Reflections

It's the last Sunday of 2012..... What have I accomplished this year? Sometimes it's hard to remember what all I did get finished or even started.... But I do know one thing..... I was loved. By my husband , my children (maybe not every day) by my grandbabies (all 5 of them) by my sweet brother, my mother in law and by my sweet wonderful friends. Most importantly I hope each of them knows that they were and are loved by me!

I have a bucket list. I crossed one item off just last week. That was to successfully make from scratch a chocolate merengue pie (made 2!). Another item in my list is to go zip line . But that will have to wait till this summer .

The most important thing for me personally has been rediscovering my absolute faith in The Lord . My faith has always been there, but it's sort of been a back burner item, I am ashamed to say. Many occurrences have led up to my understanding of "it's time" to put The Lord as the center of my life. One occurrences has been the question that keeps running through my mind, have I set the best example I could for my children and are they setting the best example for their children...... I know the answer.... And I am going to work at improving that.

Music.... I love music. Really all kinds. From Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Etta James, the 60's and 70's pop,
To Reba and George, Garth and Trisha. I love listening to my friend, Diana Wood...who could be a star.. She really is that good (and she is a star in my mind)....

Horses.... I love horses. The good, the not so good.... Their soul which can be seen and heard without them ever making a sound. Have you ever really looked into their eyes? You can learn so much by just spending time with them.....and looking into their eyes....

I hope each of you takes time to reflect on your 2012.... Figure out what is most important to you and make priorities for 2013. Remembering some words from a 1976 song from the Steve Miller Band, "time keeps on slipping into the future"... Let us all strive to "fly like an eagle" and make a difference.

I hope you will join the conversation in 2013 and let's make a difference.

From the heart of Redstone Farm...
Happy New Year and may the good Lord smile upon you.

I am so excited.... it's the eve of my new life!  Yes! My life begins again tomorrow (October 10)..... Now what changes do I want to make?  First I'd like to commit to praying more often.  I somehow feel that once or twice a day just isn't enough. My conversations with the Lord will be continuous and never ending (big expectations I know)  I want to be kinder, more considerate and more patient.  I want my skills as a teacher to improve, along with my skills as a photographer (also known as a professional camera owner).... I want to help others.  But most of all, I want my family and friends to know that I truly love them...ALL OF THEM! So... as I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep... If I should die, before I wake, I pray the Lord, my soul to take..... 
So if I am so fortunate to see the sun rise in the morning, I will celebrate another day on this earth with all of you, I will begin with a joyous heart and I will strive to make my 57th new beginning better than all of the others.

A Blessing

I remember being 17. I remember being happy, scared and just 17. I remember my sweet Aunt Betty walking quickly across the street to my mom's house with a stop watch in her hand... And going to the doctor to see if labor had really begun. And I remember everyone who came to the hospital to wait with us for the arrival. 10:17pm came and so did a beautiful baby girl names Holly SuzAnne.... And my world changed... No regrets just the reality of a tiny, beautiful soul, relying and trusting in me... And I was 17 and her life had just begun.... Happy Birthday sweet Holly... Your momma loves you more with each passing day....(and I'm not 17 anymore)

Change of Season

It's that time of year.... summer is nearly over and fall is just around the corner!  It's hot weather one day, and cool the next.... it's waiting for football season to start and being disappointed in the first loss of the season... and jubilant with the first win! It's crickets and grasshoppers invading your world....and waiting for the first frost.... And it's my favorite time of year, when the leaves start changing from green to red, gold and brown..... Lots to look forward to.... and many precious memories to reflect on.... And wondering how on earth I have lived 56 years and been so blessed with such a wonderful family. 

Wow!  Have you ever forgotten your password and could not get into your ..... whatever?  I do it a lot!  I keep thinking I will remember and then finally give up and go through the reset process.  So here I am again! Finally!   
Thoughts for today................. I just celebrated my 36th  4th of July with the Chief.   A lot has changed since that first one.... it was spent on the back of a Honda 750 motorcycle.  Lots of fun with lifelong friends... Our family has grown from 1daughter to 3 and now 2 son in laws and 5 grandbabies!  We have been blessed.  Our next addition to our family will be  another son in law.   And we are so happy to have Steven join our family!

Time for a change.....

I finally found this blog again.... Many things have changed since I last posted here.  I am hoping to do a much better job at keeping this blog alive.   One of the biggest changes has been that "The Chief" has retired, made a trip to Afghanistan and is now back home.  He is one class away from finishing his degree, so that is his priority. I have no idea what he wants to do in his "retired" years, but whatever it is... is fine with me!  I am a firm believer that you should do things you love to do whether it is professionally or just our daily lives.  


 I have decided to do 3 things, and I want to be really good at them.   1.  Cook like my momma.  Now I know that is impossible but the goal is to greatly improve!  You will notice later a section called "Cooking like my Momma".  I will share some of her personal recipes and talk about how things "used to be".  I hope you will enjoy it!  2.  Improve my photography skills.   I am enrolled in some workshops and have a great new editing program coming.  I am excited!  3.  Improve my riding skills and possibly compete in Senior Trail competition.  I have 2 horses, Sami (the Arabian) and Hallie (the Paint).  Both are starting training for these events.  Wish me luck!   I'll be busy the next few days getting ready for the 1st workshop which is this weekend, plus tomorrow is my first day back to work since my "I didn't make it to California"trip and my "gosh that hurts, I need my appendix out" surgery.   Have a blessed week!   Proverbs 31:30 (my favorite verse)