You really need to meet the other Lorie

Howdy friends,

In my travels on the blog road I came across a girl who spells her name just like me- that’s kind of unusual- I always wondered why my mom had to add that E on the end of my name. I can never find something with my name on it. It will have Lori, Laurie, Laura but no LORIE.

Anyway you must go to Lorie’s blog-Be Different …Act Normal -she puts the coolest stuff on there. She must spend alot of time finding all the cool stuff she shares . So I’ll be kind and share her with you! On this post she has a must have for Christmas bakers and candy makers. So when you visit, leave her a note and say Lorie sent me!

Believe me you will thank me!

Be blessed!

Please remember to pray for Poppy –he’s in the hospital –I’m on my way there now!

My Thanksgiving 2008

My Thanksgiving started on Wednesday night when my wonderful husband went shopping with me to buy provisions for the meal, then ended up taking me to Dreamland for some Ribs-yummy. Then Bama Princess was home and my grandgirls came to spend the night.We had preparations going on and Christmas movies and Anna girl ended up going home to Mama-while my Emma girl stayed and ended up staying up half the night with her Aunt Whitney watching Christmas movies…. thus this picture on Thanksgiving day.

Thanksgiving morning was sweet –it involved watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade with Emma and starting my food.  I had my whole family coming but everyone is doing food so I did not have to make everything. I didn’t even get to make the Turkey and dressing, because that’s my sweet Daddy’s specialty and he likes to do it-so I made a good big spiral cut Ham.

I have no pictures of the food because when it comes to the food it’s eating time and I forget all about my blog….

WE had turkey and dressing, mashed tators and gravy, rolls, every casserole and congealed salad you can think of, plus deviled eggs, delicious fresh green beans, macaroni and cheese. WE had apple pie, sweet potato pie, pecan pie, coconut pie, pound cake, oh I forgot peanut butter pie. Where oh where was the chocolate- people? Can you say PIE?

Let me go backwards and say that the time before the meal-when we had 4 generations together and asked each person what they were thankful for was the sweetest part of the day-some thoughts shared were:

Family-unconditional love- GOD’s love even when we don’t deserve it-that Jesus died on the cross for us- food- friends- Being able to be with a big loving family to share a holiday when they had never experienced it before-grandbabies-hugs-Family

How about some pictures…

Wow, Turkey has that tryptophan stuff so when you eat it this happens…

Naptime….

I LOVE MY POPPY!

A great day was had by all- my Daddy “Poppy” was feeling under the weather-please say a little prayer for him-he’s at the DR as I write-I’m a little worried. He still came and it was good to have him here –he just wasn’t feeling up to par and he left early to go home and rest.

The evening ended with Juju’s daughter Kristy who is in

her last month of massage therapy school-sharing her talents with us. What a great way to end a great day!

She is so sweet and ended up doing at least 8 people a wonderful head, neck and shoulder massage-we put out a tip jar and she picked up some “tips”.Worked for everyone. I got my rub from her Mama-my BFF!

My sweet Bama Princess said she missed my other BFF Memaw Barbie, it didn’t seem right without her –but she is in the Big D- with her family for Thanksgiving which is a good thing.

Speaking of Bama princess –she is heading back to TTown today for her big day tomorrow-IRON BOWL!!

Yes , she will be there-I am jealous. I’ll be watching. I can’t count how many years I watched as an Auburn fan and now somthing about your baby and your money being somewhere- how fast you change your allegiance. It also helps they are UNDEFEATED!!!!!!

My son-in love said he was thankful to have his Grandma and her husband Tom~ I’m sure their family in FLA missed them but hope they enjoyed their big crazy Thanksgiving Alabama style.

Hope your day was sweet and you have leftovers and memories like I do. I’m off to hunt for CHOCOLATE!!!

Be blessed!

Christmas season is really now upon us-lookout it’s coming…..

Have You Missed Me?

I had taken a break, not really on purpose but I just found myself moving full speed ahead and without much left to ponder things to write about.

No problems, just getting ready for the holidays and working and living. I’ve spent the last two weekends with my girlfriends. Last weekend I went to Nashville with my 5 closest friends from high school, we go every year to shop and be together and it is wonderful. It leaves you tired to start the next week, because we shop long and hard and stay up really late catching up and laughing. Thanks girls for the memories.

Fast forward to this weekend, you can read all about it with pictures at my best friend Barbies blog. Let’s just say that I will be making pictures  of my own to show soon.

Let me show you my favorite…

Emma is one of my favorite things and she is really going to enjoy Christmas this year. Have I told you all how much I love her!!!! Of course I love all my booger bears-even the one who isn’t here yet-lil Miss Abby Lynn! I can’t wait for Thursday and Turkey day and having all my babies, big and little here at home.

This word is very special to me, it’s more than a word to me –it is a state of being.

The JOY of the Lord is my strength!

Joy comes in the morning!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
James 1:1-3

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:2-4

JOY is a blessing I am thankful for-I’m thankful that my JOY rests not in my circumstances but in the depths of my heart. It comes from the ONE who fills my heart.

Have joy and come back soon, I’ll have pictures and thoughts to share!

Be blessed!

Through the eyes of a child....

None of these are my grandchildren, but I wanted to help my sweet blog friends remember the magic of Christmas as seen with childlike eyes.

I do not know what I want someone to give me for Christmas.

Wind-up mechanical toys that make noises and go round and round and do funny things....

Well, okay, that's close, but not quite exactly it.

It's delight and simplicity that I want.

Foolishness and fantasy and noise.

Angels and miracles and wonder and innocence and magic.

That's closer to what I want.

It's harder to talk about, but what I really, really want for Christmas is just this:

I want to be five years old again for an hour.

( Excerpt from Everything I need to know about Christmas I learned from Jesus)

Seek joy in what you give not in what you get.

Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:

The presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

Be blessed!

My Heart is ready for Christmas...

My Sunday School class is making preparations for Christmas- and in so doing I find myself looking forward to that time of year that everyone seems a little nicer and they think of others. We are going to brighten someone's life and make it possible for them to have a special Christmas and that is what it's all about.
It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you...everytime you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.
Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8
I can't wait to help my girlfriends trim their trees and them help me. It will make it so much more fun than doing it all yourself. I use to love putting on the Christmas music and making hot chocolate and getting the kids to help me decorate, now I feel that same excitement because I will have loving help again.
Selfishness makes Christmas a burden; Love makes it a delight.
I can't wait to see my grandchildren enjoy the season. When the kids were little and they believed in Old St. Nick what joy, what fun and now I have that joy again!
The joy of brightening a child's heart creates the magic of Christmas.

Just some thoughts as I prepare for Christmas.
Be blessed!

I wish you Enough

I had to share this email I recieved with all of you and I do wish You 'Enough'.
Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, 'I love you and I wish you enough'.. The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom'. They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking , 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'. Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'. 'I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said. 'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?'. She began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone'. She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them'. Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory. I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
She then began to cry and walked away.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them but then an entire life to forget them.
TAKE TIME TO LIVE...
To all my friends and loved ones, I WISH YOU ENOUGH

Be blessed!

How about a look see….

Bama Princess came home this weekend and boy did that make me happy! Isn’t she gorgeous!

I worked at Barbie’s open house.It was hard work but lots of fun.

My Emma girl is loving Cheerleading-she came in Second place on her first ever competition. I love watching her!

I got to see Baby Ryder Sunday –he is growing like a weed. He will be one year old in one month. Time flies when your having fun.

How about that TIDE!!!!!!

Sunday Barbie and I went to see a good movie~ I enjoyed it alot and recommend it.

  The Secret Life of Bees.

Next, I have good recipe to share.

CARAMEL CRISPIX MIX – YUMMY!!!

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter (not margarine)
• 1 cups brown sugar
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1 box Crispix cereal
• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup pecan halves

Directions:

Mix cereal and nuts and pour in large pan sprayed with butter flavored non-stick spray.

Mix butter, corn syrup and brown sugar in glass bowl and microwave for 2 minutes.

Pour over cereal and mix well. Bake 1 hour at 200-250F degrees. Stir every 15 minutes.

When you take out of oven srir constantly until cool and hardened.

Be careful -its addicting!

Say a prayer for my Ashley-Mommy Girl.  She’s got my next little punkin in her tummy and she is hormonal and nervous and just a little anxious.

While your at it, say a prayer for me because I’m needing it-I’ve got some issues of my own.

Be blessed!

This is all we need to know...

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE
This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day. I love you.
P.S. And, remember... If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!
Should you find yourself the day after the election and it did not go as you had prayed, remember I am soveriegn. Remember there are those who live in countries with far less than you have and who have reaped far less blessings than you have.
Remember to still turn to me as the country begins change and to stand up for the things you hold as highest truth. Do not stand idly by and let change happen for the worst without your stand for the best.

I recieved this email today and added the last part to fit our current state.
I am thankful He is always taking care of me and I have read the whole book-WE WIN!
Be blessed!

This song came to me as I drove home alone tonight

Higher Ground

---

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

God bless America.

 

How about some Inspiration today

Quilt of Holes
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.
An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!
Please share this with someone you love, care about or even someone who needs Jesus in their heart. They may scoff, but at least the seed has been planted, and God will do the rest. May God bless you today and Forever!
And so ye are blessed! RECIPROCATE PLEASE!
God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go."
When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.

I am praying for our Election

Today I was going to post some material that I have recently seen, with disturbing information about members involved in the election we face tomorrow. The images are everywhere and I am sure you are inundated with them as I am. I am sure we will all be glad when the days of negative ads on TV will be over. I had it in my mind that I would do this long post with new information I was sent, but instead I will just post that I hope all Christians are in prayer for this election. I believe the Christian community can make a difference in the outcome of this election if we humble ourselves and pray. We serve a Mighty God who is able. Period. End of sentence. He may very well be desiring us to seek Him and see that HE is good. I know no matter the outcome, no matter what my future holds, HE holds my future and this is just my temporary home. I do desire a future that is good for my children and my grandchildren, but God loves my children more than I do so He desires the same thing. He also desires that I turn to him for everything. So today I turn my face to Him, I place my heart in Him, I put my trust in Him. Tomorrow may we show who we belong to. Then watch and see that HE is GOOD!
Be blessed!

The last few days were busy…making memories.

  Here is a pictorial of my last few days of family….

We went to Tate Farms-before it’s gone.What a day of fun.

After we went to Tate Farms, we met Nanny and Poppy, Mike and Nick and Aunt Julie for a great Mexican dinner.Yummy our favorite.

Then home to draw the pumpkins we had got at Tate Farms.

Mommy let her girls draw her little punkin up…

 

Oh what a Masterpiece and what fun they had. Mommy was a good sport to let me share the fun.

Halloween night was spent at the cold Trunk or Treat at church. I had the Popcorn machine duty. We had tons of people and a good time was had by all. I love my little cheerleader and Emma Alabama.

The only thing that would have made it better would be to have seen my lil Chewbacca.

It’s the weekend enjoy your family.

Be blessed!