Being in Love

Think back to when you met the man that you just knew would be "the one". Remember when you realized that you loved him. Remember how you felt. The whole world could be crashing in around you, but it didn't matter because every cell in your body was shouting with excitement as the endorphins began running rampant through your body.

Now remember how much you wanted jump up and yell to everyone as far as you could 'I love (fill in the name)!' You told your family and friends how perfect he was and he was just what you were looking for. Your coworkers were crazed as you talked of nothing else but this man that had come into your life and 'completed' you.

Falling in love produces feelings which are some of the most pleasant there is in life. And it seems to take over our lives and it is all we can talk about. Every moment in our days is filled with thoughts of how wonderful it is to have someone love me and to love someone else.

Well, I told THE LORD that I love Him today.....

And He said to me, 'How much do you love me?'Have you told anyone that you met me?
Have you told anyone how good I've been to you?
Have you told anyone how perfect my love is?
Have you told anyone that I am always there for you?
Have you told anyone anything about me?

Lord,
I love you more than anything. On this platform I stand and share with all who read just how wonderful, perfect, understanding, patient, loving, unselfish, considerate and forgiving You really are. You have blessed me with a family that loves me and friends I can trust. But even more than that, You Oh Lord saved me from destruction and You gave to me the peace of knowing You and You have never broken a promise. Truly You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Your daughter,
Saved by Grace,
Jennifer

Must be Sunday Night

It seems as though Sunday nights are the night for catching up on my Blog. I just thought of something else I would like to share. God is doing so many exciting things in my life lately and I am totally taking in all the wonderful blessings.

On Friday Gerald was out delivering Fire Department calendars to all the local businesses. As he walked into the local realty shop the woman was on the phone but motioned for him to wait a minute. When she was done she asked Gerald, "when is Jennifer going to preach again?" She said that her daughter who is in confirmation loves when I preach at church. She says it is easy to follow and take notes. She understands what I am talking about.

That is such a blessing for me to hear as I love preaching, but do suffer some insecurities at times. Thank you Lord!

On a Lighter Note

A couple of things to ponder:

The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This recently became all too apparent to me and will always double check the end of any email that I close with "regards".

How the heck are you supposed to fold a "fitted sheet"?

I wonder if cops ever get ticked off at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit?

And.....one of my favorites.... my family will attest to this one!
Bad decisions make good stories!
I am very thankful that I am sober now!!

Tragedy Close to Home

As human beings we will all face tragedy, sorrow and grief at times in our lives. It is so hard to understand. My friends, I share with you a story that is close to home. This is so hard to write because my feelings run so deep within the strands of this event.

On September 12th my son Terrill's best friend, Dylan Murphy was in a car accident near Dickenson, ND. He is currently in HCMC, Minneapolis with 3 fractured vertebrae and paralyzed from the chest down. Within a few days of the accident, before they could do surgery, Dylan developed a fever. His lung collapsed and he has an infection in his lung (pneumonia). The surgery had to be postponed, he was put in a Halo, and a respirator and had a traeceotomy. Last week he was to the point where the Doctor's could do the surgery on his spine. All I know at this point is the surgery went well. But today I read that the fever has returned.

Terrill went to see him last week and it was the hardest thing he has ever had to do. He said to me, "Mom, I have never had to face tragedy like this." Dylan is Terrill's best friend since highschool and Dylan had just asked Terrill 2 months ago to be his best man. They were planning on a Jamaica wedding. Dylan and his fiance' have a 2 year old boy.

You can follow Dylan's recovery and sign his guest book at: www.caringbridge.org/dylanmurphy

My friends, family and anyone else reading this, I beg of you to join me and my family in praying for Dylan. I believe in miracles and I believe Dylan will recover and walk again! Hallelujah and AMEN!

3 Day Weekends

Wow! What a difference one extra day off from work makes. Yesterday was so much fun! Even though Gerald and I just stayed home and worked around the house, just knowing it was really a work day and we were not at work made it all so much more exciting.

Gerald and I woke up this morning and said, I feel like playing hookie today, just so we could have one more day. But you know that is wrong and we both hung our head in shame and said, better get hoppin and off to work. Besides playing hookie was back in the days of youth. You know back when your job was just a job and you didn't really care. Yes I had that attitude once upon a time in my youth.

Time changes that and so does maturity. Oh yes, maturity! I am finally placing myself in that catagory. Although when I was at the doc last week to talk about menopause, the nurse that drew my blood was shocked when I told her I was having blood drawn to do the "hormone tests" for menopause. She did not say anything at first but looked down at her paperwork. She then looked up to me and said, "Man, I thought you were like 35." I walked out of there with a big head and feathers all plumed like a peacock. Yipee! I still got it! Well in some eyes.

September is here and school has begun. Take time to pray for our youth and our teachers and our schools. Enjoy the change of season. Breathe in the smells of fall, behold the beauty of nature and praise God for all of His blessings.

Gerald's Canada Fishing Trip

Time is Flying By

I was uploading some photos of the Atwater Fire Dept. and I realized I had photos on my camera from this summer that I had not done anything with. I posted the Atwater Parade photos for you. It was a great day!

Always Learning

I have been doing some reading and studying lately and have discovered some really good stuff. I love to learn and especially when it involves my Faith Walk.

Joyce Meyer said on her show a while back, We always say that God does not give us what we can't handle. Then she chuckled and said, He ALWAYS gives us more than we can handle, but He will ALWAYS provide the strength to do it! We have to trust in Him and move out of the way, let Him steer the boat. Wow! I never thought of it that way.

God needs us to be His living testimony to the salvation He offers us. We need to be set free from the baggage of our pasts, healed and delivered so God can use us. He is the Potter, we are the Clay! He molds us and makes us. Don't let your 'junk' hold God back.

Each act of believing God and being obedient to Him results in greater opportunities in our lives. Accept the challenges in your lives to learn and grow. God wants us to be influential in His Kingdom.

1 Peter 1
vs. 3-9
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
vs. 13 - 16
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
vs. 23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
AMEN!

ONE HAPPY BOY!!!

Austin caught this keeper on the Mississippi River in Aitkin. By the smile on his face, I think he is pretty darn proud! He loves to fish summer and winter and he loves to hunt. Steven has been teaching him the ropes for several years now. I can hardly believe Austin is 8 years old and going into the 3rd grade. Where does the time go?

Okay

I got my Blog back - these #@$% computers.

AAAAWWWKKK!!!

WHAT HAVE I DONE????
I TRIED TO MAKE SOME CHANGES AND I HAVE TOTALLY SCREWED UP MY PAGE. I AM STRUGGLING TO GET IT BACK.

A good laugh at my friend's expense, oh but we are laughing with you, not at you.

I was at work one day last week and having a break with some co-workers. My friend was wearing a lower cut shirt and I saw this big owwie on her chest. It was about 2 inches long and about 3/4" wide. Confused as I was and curious as a cat, I looked at her with my brow furrowed and asked her what happened. She looked at me rather sheepishly and said, "I tried to iron my blouse while I had it on. The collar wasn't laying right."

A Lazy Sunday

I looked at the date of my last entry and it was June 16th. Where does the time go? There are so many things I would like to share with you and they have been slipping by as the days meld into the past.

On June 22nd I had another surgery (that makes 4 in 14 months). This one was a Rhinoplasty to try and reconstruct my nose from the surgery in November. The Nov surgery disfigured my nose, in March I had a septoplasty to straighten that part out and then the Rhinoplasty to straighten out the outside of the nose. But now the septum collapsed again. Eee Gads! This is getting ridiculous. I do need to post a photo soon though so you can be assured I do not look like Joan Rivers.

It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I need to get outside and putz in the gardens. They are beautiful!

Love to you all!

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave carrying baggages of heartache and sorrow, unforgiveness and regrets, but rather to skid in sideways, full of laughter and joy and the satisfaction of a well lived life, totally worn out and screaming, "WOO HOO what a ride!"

The Blogosphere

I have a bone to pick with Morley Safer. Morley is a CBS News veterans who is one of the the "60 Minutes" correspondents. I read in the newspaper that he was honored recently "with an award named for one of his old bosses, Fred Friendly. He accepted it with a warning that the business problems of newspapers threaten all of journalism, and the public's precarious right to know." He goes on to say, "good journalism needs structure and responsibility. He considers the blogosphere no alternative, saying it is crammed with the ravings and manipulations of every nut with a keyboard."

Since when are the writers of newspapers and television newscasts not in the same category as bloggers? They are raving and manipulating nuts just like us, the only difference is they have a bigger audience!

Self Examination

Are you ever stunned at how people think and behave? Actions or spoken words that totally confound you?

News Flash

Did you figure out the feet yet??
They were at Sibley State Park last summer, sitting around the campfire with Gerald, Jennifer and Rocky. They are very small feet, approximately size 6. Always impeccably groomed and polished. On the opposite end of the body is a beautiful woman with big sparkling eyes and brown curly hair. My sister, Patty Anne!

Sentimental Moments

Camping

It is again that time of year where some of us feel the necessity to leave the comfort of our homes and spend a time "in the woods". Have you ever given this some thought? A hundred years ago the settlers traveled and settled in unknown territories. They lived out of covered wagons, cooked outside, slept outside, took baths in the creek, hiked for miles and miles and had virtually no comforts of "home". If they could see what we do today..... purposely leave our homes and go to where we stay in tents or campers (no where close to a covered wagon), sit outside around the campfire all day, cook outside, fish for our dinner, go hiking, etc. The settlers would think we are downright nuts!

I have a "camping list" spreadsheet - go figure. I just printed it out and am going to begin checking to see what I need. I have to plan a menu, get the groceries, load the camper with all the food, blankets, pillows, clothes, and so on, drive 3 hours, spend an hour or so setting up the site, and then collapse in my chair around the fire. And then 48 hours later, repeat.

What am I seeking? ...... The sounds of birds, the smell of pines, the night creatures rustling, the campfire, the great food, and most of all solitude and peace. It is a place I "visit" that is a lot of work but truly worth it. I am just glad that I can go "home" after a couple days and take a hot shower and sit on my sofa with the remote.

A friend is one who reaches for your hand
and touches your heart.

Miss Me???

Hi there,
After that last blog entry, I stepped back for a week or so and truly thought about blogging. I began to think of how personal this can be. Blogging can be used for a range of expression. I seem to write as I think and I think so deeply sometimes that my entries may be downright confusing. I have always said my mind is a great playground where so much can be learned and shared. I always try to share so that may be some person who needs a hug, or encouragement, or enlightenment, or insight will be touched. A great old church song has these words: "It only takes a spark to get a fire burning". I will continue to write as I believe God has me here for a reason. My prayer for you is that you will "hear" what God wants you to and discard the rest.

Random Thoughts

Pride...
a subject that has been bouncing around my head this past week.

Webster's Dictionary states the meaning to be: 1. Quality or state of being proud; specif.: a. Inordinate self-esteem; conceit. b. Lofty self-respect; a reasonable delight in one's position, achievements, possessions, etc. It also goes on to use words like: insolence; arrogance; disdain. The dictionary also references "Deadly Sins".

Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace."
Proverbs 13:10 "Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice."
Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
Proverbs 29:23 "A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor."

I have been trying to figure out how pride works itself in my life. The thoughts I have become somewhat convoluted as the opposites (pride and humility) seem actually quite close in meaning. If you look at the person suffering from low self-esteem you may see the physical body-language of the depressed and you may sense a dullness in their spirit. Laughter and joy are far from them. If you look at the person who is full of pride, you may see a straight-up kinda "Joe". Head held high, shoulders puffed, and always a smile. Confident in their demeanor.

But......look again. The (I was stopped dead in my tracks right here as I was typing....)

Ah ha! The light bulb just went on as I was typing. I am confusing humility with low self-esteem and/or depression. There is a vast difference. Obviously pride has a negative connotation, as it takes away from God. It uses our own arrogant thoughts to place us in a position where we think we are better than those around us. I don't mean to do this, but I find myself doing this. It makes me mad - how dare I? When a Christian begins to slack-off on reading the Bible and praying the the mind will stray and you open yourself up to many actions whether physical, mental, social or emotional that are "hated" by God.

On the other hand, humility is allowing ourselves to stand tall and be confident always acknowledging that this is accomplished only by the Grace of God. Humility allows us to see everyone the way God sees them, as His beautiful creation. Each and every person is accountable to God, and I have no place in the judgment seat.

Jesus taught us in Matthew 7:3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

I will continue this journey during the coming week and pray that God will show me more of His wisdom. Please forgive me if I have hurt you while acting prideful.

Continually searching for wisdom,
Jennifer

A Gift For You

As I was walking around my yard today, I was taking in the beauty of God's earth. This is one of the snapshots I took. Stunning. The photo is untouched except for adding the words. May you be captivated by all of the blessings our Father has given us and take this through the week with you. May you exhibit the untouched beauty of yourself through Christ Jesus. Blessings.....Jennifer

I Got The Bug!

I spent all weekend outside playing in the dirt, cleaning up the yard and the best part was getting the camper popped up and checkin' her out. She survived the winter quite well, no unwelcome guests. Although, I was caught way off guard as I began to open up the beds. The "guest" bed was full of Rocky's hair. I got the shopvac and as I began to vacuum, a huge wave of sadness engulfed me and I broke down and cried. It was as though with each hair I vacuumed up, Rocky went further away. I miss him so much. I continued on for a while and then stopped for a drink. I called Gracie and she came near me as if she knew I was hurting. Her beautiful eyes brought comfort.

After a bit more cleaning I made a little "lunch" for us. We sat in the camper and ate and talked. Sometimes people do goofy things, but hey, we had a good time. It won't be long now and we will be on the road!

On Saturday, May 2nd it will be our 6 year wedding anniversary. As some of you may know, Gerald and I met on Yahoo Personals. 3 weeks after our first date we were engaged and 3 months later we were married. It has been a wonderful ride. I love you Gerald and forever will. Happy Anniversary Gerald! Love, Jennifer

The Path

Wouldn't it be wonderful if when we prayed asking God for direction in our lives that we would see something like this? Clear and direct, no options, no fretting over which way to go.

You know the Bible says "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" Ps 119:105. If we spend time in the Word and meditate on God's instructions, we can experience the joy of seeing clearly.

It is our choice whether we step forward in faith believing that God knows the best for us or to fumble through life, grumbling and feeling sorry for ourselves. I challenge you to wake up every morning and ask God what He wants you to do today. Ask Him what you can do for others, not what God and others can do for you.

As The Stranger Appeared

Lit dimly by a single light
Chaotic sounds fill the night
Smells reflecting the edge of death
Grasping the throat, stifling every breath
Hands touching emptiness at every step
Along this path the stranger crept

Headed down this path, unclear
Is where self took a look in the mirror
The reflection though dimly lit
Is where self met the bottom of the pit

Upon the ground lay pieces of me
Disjointed and confused by reality
The stranger took the pieces one by one
Looked deep inside every one

Placing each piece where it was meant to be
Created an image I've longed to see
There in the pit of hell
I came to see myself so well

Though roughly shaped and scarred by shame
Each piece was placed on a heavenly plane
The stranger took another look at me
And smiled when he saw what I was meant to be

For the light began to shine
As the pieces created an image divine
A miracle took place that day
When the stranger looked my way

The light danced radiantly off my face
Shouts of joy filled this place
The smell of new birth filled the air
Tasting success as I learn to care

Touching the diamond the stranger compiled
He introduced me to myself.....
and the stranger smiled.

by Jennifer Schwartz 1998

Menopause - Bipolar - Recovery

Can you say that life isn't fair when you struggle with things that can cause us such great behavioral mood swings. You put those top three things together and what do you get? ME :)

Some of you have expressed some concern in regards to a couple of my entries to my blog. And, may I take this opportunity to say, I appreciate your concern and am so grateful to have you who love me and care for me so deeply.

I have always lived my life with my emotions on my shirtsleeve and this blog is not much different from my shirtsleeve. When I began this journey of blogging I wasn't quite sure what would become of my random writings. I do enjoy this even though some of my entries may be of the contemplative, serious, and thought provoking part of my brain, there will always be a mood swing to offset the seriousness of life. ;)

Most of you know of the struggles of my past, however let me say that without a doubt Jesus Christ has been my saving grace. Jesus is the reason I live! I have been taken from the pit and placed on a heavenly plane where grace abounds with the glory of the Lord!

I live each day with the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ and I live each day knowing that I am God's daughter.

I love you all,
Jennifer

Terrill Steele's Birthday

Today is April 23rd and my favorite son's birthday. I love you Terrill and a GREAT BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY! From the day you were born your big round eyes have melted my heart. You have been a blessing in my heart forever. You are strong yet humble. You are funny yet sincere. You have a great personality and will always warm the hearts of anyone you come close to. I thank God for giving me the most beautiful gift of a son. My "Buckwheat" - I love you forever. Mom

More Easter Photos!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Perception

I have written several articles about perceptions in regards to life's situations and low and behold, I am now needing to hear my own teaching. So much in life can be broken down and remain stress free if we only keep things in proper perception.

My stress level has been off the charts and I have come close to reverting back to old behaviors to try and make me feel better. But, the thought process behind this is a lie. I need to remember that without God, I am useless. I have begun this day with prayer, thankful for the people God puts in my path, and trusting the Holy Spirit to lift me this day and allow me to "see" the positive in everything I say and do.

Thank you deeply to my friends and family that support me and encourage me to move forward and not give up. It is sometimes very difficult for me to remember my value in life, how God saved me from a life ruined and gave me new life. That my live and my body today are not mine but God's. I give my mind, emotions and will over to my Heavenly Father today. As the song says, "Jesus, take the wheel".

I love you all!

The 911 Call

Ooo boy, Gerald might not like me sharing this but it is so funny. So if you are out there honey, don't get mad. I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you.

Sunday morning at 7:30 AM I am still in bed, but Gerald is peeking out the window at a young man that walked up to the neighbor's truck and appeared to be staring in the window. When the young man walks over to the next house and does the same thing, Gerald decides something is fishy and calls 911 to report a suspicious person. As Gerald is on the phone he decides to go outside and check him out a bit more. Now picture this, Gerald is in his pajamas (and you would laugh at just seeing them). He is out in the driveway peeking around his pickup truck and talking to the 911 dispatcher. (Can you say "Mrs. Cravitz" -those of you who watched Bewitched will understand this).

All of a sudden Gerald was startled as he heard someone behind him. He turned around and there stood this young Mennonite girl holding her hand out to shake hands with him. He shook hands with her, took the tract she was handing out and she walked away. Meanwhile the 911 dispatcher is confused, Gerald says, "It was the Mennonites handing out tracts." I bet the dispatcher was rolling on the floor laughing.

Okay, just to be fair and not pick on Gerald I also have a 911 call to share. One night Gerald was gone overnight somewhere. I have a routine where I make sure all the doors are locked and I am safe. I had just fallen asleep - it was around 11 pm. All of a sudden I woke up because I heard someone opening up one of my doors. Rocky started to bark and I freaked out. Not sure what to do, I laid there for a minute. I was scared crapless. I decided to grab the flashlight and check things out. I left the lights off and started to walk through the dark house. When I turned the flashlight on, it was one of those newfangled do-hickies and it began to flash on and off bright red. I am panicking because I am trying to hide in case someone is in the house. I decided to call 911. The dispatcher sent a squad on the way, while on the phone with the dispatcher, I was sneaking around in the house trying to see anything. A bit later I saw the police drive past the house and up the road. He turned around and parked a bit down the road. Curious I decided I would open the front door and see what he was doing. In the meantime I am still chatting with the dispatcher. When I opened the front door, the weekly advertising newspaper fell to my feet. I was so embarrassed. I said to the dispatcher, it must have been the newspaper lady delivering the paper. Oops! The cop comes and talks to me and I felt like a total idiot!
Can you imagine what those dispatchers must hear from time to time.

Laughing Out Loud - Only in Minnesota

I had to laugh -
I just got home from work and was carrying groceries in from the car. As I grabbed my last load I looked over and there in my back seat was a snow scraper and right next to it an umbrella. (big belly laugh) Only in Minnesota - have a super duper day!

Dancing With Life

I have experienced a day where memories flooded in and mesmerized me with the thoughts of how our lives change paths.
Spring brings new birth, the sounds of the birds, the sounds of the "peepers", the smell of the earth heaving the frost, the smell of new growth, the flowers breaking their way through the soil and the blessing of warm sunshine on my face.
I took in all these lovely things today and then hung my head in shame for I feel so unworthy. My God where have I gone. I need you Lord, oh I need you. Blessed be the Lord, for you are worthy. I am the lamb that has wandered.
And Jesus says, come to the water and stand by my side, you won't be discouraged, you won't be denied. I felt every tear drop whenever you cried and I strove to remind you that for those tears I died.
Father in Heaven, take my hand and lead me beside the still waters, restore my soul, fill my cup to overflowing. Help me reach out to people with the Good News of Salvation. Let the words I deliver be empowered by The Holy Spirit. Amen

Easter Egg Hunt

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Welcome Gracie!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Blogging.....

I love to blog, I do, I do......
But.....I have been so blue....
Pray for me and I for you....
God's faithfulness with shine through!

Only in small town USA

Last week I called Gerald and invited him to have lunch with me. It is wonderful to work and live in the same small rural Minnesota town population 1,000. We met at the Railside, a few buildings down from the bank. My point of all of this is to share the different path my life has taken.

Gerald and I sat down to lunch and a bit later a local farmer came up and sat down with us to shoot the breeze. And then a bit later a couple more farmers came in and took their spots at the same table. Good ol' guys, bib overalls, flannel shirts, seed caps, whiskers and snoose between their teeth. We all just sat and ate lunch together. I could only laugh inside as 10 years ago if I went out to lunch, I sat at the table with "suits".

After paying 8 bucks for lunch, sharing local chatter (not gossip), talking about the weather and when planting will start, I would not change my life in Atwater for anything in the world. I kissed Gerald goodbye and was on my way with a skip in my step and a smile on my face. Life is good!

March Madness

Only in Minnesota - dog-gone-it!
This is the snow drift between our house and the garage.

Rembering Rocky

He brought so much joy into our lives. And now the house and our hearts are so empty. Last week, Rocky was hit and killed by a truck. Rocky was only 2 years old and this is so tragic. We will never forget....

Rocky is gone from our sight....but never our memory,
Gone from our hearing....but never our hearts,
Gone from our touch....but his presence is feld,
and the love he gave us never departs.

 
 
 
 

NASCAR race - Las Vegas

Gerald and I traveled to Las Vegas to attend the NASCAR race. It was beautiful weather and the race was superb! (Except for the fact that our driver, Mark Martin blew up his engine half way through the race - bummer!).

It is somewhat ironic to think of Gerald and I in Las Vegas. We don't drink and we don't gamble, we don't like crowds and we don't like the desert......Go figure! Aside from the race we were not real excited. I know this sounds terrible, but I just am not much of a traveler. I told Gerald when we got home that if we were not leaving town in our pickup pulling our camper, I wasn't going! I prefer remote quiet places in nature to relax and enjoy Gerald's company.

It was really nice though to get out of the cold and snow. I think all of us have been suffering from the doldrums of winter and are chompin' at the bit to have spring get here. The weather at was warm and sunny - a very welcome repreive.

 

 

 

 

Finally....

I have spent numerous hours trying to figure out how to get this greeting card to open and play and turn the pages. I finally got it right, so now it is visible in its entirety. So as it goes, Happy Birthday again Talia Shay!

P.S. Now I am going to attempt to add a slideshow to my blog. This may be interesting.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Sunday Evening

Sunday evenings are one of my favorite nights of the week. It is a time to relax and enjoy being with loved ones. Winding down the weekend and preparing for another week ahead. I did get a lot done this weekend....paid bills (yuck) and finally put away all my Christmas decorations. Now I know it is February 22nd, but they were all upstairs, just not boxed and put in the attic.

Gerald and I watched the NASCAR race until he had a Fire Call. They are out fighting a barn fire tonight. I always have so much admiration for the fire and ambulance personnel - they volunteer so that we can have these services. And remember they put their lives at risk for our safety. I worry every time Gerald runs out that door, especially to a fire.

Tomorrow morning I will be going in for some "minor" surgery. I am having a septoplasty. As the Dr said, "your septum is supposed to be in MN and it is in Montanna". Consequently, my right nostril is collapsed and I can't breathe out of it. Ever since my last surgery my nose has been funny, so this might be the first step towards a nose job. We'll see.

You know, sometimes I wonder if anyone reads these blogs. It is kind of cool, cuz you can just rant and rave about anything you want and somewhere you just kinda wonder who might be out there listening. Sort of like a late-night DJ. So if you are out there listening, I'd love to hear from you. My email address is out on this site somewhere.

Until later....

Make a Smilebox scrapbook