Sound Off!!

Trash, trash,everywhere, do people not have garbage cans? We live not far from the exit off the interstate, and the truck drivers will stop on the exit to sleep for the night. Hey that is great, I would not want a sleepy truck driver on the highway, but the thing that gets me is they will empty all their trash out right there on the side of the ramp before they drive off. That is not all they leave, you can see bottles full of, well I do not have to spell it out because some of them will not stop to even go to the bathroom on the highway. It is just gross!!! Not only does trash pile up on the exit ramp, but right down the road on which we live. I do not understand how any one can throw their trash out. Do they just throw their trash on the floor at home, or in their yards? Seems they always wait till they get in front of my house to throw out beer cans and bottles. Why is this? I can get a messy car with 3 grandchildren in it frequently, but I keep a plastic bag in the car and always just clean it out and take it inside or outside to one of my garbage cans. This really bothers me that people have no respect for others by doing this. When we were kids if we ever dropped a piece of paper, or any of our friends did in our yard Daddy would get a bag, sharpen a stick for us, and tell us to get to work, and not to stop there, go all the way up the road we live on and pick up trash. The Sheriff department will have the prisoners come out and pick up trash every few months, but I think if the people who throw it out had to do that for a while they might stop. Especially those truck drivers who leave their waste, body waste that is, in jars on the side of the road. Again I will say that is just gross! I mean your a man stop and go into the woods somewhere. As much as men miss the potty at home I am sure they are missing the jars and hitting their shoes or the floor board which makes for some stinky people eating in the truck stops. Wow, I am really upset about this, aren't I? I would like to be a Sheriff or Deputy for 24 hrs. and sit by the woods and catch the truck drivers doing this. I would love to put their names in the paper for being arrested for leaving jars of pee on the side of the road. How would that make them feel? Anyway, I have sounded off about what bugs me, I will just keep shaking my head when I see this, and try picking up trash up and down my road as much as I can.

Another Memory From My Childhood!

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and as my middle grand-daughter came home with her box all decorated, filled with various candy and cards from her classmates, I began to remember the fun Mommy and I had making my box every year. I can not remember the recipe, but Mommy always made homemade glue for us to use. I don't know what grade it was, but I think it was the fourth or fifth, Mommy had some white tissue paper which we used to cover my shoe box. I have never forgotten that box, it was the most beautiful one she ever helped me make. It was like the box was covered with white puffy clouds, that had red and pink hearts floating on top of them. Daddy would always cut the hole in the top for my cards to go in. He carried a sharp pocket knife with him at all times. You know I seldom see men do that anymore, but I have seen Daddy and other men talk about what kind, and how they kept them so sharp. I can see my Daddy sitting on the porch with what I think you call a wet rock sharping his. My Daddy knew everything in my eyes. He never complained about all my questions either. The year that we made the white box for Valentines I won the contest which was who had the prettiest box. I remember being so proud and exciting. I never wanted to throw that box away. Well time and carrying it around took its toil on it, and eventually it had to be tossed out. But when you are 55 years old, and a white box made for Valentine's Day, made with love by my Mommy with me, you never forget it. I am so thankful for the Lord giving me such a good memory of my childhood. I pray that before time passes me by I can record some more of my favorite childhood memories. Seems so often something happens that brings up another one. I had the most loving parents and had so much fun as a child. I wish that for all children every where. Lots of hugs, love, smiles and stories of adventures they will never forget. Whether it is making something with your Mom,Dad, or playing with friends, I hope each memory is special for my grandchildren. I would not have traded places with any child everywhere. I had the best, why would I?

Just My Day!!

I had a good day. Most days are good for me. I am a very blessed woman, with a wonderful family, a nice home, and a peace inside that only God can give me. Nothing in this world gives me this kind of joy, and peace. I got up this morning, and just took my time, had my coffee, and decided to check out the pay for view movies. I decided to rent Nights in Rodanthe, with Richard Gere. It was a very sweet love story with sadness too. You know I am so lucky that my love story has not been sad. I have the love of a man that I know God sent me. He is so sweet, and patient. I am very proud to tell anyone I am married to him, he has a good name. Daddy used to say a good name really meant a lot. I remember when I was young, Daddy's word was all people needed at the bank for me to get my first car loan. That makes me very proud of my Daddy. After watching this movie, which I have always liked Richard Gere, and also Diane Lane, I sat and just thought about how I love my husband. He is my Richard Gere!!! She was great in Tuscany in the Sun, or under the sun, something like that. \My favorite Richard Gere movie of all time would have to be An Officer and A Gentleman. When he carries her out of that factory I cry no matter how many times I have seen it. After lunch I headed to town and decided to go by and try to see a friend of mine. We have not had any contact for a long time, but to me she will always be a very good friend, and she is such a wonderful person. We spent about an hour catching up, and I enjoyed every minute of our time together. After that stop I went to look for gifts for my Grand-daughters for Valentines Day. The cost of anything is really unbelievable to me. No matter where you go, no matter what your looking for you can not get a gift that is anything for less than thirty dollars. Maybe it is I have just spoiled these three girls???? I know I have, but I love every minute of it. Laughing here! I went to the grocery store next, and that just gets to me. I get tired of the same thing to eat all the time. I could buy groceries blind-folded because I know where everything in the store is, and I buy the same thing every week. Someday I am going to go in and buy for a month, but then where would I put everything? I hurried home because the new season of Survivor started tonight. I enjoyed for some reason watching these people get bug bites all over, get hungry, and dirty. I do like the challenges too, and watching people make alliances and then lie!!!! I hope I would not be as scheming as most for a million dollars. I decided a long time ago that God did not want me to be rich, he knows I am not good with money. That is one of my prayers right now, that I would be much wiser and allow God to direct me in all financial ways. As I sit here and write this I thank God for my good day. I am learning to thank him for everyday. Doesn't matter what I go through, I have this day to live as God would want me to. Life is good, life is happy, I will never take any day for granted. I want to live each one thanking God for the blessings he has given me. Give someone a smile today, that is sunshine even on a rainy day!!

Feeling Guilt, Even Though I Know I Am Forgiven!!!

I learned something very important this past couple of days. As I encouraged you to read the book, The Shack, I want to say what it has done for me. I know that I am saved, and I know that I have been forgiven my sins, and I also know Jesus loves me, and the Holy Spirit is with me to guide me and comfort me. I know God created me for a purpose, out of love for me. I know if I died today I would go to Heaven to live eternally with God the Father, and Jesus the Son. I would be reunited with loved ones who have already gone to be with the Lord. Gods' word is true, all of it. You do not need to add to the Bible, and please do not take anything away from it. As humans we do not fully understand everything he tells us, or why bad things happen to his children. I just know I had some guilt from past sins that were keeping me from having the closeness to God I so desired. God forgave me of these sins when I repented of them, and ask him to forgive me, but I had never forgiven myself, or learned to get past the guilt I held deep inside of me. In the book, which is fiction, but reads like a wonderful, but sad true story, I saw God, my Father, and Jesus, my Lord and Savior, along with the Holy Spirit, my guide and comforter as 3 different, but the same being. In my imagination I do not think I could have come up with spending time with them as the writer of this story did, but I liked it. It made me smile. It made me see as so long my Lord has wanted me to see, that he is truly my best friend, and as one of his children, a born again saint, I have his love inside me. I have the ability inside me to love as he guides me too. I also may never forget the things that I did that have caused me so much shame, but I do not have to allow the sins that he died for me on that cross, and forgave me of them destroy the person he so wants me to be. I feel free this morning. I feel alive and free of the pain deep inside that kept me burdened down. I feel the Holy Spirit surrounding me with peace, and the love of God the Father, and Jesus the Son flowing through my heart and mind. For once they are in harmony, you know the thoughts in my mind and the feelings in my heart. I know I have to guard my heart, and my mind. I can do that by reading the Bible, Gods word, and praying to God. I love to write letters to God. I usually begin my prayers with Dear Jesus. Journeling my prayers has been the best thing for me, as I am a person who is easily distracted, and I can stay more focused on what I am talking to my Lord about this way. This is the day he has given me to live, just as it is the day he has given you, I pray we both can use it to further his kingdom, and follow his guidance to accomplish what he wants us to. Thank you Lord for this day, and I pray that your love shines through me for others to see.

Please Read!!!!!!!!!1

This is going to be short and sweet, I just finished reading the book, THE SHACK, written by Wm. Paul Young, I started this last night, and did not want to put it down to sleep. I finished it today, and I want to read it again. This story is sad, amazing, funny, and so much more. The words will change u, I promise. Read it as soon as you can!!!

Living With Pain!!

I have never spoken much on here about my Fibromyalgia. Some people do not even believe it is a real disorder, but I am here to tell you it is a real disorder with real pain, and problems. I had gone for years prior to 1995 wondering why I hurt all over all the time. The last thing that happened before we decided someone had to tell us something was me not being able to move enough to get off the potty without David helping. It was like my muscles had frozen and the pain was so horrible I just wanted to sit there and die. I would ask David at night to rub my thighs, the muscles hurt so bad, with touch it was worse, but with deep massage it seemed to help for a few minutes. I had no energy, and wanted to just lie around all the time. At that time I thought it was my weight, but I was soon to find out that people of all shapes and sizes were effected with Fibro. The reason I am bringing this up now is today I am hurting all over as if someone has run over me with a semi-truck. It feels as if my entire body is in a vise being pressured to the point it wants to explode. For quite a while I was in remission as they call it, but for the past several weeks it has been really hard to function again. Right after I saw the first Dr. who diagnosed my problem I felt relieved but so scared. I did not know much about this, and I did not know if I would continue to get worse. I attended a seminar about it in Jackson. I had meet a couple of people who had Fibro, and one was our friend and a an evangelist. He knew it was unusual for men to have it, and was having the same thoughts I was. When we got to the seminar I saw women my size, much smaller, and even women of normal size in wheel chairs. That frightened me even more at the time. I decided to see another Dr. in Jackson and he began the process of really helping me learn to live with, and deal with this disorder. I had a really horrible time sleeping which adds to the pain of Fibro. I would lay there awake for days. Wanting to sleep, begging to sleep, but nothing but awake and frightened. This Dr. started me on some meds and helped me to realize that there are going to be times in my life that I just have to say no, no to things I know will cause the pain to get worse, or appear again. It is hard to do at times, because after losing the weight I feel that I can do anything again, but I really can't. He taught me when I travel to stop and walk around every couple of hrs, which helps with the stiffness. He taught me not to read something stimulating, or watching a movie that makes me more anxious at night. I also have learned that I can feel myself tense up, and I know when I need to take a deep breathe and relax. There are days that I still want to sleep all day. There are times it hurts even for my little Yorkie to get in my lap, but I have learned to adapt to the pain, and make sure I always get my rest. I am saddened to know several friends who have been diagnosed with Fibro over the past few years. One of them lost a good job, and spent over a year just lying on her couch. It takes a good support system, by that I mean friends who understand and most of all family that does, especially your spouse. David has been so good to support me, and he knows now when things are tough for me. He doesn't push me or act like nothing is wrong. He will go out of his way to offer his help at those times. When you wake up, or can not sleep, and I am talking to my friends who have this, do not feel guilty as I did, just listen to your body, and remember exercise hurts at first, but it will help if you continue to do it. Also remember that God loves you, he will help you get through this attacks, and he really listens when I tell him how bad I feel. I ask his blessings on all of you!

The Sign Of Spring!

The daffodils have started to bloom! That is such a good sign here in the South. I love seeing the bright yellow flowers, and then all of a sudden here comes the tulips, with shades of pink, red, yellow, and purple. I was out today cleaning one of my flower beds out, as a lot of people here were doing. The sun was shining bright with that true blue sky, and temperatures in the low 70's. That is a perfect day here to me! I always want to get started and put some flowers out, along with some green plants, but my Daddy always told me to wait till Good Friday. Easter comes on April 11th this year, well I think it does. Everything will be in full bloom by then, which makes Easter even more beautiful. I always see Easter as a new beginning. It is the reason I had a new beginning in my life many years ago. It is when we celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have experienced a renewal in my walk with Jesus. I have learned that he is always working on me to make me a better person in him. When life sent some really tough times for members of my family, I knew I could not make it without his love and strength. The sad thing is I should stay this close to him always. As Spring approaches and the new growth in nature comes forth, I pray all can have a Spring in their spiritual life. A growth period, a time of renewal, a new beginning with Jesus as Lord of your life, that is what all of us need from time to time to face the obstacles in this world. There are a lot of children that I know of that are suffering physically. I ask that when you read this, lift up the little children to God. They need to enjoy the Spring that is on the way too.