I Think It Very Strange

Have you ever noticed that just when you think everything is running well...the wheels on the bus COME OFF! It is just as it should be I guess. God reminds us there is time for everything....a season for everything. You will have your moments of rest just in time to rest up for the fight. I guess it is no surprise that the older I get the more it doesn't take me by surprise anymore. I know in my times of rest that I should do just that because I am being energized for a reason. But another thing that I notice the older I get (yes I am having one of those birthday reflections) is how STRANGE things are getting. I don't mean your average "weird" stupid moment days I mean everything gets a bit strange. I mean really really strange. For instance, I was going through my neighborhood Walmart and noticed this woman talking to herself and shopping in the general area I was shopping. No big deal right? She kept on talking getting louder and louder again walking in my general direction. I thought she just has one of those "bluetooth" devices on and so I ignored her. She then caught my eye and said "hey I am talking to you!" The first thing I noticed...NO BLUETOOTH.....so I said "oh so sorry how can I help you?" She then looked rather annoyed at me and said "I'm not talking to you!"...there was noone else around.....so I went in the other direction fast! There has been a whole week of weirdo moments....I told my husband I think I am wearing "freak" perfume. Every weirdo, crackhead, lunatic and average "I smoked that way too much" person has been lured in my path this week from the scent. Now I know you probably think I am going to end this post in some warm and fuzzy way! I wish I could tell you that I have been brave and faced the crazies head on with some wonderful poetic calmness. No way! I really just want to stay in the confines of my sweet "freakfree" home and enjoy those around me who are just naturally crazy! Good night!

41 YEARS AGO......

Whew! What a day! It all started real early this morning. I walked out of bedroom with streamers, signs and love. I have literally been showered in love and generosity. The day progressed with a special breakfast with my daughter and then picked up my Mom to a full day of Dr. this and Dr. that. No matter where we are going I love the road trip there. We have the best talks about EVERYTHING. And then we arrive at whatever doctor is on the agenda and begin battle mode. Have you ever noticed that with the exception here and there....all doctor's offices smell the same. Maybe it is all the gloves, plastic, alcohol and other "medical" stuff but there is a similar smell that trust me I am sick of and I can only guess my Mom most definitely is sick of. She is always gracious though. She is always smiling. She is always grateful to everyone who draws her blood to??? Every nurse, secretary, and doctor gets the sweetest disposition. Me? I hated the fact that my Mom, my sweet sweet Momma has lost all privacy. I was looking at her today really looking at her and realized 41 years ago she was giving me life....today she is fighting for hers. How crazy is that? Believe me, I still trust in One the only ONE who can part the seas and move mountains. My faith has not been shaken but my heart aches for the sick and poor in health. I know we will all have a vehicle called ______ to journey back to the Creator. I just don't like the ride of cancer. It is vile, it is ugly, it is invading, it is life changing but it can not touch the spirit. I am blown away at her resolve, her peace, her intelligence over her own destiny, her battles, her surrenders. She is truly a remarkable and outstanding lady who just happens to be my Mom. The rest of this day was shared with 2 out of 4 of my favorite people in the world. Alot of laughter, presents and great food but more importantly love...unconditional, beautiful, consuming, life changing LOVE. This love is my refuge, my support, my shelter when the day is long. If you read my blog for whatever reason pray for a sweet little southern lady named Doris, my Mom, my hero.

What is your passion?

What truly is your passion? What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of passion? YEA I KNOW...the dictionary gives several definitions to include strong sexual desire and lust but I am speaking of the definition that says "boundless enthusiasm" (I love that meaning) or "the object of your love, fervor or fire"! Wow what is your passion like that? There is so much that I could label AS my passion but what do I truly want, need to be passionate about. Positively, I could say that my family, my precious husband, my children to include my daughter in law. They are my passion. I am passionate about what they are doing, how they are, their needs, their dreams, their well being. I LOVE MY FAMILY!! There is alot of things I could say I love. I love to read, I love to BLOG, I love to cook, I love to hang out with my friends, I LOVE politics....but passionate? How about my career? I am loving the direction I am going, the training and educating they are sending me to...but again passionate? And then I read of women and men of old who were passionate about our Savior. I see teenagers who are literally enthusiastic about our Lord. Can I really say I am passionate about the things of God? Would I rather have a wonderful nap on Saturday afternoon or join my church to go down to the Hollywood Section of my inner city to tutor inner city kids? Would I rather sit down to a new cookbook or pour the living word of God over my life? How about my Savior? What was HE passionate about? Well that is easy, ME! Boundless enthusiasm and the object of His love was ME was YOU! And yet I am not talking to anyone but me that I need to be deliberate in being passionate about my Lord. It is so easy when you truly start analyzing what He has saved me from, what He has blessed with me, what He is doing in my life even when I do not acknowledge His presence..He is still there! Oh Lord please forgive me for my lack of fervor, fire and passion of the only thing that truly matters!

My Crazy Week

Wow! What a week. This has been the longest "short" week! It ended on such a great note. My Mom, Dad and brother joined us to take a quick trip to Starkville to visit Scott and Brandi. Their residences were great and very clean:) Jeff reminded me as we were driving down that we were going to "Scott's turf". What he meant by that was to keep in mind that we were actually going to Scott's home away from home and how we should allow him to be the host. He was so right! Scott and Brandi took all us to their favorite restaurant and all their favorite places. It meant SO much to my Mom and Dad to be able to visualize where Scott lived. Mom soaked up every minute. It made for a very fun day! She tired quickly but she wouldn't have traded that day for anything! I could not be prouder of these two. Not only are they doing so well in school but they are doing well in life! They have routine and take care of each other. We also went to one of their favorite places x 3! We went to three different "Dirt Cheap". Dirt Cheap is a bargain hunter's dream! It is basically one huge yard sale! When you return something to Walmart without the box do you know where it goes? Dirt Cheap....along with every thing from stores that didn't sell or the box was damaged or maybe a baby doll is missing a hand....CREEPYYYYY. It is hilarious to see some of the things that is in this store. There was the scary "satan" picture as well as the MP3 player that doesn't work....oh and my personal favorite...the empty box without ANYTHING in it! But you can get it for 90% off!!! Did I purchase anything? Well of course...how could you not? Scott got a new chair, Zoey got a new zebra print dog bed (so chic') and Megan got an "egg" alarm clock that changes colors. Oh yes....yes she did! What we got more than anything was ALOT of laughter!! What a great day!

Who do you work for?

I first must start by wishing a lot of Happies! Happy Birthday to the best Mom ever and Happy Birthday to my beautiful niece, Christina who shares her Nana's birthday with her own (a few short years apart). Happy Labor Day to everyone! Thank you for all the hard working people in my life who because of your long days at factories, fields and various other places made my life better! Thank you! Which brings me to a question asked of me this morning.....who was your favorite Boss? I have to admit I have worked for some losers and winners. I have worked for women and men both older than me and younger. I have worked for arrogant know it alls and some very selfless people. I have worked under people whom I admired and poured into my life and gave me opportunities to learn more than I ever would have in "formal" education. And yet, I have worked for people whom I pitied because they were so disconnected and spoiled that they could not love those around them well much less their employees. And who were truly awful people so that made them truly awful bosses. So for all you "employers" out there cherish the great employees God has given you. Don't abuse them! Teach them! Correct them (yes!)...it is your neck on the line but make them better people for the correction. Furthermore, remember they are real people with real lives, real families and really want to do a great job for you. And for the employees...remember we are to submit to even the most aggravating of authorities. (I didn't say roll over, bend over or lower your standards to theirs). However, remember they also have real pressures, real lives, real families as well. So the answer to the question? Of course the number one person I work for is my Lord and Savior who has placed me in every employment for a reason. I then work for my family to give them a better life. Then I work for myself to hopefully make my company better for my employment than worse. Who was my favorite? Oh, I have been blessed with working with doctors who performed very expensive procedures for nothing, whom made sure my family was taken care of and still to this day checks on them. I have worked for professional women who understand what it is like to be a working woman and did not make me feel guilty for "school performances" or that "dreaded call from the school nurse". I have worked for a kind and gentle music minister whom made sure to put my family before any work and didn't mind doing the grunt work to help me. I NOW work for another professional woman whom truly is a friend before employer. Do I have a favorite? Not really. I am just grateful for those I named above. Who truly GET IT! My life is richer for your leadership. Happy Labor Day everybody!