Oh my goodness...it's almost Spring!

Life is just flying by. I knew I hadn't posted in some time, but didn't realize it was way back on New Year's Day. I started a job the next day, and life just got away from me! However, it was short lived, so I have a little time now while I'm job hunting, so a blogging I will go!

So, what's happened in the last couple of months? We're going to be grandparents in August. We are so very excited. Joel and Robin got pregnant again, and this time things have been going along smoothly. Bless the Lord. I can't wait to meet "my baby" as I call him/her. But I'm already thinking about how hard it will be to have so many miles between us!

As I hinted above, I had a job, but now I don't. It wasn't meant to be - they were busy at first, but then the economy took it's bite and my hours became less and less, and then there were none. Oh well. It was not my dream job, but since we need the income right now, I am job hunting again. Hopefully something will open up soon, and it will be the right thing for me. I am trusting the Lord to provide for us as he always does.

Otherwise, life is good. I turned 51 this month, so I'm officially OVER 50! Whatever! I feel and look better than I did at 40, so no complaints there. I'm find it funny that at 51 I'm still trying to figure out what I'm gonna be when I grow up. I hope I always keep growing and changing and that life never becomes old and stale.

So, I'll stay on this roller coaster ride, and love every minute of it. Hope you have more ups than downs in your journey, but remember that each part of the ride brings a different thrill.

Enjoy the ride!

Happy New Year

Well it's 2009 and it's gonna be fine! I know I haven't blogged since late October, but I have no real excuse. Just nothing of great importance to share I guess!

It's the beginning of another year and I am very curious to see where this year leads us. It's amazing how fast the years go by now. We saw some changes this year, Louie became our church administrator, I sold lots of soap, Josh is almost as tall as me and his voice is changing. We thought we were going to be grandparents, but Joel and Robin's first pregnancy ended at 6 weeks. Ups and downs, always. Life is like a see-saw.

I feel like 2009 will be a year with many forks in the road. Where would God have us? What should we be doing jobwise? Should we continue to homeschool, or is it time to give public school a shot? Ultimately we just have to seek God's face, and in doing so, we will never miss his will. Forks in the road don't scare me too much...I just wonder which direction will lead to the biggest blessing and best service to the Lord. I don't know that he is so all concerned with exactly what we do for living, just that we seek him in all we do.

I admit that I would like to see the Lord bless us financially this year. My goal is to be out of debt and in line for expanding my soap business. I like to listen to Dave Ramsey, and we're going to try to follow his baby steps this year - setting up an emergency fund, starting the debt payoff snowball, expanding the emergency fund, putting away for retirement, saving for Josh's college, being able to give. Ok, it's in writing - let's see what the year can bring!

I wish all of you a wonderful and prosperous new year. May you be both blessed and a blessing!

And you thought I'd never post again!

Well, I am probably the worst blogger in the mountains. What can I say, I get busy and forget about keeping the internet world at large posted on my comings and goings. I hope you haven't missed me too badly!

Life is busy! Fall is here and the mountains are beautiful. We actually had our first snow on Tuesday morning. SNOW!!! It's not even Halloween yet! It was just a dusting, built up on the roof of the barn and on the tree stumps in the yard, but it was snow none the less. It's been chilly, and I am always cold now that I've lost my insulation. My coats are all too big...I've gotta hit a Goodwill or something and get some warm stuff to wear.

Since it's fall, the Leaf Lookers are all here, and that means it's Craft Show and Festival time! Yeah! I've been making soap, and making soap, and making soap! And then on the weekends I've been selling soap, and selling soap, and selling soap! It's fun, but hectic.

Well, Election Day is almost here. It's quite the amazing race! I will be voting for McCain/Palin, as I believe that the ProLife stand is important. There are things I like about McCain, and things I don't. I can say the same thing about Obama. I don't worry about the election though. I just do my part, and I figure that God will still be in control, and will have his hand on whoever ends up being our President. You may call me simple minded. I just believe what I believe. No apologies for that. Ok, enough about that. (Except to say that the SNL skits with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin are just too funny....)

Our church is going through a project called 40 Days of Love. It's been good, and it really makes you look at the relationships in your life and how they can all be better if we learn to love like Jesus loves. Sounds easy enough, right? Not always. This has made me really look at how I treat others - do I look for ways to help them? Do I really listen to them? Am I willing to speak the truth in love when necessary? Do I trust my loved ones? Do they trust me? Do I put their needs before my own? Do I try to love the unloveable? Hmmmmm.

I hope you are loved today!

My, my...time flies

Time is a funny thing. We have it all segmented out - down to the milisecond. Just think of Michael Phelps winning a close race at the Olympics! How strange then that the passage of time can feel so very different for different people, or even dependent on what's happening in our life.
Remember when you sat in class, waiting for the bell to ring? Five minutes felt like forever. Now that I'm 50, I blink and the week is over.

I was reading my friend Jen's baby site for her son Austin, who just turned 2 yesterday. His birthday is a wonderful event, but it also reminds us of the unexpected death of his sweet father, Thomas, 2 years ago on 8/19. I cannot imagine how the time has passed for Jen. When I think of Jen and Thomas, I see his sweet smile in a picture I took of them before their wedding. I think of the wedding itself, almost flooded out due to some particularly wet Florida June weather - but soooo beautiful. I see Jen and Thomas dancing in the courtyard after the rain had stopped. It seems like yesterday, but in fact was 5 years ago. Time flies indeed.

I look at my own sweet boys. Joel at 26, a married, working man. I still picture him at 7 years old, laughing and clowning for the camera, his little Polk County southern accent saying, "Daaiddy!" The Polk County accent is gone, replaced by the generic Manatee County non-specific only slightly southern drawl. He no longer calls Dad "Daddy", but he will still ham it up for the camera on occasion. And then there is my baby, Josh. Now almost 12, and he outweighs me by 50 lbs. Where is that baby that I carried? Seems like it was just yesterday and I was feeling the Bug move around inside me. Now he's starting 6th grade, dreaming of the car he will buy someday, telling me he likes brunettes more than blondes....AAAAAH!!

Well, regardless of how time is flying, the best thing we can do is to live in the moment. We can't change what's passed, and tomorrow may or may not come. So NOW is what we have and what we should live in. I've been thinking lately about that. About why we save the good china for "special occasions" and why we put things off til we are thinner or more financially secure. I don't want to waste today, dreaming about a tomorrow that may never come. I want to enjoy today, and live it to its fullest. Clean my house like company's coming, fix my husband's favorite foods, wear a dress once in a while instead of jeans, take a drive just to look at the mountains, burn the candles I bought that smell so good, wash my body with that homemade soap, go to lunch with my friends, tell someone how much I love and appreciate them, do it now - not tomorrow!!!

I need to stop now, so I can enjoy today. You have a good one too.

In Memory of Andrew Widman - A true Servant Heart

I have some dear friends in Ft. Myers, Florida. Their names are Bonnie and Tommy Rickards. We met when I was in high school. Tommy became our Youth for Christ/Campus Life director, and I became the babysitter for their two small boys, David and Mark. These were some precious times for me. These 4 people became family to me, giving me all the love that I wasn't getting from home. (Hey -now that I know what it's like, I can understand what my mom and dad were going through with 4 teenagers!) I learned so much from this couple, about love, friendship, committment to Jesus.

As time went on, another little boy, Joshua came along. Then finally a girl - Susanna Ruth! By this time I had graduated from high school, and soon after Tommy and Bonnie and the kids headed for Texas so that Tommy could go to seminary. I remember visiting them when Susanna was about 3 or 4, so sweet...walking around always on her tippy toes...a tiny little fairy girl.

Fast forward many years. The little fairy girl was now a tiny, beautiful princess in her wedding gown, marrying a handsome prince named Andrew Widman. By this time I was married and had 2 kids, and it seemed amazing that this little one that I held as a baby was now a radiant bride. I was so happy for her, that she had fallen in love with a man who was good, and loved Jesus and her so much.

Although I haven't had personal contact with Susanna and Andrew, Bonnie and Tommy have been good to keep me up to date as their lives progressed. First a son, Samuel. We prayed as they sought to be missionaries in Thailand. Then little Sasha was born, and we prayed as she went through some health issues. And most recently they brought baby Sylvia into the world, and Bonnie and Tommy shared with us that Andrew had become a policeman with the Ft. Myers PD. It looked like everything was going well. Everyone healthy and happy.

Until 2am July 18, 2008. 30 year old, just a year on the force Andy responded to a domestic disturbance in downtown Ft. Myers, and was shot point blank and killed instantly. His fellow officers took down the suspect out. But that doesn't bring Andy back.

From what I know of Andy, he was a true servant. He loved the Lord and loved his family. He loved being a police officer. This was his mission field. He swore to serve and protect. He prayed with victims of violent crimes, and probably even for those he arrested. He was a unique and special man in all his ways.

My husband and I have kept up with the news, watched the funeral on the internet. How proud I am of Susanna - her grace and strength in such a crushing time, sharing a piece of her heart with us during the service and showing us just a little more about this Andy, this man we would have loved to have known better. We cried as we watched, wishing we could be there to do something - anything - to help ease the pain of our friends. There is only one pain reliever though, and his name is Jesus. Right now, I'm asking him again how this will bring him glory...why does a young, vibrant, good and loving father and husband have to die? We have another friend who lost her 37 year old husband 2 years ago, and delivered their son a week later. My heart breaks for these young women. Each of them had indeed found their soul mates in their wonderful husbands, and now they are gone. They will raise their children without these special men who were and would have been great fathers.

I love the Lord, I really do. I have no personal fear of death, I know that it is just step into eternal life. But man, I really don't understand why some things have to happen. And I do ask WHY? I think my God is big enough to handle my asking. I don't think he always answers, but I know he hears me, and all the others who ask why. And he holds us while we ask, and he sends a peace that passes all understanding.

I hope that if you've read this, you will pray for Susanna Widman, and for her children. Pray for peace, comfort and guidance. Pray that they will be able to mourn, and that they will be able to go on and to lead the lives that Andy would have wanted for them. I know Andy is just fine. He's home. The Lord says, "Precious in my eyes is the death of my servant." It's the ones who are left behind that need our prayers, our love and our support.

Hug your family. Each day is precious.

The Shack

If you have not already done so, read The Shack, by William P. Young. It is the story of a man who has gone through a great tragedy, and receives a note, maybe from God, to come to The Shack - which is where the tragedy occurred. This book will make you look at God, his love for us, and why life happens the way it does.

I loved this book. It may not be theologically perfect, but it touches some deep areas regarding our trust in God, and whether we really feel that he is good and trustworthy and in control. For me, this reaffirmed what I have known (especially in my head) and has pushed these things deeper into my heart and soul.

The more of life I experience, the more I realize that I have to trust in my loving Father God, even when the more of life I experience the more I wonder why I trust him!!! Does that make sense? Read this book and maybe it will make a little more sense to you.

There are so many layers of I AM that we have not even begun to touch. We are wrapped up in religiosity and in the corporate church structure...we forget about the simple act of relationship. Getting to know Jesus, loving him, loving Father, understanding his ways, hearing the Holy Spirit as he guides and directs us. Realizing God in trinity is with us at all times, expressing his love for us in ways we can't comprehend. And relationship with one another..loving each other should be our foremost priority, and as the Apostle John has said, if we just did that one thing...loved one another...it would be enough.

My goal, after reading this book, is to be more intentional in my relationships...with Abba, with my husband and sons and daughter in law, with my mom and siblings and other family, with my dear sweet friends. Relationship and community with one another is where the heart of Jesus can be found. I want his heart - beating and loving through me. I want the wind of the Holy Spirit whispering in my ear, and I want to be aware of what is being spoken to me. I want to be wrapped in the arms of my loving "Papa" and to know that he is especially fond of me.

Go get The Shack and read it...and pass it on to someone you love!

Shorts...a new hair cut...What?! Winter weather?

We had a great day on Saturday 4/26. Put on the shorts and headed out to a festival in Sylva called Greening up the Mountains. Then, during the last day or so, it got cold again. I think we had Dogwood Winter and maybe now it's Blackberry Winter. Whatever. I'm ready for Spring!

Today, I got my stringy hair cut. It's been a long time since I've had it short, but I like it pretty well. I may even have a few layers cut in after I play around with it for a week or so.

So those are the minor changes in my life at the moment. Time just seems to fly by! Josh has his end of year testing this Friday, so school will be coming to a close soon. We have a trip to Michigan planned for the end of May, and look forward to seeing my brother and sister in law, and my older son Joel and his wife Robin who are also coming up. The guys will have a fishing trip for walleye on Lake Erie. I guess the girls will shop!

All in all, life is good as usual. Can't wait to see what new things are coming our way!

Springtime in the mountains

I am a bad blogger. I am a bad blogger. I am a bad .... oh well, you get the point!

I've actually been pretty busy lately, making soap and candles in preparation for the first festival of the season. Yesterday we were selling our wares at the Appalachian Growers Fair, in beautiful Dillsboro, NC. This was a first time event, to raise funds for the Monteith Homestead. The day started out raining, but by the time we got set up and the fair opened, the sun was indeed shining. It was a beautiful day, and we did pretty well in sales. I've been making and selling jewelry for about 5 years now, but during the last 2 years I've been converting over to soapmaking. There are way too many jewelry folks in my neck of the woods! (Franklin is the Gem Capital!) So, this at this event, I had soap, candles and jewelry! I heard from several customers that I had the best booth there!

Soapmaking is fun, and we love using my homemade soap. It's mild and makes your skin feel good! And all the different scents are heavenly. I make my soap from scratch, starting with lye and water, and adding that to my selected oils. I use the hot process, where you cook the soap in the oven for a while. Makes a nice soap, kind of rustic looking. I have also done cold process and liked that too. The cold process lets you have more time to make swirls and such with your colors, or to do layering. Either way produces a good product. There is just nothing like a nice handmade soap!

My soap company is called Lily and the King Handmade Soap. I can hear you - "Where in the world did you get that name?" Ok - Susan (my real name) means lily, and the King is my husband - King Louis! Hey, we like it. Louie has set up a website for me. It's in the early stages, and we have LOTS to add to it, but you can check it out at www.lilyandtheking.com We took lots of soap pics yesterday, so hopefully we'll get it all updated soon!

Now I'm gonna be looking for some more fairs and festivals to sell my goodies. There are farmers markets and flea markets available as the weather gets warmer, so I've gotta get out there!

Hope to see you out enjoying our wonderful mountains!

Your Grace is Enough

I'm leading the ladies' Bible Study at our church, and we're going through Beth Moore's "A Woman's Heart - God's Dwelling Place" - a great study! This was her very first study, and it is the first she has revisited and revamped. I'm definitely enjoying it.

The study has started out by comparing the Israelites' 40 years in the desert to our lives today. There are some amazing parallels and I especially liked the comparison of manna and God's grace. You remember manna - the bread of angels that God sent each morning to those grumbling people who wanted to go back to Egypt. God's instructions were that they should collect it every morning, and on the day before the Sabbath they were to collect twice what they needed. Everyone was to collect enough for each person in their family, and just enough for that day. When they measured it out, it came to about an omer each - and no one had too little or too much, regardless of what they collected.

So how is that compared to God's grace? First, it was available, and God sent it. However, the people had to get out of their tents and collect it...otherwise, they would just sit in there and starve, while provision for them was right outside their door. That's just like God's grace. It is available to us, but we have to collect it from Him. I guess that is the reason that some people get it, and some don't. We've got to have the relationship with Him, and seek Him to acquire that grace that He so freely gives.

Now manna was a daily thing. If it was kept overnight (except on the Sabbath) it got stinky and full of maggots. (Sorry! That's what the scriptures say!) I'm not saying that grace gets stinky, but I am saying that it should be a daily thing. It is new every morning, and we are to seek it daily. It's all about our relationship with God. We've gotta stay in communication with our Father! If you're trying to get by on grace that you received a month ago....it's going to be hard. You need some fresh grace for a new day! Talk to Him and ask for what you need!

Another interesting thing was that there was enough manna for everyone, whether some needed a little or a lot. That's grace - each morning it's new, and sometimes we need a lot more of it! Have you ever watched someone go through a tragedy and wondered how they could cope? Grace. Available on an 'as need' basis. There will never be too little of it, and never too much. I don't have to fear that you will use it all up in your time of need - when I need it, more will be available for me. Unlimited, unmerited grace.

God said that the Israelites would see His glory each morning when they saw the manna. We see His glory with every drop of grace He pours out on us.

I hope you are collecting your grace today, and that in it, you see His glory.

Oh Praise Him!

I'm back!

Well, well, well! 'Bout time I got back here and posted something! I have no good excuses for why I haven't posted. So, post I will.

I think I was still in Florida the last time I posted. We had a lovely Christmas morning with my son Joel and his beautiful bride Robin. Then over to my mom's for Christmas gifts and dinner. A very nice day overall.

We left to come home to NC on the Saturday before New Years. It was great to get home. However, the house was cold, and the mice had a grand old time while we were gone - leaving my pantry full of little brown presents, and lots of surprise stashes of rice and popcorn all over the place. Fun!

We got to spend New Year's Eve at the home of our friends Mike and Peggy. Also there were their daughter Jen and baby Austin, and our friends John and Dana with their daughters Jackie and Shannon, and granddaughter Maddie. We had a fun night!

Life is pretty much back to winter normal. We did have a nice snow on New Year's Day, and the last of it just melted off our driveway yesterday. Can't wait for the next snow!

As you can see in the picture (if you compare it to some older ones) I've continued on the weigh down. I have lost 94lbs so far, with about 30 to go. My Type II Diabetes and my Sleep Apnea are gone! Yee haw! I am smaller now than I was in the 5th grade. Ok, so I was the tallest and biggest kid in my class...but it's still true! I continue to try to choose to eat healthy foods, and to get some exercise on most days. Josh and Louie are trying to improve their eating habits along with me, so it's a win-win situation.

God is good. We came back to NC with no real job prospects for Louie. Of course a job he never expected came to him, and even though he's driving 3 hours a day to and from the job, it's money in the bank! We're still trying to decide what the Lord has in store for us here. We just walk each day a step at a time, and wait for Him to show us the way. I don't know how we can feel secure in this, but somehow we do. He's held us so far, and will continue to meet our needs as we continue to rely on Him.

I'll post again before you know it, so do check back!

Loving life!

Christmas Update

Home is where the heart is....so I guess if we are with our loved ones we are home. However, if you've ever spent an extended visit in someone else's (your mother's) home, you may realize that it's still not really HOME! All that being said, you can guess that we won't be celebrating a tender NC Christmas. (Can you hear me sobbing....) Instead, we will be here in sunny Florida, enjoying being with my son and daughter in love, but trying to walk on the eggshells of my mothers's moods as we celebrate here in the home of my youth.

I'm trying to keep a good attitude....I'm trying to keep a good attitude...I'm trying........

Christmas is our favorite time of year. We love to decorate and entertain...cooking goodies and listening to our ever growing collection of Christmas CD's (just got James Taylor's new one!) and just enjoying the atmosphere that permeates the season. Unfortunately, since moving to NC in 2004, we have only been able to celebrate Christmas in our home ONE TIME!!! My goal for 2008 is to make sure we are home for Christmas!

Speaking of entertaining, our son and daughter in love had their 2nd annual Christmas Party last night. Fun was had by all! They had a nice spread (including some delicious Chicken Salad Croissant sandwiches made by yours truly - aw come on! You remember them and your mouth is watering just thinking about them!) with sandwiches, chips, candy, cookies, cupcakes, and the Chocolate Fountain with lots of fruit for dipping. Of course the kids were very happy when my brother Jay appeared with a big bag of fluffy marshmallows!!! Under the chocolate falls they went! We won't even begin to comment on the plate of chocolate covered strawberries that someone (not me!!! it was twins-actual identical twins) lost control of. I just remember hearing Duke saying to them "I hate you." as he watched them eat the strawberries. Next thing you know...chocolate on the chair, the dress, the floor.... Oh wait...I wasn't going to comment on that! Speaking of twins, ask Nancy and Robin which twins dressed exactly alike at the party! Those girls are too funny.

We had a Silly Santa gift exchange. The most sought after gifts were scratch off tickets, Bailey's Irish Cream, a bottle of bubbly and...drum roll please...a huge remote control that even Louie could read without his glasses. It was a hilarious time! I was the third person to choose a gift, and Louie was the last. Like any good husband, he got those scratchoff tickets back for me (I chose them first and immediately had them swiped from my grubby little hands!). They were a Poker Hold 'Em type game, and being the Poker enthusiast that I am, I thought at first that I had won $155. Once Louie and his brother John instructed me on what a "Flush" was...I flushed away $150 of my supposed winnings. But hey! I've got $5 to buy another ticket....and who knows what I could win on that one!!

The only thing missing at the party was the McGrew-Kelly clan...we've got to get our acts together. Last year they made the party and we didn't. This year we made the party and they didn't. Hmmmmmm. There is something so wrong with that!

We did make it to church today - the Church at Bradenton - otherwise known as Church of God on 43rd St. They had their adult Christmas program and it was very nice. Made Louie and me teary eyed as we wistfully remembered all the fun of past programs with Mike and Peggy. If I'd have known we'd be here this long, I would have joined their choir as a snowbird!

So, you're asking, is all my Christmas shopping finished??? What? Are you kidding? It would not be Christmas without me running around at the last minute trying to finish up! We may spend Christmas Eve night with Joel and Robin....so I guess I need to get myself in shopping gear and git er done. That way, I might actually get everything wrapped and ready so I can enjoy Christmas Eve, and get to bed before 3am.

Pray for us as we wander through this wonderful season. Know that we are praying for you.
Have yourselves a Merry Little Christmas!

Home for the Holidays

Man oh man would I love to be home for Thanksgiving. Instead, we are still here in Florida. Yes, the weather is beautiful, but having lived here for 40 some years, been there-seen that. I would love to be putting on my coat- complaining about being cold! But, alas and alack, I will slip into my sandals and take my bare toes to Ft. Meade for turkey day.

It will be nice to see the Olivio side of the family. My poor husband has been forced into Frankdom over the years. My son knows his Frank relatives completely, but struggles to remember the names of his Olivio aunts and uncles. For his first 8 years of life, we lived a mile from my parents and they took care of him while I worked. Since moving to NC in 2004, we've returned many times, such as now, and stay right here in the home I grew up in. Communal family living. Oh the joys! I will forever be 16 and unable to do anything right.

Well, it's not all that bad. I do love being able to see my mother and sister and brothers. My mom has some heart problems, and it's hard to say how long she'll be around. Seems like she will live forever, but you just never know. I lost my dad in 2005, 6 weeks after his cancer diagnosis. Life really is short, and moments should be treasured. So, I put up with the stuff I don't like, so that I can have some time that counts. Nothing dramatic, just trips to the thrift store to find cheap clothes, or learning to make a time honored recipe that I know my mom will never write down.

Back to Thanksgiving. We will go to my husband's sister Barbara's house. He has 8 brothers and sisters, and all the family that goes along with that. So different from my little family, now just Mom, my sister and 2 brothers and me - the only married one - bringing my husband and two sons, and now one daughter in law. Oh, and I must include my older son's sister, who is living with them and now a part of our family too. She is 16, and still sweet enough for all of us to love her. She's also the little blond granddaughter my mom always wanted! But I digress. Ft. Meade - Thanksgiving. There will be lots of relatives, lots of food, including the homemade gnocchi made by our immediate family. This recipe was passed down by my hubby's sweet mother. She taught us to make this pasta, and we have carried on the tradition. An Italian Thanksgiving it will again be!

So, as they say, home is where the heart is, so I guess we will be home, but part of us will be in NC- as our hearts are missing our familyfriends there. You know who you are! ;)

As I ponder this holiday, I am thankful for my husband, my sons, my daughter in law, my almost daughter, my mom, my sister and brothers, my heart familyfriends in NC, my health, my laid back life, my dog and cat. Most of all, I am thankful that I know my Savior, my Redeemer, my Father God - and that my life is hidden in Christ.

Be Thankful. Happy Thanksgiving.

4 months of weight loss

It's been 4 months since I had a Mini Gastric Bypass done. I've lost about 67 lbs and feel great. It's good to by pass the "plus sizes" and head for the regular clothes! Of course most of my shopping is now done at the local thrift stores, since I'm still losing and don't want to invest much in my ever shrinking wardrobe.

I will be 50 in March, and hope to be pretty close to my goal by then. We'll see...I'm expecting my weight loss to slow down some over the next few months. Regardless of whether I'm at my goal, I do know that I will be skinnier than I have been in a loooooooong time. That's the way to enter my 50's!!! I expect this to be a wonderful decade!

Are you happy? I am!

I was watching "the View" today...I know - I know..... but it's on and I'm home! Anyhoo - they were discussing being happy, and the general consensus was that they didn't think anyone was really happy. Especially "religious" people....the guilt trip and all that..don't get too happy or the other shoe will drop. Better to be down and depressed so there are no surprises. Hogwash!

Well, let me say that I am happy. Is my life perfect? Absolutely not. But I am happy. I have an all powerful God who loves me, a Savior who stands beside Him pleading for me - how could I not be happy? Now, happiness is relative I guess (no, you don't get it from your relatives - it's usually the opposite!). Happiness for me is contentedness, knowing that in the end, everything will be made right and whole, no more questions without answers, no tears, no sickness, no death. This makes me happy. My family and friends love me and I love them - this makes me happy. I live in the beautiful mountains of NC that are now turning beautiful yellow, red and orange - this makes me happy. Life is an adventure - this makes me happy. There is just so much to be happy about. Happiness outweighs the circumstances we find ourselves in, if we will let it.

If you are not happy, I hope this doesn't sound like drivel to you. Pray for happiness. I know that the Lord Jesus came to give us life, and life more abundantly....how can that not call for happiness? I pray that if you need some happiness, it will come to you in buckets full! He is faithful and He will do it!

He makes me happy!

On the weigh down....

My weight loss journey continues to be wonderful. I've lost 58.5 pounds, so I figure I'm over half way there. My clothes are all too big, except for a few that I save from the last time I was smaller. We'll be heading to Florida for a visit within the next two weeks, so I'm looking forward to some shopping with my mom!

I really have a different view of food now. I've dieted soooo many times, but this time is very different. I still don't eat much, and have to make sure I drink a protein shake every day to get my protein in. There is no way I could do it otherwise! I passed a milestone recently, and my hubby was saying that we needed to celebrate it...however I wanted. Well, I can tell you, before this, I would have been figuring out where to go out to eat, even if I was dieting. But now I don't find food to be celebratory. It's just not that interesting anymore. So I guess I will have to figure out what else we can do. A movie in the theatre would be great!

Speaking of visiting Florida, here we go again. It just seems that right now, that's where the jobs are for Louie. He is looking to change careers, and the Lord may be opening some doors for him, but right now the door is open to Florida. I just hope we'll get a little cool weather while we are there, since we'll be missing it here.

The leaves are changing colors here, and they are beautiful. Since moving here in 2004, this is only the second time we've seen the fall. We saw it in 2004, but then it was late in 2005 so we had already gone to Florida, and then last year we were already in Florida and stayed past the colors. I'm glad to be here this year, so we can appreciate the beautiful fall season, and not JUST have to rake the leaves up!

We're heading to drive the Appalachian Parkway on Sunday with my brother and sister in law, Frank and Sherri. It's supposed to be a nice day, so I'm looking forward to it.

Happy Fall Y'all!!!

On the weigh down....

As I mentioned before, I am on a weight loss journey. So far, I'm pleased with the results - a loss of 37 lbs since 7/5/07. I still have lots to go, but that's ok. I'm learning what I can eat, and what I can't. Scrambled eggs are on my NO list, and as of yesterday, so is cream cheese! Some things just don't want to stay down! Ok, I know, TMI.

I've been changing my cooking habits, since I'm not eating much anymore, and Louie is trying to lose a few pounds himself. Josh also needs to lose, or at least maintain until he hits his growth spurt. So, it's usually chicken or lean meat, and some kind of veggie for dinner. Since Louie works most days, lunch is just Josh and me. I am pleased to say that Josh's french fry habit has been cut back since we've gotten home from Florida. He usually has a "snack wrap" that I make for him, or a hamburger or whatever, but no fries. When I do let him have fries at home, they are just baked potato wedges. Lots less fat. I like to have a little soup or salad for my lunch.

It's funny how much of our lives and social interactions revolve around food. I love to cook, and I love to entertain, so it's always been a big part of our get togethers. Now, I'm looking at food differently, trying to find delicious but nutritious recipes. I like trying new recipes, and its wonderful to find something that all three of us like! If it's a hit for us, it's something I can keep in mind when I am cooking for friends and family.

Speaking of that...gotta find a good Mahi-Mahi recipe for dinner tonight! Abbasynian!

Back Home in the Mountains - take 2

I don't know why my post won't show up, so I'm trying it again!

We've been home since August 5th, and I guess it's time to start blogging again. Did anyone miss me?

As I mentioned in my previous post, I had mini-gastric-bypass surgery on 7/5. I have lost 31 lbs. so far, and I'm thrilled! Gone is my bear-like snoring! I can actually sleep through the night - and Louie can too! I look forward to lots more pounds lost! I'll post some pics when I get Louie to take some new ones.I think we left the door open when we returned from Florida, 'cause it's sure been hot here in the mountains. Of course it's nothing like Florida, and at least we have the cool nights and mornings. Even with the heat, it's so good to be home. The mountains are green and beautiful and there is nothing like being in your own home after a long time away!

Our best friends, Mike and Peggy, have moved to the mountains also and we are so happy. They actually live about an hour from us, but that's better than 11 hours. We've been to see them several times already. We know that the Lord has brought them here, and look forward to the direction He gives them for ministry. Mike has left "full time" ministry as a profession, but that just leaves room for God to open other doors so that Mike and Peggy can both fulfill their calling in new ways!

Our lives are constantly changing and moving in ways we don't expect. That's the hand of God in motion, bending and shaping us into the image He has prepared. My goal is to stay open, flexible, and expectant, with my ears, eyes and heart tuned to Him and His direction. It's exciting to know that the Creator of the Universe has a heart for me, and wants to include me in what He's doing here on our little rock. Glory!

Back home in the mountains

We've been home since August 5th, and I guess it's time to start blogging again. Did anyone miss me?

As I mentioned in my previous post, I had mini-gastric-bypass surgery on 7/5. I have lost 31 lbs. so far, and I'm thrilled! Gone is my bear-like snoring! I can actually sleep through the night - and Louie can too! I look forward to lots more pounds lost! I'll post some pics when I get Louie to take some new ones.

I think we left the door open when we returned from Florida, 'cause it's sure been hot here in the mountains. Of course it's nothing like Florida, and at least we have the cool nights and mornings. Even with the heat, it's so good to be home. The mountains are green and beautiful and there is nothing like being in your own home after a long time away!

Our best friends, Mike and Peggy, have moved to the mountains also and we are so happy. They actually live about an hour from us, but that's better than 11 hours. We've been to see them several times already. We know that the Lord has brought them here, and look forward to the direction He gives them for ministry. Mike has left "full time" ministry as a profession, but that just leaves room for God to open other doors so that Mike and Peggy can both fulfill their calling in new ways!

Our lives are constantly changing and moving in ways we don't expect. That's the hand of God in motion, bending and shaping us into the image He has prepared. My goal is to stay open, flexible, and expectant, with my ears, eyes and heart tuned to Him and His direction. It's exciting to know that the Creator of the Universe has a heart for me, and wants to include me in what He's doing here on our little rock. Glory!

Blog - What Blog???

Well, we left for Florida on 5/31 and I haven't blogged since. So here goes. We were able to sneak into Bradenton and had to hide for 2 days from my older son Joel. He turned 25 on 5/31, and his wife had a surprise birthday party planned for 6/2. Sooooo, we had to make up stories about why our home phone wasn't working, and that we had a job starting Monday, and just didn't know when we would make it down for a summer visit.

Saturday came, and we waited until the surprise party was underway. Joel was thoroughly surprised by everyone waiting at their clubhouse. However, as we were trying to sneak into a parking place, Joel saw us - and took off running toward us! It was priceless!

Joel looks great, having lost over 50 lbs. His wife, Robin, also looks great, having lost over 35 lbs. I am so proud of both of them.

Speaking of losing weight, I am having a Mini-Gastric Bypass on 7/5, and hope to lose (and keep off) this extra weight I've been carrying around my whole life. I am excited, as the results of this surgery are very good. I have been on about every diet imaginable over the years, and could lose some weight, but couldn't keep it off. I want to succeed this time. So, watch for pictures and I hope to show you some great results over the next 2 years!

Florida is hot, but this is a nice visit. Can't wait to get back to the beautiful mountains though!

I'm back...with pictures!

Well...seems like forever ago when I posted about deck staining. We did accomplish the feat and the results are beautiful. I have added a new album of pics to show off our hard work.

So, this weekend is Mom's Day. I am pleased to say that I got a riding lawn mower as my gift! Shocked are you? Well, after mowing this mountain lawn with a push mower for 3 years, I am so thrilled to get a riding lawn mower that I can't stand it! Nothing is flat on this lawn! Now, I just have to learn how NOT to fall off the mountain!

I have also been busy making jewelry. I am participating in a festival this weekend, and hope to sell some of my wares. Being the day before Mother's Day, I should have a bit of business. I am actually trying to wind this jewelry business down. I started making jewelry in 2002 or so, down in Florida. Had a good time selling it...home parties and such. Now, I live in the land of jewelry makers! It's difficult to even get a spot in a local craftshow. So, I've been seeing what I can make out of the bits and pieces I have collected, without buying any new supplies. I am pleasantly surprised at what I've been able to produce.

Now I just have to finish up and get my dining room table cleared off, and the house cleaned, for company starting Sunday....

The whirlwind never stops!