Safe Drivers

I recently was told that I am not a safe driver. There are things in this world that I might be, but an unsafe driver is not one of them. And I get very upset when someone says something negative about me.
I go the speed limit always, in fact on highways that are posted 70 miles per hour - I can't go over 65. I do not talk on my cell phone while I am driving, I do not text (ever), I do not eat, change clothes, or even write letters!
My children have always teased me because I do not look at the other drivers when I am coming toward them and have often missed the fact that I have just passed one of them.
I have never gotten a ticket and the only accident that I was responsible for was when I was pulled into a pole by a giant snow drift.
So to the "gentleman" who made a comment about my driving, you do not need to ride in my car! If you need to get somewhere - call a taxi!

Sundays

What would we do without this wonderful day? I realize that some people still have to work, but I am sure that they get a Sunday off every once in awhile and then they also can say, "What a wonderful day!"
It is great to get up and go to church and thank Him for the week that he has just given to us, for our good health to be able to get out and go, and for the opportunity to gather as one and sing at the top of your lungs.
It is a day when you can take your time over a nice breakfast and enjoy that second cup of coffee, or in my case tea. To talk with your loved ones while having homemade pancakes, eggs and bacon, or a big bowl of oatmeal.
To be able to just do whatever you want, to go visit a loved one, go for a walk, or just stay in on a cold winter's day and enjoy a book or a movie.
The hours seem to fly by, not like those endless days while you are at work wishing the hands on the clock to hurry up so you can go home. But even when they are flying by, it is okay because it is Sunday and we are enjoying the day and life.
So, at the end of another Sunday, I hope you have gotten rested up for the start of a new week. Embrace each challenge that comes your way in the days to come because it is only six more days until Sunday.

The eyes have it!

Have you ever looked at someone's eyes and been able to see their soul? I have a knack of being able to do this.
A child's eyes are full of innocence and wonder. I always hate to see this change. It is wonderful to believe that they can stay like that forever.
But the world steps in and brings new sight into those eyes. Hopefully when you look at them you will always see love. It is the one wonder that should never leave anyone. But it doesn't always work that way.
I have looked into someone's eyes and have seen hatred. It is not a pretty sight and what I feel most for that person is pity. No matter what you do, the soul shows the dark side. All you can do for that person is pray that they will someday find peace.
I never want someone ever to look at me and see that darkness. I love life and do enjoy every aspect of being here. I hope if someone ever sees into my soul that they will see light and happiness because that is what I try to live each day with.

Ground Hog Day

One of the craziest days of the year, Ground Hog Day, and it is growing in popularity every year. If the ground hog sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter, if he doesn't see it, six weeks until spring. Does this make sense to anyone? And yet the media cover it like it was a dignitary coming to the United States. I guess we all need some silliness in our lives.

Alone Time

Today on the radio they asked the question, "What is the one thing that people say makes them happiest?" The answer was, alone time. Now I have to admit that I do like some time alone, but to go as far as to say it makes me the happiest, I would have to say that it makes me wonder what people are thinking. In fact there are times when it is down right lonely when you are having too much alone time.
And there are so many other things in life that can make you happy. The kiss and hug from a loved one, a dandelion picked and presented to you from a child, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, or just taking a walk and enjoying nature with someone. There are always fireworks or fireflies, butterflies or fresh buttered rolls, or just watching a good old fasioned movie.
There are just too many things in life to pick one that will make YOU the happiest.

Wisdom

God has installed in all of us certain wisdoms. Such as; the wisdom to lie down when we are tired, to eat something when we are hungry, or to drink when we are thirsty.
Unfortunately sometimes we don't use the gift as God intended. You would think when someone is so sick that they can't stand up that they would go to the doctor. That when they can't eat because they are afraid of seeing the food again that they would go to the doctor. Or that when they are to weak to drink that they should go to the doctor. But no! It is much easier to stay at home and wish themselves healthy or think that they can "ride it out" and everything will be better "tomorrow".
My mother-in-law is now in the hospital because things just couldn't run well at home if she admitted to being sick. Now she knows that they can and will be just fine because she isn't there anyway. Maybe next time she will go to the doctor to avoid going to the hospital.

New Traditions

I believe in traditions. Our family has a whole slue of them for each holiday or special occasion for when we get together.
I also have some traditions that I do on my own for just myself. Some of these others might consider to be just superstitions. But regardless, I do love tradition.
Yesterday I started a new tradition. Every year I send out the same Christmas cards to the same people. Every year I have been getting fewer and fewer cards back. So I started to think to myself that maybe people just weren't into the Christmas card thing anymore.
I have been putting off doing anything with my cards that I received this year because I was trying to come up with a way to only send cards to the ones that had sent them to me. Usually I write down the names of the people who have taken the time to write to me but I always end up loosing the list and send to everyone once again.
So, while I was home tending to a very bad cold yesterday, I started looking at the pile of cards. I got out my Christmas cards that I had bought for this coming Christmas and started writing out my cards. I am pleased to report that I have about 2/3 of my cards done and will probably finish up this week. I am then going to put them on top of my decorations for next year and be ready to mail them next December. The ones that I normally write letters in, I didn't seal up and will stick a letter in them when the time comes. But otherwise, they are signed, addressed, have return addresses, and are waiting for the stamps. If anyone moves, I will just use white out. I feel so liberated.

Slipping and Sliding Away!

It is that time of year when not only cars on the road, but people walking, are slip slidiing away. They have been showing on TV different streets and roads that have caused many accidents because of the icy roads. The other day they showed a street that had to be closed down because of the fact that any car entering ended up sliding down the hill and piling up with either other cars or the light poles. It was sort of entertaining watching the different accidents, none of which were serious.
The other morning, one of our local interstates had to be closed down because there were too many accidents. They couldn't get to all of them and the accidents were causing accidents.
But, unfortunately it is also treacherous to walk on such icy conditions also. My sister fell on the ice and broke her leg. I fell yesterday on my Mom's ramp, but thankfully I didn't get hurt.
My cousin wrote to me on Facebook and shared her fall with me. She was opening the side, sliding door on her van. Her foot slipped on her ice covered driveway and it carried her under the van. She said that it was like being in slow motion because she held onto the door handle. She had a hard time getting back up since it was so icy. She ended up making a snow angel before it was all said and done.
I know that I worry about trying to get my mom in and out of the house when it is like this. I sure don't want to have her end up with a broken bone or two.
So on this Friday afternoon, with cold temperatures setting in and more snow on the horizon, be sure to take your time, not only driving but in walking, and have a safe and enjoyable few days.

Baking

I love to bake! It doesn't matter what it is, cakes, cookies, bread, whatever, I love to bake. The only problem is that what you bake is not anything that can be good for you.
I have been trying to loose weight and did not realize until lately that I have cut way down on my baking. I use to make cookies every week and when I made them the other day, my husband said, "I didn't know that you still knew how to make these."
By my trying to loose weight and not eating baked goods, I have been taking this pleasure away from him. I am going to have to try to find a way for him to have his goodies without tempting me to join in. I am not good at being strong on things such as this.
If you have any ideas, please let me know. I am open to any and all suggestions.

Girl Scout Cookie Time

One of the most dreaded times of the year, Girl Scout Cookie time. Not because I don't want to buy any, because I don't need to eat any! They have way too many different kinds to pick from and they seem to add a new and better cookie each year. This year's new one is called Shout Out. Of course we will have to try them. The good news is that I have learned to freeze them and use them in my husband's lunch when I don't have time to make any desserts. But I am sure that I will have to at least sample a few.
The good thing about the cookie sales for the Girl Scouts and the popcorn sales for the Boy Scouts is that it helps to build character in our youth of America. The ones that ask me to buy from them have such pride in themselves for the job they are doing and are always appreciative of any support that we as a community can give.
So when those little ones come around, call, or you see them in front of stores selling their cookies and in the fall popcorn, take the time to buy some. It means more than you can imagine.

Weekend!

When the end of the week finally comes, we all feel like celebrating because the weekend is here. It is just two days, except on weekends such as this one that we get that extra day, but it is like a mini vacation that we get fifty two times a year.
But it seems like those couple of days fly by because we try to pack so much into just forty eight hours. It is the perfect time to get with family and friends and it is also a great time to thank God for the wonderful things that He has provided for us each and every day!
So, on this extended holiday weekend, I am wishing you each a happy and safe mini vacation!

The blue spruce

In our front yard is a big, beautiful blue spruce. It looks so majestic, especially with the winter snow lying in its branches. The tree stands well over fifteen feet, maybe even closer to twenty. But when it started out, it was only a foot tall.
The first five years that it was in our front yard, it didn't grow. In fact, there were times that I didn't know why we didn't just pull the thing up and plant something that would look better. But, I gave that little bush the benifit of the doubt and just kept talking and loving it. And now I am getting repaid with the grandest of evergreens, standing straight and tall, streching toward the heavens to show off its splendor. I am a tree lover and do not like to see any cut down. I have had many trees that have been very special to me through the years, the chopped down tree (which was actually struck by lightening) and the mighty oak that has its branches come clear down to the ground to let my children play in them. But there will always be a special place in my heart for my beautiful blue spruce.

A "More or Less" update!

I am finding that this concept is very liberating. I am having the best time getting rid of things that I thought I could just not live without. It is surprising how much junk you can collect.
This isn't just material things such as too much Tupperware or too many clothes, I also have way too much in my pantry and freezers. We are eating what we have here and not getting anything but milk, bread, and things that we have to have. I am becoming very creative on making meals.
As for more exercising and less snacking, that too is a big hit. I feel like jumping around the room all the time because I feel so much better. I also think that it is making me look better, but that is probably just in my mind. (That too I can use "more" and not "less"! Keep those brain cells working!)

Two post in one day ~ How lucky can you get?

I got this following post on my e-mails and wanted to share with you. It brought back many memories of my grandma and my mom. I hope it brings a smile to you!

The History of 'APRONS'

I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children's tears, wiping drippy noses, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...

Calling Leo!!!

Leo has given out my cell phone number. "Leo who?" you ask. I too would like to know who Leo is. All of his creditors are calling me asking to speak to Leo. I think I would like to speak to him and give him a piece of my mind. In the last two days I have gotten over a dozen calls for him and they are from all different places. Every single time that I have gotten a call, I explain to them that there is no Leo here, nor do I know a Leo. I then ask them to please remove my number from their list as Leo is using my minutes by having these places call me, not to mention I am not enjoying talking to creditors. I will keep you informed if and when I find out who Leo is. He better pray that I never run into him in person.

John Wayne

What an American Hero he was. This weekend I have been watching part of a John Wayne Marathon. Although I have seen each movie over a dozen times each, I love to see them all over and over. Right now I am watching Red River, yesterday it was True Grit and Rio Lobo, and Saturday was Mclintock. What an amazing group of movies.
I know that he wasn't the best looking of movie stars, but he had this presence about him that made his movies that much better.
But the one thing about him that I loved the most was his pride and respect of America. He was one of my first experiences of hearing such love for our country. I had learned about the United States in history classes at school, but he added so much more when he was talking about it. He would make me want to stand taller and want to wave the flag more.
When I think of him, I do think of his movies but I also see our nation's colors waving and know that he is one of the many reasons why this country is as grand as it can be.

Gratitude

We sometimes have a hard time expressing our gratitude to others when they do something special for us. My daughter-in-law is a great example of this. She is on her own while my son is serving overseas. They have four small children and she is trying her best to keep life at home as normal as possible.
People in her community want to help. They have cooked meals for them and tried to help with various chores that she might have. She does not know how to accept their kindness or how to tell them that she might not need as much as they are willing to give. She doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but she also doesn't want to become dependant on others on things that she could possibly handle on her own.
Now my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, who lost their home to fire Wednesday, are running into the same problems. They do need help and are very grateful to all that have come along to show their support at this difficult time. But they also want to have time to collect their thoughts and figure out just what they need and when they might need it. It is wonderful how people pull together to help someone and I would not want to ever dampen anyone's generousity. Just sometimes it might be better to take a step back and maybe help down the road when the dust has settled and a person would have the chance to figure out just what needs to be done.
I am glad that I live in a community that will pull together for the downtrodden and the weary. I love the fact that when disaster happens, we become one big family.

OH! What a day!

I stayed up way to late Tuesday night watching the Sugar Bowl game. I love College football and am going to be sad when the last bowl game of 2011 is played next Monday night. But Tuesday's game was great and I enjoyed every minute.
I remember turning out the light at 1:23 because I thought that was funny. Next thing I know it is 2:17 and the phone is ringing. It was my husband's brother and he was telling me that their house was on fire.
Of course we jumped up, got ready, and went to their home. We were there by 2:30 and found the house totally on fire. My sister-in-law was sitting in the EMS with the dog, so I went in to be with her. My husband went to be with his brother. Thank goodness everyone was okay.
We finally left the fire by 5:30, the firemen had it out, and we wanted to give the family time to collect their thoughts and comfort each other.
At day break, my husband and youngest son were on their way back over, and I followed a half hour later. We worked along side neighbors and church members trying to pull whatever we could from the rubble, hoping to find some of the life that had been put into the home. The house itself was a total loss, but we were able to find some treasures and hoped to give the family some of their memories back.
We finished up at dark, went to eat supper at one of the church member's homes, took some supplies to the Inn that my brother-in-law and family were going to stay, took another trip to storage, and headed for home and a much needed shower.
Now you would think that this had to be the end to a very busy day as it was now 8:30, but NO we got stop by a patrol car who thought that we were selling drugs. I know that we didn't look the best, and as for the smell - well maybe that is where the drugs came into view, but I can't think that the guy actually thought that my husband and I were drug dealers. It still makes me laugh! I am sure that the officer was more than ready to let us get on our way.
I do have to say that the shower that I took when I got home was one of the best that anyone has taken anywhere at anytime.
I am truly thankful for the safety of my extended family and know that it won't be long until they are in their new home. My brother-in-law doesn't know what woke him up, but we are pretty sure that it was God and thank Him for this miracle.
And although I am tired, I only have four more college football games until next fall. Guess who will be up watching the Go Big Daddy bowl game tonight?

Children!

I love children! They are so innocent and have such a wonderful outlook on life. They tell you just the way that it is!
Yesterday I was going by an Ammish home and there was a little girl out at the pump trying to get water. She was about four years old. She would pump the handle and then run around to the front of the pump and hold her bucket under the water. The only problem was that she was holding the little red bucket by the lip and it was upside down. Everytime that the water hit the bottom of the bucket, it would splash up and hit her in the face. She would then run back to the handle again.
I laughed so hard that I had to slow down the car.
By the way, the more or less year is coming along fine. I have come up with a couple of other things to do, but I am going to take it slow so I don't have to go back on any of them. I will keep you informed.
Have a great day!

Trash

As I was driving to my mother's home today, I noticed on the side of the road in several different spots that someone had seen fit to throw out trash. There were beer and soda cans, fast food wrappers, and even what looked like a soiled baby diaper. Also a long side of the road were dead carcusses of what looked like family pets.
It just makes me wonder what kind of person would just throw things like this out the car window or who wouldn't notice that their family pet was lying dead out by the road. Where is the pride? Where is the concern for our environment?

Happy New Year!

I love New Year's Day! It is the very first day to a new beginning. There seems to be endless possibilities on many new adventures. I plan to take advantage of as many of these as I can.
Also today is a big day for college football and I am going to watch as many of them as can possibly be crammed into a twenty four hour stretch.
I am wishing everyone the greatest of new year's and may all of your resolutions work out for each of you. I am praying that 2011 is one of the best years.
Love and Peace to all!