The mini-series....

I have a bad habit and wonder if any of you suffer from the same malady. When I go to tell someone about something that happened, my story usually involves an entire mini-series. I'm sure you know people like that. For example, a normal person would say "I went to Wal-mart the other day and they were having a great sale on picture frames." I would say, " Saturday, me and Diana were going to Wal-mart because I wanted to look for a new tablecloth. Actually, we went to Jefferson City because we were on our way home from Knoxville. It is still laid out the old way. They had the best craft department. I picked up some material for the doll quilts......" on and on and on, until I forget that the point of the story was to tell you picture frames were on sale. That's as bad as when I call to check on auto parts and they ask me what type of truck, I say "2002 Red Ford F150." Now I ask you, is a starter for a Ford F150 a different version for a red versus a blue truck. The color doesn't matter, but I will invariably tell them what color it is. And what about people trying to tell you that you remember something when you know you don't? I'll say something to Mom about "Remember the time...." and she'll say no I don't remember that. And then I proceed to say, "yes you do. Remember, such and such was there and so and so said this..". I know it must be aggravating. So if you ever catch me taking you through one of my mini-series, just say "Short version, please."

No great wisdoms to impart today.

No humorous message to send your way.

No urge to work, no urge to play.

Simply me, wishing you a great day.

Something happened this morning that blows my mind. I am at a loss for words. As you all know, there is NEVER a time when I have nothing to say. But this morning is just "blah". I'm tired. I'm hot (already). Allergies or sinuses are about to drive me crazy. My cough has turned croupy. I would just love to have a huge rain come down and wash all the bad air away. I feel lethargic. Not in a bad way, just that I don't feel anything. No urge to work or clean house. No urge to shop or play. Not sad, not happy. I just am. I just feel like turning the air to freezing and pulling the blanket up around me and snuggling in bed for a few more hours. But my day awaits. Hope you have a great one.

Just another adventure....

I have a dear friend on Facebook who was driving her car and the steering column fell out right in her lap. She is fine, but getting off the road and stopped was a harrowing experience. When she posted the details, in a humorous light I might add, on Facebook, she made a comment that just stuck with me. She said "I'm fine. It was scary, but just another adventure." She is a very strong Christian and I thought, what a way to look at things. How many times in your life do you get into a situation that is not of your making or is out of your control? How many times do you worry about things that you can do nothing about? Do you let stress get you down when you face mountains? I think from now on, instead of worrying and being all "woe is me", I'm going to look at what I go through, deal with, attend to as "just another adventure." To quote my favorite line from Steel Magnolias, "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger."

One of my all time favorite poetry writers is Helen Steiner Rice. I had a book of her poetry when I was younger and have had many bookmarks over the years that had her poems on it. Here is my all time favorite that always reminds me to be content with what I have, for it is what God wants for me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. There is a legend that has often been told Of the boy who searched for the Windows of Gold. The beautiful windows he saw far away When he looked in the valley at sunrise each day. And he yearned to go down to the valley below But lived on a mountain covered with snow, And he knew it would be a difficult trek, But that was a journey he wanted to make. So he planned by day and he dreamed by night Of how he could reach The Great Shining Light. And one golden morning when dawn broke through And the valley sparkled with diamond of dew. He started to climb down the mountainside With the Windows of Gold as his goal and his guide. He traveled all day and, weary and worn, With bleeding feet and clothes that were torn. He entered the peaceful valley town Just as the Golden Sun went down. But he seemed to have lost his "Guiding Light," The windows were dark that had once been bright. And hungry and tired and lonely and cold He cried, "Won't You Show Me The Windows of Gold?" And a kind hand touched him and said, "Behold! High On The Mountain Are The Windows of Gold." For the sun going down in a great golden ball Had burnished the windows of his cabin so small, And the Kingdom of God with its Great Shining light, Like the Golden Windows that shone so bright. It's not a far distant place, somewhere, It's as close to you as a silent prayer, And your search for God will end and begin When you look for Him and find Him within. Author: Helen Steiner Rice

Why you don't put suds in play dishwater....

I was doing dishes yesterday and Shelby wanted to help me. When we were done, she was upset that their was nothing left to wash. So being a resourceful grandmother, I pulled out a chair and gave her a bowl of water, a dishcloth, dish towels and some of her play dishes. She had a bowl. She wash and rinse and then wash them again. It was so much fun to watch her.

When she took a drink of her dishwater, it made me glad I didn't go the bubble route by putting dishwashing liquid in it. It's gross enough to drink from a bowl you've been playing in, but if it had contained suds it would have been worse.

As I watched her play, knowing I'd have a mess when she was done, I wondered why messes do not bother us as much with our grandchildren as they did with our kids? Do we grow more patient as we grow older? Or do we finally come to realize that they are small for such a short while.

As parents, all the responsibility falls on our shoulders to raise them right, provide for them, help them grow. As grandparents, our job is so simple.... play with them and love them....and don't let them get hurt while you are the one in charge.

When I get to play with my grandkids, it's like be little again and have dolls that are interactive. Thank God for grandbabies.

How sad.....

How sad is it to reach 53 years old, work for a living since you were 18, hold down jobs where you are a manager over 10 employees, start your own business and run it successfully, but have to call your mom and say "How to you fix scrambled eggs?" That's right. I do not know how to cook. Well at least not very much stuff. I can do meatloaf and hamburgers or hotdogs. I can boil an egg and make a few "easy" items. But I have never fixed a scrambled egg. I've watched Allen many times, but never really paid much attention. I was always the one who volunteered to keep the little ones out of the kitchen while others did the cooking. I was the one who received a cook book as a wedding gift that was titled "How to Boil Water". I was the one who had the picky appetite and didn't care how it was fixed as long as I didn't have to eat it. I was the one who loved desserts and can bake anything coming and going. But, cook? Not me. When I called Mom and asked "How do you fix scramble eggs?" I can just imagine her standing their, staring at the phone and sadly shaking her head. Some things are probably better left unasked.

My life

As I sit here thinking of the life that I have led, I think of all the things I’ve done and all the things I’ve said. I think about the paths I chose that brought me to this spot. I think of all the things I am and all the things I’m not. But when it all is said and done and I journey on my way, I know it’s not about what I was, but what I am today. It’ not about the things I’ve said, or how I used to be. It’s all about the life I lived, once Jesus set me free. I’ve come to understand myself a lot better than before. I’m filled with peace and joy and hope for all the things in store. For when I reach my heavenly home and walk on streets of gold, It will be about my brand new life and not my days of old. Copyright Brenda Keefer