PROJECT 365...amidst the migraines and bird grain

Joining Sara and the others...

This 22nd week of 2011 has been a week of many migraines for this blogger...I can NEVER figure out what brings them on; but these have been haunting me, sneaking up on me and then deciding to stick around for a while.  I didn't even think of my camera until Thursday.  Seems hard to believe it's been a year...

 ...yes, a year ago today, skoot was on her way to the arena for her class's graduation ceremony. 

Since then, I guess you could say I've 'gone to the birds'...emptynest Mom's instinct to watch over something, anything, just to keep myself busy. 

5/26  Thursday afternoon the bird feeder got VERY busy...I believe they were getting some food because they knew the storms were coming (cardinals, chickadees)

and our state bird, the brown thrasher...this is the FIRST time I've captured one in a photo

Thursday evening blew in with thunderstorms and some rough weather just south of us; a couple of people were killed by a falling tree down close to our governor's mansion.

5/28, Saturday brought a

a beautiful sunset (I had been watching the NCAA women's softball super regionals and the camera man zeroed in on the 'Georgia sunset' from Athens, so I quickly ran outside to see if ours mimicked it...not exactly, but it was still pretty)

Praying all our graduates begin to embrace their responsibilities as young adults and take on their next God-led endeavors...may they each keep that relationship first and foremost.

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

Blessings,

FRIDAY FILL INS

  joining Janet...and...here we go! 
1. This week I _enjoyed getting to talk with dearestdaughter's college friend who came for a short visit; what a sweet person who obviously cares for those around her...she's planning to be an attorney for the 'disabled'_.

2. _Even though I will complain about the hot weather ahead of me, isn't it remarkable and wonderful that I have four distinct seasons that each_ returns.

3. "It's all about _getting to the seeds before the birds!", said the squirrel in my backyard after I refilled the feeder_.

4. _The hibiscus that had been vacationing in my dining room throughout the Winter  were moved to the front porch and are soon to be in their pots where they will basque_ in the sun.

5. I demand _my electric fan must be in working order throughout these hot flashes_.

6. _A mother's_ path, it's filled with _many ups as her child succeeds in making wise decisions and many downs when her child doesn't involve her in everyday happenings_.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _eating seafood with my family_, tomorrow my plans include _some thrift shopping, re- purposing some furniture in our basement then grilling_ and Sunday, I want to _worship and take an afternoon nap_!

Blessings,

I WON...YOU WIN..."Finally rounded the bend, Sister Friend!"

I Won…You Win

My friend was super excited about my winning this last-round sharing of the book, SISTERCHICKS IN WOODEN SHOES; however, I'm sure she didn't envision my being such a reading 'slacker' and my putting it down (and forgetting to pick it back up). 


I've been in a season on 'not wanting to' on many things, not just reading.

Finally I got my:

• 'rear in gear'
• 'chopped chopped lollipopped'
• 'scoot, scoot, bandicooted'
• 'skedaddle, fiddle-faddled'
• 'rounded the bend, sister friend'
• 'shake-n-baked, cupcake'
• ....and finished reading it...and commented on 'many' things.

BeStill&Know will be getting her book back from me shortly.

She will then be able to enjoy reading all the fabulous comments in the margins from all the various readers.

I owe her a cup of java for my:

• 'being such a sluggard'
• 'hitting a bump in the road'
• 'causing a delay in the process'
  
  
  
  
  WHO ELSE HAS HAD TO SAY "I'm sorry" THIS WEEK??  

HODGEPODGE...

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Hodgepodge with JOYCE and come visit all the neighbors.

1. What reveals more about a woman-her refrigerator or her purse? purse, for sure...all MY stuff (in the way every time I look for my keys). 

2. When was the last time you visited a zoo?  Where?  What's your favorite zoo animal?  During Christmas 2009 we were at Atlantic Beach in North Carolina and we visited one of their aquariums @ a Fort (can't remember the name).  Neat vignettes of wildlife...gators, turtles, birds...my favs were the baby turtles. 

3. What social issue fires you up? too many but my biggest at the moment is: people choosing to NOT take personal responsibility

4. Are you a coupon clipper?   Yes, for the products I use a lot 

Are you extreme? nope

5. What is one of your favorite souvenirs brought back from your travels?  a black and white marble pedestal we brought back from Cancun, Mexico during our honeymoon

 

6. Lemon meringue or key lime?  key lime, KEY LIME...they are soooo easy to make...love 'em.

7. What is the most beautiful word you know in any language?  Amore

8. Insert your own random thought here. So thankful my girlfriend, BS&K, is home safely from her tropical trip across the Pacific...she's home and getting ready to share all her pictures with us.  I'm very eager to see how GAW-JUS it was throughout her adventure.

Jer. 33:3

"Call to me and I will answer you

and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Blessings,

THRONETRIP TUESDAY...which road?

Joining Susan @ THIS DAY: She noted some famous quotes (with endings missing) that a teacher had given to some of her students to complete...they're quite funny, so jump over to read them.  Also, the post at Joyce's FROM THIS SIDE OF THE POND is participating in  The One-Word Blog Carnival hosted by PeterPollack.com...today's word:  road.  

Joyce was discussing their experiences on the 'road' after college graduation.  It tossed my thoughts into the future about 'wondering where my girl will one day be headed' for her career.  Thoughts swirled with a few beginnings of anxious thoughts...fear of her moving far away and our being unable to enjoy life with her as she  learns 'real life' after college. 

Knowing that I must not allow those kinds of thoughts to overwhelm me, I must think on the things I have seen in her character and fortitude over the past few years.  She might not jump to engage in work, but she has been diligent in her studies and completing projects throughout school.  Even though she didn't take up music in the way I would have loved for her to...by learning to play an instrument of some kind, she chose her own passion to play out in chorus for four years.  Her LOVE of reading has taught her many life lessons, given her adventures without leaving my house and taught her God's thoughts through Bible study and her prayer group (in high school and college).

Seeing and hearing all the above have strengthened my understanding of her grasping her own adulthood...and given me glimpses of the 'roads' she may be walking toward throughout the rest of college.  My prayer continues to be that she holds God's Word in her highest esteem, that she seeks time with Him non-stop and allows His influence and voice to permeate her decisions.

Great composers, writers and philosopher's have contributed their ideas about what it takes to get to the 'right' road.

John Gough's quote spawned this post and could be beneficial to many youth and grownups:  (paraphrased into a question) "Are you sitting by the roadside...waiting for a ride to wealth or influence?" 

This quote becomes even MORE inspiring when you know more about Mr. Gough's life...

1. Around three years old, had smallpox and lost his sight
2. His sister assisted him by reading, writing, and making calculations and drawing diagrams on his behalf.
3. known as a "prodigy in scientific attainments"
4. published papers in:   natural history, mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, and experimental physics.

Personal choice and initiative become effective when positive steps of action are taken rather than THOUGHT ABOUT...it's in the DOING...not in the SITTING and PONDERING. 

Mr. Gough could have 'sat on the road' like the blind man on the mat in the Bible...but he chose TO DO rather than receive charity or pity.  He wasn't willing to accept his life as a LOSS, he wanted better. 

Where would I be without my Christian legacy?  I'm so thankful for how His Word teaches me and my family.  Those teachings will help guide my daughter's choices which will bring HER consequences.  

Prayerfully may we continue to DO and GET DONE the work God's planned and designed for each of us.  Our time on earth will be short but our hope is on eternally praising Him for giving us love.

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters..."

 1 Thessalonians 4:11 "...make it your ambition: lead a quiet life, mind your own business and work with your hands."

Blessings,

PROJECT 365...my quick review

JOIN US WITH SARA...
CLICK THE PICS for a BIGGER view







Sunday, 5/8: NC mountains-11 family members-large 7-bedroom lodge= heaven

Grilled steaks, SLOW-baked potatoes, salad and college-graduation cake=sleepy during graduation

 

Monday, 5/9:  Leaving mountain house=painful (wanted to stay in 60* weather)

Hit the SOCK OUTLET=great deals

TONY's ICE CREAM Shop=iced tea slushie=WONDERFUL!

Tuesday, 5/10: Vacuumed, dishes done=boy, what fun :(

Wednesday, 5/11: New shopping center visit=new mochaCoconut Frapp from *bux (soooo hooked!)

Thursday, 5/12: Thrifting/babygirl (no longer a babygirl-needs 'stuff' for sophomore college apartment=fun time

 

kinda like these but not exactly...Wrought Iron Bar Stools - Iron Bar Stool

www.timelesswroughtiron.com

Friday, 5/13: Niece celebrating birthday while in China (college internship)=tired, she left the day after graduation...

Back to the consignment store=bought wrought-iron bar chairs...love 'em

Saturday, 5/12: Cleaned shower, refrigerator, grocery shopped=another tired woo hoo!   

tonight: crochetinga shawl=to mail for a special occasion.

SO what does your WEEK'S SYNOPSIS include?

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE: Vol. 26

Come along...add your link to the bottom of Joyce's post 

Here are my answers-

1. How many times in your life have you moved house?

• @ birth...to a small, crackerbox, wooden home 
• @4yo...to brick home w/ air conditioning and sliding glass doors to the backyard
• @21yo...apartment w/ college room mate
• @22yo...condo w/ roommate's first purchase
• @23yo...first solo apartment...room mate got married
• @24yo...Sis's brick house...she moved to the 'country' with her hubs, boys and cows ;)
• @29yo...vinyl-sided traditional w/ new hubby
• @31yo...new 3-story brick w/ hubs and soon-to-be-babygirl
• Equals:  "Seven" wonderful moves up!

2. What subject would you study if you had a year to devote to it?  American Sign Language certification would be my goal

3. What in this world breaks your heart?  Seeing suffering children in the hands of their 'ignorant, don't-care" family

4. What is one item that symbolizes the times in which we live?  Cell-phone-itis...they are permanently attached to ears and hands across this nation, even at the most inopportune times:  no, i don't want to hear your music as you stroll down the street; no, i don't want to hear your conversation as you ride on the elevator or sit in the restaurant (and especially NOT when I'm trying to hear the movie-theatre movie).  Grow up, people...keep your private life PRIVATE.

5. Share a favorite bumper sticker: 
What if the hokey pokey is really what it's all about?

6. How do you like your spaghetti?  cooked by someone else ;)

7. What is one piece of advice you would give a recent or soon to be recent graduate? ALWAYS smile...it truly helps you and those around you...and they sometimes wonder what you're planning ;)  (really, my business professor always taught that a SMILE and a FIRM handshake were two of THE MOST important things for a professional to CONTINUE throughout their career; it helped me MANY times)

8. Insert your own random thought here.  
I sooooo enjoyed our recent trip to the NC mountains to attend our niece's college graduation...60's in the day and 40's at night were certainly enjoyed by ME and the company was fun, too!

Graduation, 2011

View from Eagle's Nest

Overlook from Sugar Mountain

Blessings,

HODGEPODGE WED.

 

1. Have you ever been served breakfast in bed? Do you enjoy that? If someone were serving you breakfast in bed this coming weekend what would you hope to see on the tray?   This really happens to people?  Knowing it would probably be a surprise, so I doubt I would get a choice...french toast or cereal.

2. What is one piece of advice you would give a new mother?  Hold and love on your child when it cries; it will NOT become too spoiled, time is fleeting and they grow up too quickly to not hold them when possible. 

3. When was the last time you wanted to scream? Explain. While watching the tornado/supercell roll over Tuscaloosa beside the stadium (which my daughter lives beside) I felt my heart was going to burst.  Thank you, Jesus, for letting me speak with her immediately after it had gone by....'nuff said'.

4. Can you hula hoop? yes, it's not pretty but I can hula.

5. What is something people do in traffic that really bothers you?  People who don't use their mirrors (side and rear) scare me because they have NO CLUE what is going on around them...they drive as if they are in a bubble.

6. What do you do when people don't admit they're wrong? Sometimes I talk with them...lots of times I pray for a changed heart and for them to understand their mis-steps.  Lots of times I just move on to other things that matter more. 

7. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'fun'? My years in youth counseling were AWESOMELY fun and I totally enjoy hearing their take on life and learning with their unending energy.  I MISS them...yes, I do.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  My thoughts continue to wrap around all of those in Tuscaloosa who did lose so much (their lives have changed forever because so many were lost in that storm).  Continuing to prayer God's hand over them as they begin re-building their city, their lives and their walk without their loved ones.

Blessings,