Thanksgiving...

I have SO much to be thankful for this year! I am away from those stinky spirits & on with my life. I can't believe that I could ever be thankful or happy with all that trash. My mom was able to have surgery over the holiday weekend where she could recoup without missing work... My friends are coming over... and my dad is cooking!

We lost power for about an hour & 1/2 so I had to get ready in the dark to go get my mom from the hospital. I ran in there to take a shower while the water was still hot in the water heater tank... LOL. I told my mom that I might look a fright when I got there cuz there are NO windows in my bathrooms (if I get a handyman in my next life - I want a small window of some sort in my master bath). My mom said it was ok... she said she probably looked a fright too... mom's have a way of making you feel better, even when they don't feel good!

We finally ate in the evening & only TWO people, plus me of the DOZEN my dad had invited showed up. He was a bit disappointed. I told him next time, let's just make small plans & only cook for a couple of extra people to come since it seems to be that way alot.

The Surgery...

Mom went in Wednesday for surgery. The Orthopedist placed 2-steel rods in her right leg. One in the upper part & one in the lower. They were to help stabilize her leg & keep it from breaking (again). It is not to enable her to walk. Her hip will have to be fixed (or healed) for her to walk but she is very hopeful that it will help her be a little more mobile. She spent one night & I picked her up on Thanksgiving Day. She goes Friday, 12/5 to follow up with the Orthopedist & get her staples removed.

2 Days & Next Five...

It seems like Thanksgiving was afar off & now here it is! I worked the first 2 days of the week & most of it was boring at the plant. We dealt with the passing of the owner's mother & phone calls about info. Then at my 2nd job, we had the excitement of a dead mouse that finally was removed on Monday evening - very stinky!

Mom goes for surgery in the AM. We have to be there at 5:30 AM - before the chicks even squint an eye! I'm sure it will be nice & cold and hopes of no one being on the road (watch the traffic report to see us driving up 183 - LOL). Her surgery is at 7 so there will be plenty of time for a nice hospital breakfast. =)

Well I am off for the next five days. I wouldn't really call it being off... think there is something going on EVERY day. Let's see - Wednesday, I will be at the hospital. Thursday, we are having Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's & people are coming. Hey - if you don't have plans, join us! The more the merrier... my dad always cooks way too much. Friday, I think I have to go to that early bird sale for my mom... hope I don't see anyone! Perhaps I should go to Austin. Saturday, I have to go to the funeral in the afternoon & then my girlfriends are coming over at 6:00. We are going to have a blast! Sunday, I go to church & hopefully take a nice nap! That is my FIVE days in a nutshell. =)

Have a safe & blessed Thanksgiving! Remember... in all things give thanks.

Emptying Boxes...

Well, I wouldn't say I'm still bright eyed & bushy tailed but I'm awake & working in the office/craft room. I've told a few of my friends goodnight & never went to bed. I kept surfing and working in the room. I just unloaded a BIG box & filled it w/trash from around the house. I'm sure I will have more boxes unloaded this week. I attempted to empty the BIGGEST box earlier but realized I could only put 1/2 of the things away.

I desperately need a handyman to come help me do a few things. #1 - I need the racks in my closet raised so I can hang my clothes in there (some guy installed the double racks too close together!). Right now 1/2 of my clothes are in my guest bedroom closet. Once all my clothes are together & out of the other closet, I will be emptying the guest bedroom quickly! I need to finish sorting thru the boxes & move them to the appropriate rooms.

I also need to burn, burn, burn papers. I think that will be a good thing for Thanksgiving eve or so. I can move the BBQ pit I brought (w/the thought of burning lots of papers) over by the picnic table & enjoy a 'redneck' chimenea while sitting outside. I will have to take pics of the work Little Ty did when he moved the picnic table & planted the crepe myrtles in the back of the house. He made a nice flower bed for them in the back. I sure hope they live! I need to get some bark mulch for my 3 - flower beds.

Mom's Update...

Mom went to see the Oncologist on Wednesday. He told her she was his 'poster child'. I think he is SO impressed with her progress. It is amazing the miracle God has performed in her body.

Then, she went to the Orthopedist on Friday for her pre-op. They were all amazed at the progress she has made & how she has gained more mobility. They don't know how or why my mom is doing so well but many of us do. We know a God that is great & able!

Mom goes Wednesday for her surgery to place a steel rod in her right leg. Originally the doctor was just going to place one from her hip to her knee. After studying my mom's x-rays & thinking about it all, the doctor is going to place a 2nd rod in the lower part of her leg as well.

Please pray for God to guide the surgeon & give my mom a speedy recovery! Also pray for my dad to have strength & rest during this time.

End Time Signs...

End Time Delusions: According to bible, in the end times, expect widespread deception, counterfeit miracles, and the appearance of false prophets. Each of these evils will contribute to an atmosphere that will deceive an untold number of people throughout the world. The Antichrist, possibly a charismatic Muslim with a fake Jesus as a sidekick, will convince his followers he is the answer to the world’s problems. Paul tells us that those who become caught in the Antichrist’s web of deceit will be guilty because they freely choose to enjoy evil while denying the truth.

END TIME SIGNS

1. False Bible teachers would be money hungry. They would be smooth talkers, have many followers, and slur the Christian faith (2 Peter 2:1-3) See some at: Fakemessiah.com

2. Homosexuality would be increasingly evident at the end of the age (2 Timothy 3:3)

3. Earthquakes would be in diverse places (Matthew 24:7)

4. Stress would be part of living (2 Timothy 3:1)

5. Many wars would erupt (Matthew 24:6)

6. People would forsake the Ten Commandments as a moral code, committing adultery, stealing, lying, and killing (Matthew 24:12)

7. There would be a cold religious system, in denying God's power (2 Timothy 3:5)

8. Men would substitute fantasy in place of Christian truth (2 Timothy 4:4). This is so evident at Christmas when the birth of the Savior is lost behind the myth of Santa Claus.

9. Deadly diseases would be prevalent (Matthew 24:7). The worldwide increase in AIDS deaths is almost inestimable. Over 160,000 Americans die of cancer each year.

10. The fact that God once flooded the earth (the Noahic flood) would be denied (2 Peter 3:5-6). There is a mass of fossil evidence to prove this fact, yet it is flatly ignored by the scientific world because of its uncanny implication.

11. The institution of marriage would be forsaken by many (1 Timothy 4:3)

12. There would be an increase in famines (Matthew 24:7)

13. Increase in vegetarianism would increase (1 Timothy 4:3-4)

14. There would be a cry for peace (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

15. The possession of Jerusalem would be at the center of international turmoil (Zechariah 12:3)

16. Knowledge would increase (Daniel 12:4)

17. There would be hypocrites within the Church (Matthew 13:25-30)

18. There would be an increase of religious cults/false teachers (Matthew 24:11 & 24)

19. The future would seem fearful to many (Luke 21:26)

20. Humanity would become materialistic (2 Timothy 3:4)

21. There would be many involved in travel (Daniel 12:4)

22. The Christian Gospel would be preached as a warning to all nations (Matthew 24:14)

23. Jesus said Christians would be hated "for His name's sake" (Matthew 24:9)

24: And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21:25-26).

25: Youth would become rebellious. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy (2 Timothy 3:2)

26: Men would mock the warning signs of the end of the age saying, "for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." (2 Peter 3:4). The Bible even reveals their motivation, they love lust (verse 3). They fail to understand that a day to the Lord is as a thousand years to us. God is not subject to the time that He created. He can flick through time as we flick through the pages of a history book. The reason He seems to be silent, is because He is patiently waiting, not willing that any perish, but that all come to repentance.

God's Plan...

I know God has a plan for me. Everyday I tell myself it will get better & have to even read Jeremiah 29:11 occasionally ~ "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." God wants me to have a life of good health and great things.

I was reminded of all of this at church today. It was definitely a service of stomping on the devil & telling him I have the victory! It wasn't until I was talking to a friend last night that I was reminded of the battle I went thru this past year & the things Scott put me thru.

I thought about the one evening I had gone home from work to take a shower before going to the hospital to be with my mom & he was threatening to throw my stuff out in the front yard. I tried to call the sheriff's department to see what my rights were - he unplugged the phone. Then in the end, when I went outside to call on my cell phone - he wouldn't let me back in the house. Eventually, I broke down & cried before it was over b/c I was already emotional w/my mom & being overwhelmed.

It was not a life of peace & truly, I was hiding a lot of things I was going thru & having to battle at home. I am victorious now b/c of God!

Time & Truth...

As I sit & think about how I made it thru another week, I wonder what happened this week & where did it go?! I have still felt yucky this week with allergies & congestion so I wasn't up to my normal self (therefore I haven't blogged). With another week passing by so quickly, I have that feeling that I'm living on borrowed time.

This brings the question: whose time am I borrowing? I would have to say God's. Thursday night our pastor preached about Your Commitment to God. He used dieting as an example of what we do with our walk with God. He said you start out real good on Monday & do really well on the daily diet. You get up, pray, read your Bible & are careful in your walk with God. Tuesday morning, you start out good again but before the end of the day - things that didn't smell good & foods you didn't even like tend to distract you. By the end of the week, you have forgotten all about your goal & have let it all go again. Then on Monday again, you start out with the diet again & with good intentions one more time. But, when are you going to stop trying & really focus on living your life for God?!

Trying to please ourselves & others becomes the goal in our life. With this lifestyle, we have a real inconvenient truth to acknowledge. Jesus asked that question, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36). The real inconvenient truth is that trying to live a self-fulfilling life that is secular with no room for the sacred has been tried and found lacking. It does not bring peace, it is void of lasting joy, and it strips the soul of righteousness. The inconvenient truth is that the world's plan does not work & we must find an alternative lifestyle.

We will find in the words of Jesus Christ a great and valuable discovery: old sources of a new lifestyle. God's word has been tested many times and proven to be both reliable and an effective source of life. The real inconvenient truth is that this is indeed the 'daily diet' that our world needs.

Happy Birthday...

Birthday wishes to a VERY special lady in my life... Gail Lang. She's been more of an aunt to me throughout my life. I look back & one thing I can remember most about her is that she was always there for me! I remember when we were going through some tough times in our families, she made the statement... you get through one thing & here comes the next right along behind but we shall get through this too. Gail, I think you were very instrumental in my life & in part of making me the strong person I am today. And for that & the many other things you have done for me in my life, I want to say thank you & wish a very happy day on your special day ~ Happy Birthday!

The Party...

Mom had a really good time. There was so much BBQ & quite a few people. I will post more pics as I get them & have a chance. She was pleasantly surprised that I baked her a german chocolate cake - at her request.


And of coarse, 'Mafa' had a very special guest - Peter Pie. I think he had more fun than the adults! He even had to help blow out her candles. In case you are wondering, the bunny ears are respresenting the Energizer Bunny & his fight for cancer - he keeps on going & going. Peter, his Mommy (Kathy) & their other team members got them at the Race for the Cure they walked in on Sunday, 11/2. Thanks to their team for helping raise money to Find a Cure.



Mom even had surprise guests from a far off - her brother, Ben and his wife, Linda came to the party. With them was my cousin, Wyndi and her husband, Glen who are having a baby next month.

Busy Days...

Well, I think I've cleaned my house SO much & there is still LOTS to do! Friday, I swept & mopped all the floors in my house. It's amazing how long it takes to do just a little bit of floors. I also ran the washer & dryer nonstop to wash things like rugs & other things around the house.

I have 2-bedrooms that still need to be sorted thru & things need to be put away, given away or thrown out. I need a handyman to put up a ceiling fan & chandelier, raise some closet shelves in my closet & put in a couple of light bulbs that are really high. If I could get the closet shelves moved up, I could get my clothes moved to my closet & get more things put away in the spare bedroom closet (which would clear up the spare bedroom a little).

I've been feeling 'under the weather' from allergies & just sinuses. I guess I've managed to get sick during all of this. I've got the mild cough, sore throat, congestion & feel like I have fever.

I did manage to bake the cake Friday night & ice it Saturday AM. I even managed to take a nap on Saturday which helped since I had been feeling under the weather.

The Future...

What can I say?! If you haven't prayed for our country before, you better start NOW! We will probably have terrorist strikes before the end of the year or first of next year. You thought times were hard now - hang on b/c they are probably going to get worse before they get better. When you take someone who THINKS they know how to do something & has never walked a day in BIG shoes... look out!!!

For all of the young Americans who thought you were so smart in voting for someone 'new', you have alot to learn about life! I think this election just showed that our country is NO longer about the Good Ol' American Guy. My ancestors that fought for this great country are upside down in their graves this morning. Our forefathers are wondering what has happened to our country... most of all, I would NOT want to visit a VA Hospital this week... they are probably furious!

This really shows the 'sign of the times' & I do believe the coming of Jesus is closer than it has ever been. When you elect someone that can quote the Koran better than he can read the Bible, where does that leave God in our country?!

The only SURE thing I can see in our future is that next year... they will be digging up the rose garden & planting a watermelon patch. What has our country gone to??!!

Yes... only God knows where we are headed. I just wish Obama shared more of my Christian beliefs & the same beliefs our Founding Fathers had - building our country on God.

My House...

Here is the snake my dad & I killed Sunday evening that was under the lawnmower, under my house... don't know what kind he is but now he's a DEAD snake {the best kind!}. He was longer... we chopped off the end of his tail section.



Do you see my crazy goat on top of the hay at the barn?! She is the white thing up there. And that is 3 of my dad's horses. The babies are in the barn & their pens.

Many of you have wondered where my house is in relation to my parent's house... it's VERY far!!! I have to walk across the driveway & into their garage to get to their house...



Well now that you feel sorry for me about how far I have to walk to my parent's house... here's a semi-view of my front yard. I have a nice magnolia tree in the front yard (it's still small). I have planted a crepe myrtle in front of the windows on the side by the "gazebo thing".



Do you see the nice gravel parking spot I have?! My dad did that about a week or two after I moved in... it's very nice, especially when it rains... keeps you from having muddy feet.

Here is Benji enjoying the outside & just hanging out while I take pictures of the snake... doesn't he seem content?!

The Election...

Well I've had enough of the candidate commercials! I know tomorrow is going to be NONSTOP with all the election junk... on the radio, TV, conversation, etc. I'm SO ready for this to be over. I saw an Obama commercial this AM & wanted to barf. It reminded me of the last democratic president that talked out both sides of his mouth & was coached on everything to say. This guy has NO idea of what it takes to do the job {I'm not saying I do either but hey, lets think about this - someone WITH experience or someone who has just crawled out of a wood pile for the race.}!

Once again, if you haven't voted yet... I urge you to get out & vote from 7AM to 7 PM on Tuesday, 11/4. Your vote will count & hopefully help the Good, American guy WIN!!!

Who Am I?!

I go to church today & I look around & see people with their spouses and their children. Isn't that what I was?... a wife?... a mother? Then, it's time to leave & people are going with their families to spend time with them & eat dinner with them. I watch as the spouses go together & gather their children & they get in their cars to leave. Wait... wasn't that me?... a mom?... a wife?

I look at my friends & I wonder... where do I fit in? I feel like a 3rd wheel around all my friends now. I really feel like I don't belong & I don't fit anymore. I recall several people telling me - oh, I understand what you are going thru b/c I got a divorce too. It's not just about the divorce! I lost my whole family! I lost my identity - who I was! I lost my home - where I was me!

Yes, I am thankful that I have a new house! Yes, I am thankful that I'm here with my parents! And that is another story - what happened to my mom? Why is life a HUGE struggle & why does it feel like a nonstop battle? All I know is I'm a child of God & He will take care of me.

So Much Junk, So Little Time...

So my mom is mad at my dad, my dad is upset with my mom... it's hard being in the middle. I know her hormones are out of whack lately b/c of the estrogen reducer pills she is on, but sometimes it's rough - she gets her feelings hurt, he gets his feelings hurt & I'm more or less stuck in the middle! {blah} I really don't take sides (I can't) but I do listen to both of them & sympathize with them & try to reason with them.

I just feel like I don't have enough time to do enough or spend enough time with my parents. I could walk over there more but I don't want to listen to them bickering back & forth or griping about the other. I also still have 2-rooms more than 1/2 full of boxes. I just have to keep unpacking & putting things away & getting things done.