ARE YOU COLOR SAVVY?

Let's say you want a new pair of brown shoes.....Do you want taupe, toast, mocha, cafe au lait, bark, cinnamon, auburn, chestnut, walnut, sepia, or umber?

When did we get all these new shades? And it is the same for all the colors. Try off-white...
bone, beige, tan, cream, ecru, winter white, etc.

How about blue?..... royal, sky, baby, Tiffany, navy, ocean, turquoise, aqua, ....

See how many more you can come up with....

FYI

Here's a safety tip that I though was pretty neat. Take your old cell phone, charge it fully, and keep it in the glove compartment of your car. You can then use it to dial 911 in an emergency. It will only work on a 911 call. Just a extra bit of security. My cell goes dead at the most un-opportune times. Just thought I'd share.

UPDATE

Thanks soooooo much for your prayers. Mom had a colonoscopy and she has diverticulosis. Doc said it should heal on its own, but if it happens again...surgery to remove part of the colon. Pop continues to do well. Will have stomach tube removed today. I had to leave it all to my sister, niece and son yesterday. I have a bad case of bronchitis and all I could do was cough. But I'm better today and will get my nursing cap back on.
Thanks again. God is so good. And he has blessed me with new friends . Blessings to you.

YOU NEVER KNOW

Thanks for all your prayers. Pop is continuing to recover well. But Sis and I are learning some hilarious things while he's on the morphine pump. With just a little prodding, he'll tell lots of "good stuff". :). Got some more news yesterday. While I was in a new pharmacy trying to find Alex's meds. His regular pharmacy closed down without warning...so here I am running all over town looking for his meds. AND, trying to get meds for myself....I have a case of bronchitis and a sinus infection. ANYWHO... whi9le in a pharmacy...Mom's Doctor call and says, "your Mom is hemmoraging and I have just admitted her. Meet me at the hospital." OOOOKKKKKK. Get AL's meds, take them home, call Sis, head to hospital and find Mom. She has been bleeding rectally since SUNDAY! But she wanted to make sure Pop got his surgery and started healing. These parents...What am I gonna do with them? Time Out Beds, I'm thinking. Mom will be starting tests this morning . So, PRAYERS, PLEASE...again.

ME AND POP

UPDATE ON POP

Just got word that Pop is out of surgery and in recovery. He is doing well. The doctor says there is still some infection, but meds should take care of that. He'll be in the hospital about a week. Thank-you so much for your prayers. We serve a mighty God!

My Dad is quite an extraordinary man. Small in stature...BIG in heart. He has always taken great delight in doing things that others said was too hard, and showing them that it really wasn't all that difficult. Pop had an adventurous early life. One of 8 children, he left home at an early age, and joined the Navy, followed a buddy to N.C., and met and married Mom. Then bought into a motorcycle dealership here . And here we all still are. He has been in the motorcycle business all his life...so you can imagine all the fun my sister and I have had...and then our children. It's in our blood. My husband and I own the powersport business now, Pop has retired...but in name only. He still goes to work every day.

When my sister and I were still at home, Pop made some wonderful trips ...on his motorcycle. He would spend a few months in preparation...then strike out for South America or Central America. He would be gone for a month or 2. While gone, his base would be with a missionary. Pop is quite a handyman, so the missionary wives were so glad to see him. He would fix everything that was broken. He also made lasting relationships with their children. Some still contact him regularly. Mom was always supportive of these trips, and when sis and I got older, she would go with him. They have some wonderful friends all over the world. The older I get, the more I realize that Pop was just not "right!" He would take off on these adventures...and know NO Spanish. He relied on sign language and his good looks, I reckon! :) Oh, the stories he has to tell, and if you stop long enough, he'll tell you one.

Pop still rides his motorcycle. In the past few years, he's broken several various and sundry body parts. But, he won't complain . Just say,"if you're gonna play, you're gonna sometimes have to pay." Sis and I have put our foot down to riding alone, he's now only ALLOWED to go with a buddy. And, God has so graciously provided him with a riding partner...YOUNGER...
so he can still go. So, now Pop is chomping at the bit to get back to life and living it to the fullest.
So, heal quickly, Pop...you've got lots still to do.

PRAYERS, PLEASE

Tomorrow is the time for my Dad's surgery to repair his colostomy. He has been counting down the days and the hours and the minutes since Christmas. He is not the most patient of men, and this has been so hard on him and Mom. But, praise God, he has healed well and the doctor feels the time is right to put things back as they were. I would so appreciate your prayers in the morning. God is so good and we thank him for his healing mercies.

WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

I've been thinking about posting this for some time, and it's not as easy as you may think. Here goes:
Choose 5 people who you would like to spend the day with. They can be living or deceased. Exclude immediate family and friends. Why did you choose these people?

1. President Bush. I would love to see the inner working of the White House. I admire President Bush and I think he is a fine man. What a position he is in. I would like to pray with him and let him know that I support him and appreciate what a tough job he has.

2. Joyce Meyer. It seems as if every time I hear her speak on T.V. she has something to say directly to me. She speaks in such a direct and forthright manor, that it is easy to understand just what her message is. There is no beating around the bush with her. She states it clear and plain. I would like to just have a conversation one on one with her.

3. Oprah Winfrey. I do enjoy watching her program and I think she tries to serve humankind in the things she undertakes. What bothers me is that she says that she is a christian, but I never hear her talk about the saving grace of Jesus. I know that she tries to represent all sides of a subject, but I've never heard her say anything that makes me think she really knows the Lord. I should not judge, but I would just like to make sure she knows the truth.

4. Elizabeth Owens. This is my mother-in-law who passed away about a year and a half ago. We all miss her so much. I find that there are things I never asked her or talked to her about and I would love to have that chance. She died unexpectedly, so we were not prepared for her early home going.

5. I do not even know this person's name. I am looking for the foremost authority on pain in the world. My middle son suffers from a disease called cerebellar atrophy. He is in constant, severe pain. We have been all over the country to specialist after specialist, and we have received no help. I know there is someone who has an answer for him. If I had a whole day with his/her attention...maybe we could get somewhere.

So....who would you choose? Word of caution...it's hard to choose just 5.

ME AND MOM

CIMG0457
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens.

I am so blessed to have my mom. We have always lived in the same city except when I was away at college. She is tiny...in body only...her spirit is tremendous. She always looks for ways to help others. I could write on and on about how she blesses me every day. But, I want to tell you of a particularly kind thing she did for Alex yesterday. My mother in law, Elizabeth, died 2 years ago, and we all miss her greatly. She was a wonderful cook. Just good ole country cooking. She had a particular cake that she would make for my boys on their birthdays...a black forest cake. It was divine. And it never lasted long around the house. Well, my mom, Eloise, got Elizabeth's recipe and made Alex one of Grandma's cakes. Now, my mom is a terrific cook also and has her own specialties as well. I just think it was so kind of her to make Grandma's cake for Alex because she knows how much he loves it. It would have been so much easier to make her own that she was familiar with. But, that's just the way she is. Thanks, Mom!

THANKS,GOD

God has revealed Himself to our family this week and provided strength and comfort. We had a situation that we all had been praying about for sometime, and since we are so wise and full of knowledge above all, we had it figured out. We just felt sure God was going to come along for the ride...being that we had saved Him all the trouble of leading us. When we got our "news"...it was so not what we wanted to hear. And we were all dismayed. Why? We had prayed ABOUT it...and told Him exactly what we wanted, and when. But, God, who really IS wise and full of knowledge above all, said "not yet...you have some work to do first." And looking at it now from the other side...He is right. There is work to be done first, and this way makes so much more sense. Imagine that!?! God knows what's best for us! His ways and timing are perfect!
How much anguish we could save ourselves if we just remembered that from the start. Oh will we ever learn? This is an opportunity for growth in many ways and a chance to see God work things out ...like He knows is best.

You Are 20% Left Brained, 80% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

SANDAL PLEDGE

It's that time again, Ladies. So, raise your big toe and repeat after me..."As a member of the Sassy Sisterhood, I pledge to follow these rules when I wear sandals or open toed shoes:
1. I promise to wear sandals that fit: My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. Also, the tops and sides of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.
2. I will go polish free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip free. I will not cheat and just touch up the big toe.
3. I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.
4. I will shave the hairs off my big toe.
5. I will not wear pantyhose with my sandals. Not even if my mom, or co-worker, or girlfriend tell me the toe seam will stay under my toe if I tuck it there. (This dear readers, is what Spanx is for)
6. If my straps break, I will not duct tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get it repaired or toss it.
7. I will not live in corn denial, but rather, I will lean on my friend, Dr. Scholl if my feet need him.
8. I will resist the urge to buy a pair of jelly shoes...even for the low, low price of $4.99. (This is out of concern for your safety. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat. You could take someone down with you as you fall and break your ankle.)
9. I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes start to swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages."

O.K. , now, you promised. I'll be watching.......

WORD VERIFICATION

Am I dumb as dirt? Please, please someone tell me that you, too, have trouble with those word verification doo-dahs that you have to do when you leave a comment. I know I am a fairly intelligent woman...able to read all my letter and numbers. And even though I have to go slowly on long division sometimes...I am a voracious reader. But, those letters get to me sometimes. I just left a comment on a blog (Tracey) and I had to do it over 4 times. I am not proud of this. I am ashamed to even tell you, my friends...but I am hoping maybe someone else is afflicted as well. Is it the bifocals? Is it age? Is it my lack of attention to the little things? Is it my OCD kicking in because I subconciously want those letters to be nice and straight? Whatever it is, please tell me I'm not the only one....

SPRING FEVER

It's spring fever.
That is what the name of it is.
And, when you've got it,
You want..........
Oh,...you don't quite know what it is you do want,
But, it just fairly makes your heart ache,
You want it so!

Mark Twain

FUN WITH FRIENDS

CIMG0497
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens.

I had a delightful time on a visit to Shirley's house in GA. My friend, Tina, and I went over on Friday to spend the night. Saturday was beautiful...cool, but sunny. We went to a local craft show, then a litlle shopping in town. Here we are hi-jacking goods in a local store to use for our own amusement. It's O.K....we bought lots there...even a birdhouse we broke!!!!! Sometimes, we forget to act our age! But we ALWAYS have a good time. Shirley's daughters joined us for part of the day...and grandaughter,too. How I love those girls!
Thank-you God for a chance to renew my soul and get filled up with warm fuzzies!

THE ROAD TO THE HOUSE OF A FRIEND.....

....IS NEVER LONG. Well, to this friends house over in GA. it's about 2 hours. BUT, the fun at the end of that road makes it well worth the trip! Today, I'm leaving after work to go visit one of my BFF. She's the one who moved away after her marriage. My other BFF and I are going over for the night and we'll go to a craft show tomorrow. Probably get in some "junkin", too. It's always amazing how much we can cram into the little time we have all together. It will also be great to be with the BFF's daughters. One is driving us over and the other 2 are there. I love these girls like they were my own. And now there is a precious 3rd generation daughter and another on the way. How God blesses!
Then I'm off on Sunday to Atlanta with Son#1 and DIL. We're going to get in a little shopping. Well, DIL and I are...Son better just try to keep up! :)
So, it's a nice start to my Spring Break week. I think my Sis and I and my Mom may go to Montgomery for the day and do a little shopping, too. Good thing I got paid on Thursday.
I'll check back in when I return....God Bless!

JUST FOR FUN

SHUT YOUR MOUTH

Something I read on another blog reminded me of a defining moment in my life. Our family of 5 (3 boys) had just returned from a vacation and we were anxious to get our pictures developed to show family that evening. This was before all the digital stuff and before there was a photo developer on every corner. So, for us, the nearest one was at the Winn-Dixie. I took the pictures there and asked for the quickest developing....they said 1 hour. So, I along with 2 of my sons and my husband decided we would wait and do some grocery shopping while we waited. Now, on this whole earth, the one person who I least like to shop with is my husband. He is Mr. Bargain. If there are 6 varieties of macaroni...we must pick up each one, examine its qualities, and compare it to the other 5. Only then can we place it in the buggy to take home...confident that we have made a selection worth of being called a "good steward." This applies not only to macaroni...but to every item which has a selection of brands. So, in a grocery store like Winn-Dixie, that would be quite a few. Oh...it takes a big chunk of time to go shopping with him. Well, when we were finally finished with our "comparison shopping", I went to pick up the pictures while Don went to check out. I went up to the counter and asked for my pictures. Girl looks around...can't find them in the completed box. "Surely they are there, I left them almost 2 hours ago." She looked in every box and finally she found them...over to the side..UNdeveloped! Well, I was all kinds of upset. I needed those pictures then...I had spent 2 hours in the grocery store with the most price concious shopper in town, and I had answered countless questions from 2 little guys who couldn't understand why they could buy it when Mom was shopping, but not when Dad was. I was tired and put out and mad! The words welled up in my mouth to tell this young girl just what I though about her and Winn-Dixie and my husband and my children and the world. Oh, I was so angry...I would have gotten everybody. When all of a sudden...I heard a voice(in my head) say, "Shut your mouth." I am assuming it was the Lord and that He used those strong words with me because that is all that would stop me at that point. And stop me it did! I shut my mouth, regained my senses, and said to the girl, "that's o.k., I make mistakes sometimes too. Do you think you could run them now, please?" With tears in her eyes, she said yes and that I was so kind and she was so sorry. I told her I would be back in an hour and turned to go. There standing right behind me was son #2. I didn't know he was with me. He looked at me and said, "that was a really Christian thing to do, Mom." Well, of course I felt like a worm...because doing the Christian thing was not my idea. But, I learned alot that day about listening to that voice within. You never know who is watching or listening. You never know who you will be impressing and what kind of impression it will be. Thank-you ,God, for the lesson.

RIGHT ON TARGET

O.K. just a little play on words....but I'm loving having Target here. I've been twice already, and I can see I'm going to have to put a limit on myself! HA! HA! Just kidding...like that would work anyhow. :) Oh, they have the cutest little summer tops and pants...and if I ever lose these extra pounds that have homesteaded on my body...I'm gonna get me some. For now, I have to be content with the stationary, and home goods, and purses, and shoes, and.....just kidding.

But, I do have some info to pass along to you. If you love SPANX...and who doesn't? They're just the very best things to come along since....oh...forever. Well, Target has Spanx packaged under their label...ASSETS. They are of the same quality as the Spanx you get in the dept. stores. They even have the designers name on them-Sara Blakely. AND...they're quite a bit cheaper than the others. Now I have bought these before and I can not tell a difference at all. In case you aren't familiar with them...these are footless pantyhose (they do have some with feet in them, too) and they are terrific to wear under pants and capris. They are very comfortable, too. Just thought you'd like to know.

This Bugs Me....#4

Now, I know this is going to hit some of you square on the nose...but, I have to call it as I see it. After all, this is MY blog and I think one of the blogging rules in the blogging handbook says,"To thine own self be true." I'm pretty sure that is where I heard that. So here goes:
I abhor CALL WAITING! (I heard that collective gasp). I think it is rude to put me on hold to check and see if there is someone calling who you would rather talk to than me. I mean, who among us is so important that we absolutely CANNOT miss a call? And, isn't that what caller I.D. is for? It just annoys me to think that my call is not as important as someone elses. Now...this does not apply to calls at a place of business. When I call my BFF at her work...I know she will have to answer other calls and put me on hold. Expected. But, if I call her at home...I don't expect the same treatment. Now, if you are expecting a very important call such as your son calling to let you know he got back to school safely, you should tell the caller at the start of the call, so she will know to expect that...and not think you the rudest person on the planet. Some of the nicest people I know use this service, and I love them still...but you will never hear me say..."Hang on a second, someone is beeping in...". Remember that this is my opinion and it's worth exactly what you paid for it. I feel better since I vented. Thank you very much.

"AROUND HERE, I NEVER KNOW IF IT'S TRASH OR ART."

I am not a neat person. In fact, my husband says I'm a slob. Now, I wouldn't go that far, but I am messy. I think a slob is someone who doesn't care. I care, it's just so time consuming to stop and clean everything up and put it away when I am going to get it all right back out. Does anyone else get that besides me? I have a very ADD mind. I have so many ideas and thoughts and they come so rapidly. I feel the need to start on a project, but then I have another idea and I MUST leave what I'm doing and do a little work on that. It's not always a choice...it's a HAVE -TO. And sometimes in the middle of a project...you just cannot tell where I'm going with it. Truth is...I probably don't know either. It's one of those ...I'll know it when I see it..things.
I asked Alex why he didn't throw away something, and he said, "around here, I never know if it's trash or art!" How clever and perceptive of him. Not that I think my art looks like trash...but that he recognizes that what looks like a pile of trash, may indeed be great art! I know I should do better...but when I am in a creative frenzy...all good sense goes out the window. And truly, the mess doesn't bother me in the least. I know where everything is...if I cleaned up and put it away...I'd never find it again. Oh, it's not easy getting mere mortals to get this. I've been trying for nigh on 35 years...and I haven't made much headway with the husband...the boys are a little better...they grew up watching me get involved with project after project. At least I don't have to worry about Alex tossing out a great work of art. Thanks Al, for getting it.

SOMETHINGS TO REMEMBER

"When a woman is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong;
when she is cheerful, everything seems right."
Proverbs 15:15


"We don't laugh because we're happy;
we're happy because we laugh."
Barbara Johnson


I WISH I WERE A TEDDY BEAR :

Everybody likes them.......
Nobody cares how fat they are.....
The older they are, the more they're worth.


ENJOY LIFE.............THIS IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!!

WE"VE ARRIVED!

Yes, our small town, here in south Alabama, has finally moved on up in the world. It's been bad enough that our shopping choices are severely limited, and added to that, the only decent place to shop (Parisian) is closing. But the powers that be have given us a small reprieve. We now have a TARGET!!!!! Now, this may be no big deal to you who live in larger areas, where you have an abundance of shopping...but those of us here in my town are "over the moon!!" It will officially open next week...but, I went yesterday and walked through. It is so clean and bright and organized. Well, we feel like we've won the lottery here!!! All we have had was Wal-Mart, and ours is getting pretty sad. Oh, and to be fair, we do have a K-Mart...need I say more? And you shoppers in the know know Target has such a great selection of so many items. We've had to be content with shopping Target in other cities, the closest is about 80 miles away. And now, we have our own! Oh, hide the checkbook, I've gotta make up for lost time. And, not only that...we have finally gotten an Olive Garden! Well, I guess you know that we are big time now! Of course this does nothing to alleviate the lack of decent stores for the fashionable "mature woman". Not older...just not younger. Now we do have a mall, but the majority of the stores there carry clothes they hijacked off a boat that was taking them to some foreign country to distribute to the poor. You may have some of these stores in your town. All the bottoms are cut off and ravelled, the sleeves are cut out and they only come in teeny, tiny sizes. Which leads me to believe they were headed to a country of teeny, tiny people. Because any one who is "real-sized" would have gone sorely lacking. Anyway...I digress. We are just happy that Target is here. And I for one am going to do my best to see that they feel welcome.

WHY DO I DO IT?

"What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. I obviously need help! I realize I don't have what it takes. I can WILL it, but I can't DO it. I decide to do good, but I really don't do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope."
Romans 7: 15-19, 24 The Message

No, these are not MY words, but they could be. They could have been taken right out of my mouth. Now, lest you think I have some awful secret, and do terrible, immoral things; fear not. This, my friends, is a dietary disgrace. I need to lose weight and it's just not happening like I want it to. I went through a weight loss program last year and lost 35 pounds. I felt so much better about myself. And I know I looked better. My husband told me enough times. But then I had to go on a prolonged round of steroids(3 months),and I gained it all back. I was starving all the time. And I ate. It seemed like I could never get filled up. So, in February, I went back on the same diet program...and all I've lost is 5 pounds. And I'm hardly eating anything. I have done my best to follow the program exactly, and I know it works...cause it did last year. I don't know if the steroids have changed my body chemistry, or what. But, I don't like it! I just stopped and got my son a hamburger and apple pie at Checkers...I got me one, too. I only ate the meat and lettuce and tomatoe....but then, I messed up big time....I ate the apple pie. I can't believe I did it. I sabotaged myself. This is ridiculous. It is just like these verses in Romans said...they must have been written with me in mind. Just kidding...But I do know this is just how I feel. Maybe this 1 apple pie won't make too much of a difference...or maybe it will. Just pray that I regain my willpower, and don't go any further off the wagon. I have a trip coming up in June to Hawaii with my 2 best friends. I want to look gooood. I just hope I don't have to do it in a bigger size. :)

CHANGES

Hi Friends,
My son and I are working on my blog to give it an updated, more personal feeling. WOW! There's a lot to this blogging stuff! Bear with us as we (he) works it out. I had no idea just how much I didn't know! Thanks for your patience.

QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS

I've been asked to complete this...so here goes:

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
on a lot I already own...here in my hometown
2.What is your favorite article of clothing?
I love jeans!
3. Last C.D. you bought?
Beth Moore presents Songs of Deliverance,inspired by Get Out Of That Pit
4. Where is your favorite place to be?
the beach...any beach
5. Least favorite place to be?
too far back in an auditorium or arena
6. Are you strongest in mind or body?
mind
7. What time do you wake up?
5:30-6:00
8. Favorite kitchen appliance?
microwave
9. What instrument would you like to play?
I would like to play the piano...BETTER
10. Favorite color?
Blue
11. Sports car of SUV?
SUV I have a Honda Pilot
12. Favorite children's book?
I'll Love You Forever
13. Favorite season?
Spring...followed closely by fall
14. Least favorite chore?
cleaning bathrooms
15. Favorite day?
Saturday...sleep late
16. Favorite food.?
Chocolate anything!
17. Favorite drink?
Diet Dr. Pepper...folllowed closely by sweet tea with lemon
18. Favorite word?
serendipity
19. Favorite inspiratioal book?
Faith Is Not A Feeling by Ney Bailey
20. Who would you like to play you in the movie of you life?

Dianne Keaton

Tornado Video

Here is a show my son put together, it shows some of the devastation caused by the tornado.
If you do not already have it, it will ask you to install the photodex presenter, which is free and safe.

slide show

This Bugs Me...#3

This is beginning to be fun. I have wanted to vent all these annoyances to someone...and you're it!
I can not stand to see those little shoulder "knobbies"(my word). You know, where the fabric stands up on your shoulder where the hangers have been. I can not believe the number of people I see with them. Do they ever look in the mirror? Don't they know...having worn clothes for years...that this will happen,especially if you use wire hangers? People who have spent big money on the latest fashions will show up all decked out ...complete with their little "wings". I have seen prominent people, at important functions, standing up to speak...shoulder knobbies standing at attention. I can't hear what they're saying for what they're wearing! If they don't pay attention to small details like that...maybe I don't need to hear what they are saying.
Now, dear readers, if you are guilty of this...I will come to your rescue. There are several easy things you can do to save yourself from this fashion DON'T.
1. Lay the open shoulder seam on the ironing board and steam it flat.
2. Invest in a small hand held steamer and aim it right at the problem area.
3. Use padded hangers...with curved edges.
4. After you put on your clothing...spray offending area with a misting bottle,
then smooth it out to dry...or you can blast it with your hairdryer, on low.
5. Try one of those wrinkle releaser products in a spray can.(I heard about this
from a friend...haven't tried it yet.)
So there you go. Easy solutions to a major fashion mistake. Please avail yourself to one of these remedies. The rest of us will be so grateful.
Thank you very much.

WELCOME TO THE PARTY

Hi, my name is Tonja, and I am glad to have you stopping by my site. I live in south Alabama. I am a mother of 3 grown boys. My husband and I own a Powersports business. I got my degree in nursing,and have used it extensively...at home. My first son was diagnosed with cancer at age 4. He is 32 now, married to a wonderful girl. My third son was born with a cleft lip and pallate. He also has a heart condition . He is 24 and in graduate school now. My second son is 25 and homebound. He has a very mysterious condition for which we are still trying to get information. He is in severe pain at all times and it effects his balance and vision as well. I am going to write about their stories one by one on this blog and talk about how God has given my husband and I grace and mercy to make it through....and keep a small amount of sanity. I work now as a music teacher in a private kindergarten. How can you feel bad when you are around precious little ones? We are very active in our Southern Baptist Church...and I am the Preschool Director there. My Mom and Dad live here in town as does my sister and her family. How blessed we are to all be together. If you look back at some of my previous posts, you will see pictures of my family and friends. Thanks for visiting me. I am fairly new to blogging, and I have soooo much to learn. But isn't it fun? Party on!

STORMS

If you have looked at the news today, you have seen pictures of Enterprise, AL. I live about 30 miles from there. Yesterday was a terrifying day for all of us in this area. Once we got the warning, we rushed to get our little preschoolers home and the teachers as well. The skies were ominous. And they kept telling us it was going to get worse. The tornado struck in Enterprise around 1 p.m. What a tragedy. They only had around 25 minutes warning and made the decision to keep the kids at school until it passed, rather than have them on the roads of home alone. A wise decision, I think. Many more would have been killed if they had been in the parking lot or on the roads. My town was spared that wave, in fact it never really rained too bad. Then last night , it got ugly again. We had a warning here. There was tremendous lightning and rain, but short-lived. Nothing ever struck here. Thank God! Please keep the people in Enterprise,AL in your prayers. It is a nice little town, full of fine people. Their high school is totally demolished and 8 of their classmates dead. One was still missing as of last night. God is a God of awesome power and through His grace, more lives were not lost.

This Bugs Me...#2

O.K. on to the next thing that scratches my blackboard, the proper use of language. Now there are many words that are used incorrectly, but today I am going to talk about the two that are most annoying to me. First the word 'seen'. How many times have you heard an intelligent looking and otherwise, sounding person suddenly ruin it by using 'seen' improperly? As in: "I seen her come in the room." Oh! My! That is just not right. It's basic grammar. Did these folks never go to school? And it just SOUNDS wrong, even if you do not know grammar rules. I am constantly surprised by the people who say it, too. Don't they have someone in their life who will tell them that is wrong? Obviously not. Because I believe most people would want to speak correctly, if they knew they were wrong. So here is the correct usage:
PRESENT: "I SEE her come in."
PAST: "I SAW her come in."
FUTURE: "I WILL SEE her come in."
PRESENT PERFECT: "I HAVE SEEN her come in."
PAST PERFECT: "I HAD SEEN her come in."
FUTURE PERFECT: "I WILL HAVE SEEN her come in.

BUT NEVER: "I seen her come in." WRONG...WRONG...WRONG !!!!!

Now...the second one is 'YOUR' and 'YOU'RE'. 'YOUR' is a possessive pronoun. "YOU'RE is the contraction for "you are'. "YOU'RE so silly," means "YOU ARE so silly". "YOUR jokes are funny," means "the jokes that YOU told are so funny." The way I see this misused the most is on an invitation or sign inviting someone to attend. Such as: "YOUR invited to the party." NO! NO! NO! "YOU'RE invited to the party." It is amazing where I have seen this used incorrectly. In newspapers, on public billboards, in magazines. Someone is not proofreading. Any time you can substitute 'YOU ARE'...you should use 'YOU'RE.'

Allright...I feel better. Now, if all offenders will please clean up YOUR act, I and millions of other sesitive ears, will be grateful. I could go on and talk about 'LAY,LIE', 'SIT,SET', or 'GOOD,WELL'. But not today. I've ranted enough.
Thank you very much.

JUDGEMENT

Good judgement comes from experience....
Experience comes from bad judgement.