I truly am full of thanks.  Yesterday I got my aloness in the morning and my mama came to help in the afternoon for a bit.  I then had a tad more aloneness before those other people who live with me came home. 

It was a good thing.

Thanks to my mama I got my kitchen seats recovered.  They desperately needed it.  We used fabric samples and they turned out lovely.  I think I need to devote a post to the project.  They just look nifty!

Last night we all ate at the table and I must say it was delightful – after we established yet again there is to be no talking of bodily functions.

I feel renewed today from my time.  I woke up refreshed this morning and I started a Bible study on self control and discipline.  I’m doing it myself because it is what I lack and it keeps my home/life from being what it needs to be.  I hesitate to say this, but I believe once I get started I’m going to share. 

Self Control – It’s a bitter Fruit of the Spirit for me.  I pray that God make it sweet through His word.  I do have a killer sweet tooth and it would like to be satisfied by this particular fruit. 

I’ll let you know how it’s going in a week or so.

So, speaking of sweet tooths, I had me some Pumpkin Pie Crunch Tuesday and yesterday.  Mmmm, mmmm, good sistas and brothas!  If you’ve forgotten what it is, check it out here.

Oh yes!  It wouldn’t be this time of year if weren’t thankful for bountiful harvests and kitchens filled with the wonderful aroma of things baking.

That’s my humble opinion. 

Food is so often a theme in my life.  I’ve said it before and will say it again – I’m afraid it’s my Golden Calf.  I’d slay it, but then I’d eat it too so I’m not sure what good that would do me.  I’m going to have to rely on Self Control. 

Yuk!  Yuk!  Yuk!  It sure is bitter.

God will be working with me on that.

Be thankful for the sunshine today if you’re in this neck of the woods.  Share something you’re thankful for dear people.  It does your heart good!

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

Spoiler – this may be lengthy and more than you care to know, but it’s good, cheap therapy for me.  If you decide to join the ride – thanks.  If not, come back tomorrow for more lighthearted drivel.

13 years ago today my Daddy went home to be with Jesus.  My mom and I werent’ ready for him to go, but as so often is the case, God didn’t consult us first.  It’s OK.  He can do that since He’s God and all.

The whole thing was unexpected and instantaneous.  We should all be so blessed in our own passing. 

It happened in the evening.  I was at a Country Peddler home show with my ex MIL.  My ex-hubby called to tell me my Mama had called and said to meet her at the hospital.  Daddy was very sick.

The details one tends to remember about significant events in their lives are crazy, aren’t they?  I don’t think Country Peddler exists anymore – but I sure liked their stuff.

That morning I had talked to my Dad on the phone.  We had talked about Christmas and a gift he had ordered for my DD.  He was excited about it.  He was always excited about gift giving and 9 times out of 10, very good at it.   He had ordered a hand made rocking elephant for DD.  He was pleased with himself because my ex was a Republican and collected elephants.  DD wasn’t quite two, so she liked anything that rocked.  Really, I don’t think she cared.  Point being, he thought the ex would get a kick out of it too because Daddy and Mama are Democrats.

Well, I over explained that, didn’t I.

I spoke to him that morning as I did almost everyday.  The last thing we ever said to each other was, “I love you.”

I am so thankful for that.  I don’t think anyone can ask for more when they’ve lost a loved one.

I won’t go into the hospital details, but he was gone before he even got there.  He’d had a stroke and within the briefest of seconds, he was no longer with us. 

I know I’m biased, but my Daddy was an incredible man.  I’m not saying he was perfect.  Nobody is that and anyone that remembers a parent that way isn’t dealing in reality or was too young to truly know them. 

I know this because I am an imperfect parent.    Just ask my kiddos – especially the teenager.  LOL

My Mom is an imperfect parent, but don’t tell her.  I think I’m pretty safe saying this here because she does not have a computer.  If you know her, don’t tell on me.  No matter how old I am, I’m still her kid and she reserves the right to punish me for having a smart mouth – even if I got it from her.

I am so thankful my Dad was my Dad. 

I am so thankful that God saw fit to take me and place me in a home with he and my mom.  (I’m adopted if you don’t know or have forgotten.  This makes me chosen and special.  My Mommy and Daddy told me so.)

I am so thankful that my Dad made it a point to take time with me to talk and listen.  He had this gift he gave to whomever he was speaking with.  He made them feel like they were the only one that mattered.  He listened and participated and asked questions.  It’s rare in a person and even more rare in a man – thus giving me unrealistic expectations in life.  Gee Daddy, Thanks! 

OK, I really do think it’s a gift and he really did have it.

He was an honest man and kept his word. 

He believed Jesus was Lord.

He had a caring concerned heart.

He really liked to spoil me.  Hey, don’t  judge me!

When I was in Jr. High and High School, we would often take Saturday mornings to grocery shop for my mom.  We usually ate breakfast someplace and sometimes lunch too.  We just talked.  I will always miss just talking. 

He was a dreamer.  He was an optimist.  He was a writer and story teller.

He showed great respect and love to all the women in his life – his mom, my mom, my Grandma Nanny, my Grandma Trover, my Aunt Gayle and me. 

I mentioned earlier that he loved giving gifts.  He would have moved in with Santa if it were possible.  He wanted to make sure the gifts meant something.  My mom recently told me a story about a day she and her mother spent together when she was in her twenties.  They had a very special relationship.  They had had a rocky relationship during her teenage years, but were closer than ever after college.  I get the feeling from my mom that she didn’t get to spend nearly as much time with her as she would have liked.  On this particular day, it was special because they were together doing what mother’s and daughter’s do.  It was just one of those days you know is a really good day. My dad met back up with them toward the end of the day and had a gift for both of them.  He had gotten them matching coat pins.  He told them he got the pins so they would remember that particular day. 

Yep.  He could express himself through words and gift giving. 

Now that I’ve given you an ooey gooey story, let me tell you another story that has no oo or goo.  I was in college and needed a new car.  I was blessed that my parents could get a car for me.  It wouldn’t be a new car, but I didn’t care.  My dad wanted to look for me.  I was fine with that.  I’m not a control freak and if I’m not paying for it, how much can I demand or complain?  Not much, so I figured.  I only asked for three things – no vinyl seats, air conditioning and an AM/FM radio.  I didn’t even ask for the radio to have a cassette player.  (That’s what we played, cassettes, before CD’s) 

So one night I come home from work and see foreign car in our driveway.  I think to myself, “I didn’t know they were having company tonight.”  As I walk up to the house, I see my mother walk by in her robe.  I think again, “Hmmm.  They must really know these people well, because mother is never seen unless she’s in full dress and make-up.”  I walk in the house and there are no other people in the living room.  There is just my mother.  I so innocently ask her, “Who’s car is that in the drive?”  She replies, “Go ask your Father.”

This is never a good reply when you’re a child.  It wasn’t, “Go ask Daddy.” or “Go ask your Dad.” or “Oh Honey!  Go talk to your Dad!”  with excitement and anticipation.  Nope.  It was, “Go ask your Father.”  It’s kinda like she used his first and middle name as a mother would to scold her child. 

So I went and asked my Daddy and he told me it was my new car.  OK  We went to look at it.  I immediately understood the tone in my Mama’s voice.  It was a ‘76 Dodge Aspen.  It was metallic blue with vinyl seats, no air and an AM only radio.  I had a bit of a moment.  I cried.  My dad thought I was ungrateful.  My Mom told me she told him I wouldn’t like it.  This only served to make him a bit more irritated because she couldn’t possibly know me as well as he did.  This was usually true, but not in this case. 

I drove that car for about a year.  My college friends enjoyed making fun of me in it.  Were those people really my friends?  About that time Aspen cologne for men came out and I would often find samples in my dear car.  Boy was that thing ugly.  After that car, I had an adorable red hatchback Pontiac.  I totaled it.  Then, though most undeserving, they got me a great Toyota Corolla with a sun roof and the works.  It had been my dad’s secretary’s car.  I totaled it too.  Yep, I was a hazard.  God protected me, but I now believe he was trying to tell me to get out of the relationship I was in.  I’m not always as good a listener as my Dad was. 

So, there’s a small part of my Daddy that I’m thankful for.  I’d go on, but I’d lose you.  I’m even thankful for the Dodge Aspen.  It’s given my mom and me many laughs that send me running to the bathroom.  He was great at connecting with people around him, but don’t give him a wrench or hammer or anything of the like.  It’s bound to get broken. 

 I don’t think I really explained all that I feel, but that’s OK.  Maybe it’s a project for me to take on and share with my kiddos.  That is one thing – my heart is heavy when I think of what DD and my boys are missing by not knowing him.  They will someday.  I imagine Daddy will be at the pearly gates to meet us all. 

If you know a serviceman or woman – go thank them today.  They deserve our thanks and honor.

If your parents are still alive, go honor them by giving them a call and telling them how much you love them – even if you think they don’t deserve it.  Nothing is unforgivable in God’s eyes nor should it be in ours. 

OK – if you’re life is in danger from them, stay away, otherwise, buck up little camper.  Make the first move

Really, I feel very strongly about this. 

I hope you all have a great day!  Return tomorrow for thankfulness of toots and the like.

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

Today I am thankful because I get the day off tomorrow.  Not only do I get the day off, but my kiddos do not. 

Yes, I realize that sounds heartless and uncaring.

Let us remember I’m an only child and I feel the need to reconnect with onlyness periodically.  It will make me a better mommy and wife. 

Do you know that I haven’t gone to the bathroom by myself, in my house, in the last 364 days? 

Not that I’m counting.

Also, it has been 9 years since I was able to be in charge of the remote control in my humble abode. 

Do I hear an Amen?

And then there’s the fact that I can’t remember the last time I was able to listen to “my” music throughout the house without snide remarks.  ( I like musicals and live with manly men who do not.)  I want to be able to belt out Oklahoma or a Phantom tune and not have those around me look as if I just escaped from the loony bin. 

Yes, people look at me that way every day, but not if there’s no one around to see.

Ha!  I can tell you’re amazed at my clever mind.

I also love Contemporary Christian and Praise & Worship which agree with the people in my home, but the TV does not get turned off simply to listen. “We” might miss something.

Hmmmm.  How much do we miss because the TV is on, not off? 

OK, I’ll steer clear of that question quickly because it could get way too deep fast and I believe in keeping this blog light-hearted and full of fluff. 

Can I have another Amen!

And with that being said, I will forewarn you that tomorrow I’m going to be spilling gooshy feelings of thankfulness.

I want you to appreciate my range of writing.  Also, I would think that you all know by now that I have a tendency to be random. 

So now, I think that will wrap it up for today. 

Go be thankful!  Count your blessings and share them – it will make you feel better.

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

 

Friday we took DS#2 to Shriner’s Childrens’ Hospital in St. Louis for a check up.  I guess it was really a check first.  He’d been experiencing hip pain for several weeks and he was walking with a tilt to one side to compensate for it.  It didn’t look good and since it seemed to be ongoing, we went to the dr. who referred us on to Shriner’s. 

As it turns out, we can rejoice in that there really isn’t anything wrong with our little live wire.  I know there were many prayers and I truly believe that a healing took place between the first tentative diagnosis – which included surgery – and his appointment.  Things seemed to clear up a little over a week ago and the xray didn’t show a thing. 

WooHoo!

God is good all the time and all the time God is GOOD! 

That in and of  itself would be enough for which to be thankful.  I’m thankful for so much more though.  My dear Brother-in-Law took the day off to watch our two boys.  We all got to have dinner with them later and DD came home for the weekend from her dad’s.  My sweet Sister-in-Law prepared to make us dinner, but the situation changed and she took her family with us to pick up DD so we could all eat together. 

I love my husband’s family. 

I will be making up the three days I missed the rest of this week. 

Oh!  Also, I said I would post DS#2’s sweet little book he made for his Daddy and I didn’t.  Well, I couldn’t find it. 

(Please keep your comments to yourself on my lack of organization.  It will hurt my feelings and I know you don’t want to do that.  You’re all much too sweet for that.)

I did find it this morning.

Here it is – - the drumroll please . . . . . .

The G or 6 looking like thing is actually G for Grandma.  I realize it’s a bit hard to decipher sideways, but, Hey!, I like to be different.

I believe this says you are bedder (better) than everything.  

But of course, the most important thing of all is that I tooted in G car.

I’m so glad we could revisit this and bond a little more. 

Be blessed and thankful!

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

Today I will share with you that I am thankful for crude humor in our house.  I know it sounds awful to be thankful for that, but it really does crack me up.  It’s also God’s safeguard for me to keep me from a.) going insane over potty humor and b.) smacking little people. 

God is so good. As you can see from choice b., He keeps me from getting in trouble with the law.

This was the conversation this morning.  DS#1 is going to school for the first day this week because he has had the dreaded flu. 

DS#1, “That nap Grandma made me take really made me feel better.”

DS#2, “I know what you mean.” giggle giggle

DS#1, “What?”

DS#2, “You toot when you sleep and that probably made your tummy feel better.” louder giggles

DS#1, “I don’t do that.” said whilst laughing in a near uncontrollable state

DS#2, “Yes you do.” raucous laughter and all hope of containing the situation is gone.

DS#2 had another discussion about toots last week.  He was home with me last week because had a sinus infection. 

Before I knew he had a sinus infection, I took him to the dr. in the big city. 

My momma happened to be in the big city.  We met up at Baskin Robbins to get some ice cream to make DS#2’s throat feel better.  It made us feel better too.  We sat in the car together and ate our ice cream.

I must divulge what happened there.  I passed gas.  DS#2 thought it was gross, but cool – because he’s a boy.  There’s a point to this.  Really. 

Later, he told me he missed his daddy and was going to write him.  I said, “Awwwww.  I think that is so thoughtful.”

DS#2 brought me three pages he’d written and stapled together to make a book for his Daddy. 

Isn’t that adorable?

I read the following:  Daddy i missed you today.  We ate ice cream in Grandma’s car and mommy tooted.  (page 1)

You are the best. (page 2)

I like you the most. (page 3)

And that was the end of the story.  I’ll have to take pictures of it and post them on here tomorrow so you too can share in the glow of honesty and love that children possess. 

It just touched my heart that he would want to share the day with his dad like that. 

These are what real family momments are made of people!

And for this, I’m thankful.

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

OK.  So yesterday after I posted about the pigs I live with, I went to a bloggy friend’s blog and found out it is National Blog Posting Month.  She said if you live on planet Earth you probably already know that about November.  

You know, our heavenly father says we’re not of this world, so I’m going to go with that since I was not aware of this national event.

Every day, if you choose to participate, you’re supposed to post about something you’re thankful for. 

Well, to make sure, I momentarily left here to look it up and it just says you post every day for a month, but I like the thankful twist so I’m going to go  with it.  

Would you like to take bets on if I can do it? 

Shame on me!  I don’t gamble and I sure don’t want to encourage you to do so. 

Just take guesses.

Maybe I’ll surprise us all.

Today I am thankful for just being here.  I really do feel blessed by the life that God has allowed me to lead.  It has not been one without any trouble or strife, but then again, what kind of life would that be?  You know, it’s the bumps and bruises that make us appreciate everything else.  They also contribute to my somewhat twisted sense of humor that I enjoy.  I think some of you enjoy it too. 

Today, DS#1 is not so well, but my mama is helping me out by taking care of him. 

Another “Thankful”!

Thank you Mommy!

Wow!  I think I could really get on a roll here, but then what would I do for the next 26 days? 

Would you like to join me and respond to things you’re thankful for during NaBloPoMo? 

NaBloPoMo is what those who are in the know call National Blog Posting Month.  

Do you think I’m cool now? 

I think I’m cool now.  Does that count? 

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

I realize that Halloween was four days ago, but in remaining true to form, I’m late.   

I thought I would share the costumes that were worn by the boys.  We started out thinking they would be the Three Musketeers, but the closer it came, the more it seemed like a ton of work.  Since I’m a procrastinater, it became overwhelming. 

Maybe if I start on it now for next year . . . . . . .

Then, as DS#1 was discussing my lack of initiation on the project, he said his friend suggested the boys be The Three Little Pigs.

Brilliant!

I could picture it all in my mind.  I knew exactly what I would us for the ears, nose, tail, and everything in between. 

Here they are.

They look a little pitiful, don’t they?

Well anyway, it occurred to me later that night that I really do live with three little piggies.  I’d show you the living room floor or their room, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.  It would pain me.  It would pain you too.

Have a great one!

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

Sometimes sorry just isn’t good enough – is it?  Well, it seems to me that I am constantly telling you that I haven’t been here for this reason or that, but the real truth is I haven’t made what I say are my priorities a priority. 

Was the above sentence even near grammatically correct?  I shudder to think what would happen if I stopped to break it down.  Therefore, I won’t.

So, do you all ever find yourselves in this dilemma?

I told my BFF the other day that I think I’ve been this way since shortly after DS#3 was conceived – 5 1/2 yrs ago.  I believe it’s brain damage and I believe it’s a genetic defect that I have passed on to my offspring.

Poor babies.  They don’t stand a chance. Pray for them sisters!

Back to the issue at hand.  I seem to have been plagued with a lack of commitment, follow through and general irresponsibility. 

I know. 

It’s bad. 

I have neglected my house, my finances, my body, sometimes my hubby, sometimes study time with the kiddos, personal time with the kiddos, study time with my sweet Jesus and very sadly, my blog.  These are in no particular order, by the way. 

Yep.  I’m a bad, bad girlie.

Now, I know I’ve been down this road with you before.  The road that reveals every pothole and crack in my life.  The road that needs milled and resurfaced, not just repaired and patched. 

Is your road rough?

I think I’m in desperate need of transformation.  I also may need to alter my expectations, but that’s a conversation for another time.

This is what I want for my family and my house and myself.  I want a picked up house.  I want the people in my house to help each other with dishes, clothes and dusting and vacuuming.  I want to go to the bathroom without having to see if the toilet seat has dribbles.  I want to allow myself ample time in the morning to do meditation, prayer and exercise.  I want to have a family night and a weekly family devotional.  I want to teach my children, but example, that when you give to others, you get so much more back. I want to have dinner at the table with conversation, real conversation, instead of telling people, “Noises that mimic bodily functions are not acceptable while eating!”  I want to have a budget that reflects what’s really important to my family.  I really truly want to write for someone besides myself.  I want to unleash my crafty creative side.  I want to be 2 sizes smaller.  I want to be my hubby’s help mate and support.

Good gracious!  That’s a lot of wants.

More than all of those listed above, I want to be in the center of God’s will for my life and remain steadfast in my devotion to Him.  I’m cheating Him, and He doesn’t approve.  If I could get it through my thick skull, when I cheat Him, I’m really cheating myself.

So, at what point do you feel desperate enough to put the pedal to the metal? When do your feet go walkin’ where your mouth’s been talkin’?  When does the rubber hit the road?

Any other sayings you’d like to add?

I’ve made these confessions before.  I’ve even professed to repent, but my repentance has repented and I find myself back in the same hole, but a bit deeper.

I want order for my family and myself.  I want the order that God promises when we follow Him.  I’m not so naive to think my life will fall into place and I’ll never have another problem.  I do know that I won’t have the worry and fret that accompany problems. 

Hmmmm. 

Maybe I should force you all to be my accountability partners.  I think my situation is such that it requires more than one person to bear this load. It’s a pretty heavy load and my mom will tell you it’s no picnic.  It’s not for the the faint of heart my friends.

Should I post a weekly goal and have you check in? 

That doesn’t sound like fun. 

Maybe a year long experiment?

We’ll see.  Maybe.

What’s your road look like?  Is it basically smooth at this point in your life or do you need a bail out plan to fix it?  Do you feel your life is revealing to others what you say is important?

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

This is DS#3. 

He started kindergarten this year.

He has had a hard time with learning the letters of his alphabet.  He’s already in an early intervention program to help.  Because of this program, he was screened at school for his hearing and vision.  The nurse called me to say that my baby failed his vision exam.  I said, OK, we’ll get him checked out.  We did so that weekend and as you can see,  he can now see. 

My poor baby could’ve had all the extra help and one on one intervention the world offers, but it wouldn’t have done him a bit of good because he couldn’t see it. 

Now, I don’t want you to think he’s been stumbling around and walking into doors for the past five years.  He has had his share of accidents, but nothing really out of the ordinary.  Unless you count those four fractures in one year, but the nice people at child and family services came to the conclusion that it was not our fault.  Rest easy in knowing we do not beat our children – even if it may seem like a good idea sometimes. 

Just kidding!

Really.

Seriously.

So when DS#3 was in getting his eye exam, the Dr. told me he had astigmatism in both eyes.  Apparently this can be in one or both eyes.  If you are not aware, it causes those who have it to see things with a distorted view.  Things just aren’t in focus.

But you know what?  If you’ve never seen clearly, you don’t know what the difference is. 

He got the glasses on Saturday, but really wore them for the first time on Sunday.  We went to my mom’s house after church on Sunday.  The boys were playing on their scooters in the driveway while we talked in her living room.  I looked outside and saw DS#3 lying on his back, in the grass, under a tree.  He was intently gazing up.  It occurred to me that he really hasn’t seen the leaves on trees before.  It simply looked like one big green puff ball on the top of the trunk.  I was excited for him to discover new things, but saddened that he’s missed out up until now.

This all prompted me to think about my Christian walk.  Isn’t this the way we are before we find Jesus?  Don’t we too have a distorted view of the world?  Do we know what we’re missing out on seeing?

Even though I’ve been walking with Jesus for 20 years, I know there are seasons where my view becomes distorted again.  I don’t believe to the extent it was before, but none the less, there’s distortion.  It is so easy to look at the world through the eyes of the worldly. 

Isn’t it?

The eye doctor said that we would have to come back every few months for the first year because DS#3’s prescription would change that often.  He said the lenses would retrain his brain/eyes to see without distortion.

Hmmmmm.

Let my prayer be today that God retrain my brain to see His plans, His calling, His world without distortion.  Let me see it clearly, Lord.

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

Do any of you lose one shoe?

I mean, we all lose socks.

Right? 

We know it’s the dryer that loses them.  There’s some mysterious time space continuum that goes on in the belly of a dryer.  When one closes the dryer door, I’m apt to think a door opens up in the back side and there are little dryer gremlins that decide which pair of socks will no longer have mates.  I also think they sometimes smudge a stain here and there on a shirt or pair of pants. 

So, it is universally understood that socks do not stay together because the dryer, or some entity associated with the dryer, eats them.

Right?

Right.

Now, about the shoe situation.  I don’t believe there are shoe gremlins in the back of my closet.  My main reasoning here is that my shoes rarely end up in my closet.  (I’m disorganizationally challenged.)  I do know that I take my shoes off  in pairs – usually by the couch or in the bathroom.  (it depends on which place I sit first)  I take them off and physically see that there is a pair of shoes setting off to the side of where I last sat.

I do have a problem with my boys taking off with my shoes.  They think it’s fun to wear them.  No, I’m not too concerned because they also think toilet humor is king.  I don’t wear a very big size, so they can easily take off in them and they do. 

And I then have difficulties figuring out where they went. 

 And they never seem to remember where they left them because which ever son I’m speaking with assures me repeatedly that he was not the last person to have my shoes. 

And then I will find one, but not the other – for days – sometimes weeks – maybe months.

This was my dilemma yesterday morning.  All I wanted was one pair of brown shoes with a bit of heel to go with my outfit.  Should I have planned this the night before?  Well, yes, but I will again repeat that I am organizationally challenged. 

I could find one of my brown heels, one sling back and one of my heeled mules. 

I looked under the couch, beds, in closets other than my own, the bathrooms, the playroom and corners of the kitchen.  I even sent the little darlins’ off to help search.  It was no surprise when they turned up empty handed.

I did have a pair of brown flats, that looked a little dorky, that I wore because I had no other choice and the only other option was to change my clothes.  ( I did laundry last night, so that was not an option either.)

I have decided that I’m suspending all TV and eating of meals and snacks until my shoes are paired together again.  I think this will encourage the little darlins’ to remember a little better and maybe look a little harder.

Anyone else have this problem?

(crickets chirping)

Anyone?

(deafening silence)

OK then.  You all have a great day!

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth