GO RED TEXAS!

GET SMART ABOUT HEART DISEASE!

Some facts you may not know!

*** Heart disease and stroke are the Number 1 and Number 3 killer of ALL women over the age of 25.

***Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, claims nearly twice as many women's lives as all forms of cancer.

***One in 2.6 women die of heart disease compared with one in 30 from breast cancers.

***64% of all women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had NO previous symptoms.

***Within 5 years of a recognized heart attack, 25% percent of women will have another heart attack ( THIS HAPPENED TO ME ) or a fatal cardio event.

***One in three adult women in the USA currently suffers from some form of heart disease.

Feel free to check all these facts out on the website for the American Heart Association~ there are lots more facts too. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk of heart disease and how you can prevent or slow the disease. Schedule an appointment just to check up your heart~ DO IT NOW. GET SMART about going red.

OOOOOOHHHHHH. These next few months are going to be crazy ones. I am, this week, taking donations and t shirt orders for GO RED for WOMEN. S'ville has declared Friday, February 6th GO RED day. Everyone will be decked out in RED hopefully that day. 100% of all proceeds will go to the AHA.
My oldest daughter, Heather, took up running several years ago. She started running and she can't stop! She loves running. Heather has been training and trying her best to beat her "bad genetics". She completed her 3rd half marathon a few weeks ago. Troy joined her. We won't say who beat who. Just notice the nice completion ribbon/medals.















Precious Tiny Princess had a little boo boo on the back of her head that had to be taken care of at the dr's office. Some antibiotics are making it all better but is that the most pitiful face you have ever seen. MY POOR BABY!



As soon as my GO RED heart fundraiser is over my family is switching gears to the March of Dimes. Last year, daughter Ashley coordinated a large group of our family and we walked in Houston in the annual Walk for Babies. TEAM BROCK AND BRODY are training again. Well, maybe I say training rather "loosely". But, we are going to walk!





This is from last year's walk. Cousin Macy sits atop Uncle Mitch's shoulders for a small portion of the walk. The rest of the time she rode her scooter! All 5 miles!

I am feeling some better tonight. I got out and did the BOOKWORM program at the library this morning and plan to go to church tonight. Mom is better too. We made a post hospital visit to the dr. this afternoon and she seems to be progressing towards recovery. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Tomorrow if things go as planned, I am headed to the city to watch Reid perform in the 6th grade band concert.

For those few of you who might be wondering where I have been....My mom has been sick and hospitalized with pnuemonia and some other complications but is doing much better and has been discharged and is home now. Thanks for all of you who have been asking.

The second night she was in the hospital I noticed that I was not feeling my usual "perky" self. I had chills. I would have come on home but it was 3 AM and I wasn't sure I could drive home, that is how bad I felt! I just hope I don't make her "sicker". At least she has 3 gallons of antibiotics in her, thank goodness. I actually climbed into the hospital bed with her night before last and stayed there all night. I am not sure who the lab drew blood from when they came through at 5 AM. Hopefully, they read her armband. We both slept through her breakfast. I came home before they discharged her and found I was running a 103 temp. I haven't had a fever in YEARS. I felt horrible. Don't remember much about last night! It's now about 5PM and I am feeling some better. Fever is gone~that is good. I am sitting at the computer ~ good sign. But, not for long. I am off again to my bed. So, if I don't "see" you around here, just know I am recuperating from something that you don't want.

Actually my rant yesterday felt pretty good! What thought I intentionally started out with in my poor little brain really got lost.

What I meant to talk about was...... Now, these guys would work for a days pay. Anyone know where I can find some good ranch hands?

I bought some new light fixtures and when I got them home hubby mentioned that he would really like to get an electrician to hang them even though he can do it. He wired the whole house with a friend when we built it and we haven't burned down yet after almost 25 + years! I really don't want to pay more to hang them than I paid for the fixtures! So, it set me to thinking (oops...) Where is the good old practice of bartering gone these days? I need alot of little things done around here! I could furnish a good warm meal for a days work. Just like in the cowboy days. Hey, while we're at it, I could use a garden. Then I would like someone to paint my front door. I have the paint. Oh yeah, I really need someone to hang some blinds for me. Don't forget that while you are at it to go on and put up that iron curtain rod I bought. I've been wanting some new bathroom faucets. If I run get some could you maybe work in putting those on for me? OOOO.. remember when hubby fell off the ladder and my painting "the house" got sidetracked? I still have the master bedroom to go. Think you could work that in too? If you could would you also stack some more firewood at the back ? It would save me some steps in the COLD. While you are out there at the woodpile check out and see if you can get me a new flower bed going up against the house by the AC unit. I am just wanting to plant natural things in there so it will be easy to maintain. Don't worry! There are a few other little things I wanted to have you check out too......we can work this out. This may cost me about 50 meals. Maybe a months room and board. But, I get to control the remote in the evenings, if you have your chores done and get to watch tv. Come to think about it, it's like having children. Kids....come home.....I have work to do. That was what I meant to say yesterday.

I am the first to admit that I get very annoyed by the number of "homeless" people with signs standing on every street corner and major light in the city. Probably, because I can't fathom how someone can let themselves get to that point when I see businesses plastered with NOW HIRING signs everywhere. The main reason might be because I am selfish and ignorant and live in "another world" full of too much goodness for myself. I have seen TV documentaries, movies and read articles so I know that a person just like myself could end up that way. Yet, I still feel like it could never happen to me. I know this world is full of dishonesty and crookedness. I've seen it firsthand. I have wanted to trust people so bad. I have tried so hard to find good in people that are down on their luck. Admittedly, I find it harder and harder to trust and believe in people. I want to believe that people are really willing to change and not just using other people for their own gain. I must remember that this world, as full of evil as it is, is also filled with goodness and God's love. I have been too quick to judge ( help me ) and over analyze!

Because when I see this sign

I quickly imagine that it says this or that they want the money for drugs. Then I rationalize that I would be helping enable them for crime!

I know that God's hand is on me and I hope that I will be more aware and grateful of this blessed life I have. I guess it could happen to me. I hope I am aware everyday of my blessings!

This started out in mind as turning into a humorous and hilarious post but all of a sudden it's not funny anymore. I remember where I was going with the topic but it got all turned around in my head. The lesson of judging others hits very close to "home" and my heart today because of some particular circumstances around me. I don't want to be selfish! So, remember me when you pray.

Proverbs 19:17

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

And these words...Matthew 25:33:

On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me." These will ask Him, "When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?" And Jesus will answer them, "Whatever you neglected to do unto one of these least of these, you neglected to do unto Me!"

I had to laugh at the tag thing I posted yesterday. Don't I sound so exciting? Funny thing is, that is about as motivated as I get these days. I thought it would be amusing if I told you the things I thought about doing. I really did think about them. But, thought about them only briefly. Briefly is all I think anymore. I blame it on medication. Crazy doctors.

Things I Thought About Doing Yesterday

1. Cleaning the house
2. Spending an hour in deep physical exercise and meditation
3. Running 3 miles
4. Reading the Old Testament
5. Cleaning out all the kitchen cabinets ( I actually bought some organizational stackers for this. Wonder how long they'll sit on the cabinet?)
6. Washing and folding every piece of dirty laundry and placing them in the newly cleaned out drawers I was going to do
7. Deep shampooing the carpet
8. Setting up a new year's household budget
9. Cleaning out the closets and packing bags for Goodwill
10. Painting the master bedroom
11. Refinishing some old pieces of furniture
12. Spending some time in solitude ( What is that? )
13. Baking
14. Landscaping the yard
15. Cleaning out and labeling things in the garage storage area

I am tired just thinking about it. Thank goodness it's free to think.

My baby sister said TAG I'M IT and SO did my FRIEND Mindy so...I GUESS I'M IT

Here goes:

4 Things I did yesterday

Worked on a friend's shower invitations
Fixed lunch for Mom and Dad
Went to the library for BOOKWORMS
Went to church

4 Things on my wishlist for the year

To be able to carpet my house ( not looking too good )
For Gordon and I to be able to go on a cruise for our 38th anniversary
To be able to love the fur off all my grandkids more...especially my new one
that should be here in July
To take more control of my health and well-being

4 Favorite Restaurants

Nancy's Steak house ( local )
LaCabana ( local )
Red Lobster
Olive Garden

4 Favorite TV shows

HGTV all day during the day is on...I may not be watching but I'm listening
Grey's Anatomy
BIGGEST Loser
All the CSI's

4 Friends to tag

The first four to read this. Awwwww c'mon.

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed..

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost...

Count your many blessings .... name them one by one...

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

It never surprises me. He has done way more than I could imagine.

OK. If you don't laugh at this story something is wrong with you. I'm laughing to keep from crying. The truth hurts.

I ran to Beall's yesterday to pick up some make up from the Estee Lauder girl. You know the one. Perfect skin. Not a pore in sight. No make up unless mascara. Flawless. Young. Dewy. Plus, very sweet and helpful. I'm trying not to stare but raw beauty stuns me since I am, unashamedly vain.

Before I stopped by to stare at her, I ran over to check out these brown pants that I had seen before Christmas. I thought they might be on sale. I figured if my size was there then they were meant to be mine. There they were. So, I grabbed them and dashed over to Miss Estee Lauder covergirl.

I couldn't tell the sale price because someone had yanked the tag off but when covergirl rang them up these $38.00 pants rang up $ 6.99. "YIKES", I said. She just lightly tossed her perfect little ponytail and said,"well I can't believe these are on for such a great price." She even admitted there must be a mistake and went to check. There wasn't another pair to compare it to so....I got them for $ 6.99. She looked at me and said did I see any other sizes in them in maybe another color? I thought to myself, "Oh bless her...she wants a pair too."

Then she ruined it and said........."my mom could use some new pants."

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalms 139:1 3-14



The new year has brought to mind all the exciting things I have in store for me. The top of the list is our new grandbaby who will be born in July. I am beside myself with excitement. Tonight I googled what a 14 week old baby would look like if the skin were a clear bubble! Even though he/she is so very tiny still it is very clearly a baby. I AM IN LOVE again. It seems like July is so far away. Please pray for JD and the baby. She has been sick with pregnancy related "stuff" and dealing with an almost 2 year old too. Plus, trying to take care of my son, who I am sorry to admit is spoiled rotten. By me. Sorry, JD.
No, actually I must admit and praise my son. He is a super husband and a wonderful daddy. He shares all the duties of fatherhood and then some. His life is very busy and demanding but his little family comes first! The miracle of life has always been just that to me. SUCH A MIRACLE.


Back in the 70's when I was beginning my journey as a mom, technology was just coming into the age where we could understand a little more of the miracle. But now? Oh my goodness. It just blows me away that now there are ultrasounds where you can actually see your baby just like a photo was sent through an email! So, now not only do we know before hand the sex of the baby but we know what they look like too.


Being a mother was what I was born to be, I suppose. If I could relive earthly moments just for one short time I'd choose the first time I looked down at my own babies in my arms.

Almost (?) all my friends are expecting additions to their families this year too. Don't be startled....I mean in the way of grandchildren. Although, stranger things have happened! I think it was a contagious year. It's a year of showers, pinks & blues, nurseries, waiting, waiting and waiting. Both of my surrogate daughters, the sister crew of Tara and Tracy are expecting girls! I am so excited for BOTH of them to be able to raise their little princesses together and such fun for Tawana. I can't wait to see their lives change as mommies. I remember being there when they were each born. I'll be Neena to those girls too! And, I hope to be sitting in the waiting room to hear those babies first cries. The fun never stops.

And, for those of you who have never experienced this grandmother season let me tell me you that it is amazing. I LOVE being NEENA. I have loved holding each of them in my arms for the first time and watching them grow. It's the most wonderful time of my life.

“This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:16-19

I don't particularly care for New Year's Resolutions. Sometimes it's just another way for me to feel like I couldn't follow through on something or the big FAIL word. But, this year in particular I am going to try my best to commit myself to finding words from God that speak to my heart. I don't know if I am capable alone ( HE is mightier than me ) but with His help I'd like to even try to memorize more verses. I am going to put it high on my list of can do's. I will say this though in lieu of resolutions.... I do promise these things for 2009.

* To continously pray for my family, me and all of you..... for God to touch and convict every one of our hearts.

* For the leaders of our country to look to our Father for the answers to heal a broken world.

* To be a better and more Godly person, wife, daughter, sister, mother, Neena, aunt and friend.

* To pray without ceasing.

* To realize that life is not a dress rehearsal. This is real folks. No second chances when the trumpet sounds.

* To fully understand that I am not supposed to know what tomorrow holds. And that the Holiest of Holies has me in his keeping no matter what.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009