In the Words of Blake Shelton

Gawd Amighty It's Friday!  Did not get here one minute too quick!  Have seen midnight every night since Monday.  But it has been a super week!  Had an awesome although short visit with my baby brother early in the week.  2 date nights (with another tonight, yee haw!) and just busy life in general.  Love it, love it, love it!!! Thing 1 has his first baseball game tomorrow and all indications are that he will be a catcher.  I am so proud of those boys!  Loving life and living large.  Have a great weekend!

Quote for the day.  "Everybody has baggage, find someone who loves you enough to help you unpack."

"Everyone deserves a heart that will love them at their worst and arms that will hold them at their weakest." 

Thank All Ya'll

Yes, thank all of ya'll (cos remember that is the plural).  Hasn't been so long ago that I was amazed that visits to my blog hit 1000.  Now we are at 1501!!!!  Thanks for coming back and visiting.  That means a great deal to me.  Sitting in the quiet of my house this morning with the radio on for background noise.  Boy that sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it, but I think ya'll get it.  I enjoy those quiet moments in the morning to pause and reflect then prepare for the day ahead.  Busy as usual and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I have heard it said and I have to agree, if you need something done you get the busiest person you know to do it.  If you want to find the easiest way to do something get the laziest person you know to do it.  My plate is full and my cup runneth over!  Reminded of a quote I saw the other day, cos ya'll know I collect these things.  "Don't pray for a bushel and only carry a cup".  I am praying for a bushel and driving a dump truck!  In all of the turbulence that honestly makes up most of our worlds, even when the temptation is to feel sorry for ourselves, even when our heart is breaking for others, even when things look the darkest, there is calm, there are blessings, and there is healing, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel that is not a freight train.  Have a great day and thanks again!

Nothing In Particular

Nothing in particular on my mind or I should say so many things rambling around in this head that it is hard to pinpoint any one thing that is taking precedence.  Mentioned to one of my adopted children last evening around 5 that I felt like I had already worked about 40 hours this week and it was only Tues.!  I had what was for me a very, I am not even sure how to describe it, feeling last night.  I had spoken with a friend, who I also happen to have had a business relationship with his family for years, on the phone around 1:45 yesterday afternoon because he had some insurance questions and he told me he knew that I could help.  After talking for several minutes we set an appointment for him and his wife to meet with me on Thurs.  When we got ready to hang up he told me, "you know that we think you are an amazing woman."  And me being a smartass told him not to be spreading rumors like that.  We laughed and I told him that I would see them Thurs. evening.  Around 9 last night I got a phone call that he had died suddenly yesterday afternoon.  Wow!  So now instead of he and his wife coming to my house for a business appt. on Thurs. evening I will be going to their daughter's house to sit with his wife for a little while.  Reminded ever more of the fragility of life.  On an up note, after I spend some time with her, I have a date.  Will be #4 with this gentleman.  Thought one time talking with him the other night, 'my God, I may have met myself!'.  We shall see but I am looking forward to it.  Have a great day or night depending on where you are.  Will leave you with one thought.  LIVE! DON'T JUST EXIST!

More Random Thoughts

These are just some little sayings that I am accumulating from different sources that help me and that I use to pass on to others.  Just wanted to share a few this morning.  But before that I think it is the funniest thing in the world that 2 different friends threatened to "whip" me yesterday for being "hard-headed".  As in I know you won't tell me if there is something I can do for you because you are so hard-headed and if I find out you needed something and didn't call me I am going to come and whip you.  Now my friends, I am trying to see what the problem is!  I promise if I really do need something then I will call, but rest assured if I can take care of it, or handle it myself that is exactly what I am going to do!  Had to tell one of them that I would take the best they had and come back for more.  But as usual I digress!  Thoughts to ponder:

"Surround yourself with people who make you happy.  People who make you laugh, who help you when you are in need.  People who would never take advantage of you.  People who truly care. These are ones worth keeping in your life.  Everyone else is just passing through."

"I don't have time to hate people who hate me.  I am too busy loving the people who love me."

"Don't change so people will like you.  Be yourself and the right people will love the real you."

And last but not least for today.

"Just being there for someone can sometimes bring hope when all seems hopeless."

And with all that being said, this morning I really wish I could talk to my Daddy.

Have a great day!

Prayer of Praise

As I have been reflecting over the past few days, which I do from time to time, I am so amazingly humbled!  I can truly say a prayer of thanksgiving for all the difficult times that I have faced and come through (remember that wonderful word 'through' means you will eventually come out of it).  In all the adversity, sorrow, grief, and pain, I just want to thank God for allowing me to go through it all.  Sounds kinda strange doesn't it?  Before church this morning I had two different friends call with some things that they wanted me to pray about on their behalf.  I believe that God puts people in our paths at the time that we need them.  And it dawned on me that had I not gone through what I have then I would not be any good to these people.  It humbles my heart when people trust me with their secrets (remember 2 open ears and one closed mouth), when they tell me that they know when I tell them to call anytime they know that I truly mean it and am not just saying the words, that when I promise to pray for them that I will, when they ask for my advise, or just in general need a shoulder to lean on.  I praise God for everything that has ever happened to me because through it all He has been preparing me to be what I hope is a blessing to others.  Once again, I stand amazed in the Presence!

Quick Thought

Sharing one quick thought this morning because I am moving like pond water and don't have time for more, but am compelled that this has to be done now.

If the mountain was smooth we wouldn't be able to climb it.



More later

Horoscopes Revistied

I have written in previous posts my feelings about horoscopes.  I look at mine a few days a week mostly for s@@ts and giggles.  But sometimes the things just get a little close to reality.  Not that I live and plan by these things because I don't however, sometimes it just makes you pause.  With that being said the following is my horoscope for tomorrow.  Things that make you go hum.


'A business or romantic partner may seem a bit preoccupied with some very serious matters today, Taurus, and not be likely to share them with you. Asking to talk about it won't work, so you'll probably end up depending on your intuition. Your friend is probably concerned with the health of a family member who may need surgery. Don't feel excluded. Your friend will talk when the time is right. Be patient'


My friends and family all know that I am always here to listen and that I don't push.  Made the comment to a dear, dear friend (actually someone I consider family although not related) when I reminded them that I had two open ears and one closed mouth.  Just kinda interesting with all that is going on that this would be my "celestial prediction" for tomorrow. 

Also, read another interesting quote this week that sounds like a good rule to live by, "The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it".  Also, wonderful words to live by at this point in my life, "Don't pray for a bushel and only carry a cup".  Just some thoughts to ponder as you go about your day today.  And speaking of going about my  day, I got to get my sorry rear end in gear.  Was going to a horse sale today but made an 'adult' decision to stay home and take care of some things that I neglected this week and some things that I need to do to help make next week (which surprise, surprise) is going to be awfully busy, a little easier.  With that being said, I am going to get started, because remember you can't finish till you start.

I Love My Friends!

I really do love and appreciate my friends!  The pure joy of a true friendship is not in the seeing each other or even talking to each other every day.  No, the pure joy of friendship is that oneness of spirit that just knows each other is there for the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Reminded of two quotes this morning.

"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do.  But to hold together when everyone else would understand if you fall apart, that's true strength."

"A friend is someone you can call at ANY hour...to laugh, to cry, or to complain."

Have an awesome day children.  And thank you from the bottem of my heart to my friends.  Ya'll know who you are and know that I love you!

Me Thinks It Must Be an Age Thing

Does one's ability to give a s@&t diminish as you age?  Or is it that you learn as you get older to give a s@&t about the things that matter and as you get older you realize more and more what matters.  I tend to be pretty laid back and run on an even keel most of the time.  I am realizing that things that used to piss me off ain't even worth a second thought anymore.  I am also realizing that there are some things I just don't have time for.  There are far more important things that deserve my attention rather than pissant petty remarks from people that seem to be disturbed by my activities.  My personal feeling is until I am asking you to support my going, drinking, smoking or whatever the hell it is that I am doing then it really is none of your business.  Popular opinion is that since I work for myself (job 1) that I have all the money anybody could want and I only work when I want to.  I appreciate the fact that this job gives me flexibility with my schedule (it allows me to work jobs 2 & 3) it doesn't mean that I don't work just as hard as anybody else.  In other words it is my business, not your's.  There are just alot of things that I don't have the time or energy for because there are far more important things to me that are worth my time and energy.  And guess what if they are not the same things that are important to you that is ok.  It doesn't make me or you either one right or wrong.  It just is what it is.  I am reminded of a quote that I saw a couple of weeks ago, "there are those people when they discover the center of the universe are going to be sorely disappointed that they are not it."  I am also reminded of another, "It's your road and your's alone.  Other's may walk it with you but no one can walk it for you."   Now I have said my peace and counted to three, I feel better.  Of course some of the reason that I feel better is that I have been talking to Dumbass during this particular rant and that always helps.  Have a great day or night depending on where you are.

Too Stinkin' Cute

I have been called out by a 4 year old!!  Background because all of ya'll know that I have to go all the way around my a@@ to scratch my elbow to tell something.  Thing 2 is something of a ladies man even though he is only 5 years old.  At 3 his pick up line was, "hey, hot girl, I got dog, his name Thor, you want to come see him."  We have a little girl at church that is just the cutest thing!  She is 4 years old and is a baby doll!  She is also wide open!  But she is my kinda girl because she wears cowboy boots and flip-flops and she wants to make sure you see both of them.  I can see gifting her toe rings.  This morning she was sitting behind us with her family and Thing 2 keeps turning and playing with her.  After a couple of scoldings, the last being, "if you don't turn around and behave, I'm not gonna take you to the bathroom, I am gonna wear you out right here in front of God and everybody."  I told him the whole church was gonna get to see him get his butt tore up!  All is good for a few minutes and then he turns and is making googly eyes at this little girl and I gave him "the look".  I must have it down pretty good because I hear  a sweet little voice behind me say, "Miss Connie, don't be mean to him."  That is just too stinkin' cute.  I thought I was gonna have to go to the bathroom to control myself, because there is only so long you can keep a laugh quiet!  I did get myself under control, he did turn around and pretty well behave the rest of service.  I am reminded of nieces and nephews who have said, "it scares me when Aunt Connie gives me 'the look'."  I must be doing something right.  Nighty night.!

Make Me a Vessel

We have already established that there are lots of things that I don't understand.  I can only pray, "Lord use me, make me the vessel to be a blessing to others".  Maybe in doing so I will understand some of those things that I don't understand.  And if not I will continue to trust you God even in those moments that I don't understand and don't really see the way, I only know that I keep putting one foot in front of the other because I trust You with the end results.

Hot Diggity Dog

Moving into my favorite time of the year.  Baseball season is right around the corner.  The pros have been at spring training for a few weeks now, opening day is just a couple of weeks away, man oh man does it get any better than that!  Yes, it does!  Thing 1 had his first baseball practice of the year tonight and yep I was there.  As a matter of fact Sunday afternoon we are having "Granny baseball clinic" to work on a couple of things that he needs a little help with.  Don't ya'll just love that?  He is moving up to coach pitch this year and after practice I had to tell him that it will still be fun but now is when he is getting into serious ball playing.  Kid was playing in the dirt when they were taking infield.  When he was standing next to the fence I quietly walked over and told him the next time I saw him playing in the dirt he was going to run laps after practice.  Took about 15 minutes and he was squatted down sifting dirt again.  I quietly walked over, held my finger up and said, "that's 1".  He answered, "I was killing a bug".  My answer, "that's still 1".  His answer, "Yes, ma'am".  His daddy made sure we didn't forget and that kid ran his lap (be sure you stay next to the fence) without one word of argument.  Made me plumb proud.  I am pleased that he has a coach that instructed the parents then the kids that he expects respect from the players, toward the coaches, other players, and each other.  Gonna be a good year.  Thing 2 with still be playing t-ball this year and will have the same coach as last year, which makes his parents and me glad.  Just in case you couldn't tell, I am looking forward to baseball season.  Also, talked to the team sponsor of my softball team this week and in the next few weeks we will begin playing some ball.  Let the games begin!

I Just Could Not Help Myself

Sometimes an opportunity presents itself and it is just too good to pass up.  This evening my cell rang and it was a toll free number that I did not recognize and as all the bills are paid for this month so it wasn't a bill collector, I answered it.  It was a group doing a public opinion survey.  Now I have a lot of opinions.  I tend to try  (notice I did say try)  to keep them to myself as much as possible but if you ask, well it is all fair game then.  So the little girl is reading her questions and I am answering and after about 15 minutes I stopped her and asked how much longer cos I had somewhere to go.  Bet you are not surprised that at that point we were nearly done.  After a few demographic questions (age, marital status, blah, blah, blah she asked what state I was in.  My answer, "Confusion".  Yes, indeedy, there was a moment of brief silence.  That ain't in the script.  Bless that child's heart, she is either very disciplined or has no sense of humor or she just plain old didn't get it.  She says 'I'm sorry ma'am, that is not on our list of choices'.  So I said 'never mind honey' and gave her my state of residence.  I know nobody likes a smartass but it was funny.  I am just hoping she was that disciplined because God bless anybody that don't have more of a sense of humor than that. 

Mixed Feelings, Very Mixed Feelings

Today was the start of Daylight Savings Time, which if you think about it just don't make no kind of sense!  There are 24 hours in the day and the sun rises and sets according to the same time schedule it has been on since the beginning of time.  But we observe an event each year where we turn the clock ahead 1 hour and begin Daylight Savings Time.   With all that being said, however, this was a great day to change the clock.  We had sunshine, glorious sunshine.  After church and fixing (for those of you unfamiliar with "southernese" that is the same as preparing) some lunch I put the walking shoes on and walked.  I have gotten really slack during the winter and the way my pants feel shows it.  So, am getting back in the walking habit.  After getting back from my walk I decided to clean my truck.  Now let me say here for a girl I clean a vehicle up goooood!  I did everything but clean the carpets and wax it.  I spent 4 hours on that truck and she looks good!  It was just awesome to be outside.  Worked on my Vitamin D intake and did what I could to prevent osteoporosis.  (New study shows that menopausal and post menopausal women who drink 1-2 beers a day have less bone loss than those who don't.  Sounds like a prescription to me.)  But now it has gotten dark and I am going to bed because it really just pisses me off about that hour of sleep I lost last night.  Maybe, just maybe I will sleep all night and not look like a raccoon in the morning.  Nighty nite!

Technology

How awesome is technology?  It allows me to instantly contact someone with fax, text, cell phone calls, and e-mail.  With the assistance of a GPS I never have to worry about getting lost on my way home again.  With e-mail and Facebook I can easily stay in touch with family members who are hundreds of miles away.  Yep, it is pretty great.  However (ya'll should have seen that coming).  I think back on a conversation that Dumbass and I had this past week.  He was in his truck and I could hear his GPS which got us to talking about how amazing the GPS is.  I can program an address in and it will tell me street by street, turn by turn the best way to get there.  Yes, that little box is amazing because if I miss a turn or ignore it the thing will instantly recalculate and still get me from point A to point B.  Pretty cool huh?  I stopped to reflect on this which led to a discussion of how most children of today will never learn to read a map.  Do all of ya'll (remember that is the plural) remember learning to read a map and at the risk of sounding old even remember when service stations gave maps for free?  They didn't even have a highlighted spot that said, "you are here".  My grandchildren know who Superman is but they have no idea what a phone booth is and most likely have never seen a pay phone.  Ah, and the lost art of letter writing!  And it really is a lost art!  Do they even still teach it in school.  Again, at the risk of sounding ancient, we learned to write business letters, thank you notes, and just general letter writing in school.  Yes, technology is wonderful and I am thankful for it yet at the same time I can't help but be a little sad at the things that have been compromised because of it.  Things that make you go 'hum'.   Have an awesome day.

March 8, 2012

Yep, this is that date that has been flashing like a neon billboard in my head for about 6 weeks.  It has been exactly to the minute 2 1/2 years since Bobby died.  I still don't understand (and we have already established there is a lot that I don't understand) why this half year anniversary seems to be so important.  I don't know if this is supposed to be some type of turning point or it is just the realization that life indeed does go on.  What I do know is that I am having more of that Raschal Flatt's "I'm Moving On" feeling for the past several weeks, really since Christmas.  With that being said, I am not really doing anything different that I have been.  I am reminded of three things this morning.  One is Psalms 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God".  The other is Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."  And lastly, the second and third verses of the song, "I'm Moving On", "I've lived in this place and I know all the faces.  Each one is different but they're always the same.  They mean me no harm but it's time that I face it, They'll never allow me to change.  But I never dreamed home would end up where I don't belong.  I'm movin on.  At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me.  And I know there's no guarantees, but I'm not alone.  There comes a time in everyone's life when all you can see are the years passing by.  And I have made up my mind that those days are gone." 
Reminding myself that I am blessed and highly favored.  I also am reminding myself I am a strong person.  Have a great day boys and girls, really could use a 14 hour work day today.

Proud Granny Moment



 I admit to being teary eyed as I do this post.  The above picture is my two grandsons.  Sometimes referred to as Thing 1 and Thing 2.  Today was a "Daddy Day" for Thing 2 (in the forefront).  After picking up Thing 1 at school apparently the boys and their daddy went for a walk.  This is the spot where their great grandfather went to pray.  It just absolutely fills my heart with joy to see these boys ages 5 and 7 praying in the same spot that their great grandfather went for his prayer time.  See these boys do not have a living grandfather.  My son-in-law's father died when Tristan (Thing 1) was about 6 months old and Justin (Thing 2) never knew him.  They were 3 and 5 when Bobby died.  As a matter of fact Justin was the last grandchild to speak to Bobby before he died.  Just about 30 minutes before he took his last breath Justin climbed on the bed with us, laid his head on Bobby's chest to hug him and said, "I love you Poppa."  It is amazing to see these boys growing up, not just physically but in other ways.  They have heard me say many times to pray about everything.  And I believe they do.  For instance, a few weeks ago the tv in their room stopped working and that night Tristan knelt by his bed and prayed about it.  As a matter of fact he told his other grandmother that he "prayed and cried and cried and prayed".  Not that it should surprise any of us but within a couple of days that tv was working again.  If only we all would pray with the innocence and belief of a child how much better the world would be.  Unfortunately, often as adults we pray, but we don't really expect our prayers to be answered.  I don't know what these boys were praying for today but I do know they were praying with absolute certainty that God was hearing them and their prayers would be answered.  I want to believe in my heart of hearts that I have had some small part in their belief that prayer works.  And if I didn't that is ok too.  I think their Grandpa Ed would be especially proud to know these boys went to his spot to pray.  And I also know that their Poppa and Pa would be equally proud of the young men these boys are on their way to becoming.  I know their Granny is.

Joy in the Journey

One week from today it will have been 2 1/2 years since Bobby died.  I don't know why this half year anniversary seems to be looming but for some reason that I can't begin to understand it seems to be significant.  I have spent the past couple of weeks reflecting on my life the past 2 1/2 years in particular.  I have reached the conclusion that there really is joy in the journey.  The journey itself is not always joyful but looking at the big picture I can say there is joy in the journey.  I don't know why at the age of 25 I had an aneurysm in my brain that I was able to survive when just a few short months later a 1st cousin also had one and died after surgery.  ( Let me say here that "survivor's guilt is a very real thing)  I don't know why two men (my daddy and my husband) who loved life and all that it had to offer were taken by cancer at young ages yet my mother who to be perfectly honest never really seemed to enjoy life is still with us in body but her mind has been gone for years.  I don't understand a lot of things.  Yet, what I do know is that life does go on.  In the past 2 1/2 years I have out of necessity had to rediscover myself.  And at the risk of bragging I like me!  I am still a work in process.  I have met people in the past couple of years that I would not have met if I was still married.  (Please don't misunderstand here, I wish Bobby were still here).  I have been blessed and according to some other folks been a blessing to them.  Those things would not have happened had I not became a widow.  A friend called the other night because she needed someone to talk to and her words were, "I don't know why but I knew I had to call you."  Boys and girls that means a lot to me.  Dumbass and I have talked about this several times.  He really can be sweet (and I am sure that is not something he would want to be common knowledge).  When he tells me sometimes how sorry he is that I lost Bobby but how blessed he feels to know me.  Even to the point of asking if I thought Bobby would approve of our friendship.  And I think he would.  I have learned in the past 2 1/2 years that I can take care of myself.  I don't have to have a mate just for survival which unfortunately many women have never learned.  I have struggled a tremendous amount since his death, emotionally and financially but guess what!  I am doing just fine thank you very much.  I am proud of how I have managed but I am not prideful in it, if that makes any sense.  No, there are a lot of things that I don't pretend to understand and every moment is not full of joy but overall there really is joy in the journey.