What's MY attitude today??

SCULPTOR'S ATTITUDE
- Author Unknown

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new
relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!

Have a GREAT DAY! Unless you have other plans.

A New Day by Dr. Heartsill Wilson

This is the beginning of a new day.

I have been given this day to use as I will.

I can waste it, or use it.

I can make it a day long to be remembered for its joy, its beauty and its achievements, or it can be filled with pettiness.

What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.

When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever, but I shall hold something which I have
traded for it.

It may be no more than a memory, but if it is a worthy one I shall not regret the price.

I want it to be gain not loss, good not evil, success not failure.

Life Is......by Mother Theresa

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

Success

For many years, I have had a square magnet hanging on my refrigerator. It serves as a reminder to me that the small things count. It contains a quote from the literary author, Ralph Waldo Emerson. I would have to say this is one of my favorite quotes of all time. Sometimes we get so caught up in the big stuff, we forget about the small things. And I'm at the top of the list of the guilty. Every time I walk past my refrigerator and read this, I smile because it reminds me of all the small things that I really love!

Success:

"To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.This is to have succeeded."

Special Dedication

On Saturday, the 22nd of January, my beautiful mother turned _ _ yrs old. :-) I'll let you guess!

I was running like crazy on Saturday and failed to sit down and write a beautiful post about her, etc.... I figured since I didn't, I would dedicate this little clip to her - since this is what makes her happiest! Not the injuries! Just the humor in them!

Mom, this is for you!! And Happy Belated Birthday! You know I love you!

Priscilla Memorial

Since the previous post had some information regarding the McGruders, I would like to provide a link to all of the people who read this blog who might be interested in seeing a new Tribute video that is currently available for the fans of Priscilla McGruder. This video is currently available on a website that I've never embedded from, and to be frankly honest, I really like it and don't want to do anything that might get it pulled off of the internet. I'm not sure it's posted with permission, so I'm not going to take any chances of getting in trouble along with whoever else may.....however, for the moment, the memorial can currently be seen in it's entirety HERE! It appears it was posted 12 days ago and has not had many hits, so if you want to see it, you better watch it while it is available.

Be prepared, it's 30 minutes of the songs that were some of the signature songs that Priscilla sang. The first one they kick it off with happens to be one of my dad's favorites, "Since He Gave My Life A New Start."

From My Hobby

As you've probably noticed, the link to the other blog that I moderate is listed here on my site. I've told you all about my hobby over on the other site and my passion about the late, great Lady McGruder. I recently wrote a post for that blog that prompted me to write this post. Being the fan of their music that I am, I always a little apprehensive to hear someone else sing their songs. I am always worried that something someone else does with their songs may injure what I consider to be the sacredness of it - as corny as that sounds.

Not very long ago, some friends from Alabama, (the Newberrys) stopped by our church while visiting some family members. The wife of this couple was asked to sing, and began the lines of one of my all time favorites of the McGruders, "I Can Go to the Master." I found it interesting that after church, I had two or three of my close confidants who asked me how I handled it that she sang that song. I got a good laugh out of it, and the truth of the matter was, I am confident that I probably enjoyed it more than anyone in the building.

For DAYS after she sang that song, it got stuck in my head and wouldn't go away. On a whim, I ran across this interesting video of someone across the world singing that same song. I immediately fell in love with this version. Although, I will be quick to admit, Priscilla will always be close to my heart in every way possible - no one can sing it like she could - but the others have definitely hit the mark in their versions of it.

If you're interested, this is a video of that same song, being sung by a group from Solomon Islands in Africa from a Seventh Day Adventist Church. Their names are "Echoes of Innocence." And my goodness - they are superb! The harmony is phenomenal and just makes you need to stare and listen to it again and again. If you get time, this is for your listening pleasure. I promise you, it is worth the few minutes it takes to watch it.

Christmas in Alabama

Christmas in Alabama pictures

My little girl is 4!

Pictures from Addison's 4th birthday!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Well it's only been approximately 2 months since I've even said hello on this site. I really do apologize. I hope to do much better in the next little while. It's been a crazy ride since the last of November, when I last posted, but I'm back, so hopefully life will slow down a bit.

I could rant about all the happenings since then, but it would probably bore you, so I'll spare you. However, I hope everyone is kicking off the new year in a good way and are finding ways to be less busy! I'm trying. I'm actually making myself sit down this morning and catch up on a few things. I have a list a mile long I need to be working on. And will begin it shortly.

I didn't even write a list for new year resolutions.....first I just want to recover my house from the last month of chaos. I'm working on it, but it's a work in progress. I'm loading stuff for the Goodwill as I go along, so it's taking a little longer than normal, but I really hate clutter and it's been bothering me long enough, so I'm trying to shed it as I clean up. Once I get my house in order, maybe I'll have time to sit down and catch up on my posting. Fortunately, I got a new computer for Christmas, so I can finally once again have decent internet access without having to sit down and it take me a week to get one post accomplished. It's such a beautiful thing when the computer works right!!

Like I said, I won't get sidetracked by the events of the past month and a half, but for those of you who keep up with me (whether it be family or friends) from various sections of the United States, I'll show you a few pics taken in the last few weeks. Because of the way this computer works, I'll have to post the pictures in a separate post, so they will actually appear before this post. By the time you read this, you'll already have seen them!! Oh Well!!!

Christian Neighbors

This morning on the way to work, I listened to an interview with a professor from Notre Dame and a radio host regarding the discussion of Christianity giving, volunteer work, and generalized generosity vs. the secular world.

I can't remember the statistics, but it was overwhelming at how much more Christians gave, even to secular needs / causes as opposed to the secular world. There was also another issue mentioned and that was the subject of having Christian neighbors versus non-Christian neighbors. There was an extensive poll done to prove that regular church attending Christians make better neighbors and citizens than non-regular attending citizens.

This is a small clip from USA Today opinion spurred from discussion of the book "American Grace" by David Campbell and Robert Putnam. I think it's definitely something to think about.

This is just one of those thought provoking things I found interesting and since most of the people who read my blog are regular church attendees, I thought I'd share the thoughts!

Sweet Memories

This morning, after getting up, I checked my email. A newsletter for the month had arrived in my email from one of my favorite writers. Actually, she's a singer, but although she's on my short list of favorite singers, she's probably at the very top of the list of favorite writers. After you finish reading my post, if you like this style of writing, I feel sure she'll make it to the top of your list.

This particular email sent my way back to reminiscing about many things of my past. It's a beautiful thing! It's such a blessing to have such wonderful childhood memories to look back upon....and not something I dread to think about.

Here's the "post" that showed up in my mailbox this morning. By the way, the writer is Janet Paschal.

Hey Everybody,

There is an old Chinese proverb which says, ‘Distance lends enchantment to the view.’ I think that’s probably true, but, still, there are days I’d love to go back - back to childhood summers, dinner around our family table, and Sunday mornings at our house. I honestly think they were as great as I recall.

Our summers at home were fun: Kay, indoors, practicing her homemaking skills and I, outdoors, locating the perfect tree to climb. We had a real playhouse, a swingset and a bicycle, not to mention a forest of Carolina black pines behind our backyard.

One of our favorite indoor pasttimes was constructing a tent in the kitchen (a quilt pulled tight over chair backs and held by heavy books.) We’d take pimento cheese sandwiches inside and watch ‘I Love Lucy’ on the 19” black and white tv my dad won at the local car dealership. Pimento cheese never tasted as good, or Lucy’s antics seem as comical.

Because we had a very strict upbringing and were not exposed to the worldly vices of that day, one summer afternoon Kay and I decided to take matters into our own hands. We agreed to say all of the bad words we knew. We walked outdoors to our dad’s workshed, went inside, closed and locked the door, and proceeded to say the bad words. There were two. It was so strange hearing them in our voices. A few minutes later, we repented fervently and left the shed. Our conscience plagued us for a long time over that one.

My mom cooked dinner every night (and breakfast every morning.) We all sat at the table, together, at the same time and everyone shared what had happened at work or school. Kay always told her stories so well (aiding and abetting where necessary) that I usually deferred to her. Even as a child I remember looking forward to ‘supper’ because that’s when everyone just talked together. That is still one of my favorite things.

Sunday mornings were extremely predictable. My dad sang hymns along with the television singers, Kay dressed early and practiced her piano, and my mom took a few extra moments to dress. Each week she looked more beautiful. We’d load into the car, Kay and I in patent leather shoes (she with matching purse,) and head for my grandpa’s church. My grandmother taught our Sunday School class for several years and we loved that. At one point, they purchased an easel board complete with individual Bible characters made of felt that stuck onto the board, allowing the teacher to illustrate stories and people more colorfully. We thought we’d moved into the ranks of the high church.

At the bell we’d run - ah, walk - to the sanctuary for the worship service. In my mind’s eye I can see every detail: Mrs. Payne sitting at the piano with her pocketbook at her feet, my grandmother sitting on the inside row, second pew, and my grandfather making sure he shook every hand in the congregation before he mounted the pulpit. Following announcements and prayer requests we’d grab a hymnal from the pew in front of us and turn the worn pages to the familiar pieces we sang over and over. After identifying the song, some of us would smugly close the book again just to emphasize the fact that we knew the words. Oh, the crazy things we did....

As a child, I did not realize that the hymns we sang found lodging deep inside the core of who I am. I did not realize that the theology contained in the great songs of the church would strengthen and uphold me years later when, as Job, the thing I most feared came upon me. I did not know that the poetry and rhyme of the ancient writers would help shape the person I am or who I will yet become.

Now, when I hear an old familiar lyric, it is almost like riding up the road, over the railroad tracks, past the small white mission, and left at the country store. The driveway goes uphill - to the big oak tree where Larry Perkins used to tease me and say that he was my boyfriend - to the little church that was air-conditioned before any of our homes or cars - to the graveyard where my grandfather waits for his bright tomorrow.

While the hymns can’t transport me back to those days, their rhythmic words on a page help define my faith. They ignite my memory. They lend perspective to grim days. They woo me back to my first love.

So, on a given day, I’d go back if I could; not to change anything much, but just to live it all again. It was so simple and so pure. Well, except for that shed thing.

Have a blessed November...

Janet

Fall Apart Ham Shank

If you are anything like me, you really hate "carving" a ham. So, recently, I took it upon myself to try a new experiment. I decided to cook a ham shank and cook it the same way I cook a picnic ham. And let me tell you, I was ever so happy about that decision and the result. Picnics can be a tad saltier than the human tongue can bear at times (which I personally don't mind, but others do), so the shank is not quite so salty. However, I much rather prefer the way a picnic falls apart after cooking it, much more than that the huge shank that stares you in the face and dares you to start slicing to do something with it.

So, here's my new ham recipe. I don't advise you to do this on Thanksgiving day for a crowd without experimenting, so I recommend a test run on the smallest shank you can find!

Fall Apart Ham Shank:

Preheat oven to 310 degrees

Ingredients:
- ham (shank portion)
- 1 can of Mtn Dew

-----------------------

In a roasting pan, place tin foil on the bottom before placing ham portion in. (use enough to cover the ham completely after prep)

Place ham on tin foil and pour Mtn Dew all over ham - use the entire can.

Completely cover the ham and place in oven.

Cook at 310 for at least 1 hour for each pound.

Note: Please don't panic if your ham appears to be a little bit browner on a few edges than normal. The sugar caramelizes and it gives that appearance, but your ham is not burnt.

After you pull the ham out of the oven, you should be able to stab it with a fork and withdraw a delicious piece tender, delicious ham.

At some point, drain the "gravy" out of the roaster and thicken it up with a little corn starch and you have some delicious gravy for the ham.

YUMMY!! I think I'll go get a ham now!!

Cream Cheese / Beef Cheeseball Recipe

This recipe is truly awesome and loved by almost all that try it. Serve it with some Town House crackers and I promise you'll make some fans of it!!

Ingredients:

- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 4 stalks of green onions (more or less - depending on your like or dislike of onions)
- 1 jar of dried beef (found in the aisle with the canned meats)
- 1 tbsp of mayo

In a bowl, cream the cream cheese and mayo together with a mixer.

I use a chopper to chop the green onions and dried beef into fine pieces.

Once the onions and dried beef are in fine pieces, mix them into the cream cheese mixture well with the mixer.

You have several options once the last step is completed. I usually put mine in a glass, decorative serving bowl and cover it with saran wrap. You can also refrigerate it for a while, then once it has stiffened back up a little, then make into a "cheeseball" to be set into a tray for serving. You may also coat with pecans, but personally, it's my preference not to do this!

Cooking Time

Thanksgiving and Christmas are my two favorite holidays on the calendar. I think it's probably a combination of a few things.....first off, what the holidays represent and secondly, all of the memories and nostalgia that surround them. And, man do I have loads of those!!

I thought I would do something a little different on my blog for the next little bit. I have never done this, and these days I'm kinda busy, so I would like some help from you readers in making this next month pretty busy with postings.

I'm looking for "holiday" (Thanksgiving and / or Christmas) recipes and traditions.

If you have a recipe that is special in your family, I'd love to post it. I love to cook, so I love new recipes. I'll post a few myself just to get it started. I'd also be happy if you jotted down a little note about something special / traditional that you do in your family during the holidays.

So think about some recipes, and send them over to me at boomerrn79@gmail.com.

Birthday Boy

Saturday night, Jeremy and myself, along with approx. 50 or so of our other church members, attended an awesome Brian Free and Assurance concert. The front rows were lined with young boys / teenage guys from our church. They are really getting into the "quartet thing." It was really great to see them enjoy something so much what we have loved for years and years and have invested time and money into such a hobby! And we're talking serious time and serious money! It's so funny to me to watch their eyes light up and hear them holler and whistle when the quartets do some pretty amazing things like......the bass singer rattles the walls with his low bass singing and Brian Free lifts the roof off with his high voice.

It was a special night for all of us because we got to witness one of the greatest events that could ever happen in one of those young fan's lives. His name is Bradley Mingledorff. He is our fill-in drummer at our church and likes being a clown. I think he's a good kid and has a great personality. Knowing what a fan of Assurance he is, what happened that night made us all smile and almost get as excited as he did.

Bradley turned 16 the day of the concert. His wish for his birthday was that all of his family come to the concert with him. So, his two brothers, mom, dad/stepmother, and grandmother all showed up. He had the time of his life singing along and hooting and hollering after each song. After intermission, Brian Free comes back to stage with a little white bag and picks it up and begins to tell the audience how it's Bradley's 16th birthday. And how proud he is to see all of the young boys so interested in their music.....and how easy it would have been for them to be anywhere else besides the front row of a gospel music concert. He then began to unload his little white bag, giving Bradley 2 new CD's, a signed picture of the group, and an autographed t-shirt for his birthday. Bradley was over the moon. Everyone was clapping and yelling and carrying on so......

And he thought he'd been handed the world. Unknown to him, it wasn't over yet.....at the end of the concert, as BF&A sang their last song, "King Jesus," they called Bradley to the stage to sing with him. He went over and shared a mic with Derrick Selph, the baritone, since that was his range. After a few seconds, Derrick Selph handed the mic to Bradley and he got to complete the song and the concert with BF&A. Talk about a birthday present. I'm not sure who was most excited, Bradley, or the entire crew of family and friends who got to witness it. I grabbed my camera out of my purse and got it turned on and rolling just in time to catch the last solo part of the night. And over and over again, I have watched and smiled about the excitement of Bradley Mingledorff's big moment and how much love was shown to a 16 year old who loves gospel music! What a night!

Exercise Your Right!

Just in case it has slipped anyone's mind, don't forget that today is Election Day. I'm sure if you have listened to the news at any time recently, you have been reminded, but this is just one more friendly reminder. I am with the rest of you that I'm ready for it to be over. The phone calls are endless!!

Anyway, I think of elections like this: it is one of my greatest opportunities to let my voice be heard and my displeasure be known for the route in which my country is headed - and attempt to change it. And I'll just go ahead and say, I am extremely displeased. The talk consistently around my job is where the new health bill will take us. There are emails coming rampantly to my work email to enjoy the pleasures as I know them now, because soon they will change, if things continue as they are. Let me just say, I'm not happy about that possibility. And the doctors that are actually worth something are going to be run over by the ones willing to conform all to government standards.......that just turns my stomach. I really like my doctors that I have chosen in this city, and unfortunately, I see them being some of the first to be punished.

Anyway, I could go on and on, but this is one of the things that really bothers me about the direction of our country. It affects me the most, the quickest. It's standing over me like an impending doom!

So, exercise your right today!! GO VOTE!! Don't count on someone else to make their voice heard - in your place. I always say and firmly believe: "If you don't vote, don't complain! You could have changed something with your vote!!" Alot of the time when it comes to listening to people complain about the way things are, I ask them if they voted before they start in about it. It matters that much to me. Don't complain about something you could have prevented and didn't.....and if you voted for the problem, at least have the guts to say you make a mistake!!

Enough said.....now GO VOTE!!!

Dollywood Overload

Have you ever heard of such a thing? Dollywood overload!! That's what happens when you have season passes, a 6 day stay in the mountains, and a 3 year old who thinks she's died and gone to heaven when she passes through the ticket counter into Dollywood!

On Tuesday morning, while I stayed at my grandparent's house and cleaned up for our departure, Jeremy took Addison back for the last journey through Dollywood for this trip. After a little over two hours of being gone, Jeremy text me and this was what his text said...."Scrambler 5 times, Larry and Bob - 4 (the miniature Veggie Tales roller coaster), elephants - 2 (the Flying Dumbos), Carousel, Pigs, Ducks, Bees, Race Cars 2 times. All in 2 Hours."

The mental image I got from this text was pretty hilarious. All I could see was this "video" in my head in fast motion of them going from ride to ride, running off to get to the next one. I got a good laugh out of it. I don't have a picture of the scrambler, but it's as nauseating as it sounds! But pretty fun! She obviously thought it was all that! Here are a few of the other things that she thought was pretty fun.

If you look closely into the car of the yellow cart, you can see both of her hands up in the air. You may have to click on the picture to enlarge it to see it.

Pony Ride

On the spur of the moment (pretty much) last week we planned a trip to Pigeon Forge / Sevierville before Jeremy's vacation time ran out on November 1st. We arrived late Tuesday night and have played hard since our arrival. Yesterday we spent the day at Dollywood and today we have done several exciting things as well since Dollywood was closed. I forgot my camera yesterday for the Dollywood trip, so I'll have to elaborate on today since I have the pictures.

In all of our visits to this neck of the woods, we have never visited the little petting zoo that is a few miles down the road from where we stay. So, today we decided to pay that little place a visit. It was tucked away in a little valley and was a pretty unique little place.

Addison was hilarious. Every different animal we'd see, she'd almost be jumping up and down with excitement yelling about the various animals. Her excitement was pretty funny.

The little joint required a little "safety speech" before we could begin our visit there. There were windows in the back of the little building where you had to enter the maze of cages and fenced in areas. As the lady began her little speech, Addison spotted a huge kangaroo right outside the door. She began yelling over the lady for us to look at the kangaroo. At this point she was so excited, we could hardly contain her. She was literally jumping up and down with her nose plastered to the window on the back door. I wanted to laugh in the lady's face because Addison's reaction was so hilarious, but was able to hold it together.

There were two kangaroos, and the first one we saw seemed as excited to see Addison as she was to see him. Actually a little more excited....as he tinkled a little before we could move her away from the fence. Didn't know before we got there that kangaroos got that excited!!

It was a really fun time. We got to walk in the goat pens and the deer pens to hold and pet the animals. One of her favorite animals to talk about was the "zonkey." In case you're wondering what that is, it's a cross between a zebra and a donkey. I have the pictures to prove it. It looked like a donkey in the head and body, but had striped legs like a zebra. Talk about an identity crisis!! For some reason, she really liked the reindeer as well. I'm thinking this has something to do with someone she seems to like!! And soon, she'll be seeing him quite often as well!!

Anyway, in anticipation of the trip, we found out this particular little zoo has pony rides. We asked Addison if she'd like to ride a pony. Being that she's pretty much terrified of most animals up close, we weren't sure if she'd do it (aside from the fact that she once rode a camel with Jeremy). From the time we asked her until the moment she got there, all she talked about was riding the pony and holding the "string." She was such a big girl. She thought she was all that with the pony ride. The little guy she got to ride was a beautiful little white pony named "Lil' Joe." Jeremy said that the entire ride, Addison kept telling "Joe" what a good job he was doing. lol

This next picture is actually right before she rode the pony standing out on the little landing where I stood to take pictures. She was watching another little girl mount the horse. I asked her if she excited, and this face was the reaction I got! Whatcha think? lol

I honestly think she would have taken "Joe" home with her if she could have. She liked him just that much. I have a feeling, we'll need to visit "Joe"once again. Well, enough of my babbling!! I'm personally having fun just watching her excitement in every new adventure. Heaven knows she has been slam full of energy.

I'll update again soon.......

Crabbing Update

Well, our little "cwabbin' " trip wasn't tremendously successful yesterday - compared to the last one, but Jeremy did get a bit of a crab dinner last night. He captured one of the largest crabs he's caught to date. He was pretty happy about that. That one was a vicious little thing. He gave Jeremy a bit of a nerve rattling when it was time to pull him out of the cooler and set him over in his prepared pot of boiling water.

That particular crab seemed to have become fond of his cooler and was not anxious to leave. I got a great laugh watching Jeremy and this crab fight it out. Ultimately Jeremy won, but his blood pressure had risen just a tad in the fight. It seemed the tongs were just short enough to let the crab reach out and grab Jeremy's hand with his claws. That was a risk that Jeremy was not willing to allow - hence the reason for the anxiety and the fight. Anyway, it was fun.....until Addison became unbearably sleepy and bored. We just gave it up and came on back home. But here are a few pictures to show you a bit about the location and the day!

Upon arrival, Addison was ready to get started. Doesn't she look excited about being there?
Here's a tiny bait fish that was caught in the crab basket. It was Addison's first "feel" of a fish. Jeremy was holding it's mouth - she was convinced it would bite her. I was holding it's fins so it wouldn't "fin" her.

Here's a picture of the "monster." You can see his size as opposed to the rest of them.

The New Hobby

Jeremy and Addison have a new hobby. I happen to be off today, so I got invited to tag along. Addison has taught me all the basics of this new hobby in the couple of hours in which we have been sitting out on this little rickety dock in the middle of a "creek" inlet that has some influence from the Atlantic Ocean.

Right now we are waiting for the tide to do it's "thing" so the two of them can show me how successful they are at their new hobby. If you ask Addison, her new hobby is called "cwabbin'!". She has all kinds of informative instructions to make this event productive. She's only been one other time, and she thinks she has mastered the art of "cwabbin'!".

Just in case anyone is still in the dark, we are out catching crabs today. I'll post pictures of our success as we go along. Patience has been Addison's biggest issue of the day thus far, or the lack therof!!

Quote of the Day

This morning on the way to work, I was listening to David Jeremiah preaching. In the reference he used this quote, it was very suitable, but I think it can be applied in more settings than just the one he used. I'll let your imagination work and your project of the day can be to think up all of the scenerios in which this could work.......

"No clever arrangement of rotten eggs will ever make a good omelet!"
- C.S. Lewis

"When God Has Another Plan" - part 2

I am sorry to report that Tony Greene passed away on Tuesday afternoon at approx 4:25 p.m. He left behind the most talented wife, TaRanda Greene, and two daughters, Belle (6), and Josie (2 1/2). Such a shocking and sad story.

Tony Green (R) and Jeff Snyder (L)

Excuse me for a few minutes while I pay tribute to the life of one of the funniest, talented and liveliest men to ever walk on stage. Last year I posted a video that I recorded of a song the Greenes sang at a showcase called "Song of a Lifetime." The host of the showcase, Phil Cross, actually wrote the song the Greenes sang that day. The song was called "Hold On." Before they sang it, Tony gave a testimony - and at this point, I'm really glad I got it captured on video.

Several days later, I posted the lyrics to the song by the Greenes that actually went to #1 in the Southern Gospel music charts called, "When God Has Another Plan." Apparently, because my post title was the same as the song, it seems that my site gets multiple hits of people looking for that particular song. This particular song has affected the lives of many people and it really hits home for the believer. As much as it spoke the testimony of Tony and TaRanda Greene last year, I can only imagine that this song will become a huger part of TaRanda's life than she ever imagined. At the same time, sometimes life leaves you little to no options beyond walking on to just accept what hand God has handed you.

Here's a link to the post that includes the lyrics to this unbelievably awesome song....one of my absolute favorites! Since then, some generous soul has shared the video of the Greenes singing it. I will also include my video of last year from NCQ for those of you who may be interested to hear what Tony has to say.

I also mentioned him being funny. He was constantly telling jokes and I've laughed at my share, but one of the most hilarious things I ever saw him do was last year during the awards ceremony at NQC. One of the problems that seemed to shadow the entire event of NQC last year was that the mics were a little delayed in being turned up, so very frequently we missed the first line or so of many of the artists songs because of this "glitch." Anyway, Tony and TaRanda were presenting one or two awards.....one was favorite Bass singer award (that much I recall). It took someone on each side of him to get him up to the stage for his part in the program. As long as it took them to get into position, when Tony spoke his first line of the presentation, his microphone was not on. He put the microphone down in his hand on his side and looked up at the speakers and yelled to the top of his lungs...."MY MICROPHONE'S NOT ON!" It was one of those - "have to be there" moments. It was hysterical. I have no idea what he said next - I was laughing so hard I didn't catch it......

Anyway......you never knew what to expect from him. Here's a tiny portion of a tribute to his life.

Touchdown!

I really hate football. I'm sure I've said that before, but this game is a little different. Take a look at this.

Since I'm such a cry-baby, I figured I'd share a little something with you that pretty much made me bawl. The news story is the link above. You'll need to read it to understand why this story is such a winner. Here's just a clip of the video.



I love it when I see young people with a huge heart. I willing to bet the elation of making this kid's day was a better "high" than they could ever find in any drug! Something about doing good for others makes your heart a little lighter as well!

Another Year Older

Yesterday was Jeremy's birthday. He turned 34. Addison and I spent the day in the kitchen fixing up some "stuff" for his birthday. Namely cupcakes with colorful sprinkles and BBQ ribs. The cupcakes and sprinkles were Addison's idea. She spotted the sprinkles as we were checking out the different cupcake cups in the baking aisle. She settled for blue cups with baseballs and gloves on them! She was convinced her daddy would love those!

Just wanted to share a few pics of how much fun Addison had celebrating the day! She loved helping fix the cupcakes and she really enjoyed the ribs!