Yesterday

I had a lovely day yesterday. I was supposed to work but many of the surgeons are out of town with their families (it is Spring break here) so I wasn't needed. Is there anything better than an unexpected day off?!

I picked up Mike and we met Sam, Maria, Eric, Cordelia and Elise at the mall for our weekly mall lunch.  Elise has recently reached that age where she is excited when she sees us. She is very affectionate and hugs over and over.  It's wonderful!

After lunch today Cordelia left with us. She worried a little that her family would miss her or that she would miss them, but we did fine.

After dropping Mike back at work Cordy came with me to run an errand at a home improvement store. She was quite intrigued. What would otherwise have been just another chore for me, turned out to be an adventure!

We explored a little playhouse before we even went into the store.

Inside the store, Cordelia was mesmerized. In fact, we had to go back a couple of times to take a look...

...at the Koi pond.

We walked all around looking at all the things they had there, discussing how it was for fixing up houses or for building new houses. I told Cordy that I didn't know how to build a whole new house. She told me that I just needed to look at a poster and it would tell me how to do it. Easy as that.

She also told me several times that when she grows up she wants to be a "nurser" like me. Aaaah. I told her she could even be a doctor if she wanted to but she was pretty insistent that she wanted to be a nurser. She told me that when someone in her family got sick she would come to them and save them and they would be better. I love that little girl.

We met up with her family at Walmart. Don't judge us!

Elise was pretty happy to see us!

I did have to return home to laundry and tax preparations and other mundane chores, but I have to say that the dose of granddaughters made the entire day brighter. 

Fee Fye Foe Fumm

(photo from http://jackthegiantslayer.warnerbros.com/gallery.php)

I am putting on my Movie Review Hat again today.  No, I have no special credentials qualifying me to do movie reviews. But, I do see movies sometimes. Maybe that is all you need to qualify for this job.

Last night Mike and I went to see Jack the Giant Slayer. It is the "real" story behind Jack and the Beanstalk. Does that sound like a dumb idea for a movie? I don't think it is doing that well nationwide, maybe because people pre-judge it. I don't know but I thought it was an excellent movie! I gave it a 4.5 out of 5. I judge movies, not against each other, but against what I presumed they meant to be. I presume this movie meant to be adventuresome, with some sweet romance stirred in. Like all fairy tales, it is meant to have really, really bad guys and really, really good guys. It does just that. I don't really even have a reason for holding back that .5 as I can't think of how I would want this movie to improve.  I just don't give out perfect scores I guess. 

One thing I have to tell you about Jack the Giant Slayer is that it is a magnificent piece of cinematography! I'm not kidding! The giants were very detailed and believable. The scenery was stunning! The action was astonishing! In this day and age of digital photography and all that entails, it must be hard to do anything new with cinematography. I think this movie incorporated the work of some very talented artists to get the effects they managed. They managed to give the feel of dirty, dark giant abodes to magnificent royal palace scenes. Most of the movie takes place outdoors, though, and it is so, so beautiful! You have to see it to know what I mean. I think you will be impressed!

And the characters... this movie is packed full of them! There are good guys and bad guys and subdivisions among them. Do you know what I mean? For example, obviously the giants are the bad guys. Even among the giants, though, you get to see some character development. They are all gross but some are more so than others. I have to say, seeing a giant pick his nose and eat it while preparing his meal (pigs-in-a-blanket as well as human-in-a-blanket) was almost more than I could handle!

The princess was, of course, beautiful and kind. That is exactly how a fairy tale princess must be, you know. The main hero is, naturally, Jack. You'll like him. He has his weaknesses but of course finds courage from deep within, born of his love for the princess. There are other good guys in this piece as well. Some are very brave, putting the needs of others above their own. Some are quirky and funny. I like funny the best!

This is NOT a movie for little kids. I was horrified as we left to see that a couple brought their preschoolers. It is too realistic and scary in a lot of places. It's not really grown-up scary...well, maybe it is. I did cringe a lot and hide my eyes quite a few times. You know what I mean, though, it isn't real-life kind of scary. With little kids, though, real-life is all too close to make-believe-life and the lines get blurred. It could definitely be nightmare-inducing. Just don't risk it with the little children.

Excluding little impressionable children, though, this movie is one that can entertain a wide variety of folks. Old children and teenagers would likely enjoy it... although the teens may have to hide their enjoyment as it may not be considered cool to like a fairy tale movie. I think a lot of men would like it for its grittiness and action. They'd likely enjoy the funnier moments as well. Deep down they will like the romance but like the teens, they'd have to hide that enjoyment.  Sometimes it is hard to find a movie that a couple will enjoy but this one fits that calling. It has a little something for everyone. So, if you are looking for a bit of entertainment, something that turns out well in the end, give this movie a chance. I really don't think you will regret it.

Click right here to see a trailer.

Did You Guess?

Did you know what you were looking at on Saturday's Post?  Maybe? It was just snow.

Well, here are some more photos taken that same time. It was about 5:25 a.m. one day this past week. I had driven to work on slick roads, not really appreciating the beauty of the morning. When I stepped out of my car, though, I was rather overwhelmed by it. There were big lazy flakes floating down, sparkling in the light of the street lamps. I took these photos with  my cell phone in low light. I wasn't surprised that they didn't capture the moment as I was seeing it. Still, I thought the slow shutter speed made for some really interesting photos. I hope you like them.

Come To The River

(click on title to hear song)

Rhett Walker Band

from the album Come To The River

  

I'm torn between myself and your truth

These cursed memories, forever seeping through

My thirst for myself left me wanting more 

Till I found myself face down on your shore 

You say

Come to the river

OH AND Lay yourself down 

And let your heart be found 

You say come to the river 

Drink from the cup I pour 

And thirst no more

My restless heart, led me astray

To my selfish pride, I became my own slave 

But you placed a thirst in me, with no drink in sight 

Cause I could not see, till I saw through your eyes

What is It?

What do you think you are looking at here? Anyone?

I will show you more Monday and then you will know for sure.

Grandma Rose

My Grandma Rose left for heaven more than 2 years ago. I still miss her so much!

When I was younger I used to always find rose things such as perfume, stationery, etc. to give to Grandma. I wonder if she got kind of tired of that. She would never have told me that, of course. I liked her name, though. I always thought it was pretty classy and fit her well. I liked it so much, our daughter's middle name is Rose. In fact, a LOT of Grandma Rose's descendants have her name incorporated into their own identities, including our own granddaughter. I love that. So, in honor of Grandma Rose, I am leaving you with these pretty photographs...

Darkness Can Not Overcome the Light

I want to tell you about a very cool app I have on my smart phone. My sister, Tina, told me about it. It is called Bible.Is and it is really worth your time... plus, it is FREE. It is the Bible online. I know there are many of them. This one, though, will read to you! How cool is that? To get it, just go to Bible.Is and set it up for your computer. And, as I said, they also have apps for smart phones, etc. It's pretty nice. You can listen in your car, on a walk, or wherever.

When I was on Bible.Is today I was reading from the book of John. You know how sometimes a verse, maybe one you've read a lot before, really hits you? Well, the one that hit me this time was John 1:5, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." The light is Jesus.

Do you ever just get so distraught by stories on the news? Maybe it is sadness, tragedy or horror that you deal with in your own life that makes you distraught. I was listening yesterday to some information about human trafficking. Such despair! It is just so hard to believe that is going on in this day and age and to so many people! There is so much darkness in this world! I think that is why that verse jumped out at me. What a relief to know, the darkness can not overcome the LIGHT!  No matter what, we have that to hold on to. No matter how bad things are, we know that evil does not, can not, will not win in the end.

New Listings!

Maria put up a bunch of new listings at Wyoming Rose Boutique. We hope you will check them out. If you'd like we'd love you to pin any on Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter.

No Need for Words

In His Care

I recently received word of someone we know who's child has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. I can only imagine the terror that diagnosis brought. We pray for her complete healing!

There is nothing worse than watching your own child suffer. I am convinced of that. Nothing. Our children are all fine but we have gone through some scary times when they were younger. Ben had severe asthma attacks that often landed him in the hospital. They often had a hard time starting his IV, requiring stick after stick after stick. One time he'd been poked by nearly every nurse in the hospital and they finally called an anesthesiologist from home who was able to get it going. Ben cried so long and so hard he finally fell asleep, not even waking up when they continued to poke him. There were times when I feared his little body would not be able to overcome his asthma, when I worried over each difficult breath. There were times we didn't know if we'd get to keep him. 

When Maria was in kindergarten, she had to have an emergency appendectomy. Afterward, instead of getting better, she got more and more weak and more and more sick. They didn't know what was wrong with her for several days. One day, when Mike was in the room with her, I went down to another floor to a bathroom. It was there that I fell apart. I sobbed out loud. I was so afraid that we were losing our little girl. I could see her fading away. I was so frightened! All I could do was try to cheer her and to pray fervently for her.

Eventually, they discovered that Maria had an intestinal blockage. They were able to help her and the light within her brightened. Our spunky little girl returned to us and we got to enjoy the rest of her childhood, and still now she brings a lot of joy to our lives.

Sam has not been through any life-threatening health crisis. That hasn't stopped me from worrying about his safety, though. Recently he was on an out of town road trip. I knew when he expected to return and when that hour passed, I could feel myself creeping to the edge of panic. I knew I was likely over-reacting but horrible visions kept creeping into my mind. Finally, I prayed. That didn't immediately erase my fear but it helped. Sometimes my faith is so weak.

We know from the Bible that Jesus cared for the children very tenderly. We read stories where he healed children. He never wants them to suffer. But, because we live in a world where we are allowed free choice, and humans don't always make good choices, we've inherited a world that is imperfect. We live in world where evil exists as well. That is the world we pass on to our children.

There is good news, though. Yes, we live with evil around and available at all times. However, as children of God, we are under his protection. Does that mean we don't suffer the maladies of this world? Nope. It does mean that we can bring our requests to the Almighty One. We know that our requests are heard. We know that we will all be healed, in time. Sometimes that healing happens here, in this world. Sometimes, though, healing means our loved ones get to get out of this messy world and go directly to God... to the arms of Jesus. Thank God that their lives do not end here!

I feel that we don't really see the whole picture from our point of view. That is where we've got to lean on our faith; we've got to trust in God's wisdom. I think it is ok, to pray my wishes to God. I will continue to tell him that I want my children and all my other loved ones to live long, healthy and happy lives. I hope that, with the gift of faith, I can continue to believe that God will protect my loved ones and keep them in His care, here and later in heaven. 

Redeemed

Definition of REDEEM (From Merriam Webster)

1

a : to buy back : repurchase

b : to get or win back

2

: to free from what distresses or harms: as

a : to free from captivity by payment of ransom

b : to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental

c : to release from blame or debt : clear

d : to free from the consequences of sin

3

: to change for the better : reform

4

: repair, restore

Redeemed

(click title to hear song)

from the album Love Come To Life

Big Daddy Weave

 image courtesy of bejim at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Seems like all I could see was the struggle

Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past

Bound up in shackles of all my failures

Wondering how long is this gonna last

Then You look at this prisoner and say to me 

“Son, stop fighting a fight that's already been won”

(Chorus)

I am redeemed

You set me free

So I'll shake off theses heavy chains

And wipe away every stain 

Now I'm not who I used to be

I am redeemed

I am redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy

Named by the voice of my shame and regret

But when I hear You whisper, “Child lift up your head”

I remember oh God, You're not done with me yet

Chorus

I don't have to be 

The old man inside of me

'Cause his day is long dead and gone

Because I've got a new name

A new life I'm not the same

And a hope that will carry me home

A Vacation From Our Stuff

(hotel toiletries, neatly organized)

This past week Mike and I have spent a lot of time in motels and hotels. Today it is time to go home. While I love being home, I have to say that I also enjoy hotel life, at least for awhile. I think that what I love most is that we don't have much "stuff" at a hotel. I once read that the real reason people go on vacations is to get away from their "stuff". It was funny but there just may be some truth to it.

The longer we live, the more stuff we accumulate. The more stuff we accumulate, the harder it is to be organized. The harder it is to clean as well!

I am a very organized person... in theory. I like to organize things. I like to live in an organized environment. I value organization.

The truth is, I am an organized person living a disorganized life. I'm not sure when that happened but I'm ready to be over it now. I think Pinterest has been inspiring me with cool ideas...things I can organize using just empty toilet paper rolls! 

Are you becoming over run by your stuff and feeling organizationally challenged as well? If so, here are a few blogs I found that might be helpful.  Happy organizing!

Organize and Decorate Everything

Clover Lane

I Heart Organizing

Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Cicadas

Most days I have several ideas in my head of things I want to write about. Today was not one of those days. When that happens, I start going through photos I have taken to see if that sparks any ideas. Well, sure enough, today it did just that. I came upon a photo that I took in Arizona last month. I thought it turned out pretty well and I have just been waiting to use it.

Do you know what that it? It is an empty cicada shell. (Click here to see a whole cicada.) Do you call them shells? Maybe not. I realized that I don't know all that much about cicadas. Our 9 years in New Mexico taught me that they can be very, very noisy...almost deafening sometimes in the summer evenings. That's about all I knew so in order to find a reason to post this photograph, I decided to research cicadas.

Cicadas make their noise by vibrating membranes on their abdomens. They can make different sounds, some for attracting mates or for sounding an alarm. It is the males that make all the racket. (I am still talking about cicadas but I don't blame you for being confused.)

Some species show up every year while others show up only every several years. There are thousands of species of cicadas. When they are hatched, they dig underground burrows and live by sucking plant roots. Isn't that weird? Some stay there for years, emerging as an adult cicada. Sometimes they appear in swarms and can cause plague-like destruction of plants.

I could go on but for but I think now you already know more than you ever wanted to know about Cicadas.

Giraffe Underwear Update!

Before you read today's post, please go here to read a previous post. If you don't, the rest of this post won't make much sense. What I have to tell you is just so exciting!

So, did you read it? Are you fully informed about my tragic childhood without my giraffe underwear? Now that you've read it, you can feel my joy over what I am about to share.

Yesterday, I was at Walmart, and I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this:

No, your eyes do not deceive you. Those are real, honest-to-goodness, giraffe panties! They are nothing like the ones I lost out on when I was 6, but they are even cooler! They came in a package of 3 panties, but the other 2 are not giraffes. For a second I actually considered wearing the other 2 pairs first and saving the giraffe ones for last. Apparently that save-the-best-for-last thing is an integral part of my thinking. I will tell you, though, that I overcame that. I'm not going to make that same foolish mistake twice! I am wearing my giraffe underwear and I am feeling quite wonderful about them. I think it will be a good day.

Here's hoping that you all have a giraffe underwear kind of day as well!

Hallway Carpet

Have you thought about hallway carpets at hotels? Have you noticed, even at real nice hotels, that they have wild carpets in their hallways? Mike & I were recently at this Holiday Inn and I found myself pondering some of life's deep questions such as this. I would never ever consider that kind of carpet for my own home, but I kind of like it at a hotel. The more I thought about it, the smarter I thought it was. You could spill practically anything on such a carpet and no one would ever know.


So, are you thinking to yourself, "I can't believe she is posting about such a dumb subject! Is she really talking about hotel hallway carpets?" Well, sorry, but sometimes it is hard to come up with fascinating topics on a daily basis. I will try harder tomorrow... maybe.

The Prince of the Family

I guess you could say that I married a prince. Well, I kind of did. He is called "The Prince of the Family." Hmmmm....now that I think about it, I'm not sure anyone calls him that but he himself. Nevertheless, he's a prince.

Mike has no brothers and two sisters. Mike was the baby by 6 years. He grew up enjoying the adoration of his loving sisters and somewhere along the way he became known as The Prince of the Family. It is possible that title was only known to him, but I do know his sisters adore him. Well, really, who wouldn't? Right?

Mike takes his princely duties very seriously. Really, if you were going to need a brother, he'd be a great choice. There is not much he wouldn't do for his sisters. He will travel far and wide to be by their side if they need him. He's the same toward his mom. Actually, I think they should honor her by calling her the Queen Mum but they refer to her as "The Big M"... same thing I guess.

Anyway, I woke up this morning thinking about what a loyal man he is toward his family.  I have seen him act very courageously to help a family member. He has the strength of character that all princes should have. 

Mike's princeliness  has served me well for nearly 35 years also. Yep, I married a prince. He often puts his needs behind those of his family, myself included. I am so grateful to be married to this particular prince, but I'd better stop this post now, before his head gets to big for his princely crown.

Equip Yourselves

I was listening to KLOVE recently. They were interviewing Jason Gray and he said something that kind of caught my attention. He was talking about the trials we all endure, not the same trials but we all have difficulties and problems in our lives. He commented that some of the worst things the devil throws at us can be turned around to best equip us for ministry to others.

Jason Gray went on to talk about some of the misery people endure. The one that caught my attention was divorce. I've not been divorced but I know and love many people who have gone through that and I know that it was one of the worst things they ever endured. I saw the heartbreak. I saw the pain. I saw the suffering. Through it all I have to admit I usually didn't think any good would come of it. Sometimes the sadness and grief over the loss of a marriage was so overwhelming and the pain could extend far beyond just the two people in the marriage. I couldn't see any good coming from it.

After thinking about it, I realized there was truth in what he said. Someone who has suffered through marital distress and divorce is certainly better equipped to help someone else through a similar loss. Better yet, they may even be able to help others prevent such an outcome. Who knows? I just know that we have all suffered in some way from evil in this world. If we can somehow turn that pain around to equip us for ministry, what a triumph over evil that would be!

What have you endured that you feel has better equipped you?

Ephesians 4:12

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ...

Abba Father

Rebecca St. James

from the album God

 

I'm feeling like the eagle that rises

Flies above the earth and its troubles

Oh yes he knows that there are valleys below

But under his wings there's a stronger power

Oh Father - You are my strength

On You I wait upon

CHORUS:

You make the road rise up to meet me

You make the sun shine warm upon my face

The wind is at my back & the rain falls soft

God I lift You high - You are my Abba

Running in this race to the finish line

The only road for me is the narrow

Not gonna stop or even look to the side.

When I fix my eyes on You Jesus

Oh Father (Abba) - You are my strength

Now more than ever

CHORUS

When you've run too far - and the road is long

Can't walk another mile - He is waiting

Hope in Him again - He'll renew you

Then you will rise, gather up your wings and fly...

CHORUS

Do you not know?

Have you not heard

He gives strength to the weary

To those who hope in Him

They will soar like eagles

Wyoming Winter Beauty

Even in the starkness of Winter, Wyoming has beauty to offer.

That is Classy

Where I work I often find myself fetching magazines from the waiting room for our patients to read while they wait in their individual rooms for surgery. You know about magazines at medical facilities, right? In general they are old and pretty well worn. 

I have been somewhat impressed at our clinic as I notice someone keeps up with them and so our's are not too old. We also have a nice variety, from "Field and Stream" to "Ladies Home Journal". There are also some of those celebrity magazines. Usually they still have their covers and everything. I didn't think we were doing too badly.

However, when I went with a family member to her medical appointment awhile back, I saw that 

this is what they offered...

Isn't that a great idea? They had stacks of art books! Isn't that classy? I felt a little bit more sophisticated just by having been there.