Cheerful Saturday.

Good Saturday Morning...🌸 

I just have to pause and share how beautiful my TEXAS SAGE bush  is looking right now.  The soft green leaves and the purple blooms are showing off in the prettiest way. My yard looks all dressed up for the weekend in spite of a few patches of dried grass. 

The Blessings of the Lord are all around!!

Late yesterday afternoon, one of my very dear friends (Ronda) stopped by with an EARLY birthday surprise.. She is truly one of the sweetest ladies.  She brought me a box tied up with colorful ribbons, and inside were six of the most gorgeous little petit fours from my favorite spot....Village Bakery!  

They are too pretty to eat (but don't worry, I know I will manage.)  Each one is decorated with a dainty little flower on top.  It felt like I was receiving a bouquet of flowers that were meant for my tastebuds. 

It's moments like these that remind me how blessed I am.  The beauty of nature right outside my front door and the kindness of friends who know just how to make my heart smile.  

Between the sage bush showing off it's purple blooms and the darling little petit fours waiting to be enjoyed, I think my Saturday is already shaping up to be a "treat yourself" kind of day.  And to top it off, my family is taking me out to a cute Italian restaurant this evening...My Birthday is actually Tomorrow, but I'll take all of the joys that I can get for this #72 Birthday!

Wishing you all a cool, comfortable day filled with love. 

Shug...

Texas Heat

For my blogging friends who live right here in Texas, you will so be able to relate to this post....TEXAS HEAT.

If you have ever spent a summer in Texas, you know it's not just weather....it's an experience!!  I can tell you it's the kind of experience that makes you consider frying an egg on your driveway just to see if it really works.  I can testify that it really does work!!  The sun here doesn't only shine, it drains you. 

But... although I often complain about it, the Texas heat has a way of teaching us all a few lessons. 

#1.  You want your patience tested?  Stand outside in the August heat and your patience will quickly be exposed.  It will show you just how thin your halo really is!!! 

#2.  Resilience is built one sweaty step at a time.  The Texas summers remind us that resilience doesn't always look glamorous.  Around this house It looks like a very messy ponytail,  melted mascara and having the willpower not to yell at the thermostat.  

#3. The heat teaches us that a cold slice of watermelon or a glass of iced sweet tea is worth every cent you pay for them.  $5.00, $10.00...these simple but yet necessary things are valuable.  

#4. One very serious lesson to be learned is that the Texas heat can be very dangerous!!!  You have to slow down, pace yourself and stay hydrated. 

The heat can be brutal, but it leaves us stronger and  more appreciative of every cool breeze that comes our way.  Life  can be a lot like that....sometimes overwhelming, sometimes hot and sticky AND uncomfortable, but always full of lessons.  Thank goodness for all the unexpected refreshments that come our way.  Thank goodness for our recent rains. 

Hopefully some cooler air is on it's way this next week, but until it rolls through, I'll just be here with my sweet tea, watching my electric meter going round and round.   

Happy Friday Everyone!!

Big Hugs to all....

shug...

Your Smile, Business Card and Trademark

 I came across this little gem of words and thought it was worth sharing!

How clever is this?  Forget fancy resumes....according to this, we are all walking around as our own little brands.  It's really pretty true!

Think about it:  Our smile really is our logo. It's the first thing people notice.. kinda like the golden arches at McDonald's (those golden arches were/are always restroom stops) or the swoosh on Nike shoes.  A smile says, "This is who I am, and yes, I'm open for business....the business of KINDNESS."

I thought about  our personality being our business card...our personality represents our business card so to speak.  How neat, that we don't have to go around handing out cards... Our personality always shows up (good or bad.)  

I love glitter, so hopefully my personality spreads a little of the shiny stuff around.  And then I think about those with a  calm and steady type of personality.... Those whose calmness makes everyone breathe a little easier.  Both of these types of personalities can be a blessing to others.   Either way, our personality speaks volumes without us ever needing a business card.  

And then....Let's talk about our trademarks.  Who knew we had trademarks??   The way we make people feel for instance.  This is the part that sticks.  Long after our conversations fade and our faces blur, people remember whether we made them feel valued and encouraged, OR if we leave them with a feeling of disappointment by the way we treated them. It's the  trademark we choose and live by that becomes our stamp.  

There really is no need for me to ask each of you what your trademark would be....I already know!!  Each of you have a contagious JOY about you  that radiates sunshine.  Bright, genuine happiness is what I see, and kindness is definitely your trademark.  Each of you make those around you feel valued and loved.  I can see this is each of your post and your comments. 

  This kind of trademark touches  hearts (mine for sure) as you inspire others and you point others towards God.  When our "Life trademark" mirrors God's heart, it becomes a beautiful witness of His love.   

You all know me....I think I'll try to decorate my "Trademark."  I think a few decorations will make this fun!!!

I'm gonna add a dash of glitter aka laughter.....Maybe accent it with kindness (a few rhinestones).....Layer it with Faithfulness (like a bold border)......Personalize it with gratitude (by adding Color).... 

AND....don't you think everything is better with a cherry on top??  A cherry on top of a sundae sure makes everything sweeter!!  

Shug.......

Hodgepodge Wednesday...

 

What is worth standing in line for?? 

Standing in line to watch my grandkids play ball, perform, graduate.  In January, we stood in line at the ATT arena in Dallas to watch Mylee play basketball....This is the big arena where the Dallas Mavericks play.  Pretty Awesome.    Last October, would stood in line to watch our grandson graduate from Air Force to Space Force!!  Absolutely worth standing in line to be seated...

2. Tell us about a favorite food related memory. 

My Dad's grilled chicken for one....and then my mom's pan of dressing at Thanksgiving.  I have tried and tried to make dressing like her's, but the taste is just not the same.  Her Dressing had all of the right ingredients and seasonings to make a perfect pan of the tastiest Thanksgiving meal.  

3. What are some things you find particularly peaceful or calming? 

When my pool water sparkles like it's been sprinkled with diamonds. Or better yet, any time I can come across a clear river....Just sitting there is so peaceful as I listen to the steady rhythm of the water passing by...Of course, being able to put my feet in that water makes it extra special.  

4. Is there something you do now that gets you just as excited as it did when you were a child? 

I am a big kid at heart.....and I love art, so opening a new box of crayons is big time!!  Especially if the box is 64 count with a sharpener built in.  And....Lights really get me excited.  Christmas lights...little white twinkling lights...the big bulb lights that we had on our Christmas tree when I was little.  It honestly doesn't take much to make my heart fill with excitement. 

5. To what degree are you in touch with friends from grade school? high school? college if you attended college? 

I forgot to mention that I married one of my High School classmates!! 💓

My High School Class has a reunion every five years...This was us at the last Reunion.  Not a bad turn out for a graduating class of 69 classmates.  14 have passed away. 

I have lunch with these ladies at least once a month.  We all graduated together and have remained very close friends.  We are taking a trip to Branson in a couple of months....lots of fun to come!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Sam and I have traveled to Dallas several times in the past couple of months....Traffic is terrible and we always try to beat "The Traffic Rush." 

My random thought is:  Why is it called "RUSH HOUR" when nothing is moving??   It is terrible being stuck in traffic.   LOL.  😍 just a random thought.

Happy Wednesday Y'all

Shug....