WEDNESDAY WISDOM

My Wednesday bit of Wisdom for today is

"Make it Memorable"

Any time you you make an effort to do something with your family or just for yourself - 

you should do it well enough or add something to the day or whatever you're doing 

to make it a memory you will remember forever.

Out of the Loop...

I've been out of the loop for a week. I'm feeling much better and hope to be back blogging soon!! I've missed blogging and I've missed reading!

Wet Wipes Caddy

This is what I made this evening for Alyssa's mom!

 I see that the colors don't show up very well on here-

Because it is really pretty and bright.

It holds a travel pack of wet wipes and 2 diapers.

The ABC's of a Successful School Year

Attend school regularly.
Be prepared for class.
Communicate your needs in a respectful manner.
Develop a positive attitude.
Eat a good breakfast each morning.
Focus on your goals.
Give youself a pat on the back regularly.
Help yourself before seeking assistance.
Imagine what you'd like to be as an adult.
Join in on all class activities and discussions.
Keep on task.
Learn as much as you can.
Make the most of every situation.
Note your progress.
Optimize your talents.
Put forth your best effort.
Quickly resolve conflicts.
Run your race with the intention of winning.
Study!Study!Study!
Trust yourself and try new things.
Use your time wisely.
Voice your opinions.
Watch out for distractions.
"X"-amine your work carefully.
You are capable of great things.
Zoom in on your strengths!

This was in a brochure from one of Andru's 7th grade teacher.

WEDNESDAY WISDOM

"

Today's words of wisdom come from Evelyn Ryan. She was a "professional Prize winner!" Writing jingles and winning money, merchandise, and trips. I read the book several years ago and wrote a short blog that you can read HERE!

Here is a bit of wisdom from Evelyn Ryan:

"Everytime I pass the church

I stop and make a visit

So when I'm carried in feet first

God won't say, "Who is it?"

 

For all my Okie Peeps!!!!

Most of my friends will recognize this as my car. It's a 2006 Toyota Corolla. I bought it new. It has been a great car for me. I usually wouldn't have purchased a "new" car but I knew that I wanted something dependable.  

Today Andru went to a "back to school" movie with one of his friends. So Randy and I ran a few errands and went to Gramma's Quilt Shop. (We tried to find another one, too, but apparently it has closed.) On our way back across town, we stopped at Hobby Lobby to look for an item I needed for my project. When we walked back out to the car, it wouldn't start! My dependable Toyota wouldn't start!!!  My wonderful husband called AAA and after waiting awhile - at Nu Way!!! (where they serve the BEST root beer in town) the AAA guy showed up.

It was a dead battery. No big deal. He was able to diagnose it and put in a new battery. If you don't use AAA - you should. I was verrrry impressed.

ANYWAY - the young man was very nice, chatted with us in the 108 degree temps while working on my dependable car.  

While looking at it, he said, "you must be from Oklahoma." We just laughed, "Yes, I was."  

He could tell by the red dirt under the hood where that dependable car was from!!!!

OKLAHOMA!!

Yards and Plumbers

I've often bragged on my "yard boy." 

He takes great pride in the yard and we have a beautiful lawn. 

Last week we had the dreaded leak in the plumbing coming into our house...

When Randy called the plumber he specifically asked if any of the sprinkler system was damaged during repair, would the plumbers fix them. They said yes. We should have asked more questions!

First, they said they would be here Tuesday afternoon. After a few calls, they finally showed up on Thursday. 

I'm not sure.... but I think the young man that ran the back hoe was new at it! Not sure... just a guess...

 Yes, that's a flower pot behind the back hoe.. 

Randy walked out and moved it up by the house.

After he went from one end to the other - he started digging from the side which did bunches of damage to the beautiful yard. (yep, that's correct English!)

It's really kind of hard to tell in the pictures but they left the yard a MESS. PLUS - they left without checking the sprinkler system. - Well, actually Randy was checking it and they left before he finished. They also left a mess in the basement. Mud on the wall, the bowls they borrowed from me were left in Andru's room full of water.

So, Randy had to call them back to repair the sprinkler system.  He also talked to them about the holes they left in the yard, and asked if they were going to fill them in and tamp down the soil. 

Anyway, after some arguing, the "boss" agreed to come back this next Friday to do some repairs on the yard.

All in all, not a very good experience.  But - no more leak in the pipes.....

Conflict

Those of you that know me - know I will go to almost any lengths to avoid conflict. I hate it. I've struggled with  the problem of wanting everyone to like me. My friend Deb Shirkey says "If everyone likes you, you're lying to someone." Hmmm. Makes sense.

Well, I've had a minor conflict because of my loyalty to another friend. Nothing too big, just enough to make me uncomfortable.

This is really all I have to say about it. Except the most important part - please pray for me.

WEDNESDAY WISDOM

What a lot of worries we are having in our country these days.

• Government worries
• Presidential worries
• Money worries
• Stock market worries
• Social Security worries

Not to mention - WEATHER.  

• Tornadoes
• Hurricanes
• Drought
• Flooding 

I often hear "God is in control." He is in control.  I'm a believer in Jehovah God. I've studied Revelation. I know how this will end. It's all there in The Book.

I've said all that to give you today's bit of wisdom - which comes from Jamaica:

In Jamaica there is a saying "Don't borrow trouble."  Don't worry about things you have no control over. It's such a waste of time and energy.

Don't. Borrow. Trouble.

 

Debra's Chicken Update

My friend Debra lives on a farm. As you know, I was raised on an Oklahoma farm and have spent the last 18 years living in the country. (until April of this year)  On many things Debra and I think alike. Although I haven't had chickens since I was a child, I still have a kinship to those raising chickens. - anyway, I said all that to say this:

You need to check out Debra's blog from today! Check it out here:

http://blakleyhomeplace.blogspot.com/2011/08/chicken-update.html

Even if you've never raised chickens, you will get a chuckle out of this!

Randy's Birthday!!

Black Forest Cake from Cheri's

We began the birthday celebration by having Eric, Michelle, Hunter and his girl friend, Kimmie over for dinner on Wednesday. (His birthday was Friday.)  We had such a nice evening talking and eating. 

(he really is happy about the cake!)

 Happy Birthday, Randy!!!

Then on Thursday nights we always go to Los Cocos for good food with good friends! Terry is the one that told them it's Randy's birthday!!!  Honest - it wasn't me! :) 

They sang him a song!

I needed Maricella  (one of my friends from Nichols Tag Agency) to translate,

because I didn't understand ANY of it!! 

It wasn't Michael's birthday, but he likes the hat. In fact, he may have worn it home!! (just kidding)

Pam and I didn't get in any pictures.

 

I was photographer &

Pam had just spent a week at  church camp and even though it wasn't intentional, 

she is probably glad no pictures were taken of her!! 

I remember those HOT HOT days of camp!

God Bless Pam! 

The hottest week of the summer and she was at camp....

Anyway, again, Happy Birthday, Randy!

Then Friday - his actual birthday!!

Friday night we went to The Mosley Street Melodrama with a group of friends.

We went to this last year and it was pretty good. 

You know, with the villain and the good guy saves the pretty girl. 

This year was quit different and  we were all disappointed. 

I wouldn't suggest this one at all.

But the food was GREAT and the company was GREATER!!

We really enjoyed being with friends and celebrating Randy's birthday - AGAIN!!

I guess the older you get - the more you get to celebrate!! :)

Love you Randy! and I hope you have many many more happy birthdays!!

WEDNESDAY WISDOM

From "Patches of Godlight" by Jan Karon:

"He prayed me into a good frame of mind and if he had stopped there, it would have been very well; but he prayed me out of it again by keeping on."

Prayer is talking to God, having a conversation with him. Whether it's a public prayer or private. I've often wondered why people pray to the audience.

The Castle!

Once upon a time, when Andru was a little boy, he told all his classmates that he lived in a Castle! So, we call our home on Harvest Court "The Castle." Which of course makes Randy a King and me the Queen!! :)  - and I call Andru a prince (some of the time!).

I've lived in lots of houses. Well, actually, I've lived in 14 houses since I was 19. That's not counting the 2 times we lived with parents in between churches (jobs). I've never "hated" any house I've lived in. I have always assumed you can make any house a home. My favorites were the 2 bungalow's we lived in. I just like that style. 

Now, I live in a castle! :)

10 things I love about our castle:

1. The windows, I love to see out and have the light come in
2. The beautiful deck looking out over the pond
3. The space in the house - especially the storage space
4. My bath tub :)
5. Our bedroom
6. The 3 rooms upstairs that I decorated
7. The dishwasher
8. I have a sewing room AND a room for our books we sell
9. The gorgeous yard
10. Central heat and air

BUT... even with all of that and more - The reason I really love the castle is because the King lives here!

(I know, this post is corny but sometimes you just have to let the corn out!!)