The General Lee: The Simple Woman's Daybook

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today:  Sunday, June 28, 2015
 

Outside my window …  A cloudless lazy summer sky.  The Crepe Myrtles are in bloom.  I need to get down to the section of the Ladiga Trail that's lined with them.  I've not seen them in bloom.

I am thinking...   about this stupid thing on social media with people tagging random people in a RayBan add.  What is that about?  I'm also thinking about today's sermon.  It was a simple, direct message on combatting worry.  I can definitely be a worrier.  I'm much better than I used to be, but worrisome thoughts still overrun my mind more often than they should.  Lord, help my mind.

I am thankful...  for my mom.  Her 82nd birthday was this week.  She's still healthy and strong...and puts the fear of God into 3 generations. 

In the kitchen... Yes, I know I need to get back to my A-Z challenge. 

 

From the Workshop...   Here is the post from my sister blog I promised you about the process with my quilt-ghan. 

I've got a bunch of leftover squares from different unfinished projects that I'm trying to find a use for.  I'll let you know how that goes.

 

I am looking forward to...  Starting work.  I got a job this week.

A favorite quote for today... 

"You'll have many opportunities to fail in life; just don't take any." - Jesse Duplantis

One of my favorite things...  Sleep.

A few plans for the rest of the week:   Work.  Celebrating Independence Day weekend.

A peek into my days... Not much going on this week.



And now for something totally different...

By now we are all well aware of the horrible news of the church shooting in South Carolina.  I'm not going to rehash the details of the carnage this young man left. The media is doing a good job of that instead of focusing on the victims and the unexpected peaceful response of the community. My rant is on the Powers that Be and their response to this display of evil.

The pure demonic nature of this criminal act is being overshadowed by the discovery of a picture of the alleged shooter sitting on his car, which sports a confederate (rebel) flag.  So, the call is not to fight the real root of the depravity, but to waste time on a piece of cloth.

First, I was born, raised, and still live in Alabama--"The Heart of Dixie."  I see confederate symbols  and memorials everywhere.  I've fussed about this crap before.  I also understand the concept of intent.  Yes, idiots who take this flag and use it as a symbol of hate should be ashamed of themselves (not to mention pummeled with a few shots with a Louisville Slugger--just to the point of bruising, not death), but I don't think you can include Bo and Luke Duke in that category.  That's right, now companies want to stop selling General Lee toys and to blur the flag on the top of the car in the rebroadcasting of the decades-old syndicated show.  This, dear friends, is what Oral Roberts called "ignorance gone to seed."

Second, do people really think that the kid never would have shot those nine innocent people if he'd never seen the rebel flag?  Are the Powers that Be really that stupid?  Another example of what Jesus said, "Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel" (Matthew 23:24).

Third, quite frankly, I don't give a rat's butt about the confederate flag, but I'm losing patience with stupidity.  Moving on.

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Five Minute Friday: "Dream"

Our Mistress of Ceremonies for the Five Minute Friday is Kate over at Heading Home.  Hope you link up with us and join the fun.

 

 

GO! 

 

Last week, the prompt word was "fear."  How ironic that the very next word is "dream."  Fear is the stuff dreams are obliterated by.

I hate personality assessment tests.  I never score correctly on them.  I didn't know there was no such thing as scoring incorrectly.  I'd always heard that some personality types were better than others.  Better at what?  Everything!  Though I hated every minute of it, I recently took the animal-based one.  I scored highest on Golden Retriever though the scores were pretty even with Otter and Beaver also.  I scored lowest on Lion, of course.  Lions are the "best" type to be, right?  They are the movers and shakers.  They get things done.  They are the ones who actually fulfill their dreams.  Lions are the great leaders that Beavers, Otters, and Golden Retrievers work for, bow down to, and wish they were more like, right?  WRONG!

 

STOP! 

 

Thought I was going to leave you hanging, didn't you?

 

Through processing this assessment I learned that no personality type is wrong or superior.  All the types have their own individual use and beauty.  They can also help each other accomplish great things.  I also received the compliment that because my scores were so even, it proved that I was very balanced.   It made me feel great. 

 

So what does all this have to do with dreams?  Hold on, I'm getting to that part.

 

Finding out that I have a Golden Retriever personality reminded me of something.  Golden Retrievers and Labradors (aren't they the same thing?) make great Guide dogs for the blind.  These dogs, in a sense, not only guide, but maintain the safety of and possibly rescue a person who is visually impaired.  They are the superheroes of the canine world.  Superheroes...

 

When I was a little kid, my dream was to be a superhero.  I'd strap a towel around my neck and get on my bike or roller skates and pretend to be Batgirl, Aggie from G-Force, or Wonder Woman. I had visions of jumping my bike over the back of a car in Bo and Luke Duke fashion (yes, I considered them superheroes as a kid).  I felt powerful and happy.  Unfortunately, like many children, that innocent joy got lost (or stolen).  I grew up and was made to feel childish if I tried to go back to having wild dreams and longing for more adventure than loafing through the grocery store looking for peanut butter.  Well, by getting into an environment where thriving was expected, rather than squelched, I've decided to dust off a few of my old dreams and goals.  I need to put those Golden Retriever characteristics of guiding and rescuing to use in helping others.  Stuff like what I posted here and here don't need to be thrown away.  No matter how hard it gets, I need to have something new to look forward to every day.  These dreams need to be part of my motivation.

 

"People often say motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing--that's why we recommend it daily." - Zig Ziglar

“If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.” – Zig Ziglar

Hot Pink: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Want to join the party?  Go on over to From This Side of the Pond  for the Hodgepodge link-up!

June 23rd is National Pink Day. What's your favorite something pink?

Flowers. 

What did you enjoy most about gym class when you were in school? How about the least?

Being the biggest girl in class made enjoying PE difficult.  I wish I could have found the fun in exercise as I do now.  Oh well, water under a very old bridge.

What memory is brought to mind by the smell of roses?

The smell of roses brings the beauty of Spring to mind.  Spring...that beautiful season when everything is new, fresh and beautiful.  I wish the new year started on March 21st instead of January 1st.  I'm not thinking of starting new in the dead of winter; I'm thinking of staying bundled up in bed.

Do you prefer to read or write?

I love both, so I can't choose between the two.  Reading the thoughts of others inspires my own creativity with words.

Sam Keen is quoted as saying, 'Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.' Would you agree? Is laziness ever respectable? How will you be lazy this summer?

I don't think laziness is the proper word for what Keen was referring to.  To be lazy means to be "averse or disinclined to work, activity, or exertion."  What I see happening during the summer is people working even harder on vacation/staycation instead of relaxing.  Then, they are tired and irritable when they go back to work and/or normal life and spend their time posting on social media how they hate their job/life and wish they were back at Location X.  Rather sad, really.

I know it sounds odd for me to say, but I need to find ways to include relaxation into my life.  I don't know how to just relax.  I know how to sleep, but we all know that sleep doesn't always equal relaxation.  My life seems at a constant level of intense where I have to always be doing something.  Can't let anyone think I'm sitting around doing nothing all day.

At Ft. Walton in 1990

The Florida Keys, Disney World, or a resort somewhere on the Gulf Coast...which Florida destination would you choose (and why) if the trip were today?

Although I do eventually want to visit Disney Word, if the trip was today, I'd go to Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  I went there 25 years ago with the Marching Southerners to perform at a band competition.  That was the first time I'd ever been to the beach.  It was such a whirlwind trip that I didn't really get to enjoy relaxing on the beach like I wanted to, so I really want to go back.

What question do you hate to answer?

Two come to mind:  So what do you do? and What kind of a job are you looking for?  People think that because I don't yet have a conventional job, that I don't DO anything.  That couldn't be further from the truth.  Even if I list what I do during the week, people took at me like a lava lamp.  If I got paid for what I actually do, I'd be a gozillionaire.   People just don't get it.  Just because I'm not yet paid for what I do doesn't make it worthless and "not real work."

Another dreaded question is when people ask me what kind of job I'm looking for.  First, why do you want to know?  Most people who ask me don't have any leads or prospects to any jobs; they're being nosy or just don't have anything better to ask.  Is saying "how are you?" and actually caring about the answer too hard?  Second, if I really told people what kind of job I really wanted, they'd crap their pants.  There's nothing wrong with what I want, but I also know better than to draw the ire and disbelief that I would dare want something better for myself and employment that I enjoy.  So, I'm very vague, or I redirect the question to something else. 

Insert your own random thought here.

I've been home from the Journey Training for a week, and it feels like a year.  I'm going through withdrawal.  I miss Tulsa.  I miss my new forever friends who love me unconditionally.  I miss them being in my face with encouragement.  I've had to go back into the land of "who cares."  The difference is that I'm working to cope in more constructive ways.  Monday, I was feeling really down (a combo of circumstances and the dark cloud of depression that comes from nowhere).  I wanted to eat it away so badly.  Instead, I went for a walk/run.  Yesterday was more of the same, but less of it, so I coped the same way.  I refuse to let all these wonderful changes go to waste.

Five Minute Friday: "Fear"

Our Mistress of Ceremonies for the Five Minute Friday is Kate over at Heading Home.  Hope you link up with us and join the fun.

 

 

GO! 

 

Facing fear is frightening.  I not only have fears, but fears of being afraid.  Some fears are uniquely ridiculous to me (trailer floors, the interstate, etc).  Most fears are either connected to some past event, or, most likely, a fear of what might happen.  Those are the worst.  I have no control over the future behavior of others.  I can only work on my response and how to take control of my mind and say "oh no, you don't!"

 

The phrase "There's nothing to fear but fear itself" is a crock (kind of like the old "sticks and stones" adage).  The Bible says that fear brings torment (I John 4:18).  How true!  Fear is a tormenting evil that can paralyze without touching you, blind you without being near your eyes, and make you sick without a diagnosable disease.  Fear sucks!

 

STOP!  

Skeeter Beater: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Want to join the party?  Go on over to From This Side of the Pond  for the Hodgepodge link-up!

June is National Great Outdoors Month. Have you spent any time appreciating the great outdoors this month? If so where, and if not do you have any plans to enjoy the great outdoors before the calendar turns?

Not yet.  With getting ready for my trip, taking my trip, and now recovering from my trip, I've not made time to get outside.  Short morning bike rides and evening walks on the Ladiga Trail are on the schedule in a couple of days.  Sitting on the porch sounds great, but I need some Off! The 'skeeters are fierce this year.

What's a current hot button issue for you?

Employment.  'Nuf said.

What's a food or treat that 'disappears like hotcakes' in your house?

For me, almonds.  I've had to start purchasing them more often, but in smaller quantities since Wal-Mart thinks we're stupid enough to believe charging the same price for 12 ounces of almonds they were previously charging for 16 ounces is considered a "Rollback" deal.  Really?

How hot is too hot?

It's not really a specific temperature, but a feeling.  When I was in Oklahoma, the temperatures were comparable to those in Alabama.  However, there is much less humidity in Tulsa than in Weaver, so it wasn't as oppressive.  The southern combination of heat and humidity are like running around with a wet quilt wrapped around me.  Or, as one comedian put it, "It's like walking around the inside of a dog's mouth."

Do you have an artistic outlook on life? What does that mean to you?

Definitely.  I've been asking God to help me see the hidden beauty around me and the ability to express it in art.  I have to remember to not be married to one specific medium of expression.  Also, to stop and experience the realms of beauty that stimulate all the senses, not simply the visual.  By the way, one of my fellow bloggers, Annie, wrote an excellent piece on that very thing.  If you're interested, it's here.

What's one question you'd like to ask your father, or one you wish you could ask your father?

My dad, ML Maddox

I wish I could ask my dad what his childhood was like.  He didn't talk about it much that I remember.  I'm sure he would be able to tell me about the rough times, but he was also magnificent at telling funny stories.  I would love to hear about all the mischief he got into.

Something you learned from your father?

I learned a lot about cars from my father.  Now, let me be clear, I can't change a tire, check my transmission fluid (the dipstick is too short), or fix anything, but my ears are good at diagnosing trouble.  Daddy taught me how to listen to the sounds a car makes (or doesn't make).  If something sounded amiss, he could usually tell you what's wrong (and no, he couldn't fix anything either--but he could change a tire).  I learned the same thing. 

Insert your own random thought here.

I don't have any inspiring salient comments right now, but I do have a song to share.  Everybody and their grandma may know this one already, but I heard it for the first time this weekend. 

 

Love of Another Kind: The Simple Woman's Daybook

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today:  Sunday, June 14, 2015
 

Outside my window …  the sun is setting over the Oklahoma skyline.  It's raining, but I'm on the 9th floor of the hotel, so unfortunately the lulling sound of it can't reach my ears.

I am thinking...   about my experience at this last half of the Journey Training.  I've dusted off a couple of dreams and goals I want to pursue as hard as I can.

I am thankful...  for another crazy weekend with my Journey Training forever family.

In the kitchen... The eating has been fabulous on this trip.  Nothing others would call extravagant, but it was grand for me.  Hey, food always tastes better when I don't have to cook it.
 

From the Workshop...   Nothing this week, but when I get back home, I'll get started on some new projects.

 

I am reading...  Finished The Blessing of the Lord by Kenneth Copeland.  The review is here.  Also finished Lose Your Quit by Danny Cahill.  The review is here. Currently off the shelf...

 

 

 

I am looking forward to...  life in general.  For the first time in a long time, I've got a real zest for living.  No, situations haven't changed yet, but I have changed on the inside.  I've taken my power back.
 

I am learning… there is a such a thing as unconditional love.  My experience had always been that anyone's love for me came with conditions.  If I was a good girl, my teachers loved me.  If I preformed well, others would love me.  Men said they would love me if I let them do inappropriate things to me.  I still don't know how to find unconditional love from my family.  I knew in my heart that God's love was unconditional, but I'd never mentally accepted it because I could never get it from others who were supposed to be His representatives.  The Journey Training taught me what unconditional love really is.  I'm easy to love when people don't know me that well.  But, the more of my "junk" people saw, the more they loved, not less.  Plus, this was genuine love, not pity.  Oh honey, to even say pity pissed people off--they weren't having any of it.  My openness and honesty didn't push people away; it drew them closer.

 

Around the house... unpacking, laundry, preparing for projects.

A favorite quote for today... 

"No you are not too old, too fat, too weak, or too far gone.  No, you are not too stupid, too lazy, or too tired.  You just have to wake your heart up and get yourself back in the race!  That dream is there, and it is up to you to make it happen." - Danny Cahill

"You're really pissing me off right now!" - Mindi Mariboho (If you knew why she said that to me, you'd see why it's a favorite quote).

"People often say motivation doesn't last.  Well, neither does bathing--that's why we recommend it daily." - Zig Ziglar

"The Light God spoke forth on the first of Creation wasn't just visible illumination.  It wasn't a kind of night light that lit up the darkness so God could see what He was doing." - Kenneth Copeland

 

One of my favorite things...  Flower gardens.  These are pictures from one of the rest stops in Arkansas.  Just gorgeous. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:   Decompressing.  Working on projects and goals.  Living.  Really living.
 

And now for something totally different...

 

From Twitter:  @HonestToddler tweeted:  "Cucumber is like if a bunch of grass and a cup of water had a baby. Never again."

 

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Auntie's Full Shelf Challenge 09



Book: Lose Your Quit

Author: Danny Cahill

Info: Copyright 2012: Tulsa OK:  Harrison House Publishers

Where acquired: Gift from the author.

Why:  I'm a fan of The Biggest Loser, but my access to the show is hit or miss, so I'd not heard of Danny Cahill (winner of season 8) or his story until my friend, Carla, told me about him and his involvement in the Journey Training.  I went back and watched season 8 of The Biggest Loser and heard small pieces of his story when I attended Threshold at the Journey Training.  He generously gave me a signed copy of this book.

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 hashtags): # # # 
  
What it's about:  Cahill, a budding musician in his youth, gave up on his dreams, and eventually on life itself.  Addictions, massive debt, and other dangerous life choices sent his life into a downward spiral and his weight to a deadly upward spiral to over 400 pounds.  After years of mere existence, Cahill "lost his quit" and was chosen for The Biggest Loser, which he won by losing a staggering 239 pounds.  The book gives examples and encouragement to help others to break the cycle of mediocre survival.

Favorite Quotes: 

"I have talent and I feel like I've settled for making a living instead of making my dreams come true." - p. 5

"No you are not too old, too fat, too weak, or too far gone.  No, you are not too stupid, too lazy, or too tired.  You just have to wake your heart up and get yourself back in the race!  That dream is there, and it is up to you to make it happen." p. 8

"...the physical manifestation of anything happens long after the mental decision not to quit!" - p. 23

"You need to renew your motivation every single day of your life." - p. 24

"If there were anyone I'd want as my bodyguard in a bar fight, it would be Jillian (Michaels)." - p. 36

"External motivation is great, but if that's all you have, it won't take you far.  Without a clearly defined why, it will be too easy to lean on the same excuses that have kept you where you've been for far too long.  Zig Ziglar once said, 'People often say motivation doesn't last.  Well, neither does bathing--that's why we recommend it daily.'" - p. 66

"Do a little more than yesterday.  Repeat the process tomorrow." - p. 78

What I Liked:

• Cahill writes in a flowing conversational style that makes the book hard to put down.
• This, like many books I've read, seems to get right into my head.  I easily identify with Cahill's story:  we're both musicians (he's a "Brother in bass" also), both battle weight (he's winning, me? not so much), and both think a lot alike (scary).
• The four core principles of the text are deceptively simple on paper, but they are complex in execution:  Lose your quit, lose your regrets, lose the lies, find your "why."

What I didn’t like: 

• At less than 100 pages, this book was too short.  It had gaps in the story and left unanswered questions. I would have liked a little more instruction--a little more "how."  Note:  I realize Cahill wrote a second book that may (or may not) fill in some of the gaps, but I haven't read it yet so I have to go with what I have.
• From a technical standpoint, some of the sentence structure was confusing.  For example, on page 23 he says, "I needed to learn that one step at a time added to the faith that your work is making a difference is the key."  Yeah, I'm not sure what he meant either.
• I know I belabor this point, but I wish publishers would stop using what I call the "aside."  It's a box or a piece of enlarged bold type that repeats what the author has already said.  First, it breaks the flow and continuity of a piece.  Second, it emphasizes something that the reader may not feel is that relevant.  In other words, other parts of the book may speak to me more than what is emphasized; publishers shouldn't try to force relevance.  Yes, I know a lot of books use this, so it's going to be a constant complaint.  From now on, I'll just type the phrase "aside box" in my reviews and leave it at that.  You'll understand why.
• Some of the pictures covered up the text.

To sum up:  Lose Your Quit has opened me up to new possibilities and offered a much needed burst of encouragement.  It's not necessarily a "how to" book; it's a "Get 'er done" book.

Auntie's Full Shelf Challenge 08



Book: The Blessing of the Lord.

Author: Kenneth Copeland

Info: Copyright 2011: Kenneth Copeland Publications, Fort Worth, TX.

Where acquired: Gift from the author.

Why:  The prosperity message; is it from God, or is it some get-rich-quick scheme invented by preachers?  Are people just putting a few random Bible passages to make poor people feel better?  Why is it that the people who say they believe in Biblical prosperity are often poor, while those who don't give it a second thought seem to be well off?  Something's missing, or the message has gotten bogged down somehow. 

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 hashtags): # # # #
  
What it's about:  God's blessing to Adam and Eve to "be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it" in Genesis chapter one; did it end when sin entered the world, or does mankind still have that mandate?   What does God's blessing mean to our post-garden society? 

Copeland takes a romp from Genesis to Revelation to reveal God's true plan for prosperity.  He states very clearly that prosperity isn't using the Lord's name for a selfish pursuit of "stuff."  God's prosperity is for the financing of the Gospel, aiding the poor, and bringing pockets of the Garden of Eden to a lost world.  The author uses solid scriptural examples and stories from his own life to demonstrate the application of the principles of prosperity.

Favorite Quotes: 

"We must see that what we have learned is not a campground.  It's a building base.  We must understand that if we want to go on and grow up, as the Bible says, into "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). - p. 14

"The Light God spoke forth on the first of Creation wasn't just visible illumination.  It wasn't a kind of night light that lit up the darkness so God could see what He was doing." - p. 39

"To expect fallen humanity to live like Jesus did by following His good example would be like expecting a stubby-legged, sway-backed donkey to win the Kentucky Derby by following the good example of a race horse." - p. 165.

"I like to paraphrase it (John 15:9-12) this way: 'Now boys, let Me make it easy for you.  I know there are a lot of commandments but I'm going to give you just one.  You walk in love and THE BLESSING will work.'" - p. 300

"Unlike the world, we aren't BLESSED because we're rich; we are rich because we're BLESSED." - p. 348

What I Liked:

• Copeland stresses Scripture as evidence.  His own experiences and opinions are illustrations, not the proof he's standing on.  He does not consider his book to be the definitive work on the subject; he encourages the reader to research and study for himself.
• I really enjoyed the mix of scholarly and down-to-earth writing styles.  It was like a cross between Charles Spurgeon and Lewis Grizzard.
• The author's use of footnotes and the avoidance of the "aside box" is refreshing. 
• Many of Copeland's Old Testament commentary referenced The Chumash, which is a Rabbinic commentary on the Torah.  That piqued my interest, so I'd really like to get a copy of this commentary and study it in detail. 

What I didn’t like: 

• This book did get slightly long winded in places. 
• One particular passage confused me.  On pages 345-346, Copeland  compares the "Babylonian" financial system to the Biblical Financial system.  I understood that part, but the origins of the "Babylonian" system puzzled me.  I understood anything Babylonian referred to the decadent, depraved culture of ancient Babylon; the dictionary even defines it as such.  However, he stated the origins as referring to the city of Babel in the Book of Genesis.  Both cultures did essential the same thing; tried to meet there own needs without God.  However, wouldn't Copeland's example be the "Babel-onian" system?  It wasn't a deal breaker for the book, but it did leave me scratching my head thinking Do what?
• I understand that the capitalization of the words BLESSED and BLESSING throughout the text was something the author felt was a directive from God, however, it was a little distracting. 

To sum up:  I'd been given this book more than a year ago, but didn't really feel ready to read it until now.  I'm glad I did.   The Blessing of the Lord stirred my faith.  I'm encouraged to not give up on my God given dreams to help and bless others.  I would absolutely recommend it to others.

Customer Service: The Simple Woman's Daybook

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today:  Sunday, June 7, 2015
 

Outside my window …  Warm, humid skies that make me want to take to my bed.  I had such plans for this afternoon, but I'm feeling absolutely dreadful.  I've had a nap; perhaps I need another one.

I am thinking...   about the concept of self-esteem.  When I was a kid, the school counselors told me I didn't have any.  As a teenager and young adult, well meaning, yet ignorant, church people told me that even caring about self-esteem was evil and selfish.  Really?  Oh yeah, and I bought that load of crap for a long time.  Yes, the Bible does say not to think of myself more highly that I ought (Romans 12:3).  However, what is the "more highly" measure?  In context, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the church of Rome not to think like the world but to be humble before God and learn what His will is (vv 1-2).  Then he goes on to say to think according to the faith of God and the believer's position in the body of Christ.  In other words, the "more highly" measure is established by the Lord Himself.  He wants us to know and relish our position in Christ, but never to become haughty or narcissistic.

What got me stirred up was a quote from a book I'm reading called Secrets of Becoming a Late Bloomer:

Building self-esteem is like putting nickels and dimes into a piggy bank:  taken one by one, the wealth of image-building activities may seem insignificant, but when the container is finally opened, you'll discover a significant nest egg.  Habitually reminding yourself that you're a worthwhile person in small ways, day by day, can add up to a big boost in self-esteem.  Take time to get in touch with yourself, to experience and express approval, affection, and appreciation for who you really are. - p. 42

No wonder I've not had a "nest egg" to pull from; I was taught it was wrong to even start one.

I am thankful...  for another year of life and another chance to get it right.

In the kitchen... I have no idea.  Actually, I do have an idea or two.  I just need the energy to get in there and create something.
 

From the Workshop...   I finally finished the Birdhouse quilt ghan...

 

I auctioned it off online to finish paying for my trip to the second half of the Journey Training in Tulsa.  In case you're interested, I'll be blogging more about the details of the process of making the piece on my sister blog in the coming days.  Be on the lookout for it.

Found an adorable summer baby booty pattern...

The link to the pattern is here.  It has several errors in it, but they were easy to work out.

My next projects will most likely be paintings and small needlework projects.  I do have a few more quilt-ghans in the works, but I'll start on them later.  I need some less involved projects to offset this large one.

I am looking forward to...  the Journey Training next weekend.  The first part was intense and left me hanging, so I'm excited to finish the rest of it.

I am learning…

• I learned that there are at least two kinds of bicycle tire valves and I learned how to convert my bike pump for each one.  May not seem like much, but my new bike has different tubes from my old one.  Oh, yeah, I didn't mention my new wheels.  A couple of friends refurbished a really nice Bianchi brand bike.  It rides like a dream.  My old bike will go on the stationary trainer for days when getting outside isn't ideal.

• I'm learning that saboteurs are some of the most selfish, devious people on the planet.  Just when you think they've gotten the message to stop, they find new ways to try to impede progress.  I've never seen someone work so hard to try to kill me.  It sad and sick. 

Around the house... Finishing up a large project always turns my work areas into disaster zones.  I spent Thursday finding my desk and bedroom floor again.  I'll spend the weekend preparing to paint and getting containers ready to hold small projects, so that I can keep up with them better.  It's also time for me to attempt detailing the car again.  I said ATTEMPT.  :)

 

A favorite quote for today... 

"To expect fallen humanity to live like Jesus did by following His good example would be like expecting a stubby-legged, sway-backed donkey to win the Kentucky Derby by following the good example of a race horse." - Kenneth Copeland

"Bad nursing in their spiritual infancy often causes converts to fall into a despondency from which they never recover and sin in other cases brings broken  bones." - Charles Spurgeon

"A day without laughter is a day wasted" - Charlie Chaplin

"My college career and beer went hand-in-hand. That's why it didn't last very long." - Greg Burgess

 

One of my favorite things...  Gift bags.  Without gift bags and tissue paper, I wrap ugly gifts.

A few plans for the rest of the week:   Running errands.  Heading to Tulsa on Wednesday.  I need to finish up a few projects before I leave.

A peek into my days...

I know I didn't to a Daybook last week, but last weekend was so busy.  I spent my 43rd birthday at a party on wheels.

With all this going on, I still had energy to play at the Community Band's concert at the Jacksonville Community Center that same evening...then I drove home and passed out.

Photo by Mindy Cheyne

Congratulations to my niece, Cassandra, for graduating with her diploma last weekend.  I am very proud of her.

Photo by Connie Looney

I had a couple of job interviews this week.  Hopefully, gainful employment isn't far away.

And now for something totally different...

A friend gave something from my wishlish;   a Fitbit.  This little gem is supposed to track your steps, calories burned, etc.  I attempted to set it up and it wouldn't sync.

I jumped through every hoop available on their help page, all to no avail.  The conclusion was that if I were using a smartphone, it would work.  Well, I don't have a smartphone or any other Bluetooth device, save the "dongle" they provide that's supposed to work with a computer.  After complaining about it on their Twitter page, their help desk contacted me, took me through the EXACT SAME steps I took already.  Of course, it still didn't work.  Their conclusion?  I quote "Based on the screenshot you've sent, we figured that this is a common issue for Fitbit Connect Software.  For the meantime, please direct to mobile setup, see supported and compatible devices..." They give me a list of smartphones to use it with.  Didn't I say that I didn't HAVE a smartphone?  Now, they want the device back so they can send me a replacement.  Yeah, that sounds good on paper, but if the problem is the crappy software, a new device isn't going to fix it.  I'll send it back and see what happens, but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm not upset with my friend; it was a generous gift.  My frustration is with the whole process of "help" when it comes to any kind of computer or software problems.  Most companies assume its customers are stupid and don't follow the directions.  They really don't know how to deal with someone who actually knows what they're doing.  It's a shame.  Oh well, I've lived this long without a Fitbit and a smartphone.  I'm definitely not hurting without them.

From Twitter:  @WomenSouthern tweeted:  "Today's southern philosophy: No matter how slick ya think ya are, you can 't slide on barbed wire."

From Twitter:  @JeffBryanDavis tweeted:  "Just met a guy who spoke to me entirely in bro-speak catchphrases. Nonstop douchey clichés. Or 'douchés' as I now call them."

From Rick and Bubba's Soundcloud share:  "I can't even wash my rump without looking at what's happening in the world." Greg Burgess on Speedy checking his cellphone in the shower.

Living on a Prayer: The Weekly Hodgepodge

 Want to join the party?  Go on over to From This Side of the Pond  for the Hodgepodge link-up!

What's something you're looking forward to in the month of June?

I'm looking forward to completing the second half of the Journey Training in Tulsa next week.  I've also had a couple of job interviews, so I'm looking forward to getting back to work, hopefully this month.

In what way have you come full circle?

I haven't as far as I know.

Lonely Planet lists 10 spots in America you should see in 2015 and the reasons why. How many on the list have you seen? Which one on the list would you most like to see? Queens NY, Western South Dakota, New Orleans, Colorado River Region, North Conway NH, Indianapolis IN, Greenville SC, Oakland CA, Duluth MN, and the Mount Shasta Region CA

I haven't seen any of those yet.  Since Oakland is in the Bay area near San Francisco, I'd like to see that area.  Mount Shasta region sounds wonderful also.  There goes that heart for California again.

A song that describes your mood right now?

I feel like Tommy and Gina in this song: I'm trying to hold on, pray, and work hard to make something (other than a mess) of myself.  It gets tough when you see others who made promises to you fulfill their dreams and forget about you.  It's tough when others get rescue and you get ostracized.  It's tough, but God's got this.

Strawberry ice cream, strawberry short cake, strawberry pie, or strawberries right off the vine...your favorite?

Fresh strawberries are my favorite.  Strawberry ice cream is a distant second.

Aesop's birthday is celebrated on June 4th, although there is some disagreement as to whether or not that's accurate, or if he was even a real person. Regardless, the name Aesop is associated to this day with many well known fables. Which of the following best applies to something in your life right now? The Tortoise and the Hare (Slow and Steady wins the race), The Ant and the Grasshopper (Be prepared), The Fox and the Goat (Look before you leap) or The Crow and the Pitcher (Necessity is the mother of invention)?

I've never heard of the story of The Crow and the Pitcher but "necessity is the mother of invention" seems to fit the bill right now.

The answer is yes...what's the question?

Does God love me?

Insert your own random thought here.

I have so much I could say right now, but I wouldn't know where to start.  So, I'll just play a song.