Q & A

Q.  "So what do you know & think about Jane Doe?" asks a guy friend to me.
A.  "Well, to be honest, the last time you asked me what I knew about a girl you wanted to go out with her.  Am I having a flashback?"

Oh, how I did not want that question to be yes.  I mean, I want everyone to be happy and have a chance to find love, BUT...to be blunt...I am getting sick of being the go to girl that my guy friends come to when they want to know something about a certain girl and if they should date her or not.  Especially when I've always had a slight crush on this great guy friend, but he doesn't know that.  Or if he does know he's not interested and being a nice friend by not acting on it.  Or he does know and he's bashful like me because we are great friends.  WHO KNOWS!   I'm an old fashioned kind of girl; the guy asks me!  Sure I know a lot of people and I'm a good judge of character, but gosh!  Does any guy ever ask their friends if I'm date worthy? Or, am I just good enough to be every guys friend?  It's like, come on guy don't you think?!  Why do people always ask me?  UGGGG!!!

So I'm officially sad and not the way I wanted to spend a Monday:'(  Writing these questions here was the only way for me to release and vent my frustration...since not many read or comments on my blog I'm safe!

Until next time . . . :'(

My 1st Quilt....the Sampler Quilt

So I've joined a quilting group...the Silly Stichers...a group of local ladies who like to get together once a week for good food and fellowship; oh and learning to make quilts.

I've always wanted to learn how to quilt and I've finally given myself time to do it.  I'm loving it so far and having a wonderful time.  There's about 7 or 8 or us who get together.  Some of the ladies just come for the fellowship and help those of us who have never quilted before.  I have to say it's a great time.

For our first project we are making a Sampler Quilt consisting of 12 blocks.  A Sampler Quilt is made up of 12 different quilting patterns.  So far I have made a 9-patch, a Pinwheel, and an Anvil.  Currently I'm working on the Broken Wheel pattern. Before I even knew what I was making I knew who was going to receive my first quilt; my momma!  Mom is my best friend so it's only fitting she gets the first.  But, shhhh, she doesn't know it!

Here's a look at what I've been up to:

9-Patch

Pinwheel

Anvil

I'll add more as I get them finished.

Until next time . . .

Fall is here!

Ah, October!  Just thinking about October puts me at ease.  Seems like things begin to slow down a bit once October rolls around. 

I love fall.  It's quite an enjoyable season for me.  There are many things I love and look forward to with the arrival of Fall (and in no particular order)...

  1.  the smell and crispness of the air
  2.  cool mornings

  3.  the fog rolling off the waters
  4.  hot soups
  5.  changing to deep, rich color
  6.  golden sunrises & sunsets

  7.  hot cocoa

  8.  hay rides
  9.  pumpkins, mums and fall decor
10.  warm jackets
11.  leaves blowing in the wind

God gives us such beauty with each changing season.  It's all simply amazing & breathtaking to me!

Enjoy and Happy Fall!

Until next time . . . 

Have I mentioned . . .

 . . . I work in a cube?  Well, I do.  It's complete with gray walls.  The splashes of color here and there are pictures I've taken from various travels and made into collages.  Anyhow, the style or decoration of the cube is not the focal point there.  Although I think it's a cute cube :)

Living in cube land 8 hours a day 5 days a week can be pretty interesting; especially when you have neighbors to the south and east as I do.  I face the southwest from my cube.  In the southern-southeastern direction we have three crazy girls on the girl row and to my east is one, usually quiet, neighbor.  I think all the cube mates will agree that the one who sits due south is a total goof ball!  But we all love her dearly. 

Let's just say these cube buddies make life very interesting 8 hours a day 5 days a week!  You just never know what you're going to hear, see, sometimes smell, have chucked at you over the cube walls, or when your facebook account will be hacked.  LOL  Gotta love these girls.  I sure do.  They are great friends.

Here's to cube mates and great friends!  Cheers!

Until next time . . .

Jasper made it home!

Well after spending two nights at the vet my Jasper is home!  I'm so glad.  I missed my little puppy.  Who actually is not that little.  He had to be weighed when being checked into the vet.  That little lad weighs 46.6 pounds!  He's going to be a thooster!

So his 'altering' procedure, aka neutering, went well.  Everything is so far so good.  He's still Jasper that's for sure.  Get this, he was sweet as pie for my dad when he took him and picked him up from the vet.  Dad said he sat right up next to him in the truck the entire way home.  Well, he briefly laid down and wanted to chew on the seat belt, but dad quickly told him that was a no no.  But, Jasper never once wanted to chew or give Jasper Kisses...bite!  However, when I get home and take him for his walk.........he bites my wrists and ankles and doesn't think twice!  I just don't get it.  One change I have noticed already is that when I pet him to calm him down after he's had a fit (biting) he calms right down.  So glad!

Jasper knew where he was when dad turned onto the county road.  He for sure knew where he was when dad pulled into my drive.  Dad told me Jasper got all kinds of excited!  Awe!!

I'm so happy to have my pup home.  We got back to our walking last night and this morning.  He pulled me right on down the road.  Oh, and I was advised to keep him calm for about a week; i.e. no running, jumping or swimming.  Well the swimming part I can handle because I'm keeping him on his leash and he can't get to the ponds.  However, have you tried to keep a six month old lab who is full of energy, or full of it, from jumping or running?!!!  Impossible!!  I say that's about as possible as keeping a bull in a china closet from breaking any dishes! haha  I think it's going to be a long week if you ask me.  Nonetheless I'm happy the procedure is over, he's recovering and my puppy is home to stay.  Scary to think of cold weather, but I actually had a vision last night of playing in the snow with my pup.  He's going to love it!

Until next time . . .

Jasper's 1st bath (inside) ....and trip to the vet

So Jasper had is 1st bath in the bathtub last night!  Much fun let me tell you.  Sadly I don't have a picture as evidence, only the memory.  Sorry, my hands were a little preoccupied holding the pup in the tub! haha

So, you may be asking right about now:  Why give an outside dog a bath in the bathtub?  Why not just give him a bath outside with the hose?  Well, you see, it was dark outside plus a little on the cool side.  You ask, "So why not just wait until another day?"  Jasper is making a trip to the vet today for a sleep over; two nights sleep over to be exact.  He wreaked of pond water and cow manure so I wanted him fresh and shiny!  Plus, I wanted to give him a warm bath so he wouldn't get so chilly and possibly catch a cold.  He's my baby you know!

He did pretty good for the most part.  He actually took the bath better in the tub than he does outside.  I think it was the warm water.  At first he didn't want to come in the house because I'm all the time getting after him to stay outside when I open the door.  Guess he thought it was a trick.  After I finally got him in the tub he sat right down and enjoyed.  He only started shaking and splashing water everywhere towards the end.  Then, I said, "ok let's go!"  Out of that tub he jumped and through my house he went..quickly!  To finalize the pampering I dried him off with a nice warm towel fresh from the dryer...he loved it!

At this very moment my pup is in the care of the vet clinic.  Dad called to let me know they made it.  I asked if he behaved; he meaning Jasper.  Dad said as soon as they walked in another dog started making racket and Jasper began barking like crazy!  tehehehe  I told dad to tell them they better take care of my baby!

I miss my sweet Jasper already.  He'll be home Wednesday afternoon.  I sure hope they take good care of him.  **sniff**sniff**tear**

Until next time . . .

90 Years on this Earth!!!

Grandma with her (always) beautiful
crape myrtles 8/5/2010

Ninety years ago today, and still going strong, this little spit fire came into the world.  Happy Birthday Grandma Bertha!

Imagine, 90 years.  I can't fathom the changes, trials, and enjoyment one will see and endure over a 90 year span.  Born in 1920, this little lady has seen them all.  

• seen and gone through the Great Depression
• lived through the time of WWII
• enjoyed God's gift of marriage and was married for over 50 years to the love of her life, my wonderful Grandpa Leemon
• raised and has seen her three children grow up and raise their own families
• watched her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren grow
• her nose has itched every day of her life . . . you would have to have been around her awhile to understand this!  hahaha
• lived through decades of technology change

I could go on about things she has seen, gone through, and enjoyed but I think you get the drift; she's been around awhile! ha  She tells us all the time that she doesn't feel 90 and that people tell her she doesn't look it.  Her words, "The good Lord has been good to me.  He's with me every day and every night.  If it weren't for Him I wouldn't be doing as good as I am.  I'm thankful to still be able to live on my own.  I give the good Lord all the credit."  I admit Grandma looks and does good for her age.  

So on this very special birthday I say, "Thank you Lord for giving grandma good health and (so far) 90 years of life, and for letting her still be here with us!"  She's my only grandparent with us so we've got to cherish all the moments. 

Happy 90th Birthday Grandma!!!  Love you so much!

Until next time . . .

Lue Preston Davis 8/29/1914 - 9/8/1995

We have been giving another beautiful Fall-like day today, even though it's on the rainy side.  Hey, we've had a dry, hot summer....I think the rain is beautiful!

Today's post is dedicated my wonderful grandpa Lue, whom I miss dearly.  Lue Preston Davis, born 8/29/1914, left this world and went home to be with our Lord 15 years ago today; 9/8/1995.  It's hard to sink in it's been 15 years.   Fifteen years ago we were in a different decade, fifteen years ago I was 16!

I have so many fond memories of my Grandpa (Lue) and Grandma (Hazel) Davis.  She left us May '88.  My memories:  spending a week or two at a time with them in the summer....going yard sale'n....going to auctions....going to singings....going to church.  I had never heard a preacher like Herlin Johnson!  We also fed the chickens and milked the cow; yes by hand!  When I was little Grandma ALWAYS had made me a new dress or two; got homemade dresses for every birthday I think.  Oh the summer days eating watermelon in the front yard; and spitting seeds at each other.  I can still see and hear them laugh.  I can also still hear them getting after me after I'd done something I shouldn't have! hahaha  I remember the family get-togethers and holidays and grandma's homemade pies YUM!  She was the best crust maker ever!  I remember grandpa having eggs and bacon practically every morning for breakfast.  He had cornbread and milk (in the same cup) most evenings.  I remember picking beans with them in the garden.  I remember grandpa's old (orange) Ford truck with the picture of horses on the back glass.  Something I can still hear is what my grandpa said to me EVERY time he saw me - his first words...."Whatcha been up to Puddin' Head?"  Goodness, there is so much to remember.

Most of all, I remember how much they loved us and how we loved them.  That's the best memory!

Thank you for the wonderful memories.  These memories means you're still in my heart forever and always.  I'll be seeing you again one day.  Love you Grandpa Lue and Grandma Hazel Davis.  Miss you both dearly!

Until next time . . .

The Funnies of Jasper...so far!

Ok, so I have this dog, a five month old lab puppy to be exact.  Officially he is Doc's Collins Ridge Fire Ball, but most of the time he goes by Jasper and occasionally Goober or Spaz.  He's Goober when he does something stupid like running into the barbwire fence.  He's Jasper when he's being his sweet self or in trouble.  And he's Spaz when, well, need I say more?!  Some days he goes by all three because he can't figure out who he wants to be.  haha

Let's just say last night he was Jasper-Spaz-Goober all in the same breath.  Is that possible? you ask.  Yes, yes it is!  To set the scene:  it's a breezy fall-like evening with a storm brewing on the horizon.  We're playing in the yard and fixing to head out for our evening walk.  Off we go, walking down the road.  We stop for a dip in the water, well Jasper did anyway.  Ok...I'm going to fast forward a bit.  We're in my sister's yard when our mom pulls into the drive.  We're all talking.  Jasper is under my feet and Tucker is tucked really close to us because it's thundering.  Jasper loves Tucker so he starts messing with him.  Tuck's too scared to growl so he just sits there and lets Jasper love on him.  Finally Tucker has had enough, right.  Tucker pins Jasper to the ground.  Jasper jumps up and starts zizzing around mom's car....he's entered Spaz mode.  Then, next thing I know he is behind me with his head between my legs just staring Tucker down!  hahahaha Super funny moment.

But the fun's not over . . . .

To continue in the excitement all Jasper wanted from my sister was for her to pet him and she wouldn't.  So, to get back at her ignoring him what does he do?  He runs to my sister's pool (it's one of those blue ones that look like a mushroom).  He jumps on the side and looks at my sister.  When she looks he jumps as if he's going to jump in (which he has before) and rests his paws over the side....then he looks at her in a brief stare down as if to say, "Ha!"  As soon as I start toward him to get him out of trouble and my sister starts toward him to woop his butt of course he gets down.  But, does he quit?  NOoooo, he has to continue the madness!  He runs to the OTHER side of the pool and does the same thing all over again.  The look on his face, as he's resting on the side of the pool, was absolutely priceless humor.  He knew he wasn't supposed to do it yet he did.  He knew my sister was going to get him, but he continued.  Mom and I laughed big time, my sister on the other hand . . .

Fun evening!  Good laughs!  Words to the wise - next time, pet the pup!

Until next time . . .

Every Child Deserves a Chance!

Our education system focuses on 'No Child Left Behind' . . . well, they need to also focus on the fact that 'Every Child Deserves a Chance!'. 

Schools and administrations say athletics is educational.  Well, then teach the students something instead of cutting them down and making them think they are worthless because they don't understand or lose.  If you lose a game, so what...teach the students something good out of that loss.  If you win a game, great!...teach the students to not be boastful, instead be grateful for the win and humble.  And I'm sorry, screaming and yelling at the kids because they mess up on the court or playing field is NOT educational!  Unless of course you want your children to learn how to scream and yell at others and show no respect.  Teachers should be uplifting not cutters to the core.  Children have enough problems at home; they don't need or deserve it at school too.

Over the last several years I, along with many, have watched school systems across the country change; change for no good I will add.  I can't go into this saying everything in our public schools is bad, because it's not.  There are still some great teachers in public schools.  But, those great teachers have their hands tied because of all the (stupid) reform and change going on in our schools; change and reform that is not good.  Students can't be disciplined to make a difference - the children rule the schools - cell phones need to go out the window for students and administration - PDA is running rampant - oh the list goes on. 

People, we need to get back to basics in education; the basic principle that EVERY child deserves a chance, EVERY child should be treated equally, EVERY child should be held to a higher standard of learning, EVERY child needs an education, EVERY child should hit the floor or the field if they play team sports (hello, it's team not a few), EVERY child should feel accepted by their teachers . . . EVERY!

I don't care if that child is physically slower than some (I've been there, I know the feeling), if they are on the team they play.  I don't care if that child isn't the first to the board during math relays, they deserve the same respect and education too. 

Teachers and administrators (again, not all are in the wrong profession) you need to remember YOU are the adult and you're no longer a child/student/buddy-chummy!  YOU set the bar for standards in the school.  If YOU act like a child then what do you think those students are going to act like?  If YOU show little or no respect, how do you think the students are going to treat other teachers and students?  If YOU run your mouth about students or teachers to other students, what do you think the students are going to do with the information? On the other hand, if YOU come to your job, enjoy it and show care, oh what a difference you'll make in changing the lives of the students.  This will make the students want to be there and want to get their education and want to better themselves!  Statistics prove we become who we're around . . .

So many students live a life of hell at home.  Schools nationwide should be a safe place filled with teachers/administrators who want to be there for those students, care for them, and encourage them to do better and achieve greatness.  We live in a lost and dying world that is in such a downward spiral it's scary.  Just like our economy and government needs a reform, so do our schools.  The government has just a tight a hold on the schools that it does the people.  It only takes one teacher/administrator to step out on faith and break the cycle that is ruining our schools.  Thus, making it impossible for respect-team playing-education to even be in the building.  Schools are becoming a glorified baby-sitter and just a place to store the children while moms and dads are elsewhere.  UGG!  It gripes me that US students are far behind other nations in education.  We live in the greatest country in the world.  We should want greatness for our children as well instead of dumbing down their education!!

EVERY child deserves a chance.  Until we all get back to the reality of this our education system will continue to go down the tubes in chaos and destruction and take our children with it!

Until next time . . .

Hello September!

Woke up this morning (thank the good Lord) and it was September 1st, 2010! Where has 2010 gone? We are in the last quarter of the year; can you believe it? I sure can't. Seems like yesterday the trees were just beginning to bud after their winter's sleep and the grass was starting to pop with green. Now, the leaves are turning shades of bronze and brown as they begin their winter's sleep. Remarkable how fast time goes. But, the way I see it, we've had almost another whole year of God's beauty and working for Him.
Fall is one of my favorite seasons. I love them all, but Fall is wonderful! The smell in the air and the color; OH, I just love it! Plus, we begin having those little black dots making their arrival on the Collins Ridge; aka new black baby calves in our Fall-birthing momma cows. One other wonderful thing about Fall...getting those flowerbeds ready for winter by mulching a clipping back their summer growth; or lack thereof with a dry summer (hopefully) behind us. This is just one way to spruce up the yard and give a final splash of fresh color before the flowers go to sleep till Spring.

I'm wishing you all a fabulous September and Fall! Enjoy God's beauty that is all around.

Until next time . . .

So I've Been Told.....

So I've been told, recently, that all I talk about is my puppy and traveling. Well, if that's all I know, besides family, church and work then what else am I supposed to talk about?! And, I really can't talk about my immediate family to my immediate family because I'm not telling them anything they don't already know anyway. Who wants to really carry on a conversation about work outside of work? That's called take work to work and leave it there.

Many people talk about the weather to start a conversation. I admit I'm guilty of the same when I don't know what to say. "So, how do you like this fall-like weather we're having?" To answer myself, "I'm loving it!"

What am I supposed to talk about if I'm not involved in 'it' or know anything about 'it'? You carry on a conversation about what you know. This is what I know: my church, my family, my puppy, an occasional trip somewhere. That's what I know so that's what I talk about.

To my friends who get an excessive low-down on any of the above; sorry that I have nothing more to talk about. It's not that I'm self-absorbed and can only talk about me, and it's not that I want to look better than anyone else (because believe me I'm not), but that's all I know. Many times I'm hesitant to discuss my latest travels unless I'm asked first. Simply because I realize I've been very fortunate and blessed to have done so or get to. I pray that I never come across snotty our proud because I'm neither and that is never my intention. I'm just a small town girl who never thought she would have a career she could be proud of or that she'd go anywhere outside a few close states. Some days something will pass my mind and I still can't believe I've seen several areas of the US and Europe. That's just something in my wildest dreams I never thought would happen.

I know it is all God so I must share what God is doing in my life. Without God I'd, first of all, not be here in the first place and would be lost in sin with no hope for eternity. Without God I'd be nothing, nowhere, zilch, nadda! I'm called by God to share and show how good He is. He does great things in my life and sometimes it's hard for me to comprehend why and why me. There are times I even think too hard and think that God might take it all away (He could you know). I always want to praise God for ALL He does in my life; good and bad. Believe me, I have storms of life too. If I don't praise God and show others His love then I'm not listening to God or answering my call. Not listening to Him can get you in big trouble!

So, anytime I'm talking about a trip; it's all God's doings and I LOVE to share about his beautiful creations I've been so fortunate to see across the globe. GOD IS HUGE!!! So, anytime I'm talking about much of nothing about my family; it's all God's doings because He has blessed me with such a wonderful and loving family. So, anytime I'm talking about my puppy Jasper; it's all God's doings because He's punishing me with having an awnry (spelling?) dog....just kidding...Japser has the potential to be a loving and sweet dog, but he's very much into that puppy phase. So, anytime I'm talking about my church; it's all God's doings because I'm very much involved with the church family and I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO LEAVE THIS WORLD LOST IN SIN AND UNSAVED!!!!!!!!! GOTTA SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS!!!!!!!

If I don't talk about what I know then I'll be talking about something I don't know. ???????

Until next time . . . how's the weather?

Fall is in the air...at least today it is!

***breath in***breath out*** That's what I did this morning as I stepped onto my front porch. I opened the door to what seemed like a season change in the works! Fall was in the air this morning indeed. I stepped out this morning shortly after 6 AM (I overslept) to go for a walk with my darling (SPAZ) puppy, Jasper. The moment I stepped out I was instantly when, "WOOO-booshy!" It was a tad chilly. But then I immediately began to take in/out deep breaths to soak in as much of that cool weather as I could. It was wonderful. Then, went around the house and found an already feisty puppy! He was in his pen raring to go. Let him out and he exploded with energy. Jasper didn't know which direction to run the fastest. He was here and there and back here again in about two seconds. Let's just put it this way....he was running so fast down the dirt road that he as slinging gravels! Oh man, what a fireball young Jasper is.

I'm already loving fall and it's still August!

Until next time . . .

Fog's in August - FOG UPDATE

Okay, so there have been 3 fogs in August. I was home for two of them, but was unsure if there was fog while I was on vacation. According to neighbors we had ONE fog from the 7th to the 12th. So, three fogs so far this August.....and it's the 24th!

Wonder what this winter will have in store for us?!

Until next time . . .

Darling Jasper...aka The SPAZ

So Jasper has adjusting nicely to his home in the country. He is right at home, trust me. I was recently gone for almost two weeks. With a 5 month old puppy that made things interesting; I had to get a puppy-sitter plus Jasper was teething (BAD)!! Thank goodness for my (adopted) sister Cristina and her little girl Dora. They camped out on the Collins Front for the first week I was gone. They were good puppy-sitters even though Jasper was a bit of a handfull at times. SORRY Cristina!!! While I was away Jasper discovered one of his, now, most favorite escapes....the old well house. There is no longer a cover over the well house; it is now just a block of concrete. But in that concrete is the space where back in old days the people would keep their milk cold. Now that the top is off the well house the hole holds water. Jasper is a water rat so, yep you guessed it....he found the water hole! Picture above denotes this new puppy oasis! Jasper now has to jump in and cool off practically every time he passes! He's too funny.


Between trips I had about a day and a half to play with my puppy. Then I was gone again. Only this trip my sister and her girls were the puppy-sitters. I think Jasper prefers Cristina and Dora, but shhhhh don't tell anyone! hahaha this was quite the eventful week. Jasper, so I was told, was a complete spaz for Renee and the girls. Can you blame him? He was missing his momma; he is teething; and he is just like a toddler/preteen in a 5 month old puppy body!!! I guess my four-legged furry critter chewed, ripped, and ran into everything in site! lol

After I got home I had to investigate and see if there was anything I needed to replace. I was concerned about mom's new landscaping lights :( EEK! But, Jasper never touched them; knock on wood. As I was investigating Jasper had to show me his new found oasis.....MOM'S FLOWER WATERING POOL!!!!! Noted by picture above. Oh my gosh, when I found him in that pool I was like, "my mother is going to hurt me!" He would just get in the pool, walking over/through the plants, and sit in the middle to rest his rump in the water! What can I say, it was hot and the dog was just trying to cool off.

This pup is a mess, but oh so sweet-when he wants to be. What can I say, "I love my puppy!"

Until next time . . .

Fog's in August - No. 2...by my counts

This morning I awoke to a fog. That's right...a fog in August. Now, by my record keeping that is only #2 and we only have a week and a half left of August. However, I have no idea if there were any fogs while I was away on vacation. I was home the 12th and 13th, but no fog. Who knows what kind of weather we had from the 7th to the 11th? I guess we'll have to just wait and see what this winter brings us.

I've been seeing wooly worms...yes, wooly worms also predict winter weather. The ones I've seen are orange/black/orange/black etc all the way down their bodies. The bands of color are very close and thin as well. What does this predict you ask? Well the orange predicts calm weather and the black, well you guessed it, predicts yucky weather. So to analyze the wooly worms I've seen: we'll have back and forth calm/wintery weather all winter long. I'll keep my eye out for the woolies!

Until next time . . .

It's Vacation time!

At the start of this entry I am on officially on vacation in t-minus 1 hour 39 minutes and 37 seconds! So excited! My family and I; this includes myself, mom, dad, my sister (Renee) and her girls (Shanea, Dee & Jasmine). We are Colorado bound! Estes Park to be exact.

I'll back up a bit...we were supposed to be Gulf Shores, AL bound, but you'll probably recall the BP oil spill of April 2010! Nuff said about that!

So, we're heading to Colorado and getting on the road tonight. We like to drive at night when there are several of us to drive :) We're headed for cooler weather, spacious skies, and those fabulous Rockies! It's not an extended stay, but it's just enough. Plus, when you're with family that's all that matters.

When we get home we have to unload Renee's mama wagon, Maude, and pack it up again. Dear sweet Shanea is going to college! She moves in on Friday the 13th. We're so proud of her and the young lady she is becoming. Wishing Shanea much luck and enjoyment for her Freshman year at College of the Ozarks.

Then, on Friday night (the 13th) mom, dad and myself are off to St. Louis. THEN bright and early Saturday morning we're leaving on a jet plane to Boston, MA!!! Oh my, can not wait! We're going to the 2010 Solid Waste Convention...that's not the official name of the meeting, but it's all about recycling and recycled products. They are pretty awesome fun!

So, this is going to be a jam packed adventures 12 days. I'm looking forward to it and am going to embrace life and God. God is so good. Praying now for safe travels, no car trouble, and all attitudes stay in check!

Unless I have wifi on the road I'll be back on the 19th!

Until next time . . .

Election Results

Well, Election Day 2010 has come and gone for another time. Dad ran a very good campaign and had much support, but fell short by a mere 22 vote spread. Considering he was challenging an incumbent and a supposedly 'big to do' name he did very well. Woop-tee-doo on the big to do name; a name doesn't get you anything but the ability to buy people!

Anyway...I won't be negative or a poor sport about it. If one dwells on the negative aspects of this issue one could easily be angered and let anger take control...But we're not because we know the truth behind all the lies! The fact that the guy didn't want to run anyway and told my dad he wasn't going to is one indication he didn't want it. It wasn't until my dad filed that the guy got all on the defense; probably because he didn't think dad had the guts to challenge him. Well, dad did challenge him and had him on the edge of his seat until the final wire; when we came up short on votes. Over half of the precincts wanted dad, but certain clicks are hard to penetrate. And, this guy takes a week's vacation practically once a month and gets paid full salary! Not many people know this probably. PLUS, it must be nice to buy your votes and make all these donations to part of the community right before election; the only part of the community where dad got the least amount of votes I might add. Pretty convenient if you ask me. Oh blah, blah, blah!

But, dad is good and okay about it. This was not part of God's plan. It's simply another puddle in one of life's storms. Yes, I'm a bit defensive about it, but it strikes a nerve; especially when we know why certain people vote against you. They call you friend with one breath and stab you in the back with the next. Even though I know everything happens for a reason and God is in control, some things are still frustrating. We've always been considered by select clicks as lowly, not good enough and not upper crust enough to run with the big dogs. But let me just say....none of that matters. To be frank, I don't want to ever be a big dog. I like it just fine right where I am. I know who we serve and serving Him is the only thing that matters. He (God) will take care of everything. One day the lies will be exposed and the 'big-to-do' name won't matter; doesn't ever matter to God!

Sorry for venting my frustrations!

Until next time . . .

Fog's in August - No. 1

I was reminded this morning that it is August. I've known it was August for 3 days now, but it didn't dawn on me that it was August until I was gripping about the heavy fog this morning. Then my sister kindly reminded me by saying, "isn't there something about the fogs in August?" I said, "YES!" I totally would have forgotten. Thanks sis!

For all who don't remember or if this is the first time you're reading my blog...the number of fogs in August supposedly, according to folklore, represent the number of snows we'll receive in the winter months. Oddly enough this is pretty accurate. Nonetheless it's always fun counting the fogs and then counting the snows. One thing about it...if you had 10 fogs in August once you reach snow 9 in the winter you know (hope) we're almost done with wintery precip!

Get to counting those Fogs in August and happy counting!

Until next time . . .

It's a BIG Day!!

Election Day 2010 is here! There are no words for all that's going through my mind today. I can only imagine what's going through my dad's mind; after all it is his name on that election ballot. Dad's name may be there, but he runs his race as a family. So, behind that name with dad is mom, Renee and the girls, and myself. We are in it together.

To be short and sweet today...much on the mind and feel very close to God today because we've talked so much today! Hopefully at the day's end we'll hear, "Gary Collins has won and will be the next Presiding Commissioner of Ozark County, Missouri."

Until next time . . .