Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Through the eyes of a blind child

Hey there, sweet friends....This is the day that the Lord hath made...let us rejoice and be glad in it!

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. 







Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown, For the world was intent on dragging me down.


And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play. He stood right before me with his head tilted down And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"




In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away.


But instead of retreating he sat next to my side And placed the flower to his nose and declared with surprise, "It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."


The weed before me was dying or dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."


But instead of him placing the flower in my hand, He held it mid-air without reason or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun As I thanked him for picking the very best one. "You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play, Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.


I sat there and wondered how he managed to see A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight? Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.


Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see The problem was not with the world; the problem was me. And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see beauty, and appreciate every second that's mine.




And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose And smiled as that young boy, another weed in his hand About to change the life of an unsuspecting man.


Does this story touch your heart?  It did mine!  Beauty surrounds us every where....it is up to us to find it!!


Shug ~

Sunday, July 29, 2012

What Works for You....

Are you siding with happiness today?



choosing happiness is a fun thing to do!
**

I just checked my post and would you believe that I have now posted 

889  

of the little boogers?

I feel certain that Mrs. Eva....(my High School English teacher) reads my post everyday...via the Heavenly News!

Of course, she probably is not happy about my use of the grammar rules!!!

She would be totally floored at how many times I use .....dot, dot, dot.

I guess it's my personal signature thing!!


***

I really do love writing!  

I suppose it would be nice for me to do something with all these words that I have written..
I want to keep them forever....

Have any of you ever had your writings printed?  I have noticed a "Blog 2 Print" ad and was wondering if any of you have ever used it?

How do you save all of your post? What do you do with them?
These are great things to know and to share!!

Fill me in on what works for you...

Think Happy Thoughts....

shug ~


Friday, July 27, 2012

Today's Story

My dear sweet friends.....for those of you who follow me on Face Book, you have probably already seen my status post, but I wanted to take the time to share it on my blog as well....


Our precious grandson, Tucker....has been away at camp all week long....CAMP ESPERANZA!  This is a week long camp that "Children's Medical" offers to the kids who now have OR 
who have in the past...had cancer.....


It is an awesome adventure for these kids and it brings about many smiles to each of their faces!!


This morning, I rode to Dallas with Trista (my pillow in hand) to pick Tucker up, as his bus was to return to the hospital around noon.


I could tell when he stepped off of the bus, that this had been a great week!  He was all smiles!!

He always has many things to share with us,  when he gets in the car, after a long week at camp.  Just this morning, I was reminded of a story he shared with us last year on the way home from Dallas....

Tucker told us about his fishing adventure and how he almost caught "netter"....a fish that he has been trying to catch for years.  Then he told us about a little girl that was in a wheel chair, but yet she wanted to catch a fish so, so bad...


Just so happens that Tucker had just snagged one.....but instead of reeling it in himself, he took his rod over to the little girl and gave her the excitement of bringing the fish in....He told us about the smile that covered her face and how she was so excited to have "Caught" a fish.


Well....on our way home today, I ask Tucker about this same little girl......I asked him if she got to fish this year....He said:
"No, Shug....she passed away this past year."  Oh my, my heart sank.


Each year, when the kids get to camp, they have a service in memory of those children who have lost their battle to cancer.
Tucker knew almost all of the kids who had passed on this past year.  


As my daughter Trista, (Tucker's mom) put it.....


"This is very hard on these kids, but it also puts life in perspective .....it's like a vapor"


Many of these kids are diagnosed around the same time, and they spend many hours sitting side by side during the course of treatment, whether they are receiving blood, chemo or other types of treatment....


They become like family.....they care about each other....they travel through the journey together.


I know that I have mentioned many times about how proud we are of Tucker, but today was just another one of those times when I realized the blessing that we have in him...


Last year, the only thing he knew to do was to help make this little girls wish come true....the wish to catch a fish....
But, he ended up giving her much more than that....He gave her a smile.....She in return Blessed Tucker by sharing the excitement of her joy!!


It is true....these kids are helping each other....they never know when they leave camp each summer, if they will ever see their friends again.  This is a great camp and such a great thing that the staff at Children's Medical does for these kids.


My heart was touched today!


Shug

Thursday, July 26, 2012

A Friend




I really feel Blessed....I am Blessed to have a "BEST"
friend....My wonderful husband, SAM!  The one I trust my heart with.  The one I adore...the one I love.  The friend that I am on a journey with...The friend that has walked beside me in this story of our lives...

My daughters are my BFF's 
These two girls bring me tons of joy....We have a bond that holds us together....and this bond is stronger than any glue! 
We giggle...we cry...we tell secrets...We get excited when
we see rainbows....We hold hands and we are always reaching for the Stars....


I am also Blessed to have my "Faithful"
friends....My "Masterpiece" friends!

Surely you all know what Masterpiece friends are...
These are the people that God, has so intricately 
woven into our lives.

These are people who know me well...they are unique because they live optimistic lives and they are always ready to bring encouragement to any situation.   We laugh with each other....we are able to share our joys as well as our sorrows.  Each of these friends are living expressions of God's kindness and I am truly thankful for each one.  I am thankful for the good times that we share....and I truly appreciate how they each refresh my soul.

These are all wonderful Blessings,
but nothing can compare to 
"The Friend I have in Jesus"

Heavenly Father, I truly have so much to be thankful for.  You have given me never-ending blessings.  Thank you for loving me...
Thank you for your Mercy and Grace! 

Blessings to All
Shug



Filled with Syrup

Face Book....it's the "In Thing"....




pull up a chair and grab a cup of tea...we have much to talk about....


Would you like to do a little:

Title-tattling, Dishing the Dirt, Scuttlebutting, 
Gabfesting, Babble, Chattering, Shooting the Breeze, Idel Chatting, grapevine listening,  Pipelining, so to speak?


What on Earth?  GOSSIP....


Is this 
(perfect hangout) which we all call Face Book, filled with syrup?  Thick, sticky, yummy syrup.....?


Or....does it deserve the title...."Gossip Fest"  I have heard it described as just that.....


I have to admit...I love FB!  I heart FB!   




It's a great place to communicate with your friends and for me, it's a great way to share my love for God.....I have found, via FB, many people have needs, great needs...It's an awesome thing to be able to be a prayer warrior for people who need our prayers..


I have on occasion, deleted people who I felt, were only using the site as a way to get their "High" on gossip....I have also been known to delete those who use bad language!!


It is important for us to avoid gossip at all times.  We can do so, by allowing words of inspiration and encouragement to be our focus.  


Proverbs 26:20  "Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down."  NIV


I'm a fan of FB...how about you?


Blessings, 
Shug











Wednesday, July 25, 2012

My Makeover! Makeover'S!



OK....ladies and all you handsome guys out there....
I'm having a makeover.....several makeovers to be exact!
Weeks of makeovers!!


I've heard they are fun!  New hairstyle...new makeup....and a brand new wardrobe....


Should I do a before picture and an awesome after picture?  Ummm....I'm gonna have to think about that.


Keep your big girl panties on, and don't be getting all jealous about this......after all...I'm jumping in deep here, and I need all the support I can get.  


Imagine with me here....can you see my face in the mirror?   I've hired the BEST makeup artist that I could afford...
Let me introduce them to you.....



Sam....
The Best Husband in the whole wide world!!






The BEST two daughters in the whole wide world......


I'm pretty sure that the girls will be doing most of my makeovers!
I can hear them now....."Hey Trista....this is our opportunity to change the way mom wears her eyeliner!"   "You're so right Shanda....no more smears....no more Black eyes!"................"Oh yea Trista...and we can accidentally throw away that pink blush, you know the one that she LOVES!"   "Hey Shanda, I won't tell if your won't tell!"  "And no more of that poofy hair."  "Yes...it's a must that we change her hairstyle."


Since my surgery is on my right shoulder....and since I am right handed.....I have to be at the mercy of my family...


Hair....makeup.....and even my wardrobe!! (wardrobe meaning, new pj's) = MAKEOVER!
I sure hope that this mirror can do some magic!!


hugs y'all
shug



Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Good News

Than k you all for your many prayers.
The good news is that my rotator cuff was not torn.  I did have a huge bone spur that had to be removed and a damaged bursa that was removed.  my next doctor's visit is August 2nd, so until then I won't know about physical therapy or time of recovery.



I'm so thankful that I don't have to one finger type all the time.  Whew, this is hard.


Reading all of your post and keeping up with you.  Hope to post later.


Blessings
shug





Thursday, July 19, 2012

Surgery Update

Ok friends......just to give you a quick update....My surgery is tomorrow!!  Friday @ 1:45......
Rotator cuff must be fixed!!


This means that tonight will be my last night to sleep in my bed for a week or so!  It's my understanding that with this type of surgery, it is much easier to sleep in a recliner.  :(


Just to let you all know....I do have a few post that I have already written, but  certainly not enough for every day of the week....
When I am able to write some more, I'll be pecking with my left pointer finger...Want that be fun??


As soon as I am able to discontinue the pain meds, I'll be back to reading your post...
Since I'm RIGHT handed and since it's my RIGHT shoulder that is being operated on, I am almost positive that I won't be leaving a lot of comments....


If by chance I am able to leave comments for each of you, I can promise they will be very short!!   


Bare with me and please know that I'm a big fan to each of you!!


Hugs....see ya in a few days!!


Shug

Trip and More



I'll admit....this is not the clearest picture....but one that is quite impressive....


This past Sunday, as we were traveling down an old country road near San Marcos, I saw this flag hanging from a tree. I only had seconds to snap this picture......It was a narrow road and there was a lot of traffic, so it wasn't possible for us to stop in order for me to get the perfect shot.  

Someone took the time to climb out on the limb and attach the flag to the tree.....It was a beautiful sight to see the American Flag hanging above the winding road......


Oh....BTW.....There is a "Rest of the Story" about our "Road Trip."


We arrived at our destination on Saturday evening and we let the girls (Myee and Tori) swim for a while.  Then we headed over to target for a little "Barbie Doll" shopping.  


Sunday morning came and we decided to take a drive out to Canyon Lake and down along the winding road by the river.
I noticed that Mylee didn't seem to be herself, and sure enough, she wasn't.....FEVER!   By Sunday night, her fever was up to 102 and she had a very bad headache....


Sam made a trip back over to target to pick up some medicine for her, and an hour later, he had to go back to pick up a few more things....Needless to say, we were up 4 or 5 times that night because Mylee felt so bad and need me to hold her.


By Monday morning, I knew I was going to have to bring her home.....So the girls and I packed up and headed out for our 5 hour trip home.  Sam had business to do, so he was not able to drive home with us...


The doctor said that Mylee has a viral infection that has been lasting about 10 days....As of today....she still does not feel very well....


The trip was cut short, but we did enjoy the time that we had with the girls...


Blessings today....
shug

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Simply Delicious!!


Check out these gorgeous babies.....Fish Tacos!  Honestly speaking, this plate of food is simply delicious....



On our recent "Road Trip"  ......we stopped at the 
"Gruene River Grill"......one of my favorite places to eat.
As a matter of fact, I think I blogged about this place, last year.
Not only is the food GREAT, but the window view is so relaxing...


this is just one of the views that we had from our table.
Can you see the baby deer that is standing on the river bank?


We watched the tubers as they floated down the river!
Sam and I have done this many times, and believe me....
It truly is a lot of FUN!!  Of course, I'm not crazy about the rapids that you have to cross..Makes me a little nervous!

Now....back to the fish tacos.  This is one of those dishes that you
just can't stop eating....The rice has a quite a bite...one that will warm your mouth rather quickly!!
The flavors in the tacos are very satisfying.  There is just a hint of sweetness that really comforts my tastebuds.

Great meal....I would recommend you try it, if you ever
stop in at the Gruene River Grill, in Gruene Texas....

This one stop made our trip AMAZING!

Do great things in your life, but do small things as well!!

Big Hugs,
shug ~



Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Beast of Perfectionism





Well....I'm back at it!  I find myself trying to be in control of other people's actions and motivations.


Definition of Motivation....



  1. The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
  2. The general desire or willingness of someone to do something.

Do I....Do I.... honestly believe that I have any control, in the lives of someone other than myself?  I find myself desperately trying to run the show!   The only thing that gets run down is my worry button!  It is getting worn down, REAL FAST....and nobody even knows or cares, except ME!

I have  a beast of perfectionism living within me.  Are any of us perfect?  NO...and certainly not me.  So, why oh why do I always find myself getting "wired" when I cannot change a situation....

How can someone have 1/2 traits?  I think I do!  Half of me prefers perfectionism and the other half, just rolls with the flow!!

I don't want to be the person that always thinks my way is BETTER!  My way may be best for me, but who's to say that  my way will work for someone else.... 

I suppose that the best thing I could do for myself and for others, is just to give us all a beautiful gift....a SMILE and move on!

Why worry....Be happy!  

"I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile."
                                        Job 9:27  NIV


Happy Day.....
Shug ~


Sunday, July 15, 2012


I just love all of the charming 
"Texas Sage" that just thrives in the South.

This particular plant, along with all the cactus sure adds a lot of beauty to the Texas landscape!!

******
We have already been to Target two times.  Coloring books and notepads last night, plus a few other things....

Of course, we had to have a contest last night!  The first one to fall asleep gets a prize!! 
The winner?
Both girls....

This called for our second trip to  the all famous Target store....
This time they picked out dolls!!

Dolls for Dolls.....how sweet.

Now we are heading out the door to go swimming...

more news later!

Let the Sunshine In.....

shug

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Texas Road Trip



Road Trip!!   

There's nothing like a good ol' Texas road trip. 

Three girls and Pops (Sam)......and we are heading South....as in South Texas.

Sam has a business meeting, which begins tomorrow.....so Tori, Mylee and I decided we would tag along and keep him company.


Who knows what these Texas girls might do...whatever it is....I know that Pops will glad he brought us along!!!

Y'all have a fabuloso kind of day!!

Keep Shining..

shug

Friday, July 13, 2012

The Right Key

I have spent many hours throughout my lifetime, looking for keys....the right key!  The right key to unlock the right door.


Take a key chain, filled with keys....so often, the keys look just alike (with the exception of my big ol' Post Office Box Key)


It's very hard to select that one particular key that you need and it's especially difficult to find it, when it is dark...
This is why I now have those plastic colored rings on each of my keys...


Red is for this door....green is for this door...blue is for another door......and so on and so on!


One thing is for sure.....If you don't have the right key.....You won't be getting in!!!


Did you know that life has keys as well.....One of those life keys is ATTITUDE.


To be able to embrace the fullness of life, we must have the right key for our attitude!  Attitude is by far, one of the most important keys that we will ever need....


We need it in our Spiritual life...We need it in our emotional life....and we need it in our EVERYDAY life.  This attitude key can make you a winner!  It can definitely change how you look at the world.. It opens up our character, and with the right key, our character defines us as a person with a great mindset.


An attitude key can bring you health and happiness....it can also bring about inner peace and inspiration during those times when you need it most.


This is one key that I want in my possession at all times...
I want to make sure that this one is marked with a bright Neon color.  A color that attracts my attention.  I want to be able to find it, even in the darkest times.  


Do you know where your attitude key is?  Does it work?
These are questions that I ask myself every single day.....


Hey....I want to be a winner!!


God Bless....


shug ~


Thursday, July 12, 2012

Fear Had Me Trembling

Have you ever been afraid?  


So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand.
                                                       Isaiah 41:10 NIV




Do you recollect any time in your life when you were gripped by fear?  Sad to say, I have experienced many sleepless nights because of dreaded fear.  I allowed doubt to slip in and rob me 
of all my strength.  


I even remember as a child, how I was alarmed by fear at times.

My grandfather was a farmer....oh yes, he farmed acres and acres of tomatoes, potatoes, and peas of all kinds.


Many family members helped in making sure that the crops were harvested, but not me!  Evidently, I was not good a good farm hand........
 Therefore....my job was to stay home and watch after my little
brother, who was only 6 years old at the time.


This wasn't a very hard job at all....but at the time, I thought it was slave work.   My mom, sister and older brother (who helped my grandfather) were usually home by noon, and since Joe and I always slept in, this only gave me about two and half, maybe three hours to be the responsible party of the household...


One morning around 9 o'clock or so, I was busy doing my chores, and as always....Listening to the radio!  I loved listening to the radio as I worked......On this one particular day, my radio suddenly quit playing.   What?  I went to check the little brown box and what I saw, scared me to death....   It was unplugged!!  WHO?  Who had unplugged the thing?  I gently plugged it back in and went on about my business....


A few minutes later the radio stopped playing again......As I glanced over at the plug, I could see that the cord was on the floor...unplugged again!!  FEAR had me trembling!  My thoughts? Someone (ELSE) was in that house!


I immediately went to the living room, grabbed Joe by the hand and headed out the door....Just so happens that there was a quilt sitting on the sofa....I grabbed it as well...


For the next 3 1/2 hours, Joe and I sat outside, on that quilt, under a big tree....AND, IT WAS SO HOT OUTSIDE!!   Joe had no idea what was going on, and I was thankful that he had some trucks outside to play with....If he wanted a drink....he got it from the outside water hose.


I'm telling you....I was scared to death, but I didn't want Joe to know because he would have been scared as well....




I thought my mom would never get home......

When she did arrive home, she could tell that something was wrong with me....After telling her my story, she gave me the biggest  hug ever....I instantly felt safe.   We walked into the house and the first thing she did, was to tell me that I had nothing to be afraid of.
The  reason the cord kept falling out of the plug, was because the prongs were worn down and did not have a tight fit that was needed for it to securely stay in the socket....




I will never, ever forget that one summer's day!!








We have no reason to fear because God's word says that "HE is with us"  Our part is to rest in HIM and to let HIM sustain us.  
God does not fail!!  We need to lean on HIM and trust HIM to 
take care of us....



HOLD FAST TO HIS HAND!!


I  LOVE MY CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND I PRAY THAT YOUR DAY IS BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE....


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...