Saturday, February 28, 2015

TOYS?



These last few months have meant two birthdays and Christmas at the boys' home. Toys galore, from rafters to floor. But what is it they have found to play with today?   Paper of course...good old inexpensive PAPER!  And what fun they are having.

We are always searching for something more. We pay a fortune to see a beautiful show, yet miss the opportunity to sit and watch the sunset.  We pay to travel to Africa to check out elephants, while we could see the miracle of life in a backyard ant hill. I could go on and on, but you know what I mean. We often miss the most simple pleasures while searching for bigger and better.

The boys have it right. Enjoy what you have.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Sky Zone Bouncers


Now, I realize there are bouncers and then there are bouncers. Lauren and Brit and not what I would ordinarily call bouncers. Although with all her weightlifting, I suppose Lauren could very well be.

She does not get enough exercise with Crossfit, lol, so she and her friend, Brit went to SkyZone in Glen Mills to bounce around a bit on the trampolines. She makes me tired just telling about it. I imagine after sitting at a desk while she works  day after day she need to move around a bit, so she just has to make up for those days.

I am happy that Lauren is good about taking care of her body. I need to confess that I'm on an eating frenzy these days. I know it is not good for me. I know I feel much, much better when I am on the Daniel diet, but it is so hard to hold to, especially for those of us who must eat out way too much.

So if you are given to prayer, and I hope you are, please offer up a few words for me, that I will take my diet much more seriously and regain control over my fingers that want to reach out and grab a handful of almonds for example.




Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Snowface



Maggie had her chance to run around in the snow on the courtyard. I find it cute to see the snow stuck in her whiskers. It doesn't bother her at all. Do you find it funny that a dog breed originally from the Canary Islands and then Cuba would do so well in the snow? She absolutely loves it. I've not seen her visibly cold.

I really wish I were as adaptable. Often when I leave the house, I feel like the little brother in Christmas Story with his arms stuck straight out  from his sides because he was so 'overdressed' for the cold weather.  But then of course, that just might be what is appropriate for Ohio, especially in the extremely low temperatures we've experienced this winter.

Actually, I've been quite amused at the plunging temps. I imagine God up in heaven laughing at Al Gore and all his buddies who have predicted Global Warming, especially at  times when they had scheduled Global warming demonstrations and it was  much too cold to conduct them. I'm sure God has a sense of humor.  Naturally when everything turned on them and they were about to freeze, they changed their marketing to Climate Change. Yes right. There is definitely change. There has been since the beginning of time. Once there was even a flood that covered the earth with water after it rained for 40 days and nights. The only thing we can know for sure about weather is...the earth will never be flooded like that again ...ever! God has promised us that. He said, it won't be water, but fire next time. Yes! That is the global warming I fear. When God is ready for that, there will be nothing we can do about it...no matter how many cows we doctor for flatulence. 

Monday, February 23, 2015

Need a Snow Picture



With all the snow we're having this winter, I felt it would be good to get out of the house and pose for a picture, just for the record. However, I am outdoors enough, just shoveling. It has been exceedingly cold this year and I hadn't attempted anything fun.  Not that this picture is fun, but I did get to be with my two honeys...Ron and our little Maggie, who was wrestling to get down and run around in the snow.

For a breed from Cuba, she certainly likes the cold and particularly  the snow. She likes to eat it and she  comes in with ice frozen in her whiskers.  Anyway, I didn't want her wet, I wanted her to pose as well. Couldn't get that to happen.

There are much prettier places to take pictures and I'd love to have one in front of one of the several really high snow banks we have,  but it has really been too cold to stay out longer than necessary.  Maybe I'll do it yet. The snow is still here and not likely to melt soon.

Until that time, I have been taking numerous pictures of snow from inside our warm and cozy house.

While keeping warm this morning, I read Philippians. It is a short book and our minister asked us to read it for next Sunday. A rule follower, I had to do it, again. It is one of the books I have read the most often. The whole Bible is true, but the truth in Philippians inspires me to press onward to the prize. I am one who marked up her Bible and over the years I've marked different passages and written notes of explanation or my feelings and dated them in several colors of ink. It is in danger of becoming obliterated by my scribbles. But still, each time I read it, something different stands out to me, at my present stage of life or recent experiences. Why don't you try it some time this week? It is short and easy to read. Go ahead and mark it up. God wants us to grab hold of His word. Put it in your heart. Couldn't be anything better in there. Maybe it will help with some of the trash the world has put in there lately.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Great Granddaughter...


You may have guessed that I  enjoy the selfie movement.  I love to see everyday types of pictures of my family and friends. This is particularly cute, since it is our granddaughter, Brittanie and  our sweet great granddaughter, Ava.

I pray that our God will guide them in the way they should go and protect them from harm.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

The Unexpected Gift


Gifts are wonderful. We love to give gifts. It is sometimes hard to receive them. We are taught is it better to give than receive. People will say,"Oh no, don't get me a gift."  We always want to give to those close to us, family members, best friends. Sometimes, we give to those we see on the street corners who hold out their hands and plead.

But, I'm here to tell you that an unexpected gift can be the best. The story of the hat in the picture is clearly told on the layout itself.  Chelle was shopping for others. She could not buy for herself at this time of year. She has triplets, you know. There are lots of gifts to buy and to make.

While shopping, she came upon a hat. Oh, what a pretty hat. She needed a hat. She looked at it for quite a while, but moved on.

Later, she received that hat with a card explaining that a friend of hers had seen her looking longingly at the hat and bought it for her.  The unexpected  gift was the perfect pick me up. And oh, can you tell how very pretty she is with that hat?

Thank you, whoever you are, for buying this for our lovely daughter. She appreciates it and so do we.

Winter Fun



Our sweet daughter in law posted this excellent picture on FaceBook tonight. Or at least, I just saw it there. I made a layout with it recently and it will be published in my next book...to be sent to My Publisher this weekend.  Beautiful picture...beautiful family!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

It's About Time


It is about time. After all, Oliver is14 months old. He finally took a selfie!  lol Look at his face. What do you suppose he is thinking? "Oh a button. Push the button"? or "This is how Mommy takes a selfie."?   He did it. Now I have this darling layout to show how smart he is.  That's what Grammas are for...to brag about their grandchildren.  Who else has enough time? I'm pleased to say, he is pretty special in my book.

As we get older, we often realize that life in not about things...life is about people and relationships. Life is about God and what He has provided for us, the love He has shown us. Anything else falls by the way. Everything else fails us. There is rust, tears, breaks, and even thefts. As they say, we can't take it with us. But love is different, especially God's love.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. I Corinthians 4-8.


Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Success, A Journey



Lauren has been working out with Cross Fit for a long time now. I can hardly believe how much she has accomplished...how very strong she is...It proves that she is a very hard worker.

Strong, yet she remains a beautiful young lady.

Here's to all your determination and self control, Lauren. May God bless you and protect you from harm.

Love you, Gramma

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

You Can




With our triplets something we often hear is, "You can be anything you want to be...if you work hard enough. " I beg to differ in that department. We all have God given abilities. We all have somethings we can do well; but not many, if any,  can do all things well. We were all made different, because we need all kinds of people to do many different types of jobs.  Would a person who loves to sew, make a good doctor. It is possible, but not likely. Would an artist make a good lawyer? It's not likely.

God made each one of us. He packed in each one different skills. Someone who was meant to be a salesman might want to be a baker, but he certainly would be wasting the people skills he was given.

Can a bird give milk like a cow? No! And you cannot be anything you want to be.  But, as Max Lucado said in his lesson on this subject, "You can be everything God wants you to be!"

Listen  to what people say to you. They can see where you excel.  Pay attention to what you like to do. That is a good clue as to what you should prepare yourself to do in this life.

A wise person listens to advice. He/she also considers his/her past,  present and future wishes before making big decisions.

I pray that each triplet goes in a direction that is fit for him/her and can excel with the Lord's help.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Can You Say Beautiful?


Our granddaughter Brittany is the mother. Ava is her name. We can't get over how very beautiful she is...just like her mom.

I'm enjoying making girly layouts.  Love my grandsons, but sure do like making these more feminine pages.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Love To Spoil This Dog


This is the first dog small dog that Hubby and I have spoiled equally. She is a special little girl.

When I hear the jokes about dogs going to heaven, I laugh; but I really believe she will be there.