Thursday, April 29, 2010

THANKFUL THURSDAY...joy!!

"WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO." MATTHEW 6:21.

Goodness knows, our treasures are our children, the costs of our children, the costs of college, for sure. so, i guess i will have 'new value' when she heads off to her college of choice.

The 'beginning' of her high-school-ending journey begins with tonight's 'honors program' at one of our larger church sanctuaries.

She'll be receiving her HONORS letter and 'stole' to wear with her green cap and gown. This little strand of woven goodness has come with MUCH EFFORT in completing her College Prep curriculum: NIGHTS WITH LESS SLEEP, EXTRA SESSIONS WITH TEACHERS and STUDY SESSIONS AT THE LIBRARY. She's accomplished 5 accelerated (college-level) classes in her senior year AND worked as an intern in our county's internship program with a 'physical therapy practice'.

Her maintaining an A-average and becoming our HONOR GRADUATE is a BIG thankful today...we are excited to celebrate with her. (Her Nana and Pops will be arriving later today to be with us during this less-hectic event...graduation in a 25-000 seat arena is a little much for 'more seasoned' grand parents with less tolerable knees).

She's also exempt from ALL final exams...which opens her up to take each subject-specific AP test (graded by the College Board). Her passing these would capture those credits for college and may exempt her from many of the college freshmen classes at her university.

Our Lord has walked with her through all of these accomplishments and we are so THANKFUL and JOYFUL! JOIN GREG WITH A 'THANKFUL THURSDAY' POST.

Jer. 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Blessings,

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

RANDOM DOZEN...the last one for April

Link Up...she answered today...

Have you ever been so lost that you were really afraid?

Only when I was a little girl, running under and around the clothing racks at the local Zayre's store with my mother...she'd never leave me, but she would let me find myself out of her sight, then I'D PANIC and come running for her! (This was before the days of 'kid snatching'...and she had previously instructed me NOT to be climbing under the clothing, so this was part of her TEACHING me...I won't elaborate on why my little backside was tingling by time we made it to the car...which taught me A LOT, also.)

2. Have you ever been to an island?
Our honeymoon cruise ship (that caught fire) made a day stop at Cozumel Island--we enjoyed snorkeling in their bay...thousands of parrot fish, barracuda, lobsters and coral...absolutely beautiful.
The 'night life' there...'disco' with lights, loud music, Latino dancers gauchos dressed in 'white' giving out 'across- the-room' shots of sangria from goat-skin botas.
(I was wearing my 'brand new' white-leather embossed dress for my night out, so none of that wine was coming my way. It was fun watching others get 'splattered' though.)
Camping Large Goat Skin Wine <span class=>
3. Are you more of a thinker or feeler?
Feeler, yep, feeler

4. Do you tend to see issues or situations in life as black and white or shades of gray?
Gray.

5. If you were stuck on an island, what book would you hope to have with you (Let's pretend the Bible is already there, so you can't say that.)
Sudoku Unlimited, Francine Rivers and J. K. Rowling :)

6. What are you most afraid of?
common sense being lost throughout our society...it seems to be running rampant...be adults, accept your responsibilities.

7. Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones?
eager to make Heavenly memories

8. Pretend I'm looking at a scrapbook page about you. There are three spaces for you to drop in individual pictures. What are those pictures of, and why did you select them?
My youth group picture from spring retreat at the beach; having the privilege of worshiping and watching them preach to each other is SUCH A BLESSING.
Our picture from the day our baby girl was baptized...with family surrounding her, oh what a future!
My Emmaus small group, who guides, prays, cries, shares, cares, hugs, works...what a blessing, I cherish our time together with Christ.

9. If you were re-doing your wedding, what would you do differently? (If you're single, tell me one thing you would do if you were planning a wedding OR huge party.)
Our location, clothing, preacher and ceremony were exactly the way I wanted them, Christ centered.
Actually there were two things I would change: I did my own makeup/hair that morning...what was I thinking??...I'd have professionally done today, looking at my pictures, I look homely.
Secondly, I would have told the doctor about my dizzy spells before the wedding day; I almost didn't make it down the aisle due to 'major nausea and dizziness'...I found out later I was having 'thyroid' issues that could have been tweaked with some meds during this 'eager' time in my life...it ended up settling out later and required no long-term meds...thank goodness.
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10. Tell me one thing you know/believe about forgiveness.
We all need it and should seek it daily

11. You're waiting in a doctor's office. What is your favorite way to pass that time?
knitting...usually take a little bag with me...then, people watching...clothes, shoes, kids playing

12. If there were a clone of you in a parallel universe what is one way you hope she/he would be the same as you and one way you hope she/he would be better?
My dictionary shows: a theory; which mirrors our universe; i.e., when I make a decision in this universe, an alternate 'me' in the other universe makes the opposite decision
(so I know if this WERE true, she's counteracting my 'wrong' choices and actions which would mean I don't need to correct anything, right??) I don't believe in parallel universes, kinda removes God from my life...
just sayin'!
what do you think?)

MY SUMMARY: God blessed me with a 'common sense, God-living mother to raise me! I'm so thankful.
It's good to remember my past feelings during these days of 'new experiences' looming over us as girl child readies for college and no longer living under our roof. God will provide.
His Word has been our rock and it will never return empty to us even though evil will tempt and lie throughout our time on earth...I'm heaven bound and want you to be there, too!


Jer. 33:3
"Call to me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."Blessings,

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

THRONE TRIP TUESDAY...

How are you greeting Christ today? Susan's post always helps me center into His wants for my day...His love of my life...His love of me...and you.

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26

His promises; pondering them
His continually 'caring for me', His disciple
"Communion-ing" with Him, in me
His Spirit thriving in my heart
His Spirit interacting with my life
Choosing obedience; fighting off my will
Obeying having been pressed in by the law? no
Gracing me, through His sacrifice
Interceding on my behalf, every day, every hour, every minute, every second
Spiritual tokens twinkling in my pocket...Christ's love & constant presence
Following in gratitude
He's taking pleasure in loving me at His feet
He's resting in loving me, each day as I'm opening my heart door where He's knocking
His home; IN me
Privileged, inherited, eternally grateful
Confining during guidance
Sharing His guidance, so permeating
Faith working by His love
Holy Spirit's new-creating grace; forgiving my unworthy humanness
Being His...opening heart-doors for His entering
Eventual, eternal... Christ-likeness

Amen & Amen



Jer. 33:3
"Call to me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."Blessings,

Monday, April 26, 2010

MACRO MONDAY...ROMANS & DOGWOODS, TOGETHER AGAIN



IT WAS A VERY BUSY WEEKEND AROUND HERE...SO, I WANTED TO PUT UP A 'LESS COMPLICATED' POST TODAY.

Lisa's Chaos is hosting...just click on her Macro Monday picture above to join us.

LAST WEEKEND WHILE CHAPERONING LATIN CONVENTION, THERE WERE SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MACRO SHOTS...OF NATURE AND 'OTHER THINGS'.

(click the pic for a larger view)

HERE'S A CLOSEUP GLANCE IN THE ROMAN ENCAMPMENT ...LOOKS PAINFUL TO ME.


OH, THE DOGWOODS WERE BEGINNING TO BLOOM...THIS IS A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES, FOR SURE! (not a macro but thought you'd enjoy seeing its glory)


NOT SURE WHAT THIS TREE IS...IT'S SWEET SMELL WAS ADDICTIVE...i really wanted to get a macro shot but my camera power was waning and had to go re-charge.
















A BABY AZALEA THAT HASN'T BEEN IN THE GROUND VERY LONG WAS EAGERLY BLOOMING






















MAGENTA FOXGLOVE...JUST LOVE THE 'FUZZIES' IT HAS AT THE TOP




EVEN THOUGH THESE WEREN'T 'NATURE-MADE', THOUGHT YOU MIGHT ENJOY SEEING HOW OTHERS EXPRESS 'FUN'...EXUBERANT COLORS CAUGHT MY ATTENTION...ANKLES USUALLY DON'T CAPTURE MY EYE :)



WHAT DO YOU THINK?


WHY DON'T YOU SHARE A MACRO, TOO?




GOD OUT DOES HIMSELF EACH SPRING, DOESN'T HE??!!!!


Jer. 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Blessings,

Friday, April 23, 2010

FLASHBACK FRIDAY #7 & FRI Fill IN #173

Mocha W/Linda is inviting us to re-visit our first memories of grief in this Week 7 of Flashback Friday. Come share your memories, too!

At 12yo while attending my grandfather's funeral in a tiny, fan-cooled Alabama Methodist Church, my attention was drawn to the tears streaming down my Daddy's face--I was seeing him cry for the first time. My grandmother had died 10 years earlier following a car crash when I was two. During Papa's funeral I was thinking of my one memory of her...my standing at her side while she was rolling biscuits. I remember wanting to know her better. I wasn't as close to my grand daddy...he was a little gruff and kind of scared me. My sister knew Granny VERY WELL and often shared her memories with me at night (while saying our prayers together in bed before falling asleep).

Our parents spoke openly about grief as a natural part of life, and those discussions led to talks about Scripture and Heavenly promises. The hope, love and promises Jesus brings us is my rock.

While a junior in high school, one of our favorite cheer leaders died after rupturing her abdomen (the rumors I had heard were she had been secretly practicing uneven parallel bars [against doctor and parental orders]). A vibrant 18-yo gone because of NOT LISTENING and BUT GREATLY DESIRING COMPETITION AND BEING INCLUDED...pity. Her passing sent a shock wave through our community, for sure...it was the same year Jim Croce died, I believe, and that hit us hard as well because he had come to our school for a concert the previous year.

My early impressions of death and dying were visions of 'just moving from one place to another...being in the sky on a cloud rather than walking on the ground.' I felt I could still talk with my Granny in my prayers...but, I knew she wouldn't talk back to me. When I was younger, you'd often find me walking around the graveside, balancing on the marble walls, walking along the granite rims of the graves, trying not to walk over the gravesides...and getting LOTS of sand in my shoes.

In May, we always attended MEMORIAL Sundays at these same rural, country churches. Days before the services, families would comb through the entire graveyard cleaning/updating the sand and gravel, sweeping the tombstones/retaining walls of any dust, raking leaves, or twigs that had fallen from the big oak trees. The withered flowers would be removed, then all the NEW, brightly-colored flower sprays be placed at the head stones and bouquet would be put in the brass urns Each May brought a full transformation of the old, dead graveyard to an almost-living celebration of each plot.

My other grandmother lived next door to a small country church--we'd be swinging on her screened-in front porch listening to their congregation before, during and after church services, weddings and funerals...singing their wonderful hymns. It was VERY peaceful.

She remembered seeing a funeral taking place one evening...packed with people overflowing out the back door while they sang their songs. A little way into the service, there was a great interruption.

(some clarity first: The little, old man had passed away while rocking in his chair...rigamortis had set in before they found him.)

Even though the funeral director had strapped him into the coffin to remedy his posture, the strap broke and 'he sat up' during his open-casket memorial...the CHURCH CLEARED!

Our daughter didn't attend funerals until my grandmother died in 1995...she didn't go to the church but was at Nana's house for the 'memorial meal' and visitation with the family after the funeral. We gradually had been discussing 'great granny's' death and her being gone. I would share God's promises from the scriptures and pray she was begin to understand the changes that come with life and death.

(I am continuing in prayer for Liddie, her family and friends during this difficult time of separation and grief...I wish I could have known "D" from all the wonderful times they had shared)

#173

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And...here we go!

1. Where are my _reading glasses...How many times a day do I ask myself this question_?
2. If wishes were horses _I'd be riding on his back on a secluded beach enjoying the sights and sounds_.
3. I'd like to see _God's face with all my family and friends standing beside me as we dance into Heaven_.
4. When I was a teen, I thought _school was a great place to be because of all my friends and good teachers_.
5. One of my mother's favorite sayings was _"It's time to get uuuupppp! I loved sleeping in on Saturdays and she wanted me up no later than 9am, even on Saturdays._
6. I'd have a hard time doing without my _suv, which I enjoy so much because of its not-too-big size but enough to get all my 'thrifty' finds in each week_.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _hearing about DD's senior breakfast and finding out how many 'goodbye' letters she received from friends, teachers and family__, tomorrow my plans include _buying baby shower gifts and cleaning out all the dust from the workmen who are in my house today____ and Sunday, I want to _praise Jesus for the 'closing ceremony' and 'commissioning' of our Disciple classes having completed their 32-wee studies and the diligence of each facilitator__!

Thursday, April 15, 2010


April and May are infamous for their "end-of-year" activities...recitals, performance festivals, large group competitions, etc. So, this week Linda has asked us to participate answering these:
Did you take lessons as a child? Piano or another instrument?
My parents didn't go in for expensive, formal lessons but I was fortunate to enjoy piano beginning in second grade up through seventh grade...one of our local church pianists had classes and my mother would take me to her house for my 30-minute class in her 'closed in garage'.
In fifth grade, I started playing the trumpet in our school band, which met twice I week, I believe (funny how I don't remember specifically what days...I do believe they were after school because our band director taught at multiple schools and we 'shared' her. I was excited with my progress...which was probably enhanced by my piano lessons...I made honor band each year through 7th grade. Honor Band was fun because we got turquoise "vests" and new formal, long-sleeve shirts ... we LOOKED SHARP!, which is much better than 'flat', hahahaha...bad, I know.
After we got over our "bad" selves in our 'uniforms', we had to calm down and perform with the other school honor students in two concerts at local malls and various large-group festivals and competitions. Those days of 'public' performance gave me such motivation to continually improve which carried on into high school.
Gymnastics or dance?
Gymnastics was a large part of my life for many years, especially from toddlerhood into high school...we learned some dance routines on my high school team but I didn't take any formal dance classes.
Other types of lessons?
After second and third grades, I took "baton" twice-a-week for 6 weeks each summer at the local recreation center...learning two routines and finishing with a performance for our parents.
I ALWAYS wanted to be a majorette...it was going to be my career, don'cha know??
How much were you required to practice between lessons?
Mom stayed on me pretty good about my 'piano'...I would comply but became disgruntled quickly when my fingers wouldn't DO what I wanted them to do. It took me a while to get patient with myself to know it took LOTS of time getting those ten little things to retain their 'motor memory' while playing the songs.
My trumpet wasn't pushed as much by my Mom...and I know she wanted me to be successful playing my horn, but she didn't prod me as much. (Now that I've had a child of my own, I can understand her 'lack of enthusiasm' for my horn...which many times, especially in my first two years, my command of the cornet sounded like an injured dying cow...I don't blame her for 'protecting' her ears and protecting the family from receiving threatening phone calls from local neighbors.
Did you participate in recitals? If so, do any of them stand out in your memory?
More recitals and performances than I can count...go here for my most embarrassing moment performing a half-time show my senior year...and Liddie, I found a picture and downloaded it.
Did they foster a love or a hate for that activity?
LOVED performing :)
Did you want to take lessons in a certain thing that you never got to?
flute and guitar...had to teach myself how to play it...so, I'm not very good
And if you have kids now, how did your experiences with taking lessons like these impact the activities you had/have them do?
I've always encouraged DD to do her best by being punctual to her extra practices and performances knowing how important they are for your success during performance. She never enjoyed playing an instrument but she loves to sing!

Jer. 33:3
"Call to me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Blessings,

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

RANDOM DOZEN: I'm not so glad he ate her...


It's Random a Dozen time! Lidna at 2nd Cup of Coffee always provides us with some fun questions.

1. How do you feel about "Gladiator" sandals, also called "Roman" or "Jesus" sandals? A fashion yea or nay?
I will be able to get some great pictures of some of the latest sandals next week because I will be chaperoning "latin convention"...a last-time chaperoning event for me...dd is graduating. Check my 365 next week, surely there will be gladiators, and their sandals!!! (personally, i think they're gross and cut your leg OFF at the ankle, making you look a foot shorter...but that's just me (just curious...Did you catch the 'funny' in my title?...gladiator, get it?--"I'm not so glad he ate her"...hahahaha, well, I thought it was funny.
2. What is your favorite pizza?
asparagus, marinate/grilled salmon and gorgonzola,yummo!...and a thin crust
3. There are plans in the works to sell roughly 1,000 items from Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. This means you could buy Picard's chair for your family room. If not a Star Trek item, what prop, background, set, etc. from what TV or movie would you buy if you could?
[Ex: Hurley's "I Love my Shih tzu" shirt from LOST, the plantation home "Tara" from Gone With the Wind, or Tracy's tambourine from the Partridge Family.] I
want the "WALL of hdtv/3d/computers" used by LL Cool J (Sam Hanna) during NCIS: Los Angeles  - ncis-los-angeles photo NCIS Los Angeles...it's the coolest thing...he stands there moving his hands, swinging them to the right and throwing a large screen on the next wall...too cool, Cool J! (I used to work in a network management center using LARGE wall boards with computer data...we would have "sold our souls" for something as responsive as SAM's screens :)
4. Name a local food or restaurant that your area is famous for.
Right around the corner and down the street, behind the new substation the power company built, there is an open, public lot where a complete acre or two bushes continue to THRIVE...We all keep check on when the bushes start to bud, so we can be some of the first to pick their deliciousness...and they're free to boot! My oatmeal is eagerly waiting their arrival this year.

5. What is your current favorite snack?
OKRA CHIPS (Fresh Market)... just like southern fried okra! but...vacuum fried (resulting in less fat than traditional frying methods) and lightly salted for an ultimate snacking sensation!
Serving Size: ~10 Chips, Cal:120, Tot Fat: 2.5g,Choles: 0mg, Sodi:35mg, Carbo: 21g, Fiber:6g, Sug:0g, Prot: 2g






6. Hypothetical: You are required to be a reality show contestant.

Which show would you choose based on your probability of success? (You cannot choose "none.")
A. Dancing with the Stars,
B. Biggest Loser, or
C. Survivor?
DANCING WITH THE STARS would be my choice...I've got rhythm even though it wouldn't be very pretty with all my 'jiggles'...I'd for sure lose weight though!!
7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, how clean is your vehicle's interior?
An 8 is probably where I fall, without going out and cleaning it before I answer this question. It needs some vacuuming but the bigger trash is removed before we get out each time. I have a habit of using little handwipes before eating at a drive through...and after wiping my hands, i always wipe around the general area of the driver's seat and steering wheel. It helps keep the pollen at bay.
8. It doesn't feel like Spring until _________.
This is one of the most beautiful dogwood trees. I look forward to seeing it in bloom every Spring. Located on Kennesaw Due West Road - about a block east of Kennesaw Mountain High School.
All our dogwood trees and azaleas have blossomed in ALL their glory...mine are still holding back a little, so i used old pictures.
9. Something that made you laugh really hard recently is ____.
BS&K will probably post about her having heard a snippet about GUAM it makes me laugh just thinking about it I won't grab her thunder. May I reiterate, many politicians from Georgia do a VERY GOOD job representing us in Washington, DC and having COMMON sense without "using metaphors".
10. Tell me about a goal you're working toward.
FINISHING all the 'senior stuff' with letters, memories, decorating, planning parties, sending invitations and enjoying her doing her normal chores around the house these last few weeks of her being with us in our house. I'm beginning to be tired from all of these crazy and expensive traditions 'expectations'.

I'll truly be exhausted by time this is all completed: you know--college admissions offices answered, financials confirmed, entertained guests are back at home, other seniors' gifts/cards purchased, others' parties attended, photographed, then our own clean up, followed by shopping for dorm rooms, and preparing myself to unchain her from the bed. ;) (p.s. I DID FINISH her locker decoration TODAY!
Big "woo to the hoo"...that's for you, Liddie! The picture to the left
is NOT a picture of the actual project...just a 'mock up draft' to get my thoughts together
11. Share a thought-provoking or inspiring quote this week.
"IS A VACUUM A GOOD VACUUM IF IT REALLY SUCKS?!"
12. Name one thing you do as a parent you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute "friend" or nomenclature.
OH, THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS, HOW CAN I CHOOSE JUST ONE? When she's off to college, I believe she'll miss my 'home-cooked' meals and fresh veggies...my smoked/grilled fish or pork ribs are hard to beat...CANNOT be mimicked in a dorm microwave, that's 'fer shurr'.
Go over to Liddie's and jump on the McLinky wagon. :) We always have FUN!
Jer. 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."Blessings!