Jewelsy

Jewelsy was born into our family almost 12 years ago. And he is very much a part of our routine.

He hates when the girls are doing their school work, and not giving him attention in the morning. He tries to sit as close as he can.

He is an old cat, but can still be playful at times, usually all the wrong times!

The more she tugs, the more he thinks she is playing.

Every time she moves he attacks.

An old fat attack cat,

but he is our old fat attack cat,

and we love him.

WOW, has a week actually gone by???

So sorry it has been so quiet around here, I don’t know what happened?? all of the sudden it was Sunday again!!

So here are some random thoughts on last week.

Last Sunday we went to the beach. This has become our new routine for Sundays. Church, early service, love the early service, and LOVE our church. We worship, we learn, we fellowship, it’s good! We go home and eat something simple…leftovers, sandwiches, whatever happened to find itself in the crock pot that morning, simple. We hit the beach, or the pool that is on the beach, and we continue our worship, as we marvel over God’s unbelievable creativity! Natives tell us that we will soon tire of the beach, but I’m not thinking that will happen any time soon, LOVE IT!

Monday was pretty much uneventful, sunburn, school, basic Monday!

Tuesday, girls had swimming, and my friend Alicia did her best to kill me on a 3 mile walk. Oh my goodness, we were busting it! It wouldn’t be so bad accept she is 4 months expecting, and pushing a baby carriage! I secretly hate her, not really, I love her, but kinda I hate her.

That was my only mileage for the week, yeah, I know. So, I haven’t been recording much, because I haven't been blogging much, but I now have a grand total of 42 miles. I only have 9 days left to reach my 100 mark goal for April! that is an average of about 6.5 miles per day, but I’m not giving up!

So, can anyone tell me where April went?

Wednesday we made yummy cookies. Basic chocolate chip cookie recipe. By the way, if you have trouble with your cookies spreading out, like I used to, try using real butter (not margarine), and using it straight out of the fridge, also you can up the flour content. I used both tricks, and beautiful cookies came out of the oven.

I had my hair done. UGHHHH, apparently when I said brunette it sounded like Elvira-ish, and when I said subtle highlights, she mistakenly heard Cruella Deville look alike???

I cried, I did. I am embarressed, but I cried!

I haven’t cried over hair in like forever, because, well because it’s just hair right?? But sometimes when something goes wrong like hair, every other little thing you have been hurting over seems to bubble up, and apparently I just needed a really good all purpose cry fest.

I smiled at Julia (evil hairdresser) and politely hinted that it was a tad dark, Paid her way more than she deserved, and even tipped her, cuz I'm nice like that, and I walked to the car, and texted Michael. He didn’t answer. I drove to Winn Dixie, and texted my friend, she didn’t answer. I texted my daughter in love, she didn’t answer and I remembered that she and Dakota were out of town. I texted Kartwright (who, I ask you, texts their 19 year old son when she is in hair crisis??) he didn’t answer. “Well”, I said, “Lord, it’s just you and me in the Winn Dixie parking lot, let the water works begin.” And, they did! Then Kartwright texted back and he said he always kinda liked Cruella, and that made me laugh, and Maria texted back and commiserated over stylists that don’t listen, and offered to fix it even though she was like a 1000 miles away, sweet girl. So, that was Wednesday.

Oh, and speaking of Glenn Close (Cruella Deville) she was terrific in The Sarah Plain and Tall series, prettier too I might add. I mentioned those movies the other day to some friends, and they had never seen them! NEVER SEEN THEM??? I yelled!!  I didn't really yell, cuz they are new friends, and I am trying my best not to scare them! have you seen them, the movies, not my new friends?? You MUST see them, they are terrific! So, heads up if you haven't seen them, DO!

Thursday, swimming again, then school, then I cleaned all day because small group was at our house this week. (small groups from our kinda big church, get together, to better connect with people) My house was already clean, but there is just something in me that says you must clean if people are coming. I have issues, I know, and bad hair!

Small group was fun, and crazy! Five families were represented and one was a single man, and we had 15 children! I know. It was really fun though. Boy was I glad I cleaned ! (insert sarcasm) Not one person mentioned my hair. Well, what would you say if you showed up at someones house, and your hostess had Cruella hair?? On second thought I think I can stop worrying about scaring my new friends!

Friday the teacher called off regular school, and declared it craft day. That was fun, and I told them it was because I thought they needed a break, but we all know who really needed one.

Then we had appointments for both Diana the princess of Wales, and Jewels the cat at the vet. Diana was just supposed to get her rabies so she could be cleared at petco for her summer cut. Jewels had an unfortunate skirmish with some other creature and has a significant wound on his side. 300 dollars later we find out Jewels is infected, and Diana has heart worms. Not a good day for the pets, or for us! Now Jewels has a shaved circle on his side with a red wound in the middle (hope no one mistakes it for a bulls eye), and Diana is soon facing some extensive, and might I add expensive, treatment.

The day was finished with pizza, and THIS movie.

Saturday Haven and I went thrifting and I found a few pairs of pants, and she found a super cute brand new dress. I didn’t get a pic, but I will. Liza and Daddy stayed home and did a little yard upkeep (aka, leaf wrangling). Michael says he is beginning to re think his love of Live Oak trees. I said “bite your tongue!!”.

Speaking of trees, we have gotten wind that they (the people) are going to cut down a HUGE oak tree that resides in our back yard because it doesn’t allow enough sunlight to keep the green, green (a golf course). I guess technically it is their tree cuz it is kinda on the golf course, and it isn’t even really our yard cuz we sorta rent, but still. So there you have it, Happy Earth day, see ya 1000 year old cool tree. SAD! That picture isn’t thee tree, but I don’t have a picture of her, she is behind that one, last in the line I believe.
When I call it a her it makes you sadder doesn’t it?? It does me! Her name is Hazel. I know… I will stop now.

We may or may not have a plan that involves an airsoft gun when they come to cut her down.

Now we are back to Sunday, and my week has been literally as exciting as this blog post. Here’s to another week, Thank you Lord!

Tag, I'm it!

Jamie from Three Scoops of Love, recently tagged me to play the blogging question game. So here goes, my answers to her 11 questions.

1. What is your all time favorite meal?

Any meal that someone else cooked! I don't mind cooking, and sometimes I can even enjoy it, but it ALWAYS tastes better when someone else cooks it. Last night Michael made pancakes because I was icing my shoulder (not with frosting, with ice), and they were the best pancakes EVER!

2. What is something embarrassing or funny that has happened to you lately?

Recently I was asked to read a verse in a small group of people, and I had to admit that I couldn't read my own bible (I had forgotten my glasses). It was bad enough that I am THAT old that I NEED glasses, but the point was really, why did I have my bible opened on my lap if I couldn't read it!

By the way my bible is on sale right now at CBD, and it is a terrific journaling bible, you might just love it, so check it out!

3. Do you have kids or pets?

I have both, but I have no problem distinguishing the difference.

4. What do you think is the best thing about blogging?

I met one of my dearest friends through my blog!

5. What is your favorite vacation destination?

The Beach! Which is REALLY convenient, because now I live at the beach!

6. What is one thing you're looking forward to this summer?

Only one??? The Beach, only I'm not waiting until summer!

7. Do you have a favorite quote or verse?

I have lots, check out my Pinterest board "words I heart" but my very favorite can be found in James chapter one

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴  

And, it gets even better.....check it out, James ROCKS! It is my favorite book in the whole bible, LOVE it, straight forward, and to the point, convicting and encouraging, what more could you ask??

 
8. What was your first car?

 1985 Dodge Omni.......Oh yeahhhhh baby! Only mine was two tone yellow with gold velour seats. NICE!

9. Would you rather read a book or watch a movie?

Okay, this is the easiest question of all! A book, A book, A book! HANDS DOWN!!



Unless of course, the movie comes with theater popcorn and milk duds, and my favorite boyfriend  (that would be Michael) in the seat next to mine, then I pick movie, especially if no body has to kill any body!

10. What is your favorite thing to wear?

Pajama pants and a camisole, with footies. Brand new ones...even better. (footies on my feet, not on my camisole)! And let me just say I do not wear this outfit to Walmart, unlike most of Georgia! I am sorry, Georgia friends, just sayin! We even call one church we visited while we lived there, "the Pajama church" cuz, and I am not lying, people wore pajama bottoms to church. I'm not judging, i'm just sayin!

11. What is one thing we would always be able to find in your purse?

Lipstick, don't leave home without it!

If you would like to play along, consider yourself tagged! In addition I would like to tag the following ladies that have recently left sweet comments here on this blog.

Monica, at The Homespun Heart
Danielle, at Yet He Abideth Faithful
Melissa, at Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Sarah Belle, at Simply at Home
Jenna, at Jenna Brown
Katie, at Katie's Kitchen
Mom of three Girls, at The land of Fluff
Lisa, at Just for Ewe Designs
Tricia, at Two tiaras and a sword


Here are your questions ladies, should you choose to answer.

1. If you could be any bird, what kind would you be?
2. What is the best way you have found to make new friends?
3. If you were assured of success, what would you do?
4. What 'sayings' did the most impactful male roll model in your life say?(father, grandfather, brother, friend)
5. What is the best way you have found to make someone smile?
6. What makes you feel pretty?
7. If they were to make a movie of your life, what star should play you?
8. What do you collect?
9. Have you ever wished to change your first name, and if so what would you change it to?

Brazil, TACKY, Marlo Thomas, and call your Momma!

Oh my goodness, where have I been, and what a lame post about squirrels that was! I think my blog was hacked.

Almost a month since I blogged, and I don't know why. I think we can safely blame Pinterest!

Kartwrights in the green

Kartwright returned from Brazil with lots of stories, some failures, some successes, lessons learned, people met, family missed. Good stuff! I would deem his trip a total win win, and now I am thankful his feet rest firmly in the great US of A. His first text home when his rainbows flip flopped onto the Atlanta airport pavement was "God bless America!" Always making me laugh that boy!

Have you ever thought it strange that it is perfectly culturally acceptable to eat the same breakfast day after day, but that eating the same lunch every day is weird, and the same dinner every day is totally unacceptable?? Just thinkin.

A few important birthdays happened while I was off eating bon bons instead of relating my exciting squirrel filled life. My BFF, otherwise known as my better half, is now just a tad over middle age, if he makes it to 100 that is. Our first born, another of my BFFs celebrated making me a momma by eating our food, haha, love to feed my boys, and then the next day I got to sit for my cutie pie grands while he went out with his pretty wife. It was so fun, and I didn't take my girls along, so I didn't have to share the cuteness with anybody, they were all mine! And, guess who's almost crawling, yeah baby, the Ryder man is almost mobile! I had both cuties bathed and in bed when the parents returned, because I am a cool grandparent like that :)There were no drugs involved I promise, just a rocking chair. Oh the joy, you have no idea, well, unless you do, but if you don't, then you have no idea!

Do you think it is bad to tell your seven year old daughter that things she picks are tacky? I mean in a nice way. You know like "no sweety you can't have that purple feathered, rhinestone encrusted, supergirl scarf, because.....it's tacky!" She then proceeded to pick equally tacky merchandise up and ask, "Is this Tacky Momma, is this tacky?", in that loud whisper scream...you know the one that could wake the dead?! On the road home she sweetly asked "Momma, what's tacky?".

So Haven received this movie series for Christmas this year, and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a period piece, but not without humor for sure. So fun, and the costuming alone is worth the watch. This is not for girls (or women for that matter) raised on the Disney channel and Hannah Montana, not hatin on Disney, just sayin. Although if you're raising your girls on that junk, just stop it!

Oh yeah, guess what I saw the other day, right on my own TV. And excuse me if this is old news because we now have TV (on a trial basis) after being without for several years, and I know nothing.

That Girl!

 Remember???? took me right back to 1974! I Loved me some Marlo Thomas back in the day, in fact me and my BFF Susie Frifeldt down the street, vowed together that we would name our first Born children Marlo, after that cute star. We also dreamed of being Miss America. Oh the dreams you can dreams if only you try.  Anyhoo, my girls and I watched it, and aside from some really really cute retro clothes, that show was incredibly stupid. She was apparently a very successful NY city girl with her own very cool apartment, fully furnished I might add, and clothes.....did I mention the clothes??? but she didn't have any sense in her pretty little bob covered head. really! In the episode that we watched she didn't even have a job, she was trying out for a play!But, cute clothes, for real!

Ever had all your kids contact you on the same day? I mean your away from home kids. It is the best! One calls stuck in traffic, and just wants to talk. Okay, he probably called his daddy first and couldn't get through, but it still counts. Then his brother texts cause he's bored in class, I know he shouldn't be texting in class, but it still counts. Then even DILove (daughter in love) texts with a prayer request. This is good stuff people, really good stuff. So, what am I sayin you ask??

If you still have a Momma, she would love to hear from you.

See ya, gonna go call my Mom.

squirrels

 The squirrels on this crazy Island are pertinacious!

per*ti*na*cious:

[pur-tn-ey-shuhs]

1. holding tenaciously to a purpose; course of action, or opinion; resolute

2. stubborn or obstinate

3. extremely or objectionably persistent

Not to long ago Liza and I were sitting in what was then our dinning room, pouring over the intricacies of 2nd grade reading, when one of these critters spied us through the window.

Our presence made him very uncomfortable, and he let us know. I don't know if he felt threatened, or was just having a bad day.

He seriously screamed so loud, and so long, that we couldn't ignore him. I found him to be very objectionable persistent. We finally went out and scared him away. I can be pertinacious too!

Saturday I was at the hardware store, and overheard a customer ask if they had a squirrel proof bird feeder. "Oh no" she laughed out loud, "those don't exist around here!".

Giant snow balls,muffin tops,COURAGE??

I have been missing in action in blog land since just before we moved. Life was being lived. In an effort to have some record of what's been happening, if for no one but myself, I am going to quickly recap the last two months.

The move from Georgia, to Florida, was uneventful other than the extra two days that it took! Everything arrived in one piece save a pottery bowl, and a few glasses. The unpacking and settling in took longer than I ever imagined.....and that is when the Holidays took over my life like a giant rolling snowball, and I could not stop its rhythm long enough to hang a picture or organise a drawer.

November marked my 47th year.....it's just a number ladies. It can not define me any more than my growing muffin top, or the ever deepening wrinkles on my brow. Lets just agree though that growing old is pretty much yucky.....I don't care what they tell you, don't believe them, it's yucky. Going to the cheesecake factory to "celebrate" with my family was pretty much heaven though, we had a wonderful time over indulging, and said muffin top came in handy to pad me as they rolled me back out to my car afterwords.

Thanksgiving wasn't long after that, and again we over indulged. This time at the home of my sweet niece Ellie Mae (Ellen) and her hubby, and two precious boys. It was fun to reconnect with my family and see all the growing babies. I took nary a photo as I forgot my camera. I was disappointed, but took the opportunity to just be in the moment for a change, instead of documenting it as usual. There was more food than you would need to feed an army, and I ate more than my share! We then had the privilege of caring for two year old Clairebell for the weekend.

One week later we sent Kartwright back to school, and delivered the girls to Hilton Head for an extended play date with their grandparents and flew off to Cancun Mexico to celebrate 25 years of wedded bliss and jump start our next 25 with a bang! The sun was warm, the water was aqua, the sand was white, and the company was my FAVORITE! Again, the food was plentiful, and we partook, plentifully! The Mexican waiters liked to call it a booofet (buffet), always made me smile, and at our favorite restaurant, each night was a different theme. Our goal was relaxation, and Cancun did not disappoint!

We returned to the bustle of Christmas in the states, and it was palpable when we landed in the Miami airport. We had two weeks to get ready for the big day, so the pressure was on. Internet shopping was my new go to plan. So, the girls were retrieved, the college boy returned, my parents joined the fun, and son number one and his beautiful family were able to come for Christmas dinner! Somehow most of the pictures were hung, and errant boxes were banished to the garage and everything came together. Jesus was worshipped, His Birthday was aptly celebrated, and once again.....food, lots of it.

And, now we come to New Years. I LOVE new beginnings, fresh starts, clean slates, try agains.

So, see ya 2011, you were great! We learned a lot, and with each disappointment came a surprise right around the corner. We said good bye to our third son, not forever, but he is grown now, and the hormonal scales  have tipped quite sharply toward estrogen. Our house of boys has become feminised, and Michael stands alone as protector....aka spider killer. We welcomed a new sweet bundle of boyness with the arrival of Grandbaby Ryder in August, and all of us relocated further south, have new work, and fresh beginnings. My one word for the year 'Kind' was used often, and practised even more, but stands still very far from perfected. It will be an on going resolution for our home, and added to the list of one words.

I have been ruminating on my one word for 2012. My problem comes not in thinking of a possibility, but of narrowing down many, to just one, and the narrowing has come to this.

COURAGE

 I have heard much talk about the lack of need for resolutions this season....not needed? Perhaps not, but I think they can prove useful. Resolutions can be a starting point, a rendezvous of ideas that join and help make things happen. Just a tiny jump start to the beginning of something big. Big ideas have to start somewhere, and they also require a measure of courage.

It is a word just for me, very personal, and yet many may be brushed by it's afterglow I suppose. I need it, I must practise it, pray for it, encourage it, nurture it, and possess it, and maybe just maybe my little word can be the start of something big as well!

Have you picked a word yet??

Final goodbye

We are back in Georgia to pack up the house for the BIG move. No, it hasn't sold yet, but our six months in the villa are almost up, and we had to rent something more permanent. Outside is luxuriously beautiful, and even though the leaves are well past their prime, they show quite beautifully.

Inside, not so much! Four strangers, two days, 276 boxes, and one huge mess! And guess what?? Someone wants to see the house tomorrow! No, I can't make this stuff up! The house has sat, show house ready, for SIX months, and had very little action, now they call! Really, really??

Outside it is beautiful!

Inside, ummmmmmmm, really??

Outside, cute as can be,

but they aren't for sale...well, not today (smile).

Inside, Ohhhh myyyyy!

Outside! yeah!

Inside, blah!

Okay Lord, time to do a miracle!

Funny

Kartwright was home last weekend for fall break.

The girls were ecstatic to have him back!

I think his personal space was invaded repeatedly.

Funny how personal space seems to grow as you grow older.

Funny how just five weeks can change things.

Funny how some things never change.

Funny how funny Kartwright is.

Life is funny.

The perfect church

News flash to all those who have been told that there are no perfect churches. You can now rest assured that what you have been told is not true, and that there is indeedy at least one perfect church after all! I saw it with my own two eyeballs, and it is surely not a hoax, as they also have there own perfect website! Although I admit I am quite tempted, I will not be moving to Atlanta any time soon to join...lest they have to change their name!

Other than the aforementioned place of worship, my family and I have yet to find the perfect church. We have moved to three new cities in the last four years (seriously??? what were we thinking???), and searching for a new church home has been the most difficult part of our relocation every time.That, and a new hairdresser, more on that later!

At one point in our search Michael had become so frustrated by a particularly peculiar church service, that when we all piled into the family van afterward he announced that everyone was to find something positive to say about our experience, or they were to say nothing at all! 5 year old(at the time) ElizaJane piped in from the back seat, as I watched her much animated expression in my visor mirror. "Weeellllllll," she said with her usual perky smile, "It wasn't as long as the last one we tried, and their donuts were good!". Kudos for finding the good Liza, kudos all around!

Shopping for a church can be very complicated, and when you add to that mix several opinionated family members, you have a problem. We all have preconceived ideas in our heads about what church should look like, shaped by our childhoods, as well as our personal preferences. And, even though all those external stimuli should not in-fact really matter, let's be honest, they just do.

I know in my head, that when all is stripped away, and we stop comparing the length of the worship leaders hair, and whether any hymns are included along with modern day worship songs, all that really matters, is, "can I be used of God in this body of believers", and "will my unique gifts, and those of my families, be of benefit to the people who worship here."

Beyond that, which is truly the bottom line for Michael and I, it is hard not to consider all the other stuff that goes along with a new worship environment. We have visited over twenty churches combined in the midst of our three recent moves, and we have had a lot of interesting experiences. Some of those experiences have solidified the importance of some preferences in our minds, like do they stay true to the scriptures, and do they practise missions, both locally and globally. Other encounters have put questions in our minds as to the validity of our desires.


We have been in church services lately that have run the gamut from exciting concert like worship complete with flashing lights and jumping guitar players followed by sermons that have convicted as well as admonished, to sweet elderly blue hairs sweetly singing "I come to the garden alone", accompanying a sermon just as convicting although perhaps relayed in a slightly more sedate manner.

Who's to say if either is wrong, or more preferred by the Lord himself, as long as He is honored, and His name is being proclaimed? If I had my way, these two styles would unite, and somehow we would fall somewhere in the middle. That combo however is few and far between as providence would have it, and we are left with a choice to be made.

It is hard not to compare what we are experiencing with what we had found in our last "home town". Although it was not the perfect church,(as we know, there is only one of those) it was our church, and we had grown to love the people there in the short time we attended.

So, what is it you love about your church??

 

Don't panic!

Saw this recently in town, and snapped a pic. I think I might print it poster size, frame it, and hang it on the wall! Kinda like keep calm and carry on, only better, less words, no crown, and more to the point. Whatchathink, could it catch on???

He hunts, and he gathers

 

This beautiful "green pasture beside still waters" has afforded Michael a brand new hobby that seems to, in a small way, restore his soul.

He and the kids have been "hunting" golf balls.
The latest count is 163.
His cup runneth over.
He likes to sort them according to brand.
Michael says it's like looking for sharks teeth on the beach,
only this new hobby suits his new vision capabilities!
Michael wants to train Diana (our welsh Corgi) to find them.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow him, all the days of his life.
He says she is already beginning to catch on.
One of the balls has a tournament date of 2002. That's a nine year old ball!
I wonder how long before I will have no kitchen counter left?
He will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
He is truly a hunter and gatherer.
Does your man hunt and gather anything unusual?