Thursday, April 30, 2009

A Smattering of Stuff....................

I am quite sure that "smattering" is not a word, but it seemed like the appropriate word for my blog today. Just a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

The updating project is almost finished. Glory! Glory! The new sofa, club chair and ottoman for the den arrived on Tuesday. The recliners are still to come, but should be here the first of the coming week. The Entertainment Center/Gun Cabinet is to arrive and be installed at any moment. I am so pleased with the way the upstairs loft area has turned out. It is so cozy and comfortable and I think will be a real enjoyment for guests and grandchildren in the years to come. I am glad "the project" is about to come to an end, but it has been a most enjoyable experience for me. Probably because I can make decisions rather quickly and not labor over them. I will post some photos shortly of a few of the updates.

We also having some outside projects done as well, but Tommy is the overseer of that. We have had issues with the brick fence going down beside our house for several years and it has gotten so bad, that something had to be done. So, workers have been here for over a week, pouring reinforcement and that meant tearing a portion of the fence down. Once it is reinforced, they will rebuild the fence and it will be straight once again. We're also having the portion of the driveway nearest the garage enlarged. This will give Tommy a place to park the boat and get it out of the way. He is pondering having a covered area constructed as well. I've decided that as long as you own a home, there is always a project to work on. I think a condo might sound inviting in a few years. :)

I won't go into all the details of this, but back in January I was diagnosed with stroke level high blood pressure. I knew I didn't feel right, but I certainly had no idea that I had high blood pressure. ( I've had low blood pressure my whole life.) It was so scary! Certainly the weeks prior to that had been the most stressful of my life. Our first grandchild born, Mom's untimely death and then Christmas with a houseful of guests. Two of those being stresses I had never experienced before. Anyway, I was put on two different type of medications and soon got the bp under control and began to feel normal again. I ended up with a Cardiologist who did many, many tests and could not find a cause for the rapid onset of high bp. Shortly after beginning the medication I began having some issues that I felt were related to the bp medication. I ignored it for quite a while and a couple of weeks ago I decided that I needed to check into it. I called and spoke with the Drs. nurse and decided after talking to her that I would just quit the medication all together and keep a close eye on my bp by monitoring it. That was 2 weeks ago and my bp has been fine. I have an appointment with the Cardiologist tomorrow to discuss the situtation and it's going to be interesting to hear what he has to say. He had told me from the "get go" that I would most likely be in bp medication the rest of my life. Of course, I am hopeful that I will not have to take anything. The whole ordeal caused me to think about stress and how I might learn to handle it differently so as to avoid another such episode. I certainly think that I was justified in the stress I had related to Mom's death and Clancy's birth, but hopefully it was a short lived "attack" and I will not have bp issues the rest of my life. I will keep you posted. And, last but MOST importantly, I have prayed and prayed about this and perhaps the Lord has delivered me from this. He is certainly capable and I will give Him all the praise for it.

A big thanks to those of you who are reading my blog and sharing in some of the more intimate details of my life. I am honored.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Sunday afternoon ponderings............

I just finished listening to my 2nd Bible Study in 1 Peter, The Precious Blood of the Lamb. The main point of today's study was that God redeemed us to be filled with His Holy Spirit, in other words, "we were redeemed to be filled." Plain and simple! But, how many of us are really filled? Thank goodness we serve a patient God that never gives up on us! What comfort! We are to keep on keeping on , pressing on towards the goal, until He calls us home.

I have been working on our travel calendar this afternoon, trying to get some dates down to go some various places in the next 2-3 months. It seems that we can talk about all we want to do, but until we actually put it on the calendar, we do nothing more than talk. So, hopefully we will get to Iowa to see my brother and his family, I plan to get to Virginia to see my aunts and of course, we've always got Oklahoma on our list.

I've thought a lot about Mother's Day that will soon be here. It will certainly be a different day for me this year. As I think about it, it definitely brings about a sadness, but it also causes me to reflect on the many wonderful attributes of my Mom. She took such pride in being a Mom. I can remember hearing her say, "all I ever wanted to do was be a Mom." What a worthy ambition! I can only hope that she left this world feeling she was most accomplished in her role as a Mother. I miss her everyday and as someone told me, "you always will." There's just no one like a Mom! If you are fortunate enough to still have yours, treasure the time you have with her.

Another new week is here and my prayer is that I would be so filled with His Spirit that others would see Jesus in me.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

A Boat Ride and other "Stuff"

It has been such a beautiful week and of course, I'm lovin' it! It was so pretty yesterday that I decided I needed to go for a boat ride in Tommy's new boat. Notice, I said "ride" not "fish." :) So, he went earlier and fished and met me at the boat dock around noon. I took a picnic lunch and we "lunched" out under some shade trees in the middle of the lake. We had country music playing in the background and it was really a lovely time. I promised pictures so here they are.........
.
It is a pretty metallic blue


Tommy is ready to go!


I've got on my new sun hat

It really was a nice outing and the best part was that Tommy so enjoyed having me go along. It's not like he hasn't done many a thing with me over our almost 38 years of marriage that he wasn't crazy about. I'm quite sure we will have many more fun outings.

I need to go and replant some of the zinneas that I planted a couple of weeks ago. Don't know what happened, but a few of them "bit the dust." So, I will go for now and play in the dirt a little while.

Monday, April 20, 2009

A Great Start to a New Week

It is a most beautiful day outside. I love looking out my windows and seeing the sun shining. I am definitely a "sunshiney gal." And, I've always wished that the Lord had designed it where it would only rain at night and the days would always be filled with sunshine. :) But, He knew exactly what He was doing becuase He is the Master Designer.

I've been doing a lot of soul searching in recent weeks and have been very burdened about my lack of scripture memorization. That old saying, "if you don't use it, you loose it" is certainly true. I have memorized so many scriptures over my lifetime, but, sad to say, have great difficulty recalling most of them now. Why? I guess because I thought I would NEVER forget them without continually keeping them before myself. Well, that's sort of like exercising and dieting. We MUST stay with it! So, I searched the web today and found a nice set of Scripture Memorization cards designed by Beth Moore. I ordered them and they are set up to memorize a scripture a week. So, that will be my goal when they arrive. I'm excited and hopefully I will only need to "refresh" my memory on many of them. I desire to be able to recall scriptures at "the drop of a hat."

I've also been longing for some type of good Bible Study to attend and have not been able to find one within our area. Any Bible Study I have ever done has blessed me and certainly enhanced my walk with the Lord. I felt such a longing today that I checked out Beth Moore's website to see what she might be offering online at this time and BINGO there it was - a study of 1st Peter, Proving Us Genuine. It was as though the Lord said, "here it is, now do it." So, this afternoon I began the study and did one session. It is a 10 session study and I can do it however I choose. I think I'm going to do at least a couple of studies a week but will see as I go along. There are study guides that go along with each session and I have downloaded and run those off. I can either listen to Beth or watch her and listen to her. It is so wonderful that this "high tech" age offers such great opportunities. Of course, there are those that might not care to do a Bible Study by sitting at a computer, but it is sometimes a most convinent option and you do not have to comply with anyone else's time schedule but your own.

I'm exited about both of these and look forward to the weeks ahead and I strive to be "more about Him and less about Me."

Hopefully the scripture memorization, along with the Bible Study will be the "boost" that I have been needing spiritually.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

I'm finally back....................

It is so good to be back to my blogging. I've missed it, but ever since we got in from Oklahoma, I've had lots to do and catch up on. Seems any time we're gone for a time, there's just lots to tend to when we return home. I wish that I could "fly by the seat of my pants" but it is just not my nature, and likely it will not be at this point. I MUST have my "ducks in a row!" :)

I want to share a few of my favorite photos taken while we were there.


Is there anything sweeter than these fat legs and feet?

I tell Clancy all the time that his CiCi loves him "best of all."

This one has BABY written all over it! I LOVE it!



He playing with the wooden rattler that his Great Grandpa (my Dad) made for him. It's made out of
one piece of wood. Really amazing!



Clancy enjoying some "Poppa time" and Poppa enjoying some "Clancy time."

I sometimes sit and think about the world that Clancy and our future Grandchildren are going to grow up in and it is almost scary to me. I began praying for my Grandchildren many years ago and now that we have a Grandchild, it is a top priority of my prayer life. I also pray for my children as they parent their children. What a task! But, I know that the Lord will bless their efforts as they strive to raise their children in the "nurture and admonition"of the Lord. I pray that all of our Grandchildren will grow up to be wonderful Christians and bring honor and glory to the Lord in all they do. There is no greater success!

Well, I must stop blogging and go get ready to head to Monroe with hubby. We're off to get life jackets and such for his new boat. I will save that for another blog. :)

A happy Saturday and a wonderful Lord's Day to you all...........

Monday, April 13, 2009

Hitting the Road Back Tomorrow

It is a beautiful Monday morning here in Stillwater, a bit chilly, but nonetheless, beautiful. Yesterday was dreary, rained all day and chilly but in no way hampered the meaning of Easter in our hearts. Yes, a beautiful day would have made it doubly good, but our Lord is to be celebrated everyday no matter the weather.

We are enjoying Clancy again today. He is napping as I write but will likely wake up in about 30 minutes and will be anxious for his bottle. It is such fun to cradle him in my arms and give him his bottle. Just so precious!

While we hate to leave Clancy, we are ready to return home. Be it ever so humble, there IS not place like home. We will probably hit the road fairly early and that will get us home by mid-afternoon. Rosco and Rhett will likely greet us with open arms, or maybe I should say, open paws. :) They will be ready to join us tomorrow evening for a little "indoor time."

It is so interesting to watch the changing of the seasons between here and home. We are much "greener" at home for sure. The trees are just now budding here, no blooming plants yet and just not the look of spring. Probably will be another couple of weeks. I prefer our look at home for sure because I love spring so much and the earlier I see the signs of spring, the better I like it.

Must go and go baby boy's bottle ready and be watching for pictures shortly. I don't upload pictures here because I'm tied to the internet via my phone and it is so-o-o-o slow when it comes to graphics. It does great otherwise and I'm just glad to have a way to "stay in the loop."

A happy week to everyone!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Good Friday , Wind Gusts and Fires

It's Good Friday and I'm sitting here watching Clancy play in his ExerSaucer and listening to his "happy noises." It is so amazing how babies change in a short 6 month period. Clancy has gone from a babe in arms, pretty much no response to us to very active, full of personality and always glad for an audience. Don't think I really appreciated all the different stages in my own children, but find it so amazing to watch now that I have a Grandchild. Guess that's why the Lord gives us Grandchildren to enjoy when we are older. :) Bridget and I will take him this afternoon to have his 6 month portrait taken. Hopefully he will "perform" well. Right now Clancy is watching the birds outside the den window. They have a feeder placed nearby and the birds are flocking to it this windy, cold morning. Clancy is fascinated!

There are wildfires all around the area and some nearby. The wind has blown unbelievably and is making it near impossible to control the fires. So many have lost homes and land and others are doing all they can to keep from becoming a victim themselves. Another sad situation.........

I am so thankful for what this day means in my life and the assurance that it gives me. Knowing that the Lord has prepared for me an eternal home and that He has everything under control is the supreme comfort. He is ALIVE !

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Notes from Stillwater

Hubby and I arrived here at our condo in Stillwater around noon today. We left yesterday afternoon and drove half way. We never do that, but we sort of enjoyed cutting the trip in half. After getting settled in, we went and picked up Clancy from daycare and enjoyed playing with him. He is so much more active and makes so much noise. He'll be back in the morning and after his morning nap, we'll head out to their house for the remainder of the day.

I fixed spaghetti for dinner this evening and Bridget and Clint ate with us and visited a while before heading home. I wish the rest of our family could have joined us!

I do think that Grandparenting is a wonderful deal, we get to enjoy our grandchildren, love them and spoil them and then return them to their parents. Doesn't get much better than that! :) I use the word "spoil" very loosely because I do not ever plan to allow my grandchildren to do anything that their parents do not allow them to do. But, I do plan to have "special things" that they will do with us that they don't "get" to do with their Dad and Mom. There is a difference! I will do all that I can to help my children reinforce their teachings.

I need to head towards bed and get rested up for a big day with Clancy tomorrow.

I do hope that each of us are preparing our hearts for a most special Easter Sunday as we celebrate our Risen Savior. Of course, we should celebrate Him everyday!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Zinneas and "other stuff"

The past two days have been almost perfect Spring days and I had to get outside and "play in the dirt." I love potting plants in pots and decorating our patio with them. I always have two large Kimberly Queen ferns in each corner and a couple of Fluffy Ruffle ferns hanging. We have a huge Foxtail fern that we have had for about 4 -5 years and it always catches folks eye and makes for good conversation. I vary from year to year what I put in the 4-5 other large pots and this year decided that I would put Zinneas in them. I filled them absolutely full and in a few weeks they will make gorgeous bouquets of brilliant color. I will definitely try to post photos when they "show their faces" becuase I know you will want to see. :)

My Dad came over this afternoon and we had coffee outside on the patio and enjoyed the beautiful day while we visited over a piece of freshly made pound cake along with the coffee. Dad had not seen the newly decorated rooms, so I gave him a tour before he left and he was impressed. I would love for my Mom to see them, she always enjoyed my projects with me. As I've said so many times since her death, there's just no one quite as interested in every detail of our life as our Mothers.

We will celebrate an early Easter and a late birthday for Tommy tomorrow evening with Brandon, Windy and Daddy. They will come over and have dinner and then we'll likely get involved with Dominos or a card game. I always look forward to time with family!

We're looking forward to seeing our Oklahoma Family this coming week and seeing Clancy's new tricks and getting some really "sweet sugar."

We will celebrate Palm Sunday tomorrow, preparation for the week leading up to Easter. What a special, special season! HE arose and because He did, I'll never be the same.

Happy Palm Sunday to each of you!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Making progress

I am a tired gal this evening. I've been working all day long putting things back together in the upstairs bedrooms and in our bedroom. It is nice to have the painting and wallpapering done. I am pleased with my new window treatments and bedding in the bedrooms and now to find decorative pieces or art to go on the walls. They are really, really bare right now. It will likely take a while to find "just the right stuff." Our new den furniture is suppose to arrive next week and our new entertainment center/gun cabinet should be ready in a couple of weeks. Then I can finish the upstairs loft area. I may have to post a couple of pictures when I get through. :)

I am anxiously awaiting the results of American Idol tonight. Danny and Chris were great last night and got "rave reviews" from the judges. It's always fun to guess who will be going home from one week to the next.

We will be going to Ok. next Wed. to check all of Clancy's new tricks. I get videos and pictures almost daily of his latest entertainment and can't wait to see if for myself. He will be 6 months old tomorrow and is at such a fun age and I love to squeeze his fat rolls. We won't turn around twice and he'll be a year old. Time really does go by way too fast. I'm grateful we get to share in his life as often as we do. Stillwater is just entirely too far away! :)

I think I stressed my lower back today with all my activity. I've got an ice pack on it right now and it is feeling so much better. Back discomfort is such a bummer!

A terrific Thursday to all of you!