Sunday, January 31, 2010

Weight, Here I go again!

How many times Have I said "I'm going on a diet".  More times than I can count on my fingers and toes.  I always start out with lots of motivation. Plumpy is something I don't want to be.
The first 3 or 4 days of my diet, I am truly dedicated.  Not only do I count my calories and carbs, but I eat them too!  Walking?  Yes I walk.  At least a mile. 
Well here I go again.  This time I'm going to be serious.  Gonna eat healthy, exercise and expand my walking to 2 miles a week...!!
Can't wait to give you updates.  Stay tuned, I just know this is the diet that works!! 

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Speak Blessings

You know, the words we speak are something we really need to think about.  They can be encouraging to others, or at times they can be very destructive.
Not long ago, I was visiting with a precious lady from my church.  We were dicussing people that are truly in need.  This women is a strong prayer warrior and a dedicated Christian.
She spoke some words to me that I will never forget.  She said, "It is vital that in our daily life, we speak Blessings to all those we come in contact with".
I had never thought of this before.  I can truly say, that the word "BLESS" is a part of my life now and I hope that I can encourage others to Bless those around them.
Enjoy the Blessings of this Day!!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Skunk Hunting!

As you might remember, I was possum hunting for something to cook, but who could imagine that I would come across a SKUNK.  It was right in my front yard....Can you believe such a thing in "The City With A Heart", downtown I might add.
In my pajamas, Mylee and I took out the door and I guess we thought if we just yelled at the thing, it would go away.  That crazy skunk was going everywhere.  Little did we know that action was fixing to take place.  Before I knew it, our unpredictable neighbor and his wife had joined in the chase.  It's not at all normal to be toting a weapon in our city limits.  By this time the skunk had gone into a culvert and all those passing by were wandering what in the world was going on.  A man with a gun, two women, a baby, and the preacher of all people.  We were running and pointing.  Needless to say we had attracted many on-lookers.  Shots were fired but the skunk did not come out.  Finally, and after our crowd had grown, the skunk came out running for it's life.  Another shot fired, but the skunk escaped again.  Then, here it came out and ran into another neighbor's flower bed.  Shots fired again, and that skunk was history.  Poor neighbors, can you imagine the smell it left behind! 
We were all safe from what I thought was a white skunk with a black stripe.  I was assured it was the normal black skunk with a white stripe.  I guess the excitement had taken over my eyesight.
Would you believe they hauled that thing off before I had the chance to substitue it for the possum in my stew?

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Who's got the Kettle, There's a possum in the yard

Oh, the thrill of country life.  As far back as I can remember, I have always heard of Possum Stew.  Today I gave some serious consideration over the thought of should I get out the kettle in case there is a possum in the yard.  Now the true spelling of possum is (opossum), but that is just isn't the way we pronounce it here in our part of the country. 
I find it amusing how the same grocery bags that I purchased a year ago seem to swallow up my groceries today.  If I spent X amount of dollars last year, my bags would be full.  This very morning, for the same amount of dollars, I carried out the same number of bags with only a fourth of the groceries in each bag. 
The question I ask myself is would the family really know if there was a possum in my kettle or could I make them believe it was beef stew???  With the inflation of groceries, I think possum stew is something I will ponder about...........

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Everyone Loves a Princess:

Everyone loves a princess.  We see this statement all around us.  Many little darlings have this as a phrase stenciled on a wall in their room.  The most popular place we see it is on t-shirts and clothing that is purchased for little girls.  Yes, we all think that we have a princess in our midst.   I know that I certainly believe I do.  Actually, I believe I have two of them.  I was reminded of this today when our little soon to be two year old "Mylee" came to Sugar's house this morning.  She had a cute little pink and green pant and top set for me to dress her in.  Would you believe that the top said "Everyone Loves A Princess".  This grandmother was thinking how sweet that was and how true! 
Now that Mylee is just a few days away from being two, she has discovered the excitement of exploring new things to do.  It is almost like she can not wait to get to Sugar and Pops house because we will let her explore more than her parents do.  In her exploring, she has written on a wall or two, and poured the shampoo out into the tub, but not anything that I didn't think was just super funny....Today though, this could have been a different story.  Mylee loves jelly and we just happened to have breakfast this morning with biscuits and jelly. 
Long after we had finished breakfast, and I was busy doing my usual things in the morning, I heard a quietness that I usually do not here.  After calling her name a couple of times, I made my way to the kitchen.  There, to my surprise was Mylee with the refrigerator opened.  Yes, she had found her bottle of jelly.  Grape jelly was everywhere.  Her little eyes were almost all I could see.  She knew she was in some big trouble so she looked up at me and stuck our her little hand that had the bottle of jelly and said "elly".
This grandmother felt the biggest joy you could ever feel.  We got her little baby spoon out and sat down in the floor to enjoy a couple of spoonfuls of (elly) and laughter together. 
Experiences like this is what makes me so proud to be able to be a stay at home grandmother.  Mylee certainly is a little princess and I am very thankful for the Blessing she is. 
Do you know what?  I believe that "Everyone does love a princess"

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Joys of Journaling

My journals are reflections of my thoughts that have stood out in my mind.  There is no rule for writing down your most cherished moments or your deepest concerns.  I get so excited when I pull out a journal from years back and began to read.  These pages are so dear because I can see a glimpse of the past and yet my heart is filled when I see prayers that have been answered.  Sometimes there are particular words that just make me laugh. 
Just tonight, I read a page from one of my 2004 journals. I am so thankful that I took the time to write.  Sam and I had gone on a business trip and took some time to go visit my parents who were living in Brady.  This was written about four months before my mother passed away.  MY JOURNAL READS:  
Thank you God for a safe return.  Thank you for the opportunity that we have had to see my parents.  We had a wonderful time even though I was scared out of my wits.  My thoughts raced about all the things that I am terrified of like snakes, scorpions, and all the other horrifying things out there in that forsaken country. Not my cup of tea! Did I sleep?  NO!  I even needed night vision glasses.  I certainly do appreciate our peaceful part of the country.  This special time with my parents has made me realize even more of how Blessed I am.  Thank you God for allowing me to share quality time with my mother (my very dearest friend).  Her qualities go way beyond what I could ever dream of.  She is the BEST!  How sweet are her ways and her smile is beautiful...
Again God, Thank you for this special time. 
Thank you also for a great husband that loves me and takes care of me.  I pray your Blessings upon our family.  Protect my mother, dad and Tammy..  Protect the family that we love so much.
You are great Lord and I love you..


I would not take anything for this journal.  I would encourage everyone to take just a few minutes a day to write down the precious moments of life...

Monday, January 25, 2010

Stress, Stress, Go away!

Stress:  This is a word that is used too often!  What is stress? Something we can't handle, or events that we allow ourselves to get tangled up in.  Just today, I wanted to scream "Stress, Stress, go away".  I was guilty of taking on more than I could handle in one day.  The kitchen is one of my favorite places.  I love to cook and more than that, I love to bake.  I woke up this morning and was in the kitchen by 6:30 a.m.   This is something I do each morning.  Today, however, it turned into a seven hour job.  It was my job to supply the cookies at our regular Monday night bible study.  If I had just used the exact recipe for the cookies I was going to bake, I could have only had a three hour job.  Does anyone else ever decide to make up your own recipe?  I always have flour in my kitchen...Oh, but not today!  Quick trip to the store and I was back in the kitchen.  Flour everywhere, on me, on my grandaughter, the floor and then I remembered I had to pick up grandkids from school.  Stop, turn the oven off, head out the door for a ten mile drive and fight the after school traffic.  Now if I had just got out of bed this morning and made my way to the store to purchase six dozen cookies, I could have relaxed and been stress free.  Oh the choices we make!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

strongholds of the Heart

Strongholds of the Heart. What is a stronghold? It is exceptional security. The word security is dear to each of us..We look at this word when we speak of our finances, our home, our lives. We want that freedom from danger, freedom from anxiety and worry. What are we willing to risk to have this word security in our lives?

Sunday Thinking

  Happy St. Patricks Day!   🍀 Tomorrow, I will be filling my hummingbird feeders.  The little beauties should be arriving any day now.  I a...