The bottle shop

Proverbs 17:22 says “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.”

One afternoon my mother and I were returning from a shopping trip near Atlanta. As usual my Mother chattered away as I drove and listened. Suddenly she said, "oh look, there's a bottle shop.... I need to bring my glass bottles up here and sell them". I looked and sure enough there was a bottle shop, which I knew was the name of a liquor store. I almost had a wreck because I was laughing so hard at the idea she thought the shop was a shop that sold bottles like an antique shop.

How was it that my Mother didn't know what a bottle shop was? Was the term "bottle shop" not a southern term? I always thought it was. As I tried to regain my composure, I told my Mother what a bottle shop was and all she said was, "oh, I didn't know." I know this story probably isn't so funny to others, but to me it was the laugh of the century and every time I go by that bottle shop I just smile.

As I think about that experience this morning I am thinking about other funny things that my mother does... and also wondering if my son thinks I do funny things. I bet he does. Sometimes I even get to laugh at myself. Laughing is good.

Sugar-coated

As for God, His way is perfect; the world of the Lord is tried. He is a shield to all those who trust and take refuge in Him. 2 Samuel 22:31

The older I get it seems the more pills I add to the collection of pills that we all are told we need to take. I'm not a good pill taker. It's an area I need to work on making sure I take what I should and not just get busy, putting them off or just forgetting about taking them daily. Some of those pills are nasty little devils. Even when they are sugar coated, they are still nasty. I don't like them!

Satan is like that too. He's a nasty little sugar-coated devil. But, unlike pills that help to build our strength and are good for us, the devil seeks to pull us down and is bad for us. He wants make us too weak to pray. He wants us worn out, burned out and depressed but thank God as Christians we know what to do. We follow the advice of our earthly physicians and most important we follow the advice of the great physician, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold. Nehemiah 8:10

Yesterday the mother of my Aunt Jeanette died. She was 93 and had been sick a very long time. Today I pray the family will find comfort and strength in the knowledge that she is in heaven. It's never easy to give up our loved ones but knowing they are Christians makes our hearts have peace.

Southern hospitality

LUKE 14:12-14
12 Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.

13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,

14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Being born and raised southern I've learned that there are many southern traditions that confuse and confound the rest of the world. I've also learned that many of the traditions I hold dear to my heart aren't just southern traditions, but rather traditions that come from many cultures making all of our lives richer.

I absolutely love to sit at a table that has been set to the max with all special touches. I don't get to do this often, but when I do have guests over I want to pull out all the best of everything and serve the best food. Did you know that Georgia has its own official china? In February 1974, Governor Jimmy Carter signed the Georgia General Assembly's resolution number 573 making the Georgia Historical Plates the official plates for the State of Georgia.

Setting a beautiful table is so important to me. I want something special for my guests to enjoy along with me so I bought a few pieces of official Georgia china and I've uploaded a picture of one of the plates today. I treasure the pieces of official Georgia china I have and hope that I will be able to pass down those pieces to my grand daughters who will also treasure the times we have shared our meals together using this special china. The plates all have bits and pieces of Georgia history printed on the front and back. Each time I use the dishes I ask my guests to read what their plate has to say on the back and have them look for the symbols on the face of the plate that tell the story of the State of Georgia. It’s so much fun.

In this mornings devotion time as I began to think about what it must have been like to sit at the same table that Jesus sat at and enjoy his company, I was struck by the thought in the passage above. It's easy to serve family and friends and we certainly can get caught up in trying to impress people but Jesus was telling us that true rewards come from serving those that are less fortunate. I want to hold that thought in my heart and act on it as this year offers big and small opportunities.

Mind you, there certainly isn't anything wrong with serving family, friends or even impressing folks with the official china of Georgia. After all, that's part of my southern heritage! *giggle* Maybe what others think might be classified as trying to impress folks is just plain everyday southern hospitality and pride. At least that's the way I'm thinking about it because any Steel Magnolia wouldn't have it any other way.

Mustard Seed Hugs

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

(Photo - Phyllis & friend, Sandra Babb)

Last night at church for a treat we were given a concert by the Weaver family. They have eight children, the first two being twin girls. They travel around the country singing and giving their testimonies as God leads. I can not imagine doing this as a woman and what sacrifice it takes to live in a travel trailer, home school your children, be a wife and mother and still praise God. :)

I think I get too comfortable with all my creature comforts. We talked yesterday in SS about Psalms 23 and how God provides everything we need. Beth brought up the fact that she remembers Ed Cliburn giving a sermon many years ago (at least 30) on what our needs and wants were. I forget what she said they were at that time, but what struck all of us is that many of the "wants" have moved over to the "needs" category, like transportation and telephones. Basic needs like food, water, shelter, and love were all listed. It was also interesting to me that "love" was on the basic list because I had not thought about that being an essential. I have read that newborns that are not touched and comforted don't thrive like those that are, so I suppose even in our beginnings we have to have love.

Today, is my office day when I pay all my bills and take care of business things. I am thankful that I have all the life essentials and more. I'm thankful for the love of Jesus Christ and those here on this earth that have love for one another in small and big ways. I'm thankful for my family and my friends who I can reach out and hug either in person by phone or just this computer. They are mustard seed hugs that can grow and grow.

Hug.

Pass it on.

What's within you?

Jesus has told us that the kingdom of God does not come visibly, nor will people say, "Here it is," or "There it is," because the kingdom of God is within you. Read Luke 17:20,21 it's a beautiful passage.

STORY NUMBER ONE

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but also, Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object.

And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.

Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done.

He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read: " The clock of life is wound but once, And no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, At late or early hour Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still.

STORY NUMBER TWO

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare.

He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank.

He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.

His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.

As he was returning to the mother ship he saw something that turned his blood cold: a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger.

There was only one thing to do He must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now-broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent.

Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly.

Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier.

Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return.

The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.

This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His hometown would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2. [There's also a restored plane similar to the one O'Hare flew.]

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?

Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son.

Over the rainbow - Macaroni and Cheese

2 Samuel 17:27-29 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, "The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert."

This recipe is from Patti LaBelle and it's not one of her low fat ones so be careful. :) I got this from an old Oprah show several years ago, made it and immediately added it to my favorite recipe collection. It's worth the trouble of gathering up the different cheeses, but if you don't have exactly the cheeses listed, don't worry, yours will still come out right. Just keep the quantities the same and sub a different cheese or even use one of those premixed cheese selections in the bag. You'll love it, and evidently David and his people enjoyed cheese too. The only thing about it is I bet they had to work extra hard to make the cheese where we just run out to the grocery store. I bet they didn't make Velveeta, LOL. Have a great Saturday.

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni
8 tablespoons (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Muenster cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mild Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup (8 ounces) Velveeta, cut into small cubes
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a deep 2 1/2-quart casserole.

Bring the large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the oil, then the elbow macaroni, and cook until the macaroni is just tender, about 7 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain well. Return to the cooking pot.

In a small saucepan, melt eight tablespoons of the butter. Stir into the macaroni. In a large bowl, mix the Muenster, mild and sharp Cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. To the macaroni, add the half-and-half, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, the cubed Velveeta, and the eggs. Add salt and pepper and transfer to the buttered casserole. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and dot with the remaining one tablespoon of butter.

Bake until it's bubbling around the edges, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.

ABC's of prayer

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

A grandfather was walking past his young granddaughter's
room one night when he saw her kneeling beside her bed,
with head bowed and hands folded, repeating the alphabet.

"What are you doing?" he asked her.

She explained, "I'm saying my prayers, but I couldn't think
of just what I wanted to say. So I'm just saying all the
letters of the alphabet, and God can put them together
however he thinks best."

Love Never Fails

The Love Chapter

New International Version (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Be sure to watch the video below all the way to the end. No matter if it's your spouse, your friend, your family, your pet, or just the spirit of God, it helps if you have a hand to hold on to. Thanks for holding my hand today!

You may have to double click the center arrow to get the video going. Short video lasts about 1.44 minutes.



And this from Joni. (Tissues required)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

Being Healthy

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

The SOP (standard operating plan )

• Wake early
  
• Feed Cocoa puff
  
• Coffee
  
• Devotion - Prayer
  
• Breakfast - Yogurt and cereal mix
  
• Journal
  
• Dress routine complete with vitamins
  
• Walk around the block
  
• Paint
  
• Clean House- work on throwing away stuff
  
• Lunch -Health fruits, vegetables & water
  
• Paint weekdays and work on organization
  
• Healthy Snacks
  
• water
  
• Dinner - Healthy fruits, vegetables &water
  
• TV, Read, Internet, whatever
  
• Sleep by 11
  

I'm a list maker. I have so many lists that I feel the need to make a list of my lists. LOL Organization is also important to me even if I never seem to live up to my goals. I still feel the need to be orderly, to make lists, to plan, to dream, to hope.... you get the picture. Reading the blog of my friend Kimberly the other day I noticed she celebrates Wellness Wednesdays so I decided to join her. I knew having a wellness check point would be good for me, I've asked that my name be added to the LIST of those that are celebrating Wellness Wednesday's.

Today I begin my Wellness Wednesday by committing myself to taking my vitamins everyday. I'm so bad to skip them as the day gets busy and I know I would greatly benefit from doing this. I've been reading the new book by Dr's Oz and Rozen, "You, Staying Young" and am taking note of my short-comings. Thank goodness I don't smoke or drink.... although when my painting friends get together they always bring wine to taste after the day is over and I found I did have a liking to some Pinot Grigio one of the ladies brought and left at the house. LOL

My prayer for today is for health, my health and the health of others. May the blessing of God strengthen you and me today and we all feel the healing presence of Jesus Christ in our lives daily.

Wheat

Ruth 2:23
So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

Somehow wheat has always fascinated me. I think it has to do with the distinct pattern the grass makes as it grows to make grain inside the protective husks. It's the artist and the order part of me that enjoys patterns in just about everything God has made. God has put everything on this earth with such care giving means for beauty, protection and purpose. Seeing wheat growing and then taking a closer look makes me realize how wonderfully made we are, everything is.

Oh, about 20 years ago I took a class on wheat weaving at Callaway Gardens which is very close to where I live. I don't think I have any of the things I came away from that class with as over the years they became fragile and I finally had to throw them away.

For my Tuesday's Treasure this week I wanted to show you a bread plate that has been in my family for I don't know how long. My mother, Ruth, gave it to me and she was not certain which part of our family it came from. I don't use it to serve bread often, but rather placed on a display easel and do treasure it. I hope you will enjoy looking at the wheat server as you bring your own thoughts about wheat into the picture.

There are so many wheat analogies we could talk about but when I look at my bread server today I think about my Gleaners Sunday School class. As Gleaners we have much to live up to.



I'm sandwiched between the Gleaner in green and the Gleaner in yellow.

Winter Chill

Mark 4:30-32
Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."


In the Parable of the Mustard Seed, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed. The mustard plant has very small seeds but the plant is large enough to provide shelter for birds. I love the parables that Jesus uses to teach us how to live and work together. In this parable He is trying to describe the Kingdom of Heaven but at the same time He is telling us that no matter how small we think we are or our actions are, if planted correctly, we can be and do great things. The small things we think, do, or say grow larger just as the small mustard seed.

Today I am praying that all my mustard seeds are planted, as God would have them planted. All this thinking about seeds makes me realize that we plant many other seeds in our minds and they also can grow from small to big sometimes with positive results and sometimes not so. We do have to guard against what kind of seeds we plant... what we allow to grow in our minds, hearts and lives.

It's so cold outside and so toasty warm inside. Cocoa puff won't go out this morning. When I opened the door she just stood there and looked out. Then she turned her prissy self around and went back to bed. Who says cats aren't smart?

Stay warm.

God's Love

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Psalms 127:3

Wouldn't you know it. This morning I woke with a sore throat. It's the first time I have been sick with this kind of thing in at least 6 months or maybe longer. For the last couple of years I have suffered and suffered with all kinds of upper respiratory woes so this year, around September, I went and took my very first flu shot ever. Now, I'm not saying that taking the flu shot has kept me from getting my usual upper respiratory sickness' but it's interesting that I have stayed free from sneezing, coughing, scratchy throat, runny nose, sinus and all that for so long this season.

After coffee, my throat feels much better so I think I'll just go the gargle with warm salt water route and lots of chicken soup. I decided to join a group that are sharing photos celebrating Sacred Life Sunday. I have so much to be thankful for. My photo for this first time is of my grandchildren of course. Each time I look at them I'm reminded of God's love and how much I am thankful they have parents who want to raise them walking inside the footprints of Jesus.



This photo was taken this past fall in my garden ramble. I don't think I'll let it overgrow like this again, but I really had no choice since I couldn't get out there and pull weeds, stake, and tidy up. Hopefully my leg and hip will be better when gardening kicks off for 2008 and I'll do better.

Love

Psalms 107-150

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever

Chick Pea Starter Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

2 (14-ounce) cans chick peas, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Handful grated Parmigiano Reggiano

After rinsing, dry chick peas in a kitchen towel.
In a dry nonstick skillet over medium heat add the chick peas. Season with black pepper, to taste, and cook, shaking pan often until chick peas are toasted and light golden brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in the cheese and toss to coat chick peas. Serve as a snack or starter.

Fantastic Friday

It's Friday and I'm looking forward to having Carley Ann and Anna Claire spend the night. Today I'll have to think of some different art/craft thing for us to do. It's always fun to watch them work and try out different tools. Carley Ann at 3 loves colored markers but is still dangerous with them too close to my white couch. Anna Claire at 19 months can hold the markers by making a fist and she is double dangerous near anything. I have the wall art to prove it. :)

This morning I'm enjoying my coffee that I got from Jittery Joe's in Peachtree City. I made my own blend from a canister of "Two Stories" and "Traveling Joe" Two Stories is the decaf version and Traveling Joe is just a blend I like. All of the blends must be wonderful but I'm stuck on Traveling Joe.

The SS lesson this week comes from Psalm 7 where David is calling out to God to save him from being accused of doing someone wrong and he feels he hasn't done anything. I've been thinking on times when this has happened to me and can only think of a few times.

Psalm 7:1-3


O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands- if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe- then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.

Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. Let the assembled peoples gather around you. Rule over them from on high; let the LORD judge the peoples.

The thing with me is that most of the time when I'm called on the carpet as they say, I'm totally in the wrong and need the correction! Hey, where does the saying being called on the carpet come from? I'll have to see if I can find out. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the red carpet or a carpet ride. :)

Back to David, I'm glad we have the example of David to study and learn from. Being wrongly accused or unjustly persecuted can be one of the worst feelings we encounter in life. Sometimes we never get over this kind of experience. If we are mature enough, we can work through our trial with the help of God, but if we are very young we may suffer the scars for a long time before we find that only God can heal wounds that have become our enemies.

I am thankful today that I can shout with joy that God is on my side! I'm thankful for coffee, family, friends, pets, earth and love. Beginning the day with a thankful heart seems to set the mood for the day no matter what other things I have to do or think about. I hope you will have a fantastic Friday!

New day

"SHOUT joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.

Know that the LORD Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations."
Psalm 100:1-5

When my Brent was around 3 and learning how to put the English language together I asked him to call his daddy. He said, "daddy." I said, "no, call him loud". He said, "loud". I know there were many of these funny things that he said, but I didn't write them down, so they are lost in memory heaven.

I'm thankful that our Father hears us no matter if our voice is soft or loud. Turning up the volume might make us feel He is hearing us better, but we all know He listens even to our hearts.

Our town escaped the severe winter storm that hit much of North Georgia. It's cold outside, but I'm all snugg in my house with my cup of coffee and a blueberry muffin. It's a new day and I look forward to watching it unfold.

Joy and gratitude

A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing (Proverbs 17:22)

It's been said over and over that finding and keeping joy in your life greatly depends on how you view life. Well, today it's cold and it's going to be wet later this afternoon. I wish I was in Sarasota and envy the girls who are down there enjoying the warmer air, the beach, the food, and of course the fellowship. I can't wait to see the pictures and hear all the stories.

Well, my mind can't be cheerful today but I can be grateful. I believe joy and gratitude go hand and hand. They are like friends that pull each other up when the other is down. I'm grateful today for silly things like Cocoapuff running down the hall and not being able to stop on the slick floor before crashing into the wall.

Knowing I'm really a muppet helps.

You Are Miss Piggy

A total princess and diva, you're totally in charge - even if people don't know it. You want to be loved, adored, and worshiped. And you won't settle for anything less. You're going to be a total star, and you won't let any of the "little people" get in your way. Just remember, piggy, never eat more than you can lift!

The Muppet Personality Test

I'm grateful for the silly things my son leaves me on the kitchen island, like the day he proclaimed it mother's day and left me a cup of sand to play in.

I'm grateful for lots of silly things, but right now I have to get my silly self busy and get something accomplished today.

Hope you have time for something silly today. I took the muppet test again an hour later after my coffee worked it's magic and turned into a different muppet. LOL

You Are Dr. Bunsen Honeydew

You take the title "mad scientist" to the extreme -with very scary things coming out of your lab. And you've invented some pretty cool things, from a banana sharpener to a robot politician. But while you're busy turning gold into cottage cheese, you need to watch out for poor little Beaker! "Oh, that's very naughty, Beaker! Now you eat these paper clips this minute."

The Muppet Personality Test

Focus

And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Matthew 17:8

Yesterday I got distracted from my Monday routine. I hate that but it was my own fault. I think it's the same with many of the routines of my life. I'm easily distracted. I guess that can be a good thing but most of the time is not. This is one of the reasons I seem to never get things completed. Many times I quit just before I'm really done, leaving one coffee cup in the sink or one bill to be paid another day. I lose my focus; it's one of my flaws.

I find this is true too with my spiritual life. I tend to look too much in what I can't do rather than what God can do through me and I give up to easily. I CAN do all things with His help, but without His help I'm a mess.

My prayer today is for strength to keep my focus on Jesus, to continue to look to Him for guidance in all things, to continue to grow in knowledge and faith. I also pray for those that are on my prayer list like Jacob, Corrine's Tom as he goes through adjustments to his defibrillator, Harold in ICU that they may feel the power of your hand today and feel the power of the Holy Spirit filling them with hope and peace.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

I've been thinking what I can show you as a Tuesday Treasure. My mother always kept a very clean house and try as I might, I will never live up to her example. Many years ago she gave me two salt and pepper shakers that she had bought in Germany that I had said I loved. They stand proud in my kitchen window and bring me joy each time I look at them. My kitchen window looks out over my garden and the garden house now converted into my painting studio. Mr. Salt is a baker and Mr. Pepper is a chimney sweep. They remind me that we all have jobs to do and we can take pride and enjoy doing even the most lowly things.

Somehow my mind has drifted to the memory of how my neighbor always left his house singing when he was going to his job at the post office. The study I saw on the 20/20TV show comes to mind too when they said one thing that made Denmark the number one happiest country is that everyone there did not have to choose jobs for the sake of money, but rather they chose jobs because that's what they really loved to do! Here's hoping we all will find joy in the salt and pepper jobs of our lives. :)

Mother's 80th

Matthew 17:20
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

.:. The SOP (standard operating plan )

• Wake early
  
• Feed Cocoapuff
  
• Coffee
  
• Devotion - Prayer
  
• Breakfast - Yogart and cereal mix
  
• Journal
  
• Dress routine complete with vitamins
  
• Walk
  
• Office Monday
  
• Clean House- work on throwing away stuff
  
• Lunch -Health fruits,vegetables & water
  
• Healthy Snacks
  
• water
  
• Dinner - Healthy fruits,vegetables &water
  
• TV, Read, Internet, whatever
  
• Sleep by 11
  

Lots of things to take care of today on office Monday. Yesterday was my mothers 80th birthday, so I took her some red roses and today we are going to go out to eat somewhere. I'm so lucky to have my mother living. We certainly butt heads but I love her. She is always there to help me with advice and loves me.

My painting sisters all have gone to Sarasota for an annual week of painting there. Durinda, rents a cottage for the whole month of January each year and then chooses a week just for the Southern Ladies Art Conference to come down and be with her. I can't go this year because of my knee, leg, hip thing and I'm feeling a bit sad. My trip to the High confirmed that I can't walk very far or stay up on my leg very long without paying for it in great pain. I am encouraged, however, that I am making good progress and maybe by April I'll be able to get back out and paint. April is my goal because that's when the azaleas are in bloom at Callaway and my paintings sisters come to my house at Callaway to paint for a week or so.

As I sit drinking my coffee and planning my day I'm thinking about Spring. The flower catalogs and garden magazines tempt me to over order and get too ambitious. I'm really looking forward to making some changes in my garden this year. I want to get rid of all the vines I thought I wanted and neat things up a bit. More and more I find that I really do like things that have patterns. I suppose it's the artist eye that makes me so. I tried the cottage garden feel where everything runs together, but that's not me. I want order. We'll see what happens this spring. Until then, I'll enjoy this little bit of winter we have here in West Central Georgia and sketch my garden plans.

Attitude of Gratitude

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1-17

Friday night on the 20/20 TV show the topic was on happiness. Studies showed that we, in fact, do have the ability to control our happiness even when our circumstances might not be favorable to making happiness. The studies also showed that we have what is called genitic happiness set points so if things happen to us like winning the lottery, we might be happy for awhile, but then it will wear off and our happiness set point will take back over. They also showed lots of other cases studies of happiness but the interesting thing to me was when they told about folks that spend around 30 minutes each day practicing an attitude of gratitude, either writing lists of things they are grateful for or just saying the things they are grateful for, they are happier!

My my, well, isn’t this the same thing that God has always told us? Isn't this part of what prayer is? The thing the world tells us is to go after material things when we, as Christians, know that true joy comes from knowing and serving the Lord. He wants us to enjoy our life’s journey and is with us to help us all day and all night directing our paths, clearing the way, helping us when we fall, comforting us when we make poor choices or things happen to us that want to rob of us of our joy. Having an attitude of gratitude just confirms what we already know, that every good and perfect thing comes from God.

There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and make himself enjoy good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God.
Ecclesiastes 2:24

Father God, I am thankful for my life today. I praise your name and thank you for my blessings. Thank you for all the comforts I enjoy and for showing me how to better live my life as you would have me live it.

Today I pray special prayers for our church and those that we want to come hear your word. I pray that all the ministry actions we take will fall into the right hands and on the right ears. I pray for Beth as she leads our SS class and for all our class members that we might continue to grow living up to our name Gleaners.

I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Learning to sing

I was truly exhausted when I returned from my adventure to the High. I'll have to tell you all about it another day. It was exciting and everything turned out without me being mugged or any awful thing happening to me. :)

As soon as I got home the girls came over to spend the night as become our custom on Friday nights. Since the trip took up so much time, I was glad to have quiet time driving home from the park and ride at the airport where I caught the Marta train. Carley Ann, Anna Claire and I had fun watching the Thumblina video I bought at Target Thursday and then we all went to sleep.

I never sleep quite well when they are in the bed with me. I catch myself waking up rearranging legs, arms and heads. LOL Still, I wouln't have it any other way. This morning was wild, and they didn't go home until around 1:30 this afternoon. I ate a quick lunch and then fell back in the bed and have been asleep all afternoon. No telling if I will sleep normal tonight or not, but I was sooooo tired from all the play.

Today I praise God for my grandchildren and for the opportunity to watch them grow. I hope this video puts a smile on your face like it did mine. You never know what children are going to do or say, but again, it's fun to watch them grow. I'll have to get Carley Ann to show you how southern ladies use a napkin to brush crumbs off their lips after eating. You will just fall over in laughter....I know. :) Enjoy.

Double click the video arrow.

Happy Anniversary

Say to them, May the Lord Bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace (Numbers 6:23-26)

Today I'm changing the SOP. It's an adventure day!

.:. SOP (standard operating plan )...

• Devotion - Prayer - with coffee
  
• Breakfast - Yogart and cereal mix
  
• Journal
  
• Dress routine complete with vitamins
  
• Walk around the block
  
• Paint
  
• Clean House- work on throwing away stuff
  
• Lunch -Health fruits,vegetables & water
  
• Paint weekdays and work on organization
  
• Healthy Snacks
  
• water
  
• Dinner - Healthy fruits,vegetables &water
  
• TV, Read, Internet, whatever
  
• Sleep by 10
  

Today is my 39th wedding anniversary. It doesn't seem possible, but it is. I miss Tom in the strangest ways, but life goes on. Living a good life and finding happiness in small and bigs ways is all about choice. If I choose, I can bury myself in a deep hole or I can walk in the sunshine. I choose sunshine. After all it's full of vitiman C! LOL

Today I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and am taking a day trip by myself to Atlanta. The last time I drove in Atlanta I said I would never do that again, so I won't. I'm going to take Marta to the High Museum and spend the day. The Impressionist exhibit will close this Sunday and I don't want to miss it. I hope my knee will do okay. If I need help maybe some kind person will help me.

Father God I praise your name this moring with all my heart. I thank you for my life, my friends and family. I thank you for the wonders of this world I live in like cell phones and today's adventure riding Marta for the first time. I thank you for the courage I feel today to be able to go on this adventure by myself.

Today I pray for a safe travel day and protection. I pray for all the people in the world that also need courage today to face whatever life might hand them to deal with.

It's in the precious name of your Son Jesus Christ I pray all these things, Amen.

http://www.high.org/

Forgiven

I'm reading Charles Swindoll's book "Hope again" given to me by my friend Leslie and in this chapter I'm getting reacquainted with Peter. Peter, when pressured, denied he was a disciple of Christ. It all happened just like Jesus said it would...before the rooster would crow three times just before Jesus would be crucified.

I remember being told about Peter even as a little girl, however I think until yesterday, I didn't quite understand why all that would even have happened. All these years I've not really liked Peter at all. I think perhaps my mind disconnected with the Peter who denied Jesus and the Peter who wrote epistles. Surly I knew they were the same. I guess I just never thought about it or maybe it is because the names keep changing.

Anyway, the message from God that keeps coming to the surface with me is how much God loves us through all our faults and failures. Peter, David, Noah, well everyone has failed God at one time or the other, but still we are forgiven and found completely worthy to be used for and in His kingdom. The problem we face is in understanding and accepting that complete forgiveness. Sometimes I find myself asking for forgiveness for sins that I've already confessed and know He has forgiven. I also know it's perfectly human to do this as our minds are nothing like God's. Perhaps we will never understand all there is to understand, but does it really matter that we understand? No, I don't think so. Several times I've found things that maybe I might want to ask God about when I get to heaven. Now, more and more, I don't want to have answers to any of those rhetorical questions, I'd just like the opportunity to wash the feet of Jesus.

The Routine

" And in the morning, long before daylight, He got up and went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed "... Mark 1:35

Most mornings I wake and just automatically get up. This morning I just took my time and listened to see if I could hear the morning wake. It's still dark outside and I didn't hear any birds. They are sleeping too. It's been so warm the last couple of days I turned the heat off so there is no noise from the heat ducts either. The house was silent except for the patter of Cocoapuff who was jumping around like a crazy cat. She was hungry and demanded I get up, so I rolled out of bed, fed the cat and made my coffee. So the routine begins.

I have to admit, if it were not for Cocoapuff, I probably would have stayed in bed a little longer this morning. Looking out the window, it's going to be a beautiful day, and I plan to sit and drink my coffee while I feel myself fully wake up. In the Bible we are told to seek God for a fresh word each day. Doing this early starts my day right and from there I can travel the tangents of my life easier. To be still and listen to God each morning is the part of my morning I most look forward to and I thank God for this time in my life.

"If you seek Me early and diligently, you will find Me" ... Proverbs 8:17

Memories

I grew up an Army brat and traveled quite a bit with my family to many places some of which I’ve had the opportunity to revisit as an adult. My brother was born in Germany and me being four years older than him, I had the opportunity to learn the German language from the children I played with and in kindercare.When we returned to the States I spoke fluent German. The only problem was, once I arrived in the USA I had no one to talk with, so I lost the ability to speak anything other than theEnglish spoken in my home. When we were in Europe we took many weekend trips to fascinating places but I only remember them from the pictures that our family took and from small treasures collected by my mother and father backed up by talking about them over the years.

My grandchildren are now playing with the same wooden shoes I played with when I was a little girl. What a delight. I feel I am reliving some of those play times I had as I watch them play. I want to be sure to tell them the stories connected to them as they grow. It's about heritage and memories. I have some of the things that my family passed on to me so I know what a connection and comfort they can be. Holding those things in my hands or just walking passed them in my house give me a since of heritage, safety, joy, peace, and love that are so very personal. I want them to have that too.

Last Sunday we observed the Lord's Supper at First Baptist, Thomaston. Jesus said, “do this in remembrance of me”. Memories are so important as they are our connection, heritage, safety, comfort, peace, love, joy and so much more. I thank God today for memories and the special connections we can make and thank Him for special times of remembrance in our spiritual lives like the ones He has left in our hearts.

Time Management

Pastel painting - "With Maureen" Plein Air - Savannah 2005

I am so thankful for my mornings. When many are rushing to work I’m drinking my coffee and planning my day doing what I want to do. Retirement has been touted as a wonderful carefree time but I’m slowly learning that it’s also a time when you have so many new choices and demands on your time you have to relearn time management and put your own spin on it.

What I mean is it’s easy to waste time or use your time unwisely when you are retired. It’s easy to get over booked and think you can do things when you are in control of your time schedule instead of having a boss or company set your schedule. I fully admit I haven’t been the best with managing my time. My days seem to take over themselves and I follow right along until the day ends. Then I find myself asking did I do anything at all of importance, what did I accomplish or did I waste the day?

I don’t think new years’ resolutions work just like diets don’t work. It’s the same thing! You pick a day and plan to change your life and then within three days you’re busted. My time management plans seem to all get busted too. However, there are a few management ideals that linger on and help me at least keep some of my life together.

Today is Monday, so that means its office day. Monday is the day that I take a look at all the things in the office basket and take care of it. I continue through the basket until it’s completely empty and then I can feel worry free that I haven’t missed paying a bill or responding to something that has a due date. When I miss my office day my entire week is thrown off balance. This was a life lesson passed on to me by one of the secretaries that worked at Thomaston Mills. She was secretary to George Hightower, Sr. and was greatly admired by all the secretaries in the pool. Her excellent secretarial and people skills didn’t go unnoticed by me working in the order department as a lowly account clerk either. When I asked her how she kept her basket so clean in such a busy office, she said as soon as something hit her desk she only handled it once either taking action or passing it on to the next person that need to take action. I know one of the mistakes I make is just shuffling paper from one basket to the next without taking action. I handle things too much, looking at them and then placing them back in the basket. I tend to let things stack up delaying until the last minute. That’s why I’m thankful for my Monday office days.

In my prayers today I’m praying that God will help me follow Paul’s advice in Ephesians 5 to be careful how I walk, not as unwise men but as wise…understanding what the will of the Lord is. To help me break it down further I’m going to ask Him to help me with my time management today, using it wisely and to His ultimate service correcting my steps when I fail. After all, listening to God IS part of my new years' resolution, right? Now on to office Monday.

The New Computer

Sometime in December I decided to break down and buy a new computer. I've been working from a little laptop ever since Brent and Terri moved back to their house. My laptop no longer allows me to upload photos since the slot I plug the camera photo reader into no longer works. What an experience the new computer has been. A couple of times I had everything working just fine. Then I decided to move the hard drive into its permanent location inside the computer cabinet. Since then I can't seem to plug everything in right, so I'm back without a means to upload new photos. Friday I tried to work with it a bit and just got frustrated and gave up, so I'm back to my faithful laptop just to read emails and journal. At least I can upload photos I have stored but I miss just uploading new photos instantly.

This plug struggle also reminds of the struggle we sometimes have in our spiritual lives. I struggled to get to church this morning. My knee ached and I was near giving in and crawling back in bed when some TV minister said something about Sunday being the day the Lord made for worship with others. He was right, everyday we worship God, but to come together with fellow believers plugs us in and keeps us plugged into areas we perhaps can't do alone. I got dressed in record speed and was only a little late for SS.

Today in church I sat beside a new couple to our church. Welch, I think they said their last name was. The service was so special as we observed the Lord's supper. I'm thankful for being plugged in today and for the joy of being with fellow believers.

Oh Holy God, I praise your name and lift my heart to you this afternoon in thanksgiving for your presence in my life and the life of others. I thank you for your word and for the inspiration we glean from our friends, family and our church leaders. I pray for the special activities that we will be having in our church to bring others to you and for the boldness to be able to share your word when each opportunity arises.

I pray for the comfort of Nancy and Doyle and for Marilyn as they go through the next few days of funeral services and gatherings. I pray for my friends that are carrying heavy burdens that they will find ways to receive your comfort, peace and wisdom to be able to carry on with all the things they have to do daily. I say a special prayer for Nora and Tommy. I pray that Nora will feel your presence with her and you will give her strength to continue to do what you would have her do.

In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior I pray these things, Amen.

Early Morning Horrors!

How could I have forgotten? Where was my mind yesterday? It sure wasn't remembering to go to the grocery store for coffee! No coffee this morning. What's a girl to do. I'm drinking very good tea, but it's not the same. It's a good thing that I still have cat food. If I had ran out of cat food I don't think Cocoapuff would forgive me.

It's cold again but it should warm up nicely. I'll get out and go to the grocery store. It's time too that I get myself out to the studio. My tailbone,hip,leg seems better and I haven't used the walker in weeks.

Thank you God this morning for another beautiful morning. Terri returned to school yesterday for a teacher planning day and today the children will be back. She is such a good teacher, mother and wife and I'm so thankful for having her as my daughter-in-law. I hope I'll be able to keep the children tonight. They are so sweet learning to play together. Of course, poor Cocoapuff gets chased around the house and is learning to go hide when the children are here.

Organization

I jumped from my bed this morning realizing that I hadn't left the water running to keep the pipes from freezing! I'm sure it would have been a sight to see me limprunning down the hall to get to the kitchen and see if I had any water at all to make my morning coffee, that is if anyone was here to see me. Fortunately for me, I had water. We don't have freezing weather much here in Georgia, but when we do, it's freezing. :)

After coffee I went back to the bedroom to make the bed and the basket on the dresser caught my eye. It's a catch-all basket. Being in an organizing ...throwing away mood. I took everything out and made separate stacks depending on what the individual contents were about. Smithsonian, Veranda, Southern Living, Oprah, Health, International Artist, journals, Charles Swindoll's book "Hope" and old lists found their way into individual stacks to be thrown away, stored or back into the basket as current reading or safekeeping. Organizing always makes me think of how much stuff I actually have and how much time I don't have to read everything I want to read. I tend to be a pack rat when it comes to things I think I might need, especially reference works. Funny thing is, when I get into a throwing away mood like I am now, I can throw away tons of stuff and I still have an overwhelming amount of throwing away to do. Sigh.

Organizing reminds me of going to my aunts house after she died and going through the things she saved. She didn't have a lot of expensive things but I marveled at the remnants of her life and the things she held precious stored away in her hope chest. I'm so thankful that I had this experience because now I always think about what I would leave behind should my life here on this earth be over before I had time to throw away, tidy up, or label things that I would want others to hold precious as I did.

Okay, I'll throw away all the Martha Stewart Magazines from years ago. Trying to sell them on ebay didn't work. After all, I'm not THAT organized and I probably never will need to know how to do the things she seems to accomplish.

I will hold precious, however, some of the things my aunt saved as precious. I'll label them and put them away until another rainy day when I can take them out and hold them just to feel her closeness.

Changes

Changes are not easy for me. I thought they were, but the older I get the more I realize that I'm not one to make changes quickly. I admire those that can change as fast as the wind changes as it's been said. Last year I received a new NIV Bible and I've been using it all year. The thing is, I really love my old King James. It's familar and travels well with me just as the sound of an old friend or precious loved one. When I read in a different version I might gain some insight, and for that I am thankful, but when I concentrate on His voice, it's the KJV that gets it for me. Sigh... I'm just an old fogy. Do parrots in Spain speak spanish? Duh...well, see, I do know some hip new words. :)

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Thank you God for your voice.

Happy New Year

Starting out this year with a new look for the blog and a new moto strip that hangs on the right side of the blog..."as for me and my blog, we will serve the Lord."

My spiritual resolution for this year is to be quiet and listen to what God tells me. Sometimes I think my own voice in my head is too loud. I know it has been in years past. I have a very soft speaking voice and many times people calling me on the phone ask to speak to my father. I'm going to use my own voice to remind me that I MUST listen to my heavenly father and do as He would have me do rather than trying to make up my own plan without even asking Him.

Heavenly father, this evening I am tired, but it's a good tired from keeping Carley Ann and Anna Claire last night. This morning making pancakes with Carley Ann's new play mixer was so much fun and I thank you for special times like that with my grandchildren. Thank you for this beautiful day and the wind outside that has blown all the leaves down the hill. Thank you for your mercy and constant love.

I pray today for my mother, brother and his children and their children that they be well and each of them find you to meet their special needs. Thank you for the hatching of Timmy's new chickens this morning. It's another reminder of new life beginnings for a new year.

Thank you for the gift of salvation and pray that if there be any sin in my life it be forgiven.

I praise your holy name and pray all these things in the name of your son, Jesus Christ.Amen