My Creed for Life

I believe that God created me to be happy, to enjoy the blessings of life, to be useful to my fellow-beings, and an honor to my family.

I believe that the trials which find me today are but the fiery tests by which my character is strengthened, ennobled and made worthy to enjoy the higher things of life, which I believe are in store for me.

I believe that my soul is too grand to be crushed by defeat; I will rise above it.

I believe that I am the architect of my own fate; therefore, I will be master of my circumstances and surroundings, not their slave.

I will not yield to discouragements, I will trample them under foot and make them serve as stepping-stones to success. I will conquer my obstacles and turn them into opportunities.


My failures of today will help to guide me on to victory for tomorrow.

Tomorrow will bring new strength, new hopes, new opportunities and new beginnings.  I will be ready to meet it with a brave heart, a calm mind and an undaunted spirit.

In all things I will do my best, and leave the rest to Infinite.

I will not waste my mental energies by useless worry.  I will learn to dominate my restless thoughts and look on the bright side of things.

I will face the world bravely, I will not be a coward.  I will assert my God-given birthright and be the woman God made me to be.  For I am immortal, and nothing can overcome me.

Autumn 2012

 

 

Autumn Leaves

 

P.F. Freeman

 

There's a murmur of reluctance

From every leaf

As it Flutters an' falls to the earth -

Reluctant to leave a motherly branch

That had given it life and birth.

Branches that rock to a turbulent wind

Give forth a weird an' mournful sound,

When once gay leaves go tumbling down

to cover an' blanket the frozen ground.

 

Leaves that fall lay in bounteous heaps

To swiftly decay on an autumnal plain,

Leaving but the memory of a summer pass'd

Unto occult space, me'er to return again.

Creaking branches left bare an' lonely

Sing a mournful dirge as each one grieves

For the wanton departure of favorite offspring's,

And the passing of the Autumn leaves.



 

 



Do You Ever Wonder?

Do you ever wonder if this is all life has to offer?  Do you ever wonder if the world and the people in it squeeze you into its own mold?  I've been doing a lot of  'wondering' lately.  It's not that I'm unhappy and don't appreciative what I have... I'm thankful everyday that my family is healthy and what a blessing that is.  Up until now, my purpose in life has been my children.  The second they were born, I knew what my purpose in life was!  I knew why I was on this earth!  My children are grown and living their own lives. Caitlin and Connor are doing what makes them happy and I am so proud of them.  And while I still have Ahlden at home for one more year, he is definitely independent and begging me to loosen the grip.   I have tried many things to 'reinvent' myself... culinary school, piano lessons, more tennis, etc.  I feel pretty darn good about myself and what I am achieving.  So... Why do I still feel so empty???  As I write this, it is becoming very clear that perhaps I have lost my purpose in life.  I have been trying to stay busy with actions instead of living from my heart.  I have lost some of my pathways training but I do know that living from my heart has great value.  Living my life with passion and enthusiasm fills the void.  Somewhere along the way, I have forgotten that!

Again, God has put the right scripture in my path.  I smile as I am typing because I truly believe that there are no coincidences. Thank you God!

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.   - Romans 12:2

Back to School

At the age of 45, I'm starting to think that Summer is over-rated!  First of all, living in Texas with a heat index of 100... is definitely not paradise.  Second of all, living with an 18 year old son certainly has it's challenges... especially the "going and blowing" all the time.  I have to say, it's been really nice getting back to a schedule and I am looking forward to Ahlden's senior year.  Now, bring on the cooler temperatures and let's enjoy some Fall!

TENNIS GIRLS - Destin, Florida 2012

What an amazing trip with NINE amazing women!  I have to be honest, I didn't think we could pull it off.  I mean, really, ten women in one condo for seven days!!!  We had so much fun on the beach, drinking red snappers, girl talking, seeing Magic Mike, and dancing the night away at AJ's.  We did get our tennis in every morning and what fun that was, even when I could barely move my feet.  I hope that this becomes our annual tennis trip! Thank you - Janice, Shirly, Monika, Kayla, Chris, Sally, Suzanne, Denise and Marie for a great week!

REALLEY?

 

CAR BATTERY DEAD BECAUSE SWEET JANICE LEFT THE LIGHTS ON THE NIGHT BEFORE.  SALLY HAD NO PROBLEM RAMPING THE CURB TO JUMP US OFF.

ME, MONIKA AND SHIRLY WORKING ON OUR FITNESS.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT. 

EATING TACO BELL AFTER GIRLS NIGHT OUT!

OUR BAR ON THE BEACH.

WAITING IN LINE TO SEE MAGIC MIKE!

MONIKA CAPTURING ME AND SHIRLY COMING BACK FROM OUR WALK.

JUST ME!

Life's Seasons

It's been a while since I have blogged!  I have been tossing and turning since 3 o'clock and decided to just get up and feed my mind with something positive.  I started reading my Experiencing God devotional because I knew that God was nudging me to get up and find peace in His word.  My reading this morning was about Life's Seasons. 

To Everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

     The beauty in the way God designed the four seasons is that , though each one is distinct, they all work together to bring life and growth.  Spring is a period of freshness and new life. Summer sees growth and productivity.  Autumn is a time for harvesting the rewards of past labors.  Winter is the season of dormancy and closure.  Each season has it's own unique beauty and makes a significant contribution to life.
     Just as God planned seasons in nature, He planned seasons in life as well.  In God's perfect design for our lives, He has planned for times of fruitfulness and activity.  He will also build in times of quiet and rest.  There will be times when He asks us to remain faithful doing the same work day after day.  But there will also be periods of excitement and new beginnings.  By God's grace we will enjoy seasons of harvesting the fruit of our faithfulness.  By God's grace we will also overcome the cold winters of heartache and grief, for without winter there would be no spring.  Just as it is with the seasons of nature, these seasons in our lives work together to bring about God's perfect will for each one of us. 

Well, I am definitely experiencing the cold winter in my life with some hardships, but I remain hopeful for the Spring that is just around the corner.  My prayer this morning is for grace, mercy and peace in my life.  His Grace brings us good things every day (1 Tim. 1:14).  Peace is a state of mind and heart that we experience when we are confident of God's grace and mercy toward us. Peace comes in knowing that God's grace will sustain us, even in our most difficult crises (Phil 4:7).  The peace that only God can give us goes right to the soul, relieving the heart and mind.

   

Day of Lounging and Cooking!

A much needed day by the pool!!! Yesterday was probably the most relaxed I have been in a while.  Caitlin came over and joined us for the day and Ahlden's girlfriend, Brianna.  I actually floated around the pool for about an hour, which is very hard for me to sit still that long.   The day was nice, but even nicer was when Caitlin joined me in the kitchen to cook.  We made crawfish etouffee,  grilled scallops with a salsa verde and grilled peach salad.  Caitlin took over the peach salad and she did such a great job, I have to post the pic.