Well, at least there’s that...

 Welcome to Texas, that's what the sign said. "It's a whole new world!"  While on the road to Texas I noted many new things. In Oklahoma we had Turnpikes, they ranged in price from $1.50 an exit to $3.50 depending on the number of axils. Turnpikes were often a one way ticket to wherever and if I accidentally took one, there were zero exits, or U-turns. Nope, I just had to stick it out. Once I accidentally got on a Turnpike and ended up half an hour away from my exit just to turn around and go back the other way.  However, once I got used to the Turnpike I managed it without much trouble. But here, WOW! They don't have a Turnpike, they have a... I don't know what they call it, but I think it's a "Tag". According to my GPS (it lies!) I went onto the Tag road, It's supposed to be the "fast lane." But if you take it...it will cost you. I didn't know any better and I took the "tag" lane. It's sometimes called the HOV la

https://pin.it/41j24Zw Being raised in church has a lot of advantages. However there is a problem. There are some scriptures that I heard so many times and so many ways that those scriptures became “sayings”.  They sound good, even churchy, but they don’t mean anything. I don’t have televisions. 😱.  It’s not a religious or moral decision. I limit things that terrify me.  Have you read the news lately? Jesus come quickly. Anyway, this gives me more time to just think.   I’ve heard the saying “don’t cast your pearls before swine,” that became a “saying “. Yes it’s a scripture.  This thought never made sense to me.  What are pearls and who the heck are pigs and how do you recognize a pig ? I mean, we’re taking about people, right? The pearls part was always pretty obvious, until I thought about it.  But I missed something very important about oysters and even clams   Do you know how these crustaceans make pearls? Here's the process I read online:   "The formation of a natural pe

So, Lincoln, my beautiful Australian Shepherd has finally trained me. Yep. I have wood floors so he has learned how to use them against me. In a previous house I had a light that would come on in the closet when you walked in, but this house.... no, the floors are his new megaphone. In the other house when he wanted me to get up he'd walk into the closet, the light would come on and then I'd wake up. If I didn't wake up, he'd wait and do it again. Lately he has become very bossy! My schedule is quite strange and he's not really used to it. He used to eat at the same time every morning and evening and we had a regular routine. He doesn't like change so anytime thing change he would leaves me "notes" that he is unhappy. For example: One time I was gone longer than he thought I should be so he unrolled the toilet paper all the way into the living room without tearing one sheet! Yes, he did, Now that my schedule is different he thinks he shoul

Have you ever done something on a whim? You just felt like you were supposed to do it. Then you did it and you couldn’t pull your jaw off the floor because the thing you did fulfilled a need and was the miracle someone else needed? I hope you have. There’s nothing like it. Nothing. First let me share with you my complete humanity . I was in a grocery store shopping at a particular table when a person “invaded my space”. She was almost standing on top of me and when I turned around I screamed “you scared the hell out of me!” She looked at me with such judgement.  I had to laugh. Later I shared this minor event with someone and I said “I wanted to tell her that I know and love Jesus, not to judge me because she scared him too”! Lol! Ok now back to the story. The past few months have been amazing,  it’s like sleep walking in a different dimension and waking up to a miraculous event . The following may sound crazy, but I’m convinced that God is crazy. From giving away a teddy bear to

The world has not come to an end..lol. I’m just cooking. It’s ok. Here’s a healthy meal that looks pretty and looks time consuming, but it isn’t... time consuming, I mean. (3 servings) 3 red bell peppers Brown 1 pound of lean ground beef Cook 1 cup of whole wheat rice Add 1 can of garbanzo beans Add 1 small can of tomato sauce Add 1 clove of fresh pressed garlic 1/2 a yellow onion Italian seasonings (as much as you want; no salt required) Start the bell peppers first. 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Do not over cook the bell peppers. You want. them to remain firm Cook 1 cup rice separately ( use instant wheat rice it takes about 10 minutes to cook) Brown the beef, **Do not drain the beef** add Garlic, onions, Italian seasonings, tomato sauce, garbanzo beans and add cooked wheat rice and simmer about 10 minutes. The bell peppers should be ready. Stuff the bell peppers using a spoon standing then up tall. Turn them on their side and add parsley (for color) If you use ins

Some people wait a lifetime to find their "niche". Do you know how I know? There's a song about it. "A moment like this." by Kelly Clarkson. I've tried a lot of things to find my "niche".  I create art, in hats headbands and even teddy bears, but I just couldn't fine "IT!" People say that the thing you were born to do is right in front of you. Nope, I tried  many things, they weren't my "niche". Tonight, I think I found it. If you read my blogs "Domestically Challenged", "Where Did I put the Potatoes?" and "What did the tomatoes say to the burnt beans?" You will see that cooking has NEVER been my thing. I don't really know why? It makes me very nervous. Growing up my mother and sister spent their time cooking and they would sweetly look at me and say, "Why don't you set the table?" Okay, that worked. Then I got engaged and I said, "here's the deal. I don

Cooking... (again). You know I can't make this stuff up. Here we go. I was using my "air fryer". I watched a video on YouTube. What could go wrong? I paid close attention, I sprayed the oil on after I put the chicken legs into the basket, I turned them every few minutes and they turned out wonderful. So, what's the problem, right? Well, I also made mashed potatoes. They smelled amazing. They looked amazing and I was so excited.  I also like to clean up while I'm cooking. It makes for a lot less mess. I'd finished the potatoes and was waiting to serve dinner so, "Hey, why not clean the floor up?" It  also a good time to rinse the dishes and prep them for the dishwasher. Doesn't it sound amazing? So, after I  finished up the floor and the chicken was ready and the potatoes were ready...it was time to serve dinner.  I started looking for the mashed potatoes. Where did I put them? I mean, I saw the pot I boiled them in, then the pot I had r

Don’t you just love how my brain works? I’ll tell you this. It’s much better to laugh than to lay down in the dark crying. So here’s a little secret.  Do you know why I know so much about depression, PTSD and anxiety disorders? The enemy of our souls likes to pin us down with “labels”. So my label has yellow caution tape that says,” depressed, PTSD, anxiety disorder, asthmatic, allergic”... you get the idea. I could walk around wearing the label “broken , unlovable...” To be honest with you, sometimes the unkind labels pop up out of nowhere and try to define me. People have asked me “why don’t you cook?”  I usually say that I play the piano instead. Or that I don’t like to cook.  Want the truth? Cooking causes me great anxiety.  Cooking for other people is a high anxiety trigger. Have I let it stop me? Yep. Pretty much. So. God sent me a roommate. Yes he does that kind of stuff. I’ll explain later. But in order for me to have healthy food to eat and not run screaming (lol) ou

As I watched the Rose parade today with its theme “life through music” my brain went into overdrive. Please sing along if you know the words. So, I’ve had some “interesting “ dates since I became unmarried 9 years ago this month. Let’s just say that only one made it past the second date. It’s not that I ask for a lot... it’s just that crazy is out there and I’m allergic. My last date made it through to date number 7. Things were looking up. I was honest and straightforward with who I am and what I want out of life and he didn’t run. He talked about his life and I didn’t run. It was good The first song we heard together was,  “If it’s meant to be it will be.” Ok. Sounded good. One date at a time. There was hope but no pressure. He was cute and kind and interesting.. that’s all good. I had no idea what the next song in this story would be. Then it happened.  He contacted me, but it was a little strange. He was telling me that he was going out of state to do some work. Okay... he

Have you ever heard a song that really inspired you? For example “Live Like You Were Dying”   I’m not 100% sure of the words but it goes something like this,” I went sky diving, Rocky Mountain climbing, rode 2.7 seconds on a bull named old man shoes”... I don’t teally get that last part.  What’s so special about a bull named “ old man’s shoes “?  Anyway, I have been craving adventure the past ... well... awhile. But there’s been nobody to “play” with. Nobody to ride horses with, four wheeler, do stuff outside the box of everyday living with. So my mom and I went to “Silver Dollar City “ in Branson, MO.  We had the usual plans, go to shows, see the Christmas tree lighting and watch a parade. Doesn’t that sound nice? But... when we walked through the turn stiles adventure called my name ,” mam have you taken our tour through the cave?”  I’d wanted to in the past but was never quite up to climbing down over 300 stairs. But adventure called my name. ( I guess my name was “mam” that

So, what’s the worst possible and most frustrating thing about yarn? I mean, when used properly it produces soft and lovely products .  But... if you do this one thing wrong you can literally waste hours and end your day frustrated and feeling useless. I learned how to crochet. Yep, took a few times, but now I get it.   When I was growing up I was given a tangled up mess of yarn and I would spend hours untangling it and rolling it  into a ball. Why? I have no idea. But I proved that I was the most patient person in our family or maybe... the world! Lol!  If I had known then what I know now, I wouldn’t have developed “super” patience.   So, back to my “yarn”. Yes, I just did that.  I bought some fabric to make what are called “lovies” for children in crisis. If you want to help with this cause there’s a foundation called, “Joy in the Cause”. http://joyinthecause.org/ You can find them online. It’s a great organization and it’s why I learned to crochet.  “Lovies

Every year I hear someone declare “A word for the year “. Many have been absolutely correct others just rhymed well.  So as I was praying and I asked the Lord what was one of the biggest problems facing the church (His body of believers) today. And I saw in my heart what I will call “decoy devils”. Decoy devils distract from the truth using a partial truth as an aversion. Let me give you an example. As I was growing up there was great debate about the validity of the “Living Bible” translation. I remember people literally saying ,” if the King James was good enough for Paul then it’s good enough for me!”  You think I’m kidding but I’m not. Let’s link this thinking. When people who used to ride the bus started to go by plane all they had to compare their experience to was a bus. So when one sweet lady with only a bus mentality purchased her first plane ticket she told the agent that she didn’t want to sit by a window because she’d just had her hair done. Well now most people are awa

Merry Christmas! Last time I talked about depression. This time I want to talk about Christmas. It may be in a way you've never heard before, so prepare for a surprise. Most of us have heard the "Christmas Story", but how many of us have thought about the secret plan of God and all the restraint it took God to pull it off. He snuck a Savior into the world. He was so excited about it, but he couldn't tell anyone. Well, he did tell some "Wise Men." He also went into the fields and let the angels tell the shepherds secretly. The Wise Men were probably a little gullible. I mean, they went to a king to ask him where the New King was being born. Even if Herod had been a saint he would have been jealous or even felt threatened. Since Herod was not a saint he felt those things times one hundred. He was afraid and he was angry. So, he did what most people do when they are afraid or angry....he lied. "Oh, please tell me when you find this king so I can

Yep, you read that right.  I’ve been bell ringing for the Salvation Army in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Good times! I really enjoy it.  I’ve  been singing throughout my whole shift and have seen great results. I bet you’ve seen your share of “bell ringers” let’s talk about a few. No one was harmed in the writing of this blog!  Ha! Ok. So I’ve seen the “scared to death” br (bell ringer). They don’t make eye contact, they look like they are embarrassed to give out candy. I had one lady hand me the whole strip of candy canes. Almost apologetically. I didn’t take any of them and I gave anyway. I’ve seen br’s stand in the corner , away from the door and basically hide. I’ve seen them sit behind tables as if to protect themselves. Realistically, I can understand their concerns. They are probably introverted souls that have given their time out of love.  Anytime you give with love it’s amazing! I’ve also run into a couple of “hostile takeover” br’s. Nobody is supposed to do this, I mean i

The past ninety days have been a training ground for Lincoln. He's learned to adapt to my new schedule, which keeps changing. So, we created a routine. IF there's a break in that routine ....let's just say, makes Lincoln a very bad dog. Oh, don't tell him I called him a dog...shhh (he doesn't know). I worked from 3:00pm - 12:00 am for a few weeks. He was not happy, but we worked out a routine. He actually got fed three times a day instead of just two. I fed him when we woke up, I fed him before I went to work and I fed him when I got home. I also left a light on in the livingroom and in the master closet. You know, in case he needed to see his way around. Sometimes I even left HGTV on...with the agreement that he wouldn't try to build anything while I was gone. So, here's what happened one day. I fed him and left on time, but I forgot something. I forgot to leave the lights on. Now, Lincoln has a way to let me know if or when he's upset. This was a n

As stated in my previous blogs, I was in a coma for 5 1/2 weeks. There are some things I just don't remember. However lately, those memories, albeit fuzzy at times, have been coming back to me. Some are really funny and some are not. Sunday I awoke from a dream. It was beautiful. I was married and I was calling my husband by his nick name and my children were running around playing. It was beautiful. But, then I woke up...nobody was there. It was really hard to recover from that. To say I miss the grand moments and the laughter that once was my life would be a gross understatement. But before I go there let me just tell you that it's now safe to drive on the road. I am home. Why do I say that? Well, it's late and I'm tired. It's been an exasperating day at work and I've been making growling noises at a computer all day. So, when I headed for home my car was fogged up because of the cold. Normally, the first thing I do is reach for my glasses. Although I can

I've written about precious moments with my children in past blogs, but I thought I’d share some more. I hope you find a reason to laugh. My oldest daughter had a gift for interpreting facts .  She would make random statements that were definitely interesting. One Sunday after church she asked a very strange question. Out of the blue she asked, “Mom, what’s a doo de pen?” I had no idea what she was talking about. Then she started singing a song from church, “In Him we doo de pen.”  It was one of her favorite songs. There was a gentleman that sang this song regularly and she called him “the doo de pen man.” Suddenly I realized what she was trying to say.  The song was in Him we "do depend!” Never looked at that song the same way again. When she was just a baby we drove from Oklahoma to North Carolina. On the way she would get fussy.  This was before car seats were required. I would  put her in the front seat (don't judge me) I would have her look out of the wind

Clocks: The big hand is on the 5 and the little hand is on the 6. Can you tell me what time it is? Guess what? I've found many individuals that can not tell time this way. WHAT? I heard one of them literally say, "I don't know what that means." Welcome to the digital generation. Here's another one: Please sign  your name in cursive. Response: "I don't know how." I thought the generation gap was big between my mother and I because she didn't understand the words to the songs I listened to on the radio. I thought the generation gap was huge when my mother couldn't understand my new hair style....it wasn't even a different color....just parted differently. I thought the generation gap was even bigger when Bell Bottom Pants came out and my mother didn't want me wearing them...they were too sloppy. Or how about when "ripped jeans" became a thing? I think people could hear the shudder from my mother, "Why would y

 I bought two pink t-shirt dresses for my youngest granddaughters.  I like to add buttons and stuff to them. It makes them mine... plus, they can’t take them back...he, he.  No, really I just enjoy doing it. So, as I was sewing things onto the one dress I realized that the other one was just a t-shirt.  “ NO!”  So I thought about it , Then I saw that I had some pink fabric. You see the problem was that I had no idea how to add a skirt to a t/shirt. You see, words like “fabric” and “sewing” have only been introduced to my world in the past few months. Reference “domestically challenged “ blog.  Needless to say I don’t know what I’m doing. I just make it up as I go along. Anyway, so I cut the fabric the length I wanted the skirt to be. I decided that I needed to add elastic or the poor child wouldn’t be able to get in or out of it. Yes, made it up as I went along. So, here’s the part not to tell my mother... just kidding... I actually sewed a skirt to the t-shirt and it ( almost) loo

So, I have dealt with insomnia for many, many, many...did I say Many? Years. It's gotten much better over the years, but still... blissful sleep has eluded me. Recently I watched some Youtube videos on successful people. I noted some common themes and I thought I'd share them with you today. Successful people do not do this: Keep their cell phones in their room at night Check their messages, email or Facebook until after they have exercised and prepared for the day. What? Could it make that much of a difference? I wondered, so I gave it a try. Two nights ago I kept my cell phone out of my room. I had it in another room, used my regular alarm clock and slept like a baby! Not a screaming baby, a content baby. Plus I woke up earlier, more refreshed and peaceful. My days have been more focused as well. So the next thing successful people do daily is : Set goals for the day! It seems that our brains have a limited supply of decision making time available. If we use tha