The 4th Weekend Excitement

I guess that title is a bit deceiving as for the most part the holiday weekend was uneventful. Vanessa went to Possum Kingdom Lake to be with friends on the 4th. She wasn't able to take Kajen so she asked if I would "dog sit". It was too hot to walk them anywhere so I played with them in the backyard. None of my dogs want to play with "baby Huey"(my nickname for him). He's like the obnoxious little brother except he's not little! So in order to "sort of play" he will chase Kaidence while she is trying to catch the frisbee! He won't chase the frisbee, he just chases her. And he won't follow her all the way. He lunges at her and barks at her to try to evoke a response (which usually works because she gets annoyed!). Then he'll run around in circles and jump in the wadding pool splashing water everywhere, gets out and starts the cycle all over again. I was hot enough and tired of the game that I decided it was time to go in. I toweled Kajen off first. Bad idea. While I was trying to towel off Kaidence who had also been in the pool, Kajen jumped back into the pool! UGH! I sent everyone else into the house and then got another towel to dry him off AGAIN! In the house he's like a kid with ADHD! I finally had enough and got out the fly swatter! Just getting it out and showing it to him was like an injection of Ritalin! I find that so funny as all my dogs react that way too and I've never beaten them with the fly swatter but they all know I mean business when I get it out!

In this picture L to R Kajen, Kaidence and Zorro through my front door. Mercy is holding down the couch!

Sunday afternoon I typically take a nap after lunch. I was going to lay on the sofa but both were full of dogs! I know....I should have made them move but I didn't. Instead I made myself comfortable in the recliner. I had just drifted off to sleep when I hear a noise. I don't know how to describe to you this noise. It's not a whine exactly and it's not a bark or growl. Kaidence was making this noise trying to get my attention. I couldn't figure out what she wanted. Then without any warning she jumped from the couch into the chair with me! She wiggled until she got comfy then got still. She fell asleep! Yes, we both napped in the chair. I will have to admit I'm not really asleep in this photo as I took it! but I know we did look like this at one point! I couldn't help but laugh to myself at how pathetic we both are!

Sunday evening we were at church. I had forgotten to silence my phone and got a text message. It was from Vanessa. She was at my friends where I keep my horse. The husband had been on the roof and fell about 18ft. It was pretty obvious he had broken his leg. Vanessa had called 911 for an ambulance. After church was over Doyle & I went to the hospital. After x-rays a surgeon was called. It was going to require surgery to fix. They admitted him for the night with surgery scheduled today. Evidently he had fallen feet first and his leg broke on impact. He's a pretty big man and falling that height didn't help.

He had surgery today at 2PM. After approximately a 9 inch plate, 11 screws and 45 staples, he's back together. He will not be able to bear any weight on it for 2 to 3 months. The dr said it was a bad break. We are praying that he will be a good patient. He's not one for following orders but we are believing for better than that for his sake. It could have been much worse so we are thankful.
Have a good one!

Found a Peanut

Remember that silly little song? "Found a Peanut, found a peanut, found a peanut right here" to the tune of "Oh, My Darling Clemintine? Vanessa calls the baby "Peanut" and that is what it made me think of it.
She had a doctor's appointment Thursday. On Tuesday Vanessa broke the news to me over lunch that the former BF was coming along. She said she was giving him the opportunity to be involved but with the stipulation that it was all or nothing. I wasn't too happy about it but then this isn't about me. I just don't want to see her get any more hurt.
Everything is fine. We heard the heart beat. I think that made it more real for Vanessa. She has still be struggling with "is this really happening?" The doctor said she will have a "little pooch" the next time we go and the following appointment they will do another sonogram.

We didn't do anything for the 4th but stay home. I actually didn't mind. I've been doing some scrapbooking (surprise). I've been working on the other "Team" chipboard album for my other niece whose birthday is later this month. I think I'm going to like this one even better than the last one! I'll take pics when I get done.

Mom is spending her 4th weekend with her brother & sister-in-law. Her sister from Missouri was meeting them there too. I'm sure they are having a ball. I would like to have gone but didn't want to travel. I think I'm getting old! I used to never give it a thought about going anywhere!

This is May's Page of the month Class using Basic Grey's Lime Rickey. I used a different title than what was suggested and also different subject matter. I'm getting a lot better about "doing my own thing"! (Thanks Cathy! )

I didn't like the colors of this kit as much. This is Basic Grey's "wisteria" line. My scrapbook friend Nanci gave me the idea of incorporating the sonogram pic. Pic of my mom, me and Vanessa close to the same age and "Peanut".

It's been terribly hot. After the one nice day we had (when I rode) the temp went back up and has been in the 100's. It was 103 today. It's 8:22 right now and 99! There is a ray of hope. Storms have formed out to the west and are headed our way if they hold together. I'm watering but just enough to keep stuff alive. Everything really does better with rain water than city water. The birds are starting to attack my tomatoes. I've already lost at least half a dozen from them pecking into the tomatoes. At least they waited until I got to enjoy most of them.

Ok. I'm going back to the scrapbook room!

Have a good one!

Therapy Session 063009

Yep, I went and rode my horse today! Was the best thing I could have done! We had a pleasant surprise this morning and awoke to wet streets and sprinkles! The extra surprise was that it was in the 80's and it stayed that way all day! We had cloud cover that kept temps down. So on a whim I decided to take advantage of a rare opportunity and go ride! I was supposed to meet with my mentor and friend but I called and asked if she would mind. She said "Of course not. If I could I would go with you!"

I had lunch with Vanessa and "peanut".

That's Vanessa's nickname for the baby. She had a gift certificate to the Mesquite Pit. It was good! After lunch I go home, change clothes, grab my camera, Kaidence and head to the horses. Kaidence is the one dog of my three I can take and not upset the dogs that live where the horse is. It makes her happy as she wants to be wherever I am!

Clyde looked good. So peaceful watching him grazing alongside the cattle egrets. It was temping to not bother him but I did anyway! I rode for about an hour and a half and was thinking of calling it a day when I get a text

from Lez asking me if I'm riding. I'm guessing she's home and has seen my truck. So I wanted for her to tack up and we rode together for about another hour and a half. It was great just hanging out, talking and enjoying our mounts! I was beginning to feel the affects of my riding after not having ridden much lately. I told her I thought I would call it a day. I really had a great time!

Lezlee leading Zebe and Willie (the miniature). Notice the golf cart in the background. Unlike me, Lez rode the cart in the pasture to get the horses. They were under the tree behind the cart.

My compadre!

trying to protect me from this weird creatures! She's so funny!

Having a swim break. The tank is really low. We really need some rain.

better view of the tank (pond for you northerners). The water level is very low. 

Exlpoding milkweed.

I saw this guy while I was doing laundry yesterday. I had to take this pic through a window with a screen so it's not crystal clear . It cracked me up. When I tried to open the door to take a pic through the storm door (without a screen) he scampered toward a pole and climbed up.

When he got to the top this is where he stopped! He made me laugh just sitting there with his leg dangling! From this pic he looks like he's about to fall but he wasn't.

End to a great day!

Have a good one!

TRUST

A five letter word although small packs a very powerful punch in its meaning. If you’re honest everyone has “trust” issues and that is because we have hoped or believed in people who are not perfect and make mistakes. Then we compare God to people and mistrust Him who has never given any of us any reason to not trust Him and more times than not proved His trustworthiness even when He didn’t have to.

Over the last couple of years God has been relentless in revealing my lack of trust in Him and lovingly pursuing and encouraging me to “let go”. 2007 was a very difficult year for me: emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Those of you who have been with me that long will remember I had two horses die within 2 months of each other. One of which was my personal mount and friend. (He is the horse I am on in the profile pic.) I developed a blood clot in my leg that year. We almost lost our oldest dog Zorro. We learned that Doyle’s oldest brother was in need of a liver transplant. My daughter was going through very difficult times as well and I felt like God was very far away from me.

Things improved in 2008. The future was looking bright once again and then came 2009 when our daughter who has a good head on her shoulders showed us her humanness. In March she totaled her truck and was arrested for a DWI. I was so thankful that she didn’t get hurt or hurt anyone else! Doyle & I had been praying that Vanessa would return to following after the Lord instead of living life her own way. I sure didn’t expect this! I asked the Lord if it was possible to let this pass but if not than I wanted His will to be done not mine. That sounds like it was easy but it wasn’t. I so wanted to rescue her but I couldn’t from this.

God showed His grace, mercy and favor to Vanessa. The County Attorney along with his investigative team decided that they would not take her case to court! I couldn’t believe it! Ya God! She isn’t out of the woods yet as DPS still has her license. For now she has a pink slip that allows her to drive until she gets a hearing with the State of Texas. She just received a letter last week setting her court date for July 8th. God’s favor continued with the insurance company who paid more than we were expecting!

Things were looking up again when Vanessa dropped another bombshell. May 13th, three days after Mother’s Day Vanessa told us we’re going to be grandparents. This one pretty much took the wind out of my sails. I love my daughter and I do want to be a grandmother but I didn’t want it to happen this way. I spent a few weeks crying out to God and very close friends. Dealing with anger and despair. I’ve worked through most of that now and have found myself beginning to think about scrapbook stuff and how different my life will be. I told several of my friends that now I’ll have more baby pics than dog pics! Vanessa is do January 6th. She and I are kind of hoping that the baby will be born before the new year but we’ll see.

A friend of mine suggested a CD called Those Who Dream by Kristine Mueller. I couldn’t get past the very first song called “Trust”. I have finally listened and continue to listen to the entire CD but the first song has become “my song” for this season in my life and has been a great comfort to me.

It’s the sweetest thing to trust You
Just to know, You got everything under control
It’s the sweetest thing to trust You
Just to know you got everything

You are making me a mountain
Making me a mountain
That can not be shaken
You are making me a mountain
Making me a mountain
That can not be moved

High up on a rock looking out at the horizon
Watching as the storm rolls in
Wondering if my heart will survive it
As the waves crash all around me
And I can’t remember what it feels like to be free

You are making me a mountain
Making me a mountain
That can not be shaken
You are making me a mountain
Making me a mountain
That can not be moved

You say “I’ve got you My baby, Oh I’ve got you
Its quite the mess you’re in
but it’s nothing love can’t fix
So sit here upon my shoulders
And watch as it all unwinds”

You are making me a mountain
Making me a mountain
That can not be shaken
You are making me a mountain
Making me a mountain
That can not be moved

God is making me a mountain that nothing will shake or move. I am learning that trusting Him is the sweetest thing. Just knowing He really does have everything under control.

Have a good one!

Latest Project

My niece Destiny had a birthday on Thursday. I had been thinking about doing a little album for her of the softball pics I had taken of the last few games I watched. I couldn't make up my mind. Finally on Tuesday (no pressure) I decided I was going to do it. I purchased what I needed and got started. I worked feverishly on it and got it finished while at the store on Thursday. This is the photo standing on a table. If you look close you can see the word "Team". The album I used was a "Bo Bunny Word chipboard album".

This view is a bit easier to see the word "Team. I had so many pics that I cut three more pieces of chipboard and inserted those in between the letters.

I'll have to admit I was pretty pleased with my results!

Inside the front cover....pages 1&2. The very first picture is the back of a t-shirt worn by one of the parents with all the players numbers and names. Pretty cool huh?!

Pages 3&4. Destiny plays shortstop.

Pages 5&6

Pages 7&8

Pages 9&10

Pages 11&12

The back.

I was going to take it to her but she had a game the night of her birthday. A double header that started at 6PM. I worked at the store until 6. So I came up with another plan. I asked Mom if she would mind dropping it off on her way to work on Friday. She drives within 4 miles of their house. She said she would. I didn't hear anything and wondered if she even knew it was at the house so I sent her a text and asked if she got it. She replied and said "Yes and it's amazing! Thank you!" That's all I needed!I plan to do another very similar for her sister whose birthday is next month. Hope she likes hers too!

Have a good one!

It's Summer and It's Hot! 062309

Sunday was not only Father's Day but the first day of Summer. Like I needed a calendar to tell me it was summer?! It was 97 degrees on Sunday and the temp has creeped up since then. We hit 100 today and will for the next several days. I understand that we aren't the only ones experience "summertime". At least our humidity has been low so at this point no heat advisories have been issued.

The dogs are sad because it's too hot to take them walking except early in the morning and late evening. Unfortunate for them I don't get up very early. I may have to make myself to go to bed earlier so I can. The other night I took them to the cemetery just before dusk. We almost had a catastrophe. We stirred up a skunk! Kaidence started to go after it when I yelled at her! So guess evening may not be the best time either!

I saw this strange fellow walking at the cemetery. It wasn't dark yet but dark enough my camera thought it needed a flash.

These are weeds but I was amazed at the blooms. Wish I had more daylight so I wouldn't have to use my flash.

Of course Kaidence will not be deterred. We play a little frisbee during the day but with many trips through the pool before bringing it back to me and it doesn't take her long before she's ready to come inside under the a/c!

I don't think I ever gave a report on Doyle's last visit to the doctor. He got a really good report but he had himself believing the doctor was going to release him when he went. He was a bit disappointed. The doctor said Doyle was doing really good and he wanted to keep it that way. He was afraid that Doyle was the type of guy that if he released him now he might try to do something he wasn't ready for and have to go through this process all over again. He told Doyle that at the earliest he would release him to go back in August but more likely September. I told Doyle that this was God's timing. He is getting a lot of things done here that he wouldn't if he went back to work now. He's making progress in the garage but we are to a point that we need to haul a load of "garage sale" stuff to Vanessa's garage before he can move forward. Vanessa is hoping to have a garage sale in the next few weeks.

That's about it for now. Hope everyone is enjoying your summer and staying cool! I'll leave you with an evening view.

Have a good one.

How Much Is Too Much!

I can't believe I have created yet another "web page". I must be out of my mind! I didn't even know what blogging was until 4 years ago. My first experience was with a site called Xanga.

My husband and I have a home group that we lead in our church. There was a young woman in our group (the same age as my daughter, now 23) who I wanted to try to get in closer relationship with. She told me about her "website". So in an effort to relate on her level I became a member of "Xanga"land. She has since gone to another website (myspace). I chose to stay at Xanga when I learned that I had family following my blogs. My mother was my promoter! I meet several people on Xanga young, old and everything in between. There were a couple of younger ones who didn't really like Xanga and left to go to Myspace. They urged me to join them. I thought, why not. If I can keep in touch with the younger generation then I will. So I created a "space" and learned that many from my church were on Myspace.

Then last year my husband and I took a vacation to Arizona. My cousin (on my dad's side of the family) and wife lived there so we made connections with them and had dinner. We learned that they were expecting! Not long after our vacation they moved to California. My cousin's wife created a blog here. I signed up just so I could comment her blogs but then didn't do a very good job of following her and never did anything with my "spot".

A few months ago I learned about another cousin (on my dad's side) who had a blog. Dad didn't know where it was. I thought he was on myspace which I found he did have but when we made contact he told me he didn't go there much that he was on Facebook. Yep, I created another place! When I signed up for Facebook I was amazed at the number of family members that were there! Mostly my dad's side of the family and his wife's family. I then learned that this cousin also has a spot here too! So I came back here to investigate what I needed to do to spruce my "Spot" up! My head is starting to swim with all these websites! Something has got to give! I don't have time to sit in front of a computer all day nor do I want to! But I do want to keep in better contact with people and this seems to be the mode in this day and time.

I do have more stuff to learn AGAIN! Every site I've been to does something a bit different so it takes me a little bit of time trying to familiarize myself.

So I don't know who I will quit....if any but I doubt very seriously if I will keep all four going! One or more are going to suffer my lack of attention. I've been with Xanga the longest and probably have the largest following (like I have a following!) but I will not make any rash decisions and will prayerfully consider what is the best.

Till next time....have a good one!