Tagged

I was tagged by Linda of This and That for this meme.

1) What I was doing ten years ago: Ten years ago, I was still managing the AM/FM/GIS Group for CenturyTel in Monroe LA. I was responsible for the development and implementation of an automated CAD based system that would aid and assist in the design, management and reporting of all Outside Plant Facilities and for the direct supervision of a staff of 12 people. My duties also included training of all personnel in the company that would utilize the system. I did a lot of traveling in that position. Sounds like a resume doesn't it -- lol. In my personal life, there have been few changes over the past ten years. I was single then as I am today, I had 3 children then as I do now, I had 4 granddaughters at that time as Kayla did not come along until 2002. I still live in the same house that I've been in for the last 32 years.

2.) Five years ago: My friends Margaret, David and I went to New York City in September, 2002. It was a great trip filled with wonderful memories and bittersweet feelings about seeing ground zero a year after the attacks that took down the twin towers. It was my second trip to NYC, the first one long before the towers were built, the second after they came down. I love NYC.

3) One year ago: I was settling back in here at home after being gone so much due to family needs and concerns. Dad had just died the first of September and I had been in Indiana for over a month during the time before and after his death. I had probably only been home about 3-4 weeks total in the four months prior to that, in between trips there and to each of my daughter's homes.

4.) Yesterday: Saturday was a lazy day for me. I finished a book I had started reading at my daughter's a few weeks ago (Comeback), visited with my son and talked to my daughter Jamie on the phone. It was fun reading like that again. I don't do as much reading as I used to (at least not for personal enjoyment).

5.) 5 snacks I enjoy: Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches, Blue Bunny Light Ice Cream, 100 Calorie Snack Packs, fruit, and oh yeah, the chips and dip that I work so hard to avoid these days... I seriously love chips and dip (which is what led me to all the other snacks listed ;-) ).

6.) 5 Things I would do if I suddenly had $100 million: The first thing would be to get some serious financial and legal advice. Personally, I don't think I would change a whole lot about my personal life but I'm sure I would be fairly generous to various charitable concerns, my church, and my family. I think I could do all of that and still have quite a hefty enterprise to manage for the rest of my life.

7.) 5 locations I would like to run away to: New York City, Israel, Hawaii, Alaska, Europe.

8.) 5 bad habits I have: Not exercising like I should, procrastinating, worrying about things I have no control over, reacting without thinking, road rage. (only 5? I could name more ;-) )

9.) 5 things I like doing: Spending time with my children and grandchildren, Paint Shop Pro, Photography, Blogging, Almost anything computer related.

10.) 5 TV shows I like: The Closer, Saving Grace, House, American Idol, most game shows.

11.) 5 things I hate doing: Grocery shopping (really any kind of shopping), driving in Monroe (or almost anywhere in Louisiana), paying bills, cleaning house, KITTY LITTER!

12.) 5 Biggest joys of the moment: My children and grandchildren, Computer, Church, Ginger and Mr. Woody K. Nibs, my new camera.

I'm not tagging anyone specifically but invite anyone who reads my blog to participate if they so choose. If you do decide to accept the open tag, please let me know in the comments so I can visit your site to see your responses!

There Are Those Times

Lord, our hearts often break and our faith weakens when we must walk without clear sight, but You honored the man who said, "I believe; please help my unbelief."

Thank you that You remain faithful even when we have no faith left.

~taken from an article titled UNANSWERED QUESTIONS by Marilyn Ehle in a daily newsletter I receive.

Lately my faith has been relatively strong but there are those times; times of doubt, times of uncertainty, times of questioning, times of unbelief. I've realized as I grow older that those are the times we just have to push through... isn't that what faith is after all?

Friday's Feast #162

If you want to participate in Friday's Feast click here.

Appetizer -How are you today?

I'm tired.

Soup -Name 3 television shows you watch on a regular basis.

I watched The Closer and Saving Grace consistently until they started into re-runs. I will probably watch American Idol when it starts.

Salad -What’s the scariest weather situation you've experienced?

Multiple tornados struck throughout the mid-west and south one day in 1974, killing hundreds of people throughout the stricken area. I remember watching nearly a hundred emergency vehicles pass by the office building I was in headed to a school that was destroyed just a couple miles east of where my parents live. The tornado hit moments after the buses had left for the day and the children were all gone from the school. Although there were tornados quite close to my location, we were fine, just a scary situation as you never know where they are going to hit. I was pregnant with my third child and of course I was worried about the girls but knew they were being well cared for.

Main Course -If you could wake up tomorrow morning in another country, where would you want to be?

I'm taking a trip next year to multiple countries in Europe including England, France and Holland with a group from my church. I am looking forward to waking up in any one of those countries.

Dessert -What do you usually wear to sleep?

baggy shorts / pants and shirts or pajamas

Win An External Hard Drive

5 Minutes For Mom is giving away three (3) WD Passport Portable Hard Drives on her site. Just click on the icon to head over to her blog and get your name in before they draw the winners on Friday, October 5th.

I'll leave a link to this giveaway in the Contest section in the sidebar on the right side of my page until the cows come home because I'll forget to take it off the contest is over.

Her First Homecoming Dance

Just a few pictures taken before the dance of Erin and Nick and some of their friends... thank you Erin for inviting me and letting me share this special time in your life.

Erin, dressed and ready!

Nick, ready and waiting... did I tell you we like him? We do!

Beautiful girl!

Three beautiful girls!

Great corsage Nick!

Two beautiful girls!

Handsome dudes!

A great bunch of kids!

Another Friday Night Lights - First Homecoming

***Reposting this Tuesday morning due to problems with picture display.***

This week was Airline High School's 2007 Homecoming and the first for my granddaughter Erin, who is a freshman this year. Erin invited me over to watch her band perform (in full uniform no less) on the field for the pre-game show and to stay through Saturday until she left for her first formal high school dance on Saturday night. I took her to the school on Friday as the band had to meet early in preparation for the big performance so I got to spend a few minutes with Erin alone... those are precious moments to me.

The pre-game show consisted of two parts of Nightmare Before Christmas and included an involved routine where the band seemed to continually move all over the field. It was hard to keep up with where Erin actually was on the field but I did so by listening for and looking for the flute section until I found her. They did a great job, which took away the sting of another defeat for their football team. Sarah Grace did not want to stay for the entire game so I left with her after the presentation of the homecoming court and announcement of the Homecoming Queen at half-time. We missed the band perform the third part of their show during the third quarter from the stands but we were both tired so we were better off leaving and avoiding all the traffic after the game anyway. It also gave me a chance to get some of that special alone time with just Sarah. Emily opted to skip the game and stay with a friend on Friday evening until the game was over so I will have to find the chance to spend some time with her during another visit.

Here's a few pictures (SOOC except for the one of Erin playing her flute which was cropped but no other edits) from Friday night.



Erin at pregame practice.



Practice is over... a quick shot before they head to the field.



Erin's friend Ariel on the field before the pre-game show. She and her older sister both play the mirimbas.




Boyfriend Nick in the stands well before the start of the game. We like him!



The homecoming queen was announced at half-time. I'm sorry, but I do not remember her name.

Stay tuned for a post that will include photos taken before Erin's first formal high school dance.

Eat at Chili's Today

Chili's will donate 100% of their profit today to St. Jude's Childrens' Hospital in Memphis as they have done for several years. By eating there today, eat in or take out, you can help fund the research and treatment of childhood cancer.

If you cannot get to a Chili's today, just click on the logo to go to Chili's online site where you can Create a Pepper and donate in honor of or in memory of a child who has had to endure this monster disease.

For the cost of a meal, you can help.

Friday's Feast #161

If you want to participate in Friday's Feast click here.

Appetizer -What is your favorite type of art?

Art is just like music for me, I love most types of art and it often depends on my mood or whatever happens to catch my eye at the time. I generally prefer a simplistic style over ornate or elaborate pieces. I sketch and paint and love to create in the digital realm as well but I am not a collector of art.

Soup -When was the last time you got a free lunch (or breakfast or dinner)? Who paid for it?

My son John brought Danken Trail to the house last week for dinner.

Salad -On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how emotional are you?

My emotions are not always readily seen on the surface but they are strong and passionate, particularly where my family is concerned. I'm not sure how one can quantify emotions but I will say 7 if I have to put a number to it.

Main Course -Approximately how long do you spend each day responding to emails?

I've slowed down a good bit on email. I still receive a fair bit, but respond less and less. I send on the good stuff and delete the bad stuff or the interminable repeats of the same old things. I would say an average of 15 minutes a day.

Dessert -To what temperature do you usually set your home’s thermostat?

The air conditioner is usually set on 76 and the heat on 70.

'N Sink

I finally caught Woody in one of his favorite places to sleep... the sink in the half bath. Of course the flash woke him up. The picture was rather plain so I decided to 'scrap' it.

(click on picture for larger view)

Friday Night Lights

A few things happened last night.

I went to a high school football game last night as planned hoping to see my granddaughter Erin's high school band perform. What happened: They were not able to perform on the field since they could not get there in time to do a pre-game show on the field. Since they were not the home school, they would not perform on the field at half-time. I had to settle for listening to them play in the stands. Well worth it... they are a fantastic high school band and live up to their well-earned reputation. In all honesty, while this was my original expectation, Erin told me on Friday that they were not going to be there in time for the pre-game.

I went in the hopes of spending a few moments with her. What happened: Since I arrived early and was smart enough to know what I was doing lucked out, I was able to be at the exact spot where their buses would pull up for them to unload. I got to spend a scant two minutes with her as the band arrived, got a couple of hugs, a kiss and a brief comment or two with a promise to meet and hopefully sit together for a few minutes during the third quarter when they normally get a break. When the third quarter came, by the time the bands, dance teams, cheerleaders and pep squads all made it back from their refreshment run, the quarter was almost over and the band had to return to their seats and we were unable to spend any more time together.

I went hoping to have the father of one of Erin's high school friends pointed out to me as he is interested in my daughter Dee, Erin's mother. What happened: It didn't happen. Since we were never able to connect again, I never got a glimpse of the young man's father who was with the band as a parent chaperone.

I went hoping to see some good competitive high school football. What happened: I saw a fantastic display of talent -- from the home team only. The final score Ouachita Lions 41 -- Airline Vikings 0. But I definitely give the edge between the two bands to Airline. Great job Erin and company!

I went hoping to get some great pictures of Erin and the band and some shots of the sights and sounds of the game. What happened: I forgot my camera!

I love you Erin!

Friday's Feast #160

If you want to participate in Friday's Feast click here.

Appetizer -When was the last time you visited a hospital?

Earlier this summer when I took Mom to the emergency room after she took a nasty fall.

Soup -On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how ambitious are you?

In the traditional sense, I'm not terribly ambitious. In my desire to for accomplishment during my lifetime or in what I want from life for myself and the people I love, I would say I am fairly ambitious although I don't necessarily act on it. I'll say a 6 or 7.

Salad -Make a sentence using the letters of a body part. (Example: (mouth) My other ukelele tings healthily.)

He Ends All Doubt! (HEAD) or Will Additional Inches Stay There? WAIST (apparently the answer to that question is yes!)

Main Course -If you were to start a club, what would the subject matter be, and what would you name it?

I'm not much of a club person nor would I be likely to start a group, but when I was reading more, I always thought a book club would be fun. I'm not feeling very creative this morning so I'll just name it The Bookmark.

Dessert -What color is the carpet/flooring in your home?

Mostly earthtones.

Wednesday Night

John's asleep in the recliner after bringing dinner to me tonight and watching the last two episodes of Big Brother on DVR. I was disappointed that Sunday's show was shorted by about 30 minutes, due to the football games running over. Seems to me that there should be a better way to program the recorder than by schedule time which is likely to mess up a lot during football season. Oh well, nothing major missed. I never watched this program until he started recording it anyway.

Ginger just came back in after a quick necessary trip outside but Mr. Nibs is still wandering around in the darkness of our back yard. He'll come inside in a bit and make himself cozy for the night. I need to get a picture of him sleeping in the sink in the half bath. That's one of his favorite places to sleep. It's cool and it's also near Ginger's food and water bowls and when he sleeps there she is forced to stand guard all night to 'protect' her very existence... we all know she would die if he dared to take one morsel or a sip of water from her bowl. I've really worked hard with her to be less possessive, even taking food from her bowl and giving to Mr. Nibs while she watched. It was just her for so long that she never had to get used to another animal and although I don't believe she would ever hurt him, she needs to lighten up a bit on the possessiveness.

I need to get a picture of Ginger when she is loving on him too. She is terribly jealous of him and sometimes when she acts up when he is getting his 5 minutes of attention each day, I make her kiss him... it's really funny. Sometimes she wails when I make her do it. I swear she's part human. Most of the time they play really good together, he teases her then she chases him around the house. They do this a couple of times each day.

I'm anxious for Friday night to come. My oldest granddaughter will be in town for a football game between her high school (I can't believe I have a granddaughter old enough to be in high school) and her mother's (and her aunt's and uncle's) alma mater. Her band will be playing and I am going to go to the game. I'll probably leave after they play as I'm sure she'll be hanging with her friends and I am not much of a high school football fan these days. I just hope to see her for a short time while I am there. If I can spend time with her I will certainly stay longer.

My new study (Companions In Christ) started in earnest last night and I think I am going to enjoy it. There's less reading of scripture in this class than in the Disciple series I've attended the past few years but more personal application of the scripture we do read. We will do a lot of journaling and discussion of our spiritual lives and growth. This study definitely appeals to my introspective nature.

I'm also doing a pure bible study on Sunday nights, led by our pastor, covering the 1st, 2nd and 3rd John. No home reading, we read and discuss during the session. Weldon is such a good teacher and leader and he is very generous with his time in doing these studies throughout the year. Come to think of it, all of our pastoral staff is good about that, as well as our lay leadership.

By the way, dinner tonight came from Danken Trail, which specializes in western style cooking, barbque, smoked meats, beans that type of thing. They have the best beef brisket poboys in north Louisiana. Served with gravy and the best french fries ever! mmmm... I was good though, I only ate half! Thanks John!

Guess I better get Mr. Nibs in and John out cause I'm ready to end this rambling post and do some reading.

Night all!

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

** Added video on Thursday, September 13, 2007 **

Have I mentioned lately that I hate cancer... well I do, especially in children.

Kids Get Cancer Too!

Cancer in children is more common that most people realize. Childhood cancers behave very differently than adult cancers and the survival statistics are not as promising. Furthermore, the incidence of childhood cancer seems to be increasing. Please join us in increasing awareness of childhood cancer facts and statistics.

• Cancer is the number one killer of children by disease. It is the second leading cause of all childhood deaths exceeded only by accidents.
• One in 330 children will develop cancer before the age of 20.
• On average, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the United States.
• Approximately 12,400 children were diagnosed with cancer in the year 2000.
• Each year, about 3,000 children die from cancer - more than from asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies, and pediatric AIDS combined.
• Only about 20% of adults with cancer show evidence that the disease has spread to distant sites on the body at diagnosis yet 80% of children are diagnosed with advanced disease.
• In the past 20 years only one new cancer drug has been approved for pediatric use.
• Only 3 % of the budget from the National Cancer Institute goes towards Pediatric Cancer research. (That's 3 % for ALL kinds of Pediatric Cancers combined!)
• The incidence of childhood cancer is increasing. The cause of this is unknown.
• Pediatric cancer funding is nominal in comparison to other more publicized diseases such as pediatric AIDS or juvenile diabetes which increases awareness each year.
• Most adult cancers result from lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, occupation, and exposure to cancer-causing agents. The cause of most childhood cancers in unknown.
• Approximately 70% of children with cancer participate in research trials compared to only 3% of adult cancer patients. As a result, many of the advances in adult cancer treatments are due to breakthroughs in childhood cancer research.
• The government recently CUT the budget for Childhood Cancer research.
• As a nation, we spend $14 BILLION per year on the space program, but only $35 MILLION on childhood cancer research per year.
• The symbol for childhood cancer is the gold ribbon.

How You Can Help:

• Wear a gold ribbon.
• Have a car wash, garage sale, bake sale or any special event and donate the proceeds to the childhood cancer organization of your choice.
• Go through old video tapes, DVDs and CDs to donate to your local Children's Hospital
• Become a Partner in Hope with St. Jude. The money goes to research. www.stjude.org
• Get involved with or donate to Habitat For Hope. This organization houses families and does things with and for families. www.habitatforhope.org
• Donate to Caringbridge to help this organization to help families communicate.
• Ask your Student Council or PTO for help in getting your (or your child's) school involved.
• Get your church youth groups involved.
• Host an Alex's Lemonade Stand.
• Educate youth by having them donate their allowance earned for the month of September.
• Participate in Locks of Love.
• Donate blood and or platelets.
• Join the National Bone Marrow Registry.
• Support the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act. Click on this link to find out more and then write to your senators and congressmen.
• Organize a drive for Kids Cancer Crusade.
• Copy, post and circulate this information.

Support the kids that are fighting cancer by leaving them messages on their pages and remembering them in your prayers. Pray, Pray and Pray.

This is a powerful video that shows SOME of what our kids with cancer go through. The link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGS4yE5v9rM

September 24th is Chili's 100% proceeds go to St Jude's day. EAT AT CHILIS SEPT 24TH. even takeout. St. Jude does so much research and also shares it with institutions around the world.

For insight, humor and raw emotion, visit some very special children and check out their stories:

Jake Raborn* and Jake's Foundation
Jacob Duckworth* and Jacob's Family
Ethan Powell
Cheers for Amanda
Spencer Boyer*
Matthew Dubac*
Allen Smith
Kendrie Escoe
Julianna Banana (not updated recently as she is in remission but some great stuff here if you can find the time to go through it... her dad wrote almost every entry from his daughter's perspective)
Big Ben Bowen* (click on updates on the left hand sidebar)

Names with *asterisks* indicate those children who have lost their earthly battle with cancer. These are only a few of thousands of children who fight or have fought the battle of their lives with this horrid disease.

If you are in a position to give, please do so... there is no better cause than one which works towards saving our children.

Emily

Credits

Photo of Emily was 'lifted' from my (former) son-in-law's web site. Thanks Will! I have to confess to having trouble with this picture... she looks far too mature here for a 13 year old, especially a 13 year old who happens to be my granddaughter. But she is too beautiful to not want to show her off. She also happens to be a straight A student throughout her entire scholastic career. She has it all - looks, brains and of course ATTITUDE! She is 13 after all!

Tracey Caudle Allure Kit

Credits for original Word Art (I created my own based on word art in tutorial), curled ribbon and stained tags can be found with the tutorial I based this creation on.

Tutorial by Imaginative Mindz.

Friday Feast #159

Here's my latest feast. Click on the icon if you want to participate.

Appetizer -Using only one word, how does grocery shopping make you feel?

Irritated **edited to change from Angry which seemed a little harsh when I thought about it

Soup -What is your favorite part about the season of Autumn?

I have lived in Louisiana for almost 33 years. I still miss having a true fall season. It just isn't the same in the deep south as it is in the midwest. I miss the amazing colors and waking up to crisp, clear air that makes you drag out your old sweaters and sweatshirts that will be hanging from your waist by mid-morning or dropped on the ground somewhere as the day warms up. I miss hay rides from youthful days and kissing someone with a cold nose whose breath mixed with yours to form a warm air pocket in the coolness of the air around you; the very last of the tomatoes, which were not eaten but thrown during youthful pranks while driving around the country side all the while trying not to get caught; I miss the sight of dry corn stalks in the fields; rolling around in leaves with my children when they were small; the smell of burning leaves; I miss home, I miss Indiana each and every fall season. It was my favorite time of year there.

Salad -Have you ever had any bad experiences online?

I belonged to an online email group for years that fought among themsevles for ages and finally splintered. I finally had enough of one of two splinter groups and blew up in anger and left that group. I do not regret leaving it at all. I regret letting my anger getting the best of me. I regret not leaving that group sooner.

Main Course -Name three things that make you happy daily.

My family, my pets, having one more opportunity to get it right (which I never do).

Dessert -What one household cleansing or organizing item would you not want to be without?

Bleach would be the cleansing item but organization - definitely my computer.

A New Study

This starts the sixth year I've participated in long term studies at my church. Over the past five years, I have completed Disciple Studies I - IV and associated studies including Christian Believer and Jesus in the Gospels. Last year, I did two of the studies, which was often difficult to keep up with, but I am so glad I did because one of the two classes I took was with Margaret before she got too sick to attend. Our friend and associate pastor, Betty, led that study and she herself is now battling breast cancer. You can read about my friends here.

The Disciple series studies are involved and each course of study lasts 32 to 34 weeks. These studies obviously require a commitment from the participants to not only complete the study(s) but also encourages and prepares you to live as a disciple.

The study I've chose this year is Companions In Christ. This study is only 28 weeks and is focused more towards personal spiritual formation and growth in the individual. I think this is the right time and the right study for me.

We had our orientation meeting last night and picked up the books we will use during this study. Along with the participant's book, we will also maintain a journal that was designed for this course. I'm really looking forward to this class.

On a side note, I found out that the Mission Group has had a change of plans and will not be going to Red Bird as planned in two weeks and has decided to make another trip to New Orleans instead. This will be our fifth mission trip to the area and I have made them all. I would love to go if I can work it out.

I was also presented with a challenge (or an opportunity as some would say) last night that I need to give time and consideration to before agreeing to what would be a long term commitment on my part. My gut is saying accept it; my heart is saying accept it; my head says take your time and pray about it. And so I will.

The Mystery of Service

     "And the mystery is this - the more you go beyond yourself, the
     more you will become your true self; the more you lose yourself
     in loving and serving others, the more you will find yourself;
     the more you keep company with those who suffer, the more you
     will be healed."

The Bishop of London spoke these words in his address at the 10th Anniversary Memorial Service for Princess Diana.

Words to remember... words to live by.