So Long February Hodgepodge...

Wow it is hard to believe it is already the end of February.

1.  When were you last facing an ocean? Using just ONE word, describe how you felt as you faced that ocean. 
Too Long!  It has been going on three years.   Excited

2. What are three sounds you hate to hear?
A child crying.  An adult being short with a child in public, or hateful with them, you know yelling loudly at them.  The sound of sirens, always say a quick prayer for whoever.

3. This question comes to you courtesy of some real life friends. Hi real life friends! When you shop for yourself, do you try everything on in the store before buying or do you buy, try on at home, and then return what you don't like or what doesn't fit?
I hate shopping for clothes, but if when I do I usually try things on.  I usually order mine online.

4. February 26th is National Pistachio Day...are you a fan of the little green nut? Do you use them in cooking and baking or prefer to eat them right out of the shell?
I love pistachios preferably right out of the shell.  Before I remarried I had a cocker spaniel named Dusty Dog and he loved pistachios also.  In fact he got into them one time and ate the nuts and left the shells in the floor - go figure. He was a mess!

5. When did you last have to compromise with someone?  Were you happy to reach the compromise or slightly irritated it was necessary? 
I really do not remember.  Usually I am fine with compromising as long as it does not interfere with my beliefs.

6.  Have you ever written a letter to an elected official? Did you get a response?
No don't think so, at least don't remember it if I did.

7. We 'March' into a new month at the end of this week...what's something on your March calendar guaranteed to make you smile?
I will get to see my grandkids and my daughter sometime in March.  Plus March is always a good month - my birthday!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Not much random going on around here.  I would like to say if you have not read my post before this one about The Chocolate Bar Book and two wonderful little boys please do.  Make sure you check out their website.  It really touched my heart.  Amazing little boys!

until next time...nel

So Chocolate Bar...

I am sure all of us at one time or another have run across a situation or heard about something that really touched our heart.  Perhaps maybe it was an earth shattering situation or disaster, something that just grabbed your heart, or maybe a story about the homeless or starving children right here close to home.  In your heart you wanted to help, you wanted to do something to make a difference, but you had no idea what you could do, or how you could help besides making a donation.  Don’t get me wrong, that is great, and I have responded the same way, but I want to tell you about two little boys’ story that I happened to see last week.  You may have seen this story or heard about it but I feel it is worth sharing.

I was watching “The Doctors” and this particular day they were giving awards to people who have made a difference.  One particular award was for “Best Friends for Health.” This award went to 7-yr old Jonah and 6-yr old Dylan.  They became friends in preschool and have been inseparable since.  Jonah was born with a rare liver disorder that affects one in a million children. You can read more about it on their website listed below.  He is on medication and has a specific diet, which is administered through a feeding tube 10 to 11 times a day. 

Dylan decided he wanted do something to help his friend.  So he decided to raise money to help find a cure for this disease, to find a cure for his friend.  His parents suggested a bake sale or a lemonade stand, but Dylan had something bigger in mind.  He sat down and wrote a book and illustrated it, then wanted his mom to make copies.  It is now in print and 100% of the proceeds are going towards a cure for Glycogen Storage Disease 1b.  The name of his book is ‘Chocolate Bar.’  The phrase chocolate bar to Dylan represents awesome.  When Dylan says “My friend is so chocolate bar,” he is saying my friend is so awesome.  He also uses the phrase when he really likes something.

These two boys are amazing.  This story really touched my heart.  We adults could learn something from this boy’s openness and giving heart.  Don’t ever think you can’t make a difference, if you have an idea, be willing to give it a try as Dylan has.  These boys are so chocolate bar!

Read more about Jonah and how Dylan is helping at their website “Chocolate Bar.”  You can also purchase the book and make a donation to this wonderful cause.  Let’s help Dylan make a difference in Jonah’s life.  That would be so chocolate bar!

‘I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.’    Acts 20:35

until next time…nel

Wednesday Hodgepodge...

Hodgepodge Time Again - Join in the fun!

1. When were you last 'on a mountaintop'?  You may answer in the literal or figurative sense.
Since Stan and I married there have been few valleys, so I would say I usually feel like I am on top of the mountain all the time.   Literally probably the last time was in December when we went to Arkansas.

2.  Do you establish and maintain a strict budget in your household?  What is one piece of financial advice you would offer someone just starting out on their own? 
We pay the bills then enjoy the rest.  We have to plan ahead for certain things.  Advice...  Make sure you take a certain amount out of each of your paychecks even if it is only 5 or 10 and put it in savings, so you have a rainy day account.  Trust me there will be rainy days.

3.  Cherries-yay or nay?  Cherry pie, cherry cola, black forest cake, or a scoop of Ben and Jerry's Cherries Garcia...pick one. 
Nay, Not a cherry person.

4.  Should you ever discuss religion or politics with people you don't know? 
Probably not a real good idea.  Now I think there is a difference in religion and Jesus, we should always share Jesus!

5.  When you take a road trip do you prefer to be the driver or the passenger?  Where were you headed on your last road trip? 
I prefer to be the passenger, that way I can tell him to stop when I see a photo opportunity.  You miss them sometimes when you are driving.  We went to Kansas City in January, about a 3 hour drive from here.  It was for eye doctor appts and we spent the night.

6. If we peeked inside your closet, what color would we say is most prevalent?
Probably blues, lot of denim.

7. Who's your favorite senior citizen and why are they special?
My favorite senior citizen is my hubby.  He is special because I love him and he is my best friend!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Some of you may have read my other post... I am going to be granny again!  Hoping and praying everything goes great and there will be no NICU involved this time.  We are all hoping for a little boy, but as long as it is healthy, that is what is important!  I have already found a pattern for crocheted cowboy boots and cowboy hat, bought the thread today.  And it is okay if it is a girl she can wear boots and a hat!  She will be a little tomboy like Eden at times.   Nothing like grandbabies!

until next time...nel

Can We Say Excited...

After we got home from church I had a message on my phone to call my daughter that it was important - so I called her.  She said we wanted to send you a Valentine from the family, but we want you to open it in your email while we have you & Stan on the phone.  So we both were on speaker phone and when I opened it this is what it was.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I read it, but it did not quite click until I counted the boots!   Yes this Granny and Papa Stan are very excited.  I talked to Eden, who is 6, and asked her what she thought about it.  She says she is in shock!  lolol.

I am so glad God is blessing them with another child, they had been trying for awhile but decided they were content and maybe it was not his will.   But guess what!   Praying and believing everything will be fine this time and He will have His arms wrapped around both of them.  If calculations are right it will be in October!  WooHoo!

until next time...nel

Hodgepodge Time...

It it time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge, boy time flies by, must be having the times of our lives!  Here is my contribution for this week-

1.  This week marks the beginning of Lent...will you be giving something up or adding anything to your life during this season of the year? 
Nope, can't say that I will.  We do not practice Lent.

2. The day before Lent is Shrove Tuesday... tradition states you eat pancakes on this day. In some parts of the world Shrove Tuesday is actually known as 'pancake day'. How do you like your pancakes? Or don't you? 
I am not real big on pancakes, with syrup they are just too sugary.  If I eat them it is usually just 2 small ones with butter and a little syrup.

3.  I'm sure there are many, but what's one love song you really love? I Cross My Heart by George Strait.  A friend sang it at our wedding while playing it on the piano.  You may have heard it before, below is the words, but if you want to listen to it on youtube click here.  My friend also sang "I Will Be Here" by Steven Curtis Chapman, you can listen to it here. They were both beautiful, she did a wonderful job!  I know it was suppose to be just one, but I could not make up my mind which one. :)

I Cross My Heart

Our love is unconditional, we knew it from the start,
I see it in your eyes, you can feel it from my heart
From here on after, lets stay the way we are right now
And share all the love & laughter that a lifetime, will allow.

I cross my heart, and promise too,
Give all I've got to give to make all your dreams come true,
In all the world, you'll never find,
A love as true, as mine

You will always be the miracle that makes my life complete,
And as long as there's a breath in me, I'll make yours just as sweet.
As we look in to the future, it's as far as we can see,
So let's make each tomorrow,
Be the best that it can be.

I cross my heart, and promise too,
Give all I've got to give to make all your dreams come true,
In all the world, you'll never find,
A love as true as mine

And if along the way, we find a day, it starts to storm,
You've got the promise of my love to keep you warm
In all the world, you'll never find,
A love as true as mine,
A love as true as mine,

4.  What are some things you do to let others know you love them? 

I think doing things unexpected for a person is one way.  I also try to be there for people when they need someone to talk to.  Calling someone or dropping a note.  I do not believe you have to purchase material things to show your love, it should be from your heart, not from your wallet.

5.  Roses...red, pink, or do you prefer another color? Can you recall the last time someone gave you flowers? Given your choice would you like to open the door and see a dozen red roses, a dozen purple tulips, or a dozen pink peonies?  
Deep red roses are very pretty but so are yellow ones.  If I had my choice at the door I would prefer a big bouquet of white and yellow daisies, my favorite!  But out of the three I would say probably the pink peonies, because that reminds me of my mom or the red roses.  I just can't see spending that much money on cut flowers.

6.  President's Day will be celebrated in America next Monday. Does US Presidential history and trivia interest you?  Many Presidential homes are open to the public and offer guided tours...Monticello (Jefferson's home), Mount Vernon (Washington's home),Montpelier (James Madison's home), Hyde Park (FD Roosevelt's home) and The White House (home to the sitting President) to name just a few. Of those listed which would you be most interested in touring?  Why?
The older I get the more interesting it is to me.  Probably Montpelier, I have always wanted to go to Vermont in the fall.  Monticello would be 2nd on the list.  Stan has been and said it is beautiful, reminded him of a southern plantation.

7.  Are you good at keeping secrets? 
Yes, I would say I am very good at keeping secrets.  If someone tells me something in confidence they do not have to worry about me repeating it.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I do not have a lot of random going on right now.  That is kinda scary - lolol.  We do have a Southern Gospel concert we are attending this Friday.  The Hoppers and the Dove Bros. will be singing.  It should be a lot of fun, we are going with another couple that used to attend our church.



In march we have ticket to see the Gaithers in Springfield.  That will be another good one.  

until next time...nel

Something special...

I am not a big football fan, but I love it that now you can catch the commercials without having to watch the game. Youtube is wonderful! There were two that just really grabbed my heartstrings the one was Dodge Ram – Paul Harvey reciting, “God Made the Farmer.” The other was the Budweiser Commercial, I do not drink and do not condone drinking but those Clydesdales are awesome! I am sure most of you have seen the commercial by now but you know I have to put it on here. 



Now is that not special? What is really cool about it, I did some research and the Clydesdale Breeding Farm is here in Missouri, about a 4-hour drive from us. It is called Warm Springs Ranch at Booneville MO. Click here if you want to read more about it.   They offer tours for $10 but you must have reservations. We have put this on our day trip list. We can go up and spend the night, then come home the next day. Can’t wait, I think it will be very interesting and a great place to get some pictures. Something special about little animals!
until next time… nel

The Winter Hodgepodge...

It's that fun time of the week - Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Come on in and join in the fun!  Joyce talked like it was still winter in her area.  Our weather has been unbelievable.  Last week we had snow flurries on Tuesday and today it was 60 degrees.  It was beautiful today and supposed to be that way tomorrow, then rain on Thursday and it supposed to cool down at the end of the week.  So it is one of those things if you do not like the weather, stick around it will change shortly!

1.  Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 10th, and 2013 is the year of the snake. When did you last see a snake?  Are you okay around snakes or do they give you the shivers? 
It has been almost 2 years since I have seen a snake.  We ran across one when we were hiking during our Anniversary trip in Arkansas.  We were at Boxley Valley in the mountains and were hiking back to see a waterfall.  It was beside our trail and I seen it right away, Stan did not even notice it.  It was a Copperhead.

I am okay with snakes, I picked up a rock and threw it at him so he would go the other way, of course that was after I got his picture.  Now I would have a problem if I found one in my house!

2. The color red in Chinese culture usually means good luck.  Do you believe in luck? 

I think that circumstances tend to decide what kind of luck you have. Could be decisions that you have made.  Or I like to think good luck is Blessings!

3. sledding-ice skating-building a snowman...if given a choice, which activity would you choose?  Which of the three have you done most recently?  

Building a snowman, these bones are getting to old for the other two.  lol.  It probably has been 15 or 20 years since I have built a snowman or gone sledding.

4.  Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited as saying, "The years teach much which the days never knew."  Where have you seen this quote played out in your own life?  

It amazes me how much smarter your parents get the older you get.  Back in your younger days you sure don't think that way.

5. When was the last time you ate a cupcake?  

Oh I would have to say a month or two ago.  Every once in awhile I will pick up the orange Hostess cupcakes, and we had one when we picked up our last few boxes of twinkies. :(

6. What's something you can't say no to?  
Besides my grandkids? No actually I can say no to them, just doesn't happen very often. lol   When Stan asks me if I want to go somewhere, I'm always ready to go.

7.  Are you a doodler?  
Yeppers, I am always jotting things down or drawing little things, doodling on paper or in my journal or in notebooks.  I have quite a collection of notebooks.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  

Woohoo!  I had a pacemaker check today.  Everything was great!  There were no unusual episodes in the last 6 months. They did not have to make any adjustments, just left it as is.  I only use it 3% of the time, but I sure am glad I have it when I need it!  PTL!

until next time...nel