Yesterday I did too much moving furniture in the house and wore myself out. I have so much I wanted to get done while I am off this week but my plans never come out right. I am so lazy till I let things go and then I get a yearning and have no sense when it comes to going slow. Now my bedroom is half done. The living room was done but now needs another dusting and sweeping. The dinning room is in shambles because I chunked everything in there I was not sure what to do with. I looked at all of it this morning and said the heck with it. I hope that there will be another day and I can finish it then. That is how it became a lazy day. I have done nothing all day and do not intend to.
Does anyone else seem to have this problem or am I the only one?

I have been terrible about keeping up with my blog...I say I am going to do better with it and the next thing I know it has been months since I wrote anything.
With the new year coming I am not making any resolutions that I will not keep anyway but there are things I want to do more of...I want to be more involved with family, friends, church and most of all grow closer to Christ. I think that is one of my biggest failures this year is not serving and walking as close to him as I should. I am so glad he is long suffering or he would not put up with me. I love him and I want to walk closer and live closer to him. A thought came into my mind as I was sitting in church this evening....ALL FOR HIM IN TWO THOUSAND TEN. That is what I need to do.
I am so thankful for all he has done for me...tomorrow will be three years since Tom had his heart attack and I praise God everyday that he left him with me. I thank him for my children and grand children, my daughter and her family being back in their house after the fire, my friends, my church, my job, my friend/teacher that God gave me to work with, the kids we teach, and just the air that I breathe. I have to stop naming them or I would never finish.
I want to take time to do something for Tom and myself. I do not give him enough of my time. He is my world and I do not show him the attention that I should. I should know to never take him for granted after nearly losing him several times three years ago. I must never forget that.
As my friend was talking about on her blog I need to look at my miracles that are around me everyday and stop looking for things that might never come. I hope for her that her miracle happens but I know she is strong enough to praise God for what she has and make the best of life. She does this through Christ...
I pray that all of my family and friends have a blessed year and that God will bless them richly in his will. He knows our needs but he likes to hear from us as we ask. Praise him everyday and love him more and more. I love all of you.

I just wrote an entire post and it is now somewhere out is space as I did something wrong....
I said I was going to be better about keeping my blog updated but boy was I wrong. I love blogging but I just forget it at times.
We went last weekend to my sister's again and had a good time. We went to her grand daughters horse show and she did really well. I love horses so I loved watching them. Her little brother Gus had a bag of snacks and he pulled them out and said "My favorite meal of the day." He is so funny. I enjoyed the good food and even more the company.
School is going ok. A class of all boys. This is a different year with no girls with us. It is interesting because the boys do not hold back anything because they have no girls to try to impress. I love everyone of them but I can not tell a lie it is a tad stressful somedays. I raised all girls and they were different.
I am so glad that my daughters house is coming along pretty well. I know that they are thankful for the BOX but I know that it is getting smaller all the time to them. The girls say it was exciting to see the walls of their bedrooms as they went up. They will be excited when the sheet rock goes up and then is ready to paint. I thank God that he is so good.
Tom seems to be feeling pretty good. He is having some headaches and that worries me but we will take it one day at a time.
Jennifer and all of us was so proud of all four of her kids in school had great grades. I thank God that he blessed us with seven wonderful grands and they all do well in school. Tamara's girls grades were great too. They are healthy and that is so much to be thankful for. Reagan is so cute and so rotten. With four older brothers and sisters he could be no other way. I need to see if I have any new pic's to show off.
There is so many people sick, some everyday things and some so serious. We need to ban together and pray for each other during these hard times. We need to pray for our country and the men and women who are fighting to keep us free. They are a wonderful group and I am proud to be an American.
God bless all my blog friends.

I can not beleive it has been so long since I have updated my blog. I need to be better about it. I guess it is true when they say "times flies when you are having fun".LOL
It seems like yesterday that school was starting and it is nearly time for first report cards to go home. Parent conferences will be starting next week and again it seems like we were just planning our first day with the students.
This year we have all boys...That has been different but not bad at all. They can keep us on our toes. Do not let anyone tell you that boys do not argue like girls it is just in a different way. My mom always told me that raising boys was easier than girls because boys would go on about their business and girls want to stay right with you. I do not know because I had only girls.
I am going to try to do better about keeping up with this. Not because I think that anyone is dying to read it, just because it is good to just write your feelings sometimes.

I think Tom and I both needed to get away for a few days. We just about waited too late and let school starting slip up on us. On Monday I told him that I had to work Wednesday at school but I would be free until the next Wednesday if he could not work. We really did not need to spend the money but I wanted to see my sister and as I said we both needed a few days away.
We went to Charleston today and had a good time just doing simple things. We rode around and looked at the houses,spent some time on the Battery, went to Antique shops and junk stores. Spent a whole six dollars so you can tell we are big spenders. One of the Antique shops had a desk I would have loved to have but they only wanted six thousand for it,and that was AS IS. The set of eight chairs was only eight thousand and five hundred dollars. We passed them up too. Even if I can not afford them I love to look.
We were going to go to the beach but we wasn't dressed for it so we did not go. If I go to the beach I want to be ready to soak up the sun.
I am so glad that God allows us to take some time from our everyday life and travel and see family and friends that we do not get to see often.
I am trying to prepare my mind to be ready for work when we get back. This has been good for me so I think I will be ready to go full, well maybe half, speed.

We are having Vacation Bible School this week at our church. I have always loved to help and I love the nursery. For the past several years I have not been able to help but once because of surgeries I have had for several summers in a row. This year year I had planned to help but not teach. I ended up doing the nursery with the preacher's mom.
We had eight the first night, six the next, and seven last night. I found out that I am too old to be working with the little ones only because of picking them up and carrying them. I have enjoyed being with them. They are so sweet and loving.
I tried to teach because that is what I thought a preacher's mom would expect. Tuesday night she offered to teach the next night and I gave her the next two nights. She did not teach either. She played some music and tried to read a book but they were not interested in anything but playing. I have come to the conclusion that they are too little to teach but they can be touched by our love and care of them. We are setting the way for them to be ready to learn when they are older and can learn and understand. I pray that each of them feel the love that Shirley and I have shown them and mostly the love Jesus shows them everyday. They are God's special ones that he will use in the future to show the world about Jesus. I pray that in some small way they know in thier little hearts that God had some adults at VBS that loved them and cared for them and will pray that they grow up to love him and make him the center of their world.
Next year maybe God will allow me to help with the crafts or the kitchen. HA

Visit the blog

an island life

to register to win a futon cover from Sure Fit.

This has been a hard week for our family...My oldest daughter and family lost their house and everything inside from a fire. I praise God every time I think about it, which is often, that they were not at home and still asleep. I know how I felt seeing it and I can not fantom what they felt and are feeling. They are giving God the Glory that they were spared and that their puppies and cats were spared. It does not do for me to even think about what could have been. I am so glad I serve a living God that cares for his own.
I am so proud of Tamara and Jay for carrying on like they have and that they are trusting God to help them start over. Both of the girls have been so good through all of this and I am sure that at 14 and 10 it is a load to carry. They have been staying with us and it is a blessing to have them here. It has helped me to carry on and stay focused.
I want to thank so many that helped during the fire, of course all of the fire stations that responded and the firemen that did so much to save what they could, the vet down the road, the Humane Society that helped with the puppies, the dog food and supplies they brought, the help with the watering and seeing if there was anything else we needed for them. Tamara's two sisters that worked so hard to help in every way possible. Both of them made me so proud and thankful for them. They went through the blackened mess to see what they could find that might be saved. My grandson who is 10 that worked hard carrying things and doing whatever he was asked. Tamara's dad for being there for her. My husband that was there to support me and them. Just having him there was such a comfort to me. Just knowing that he was near. The people who came by to lend a hand and a comforting word. The show of love that they have been shown tells me that there are many good people in this world. It was a blessing to me to have Rev.Jimmy Cox there when I arrived. He was so supportive and was ready to do anything he could to help me, and then when they arrived home he was there for them. He left and came back later to see if they were ok. Tamara's family preacher was out of town so it was nice to have someone we knew there. My best friend and her husband were so great to come and just jump right in and do whatever was needed. He is a full time fireman for the city of Spartanburg and on his day off he was there doing every thing he could to help. For the two of them feeding us for two nights. Neighbors that they did not know they know now because they have come by and offered to do whatever they could. They have been invited to stay with several, given storage areas for when they need them, food and invited to come for a meal any time. The phone calls to them and to me have been such a comfort. My home church for sending food to help us with the girls while they are staying with us. I could never begin to name everybody that was such a help. God knows who they all are by name and he will bless them.
All we hear is the bad things that people do but they do not share all the good things people do. Wish they would do a Wonderful World News Show everyday instead of just bad news.
God bless everyone of them for their goodness. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart and I thank my Lord for his love, Mercy and Grace. I know that things will be rough for awhile but I know that they will be cradled in the Master's loving hands and they will survive and thrive.

About a month ago we found out that Tom has Diabetes, type 2. In away it has been a blessing because it seems like now that we are working to keep his levels down he is feeling some better. He has even stayed up a few nights until 10:00. Before he was going to sleep after supper and getting up going to bed and sleeping till morning. Now if he does go to bed early he is up some during the night or up really early. I pray we can continue to work on it and he can get even better. He deserves to feel better. He has had a rough time for the past two and a half years.
Keep us in your prayers as we try to add the diabetes diet to the heart diet. With God's help we will do it.
I thought it was really sweet that all three girls worried about what he was to eat on Father's day. Tamara called and asked about what to do for lunch. Jennifer bought him two packs of sugar free cookies and made him a banana pudding with sweetner. Heather worries about what he does all the time and watches what he eats but not as bad as I do. I hope that I can eat the way he does and maybe we can both lose some weight. I do not see any signs of that yet.
Thanks for all the prayers and keep them up. Love to all....

Yesterday Heather and I took Tom to Cherokee for his birthday. We went last year so this was our second annual trip. We did not do as much this year because money is tighter and it was hot but we had a good time.
Tom and Heather were with Fonzie Bear as he showed off his fancy car. They wanted to ride but he was in a hurry. Ha! I really made them do it because I wanted the picture. Heather and I have always been Muppet fans. Last it it was Bert and Ernie. I am also a Tom and Jerry fan so Tom had to suffer through that. That swinging bridge gets Heather everytime. Some of the boards are starting to need repair so I hope they do it before we go back.
The mountains were beautiful as always. I drove this time so I did not get a chance to take as many pictures. I take them out the window while we are driving. Not sure why he did not feel like driving but I did not mind.
I love my husband and love to do something for him that he likes to do. So I hope you had a wonderful birthday Papa. I will love you always.

When I wrote my last blog I thought I will have lots of time to keep it up to date but as you can tell I have not done it. As always I have good intentions and do not carry through.
I have done very little so far. I can not seem to get going. Until today I have felt pretty good so I can not blame it on that. I woke up this morning with a headache and my eyes feel like they have been punched. I know it is my ole friend ALLERGIES. I have the eye mask in the freezer as I type to hopefully take the swelling down.
All I have done is clean the kitchen cabinets out and if you could see the counter tops right now you would never want to walk into the kitchen again. I know I do not and I have to so I can clean the mess. That will be my afternoon chore.
If I do not get busy and get done what I wanted the summer will be gone and I will be back at work.
Hope every other teacher,assistants and staff members everywhere are having more fun than I am or at least getting more done. Have a great one all...

It does not seem possible that it is time for school to be out but I can say I am glad it is. I will miss the kids and the people I work with but I am in need of a rest. After I have rested a day or two I have a project I am going to try to complete while I am out....My house needs cleaned. I want to do room by room and get things organized and see if I can keep it that way for awhile. I do not mean to let it get so out of sorts but it seems like I do not have the drive to do it. I am hoping to get motivated and work like crazy till it is done.
I think all of us will feel better having it cleaned. Now the big thing I need is prayer....I have so much that I need to THROW AWAY. I need strength to do this because as I said in an earlier blog...I am a pack rat.
I will keep you up on how it goes. Hope all of you have a great summer.

I went with my grandson and the fifth grade to the zoo. They were all very well behaved and fun to be with. It was hot but they did not complain to bad. The fifth graders that are in my class was my group to keep up with. We laughed and had fun especially on the safari ride. Where if one of the girls behind me had not warned me I would have been nipped by one of the Emus. They say they hurt so I was very thankful. I was feeding a big bison and was not paying attention.
The tigers are my favorite and they were beautiful. The monkeys went crazy with all the children making noise. The zoo keeper had to give one something to calm it down.
All in all it was a good day. I am proud of my good looking grandson and you can tell it in the pictures that I took.

I just have to say that I have never had anything affect me the way the Relay did Friday night. I do not know of anyone that has not been touched by cancer in some way. If they have not had it in their family they know of friends or co-workers who have fought the battle.
The survivor walk was touching, the care givers walk was too, when all the bags were lit around the football field and you saw HOPE spelled out on the bleachers and listened to the story that was read it was awesome, but when they turned off the lights and Jennifer Fortner led the walk with torch held high around the track there was nothing like it I have ever felt. There was so many babies and young children there till the idea that you could walk that long and never hear a sound unless it was a quite sob from someone in the crowd was mind boggling. Only God could keep that many people totally silent that long. Even if I did not have family, friends and church members that are fighting the fight it would have still touched my heart.
Everyone should attend at least one of these wonderful support walks. If God lets me I will go every year and be more active if I can.
I appreciated all that the committee members and team members had done to make it all possible. They put their hearts into it and helped to make it such a success. My thanks goes to all of them. Also to all the people that had a part in raising the money to help find a cure. Bless all of you.
To those of you that are fighting the battle with cancer of any kind remember that the battle is the Lord's and the victory will be yours. Pray for a cure every time you pray. God listens and keeps his promises.

I know that anyone who suffers from allergies or asthma or being lucky enough to have both like I do is sick and tired of runny noses, coughs, itching eyes, stuffed up noses and not being able to breath like normal. I wish they could find something that would really help and not make you right dopey when you take it. I feel so sorry for children that have it because it is bad enough on adults and I know it is hard on children.
People that do not have to deal with it look at you like you have the plague because you look and sound awful. I try to not go around anyone who has any serious conditions because I know they have to worry about taking something and I do not blame them.
Well enough about these nasty allergies. I just want to say to all of you that read this I hope you feel better soon. Hang on surely it will let up soon. I hope so with all my being.

There are a lot of things that we have in this world that is important but friends are right at the top. I may be wrong but I think there are different levels of friendship.
You have people you either work with, go to church with or other social functions and they are friends. You talk with them, you listen to them and share things with them.
Then there are the friends that you can really talk to about anything and share things with them that you know you will not hear from someone else because they would never tell. A true friend that is always there for you. Always ready to lend a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. One you could call at anytime and you know they will come as soon as they can get there. I also think that a true friend is one that even if you do not see each other or talk everyday you still know that they will be there. I have a friend that I have never met in person but I know that I have a true friend in her. She carries a special place in my heart and in my life.
To have these kind of friends you have to be that kind of friend. You get out of a relationship what you put into it.
God blessed us with all kinds of people in our lives and I am thankful to say that he has blessed me all of my life with friends. Some that have come and gone. Some that came and stayed even if you or they have moved, or changed churches or different schools. Long distance friends that you do not see but talk with everyday.
Friendship is in your heart and right next door or across the miles does not change the love and kinship you feel with them.
I had a best friend in high school that was also my second cousin. We were never close growing up and really did not see much of each other. We went to different elementary schools and it was only in high school that we became close. We were tight. We shared everything until a day came that something came between us. Several years later we rekindled that friendship with not a word ever said about the bad ole times. We do not see each other often and we do not talk all the time but we e-mail and keep in touch. Friendship is all about forgiving too. Look at how God sent his son to die for us because he forgave all of our sins.
Friends also come in all ages. I have friends that are my age, much younger and much older. I do not consider age as a factor. It is the feelings and bonding that you have. I had a friend that was only eighteen. Every time we were at church she hugged me and told me she loved me. On the way to church one Sunday a man run a stop sign and hit her and she died several hours later. I still miss her smiling face every time I go to church. She was special and she made an impression on my life.
I consider myself very blessed to have not only a good teacher to work with everyday but she is also my friend. I only have to call to have someone to talk to. She knows when I am up and she knows when I am down. I very much know the same thing about her. That is being a friend. We fuss like two sisters but would fight for each other if someone was hurting the other. You can have daughters, sisters and other family members but they are different from friends. You love them in different ways. You need them in different ways. I love my daughters and I love spending time with them but there are times that I just need friends and it is the same for them. I know that there are things they can not share with me as their mom and they need friends for that. I am thankful for both my friendship with my daughters and my friends. God gave them both to me.
If you have friends let them know how much you appreciate them. They are a special blessing from God. Treat them that way.
Thanks JDG for being a friend. Hope the friendship never wavers. You are a blessing.

I am beginning to wonder if I am ever going to completely get the gist of this blogging thing. I did the Easter one and had several pictures besides the one of Meredith to add to it and somewhere along the line I lost them. I may try again later but I am just to tired right now. I forgot to re-read it and there are several mistakes in my writing. Oh well we are all just family anyway and none of us are perfect. I know I am far from it.
Hope each of you had a wonderful day. Happy Easter!!!

I love Easter. The knowledge of what Christ did for us is brought to mind more on this special day. We should think of what he did for us everyday but to take the time out with church members and family is special.
We went to my daughter Tamara's for lunch after church. We always take pictures before we eat. Then we just take them when ever the rest of the day. We make serious pictures and then we do funny ones. Everybody complains about taking the pictures becasue they are starving...but we get them made anyway.
We had a great lunch and then enjoyed seeing the girls hunt eggs. They are getting older and are not quite as interested in this as they used to be. The Israels were not there so it was just the two girls hunting. I think they had a good and and all of us adults too. It is a special time and families need to be together and love one another. I am thankful for everything that I have. He has blessed me in all things.

I love Sunday. It is a time of peace,rest and a nap between church times. When I work it seems like I do better on Mondays if I had a nap Sunday afternoon. I am sure that it is all in my mind but I like to think that anyway.
I remember when I was a little girl you went visiting on Sunday afternoon. We always went to see my grandma Cochran. My other grandparents all died when I was very little. Even when I started dating I went to see my grandmother before he came over. I was seventeen when she died and her funeral made a lasting impression me.
There are very few Sundays that my grands come at all. I guess maybe that is my fault and they are busy too. When we all went to the same church they came over much more often. Now only the oldest goes and their church is a good drive from here. I miss being in church with them every week. I know that as they grow and have their own family they have to do there on thing.
My most heart felt prayer is I will live long enough to see all of them back in church and serving God. That includes my husband. That would make me the happiest woman on this earth. Two of my grands have been saved and I want to know that all the others will be too. God is good and he keeps his promises. He will never let us down.
Tomorrow is the first official day of Spring Break...but I still took a nap. LOL

I am the worlds worst pack rat. My daddy used to hold that title but since he is gone I have taken his place. My mom was pretty bad too so I got a double dose.
I started cleaning out our closet this morning and then on to the bedroom. Well the closet is more organized but there is still just as much stuff in there as there were. I did get a thirty gallon trash bag of junk and one of cloths and things to take to good will. I would say I could have gotten rid of several thirty gallon trash bags full of trash.
I have an old couch that my mama and daddy had. It is not even a pretty color and I can not make myself throw it away. I have tried to talk myself into it and then I back out. My sister and my friend tell me to get rid of it all the time. One day I will. I have so many pretty pieces of furniture that my daddy made till I do not know why I am hanging on to it. That is just how I am.
When my time here on earth is over oh what a mess my daughters will have to get rid of. Oh! Well they will need something to keep them busy. Bet they will not have a much trouble throwing things away as I do.

YES!!!! It is finally here...Spring Break...I have been so waiting for this time off. I love my job, the people I work with and the kids but at this time of the year we are all ready for a break to regroup and be prepared to finish out the year. It is always so busy the last nine weeks of school.
The end of the year will be a happy but sad time...we have six fifth graders that will be leaving to go to middle school. I always miss the kids that leave us to move on up. They kinda become part yours and you are proud but hate to see them growing up so fast. My own grandson will be going to middle school. I just can not believe it. Seems like yesterday he was starting kindergarten.
The fourth graders this year who will be fifth graders next year will be the last of the kindergartners I had before I moved to the older kids. The years have sure flown by. Every child I have had in class has a special place in my heart.
Yesterday I was in a store checking out and there was a young man behind me. He asked me if I still taught and I said yes and he said I remember when you taught me. I am going to be a senior next year. Boy do I feel old. Well I guess I am.
I hope this week will be good for all of the teachers and staff. I pray that you will enjoy yourselves, get lots of rest and stay safe. God bless each of you for all you do. Happy Spring Break

I was reading a friends blog earlier and she was talking about blessings. It made me stop and think about mine and how important it is to thank God for them.
I think that we all take time to pray for things we need or for the health of a friend or family member(which is the one most important thing we can do) but do we ever stop to think about how many times we should stop and take time to just thank God for all he does for us? I know that some of my best times spent in prayer was when I was just telling him how much I love him and how much I appreciate all he does for me, my family, my friends and church members.
In the time we are living in right now there are so many people that need prayer even more than ever before because of sickness or being out of a job. I know that we need to pray everyday for all the needs but when you think about it God knows what we need and want before we ever know ourselves. So it is nice to just say thank you Jesus, I am not coming to you for anything except to tell you how much you mean to me and how thankful I am to be a member of your family and have all the wonderful things you give me and the blessings you have sent to me like my husband, children, grand children, friends, church members, our preacher and his family, a home to live in, groceries in the cabinet, cloths in the closet, living in America and how the list could go on and on.
I had complained to someone once that I was so bad to start praying at night and get so sleepy and can not hold my eyes open. She told me that her mother told her once (and she was a Godly women that has now gone on to be with Jesus)that you could talk to God at night and thank him for all his goodness and in the morning and all through the day tell him all your requests for family and friends and things needed. Once again he all ready knows but he wants us to love him enough to ask. I have tried it many times and it is a good feeling to go to sleep thanking him for just being God.
Another thing that has always been impressed on my mind is when a prayer is answered PRAISE HIM FOR IT. Let him know that you know that he is the one that did this wonderful thing for you. We have to praise him for ALL Things,the good the bad and the indifferent. Then share with someone what wonderful things he has done for you. Let him know that you are not ashamed to tell everyone about his goodness.
If you have never tried just talking to him and thanking him, stop and do so as soon as you can. He is so worthy.
Thank you God for everything but mostly for sending your son Jesus to die on the cross for all of our sins.
Count your blessings, count them one by one.

Today is my oldest daughters birthday and I forgot to call her this morning and wish her a happy birthday. First time ever that I have not called her. I talked to her twice today and forgot to tell her then too. I felt really bad about that. I had planned to fix supper for her(which she choose) and Heather is fixing her favorite strawberry cobbler. Heather also made her a cute cake. I will put some pictures on later.
All of the family came for supper. Tom fixed hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill for those that did not care for the soup. It seemed like everything went well.
I gave her an inside chime that looks like a wishing well. When you plug it in the air blows the chimes and it is restful. Jennifer gave her an angel. Heather gave her a new purse with puppy paws on it. She has a dog business and that is right up her alley.
I wish her many many more blessed years. Happy birthday Tamara!!!!

No-not me, I didn't get a face lift-but my blog did!! Check it out!!

At my church on Sunday Morning before Sunday School we share prayer requests. This to me is one of the most important time of our church service. What better thing can we do for someone than pray?
As I listened this morning I could not tell you how many people have cancer. Some have known and we were just updating how they are but the most of them were new cases. Cancer does not have any preferences as to who it touches. From the smallest of children to the aged.
I have often wondered why they can not find a cure for this terrible sickness but I do know that God is in control of it and can heal it if it is his will. We also wonder why some are healed and some are not. I do not have an answer for that either but once again God knows what he is doing. I do not know of anyone that has not had this intrude on their family or friends or just someone they know. I have first hand knowledge of how it hurts to hear of a brother or brothers having just found out they have it. I have friends that have dealt with it and have lost friends to it.
We can go and talk with them, cook for them, carry them to doctors or treatments and any number of other things needed but to stop everyday and pray for them is the best medicine that we as humans can give. Also praying for the care givers who have to watch their loved ones suffer. Praying for wisdom and strength to carry on everyday not knowing what it may hold. God wants to hear from us and he listens. We may think that he is taking to long or not doing enough but he is always right on time and never a mistake is made.
I think that God uses things in our lives to get out attention or to make us just look up to him and rely on him. I do not think that God uses sickness to punish us. At times our sickness may be to help someone else. We all go through things that we do not understand but God can use us to uplift others.
Lets all stop and pray that we will be the prayer warrior we need to be. I know that I could do better and if we are all honest with ourselves we could all say that we need to do more about hitting our knees in prayer for others. We need to all band together as Christians to fight the fight against sin. We need each other and he wants us to love one another as he loves us. So sickness or no get down on your knees and uplift all your loved ones, friends, church members, co-workers and just the world in general to our loving father who can handle all we need.
God is good all the time....all the time God is good. Praise him and let him know you love him.

My oldest grandson is spending the weekend with us. He has been so good and I feel like he has had a good time. All of your grands are special but there are things that stand out about all of them. Emily will always be the oldest girl and the oldest of all of them. She was the first and we had her for about four years before another came along. We would just about fight over who was holding her. Put her down....no way. Then came the first grandson. He and his mama lived with us for awhile and there again spoiled was the word. He was papa's boy. Nine months later came the whirld wind called Meredith. She is special in all her own way. To know her is to love her. Noah came next and he was a shy baby who wanted only his mama. At ten he is still shy and a very sweet boy. The shocker came next when Marah and Makena came along just tiny little miracles. I know those babies were prayer over for months before they came and when they came nearly two months early the prayers were going full speed. Two beautiful little black eyed, black haired look just alike babies. I always wished that mama could have seen them. She had twin boys. I have told Jennifer that I feel like she knows about them. We went without any grands for awhile and then along came Reagan. He is a sweet baby. He has about eight sets of hands and can get into something with everyone of them at the same time. All in all I feel very blessed that God gave us these wonderful children. I do not feel that I have ever been the grandmother that I should have been but I want to do better and be there for them if they ever need or just want me.
I have been blessed by having wonderful parents, then a wonderful husband and three beautiful daughters. Now the blessings of a part of my daughters being seen in the grandchildren is such a joy. I praise God for each of them and pray that they will be a family that loves and cares for each other. I really want them to love thier Nanny and Papa.

I am so glad the parts of my house that I did not get painted this summer is getting done. I am not much at painting and I am sure not good at doing the trim work. I have been waiting since August to have the bedroom finished. Some of the baseboard and one window is all that is left and we can hang the pictures.
I went shopping yesterday and when I came home the kitchen was just about finished. I was so excited. If the weather stays bad maybe the rest of it can be finished tomorrow. I am going to have a throwing away when I start cleaning. I am so like my dad was and am an A number one pack rat. I always think that I might could use that some day and I hate to throw it away. I really have way too much stuff stored away that just needs to go. I am working on it in my mind so that it will not be as hard when the times comes. I get fussed at all the time by many different people for being such a keeper of junk. Hey who knows I might make a major change in my life at an older age but I would not hold my breath. I think that I should get an T for trying.
I admire all those people that keep everything just where it is suppose to be and throw things away without a second thought.
Like I said I am hoping that with the painting I will get inspired.

It does not feel like Sunday because I did not get to church this morning. They called about thirty minutes ago and said they had called it off tonight because of the weather. It is raining and they say we might get snow but the way it goes here if we get anything we will get ice. I had rather it snow a foot than to have a bad ice storm.
I am not crazy about snow but we could use some good cold weather to maybe kill off some of the germs that have been causing so many problems. There is so much sickness going around till we need something to kill off some germs.
The only fun part of snow, now that I am older is watching it fall. It is dark all ready so if it does snow we will sleep through it.
I can imagine that there are kids all over the area that are keeping their fingers crossed that they will not have to go to school in the morning. I think that is thier biggest thrill with winter. I can remember wanting it to snow and keep us home when I was a young girl. Also how much my daughters prayed it would snow. Now I know that my grands are all hoping that they will get the call tomorrow for no school.
I might not want it to come an ice storm but I know that God is in control of all the weather and what ever he wants is what we will have. Too all of you who are wishing for it good luck to you. Enjoy and be careful.

I have wanted music on my post for ages...I am not very good at technical things and usually have to have help,sometimes lots of help. I am so glad that even though I know that it is a pain that I still have someone to help me when I need it. I know they have to bite holes in their tongue to keep from screaming at me but we get it done. I am sure that at times the screaming does happen and maybe even the pulling of hair.
Music is soothing to the soul. I can be at my lowest and the word of God through music lifts my spirits. Amazing Grace is one of my all time favorites and the version that Chris Tomlin does is amazing. God has many ways of speaking to us and I believe music is one of them. I pray that he never stops speaking to me and that I will have the wisdom to listen.

It has been a few weeks since I have updated the blog. I am not great at it anyway and these past few weeks have been something else.
It started on Jan.28th when I started feeling bad and my throat hurt. I stayed out of work on the 29th and went to the doctor. To make a long story short I ended up in the ER on Sunday with a terrible case of strep throat. I missed the entire next week at school. I ended up taking five different antibiotics and I still do not feel great.
The Monday after the ER experience my husband had to take Aden our dog to the vet again. He had been sick the week before but had seemed to be better. They scared me to death because they thought it was maybe his heart. I was sick and I mean on top of the strep. Aden is like a baby to us. He is spoiled rotten. Again to make a long story short the vets did everything they could and he is better. It took a long time but it was worth him being well.
We went with our oldest daughter, her family and Heather to a dog show in Greenville last Saturday and saw a heart specialist and after checking Aden he said that his heart is fine and he even re-checked his lungs and said they were clear. Some people may think we are crazy but we love our pets and we had all prayed that he would be ok. He is part of our family. Even my sister and one brother and his wife called to check on Aden and said they would be praying that he would be ok. Heather has six dogs and I could not tell you how many Tamara has since they own a dog breeding business. Heather has her own rooms added to our house and she keeps her dogs mainly in her rooms but we love them and it would be awful if something happened to one of them. It hurts me awful if something happens to the dogs that Tamara is going to sell much less the ones she has as pets. God gave us animals and I think he meant for us to love them if we are going to have them.
All three of us seem to have a cold and have just laid around today. We all need to work next week so I figure we need to take care this weekend and do all we can to be better. Even Aden has laid around to support us...Carson, our cat too..
I am very thankful that God takes care of all things big and small. He wants us to bring all things before him. Everything in our lives belong to him. What better friend could we have? One that cares even for our pets. The bible tells us to praise Him in all things big and small, good or bad. What a blessing to have such a friend!!!

I have been a Christian for many years. As we all know at times Satan can give us a fit and even have us wondering if what we have it real. This morning I could not wait till the alter call...I had to go and pray with the preacher to be sure my entire life belonged to him. I knew that I was saved but I could not seem to get my life to line up with his and all of that was of course my fault. Well now I know that I know that I know if I died today I would go to be with him in Heaven. That is what I want more than anything in this world along with seeing my family be ready to go with me.
Pray for me and mine that we will draw even closer. I could not wait to share this with anyone reading this blog.
All praise goes to the FATHER. I am his and he is mine. Ask yourself if there is anything standing between you and Jesus that is keeping you from worshiping like you should. God bless you all. I love you. HE loves you even more.

Tamara,Jay and the girls came by and ended up staying up till supper. I had a very nice necklace set I was suppose to give Tamara at Christmas and I had forgotten. I gave them to her tonight with anohter pair that were similar. I wanted to give the girls something and started going through my jewerly. I think they went home with three necklaces and some ear rings. They seemed to be very happy. Meredith was trying to decide what she was going to wear to church in the morning.
It is nice when you can give something to someone and see the thank you in their eyes. I bought the jewelry on sale and it made every worth every nickle I paid.
I love my grand daughters and they are very special. I hope they love their nanny just a littl bit back. May God bless them and keep them close to his heart.Elaine

You should never write a post that you are a little miffed about because some one might read it and get the wrong idea. I was ticked that someone was ill with me over showing me how to work something on the computer and it hust my feelings.
Dawn I never meant that I was upset with you over it. I has written the post before I asked you to help me with the music and stuff.I know it is hard to do anything over the phone and I was willing to wait.
I hope you really did not get your feelings hurt because I promise I was not pointing toward you.I was lashing out of others and said too much. You know I appreciate all the teaching you have been doing with me. I know how to do many more things in the past few years than ever,with your help. So do not worry I will still be wanting you to teach me things all along. I always need help and you know that.
Love you and thank you very much.Elaine

On New Years Eve my husband and I had a stress test....I said what a better way to keep your marriage strong than doing all things together. It was an experience, but honestly it was not bad, and if we had been in better shape it would not have been anywhere near as bad. It showed me just how out of shape I am. I made the six minute test but it took a lot of praying and I give God the credit not me. Then next day I called and opened our gym memberships again. We have not been yet because I wanted us to wait till we get the results from the tests. That is suppose to be tomorrow.
I have to admit that I am a little scared. I do not mean to be because I know that God is in control of ALL things and his will shall be done. I will just be glad to know what the doctor has to say and go on. I need to be well to be here for Tom. I do not want to have anything wrong but I do not want Tom to go through anymore than he has. I would give myself in his place at anytime. I have come close to losing him a couple times in the past two years and it is not a place I want to be again. I pray for God's Mercy at all times for both of us and others who go through those hard times.
They say that writing these posts are good for you to relax and I am seeing that it is but I know that it has to be boring to others but I know that not many people read it so I will keep trying. Dawn I will not give up. Your push on things helps me at times more than you will ever know. Glad we are in this phase of our lives together and hope it continues for as long as God allows.

To get up and get going was what I had planned for the new year. It seems that here it is 20th day of the year and I really have done nothing toward my goal. I did work on cleaning out our bedroom yesterday and even though there are somethings that still need to go I started.

My dad was a pack rat and I took that after him, "You never know when you or someone might need this so do not get rid of it". He and my mom gave me many things and I can not bear to get rid to them. I did start today by throwing away two of my moms old table cloths that were so old they fell apart when I washed them. I am so bad till I would not burn candles because I hated to see them gone. That has changed also...I have started using them and as they burn out I take out more. I will not tell a huge lie because I still have two sets that I can not bring myself to use but I am working on that too.

I wanted to work on being a better Christian, wife, mother, mother in law, grandmother, friend and be better at my job. I did not start out very well on the motherhood thing. You are to never question God but at times I wonder at his letting me be a mother. I have never been very good at it and it seems the older they get the worse I am. People that write all these raising children books well I wonder if they even have children or if they live in a wonder world. I think I could write a book but it would be called How not to raise children. That is a different post for maybe another day.

I still have eleven months and so many days to work on organization and getting up and getting gone. I am going to work at it and pray that others who seem to have the same lazy problem will get up and get going.....Good luck.

Last week I had a virus that is going around and it was awful. I was sick from Wednesday till Sunday. I prayed everyday(when my mind came back to me) that I would rather have it again than to have my husband and best friend have it. Tom has heart problems and she just had liver surgery about three weeks ago. God may have answered that prayer because this morning getting ready for work I was sick and dizzy again. I still mean what I prayed but I do need to be at work to help her and be there for her so she does not overdo things, from having the surgery.
I am on my way to the doctor for a regular visit so I am going to see what we can do and check on the just plain not ever feeling good. I am so tired of getting up in the morning and not ever feeling good. I know I am getting older but I am not dead yet.
I am sure there are others that have the same problem and are tired of being tired too. I am going to be praying for anyone with this problem. Maybe we need to start an "I am going to feel better no matter what" club. Ha Anyone interested? Maybe it is all in my head and I really do not feel bad so I could need all the help a club could give me. Until after the doctor visit...

I have been thinking a lot about the New Year that is ahead of us. I am not making any resolutions because I never keep any of them if I do.
I had a friend tell me that I needed to do one of two things....one, take care of what I wanted done or two...shut up complaining about them. I have thought about that I am inclined to agree with her. I am not sure what I am going to do about all that I want done but I do know that I have to do something.
I am going to start out by praying about the things that need to be changed. I want to get my life with God closer like I said in my last entry. That is the most important thing. I have been much closer and I do not want to go back to that I want to take it one step more and be even closer and work harder. Join me in this prayer that I might be able to reach it and be the servent I need to be.
I wish everyone the very best of New Years and may God bless you.