There are people who make $150 per hour.

In fact, we could probably name many professions that make far above that.

However, I certainly don't earn that kind of money, nor does anyone in my immediate family.

So, when our pipes quit piping, and our shower, sinks, and unmentionables wouldn't drain Saturday, we called a local plumber. One of the "little guys". Trying to save a buck as well as support the smaller company. He worked, complained a lot, worked more, whined a little more, until he finally gave up and said he couldn't fix it. We paid a "come out and stare at the problem and complain" fee, and sent him on his way.

We moved on to the bigger company. The one we knew would have the equipment and knowledge to fix this very inconvenient problem.

They charge $75 for each 30 minutes they are there working. (Do they think that sounds better than $150 per hour?)

They discovered great problems stemming back to the original building of the house. Between that, and some tree roots, we had a very pricey problem on our hands.

The guy looked at my son and said he could dig the hole for $150 an hour, or we could and he would come back tomorrow. We opted for strong son to dig.

Sweet, Willing, Capable, Very Strong Son dug for about 3 hours and finally, hit pipe! Whoo - Hoo! We put reflectors, caution tape, dirt piles all around the massive hole and called it a night.

Sunday morning, plumber shows up, works with son (who stayed home from church to save us more money!) and fixes the problem. Plumber assures us he knows we're "good people" and he will give us a bill that reflects that. He will "do his best to take care of us".

Total? $1227.50

Wow! I'm still in shock...what if son hadn't worked so hard? What if we hadn't been "good folk"? Really wanted to look him straight in the eye and just sweetly say..."are you high? have you hit your head? you're kidding me, right?" But, I didn't.

Wrote out the check and felt sorry for myself.

Daughter called later that night and after whining to her she finally said..."momma, you're sounding pitiful. Quit feeling sorry for yourself. In two weeks, I'm coming home and we'll all be together. Isn't that what matters at Christmas? It's a stupid pipe. Get over it."

Hmmm...somebody raised her well.

So, thank you, Mr. Plumber, for not only satisfying the immediate problem, but actually fixing it properly.

Thank you, sweet son, for working very hard all weekend to help our family save hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

Thank you sweet daughter, for reminding me that it's just a stupid pipe.

The most valuable thing in my life isn't a "thing" at all. It's those deep, beautiful, eternal relationships that God has provided through His love...

Blessings.

Packages

One of my very favorite things to do is send packages to my daughter.

As you all know (all to well, I would imagine at my constant conversation of this point), she is in Texas studying to become a teacher. I don't know if it's the actual sending, or the gathering that I so thoroughly enjoy. I love collecting things here and there. Cheap chick flicks, lip gloss, fun paper and pens, magnets, trail mix, silly cards, gift cards, etc.

I take as much care in the "packaging" of the package as I do the "gathering" of the package. I stuff coordinating tissue (the color will match whatever the 'theme' of the package is...i.e. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day, etc...) into the box and then, right before I close the top for taping, I blow kisses into it. A greeting card with a $20 bill is always sitting right on top of the mounds of tissue. I've never asked specifically, but my guess is that with all the pretty packing tissue and crinkle paper, things don't move a bit in the delivery!

Finally, it's time to tape. I write her name on the "To" section and in the "From" section, I draw a heart next to the word "Home", and then my address. I always use different color markers that coordinate with the tissue inside. (by now, if my Mom is reading this, she's shaking her head at me)

Then, I use enough tape to wrap around the earth a couple of times and finally, it's off to the post office to ask them the same question I ask every time.

"What's the fastest you can get this to my girl?"

They always tell me the "middle" fastest one first, then the longest time and then finally, the fastest. I never go with the fastest. It's usually more expensive than the contents of the package, so I go middle. Even though I want to go with the FASTEST.

I don't know what happens exactly to those packages between the time I leave it at the post office and she picks it up at school. I DO know, however, when she gets one she knows without a doubt that she's loved, thought of often, cared for deeply, and missed...really missed.

It's so good to know someone is thinking, praying, and caring for you even when you're not physically standing beside them. It's even better to get evidence of that!

There's a sermon in there somewhere...

Blessings.

Tennis 101

My sweet daughter is taking a tennis class to complete the final Physical Ed requirement for her degree. This class is Tues/Thurs mornings and she has labored through it with great determination. She hates tennis. She is a softball / volleyball player, and really doesn't understand the concept of letting the ball bounce before you hit it gently across the court. No...her idea of "sport" is to see the ball coming, aggressively charge it, and either knock it out of the park with the bat, or spike it down the throat of the opposing player across the net with all your might.

The first week she was in this class, she texted me with this news...

"Dear Mama, I'll never make it to Wimbledon. Sorry to disappoint you. Love, Ashley."

This has been a source of comedy and laughter throughout the semester. The good news is, my girl has a tremendous sense of humor and can make any situation funny in spite of itself!

Today, though, after many weeks of plugging through, here came this news.

"Dear Mama,
I scored a point in tennis. The class clapped! It was so funny. It just happened and my sweet little team and I got so excited that we had to sit down cause we were laughing so hard. The TA just smiled. He tries to be serious, but that just doesn't work with me in your Tennis class!
Love,
Ashley"

I love that girl.
Blessings...

The Invasion

It hit our house...
The invasion of the germs...

Son and I are literally tip toeing around (like that's going to help!) thinking if the germs can't hear us, we'll get away without catching anything. We're talking quieter, walking quieter. I've moved into daughter's bedroom for the time being and closed the door to the room filled with germs, with husband in it.

I take him his meals, put them as close inside the door as I can without really stepping in. I hold my breath while I'm in there! It feels like I haven't inhaled in a full day. Little tiny breaths...no deep breaths to tempt the germs to jump to my inhalations.

Husband has H1N1...Swine flu. Ick! He said his head feels like it's going to split open and even his hair hurts! Poor baby.

For a guy who hates being alone, this is awful. Not only does he feel horrible, but we're lovingly treating him like he has the plague.

Hope the germs give up and go away.

Blessings.

Good Song

Some weeks are easier than others. Some moments are calmer, sweeter, more fun, less stressful...

We've had difficult times. Nothing earth shattering. You know, those "little hits" that just seem to keep coming and don't give you a minute to catch your breath from the last hit.

Financial issues, Health struggles, Decisions difficult to deal with, Heartbreak, Sadness, Disappointment, Worry...it goes on.

Driving out to a football game last night, a song came on the radio. My husband was driving, my son in the front seat and I in the back. I wasn't listening until my husband turned it up just a bit, and while driving reached his arm back and just patted my leg while it played. I'd never heard it before, or maybe I just hadn't paid attention, but the words were precious. He sang quietly, driving, singing, patting.

Nothing else mattered. He is so good at reminding me that very few things are worth worrying about, and always reminds me of the blessings we have. What a true partner and precious blessing he is to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRrSUwqnZj0

How Long?

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted!

The bad news is, there isn't a reason. Nothing exciting. Nothing new. Nothing to keep me from it...I just haven't thought there was anything worthy to post.

Proverbs 17:28
Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Or, as I remember my Dad quoting Abraham Lincoln:
"Better to be quiet and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt!"

Blessings!

Outbursts

*effusion: an unrestrained expression of emotion
*a sudden intense happening; "an outburst of heavy rain"; "a burst of lightning"
*a sudden violent disturbance

The word "outburst" is typically associated with the last definition listed above..."a sudden violent disturbance".

Sometimes, as parents, we've experienced our toddlers having "outbursts" at inappropriate moments.



At times, a parent may have an "outburst" if patience has run thin.

And, let's be honest here, ever been to some type of church Committee Meeting?

Well, anyway, as I was reading recently, I ran across a scripture that stuck with me and I've posted on my wall beside my desk...just to remind me that some outbursts can be good!

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds! Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)

May your outbursts be many!
Blessings!

30

What you are looking at is approximately 30 pounds of butter.

That's what I've lost...so far...

Well, I've not lost 30 lbs of butter, but whatever that is that you lose when you're trying to lose weight.

Fat, Water, Muscle, your mind...

Anyway, I've lost 30 lbs of it.

Blessings.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate

If you are a fan of peanut butter and chocolate...together...at the same time...

Let me introduce you to my latest creation, of which I'm rather proud. Nothing complicated. Just delicious.

Home made brownies.
Peanut Butter Icing (home made, of course)
Peanut Butter Cups chopped and placed on top. (those, I'm ashamed to say, are store bought!)

Anyway, that's all I have to say about that.

I'm not stepping on the scale until Monday.

Blessings.

Hard Day

Is there a chocolate diet? An "all carbs all the time" diet? How about a "fry everything" diet?

The trouble with mirrors, is that you can see yourself in them.

The problem with cameras is they take pictures of you that are posted then in the church foyer for all to see...(along with others, of course, but the others look good and unfat)

The problem with video taping your church worship time is that even though you weren't the object of the taping, you are all you can see when watching it with disgust!

Whew! Hard day today. I am posting this because I'm just sure there may be one or two others out there who relate. Even though I am equally sure there are those reading this who have no idea what I'm talking about and maybe even think I'm a little silly.

I am struggling like crazy to not just lose weight, but to really like myself in the process...(whether I lose weight or not!)

So, excuse me while I search some scripture and listen to some music. Feeling fat and empty.
Blessings.

Lock In

"Lock In"

• close with or as if with a tight seal; "This vacuum pack locks in the flavor!"
• place in a place where something cannot be removed or someone cannot escape

Husband is the interim Youth Minister until arrangements can be made for another person to take over this spectacular group of kids. He loves the job, he loves the study, he loves the questions, he loves the games, he particularly loves the kids. He is really not more than about "12" himself, maybe "15" on a good day, so this is a dream job for him!

Monday is a holiday, so what must be done on a holiday weekend? Take your wife to the beach? Clean out a closet or two? Do some creative landscaping?

Oh no, silly...on a long weekend you plan things for the youth group. Things like a "lock in". (see definition #2 above)

These kids show up at 5:30 Sunday night. Enjoy some dinner together...many games...prayer...devotional with question and answer time...movies...snacks...etc. The alarm is set on the building so there can be no entering by strangers or exiting by students.

It is now 4:45 a.m. and husband is still irritatingly chipper and happy and full of energy. Me? I feel old and sore and very tired! In about an hour and a half, I will put some breakfast out for them and then they will head home...to sleep...except for one precious young man who has football practice at 7:00 a.m. Can you imagine? Staying up all night and then heading to football practice?

Let me think about that for a minute...I can't even imagine having football practice on a full night sleep, much less no sleep at all!

Well, bless them all. They are wonderful young people with sweet hearts and happy spirits. I do feel blessed to be around them...even if it means I miss a night of my beauty sleep. I can sleep any time, right? How often do you get to hang out with such cool young people!?

Blessings!

Heart of Praise

If you check out our minister's blog @ http://jlockeblog.blogspot.com/ , you will read about a "Retreat" the ministers of this church experienced last week.

For many reasons, which I will save for another post, it was a very funny experience. Lots of things to be learned about each other. You can't drive for hours and spend a complete day together without learning something new, and laughing a time or two.

However, one of my favorite things was the opportunity to sit on a bench overlooking the ocean. As I listened to the waves crash against the cliff, and watched the water come in and then gently retreat back to the sea, I couldn't help but have a heart of praise and wonder.

It doesn't matter what I'm going through personally, I thought as I sat there. Good or bad, it is tiny compared to the glory of God and the splendor He possesses.

^{Psalm 57:7}
My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.

I couldn't help but sing...quietly...calmly...most assuredly in the arms of the great and mighty God.

Blessings as you feel His arms of love around you today.

My Diet, My Faith

I have probably tried almost any diet that has come down the hatch.

Cabbage Soup, Grapefruit, High Protein Low Carb, High Carb Low Protein, Vegetarian, Banana, Weight Watcher...and the list goes on.

I hesitate to write this because as I write, it puts spotlight to my struggle...and who wants that?! If you know me at all, you know the last thing I want to do is acknowledge or focus on my faults, my weaknesses. Ick...feeling a little shiver rise in me as I even say this!

However, today, I came to a conclusion I felt needed to be shared.

There are diets. Every diet is a successful diet as long as you stay on it. If you only eat certain things for a period of time, whatever they may be, you will lose weight. However, in walks real life and you find yourself "straying" from the "diet". Birthday parties with yummy cake, Christmas time with lots of parties and social "eating" times, difficulties that cause you to reach for something delicious to "comfort" your soul...(we all know that doesn't work, but feels good at the time). So, you leave whatever that "diet" says to do and you find yourself gaining not only what you've lost, but a few more on top of it...(can I get an "amen" somewhere, please!?) Your body is starving for something more...balance.

The only successful "diet plan", is a life change plan. Something that changes you from the inside out. Something that allows you to be sturdy when the things come along to trip you up.

Similar to those "fad diets", there are "fad religions". We can "do" all that looks good on the outside. Follow all the "rules" of the day. Go to church. Clean up our language (in front of people). Watch "appropriate shows". Support the right things. "Do" all that is required of us to "look" like genuine strong religious people. We can live this way all our lives and never be shaken from it.

But what happens when life throws you a curve? What happens when you are heartbroken? What happens when you or your spouse are out of work? What happens when your children disappoint you? What happens when your family lets you down? What happens when you become very ill? What happens when you find yourself deep in the dark moments of depression, or guilt, or anger, or sadness?

Where is your faith? What sustains you?

Have you been rooted in "doing"? Or rooted in Christ?

Is your faith a faith of what looks good to others? Or a genuine deep heart that follows Christ?

I struggle with my weight. I always will. Forever, until He takes me and gives me a new body. (Praise God!)
I'm losing a tiny bit at a time as I learn to change the way I look at food. I have days that I feel very successful in this journey, as I have days that I feel like a failure.

I struggle with being the best Christ follower I can be. I always will. Forever, until He calls me to Him for eternity. (again, Praise God!)
My walk is an ever changing journey as I seek and discover His will for my life. I have days that I feel very successful in this journey, as I have days that I feel like a failure.

Colossians 2:6-10 Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Colossians 3:1-3 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

I pray for God to change me from the inside out!

Blessings on your journey.

I Was Going How Fast?!

Let me set the stage...

Driving to Abilene.

Already gone over 1300 miles with just a bit to go.

The G.P.S., (whom we've named "Sheila") tells us to turn onto a particular road that we've not traveled before any of the last 6 times making this trip. But, we've trusted her this far and will trust her until we know better. At this point, we don't know better.

Very long road with NOT ONE OTHER CAR ANYWHERE to be seen, but here we go...
Late afternoon, rolling into evening, still driving this two lane deserted road. Nothing is familiar to daughter or I, but Sheila still stands her ground as to the direction we should be going.

Sun will be setting soon, and if you've not been out in New Mexico or Texas when the sun sets, it's the darkest dark I've ever seen!

I start going faster because I see Sheila says only 27 miles until I change roads and I'm hoping in 27 miles, something will look familiar to me. So I'm going a tad bit fast. Finally, see approaching headlights coming toward us in the opposite lane. Very glad to see other signs of life...until said vehicle just barely passes me and whips a U-turn and turns on his little red and blue lights.

Mama lets out a bit of an exclamation and daughter says..."What are we going to do?"
"Well, sweet girl, we're gonna stop. And don't say a word. Just sit there. Everything will be fine."

Sweet older gentleman sheriff comes walking, (more like moseying) toward our truck...

"Hi" I say.
"Good evening, ma'am." (looking into the window to check out all the "stuff" piled in the back seat for daughter's move)...
"Hi" I say again
"Where are we headed?" he asks
"I'm taking my daughter to Abilene."
"Goin a little fast." he says
"Oh really? I didn't realize that. We've been driving so long I must have lost track. I'm so sorry." I reply
"I clocked you goin about 89" he tells me.
*GASP* (I put my hand over my mouth in disbelief!) "I never drive that fast. I'm so sorry" I say again.
"You can't trust those things" he says pointing to 'Sheila the G.P.S.' in the window. "They aren't accurate when calculating your speed."
"Oh, I didn't know that..." I reply thinking that satellites linking up all over the world are probably fairly accurate, but who am I to argue..

As he pats me on the arm, he says, "well, I'm just gonna give you a warning. Maybe you just needed a 5 minute break. Lemme see your drivers license and I'll be right back. You just sit here for a minute and rest."

So, I hand him my license feeling like I may get through this without a ticket. As he walks away, my daughter says in a quiet panic voice..."What are we gonna do? He's running your license. What's he checking?"

"Oh, honey, don't worry...he's running my license...not my credit history! Everything's fine. Just stay quiet."

He comes back returning my license to me smiling and still patting my arm. "You girls be careful. Slow it down a bit. You're almost there. And if she were mine...I'd have put her on a bus and said 'so long'!"

I laugh politely and reach over to pat my girl who I know wants badly to comment on his "bus" statement. But she, too, is smiling politely...

We roll up the windows, put the thing in Drive and head out.

"Wow" daughter says. "That was something, Mom."

"Yeah, I'm just glad he wasn't any younger. We wouldn't have slipped by with just a warning..."

Guitar Great

Guitar Great Les Paul passed away at 94.
Check out this little clip.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=15034187&ch=130510

Nap Time

Soooooo many things to blog about, however, after a call from my girl, I decided this was priceless...

My daughter is close to finishing her degree at ACU. This is her Senior year, with this semester being the last one of actual class instruction, and next (spring) semester will be devoted strictly to her Student Teaching. She was assigned a local First Grade classroom and was required to "shadow" the teacher the week before school started helping with all things "preparatory" for welcoming in your little charges on the first day of school. She did this, and then today was the first day of school

She just called and said that it was funny, exciting, and exhausting. But this story, I believe, took the blue ribbon as far as I'm concerned.

Little Hannah, a new first grader looked at my daughter and asked, (imagine with a little girl Texas "drawl")

"Do we get naps in first grade, Miss Ashley?"
"No, Hannah," my daughter replied, "you're a big kid now. There are no naps in First Grade."
"Well, who thought of that?!" exclaimed Hannah irritated.
"I don't know", replied Miss Ashley, "but I think whoever it was should be put in 'time out'!"
"Yes ma'am" replied little Hannah.

I'm with Hannah. Who thought to take naps away?

I could go for one right this minute!
Blessings.

Time to Go

Sweet Daughter and I will soon take off for the drive we have become all too familiar with...

Fresno to Abilene, Abilene to Fresno

This is the week, beginning with Saturday, that I say things like, "this is the last Sunday you'll be here for a while, where do you want to go for lunch?" Or, "make sure you give me all those clothes so I can get them washed before we leave.." But the thing she can count on me saying over and over is this...

"Don't Go"

I say it with a twinkle in my eye and a tiny smile, because she knows I don't really mean "Don't Go".

Those two little words really mean a few different things.

"I can't believe my sweet little girl is in college."
"Goodness I miss you when you're gone."
"Of course you have to go...you let God lead your life and this is His direction."
"I am so. . .very. . . proud of you."

Just as she can count on me to say "Don't Go", her response is always the same.

"I love you, too, mama. And I have to go so I can come back."

I sure love that girl.

Blessings.

Bible Depot

Last weekend, my little family and I escaped for a couple of days to the beach for a quick mini vacation before Ashley returns to Texas and Avery gets back in school here. This summer has absolutely flown by.

So, while driving down the main street in Grover Beach, (on our way to a wonderful Frozen Yogurt shop we found) Ashley and I spotted this sign. We went by quickly the first time, turned to each other and asked if we had really seen what we thought we had seen. So, on the way back, we attempted to look again, but weren't quite sure where it was and missed it. We managed throughout the weekend to pass it multiple times, each time exclaiming at the awkwardness of the sign. Not sure why it made us so uncomfortable, and amused, but it did.

Was it the picture of Jesus? Is that a Bible he's holding? I'm fairly certain there weren't any leather bound scriptures while he walked and taught here on earth... Or, is it because the grammar is correct? Really? The apostrophe is in the correct spot and it says "Your" instead of the casual "Yo" typically used in that phrase?

Well, if the purpose of the sign is to catch your attention, it's successful...awkward, but successful.

Blessings!

July 30

There are lots of things I like about my big brother.

He is gentle and kind.

He LOVES books and reading.

He is current, up to date, well informed.

He really is hard to beat at most games. . . my goal is to find games I can win and play those over and over with him. So far, haven't found one.

He can tell and appreciate a good joke.

He loves my children and has always spoken with them intelligently and respectfully...even though he is the grown up and they are the kids.

He BBQ's a great hamburger!

He is extremely intelligent.

The list is endless as far as I'm concerned...however, my very favorite thing about my brother is this:

He is ALWAYS glad to see me. Whenever he sees me, whether for a specific purpose or no reason at all, my brother makes me feel extremely loved and welcome by the way he treats me.

I love my brother.
Happy Birthday, Rich!

Chili Cheese Fries and 3D!

One of my favorite people in the world is Salma Sue.

She's beautiful inside and out.

We became friends because the church decided to pair up a student with an adult. This adult had the task of getting to know, pray for, and generally love this student throughout the school year. Salma was not "assigned" to me, I chose her. I had been watching her grow and was impressed with her poise and gentle spirit and wanted to get to know her better.

At the end of last year, we decided we weren't sure what the "official" rules of student/adult pairing were, but we were sticking together. And so, we have.

The pictures above are from a phone camera, so they aren't the typical quality, but you can see us at the movies with our fancy 3-D glasses on, and then as we headed to eat a bite, we all (Ashley was with us) decided that sharing a plate of chili cheese fries sounded perfect! With cheese and onion, of course!

Such a fun day!
Such a special girl!

Blessings~