Goals - Are You Making Any?

At church, we had a lesson this past Sunday on 10 Goals Every Christian Should Have - here they are:

1. Resolve to stay faithful to Jesus Christ. He is the one Truth, Way and Life. There's no reason to look elsewhere.
2. Resolve to not let anything – a career, a significant other, social media, a house – become an object of worship.
3. Resolve to watch your language and not speak any destructive talk, especially involving the name of God.
4. Resolve to prevent burnout by putting aside work one day a week. Trust God to provide for your needs that day and just enjoy the time He's given you.
5. Resolve to talk to your parents on a regular basis, and show them love and respect.
6. Resolve to be angry less. Channel any feelings of rage, which Jesus said are as severe as murder, into worshiping God and serving others.
7. Resolve to honor your commitment to your spouse. Whether in thought or in deed, stay pure and loyal in the union God made.
8. Resolve to not take anything that's not yours, including stuff you can hold and put in your pocket, and plenty that you can't, like music downloads, streaming movies and hours on your timecard.
9. Resolve to speak about others only with truth and love, not gossip.
10. Resolve to be content with what you have, and not worry about that others are amassing.

Everyone makes physical resolutions - lose weight, eat right, exercise - only to have those go by the wayside rather quickly.

The ones above are personal, spiritual goals that really should not be New Year's Resolutions - they should be at the heart of every Christian on every day of every month of every year of our lives.  Teach them to your children too - they are important.

The Brandon Moncriefs hope that each and every one of you has a very wonderful 2014.  Love each other, spend time together with your families (no phones, no TV, no electronic devices - just talk and be together), love even those who are "unlovable".  Give to those less fortunate - people are so blessed and so rich even when they don't think they have enough - so share what you do have.

BLESSINGS IN THE NEW YEAR  AND LOVE TO YOU AND YOURS!!!

Never Say Never......REALLY ???

Never say NEVER.....and I'm not talking Justin Bieber either.  I didn't even know that he had a song with that title until I tried to find a graphic with the words.  What you see above is pretty much all I could find without his face on it.  And I certainly didn't want him on here - don't like him, don't like his music (he can't sing) and I don't like who he's slowly becoming.  However, I digress.....

So far, 2013 has been a huge year of changes - most of them for the better.  But one lesson I've learned is that you should never say never - because you will eat your words every time:-)

My personal "Never Say Never" was leaving my seven year job at one financial institution to return to the financial institution where I previously worked.  The exact words had left my mouth - "I wouldn't go back if they doubled my salary".  Well, I went back - yep - ate my words.  Granted I didn't get my salary doubled but I am now eleven miles closer to home so the new lower cost of gas is a raise in and of itself.  Kinda nice to fill up once a week instead of every 4 days. 

God seems to always know what's best - so those sentences that we say that start with "I will NEVER" are mute.  Because He will show you at some point that, yes you most certainly WILL do that thing you think you won't.  When you're stressed and worried (as I have been about a few things for a while), you so easily forget that you have got to turn it over to God.  Pray, read His word and try to make sound, logical decisions - the RIGHT decisions.  If you have a heart for prayer and a relationship with God, then listen for his answer.  It is there but sometimes you have to really listen to hear it.

Secondly, you may not like his direction.  For instance, I LOVED the workplace I just left.  I had a great manager over me and had a great team working for me.  I didn't want to leave!  But God's answer was not only an answer to my question of whether or not to take the offer presented to me - but when I really thought about it, it was the answer to the worries I'd been praying about. 

Now that I'm three weeks into my decision, I feel at peace.  My new team is great - they are excited to have me there and I am excited to be there.  In addition, everyone else in the organization has been so very welcoming and helpful.  The company is vastly different than when I left seven years ago, and in a wonderful way.  And, my leaving the other institution has opened up so many doors for a few people there and they will do great things with their new opportunities as well.

I hope that if you have something you're worried about or having to make a difficult decision on, that you'll dwell on this post.  I also hope that you listen and hear the answer  God is sending you.  It's there - yes, it's really there.  But you have to stop the worrying and really sit quietly and listen.  You'll hear it and you'll be amazed at how perfect His will is for you.

3 Things Thursday!

1.  Haven't been here since fall of last year.  I have read many books but none that require me to blog about them on my other site Molly's Book Corner .  However I am back at it again and you'll see reviews on a more frequent basis.  Part of my absence on that site has been due to getting a Kindle Fire for Christmas but I've been too busy to find out what the book format is so that I can download publisher books directly for review. 

2.  We are glad school is almost out at our house.  The girls are doing great in school this year - Bailee is finishing fifth grade and Cassie is finishing seventh.  Cassie has Pre-AP English and Pre-Algebra as well as science, social studies, computer, etc.  Next year she will be in advanced classes as well again.  So proud of her.
Bailee has really enjoyed the Venture program this year.  They have made robots and entered a robot competition - she LOVED this.  Tinkering with the robots and working the electronics seems to be her niche :-)  She and I also went to Space Camp in Huntsville, AL.  I learned many things I didn't know about the US and Russian space programs.  I can see her being in space one day as well.

3.  Work is crazy - add my other duties to that (chauffer, cook, maid, teacher, psychologist, seamstress, etc) and I wonder when I sleep.  However, I've had some eye openers recently that have taught me the importance of slowing down and taking care of myself.  I am running again (after being "too busy" to do so) and I am thinking of making some major changes in other areas as well.  More to come on that!

Have a wonderfully Blessed week and Keep the Faith!

Heart Break and Wisdom!

As my children have grown, I've come to realize just how different, but special, they each are.  Bailee in particular makes me ponder sometimes.  She looks like I did at her age but I had dark hair and maybe not so many freckles.  She does her own thing like I did when I was younger and like I do now - going along not really worrying about anyone else necessarily.  She can be an introvert and so can I - hard to believe, I know:-)  If Cassie is not around, she reads and does quiet things - I even have to go find her to ask "Where are you?" and "What are you doing?".  I love being alone too!

But she broke my heart (almost) about a month ago.  We were home alone - I guess Cassie was spending the night with someone else or at practice.  She said, "Mama, I'm weird".  Of course, I said "No you're not!".  She replied, "Yes, I am.  My friends tell me that all the time."  I replied, "well, they don't know what they're talking about and they are just being mean."  I was really worried about her self-esteem but she wasn't crying as Cassie would have been.  She sat there a few moments and then said  "It's okay because I like being weird.  It means I'm not like everybody else and I REALLY, REALLY, like me.  Besides, you and Daddy love me and God loves me too."  Kinda reminded me of that book by Jamie Lee Curtis, "I'm Gonna Like Me".  I still felt bad that she feels like her friends think she's weird, but I also felt relieved and proud because it was a very mature attitude about it. 

Then, I pondered some on our converstation.............things happen when you ponder, you know?    Sometimes bad things and sometimes good things.  I think I pondered on both that day.

First the bad things - As a youth, I always felt left out and different because I had thick glasses (didn't feel pretty EVER), I was the smartest kid in my class, I had fair skin and freckles, and in middle school I had a full METAL MOUTH.  I was called Four Eyes, Brain, Whitie, you name it and it hurt!  I loved being smart but I hated the way I felt around most of my classmates.  I never liked being different - maybe I didn't have as much support as Bailee does to make me feel better about myself.  Nothing against my parents but serious conversations just didn't occur in our house - not those thought-provoking, self-analyzing discussions that I have those with my girls.

Bailee has good self-esteem so she's one up on me at her age. However she doesn't have really close friends.  She has friends but not CLOSE friends like her sister does.  She and one friend call themselves BFFs - but they aren't constantly together all the time and they are different in so many ways.  Sometimes it bothers her that Cassie always gets invited to spend the night - almost every weekend - and she doesn't.  She is well behaved but maybe other girls don't like her as much as other friends because she is "different".  Other times, she is very much a homebody, always has been. 

The good things I pondered on, you ask?  She is very smart (book-wise and social-wise).  However, she is WISE - so very wise beyond her years, she shocks me a lot of the time.  She will spontaneously will ask me very thought-provoking questions or make a comment - things that make ME think !!  And I think a lot!  She watches people and makes observations that most children do not.  I even wonder if her brain sleeps because she has asked me questions at 6:15 a.m. in the morning.  She has big dreams for big things - things like being the one to cure cancer - those kind of things.

Then I realized one thing about Bailee that so many people struggle with their entire life.  SHE LIKES HERSELF!  And she knows that her parents love her and GOD loves her.  My heart sings because of it :-)

Wordless Wednesday

God's artwork in the sky has truly been beautiful in the last couple of weeks!  Hope you're all enjoying the nightly (and morning) views:-)

Irritation and Irrigation

I'm in a new Bible self-study and a section of it discusses letting go of things that irritate you and letting your heart be "irrigated" by God's word so that you are a the person God meant you to be.  Good analagy - irritation versus irrigation. 

Irritation - the state of feeling, impatient or angry.  Irrigation - the activity of supplying or providing something (usually water but not always, as in this blog).

We all have situations and things that "get our goat".  The situtations that bug me usually involve certain people or things people do.  As I've gotten older, I've lost patience with stupidity, dishonesty, and people who are underhanded, hurtful or lazy.  I can now easily recognize when someone purposefully behaves a certain way so as to leave one impression with a certain set of people but then behave a completely different way with others.  It is called personality dishonesty.  I've learned that if someone gossips to you about others, that person is gossiping about you to those same others.  I've learned that getting angry with other drivers only makes the drive seem longer - if they want the entire road, I'll slow down and let them have it.  After all, I want to live and I may be late, but I will get there.  I'm learning to step away and step back.

BTW - it is believed that "get my goat" stems from the word goad - people goad you and "get your goat" (or your gander) up.  Just a little trivia there.  Allow is the key word in this process too.  Do you allow certain things and people to make you irritated?  If you do, it's partially your own fault for allowing them to make you feel that way.  Begin the steps to freedom by first recognizing what or who test your religion.  Sometimes the irritation is very purposeful because they know they can make you feel that way.  Sometimes they don't realize that they are doing it but to them life is a constant contest - one they have to win.  You have to decide for yourself whether or not you want to bring it up for discussion - which can sometimes clear the air - or just learn to let go and move on.

If you choose not to discuss it ( and sometimes it's a situation where you just can't) - what do you do?  Do you drive a different way to work?  Do you hang out with other friends?  Do you speak to them but make no future effort to be closer friends?  Do you let them win the contest or stay in constant unspoken battle with them?  My personal opinion?  Some people will always think that they are right and you are wrong (or that you're crazy, paranoid, etc).  Just move on - let them win.  It's okay - I promise!

As you strive to become the man or woman God meant for you to be, it is necessary to let go even though doing so is sometimes painful.  Read God's word daily and let his word "irrigate" your heart.  It will heal your heart and soul.  It will render your hurt and disappointments useless.  They will be forgotten and you will be free.  Your heart will be open for new friendships, new ideas, new things to enjoy!  Your soul will know no boundaries.  Your heart and soul will SING!

Guy Finley stated - "You don't need strength to let go of something.  What you really need is understanding."

Decisions............

Everything we do in life basically narrows down to decisions.  Not just huge life-changing decisions but also the tiny, boring, insignificant day-to-day, moment-to-moment kind of decisions we make without any forethought.  Do I choose to drink soda all day or drink water which is healthier?  Do I eat a candy bar or do I eat fruit?  Do I drive the speed limit or do I go over the speed limit and risk a ticket or worse, a wreck? 

We have choices every day, all day, about everything.  How many times do we really stop and think before making them?  How many times do we pray and ask for guidance before making them?  I have a couple of decisions to make within the next month - I am praying every day for a "sign" - for guidance that what I'm leaning towards is the right choice :-)

Here are a few quotes to ponder.  I especially love that there are two that emphasize that NOT making a decision actually becomes your decision!
  

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.  ~Theodore Roosevelt

When you have to make a choice and don't make it, that is in itself a choice.  ~William James

It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.  ~Roy Disney

Indecision becomes decision with time.  ~Author Unknown

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

August 30 - Three Things Thursday!

1.  Rain, rain, go away.............ISAAC go away.  He's come and he likes it so much he's stayed for a while. He's left LOTS of rain, wind gusts like from winter storms, tornadoes, flooding........  I posted on FaceBook and I'll say it here - He's the slowest man I've ever seen.  And I know a few slow men.  They were thinking about retiring his name because he was so unique.  Not sure if they've done that but I'd vote for them to do it.

2.  Running update - scratching that C25K plan was the best thing ever.  My time has improved every week. Tonight was an exception - I cheated on my GF diet and it made me lethargic.  Didn't drink enough water today too - leg cramps.  Won't make either mistake again :-(

3.  Instragram monster - that is Cassie.  I never know what pictures she is going to post out there.  I like the photoaday posts and some people are really good at photo editing and post some really neat pictures.  If you don't have the app, download it - it's cool!  If you do - my name is wsmoncrief!

August 23 Thankful Thursday!

Short and sweet list of things I'm particularly thankful for this week :-)
1.  Marshall Ramsey's blog and tweets.  He has a unique way of saying what I'm thinking but in a much more humorous, politically correct way.  Gannett Company screwed themselves when they dropped him to contract status -  but the rest of us love the fact that he is branching out into new avenues!
2.  Friends who listen.  You know who you are - thanks for letting me vent, worry, stress-out and for praying for and with me when I most need it.  Love you!
3.  Birthdays.  I turn another year older this week - I don't like thinking about my age but I'm not half dead yet since I plan to live to be 100.  I am definitely a year wiser, a year more thankful, a year healthier and a year more mature.
4.  My husband.  Just when he's getting on my nerves (and all married people get on each other's nerves LOL) - he shows me again why I fell in love with him.  He's The Rock in my book :-)
5.  Resilience.  My 12 year old is growing up.  She has had a HARD week - girl drama, school, hurt feelings, worry, typical tweenage stuff.  I have prayed with and for her - and today she is seeing a brighter day.  Love her perky personality, her smile and her ability to overcome with a smile.  Wish more grownup girls had those traits.

Three Things Thursday!

1.  School started this week (see new picture from 1st day of school)!  I am glad for a structured routine and I think the girls are glad as well because of boredom and missing friends, although they played with friends in the neighborhood all summer.  Cassie is in 7th and Bailee is in 5th.  For Cassie, 7th grade means she is officially in Junior High.  She has a full schedule - Social Studies (Eastern Hemisphere), Science, Pre-Algebra (her coach is her teacher so she loves this), Cheer, Office Worker (second elective choice but she's good with it LOL), ICT1 (computers) and Pre AP-English.  She is really excited about the English - she got the "teacher everyone wants".  Bailee seems to have two great teachers and a neighborhood friend is in her class.  She is excited about Venture (gifted program) because the teacher is fun and the field trip will be a week at Space Camp in Huntsville (unless something changes).  This time of year mkes me wish I were back in school - new clothes, new school supplies, new friends, new teachers..........can I be a kid again for one year??

2.  Running - well I dumped the Couch 2 5K program a week ago.  Each time I try it, I get to week five and struggle because my endurance doesn't build up.  Maybe it works for some but not for me!  I am now following a different plan that I found.  Basically I go the distance it says - and I run as much as I can with walking breaks only as needed.  I have already improved in endurance and knocked several minutes off my three mile runs.  Today I was late getting to the gym so I didn't complete my three mile run so I will go back tonight to finish my training run time and also do some weights.  Saturday will be my first true test because the Saturday runs get longer each week.  FWIW - I do have a goal that I'm working towards but for now it's only known by me and the one place I have it written down :-)

3.  Have you watched the Olympics this year?  We have and have been loving it.  So many of the athletes are so inspiring and I think it is good for anyone (especially our youth) to see that anyone, even with life struggles and hard lives, can set a goal, work hard towards that goal and make their dreams come true one day.  If you have children, this is a great opportunity to talk to your kids about not giving up, about believing in yourself and about how hard work can and will pay off if you keep at whatever it is that you're working towards.  A good less for adults too :-)

Thankful Thursday!

Not much time today so it's a THANKFUL Thursday instead of Three Things Thursday.  I'm thankful for many things today.  As a friend is dealing with her son's health issues (brain tumor) and another friend still mourns the loss of a child to cancer last month, I am thankful that my children are healthy and happy and that we've not had any major medical issues.  I am thankful that I have a wonderful job when others have been laid off and can't find a decent paying job so they are struggling to pay the bills and provide for their families.  I'm thankful that I have spiritual, faithful people in my life who inspire me to remain faithful and grow closer to God.  I'm thankful that I am friends with my husband and that I'm not "just married to him" because so many are married but do not feel close to their spouse or feel loved.  I'm thankful for the freedoms we have in America - freedom of religion, freedom of speech (although sometimes you aren't allowed to voice your opinion about some things without causing a riot - just as the CEO of Chick-Fil-A), freedom to live and work where I want, freedom to vote and choose our country's leaders, etc.  I am thankful that God sent his Son to die on the cross for MY sins so that I can be saved and live in Heaven with him one day.  Today-------I'm just feeling thankful in general :-)

Three Things Thursday!!

1.  Side-tracked - a friend spent the night with Cassie who said she had "allergies".  I'm thinkig NOT since we all have had her summer cold and surprisingly I've had it the worst - or at least the longest.  But today I can breathe again thanks to 2,000 mg of Emergen-C every day and also to this stuff which is the BOMB !  The eucalyptus and menthol hits your sinuses and you want to scream but then you go "aahhh".  Sort of ticked that I have not been able to run since last Friday (breathing is sort of necessary for that you know), but since I can breathe today I'm hopeful that I can run Saturday morning :-)

2.  Summer Reading - the girls have started reading their summer books.  Bailee has to read two and Cassie only has one.  It's hard to believe that in 19 days school starts again.  It seems our summers get shorter and shorter.  I sure wish Mississippi would continue school until the first week of June and not start until the first week of September because of the heat more than anything.  Also, my school day was from 8:00 until 3:00, not 2:00-2:30 pm.  If they attended longer hours each day, daycare costs would be cheaper and they could go to school a fewer number of days each year.  Just sayin'.........

3.  Twitter - do you twitter?  If so - follow me at @wsmoncrief :-)  I find that it's much faster than FB and comes with much less drama.  Nuff said.....

Three Things Thursday

• Rain - GLORIOUS rain!  We went from days of no rain and needing it desperately - to getting a LOT of it.  We sure needed it so I'm not complaining.  Those first few days of clouds that gave you about five minutes of rain seemed like Mother Nature was just being mean and  teasing us.  Sure glad she followed through with the good wet stuff.

• Chick Fil-a cows!!!  Friday, July 13th, Chick Fil-a is giving away either an entree or a meal to anyone who comes in a cow costume.  If you have a full costume, you get the meal.  If you have a partial costume or cow accessory, you get the entree.  My girls and our sitter had a blast today making cow costumes.  I have to say that I think I will have the cutest cows at the Brandon Chick Fil-a!  Happy Chicken Eating!!!



• I have a 2008 Buick Enclave (see above picture).  In mid-June, someone side swiped the front right fender in a parking lot so it's in the shop.  I am now driving a Chevrolet Malibu.  Great car but I feel 80 years old because it takes effort to get out of it LOL.  The person who hit me wasn't nice enough to leave a name and number or at least an apology so I filed a hit-and-run claim on my insurance.  I was a State Farm client for 25 years and switched to Progressive Insurance two years ago.  State Farm is certainly not what they used to be - no customer service, no knowledgeable & caring claims adjusters, etc.  Progressive is WONDERFUL - just like Flo says on TV :-)  Process couldn't have been easier and I am so thankful.  If you're looking for a new company, please call them for a quote - my monthly premium is over $40 cheaper than it used to be - with great service to boot!!

Three Things Thursday

1.  Fresh Produce - if you aren't going to a local Farmer's Market - you are missing out!  I've been going to the Mississippi Farmer's Market every Saturday and I love it.  I've been getting fresh fruit, veggies, goat milk soap and local eggs.  It is worth the trip because the quality is better, the taste is better and it is healthier!

2.  Sunrise - I've seen a lot of them lately.  I've learned over the last two years that the only way I will get a run in is to get up and do it early.  With my job, my kids and being a working mom, I just can't do it any other time.  I've also learned how much I really love getting up that early.  It's quiet - no cars, no people, no kids, very little noise.........it's peaceful and calming to my soul.  Even if you don't run, get up early one morning and just go sit outside and watch the sun rise.  God's artwork is fabulous and it can become addictive.

3.  If you Instagram - go follow SmokenBoo.  The pictures are always of English bulldogs - puppies mainly.  These pictures always make me smile -  no matter what kind of day I've had.  If I ever have a dog, it will be an English Bulldog :-)  And yes, Boo is Smoken......CUTE !!!

Wordless Wednesday!

Friday - Going Backwards!

Time - it's flying and it's flying FAST !!  I do not consider myself old and I feel that life is less than half over for me.  However, it's amazing how far we have come since the 70s and 80s.  Last night I began listing things that I know from my youth that my children have never heard of.........feel free to comment and add to this list!!

1.  Rotary phones with a cord that are actually attached to the wall in some way!
2.  Party lines - we had one for years and we shared with a couple of old ladies.  I have never liked being on the phone a lot but inevitably one of them would want the line when I WAS using it.  One would interrupt and ask you to get off and the other lady would pick up and hang up repetitively until you got off!
3.  Televisions without a remote.  The TURN dial - and you had to get up to change the station.
4.  Rabbit ears - no cable, no dish!
5.  Radios with a turn dial - no digital, iPhone stations, etc.
5.  8 Track Tapes - one thing I do NOT miss.  LOL
6.  35 mm and 12 mm cameras!  FILM!!  You had to wait for your pictures!
7.  DOS - the black and green screen.  No Apple, no Windows.
8.  Shorter menus at fast food restaurants with no "combo" meals and no "upsizing".
9.  The only donuts  you could get were from the local bakery - not Dunkin or Krispy Kreme.
10.  Standard transmissions - I actually miss them.  I loved driving one!  My kids will never know what that is :-(
11.  Going to the library - because you didn't buy books or have a Kindle or iPAD reader.
12.  Only two movies at the theatre - versus 10-15 to choose from.
13.  Home Economics being taught in the schools.  Now girls can't cook or sew unless their mamas or grandmas teach them.
14.  Everyone having a garden - it's slowly coming back a little but most people buy frozen foods or canned.  Yuck!!
15.  Shelling your own beans or peas - even if you go to the farmer's market, they are shelled for you.
16.  People dressing up for church - this has almost completely disappeared and it's a shame what some people wear to worship God.
17.  A lawnmower you push!  Yes you can get these - but people so often get a riding mower or a self propel.  It would be a shame to actually work to mow the lawn.
18.  No air conditioning.  Now we think we are dying if we don't have one and we are because we are no longer used to the heat.
19.  A clothesline.  I love to smell the clothes after they have been hung outside.  Now your neighbors FREAK if you want one or have one - even if it is allowed in you area.
20.  Sidewalks - so many neighborhoods don't have one.  You risk your life to walk, run, ride a bike or just to visit the neighbor - if you even bother visiting them to begin with.
21.  Using the oven to reheat your food.  Yes we got a microwave when I was 12 but it was HUGE and had a turn dial.
22.  Families actually sitting down together for a meal - my kids DO  know this because I insist on it, but so many do not.  They eat on the run - headed to soccer, softball, dance, work, etc.  It is okay to be home and to be together!!
23.  AM radio stations with a few FM stations too.  No one listens to AM anymore and FM has been overcome by satellite radio or iTunes.
24.  Washing your own car - it's fun to get wet and soapy!
25.  Board games and physical games outside - not Wii, XBox, iPods, iPADs, etc.  Games where you actually talk and interact with each other, not to mention getting some exercise and fresh air.  We also do this at my house still.  TV OFF - go outside.  Or - TV OFF - come play a game with me.

Thankful Thursday

Something different this week - THANKFUL Thursday instead of Three Things Thursday :-)  With life's stresses and trials, it is so easy to forget to be thankful for the little things.  I know that when I pray I find myself praying for the day-to-day things - a home, food, family, a job, ability to pay bills, Jesus, Grace, etc.  But, what about the little things that happen every day that we just assume happen on their own - with no help from anyone, let along God.

This week I am so very thankful.  Reflecting today, I realized that despite the stress of the week, I'm quite a lucky woman.

1.  I'm thankful that I have a great job, that I'm good at it and that I get to do it every day.  The week has been full of meetings and I have so much to do at my desk I'm overwhelmed a little, but I WILL catch up and the meetings were necessary so instead of being stressed about that "To Do" pile - I'm glad it's there and that I can get it done...........starting tomorrow!

2.  I'm thankful that the bad weather Monday night caused as little damage as it did.  My house did not catch on fire from lightening as at least two houses did.  No trees fell on my house.  We are alive.  Our family  and friends are safe and well.  We needed the rain and the plants in my garden that survived are growing by leaps and bounds.

3.  I am thankful that I have a husband who can fix virtually anything.  During the storm, our water meter broke - for the third time in 1 1/2 years.  It's getting REALLY old too.  The water meter is only about 10 inches from a very large tree which has grown and has roots that shift and move.  The meter is lifting up but the PVC pipes on my side of the line are not - the meter is about 3-4 inches above the pipe.  We, once again, fixed it ourselves - this time using swimming pool flexible PVC piping that will "give" and "move" with the ground hopefully.  The city will not move the meter - won't do it despite the fact that they approved inspection this house when it was built 11-12 years ago with the meter exactly where it is.  My one prayer is that next time the entire meter blows or the pipes on the city's side go so that they have to take care of it.  Maybe they will move it then - at their cost, not mine.

4.  I am thankful that I have vacation days.  I was not happy that I had to use one Tuesday to get things repaired around here, but if I didn't have them, then I wouldn't have been paid for the day off that I needed.

5.  I am thankful that I have a reliable vehicle and that God watches over me as I drive 25 miles to work one way each day in some of the craziest traffic anywhere.  However, I am not thankful to the fellow employee who rode on my back bumper this morning on I-220 and then gave me dirty looks when we got to work as if I were inconveniencing her when I tapped the brakes to get her off.   And, I am certainly not thankful to the motorcycle who made his own lane and tried to pass between me and the Hertz rental van who was beside me in the next lane.  The motorcycle rider actually bumped my car.  He could have been thrown off under the van and killed (or under MY Buick) but instead he gave me the universal hand signal telling what he thought of me, floored it, and continued on driving between two lanes of cars side by side for about five more rows of cars until he got ahead of us so he could go at least 90 mph or so.  Good luck to him - he's gonna need it because he's got a death wish.  Thankfully I saw no damage to my passenger door but I hope his left mirror is broken :-)  BTW - he also had no tag - I looked in case I needed to file a police report for damage.

5.  Finally, I am thankful that tomorrow is Friday and that Saturday and Sunday follow tomorrow.  I see TGIF all the time - but truly think about it.  The weekend is an opportunity for respite from weekday stresses.  Sunday is the Lord's Day - be sure to observe the Lord's Day and rest. God did - and so should we!  It should be TGSIC !!!  Thank Goodness Sunday Is Coming!!!

Blessings!

Wanda

Three Things Thursday!

1.  Proverbs 31 Woman - I am doing a Bible study on the Proverbs 31 woman, my second one actually on this same subject.  I wish every woman would delve into this chapter of the Bible to understand each instruction given there - each individual guide and instruction.  It is changing me in so many ways.  I am definitely not a "submissive" wife - in fact I don't know many of those in today's world.  But I do see too much of the opposite - women who are not respectful to their husbands.  A woman I know has always asked me "why don't you make Jeff do XX?", why don't you tell Jeff he needs to XX?", "(Hubby-hers) knows that he is supposed to do this.", etc.  These comments have put  me on the defensive at times - quite frequently in fact, for two reasons - (1) I don't like being criticized or having my husband or marriage criticized and (2) This woman doesn't see that she is demanding and always telling everyone what they need to do, including her own husband.  The big picture, God's picture, is more important.  I get up early, 5-5:30 most days, to get my day started because it says to do so in Proverbs 31 and because I want to get up early.  I love it - I run, read my Bible, and pray before getting dressed.  I cook, clean, take care of my children, and do all that I do because I want to and because I want to be the woman, mother and wife God wants me to be.  I ask for help when I need it, but I do not "expect" Jeff to do them while I do very little.  I am busy all the time because it says in the Bible to be fruitful and busy - not to be slothful and lazy.  If you're interested in learning more about this study, google Good Morning Girls and  you'll find it.  It's wonderful!

2.  Summer is here finally - Ballet recital is done so my girls are officially free for the summer.  Cassie has practice at school two mornings a week but other than that, they are cleaning & organizing their rooms, swimming, spending time with friends, spending "down" time, etc.  It make me wish I was a teacher so I got a summer break too LOL. 

3.  Fresh Vegetables!! - my garden is growing and I will finally pick some squash this week.  Meanwhile, I'm visiting farmer's markets around the area to find fresh veggies for freezing and for cooking.  I could easily be a vegetarian.  Some suggested places to go:  the Farmer's Market by the Trade Mart off of High Street, the Livingston Farmer's Market in Madison county, Donna's Produce Stand #6 on Hwy 49 in Florence, Wright's Produce on Hwy 49 in Richland, the produce stand on Old Fannin Road - search for one or visit all.  You'll be glad you did!  Yum !!!

Three Things Thursday

This week is a holiday week and my internal clock is messed up.  You'd think I thought today was Wednesday but it seems like Friday LOL.  Well - another short Three Things for today.

1.  Bad things happen in threes - isn't that what they say?  Well I'm up to two so hopefully that superstition won't complete itself!  Took car to be serviced and asked about a warning light that comes on.  Google searches said simple things like brake pads slightly low, sensor messed up, etc.  Not for me - brake fluid leaking into master cylinder for a while that had corroded the sensor and rubber gaskets.  Cost much more than an oil change and tire rotation.

2.  Sunday, while trying to wash clothes in preparation for the week and for Cassie heading out to camp, the washer broke.  No biggie - Jeff fixed it for 60 cents Monday morning and I washed about five loads of clothes.  Then, Tuesday evening while he was washing clothes it started making a noise and when he opened the washroom door, the smoke came out into his face.  We had to turn on box fans to blow it out of the house and we were glad we were home because it would have burned down our house.  The transmission burned up so last night I bought a new washer.

3.  Okay - so it is amazing what entertains a wife with a new appliance.  My new LG top loading washer has a see -through lid and no agitator.  LOVE It.  BUT - I just had to watch it wash the first load of clothes LOL.  Amazing............if you have a newer washer you totally understand.  If not, then you'll just to wait until you buy a new washer..........or come visit me :-)

FINALLY...........my oldest comes home tomorrow.  I have missed her lively personality all week and can't wait to see her.  So glad she had had fun though.  This weekend is Bailee's ballet recital so we are tied up until late Saturday evening..........rehearsals, performance, etc.  Come see them - Pearl Upper Elementary Saturday at 4:00 pm - Cross-Tied Ministries Annual Ballet Performance.

Three Things Thursday

Short and sweet - three phone apps for you health nuts!

1.  My Fitness Pal - if you haven't gotten this app for your phone (I have an iPhone) - then you need to do so.  It has calorie / food log, an exercise calculator, a place for goals, you can add friends and it reminds you where you are with your goals!  If you're wanting to get healthy or lose weight, this is the app for you.

2.  Map My Run - another great app for running, biking or walking.  It uses a GPS to tell you how far you've gone and it lets you save your routes for future reference.

3.  RunKeeper - another great running / walking app.

If you decide to try one of these, please let me know how you like it (or if you already do, let me know).