A few Sunday night thankfuls

always a good place to be ...

a celebration ... and the cutest cake ever (erased name and number)
absolutely amazed that my girls can and do create this kind of special

hanging out with "thank you note writing" in the backyard
just a simple pleasure

M5

seen here

I am certain that there is a better way to say this, but I don't have time to think about it before I  type out this very fast note:

I think it may have saved me a lot, bunches and bunches, a ton, of every type of energy in my life had I known, or focused to learn, who/how/what (and all the others) I wanted, and wanted to be, rather then the other ... who not, how not, what not.

Spend your life on that.

side tables, I didn't resist

I am doing something that I can't remember ever doing before ... stacking up furniture projects!  Purchased these two tables (to use as end tables in our bedroom), yesterday.  I've been looking at them, and thinking about them for a month now.  Surprised they were both still available.  They are similar in size and color, very different in someways.  I think they are interesting together ... the bedside lamps will be an exact pair.
Table number one is sturdy, needs only a good sanding and a fresh finish, uh almost only...the top book matched veneer is popping loose at the middle seam and there is a wound about the size of my little finger which I will repair by turquoise inlay.
Table number two is just a bit wobbly.  All of her leg joints need to be re-worked.  After that I think a good wiping of Murphy's Oil Soap and a couple coats of tung oil and she will be good to go.

There is a chest of drawers, untouched thus far, waiting in the garage, and a little chair, practically completely restored, resting in the corner.  L is going to cut a new seat out of plywood and I will upholster and attach it over the cane bottom.  I also intent to replace one of the braces between the front legs with a dowel sheathed in copper tubing.  That chair is going to be pretty funky (hopefully in a good way).

Between my little job, and my regular home-maker type duties, I feel like I'm running a bit behind on things.  And I need a flight review pretty soon ... and someone wants me to work with them on their performance landings which I really want to do!  And those kitties need to go in for their first set of shots ... and this is the last week of school for my girls ... and the flowerbeds are looking pretty rough ... .  And I need a couple of days to just catch up on girl stuff (socializing).  Breakfast dishes for now though ... then off to work.

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910
~ Theodore Roosevelt

This quote with the Ted Talk given by Brené Brown (author of Daring Greatly)

with Rusty's talk to the graduating Seniors tonight ... he mentioned sky diving and Peter walking on water (and faltering ... and that the other guys on the boat watched, spectated)

with idea of fear/vulnerability, and with the idea of living who you really are.

"We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection." ~Brené Brown

I'm trying to think about being courageous/strong in general and in specific relationships as well. I've been hearing a lot of talks this past few days where the speaker referenced the Roosevelt quote.  It has captured my attention.  Well, and, it's been a favorite quote for some time now.  I'm thinking about vulnerability packaged with courage.

Today my brother sent a picture of the a woman who he was told was our grandmother, Daddy's mother.  It was the first time I had seen her.  Tommy said, "I found your nose, you got it from her."  I had the opportunity to sit with my niece, his daughter, recently.  I said to her, "You have the same nose as I do.  Thank you for helping me not be the only person I know with this nose." (Not that it's not a perfectly okay nose. I like it well enough.)  She laughed.  It is a little strange to observe similarities, connections, with people you don't really know well.  

Being back in Texas last week felt really good.  I think I have read, but not understood the idea of a sense of place.  

15 hours @ +/- 80 mph

Still in Texas, we'd already been driving for 6 hours when this was taken

Wild flowers were blooming everywhere we looked in Texas

The I20 route doesn't have much to see/do along the way.
Crossing the Mississippi is the highlight for me.
I remembered the boat ride along here.  Fun times.

Downtown Vicksburg, a Main Street community.
Someone has poured a bucket full of $$$ in to developing it very nicely
... I saw two tourists, a lot of street people, and not one cop.
Beautiful as it was, drove on.

Entering Alabama
Started the day in low OVC ... finished with little puff balls.

my little brother

Me (in my best "Polly Pruebred" voice)  "My Heros!"  Y'all are such rockstars!
Husband (matter-of-factly)  Your brother is the rockstar, all I am doing is handing him the bolts.
Brother (poking his head out and smiling at his brother-in-law) "If it'll make you feel any worse, just because it fit doesn't mean it was the right one."

They laughed.  I went inside to check the beer box.

This is a picture of my brother spending his vacation with my son's car up on jacks in his driveway because his garage was full of our mother's belongings which he had placed there because her new place wasn't ready on the day of the big move.  He really is that awesome.

Mom and the car are both back in their designated spots!  Mission accomplished!

Benini Sculpture Ranch

Hill Country ... Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Guerne, San Marcos and around

Things I picked up from the ground today

perfect little bright red lady bug

found right there ... I thought it was a glass bead

2 cents worth would have been enough
... thinking about that today.
$.04 found in the middle of the street as I crossed to get in to my car.

Sermon notes made while visiting my brother's church:  Mother's Day, Honoring Mom"To honor "Mom" means:

•  to love her unconditionally.

not subject to a condition

• to extend grace and forgiveness as God has extended to you and me.

(You hurt me, but I still forgive you. God knows exactly how my heart has hurt ... Extend the grace that God extends to me ... Who am I to withhold forgiveness and grace?  If I want that, why wouldn't I extend it?) when you forgive you let go of the bitter...the bitter makes you miserable ... Punish/ dismiss/disown or, love them; don't love for what they do, love for who they are. 

• to live in peace with Mom as much as I can.

Don't just pretend to love others (hear Mom)...that's fake. Really love them (v 10) genuine affection (v 11) never be lazy (in your relationships)... Work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you .. Pray that God will bless them, don't curse them ...  forgive them and hope they encounter GOD."


(Romans 12:17-19) "Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."


Romans 12:9-21

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.Practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[a] Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[b] says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[c]

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

sermon notes and the actual text the pastor pulled from found above ...

Roadtripping ...

Kittens

They like to get around the washer and dryer ... can't imagine how this "nest" can be comfortable!

Derby Luncheon w C

Graduation weekend

Busy with Graduation activities this weekend ... so proud of Two and S!  Lot's of joy!

When God Whispers Your Name

When God Whispers Your Name

Wish Chest

Saw this yesterday and thought about it ... still there (waiting for me) today.  I made the call.  He said make me an offer.  I said 25 bucks.  He said perfect.  It's in my garage now.  I don't know whether to just go with new sheets of veneer or celebrate the scars.  I wonder how many different lives have been lived around this little chest of drawers.  The mirror is in excellent condition though the decorative attachment piece is ... in pieces.  Not sure what can be done to salvage/redeem the mirror frame, but a new one can be built if nothing else.  Love the original pendant style drawer pulls on the lower two drawers.  The top three drawers will have to have replacement hardware.  This should be a really fun project.  I haven't had any time of late to work on that chair that I have in pieces  ... first that, then this!

I may do something like this.  I would apply the "images" with darker stains.  I like dandelions and that idea would lend itself well to a chest that wishes for another life.  Idk ... we'll see.  As I clean it up I'll figure it out.

Rose vine creeping above roof line ... Oak leafed out almost overnight.
Everything grows here!

1300Z 39011G17 +10 110BKN/180OVC 18/14 3011

Lots of people around here are hoping for rain.  Everyone has had enough of the pollen.  Just looking at current conditions, I don't hold out much hope for rain early today.  Maybe later ... the breeze is making promises ... maybe something is blowing in.

I have been really busy with my little part-time job.  It surprises me that just a few hours a day taken away from home time and put elsewhere makes a significant difference on, well, pretty much everything.  I feel like I am running behind on all the homemaking things that usually seem quite effortless.  A couple of days ago I misted the bathroom tiles with bleach and then left for the day.  Coming back in to the house later it seemed like someone had been cleaning!  The new scrub brush remains untouched though!  Probably I will find time today!

It's just great to sit right here watching the wind ruffle the rose vine.  Little pink petals waft in the air and a momma bird is busy building a nest right there under the eaves.  I am glad to see the rose vine still appeals ... I love watching the process from nest building all the way through to when the baby birds make flight.  I moved the bird feeder to the back porch where Sammy's presence intimidates the squirrels.  I do miss my pretty glass barometer, haven't found one to replace it yet.  Nesting birds more then compensate for the changes though.  Joy.

My diet has gone astonishingly well.  Bought some new smaller jeans a few weeks ago and now they are at least one size too big.  My dream weight can't be more then two weeks away.  I'm feeling that deep seated need I have to line out a schedule that will organize my day ... still haven't figured out exactly where exercising fits.  20 mins here and 20 minutes there really may be the best I can do ... the material says I need to break a sweat and 20 minutes doesn't do that.  These last couple of days I have cheated on my diet some ... butter is the culprit.  Yesterday it was Brussel Sprouts in that darkened butter with capers (delish) the day before Vidalia onions simmered with squash and a stick of butter ... not all for me, but I did have seconds!  Butter is pretty yummy.  Ha!  I am watching myself now though!  Last week I lost 4 pounds, I sure don't want to gain it back.  The other thing with the diet is I am supposed to drink about a gallon of water every day. That takes a conscious effort even for me (water has been my preferred beverage).  I almost never drink coffee anymore.  It surprises me that I don't even miss it.  On Sundays I make a small pot in the press, but it doesn't hit the spot.  I guess any habit can be broken with effort.  Even though I didn't consume very much sugar before, the places where I did enjoy it (in coffee) bring no joy without it.  I am so glad I wasn't a soft drink addict.  The bread aisle at the supermarket makes me feel slightly nauseous ... missing the flour tortillas a bit because of habit rather then taste (that and they are excellent conveyors of butter and guacamole, lol) ... turns out a fork works well with fajitas too.

Kittens ... doing very well.  We really enjoy hosting them.  Now they are at that adorable trouncing, rolling around together stage.  All three of them seem to have selected a favorite human.  Husband wondered, do you choose your pet or do they chose you? It looks like we will have to keep two of them ... the other has found a home with one of our adult children.  Sammy has accepted them well.  It is so much fun to see him with them.  He is just slightly interested, he looks at me like What?!?  I just feed them I answer ... barely even notice how amusing they can be ... think liter box I tell him.  He is pouting a bit.

Now the best news ... Momma's new place is almost ready.  Her move in date is imminent and Tommy is handling all the big stuff.  L and I will drive over as soon as we can get away and spend some time helping her get settled in. It will be great to see family and friends.  I miss my buddygirl especially.  Looking forward to the drive over and also spending some time meandering around Texas.  We have a couple of places that we especially want to see.  Larry seems to be set on moving back when he completes his commitment here ... I am ambivalent about moving away from the general area where I think my children may live.  The economy in Texas is so much stronger then many parts of the country, that is a big draw for my husband ... I am thinking about the possibility of grandildren.  I like spending time with my kids so I know I will love being a grandmom.  Time will tell.

That's about it ... still trying to find time to finish the two books I have going.  
look me in the eye, my life with asperger's (John Elder Robinson) has been a very interesting story  ... I'd recommend it even to people not particularly interested in Autism Spectral  anomalies.  It's autobiographical, and the guy rocks.  My other book Man's Search for Meaning  (Viktor Frankl) just deserves my full attention, I may need to start again at the beginning and read it though on the road trip.  It is a great work in my opinion.