Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Saturday, July 31, 2010

So Simple, But Makes My Day

Briskly walking through my neighborhood, I pause at the edge of the sidewalk to allow the car to pass.  Oblivious to my surroundings in deep thought, I lift my head to see through the smoke-tinted front windshield of the passing car, fingers released from the steering wheel, the occasional wave offered my way.  So simple and yet it put a bounce in my remaining walk.


Picking up my phone from the text message alarm, I glanced down to read an unprompted message from one of my adult children - Love You, Mom or Thank-you.  These come so rarely that it just turns my day into sunshine and releases that heavy weight of parenting that can rest its head on my shoulder at times.






She greets my husband with a smile, she knows my tea combination, she is working two jobs, and yet she stops to inquire about our family.  On our 30th wedding anniversary, she signs my cup of tea...Congratulations!   Her usual  smiley-face written message brings cheer into my day. 


So Simple and yet each Makes My Day.  If my walk on earth can be lightened by these easy gestures then how can I make some one else's day?


At the local store I ask how the clerk's day is, instead of just replying to her trained inquiry of "how are you?"  Shocked that I was interested, she starts to pour out with a smile the details of her day...I received the blessings also.


Stopping to hear my unknown neighbor tell me about how the armadillos ate up her flower bed,  I pause and listen, then encourage and say, "have a wonderful day....your flower bed is beautiful."


I nod with gratitude while smiling and say, "Thank You!" to the yard men who stop their work in order to allow me to pass uninjured.  


I desire to say through my actions... 
"you are special, you are worthy, you are loved."  I reply to text messages and emails, because I am not too important to ignore them, and the receiver is important.  I pray that my simple smile, word, wave or text of encouragement makes someone else's day lighter....they cost me nothing, and yet I too am blessed.


Thank you for stopping by, for your comments, your encouragement, your blog posts that are so inspiring ... you have made my day!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Most Pivotal Year


My sixth grade school year of 1972 to 1973 had to be the most pivotal year of my youth because it would propel my future.

Starting back at my familiar school, in my final year of elementary education, I became aware of politics when our school held the Presidential Elections. Nixon won in our school elections and was victorious across the nation weeks later. I remember feeling so "wise" because we had elected the same President that the nation also elected…now history shows that was probably a mistake.


In the fall of 1972, with many of my lifelong friends, I would become a Little League Longhorn cheerleader. When the team won its district, we were given the privilege of following the players to Dallas, Texas for the playoffs. We all stayed at a hotel…calling each other through the hotel phones, giggling and dressing up in our "piggy tails" and cheer leading uniforms, we would cheer the team through their games. This exciting trip would end my school year, just months after my family's newest adventure.

With great excitement and much anticipation from my mom, we began to look for a house that same school year. My Dad had been successful in starting his own business and Mom was ready for a larger house. Excitement built for this new transition for our family – one possibility was an anti-bellum home with a "Gone with the Wind" staircase leading to the vast upstairs. My sister and I dreamed of how life would be in this grand home, which also possessed an outside carriage house. Our dreams would have to be altered because there was too much renovation needed. Instead, we moved out of our 1100 square-foot home to our modern-day mansion of 2800 square feet. My mother would no longer have nightmares of us going into our teen years in our one-bath home. This new home contained five bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. The kid's bathroom was huge with double sinks, which would more than accommodate four children. The wallpaper (this was the first time for us to have wallpaper) was orange, octagon shapes outlined in metallic silver, with huge make-up ball lights that could heat up the room. My sister would spend hours singing commercials in front of this six-foot-long mirror. The carpet was orange shag throughout, except my mother's room, which had red shag. The master bedroom had a full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the Austin Skyline. We could now see the University of Texas tower turn orange after victories.

My sister and I, my siblings and old neighbors
I now had my own bedroom! My room was situated at the front of the house with a floor-to-ceiling window and, while admiring the moon and stars, I would dream of my future. (This would remain my home until my first home with my husband.) The large school playground across the street would lure me to walk over and just sit in the swing at night through my teen years and think…much like I had done as a child at my grandparents' farm. Our home was also just a block from a large river where we would raft. This river was known for having nude bathers, so as we would descend to the water's banks, we would listen for our Dad's warning. His alarm words were "wrinkled potatoes", which meant "look the other way", but stood for what he felt they looked like. We would get past the bathers and put our inner tubes into the rapid river and ride down for miles.
I am on the left, first girl, in a black and white full length dress with my piggy tail
I entered a new elementary school to finish up the year. These new friends would be classmates through high school. Cliques were already starting at this age, but since I was new, I was unaware of them until the following year. I performed in the musical that year as one of the sisters in "Fiddler on the Roof." We would sing "Matchmaker" – what a song for dreamy-eyed-girls! Of course this was the year of crushes on boys and "real boyfriends". I still own the necklace I received this year from my "boyfriend" and the other day I looked up and burst into laughter to see it dangling from my daughter's car mirror. This was the year all of us girls read, "It is Me God, Margaret" and chanting at slumber parties... "we must, we must, we must increase our bust." Neighborhood friendships, sleep-overs, running around the neighborhood playing hide and seek with the boys, filled my spring and summer evenings! Excitement built for junior high school. Braces were the new jewelry for many of my classmates and me, so summer brought us these new accessories. This was the first time in my life that I came into contact with friends who had divorced parents. This was a new concept to see my friends going home to an empty house. Most of my classmates came from church-attending families with married parents with a stay-at-home mom. I would be introduced to different denominations by attending church with friends. It was truly a year of new experiences.
Our new church!


This move also brought my greatest life-altering change. My parents would change our church membership. This change would put me in the same church with my future husband, who in this same year graduated from high school. This church body would be very critical in my spiritual growth, as well as lifelong friendships.

I can truly say that everything good that was formed in my life came out of this transitional year. I would not be who I am today, had my parents not moved my family to a new home and church body. Looking back, I rejoice over the steps that God ordered in my life.

This was the last year that I feel I lived in complete innocence…junior high would burst that bubble, but the opening of my eyes didn't keep me from enjoying the wonder of these years.

Again, I have joined with Mommy Piggy Tale to document my youth in 15 posts. Thanks for joining me down memory lane. I hope you have enjoyed reliving your own youth as you read mine, but more importantly, I hope you would begin to record your youth for your own children and grandchildren. I know it has put an extra jump in my step, as I recall all the energy I used to possess.


 

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Fear? Courage is Spoken

In a culture that screams "self-sufficiency" I find myself in the most "insufficient" physical position of my half- century life.  At this point I am continuously looking up to hear God!  Not a bad place to be.  In so doing I am amazed at how often He speaks and how "loudly".  Having heard the story, in different variations through out my life, someone asking for direction from God and he keeps sending signs but they can't see them...I am seeing the signs.

Confirmation of His spoken word seems to jump from every angle of my life.  While re-designing an old mirror I went to purchase words to apply to my new decor.  One word was "Celebrate" while the other was "Courage". I tried hard to convince everyone that "Celebrate" was to be on the mirror....all votes were "Courage".

I started to hear past memorized scripture run through my head on "Courage".  I wanted to deny these direction signs, because with them I began to "fear".  Why was God speaking these words...I was just starting to breath again...what was in store?

My husband's job is unstable again.  He has been traveling to provide for our family, which means I am in transition...AGAIN!  I am seeing that at age 49 I don't transition easily.

So with a stubborn backbone I sat down and picked up my summer reading that I had put off.  "Fearless" by Max Lucado.  Each chapter has jumped from the pages....each day ending in tears and prayer before God. Many of his suggestions I have been doing...reading biographies on other lives - just finished DL Moody.  Another confirmation that God was speaking - encouraging me along this journey.

Today reading was "Fear of Overwhelming Challenges".  He states my challenges.  He uses the story of Jesus and the disciples in the boat during the storm.  His exultation from the scriptures were that during the storms (we all have them) we need to keep our eyes on Jesus and not the storm.  Not the clouds I see coming my way, not the wind I feel telling me something is coming, not the whisper of the enemy causing me to fear...but look to Jesus.

"Don't be afraid," he said, "Take courage I am here". Matt. 14: 27


The disciples never imagined Jesus to come to them in the storm that was beating them up...but they looked up and He was walking on water, through the storm toward them.
The Lord is near. Phil. 4:5
You are in me and I am in you. John 14:20
I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matt. 28: 20

Nothing can ever separate you from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our  fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. Rom. 8:38

Quote from the book - "We cannot go where God is not. Look over your shoulder; that's God following you.  Look into the storm; that's Christ coming toward you."

Peter asked Jesus to command him to come - Peter stepped out of the boat, in the midst of the storm.....and he walked on water.

"We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it" Heb. 2:1

As Max Lucado states -"Feed your fears, and your faith will starve, Feed your faith, and your fears will."
"Storms are not an option, but fear is."


He is speaking clearly.   I have to stop and take it all in.  This earthly life isn't providing "security"....the 401K is gone, the house, the life insurance, the health insurance, the savings, the job security - but I don't need to look to the circumstances that surround me.  I know the one who calms the storms and I look to Him...like Peter, I can walk on water while staring at His face, it is when I look to the storm that I begin to sink.

I pray for courage during all of our storms.  May we all look to the one who calms the storms and may we live fearless.



Monday, July 26, 2010

Still Politics - Hometown History Lesson


What was she thinking?  This is one of my favorite stories in Texas History. This event is probably why Texas women get their reputation as being “Strong Women”.

During the days of the Texas Republic, back when we were our own nation, Samuel Houston was President.  The Capital of this Republic resided in Austin against the desires of Sam Houston.  Houston, not being a man full of humility, wanted the capital in the city named in his honor.

Austin was just a small city near the Colorado River.  Houston wasn’t impressed. He decided to send a military dispatch to the capital to retrieve the archives.  Angela Ederly, an innkeeper, discovered the wagons being loaded with the archives.  She rushed to the town cannon, placed at Congress and Sixth Street to sound the alarm.  She set off the cannon, blowing a hole in the Land Office, while arousing the citizens.  The citizens continued to chase down Sam Houston’s men.

The archives were returned for safe keeping under the watchful eye of Angela Ederly. Her tenacity and short temper are credited for the capital remaining in Austin, Texas.
When I hear of the different underhanded schemes that still penetrate through our government today, I remember 1894 and the Sarah Palin of her day.  There is truly nothing new under the sun.

What fascinating history do you know from your home town?  Have you ever tried being a tourist in your own city?




Saturday, July 24, 2010

I Want My Sons to Grow Up to Be Like Colt Mc Coy



One of my first post, "Dedicated to Godly Character", was written through tears about Colt McCoy.  His testimony before a world of viewers spoke so loudly....yes, my thought were, will my own children stand for Christ in the way this young man has through his trial?  I feel he, and other like him, Tebow and Bradford, turned the long standing opinion that Christian kids couldn't remain faithful in the world of college football.


This young man married recently and I just have to share this  video.  My prayers are with all three young men who have taken the stand for Christ.  Whose faces have been on the "I Am Second" billboards, along with one pro-life ad for the Super Bowl.


God wants His people in all arenas of life.  Why not in the sports arena?  I now look down at my two sons that are still growing and re-think the mission field of the World of Sports.


I hope you enjoy...no matter what University or Professional Team you pull for during the football season.  Our kids need some "heros".




Some say he's a ninja, rumor has it he's Superman,
Hes got the heart of a lion, still hes as gentle as old Peter Pan,
All you Hatfields better beware, I heard he's stronger than a Kodiak bear,
He's your real deal, he's no decoy, he's still his mama's little pride and joy.

Hey, when I grow up I wanna be just like Colt McCoy,
He's the true gun-slinging inspiration to every small town country boy,
Having cool friends like Jordan Shipley,
(Well ain't no singers singin' songs about me)
Well when I grow up I wanna be just like Colt McCoy.

Everybody and their dog is doggin' on the little quarterback from Jim Ned,
Too short too slow and way too skinny, its what the headlines read.
So he hit the weights, protein shakes, and lord behold, he started to grow,
Now he's gettin' sick and tired of people getting fired up, for rubbing elbows with Tim Tebow.

Hey, when I grow up I wanna be just like Colt McCoy,
He's the true gun-slinging inspiration to every small town country boy,
Having cool friends like Jordan Shipley,
(Well ain't no singers singin' songs about me)
Well when I grow up I wanna be just like Colt McCoy.

There's a new sheriff in town,
Shaking hands and kissing babies,
Throwing lazer beam touchdowns.

Hey, when I grow up I wanna be just like Colt McCoy,
He's the straight shootin' gun inspiration to every small town country boy,
I'd have cool friends like Jordan Shipley,
(Well ain't no singers singin' songs about me)
Well when I grow up I wanna be just like Colt McCoy.

Friday, July 23, 2010

I AM A LITTLE SLOW ON THANK-YOU

My learning curve in this blogging world is going slow.  I keep thinking I need to stop and learn what I am doing.
All of that is to say....I have received some awards and didn't know what to do
I want to first say...Thanks so much, I am truly humbled and would like to say Thank-you 
I am sure I won't get all this right.....so Please Grace!!!

The first award is from Ginger at Support Blog for Moms of Boys

Thank you Ginger....she is the one responsible for my blog button. She has a wonderful blog for making things and doing activities with your children.  She is a doll.

The second award is from Jill @Pathway to Purpose
The award was the Versatile Blogger Award also.  Jill's blog is a precious blog on life and the ups and downs.  She will begin home schooling for her first time next year with one of her four children.  I was honored to send her some books for the beginning of this journey.

The third award is from Denise @Full Nest who is also journaling her youth in 15 post.
She shares life with a house full of children.
She gave me the Versatile Blogger Award

Seems like a theme is going here!!
The last thank you goes to e-mom at Chrysalis...again the Versatile Blogger Award.
Her blog is a wonderful Christian learning blog...majoring on marriage.  Her teachings are deep and provoke thought.  Her encouragement in marriage is timeless.

Thanks to all the above blogs for my awards.
Seven things about myself
1) I wanted to go to New York and dance on Broadway...didn't happen, God had bigger plans
2) I dreamed of having a dance studio...also didn't happen, and no regrets
3) I was called a "river rat" in high school because we had to drive across the river to school
4)  I now dream of owning some land and a house for my grandkids to escape to from the city
5)  I love New York...it is my happy place
6)  I love History and All Jewish History
7)  I hope I have  lots and lots of grandkids...I never get tired of little ones!!!

Please visit any of the blogs listed on my sidebar...these are all worthy of this blog award.  Many are seasoned bloggers.  All are trust worthy blogs.
Thanks again...sorry if I didn't do this right

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Feeling Groovy Year - 5th Grade



Remembering back to fifth grade, the years of 1971 to 1972, I start to sing this song.  The song was already old by the time I hit 5th grade, but it reminds me of the feelings during that era.  Peace signs weren’t allowed in our home, nor many of the popular singing groups, but I still heard the songs of that time. Country music was the norm in our home...I guess they thought was it more wholesome.  My father had very strong opinions against VW because of their connection with Hitler.  Drugs and flower children were seen around our liberal University city. “Feelin’ Groovy” would describe this laid back time of my life, even if the country was still dealing with war.

Our family still lived in a 1100 square feet home with one bath and six residents. I never remember feeling cramped, even though my mother retells how hard it was for her to organize all of us.



During these years, my mother inspired my sister and I to expand our creative side by decorating our room.  Dad built custom- designed bookshelves with a desk attached to the wall.  We had two windows on different walls and a shared bed.  We went to work.  Our choice – the closet door was painted in enamel florescent orange we found  with multi-"put-ons," daisies in yellow, pink, green which were arranged all over the closet door.  Our windows had lime polka-dotted awning curtains with orange zigzag rickrack trim.  The desk top was painted in enamel yellow….was that bright enough?  The multi-colors adorned our bed.



I would enjoy girl scouts again and go off to over-night camp. I still possess the tie with autographs from my fellow campers.  I played hand-bells during the school Christmas program. My school activities included choir and patrolette, along with Texas Readers Club.  I continued to learn to sew, as learned skills were placed as a top priority over reading.  I never remember my parents reading, even though I am sure they did.  My father read Gun and Ammo magazines stored in the bathroom.  Instead of reading time, I would learn to cook, sew, embroidery, how to shoot a gun as well as barrel riding on my grandfather’s horse.  I remember joining my father on all of the outdoor chores from shoveling dirt (and manure), planting a  garden and mowing the grass.  Our hands were never idle.


I am continuing on my journey of recording my youth in 15 post with Mommy Piggy Tale...I am half way there.  



Tuesday, July 20, 2010

What Do I Reflect?



Rearranging, moving up and down, slanting more to the left, no the right…positioning the mirror in the precise location. Varies mirrors paraded their reflections through my home. I arrange them to expose the finest of the room. I scrutinize the areas they reveal - no clutter, empty ceiling, toilet, floor, but rather enhancing the beauty of our dwelling.

As I was admiring the beautiful roses displayed on my dresser, the strips, the color, then their reflection from my mirror prompted me to ponder my reflection.





My heart's desire is to mirror my Savior.

His image isn't what is usually revealed. I easily can display the world's culture, my own lack of patience or forgiveness, wounds, anything but Him.

The only way I can manifest my Savior is for me to spend more time at His feet. To allow him to rearrange, move up or down, slant me to the right or left, and even turn me sideways…positioning me to reflect His image.

II Corn.3:18 "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Spontaneous

RAIN, RAIN AND MORE RAIN
INSIDE
DAD OUT OF TOWN FOR DAYS


SUNSHINE!!!!


SPONTANEITY
GRAB TOWELS, BATHING SUIT, ICE CHEST, IN CAR IN 30 MINUTES
ADVENTURE
UNKNOWN CITY
DRIVE 45 MINUTES AWAY
UNSCHEDULED
UNPLANNED
DISCOVERY
ABANDONMENT TO FUN

GIGGLES
REFRESHING
CHILD-LIKE HEART
SPONTANEITY THE SPICE OF LIFE


THERE ARE JUST TIMES FOR SPONTANEITY...SUMMER IS A GOOD TIME TO GIVE IT A TRY

What have you done lately that was totally spontaneous?  Be ready for unusual things to happen.  Most spontaneous adventures will be very budget friendly and  as much joy or more than a well-planned out activities.  Try this spice of life and see what wonderful flavor you enjoy!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

One of My Favorite Years




There are just those years of life and school that just jump from the pages of your memory; fourth grade was one of those years. It was just a special year. I remember the boys realized that we girls existed, because we knew they had existed for years. I remember the boys "harassing us" and us girls giggling and giggling. Of course the boy that you hit or chased the most was the one you liked.

I loved my teacher. She was a seasoned teacher, much older than my first three teachers. She loved history and made it come alive, making it the only subject I remember from fourth grade. Books that I read….I have no clue. 


My fondest memory of school that year was...rubbed on pantyhose. Each morning, after arriving at school, a group of girls would meet in the entry way bathroom. I don't know who brought it, but one girl had access to leg cream that would make our legs look like we were wearing pantyhose. I am sure our mother's forbid us from wearing pantyhose because we weren't old enough, but we knew how to have the look. Meeting in the bathroom we would take off our socks and rub down our legs with the cream. On our way home we would meet in the bathroom to wash our legs off….I just have to laugh, don't you know those teachers saw our streaked legs and giggled in the teacher's lounge? We felt we were "so grown up" and had pulled something over on our moms. Feeling stylish with my side pony tail, it was a year of feeling "big".

This was the time of the Cold War with Russia and the country still prepared in case of an attack. We would have bomb drills. We would be led out into the hall to curl up in a fetal position with our hands clasp around the back of our necks, for protection. It seemed like we would stay there forever, but it brought a welcome change in the school day. Fire drills were our favorite distraction because we would go outside and everyone would talk, while the teachers were telling us to be quite. My children have all been homeschooled and had their first fire drill in college.
                                                                                
I started Girl Scouts having finished Brownies. This included selling cookies and summer camp. Summer day camp was good food, lots of girls, crafts and salt pills at lunch.
 

My sister and I would start outside lessons. This year we tried baton and ballet. The baton was so much fun. We would take it outside and throw it up as high as we could in the air, then attempt to catch it as it came back to the earth…I don't remember many successful catches, but I do remember the laughter and the bruised arms. Ballet was just wonderful. We would perform in front of my parents, who tell the story of trying not to laugh, while my sister and I would try to show them our graceful new dances. One of us was very coordinated while the other one was all arms. Let's just say my sister's talent wasn't in dance, but she passed me up in her piano playing. I would be very serious about my ballet, while my sister, 14 months younger, would be more captivated by the giggles of the viewers. She would perform, while I would work on my skills.

Our family would also venture out for another family vacation. This summer we would mark the states that we had covered…Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and part of Illinois. We boarded a show boat in Mississippi, and visited two Indian reservations.

I rode a banana seat bike. Listened to Beach Boys on 45 records…Beatles weren't ever allowed in our house. We watched the Sonny and Cher Show and Carol Barnett on our single television in our family den. My father usually enjoyed his evening outside in his shop making bullets and custom-made knifes.

We cut down a "huge" Christmas tree from a friend's land. It was so large it extended from the tail pipe of our station wagon to the hood ornament on the front. When we got it home we wondered what we were thinking…shoving it through the door it couldn't even stand up in our house. My engineer father was undaunted by the size, pulled out his saw to cut off the truck and then nailed it the beam in our A-frame ceiling. The branches were so far apart that my mother used them like shelves for our gifts. So instead of gifts surrounding the tree they were up in the tree.

Just a sweet time of life!

I am continuing on my journey with Mommy Piggy Tales, where we are recording our youth for our children.



 

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The Limits of Parents

This poem resonates in my spirit as I watch my children of all ages.  It also brings such a word to parents...no matter your choice of school, devotional time, church participation, parenting skills, whatever you feel will make them become what you dream...they still have the ultimate choice in the matter.  Many times, our idea of success in parenting can  make our system an "idol" and we would try to pass it on to others as the "right" method.  God will not share His glory. He is the only perfect parent, and even His children rebelled in a perfect culture...Adam and Eve.

God is in control and He is at work in our children.  I hope this brings encouragement to all...no matter which leg of the parenting journey you are on.  Releasing your inadequacies to the one who takes our weaknesses and makes us strong.
This is dedicated to the many hurting parents I know...you are in my prayers.  May we all support each other and not shoot the wounded.


The Limits of a Parents - John Mark Ministries


I gave you life, but I cannot live it for you
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot decide for you
I can buy you a beautiful garment, but I cannot make you beautiful inside
I can off your advise, but cannot accept it for you
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish
I can teach you to respect, but I cannot force you to show honor
I can advise you about friends, but I cannot choose them for you
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure
I can tell you the facts of life, but I cannot build your reputation
I can tell you about drinking, but I cannot say no for you
I can warn you about drugs, but I cannot prevent you from using them
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I cannot achieve them for you
I can teach you about kindness, but I cannot force you to be gracious
I can warn you about sin, but I cannot make you moral
I can love you as a child, but I cannot make you walk with God
I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Jesus your Lord
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life

Monday, July 12, 2010

When the Dog Bites!



"When the dog bites
When the bee stings,
When I'm feeling sad
I simple remember my Favorite Things
Then I don't Feel so Bad"

I have been hearing this song in my head recently so
I am listing some of my Favorite Things

Fabrics, All Kinds of Fabrics - Fabric Store
Home Decor - Decorating
Chia Tea 
Beach
Books, Books, Children's Books - Bookstore
Camping - Enjoying the Outdoors
Dr Pepper
Cheesecake
Dinner out with my Husband - white tablecloths
My Large Family

What are some of your favorite things?  Isn't it just fun to stop and list some of the wonderful things we get to enjoy?  I think the song is right...."when I remember a few of my favorite things, then I don't feel so sad."
Even a long day can look better after thinking about your favorite things.
Thanks for joining me on my blogging journey....I am learning and enjoying!




Saturday, July 10, 2010

Praying for Our Husbands




Wow!
The Power of Music
Strong Message 
Tears
How Important a Man's Job
Prayer Needed for All Men
Head Bowed
Lord, Please bless our husbands, give them the strength to be the Men you have called them to be
May they Lead their Wives and Children
My They Seek Your Face
May We Support Them in Prayer!!!!

This song reminded me of Theresa@ Being Refined as Silver post last week.  She is doing the "Completing Him Challenge - Being the Woman Your Man Needs" and her post was on praying for our husbands.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

I Know Where I Was


( I am on the right in both bottom pictures, my sister and I are in jumpsuits made by our mom, red and black)

The summer of 1969 was the first memorable vacation for our family of six, meaning the traditional vacation of going in a car to visit unknown places of adventure. This was the years of the "woody"station wagon, luggage carrier on top, seats that face each other in the far back. Our family headed for Colorado. Adventures of memorable events flood my mind as I walk back through that summer. My brother was a baby, so our necessary luggage would be more than could be safely stored inside the car. My father, an engineer, who has never been known for not tying down items to the max, had a vacation of challenges. You have seen it! That's right, while traveling to our next destination, my father, one of those vacation drivers who doesn't enjoy t slowly moving toward a point, but how fast can you make it there with the fewest stops, was charging forward. I am sure his head strong determination was caused by a car load of four kids. While moving forward on our timed schedule my Dad heard someone honking at him. Not knowing what he could have possible done to aggravate the other driver he finally decided to give into the demands. Sure enough, the unthinkable had happened…the suitcase had left its designated position and proceed to fly through the air leaving our vacation clothes, more importantly the baby items, thrown along the road! Collecting our possession we set out to continue our eventful vacation.

We went to Colorado from our home in Texas. Us kids would bug my Dad every night for a hotel that had a swimming pool, there were few in that day. I am sure my parents just "sighed" over the fact that swimming in a pool was bigger deal than seeing the whole state of Colorado. One evening we stopped for the day. We were all settling down for the night when the baby's pacifier couldn't be found. We couldn't find it anywhere and there wasn't going to be any sleep for the rest of us unless one was found. In those days stores closed down…I mean shut their doors by five and you waited until the next day. Driving all over the unfamiliar city, my poor determined Dad searched until he found a pacifier which calmed my brother for the evening.

                                                                             
We would visit snow on the top of the mountains in Colorado while dressed in our summer shorts. The wonder of Carlsbad Caverns is still engrained in my head along with the Great Sand dunes. New Mexico and Colorado were beautiful states. Colorado would become a favorite vacation spot as well as my Dad's favorite place to hunt through the years.

Haven't you been asked, "where were you when….happened?" Well I remember where I was on this historical event. At this point in history we all set before the black and white television in the hotel on our vacation (televisions didn't always come with rooms either) we stared at the screen. July 20, 1969 we watched and heard these words through the snowy picture on the television, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." as Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon. So when asked if I know where I was when man stepped on the moon, I can resound with a yes!!!












                                              
Third Grade

This year brought the beginning of Girl Scouts, slumber parties and a birthday party with girls!!! One of the girl's daughters would later be a flower girl in my own wedding. Still involved in church and my parents worked with the youth.

(I am center right with a head band on the second roll)

These are the last recorded writings from my mother in my baby book. I am sure life became fuller as mine has as a mother.

Teacher Mrs. Weber – "She is doing very well, pushes herself and often expects too much from herself. Celebrated her birthday with a big party, lots of fun. Received "handwriting" and "all around" awards at the end of the school year."

I still have many of my class mates' school pictures. We seem to look much older than my children did when they were in third grade.

Life still simple, mother a stay-at-home mom would continue to create a warm and enjoyable environment for her children. My Dad would work a night job to pay for all that was required and later allow him to own his own business.



Television consisted of Monday night "Gunsmoke" and a few cartoons on Saturday morning before chores. I remember news reports about the Vietnam War with pictures in black and white.  We went to bed early.  We had six people in a house that was 1100 square feet with only one bathroom and I never thought it was small.


Continuing down memory lane with Mommy's Piggy Tales, where we are recording our youth.




 

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Unbalanced


I heard it calling me. The sides bumping, the visual of wiggling its way from its appointed place, the sound of agony could be heard throughout the house. I remember well, going into the room and seeing one stranded in the middle of the room, with the water holes still connecting it to the wall preventing its total escape. I know that waiting too long will mean it almost beats itself to death. Years of doing loads and loads of laundry have taught me to not ignore this noisy cry for help.

 
As I reached into the belly of this electric washing device, I couldn't help but let my mind wander with thoughts of how our lives can get off-balance so easily. Like the machine with clothes piled against one wall instead of evenly distributed throughout the tub, my life can start to resemble this tilted tub.

 
I can become tilted in doing good things. As I have heard quoted many times – "we are robbed from the best by the good things in life, not the bad things." I don't have to slip up by getting carried away in major distractions; just the little foxes that rob the vines can deprive me of the best that life has to offer.

 
"The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important." Martin Luther King Jr

 
How often we don't weigh our choices to select the best... time with our child, reading, playing, listening, singing, dancing. But instead, we look to our recordable goals. How often an unplanned visit to a friend can lift both their spirit and our own. Cooking dinner for extended family or friends at the last minute, instead of having to always pull out the calendar to see when it is convenient for everyone. Maybe convenience is the robber of some of the best things that life has to offer.

 
How many times do we put earthly things above heavenly? How many times are we a Martha instead of a Mary? 


"Learn to sense what is vital and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value (recognizing what is the highest and the best)" Philippians 1:10

 
My four-year-old is trying to balance on his bike. He tilts to one side and the other. He screams, "Mom, did you see that?" He is my last. I will only see this feat accomplished by my own child one last time. The dishes can wait; the clothes washer can be turned off and balanced later, the computer time can be put on hold, emails returned later, schedule delayed. I don't want to miss the Best for Good. I want a more balanced life! It is too easy to become like my productive washing machine and get off-balance, leaving me stranded in the middle of the room with sounds of agony being heard throughout my house. Even when unbalanced times happen, I am still connected to the water source and He hears my cry. He alone can rebalance my life and put me back into action.

 
Enjoy your summer as you keep your balance!


 

Saturday, July 3, 2010

This Girl Has Found Another Color



Summer has allowed me the joy of bringing some new color to our corner of the world. I began with a can of Red spray paint and attacked our worn porch furniture. The change was so enjoyable that I started looking toward economical ways to bring another new color in our house.  Now to refresh our overly used earth tone furniture, without buying new furniture. The challenge is to add color without breaking the bank. Taking already acquired pieces and adding inexpensive items to the décor just brought out my creative side. 

My den is underway….started with a wonderful garage sale find as the beginning inspiration. The den reveal with come later. 


Today I will show my new stair landing table. The table was original bought at a garage sale…one leg missing, true trashes to treasure find. I brought the table home to saw off part of the table top to make a  quarter moon shape shelf for the wall. The remaining table would attach to the wall as a hall table.  This worked well for years, but now it is in need of a face-lift.





Finding the new color I wanted added to our house I purchase a new can of paint. The table was spray painted with Ocean Breeze, oops I was wrong Bahama Sea…I might like this color since it has been years since I have seen the ocean and the Bahamas sounds wonderful. 





After spray painting the whole table Bahama Sea, I stenciled the table top in white. When all the paint was dry I hit the table and legs with the sander. I sanded across the stencil to make a worn look.
















After the sanding I stained  over the table and legs with an oak stain. Now my new table has been the first introduction to a new color in my house. It stands out from the wall color…which I am not allowed to paint, and just screams fun to me. 





Total cost of my transformation…..$6.00!!!!!  One of my re-energizers and areas I am returning to cultivate has just brought a new color in my house. 



Joining Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday and Just Something I whipped up Monday.







The Girl Creative

Friday, July 2, 2010

Have You Read this Lately?



When was the last time you read this document?  May you Have a Wonderful 4th of July. May we as a nation Bless God and not just look for His hand, but totally turn to Him in Worship.











IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
— John Hancock
New Hampshire:
Josiah BartlettWilliam WhippleMatthew Thornton
Massachusetts:
John HancockSamuel AdamsJohn AdamsRobert Treat PaineElbridge Gerry
Rhode Island:
Stephen HopkinsWilliam Ellery
Connecticut:
Roger ShermanSamuel HuntingtonWilliam WilliamsOliver Wolcott
New York:
William FloydPhilip LivingstonFrancis LewisLewis Morris
New Jersey:
Richard StocktonJohn WitherspoonFrancis HopkinsonJohn HartAbraham Clark
Pennsylvania:
Robert MorrisBenjamin RushBenjamin FranklinJohn MortonGeorge ClymerJames SmithGeorge TaylorJames WilsonGeorge Ross
Delaware:
Caesar RodneyGeorge ReadThomas McKean
Maryland:
Samuel ChaseWilliam PacaThomas StoneCharles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:
George WytheRichard Henry LeeThomas JeffersonBenjamin HarrisonThomas Nelson, Jr.Francis Lightfoot LeeCarter Braxton
North Carolina:
William HooperJoseph HewesJohn Penn
South Carolina:
Edward RutledgeThomas Heyward, Jr.Thomas Lynch, Jr.Arthur Middleton
Georgia:
Button GwinnettLyman HallGeorge Walton
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