DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION

Blogging about Face Book!

2011-10-04T10:25:00.000-05:00

Keep seeing these ads on my FB page about going back to school to "become a social worker" and they use these cute pictures of babies....both human and animals. I know it is an advertising gimmick to draw your attention but I keep thinking.....what the heck does a spotted baby pig sniffing a daffodil have to do with Social Work?
Are they trying to suggest I should get my Masters in SW so I work with piggies who suffer from flower sniffing addictions? LOL!

Wonder if I remember how to do this?

2011-08-08T22:52:00.002-05:00

It has been so long since I posted on this blog, I am not at all sure I remember how to do it! We are winding down the last two weeks before school starts. It is with mixed emotions that I approach this. My daughter does better with the structure of school......I guess I am just not exciting enough for her :0)......yet I am sad to see the summer end. Maybe I am realizing how quickly K is growing up and how soon she will be leaving the nest and spreading her wings to fly. Maybe I am just tired and need to go to bed! Two more weeks of summer and then we are back to the schedule and constrictions of the school year.
Our friends from church just had a baby girl this weekend, maybe that is what has me thinking so much. I want to tell them to hold on to her tightly and to cherish every minute because they will blink and she will be a teenager. Yet I know that if they hold her too tightly they will crush her spirit....it is a delicate balance to hold them tight enough that they feel secure yet allow their spirits to flourish and soar! I know my friends will do fine with their sweet baby girl, just as we have done fine with ours.

Taxes

2011-02-08T15:44:00.000-06:00

The latest reports from the Internal Revenue service shows that it has streamlined its tax form this year.
It goes like this:
A. How much did you make last year?
B. How much do you have left?
C. Send B.

Read more: http://www.ajokeaday.com/ChisteDelDia.asp#ixzz1DPFKfouO

Everybody loves a good joke!

2011-01-28T17:06:00.001-06:00

Three men were discussing at a bar about coincidences. The first man said, " my wife was reading a "tale of two cities" and she gave birth to twins"
"That’s funny", the second man remarked, "my wife was reading 'the three musketeers' and she gave birth to triplets"
The third man shouted, "Good God, I have to rush home!"
When asked what the problem was, he exclaimed, " When I left the house, my wife was reading Ali baba and the forty Thieves"!!!

Read more: http://www.ajokeaday.com/Clasificacion.asp?ID=5#ixzz1CNHBm0ih

Aggie Christmas Lights

2010-12-22T16:44:00.004-06:00

Hope you enjoy and have yourselves a very Merry Christmas!

Missing Mama

2010-10-05T10:27:00.003-05:00

I am sure no one ever reads this blog but thought I would write a few lines anyway.....if for no one else...just for me! Today would be my Mama's 74th birthday. Hard to believe she has been gone over 2 years now. I never thought about what life would be like when she was gone and now I know why. I've always thought of myself as strong and independent but not so much so the last couple of years. I did not realize how much I depended on my Mama to help keep me going. She was my cheerleader, my confidant, my encourager, my teacher! I miss her so much. So I am gonna take today to be a little sad but tomorrow I am going to remember my Mama's "gotta get it done" attitude and keep going, keep living, keep praying and keep hoping that I am influencing my daughter as much as my sweet Mama influenced me!

Yes!

2010-06-14T17:27:00.002-05:00

The answer is YES!

YES, I am still alive!

YES, I am very busy!

YES, my family is doing well.

YES, I do need to write a Post!

but NO, I am not going to do so today!

April

2010-04-24T15:18:00.004-05:00

It's April now and I am happy to report I have gotten off the Roller Coaster! We are still at the Amusement Park though....just on the Merry Go Round! Even though this picture doesn't show them....there are lots of pretty colors and interesting characters here but not as fast paced as the Roller Coaster was. Don't get me wrong, we still have plenty of queezy moments but definitely a smoother ride going on!

Hope life is going smoothly for all of you these days!

February's Rollercoaster Ride

2010-02-13T13:12:00.003-06:00

February is such a roller coaster ride in our family. So many good and bad memories surround this month. We have birthdays, holidays, anniversaries of marriage and of deaths. We go up and down on the emotions scale and by the time this short month is over we are all exhausted.

Our experiences are what mold and shape us into the people we become and are. As hard as these life trials are, they are necessary. The good things help us get through the not so good ones. It is easy for me to say this (especially since we are close to a happy holiday now) but much harder to live these words (as the anniversary of Mom's death approaches).

Praying For Jenny!

2010-02-11T12:07:00.002-06:00

Please Pray for Jenny

Thanks!

Safely Through Another Year!

2009-12-31T09:51:00.002-06:00

There is an old church hymn that says.....Safely through another week, God has brought us on our way. Well, we are almost (just a few more hours)through another year. This has been the year of change here with the most changes coming to the house. We replaced the hot water heaters, the two air conditioners, almost all the flooring in the entire house and remodeled a bathroom. We still need to have the house painted but it is looking much better.

I pray that 2010 will be another year of change for us, as we strive to become better Christians, better parents, better friends and better co-workers. May the Lord bless us all with the ability to change for the better.

Want to win a computer?

2009-12-09T15:22:00.001-06:00

Mckmama is giving away a touch screen computer, quick go enter!

Serenity Prayer

2009-11-02T07:57:00.002-06:00

I am not sure I had ever seen this poem in its entirety before but ran across it today and thought I would share:

The Serenity Prayer
Path

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

2009-10-20T01:14:00.002-05:00

Twelve years ago, I woke early in the morning....took a picture of my big swollen belly and headed to the hospital for a C-section. A few hours later she was here....a beautiful little girl, the answer to many prayers.

She had a pumpkin head, perfectly round (it measured in the 95%) and a red mark between her eyes (we have always said that is where the angel kissed her goodbye). From the very beginning she captured her Mama and Daddy's heart and especially the hearts of her grandparents. As the days progressed she really did become our little pumpkin as she suffered from jaundice but soon she was back to a more pinkish coloring.

It is hard to believe it has been 12 years since she came into our lives in some ways it seems the blink of an eye and in other ways it seems she has always been with us.

I hope she knows how much her Mama and Daddy love her. I hope she knows that we will always be there for her no matter what. I hope she knows that God loves her more and that He will always be there for her too! I hope she understands that tough times never last but tough people do. I hope she knows that being tough isn't being mean. I hope she loves and laughs hard.

She is a beautiful girl with an equally beautiful heart and in case you don't know:

WE LOVE HER A LOT!

Football Season Continues

2009-10-13T09:30:00.001-05:00

Looks like the Cowboys are trying to get out of the vacuum business....Good for them but the Aggies are trying for a Vacuum Superstore or something! Come on Ags!!!

Boo Hoo

2009-10-05T08:02:00.001-05:00

Come on Guys! You are breaking a Texas Aggie's heart here!

Rejoice!

2009-09-04T23:39:00.002-05:00

If you follow me on FB, you have already heard this but for those of you that are not on FB. Today as I was engaging in some retail therapy to help celebrate that Sept. is my birthday month, I lost one of my favorite earrings. It was a silver dangle with a purple stone. My husband and I had purchased them in Hawaii and gave them to my Mom. When Mom passed away, I started wearing the earrings...every time I wore anything purple. Both my Mom and I loved the color purple, so it makes me really happy to wear these earrings....even though I don't usually wear silver. Anyway, while trying on clothes I realized I had lost one of them. We looked all over the store and when we did not discover the earring, I left my name and phone number in case it turned up.

I was really pretty depressed because I was not 100% sure I had lost it in that particular store and knew it was gone forever if I had lost it in the Mall that I had visited just before going to this store. The family went out to the hardware store to pick up some paint tonight and when I got home there was a message on the answering machine saying they had found my earring.

So...Rejoice with me, for that which was lost has been found!

Just Monkeying Around!

2009-08-18T23:44:00.004-05:00

Thought a change was in order. We are all crazier than a barrel of monkeys so thought the blog should reflect that! Hope to get my last two rooms of carpet completed tomorrow afternoon, so we can finally get everything put back where it belongs. School begins here on Monday. Daughter is not happy but Mama is very happy! Daughter is high maintenance and Mama is rather laid back.....it has been a long summer!

Tomorrow AM we take a tour of the Middle school and learn all the ends and outs of having a 6th grader.

All the other Monkeys have gone to bed so it's my turn now. C U L8R!

Just Monkeying

2009-08-18T23:44:00.003-05:00

Oldie but Goodie!

2009-08-17T14:53:00.003-05:00

We have two ends with a common link,
with one we sit, with one we think.
Success depends on which we use,
Heads we win, tails we lose!

Life Goes On.....Even When It's 100+ Outside

2009-07-30T17:20:00.002-05:00

I don't know how it is where you are but here it is HOT, HOT, HOT! Did I meantion that is is HOT here?

It has been a busy few weeks housewise here. We have had ceramic tile placed in our laundry room, garage entry way, guest bath and upstairs bath. I can now say there is no vinyl in my house. We had the dry wall guy come out and patch several holes in the wall. We found a huge on behind the cabinet in the guest bath when we removed it to have the tile installed, since the new sink vanity sits up on legs we needed to have the wall fixed and we finally had the hole from the dryer vent problem repaired. Lastly we had new carpet installed all the house. Except that they measured wrong and did not have enough carpet to finish the job, so we are waiting on ordered carpet so they can finish up.

We still have a lot of work to do to put the house back together and finish the renovations to the guest bath but things are looking much better around here. It makes me SMILE!

Praying for Stellan!

2009-07-26T09:42:00.001-05:00

Poor little Stellan is back in the hospital again and not doing well, please pray for him and his family!

In Case You Were Wondering.....

2009-07-01T11:43:00.002-05:00

Those of you who follow me on Facebook, already know that last week my totally well behaved and trained dog, Maggie chewed up my $6000 Cochlear Implant Processor! Fortunately when I got the implant they gave me two different processors....a dark brown one to match my hair (at the time at least) and a lighter colored one that was closer to my skin color. The first picture is my remaining processor, so you can see what it looks like when it is in one piece.

The next two pictures are what we found on the floor.

GRRRRRRRRR!

Jon and Kate plus 8

2009-06-22T19:55:00.001-05:00

It all just makes me so sad!

Praying For Stellan

2009-06-19T19:32:00.002-05:00

Baby Stellan is back in the hospital with SVT, they are trying a new combination of drugs to stop it. MckMama could sure use your prayers right now, as I know this is super hard on her. So please pray for Stellan and his family!

Is it really too much to ask?

2009-06-02T14:39:00.002-05:00

I don't think anyone even reads my blog anymore so I am going to take this opportunity to RANT! Is it really too much to ask that service people treat you honestly and fairly? We recently replaced both our A/C units in our house with top of the line equipment. We spent a LOT of money on these units. Think 5 figures, nice new car-- now you are in the ballpark with me on how much money we spent!

We did not have to buy these units, we could have had the old one fixed (only one was having a problem) for about 1/10th of what the new ones cost us. But we liked the A/C company, we felt the guy was treating us fairly and we decided to bite the bullet and go ahead and replace both units.

Part of the reason we bought the more expensive units is because of the rebates being offered by the A/C company. They offered us enough back to make it worth it to wade off into this and buy the upgraded equipment! Yep, you guessed it.... now they don't want to pay and the guy is saying he never promised us the money. Even though we have it in writing. They want to give us substantially less than they promised us.

We have been fair with this company, always pay our bills. We have paid them a service fee every month for the last 3 or 4 years to have a service contract with them on our A/C units. They already have payment in full for these A/C units and are now lying to keep from giving us the rebates they promised us (in writing)

I feel like everytime I have a service person into my home I must be holding up a big sign that says....."Please take advantage of me, please overcharge me, please do a shody job, please call me a liar when I expect you to honor your agreements"
Even the companies that advertise they are "Christians" have done this to us!

We need to have our carpet replaced and some tile work done but I am so afraid of being taken advantage of that I don't want to have it done!

Dirty Dog

2009-05-07T12:06:00.004-05:00

Whenever we board our dog, she reverts to a wild dog. She channels her canine heritage back to a time when dogs roamed the land freely and gave themselves over to their natural passions for rolling in the dirt and other canine pursuits. Within seconds of arriving at the boarding kennel, our little princess goes from being white to: These pictures came out kind of dark but she is almost the color of the sofa which is a cocoa color, or a mocha (a deep tan color) She has a great time at the kennel, running with the other dogs rolling in the dirt but once she comes home, Mama insists that she revert back to the city dog that we know and love.

Several baths and a trip to the groomer and we have the white princess back:

Swine Flu?

2009-04-28T23:52:00.003-05:00

(pig courtesy of freeclipartisland.com)

I am not trying to make light of a serious subject but I read that Swine flu is actually a combination of a Bird flu and a Swine flu. As my hubby pointed out....I guess that means that Pigs really can Fly!

Today is a gift....

2009-04-16T22:03:00.003-05:00

Yesterday is history,
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is a gift....that is why it is called the present!

There is some arguements as to who actually wrote this and I think Joan Rivers did a version of it but it dates way back. You can read more about it here

Facebook Addiction!

2009-04-07T11:43:00.002-05:00

You know you might have a Facebook Addiction when the error message that "your account is unavailable, try again in a few hours" sends you into a panic. Suddenly you start to breath a little faster, and your heart begins to pound and your imagination runs away from you! What if little Miss Jane Doe does something cute and I am not there to see the pictures during the first 30 seconds after they are posted? What if the youth minister posts one of his corny jokes that I never laugh at anyway? What if one of the teens posts "I am soooooo bored" for the 1000X this month and I miss it!

Facebook is a great tool for staying in touch with your friends but sometimes I need to remind myself that it is a tool. I control the tool, it does not control me. So I think I will use this time to get some stuff done around the house, the laundry is piling up, the floors need to be vacuummed. Yes, I will put this time to good use!

BUT FIRST LET ME CHECK FACEBOOK JUST ONE MORE TIME!!!!!!!

God Provides!

2009-04-01T14:35:00.002-05:00

I don't know why I doubt and worry because He always provides! Not always in the way I would prefer or expect but he always provides. I sat down to pay the bills yesterday and I was pondering what was the least amount I could take out of our savings and still pay all the bills. We are finally at a point where the only debt we have is our car and house note and we want to keep it that way and keep our savings growing too.

The first thing I do when I pay the bill is check out our bank statement on line, make sure there have been no surprises in our direct deposit. Well, yesterday I got a good surprise, the IRS refund had been deposited the day before. I had plenty of money to pay our unexpected replacement of two water heaters and the other unexpected bills we had received. I was even able to put some extra into the savings! It had only been a few weeks since we sent in the taxes and usually it takes about 6 weeks to get the money back.

So once again GOD delivered just what I needed just when I needed it!

One of those weeks!

2009-03-30T15:15:00.002-05:00

I wrote a post for yesterday entitled "One of those days" but it soon became apparent that it is going to be one of those weeks.

It seems to be that way for almost everyone I know. Everyone is struggling with health problems, financial problems, relationship problems. It seems like we are all being picked on.

I am trying to keep it all in perspective. We are facing a lot of house repairs right now as our hot water heaters went out. There was some water damage that will have to be repaired. We have already been hit with several other unexpected bills this year but.....it is only money!

Hubby is blessed with a good job and we have been able to save some money for situations just like this. It hurts to take money out of our savings but that is exactly what it is there for.

I remind myself that all these things are temporary. Poor health, financial hardships, problems......they are all temporary. There is a great Day coming and all of this will seem as nothing!

So today, I say a special blessing for all my friends and my own family as we struggle through these things. I am thankful for all the Lord has given us and give him all the Praise and Glory!

Rain, Rain

2009-03-23T16:17:00.003-05:00

Rain, Rain come today
We can not wait another day!
If the flowers are to play,
We really need some rain today!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

2009-03-17T16:21:00.001-05:00

Finally!

2009-03-10T23:50:00.002-05:00

"Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com"

Baby girl is feeling much better and was able to get out today! So we only lost one day of Spring Break! We have some catching up to do, so ta-ta for now! See you next week!

Pneumonia!

2009-03-06T12:31:00.002-06:00

Poor baby girl has pneumonia! We took her to the doctor again last night and she ordered x-ray and lab work for today. Before I even got home from having the test done, they had called my husband and said she has pneumonia.

Good news is we can treat it at home, although she says she wants to go to the hospital. They took about a gallon of blood from her this morning. We will see if anything come up from that.

Please pray that the antibiotics will work quickly, she has been sick a long time and we are all ready for her to be well again!

FLU!

2009-03-03T22:19:00.003-06:00

We are on day 4 of the Flu with my daughter being the star player. Every night about 3 am she comes downstairs and throws up for an hour. We thought maybe she was getting over it today, as she had no fever in the morning but by afternoon she was back up there to 102, so I guess we are not done yet. Now she has developed a cough and a huge fever blister, so she is a very unhappy camper.

Pray for us!

UPDAIE- We are now on day 6 of the flu! 6 days of vomiting, fever and crankiness! We are taking her back to the doctor this evening, this has gone on too long!

One Year

2009-02-26T08:11:00.001-06:00

It went by quickly and yet it seems so long ago. One year ago today, I lost my Mama. I still dream of her, I still wonder if we did the right things, I still miss her daily and yet I know we did the best we could, I know she knew how much we loved her and I know she is in a much better place!

Hello, My name is.....

2009-02-18T15:11:00.002-06:00

Aggiema and I am addicted to the Internet! I have just spent two miserable days without my internet service and I have realized just how addicted I am to the internet. I was able to see my Facebook using my PDA phone but could only get part of it and could not access my email at all. I felt so lost and alone. I could not read any of my blogs.

What have I learned from all this....I seriously need to get a LIFE!

Common Sense

2009-02-10T14:46:00.002-06:00

Updated: One of my friends left a comment that Lori Borgman was the author of the following piece. http://loriborgman.blogspot.com/2005/07/death-of-common-sense.html
Her blog has the original article as the the one below has been changed a little bit. I apologize to Ms. Borgman for not giving her credit originally, I should have research it better before using it.

Obituary for Common Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend by the name of Common Sense who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such value lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, and that life isn't always fair.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge).
His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit on her lap, and was awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by two stepbrothers, My Rights and Ima Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still know him pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

- Author Unknown

The Rest of the Story......

2009-02-08T18:46:00.002-06:00

Back in Nov. I wrote about a little girl who was the subject of an Amber alert. This little 7 year old girl, lived with her grandmother in a remote area of town. Her drug addict Mom beat the grandmother leaving her for dead and kidnapped the little girl.

They found the little girl a few days later in a drug house in Austin and the grandmother was in critical condition in the hospital. It made the national news so many of you probably heard about it when it happened (right before Thanksgiving!)

Today I had the opportunity to talk to the grandmother for the first time since all these things happened and I want to share a little of what she told me. I am not asking that you believe everything she said just that you keep an open mind.

First of all, she looks good, she is an older lady in her 60's but she was walking well and talking well to me. I stopped her after first services and told her how happy I was to see her and that I had been praying for her and her little granddaughter.

She said "you know I died" I told her that I did not know that but knew she had been hurt really badly. She said she had a fractured skull, broken nose and bones in her face, she had a heart attack and pneumonia twice. The doctors told her family that she would not survive and yet she did. The doctors underestimated the power of prayer and the power of God!

She said that she remembers nothing from the time her daughter beat her until she was in the hospital except that a woman dressed all in white, came to her and told her "you must get up, you must get up right now!" She does not remember walking to the neighbors house 1/4 of a mile away, she doesn't remember the children being afraid of her because she was covered in blood and unrecognizable.

She said that people all over the country were praying for her and even friends in different countries heard about the situation and were praying for her. This sweet little lady (she is probably less than 5 feet tall) is a walking, breathing testament to the power of prayer and the almighty hand of God.

The little girl is back with her grandmother and they are thriving together. That is the rest of the story......don't you just love a happy ending!

This is so Maggie!

2009-02-03T11:11:00.001-06:00

Picture courtesy of http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/marvin.asp

Need A Laugh?

2009-01-26T12:41:00.003-06:00

My Monday is off to a pretty bad start: My Dad is in ICU with pneumonia (300 miles away) He is responding to treatment thought! And I am sick, waiting to go to the doctor at 2:30 (earliest appt I could get even though I called 2 minutes after the office opened this morning!)

I needed a good laugh today! Don't know the author of this but it's been making its rounds through email. Enjoy!

A first grade girl handed in the drawing below for a homework assignment.

Why parents should always check their children’s homework before they hand it in:

After it was graded and the child brought it home, she returned to school the next day with the following note:

Dear Ms. Davis,
I want to be very clear on my child’s illustration. It is NOT of me on a dance pole on a stage in a strip joint. I work at Home Depot and had commented to my daughter how much money we made in the recent snowstorm. This photo is of me selling a shovel.
Mrs. Harrington

Kudos to Rick Warren

2009-01-20T13:09:00.003-06:00

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I don't believe in putting Ministers up on pedestals. For one thing, they almost always fall off and then nobody is happy.

I know who Rick Warren is, I know that he wrote The Purpose Driven Life, I know he is/was involved with the Saddleback Church (which I think is the fastest growing church in the US) I know that a lot of people think he hung the moon (but both he and I know that God did that!)

I only caught a small portion of the swearing in ceremony this morning as I was getting ready for an appointment but I did hear Mr. Warren's prayer. I thought he did a wonderful job. He prayed for "civility when differing", he mentioned MLK and our gratitude for living in America. He spoke of being united regardless of our race, religion or blood.

At the end of his prayer, He asked for these things in name of Jesus who taught us to pray. He then recited the Lord's Prayer.

So today, while I don't think Rick Warren is worthy of being held up as the ultimate example of how to live a Christian Life (I think Jesus already did a good job of that!) I am proud of him and his refusal to bend to the pressure of those who asked him not to pray in "Jesus"'s name. For a Christian is there truly any other way to pray?

Why Me Lord?

2009-01-17T11:21:00.001-06:00

(www.clipartguide.com)

Sometimes we wonder, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why did God have to do this to me?' Here is a wonderful explanation!

A daughter is telling her mother how everything is going wrong: she's failing algebra ; her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, 'Absolutely, Mom, I love your cake.'

'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers. 'Yuck,' says her daughter.

'How about a couple raw eggs?' 'Gross, Mom!'

'Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?'

'Mom, those are all yucky!'

To which the mother replies: 'Yes, all those things seem bad by themselves But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

Is not this the message of Romans 8:28? And do we not read of such in such Bible characters as Joseph, the son of Jacob, Job and the apostle Paul?

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here let's walk by faith, walk with the Lord and prepare for a far better one to come.

...I hope your Day is a piece of Cake!

Just so there is no confusion, I DID NOT write this, someone sent it to me and I thought it was worth sharing. I should have made this clear earlier. I am not sure who the author is but thought they did a good job!

Ain't that the truth!

2009-01-16T11:05:00.001-06:00

Stolen Post

2009-01-12T12:30:00.002-06:00

Because I am still sick with this nasty old cedar fever, or whatever it is, I am not feeling too original today. I am going to steal this post from my friend Dee over at Finding Direction They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so I hope she won't mind.

Ten Commandments according to Bubba!

Some people have trouble with all those 'shall's' and 'shall not's' in the Ten commandments. Folks just aren't used to talking in those terms.. So, in middle Tennessee they translated the 'King James' into ' Jackson County ' language..... No joke, (posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Gainesboro , TN )

(1) Just one God

(2) Put nothin' before God

(3) Watch yer mouth

(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'

(5) Honor yer Ma & Pa

6) No killin'

(7) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal

(8) Don't take what ain't yers

(9) No tellin' tales or gossipin'
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff

Now that's plain an' simple. Y'all have a nice day, ya hear.

Have a great day, God loves you!

4 Things

2009-01-08T21:19:00.002-06:00

4 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY

-Laundry
-Facebooked (is that a word? if not it should be) about my rotten dog
-Out to dinner at John the Greek (yummy!)
-went to church

4 THINGS ON MY WISHLIST FOR THIS YEAR

-Some time alone with my hubby (cruise, trip, etc...)
-Good health for my family
-A lot of progress on our new church building
-some much needed home repairs (carpet, paint, a little remodeling)

4 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

-Tiago's (Mexican-SA-at the Rim)
-Paesanos (Italian-SA-1604N)
-Amoricita's (Mexican-SA-1604 between Bitters and Heubener)
-Either Logan's or Texas Roadhouse (they are practically the same--yummy steaks and rolls at both places, peanuts on the floor--don't go here if you have peanut allergy)

4 FAVORITE TV SHOWS

-CSI
-How it's Made
-Mythbusters
-Heroes

4 FRIENDS TO TAG

-YOU
-HER
-THEM
-HIM

Back to "real life"

2009-01-05T10:56:00.002-06:00

We had a really nice Winter break. Sure, we were all sick for part of it. Sure, half the family couldn't show up for Christmas this year! Sure, we had two more deaths in the family (great aunt and SIL's father, both were expected) Sure, the house could have been decorated more and nicer. Sure, we could have done without the delay on I-35 coming home from Dallas. I could go on and on but what I would rather focus on is:

We got to spend time with people we love. We had a comfortable house with some nice Christmas decorations. We were able to celebrate Christmas with our church family in a really nice song service. We were able to attend multiple Christmas concerts showcasing our daughters singing talents. We had plenty of food and gifts for everyone. No major arguments or flare ups.

Now, we are back to real life. Hubby is at work, Daughter is at school. Mom has her quiet house back. Our batteries are all recharged and we are ready for 2009.

I pray that each of you who reads this blog (I know there is at least one person who does!) has a wonderful year filled with God's blessings. I pray that you each take a moment to realize some of those blessings and thank Him for ALL He has given you. If for some reason you had a bad Christmas, realize that it is over now and 2009 lies ahead full of hope and promise for all of us.

Blessings My Friends!

Change is good!

2009-01-03T20:31:00.002-06:00

Don't mind me I am just having a little fun changing my background. I will find one that suits me soon and it will be back to the boring old background everyday. Go check out the backgrounds for yourself if you feel the need for a change. They are free! Address is in the upper left corner!

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T20:03:00.002-06:00

May we each begin this new year, relying on the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Blessings to all my friends. I pray that 2009 will be a special year for us all!

What have you done?

2008-12-24T11:58:00.003-06:00

Copied this from Gayle's blog. If you want to try it, copy and paste the list, then highlight (or bold) your answers.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a bandI was in band, that counts huh?
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyworld
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solosigned a solo, does that count?
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a childsorta, we sponsor a child in Brazil
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestorsyeah, but they are all from Arkansas so it wasn't such a big deal!
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbinggranted they were not huge rocks but did require climbing!
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a checkbut wasn't my fault, employer wrote a bad check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White Housedidn't actually tour it but went by several times when we lived in Northern VA
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s lifemy daughter's several times!
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument

What I want for Christmas!

2008-12-15T19:42:00.004-06:00

I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS! ONLY A HIPPOPOTAMUS WILL DO!

NO CROCODILES
NO RHINOCEROSES
ALL I WANT IS SOME HIPPOPOTAMUSES!

Has Anyone Seen My Christmas Spirit?

2008-12-04T14:53:00.001-06:00

I seem to have misplaced my Christmas Spirit this year. I am getting bogged down in too much work and worry and not enough joy and peace. I am going to put on some Christmas music this weekend and get out the decorations, maybe if I surround myself with visual reminders I will catch the Holiday spirit!

I Am In Trouble Now!

2008-11-23T20:27:00.003-06:00

I have a friend on another blog (she knows who she is!) who is going to rag on me for putting up Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving but I had the time and opportunity, so as they say I seized it! Isn't this a cute template? Go check out the cutest blog on the block and get one for yourself!

I am so proud of myself for figuring out how to do this! I also added some of the blogs I read on the side, if yours is not listed I either made a mistake somewhere or if you are private I have not figured out how to put you up there. Does anyone know? can I put a private blog up or will that give others access to it?

Praise The Lord!

2008-11-21T15:32:00.002-06:00

freefoto

So often I find myself using this blog to post my petty little complaints and gripes about life but today I want to share something glorious!

Jewel has been found!

For several years I helped in the nursery on Weds. nights at church and during that time I remember a little girl named Jewel. I remember her because she came with her grandmother. This little girl Jewel has grown into a Kindergartener (or maybe 1st grader) now but she and her grandmother still attend church with us.

Jewel's grandmother had custody of her grandaughter (I don't know all the details). On Wednesday, Jewel's mother beat Her Mother (Jewel's grandmother) and then kidnapped Jewel from school. The grandmother is in the hospital with pretty severe injuries and an Amber Alert was issued for Jewel.

Praise the Lord that Jewel was found safe today. Her Mother has been arrested and Jewel is safe. I am not sure what the future holds for this little girl and her family but am thankful that which was lost (or stolen in this case) has been found!

Thank you Lord!

Explain to me, please?

2008-11-20T09:58:00.002-06:00

How does a dog know to pick out the one piece of paper that is actually worth something when she wants to shred? I know it is my own fault because I do not pick things up and put them out of her reach but this dog always chooses the $10 off coupon or gift card instead of the mountain of junk mail that is sitting on the table near my recliner! Why is this?

One of those mysteries of life, I guess!

Anybody want a dog?

Cute Monster

2008-11-11T11:33:00.001-06:00

What Your Cute Monster Says About You

You are a giving, open, loving person. You truly want the world to be a better place.

You appreciate what you have in life. You are very content.

Your inner demon is sensitivity. You are very sensitive, and your sensitivity can be a double edged sword.

People think you're cute because you're generous. You are easy to love - it's part of your charm.

The Cute Monster Test

FAMILY RESEMBLANCE?

2008-11-11T10:32:00.006-06:00

Trunk or Treat 2008 (click to make bigger!)

Yea! It is over!

2008-11-04T22:53:00.001-06:00

CAN WE TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE NOW? ANYTHING ELSE?

I VOTED TODAY!

2008-10-29T19:16:00.003-05:00

To Whom It May Concern (and of few of you that it really doesn't),

It's over, it's done with, I am through! Please don't stop me in the store, don't call me on the phone, I would really prefer you stop yelling at me over the TV but guess that is really too much to ask for.

I made up my mind (my college educated mind, I might add) and I voted what my conscious told me to vote. I am glad it is over for me and I will be even more happy once it is over for everyone.

I think it is possible my candidate may not win but I trust that whatever happens with this election that my God will use it and we will survive just as we have survived all the other Presidents that were less than perfect men (they all fit that description you know!)

I am ready to face the future whatever it holds.

Think I am gonna live....

2008-10-22T10:48:00.002-05:00

Signs I may survive this bout with the FLU

1. Am only coughing up one toenail at a time instead of the whole set.

2. realize that my home consists of more than just my bed and the bathroom.

3. My Kleenex consumption has dropped dramatically.

4. Actually got up and got dressed today.

5. The mess in the house is starting to bug me (to he point of actually doing something about it rather than just cry!)

6. I am hungry again.

7. Actually cared enough to write a new post on a blog nobody reads anymore because they are all on Facebook now.

8. The weight on my chest is no more than 40lbs at this point.

9. Realize that a nasal strip may not be the most attractive piece of my nightwear

And the 10th reason I believe I am finally getting over the FLU

10. I am only praying for death once a day instead of Morning, Noon and Evening.

If ANYONE still reads this blog, I implore of you......GO GET YOUR FLU SHOT NOW.....and while you are out there go early VOTE!

Oh My Word!

2008-10-15T10:29:00.001-05:00

I copied this from my friend Dee's blog --It has left me speachless and those of you who know me, know that doesn't happen often!

Le-a

How would you pronounce this child's name: 'Le-a' ???

Leah?? NO
Lee - A?? NOPE
Lay - a?? NO
Lei?? Guess Again.

It's pronounced 'Ledasha' Oh yes...you read it right.
This child attends a school in Livingston Parish, LA. Her mother is
irate because everyone is getting her name wrong.

SO, if you see something come across your desk like this please remember to pronounce it correctly.

When the mother was asked about the pronunciation of the name,
she said "the dash don't be silent."

Thought for the Day!

2008-10-06T12:45:00.002-05:00

Vote with your "moral compass" not with your wallet!

Matthew 6:25 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
[NIV at IBS] [International Bible Society] [NIV at Zondervan] [Zondervan]

Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Repeat!

2008-10-05T14:09:00.002-05:00

This is a repeat of a post 2 years ago. Today would have been my Mom's 72nd Birthday. I never would have dreamed that just two short years after I posted this, she would be gone. Happy Birthday Mama! I miss you!

I know everyone thinks they have the best Mama in the whole world but I really do! I appreciate her more than she knows. She has always put me and everyone else before her own needs. She has been a wonderful Christian example and her grandaughter thinks she rocks!!!!! I hope she knows that I love her and I am so thankful that God made her my Mama!

Happy 70th Birthday Mama! Can't wait to see you next weekend!

Loldogs

2008-09-30T23:50:00.004-05:00

I am all about equal opportunity on this blog (well at least on this subject!) so today we go to the dogs!

These were all found at ihasahotdog.com

lolcatz.com

2008-09-29T16:12:00.004-05:00

I am not crazy about cats but these were cute! Enjoy!

This is the day...

2008-09-25T10:14:00.000-05:00

New Cell Phone

2008-09-17T21:46:00.005-05:00

My husband has told me to pick out a new cell phone for my birthday but I am having a lot of trouble deciding on one. We have AT&T service right now and these are the one's I have looked at so far:Tiltblackjack2 in pink
Duo

By the way I got all these images from 1-800Mobiles.com, so hopefully I have not broken any copy right laws.

I really want one that has a full keyboard instead of just a keypad because I mostly use it for text messaging and it takes forever to text on a number keypad. Also I would like to get one that I could check my email on and also one with a camera. That would have come in very handy when I had my fender bender back in January.

Do any of you have any opinions about any of these phones or have another favorite phone? We don't have to stay with AT&T, we just have been with them for 8 years and we don't hate them or anything so why change now! I keep my cell phones for a long time so I don't mind paying a bit for them, we have had two phones in 8 years so that isn't too bad.

Hubby has a blackberry from work and he loves it but I am not totally sold on it, so the blackjack 2 is really my 3rd choice at this point because it has the same type of keyboard as the blackberry my hubby uses.

Or maybe I should just throw caution to the wind and get me one of these:What do ya think?

For Those Who Might Be Wondering....

2008-09-15T23:59:00.002-05:00

Dad did not come to our place this time when he evacuated for the hurricane. Originally they had predicted that IKE would hit near Corpus Christi, come to SA and then head up to Dallas. So it did not make any sense for Dad to come here, then when they changed the forecast to hit near Galveston, it was really too late for him to drive across Houston with everyone heading North from Galveston. So he went to my Aunts house about 45 miles inland from his town.

They are doing fine. If I ever have to go through a hurricane again, I hope I am with my Aunt and Uncle. Uncle Charles is the most prepared person I know. They have a generator (or two or three going) they are able to keep the microwave, refrigerator and lights going. Uncle Charles owns every type of flashlight known to man. I bet they even got to watch the Cowboy game tonight. (Yea! Go Cowboys!)

There is still no electricity at Dad's so he is better off just staying with my Aunt and Uncle until it gets turned back on. My brother said that there was very little damage to the house, just a few shingles blown up (but not off) and a few limbs down from the trees.

I think everyone will be fine as long as they don't discuss POLITICS!!!!

Still Missing Mama

2008-09-10T21:38:00.002-05:00

I guess I am hormonal this week but I sure have been missing my Mama a lot. Monday I was in Target and an older lady walked by me in an outfit that looked like something my Mama would wear. Did not matter that the woman looked nothing like my Mama, still made me cry....right there in Target! Thankfully it was just a few tears down the cheek not the ugly, snot running out of your nose cry. I looked up and saw someone I knew going down an aisle (she did not see me) and so I made a Bee line in the opposite direction so I would not have to explain my tear stained face.

Tonight at church, they were practicing the songs for Sunday. I go in there a lot to help the less experienced interpreters sign the songs (to get some practice and to make sure they have the vocabulary down)and just to practice myself so I am not caught off guard by the songs on Sunday. They were doing an old hymn tonight...

If We Never Meet Again:

Soon we'll come to the end of life's journey
And perhaps we'll never meet anymore
Till we gather in heaven's bright city
Far away on that beautiful shore

If we never meet again this side of heaven
As we struggle through this world and its strife
There's another meeting place somewhere in heaven
By side of the river of life
Where the charming roses bloom, forever
And where separation come no more
If we never meet again this side of heaven
I will meet you on that beautiful shore

I believe I will see my Mama again when Jesus calls us all home. I am not sure what we will look like or how we will recognize each other but I believe we will. I am grateful that my Mama isn't suffering anymore and is at peace but I sure do miss her!

Dad, Facebook and Gustav

2008-09-01T19:59:00.002-05:00

We have enjoyed having Dad with us this weekend. We had planned to go see HIM but my brother (who is the Fire Chief of their town) decided that Dad needed to come see us in case Gustav decided to go into East TX. So he has been here since Sat. morning. We have eaten out a few times (Dad loves Mexican food!) and darling daughter has enjoyed having her Papa here. My Brother called today around noon and said he could come home so he will be leaving in the morning. He needs to get back because he has a biopsy scheduled for Thursday, please pray that it will come back okay, we have had enough cancer for a lifetime.

I have enjoyed creating my Facebook page and Hubby has even caught the craze and created one for himself. It has been fun chatting with JettyBetty and Jenn. I can see how it could take the place of Blogging because it is less work.

Gustav turned out to be a big ol' blowhard. So thankful He did not turn out to be as bad as expected. Lets hope Hanna will blow herself out too. Hope you all had a pleasant Labor Day. Blessings!

FaceBook

2008-08-24T00:21:00.002-05:00

I have been checking out Facebook (that is why I am up so late, when I should be sleeping!) and setting up my account. So here is a SHOUT OUT to all you Facebookers --boy that sounds BAD, don't think I will be shouting that out much!:) Would you please be my friend? If you get a request from Michelle you will know it is from me and if you don't get a request it is because I don't know you have a facebook page! Leave me a comment or email me if you want to be friends!

I know I sound hopelessly pathetic--begging for friends! That's because I am---hopelessly pathetic begging for friends!

In the words of the late great Fred Rogers--"Won't You Be My Neighbor?" oops I mean friend!

PLEASE!!!!

Expensive week!

2008-08-17T20:44:00.002-05:00

This is how we spent our week, the first picture is the hole in the wall that the Dryer Vent Lady (yes, that is really her name- at least professionally) had to make in the laundry room wall to repair the dryer vent. The builders of our house apparently left out a piece of dryer vent and tried to bridge the gap with duct tape. It did not work too well and dryer lint has been blowing into our walls for 8 years. All fixed now! We will be covering up the hole with a cabinet soon. I have been wanting a cabinet in the laundry room for about 8 years now, so hopefully this will spur us into action. The second picture is a before picture of my daughter, followed by the after picture with the new braces and colored bands (she is very proud of her bands)

School starts a week from Monday, so we will be filling our week with Dr. visits and picking up last minute school clothes and supplies. So long summer, Hello School Year!

What I did this week!

2008-08-16T12:12:00.001-05:00

Thank You Papa

2008-08-05T23:14:00.003-05:00

Thank You Video by Ray Boltz

This song often comes to mind when I think of Papa. My husband and I shared this song with his grandparents many years ago when it first came out. I was googling it trying to remember all the words when I found this video. Click on the title and enjoy!

2008: The Year to Get Through!

2008-08-01T14:14:00.002-05:00

This morning we finally got the call we have been waiting on for several years. My husbands grandfather passed away last night. Papa had been sick for about 3 years, he had been diagnosed with a lung disease called MAC. The doctors told us that the next time he got pneumonia, he would die. Well that was 3 years and about 9 pneumonia's ago! Papa always was a bit of a stubborn old coot but in this case we were glad that he hung around a bit longer. The MAC did a number on his body, turning him into a small man tethered to an oxygen tank but he was still Papa on the inside.

Papa left behind a legacy of love and faith for us. He loved the Lord with all his heart, mind, soul and strength and he loved his neighbor as himself. He was never stingy with love for his family. We will miss Papa but know he has gone on to his reward and to meet Jesus. He lived his life to sit at the Master's feet and now he is doing just that.

I find a lot of comfort in thinking that maybe my Mama met him at the gate. The title of this blog comes from my husband, from the beginning of the year when we struggled with Mama's impending death, then my husband's boss' death (totally unexpected) and now Papa is gone, my husband has repeated this saying. This is truly our year to "just get through". It has been a rough 7 months and I pray that the last 5 will hold no more funerals.

My 10 year old cried after hearing about her Papa, she said "I won't go to another funeral, I have already been to one this year!" This is really hard on her. Prayers for all of us would be appreciated.

Papa leaves behind a wife of over 60 years, a daughter and son in law, three grandsons and their wives and 5 great grandkids. He leaves behind a host of friends and relatives. Papa was a soldier in WW2, he was a deacon and then an elder in his church. He lived a life full of service and love and leaves behind a family that continues his legacy of service and love! Papa, we will miss you -- save us a spot!

Hello Dolly!

2008-07-24T15:44:00.003-05:00

I have been enjoying (?) the after effects of Hurricane Dolly today! If you look at our weather map, you see lots and lots of green with some yellow and reds. (I tried to download some pictures but no luck) Lots and lots of rain but that is good because we need the rain. We have put the indoor time to good use and have been doing some long overdue cleaning. Hard to believe school starts in one month. Hope you all are staying safe and dry. Blessings!

For All You Inquiring Minds Out There.....

2008-07-20T17:15:00.002-05:00

Yes, we went to Disney world again! This was a good trip for us, as we got to stay at the Polynesian (I have always wanted to stay there and they do a good job of making it look like Hawaii!) Since this was our 3rd trip, it was a lot more laid back and relaxing. We did not feel the need to see EVERYTHING. We skipped the early hours at the park and hit the late hours instead. This allowed us to sleep late in the morning, go swim for awhile before hitting the parks in the afternoon. It always rains in Florida but this trip it rained about 5 pm everyday instead of the 1pm time that it rained the last two trips we made to Disney world. We just put on our rain ponchos and kept going. It was nice because the crowds would thin out after the rain and it would not be to crowded for awhile.

I don't think hubby thought the Polynesian was worth the extra money but I sure did. The resort is smaller than the other two we have stayed at. It is on the monorail, so less standing in line waiting for the buses (still had to take buses to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom)and the rooms were bigger than the other rooms we have stayed in. I loved it!

Less crowds at resort and less walking makes for a happier Mama. And when Mama is happy everyone tends to be a little happier!

So for all 2 of you who were waiting with baitted breath to find out where we went, there you have it!

2008-07-15T10:57:00.002-05:00

Cleaning Poem

I asked the Lord to tell me
Why my house is such a mess.
He asked if I'd been 'computering',
And I had to answer 'yes.'

He told me to get off my fanny
And tidy up the house.
And so I started cleaning up...
The smudges off my mouse.

I wiped and shined the topside.
That really did the trick...
I was just admiring my work..
I didn't mean to 'click.'

But click, I did, and oops I found
A real absorbing site.

That I got SO way into.
I was into it all night.

Nothing's changed except my mouse
It's very, very shiny.

I guess my house will stay a mess...
While I sit here on my hiney.

I borrowed this from Sandy at Flip Flop Floozie, I am not sure if she wrote it or borrowed it from somewhere, it wasn't credited to anyone....so if you wrote this let me know and I will be happy to give you credit because I think it is very funny!

Today....

2008-07-13T17:18:00.001-05:00

Every day when I wake up, my job is to choose what kind of day I’m going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy...or, I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money...or, I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health...or, I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up...or, I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work...or, I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework...or, I can appreciate that I have a place to call home.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And I am the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!

--Don Lyons

Keep Guessing

2008-07-11T23:26:00.003-05:00

No one has guessed it yet, maybe these will help!

UPDATED ON 7/12/08--JettyBetty is on target (her comment on this post not the first one), but can you figure out specifically where we went?

We Are Back......

2008-07-06T23:48:00.001-05:00

CAN YOU GUESS WHERE WE WENT?

Ahhhh..........Peace and Quiet!

2008-06-23T11:38:00.002-05:00

Darling Daughter is at camp this week. So the house is mine again from 9 till 3:30 everyday! I have been enjoying the quiet this morning. Drinking my coffee, reading the paper, getting caught up on email and blogs. It has been so nice! I need to get busy now and get some stuff done because 3:30 will be here before I know it.

Is it hot where you are? Just noticed the weather bug said it is 103 here! It isn't even noon yet! So glad our A/C is working! We have a service where we pay a certain amount every month and twice a year they service the A/C and Heating Unit and guarantee they will come out and fix it within 24 hours and at no charge. I think it is the best money we have ever spent.

Those dishes and clothes are not going to wash themselves so I better get busy. Stay cool!

Busy Week!

2008-06-12T19:18:00.002-05:00

Seems like it has just flown by. Darling Daughter is in cooking class this week. So every morning I take her up to the church for 2 hours and she cooks with a bunch of other kids. Tomorrow they are going to prepare lunch for the office staff.

My Dad also came to visit this week, so we have enjoyed catching up with him a little bit. He isn't staying very long this trip so we are trying to cram as much as we can into the time we have.

The first day of cooking class, I decided it would be a waste of gas to come all the way home just to turn around and go back so I decided to just stay out and do some shopping. Stimulate that Economy. It did not take long to realize that I was spending a lot more money than if I just drove home and used a 1/2 gallon of gas. But it was a lot more fun to go "stimulating"!

So here is a challenge for those 2 people who are still reading my blog these days--How have you been stimulating the economy? Leave me a comment and tell me how you are spending your rebate!

We have bought some new clothes and a cabinet for the bathroom. (we have been in this house for 8 years without a cabinet in the potty room to hold toilet paper and stuff---so it was about time) I had my SUV waxed the other day. Basically, everytime myself or my hubby wants to buy something out of the ordinary we call it "stimulating the economy"!

YOUR TURN!

One More Day!

2008-06-03T19:00:00.003-05:00

It is with mixed emotions that I announce that there is just ONE MORE DAY of school!

Part of me is glad to see the school year end, it will be nice not to have to get up at 6 am to let the dog out, and get darling daughter off to school.

BUT...the other part of me does not want to give up my days to myself. I am not looking forward to hearing "I am bored"....."there is no one to play with"....."Can I call _______?"....... "Can I call_______?"......."Can we go to the pool?"........."Can we go to the store" ......."Play with me, Mama"........"How come you never play with me?" (this one is usually right after I have either taken her to the pool, store or driven her across town to a friends or spent an hour dressing a barbie doll)

Fortunately, DD has several activities planned for this summer so at least part of the time she will be occupied.

So tomorrow morning at 6 am (or earlier depending on what time the dog decides she needs to bark) I will, for the last time in 4th grade, get up, take the dog out, make breakfast and pack a lunch for DD, call my lovely sleepyhead repeatedly until she makes her grumpy appearance, suggest to her that she is going to miss the bus if she does not hurry one more time and wish her a happy day as she goes to the bus!

THEN.....As the school bus pulls away from our corner and the house is mine once again.....I will savor the moments of peacefulness....a quiet house, a cup of coffee, the newspaper.

But at 3pm when the bus pulls back up to our corner and my happy 10 year old bounces off and hurries into the house to tell me "School is out.....Summer is here." I will smile and think of all the fun times we will have together and how this will be the only shot we get at her 4th grade summer!

"Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez"

Happy Summer Everyone!

(only 81 days till school starts again!)

Whew are we tired!

2008-05-31T22:43:00.002-05:00

We just got in from a wedding. This girl was our daughters first babysitter, other than family. She started babysitting for us when she was about 13 or 14 years old and darling daughter was 3. Now she has grown up and gotten married! Boy do I feel old!

It was an outdoor wedding which I was really dreading because "Hello....South TX almost June.....people it is hot here!" but we got there early, snagged a seat in the semi shade and it was not too bad. They had a really nice reception. They served a meat and cheese tray for appetizers and so we all had something to do (and eat) while we waited for them to take the pictures. They even had a candy buffet, which the kids loved! Prime Rib for the main course and Italian Cream Cake! Yummy!

We are home now, all pooped out and stuffed silly! Congratulations to the Newlyweds and Good Night Everybody!

I AM REAL!

2008-05-21T19:58:00.001-05:00

Good to know I guess! Nothing happening that I want to share today so I thought I would fill in with this, so the two or three people who actually read this blog would know I was still among the living!

You Are a Realist

You don't see the glass as half empty or half full. You see what's exactly in the glass.

You never try to make a bad situation seem better than it is...

But you also never sabotage any good things you have going on.

You are brutally honest in your assessments of situations - and this always seems to help you cope.

Are You An Optimist or Pessimist?

Just for Fun......

2008-05-15T11:07:00.003-05:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
529
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

I did my husband's name and found that there are only 167 people with his name which is strange to me since I have come across guys with his name but never anyone with mine! Maybe it is because it goes by names on birth certificates and my name is very popular as a middle name? My daughter only shares her name with 8 other people so that is pretty unique since there is nothing different about her name, it is not like we named her "moonunit" or something weird.

VERY INTERESTING!!!

UPDATED WITH THIS WARNING:

I just went back to the site and noticed that there were some not so Christian advertizing links, so don't let your kids do this by themselves and don't click on the links. I still think this is interesting info but don't like the links.

Mother's Day

2008-05-10T19:14:00.003-05:00

I hope this finds you all enjoying a very happy Mother's Day weekend. I want to take just a moment to say how thankful I am that God allowed me to have 43 wonderful Mother's Days with my Mom. I have been blessed with 10 (as of tomorrow) with my own daughter. Please take a moment to say a prayer of thanksgiving for your mothers. If you are blessed to still have them in your lives, go hug them and tell them how much they mean to you!

Color Me?

2008-05-08T21:54:00.002-05:00

VIOLET

You surround yourself with art and music and are constantly driven to express yourself. You often daydream. You prefer honesty in your relationships and believe strongly in your personal morals.

Find out your color at QuizMeme.com!

I am not sure this is exactly me but I do love the color purple so it has got at least part of it correct!

Borrowed.....

2008-05-06T11:22:00.002-05:00

from Lynn at Neena's Nest.

Only one word can be used in your answer and it can NOT be used twice.

1. Where is your cell phone? table

2. Your significant other? Husband

3. Your hair? Mousey

4. Your mother? Gone

5. Your father? Lonesome

6. Your favorite time of day? Evening

7. Your dream last night? busy

8. Your favorite drink? coke

9. Your dream goal? retirement

10. The room you're in? family

11. Your ex? None

12. Your fear? isolation

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Hawaii

14. What you are not? skinny

15. Muffins? blueberry

16. One of your wish list items? Lexus

17. The last thing you did? Blogs

18. Where you grew up? town

19. What are you wearing? clothes

20. Your tv is ? off

21. Your pets? mischievious

22. Your computer? laptop

23. Your life? comfortable

24. Your mood? reflective

25. Missing someone? Mama

26. Your car? Toyota

27. Something you're not wearing? shoes

28. Favorite store? Target

29. Your summer? hot

30. Your favorite color? fushia

31. When is the last time you laughed? recently

32. When is the last time you cried? yesterday

33. Your life? Content

34. Your children? beautiful

35. Your future? promising

36. Your beliefs? consistant

37. Your ego? humbled

38. Your image? distorted

39. Your appearance? disheveled

40. Would you live your life over again knowing what you know?
absolutely

Feel free to copy and play along!

Blessings My Friends!

Funny Thing Is.....

2008-05-03T01:15:00.002-05:00

This week has included a new purchase with a broken mirror so the purchase had to be exchanged, a stubbed toe, a huge mug of coffee dropped and broken, sending coffee all over a recliner, carpet, table and lamp. Bright red fingernail polish on my soaking tub. A piece of cake dropped icing side down at church on Weds., a bite of salad with Italian dressing dropped down the front of my brand new shirt (again at church on Weds), I found a big scratch on my new car. My hubby has been working late every night this week and will have to work this weekend too. I have picked up a hundred pieces of shredded paper from the dogs paper habit. I was attacked by biting gnats at the pool. AND I have had some type of stomach bug for the last couple of days!

BUT THE AMAZING THING IS----This has been a great week compared to the one I had last week!!!!

Much Better Week--So Far!

2008-05-01T00:27:00.004-05:00

These pictures remind me of Hawaii, I think it is time to plan another trip!

Darling Daughter finished up her TAKS test this week! Yeah, so glad to be done with that! She is going to be performing with her school choir next week, so I have been given the job of making her a pink poodle skirt for the performance! I will try to remember to post a picture of it if it comes out okay.

Well 6 AM comes early, I better get to bed! Hope you are all having a most excellent week! Blessings!

Not off to a good start....

2008-04-21T17:56:00.001-05:00

but the week has no where to go but up at this point.

Ummmm! Coffee!

2008-04-16T14:35:00.002-05:00

"In Seattle you haven't had enough coffee until you can thread a sewing machine while it's running."--Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO My Table Magazine, April-May 2008

Link Meme

2008-04-15T11:12:00.003-05:00

I got tagged to do this meme, by Lynn so here goes:

The way you play is:

Just copy paste THIS and everything below up until my Five links:
I thought it would be cool to have a meme where we post links. We can post up to five. Then we tell five more people to share their links. If we all share who tagged us, our links are sure to be seen! They can be business links, favorite sites, affiliate links, whatever you want…

There are Five Rules:
1. MUST be clean. No R rated sites.
2. Only FIVE links.
3. MUST tell 5 people.
4. A link back to the person who tagged you

My Five Links:

1. Confessions of a CF Husband I have been hooked on this since back in January before the baby was born. Nate shares the experiences of his family as his wife Tricia struggles with CF. Great inspiring read!

2.PuzzlersParadise I like logic puzzles

3. Webkinz Yes, I know I am too old for webkinz but my little girl gave me one back in the Fall when I was traveling so much with my Mom and Dad. I can't just let the little thing die, so I am obligated to check on it every so often....it really is a cute little place.

4. Gamehouse free game downloads.

5. Travelocity Let's plan a trip somewhere soon!

Now comes the hard part finding people who will do this so I am going to put their blog names but not their links just in case they don't want to play or don't want their links posted.

1. Jennifer

2. TMK

3. Judy

4. Jettybetty

5. Dee

No pressure guys, play only if you want to!

Sickness Hits Again!

2008-04-11T11:23:00.002-05:00

Darling Daughter is sick again! I took her to the doctor yesterday, they believe it is viral but did a throat culture to rule out strep. She can't go back to school until Monday. She has missed a lot of school this year, good thing she is an A student!

Just heard back from doctor, the strep test was negative, so that is good news (I guess!) Although it would actually be easier if it were strep, just take some antibiotics and you are all better. When it is viral, you just have to let it run it's course.

I need to run up to the school and get her makeup work. Hubby is at his manager's funeral, wish I could have been there for him but sick child takes priority.

Here's hoping that DD feels better soon so the weekend is not a total bust. If you are able this weekend, go have some fun for me! Blessings!

Drama

2008-04-08T16:01:00.001-05:00

We just had a bit of drama here with darling daughter getting on the bus when she was supposed to meet me at school. No big deal just a few scary moments when no one knew for sure where she was. We reached the bus driver who confirmed she was on the bus (embarrassed her terribly) and she was sitting on steps waiting for me when I got home. Bus was still at the corner so I know she had not been waiting very long.

The dog is in time out for chewing on the rug again. It is days like this I really miss being able to talk to my Mom! Sometimes you just need someone to listen to you!

We Are In Shock

2008-04-08T11:18:00.003-05:00

My husband just let me know that his Manager at work, had a heart attack and died at home this morning. This man is only a little older than my hubby with teenage kids. I really don't have any more information about it but I can only imagine how his family is feeling right now.

Please pray for this man's family and for my sweet hubby as we deal with unexpected tragic event.