Gratitude Day 2: DO THE TROT!

Well, just so you know, I've been having internet and computer problems, so I'm a little behind on my 7 days of gratitude...but I'll catch up.

On Thanksgiving Day, I participated in my first ever Turkey Trot which is a 5k run/walk (walk in my case) to benefit the science club at Plainview School. I believe I heard someone say there were about 160 participants. My good friend Nicole ran the race and actually won first place in her age division, 41 to 50.

I'm really thankful to be able to walk. Having worked with handicapped people for quite some time, I know there are many people born without the potential of ever taking a step. Some people's bodies are just plain worn out and are unable to walk like they would like to.

What's amazing to me are the people who in fact can't walk but continue to live, work, smile, and laugh. I know of a lady in who became paralyzed from the waist down when her home was destroyed in a tornado. She functions daily in a wheelchair and actually went on to give birth to TRIPLETS! Wow.

I think I have nothing to whine about today...

7 Days of Gratitude: Day 1...Literacy

It's time to count my blessings. Like I could ever count them all....

I remember back in second grade when Mrs. Frost told our class that if you can read, you can do anything. How true that is.

Until I started working at TWH, I generally assumed that everybody could read, short of having suffered a traumatic brain injury. It's 2008, for Heaven's sake. Every child has the right to a free and appropriate public education. No Child Left Behind, right?

Then I encountered some people who truly struggled to read. Did you know that 50% if teen moms are illiterate? What an eye opener for me. I began to truly notice how often I utilized my literacy skills every day, and I quickly became more empathetic for those people who cannot read on a functional level.

Looking up a number in the phone book. Reading dosage instructions on medication labels. Finding your way around in a large hospital when every hallway looks the same. Ordering from a menu in an unfamiliar restaurant. Understanding an important contract... How awkward, stressful, and possibly dangerous these situations are for someone who cannot read!

I am so thankful to be able to read.

Consider yourself warned (or WORMED)...

...this post is NOT for the squeamish...

In my quest for better health, I have fallen in love with a product called "Paraway Pack" that I bought from the herb shop in Rainsville. It is a 30 day program to rid your digestive system of parasites. Yes, parasites, I say. I was a little skeptical at first, because as you know, "they" will tell you anything to sell you something. After reading up on the whole parasite thing, I decided to give it a shot. "They" say, a healthy colon is fundamental to good health. Well, at the end of the 30 days, I really felt better in many aspects. In fact, as recommended by the ladies at the herb shop, I am continuing to use the product in a smaller dose as routine maintenance.

On a little side note, by the way, I have lost about 26 lbs so far....so it sure ain't hurtin' nothing as far as I can see....

Here's why I'm writing about parasites and colon health.... Did you see this story from foxnews.com about a doctor removing a worm from a woman's brainstem? A WORM IN HER BRAINSTEM!!!! Ya'll...our brainstem controls our basic functions required for life...like breathing, for instance! Parasites enter our bodies through undercooked food and poor hygiene/handwashing! Yuk!

You can read it and watch the video for yourself, but just know there's a gross video of the brain-worm.... http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,455067,00.html

Goodnite, 'lil glow worm! Glimmer, glimmer...

Wake Up Dancing

I've been rather uninspired lately as far as blogging goes...no big happenings to speak of. So, I thought I would just play you a pretty song...you might need some hankies...enjoy.

Congratulations, Adrian...

You are THE CONTEST WINNER!!! 53 boxes of Jell-O is exactly right! Be looking for your prize!!!

Oh, Sisters, let's go down to the river...

My friend Erica was baptized in church this morning. She is expecting her Little One in March! I am so proud of her! So many positive and exciting things are happening in her life!

6 Hours Remaining...

until THE CONTEST is over...

Refer to Thursday's post if you are clueless.

I know there are some friendly blog-stalkers out there who frequent my posts but never COMMENT... you've still got time to win...!

Let's Celebrate with a CONTEST!

I used to hate anything associated with the Sylvania Rams. If you were a Plainview Bear anytime in the early 90's or before, you can understand. Now I have to say that my heart has become a little more soft toward our old rival, because that school sponsored a food drive for TWH last week.

The amount of food and paper products given by that community is completely overwhelming! It took 3 SUV loads to transport everything from the school to the house, and it has taken 2 full days just to sort everything. My next step is to prepare our storage building to hold what won't fit in our pantry. It's safe to say that I won't be purchasing non-perishable food for quite sometime.

Currently we only have one girl in the house (who, by the way, is working and has already registered to begin college at Northeast in January), but being so well stocked tells me that we may very soon have a house full of girls and babies! How exciting!

Now...let's get to the CONTEST. It seems to me that it's popular among some professional bloggers to periodically have contests. I'm completely amateur, but I thought a contest would be a great way to celebrate the most recent blessing!

Here's what you do....Guess how many boxes of Jell-O are in the box pictured at the top of this post. For the hair-splitters among you, I am referring to anything Jell-O brand, both pudding mix and gelatin. Leave your guess as a Comment for this post. The person who guesses the closest will receive a goody from me! How fun!!!

If you are unsure how to leave a comment, I've written instructions on the right. Don't be scared...it's easy!

Happy Counting, everybody!

America's Lonely Grinch...Why does this shock me?

Did you hear about this today? I'm not at all surprised, but I'm still shocked. It's scary to me, quite honestly. I don't want to be Debbie Downer, but this story just sounds like an invitation for God to deliver His justice to our nation.

According to Fox News, the American Humanist Association unveiled a new $40,000 advertisement campaign which will appear on buses in Washington, D.C. through December. "Why believe in a god? Just be good, for goodness' sake" it says. Whoa. Does anyone smell spiritual warfare in the heavenlies?

Two quotes from this article struck me as interesting...

Number 1:
"Our reason for doing it during the holidays is there are an awful lot of agnostics, atheists and other types of non-theists who feel a little alone during the holidays because of its association with traditional religion." Agnostics, atheists and other non-theists feeling alone, eh? That breaks my heart, and I'm sorry. I know the feeling...Christians sometimes feel lonely during the holidays, too. But here's the difference...we are not alone. We have a Friend who sticks closer than a brother who longs to be our comforter and companion at all times. He also supplies us with true companions through other believers. To the agnostics and atheists, please give Him a chance. He wants to stick close to you, too.

Number 2:
"we are trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds." This reminds me of another seed of "rational thought" and "questioning" which was planted in someone's mind one time. That little seed was planted in a beautiful garden, and we all continue to reap the harvest of that little seed. That truly has the thumbprint of Big Red all over it.

What to do, what to do? Christians must put on the full armour of God and be aware of the spiritual warfare around us. We must repent of our sin, call on God, and pray for Him to heal our land.

Merry Christmas, everybody!!!


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,450445,00.html

"Gentle Heroes" by The Great Communicator

For those of us who live in the freedom afforded by these many gentle heroes, past and present, everyday should be Veterans Day. Thank you all...

For my cousins...

I can still feel the texture of this floor on the soles of my bare feet.

How many mornings did I wake up early, much earlier than if I had been at home, and walk in my bare feet across that kitchen floor, my eyes puffy with sleep and "bed-head" hair sticking up all over my head? For some reason, I never wanted to roll over and go back to sleep when I was there. It was time to wake up.

She might have been in her chair with her Bible and Guidepost in her lap. She might have been standing at the kitchen sink washing a few dishes that I had messed up the night before. Or maybe, if I were lucky, she was standing at the stove cooking bacon, biscuits, and chocolate syrup. I was always lucky.

MawMaw Chaffin's house.

Just the thought of that floor on my soles stirs something in my soul.

But it's not really the floor. I know that.

Her house is for sale now. She got herself a new one.

I bet her new house has pretty floors, too.

Halfway There!

I don't know these people, just so you know. I just thought the photo was fitting for this post...

I had an oncology appointment today as I do every 6 months, and it seems that I am halfway to what "they" consider cancer-free!!!! Evidently, a person diagnosed with cancer must have no signs off recurrence for 5 years before she can be considered truly cured. So far, so good with me, and I am so very thankful. I know not everyone is so fortunate. I have no reason to expect the cancer to come back in the future, but if it does, we will just deal with it, won't we?

Have any of you seen a man who looks like this? I was talking with one certain gentleman (who will remain nameless at this time) who is currently living and working near Seattle. He says that he has joined the gym, and that the next time I see him, I will mistake him for Arnold. I suspect that he may have a little more facial hair than he had when this picture was taken....if anyone knows his whereabouts, please let me know...

Oh, and here's another thing...

This is the shirt I purchased at the Dolly Concert last month. It is a picture of her, I'm guessing, from the 70's. I think she looks sooooo pretty here. I don't know if you can see in the photo, but her eyelashes are really, really long, and her eye makeup is pretty. And check out the bling bling hoop earrings. That's girl-stuff if I've ever seen it!

I'm planning to participate in the annual "Turkey Trot" in Rainsville on Thanksgiving morning. It is a 5K Run/Walk (trust me, I won't be running...) to raise money for the school, the science department in particular if I am correct. If anyone wants to walk with me, I would be so happy for you to.... If you are like me, you might wonder exactly how long is 5K - it's just over 3 miles.

Along that train of thought...I'm still walking, drinking water, drinking coffee, taking herbs, not eating after 6 p.m., as well as praying for self-control and endurance. I'm not doing the slimfast. So far I've lost about 19 lbs. Yea! It's a battle, isn't it?

Saturday is Championship Game Day for the Alexandria Valley Cubs PeeWee and Midget teams. Grayson's team (Midgets) plays Oxford, and Jaxson's team (PeeWee) plays Lincoln, I think. Brother said that Jaxson's game will be tough.

I'll report back on the outcome of both games...

Have a fun weekend, everybody!!!

What you've all been asking for....Here's Dolly!!!

Election Reflection

I can easily recall to mind some of the most significant events of modern American history. For example, I remember that cold winter morning in 1986 when the space shuttle Challenger horrifically exploded before our eyes on television. We were out of school that day because of severe winter weather. I remember mom waking me up that morning, excited about watching the shuttle launch. I remember her lying on the couch, watching the terrible replays, crying. I really didn't understand the significance of the event when I was 11 years old, but I better understand it now.

I remember what was perhaps America's finest moment in Olympic history when in 1996 Kerry Strug secured the gold for the US women's gymnastics team during the Atlanta games. There could not have been a better image of US endurance portrayed to the watching world than the American gymnast "sticking" the landing, even with an excruciating injury.

I remember where I was when I first learned of the terrorist attack on our country on 9/11.
Life as we knew it in this country was changed forever.

Tonight I watched another historic event in American history with the election of Barak Obama as president. I will always remember sitting in the living room at The Way Home late in the evening of November 4th, watching a landslide win unfold, witnessing what will certainly be published in future editions of American history books.

I won't likely remember how completely giddy Katie Couric was when she had the pleasure of announcing a new president-elect on CBS. I won't likely remember Oprah and Jessie Jackson being among the Chicago masses, both working up their best crocodile tears (Oprah shedding tears of happiness because she finally has her claws in the Whitehouse as Rev Jessie Jackson was sobbing because deep down he felt someone was stealing his thunder). I may not even remember the footage of citizens in Kenya dancing in the streets because the new American president has his ancestry in their country.

Just a few reflections on what I most likely will remember about watching thousands upon thousands of people in Chicago as they gathered to celebrate the victory and wait to hear from the president-elect...

I could not help but notice that as he eloquently made his victory speech, the masses of people gazed upon him in utter silence with either star-struck or painfully desperate eyes, almost as if they were longing for their savior to move among them. It just grieved me somewhere deep in my heart.

While it's true that I am disappointed in the election results, I know that no president can meet the needs of a desperate people or fulfill the expectations of a being elevated to a super-star. That is a role that can only be filled by Jesus Christ.

It occurred to me that whether I agree with the president-elect or not, I am to respect the office. I am to pray for this nation's leaders. I am to be salt and light in my own circle of influence. I am to love my neighbor.

Now more than ever.

I hate chickens...

...unless they're grilled or fried or barbecued...

But I love Facebook. A childhood friend, LaRonda, recently found me on Facebook, and I am happy to be back in touch with her. How many Sundays did we spend at each other's house after church when we were little? Countless. She was THE BEST piano player. She had the neatest little playhouse in her back yard. She even had a canopy bed. I especially remember her funny little giggle/cackle laugh. What great memories! But I do have one memory that is not soooooooo great...she had pet chickens.

PET CHICKENS!

What in the world!

Who ever heard of such!

So one day I was at her house, and we were outside playing in the yard. I don't remember exactly how it happened, but somehow we were suddenly in the presence of the pet chickens. I remember trying to be so brave and not freak out, but evidently LaRonda sensed my fear. She proceeded to pick up the biggest, ugliest 'ole white chicken in the yard and hurl it right toward me. All I could see was those gigantic, flopping wings and the monstrous claws coming right toward my face.

Don't ask what happened next. I think I have permanently blocked the conclusion of that traumatic event from my memory.

Nearly 30 years later, I still hate chickens.

I hate chicken trucks. I hate chicken houses. I hate the fancy chickens in cages at the DeKalb County VFW fair. I hate ceramic chickens in country kitchens.

But I love Facebook. And I love LaRonda.

...and I forgive her...sigh.....

My New Nano...

It's hard for me to ask for something for myself. I don't know why really. It's difficult for me to find the balance between a healthy work ethic and not-so-healthy self-reliance.

Working in a new job is teaching me about "making do" on much less income, both in my personal finances and in managing the house account here at TWH. I used to have a comfortable income so that when there was something I really wanted or felt that I needed, I just bought it. Things have changed as far as my personal spending goes. Even in managing the house account for TWH, I must plan menus down almost to the penny in order to truly be the steward of the finances given generously to this ministry. And all of that is good. In fact, I don't think I could be any more content in my life as I am this moment.

I've been walking everyday and I started wearing my old MP3 player. It's a little generic MP3 player that I bought years ago. Somehow in my move I lost the software and cable needed to import new music into it. I need a new ipod I thought. So I risked being a brat and shot an email to my dad containing a link for an Apple "ipod Shuffle" which is a basic little MP3 player, similar to my old one. "Dad, will you buy me one of these. I think I need one. Of course I like pink," is the message I wrote in the email.

That's all it took.

He replied back "what is your address and I will have it shipped to your front door." Whoa!!! Wow!!!

Well, it was delivered to my front door in about a week. And guess what...he didn't just send me a "Shuffle". He upgraded to the "Nano". That's big ya'll! It's like ordering a tricycle and getting a 4 wheeler! It's like ordering fish sticks and being served Lobster (I've never tried lobster, by the way...). Or maybe it's like hoping to win the primary and being elected President. Now, I know that "bigger and more expensive" isn't always better, but in this case, it is better.

All I had to do was ask.

Thank you, Dad.

But here's what I figured out...again...

All God wants us to do is humble ourselves and ask.

He may not always provide a Nano when we ask for a Shuffle. He might not even provide a Shuffle when we ask for a Shuffle. He might provide a harmonica so that we can learn to make a different kind of music, the kind that He has been desiring to hear.

How many times do I fail to ask God because of my own pride, all the while He is holding the treasures he desires to provide but is only waiting for me to ask?

He just wants us to pray.

A scripture that comes to my mind...

What man is there of you, whom if his son ask for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:8-11

I really like my new nano. I'm glad I asked...

Dreams do come true...Dolly came to town!

My camera died Saturday night. I am so bummed out. I've tried new batteries, double- and triple-checked that I have the batteries inserted correctly. I can't find the book that came with the camera to trouble shoot, but it will turn up I am sure. The good news is that I did purchase the 2-year service plan (and I still have the receipt! yipee!!!!!) so I will be taking it back to WallyWorld tomorrow. Soooo....I don't have pictures to post YET.

I did get some pictures of Dolly, but I nearly was kicked out of the park. I just couldn't help it...I felt that if I paid so much for my ticket, Dolly wouldn't mind if I just snapped a few shots really quick. A few is exactly what I got before an usher firmily instructed me to put my camera away.

HIGHLIGHTS of the DOLLY TRIP:

• The weather was just fine. Not too cold. It was a little misty, but not a true rain. My new purple rain boots served me just fine.
• We stayed in the apartment of Karen, a friend of Alice's in Atlanta. She was out of town. The apartment was a one bedroom/one bath so it was a little cramped for 5 ladies, but we "made do". It felt a little bit like a 7th grade slumber party, so it was fun.
• We got to the concert about 6:45 and got a really good parking place. We walked a short distance to the amphitheater. The amphitheater was really nice. Our seats were center stage but a little too far away for our liking. Sooooo...about 4 songs into the concert, Alice took charge and set off to scope out better seats. We ended up in some great seats just to the right of the stage, and there is where I got some great shots! I had hoped that the yukky weather would keep some people away...lucky for us it did and we sat in their seats!
• Jennifer's childhood dream came true with her attending a Dolly Concert. Awwwwww!
• Yes, her most famous attributes were on display.
• No, there were no other acts performing at the concert. Dolly's band and back-up singers hit the stage at 8p.m. The band and back-up singers were, by the way, just fantastic. Dolly pranced on stage about 10 minutes later, opening with "2 Doors Down".
• Dolly wore a glittery white pant suit the first half and a glittery gold mini-skirt the second half of the show.
• Dolly played many instruments through out the show including the guitar, piano, fiddle, banjo, piano, dulcimer, harmonica, and fife. I might be forgetting some, but just know it was a bunch...
• She sang both old and new songs. She did a bluegrass/gospel medley which was great. She also sang a couple of a capella songs with all the band members (about 12 men and 2 ladies) which was beautiful.
• She must have had the best sound system money can buy. Her voice was just crystal clear. It was amazing to me how smooth her voice is after singing for all these years. I read somewhere that she is 62 years old.
• I bought a T-shirt. Maybe when my camera is back among the living I can show you.
• I don't think I have ever been in the presence of so many gay men. Evidently gay men love Dolly too.
• The concert lasted about 2 1/2 hours.
• Yes, I loved it. Yes, I would go again.

That's all I have to say about that.

Packed for Adventure

My boots and long-johns are packed and ready for the adventure that is to begin about 10 hours from now. Dolly Concert. Some have asked me who will be in concert with her...I have no idea. I just know it's an outdoor event and the forecast continues to call for cold with scattered showers. Perhaps we will have to watch Dolly through a bubble - I know she won't be exposed to the elements. Not that I think she should be exposed to the elements....I mean, in her own words, Dolly says it costs and lot of money to look that trashy!

There is an upside to the yukky weather. I'm hoping that the weather will deter people from concert and we will get closer to the stage....sigh...

This whole trip was spearheaded by our social worker at TWH, Jennifer. Now Jennifer is about the most conservative girl I know. Dresses conservative, talks conservative, married to a conservative preacher. She's the first one in our group to call sin sin, not in a self-righteous way, but just in no-sugar-coating sort of way. The most shocking thing about our Jennifer is her obsession with Dolly Parton. I don't mean she likes Dolly a lot. I mean OBSESSION. And she's not in her 60's by the way, she's 28 years old. A 28-year-old college educated woman with an obsession for Dolly Parton. That's interesting. So this trip is a childhood dream come true for Jennifer, and I am so excited to be there to witness it. I just hope we don't catch pneumonia!

If flash photography is allowed, hopefully I'll have pics next week.

And yes, I know Auburn lost again last night....double sigh...

Hello, Dolly!

It's just a little more than 24 hours until the Dolly concert in Atlanta! The concert is outdoors and unfortunately, the forecast is cold and rainy for Friday. The concert is on no matter what...rain or shine!!! Expect a full report...and please, don't be jealous!

The Enforcer came to town...

Savannah Rhae stayed with me for a few days last week. We had a good time and I am so glad that she came to visit. Savannah still calls it like she sees it, not unlike she has done since she learned to talk, thus her nickname "The Enforcer."

Savannah, Erica, and I played hand after hand of the card game "Phase Ten." She really liked that game once she got the hang of it. After I blew up a tad after losing one two many times, she looked at me and said "Well now I know where Jaxson gets it! He hates to lose! He gets is from you!"

I do hate to lose.

Call it like you see it, NaaNaa!

Prepare to Spread the Wealth...

Well this is just great.

Just watched former Sec of State Powell endorse the democratic ticket on Meet the Press.

Maybe everyone needs to invest in the purchase of fruit jars and shovels. I prefer to hang on to my few little pennies and perhaps somewhere in my backyard would be the safest place.

Perhaps that's not a Christian attitude.

I'm going to church now...

...sigh...

Call me when you get there...

I'm really not good at goodbyes, so I just usually say "I'll talk to you later, call me when you get there!"

So, I guess I'll use my standard goodbye-line tomorrow. Maggie and Amy are leaving TWH to return home with family. Maggie came to TWH about 1 week after I started here in January and Amy was born August 4th. It's been a wild 8 months but a good 8 months together. I will miss them both, but I am happy to see the gains Maggie has achieved here at TWH and thankful that she is leaving with a healthy baby, a new spiritual life, and a restored relationship with family.

So Baby Amy...call me when you get there...

Rub-A-Dub Barclay

Erica has taken on the roll of doggie groomer in the house. Barclay got a really good bath yesterday, and Gilbert had his scrubbing Tuesday. Whew! They needed it too! Funny, stinky little dogs!

Hey, I bet you can't do this...

Kids...here's what your parents do all day while you are at school...

Had a picnic lunch at lovely Union Park in Fort Payne with Alice and Crystal.

Silly broke out....

Condie, I like you...

I happened to catch Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the Today Show yesterday morning. She told of her mother's experience with breast cancer, and I enjoyed hearing her speak of her relationship with her mother. Certainly I am not an expert on Condie, but I've never observed her to be anything but classy. I like her.

Check out http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2002/005/1.18.html to read an article from 2002, before her obtaining Secretary of State. It's an interesting article which reveals some of her life history in regards to her family, faith, education and profession.