This Makes My Heart Sing and Brings a Smile to My Face

My friend Charmaine sent this to me and I was so tickled I thought I would share it with you too! It is darling, so be sure to watch the whole thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k

Glitches and Fritzes

I realize it's been a while since I posted anything, but the life of "excitement" I am currently living is less than fun! My 5 month old computer is on the fritz so it is in the shop, HR re certification deadline is looming at the end of the month and annoying physical ailments keeping smacking me in the face. Suffice to say the doctor and I have become such good friends, that yesterday she even gave me a hug when I left her office.

I cannot believe how much time I have spent with doctors over the last two years and I gotta' tell ya' - health is a very important part of living a great life. After having a tooth pulled (after 3 or 4 failed root canals), knee surgery, foot surgery, and physical therapy I was pretty sure I was good to go for a while so I hopped on my bicycle and took off like a crazed woman as I attempted to "beat the fat off." I have only fallen off it twice so far this year, with no serious ramifications other than some black and blue marks, so I was pleased with myself and wanted to keep going... "Well, not so fast, "my body said, "perhaps there might be some more problems." No! I don't think that is fair! Enough is enough! Besides summer is coming and I want to look and feel good. But, after the last 3-4 weeks I think my body has decided to take the more difficult, obstinate route to getting in shape. Let's see here: One eye infection, followed by dry eye syndrome (very painful- menopause causes this - isn't that nice?), followed by what I thought was a bladder infection for 3 weeks, turns out to be, are you ready for this? SPASMS. Oh yes, SPASMS. It seems that sometimes your bladder, as you age, let's not forget to add that into the equation, likes to do that. The medication to help the spasms subside causes a very interesting side effect....orange, and I mean bright orange-red, shall we say, output! Yikes! I thought for sure, I was bleeding to death. But I am not, and I will survive. I just need to take the pills until things settle down and I can even ride my bike if I want to. Problem is: Right now, I JUST DON"T KNOW IF I WANT TO. Sigh!
Psalm 121: "Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth." O Lord help me!
Here's hoping your year is filled with good health. Mazel Tov!

March Mustache Madness (aka Mustacheness)

Well, I have been meaning to post this for some time just haven't had the time.  After all, the Esther study was very time consuming (a little tongue in cheek here.)   Anyway, here is what I get to put up with every year during the month of March.  My spouse is a huge basketball fan as are many of the guys at his work.  So every year during college basketball's "March Madness"  these guys all grow mustaches and compete to see who has the best at the end of the month. I have no idea what the winner wins, possibly a free facial and hair waxing?  I do know that they all take pictures of their mustache...so here is Robert's.  Ain't he cute?

Now I know that when my future husband and I were dating I liked his mustache very much.  But after he became an officer he decided for promotion purposes he needed to do away with it.  And besides, I thought he looked much younger without it.  So over the years I have not missed it and to let you in on a little secret...I still don't!  Last month that thing was so prickly I cringed whenever he leaned in for his kisses.  So needless to say there were many less kisses from the misses-- no doubt about it we were both kissing deprived.  However,  I told him if he wanted to keep it that was fine, but to my surprise he actually was ready to get rid of it also.  Why?  Well, as it turns out, his facial hair is turning gray and he said those gray ones were especially coarse and bothered and hurt his lips too!  Hooray for gray hair!  Who would have guessed that I would actually say that some day?  Hmmm!  

An Esther (Gen) Moment

Our Esther study finished last night and we couldn't resist celebrating our final video together by having our own Persian  banquet complete in full Esther regalia.  We dressed up in the royal colors, wore appropriate make up and jewelry and, of course, our crowns.  We also decorated the tables with lots of candles and the colors of gold, blue and and white.  Finally, we also enjoyed wine and Persian fare such as lamb, saffron rice, and lots of grilled vegetables.  Jan even brought "Haman's Ears" for dessert. We had so much fun and for one night we felt like we were in the KING of kings court.  We laughed, ate, and prayed together.  What an awesome study to learn about our own personal "destiny" in Christ.  We are pleased to say, "we stepped up, stepped in, and stepped through."  

In this photo going clockwise from the back row right is Janiece, Nancy, Sandy, Chris and Jan.  We call ourselves "HIS Princesses".  What a blast!

Now I Remember or I Know Where the Ranunculus Are!

Well, well, well. Guess I was right about one thing when it comes to gardening: If you forgot where you planted something don't worry, eventually they will bloom and you will then remember where you planted them. So, about those ranunculus. I found them planted at the front door of my house and they look beautiful along with the tulips I planted several years ago. I forgot about the tulips too, but my, don't you think they look pretty with the ranunculus? Ha!

Gardening 103 - Well I THOUGHT It Was A RANUNCULUS -

My friend Diane R. has gotten kick out of this so I thought I would share my ongoing gardening experience with all of you as well. She knows that I froze dahlia bulbs in my garage freezer section for quite awhile...like about a year and a half! (I didn't know they would die if they were in there too long, did you?) Only to discover that they weren't dahlia bulbs, but ranunculus bulbs (only I don't think they are called bulbs, but I don't know what they are called.) Anyway she is Miss Green Thumb and she laughed and laughed at my silly mistake, but together we planted them to see if they would bloom and the answer is: much to my sorrow they never did.

So guess what she sends me for my birthday last fall? Yes, that's right- the very thing I am loathe to talk about. But, I was dutiful, and I did have my weekly lawn crew guys plant those ranunculus bulbs a week later just to see if Diane's bulbs were better than the ones I bought. Ha! Well, a few weeks ago I told her, that I thought they were blooming, but honestly I don't remember where the guys planted those bulbs. I figure when they bloom I will then remember. Then this week I went to check on that plant and much to my disappointment it was not a ranunculus, but a common weed found here in So. CA! When I told Diane about another gardening mistake, note: this is a perpetual problem for me so I don't think I am a gardener do you? -- She, of course laughed and laughed again. Ain't it nice to know you can make someone happy?

In any event here is what ended up growing : Enjoy! I am okay about this really---Just don't send me any flower seeds, clippings, bulbs, or whatever, OK?

Fireproof song - "While I'm Waiting"

There is an awesome song in the movie Fireproof that I am just loving that encapsulates how a person may feel when in a situation, trial, difficult circumstance or process that will require waiting on the LORD for an answer or a resolution. So, here it is and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.