Safe in HIS arms

Death. To me it's not final, to some it is. I know where I will be when I leave my earthly body. Jesus has promised eternal life for all who believe. I believe. I believe Jesus is the Christ, the son of God. John wrote in the Bible, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31). Do you believe? 

Today is another hard day. Today my family celebrates the life of my uncle. He may no longer be here in this world in his physical, human body, but I know he is in heaven, healed. He is no longer suffering or in pain. I look forward to seeing him and all my loved ones that has passed away before me once again. It is hard for us as we age. We start to experience illness more and see more loss. But God.....He is with us. He will never leave us. And I can say he has carried me, comforted me and he gets me through life. This human body is only temporary. Our "stuff" stays here on earth. Earth is not our home. But I know I have a HOME with Jesus. Am I ready? You bet! As I have said before, thinking about it makes me sad, because I do not want to leave my family. But when Jesus calls me, I am ready to see him. 

Are you ready? Do you know my Jesus? He is the saviour of the world. He is God in human form. He came as a baby (Luke 2) and has experienced what we do...temptation, hunger, want, frustration, love, being tired, anger, friendship and everything else. He was loved by many, then people turned on him and he was hated, beaten, crucified on a cross and died. But Jesus was prophesied hundreds of years before he was was even born. (Isaiah 40 and 53).  He died for us (Luke 23). Bore our sins as the lamb sacrifice to God. BUT...He rose from the dead on the 3rd day (Luke 24, Matthew 27). And he is in Heaven, sitting at the right hand of God, waiting for us (Romans 8).

You may not see him, but he is with us, all around us. You just have to ask him into your  heart. Believe he is the Christ. 

Please pray for my family, my aunt, my cousins, through this time of heartache. As we grieve for the earthly loss, we celebrate the heavenly win.

Romans 8:34; "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."

Hebrews 10:12; "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,"

Love to all,

A time for Thanksgiving

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I would like to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving holiday. I hope you all were able to reflect on what you are thankful for and spend some time with your family or those that you love. 

Wait....what? You don't know what this holiday means? Well for my friends that do not live in the U.S., let me explain. According to google AI..."Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in the United States as a time for gratitude, community, and togetherness, rooted in a 1621 harvest feast shared by Pilgrims and Wampanoag Native Americans."

So in the U.S. we celebrate and give thanks for our community and family. It has also evolved into togetherness with family. For my family, we get together and have a great meal of turkey and dressing and all the fixins! The dressing is my papaw's dressing that has been handed down. It is a revered recipe that only a select few have! And guess what...I am not one of them! I don't know what you have to do in my family to get it. I guess I need to figure that out. And you can't forget about the chocolate pie my aunt makes! You have to eat dessert first if you want a slice of it!

But back to Thanksgiving. This is a time when we celebrate our family and friends and pray for each other and our country, giving thanks for all the blessings we have. We take time to remember the many blessings God has given us and the love he has for us. I love being with my family. I have a large family. And when we get together, it seems to make the house seem so small from all of us. But I love seeing my family that I do not get to see much, catching up with them and seeing how much all the young un's have grown! With family, no matter how long you are apart, it is like you never were, and you just pick up where you left off. That is the joy of family, the unconditional love and support you have. 

Even though you may not celebrate a thanksgiving holiday, you can still celebrate thanksgiving by giving thanks for all that has been given to you. It may be blessings with family, children, a home, a pet, a good meal, chocolate, warm socks, a fluffy blanket....sorry I got carried away! But whatever it is, whatever your blessings are, give thanks and praise to God for all he has given you. 

Colossians 2:7 "rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

1 Chronicles 16:34 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Love to all, 

Different but same

 

You may think I am a weirdo. But, over the last few years, I have taken delight in looking at trees. I mean really looking at them. Seeing their uniqueness and beauty. Wherever I go, if I see a tree that has some personality, I just have to take a picture of it.  And if you really look at them, you will see their personality. It is amazing how God has made everything the same but different. What I mean is that when we look at the above pictures we see trees. but they are unique in their own way. One at the top is at my new home that is being built. It has already dropped their leaves to display their wonderful structure and limbs. And it even has its own creativity of how it wants to appear.  Like it has "dressed" itself to show its limbs reaching out as if to pick something out or reach out and shake my hand.

The other is in my front yard at my current home. It still has its beautiful yellow leaves on it. It is as if it wants to show off its beautiful coat of many colors. And I picture it reaching up to the sky like it is raising their arms in praise. 

           

I am sure you see your own version of those pictures but this is what comes to my mind. Just like those trees, we are the same but different. We reach out and reach up for others for many things. We show off our colors through actions and words, not just externally with appearances. Have you ever wondered what others see in you? We all "people watch", sometimes it isn't intentional but we do. What are you showing others? Do you walk the talk that you believe? 

I think my trees are giving me a life lesson. To be myself, to love myself, and to love and accept the differences that we all have. Jesus loves us all, despite our differences. He doesn't see that, all he sees is that we are made in his image and we are his children.  So love starts with loving yourself and the differences you have. You are beautiful. 

1 Peter 4:8: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins".

Psalm 139:14: "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made". 

Ephesians 5:29: "For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church"

Ephesians 4:2: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love".

Love to all, 

Kentucky-isms

 

Well, if you live in Kentucky or any part of the Southern part of the U.S., you have heard or even may had said any of the below. I just thought I would enlighten my fellow readers. Different parts of the world have things you say that others are like, "what in the world are they talking about!" This can even happen in other parts of the US. As with my daughter who moved from the southern part of the US to the west coast. When she says one of these, her co-workers are like, "what the heck!" and then just start laughing! With the help of my daughter, she compiled a list of some of the common ones we say. So let's get started!

* What the Sam Hill?  

    This means: what the heck? Fun fact: Apparently, Sammy was a guy that cussed so much his name became a euphemism for cussing itself!

* I got a Hitch in my Gitty-up

    Means: I'm hurting, to be injured, moving slow Ex: Slow down, I have a hitch in my gitty-up. Happens to me a lot, since I am getting older! Especially in the cold weather.

* It has been a month of Sundays

    Means: A super long time. For me it happens usually on Wednesday's when I am ready for my work week to be over!

* O' Lord, Katie bar the door!

    Means Watch out! Prepare yourself, something's coming.

* It's all "Gummed up"

    Means Nasty or dirty

* I'm living High on the Hog

    Means Rich/extravagant or financially secure. I usually say this if I am eating a steak, because that doesn't happen often!

* To be "hot". Ex: Ohhh, I am so hot! Sometimes also will say, "I am so over it"!

    Means: incredibly mad, like you're so angry your face turns red

* I am full as a tick

    Means you have eaten so much food, you cannot eat anymore. Mostly said on holidays

* If it were a snake, it would've bit me

    Means: often said after you lost something and it was so close to you when you found it, if that object were a snake it would have attacked you

* They are three sheets to the wind

    Means incredibly drunk

* Piss or get off the pot

    Means to stop dilly-dallying (stalling)

* They couldn't hit the broadside of a barn

    Means Bad aim. Ex: when someone is throwing a ball and can't hit the basket.

* Spitting snow/rain

    Means it's trying to snow/rain

Well, I think you are ready for a visit to us Kentuckians! I can't wait! We are all different and it takes all of us to make up the world. So wherever you live, however you talk, we are all one in humanity. You are perfectly made, no matter where you live. 

God made us all, in his image and He loves you!

Psalm 139: 13-14; "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Luke 12:7: "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." 

Love to all,

It's change of season time!

 Yep, it's here. Change of season, cold weather, and the dreaded time change. All of this has effects on people and me too. I don't like cold weather, and the change in seasons mean winter is coming! BOO. What I do like is the beautiful change in color the trees give us this time each year. It kinda makes it a little more bearable. As I was walking this week, there are so many reds, yellow and orange colors on the trees! So beautiful.

Despite all this good feeling nature, there are just some days. Do you have those days where the thought of having to smile and be nice to everyone or to say Good morning a gazillion times just isn't in you? It takes everything you have to smile and say it? I had one of those days last week. I just felt, "I can't do this today." But when you are wallowing in your self pity, God steps in and KAPOW! You are smiling. That was me. But what gave me my smile was God placed someone in my path. They had a word of encouragement for me, and it went a long way to help me through my work day.

When I think on it, I still smile. I try to help others throughout their tough times, and just feeling that support from others, well....it feels different receiving it. I experienced how my words make other feel. 

This past week was Halloween. I anticipated a lot of kids because our neighborhood has a lot of kids. I only got 5!!!! I have so much leftover halloween treats. More for me!! But you know what comes after halloween????? NOVEMBER 1ST! Some may not know, but IYKYK! It is christmas music time! It starts on Nov 1st. I LOVE IT! It helps me through this dreary time of shorter days, colder nights and coat weather. 

So this week, one- I am off work (YAY for me!) but two- I am breaking out the christmas decorations!! At least for inside my house. I usually won't decorate outside until after Thanksgiving. I have to get some use out of my pumpkins I bought 2 weeks ago.  haha!

My challenge for you, spread joy. Compliment someone, smile at someone. You never know where their mind is and what your words or smile will do for them, even if it is just a small thing. The compliment I received....a Thank you. Someone just came to me and said, thank you for everything you do for us. That small sentence made me feel valuable.

John 3:30 "He must become greater; I must become less.”

Hebrews 10:24-25; "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Love to all, 

A trip down memory lane

 I grew up in the same house my whole young life. We didn't move out of it until I was 21 yo! Well, me and the hubs decided this weekend to go back to our old stomping grounds and drive through our neighborhoods we grew up in.  It was crazy! Everything changed. Let me take you on my trip......

First, just driving down the main road before you get to my street my house was on, it has been widened and now has sidewalks!! What is happening?!!  We had to walk to the store to get moms smokes on that busy 2 lane road and walk through peoples yards. Now there is sidewalks, which would have been nice to have, and the convenience store is gone. I guess that is to be expected since it has been 37 yrs since I have lived there. 

Second, my old house is so small! I remember it being a little bigger. But it looks so small now. Wonder how 5 of us all lived there. (my cousin lived with us for a few years before we moved). The trees in the front yard are gone. I remember having to park my car in the yard  between the 2 trees because we had too many cars! 3 teenagers in one house. Not sure how my parents managed us! My room in the window in the middle. That was a great house. 

Third, what is going on!! This ditch was wayyyyyy bigger and steeper than what it is now. I am telling you, that ditch was a HILL! And we would walk down that ditch to the back to big creek. You can't see it from the trees that have grown over. It's a wonder we didn't get bit by snakes or snapping turtles!  Yes, they were there, but they must have stayed away from us kids. Me and my brother would look for crawdads when we were younger and mom would get mad at us for going down in the creek. "It's too dangerous" she would say. That creek held a lot of secrets too. Like when I tried smoking! I don't recommend it. It's nasty.

It is crazy how memories can just flood back that you haven't thought about in a long time. So many amazing memories of me, my family and friends in that neighborhood. Even one of my friends was saying she kissed a boy in that ditch! haha. Memories of me and my best friend sneaking out of the house and walking the street at night, just to have that freedom that we did it! As little kids, running up and down the street to each others house. My best friend just lived 4 houses down from me. We knew everyone on that street. And they knew us, so we couldn't get away with anything. I can go on, but don't want to bore you. 

Some don't have as many good memories as I do. My hubs is one of them. But as we drove past the homes he lived in, there were some not so good memories, but we concentrated on those good ones. It was great to talk about his grandma and the memories of being in her house. I was blessed to know both of his grandmothers and they were great ladies. I even have some of my own memories in those houses of theirs. 

So take the time to remember those good times. Those memories is what molded you into the person you are today. Even those not so good memories taught you lessons in life and helps you with the decisions you make today. 

Deuteronomy 32:7; Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you."

Jeremiah 29:11; "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Love to all, 

Fresh new socks

 

Ever love the feel of new socks? Yes, socks. I get ankle, sports socks. And when I get new ones, they are so cushiony that my feet thank me for it. Especially when I am at work and do a lot of walking!

You know what else is awesome….fresh sheets. I love getting into a freshly made bed. I would change my sheets every day if I didn’t have to do laundry! And knowing how to fold a fitted sheet without wrinkles is also a plus. 

There isn’t a lot of things that can bring you true happiness and that “feel good” feeling. But new socks will do it!

Sometimes you just have to treat yourself. If you are needing a pick me up, try some new socks. They may put a pep in your step!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Psalms 118:24; "This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Love to all, 

Pumpkin time!

 

I got my pumpkins! Yay for me! Pictured is our stash we got. I always go in and say I am only getting 1-2 and end up with 3-4. I just can't make up my mind. They all are so cute and have their own personality. Yes....pumpkins can be cute and when you can't have them all, it's hard to pick just one. I love the ones that are oddly shaped and have the vine still on them. It was a great day at the pumpkin patch....despite the crowds.

My family went to Hubers again this year for our annual pumpkin fall get together. We realized once we were there that we should not have come on a weekend. Last time it was a week day and there was not as many people there. To say the least it was crowded! (Mental note for next year). Despite all the people, I still got my pumpkin!

But the people......why do some have to be so rude? It was crazy. I just kept remembering from my childhood, that if I ever acted that way (rude, pushy, just not polite), my momma would snatch me up and it was whoopin time! If we were out in public, it would be even worse....she would pull me close, nose to nose and whisper "if I don't straighten up, I was going to get in when we got home".  This didn't happen to often because you know I was an angel and didn't act up a lot! I still have my halo, hahaha.

But all that aside, I had an amazing time. And the sangria's I shared with my niece for her birthday was a plus too! I think I needed more....to help with my people watching in the crowds! Welllll...Maybe not, that probably was good I didn't have more, who knows my angel-ness may have disappeared.

Now my decision is this....to carve my pumpkin or not! That's a tough one.

1 John 3:18 says, "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth".

Micah 6:8; "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Love to all,

Getting your day started

 

This week it has officially switched from warm, summer weather to fall, cool temperatures. And I can tell you, I am not enjoying it! I am a summer girl. I like the heat. Even though the sun is out, it is deceiving to make you think it is warm outside. I walk outside and just say "nope" and have to go in and get a jacket. There is a chill in the air. And my body and joints are definitely feeling it!

So I am back to my fall way of thinking, wishing this season would go quickly and March to get here soon! It's sad when you wish away part of your life, instead of trying to find ways to enjoy this season. I need to look deep to see what is good about cold weather and snow! I cannot stand the snow! Brrrr

So this season, as it gets colder, I am having to warm up my car in the mornings before I leave for work. This got me thinking as I was doing my devo this week. As our cars need to be warmed up, so does our spirit, our minds. How do we do it? Well, one way is getting into the word. Another way is through prayer. Starting your day with scripture and prayer every morning before you even step out of your house, will prepare your heart and mind for the day ahead.  

So I am enjoying the last remaining warm days and all the colorful flowers that comes with it. In the next week or so, our trees will be changing to a beautiful orange, red and yellow colors. The beauty God gives us in amazing. We just need to look and see that beauty. And I am concentrating on what is good this season. This includes, but not limited to.....MY BIRTHDAY, holiday gatherings with my family, shopping for Christmas gifts and my shoe box for Samaritan's purse. 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV); "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Love to all,

October, a hard month

 October is a hard month for some. It is breast cancer awareness month. It brings up a lot of memories for some of us and is a reminder, not that we already have them on our body, of what we went through. It doesn't matter how long ago your cancer was, it still stings. And it may not be you that had the cancer, but you went through it with your wife, mom, friend and your hardship and memories of it is just as important and hard to manage at times. I get it.

For me and my experience, I go through some times where I am good and say "I am a survivor" then other times it's like, I am so sick of the reminders of this VERY hard time in my life. The reminders are all the time: mammograms, doctor visits where you have to give your history over and over, OCTOBER and the "pink" everywhere, and the "squeeze your boobs" reminders!

Yes I am a survivor, and being that survivor comes at a cost. I started my cancer journey June 2012, ended my treatments chemo, radiation and monoclonal antibody therapy July 2013, and then started tamoxifen and Letrozole therapy for 8 years. The cost of cancer for me was the mutilation of my body with lopsided boobs from surgery and radiation (which really suck!!), the hair loss, PTSD fear of cancer of it returning every time I go for a test or feel something on my body, and weight gain that has taken all this time to lose. 

                             2012                                                                    Sept 2025

  

BUT...there is always a but. You know me....I have to not concentrate on those negatives and find what I can to make it through this thing called life! What I did gain was: FIRST- a closer relationship and understanding of Jesus. I learned to value life each day, even though I sometimes take it for granted. But then I get a kick in the butt and realize I only have one life to live. I also got the luxury of not having a lot of hair growth on my legs! It has taken a while, but it is slowly growing back, but just around my ankles after 13 yrs! Go figure. My hair has come back more curly than ever, since I am growing it out. It looks like when I use to perm it back in the 80's! Also, through my experience, I can help others that are experiencing this. It helped me through my sickness to know that someone was there to walk me through it, and let me know how to navigate it and get through it.

All that aside, I don't know why I went through this trial in 2012 and why my body got cancer, but I am going to use it for good, even though the world or the devil wants to use it for bad. I will not let it get me down and on those days I start to feel the weight of it (or the month of October), I will remind myself of all the good that came from this experience. And I might even go and get me some new boobs at some point so they won't be lopsided anymore!

If you are going through something like this, stay strong! You can do more than what your mind thinks. Your mind succomes to what your body is feeling, but you must push through! We all are survivors of something! If you are that caregiver or supporter, be strong for them. Give them encouragement...daily. Trust me, it helps. Small notes of encouragement, send texts just to say I love you, tell her she is beautiful (even without hair) or just something silly. Or just be presence. Go with them on their treatments. 

You are blessed because you woke up this morning. You can feel the breath in your lungs, and if you are like me, you can feel the soreness in your body trying to get out of bed! But I am thankful because that is from my exercise and being able to still do it! And you are blessed because Jesus loves you!

 Psalm 147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds"

Psalm 30:2 "Lord my God, I called to You for help, and You healed me" 

Love to all,

Peace like a river

 

Ever wonder what the person meant by the saying "peace like a river?" Because a lot of rivers I have seen, especially after rain, they are not peaceful. Like the river pictured above. It had not rained, but it was pretty rough and the current was pretty fast. 

Sometimes I feel my life is like that, peace like a river. Some days are good and some are, well....not so good. But did I survive? Well yes I did! Lately, it has been a little stressful, with work, the house build, just life. I even have experienced a little road rage driving home in some major traffic. I know, I should be calm and forgiving, but sometimes when a 25 minute drive turns into an hour, well that will get the best of anyone!

Just a side note, when you are stuck in traffic, what I have learned is to roll the windows down, if you have a sunroof, open it up, and turn up the volume on your music. Then belt it out! SING! Jam out! (you may have seen me on  1-64, yes I am that crazy lady singing in my car!). That will change your whole attitude and when others see you, they will smile and it will change their mindset too. I know when I see someone in their car singing and rocking out to the music, it brings a smile to me because I know that feeling. The feeling of just being in the moment and not letting the things around you bother you. 

So get out there. Dance and sing like nobody's watching. And if they are, who cares?? Peace comes, you just have to let it in.

 

Isaiah 66:12 in the New International Version (NIV) reads, "For this is what the Lord says: 'I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees'". According to Google AI, this verse describes God's promise of overflowing prosperity and comfort to His people, comparing the peace and abundance to a river and a nourishing mother. 

John 7:38; Jesus says, "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them"

Love to all, 

surfs up dude!

 Sometimes as I am growing out my hair I feel like it is just a hot mess! I think that is why I kept it short for so long. I could never get past a few months of growing it out. I think my family had bets on how long it would take me to get it cut whenever I said I was going to grow my hair out. The reason I kept getting it cut is I felt it didn't look professional since I was a manager and felt I looked like I was a surfer dude all the time. I am no surfer dude! You would not catch me that far out in the ocean. I barely walk in the ocean up to my calves. Why?  Have you heard of sharks?? NOPE...NOPE...NOPE. But I am embracing the curls, still, and enjoying the freedom, and those with curls know they have a mind of their own!

Since I am no longer in management, I feel like I can be freer with my hair, like I have given myself permission to "let my hair down" haha!  Don't get me wrong, I do not just let it go. I style my curls, when they let me. But it is a style that I am still trying to get use to, the messy curl girl style. And it is taking so dad-gum long to grow. Like what the heck?! 

As we go on the curl journey together, and yes, you are on this journey with me, it will be a struggle but one that we will win! My plan/goal is to get my hair to my shoulders and as you can see, I have a way to go. So your job in this journey is to keep me going, keep me from cutting my hair and get me to the finish line! As it is growing, I still have not picked a style. I think it would probably be a good idea to get one and not just let the curls be the boss. I am looking and have something in mind, but need my hair to be longer!!

What is this journey teaching me? All journeys have a lesson it. Everything we go through in life will teach us a lesson. I am learning patience and (as I have said before) trust the process. Hopefully, my goal is by Christmas, I will have a new look and maybe take a few years off of me! (a girl can only dream). I leave you today, once again, with some of God's promises and wisdom!

Ecclesiastes 7:8; “The end of something is better than its beginning. Patience is better than pride.”

Exodus 14:14; "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Love to all,

Step counting

 

Have you ever taken a challenge and then asked yourself, "what was I thinking?"!! Well I have. I signed up for a step challenge at work for this month. (what was I thinking!) I normally keep track of my steps I take each day but since starting this step challenge, my mind is saying, DO MORE. You see, I am a competitive person. And I really want my name in the drawing for the prize (who doesn't like to get prizes!)  and to get your name in the drawing, you have to meet the goal of logging a minimum of 5,000 steps a day. While it isn't a problem for me to get that many steps during the week, the weekend is a different challenge. 

Can I just say that this challenge is really pushing me! During the week, I walk A LOT at work. Let me just tell you.....I have mapped out my path from my office desk to the units in the hospital I serve, and it is .33 miles, one way. I walk this path 6 times a day, not to mention that my 2 units are on opposite ends of the floor in the hospital. I do A LOT of walking. I have also started to take the steps. Well....I must confess, I don't do the steps all the time, but will take them if it is 2- 3 floors. Any more than that, you would have to resuscitate me. To get those extra steps in, Riley gets a walk everyday after I get home from work. That circle around our neighborhood is .83 miles. And believe me, she will not let me forget about her walks. I am going to have to get her some doggie shoes for winter this year, but that will be another story for a different day. (sorry, had a squirrel moment in thought!)

So now, my poor "young" body is starting to feel it! Now I know why knees and hips are so sore. I won't blame it on me getting older, that will be our secret. We will just say it is exercise and the weather changing! You got that?

Well the question you are asking me now is, are you meeting that goal? What kind of question is that?! Of course I am, and then some! Remember when I said I am a little competitive? I am stepping a minimum of 8,000 steps a day. Now the weekends are a little different, especially Saturdays. Saturdays, I tend to binge Netflix and kick back in my chair. Like yesterday, I logged, 3,605. I didn't meet the 5,000 step goal, but again, I was chillin in my chair and taking a day off. I think we all need that one day to nap, chill and watch your show all day! (right now my show on Netflix is Scandal)

As my blog title is "loving life", I am doing just that. No matter what it is, step counting, chillin out or just walking the dog, life is worth loving. And my smile each day just proves that I am loving life!

Philippians 4:19;  "And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus".

Ezekiel 37:5;"This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life"

Love to all,

How to calm a busy mind or heart

 

I love flowers, I love how something so small is so beautiful. It brings a peace to any room.

Is your mind always on play? Are you always thinking about something, even when you should be resting, meditating? I feel that way too sometimes. Not sure why, but it comes up at the worse times, like when I am trying to sleep. Especially when I wake up in the middle of the night to pee and try to go back to sleep. My mind wonders. Here is some of the things I think about: 

• How am I going to take out the dog to pee at the new house? Our new house back door is like a second floor (we will have a walk out basement). and I just know that ole Riley will not walk out and down the deck stairs to go pee at 2:30 am!
• Crazy dreams of swimming through my house while it floods inside but nothing outside!
• Where am I going to put my furniture and how am I going to decorate my house
• Did I miss something at work and replaying my work day

My mind won't turn off! Today, while listening to a sermon podcast, the minister asked chat GPT a question and I thought I would do the same. He asked "If you were the devil, what would you do?"  And the answer is shocking!

It said: The devils goals would to involve undermining what is good, true or just. And it would do it by: Distorting the truth, encourage division, Promote instant gratification, exploit technology, undermine integrity by rewarding dishonesty, convince people life is meaningless, make evil look normal. Doesn't this sound like our world now?

I know the devil is trying all of this with me. I mean, just with my mindless color by number app on my phone. I am distracted when I am on it and before you know it, it has been an hour. But I have to say my pictures do turn out really good! But it is an hour I can't get back, an hour that I could have been praying, reading the bible or spending with my family. The devil makes evil look normal, like in the movies and shows we watch. I loved the show Yellowstone and now when I think about it, the language and story line normalized a lot of things that I would never do. We get immune to what goes against our beliefs that it is just normal to us to see or hear it. (BTW, I only watched it because of Rip!)

So, Autumn, how do you get through this? Say his name. 

One time I was driving to work, and I don't know what came over me, but all of a sudden I started to have a panic attack. Anxiety just came over me and I don't know why. All I could do was just say the name of Jesus over and over. And you know what? My anxiety started to go away. Just saying the name of Jesus will drive away any evil or demons. 

Recite the bible. Whenever I am laying in bed and can't get to sleep or can't turn off my mind because of those crazy dreams or thoughts, I say a few verses. I have a few verses that I have memorized and recite. My go-to ones is Psalms 23, Isaiah 40:25-31; or everyone's favorite that works every time is John 3:16.   I wish I knew more, and that is something that I need to work on. I guess I could do that instead of coloring!

So when you feel that anxiety creeping on you, say his name, recite his promises. And that fear, anxiety, HE will take it away.

Psalm 23:4 NIV; "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Love to all,

Cancer sucks!

Cancer sucks! and I can say that because I have lived through it. This is a throwback of me in 2012 after I had lost my hair from chemo and me trying to cope with the loss of it, trying to stay positive throughout chemo, radiation and the changes in my body and appearance, all the while working as a nurse. It was hard, but with God all things are possible.

But enough about me. All I want to do is just scream at cancer..WHY!!! I have some family and friends that are going through this right now, with brain cancer, skin cancer and thyroid cancer. I just hate this!

I try to bring something positive to my words in my blog, but today I can't find them, I feel so sad and angry. I want my family to be healed, now, I don't want them to have to go through treatment and the feeling of ick that comes with it. 

My story, my experience has made me stronger, but it has also given me a fear, the fear that it will return, with every scan each year. I can't say that it is like that for everyone, but I pray for my family and friends going through this, BE STRONG, BE COURAGEOUS and FIGHT!

Next week, my next blog, I will be more entertaining. Today, I just want to say, CANCER SUCKS! And for those going through it, whether it is you with cancer, or someone you love, You got this! Pray, cry, scream, but know you are loved. You are strong, even when you feel weak. God is with you.

Joshua 1:9, which says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go". 

Love to all,

Believe in yourself

 I had the most filling and amazing time in Columbia SC last week. You see, I went on a mission trip there to work in that community. It was hard work, and very busy, but fulfilling. And before you say anything, yes, you can go on mission in the states. Mission doesn't mean you have to leave and go international. Well, I'm not going to get into that trip much and about what we did. If you want to see my mission stories, go to my other blog at  https://onemission4him.blogspot.com   Link is on my my page.

While I was there, I was able to take some time for myself. I explored the area and we went to the river walk. It is a paved walk area alongside the river. I didn't know the name of the river (Saluda River) until just now! I just looked it up. haha. Anyways, we did the riverwalk and it was so peaceful and beautiful. When you stop and just listen and look, you see so many things differently. Well, my daughter, who is a lot more healthy than me, walked with me. We walked for over one hour before we had to go and catch our flight back home. I walked over 10,000 steps that day! More than I ever walk!  I do have to say that it was fun and definitely an advil day!

We had great weather, cool in the 70's! I heard someone say that SC in August is the devils playground. Well, the devil was scared away by our group. BUT, on Sunday, he came back. I shouldn't have worn jeans that day on our walk. It definitely got hot AND humid. 

If you know me, I also went out and had some good food! One of my favorites, that my daughter got me hooked on is ramen. I love it and we found this great little place downtown that had amazing ramen. I think I like ramen because of the super cool spoon you get with it. I still struggle with the chopsticks. I usually end up just scooping it all up with the spoon and pray it doesn't flop everywhere!

OK one more picture. We found this awesome coffee shop downtown. Bitty and Beau's. It is a must to go to. They give back to their community and help those who are disabled. Their employees are 80% disabled. And they are so positive and encouraging. Just look at my cup. Every cup of coffee or smoothie has something encouraging written on it. You just never know who needs to hear this. I love it. You need to go online and read about them. And yes, I did get the big 24 oz smoothie. After my hour long walk in the devils heat and humidity, I deserved it! It was mango! and delicious!

Believe in yourself. Have confidence in yourself to do what you are called to do. I went to SC, worked with strangers, explored the area for new experiences. Get out there, live your life, don't waste it inside, working, or scrolling. Love the life you have and those around you.

John 13:34; "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

John 3:16-17 NIV; "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Love to all,

Taking a drive

 

I never thought I would say this after moving closer to the city, but I miss my long drives. Yep, that is what I said! Before we moved, I would drive 45 minutes to work and then it would be a longer drive depending on traffic. I would complain everyday about the drivers, the traffic and the stress of having to drive so much. I did this drive for 22 years.  I know how many minutes between each exit, where the fast food is and how to get around any back up on the highway. Since then, I can get to wherever I need, like work, in like, 20 minutes. On those long drives before, I would have my quiet time. I would listen to podcasts or my music and if the weather was good, I would even open the sunroof and have the windows down! I miss those times....just sometimes. 

So today, I took a drive. By myself. windows down, sunroof open. Enjoying the sun and quiet time. Well, not so quiet. I jammed my music to the band Skillet. People probably thought I was a nut, head banging to christian music. But it is my "quiet" time, myself time. 

Have you ever just taken a time to be alone, by yourself. You can actually hear other things if you open up your ears and mind. I didn't hear a lot today, other than music turned up way too loud and the wind, but today, I can do whatever I want, right? Alone time is not always negative. There have been times I have felt alone and felt that loneliness. But there are those other times when you just want to be with yourself, a date with just you. You can go anywhere you want. Your porch, backyard, a walk, a movie, or like me, a drive.....to the outlet mall! Yes that is where I ended up and I had a great time shopping, by myself. I even got me a little somethin-somethin. 

So whatever you do, take time for your drive, your time alone to sit still and listen. Listen to your body, spirit and most of all, listen to hear God talk to you. He has plenty to show us and tell us, we just need to slow down and take the time. 

Psalm 46:10; "He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth.”

Mark 4:39; "And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

Love to all,

Weight loss Journey, I mean struggle

 

I have been struggling with my weight ever since I finished my chemo in 2013. Then it just got worse as I went into menopause (which is the devil itself!). Then you top it off with a sprinkle of stress, well it was more than a sprinkle, that is a recipe for weight gain. I didn't want to work out, depression set in.  Medications just masked it and didn't help. I tried to overcome a lot of it myself. But as you know, sometimes that doesn't work. 

Well, I went to my doctor and while I don't advocate for taking "the easy way", I had tried everything I could think of. Different diets, joined the gym, worked out, meditated, whatever my doctor asked me to do, I tried. So when I peaked at 210 pounds, and I stayed at that weight for over a year, that is when I said, I need more help. Yes, I went on medication to help me lose weight. You can call me a sell out, I don't care, it has helped me so much. 

The medication journey has been kinda hard. Nobody warns you how this medication will sometimes make you sick. When I first started it, I got so sick. Vomited a lot! Yeah, it was not fun. I had to go off of it for a few months. But then I started again at a lower dose and took it slow, and it has been a better journey this time around. 

I am kinda embarrassed of how much weight I had gained. I can hear you say, don't be embarrassed. This is things I tell others, but when it is you, it is hard to stomach to see yourself not in the perfect health that you think you are in. Pictures don't lie. I am building up my courage as I write this, debating if I am going to show you my pictures. But I think they speak volumes of how I was and where I am now.

I still have a way to go to meet my goal. So I know you are asking.....What is your goal, Autumn? My goal is to get to 160 pounds. While I am not living by the scale, I use it as a gauge of my progress. I weigh in about twice a month. It has been a slow process,which is good. You don't want to lose weight to fast. It has helped me develop smart thinking on what foods I am eating and how big my portions are. I am more active, taking stairs, walking the long way around, parking farther out.

Ok, ok. I'll do it. Here are my pictures from when I started documenting my weight. Please don't laugh, because I am crying at how I let myself go.  Man, this is hard. 

 Sept 2023, 210# size XL

Oct 2024, 185# size large

 July 23, 2025 173# size medium!

As you can tell, I have lost some weight. Just only 37 POUNDS SO FAR!! This has definitely been a hard journey. I have 13 more to reach my goal. I started at an XL and have gone down to a medium! Well some medium, some large. But that is a reason I am celebrating! If you are on this weight loss journey, please do not give up. Everyday I have to tell myself...take the long way to get my steps in...park a little farther at the store...do that exercise each week....take the dog for a walk!  I tell myself, "YOU GOT THIS!" It's hard to do and it is so easy to sit and watch tv or play games. But retraining your brain to want the activity, that is hard but oh, so worth it. I still want that cupcake or donut! And I sometimes lose that battle. But I only take 1/2 of it, not the whole one. 

NEVER GIVE UP!

Galatians 6:9 (ESV); And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.

Isaiah 40-29-31; He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

LOVE TO ALL, 

Feel like giving up on it all?

 

This is a difficult and serious post for the week. I just want to give a disclaimer, I will be talking about someone in my family who passed away this week from suicide.

Have you ever felt like your mountains were just too much, to high to overcome? I know I have been there. But I can't say that I have ever felt like I was alone. I always felt God next to me, carrying me through the hard times. I know that I can lean on him and give all my fears and anxiety over to him.

Some people may not feel that way. Your mental health is real. Your mind is powerful, your thoughts and words are powerful. Not only to yourself, but to others as well. You never know what someone is going through and what their voices in their mind is saying to them. All the negative thoughts they keep internalized and no one ever sees the struggles they go through. But they can mask all the struggles with smiles and laughs externally. 

Then one day, they break.

I have experienced throughout my life friends, co-workers and now family who have passed away from suicide. It is hard to understand, I know I struggle with understanding why they feel that this world would be better without them. I always wonder if there was something else I could have done, said. What did I miss.

It is up to us to check on our family, friends, co-workers. Especially those that you think have it all together, because they may not. We need to check in with them, and not just ask in passing, how are your doing? But stop, look them in the eye, and honestly ask them, how are you? Show genuine interest in how they are and give them the time to talk about it. You may never know the difference you made with them with just something so simple as giving of your time, your interest, your words. 

People want to feel wanted, needed. I do...do you? 

To all my readers, friends, family.....THIS WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE WITH YOU IN IT! Life is tough, it's not easy and we all need to support and help each other through this life until Jesus calls us home.

If you are having these thoughts of suicide, please reach out to a friend, family or to just someone (anyone) for help. Never give up! To talk with someone call: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 741741 or call 988.

Reflect on the verses below when you are feeling down, alone. And know YOU ARE LOVED.

Isaiah 41:10, from the Bible, says: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Jeremiah 29:11 says: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

1 John 4:4 states, "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 

Love to all, 

What was I thinking?

Not sure if you can tell, but that is a SNAKE! At my front door! I was walking out and before I opened the door, I saw him resting on my stoop. I immediately shut the door. That is a big NOPE for me!

But then I did what any sane person does, I went out the garage so I could video tape it! Looks like about 3 ft long.

After all the excitement and trauma calmed down, I got to thinking about growing up and all the times I could have come face to face with snakes. Let me share some of my experiences growing up.

We would go out and visit my g.ma and when I was young, they had a farm. It included a corn field. My mom and aunt would warn us and tell us not to go in the corn field. Even my g.ma told us to stay out of it. But did that stop us? NO. You already know if you tell a 10 or 11yo not to do something, we are going to do it! Me and my cousins and friends would go play hide and seek in that field. We would run up and down those rows. I think if the movie children of the corn was out and mom would have allowed us to watch it, we would have definitely stayed out of that field. 

Well one day, we were all playing in field, shhh, secretly! And then we hear our parents yelling for us. So we all started running toward the house so we wouldn't get caught. Well guess what, we got caught. But it was a traumatic way to get caught. I think I would have rather seen a snake that day. I got "clothes-lined" by the barbed wire fence! Right between the eyes! I still have the scar to prove it. Growing up can be rough but it only makes us stronger...right?!

Another time when I was around 13 yo, was when our parents and even my g.pa telling us to stay out of the barn. BUT...you already know, Yep, we went right into that barn. There was probably a ton of snakes in that old barn. But we didn't seen any.  The barn was falling apart, the floors on the top floor, well if you want to call them that, you could see right through them to the bottom of the barn. If we fell through it, we would have been hurt badly. But as teenagers, you know it, we didn't listen and went in that barn! And I bet you already know something happened. When we were trying to get out of the barn, we had to climb down the side wall. Well, it was not really a wall, it was planks barely hanging. When we did, my friend started screaming. We didn't know what happened. I would have bet it was a snake, but it wasn't. We had to go to mom and tell her where we were because my friend disturbed a bee or wasp nest and they got into her shirt and stung her a bunch of times. Not only did she get stung, we got caught and worse, got in trouble.....a talking (yelling) too, then grounded because we didn't listen. 

I have many other memories of where I could have come face to face with a snake, and that probably would have been better than the outcomes I experienced, but I won't bore you!  And really, I was a good kid! I think I will blame my disobedience on my cousin. She was a bad influence on me!! haha. (or maybe I was, you know it is always the quiet ones!). 

So I will leave you with some great knowledge from the book of life, no matter how old you are:

Ephesians 6:1-3 "Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

Love to all, 

Rest is not a bad word

 

Rest.. Sometimes, do you feel like it is a bad word? I mean, if your like me sometimes, I feel that I have way too much going on to stop and take a breath, let along take a nap. But, what I really should do IS to stop and rest. I know I have talked before about how the enemy causes so much to keep you busy that you neglect what is important to you.

Rest is important and I have learned that valuable lesson. It has just taken me, oh....a few years to figure it out. The things that I felt were so important and NEEDED to be done, can wait. I now rest. This doesn't mean I take naps or sleep all the time. Rest can mean taking a walk, sitting outside and just soaking in what is around me. Behind my house is a nature preserve and we get a lot of wildlife. It is so amazing to me to see all the deer and rabbits.....SO MANY RABBITS! And the birds, all kinds of them. So relaxing. And I may, or may not, have a beverage with me sometimes!

OR I may be canning pickles! That is a lot of work, but I enjoy it. It is just frustrating sometimes (like today!) when my stinking jars won't seal right. But that is ok. I only lost 4 jars today. 

So I may not be napping like Riley is in the picture above, but I do relax. I spend time with the hubs, I enjoy our conversations. Before it was him listening to me complain and now we just talk about life, things we enjoy, and our house that is being built!

Enjoy your life, love the life you have....you only have one.

Psalm 127:2 "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves."

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Love to all,

Pick your hard

 

I was recently on IG, mindlessly scrolling and came across this video that stopped me in my tracks and caused me to think. The video was simple, about taking charge of your health now so you can be healthy and live longer. He said the average woman lives to age 79 and if you put in the time to work out and exercise your body, you can extend your life. I think we all know that, and the problem, at least with me, is that I don't want to work out! (insert the whiny voice). I have to make myself do my walks and workouts. I do have someone that helps hold me accountable....Riley my boxer. She thinks that we must go for a walk EVERY DAY! Well, I guess she knows best, haha.

But....This isn't what caused me stop and think. What did was what he said. He said, pick you hard. Hmmm. Do I want to have a hard life as I get older with decreased mobility, strength and flexibility or do I do the hard work now, so that I can continue to do the things I want to do as I age.  I want to live to a old age, to enjoy life, experience things that I can't do now, and to be old to aggravate my kids, like my g.ma did!

This is good food for thought and it can be applied to other aspects of my life. I need to "Pick my hard" now. The choices I make now, will have long lasting effects in my life. I think when we are younger, we do not think that life will be hard and that our choices can have an affect on us. Like, what we eat, drink, lack of physical activity.  This also can affect how we feel and think, how we see ourselves. The mind is powerful! I was letting life pick the hard times for me instead of me managing the stress of life. It just took some time for me to realize what I was doing and weed out the craziness. 

When I am talking with others that I may not agree with, I think, is this a fight or battle I want to have. Pick your hard. 

When I have decisions to make that may affect others, or affect me in the future, I Pick my hard.

Is it worth losing a friend or family over a difference of opinion? Is it worth not being healthy just to have that donut? Is it worth killing yourself to work a job that you dread going to? Is is worth to not live a healthy life, just to have to take a bunch of medications as you get older because of the choices you made when you were younger? PICK YOUR HARD. 

The start is simple, start small. This will take time. I choose first to have a daily walk with God. Get in his word everyday. Have a relationship with Him and he will never fail you. When life gets hard, He will be there to help you through those times when you have to Pick your hard. 

I choose to exercise, yes I will! At least 3-4 times a week so that I can keep off the weight that I lost. I do not want to gain it back.

I choose to lay off the sweets, and yes, those delicious donuts! It is hard, but I know the reward I will have if I choose to lay off of them!

I need to be better and stay off IG and FB. I am aware that I am on it way too much, but that is a work in progress. I have started reading and now have opened the kindle app with books to enrich my mind. Guess what I am starting with.... the Harry Potter series!

We all know what we have to do, it is just a decision we have to make to get it started and stay with it. Surround yourself with a community, with people who support you and are a positive impact on your life.  We all will have different battles, different "hard" times. We all must "pick our hard" in life and make choices. I wish many blessing to you all as you work through your "hard". 

Hebrews 13:5; Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 reads, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Love to all, 

Kind words

 

Never underestimate the power of a kind word. I was the recipient of just those kind words this week.  A coworker told me how they appreciate my positivity and that I was a "breath of fresh air". Another coworker said I was "a ray of sunshine". When I heard those simple, small compliments, I felt such joy in my heart. I am glad I was able to overcome my sleepiness today to be that ray of sunshine! The hubs was up most of the night coughing out a lung! Those words drove away any grumpiness I had starting today. 

You would never think that something simple would make such an impact. But yet some people only complain and say hurtful things to bring others down. I never understood why some people just enjoy hurting others. Well, I can say I have been on the other side of both, receiving hurtful words and receiving kind words. I have to say that the kind words do make a difference in how you feel. I had also been that person that complained a lot. In the past, when stressed at work, I would complain. It wasn't pretty and I am not proud of that. I complained mostly because I didn't have a lot of control of certain situations. I learned that if you do not have any positivity growing in your life, it is difficult to give to others. It just took awhile for me to realize this and make the changes I needed. 

What changes did I make? Well, I started with taking it to God in prayer. Fully trusting him to guide me in my decisions. The BIG scary decision to change positions at work was the start. That giant leap of faith and trust that God will support me and guide me, was the foundation of my new joy. I now look for joy and happiness in everything I do. I find myself loving myself more and the person I am. I no longer hate who I was becoming, but changing who I am...my mind, my spirit. I now have found a way to start liking and loving the person I am.  

So when you see someone complaining or a little grumpy, they may just need a kind word to turn it all around. You never know what someone is going through and they may not want to let anyone know, but the stress of it may be shown through anger or complaining. The "it" they may be going through may be from work, family trauma, health concerns.

 Scatter those compliments like confetti. Just the small things that are noticed make a big difference. Not only will you build up others, but you will also be on the receiving end of lifting up someone. And nothing feels better than being a part of helping others. 

Ephesians 4:32 instructs, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." 

Romans 12:10: "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." 

Love to all, 

Things we do

 

I'm going to tell you all something you may not want to hear. But it is a hard realization. WE are all turning into our parents! I know I have talked about this before, but it is TRUE! You know, it's funny, you see it more as you get older. You may not want to acknowledge it, but the sooner you do, the more you can accept your fate!

I have noticed that I relate to things that my parents have said to me or done. The saying is true, Just wait until you get older, or, just wait til you have kids. And the really hard part is knowing that your parents were right! But I will never tell them that!

I find it hilarious to watch my parents have conversations and argue over small stuff. It reminds me of when I would watch my grandparents talk. It was funny then too. For example, dad would ask mom if she salted the food at dinner. She would say yes. He would say, well doesn't taste like it. And she would say, well you watched me do it. Then he would say it wasn't enough. Just small funny everyday conversations, don't take for granted. There is so much comedy in everyday life, you just have to pay attention. And this becomes an awesome memory that will bring a smile to your face, like this does for me.

All joking aside, I have learned a lot from my parents and am a better person for their training me into an adult. Don't get me wrong, I have made many mistakes, and have taken the consequences for them. My parents did not spare the discipline! I was grounded a lot and had to face their disappointment too (which was the hardest). But I am loved unconditionally..I am forgiven....Just like Jesus. 

Well, now that I am a parent and my kids are adults, I love to remind them of this realization that I came to know. They will become their parents. They may want to live in denial like I did, but I know all too well, they will realize that I was right! I hope I have given them great memories, like I have with my parents. They have something to look forward too with me and their dad. Because I am turning into my mother and he is turning into his dad. It is going to be a wild ride!

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Love to all, 

The ring

It doesn't look like much. But it means alot to me. Please ignore my aging hand and wrinkly skin! I was gifted this from my memaw before she passed away. The diamonds are small, and it may not be a design that others may choose, but whenever I see this or wear it, I am reminded of my memaw and all the love she gave me. She didn't have to give it to me, but she did. Well, let me correct this. My mother gave me one of the rings and my aunt had the other. When my aunt saw that I had one of them, she said to me, "you may as well have this one to keep the set together". I am forever grateful to my aunt and mom for giving me this token of love from my memaw. 

Today, I picked this ring up from the jewlers. I got it sized and soldered to keep the rings together. He took care to inspect and clean them too. They are perfect (just like me haha). As I was driving home, a flood of memories came to my mind of her and all the time we had spent together over my life time. I will cherish those times.

Funny how this one came to my mind first. I must be needing a scolding or something! One time, I back talked her and she yanked me up, took me outside and took a switch off the tree and smacked me with it! I didn't know what happened. She did it so fast. I never crossed her again!

She would always have hugs for me and cookies when I came to visit, because papaw didn't like to share his ice cream! And oh the deep conversations we would have when I was a teenager. Things that are so important to a teen but looking back where nothing, but she made me feel so loved. Never looked down or told me that my feelings were not important. 

Make memories, one day at a time. Love on each other. Today, is a day I will make more memories with my family. We are going to Hubers Orchard! I love that place, great food and they have a winery! And you all know I like their wine. (Strawberry to be exact in case you are looking for a great Christmas gift for me!). I have both my kids together right now and feel so much joy...complete. So I will soak it up. 

John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 

Love to all,