Forty-Two

no, not my age.... It might be nice to be 42 again. However, I'm referring to something entirely different.

When I was 18 years old I had been out of high school for one year. (Yes, I graduated at 17)

A friend of mine in college came up with an absolutely WONDERFUL idea! We would not go to school spring quarter and we would get a full time job. Our plans were to save every penny and spend the summer in Europe.

We both got a job in downtown Atlanta in one of the banks. I worked in the vault with all the cds and things like that. My boss was a career lady who walked around with a cigarette in her mouth and dropped ashes all over everyone.

But, I digress....

I have a very wise daddy. He said that if I let him chose the group then he would pay for my trip. Well, I was blond, but I was not DUMB! That meant I could spend the money I was making! So I agreed. Little did I realize ....

I do need to digress now. I don't remember if I ever mentioned that my daddy was Assistant to the Dean of the School of Theology at Candler - Emory University. He had lots of friends. One of the professors took many groups to Europe and the Holy Lands. Sooooooo, daddy worked out a deal with Dr. Gordon Thompson. What a mighty man of God. He and his precious wife were gracious enough to take me with them.

The10 day tour consisted of 98% retired people, most of whom were pastors and their wives. There was one 18 year old girl besides me in the group. She was an extremely unhappy, very overweight and super depressed girl.

Yeah... I didn't know this until I got on the trip. I had visions of world travel and freedom and adventure. Not so much! The rule was that we had to always travel in pairs.... She never wanted to explore on our free time. Again, that is another story for another day. She was grieving the death of her father and the new boyfriends her mother was bringing home... I felt sorry for her, only .... So anyway, I was stuck either with the group or in the room.

It really was a wonderful trip. We traveled all over Europe and the Holy Lands. It was 1968. It was an eye opener and life changer. Things were much different then in the world. One of our stops was in Italy. Our guide and leader had a favorite shop in each country. In Rome it was a cameo "factory". We were able to see them making cameos.

Now, as an 18 year old I was not impressed with the "old lady" typical cameos. However, there was one that caught my eye and heart. I HAD to have it. It was a beautiful graceful full figure girl with long flowing gown and hair blowing in the wind. I splurged and happily packed the ring into my bags.

All along the trip I would pick up different gifts for people back home. At the end of the trip I was feeling so good about everything I had gotten for my family. (none of which I can remember now except the cameo) As I began to unpack and share my trip I realized that I had not gotten anything for mama. HOW COULD I?????? She had sacrificed for me to go. She was my best friend!

I quickly checked out the goodies and made a snap decision to give her my most prized souvenir... the beautiful cameo ring. I should have planned better. I should have thought it through more.

She was not a "ring" person. It was a very large ring and it did not look pretty on her hand. She received it, but to my knowledge never wore it.

I hate to admit it, but I grieved over the ring. I wanted it because it was so different. I wanted it because .... well... I just loved it. Honestly, I felt cheated out of it.

So, after mama began to mentally leave us, I began to look for the ring. I had had a glimpse of it years earlier in her jewelry case. After going through all her jewelry on this last trip I came across what looked exactly like my ring. However, it was not a ring, but a pendant/broach.

I shamelessly brought it home. I took it to the jewelers and had them check it out. YES! It had been changed from ring to pin. (I still had NEVER seen it on her.)

So, I had them transform it back into a ring. I picked it up yesterday. I was so emotional when I put it on my finger. After 42 YEARS I finally could wear my ring.

Here are a couple of pictures of it. They are not good - not sure why I couldn't get a good shot of it. I tried several different angles and settings, but it just didn't show up and do it justice.

Yes, I did a happy dance. I smiled all the way home. I felt like something had been restored to my life that I had allowed to slip through my hands.

I praise the Lord. I know this is just the beginning of things to come....

How Flexible Are You?

My friend, Peggy, posted this on Facebook. I couldn't resist putting it here.

These sisters are amazing. This was done in 1944. The first part is a "cute" little song about potatoes... after about the first 45 seconds it gets unbelievable!

Enjoy!

Random Dozen

1. Ever had any run-ins with the "library police?"

I have been "shushed" frequently. The library around here is hard to deal with so I don't go. When the kids were young we went often. They were guilty of trying to check out too many books and we had to replace them. Also, the movies were a weakness and example of our "over indulgence".

2. Do you have a special organizational plan and place for wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., or do you just purchase whatever you need as you give gifts?

I do have a nice big long plastic bin that I keep in my hall closet. It is mainly for Christmas paper, but I also have bags and tissue paper there. My bows and ribbon are in a box in the same closet. However, when I really want to be a blessing (as in impress and not embarrass myself) I go buy something new for the gift.

3. Have you ever been in (first-hand witness) a natural disaster?

Depends on your definition of "natural disaster". I have created many disasters in my kitchen. However, I don't remember anything like a flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, etc happening in my personal presence. I just missed being in a flood by a week because we moved. We have barely missed tornadoes on our trips across country. We found out listening to the news after we got home that just after we passed through a particular town, they were hit by a killer tornado.

I'd say that we have been very blessed!

4. What's your favorite Barry Manilow song?

I don't have a clue... sorry... I'm sure if I knew something that he sang, I'd love it. I'm a real dud when it comes to knowing those things and keeping up with them. I have a hard enough time remembering the names of my kids and grandkids and their birthdays - forget anything that does not affect my daily life!

5. What's the best costume you've ever worn?

My daughters might say some of my clothes that I wear on a daily basis. I never did do much dressing up in costumes on purpose.
One year our son asked to wear a sheet with holes in it to the Hallelujah Party. He wanted to be the holy ghost... no, we didn't let him....

6. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?

The thesaurus - it is easier to pull up on the computer.

7. What's your favorite breakfast food?

Fruit... without a doubt. I LOVE to eat fruit in the morning. Also a chocolate protein shake. I do not like breakfast foods... The sight and smell of eggs in the morning throws me into gags! My mother used to make me grilled cheese sandwiches for breakfast with a glass of sweet tea.

8. Have you ever purchased anything from an infomercial?

Yes. I proudly bought "Body Flex"... the "breathing" videos that bring so much ridicule from REAL exercisers. I did it faithfully (in private). I lost 2 dress sizes and firmed up and felt so much better. In fact, I still do it sometimes. I might just do it in the morning (you have to do it on an empty stomach).

9. Have you ever crawled through a window?

Yes, both ways. I escaped and then I crawled back in... no, I will NOT give details ....

10. Do you believe in love at first sight?

YES! I knew the second I laid eyes on Hugsum that I loved him and wanted marry to him and spend the rest of my life with him. I did and we have been married for almost 37 years - so far!

11. How man pairs of jeans do you own?

That fit and are in style and I wear or that I have hanging in my closet? Anywhere between 2 and 8 - depending on ... well, you know...

12. If someone were going to bake a cake to honor/represent you, what would it be? (Think creatively, like Duff and Crew on "Ace of Cakes.")

If someone knew me and loved me, they would not make me a cake at all. I'd much prefer a cookie. (Okay, so I'd prefer LOTS of cookies!) I would want one with nuts and white chocolate. Something that is crunchy and chewy - something like Cowboy Cookies or Dishpan cookies... Not because I'm a Cowboy or dishpan - I just want EVERYTHING in them that can be put in them. I guess you could say that I want it ALL!

I Like "Happy" ...

A fellow pastor's wife posted this on Facebook as her status. I copied it because it is so true and reflects my feelings...

Relationships are so valuable. Thank you Lord for the love that your body gives out. The best feeling in the world is to be loved. May you all know how much I love each of you. Love makes people happy.....I like "happy"......

Thanks Marilyn....

Ever wonder why we can't just "get along"? Ever wonder why we can't be "happy"? Ever wonder???

I'm wondering now...

A Story of Resurrection

This is a tree that I see outside my kitchen window.

Everyday as I'm washing dishes or preparing food, I look out and see this tree and the deadness of it. Day after day I stare at it and wonder why my neighbor does not cut down the tree. It is leaning against their house. It is not pretty at all.

It is a crab-apple tree. It makes little hard apples that fall all over our yard and make a mess and stink when they begin to rot. The bees and ants and squirrels love them.

Last week, I noticed some tiny little purple buds on the branches.

Today, when we got home from Oz I looked out my window and saw this....

It is absolutely beautiful! It has been resurrected! It has been renewed and refreshed and beautified!

I realized that at times my life must appear to others as the rotten branch. I'm sure that at times people have complained about my attitude and my actions and my mess.

Jesus came in. Changed me. Made me into "something beautiful". That is the story of the Cross. That is what Jesus did.

I'm so thankful! I'm go grateful! Even with the scars and ugliness in my life, there is still something beautiful that can come out!

Blessings~ May you find the beautiful!