Some days are like this:
But don't give up, all is not lost...
Consider...
But don't give up, all is not lost...
Consider...
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Saturday, February 15, 2020
THE DAY AFTER THE L-O-V-E HOLIDAY
The celebration continues!
At 11:59 a.m. 39 years ago on this day, a little one was born to The Husband and me and our lives as we knew them were forever changed. A precious baby girl brought joy to us and continues to bring joy still.
It's so hard for me to believe The Girl is 39 today. I laughingly say I have to subtract to know my age and sadly, I have to subtract to know hers as well. Little did we know that day 39 years ago what time would hold for her and for us.
To say The Husband and I are proud of The Girl would be an understatement. More than that, though, The Husband and I are forever humbled at the blessing simply of "her".
She reminds me of the woman spoken of in Proverbs 31, the virtuous woman. Well, okay so maybe only parts of it. She doesn't lay her hands to the spindle or make fine linen or some of those things, but she is pretty sharp on her circuit machine. Those others things can apply to her--especially the strength and honor and wise parts. She is not only an honor to her parents, her husband, and her child but she is an honor to her heavenly Father most of all.
31
So Happy Birthday to The Girl who made me a mama! Prayers that forevermore will hold joy, joy, and more joy!
Proverbs 31:10-31:
At 11:59 a.m. 39 years ago on this day, a little one was born to The Husband and me and our lives as we knew them were forever changed. A precious baby girl brought joy to us and continues to bring joy still.
It's so hard for me to believe The Girl is 39 today. I laughingly say I have to subtract to know my age and sadly, I have to subtract to know hers as well. Little did we know that day 39 years ago what time would hold for her and for us.
To say The Husband and I are proud of The Girl would be an understatement. More than that, though, The Husband and I are forever humbled at the blessing simply of "her".
She reminds me of the woman spoken of in Proverbs 31, the virtuous woman. Well, okay so maybe only parts of it. She doesn't lay her hands to the spindle or make fine linen or some of those things, but she is pretty sharp on her circuit machine. Those others things can apply to her--especially the strength and honor and wise parts. She is not only an honor to her parents, her husband, and her child but she is an honor to her heavenly Father most of all.
31So Happy Birthday to The Girl who made me a mama! Prayers that forevermore will hold joy, joy, and more joy!
Proverbs 31:10-31:
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.0 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Friday, February 14, 2020
THE L-O-V-E HOLIDAY
Happy Valentine's Day Y'all!
Yes, It's another day of hearts and flowers. (See blog post from February 14, 2013 for hearts and flowers reference.) Being a Friday I slept late today, didn't get out of bed until 6:30 a.m. As I lay awake doing my morning thank-you-Lord-and-help-me-thru-this-day prayer, I found myself being thankful for the blessings of love I have daily.
It's been such a stressful week. May I say for the umpteenth time in this blog that "the old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be". It's just several days of busy, concerns, and stress. At the top of the list is the fact that my mother took a fall early Monday and, along with my dad, chose to not tell anyone. By Wednesday, I found out accidentally from her. (Be careful, your sins WILL find you out.) After hours at her walk in clinic, it was determined that there was a good chance a hairline fracture had occurred in her wrist. Yesterday's trip to the orthopedic doctor merited a remedy for now of wearing the splint for a dozen more days, then returning for another X-ray. I will admit that this somehow helped relieve my concern as I, the queen of past hand problems and splints, know firsthand that one can continue on with life successfully wearing a splint. At least she didn't break an arm, shoulder, or worse.
As I left my physical therapy late yesterday and stopped at the store for my parents' groceries, I was surprised to see a full parking lot. Then as I entered the store, it was obvious why. I had forgotten the date. The majority of the customers were in the card section and heart decorated cupcakes, flowers, and balloons were everywhere. I, of course, had no need of these. (See blog post from February 14, 2018, remember?) :)
So here I am, up after my prayer and a realization that I have love everywhere in my life. This love brings me joy immeasurable, even in times of pain, concern, and stress. A husband whom I have spent 41 Valentine's Days with, a sweet caring beautiful daughter, a fine son-in-law, a sassy stubborn sweet grand baby, the love of an extended family, wonderful caring friends, a comfortable home where I feel love, a spirit filled church where I can worship, and most of all a heavenly Father who loves unconditionally are many of my loves this day.
To wrap it up, I wanted to share some of these blessings as I know you love the pictures...
:
I want to end this post to share words from one of The Husband's favorite church songs. It goes like this:
Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.
Oh love of God how rich and pure, how measureless and strong.
It shall forever more endure, the saints and angels song.
That, my friends, is the greatest love of all.
Consider....
Yes, It's another day of hearts and flowers. (See blog post from February 14, 2013 for hearts and flowers reference.) Being a Friday I slept late today, didn't get out of bed until 6:30 a.m. As I lay awake doing my morning thank-you-Lord-and-help-me-thru-this-day prayer, I found myself being thankful for the blessings of love I have daily.
It's been such a stressful week. May I say for the umpteenth time in this blog that "the old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be". It's just several days of busy, concerns, and stress. At the top of the list is the fact that my mother took a fall early Monday and, along with my dad, chose to not tell anyone. By Wednesday, I found out accidentally from her. (Be careful, your sins WILL find you out.) After hours at her walk in clinic, it was determined that there was a good chance a hairline fracture had occurred in her wrist. Yesterday's trip to the orthopedic doctor merited a remedy for now of wearing the splint for a dozen more days, then returning for another X-ray. I will admit that this somehow helped relieve my concern as I, the queen of past hand problems and splints, know firsthand that one can continue on with life successfully wearing a splint. At least she didn't break an arm, shoulder, or worse.
As I left my physical therapy late yesterday and stopped at the store for my parents' groceries, I was surprised to see a full parking lot. Then as I entered the store, it was obvious why. I had forgotten the date. The majority of the customers were in the card section and heart decorated cupcakes, flowers, and balloons were everywhere. I, of course, had no need of these. (See blog post from February 14, 2018, remember?) :)
So here I am, up after my prayer and a realization that I have love everywhere in my life. This love brings me joy immeasurable, even in times of pain, concern, and stress. A husband whom I have spent 41 Valentine's Days with, a sweet caring beautiful daughter, a fine son-in-law, a sassy stubborn sweet grand baby, the love of an extended family, wonderful caring friends, a comfortable home where I feel love, a spirit filled church where I can worship, and most of all a heavenly Father who loves unconditionally are many of my loves this day.
To wrap it up, I wanted to share some of these blessings as I know you love the pictures...
I want to end this post to share words from one of The Husband's favorite church songs. It goes like this:
Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.
Oh love of God how rich and pure, how measureless and strong.
It shall forever more endure, the saints and angels song.
That, my friends, is the greatest love of all.
Consider....
Friday, January 31, 2020
WHO AM I? REALLY.
I can truly say I have suffered from "writer's block" lately. Life has seemed to overtake me since my last post. I have a hard time finding enough hours in the day to feel "accomplishment". Sure, I have joy in my days, happiness in my days, and love in my days. I just don't accomplish anything that I can SEE.
Granted in my last post I told you of my back issues. For the past two weeks I have been having really good physical therapy. The physical location of the office is a tad further away from my house than the one I used before so I drive further, but I am finding pain relief. Yesterday was the first day I can truly say I felt a great difference. I am hopeful.
With those visits along with the rest of the things I do, I have had little time for calming my mind, let's say. This morning, being Friday with physical therapy three hours from now and The Husband on a day fishing trip, I made the time to sit, drink my coffee, read my devotion, and talk to my Lord.
I received a gift a couple of weeks ago from a dear friend, a devotion book called "Streams in the Desert". I had to read to catch up to the date but as of a few days ago, I am caught up. I will insert here that I can't believe it's already January 31. Where does the time go? For my birthday a couple of months ago, my sister gifted me with a book called "Beholding and Becoming". It's not a daily devotion but the subtitle says "The Art of Everyday Worship". I sometimes intersperse this book with my devotion time.
With all that said (I obviously remain a person of many words), this morning I was extremely touched by the January 31 devotion in my new book. The scripture was from Job--now we all know what Job went through. It was Job 34:29 and said "He giveth quietness." Well duh. Isn't that what I need? Quietness in my mind and spirit just to listen to what my Lord wants to tell me. Or just quietness and peacefulness for spiritual strength and therapy. The devotion talked of quietness in the midst of raging storms and don't we all know what those are like? It says "quietness even in the midst of losing our inner strength and comforts". He wants us to distinguish HIM instead of them. Each devotion in this book is ended with a poem. This morning there is a poem with about four sections. The last line of the poem says this: "Who can make trouble when You send me peace?" I just LOVE that...
Then in my birthday book, the chapter I was reading was titled, "Beholding...God's view of you". The thing that stuck with me is the author described true self-esteem and the secret to it. She said "the higher we esteem God for who He is, the truer our view of ourselves. She said that when we recognize how great our God is, the more we recognize how flawed we really are. When we lift hearts in worship, we learn to value who He created us to be, in spite of our imperfections. Because geez, if He saw in my flaws one worthy of rescue, why should I complain? I'm going to quote also this from this book. "It's okay to be a no one to everyone if you are someone to the Holy One. Who He is in you defines who you are in Him."
Well I just love that! So with all shown to me, I know that even though I have my faults, failure, pains, and distractions, I am somebody to Jesus! He loves me and I'm HIS kid and even though I do fail and am distracted, HE always forgives when I ask. And He cares even when I seem to be too busy to care.
So who am I? Really. As I type through my teary eyes, I can rejoice that I am a girl who's so blessed with a Heavenly Father who loves me. That doesn't even count all His other blessings that are too many to count. He. Loves. ME. Really.
Consider....
Granted in my last post I told you of my back issues. For the past two weeks I have been having really good physical therapy. The physical location of the office is a tad further away from my house than the one I used before so I drive further, but I am finding pain relief. Yesterday was the first day I can truly say I felt a great difference. I am hopeful.
With those visits along with the rest of the things I do, I have had little time for calming my mind, let's say. This morning, being Friday with physical therapy three hours from now and The Husband on a day fishing trip, I made the time to sit, drink my coffee, read my devotion, and talk to my Lord.
I received a gift a couple of weeks ago from a dear friend, a devotion book called "Streams in the Desert". I had to read to catch up to the date but as of a few days ago, I am caught up. I will insert here that I can't believe it's already January 31. Where does the time go? For my birthday a couple of months ago, my sister gifted me with a book called "Beholding and Becoming". It's not a daily devotion but the subtitle says "The Art of Everyday Worship". I sometimes intersperse this book with my devotion time.
With all that said (I obviously remain a person of many words), this morning I was extremely touched by the January 31 devotion in my new book. The scripture was from Job--now we all know what Job went through. It was Job 34:29 and said "He giveth quietness." Well duh. Isn't that what I need? Quietness in my mind and spirit just to listen to what my Lord wants to tell me. Or just quietness and peacefulness for spiritual strength and therapy. The devotion talked of quietness in the midst of raging storms and don't we all know what those are like? It says "quietness even in the midst of losing our inner strength and comforts". He wants us to distinguish HIM instead of them. Each devotion in this book is ended with a poem. This morning there is a poem with about four sections. The last line of the poem says this: "Who can make trouble when You send me peace?" I just LOVE that...
Then in my birthday book, the chapter I was reading was titled, "Beholding...God's view of you". The thing that stuck with me is the author described true self-esteem and the secret to it. She said "the higher we esteem God for who He is, the truer our view of ourselves. She said that when we recognize how great our God is, the more we recognize how flawed we really are. When we lift hearts in worship, we learn to value who He created us to be, in spite of our imperfections. Because geez, if He saw in my flaws one worthy of rescue, why should I complain? I'm going to quote also this from this book. "It's okay to be a no one to everyone if you are someone to the Holy One. Who He is in you defines who you are in Him."
Well I just love that! So with all shown to me, I know that even though I have my faults, failure, pains, and distractions, I am somebody to Jesus! He loves me and I'm HIS kid and even though I do fail and am distracted, HE always forgives when I ask. And He cares even when I seem to be too busy to care.
So who am I? Really. As I type through my teary eyes, I can rejoice that I am a girl who's so blessed with a Heavenly Father who loves me. That doesn't even count all His other blessings that are too many to count. He. Loves. ME. Really.
Consider....
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
MINDFUL
Last month at The Grandbaby's preschool Christmas program, the pastor of the church gave an opening prayer. Something he said I had heard said often in the past but it stuck with me somehow differently on that day. He said something like, "Let us always be mindful of you Lord, and others." I've thought of that often since then. Mr. Webster says mindful means "conscious or aware of something".
I kind of lost sight of that these past few days with my focus on things that had to be done. I began with a pain in my right shin Wednesday night that was different, it lasted through the next day, then the next day when I got up, I could hardly walk as the pain in my whole leg was excruciating. I'm the queen of pain but this pain was different. This was also the day I was to take The Husband downtown to the big city for his colonoscopy. I had to suck it up and move on. Before I left for the downtown trip, I sent my doctor a portal message explaining the problem and asked if ice or heat would be best to help it. This was Friday and my doctor closes at lunch on Friday so I wanted to get my question in, knowing I would not return until middle of the afternoon with The Husband.
During the day, I continued to hurt and my leg almost buckled a couple of times but I moved through it. The Husband's colonoscopy went pretty well. If I'm the queen of pain, he's the king of colonoscopies. Really.
To move on with my story, I had my phone on silent so I missed a call from my doctor. She left a message. I knew when she called AND left a message it would not be what I wanted to hear. She told me to take three aspirins and go asap to the emergency room. She thought these symptoms sounded blood clottish and one doesn't want to mess with that. Of course, The Husband is home after anesthesia and can't drive so I tried to get him to allow me to go to the ER alone. Alas, he would not hear of that so I drove us both there. Bless him.
What a nightmare in the ER flu war zone! And on a Friday. Six hours later, I left there with the knowledge that I did not have a blood clot but no one really knew the source of the obvious pain either. I was to take pain medicine and see my doctor this week. I have an appointment this afternoon and she is hopeful (as am I) that she will find the root of this pain.
As I sat in the ER all those hours and watched, I became mindful of the fact that there are areas that can be improved and make this an easier event for the medical personnel and the sick. I was thinking that common sense is not much of a factor there, nor is an organizational skill to move along folks who are not exceptionally in need of an ER. Do I think this is what that pastor meant in December when he prayed? Nah. They do need common sense, however. But don't we all need that in our daily life?
I realize that I need to be more mindful and aware of the needs of others as this new year has begun. I need to be less self-centered in my own world, but also be mindful of the leading of the Lord in my life. Granted, I can only be mindful of that in my own life. I need to be mindful of my attitude, my love for others, and my prayer life. The list could go on and on.
So with all that said, I encourage you to practice being mindful as I am going to try to do more. I know that the Lord is always mindful of my needs and supplying those and for that I am grateful.
Mindful. Consider.....
I kind of lost sight of that these past few days with my focus on things that had to be done. I began with a pain in my right shin Wednesday night that was different, it lasted through the next day, then the next day when I got up, I could hardly walk as the pain in my whole leg was excruciating. I'm the queen of pain but this pain was different. This was also the day I was to take The Husband downtown to the big city for his colonoscopy. I had to suck it up and move on. Before I left for the downtown trip, I sent my doctor a portal message explaining the problem and asked if ice or heat would be best to help it. This was Friday and my doctor closes at lunch on Friday so I wanted to get my question in, knowing I would not return until middle of the afternoon with The Husband.
During the day, I continued to hurt and my leg almost buckled a couple of times but I moved through it. The Husband's colonoscopy went pretty well. If I'm the queen of pain, he's the king of colonoscopies. Really.
To move on with my story, I had my phone on silent so I missed a call from my doctor. She left a message. I knew when she called AND left a message it would not be what I wanted to hear. She told me to take three aspirins and go asap to the emergency room. She thought these symptoms sounded blood clottish and one doesn't want to mess with that. Of course, The Husband is home after anesthesia and can't drive so I tried to get him to allow me to go to the ER alone. Alas, he would not hear of that so I drove us both there. Bless him.
What a nightmare in the ER flu war zone! And on a Friday. Six hours later, I left there with the knowledge that I did not have a blood clot but no one really knew the source of the obvious pain either. I was to take pain medicine and see my doctor this week. I have an appointment this afternoon and she is hopeful (as am I) that she will find the root of this pain.
As I sat in the ER all those hours and watched, I became mindful of the fact that there are areas that can be improved and make this an easier event for the medical personnel and the sick. I was thinking that common sense is not much of a factor there, nor is an organizational skill to move along folks who are not exceptionally in need of an ER. Do I think this is what that pastor meant in December when he prayed? Nah. They do need common sense, however. But don't we all need that in our daily life?
I realize that I need to be more mindful and aware of the needs of others as this new year has begun. I need to be less self-centered in my own world, but also be mindful of the leading of the Lord in my life. Granted, I can only be mindful of that in my own life. I need to be mindful of my attitude, my love for others, and my prayer life. The list could go on and on.
So with all that said, I encourage you to practice being mindful as I am going to try to do more. I know that the Lord is always mindful of my needs and supplying those and for that I am grateful.
Mindful. Consider.....
Thursday, January 9, 2020
TOPSY TURVEY
Topsy turvey is a phrase that has long been said by many and means simply "upside down".
The Grandbaby really enjoys television shows and has gone through different stages of favorites. She still enjoys her super heroes, the P J Masks. Then she's to another extreme of enjoying princesses. I guess she has multi interests when it comes to animation. When she was much younger, I introduced her to my current favorite show, Goldie and Bear. She tended to lose interest in that for a while but now has regained that interest as I have a few episodes taped on my DVR from back then. I can't seem to find it on my television schedule now.
The series is based on fairy tales. The main characters are cute blond haired Goldie (Goldilocks) and her best friend Bear (Baby Bear in the Three Bears story). The other characters are fairy tale characters--Mother Goose, Red (Red Riding Hood), Humpty (Humpty Dumpty)--you get the idea.
Her favorite current episode is Topsy Turvey Tea Party and we watch it every time she comes. In this episode Mama Bear is giving a tea party and Mother Goose is going to attend. Now this will be the first tea party Mother Goose has attended at Mama Bear's house. All you girls out there know how important the preparation would be if Mother Goose was coming to your house so you will find this easy to imagine.
Mama has made a gorgeous chocolate upside down cake for the event. It stands tall with the smallest layer being on the bottom and the widest layer on the top. The icing is flawlessly done with a bit of pink and purple decoration. Beautiful! Mama Bear has to go out and find more chairs, leaving Goldie and Bear to do dusting and cleaning up a bit. Well, this beautiful cake is sitting on the table. Being the children that they are, Goldie and Bear cannot resist putting their finger in the icing and having a taste. It IS delicious! Before they know it, they have had many tastes and one side of the cake is gone. Their mouths are covered with chocolate and Mama Bear is coming up the walk. Bear stashes the cake in the refrigerator and they decide to go to Ginger's house (she's a good witch) as Ginger can cook another one. (Lots of unrealistic expectations here but in animation anything can happen and no one questions.) Bear tries to come clean with Mama Bear but the guests begin to arrive.
Fast forward to the party and Ginger at the kitchen door with an exact cake as Mama Bear's, except Ginger's cake is a magical chocolate upside down cake. The cake is cut and served and the first taste is taken by a guest. That guest immediately rises to the ceiling with feet at the ceiling. The next guests tastes and does the same. Mama is confused and worried. Goldie and Bear know what happened and just as Mother Goose is about to take a taste, they yell, "Don't eat it!" Too late as Mother Goose rises to the ceiling and they all float around. At this time, Goldie and Bear admit their disobedience to Mama and, like any girl, Mama fears she is ruined in the eyes of her peer, Mother Goose. All turns out well as the Topsy Turvey Tea Party is the most fun ever. Moral of the story--there are many. You see how many you can find.
With that long dissertation and explanation that is pretty mindless, I will admit that yesterday I thought, "I can make an upside down chocolate cake like Mama Bear's and The Grandbaby will be over the moon". Well, let me say here that using the equipment I had, the cake baking was not that easy. I did get one made and it was a bit wobbly. Uh, actually, it was lot wobbly. When The Grandbaby saw it, though, when she and her parents came for Wednesday night supper, she was thrilled. She loved the look, she loved the taste, she just loved it. In a Neema/Grandbaby world, that is what it's all about.
I paid attention to what I did wrong in the balance of the cake and might even try it again sometime as honestly, it really was good.
So that's my story for today....hope you enjoyed.
Hope your day is topsy turvey fun!
The Grandbaby really enjoys television shows and has gone through different stages of favorites. She still enjoys her super heroes, the P J Masks. Then she's to another extreme of enjoying princesses. I guess she has multi interests when it comes to animation. When she was much younger, I introduced her to my current favorite show, Goldie and Bear. She tended to lose interest in that for a while but now has regained that interest as I have a few episodes taped on my DVR from back then. I can't seem to find it on my television schedule now.
The series is based on fairy tales. The main characters are cute blond haired Goldie (Goldilocks) and her best friend Bear (Baby Bear in the Three Bears story). The other characters are fairy tale characters--Mother Goose, Red (Red Riding Hood), Humpty (Humpty Dumpty)--you get the idea.
Her favorite current episode is Topsy Turvey Tea Party and we watch it every time she comes. In this episode Mama Bear is giving a tea party and Mother Goose is going to attend. Now this will be the first tea party Mother Goose has attended at Mama Bear's house. All you girls out there know how important the preparation would be if Mother Goose was coming to your house so you will find this easy to imagine.
Mama has made a gorgeous chocolate upside down cake for the event. It stands tall with the smallest layer being on the bottom and the widest layer on the top. The icing is flawlessly done with a bit of pink and purple decoration. Beautiful! Mama Bear has to go out and find more chairs, leaving Goldie and Bear to do dusting and cleaning up a bit. Well, this beautiful cake is sitting on the table. Being the children that they are, Goldie and Bear cannot resist putting their finger in the icing and having a taste. It IS delicious! Before they know it, they have had many tastes and one side of the cake is gone. Their mouths are covered with chocolate and Mama Bear is coming up the walk. Bear stashes the cake in the refrigerator and they decide to go to Ginger's house (she's a good witch) as Ginger can cook another one. (Lots of unrealistic expectations here but in animation anything can happen and no one questions.) Bear tries to come clean with Mama Bear but the guests begin to arrive.
Fast forward to the party and Ginger at the kitchen door with an exact cake as Mama Bear's, except Ginger's cake is a magical chocolate upside down cake. The cake is cut and served and the first taste is taken by a guest. That guest immediately rises to the ceiling with feet at the ceiling. The next guests tastes and does the same. Mama is confused and worried. Goldie and Bear know what happened and just as Mother Goose is about to take a taste, they yell, "Don't eat it!" Too late as Mother Goose rises to the ceiling and they all float around. At this time, Goldie and Bear admit their disobedience to Mama and, like any girl, Mama fears she is ruined in the eyes of her peer, Mother Goose. All turns out well as the Topsy Turvey Tea Party is the most fun ever. Moral of the story--there are many. You see how many you can find.
With that long dissertation and explanation that is pretty mindless, I will admit that yesterday I thought, "I can make an upside down chocolate cake like Mama Bear's and The Grandbaby will be over the moon". Well, let me say here that using the equipment I had, the cake baking was not that easy. I did get one made and it was a bit wobbly. Uh, actually, it was lot wobbly. When The Grandbaby saw it, though, when she and her parents came for Wednesday night supper, she was thrilled. She loved the look, she loved the taste, she just loved it. In a Neema/Grandbaby world, that is what it's all about.
I paid attention to what I did wrong in the balance of the cake and might even try it again sometime as honestly, it really was good.
So that's my story for today....hope you enjoyed.
Hope your day is topsy turvey fun!
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Sunday, December 29, 2019
CHRISTMAS PAST
The last Christmas of this decade has passed. Ahh, those decades go by quickly, don't they? As I usually share my events with pictures, I wanted to do that again this year. I don't want to disappoint my readers who enjoy seeing my life in pictures.
I entertained my neighborhood widows with a lunch again this year. Unbelievable that I took no pictures. None. I did entertain five women with two unable to come. We had a great time!
Another picture free event was a meal with family members from The Husband's side of the family. We enjoyed a steak meal at Longhorn Steakhouse.
The Grandbaby performed in her preschool Christmas program. I could share a lot of pictures but I will share only a few. It was a program of songs such as The Little Drummer Boy and The Reindeer Pokey. Such fun and such a growth in The Grandbaby this year. She started waving as soon as she walked in.
Posing for pictures has become challenging in our family. At least The Son-In-Law is smiling and looking at the camera. One out of three ain't bad.
Success....
There are four friends I have who, along with me, make up The Lunch Bunch. We have been friends since our kids were in elementary school. For 25+ years, we have ate lunch together....monthly for a time, often less often. Finding time together this past year has been a challenge. This group of friends have shared family problems, cancer diagnosis, spousal and parent deaths, sicknesses, and just this past few months a brain surgery. This year our Christmas lunch was a lunch full of thankfulness at what the Lord has brought us through. Yes, this group of friends are praying friends and supportive friends. The tall one was just recovered from brain surgery when this lunch happened. In fact, she was the driver to the lunch and our hearts were full of thankfulness and joy! And may I say that my red sweater got a lot of use this Christmas?
Look how sweet that tiptoe with that shoe slipping off is...it's the little things...she was having no part of lap sitting with him.
And there was the gingerbread house building. This year the house came unassembled. Unfortunately.
There was Christmas at the great grands--Grandaddy and Moe....
...and gifts The Grandbaby loved. The Grandbaby loved EVERY gift. She also loved helping everyone open their gifts. She has quite the artistic side and loves the coloring and the building.
Here's our token annual photo from that gathering. Yes, I was pleased that I was the lap of choice for this picture even though my expression leaves a lot to be desired. Lap sitting in my particular lap doesn't happen often.
Christmas Day was lunch at our house. The Grandbaby had not tired of the gift opening by then at all.
I usually fill stockings for my gathering. I suggested to The Husband this year that he shop at the dollar store and buy me three gifts for my stocking. I would do likewise for him. I bought him nice gifts--candy, crossword puzzle book, and dental floss pickers. Yes, he uses those, thank you.
When my time came to open my stocking gifts, here are two I received...
The Husband said he gave me the hair color in hopes that I would look like the girl on the box. I suggested I would need good makeup for that to happen....
I also received these for my tired eyes and a package of three mini bottles of breath drops. What a guy is The Husband!
The stocking gifts brought a really good gift when combined....the gift of laughter! Everyone except The Grandbaby laughed...she was a little small to appreciate the humor.
We played puzzles, which The Grandbaby loves to do...
The Girl got a couple of sentimental gifts. One was an "I will finish this after Christmas" tablecloth made from a couple of bedspread panels my aunt was cross-stitching at the time of her sickness and passing. I intended to make something out of it eventually and this was the year...perfect for The Girl's table. And The Girl does love sentimental gifts.
The other was a couple of framed pieces of the two favorite piano solos taught her by her former piano teacher who has also gone to heaven. The pieces have all the handwriting of the teacher and brought The Girl much joy. She will hang near her piano. She played this particular one for her county Junior Miss competition. I put the remaining pages behind the mat so they would always be together.
Of course there was the group photo session which took place outside in the warm, spring like temperatures.
See, I was not the chosen lap on this day....
And see...gotta love the challenges....
And in closing, lest we forget the REAL reason for the season.....Happy Birthday, Jesus! (Yes, we sang and blew out the candle!)
"Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15
So Christmas is past, but hopes remain that we will move into the new decade sharing the true meaning of Christmas daily in our lives and with all who we are blessed to meet.
And now....to all a good night!
I entertained my neighborhood widows with a lunch again this year. Unbelievable that I took no pictures. None. I did entertain five women with two unable to come. We had a great time!
Another picture free event was a meal with family members from The Husband's side of the family. We enjoyed a steak meal at Longhorn Steakhouse.
The Grandbaby performed in her preschool Christmas program. I could share a lot of pictures but I will share only a few. It was a program of songs such as The Little Drummer Boy and The Reindeer Pokey. Such fun and such a growth in The Grandbaby this year. She started waving as soon as she walked in.
It's always fun for a little girl to have pictures made with Poppas, Grandaddys, Nanas, and Neemas.
Posing for pictures has become challenging in our family. At least The Son-In-Law is smiling and looking at the camera. One out of three ain't bad.
Success....
There are four friends I have who, along with me, make up The Lunch Bunch. We have been friends since our kids were in elementary school. For 25+ years, we have ate lunch together....monthly for a time, often less often. Finding time together this past year has been a challenge. This group of friends have shared family problems, cancer diagnosis, spousal and parent deaths, sicknesses, and just this past few months a brain surgery. This year our Christmas lunch was a lunch full of thankfulness at what the Lord has brought us through. Yes, this group of friends are praying friends and supportive friends. The tall one was just recovered from brain surgery when this lunch happened. In fact, she was the driver to the lunch and our hearts were full of thankfulness and joy! And may I say that my red sweater got a lot of use this Christmas?
There was also another "bird" gift this year from my secret giver. I LOVED it just as I still enjoy all the ones given in years before. If you are reading this and are my secret giver, thank you so much! These gifts give me the warm-fuzzies every single time I get one.
There were visits with various "Ho Ho's".....
Look how sweet that tiptoe with that shoe slipping off is...it's the little things...she was having no part of lap sitting with him.
And there was the gingerbread house building. This year the house came unassembled. Unfortunately.
There was Christmas at the great grands--Grandaddy and Moe....
...and gifts The Grandbaby loved. The Grandbaby loved EVERY gift. She also loved helping everyone open their gifts. She has quite the artistic side and loves the coloring and the building.
Here's our token annual photo from that gathering. Yes, I was pleased that I was the lap of choice for this picture even though my expression leaves a lot to be desired. Lap sitting in my particular lap doesn't happen often.
Christmas Day was lunch at our house. The Grandbaby had not tired of the gift opening by then at all.
I usually fill stockings for my gathering. I suggested to The Husband this year that he shop at the dollar store and buy me three gifts for my stocking. I would do likewise for him. I bought him nice gifts--candy, crossword puzzle book, and dental floss pickers. Yes, he uses those, thank you.
When my time came to open my stocking gifts, here are two I received...
The Husband said he gave me the hair color in hopes that I would look like the girl on the box. I suggested I would need good makeup for that to happen....
I also received these for my tired eyes and a package of three mini bottles of breath drops. What a guy is The Husband!
The stocking gifts brought a really good gift when combined....the gift of laughter! Everyone except The Grandbaby laughed...she was a little small to appreciate the humor.
We played puzzles, which The Grandbaby loves to do...
The Girl got a couple of sentimental gifts. One was an "I will finish this after Christmas" tablecloth made from a couple of bedspread panels my aunt was cross-stitching at the time of her sickness and passing. I intended to make something out of it eventually and this was the year...perfect for The Girl's table. And The Girl does love sentimental gifts.
The other was a couple of framed pieces of the two favorite piano solos taught her by her former piano teacher who has also gone to heaven. The pieces have all the handwriting of the teacher and brought The Girl much joy. She will hang near her piano. She played this particular one for her county Junior Miss competition. I put the remaining pages behind the mat so they would always be together.
Of course there was the group photo session which took place outside in the warm, spring like temperatures.
See, I was not the chosen lap on this day....
And see...gotta love the challenges....
And in closing, lest we forget the REAL reason for the season.....Happy Birthday, Jesus! (Yes, we sang and blew out the candle!)
"Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15
So Christmas is past, but hopes remain that we will move into the new decade sharing the true meaning of Christmas daily in our lives and with all who we are blessed to meet.
And now....to all a good night!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)