Until I Saw A Woman With No Legs...

This is a good morning for reflection.....

 Last week as I waited for physical therapy (grumbling inside because I hurt),

a woman with no legs arrived for her therapy. Enough said.

                               

 As I thought an unkind thought about my husband because he didn't pick up the pillow that had fallen off the front porch rocker during a little wind, he called me to a delicious breakfast he had made.

As I re-visited some heated words my son and I had yesterday at the store,

he motioned for me to come to the back of the auction house

so he could load my purchases.

 I have made a conscious choice to finally release my desire to have a perfect circle of friends and family, a formal dining room, a studio, a log cabin in the woods (or better the mountains), to be thin,

to be young again, have everything go my way....

In doing so,  I have to admit something I have learned....

life is too short to continually re-visit unpleasant events and unfulfilled dreams.

Dreams are ok, as long as they don't obscure the present and make you ungrateful.

My home, the physical house, is what it is. As of May 24, 2012, there will very probably no more chances for "add ons" or complete re-do's...so? Is my life any less blessed? Maybe a bigger, better house would be more comfortable, but hey, this one is paid for. It's in pretty good shape. 

It's infinitely better to live in the moment and be grateful for an abundant life.

Always striving for more is exhausting, folks.

We must do the very best with what we have been graciously given.

 If that means moving around pieces in and outside the house and inside your heart, to make something function better, or paint or repurpose what we have...great...but let's not waste another precious second crying over spilled milk.

Examples of "spilled" milk (aka: what might have been):

*It would be nice to be 5'6" tall and weigh 115 lbs...but it "ain't" happening, (unless when I DO have knee replacement, the doctor agrees to add a 5" dowel in each leg during the operation...and the 115? Haha.)

* It would be great to have a 4,000 sq ft home with every little detail "just right"...but then you'd have to dust all that space...hmmm, small is looking better. 

*Wouldn't we all love a family where every member looks and acts like angels 100% of the time...

is it really necessary to go completely berserk about that tatoo, that long hair, those torn jeans?

(This one is hard for me..I must admit.) 

So for all those out there who have all the things I used to long for...then, lucky fortunate you..

(I'm Presbyterian, we don't believe in luck).

For the rest of us, let's live the remaining years of  life trying to play the hand that has been dealt us in a cheerful, loving way...knowing that we won't always be successful, but at least we can give it our best shot.

Be thankful,  

Visiting The Mighty Mississippi River

The Hubster, Grandchildren and I went to Monroe, LA yesterday afternoon. We wanted to see the Mighty Mississippi River at its highest level, so off we went to Vicksburg. My pictures are not something to behold...the river, however, is! Hub was driving like Dale Earnhart Jr. across the bridge, and Granddaughter and I were having a very difficult time snapping shots.

Heading over the bridge on the MS side.

If you will look carefully at the picture above, you can see nothing but water...there is a little slice of land in the upper right area. But that is mostly trees.

Blurry photo, but normally several feet of sand can be seen in the pic above; not today.

Up we go into the wild blue yonder...he won't slow down for anything!!! Help!

Coming off the bridge on the LA side...water, water everywhere.

Look very carefully on the right half way up and you will see lots of water...it was truly everywhere. See just above the concrete barrier on the right.


Heading home from the LA side.


Again, very blurry, but you can get an idea of the width of the river.

Welcome home....thank goodness!


The hills were covered with blooming white oakleaf hydrangea...beautiful.

Remember those who've lost their memories in this flood.

The power of this river was something to behold.

Randomness with a Purpose

Nothing profound today...just some random thoughts and ideas that might be helpful to you.

I needed a school color (red and black) themed centerpiece and because Wright's Fruit Stand in Richland, Mississippi, had so many beautifully colored geraniums from which to pick, I decided to use a plant that could be used outdoors when the party was over.

Being a proponent of tissue paper, a paw print design was found and used as a bottom "ruffle". Matching satin ribbon along with black and white checked ribbon were combined to make the bows. Also used (to save the tablecloth) was a SLAH white platter that had the checked ribbon run through its holes. This idea could be used with any plant in a pot and any color tissue.

(I warned you that this post was RANDOM!)
Next picture is the coach trying to coax Bun T. Wabbit out of the hostas for a little snack! See previous post for the story!

Bun T. coming out AFTER we left the scene.

I found this wooden silverware holder at WM last year and had been storing my paintbrushes in it. After turning it on its side, a little vignette was created using "chicken" related items.

My Fenton chicken was an anniversary present from the Bun T. lover many years ago.


Little cup and cream pitcher are from part of my lusterware collection.

Fell in love with this wooden candle holder at the Flea Market (and it was half off!)


If you've had some disappointments this week, it's imperative that you continue in your faithfulness. The mercury glass heart above reminds me of this fact.
Opportunities come and go, friends may move, children grow up and leave the nest, but God never goes anywhere. WE may hop in and out of the circle of faithfulness, but HE does NOT. That is a most reassuring thought.

May you prove yourself to be a good and faithful servant,