Just MY Luck!

I am willing to guarantee if I had a nose job done, this (the cartoon) would be my luck. I went to the ENT a few weeks ago for my sinus / allergy issues. After having a CT done, my doctor said that we would go on a "journey" to see what medications improved the problems of allergies - possibly ending with routine allergy shots...BUT, the only real solution for the problem would be to have an internal and external nose job. Between a deviated septum and a septal bone spur, nothing else will fix the problem. Thanks, but no thanks. It'd be just my luck that I'd look as freaky as Michael Jackson by the time they got done with me.

I'll just live with breathe right strips and allergy medicine for the rest of my life! No nose jobs for me!!

It's Crazy Here

Well, life is, right now for this Miles' household, in "faster than fast" gear. It's crazy all the things we have going on at one time. It may seem crazy, but I am currently responsible for making sure that the Valentine Banquet for our young married Sunday school class is successful. That is set to take place on February 6th. I am very excited and nervous about it. .....of course I have the most wonderful people helping that I could ask for, but if anyone complains, it will all be my fault - somehow! Guess that's the price you pay when you agree to get a job done. It's my first opportunity to attempt feeding that many people....... actually, Addison's birthday party was almost this many people, but Domino's pizza did all that work. :-)

The other big event going on in our lives right now is that we are gearing up for a trip to Nashville to kick off the much anticipated choir CD for our youth choir. This is a first for both of us, and probably everyone else in the choir....well, maybe except Jeana. She made her debut on a choir CD many years ago at her home church. So, she's an old pro at this. She would laugh if she saw that.

She's been too busy trying to calm the crowds over her "cliff-jumping" Sunday night that she hasn't had much time to deal with many other things. (Just had to throw that in.)

Anyway, all of my week has either been consumed with banquet or cd thoughts. I'm working tomorrow, so maybe I'll get a mental break!! LOL! Yeah, right.

So, we're set to leave February 8th bright and early to trek up to Nashville to have the absolute daylights scared out of us. I'm so scared, sometimes when I think about it, I get nauseous. But then again, I'm excited about it because it's something I've never done before, and have a feeling once it's over I won't be anxious to do again any time soon.

The band of "THE Jason Crabb" will be accompanying us on music. We're pretty ecstatic about that fact.

The CD is going to be recorded at one of the BEST studios in Nashville, (the origin of great recordings by Crabbs, Greater Vision, and any one else great you can name.)

Therefore, life around here is actually getting ready to hit a busy that we haven't known in quite a while. I can't wait for it to all be over.

And then......I'm going to take a NAP. A very long one.

Un-Natural Event!

You know there are forces of nature that cause "Natural Events" such as hurricanes and earthquakes, tornadoes - all out of our physical capability of controlling.

And then there are "un-natural events" caused by people's stupidity when natural events occur.....like the big rain that Texas recently received.

I can only imagine that the people in this subdivision are absolutely beside themselves.....then again they paid $10,000 extra for the 'view.' The 'view' consisted of living on "TOP," basically, of a mountain. The trick was the "mountain" was just a huge retaining wall built up so it appeared as though you had a view......Then you wake up one morning and look out your back door and this is what your yard looks like: they say the crevices are 15 feet deep.


I'm sure I would first of all be EXTREMELY frustrated that the retaining wall had not been built any better.

The cause? - expanding clay from the rain basically collapsed the retaining wall. Now you're a quarter of a million dollars in the hole because somebody don't know how to build walls.

I'm sure someone could figure out how to make this a sermon. Sometimes you pray for walls to come down, other times, it's the walls that protect you. And in this case, it is the latter. Unfortunately, when they aren't built very well, it's to your own detriment as well as many around you.

Patrick Henry Hughes

Go ahead and get the Kleenex out before you even start!



Thanks for the introduction to this video, Aunt Linda. Truly inspiring.

Oh no!

I checked out the news a little bit ago on Yahoo. The first headline was a bit informative and heart-breaking - lol! It was an informing article about how Applebee's is on the top ten list of companies going under if the economy doesn't do better. It's called the "Risk List."

This is important because Applebees is one of Addison's favorite restaurants and one of our Sunday night eating joints.

Oh, no, what will we do? There will be no more irritable hostess' to huff and puff about the fact that we have more than 4 people in our party.....No more requests that we not sit nigh unto the stools of the bar.....and no more WON TON TACOS!!! Oh, I'm so heartbroken!

Just in case you were wondering...the won ton tacos are not on my top 100 list of favorite foods. It ranks at about 10,000 - way down there!! What in the world ever possessed me to even try one is beyond me. It's this Asian dripping teriyaki sauce on shredded chicken with Asian cole slaw piled on top inside a won ton taco shell. AARRGGGHH!!! It was not good - to me. I guess you have to have a DEEP appreciation of Asian food to like them. I, unfortunately, do not!! On the other hand, I do have an appreciation for crab won-tons that a restaurant across from the hospital where I work sells. They are scrumptious! Won-tons stuffed with cream cheese, chives, and crab meat..........now, they are to die for - well, almost!

Anyway, can you tell that I would be in the "dredges" of despair if there were no Applebees? Even if I wouldn't be, Addison would be pretty sad!!

Missions in Haiti

Our church has a extensive and growing network of missionaries which we support. One of those missions, is Bro. David and Sis. Alicia Lloyd from Oklahoma. They run the orphange in Haiti called "House of Compassion." They suffered some damage during the recent earthquake there. I found an update from Bro. Lloyd on their website along with some interesting pictures and a video of their ministry there. I'm posting them for just general interest or concern. There are four links posted. If you don't check out all of them, I urge you to check out the video of the orphanage and the earthquake update.

- Pictures

- Video of Lloyd House of Compassion

- House of Compassion News Story

- Earthquake Update

Ever Have Days Like This?

Quote of the Day!

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

-Thomas Edison

If no one else appreciates this, my husband and brother-in-law, Gregg, will. This is their soap-box!

I Had Good Reasons!

Well, I'm so happy that the last 5 days have finally had the door closed on them and they are finally over. The last few days have been overwhelmed with severe rain, extreme busy-ness, and horrific smells.

The saga, along with a few close friends, began on Thursday morning around 6 a.m. when the first round of Boston Butts went into the crock pots and we began the weekend of planning for another BBQ shindig. On Thursday, I cooked 8 "rears" at my house and eventually had is so absorbed with that "smell" that it was nauseating. Really!

Thursday night, we all gathered around a few tables and mixed the BBQ together and planned for the next round of cooking, which took place on Saturday.

I had to work Friday, so I didn't cook that day.

On Saturday, I got up a little before 6 a.m. and started the next round of 10 Boston Butts. This time, I decided to smell up the church fellowship hall instead of my house......and smell it up, it did!!

A few of us loaded up a little later and headed to Sam's to begin the journey of getting the accessories for our little shindig. We had a great time there.....we took pictures of our colorful socks we got a little before - because we were all so cold. So, we all took the time to pose with our shoes off in the middle of Sams so Jeana could take our picture. It was kinda hysterically funny. I'm sure we looked ridiculous - but we were having the time of our life.

Anyway, 17 packages of buns, 5 boxes of 50 count chips, and 6 boxes of 36 count cookies later, we headed out. Back to go "pick" the BBQ.

All together, we "picked" approx. 130 lbs of meat (have mercy, the jokes and comments are endless)!

BTW, just in case you like "pulled" or "picked" pork, which I do, the person who "picks" it is very under-appreciated in most cases. For, it can be a very grotesque job! Just ask me.....or don't ask me......you may prefer not knowing.

So, for the last 6 days that I've not posted a thing on my blog, I've been a little preoccupied. I apologize. But it was for good reason.

After the SMASHING SUCCESS last night, the funds for the Kentucky trip for the choir are a little richer.......a little.......about 500 dollars richer.

It was a little bit more work than last time because we almost doubled our meat portion, but it was all just piles of fun!!

Once again, we've made enough memories to keep us laughing for another lifetime.

So, being that nearly everyone that helped in this effort reads my blog, this is my open appreciation for your hard work. I really am grateful for all the help. Thank you so much!!

For the Ladies

This is for my Aunt Linda - the Mary Kay representative who needs a "lift!" Just the kind that laughing can give, though! I thought it was rather hilarious myself. The nurse in me found it to be LOL hilarious! If you don't get it, email me personally and I'll explain!!

Kindergarten Kissers!

Sunday night, a few of our friends came over and we were all talking about life and the conversation led to Bro. Ryan's message on Sunday about "second chances" from Jonah - from there Jonah led to Zach being called to Ninevah....etc. From Ninevah, came his newest collection of tales from Kindergarten. I just had to share it.

I know kids have the ability to say the funniest and cutest stuff, as I've documented more than once on here....but Zach has the uncanny ability to say the FUNNIEST things I've ever heard in my life.

The story above about Ninevah was several years ago when after a "lesson" on Jonah, he told his mom one day, "Mommy, God spoke to me." Really, Zach, what did he say? "He say to me, Zach, you go to Ninevah. I tell him I not want to go to Ninevah, so I went to Tarshish.....but I had to go to Ninevah!" That was his version of his calling to Ninevah.

So we laughed a little while over his "calling" then I related the last rendition of his kindergarten escapades.

A week ago today was his first day back to school from Christmas break. On the way home that afternoon, he informed Laura and Don that he had a new little girl in his class. Her name is Grace.

He began with telling them that she had gotten into "trouble" that day....(Laura help me out, I can't remember how he told you about that)....When Laura asked why she'd been a problem, he told her it was because she didn't know her "Pwedge of Awegience."

After Laura and Don recovered from this information, he proceeded with, "Do you know what she tried to do to me and ....(he lists his little 5 or 6 friends)....on the playground?" No Zach, what? "She tried to kiss us on the cheek!" (I would have been howling by now) After he says this, Laura and Don hear him muttering, "I hate Kindergarten Kissers!"

After this exchange, he informed them of his concluded impression of his new little classmate, Grace - "I think she's a Wover Girl!" (That is "Lover Girl" in Zach's language!)

I laugh my head off about it every time I think of it. Didn't want you to miss the moment!

About 2009

I guess this is where New Year Resolutions evolved from.

Quote of the Day

"Did you know it's so cold in Florida that iguanas are falling off trees?"

- Shepherd Smith (Fox News)

And here's a story to prove it.

My List

This is me and my list. Btw, this comic strip is not half funny unless you notice Jon's left hand in the last frame.....just thought I'd warn you to pay special attention.

.....The Last - First!

In a rundown on the events of the world this afternoon, I ran across a particular story that was really touching. I have a very special place in my heart for handicapped children, so this was a real winner for me.

Read the story here
See the pictures here
Watch the video here

I admit there are days that I get increasingly frustrated after a trip to the mall or to any store really, and watch the my generation and the younger than me generation who is so self-centered that they don't have the time or decency to allow the little blue haired ladies the courtesy of coming through the door before them, break in line to get out faster, or almost knock people down to get to their desired location, etc.....this list could go on for days. We have definitely reached an "it's all about me" point. I get terribly frustrated with it. There is no regard for anyone except "me, myself, and I," and usually these types of people are no asset to society - really. So, this definitely reminds me of the scripture...."but many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first." For those who constantly find themselves in the need to be first, rest assured, one day they will be last.

This story seems to be a balm for the raw aggravation of those types of people. I bet you could find a crew of boys who learned that life is much sweeter when it's not all about them.

One quote I read once said, "the fragrance of the rose remains on the hand of the one who gives it." In other words, you benefit from the kindness as well as the one you are kind to. It's easy to get caught up in the "all about me" mindset these days and forget that there are others who could use a smile or nice word. And you get more benefit than they do when you help them out. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

10 Pounds of Flour?

Well all have our new year's resolutions and at the top of everyone's list is to lose weight and exercise more. Get healthy. That's two of the top resolutions for most people according to Yahoo news. Speaking of those resolutions, I found this interesting comic strip some time last year and was was saving it for later. I have found that time.


In the last post with the handbook from the new year, there was a theme that popped out out in my mind. Several places it mentioned this - for your own good, forgive others. Now, hopefully this is not an issue in your life, but just in case it is, or becomes a temptation or a downfall for you this year, here's a very interesting story.

I received in a weekly newsletter from Sheila Walsh in my email. I thought it was great! So, this is what Sheila Walsh has to say on the matter.....

One of my favorite things about my son, Christian is that he wears his day on his face. If he’s had a good day it’s splashed all over with reckless sunny abandon. If he has had a bad day it hovers over his head like an impending monsoon. I never have to wonder, the weather is announced at twenty paces.

I was listening to the radio in carpool one day when I saw the storm approach. He rumbled towards the car, opened the door, tossed his backpack in as if he were releasing a grenade and sat down. I knew better than to say a word. There was only one thing to do.

I drove straight to his favorite ice cream store. We ordered and sat in silence for a few moments-one doesn’t want to rush the weather:) “I am done with John Frank!” he said. (name changed to protect the heart of the mother) “Really,” I said. “I thought he was one of your best friends.” “He was, but I’m done with him now. Done! He is off my prayer list.” “Sorry to hear that,” I said. “Best friends are hard to come by. What happened?” So he told me the whole sordid tale of how John knocked his books off his desk and they went flying everywhere and the teacher got mad and Christian said it was John and John said he wasn’t so he got in trouble twice. He was punished once for knocking his books over and the second time for tattling on a classmate. “It’s not fair mom!” “I hear you,” I said. “Fair doesn’t live here anymore.”

I watched Christian that evening as he was bent under the inequity of life. It was crushing him. Before bedtime I said to him, lets go for a walk. I asked him to carry the ten pound bag of flour I had bought that day. I told him I would explain why we needed it when we got to where we were going. After a while he asked if he could put it down but I told him we had a little farther to go. We walked and walked ’till finally he flopped down on the path and said, “Mom, this thing is too heavy!”

Well, I’m sure you get the point that we talked about that night. “Here is the deal Christian. When you don’t forgive it’s as if you carry this weight around with you everywhere you go. John’s probably been asleep for half an hour but here we are, worn out from the trip. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that the other person was right or even that they are sorry, it just gives you a place to take the burden. Forgiveness is God’s gift to us to live in a world that’s not fair.”

This is the last day of 2009, the last night in a decade, what are you still dragging around with you? You could wake up tomorrow flour-free! “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30

2010 Handbook

Someone recently sent this to me, and I really like it:

2010 Handbook

For Your Health:

- Drink plenty of water
- Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

- Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
- Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
- Make time to pray and read your Bible daily.
- Play more games .
- Read more books than you did in 2009 .
- Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
- Sleep for 7 hours.
- Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

For Your Personality:

- Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
- Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
- Don't over do. Keep your limits.
- Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
- Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
- Dream more while you are awake
- Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
- Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
- Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
- Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
- No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
- Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
- Smile and laugh more.
- You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

For Your Social Life:

- Call your family often.
- Each day give something good to others.
- Forgive everyone for everything..
- Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
- Try to make at least three people smile each day.
- What other people think of you is none of your business
- Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

For Your Own Life:

- Do the right thing!
- Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
- GOD heals everything.
- However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
- No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
- The best is yet to come..
- When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
- Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Resolutions

This is for all of you who can't stand it when people "use" their cell phone and drive!!

Meeting of the Minds

For the family members who have recently been "given" something - I have an idea.....How 'bout we plan a reunion somewhere around Sandusky to have a "meeting of the minds" to brainstorm about how we can get these items to their designated locations? Seems like this is going to get complicated. It's not like you can just head up and pack a little something in the trunk, you know.

Any further ideas? Sure hope he is really planning to let this stuff go, because Mr. Miles is going to see to it that his "white horse" arrives in Savannah, Georgia - much sooner than later. Is anyone else bringing home anything that doesn't run on its own? If so, how are you finding that plan working for you? Or the bigger question - what IS your plan?

I also hear that he may have some used sound system equipment and someone elses' accordion he might give away!! LOL!! That is, if anyone's interested! And no, I'm NOT serious.

A New Decade

Well, 2010 came in with a bang and I have already let 4 days of it slip by me without wishing you all a happy new year. So, "Happy New Year!" Hope everyone celebrated in some fashion that the beginning of a new decade has come.

We celebrated the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one with a few fireworks on New Year's Eve that Jeremy brought home from Wal-Mart. Us and our neighbors enjoyed our little stash of colorful "sparklers" (as Jeremy would call them) and Addison enjoyed the little sparklers on the stick.

I kicked off my new year with a major list of home improvements. Not just a list, but doing things on that list. My new year's day started at about 7 a.m. with paintbrush in hand - I got both of my bathrooms radically repainted and partially redecorated (that has been a job I've neglected since our move).....

I finished that task around 1 p.m. and we headed down to the famous River Street here in Savannah. It was a lovely day there. A bit overcast and quite windy, but a very enjoyable day. The cobblestone there was littered with multicolored confetti from the night before. I smiled as I thought how peaceful the day was since most who would have frequented River Street, were probably somewhere recovering with terrible headaches from their over-indulgence of the night before. It's totally their fault that
they could do such a thing to destroy such a perfect day that came the next day.











It was such a great day, though! My poor Addison cried her eyes out when we made her leave but was sound asleep before we could even get to the first red light from where we parked, nearly. She had the time of her life.

We kicked off the first few moments of our River Street escapade at One Eyed Lizzy's! It was so wonderful! They sat us beside a window, so we continue to watch all the commotion - like there wasn't enough at our own table. Trying to contain an excited 3 year old about seeing some big boats was just about impossible. It was all she talked about the whole way there AND the whole time we ate.

She knew she was going to see the "boats" on River Street, so imagine our delight when we realized that the "12 tribes of Israel" had docked their boat/ship "The Peacemaker" back on River Street and was open for tours. She had a delightful time there. I have pictures so you can see her pleasure. Lest I mistake, I believe the "tribe" that owns this boat is from the "tribe of Benyamin (yes, the spelling is correct)" - an interesting bunch to say the least. Click on the links I made above to check them out. The last time we went, Jeana and I were terribly intrigued with them. We had tons of questions about them.

I have to tell you, for the locals who read this blog, "the Peacemaker" is definitely worth a trip to River Street. It's very beautiful inside. I have to admit, though, out on the bow of the boat, I got a bit sea sick. The wind was rocking it pretty good and you could see the movement of the boat. I can't hardly handle it. It was out there that I renewed my resolution to never go on a cruise. I did not vow - that's just a promise to myself. If my husband has anything to do with it, it is a promise that will be broken sooner than later.

Anyway, since that day, it's been back to work finishing project after project on my list. Today is the putting away of everything that bears any resemblance to the Christmas season. I once again have a living room full of totes that need my attention. After today, this mess won't be seen again until 11 months from now. I hope everyone else has had a "GREAT YEAR" thus far. So long.....until I get this mess in order.