Moment of Clarity

I was discussing with a friend the challenges of mental illness.

The biggest challenge is the inability or unwillingness of the ill person to do what is "best" for him/her. He/She just doesn't understand nor have the ability to understand. Mental illness is difficult - not at all like taking penicillin to clear up strep throat. It involves the brain & mind. The inflicted individual has a will of his own. You can not make that person "do" anything.

It occurred to me at that moment that must be how God feels about me/us. He knows what is best for us - He has the answers, the cure, the guidance, & knowledge. But I have a will of my own & often think and do what I believe is "better." How completely frustrating for my God & Creator! Added to that is the knowledge that He created me and gave me my will - He's just asking me to trust & obey.

To rely on my Heavenly Father who is perfect and truly does have my best at heart - to turn my will over and let Him lead. There is the real challenge!

Count: 1,2,3 your Blessings

As the hymn says: Count Your Blessings Name Them One by One.

*Knowing Jesus Christ as my Savior

*My husband, he's simply perfect for me.
*Our children, truely a gift from God
*Our home, yes the money pit, under continual construction: it is a good place to live and unique
*Being an American - living in the "land of the free"
*Good friends - can't say enough about you
*Our kitties - a source of humor, comfort, & joy
*Our vehicles that run well if not guzzle gas
*Hubby's job that has provided for us and allowed for me to be home full-time
*Warm sunshine and changing seasons (least like the cold - though)
*Good coffee - yum!
*Comfortable bed in a safe place to sleep
*Good health
*Lots of yummy foods easily available
*heat in the winter & cooling in the summer
*Insulated walls and sound windows
*Modern Conveniences such as flush toilets, running water, email, cell phones, telephone, electricity, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers

Writing Styles

DD's birthday is quickly approaching. She sent out an email publishing her "wish list." A more talented writer than I. To think she had many tears when required to write in school - see below.

To whom it may concern,

Below is a list of items that are desired by MM for her 13th birthday. Use haste when considering when to purchase her gift, for her birthday is on Thursday, September 4th.

Now to have the discussion as to whom it is appropriate to send out such mandate! I think it went out to most everyone in her email address book!

Happy Anniversary?

One year ago today, we sought cover in the "new" basement as a storm raged around us. The day prior we celebrated sister-in-law's wedding. DH's parents, aunts, uncle, and cousin visited us during the day. The flowers were lovely.

The girls had just gone to bed when it became apparent that seeking additional shelter was necessary. I remember DD #2 had gathered blankets, stuffed animals, her favorite doll which she's had since a baby, pillow, and a few favorite books. Poor thing was petrified. As we huddled in the corner, we heard the pounding - it was deafening.


We cautiously returned upstairs as the storm abated. It was dark, being after 9:00. We opened the front door turning on the porch light to piles of hail resembling snow piles of late spring. Hail stones nearly the size of golf balls. The smell of pine were very pungent making us think that pine trees had fallen. (In the light we could see it was many, many pine needles.) What we couldn't see until daylight of the following day was all the damage to the house & buildings.

The house siding looked scraped as if we were preparing to paint. The window screens were shredded. Our window ACs were pummeled along with the windows they were in damaged. The roof was in poor shape before the storm definitely had damage. The steel building was pocked. The vegetation shredded - cut in half. All of my father-in-law's beautiful squash, pumpkins, melons were pounded. Our apples and tomatoes turned to mush!

This was the beginning of a major overhaul of the house. The result ending with all new windows, siding, insulation, roof, doors and more. But that is another story.

It is interesting to see how God takes tragedy and turns it into blessings. The end result was a new roof which was in need of replacing, a fully insulated house for a cold winter, new windows & doors eliminating more drafts.

Now..... for the kitchen - - hmmm... can that be blamed on a storm for insurance money? ;)

What do they watch in the psych ward?

Monk The question is .... Is that considered reality t.v.? In Larry the Cable Guy fashion "Lord I apologize for mocking the insane" (DH found this especially funny)