifts from God that I enjoy. I am going to start today with

1. Holidays from work

2. Spending time with family

3. Watching the sun come up in my backyard

That's the start of my list. How long is it going to take me to get to 1000?

Go visit Amber.............

2010-09-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

because she is having a fantastic giveaway! Now, mind you, I plan to win the grand prize but thought it only fair to give you a heads up. So, mosey on over to the parsonage at

http://threemealsandbaby.blogspot.com/2010/09/foreal-friday-my-1st-giveaway.html

Moms In Touch

2010-09-01T20:52:00.000-07:00

It is Back to School for almost everyone by now. That means fall is not too far off, football is back in place on Friday nights and the inevitable homework. One other thing is for sure.............back to school means it is time to get back to Moms in Touch. Our church has a long history of praying moms involved in this great organization. The stories these mothers could tell you would leave you speechless. We have seen answer after answer to prayers we prayed in our groups. We have seen God move the hearts of teachers, coaches and administrators. We have seen children's lives transformed.

Don't wait another year to join a group near you. All you need is one other mom to pray with you for your child and hers. Not sure how to get started? Visit

Moms In Touch Web Button

Experience the joy of replacing anxiety with peace and hope when you pray with other moms!

What's your preference?

2010-07-18T20:14:00.000-07:00

Years ago if you had told me I would be a morning person someday I would have laughed in derision. I hated mornings when I was a child and teen. My family knew not to talk to me in the morning until I was ready for interaction. I did not want to answer questions or hear instruction or directions.

Now I absolutely love mornings. I try to get up between 5:00 and 5:30 every day. Sometimes on the weekend I will sleep in until 6:00. What gets me out of bed that early? That is when I spend time in my "reading corner" with my Bible and prayer list. I love to get my cup of coffee, sit down in my chair, turn the lamp on and slide the basket out from under the end table.

This basket hold my study Bible, marking pens and pencils, prayer journal where my list is kept and note cards. I work on my inductive study and then spend time in prayer. Some days I write cards to people who cross my mind. It is the best part of my day.

There is something about starting the day off with the Lord that gives me strength and hope for the day. I have already given the first part of my day to the Lord so I know He is already listening for me.

Years ago I would leave my quiet time or devotional time, whatever you call it, until the late part of the night. That worked okay for my younger years. I could get by on three or four hours of sleep a night so I was still going strong late at night. I thought I had it all handled and was "putting in my time" with the Lord.

The difference between my old practice and the new is major. My slate is clean in the early morning hours. Nothing has cluttered my mind and thoughts yet. I start the day open to whatever the Lord has to say to me. He doesn't have to yell through the noise and clamor of my life when I go to Him in the morning. It works for me.

How about you? When is the best time for you to spend with the Lord? Do you go to the same place every day at the same time? I want to hear about your habits and practices.

Give Thanks to the Lord for His Lovingkindness

2010-05-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

This morning I was studying in Psalm 107. What a rich, rich passage of scripture! It is one that I will be drawn to time and again, to re-read and to meditate on. There are several recurring themes in this psalm but the one that captivated me each time I read it was "Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness,And for His wonders to the sons of men!". Sometimes we need the reminder about His lovingkindness. When things get rough or dark or hard we have a tendency to wonder where is God and why doesn't He care? Reading those lines over and over (six times!)in this psalm reinforced for me what I knew: that His lovingkindness never fails, never falters, never fades. Many other sweet reminders fill this passage:
1) "For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good."
2) "He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bands apart." I think I hear a little Mandisa 'Take these shackles off of my feet so I can dance!'
3) "He sent His word and healed them" Never forget the power of His word to soothe and comfort and heal.
4) "So He guided them to their desired haven." He knows the best place for me to rest.

Consider the lovingkindnesses of the Lord. It's a great way to start the day!

When was the last time you...............

2010-05-18T21:01:00.000-07:00

............were bored? Stare at the wall, twiddle your thumbs, mind numbing bored. If you are like me you cannot remember a time like that. I was commenting to Dennis today that I couldn't believe how many people on Facebook post about being bored. They are bored to tears, bored to death, bored out of their skulls, bored as all get out, soooo bored, really bored.............ad nauseam. Seriously, you have been out of school for only five days and you are bored?

Often I get into conversations with other women about whether to work or stay home. I am always surprised when someone says they wouldn't want to stay home because they would be so bored. Who ARE these people? Do they really get everything done every week and have nothing to do? Do they not have any interests? Bored? I just don't understand it.

And, just to make it clear that I am not talking about 210 channels to keep me from being bored. I am not a big television watcher. And, I mainly watch programs that have been recorded so I can skip the commercials, skip to the good parts and get it over. When I am home alone the television doesn't even get turned on.

What would keep me from being bored? Well.....how about EVERYTHING! I could never be done cleaning or organizing or fixing something around the house. (Dennis would say that's because I would never start!) I could sit in my cozy corner in the morning for prayer and study time and not have to watch the clock and cut it off because it's time to go to work. I could research fabulous recipes and cook new things all the time. I would write letters and cards to stay in touch and encourage friends and family. I could volunteer. I could read. And then read. Oh, I could read. I could go sit at the hospital when there is a need. I could watch someone's children so they could go to Bible study. I could go to Bible study. I could lead a Bible study.

I think I have made my point. I just don't see where boredom comes into play for anyone. If you can argue for the other side, please comment.

Was this the little girl I carried?

2010-05-15T21:52:00.000-07:00

Or, the little girl Dennis rocked?

All of you young mothers hear us older moms talk about how time flies with your babies. We caution you not to "wish away" each phase of their little lives. Here is why. That picture above? Taken in 1997. I know. That seems like a long, long time ago. Well, what about this one:

This cute little girl in her new bed? Taken just four years ago. Yes, 2006.

Oh, and the one below, with her friend Sheradyn? Are you ready? This one was taken only THREE years ago!

I don't know if you ready for the next two pictures. Go back and look at Katie and Sheradyn again. Remember, that one was THREE years ago. Actually, not quite three. It will be three in July, I think.

Thursday was the last day of school for Katie. She went home with her friend Bri. Sheradyn went along also. She stayed for two days. We finally got her back this afternoon. She grew up while she was gone, people! If you don't believe me, take a look below. And, remember, these were taken less than THREE years after the one of her and Sheradyn at Silver Dollar City!

End of 6th grade fun with Sheradyn and Bri.

HERE is the little girl I carried! Sniff, sniff.

2/3 of My Life

2010-05-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

That's the amount of time I have been married to Dennis now. I was about three months shy of 18 when we got married. On Sunday it will be 36 years for us. Go ahead. Add 18 to 36 and you will get 54, which is how old I will be in August.

It's strange to think about being married twice as long as I wasn't married. Boy, did that 17 year old girl know what she was getting into? Of course not. And, that's a good thing. Would any of us take a step if we knew everything that would unfold on the path? No. We wouldn't want any of the hard times, the pain or the disappointments that would be revealed. One thing I have learned in my life, though, is that some of the best lessons are learned in hard times, some of the greatest peace breaks forth from pain and that the disappointments refine our expectations and our committments to others.

I am glad that I can look back on our life together and see all of those different things. They have shaped who we are. If we started going back trying to twist and turn away from the rough parts of the road, who knows where we would be today? Probably not here. I like where we are, who we are and what all of that means to us. Do we ever say "what if"? All. The. Time. And then, just as quickly, we remember something that might be different if that had changed or not happened. The trade off never seems to measure up to the finished product, warts and all.

I guess where I am going with this is to remember that EVERYTHING that happens to us really does make us who we were meant to be. Don't live regretting what you didn't or couldn't do. Marvel in the wonder that we got to be a part of it at all.

Say what you will.............

2010-05-10T20:39:00.001-07:00

..........about technology and all of it's gadgets, I am a fan! Tonight I loved being able to use the latest to keep up with all my friends and family during an evening of crazy weather. In minutes I was able to find out that my sister Rhonda and her husband were safe in their Noble home. Sure, the power was out and the shingles were flying, but I heard her voice and knew she was fine. My friend Erna posted that her son and friends were in a basement in Shawnee waiting out the storm. She asked for us to join her in prayer. Who knows how many people did. Traci in the OKC area kept us informed about things in her area, even while putting the kids in the closet she was concerned about her friends. A call to the mayor of our little town and I got information for a friend about when and if the Dome would open for public shelter. In one quick cell phone call from my sis Debe I found out that my brother-in-law was en route to Oklahoma City this afternoon and was at the scene of the I40 Choctaw tornado that destroyed the Loves station. He was unharmed and made it on to his destination safely. Some texting and emailing to my sister Nora and I was able to reassure her that everyone was safe and all was right with the world. A chat on Facebook in the pop out box let me know that my little niece Sadie was good and so was her family. People updated and twittered and commented and posted pictures and prayers went up from every corner of the state and beyond. And, let's not forget the old standby-the television. It sputtered and stuttered but kept us informed.

We talk alot about the good 'ole days and complain that we can't get away from the ringing phone or chirping pager or the computer or our email. I know. Sometimes it does get old. But, tonight I am glad that I know everyone I love is safe.

One of a Kind; Never to be Duplicated

2010-05-08T21:55:00.000-07:00

That was my mom-one of a kind. One of the best kind, in fact. She has been gone now for a little more than five years. I miss her as much today as ever. She was unselfish, peace loving, kind, generous, gentle and Godly. She gave me the best gifts I ever received - my sisters. It is in them that I get the chance to glimpse pieces of her-a wry comment from Nora that sounds just like Mother; a word of caution from Rhonda that makes me do a double take; or, a quick look at Debe and I'm thinking "that expression looks just like Mother!". How blessed I am to have her still with me when I am with them.

If you are so fortunate to have your Mother today-love her, cherish her, forgive her, make up with her, comfort her, give to her, give in to her, but DO NOT take her for granted-DO NOT let petty things get in the way of your relationship-DO NOT make it about you when it should be about her. A life like that will only bring you regrets at the end of her life.

I am honest when I say that I am jealous of women who still have their moms. And, I am brutally honest when I say that I am incensed when I listen to women who still have their moms and don't realize how lucky they are. How dare you dislike, disown or disavow your committment to a living mother when mine is not with me? Sorry, that's how I feel when I hear you complain about her and talk bad about her.

So, for tomorrow-remember that bitterness about ANYTHING is just your emptiness showing.

Love your Mother. Honor your Mother. It's the law!

I love you Nettie Lou Blair Jernigan!

I am Woman, hear me .....

2010-05-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

I'd like to say ROAR but it was more like WHINE. I had a bad day at work. I think it has something to do with having been sick for the past two weeks, taking massive doses of steroids in the hopes that I get well and being under the gun for too many projects at work. But, whatever the reason, I just kind of lost it. I hate when I do that. Not only does it make me look weak in the workplace but it makes me look weak in my faith. I want to live like Jesus every day and I think I failed miserably today. Sheesh. I can only do what He gives me strength to do and today I don't think I even asked Him for strength. I stewed about having to work. I griped about all the deadlines facing me. I took it out on another co-worker. I even did the dreaded-I cried. You know that "you've made me so mad and so out of control that now I will cry like a girl"!

I will go back to work tomorrow to face the same situation. I want to go back, however, with determination and focus and perseverance. I want to do my job as "unto the Lord". I want to remember that I am fortunate to have such a wonderful job so close to my home. I am going to start the day by going to the throne to ask for strength to do my best.

It's okay to be an outspoken woman. Tomorrow I want my life to be outspoken about Him.

Sisters, Sisters, there were never such devoted sisters.......

2010-04-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite movies is White Christmas. I love the Haynes Sisters and their stage act.

I love their song about being devoted sisters. Well, they don't have anything on these girls in the devotion area:

While at NG7 we talked about how many times people express shock that the four of us get along so well and don't fuss and argue. Folks, I don't understand why other people waste time on pettiness and bitterness. Life is a gift and sisters are a bonus on top of that. If you have siblings don't let "stuff" keep you apart.

This year we went to the Tulsa area for NG7. Rhonda's son, Josh, and his wife, April, graciously extended an invitation for us to stay in their home. They stayed someplace else and let us take over their home.

The first thing we did when we got together was, of course, EAT! We went to Scot's Burgers in downtown Bixby. Delicious. I love places that aren't part of a chain.

Then, it was back to Casa de Tomas and time to open the sister gifts. My gift to them was a custom necklace from Harley and Maudes. The large charm says "Here's to good women" on one side and on the other "May we know them, May we raise them, May we be them." The small charm says "Always" and "Remember" and is for our Mother and our youngest sister who have both passed away. There are four jewels representing our birthstones.

Nora gave each of us a beautiful wallet/clutch purse.

Debe gave us each a ring with our birthstone. The neat thing about these rings is that the stones were taken from our mother's "Mother Ring"! Isn't that cool?

Rhonda gave us a delicate necklace with an engraving that says "A sister is a forever friend."

We have such a good time together. And, so much of that time is just sitting around talking and laughing. I can't imagine a better way to spend three and a half days. We shopped, we ate, we napped, we ate, we talked, we cried, we laughed. It was great.

On Friday nights we share about what we did to honor Mother's memory on the anniversary of her death. The acts of kindness we shared ranged from giving money to a ministry to providing new games and toys for a children's home. All of the acts are done as Nettie's girls and represent our effort to honor Mother's generous spirit.

Saturday night is the time we set aside for spiritual reflection. This year was Nora's turn to bring a devotion and challenge to us. She talked to us about our roots-faith, family and fun. It was sweet, thought provoking (Nora's research on roots was so right one) and even funny. I loved the clothesline stories: "rotten to the core"! And the surprise ending was great! I would share but it just wouldn't mean anything to anyone but the four of us. And that is what is so special about NG-it is for US. We also choose a cause or project each year and give towards that as a group. This year we chose to help a lovely young lady in her fight against cancer with just a small financial token.

Sunday morning always finds us beginning to get a little sad. We know it is coming to an end for another year and we just hate to see it happen. We try to stay light and happy but goodbyes are just difficult. Sure, we will all be together at Thanksgiving with our families but it is different from NG. One other thing we do on Sunday mornings is decide where we are going next year. Here's to NG8 in San Antonio, Texas. We are even adding another day this time. And, we are already counting down the days: 357 to be exact!

A Bad Day at the Fresno Bible House

2010-04-11T05:40:00.000-07:00

Our circumstances sure have a way of trying to dictate our outlook. That has been so evident to me in the last couple of days as we deal with a potentially serious financial setback. As I started out to work Saturday morning, I was dwelling on this situation. Yes, dwelling. I know that doesn't seem very spiritual of me but it is honest. And, I really do think being real is better than being spiritual.

Back to my trek to work-since Katie wasn't in the car with me, I thought I would take a break from listening to Justin Bieber. (Because trust me, once you hear Eeny Meeny Miny Mo Lover, you will NEVER get those lyrics out of your head!) I switched over to the only CD I have in the car-Mandissa. She started belting out these words:

"Been a hard one, Been a bad one
Been a tough one, Been a sad one
It's been just one of those days
That keeps chipping away at my heart
Nothin' new here,It's what I do here
It's a stereotypical day in the life
I'm surrounded by all of the pain and the strife
But I know it's alright

'Cause it's only the world I'm living in
It's only today I've been given
There ain't no way I'm giving in
'Cause it's only the world
I know the best is still yet to come
'Cause even when my days in the world are done
There's gonna be so much more than only the world for me"

That song started me re-focusing on how temporal our problems and circumstances are. And that led me back to a memory from the day I worked in the audio visual department (this was in the era of the giant 16mm films; hey, I'm old!) of the Fresno Bible House. My co-worker, Debbie, and I were having a rough day. Nothing had gone as planned, pastors hadn't shipped movies back so we could ship them someplace else, movies were returned damaged beyond repair, we were in the middle of a meltdown. You would think that working in a place surrounded by Christians and Christian books and gifts and music and all would make dealing with a bad day easier. Not that day.

A pastor called to check on the delivery of his film. We had never met him but knew him well as he was a regular customer. Evidently, through my co-workers' tone, he was able to surmise that we were having a bad day. He told her to put him on speaker phone so he could talk to both of us. And this is what we heard,

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

We were moved by those words and by his concern for us. This pastor who didn't even know what we looked like, had never met us took the time to minister to our weary hearts. It totally changed our day. Or, actually, it changed our OUTLOOK about our day! And that's what we can do every day. The day has been given to me. It is up to me to decide how I am going to receive it.

How's That Working For You?

2010-03-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it's already spring. At least, that is what my calendar says. The snow last weekend makes it a little hard to grasp but I know there is life underneath all this wet ground.

So, I am evaluating how 2010 is going so far. I remember that I purposely did not make any grand statements about exercising more or eating less or spending less or blah, blah, blah. I just didn't want to set myself up for defeat and discouragement because my heart just wasn't in it.

However, I did make a sorta-kinda resolution as a comment on someone else's Facebook wall. I meant it. I had good intentions. It wasn't an empty statement.

I even ordered books to read to start me on my journey:

I sincerely want to make a difference. I want to live compassionately. I want to reach out. I want to lift people up.

But I find myself thinking, sometimes, that I can't do anything. I live in rural America. This is small town USA. Where am I going to meet the poor and destitute and desperate and needy?

I need to take a walk.

Influence

2010-03-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot the past few weeks about people, specifically women, who have influenced my life. Let me preface this by saying that the women who have had the greatest impact on my life are my mother, sisters and daughers. So, I am excluding them from this post altogether. It is just understood by all who know me that those women top my list.

Where do we go from there? Simple. I know exactly who to list as one of the first women, outside my family, who made a difference in my life. I met her in junior high in Fresno, CA. Her name is Judy.

I had attended church all of my life. I was a Christian. I knew what being a Christian was all about. Or, so I thought. Judy opened my eyes to what living as a Christian really meant. She was passionate about God and about learning about Him. She wanted to know His word. She wanted to show Him to other people. Being a Christian wasn't just something she did because she went to church and was raised by Christian parents. It was the way she lived her life. I was mesmerized by how simple it was for her to talk about God. I wanted that. We shared so many things, especially a love for writing. We encouraged one another, listened to one another and, most importantly, believed in one another. What a sweet, sweet friend. We have reconnected through Facebook and just looking at her smile warms my soul.

I married young-17 years old. I didn't have a clue what being a young married woman, a wife was all about. The Lord knew that I would need friends who could support me in this new role. One of those He blessed me with was Melba.

Her husband and her served in a ministry position in the church we attended. How wonderful it was to have a young couple who we could spend time with, talk to and laugh with. Melba has been that friend who kept me honest with myself. She never let me pretend. She had a way, and still does, of getting me to be real. We have laughed many times over our naive air of superiority regarding parenting, BEFORE we had children! We shared a love for music and singing and yes, church work.

I ventured into the realm of women's ministry and God knew I needed a compadre, a buddy. He sent Sheryl to me.

With Sheryl and I, it has always been easy. If one started the thought, the other one finished it. If one had the idea, the other one knew how to bring it to life. If one needed a kick in the seat, the other one was right there, foot lifted. We collaborated on more themes than a Walt Disney park designer, worked against more deadlines than a newspaper editor and stayed up late into the night working on more projects than Martha Stewarts' minions. If you needed a retreat, we were the pair to call.

Interestingly, the next person had a lot to do with the passion that Sheryl and I shared for all things organized, coordinated and themed. That would be June-

We have just recently said good bye to June. What a powerhouse of a woman! She had a gift for bringing out the very best in you. She saw what you couldn't see yourself. She nurtured whatever strength you had and helped it to blossom into full bloom. She taught. She modeled. She led. She loved. She protected. She was a spiritual mother to me. I loved her dearly. I rejoice that she is visiting with my mother in heaven.

There is another woman who has made an eternal, everlasting impression on me. The most significant impact she has made on my life is your intense and loyal friendship. Meet Terry-

She is quite possibly the most Godly, righteous, loving, kind person I know. Ask most any young girl in our church who they want to be like and they will say, "Terry Black". She has left an indelible imprint on so many young people, Heaven will be full of people she has taught and prayed for and nurtured and loved and encouraged and so generously helped along the way. She befriended me one summer as we sat on rickety bleachers watching our two beautifully unique sons play baseball. We had a kinship that is only shared by mothers of boys who see the world just a little differently than everyone else. She has held me up when I could not hold up my head. She has loved my children with a measure that amazes me. She has loved me and my family with an absolutely God-infused love. I feel blessed beyond measure to call her my friend.

There are so many others who have touched my life along the way. Women like Ma Richter, Cora Bruce, Grandma and Opal Wilson, Irene Carpenter, Altha Keifer, Mae Wood, Marguerite Kern, Terri Kern....and the list just goes on.

And, a whole new generation of young women is influencing my life and making me want to be a better person...Lindsay, Loretta, Diana, Monica, Whitney, Becky, Emily, Cari, Sara, Amber and many more.

Who has God placed in your life, past or present, that has influenced you. Who is He placing in front of YOU to influence. Leave a mark.

Nurse

2010-03-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

Nurse Blair.........has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? That's my daughter. Nurse Blair. I am so proud of her. She worked hard and now she has accomplished Phase I of her dream to work in pediatric oncology. She has more work to do but I know she will do it. She battled some hard things to get where she is. She faced some things that I never had to face. But, she is an overcomer and was determined to succeed.

I just thought you should meet her.

25 Days

2010-03-20T23:04:00.001-07:00

It is only 25 more days until NG7. (You know, my annual get together with my sisters-Nettie's Girls) As can be expected, I am always excited beyond words. And this year is no different.

That's a lie. Well, not a lie really. Maybe just a misstatement. (Is that a word?) This year IS different. I am looking forward to this NG in a way that I haven't before now. It seems that most years we have been coming together after facing some life-altering experience since the last one-the death of our mother, Nettie; the death of our father; the first flood at my house; the death of our baby sister. Add in births of grandbabies, ups and downs in jobs and any number of other things and you have four women who need some down time, some rest and relaxation.

But, this year I am anxious for NG because I feel like it is my life preserver, the knot at the end of the rope, my last hope, the light at the end of the tunnel. I need NG more right now than ever. It is a phenomenon unlike any other that, as soon as the four of us are together, life and all of it's insanity will fade into the background. The pure joy that we experience when we are together is indescribable. And, it makes me feel just a little sad for any of you out there that don't enjoy this with your family.

So, twenty five days from now, that sound you hear, that collective sigh of four fabulous women, will mark the beginning of NG7. And, four days later we will part, sadly, but stronger-recharged for one more year.

I cannot wait!

I Swear it's the Truth!

2010-03-02T21:14:00.000-08:00

The Honest Scrap comes with a caveat or two. First, you have to tell your readers ten things about yourself they may not know, but they have to be true. Second, you are supposed to tag ten people with this award. Third, let all the people you've given the award to know they have received it-leave a comment on their blog. Finally, link back to the person who gave you the award. Whew.

1. I wanted to join the Air Force after high school and my dad said that nice girls weren't in the service.

2. I cried when my mom told me I was too old to ask for a baby doll for Christmas. I think I was in the 6th or 7th grade.

3. Lest you think otherwise from those first two comments, I had the most wonderful parents and miss them every single day. I wouldn't have traded them for anyone. They were the best.

4. I used to collect clowns-clown statues, clown pictures, clown notecards, clown everything. I even decorated Aaron's nursery with a clown theme. His nursery had the biggest ceramic clown lamp you have EVER seen. It was the size of a midget and he was holding an umbrella. This monstrosity sat on the dresser in that poor baby's room.

5. I love creamed tuna. It is a delectable concoction of white sauce, tuna and boiled eggs. Lots of salt and pepper. Serve it over toast. I craved this when I was pregnant with Aaron.

6. We lost Blair when she was two years old. I was on a softball team and we were at a big park. After the game she wandered off while everyone was getting all of their stuff together. Dennis went into super-charged panic mode and everyone was running all over the place looking. This ballpark was right by a freeway on ramp and our minds went to scary places. Many long minutes later we found her. She was sitting in the cab of our truck waiting patiently. She was so short no one noticed her as we scoured the parking lot.

7. I used to sing with my sisters Debe and Vicki. Our sister Nora was our biggest fan. She thought we were fantastic. (We weren't.)

8. For awhile when I was a child our family travelled in a Volkswagen bug. There were 7 of us in the family. Mom and Dad sat up front, three oldest sisters in the back seat, and my little sister and I in the teeny tiny compartment behind the back seat.

9. Staying with the car theme, I fell out of a moving car when I was about four years old. Yep, they turned a corner and out I tumbled onto the street. I wasn't hurt. Well, falling on my head might explain a few things.

10. I still think the Air Force would have been cool.

Thanks Lori for tagging me. Check her out at http://www.fresh-faced.blogspot.com/.

Okay, I am tagging Jessica, Amber, Becky, Casey, Katie and Megan.

Work, Work, Work

2010-01-29T20:30:00.000-08:00

I'm a working girl. I never really set out to be one. It just kind of happened. When I was a youngster (really, that word just doesn't get used enough) I had visions of what I would be when I grew up: a doctor, a teacher, a secretary, a mommie. But, I didn't put a lot of thought into it. I didn't really have time for a lot of career thought since I got married at 17. And, I went to work. Life was so simple. Dennis and I worked. We came home to our sweet little apartment in Norwalk, CA. We got involved in the church next door (which happened to be Dennis' church before we were married). We went places on the weekend. We went to the beach. We went to Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm. We took a couple of classes at the local community college. We played tennis. We moved back and forth from Norwalk to Fresno 8 times in our first 2 or 3 years of marriage. Settling in was a difficult concept for us. But, through it all, I worked. I was a store auditor for Montgomery Wards, clerk at the Fresno Bible House, secretary at La Mirada Christian movies (this was back in the day of the giant 16mm movies-churches would order them and we would ship them out. A lot of that job was tracking down the movies from pastors who couldn't remember who was in charge of shipping it back!), accounts payable clerk for an industrial company, babysitter, Avon lady, took in ironing, receptionist for an accountant, radiology clerk at a children's hospital, secretary for a pediatric developmental clinic, oh so many things! We moved to Oklahoma with the intention of me staying home. I did that for a year but circumstances forced me back to work. That's when I started at the bank. I was a teller, then a loan secretary and now the compliance officer. It is a great job and a great place to work. They have treated me wonderfully over the years. They have been with me through many stages of my life-unexpected pregnancy at 40, becoming a grandmother five months after having my third baby, family deaths (four in two years) and two house floods. With all the ups and downs, work has been a constant.

I find myself thinking about what it would be like not to work full time. This is probably because of the stressful schedule I am juggling at work. Two big work projects are happening simultaneously and it is about to get the best of me. I find myself not even knowing what day it is sometimes because I spend so much of my time checking my calendar for the next meeting, the next deadline, the next assignment due. The idea of getting up, taking Katie to school and coming back home is very appealing. The idea of being at home in the summer when Katie is out of school is even more appealing.

It's just not going to happen right now, though. So, I have to find a way to stay focused. I want to do my job and do it with excellence. I just sometimes have misgivings about my ability to do that anymore. Has this old dog run out of tricks?

It's a New Attitude

2010-01-07T18:54:00.000-08:00

In my last post I said that it was time for something new. I am taking small steps towards that end. After removing all the Christmas decorations were packed away the house seemed bare and drab. The most glaring void, at least for me, was the dining room table. It had been all red and white and glittery and now it was just .....brown.

Katie and I went shopping on New Year's Day. Don't worry, I still got my bowl of black-eyed peas:

Creole Black Eyed Peas, in fact. My favorite way to fix them. But, I digress.

While shopping at Target I realized, quite to my surprise and pleasure, that the dishes I had admired (read coveted and salivated over) were FINALLY on clearance! Katie and I commenced to mix and match and remix and mix again and came up with this:

Who can resist a soft, soothing canvas of blue and brown with some crisp white thrown in?

The plates are from Target, but I didn't like the bowls at Target so I bought the three different plates and thought I was going to be on a long mission to find the right bowls. Within the hour, while shopping at Belk, I came across these fabulous bowls that were 75% off! The plates are melamine. Don't judge me. I like them. But the bowls, ah! the bowls are not! They are Oneida bowls and I only paid $1.12 each for them! And, they were perfect.

I was still looking for something for the center of the table. I promised Katie that we would just make a quick run through Kirklands because, after all, they don't have any purses or cute t-shirts, duh! While there I came across the most adorable ceramic bird and candle holders. I snatched them up-CLEARANCE again.

I must admit that I do not like the placemats but haven't found what I do want. I didn't want to keep these packed away until I found the perfect ones so here you have it:

Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I walk in there and turn the light on just to look at it.

Yes, a new attitude.

Boxed up and Bare

2009-12-30T21:05:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas tree was only up for about three and a half weeks. So, why does the space look so bare now? It's back to the way it was before but seems so desolate. All the snowmen and candles and baubles and pretties are packed away in their red and green boxes. I think I need to decorate for the new year. I think our new year needs a theme and a motif. I'll get back to you on this. Happy New Year!

Complete

2009-12-15T16:57:00.000-08:00

I got the Christmas tree put up a couple of weekends ago but I didn't have a tree topper for it. That's why this shot of my tree cut the pinnacle clean off-there wasn't anything to see.

I tried putting the star from last year's tree on it, but it was too heavy. My new tree is one of the slim variety and wouldn't support the weight. So, what to do.

My tree is done is golds and whites and, in my opinion, is very Christ-centered. There are nativity ornaments....

Cross ornaments......

Words like .......

and .....

and .....

But, I continued to be stumped about what to put on the top. I wanted something that continued the story my tree was telling--the nativity ornaments were telling that He came as a baby; the crosses were reminding us of His sacrificial death...what else could the tree say? One night it came to me out of the blue. I wanted a crown for the top! Yes, a crown. The conclusion of my tree's story was that He is the King of Kings! I looked online everywhere and finally took a leap of faith and ordered one from amazon.com. It arrived today and I couldn't be happier>>>>

I know that it is very untraditional. You are used to seeing stars or angels or pointy things, but I love it. It says what I wanted it to say............

I will let one more ornament speak for my tree:

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

Tomorrow

2009-11-24T18:55:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I start spending time with my favorite people in the whole world-my family. When I get home and go back to work and church people will ask "So, what did you do on your vacation?" I will tell them. And, then I will get that same look I get after my sister retreats every year. That blank look that says, "And you think that was fun?" The reason? Because my answer will go something like this:

"Well, we ate and talked and looked at magazines and watched the babies play and ate and laid on the bed and talked and then we cried and then we cracked up and ate and stayed up late and got up early and ate. No, we didn't go skiing or hunting or on a cruise or do any Black Friday shopping. But, we had the BEST TIME!"

That's all. Just me and my fabulous family enjoying each other. I am thankful!

My Rant

2009-11-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

Seriously? Santa arrived today at Bass Pro Shop? It's only November 8th! Shouldn't he be at the North Pole supervising the elves? I want a chance to enjoy the month of November. I want to give Thanksgiving it's due. Could we please spend a few weeks reflecting on gratitude and blessings instead of skipping right to the gimme, gimme, gimme?

(She steps down from the soapbox)

Blessed

2009-10-02T07:20:00.001-07:00

I am blessed. This isn't a NEW revelation. I've known it. I know it. I hope I always know it. I hope that I live my life in a way that makes others know that I am blessed and feel blessed and I am grateful for it. I listen to people around me sometimes who never seem to have a good day or a good thing happen in their life. I am convinced that these people DO have good things in their lives and DO have the opportunity to have good days-they just refuse to see it. I try to start each day with the attitude that it is going to be a good day. I refuse to let the way someone else is feeling or acting decide how my day is going to be. I guess I just want to challenge everyone to start the day with a grateful heart and I am confident you will lie down in peace at the end of the day.

“The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours. No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen. And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot. The possibility is always there.”
—Monica Baldwin(1893 – 1975); author

Public Speaking

2009-09-25T22:19:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I will be doing a little public speaking at our community "Care Fair". Our town is having an event where different businesses and community groups and such will have booths and there will be free health screenings. I am doing a booth for the bank where I work, along with a co-worker. Oh, but that's not all. I am going to be giving a little presentation on Preventing Identity Theft. It is supposed to last about 30-45 minutes. We'll see if that happens. I am really not nervous because I have some good material and a ten minute video to show. But, you never know what can happen in a room full of people.

Next Wednesday I will be speaking again. I will be doing the last lesson for this session of Apples of Gold. I have given this talk three times before but am working on changing it up a little. Don't want to get stale!

I don't know why I blogged about this. I guess I just wanted to put something new up here for people to read.

Oh, Happy Birthday Daddy. I so wish you were here for me to wish you Happy 82 years! I miss you.

Out of the Blue

2009-09-12T21:42:00.000-07:00

I talked to my sister Rhonda tonight. We have a regularly scheduled talk every Saturday evening at 8:00. We chatted for quite awhile about things that have happened in this week to us, funny stories from work, cute things her grandson said on the phone, the usual. We were just getting ready to say goodbye when she said, through tears, that she had a moment this week where she missed Mother and Daddy so much. She was just brushing her teeth and started crying out of the blue. I was surprised to hear her say that because I had one of those moments this week, too.

So, it has me thinking about the impact that people make on another life. Mother has been gone for 4 and 1/2 years and Daddy has been gone for almost 3 and 1/2. That initial numbing grief is gone. I miss them but I don't cry every day. I can, however, say that I think about one or both of them almost every day. Their voices and faces fade in and out of my mind. I can smell Mother's perfume on another lady and fight the urge to hug her just to take in the scent. I see a man drive down the street, fishing poles in the back of his truck, and see Daddy carrying me on his shoulders as we waded the Arkansas River to get to a good fishin' hole.

What kind of impression am I leaving on my children? Will they feel me when I am gone? Will a scent or sight or sound bring back sweet memories for them of me? I want the lasting impact I have on them to be something worth remembering.

A Peek at our Vacation

2009-08-31T05:59:00.000-07:00

The first of August was a wonderful time for Dennis, Katie and me. We loaded up the Expedition and headed south to Kemp, Texas-our favorite vacation spot. You have probably never even heard of Kemp but it is where my sister Nora lives. Her house is just about the most relaxing place I know to visit. Here is a snap of that little abode:

My favorite part of visiting her, besides seeing Nora, is spending time on her wonderful porch. The picture above gives you the outside glimpse. Well, here is part of the inside. I realized, too late, that I didn't get a picture of the gazebo portion on the inside. I will confess, though, that the part in this picture is my favorite spot:

Maybe you noticed the "noodles" under the daybed in that last picture. She lives across the street from the lake so we got to spend one afternoon relaxing there. The water is not too deep for those of us who aren't really swimmers. We lounged around, floating and hanging on to the noodles until the sky began to look like this:

It is always sad to say goodbye to Nora and head home. I could stay there forever. Next, you will get to our short visit to Fin and Feather.

What a Difference a Day Makes!

2009-08-25T04:24:00.000-07:00

We all have memories of the first day at a new school. For some of us it was an exciting time-we were moving up, getting older, all grown up. For others it was a scary time-what would the teachers be like, where's the bathroom, is the food in the lunch room better or worse? I moved around a lot so going to a new school was not usually a big deal to me. Except for one time-when we moved from Arkansas to California. I was starting the 8th grade and I felt like a misfit. It was pretty traumatic for me-not knowing anyone at the school. I went to that school for two weeks and never made one friend. I sat by myself at lunch every day and went home and cried every night. Our kind pastor took pity on me and helped us facilitate a transfer to a different school where most of the kids from our church attended. Life was good again.

August, 2009 brought about the switch for Katie from the LG Upper Elementary to the LG Middle School. Life was about to change. And, she wasn't sure she wanted it to do that. The morning of the first day was not a pleasant one for us. She didn't feel good, she couldn't stop crying, she didn't feel good and she didn't feel good. I told her it was nerves and everything would be fine and took the required "first day of school" photo:

We got to school. I left her there. She was close to tears and so was I. But, she has wonderful teachers and good friends, so I knew she was in good hands.

When I picked her up she was beside herself. In a good way. School was fantastic! Life was wonderful! She loved it! It was the best! All of the things I had tried to convince her of that morning were now known realities. She was happy again. Yeah!

We don't usually do a "second day of school" photo. But, I think you will agree that this year it was absolutely necessary:

Transition is always hard but is most often worth it.

The Giver

2009-08-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

Gift #1:

The last few weeks have been fun for me. Dennis, henceforth known as The Giver, bought me two neat-o gifts. Both are things that I have been wanting for a long time.

First up: The Amazon Kindle-a wonder and marvel for a reader like me. I love to read. I would rather read than anything else. Yes, even eat. If you are not familiar with the Kindle, go to amazon.com and type in Kindle and watch the demo about this amazing product.

It looks innocent, doesn't it?

The Kindle stores books, tons of books. So, whatever I am reading is at my fingertips all the time. Have you ever been reading a series and finish one and can't wait to go check out or buy the next one? Well, with the Kindle I finish a book and I can log on to the wireless Kindle store and download the next book in 60 seconds! Prices for books range from free (yes, there are some free ones) to 9.99. Current bestsellers are obviously the higher priced ones. But, considering that with new releases in hardback you are going to pay upwards of 22.00, 9.99 is a great price. I downloaded the complete works of Emily Dickinson for .99!! You read a page and touch the "next page" button to advance. You can highlight passages, bookmark them and there is a dictionary to look up any words you don't know.

Here is a closer look. The screen is very easy on the eyes. I can read for hours. It is great while lying in bed because it weighs almost nothing. When you are through reading, close the cover and it puts itself to sleep. When you wake it up, it is already at the page you were reading.

For an avid reader like me, this is the absolute ultimate gift!

Gift #2:

Here is my other gift. I told people on Facebook about it last week but they didn't get a picture of it. We went to Best Buy last Monday to replace Dennis' big television. After choosing a tv the salesman asked if he could show us anything else. Dennis said that we would like to look at laptops. He asked if it would be for Dennis, me or Katie. Dennis pointed at me. It was news to me but who am I to protest? So, I scored a laptop that day. I love it. Well, when I can keep Katie off of it!

I love the full size keyboard and that it has the number keypad on the right. The picture is so clear. It has some really great features. I love the "create your own radio station" feature on Pandora.

So, there they are-my two gifts from the Giver, Dennis. He really is a sweet guy. Thanks Dennis.

I Need.....

2009-08-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

...to post about our vacation to Texas and Fin and Feather

...to post about the two awesome gifts Dennis has given me lately

...to post about Katie's first day of school at a new school

...to post about the blessings of being home again

...and, I will. Soon.

2009-07-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is. The Big Reveal. I just know you have been so anxious to see it all! At least, that's what I tell myself.

The first picture is a shot of the kitchen from the living room.

Now, this one is standing in the kitchen almost in the exact opposite spot, only on the kitchen side looking into the living room. I love the backsplash behind the sink and my fancy tall fixture, don't you?

I did away with my weird little pull out and back pantry area and gained a new desk area that I am crazy about. It just looks cozier to me.

This view is from the new desk area towards the hall and the dining room.

AND NOW.................for those of you who remember the blog about wanting and needing a little nook for me for reading and studying...........................................

............................................... get ready to be................................so............................

envious! Here it is-My Little Reading Nook:

I hope you enjoyed the tour. And, I hope that I get to have each and everyone of you at some time in my kitchen for a meal or a snack or a cup of coffee. I might even let you sit in my reading nook chair!

Coming Soon to a Computer Near You.......

2009-07-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

............pictures of my remodeled kitchen. I finally have a camera again and pictures are on their way. You are going to love it. OH, and also, for those of you who remember my post about longing for a little reading nook........pictures of that, too. I know you are excited. Hang in there.

Busy but Good

2009-07-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

EDIT: I neglected to mention my wonderful husband who helped with the closets also. We couldn't have done it without him. I mean this. He did not make me say this.

My weekend was incredibly busy but had some great results. I left work on Friday at three o'clock and for the next two and half hours moved at the speed of light. I left Locust Grove and travelled to Catoosa to pick out backsplash tile and accents for my kitchen, went to Claremore to Lowes to purchase all of my Closetmaid units to re-do the master closet, continued on to Pryor Wal-Mart to buy groceries, big breath because I know this is a run-on sentence, then to Hibbetts for a gift certificate for a birthday party, Emerald City to pick up dinner for Blair and myself, home to unload the car and eat dinner, and, finally, to the church to make slushie punch and cook chicken for my food for a party on Saturday night! And how was Saturday? I know you are dying to know! Up and off to work at 8:00, then to Tahlequah to purchase bedside tables and some adorable cannisters at Means Furniture, Chilis for lunch served by a horrible waitress, and then back to LG t0 fix my food for the birthday party and set things up, fun party, clean up, and home again. Around 9:30 I took off for Tahlequah again only this time to take Blair to the ER at TCH. We were there until 4:30 this morning. They poked, prodded, ultrasounded, cat scanned, and more we shall not divulge and sent us home shaking their heads. I really think it is going to turn out to be her gallbladder. Hopefully we can get her in to see the doctor tomorrow. I slept for a couple of hours and then got up and we went to Sunday School. Met Aaron, Jami and the boys at Mazzios for lunch and then Aaron helped me install aforementioned closet components. I actually took a short nap this afternoon. I ended the day with a great time at Women's Fellowship. It was one of the best ones we have had in a long time. I am sorry that any of you missed it.

See, I told you it was busy. However, every thing is bringing us one step closer to getting the house back together. Our countertops will be installed Tuesday and the backsplash on Wednesday. I cannot wait. I will cook to my heart's content.

Time for the work week now. Have a great Monday.

Waiting

2009-06-22T04:41:00.000-07:00

When you are involved in a remodeling project, whether you choose to do it or it is forced upon you by a flood, there are lessons to be learned:

1. To a contractor/construction worker type guy "tomorrow" does not necessarily mean the next day. It means "some tomorrow".

2. "You're next on my list" means just that. You will never be at the top of the list; you are always "next".

3. "No later than" does not mean that it will definitely be done by then. It's just their way of telling you what you want to hear.

4. Never make plans based on their promises. They don't keep them.

5. Always be grateful for the home you have and the comfort you derive from it.

HOME

2009-06-13T15:33:00.000-07:00

Home.
My home.
Our home.
We're there.

Been There, Done That, Got the wet T-shirt to prove it!

2009-05-05T11:51:00.000-07:00

On April 10, 2008 our house flooded. We moved everything out, dried it out, cleaned it up, did the repairs and moved back in two months later. Recently at our church I gave a testimony about the way God's grace came to us through our church family during that time. It was good to look back and trace His hand.

On May 1, 2009, our house flooded, again! The same God is channeling grace to us and, even though it is hard to trace His hand right now, we choose to trust His heart. Jeremiah 29:11-I'm claiming it.

Front yard about three hours after rain stopped:

Standing in my driveway looking to the east:

Our back yard. That little blue house is on 5ft posts!

Standing in the foyer, looking onto the front porch.

Trusting in Jehovah-jireh now. And coveting the prayers of friends and family.

Too short

2009-04-21T04:47:00.000-07:00

It always is too short and you would think I would just get used to it. But, I don't. I need MORE time with my sisters. I cannot begin to tell you what it does for me to get with them and talk and laugh and pray and cry together. I realize more and more every day how precious our relationships are with one another. So many people don't have this privilege.

Rhonda and I arrived in Eureka Springs just a little ahead of Debe and Nora. This was after we spent an hour in Siloam Springs at the Dayspring Outlet Store. What a great place to shop! It was so fun to be on our own schedule and do whatever we wanted to do. Debe and Nora weren't expected in Eureka Springs until 1:30 so we weren't holding the show up in any way.

We decided to wait for them in the parking lot of the Lovin'Oven Bakeria, a little cafe with pizza and soups and sandwiches. We thought "when they call and ask where we are, we will just tell them to meat us here and we can eat a late lunch". We sat there awhile and Rhonda said, "I know how to make them get here faster-I will get out and start going through my suitcase looking for something and they will arrive." We laughed and got out, opened the back of my Expedition and I turned around and guess who was pulling in to the parking lot? Yes, Nora and Debe! Debe decided to turn into a parking lot to call us and let us know they were in ES and picked the one we were in! What a fun way to start the weekend.

After lunch we went to check in at our place:

It was beautiful and just right for us. We loved every minute we were there. We sat in the hot tub one night after dark just enjoying a chance to relax. We ate at Ermilios the first night. It was a little Italian place in a beautiful old home:

During the day we rode the trolleys. Our little cottage was only about a block from the transit station so we walked over there and caught the red, blue, purple or yellow trolley. What a great way to travel the streets of ES. Try it.

One day we ate lunch at the Balcony Bar and Restaurant in the Basin Park Hotel in the historic district. What a view.

We always bring gifts for each other to NG. Rhonda brought us a wonderful book to feed us spiritually. I am starting it tonight. Debe brought gorgeous crosses that she made by hand out of wire and barbed wire and beads-hmmmm, I should have taken a picture, I guess. (My camera is broken right now or I would) Each of us has one bead on our cross that came from one of my mother's necklaces. I made prayer journals for each of them. Nora brought us some great and fun t-shirts: What happens with the Sisters, stays with the Sisters!

I can't express to you how much fun we have together and how precious this time is to all of us. We have our little traditions: giving our gifts to one another as soon as we are checked into our lodging; constantly planning where we are going to eat next; waiting for Debe and Rhonda to decide what entree they are going to share at EVERY meal; deciding what our special project will be this year, such as buying something special for someone in need or helping someone with medicine costs, and putting our money together to do that; spending part of Friday night sharing what random act of kindness we did for someone in Mom's memory during the month of March/April (we started this three years ago as a way to remember Mom instead of dwelling on the sadness on the anniversary of her death each year); our Saturday evening "church" service-each year one of us in charge of bringing a devotion or challenge or talk that will set the theme and tone for us for the next year. In past years it has included encouraging others, mentoring someone younger and this year we are focusing on prayer. It is wonderful to share about spiritual things with one another. We may have even started a new tradition: seeing how many old men try to start a conversation with Nora. She is a senior citizen magnet, evidently!

We always start making plans for the next year and divide up the duties-someone to find the place, someone to check out the eateries (we are not allowed to eat at chain restaurants), someone in charge of reminders and mailings to hype it up (as if!) and someone to be in charge of the spiritual challenge, or as we like to say, the one who is going to preach!

Now it's time to countdown to Thanksgiving when we see each other again. It will be with all of our families then so it is different but it is still great. This year we are doing something totally different and meeting at Fin and Feather by Lake Tenkiller. I can't wait!

ALMOST HERE!

2009-04-13T03:55:00.000-07:00

It is Monday. I cannot wait for Thursday. That is the day I jump in the car with my sister Rhonda (who will arrive at my house Wednesday afternoon) and we head to NG6. It will be time for the 6th annual getaway for Nettie's Girls. I don't know how I will keep myself on track until then. There is housework to do, lots of things to do at my job, lists to make for the trip, so many things to be done. By Thursday morning I will be absolutely giddy and good for nothing. God has been so good to bless me with women who are my best friends for my sisters. Whatever your situation in life with your family, please take the time to enjoy your siblings and parents. Life is too short to let bitterness or anything else keep you apart.

Keepin' it real

2009-04-09T19:26:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by Keely

Here are the rules: Take a picture of yourself right now. No primping or preparing. Just snap a picture. Load the picture onto your blog. Tag some people to play.

So, I read that I was tagged while I was at work. Of course, no camera so I had to wait until I got home. And, that didn't happen until after I went to Pryor to the Hallmark store, Hibbets Sports and Walmart. All of this was while we were under a severe thunderstorm warning and it was lightening and thundering and raining like crazy. I was in Walmart while the worst was happening. When I got home around 6:45 and started making dinner I remembered that I had been tagged. So, I told Katie to get the camera and snap a picture. Here are the results:

Let the record show that I am the oldest person tagged so far and youth has its' own advantages! Oh, and the kitchen looks scary because I was still unloading Walmart sacks. And yes, I DO feel as worn out as I look in this picture.

Okay, I am going to tag Lori, Melinda and Becky C. Get to it girls!

Don't be jealous!

2009-03-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

There are only 16 more days until NG6-my annual retreat with my sisters aka best friends in the world! I am more excited this year than ever before. I don't really know why. Well, maybe because it is the best part of my year every year. I am so blessed to have these ladies in my life.

Let me introduce you to these girls:

There is Nora Mae, who is now the matriarch of our family. She's the one on the left in the picture and the one who made the other two laugh . There is no one I admire as much as her. She is a true picture of grace and perseverance and strength. She has definitely been tried and come forth as gold. When I visit her at her home by the lake in Texas I feel at peace. In fact, Dennis and I tell her all the time that she is our favorite vacation destination. We already have our rooms booked for early August with her. She is home to me. And, more so since Mother and Daddy are gone.

Next is Rhonda Jo, the one in the middle above. She was my little mommie for the first years of my life; well, actually, I tend to think of her that way even now. She was only five or six when I was born yet she took on a role of caregiver to that fat little baby. Stories have been told about her climbing up the side of my crib and getting me out and carrying me to the bed to change my diaper. And, we're not talking disposable diapers. I have always felt safe and cared for with Rhonda. She has a gift for nurturing and I have been blessed to be the beneficiary all my life.

Deborah Jean. Such a fancy name; we just call her Debe. Yes, she's the one with the big mouth laugh above. I think only Mom and Nanny called her Deborah Jean and that usually wasn't a good thing! If anyone got Daddy's gift of speaking and communication it is her. She can deliver a speech or devotion and bring you to tears or laughter alternately in mere seconds. I don't know anyone who can accomplish so much for so many so often. She is a true servant and her heart is sometimes to large for her five foot one frame to handle. If you need it done; need it done now; and need enough for 150-Debe's your gal. Sometimes our sweet Mother would say, "Just listening to everything Debe has to do this week made ME tired!" True. But, if you need her, she's never too busy.

So, now you understand why I said not to be jealous. I would be jealous of me. There is nothing like our times together at NG (Nettie's Girls). It is indescribably, undeniably the best four days of my year every year. I hope God allows us many more together. He has already been so gracious to make us sisters and best friends.

See Kai Run Giveaway

2009-03-23T05:24:00.000-07:00

Go to this site http://travelingwithbaby.wordpress.com/ for the great giveaway on the cutest baby shoes.

"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents"

2009-03-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

Some of you will not even need to see the first picture below to know what book opens with that line. It is one of my all time favorite childhood reads. I have read it more than once but it has been several years since the last time I read it.

I decided to write about books that mattered to me when I was growing up. I could never remember or write about them all but I wanted to mention a few. Typically every young girl has read this one:

I loved the next one - Strawberry Girl.

Blue Willow was one of the first books that made me really feel emotions for the people in the story. I wanted Janey to find a place to call home. I was only in about the third grade when I read it.

The next one was not the kind of book I usually read as a child but I was fascinated by it.

Who doesn't love Nancy Drew? My sisters and I surely read them all. I loved her.

I cannot remember a funnier book in my childhood than No Children, No Pets. A few years ago I searched for this book on the internet and found it. I was so excited when I got it in the mail. I read it again immediately. It was still as good as I remembered. Sadly, it was damaged severely in our flood last year.

Tell the truth, you read the Donna Parker books, didn't you? They were so...cool and hip and modern. Yeah, right. But, I thought they were in my little world.

Ah, The Bobbsey Twins. Granted, to read them now they seem very outdated but I read them all as a child. I think I liked books about big families since we were a big family.

As a child I loved two things dearly-my baby dolls and my books. I was practically a grown woman before I could put away my dolls. Fortunately I get to take books with me all the way to old age. Tell me about your favorite books as a child.

Baby Shower

2009-03-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

I hosted a baby shower for my friend Emily today. It was a Mother Goose theme with a few Little Golden books thrown in just because I love them.

The cake-made by Penny Walsh, master of baking:

Emily:

The table with all the fun books:

A chair for the guest of honor:

A little notebook to write down gifts and givers. Easy project: a $1 notebook, scrapbook paper cut to fit the front, stickers and little ribbons tied to spirals. Katie tied some ribbons on a pen just for fun, too.

We had such fun visiting, eating cake, drinking punch and showering Emily and little Harper (?) with love and gifts.

Don't hate me because I'm weak

2009-03-03T21:23:00.000-08:00

So, I thought I would give it a try and give up Facebook and Blogger for awhile. Well, the duration of Lent. I caved. I gave in. I just couldn't do it. I felt so out of touch with all those people that I spend 20 seconds with each day!

I'm going to try it

2009-02-24T18:14:00.000-08:00

I am going to try the Facebook Fast. But, I am taking it one step further and I am going to "fast" from Blogger, too. So, if you need to talk to me you will just have to do it the old fashioned way-call me or email me or come see me. I'll be back on April 12th or thereabouts.

Thankful

2009-02-15T20:11:00.000-08:00

I just am. Thankful, that is. And, it just kind of struck me this evening so I felt like writing it down. I am thankful that my confidence is not in our government, our economy, our weather, our schools, my job, or the people I know. I am confident in my all-sufficient God, my Jehovah-Jireh. He has never forsaken me and has promised that He never will. I just have to rest in that fact. There is rest there for you, too.

Does YOUR love have limits?

2009-02-03T04:55:00.000-08:00

I was reading through my email this morning. I receive a daily devotional thought from Today's Christian Woman and it always has links to some articles at the end. One title and the sub-title just jumped out at me today. It was Extending My FamilyLoving others regardless of their choices, circumstances, or biology. I linked to the article and read it. It was good and thought provoking. But, it was the sub-title that hit me the hardest.

Do I love others regardless of their choices? Do I hold those choices against them and withhold my friendship and concern and love? Do I write them off if they don't do the right thing or make the decision that I have decided is the right one for them? I'm not talking about condoning wrong. I'm talking about choosing to continue to love and support people who have made bad choices.

Do I step back from people who have gotten themselves in a mess? Do I shy away from people whose place in life is different than mine? Those who are going through something that I am afraid of or don't know how to help them? Or, do I try to understand and offer what assistance I can to them?

When I am at a stop light do I lock the door if the guy standing on the corner is of a different race? Would I do that if he were just like me? Do I smile and chat with people in a line or a lobby if I can identify with them but ignore and turn away if they appear "foreign" to me? Am I trying to see them through God's eyes, recognizing that we are all one?

These thoughts all jumped out at me today from just reading the title of that article. I guess I needed a reminder.

You can trust that girl!

2009-01-29T18:44:00.000-08:00

What girl? Tanya, that's who. You know, Sunday Baker. (see button to the right) I prepared her Bacon Cheese Chicken w/Garlic Cream Sauce. It. Was. Superb.

We loved everything about it. I added some bow tie pasta and salad and it was a great meal. It was worth the little bit of prep work. It would make a wonderful dish for guests.

I am thinking about making a variation that mixes chopped chilies with the cream cheese in place of the chives and making Jalapeno Cream Sauce instead of the Garlic Cream Sauce. Don't get me wrong-the original is delicious. I just like changing things sometimes to see what new tastes we can experience.

You can trust Tanya's recipes to please you and your family. Check it out.

Indulgence

2009-01-25T10:10:00.001-08:00

When was the last time you totally indulged yourself? If you can't remember then it has been too long. Yesterday Katie and I went shopping . We hit several places before walking into Wal Mart. She immediately said, "Why don't we get pedicures?" I had already remarked that we were not on a schedule and I was enjoying taking our time looking at things and trying on clothes. I hesitated. I waffled. I caved. I thought, "Sure! We need it, don't we?" It had been a long time since my last pedicure. Fortunately, we had to wait for just a little bit so they sat us down in the massaging chairs, plunked our tootsies in the warm water and left us to relax. It was heaven. When we were done we wore the disposable foam flip flops while we shopped. I should have taken a picture. We didn't want to muss our toes!It was well worth the money and the time.

My question for you: When you get to treat yourself what is your indulgence of choice?

I'm trying but.........

2009-01-19T06:36:00.000-08:00

Okay. I determined to read some "classic" books this year. You know, those books that everyone thinks you should have read by now and, sometimes, you even pretend you HAVE read! So, I started one last week-Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I have always heard wonderful things about the book. Somehow, I have never read it, though. I haven't even seen the movie. I must admit that I am struggling to read it. I don't know what it is but I am just not getting into it. Do any fans of the book have any suggestions for me? Should I just keep plugging along? Is there a Pride and Prejudice for Dummies?

All of this brings me to two questions for my friends out there:

1. What book have YOU started to read but just couldn't make it all the way through?
2. What book(s) do you think are a must for the well-read woman?

Another thing-go on over to http://glamlifehousewife.blogspot.com/ and help her with her baby needs this contest. You just might win something!

Just a corner. That's what I want.

2009-01-07T20:40:00.000-08:00

I love to read. And, I have been doing a lot of it lately. I have a stack of books, recently purchased, more than a foot tall that I cannot wait to tackle. Today I started thinking about designing a reading nook or corner for myself. I want a little place where I can sink down into a comfy chair, a table beside me for my cup of hot tea, and read uninterrupted. I have a few possibilities for location. We have a large master closet. Really large-it used to be a room. There is a window and just enough space for a chair if I choose that space. There's always the front porch, but it is a little chilly right now for that. Maybe that little corner in the kitchen. Or, the open space in our bedroom. The possibilities are there. It's just getting it all together and making sure everyone knows that is my corner.

Since I was thinking about corners and comfy and reading and such I thought I would post a few pictures.

Here is my husband, Dennis, with my sister's grandsons, at her house on Thanksgiving. A big chair and a lap and someone to read is all they needed!

A picture dear to my heart-this is my dad, Wade, in his famous "office". Oh, he had a little office just through that door over his shoulder. But, his chair and the TV trays on either side worked just fine for him. Mail was sorted, correspondence was answered, magazines read and sermons written from that chair. This is a classic picture for my sisters and I. We miss him.

An overstuffed leather couch at Aunt Rhonda's and cousin Holly's attention was all Katie needed a year ago on Thanksgiving. I think Nathaniel wanted to read this page.

There is no more peaceful place than my sister Nora's home. This is a little spot in her front yard. I have lazily enjoyed a few hours reading on her porch.

This is one of the many beautiful spots in our back yard,compliments of my husband. He is a self-taught, wonderfully talented landscaper. This is a good place to flip through a magazine or watch the sun come up reading my Bible.

So, now I have to decide on a spot in my house and start collecting all the elements for the best little reading corner you're ever seen. If you're nice I'll post pictures.

A Post for Tanya's Fun Giveaway

2009-01-05T18:39:00.000-08:00

I dabble in a few things but excel in none so I had a hard time figuring out what to post. I decided on an apron I made for last year's sister get together - NG5. When we cleaned out my mom's things a couple of months after she died we came across many handwritten recipes. My sister Debe and I decided to keep them. I made transfers from some of them and applied them to plain white aprons and gave them to my sisters. They aren't fancy but they mean alot to me.

Enter the giveaway at http://comeandpeek.blogspot.com/

Hats Off to 2008

2009-01-03T19:49:00.001-08:00

I have read some of the other blogs reviewing 2008 and thought I might give it a try.

February- I flew to Dallas to visit my sister Nora. Flying is a big deal for me-I do not like it. It was so worth it, though. We had such a wonderful time.

April- The month of the big flood. April 10th our house flooded. We had about eight inches of muddy water throughout our home. The next day was spent moving everything out in about 2 hours. So many people helped us that day and for many days after that. I could never name them all. However, I have to mention two of them who went above and beyond the call of friendship. Those two are Curt and Becky Gwartney. I cannot begin to express what they did for us during that time. They opened their home to us for two months! We could not have made it through that difficult time without them.

A short week after “The Flood” I travelled to Hot Springs for NG5, the annual getaway with my sisters. They were so sweet and kind and helped me forget for just a little bit all the trouble back at home. The time passed too quickly and it was time to say goodbye. I will never get used to telling them goodbye.

May- Our youngest sister, Vicki, was hospitalized and worsened very rapidly. She died peacefully on May 29th. She was only 49 years old.

June-Finally, some good news again. After many, many hours and thousands of dollars and we were able to move back into the house! New walls, new floors, new trim, new paint and lots of little details to finish. Are they finished? Ask me again later.

July – I was offered a promotion at my job of 14 years. I accepted and became the Compliance Officer at my bank. It has been challenging but rewarding and I love it. We also went to Branson, MO and had a wonderful time. We love Branson.

August – Time for a week vacation and a trip to Hot Springs to see my sister Debe and her husband David. It was only my second time there but it was Dennis’s first time and he loved the old part of Hot Springs. If you go there, tour the bathhouses.

Blair started working at a hospital as a Nurse Tech and loves it. She is waiting to get into LPN school.

School started this month for Katie-5th grade. She is growing up too fast. I want her to be 3 yrs old again.

I went away for a week to Compliance School. It was a hectic, fast paced week full of classes and studying and tests. I loved every minute of it.

October-Our son, Aaron and his wife found out that the company they work for is closing. They will both be looking for work.

November- We took our grandson, Izaac, with us to Branson. It was our first time to be there for the Christmas lights and all. It was great. We stayed at the Hilton at Branson Landing and we are now spoiled for all hotels forever!

We travelled again to Hot Springs for the Jernigan Family Thanksgiving. This is my favorite holiday of the year because these are my favorite people in the world. It was too short, but great.

December-Well, Christmas and all that goes along with this wonderful season took up the whole month. I love this time of year and do not wish it away as so many do. We enjoyed Christmas Eve with our family – Me, Dennis, Blair, Katie, Aaron, Jami, Ricky and Izaac. Then, a quiet Christmas day with just the four of us. We really do like it that way. So much so that we spent New Year’s Eve the same way-only just three of us. We didn’t even stay up to watch the New Year creep in. We just got up the next morning and said……………

“HELLO 2009!”

15 Random Facts About Myself (in no particular order)

2008-12-27T21:05:00.000-08:00

I just visited http://wifeandmommymelinda.blogspot.com/ and accepted her invitation to copy her post.

1. I love to visit Ruby's Readery (a local used and new bookstore) and buy books by authors I have not previously read.

2. I have increasingly alarming short term memory loss.

3. I can't stand it when people walk into work in a bad mood. Leave it at home, people!

4. I still worry about my grown children when the weather is bad. I will call my son (almost 28 yrs. old) to make sure he made it to work okay.

5. My favorite event of the year is NG weekend. That's the weekend I get together with my three sisters for about three and a half days. This year will be NG6.

6. I need to get back on track with Weight Watchers.

7. I didn't send Christmas cards this year.

8. I want a large print Bible but I don't want it to weigh ten pounds.

9. I never thought I would enjoy receiving email as much as receiving regular mail, but I do.

10. I like SPAM and I have several recipes that include it.

11. My job is very challenging but I love it.

12. I find myself referring to people I know only through blogging by their names as if we know each other. (I hope that doesn't scare any of you.)

13. I would still like to be a stay at home mom one day.

14. My favorite place to be is at home.

15. I go to an amazing church-First Free Will Baptist Church of LG.

Okay, just like Melinda, I won't tag anyone. Do it if you want to be random like us!