Sunday, July 31, 2011

The Sun Is Always Shining...

Time is really a precious gift, and I am truly thankful to spend a few minutes of my time, with you (my friends) on this beautiful day!




There is a lot to be said about the sunshine and all the heat that we have had

this summer, but today I want you all to see a different kind of sunshine.


It's called the sunshine of Life!

Sometimes there are so many clouds in the sky and the sun becomes lost way back

behind them......and then there is the darkness of the night time when all

we are able to see is the black sky, the stars and the moon in it's ever changing 

season.  God, in all of His infinite wisdom planned this all out in total perfection.


The same holds true in our daily lives.....which are so similar to the sky.....

We have  dull times the boring times and even difficult times in our lives.

We also have trials, disappointing times, and those deep valley kind of days.

Thank goodness, then SON is always shining!!
The Son is always here....always near!


Just as we prepare ourselves for those hot sunny days, by protecting our skin, our eyes, and

our body temperature..........WE MUST prepare ourselves for our daily living....

We must read God's word.....we must pray.....we must have an intimate relationship

with our Heavenly Father....


Then the sun will always shine in our hearts....We will be able to let love, compassion, kindness, and

gentleness shine through us!   The fruits of the spirit will be able to speak through us to many

other people.....


By doing so, the sun is always shining......


Blessings and Love.....

shug








Saturday, July 30, 2011

Way Too Hot Saturday...



Went to First Monday this morning....WAY TOO HOT!

I purchased two cute, darling, adorable tops, and Sam....well he bought two neat things for my backporch....I'll take some pictures of his big purchases and post them this next week...

We leave for Florida next Friday and It just can't come soon enough...I know that Florida is called the "Sunshine State"
but I think the sun must be a bit confused....It feels  all of it's rays are burning right on top of TEXAS!

****************

Simply said....It's way too hot to even think today. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a few degrees cooler.....suppose to be 107 degrees by Wednesday!  Yikes!!

Hugs,

shug

Friday, July 29, 2011

Like Kids In A Candy Store.....

Happiness is....great excitement .......Today I am Happy...today, I am excited!


We are on our way to Dallas to pick up Tucker from his week at Camp Esperanza   and ....... Tyler just got home from Church Youth Camp........
                                 
                                  Yay!!  this is excitement for me!!





Yesterday was my kind of day....I had planned to stay home all day and finish cleaning out cabinets....and then....the phone rang.  "Mom...this is Trista. Shanda and I are going to town. Dillard's is having a huge sale. Do you want to go?"

The obvious answer....."YES I DO.....WHAT TIME DO I NEED TO BE READY?"

You see, the only thing that would keep me from a day of shopping with my girls would be if Rascal Flatts was coming to town!!  (I just love these guys)  My plants were watered, the house was clean, the dog was fed, and I was dressed and ready to go by 9:00 a.m.

The girls + Mylee came by to pick me up and off we went....First stop, the Mall...Dillard's.
They were having a BETTER than good sale...40% off of already marked sale items!!  OMG..OMG...WOW!  We were like a bunch of kids in a candy store....


We were going from one department to the other, looking for all the great deals.  My stomach was growling, but there was NO time to stop and look at our (Phone clocks) to see why I was so hungry....We found some terrific deals and made a lot of purchases.   The time?  1:40 pm.   We had missed our usual 11:30 lunch time....Oh well...we would just have a late lunch and then it would be time for the TARGET store!  By the time we finished shopping at Target, it was already 3:00.

I needed to get home and so off we went.....But.....Uh, Oh....we were almost home and then we spotted it....A Huge Red Garage Sale Sign!  We make a U-turn (at the light) and back we go.....This was a really good garage sale....Both of the girls came home with a arm load of practically brand new clothes, shoes, jewelery, and purses....

Trista found a super nice coffee table (just like the one she had been looking for) and a super nice end table for her new living room....They were cheap!  Shanda found a bookshelf
a rug, and several other small items that were also cheap!

The Time??........5:15 p.m.    Oh my goodness....We had been gone for 7 1/2 hours!!

OH DEAR......It was a wonderful day!!  A day of shopping with my girls!!

Happy Friday to ya!

Shug ~

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Watch Out For The Nickle.....

Good Morning.....It's a splendid thing to know that God is already here....He is in this day....He is walking beside me...His mercy's are new every morning.... and I Praise His name!

                                                               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~



I love to wear jewelry!   My favorite two things are long dangle ear rings, and bracelets of all kinds..... I think that multiple bangles are attractive looking and besides, I love the sound that they make when they clink together!

In my opinion, jewelry just completes an outfit........Wouldn't you know it though, it just so happens that I am allergic to a lot of metals that jewelry is made out of, and I am especially allergic to NICKLE!

Is there anyone else out there that has this problem?  If so, you know how annoying it can be when you try to wear earrings, a necklace or bracelet, and you end up with blister bumps on your skin....

If I leave earrings IN my ears for more than ten minutes, it leaves me itching for days...
I can wear the clip kind of earrings, but the selections are very few.....Like I said, I love the earrings that dangle and are long, but I very seldom find them in clip earrings....

(I've tried all those little things that is suppose to help....like putting clear nail polish on the studs and buying the sensitive skin earrings.....just doesn't work for me)

Ever once in a while, I will throw on a bracelet or a necklace just for a change and I can usually get by wearing them for just a while....Lately, I have been wearing some bangles, and a few weeks ago I noticed a couple of little bumps on my arm....They were itching like crazy, but for some unknown reason (like I'm too busy to pay attention to what I'm doing) the thought of it being the same old thing.......  (nickle in the bracelets) never crossed my mind....

OK....so I have this phobia about BED BUGS.......I immediately thought "Oh Geez....surely I don't have bed bugs!"  (Yikes, I have never seen one, but there sure is a whole lot of talk about them these days)

All I know about Bed Bugs is the little saying that I say to my grandkids....

Night, Night..
Sleep Tight....
Don't let the bed bugs bite
and if they do, take off your shoe
next time, they won't bother you!

Well Girls....and guys, I checked my bed thoroughly and with no site of bed bugs, I began to think ?????......where are these bumps coming from?  Then I remembered the bracelets. 
Sure enough....not wearing the bracelets has been the cure.....Bumps are gone...



Here is something that you all may want to know....for years, the inside of my mouth would stay irritated all the time...My tongue was so sore and constantly felt as if I had burned it.  One day, while I was visiting with my dentist, I asked him what the fillings in my mouth were made of ....
Guess what??   NICKLE!

Over a span of about six months, I had all those fillings replaced $$*#$$* with porcelain and in less than two months, my mouth was clear.....Woo Hoo!!

Just sayin' .....If you have any of these issues, you just might want to check for nickle allergies...

Another thing that I have recently learned is that cigarette smoke contains nickle....I am guessing that this is the reason I get sick when I am around any kind of cigarette smoke...



I suppose I could just always wear this kind of jewelry....wouldn't have to worry about blisters on my skin.....

Thanks for reading Shug's 101 class .........Allergies of Nickle......


Sweet Blessings,

shug ~




Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Just Something I Want To Do!

Ok....There is Just something that I want to do, but I don't know how......

I think I have mentioned before, that I am a visual learner.....I can have all kinds of patterns right in front of me, but they are totally useless when it comes to my learning abilities......

I need the personal attention I guess....If I can watch someone doing a craft, then I can usually pick right up on it...once I see something done, I'm really a fast learner....




 Take this for example.....This is something that I know I could do if only I could find someone to teach me....What is it you ask?   

Rug Hooking......wool rug hooking!


This is just something that I have always wanted to do and someway, somehow....I am determined to learn...

So...yesterday I went back to the only place (store) that I know of that has classes that teach you how to rug hook....Maybe I should say the only place that is close to me without having to drive a hundred miles...

This is the fourth time that I have been in to sign up for a class....They either lose my phone number or the class is made up of club members and they are not interested in having new members....Needless to say, I have not been called for the class yet...


I know that I will need one of these, so should I take a chance and ask for a hooking frame for my birthday?

I don't think so....no need to get it and have it just sitting there in the closet, not being used....

This is truly something I want to do, so I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed that I get a call SOON!!

Who knows...when I do learn.....my first piece may just have to be a GIVE-A-WAY!!

Have a good day and don't forget to pray...for our Country!

blessings,

shug ~



Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The Time Is.....Now




Is this a beautiful sky or what?......It was absolutely breathtaking to see!  This was the scene that we enjoyed while driving to the farm this past Sunday evening.....

                                    *******************

The Time is NOW!!

I am not one that tends to be very outspoken when it comes to politics, but I think the time is NOW........

We need to look for and find God in this nation.  We then need to keep Him close......Instead, we are allowing our government to push Him aside as they slowly UN-invite His presence in our country. 

There is a storm going on in this wonderful nation that we live in.....Our hope and confidence in knowing that God is the foundation that we stand on, is slowly and surely being yanked from underneath us..

God has planned ahead for us.  BUT.....His planning and provision for the good ol' USA is being ignored and  abused.  The time is NOW,  for us to take a stand!  There is disbelief going on in our government parties and it is time for us, as Christian citizens to let our voice be heard.....We desperately need to contact "Washington"and let our Congressmen know that this kind of conduct is not acceptable..

It is not my intentions in any way to judge people, but with all that is going on with the "Ceiling Debt" I just have to wander what the results would be if our congress took just ONE day and joined together in prayer to find the answer......This would result in shared hope of bringing this wonderful Country back to where it needs to be.

Yes, the time is NOW for each of us to do our part....We need to pray...We need to fast....we need to contact our Congressmen and we need to stand firm in what we believe in.......which is God Almighty....the Alpha and Omega.....the beginning and the END!

Blessings to each of you on this beautiful day that the Lord has made.

shug ~

Monday, July 25, 2011

Camp Esperanza.....

Hey Ya'll.....I just have to tell you how excited I am!  This is a great, wonderful week!!



Do you see this big beautiful bus?  Our grandson (Tucker) is on this bus!!

I'm pretty sure that most of you are aware that 5 years ago, Tucker was diagnosed with Leukemia.....This was not a happy time for any of us.  The scriptures say that we are to be joyful in all things, but I need to tell you that my joy was not shining much at this time....

We had one sick little boy and it broke my (our) hearts to see him go through chemo, radiation, shots, blood transfusions and the many other things that he had to endure....

But......today, 5 years later, his leukemia is in remission.  This next month is the anniversary date and this is a huge milestone.

Saying all of this, let me tell you just how great "Children's Hospital" is.   This place is more than WONDERFUL!
The doctor's, the staff and volunteers go way beyond what you could imagine to take care of these kids that have or have had cancer.....

This week is a special week.    It's Camp Esperanza (Esperanza is a Spanish word for HOPE) week.   I wish I had pictures to show you of this very special camp....(Maybe later)

The kids that are attending this week are cancer patients, or they have already fought their battle and are in remission...
There is HOPE at this camp....there is love....and there is an acceptance that a lot of kids do not feel when they are in the fight of their life....


I am so proud of this place and proud of the people that "GIVE" in order for these kids to be able to experience so much....It speaks very highly of doctors and nurses that give their time (some even take vacation days) to work this camp and make it a huge success for these children....

Meds still have to be administered at camp, so doctor's and nurses are required to be on call at the on-site medical clinic, "The Band Aid Box". 



Here is a picture of Tucker signing in......



Tucker and his friend Jake.....Jake was diagnosed a year later than Tucker....He lives in a community just about 15 miles from our town...



More friends.....the one in the red is Trey, our youngest grandson....He just rode up to Dallas with his pops to take Tucker to his pick-up location....




Time to load up......The kids meet at the hospital and then the they are loaded up on charter buses that takes them out to the camp.



One more look back at his Pops!



OK....maybe 2 looks back.....



The wave bye.....


We will go back to Dallas on Friday to pick him up and I can promise you that he will be all smiles....of course, you will find a few big smiles on our faces too!!!


Have a great evening....

shug ~

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Jesus On The Main Line........

Jesus on the main line....tell Him what you want......




I went around singing this song most of the day yesterday....I have  no idea why...I haven't even heard this song in years.  Perhaps it was for this post!  Perhaps I am suppose to help someone or to encourage them....To tell them that Jesus knows our hurts...He knows what any of us might be going through.  He knows when we are fighting a battle....He knows our pain...

When thoughts of discouragement or bouts of sadness overtake you, TELL JESUS....  As the song says....The line to Jesus is never too busy!

Never too busy for our burdens....Jesus longs for us to come to Him, to communicate with Him, to spend time with Him....It's important for us to bring our needs before Him..   As a matter of fact, we need to come to Him with honest prayers, transparent prayers.

We need to name our hurts, our illnesses, our disappointments, we need to bring them before Him and share with Him what we really feel, what is really on our heart....By doing so, we are asking God to love on us, to hold us, to heal us and clean us up....

Not only is He able to meet our needs, but He is able to mold us into a brand new  vessel that He can use for His glory.....

If you have a need today.....Don't be afraid, call Him up, call Him up, because Jesus is always on the main line!


Blessings My Sweet, Precious Friends......

Shug ~

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Join Together In Prayer

I love to wake up early on Sat. mornings and ride to the farm with Sam...during the summer months he is constantly checking on the water and the irrigation systems.

This morning was like no other, we got up and drove just a few miles to the big farm that is just South of town...


Here is a picture of the clouds of dust that followed us throughout the farm.....Let me tell you, IT IS DRY!




Dust and Dirt is everywhere.......




This huge irrigation reel is turning 24/6 during a weeks time....Sunday is the only day that it's not up and running.


The gun shoots the water 200 feet on each side....a total of 400 feet across.....


There have been some years, when the irrigation system is used very little during the growing season, but this is a year of DROUGHT!



It is a huge and very tiring job to move all of the irrigation system from field to field, but it all has to be watered.....



And.....it pays off in the end!



Take a look at what was just above us......Looks like a huge rain cloud.....not one drop of rain fell at the farm.




I posted this picture of the lake yesterday.
Just wanted to show you how (LOW) the lake is....It's about 5 feet lower than it usually is....those are dead tree stumps in the lake which are normally under water...

There are a lot of farmers losing crops due the drought, not only here in Texas, but in neighboring states as well.....

I believe in prayer and I believe in the power of prayer....so let's all join together in prayer for rain to fall upon the regions that are in such desperate need....

Hope you have a safe, wonderful weekend....

Stay Cool.....

Shug ~




Friday, July 22, 2011

O Happy Days......

Good Morning Ya'll, from the big "City with a Heart"....
It's a whopping 83  degrees this morning, but it already feels like 90.





There may not be any rain in the forecast...... but this one thing I know, God is my HOPE.  I pray that HE will fill the reservoir of my heart to overflowing with the peace of knowing that He is in control....He is always on time and the rain will come.  I look forward to seeing that beautiful rainbow of everlasting Hope that follows the rain.

                                    ******************

For those of you who asked.....This past Tuesday, I had
(in the Office) surgery on my right thumb.   After my carpal tunnel surgery, my right thumb just kept locking up, which was causing me not to be able to pick up anything and was limiting the use of my right hand....

After (painfully) deadening my hand, the doctor made an incision and cut the tendon that was causing the "trigger finger."  He then gave me about six stitches just at the base of my thumb....it is very sore!  BTW...Sam quietly used his phone to video the whole procedure....for which I have no intentions of seeing....

Today, (1)  I am grateful to have the opportunity to fix my hand.

(2) I am also grateful for my wonderful husband, who has taken such good care of me.....

(3)I am thankful that Trista is doing much better, following her surgery last week....

(4)I'm extremely thankful for the love that surrounds me

AND.....

(5)I am very appreciative for God's amazing love.

My wish for each of you is that there will pockets full of sunshine and splashes of joy to fill your heart today.....

Sweet Blessings from the Lord....

shug

Thursday, July 21, 2011

I See You've Met Mary

Howdy ya'll......It is Hot!

Everywhere I go, I hear those three words...."It Is Hot"
We have set a record.....20 straight days of over 100 degree weather. WOW!!!



Isn't this a cute "Pink" sun hat?

I have quite a story to tell you about the pink sun hat that I saw today....

I had a doctor's appointment early this morning and after I saw the doctor, I had to go to the lab....

Just so happens that there was only one technician working the lab for two different doctor's.  One being my doctor and the other was a pediatrics office....

As I rounded the corner to make my way to the waiting room for the lab, my eyes immediately were set upon a lady sitting there with five children...Ages 10 to 3 and she was about 8 months pregnant...

As I went to sit down, the only chair available was between the two girls and the oldest little boy.

On the other side of the girls was another lady that was waiting to go to the lab...

Now, these two little girls were full of energy...The youngest one was trying her best to get the lady to try on her pink sun hat...The lady was trying her best to avoid having the hat put on her head.  

Suddenly, the girl noticed that the lady had a tooth missing on the side of her mouth.  She wanted to know if the tooth fairy brought the lady anything for losing the tooth. At one point, Girl A put her finger on the lady's lips and pulled them down so she could get a better look at the missing tooth!  Oh my goodness...this lady was soooo excited when the lab tech finally called her back...

Guess who was next?  Next it was me.  Here came girl A and Girl B.
They latched on to me faster than I could think....

You see, I just had six stitches put in my thumb this past Tuesday...(another story) and for some reason, both girls were very determined to see my finger...

Of course, I'm thinking....GET AWAY!  My thumb is hurting and I don't want anyone looking at my nasty thumb, much less try to touch it....and I must admit that I was thinking of all the little germs that could be lurking on those fingers....

While I was trying desperately to take their attention away from my thumb, out of the corner of my eye, I saw this pink thing flying through the air, headed right for my head...It was the pink sun hat...

One was trying to put the hat on my head while the other one had a hold of my necklace.   I couldn't take it anymore... I suddenly got up and walked out towards the hallway....

Who would be their next target?  It was a man....a man wearing an orange shirt....He seemed to be a very quite man, but he was about to be introduced to two very un-quite little girls...

As I stepped around the corner, the first lady was coming out and she said to me...."I see you've met Mary"

Yes, Mary was the name of the youngest little girl.....As the lab tech finished drawing my blood, she called the guy in the orange shirt back...as he made his way to the door, I saw that pink hat flying through the air, headed straight for his head...

She missed his head, but the look on his face was totally unforgettable...He looked like he had been put through a wringer.  I said to him...."I guess you've met Mary"....and he smiled....

I have no idea who the next lucky guy or gal was that got to meet Mary and her sister, but one thing I do know is that they would soon have the privilege of trying on a "Pink Sun Hat"



One would ask what the mother was doing through all of this....she would just giggle and say "Now Mary....he/she does not want to try on your hat".....

Oh My.....I'll bet that in the upcoming weeks, some teacher will be throwing that pink sun hat in the Lost and Found box.....


Whew!

Stay Cool!!

Shug ~


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Fun In The Mud


Mud pies...who doesn't like making mud pies?

I remember those days very well.  As a matter of fact, it was some of my favorite times as a child.  Baking those mud pies and playing outside with my sister, my brothers, my cousins and friends...

I had three of the grand kids (Trey, Tori, and Mylee) at the house the other day.  They were just hanging out in the house watching TV, playing games on my IPad, and really doing nothing...

Then it happened.....Mylee wanted to watch "Dora" and the other two said that was a baby show...
Now you would think that with four TVs around, that they would all be able to watch what they wanted, but...seems they all wanted to watch the TV in our family room..


But...Shug had the perfect cure for all this bit of fussing...

"OUTSIDE"

They could not believe that they were going to
have to go outside and play...

And, when I set up the table with all the muffin pans, spoons, knifes and etc. they were looking at me like I had lost my mind.  "What are you doing shug?"  was the question...

I said:  "You all are fixing to play in the mud!" Their response... "but, it hasn't rained....there is no mud"

Me......"Ya'll are gonna make mud"



And so they did.....These kids had a blast...
Dirt, water .......MUD

They played for hours!







They had a "Wonderful" day....



After playing in the water, it was shower time.....When they were all clean as could be...

It was cookie time!  Cookies and Milk!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Honestly....we need to teach kids how to really

"Play"

................

Have fun today ya'll....

Shug ~

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

My First Cloche


Good Morning form the Big State of "TEXAS"

Let me tell you, this state is Sunny and HOT!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I have been so very excited about today.....I am joining Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life 
for a Summer Cloche Party...

This will be my first ever "link" to a party!  I can't wait!!


I am * (49) *...... and I must admit that until last year, I had never heard of the word

"Cloche"

Funny isn't it?  I am a country girl, but from what I now know....even most country girls own a cloche!

My blogging friends have certainly educated me about these things they call cloches....

(The cloche that I'm displaying today is a solid piece of glass shaped like a dome)

The above tad of info is for those of you, who like me, do/did not have a clue about these things...



I did purchase one and I will be on the look out for several more.  I have discovered that I can do all kinds of things with these glass domes....



Just simply make a few changes, and you suddenly have a brand new look....




Mylee often will say...."shug...I no touch dat?"

and shug says..."That's right Mylee!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I have enjoyed being here today and hope to join other parties real soon.....

Here's hoping you all have a Blessed day!

Shug ~




Monday, July 18, 2011

Along the Pathway



The wonder of living is held within the beauty of silence, the glory of the sunlight, the sweetness of a warm summer's day, the quite strength of the earth, and the love that lies at the very root of all things.

When we take time to notice the smallest, even the simplest things in life, we never have to lack for encouragement.  We are surrounded by God's awesome love and assurance...

 Live your life enjoying the footpath to peace. Instead of rushing through the day, stop and consider the hand that gave life to that newly-opened flower....the hand that brings forth the beauty of silence and the hand that guides us along that pathway of fulfillment...

Blessings to each of you...  Hugs and more hugs!

Shug ~

Sunday, July 17, 2011

The Light is FREE....

 Hey Friends... Hope you are finding joy in this, the Lord's day......

It is always our conscious choice as to which path we will choose....Happiness or self pity!

                          ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~



                Check it out....My bargain lamps.

I purchased new lamps for our bedroom last year, but I just never felt comfortable with the way they looked and the light was way too bright....

I have been on a hunt to find something that would be more soothing to our eyes, and something that enhanced the look in our bedroom....



I happened upon a garage sell a couple of weeks ago
and right before my eyes were these beautiful lamps.

I had no idea where I was going to use them in the house, but they were just too pretty to pass up.

I asked the young lady how much she wanted on the set of lamps and to my amazement, she said: "For you, they are FREE!"  Wow, what a deal!

You never know what kind of bargain you might find at a garage sell, even if the garage sell is at your own daughter's house.....Yep, it was Trista's GS!

These lamps were in Trista's family room, but the colors did not go well with the colors of their new home....  "Lucky Me"....        NO, "Blessed Me"



I brought the lamps home and my first thought was to use them in my living room....but then, a "light" went off in my head and my second thought was..."these just may look great in our bedroom."

Sure enough.....they do!

Two beautiful "FREE" lamps....just can't beat it!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fill your day with goodness...

Shug ~

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...