Art Class

I am embarrassed at how long it's been since I've blogged. But I vow to be better (yeah, right!). I really am going to be better about writing. I hope so anyway!
I have had a hard month physically, but I am doing okay. The doctor is sending me to a specialist because they want to give me IV iron, which apparently has some bad side effects. It's either that or a blood transfusion. I am perplexed as to know what to do, but the Lord always takes care of me.
This month has also been a busy one because I am taking an art class. It's called "Art Journaling," and it's amazing. I just love it. I can be creative, silly and then write on my creations. It's a little bit of scrap booking, a little bit of journaling and a little bit of painting. It's the neatest thing. I have loved the class, meeting new friends and finding something inside myself that I never knew was there. I didn't know that I was capable of making something beautiful like that. But I have learned that the mistakes you make are part of art and part of life. You can cover them with paint and write over them with ink. It's kind of like life. It's okay to fail as long as you get up and try to fix yourself.
It's neat to have an outlet to put your thoughts and time into. I'm so thankful for the class God allowed me to take, and for shaping all of the mistakes and crafting me into something beautiful for Him.

My day 10/7/10

I promise to start blogging more. This is a promise to myself. It helps alleviate stress for me and it gets me writing which is what is exciting for me.\

Tonight I am being boring and sharing what is going on in my life.

First thing is that I am addicted to the show Man vs. Food on the Travel channel. He is crazy on that show.This guy named Adam comes in and eats these ridiculously amazing foods. For instance, I watched an episode where he had to eat 6 huge steaks on a bed of French fries and mushroom chili sauce. He didn't finish it all, but he tried. Many of the challenges he wins, but some he loses. Tonight he lost to a 9 pound breakfast burrito. It is a very entertaining show, and I enjoy it. I just wonder who thinks of these gargantuan items of food to eat. They are massive. I wonder how he is not a million pounds by now. He's going to die of a heart attack or something.

Then secondly, I am frustrated because they found a 'benign hemangioma' in my back. It's a small little benign tumor, but I don't know if it's something I should worry about or not. I think I worry too much, but It's my body and it's still scary. I had an MRI done, but I can't understand the report because a lot of it is written in doctor's jargon. I say that to say this...there is no use worrying about tomorrow because the Bible says be anxious for nothing. I have to keep that in my mind. I can't worry about things because it does NO good for me. i do wish doctors would put themselves in their patient's position once in a while and I think the'd be kinder, gentler and a whole lot more concerned.

Thirdly, I finished a really good book tonight called "The Boleyn Inheritance." It was fabulously written and I just loved every bit of it. I must find another book to suit my fancy. I am fascinated with King Henry V(((. He was a fascinating man alright. He killed two of his wives. The story was so good. It was part fiction and partly true. I loved it.

So that's today in a nutshell. I also had to wait at the doctors office for 3 hours to get on an antibiotic so I don't get pneumonia. So that was okay because it helped me read my book. I'm so glad I've finished it. I feel alone now and I must find a new book to satisfy me.

I hope my life isn't too boring. I just thought I'd share my activities of the day. Hope yours was as good as mine.

My grumpy mind

Have you ever had days where you're just not yourself?
I have truly been a grump for these last few days. I have found myself being someone I don't want to be around, and that's not really a good thing. If I'm not mad because someone cut me off on the road, I'm upset because a situation didn't turn out to suit me quite right. I've been getting annoyed at the littlest things, some of which are beyond my control, but some that are.
Writing a blog is personal, so I will share a little why I've been grumpy. I have a lot of physical pain and lately it's been really bad. I woke up one morning last week literally screaming because I hurt so badly. I had to go to the doctor in Dallas today and he's adjusting some medications, but it makes me nervous to be on such heavy medications that have serious side affects. I think my pain, coupled with my frustration about my health, have made me feel grumpy. Some might say that it's okay to have these feelings, but inside I know it's not. I have to control my feelings of anger and frustration or they will consume me and eat me up inside. I have to count my blessings in spite of what is going on with me physically.
So I've decided tonight to give myself a little kick in the rear end by listing 20 things I am thankful for right off the spot. I want to list them randomly and quickly, and maybe I can take the focus off of myself and think about what is good about my life.
So here it goes. My 20 things I am thankful for as I lay in my bed blogging!
1. My mommy and daddy
2. Good friends who tell the truth.
3. Fall weather and being able to wear a jacket
4. Watching football on TV with my husband
5. Praise and Worship music
6. Candy corn and those little candy pumpkins.
7. My adopted Grandfather, Mr. Kelso.
8. Staying in touch with old friends via facebook.
9. Art of any kind
10. Listening to my niece's voice on the phone message machine
11. Kissing my puppy dog on the nose
12. Being able to sing and praise God
13. Being able to eat soft foods
14. My country
15. My sisters
16. A good honorable man for a husband
17. Marshmallows
18. Digital pictures
19. Freedom
20. for people who don't give up on you
These are just the top things that came quickly to my mind. I am sure that I could list so much more, but I just wanted to remind myself quickly of all I have to be thankful for so that I could stop being so negative. A lot of my negativity comes from my mind and I'll dwell on my pain if I'm not careful. So I'm pulling myself out of the grumpy mode, and every time that I'm negative, I will write down my blessings as a way to say thanks to God for His hand on my life.

WOW!

A good friend recently wrote on her Facebook the following quote from Warren Wiersbe: "If something can not be done to the glory of God, than we can be sure it must be out of the Will of God." I Corinthians 10:32.
WOW!
That struck me like a ton of bricks. I am rarely awed and stunned by something someone says. I mean, I usually hear things and they go over my head. But this. This struck me and made me think. I actually had to peel myself off of the floor almost by the impact.
I guess I say this because I have been struggling with some things in my life, and even though I have been praying and seeking God, I haven't put things as simply as this.
Sometimes I think I tend to over-complicate my walk with God. This quote just broke that down. Basically if what I'm doing doesn't bring glory to God, than it's not right. It's not God's will. It's crazy to think that it's that simple. If I live my life to where I'm just honest and I just really cut through all of the mess and say, if it doesn't bring glory to God, then I'm not going to do it.
That goes for what I watch on TV.
For what I say to others - privately and publicly.
For what I listen to.
For how I act when people are around or they aren't.
For all aspects of my life.
If it doesn't bring glory to the Lord, why do it? Why say it? Why live it?
I can do many things. I can paint. I can write. I can sing. But if I can't do them for the glory of God, then I shouldn't be doing them.
Wow!It's so powerful to realize just how simple the Christian life is supposed to be. Why do we over-complicate and muddle it all up.
I really have some re-examining of my life to do.

The Bad Cat

My cat is possessed.
Or just really bad.
I don't know what to do with her. She thinks she rules the house. I don't know how to get her to understand that it is my house and she just lives here.
I catch her taking her paws and scooping out her food, dropping it on the table, and then dropping it onto the floor so she can bat it around. She plays with it and I am left to sweep it up.
Then my poor dogs...she terrorizes them. They walk by and she smacks them in the head. She kicks them out of their doggy beds so she can sit there. It's pathetic.
I never thought that a 2 year old cat could run a household just because she has claws. Don't get me wrong...I love my sweet Smoopy cat. She's lively and she's just what I always wanted, but I don't like how she rules the roost.
I have a feeling that this house will be run by a cute little furry black cat for a long time to come...

Stepping into Art

I am so excited because I am planning to take this art class in October. It's a 6 week art class and it's called art journaling. It combines art forms with writing. I am comfortable writing, but I'm not so sure how I feel about my skills as an artist. I am so anxious to see just how I can do.
It's fun in life to press yourself to do things you normally wouldn't. I never imagined in a million years that I might have a talent at art, but after taking a one-night painting course, I painted this beautiful picture. It boosted my confidence and inspired me to do more. I can't WAIT to take this next course.
I believe that God has given us talents and what we do with them is up to us. Just think about life and the beauty that God gave us to enjoy. I hope that by trying my hand at something new, I can uncover a talent that might inspire or uplift someone else.
I can't wait to take the class. If any of my Texarkana friends are interested in taking the course, you should go to www.trahc.org or message me on this blog. It is going to be an amazing and inspiring class!
Stepping out of your comfort zone is what life is all about. I hope you'll step out and really discover more about yourself, just like I am doing.

My home

Well, I am FINALLY home.
I have never traveled so much in such a short time.
From Texas to Maryland to Virginia back to Maryland back to Virginia back to Maryland to Pennsylvania back to Maryland back to Texas. Then once I got back to Texas I went on another trip to my sister-in-law's house 2 1/2 hours away.
But NOW I AM HOME.
It's funny how much you miss but don't realize you miss until you come back.
Like I didn't realize how much I'd miss my bed. I have never had such a good sleep until I got home. I don't think I moved once last night. I woke up and my back felt better and I just felt rested.
And my mirror. Putting on my makeup was great. I didn't realize the difference my mirror makes. I mean, it doesn't make me look better(I wish!), but I could put on my makeup faster and the lighting was perfect.
Of course, it's nice to have the things you like at your fingertips...the kinds of foods and your favorite chair to sit in.
But most of all it's nice to have the one you love.
On my trip I got to see many people that I love...my mom, my dad, my sisters and my best friend. I got to see my adopted grandfather and church friends, all of whom are incredibly important to me.
But I missed my husband. It felt so good to be wrapped up in his arms this morning. Something about his hug is home. He is my home. I don't like home without him. Home isn't home unless He's there.
He is my home, and I can only wish everyone in their lifetime could have a home as wonderful as mine.

Leaving Maryland Tomorrow

Getting ready to go home tomorrow. I am sad but happy to see my husband. I love him and am excited to be with him again.
However, I can't begin to account for the many fun mornings I had coffee with my parents and the times I laughed with my sisters.
I love my family. If I didn't have such a great family, leaving wouldn't be so hard.
Some people can't wait to get away from their family. I can't wait to see mine and hear from them every day.
Boy have I been blessed...

My Vacation 8/26/10

Today has been a great day. This whole week has been a great week. I have enjoyed every moment of my trip. It has been so much fun.
We traveled to Pennsylvania on Monday. I say "WE" and I mean my dad, mom and me along with my best friend Julie. We traveled to Lancaster and did some shopping and visited some sites and then on Tuesday we went to the Sight and Sound Theater to watch the Joseph show with Julie and her parents. It was fabulous. We ate at this restaurant called Good and Plenty. It was an authentic Amish restaurant that had the best buttered noodles. It was great.
Then my parents left me and my best friend to spend a few days together. On Wednesday, we went to see Julie's sister who is also a friend of mine. She and her husband have the 3 cutest boys and a precious little girl. I got to go peach picking with them at this quaint little orchard. On Thursday, Julie and I went to visit this cute town called St. Peter's Village. They had this great little bakery, and the scenery was just amazing. These kids were jumping in these deep water holes where the rocks were hundreds of feet high up. It was so beautiful to see God's creation and to enjoy it with my very best friend. I'll never forget it!
Then we went to see her grandmother, and it was so nice to spend some time with "maw-maw." We took her some treats and gifts, and I think she was happy for them.
Perhaps the greatest time was just being together and talking and sharing memories, secrets and thoughts. It's fun to be with old friends, especially Julie. With some people, you can just pick up where you left off. That's the mark of a good friend. I can do that with few people, and my friends Julie and Stephanie are two of these who can do that with! I love that! I love my life and my friends. I am so thankful for good friends!
Tomorrow I leave, but I'm leaving with the best memories I could have ever had!

My best buddy is coming!

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my best friend Julie from Pennsylvania. She was my roommate in college and lives in the Philadelphia region now. She comes to visit when I am in town and I can't wait until I get to see her today.
The thing I love about Julie is that no matter what we are going through or how long it's been since we've seen each other, she's always the same. I can pick up with her no matter where our different roads have taken us or where we are in our lives. She's fun and funny and my best buddy. And I can't WAIT to see her in just an hour or so....

The beginning of my trip

While I am in Maryland visiting my family, I thought I would blog about my trip.
For those who don't know me well, I grew up in Maryland and only came to Texas when I got married. Although Texas is my home now, the East Coast holds a very fond place in my heart...mostly because my family is there and I love them so much.
I try to get home every Christmas and at least once or twice a year in addition to the holidays, as my health permits me.
Right now I am "home" visiting my family!
So far, my trip has been restful. My family doesn't overdo it because they don't want to have me get sick or exhausted. We are planning to go to Pennsylvania in a week or so, but the rest of my trip will be spent in Maryland and Virginia.
The best part of my trip up until now has been being in the Shenandoah mountains. It's so beautiful there. My grandfather and grandmother were brilliant years ago when they purchased property in the Shenandoah mountains. They have since passed on, and my father has possession of the property now, and I love going there. It's so wonderful being there. It's about 1 and 1/2 hours from D.C., so it's out of the big city but still close enough to drive back to the house in Maryland where I grew up. The house itself is quaint, and it holds so many memories for me. I was young when my grandparents retired there, so I can remember vacationing there with my sisters. I remember making peanut butter rice krispy treats in the kitchen with my grandfather. I remember him in sadder times sitting in his brown recliner as he was sick from renal failure. I remember visiting my grandmother and going to church with her in town. That house and the town of Front Royal, Virginia, hold so many memories. That's why I love visiting when I am home.
My sister and brother in law live in Virginia now and have a church in Front Royal, and my nieces are there too. They are still little and cute and they idolize their aunt Ami. It's fun visiting.
After coming back to Maryland from Virginia, we had an invite to my older sister's house for dinner. That's always enjoyable because I get to see my niece and two nephews. We played the Family Feud for the Wii Video Game System. It was fun.
I also got to see my friends at church in Maryland on Wednesday night. I am looking forward to seeing them on Sunday too.
So that's what I have been up to besides sleeping in and resting!
I will keep you updated as often as I can while I am on my trip.
I know my trip will go faster than I want it too! But the good thing is that I have my husband to come home to. I am missing him already!!!!

My Parents, My Best Friends

I'm here!
I'm finally here on my vacation. I'm in Maryland, enjoying the people I love the most.
I love the feeling that I get when I'm here in Maryland. It's a feeling of comfort and peace. I just love relaxing with my folks. My favorite thing to do is to sit on the couch in the basement with my mom and dad just drinking coffee and talking with them about everything that is going on in our lives. I love just being with my parents.
There is something about getting older and having a relationship with your parents. When you are young, their job is to correct and mold you into good Christian adults. There was a time when I thought that I would never be friends with my parents. I remember butting heads with my mom more than once a day when I was a teenager.
But now I can't imagine life without my mom and my dad, both of whom are my best friends.
God has given me the gift of a relationship with my parents. I know how fortunate I am that my parents are open and loving. They share wisdom about life and how to live right. They have experience that I don't have, and I can glean so much wisdom from them. I want to grab all of the knowledge I can from them while they are here. That is why I want to spend every bit of time I can with them.
I am forever grateful for this special time that I have with them. They are my heroes and the kindest and most loving people I know.
I am so excited about this vacation, and I'm even more excited about the time that I'll get to spend with my two best friends!

Packing

Well today is a great day. But I have mixed emotions.
You see, it's the day before a big trip.
I love these days because I get excited. I'm going home to see all of my family and friends. I am going to go on some fun excursions while I am there.
But I have mixed emotions. Mostly because I am going to really miss my family here, especially my husband and my two dogs. They are my sweethearts and I will miss them so much. Plus, my niece will be going off to college, so that is going to be hard to miss too.
The other mixed emotion I have stems from hatred.
It's hatred of packing.
I dread packing. I can't really decide if I hate packing or unpacking more. All I know is that it's the one thing I hate about trips. Packing.
First of all, you never know quite what to wear. I have dress clothes, and then I have casual clothes, and then clothes for around the house. Add your underwear and night clothes, and you've got one suitcase all filled up.
I can never get by with one suitcase because I have to have a medical suitcase with all of my medical junk. I have medicine and diabetic supplies. I have enough medical supplies for the entire plane if need be!
I don't know why I hate packing. It's all worth it in the end. I get to see my family, and that's really all that matters.
I will pack now, unpack when I get there, pack up when it's time to leave and then unpack when I get home. Not to mention packing up for all of the little trips I have to take once I get to Maryland. You see we'll be going to Virginia and Pennsylvania and Delaware. I'll have to have bags for each of those destinations.
I know I'll be okay on the trip. Whether I survive the packing for the trip is another story.
For those who read my blog, I will be blogging sporadically on this trip and I will return to my daily posts on Sept. 3rd!

Happy Birthday To My Second Mom

Today I am blogging about someone special in my life. She's Carol McCarty, my mother in law, and it's her birthday today.
Most people don't have very nice things to say about their mother in law, but I have nothing negative to say about her.
The first thing is that she gave me my husband. For that I am eternally grateful! How could I not be. She did the most amazing job of raising a son.
Secondly. she is the most generous woman I know. She would give you the shirt off her back if you asked. She loves everyone, and she'd do anything for you. She is giving to those she knows and even to those who she doesn't know. She has a kind and loving heart.
Thirdly, she is beautiful both inside and out. She is smart, witty, confident and a great cook.
I adore her and her many qualities.
She has never once treated me anything less than one of her own. She treats me like I am her daughter, and I haven't always deserved being treated that way. But she is so wonderful, and she's such a Godly woman. I love her so much.
For these reasons, I say Happy Birthday to my second mom.

Thanks, God!

I give thanks today for simple things.
Just when you can't stand the heat anymore, God sends a beautiful summer storm that wipes out the unbearable heat.
Thank you God!
Just when you are tired of dealing with things on your own and you need some good Godly advice, God sends a great friend to talk to you and be just that -- a true friend.
Thank you God!
Just when you don't think you can open your eyes a minute longer, God sends you sweet sleep to get you through.
Thank you God!
Just when you feel overwhelmed, God blesses you in ways you can't imagine.
Thank you God!
I am just overwhelmed today by God's goodness. It's not much to say, just Thank You God says it all!
My verse today is Psalm 83:18 that says "That they may know that You whose name alone is the Lord are the Most High over all the earth."
Yes you are, O Lord, the Most High. And I will praise you and be greatful for your blessings!

The Housekeeping Gene

Have you ever noticed how messy and dirty the house gets even though you've just straightened it up? I have been so frustrated at how messy mine is. But I've come to the realization that maybe I am mad at the fact that I am a really horrible housekeeper.
I try to keep up with it, I really do. But it's so hard when there is so much that needs to be done. I could say how tired I am and how sick I feel a lot of the time, which is true. But I'm finally now being honest and admitting to the real truth. It probably wouldn't matter if I were well or not. I just really hate housework.
I can't stand laundry.
I can't handle cleaning windows.
I loathe scrubbing the bathtub.
It's funny because my mom is the quintessential housekeeper. When I was growing up, I can remember that Thursdays were cleaning days. She always had (and still has) the house looking SO good. I mean, there was no dust in the house anywhere, ever. And we were a family of 6 people. I don't know how she kept the toilets clean, the kitchen spotless and the carpets vacuumed because I don't recall ever helping out a whole lot as a kid.
I say all that to say, WHY didn't I get the good housekeeping gene? I think that somehow the good housekeeping gene is linked to the good cooking gene. Somehow I missed out on this important gene strand.
Instead, I sit here in my lounge chair blogging instead of cleaning. I think I have so much more to offer than a clean house, right? I mean, there are 2 or 3 people out there who care about what I have to say so I must use this time wisely, right?
Right.
So that's why if you visit my house, you must overlook the dust, the messy windows and the less than perfect housecleaning job.
I'm just happy to have a house and a hubby that doesn't care that I didn't get the gene!

Payback

Today I am paying for yesterday.
I seem to do that a lot lately. One good day leads to one bad day. But that's okay with me.
Yesterday I got to spend the day with my 18 year old niece and 15 year old nephew. We played video games for a couple of hours and then went to dinner and a movie. It was so much fun.
But I woke up hurting and my legs and feet were swollen, a complication of this disease Lupus, and I just had to do what I have to do during days like today. I have to rest, stay off of my feet, and not do things that I know I need to do and want to do but just can't do.
And that's why I am paying for yesterday.
But I would pay a thousand times over if I got the chance to enjoy my niece and nephew like I did. They are probably two of the greatest teenagers in the world. Of course I am partial, but they are pretty fabulous. It's a testament to how they've been raised by their parents. They are just good kids. It's amazing how much you can love two kids. I am being reflective because the 18 year old is going off to college and she's so beautiful and smart. She was in my wedding and I just remember her smiling with her little kid grin and her little round glasses as she rode in the limo with me the day of the wedding. It's one of those moments I'll never forget. And then there is my 15 year old nephew. He has always been the quiet one, but so respectful and thoughtful. He loves this caramel popcorn I make for him, and I try to make it for him whenever he comes over. I can't pass the popcorn aisle at the grocery store without thinking about him. He is so important to me.
I don't tell them like I should. I don't know if they'll ever read this blog or not, but I do love them and I always will.
So even though I am paying for yesterday, I will be okay because the fun I had with them is the joy that gets me through days like this one.
Today my prayer is that all of my 9 (soon to by 10) nieces and nephews with always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions, according to Deuteronomy 31:6, and that You, O Lord, will cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. Let them walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. Help them to walk according to Your Spirit, O Lord, according to Galatians 5:22-25. (Many of these prayers I recite come from the booklet written By LaNell C. Miller)

The Changing of the Tube

For most of you who know me, you know my condition. I have the disease Lupus, which is an autoimmune disease. It basically can mess with any part of your body it decides to. For the most part it can destroy the kidneys, the heart, the lungs, any thing it wants to. Lupus has wreaked havoc on my stomach and pancreas. I have a condition where my stomach won't move and I had to have a tube put in my small intestine which bypasses my stomach. I am tube fed through a machine. I can eat a little bit by mouth, but I get sick when I eat much, so basically I eat a little and I am tube fed. I can eat a little bit of soup, crackers and anything the consistency of mashed potatoes.
Anyway, I say all this to tell you about the changing of my tube. My husband has to manually change this tube that is in my small intestine. He has to take it out and put it back in and make sure it's functioning. I can't do it myself because of its location. I don't mean to sound weird or anything, but it's kind of a gross process.
Last night was the first time Kevin had to change my tube without the doctor's supervision. He literally had to change the tube by himself.
When we got married 10 years ago, I am sure he never imagined that he would be changing a tube in his wife's disgusting intestine. I'm sure he never imagined he'd have to go through half of the things he's had to endure. But he does. And he never complains. He just says he loves me and he'd do anything for me.
I am completely amazed by this man and his love. I was so scared that the tube wouldn't go in because we've had trouble with it before and it was quite the ordeal. But it went it smooth sailing.
My verse for today is one of thankfulness that things went okay and the changing of the tube was successful. It's one of thankfulness for the GREATEST husband on the earth. From I Thessalonians 5:18, this is my prayer for the day! "I will give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning me!"
I thank you God for blessing me beyond all measure. Even in the difficult times, I thank you and run to you. Thank you for a great man of God who loves me. I am in awe of You and your love for me!

My thought of the day for Monday 8/2

My short thought for today is that I am thankful for people who don't forget you.
I am thankful for friends who remember who you are, even when you haven't necessarily been the best friend to them.
I am thankful for people who email you quick little notes to say they are thinking of you. I'm even thankful for those forwards that people send. Hey...at least they are thinking of me, even if I secretly think the forwards are annoying.
I am thankful for people who push the "like" button on facebook when I update my status.
I am thankful today for friends who just don't let you be forgotten!

Why I'm Blogging

Well, Here I am blogging again. I deleted my old blog and now I'm starting a new one. I want to invite everyone who cares about me to read what's going on in my life on a daily basis. I just thought that it would be something fun to do, and I'm really trying to start writing again on a daily basis. I thought that this would keep my feet to the fire. I hope this blog will be uplifting, but I'm going to be sharing the struggles of my life with Lupus and other issues. I am inviting all of my friends and family members to share in this blog with me, so with that being said...I hope you enjoy My Everyday Life! Feel free to comment and let me know what you think!