Thanksgiving

   Well, it has been quite a while since my last post and I really have not been up to much besides work, church, home, friends, crafting, shopping, you know the usual. I decided against the 30 days of thankfulness on FB this year. I just can't make myself do it unless I'm feeling it. Not that I am un-thankful. You see, for me to sit at this computer and mindlessly play a game is one thing, but if I am commenting on a friend's wall or a post, I have to mean it, or I just won't do it at all. I cannot just write Happy Birthday. I CAN'T! you will NEVER see a comment from me on a "drama post" I just will not do it.
   Sometimes, I am sure, that people think I am hard or insensitive. Believe me, this is not the case. I just have an unbelievably low tolerance for attention seekers. For instance, "my life sucks!" makes me want to delete the friend. I don't, but I want to. How about call a real friend who cares about you & wants the best for you. Not look for attention from a bunch of strangers who look to your posts like people at a car accident.
   Enough of that. How easily we become distracted from the good to the sensational. I have many people in my life that are in need of jobs, homes, better health, better parents, and better circumstances in general. So for me to be concerned with sillyness would be just that. The world gives us the greedy, the self serving, the gangsters and the whores to "look up to" and spend our mental energy on. I will choose to follow God & the one who died for me, Jesus Christ. I will choose to focus on my blessings. I will choose to believe that everyone deserves my best. I will choose to make these choices, even when I don't want to.
   Thank you to all of my brothers & sisters in the Lord who encourage & inspire me daily with your words & prayers & sacrifices. My prayer is that we could all just back away from the wreck & look for someone to lift up. Enjoy your turkey & your friends & family! I hope to be back soon.

October is breast cancer awareness month

Well as you see from the title...this is the month to spend some time, energy, & money (if you're not already)  on  helping those around us with cancer. I applaud efforts to raise awareness of those in need because of being caught-off-guard by this diagnosis. I wanted to take this time you have given me to remind you & me that there are plenty of people around us that have this need, and I'd like us to help them directly. Weather it be emotionally, financially, or prayerfully. I am a firm believer in the old adage "Charity begins at home"  start there by teaching our kids to look outside of themselves FIRST! at home, neighbors, community, etc...
    So before you buy a pink ribbon pin from a catalog or a mug from a store, make a meal for a friend or neighbor who is going through chemo. cut the grass of a neighbor who just lost his wife. buy some art supplies or puzzles for the kid whose just been diagnosed with Lukemia, you could even donate your time by sitting with someone who is alone. there are thousands of things we could do that would help much more than the .02 cents the Cancer Society will get from that mug or pin. Be a good friend this month & I pray that it will influence the rest of your year.

Aftermath

Well, it has been a few days now since the evacuation has been lifted & things are slowly getting back to normal. While I drive for work each day I see people sweeping, & piling garbage, and fixing what's left of their homes & businesses. The first day I cried as I pondered how it would be... to come home & see that. My husband and I also had the experience of being sheltered with our dogs @ my Parent's home 1 town over. My sister & husband with 2 kids, My best friend, her son & mother and 2 cats accompanied. yes that's 11 people 2 cats & 2 dogs. My friend's husband played the rebel & stayed home with their 3 dogs. Luckily, my parent's home is plenty big to accommodate us all. Even though... trying to make everyone comfortable in a very stressful situation creates another stress. It was fun at times though, remembering our younger days, walking the old neighborhood. I actually enjoyed the time reflecting on the blessings I have been given. Even if my house had been washed away, I would be ok. Everything important was with me or in a safe place elsewhere, my family & friends. Most importantly, I have my salvation, it's permanent, so...I'm good. As I hear of the need, I am using the things acquired by my couponing to help out. Although there have been some stories of looting & some taking advantage of others misfortune, Their have been many many stories of friendship, community, and compassion. I choose to dwell on these. My prayer is that the Lord will continue to show me where I can be a help to those in need. I am sure that this will not be the last I write on, "the flood of 2011". OH! I have a funny to add. a friend posted on FB that they fixed the crack in the Pierce Street bridge with a "steel & tar speedbump"...now, every time I drive over that steel & tar speedbump I bust out laughing, Thanks Michelle!

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Fall is Fast Approaching

here we go!

I get butterflies in my stomach as the weather starts to cool. I want to re-decorate, cook, craft something, eat soup, clean something, write notes to friends, start gathering the Christmas gifts I've bought so far. As you can see, I am all over the place. Fall is like my spring. A new beginning of things to do, like, going to the Fair. I could walk the halls of the craft & art buildings for hours. And all of that great food. it inspires me. My prayer, as always is that I would use my time wisely. get my work done, nurture my relationships, learn some new things, & have fun while doing it all. Our Kids club at church will be starting in October, I will be leading the tweens. PRAY FOR ME! & them. I am hoping not only to teach them values...but to value them. Thanks for checking in with me again. Please feel free to leave a comment or question. I am going to go find something to eat for lunch.

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1st day back to work

Well, It was indeed my 1st day back to work. I forget each year how hectic it can be. The thing that always surprises me the most is how trusting the kids are. Now I know their parents have coached them that I am not a stranger and all. But I remember as a kid, I was always cautious around new people. Oh and did I mention how gorgeous these kids are! wow, I feel like I am in a commercial for a minivan. ha ha ha. I have 7 kids so far this year, and they are all soo sweet & I think we will have a lot of silly fun, with singing and joking and crazy sound-making.

I had a wonderful dinner last night with my son & daughter-in-law. I love that they both like sushi! Bob does not like sushi, needless to say, he did not join us. I am glad that they were here for the storm & not in Virginia. although they probably would have liked to have been home, since Cheyenne's parents house has been without power for 3 days now. bummer. The actual reception for their wedding in April was on Saturday night. Her parents did an amazing job and were awesome hosts!

I am looking forward to sharing all of the funny things the kids say this year on the van. Maybe I will have enough for a book of short stories for kids.

I am having some delicious chicken soup, that I made this afternoon, as I type. I am looking to try some new recipes this fall/winter. please feel free to share some with me & if you like, I will share them on here.

Oh, Family Camp was great! & my yard sale was a success again! another one Saturday.

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busy-ness

Friday can be one of those things in life we tend to blow out of proportion.We wait for it all week & when it comes, it's usually a let-down. Sometimes I liken it to a weekly summer...let me explain.

I used to spend my time thinking about what was coming ... appointments, work duties, time for a nap, time for a phone call, who expected what of my time. I did this so much that I was watching my present wash into the past before I could do anything with it.

About 2 years ago I decided that I would spend my summer intentionally not thinking ahead. I went to visit my friend & didn't care what we did or didn't do, what time I got up, or went to bed. If we felt like doing something, we did it, we didn't plan...we just did. That was the best ever! It felt like I was there 2 weeks when I was there just 8 days. It was GREAT!

With work about to start up again I am finding myself drawn into the thinking ahead mindset. There are things I have to get done, just like all of us, but they don't have to take all of the living out of my life. Have you ever been talking with someone and asked for an hour or two of their time? Let's say you wanted to go to visit a new shop in town, or see a movie, and they are too busy because they have a Doctor's appointment at 5. I'd like to know when it began to take from 9am-4:30pm to prepare for and from 6:30-9 to wind down from a doctor's appointment? This is the thinking I am talking about. I used to say those things, and I missed out on so much time connecting with my friends & family because of it.

My prayer for you today is that you use your time, don't let it use you. Even squeezing in a half hour of a 2 hour group lunch will be worth it. Your niece doesn't care if you can only come late & stay for 15 minutes of her party, but she will care if you don't show at all. Enjoy the people in your life, God has put them there for reason.

Facebook on Mondays

Well, here it is another Monday morning on FB. I always enjoy seeing how everyone else has used their weekend.

I have had a chance to catch up with some friends over the phone. I have made plans to fill up most of my week, and this does not include the normal stuff I do all week.

I have this week to prepare for Family Camp. I get to do all of the Church shopping, which I actually enjoy. sounds crazy I know, but I do!

I will be helping a few friends with some cleaning, hitting the Sally's, having another Yard Sale on Sat., & trying to finish clearing out my sons old room ( removing carpet is gross!!!). All of this while trying to spend some quality time with the Hubs. I am soo blessed to have a husband who doesn't mind when I am so busy with other people.

I can't help feel like a bad friend when I see a name on FB & really feel a sense of sadness for not connecting. So, If your a friend of mine, just know that when I see your posts, I think of/pray for/laugh with YOU.

As my fall cleaning begins, I pray that I can continue to be a blessing to others by being a helper & listener. I hope you can find a place in the lives of those around you to do the same.