Firsts

I almost forgot to show you the pictures I took while I was in Washington. I had never been to the state of Washington before, this was my first time.

Camping in the far Northwest was only one of a few firsts for me this last month.

Everett (north of Seattle), Washington is not the place to visit in the winter. It's a good thing we weren't visiting but were there to work. There are a lot of things to see and do in the area, but in the winter, the cold rain seems to never stop, so it is unpleasant to get out and do anything. The daylight hours are few--about 8--so by the time the day's work is done, sightseeing is out of the question. I did a lot of sitting and watching it rain.

We did get out for a few hours one dreary day when the rain let up for a while. We headed to a ferry that took us across Possession Sound to Whidbey Island.

Notice the heavy cloud cover, the gray skies, the rain falling in the distance? Close to 24/7 the whole time I was there. The locals say that the summers are absolutely beautiful in Seattle, and I believe them. Someday maybe God will take me back there in the summertime.


We drove up the length of the island, seeing what we could see from the highway through the raindrops on the windshield. We stopped at Fort Casey Military Reservation which sits on the bank of Puget Sound and walked around a bit. The air was wet and crisp but we had a good time anyway.

This lighthouse was closed for the winter so I can't tell you anything about it except I thought it was too cute.

This old fort that once guarded the Sound had some nice big guns.

Looking across the sound, I could see mountains beyond the bank of clouds.

On second thought, maybe the area is beautiful, even in the winter.

The sun tried to shine down on our day...

and across the way--God's first promise to all of creation. (A comforting first.)

 I think this is the first time I've seen such green grass in the middle of winter. Even in the deep south the grass doesn't look this green. (An unexpected first.)

Another first for me was seeing the bikini huts that sit, tiny and independent, in parking lots about town. I'll spare you the photos! Just in case you are not familiar with these establishments, they are tiny little drive up coffee stops where the employees are girls clad in bikinis. I can't decide if this marketing gimmick is sad or sick. Maybe both. (A troubling first)
Personally, I prefer coffee shops nestled inside a warm book store with employees fully clothed and wearing long aprons to protect their bellies from hot spills. I'm just sayin'....

With bad weather approaching and the work complete (except for some stray paperwork that could be done from anywhere) we decided this trip would not be the trip for going places and doing things. We packed up and headed for home.

Another first in Oregon--it is against the law to pump your own gas. There are no self-serve pumps in the state. You can pay at the pump with your card, but you don't do the pumping. I'm not complaining. Who wants to stand out in the cold rain and pump gas?  (A surprising & pleasant first)

Now I have to show you the funniest first I encountered on this trip. It was a sign which hung on a post between gas pumps at a convenience store. We were in Washington (pumping our own gas) when I spotted it. Keep in mind that children don't drive, children don't usually pump gas and children are often under five feet tall. This sign hung high, above my eye level...

which (to me) pushed it past funny into hilarious.

Firsts can be fun, frightful, fascinating, and full of surprises. First steps, first words, first bike, first car, first kiss...Firsts escort us all the way through this life no matter how long we live.

There is one first that I'm looking forward to with great joy and anticipation.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  1 Thessalonians 4:16 NIV

A final first--I can't wait! Hope to see you there!

Let's laugh and pray

In all things my heart seeks to glorify God. In the day to day humdrum of life I look for joy, and I like to laugh. I often pray that God will allow me to be a source of joy and laughter to others. That's why I make this post.

I've said before that I'm not politically correct and I don't try to be. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I don't intended to bow or bend in the wind of what is popular in our land. Our nation and our government is in a mess. We need answers, solutions, wisdom, guidance, and maybe even a miracle. We talk about our problems and the mistakes our leaders make. We worry, complain, gripe and criticize, but do we pray? I mean really pray for our leaders with fervor?

I've never seen Tim Hawkins in person, though I'd like to, but I'm a fan because of video. This guy is gifted for sure.

I hope this video will make you smile, even laugh. But more than that, I hope it will give you subject matter for your prayer time.

Sit back, watch and enjoy this video of Mr. Hawkins, then pray for our country's leadership. Ask God to give them a desire for godliness, wisdom, revelation of truth, and anything else the Spirit brings to mind.

May God bless America.

Maybe I should stick to domestic issues

I've been at it again. Playing with my sidebar. Did you notice that I finally updated my puzzles? I think it has been at least nine months since I did that. And I've added a few new things. If you hate them, let me know. If you love them, let me know. If you couldn't care less, well, you can either let me know, or just keep to yourself. I'm not finished messing with the sidebar--I still need to update my bookcase and freshen up a few other items.

In case you didn't know, I'm not an expert at blog building. I'm not sure I could even pass a test to be classified as an intermediate blog builder. No, I believe I might need several years of training just to be able to use one of those "Idiot" books on building a blog. That's why I contacted my son-in-law. He IS an expert. He knows how to use a computer better than I know how to use a dish rag. And let me tell you, I KNOW how to use a dishrag!

I wanted to add a functionality to my blog's sidebar. I didn't know exactly how to do it but I took a guess--I needed to add a widget, or a gadget, or...

So I asked my techie son-in-law what the difference is between the two. Here is what he told me via text message. "A gadget is an actual item whereas a widget is an anonymous undefined name for a gadget."

O-KAY! That really cleared it up for me. Yep, don't even bother with the Idiot's Guide, I'd never understand it.

Bless his heart, he knows that I've got dirty dishwater between my ears, so he went on to clarify..."It's a placeholder name for nothing specific. Like a doodad or a whatchamacallit."

FINALLY! Words I understand! Now I just had to decide whether I needed a doodad or a whatchamacallit. Still, not knowing the difference between those two things exactly, I choose to use a doodad.

You'll find it up at the top of the sidebar. Now what I THINK it is supposed to do, its functionality, (you might find that word in one of those Idiot computer books if you don't know what it means) is allow readers of this blog to have new posts delivered to their email inbox. Since it is powered by a Google Group, it would also allow readers to talk about me behind my back except that I have it set so that I can moderate all the discussions. (I think) I don't know if it really works that way, so I'm testing it. I put my own email address into the little spot, clicked on the "Subscribe" button, and now we will see if this post is sent to my inbox.

All this has been a long and stressful process because I had to create a Google Group which required more decision making skills than what I possess, then I had to find the doodad and and copy the HTML Code and plug it in... Oh wait, should I use a plug-in, or is the doodad, which I used instead of a gadget or a widget, good enough? Oh, well...

Then I added it on... Oh my goodness, maybe I should have used an add-on instead of a doodad!

Dear God,
I'm no good at this. I'm so confused. Please help me out of this mess. Just give me my dishrag and...My dishrag! Where's my dishrag?

I got so busy with all this technical web-design-blog-building-mumbo-jumbo that I forgot all about a load of laundry, I left unattended, in the little campground laundry room. I guess I'd better go get my dishrag out of the thingamajig and put it in the whositwhatsit so it will dry. I'll need it later on when I get ready to wash my dillyboppers and wipe down the doohickey. Yes, I guess I should give up blog building and stick with domestic issues. At least in THAT department, I know what I'm doing!

*UPDATE* I never could get the doodad that I added to work like I wanted it to, so I removed it. If you would like to receive my blog in your email inbox, simply leave me a comment with your address or email me directly with it and I'll see to it that you get it. Thanks.

Down by the duck pond (just photos)

Saturday the rain and drizzle stopped for a short time so I took a walk down to the duck pond.

I think the management here at the RV park refers to it as a fishing pond, but since no one was fishing, and ducks seem to call the pond home, I prefer to call it "the duck pond."

When they saw me coming, they rushed to greet me.
(If only people were as welcoming as ducks.)

I think they were disappointed that I didn't bring them any bread crumbs.
They quickly went back to dipping and diving and hunting for food.Some of them just wanted to hang out and socialize...while some seemed to prefer a little privacy.

Now y'all know how I enjoy noticing little things that normally go unnoticed...
and since I happened to have my camera handy...
I couldn't help myself.

The chilly damp air and a phone call from my husband telling me he was "home"
prompted my return to the fifth wheel.
On my way back, I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this slimy little guy.A worm out of dirt is much like a duck out of water.
This one was leaving a trail on the walkway as he headed for cover.

What's that you say? What was the point of this post? What is the moral to this story?
There is none. Really. But I'm hoping and praying that as you enjoy my pictures, the Holy Spirit will reveal a truth about God and His perfect, wonderful design that we see in nature every day. He really does have a plan for your life. (And mine too.)

A different perspective

Dear readers and blogging friends,

In November did you miss my list of things for which I am thankful? Are you wondering what happened to my Merry Christmas post? Never fear, they never happened.

Oh yes, I agree. I've not been diligent with my blog the last few...well...for most of 2009. I don't know about you--how things have been around your house or in your life--but 2009 has been a tough year for my family and me. The past twelve months (for various family members individually and as a group) saw marriage, death, job loss, long periods of unemployment, new careers, moves, surgery, serious illness and hospitalization, stressful times of separation, joyful times of coming together again, accomplishments, disappointments, distractions, financial stress, disagreements, unity, dreams born, cold reality checks, mistakes, successes, depression, lessons learned, accusations, affirmations, tears, answered prayer, trials, temptations, victories, hurts, healing, moments to cherish and days we hope we can forget.

I want my blog to be a place you can come to find hope, encouragement, joy...I write my blog for my readers and for Jesus. I don't write it for me. This past year I have struggled, like a cow caught in quicksand, to be a joyful vessel, a positive pen, for Jesus. I do have a long list of things for which I give thanks, and I did want everyone to have a very merry Christmas. But all year I found it very difficult to put into positive words the things that were in my heart. So, I've been a bit silent. It has been a hard year, but we come to the end, knowing that still, through it all, we have been blessed by God. Though blessed more than I deserve, still burdens and trials and so many difficulties have taken from me until I am left tired, worn out, discouraged, and hoping for a better year in 2010.

I looked at the calendar today and realized that a new year is just a couple days away. Boy, am I ready for it. (But only if it promises to be a really good year for me.) Do I hear an AMEN? Surely at least one of you out there shares my sentiment.

Seriously! How cool would it be if 2010, like a McDonald's Restaurant, sat on the corner of This Way and That Way, had a drive-up window, took orders and filled them accurately and promptly? (Okay, maybe Burger King instead of McDonald's.)

I'd drive through and order me up some thinner thighs, natural brown hair, two extra hours for every day, a good health with plenty of wealth combo, and all the little packets of happiness they could poke in the bag! Too bad life's not like that.

Sometimes life is hard no matter what, and sometimes life is what we make it. Now if you've read my little blog long enough to know me, you know I'm not much for making a New Year's Resolution. I can barely deal with one day at a time, and I'm sure not going to stick my neck out and announce something I plan to accomplish or "stick to" all year long. The way I do things, I'd have it messed up and be a failure before the sun went down on my words.

So, what AM I going to do with the new year ahead? Pray for a different perspective. Let me explain.

Two weeks before Christmas, Rick (my hubby) was sent to the Seattle, WA area to work. (Now that was a PRAISE THE LORD kind of thing because work has been scarce this year.) He planned to fly home for Christmas and some of our kids planned to drive home so we could all be together. It was a good plan until the December '09 blizzard blew across the country leaving hubby stranded at DFW and the kids spinning off the highway into a ditch.

Everybody finally made it home and Christmas was not totally ruined, (we did have a good time together) but snow and the white Christmas so many people dream about really dampened my spirits for a while.

On the 27th hubby and I got on a plane headed back to Seattle. On the last leg of the trip from Las Vegas to Seattle, I had a window seat. Clouds were thick, I was tired and grumpy, so little did I see. But, for a few minutes, we flew through a clear area. Take a look at what I saw out my window.








Snow and ice--absolutely beautiful--from the air. A different perspective changed what I thought about the elements that had caused my family so much distress days before.

If 2010 doesn't deliver what I've ordered, I'm going to try to remember to ask God to change my perspective so I can find beauty in the midst of something ugly, hope in hopeless situations, joy in the middle of the things that make me cry, faith in fearful times, love in lonely hours, and God himself in control of it all.

May you each have a very happy new year!

Waltz Across Texas (Part 3)

What kind of a blog writer leaves her blog to the spiders and crickets for months at a time?
One that is busy, overwhelmed, preoccupied, lazy, discouraged, bumfuzzled, disorganized, depressed, dazed, ... or one that has spent too much time of Facebook perhaps? I won't make a lot of excuses or offer good reasons why my blogging has been neglected. I'll just say I've been a bad blogger, please forgive me, now let's get back to whatever it was we were talking about before I wandered away.

Oh yes, my trip across Texas.

It has been so long ago now I think I may have a hard time recalling details. I do have photos though! (You know you could count on that, right?)

After Big Bend National Park, we visited our kids in San Angelo where I spoiled the granddaughters as much as possible.
And do you blame me? Spoiling is so much fun! Now you can go ahead and tell me how cute they are, and I'll tell you how sweet and perfect they are, and we will all agree that grandchildren are the greatest reward a person can get this side of heaven.
I'm obviously into my grandkids a lot more than I'm into blogging because the past few months are represented by many more pictures of them than blog posts. Again, can you blame me?

From San Angelo we traveled on to Austin to visit some good friends. (Brittney and Terry Crain) And to see some sights and kill some time before the weekend.
If you are ever in the Austin, TX area, be sure to have dinner at The Oasis on Lake Travis. The view at sunset might take your breath away!

Believe it or not, this was my first time to visit my beloved Texas' capitol.A part of me wishes I could have been around when Texas was an independent nation--The Republic Of Texas. I like the sound of it!

From Austin we headed for Houston to visit more of our children.There we attended the Wings Over Houston Airshow. That was a first for me also. All I can say about that is WOW! It was money well spent and even the sunburn I got was worth it.I saw planes flying straight up and straight down and backwards, right side up and right side down and all the directions in between. There were wing walkers and parachute jumpers and mock water rescues. A reenactment of the bombing of Pear Harbor created lots of smoke. I learned that you can actually see the sound barrier quivering around an aircraft as it flies at the speed of sound straight toward you. And then there were the Blue Angels. Oh--My---Goodness!!!

I took WAY too many pictures. Most of them didn't turn out and few of them can do justice to the show. Take my word for it. Wings Over Houston is one of those must see kind of things. Next year it will be held October 23 & 24 and will feature the USAF Thunderbirds . If you can be in the area, don't miss it!

From Houston we drove back to Amarillo--home--where daughter #3 keeps a candle in the window for us. She's a good kid and I don't know what we would do with out her. Here she is with Michael W. Smith. I sure hope he doesn't mind my posting this picture of him on my blog, but it is the only picture I could find of my kid!(Michael was in concert at Trinity Fellowship Church in November. That was another WOW experience. If you ever have the chance to hear him in person, don't miss it!)

Whewww! That was quite a trip!
Almost everywhere we go (outside our home state) people comment about how "PROUD" Texans are. That, I can't deny. Yes, I am proud of my state and my heritage as a Texan. I won't apologize for believing that Texas is the best state in the union! (If you don't believe me, ask any other Texan and he'll tell you the same thing!)

We Texans have a lot to be proud of! We live in a beautiful state with beaches, mountains, rolling hills and flat plains. We are a strong group of people who (for the majority of us) believe in small government and freedom and independence for the people. We are friendly and hospitable. Texas...there's no place quite like it!