A Thankful Heart

Father, please accept our thanks today as round this table here we pause to pray;  Our grateful hearts are warmed as we recall 'tis from Thy bounty that our blessings fall.  This gladsome feast with loved ones now to share is but a measure of Thy tender care.
                                                                                                          Eleanor Lyons Culver


What a wonderful Thanksgiving at the Klotz home.  Caitlin, Connor, Ahlden, Megan, Grandmother Barbara, Megan(my niece) and Rob (Megan's boyfriend) were all here to pass the 'thankful spoon" around the table.  There is never a dull moment when it comes to my family...the stories and 'sharings' at the table were very interesting and maddening at times, but we were together as a family and that is what counts.  Poor Grandmother Barbara never got a word in...she sat quietly and listened with an amazed look on her face at times. After dinner, the guys played pool and the girls painted their fingernails as we all watched The Grinch.   I made all of my grandmother's recipes and every year I still get a smile on my face as I remember Thanksgiving at my grandparent's home.  I always looked forward to the food and I couldn't wait to see all of my cousins, but more importantly... to see what table I would be sitting at that year.  The Shankle clan was such a large family and there would be at least 25 of us at any holiday feast.  There was a kiddy table, a teenager table, and of course, the Adult table.  I graduated every table to get to the Adult table and you would have thought that I had won the lottery when I finally got there. We were not a perfect family and certainly had our moments with each other, but we always came together during the holidays and made some wonderful and lasting memories.  I am thankful for those memories and blessed to have my own family to share the holidays with. 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Bittersweet

As my son, Ahlden, is getting ready to take his senior pictures, I keep thinking of how I have looked forward to this moment since he was a baby.  It's finally here and I'm wondering why this is more upsetting than joyful!  Well, of course, I know why!!!  I keep checking in on him as he is changing into his third outfit and I see a young man who has the world at his feet and has no idea that he does.   I would love for his future to be predictable and planned (less worry for me).  I think if we plan carefully and thoroughly enough, we should be secure. Right??  I read something the other day that said,"If we follow perfectly the itinerary of the trip, we miss out on the funny Italian vendor who sells us our favorite cerulean water pitcher.  If we never vary our routine, we may not get caught in the rain with the person who eventually becomes a close friend.   We miss out on life's richest experiences.  That popped into my head for some odd reason, but for the most part, I believe that to be true. I don't think the water pitcher would be a rich experience for him... but then again, you never know!   My hope for Ahlden is that he finds true happiness in whatever path he takes and that he never forgets how much I love him!

Kindergarten 

 

Senior

 

 

 

 

 



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!