Happy 77th Birthday Mom

Today my mom would be 77!  She has been gone from this world for 7 years!  I want to think of happy memories of her today but instead woke up crying and feeling discombombulated...don't get me wrong, I loved my mom, she was my mom yet when I think of my mom many hurtful and painful memories crowd in.  I didn't have the best childhood but has anyone had the perfect childhood?

My mom and I didn't agree on a lot of things and yet some things she shared with me I am so thankful for so those are the things I want to share ~

~ my mom shared with me the gift of reading.  One that I have passed onto my kids and it is exciting to see my grandchildren also love books and reading.

~ my mom told me I could go to any church I wanted as long as it wasn't Jehovah Witness.  I was raised in the Catholic church but in my teen years I went to a small Assembly of God church where I met the Lord.  And when I was 17 I accepted him into my heart and he has been with me through the thick & thin of things in life.

~ my mom told me when I said I was going to marry Ron I could not just run home when we had a problem, "I made my bed and I had to sleep in it."  And I know my mom and many others didn't think our marriage would last - but in two days we celebrate 37 years of marriage!!!  I just love this guy and I know my mom did too.  Sometimes I think she loved Ron more than she loved me but that is for another time.

~ my mom told me the morning I flew to Holland to join Ron as I was blubbering that I was too scared to get on that big ole plane "go in the bathroom, wash your face with cold water, pick up that baby (Jamie) and do what you need to do."  And I did and when I think of that morning so many years ago I have to chuckle because I did exactly as she said and I am so thankful I did.  And sometimes I still have to repeat those words to myself, like I did this morning after crying through some thoughts and things laying heavy on my heart.

~ my mom taught me to make her gumbo recipe (not the typical seafood or chicken gumbo you hear about from Louisiana) but her gumbo and every time I make it, I think of happy thoughts of my mom.

~ and she taught me there is nothing better than a York Peppermint Patty, especially delicious when it is wrapped in the colors of Christmas and frozen

(so I may be going to the store later today to get some 

York Peppermint Patties and the makings for gumbo)

~ she gave me the gift of enjoying long rides, hey maybe we will do that this afternoon, just go for a ride and see some of this beautiful country we live in.

and so I say "Happy Birthday Mom!"  And I really do love you!

Kicked in the Stomach - Leaving the ? ~ Now What

A Good Verse to Remember

Just got notified that we have lost our case with the Texas Workforce Center in regards to Ron's unemployment.  My first thought ~ now what?  Second thought ~ how can that be?  More thoughts ~ why did the truth now win out this time?  What and how is it God wants us to respond?  Can they (The TWF( just pull the money paid to Ron out of our account? If so, we are screwed as there is very little money in any of our accounts.  I should just go to bed and dream of things of revenge.

AND THEN  I heard a little voice say ~ "you trust God, you believe in God, and you say this is all in His hands ~ is it really?"  YES!!!  So I stopped, asked for forgiveness for even thinking of wanting to get revenge and instead  I claim God's word:

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

My life verse came to mind:     Proverbs 3:5-6             
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

1 Timothy 6:17b
  but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our needs.

And now I feel at peace again.  Still perplexed but know God has things under control.

Christmas at Silver Dollar City

Yesterday the weather was clear, crisp and cool so we decided to head over to Silver Dollar City for couple of hours and enjoy the Christmas scenery.  We had lots of fun ~ hope you enjoy spending the day with us and the sites all around.

First Stop ~ Dicken's A Christmas Story

So hard to get a picture of the two of us - but you get the idea - we were enjoying ourselves.

This was on the head of the gal in front ~ definitely a distraction :)

The cast...love the costuming.

A look at Christmas Past.

Ron's favorite - The Ghost of Christmas present.

Celebrating the joys of Christmas.

And then we were off to ~ listen to Tracy Heaston; we also like to watch him at Grand Country!

And then it was time for A Wonderful Life

Clarence getting his assignment.

George Bailey & Clarence getting warm after the near drowning.

George learning how much he is loved.

Clarence getting his wings and the cast rejoicing that all is well with the world.

A snapshot of the Christmas trees & homes throughout Silver Dollar City

Merry Christmas!

Ramblin' Thoughts

A lot has been going on and I was going to try to catch up but that makes me get all stressed out so thought I would go back to my mine reason for this blog...just writing whatever comes to mind or thoughts that just keep running through my mind.

I have been thinking about my blog and why I have it, why I write it and what I want from my writing.  Yesterday I was at Forever Friends, a ladies group where we gather to pray, share our burdens, study God's word and someone mentioned how important it was for us to each write out our life story...something I have wanted to do for a long time...to share the life lessons we have learned and how God has worked in our lives.  I've felt for a long time that with all the trials I have gone through and the many things I have learned that maybe there was a nugget or two that I could share with someone to help them through some part of their journey of life.

And then today we were asked to be a part of a news program on healthcare and the struggles of finding good healthcare, affording necessary medications, eating healthy on a limited budget and meeting our obligations and living expenses on a limited budget without health insurance.  I posted in a group on Facebook about the possibility of the interview and was encouraged to share what is going on with us because there are many who are in the same situation as us and maybe getting the story out there would help us and maybe others.  So we did the interview.  Not sure how it will turn out...it is on KSPR 33 tonight at 10 p.m. and then will be online at www.kspr.com sometime later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Which brings me back to my questions:  I have been thinking about my blog and why I have it, why I write it and what I want from my writing. ... I write my blog as a way to journal what thoughts run through my head, how God talks and encourages me, what struggles I face and how God leads me in working through them, to share the many blessings I have in my life, to share my goals and ideas, to be an encourager to others and share who I am with family and friends.

In reflecting on the past few months I have let busyness be in control, spending way too much time on Facebook and not doing the things I enjoy like crocheting & cross-stitching, writing, sending cards to friends and just enjoying time with my hubby, family and friends.   So today I had a long talk with myself and realized I need to get back to taking care of me, having time with the Lord each morning, being "intentional" in my actions  - my word for 2012 that seems to have been lost the last couple of months, being in control of my time (as much as in control as I can be) and nurturing my relationship with Ron and with our son's and their family's and my friendships near and far.

So stay tuned for more thinkin' and sharin' on my part.  And know there may be no rhyme or reason to what I write BUT know it will be from my heart.

A Little Something for Baby Alexander

Getting ready for Baby Alexander, grandson #4, grandchild #5

Enjoyed making this blanket for Alexander.

Just realized I didn't get a picture of the blanket all open.

Can't wait to see him snuggled under it.

(PS Baby Alexander is due 1/4/13)

Never a Dull Moment in Our Lives

Life has been crazy and full of different opportunities and then stuff happens. 

Ron walked into the office and calmly said "The Mule Cart just blew up."  I was with a guest who was checking in and just kind of looked at him thinking "oh the starter broke again."  And continued talking to the guest.  After she left, Ron said again "the Mule Cart caught on fire."  And then he told me what happened.  

He pulled into Site 25 to pick up another big collection of leaves that he has been gathering.  And then he saw smoke coming out of the Mule Cart.  He opened the bench to check the engine.  And boom - flames shooting out of the engine.  Ron quickly grabbed a water hose and doused the flames.

This is what was left:

The engine in the aftermath.

Another view of the engine.

Another view.

The back and top.

Another view of the back.

The black lump is Ron's glass case melted into the top of the canopy.

The ? is - are the glasses okay?

Glasses are fine, shirt is a little dirty but the best news is that Ron is okay!

We then towed and pushed the Mule Cart into the garage.  A phone call to our boss, completion of an incident report and back to work. Ron fixed the box trailer to be able to pull it behind the lawn mower so the work can continue.

And through it all we just give thanks to our Lord that no one was hurt, nothing else burned down and we are here to continue with the wonderful life we are blessed with.

Where has the time gone?

Oh my gosh...where has the time gone.  Life seems like it is moving in warp speed and I really need it to slow down.  Really what I need to do is figure out how to do all the fun stuff I like to do and still get my work done...if you know the secret to that let me know.

Last I left off it was Labor Day weekend.  The following weekend we had a horrible thunder/lightening storm.  Here are the pictures:

Early Storm Happenings

And someone, who will remain nameless who would not bring the awning down before the storm hit full board.

And this little guy flew into the rig when I had the door open trying to take pictures.

And After the Storm

This is outside of our rig.

The map for guests who come in after hours :(

And the tree that fell over....the couple in the rig about 15 feet from where it toppled thought it was going to come through their rig..  Fortunately no one was hurt.  One 5th wheel did get a log (branch) through their roof in the bathroom.

And the pool!  Even got some leaves :)