New Friends...

We have lived in our home for a little over 2 years now. We love where we are and we have great neighbors and wonderful children and grandchildren. We have church people and members on the weekend in Oz.

They keep our lives full... and empty at the same time. I don't mean that in a negative way ... it is just that we have not had any friends or social life since we moved here.

Sadly, we have been lonesome. We have wanted someone to share life who is in the same stage we are in. There is much to be said about being surrounded by those older and younger. They keep us balanced and things in perspective. They keep us humble and full of hope for the future!

There is also something about having people to relate to on the same level. If any one of those groups is missing, then life is missing a huge piece!

We were missing part of life and it was beginning to show ...

During the summer Hugsum took me to Branson. I did not want to go. Honestly, it seemed like a huge waste of time and money. The idea of the tourist city was repulsive to me. I admit that I went grudgingly and grumpily.

On the way, I posted of Facebook that we were headed to Branson. Almost immediately, a friend recommended that we see SIX. I casually mentioned that to Hugsum and he jumped on the suggestion.

I began to fret. I did not want to go to some show that was bad and even though my friend had highly recommended it, I was not sure. You see, I had not seen or spoken to her since 1966! We had been best friends in the the 6th and 7th grade. In high school we drifted apart and were not close. I did not know her life in the 44 years after she graduated. I was not sure about trusting her recommendation. I did not know if we had the same standard, likes, dislikes, etc.

We got tickets and went in to the show and sat down next to some nice ladies. They were talking and laughing. One of the four leaned up and said, "I wish our chairs were in a circle so I could hear what everyone is saying." I leaned up and said, "I wish you would ALL speak a little louder because I can't hear a THING you are saying!"

We all laughed and shared and became friends. They included me in their conversation. The funny thing is, they are from the same town we are and we exchanged names and numbers and decided to get together.

Last Sunday night they invited us to their home group that was just starting. We had such a nice time. Hugsum met their husbands and we all became friends. How nice to have friends that share the same stage of life we are experiencing. They are also on the same page we are spiritually. We just seemed to fit. We shared life. We shared Jesus. We shared emotion and experiences.

God is good. He provided exceedingly more than we could have asked or thought.... even though I was grumpy and cantankerous about going to Branson, God had a plan..... WHY do I doubt and fight against what God is doing???

What is God doing in your life these days? Are you fighting it?

The Mind!

The mind.... At times it seems like mine wanders and I can't find it!

The way the day looks, or even the way that LIFE looks is determined by the mind and what it focuses on.

We are instructed to "think on THESE things" ... what is true, just, beautiful, admiral, of good report ...

We also know that where the mind goes the body will follow ...

The words that we speak are a result of the thoughts we think. The actions that we take are also a result of the thoughts we think...

Where we are today is because of what we did, said and thought yesterday!

I am changing! I am becoming! I am headed toward something!

.... and so are you!

Do you want to know what the future holds? Then look at your thoughts of yesterday. If you don't like where you are, then all you have to do is CHANGE those thoughts today!

YEP... it is that simple. (I did not say "easy")

You change your thoughts by renewing your mind.

What do you need to be thinking about today?

So Many Things... Celebrating is BIG...

We are celebrating and rejoicing. This week we have three wonderful birthdays and next week we have 2 more.

My two sons-in-law have birthdays this week. Yeah, I'm blessed with them. The first birthday was Tuesday, today is our daughter's (1st sil's wife) and then Saturday is our 2nd sil's birthday.

Next week on Wednesday is our 5th grandchild's birthday. She will be 2 and then on Friday Hugsum turns 65! That one is a biggie.

Not sure how I'm going to celebrate that one. Usually, he likes to just ignore his birthday. He is on a strict diet and so cake and ice cream are out of the question. When I ask what he wants, he says, "don't spend any money"...

Anyway, we are blessed. I love my family and thank God for each one that was either born to us or married in.

How are you celebrating September?

Random Dozen

1. Do you do garage sales? If so, tell me about one great find. If not, tell me why not.
YES! I love garage sales! Last weekend in Oz they had their annual 100 mile garage sale. It was overwhelming - too much for even me!
The best thing I have gotten lately is a FisherPrice doll house complete with furniture and a family. I think I paid $5 for it. It is so much fun to listen as the grandkids roll play with all the little people. There is even a grandmama and I LOVE to hear them play with her. It is hilarious to listen to "me" talking.

2. Name the last thing you fixed.
Besides a meal? ... a cup of coffee??? Okay, so something that was broken ... I'm struggling here. I know that I'm constantly "fixing" things. Just can't bring it up to the top of my brain right now. More than likely it was a toy. I fix those constantly!

3. Name your A) Favorite item of makeup OR B) Favorite tool
Right now I'm not real fond of any of my makeup and am considering changing from the Bare Minerals type back to a liquid foundation (hoping to cover wrinkles better and fill in the not-so-fine lines). There is one thing that I do love now that I think about it... It is my eyeliner... smudge proof, water proof ... Maybelline, Unstoppable, Espresso. Yeah, I do love that.

4. Which room in your home needs organizing more than any other?
Without a doubt, my laundry room is a disaster and needs organizing. It has become the junk room where I deposit everything that I don't know what else to do with ... It has a small counter refrig for cokes and waters, a water distiller, a large upright freezer, toys, carpet cleaner, all my small appliances, cookbooks, bakers rack, dog food and more toys, diapers, wipes, serving dishes ... and trash can - not to mention the washer and dryer and all the related items.
HELP!!!! Too much stuff is in there!

5. Which room could use re-decorating?
The whole house really, but the guest/grandkids room really needs a new fresh look.

6. Share something unique about your town.
I live here... hehe... okay, so I have lived many places. Ummm It is a suburb of Tulsa, the home of Rhema, I think it is the 2nd or 3rd largest town in our state (even though we consider it small town). Other than those things, I really don't know much... the name means peace... so I'm struggling here.

7. If you could send a one-sentence message to your great-grandchild, what would it be?
Have faith in God and trust Jesus, NOTHING else matters!

8. Do you Facebook?
Yes... yes ... and way too much, yes!

9. Describe your favorite shoes.
Right now, I don't have a pair that I'm super crazy about. My "go to" shoe right now is a flip flop. I'm on the look out for a nice pair of navy flats. I have a feeling when I find them, they will be my favs.

10. Do you listen to more talk radio or more music radio? What kind of station is it?
If I'm in the car w/ hugsum, he turns it to talk radio. If it is just me, then it will be praise and worship music. More often than not I enjoy the complete silence and so don't turn on anything.

11. How far would you travel for a really good (favorite) meal?
We have been known to drive 6 hours to Zaxbys to get the BEST chicken fingers and tater chips ever! (Sorry to my friends who own Chick-fil-A - that is my 2nd all time favorite!) We don't have Zaxbys in our state and if I had enough nickles to my name, I'd change that in a heartbeat!

12. If you were totally honest with yourself (and us) what should you probably be doing right now instead of blogging?
I'd be working on my dissertation... uhhhhh that thing is looming over my head like a huge heavy weight!

Today I'm BACK!

I've missed blogging. Same story I've been saying for about a year now. I still miss it. Maybe I'll be able to get back and regularly blog... That's my plan - AGAIN!

My life is full. It is fun! It is active. I'm so incredibly thankful.
I've come a long way in a year. I've got my priorities in order.
I've got so much to share with the world .... I doubt that I share, but I don't have to.

I can just start where I am and don't have to backtrack and live in the past. I'm looking forward to the future with much anticipation.

So, today I had the joy of keeping four grandchildren. ... plus the cutest little grandpuppy. Andy is not that crazy about little Maddie, but that is okay. He will get used to having her around. It is funny because it is payback time for Andy. Maddie just loves Andy and irritates him. Andy used to do that when he was a little puppy...

Today we colored, watched Snow White, played with puzzles and transformers and dolls and balls... we jumped and did forward rolls and sang and tickled.... just to mention a few things...

Yes, life is good. I would love to expand my territory ... I would love to do lots of things. One day I can... I will ...

Meanwhile..... I'm happy and content and satisfied.

Hope your life is good!
Blessings

Random Dozen and Back to Blogging!

1. What insect are you most afraid of? Feel free to post a picture.
I not afraid of any insects. I don't like any of them, especially those that fly at me or land on me - unless it is a butterfly... I love those!

2. What is the greenest/most organic thing about you or that you do?
This one brings me much condemnation. I try to be green and organic in things, but fail miserably! If money, time and convenience were no object, I would buy all organic food and compost and recycle. However ... money, time and convenience normally supersede my "green side".

3. Tell me about a recurring dream that haunts you.
I have recurring dreams about hair. It is strange hair in strange places... like being by a pool knowing that I just shaved and being horrified to find a huge patch of long dark hair on the back of my leg. I have no idea what it means.

4. Have you ever missed a flight? What were the circumstances?
No. I've been blessed.

5. What do you consider your best feature?
Physically ... At this time of life, I've noticed that my "best" features are not what they used to be. The other day as I was dressing I decided that my back is the "youngest" looking part of my body. I have a nice back.... Having said that, I keep it covered unless I'm in a bathing suit.


6. What was the last concert you went to?
This year we have been to two. This is notable because I can't remember going to one for many many years - in fact, I think the last one was Carmen - in 1990!

In the spring we went to a concert by ____ Mayer (so good I can't remember his name). His group did the Beatles songs. It was okay. We left at intermission.

In June we went to Branson to the SIX concert. Not THAT was great! I highly recommend that one.

7. Describe the most embarrassing church moment you ever experienced.
As a pastor's wife there are way too many! The last time my husband asked me to read the scripture I put so much enthusiasm and emphasis in it that he has never asked me again!

One time I was to sing a special - acapella. In the middle of the song I went completely blank and could not remember the words or tune. I was so embarrassed I ran out the back of the church in tears. That was over 30 years ago and I'm still totally humiliated.

8. Are you a whistler, hummer or singer?
All... it just depends. Sometimes I'll start whistling and then singing and then hum... The difference is whether I remember the words or not. If I start out singing and go blank (which seems to be a trait of mine, see above question) then I will hum or whistle.

9. George Washington Carver said, "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." What is God saying to you through nature today, or this very minute?
ahhhhh... have to get back to this one. Sesame Street is what is tuned in right now - along with 4 precious little ones...

10. On September, 1, 1752, the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia. What memorable event will take place in your life on September 1, 2010?
Guess I'll have to make sure to make one.

11. Taco Bell or the Liberty Bell? (You must choose.)
Liberty Bell.... uh, what kind of food do they serve?

12. Do you believe men and women can have purely platonic friendships?
I do believe it is possible. However, my husband does not think so. I would say that for women it is and for men it is not... therefore, my answer would be "no"....