Cyber Monday...

If you are not the Black Friday type, maybe today's biggest online shopping day of the year might appeal to you a bit more. Still not feeling great, there was no online shopping for me but Black friday was a different Story.

The difference is in your expectations. If you really believe that getting in line hours early to get one of 20 $ 199.00 TV's. you and I are not of the same species. This is the only day of the year, I get good vibes from the hustle and bustle that can only be found at 5am. Not looking for anything in particular but could not turn down winter boots for $25, made my day. That an dwalking around with my grandson checking it all out.

We met up with the rest of the fam and took over a makeshift living room complete with couch and two chairs. I stood in line for almost 40 minutes to get gift certificates for those who spent enough money to qualify and met some great people. The young militiary girl who had her phone stolen the day before. The 18 year old kid called to tell her he had changed her password and she told him there was alot of military information on that phone that he didn't want to be caught with - later that day not only was he caught with the phone but also drugs. Not a great day for him.

Met an IT gentleman and we had a spirited talk about Apple and Microsoft. He said, If you are looking for media, video, photos or music - Apple can't be beat. If you are looking for productivy, go with a pc. The most honest pc person I have ever met.

For me, it is the perfect day. not to hurry. You immediately notice the ones who would mow down their own mothers for a $9.99 sweater and steer clear of them but most everyone is as nice as they can be. Must be the christmas dust that the Mall spreads around before they open the doors.

Hope those of you who shopped today, got the bargains you were hoping for from the comfort of your home. The only you might have gained from a BF experience is some good Stores and that is worth a bit of effort anyday...

perspective...

A few hours after the devastating loss of our beloved BSU, the Thanksgiving flu that had a hold of Keaton, spread to our house. DH had gone to bed early because of an early wake up call for work but never made it. By 4AM, we were well on our way to an horrific rest of the weekend, just starting to settle down Sunday night.

At first, I wondered if it was the shock of our kicker missing 2 field goals but as 2/3 of The Thanksgiving guests came down with the same thing, decided it was not. It is not the loss per se, that bothered me but how we loss.

By now, everyone knows that our kicker missed a 26 yard attempt that put us into overtime and a few minutes later, missed a 29 for the win. When Nevada got the ball, their kicker was successful from a longer vantage point. Even as Coach Pete and Kellen Moore were been so supportive, I couldn't help to think about our kicker and truly, in the midst of a flue coma, I started praying. Later the news would report that the family almost immediately started getting threatening phone calls, While BroncoNation is know for its overwhelming support, that same passion can go the other direction. Yes, he missed 2 field goals that were almost unmissable but let's start from there and help him and his family move on.

I don't know much about football but I know a bit about people. Until this football season is over, this will be in our minds. Woulda, coulda, shoulda, but for this man, it will never go away. Never.

When he is in his thirties, later in his forties and for the rest of his days, he will never forget. He will replay it in his mind over and over and over again. I truly believe it could drive himself crazy if he doesn't get some help. He will need to learn some coping skills that will allow himself to be human. He will have to learn to like himself again,

Gage ran into his room crying with the loss. He was inconsolable, said he hated football. Probably the most healthy response he could have. He had spent Thanksgiving explaining how the BSC was going to shake out in grave detail. On Black Friday. he was so happy when it looked like Alabama was going to pull off an upset.

Someone started a FB page for our kicker, we still love you, being the theme. I hope one day soon, he can say the same thing about himself...

my favorite things...

Just like Oprah's...almost. This is the start to my favorite week of the year. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, everyone already has visions of turkey and dressing dancing in their heads. Thanksgiving, Black Friday and BSU football finish out the week. Throw in a 59th birthday and a 39th anniversary and you have got yourself quite a week. Will start with my favorite youTube video. I cry everytime I see it. Macy's - where Jesus meets Santa. It truly helped me reconcile the two that always seem to leave me feeling like I'm in a Tug o' War. So, here are some of my favorite things in no particular order.



Did you know you can mail anything that will take a stamp and weighs less than 13 ounces without a box?/Apartment Therapy.



Doodle, put your own photo on a personal speaker



Already received an order and loved it!



I think this is gorgeous


Make your own personalized candy bar. Ingredients galore...



Original, Girls Night out, and many more conversation starter cubes



Apple TV, perfection at its best. I think you can guess where to find it!

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with lots of love. Take lots of pictures, play a game with a child and remember you are Loved...see you next Sunday, love zalaine

hard work...

All of us will spend some time this week reflecting on Thanksgiving's of our pasts.
Of big family gatherings with lots of food and noise or perhaps, memories of a skinny Thanksgiving where nothing was in abundance. Maybe Thanksgiving 2010 is going to be a tough one. Imagine it might be for many considering the many food bank drives around each of us. Sometimes, it may seem that all our hard work doesn't pay off. I imagine that at the first Thanksgiving, they felt much the same way.

Most of us don't so much hard work. The kind that brings a sweat to your brow. If we do, it is in short spurts with lots of ice tea in between. DH had a very physical job. Most days and nights, he is crawling on top of railroad cars in every kind of weather imagineable. When he retires on Dec 31, 2011, he will be 63 and 1/2, too old for a job as tough as this one. Don't know who will replace him, they can't get anyone to help him now. If he was an insurance salesman, he could and would do the job forever but that is not his lot. He will get the job of being with me, that poor man!

Miss M was the epitome of hard work yesterday. She raked her little heart out, not caring that Gage had decided to take a Inside Day. Keaton went out to help and Gage was challenged on his holiday choice so soon everyone was out in the yard but she was almost hurt that two rakes had to be shared among three of them.

That is what hard work is. It is about getting it done. Seeing a job that needs to doing and doing it. Imagine that the first Thanksgiving was much the same way. No going to Costco for ham and dessert. Maybe there wasn't a pumpkin pie. Maybe dessert was dried fruit or worse. Imagine trying to sell that at Thanksgiving 2010!

As you start your week, may gratitude be your beacon. For all that has been and will be in your life. No matter what the landscape of Thanksgiving 2010, you can find Something to be grateful for because it isn't about what you have but about who you are. If you don't like what you see, be grateful that this very minute, you can decide to change what you don't like. Whatever your circumstances, there is always room to be thankful...

wisdom...

For with much wisdom comes great sorrow. the more knowledge, the more grief... Ecclesiastes

I didn't put that together until today. My idea of wisdom was a mix of the up side of growing older with the idea of being a smarter person. Never thought about the downside of a lifetime of experiences.

One would imagine that after a certain experience, or at the very least, after 2 or 3times of the same... we would be doing the experience smarter, better, faster while avoiding each and every pitfall. Still not sure that isn't true but like all things in Life, for every upside, there may be a downside, lurking close by.

For me, it is not so much as downside as being able to be Real about life and all that goes with it. Argumently easier for those who sees the Glass As Half Empty, we don't expect a rainbow in every sky or even as much as we wished, a VW bug in every driveway. Bad things happen to everyone, the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Prayer is not a guarantee against all things BAD and then sometimes, for no apparent reason, everything is perfect.

While it would appear that I abhor All Things Grownup, the idea of being wiser seemed like a nice trade off for getting older. Common sense should have told me, that I was missing Something. I should have seen that just the pure nature of living through many experiences, there would be grief and sorrow. None of us can avoid G&S, so we have to learn how to incorporate them into our lives. How to co-exist and even continue on when we are so filled with sadness has to be where the wisdom comes in and becomes useful to ourselves and others as we share it.

So, I had to decide today whether to keep aiming for wisdom. With this new knowledge in hand, it seemed like a choice had to be made. It didn't take long to figure out that things are going to be coming my way, no matter what and I might as well get all the help I can. The perfect example of wisdom used wisely. Make no mistake, you can live to be old and not have a bit of anything to offer to anyone. My biggest fear is that my wisdom shared, will hurt someone. That may have to be the chance I have to take if I share but hopefully, I will recognize, apologize and course-correct. Maybe Some Good Stuff has sunk in...

pretty good day...

By last night, the iTunes announcement had been cracked and it was all over but the shouting which you would have heard if you were within a mile of my house.

Spent the morning going through every album and listening to songs I haven't heard in age. We have got many of the albums but to hear them remastered is a absolute thrill. Watching some fo the concert footage and the whole visual that iTunes brought, the virtual black out with a bit of color was outstanding. In part of the 1964 concert footage, the announcer said americans found great happiness after great sadness after the assination of JFK with the Beatles coming to America. I remember the Ed Sullivan show like it was just. We all sat around the TV and someone past out from excitement (not me!) Little did we know then what was in store.

Trying to figure out how to explain to Santa that this would worth carrying around in his sled! Maybe I should appeal to his sense of history, of handing the collection down to the generations to come. Will have to work on it.

Speaking of that generation, I hope they get their Moment. I know it won't look like mine but Someday when they are my age, I want them to be able to relive that excitement. Music is a lot like Christmas, you get to be a kid again if only for a short time but a short time is all you need, if you do it right,

best.day.ever.... I actively make it a point to injest this thought everyday because try as I may, being in the Moment doesn't come naturally. It is just that Somedays are better than others. John, Paul, George and Ringo... Steve Jobs and iTunes, thanks you all...

PS. Just a reminder, back up your iTunes library frequently. You just never know.

relationship...

Heard the other day about a woman going through some Big Stuff and the familiar theme of, Why is this happening? What did I do wrong? Why is God mad at me? It is a played out by many who in a time of crisis, forget what they know, who they belong to and let their emotions completely take over. I have been there too but God help me, there has to be more than trusting God when things are ok to excellent and drop off the face of His earth when times get tough. It think it may have Something to do with relationship vs checklist.

Put religion, church and and feelings aside, what is the dance you do with God? How do you two relate? If someone could listen to your prayer time with Jesus, what would they hear?

I have had this particular conversation with fa few closefriends a million times because until you go through it, not sure you know how you will respond. YOu hope you will be strong. Everyday your relationship has the opportunity to grow. Someone once likened it to the phone ringing, you answer and would you recognize Jesus's voice immediately or would you have to ask, who is this? Obviously you would know immediately a voice that you have a good relationship with. Just like in Real Life...well, for everyone but Gage.

Me: Hey Buddy, how you doing? Have you had a good week at school? What was the funniest thing you did? I sure miss you Gage.

Gage: Who is this?

Me: It is your nana

Gage: Oh, you all sound alike.

That is Gage. I'm pretty sure he was just being the comedian that he loves to be. He knows my voice but loves to mess with me.

Forget the checklists or the things you think He wants to here. Just have a relationship with Him. Thank him for the people in your life. Tell him what is going on with you, the good and the bad. Sit on a swing and just hold hands, crawl up into His lap and let Him hold you. The rest will come and it will all fit together...

just say no...

When life(or your granddaughter) gives you lemons, you make lemonade...

She is going through her Don't Take My Picture phase. I now that this too will pass but not loving it now. The thing I do appreciate is her ability to say no. It is a very misunderstood subject, the ability to say no. Either we can't for so many different reasons which leads to a completely new set of problems or we say no at the wrong times, for the wrong reasons. Just say no sounds easy but in reality, is tough to get right.

Some no's are so obvious, you wonder why it was ever a question. Came across one myself last week, leaves you scratching your head in dismay about how much denial a person can be in. Even though it was a no-brainer, the politics of the situation did not leave me the luxury of displaying Miss M's most truthful response. Had to negotiate a response and it actually fell to another to do the deed. Sometimes you just have to follow someone else's lead.

There is a real art to saying no. You have to balance guilt with good, mental health. It doesn't come overnight but if you keep trying, after many attempts and some failures, it will get easier and you will get better at it. The guilt will never go away - it will subside but will rear it's ugly head just when you think you have conquered it. Miss M is off to a good start. It was but a few weeks ago that she was telling me, Nana - take my picture now. Oh, how I long for the good old days...

new direction...

I am going a new direction for Christmas this year. No more worrying about blurring the line between Santa and Jesus, I know what I know and what I know is this...Don't sweat the small Christmas stuff. I can't save the world so I am going to get out of that business. My new focus is gratitude365. No matter the day, whether plain or fancy, I am going to be all about the gratitude.

There is a Dec Daily that alot of the scrapbookers do. The 25 days before Christmas, you take a photo or document a craft and make a nice little book to remember the holidays. I have never done one for a variety of reason but this year, thinking I will. It will be a bit different, as I want to document the gratitude of the 25 days of Christmas. Something I see or remember that reminds me of what a wonderful life I have been given. No more whining about retail, or crazy people. It is Time to move on. To enjoy the holidays with as little thoughts of the have-to-do's and all that goes with it.

Would love to go to a cookie exchange or a my favorite things party. Take the kids out when it is snowing or just to feel the hustle and bustle that the holiday brings. I give up! When the commercials start, I am hooked and want to start decking the halls.

So come ahead Christmas! Jump in front of Halloween and Thanksgiving. Shove school supplies to the side. Put a Santa hat on every product we buy. Play the carols, sing the songs and bring on the smells. Good tiding of comfort and joy, the more the merrier. Don't forget to tell us about your aggressive layaway programs and by all means, fight for my shopping dollar. It is part of it, it is just the way we do business. I am prepared and ready to go. NO FEAR....

women and birthdays...

A group of women, a surprise birthday party, great food and fabulous conversation. We should each experience it at every so often in our lifetime. I imagine that all women talk about the same things at birthday parties. Age,parents, children, husbands, sex. Milestones met and new ones to come.

We sat around the table eating got food and then sharing fondue. One big conversation and at other times, small ones going on around the table. The Birthday Girl is wearing a crown and pink beads, you could pick her out of a crowd.

There is just Something about a group of women sharing that is a little slice of heaven. Ranging in age from 42 to 58, the conversation flows from topic to topic. Sidebars come naturally and often. Over 2 1/2 hours later, we each have gotten our 2000 words out for the day and collectively, go our own ways.

Great way to end the week. A little bit of living in the Moment, with a foot in the Past and in the Future. Loved it!

PS. The conversation about Denzel Washington - you couldn't drag it out of me,
(yummy!)

fool...

Alcohol, at times, made me a fool...George W Bush

Fool/noun...Someone who very much likes something specified.  [quotations ▼]
1975, Foghat, "Fool for the City" (song), Fool for the City (album): I'm a fool for the city.

Like him or not, George Walker Bush, 43, is very an interesting character. Caught his interview with Oprah today and was impressed. Anyone who admits to being a fool can't be all bad and as I learned today, looks like being a fool can go several different ways.

If Wikionary is right, one could be a fool for a good reason. Still not convinced that being a fool for either side is Something to be proud of even though I am a full-fledged card-carrying member of the club. Right now, I have several things that I like very much, going on. Some are physical like MacQuesting and some are theory which are just as strong, some days even stronger.

Can one be a fool in any category and live a healthy, mental life? I have seen what believing in nothing looks like as well as religion, both at less than their very best. Maybe it is alright to be a fool with conditions? Maybe not.

At any given time, we are all excited about Something. Something that we wish everyone would love to learn about and share with the world. What about your fool?

What does that look like for you, today?
Is it a negative or a positive?
How would giving it up, change your life?

Thinking my fools issues are now in preliminary mode and will either sink or swim, die a natural death or join the ranks of permanent files on my hard drive. Still uncomfortable about the very word, fool but thinking flushing them out and dealing with them, may be the way to go...

inside the actors studio...

Inside the Actors Studio: imagine James Lipton asking you his 10 questions and how you would answer,

1. What is your favorite word? breathe

2. What is your least favorite word? deserve

3. What turns you on? what brings me to tears

4. What turns you off? sci fi

5. What sound do you love? the lawn mower.

6. What sound do you hate? backhoe

7. What is your favorite curse word? everyone else's least favorite

8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? U2's back up singer

9. What profession would you not like to do? anything to do with mountain climbing

10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?Well done, good and faithful servant.

No matter who we are, I believe there is a little bit of actor in each of us and i say this, because we are all so full of drama. It may not look like Tom Hanks or Julia Roberts. You may not like being up in front of an audience but some of the time, we all live out the drama we have chosen or that has chosen us, and we put our heart and soul into it. It's not about memorizing a script or having your own dressing trailor but rather what happens when we are on. When we are living it or when the drama is living us. Like it or not, all the world is a stage and we perform on it every single day...

play.laugh.grow.

These words in this order belong to Fisher Price but don't be fooled, they are words to live by, no matter what your age. The older you get, the more you see their significance.

After spending time out and about this weekend, DH listened to me as I lamented about the early onslaught of All Things Holiday and stated as if I had been on a desert island for the last 10 years, Christmas starts the day after Halloween. He is so right.

The fight for our Christmas spending has already begun. There is no waiting until Black Friday. Layaway which was so 1970, made a come back last year and has been paraded in front of us since August. Here it is, I will fully admit it - when the fake snow starts flying and the red Christmas ornaments are everywhere, I start to change. I get the bug. I want all things, merry and bright. I become a kid and all that goes with it. I want, I want - kicks in with a vengeance.

While my usual default for the gratitude season runs from November 1 to Thanksgiving, I am moving it to December. Actually, it will run from November 25 to December 25. I am extending the season of thankfulness for all I have been giving at the toughest time of the year.

The season where Jesus and Santa Claus clash.
The season where everyone gets that one perfect gift, they so long for.
The season where everyone walks away from the table, full and happy.

Play.laugh.grow, that is what I want for each and every one of us but the reality is that won't happen. The reality is people are homeless, hungry and have no money for anything. So where do we start? How do we change our personal realities? It had to come from within and it has to contain the element of gratitude. It is about learning to be grateful, no matter where you find yourself. It is about being happy doing what you can with what you have. Learning new ways, if you have to. Making new traditions and most of all, not living in a world that doesn't belong to us. Yearning for what isn't ours in spite of our best efforts and wanting.

I have been listening to Christmas music for about a month now. Not the Santa Claus is coming to town stuff, but the Real Christmas stuff. The reason I know it is real is that it calms that part of me that wants to smother the world in snow and gifts and wants to see play.laugh.grow flourish in real world. Now that, is heaven in the Real World...

the blond in the t-bird...

Keaton now has a thing for Happy Days. Richie Cunningham and The Fonz are high on his list and as any good nana would do, I need to keep up with his ongoing knowledge of all Things Cool. On Friday, we got into a little discussion about American Graffiti which has one of his favorite actors, Harrison Ford. He couldn't believe it so we started Googling AG. Richie and Shirley were there which later led to Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley but also Richard Dreyfuss who Keaton loved in Jaws. It is at the top of the list for the next sleepover if not sooner.

So, its 2AM and DH and I are going to bed and I start telling him all about this wonderful conversation with our grandson. As I proceed to go through the cast of characters, he says, Oh yeah and Suzanne Somers was the blond in the t-bird. No, I tell him, I don't remember her being in American Graffiti. This movie came out in 1973, the year our girl was born - this is the man who can't always remember my birthday or our anniversary which is the very next day but he remembers the name of an actress in a movie over 37 years ago. I am so sure he is wrong, either because it was very late or very early. I couldn't sleep, finally got up , turned on the iPad and after searching the exhautive cast, found Suzanne Somers, near the end. We had a good laugh and finally were able to get some sleep.

I should not be surprised. There are a few things that we women should never bet against with men. When on a diet with a man, never bet. Never, even if they are prone to cheating. There is Something about their DNA that allows them to kick your butt everytime. Find something else, but never weight loss. The other thing is women. Men have an uncanny knack for remembering things we don't want them to when it comes to blonds in t-birds. Again, can they helpd themselves? I think not. It is better to go with the flow and understand they are who they are and we are not going to change them and learn to buy your own birthday presents...word.

the power of music...

Thanks Mrs D! You made my day! and the beat goes on...

best.day.ever...again

It doesn't stand for what you think...Twitter, Google, IPhone and Facebook. Leonard Sweet.

BC - before cellphones. In 1973, Martin Cooper stood in front of the Hilton Hotel in NYC and made a call from the sidewalk to AT&T. The first cell phone call.
If you were born before 1973, you are an immigrant. Born after 1973, you are a native.

TGIF - this is a culture that sell relationships not products. Don't believe it, try getting out of your cell phone contract.

All this is mixed up with going to the Mac world and leaving the PC world behind. Gotta to say that the iPad has got me thinking so far ahead of what I thought was possible and with the Mac App store coming in January 2011, my pc days are over.

Had an issue with my camera connection for the Ipad which turned out to be a memory card issue but I spent several hours at the Apple Store today trying to figure out what direction to go. Got to pick the brains of a couple of 20 something young men and decided to go for the iMac desktop and use my iPad instead of getting a laptop. Each of them have the same set up and it works perfectly. They have Expert on their business cards, imagine I can't go too wrong with their advice.

As I invested myself in their knowledge, I kept thinking about the TGIF thing. Everywhere in the Apple Store, one is bombarded by images. Fast, striking, big and colorful. I see what I see now. If you are around me, you won't hear anymore about leaving Twitter...I am in for good. I see the benefit and truly, want to see the world through their eyes. They are awesome....

After spending a couple of hours there, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a woman way older than me - buying an iMac. She didn't look like the Apple type, the times they are a changin. After spending 20 minutes with my last Expert, the best thing ever happened. He offered me a job at the Apple Store. I told him I study Steve Jobs' Keynote speeches like I was going for college credit. Seems like I am headed in the right direction... Now, if I only lived closer to the Mall...

you were put here, for this Moment...

Let's be more amazed that we are forgiven, than that we are right/John Piper.

In the middle of some serious study. My head is whirling and my heart is full. It is about joining the culture of Today, the one God has put me in with the one I was raised it. I live in a world where text has gone from being a noun to a verb. The average 13 year old sends over 3400 text messages a month. I couldn't have imagine the world we live it today. A world that is foreign to what I know yet, I am here for a reason.

To know a culture, you have live with them. Do what they do, become a part of their community. You have to have some credibility and that doesn't happen without involvement. You have to speak their language and when they know that, then you have made a Way. This culture is not about works, they are about images. TGIF... it's not what you imagine, Twitter, Google, IPhone and Facebook. The currency of this culture is images not words/Leonard Sweet.

You and I were put here, for this very Moment, and we need to create some creditability. The only way to do that is too immerse yourself in this generation. Need a starting point? Follow Apple for a while and then go out, spread the Gospel of Jesus in a way that this culture will respect because we cared enough to learn their ways. I could not be more excited. TGIF, from this Moment on.

TGIF...

It doesn't stand for what you think...Twitter, Google, IPhone and Facebook. Leonard Sweet.

BC - before cellphones. 1973 Martin Cooper stood in front of the Hilton Hotel in NYC and made a call from the sidewalk to AT&T. The first cell phone call.
If you were born before 1973, you are an immigrant. Born after 1973, you are a native.

TGIF - this is a culture that sell relationships not products. Don't believe it, try getting out of your cell phone contract.

All this is mixed up with going to the Mac world and leaving the PC world behind. Gotta to say that the iPad has got me thinking so far ahead of what I thought was possible and with the Mac App store coming in January 2011, my pc days are over.

Had an issue with my camera connection for the Ipad which turned out to be a memory card issue but I spent several hours at the Apple Store today trying to figure out what direction to go. Got to pick the brains of a couple of 20 something young men and decided to go for the iMac desktop and use my iPad instead of getting a laptop. Each of them have the same set up and it works perfectly. They have Expert on their business cards, imagine I can't go too wrong with their advice.

As I invested myself in their knowledge, I kept thinking about the TGIF thing. Everywhere in the Apple Store, one is bombarded by images. Fast, striking, big and colorful. I see what I see now. If you are around me, you won't hear anymore about leaving Twitter...I am in for good. I see the benefit and truly, want to see the world through their eyes. They are awesome....

After spending a couple of hours there, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a woman way older than me - buying an iMac. She didn't look like the Apple type, the times they are a changin. After spending 20 minutes with my last Expert, the best thing ever happened. He offered me a job at the Apple Store. I told him I study Steve Jobs' Keynote speeches like I was going for college credit. Seems like I am headed in the right direction... Now, if I only lived closer to the Mall...

the wear and tear of Real Life...

The phone started ringing at 8am and 12 hours later, I have received a total of 16 political-based calls. It is enough to make one crazy and I told the last caller at 816PM Something to that effect.

Week after week, we all have a personal routine. If you have kids, you know the drill. School, homework, sports, church, whatever it is that has captured your time. Vacation is overrated. You can't wait for the hopes of a getaway or you will never make it. The longer I live, the more I think vacations are for making memories, and using them as a way to distress is a inappropriate use. We have to value and find ways to weather the storms of everyday life, everyday.There are magazines filled with ideas and most of them will work for someone.

We all have to find a way to refresh, in the Moment. Doesn't have to take much time or cost any money. Maybe the most important thing you can do for yourself is smile. Find something that makes you smile. A few minutes of music can make one a new person. I played the Hallelujah chorus on my iPod tonight and I was smiling and soaring in no time. I started listen to Christmas music last week. Not Jingle Bells or It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, but, The Young Messiah. One of my favorite pieces of music that reminds me of the Big Picture. A few minutes in and I was thinking, it's the best.day.ever.

I say this because I am not a natural optimist. I have to relearn it everyday. When you know your strengths and weaknesses and are willing to look them straight in the eye, there are no surprises. Get what you get and don't throw a fit, is a great way to live because it puts life in perspective.

I use to think I could do it all, Now, I know how insane that was and how that thinking that was more dangerous than actually living it. Life after the Garden may be less than ideal but it is doable and that is all any of us can ask for...

What is the difference...

... between trust and faith? Grown son to his stunned mom...

My friend didn't know how to answer him. The dictionary he had consulted said they were virtually, the same. As I listened to her, my immediate response was, No - they aren't. .

As his questions rolled around in my head, I came home and consulted my favorite go to source, Wiktionary.

Trust

confidence
reliance
dependence

Faith

feeling
belief
obligation of loyalty.

None of that helped and I finally figured out what it was that made me feel so strongly and burst out with my original strongly felt, No.

It comes down to this for me - trust happens when something either physical or emotional satisfies you. When it is proven to you, that it is ok to trust based on an experience that makes it Real for you. Faith is the exact opposite. There is no proof,and no manifestation but a sense that in spite of it all, faith is chosen regardless of proof. Trust is proof-realized and faith is proof-less acceptance.

Have my issues with both trust and faith. Have more issues with trust than faith, because trust demands answers and I am ruthless when looking for answers. Not one of life's journey's that I particularly love. Makes sleeping difficult, chasing the elusive conclusions that I am so looking for. Life is not always a puzzle to solve and we all have different ideas, of what we need to know. This is just my Story...

on the road, again...

I never did see his mom and dad. I followed him through Costco to get a glimpse of his Story. He dragged Buttercup down a few aisles and in the end, he was just taking him back to the ranch. Imagine that he dragged the horse to his parents and they said, NO. At least he decided to do the right thing and take Buttercup back to the barn.

Ever grab Something and decide against it and then, don't put it back where you got it from but leave it wherever you are? Not proud to say, I have. In a hurry, don't want to walk clear back across the whole store. There is a host of reasons but the bottom line is, not of them hold much water. I really hate it when someone puts something that requires refrigeration and leaves it out to spoil but that doesn't disregard or lessen, my own negligence.

I don't do it often but I have. I can say that about alot of things in my life. Things I am not proud of but that is part of being human. The good news is we can ll learn to change some of the things about being human that aren't attractive. We can do better, it just takes a bit more effort.

My little friend understood that. He had a special place in his heart for Buttercup whether he was able to take him home or not. It is a little thing but we Big People know that little things lead to Big Things and the sooner we learn that, the better humans we will be...

bullet proof...

If I was going trick or treating this year, I would pick Something with a bullet proof theme. Something like Miss M's pink, SuperGirl costume. Not only does it say something about girls, power and pink but the idea of being a super - hero so appeals to my basic DNA.

All things being equal and if U2 already had a back up girl singer, being bulletproof and fighting evil would most certainly be my second choice. It so fits me and I humbly would add, I would be terrific at it.

There are places in my life where I can and hope I am, bulletproof. Deeply rooted, while I may be shaken and stirred, will pop back up - good as new. There may be places I don't even now about yet that are a steady as the day is long. Hope to see them Someday. For now, I will have to live vicariously through my Pink SuperGirl and collect treats instead of bad buys...At least for one night...

square one...

Sometimes it is not about where you are, have been or are going. It is about where you are this very Moment. Not as you wish or should be but just as you are, warts and all. It is not a step backwards, but actually, the way to going forward. A time to regroup, look around and see where you are and if it is where you need to be.

Being, we are not very good at it. If we are not moving forward, we see it as failure. If you get stuck for a long time maybe then you could walk up that path, but taking time to stop, look both ways and then proceed - sounds like a great plan to me. Moving just to move, can only bring trouble, The kind that can do Real Damage.

So, that is what I did today. Stopped, looked where I was and decided to head just a bit in a different direction. A slight pitch, a small tweek, square one if you will. Not a bit of failure there, and maybe a darn good idea, we'll see...

the Beast...

Inspiration comes from many places. One of my sources is my father. As far back as I can remember my Dad has written poems. I think that it is his true passion but it’s one of those private passions, a secret interest. He only shares them with a few people and I’m lucky enough to be one of them. His poems have never been published probably because he hasn’t had the courage to believe that they were good enough. I believe they are good enough. I believe that you are good enough DAD. So I would like to publish you first poem/Ashton Kutcher


Therapy

The farmers are busy. The woolies are hunkerin in. A hint of smoke in the crisp night air.
Been awhile. The ritual never changes, with the coming of the Beast.

The advantage of outside eyes, the preparatory tasks are amazing.
But then, I was them. In a different time.

We must prepare for the Beast on a daily basis,
But still harvest and share the bountiful gift that was given.

Will I challenge the Beast?
Bring it on MF, I'm a midwest Boy

Life is Good.

I imagine what we all hear when the Beast is read, is a feeling that is quick and direct. Used in this way, we each may relive the Beast that has been in our lives off and on, for as long as we can remember is as real as the gray hairs on my head.

I love Mr Kutcher's poem. Would love to read more. Reminds me of Billy Collins and I adore Billy Collins. Bad words aside, it came to me as a breath of fresh air when I needed one bad. While the beast theme is the first to hit you, the next part is as sweet as they come...

We must prepare for the Beast on a daily basis,
But still harvest and share the bountiful gift that was given.

Truer words were never spoken. The bible says when, not if. We each have Beast thoughts that we pray desperately, never come true. The truth is we hear about our Moments having to be lived out and endured in Real Life through others and that is why we worry, because we know - it could be our turn, next.

We will have to live with the Beast and the Bounty, everyday for the rest of our lives. We have to walk the line between disaster and delight with every step we take. Puts quite a bit of responsability on us, doesn't it? Not exactly a place for it on our everyday to do list. Yet, we would be wise to prepare, harvest and share on a daily basis. It was given to us as a gift, now it is time to us to share what we have with those who have been given to us...

history...

history
1.The aggregate of past events.
History repeats itself if we don’t learn from its mistakes.
Holes in your pant pockets turn your coins into history.

2.The branch of knowledge that studies the past; the assessment of notable events.
He teaches history at the university.
History will not look kindly on these tyrants.
He dreams of an invention that will make history.

3.(computing) A record of previous user events. I visted a great site yesterday but forgot the URL; oh! ... luckily I didn't clear my history.

So many kinds of history not just the one we all learned in high school which we were at the mercy of whoever got to write the textbooks with their personal slant or agenda. I imagine if I read a 6th grade history book on Abraham Lincoln today, it would include much I didn't know and maybe even some stuff that wasn't true. Sounds semi-paranoid but the only history I really trust is the one I know firsthand.

We all have history with people, places and things that affect our everyday lives. From the doctors we go to, to the stores we shop and to the friends and family we visit with. Our daily lives take cues from our personal history and no amount of input from someone else's history will sway us, if we already have our own. If we ask someone about their history with x, y or z, we may go that direction based on their information. If it is a good experience, we will share with other. Ok, we will share with others - NO MATTER WHAT but it will either have a positive or negative theme and then it is packed away in our history minds for total recall whenever deemed necessary.

I admit, I am not terribly interested in most of the world's history. The History Channel only plays on DH's TV, I have mentally blocked it on the other one. I know I am missing a lot that might change my mind but that is a risk I am willing to take and will stay with Grey's Anatomy and Outsourced. There is plenty of history in my everyday life that I have to live with and not room for much more.

Now, Genesis and Job are another matter. There is Some Great Stuff right there. This explains my today life and affects my tomorrow life. The Stories of Adam and Eve is like no other. All of think we could and would have done a better job even our crazy relatives. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? God didn't use big words - just don't do this one thing - who couldn't follow those instructions without using a lot of brain power! Job, on the other hand. had it a bit tougher in many ways. Not only in experience but some pretty, bad advice from friends. Who know what would have happened if he had a empty garden and could have had time to think?

History, a big part of who we are and in turn, who we will be. Pay attention when you can...

cake...

We had a lot going on this weekend. The fall carnival at school on Friday night where our primary responsibility was to man the fishing booth,which we took very seriously until we were relieved by teenagers. In between we tried to see how many tickets we could buy and spend as fast as possible. I kept reminding the kids that the Cakewalk game needed some ticket Love but gave up that dream when I found out that it was only one cupcake per winner. WHAT KIND of cakewalk is that! Thinking of running for PTO president next year, specializing the all things cake!

Saturday was the birthday party scene and we had two of them to go to.. 85 and 18, quite a spread to get your mind around. One knowing that most of her birthdays are behind her and the other, getting ready to party like a rock star.

Both had cake and you got more than a cupcake size. DH got to visit with his aunt and cousins. All the cousins are now of retirement age so the conversations swirled around when and when. Aunt C is the only surviving sibling and while she is as spry as can be, every birthday is a big deal now. Did I mention,there was a lot of cake?Shelbie is just starting out. A rave to celebrate her HIPAA-age. Still a child but privacy is now on her side. She is a premier soccer player and has the college tuition to show it. Heading off to OS next fall, she is ready to go. Good cake and I was offered seconds.

Walked away with some awesome pics, not of faces but of places. Places we have been, seen and are going, I left the documenting up to the families and took the shots that would tell the back story. There were a lot of back Stories this weekend. Some made me laugh, many made me cry. You may imagine I am talking about the one who has lived for 85 years but that would not be the case even though she has a wonderful Story to tell. You can live a lot of life in 18 years. Thank you both of sharing your cake with me - I will never forget it...

PS Dear PTO, I will be available most days to help you fill in the cake blanks... One cupcake, really? Sincerely KGM nana.

the end of fall...

I love me my Fall season and am also very specific about it. Totally all about the first part of fall when the days are warm and the evenings, just border on chilly. It is magical to me. Still California with a hint of Minnesota, on its way. It turns Winter for me far before the calendar makes that leap. Soon, the rain will come and the warm will be gone. Could happen in a week or overnight so I am very aware that my days are numbered...in more ways than one.

I learn to live in the Moment more, every time this year. It will soon be time to fire up the gas logs because the chill will become more than my blanket will be able to handle. My shorts will have to be put away. Right now, go back and forth between long sleeved and short sleeved shirts, the shorts are always the last to go. Shorts and flip flops. This year, I want fall to last longer. Pretty sure I am not going to get my wish, Mother Nature is quite fickle.

Pictures are taking for christmas cards and halloween is a few short weeks away. Having delightful Halloween weather is a crap shoot here. We stay at the house and the kids go to a few houses to trick or treat. No matter what the weather, we will have a great time. The school carnival is tomorrow night, let's hope that the wonderful warm we have had all week, stays for one more day because the weatherman says, change is on its way. Love ya Fall, thanks again for a most wonderful time. You surely have to be one of God's angels - you tell his Story so well...

3 questions...

1. What is my crack of choice?
2. What persona am I desperate for people to believe?
3. What am I willing to do for the rest of my life?

It is hard living in my hear. I read too much and different philosopies feel free to stay and visit for a while. These three have made themselves to home this week so I must answer to get them to move on.

Crack of choice - we all have Something. Something we don't want to do without. Maybe be a substance, person, idea, activity or fill in the box labeled other. Would venture to say, I would have something in each column that I could take ownership of. The last couple days it has been photo editing. Can't get enough and the high can't be beat.

Persona - this one is a bit more personal and tougher to answer. What do I want people to walk away from meeting me , to think about who I am. If I think back over the last year or so, I would have to say tough and deep. I would die if they thought I like to chit chat. Why do I feel that way? What is the reward for wanting to be a smart ass because there is one. As sure I am typing this, there is a huge payoff.

What do I want to do for the rest of my life? That is easy. I want to keep taking pictures of these wonderful little people and go for ice cream. If Disney World is ever on the table, I am in. My expectations are few, now if I could only get my wants under control...

presets...

In Lightroom, they are called presets. The cool thing is you can very simply apply the same preset, to different photos. One would think that a black and white photo would be pretty simple but until you start post processing photos, you have no idea how many variations of black and white there are.

Same presets applied to each of these photos and look how different they are. Two were taken at the same location and the other one, under similar conditions. Here is what I am getting at - we have a hard time understanding each other when it comes to God and who he is. There have been wars, large and small over what he looks like to what he would do. As I processed these photos, I thought about all our differences and how amazing it is that we ever can agree on anything and why more bible studies don't end in fist fights.

The truth is, he looks different to each of us. There is no way we will ever agree on most things. Each of our experiences forms who we are and what we believe and those opinions are very, very strong. I imagine that Jesus means it to be that way of he would have cleared that up, pretty quick. So, it falls to us to learn to live together, accepting those things about each other that we can't change and having the wisdom to know, what our journey is to look like. That is what I am learning as Jesus gets bigger in my life. Less to defend, nothing to prove. He is who he says he is and he is working in your life and my life. Different paths, different scenery and different experiences. We are to share our different, not defend it. We are to follow our own path, not the path of others. Love em and let them go. Share what you have seen not jump on their journey. This is tougher to do than to type.

This little exercise has helped me more than I can say. To see it in black and white, is right up my alley. Need to remember this next time those feelings come rushing back. Each of these photos are wonderful on their own. They don't have to match, or compete. The light is different in each one....It always come back to the Light, doesn't it?

make yourself at home...

Maybe even more than 80% of the, I love you's, we all say - make yourself at home, may be the most important thing you can say to someone. It is the one you say when you are on your own, personal home turf, and the one you are saying it to, is not. What a way to give of yourself and share what you have, with one who is passing through and journey-bound.

I got the opportunity to do that late, last week. From picking her up at the airport to spending the next 20 or so hours with her, it was a complete and total joy. Although we had never met in Real Life, we already knew each other's Stories and it felt like home to me.

When we brought her suitcases into the house, I told her, Make yourself at home. Some one had said that to me this year and I know how it made me feel. For a small amount of time, anyone who shares their space with you so openly, puts you at ease. You are essentially telling them, mi casa, es su case - my house is your house. You are giving them permission to join your family, be one with us. I truly think it is hospitality done well and I think, for many different reasons, being hospitable is thought of as a gift, not something that everyone can do. I can vouch for that, many years ago DH and I took a What Are Your Spiritual Gifts class, and he scored the highest in hospitality, If you know him, you would understand.

My friend and I talked for hours and if she could have stayed, we would have talked for more. Sometimes, you just get lucky. I was the luckiest girl on the earth last week. I will not forget our time together. Thank you Jesus, for showing me how to make myself at home with you which taught me to share with others. Love you C! Thank you Jesus...

Pink Glove Dance, the sequel...

For Miss M who kept the Pink Glove Dance alive in our family. Dare you to not shake your groove thing and know what it is like to live in the Moment...

growing up...

After our annual family fall shoot, we decided it was our 6th time.

This guy was just a young teen when we started, his sister even younger. There would be groans every year to get this less than an hour photo ops, on the calendar. I remember most of these shoots had collective sighs and lots of texting in between. They are good kids, just not into the smile and shoot thing.

This year, was different. This year, the kids were relaxed, made suggestions and acted like they had no place to be. I didn't see one cell phone. I saw them enjoying themselves. Their mommy is a photographer so I took shots of her taking her own kids pictures. I love that. In just under an hour, we had family photos but maybe even the bigger thing was watching these kids grow into themselves. They have become adults in their own right and now, I think understand how important these annual photos are to their mom. I am so proud of them!

I don't know how many more years we will be taking these fall photos but even if things change, I can't wait for the day my friend's grandbabies start coming along and I am going to beg for the chance to take pictures of her taking their pictures. Growing up isn't always fun, change isn't always fun but Sometimes, it is absolutely fabulous...

69 days...

33 miners
19-63 years of age
69 days underground,
an unprecedented rescue.

With our instant gratification technology, we are watching with the rest of the world, something we have never seen. An unprecendented rescue with hope that all will go well for more than 48 hours, until everyone is out and safe.

As I write this, the first man, a paramedic has reached the other 33 men. It is the first human these men have seen in a very long time. It will still be a while before we see the first trapped miner come to the surface but tensions are already running high. The father of the first man to be rescued has raced to the capsule site to wait to see the son he has had to live without for so long.

They are not out of the woods yet. There are so many places where this could go wrong. Things that could dislodge rocks as the capsule's goes up and down the 1/2 mile shaft. Now, we wait. We wait with all the families for a good outcome. We wait and hope each man has a successful re-entry. We wait...

waiting...

13 minutes...That is how long I waited for the train to move today. When I pulled up, I was the only one there. At least 10 cars had turned back because the train wasn't moving but for me, the detour was too far and I had time. Time to wait. Car after car would come up behind me and turn around. I just sat there entertaining myself with the radio and the graffiti on the rail cars around me. And thought about the Chilean miners who may see daylight tomorrow for the first time since August 5.

Originally, it was said they would be lucky to get out by Christmas, then Thanksgiving and now, in the next few days. They have been training them to face the media. Many already have book and movie deals. Some, like the guy with a wife and girlfriend waiting for him, have some explaining to do. There are counselors standing by to reunite the families and help the miners transition back to their new normal. There is an order as to who comes out first to last - not sure how that was decided. Makes my 13 minutes look a bit puny.

As I stared at the train, thinking about life and the minors, I asked myself the question, What are you waiting for?

What are you waiting for to pass?
What are you waiting for to happen?
What are you waiting for before you move?

Not sure of the answers to any of those questions but do think that at any given time, we are all waiting for Something, that is causing us to do nothing. Waiting for the green light to proceed to take the next step is always a bit challenging and scary. We don't always use our waiting time to its full potential and then we are caught off guard when the train starts to move. Caught off guard, we're not sure hope to proceed but the guy honking behind us makes it clear, it is time to go.

Checking to see where I am waiting and if it is time to make a move. Maybe it iwll be a long term wait, some kinds of waits are open ended. Some are self induced, knowing how to tell the difference is priceless. Might might need only 13 minutes, some over 2 months and some, well it might just take forever...

happy o meter...

What brings each of us happiness is over the top, subjective. A few pictures does it for me. My happy o meter goes just goes wild.

What makes your happy o meter go wild? Not talking about food, shopping or things we all need 12 step programs to get over. Just those things that bring a small amount of temporary pleasure to our souls.

Because happiness does look so different to each of us, it is impossible to give a recipe, cookie cutter, fool proof avenue to help someone find theirs. When done correctly, happiness is acknowledged as a temporary feeling and should be treated as such. Trying to keep happiness as a default state of being is not only inappropriate, it is dangerous. Very dangerous. To be content with where we are and who we are with intermittent times of little bits of happiness is the best there is. Enjoy them throughly and don't hold on too tight...

57-14

Say what you want about college football, and all the politics that come with it - when you come to the Broncos, Coach Pete has consistently said, One game at a time.

Listened to Coach Pete and a few of the players on the radio last night, coming home after the game. One of the players interviewed is a friend of mine's son. Have know him all my life. What I see is Shea is what I have seen in other BSU players - they have taking Coach Pete's words to heart. One Game At A Time. It is a pretty humble bunch of young guys who are learning skills that will work well for them long after they leave football.

One game at a time. There is Something each of us could learn, has nothing to do with football.

One game at a time.
One test at a time.
One person at a time.

One day at a time. The Big Picture really is, one game at a time. It is not about where we are going to be in five years, it is about where we are today. What are we doing today? Who are we loving today? What is important today?

Not monumental in theory but obviously tough to pull off. Maybe we should take Coach Pete's words to heart. Go Broncos!

recipes...

If all of life could be lived out in a series of recipes, it would still be hit and miss. While there is Something comforting about being able to follow a list of known ingredients with a high degree of assurance of success, there is still a part of us that wnats to wander off the beaten path.

We would all agree that for the most part, our perception is that any given recipe has been tested and retested before given out. I think we could also assume with some degree of confidence that said recipe would not only turn out nicely but also be quite tasty.

But the truth is, recipes don't always turn out or taste good. Ever try to make your husband's mother favorite spaghetti recipe and can't because it is Chef Boyardee in a box (True Story)?

I am a recipe follower, at least until I am comfortable and then I may do some tweeking. Some need it and some are perfect the way they are. This Pecan Pie Muffins from Tasty Kitchen are perfect and easy. I wish I had a recipe that would take you through life so that you could avoid all the ruts and pitfalls that will come your way. I can't but I can share this to help the journey be a delicious one!

Pecan Pie Muffins

1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup melted butter
2 eggs

Mix pecans, bronw sugar and flour. Beat eggs with a fork, and add melted butter. Mix wet ingredients into dry. Fill muffin tin 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20-25 min.

fall break...

The kids are off this week so we have been experiencing marathon sleepovers. Started with Keaton on Sunday. Keaton is our mall rat. That is where he likes to go and look around. He has his favorites and See's candies is always a must stop. This was also his first time at an Apple store and that didn't hurt my feelings.

Monday was Gage's turn. After a photo op at Cabela's, directed by Gage in various parts of the store and with many of his special friends, he too, wanted to head to the mall. We do have enough photos and video to start a blog for him and sounds like that is what he is planning - God help us! Anyway, the mall...

He wanted to see the Apple store too so off we went but not before going in and out of most stores at the mall at a pace that could only be descibed as Lance Armstrong-ish. The dude had me running, finally landing at The Big White Store. He LOVED the Apple store. He loved it as much as Keaton, if not more. He couldn't believe you could play Angry Birds as much as you wanted to. There must be Something about the whiteness of an Apple store that welcomes you, begs you to stay. Discussed the value of a Touch with my favorite salesgirl and can home with a list of new apps to check out. Gage is my iPad freak boy. To watch him on the iPad is magic. There is wonder in watching a child and how natural technology comes to them. They never have any questions and seem to know it all effortlessly - blows me away.

After the movies today, it will be Morgan's turn. No Apple store for her. It will be about babies and ice cream. She informed me yesterday that she is going to ask Santa for a baby sister for Christmas. First, she was praying to God for a sister, now Santa. I am afraid, very very afraid and tired. Very, very tired!

Bliss...

Bliss is the name of a Windows bitmap image included with Microsoft Windows XP, produced from a photograph of a landscape in Sonoma County, California, southeast of Sonoma Valley near the site of the old Clover Stornetta Inc. Dairy.[1][dead link] The image contains rolling green hills and a blue sky with stratocumulus and cirrus clouds. The image is used as the default computer wallpaper for the "Luna" theme of Windows XP. Photograph used as Windows XP default wallpaper and a followup photograph 10 years later. 1996 and 2006./Photojojo.

While I didn't need Photojojo to tell me what I already knew - nothing that lives is immune to change. All I have to do is pass a mirror and I am made fully aware that time is marching on, faster than I would like to admit. Yet I find the differences between the two photos, fascinating.

The thing that is the toughest to comprehend is that in my mind with no visual aids, I feel like a kid. Dh feels the same way. We often compare notes and are amazed that feel the same way. DD is getting to an age where she can start to understand what her parents have been telling her. Maybe it has something to do with having her own child in jr high. Her parents seem to get smarter the older she she gets.

The phone rang a few nights ago and it was Harma, our exchange student who spent a year with us 20 years ago. She came to us in the fall and left the following year after graduation. She now has 2 beautiful children of her own, a job and still manages to look us up. We talked about then and now and are equally amazed at where we are now. Change and bliss all rolled into one, now if we could make that our default, how happy would that be?

ode to Miss Kat...

She has got me hooked on night shooting. It was our sleepover with Keaton so we hit the streets of our town after 8pm to do some damage. Imagine our surprise when our favorite coffee shop was closed - took the wind out of our sails, I tell ya.

Keaton graciously agreed to be my model so we started down alleys and side streets looking for light. The world looks much different at night. Not one to frequent outside much, this is a whole new world to me. I am the one who has her PJ's on early. Not the one who loves the nightlife and likes to boogie, at least not until now. God helps us if we go there.

It is a bit scary. We were on the phone to Keaton's mommy every so often to reassure her which Keaton was not helpful with. Yes, we passed a few bars and there were some scary people out but felt completely safe. So safe that to get these shots through the trees, I was laying down shooting up from the sidewalk. The boys were laughing at me but I got the shot I was after. So worth it, even with the sound of male ha ha's in the background.

Seeing the world through a different perspective is never a bad thing. It is good for us to shake things up. I am in awe of what my camera is teaching me. Imagine what else I am may be missing - class is in session, where am I? Pay attention and you may see even more.

I see many more night trips. DH is more than willing even without a Sonic or Dairy Queen run... but a little bribery goes a long way and Miss Kat, if you are ever in my neck of the woods, you have a standing offer for the same...

good rest...

It was a sudden decision to take the week off. Nothing I had contemplated for more than a few seconds and in the end, it was so right...

Took much time to think and process. Worked thru some things and got some answers. Not in ways I expected but isn't that how God works?

I learned that many times the things that drive me crazy are about people is when their God is too small. To put Him in a box, is to not understand who He is. God doesn't need us to continually play defense, He wants us to play offense. He is big enough to take the hits. He sees the world way bigger than we do. We have our boxes and put people, religions, beliefs all nice and cozy in boxes without even considering - we may not have it right. Just like football, there are separate teams for defense and offense and we each have to pick one. I have played defense, putting people in boxes, deciding by their actions, politics and views or putting people, places and things down, in the name of Jesus. Leave it up to Jesus. The truth is we really don't know His mind and we need to start acting like it.

Ode to Ms Kat! She got me hooked on natural night photography and now I want to go out every night. Never would have imagined going to the pumpkin patch at night. It is a whole new world. Thank you Miss Kat!

Imagine my surprise when I checked out Pioneer Woman's site yesterday to find Miss Hayley and kgmnana in the Group#3 photo group. I was truly, over the moon happy! Every once in a while, it is just so fun. Couldn't have done it without her. Hayley, you so rock, Girl! Thank you.

Ready for a new week! October, I am so glad to see you...