What is this?!

Is it a sea creature washed up from the water? Is it a dragon stuck in the dirt? Maybe an alien!?!? These are some of the questions my kids had of this strange finding in our back yard.

What do you think?! We called in the expert (daddy) and it was determined that through extensive obervation that it was in fact.......a mushroom!! Daddy mowed the lawn the other day and apparently knocked off its' top!! The red tip is the mushroom trying to repair itself. Interesting! You just never know what you might find in your own backyard. : )

Snail mail....what's that?

Little sister had a birthday recently and when asked what she would like for her birthday she thought for a moment and said, "just surprise me, mommy!". What a sweetheart! She was THRILLED when she came home from school and found two packages waiting for her!! It could have been just a box of shredded paper for all she cared.....the thought of someone taking the time to send something. But it was not just shredded paper.....they were books!!!!!! I have never known anyone to love to receive books than my children! They look at them as if they are holding a bar of gold!! The simple pleasures in life.
You probably experience something similar when you check your e-mail.....how nice it is to get an email from a friend that actually says something and not just a fwd. One step back is the mail....you know, snail mail.....that old fashioned way of communication?! And of course the telephone.....seems like sometimes we use our convenient cell phones only to talk with people we see everyday! And oh the days of dropping by and saying hi! Such a warm feeling when I get something in the mail.....someone cares. : )

Pray, mommy!

This morning 'little sister' comes in our bed and snuggles for a bit........after just a few minutes she crawls out of bed......walks to the my side of the bed and whispers, "Mommy, time to get up!" I of course let her know that just because she is up doesn't mean I have to be up!! : ) So, she tells me, "mommy, before you wake up make sure you say a prayer!!" Totally oblivious to the fact that I am already awake!!! But I thank her and go about my prayers.
So sweet!!

Fall is in the air

Living in the south has its benefits but it also has what I call its downfalls. Like for instance, Seasons. I truly miss seasons.....knowing it is fall because the leaves start to change color, waking up to frost on the ground, the smell of.....well I guess it is just the smell of fall.

I know it is fall only because the great big tree in the yard starts dropping its acorns and as I drive down the driveway I crunch them with my car. It was finally below 70 degrees last night....yes you heard correctly 70 degrees has been the low around here. High's are still in the upper 80's......I look forward to waking up in the morning only to open the back door and get the first glimpse of "cool" weather. Maybe it is the country life I miss.....hearing the rooster crow from a mile away, letting the dog out and not let him back in until an hour later when he is done "exploring" the entire farm. And yes I even miss, in the winter, having to go out and warm up the car before we can go anywhere. It is those little things that may seem like a hassle at the time but looking back those are the things I miss.

Around here the weather is so mild that the leaves don't change color.....let me rephrase....they go brown. They are green one day and brown the next, or so it seems. No beautiful oranges, reds, greens, and even sometimes purple. And I used to LOVE to rake leaves....they were so beautiful that I didn't mind the chore. Here, the leaves fall and a rake just don't cut it. You have to "blow" the ones on the driveway to the lawn and when you mow you "bag" them up. It really is a chore now.

I will say that winter months aren't half bad.....I had to scrape my window a couple times but only had to use the rubber side of the scraper. : ) Sitting on the back patio enjoying my hammock and listening to the world around me is quite nice around Thanksgiving! Much to be thankful for.

I guess if you have lived here your whole life you dont' know any different, but I am glad that I know and long for the days when I can go back. The sad part is I don't often get to visit at this wonderful time of the year because it is school time.

One day, maybe I'll have the chance to own a few acres and my children will have a chance to experience some of the things I did as a child. Until then I am thankful to have a roof (not blue anymore) over my head and a place to call home.

Church Etiquette

While in mass this morning I was a bit disturbed.....I was always told (mostly by Fr. Kevin) that mass is over when the final blessing is given and after the priest exits. Now, mass was a bit longer this morning with some extra blessings given and the priest was new (temp). I enjoy hearing how priests from other churches say mass.....it gives extra meaning sometimes to the (what seems like mundane ) mass.
After about 58 minutes the couple in front of me started getting restless and we had just finished the Our Father. They were whispering among each other and looking very bothered that the mass had gone over their limit of 1 hour to Jesus. I was especially bothered by their behavior during the Consecration. This is MY time to be with Jesus and I couldn't ignore this. Imagine how hurt Jesus was. Apparently they had better places to be?! Is that possible?!
They left immediately after Communion. How rude. Thanks for the gift but we really must be going!? We don't have any more time for you....we were just here for the free gift?

And to top it off a couple was leaving mass (at the appropriate time) and commented to me (to them a total stranger) how rude the woman behind them was. Her 2 yr old daughter was misbehaving durning mass and they were totally offended. What they didn't know is that the woman and child they were referring to was a good friend of mine. I told them that God was happy that child was here.....fussing and all!! They were surprised by that comment and said the mother should have left.
If you know me at all you know that I will avoid confrontation at ALL costs but this one I wanted to approach head on. I stepped up (really without even knowing what I was goin to say) and told her that maybe she should pray for that mother and her daughter and thank God she goes to church and brings her kids.....this is something a lot of parents would skip to avoid their child having a meltdown in the middle of mass. The man said oh, we do.....Please, God make her move.......! Huh?! That is not what I meant. Maybe we need to pray for that couple as well so that maybe they will realize that mass is for everyone.....not just the well behaved.
To top it all off the mass we attended was the "children's mass"! Led by the children and for the children. God, I pray that you give that couple strength to know that God loves them and the misbehaving child.....all the same!

God bless, have a great day!

I like these mimi's, it makes me sit down and think of who I am and who I want to be. Thanks.
I have no one to tag with these.....I just randomly write my thoughts and hope that God knows what is in my heart. ; )

3 Things That Scare Me
The untimely death of my children/husband/self

That someone might find out just how not "with it" I am
<>

of not doing the right thing or not know what to do at all

3 People That Make Me Laugh
My daughters' laughs...not just a giggle but the honest to goodness belly laugh

Our pastor Fr. Bob.....he always has a way of maing you chuckle

Me.....hey, if you can't laugh at yourself??!!?!?


3 Things I Hate
when I am talking on the phone and the person on the other end is obviously not listening

child abuse, animal cruelty

the idea of mostest.....those who can't be happy for you....when you "brag" about something they always have to do one better (or worse)......I don't hate the people I just hate the idea

3 Things I Don’t Understand
why it is only when you have given up all hope of finding something.....buy another.....and ultimately find the original.

why my life has turned out the way it did.....nothing like I planned....everything I had hoped for

unconditional love of siblings........all that I put them through as a child and as a young and foolish adult. They are not like your parents and have to love you...


3 Things On My Floor
several totes of pictures....ready for a moments notice evacuation......hey it is hurricane season...

chutes and ladders game my kids are playing with

the girls' tent.....which they are in....playing the game.......

3 Things I’m Doing Right Now

finally taking the time to do something I want....computer time!!

listening to some amazing country songs...inspirational really

laundry.....when am I not!?!


3 Things I Want to Do Someday
Visit with my husband his birthplace.....Hawaii

live long enough to enjoy my great (great, great God willing) grandchildren

have all my photos in albums.....


3 Things I Can Do
organize

listen to music for hours on end

make friends....not easliy but have found in recent months that I CAN.

3 Ways to Describe My Personality

Giving......deep strenghts <>......determined

3 Things I Cannot Do
make homemade chocolate chip cookies without 'testing' the dough

keep my car clean for more than a week

not cry at sad songs....or even some happy ones.......

3 Things I Think You Should Listen To

Christmas music in July...you should really try it....

your children....not just hear them....listen to them...

classical music

3 Things I Think You Should Never Listen To

The devil and anything that makes you doubt God

anything with too much foul language....can't be that great

when people put you down, or try to make you doubt yourself

3 Absolute Favorite Foods
my mom's chocolate chip cookies

stromboli

milk....is that a food??


3 Things I’d Like to Learn More about
how to play the piano or guitar

shade gardens...ok who am I kidding.....all flower gardens

the Catholic faith



3 Beverages I Drink Regularly
Iced tea
water
milk


3 Shows I Watch
Grey's Anatomy

Arthur -- those of you with young children will know this

Fox news


3 Bloggers I Tag:
I wish I had someone to tag......: (

My first tag.......WHoohoo!! Thanks Sarah.

Go here, to the random quotes generator, and look through the random quotes until you find FIVE that you think:(a) reflect who you are
and/or(b) what you believe.
I'm still learning the ins and outs of this blogging business so I'll start by listing my quotes....


Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.
Charles W. Eliot, The Happy Life, 1896US educator (1834 - 1926)


Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
John Lennon, "Beautiful Boy"English singer & songwriter (1940 - 1980)

Our children change us... whether they live or not.
Lois McMaster Bujold,

GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.
LAUGHING AT YOURSELF IS THERAPEUTIC.

Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. -Dale Carnegie

Wow, I thought at first how am I going to come with 5 but now I am thinking gee.....only 5!!

Y'all have a wonderful day!!!

Time is just like a thief, it's stolen so much from us.....this is a quote from a famous country song. I heard this the other day and it really hit home. Time just seems to fly by while I am doing my everyday things and I rarely give a second thought to my daily chores. I am in and out of the car with my errands to the post office, bank, grocery and the thing is I MAKE time for these things. Why don't I MAKE time for God? I say my prayers when I think of it or when I am in a near accident and think PLEASE GOD HELP ME. As often as I do the little things I should do more for God. I am loving this reatreat and am hopeful that my attitiude will change toward when I have time. Jesus didn't think twice when he gave his life for us, I think I owe it to him to do more for him. The girls' school moto is All For Jesus, I like that. They teach that everything they do should be for Jesus. Think twice about how you act or rather re-act to a situation.....what would Jesus do.....what would Jesus want you to do?

: ) Life is good.....God is good.
Thank you Jesus for all the gifts in my life.