Something a little bit freaky

Was having breakfast with V and Mema one day at LePeeps.

V's breakfast started doing some really freaky movements,

so I took some video.

and yes...it's upside down :)

http://youtu.be/s658Xbs5jtA

One of the Lucky Ones

I am blessed.
I am also, one of the lucky ones.
I was raised in a Christ following home.
My home church was a spiritual Catholic one,
with friends and leaders who were very supportive.
Most of my school friends, if  they were not Christians,
were not hostile or dismissive.

After some hiccups with the Catholic church,
my husband and I did not attend church
until after we had children.
In my generation, that was just how you raised well rounded kids.

It was not until my middle thirties
that my silver spoon like life began to be challenging.
With every challenge, I had to choose who to lean on.
Most of the time it was myself.
All of this time, I was a member of a church,
and very active in it.
I believe it was these times that were used to strengthen me
and I continue to be strengthened every day.

I used to hear that you should be careful what you pray for,
for you shall surely get the experiences to receive your answer.

I still turn to my own devices, more than I should
when trouble comes a knock'in,
but I also notice myself leaning on His plans more quickly too.
And the faster I do this,
the more quickly my hardships seem to be resolved.

I was reading this morning,
which led to these introspective thoughts.

George Matheson writes:
"My soul, reject not the  place of thy prostration!
It has ever been the robing room of royalty.
Ask the great ones of the past
what has been the spot of their prosperity; they will say,
"It was the cold ground on which I once was laying."
Ask Moses; he will date his fortune from his danger in the Nile.
Ask Ruth; she will bid you build her a monument on the field of her toil.
Ask David; he will tell you that his songs came from the night.
Ask Peter; he will extol his submission in the sea.
Ask Paul; he will attribute his inspiration to the light that struck him blind.
Ask one more - the Son of Man.
Ask Him whence has come His rule over the world.
He will answer,
"From the cold ground on which I was lying - the Gethsemane ground;
I received my sceptre there.""

I know many and a few well, who have yet to have their hearts challenged
to serve the Almighty Lord.
I am grieved to know that some of them may experience
such hard times as those mentioned above.
However, I am also relieved that all things are directed
by the One who wants to bless them beyond their wildest dreams.

I am blessed to be one of the lucky ones.

Sometimes He answers immediately.

I have learned patience.I have been married almost 27 years.
It has taken me quite a bit of patience in this area,
and I have been rewarded for it...
most of the time.

With my advancing years.....
some days it feels more advanced than others
and I am only 47...
I have been studying and growing and transforming.
And boy howdy, do I make my share of horrible mistakes!

As I have been learning to lean on the Lord more often than not,
it worries me when loved ones act out in their frustrations.
For some reason, I have always been able, for the most part,
to see things from a different perspective...as an outsider.

My prayer this morning was that the world seemed
to be fighting with me and those I love.
How do I stay  focused on God,
and let others understand that in their current situations,
doing the same would help them;
without sounding like the dreaded church lady that they call me?

I then proceeded with my study of Grace by Charles Swindoll.
The chapter I am reading is
Grace: Up Close and Personal.
Swindoll quotes C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity:
"The real Son of God is at your side.  He is beginning to turn you into the same kind of thing as Himself.  He is beginning, so to speak, to "inject" His kind of life and thought...into you; beginning to turn the tin soldier into a live man.  The part of you that does not like it is the part that is still tin."

My tin today is abrasiveness...claiming the grace to respond to what I encounter.
Tactfulness is the antidote.
Tact is like a girdle.
It allows yo to organize the awkward truth more attractively!

Wow!  Do I need more than one kind of girdle!
Another blog on that later!

It is important to speak the truth forcefully and clearly,
yet in a nondestructive manner.

So overall, my immediately answered prayer is
that I need to be more tactful.
Don't use the Word in the heat of the moment,
and hope that when they calm down
they will remember what I suggested.
But to lovingly encourage with the truth.

So look out family!
Love is coming your way!

Inspired again!

It has been since before Christmas
since I have sat at the spinning wheel!
I have been doing A LOT of knitting....
presents for the grandbabies,
(funny looking over a chair...
but it fits my granddaughter perfectly!)

hats,

hoodie for chuck,

a toe sock when I broke my toe,

socks for Hil...
(that I may have to claim for myself...
as they are only 5 inches from the toe until complete
and really really cute!)
and lots of baby prop items.
Hopefully will show a photographer or two
some of my work to use in infant photos.
Very fun.

But I must say that I have been very restless the past few days,
and actually BORED!
Went over to  BN today for a cuppa and a peek at a few magazines.
I was gloriously inspired to drag the ol wheel out again.
It really has been some time.
I cleaned all the moving parts,
had to tighten a few loose ones,
and have discovered that I need to get my muscle memory back.
I have plied three skeins of icelandic that I had been working on,
now, I wonder what I will spin.
I have tons more icelandic for a sweater....
yes, the one I wanted to make for my dad.....
but I also am inspired to try something more colorful and wild.
Maybe I'll try some wrapping,
I have such beautiful fiber ready to use, since cleaning my space!
Round and round and round  I go....!
Blessed to be able to create.
Thanks honey!

winter...

When I was a young mother,
I enjoyed winter.
I liked sledding down hills on garbage bags,
building snowmen,
ice skating,
(I took ice skating lessons in high school gym class)
just playing outside with the kids....

Our first really big snow came this past week.
I caught a cold New Year's Day.
I really didn't feel much like shoveling,
pulling 12 inches of snow off the roof,
or walking the dog in the dark,
as it gets dark here about 5pm.

As I was looking out at the birds and the yard,
I began thinking how much I missed the green,
and growing, and flowers.
I really can do without snow.
Oh, it's nice to watch it fall if I am inside knitting.
It is quieting.
It is centering, and peaceful.
But that's about it!

So.....I will be looking forward to spending a week with he grandbabies
in Colorado in February,
I will relish these 40 something degree days
when they show themselves unexpectedly,
and view the stars that always seem to be close enough to grab during the winter months,
but I will also be researching climates more suitable to nine or ten months of gardening,
more moderate temperatures and friendlier scenery to retire to.

Whoop de doo!

I just registered for the first class
for a master spinners degree!
I will take a week's course in July
then have a year to complete the work at home.
After that I will have five more years for the degree~!

I am so excited, I cannot even begin to  tell you!

If I didn't have this awful cold right now, and feel like I really need a nap,
I might just have to get the wheel out.
But as it is, after pulling snow off the roof today,
and shoveling by hand the drive and sidewalk yesterday....
12 inches of lake effect snow!...
I think I will just nap and knit on the thigh high socks a bit today.

I'll just dream of all the wonderful yarn I will be spinning!

I am blessed!

2011 ending in randomness

Random thoughts and actions today.

This was the last photo I took of 2010.
V, Hil and I had dinner at Ginos
before all their partying began.
I wonder what the last photo will be of 2011?

I remembered learning to drive
on a stick shift Honda in Pittsburgh Pa.
Nothing but hills everywhere.
I kept a sign in the rear window for YEARS
stating that I was a beginning driver.
Please stay far away when stopped behind me on a hill
because I roll backward in this stick shift car!

I remembered this when driving Hil's VW this morning.
Even though I have no feeling in my feet
it is so second nature to drive with a clutch,
I can even "hover" on a hill at a stoplight.

The 2011 calendar is put away,
and the 2012 has all birthdays and anniversaries marked.
2012 seems so ... possible ...  with empty calendar squares.
And the calendar is all about chocolate!

Celebrating V's last day at the spa
by eating cookie dough cheesecake together.
I need to buy some vodka and bailey's irish creme
for a cappuccino martini toast at midnight.
I bought some coffee flavored liqueur for a chocolate pie.
Had the hardest time finding it at Meijers.
Shows you how much I drink, when I didn't even know
Kahlua was coffee liqueur.

Either going to pull out the spinning wheel
or finish the weaving on the loom for New Years Day.
Sounds like we are in for quite the storm this week,
so I will have plenty of warm cuddly time for both!
I will continue taking down Christmas decorations...
all but the lit tree, until February.
I will miss all of the jewel toned balls and festiveness.
Come on Spring!

Getting so excited to be with all the family in Feb.
Terry's son, wife and grandbabies,
are joining us and the boyfriends in Colorado!
I will have all the snow angel, snowmen, sledding time
I have been missing with the grandbabies I can stand.

I really miss being able to spend every day,
or even every week seeing them.
Maybe lower Texas will be the place to retire?

I hope for a very happy, healthy,
prosperous New Year for you all!
I will be continuing purging, dieting and exercising!
I am blessed!
Bring it 2012~

I'm Baaaaaack!

I didn't intentionally avoid writing.
The holidays overtook most of my time.

I quickly knit up many last minute hats as gifts.
My main project was the sweater for the granddaughter.
It turned out great and she loved it!
Started Hil's socks...thigh high....the week before Xmas,
and needless to say, they have yet to be completed.
Have a good start tho.

Terry was home for four days,
and we enjoyed time together,
stocking stuffer shopping,
some personal business taken care of,
a few meals out,
and a wonderful Christmas Eve and LSC,
followed by the best Christmas morning we have had yet.

Monkey bread and scrambled eggs,
ham, hash brown potatoes, green beans, baked squash,
crescent rolls and Shirley's jello.

The main course was delish,
but I seem to have forgotten how to bake.
The only thing that turned out were the sugar cookies, and peppermint canes.
I threw one batch of fudge out....
I am blaming the out of date fluff.
The divinity, even tho made on a sunny day,
turned into taffy.
Butterballs, my favorite....both batches failed,
even tho folks ate them and said they tasted good.

Maybe because I am starting my healthy living,
is the reason I cannot bake sweets.

Both girls are working with a trainer, and eating minimal types of food.
May as well join the team......
but I will be on the total gym instead of going to one.

I was over blessed this year.
One might even say spoiled.
I feel very loved by all.
We actually started out saying no gifts this year...
well, I am the mommy.
I shopped a bit.
Most of us used amazon.com,
even tho I began hearing black commercials against them,
as they do not charge state taxes.

V and I took the day off yesterday and hit Four Winds Casino.
It was a nice drive, and even though we didn't win anything,
we had a wonderful time losing what we brought.
We tried a few new games, and were disappointed with Pharaoh...again.
The buffet line was too  long, so we went to Martin's for a salad bar.
I so enjoy spending time with my girls.

The birds are fed,
chuck needs a bath and hair cut,
I am working on my resolution/bucket/things I must do this year lists.
I am determined.

Well, maybe I'll get out the spinning wheel again before New Years.
I miss the ol girl!

Have a very Happy and joyous New Year!
You will be in my daily thoughts.
Even if I don't get around to blogging as often.

Be blessed yourselves.

P.S. It seems my puter won't download any pictures at the moment....

new route needed

Took Chuck for his last walk for a few days yesterday,

as I had tendons cut in my left foot today.

Don't freak out!

I had it done to my right foot last year to straighten out my screwed up toes.

No numbing as I don't feel much, if anything.

A good excuse to sit my butt down and finish up some knitting.

But...as for Chuck.

 We walked around the block,

and I noticed that neighbors have been putting up many holiday decorations.

Charlie didn't really seem to notice, until we came to this house.

He grabbed his leash and began to chew,

hunkered down and was really nervous.

I, of course was laughing.

I thought I should let him sniff so next time around

he wouldn't be afraid.

After I dragged him, to Jesus in the manger

with cooing happy tones in my voice,

he sniffed at His feet while I pet Jesus.

Chuck was sort of ok, but wary of Mary.

I rested my hand on her head.

Chuck sniffed from a distance,

while as low to the ground as I have ever seen him.

When I moved my hand from Mary's head,

the movement really frightened him.

So much so,

that he did a back flip trying to get away as quickly as he could

 Now, I suppose,

at least until Christmas is over,

we will have to find another route to walk.

However, Charlie and I will give this home one more go round...

with the video running on my camera!

It has been a few weeks since we ventured out to the mall.
Mema, and Mom and Dad have all had colds.
Actually, I made them separate dinners for the holiday and took it to their house, instead of
them coming to mine.
Mema still sounded a bit stuffy this morning
when I picked her up, and was in a confused, blah mood.
The mall was just what she needed!
There were tons of little kids playing when we arrived.
They all flocked to Mema too, and all had something to say.
They were telling her where they were going to eat,
who was who's brother,
and how they acted up,
who was riding in the mini van with them,
what they had for breakfast...
waffles and cereal seemed to top the list.
And orange juice!
Then, all of the sudden, all the kids left.
Must have been lunch time.
We had already had our coffee and cookie,
so we decided to walk and see Hilary,
who was working at the Walking Company.

Half way down the mall,
and we stopped in to the Walking Company
for a breather.
We decided to go see Santa Claus.
Hil, of course wanted to come!
So, the three of us hiked to the other end of the mall.
Needless to say, we had our exercise!
There was no line to Santa, so we walked right in.
At first Mema put up a fuss,
because she wasn't dressed for a photo.
But when Santa crooked his finger at her,
she went right over,
with the funniest, shocked, flirty expression.
He patted his lap and she sat right down.
Hil and I gathered around,
and the first picture taken, was perfect!
Mema started to get up when Hil and I went to pay for the pic,
and Santa held on to her,
He wanted to know what she wanted for Christmas.
This surprised her, and she didn't have an answer.
He told her, he would bring her lots of surprises!
Not sure how I feel about this Santa.....
kind of icky, maybe...but Mema was all smiles!

As we walked out of the mall,
all Mema could talk about was how she never imagined
that she would be sitting on Santa's lap at age 88.
Seriously, all the way home,
she had a huge grin and kept giggling at
what adventures we get into!
I think we will all put green sweatshirts on,
Mema in a red sweater and santa hat...
(she would make an awesome Mrs. Claus)
and get our family pic taken with Santa.
We are blessed to have Mema with us!