What's in a New Year?

well, the truth is, none of us know. when i look back at 2006, there are so many things now past, that i did not see coming. my father is in oklahoma and in many ways, totally dependent on our care. we are empty nesters. i knew the day would come,but it did come too quickly.
good things are coming in 2007. mom is retiring and thank you God, financially stable and healthy. there will be a marriage soon and a new baby to celebrate. maybe even more than one. my generation of cousins are all married now with this last one. in the same year i will see 24 years of marriage, she will see her first. and the circle continues...
so seize the day, hold tighly to love and to those you love. release the hard things you have held to long. I'm declaring a year of jubilee!! Join me in the celebration of all life holds and praise God for his presence that brings joy, hope, love, peace, forgiveness and healing.
Happy New Year, World! God loves you!

Although it's been said....

Merry Christmas! Yes I said Merry CHRISTmas!! No happy holidays here...hmmmm...well you know what I mean!

As I reflect on the year past it is once again overwhelming and humbling to see the hand of God so very present over our lives. From little things to very big things, He has walked each step of the way with us and I am grateful.

So I will celebrate His birthday with all that is in me. His birthday, and yet I receive all the gifts. Who would want to turn down an offer like that?

So, I'm offering this simple phrase, to kids from 1 to 92. Although it's been said many times, many ways...Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to you.

peace.

C. S. Lewis says...

"I do not doubt that God wants the best for me. My only concern is how painful that 'best' will prove to be."

In recent days, I am holding on to this thought. Romans 12:12 says "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer."

Why would we need to be patient in affliction if we aren't afflicted? I think we're being encouraged to not be concerned about how painful God's best will be but to just be aware that God's best is sometimes painful.

But He also tells us in Hebrews 12:23-25 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the day approaching."

So let's hang on together. Being joyful and patient and faithful! God is at work on our behalf and He loves us!!

peace

inner pieces?

i've discovered something recently. it's really not brain surgery, but it was a paradigm shift for me. anger and frustration disturbed my inner pieces which in turn leaves me no inner peace. i know, it should be obvious. the Bible has been telling me this my whole life. bumper stickers have touted it for years. but it takes the inner knowing all for myself to really, truly let it sink in.

you see, i work in a frustrating place with insecure people and it has been taking quite a toll on me. i lived in a constant state of wound up and i'm not really a wound up kind of gal. it finally occurred to me that i could unwind. i didn't have to fix it, control it, excuse it, accept it or like it. i could be calm, gracious, firm and at peace regardless. AND i've decided i like it when my inner pieces are at peace. it works for me. i'm better here.

so i'll "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer." romans 12:12. and my inner pieces will rest in peace.

peace to your inner pieces too!

arts and awards

i was privileged to attend the Governor's Arts Awards today in our lovely State Capitol building (you know, the one with the DOME) anyway, the President of our Board was nominated for the Earl Sneed Award. he's earned it many times over, so it was nice to see him appreciated in a public, official ceremony. But it did make me wonder, how many unsung heros are there out there? think about it, how many people do you know that deserve a medal or a round of applause but will probably never receive it in this lifetime.

I know some people that will be bazillionaires in heaven, but will not be applauded on earth. I know it will be worth the wait. I'm also glad that sometimes, the good guys get a medal.

peace.

Thankful and still gr8ful

well turkey day has come and gone. lots of food, family and some new friends. I hope you enjoyed your holiday, we did. i was also reminded of how thankful i really am and how blessed.

i am thankful that i am not judged in a court of justice but of grace. i am thankful that i don't get what i deserve. i am thankful that God loves me as i am, where i am, who i am. i am thankful that i am surrounded by people who love me even when i am sometimes, (hard to believe i know), unloveable.

i am gr8ful for this life i have been entrusted with. it has not always been easy, but journeys worth taking are worth the effort. climbing a mountain is not easy, but oh the view at the top.

so my verse for today is romans 12:12 "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer".

peace.

I'm Melting, mmmmeeelllttttiinnnnngggggg

If she had uttered these words, i would have understood the previous days with her. But other than being yelled at, having my head bit off and generally demoralized, She just ranted and huffed and puffed and blew my house down. So it cements in me a recent decision. I'm brushing off the resume and sending it out. Stick a fork in me, I'm done. I will still sing, I hope. But I'm done.

I'm a little sad, a little mad, a little excited and a little scared. We'll figure out which emotion wins.

So for now, i'm on vacation for a week and singing Ding Dong the witch is dead, la la la, the witch is dead. Even though she isn't and i really don't want her to be, at least i have a week away from Oz.

So if you are the praying kind, i'd appreciate the support. God alone knows how this will all work out. and I'm leaving it with him.

peace and happy turkey day

blitzed number 2

so I've spent the last 2 days on media blitzs. you take lots of pr info, make lots of appointments with papers, radio and tv people and you run in with a group of people and tell them as much as you can in a short amount of time. We had a blast and no alcohol was involved. we also got some great responses from the media. They Like Us, They Really Like US!!!

So we can all do our jobs a little better with people who now know us a little better. Seems like a good deal all around!

peace!

Different shades of Blitzed!

So Saturday night we went to two Halloween parties, both costume of course! Jim was Mr. Clean and I was his favorite mop. The visual was amazing!!

Anyway...the first party was family centered, lots of goodies and cute costumes. A homemade haunted house with varying degrees of scary depending on who was coming through next. Very fun, very clean, very all american pumpkiny kind of Halloween party.

The second party we attended was for hubbie's company. The theme of the evening was slightly different. I think it was Vodka. There was vodka punch, vodka cocktails, bloody marys, vodka jello shots and something called sewer water with baby ruths floating in it. The crowd was well soaked in vodka by the time we arrived and very entertaining. Being the light weight I am, I enjoyed the festivities immensely because the drunker they get the more entertaining it became.

Karaoke is an absolute scream when toasted people are doing it. For that matter, walking became more and more interesting. I had a great time watching and I hope they remember the party.

So that's the blitz experience number one. Blitz experience number two, later today...come back for more.

peace!!

Did you know?

I think everyone has been aware of the gas prices. UP and back down, although not where I'd like to see them, still down. Groceries have been a little higher and overall, things just seem to cost a little more everywhere I go.

Well, Friday I sent the season program to press. Due to the hurricanes and demand on building supplies, paper costs have risen about 30%!! It is going to cost me $1500 more than last year to produce a piece that is held in the hands of audience members through the concert, and then tossed into the recycle box so they can hold it again next concert or thrown in the trash or scrapbooked by someone's mom because they sang with us.

Seems like a lot of money for something that in the light of eternity is useless. How many wells could I build with those same dollars? How many children could I educate and feed? How many Bibles could be printed? The things around me become more trivial when lit by the light of eternity. What a perspective! It humbles me greatly to know that God sees everything in that eternal light.

peace.

I give up...

I can't make it better at work...only God can.
I can't make it better for my dad...only God can.
I can't make it better at home...only God can.

And the best thing about being completely out of control is now God can.

Thank you God for the reminder that living with open hands is the place of most freedom, most peace, most joy and the place I definitely want to live.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

peace.

Playing Opossum!

At 7:00am Saturday morning, Suki, our 5 year old Akita started barking. It was her "Hey I'm serious about this, something's going on" bark. So Jim jumped out of bed thinking that maybe our out of town company was up and Suki was trying to corral them. He runs out into the front living room and Suki is standing at the back door, frantically trying to get out. Jim opens the door and she races out and to the back corner of the yard where she catches something. Upon further investigation we find out she has cornered a opposum in our backyard and had drug it up to near the middle of the yard. I wasn't sure if she had killed it, so I went out to look. After watching it for a minute or two I noticed the almost imperceptible rise and fall of the little hairy chest. Suki's oppossum was playing opossum!! After giving her the obligatory YOU DID SUCH A GOOD JOB!!! doggy petting, we all went inside. Within a couple of minutes, the much slobbered on, but no worse for the wear, little oppossum poked his head up slowly, looked around and took off like a bat out of hell!!
I don't know if he'll be back.
peace

it's good to have friends...

The last month has been a challenge as everyone who reads this blog knows. My sister, who still has young, busy, non-driving children at home, has had a lot to take care of needless to say. So one of her long time friends calls, says she has something to drop by and ask her to leave her key out so she can put it in the house. My sister gets home after work, soccer practice, football practice and finds her whole house clean, her laundry done, folded and on each bed and dinner in the crockpot. How cool is that? Thank you God for good friends who know it is truly more blessed to give than to receive. We are surrounded by them. Help me to remember to be one of them.
peace.

On the road again...

I'm so glad that I'm not on the road again this weekend. Yes, the great big UHaul made it's way from Seven Points, Texas to El Reno, Oklahoma this past weekend. After 3 weeks on the road, 36 boxes, 3 rolls of tape, and much sweat and some tears, Dad is in Oklahoma!! We are so very grateful to God that he was 2 steps ahead of us every step of the way. So we're here and the lake house is on the market. Once it sells, we're done! For now...
peace! (and my own bed for the weekend!!)

I look great...

for the mother of a 67 year old!!! sometimes dealing with dad is a lot like having little children again. we get to talk about sick tummies, pooping, when to go to sleep, taking baths and changing clothes. Not that he is incapable of taking care of the basics, he just considers some of the basics unnecessary.
Why take a bath, we're not going anywhere?
Why change clothes, I'm just staying home.
Why go to bed, I'm sleeping fine in my chair?
It's like reasoning with a 3 year old!
I have to admit, sometimes he wears me slick. But I'm grateful he's here and we don't have to worry that he's not ok. I'm grateful he's accepting our help. I'm grateful that we can have time with him while he still knows who we are. I'm grateful I have my sister to take this journey with. I'm grateful that God walks every step with me because I could not do this without him.
peace.

miracles still happen

during the recent weeks we have so many dear family and friends praying us through the situation with our dad. let me run down the miracles for you.

2 months ago- dad was unwilling and adamant that he would never need our help and never move to Oklahoma
prayer happened
2 weeks ago- dad called and not only asked for our help, but completely turned over everything and admitted he needed our help

2 weeks ago- dad was number 12 on the waiting list for the best place we could find for him to live
prayer happened
6 hours ago- we put a deposit on his 1 bedroom duplex

1 week ago- every doctor we called who accepted medicare wasn't taking patients or if they were taking patients, they didn't take medicare
prayer happened
today-we found a wonderful doctor, who takes medicare, and is accepting patients

and this is just the beginning!!!

Thank you so much to our amazing Father in heaven!!!

GREAT, unsurpassed, unexplainable PEACE!

saga 2 and other news

So the car wouldn't start...My sister's Nissan Murano (very nice) had just had it's alternator recalled and replaced. So of course this is the best car to take to Texas for our whirlwind weekend of daddy business. We wake up day 1, car's dead. We can't jump it, it won't start. So we hook it up to a battery charger and at the end of the day the car finally starts. We have borrowed our cousin's car in the meantime so no real lost time. Next morning, we're packing to leave and leave the hatch open. Little bitty hatch lights drain the battery, car won't start. So we rehook the car to the charger, set it on high, listen to whole car hum and in 30 minutes, the car starts. We all jump in for the ride home, praying for good gas mileage and no head winds. Only one hitch, we have to stop for potty break and food, so we pull into Arby's and I go in while sis and dad stay in the running car and then we trade. Dad makes it out of the potty room just a little faster than my sister who exits the restaurant to see daddy getting into the van of a lovely couple from California. She runs over and asks dad if he'd like to go with us instead and everyone laughs and we cry inside knowing daddy can't live alone and is further gone than we had realized. We drive through, get food and get home. Thank you God!!
So we're leaving again today to run across the red river, sort through the rest of dad's belongings and pack them up so next weekend we can uhaul them back to Oklahoma. All I can say is...I'm driving my car!!!
peace!

answered prayers and the necessities of life

saga 1

well, after our wild trip to Texas, we have relocated one father. God receives much thanks and all the praise for an easy transition in a difficult situation. Daddy is here, happy, compliant and very humbled. He's awesome!!!

now to the necessities of life...we all know we have too much stuff. In light of survival, how we interpret necessities is very individualized. while preparing dad to come to OK, we told him to pack just the necessities he'd need for 2 weeks. When we went to check his suitcase when he was done, here's what he packed:

1 Boyscout handmade leather jacket
1 polished wood kerchief knot
6 pair underwear
1 knife

Needless to say, holding back both laughter and tears, we added a few clothes and his toothbrush. I think we may have left the knife for next trip!?

the adventures in alzheimers have only just begun...

thank you God for your favor, your graciousness, your strength, and your laughter. we could not do this without You!!

peace!

preview: Saga 2...and the car wouldn't start...to be continued!

so vote already!!!

I am sick of political signs, political ads on tv, political phone calls and political mail. I'm so past ready to vote just to end it all!! I don't believe any of the propaganda anyway. I'll do my own research and make up my own mind. I hope you will too.
peace.

I'm molting...

my nest has one less feather...younger daughter is officially moved and I didn't cry. Course I haven't been in the empty room yet, but I think I'm okay with it. She knows I'll miss her and deep down, she'll miss me too. It's been easy living with my children and it is definitely closing down a phase of my life. Older daughter is making noises about being out by September. We're going to rent their rooms to college students! The good news about closed doors is the opening of new doors as well.

Captain, she's taking on water

My younger daughter is moving out. She's very excited, we're happy for her and yet, Wednesday it hit me and I started crying. I wrote her a poem and a little note, and kept crying. everyone made fun of me and I kept crying. I drove to work crying, I called my friend and we both cried. Her daughter is moving out with mine. I got to work and stopped crying. Too much drama there already! So now that I'm dehydrated, I should be able to help her move and bless her on the journey. Fastest trip I've ever taken...
peace.

It's the WEEKEND!!!

Yippee, yahoo and OOOOHHHHHH Boy!!! It's been a week of Mondays and I'm glad it's over. 2 days of heaven and I can't wait. I hope you enjoy your weekend. Rest, relax, kick back and celebrate.

peace!

she's not dead yet captain

well it seems our AC unit just has some leaky valves. So once the home warranty people say it's ok to fix it, we'll have cool air again. yippee! once again, thank you God for home warranties and for temperatures under 100!!

Where's his sign...

well a short update to a short fix up. The AC guys still haven't called, so it's still pretty warm in here and we're looking forward to the 110 degree day tomorrow!

The wiring in our house is fine. The mystery switch actually operates the light over the garage...strange that it's in the dining room, but at least we know what it's for. The dishwasher was looked over by a dishwasher repairman yesterday and he couldn't figure out what was wrong because there was no power to it. So when the electrician came today, he looked all under the dishwasher, pulled it out just like yesterday, PLUGGED IT IN, and it works great!!! DUH, we should have asked the dishwasher specialist to show us his sign first, would have saved a lot of time!

So one down, one to go. We're praying for rain and a call back from the AC guy.

peace....

It's gettin' hot in here...

Well, not only is it 106+ on the outside, but it's now topping 83+ inside as well. yes, gracie, our AC is leaking! and when your AC leaks, it don't keep things cool. So it's soon to be naked night at the Crawfords, be careful about dropping by.

It seems that the previous owner of our new abode let his male dog do a whiz bang job on the AC unit, literally. We noticed when we looked at the house that the coils were deteriorated on one side. After asking what might have happened, said past owner let us know that was where his dog liked to pee. I guess dog urine is fairly corrosive because not only are the coils corroded but our AC repair friend says it's also corroded the coolant line. Yippee!!! All I can say is thank you God for home warranties!!! Now all we have to do is wait for the warranty people to find an AC guy that isn't booked for 3 weeks. Yippee!!! Naked night may last weeks, we'll take the quarantine sign off the door when we're clothed again.

More new house excitement...seems we have an electrical issue as well. Our new dishwasher stopped working last night and the repairman said that the lack of power to the unit is probably the issue. Once again, thank you God for home warranties!!! Such are the dreams of the every day housewife...

So life moves on at a very warm pace...I'm so excited to hear it will be in the 90's this weekend, I'm pulling out the winter clothes!!! and gas is under $2.80...miracles will never cease!!!!

enough sarcasm for today, the heat must make me cranky.

from puberty to menopause...

we survived and even enjoyed our week with the nephew and niece. I had forgotten the joy of pubescent hormones!!! In the same week I got to experience Menopause the Musical. 2 dear friends and I celebrated a mile marker birthday for friend 1 by going to see this hysterically funny musical. I never knew menopause could be so fun. So from one end of the hormone spectrum to the other, it was a great week!!

adventures in parenting...

my kids are getting older and it's been a while since I've had young kids around for any length of time. well...that ends tomorrow. my 13 year old nephew and 9 year old niece are coming to stay for a week while their parents go to Vegas. we're expecting good times, lots of fun and being exhausted by Friday!!! I think I'm glad I did kids when I was much younger. good training for the grandkids...WHOA- there's a sobering thought!

peace!

Thank God it's Friday...

and I have an entire weekend that belongs to me!!! No work!! It doesn't get much better than this. I really do love my job and the people I work with. But being an arts organization or an office of women sometimes lends itself to being drama-full! Sometimes, it's just nice to step away and relax for a couple of days. That's what I'll be doing this weekend. Even if I clean a little, it'll still be at a very slow pace. Me and Barney, making our little corner of the world a hair free zone!

Enjoy your weekend! Rest, relax, read...whatever floats your boat.

Just enjoy the ride...and thank God it's Friday! He'd love to hear from you.

peace.

that other girl...

I called my dad to wish him a Happy Father's Day. I don't know if he'll remember, but I hoped he enjoyed the moment. Alzheimer's is a nasty disease. It doesn't just take your memory, it erases who you are moment by moment. I see my daddy sliding down a slope and he can't stop himself and we can't help. I know God has a plan for him and for us and I'm trusting in His strength to carry us all through.

While talking to dad he asked me how that other girl was doing. I'm assuming he was talking about my sister and just couldn't recall her name. So we chatted about my sister, my daughters, our husbands and that boy (my nephew). Sometimes, he seems almost normal and then he starts a new sentence without finishing the one he was saying. Or he tells you a story about something he was told, not remembering you were the one who just told him. Sometimes, more than once.

I guess what I'm learning through all of this is use it, don't lose it. Treasure each moment and live with an attitude of gratitude. Today is a gift. Share all you are with all those you love. And let your little light shine!
peace.

The Main Event

So I went to the Masquerade Ball on Friday night. For a fundraiser, it was actually a lot of fun! We schmoozed, we auctioned, we drank and ate. The event was a success on all accounts. But the big event happened during the evening and was unnoticed by most in attendance. You see, history was made! Jim, born and raised Nazarene, never allowed to move both feet simultaneously, DANCED!!!! Really danced. Not just slow, spinning in circle dancing, but fast music shaking his groove thang dancing. And he's great! I had no doubts and we had sooooooooo much fun.
Watch out So you think you can Dance, Jim's on the floor!!
Check out the pictures on www.partypics.com password: Canterbury

Barney has moved in...

and I can't be happier!!! Barney is my new vaccuum, the purple dyson! If you have never seen one of these things work, it is so cool! We have a dog and a cat and they shed constantly. Barney does an amazing job of sucking up all the hair and stuff. I can tell I've entered a new phase, this vaccuum is one of the most exciting gifts I've received recently. So I love Barney and he loves me and we're a happy family. If you need a new vaccuum, check out Dyson!
www.dyson.com

ziggity do dah...

I got to Get Motivated today and it was an amazing conference! Zig Ziglar, Bob Stoops, Suze Ormen, Rudy Guiliani and more spoke and motivated and inspired. It was great and even with 35,000 of my closest friends, I'm still glad I went. If you ever get the opportunity to go, take the opportunity. www.getmotivated.com
it's worth your day.
peace

new country and western song...

"for a fat girl, you've got great knees." Catchy, toe tapping tune...what do you think?

Believe it or not, this is good news. I injured my knee about a month ago on the job and I've had doctor's appointments and an mri and today the results were for a fat girl, you've got great knees! No permanent damage, no significant arthritis or roughness in the joints. I am truly gr8tful today.

The dear doctor did recommend weight loss and increased exercise. Increased, hmmm, is more than nothing increased? So okay, I know I need to change this size of mine. But hey, don't all great songs come out of ache? Oh that's heart ache...oh well. I still think i may have a winner.

"There's a lot of you to hang on to. A butt the size of Timbuktu and arms that sway in the summer breeze but For a fat girl, you've got great knees." maybe Rascal Fatts would sing it for me... :-)

you can't go home again...

I never really understood this statement. I mean, if you can't go home again, where can you go? But you know something, I recently drove past our old house. We've only been gone 8 weeks, but I almost didn't recognize it. When we lived there the house was slate blue with a red front door. The flower beds were full of hydrangeas and roses and rose of sharon. A weeping mulberry and some small shrubs backed up the flowers with some green and some cool shapes.
The house is now beige. All over. There is nothing in the flower beds but one tree and rocks. It looks very,... well,... dull! No color, no flowers, no flavor at all! I would hate to see the inside. Is my red kitchen now white? Is my yellow front room beige? Are the drapes still there? I can't think about it anymore. I have a new pallette to color and shape and I'll leave the old one to the beige people. I hope they are happy in their colorless spaces. I won't drive by again. Watch out easy street, the paint is coming and I'm mowing down the monkey grass!!

another day, another power outage

I work in an old building. It used to be a fire station many moons ago and it's showing its age. 2 weeks ago, the air conditioner quit. Today there was no power on the bottom floor where our offices are. I don't even want to know what's could be next. I think I'm glad to have the option to work at home. Although a four day weekend would be a nice treat!
peace!

Remember when...

you didn't have a cell phone? or more, you didn't have an answering machine? or call waiting? the phone rang or you got a busy signal. if it rang your ring, my grandma was on a party line and she had a special ring that wasn't her neighbors ring who shared the same phone line. and if it rang and no one was home, it just kept ringing and you knew to call back later.

you didn't have a computer? or more, no one you knew had one? mail only came from the post office.

I sometimes miss those simpler times. And yet, as I was sitting on my back porch in my rocking chair working on my yearly work budget on my wifi laptop and checking my email while having my cell phone on the table next to me, I am also grateful I don't have to do ledgers or the 8 to 5 at a desk.

So I guess I'll keep the technology and just learn the power of the off button when looking for simpler times. After all, I'm still in control, right?

thoughts on getting old

I've decided that getting old is a state of mind and as I've already stated, I'm not moving again!! Just kidding, sort of. I have a dear friend who is 83 years young. Not just because it's cool to say that, but because it's true. She hangs out with our daughters as easily as with my mother and it is amazing to watch her. On the other hand, I know people around my age that are already old. How sad to waste life on surviving. I want to be vital, busy, relevant, energetic, fun-loving and interesting as long as God sees fit to leave me here. I want to live this life I've been entrusted with. I want to watch the character grow on my face. I want to see the laughter I've listened to in my eyes. I want to wear purple now (although I'm not sure about the red hat!). I want to share joy, laugh without limits, feel, and experience. Celebrate with me that today you have breath, today you have a voice, today you have options, today you have abilities, today you have experiences, today you have today!!! Invest it wisely and enjoy it unashamedly.
peace!

Cross cultural event

Like you've never seen before. Well, okay maybe once, at a Hornet's game. Canterbury and the Canterbury Academy of the Vocal Arts will be singing the National Anthem at the Yard Dawgz game on April 29th. And they called us. This PR gig ain't so bad, and it seems to be working!

In the coming week in OKC

If you have never been to the Arts Festival in Downtown OKC, you should make the trip. Start at the Northeast corner of Reno and Walker with the finest fare in food gathered in one location for your pleasure. There are Indian Tacos, Strawberries Newport, Tequila Lime Bread Pudding, Blackened Chicken Sandwiches, Gyros, Roasted Corn and much more! If you hear singing coming from the Blackened Chicken booth, it's Canterbury folk preparing your food. Each food booth is sponsored and manned by a non-profit arts agency as a fund raiser. So bring your funds to help raise ours! and Thanks!!! Then mosey around the tents and booths and view artisan wares from all over. The Myriad Gardens is beautiful and there are fun things for the kiddos. It's a great time for all and it supports the arts in Oklahoma City. Wear comfortable shoes and come prepared to enjoy!

Hi ho, hi ho, unpacking here we go

Boxes, boxes everywhere and not a drop to drink! because you see, i think a sangria swirl would help this process move along much more quickly or at least a lot less painfully! Any way, it's beginning to happen. It's beginning to look like we live here. My plan is to focus on the inside this year and see what comes up in the yard and then focus on the outside next year. that is if the monkey grass doesn't take over. you see, we have an abundance of it. the entire front yard is encircled in it, in a 4 foot swatch. it is around the flower beds, all four of them. if it weren't for monkey grass, we'd have no grass at all. we do have some random bushes, a couple of azaleas, some irises and a rose. and trees. A huge maple tree in the back, several pine trees and a couple of birches. Shade is a wonderful thing.

suki has discovered squirrels. the last house we lived in had no trees (new neighborhood built on farmland), hence no squirrels. She has become the mighty huntress, saving us from the pillaging vermin that threaten our habitat. it's quite amusing.

And we have rocking chairs. 4 teak wood rockers and tables. it's wonderful to sit on the patio, rocking in our chairs, enjoying a beverage, watching the mighty huntress protect us from evil while the chimenea smokes.

Life on Easy street, I can definitely get used to this.

As soon as we're unpacked, it's party time...stay tuned.

p.s. free monkey grass, you dig, you haul, you can have it for free!

Now I remember...

why I hate moving! When I was young and foolish(not a good combination, but a natural one unfortunately), we moved frequently. In our 23 years of marriage, we have moved 18 times. 17 of those were in the first 12 years. Our last move was 10 years ago. I've grown older and wiser in that time. Forgetful too! I forgot how much work it takes to pack a house. I forgot how dust bunnies under appliances and furniture become werebunnies when left undisturbed. I forgot how much energy loading and unloading everything you own takes. The one thing I did remember is how much help friends and family can be.
Some good friends came with trucks and muscles to help us move. My mom gave up her day off to tie up all the loose ends and clear the old house. The entire pastoral staff of our church showed up with trucks, trailers, dollies and strong backs to help us move. I've heard of servant leadership my whole life, for the first time, I saw it in action. Not because we are special, needy, unable...just because that's what Jesus did. He helped people with their every day needs. Some were more significant than others, but he helped them all. Thanks NEWCHURCH pastors for helping the least of these. Our paradigms have shifted due to your kindness and example.
So we're here. We can't find anything but it's great and we are looking forward to many years on Easy Street. I don't think I'll ever get tired of saying that! :-) It makes me smile. When we find the kitchen, we'll throw a party. We always do!
WWJD-whatever someone needed Him to. What has He done for you?
Peace from Easy Street!

So we're moving on up, to the north side

Oh my goodness, I've never realized that a sedentary rock collects more than moss. We've lived in our current house for 10 years. When we moved here, we had more space than we knew what to do with. Empty cabinets, half-full closets, it was amazing! In the 10 years we've lived here, all closets are full, cabinets are full to overflowing, floor space occupied. The inheritances from several grandmas and one mom-in-law have helped to fill our otherwise empty spaces. I am committed to using what we have. I hate waste for the sake of saving it for something special. Make today special or give it away so someone else can use it. In the packing of all my stuff, I've realized how precious the people are to me whose memories are awakened when I see the things they passed on to us. More precious to me are the memories I pass on as I share these things with the people I love.
So pull out the good china, drink pop from crystal and make today a celebration! Have some friends over and use those cloth napkins. What are you waiting for?

March Madness is here!

I cannot believe it's been 2 months since I have been here. Whoa, how time flies! Things I have learned in the chaos:
...time flies-even when you are sitting still
...selling your house is an exercise in patience
...and cleanliness!
...raising kids isn't easy, letting go of adults is the hardest thing I've ever done
...singing still brings me great joy
...working is something I could live without
...money isn't, so I'll keep working-for now
...I love my husband and I'm proud of who he was, is and will be
...I'm worth the effort

so here goes. we're moving-the house has sold-now comes the packing. I can honestly say, I don't ever want to do this again. we're moving around April Fools Day-appropo don't you think!?!

peace.

do you live in filth and squalor?

I didn't think I did either. Then I put my house on the market. every dust bunny, every cob web, every minute imperfection in my home now seems to be under a magnifying glass. I've turned into the cleaning screaming mimi and no dust mite is safe! the thought of perfectly lovely, potential buyers walking through my house, opening cabinets, closets and drawers has brought me to a place I have never lived; the perfectionist's home.

All I have to say is this house better sell soon or so help me, Mr. Clean is going to get it!! and his little scrubbing bubbles too!!!

Happy New Year!!

It's 2006 and I don't do resolutions. I don't eat black eyed peas. I did toast the New Year with my wonderful hubby, great friends and a glass of bubbly. Thank you Mike Horshead and Lovely Wife for a fabulous evening!! We need to do it more often.

I raise my glass to each of you and wish you a blessed, peaceful, prosperous, invigorating, exciting, surprising New Year in 2006! All God's best to you from this first day until the last.

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

So here's to 2006, may it be the best one yet!