A Brief Look at 2010

As I look back over this past year I am surprised at the many things that have transpired.

• Bob took a job in February of this year in Kentucky. When he left there was at least 18 inches of snow on the ground. Thank you very much.
• Ben and I started working on the kitchen in March, which still isn't done, by the way. Talk about patience - whew - I think I have the definition memorized by now!
• Ben graduated from Wor-Wic in May.
• Piper was born at the end of May.
• Bob came back home in June.
• He's had a couple different jobs since then.
• He got laid off from his last job just before Thanksgiving.
• Christmas was wonky this year - to say the least.
• We are currently still unemployed.

I have survived. I will continue to do so. I may go a little crazy now and then, but survive I will do. On the flip side of all this, I have been richly blessed.

• We got a huge tax return last year, thanks to our paying Ben's tuition. That allowed us to buy some things for the kitchen and it is keeping us afloat at the moment.
• Bob was able to get unemployment - not a healthy pay check, but it keeps the creditors fed.
• My sister and her family were generous to us this Christmas - God truly provides in the time of need - and I am eternally grateful for that and I am thankful for her.
• Everyone is healthy (we don't have health insurance at this moment in time)
• I have friends that pray for me and two gals that let me vent to the ends of the earth

I am not fearful of this coming year. It will be what it will be. I only have to "go with the flow" and keep my head bowed and my knees bent. I pray for: wisdom, strength, compassion, humor, creativity, and that ugly word, patience.

So begins a new year!

As the Snow Falls. . . .

Two thousand ten debuted itself with snow upon the ground.
Well into February the white stuff hung around.

Now as the new year pushes nigh
Nature once more shakes her whiteness from the sky.

My thoughts are as this strange year ends
Snow once more will welcome a new year in.

A sleepy little town will sleep under a blanket of white tonight.

When we awake all will be crisp and bright.

We will start our day with great plans in store

For all that white stuff just beyond our door.

It's a Most "Cruddy" Time of the Year!

Yep, the crud has struck our household. Coughing, sneezing, hacking, chills.
Todd had it while he was home visiting with the girls.
Baby Girl has it - temp went to 103.1 yesterday. She is miserable. I am listening to her breath and moan in her sleep on the monitor. So sad.
Ben is getting it. I have been listening to him hack all morning. He told me last night that he had been "fighting death" all day. Ummm. How. . . . horrid.
Some think they are going to get it. It's amazing what power of suggestion will do.
My power is to suggest that I don't get it.
What a lousy way to begin Christmas Eve and slide into Christmas.

Just my "tidbit" for the day.

Dear Mama. . . .

Dear Mama,

Thanks for the dipers, formula, and foood. I wil use it wisely. It came at a gud time. Things were gettin a little stinky in this joint. I will rashun the food and hopefully you put a pik in thar for me. I am not sure when I will be releesed from this place, but wurd on the blok is I cood be in here for the long hal. Probashun may not be a opshun, with you workin and all. They treet me gud heer. I git out in the yard sum. I do git lots of kisses. And i gess the hugs and sqeezes aint bad eether. I have inclosed a piktur for yu. Cum vizit whin yu can.
Yer luvin doter,
Piper

Piper #05252010

Ironing

I've been doing a lot of ironing these past two days. Ironing, I found, is very therapeutic for me. I actually like to iron. I remember doing it as a young girl for my mom and when I started Junior High, my Home-Ec teacher taught me some of the proper ways to iron.


As I was ironing I began thinking about how this wrinkled fabric compared to my inner self. I use a hot steam iron to remove unwanted wrinkles from, in this case, curtains. Holding the iron on the wrinkles while the hot steam penetrates the fabric does two things for me. One - it removes the wrinkle - in some cases almost completely. Two - the smell of the steamed fabric gives me a warm feeling inside.

The downside of ironing is that while it straightens and flattens the fabric, if you aren't careful you can make more of a mess than you started with. There have been times I have actually ironed wrinkles into the fabric. And depending on the nature of the fabric, those wrinkles may become permanent. No amount of re-ironing will remove them. The heat has permanently set them in.

So how does this apply to me?

I am very wrinkled inside - in my spirit. I can "feel" these wrinkles. And just as wrinkles on fabric make it look dishevelled, so I feel dishevelled in my soul. The bad thing, or good, depending on how you look at it, is I can't iron my soul, my spirit, my inner self. I simply am not capable of such a task.


Just as fabric becomes wrinkled with normal use, so does my soul. It is life. It leaves wrinkles from the size of straight pens to the size of 2x4's on my heart. Most of the little wrinkles go unnoticed. But when the big ones pile on, I become "unsightly", especially to God.


He is the only One that can remove the wrinkles of my soul. His "iron" is far more powerful than mine and He is more cautious than me. He can remove any wrinkle, at any time. I just have to ask Him to "straighten" me out. And the best part is, He doesn't, I repeat doesn't, iron wrinkles into me!

So, as I am ironing, I made it my purpose to ask God to reveal my wrinkles and iron them out. One by one or two by two. I don't care. Just hit me with that steam. And He obliged. The good thing is He is starting out slow and small. I have a lot of deep wrinkles and the little ones need to be taken care of first and then on to the mama-jamas of them all.


The first wrinkle I felt smooth away - our employment situation. It may not resolve itself right away but my worrying isn't speeding up the process. I have a simple peace about it.


The second wrinkle - the rushed days and busyness of my mornings - how stressed I feel.

So to check on a sleeping child and see the peace on her face - with no worry of who cares for her or who loves her because it is something we freely give to her and she feels it - melts me. It stood as a reminder to me that God freely gives His love to all of us. He marvels in our peace when we let Him. I felt the wrinkle of the stress and busyness smooth away as I stared at her. She is just a small representation of the love I have for my whole family - a love that I can't even describe sometimes.



I can feel the wrinkles subsiding. It will take some time, I'm sure. It may even take a long time, but most assuredly, I am being ironed!

Happy Birthday, Nichole!

Where, may I ask, has the time gone?

17 years! You could at least have slowed the

hands of time a little bit?! LOL

Happy Birthday Little Lady!

I love you!

Aunt Crickett

(aka: the FB photo snatcher!)

Happy Birthday, Sam!

Well, I know you're a grown man and all, but I just can't help myself sometimes.

I hope I have only mildly embarrassed you! BTW - snagged the original pic from Bek's

FB album, so technically, you can blame her!

Have a wonderful birthday!

I love you

Aunt Crickett

PS - Congrats on the change in work status!

My Husband, the Scavenger

Bob is a scavenger. Period. Exclamation point.

Yesterday we were on our way home from - dare I say the words - Wal-Mart. We were just getting on the ramp to get onto Rt. 50, when out of the blue, Bob swerves to the shoulder and brakes. I was daydreaming and listening to Christmas music. Wal-Mart stresses me. I look in the side mirror for flashing lights and listen for sirens. Was it an ambulance or police car? Nothing. No lights. No sirens. "What's wrong?", I ask. He says, as he is backing down the on ramp: "I think I saw a socket back there." "A what?" I asked. "A socket." says he. All the time I am looking in the side mirror just waiting for someone to come onto the ramp and not see us and rear end us and who's fault would that be? Hm? Yea, I thought so.

"Yep. It's a socket." he says as he is exiting the van. "Lordy, look where you're going Bob!" I'm thinking. Next vision is someone side swiping him - all for a socket. And, not just any socket I may add, but a 3/8 universal, almost brand new, except for a little "road wear", and pricey. Good gravy Marie! He was quite pleased.

This man will stop for anything, but bungee cords. There's trillions of them along the road. And we always need them! Go figure.

But. . . my question for the day is: "How does one see such small things on the side of the road when you are traveling at, let's just say, 30 to 75 mph? How?"

I've told him, one of these days you are going to stop for something and it's not going to be what you want to see. So, consider yourself warned.

What's a woman to do? What, may I ask?

Happy Birthday, Carrie!

Happy Birthday, Carrie!

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Um. . . I snagged the pic from your FB album!

I'm good at that - *tee-hee*

It really fit the occasion.

Love ya!

AC

Case of the Moods

I'm not sure why I'm writing tonight. I just feel the urge. If I don't write, I'll surely hurt someone and we don't want that to happen now do we. I also feel like spelling every other word wrong. How's that for a mild case of rebellion? Not bad, if I say so myself. You may turn the page now if you are sensitive and don't want to read, otherwise, read at your own risk.

I get into these "moods" every now and again. It's all okay. I wouldn't really injure anyone and I eventually right myself. But I must have them. Otherwise I would eat 300 pounds chocolate a day and maybe, for added kicks and giggles, about 20 gallons of ice cream on top of 20, 9x13, pans of brownies loaded with 20 bags of chocolate chips for good measure. Ha! Now that's what I'm talkin' about.

So. . . . you're probably wondering why I'm in such an intolerable mood. I would like to say: "Because I can be." , but that's not really appropriate - or is it? Hmmm. . . . Well aside from the fact that I am dog tired, my house is upside down, my kitchen isn't done, (and its bugging the daylights out of me), we are in the proverbial bread line, again. Did I say I am tired? Dog tired? Being unemployed drains me emotionally and physically. And it sets me up to have these nasty moods. Most of the time I roll with it. Right now, not happening. But, this too shall pass. It is just a season. I don't know how long it will last, but I know it won't last forever. Amen on that.

I know I am in the cleft of His hand. I know I am secure during the turbulent rides. But, they are turbulent none the less. And sometimes it is a bit frightening. And it is dark. And I don't like the dark. So I have to remind me that He has me. But sometimes I forget to remind me and let my emotions take charge. And take charge they do. But I know it will be okay. It always is. With that, tomorrow is a brand new day. With brand new opportunities. I am making it my job to look beyond those gray clouds I love so much at times to the Son that shines behind them. My silver lining is there - somewhere. I just know it is. He promises me.

I'm better already. Just had to scrawl it out.

100 Mile an Hour Tape

I've talked to Jenny a lot this weekend. She called Sunday and told me she had put up her outdoor Christmas decorations. She had hung some green light spheres on her porch. The cords had hung down so she taped them up with clear packing tape. We tossed around a few other options, just in case, and I finally ended with: "If the clear tape won't hold up to the weather, just get some hundred mile an hour tape and use that." She thought she would be okay with the packing tape, and I said, "you're probably right".

She called me again tonight on her way home and was chatting to kill the time. Our conversation went something akin to this:

Chat, chat, chat.
Chat, chat, chat.
Chat, chat, chat.

Then - the hightlight of our conversation!

Jenny: "The packing tape didn't hold. It started coming down. I sent Todd to Home Depot last night to get some hundred mile an hour tape. He couldn't find it, so he asked a sales person where it was. The sales person told him he has never heard of it. They didn't know what it was. He came home empty handed. So I asked at work today if they knew what hundred mile an hour tape was. They hadn't heard of it either. What is it Mom? I don't want to use duct tape unless I have to."

Me: (inside my head: Bahahahahahahahaha! ! ! ! ! Bahahahahahaha! ! ! !) Sorry
It is the same thing as duct tape, Jenny. (inside my head: bahahahahaha! ! ! ! ) Sorry. Again.

What is the world coming to when your local hardware stores don't know what hundred mile an hour tape is? That's all we ever called duct tape when I was growing up. And still do, as a mater of fact. And, I knew the story behind it, to boot.
Oh. . . . you haven't heard of it either? Well, let me enlighten you as to how it got it's name:

100MPH tape according to Urban Dictionary: (just in case you wouldn't believe me)

Army slang for what civilians commonly call duct tape. The actual army name for it is olive drab green reinforcement tape which is what you would need to call it if you were to order it from the army supply store (GSA).

The story goes that during WWII the army asked Johnson & Johnson to develop a seal that would keep moisture out of their ammo cans. J&J answered with OD green reinforcement tape. It is said that the tape was so effective at keeping moisture out that water would bead off it like "water off a duck's back" earning it the name "duck tape". Duck tape would end up having multiple uses in the military, though; with supply short during WWII, duck tape became the military's answer to fixing equipment in the field. Seeing how effective, efficient, and versatile a roll the tape played in the military, J&J marketed the tape to civilians as a fix all. The tape became known as "duct tape", but I'm not sure if this is because the most common usage was to hold ducts together or because civilians misheard the name.

Throughout the history of the military, supply was always an issue, and in the event that GI's didn't have the proper tools to fix something they would use duck tape. As a fix all, duck tape was so effective that it was said it could hold a jeep together travelling at 100 mph, hence the common army name "100 mile an hour tape." Ask anyone from the army what it is and they'll tell you.

So Jenny, use duct (duck) tape. I don't think the makers of hundred mile an hour tape will mind.

My Sunday

My Sunday has been lovely. Waking up to bright sunshine is wonderful. Makes my mornings more tolerable!

1. I really appreciated today's message in church. It was on Proverbs 14:34:

"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

In a nut shell: We must beware the reproach of sin. It is repulsive in its nature. It is shameful, it offends a Holy God and it brings down the name of Christ. Sin is scandalous, unrighteous, wicked, and shows lack of faith. Sin is a reproach to others. It affects them and it affects without fail.

On the flip side: Righteousness exalts or lifts up. We ought to practice it, promote it, and preach it - pointing others toward the way of righteousness.

Made me examine myself. Period.

2. When we got home from church today Ben had made french toast! Yummy. What a nice thing to walk in to. I was a happy camper! Yea for guys that aren't afraid to cook!


3. But. . . before I could eat, there was a knock at the front door. When I opened it, there stood my little Goldilocks with a motorcycle helmet on her tiny little head! I looked beyond her and there sat her mode of transportation. A HARLEY! Kelly's roommate's daughter's grandfather was giving the girls rides.

She's too tiny. Sniffle, sniffle. And she's wearing flip flops. Horror, horror!

Bye, bye my sweet thing. Hang on now! Don't let go!

Ah, another one of my treasures. Same thing. Flip flops. Horror, horror!

It's okay! Just hang on! Don't be frightened!

Well, they weren't frightened at all. In fact, they loved it! And grand pa was very mindful of them. I am glad he brought them by so I could see! I think Pop-pop may have been a little jealous, though. A HARLEY, of all things! ! !

Blessings. . . . when you least expect them.

I've had several blessings this week. All of them quite unexpected and from unusual places.

1. From Christie's blog - via FB:
Isaiah 46:4 NKJV: "Even to your old age, I am He. And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.
I am certainly at the gray hair stage, and I am certainly, eternally grateful that God will still carry me!

2. Kelly texted me and said she didn't feel well and was staying home today. This meant she would have Piper. I was sorry she felt bad, but being babyless opened the doors for me to get odd things done. Like: trimming around the baseboards with paint, laundry and - a blog post over on my other blog.

3. And because I didn't have Piper, I went to Kohls with my 30% coupon in hand and got things I needed. ie: jeans, shoes, *wink* and a Trans Siberian CD! And, and I got $10.00 Kohls cash!
Ta-da! ! !

4. As I was pulling into Marshalls (after my Kohls run) I was listening to Dr. J. Vernon Megee. He was very, um, adamant today. A couple of things spoke to me in his message:
A. People are too busy "playing church".
B. He doesn't like it when people say "I've given my life to Christ." He already has our life. He wants our righteousness!

5. I read a blog that Heidi had linked to on FB. I really did relate to that. About not judging people so quickly. You never know what they are feeling or what they are going thru at that moment in time. But to be sensitive to the hearts of others. A little kindness goes a long, long way.

How perfect the timing has been - only God is capable of putting so many things out there from so many different people to minister to what I need at this moment in time. It never ceases to amaze me. Never.

My Poetry

"The Leaves of Fall"

Fall's leaves are blowing thru the air
Like bright, electric snow.
Scurrying across the waiting ground
With no particular place to go.

They pay no heed to daily tasks
Such things, as humans do.
Only falling from the trees around
So earth can start anew.

When night does fall they gather close
On the ground, 'tis where they'll rest.
Waiting for that cool crisp air
That becomes a blanket upon their chest.

When the sun shines upon them in the morn
They'll be heavy laden with night's frost.
It has settled upon their quietness
But not all is counted loss.

They'll glisten as the sun shines bright
While on the ground they lay.
Waiting for the suns' sweet warmth
To drive the dew away.

Then they'll hustle excitedly
Across the ground some more.
Much like the startled geese
Headed for distant shores.

Until such time the earth reclaims
Them back to the dirt below,
They will journey in the fall
Allowing their colors to richly glow.

And we will be most sweetly blessed
If we but stop to enjoy
What God has put upon His earth
For every man, woman, girl and boy.

Crickett

Sometimes. . . .

. . . you just can't wait.

This morning as I was fixing Piper's cereal, I put her in her bouncy seat. She likes it and I figured it would keep her occupied the three or four minutes it would take to get her breakfast ready. I could hear her "complaining" so I tried to hurry. It does no good to try to feed an angry be`be`. When I arrived upon said be`be`, this is how I found her:


Sound asleep. No two ways about it. She was out on her feet. Literally. I did manage to get her awake enough for her cereal, but the bottle - well, it went down the drain. That little gal slept 'til noon!

Oh, the joys of grand-mother-hood!

I Did It! I Did It! I Did It!

I did it!

I cut my hair!

Short!

That's all I have to say about that. :)

Trick or Treating at Mom-mom's House

Trick or Treating was on Saturday here. Paul and Kelly brought the girls here to trick or treat. Pop-pop went with them.

The cast of Characters:

Rease as a Bride

Helena as a colorful, but friendly Witch

Piper as a little Strawberry

Re-grouping, again

On our way - with some minor delays. Notice Pop-pop is "hanging" out.

Corn Maze

We made a plan earlier in the month to go to the corn maze in Linkwood last Friday night of this month. It was only a twenty minute or so drive, so it was a do-able thing at night with the girls. The "team' consisted of Ben, Bob, Paul, Rease, Helena, and myself.
Flashlights in hand - off we go! Spooooky ;)




I think I blinded Rease with the flash - tee hee !


The entrance to the maze.

A map for reference - which happens to be at the beginning of the maze and does us little good unless we have "Maize-O-Vision" glasses or happen upon a "Maize-O-Vision" station. Which is easier said than done!

This was our first clue station. Not a bad start. And . . . the bridge would come later - much later!

This particular maze was dark - very dark. No additional lighting from the building to cast any kind of shadows. The only help we had was our flashlights. It was hard navigating. The fellows and Helena took turns choosing the "right path". (I know my place in something like this - I am very, very directionally and navigationally challenged!) The unified word of the night was: "muuuddd"! It was a mess, and of course Paul wore flip flops. That'll learn 'im! Not to mention , with the wind chill, it was about 2 degrees out there. Well, not really, but it was cold! Helena and I shared my gloves (I'm thinking that I was pretty smart wearing gloves). I lost my camera - once.

After about an hour and no progress, Rease suggested that we follow the north star. Hey, I'm thinking, there's a novel idea! No takers, nope, not those men.

We spent an hour and a half in the lower left quadrant of the maze. An hour and a half. Ben decides that "cheating" was our only way out alive. We hadn't even made it to the first bridge or the center of the maze. Oh - the game sheet did have their phone number on it - just in case. In case of what? What was lurking out there that we weren't aware of? Could we have even gotten reception in that abyss? We didn't tell the girls - 'casue, you know, what if? What if we were transported to the - I can hardly say it - "Children of the Corn" nightmare? What if?

We were willing to break the rules and cut thru the corn! So, Ben confiscates my camera, enlarges the map, and off we go! Thank goodness for modern technology! I think we could have used the North Star, if we had to. Just sayin'.

We found two more clues, for a grand total of six out of eighteen, and two rubbings. We finally made it over one of the two bridges and passed the center tower. Yea for us!

We were cold, tired, and muddy. We were ready to abandon all other prospects of finding more clues and hit the muddy trail back to the van!

It was a good night. Well, except for the "Children of the Corn" episode!

Blue Skies with Gray Clouds

I love the fall days when the skies of blue are decked with dark puffy clouds.
When the sun shines thru and they float on the wind.
The contrast of cool gray with the brightness of the sun that allows me to feel hope.
Nature's motion picture of life.
Warmth and coolness.
Peace and sorrow.
Comfort and sadness.
All rolled into one fleeting moment.
A soul searching.
An appreciation.
An undestanding.
Life.

Miss Piper

This little gal has just passed her five months mark! It's amazing how much she is growing and has grown since she was born.


She loves this bouncy thing-a-ma-jig! When I first put her in it, about a month ago, her little toes barely touched the floor!



Now she gets this thing bouncing so high I think she might come out of it!

I also noticed these past couple of days, that when she puts herself to sleep, she likes to have her little head on or near her dollie. Yesterday she was laying on it like a pillow! She still prefers her thumb ~ ~

I don't think it will be long before she starts to crawl. When she wakes up and I don't get to her fast enough, she gets all ticked off and pulls her knees under her and pushes herself up against the cradle. Not sure if I'm ready for crawling!

About Blogging

I've come to realize how much I enjoy blogging. I mean, really enjoy it. It is almost an obsession with me. I am surprised at how attached I've actually become to "writing".

When Christie first asked me to try it, I thought, "Yea, right". I had no clue what she was talking about and the whole blog thing sounded like something too tech savvy for the likes of me. Then I visited her blog. I must say it took me some time to muster up the nerve to do it, but once my "toes hit the water", it had me - hook, line and sinker. I haven't looked back since, nor have I regretted starting a blog - well, two blogs now.

It will be two years this March since I began my journey down Bloggy Lane. I have learned a few things about myself. Blogging is my written therapy. Blogging makes me think. Blogging keeps me real.

I've learned to share things that are on my heart openly and in third person so as not to hurt someone else or make them feel uncomfortable. After all, my blog is - me. But it allows me an extra way to vent, lest my Aaron and Hur get bored of me!

I have realized, that, although folks may like to read my blog(s) they may not like to write. At first this was a little hard for me to understand. But as I blogged along I came to accept that because that is just the way it is. I just remember that I have tried things that others have a passion for just because they have that passion, but it quickly fell to the wayside for me. So, all you non-bloggies out there - I get it. Sorta. :)

I became brave enough to put some of my poetry to "pen" for you to read. I have loved poetry forever. Reading it, writing it, singing it. It feels as if it is embedded in my soul. Sometimes my poems come in the middle of the night, sometimes when I am showering, doing dishes, or driving along. I never know when a poem is going to manifest itself! It's like waiting for a surprise. I give credit to blog land for that. Otherwise, they would be tucked into a tablet somewhere - not that that is a bad thing.

Well, enough about one of my favorite past times.

Thanks for dropping by -
Catch you on the flip side!

I Can, But I Can't

I can stand beside you,
But I can't remove you from your spot.

I can wipe away your tears,
But I can't get rid of the cause of them.

I can listen to your complaints,
But I can't make them go away.

I can hold your broken heart,
But I can't remove the pain.

I can give you motherly advice,
But I can't make you take it.

I can show you a clearer path,
But I can't make you walk it.

I can always be ready for your need,
But I can't make you come to me.

I can only be what I know to be,
But I can't make you understand it.

I can only love without expectation,
But I can't make you reciprocate it.

He loves her.

I hate when I don't go to church. But today I feel like I've been bowled over. My head hurts, my throat is a bit sore, when I look down, my nose runs like a faucet, and when I look up, my head aches more, and I'm coughing and sneezing like it's my job!

On my Sunday mornings home I notice the folk going to the church across the street. Having a church located in this vicinity is a constant reminder to me where I should be. Today is no exception - even though I don't feel well. I will really feel the nudging when the church bell rings. I love that they ring their bell on Sundays! Just love it. It transports me back to simpler times. (like Little House on the Prairie times!)

This morning as I was dawdling at the window I noticed Mr. Singleton and his wife walking across the bank parking lot (it becomes overflow parking for church on Sundays and any other time something is going on over there). Mr. Singleton looks like a cross between Santa Clause and Charlie Daniels. Mrs Singleton was moving slowly and deliberately. It looks as if she may have had an injury or something. She is holding Mr. S's hand. And . . . he too is walking slowly. . . with her. Slowly they move across the lot, across the street, all the time he is holding her hand, and he patiently pauses for each step as she makes her way up the steps to the church door.

His body language indicates nothing but patience. No shifting from foot to foot. No slouching of shoulders, no deliberate stop and go, stop and go. Just steady, even, hand holding steps.

You can just tell. He loves her.

My Poetry

To all the young loves out there that have "loved and lost". It is not over. Your love is there - waiting. Maybe not today. Maybe not next month. And maybe not even this year. But it will be there.

Young Hearts

Young hearts are sweet and young and tender
Unscathed by the world's affairs.
Young hearts are sometimes given freely
To someone without much care.

Young hearts don't have time that's taught the old
To seek those things which are true
Young hearts may leap at Love's first light
And see skies of only blue.

Young hearts see only the good in that
Which it's chosen to call it's own.
Young hearts don't look down the winding road
And ponder what's not known.

Young hearts fall hard when they fall
The warnings they could not heed
Young hearts aren't familiar with the pain
That makes their young hearts bleed.

Young hearts may think that life is nil
When it comes to feeling such pain.
The young heart can't see their skies of blue
When all they hear is rain.

But young hearts grow with every change
Though they may not see it clearly
Young hearts will heal from pain endured
To learn to love more dearly.

Young hearts will learn life's lessons well

As their young hearts mend and grow

And when Young heart chooses the one to love,

That heart they'll get to know.

Crickett

Happy Birthday to my boy!

It feels like 23 minutes instead of 23 years!

Time knows no boundaries.

I love you little man!

MOM

Thurmont, for real!

Going to the Coctoctin Colorfest is certainly something to call home about! It is amazing how one little town transforms itself for one weekend. We heard that there were upwards of 100,000 people that attended this event!


The first picture is the exit into Thurmont. Our gang is the first two cars in the second picture. We have just entered town. You can see the tents of the vendors already. This is where Donna and I got out. We were very excited! ! We wanted to get a jump start. We told the rest of the gang we would hang out around this area while they parked and to meet us back here.



In the background here, you can see the Cotoctin Mountains. It is a beautiful sight.




These are the first two booths Donna and I hit when we got out - in our excitement. We breezed thru the first one. The second one was a different story. This vendor always has something different and this year was no exception. But with demand comes "wait". Wait in line. Wait for an hour. Wait. Wait. Wait. The gang covered a lot of ground while we waited. And waited. And waited. In line. We eventually got out of there and hooked up with our heckling gang and moved forward.





I couldn't resist taking a picture of this old stone wall. It was behind the building where the Amish were set up selling pictures and furniture and textiles. It shows how old the town really is. It was amazing.

Now, there were gazillions of vendors with all kinds of things. The wreath on the left was made of some kind of seed pod that falls off trees. They are very, very prickly and not the least bit friendly to touch. I have a story about those things. But that will have to wait until another day.

And of course there were trillions of yard sales. From one end of town to the other and on the back road heading out of Thurmont. It reminded me of the "400 Mile Yard Sale" I went on with Jenny and the girls.

And of course there was food. Food everywhere. My and Bob's favorite place to eat there is this pit beef stand. The contraption on the right is an old peanut roaster. Mmmm. What can I say? Should've bought some!

Amidst all the clamor of people there was a creek that ran under a bridge that ran down the main drag in town. Reminded me of Papaw Wymer's creek. A little.

They had a band in the park. Along with another gazillion vendors.




It was crazy the amount of people in this town!

We are heading out. We were parked with the hoards. Many, many, many.

Amanda - on the left - looks like she's drifting.

Bekah has completely exited stage left.

Donna - red shirt - is using one of her goodies as a walking stick - tee hee

Greg - front and center - is a man on a mission - to get us out of there!

Denise - purple shirt, Amanda's mom - is drifting to the left

Bob - orange guy - looking back at me - seemingly saying: "Are ya coming Barb?"

Dan - ah oh - something's caught his eye - sorry - keep walking!

Bekah took some hysterical pictures this day. It was a majority consensus to "people watch"!

She has blogged about it. I haven't read hers yet, but as soon as I am done here, I am headed there! Can't wait!

It was a wonderful day. Great family, good friends, good food, good weather. ""What more could you want?", I ask. "What more?"

Thurmont

I'm going north this weekend. Northwest, to be more speicific.
Bob and I try to do this trek annually.
I LOVE it! Bob is learning to love it!
We go with Donna - who by the way is the one who got me hooked - and Greg and whomever else wants to go.
It's right up there with the "400 Mile Yard Sale".
It's awsome.
It's a woman's dream come true.
It's yard sales, craft sales, artwork, textiles, and food all rolled into one little town.
It is Cotoctin Colorfest in Thurmont, MD.

I am going to try to take some pictures this time. Try. That's all I can promise.

"We are where we are for a reason."

I borrowed this title from another blog I am following. Although she is talking about a particular place, I think it could apply to a "place" in time.

I am in that "place" in time. A LOT. I often think about my life and where I am. Why I am here and what good is it bringing and to whom.

Sometimes I think I am "here" to be available, accessible. Available physically and accessible personally. I think being home all the time makes me a little more so.

Life's situations give no regard to time of day. Neither does sorrow or pain or joy. It comes when it comes. Give no mind to what is on the plate for that day or time frame.

I don't know the reason for my "place" until it has come and gone. I just know that when I look back, had I been working or distanced from the situation, where would that person have gone at that moment in time? With whom would they have cried, or laughed or vented? What blessing would I have missed?

Sometimes the need comes to me and sometimes I find myself going - unbeknownst to me - to the need. I am always amazed at that. And sometimes I ask "Why?". And sometimes I feel scared. And sometimes I feel clueless. And sometimes I take it personally.

And. And, sometimes I am that need.

So, I pray for wisdom, compassion, understanding. I pray for good friends. I pray for my Aaron and Hur team and I am thankful that they are "where they are for a reason".

We all have that "place". The trick is to understand and accept it. To not fear that which you can't control, but to accept all that which you can pray for. And we can pray for ALL things.

One of my favorite quotes is: "To comfort people is to accept the risk of getting the plague of another's sadness or pain on our hearts." And I think the compliment to that would be: sharing their joy.

And that's all I have to say about that. For now.

"Inspiration"

I hardly think of myself as one who inspires. Every day I entertain one emotion or another. I don't usually stop to think about my impact on others. (It's usually just me and myself here!). So, I need to be more mindful that my struggles - even the worse ones - are handled in such a way as to give credit where credit is due. And that a positive reaction is always inserted, somewhere! God ultimately leads me along the way - and the things I write are given much consideration as to how they reflect on me, the ones I write about, and Him, but they are things on my heart. It's hard for me not to be brutally honest sometimes. I have a difficult time hiding my emotions and those very emotions do get me into trouble on occasion! But sometimes, just sometimes, there is a pleasant surprise!



My niece, Bekah, emailed me last night to tell me that I inspired her to start a blog. (Bekah's Babbles) I can't tell you the span of emotion I felt when I read that note. My initial reaction was "yeah, a new bloggie!", but when the reality of her words set in, I was humbled, touched, if you will.

To inspire someone is quite an honor I think - to cause them to try or do something they may not otherwise try or do. And that thought alone is - scary. It conveys trust. Trust that they can muster up the ability to do something that may intimidate them, and succeed at it. And that is what is motivational and scary for the "inspirer".

Thank you Bekah for allowing me to be an inspiration to you!
I love you, Little Lady. You are going to make a wonderful bloggie!

Little Miss Piper Rylee

I haven't posted much about this little lady simply because a lot was going on in her world.
She has grown leaps and bounds these past four months!


She is liking her thumb here at three months. She also likes the outdoors! And she is growing! Just look at those little feet ;) , and those little cheeks, and those pudgy little hands!

At four months she is learning to pull the string on her toy to make it play music. She is a doll - so pleasant and sweet. She loves sitting upright - I think she has a little "Nosey Nellie" in her!

She hardly ever cries. Just when she's hungry, wet, or tired. She wakes up smiling and smiles all day long! What more could one want? She steals your heart in a blink! We love her - dearly!

What a blessing God has given us!

Victuals and Tidbits

Last night I had "The Three Musketeerettes", "The Three Amigos", "The Three Stoogettes" the "Three French Hens", or, if you are confused, Kelly's three girls.

For dinner I decided to have Chicken Pasta Soup. I knew the girls would eat this. (Well, not Piper.) It is one of their favorites. (Not Pipers . . . yet!) So much so, Helena asked for it for her "birthday dinner"!

As we are eating Rease tells me she loves this soup. She matter-of-factly stated that if all the food on earth disappeared except for this, she would be okay. Okay with eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. "Snack, too!", Helena reminds her.

Does ones heart good to hear such things.

Chicken Pasta Soup
1 lb boneless chicken breast
2 C Shells
1-2 cans chicken broth
1 can (15oz) green beans
1 can tomato paste
1/2 t dried basil

Cook chicken breast in boiling water til done. (About 8 cups or so of water. you can add a can of broth here if you like)
Remove breast and cut into bite sized pieces.
In meantime, add one can chicken broth and 2 cups shells to boiling water.
Cook til shells are tender.
Add cubed chicken, green beans, (juice and all), tomato paste and basil.
Cook just until beans are hot and tomato paste is dissolved.

Enjoy

Tidbit: You can cut thawed breasts before you cook and save a step. Just add shells when chicken is done. If breasts are frozen, then hubby's hands aren't warm enough, no - sorry - anoter topic - um - just throw frozen chicken breasts into boiling water. All's good. And carry on.

Happy Birthday, Seth!

Nineteen years have just flown by!
It makes my head hurt!
Hope your birthday is as wonderful as you are!

Love ya bushels
Aunt Crickett

PS - I have to find a pic of you somewhere ~ ~

Sock Fight

Sometimes life's stress just won't let go of you. No matter how you try to avoid it, it's there.
It has been that way for not only me, but for Ben as well, these past few days. We are on a deadline to finish behind the fridge before Saturday. And . . . we both have other stress fractures in our lives right now.

I don't hide disappointment very well. I am easy to read. I try. I really do try very hard to not show it. But it is there. The same is with Ben. Today was one of those days. I know he has a lot on his plate but I need to have the walls behind the fridge done. I can't look at him for fear of showing disappointment or worry. He senses it. He is good like that. I try to avoid him.

So. . . I go upstairs to divert my attention to something else - like looking for a fall flag for outside. Mr. Nosey Nate follows me up. On the spare bed is a plethora of socks that belong to Rease and Helena. Nosey Nate starts chunking them at me. I'm not in the mood for this. But he is relentless. So . . . . as any good mother would do - I returned the favor! Now let me just tell you, short of a snowball fight, this was wonderful therapy for the soul. It allowed us to get out pent up aggression, frustration and aggravation. By the end of the battle we were running from room to room, ducking and dodging socks, sneaking up on the opponent and laughing fearlessly at each other and ourselves. And I must say, mom here didn't do a bad job defending herself, either!

It was a much needed "battle". It may not carry us through the next task, but we were able to see beyond it and laugh while we were at it!

Proverbs 17:22a - " A merry heart doeth good, like medicine. . ."

Happy Birthday, Todd!

Ah. . . . seems like you're catching up old man!

Hope you have a great birthday with all those lovely

ladies and that handsome grandson of mine!

Love ya,

Barb

Anthology Book.

Last night as we are finishing homework, I tell Helena to get her Reading book. It is laying amongst a mess she has scattered in the floor.
It's been a long afternoon. She wants to Dilly-dally, Rease wants to be Chatty Cathy, and Piper wants her bottle.

So, as I ask Miss Dilly-dally a second time to retrieve her Reading book, she looks and me. . . and. . . .here we go:

Miss Dilly-dally: "Why?"
Me: "Because you have Reading homework. Now get your Reading book." She is looking at me like I have five eyes.
Miss Dilly-dally: "I don't have a Reading book." (see where this is going?)
Me: "Helena, it's right THERE!" (as I'm pointing to said book in middle of clutter)

Chatty Cathy is watching this unfold. Piper is drooling out the side of her mouth. I can feel Ben watching. All eyes are on this little drama that is unfolding.

Miss Dilly-dally, as she picks up the book in question: "This is my Anthology book."
Me: "Anthology book ? ? ?" Do I look confused? Yes? Well, it's because I am.
Miss Dilly-dally: "Yep. That's what my teacher calls it."

Well shut my mouth and knock me over with a feather.
Chatty Cathy is grinning. I look up and Ben is standing a the other end of the table grinning louder and pointing his finger at me. And to make me feel better: says he: "It's okay mom. I only know what it is because of literature." He proceeds to explain to his mom that an Anthology book is a compilation of short stories.

Now, since when do six year old first graders call their Reading books Anthology books? Hm?
Since they have a teacher that calls them that. And we all know, what Teacher says. . . . .
I can hear it now: "Okay class. Get out your Anthology books and turn to page . . . .".

Just humor me here. Does this not say "Reading"? Does it not?



Where are the good ol' days? Where?

New Blog

Well, I've started my new blog. I'm not thrilled with the template I am using at the time, but until I can crack this thing I will have to settle.


It is about me and the things I remember and reflect on. It will be about the people who directly or indirectly influenced me as a child or young (or not so young) adult. It will be random thoughts from random time periods.


You may follow me here if you like.

I am nervous because I am really putting myself out there.

Back in the Saddle

Birthdays are done for a little while. Posting can resume as usual!
Whew, I thought my family was going to shoot me because of the birthday song on my blog! Seems I may be looking for a new melody.

I started a new exercise routine this morning :). My boy designed it for me. I can work several areas in one fell swoop, and that's what I'm looking for! I don't have the luxury of a timely workout, so I hope this one will do the trick! As I age I want to make sure I can at least keep my muscles toned so they can do their job. Will let you know how it works out. That is if I can move!

I can feel fall in the air. I woke this morning to the sound of crows, of all things! I don't particularly care for that bird. Reminds me of Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven. And Halloween.
And all things spooky.

I tried the new Almond Silk today and I like it - yep - anything almond, pass my way! Almonds are suppose to be healthy for you. Just coat them in dark chocolate and you have a match made in Heaven! I just love eating healthy!

I am starting a new blog soon. Will fill you in as soon as figure out how to get the template I want and can get it up and running. I'm excited. It will be - different.

Well, I am going to finish my cereal (with my Almond milk in it) and start a load of laundry and pretend to be busy today. Ha! No pretense necessary! Ah-oh, I hear Baby Girl!

Catch ya on the flip side!

Happy Birthday, Guitar Hero!

Never let it be said that you can't teach old dogs new tricks!
Happy Birthday, Old Man!
Love ya,
Barb

Happy Birthday, Jenny!

Happy Birthday to my first born!

It's hard to believe that I was just swaddling you in blankets!

Last week, wasn't it? ?

Have a wonderful birthday.

I love you to the ends of the earth and back again.

Love,

MOM

Happy Birthday, Junior!

Happy Birthday, Junior!
Wow - just how old are you? LOL
Just kidding!
Hope you have a wonderful day - don't work too hard. :)
Love ya
Aunt Crickett

Happy Birthday, Joseph!

Happy Birthday to you!
Another year older. . . another year wiser?
Hope your day is wonderful and full of laughter!
Love ya!
Aunt Crickett

Happy Birthday, Greg!

Happy Birthday, Greg! I love this pic, although I had to steal it from Bekah's FB gallery!

It wasn't my first choice - but I will settle for it. :)

Hope you have a wonderful day with all the gang!

Much love,

Crickett

Back to "Ab-Normal"

Today:
1. First day of school for kids here
2. Helena woke up with a 101.6 temp and had to miss first day of school. Not a good thing for her. She loves her school.
3. Got my computer back this afternoon! ! ! ! Yea! ! ! !

I have a gazillion things on my mind and a gazillion more to do!

I think I - I being the computer - lost my blog book I was working on. Lands sake. Have to do it all again if I can't find it. That will teach me to drag my feet.

Feel the need to write poetry - lots and lots of it.

Feel the need to vent.

Feel the need to analyze.

Feel the need to buy lots and lots of Calgon.

Feel the need to eat tons and tons of dark, dark, and I do mean dark, chocolate.

Other than that, life is back to abnormal. What is that book called: "Normal is Just a Setting on Your Dryer". AMEN sister!

And that is all I have to say about that. Today.

Catch you on the flip side! ! ! !

Withdrawal

My computer is dead - for all intents and purposes. It had some kind of melt down in the middle of last week. I am using Ben's laptop at the moment simply because I am going thru blog withdrawal. He would probably have a melt down if he thought I was using his laptop for silly stuff such as blogging. But I can't help my self. I miss it. It feels as though I have gone directly to jail, without passing go, or collecting my $200.00! Life is like a monopoly game sometimes.

So. . . I guess I will have to take it to the gadget doctor. I've never had to take a computer to the doctor before and I don't quite know what to expect. I do know this . . . if it is estimated to cost even half as much as a new computer, I will have to do some serious thinking. I may have to bury it right in the jolly green dumpster. It is not a part of me like my beloved Electrolux was, but I would like to somehow retrieve my pictures off of it. They, however, are more a part of me than my beloved Electrolux. Hmmm. . . . what to do, what to do. Anyone? Anyone?

MY POETRY

"Deep in Slumber"

As I see them deep in slumber
I can't help myself, but to wonder
What dreams lie within their minds
Or would sweet nothings be what I find?


The peace that rests upon their faces
Takes me back to distant places
Where life was simple and carefree
This is what my heart does see.


But are they dreaming as I stare
About such things without a care?
Are their minds just peacefully blank
Or are they planning today's new pranks?

It's not up to me to know at all
But for them to recall
Those things that played out in their sleep
All that's good, and fun, and sweet.

So as they lay there in peaceful slumber
My heart can't help but to wonder
If their lives will be full of grace
As they make their way from "place to place".

I long for them the simple things
That only God's love and joy can bring.
For success in all life's many endeavors
And to make their marks, for now, forever.

So as they lay there in peaceful slumber
My heart can't help but to wonder . . . . . .

Crickett

Happy Birthday, Kelly!

Happy Birthday, Kellifer! !

Your year for threes. Your, um, age, and three (count them, three) beautiful daughters!

Love ya to the ends of the earth and back again!

MOM