Friday Funnies

It's Friday Funnies time!!

No caption required...... :)

Me on Friday evening

Yes, every fan in my house is like this!

hehehehe

I wish I could do this with my cats but I am pretty sure it wouldn't end well

CUTE!

I can relate!

LOL!

And that's all folks! Hope you enjoyed them. Now, let's all get out there and tackle the day with a smile! :)

God Bless you and yours, may His love and laughter fill your heart with gladness today and always!

Thursday Ramble

I am sitting here once again staring at a blank screen. At first I was going to tackle the NaBloPoMo writing prompt for today but it seemed rather boring. So I deleted that. And now the cursor just sits and blinks at me, while my mind keeps straying to the episode of Criminal Minds I started watching last night. It is waiting patiently in my DVR for me to return and finish the story.

My couch is full of cats this morning. Not an unusual thing around here.

Everyone is napping. And I am rambling. I just don't really have anything inspiring or insightful or even amusing to say. And this my friends is what is wrong with blogging everyday! Because it is really hard to be on your "A" game 24/7. I mean really, I can barely manage to bring my "A" game once a week. The other 6 days you are stuck with my "X","Y", or even "Z" game! BLAH!!

Okay, I think I am done now. I'm gonna go watch some TV. I hope you have a blessed and beautiful day! I will see you tomorrow for some Friday Funnies!

Because I thought we needed something inspiring today! God's word is always the best inspiration!

OH! Don't forget to check out my Thursday Thankfulness post. I kept it short and sweet this week!!

Pressure makes diamonds...but it also makes mistakes

Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Do you do your best work when you're feeling comfortable or when you're feeling a little uncertain?

So, last night I wrote a post around this writing prompt, but this morning when I opened the page to give it a final check I realized that the only thing I liked about it was the title. I think that pretty much sums it up. I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself by procrastinating, and usually I end up with a good finished product. But could it be better? If I removed some of the pressure and uncertainty by actually focusing on the task instead of avoiding it, what could I accomplish? Given my nature I'm afraid we may never know!

This is Sassy, she is keeping me company this morning while I write.

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Before I go I wanted to ask you to pray for the families and communities that have been devastated by tornadoes and other severe weather this week. Last night we were surrounded by severe weather and as I sat in my little trailer listening to the thunder and rain I couldn't help but think of all those people who have lost so much. My heart goes out to them and I pray that God will bring them through this terrible time. 

Sing a new song

Tuesday, May 21, 2013
When was the last time you did something that made you uncomfortable but was ultimately worth fighting through those feelings?

This would have to be when I volunteered to sing in my church's praise and worship group. As usual I volunteered without giving it much thought. I just wanted to help, but honestly I never expected anyone would take me seriously. Guess what? They did. Before I knew it I was on stage with a microphone in my hand.

At first I was so anxious I could barely whisper out a note. My anxiety was kicking in big time! But I stuck it out for my Pastor. It's been about 8 months now and I am finally starting to feel a little more comfortable on stage. I'm not sure I will ever be 100% comfortable but it is getting better. And yes, it is worth it. The fear and doubt and insecurity that is the root of my anxiety cannot compare with the simple joy of true praise and worship. And I have been blessed in that once the music starts all that negative stuff starts to fade into the background. If I keep my eyes and my heart focused on Him then I can forget that I am being watched by human eyes and possibly judged by human hearts. None of that really matters, right?

My Comfort Zone

Monday, May 20, 2013
How much do you push yourself to leave your comfort zone?

I am sitting here on my comfortable couch with my lap top and a cup of tea and I am looking at the question that NaBloPoMo has asked and I am thinking one thing.......Why would I??

And I guess that is the answer in itself. Nope, I don't push myself to leave my comfort zone. I like it here, it's comfortable! The people know me and accept my particular brand of crazy with grace (Oh, that's just Tamara, you'll get used to her).

I am rather like Diva here, curled up on her ducky having a nap. All comfy and cozy. Not a care in the world. Only I really do have cares and concerns. I really do have reasons that I must leave my comfort zone. I am just really good at ignoring them. (insert sheepish grin here)

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I should tell you, I am trying very hard to stick to the writing prompts this month. It's my own personal challenge. However, I am not sure I can stretch this comfort zone thing into a whole week. So, we may veer off topic some, you have been warned.


And now I am off to tackle my Monday. I'll see you tomorrow for more Comfort Zone talk.....

Sunday Thoughts

Today was the first day of the 2013 swim season at our house! I know in some parts of the country spring is just starting to get geared up but here in my part of Texas the temps are already in the 90's.

Backyard view. Please ignore the hole in the fence, he will get it fixed sooner or later. :) But feel free to notice my Cactus Bed he planted for me last year.

We have an above ground pool in the back yard, which is not nearly as classy or glamorous as it sounds. But it is mine and I love it! The hubby doesn't enjoy swimming, but he keeps up all the maintenance for me. In fact, over the winter he single handedly  replaced the pool liner which had definitely reached the end of it's life after 13+ years (We have been here for 13 and it was here when we moved in). A lot of work goes into taking care of this pool and I don't have to do any of it. Not a bad deal, huh?

Tonight I got in a 20 minute swim, which doesn't sound like much but was more than enough to let me know how out of shape I am.

I know, but that's not the shape I have in mind!!

So, I am embarking on a plan to swim at least 3 times a week. This is not a new plan, it is one I try every year. And every year I fail. One year I got bronchitis and could not go near the pool. For the next 3 years after that I had trouble holding my breath under water for any length of time. And there have been the lazy years and the depressed years. But this year will be different! (I hope) It's not so much about losing weight (though that would be great) but about getting outside and getting some exercise. Taking advantage of all my hubby's hard work and care. After all, it's right there outside the back door, just waiting to be used.

Sunset view from the pool (and I didn't drop the phone!). Once again, please ignore the junk. :)

And this is the place where I run out of thoughts. That little swim wore me out and it's late. And I still have some clothes to put away for I can crawl my lazy butt into bed. So I'm gonna call it a night. I hope you had a wonderful, restful, and blessed weekend.

Always makes me smile! 

Love this thought.

Thirty Days of Truth: Day 9

 Day 09. Someone you didn’t want to let go of.

My niece and nephew. It's a long story and most of it is not mine to share, but the basic information is a matter of public record. I lost contact with them about 10 years ago after my brother in law was convicted of sexually abusing his daughter. He is serving a life sentence (thank you Lord). After his abuse came to light her mother's family pressured her to cut contact with us even though we completely believed and supported her. I fought it for a while, calling weekly and sending cards and gifts at holidays and birthdays. Eventually I had to give up though. You can only beat your head against the wall for so long.

I miss those kids. Well, they aren't really kids anymore. She is 21 years old now and he is 19. I haven't been able to keep track of him, but I have found her online. Unfortunately the news is not good. What I found were arrest records. From what I have been able to gather she must be involved in drug use. I find this incredibly sad, her mother died in 2004 from a drug overdose (suicide if you believe the stories, but I lean more to an accidental overdose). After her mother's death she and her brother were adopted by her maternal aunt and uncle. I had hoped and prayed that they would be safe and protected, that they would both get the guidance and therapy they would both need to overcome everything that happened in their lives. I don't know if that was provided for them, but it certainly seems that she is still struggling.

I pray for them both, I wish I could reconnect with them. But that is out of my hands. I just have to trust that if I can help them that God will direct me back into their lives.

I love you Kara and Sean. Now and always. 

If I had the chance, this is what I would tell them both.