Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Truth...more "food" for thought

"The Holy Scriptures were not given to us that we should enclose them in books, but that we should engrave them upon our hearts."
St. John Chrysostom

"There is great value in searching the Scriptures.
There may be a promise in the Word that exactly fits your situation,
but if you are unaware of it, you will be like a prisoner in a dungeon."
Charles H. Spurgeon

Monday, March 29, 2010

"Bustin Out!"

Spring! Spring is bustin out..."all over"!
Every day the trees have more and more GREEN!
Am loving it!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Another New dawn....

Makes me think of the scripture, "His mercies are new every morning"!
Every day we have a new chance in life, a new beginning if we want it.

I sat on the porch this morning wrapped in a blanket , coffee in hand, just talking to the Lord,
basking in the warm glow of sunshine on my face, as the birds serenaded me.

Mike came out to join me, making the "warmth" of the morning complete.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

WOOHOO!!!!!

The continuing saga of my quest for a healthier me.....
Have lost 7 pounds so far!
In Anna's words, WooHoo!!!!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

First Plants of the Season!


On a rampage!

I am an animal lover! To me animals are just another way the Father blesses us!

BUT----"my" deer and I are going to have to have a little better understanding of the rules and regulations of our backyard.
They have become a bit too zealous. Not only did they eat my pansies a while back but they have almost destroyed three birdfeeders, two I managed to save!

I am going to contact critter repellant.com and order a scent that they will not like. My neighbor has used it and it works.
Am going to have to keep the deer at the edge of the woods for their treats as I plan to have a small flower and vegetable garden this year and don't want them eating it!

I will continue to enjoy them but not in the middle of our backyard!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Emma's Birthday

Saturday was a "Grand-filled" day! We came together to celebrate Emma's 6th, along with her cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents! We had lots of fun indoors-
watching "I Love Lucy" featuring John Wayne, Emma's hero and target practice with nerf guns,
outside of course.

After the party April and the kids came home with us. April went to a "movie" gala with friends and we kept the kids! We ended up at Pizza Hut and the Water Ice Factory then back to our house for a movie, card playing and crafts!
By 10 pm I could hardly keep my eyes open and Camden was doing card tricks with me and I had an awful time trying to pay attention!
Needless to say when April arrived and gathered the kids, I barely straightened things up, hit the shower and bed! It had been a beautiful day!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Winter's End

"For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time
of singing has come!"
Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Friday, March 19, 2010

Living....

"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature
is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose
garden over the horizon--instead of enjoying the roses that (bloom) outside our
windows today."
Dale Carnegie

"We are always getting ready to live, but never living."
Emerson

Life is precious. We should live each day to its fullest!
And enjoy, cherish and appreciate the people with whom God has graced us.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Life...precious

Sometimes life seems so short... so fragile...and once in a while so painful...
almost too painful to bear.

Some of our dearest friends lost a precious son this week. It has been a loss for all who knew him.
His unique personality evoked laughter, spontaneity, and a bit of mischievousness-
all in brilliant orange!

Soon we will celebrate his life and as his father said so well, "A life worth celebrating".

Thoughts and prayers for the loved ones left behind have consumed us.

And thoughts of one day seeing him again bring great comfort.

We know where he is...in the loving arms of his Lord Jesus. There can be no better place.

Thank you Ransom, for the joy and the gifts you gave to all who crossed your path!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Early Spring Treasures


Earlier this morning I went out to fill birdfeeders
and began to see treasure...an intricate snail shell,
a very "young" dandelion, miniature lavender and white flowers among spindly purple ones and numerous budding trees and bushes. Even the stump of an old tree with it's rings and saw -patterns were a thing of beauty!
There is treasure all around us! The whole outdoors is one enormous treasure chest just waiting to be perused!

Wisdom from Jane...

"How quick come the reasons for approving
what we like!"
*Persuasion*

"Nobody minds having what is too good
for them."
*Emma*

"To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look
upon verdure, is the most perfect refreshment."
*Mansfield Park*

"There is nothing like staying at home for
real comfort."
*Emma*

The first two quotes are great "food" for thought.
The others evoke warm, fuzzy feelings.
I do believe we need both every day!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Daylight Savings

As a kid, I think I liked it. As an adult I think I would rather keep the "old" time!
One thing I am trying very hard to do is not to complain about it!

My main concern is kids that catch the bus around 6:30 AM. It's too dark to be standing out waiting for a school bus safely, in my opinion.

Would someone remind me why we go to Daylight Savings Time? I really would like to know!

Heard years ago that it was so the Dr.s and business people could play golf after work! :)
Now I really don't believe that one, but seriously....why????

Friday, March 12, 2010

I'ts a lovely rainy day.....

Nice morning so far, rainy but in the 50's.

It is a "make your own sunshine" day! I am really excited this morning...I have lost 3 pounds
in one week! I am doing well with my eating but do need to get on an exercise program.
I am focusing on a healthier lifestyle and not so much on the bathroom scales!

Eating healthy and not starving myself, I eat when I am truly hungry. Find I don't need as much food as I thought I did! The Lord is my great Encourager! He's here, cheering me on!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Bird Song

"A delicate fabric of bird song floats in the air;
The smell of wet, wild earth is everywhere."
Sara Teasdale

This could be a description of this day! I've heard the birds all day long,
from very early...before 6 am and they are still singing!
I think the finches and the Carolina wren are the most vocal around our house.
They are so entertaining...chirping and eating, chirping and eating!

They've blended in quite well with the rain showers and have created such a unique symphony!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Another one....!

What heavenly weather we're having!!!
Porch Day!
Was sitting on the porch talking to Anna and this was my view. Had to get a picture....
Spring is really coming...soon... yippee!

Need to hurry and fold clothes so I can hit the porch with a good book!

Forget any other "inside" jobs! :)

Lapses of Laziness!

Lapses of laziness... you never know when it will strike!

So like that elusive tsetse fly....you know the one that comes and bites you when you are trying to get out of bed...making you so sleepy you can hardly move...

Lapses of laziness hit me at various times...laundry times too often...
the clothes make it to the dryer but sometimes stay there for days! Yikes!
Then Mike says I have one more pair of underwear or no clean socks and I say they're in the dryer!

Or mail...sometimes it piles up on the table for several days...

Or the accumulation of PJs in my bathroom...

I like to blame these lapses on that blasted tsetse fly! He makes me so tired!

Oh wait, didn't I just post earlier today about taking responsibility, growing up????
Maybe I should read that again!

"Oh my gosh!"

Oh my gosh! It's "See-How-Many- Posts- You- Can -Blog - Day!" on my calendar!!!
I think I'll go for the record!

Does your calendar say that? Well, actually mine doesn't really say that but it does say
"Miss the point of everything said to you day"!
Interesting calendar we have...compliments of some of our zany friends that we love!

Other special days are "Screaming Hard-Sell TV Commercials Appreciation Day" and "Run Your Mouth Mercilessly Day".

One of my favorite's..."Duct Tape Your Pants To Your Shirt Instead of Wearing A Belt Day"...
me , I'm the duct tape queen! Fixed our entire plumbing under the kitchen sink one time with duct tape! Hey! It worked for a while! :)

Well, since I have declared this to be "Post as many posts on your blog Day", I better get going!!!!

"Crab apples!" It didn't work!

Okay, it didn't work so just type in Proverbs 31 ministries....
Hopefully you can find the devotional for today!
It's really too good to miss and it's not just for us ladies!!!!!

Me again!!!

HAD to share this!!!!

Talk about a "grabber"!!!!!

Go to http://www.proverbs31.org/devotional

Today's is "I want to Leave a Legacy" by Melanie Chitwood.
Excellent!!!

Check it out!

Words of Wisdom

Was reading this morning in the Message Bible in the book of Proverbs.
Here are some Words of wisdom that "grabbed" me......

"The road to life is a disciplined life,
ignore correction and you're lost for good." Prov. 10:17

"God is solid backing to a well-lived life,
but He calls into question a shabby performance." Prov. 10:29

"shabby performance", to me is doing something half-way...just enough to get by.
Oh, I've been guilty of this before...start something, don't finish, leave things undone...
or have a bad attitude about the task at hand and allow that to influence my performance.
Time to grow up! :)

What ever I do, I need to do my best "At it"!

"If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it-
how short-sighted to refuse correction." Prov. 12:1

It seems today that as people we don't want correction. We have an excuse for everything...
usually blaming others, our past, etc.
Time to grow up! Time to take responsibility for our actions!

I admit...correction doesn't usually make one "feel" good at the moment, but when you've received it and acted on it...wow!

Example for me....am on Day 5 of healthy eating to reduce weight and am doing well!!!
Have lost 2 & 1/2 pounds and have a "good attitude" !!! Wow! I'm growing up!!!! :)

Friday, March 5, 2010

More of my favorite things...







Making a plan...

Guess we've all heard the saying "aim at nothing and that's what you'll hit"!

The Bible says to "write the vision, make it plain".

This has been buzzing around in my head for a while....make a plan, set some goals...
so today I did.
I've been disgusted with myself for quite a while...extra weight has been making me feel tired,
unhealthy, etc.

I have to write it down, see it in print...this plan of mine!

Today I began The South Beach Diet plan. It's there in black and white, with good, healthy recipes, meal plans, foods allowed, foods not allowed.

I'm blogging this to help me stay accountable.

I'm going to try and keep a food diary too if I can. Haven't lasted too long doing those but will give it another go.

And the exercising....YIKES! Okay....I can do this! I can walk! I can jog on my mini trampoline!

So...plan in place and here I go!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

March


"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."
-Charles Dickens
"A Light exists in spring
Not present on the year
At any other period,
When March is scarcely here"
-Emily Dickinson

Happy Birthday Day Anna!

Happy Birthday Anna!!!!

I so remember the Saturday morning you were born! You were my easiest labor and delivery!
After you were born, I told your dad we could have had you in a field, all by ourselves for the Dr.
on call did nothing but was just there!

We love you and are so proud of you! Have a lovely day "baby Anna" as Mr. Allen use to say!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Just "a few of my favorite things"!




I am such a lover of nature! Here in our Powder room, on a small,

handmade wooden heart table "lives" a wooden tree that one of my very favorite neighbors gave me a few years ago.

I decorate it for every season and it brings me such delight.


The table was made by Mr. Harkey, an elderly gentleman, about 15 years ago. He and his wife were such special people and I love the tables I bought from him.


I now have some of my favorite birds on the tree for Spring. The owls were hanging on the porch Christmas tree and the cute little birds are actually candles that Anna bought for me today at Pottery Barn! Now I just need a Cardinal!
The second shelf has this bird...sort of Partridge-like and a nest of eggs...all from the porch Christmas tree.
How I love the birds!!!!!


It's on the way!

Spring is on the way! It's coming! It's coming in all it's glorious "newness", "freshness"- stirring
our senses with magnificent colors, fragrance galore!

It's a time of awakening, renewal, rebirth and it is quite exciting!

It seems the older I become, the more I look forward to this season.
It shouts "LIFE"! And that life is contagious!

Live...truly live. Stop and smell the roses,... the hyacinth, the daffodils....
Sit outside and bask in the amazing creation with which God has so blessed us!
Embrace this freshness and let it spill over onto your friends and family, new friends,
onto your homes and the workplace.

Smile! Laugh! Enjoy all the beauty God has given us!
There is a time for every season under Heaven....selah.....

Make the most of it!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Babysitting?

Or should I say "grand-snake" sitting?

This is Sonic...our "grand-snake" and we are keeping him this week.
He is our oldest grandson's pet and actually he's pretty neat!

I love animals! Had never thought too much about snakes before but now that Christian has one,
I've learned to like him too.

I take him out and hold him. I talk to him and check on him many times during the day and early morning to make sure he's warm enough.

Mike has looked at him but will probably never hold him! Uncle Dan and Grandaddy saw him yesterday and Uncle Bill held him.

For some reason there aren't too many that want a closer relationship with him but that's okay too!

I know he's missing Christian but he'll see him soon! In the meantime I'm trying to take his place and be a good "Granggie" for Sonic, the ball Python!