Happy July 1st

Happy July 1, 2010 The first half of the year is gone. How did you do on your New Year’s Resolutions? Do you even remember what they were? I’m sorry to say I didn’t do so hot on mine. But I still have the rest of the year to pull it together. July is known for being the month of Independence, celebrated with fireworks and cook-outs. But many people are not aware of the other things of importance that happened in history. Today in history the following occurred: 1863 - The Battle of Gettysburg, which marked the turning point in the Civil War, began. 1943 - Income tax withholding began in the United States. (Yippee, like we want to celebrate that). 1963 - The U.S. Post Office inaugurated its five-digit ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) codes. (Never knew the ZIP stood for something. I thought it just mean “speedier mail” 1997 - After 156 years of British colonial rule, Hong Kong was returned to China. 2000 - The Confederate flag was removed from the South Carolina statehouse. July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month. Be sure and put you phones on silent or turn them off when attending church, court, or public events. When you must use your phone in public, please be aware that everyone around you can hear what you say. My number one pet cell phone peeve is to be sitting enjoying a wonderful lunch/dinner with my husband in a nice restaurant and the jerk in the booth next to me spends most of his/her meal on the cell phone cursing and arguing with someone. Be aware that not everybody wants to be involved in your drama. Remember that cell phones are wonderful devices that you can use to talk in a normal tone. There is no need to increase your own volume and talk loud just because you are on the phone. If you must take a call, please say “Excuse me.” I am constantly seeing people in the middle of a discussion with someone and the phone rings and they whip it out with a hello and totally ignore who they are with. I used to work with a couple of women who would spend 90% of our lunches together being on the cell phone with their mother or husband. I ended up eating quietly and finally quit going with them because of their rudeness. Don’t invite someone to do something with you and then spend the majority of the time you are together on your cell phone. That’s about it for today. Have a wonderful July!

An unfinished project...

How many of you start a project only to make it half way through? I am notorious for that. I'm still knitting a scarf that I started 6 years ago. And it is just straight knitting. I like to make things in plastic canvas and get so excited when I see new yarn. I have several projects that I haven't finished because I just can't seem to find the time. My good friend, Debbie, gave us instructions on her blog on how to make a rag quilt. I am starting small. I bought material to do doll quilts for the granddaughters. But haven't even cut the first square yet. I used to worry about it until it dawned on me that in God's eyes, we are all a work in progress. Philippians 1:6 says: "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." So, if God can continually work on me without getting aggravated and giving up, then I will just continue to work on my projects until I see them through.

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.