Makin' Popcorn Balls!!

Every year at Halloween I make popcorn balls....they are kinda famous in these parts! The recipe actually came from my Auntie Kay and I've been making them too many years to count. Grown-ups love to bring the kiddos to my door just to get this treat! I even had one dad tell his daughter to make sure our house was the first stop so he wouldn't miss out! This year was especially great because my daughter was here to visit and she got into the whole "mess" with me! We made a total of 70 or so popcorn balls....lots of happy treat or treaters!! I use an air popper and of course sometimes the corn pops after it hits the bowl, so it can be pretty messy with popcorn poppin' all over the place! While my daughter won't appreciate the picture of her and the "popper" I think it's pretty funny! She's trying to keep the popcorn from flying out of the bowl!

Life's About Changes.....

nothing ever stays the same. I remember loving this song, thinking it was a Trisha Yearwood song. Boy is that ever true with the Blain bunch. We've had a ever changing year......last year about this time Garry sold his truck and went to work for a local farmer, loved the job but in the early summer he hurt his back. As it turned out it was a serious injury and he finally had surgery in July. Super cool story to go along with how we ended up in Enid Oklahoma for surgery.....Garry had been to our family doctor, the emergency room, and a chiropractor with no answers or relief from the pain. Then one Sunday morning as we walked into church a woman who was visiting family commented on Garry limping, asking what was wrong. As we began to explain what was going on she told us she was a neurosurgeon's nurse in Enid and if we wanted she would pull some strings to get Garry an appointment asap. We did just that the following Wednesday and wow did she pull some strings.....Garry got an appointment that very day and had surgery the following day! God sure used this precious woman to get us to the right place!!! Garry had a very bad ruptured disc that was pinching off a nerve. As a result of the surgery he had to be off work for 3 months! This of course didn't work for the job he had, so once again we were searching for answers on what to do. In time not only has his back healed, but he has bought another truck and leased onto a company out of Booker Texas! YEA, employed again!
On August 23, our daughter Katelyn and her husband Ben blessed us with our very first grand baby! Tenely Samantha!!! She is just too precious for words! And this whole Grandparent (Nana for me and Papa for Garry) thing is just too amazing! The only bad part is they live 4 1/2 hours away from us!!! Just can't get enough of this little one!!
Our son, Derek has also changed jobs and is working for an oilfield company out of Liberal. He puts in a lot of hours, but he loves driving truck and has adjusted well to the long hours!
Life is always changing, but with the guidance of God I know we will always be able to adjust to the changes!

Tenely Samantha Ford

Wow! I'm a "Nana"!!!!! Everyone kept telling my how awesome it is to have grandchildren, you just don't understand until that first little one arrives!! Tenely Samantha Ford joined our family August 23 and she is the most amazing little bundle of preciousness I believe I've ever encountered!!
She and her mama just spent their first weekend at Nana & Papa's house and boy did we ever enjoy it!! My daughter, Katey, is an awesome Mom already....what a lucky little girl to have such an amazing Mom! Katey & her friend Chanel got to go out for a little "girl time" and I got to watch over Tenely....not without Katey giving me instructions to how things are done. Katey & Ben have little Miss Tenley on a schedule, which works out great for everyone and in fact I did the same thing. Brought back memories of the first time I left my first born with my mom, I did the exact same thing....except I actually wrote down the schedule for her! haha Needless to say I got a little chuckle out of that! My mom told me, as I handed her the instructions of how to work little Derek's schedule, she was pretty sure while it had been many years since she'd had a newborn she could handle feeding, changing diapers, bathing and mostly cuddling and spoiling her first grandchild. I did kinda giggle at Katey and assured her I could handle it! Well, we did great....little Miss Tenley stayed on schedule and Mama was happy.
Can't wait until the next visit!!!

Crosses

So....here's the latest obsession! I am crazy about making crosses! This one has a wooden base with tons of beads and trinkets....love it! I am going to a craft show this weekend, testing the water to see how well these go over. Hopefully someone else will be as crazy about crosses as I am!

Beaded Crosses

So here's my latest obsession....making beaded crosses. Crosses of all sizes, beads on wire, beads on wood, plain ole wire....just lots and lots of crosses! If I just didn't have to have a 9-5 job, boy I could craft up a storm!!! I've got an overload of project ideas and so little time to accomplish them all. Hubby told me he was gonna scream if he saw me cartin' in any more beads and wire....then I came up with the beads on WOOD! So, now the "shop" is scattered with projects of all kinds....a little wire over here, some wood over there........you know my dad always said a little bailin' wire and you can fix just about anything (of course he also said duct tape....can't figure out a craft for duct tape just yet!).....and no it's not actually bailin' wire in the crosses, but pretty close! At any rate I am have lots of fun creating, now if I can just find a market to get rid of all the creativity!!

Life is Fragile

Just read about a young woman from my "neck of the woods" that has been diagnosed with astrocytoma....the word cancer sends chills down my back, but that word~~astrocytoma~~brings vivid memories. My brother, who is 6 years younger than me, was diagnosed with that type of cancer many years ago. This brings back a scene I hope to never have to repeat....my brother, all of 20 at the time, is in surgery and all the family is waiting, the doctor comes out and explains it all to us...good news: he has been successful in removing the biggest part of the tumor, bad news it does appear to be maglient what kind of cancer is yet unknown....the pain on my parents face is too much for me to bear. At the time I am not only all grown up, but I have a family of my own, yet I was not grown up enough to know how to handle that kind of pain...don't know that you ever can be. The days that followed are a blur, then comes that word "astrocytoma" and it is explained to us.....this type of cancer is agressive, not common in young people and pretty much terminal. Another scene burned in my memory....my parents are even more devastated, I watch as my dad tries to comfort my mom through his own tears and decide I have to get outside.....I get to my suburban and cry for a few minutes and then this unbelievable sense of peace fills me, so I begin praying.....now I didn't hear some thunderous voice from above, but God assured me my brother would survive this cancer. There are no words to describe how I knew this, but I did....God told me! Now what followed wasn't easy for my brother....very intense chemo and radation for what seemed like forever! All these years later? Yes, my brother is not only alive.....but cancer free! God taught me not only to listen, but BELIEVE His Will be done.....I don't get to understand it all in the here and now. While this story has a happy ending I simply don't always understand God's Will, but I trust with every fiber of my being that God will handle every aspect of my life and His Will be done!! God bless the precious family that is living this astrocytoma season, I pray God's Will be done and they will be blessed through it.

Life Story

"Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God." Each life is a story to be written. The Author starts each life story...but each life will write his or her own ending.
I recently came across this in a devotional and it really got me thinkin'....WOW!! How very true, we enter this world (no matter the circumstances) pretty much fresh...clean...free...From that point on "we" are writing our own ending. We decide what "baggage" we carry with us, what decisions we make, what road we travel....the "end" of our story! Will we follow the "world" or will we follow God's path? Where will the "world" path take us?.......scripture tells us to "live in the world, but not by the world" . What a challenge, live in the world...but not by the world. What exactly does that mean???? For me it means just what the beginning sentence states....make my journey with a deep consciousness of God....to live with a deep consciousness of God is to know God and to know God not only must we study His Word, we must have fellowship with like-minded people...fellowship and we must listen for the still, small voice that will answer our questions and help us in the times of trial and decisions....For me that "listening" is the hardest part! I tend to want to BLOW ahead with whatever I may or may not be doing.......but, sometimes God is wanting me to be still & listen for Him and His plan! His plan may not always be the easiest path, but I know it is always the best path....because it is the path that leads to Him! So....I choose love for my story ending, the love that God had for me at the beginning of my story and the love that will eventually bring me to eternity with our Heavenly Father!

One more

Okay, one more "dog" story. The pictures above are of Bandit and his diggin' hole. As soon as we moved into our house Bandit went to diggin'....that was 13 years ago! We've filled in the hole many times throughout the years, but Bandit just goes right back to the same place and digs! It's pretty much an everyday habit for him, except he's become a "fair-weather" digger.......he'll stick his nose out the doggie door to test and if it seems okay, out he'll go. Back to the "hole", spend a few minutes lettin' the dirt fly and he has satisfied his need to dig. I give this old guy lots of credit, he's never tried to dig outta' the yard and from the depth of this hole he could've broke out long ago!! Gotta' love the dogs!! Boy, they sure do give me a lot of entertainment!!

Contentment

What is contentment? The dictionary says it is the state of being contented; an ease of mind, the act of being satisfied. If only we could heed Paul's writing in Philippians 4:11-13...."Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." This is from the New Living Translation....love love love the ease of reading this translation! The kicker for me is the HAPPILY part, so maybe we can learn to be content with what we have or the situation we are in, but HAPPILY? Now, I know for me that can be a challenge! In this crazy, hectic, get it now world we live in the word contentment is often overlooked....how can we be content when there is so MUCH. So much to want, to think we need. But, that is in contrast to Scripture.....we are to be content with what we have and with what situation God has place us in. That said I am sure there are those that are in a very bad situation that God wants them to get out of, maybe a danger for their very lives....that's were the trust part comes in. When we put our faith in God and our trust Him to provide....He will provide the means to get out or improve that situation.
What is it that we think will bring us contentment? Money, worldly things, a spouse? Hebrews 13:5 tells us to be free from the love of money and to be satisfied with what we have.....for God has said, "I will never fail you, I will never forsake you." God will never leave me...nor will He ever forsake me, I sure can't say that about any THING or any ONE else in my life.
True contentment can be found.....in GOD! God will bring about a peace like nothing from this world can. Peace and contentment, now that's what I'm talking about! My new motto is this....."If I can't have the best of everything, I will make the best of everything I have!" The number one thing is my relationship with our Heavenly Father...to do everything I possibly can to grow stronger in the Word, to grow closer in relationship and to bring as many people as I can along!

Confession

I confess I am just about 20 pounds overweight! There I said it...not that anyone really reads my blog, but it is somewhat helpful anyway to just confess! Because I have come to the realization that I am overweight, I decided to "work-out". Not sure how that's gonna turn out....what muscle do we have in our left butt-cheek anyway and why in the world is that where I hurt after only two days of a mild work-out? I also confess I've not "worked out" since my buddy moved to another state back in July, good grief it sure doesn't take long for a body to go WaY soft!!! If you're wondering how my age plays into this equation.....well, let's just say I'm too old to not know better and too young to call it "old-age"!!! I really miss my buddy....she was a work out guru! This chick could run circles around anyone half her age and she kept me accountable. She wasn't mean spirited at all, but she just had a way of making you want to improve your lifestyle! Not only in body, but in spirit.....she is an awesome Christian lady. So, as I ponder how to get this body of mine back in shape without doing some major muscle damage (there's gotta be a muscle in my left butt-cheek) I am hoping that this silly blog will help me somehow be more accountable! I'm only in the first week.......so maybe next week I will show some improvement. Ever how slight it might be I will rejoice! (Although I'm hoping for some grand intervention and the fat will just melt away in my sleep because I am really good at sleeping and not so coordinated to do the whole aerobics exercises!) If only I didn't love to bake goodies and cook! Or maybe if I had an ounce of self disciple that would stop me from eating all the stuff I bake and cook! Maybe I need to work on the self-disciple too! Hummm....now that I think about it weight isn't the only issue I need to tackle. Guess I best stop typing before this self-examination reveals even more!!

Who Knew

Who knew when my husband stated a new job that I'd be so darn perplexed at the simple idea of packing a lunch? I have a great hubby and up until this job change he's always been pretty much on his own when it comes to lunch, he never complained and come to think about it....he still doesn't. I was never concerned, partly because I work full time and partly because it was just never something that bothered me much....at least until he started working with some other men that have awesome wives that go to great pains to fix them fabulous home-cooked lunches. About a week into it and the sheer guilt of a fast sandwich kicked in and I had the brilliant idea of canned soup...who would know that it wasn't home made? Ummm...me! The "other" wives fix all this wonderful food...mini-meatloafs...chicken-fried chicken sandwiches...stew, you name it and these women can concoct it, keep it hot and make it delicious! Mind you, my great hubby wasn't really rubbing it in when he would tell me about the "lunches", I asume he's just a perplexed as I am (or maybe I'm just givin him to much credit...but, hey after 25 years of marriage I've gotta be blind to some issues!) Now...while I don't consider myself a gourmet chef I take some pride in being a pretty darn good home cook, so this is really buggin' me! I guess there is some stupid sense of competition in there too (bad as I hate to admit it)...I just don't want to be known as the one wife that sends sandwiches and canned soup for her hubby every day!
So...excuse me while I go whip up a pot of stew or maybe some of those mini-meatloaves and try to redeem some sense of my wife-hood!

Old Dogs

This past weekend was time to do some washing....the dog bed and blanket kind. Bandit could really care less, except he watches closely in the beginning of the process to make sure there isn't a bath for them in the works. It goes like this: I pick up the beds and the blanket.....they both watch closely making sure the doggie dog to the back yard is between me and them....as I put the beds and blanket in the washer they sit patiently waiting on what comes next, if I move towards them out the door they go! Now this weekend the weather was yucky and cold, so I had no intention of a bath and they were relieved! They only really feel safe from the bath thing when the beds and blanket are returned smellin' good and warm from the dryer. Gus does wait on his blanket, now this time he didn't sit in the laundry room, but he did come runnin' (well sort of a waddle) when I put them in the dryer....and he again came when I took them out of the dryer (and yes he does a little dance...again sorta, he turns in circles, pretty slow circles, but circles and keeps an eye on where they go) This time as I put the beds down they were both right there....I put Gus' blanket on top of one of the beds and Bandit pounced on it! Gus just watched in disbelief!!! As I put the other bed down, Gus didn't move...just stared down Bandit on HIS BLANKET! I watched and giggled a little for a few minutes and then coaxed Bandit to the other bed (they really don't have a certain "bed", but which ever bed has the blanket is actually Gus').....fat boy with the tongue too long moved swiftly (well as swiftly as a fat dog can!) and he was in dog heaven!!! Bandit being the carefree all-loving one was happy with a little attention from me, while Gus was gloating somewhat from the conquest he felt in snuggling in his blanket! It's a dog's life.....happy with a good smellin' & warm blanket and bed and bath free for atleast another week! They both probably feel like they on some sort of a contest!

For Such a Time as This

In the book of Esther, Mordecai told his cousin,Queen Esther, "...who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?" What if I lived my life recognizing each situation God places in front of me as an opportunity "for such a time as this"? To stop and consider my actions & even reactions....to make that connection between my faith and my daily life. As a woman I tend to compartmentalize my life...work, family, church, social. I have come to understand I do a great job of keeping it compartmentalized and I can certainly justify why I do it. But, as my father-in-law always said, "We can justify anything in our own mind". Esther could have simply stepped back and said, "I can't do this, it is not my place. I am the Queen and this is not behavior for the Queen." Esther made that connection between faith and her position, she stepped out in faith to save her people knowing full well she could surely die. You see, while we may think as women in today's society we're "less than" in that time women truly were! King Xerxes could have had her killed simply for coming into his presence without being summoned and no one would have blinked an eye. But, Esther believing this was her "such as time as this" took that chance...not before time in prayer and fasting, but non the less she took that step. The great God we love saw her faith and the Jews were saved from destruction.
What if I lived my daily life "for such a time as this"?

Gus

Gus is the other "old dog" in our family, he is 13 years old. Gus has always had a weight problem...he really can't help it and sometimes it does bother him. It makes him a "closet" eater, he waits until no one is watching to gobble up his meals and if you walk in on him while he's eating...he'll stop and watch you until you leave the room. Gus also has a tongue problem, it's too long for his mouth so he is always sticking his tognue out at you! Gus has a blanket...he loves his blanket. He sleeps on it in the hot summer and covers himself up with it in the cold winter. If I wash it, well...he's like a little kid and sits by the washer/dryer until it is returned to him! Gus is really good at sleeping, I think his metabolism must be slow or maybe even nonexsistant! He and Bandit are best buds...they share just about everything, except the blanket...that brings on some issues. So, Bandit being the older and wiser one just lets is go knowing Gus simply cannot help that selfish side. We're crazy about our overweight, tongue sticking out, sleepy Gus!!!

Meet "Bandit"........Bandit is 14 years old, he's my "old dog" and my best buddy! No matter how bad any given day might be this old guy can make me smile and know I am deeply loved! Bandit can spell, he really can! This guy LOVES treats...forget the "dog food" he could live on treats only, his favorite is T-Bonz! If we let the word treat come outta our mouth, he would go crazy...dancin', jumpin', whimperin'; so we started spelling treat. I didn't take long and he picked up on it and then watch out... t r e a t and he'd go crazy...And he would jump up at my hand (never biting it, just gettin' my attention) and then run back and forth to the cabinet where the precious treats are stored! It's not just me that he picks this up on, it's everyone in our family. My kids loved to show off to their friends how smart Bandit is....Bandit never let them down and always proved just how smart he is. Yup! Everyone is amazed at our "old dog" that is so darn smart he can spell. He's gettin' up there in years, going blind and certainly losing his hearing...except for t r e a t! He'll come runnin' every time and never let you forget not only can he spell, he'll show you where the treats are stored! He's even polite about accepting the treat, he will wait no matter how close you get it to his mouth (sometimes we test his patience and just watch in amazement) until you say "okay you can have it", then and only then will he gobble it up and of course want more!
Bandit probably won't be around many more years...what love and devotion he's given our family! We love 'ya old guy!!

Things pondered........

Hummm....continuing on from the thought of yesterday's post, our "purpose" our "gifts". In this crazy face-paced, insane, keep-up-with-the-Jone's, high-tech, world we are apart of....we need to truly do our best to live in the world and not by the world. Scripture actually says in Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." In that search for purpose and gifts we would be well advised to slow down. I recently read an invididual's very intersting daily activity for a daily walk with God, not only does this individual have a prayer time, but also an "answering" time...it is called the "answering place". When this individual has daily prayer, time and space is also set aside to be still & quite to listen for answers....the "answering place". We get so caught up in the world, we too often zip past God's plans for us, never slowing down enough to ponder what God has planned for us.

Finding purpose in life.....

Why is it so hard? When we reflect and try to find our "Purpose" or "Gifts", we look everywhere...contemplate so many different things....expect some grand intervention...beat ourselves up for not "KNOWING". God does have a purpose for each of us, so maybe while we are "searching" we just do what we have the power to do today! And while doing that....we find our purpose, our gift. When we stop allowing this world to dictate our every move and truly hear that "small still voice", that is when we will find our gift.......we all have them and I am determined to do what I have the power to do today to fulfill that "Purpose" God has for my life. Are you?

Life in the "handle"

Just starting this whole new world.....not only an almost empty nest but the world of bloggin'! The snow out here in the panhandles of Texas & Oklahoma is just about gone! YEA!!! Don't know how you people in the north do the snow on the ground all winter long! Feeling a bit sorry for those who are in the deep south that have had to deal with snow this winter!!!