Thankful Thursday

Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for my family. I thank you that I have beautiful Christian parents that raised us to love and serve You. I thank you that you blessed me with the gift of children who have blessed me with wonderful GRANDCHILDREN. I thank you for my brothers and sister. I thank you Lord that you have walked with us in good and hard times and never forsaken us. I thank you for a husband who took a family of a single Mom and three children to love and take care of.
I thank you for freedom. I thank you for so many blessings undeserved and most of all for GRACE!
In your Son's precious name, Amen

Thanks for visiting!
Be Blessed!

My Little Ballerina

Emma had her ballet recital last night and she was a STAR. That was actually the name of her little group and in MeMe's eyes she was the Star!Anna wanted to be a ballerina and get a prize like her sister and I'm sure she will some day because she walks on her tippy toes all the time.Emma looked so big and beautiful-she had mascara on and Mommy put her makeup on-MeMaw Barbie did her hair up and put on her crown.Anna said okay where's my prize? I've sat there for an hour and been a big girl. She is MeMe's beauty too and one day I'll be watching her twinkle around the Concert Hall stage and again I'll just about burst with pride and think she was the best one up there. I am so blessed to have sweet baby girls!

Be Blessed!

When I say Be Blessed...

When I end my blog I sometimes say Be Blessed or I might leave you a comment and I say be blessed. On most of my correspondence I say these words. It is not something I take lightly because that is my thought which is a prayer that you are blessed. I got an email today and it was entitled Be blessed-(thank you Boo). Upon completion of receiving the email and its content, I just sat there and said to myself, that is exactly what I mean when I say be blessed. Upon more investigation and finding a copy of this I could share, I found this was made by a pastor of a sweet church in New Orleans and if anyone needed those words along with the meaning and still do, it would be New Orleans and all they have been through. Please turn off my music at the bottom of my blog and clear a few minutes to let this video minister to you, speak to you and the next time you see Be blessed~Meme Lorie, know this is what I mean from my heart to yours. Please watch this all the way, part of the best is 5 minutes into it when it says " I see your future and you are better" When we pray for each other we have that power by the Holy Spirit and with God working to make lives better. Thank you Lord! This video ministers to me and if I could have wrote the words from my heart of what I mean when I say Be blessed, this would be it. He says we have power in our words -oh how true. Watch and enjoy! And my friend Be blessed!

Let me Share

I had a full weekend- Friday one of my friends and sisters from Sunday School had serious complications with a day surgery and ended up in serious condition in SICU. She is still serious -please pray for Teresa.

Saturday, I prepared a lunch for a Bridal Party getting there hair and other things done before the wedding- I fixed box lunches with Chicken Salad Croissants, fruit salad, brownies, chips pickles and Mint Tea. That evening Barbie and I went to the wedding -it was beautiful and the reception was fun with great food. It was held at our Art Museum.

IN the middle of the night I got sick so I did not make it to church Sunday.

The highlight of my weekend was overnight guest Ryder. Here are pictures of him, pictures with Poppy, pictures with his cousins my grandgirls, Emma and Anna.

The last pictures are of MeMe's backseat full of love. Three car seats with my most precious cargo.

We ended tonight grilling and watching ET.

Let's see, did I mention I have another grandbaby on the way? Pray for Ashley and baby.

While your praying remember my friend Scott all day Tuesday, he is having surgery for colon cancer.

I have the best grandkids and I love every minute I have with them.

I thank you for letting me share a little of my heart with you.

Be blessed!

Let it GO

I was looking back over some things I've saved and this one is one I need. It's by one of my "Favorite" Men of God. I have been blessed to go to the Potter's House on my trips to Big D.
Read this words and see if you didn't need them today.
By T. D. Jakes
There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone. When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody who left. The Bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19] People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go. And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over... Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!! If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to.......LET IT GO!!! If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ......LET IT GO!!! If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth.....LET IT GO!!! If someone has angered you ........LET IT GO!!! If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge......LET IT GO!!! If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction.....LET IT GO!!! If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents …LET IT GO!!! If you have a bad attitude......... LET IT GO!!! If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......LET IT GO!!!If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him......LET IT GO!!! If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.......LET IT GO!!!If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves.....LET IT GO!!! If you're feeling depressed and stressed .........LET IT GO!!!If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to......LET IT GO!!! Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for you…LET IT GO!!!
Get Right or Get Left .. think about it, and then LET IT GO!!!
"The Battle is the Lord's!"

Spending time with Family and Friends is the Best

This week has been a good week. Monday was my best friend Juju's birthday. As we always do, we had dinner together at Barbie's house. Her parents came and my parents came. It's always wonderful to spend time with your parents. We both feel so blessed to have wonderful Christian parents and that they are still with us.Last night, Tuesday, my grandgirls came home. They had been out of town for awhile and I feel like a part of me is missing when they aren't around. Since they live down the street and I get to see them everyday -I am spoiled!!! I know it.

Tonight was family dinner at my house- I fixed meatloaf (the best if I say so myself) mashed potatoes, homemade slaw, macaroni and cheese, succotash, squash mush and cornbread muffins and brown gravy. I had peach cobbler and vanilla bean ice cream for desert. My daughter Ashley and her husband came with the girls and so did my Mom and Dad. We watched the finale of American Idol. I wanted David Archaletta to win, but I like David Cook too.

I need to stop and brag on my Son-in -love Donny, the reason they were out of town is he had an Award Banquet in Memphis. For the third year in a row - he won Best General Manager of the whole Southeast region for Chili's. He is very good at what he does and taking care of my girls. He got two other awards, most profit and something about quota and sales. More big trophies and a free trip to Hawaii for two weeks. It is his third trip - you think he should take his Mom in law? This is me and Mom and Poppy. I am blessed -two nights this week we've had dinner together.

While I'm showing off my family and friends, I thought I'd show off my husband John. He is an engineer, (pray for me)an avid golfer, a football coach, a Great Papa and he is a good husband.
So just some things going around in my world. I am blessed.

I pray you are blessed!!!

Choices

I love this email and wanted to share it.

LET IT REALLY SINK IN - THEN CHOOSE .
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would be twins!'
He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it!
You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?'
He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or You can choose to be in a bad mood
I choose to be in a good mood.'
Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.
Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested.
'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.
You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.'
I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.
After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.
I saw him about six months after the accident.
When I asked him how he was, he replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?'
I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,' he replied. 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live.'
'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked
He continued, 'the paramedics were great.
They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.'
'What did you do?' I asked.
'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said John. 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'.'
Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'
He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude... I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' Matthew 6:34.
After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name-

Remember the old cheers song- Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go Where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same You wanna be where everybody knows Your name. I thought about the words to that song and for me that place is my Sunday School class. I guess this post will be a plug for finding a Sunday school class, because it is a place to really connect and find the folks who will be beside you through good and bad, especially bad.
Two things happen in the church setting of Sunday school class, my class knows me and I know them. The things that matter the most and our needs, good and bad. The things that happen in our lives, good and bad. Also, I study God's word with them and we have the assurance that God knows our name. Exodus 33:17 says "So the Lord says to Moses, I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in my sight, and I know you by name." The Lord has instructed Moses to take his people to the land of milk and honey and Moses asks if The Lord's presence will be with them where He is sending him. We don't have to ask if the Lord's presence is with us and we can know we have his grace and He knows us by name.
It's a win -win situation. Surrounded by people who love us, know about us and care deeply, in the Presence of a Savior who feels the same.
When you think of the Cheers song and the words, isn't it sad when people look for that connection in a bar? Isn't it sad they have the need to feel loved and like they matter and they often go to a bar and avoid their families, hide from their problems, and also drown their sorrows like they aren't there. I'm not saying all people who go to a bar are sad, just people who make that their second home and are seeking for something that's missing.
How wonderful it would be if they looked at a local church, found that group where they fit in and then the verses in Ecclesiastes come to life: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together , they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a cord of three strands is not easily broken."

Go to Sunday school Sunday and see if you don't find a place where you are accepted and welcomed, a place that you are missed when you aren't there, a place where everybody knows your name and their always glad you came.

Just a thought I had this Friday morning as I prayed for my Sista's!

Be blessed!

A Pot of Chicken Soup

I came home tonight and fixed a big pot of homemade Chicken Noodle soup. I've been suffering with my allergies and it has got into my head and chest. As I boiled my chicken and spices, I thought I feel better already. It always seemed to work with my kids when they didn't feel good. Chicken and dumplings work too. My husband had two Jethro bowls full-you know what that means, they are actually vegetable bowls that hold about two or three cereal bowls. I had one bowl and I feel better. Sometimes just slowing down, saying theres no place like home and yes, a warm bowl of soup on a cool night can work wonders.
Some other things that lift you up and give you the feeling that you are a blessed are:
*answering the phone and hearing a loved ones voice on the other end. I thank God upon every remembrance of you. Phillipians 1:3
*hearing a song that lifts you up or takes you back to good memories. He has put a new song in my mouth-praise to our Lord. Psalms 40:3
*Reading Gods word and feeling like He wrote that verse just for you-one of mine is -I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Psalms 16:8
*to see a friend you haven't seen in months and there's a connection for all the things you have shared and it is sweet. A man who has friends must himself be friendly,but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
*to close your eyes and be able to go back with your mind's eye and remember so many things that God has done for you. Things you prayed for He answered, things you didn't know how to pray for someone interceded. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in him! Psalms 34:8
*that you can see a need and fill it, or hear of someones need and be a part of helping.
Therefore, whatever you want men to do for you, do also to them. Matthew 7:12
* to be asked or even to ask others for prayer is an awesome thing we should never take lightly-'Confess your trespasses one to another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16
* a compliment from the mouth of another that is unexpected and touching. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings off silver. Proverbs 25 :11
This is just a short list of my ponderings tonight as I had a night of rest and Chicken soup.
Be blessed!

Wow, do you ever get too busy with good things?

Since Friday I have been one busy lady! Saturday morning we took my little Anna to the DR. She had an ear infection and croup. Then in the afternoon my oldest daughter took me to get a pedicure for Mothers Day. How wonderful it was! Saturday night I helped my best friend with a sit-down Relay for Life dinner. She sold 22 tickets at $25.00 each for an Italian Feast. Olive Garden donated bread sticks and salad dressing. We served the salad bowls at the table and wonderful Homemade Spaghetti with Meatballs and yummy Homemade Alfredo. We had Kahlua Triple Fudge cake with strawberries for desert. My other friend Judy and I sang the whole evening for the entertainment. It was a great night and made more than $500.00 for Relay for Life. If you want a fundraiser, this is a great one.

Next, Sunday, Mother's Day, was extra special. I was standing on the stage at Church-singing with our Praise Team when I looked at the door and saw my youngest daughter coming in. She surprised me. I cried! She is at University Of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and I hadn't seen her in about two months. She said she could not come home because they wouldn't let her off work. Then after church my daughters and husband and grandgirls took me to the Westin at Bridge Street, for a Mothers Day Brunch. I spent the rest of the day with my family.

Monday was busy at work, then I finally got to see my Mom and eat dinner with her-she had been out of town for the weekend.
Today, Tuesday we had our Older Americans Festival. Its huge, it's been going on for 24 years. About 3500 seniors came for games, entertainment, goody bags, and a picnic lunch. The weather was beautiful for it. People come from 5 counties of North Alabama. My day began at 6:30 am. I was in the goody bag tent. Boy, people love free stuff. I had alot of fun, I love Seniors. I am plum tired though!

I couldn't let another day go by without a post though. I had a wonderful Loving Mothers Day and I'm thankful for my kids, my grandbabies. my Mom. I'm thankful for my husband who loves my family. Life is good! I hope when you are too busy -it's all good things!Be blessed!

Domestic Violence Responding and other thoughts...

Someone asked me to share about being a Domestic Violence Responder. It is an amazing volunteer opportunity. For several years I had the huge privilege of working day in and day out in the field of Domestic Violence and Rape Response. I was trained and worked in both roles as an advocate. It can be very rewarding. It can be heart wrenching, but you realize you are a part of helping lives. I have a heart for the field because I am a survivor.

I worked full time in the Domestic Violence Shelter here called Hope Place and a part of my heart is still there. I just could not leave it at work and it was hard being there day in and day out. You end up doing more for the ladies than they do for themselves. That's not always best for them. Let me say right here that if you are looking for a cause to give to- you can be sure that all money or resources given would be far reaching and make a difference in countless lives. In my time in shelter I would be either blown away by the kindnesses extended or aggravated. People would often say they had some things to donate and it might be games with pieces missing, puzzles like-wise and dolls with no clothes. If you are going to give -give what you would want for your child. The children are the ones who have my heart, they have fled often with just the clothes on their backs and little else. Life is very different on the run for them.

Until you have been in the field of DV it is hard to understand. A big thing people say or ask is how could a woman stay with a man who abuses her, that's really a hurtful thing to ask her because you don't grow up saying I think I'll let a man use me for a punching bag. It happens and creeps in like all evil does when you haven't prepared yourself for it.

Just last week I got the call asking for help to relocate a lady who had changed her name and SS# twice and who's very life was at risk. Funds were needed and the mission was accomplished. So if you need a place to give monetary donations remember your local Domestic Violence shelter.

Now, getting to how I work (not often enough) with the Police as a Domestic Violence Responder. First, you are trained and then you begin to ride with an officer for a whole shift, you go on every call with them and when there is a DV call or a rape call, they send the officer with the DV responder. Your job after they have secured the scene is to council with the woman and leave her information or see if she wants to go into shelter. I have never had a shift where there was not at least one DV call. Often times it can be a dangerous call. Needless to say I do alot of praying while I am in the patrol car. I'll repeat the saddest victims are the children. We carry bags for them that are called 911 bags, filled with a tiny stuffed animal, a coloring book that's title is "Hands are made for loving not hitting" and crayons. They get a paper telling who to call when they are scared.

The saddest calls to me are family DV calls where children are abused or even when children are abusing their parent. It breaks your heart. I have gone into a home where a stepfather has hit a child with a bat and the Mom stood up for the man. Police have truly hard jobs with not enough pay. You should ride with them once and see.

Ways you can help in this field are:

* Monetary donations to your Local Domestic Violence shelter

*Mission projects where you make 911 bags-little canvas bags that you fill with the items they need like crayons and tiny stuffed animals.

*Rape response bags filled with new pairs of panties -all sizes, a jogging suit, a tiny toothpaste and toothbrush. These are given at the hospital after the woman has had a Rape exam- because they usually keep their underwear and clothes.

*Things for the shelter from their wish list - like full size toiletries, gift cards to Wal-Mart or Target,items for children and again monetary donations.

Please do not judge The DV victim or the Rape victim, it could be you or your daughter. Believe me I know.

Be a helper. Remember to pray for Policeman- they serve and protect, often times they lay down their lives for their job. I have known two officers killed in the line of duty here-one was answering a DV call.

Can I tell you I believe strongly in this cause because I do. Talk to your daughters Mothers, tell them to never let a boyfriend talk to them in a manner they don't deserve. It often starts verbally and mentally, then escalates to physically. Talk to your sons and teach them to treat woman with care.

Seek help when you need it-it is out there.

I know a lady who is crippled today from years of abuse-she stayed and stayed, but she kept the card a DV responder had given her under the sole lining in her shoe and one day she took it out-called and got help and today she is a DV responder and advocate.

Last year I had the privilege of singing at the Rememberance ceremony -I sang I Will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan. We lit candles and remembered the ones who weren't so lucky to live past their abuse. One day we will be in a wonderful place where there will be no more abuse, until then Help the cause!

You simply Must go to the Mother's Day Brunch at My friends Blog

You really need to visit one of my Favorite blogs today http://pinkicingonthecake.blogspot.com/- she has a beautiful party prepared.



She even gives you a gift to take home.

Once you go, you'll fall in love with her pictures, her porch, her way with writing. Can you tell I'm a fan of hers. Don't forget to leave her a comment and tell her MeMe Lorie sent ya!
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Mother’s Day 2008 Giveaway

Mother’s Day 2008 Giveaway
Ladies, don't forget to head over and enter the big Mother's Day Giveaways at 5 minutes for Mom.
I personally would love to win the printer!

The Senior Expo

Boy, I had an eventful Tuesday and Wednesday. We had an annual event called The Senior Expo. It is held at the Civic Center here and is attended by about 10,000 seniors from North Alabama area.There are about100 booths and the Seniors go and get free stuff and lots of good information. We also have lots of entertainment. Speaking of entertainment, that was my job. I got to be the Entertainment handler.Our big entertainment was the Platters on Tuesday and the Marvelettes on Wednesday. My job was to go get them from their hotel.What made it so funny was my attire. I was dressed as a VOODOO woman for Pirates of the Caribbean, the theme was movies and that was ours.

Believe me, I got some funny looks at the car wash that morning. We had a skeleton, some pirates and the pirate captain.

Neither group of folks , the Platters or the Marvelettes were scared to be seen with me.

The Seniors loved The Platters and they sang their hits-ONLY YOU and THE GREAT PRETENDER, to name a few. They were the nicest group. I was supposed to stay with them, get them to sound check, make sure they had goodies and everything they needed, then whisk them back after the performance. That was Tuesday.

Both days my favorite group of all sang, they are called the Blue Notes. It is a group of 5 policemen who sing good old gospel songs Accapella. They are friends of mine, because I am a Domestic Violence Responder and ride with them to go on DV calls. They sing at alot of my functions. I love Oh Mary Don't You Weep, and There's a Leak in this old Building. They start every time they sing with Jesus , Wont You Come by Here. They are great and they will bless your socks off.Wednesday's entertainment was the Marvelettes. They were three ladies from LA. One of them plays piano for Dancing with The Stars, one of them was a back-up singer for Ray Charles for his last 6 years. The main one was a Marvelette- their big hit was Oh Mr Postman. They were very sweet also and the Seniors loved them. I had the privilege of driving them to the Airport. The guy who checked them in was a big fan so I left them in good hands.There was all kinds of Booths- Elvis was there. Marilyn Monroe was there. Lawrence of Arabia was there. The Oompa Loompas were even there.A big time was had by all and we raised a good amount for the Senior Center-this is our biggest Fundraiser of the year. Lots of hard work but well worth it.