September 24, 2014

Early this morning I stepped out on my porch and found a bit of a chill in the air. Nothing major by many standards, and gone by 10am. But it was there. And it was wonderful. On my way home this evening I found myself admiring the skyline, watching some truly beautiful cloud formations, and thinking how much I love this time of year. The days get a little shorter and the evenings are cool and crisp. The sky seems bluer and the sun a little less brilliant. Autumn in Texas, I wouldn't trade it for all the snow in Montana (although I sure wouldn't mind a vacation in Montana. Just saying.)

Friday Funnies 2014

Been a while since I have posted any Funnies so I thought "why not"! 

:)

selfie

 

 

too true

this one always makes me laugh!

And my thought for the day:

 

 

have a beautiful and blessed day!

 

Prayer Question

So, here's a question for the masses, how often do you pray? First Thessalonians 5:16-18 says we are to "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances". 

Pray without ceasing. Eek! That has always seemed like an impossible expectation. I can rejoice, even in bad times, if I stop and truly look around and count my blessings. And I can certainly give thanks for those blessings. Those 2 are easy. But unceasing prayer is tougher. 

Is it really though? For most of my life I have thought of prayer as a structured, holy, and profound thing. And it is holy and profound, but does it really need to be structured all the time? Over the last year or so I have started to see prayer a bit differently. Through devotionals like "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young I have started to see my prayer time as more of a conversation. Thing is, I am not really good at conversation. I tend to have trouble maintaining eye contact and I interrupt when random thoughts pop into my head. There is even one lady at work that I swear doesn't like me mainly because I interrupt her so much!

Where was I? Oh yeah, bad conversationalist. This is something I am trying to work on, in my daily interactions with others as well as my prayer life. To answer my own question, some days I pray 2 or 3 times a day, some days I drop into bed and realize I haven't spoken to or listened to Him at all. And I know there are countless days where even that thought doesn't enter my mind. So, I am going to take a step back and try again. Grace is new every morning, right? So fresh start, here I come! 

By the way, thanks for stopping by to read my thoughts. I haven't been a very good blogger for a while now and I really appreciate you for taking the time to stop by! :) 

Have a beautiful and blessed day!

I really don't want to, but I have to

Several years ago I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. At the time I didn't give it a lot of thought, the label was there as an identifier, an explanation provided to the insurance company so they would cover my therapy sessions. Even now, more than 10 years later I don't really know exactly what the definition of the disorder is or if it is an accurate diagnosis for me. I am not sure it really matters. What matters is that "generalized anxiety" is a perfect description of what I have been feeling for the last few weeks. Edgy and jumpy and on the verge of a full blown anxiety attack complete with weeping and gnashing of teeth with nothing to point to as the cause. There is no more stress in my life than normal, there has been no major traumatic event, no trigger. Just this overwhelming feeling of wanting to pull into myself and not face the world, of wanting to hide. I have that feeling in my chest of a million wings beating, looking for the way out and my hands feel shaky even when they are rock steady.

Unfortunately Fortunately, life doesn't stop just because I want to hide away in my bed with the covers pulled over my head (not an exaggeration). My employers expect me to show up and actually do work to earn my paycheck. And that paycheck is vital, given my fondness for lights, air conditioning, and satellite TV (Falling Skies is back on!!!). So I get up and go to work, I face people and try to look them in the eye. And I pray. I pray for peace, I pray that I can make it the next 5 minutes, the next 8 hours. I pray for guidance and direction, for strength in my weakness. I know this will pass. I just have to hang on to His hand.

Truth!

Thought for the day

Wishing us all a day full of happiness, wonder, peace, and blessings.

Just an update, I am still here

Wow. It's been a while since I have had anything to say, hasn't it? Well, that's not technically true, I have tons to say, just no strong desire to open the computer! Things in my life have been pretty hum-drum, same old-same old. Get up, go to work, come home, clean a litter box, watch some TV, sleep, repeat. No real excitement there. Even my diet and exercise routine is stagnant, I seem stuck in the 250's despite all my best efforts and so I have become frustrated and I'm not really putting much into it.

I have been toying with the idea of trying to write more, I have great ideas when I am away from the keyboard. Like when I am in bed and waiting to fall asleep or driving to work. Problem is, when I make it to a computer they disappear like smoke, the scent lingers but I can't find the source! Maybe someone is trying to tell me something? Maybe I need some more quiet time in my life so some original thoughts might seep in?

I have been craving more quiet lately, less TV and Facebook time. I am reading a couple of good books and listening to some on audio too. Does that count as quiet? Probably not, though for me it is soothing. In the car on my commute I am listening to the last Harry Potter book for about the thousandth time. It is a comforting presence, an old friend riding with me to and from work. It is really nice.

And with that I have run out of words for today. I hope that wherever you are that your day is full of light and joy and peace.

Monday Inspiration

Happy Monday!

from my little flower garden

from my archives

Now, let's go make today great!

Happy Easter 2014!

Today got off to a rather rough start. My sweet hubby has been feeling pretty poorly lately and we were up into the wee hours of the morning. When I did finally get some sleep I woke with a tremendous headache so I stayed home from church, took some Ibuprofen and went back to bed.

When I got up the second time I felt more human and so did he so we lazed around the house for a while and then I went out to play in the dirt. He came out and watered the plants while I played (I am not a responsible adult when it comes to plants!). Then we had hamburgers and fries for dinner. All in all not a bad way to celebrate Easter.

I hope you had a great Easter weekend and will have a very blessed week!

Taking the cat for a walk

Anyone who knows us knows we are cat people. I am often asked how many cats I have and my standard response is "I don't count them", and I don't. It's a little embarrassing to realize the number is fairly high!

Anyway, today I took our baby boy, Player, for his first walk on a harness and leash. He loved it! Wearing a harness is not for every cat, in fact we only have one other who enjoys it. So I wasn't sure how Player would react at first. I was so pleased to see him playing in the grass and watching the world with big excited eyes! 

Friday Funnies 2014

Married life!
This is a Random conversation with the hubby:

Me: have you seen my flip flops? I need to go outside and I need my shoes.

Him (taking the slip on shoes off his feet): here, you can use mine.

Me (making a face): uh.... OK....

Him: what's wrong?

Me: they are warm. It's gross to put on someone elses warm shoes! I mean, I know they're YOURS but...... It's yucky. Like water on the counter in a public restroom.

Him: oh yeah, I hate that too! I know it's just water but it's someone elses nasty hand-washing water.

Me: EXACTLY! 

See why I love this man!?!

*YES, I still wore the shoes cause I was too lazy to find my own when his were right there. But I was a little grossed out the whole time, and mildly amused with myself. :-) 

 

 

 

 

Friday Funnies

TGIF!

I am running late for work so I will only say that I hope these bring a smile and that you pass it on! Have a blessed day.

he makes me smile

AMEN!!

This little one is too stinking cute!

definitely a cookie

when things get too heavy, leave them at God's feet.

Happy Monday!

Sunday Thoughts 2014

How I spent my Sunday afternoon. Love my little man. 

watching me work

or napping...I can't tell

such a good boy!

Have a great week!! :)

Happy Birthday Becky

Becca,

Today would have been your Grandma Becky's 43rd birthday. Last year on this day I wrote a post dedicated to her. You were still growing in your mommy's tummy at the time, a thought more than a reality. When I go back and read that post I feel the sadness that I have always felt this time of year. This year is different, this year we have you. Yes, I am sad, but my sadness is less sharp. Thank you for that, baby girl. You have brought us so much joy and given my heart some peace. I am looking forward to watching you grow up, of sharing all your milestones, and teaching you about your Grandma and what an amazing woman she was!

______________________________________

A few pictures of the birthday girl through the years

1973-age 2

Jr Prom 1988

1990- at the hospital with Mommy (Ashley)

Christmas 1996 with Aunt Laurie

__________________________________________

Happy Birthday Becky. I love you and miss you. You would be so very proud of your girls and your beautiful grandbaby. Rest in peace my friend.

Friday Funnies 2014

Welcome to Friday Funnies, and may I just say T.G.I.F!!! This has been a long and emotional week and I am really ready for it to be DONE. I am looking forward to curling up with a good book and relaxing this weekend. I don't know if that will really happen, but I am looking forward to it anyway! Hey, a girl's gotta have a dream, right??

I bet!

I reached that point about 15 years ago myself! ;)

hehehehe

:)

mine too!!!!!

Now, let's go show Friday who's boss! Have a great one! :)

always..

Friday Funnies 2014

Happy Friday folks! You know it's going to be a great day when you are 5 minutes into your 45 minute commute and you realize you must have stepped in cat poo at some point. NOT A PLEASANT RIDE!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the Funnies and have a beautiful day!

paying a call

Question:

Do you like "drop in" guests? This question has been on my mind for a few days now. My answer is a resounding "NO". I don't. I love my friends and family, but I want and need my private space. And, truth be told, I don't like the way people react to my overcrowded fur covered furniture. Most people who know me well have long ago figured this out and do not try to drop by. But I have this one friend who just doesn't seem to get it. We have been friends for years and years and yet she persists on trying to stop by with little or no notice. I find this frustrating and perplexing. Is there something wrong with me? Is it so strange that I don't want company? I don't mind talking on the phone or exchanging texts, emails, or Facebook messages, but I really don't want anyone physically in my space. Does that seem odd?

At least my husband gets me! :)

 

Monday love

Just a thought....

Friday Funnies 2014

Here you go! Hope you have a laugh or 2 and a fabulous Friday!