Refunds of a Gross Kind

I got a refund from dinner last night, only it isn't the kind of refund you like to get. The refund came around 2:48 am this morning. And being a valued customer, refunds came regularly, often and thankfully ended around 4:00 am. Fortunately for Roy, I am a very quiet refunder and his sleep was never disturbed. It wasn't until 5:30 am that Roy knew anything was wrong. He was waking me up and said you look horrible. Did you sleep last night? Ahh, the kind and endearing words one wants to hear. He closed the bedroom door with those lovely words ringing in my head and didn't hear another thing until hearing his ring tone pierce the morning stillness at 9:30. I do love that he was checking in on me. I went right back to sleep.


Buddy didn't appreciate being shut out of the bedroom for that long. I finally let her in and she settled on my arm. We both slept peacefully. A little before noon, I got up and she followed me purring and climbing up the leg of my pajamas so I would pet her. Gave her a treat and I sat down to sip a Diet Coke and munch on a saltine or two to check my refunding condition. Buddy climbed onto my lap wanting to be petted. I obliged willingly when out of the blue she attacked my arm and hand. I picked her up like Roy does to quiet her down and she flayed even harder. She went for both sides of my face. I went for the squirt gun and after showering her with precise shots, I went back to the bedroom and shut the door. When I came out she sat there looking repentant. I thought we were making up when she came at me again and caught her claws into my hand. That hurt like the dickens and I started crying. To tell you the truth I am not a big crier but when I do cry I figure to get something out of it, so I think of all the stuff that has hurt me in the past few weeks and what I hate that seems to be an unanswerable portion of my life right now. All that to say, I had a loud and great cry. Buddy sat there staring at me cause I rarely cry. She was so moved, she jumped on the bed and went to sleep. That is where she is now. That cat can go months without any kind of a temper and boom, she is wild cat for about a day.


I did get a spiritual lesson out of all the above. Yet it reminded me of the cycle I seem to be in right now, surprise attacks in what seemingly feels like a time of peace.


After meeting a friend for dinner last night, I ran to the Kroger to pick up a few things. Roy had stayed late at the office and then walked at the CLC. I so wish he would have been with me to witness the checking out experience. My few things did not fall under the 15 items or less category, so I went to the only open check out for regular shopping. I noticed the lady in front of me was a little bit strange and odd, but who isn't after a full day of work. She unloaded her cart and loudly announces to the checker and bag boy and about half of the store, she would be packing her own groceries. This is where it turned strange...she sang very loudly while she did this. Not whistle while you work, or she works hard for the money or take this job and shove it. No, she sang a tune that she had made up and her groceries played the supporting cast. The paper bowls sang to the celery, then the celery sang to the bag of apples. You get the drift. The checker, bag boy and I just starred. What else does one do? If the bag boy tried to help she just sang louder, I pack my own groceries. Meanwhile the line behind me is growing longer and longer by the song. She puts the bags in the cart, sings a tune while using the debit card and left silently. Show over. The checker looked at me and I questioningly looked at her. She said, oh she comes in once a week and gives the same performance. Wow! In the parking lot she was loading her groceries singing her songs when she accidentally set off her car alarm. She stopped loading and came to a full stance and yelled, it's OK, I set it off, no one was hurt in the alarm accident...then she went right back to loading and singing. I shop at the strangest yet most entertaining Kroger in the city.

I think I have a roommate for HFBC's Women's Retreat that I wasn't planning on attending in October. Funny how that works. We are both semi committed to not attending everything on the program. That is how I roll at most women's retreats.

Peggy and I are going to the LP event in San Antonio on Friday. We are really looking forward to the trip. I look forward to meeting blogging buddies and she is looking forward to some time away. We are both looking forward to hearing God's Word. I am asking the Lord to speak directly to what seems to be my life right now. I am asking God to do a HUGE thing in all of our lives as we worship and learn in the Alamo Dome. This seems strange after what I wrote about women's retreats, but that is what I love about Beth Moore. She cuts out all the fluff, gets to the point, you learn, God speaks, transformation takes place and you laugh while some of the above is taking place.

Well, I am going to see if a few more crackers won't be refunded. Then check on Buddy and see how our reconciliation is going to happen.

And Now a Break from Our Regular Gymnastics Programming

If you are tired of seeing the USA being robbed of Olympic gold, you might enjoy this little comedy break.
http://s527.photobucket.com/albums/cc356/sheamotox/?action=view&current=funny-turner.flv

Happy Landings.

Viva, Viva Las Galveston

Yesterday Roy and I met Bill and Peggy in Galveston to see Tuna Does Vegas. Roy and I got an early start to get to The Strand. We would meet up with Bill and Peggy at some point. Good plan, bad weather. We went through a huge thunderstorm on our way there and thought we had dealt with the worst of the weather for that day. We began at Gracie's and worked our way down the street. Picked up some cute Vera Bradley there. We also made a stop at The Front Parlour, where I found the cutest Texas charm bracelet. We were heading toward the Big Dog store for Roy when the skies opened up. Found a bench and shelter to wait the rain out. About that time Peggy calls and they are catty cornered across the street under scaffolding. Roy thought we should start our way to the car but it was still pouring. I took off my shoes and he asked , what are you doing? Uh, don't want to ruin the shoes. He was quick to point out he could buy me another pair of shoes, but he couldn't. These are my favorite shoes and they don't make them anymore. I will spare you the details but all four of us were not the only ones that looked like drowned rats at the theatre.

If you get the chance go to Galveston and see Tuna Does Vegas. They have tweaked the show somewhat from last year and it is still as funny as ever. The picture above of Helen Bed and Inita Goodwin as showgirls is a new touch. I could not stop laughing as they tried to work out the choreography for their floor show on seasons.

Afterwards we went to the Saltwater Grill for dinner. Both Bill and Roy had the huge bowl of Big Daddy Gumbo. Since the weather had turned sunny and nice, Roy and I headed back to The Strand for additional shopping at The Big Dog store that is going out of business with everything half price. Hey tax free weekend to boot!

We had lunch with the Taylors and Dena today at Fu's Garden. Good times and lots of laughs. We saw a lot of HFBC people there when we expected to see at lot from Second. Roy and I went downtown to look at his new office space on the 13th floor. Very nice!

Today with David and Marsha's help, the three of us made new discoveries among the pictures on the second floor of HFBC by Prom Hair Jesus. I will be taking pictures this week and sharing our new discoveries of arte de Houston's First Baptist.

Another Relaxing Olympic Friday

I am using my new portable lap top desk thingy from the fine folks at Border's. They sent me a coupon for my birthday and I used it to purchase this. My lap is not getting hot or burnt from the heat of my lap top and I have a little cushion thing that my wrists are certainly enjoying.

With my mind and days consumed with Milestones, MidLink and cool give aways for both, oh my, I have totally forgotten some happenings from the last week. With Cheryl mentioning the term sunset fatigue from John Ortburg's book, The Life You Have Always Wanted, I have been aware of how much sunset fatigue I am experiencing. Re-reading that book and then couple that with the much anticipated release of the book Mad Church Disease in February, which is a book about burnout in ministry, maybe I have some advice and help coming my way.

Last Friday I drove out to Sugarland for my haircut and afterwards stopped at the nail salon a couple of doors down. Oh my, the pedicure was just about as relaxing as The Nord's but my callouses were actually given a little more attention and those babies are just about gone. No use of the blade was needed. Whew.... I was mesmerized by the process (I am easily entertained). While we were talking it came up that I had just been to Emmanuel and I asked her if she had ever been to the new massage place next door? No, but she met everyone when the fire alarm had gone off earlier in the week. So people were standing out there in the parking lot with sheets wrapped around them. You know that triggered all my thoughts and irrational fears I have mentioned before about that happening at The Nord.

With new pink polish and smoothed out callouses, I ran a few errands and then stopped by my parents. I took my DVD player to show them the DVD my cousin Becky made from slides she found after her father's death. Becky did a lot of hard work putting it together with some beautiful music. When I viewed it the first time and saw pictures of my mom laughing and so carefree in her early twenties...well, I just started crying. While watching it with my parents my mom said several times...is that me? There is one picture and I agree with her, what was she thinking with the hairstyle? It was bad. I am happy that both my cousins are now on Face Book and maybe we will keep up better with each other. Hey Becky and Lois!

Last Sunday, I took Dena to the airport for her flight to London. It is my belief if you travel outside the country, you should be taken and picked up at the airport. It is a good welcome home. I made mention last Sunday after her adventurous trips around the world, that London seemed rather tame and pedestrian. I shouldn't have said a thing...her plane was really late in taking off, the jet way was broken in London and they were going to deplane the old fashioned way and her flight to Scotland was late as well. Nothing tame and pedestrian about those happenings. *******Update**** Dena's flight was just diverted to New Orleans. Couldn't land due to weather at Bush. Note to self, never comment on flights again. I hope she is saying, it is what it is, right about now. They are supposed to land at 2:00 in New Orleans.*****Steven W has Murray Mints on his desk and I am hooked on them. They are from England. I emailed her on Wednesday and asked if she would bring some home to me. Good News, she found them and likes them too. They are butterscotch and mint flavored, but on the wrapper it says may contain whole sesame seeds. What??????

I have had NBC on this morning to watch the Olympics. Track and field is beginning. I will now begin adding track and field terms to my already expanded Olympic vocabulary. I love speaking in my inside voice all the time. It does seem to make things more dramatic.

Roy is prepared to leave for the office. He picks up his briefcase in one full movement. That is his signature move. Oh, 3/10 of a point deduction, he tripped over Buddy. I have watched him all week and he has avoided that mistake. This is going to cost him now when it really counts. He has done a full turning twist to the door knob, what extension...what height as he picks up and throws the paper into the entrance way. It has landed perfectly, he missed the lamp and purse sitting on the hallway table. Here comes his dismount...closing the door, Buddy rushing toward it...oh very close but he sticks the door shutting complete with locking the door in record time. Major deduction, he forgot to kiss his wife goodbye. This will certainly effect his score. No chance for gold, maybe not even a medal in the competition. Tonight he will be competing in the floor exercise, picking up his shoes strewn through out the home.

They interviewed the two American gymnasts that won last night. It is refreshing to see that competitors can be good friends. They ran that piece about Phelps giving his spot to his friend and competitor in the last Olympics.

Well, I better complete my own floor exercise. Then onto the vault as I jump over and successfully land over all the junk that has piled up in my closet this week. I'm going for the gold! Cue Olympic music as I go to my next event in this rotation.

Just Stuff

There has been a song on my mind ever since Blast from the Past. I have looked on iTunes to no avail. Only thing, I didn't know the title or who recorded the song. I emailed a friend and got the info. Today, after work, I went online and ordered the 2 bundle CD of Farrell and Farrell. Most of y'all have no clue who this is, but they were the Watermark of my generation. I remember Farrell and Farrell came to a Bible study several times and sang for us. A bunch of high school and college kids, in a Bible study held in someones home. Some nights there were 75 of us crammed in there. Jane Farrell had been a flight attendant and she and Bob had just become Christians. I probably have the albums that the compilation of songs came from.

I guess it was my way of rewarding myself of several days of non stop work. Non stop, hard work. And to add to my burden, some of it was in Excel. I have a love/hate...no a hate/tolerate relationship with that spreadsheet. Please, when your Milestone and MidLink pieces come in the mail, take some time to look at them. Lots of hard work there. Or go to the HFBC website, houstonsfirst.org to see it online. It's not there yet, but it will be soon.

We have a fun weekend planned. We are going to see Tuna Does Vegas on Saturday. Bill and Peggy are meeting us there. Roy and I are going a little early to do some shopping on the Strand.

At the right time today, Lisa P came by. She and I had a couple of very hearty laughs. I am so glad she is my friend. Some times it is difficult to believe she even works at the same place since she is so far away. Doesn't anyone stay in one place anymore. It would be so fine to see her face at my door... oops, Carole King just popped into my brain.

One more unrelated and random thing. There are some potent fumes coming from the Worship Center. Yesterday, almost everyone had a headache and scratchy throats. We all sounded like we were 2 pack a day smokers. I wanted to answer the phone...Ministries, this is Nancy. Let me put out my ciggy and see what I can do you for. Today the fumes made us high which made most of us turn silly by the end of the afternoon. Good grief, I was throwing a cupcake candle at Cindy P. I threw it at her 3 times but not hard. We have a stress ball that looks like a rock, I threw it at her too. All in fun...

Well, Roy just called and is bringing a pizza home for dinner. Buddy is meowing at the front door. I am ignoring her.

As always, thanks for reading.

If I Could Save Time in a Bottle

Time. It has been on my mind. Right now in total honesty I have to admit this; I am not generous with my time. Work and obligations take up too much of the day and week. Weekends many times are the days I use to recoup energy just to give back to my time thieves, work and obligations. It is getting totally out of control.

One example, if my neighbors blog about their neighbors, I might be referred to as the crazy cat lady. We only have one cat, but that one cat wants to run the hallways. My job becomes cat herder to get her back inside of home. So, I come home and the norm can be, I have to wee wee like a wild woman and only have precious seconds to get inside and take care of that situation. My plan, scare Buddy so much she won't have the guts to run much less venture into the hallway. Here is an interesting fact, cat paws are so sensitive they can feel your footsteps from a long distance. So, I begin stomping my feet, walking really hard and making all kinds of weird noises with my voice as I traverse our hallway. I imagine I am not only scaring Buddy, but all my neighbors. If this ploy hasn't done the trick, I resort to throwing my purse or the mail inside the door to keep Buddy at bay. That tactic doesn't even work anymore and walking through slippery catalogues only adds time to my few seconds clearance of making it to the facilities on time. In the true Olympic spirit, I am trying to take 8/10 of a second off my record time.

My days right now are time sensitive and time intensive. Three major deadlines for pieces to be in the mail and in the homes of church members and prospects consume me right now. First one is in the mail, second piece is getting ready to leave the church and to the printers tomorrow morning. My last piece should be out by Thursday. Meanwhile I am doing everything else that comes across my desk. Yesterday was not only a full day, but a very stress filled day. In turn, I come home whipped and wiped out. Roy had told me it would be a late night at the office for him, so I looked forward to the time alone. Only this, Roy came home much earlier than anticipated. That is great! He changed clothes to walk at the CLC track and just before he kissed me goodbye, he woke up Buddy and brought her to me. WHAT THE HECK????? My plan of reading a few chapters of Off Season flew right out the window. I spent the next 45 minutes chasing Buddy off the table and off all the other places she KNOWS she shouldn't be. We employ the water gun punishment. By the time Roy got home, the cat is soaked, the furniture is soaked, the carpet soaked...everything was wet from all the water being blasted at the blasted cat. Only two minutes before Roy arrived, she settled into one spot. My plan of chapters has now become pages. I read two whole pages in 45 minutes! Roy, sweet precious Roy, precious treasure of my heart Roy, walks into our bedroom where Buddy and I have finally settled and says, "I knew Buddy would keep you company and give you some quiet moments of reading." I looked at him like, are you totally bonkers???? Why did you move the cat before leaving??? Do I look calm, relaxed? I asked him if he would go through our home and wipe off any water on the tables before it left water marks. Time...gone...

It also seems like I am giving a lot of time to keeping a zoo keeper or would it be a lion tamer away from squishing me into the box that in their mind and estimation I should gladly be in.

I don't know if you have someone like this in your life, but if so, you know they are time drainers. Like wild animals I am constantly on the run not to be caught only to be caged or tamed into the person they think I should be. My keeper thinks I should only be funny and perform at their behest. No one should know that there might even be a serious line much less a spiritual thought expressed out loud from me. Fortunately, right now they can't contain me in print. Now you might think me paranoid, but my tamer slips subtle hints to others that I might not ever be a good choice, unless you want funny. Sometimes funny doesn't even get the recommendation. My battle of running includes their constant obsession of comparison and contrast, how might they get the upper hand, do better than me. I delight for them to do better and have all the friends, stuff and wanna be junk they could ever desire to have and experience. Just leave me alone. My keeper has taken away a lot from me, mostly time and energy. When they are around, I cannot move, exist or show any natural gifting or spiritual gifts that the Lord has given. I've been trapped in a corner and they are just waiting for me to go into the box of their choosing in order to control and understand me. Ha, I might be stuffed in a corner, but so far success is mine of escaping the box.

The Bible says I know the voice of my shepherd, I follow Him only. At least in recent times I have slowed down enough to hear His voice in the daily. Nothing they say to me or suggests to me sounds like the voice of love I know only to follow. A zoo keeper knows what to say to make the tapes play from long ago hurts and words. Their thought is for you to give in to that, but don't do it. Read Ephesians and know what Jesus has done for you and who you are in Him.

Many times a lion tamer wants you to be sad, ill or complacent. There is control in being the benevolent benefactor. Don't give in. They'll tempt with rewards that aren't truth or don't last. I will say this, don't grow weary in doing them good. The Bible says, you'll reap a harvest. It isn't easy and the choice of making decisions in the flesh or letting God's strength uphold and encourage will be at times moment by moment, if not second by second decisions. Boils down to wanna be... Do I wanna be like Jesus or do I wanna be a lion tamer?

Time is not permitting me to give more thought and time to the thought of thought and time. Roy just called, he'll be home in a few minutes. I have to go help him make noise and keep Buddy away from the front door. Yep, we are the crazy cat people.

Update=Contentment

We all need these types of days once in a while, just laid back even though we have stuff to get done. The stuff gets done, but not in that stressed and hurried way. Roy met his walking group at 6:30 AM and I was still asleep by the time he returned home.

We took our time getting ready to run all our errands and mapping out the details. A trip to the bank, church, cleaners, lunch, fill up the car, and grocery shopping all got done with time to spare. Roy even had the chance to order some non book stuff from Amazon.

While he was doing things here, I met Dena and her family for a quick bite to eat later in the afternoon. She is a traveling whirlwind these days, so it is nice to catch up on all the happenings. I was invited to go to The Nord with them, but I decided to get on home. There are a couple of books that keep calling my name.

Roy is at the Texans game tonight with a friend from the office. His name is Joe. I watched a little bit of the game and then turned off the TV. I have a book to read.

Thanks for understanding my last post. Nothing has changed except my attitude...which is the best thing to change. Seems like everything I have read this week has been about waiting, reaping a harvest, suffering in silence (OK, I already blew that one) and praising God when I don't feel like it. All the points were driven home. So far the points and lessons have been chocolate free. That makes me a happy camper.

There are other things I want to blog about, but for now this little update will have to do. There are thank you notes to be written and have I mentioned I am reading two good books????

Blogging/Venting=Just Plain Old Complaining in a Teckie Way

I tried to blog last night and the mouse wouldn't work correctly. It was probably good that I could not write. To be honest, I was in the worst mood last night. A really bad mood and to me the catharsis would be to vent. VENT loud! Of course I can see that God had a hand in the mouse and other parts of our computer not working correctly. I hate to admit it though, I was getting in a worse mood over the whole situation. Well it was God or the Norton update we did on Tuesday which always messes things up for a few days.About the time I had given up writing anything, Roy came home after a long day at the office. He sat down and said, tell me all about it. He didn't know the build up of frustrations, the miserable hole I feel in the core of my being and minor hurts and issues that felt like such a slight. He got to hear it all, the stuff I am tired of, the weariness in not growing weary in doing good, the lack of encouragement I feel, the dying of a dream and here is the clincher...this will just show you how petty I have been feeling....Are you ready? Will you still like me after I admit this? Gosh, I hope so. This has been the most chocolate birthday ever and I don't really care for chocolate that much. I will be bringing chocolate to the office and giving it away in the coming days. See, I told you I had sunk pretty far into the whole self pity kind of thing.I am glad that I didn't blog all that was on my mind last night. I will be honest even more so, I didn't wake up in all that great of mood. But God...He is faithful and He spoke to me this morning as I began half heartidly with my quiet time. I began to pour out my heart to Him, all the hurts, the issues, and the feeling of exile. I agree with Him, He is in control, He knows the plans, He knows my heart, and He knows what I need. Buddy and I seem to have a lot in common these days, she sits at the front door and cries...she wants hallway adventure until a noise or a person scares her and she runs into the comfort of home. I too am sitting at the door of life, crying for "hallway adventure" and just like Buddy, the first noise or strange person that comes my way, is going to make me run into the safety and comfort of home. God knows and God cares. He knows the timing and what is best. He knows my talents and gifts He has given me and He knows how they are used. *He has encouragment coming but I hope He doesn't give me chocolate.Today was Brand Camp for the staff at church. We saw the new logo and got freebies. Love getting a goodie bag. The rest of the day is thought provoking. Thanks for listening, thanks for reading.* By saying this I am in no way looking for people to comment with encouragment etc...God knows the source of my despair and the encouragment I need.

Bunko, Birthday and Buddy

Since the strong tropical force winds weren't to hit Galveston until 3:00 am, we played Bunko right on schedule. I am so glad we did and I'm not just saying that because Peggy and I won the most games and that we were at the head table for the majority of the night. Seriously, we have a fun group. Rolling dice through tears because of laughing so hard is now one of my all time favorite feelings. Our Bunko group is comprised of young and older...think Titus 2 women.

We played at CourntneyS and she had prepared a very delicious dinner of pulled pork sandwiches, slaw, and some pinto beans that are so good, yes you want to slap ya mamma. Thanks CourtneyS for all the preparation that went into making the evening so fun.

The secret to our success last night is that we keep count on our fingers and not on pads of paper. Michelle even audited us while we played last night. She kept our score on a pad as well as her own. No cheating...no slight of hand. We are just trying to keep our brains young and fending off any onslaught of early dementia.

Linda had the most Bunkos. And after Peggy deferred to let me have the prize for winning the most games because yesterday was my birthday, I quit paying attention because Eileen and Dana were making me laugh. I gave Peggy back the gift because she is going to make the cake for next months Bunko which will be at her house. Peggy was Amanda last night and next month she is Cindy. Everyone had such a good time with Peggy, they want her to be the all time sub for the group.

I had such a good birthday yesterday. The Day Camper children surprised me by coming to my office and singing Happy Birthday to me twice and much louder the second time. I LOVED that! Their singing is just one of the side benefits of working at a church. Jordon and Madi came earlier and sang to me and added a beautiful lamb to my collection. Lisa P left an Astros tote bag full of goodies which includes a "gonna make everyone jealous when I wear it" ring. We had cake at 3:00, an HFBC tradition. Loved all my cards and all the greetings on Face Book. I so appreciate my friends and their generous hearts and lives. God has blessed me beyond measure for sure. Roy told me last night, guess you won't be getting the flowers I ordered for you until Wednesday, due to the tropical storm that has shut down the town.

Buddy and I share the same birthday. She is two, still fun, still adventurous, and still can be slightly aggravating. Don't know if 2 in cat years is the same as the terrible twos for kiddos. She doesn't like it when we sleep in. She came into the bedroom about every 30 minutes this morning trying to wake us up. I will be doing just that to her when she wants to sleep in the early evening. This morning she snuggled up right beside me wanting her head rubbed. The little sneak, she took the opportunity to bite me. All I have to do is call out Roy's name and she is on alert. He raised up from the covers arms out wide and says Buuuuuuuddddddddyyyyyyyy. She was done biting in a hurry and ran off into the living room. Roy and I went back to sleep. I do know this, I had a much better birthday than Buddy.

Waiting on Edouard by Taking a Test

While waiting for the rain to come I looked through some blogs. I saw Cheryl's and she had this test. So, I took it and here is the result. The test is all about your brain... So have some fun and let me know the results or if you are singing "if I only had a brain."


Nancy, you exhibit an even balance between left- and right- hemisphere dominance and a slight preference for visual over auditory processing. With a score this balanced, it is likely that you would have slightly different results each time you complete this self-assessment quiz.


You are a well-rounded person, distinctly individualistic and artistic, an active and multidimensional learner. At the same time, you are logical and disciplined, can operate well within an organization, and are sensitive towards others without losing objectivity. You are organized and goal-directed. Although a "thinking" individual, you "take in" entire situations readily and can act on intuition.


You sometimes tend to vacillate in your learning styles. Learning might take you longer than someone of equal intellect, but you will tend to be more thorough and retain the material longer than those other individuals. You will alternate between logic and impulse. This vacillation will not normally be intentional or deliberate, so you may experience anxiety in situations where you are not certain which aspect of yourself will be called on.


With a slight preference for visual processing, you tend to be encompassing in your perceptions, process along multidimensional paths and be active in your attacking of situations or learning.
Overall, you should feel content with your life and yourself. You are, perhaps, a little too critical of yourself -- and of others -- while maintaining an "openness" which tempers that tendency. Indecisiveness is a problem and your creativity may not be in keeping with your potential. Being a pragmatist, you downplay this aspect of yourself and focus on the more immediate, obvious and the more functional

Conversations with Roy

There are times I have wished that Roy was a little more musical than he is. On his iPod amid all the podcasts from oil and gas firms, accounting firms, HFBC, and other Christian podcasts is only one music CD. It is the Smith Band.

Then there are times I am glad Roy isn't very musical and conversations like the one we had today after church can happen. We were on our way to lunch when Roy mentioned to me that I needed to address a situation. I agreed but I really didn't like his tone. So, I got a little miffed on the inside about that. He has a saying that he has said since I have known him. When he thinks I need to take action or if he thinks a circumstance or someone is taking advantage of me he says, "You need to speak to it." All this means with him is, take care of it.

Since I had a twinge of miffed going on I said to Roy, well the battle is the Lord's. And we began that kind of teasing conversation back and forth; about speaking to the problem and me taking care of it or letting the Lord handle it. Now he agrees the battle is the Lord's but he knew what I was up to when I said that, mischief from the miffed. He knew it was all about the tone of voice he took.

We are almost finished lunch and we have so enjoyed our conversations since the "talk to it" and I could not resist saying the following....

Me- Roy (I've) been talking to myself and feeling old. Sometime I'd like to quit. Seems like nothing ever seems to fit.

Roy-Are you talking about quitting your job or shopping for clothes?

Me-Hanging around nothing else to do but frown.

Roy-Are you upset? Don't frown.

Me-Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.

Roy-that's from a song isn't it.

He just busts out laughing and well I do too. Ain't nothing like some cheesy Carpenter lyrics to end Sunday lunch on the right note.

Conversations

Conversations for most people are daily, a way of life. We have conversations that we never want to end, conversations that begin seriously and end in laughter complete with tears, there are conversations we avoid, hard conversations, conversations that we don't understand, conversations that leaves us sad, in tears, and the ever popular conversations that we practice in our mind. Most of those conversations never happen, but we are just being prepared. We answer back to questions that may never arise. Or worse, we practice the wrong conversation for the situation. If I had the time and energy back from all those pretend, what if conversations, I wouldn't need to go to bed so early to be rested.

This week there have been some tough conversations for me, both real and imagined. Sitting here on this hot but beautiful Saturday I cannot help but think that God would have liked me to direct some of those conversations His way in prayer.

Last Sunday after church Roy and I went to The Nord for lunch and to return a shirt he already had. The Bistro on Sunday is not very busy and quiet enough for conversation. We arrived to half of the place taken up by a group celebrating something, but hard to discern what exactly brought them all to this place. People arriving and used to quick seating where not thrilled with a wait. I have a friend who wonders and ponders groups at restaurants and doing my best imitation of her, I asked the waiter about the group. It was 75 celebrating a graduation. Never got a sense of who was being honored. After lunch Roy bought 4 pairs of shoes...unheard of any time before in all our shoe shopping days for Roy. He has a difficult foot to fit, 13 A.

Thursday night I had dinner with a friend and she was the ever so lucky one to get a rambling conversation with me about choices and decisions I need to make in the immediate future. I think I needed to say some of it out loud to get a bit of clarity and organization of my thoughts. The Bible says to not grow weary in doing good and I am wearied, but I also make the choice of choosing joy. Well, most of the time, sometimes joy is a distant third in the choice range.

A couple of weeks ago, this was my devo for the day...Results of Waiting, by Charles Swindoll. Wow, God used Chuck's words with His Word to calm my anxious thoughts.

• Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

Being reminded that while I think God is invisible, He is at work. That is the beauty of His invisibility , He can be moving in a thousand places, moving a thousand pieces, working in circumstances that are beyond our control. During a waiting time God is not only working in my heart but in other's hearts. All the while giving added strength. Chuck says first we gain new strength. We exchange our weakness for His strength. Second, we get a better perspective mounting up with wings like eagles. By soaring like an eagle we get perspective. Third, we store up extra energy...that part of the verse is future tense. Extra energy will be ours to use because when we encounter the thing we have been dreading, we will encounter it with new strength. Four, we deepen our determination to preserve. All the above happens while we wait.

I will be honest with you, none of that was my mindset on Thursday evening in our conversation, but I am being reminded of God's truth today. It is good to have a friend who is a safe place to ramble, complain and vent. And best of all, she still likes me and more importantly praying with me as I struggle with waiting and resulting then in tasting to see that the Lord is good in this situation.

This is getting long, but I will wrap this up with a conversation yesterday. Yesterday was my last massage with Stacy at The Nord. Next Friday is her last day. She will be going to a new place and I will be following her there. We were laughing that tomorrow will be our 4th anniversary as therapist and client but we celebrated even more the fact that we became friends through this business relationship. Sometimes the table can be as soul to soul talking as one will do when getting a haircut or highlights. We reminisced as she worked the knots and tension out of my back of all we had gone through both good and bad in our individual lives. We were grateful that we had come through and thankful for the friendship that helped in some of the bad times. I am the only client whose tight and knotty shoulder ever made her break into a sweat working on them. I am very proud of that honor. She remembers the first time she began to work on my left shoulder. Y'all that shoulder does some really loud creaking and popping. She was a bit alarmed never having a client with such a sound. I told her don't worry it is nothing. It feels better when you pop it. I remember her telling me I would love her treatment and I would be back. Yep, those words proved to be true. It was strange not making follow up appointments for the weeks and months ahead yesterday. She and I were a bit misty over the closing of this season but thrilled with the beginning of a new situation. I left relaxed and very thankful for Stacy.

Oh, there are so many more real and pretend conversations I have had this week, but thought I would share just a few with you.

Might as Well Face it I'm Addicted to........

The evening started so innocently. Really it did. Roy needs some thick socks for outdoors walking. I volunteered to go to Sports Authority to get him a couple of pairs tonight while he is at the Astro's game with a friend. So after I made the purchase instead of leaving and coming straight home, I wandered to the end of the shopping center thinking that I would just check things out. DSW did not lure me, neither did Pier One, but I had no strength what so ever to resist especially when there is a sale going on. Two cars pulled out in front of me almost hitting Mustang Sally, but I was not deterred. I parked and went inside. I didn't start with a shopping cart, but time was short before I procured one for usage. There were things that we really need and dang it, they are on sale. So after picking up a few things I headed to the check out but not before going down my very favorite aisle. My weakness stared me in the face and I succumbed to the notebooks especially since I noticed that there were only a few left of the type I like. Three sounded like a good and holy number, so that is what I picked up.

Hi, my name is Nancy. It had been 3 months since I had been to

I'll begin anew tomorrow from abstaining from the dream of organization After all tomorrow is another day.

Cue Gone With the Wind music....ahhhh ahhhhh ahhhhh ahhhh.....

Blast From the Past

Saturday night was so much fun! A reunion of the youth group when Johnny D was here. I was not a youth, but a youth worker. Camps cemented my friendship with Gerti and I became friends with so many others that I still call friend today. It is hard to believe that all those young ones are now grown up, have kids of their own, and lead adult lives with adult type responsibilities. A lot of the guys were balding, others looked just the same. The women seemed to have faired better through the years. If someone can tell me how to save the DVD of pictures to my computer, I will upload it onto my blog. You'll be happy to see a very young CourtneyS. I am in the DVD but I don'[think you will recognize me. I have shorter curlier hair, no glasses and I am much, much skinnier. Although at the time I thought I was fat. Looking back now, I wasn't. Oh well...

The following are some pictures that Roy took from the program part of the evening. Of course there is Johnny, but the other pictures are of the Clean Cabin Girls. We were singing Clean It to the tune of Beat It. I heard through the grapevine that Michael Jackson may sue us.

Object de Arte at HFBC

Seriously, we have some of the strangest pictures and object de art at HFBC. In light of our Worship Center being renovated and the ensuing changes that will be taking place across the building, I feel it is my duty and obligation to show you some of our strange artistic wonders before they see the dark of a storage room.

The above is a picture you see as you get off the second floor elevator by the Worship/Music suite. I use this picture as a navigational device. I always know by this picture what floor I'm on when the elevator door opens or sometimes in my case does not open. Isn't this scenic and pastoral as a grandfather or maybe even a father if he has a trophy wife, reading to the children. Or it could be Moses come back for a quick story and eyewitness account of the Exodus. Anyway, all seems well here.

We have been members of HFBC since 1982 and I have seen this picture a hundred times, but it wasn't until recently as I waited a long time for an elevator (somebody stuck and frantically pushing the open door button) that I noticed something unusual. The tall girl's hand.

She ain't really got no thumb. How does she use a mug or pour hot water without a thumb? She has five fingers. She is either an alien, as in space, or she is flashing gang. Or she could be the trophy wife telling hubs that five children is the limit.
Here she is again in closer focus for your contemplation. If you have any idea why she is all fingers as opposed to all thumbs, I would like to know.

Now on to one of our statues and maybe the only statue at HFBC. You don't see too many statues whether they be the saints of old or a benevolent benefactor in a Baptist church. Oh maybe one day there could one of Billy Graham or if a nostalgic feel happens, Pat Neff. I have no idea who Pat Neff is, but he is a statue and a dorm at Baylor.

The statue below is in the Kate Bell Prayer Garden right outside of the CLC. The garden is located near the highest concentration of children, athletes and weekend warriors. I believe this is why the statue has had a lot of problems keeping her hand connected to the wrist bone.

Maybe white duct tape exists to strap on that pesky hand. It was the Apostle Paul who said I wish that men everywhere would lift holy hands and I assume this means women too. But she is being bibilically incorrect in that she is only lifting one holy hand by the hair of her chinny chin chin and Elmer's Glue All.

Guess she can't lift her other hand cause she has a tambourine that the goat or lamb is eating. Maybe this is Mary, no not mother of Jesus, no not other Mary, but Mary who had a little lamb. Who knows? Notice the FEBO. Is that the name of the lamb or the artist? I don't know, but I do know that everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go.

Next up on our tour of art at HFBC, Prom Hair Jesus and Jesus with really big hands. Join us won't you?

What Goes Up Must Come Down

It's something about the elevators today. It started this morning. I rushed out the door and grabbed the elevator then remembered my phone.... when I came back in the electricity did the flutters. Never quite going off but off long enough for me to be so very thankful I was not in the elevator. I took the stairs.

Came into church and the strong aroma of glue or epoxy hit me dead on. I kind of held my breath while waiting til the elevator came. The man getting off said, hope you don't get stuck like I did. Just keep pushing "door open" and eventually you'll get out. I took the stairs.

When I left for lunch, I took the stairs.

When I came back from lunch, I forgot about the elevator issues. Sure enough I got in...punched the button. No movement. Push 2 again...nothing. Madly I push open door, open door, open door...a whole lot more times than I care to write. The doors groaned and made a slight movement. Finally, after several minutes the door slowly opens. I believe I escaped through a door open 3 inches wide. I took the stairs.

Today, I had an exciting lunch with Annette. Her blog is Annie's Eyes. We connected through blog land. She is a Siesta from Beth Moore's blog. Time flew by as we talked, laughed and of course ate lunch. You've heard it before, it was as if we had known each other for a long time. Hope you go to the link and read her blog. She has depth and insight into the scriptures and has a great sense of humor and fun.

It is nice to have a rainy day now and then. It has been so long since we have really had one. It felt fallish. Oh no, fall fever is hitting me sooner this year.

Nancy's Monablog

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

Week 2 in the Pew

Last week I wrote about my pew experience and quickly I will report on this Sunday's experience. This Sunday was new all the way around. The past three Sundays, I have felt dizzy and faint coming into church. Each week it lessens and I think I have determined what I do differently on Sunday than all the other days of the week. I did ask Roy if he thought I was under spiritual attack. He looks at me like, what in the world? He thoughtfully answered, why would the enemy be attacking you? You don't do anything of importance on Sunday mornings. Well, thank you Roy. (I am smiling as I write this...no surprise in his answer, it is such a Royism) This morning Roy drove us to church and dropped me off at the, here is one of my all time favorite words, porta cache. I went in and got us a seat and Roy parked the car. Roy usually doesn't drive. On our honeymoon he handed me the keys to the car and said, I don't care if I ever drive again. Now he drives, but if it is the two of us, he prefers me to drive. After riding with him through the years, I am of the same opinion. I am not alone in this, his friends share the same opinion. Friends don't let Roy think and drive. I don't let him stink and drive...see yesterday's post.

OK, off task. Back to the story. I sit on the row that Roy likes to sit on. I couldn't help but look over in the direction of where I sat last week...and there were people in the seats and the row. Not the people from last week who gave me a difficult time. So note to preferred pew people, you should get to church on time to get your seats. I am waiting on Roy when a man comes up to me. I am thinking , oh no whose seats are we in now? Not to be! He says, welcome to the section. Loved it, not welcome to church, welcome to the section. Love it! Hope you have a good Sunday. Are you a guest or member here at HFBC? We had a pleasant conversation and he went back to his chair. Praise Him! He came over and greeted Roy during the welcome time.

When Roy came in to sit, he didn't have his Bible and notebook. I asked him about that and just then he realized he left them in the car. He would have to go after the service to get them for Sunday School. Roy had post tramatic stress disorder from parking the car in the tini tiny spaces in the South parking lot. Thankfully, after church we went out to lunch with Dena and we all rode in her car. Roy was concerned we would never be able to get in the car due to the close proximity of being between two trucks.

Had a funny text message from Peggy this morning and she left me a voice mail to listen to after church. They are in Waco for the day but she wanted to let me know I was a Clean Cabin Girl for the Blast from the Past deal for Johnny. No dance moves or costumes, just need to know the words. Less than a week out and working on this, I say we are really planning too far in advance!

This week I am going to post some of Dena's pictures from Buchart Gardens. Her pictures are much better than mine.

More Things I Like

This is the second Saturday in a row Roy has not gone into the office to get caught up. Oh, there is still stuff waiting on him, but he has come to a quality decision he needs to get away from the office, especially on Saturday. I like this.

He met with the walk/run club from HFBC this morning. So, he did his walking in Memorial Park and did his cool down in the CLC. I was sleeping in this morning, so he came home quietly as not to wake me. I like that. When I finally woke up and began making my way to the kitchen, my sense of smell was assaulted by this HORRIBLE odor. For a moment I thought our neighbors next door were cooking one of their wild connoctions. Sometimes when that happens, the scent of it drifts into our home. Out come candles and room spray to take the odor away. After some quick detective work I pinpointed the guilty odorfender...it was stinky Roy. He got in the shower and I put his clothes in the washing machine. Both he and the clothes came out spring fresh. I like that.

Last night we decided to tackle part of his closet. We went through his dress shirts. The Mission Training Center is now the proud giver away-er of the 75 dress shirts he took over there this morning. I like that. What I didn't like is to find out a lot of the shirts I thought he loved, he hated. He doesn't shop and I do and all these years of buying shirts and he told me he liked them. Then to find out he didn't...I have to be honest, my feelings got hurt. Very hurt. So, as we would go through the keep or give away shirts, a pattern developed and I could pick out the shirts he wasn't going to keep. My feelings aren't hurt anymore. We don't go to bed miffed, annoyed or mad at each other. In our early years of marriage there were many nights we stayed up all night. Last night it was easy to get over and I had to take back the remark that he could buy his own shirts from now on. We both agree that would be scary. I like that.

Roy took on his den/closet today. I LOVE that. If Poweraid or Gator Aid is on sale, Roy buys it, a lot of it and in mass quantities. Then he stacks it in his den/closet. Today we cleaned out what was left of our spice cabinet. I think some of those spices would have qualified as antiques. Anyway, our spice cabinet is now our sports drink cabinet. He also cleaned out some other stuff he has stacked in there and now we are able to walk in without an obstacle course. I like that.

We went to the cleaners, the gas station and the Kroger. He carried in the dry cleaning, filled up my car and carried in all the groceries. I like that.

I really like that Bunko begins in August and I get to spend time with friends I love to be around. I am growing out my nails. I will have to be at The Midsummer Night's Thing on July 30. So I will do Bunko, Babes and Burgers to hone my skills. That is going to be a fun night for the fam. Splash night for the toddies, New Groove Night for the kiddos, Bunko for the women and a game night for the guys. Burgers and hot dogs are $5.00 bucks. What a deal!

I like the books I have been reading. All of them are keeping my attention. Peggy tells the story when she and I took a girls trip in 1999. It was about the time that John Kennedy died and that was all the news. The clip of him announcing his mother's death was played over and over. He said that his mother died peacefully in the company of family, friends and her books. Peggy said who would want to die with their books and I said, I would! She gives me grief over that. There was a time when Roy and I traveled about 60 % of the year. And when we were gone, I missed family and friends...but I really missed my books the most. I could not wait to get home to them. I am not that attached to them now, but I am not beyond the fact I could miss my books.

Yesterday, at the Anniversary Sale, I noticed that we women were so helpful with one another. One lady asked me who cut my hair and before I knew it a whole group of women were around me, touching and commenting on my hair. We all began to give hair product tips to each other...
I bought some makeup and a woman was debating what moisturizer to use and I happily gave my endorsement of the product. We had a wonderful conversation. A couple of women helped me make the decision of which watch to buy. When I was in the men's dept, not one man made a comment as we all dug through the pile of size 16neck, sleeve 35 shirts. Not one man said that shade of blue would look great to another man. Not one man helped the other when you heard a guy say, I am looking for a blue stripe shirt. No one said, what sleeve length or here's one! It was sadly silent in the men's dept. So I quickly purchased Roy's shirts and went to pick up some clothes that I had pre-ordered at the pre-sale. I like that women will help one another when one is without a friend who would be helping with these decisions. I like that.

You would probably like for me to wrap up what I like at this moment, so I shall. I like that.

Of These Things I Like

I am going to do a post very similar to CourtneyS, Things I Like at the Moment. Of course she always refers to delicious menus and dishes she's created. There will be nothing of the sort here in this post, unless the food being referred to has been prepared by someone other than me.

1. I like the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale that began today. The store opened at 8:00, but I didn't arrive until 8:30. I didn't even make it off the first floor until after 10:00. Found lots of beautiful jewelry and another watch, which I really don't need, but it was on sale and so very, very cute. Roy usually doesn't fare too well on the opening day of the sale, that is until this year. I found 7 shirts for him.

2. I really like very much the friends God has brought in my life. Emily made me crack up laughing with her Facebook note to me of which I read while shopping today. She knew where I was this morning. Lisa and I talked a couple of times before and after my arrival at the store. We tried to make lunch plans, but my massage appointment messed those plans up. On the way home today I passed by a small store and saw Dena's car. Gave her a bippity boppity boo call and then went on my way to the play grocery store. I got to have lunch with Peggy, Jenny and Stephanie on Wednesday...at the Nord. We laughed so much and so hard. I didn't want to go back to work, but I did. CourtneyS and I had a TBD moment this week after she worked out. This will not mean much to anyone else but us, but the Christmas song, In the Bleak Mid Winter has brought much joy to us. Why wouldn't it? Isn't this one of the songs you look forward to singing every Christmas?

In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

On my trip to Alaska I learned that glaciers are made by snow on snow. Now the song makes a bit of sense. I will miss this holiday season CourtneyS at the office answering snow on snow when I called. Then I have all my blogging friends, known and unknown. A new world opened.

3. Cherry turnovers. I am really liking them lately.

4.Coming home for lunch during the week. I get some things taken care of around home and not everything is waiting for me when I get home. Being home at lunch is taking care of that desire to be around home more.

5. Naps. Enough said. Just the mention of naps makes me want to have one right now. So, I will post more later on what I like at the moment.

Meet a Friend and Some Other Stuff

I would like to introduce you to a friend. Her name is Amy and she has started blogging. Check hers out. You will not be disappointed. She writes about a devotion we heard in Ministries Staff Meeting last week. I too have been contemplating and thinking about Doug's words. She put it together in a great way. So be blessed by Amy. I am for sure.

Other than that, I really have nothing to blog about. But if you are a reader of Monablog, you know that has never stopped me. Today seemed like a long, long day. We were without the Internet for most of our work day. Jason had given me quite a bit to research and I was stymied in my work. We only had intra office email and we were sick of emailing only each other by the end of the day.

This is merely an observation, not a complaint. We have a Lunch and Learn coming up. I don't know, but if it is really that important...maybe the learning should be done on work time...not lunch time. I'm just saying. Free lunch just doesn't entice me. It has to be a pretty good lunch for me to totally get excited over the whole lunch and learn concept. The next one we have coming up, I won't be there. Since it is during my birthday week, Roy and I have plans for a long weekend. So, I will probably have to take part in a cake and cliftnote session.

Friday is the official beginning of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. It is a good one, so if you are by the Galleria, take a look. The sale goes till August 3, but sometimes the best stuff is gone in the first week.

Roy has been getting home at a decent time this week. It has been so refreshing to have dinner with him and stay up for a while for everything to digest instead of wolfing something down at 9:00 ish. He would really like me to come walk with him at the CLC, but it is hard to go back to the workplace, even when that section of the church has nothing to do with my job.

I am reading the Ann Rice book, Christ Our Lord, Out of Egypt. I love this book. I will close with something I read in it the other night. Jesus' uncle is talking to him about Roman rule. He says, it is best to be under the rule of those who have a full cup. Interesting thought. Of course we know being ruled and led by Jesus, He has a full cup and the blessings overflow onto our lives. But thinking about the people we work for, spend time with, are family with and friends with. It is a good thing to be around people whose lives are a full cup. They are not insecure, grabbing at everything for security. They know who they are in Christ Jesus, so they don't have to micromanage or be Holy Spirit, Jr in other's lives. Full cup people are generous with their time, resources, thoughts and prayers.

Just some of the thoughts both nonsencial and serious from Monablog.

Not Even in a Pew

While our church's Worship Center is under renovation we are meeting in the CLC, Fellowship Center, and Chapel. I went to the 9:10 service this morning and sat near the front. Traditionally, this service has more of the older crowd but that is changing each and every week. What happened this morning would happen more often in 9:10 but never in my wildest imagination did I think it would happen in the CLC.

Unlike the past few weeks, I got to church early enough to sit up front. I moved up a couple of rows more than normal because I don't like sitting in front of this group that talks throughout most of the service until Gregg begins to speak and sometimes even then they continue to talk. So I am sitting there, enjoying the music when three older ones come up to me and say, "Excuse me, you are sitting on OUR row." On the inside of me I was perplexed at what I had just heard. In our Worship Center, I had heard stories of people claiming seats by virtue of them being willed to them from Deacons of long ago, but in the gym? So, I just moved to the side to let them in and said, "Welcome to your row." They looked as perplexed as I felt. The gentleman says to me, we know this is our row because of where the tape is. (the temporary mat that goes over the gym floor) I just said something like, it is always good to know where you are going. They moved onto and farther down the row. I could feel the look of disapproval directed my way during the first part of the service. At some point, they moved back toward me leaving one seat in between us. I looked over in that direction once and only one of the three brought a Bible. For a moment I felt really smug, like...if you were at all spiritual like me you would have a Bible and a notebook. Of course that was sinking to a level and if you read my previous post, I did not have a t-shirt on to constrain me, though something better, the love of God.

After the service I said to the three, "you have a very good row here. I enjoyed my time sitting on your row, but don't worry, I won't tell any of my friends about this row. Thank you for letting me sit here today." Their stone like faces melted into a smile.

The Wonder of it All

I wanted you all to see the actual whales we were watching in Alaska. As I have written before my best whale pictures were of the splash at the end. Bill, Dena's brother in law, was able to get some great pictures of the whale actually above water.

This morning I made the trek out to Sugarland to get my haircut. Afterwards, I went across the street to the Super Target clutching a ten percent off of everything card in my hand. Well, actually it was in my wallet, but you get the picture I am after. I stocked up on all kinds of stuff. Even bought a flat brush since that is what Veronica uses on my hair. Surely it is not her talent but the brush that gets my hair to do what she wants it to do. My hair knows when a professional is not messing with it at home cause it doesn't do one thing that is so easily done in the salon. It's gotta to be the brush!

Rae gave me two children's camp t-shirts yesterday. I wore last years today. It says "Need Directions?" On the back it says be Word Wise and a couple of snappy sayings along with verses to go with it. If the love of Christ constrains me, a Christian t-shirt does it even more. When the lady in the mafia Chrysler cut me off on Highway 6 and 59 and then cut in front of me to get on the freeway, I remembered, drat... Christian t-shirt. Not that she could see it from her car, but you know my imagination took us off to the shoulder of the road where we get out of our cars and yell at each other...there I am in the constraining t-shirt. Not that I have ever pulled onto the shoulder of the road and confronted anyone. Then I was in the Lafayette building parking lot trying to mail a letter. That parking lot was full and the cars they were a circling, looking for a spot. When I backed up to make the turn to leave after putting my mail in the mailbox, I didn't quite make the turn, so I needed to back up again. Impatient woman behind me thinks I have seen a spot and she cuts me off to score the delusional space. Ticked me off, then I laughed and wanted to follow her around and continue to laugh...except I have on a t-shirt... I asked forgiveness from the Lord and exited onto Post Oak Road and went home before I could get into any more trouble. Although I officially did not get in trouble except with my conscience and with Jesus cause you know He looks at the heart.

The only thing I can blame this on is the news that our Bunko group begins August 4. That is Buddy's and my birthday, but I don't think either one of us is taking the other one out to celebrate that night. On Wednesday night Roy and I went to dinner at Buffalo Grille. In the course of conversation I mention Bunko and that I am not a sub, so I will probably be hosting one month in our home. That made me think of the den/closet. And instead of rejoicing in the joy of Bunko and getting to be with fun friends, I began talking about my dislike of Roy's den/closet and how it seems to be getting worse as time goes by. So by the time we get home, I am in the mood to make an attempt at conquering the mess. We went through one shelf of stuff and I convinced Roy to let the magazines go, cause he is never going to read them. We threw out a bunch of stuff and now have several boxes of books to go to the Mission Training Center. I found out from Scotty they have a library there and are always looking for Christian books to fill it. We are taking baby steps in whipping this room into shape. The den and our guest bedroom are the most under utilized rooms in our home and I want to change that. We are contemplating a day bed in that room and taking out the queen bed. Thank you Ultram ER 200 for making me so focused on the pressing need of under utilization of space.

Buddy is going through a kitten stage or something. When she was a kitten, she would sit on my leg at breakfast or when I was on the computer. She is too big to do that, but the past few days she is making that attempt. Just now she jumped and hoped to grab onto the sleeve of my Christian t-shirt to swing herself onto my lap. Mission failed. I picked her up and put her on my leg. She stay a long time. At night she has been trying to sleep under my chin and around my neck like she did when she was little. The end result, literally, is her hind end right at my nose. That isn't working.

Roy just called. He is stopping on his way home to get a hair cut. Then tomorrow he is going to Bible study, drop the books off at the MTC, walk in the CLC and then come home to work some more on the den/closet. Working in the den/closet wasn't even prompted by anything I said. He also knows I am going out to dinner tomorrow night and while I'm out I am sure he wants to look through things a little more carefully instead of watching them hit the trash can as we bulldoze our way through the den.

Let me confess, I hate unloading the dishwasher and putting everything up. Sometimes Roy and I have "let's see who gives in first" contests of unloading. Today, I actually unloaded and put everything up but I left the dirty glasses in the sink. He'll say something about me being allergic to unloading the dishwasher and then when he opens it...SURPRISE!!!! Come on, ya gots to keep the mystery in marriage. We are quickly heading toward year 31. Which is longer than some of you have been alive... See whale pictures, I am officially an old person cause I have made the cruise to Alaska. And would go again in a heartbeat!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursdays Are So Nice

Something occurred last night that hasn't happened in a long time. I woke up around 2:00 am...okay that happens just about every night, but this time instead of going right back to sleep, I thought about work. Wow, that came out of nowhere. It has been several years since I have done this. And I began pondering what I needed to do today and the timing of everything. As I pondered I realized there was something in the process that had not occurred before and we hadn't taken account of that fact. I reworked the logistics, thanked God for the answer and laid there letting my mind drift into thoughtless sleep. It was a good while before I drifted off to sleep only to dream that a tooth came loose and the tooth looked like a diamond.

Two surprises this week, lunch with CourtneyS on Tuesday and lunch with LMS on Wednesday. CourtneyS and I ate at Potbelly's and then wandered over to Crave. I bought some cupcakes to bring back to the office and one for Roy and me for later. One flavor we tried is choc mint....love, LOVE, LOVE it. The vanilla and the cinnamon were delicious as well. Linda and I went to Los Cucos on Wednesday.

I hope to have "guest blogger" back on the blog soon. In Dayspring we had a special speaker and I don't believe my words would do justice to the impact he had in our class and in our lives. So stay tuned for that.

Tuesday night I went to see the presale items at The Nord. Picked out a few winter and fall things, but not too much. We'll see if I keep what I picked out.

Tomorrow is an outsourcing day, haircut. I hope to post some new pictures that Janet and Bill took on our Alaska trip. They actually got very good pictures of the whales. My specialty was the splash of the whale going back under water.

WWJE?

Where would Jesus eat? I would have named several places before Saturday, but after having cupcakes from Crave, I believe I know what and where Jesus would eat. These cupcakes are heavenly, divine and dare I say sacred? Yes, I dare so to say... Y'all there is a piece of heaven on earth and it is in Uptown Park!

Remember how I was writing about Saturday stuff. Content to laze around the house and read? Sometime after 2:00 Dena called and asked us to meet her and the fam for dinner at McCormick... Put a call into Roy and we were soon there to meet the Lees for din din. We also planned a field trip to check out the cupcake heaven in this part of town, Crave. Actually, every time I see the name Crave I think of a Sunday School class in the Summit Singles. The name of the class, Crave. They might want to rethink and rename their class Crave again.

Roy and I met the Lee fam and had a great time. Mr. Lee might not have because Dena and her mom kept telling him how to eat his shrimp. Roy was totally on his side saying, let him alone to eat his shrimp how he wants to. I don't know if our waiter quite knew what to do with us. We were laughing at everything, wolfing down our fried shrimp, telling others how to eat the shrimp and then right back to laughter. The crowning moment was the cole slaw. Dena had let her plate go but her dad hadn't touched his slaw and he let her have his. So, she got it to go. The to go box looked like a dessert box and how all that cole slaw juice didn't run out of the bottom of the container, I will never know. That thing got turned upside down, waved through the air and knocked about on the table. Roy bemoaned the fact that if that was our box, it wouldn't even make it into the car. He has a thing about leftovers. I am happy to report that Dena had that slaw as a part of her lunch today.

We declined dessert at McCormicks and headed over to Crave. Apparently the word is out cause that place was hopping! Starbucks was empty, cupcake place had people waiting outside the door. You can watch them make the cupcakes but we were more interested in getting them. I can recommend the Red Velvet cupcakes. Roy got Carrot and he said they were to die for. OK, Roy would never say that. I just wanted to see if you are really reading or now dreaming about iced, delicious cupcakes. He loved the Carrot. Everyone else got chocolate and reported they are most delicious. It is a good sign when vanilla is sold out. I think I will need to make another field trip. The iced coffee looked wonderful. I can't fool you, I am going for another cupcake(s).

Saturday Stuff on July 5th

I just finished a delicious breakfast of scones and Kerrygold Irish Butter. What a nice way to start a Saturday. July 5, three years ago today I surgery. My how time flies. None of this is related and so may go the direction of this post.

On Thursday morning we were treated to the FBA Primary kids (preschoolers) 4th of July parade. It is colorful, noisy and fun. We stood by the office suite door waving and greeting the kids who were adorned with anything and everything red, white and blue. The parades at holidays by the preschoolers is one of my favorite perks of working at a church.

This week we had to upgrade our Internet connection at home. It had all the makings of frustrations, but it went rather well. At that time we were offered a $70.00 credit to continue using our data card for the next two years. Roy balked at the offer thinking we will do a wireless so we can both be on computers at the same time. He said, your plans were to take your laptop away from home to do your writing and you've never even done that. For one, every time I say I am going to do that, he gets the hebbie jebbies about me and a laptop away from home. Secondly, I HATE the laptop case he bought. It is too boyish. So, Levenger's is having a summer sale and I bought a girly laptop case. So now I am ready to get away and do some writing other than from home. His mention of me not writing anywhere but at home struck a nerve with me and I am going to do this, get out and about with laptop in hand.

Peggy invited us out to celebrate the holiday. We didn't make it. Roy was late getting home and I was ensconced with a book, "The Red Leather Diary, Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages of a Lost Journal." I finished it last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. Basically it reads like fiction, but it isn't. A New York Times reporter sees a dumpster full of trunks that have been thrown away as the result of a cleaning sweep of the building's storage area. The steamer trunks are mainly from the 1920's and 30's. The reporter gets in the dumpster and then calls for a photographer to come, so she can do a story for the Times. She finds many treasures, one in particular a red leather diary of Florence Wolfson. Florence wrote every day from her 14th to her 19th birthday about the state of her appearance, and soul, and 1930's New York. The reporter eventually finds Florence, who is 90 years old and thus the end result is the book. It is one of the best books I have read in a long time and frankly there were things in the book that shocked me. We tend to think of back in the day as more innocent and naive times.

I had a massage yesterday morning. How good it was to be back at The Nord Spa. Only Stacy let me know she will be leaving The Nord in August. She will still be working but now in the Town and Country area. Well, I will just follow her there. She is awesome. I have booked several more appointments while she is still at The Nord. I did find out something funny yesterday as she was working on my knees. She told me that since my injections my knees feel like the implanted and enhanced butt checks of another client. Well, the substance injected makes my knees feel like the other. I was in shock that someone had implants put in their rear end. I would gladly donate all my extra "baby got back" to those who feel like they have been cheated somehow.

On a side note, anonymous...I am sorry about your loss and will be praying for you. Your comments the past few months have been so thought provoking and encouraging. I have especially liked your framing comments. I look forward to the day when you reveal your true identity.

Lisa texted me about the Nordstrom Anniversary catalogue. I have not received mine yet.... I hope it comes today. Ali, Google Nordstrom on images. You'll get a looksee at The Nord. The picture I use on my blog is of a Nordstrom shoe dept. I also hope my DR or his nurse have approved my refill on my anti-inflammatory. In reality, it will probably be Monday.

Have a good Saturday. Enjoy the time.

The Winners....

The winners of the Nordstrom Gift Cards are:

$50.00 Jessica
$25.00 Laurie M
$15.00 Becky Kiser
$10.00 Cheryl "Profbaugh"

Congrats! I will do another drawing soon.

For the Beauty

Fresh in my mind is a conversation Lisa P and I had on Sunday. We talked about so much cause we had a whole bunch to get caught up on but as we talked about the beauty of Alaska she said, we need to find beauty here in Houston, right where we live. I remember thinking that on my last return from Jackson Hole and for a while I searched it out and tried to be focused on beauty here in flat, hot Houston. This morning I pulled into the North parking lot and got one of the last shaded spots. On the lawn next to my car is this long legged bird. It was beautiful and I thanked God for sending the bird my way. I took about 10 minutes trying to get a picture with my camera on my phone. I could not get in close enough, but you can see it there in the pictures. My heart overflows with a good theme as I address my praises to the King.

There is always beauty in leaving early for a holiday weekend. I came in this morning and took care of few items that needed attention. Then I was out the door only to run errands, go to the Kroger and come home to do laundry. It is the best! Roy came home early and we went out to eat. He has gone over to the CLC to walk which I should do, but sometimes as much as I love my church I feel like I am going back to work. So I opted for freedom at home. Once he hits the door the TV will be on Fox News or something like that. I have the TV off as is my usual choice. I have enough background noise in my life not to add more.

Met a friend for dinner last night. Lively conversation! That brings me much joy. Loved the Pastor's sermon on Sunday. It was on friendship and it was very good. How appropriate to be sitting next to Peggy. That doesn't happen often on Sundays because she is in choir but she didn't make it that morning. Let me encourage y'all tonight with this, always make and take the time for friendships. Especially when you are young or as young couples. Doing life together through all the seasons is most joyous and rewarding. God has blessed us with such wonderful friends. I can't imagine ever doing life without Beth Rees, Peggy, Dena and Lisa. What a difference they have made in me.

I haven't mentioned Buddy in awhile. Buddy was a little cool to me upon my return from Alaska. Well, for all of about 3 minutes. She has been my gray shadow even more so than usual. Last night Buddy went to bed at the same time Roy and I did. It would be wonderful for Buddy to always do that. She sleeps at the end of the bed on the comforter. At some point in the middle of the night she comes over to me and if I am not facing inward to the bed, she meows until I turn over and stick out my arm. She gets close to my face for me to rub her head. If I don't do it enough, she takes her paw and only using the pad of it, pats my face until I rub her head again. Then she settles in on my arm and goes to sleep. My arm goes to sleep as well. Only now I am building up resistance and can sleep longer this way. So, that is the news with Buddy.

Happy Independence Day! Have a safe and wonderful 4th!

Praise Him!!! Roy's Tests=Benign!!!!

Psalm 105
1O GIVE thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His doings among the peoples!
2Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; meditate on and talk of all His marvelous deeds and devoutly praise them.
3Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek and require the Lord [as their indispensable necessity].
4Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and His strength (His might and inflexibility to temptation); seek and require His face and His presence [continually] evermore.
5[Earnestly] remember the marvelous deeds that He has done, His miracles and wonders,

We received good news today! Roy has monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance Yes, I know easy for us to say. The name sounds horrible and serious, but all of Roy’s test were benign.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/monoclonal-gammopathy/
The above is a link that can explain it much better than I can. Basically at this point Roy will have to go in every 6 months to have his blood work done to watch the level of the abnormal protein.

I cannot express our thanks enough for your prayers, love, encouragement and concern. We are blessed to have such wonderful friends who have been so supportive.

We came out of that office running and leaping and praising God! And celebrated God at Goode Company Seafood.

I Have Not Forgotten

I said I would do the drawing for the Nordstrom gift cards on the 27th. Time got away from me, so we will do the drawing sometime this week. Look for the winners soon!