Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Christmas My Child.....

The Christmas decorations are coming to life around here.....
(Well....at least they are in the family room)

Beautiful red and gold ornaments adorn our tree and

the shimmering lights are as pretty as can be!!

It's the time of year when our hearts soar.   When we often experience the whimiscal magic that is busy dancing in the air all around us.....

Joy is persued to the fullest and it produces a magnetic personality within us.  A magnetic personality that pulls and tugs at us deep within,  as we find complete happiness in the spirit of Christmas...



Christmas magic weaves a spell of excitement for the young and old alike......  There are memories made and memories shared, memories that are forever captured in our minds....



  We suddenly are able to witness the changes in the character of our little ones, at just the mention of that jolly old man named Santa Claus




Just seeing the colors of green and red brings about great enthusiasim, anticipation and exhilaration to every soul....




Every year...at this time, I love being a kid again...
I truly love the anticipation of celebrating the beautiful
birth of our Lord and Savior....


* * * *

(Christmas, my child, is love in action.  Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.)
                Dale Evans


Christmas truly is a beautiful season...

hugs,
shug ~




Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Trying so Hard...


It's beginning to look a lot like

Christmas around here!!







Just kidding......the above picture was taken at the doorway that leads into my KITCHEN!!

Have you ever seen such a mess?  Will I have to set my beautiful kitchen Christmas tree on top of this mess?   It is certainly beginning to look that way...

I must NOT tell any white lies....I am a bit overwhelmed right now....
So...I do hope you all can understand my reasoning for not making an appearance at your place.    During these past two weeks, my comments have dropped and I know it is because I have struggled just to get a post up....Please don't forget about me!!  I promise to be back in full swing next week.....

I do have a portion of our home decorated for Christmas, and I will be sharing some of  the pictures with you tomorrow...I wanted so bad to make it to Marty's TTT this week, but it just didn't happen...

Thanks to all of you who have stopped by..... and just to let you know, my kitchen and bathroom floor will be put down tomorrow...For now, we are living in only a portion of the house with one end being completely off limits. 

By this coming weekend, I should be able to put everything back in it's place and get on with life....

for now....Please know that I am trying so very hard!!

Hugs...
shug

Monday, November 28, 2011

Stories to Tell...

Geez.....It sure is cold here....around 30 degrees this morning, but I sure do love it!!  I'll take these temps any day over the 105 and above days we had this past summer!!

As they say....You can always add more layers of clothing, but you can only take so many off!!


Isn't this a beautiful picture?  I just love old barns and old tractors....This pictures captures both of them.

I think it's all about the history that draws me into the excitement of taking pictures of old things...

I'm sure that there are so many stories that could be
told, if only we took the time to listen...Perhaps this old barn and this old tractor were the means by which a family was able to survive in years past....

Isn't this the way it is with life?  We all have stories we could tell about our relationship with the Lord...
How, His mercy and grace has shaped our lives...

Day by day and season by season, God loves us and watches over us.... He has been the solid rock that I stand on, He has been the strength that has carried me through some tough times and He still is my strength for today.  I want to make sure that I share God's love  with all those that I come in contact with...If an all-knowing, all-powerful God is willing to share everything with me, then I should be willing to share the stories of His goodness with others...

It is because of my relationship with the Lord that I can share with you how happy and Blessed I am....

* * * * * *

Do you have big plans for today?  My plans are to visit each of you and to catch up on all your post...
see ya later!!

Shug....


                                                      

Sunday, November 27, 2011

What a Friend...

The old familiar hymn begins,

"What a friend we have in Jesus......"

These words that were penned a long time ago, are beautiful and true....

Jesus Christ gave His own life so that we might have eternal life.

What a Friend!! 



Hugs....

shug ~

Saturday, November 26, 2011

I Survived....


Ladies and Gentlemen......"I Survived Black Friday!"

My day started at 3:00 A.M. and ended at 10:45 P.M.

I'm too tired to count the hours right now....

I think it was something like almost 20 hours of FUN!!


We shared in a few moments like the one above, when some of us needed to have a quick "Shut-eye"
moment.....


Let me share with you, just a few scenes of our
long shopping day....



























Dinner with the family at 6:30 and then it was back
to the Mall.....stink and All....

Yep, we ate at a "Mexican Food" restaurant and
and I must say that the smell followed us right out the door!  (I was so glad to get home and get the smell washed out of my hair)

* * *

This was just a portion of our day....
and to you (My Grandkids) I know you thought I was going to post pictures of the gifts that I purchased!!

Nope.....Your "SHUG" is a smart lady and I know that you read my blog everyday!!


* * * *

Hope you all enjoy the weekend....

Many sweet hugs to each of you!!

Shug

Friday, November 25, 2011

Today's Agenda

Good Morning......

This notice is to let you all know

that I am out shopping today....

My girls and I just can not resist

our wonderful shopping adventures on "Black Friday"

I'll return late tonight and

I am almost certain that I will

have some good stuff and pictures

to share with you on my next

post....

Stay tuned and if you think of me

today, please say a little prayer

for my feet...and my knees, and my

entire body....

Hugs to you all!

Shug

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Enter His Gates.



Happy Thanksgiving Y'all...



Enter His gates with Thanksgiving

and His courts with Praise; give

thanks to Him and Praise His name.

For the Lord is good and His Love endures

forever; His faithfulness continues

through all generations....

             Psalm 100:4-5


Wishing each of you a beautiful day filled with
many Blessings..

shug....

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Those who Possess this Gift


First among the things to be thankful for

is a thankful spirit......

Hapy are they who possess this gift!

Blessings may fail and fortunes vary,

but the thankful heart remain.......

Shug....

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The Old Dinner Table


Those where the "Good Ol' Days."

How many of you are "Young"

enough to remember the times when

families ate meals... TOGETHER

at the FAMILY dining table?



I can certainly remember those times....As a matter of fact, there was seldom a day that passed, when we DID NOT have dinner together.....

Sitting around that dinner table was so special....The time we shared with each other, the exchanging of the details of things that had happened in our day, the discussions of report cards, and most of all, the love that was shared.....

It was a time for us to all connect as a family and to spend quality time together. Often, we would rush to see who could grab that special piece of chicken with the "Wish Bone" in it, FIRST...

I can for sure tell you that there were a lot of wishes made at that old dinner table...

When mom called for us to come to dinner, you can bet that we all raced to find OUR spot at that table!

(There wasn't such a word as "Snacks" when I was growing up!  We ate breakfast, lunch, and Supper!)

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

Family Traditions...Family gatherings around the dinner table, Being thankful for the things we have and our love for one another...This is what Thanksgiving is all about.... 


Blessings to my wonderful friends..

Shug ...
  


Monday, November 21, 2011

Grandmother Duty....




A child was asked, "Where is your home?"
Looking up with loving eyes at his mother, he replied,

"Where mother is."

* * * *

This morning, I had the opportunity to attend a "Grandparents Breakfast" at our local elementary.

This invitation came to me, not from one of our grandchildren, but from a teacher.....who just happens to be our youngest daughter.  (Shanda)

There were some students in her class that needed to borrow a grandmother for the day...Our pastors wife was another one that rose to occasion and stepped in to be an adopted grandmother....

My heart was Blessed!

We as mother's and grandmother's, need to always be willing to occupy and devote ourselves to lend a helping hand...

In doing so, we are helping to cultivate grateful hearts that may someday pay it forward.

We are given an awesome gift, when we become the heaven-inspired mother or grandmother that God intends us to be...

I am so thankful that Shanda invited me to be a part of this event....I am thankful that I could be a mom that was able to help in a this time of need...

Blessings....
Shug ....


Sunday, November 20, 2011

Do We Really Know?

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.      
                                             Psalm 118:2-4


Good Morning...It is certainly a beautiful day here in good ol' East Texas....I would prefer some cooler weather, but, it just so happens that I'm not the weather maker, and therefore, I have no control over it!

* * * * *

This is the time of year when we hear a lot of ....."I WANTS" .....
being spoken everywhere.....Maybe we should rename November to the month of "I Want"....and December to "I Really Want."

It would be......January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October,
I Want, I Really Want......

Sounds crazy doesn't it?  I'm being a little funny here, but honestly, those words of "I want" just ring out during this time of the year.
The list just keeps on growing and growing....

A list for God.....this is exactly what it is.....Ok Lord, I want this and I want that....I need this and I need that.

God loves each of us and it is His desire to give us His best.  He wants us to have things and He is a giving God. 
But......I am so thankful that He does not give us everything that we want.   God knows Best....He knows those things that WE long for, but yet are not good for us!  He protects us and He directs our paths....

The question here today is....."Do we really know what God wants?"
We need to get alone with God and take the time to listen to HIS wants.    I believe they are something like this...

Our Praise and Worship of Him
Our Attention
Our Love
Us following Him
Us making Him first in our lives


* * * *

We need to spend time with God and in doing so we will come to understand that He knows us better than we know ourselves....We need to let Him show us the things that He has destined for us and in doing so, our wants will become His wants....

Spend time with God today...

Sweet Blessings,
shug....





Saturday, November 19, 2011

Friendly Blessings

When I count my blessings, I most definitely count
my friends.......twice!

********
I am so thankful for friends.....and I am so thankful that God
has planted them in my heart.  How sweet it is to have a friend who cares enough about you to step in and help, just when you feel helpless....

I am extremely Blessed to have such a friend....The other day, I received a message from my friend Susie....she extended to me an invitation for our Thanksgiving Dinner......This not only includes Sam and I, but.....this invite is extended to our entire family......

With a hand that is not working well and a kitchen that is torn to smithereens, our family is beyond thankful.  Hugs Susie!!



You just can't go wrong with a feast like this.....


* * * * *

 A couple of updates......

My hand is doing super well....This surgical procedure was due to what they call
"Trigger Finger."  The doctor released the tendon and I now can move my thumb without it locking in place....Woo hoo!!
Thanks for all of your uplifting comments and Prayers.


The Kitchen is still a major project....
Materials and lumber should be here this next week....The flooring is ordered and should be here in about 3-6 days. I think I can see some good progress on it's way!!

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

Here's to wishing you all a very delightful day...

Blessings,

Shug ~

Friday, November 18, 2011

Focus and Balance

But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.....
Matthew 6:33

 I am usually not a very happy camper when I put my  life is in a state of disaray.  I am actually a challenge to myself at times.  It's kinda like I experience these stages of self induced (ADD) every now and then....

I put myself on some kind of wild roller coaster ride that does not stop and it offers no place to jump off.  In other words, I find it difficult to say No and therefore, I end up with several intense projects going on at the same time... Loop D' Loop, at an overwhelming speed...
( Oh yes, I have several going on right now )

Do I have any company here?  Do any of you challenge yourself like I do? 

At times like these, I have to stop....reassess my choices....sleep on things...and Pray.

I like for my life to be delightful not only to me, but to others as well...I do not want my profession of being a people pleasing person, to take away the simple pleasures of my own life. 

It is best if I keep some kind of balance in my life.  I need to focus on taking on, only the cares of today and let the cares of tomorrow come as they may.  


By doing so, I can direct my attention to the task at hand and leave the rest to God and His timing.  I need to learn to live in the present and to allow the present to fulfill my life.  It is in this way that I am able to stayed focused and keep my life in balance (Peacefully)

~ ~ ~ ~

Have I told you lately how happy I am that you are my friends?

blessings,
Shug ~

Thursday, November 17, 2011


Comment Buttons.....

Here I go, thinking about things that most people never think about.  That's Just ME!

OK.....so I have thought about this numerous of times, but the thought usally goes in one ear and out the other.  Not Today...Today it is stuck in my head.

Each Day, I try to read and comment on all the blogs that I follow.  And I usually start at the top of my list.

The only problem with this is that sometimes about half way down the list, I get sleepy!  Not good if you are one of those blogs that starts with the letter S, T, U, V, W, X, Y or Z.......

Soooooo.....I am just trying to figure out how the rest of you go about leaving your comments..... Do you start at the bottom...start at the top...start at the middle....Draw straws (ha) or do you have a certain daily routine for commenting on all these wonderful blogs?  I feel like the bottom of my list sometimes gets cheated.....

What buttons do you push first?  Is it the bright buttons?  Those blogs that bring you laughter.  Or perhaps you push the button first on those blogs that share the same interest as you......Maybe you do have a method and just have never thought about this before....

Sam is constantly telling me that I am a deep thinker about things that most people NEVER even think about.  HA!  He just doesn't appreciate an intelligent mind when he sees one!

I'd Love To hear from you!  Let me know how you handle comments in blogland.....

Enjoy this sweet cool day...

Shug.....

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Thank You



Many Thanks for all of your prayers.... My hand surgery went well.


I do get to keep this huge boxing glove on my hand for a few days,

but I don't mind....        I know that when I take it off, my hand will

 be on the mend...   Hopefully, this will be the last of my hand

problems.   

I really do appreciate all of your prayers.  I'll be back to leaving

you all some comments in just a few days.    I'm not the best at

typing with one hand!

Hugs...

Shug



Because She Is A Woman......


Because she is a woman who fears the Lord

and respects His commands, the Proverbs 31 woman

conducts herself in a fashion that is above reproach.

Not because of man, but because she walks in

submission to a Power greater than herself.

She respects the handiwork of God by treating

the people He created with respect and honesty.

From her servants to the merchants she trades

with, to her own children and husband, each are treated

with kindness, humility, and grace.

Every person she interacts with on a daily basis is

liberated to feel as if they are important to her no matter

how great or small their contributions.......

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shug.......

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Mama Said There'd Be NIGHTS Like This....

And did I hear this right?


Thanksgiving is only about a week and a half away?  Please tell me  it's not true....


Not only will I have about six stitches in my hand, but my kitchen is kinda out of order at this time...

Say Hello to Shug's Kitchen!!

The "Tawanda" in me finally let loose and tore out the kitchen cabinets!......Oh, it's true alright.


Yesterday morning, these walls were full of beautiful white cabinets...Today, the walls look like this. 


I must admit, every single slam of the sledge hammer felt really gooooood!  I now know the thrill that Kathy Bates must have  engaged upon in the filming of "Fried Green Tomatoes."

~ ~ ~ ~

Not to worry, I haven't lost my mind...yet.  
I had a lot of help in the destruction of my kitchen....My younger brother "Joe" was there with me....He is an excellent builder and he is helping me update my kitchen....

I can assure you that this project will not be finished by Thanksgiving....maybe not even by Christmas, but when it is finished, I know I will love it!

When I start a project, I kinda want it finished right now and then....Not this time!  I'm gonna take my time to make sure I get the finished look that I have pictured in my mind......This is the reason I can't sew very well...I want (whatever) it is I'm working on to be DONE..FINISHED....like immediately!
~ ~ ~

Guess this is why I am sitting here in the dark at 3:00 A.M. writing this post...I CAN'T SLEEP! Way too much rolling through my mind....

But hey, Mama said there'd be NIGHTS like this!!

Sending Hugs to each of you!

Shug.....

Monday, November 14, 2011

All In The Day of a Bug...

Borrowed Photo



Wake up sleepy heads.....

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Who needs a little humor to start the week? 

On Saturday, Trista, Ty, Kelsey (Tyler's girlfriend) and I
made our way to Eustace to watch Tyler play in an
opening season, scrimmage basketball tournament....


Tyler is the one shooting the ball in the above picture...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Immediately after our team played, two other teams played the next game...

I'm not really sure if it was a very good game or not, and I truthfully do not even know which team won...
The reason why is shown in the pictures below....


I know that the pictures are blurry.....but they are good enough for you to be able
to understand the story behind "All in the day of a Bug."

Here we are....in the middle of an intense basketball game...
10 players on the court and 2 referees.  All twelve of these guys
running up and down the court numerous times...

and then, there was this bug.......

We will call him Bulldog.....Bulldog must have decided that
he too, wanted to be on the action.....


Bulldog made his first debut somewhere around the
half-court area....This tiny little bug was on a mission.  A mission that would put his life in danger.

Talking about action, Bulldog was now in the free-throw
box....how could he survive?   I'm telling you...at this point
we all thought that Bulldog was going to be a gonner!

He was now in trouble....huge feet, dancing all around him,
coming within fractions of an inch from making Bulldog
a non-existing little bug...



The people in the stands were cheering him on...and finally, this little fellow made it into a somewhat safer area....He crossed the boundary line and in just a few minutes, Bulldog would once again be safe.....



Back to a sheltered place...Free now to munch on
all the left-over goodies like spilled popcorn and
bits of sugar from the candy that had been dropped on the
floor.....

Yes....It was an exciting day.....This bug named Bulldog held his
audience captive and in the end we all cheered!

~ ~ ~ ~
I'm thankful that all of this excitement was not taking place while the "Bears" were playing.....I'm not sure that I would have seen Tyler make the shot in that first picture....I'm pretty sure I would have still been cheering on Bulldog..

Hey Y'all....Have a great day...

Shug ~





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