HAPPY NEW YEAR

I just wanted to wish all of a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Thanks for your friendship and thanks for the prayers, love and concern during my Mom's illness. Please continue to remember her in your prayers. There has been some progress but she is still very critical. Prayer Warriors please stay on those knees. I love you guys so much. My life has been truly blessed for having so many wonderful, loving people in my life. May God bless you and your families in 2008 and let us give Him the praise and the glory and the honor that He truly deserves.


HAPPY NEW YEAR
BE SAFE

Megie

Up-date

I wanted to up-date you on my Mama's condition. The doctors have her in a drug induced coma, this is to give her lungs time to heal and so she doesn't have to fight so hard to breathe on her own. The doctors have done everything they know to do. We had to make the very difficult decision to not resuscitate. Please keep Mama in your prayers. She has wonderful doctors and nurses but they are limited to what they can do, God is not. We are leaving everything in His capable hands. Thanks. I love you all.

URGENT URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

PLEASE KEEP MY MOM, MARGARET EASLER, IN YOUR PRAYERS.
SHE WAS ADMITTED TO ICU-SRHS ON CHRISTMAS EVE WITH DOUBLE PNEUMONIA. SHE IS VERY CRITICAL. THEY HAVE HER ON A VENTILATOR AND A FEEDING TUBE.PRAYER WARRIORS, I NEED YOU GUYS. I'LL BE OFF-LINE FOR A WHILE. REMEMBER HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I am better but still struggling with my breathing. I'll be back on-line for sure next week.

Off line

Guys- I will be off line for a few days. Had to go back to the doctor today. I have a sinus and ear infection and bronchitis. He increased my breathing treatments, yet again, antibiotics,prednisone and cough medicine. If I am not greatly improved by Monday or Tuesday, I will be hospitalized. I'm going to take my meds and get plenty of rest. Please remember me in your prayers. Thanks!

Praise The Lord-Cancer Free

I just had to share the wonderful news. One of my CaringBridge babies got the news on Thursday that she is cancer free!! Praise the Lord! Meredith Grace Dyer is my baby girl from Alabama who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma six months ago. She is a beautiful doll baby that just turned one year old and she has been a trooper through this entire ordeal. Even when she would be so sick from the chemo, she would always have a big old smile. Folks, we serve an awesome God who is greatly to be praised with honor and glory forever and ever. He is the great physician. Meredith's Mom, Ginger, said that the radiologist is still a little concerned about Meredith's adrenal gland but her onocologist and his assistant are 100% positive that she is cancer free. Continue to pray for this precious little one and for all of my CaringBridge Buddies; Barb-Connor-Chelsey-Caylyn-Brook and Nick. Thank you my friends and prayer warriors. I love you guys!

Grandma Got Run Over....

While driving through traffic at West Gate. Ronnie and I were driving to Sears yesterday afternoon to pick up a couple of gifts. You know how I am in traffic anyway but, thankfully the doctor increased by B/P meds and I'm a little more mellow. Gene, you would have been so proud. Anyway, we're coming on to 29 from I-26 and this dear sweet young lady begins blowing the horn! Did I mention we were listening to our Christmas CD? Anyway, she's blowing the horn and swerving in and out of traffic like the poor misguided, no-driving person that she is. We proceed up 29 to the double turning lanes going toward the mall and for some unknown reason, we have several wonderful people who are blocking one of the turning lanes trying to get into the other turning lane! I'm thinking to myself, "Do they not realize that both lanes are going the same way? Anyway, we go around these wonderful, misguided, no-driving people and, someone else starts blowing the horn, yelling out of the window and flipping people off. Normally, without increased meds, this would be me, however I was very calm. I did turn off the Christmas CD though, because it's hard to listen and sing about "Peace on earth Goodwill to men" while people all around you are blowing their car horns, screaming out the windows and flipping people off. Where's the Peace and Goodwill? I am feeling a lot better with the increased B/P meds but my pressure is still running a little weird. My breathing however, is another thing(meaning not so good) but, I was calm in traffic. I didn't lose my cool and I didn't run over Grandma.

Need Your Help

Hey guys- I need your help. I am not feeling well at all. My doctor was very concerned with my B/P because it was high even on my regular meds. (150/90) Also I was only breathing at 71% so she has increased my treatments to every 4 hours. Saturday night my B/P was so high that I had a little blood vessel to rupture, the doctor called it a pop-off, and it took Ronnie and me 1 hours to stop the bleeding. The next stop was the ER which my doctor informed me should have been the first thing I did so they could get an accurate B/P reading. I am very very tired. Ronnie is staying home with me today. What I need from you guys, is to pray. The doctor wants me to rest a couple of days and she needs to monitor my B/P about every other day. If you could just say a little prayer for me I would appreciate it. I have too much to do to be down long. Ronnie had to have a long talk with my Mom this morning, which by the way did not go well, but he told her that his first concern is me and my health. Thanks guys. Oh by the way.., there are (9) reindeer which included Rudolph. I left out Vixen in my previous posting. That's okay Kevin, nobody else caught it either except my sister. I love you guys. Hope to see you Sunday.

Did You Pass??

Did you pass the test?? There was a little something in my last blog; to see how many of you actually read it and pay attention. I'm not talking about typos and grammatical errors.

Ho-Ho-Ho and a very Floppy Droopy Christmas to you!

I don't think I'm politically correct with the ho-ho-ho and I may even be arrested. I came to the conclusion this morning that it's not Santa's ho-ho-ho's that are frightening the children but, the hundreds of floppy, droopy Christmas decorations lying in people's yards! It looks like someone went on a killing spree and took out Rudolph and Frosty and Santa Clause. What is up with this? Another thing I don't understand are the Christmas characters in a bubble! What happened to good old Christmas trees and wreaths on the doors and ribbons? Every year there is a yard right up the road here that looks like the owner "tied one on" decided to decorate his yard and just went out there and threw the lights in the bushes and the trees! There is no rhyme or reason, just lights scattered everywhere. A couple of years ago, Meredith and I started noticing the palm trees.
I know that our Lord was born in a desert place but palm trees remind me of hammocks and drinks with little umbrellas. I so enjoy the little carolers, the nativity scenes and Santa and his sleigh but, if thery are made of plastic and they are 35 years old, if they have been stuffed in the attic all year long or even left out on the lawn all year long for the summer sun to fade them out, THEY ARE TACKY AND UGLY!! THROW THEM AWAY! What's up with the wire reindeer that stand still, one leg poised in the air and they are lighted? No self respecting reindeer would be caught still and definately would not not be lit because that's how they wind up over somebody's mantle! I hate blue Christmas lights. Blue is just not a Christmas color. Santa's sleigh is big and red and he has 8, count them, Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, reindeer. So why have I seen a little white sleigh, with no Santa in sight, and 2 reindeer? One has his head down, probably in shame, and the other yet again has a leg poised for flight only most of the time he's lying on the ground because he's off balance! Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Christmas purist. My tree has blinking white lights.
No, there is no bar or a dancing pole in the middle of the room, I just like the blinking white lights. I don't do bows on gifts. I have a very hard time tying my shoes so I can't tie a beautiful ribbon and the bows with the sticky backs fall off. Mostly because they have been in a bag in the back of the closet since last year and they are all smushed. (Is that a word?) I like the Christmas bags with the tags and the tissue paper. Nice and neat, no big black trash bag full of Christmas paper that cost you $8.00 a roll (thru a school fund raiser) and you spend all day wrapping just for some excited person to rip in half and throw it on the floor. My tree is electic. There is no theme, just ornaments from over the years. No big old shiny balls (I don't like those thing either), garland (no tinsel) and a beautiful angel with a golden gown at the top. This of course is my opinion and I would love to know how you decorate for Christmas. Maybe you have the inflatable Christmas
Characters, even a Mickey Mouse, although I'm not sure what he has to do with Christmas but, share with me. I promise I won't laugh or make little comments the next time I see you. You know I love you guys. You are out there.., right? Leave me a comment. It's not hard, just follow the directions. Happy decorating!

Up-date

Good Saturday Morning- I don't normally blog or even check my mail on the week-ends but I have a couple of CB friends who have had chemo and radical surgery this week-end and I wanted to check on them. While I'm up-dating you guys on my CB friends I can up-date you on everybody else here, in and around the Wall home. First of all, please be in special prayer for Dr. Barb Berg (MN) who just underwent another very serious and radical surgery. She did make it through the surgery but the news was not good. In attempting to remove the large mass that they already knew was there, they found 12 more tumors. The cancer is very obviously growing at a rapid pace. Also my sweetie from Alabama (Meredith Grace Dyer) was to have more chemo
and hopefully be home for Thanksgiving. She's my baby ( one year old). Chelsey Mitchell is in Charlotte in PT. This has been a very difficult road for her and her parents. Please remember my other CB friends, everyone of them are very special people to me and their Thanksgiving probably wasn't as normal as ours. We do have so much to be thankful for and we take it all for granted. Corresponding with my friends at CaringBridge has helped me put a lot of things in perspective. Now for the Wall family, Justin is doing great! He goes to PT on Monday for them to up the tension on his brace and then he sees the doctor on Thursday. He's back working at his dad's, something he really didn't want to do but, he has financial obligations and there are things that he can do to help his dad out, even in a brace. Odie and Sophia are doing much much better. Sophia is back to her little high jumping hyper self and Odie just looks like, "I wish I could do that again." Meredith is really doing fantastic with her JV conditioning (3x weekly). I haven't heard her complain one time. I can tell that she is really building up her muscles and her stamina. Ronnie is feeling some better but he is just so tired. My Mom's injections went very well last week and she has cataract surgery on Monday. This situation with my Mom is one that really needs your prayers. The physical is not as serious as the emotional. Please keep Cookie in your prayers especially, she lives with Mama and Mama is totally dependent on her. Mama enjoys the attention but it can be very difficult when your schedule is already filled and you have to pencil in another appointment. I took her to the doctor one day a couple of weeks ago and he said there was nothing really wrong and wasn't sure what she wanted. I'm telling you folks, this is not the independent woman I grew up with! I know she's getting older and she misses my Dad but the Lord has a purpose for her life and she can't see beyond her wants to find out what it is. She gets mad at me a lot because I don't give in to all of her attempts at guilt . I do love her dearly and I enjoy the "good" times we spend together but she makes me angry because she considers herself a shut-in and enjoys poor health and all of the attention she gets. Lord love her! She said something about our putting her in a nursing home the other day! She just needs to quit "feeling sorry" for herself, be thankful and get up and go. Please pray for her and for us as we try to be kind and loving but strong. My Daddy was a saint! Hey, my kids have already said at the first sign of chin dribble, I'm out of
here. Anyway, that's the up-date with the exception of Callie Rose. She is a trooper. She scares the UPS and Fed-Ex guys and the other afternoon I was talking to a man on the front porch and he made a little hand move and stepped forward. She stood up, the hair on the back of her neck bristled out and she showed him her big pretty teeth, The growl, deep in her throat, was scary too. Needless to say, he didn't stay long. The mail lady knows the trick though. When she has her arm out the window putting mail in the box and Callie is standing there barking and growling, she just throws her a handful of treats. Callie has her number, bark,growl,show my teeth, snacks. It works. Have a wonderful and safe week-end. Pray for my Justin he went racing with some friends to Dublin, NC. Of course, he's just along for the ride and the excitement. You have to be a race fan to understand this. Pray that he has a safe trip home. By the way, the Kim drama is OVER! He told her, it's OVER! You don't know what you want, it's obviously not me and I'm not waiting around for you to play me like a puppet. YES! See you tomorrow for a wonderful day of Praise and Worship!
Love you guys. Please leave me a comment. I'm getting paranoid here.

Wishing you a...,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! BE THANKFUL TO THE LORD OF HEAVEN FOR ALL OF THE MANY BLESSINGS HE HAS GIVEN US TO ENJOY. PLEASE REMEMBER ALL OF MY CARINGBRIDGE BUDDIES WHO ARE SUFFERING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. BE SAFE. UNTIL NEXT TIME.

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

WOW!! I am totally speechless!! Until next time.

Prayer Request

Hey guys- I just posted on one of my newest CaringBridge Sites. I have added a couple of more CB friends in the last week or so and I want you to say a special prayer for all of my friends. If you want to write to them you just type in their name and it will bring you right up to their site.

Nicholas Deyo
Meredith Grace Dyer
Connor Bowden
Chelsey Mitchell
Brook Waddle
Steve Dyar (Susan still posts)

I also still have a friend on CarePages. His name is Jonathan Melton but his site is listed as
Big Melton.

When you visit on these sites and read their stories, it makes you appreciate so much your good health and it makes what problems you do have pale in comparison to what these wonderful people endure. Their faith in God and the courage they display is so humbling.

I'll check back in with you next week. Thanks guys. I love you all so much.

DELETE BUTTON

I was reading through my e-mail and deleting all of the "junk" and the stuff I had already read when I had a thought. Bring out the hoses guys, it's gonna be a barn burner! Wouldn't it be great to have our own "Delete" button to take away all the bad stuff? I would have to have several because I am bad almost all of the time so, I know I'd have to have one in the van. Road rage (deleted). I'm married with children and sometimes I just lose it (delete). I've always wondered if I really had it to lose? I had a craving for a piece of fried chicken and I ate it (deleted). I have about 60 more pounds to lose (deleted). Shoot, let's go for it..., 75 more pounds (deleted). Of course this button could never be used to wipe out a whole complete person. I can name 4 or 5 persons, just off the top of my head, that I would delete out of here. Bad thoughts (deleted). I think that would be so cool to be able to mess up and just push a button and it never happened.

Christ's sacrifice on Calvary is our "delete" button. When we confess our sins and trust in the Lord, His blood covers our sins and it's like they never happened.

Great concept, this delete button, now I have to find an inventor and get a patent. That's just too much to think about now, DELETE, I'll think about it later.

Doctor's Visit

Justin's doctor's visit went very well this morning. They removed the stitches and even though he still has to wear the brace (8 weeks) he no longer needs crutches. He can put all of his weight on the knee and can use a cane for support and balance. He will still need PT 3x weekly but she says he can drive and go back to work (light duty) on Monday. Odie and Sophia are doing much better.

Up-date

Didn't want you to think I had forgotten you guys. Justin is doing great. He has PT 3x weekly and is getting around really well. He sneaks to the bathroom without his crutches but the therapist said not to put a lot of weight on his knee right now. We go to see the doctor on Thursday. I'm sure she will tell him what activities, if any, he can add back to his schedule. I was so worried about leaving Justin for Montogomery but I am so very glad that I did go. It was truly an awesome worship experience and Susan Dyar just blessed me above and beyond anything I could have imagined. What a truly wonderful, talented girl our Susan is. Steve Dyar was probably leaning over the balcony of heaven telling everybody, "That's my girl. That's my choir. That's my orchestra. That's my baby boy playing the guitar." I know Steve was so proud. He loved AMRBC and we were truly blessed by his talents and his ministry. He is truly missed. There was a problem while we were gone. Our baby dashchund, Sophia, wasn't feeling too well when we left. My niece Casey, who was Justin's care-giver, ended up taking Sophia to the ER vet on Sunday morning. By the time we got home Sunday evening, our male dashchund, Odie, was feeling bad too. We took them both to the vet on Monday morning and they have ear infections plus Sophia has suffered trauma to her left eye. We know now for sure that our "Big Girl" our blonde lab, Callie, didn't hurt the baby, she hit her eye while scratching her ears and shaking her head. God love them. They have felt so badly but they are beginning to perk up a little. Well, gotta run and pick up Meredith. She has JV conditioning 3x a week so I'm in the car a lot. Love you guys. Overlook the typos cause I gotta go!

Surgery

Don't forget to remember Justin in your prayers. His surgery is tomorrow afternoon at 12:30pm. Pray for Doctor Black and all of the other doctors and nurses who will be attending during the surgery and pray for ME! It's one thing to face surgery yourself but it's another when it's your child. I'm so worried about leaving him this weekend to go and sing in Montgomery. We have people who will be on call and will be staying with him but it's not the same as my being there. We weren't scheduled to go to Alabama because Meredith had soccer tournaments but, those games have been rescheduled for next weekend. I'm praying for God's guidance and His peace. Justin has so much going on right now besides facing this surgery. His Dad's wife called him last Thursday and was very rude and ugly to him. His Dad had asked him to run an errand for him and she (the step-mother) became very angry because she wasn't made aware of the situation. It was no big deal, Justin had to pick up his older brother and take him to get his car at the repair shop. Anyway, for whatever reason, Justin got caught in the middle and she (step-mom) took her anger out on Justin. Then on Firday night, Justin went to take Kim out for supper and she told him she wasn't sure what she wanted but she's almost positive it isn't him.
Okay- enough already. I'm a very loving and forgiving person but I don't feel loving or forgiving right now. Justin is my son. He's a wonderful young man. He's loving and kind but he's no doormat!! We've made it plain that right now Kim is not to come to the house. She was suppose to help look after him while we were gone but, I've made other arrangements. Now she's mad at me. Well. BOO-HOO!! I'm a big girl and I can take it, what I would really like to know is.., can she take it? Lord, please give me peace about leaving Justin on Saturday. Pray for me, okay guys? This trip is very important and a very special outreach but, I'm a Mom and my children are my first priority. Meredith had a great time on her youth trip. She was tired and dirty but she was happy. Not too sure what happened with the facilities on this trip but the first thing she did when she got home was shower and lather her hair, twice!! Believe it or not Maggie survived the trip and her head is still attached but, only by a thread or two. For those of you who don't know this, Maggie is Meredith's doll that she carries with her everywhere and she is literally losing her head. Some of you know Maggie personally. Anyway, I need my prayer warriors to pray. If I thought Justin could make the trip I would just pack him up with us but, I know that's just too long. I know God will work everything out but I still need your prayers. Have a wonderful day and remember, I love you all so much.

AGAIN????

Parenthood

Well, Sissy Wall is off on her youth trip. Did I cry? Well, yes of course I did but, not in front of her. I let her take my cell phone because I knew it would make her feel better. She just called to let me know that they have stopped to eat and she will call me when she gets there. It's so hard being a parent. I mean hard on the heart. They hand you this tiny little pucker faced bundle, all sweet and innocent, and you're suppose to know what to do. Surprisingly, for the baby's sake, God makes sure we do know what to do. You feed them, clothe them, bathe them and rock them to sleep. You kiss away their tears and bandage their knees. You take them to tennis practice or soccer practice, dance, gymnastics or drama and you cheer them on. You hug them when they win and when they lose. You help them with their homework and for a science project you get out the modeling clay and help them make a volcano. Hurray for the Blue Ribbon winners and the Participants!! Suddenly, like over-night, they're driving and going on dates. One day you're sending them to kindergarten and the next you're attending their high school graduation. One morning you're putting on their lacy socks and sandles and the next you're watching them board a big charter bus with their flip-flops and ponytail. Where did the time go? It went by too fast! I'm proud of my kids, they are great people. I love them so much and I thank my God every day for allowing me the honor of being a care-giver to His children. They are His kids and He gave them to us to help" train them up in the way that they should go."(Pvbs.22:6) Pray for our youth. Pray for our sweet little babies and toddlers. The world is a hard place and we need to be there for them, to guide them. This is our job. What a noble profession. What a challenging and rewarding task. Have a great week-end my dear friends. God Bless you. Until next time.

A quick post

I know that you're probably laughing hysterically because you know I don't do quick.
Justin and I were getting in the car the other afternoon to make his doctor's appointment and he told me I was the slowest person he knew. There's a reason for that, I'm short. Short people don't do quick. Short people have to walk faster to catch up. We take two steps to other people's one. I'm also fat and old. There are three words that don't belong in the same sentence, quick, fat and old. They just don't work together to make a good combination. I always get where I'm going and I'm even on time and surprisingly I may be early but, it just takes me longer to get there. I'm sitting here at the computer watching it rain. We really need the rain. Everything is so thirsty. I don't mind rain unless it's cold and windy. I never minded the cold but now my body aches when it's cold. There's two more words that don't go together either, cold and old. They rhyme but they don't go together. I always liked fall and winter, cool crisp mornings that make you want to jump up and down and run around. I can't do that anymore either. Just thought of two more, fat and hot. I think that's why I always liked cooler weather. Fat plus hot equals hot and sweaty. There may be many things I can't do anymore but there are still plenty of things I can. I can love my family and friends. I can pray for others and encourage them when they're down. I can be a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. I can still praise and worship my Heavenly Father and lift His name in song. My voice has changed a lot since I've gotten older. I can't hit the high notes anymore and when Julie says "stagger" your breathing I'm staggering just to breathe. My voice is not as strong and sure as it once was but as long as I'm singing to "Honor and Praise" my Lord, that's all that matters. That's what it means to, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord." What may be "noise" to others is joyful to the Lord if the heart is true. See, I told you I can't do quick. Pray for Ronnie, he's traveling. Remember Justin's surgery (31st). Pray for Meredith, she has to live with me, Bless her! Remember all of my CaringBridge people. Two of the babies have had to be hospitalized this week. Say a special prayer for Nick Deyo (Mn.) and Meredith Grace Dyer (Al.). Have a wonderful, rainy Wednesday. I love you guys.

Christmas Boxes

Saturday night, a group from our Sunday School class, met at Frank Starosto's home and put together 66 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. I believe our class goal is 100 boxes. Here are five reasons we didn't complete all 100 boxes;

1- We ran out of toothbrushes to go along with the 500 tubes of toothpaste.

2- We ran out of boxes.

3- We ran out of hairbrushes for the girls. Boys don't brush their hair.

4- I wanted to open up all of the toys and play with them but,
they wouldn't let me.

5- Frank ate all of the cheesecake.

Seriously, we had a wonderful time of fellowship and we need to do that more often. We would have our class out here but, we're afraid they may get lost. It would be our luck that half of the
class wouldn't be at church on Sunday because they would still be riding around trying to find their way home. It was very humbling to think about the little hands that would open each box
and no matter what was inside (even a box of socks) these children would be so appreciative.

We're still short a few itmes and we need to collect money for the shipping. If any of you want to help out, let Frank Starosto, Sandra Loyd or Joye Hall know. This is such a special project and I have a soft spot when it comes to the kids. As Jesus said to the disciples, "Let the little children come to me." (Matthew 19: 14)

Remember Justin today. We'll be leaving in a little while for his appointment. I love you all. Have a blessed day.

Prayer Warriors Unite

You've all heard the saying..., "if it's not one thing, it's another." Well, in my last blog I told you about Justin and Kim getting back together. That is working out really well so far. So keep praying. In one of my earlier blogs I mentioned Justin's new job and how well he's liking it. Well, here's the "other thing." Many of you may remember that Justin badly injured his left knee, back in February, while playing ball with Meredith in the yard. The doctor mentioned surgery to us then but she wanted to kind of hold off. Justin's new job requires him to jump in and out of a box-type delivery truck which has re-injured his knee. He went today for an MRI and we go back Monday for the results and to schedule surgery. The doctor told Justin under no circumstances is he to continue doing the job he was doing. His supervisor was really nice and sympathetic but, he has a business to run. So, Justin had to give up his job and now faces a surgery with the possibility of another one, if this surgery doesn't do the trick. Bless his little heart. He's 21 years old but he has knees like an old grandpa. He's more upset about his job than his up-coming surgery. Please pray for Justin's speedy recovery and that he will be able to find another job. Now for my other baby, Meredith. As you all know, she's our little "soccer queen." That's what my cousin David calls her. She will be trying out for the JV soccer team in January. At the meeting the other night they told us, in a round about nice way, that Club players and USA players are favored over the AYSO players. Meredith will have to condition and practice just like the other girls but, there is a possibility she won't make the cut because she didn't play Club or USA. She's excited about the opportunity and she knows that even if she doesn't make it this time, there will always be next year and she will always have AYSO. I have been blessed with 2 wonderful kids. They are so smart and so good, in spite of their parents. They both have hearts as big as all outdoors and they are so sweet and loving and kind. Remember them in your prayers my warriors. I love you all and pray that you have a blessed week-end. Our's will be busy as usual but, maybe I can find time for a nap one day next week. Oh yea, by the way..., George it must be a "bald" thing. Ronnie Wall is full of himself too. I love you George. Jill and I know that we're blessed!

Change

"The only thing constant is change." I don't know if this is an original quote from my good friend Sandra Loyd but, it sure makes sense to me. I'm not good with changes, I like being in a rut. However, I can adapt and I have had to adapt many many times over the years. In just a short week, my little family has undergone a CHANGE. Most of you know that back in May, my son's fiancee, Kim, broke up with him. BIG MAJOR CHANGE!! Last Monday, Kim called Justin and told him that she had made a big mistake and wanted them to try again. ANOTHER MAJOR CHANGE! I have mixed emotions about this. Well, of course I do, I'm a mother. It was very difficult to watch Justin go through the terrible pain of a break-up. Lord, we've all been there and we know how it feels. I was devastated for him but, as time went on we adapted to life without Kim. In the meantime, Justin left his Dad's employ and now has a new job with benefits and opportunities for advancement. CHANGE. Of course, Justin had to adjust to a new way of doing things and there are perks when you work for family but, he's adjusted. Now, we will have to get use to Kim being in our lives again. This is not a bad thing, cause I do love Kim, in spite of the fact that she hurt Justin but, I am concerned. I'm all for second chances because our Lord gives us unlimited chances. I'm all for forgiveness because our Lord forgives us on a daily, minute by minute, second by second basis. Over the months I have tried to understand what was going on with Kim and why she did what she did. I do know that she was very confused and needed her space. I'm praying that Kim coming back into Justin's life, back into our family, will be because she genuinely cares for my son as much as he cares for her. I will eventually accept things, even though I don't like CHANGE, because I want Justin to be happy. However, Ronnie and Meredith will be a great challenge. Before the break up there were times that the situation between them and Kim wasn't a happy one and I, being the peacekeeper, was always in the middle. I'm sure I will always find myself in that position because that's what I do. Please pray that this is God's will and if not, pray that He will reveal His will. I want nothing but the best for both of my children, which includes a wonderful mate, but in all things I want God's will for our family. Kim will be coming over tonight after soccer practice for supper. Ronnie is out of town so, things may be a little awkward but it will be okay. Ronnie has promised me he will be a "good boy" but, for you that know him, you know this will not be an easy thing. Thanks for listening and being my prayer warriors and friends. Have a blessed day. Until next post.

Friday

Most of the technical difficulties have been taken care of. I'm running a new program and I'm not so sure I like it. Ronnie said my other set-up slowed things down and caused problems so, he re-programed everything and well, here we. There are some things that I knew how to do before that I'm learning on this set-up or I'm unable to do. It's been a very busy week. Ronnie has been in New York so, whatever I've been able to accomplish around here I've done it alone. Before I had the many many health issues that I now deal with, I was your average working wife and Mom. I was the accounting manager in my family's business for over 32 years. I'm amazed at what I did on a daily basis and still managed the home-front as well. Now, some days getting out of bed is a real struggle and when Ronnie is gone it makes it really difficult. Thankfully, Ronnie will be home late this afternoon and our week-end will be normal. Soccer games, church, errands. You know the drill. Monday will begin another busy week but for now I will enjoy the moment. Have a blessed week-end and hopefully, if time permits, I'll be back on Monday.

Due to techinical difficulties...,

there may be a slight and temporary interruption of my blog. We've sent a man to the moon but we still have cable interruptions and computer difficulties. I'm sure at times it probably is the operator but I can assure you I'm totally innocent this time. I'm sorry for any inconvience my absence may cause. Tune in next time for...,

megiesmusings

Two Days in A Row!!

Hey Kevin- Here I am two days in a row. This is not to say that I haven't been busy this morning. After I dropped Sissy off at school I went by my Mom's house to check on her and my sister. We decided to go and have breakfast together. We had so much fun. Drinking coffee and laughing. My Mama can be so funny and we laugh hysterically at her. Funny thing is, she doesn't always mean to be funny, but she is. She has never remembered our names, even when we were younger. I'm sure glad she didn't have the "house full of youngins" my Daddy always wanted. I guess they would have just given us numbers. I told my sister, Cookie, that I'm so glad that we are grown and self-sufficient, cause Mama would probably leave us somewhere. Oh by the way.., pray for Cookie, she's having some tests done tomorrow. I think I may have already told you this, here I am laughing at Mama, anyway.., Justin is really liking his new job. It's different from what he is use to but, it's kind of fast pace and he likes that. He was a little over-whelmed yesterday but one of his supervisors told him to pace himself. That's kind of hard to do, especially when both of your parents are OC. Please continue to pray for Justin. I think he's really going places in this new job and he has the opportunity for advancement and the drive. Yesterday evening, Ronnie and I had a meeting at Meredith's school. She scored in the 95% of her grade on her PACT. Because of this she is being recognized as an advanced student and will be given the opportunity, next year, to take the SAT with high school seniors!! Beautiful and smart..., that's my girl! Only thing is, Meredith doesn't think she's either. That's good to a point, at least she's not flirty or flighty. Pray for Sis too. She will be attending a couple of workshops to prepare herself for the tests. If you know Meredith, you know she is VERY SHY AND VERY QUIET!! She gets her beauty and her personality from her Daddy and she gets her brains from her MOM! Hey, do I hear an AMEN out there? I'm gonna sign off now because I have to swap off the towels and then finish the weekly newslwetter for Meredith's soccer team. See, I told you, I'm not just another pretty face! Love you guys. Have a blessed day. Hey Kevin, do you feel better now? You were so-oo worried that I was MIA!

So Busy

I see somebody missed me. Sorry guys I have been so busy. I'm not just another pretty face, I actually have a family that requires me to look in on them sometimes. I am so tired! This was one of my "bad fibro" days. Some of you may know what I mean when I say that. I feel like I have the flu. I am so tired and I ache all over. I had to get up early Sunday morning and just soak in a tub of hot water. We had a soccer week-end and then (3) Sunday services and then Sunday afternoon rehearsal until after 3pm. By the time we got home and changed clothes, I had to turn around and take Meredith back to church for her choir practice. Some of you know where we live and it's not a quick trip. I loved every minute of the week-end and I really like to keep busy but sometimes my body screams..., ENOUGH ALREADY! YOU'RE FAT AND YOU'RE OLD! That maybe true but I don't plan to give up anytime soon. I have too much to do.
Well, I hear the music for CSI Miami so I guess I'd better go and watch Horatio. Actually, I love Grissom on Thursday nights better. I'm sure glad they found Sara but I don't think she and Grissom are so cute together. I think I'd be cuter.

"Sensing Life"

My friend Alison and I were sitting at the soccer field yesterday afternoon just enjoying the sights and sounds of the kids around us playing soccer. I love watching them run up and down the field kicking and passing the ball. I love to hear them laugh and cheer each other on. I love to feel the warm sun on my face and feel a little breeze blow through my hair. I love to smell the grass. Have you ever heard a song on the radio and it bring back memories of a long ago time and place? Whenever I smell burgers grilling I remember back when I was a little girl and Daddy would be home, maybe for a week-end, hopefully longer. He was a truck driver and he was gone a lot of the time and when he was home in the summer we would always grill out burgers. I love to hear the big tractor-trailers going down the interstate and smell the diesel. I grew up around trucks and so those sounds and smells remind me of my Daddy and good times. Fresh cut grass reminds me of ball games and watermelon. Burning leaves reminds me of swinging on our swing set and jumping in to a big pile of leaves. Listening to my family talking and laughing in the evening is the sweetest sound. All of these sights and sounds and smells make me feel safe. I can smell onions cooking and it reminds me of being outside as a little girl and smelling Mama's supper cooking through the open windows. We didn't have air-conditioners back then. Lord! I'm old. But I don't care cause I don't feel old. I feel blessed and happy. I love life and I enjoy the "sense" of belonging. Of loving and being loved. We need to slow down people. We need to "sense" life. To smell life. To reach out and touch it and listen to the sounds of life. We need to taste life.We need to be thankful for all that the Lord has given us to enjoy. We need to practice life. This is just a rehearsal of what's to come. I Cor. 2:9 "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. We can only imagine the sights and sounds of our glorious eternal home. I know there will be music. Hymns of praise and worship. There will be beauty beyond description. Streets of purest gold. Who knows..., there may even be watermelon! How about potato salad? I can dream, can't I?

Family

I usually end my blog on Friday but I'll be pretty busy tomorrow and I may not have time to post. I'm so excited because we're having The Parris Family Reunion!! This is my Mom's family. Margaret Elizabeth Parris was born on July 5, 1934 to Alex and Ruby Harrison Parris. My Mama had (3) older brothers and (1) younger. Her brother Ralph died when I was 4 years old (1958). He and his wife Doris have two sons..., David and Steve. You may remember David from an earlier blog. He's the oldest Parris cousin and he's the one who tries to keep me in line. Next is H.L. "Charley" Parris (wife Ann). He passed away in 1996. His children are..., Nina, Frank, Tim and H.L. Jr. Her next brother was Alex Jr. He died before my Mom was ever born. I've seen pictures and he was a cutie. Next in line is my Mom..., Maggie. She and my Dad (Johnny) were blessed with (3) children, Megie, Cookie and Mark. My Mom's youngest brother was Dean Parris ( another Ann). He passed away in 1991. His children are Larry, Mike and Libby. I remember when I was a little girl and we would get together at Nannie and Papa's for Thanksgiving. All of the aunts and uncles and cousins would get together and eat and laugh and play and of course fight. Steve and I always fought. I remember listening to the grown-ups talk about "the good old days." Those times were fun. They were safe and comforting. My kids..., like most kids today..., don't enjoy family reunions. They don't realize that through these family gatherings you learn who you are and where you came from and what makes you who you are. Family is a sense of belonging. There's love and caring and acceptance. On Saturday, those of us who will be there will remember fondly our loved ones who are no longer with us. We'll talk about the funny things Papa would say or Nannie's sweet smile. We'll laugh about the time we had to help bottle feed Papa's baby goats (kids) or the time the rooster flogged my Mama when she ran up the back steps. How about Nannie's fresh cut corn and her fried okra? How we sat on the back steps and helped her shuck and silk corn and cut up the okra. Food even tasted better at Nannie and Papa's. The smell of Papa's cigar and Nannie's Jergens lotion as we rocked on the front porch after having a big ol bowl of vanilla ice cream. Family..., strong and grounded. Standing proud. Ties that bind us to one another in sweet and lasting memories.

SEPTEMBER 20TH

Tomorrow is a very special and wonderful day in my life. On September 20, 1991 I married my best friend in the whole wide world. 16 years ago I entered into a committment for a
lifetime with the most precious man..., my Ronnie. "Ronnie from the Group." I call him that because for years that's who he was..., Ronnie from the group. My sister and brother-in-law and I had formed a singing group..., "Redeemed" and we were minus a bass singer. Cookie and Pudge(David) knew Ronnie from Mountain View (Chesnee..., not Cowpens) and asked him to join us. I knew of him. I actually remember seeing him years before when we sang at a Homecoming at Mountain View. He was just a teenager then but I remember vividly seeing him. I thought he was the "cutest" guy with beautiful blue eyes. Now, you have to remember I'm a good bit older (11 years) and I was married but..., I still thought he was a "cute kid." Suddenly the kid was all grown up and man could he ever sing. We soon became good friends and "sparring partners." For those of you who know us you know we always carry on with a one-on-one repartee..., always in fun. He was funny with a quick wit and he was always amazed that I could keep up. I believe he must have dated "dumb" girls cause he wasn't use to a smart woman with a quick wit and a smart mouth!! Of course I was married with a young son and Ronnie had a girlfriend. In fact..., they use to sit behind us during the worship service and Ronnie would always pick at Justin trying to get him to giggle during the service. Anyway..., a couple of years later my marriage ended in a very heart-breaking, devastating divorce and for months I closed myself off from everybody. I took care of my son and I worked but I just couldn't bring myself to do anything else. I prayed earnestly for God to put my family back together again and to take away the pain. One day while I was reading my daily devotion and having my prayer time..., the Lord told me to get up off of my knees and put 'feet' on my prayers. I started back to church and started back practicing and singing with the group again. In the beginning it was very difficult but I knew that I had to keep focused because I owed it to my son. In the meantime Ronnie and his girlfriend had broken up..., around the first of the year. I was upset for him but he seemed to be well adjusted. So much so..., that on Valentines we sang at a senior citizens banquet and he actually persued me around the fellowship hall. He had this gleam in his beautiful blue eyes and I was running scared. Eventually, I quit running and let him catch me. A few months later he asked me to marry him and on September 20,1991 we were married at Cowpens First Baptist Church. God answered my prayers..., maybe not in the way that I had in mind but He did put my family back together. Now it's better and more wonderful than it had ever been before. Fours years later..., July 20,1995 the Lord blessed us with a beautiful little girl, Meredith, and now our little family is complete. On our wedding day he sang the song from the group 'Alabama' "Forever's As Far As I'll Go." "I've thought about how long I'll love you..., Forever's as far as I'll go." Happy Anniversary "Ronnie from the group."
I LOVE YOU!!

" Dancing With God"

My cousin David sent this to me the other day and I thought I would share it with you. When we look at the word GUIDANCE, we see the word "dance" at the end of the word. Doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. When one person realizes this, and lets the other person lead, both begin to work together and move in the right direction. Dancing takes surrender,willingness, and attentiveness from one and gentle guidance from the other.

The "G" stands for God, followed by "u" and "i". "God, "u" and "i" dance." We need to be willing to trust God..., to dance together with God, and let Him lead and guide us through each day.

Let us dance the dance of worship and praise to our Lord, as David did. Of course being Baptist, dancing is frowned upon but, sometimes I'm so filled with joy and emotion that mere words can't always express what my heart is feeling.

Let us dance before the Lord with thanksgiving and in adoration of who God is and how He loves us and has blessed us.

My prayer for you is health, happiness and the peace that can only come from our loving God.

Le't continue to love one another and encourage one another and pray for one another.

AND I HOPE YOU DANCE!!

I AM A BAD GIRL

Most of you who check in on my site know me. Some of you know me very well. Actually, if you have spent any time with me at all you are aware of one thing. I am..., what I am. There is no pretense with me..., what you see is what you get. I am not a patient person. Some people have told me that God gave me my children later in life because I would have more patience with them. Just ask my kids how that's working out. One place I have the most trouble being patient is in my car. No doubt about it..., I HAVE ROAD RAGE!! Meredith always tells any of her little friends that ride with us..., "Watch out! My Mama has road rage." I don't like stupid anyway and some people when they get behind the wheel of a car just go all stupid. I have a sneaky suspicion they're that way most of the time but it really comes out in their driving. Even Ronnie, who travels in his work and drive thousands of miles a month, makes me furious. My Daddy was a truck-driver and he taught me how to drive. I'm not talking about the modern day truck drivers who think they are King of the road, I'm talking about a safety conscious, knows the rules, all time great, truck driver. People use to say..., "Johnny Easler can drive anything with wheels." Having learned from the best I try to do my best. I play a little game sometimes. Go from point A to point B and drive like you are being tested. When I get in my car I stop and think about where I'm going and what way I'm going. I know people who have lived in Spartanburg all of their lives and they don't know how to get from one place to another. One guy has to go home and start from there! Men say that women are bad drivers. Well let me tell you..., I have seen some pretty stupid men drivers too. Kids don't know how to drive only because their parents can't drive. When some people get into their car..., their eyes glaze over and their brains turn to mush. I don't think they need to be behind the wheel of a moving vehicle and out on the road with other people. When I have the misfortune of sharing the roadway with these idiots I would love to have a boxing glove with one of those extendable arms mounted on the side of my car and just knock them right in the head a couple of good times. I usually yell and call them idiots and yes..., I have even told them they were number one and where they could put that cell phone along with a few other choice words. I'm not proud..., but I am honest. We all have our problems..., our dark side and road rage is mine. I've told some of you this before. Ronnie made me take my JESUS magnet off of my van because he said I wasn't being a very good witness. He's right. I'm not. I need for you guys to pray for me. I need to work on this problem area in my life because I am a representative of Christ in ALL things. I need to do less talking and more walking..., closer to Him. I love you guys. Thanks for letting me vent and for letting me be honest. Thanks for keeping me humble and for loving me even when..., I AM A BAD GIRL. Have a good week-end and I'll check in with you on Monday. If you visit my site..., please leave me a comment.

Disconnected

HEY!! I'm ba-aack!! I've been disconnected from the internet. Do you know how upsetting that can be? I've been disconnected from all of my friends and some of my family members for a day and a half. This was a good thing in that I was able to catch up on the laundry and clean the kitchen and chase the dogs. Oh yeah..., by the way I'm still chasing dogs. But I really had some stuff to do on the computer and I couldn't. Before computers we talked on the telephone and visited our family and friends. If we had business to conduct like letters to write.., we either wrote them by hand or typed them on a typewriter. Now we do EVERYTHING on the computer..., even pay bills on-line and shop. As Christians we need to stay connected. That means worship, fellowship, daily Bible reading and prayer. If we don't seek God's guidance through worship, fellowship, daily Bible reading and prayer..., then we are disconnected. That's a lonely place to be. Everything is out of kilter and nothing seems to go right. I'm glad to be back on-line because I really do have stuff to do but..., being off-line gave me a time to reflect and to count my blessings. It gave me time to re-connect with my Heavenly Father because I was quiet and I could listen. Unfortunately I had to call Ronnie so he could tell me what to do to find the problem. He always says that I get on the computer and start jumping around and moving my feet and I pull something lose. I tell him that if he would clean this mess of wires and cables up underneath the computer I would be less likely to pull something lose. He has some things tied together with wire ties but it still looks like a bunch of snakes down there. Also, sometimes when I'm on the computer the dogs like to come in and lay at my feet. They have a bed in here behind my chair but they still like to lay at my feet. When Sophia was younger she actually chewed one of the cables in half and Ronnie had to replace it. We were disconnected big time then!! Anyway..., I'm glad to be back. Maybe you guys missed me as much as I missed you.
Have a wonderful day and stay connected. LOVE YOU!!

How To Leave Your Comments

I have had so many of you visit my site but you don't know how to leave a comment. At the bottom of my 'musings' will be a line that reads: Comments- click on that. Unfortunately my blog page won't allow anonymous comments so you have to have a Google account. There's a place to click on: Set up Google Account. All you have to do is type in your e-mail address as your User Name and for your Password type in an 8 character word that is easy for you to remember and that's it!! I hope you guys will stop by and leave me a comment. I really enjoy the feed-back. Well-gotta run and get ready for Meredith's soccer practice. I love you guys. Be safe and remember our fallen heros. We owe our freedom and security to their sacrifice.

How to Leave your Comment

I have had so many of you tell me that you visit my blog but you're not sure how to leave a comment. At the end of my 'musings' there will be a line that reads: Comments- click on that.
Unfortunately my blog won't let you leave annymous

Patriot's Day

Six years ago today I, like so many other Americans, sat glued to the television in shock as we watched the horror unfolding before our very eyes. We weren't watching another country being attacked.., WE were being attacked!! The United States of America, the greatest country in all of the world, was being attacked by terrorist. Those beautiful Twin Towers in New York City crumbled to the ground and with them our assurance of living fear-free from terrorism. So many precious lives lost in a senseless attack. We have since then gone about out daily lives but it's never been the same. To millions of people all over the world America is a magic place. With schools, parks, playgrounds; peaceful living and the freedom to choose our jobs and plan our lives. A way of life that we readily assume to be a natural right. But every freedom has a price.
When we think of the cost paid for our freedom, we should realize that living in such a great land is a responsibility as well as a prviledge. As we honor the millions of American Patriots who so willingly gave their lives for the priviledges we enjoy, let us find new reasons for wanting to keep our country the home of the brave and the free and the good.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!


Honoring The Fallen:
September 11, 2001

I'm Late- I'm Late- For a Very Important Date!!

I'm going to make this a short one guys cause it is so late. This has been a typical Monday. Nothing bad happened..., I've just been so busy. After I took Meredith to school this morning I went and had coffee with my Mom and my sister..., Cookie. My sister had several doctor's appointments so I stayed with Mama until lunch time. Of course Ronnie is out of town again and I'm still chasing my crazy dachshunds. I'm trying to train Sophia to come when I call her. Of course none of our dogs have ever been trained but they would at least come when I call..., not So-So. At first I thought she wasn't coming to me cause she hadn't learned her name yet but now she just doesn't come. Anyway..., this afternoon she and Odie were running in the neighbor's yard and when I came out to call them Sophia ran under their car. At first I was trying to bribe her with a snack but she wasn't having any of that. I finally had to run her out with a fly swatter. Don't go into a panic I mostly just waved it at her and yelled for her to go home. I'm so glad my new neighbors weren't home. I think they are kind of concerned about what kind of people we are anyway. I'm sure if they had been home and saw me running around flapping a fly swat and screaming they would know for sure what kind of people we are..., NUTS!! I'll try to post earlier tomorrow and until then..., remember I love you guys. Hey- if you visit how about leaving a comment. I want to know how I'm doing. My sister thinks I should write a book..., HA! my life is a book..., a comic book!

Hey- it's Friday

Hey guys- it's Friday. Ronnie is home for the week-end. Justin is feeling some better and when I pick up Meredith this afternoon at 3:15 our week-end officially begins. I love Fridays. I love any time my family is spending time together. My favorite time of the day is when everybody is home and I can hear them laughing and talking. It makes me feel so safe. Meredith has a soccer game tomorrow. GO ORANGE HOT TAMALES!! I don't know that much about soccer even though Meredith has been playing for awhile. I guess all that matters is that she knows and she is having a ball. I love watching the girls play and this year Meredith's age group is playing with high school age girls. The little ones Meredith's age are keeping up with the older ones. It's a blast. Oh yea..., I'm the Team Parent this season. I didn't realize how much responsibility goes along with the honor but so far I've been up for the challenge. I'm doing a Team newsletter every week so everybody will know what's going on. If they don't know what's up it's because they haven't read the newsletter. Of course we have a busy week-end planned and then the best way to end a week and begin another is attending Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church. I love my church. AMRBC is definately a God touched- Spirit-filled church. The fellowhip-the music-the message-the love. I'll end with this;

Beautiful is the church if God is worshiped there.

Have a wonderful and safe week-end. Love and encourage one another. Praise God for who He is and for what He has done. I love you guys. You're in my special thoughts and in my prayers.
I'll check back with you on Monday. God Bless you.

Friendship

I'm really late posting today. It's been a good day. I took Odie back to the vet and this time he gave them a good specimen. Hopefully this is a good sign. We should have his test results next week. All you pet lovers..., PRAY!! After I dropped Odie off at the vet I met a friend for coffee. I've known of my friend Alison for a long time. Our daughters have gone to school together since kindergarten and Alison (Super Mom) was PTA president for three years!! However.., I didn't actually get to know her until last Spring when our girls played on the same soccer team. I love this woman!! She is funny and out-going and just so bubbly. I love out-going people. Quiet people make me self conscious. If I have known you for more than five minutes you are no longer an acquaintance but a friend. That's because I love everybody and I'm just a huggy-kissy-lovey kind of gal. Of course this makes me an oddity in my family cause nobody else is like that. I'm sure I bother some people. I hug you when I see you and then I hug you bye. I have lots of friends.., of every size,shape, sex,age and race. The friend that I have had the longest is Gretchen. We met the first day of the 7th grade (40 years ago). The second longest friendship is Carol. We've been friends for 39 years. Of course I have my buddies from church..., just too many to mention. My friendship also includes guys. My brother-in-law David (Pudge) has been my dearest guy friend since 1974. You can even have family members that you count as friends too. This is double huggy-kissy-lovey..., cause we're family. My cousin's wife Amanda and I are really big buddies and my cousin David and I are "kissing cousins." Nothing kinky guys..., he's just the oldest Parris cousin and a pretty neat guy. He tries to keep me straight. Pray for him cause he's got his work cut out. You can have good-loving friendships that last for many years even though you may lose touch. This was very evident a few months back. My friend Wendell and I were the greatest friends back in the early seventies but we lost touch some time in the mid-eighties. Over the years I have thought of him often but wasn't sure where he was. A few months back I made a few inquiries and now we're back in touch..., after 20 years!! My very best and dearest friend in the whole wide world is my hubby..., Ronnie. We will celebrate 16 years of marriage on the 20th of the month. As I've said so many times..., Ronnie is the love of my life and my kids..., Justin and Meredith are the joy. I am so blessed. I thank God for all of my friends. You are very special to me. You bring joy and laughter and good times. Thanks for always being there in the good times and the bad. Thanks for making my days a little brighter and the journey through life a lot easier. God Bless You.

Not my day!!

Well- since my other favorite color is green..., I'm choosing to write in green today. Green like the grass is suppose to be. Ronnie said something about weed-eating but very little about cutting the grass or mowing the lawn. Funny..., the grass is brown and withered from lack of rain but the weeds are flourishing nicely. I don't have a green thumb really so I don't know weeds from little sprouts. That might be why my suppose to be flower bed is really a weed bed.

Yesterday wasn't a very good day but I tried. Today isn't much better and I'm not sure I want to try!! Whenever Ronnie is out of town everything can and does go wrong. Not that I can't handle it but somehow the decisions I make in a crisis aren't necessarily the decisions Ronnie would make. I don't mean a major crisis..., one dog is in heat (joy-joy) the other dog may have prostate cancer and both of my kids aren't feeling real swift at the moment either. Justin called me earlier and told me to make him a doctor's appointment. This means..., he's sick. I'm suppose to follow Odie around with a cup to get a urine speciman. It seems he didn't give them enough at the vet's office yesterday. Now how am I suppose to do that and try to keep a diaper on Sophia? Which by the way she has lost!! We live on 11 acres and of course the dogs have free run. Odie..., being a male..., runs from bush to tree to blade of withered grass to "tinkle" and I'm suppose to run after him with a cup to catch it!!

Oh Lord!! Give me strength. I'm also suppose to keep Odie and Sophia apart. That's kind of hard when they live in the same house. Oh yea..., according to our breeder..., Sophia wasn't suppose to come into heat or season for a few more weeks. Well Surprise!! Her surgery is scheduled for the end of the month but until then I'm chasing her and Odie around like some crazed lunatic with a cup and a diaper. Well..., that is if I find the diaper.

Okay- I know you're probably laughing hysterically or you're probably even offended at my choice of topics today. Sorry..., that's not really what I intended. I guess I said all that to say this..., "the grrass is not always greener." I may be having a "bad" day today but I know there are so many people who have real crisis and real probalems.

I visited some of my CaringBridge Buddies this morning. My friend..., Susan. She's just lost her soul-mate of 30 years to cancer. My sweetheart..., Nicholas Deyo from Minnesota. He had a spinal stroke at birth. He has lots of problems but he's a cutie and a real tropper. Meredith Grace Dyer is 9 months old and has neuroblastoma. After her chemo treatment the other day she threw up in the hallway but turned around and gave her Mom (Ginger) the biggest grin. She's a beauty too just like my main man Nic. This morning I got an e-mail from my Aunt Jessie. It seems there is a very special young man..., Nick Vujicic..., who was borned with no arms or legs. He has a genuine love for young people and he travels around as a motivational speaker.

WAKE UP CALL!! My little problems seem very insignificant. It's very humbling. I find that if I try to be encouraging to others then it makes my little "bumps" not so very difficult anymore.
Find somebody today to be encouraging to. It may be a phone call or a card or even a hug. It may give them the boost they need to face the day and it will make you feel better too.

Give thanks in all things. Our Lord is a great and mighty God and greatly to be praised.
Have a Jesus-filled day and remember I love you guys.

Thankful

Since my favorite color is purple and since this is my page..., I'm writing my 'Musings' for the day in purple. I titled today's thoughts Thankful because I am so truly Thankful for all that the Lord has given to me and done for me. In one of my devotions this past week it talked about worship. Worship God with thankfulness and sincerity. Praise Him! Adore Him. All that we are and all that we have comes from Him. I feel so thankful and so blessed. It's been a very busy morning for me. I dropped Ronnie off at the airport at 6:00am. He's flying to Kansas City for the week. By the time I got back home..., it was time to wake up Meredith and Justin. I took Meredith to school and took our 8 year old dachshund Odie to the vet for routine blood work. Odie has seizures and is on Phenobarbitol so he has to have periodic check ups. We may have a major problem. During Odie's exam the doctor detected an enlarged prostate. He had this same problem last year but they never found anything. However..., he was very swollen and the examine was VERY UNCOMFORTABLE to say the least. I had to leave my baby boy so they could do x-rays and get a urine specimen. What we are praying for is inflamation of the prostate but the doctor said that it could be cancer. They are starting him on antibiotics and medication for inflamation. So all of you pet-lovers know where I'm coming from. Please pray that all will be well with Odie. Our pets are just like our babies and most of the time they mind a lot beter than our kids. Anyway..., on the way home I cried and of course I prayed. I'm thankful for the 8 years that we've had this sweet little guy. I'm praying for many more healthy years with him. My cousin sent me an e-mail the other day. It was an intereview with Rick Warren ("The Purpose Driven Life") and he talked about the struggles that he and his family have been facing recently. His wife's cancer. This is what he said in the interview and I'm going to close with this;

In happy moments; Praise God
In difficult moments; Seek God
In quiet moments; Worship God
In painful moments; Trust God
In EVERY moment; Thank God

I'm sure we all are at different 'moments' in our lives. Facing our own struggles..., even the sickness of a beloved pet. No matter the 'moment'..., BE THANKFUL. I love you guys.

I did it!!

Hey guys! I finally did it. I took the plunge. I bit the bullet. I set up my blog. This is so exciting!!
Now I have my very own page with my name on it. You long time bloggers will have to be patient with me cause I'm new at this and I still don't know what I'm doing. If you have any advice please share it. Eventually I would like to post some pictures of my family and my dogs. If you know me at all you know one of the most important things in my life is my family. I want my 'Musings' to be positive and encouraging. I want you guys to be my accountability partners. Keep me on the straight and narrow. You know how I can get sometimes. Anyway..., here it is!!
Let me know what you think. I love you all dearly. Have a Jesus filled day.