While I'm Waiting.....

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

Psalm 38:15 I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

Psalm 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Proverbs 20:22 Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

Isaiah 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Lamentations 3:24-26 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Romans 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

So....

while I'm waiting, I will serve You

while I'm waiting, I will worship

......while I'm waiting......

My Photo is in Stellan's Gallery!!!!

Y'all remember my post about baby Stellan? (Click here).

Well, updates have been made to Stellan's Photo Gallery, and I'm officially "in". My above photograph has made it to The Gallery!



Check out these fabulous photos and locations by clicking HERE ..... and keep scrollin' 'cause you'll see me sooner or later.

'




The little fella seems to be doing pretty well lately. They are putting a heart monitor on him again today to check things out, but a certain medication seems to be doing the trick to keep him out of SVT. They are hoping this medication will hold him off until he is about four years old. They will then do heart surgery at that time.

'


This lady's blog is certainly one that is followed from all over the world. Check it out if you have a spare minute or two. She's at My Charming Kids.

'

Anyways, just wanted to share that with ya.

How Great Is Our God - Putting Things In Perspective

UPDATE #2 - May 28th

OK, folks..... I posted five videos from YouTube and they were all inaccessible from my blog due to copyright laws. I can't access them now, even if I go directly to YouTube; so I've come across them, via Tangle, and I'm gonna give 'er a whirl and see if it works. You will SO be amazed at what you see and hear, so take the time to watch them.

Also, if you move to the next video and have trouble watching it, simply Refresh your page. Worked for ME, anyways. Oh man, it's SO worth it if you can get it to work!

Sometimes it's hard to put things in perspective.

Sometimes it's hard for me to put God in perspective. I mean, I know He's my King, my Lord; I know He created me, and He created the Earth, and He created the whole world; I know He made light and trees and water and animals and birds and fish; I know He's preparing a mansion for me in Heaven on a little ol' cul-de-sac where I'll be neighbours with Taimi & Tammie (morning coffee time!); I know He holds the universe in the palm of His hand........

But do I reeeeeeeealllyyyyy knoooooooooooow this? Can I reeeeeeeeally comprehend it all?

I sort o' thought I did, until I watched these videos. Made the word "perspective" a little more clearer to me.

You will see in the videos how this golf ball photo ties in.


My Oxford Dictionary (which my friends Bob & Donnie refer to as "Oxford: the cathedral of the language") gives definitions of perspective, but here's a few that jumped out at me. (Trust me, this will help you to truly comprehend these videos.)

Perspective

- apparent relation between visible objects as to position, distance, etc.

- mental view of the relative importance of things

- view, esp. stretching into the distance

In Perspective

- drawn or viewed according (or not according) to the rules of perspective

- correctly (or incorrectly) regarded in terms of relative importance

So, putting things in perspective became much more real to me after watching these videos. I hope I haven't crammed too many "megabytes" into one post to mess up either your or my computer. (I don't know what megabytes are....I just know it's a computer term)

I know these videos are somewhat lengthy; but TRUST ME, they're amazing. You will remember a portion of one of these videos in a previous post (Laminin).

Sit back and enjoy as you listen to Louie Giglio show you, and help you put into perspective, How Great Is Our God!

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5

Makes me wish I'd paid more attention in Science class!

God, You truly ARE Great.

My Survivor Survivor

Note:

If you have not watched the finale of Survivor and you do not want me to ruin your surprise, then DO NOT read this post!

Waaaa-hoooooooooo! My pick won!

J.T. IS THE MAN!!!!

I was getting a little nervous this week because I hadn't seen the finale for Survivor Tocantins, and I was afraid that someone would spill the beans on who the Survivor survivor was! Thank you, friends, for not discussing it on Google Chat this week.

Even the little bit of television I watched this week, I was afraid they'd mention the winner. But, nay-nay, it remained hush-hush.

The boys and I had a fiddle performance last Sunday night and we missed the finale. Fortunately, my sister Wannett had recorded it, and we went over to her home tonight to watch it.

I am SO happy J.T. won the million buckeroos. And I'm happy that he took Stephen with him to the end. I was 99% sure that he would be a man of his word and take Stephen with him. I can tell that J.T. has a good momma who brought him up right.

And I was happy that J.T. won the bonus $100,000 as well. Way to go, man. It cost you a tooth, but now you can have all gold teeth, if you want. hahahahhaa

I was disappointed that he didn't take Taj to the end as well....he kind of fibbed about that, I guess; but, like Taj said, it is a game with a lot of money at stake.

But just let me tell you that I, personally, could never do a game like that. I'm too honest for one thing. And I'm such a girlie-girl....I could NEVER survive with those spiders and creatures out there....no honkin' way. And go to Exile Island by myself? Not a chance, sweetie. It's only been the last two to three years that I'd even venture to Toronto by myself, and that's not even right "downtown".... more like Don Valley Parkway to Gardiner's Expressway to Fraser Avenue. That's about it for me! Nope, couldn't do no Exile Island stuff.

So, way to go J.T.

And I think he should keep that beard that he developed for 39 days..... me likey that scruffy look.

[sigh]

What I could do with a million dollars............

Oh well.....I'll keep dreamin' because there's no way I'm applying for a spot in Survivor.

Some days it's all I can do to survive it HERE! hahahhaa

So I guess you could say, I AM a Survivor!

But aren't we all? :O)

Pfft, You Were Gone

There weren't too many things that I ever remember my Dad asking for. He is the most unselfish man I have ever known, never asking much of anything for himself.

But, I do recall a few television shows that he would look forward to watching. And since the rest of the family claimed the television most of the time, Dad's wishes were usually granted when he would request to watch his favourite shows.

Some of those requests included:
- Daytona 500 & Indianapolis 500 Stock Car Races
- The Family Brown (every Wednesday evening.... Barry, Tammy, & LaWanda Brown)
- Walt Disney (every Sunday night at 6pm, Channel 11! oooo - good memory Michelle!)
- And, of course, "Hee Haw" (with Roy Clark and Buck Owens)


I recall complaining many times, "Do we HAVE to watch Hee Haw???" I thought it was the stupidest show. Dad would sit and laugh at the silly skits, and I'd sit in a grump waiting for it to be over!

Here are some memories of the show just off the top of my head. See if you can recall them....

-Lulu and Grandpa Jones (Grandpa was always washing that invisible window.... "Hey Grandpa...what's fer SUPper?");
-the Gospel segment that they'd do and you always had that lump in your throat at the end;
-the pitchforks and the overalls;
-the ol' poor hillbilly couple....she had that big space in her teeth and she was ALWAYS ironing and yelling at her lazy husband;
-standing in the corn field, you'd hear: "[Cherry Valley]: Population 132.... Saaaa-lute!!!!";
-the loose barnboard that would hit each weekly gueststar in the hiney;
-the gossipy girls hanging their clothes on the line "Oh, we're not ones to go 'round spreadin' rumours, Now really we're just not the gossipy kind, Oh you'll never hear one of us repeatin' gossip, so you'd better be sure and listen close the first time!";
-hearing the words, "I'm-a-Pickin'" and "I'm-a-Grinnin'";
-that ol' hound dog half asleep on the front porch with the half-looped moonshiners.....

And you know what?

If that show were on air today, I'd make my kids sit and watch it! After all, it's a piece of my history.

I don't think there's ANYONE in my generation or older that doesn't know this song.





I don't know why we sometimes don't appreciate things until they're gone and out of our lives, but today I'd give my right arm to go back to the time when my Dad was healthier and we'd be sitting there watching Hee Haw.

And in just watching that video, look who's not with us anymore. People like Lorne Greene, an amazing Canadian actor, and John Ritter, one of the funniest American comedians. Life changes.

I am thankful to the inventor of YouTube so that I can go back and watch some of these clips..... pieces of my past.

I have a feeling that I'm gonna have that song in my head for the rest of the day.

And you know what?

I'm perfectly fine with it.

Mish-Mash Of Basically Nothing Really All That Interesting

No real point to this evening's post, just wanted to chit chat with y'all before heading off to bed.




One thing I'd like to mention: Thank you to everyone who has come up to me and let me know that you're reading my blog. Sometimes you must wonder how this ol' brain of mine functions (or rather, DOESN'T function!). hahaha I've been known to say (or type) some pretty stupid things!

Have you considered adding yourself to my Followers List (right sidebar on my blog)? And how about adding a comment? If you've never done it before, it's not difficult. Simply click on Comments at the bottom of the post you want to comment on and type in a sentence, or a paragraph, or two, or three.....then just follow the instructions in order for me to read it. Easy!

I'd love to know what you're thinking. Let me know if I'm doing something right.... or wrong..... or what you'd like to hear more of.... or less of...... or ask a question...... whatever tickles your fancy. You can even show yourself as "Anonymous" if you don't want your name showing. So what's stoppin' ya?????




Today has been a non-stop day, yet all I feel I got accomplished was the dishes and three loads of laundry (that I haven't even folded yet!). Jake and I have battled borderline migraines today. He experienced chills and dizziness today along with his massive headache. Fortunately I just had the migraine. I wasn't dizzy.... just ditzy, as usual.




What a GORGEOUS day outside today. I decided to eat lunch on the deck and take a few minutes to read my book, Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer, that my sweet friends, John & Brigitte, gave to me about a month ago. (Hi John & Brigitte (and Baby)!!! I sent you guys an email today!) And that reminds me, someday I need to do a post on how I met John & Brigitte! (He's just some guy I picked up in a ditch! [grin])

So I am half way through my lunch (which was a beautiful lettuce salad with red cabbage and carrots and radish and tomato along with hunks of chicken in it, smothered with Sundried Tomato & Oregano dressing.... Mmmmmm) when Jake calls from school. He wants me to pick him up because his headache is worse, he's now experiencing chills and dizziness, and he feels just awful. "Okie dokie, be right there, sweetie". Wolf down healthy salad, wash it down with water, bootjack it to town. He even missed tonight's chores, so I KNOW he's not faking! Jake has missed chores only about two times in over two years! Hope he feels better tomorrow. Jon has been coughing up a storm the last two days as well. I thought the colds and bugs disappear when the nice May weather rolls around! Obviously not!




I got to see my "adopted son", Justin, on Tuesday. Jon and I headed to one of the jobsites in Trenton for a bit, and we ran into Keith and Justin. It was so nice to see "my boy". I miss him. Golly, I think I've mentioned that in the past. But just in case I didn't, can I tell you that I miss him.

I'm so excited for Justin's parents (who I've never met... yet; Jon has though). They are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this summer and will be renewing their vows in a church. His mom is very excited about it. Susan sounds like a new bride on the phone, all excited about her "wedding day" and her new gown. They have invited us to be a part of their day and I'M THRILLED. And I'll get to see Justin all decked out in a suit! Usually I just see him in construction clothes or a camouflage coat (or a full-length Blue Platinum Raccoon fur coat! hahaha).

Jon remarked to Justin, "Dooley, you look like you're losing weight!" Justin replied with something like, "Yah, it's the bad food here in Trenton." I grinned and said to him, "Ahhh Justin, are you saying that you liked my cookin'???" hahahhaha He gave me that sweet ol' Justin smile and said, "Yah, I guess." (Oh, I can just hear my boys' comments now about my cookin'. SHUT UP, YOU UNRULY CHILDREN!!!!!!)




Well, I don't know how that minute hand moved around the clock so quickly, but I think I'd better stop for tonight and hit the hay. Tomorrow is a full day of cutting lawns and finishing up that mountain of laundry. Jon has to go to Peterborough tomorrow and asked if I wanted to go. If I didn't have the lawns to do, it would've been a nice day for us, but I can't leave the lawns for Saturday or Sunday, so.... nay-nay, no Peterborough for Michelley.




I shall take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful weekend. It looks like it's supposed to be sun-filled. I LOVE May weather.... it's the best time of the year. God be with you 'til we post again.

Shreddies: Diamonds or Squares?

I'm sure y'all have seen the commercial about the cereal Shreddies and how the little squares have been "changed" to diamond shape.





I picked up some Shreddies at the grocery store today. While in the kitchen, Jared was helping me put the groceries away and here's how our very serious conversation went:

Jared: "Oh Mom, did you buy Diamond Shreddies or Square Shreddies?"
Michelle: "Well, I actually bought the Diamond Shreddies this time, just for YOU."
Jared: "Oh good!"
Michelle: "But the NEXT box I buy, I will get the square ones because THOSE are the ones that I grew up with."
Jared: [chuckle] "OK"

Meanwhile, Blake is in the office sitting at the computer and hollers out to us, "Uhhhh, there's no difference between the Diamond Shreddies and the Square Shreddies!!!!"

HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAAAA

Jared and I broke into laughter.

Duhhhhhhh, OK Blake, thanks for the in-for-ma-tion!!!! Duhhhhhhhhh

Honestly, I really think the boy needs to get out more often!

My Name Is Michelle, and I'm A Blog Addict

I started the post about Carol Burnett and the horse late this afternoon but got sidetracked with picking Blake up from work and getting supper organized.



Apparently in the meantime, while I was gone and because I didn't log out of the blog account, my dear son Jacob decided to have some fun and typed the following:

Michelle: My name is Michelle.
Others: Hi Michelle.
Michelle: And I am a Blog Addict.
Others: (Clap....Clap....Clap...)

This message has been brought to you by B.A.A. (Blog Addicts Anonymous)

Hardy-har-har, Jakey..... you're a reeeeeal comedian!

Carol Burnett - The Horse

Well I really needed a pick-me-up today, and once again Carol comes to the rescue.

Again, I love the bloopers.

And I love Carol.

"Do you wanna pick it up from #1 or #2 ????"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAAAAAA

I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again

Just posting a "pep talk" to myself & Jon today, but you're welcome to read along.

I heard a daily reading on the Christian radio station this morning. The reading made the comment about getting knocked down but getting up again. It made me think of this secular song. I do not appreciate all the words or message in the song, so I found this video with just the chorus being sung, which is the only part of the song I like.

Yesterday was a really bad day.... a REALLY bad day. And this morning didn't feel all that much better. So I went online to the Keyword Search at Bible Gateway and found the following Scripture......

Psalm 35 (New Living Translation)
Psalm 35: 1-28
A psalm of David.

1 O Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. 2 Put on your armor, and take up your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid. 3 Lift up your spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Let me hear you say, “I will give you victory!” 4 Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me; turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me. 5 Blow them away like chaff in the wind— a wind sent by the angel of the Lord. 6 Make their path dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. 7 I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me. I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me. 8 So let sudden ruin come upon them! Let them be caught in the trap they set for me! Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me.

9 Then I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be glad because he rescues me. 10 With every bone in my body I will praise him: “Lord, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?”

11 Malicious witnesses testify against me. They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about. 12 They repay me evil for good. I am sick with despair. 13 Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered. 14 I was sad, as though they were my friends or family, as if I were grieving for my own mother. 15 But they are glad now that I am in trouble; they gleefully join together against me. I am attacked by people I don’t even know; they slander me constantly. 16 They mock me and call me names; they snarl at me.

17 How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing? Rescue me from their fierce attacks. Protect my life from these lions! 18 Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly. I will praise you before all the people. 19 Don’t let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat. Don’t let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow. 20 They don’t talk of peace; they plot against innocent people who mind their own business. 21 They shout, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we saw him do it!”

22 O Lord, you know all about this. Do not stay silent. Do not abandon me now, O Lord. 23 Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my God and my Lord. 24 Declare me not guilty, O Lord my God, for you give justice. Don’t let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles. 25 Don’t let them say, “Look, we got what we wanted! Now we will eat him alive!”

26 May those who rejoice at my troubles be humiliated and disgraced. May those who triumph over me be covered with shame and dishonor. 27 But give great joy to those who came to my defense. Let them continually say, “Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing his servant with peace!” 28 Then I will proclaim your justice, and I will praise you all day long.

When I was listening to the radio this morning, they also quoted 2 Corinthians 4:8 & 9; and I'm also going to add in verses 16-18.

2 Corinthians 4 (New International Version)
2 Corinthians 4:8,9,16-18

8-9: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

'

I get knocked down, but I get up again.

Lord, keep helping us to get up again.

Carol Burnett - The Elephant Story

Oh, my stomach muscles hurt from laughing so hard.

I am a HUGE fan of Carol Burnett. I absolutely LOVED her show. She is the most amazing comedian. I came across this video and wanted to share it with you.

I loved it when they couldn't control their laughter on stage.

And NOW, I am sitting here with tears running down my cheeks from this next video. If you were a true Carol Burnett follower, you will so appreciate this next one.

I, too, was glad for the time we had together. I'm glad Carol and the gang were part of my childhood.

I hope they were a part of yours.

I Ate; I'm Full; I'm Fat

I told you I wouldn't be back to post tonight because I'd be too full of food and too tired to post.

Well, I was pretty much right.... 99%.

I ate too much,

I am very full,

I am feeling fat,

I had to undo the button and zipper on my jeans on the way home because I was SO bloated and completely uncomfortable, to say the least!

(I said to Blake, after unbuttoning my pants, "Gee, I hope I don't get pulled over by the police!" and in NO WORD OF A LIE we rounded the corner and a police officer, with all the pretty lights flashing, was just pulling over a vehicle! Twenty seconds sooner and my lead foot and unbuttoned bluejeans would have had a speeding ticket. Actually, in all honesty, this MIGHT have been ONE night that I was NOT speeding...... surprisingly!)

Aaaaand, I AM very tired; however, not too tired to drop a few lines on the blog before heading to bed.

Just wanted you all to know that tomorrow I must start watching what I eat; start exercising; start drinking more water; blahhh, blahhh, blahhh......

And what dreamworld am "I" living in????

Thank you, Mr. Clifford, for the wonderful fish.

Thank you, Newfy Glen & Diane, for cooking it.

Thank you, 114-some guests, for all your pot luck contributions that are far too many to name. I sampled probably 80% of the food. My gut can testify to that!

(Just to clarify, I said I SAMPLED 80% of the food, not ATE 80% of the food! I can be an oinker, but I'm not THAT crazy!)

Now, does anyone have any Pepcid AC??????????

Non-Stop Day

Today has been one of those days where we have just moved from one function to another.

May 17th began in utter darkness. The power went out. Apparently the power was out all over Prince Edward County. Jake's co-worker said he was on the Glenora Ferry when the power went out, and they stopped the Ferry in the middle of the Bay of Quinte. I don't know how long they sat there for, but the way the winds were blowing last night, I surely am thankful I was tucked nice and cosey in my own bed and not out on the ocean waves Lake Ontario!

Glenora Ferry

Fortunately, the power came back on through the night and the alarm clocks rang at the right times so Jake could get to his 5am barn chores on time. I must ask him if the power outage caused a problem with the barn's computer milking system!

So the first thing this morning, we headed to church. But not our own. This morning we were not Free Methodists, but Presbyterian! We played our fiddles at their Kirkin O' The Tartan ceremony. It's always a pleasure to visit other churches. I SO appreciated the older hymns that they sang. There was one I was not familiar with, but I hope to find the music for it and learn it. It was called "O God of Bethel, By Whose Hand". Very pretty melody and very powerful words.

We were invited to stay there for a luncheon, but had to press on towards home because Blake had been asked to be a judge at a fiddle contest down in Cherry Valley. An organization was hosting a fun day to raise money for Cancer's Relay For Life and had decided to hold a fiddle contest. I never have entered the boys in fiddle contests. I always told them they didn't have to prove anything to ME because I already KNOW they're the best! hahahha. But when Brenda, one of the co-ordinators, told me that first prize in each category was 200 bucks, my jaw dropped and I so badly wanted to phone Jake and Jared at home and say "Y'all grab yer fiddles 'n git yer buns down here!"

But, nay-nay, can't do that when your brother is judging. (Although, I COULD have changed their names......) JUST KIDDING.

The entrants did very well and all of them walked away with cash or a participation prize. I congratulated each one afterwards and told them: DON'T EVER STOP PLAYING!

After the judging, we came back home to pack up the sound equipment and fiddles in the car. We are playing tonight at a local farm's annual fish fry. It's held in their sap shanty, and I hear from the farmer's son-in-law that we'll be packing about 114 people in the sap shanty tonight. Makes for a nice cosey supper! Here's Farmer Brown Mr. Foster from Fosterholm Farms himself!

Jon used to work for "Mr. Clifford" when Jon was a young lad through his teens years. And of course, my Dad did mechanical work for Mr. Clifford and his father years ago....everything from tractors to tomato harvesters. Mr. Clifford always kept our family supplied with every vegetable under the sun! We had potatoes and onions and peppers and squash and tomatoes and also hampers of apples. I remember, as a little girl, walking into our cellar amazed at all the crops that Mr. Foster had brought over! We never starved!

So, Blake and Jared and I headed to the sap shanty to set up the sound system while Jake headed to visit his "girls" (cows!) for the next milking. We returned home a while ago and I decided to write a post. I am now being beckoned by Jon who is unusually extremely anxious to get going to the fish fry, so that brings an end to this post.

I will tell you that there will be NO shortage of food at this function tonight, and I can assure you that I will be too full and too tired to post. So, know ahead of time that I will be thoroughly enjoying myself tonight whilst filling my face with food and accompanying my sons as we "rosin up the bow" ..... a wonderful ending to a Non-Stop Day.

And how was YOUR day???

Ta-Dahhhhhh! A New Look!

Drum roll, pleeeease...........

Here's a new look for my blog. How do you like it?

Thank you to my girlfriend, Chris, who showed me how absolutely easy it was to change my template. This one is called Tin Roof, and I like it.

I certainly couldn't have anything too flowery or girlie because, well, I am the only female in the house, besides the cat. Even the "adopted" kids are all boys, so I had to go with something that was suitable for ALL of us.

I think this one is a pretty good choice. And I like the earth tones, too.

So, one of the next changes to the blog will be some music....... Hello? Victoria? One of these days I'm pulling you off homeschooling duties so you can show me how to do it properly, since I've tried three times and failed!

Sorry for my "slackness" in blogging lately..... I tried this morning, but completely had a brain cramp! I should've just found another hockey video. hahha.

Speaking of hockey..... Sorry Pastor, the Boston Bruins just pulled out their golf clubs. Guess I won't be gettin' you to wear that Leaf's jersey after all.

OK, folks.....
Off to bed.
Full day tomorrow.
Wanna sleep in.
Ain't gonna happen.

G'night.

Funny Hockey Commercial (well... funny to ME!)

While watching an NHL hockey game one night last week, they had a commercial that just tickled my funny bone.

Now, I don't know if you'll get a chuckle out of it or not; but I laughed pretty hard. Maybe it was my warped mood at the time, I don't know..... but I must say that I had a hard time finding this particular commercial on the internet until today! So, it must be a very new advertisement.

The commercial is centered around hockey, but it's actually a commercial for Lakeport beer. And since that's Justin's favourite brand, I'll dedicate this post to him.

What makes it even MORE funny to me is that the kids & Jon saw this commercial during another hockey game on another night and Jon thought it was a REAL GAME! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

He did not realize that it was one of those little hockey games with the rods that you push and pull and twist and turn to maneuvre your little hockey men around the board. I mean, goodness-gracious, the commentators are carrying on like it's a real game for cryin' out loud. Well THAT's what makes the gosh-darn commercial so hilarious!...... well..... hilarious to ME anyways.

Yes, I know.... I need serious help.

We've all got our own little idiosyncrasies. Mine, apparently, is silly ol' hockey commercials. hahahaha

So.... that's it. Just wanted to share that chuckle with ya.

I really hope SOMEBODY out there shares my questionable humour. :O)

If not, well..... I'll STILL laugh at that commercial.

And, NO, to those of you who are wondering, I was NOT drinking beer while watching the commercial! (I don't drink beer.) I was stone sober and thinking quite clearly, thank you very much! Well...... jury's still out on the 'thinking clearly'!

Care For A Snack?

Would you care for a snack?

Which treat would you like? The one on the right? Or the one on the left?

Now, be careful. Chances are that you might not care for one of the above treats.

Look closely.

They're about the same size; one is a little lighter in colour; one has a mixture of dark and light treats; one looks like it has salt on it.

Can you tell what kind of treats these are?

Well, my husband Jon could tell you the difference. One is appetizing; one is not.

One evening a few weeks ago around supper time, he headed out to the deck to start the BBQ. He had grabbed a handful of nuts from the counter. When he got on the deck, he started spitting and sputtering..... he spat the contents from his mouth into his hand, then tossed the contents over the deck railing, continuing to spit out whatever 'morsels' were left in his mouth.

Then I heard WHY he was spitting out the peanuts..... he had accidentally scooped a handful of what he thought were peanuts when in actuality, he had scooped a handful of Katarina's food.....Katarina is our cat! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I had a small dish of peanuts (the bowl on the left in the photo) sitting on the countertop to the LEFT of our kitchen sink. Katarina's bowl of cat food (the bowl on the right in the photo) was sitting on the countertop to the RIGHT of our kitchen sink. It sits up there so Mick & Duke, our doggies, don't eat up all her food.

The peanuts had been wolfed down by Jon, and as he was telling me a story about something and concentrating on going out to start the BBQ, he absent-mindedly scooped what he thought were peanuts, but in actuality, it was Katarina's Whiskas.

I haven't laughed that hard in such a long time. Blake's poor fiddle student.... it was this little girl's very first lesson, and I'm sure she thought I was a serious mental case. Blake kindly told her to simply ignore me.

Well, I ran to get the camera. "Oh, this is DEFINITELY a blog moment!" I only wish I'd had the camera handy for you to see the look on Jon's face when he realized what he had eaten. HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA

It was one of those priceless moments.

I just came across the picture and thought I'd share it with you.

And now I'm off to beddy-bye. Blake and I just returned from playing fiddle and piano at a local square dance. It was fun, as usual. We even got to dance this time. How sweet that Blake danced with his momma. (RATS! I should've got someone to take our picture! Tsk-tsk!)

So, off to bed I go..... and I can guarantee there'll be no pre-bedtime Whiska treats for me! hahahahhaa.

Oh Jonny, you sure do know how to make me laugh!....... Hey Jon, did you just meeeeow at me??????

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAAAAA

Stand Still

Hey there! Don't worry, fellow bloggers and readers, I haven't moved away or anything. It's been a busy week, and I just haven't been 'inspired' to post anything. But this week, I've been singing a song by a favourite group of mine, and I felt led today to talk about it.

I think everyone is pretty much in the same boat as far as busy, stressed-out lives are concerned. Many are facing struggles that they just don't know what to do or how to deal with. And being humans, we naturally try to fix and handle situations on our own, struggling to make it right or better, or even just to simply try and cope with whatever seems to be 'overwhelming' us.

There are situations that affect so many people, situations too numerous to even mention, but I'm referring to things like financial difficulties, a wayward child, tension in the marriage, illness, death in the family, an injury from an accident, unemployment, a fall-out with family or friends....... and so many more circumstances. None of us are excluded from problems in this life.

And sometimes, those situations can be overwhelming. Jon and I had some situations occur over the last number of years. Thank goodness we had, and have, each other! Any ONE of those situations, although difficult, could have been 'handled' or coped with. But when disaster after disaster situation after situation occurred and got piled up on top of each other, it was most extremely overwhelming.

And it's during those times that you feel like you're drowning...... just gasping for air and trying to hold on and literally stay alive.

But in the midst of those times, it is important to just stand still. You have to stop and analyze what's going on, examine the situation and determine what you can and should do and what you CAN'T and SHOULDN'T do. And the only way to do this is to seek the Lord's direction..... FIRST. Before striking out to solve the problem on our own, we need to first ask God to take control of the situation and handle it, leading us to an answer.

I can't believe how many times this week I have read about or listened to a sermon about the trials we go through and how these trials will indeed make us stronger. Honestly, when you think about it, how can you really help someone 100 percent if you don't even know how they feel or what they're dealing with or actually experiencing? We go through these trials so that we, in time, will be able to help others in their time of need.

And to be truly honest, when I look at MY "problems", I have to really ask if they are "problems" at all! (Not to say that we have been excluded from traumatic experiences because we most certainly have NOT.... we have some babies that are now with Jesus. Losing them were very difficult times. But I'm more referring to "problems", if you can call them that, which I am currently experiencing.)

This blogging world has opened my eyes to some real hurting people!!!! I am following blogs from people who are dealing with miscarriages, death of child during pregnancy, death of child after delivery, sick children while in womb, sick children out of womb, kids with leukemia, a baby with chronic skin disease, a baby born premature who has survived numerous surgeries and now has no brain activity, death of a husband (whose wife is pregnant with his child), death of a baby due to SIDS....... these are just a few of the trials that others are facing.

People, what do "I" have to complain about?

Honestly? I shouldn't be complaining at all. The situations that I've mentioned above are from people who are trusting the Lord through their circumstances. They are still praising Him because they know that the Lord will use their trial for some good.... even though they can't see the result NOW, they KNOW God is with them and they are trusting Him.

And here "I" am.... complaining that I have too much month and not enough money.

I've been following blogs of two women who just returned from a Compassion trip to Calcutta. Melissa (who is Beth Moore's daughter) was given the opportunity to meet her two children that she sponsors. Guess how much the father of one of the children makes? $17 per month. SEVENTEEN DOLLARS!!!!!!! A MONTH!!!!!!!! These people live in mud huts. They have NOTHING. They live in the poorest of the poorest areas. Then I sit and look around at what "I" have!!! And I think about how quickly $17 goes around here.

Arrrrrrrrgh!!!! I don't even have the words to describe how I feel in my gut right now! I am sickened by my selfishness and my "poor me" attitude. (Joyce Meyer would have a hay-day with me right now!)

Anyways, let me get back on track here. When we come across these situations and circumstances in our lives where we are feeling overwhelmed and don't know where to turn, then, friends, might I suggest you just stand still, wherever you are, and seek your Heavenly Father and ask for His direction. (Preachin' to myself here!) He's waiting..... ever so patiently...... He knows what we're going through and how we're feeling..... but He has a plan. He can see the end and knows how it will turn out. It's not for us to question why? or how long?; but He just says to stand still and let Him move. He'll make a way.

Here is the song Stand Still by my favourite group, The Isaacs. I apologize for the poor quality of this video, but it's a great song and I want you to hear it.

Here are the words, for those of you on dial-up and not able to download the video.

The Father has a plan, though it's hard to see it now
You feel you're walking all alone, but He is there no doubt
When the storm around you rages, and you're tossed to and fro
When you're faced with life's decisions, not sure which way to go

Stand still, and let God move
Standing still is hard to do
When you feel you have reached the end
He'll make a way for you
Stand still, and let God move

When the enemy surrounds you, and the walls are closing in
When the tide is swiftly rising, and you wonder where He's been
Friend, there never was a moment that His arms weren't reaching out
You can rest assured and be secure, God is moving right now

Stand still, and let God move
Standing still is hard to do
When you feel you have reached the end
He'll make a way for you
Stand still, and let God move

The answer will come, but only in His time
Stand still, and let God move







So, today when you feel like you're running the rat race, remember to just stop and Stand Still. The Lord is patiently waiting for you to just take some time for Him. "Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer"........ Don't forfeit your peace, don't bear the pain.....

Just simply take the time to Stand Still.

New Friends & Old Friends.... uhhhh, I mean "Older"

In my lifetime, of a whole 42 years, I have met a lot of people.... A LOT of people.

I have met folks through my Dad's mechanic business, way back since I was a baby. (My Dad is so well known in this area, there are people that know who HE is, and he doesn't have a clue who THEY are!)

I have met people through my church, which I started attending at the age of eight.

I have met people through my elementary and highschool days.

I have met hundreds of people through my employment at a fast food joint and also at an insurance company where I worked.

I have met folks through my husband's businesses, which were RVs and also the trucking industry.

I have met people via email (Hey Tammie!).

I have met folks in the music business because of my love for singing as well as my children's fiddle group, Fiddlers Found.

I have met people that I didn't even realize I was related to! I come from a very large family! I'm probably related to half the people in this County! (Well not HALF, but close to it).


I have appreciated meeting all these people and getting to know many of them. I always appreciate meeting new folks, and I want to introduce you to two super-duper fellows. These are some "New Friends" of ours: Brandon and Sebastien.

Brandon & Sebastien

These two guys worked a bit with Jon on a jobsite about a three-hours drive north-east of our home. They met last Fall, and now the boys are down here working near our home. They've been over for supper a few times and are really nice kids.

Hahaha....I keep apologizing to them for calling them kids..... they're in their early twenties, so they're not really kids, but young men! However, since I'm almost double their age and they're young enough to be my children, then I consider them 'kids'.

One of them is the quieter of the two..... the other one picks up the slack and is quite the comedian. Can you guess which one is which, based on this photo?



They're nice boys, and I'm looking forward to them stopping by the house more often. Maybe I'll find some nice sweet Coun'y girls for them.......

Now, this next photo is a mixture of "new" friend and "old" friend.....

Ahem....... or should I say "older" friend........

Justin, Keith, & Jon

Pictured above on the left is, of course, our dear "new" friend Justin. Justin has been Jon's friend now for almost a year. They've worked together since late Spring/early Summer of last year (and "I" was fortunate enough to work with Justin, Brandon & Sebastien for a week this past January!.... funny guys). I've written a lot of posts about Justin, so I'll let him off the hook today..... but I'm happy to call him our friend. He's a good kid.

I miss him....or have I mentioned that before???

The gentleman in the middle is an "Old Friend" of Jon's. I guess I should be saying "older", but Keith just celebrated his 60th Birthday. Sixty isn't "old", but Jon has known Keith way longer than he's known me, so that's why I think of Keith as an "old" friend! Jon was probably about ten years old when he met Keith, and Jon worked with him as a youngster.

On some of the jobs that they did, when Jon was a little boy, there would be small pipes or duct-work or tiny crawl spaces that would need to be climbed into to do the job. Keith would put Jon in these spaces to do the work but would always tie a rope to Jon's ankle so that he wouldn't lose him and would be able to pull him out. hahahhaa. Wish I had some pictures of THAT!

Jon has always held Keith in high regard and has always appreciated his friendship. Keith is one fellow that can make you laugh. But he's also a fellow that you do NOT want to mess with. I like friends like that. [big grin]

Sometimes it takes us literally decades to find out who our friends are. We have lots of acquaintances and folks we "call" friends.... but to truly have someone special in your life that is there through thick and thin, well, that's rare. Everyone should have at least one person that is their very truest friend, one that you can share anything with and know you won't be judged or intimidated by or lied to or used.

I appreciate my friends, the "old" AND the "new". I am thankful for the times that I've been able to sit around my kitchen table, or wherever, and laugh with these friends. Laughter has done my soul some good, especially lately. God knows who to put in your life at just the right time.

Justin, Keith, Brandon, and Sebastien: Thanks. You've done my soul some good.