And 2018 Begins.

Happy New Year!!! Since we are only halfway through the first month, surely I'm not too late. I made my "resolutions" for lack of a better word, and am working on my life. So thankful I am so blessed that resolutions are something I can focus on because I don't have to worry about my basic needs. So thankful.

In the recent cold snap...heck, deep freeze!...I gave thanks for a protective and warm shelter, warm electric blanket, and running water when I woke up in the mornings. I'm hoping I don't have frozen pipes this morning as I forgot to leave a faucet dripping! I have yet to figure out how you people in the north survived crazy cold winters and don't have frozen pipes. Baffled. Beyond my comprehension.

 So what have I been up to, you ask? Because it's obvious it hasn't been blogging. Last year was a tough work year. What should have been our down year, recuperation time, reorganize and get the office back in order year, became one of the busiest years I think I've ever experienced there. Including an election on Halloween!!! And the week of Thanksgiving! But my sweet nieces came to see me at work so I wouldn't miss out. Little Miss trick or treated from desk to desk.

I've spent my downtime exploring many interests, including family history and genealogy. I find this fascinating! This pic, my great grandmother and brother sitting on the porch of the house I live in now.  Wonder if the paw prints were in the concrete at this point or if it was repoured at some point. Anyway, I've hit a roadblock on my great great grandfather that will take some real digging and hopefully that will crack the case.  Although this is a "big" election year, I still think it will be less crazy than last year. So i should be able to find time to take some days off and Visit the historical center. I'll let you know if i figure it out.

Y'all, I started this entry early yesterday morning, having no idea what had happened overnight.  Our police officers were ambushed, four sent to the hospital.  One barely hanging on to life.  I'm not sure why it is settling so heavy on my heart, but it definitely is. I am familiar with two of the officers through my work.  Even if i weren't, the images in my mind of the chaos, fear, adrenaline, grief, anger, confusion...the families at home having no clue anything had happened.  Or maybe listening to it unfold over a scanner, and feeling so totally helpless.  My heart physically hurts for the officers, their family and friends. Please pray for them and especially for officer Doty.

Thanks y'all.

Memorial Monday

This is all over Facebook, The Elf on the Shelf
honoring the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary.

I know, today is Muffin Monday and I usually post an adorable picture of my sweet kitten for the world to see.

But today, I just don't have it in me.  For whatever reason, it's like I have a delayed reaction to the Sandy Hook sadness.  I didn't see much of it this weekend until last night and this morning.  And now, it's like a heaviness sitting on my chest - a sadness smothering me. I can't imagine those families, how they'll endure Christmas, how they will be strong for their other children, how they are even breathing at this point.  Beyond our understanding... so ... sad.  And that is so inadequate of a description.

Things that give hope in this bleakness - the #20things / #26things aspect of paying goodness forward (although I believe it should be #27things and include the mother, who was also an innocent victim).  Already Twitter is alight with the good deeds people are doing in honor of those lost in this tragic event.  Honestly, we should be doing good deeds anyway, paying goodness forward because it's the right thing to do.  Showing love and spreading joy.  But it's so touching to see people going out and deliberately doing good in honor of those lost. The impact of their lives are like ripples across this nation, setting off good deeds from coast to coast.

Conversations need to be had but not today. I'm sick of hearing people scream from both sides of the spectrum.  Give it a rest today. Let's honor the people we no longer have with us today, honor those who were so brave in the face of evil, honor those who carry images with them they'll never forget.  And let's have a moment to mourn as a nation for the loss of innocence on so very many levels.

I'm looking to God, asking for Him to provide comfort, hope, peace, and love during this time.  I'm counting my blessings and hugging my nieces. I'm doing my best to focus on the good in this nation.  The sadness is easily overwhelming but there is good, too. Lord, I believe You can bring together good in any situation, so I choose to look for the good.

Saturday Shopping

Oh my gosh I am worn out. Shopping with an energetic 10-year-old can really do a person in. W shopped, made ornaments, made soap, wrapped a few presents, celebrated my sister's birthday and ended up trashing my house. Cleaning is just going to have to wait until tomorrow...

Being with a child all day, I'm way behind on what they have learned from Conn. We wouldn't turn it on around her, she had no need to add this fear to her plate. But I do feel very out of touch with what is going on. So sad, so senseless.

Tomorrow is church, family reunion, then play time with my friend, Sara. We are making ornaments for her first tree!

For tonight, I'm off to pray and sleep. Sweet dreams, my imaginary friends, sweet dreams. :)

posted from Bloggeroid

Friday's Letters - 9

I've spent most if this week at home, taking a break before the storm. I work in my local elections office, so as you can imagine, it's already getting busy. Here is my letter for the week!



Dear new Dr. for Macy, thank you! Her mom and Mimaw both loved you and you did a great check up on little Miss Macy. We are so thankful to have found you.

Dear friends, I'm so blessed to have you! Visited briefly with Sara and Corree, seeing Donna and Melissa today, talked to Sherry... Love it!

Dear Pen Pals, (yes, I write letters to people and use stamps and everything!) I've been slack. I WILL do better. But thank you for your letters, I love them!

Dear customers and viewers at Pressed Clovers, THANK YOU! I am working on custom orders right now and it's awesome. I love it! (Visit PressedClovers at Etsy.)

Dear readers, drop me a line so I can come visit you, too. I love finding new blogs to check out!

Ya'll have a great Labor Day, and please say a prayer for those impacted by Isaac.

Linking up to http://comeoneileen86.blogspot.com

posted from Bloggeroid

These seemingly innocent looking clouds caused three deaths in our community on Wednesday night.  This picture was taken about 5: 30 p.m. and by 5:45 p.m. it was darker than night.  The sirens went off, and stopped. Sirens....and stop.  At least three different occasions.  The tornado warning was suppose to expire by 5:45 p.m. but the tornado didn't hit until 6:00 p.m.  So sad.  So devastating.

It makes you think how quickly life can end.  What loose ends are out there? Who have I not let know how much I love them, how much I care for them? What haven't I told God thank you for? What blessings have I ignored? 

It makes my word for the year, "appreciation," so much more meaningful.  Appreciation for those I love. Appreciation for my blessings.  Appreciation for my safety and the safety of my family.  Appreciation.

Thoughts and prayers to those who lost their loved ones and their homes this week.  And to the rest of us, let us show love and appreciation, even more so, during this Thanksgiving holiday.

Alabama Tornadoes.

As you may have already figured out, I'm just returning home from Alabama, visiting a great friend I have there. I'm actually splitting my blog into two parts - one focusing on the tornado damage I witnessed and one on the friend part of my trip, which was 99.9% of it.

In case you didn't know, I am terrified of tornadoes. Where I live, it's not much of an issue, however, we do have an occasional twister blow through with hops and skips across the landscape. Never have I seen anything like I did on the outskirts of Tuscaloosa, where I was departing the train at to meet up with my friend.

As the train came closer to Tuscaloosa, I began to pay attention to the scenery outside my window. At first I just saw houses with blue tarps. Every house, blue tarps. So this wasn't so bad, I'm thinking... then all of the sudden I saw rubble. I was on the phone with my mom and suddenly gasped - "Oh mama, this is horrible," it's all I could say over and over. I just wanted to cry. It was like someone dumped matchsticks all over the ground where houses once were. Destroyed. Devastated.

I can't imagine what it was like for these people who have lost so much.  I look at the amount of destruction and have to wonder if someone here lost their life.  I just don't know how anyone could survive in the houses I saw.  So incredibly sad.

While I was there, the tornado hit Joplin.  Being in an area that is still so completely smashed by a tornado, it took on a deeper meaning of what those people were going to be dealing with as the storm passed by.  My friends in Alabama were just heartbroken to see another tornado and another town wiped out.  It was hard to watch.  But, much like in Alabama, immediately the people began coming together to search for survivors and dig out from under the rubble.

I hope you'll pray with me for both communities.  They are weary and need strength to see the rebuilding to the end.  Please keep them in your thoughts and provide assistance in the way that is best for you.  Donations, volunteering, prayers - all are important to seeing these communities come back and overcome the loss they've seen. 

Train ride to home

Well...my wonderful visit is wrapping up. I have many wonderful memories to take with me and treasure always. Sherry is one of those special friends that you dont see for several years and the minute I got off the train it was like we were together yesterday. So special having a friendship like that. Even Sam, her German Sheppard, remembered me and greeted me like an old friend!

I will say, on my way into Tuscaloosa, seeing the areas flattened by the tornadoes was very upsetting. I can't imagine seeing my beautiful little house that I love so much in complete destruction. I want to cry imagining how strong these people are and will need to be. Please pay.

We were watching the Joplin tornado last night. It was hard to see another town suffering just like this one. I'm keeping than in my prayers, too.

Folks, I am looking forward to being home and seeing Muffin. I've really missed her, along with my family and my man. :) I promise to post pics soon! Sweet dreams!

Happiness and Storms.

I'm happy. I'm Happy! I'm a wriggly puppy popping out of the gift box, all goofy and squirmy and yippee. :) Happiness! (A spotted puppy with adorable puppy eyes!)

And, I survived! Horrible storms last night - severe damage and many homes lost around the area. I haven't heard any numbers yet - with all the trees down across the roads and debris scattered about, it will take some time to get all the details together.  It was enough to have me hiding my head under the covers and Muffin diving under the bed.  Lost power about 12:30 a.m. and it was still off when I left for work. Looking forward to my shower tonight!!

In the midst of the storm, I'm trying to find my flip flops (so I wouldn't step on any spiders!) in my very dark house (which is being lit up with lightening strikes in an eerie fashion), desperately searching for a flashlight. Just a matter of weeks before, I'd stumbled across two and put them somewhere for safe keeping. Sure wish I knew where that safe place was now... Off to Wally World after work to create an emergency kit so I'll be more prepared next time.

Happy Hump Day - counting my blessings for having my family and our houses safe and sound!

So Thankful. So So Thankful.

I can't begin to grasp the full scale of what all has happened in the past 48 hours.  So many lives have been impacted.  The losses continue to rise as communities begin to dig out from underneath the rubble. 

To hear from my friend outside of Tuscaloosa who is safe, her home is fine - it was such a relief. Knowing I'll be visiting her in less than a month, I just can't wait to give her the biggest of hugs.

It so sad that I need something like to serve as a reminder of what is important in life. These everyday little dramas are completely immaterial. They are nothing. And they do not deserve the energy and attention that they often receive.

While I say thank you, Lord, for keeping my loved one safe, I ask for you to comfort so many who have lost so much - please help these communities rebuild on all levels.  They need Your strength.

Help Japan.

I know the news media has shifted on to other stories, leaving the ongoing tragedy in Japan behind.  I understand this story is old news and they need to move on to something else that is breaking for their headlines.

Mission to the World is still very involved in the recovery of Japan, with missionaries working together with locals to help feed and clothe people in the impacted areas.

This Link will take you to their website, where Roger and Abi Lowther of Grace City Church Tokyo have sent updates concerning their progress in delivering food, water and clothing to affected areas.

It's amazing. God's work is amazing. I hope you'll take a moment to read some of the blogs to learn more.  Roger has a Blogspot Blog Here.

Say a prayer for these brave missionaries and those helping in providing relief for those in need. These people are truly gifts from God that they were in the right place to help and show God's love to the people of Japan.  My heart breaks for those who have lost everything - forget material possessions, but their loved one's lives. Keeping them in my thoughts and prayers.

Weekend Wants

This weekend, I want to encourage you to consider prayer for those impacted in Japan by the horrible events surrounding the earthquake and tsunami. I do not believe we can begin to comprehend what they are currently facing - hundreds dead, hundreds missing, families displaced across the region, and total devastation.  Suicides are up - people are not seeing a light at the end of this tunnel. Please help them.

Many of us are familiar with ARC - learn more about what they are doing to assist in Japan by clicking here.


I hope you will read this excerpt from missionaries who are serving in Japan. Their words are powerful and help open our eyes to what is going on - on many levels - in Japan. Operation Crash is an organization of Christians helping in Japan right now. Read more. (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope).

Anyway, HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE TO HELP - through donations, flying there to help yourself, through your prayers - please help. My weekend want: to help those who are suffering. Thank you!