It Is Well

Hi again....

2011-02-09T21:16:00.002-05:00

Why I haven't blogged in a long time.....

1) I got an iPad for my birthday! While it's a really fun toy and I love it, it's REALLY cumbersome to blog with it. And I haven't taken the time to get comfortable blogging with it yet.
2) Once we got moved into the new house it was time to buy a few things, get rid of lots of other things, decide where to store all our "stuff",etc......and when I sort of got caught up with all that, the holidays were right around the corner. AND we had invited dear friends for Thanksgiving and I didn't have much time to figure out how to fit 11 people into our house semi-comfortably for a long weekend and cook some food that was worthy of the holiday....luckily it worked out great and we had an amazingly fun weekend!
3). When Thanksgiving was over, I realized something else...I had bought ONE Christmas gift! Yikes! Thank goodness for online shopping!!
4) during Christmas break, I tried to slow down and enjoy time with the family. One thing I did right after Christmas that I loved was letting each family member pick their "top three" dinner choices. I then took that list and compiled my menu plan for two weeks. Everyone got their favorites, and I didn't have to strain my brain to make menu choices!!
5). I'm not sure I really had...or have..anything to say. I read some great blogs, and I feel that in comparison,I really don't have anything to say that's worthy of reading.

When (if?) I have something to say, I'll be back!

24 Years...

2010-09-28T11:13:00.004-04:00

24 years.

24 years ago, my sister-in-law gave me these two utensils (plus some other stuff I don't remember!) as a wedding gift. They were gleaming and new, with decorative decals on the front of the handles. I used them....every day. I soon found they were of excellent quality, strong and reliable.

Over the years, this spoon has stirred and served up stews, casseroles, chicken and dumplings, veggies, spaghetti sauce, etc. The spatula has flipped many an egg. It has flipped pancakes onto the plates of my toddlers, and has hurried to get the cookies off the baking sheet to keep up with the demand of my kids and their many friends.

Those decorative decals on the handles? Long gone! See the burned places on the bottom of the spatula? The handles of both have melted places, too, from resting too long on a hot pan, from staying on the griddle a few moments too long. They carry scars. They aren't perfect anymore.

But you know why I still have these? They are, without doubt, the strongest utensils of this sort that I've ever had. Even though I now keep these hidden in a drawer because they're a bit unsightly, they are always nearby. A heavy meatloaf or roasted chicken to lift onto a platter? They can handle it! I've used these to lift a Thanksgiving turkey more than once. I've stressed them until they bent and I feared they would break...but they've proven themselves, time and time again. And also, I still have them just because I love them. They remind me of my sister-in-law, and of my wedding day.

Yesterday, on my 24th wedding anniversary, I was thinking about these utensils. A couple, like us. Together for 24 years, serving the same family. Like us. Not as new and shiny as they used to be. Flawed. Carrying some scars and imperfections, like us.

But also:

strong,

dependable.....

full of fond memories.....

L O V E D.

Like us. Happy Anniversary to my wonderful, strong, dependable, hardworking husband. Who took care of me yesterday morning when I had a horrible migraine, did the grocery shopping while I took a nap (!), brought me my favorite flowers, then, when I was feeling better, took me out for a wonderful and romantic dinner last night.
I can't wait to see what the next 24 years may bring.
He is loved.
I am blessed.

Speaking Out

2010-09-20T11:31:00.005-04:00

I have a question for you....how often do you speak out against something when you don't think it is right or fair? Do you speak out often and quickly, wait until the moment has passed and then regret not saying anything, or do you just think it is not your place?

I've spent most of my life being silent about things....not expressing an opinion very often. It's not that I don't have opinions, I just held them in most of the time...which resulted in my being angry a lot!

As I get older, it seems a little easier for me to say what I really think. I wonder sometimes if this is a good or bad thing...and I also wonder (if the trend continues) about when I'm an old woman if I'll possibly just scare everyone away! :)

Today, I spoke out. I sent an email to the cheerleading coach at my son's high school. They were filming the cheerleaders at the game on Friday night, and the girls were so much more concerned about being on TV than they were about what was going on around them that they were just, well, RUDE.

The irony is that the reason their story has been picked up by CNN is that they have two disabled girls on the cheerleading squad. Which I think is great, and I said so in my email. But on Friday night, they were in a circle chanting very loudly while the band was performing the halftime show, and you could hardly hear the band. Yes, it was halftime...there was no game going on to cheer for...they were doing it for a "photo op"...and with no regard for their fellow students who were out there doing a show they've worked hard (and are still working) to perfect. I just thought it was really rude.

So, I said so. I don't know if my little email will make a difference or not. I don't know if I'll ever feel comfortable speaking out about things like this....but in this case, I thought somebody should. Today, that somebody was me. Guess I'm getting older all the time! :)

Waiting....and Hurrying

2010-07-02T13:53:00.003-04:00

Even though we've been fairly busy this spring and early summer, it has still been a time of waiting.
Now, the waiting is over, at least mostly over, and it is time to HURRY....
Seems like there are a million small things awaiting our attention. There is much to do, and little time.
It's been a year of change. And it's not over. Maybe it's only just getting a good start.
Life, as I know it, is about to change. Big time.
I'm excited, nervous, a bit giddy, and tired. A weird combination of emotions that I'm sure will not smooth out for a few more weeks (months??, years???).
Bring it on....I can't wait to see what the future holds!

Pushin' the Plow

2010-05-25T15:48:00.006-04:00

Here's a photo I discovered on my camera when I did the last download. It was a total surprise to me. I guess my kids took over my camera on Easter Sunday while I was getting dinner on the table. I am glad they did!
At first, I looked at this photo and just laughed--my kids were having fun and just being silly.
Then, I stopped laughing.....and I thought...
Pushing the plow.
How far would that get you if you were breaking ground for planting?
Not very far.
But how often do I try anyway?
How often do I make MY plan, and just expect everyone and everything else to fall into place? If I put my head down and push, maybe I can bulldoze right on through.

How much harder it is to wait.

Right now, I am in a season of waiting. Our house is on the market and we prepare to move. Closer to home. An exciting time.
According to my plan, we would have had our house under contract about 2 or 3 weeks ago, would have a closing date, would have an appointment for movers to come. Now, we'd be choosing a new home.
Guess what? Nothing is going according to my plan.
Our house is for sale. Each morning I arise, make my bed, clean floors, sinks, toilets. Make sure every dish is put away. At least twice a week, I dust. I do the laundry almost daily because I wouldn't want stinky laundry in the hamper when someone looks at my house. I sweep porches, water flowers and pick off every dead blossom. I strive for perfection.

Then, I wait.

The housekeeping, I do an okay job with.

The waiting, not so much.

You see, I want to push that plow. To DO something.
Alas, there is nothing I can do.
Except wait. And have faith.
"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope." Psalm 130:5
Each day, I remind myself.....God's got this. He has a plan for our family. His timing is perfect, his plan is perfect.
Time to take a deep breath, remind myself of God's promises....
and stop pushing the plow.

Back to Easter for a Moment

2010-05-10T08:50:00.000-04:00

Here's my family on Easter Sunday morning. I totally forgot about these photos until I downloaded everything from my camera to get a Mother's Day photo!!

Mother's Day

2010-05-08T10:44:00.009-04:00

Ah, it's that time of year again. Spring. Flowers in bloom. Here in Georgia, already hot and humid. May. The end of the school year. Mother's Day.

I was about 13 when my Mom's mother passed away. Every mother's day after that, my own mother just seemed....sad. Most Mother's Day Sundays at church, she would look like she was fighting back tears. She smiled at our cards, small gifts, and attempts at breakfast in bed....but there was always this sadness behind her smile.

I had no understanding of this.
We were celebrating HER day.
Pampering her.
Showering her with gifts.
My teenage mind thought she should have been really happy on that day.

Twelve years ago, I gained a perfect understanding.
Mother's Day 1998 was my first mother's day without my own mother.
We had buried her less than a month earlier, with no chances beforehand to say goodbye. It had all happened so suddenly.

On that mother's day, all I could seem to do was to look at my own children (ages 3 and 7) and grieve over what they would miss by not having my mom in their lives as they grew up. And what I would miss by not having her wisdom and experience to guide me as I parented them.

Twelve years ago....and still, mother's day is difficult for me. Don't get me wrong. My family always makes my mother's day special. My husband always does something really nice for me (and he takes the kids to buy cards and flowers). I reflect on how much my kids have grown and how proud I am of the adults they are becoming. They all make me smile. But often, I admit, there is sadness behind my smile.

I miss my mom.
Every day.
More than I ever thought it possible to miss another person.
How I wish I could buy and mail a card, send flowers, take her breakfast in bed or take her out for a special day together.

How glorious and comforting the thought of seeing her again.
What a Mother's Day THAT will be!

My new Hero

2010-04-20T07:11:00.006-04:00

This is Molly...a new Hero of mine.

She is a barn owl who lives in California. I've recently been pretty entertained by her webcam. She and her mate, McGhee, are raising 4 babies and there is a camera in the nest box. Gross, sometimes, but fascinating. The "babies" are getting really big, and there is not much room in the nest nowadays, so I guess they will all fly away one day soon. But it's been fun to watch her sit on the eggs, watch the hatching, and those little bobble-head chicks.

I want owls. One day, if my wish to live way out in the middle of nowhere comes true, I want owl nest boxes. I've looked at websites that have building diagrams. I am convinced that if I build one (or two or three), they will come.
Why is the owl my pet of choice?
Why do I want these great beasts to live near me?
Why are they my new heroes?

In a word....rodents!

Anybody who knows me well will know that I am afraid of mice. Well, "afraid" is a mild word....more like terrified to the point of intense anxiety. I'm not quite sure why, but I have some pretty irrational fears when it comes to furry little rodents.
Back to the owls...now that these four young owls are growing so fast, the parents hunt and bring them around 8 to 10 rodents a DAY!!! Mostly mice and rats. (Okay, just for the record, they also hunt cute little baby rabbits too, but we all know those things can multiply fast enough to keep up the supply!)
So, I know when we move to the country that mice will be an issue, and I was pretty much thinking that cats would be the answer to mouse control....but now that I'm watching the owl webcam, it's got me thinking that cats have to look like slackers next to these owls when it comes to the number of mice they can do away with!

Owls....my new heroes! I think they may get a house out on the farm before I do just so they can clean up the neighborhood before I move in. :)

A New Year

2010-01-01T11:23:00.003-05:00

Today is a beginning. The beginning of the year 2010. Yesterday I was reminded that it was ten years ago that everyone was celebrating and at the same time bracing for a catastrophe that some people insisted was coming when all the computers in the world failed to roll over from 1999 to 2000. Personally, I was telling all my neighbors that if the electricity failed, I was planning a huge cookout for Jan 3rd or 4th...depending on how long it took all the steaks in my freezer to thaw out! I didn't put much stock in the whole "millenium scare", and I'm glad.
Can that have possibly been 10 years ago?? There have been so many changes since then. I've watched my little kids grow into young adults. We've been through two moves and my two kids combined have attended 7 new schools that we've had to get used to...change in churches, new friends met, one new furry family member acquired...wow!
I found a quote today, and I'm sorry I don't know who to attribute it to, but I'd like to include it here as I thought it was well said:
"I am the new year; three hundred and sixty-five days of unspotted, unspoiled, and unused time. I am a clean slate of opportunity, a reflection of what might be rather than what has been. My diary contains unlimited resolutions, once made in earnest and then broken in haste. My features are a mystery, for no one can tell what is in store for tomorrow. Each day brings new insight to what I will be after I have completed my journey. I am the opportunity to achieve those things for which some reason or another were left undone in the previous year. To a student, I am that one step closer toward receiving an education. To the small child, I am another summer camp, Thanksgiving holiday, or Christmas wish. To a parent, I contain the joy of watching a child grow and mature. To the young, I am dreams and hopes dressed in daily determination. The youngster wonders why I do not come around more often; the aged wonder why I come so often. For some, this year will bring unparalleled opportunities. For others it will bring disaster and ruin. To all, it will bring us twelve months closer to eternity."
Personally, I know that 2010 will be an interesting year for me....change is already brewing at our house, having begun in 2009. We'll continue to ride this wave of change, and this time next year I hope to be feeling a bit more settled than I feel today. I wish everyone who reads this a healthy and happy 2010. Don't forget to say "I Love You" to at least one person every day this year, and remember to count your blessings daily too.

2009-11-30T20:59:00.004-05:00

30 Days of Thanks--Day 30
Is the month really over? Where did it go so quickly? I guess time flies when you're giving thanks!!
I have certainly found much to be thankful for this month. And I'm sad that it's over. But I think that keeping my eyes open each day for things to be thankful for is going to stick with me for awhile. And I'm thankful for that attitude that I've been able to adopt this past month.

Today, I'm especially thankful for my friend Conny because she invited me to join her in 30 Days of Thanks and because today is her BIRTHDAY!! I'm so excited I posted her a cake:

Conny entered my life on Thanksgiving of 2001. We had just moved to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri in July of that year. As Thanksgiving approached, we had no plans, and my hubby suggested inviting a couple of guys he worked with and their families who had also just moved to the area. I happily said yes, and as the day approached, I began to wonder and worry a bit--"what kind of people are they?" "Will they be offended to know we celebrate Thanksgiving as a religious holiday and an opportunity to give thanks to God for his many blessings?" "Will they be uncomfortable when we pray?" All that and so many more things were rushing through my mind as the day approached. And after meeting Conny, her sweet hubby, and their two beautiful children I realized that I had met her before at a Bible Study group! (interestingly enough the mom from the other family we invited was part of that group too!) I felt so happy and blessed as our three families, all new to the area, made a circle in our kitchen that day and shared what we were most thankful for and prayed together before we ate our feast.
Fast forward two years, and Conny and I became "battle buddies" as our husbands deployed with the same unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As the men we love shared the discomfort and pain of war, Conny and I shared life on the home front. We didn't spend a lot of time together (perhaps because we're both such introverts!), but each of us knew we had a listening ear and someone who could understand.
I'm grateful for Conny's birthday today, and thankful that our paths crossed those years ago. I'm thankful to be back in touch with her via blogging and facebook, and I'm thankful that very soon she will hold another sweet little baby in her arms and get to experience motherhood for a third time! And I hope someday in the not-so-far-off future that we can sit down over a cup of tea and catch up face to face.
Yes, I'm thankful for friends. I'm thankful that as we moved around frequently during those Army years, God put wonderful people in each place that we grew to love and cherish. I'm thankful for relationships, and that God puts the right people in our lives at the right times!
Happy Birthday, Conny, with lots of love.

2009-11-29T22:01:00.002-05:00

30 Days of Thanks
Today I am thankful for:
Sunday church service,
The first Sunday of Advent and the expectation it ushers in,
Strong guys at my house who are willing to get all the Christmas boxes down,
A pre-lit Christmas tree,
Ornaments for the tree that hold stories of the history of our family,
A favorite Christmas CD,
Chinese takeout for dinner,
a relaxing day.
The rest of the decorating can wait until tomorrow, or the next day...I hate to hurry! I still have some ornaments to add to the tree, the small tree to put up, mantel to decorate, creche to set up, lights to put on the bushes outside, garland and bows for the front porch, and lights, garland, and ribbons for the stairway. No sense in getting in a hurry. I can never do it all in one day.
I'm thankful to enter a season of hope.

2009-11-28T22:16:00.004-05:00

30 Days of Thanks
Day 28

Boy, I have some catching up to do! The reason I'm behind on my blogging is that I've been in Tennessee for the past week. Now I'm home again, with lots to be thankful for...
I'm thankful for the beauty of Tennessee. Even though most of the pretty fall leaves were on the ground rather than on the trees, the land itself is still beautiful...grazing horses and cattle, limestone rock outcroppings, winding rivers, and the aroma of woodsmoke coming from chimneys. I love it all. I love walking through the fields on a crisp sunny day when all you can hear is leaves crunching underfoot.
I'm thankful for friends...that care enough to drive 8 hours to meet us for a shared holiday, who are more like family than friends. Who share fond memories with us and want to keep making more. Who are always close in our hearts no matter how many miles there are between us.
I'm thankful for turkey and dressing and cranberries and sweet potatoes...and even pumpkin pie (which, oops, I didn't even eat this year!).
I'm thankful for a long weekend in which I did NOT go shopping. Instead, we went to see the new "Christmas Carol" movie. It was really good, very true to the book, and a good reminder of things that are truly important as we enter the Christmas season.
I'm thankful for two opportunities this weekend to talk to my brother on the phone. He has been very busy taking care of his wife as she undergoes chemo and radiation treatments for a rare tumor in her sinus cavity. I'm thankful that the treatments are already showing results. I know the road ahead of her is long, but I'm thankful she has a good team of doctors on her side, a nice place to stay, and a husband who loves her very much. I often have the feeling I wish I could do something more for them, but right now I am thankful for prayer. That much I can do each day, and it keeps me connected. And I'm thankful for cell phones that keep us in touch with each other.
I'm thankful I got to get away for a day and a half with my hubby and best friend.
I'm thankful for safe travels for us and our loved ones this weekend.
I'm thankful to be home.
What are you thankful for tonight??

2009-11-25T17:04:00.002-05:00

30 Days of Thanks--day 25

Sorry for the absence! It's been a busy week, which maybe I will blog about later. By way of explanation, let me say that I have been too busy being in the great outdoors and with my family to have time to blog! I'm very thankful for a break from our routine and for the wonderful extended family that we have.
I'm thankful I got to talk to my brother on the phone today! I'm thankful I got to sit down and talk to my Granny for a while today. And I'm thankful that I have a pumpkin pie baking in the oven, and friends on the way that will share it with us tomorrow!!

2009-11-21T08:07:00.006-05:00

30 Days of Thanks Oops! I missed blogging last night because I fell asleep! But I'm VERY thankful for yesterday...it was a good day. I worked in the morning and then had a wonderful lunch with a dear friend. I'm thankful for friendship. And burritos from Moe's! :-)
I went shopping with a gift card that another friend gave me for my birthday to get the new Star Trek movie...and I can't wait to have a movie night over the holiday! My guys kind of dragged me to see the movie in the theater, and it is by far the best movie I've seen in years! (Okay, well, you have to have watched the original Star Trek TV show to really appreciate it...but who hasn't watched that?)
Yesterday afternoon was another basketball game for my son, who this time played about half the game. He scored six points, got numerous blocks and rebounds, and one great steal of the ball from the other team. I'm thankful for his love of the game and that he does his best. High school basketball is really a "whole new ball game"--it is so much faster paced and agressive than middle school ball. I am thankful to be able to see my boy make that transition and grow and learn. I'm thankful he is healthy and strong and smart and just a good kid. Enough mommy bragging, huh?? Now on to the video....roll that footage. Watch for number 22 in white. He does miss his free-throw and the extra point, but he drove through to get the two points!! (sorry it's unedited--something I need to learn!)

Today, I'm thankful that we're at the beginning of a week's holiday...no school, no basketball practice, etc...it's nice to have time off!
What are you thankful for today??

2009-11-19T22:07:00.003-05:00

30 Days of Thanks--Day 19

Has another day gone by already??
Today, I went to Bible study with my PWOC group at Ft. Gordon. And I'm thankful that even though I was wishy-washy about choosing which study to take this semester, God lead me to the one I needed. Each week, the lesson seems like it was written just for me! Today's lesson was no exception. Ouch! I'm thankful for scripture and that it really hits home some days.
I'm also thankful that our annual church conference is over for another year, and that I'm finished with another band booster meeting.
It's been more than a busy day, so once again I'm thankful for my favorite time of the day--when I crawl under the covers and get cozy! Does this mean I'm not a morning person??

2009-11-18T22:17:00.003-05:00

30 Days of Thanks...Day 18
Today was another busy day. I'm especially thankful that I went back to bed this morning! I was kind of cold, and my intention was just to crawl under the covers for 5 minutes to warm up, but I fell asleep almost immediately and slept for another whole hour. I didn't think that was so cool when I woke up again, but given how busy my day was I really appreciate it now.
I did some band booster work today and made a couple of bank deposits. I'm thankful that we live in a community and our son attends a school where so many parents support their kids and take an interest in what they're doing. We have such great band parents that I never fret when I send my kids on a trip with the band, I know they'll have several "parents" to take care of them.
I'm thankful that I had time to cook dinner tonight and for the 3 of us to sit down together and eat before leaving for church. It seems with basketball, band, my job at church, and everything else we do I have less and less time at home to cook good, nutritious meals. It was nice to do that tonight!
I'm thankful that fresh, tart cranberries are for sale in all the grocery stores now. After dinner tonight I baked two loaves of one of my favorite breads: cranberry-orange with walnuts! I'll take one to my Bible study group in the morning, and my guys and I will cut the other for breakfast.
I am so enjoying this 30 days of staying focused on what I'm thankful for. It has taught me to look for blessings and for positive things all day long, which is one habit I'd like to hang onto at the end of this 30 days.

2009-11-17T22:08:00.002-05:00

30 Days of Thanks--Day 17

Have I really missed two days?? Yikes! It's not that I'm not thankful! I'll have to think up some things...
Sunday, I was thankful to get to go to church with my whole family while my dear daughter was home, and thankful that she made yummy quesadillas for lunch after church! We don't eat nearly as many of those since our quesadilla chef left for college--she had us all spoiled!
Monday, I went to my prayer group. I'm thankful for a group of godly ladies who can get together and pray for each other and for our families. It has drawn me closer to friends here than I ever imagined possible. After prayer time we went out to a fun birthday lunch, where a friend and I who both have November birthdays were treated to lunch, gifts, cake (I know, more cake!!), and laughter and good conversation.
After my "play day" yesterday, today was back to work for me! I'm thankful for a productive day with a little down time in the afternoon before my busy evening began.
Today was my son's first basketball game of the season. Although he didn't get into the game for more that a couple of minutes, at least he did play--several sat on the bench and did not--so I'm thankful the coach put him in. I'm thankful for his talent, his desire to use it for the good of his team, and I'm happy that he did not take their loss very hard (guess he didn't feel responsible since he didn't get much court time!).
I'm thankful there were no injuries tonight in what was a very fast-paced and agressive game.
I'm thankful that my son had an orthodontist appointment today....that he has braces to straighten his teeth and correct his bite problems. Thankful that we have insurance that pays about half the cost of these braces....because they are SO expensive! And I'm thankful he will get another appliance taken out of his mouth on his next visit which will make it easier to eat, talk, and probably even breathe!!
Oh! I'm thankful that my sweet girl made it back to school safely after her weekend road trip....and thankful that she had the chance to drive about 2/3 of the way.
I'm thankful for choir practice tonight and thankful for Christmas music--it always makes me happy.
And just now, I'm thankful I have a warm bed to crawl into, and that it's time for another night's rest!

2009-11-14T21:59:00.005-05:00

30 Days of Thanks

Today, I have so much to be thankful for that I'm sure I'll forget something here. But here goes my try:

I'm thankful for surprises. My hubby brought me the most beautiful, deep pink roses yesterday. Then last night he and I went to walk the dog, and when we returned, my sweet girl was sitting in our living room!!! She had ridden 6 hours with friends after their Friday classes to surprise me (and dad) on our shared birthday week.
I'm thankful for late-night chats over a cup of tea with my sweetie and our almost-grown-up daughter. AND I'm thankful that today was Saturday so I could sleep in to recover from said late-night chat! :)
I'm thankful for a girls shopping trip this morning...I usually don't like to shop too much, but doing it with a companion is fun!
I'm thankful for a late lunch at a new restaurant in town with my family. Just the four of us. As our kids grow up, time with just our immediate family is precious and appreciated.
After our late lunch, we returned home, and everyone except me promptly fell asleep! I think they've been working so hard to give me the best birthday that they were all worn out....so while they were sleeping, I crept outside to plant some pansies in my flower boxes and flowerpots on the front porch. There's something about digging in the dirt that I still like--even the sandbox was my favorite place to play when I was little...anyway, I'm thankful that I had some quiet time to do something I truly enjoy.
When everyone woke up, we decided that birthday cake was in order, so off to Publix we went for a delectable cake with their buttercream frosting. And cake is precisely what I had for dinner...really unhealthy, I know...but it IS my birthday! (I'm not sure what excuse my family will use to explain their dinner choices.)
That about ends my day, now let me think of what I have forgotten...
I'm thankful for phone calls from my dad, my brother, my Granny (who is 97 and still remembers my birthday!), an aunt, and my mom-in-law.
I'm thankful for facebook and all the well-wishes I received from friends and family.
I'm thankful for emails, and cards, and text messages that made me smile.
I am thankful to have so many relationships, so many people to be loved by and to love--some near, some far away, all special to me.
AND, I'm thankful that God has given me another year in which to live, and laugh, and love, and grow.

2009-11-13T16:53:00.003-05:00

30 Days of Thanks

Today, I'm thankful for the ability to focus on the many tasks I needed to accomplish today. Our annual reports are due, and it's always a stressful time of year for me. Now, I not only have someone else in the office to help with all the detailed paperwork, but I found out today that I really do have the experience it takes to get all the forms done. So, what was a daunting job that took me about a week to do four years ago took me one afternoon! Hallelujah!

I'm thankful for the changing seasons. Today I went to the garden center to buy some pansies that will carry my little patch of earth through the winter. Tomorrow is digging day...all those past-their-prime summer flowers are going to be history! My lilies and other bulbs need to be dug and divided and re-set this fall, but I'll have to see how my knee holds out. At least by tomorrow afternoon I plan to have some little splashes of color on my front porch and front yard. I seem to have purchased mostly purple.

So today, guess I'm thankful for paperwork (completed!) and purple pansies!
What are you thankful for today??

2009-11-12T22:15:00.002-05:00

30 Days of Thanks

Tonight I am thankful for cool weather--sometimes we think it's never coming here in GA. And I'm thankful that I have a nice warm bed to crawl into tonight...maybe even a few minutes early!

2009-11-11T21:05:00.003-05:00

30 Days of Thanks

Today, I am thankful for ibuprofen, because my knee has been killing me!

I'm thankful for God's word and His promises to me that it contains.

I'm thankful for my daughter, who is a beautiful young woman. I'm so glad she's doing well at school and in making the adjustment of being away from home. I'm glad she's making friends and meeting new people and being exposed to new ideas which will broaden her mind. I'm thankful that I'm her mom, and that our relationship continues to grow and change as she does. A wise mom once told me that daughters grow into friends. What a lovely thing.

2009-11-10T06:16:00.003-05:00

30 Days of Thanks

Since I missed yesterday, let me start out by saying...I am thankful that the past is in the past,and each day brings new hope.

Now on to today, day 10...wow, a third of the way through!

Notice the cake in my photo?? Today is my husband's birthday. Which reminds me that our first date was on the eve of his 18th birthday, so it's an anniversary of sorts as well.
I am thankful for a husband who has worked hard for our family for these 23 years. I'm thankful that he is a good father to our children and that he is a good role model to them. I'm thankful for his Army career, and thankful that God has a plan for him now in the civilian world.
Marriage is a blessing, and I'm thankful for that this morning.

2009-11-08T19:31:00.003-05:00

30 Days of Thanks
Tonight....I will admit to having to seach my mind for things I'm thankful for. Ever have one of those days? sigh. Here goes:

I am thankful for friends that I can laugh with, cry with, and pray with.

I am thankful for a weekend away, a weekend in which I did not have to cook, wash dishes, make my bed, or plan any of the activities in which I participated. Other people did the work that blessed me.

I am thankful for a home to come home to after a weekend away.

I am thankful that nothing, nothing lasts forever (except for God and his love and grace) and that whatever trials we may face on earth are fleeting when you look at it and compare it to the eternity we are promised.

2009-11-07T23:59:00.003-05:00

30 Days of Thanks

Today, I am thankful for several things. I'm thankful that my sister-in-law received her third chemotherapy treatment today--thankful she will have a three-week break from chemo and most of all that the treatments have finally started! I'm thankful for doctors who understand cancer (as much as it is possible to understand it) and who are unafraid to stand up for their patients and fight.

Tonight, the names of the dead in the Ft. Hood shooting were released to the media. What a surprise it was to hear that one of the fallen was from the area in which we live...who had been separated from his family for a tour in Korea, had been home for about two months, and then sent to Ft. Hood to prepare for deployment. This young soldier, 32 years old, leaves behind a wife and a 13-year-old daughter. And the wife happens to give horseback riding lessons to the daughter of a friend. This leads me to lots of other things I am thankful for today: that my husband went through a deployment and returned home to me and our children safely. That I live in a country in which young men and women volunteer to serve their country in the fight for freedom. That I am a part of a group of Army wives--some of the most praying women I've ever met in my life. That I live in a country that values (most of the time) the sacrifices made by those in the military.

And perhaps, in light of what's happened this week, I am most thankful that my husband's time in this military is drawing to a close. It's a wonderful life in many ways, but it carries stresses that most people never have to consider.

2009-11-06T16:12:00.004-05:00

30 Days of Thanks
Today, I'm thankful that my God is relational. He wants to meet with us right where we are.

I'm thankful that in a large group of 400 women at this conference, He would still choose to speak to me in a personal way...that he would have a message of encouragement for my life, for right at this very moment in time.

I'm thankful that I serve a God who knows I am far from perfect, but chooses to love me extravagantly anyway.

And I'm especially thankful that no matter what my future holds, God holds my future.

2009-11-05T23:05:00.002-05:00

30 Days of Thanks

Tonight, I am thankful for all the friends I've made here in Georgia. I'm thankful for my PWOC group and for the opportunity to spend the weekend with them. And I'm thankful to have taken part in worship tonight--over 400 voices joining together in songs of praise was a good way to kick off the weekend!

2009-11-04T23:26:00.003-05:00

30 Days of Thanks
Today, I got a haircut. I am thankful for a little bit of time to relax and let someone else wash, cut, dry and style my hair.
I'm thankful for a productive day in which I got almost all of my to-do list accomplished.
And I'm thankful for my crockpot, which worked for me all day while I was running to and fro with errands!
What were you most thankful for today??

2009-11-03T22:07:00.005-05:00

Thirty Days of Thanks

Today was such a beautiful day. I'm thankful for the sunshine after some dreary, cloudy days.

Tonight, having just returned from choir practice, I am thinking about how thankful I am for music. I love music of all types. I love lyrics, the pictures that words weave in my mind when they are of perfect rhyme and rhythm, and when they're not. I have always loved to sing. I usually can think up a song for any occasion (which sometimes drives my family a little crazy!). You know all that brain capacity that scientists say we never use? I think my extra storage space is full of songs--whole ones and snippets--that pop into my head seemingingly at random.

Music has the power to grab us out of wherever we exist and instantly transport us back in time. It brings back so many emotions: euphoria, romance, sadness. It can evoke feelings or memories we haven't consiously thought of in days (or decades).

Most wonderful of all, music can be used to express feelings....I think that's why I love to sing. You can find songs to express joy, worship, anxiety, grief. Tonight, we practiced a beautiful Christmas carol and it gave me a little jolt of joy as I was reminded of the wondrous season that is just around the corner.

Yes, tonight I'm truly thankful that God has put a song in my heart.
What are you most thankful for today?

2009-11-02T07:04:00.003-05:00

30 Days of Thanks

It's been a long time since I've posted, but my friend Conny has given me a great idea, so I hope she doesn't mind if I join her this month for 30 Days of Thanks. I have so much to be thankful for. Even though I celebrate Thanksgiving each year, sometimes a lot gets lost in the hurried preparations for Christmas. In November I will attempt to slow down and count my blessings a bit. Thanks Conny for the great idea!

Since I didn't post yesterday on Nov. 1st, I'll list something for both days. Yesterday, the 1st, was my brother's birthday. I'm very thankful to have a big brother that I can truly look up to. He's just a great guy and a good example to me. He has been ever since I can remember. Right now he's facing a big challenge in his life--his beloved wife was just diagnosed with cancer last week. He's got a battle on his hands, but he is walking into it knowing that God is right there with him. I'm so thankful too for his faith in this!

Today, I'm thankful for the warm bed I wasn't quite ready to get out of....and for the opportunity to make scrambled eggs for my guys this morning. I'm thankful that my son is growing up healthy and strong and that he made the school basketball team after last week's tryouts.

I hope you have lots to be thankful for, too.
Stay tuned for my 30 days of thanks. And if you decide to join in, let me know!

Home

2009-08-13T07:29:00.001-04:00

We've had many homes as the Army has moved us here and there. I've learned to be at home in a small apartment in a German village or a house just at the edge of the Ozarks where I watched horses graze out my back windows. I'm thankful for those experiences and all the others I didn't mention.
But I think that for every person, there is a one place on this earth that just feels like Home. Mine is definitely Tennessee. I was carried home from the hospital to a farmhouse in Rock Island, TN. Though my family built a different house on the same property when I was about 10, I lived there until I left for college at 17.
Throughout the years, as my own children have grown, we've always returned to the farm for vacations and visits with family and dear friends. A lot has changed over the years. My mom, who was the heart of our family, has been gone for over 11 years now. My dad has remarried. Old buildings have been torn down, new ones built. Familiar old trees that shaded me and my imaginary friends as we played together have died and been cut down. But the land itself does not change. I walk through the fields and the slope of the land is familiar and comforting under my feet. The smell of the air after a summer rain is exactly as I remember it from 40 years ago. And the falls at Rock Island (pictured above) are just as beautiful. I'll bet the water is just as cold as ever, too, though I didn't check that for myself on this trip!
I never understand how people can look at the earth that we live on, see the majestic beauty in both the grand vistas and in the tiny lichen that grow deep in the forest, and fail to believe that it was all created by God. I find it much more ridiculous to believe that any of those beautiful things happened by accident!
I'm glad I grew up in a beautiful little part of our big world. And someday, perhaps someday soon, I want to move back to those familiar rolling hills.

On to Orientation!

2009-07-25T14:55:00.001-04:00

Well, we had a little time to unwind after the graduation celebrations, then it was on to Tennessee. One of the best things we did there was "Customs", the orientation program for new students at Middle Tennessee State University. It was an intense two-day event which included tours, overviews of the different areas of study, meetings with advisors for the students and information sessions for the parents. The weather in Tennessee was about as hot as it gets while we were there, but luckily they alternated walking tours of campus with air-conditoned seminars. I went with our daughter the first day, hubby the second day.
Soon after we arrived on campus and registered, my girl was off to take some placement tests. I stood on the front steps of the James Union Building and watched her walking away--around the curve and in front of Kirksey Old Main (see photo above). Kirksey was the business building when I went to school at MTSU and where most of my classes were. I think now it is all office space and one side seems to be closed entirely--our tour guide says the building is sinking into the ground at an alarming rate, so they're probably trying to decide what to do with it. It is a beautiful, historic building on campus, and personally I hope they find a way to save it. There was some feeling I had watching my daughter walk that same sidewalk I had trod hundreds of times, the remembrance of the excitement and energy of youth. As a parent I feel the weight of years of experience now...as I watch her walk away I worry--"will she be happy here?", "is it too far from home?", "have I taught her everything she'll need to know?" For every question, though, there's an answer--yes, I think she'll be very happy. Yes, it's far from mom and dad, but she'll have grandparents, friends, and cousins who live very near. And NO, I've probably not taught her everything she needs to know. Some of it she'll learn on her own and become more mature and independent because of it. And for other things, well, I'm glad we have cell phones and the internet!!
Her future's so bright, I think I need to wear the shades to look at her! For me, as a mom, it will be one more bigger opportunity to trust. Because there is One who loves her more than even I do, and He holds her days in the palm of His hand. May both of us, mother and daughter, learn and grow in the days ahead!

Farewell to a GOOD Friend....

2009-06-06T13:33:00.003-04:00

I guess this is an "accountability" blog entry, though it may be a bit silly.
I love Diet Dr. Pepper(commonly referred to as DDP in my family). And that's an understatement. I drink it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And several times in between. I don't know if it's the caffeine content or if the company puts some highly addictive additive in that stuff, but I can't get enough of it!
Until last week. Last week, the DDP hit the fan.
I have thought to myself several times in the past few years that I probably need to get off caffeine. I would resolve to limit my DDP intake, and I'd get myself down to 2-3 cans a day of the stuff after several days of headaches. Then, my consumption of that bubbly, artificially sweet liquid would creep up and up and up again until some days I was drinking as much as 7 or 8 cans. (I know. I cringe even typing that!)
I have had an ongoing stuggle with some anxiety issues for several years now. (Caffeine can make that worse.) I have migraines, and went through a 10 day period recently in which I had 4 migraines. (Caffeine can be a migraine trigger.) And an ultrasound last week revealed a cyst in one of my breasts. I of course came home to do research on the internet and guess what doctors think may be a contributing factor in breast cysts? You got it! Caffeine again! At this point I'm thinking there may be a message somewhere for me.... Yes, okay, I am very dense at times!!
So on Monday I went to the store. One of the first things on my list was DDP. After all, I was down to my last 12-pack in the fridge at home. So I picked up a pack, put it in my cart....then took it out, and didn't buy any. I knew in my heart that I was in for a headache-literally-for several days.
And you want to hear the miraculous part?? For 5 days now, I have had one diet soda per day. Today, I haven't had one at all yet and it is almost 2 pm as I type this. And I have had NO HEADACHES. At all. I know that may not sound like a miracle, but for me, it really is. I'm kickin' this caffeine habit. And I know I have had some much-needed help this week. That lets me know it really WAS time.
What little details have been miraculous for you lately??

Graduation Celebration

2009-06-06T13:21:00.001-04:00

WARNING: Proud Parent Alert!
On May 23, we celebrated our daughter's high school graduation. Where has the time gone?? It's hard to believe that she's 18 and ready to go on to college and start the next phase of her life. She finished well, graduating with honors. We were blessed to have loads of family and friends come to celebrate with us--she had 15 people who love her cheering from the cheap seats at her graduation ceremony.
The whole weekend was a busy blur, but SO much fun. I had 16 people in the house to cook for on Friday night. I made a huge lasagna, fettucine alfredo, and penne pasta with meat sauce, salad, and rosemary bread with olive oil for dipping. Then it was on to preparing for Saturday's post-graduation party and our Mexican buffet. Thankfully I had lots of food choppers, cooks, and even dishwashers on hand to help. As my grandmother used to say "many hands make light work". This was certainly true!
And in all the hoopla surrounding my daughter's graduation, I can't overlook my son either. He finished middle school with high honors for 8th grade. That means all A's, all year. He accomplished a lot in the classroom and was also a starter on the school's basketball team and a valuable asset to the track team as well. He was also recognized on honors night with a poetry award! One well-rounded guy.
I am super-blessed with two wonderful children, and I thank God that He chose me to be their mother. They've probably taught me as much as I've taught them.

Spring Break--Magical!

2009-06-06T12:45:00.004-04:00

For spring break this year, we traveled to Orlando once again. This was also a tag-along to one of Emily's band trips. They marched in a parade and did a recording session with one of Disney's professional musicians and had a great time. We picked Emily up in Orlando, saving her from a long bus trip home, and spent 3+ days at Disney.
Our first stop was the Magic Kingdom--we arrived about 6 pm on Sunday night and stayed in the park until about 1:30. Disney sure is different with teens, I must say. The lines were low and we got to do a lot, but we also got the "blooper tour" of the MK that night...let's see, something went wrong in Space Mountain and we got to see the inside of the dome with all the lights on....then in the middle of the Jungle Cruise our boat died and we had to be rescued and towed back to the dock...all of which, I must say, was really pretty fun and interesting. I'm sure if we'd had little kids they might have been scarred for life, as our jungle boat stopped right at the point where the huge hippo head comes out of the water and approaches the boat. (After about the third time, it stops looking so scary :)
Over the next three days we did the other three parks and although we all have a soft spot in our hearts for the Magic Kingdom, we probably have the most fun with our teens at Hollywood Studios. The Rock-N-Roller Coaster is something that we as a family can't get enough of! We rode it three times this trip.
I was really looking forward to riding Expedition Everest at AK for the first time, and I must say I was disappointed. I wanted it to be a LOT scarier. It did feel kind of authentic because it was so cold the day we went there--forget the water parks for this trip, please!
I truly enjoyed and appreciated this week with my kids, who are growing up at a dizzying rate. With DD leaving for college in August, I treasure family time even more these days because I know I'll miss it--this may have even been the last big vacation for just the four of us. All in all, a magical week!!

What is it about crock pots?

2009-04-17T21:30:00.003-04:00

This morning, as I checked a few of my favorite blogs, I found a recipe that sounded so yummy and was such an inventive way to use up that leftover Easter ham that was lurking in the fridge that I just had to try it....but I had some problems.

First of all, my family won't touch bell peppers with a ten-foot pole.(omit)
Then there's the fact that two family members are allergic to two ingredients.(substitute)
Dang it, where's that can of corn I thought I had in the pantry? (maybe frozen will work)

By the time I had all the ingredients (well, MY ingredients, anyway) in the crock pot, I was laughing to myself and thinking "this is NEVER going to work--this is not even the same recipe".

---Fast forward 8 hours---and through the magic of the crock pot---

It was delicious. It was a hit. When I went to put away the leftovers there were NOT ANY!

Now, if only I can remember exactly what I put in there...hmmm....
Thanks, Conny!

Why I Facebook

2009-04-17T21:19:00.001-04:00

Look at these smiling faces.
This is why I facebook.
Because without facebook, these kids may have never met.
The "big kids" are mine, the "little kids" belong to a friend from high school. And I don't think my hubby and I (who graduated high school in the same class) had seen this particular friend since graduation. I won't say exactly how many years that has been, let's just say we hadn't seen each other in a long time!
Anyway, I had kind of heard what our friend Scott had been up to over the years through a mutual friend, but it sure was good to see him again. When I went to my last reunion there were so many people I didn't know. Makes me wonder if I have changed that much too! But Scott is certainly aging gracefully and I would have known him anywhere.
We recently vacationed in the area that Scott's family calls home. So we had the opportunity to meet for lunch. The guys mostly did the "catching up" part, and I so enjoyed meeting Scott's wonderful family. I already felt like I knew his wife (thanks again, facebook!), but it was great to get to know her in person, and their two kids are wonderful--an intelligent and kind son, and a giggly little daughter that I can only describe as a huge bundle of personality in a tiny, cute package. What fun they were! Almost made me sad that my kids are so grown up--there are so many little things that I don't even remember to miss until I get around younger kids again...
So, it was great to see Scott again, to meet his beautiful family, and to share a meal and conversation which covered everything from Disney princesses to Pokemon to guitars to Broadway to the Three Star Mall! It was a great way to kick off our spring break, which maybe I'll write more about later. Frankly, I'm still trying to catch up on my sleep more than a week later!
But every time I look at the above photo, I'll remember why I facebook. Do you?

Flowers make me smile

2009-03-31T08:23:00.000-04:00

Here are some of my early spring flowers. Although these don't last long, they are a little burst of color that really inspires me to get out in the garden and dig, weed, plant, and plan for the summer days.

We've had what I think is our last little cold snap, and I'm ready to head to the garden center for some summer annuals. I hope to get most of them in the ground before spring break. I really want the yard to look great this year for my daughter's graduation party and all the family and friends that will come to visit during that time.

Spring

2009-03-07T20:22:00.000-05:00

Today was spring. Here in Georgia it truly seems like that--chilly days melt into the swelter of summer and you wonder "when was spring?" Today, after a chilly and rainy week in which many areas near us experienced flooding and we had our only snow day (the snow missed us, but it did get below 20 degrees!), it was beautiful! The photo above is how the sky looked yesterday--puffy white clouds in a beautiful sky. I took it by sticking my arm out the window while I was at a red light--and yeah, I got a few strange looks. :) It was already 60 degrees this morning when I got up and took the dog for a walk.
After coming back home to a quiet house for a bowl of cereal, I was out to the front yard. First I decided to edge the sidewalk and driveway. I have this "step-on" manual edger that cuts down into the roots with a sharp blade. It does a wonderful job, but is slow work. After the edging I went out front to my largest flower bed which is an "island" bed with two large crepe myrtle trees and a large section of daylilies along with annuals that I replant usually twice a year...but last fall I did not plant my usual pansies for wintertime. So this bed has been looking sad mostly all winter. It was time to "turn" the dirt and get rid of weeds and the fine roots of the crepe myrtles that threaten to choke out any flowers I try to plant. Once a year I declare war on these roots and chop and pull and cut until the soil is loose enough for the roots of the delicate annuals I love.
About two hours (on my knees) later I decided two things-- 1) I am getting old! and 2) The whole next week is supposed to be great weather-wise, and I can afford to procrastinate a bit! So I came in for a sandwich, a big glass of water, and a short nap!
After lunch and my (accidental) nap, hubby asked me to go to the river for a walk. So we packed up ourselves and the dog and went down to the Locks to enjoy nature. There were families and dogs everywhere, so my pup had an exciting time! As I stood leaning on the stone wall that separates the path from the river, I looked up at the sky. It was amazing--because for that moment, for as far as I could see in all directions, there was absolutely nothing. Not one cloud, not a jet trail, not a bird. Just an endless, impossibly blue expanse so huge and so deep that it felt for a moment that if I let go of the dog's leash and the stone wall I might fall into it. What a wonderful gift to enjoy!
The rest of my afternoon and evening consisted of a wonderful bath and grilling chicken and potatoes for dinner, then building a fire in my firebowl. There I sat as darkness engulfed me, sipping a cool drink and feeling the heat of the fire on my knees and the slight sunburn on my cheeks.
I hope each and every one of you enjoyed a "spring" day today. It is a time to celebrate, a time when old things have passed away and all becomes new. Happy Spring!

History

2009-02-09T22:40:00.000-05:00

Today, I got down a couple of my old journals. And I've been reading them. Memories are an important part of life. Some memories are painful, some joyous.

Sometimes, when life is hard or we just feel like we've been stuck in the same place for a long time, it's nice to look back and see that not only the people and places around us have changed, but we ourselves have also been changed as God works in our lives.

Anyway, while reading today I actually found a few things I had written that I kind of like. Here's one entry--undated:

I struggle to stay on the balance beam
"Let go and fall" I hear
But still I wobble and teeter
And gracelessly hang on
Thinking I can pull it off
Thinking I can fix my problems
And with just a little more practice
I'll be good enough.
"Practice isn't what it takes"
--There's that voice again!
But my pride makes me continue
Just so I can say "I did it myself"
I keep hanging on
Though it's harder all the time
And even I know I look stupid.
Then I hear once more
"Let go and fall."
And suddenly I know in my heart
That even falling will be better than this
So I stretch out my arms
And let go--
The freefall takes my breath away
And though I expect a jolt
I am caught softly, beautifully, gracefully
In loving arms
They place me gently back on the beam
But this time, I catch hold of a hand
And never want to let go.

What do you think I was learning when I wrote this? Here's my guess:
"Trust in the Lord your God with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5

Retreat

2009-02-02T07:51:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I retreated. Turned and ran away. From my house, my family, my job at church. From cooking, cleaning, laundry, walking the dog, nagging the kids about chores. From the phone, e-mail, and facebook. I took only some comfy clothing, a few good friends, my Bible, and of course a little chocolate and Diet Dr. Pepper!
One thing I've found about retreating....when you retreat from one thing and change directions, you're going toward something else. In this case, it was a time to take a break from home and family and work, and a time to draw near to God and to godly women who are my friends. We girls had lots of fun talking, playing games, and singing some really awful karaoke (I hope no one has video!).
Friday, one friend was coming over to ride with me to the retreat. Now, my house is never perfect--I chalk it up to the fact that four imperfect people and one crazy dog live in it--but it's usually liveable. Just before my friend was to arrive, I went in the guest bathroom downstairs and noticed that although my kids had cleaned the fixtures and they were fine, the floor was a mess--dusty baseboards and assorted human and dog hair. There's a rug there that had been vacuumed, but around the edges of the floor was yuckky! Being in a hurry, I grabbed a damp paper towel and ran it around the baseboards. A "good enough" answer for now. But that floor is going to have to have a good scrubbing this week to get it really clean!
What does THAT have to do with a retreat, you ask? Well, this retreat was a time of Bible study and prayer and worship. A time to go deeper and truly examine my heart. And the idea of that wet paper towel came to mind. We read, we study, we pray, we confess, we forgive on an ongoing basis...but how many times are we partially distracted by life and the world and its demands on us as we try to live as Christians? Occasionally, we need to get away from distractions, to use some hot soapy water and a scrub brush and get down in those places in our heart that we don't "see" every day, but that still need work.
This weekend was a time of fun and fellowship. But more importantly, it was a quiet time to go deeper, to get on my knees and look for those specks of dirt inside me that the wet paper towels have left behind. And that opportunity was well worth any catching up I'll have to do this week!!!

The Friend Spa....

2009-01-26T18:07:00.000-05:00

I spent today with friends. Nope, I didn't go to work. Some people might think I wasted my day. I would strongly disagree, and so I'll try to explain why, even though it looked like I was just out having fun, I was actually doing something very important.

You see, these are not just any friends. Some of them are older than me, some younger. All are mothers, though that's not what makes them special to me. All are also married to men who are or have been in the Army. That's not the important thing either....

What makes these ladies special to me is that they are godly friends. They are a safe place to go for advice. A safe place to go for prayer. A delightfully fun place to go for laughter,especially on days when I'm taking myself too seriously. They know my faults and not only do they love me anyway, but they encourage me to become a better me. They pray for me and for my family.

So today, instead of going to work, I went to pray with and for these friends. And after we spent some time in prayer together, we went to lunch because one of these beautiful ladies was celebrating a birthday today. What an honor to help her mark another year, to celebrate her life. To thank God for the blessings she's brought to mine.

My friends, by their inspiration and through their prayers and encouragement, help me to be a better wife, a better mother, a better friend, a better employee, and last but certanly not least, a better Christian. A day spent in prayer and fellowship with them is, to me, better than a "spa day" at any resort you could come up with. And that is why today was not a waste of time--it was an investment.

Ode to Jimmy

2009-01-22T15:20:00.000-05:00

Since I'm a military spouse, one of the routine things in life is commissary shopping. For those non-military folks, a commissary is a grocery store, but usually with prices that are a little lower, and you don't pay tax but instead pay a flat 5% surcharge. It's a very no-frills experience if you're used to shopping in an upscale supermarket.

One of the other differences is that your groceries get bagged, but not by an employee of the store. The baggers are indepently employed...they are scheduled, but do not get any paycheck at all for their work. They depend upon tips for their income. And since this is a job with no real chance for advancement AND you're at the mercy of the shoppers for the amount you make, there are some....how shall I say it? interesting people that do this job. Some speak little or no English, some are teenagers with no work experience. Some of them crush every single fragile item in your bags (now WHERE did I put that recipe that uses potato chip crumbs?), some are so slow that you wonder if time-lapse photography would uncover any movement whatsoever, and some seem downright hostile at times....

A few months ago, as I entered the commissary, a bagger was putting shopping carts away. He was a middle-aged black man who had bagged my groceries before, and I remembered him to be pleasant and competent but definitely a man of few words. So I was quite surprised when he approached me that day and said, "you know, ma'am, you can ask for the bagger you want, and I'd really like it if you asked for me..I am number 40" (the baggers each have a number that is entered on the register receipt). I told him okay, then asked for him when I finished my shopping.

Thus began our friendly acquaintance...I soon learned that his name is Jimmy. He is a bagger of groceries that takes his job seriously--never a damaged item, never an overloaded bag that rips open or is too heavy to carry, always a pleasant attitude and a word of thanks when he accepts payment. I guess some would call him "slow", and I'm sure there are many employers who would not hire Jimmy. But they'd be missing a treasure--a simple, kind soul who always has a smile on his face. I look forward to seeing him every week when I shop, and am always a little disappointed if he's not there.

You see, Jimmy reminds me of several important things. First of all, he reminds me each week how blessed I am to have enough money to afford not only groceries, but be able to share a little with the person who bags them, and that while he works outside in every kind of weather, I have a job sitting in an office that is warm and dry in winter and cool in summertime when it's 100 degrees outside. With his cheerful attitude he reminds me that we can learn to be content and happy with what we have and with the time and place where God has placed us. With his attention to detail he reminds me that the little things in life--like fluffy loaves of bread and uncrushed eggshells--are also important.

Today, after putting my groceries carefully in my car, Jimmy shook my hand, thanked me, and told me he wished all his customers could be "as good and nice as you are." I told him that he is the one who blesses me, that I appreciated his hard work and his smiling face every week. He then gave up his next secret--remember, he's a man of few words!--his brother is also a bagger there, and that I should ask for his brother if he's not there. You know, I think I'll do just that...but I really hope for Jimmy every week!

So thanks, Jimmy, for another fluffy loaf of bread today, and for being your kind and gentle smiling self.

Endings and Beginnings

2009-01-20T20:07:00.000-05:00

Today was an historic day. And I fully intended to get up, go to work, and carry on like it was any other day. But it was snowing outside (yes, even in Georgia!) and before I knew it I was under a blanket, curtains open to enjoy the snow flurries, watching the Washington DC hoopla along with everybody else in the country. I think the next four years will be interesting, and I wish our new president the best. I pray he will make good and thoughtful decisions for our country. Yes, there IS a lot that needs to be changed in our country...but the word "change" has been bandied about so much in the past year that it seems to have lost some of its meaning these days, for me at least.

But the sight that affected me most, out of everything I watched on TV today, was the one above....what a moment. The person who has held perhaps the most stressful job in the world for the past eight years walking away, relieved of his post, waving goodbye. Depending on what channel you were watching, the press continued to slam him verbally even as he winged his way toward Texas. I don't think that W. was a perfect president (has there ever been one?). But I do think he has served his country honorably. I think he has not just tried to make good decisions, but has prayed over them. He has stood in front of a microphone on innumerable occasions and asked the American people to pray for our country. He never let his ego or hectic schedule get in the way of taking time out to comfort the grieving family members of fallen soldiers or stopping to thank soldiers on active duty for their service and sacrifice. And as a member of the American military family, that just makes me respect him. He was unafraid to say that he didn't believe in abortion or homosexuals serving openly in the military, and that marriage to him means one woman and one man. I personally think that so many of the poeople who hate Bush and sling their verbal arrows at him do so because he will not bend his ideals even if our society pressures him to. But I appreciated that.

So, many people are celebrating tonight because America has come so far as to elect a president with black skin. That makes me proud to be an American, too. But I, like so many others, expectantly wait to see what kind of a man is beneath that skin. And I will continue to pray for him and for our country.

Why I'm a sports fan...

2009-01-16T22:28:00.000-05:00

There are two kinds of people...sports fans, and those who don't care about sports. Neither of my parents were sports fans, so I grew up in a "non-sports" home. Aside from the occasional softball game at a family reunion or being forced to play kickball by my elementary school PE teacher, I just wasn't exposed to sports at all. I guess I never realized most of them existed. For everyone I knew in the farming community in which I grew up, hard work was enough exercise--no one needed recreational activities to stay in shape!

That was all great...then I grew up and married one of those "other" types of people--a sports fan! A man who liked to watch sports, who understood sports, who even played sports....and I soon found that if I really wanted to spend time with him, say, snuggling on the sofa together, that it would be done while we watched sports. There was my problem. I watched. And since I don't enjoy watching a bunch of people running around doing stuff I don't understand, I began to ask questions. My hubby patiently answered every question, even when I know he must have sometimes wanted to "shush" me!

Fast-forward 20 years (ouch! It's been longer than that, actually!). We have two children, the younger of which is a boy. And guess what? He's a JOCK....has been since he could sit up and roll a ball across the floor with his Daddy. At age four, he started playing soccer. At five, basketball and teeball. Little league baseball at nine. Middle school basketball and track team....you get the picture.

Guess who's his #2 fan?? (His dad will always be owner of the #1 slot.) Who's at every game, cheering him on? Who's sometimes been seen sitting in the stands or on the grassy sidelines explaining to another mom what that last call meant? ME!!! I actually understand sports (okay, most of the time)! And my understanding has helped me to enjoy my son's games to the fullest. See, all that time I "wasted" watching sports turned out to be a really good thing. Investment, return. I like that! But it took me about 15 years to realize that way back when I thought I was wasting time, I was actually being prepared for something.

Don't we all want faster results? Don't we, like most three-year-olds, wish we could know "why"? It all boils down to trust. If we have faith, and try to live as God wants us to, He will prepare the way for us...even down to the minor details. All those years ago, I was learning to be a better mother to the son that I hadn't even imagined yet. And for that detail, I'm very grateful.

Sibling Rivalry??

2009-01-15T17:19:00.000-05:00

Hubby is gone this week, on another business trip. I spend most nights that he's away staying up way too late, watching TV or checking e-mail/facebook. I always regret it when the alarm sounds at 6 am though!!

Anyway, last night I got a wonderful surprise....an e-mail from my brother and only sibling. It was entitled "Wish you were here..." Seems he had been snowed-in most of the day and had spent some time going though old photos that my dad had taken. All these wonderful photos are stored in the form of color slides (I guess that was the latest technology back in the day). My Christmas gift to him was a USB slide scanner which will scan and convert slides to digital pictures. Almost all our family history has been packed away for many years, stored in such a way that we haven't been able to enjoy it.

So imagine my delight when I opened the attachment to my brother's message to find the above photo of the two of us enjoying the snow! I figure this was taken around 1970 or '71. Me and my brother, in our red sled (which was the coolest!) in the snow...bundled up against the cold by our mother much like the kid in "A Christmas Story" until we could hardly get out of the sled when we got to the bottom of the hill.

I don't really need a reminder that I love my brother dearly, but it doesn't hurt to stop once in awhile and count him among my many blessings. And I really don't remember much sibling rivalry--he's always been my playmate, my encourager, and my hero in many ways. No one else fully understands my quirky sense of humor. I was the Robin to his Batman, the Tonto to his Lone Ranger. He taught me to fling myself fearlessly down every steep hill I encountered--wildly steering a red wagon in the summertime, hanging on for dear life on our red sled in the winter. I never thought to be afraid when I was by his side. I think our closeness was fostered by the fact that we lived so far out in the country that we had no choice but to be playmates for one another most of the time. I still recall heated negotiations--"I'll play house for the next 30 minutes, then we're playing cowboys and indians for 30 minutes!"

Anyway, tonight's note was a sweet reminder of how much richer my life is because of my big brother. Yeah, we still try to push each other's buttons, but it's all in good fun! Thanks, brother, for making me smile....I love you, and I wish we lived close enough to go sledding together, too!

Gotta start somewhere!

2009-01-14T23:13:00.000-05:00

Hello and Happy New Year! I don't really make resolutions anymore, but one thing I thought about this year is that I'd really like to write/journal more. Then I started reading a couple of friends' blogs, and I love them, so I thought I would give it a try!

I am a church secretary and treasurer. Each January brings the challenges of wrapping up everything from the previous year and filling out a seemingly endless supply of year-end reports, which I'm sure somebody, somewhere actually looks at...at least I will believe that so I don't give up on them altogether. Then there are the folks who, even though you check the mail on Dec. 31 AND the 2nd and 3rd of January, send in those checks DATED December 31st so they can claim it on their taxes last year.....sigh.....I know, I am happy that people are giving, I just wish they could think of it maybe a couple of days sooner instead of after the New Years' party??

My other non-resolution is to read through the Bible. No time pressure, if it takes two years instead of one I'm okay with that! My daughter gave me a beautiful new Bible for Christmas. Not a study Bible, but one to read--it's the Message 2.0. I am really enjoying it. It makes the Old Testament easier to understand for me, and has helped make the whole "family tree" thing with the Israelites easier to follow. So, I'm in Leviticus now and will keep you posted about that.

Another non-resolution is to cook more at home and cut down on the takeout and meals out. We are a very busy family, and espcially since I've been working I find myself relying on takeout more than I'd like....we don't need the extra expense or the extra calories.

Gee, for someone with NO resolutions for the New Year, I certainly do want to make a lot of changes....actually, I kind of see blogging as an act of accountability--because after all, I won't want to get on here and write "I watched TV all day today and ate a Big Mac for dinner"! So we'll see how it goes