Spanish Darts Award

In my blogging excitement, I almost missed this! My dear friend Mary has bestowed upon me the honor of a blog award. How precious is that? What exactly is the award? Premio Dardos means “prize darts” in Spanish. Now here's where my mind ran at warp speed, picturing darts being thrown at a target to win a prize! NOT! It is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing. Sounds pretty classy for a talky talky gal from Indiana, yes? Well then, I humbly accept! And the crowd cheered!

Here are some rules to be followed if you choose to participate in passing this blog award on to others:

• First, accept the award by posting it on your blog along with the name of the person that has granted the award and link to her blog.

• Second, pass the award to other blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment, remembering to contact each of them to let them know they have been selected for this award.

Being the blog-hopping gal that I am, here are my recommendations for noteworthy blogs. Take a spin and see if you agree - I think you'll be glad you did!

First up, if I could give it back to Mary I would do it in a snap. She is amazing! Her blog shares wit and wisdom all packaged up in a sweet spirit that smiles from the inside out! I really do snort sometimes when I laugh at her quick-wit. And I really do shed a tear sometimes when I am touched by her deep faith in Jesus. She's real as real could be.

Second, if I could give it to my sister Joyce I would do it with Joy (get it - Joy - Joyce - well, it was funny inside my head)! But I can't because she doesn't have a blog. But here's the thing. We email. And we email some more. And she contributes more to my life than words on a blog. I know you want her as your sister, but she's mine. But she doesn't have a place to put the award, so that should make you feel better.

Now then, I for real would like to recommend Becca, at Amazing Paper Grace. If you are not a paper-crafter, the specifics might not interest you, but shazammy, the message on her handmade cards will certainly be heartfelt! She is amazingly talented, and shares her faith amazingly at her amazing blog!

Next, I would highly recommend The Geswein Family blog. An inspiring young couple living in China, with their 2 young children. How long will they be there? Kim's answer -- as long as God wants them there. How long will you stay where you are in your life?

Finally, Patter Cross has become one of my daily blog hops. She rocks my craft world while rocking my thoughts. Go see what I mean. She challenges me, inspires me, and makes me wonder where she gets all this energy? When I grow up, I want to BE Patter Cross. (and not just for the neat name!)

SO - as you can see - I'm beat to a different drum. My scrapbooking, card-making inner self drives my energetic, quirky outer self, while my faith keeps me grounded in everything I do. Everything. Let me say it once more, in case you missed it. Everything.

Thank you blogging Mary! Your Pile of Smiles made me grin ear to ear. I enjoyed the ride in this parade!

Who?

Who is this chubby smile? Who had such a cute dress? Who had some well worn tread on her walking shooes? Who loved to be rocked in Grandma's old rocking chair?

Who still has a chubby smile? Who still loves pink? Who still wears out her favorite shoes?

Grandma Kay, who rocks.

What's a Jellicle Cat?

I went to see CATS the other night with my sister and even though this is the second time I've seen it -- this is still my favorite all-singing, all-dancing musical ever! You are introduced to many types of cats - Jellicle cats, old cats, mischievous cats, theater cats, and Old Deuteronomy at the Jellicle Ball. I came home and actually liked my cat all over again, which should last for at least a day or two! This morning instead of saying "Hell0 stupid" to my sweet little cat, I said "Hello, are you a Jellicle cat?" It tickles me. Then I ate my yogurt and went to work.

But not before I got a phone call from my co-worker, who shall remain nameless but she has red hair and sits in the 3rd office to the right, called me to bring some kind of glass bowls or jars that can be filled with jelly beans so people can guess how many are in them. Yes, this is what sometimes goes on inside a law firm, other than law.

There's a lady in my bible study whose name is Buzz. I got to thinking about that and decided it would be fun to list 10 things that give me a buzz without drugs or alcohol. So what's your natural high?

1. Rubber Stamping

2. Blogs

3. Laughing at/with Kevin

4. Lunch with friends

5. Walking into any scrapbook store

6. Beginning to read a new book that catches my eye

7. A good hair and high heels day

8. Phone calls from my kids (are you reading this?)

9. Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream

10. Christian radio

Think excitement, talk excitement, act out excitement, and you are bound to become an excited person. Life will take on a new zest, deeper interest and greater meaning.

Where Ya Been Kay?

3 weeks ago: Really sick.
2 weeks ago: Just sick, without the really part.
1 week ago: Sic, without the "k" part - which means I still have not kicked this thing!
Today: Hoping for the best!

Rambling: So yes, I've been up to no good. But somewhere in between no good, I think there was at least some good because I keep on keeping on through it all. Kinda ... sorta ... well, some days. Okay, I'm not gonna go there. Moving on ...

New Church/Women's Bible Study Update: Kevin & I are settling in at the new church. I am really enjoying the study in Joyce Meyer's book, Battlefield of the Mind. At first, I did not think this book was for me (just because of the title alone). I mean, I was not having any battlefields in my mind -- I know exactly who I believe in and what a wonderful God we serve -- and I lead a charmed life! Oh, but that's not at all where this book was going. This book helps you to realize that the mind - in and of itself - directs our thought, word, and deed. So fill it with God's word and carry on! And that's just what we are doing. God is working in and through this study, and the 20 ladies in my group are wise, warm, and a caring/sharing people. Last Sunday after church service, Kevin said "I'm thinking that I want to be in your Women's Bible Study too!" LOL

Florida Boy: Keaton convinced his principal to let him take his 11th and 12th grade math students on a field trip to Disneyland! Their math assignments included finding certain statues in the park and measuring distances, heights, and approximating weights, etc. all under the guise of math problems! Don't you wish you had a math teacher like him? I love that kid, that teacher, that son of mine, that Mr. Squires.

Chicken Pox: Shortly after Kevin had shingles, grandson Parker enjoyed chicken pox. Isn't Kevin a great grandpa? Then, shortly after Parker had chicken pox, his sister Rhegan enjoyed chicken pox. Isn't Parker a great lil' brother? I don't know about this whole shingles/chicken pox virus thing, but let's just say good riddance.

Rubber Stamp Show: On Saturday last week, I met some of my girlfriends at the Rubber Stamp and Paper Art Festival. Can you say fun? I was over the moon! So then I came home and have been a busy little crafter creating fun springy projects that make my dining room table messy and my heart happy.

The Wilsons: Everybody needs a neighbor named Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, don't you think? We've had that pleasure for well over 20 years. Had lunch with them after church yesterday. Just thought it was worth mentioning cuz, well, old friends are indeed best friends.

Knee Surgeries For All! Kevin's brother, Harold, had knee replacement a few weeks back and lived to tell about it. My good friend/neighbor, Robin, had knee repair a week ago and she also lived to tell about it. I made a huge-mongo pasta salad (you know, everything in it but the kitchen sink) and delivered to her and her family 3 days after surgery. Robin was sitting on the couch pretty as a picture! Finally, my good friend/co-worker, Karen, had knee replacement last week and she also lived to tell about it! She is unnerved that she cannot have a shower for several more days. So I told her husband that it might be easier to put Karen in the convertible and run her through the car wash. That should shut her up.

I'm done rambling for today. Praise dee Lord!

A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Lose

I wish I owned the Kleenex company. Not just the stock - because that doesn't seem to do anybody any good these days. No, I just want the company itself.

Today was a better than good day. My hair worked. I got to wear Jeans to work, with high heels of course! I tried clogs but I just wasn't feeling it. I am finally current with the transcripts for the Nipsco trial. I had a very nice lunch with an old friend. And I took a leap of faith and attended the Women's Bible Study this evening at the new church. Didn't know a soul. Do now. 20 souls, in fact. We will study Joyce Meyer's book The Battlefield of the Mind. How DID they know I'm losing my mind? I'm gonna fight to keep it .... despite middle age and menopause!

So after Bible Study, I stopped at CVS for yet another bottle of Mucinex and, yes, another box of Kleenex. And I tripped on the curb and fell on the sidewalk. No, it had nothing to do with my high heels. So my mind went into a twenty minute rant about how they needed to have those curbs removed. I do NOT like that curb. Why did CVS put that curb there? It's all CVS's fault, THEY put it there. I'm gonna have to call them tomorrow about taking that curb out. My mind was on the edge of sanity and reason. You see what I mean? THIS is what my mind does all day long with one thing or another. So I decided right then and there, this Bible Study was for me. Wink, wink.

Be careful of your thoughts, they may become words at any moment.

A New Look - Part Duex

Thanks for your emails! The first blog facelift was hard to read, so let's give this one a whirl, shall we? Keep those cards and letters comin'! It's been a fun challenge for me!

Ritz Family Vacation

Rosalie took her daddy & mommy to Ft. Walton Beach for a little break, and it looks as though she is showing them a good time! Perhaps we should let our children plan get-a-ways for us more often! Thanks for sending pics Dan - you ARE the man!

Hello, my name is ....

Okay, so here's the deal. I'm a sicko. Kevin's a sicko. And most human beings in the good state of Indiana are sicko's. So what does one do when one is under the weather and part of the "S" club? Go to a new church! I'm sure God forgives the coughing, sneezing, sniffling, aching parishioners for not partaking in the Sunday meet-n-greet!

If you know me, you probably know that we've been watching them build a new church right up the road from us, Oaklandon Christian Church. We pass it everyday to/from work. It's pretty. It's nicely done. It looks welcoming. So we packed up our Kleenex box and hit the road for their church service.

Pastor Rob is introducing Jesus via a name tag ... you know, the "Hello, my name is ..." type of sticky thing we all love? Clever! "Hello, my name is ... Jesus." Now then, I hacked and coughed and held my aching head and reached for my Kleenex box in between the offering and communion, but how many of you know that church days affect the rest of our days? Besides, they had coffee and donuts. And we met a nice man named Mr. Caldwell, and one of Kevin's work buds and his wife was there, and a neighbor was there. But wanna know sumpthin' tricksy? So was Jesus!

BEND IN THE ROAD {i.e. we are changing the subject}

You've probably heard of the passing of Paul Harvey. May heaven welcome him home! But here's the rest of the story. My neighbor is related to PH by marriage. Okay, so when we stand at the mailbox and swap neighbor stories, we have loads of fun! I realize that everyone is gonna miss PH for some reason or other, but mine is Christmas. Yepsiree, every Christmas the Harvey's flew their plane to the private airport up the road (yes, it's down the street from the new church) and a limo was waiting to cart the fam to my neighbor's house. There's just something comforting knowing that Paul Harvey is across the street eating Fran's home cookin. Goodbye Paul. Please send a radio report when you have settled in, and tell us what it was like to see the real name tag, "Hello, my name is .... Jesus!"

BEND IN THE ROAD #2 {i.e., we are changing the subject, again}

So last night, instead of staying home in our sicko house, we packed up our trusty Kleenex box and met a bunch of old friends for dinner. These are really old friends ... I'm talking 30 years worth. When Kevin & I married, this was our gang from church. You know, the ones you laugh and cry and pray and play with. We have all since moved here and there, but once a year we drive from all over the state and get young again. I'm so thankful for old friends that make me young. Our conversations have changed throughout the years, but our name tags remain the same. "Hello, my name is .... your old friend."

BEND IN THE ROAD #3 {i.e., we are changing the subject, yet again}

Gotcha, didn't I? Cough cough, hack hack, snoot snoot, blow blow.

Laughter IS the best medicine.