ponderings

Don't know if I have any readers other then Brooke or not. So for those who may read let me share a bit with you. Since December my job situation has changed. I am still employed by both of my employers, but my job where I used to have time to blog has changed locations most of the time and I simply do not have the time I used to to blog. The job change has been good, I have learned a lot of new stuff. A bit scary at first for an old lady!! I learned I do not want to be an office worker full time (I do this 1-2 days a week and that is plenty!) I should explain that a bit I guess because I am an office worker. I would prefer to take orders, write up orders then to file the endless stream of papers alphabetically, I enjoy interacting with the farmers and getting to know them a bit. I have learned a lot about raising (feeding) pigs and cattle, enough to know if I tried to raise a few for our meat it it would cost more then we could afford!!
So I am telling you all this hoping that you may enjoy the tidbits that I find to post here once in a while with out taking the time to make a personal blog.

I am looking forward to spring (wondering if it will ever get here, yet having the faith that it will!) I am planning on having a small garden this summer. I used to have large gardens before Shaun was killed then it was something that I had no desire to do, until this year, I do not have the time I used to for that and no kids will be home to help, so we are just going to plant a few things and see how it goes. Dave said he would help me!

I am excited Dave and I will be celebrating our 28th anniversary on Saturday. I am so glad that God brought us together!! We were married Easter weekend and our anniversary hasn't came on Easter weekend since!! We have been through a lot together. We've been more poor than rich, but always had enough. Basically healthy other then Daves back and the surgery that went with that. We have had many joyous times together..... sharing the birth of our 4 children, giving us a new way to look at this world, and being able to really understand what a sacrifice God made for us when he GAVE his son to die. Being a parent changes how you view that, and so many other things. (we thank the lord for all of our children and would not have given up the 16 years we had Shaun here, no matter how hard it was to lose him!! That is what LOVE is all about.) We have shared the ultimate sorrow together when we buried our oldest son. We all grieve differtently and we were somehow able to survive this unthinkable trauma to our lives, I think through time and prayer we have adjusted to living here with Shaun living in heaven but it has been by far the hardest thing we have ever gone through. I think our living kids are doing OK too. Shaun's death is a part of each of our lives as much as we are a part of each others lives. We have experienced loss and what is involved with it. His death has been a factor in shaping all of us into who we are today, and how we deal with loss, joy, sorrow etc.. Life is full of joy and sorrow, rich and poor, healthy and sick. Thanks be to God for giving Dave and I each other to live and survive together through it all. We have been married longer that my mom has been married to one man. My father died when he was 39 after 17 years of marriage for them, my step-father and mom were married 23 years and mom and Charlie were married 17 years. None of us know when we will be called from this life to eternity. My dad and Shaun were suddenly taken from us. My dad was not a Christan, He will not be waiting for me when I get to heaven. But I know Shaun will (God has given us that peace) My step dad had much pain and suffering before he died and Charlie was ill off and on for a couple years, but was only ill a few days before he died. We saw him the night before he died and never dreamed that he would die the next day, he was setting on the edge of his bed talking to us. Daves mom died a year before we were married, she layed down to take a nap and didn't wake up!! Sooo... we never know when we are going to die, we only know that we are, as well as everyone we know. Have you told those you love that you love them?? Do you have a right relationship with GOD? Do you know Jesus as your personal savior? Believe in the LORD JESUS CHRIST as the son of the living God and you will be saved from eternity in hell where there is no love and no light. You can know you are going to heaven.

I will leave you with this
A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."
Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."
"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"
The doctor was holding the handle of the door. On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...I know my Master is there and that is enough."

aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.
'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key
You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.
'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life ! You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.
But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!
So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.
You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!
You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'
Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

George Carlin's Views on Aging

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them , at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

signs signs everywhere are signs

Been busy and haven't ahd much tiem to think about this blog, so I thought I would share a few funny signs.....

Pizza shop slogan: "7 days without pizza makes one weak."

At a tire shop in Milwaukee: "Invite us to your next blowout."

Door of a plastic surgeon's office: "Hello. Can we pick your nose?"

At a drycleaners: "How about we refund your money, send you a new one at no charge, close the store and have the manager shot. Would that be satisfactory?"

a towing company: "We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."

On a maternity room door: "Push. Push. Push."

At an optometrist's office: "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."

On a taxidermist's window: "We really know our stuff."

In a podiatrist's office: "Time wounds all heels."

On a house's fence: "Salespeople welcome! Dog food is expensive."

At a car dealership: "The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment."

Outside a muffler shop: "No appointment necessary. We hear you coming."

In a veterinarian's waiting room: "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"

At the electric company: "We would be de-lighted if you pay your bill. However, if you don't, you will be."

In a restaurant window: "Don't stand there and be hungry. Come on in and get fed up."

In the front yard of a funeral home: "Drive carefully. We'll wait."

At a propane filling station: "Tank heaven for little grills."

ON QUEENS AND PRINCESSES ESPECIALLY FOR BROOKE

dictionary.com
QUEEN:
The wife or widow of a king.
as does my good old Websters here at work.
On the other hand,
my PRINCESS.
from dictionary.com, as well as my Webster...
PRINCESS:
a non reigning female member of a royal family, or a consort of a prince.

You my princess will only become queen when you are married and you must marry a prince. :-) (That last part is an order from your Queen-Mother, King Dad, as well as the King of Kings!!) Since you are a daughter of a king, you are a princess. I too am the daughter of the king. But I am married and your king "Dad" is the ruler of "our" kingdom. That makes me queen and you are a princess. (A fair maiden)
NOW if we are referring to the kingdom of God then I too am a princess, because my heavenly father is the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!! And your dad he is a prince. :-)
I really hate to tell you.... but your sister is a Queen too. and your living brother is a prince!!

I love you my princess!!!

Power of prayer

Praying for someone and not telling them is like clapping with one hand. I used to have that saying on our refrigerator. I really do not know what happened to it. But I do agree with it.

I remember when Shaun was killed and I was not capable of praying (I know that sounds strange to some of you and I hope you never have to go through a time like that) many people shared that they were praying for us. I knew that, I could feel it, that is why we survived that awful experience, because of the prayers of others... thank you. I remember a women telling me I would know when people stopped praying. (she has 2 children awaiting her arrival in heaven) I don't remember when that happened but I do know it did. Even thought I know people pray for me now I do not feel it like I did then

I have just finished reading the book 90 minutes in heaven by Don Piper. WOW what an amazing life he has had. Not an easy life, by any means though. He was dead for 90 minutes after a car accident, a preacher was stopped in the traffic from the accident and was lead by God to pray for Don even though he was already dead-- The preacher even felt for a pulse and there was none. But he obeyed Gods prompting and spent time praying like never before, singing and praying. Then it happened as Don was about to walk through the gates of heaven, he was a part of the singing in heaven and the next thing he knew he was singing what a Friend we have in Jesus with the pastor who had been praying for him.. WOW, I had to reread that part of the book a couple times because it is so awesome. You should at least try to read the first 50 or so pages of that book. I was imagining Shauns (and mine) welcome to that HOLY place.

I know that I tell people that I pray for them a lot. Because I know what it means to me to KNOW people are praying for me. SO when I tell you that I am praying for you. KNOW that it it happening!!

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

Jo­seph M. Scriv­en, 1855. Scriv­en wrote this hymn to com­fort his mo­ther, who was across the sea from him in Ire­land. It was orig­in­al­ly pub­lished anon­y­mous­ly, and Scriv­en did not re­ceive full cred­it for al­most 30 years

Clap with both hand

To make you laugh and to make you think

Brooke thought my last blog was really lame-- so I will try this to see if it is better-- I love you Brooke (note end of my blog)

Did I read that sign right?
TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW

In a Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT

In a London department store:
BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS

In an office:
WILL THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP-LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE RETURN IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN

In an office:
AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD

Notice in health food shop window:
CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS

Spotted in a safari park (I sure hope so)
ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR

Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN’T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAYCARE ON THE FIRST FLOOR

Notice in a farmers field:
THE FARMERS ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES

Message on a leaflet:
IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS

On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING (please knock hard on the door - -the bell doesn’t work)


A group of children, aged four through eight, were asked to answer the question: "What does love mean?" Some of the answers are amusing. Some are rather earthy. Others show a wisdom far beyond their years. Some of the answers were:

When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toe nails any more. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth. (is that awesome or what!)

Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and
they go out and smell each other. :-)

Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your french fries without making them give you any of theirs.

Love is when someone hurts you. And you get so mad but you don't yell at them because you know it would hurt their feelings.

Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.

Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay.

Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My mommy and daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss.

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.
(WOW I like that one)

When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you're scared they won't love you any more. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you, they love you even more. (So True)

There are two kinds of love: Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them.

Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day.

Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.. (Ahhhh)

Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.

Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.

Valentine's cards say stuff on them that we'd like to say ourselves, but we wouldn't be caught dead saying.

When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.

Love is when mommy sees daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.

You really shouldn't say I love you unless you mean it. But if you mean
it, you should say it a lot. People forget. ( I LOVE YOU!!)

For GOD so LOVED the world that he GAVE his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Washers, microwaves, TVs and toster ovens OH MY!!

So the last couple weeks Dave has been having trouble turning on the TV, It just won't turn on, but when it finally does it seems to work OK. Then on Monday morning I was in the kitchen, Brooke was in her room, the dog was even in our room -- The TV turned itself on in the living room--I kid you not this really happened. Hasn't happened since-but it did. It reminded me of a couple years back, our microwave would turn itself on when ever-- I woke up once in the middle of the night and the microwave was running. So we bought a new microwave, the old one was only about 20 years old. That is about how old the TV is, we really don't remember where or when we got it-- But it is a GE and the salesman (SHAUN, LOVE THE SPELLING) said they (GE) haven't made TVs for about 18 years. So we did it, we bought a new TV.

In Sunday school Sunday we were talking about needs and wants we shared about looking at TVs (we actually were going to get one for each other for Christmas-- but then the washer broke and we bought a new washer, this one had only lasted 6 years the washer before we had for 20!) We even had a toaster oven that we had received for a wedding gift that lasted us for 25 years, we bought a new one that lasted 14 months.-- Anyway we had been looking at TVs for a while knowing that we would soon be in the market for one. We know that having a TV is not a need, but we have been praying about it. (I wonder what God thinks when we pray for stuff?? but we feel he provided us with this one!) We wanted a TV and now we have one--It is crazy we set up housekeeping almost 28 years ago when we got married, Now slowly appliance by appliance we are getting new things, (that we know will not last like the old stuff!) not because we just want new stuff, but because we have worn the old out. (I never did figure out how to turn the old TV on properly through the VCR). It just amazes me the different things that we have purchased. When we first got married very few people had microwaves, I thought we would never get one because we had both lived without one all our lives and it was not a necessity (of course as young married people we didn't have much extra money either. ) We didn't get a microwave until several years in to our marriage--actually we had moved to Ohio and bought it with a Christmas gift certificate probably about in 1987--then there was the computer, we had gotten a few used ones and used them until they were unusable, then we even got the internet. When I think about all the technology we have purchased since Shaun died I am amazed. We thought new microwaves, computers, the internet and big screen TVs were nothing we would ever have. --Now we don't have a toaster oven--But I miss it, we will probably get another one one of these days. But for now I will enjoy our new TV. Thank you Jesus!!