A little time for rebuttal...

I would just like to take this opportunity to rebut a couple of my sister's more recent posts on her website: jodiyork.com .

In confessing one day last week, to eating her own flesh-and-blood's Valentine candy, she states:

I have a long history of this sort of behavior that dates back to the days when I would sneak my sister's halloween candy from under her bed (uh-huh, Jess, I did know where you kept it).

Now, I don't remember much about the Halloween candy - as I was never much on the whole Halloween, begging for candy from the neighbors thing - so I probably just didn't care what hodge-podgey junk she found from that hunt. I think I usually pretty much picked out anything I would eat that night and eat it all then! Because I remember distinctly, at Valentine's whenever we would get that big box of chocolate shaped like "I (heart) U", I would eat all I could handle as soon as I got it!! And then, all that next week (or more) Jodi would keep torturing me with her remaining chunks, saying "Gee, don't you wish you still had YOURS?..." Trust me, nothing good of mine ever stuck around long enough to make some stash under my bed.

The other post I would like to HUGELY rebut is this one:

Granted, this is Georgia and we were not in the middle of that huge blizzard that just cut through most of the midwest and into the northeast, but still, it’s cold here. Thirties and forties with the winds gusting. I’m over it already.
Yesterday I spoke to my friend Amy and we agreed that summer is the best season. And not just because it’s warm. While it is fun to grill out and eat together on the back deck, even better is that it’s light outside past 7 o’clock. By then the day has cooled off just enough to take a walk or play on the swingset. By the time the day has ended, the kids fall into bed exhausted, not to be seen again until morning.

OH MY GOSH how much would I like to rebut that one!!! There just aren't enough words. Anyone who knows me, knows I hate the heat of summer and cannot get enough of winter. Jodi and I have never seen eye to eye on this one. Which is fine... but it works for her... now that we live in Georgia and never even see so much as a flurry and it stays summer here about 9 months of the year! She's definitely acclimated (30s and 40s cold??? Ask the people in those blizzards what cold is, sister!) but I'm afraid I just never will. Matter of fact, I get worse with age. Last month, one cool 29 deg. morning as I was getting ready for church, I got so blastin' hot, I had to sling my door open and let the cool air in! And it felt SOOOO good! I will never understand why people would choose summer to winter. Never. Me, personally... don't care to sweat like a hog and feel suffocated as soon as I step out the door. I don't like to feel sluggish and drained all day long. I'd much rather have the fresh crisp air to breathe and to feel energized and get the chance to snuggle up under a blanket all cozy and comfy, listening to a cracklin' fireplace, sipping hot chocolate and watching movies or just the snow falling (a lot of this just going from memory, of course, since being sentenced to HotLanta!) ...
I guess we can't all like the same thing! But, I just thought somebody had to speak out on behalf of my beloved winter!! No offense, Sister... but you can keep summer!!! I'd actually rather you did!

(Sidenote: look at the kids in the pictures even... now, tell me the ones in the winter picture aren't having more fun... Matter of fact, it looks to me like the summer kids are just running toward the house to hit the A.C. and the ones in the water might be drowning?? Yeah... my winter kids are definitely having way more fun.) :)

Facing the Giants

"In six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never led his Shiloh Eagles to a winning season. After learning that he and his wife Brooke face infertility, Grant discovers that a group of fathers are secretly organizing to have him dismissed as head coach. Devastated by his circumstances, he cries out to God in desperation. When Grant receives a message from an unexpected visitor, he searches for a stronger purpose for his football team. He dares to challenge his players to believe God for the impossible on and off the field. When faced with unbelievable odds, the Eagles must step up to their greatest test of strength and courage."

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~This movie released TODAY... and it's the best movie I've seen in a LONG time! I highly recommend it to anyone going through any kind of struggles in life... and even if not, it's still just a feel-good movie. Put together by a couple of small-town pastors in South Georgia, it's a rather modest movie, but the powerful message undeniably shines through (and it's got a GREAT soundtrack!!) DON'T MISS IT!

*and for all you UGA fans, Mark Richt even has a cameo!

"Weed 'em and Reap!"

This week, we have returned to Market.
Many of you have never had the opportunity to experience this, so I will just try to paint the picture for you.

It's energizing. It's exhilerating. It's inspiring. It's EXHAUSTING!

We started out Wednesday, and continued on every day until today, Sunday... Day of REST... AMEN! I needed that! We have gotten there every day by 10:00 am and have gotten home every evening about 10:00 PM. Long days. But, it's not so much just the time spent there. It's how you spend your time there.

First of all, though, I must back up and start with the time spent just getting there. Sally picks me up and we head to the city. Not too bad a ride, considering we're just, what 45 minutes out? And, thankfully, we miss most of the morning traffic going in. And, then, thankfully, Sally knows the best and quickest way to get to the closest parking garage in that area. Of course, it's $20.00 a day to park there, but Louis is kind enough to pick up that check.

Then, with lovely badge around neck and walking shoes set on the pavement, we head for the Gift Mart.

No sooner do you hit the revolving door at the entrance and IMMEDIATELY you are inundated with throngs of anxious and excited buyers. And, up you go. Up two rounds of escalators, and then, down the first hallway of MANY, across the bridge to building 2 (unless you want to do about 10 or 14 rounds on the escalator, which we opted for by the last day).

In the lobby of building 2, you meet up with about FIFTY MILLION other people, waiting for at least one of the six elevator doors to open, to get to the floor you're needing to get to. And with there being people getting off on pretty much every floor all the way up to the 18th floor... needless to say, it takes a good dose of patience and cooperation.

... finally *DING*! An open door, for all to smoosh in quite intimately with one another, just holding your breath, waiting for your floor. And then... finally *Ahhhhhh*, you get off on your floor and can breathe once again. Much better. Okay, now... where to?

On any given floor (of the 18 just in building 2 alone) there are anywhere from 20 up to 50 showrooms... PER FLOOR. It's crazy. Check out the map at: http://www.americasmart.com/buyers/planvisit/campus_map/

It doesn't do it justice, but will give you a rough idea of the quantity I'm talking... 2,000 showrooms and over 4,000 booths in 4.2 million square feet of exhibit space . I mean, Mall of Georgia has NOTHING on this place.

But, with directory in hand and blurred memories from the day before, you find the showroom you're looking for. WHEW! A break from the crowds... WRONG!! It seems they all had the same idea you had! ... the nerve.

So, you go through the crowd to finally find a familiar face in the crowd (your friendly sales rep.) They then kindly take your bags and offer you something cold to drink and if you're lucky (or, like us, have learned which showrooms to hit at the right times) something good to eat!.

From there, they walk you through their respective showrooms, showing you new things and reviewing over the same old things. And with every item, your mind is recalculating... how much have we spent? how much more should we really spend? what have we already gotten? what else do we need? and where will it all go when we're done here??

In about 2 hours, you're done with that rep and it's on to the next. And the next. And the next. Like I say, you're doing good if one offers some good food along the way and REALLY blessed if you can find a place to sit down while you eat it! That's a good day when that happens. You know the ole adage: "WILL WORK FOR FOOD" ... yeah, that's us. We're shameless. But, that's okay. Trust me... we have purchased plenty enough to justify a meal or two 'on the house'.

BUT, if you're REALLY shameless, starving and broke, you can always head over to the gourmet food section of temporaries in building 3 for all the samples you can handle (if you don't mind a terrible upset stomach afterward! And if you've actually allowed enough time to do so.) Cookies, crackers, soup, drinks, dressings, jellies... you name it, they've got it. And are ready and willing to cram it down your throat, at the off-chance you'll then buy some from them in return.

By about 6:00 pm, they're all starting to shut down (along with our feeble minds) and you're then rounded back up like a bunch of cattle onto the elevators. Unless you're really brave and ambitious... in which case you get onto the escalator - which by the end of the day and 18 floors later, tends to get pretty log-jammed and nerve-racking.

Finally, you step off the last escalator, step out the door and you're free. Free from the crowds. Free from the constant calculating. Free from the hustle and bustle. You find your car in the parking deck, throw your bags in, drag yourself into the seat, sit down, sigh a huge sigh of relief, and head home, vowing to get enough rest to get through the following day.

You get home, COMPLETELY wiped out. The thinking, the walking, the fighting the crowds... but mostly the thinking. Because once you get home, you can sit down. You don't have to bump into anyone to get from one room to the next. And you'd think your brain would just quit by the end of the day, too. But, no.

It seems the more your brain gets stimulated throughout the day (and I can't think of a more stimulating place than the Gift Mart) the more it wants to keep going strong. As tired as you are by the end of the day, your mind just goes into overdrive. Reviewing the day. What you saw. What you bought. Who you saw. What you spent. What you intend to do with all the merchandise purchased. Who's on the agenda for tomorrow... what they might have. Will they have something better than what we just got today? If they do, will we have to go back and cancel with ________? Will they at least have better food? :) If not, where will we find food? ... I mean, on and on and on and on...........

The other night I lay there, totally spent, wanting SO badly to get to sleep but could not get the wheels to stop turning. And as my wheels were spinning out of control, I thought back to a plaque I saw at Amscan ? (I think...) It said "Weed 'em and Reap". Of course, it was a cute little sign for your garden, referring to your weeds and plants you actually want to grow. But, this night, it held a new and different meaning for me.

I thought back to a sermon Pastor Scott had done a while back. He had said he was having trouble sleeping because his mind had gripped so tightly on something. So, he decided to start consciously counting his blessings to himself. So, I tried it. And you know, it worked. Before I knew it, I was sleeping like a baby.

Now, in this case, it may be more appropriately said "Weed 'em and Sleep" but it's funny. If you just weed out all the anxious thoughts and focus on the blessings you already have at your hands, before long, you forget what it was that even had you all stressed out.

Oddly enough, just today Scott again made special note of Philippians 4:8-9 ~
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise... then the God of peace will be with you."

Pretty much says it all in a nutshell, I would say!

That, and, of course "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." ~Mark 6:34.

Which reminds me, I've got plenty of laundry and housekeeping yet to get done for today, so I better wrap this up. But, I hope this has helped you all better understand what Market time is all about! And after tomorrow, I should be back into the regular swing of things. Thank goodness! ... that, is... until JULY!

Each Day

A new year just beginning,
Each day a fresh, new start,
To fulfill your hopes
And pursue the dreams
Sustained within your heart.

Put God in charge;
He'll plant the seeds
Of affection, love and care.
Like a garden, your life will grow
With kindness flowering there.

And as you face the wonder
Of each day's mysteries,
You'll see God's hand
Unfolding, daily, possibilities!

And as each day comes to a close,
Dream a dream or two,
Then with a prayer thank dear God
For each day given to you.

~Poet, Gael Phaneuf
(courtesy of God's Minute Devotional)

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"...Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

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~Father, thank you for new beginnings... new chances with each new day's dawning and even a greater taste of new opportunities with every new year. Please help us hold onto this optimism and sense of renewal, keeping our eyes on You and our hands in Yours, on the roads You have laid out before us.

~Amen.

'Twas the week before Christmas

'Twas the week before Christmas
When all through the Shop
Nothing short of the H-bomb
Could get us to stop

The decorations all hung
Not too long ago
By now, are all thrown
To and (of course) fro

All the old ladies
Were donning their red
While flaunting their lovely
Purple hats on their heads

And Sally in her jacket
And I, in my boots
Had just warmed up
And were ready to SCOOT!

When out on the floor
There arose such a clatter
We sprang from the back
To see what was the matter?

Away to the store front
She flew in a dash
To find no-one around
And a little pile of glass

The fluorescent lights
Overhead gave a glow
To all of the lovely
Merchandise found below

When what to my weary eyes
Should appear?
But over in the corner
A kid riddled with fear

With a negligent mother
So far 'out to lunch' (and I'm not just talkin' the Southern cuisine)
How would she EVER
Have so much as a hunch?

That it was her precious Johnny
Who knocked down the whole shelf
So, I just roll my eyes
In spite of myself

Now Judy! Now Sandra!
Now, Lynn and now Patty!
On, Sharon! On, Sheila!
On, Sarah and Sally!

To the front of the store!
To the counter RIGHT NOW!
Before I lose my religion
And break my one solemn vow

To treat every customer
As though she's a friend
And not to wound feelings
I can't in any way mend

At times, it is trying
It can be very hard
But, I can honestly say
I've killed no-one... so far!

But, if I should do so,
I'm sure it'll be in this season
For it is then that I'm usually
Given SO MANY REASONS!!!

The incessant complaining
The rude interruptions
Would leave any SAINT
Headed straight for corruption!!

So, we just do what we can
Determined to love what we do
And thank God that the nice ones
Outnumber the rude few

For we do have a number
Of great customers, too
Who truly do bless us
When they pass on through

And so, it's for them
That we do all the work
To see the smile on their face
Is the most rewarding perk

Yet, even at that
By the time 5:00 comes,
We are completely exhausted
And our brains have gone 'dumb'

So, with feet really dragging
But, with an ending in sight,
We can still happily say ~
"Merry Christmas to all,
And to all a GOOD NIGHT!"

Colossians 3:23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

They are precious in His sight.

Well, we had quite a scare this week...
After having noticed some new odd little purple marks showing up on Emery, here and there, Jodi took him to the pediatrician to see if there could be anything wrong. The doctor couldn't rule anything out, sent her to get bloodwork done, and said there was a real possibility of the marks being indicative of a serious condition such as leukemia... which left all of us just absolutely breathless. Especially, when the results came back, showing that his platelets were extremely low.
Finally, after a long two days, he had the second round of blood tests done today, and to the relief of us all, his blood platelet count had started climbing back up... not quite back to normal yet, but headed in the right direction. And his red and white blood cells stayed in the normal range. Which is what we had been praying for.
Evidently, it was some sort of virus and that was just how his little body responded to it. He goes back in January for a check-up, so hopefully by then, he'll be COMPLETELY back to normal.

Kudos to the little guy though... he didn't even cry when they drew his blood ~ which is more than I can say for myself!!!

* We love you, Slobber Boy!!! *

"Sometimes all you can do... is bow your head and pray!" (another great card brought to you by Leanin' Tree)
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You know, sometimes I think it's easy to forget just what a 'fight' the "good fight of faith" can be. And here lately, I have felt the heavy, persistent blows to the beliefs of my inner core. Having seen "Cinderella" quite a bit in the last year or so, I can't help but relate to her getting knocked down one too many times and finally just running out to the courtyard saying "I can't believe anymore. I just can't. There's nothing left to believe in." So many times, it just feels like you try and you try and you try... and you do good, until you just get knocked down one too many times or just simply tire out. It's then that you just lose all your resolve. And it seems the harder you try, the harder the fall when all the chips come crashing down.

Today, I was made aware of all of this even more than ever, as I just had to take it all to the literal level. Already getting off to a bad day, not feeling well - emotionally, physically, mentally... I pressed on, continuing through the routine. And even though the cat threw up on my bedroom carpet... again... I didn't let it get to me and just continued on... I was actually doing good on time (for once) and left the apartment feeling a little better. I had it all together. Had some nice new clothes on (finally). Doing good on time. Had my trash all sacked up, ready to go. Water in hand. I got to the end of the sidewalk, right by my car and I just took a header to the pavement. And having fallen off of the risen sidewalk, I didn't just stumble... I CRASHED. Water and ice everywhere. New pants (first time wearing them) not just scratched up a bit... but rather RIPPED clear across the knee. My knee, now asphalt-imbedded, gushing blood. Lovely. And clearly the straw that broke the camel's back this morning. But yet, very determined by this point, I pressed on.
Now LATE for work, I rushed to clean my lovely new abrasion, searched out a pair of OLD pants that might match the top I'd already picked out for the day, quickly ironed those and got myself together a fresh cup of water. I no sooner got all settled into the car and turned on the cd player to hear Jeremy Camp singing "Understand"... and I just had to smile. (As much as I love his music, I never realized how many songs he has about falling down!!) :) Gotta love it.
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"Understand" by Jeremy Camp

Every time I fall down on my face
I see the One Who bore all my shame
To know that you are everything I need You to be
You're my ever present help in time of need

I know You understand it all
So, why don't I get back on my feet again

Every pain I feel inside my heart
It takes a faith I know I can't depart
To know that You hear every cry I raise to You
Bringing thoughts of hope the words I bring I know are few

I know You understand it all
So, why don't I get back on my feet again

You hear me when I call
You're there when I fall
You hear me when I call

I know You understand it all
So, why don't I get back on my feet again

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Tim McGraw had a good song a while back that comes to mind as well... "We Carry On":

When our lives come undone...
We carry on
Cause there's promise in the morning sun
We carry on
As the dark surrenders to the dawn
We were born to overcome
We carry on


I guess that’s all we can do – so we might as well carry on in good faith – with the hopes that tomorrow will be better!!!

*Don't even ask what all it entailed to get this blog entry published!!! Let's just say, in trying to do so... this day has come full circle. And now, I've had enough... I'm going to bed!*

The Autobiography of Mark Twain starts with this preface: “In this autobiography, I shall keep in mind the fact that I am speaking from the grave. I am literally speaking from the grave, because I shall be dead when the book issues from the press… It has seemed to me that I could be as frank and free and unembarrassed as a love letter if I knew that what I was writing could be exposed to no eye until I was dead, and unaware and indifferent.”

He did not want people to know the true Samuel L. Clemens until he was dead and gone. And so, the question comes to mind: 'Why then would he even go through all the painstaking work of producing such a heartfelt account of his life?'

Jodi responded in her blog a while back to all those who have inquired ‘Why exactly, do you blog?’ to which she answers: to document the time that passes by so quickly with young children, to ‘vent’ (journaling is very therapeutic), and to better keep in touch with both loved ones and new friends.

Me? I’m sure at many times, I probably seem more elusive like Mr. Twain. An 'enigma', as I’ve been told before. But, honestly, I think my philosophy is best stated in Proverbs 17:28 … “Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent”! And, it is ‘safer’, in my opinion to keep people guessing. After all, they can think whatever they want to… is she smart? Is she clueless? Who can tell?? :)

But, I also believe we all have an innate desire to be known. And it requires a great deal of vulnerability to let yourself be known. But, somehow, it’s easier to put yourself out there, via ‘BLOG’. Just you, the computer, and your thoughts. Maybe if Mr. Twain were around today, he too would find it easier to ‘blog’ in an effort to express his true self. Perhaps he’d still prefer death. Who’s to say.

But, for me personally (although I started my blog by accident), I have found the blog to be quite a therapeutic way to share myself as ‘frank and free and unembarrassed’ as if I had already joined Mr. Twain himself, in heaven!

And I would just like to extend a big heartfelt thanks to any and all who have taken this journey with me and taken any interest in the ramblings of my very own personal web-log. :)

(For more information on Mark Twain, I suggest: www.marktwainhouse.org)

Good Problems to Have

Mom was trying to select a good picture of herself for her up and coming magazine debut... but had a slight problem. Every good picture of her showed dad's hand on her shoulder and would consequently show up in the photo. And I couldn't help but think, 'Now, that's a good problem to have.'

So, I've set out to find some of my own 'Good Problems'...


~ I've got 3 overflowing bags full of clothes and shoes that I need to unload, because I have too many new ones to replace them with.

~ My car is in DIRE need of a cleaning and detailing, because of my Mondays with Savannah (she tends to leave a trail of teeny tiny hair bands and candy wrappers).

~ I can't sleep in when Savannah sleeps over, because she starts climbing on my face around about 6:00 am (going something like this...)

"It's time to get up, Jess... It's on the 7" (This starts at around 5:47.)
"Wrong 7... Try again."
"C'mon... It's time to get up, Aunt Jess! Look! The SUN'S UP!"
"No, it's not... That's just the moon."
"Nu-ugh... (giggling) Then, why are the kids out, getting the bus?"
"I don't know... What are they thinking?" :)
"Yeah... (grinning) What are they thinking?"

~ I really need to start thinking about Christmas gifts now, because I have so many special people in my life.

~ I can't decide which book to read next, because I have SO MANY good ones to choose from!

~ I've got to change over my closet, because FALL IS FINALLY BACK, BABY!!! :)

Jesus, Take the Wheel!

Heading out to Atlanta, for our big “Bi-Plane Ride over Atlanta” Sunday afternoon, Jodi didn’t mind us taking her new Explorer, but just didn’t want to do the driving herself. So, I volunteered. A much bigger ride than what I’m used to, but nice. And MANY more bells and whistles than mine could ever have… but the one feature that we utilized and focused on the most was her navigation system. You know, you tell it where you’re going and from there on, they give you a steadily updated map and the kind lady tells you where to turn when you get to it. (Kind of like KITT in Knight Rider, without the conversational skills.) :)

Well, it seemed to be working well and we were cruisin’ right along… until Jodi second guessed the system and had me turn prematurely (before the kind lady had told me to). We asked what happens when you get off-track. Well, evidently, when you don’t heed her guidance and direction, she kindly comes on and says “Recalculating” (probably thinking ‘if you’d just listened to me, you Moron, you wouldn’t be all turned around! I don’t know why you even bother ASKING me! If you’re just going to do your own thing anyway’...) but, thankfully, she does not judge. She just lets us make our wrong turns (over and over...) and patiently reconfigures, helping us get back on track and ultimately to our common destination.
I can’t help but think of how the same applies to our journeys in life, our sometimes hastiness at taking wrong turns, or missing the directions altogether, and God’s enduring patience and graciousness with us through it all. Allowing us to make our mistakes, without judgment or criticism, He continues to love us and guide us, gently helping correct our paths and getting us to where we need to be.
But, sometimes, as in Carrie Underwood’s song, it takes us getting to the point of absolute desperation to say OKAY!... “Jesus, take the wheel”! and then and only then, ask Him where to go. When all along we could have “listen(ed) to His counsel and receiv(ed) instruction, (making us) wise in the latter days” (Prov. 19:20)! and making for a MUCH more enjoyable trip.

*(KITT photo courtesy of website developed by some dude with WAY too much time on his hands!!)*

Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! Psalm 55:6

Dad and I finally made it up for our bi-plane ride this past Sunday. I wasn't sure how I'd do... I've always LOVED to ride in the big jet planes, but didn't know how I'd like a smaller, more turbulent flight. And, although Jodi would find it IMPOSSIBLE to believe, it was actually peaceful and relaxing.



We'd expected it to be loud, but once you get your headset on, you actually can't hear much of anything. It's nice. A little bumpier than a commercial jet, but nothing I feared was going to end my life. (I'm sure Jodi was much more the nervous wreck waiting for us to return.) The sides on it come up a bit high, but we still got to see a whole new view of downtown Atlanta and Stone Mountain... bird's eye view (especially when he'd circle around and we'd tip WAY over onto one side).... (That's for Jodi.) :) But, I just always enjoy seeing things from a distance... a new perspective. The 'whole picture' is just bigger. And we're all just 'smaller'. All the hum-drum of life just begins to look silly and doesn't seem as important in the larger scheme of things. Makes me wish I could leave it all behind like that more often! ~

Women of Faith

This summer, I had the fortunate opportunity to attend the Women of Faith conference here in Atlanta. I lucked into going at the last minute, thanks to Velvet's misfortune (thanks again, Velvet!!) and I was so appreciative of the experience. These women are amazing. Like nothing I've ever attended in my life. And, ever since then, I have read just about every book by a number of them that I have been able to get my hands on. My favorite has been Sheila Walsh though. I related to her writing even before the conference, but was especially drawn to her in person, and now cannot get enough of her writing.
In checking in on her website: www.sheilawalsh.com, I read her latest journal entry she shares with us, from on the road and related to her once again...

"Chonda Pierce was with us on Saturday. It's been some time since she was our guest, and we've missed her. She was as funny as always but it was her message that touched me deeply. She described her family's style when they are working on a puzzle together. She likes to do all the edges first. Her husband David works with all the blue and white pieces for the sky or all the green pieces for the grass. But it's her son Zach's participation that infuriates her. When she's not looking, he'll take a piece and slip it into his pocket. When Chonda gets to the end of the puzzle and discovers that there's a piece missing it drives her crazy! In this simple family project, she sees the hand of God who works the edges of the puzzle of our lives. He gives us boundaries to live within for our safety and protection but loves us whether we live inside or outside of the lines. Chonda said that every now and then it seems to her that God slips a piece of our puzzle in his pocket and asks us to trust Him with it. Perhaps you find yourself in a place like that at the moment. I know I do. I never have all my ducks in a row. When it seems as if one area of my life has fallen into place a piece goes missing from another. I am learning, however, to not only trust God in this but grasp hold of it as a gift."

(Sheila Walsh and pal, Bono, May 11, 2006) (She had many photos to choose from on her website, but I knew Victoria would especially appreciate this one.) :)

We grew up working puzzles all the time. Mom grew up working puzzles with her dad and she has since passed the tradition down to us. It's a time when everyone just relaxes around the table together, sometimes talking, sometimes not, but just coming together in the same sweet challenge... TO BE THE ONE WHO GETS THE LAST PIECE IN!!! :)
But, it is funny, how we all do have our own 'methods' or techniques, unique to our personalities. Dad, can just pass through, throw in a piece, and call it a day. I'm the edger. I must finish the edge before starting on anything else. Mom loves more of a challenge. She just divides and conquers, I suppose. Finds an interesting part, tackles it, and moves on (of course, annoyingly TAPPING each one in three times to be sure each accomplishment doesn't go unnoticed). :) You can learn a lot from those you puzzle with, but also quite a bit from the puzzles themselves. Just like life, it can look like just a bunch of meaningless pieces all thrown in together with no purpose let alone any semblance of rhyme and reason. But, you start looking back at the progress you make and it all starts taking shape. Then, much like Chonda states, sometimes you just can't seem to find that piece you're looking for. And, much like I'VE experienced, in a mad 'rush' to get things figured out and to the final outcome... many times, we find a piece that promises all the right qualities... the colors are right, the shape looks dead-on, you just KNOW you found the perfect one... but then it just doesn't seem to cooperate with our plans of placement and so we plow ahead, VERY determined, (tempted to call in the scissors or hammer for reinforcement) FORCING the certain piece where it doesn't belong, wasting time on the frustration of the stubborn piece, comprimising the entire outcome, and ultimately throwing everything else out of whack down the line. All the while (unless the dog happened by and thought it rather tasty) the perfect piece awaits you, lost in all the remaining, unnoticed pieces outside of your quickly shaping-up picture.
We may not know how our 'puzzles' will look in the end, but thankfully God knows how it should all go and leads us by our trial and error. And, I think all He asks of us, is to keep at it, seeking His hand in our lives, and don't get so stuck in the frustrating moments that you miss all the fun!

ps... Don't miss the Women of Faith on Dr. Phil this week: Tuesday, Oct. 3rd!!

"Oh, Thou, who has given us so much, mercifully grant us one more thing ~ a grateful heart." (George Herbert)

~Music is my biggest passion. Many of you know that. So, if you will just indulge me here, in posting another song in my blog. But, it's a song I just recently discovered by Nichole Nordeman and it has really hit home to me this weekend... just in how I've been feeling, what I've been 'up against' and it portrays the perspective I'd love to maintain in my life.~


"Gratitude" (by Nichole Nordeman)

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
‘Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But, maybe not today
Maybe You’ll provide in other ways
And if that’s the case…

We’ll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If you never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up
And warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger’s view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You’ll provide in other ways
And if that’s the case…



We’ll give thanks to You with gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need

So, grant us peace, Jesus grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or, maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that’s the case…

We’ll give thanks to you with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are truly blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace

But, Jesus, would You please…

~You know, sometimes we are just simply let down, or brought down by ourselves, by others, our circumstances (either changing or unchanging), expectations... but I have found that even in such times, if you turn to God, even when your requests seem to fall on 'deaf ears', He always finds a way to shine through for you, many times when you least expect it. It's just up to us, to look for Him and listen for Him and accept the reality of Him all around us... until He leads us back out of the valley and once again onto the path upon which we know we belong.~

Makin' a Splash



The long awaited rains
Have fallen hard upon the thirsty ground
Have carved their way to where
The wild and rushing river can be found
And like the rains
I have been carried here to where the river flows
My heart is racing and my knees are weak
As I walk to the edgeI know there is no turning back
Once my feet have left the ledge
And in the rush I hear a voice
That's telling me it's time to take a leap of faith

So here I go!
I'm diving in
I'm going deep
In over my head
I want to be
Caught in the rush
Lost in the flow
In over my head
I want to go
The river’s deep
The river’s wide
The river’s water is alive
So sink or swim
I'm diving in

There is a supernatural power
In this mighty river’s flow
It can bring the dead to life
And it can fill an empty soul
And give a heart the only thing
Worth living and worth dying for
But we will never know the awesome power
Of the grace of God
Until we let ourselves get swept away
Into this holy flood
So if you'll take my hand
We'll close our eyes and count to three
And take the leap of faith

Come on let's go!
I'm diving in
I'm going deep
In over my head
I want to be
Caught in the rush
Lost in the flow
In over my head
I want to go
The river’s deep
The river’s wide
The river’s water is alive
So sink or swim I'm diving in

(written by Steven Curtis Chapman)

~This song actually always reminds me of Jodi's ringtone on her phone :) but, now it signifies my sentiments on September 10th.



A week ago Sunday, I re-committed myself to God and made a new committment to Eastridge Community Church by being baptized. Having been raised Lutheran, it's still a somewhat new concept to me: getting 'dunked' as an adult, as opposed to 'sprinkled' as an infant. But, finding a new home at ECC and having a new-found faith in Christ, it was the next step for me. One I was honored to share with my family and friends.



It was a beautiful Indian Summer day... still warm, but with a promise of Fall around the bend. Good food. Good company. Good fun. Even Savannah got caught up in the excitement and bounced with the other kids in the inflatables!! (I guess that made up for Jodi coming down with the flu and Emery crying the entire ceremony 'till he cried his poor little self to sleep.)



Obviously, Savannah was neither sick nor tired. :) But, I'm glad she had a good time, after being so concerned about my 'baptize'.
I was kind of disappointed because I had hoped they would use the lake as our baptismal, but they didn't. But, it was still a beautiful place in a great setting. An old local plantation called 'Gaither's Plantation'.



And you know, I just have to laugh. After my Big Day, I got to thinking about my little buddy, 'Niles' (the mysterious crane from down the road) - probably prompted by Debbie's saying she couldn't find me at first, but then realized it was MY skinny white legs out there, glowing in the sunlight! - But, Niles and I just seem to be on the same track, once again. Just recently, I noticed he had broken out of his hum-drum life in the lonely, dank and marshy retention pond, to the more promising, highly cared-for waters on the par-3 golf course. Now he spends his days in cleaner water, fuller sunlight, frollicking around with his new ducky pals. I guess it was time for both of us to move on, reach out, make some new friends and plunge into some new waters. :) I hope it serves him as well as it has for me.

'Diggin' up a little DIRT' on myself!

A few blogs ago on Jodi's website, she starts by saying: "Yesterday morning on the radio the DJ's were looking for stories from listeners where they had totally embarassed themselves by saying something really stupid." She then proceeds to share her biggest 'faux pas' statement that's hung with her half her life... still mortified that she could have such poor choice of words intersect with such bad timing, and wishing all this time that she could take it back.

I think we all have such blundersome moments. Thankfully, mine is less severe and a bit more comical than hers.

I was in my 2nd year at Piedmont... already having a rough year. Just dragging myself to class one day, I took special notice of all the hard work the nice little middle-aged yard guy had been doing fixing up our grounds in front of the girls' dormitory. He had been working on it, and always seemed to enjoy it, but I thought "I bet nobody ever just thanks him for all his hard work. And he's done SUCH a great job out here. I bet nobody ever even so much as notices." So, I took it upon myself to show my appreciation for all he'd done and just simply stated, as walking by "Lookin' Good!" It took me a few more steps before I realized that could've been taken more than one way! But, by that point, it was too late to backtrack and I just thought, "Well, either way, it surely made his day!" And, I must say, it put a smile on my own face as well, as I giggled myself all the way to class. :)

I have never been one to deal well with the LONG HOT summers, and this one seems to beat all. It has been hot. All over the entire country, for the most part. Few exceptions (of which I am considering looking into at this point). :) But, thank God for Mr. Willis Carrier: "The King of Cool". I'm sure many of you have not done the research on this dear hero of mine, so here's the rundown:


[the following courtesy of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia per 'ask.com'] :
Willis Haviland Carrier (November 26, 1876 –
October 9, 1950) was an engineer and inventor, and is known as the man who invented modern air conditioning.
Carrier was born in Angola, New York on the shore of Lake Erie, and inherited his mother's love for "tinkering", with clocks, sewing machines, and other household devices. He loved mathematics, and studied it at every chance, when he wasn't inventing his own devices.
In 1895 he received a scholarship to Cornell University and graduated in 1901 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following college, he went to work for the Buffalo Forge Company, a company which manufactured heaters, blowers and air exhaust systems, in their heating engineering department designing heating systems to dry lumber and coffee.
Carrier soon developed a better way to measure the capacity of heating systems and was named director of the company's experimental engineering department. At the age of 25, he devised his first important invention, a system to control heat and humidity for the Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing and Publishing Company in Brooklyn. The firm had been unable to print reliable colors at times because of the effects of heat and humidity on paper and ink. In 1906 Carrier received a patent for his method. He went on to work on other cooling and humidity-control inventions, and was eventually made the head of the Buffalo Forge subsidiary named Carrier Air Conditioning Company in his honor.
When World War I arrived, Buffalo Forge was forced to cut back on speculative processes, and eliminated their air conditioning division. Carrier, with six colleagues, staked $32,600 on their own company, Carrier Engineering Corporation. Some of the company's first customers included Madison Square Gardens and the chambers of the United States Senate and House of Representatives. He installed the first home air conditioning in a house in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Carrier moved his company to Syracuse, New York in the 1930s, and the company became one of the largest employers in central New York. In 1930, he started Toyo Carrier in Japan. Japan is now the largest market for air conditioning in the world.
The company pioneered the design and manufacture of refrigeration machines to cool large spaces. By increasing industrial production in the summer months, air conditioning revolutionized American life. The introduction of residential air conditioning in the 1920s helped start the great migration to the Sunbelt. In 2000 the Carrier Corporation had sales of more than $8 billion and employed some 45,000 people.
Carrier and all three of his wives are buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York.

Another 'cool' article featuring Carrier is:

www.time.com/time/time100/builder/profile/carrier.html

And, because I have planned for years now, at some point in my life, to make it up to Buffalo, NY to place a dozen red roses on his grave!! :) - I looked into the Forest Lawn Cemetary, and might I say, "WOW" looks quite impressive... And you can ask Victoria, I am NOT one for milling around in cemetaries, but this one actually really looks like a place to check out!

http://ah.bfn.org/a/forestL/forestindex.html

... So, who's up for a trip up to Buffalo, New York? It's GOT to at least be cooler there!!! :)

"God grant us the patience
to change the men we can,
the aim to shoot the men we can't,
and the wisdom to know the difference."

We got this greeting card in at the shop a few months ago... I had picked it out, thinking it was funny and it reminded me of Great Aunt Tickie. I never sent it to her, but always get a chuckle out of it, whenever I see it and think of her.

We lost Tickie about a week ago now, and though we never had much opportunity to spend time with her (her being in Longview, Texas and not able to travel all that well herself) we will all feel a void for some time. There have been many of my older relatives, I've wished we'd lived closer to, and she is no exception.

Full of stories, ready to share... I could listen to her for hours. She was alive in the early 1900s. Raised in rural Arkansas. Forget life without microwaves, they had life before refrigerators!! She was one of three girls raised by their 'Papa' and grandmother, after their parents divorced. She herself had married and divorced, at least three (?) times... twice to the same man (I believe he was the alpha and omega). And we hadn't heard until just several years ago, that she had shot at an ex-husband who threatened to come back and get some things from the house.

She overcame a lot in her life, but it was not always easy. She cared for their Papa once he was placed in a nursing home. She lost one younger sister suddenly at a very young age (she believed her to be shot by her own husband while overseas). And the other younger sister (my grandmother) very slowly over the last 12 years to Alzheimer's. Both quite tragic and heartbreaking in their own right.

In recent years, she could hardly support herself and often fell, breaking bones and spirit. But, you never heard her complain. She was a very strong woman, in every way. Overcoming any challenges life may have thrown at her. She was a great cook; could prepare enough food for the army to feast on at any given time. She did her best to answer any correspondence that ever came her way. And, as I said before, could tell stories for hours about life as it'd been through her eyes.

We love Aunt Tickie and we'll miss her terribly. For the amazing person she was and the link she'd been since losing Grandma Mary. But, maybe now, they can be together again and enjoy each other's company for eternity (if arguing is allowed in heaven... as I can't imagine them as happy any other way). :)

"Purses are the new Shoe!"

Yes, I've spent the past two days at the Gift Show in Atlanta. And, Yes, a lady actually said those exact words. "Purses are the new shoe." I just thought, 'Well, now, that's just silly". However, it must've worked on Sally, as we walked away having ordered their whole entire line of merchandise, not 20 minutes later. And that was only the first stop of the day yesterday.
By the time it was all said and done, we walked away having ordered thousands of dollars worth of new treasures (aka - crap) for the shop... with no room to put one bit of it when it arrives. That's when the real fun begins.

Going to Market a couple of times a year is fun, I suppose... seeing all the cute new things everybody has... spending Louis' 'endless' money... getting inspired by how all the showrooms present their merchandise... getting to eat all kinds of good 'free food'... meeting people from all over, as well as seeing your familiar rep's... And you don't realize it 'till you get home, but it is EXHAUSTING!!! I got home last night and just CRASHED (not like me at all). Actually slept through AC 360, waking up about midnight, to drag myself to bed... only to end up laying there WIDE awake from there on, brain just working overtime, trying to figure out what I'm going to do with all the junk (I mean, treasures) that we just ordered!! (Which, by the way, I never did accomplish.)

But, I guess that's why Sally and I make a good team. She's the optimistic visionary and I'm the conservative realist who keeps her grounded and together we get it all worked out in the end, one way or another.

I was glad to get the chance, too to stop by Grady Hospital yesterday on the way home to finally see Judy and her family. We hadn't expected to see Tim, but they said "Come on in", so we went in and got to see everyone. Judy looked understandably tired, but good and I was really surprised at how good Tim looked, after all he's been through in the past 3 weeks. He has made SO much progress just in the last couple of days and I know is determined to get back on his feet again soon. I am so happy for them. And proud of Tim. I know it hasn't been easy, and won't be for some time. But, he's got such a strong spirit about him, I know he'll just recover in leaps and bounds now.

And Judy couldn't come back to the shop too soon! Now that we've got truckloads coming in, we've got plenty for her to work her magic on!!! :)

I just got the cutest email from my dear great-aunt in Seattle and it's funny that it would come now... it says the picture shows how you can tell the difference between a male and female bird! :) I think that may come in handy in all my new-found studies on my little cranes! So, I guess if the little Gray number isn't squawking in Niles' ear, it's a good sign that it must just be an intrusive competitor vying for his new-found home. Mystery solved! Thanks, Aunt Dee! :)

In response to my recent experiences, Mom suggests that I now call my homestead "Wild Kingdom" as opposed to "the Hood", which certainly could fit some days. But, I think with the new doubled-up, super-duper, ain't nobody gettin' in, and don't EVEN think about gettin' out gate system, it may just be more like a zoo? I don't know, but after talking to my friend Debbie, I firmly believe that it must be easier to smuggle a baby penguin out of the highly-guarded, densely-populated new Georgia Aquarium, in broad daylight than it is to just get into my own neighborhood these days! Evidently, they really feel that they are keeping the 'riff-raff' out of our 'posh' community over here. Or do they? Maybe that's what they WANT us to think, when really they're just trying to 'clean up the streets'?? Now that I think about it, that makes much more sense. :)

'Niles' is back!!!

It has been such a nice little surprise lately, to see such activity having to do with the nature world, here "in the hood". Not something you see every day around here.

But, about a week ago, I happened to look out the balcony door one night and see a family of cute little bunnies out on the one modest lawn we have between the basketball court and the pool area. They must've just had a litter and were venturing out for dinner. Most people didn't even notice them, but then a couple with a little toddler boy watched them and waited for them to come back out of their refuge in the bushes. It was sweet.

Then, today, as I checked my mail, there was a group of excited young kids (of all ages) who told me all about the poor little bird they'd found, who'd evidently fallen out of the tree right there at the mail station. They were very sweet, trying to nurture it back to health there on their skateboard, surrounding it with big magnolia leaves and petting it. I didn't have the heart to tell them that the best chance the baby would have was for them to just take it back to the tree and to let it go (the momma was nearby just having a fit). So, I just told them 'Good luck', admiring their strong desire to help the little guy.

BUT, the one that's gotten me so excited is the re-appearance of my little 'Niles', just up the road from here! I'm not sure what he is, or why he's there, but it's a little white skinny Crane (to the best of my knowledge... which is also where I got the name - if you've every watched "Frazier") and he had just taken up residence at this little water retention pond across the road from the Par-3 golf course. I noticed him probably about 2 or 3 months ago, but then he just disappeared. Until TODAY! I have looked for him every day, and was convinced he'd finally wised up and gone somewhere cooler (and didn't really blame him if he had) but then, this morning I saw him back out there, gleening against the dingy water again. It just made my day. :)

Now that he's back, I can only assume he had just needed a little vacation.... a bit of a getaway (which I certainly understand!!). BUT, the question is... who's the little GRAY number I caught a glimpse of just the other day out there?? Perhaps some cute chick he enticed to come back home with him? or some tough guy who was threatening his habitat, which brought him back to his sweltering-hot home prematurely? It's anybody's guess at this point. I wish I were closer to be able to get to know him better. There's only so much information you can gather, going down a busy road in the middle of the day.

I wonder what ever prompted him to take up on that pond? I wonder if the people who own the property even know he's there? I wonder if they'd notice me hanging out there? I wonder how big a crime trespassing is? :) I wonder how long 'till I get a life of my own???

Oh, well. Until then, I'll just keep studying Niles and trying to figure out his life. I feel very connected to him by now. Not quite sure if it's just from watching him so closely all these months? or 'cause he's so white and skinny (much like me)? or 'cause he's always just seemed like such a 'lone ranger' - doing his own thing, finding his own way in the world... But, who knows! Maybe he's found his true love in the little Gray number, and there's hope for us all!!! :)

WELCOME BACK, NILES!