Perhaps the antics of these two are so that they will monopolize my blogs! who knows. Allow me to introduce to you Ike, the basset and PJ, the mini schnauzer. Perhaps I've mentioned a time or two that these two are a couple of escape artist. Pj is the brains of the bunch and Ike, well...he's easily led astray, a total victim of peer pressure I do believe.

Well over a year ago Andy completed fencing in our yard so that our dogs would have some freedom to run. At no point did either ever look for or try to escape. Then along comes PJ into our family. Small yet cunning Pj took over as leader of the pack and has introduced escape routes out of the yard. As a result our oldest dog Emma has gone missing.

Today when I returned home from running errands I discovered the make shift door (fence is being painted and repaired) had been knocked down and the 2 dogs were on the run. Ike isn't eager enough to have knocked the fence part down, Pj on the other hand without a doubt had it down in no time and they were off. I must also make you aware that if Pj manages to get out say through a "skinny" place he will seek and 9 times out of 10 find a place where his old buddy Ike can also get out. Peer pressure at its finest.

I immediately began calling them to come home. And after 5 min. and no dogs knew they were "captured" to some extent. Within moments after having that thought my phone rang and sure enough they were exactly where I suspected they'd be, Swayzee Elementary! The school has been Ikes' favorite hang out for many years, so much so many of the kids knew him by name as did the staff. When I was working during the day the building principal would just put him outside in the school courtyard with a bowl of water and send him home at the end of the day with one of my kids. This year however I don't have a kid in the building and there's a new principal. I was sure to give the new guy a heads up that the dogs might show up should they ever get loose and sure enough they did. Thankfully the were Ok, and Pj opted not to go to the "farm" that he's recently frequented and therefore returned home free of manure. I'm not sure what to do with these two! I do love them but boy are they ornery...a common theme at my house!


The morning got off to a wild start...dentist appt. (kinda)....matt took the night time allergy med this morning by accident so he ended up coming home because he was sleeping all morning, mom got her labs done...it totally took her longer to get ready to go to the appointment than it did for the actual appointment. It's been a freaky friday! and I'll be glad for 4:00! No walk for me this morning but boy was it a beautiful one. Sadly I was informed that my former Elementary & jr. high principal had passed away...massive heart attack. :( RIP Dick Hindman. He could've taught a few principals a thing or two!

OH freshman football team looks good. Unfortunately 2 boys were injured :( in the opening game. It was a victory for the team though. Poor Kate...she's experiencing an adverse reaction to the prescribed skin cream and her face was all red, blotchy, dry and cracked... :( she was in so much pain trying to open her mouth to cheer. But she still did an awesome job and was as beautiful as ever.

Matt Matt Matt...prayers for organization for this kid!

Well...pups are asleep, they're totally pooped from their big adventure. Silly Dogs!

Is there anything better.... (168)

Better than Football season that is? Anything? I'm not just talking game, I'm talking the season as a whole. Summer is wrapping up and temps are becoming more tolerable and when the HOT day shows up it's welcomed as we know that before too much longer they'll be a thing of the past...well until next year. Temps fall into the 50's in the evening and overnight, the trees begin to dance and shake their leaves and although most things in nature are preparing to sleep as fall approaches mother nature throws the best party ever. You're senses come alive. I personally love the smells of fall....including my sweaty son :) Football for me is the fun part of this season! From High school up to the pros i do love watching this game and admire most of its players. Although I've never actually taken the field I can't imagine if I were a guy that I would've ever done anything else but suit up and get stoked to put the hit on someone! (lol) When I think about the things the players go through for the game I can't help but to admire them. It excites me that my son is enjoying his FB experience so far....and he hasn't even had a game yet. So here's to ALL the boys sporting the pads ....thanks for the entertainment! Now go kick some A%& !!!

What a beautiful day today is! WOW God is good! I absolutely love when the wind blows. If ever you wondered whether or not God existed just step outside and feel His breath against your face. You'll doubt no more!

169 days left! in this school year. Not that I'm counting. All is going pretty well considering. Even though matt has had a few set backs w/ a couple of papers overall he's doing good. He seems to like it all ok so hopefully with a little more maturity and time things will work out. (not to mention patience & support on my end) Prayers for attention to detail for both of my kids! lol...they get it honest!

Prayers....continued for friends adoption (&friends of friends), college kids, dawn & her battle w/ cancer (kick it to the curb), Truman in the air force; and a few unspoken.

Loves...matt, kate & andy; pj & ike, my in-laws, friends to walk with, football, breezes.

Today is a good day...Come on get happy!

169... When we need love the most...

Well, over the course of 24 hours my little, lovable, dimple cheeked, curly head boy has really tested my patience. And through it all I was reminded of a few things. 1- things happen for a reason. 2- Sometimes when we're the most unlovable is when we need love the most. (thanks Matt B. & Linda S.) After missing school on Monday, Tuesday came and what I knew would happen did. My son came out of the building totally overwhelmed. Not only did he have makeup work, but he had Tuesdays assignments as well AND football practice! The kicker and possibly the reason for all the dramatics last night...I wouldn't be at home for I work Tuesday evenings. I looked over the homework and it was all very manageable really. At least in the eyes of a 44 year old. But it was cause for total mayhem for the 12 year old.

After spending some time in the house he decided he'd seize the opportunity to do a little 4-wheel riding. When asked by his father if the homework was done he said "yep"! And off he went. Some time later he arrived at the Chuck and asked for my keys. I asked why he was on his 4-wheeler, and if his homework was done and he said "yep!". Hummmmm....Really??? (convo in my head) because ALL homework had been in my car, locked since after school. And he was JUST NOW asking for my keys ...obviously to get it. Needless to say a parent was hoodwinked and a little boy was feeling a bit successful! thinking his "little white lie" had worked. But I was onto him. (been there done that sort of thing and this kid is a mini-me)

This morning he was trying to "understand" why I couldn't take him to school? (he & kate ride w/ a neighbor) And he let me know he thought it was ridiculous for him to have to go with someone else when I could take him. Well...after enough dilly dallying he succeeded in missing his ride thus getting his way...and off we went. oooooooo!

I kept looking over at him all the way to the school and there he sat, through the lecture and all with a cute little grin on his face. Success was his!

As I walked my 2mi and vented about the past 24 hours it all became clear to me. He wanted MY TIME! MY ATTENTION! And it really didn't matter to him how he got it.

He didn't feel good about the lie. He doesn't like that it affects the way I react to him. He doesn't like that I feel like he can't be trusted. I remember feeling the same way at his age. Now to figure out how to handle it all. (the tough part of parenting)

Love them the most especially when the things they do are unlovable. This is one of those live and learn moments. One of many and certainly more to come. This is a time when I need to carefully choose my words, and course of action because this little guy is on high alert! Loved yet grounded. Loved in spite of the lie. Loved loved loved and it's gonna be my time, time, time that conveys that message to him.


Now that all that's past time to move on! Gorgeous day out! yet humid. Thank you to those who read and commented yesterdays post. (& previous post) I enjoy your feedback. As stated at the top of my blog I ramble, vent, and post my opinions and hope to do so with out being hurtful. Many times this is a place where I can get "it" out of my head, heart and be done with "it". (it's very therapeutic)

I've discovered one thing about me, I try to be "the one". Now what that "one" is or looks like is different given the situation. I tend to be the cheerleader for the underdog. I love to smile. Simple I know but often a smile can change ones outlook. I hope to give a little encouragement because I never know how someone is feeling. I decided long ago when I started substitute teaching that I wanted to be the one that hopefully contributed to a student having a good day. Society and this world can be so quick to bring people down. I wanted to be the one to lift them up! Even if just for a moment. So, here's a smile to you today...try it on. God has great plans for you today!

feel good religion (170)

My question today is this, What's wrong with a little "feel good" religion? I've heard this term tossed about a time or two and it always seems to come with a frown, a tone, a sense of the unacceptable. And I've always been puzzled by the negative connotation. Which has led me to ponder other questions such as, should religion NOT make us feel good? And since when is feeling good a bad thing?

Many times the church has been referred to as a hospital for the sick. Now I don't know about you but when I am sick and go to the hospital I'm hoping that as a result of my visit to the hospital I'll eventually feel good. Often it's a process as the healing takes time. But during my time there the people on staff do all they can to make me feel good. So much so there's even a survey waiting on me in my mailbox when I get home. I feel it's okay if the church (hospital)and the pastors("staff") operate the same way. Like a visit to the doctor there are times when we are given bad news or our test results are less than desirable in the church I liken this to the hellfire and brimstone sermons or perhaps tithing (tee hee hee). But regardless of the prognosis the goal is to make me well, make me comfortable, make me feel good.

When I think about people who are home bound who tune into the TV evangelist, preacher I guessing they tuned in for some sort of healing. Weather they're fully aware or not what or why they've decided to tune in to hear a message, they tuned in. They sought to hear the word of God, perhaps with hope of feeling good. Now you or I may not care for the delivery or messanger but what we need to be thankful for is the delivery of the Message. We need to be prayerful that the recipient of the Message will find healing in God and accept Him as their own.

So weather you tune in on Sunday morning for a little TV feel good religion or you load up and go in seek of a new church or stick with "your" church I think we'd all have to agree we're all in search of a little "feel good" religion. For like you I too am sick and am in need of healing.


If I've done my math properly(MG grad here so don't count on it) 170 days remain in this school year. But who's counting? ME ME ME!!! (lol) So far so good really. Matt has experienced a few mental errors in math but we've discussed them and when he realized if he had PAID ATTENTION he would have received an 9/10 v. the 5/10. If only huh? Hopefully next time. Lesson learned perhaps? Hope so. I read some of his journals from the 1st week of school and I must say I shed a tear. Wow is that boy insightful! Beyond his years really. Kathryn too is doing well. She has really stepped up her initiative this year. ('bout time) I'm excited for her and so admire her determination.

I didn't get to walk this morning as I'm home waiting for andy to received a delivery. ( & blogging & doing laundry) Work tonight. :) I like my job. Hard to call it a job really as I work for friends and get to serve some of the kindest people I've ever met. I read somewhere recently that 'if you find yourself working in the food industry your life has taken a wrong turn somewhere.' I'd have to say I disagree with this statement. This is where I need to be at this time. I don't know all the reasons why but I do have a suspicion as to what the possibilities are. And I'm down with that! If there's one thing I've figured out is that God puts me where He wants me. I'm down with that too. His plan is far better than any I could come up with on my own.

The phone call...well, I made it, and the phone line was down. I find that kinda funny. Courtesy of cellular technology I was able to get a message to my mom that I was trying to contact her and also received word that she was "fine". Then at 10pm my phone rang and as expected she let me know how long it had been since she had heard from me (she was off by a day) and that she supposed she had been "ok" since I hadn't bothered to check. (answer to another prayer)

Some pretty special kids embarked on their college careers yesterday! Upon hearing from 3/4 all went well. Talked to the mom of the 4th & she's doing well too. (yay!)

Prayer list for today: Kids & young adults and those educating them; adoptions; those with cancer and extended illnesses; families. Please join me in lifting up these concerns. I suspect you too know someone listed above.

It's a beautiful day folks...Thanks for reading, now go & enjoy a loved one!

The awesomeness of the weekend at the Women of Faith conference was ...AWESOME! Just imagine, 14,000 women worshiping, praising, praying to the one and only Amazing God! Imagine a plethora of denominations under one roof in the name of Jesus! Imagine the smile on our Heavenly Fathers face!

For me this is what being a believer and follower of Jesus is about. No boundaries because of denominations. For me those boundaries are of this world. For something tells me that when called HOME you won't find the Methodist worshiping on one block, the Baptist another, & so on ... I attend and "belong" to a Methodist church. But I know little of the Methodist doctrine. The bigger picture is that I'm a follower of the One True God. I believe in His Son Jesus and that he is the Messiah.

However this belief doesn't hold true for all believers. And often it is the criticisms one denomination extends to another that turns off nonbelievers. How sad is that. Gods own people being the reason to not belong to the Kingdom.

This weekend I heard testimony from believers who were probably some of the least likely people to share the grace, mercy and love of our Father. There wasn't one pro athlete, one politician, there was however 1 actress, however her time had come and gone. Although I couldn't really relate to some of the issues they suffered from and had dealt with I, like them was broken. Choices made in my life by me were far far from pleasing to God. Yet, He loved me enough and found me deserving enough to offer up the ultimate sacrifice for my life. How awesome is that! And that excites me, fills me with joy and makes me want to shout about His love, grace and mercy from the top of my lungs.

Being faithful is the least I can be as He has loved me as is! And I am a work in progress. When I'm all "done" He will call me home.


Matthew is home from school this morning...allergies UGH! shooting for a 1/2 day but not at all sure he's gonna make it in. Kate had an appointment this morning for her zits (;P) and it's confirmed...she has them. So the cure, topical ointments, & some oral meds with a follow up in 4 weeks.

Walk was good today. A power walked (for me anyway) 2 miles. Would've like to have walked a bit further but had to cut it short to get kate to the dr. However I think tonight we'll all hit the wellness center and I'll do a bit more walking there. Although not as fun.

Here's a funny turn of events in my world. Some time ago my dad decided to not include me in his regular phone calls to his children, which really just includes my brother Eric and myself. (he does however call the steps who grew up w/ their own father...my dad's best friend!) Well, I've come to terms with all of that all the while my mother has be troubled by his choice to exclude me and my family. Now here's the twist. Aug. 10th I telephoned my mom after not having talked with her for about a week. The last conversation we had was me telling her I was unable to do what she had asked of me on 8/7 because I had planned a party for that morning and had plans to go out of town that afternoon. Knowing how my mom thinks I knew I was being "cut off" of the calling so I called her. We had conversation regarding the kids and their being off to school for the new school year. The entire convo was strained and she ended the call because of another call coming in. I telephoned her again on Wednesday the very next day. Again our call was cut short due to others calling her. And that has been it. Nothing since 8/11. I could call and I will but oh how it frustrates me that I always have to be the one. Always. Interesting because of the very thing that saddens and irritates her about my father she too is guilty of doing.

As a parent myself I don't understand the "unspoken terms and conditioning of parenting" that my parents obviously subscribe to. I don't get the game. And although I enjoy a good contest I don't think they're necessary in family relationships. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say there are probably things that both parents feel they need to say to me...expressed disappointment, frustration, idk...whatever yet neither find me or our own relationship important enough to say it.

I quit calling my dad simply because I had nothing left to say. It was like calling a stranger and trying to have a conversation. I really didn't care about he weather in Ocala Florida. And he didn't care enough to call me, or his grandchildren. He asked about them but there was never a need to actually talk to them. I didn't call my mom on thurs, fri, etc...because I was curious. Curious as to whether or not she would call me. Like I said I sensed she had something on her mind but just chose to not say anything. A game perhaps...but certainly no winners. (just whiners)

Well I'll end this posting with a powerful thought that I came away with from the weekend. God has mad our will greater than any emotion. Now I have a phone call to make.