Thursday, March 31, 2011

Gas Prices

I just learned today that starting tomorrow we, USA, will begin using our summer gas. What is that, you ask? I did too! I guess up till now we have been using the winter supply of gass. People don't drive as much and there fore, the gas is cheaper. (That was cheaper?)
So, tomorrow, April 1st, we will begin using the supply of summer gas. It will be more expensive because of all of the summer travel. There might not be an overabundant amount of gas which could drive the prices higher. There might be more unrest over in the Middle East, which could drive the prices higher. So in other words, we just might be screwed!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Old Time Song

I am not sure who wrote this song, but it was a favorite of my mom's, my sister's, and mine. We would sing in three part harmony and thought we were by far the best. We even went so far as to tape ourselves singing it, but the batteries on the tape player were low and made us sound like a bunch of sick cows. But I am putting the words here tonight because they are beautiful.
"Now the day is over. Night is drawing nigh. Shadows of the evening, steal across the sky."
"Jesus give the weary, strong and sweet repose. With thy tenderest blessing, may our eyelids close."
"When the morning wakens, then shall we arise. Pure and fresh and sinless, in thy holy eyes."
Not a long song, but very strong in its words. Have a sweet, sweet night.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Springtime

We are having the craziest weather this spring. Before it was the twentieth of March it was warm, too breezy, but warm. Now that spring is officially here we are suppose to get snow tonight. Go figure!
My daughter just called with total disgust in her voice. I told her that she needs to expect this when March comes in like a lamb because it is sure enough going to go out like a lion. That is why you always cheer for bad weather at the beginning of this month. It makes the end of it something to look forward to.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

End of a Week

At the end of a week, when life slows down
And you have a chance to look around.
Be sure to thank the One Above,
For sending you His awesome love.
For without Him being around
We wouldn't be able to get off the ground.
Be sure to thank Him everyday,
Always take the time to Pray!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Brothers

Last night we were traveling in the car with some of our grandchildren. Two of them were clear in the back of the mini van watching a movie. (By the way, the best invention for long trips and little children stuck in car seats.)
Our six and four year old grandsons had on headphones so the rest of us could travel without the sound of the movie. The oldest grandson would make comments to the younger one on what he shouldn't do in life. Everytime one of the cartoon characters would do something not to smart, he would yell over to the other one that he shouldn't attempt to do this in real life. Here are some of his examples:
"Never eat dog food!" "You can't really skateboard like that, so don't try it!" "That is why I tell you not to swim in the ocean. Sharks will get you!" "If you are a mountain goat, which you are not a mountain goat, do not eat dog food."
We were having fun just listening to the lessons being thrown out from the back. One great trip!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Hail

We had a giant hail storm at our house last night. It hit so hard that it sounded like someone was attacking our home. The windows shook and thunder filled the air. Our deck was covered with hail and ice.
I went to work thinking that someone else was kept awake by the storm. No one said a word. When I finally asked one of the girls if she heard it, all she knew about was the thunder.
So I have come to the conclusion that either there are a lot of heavy sleepers in the area or that we were the only ones who got hit by hail. I am sure that God would not just keep me awake!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

What is normal?

Driving down one of our country roads today I started to think about how normal my day was.It was a beautiful day today. The sun is shining and I had the whole day to look at the bright blue sky. I don't have big buildings around me and there is plenty of room between me and my neighbor.
Then I started to think of the people in Japan who might have thought that same thing last Friday. How can one second be so normal and the next, your whole world is turned upside down?
I pray for those people. I am glad that I am here and not there, I am not afraid to say that. But I have always felt that way. I think we have it pretty good here.
I don't have to worry about radiation, or earthquakes, or being without a home. I am very thankful for all that I have.
I don't know how things will turn out over there. I pray that the time to get their lives back in order comes quickly. I hope that someday soon they can have a normal day again.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

A New Day

Night time is such a peaceful time of the day.
A time you can let your troubles drift away.
The silence of the dark can swallow you in,
For another day is about to begin.
So let peace be in your heart,
The New Day is ready to start.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Topics

Some of you might think that I would eventually run out of things to write about. I have never been at a loss for words, written or spoken.
My grandma use to say that she could take any word and would know a song that had that word in it. She could do it too, as we would put her to the test very often. (I do miss that woman a lot!)
Well, unlike my grandmother, no one would want to have me sing for them. (Although I do like to sing all of the time.) I can however talk about anything that is brought up to me. Any word and I can talk about it.
For example, my grandson is sitting across from me and I just asked him for a word. He is six years old and he looked out the window and said "trees". So here is my topic on trees.
One of my favorite things on the face of the earth is trees. They provide shelter for many birds and animals. They grant me the comfort of their shade on a hot summer day.
I grace my home every year with a Christmas tree that I adore and think about all year until I replace the old memory of that tree with the sight and wonder of a new one.
But I think my favorite thing about a tree is the poem by Joyce Kilmer. "I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree." From the moment I first heard that poem until this very day, that poem can make me tear up. It is wonderful how someone can put down just the right words to conjure up a picture in your mind that is as mighty as the subject.
So there you have it, I can write or converse about any subject. My dad use to call it the gift of gab. My siblings call it a bunch of bull. Whatever it is, I really do have it, like it or not. And I like it!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Free Time

We enjoyed a meal, with family members, this evening in the Party Barn. It was another grand time.
After the meal was over, different free time activities started. We had some watching TV, I was working on the computer and talking with the different grandchildren, some were playing foose ball, the grandchildren were playing with different toys, and then there was the Lego table.
Two of my grown sons, a daughter-in-law, two grandsons, and a granddaughter all were building different things with Legos. I could not believe the intensity that was happening on the different projects. Houses, forts, and ships were soon covering the table. They were works of art. It thrilled me to see them all there working, talking, and laughing. This is a memory that won't soon leave my mind.
Free time is the best!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Generic Products

I am not one to purchase generic products. Call me old fashioned, but I have certain products that I like to use.
I hate to use public restrooms because they always seem to have the cheapest toilet paper. When you have to use a whole fistfull of paper to get the job done, I just do not see the savings. And on top of that, it really is not refreshing.
Also in public restrooms is usually cheap soap and paper towels. Once again, where is the savings when you have to use extra?
I think maybe the whole problem might be using public restrooms. I try to avoid them at all costs, but sometimes you just don't get the choice.

Monday, March 7, 2011

The Artist

I am a big fan of anyone who can create art. Even though I love art, I am not talented enough in my own right to compare with anything that is worth anything.
There is one artist that I like to observe everyday. He can make the most vivid images. He uses a lot of nature in His works. You guessed it, it is God.
The images of the sunsets on my home page of this blog speaks volumes of His work. I love to see what He has in store for us each and every day. And the wonderful thing is that it doesn't just have to be at the end of the day, He likes to paint the skies in the morning also.
And He doesn't just stop there. We get the green of spring, the beautiful colors of flowers all summer long, the vibrant hues of fall leaves, and the brightness of white of the snow.
This morning He amazed me once more with a wonderous sight. Driving along the plowed fields of the country side, a heavy mist rose from the ground. It encased everything in a fairy tale vision. I know no one could never create that scene on any paper, but He blessed me with a memory that will linger in my mind forever.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Education

I can see now why the state governments want to curtail the education system. The following is a post on my wall on Facebook. It is a conversation between my great nieces and some of their friends.

Brria, why u call me then not answer ur fone when I called back?? geez

lol cus u aint answe when i called....and whe u called i aint here it, and i didnt feel like callin back lol

nxt time i txt u, or call u bout sumtin u BETTA answer ASAP!!! lol

lol she is.

Now, I have to admit, it takes some brain power to figure out what this conversation is about, but I wonder if they really spell like that all the time or is this just something to impress each other.
I have never been one for short cuts on anything, especially writing and speaking. I think your communications skills speaks volumes about yourself. If you spend your life using short cuts in something as simple as talking and writing, what is going on in the rest of your life?
I am worried about the future of our country. Can you imagine the speeches made by our leaders if they write like that now? Soon we will be down to just consonants and no vowels. Let's get behind the education systems and help our young people take pride in their communication skills.
P.S. There is no lol (I detest that) in any of this.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Sneeze comments

I would love to meet the person who first thought of the sneeze comments. Maybe they could explain the whole concept to me. I do not understand why you would have to fake sneeze so you can make a dumb comment about someone. Half the time I don't understand what the person is saying because I am looking at the person intently, trying to figure out why they would want to do that.
If you have something to say about someone, say it! If it is something that you think you should keep to yourself, keep it! Sneeze when you have a cold or something stuck in your nose. Talk when you have something to say. DO NOT COMBINE THE TWO!
Thank you (no sneeze)!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Sayings

In my lifetime I have come across many sayings that have touched me deeply. They are ones that stay in my heart and I bring them out when the world can seem like a dark place to be and it gives me light.
One of my favorites is: "Life is not measured by the breaths that we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." How true is this? I do not remember every minute of everyday, but I do remember my first kiss, the births of my children, and the smiles of my grandchildren.
Another one: "Wish, Hope, Dream. . . Make it Happen!" This one says a lot about trying. Never, never give up. God gave us wishes and dreams for a reason. Our lives would be pretty dull with out them.
Today I have a new saying. "Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." When life hands you a bunch of "wet", just dance in it. You will feel a lot better and can lift your head and go on.
I am sitting here listening to Enya and want to wish you all the best of days. Go take a deep breath, do a little dreaming, and don't forget to dance!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Spring

I am sitting in my kitchen today, warming my hands on a nice hot cup of tea. Looking out my window I see my first sign of spring. There is a pair of robins hopping across my yard. It makes my heart soar.
I do love the change of the seasons. I love the winter and how beautiful it can become. I don't like trying to drive in snow and ice. I like to be able to walk out my door and not worry about falling and hurting myself. My sister fell this year on ice and is just now getting her "boot" off after eight weeks.
Spring has a very special place in the seasons. It is the new birth of the trees. The birds who left us last fall are coming home again. Soon the brown earth will be green and the soft breezes will blow through my open windows once more.
I will miss winter and look forward to seeing it back next year. But for now, I am watching my robin friends have their lively walk on my front yard.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Safe a Life

Are you a blood donor? That is one great way to safe a life. It doesn't cost much more than an hour of your time.
Are you an organ donor? That you can wait to do until after you die. Just make sure that your wishes are known. You can also be a living donor. You just need to be on a donor list.
Do you know CPR? You might be surprised how often that one comes in handy. I also keep asprin in my purse just in case someone needs one, in fact I had that happen a couple of years ago in a resturant. I was on my way out and a gentleman was on the floor at the entrance. A lady looked up at me and asked if I had any asprin. I got in my purse and handed them to her. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.
Are you a fireman or a police man? They safe lives all the time. My sons and husband helped safe a young lady the other night. It is a great feeling. Thank one a public servent when you see them. They need to know that we appreciate what they do.
Are you a service man or woman? If so, you not only safe our lives but people in other countries. You have my total respect and more thanks and love than you will ever know.
Safe a Life!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Flooding

We are experiencing a lot of flooding in our area due to the heavy rainfall and the melting snows. It is causing a lot of damage to homes and closing schools.
The thing with high water is to try to avoid getting caught in it, especially when driving in a car.
Last night my husband and sons, who are firemen, got called out to a rescue for a woman who tried to drive through high water and got swept down into a deep ditch full of water. The woman called in the problem, but couldn't get out of her car. She failed to put down her window and left her seat belt on. The firemen couldn't get the windows broken and once they did, had a hard time getting her out because of her seat belt. This put their lives in danger.
If you are ever caught in high water, take off your seat belt, put a window down so you can get out (the pressure of the water prevents you from opening the door), and if you have a cell phone ~ call 911. The best idea is to avoid high water all together.
Let's stay safe and help keep those rescuers safe also.