We survived the Blizzard of 2009 (our first one this year) and hopefully the last. We also survived Christmas. There are still several inches of snow on the ground and we may get more Tuesday and Thursday. We will probably try to venture out tomorrow to get some milk and other odds and ends.

I’m sitting here preparing to pay a couple of bills that will be due soon. I opened the cable bill and noticed there is a $7.00 increase on our basic cable. Ouch! Our once a year property taxes will be due by mid-January. We get one bill for property taxes and one for personal property. That one really irks me; I mean really, we paid taxes on our personal property when we purchased it, why do we have to pay taxes on it again, year after year after year? I think that must be unconstitutional. Our car insurance is due in January too, for the car and the truck. We pay each one every six months, one is up eighty-nine cents and the other is up two-dollars and seventy cents, and yes I will be inquiring about the increase. I just get a little tired of getting gouged over and over and everyone does it. We the consumers constantly have to pay a little more for everything.

I think I will send my Water Company, Phone, Cable, Gas and Electric Company, Auto and Home insurance etc., a bill. It will read something like this:

Dear Providers:

You are receiving this notice to inform you that I am deducting five-dollars per month each and every month from the “amount owed” until further notice.

For the past thirty years I have been a loyal customer, I have always paid my bills on time. You have never had to send me a late notice or a disconnect notice. I have paid your yearly increases year after year never calling you once to complain.

And to my insurance agent: I have not filed claims because I have not been involved in accidents. You supposedly give me great discounts because of my great driving record, accident free all these years, no claims on the home except the one time many years ago when our house was robbed twice in the same month. You supposedly give us discounts for being non-smokers and non-drinkers, multicar and accident free and multiple line reductions. This leaves me greatly confused as my bills are always higher than the previous ones. With all of the discounts you are giving me it seems like you should be sending me a check instead of a bill.

I have decided to reward myself for all of the money I have saved you in postage, staff and etc. I don’t want to pay for your “free calendars, pens, note pads or the Christmas card” you may send me each year. I understand we can’t part ways; you have services I rely on, and in order to be a good citizen and keep the laws of the state, I must obtain some of your services, but hey, I think it’s time for things to be evened out a little and I’m sure you will agree as I  once again remind you that I’m really a great customer. I doubt you will even miss the $5.00 deduction each month. And just to make you feel a bit better and to show our appreciation, I’m sending you a picture of me and my husband along with a calendar to remind you each day and each month of what really great customers we are.

Oh, and lest I forget Dear Providers-Happy New Year!

Best regards,
Your Loyal Customer

I think I feel a tad better now, care to join me? :) 

It’s raining this morning, also occasional lightening and thunder and the current temperature is 56 degrees. I am still not accustomed to thunder and lightening in December. Temps are predicted to drop into the 30’s tonight and possibly some snow Christmas Eve or Christmas. Oklahoma weather fluctuates more than any place I’ve lived before. I’m not complaining, just making an observation.

I’m trying to convince myself to make cookies and candy today, we’ll see if that happens. I’m sure you are impressed with my enthusiasm.

I had a hair appointment yesterday; it was time for some “store bought curls”. While I was getting my hair done I couldn’t help observing a few of the other clients. Two women were getting highlights and haircuts, and then a man came in and said, “Cut it off, use a number 2 all over”. His stylist questioned him several times, asking him if he was sure he wanted to go that short. He was confident and assured her that is what he wanted. I was impressed and somewhat envious at the same time. He knew exactly what he wanted and how he wanted it, no looking through books or contemplating a new style. She finally went to work on him and in less than 10 minutes she was finished. It looked great and she even trimmed his eyebrows. He paid her, put his cap on and left. Now I ask you, why can’t it be that simple for women? Are all guys that confident when it comes to getting a haircut?

I recently finished reading The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck. I loved the story and found myself crying through several parts of it. I really enjoy reading and have read several books this year. I’m always open to suggestions so feel free to recommend ones you have enjoyed.

Until next time…hope you have a good one!

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Ps 126:3

Christmas is my least favorite holiday

This year though I am looking forward and not past. I am working hard to change my negative attitude of the holiday and find new reasons to make it a holiday of anticipation and not dread.

As far as tradition goes, I enjoy getting together with family and even exchanging a gift or two. I DO like being with family and friends, sharing family traditions and recipes, visiting for hours on end, playing games and taking a lot of pictures. Years past I would bake dozens of cookies, and make pounds of candy. I haven’t done that for a while, who knows perhaps I will do that again too.

I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and may this be your best one ever!

 Enjoy the following poem by Edgar Allen Guest.

A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;
He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season is here;
Then he’s thinking more of others than he’s thought the months before,
And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;
When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.

When it’s Christmas man is bigger and is better in his part;
He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart.
All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for awhile
And the true reward he’s seeking is the glory of a smile.
Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be.

If I had to paint a picture of a man I think I’d wait
Till he’d fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate.
I’d not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of pelf,
On the long days and the dreary when he’s striving for himself.
I’d not take him when he’s sneering, when he’s scornful or depressed,
But I’d look for him at Christmas when he’s shining at his best.

Man is ever in a struggle and he’s oft misunderstood;
There are days the worst that’s in him is the master of the good,
But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside
And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide.
Oh, I don’t know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be.

Consider the words of this Psalm. They bring great comfort for whatever situation you may find yourself in. Take a moment, read and trust. Beautiful isn’t it?

Psalm 91

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.

 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

The economy and the affairs of the world have many people stressed, and wondering what the future holds for them and especially their children and grandchildren. I am no different, I find myself getting caught up in watching the “doom and gloom”.

It is during these times I know I must turn my trust back to God. I remind myself of Ps 84:5-7 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.  As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.  They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

These verses describe what it’s like making the journey to Zion. I read that the valley was possibly a dry and desolate place, yet “they make it a place of springs”. Their attitude is right because their strength is in God. They press on, finding new found strength as they journey on to Zion. The word “Baca”   means  weeping and some refer to this journey as going through the Valley of Tears, indicating the times when everything seems hopeless, difficult and painful, “the pit of despair”.

We will all walk through our own Valley of Tears at one time or another. We can take comfort in knowing that we are not alone. The Psalm ends with these words…Ps 84:12 O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

May you go from strength to strength on you journey. Or as one commentary suggests “They proceed from one degree of grace to another”.

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

 I celebrated my threescore and one birthday Wednesday. Had a wonderful day, forty-five birthday wishes on FB, several cards from friends and family and several phone calls. It was really one of my best ever and we haven’t even gone out for my “birthday dinner” yet. One of my brothers and sister-in-law sent me the “Taste of Home” Annual Cookbook, they send it every year and I love getting it. One of my friends made me a beautiful winter bouquet for our home and another gave me a stunning glass red rooster and a red chicken on a basket. (I collect roosters and chickens.)

My youngest daughter Amy sends the greatest cards; usually they make me cry they are so beautiful and sentimental. She changed it up a bit this year and the card made me laugh till I nearly cried. On the front is a picture of a young girl, missing two teeth and flashing a scrunched up smile sporting very short bangs and it reads “So thankful you’re my Mom” and on the inside of the card “and no longer my beautician”. It was perfect and she obviously remembers the days of crooked bangs.

Wednesday we both had an appointment for our yearly eye exam, each of us passed with flying colors, my right eye has actually improved. I didn’t know they could get better at my age; but hey, I’m not complaining. Larry had very little change in his prescription, he decided, well actually I helped him decided that it was time for new frames.

Then yesterday I had my yearly wellness exam. My doctor was very pleased with my weight loss (and BTW as of this morning my total loss is 24 pounds…yay!). My blood pressure was great too, 124/88. I have not ever had high blood pressure and I’m very thankful I don’t. I will have my routine blood work done next week and my appointment with the boob crusher isn’t until January. I have mixed feelings about having this done. I decided against it last year. I got a bit upset when after the previous two appointments I was called back to repeat the exam and this was after being told how wonderful the “new digital technology” is. Of course I’m thinking they just want to bill my insurance company for two crushing episodes, err…I mean mammo’s, not to mention double exposure to the X-Rays.

After the joy (NOT!!) of all that “stuff” I had to make myself feel better, so of course I went shopping. For several years now Larry and I decided not to buy each other birthday or Christmas gifts. Neither of us really needs anything and if we want something for ourselves or the house we just purchase it throughout the year. I found a nice pair of shoes, a pair of earrings and some socks. I spent a couple of hours wandering from store to store just touching, feeling and admiring things. I saw a couple of leather jackets that really caught my eye but I wasn’t willing to pay the $$$ for them and I looked at many purses, one of my big weakness, and again… the ones I liked were more than I wanted to pay. I did purchase a new wallet; my other one is pretty worn out.

I get a bit irritated when I see some of the ‘supposedly’ sales. I mean really; I find it hard to believe that an item is marked down from $212.00 to $59.99. Do you believe those kinds of savings??? I have a hard time falling for a discount like that. Sounds like government talk to me!

All in all I had a great birthday and am very excited that by this time next year (Lord willing) I will be signed up for my first Social Security Check. Hey, a girl might as well enjoy/anticipate the joys of her golden years. And…I still have a birthday dinner to look forward to!

We recently finished a study in Hebrews in our Wednesday night class. Hebrews is one of my favorite books in the bible and it is full of “spiritual meat”, words of encouragement and some very strong warnings. I have bolded some of the words in the text below for your consideration.

Heb 12:14-17 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears. Several article could be written on the area under discussion; living in peace with all men, being holy, missing the grace of God, bitter root, etc. There are many things to think about here, yet the one I really want to focus on is sexual immorality. This is no small thing to God and it shouldn’t be to us either.

Sexual immorality is pretty much the “norm” among most people today and considered to be acceptable by most people, so perhaps it is time to look again at how God views it.

Following are several admonishments and warnings against this particular sin. I encourage you not to skip over reading the passages on this subject and to contemplate the importance of them and to teach others the importance of living holy lives.

In 1 Cor 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.

1 Cor 6:13 The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

1 Cor 6:18-20 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Rom 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

I probably am most passionate in trying to keep others from committing the sins I have committed and the one of which I write today is no exception. I was guilty. I have always contended that I have this one thing in common with the apostle Paul; I was among the worst when it came to sin. 1 Tim 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst.

Sometimes my sin was out of ignorance, other times rebellion. I pray that I could reach the hearts of people today, especially our youth. Unholy living is the main example portrayed in the world today, especially from the mainstream media. Even our elected officials who should be living a good example are full of lies, deceit and corruption. You and I can be partaking in unholy living simply by some things we decide to watch or read. Matt 5:28-29 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Of course we understand this applies also to a woman lusting after a man.

I am no longer a slave to sin, read Romans 6. I continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. 2 Pet 3:18

1 Thess 3:12-13 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.

I encourage you to read Heb 3:13, Heb 10:24,25, Det 29:18 I would also like to persuade you to help those who are struggling; share the gospel with them and share what with them how knowing Jesus has changed your life.

Today I am going from ‘Monday Recipes’ to ‘Monday Random Questions’. So here we go…

 I will start with a two-part question.

1. If you could suddenly be granted any talent, what would you choose?
2. What would you give up to gain the talent of your choice?

Mystery Styrofoam oozing up from the ground. Ok, so I don’t really know if it’s Styrofoam or not, it looks like Styrofoam, or it could be shave cream, whipped cream, snow or even toilet paper. As Bill O’Reilly would ask…”what say you”?

We noticed this glob of stuff last year after the temperatures reached below freezing, in this same spot and one other spot on the south side of our property. The one in the picture is on the west side. We really don’t know what it is and neither of us wants to touch it. When it warms up it disappears. Could it be some kind of a fungus?

Perhaps it is something alien, although I don’t see any indication that a UFO landed. If anyone has any idea what it is please let me know.

Now on to “business as usual”. It has been a beautiful week, much cooler temps, it was 21 degrees this morning and the heater didn’t want to come on. This has happened on three different occasions over the past two years and we had to pay to have it checked out. Now Larry knows how to fix it, he went into the attic with the repairman last time to “observe”. You just whack it and it starts up. Apparently, according to the repairman, it is some kind of a faulty sensor and even the new ones do the same thing so just give it a whack and it immediately comes on. Hey, it works and it saves us $85.00 to have someone else do the same thing.

Jasmine, Apple Pie, Cologne Mingled With The Smell Of A Wood Stove, A Just Bathed Baby, and Fresh Coffee Brewing. Peppermint, Musk, Lemon, Roast in the Oven, and Warm Chocolate.

Flannel Shirts, Sundried Sheets, Glossy Cover of a Magazine, Leather, Dirt, Grilled Steak, Burning Branches, Diesel Fuel, Walking on the Wharf, The Ocean, Rain, the Barn, Pine Trees and Campfires.

Bob Seeger, The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Janice Joplin, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Floyd Crammer, The Beetles, Elvis, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Billy Joel, Yanni, Steve Miller Band, Kansas, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Vivaldi and so much more…

You ask, what does this mean??? It means this is how I feel; this is what is going on inside of me, a thousand different times, a thousand different days.

Life is a blur at times; this entire year has come and almost gone. I have always heard the older you get the quicker time flies and there seems to be some truth to it. My mind is stuck somewhere between 40 and 50 yet I notice that my 60 + year old body doesn’t respond in the same manner.

Priorities change as well. None of us know when we will be called “home”. At times I truly pray “Lord come quickly”, other times I just feel overwhelmed with things I still want to do, people I want to spend time with and places I want to go. Other times I wonder about the “what if’s”.

I used to love to dance, perhaps even lived to dance and sometimes still long to dance until the soles of my shoes are worn out, other times I want to burst out into singing, even though I can barley carry a tune in a bucket and there are even times when I want to cry with no holding back. Surely I am not alone with these emotions that all seem to occupy rather large rooms in my mind and seem to have a life of there own.

I wonder, is this the meaning of “Coming Full Circle”?

It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever flowing rivers. The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. Ps 74:15-17