I love to write, but you would never know it by this sad, neglected blog!  It has been nearly two years since I last wrote--a LOT has happened since then!  Charlie and I did get to go on an Alaskan cruise in August 2012.  I went on a mission trip to Ethiopia in October of 2012, and after that, our world pretty much came crashing down!  Charlie had to go on an extended medical leave from his job in November 2012, and had major back surgery in January 2013.  We lost my Uncle Dave in a bizarre accident on Good Friday 2013 (he fell out of a small plane that he had bought--he was with an instructor, getting certified when it happened).   We had to put our 17 year old dogs to sleep in July 2013.  In August 2013, Charlie had to take early retirement due to ongoing health issues, and Laura broke up with her boyfriend which profoundly affected her.  Philip moved out in October 2013, which freed up a room that I promptly took over as my new stamp room! 
One of the best things that happened was when we got our new, sweet dog.  Less than a week after Rocky and Scooby crossed the Rainbow Bridge I couldn't bear the sad quietness of the house and we went to a rescue organization to "just look".  Needless to say, as soon as they brought Venus in to the meet and greet room, she wormed her way right into the empty area of our hearts, and she came home with us that day.  She was only 9 months old, and not quite housebroken, so it was a bit of a rocky start, but her funny, playful, loving attitude made up for it!

Has it really been over 2 years?

Good grief, I must be the world's worst blogger! Time truly seems to be flying by the older I get!

Let's see--in the 2 years since I've blogged, Laura has graduated from high school, Philip has gotten his act together and is really excelling in college now, and I rejoined Weight Watchers. I've only lost 10 pounds, but hey, it's a start!

Charlie and I celebrated our 26th anniversary in January, and it looks like we will be taking an Alaskan cruise this summer! We are excited about that!

Now that Easter is over, I need to figure out how to decorate my fireplace mantle. It's so easy when there is a holiday theme, but inbetween times, I have no idea what to put up there. I am seriously lacking in the design department! Any ideas would be welcome. Pictures I can copy off of would be good, too!

Well, it feels good to be back!

{{{hugs}}}

Forgiveness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWfnyMUzPDs

Sunday, Gracia Burnham spoke at our church. I had read her book and was just blown away by her experiences in the jungle. It was amazing to hear her in person. She spoke about their captivity, and how her feelings of anger and hatred and bitterness towards her captors had turned to compassion and forgiveness as the years have passed. What a testimony she has, and what a blessing she was to me! May I always have that spirit of forgiveness and compassion even for those who try to hurt me!

Something's got ahold of me!

It started at the Super Bowl party--I was minding my own business, having fun--and while laughing, I coughed a few times. I could feel my chest tighten a little bit, but I figured I'd just use my inhaler for a few days and I'd be fine. I'd been a little stuffy, but in the winter, who isn't?

Plus I was working the next three days and who has time to be sick!

By thursday I knew I was in trouble and ended up in Urgent Care for steroids to help with the wheeze and an antibiotic for a raging sinus infection. I felt sure that by the weekend I'd be on the mend--after all, this had happened before, and the steriods usually hurried the healing along. This time, not so much. By monday I was in the doctor's office, getting a shot of rocephin and one of solumedrol, breathing treatments as opposed to my inhaler, and a new, stronger oral antibiotic. Plus bloodwork.

Ok, cool, THIS will do it--I don't have to be back to work until wednesday, so that is plenty of time to turn the corner!--or so I thought. I think I ran INTO the corner! So, here is it, wednesday evening, and I am going to miss another day of work tomorrow to hopefully continue to heal. My cough is not nearly as frequent, and I don't feel like I am working with each breath, but you don't even need a stethoscope to hear my wheezing.

This is really getting old! Hopefully I'll be able to work on friday, but in the meantime, this is pretty much what I am doing--

A snowy day in Georgia!

I just wanted to share a few pictures of our snow! I measured 2 1/2 inches at our house. It was such a pretty one, with big, heavy wet flakes--looked like we were in a snow globe! It didn't last long--most of it was gone the next day! I had to include the picture of Rocky and Scooby resting after going outside. It was so funny seeing them run through it with their stubby little legs!

What's in YOUR (thought) closet?

Do you wonder why in the world I am posting a picture of my messy closet?

Well, I'm taking a really good Bible study right now called "Me Myself & Lies" by Jennifer Rothschild. It's only a six week study, but it is packed with powerful ideas on how to change the way you think about yourself and your life experiences! I took a good look at my real life closet--chaotic and overflowing, packed with some clothes I NEVER wear that are just taking up valuable space (just ask my DH when he sees our electric keyboard covered with my tossed off clothes!), but also housing some precious treasures from my childhood tucked up on the shelves. It really was a good mirror for my own "thought" closet.

Jennifer encourages us to be aware of what is in our thought closets (I love that she doesn't say to just ignore them--we do have to deal with them) and focus on making God the center of our thought closet. At one point in the book she gives a long list of "truthful labels" (along with the verses) to use whenever we are faced with negative thoughts about ourselves or our lives. This week will be the final class. It has gone fast, but has been so enjoyable!

(and maybe I'll muster up the energy to purge my real life closet--my DH can only hope so!)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Whoops--sorry about the rogue post below, LOL!

Well, I woke up this morning and realized that I had not made any valentines for my family! Since I've been fighting a sinus infection and a pretty impressive asthma exacerbation, I really haven't had any motivation. Plus, I do my best work under pressure! I had been surfing around and saw the CUTEST stamp set with 2 turtles and the saying "I turtally love you", but of course there was no time to order it, so I had to improvise. I had no turtle stamps, so I made some with punches. I had bought a big bag of little googly eyes not too long ago, but do you think I could find the dang things when I needed them? I have GOT to get more organized! My DD loves dogs, so I made her one with a dog on the front that says "Doggone it, won't you be my valentine" on the inside. And DS is totally unsentimental, so his is just a basic "Love you much" on the inside. It felt great to make these--but just look at my table afterwards! What a mess!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!