2021 March 9 National Get Over It Day

Yesterday was National Get Over It Day.

There are those who belabor everything and would beat a dead horse. The verbal hysterics and tirades have gotten old. Some continue in their attacks then say I love you to their respective audience. Talk is cheap.

Differences and differences in opinion are just that ... Differences. Stop being a two legged volcano. Then again there are those in attack mode that actually think that belittling others or playing the victim will change the mind of another. Fact check, it doesn't.

Here are some real truths that I have copied and pasted from the National Day Calendar website. :

"It” may be a variety of things. .... Even news such as being passed over for a promotion, poor grades, or an argument with a family member shouldn’t cause us to live our lives in a state of misery forever.

Say goodbye to the worry of the “if onlys” and “what ifs” and look forward to days with a more positive attitude.

Falling into dirt

My maternal grandmother always told me that you couldn't be around dirt without getting some on you. Today's media, political pundits, opinionated messages seen on Facebook, etc. reminds me of what compromises can do to us and the confusion that comes with it. The term "convenience thinking" comes to mind.

Sexual abuse, violence, and even ones sexuality have escalated over the years and the messages serve as a painful reminder of what is becoming of our society in this country, what it condones in the name of freedom. It's freedom run amuck.

"Freedoms" are exploited rather than seeking atonement for sin clearly defined in the word of God. In the name of progress we have regressed to lower our moral standards and make excuses to justify ones behavior. Yes, what I am seeing and reading has struck a chord, a painful one.

The real story behind the book The Shack by William Paul Young

After watching the TV documentary I now realize that there was and actually is a real story behind the book and movie, The Shack by William Paul Young. 

How it came to exist pulled at my heart in several ways. There is a powerful message about hiding and carrying with you your  own "shack" built by your experiences and relationships, forgiveness, OUR sins against those that we love, the facades that we build and hide behind, who we really are, expectations and lies that we hide behind, secrets and how they destroy us and interfere with God's plan for our life, and how we might lose everything by the world's standard to "reach" the bottom and that God carries, walks and leads us if and when allowed. 

Life is a journey and God's invitation is ever present. It was two hours well spent and thankfully with supportive Scripture. I included prayer before and then again after watching this exceptional documentary.  Bottom line is that God can use any one person and in or from any situation(s).

Be Thankful

BE THANKFUL that you don't already have everything you desire.....if you did, what would there be to look forward to?

BE THANKFUL when you don't know something....for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

BE THANKFUL for the difficult times....during those times you grow.

BE THANKFUL for your limitations...they give you opportunities for improvement.

BE THANKFUL for each new challenge...which will build your strength and character.

BE THANKFUL for your mistakes...they will teach you valuable lessons.

BE THANKFUL when you're tired and weary...because it means you've given your all

BE THANKFUL!!!!!! AUTHOR- unknown

2021 March 8th International Women's Day

March 8th is International Women's Day. God made us unique in every way but Gods plan is one of unity not divisiveness, love and not hate, inclusion and not verbal castration of either gender.

Celebrate who you are and accept that we are a result of our experiences but not defined or held hostage by them. You are you!

I am thankful, so thankful, for the privileges afforded me and the freedoms as a woman tied to the women in history who took a stand at their own peril for our united freedoms as women.

I am a woman but do not want to forget or neglect the importance and value of being a lady as well. Special thanks to the many women who helped me and inspired me throughout my life who are indeed too many to list here.

National Milk Day

Today is National Milk Day. We started our day with homemade  buttermilk biscuits (thank you Aunt Dude and Grandma Buck), milk gravy (thank you Mom), scrambled eggs (with milk and vanilla per Paula Deen), sausage, and bacon.  Biscuits and gravy are a favorite of our grandson so extra smiles for us. Lol

Two years ago today we had started our day as a family and shared a meal together before Jason, Shaina, and Eric headed back home to the Metropolis of Springtown, Texas.. We had also just returned from our great family vacation time on a Disney Cruise on the ship Disney Wonder out of Galveston, Texas. HOWEVER, I continue reliving  our time through my pictures which have been thankfully saved on my Facebook albums.

Memories made and cherished. 

Boundaries

I was reading an article about establishing boundaries at an early age with our children and so many memories came to my mind.  This made me smile plus there is a lot of truth in it. I well remember my mom and both of my grandmothers telling people not to move their things from a coffee table, etc. and to teach their children to behave. They were somewhat firm in their thoughts, words, and deeds but 99% of the time I absolutely agreed with them. 

I have a sweet, amusing memory of my youngest son Eric Sample watching me while moving his little hand closer and closer to a little alabaster bird on my coffee table. I told him that I was counting to three to give him time to change his mind. I only made it to three one time but his challenging sweet little smile is clearly in my mind for every other time that he tried. Even at two and three he was testing boundaries. 

Memories are precious and priceless.  

Adult version of Jesus loves me

I saw this post on Facebook and just had to share it. Copied and Posted from a post that had been shared so many times that the original author's name was lost.:

Not many people will read this but that’s ok, just a few of us WILL! While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age. 

After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down, he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gait to the podium. 

Without a note or written paper of any kind he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak....

"When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50-odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me...

The only thing that would comfort was this verse....

"Jesus loves me this I know.

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong,

We are weak but He is strong.....

Yes, Jesus loves me....

The Bible tells me so."

The old pastor stated, "I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best."

"Here for you now is a Senior version of Jesus Loves Me":

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,

Though my hair is white as snow

Though my sight is growing dim,

Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)

YES, JESUS LOVES ME.. YES, JESUS LOVES ME..

YES, JESUS LOVES ME, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,

With my hand in His I'll go

On through life, let come what may,

He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,

In my heart He puts a song..

Telling me in words so clear,

"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,

And life's victories have been won.

He will take me home above,

Then I'll understand His love.

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?

Have I ever told Him so?

Jesus loves to hear me say,

That I love Him every day.

National Winter Skin Relief Day on 2021 January 8

Yesterday was National Winter Skin Relief Day.  In that case I must extend my thanks to Bath & Body Works for providing such wonderful and fragrant body lotions and creams.  My favorite is Rose.  

Floral scents are preferred even with perfumes hence my affection for Chanel No.5 which has Rose notes. Glad that I stocked up on perfume before retirement. For real!

One thought always triggers another thought from me which surprises no one who truly and really know me. I am smiling. 

Kenneth James McAdams from March 26, 1933 to January 2, 2020

 I read a few words recently that describes my brother in-love Kenneth McAdams perfectly: "Some people come into your lives and leave footprints in our heart and we're never ever the same."

He left this earth and his sickness one year ago. We may be one less in our earthly family but his legacy of love surrounds us and fills us. His commitment to his family is an example to all. His love of God filled his heart and spilled out through his laugh and interactions with everyone. He was also ready to talk and share his love for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The videos and pictures of him with Calen will bring an instant smile to you. His love, commitment, and care for his wife were something that you generally only read about but we were blessed to see his faithfulness and love for her.

He was also a great cook. He brought something homemade every New Year's Day and my favorite is still the Italian Meatloaf.

He welcomed my two sons and I as family long before the 'M" word was even a thought. As they matured and moved out on their own he always asked about them and did so by name and then laughed and said "Any grandkids yet?"

Kenneth was all this and more. I am assured that I will see him again but for now the early loss is still painful.

I love you  dear brother in-love and am praying to be the spouse and grandparent that you were.