Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Hydrangeas Beautiful - Sweet Gardenia Fragrance

We got a notice from the city that it was time for our semi annual (or quarterly or whatever) extra brush pickup coming up this week. This always gets Jimmy excited. It always begins his trimming and pruning of the trees and bushes in our front and back yard for the Spring. Since we've had several days of freezing weather this winter (which we were quite HAPPY about) and are still having some 30-40 degree temps, we had quite a lot of dead branches and flowering plants that needed much pruning. In fact, so much so, Jimmy was unable to do it all by himself.

Jimmy likes some yard work. He even like some pruning. But this year, there is sooooo much, I think it must have overwhelmed him. He is very busy at work and other assorted things. To add the enormous amount of yard work that is needed this year was just too much. So, in a move uncharacteristic of Jimmy, he hired a crew to come and clear out the mess we had in our back yard along with a few things in the front. Over the summer, our back yard looked lush and gorgeous. The bushes matured and bloomed as never before. The crapes were tall and bloomed abundantly. All the flowering plants had butterflies and humming birds attending them the entire summer. Jimmy had done a fantastic job creating a Wonderland. Then the freeze! Our beautiful Wonderland looked burned, even torched! We love the cold after having such hot summers. But our poor plants aren't sure what happened.

The landscaping company did a great job. In fact, things look so pruned....I am wondering if the plants will even come back. Of course we all know when you prune plants the come back fuller and richer. But when you first look at them...one HAS to wonder!

It makes me think of us and when God does His pruning on us. When we sin, our hearts turn brown, scorched and tainted. Not at all beautiful and lush as God created. Then, when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, draws us to repentance and we are forgiven, that's when the pruning takes place. The old, ugliness is removed or pruned away. We are free to grow new and fresh, beautiful and lush, obedient and pleasing to God - just as He intended. Pruning is never pretty at first. But afterwards...what comes afterwards is always more beautiful than before. Fuller, stronger, prettier, pleasing and a beautiful fragrance.

I can't wait to see and smell our yard and garden this coming summer. I hope that is the way God feels when He finishes with me. Perhaps I should pray for His pruning. Though it may hurt and feel crummy, I am thankful for His pruning. I know when He's finished, I will be pleasing to Him - a sweet, sweet fragrance.

Yes...today, I am thankful for pruning. For new growth and sweet fragrance. I'm thinking Hydrangeas beautiful with a sweet gardenia fragrance! Yeah!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

50+

Wow! This is going to be a hectic week. Lots to do...not lots of time. Time management is of the utmost. On my way home from BSF leaders meeting and Leaders' Fellowship, I had to make a couple of stops. Next, had to eat, get mail, reload the car, get things ready for tomorrow and have everything under control before my two little guys come for the evening. These next two weeks will be active ones. Friday, I work a seminar for BSF which reduces my day in half. Since I only work two per year, I never really mind...just seams like the week of, is awfully hectic. I have a nail appointment on Thursday and in the middle, gotta get lessons done and prep for a commitment at church.

Next week, Alix and I have our monthly day to cook at church on Thursday. I follow that with continued preparations for the next Thursday when I am in charge of our Lunch Bunch (Senior Adult game day and lunch) Valentine/50th Anniversary Reception after lunch. I have been preparing a lot already. But MAN...you always forget how much preparation goes into these things to make them nice. I do love planning this reception though. We acknowledge those couples in the church who have been married 50+ years with a reception of wedding cake, roses, punch, etc. It's really a nice time and the senior adults love it. We usually have about 100 people attend and it's quite festive.

This year, our colors are white, green and a touch of pink. I'm hoping to have pink roses to hand the ladies this year instead of red. Jimmy is shaking his head with all the decorations hanging out in our dining room. I'll try to remember to take pictures while at the party. Hope I'm not too busy having fun! Since Jimmy and I have celebrated our 38Th...it makes me realize our close we are coming to one day being a part of this group.

Thinking today what I would be thankful for, I think it is the wonderful example I see in the precious couples who attend this annual party. What an inspiration they are. My own parents had the privilege of living and celebrating their 50th. I think we often forget now a days what a rare find that is. We wonder how people who never lived together before marriage, who never had pre-marital sex before marriage, who married young and who hung in there when things were good and when things were really rough did it! But they DID IT! And I think now, I can positively say, it was by the hand of God and making Him center of their marriage, they achieved this wonderful status. Walking by His direction and by His standards set down in the Bible - His Word, lead these couples to lead a life filled with love, dedication, mutual respect and consideration for each other.

So today, I'm thankful for the example all those who hang in there, who celebrate joyfully and with exuberance, 50+ years of marriage to the same partner. I am thankful you care to share.



Large Vase Near Wedding Cakes
White & Green Hydrangeas w/pink flower, clear stones, green ribbon




Hurricanes Near Wedding Cakes
Green Hydrangeas w/pink flowers & white candles


Small Centerpieces on Each Table
Green & White Hydrangeas w/ pink flowers, clear stones, green ribbon

Monday, January 25, 2010

WIND

Well, my New Year's resolution got stuck. I failed to blog all last week. Yet I must say, I have been thankful. I really regret not putting things down instead of just running through the day, not stopping to take the time to truly think them through. Soooo, I will try to do better this week. Follow through....so hard sometimes for me.

Yesterday, after church, I had the opportunity to play golf with Jimmy, Clark and a new employee of the bank. Casey and his wife Kelly are friends with Clark and Alix from church. Casey has just joined the Broadway Bank family and Jimmy wanted to help him feel more comfortable and welcomed by inviting him for a golf game with one of his new working partners. He and Clark were to meet them at Oak Hills, our club, and play a round Sunday afternoon. Jimmy informed me early Sunday morning that Randy, Jimmy's friend and new associate of Casey at Broadway, had a migraine and they needed a 4th. Tag...I was it. Course, I NEVER turn down a golf game with the guys!

The weather in San Antonio is usually very nice, even in winter. So a Sunday afternoon golf game on January 24th can be quite pleasant. Yesterday was a beautiful day. However, there was one little hitch...30-35 miles an hour wind! The boys complained a LOT. I, however, was quite happy. Since I usually hit the ball lower and drive a little longer than they do (I do get an advantage from my tee box), I wasn't effected near as much as they were. Since there was a tournament ahead of us, we played a scramble with Jimmy and I as partners. I think the boys thought they had us old timers beat. What Casey didn't know was that I had on my "cute zebra" shoes...my secret weapon! I was swinging my hips well and keeping my head down and following through. My game was ON! Most of all...I had my cute shoes on...what more needs to be said!

Well, we beat the boys. We didn't exactly sweep the course with them...but we made our statement. I do love to win over men...especially when I have on my cute shoes. It really gets to them!

After the round was over, the boys were making many excuses about the wind. Yes, it made it a little difficult to hit into. And yes, walking against the wind tired one out. Guess they just need a pare of cute shoes to give them confidence and stamina. Hmmmm....manufactorers....take a note.

As I think about the wind and golf, I realize how it really does effect our game. When there is no wind, we depend completely upon ourselves. And that means there is nothing to blame but ourselves when the ball is not hit well or in the wrong direction. There is none behind us to help the ball go further. There is no right to left or left to right to correct our push or pull, or steer us into a direction we did not plan. There is no wind in our face to hold us back when we are overshooting the green or just trying to hit it far. Without wind, the wet spots in the fairways and on the greens would not dry out and the play would be soggy, gushy and awful. It also makes us cool and refreshed when the day is hot, as it gets so often here in San Antonio. The wind or lack thereof can be important in the game of golf.

The wind reminds me of God's Holy Spirit. It can be strong and gusty. There with us, all around us. Though we don't see it, we feel it for sure...moving us in one direction and another in the midst of turbulence all around us. He is also there when things are smooth. Though we try not to let Him affect us, and we depend on our own strength and ability, He is still there, waiting on us to ask His help, listen, feel His presence and believe in His power to help. Then there are those smooth going days, things are going right, a few ups and down, and we use the Holy Spirit, a beautiful blowing breeze within, to lead us and guide us as we move along in life's trials and joys. He steers us in the right direction as the wind blows the ball or he holds us back from what could be danger or not in God's plan, as the gusty wind does when we hit the ball real high. Yes, the Holy Spirit is sometimes quiet and soft spoken, those quiet thoughts in our heads, guiding us, leading us, serving as our conscience. He is just like the wind. Though we don't see Him...He is always there.

So today...I am thankful for the wind. Yes, even the GUSTY winds. What a wonderful picture reminder for me. I can use it, ignore it, complain about it or be grateful for it's help, just as I can the Holy Spirit.

I think I'll be grateful....Today, I am thankful for the WIND.

Friday, January 15, 2010

WORDS

As I was going through all the beautiful Christmas cards we received this year, in order to put them away, I began to read the printed and handwritten notes on each one from the various family and friends who were so generous to send us greetings. Many had family pictures either printed on them or attached. Others were beautiful Christmas season pictures - many with lots of snow. But the main thing that stood out in all of them was the message sent on each one.

As I read through each card, it made me think how important words are. Words can convey so many things. Either the written word, the spoken word, the implied word or the unspoken word can convey a multitude of emotions to the recipient. Example...my family love to give each other birthday cards. We shop very hard for just the right card to give away. But there is one must that is expected by all members. The card must dog the birthday person. Now I don't mean "animal" type of dog, but tease or ridicule in a funny way type of card. We've done it for years and it is expected by each member. One year, Clark gave me a Mother's Day card in Spanish. I don't speak Spanish and he knows it. I had no idea what the card said. It could have been vulgar or down right unpleasant. I would have never known since I didn't have a clue if it was even a Mother's day card. In fact, Clark didn't even know what it said. It was before Hallmark started printing on the back in English the meaning of the words written in Spanish. We all got a kick over it. I was too afraid to ask anyone what it said for fear it wasn't a nice card. But what was important was that Clark spent a lot of time finding just the right card with words (so to speak) that would dog me. I knew he spent time thinking about finding just the right card. He found a dogy card on purpose because he knew I would like it. It was funny and I got a real kick out of it. It's hard to find a card with just the right words or any occation. But I think Hallmark does the best in their delivery of words. I think they rank #1 in the word game for cards.

Words can also do damage. The wrong word, at the right time, or the wrong word at the wrong time can wound and hurt. Example...have you heard the phrase "don't kick a dog when he's down?" When someone is going through a difficult time, you don't go at them with criticism, blame, etc. Words can cut a person like a double edge sword.

The spoken word can also give hope, show compassion, express love, show support, extend grace. It can be just the medicine a person needs when they are hurt or lonely and need someone.

The unspoken word can do one of two things. It can withhold love, sympathy, forgiveness, compassion, trust and it can wound and hurt the one needing just one word. It can also give freedom to another by not saying something hurtful, loving one so much that you would never hurt them by responding back in negative manner. It can be just the listening ear that one needs instead of someone to fix the problem. It can be the silent partner that stand behind you giving you strength in the midst of a storm no matter what trouble.

Yes, words are powerful, whether spoken or unspoken. It reminds me, though, of the most powerful word...God's Word. God's Word never lets us down. It always builds us up, always gives us the right advice, always points us in the right direction that is in our best interest, always comforts us when we need that word of comfort, always there no matter what time of day or night. Yes, God's Word is not only the written Word, but in the gospel of John, chapter 1, the Bible says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God. He was with God in the beginning." Yes, God's Word is the Lord Jesus Christ.

How much more powerful and wonderful can a word be? So today, I am thankful for words. But more so, I am thankful for THE Word.

Inside greeting: Merry Christmas (with personal note)

Inside greeting: May God fill your life with love, joy and peace

this Christmas and throughout the New Year




Thursday, January 14, 2010

FAMILIES

Families...don't we all just take the fact that our family is who we were stuck with? Those that we were born in to. Those that we've grown up with and know our deepest, darkest secrets and we know theirs and still...they stay around. Yet, don't we seem to take them for granted and they us?

As we get older, somehow, someway, some family members seem to grow closer and closer while others drift away and some exit forever. Take mine. As young children, we were each other's play friends. We did everything together. We not only played together, but laughed together, cried together, fought together, slept in the same room or same bed together, even bathed together. It's funny...after all that togetherness, as we grew to teenagers and young adults, we all seemed to drift apart. We went our own directions, married, had kids, moved away, and all the togetherness seemed to drift. No one said a word...it just happened.

But the older we got, we seemed to drift back together again. It seemed, the togetherness that made us so close as young children came right back up to the surface . Though each of us have very different personalities, the bonds that formed in our younger years were never to be broken. Blood is blood. Family will always be family.

I often wonder if my own children will feel the same. I believe they will. Though we only have two...I pray the bonds that were so tight in their childhood and seem to have continued through their youth and young adulthood, will only become stronger as they get older. Families are vital to a person's well being.

We are a part of God's family. Though adopted, we are still His. We are blood brothers to all the rest. Christ made that possible. His blood was shed so that we may all belong to the family of God. Since we Christians are family, we are here to support one another. Our personalities and our quirks are different and none of us are perfect...but we love each other the same. We have a common bond - Jesus Christ. It's wonderful to know we have family that loves with the same love our heavenly Father does.

So today my friends, I am thankful for families. My parents who gave me a wonderful home and family. My siblings who give me such joy in saying I am a part of their family. My husband, for making us a new family of our own and making me a part of his, whom I truly love. And lastly, but most of all, my children and their families...for the joy the bring me each and every day.

I hope everyone is as thankful as I am today for families. I also hope they are prettier than mine!!!(ha!) - see below!

Judy, Frank Jr., Roger, Me, Tommy
Roger, Tommy, Judy, Me, Frank Jr.



Wednesday, January 13, 2010

RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS

"Rainy days and Mondays always get me down" are words from a song sung by the Carpenters Jimmy and I used to listen to in the 70's. I liked that song, but as I think about the words now, don't quite agree with them. I really like rainy days. I appreciate the rain. I love the opportunity to stay inside, cuddle up in a chair to read book or take a nap or play with the grand kids. Rainy days are welcomed and really quite enjoyed. Mondays...well, they aren't bad either. Everyone else in the house goes back to work or school or whatever their weekly duties are and here you are, at home, alone....you can do anything your heart desires. I like Mondays too. So give me those Rainy days and Mondays. I'll take whoever wants to give theirs away.

It rained all day today. Not a hard rain, but starting with a little drizzle and stayed that way all day. Really quite pleasant. The plants got watered. The streets got washed. My car was cool and not hot when I returned to it. This rainy day felt good when I returned home, putting two grandchildren down for a nap and settling down for an afternoon rest myself. Cool, cozy, peaceful. I'm thankful for rainy days. Days that make one sleep longer at nap time. Rainy days that makes one want to stay in, satisfied to linger, read a book, nap and enjoy the ambiance of one's own home. Rainy days and Mondays are good, like a fresh car wash across one's life. Yeah...ahh...hummm. Bring 'em on!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

SHEEP SUGAR COOKIES

Tuesday evenings, the little guys spend the night so they can go to Bible Study with me the next day. So tonight, they were over and we decided to make sugar cookies. Since their story tomorrow would be about the Good Shepherd, I decided to make sheep cookies. Yes, I know...Julia Childs I am not. But I can make cookies. In fact, cookies from a bag are really very good. Just add water, an egg and some butter, and WALLA!!!! You have Sugar cookies!!! Today, I am thankful for little guys who still think sugar cookies from a bag are the greatest thing since sliced bread! They don't know they are not from scratch. They just think Lovey made them and they are FANTASTIC! Aren't grandchildren just GRAND!

After they went to bed, I even iced them with royal icing - yes, from scratch - a Martha Stewart recipe, in fact. Now aren't you impressed! A picture is attached. I can't wait until they get up in the morning and see the little sheep cookies. Of course I'll have to TELL them they are sheep. As you can see from the picture, my lion cookie cutter leaves much to be desired when trying to make sheep sugar cookies. Still, I'm thankful they won't care...I'll be dreaming of sheep sugar cookies all night long!




Monday, January 11, 2010

FELLA

Well, it's 11:10 pm and I jumped out of bed remembering I forgot to blog today. My resolution was to blog each day with a mention of one thing I am grateful for.

Today has been a quiet day for a Monday. Nothing earth shattering. No emergency or last minute detail to take care of for family or BSF. No sad story to tell. Just a regular, normal (as normal as one would say as the setting on the dryer) as one could have.

It is funny however, that I received a text from Clark asking if I had some blankets and a dog belonging to Huston. I replied that Huston left them at my house when he spent the night on Friday evening. His dog, Fella, as I always knew him, was upstairs on the bed waiting for him to arrive tomorrow night - his usual overnight with Emery. When Huston was here and I mentioned I was glad to see Fella, Huston said that was not his name. I was surprised...it was what I had been calling him for over a year now and he had never corrected me before. When Clark responded back to my text, he said the dog's name was something else...Feddle or something. Not sure where H came up with that one, or how long it has been the dog's name. Guess I'm either hard of hearing or really out of the loop. Kids really do keep you on your toes. Fella really is a cute dog. I think I will still call him Fella though. Feddle, or whatever his name is, just doesn't fit this cute pup.

So Fella, I'm thankful I am able to have grandchildren that come over and spend the night at our house, go to the movies with us, eat Krispy Kream donuts on Saturday mornings with us and remind us when we don't have a clue to the names of their special friends like you! And I am thankful they have adorable friends like you who share these wonderful years of immagination and creativity!

Good night Fella!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

NEW BEGINNINGS

Wow! It's been a long time since I've posted anything! A lot has been going on over the holidays and I haven't had time to think, never the less time to post. But hopefully, after today, that will be different.

Yesterday, January 9, 2010, I finally took my Christmas tree down. Yes, I am waaaaay past time, according to Jimmy. Though, I must say, I got started late in putting it up since I had a baby shower for a friend on December 19th and wasn't able to put my tree up until the 20th. Therefore, I wanted to enjoy it a bit longer. Anyway, I took it down yesterday and am in the process of getting the house back in order.

While I was taking the tree down, I watched a couple of movies. One was "Julie and Julia" - you know, the one about Julia Child's and Julie, the blogger who cooked her way through Julia's cookbook in a year? Well, I love that movie and it really inspired me. Julie never seemed to be able to finish anything. Well, I seem to have that problem sometimes too. So, I decided to make a goal, since it was the beginning of the year. Seeing that this was a new year, I wanted to begin to look at things in a different perspective. I want to see things from a grateful heart. Sooooo, I want to blog each day of the next year, with a thankful heart and tell of one thing I am most thankful for each day. Now, I know there could be many things in a day I can be thankful for. But I will mention only one each day. Perhaps not the one some would think I should be most thankful for or the one others think I should be thankful for but one that I feel particularly grateful for, for a personal reason. It may be small, it may be frivolous, it may seam insignificant. But God will know why.

So today my friends, I get to begin a new journey. One of gratefulness. One, I hope, that will change my life. One that will begin to give me a new perspective in the way I live and the way I love others. I will stumble during the day, I will sin and I will disappoint others. But I pray, at the end of each day, God will show me one thing, one special thing, I can truly be grateful for...even if it is just that they day is over! (Course I know it will be more that that!)

Today is a NEW BEGINNING! I am grateful for New Beginnings! For God's second chances.