I will be back later this week...

Just a note to say that I will be very busy this week at work. I have not forgotten my dear blog buddies and after our Open House on Thursday, I will be back to read all of your wonderful blogs. My sister, Candy and I are doing most of the cooking in my new range. I am having so much fun.

Peace and Love,
Pam

Gratitude Post # 30 ~ Change of Seasons

As my thirty days of gratitude come to an end, I want to thank you for reading,following and commenting. This has been a huge committment for me. I am very thankful for all of my blessings.

Gratitude Post # 29~ Wildlife

This photo pretty much says it all. Doc feeds the deer and takes photos of them when they are not looking. He also planted them a special deer garden. I am not sure if they have found it yet. While folks all around us are shooting these beautiful creatures, we nurture and feed them.

Gratitude Post # 28~My Sister

Some of you know that my sister, Candy, has been in the process of moving here. I went to get her at the end of February of this year. She has been through a hard time, but I am delighted to tell you that the worst is behind her and things are looking quite good for her.

I am so thankful that we have been able to help her in her time of need. It has been so wonderful to see her come alive again. I am blessed that God gave us both a new chance to get to know one another all over again.

I have always loved my sister, but sometimes we did not like one another. So, with this season of Thanksgiving upon us, I give the praise and glory to God for he believes in so many chances. I am blessed to have a new start with my sister, to call her my best friend.

Gratitude Post # 27~My Job

This is johnny, my hair dresser. He is wonderful. He and his wife have five children. He is always very uplifting and kind.

This is Robbin, Johnny's assistant. She is as sweet as the come.

This darling young lady is my boss and she is very good at mananging all the loose ends.

If you recall, I am a retired florist/owner of my own shop and flowers are my passion. After selling my flower shop, my best friend, Darlene, and I started a custom floral design business from our homes. We did magnificent weddings, large and small and we decorated homes and businesses for the holidays. Big beautiful homes and small cozy homes. It was a magical time for our business. There was nothing we could not do, except when Darlene's mother was diagnosed with Lou Gearing's disease. Due to her mother illness and death, we put our business on hold.

Well last year I moved and you can remember how sad and lonely I was way back then. Our Realtor had told me to get my hair cut at this adorable one-hundred year old home that also had a gift and garden shop, two hair dressers and tanning beds.

I show up for my hair appointment and while I am waiting I start looking around in the gift shop. I find this beautiful young lady working ever so hard on processing fresh flowers. You know that I never meet a stranger and while talking I offer to help her with the flowers. Courtney, the young lady, ask me if I was a designer? I said "Yes, I had been one for many years, but that I had retired." Little did I know that she would ask me to work for her. Mmmm... a job? I hadn't even thought about working anymore. But I am intrigued.

I talked it over with my Hubs and he was delighted and thought I should accept the job. So that is how I came to work in this little town. I remember telling Courtney that "They really needed me." What I came to find out is that it was mutual and that I needed them too.

What makes my job so much pleasure is the people that I work with and am surrounded by. I know most of you will understand...it was a God thing. I work among the most awesome believers and they lift my spirit up. I hope that I do the same for them.

So this is my blessing of how I came to work for this beautiful faithful family. They have six children and the mom home schools the youngest three. The older children were their first family. They then adopted three precious children all unique and different. I have never met such self-less folks. Their 22 year old daughter runs the shop. She is a joy to work with and I am thankful to be a part of it all.

Gratitude Post # 26~My Friend Darlene

One of my best friends is Darlene. We have been friends for over twenty years. I first met her when we were both involved in PTA. We have been through everything together and our friendship is one of the things I am so thankful for. We have a lot of history as friends go.

I really miss her, but we talk on the phone and see each other when we can. Friends like this are a real gift.

Gratitude Post # 25~My Great Nephew and Neice

It started out as a shopping day with my sister, Candy, her son and wife and these two little cuties, their children. We were leaving this little shopping center and the kids saw this water fountain. One thing led to another and the next thing we know the little one is taking her shoes off and has her feet in the water. Big brother follows suit. It was a sweet moment. On this very hot summer day they took time to enjoy the water. I am thankful that my nephew and his wife come to visit us and we can enjoy their children so much.

Gratitude Post # 24~Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving begins this week I am reminded of all the thankful post that I have written this month. And I am reminded of one of the worst Thanksgiving days in my life. Warning this post in difficult and I have never told this story before.

In 1971, three days before Thanksgiving my future husband left to go to basic training in San Antonio, TX. After dropping him off at the bus station, I went home to my grandmother's home. By this time, my mother and I lived with my grandmother. Moma was at work at the hospital the three to eleven P.M. shift. Grandmoma and I were watching "Hee Haw" and I was making an egg sandwich. I was sad that Doc had left for his training and I was telling grandmoma how sad I had been that day.

Nothing unusual about that night. I loved to spend time with her. She was my best friend and loved me like my mother could not. I am up and down and off to the kitchen, when I hear a sort of cough, or something like it. I call to her from the kitchen and I heard it again. I thought not too much about it. I returned to my chair and I am still talking with grandmoma. Then I look at her and notice something is different about her. She has slumped down in her club chair and she looks like she has fallen asleep or something. I am not sure what is going on and for a second I do not realize that she is dead.

I called the operator this was before 911 and told her something was desperately wrong with my grandmother. I had just completed a CPR course at college. I tried to help her, but I could not do anything except cry. The operator called an ambulance. She tried to console me and to get me to calm down. By now I am hysterical because I can not save my grandmother. Nothing I do will bring her back.

The ambulance comes and now I have to decide which hospital to take her to. One is closer in Bossier City, La., but my mother works at the one in Shreveport, La. I decide to take her to Schumpert Hospital where my mother works. I met moma in the ER. This much is pretty much a blur because I am crying so hard. My mother is crying. I am praying and crying.

The next thing I know is my mother is having an episode with her heart. She has tachycardia and her heart beats too fast. So now the doctors are working on my mother as well as my grandmother. I am besides myself with no one there to tell me a thing. This was the worst night in my young life. I was twenty-one years old and two of the people that I loved most in the world are in critical shape. "Dear God in heaven help me" is all I can pray right now. I can barely even put two words together for all the crying and hysteria. I was so afraid that I would loose both of them.

That night, my wonderful grandmother died, my mother would recover, but my life as I had known it changed forever. Moma and I were exhausted and numb from the night. I can hardly make my lips form the words "grandmoma is gone". This was three days before Thanksgiving. We had to arrange funeral plans and notify the funeral home, friends and the newspaper of her passing. Moma went to her room to take a tranquilizer. I just sat in my chair with a blank stare and thinking over that night to see what I could have done differently that might have made a difference. The doctors told us that she died immediately from a cerebral hemorrhage and that there was nothing anyone could have done to save her.

People flooded in from her church and neighbors as well as her friends. Grandmoma was loved by all. There was all kinds of food just too much, we don't really want to eat, but we go through the motions. We are thanking everyone, writing down names and the dishes they brought, fixing coffee and walking like zombies. Expressionless, sad, no words can confort me. My mother is in her own grief because she has lost her mother. She has no words for me, no comfort, though all she can offer me is a little pill to dull my senses. Nothing can dull this pain or make it ever go away. This day will haunt me for the rest of my life.

We bury grandmoma with graveside services only. The service I don't remember because I am too caught up in my own grief. My sister and I hold one another and cry. We try to console moma, but she pulls away and needs to be alone. When we returned home to grandmoma's house, the thought suddenly occurs to me that we have a huge turkey thawing in the refridgerator. If you knew my grandmoma, then you knew it was a cardinal sin to waste anything.

Up until this day, my job in the kitchen for Thanksgiving meal was to chop all the vegetables into exact uniform pieces. I knew this job well, but nothing else. Grandmoma had always cooked the dinner. Who knows how to make dressing? None of us. What about gravy? Nope not a one of us can do gravy. So at one of the sadest time of our lives, my sister, mother and I attempt to cook our very first turkey with all the trimmings.

Grandmoma always got up at the crack of dawn and got it all together while we sleept in sweet dreams buried under a pile of hand made quilts. Those heavenly smells would awake us. It was like an intoxicating perfume wafting through out the house. Not on this day, we gathered in the kitchen and began cooking. I don't remember too much except I did the chopping of the vegetables and I did the best job I could do for her.

This one day my mother, sister and I pulled it together and we made the meal. While it taste nothing like grandmoma's, we knew she would be proud because we did not waste that turkey, we united and we did not give up. That night would bring us wonderful loving memories of her. The healing had began. We laughed at the sight of us cooking and we knew grandmoma would like it.

It would take me years to accept that I was not to blame for not being able to save her. Doc and I married and I would wake up in a nightmare about that night. I think I spent the first year of our marriage crying over my beloved grandmother. I am blessed that my husband comforted me and offered words of encouragement.

This is the first time I have really shared this story with anyone other than my family and best friend. If you managed to get to the end, I thank you for reading along with me. It was hard to write still after all the years.

Gratitude Post #23~ New Appliances

After all these years married, I feel like a new bride because tonight Hubs and I bought new appliances. When we moved in January, we knew we would have to buy them sooner or later. I keep thinking about cooking our Thanksgiving meal in an oven that never stays the same temperture no matter how much I adjust the temp. The old appliances are really small and not in good shape.

So the day before Thanksgiving, our new stove, fridge and dishwasher will be delivered and installed. Hot dog! I am excited. So I am thankful for my new appliances. It will bring much joy back to my cooking. I will let you know how my Thanksgiving meal turns out.

Gratitude Post # 22~My Cats

This is Bruno, my husband's cat, but in reality I belong to him. The one thing I like about my cats is that they know how I am feeling. I don't know how they know this, but trust me on this one. They know. The other thing that I adore about cats is their purr. It is such a soothing sound to me. I always thought cats were aloof, not mine. They are into everything I do.

This is Stinky and she is my cat. We adopted her from the vet. She was abandoned and lived in a wood pile. She had eaten the wood and it had torn up her intestines. She was a little kitten at the time I got her. She had a really rough start in life, but she has turned out to be a sweet cat. Except when she goes psycho when she is ready to be left alone. I love her crossed eyes.This is Bruno, Hubs cat. He and stinky were not friends before. They each had a cat that they were close with, but unfortunately they died. So now they are forming a new friendship. Bruno reads my google reader in the morning with me. He is never far from me. Usually he is right in front of my laptop in my arms. I really don't think he knows he is a cat.

He thinks he should be allowed to go everywhere he wants and guess what? He does.

This is their sleeping chair that I am having recovered. Looks like the will have to find a new place to sleep. Can't you tell that they don't like each other!

Stinky on the deck. She does not like to go outside at our new place. We are working on it.

So that is it for today. I give you a big shout out for reading all of my gratitude posts. It has been fun and I am truely blessed.

Gratitude Post #21~ No Pain

Today, I am very thankful that I am not in pain. A lot of you know that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. It was just a year ago that I was in so much pain that I could barely move. Constant pain makes me miserable. I feel like I am on fire with the pain. It drastically changed my life.

A few years ago when I was first diagnosed with RA, the doctor put me on all kinds of horrible medicine and they made me very sick. I gained weight and could not believe how bad I felt.

I went to another doctor for a second opinion. At the same time, I also started going to Dr. Zhang. He is a Chinese trained physician from China and he has been treating my RA with acupuncture.

By the time of my second doctors diagnosis, he confirmed that I was in remission from RA. I am no longer on any medication except when needed. I am so thankful to Dr. Randy(as I call him) for he has made all the difference in my life, especially the quality of my life. I am not saying that I don't have some bad days, but they are fewer and far less than ever.

Gratitude Post # 20~ Leah at South Breeze Farm

Today as I look forward to writting each post, I forgot someone very important to me. That would be Leah. I am thankful for Leah from South Breeze Farm because she organized the Thirty Days of Gratitude. Leah has a beautiful heart. I am thankful to her for connecting so many wonderful bloggers for the month of November. Thank you, Leah.

Gratitude Post # 19~Trees

Trees

Joyce Kilmer. 1886-1918

I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

All theses trees are on our land. I feel so blessed to have such beauty to look at every day.

Gratitude Post # 18~ My Church

One of the hardest things about moving this year was leaving my church. My church is like another family for me. I love all the folks there and I know that if I need anything they would be the first ones to help me. The same goes for me if they needed help.

My Sunday School class is called the Seekers. We are a mixed assortment of married couples, widows, singles, and women whose husbands don't come to church. I fall into the later group. It has taken me years to find a class that I felt comfortable in. I did not fit into the couples group, or the younger group, so when I found this group I knew it was for me. I love each and everyone of the people in my class. We hang out together and most of us sit together in church.

The class is so open and we all have different problems. That is what makes us unique because we all have had problems, but we are dedicated to helping others. I can be honest and speak my heart without fear of acceptance or judgement. It is rare to find friends that are so different and yet so similar.

I miss volunteering with the choir kids,VBS and helping out. I miss that connection and I am looking for it in our new community. This is one of the reasons that I am so sad, but I know in time I will find my place. I will build those friendships with new folks. I am blessed to be in a loving church with open hearts, open minds, open doors. I am a Methodist in case you did not know by the next to the last sentence.

Gratitude Post # 17~ My Husband

This is us when we were young and about to get married. We were young and dumb. We dated for three and half years. I knew so little about relationships, neither did he. We just knew that we wanted to love and care for one another for the rest of our lives. We fought a lot because we are both very stubborn. We have been married thirty-seven years longer than anyone thought that we would make it.

Sure we have changed a lot, but not our hearts. I love him more today than yesterday. It has not always been easy, but for the most part we have stuck it out. Doc is my best friend and he has always supported me in everything I do. We have two wonderful sons and my life has been blessed because of my hubs and our sons.

Life changes you. It has made me a better person. I know I am loved and I am blessed.

The Queen's Meme # 14 ~ Do You Believe In Magic?

Monday, November 16, 2009

The Queen's Meme #14 ~ Do You Believe In Magic?
Welcome to The Queen's Meme #14

Sometimes silly. Sometimes serious.
Always fun!Step out of the box. Be creative.
Use your imagination.No one's answers are quite like yours.

This meme is called Do you believe in magic?

It's all about those things we can't explain, things that go bump in the night, and other freaktacular occurrences. In this crazy world of ours, what's normal anyway??! We'll even talk about sparks of a pleasurable kind....if you dare. And since I'm in a daring mood, let's get started. Good luck. And please, try to stay out of the dungeon this week.It's getting cold down there this time of year.

1. Tell us about your superstitions. Do you have any? Do you "x out" black cats on the windshield of your car, avoid cracks in the sidewalk or practice other rituals that make you feel safer? Don't have any? Come on now! Make up some....

I have many superstitions. One is to never practice any black magic. Not even a Ouija board. When I was a kid I was afraid to step on a crack or break my mother's back. I avoided open ladders. I prefer to go over them rather than threw them. I always throw spilled salt over my right shoulder. I avoid crossing the path of a black cat.

2. Has anything paranormal ever happened to you that you can write about?

I see dead people or should I say that I can sense their presence. I hear my grandmother's voice and feel her touch. I find dimes that my grandfather use to give us all around the house. I know he is telling me something.

3. Have you ever had a near-death experience? Sure every time I get in my truck to drive is a near death experience.
Care to share? I thought I just told you that?

4. Pheromones...aka "love fireworks" (I think I remember those)...are a force to be reckoned with. Do you believe that two people can have an uncontrollable chemical reaction to each other? How do you know this to be true? That is why it's called chemistry! Don't you know that? Sometimes I prefer to think that our souls recognize different souls, old souls...

5. Do you believe that modern day witches can put spells on people

I am from Louisiana, what do you think?

There are some very strange women like Marie Laveau (The High Priestess) in New Orleans that will put a hex on someone. I don't know anything about it. I am scared to even mention her name. For real, it is very scarey...

If so, who would you like to hoodoo and why? What is a hoodoo? Down here we call it a hex or voodoo. And no I would never put a hex on anyone...

6. ESP! What do those letters stand for in your life? My first choice is Extra Sexy Person of course! or maybe extra sensory perception.

7. Do you ever hear strange noises in your house? My walls moan...
If so, what do they sound like? Mmmmmooooo...oooohhhh....aaahhhhh!

8. Tell us about a time you "knew" something was going to happened before it did.

As a child I was so connected to my mother that I could sense something was wrong. I would check out of school, go home and find her OD on drugs or her wrists slit. I called the ambulance and got her to the ER. It happened all my life no matter where she lived.

Are you one of those intuitive types or do you know someone who is ?

I am very intuitive and I listen to that voice. I can sense the presence of evil. My best friend is also like that... if she tells me to not do something, I listen because she has been right too many times. I think she is a Psychic or something like that!

Do tell. I just did tell you? Don't make me go there or I will make a voodoo doll of you and cause you lots of pain.

9. I'm a tad gifted in the dream department. Really. Sometimes my dreams are prophetic and come true. It can be a blessing and a curse. Has this ever happened to you? If not, would you like to have this gift? (Be careful what you wish for. It can be freaky at times.)

I have that gift or curse depends on how you view it. I have the strangest dreams about buildings blowing up, planes crashing and a lot of violent dreams. I am very disturbed in case you have not figured that out. And no I don't use drugs, Just a vivid imagination. I see dead people.

My little friend is doing the happy dance because he thinks I am finally out of the Dungeon. EEeeeeehhhhh!

Gratitude Post # 16~ Shelter

I am blessed in that I have a home, and enough to live on. I have food, clothing, utillities. I never take that for granted. Thank you Lord for all that you have given us. We try to give back as much as we can. I am thankful that we are able to do it.

Gratitude Post # 15~ My Dogs

In the last two years we have acquired these three dogs. We had not had a dog is twenty years. My cats were spoiled that whenever we tried to get a dog, we could not keep it. There is just something special about these dogs.

First, Hubs found the little mixed brown dog. He was ate up with fleas and looked so pitiful. He was a trooper though and probably one of the smartest dogs we have ever owned. His name is Hot Dog. Someone had dumped him out in the country where no one would ever find him. He was the yard dog at work until we moved over here.

Second, is the yellow lab, Susie. Once again, she was an abandoned dog out where Hubs works. I think the word got out that there were some kind men there, so all dogs head to the work yard. Susie was terrified of men in work boots and jeans. She was horribly beat down and was terrified of everything. She just had this way about her that won us over. She lived with me and the cats until we moved to where Hubs worked this year. I knew it would take time to love her out of her past. She is such a joyous dog. She is kind and rambunctious, but always up for a game of catch or walking. She had been trained some, but evidently she did not pass the course with the people that had her before. She now is so full of life and I am so thankful for her.

Next is the Doberman Pincher, Carmen. We found her near our home. Sister and I were going to town and I saw her. I stopped to give her some water. In the front seat she went and then to the back seat of my truck. I had to go back home to get Hubs to get her out of the truck. We spent the next month trying to find her owner. She has tags on and I called the vet to inquire about her owner. The owner's phone had been disconnected, so I called my vet to see if anyone was missing a Doberman. No luck there. I called Carmen's vet back to at least get her name and age.

We took her to our vet for shots and a check up. She had heart worms and had to be treated for them. My vet said that is probably why they let her go. Carmen is another abused dog. Something spoke to me about her that day. This is the first dog I have ever brought home. She is just now learning to trust us and look us in the eyes. She is a sweetheart of a dog, but very stubborn. She can run so fast after the heart worm treatment and has gained weight.

So this is how I came to own three dogs. We are blessed that we have the land, the temperament and can afford to care for these dogs. They protect us, guard our home, and entertain us. I love my dogs.

Gratitude Post # 14~ All I Need~

I have all I need and all I need I have. I need nothing more. I am blessed beyond measure and I am thankful.

My father n law was one of the finest men I ever knew. He was so very humble, generous,and benevolent. He was a country doctor for fifty plus years in a rural area of central Louisiana. He had more living heart patients than most of the specialist. The big city doctors sent their patients to him because he was a great diagnostician

I never saw the man finish a meal before the phone rang or a patient would come by the house. He was always available to everyone. He never took more than he needed and sometimes he did not even get paid, but they were self-sufficient. Sometimes he was paid in chickens, venison, eggs, vegetables and other items that could be
bartered.

He never turned anyone away. Never... anyone sick was seen. When he closed his practice his office call was six dollars. The AMA wanted to honor him in New Orleans, but he would not go. He gave all the credit to his wife. He said that he was just doing what he loved. He did not need accolades or awards. That was not his style.
His joy came from knowing his family was happy and cared for. He loved his family.

I will never forget when he died. We found out just how much this amazing kind and humble man was loved by all. If kids needed glasses, they got them. School could not afford milk for lunch, he provided it. There are so many wonderful stories about him. He co-signed a loan for a car for someone. He saw a need and met that need, but he did it with out recognition because there was a need. This little town loved him dearly and they showed it. I have never seen so many folks cry in mass. The church was so full that people had to stand outside the church to attend his service. It was a beautiful sight to see how much they loved him.

This is the kind of men my sons have grown up to be. Papa lead by example and never raised his voice. My hubs has some of his dad in him, but a lot of his mother too. Through the generations we see nephews that have Papa's personality. It keeps his spirit alive. I am thankful to have know him. I am thankful that he loved me. I am better because of him.

Gratitude Post # 13~ Life as it use to be...

This is a repost from last year, but it still has a timely message.

Grandmoma and Papa always helped anyone in need. No questions ask, nothing expected in return, but just simple kindness from their hearts to strangers. I witnessed this over and over as a young child, people in need would come to the back door. They would sit on the steps while she would get them a cup of coffee and a homemade buttermilk biscuit. They would talk for a while and she might give them a jacket or offer them some work, but they never left with empty hands.

My grandparents were not rich, just average hard working people that understood the commandment to help those in need. I miss those days when people helped one another, and kindness was a given and shared. A sense of community, a sort of wellness check, where you knew how your neighbor was doing and the pulse of their heart.

I know that change is a must, but why do we forget about those in need? Everyday we should look for an opportunity to help someone. It does not have to be a grand gesture and it can be as simple as opening the door for an elderly person. We have got to do more because what we are doing now is not enough. Open you eyes and see the possibilities.

Gratitude Post # 12~My New Friends

My gratitude post for today are my new friends. For those of you that do not know about our move last year. We moved last January from a town where we had lived there for twenty-six years. A place where we raised our children. A town where I owned my flower shop. A town where we went to church. A town with so many good friends. My whole life was in that town and especially my church and my friends. A town where everybody knows your name.

I thought my life as I knew it was over. I did not know if I would make new friends in this new small community of 2800 folks. In addition to that, we live ten miles south of that town of 2800 in an even smaller community.

Sunday night I went to a Ladies tea hosted by a church. There were about 400 women there. I have been visiting this church. My friend invited me to go with her. I almost said no because I have been feeling sorry for myself. I am thankful I did go because I met another new friend. It is so nice to meet new people. So I now know about 15 people and I am spreading my wings.

I feel so blessed to work with good people. They are my new friends, too. You never know what you can do until you have to do it. Thanks to my new friends, I am planting my feet and blooming where I am planted. I still have a few more churches to check out. I am making progress though and I am so very, very grateful.

Thank You...

Thank you to all that have served our country. Thank you for loving our country and to be willing to give your life up for your country.

May God bless you, put his loving arms around you and keep you safe. Thank you for your service because I know it has not been easy for you or your families.

Gratitude Post # 11~My Bloggy friends

Today, I would like to give a shout out to my bloggy friends. I am thankful that I have met so many wonderful people via their blogs. It is great to have a connection with each one of you. I know that if I am in need of advice you will be there for me and the same goes for me. I have learned so many interesting things through my blog friends. We have shared a lot with one another.

Awh...you guys are the greatest and I love all of you.

So today I am thankful for you that read my blog and share your thoughts and friendship with me.

Gratitude Post # 10~My Family

I am so very thankful for my family. My immediate family is my husband of 37 years, our oldest son, his wife and their children (they live in Colorado), my youngest son (not married yet) and my sister that lives with us, her son, his wife and their two young children that live in Louisiana.

While I have no aunts, parents, cousins or any family other than my sweet sister, I do have my husband's two sisters that love me like their own sister and their husbands and all their children. I am a rich woman to have so many wonderful extended family members that I love and that love me.

Family is my world I suppose because I did not have one as a child or anything close to a normal family. I am so humbled that I am loved and that God gave me a family to love and to love back.

So with this season of thanksgiving upon us, I want to say thank you to them. They love me no matter what...they lift me up and make me feel worthy and loved. Yes, I am indeed blessed.

The Queens' Tuesday Meme #13~Peaceful Places

1. How do you find your own personal peace/nirvana?

When I need to renew myself I like to be alone or outdoors with Nature. Sometimes I listen to music..it calms my soul.

2. Where do you go to find respite and solace? I like to walk outdoors with my dogs on our land. I also love the mountains.

Is there a particular place, city, country, room in your house? Sometimes I like to sit outside on my deck and watch the birds or read.

3. Who is the most peace-loving person you know?

The most peace loving person I know would be Mimi Lenox.

What makes them so?

Mimi is working for World Peace through her efforts in Blogblast for Peace.

4. What do you do when your inner peace is threatened?

If my inner peace was threatened I would retreat to a peaceful place. It takes a lot to unravel my inner peace because I know who loves me...God.

Do you have a strategy, a routine, religious faith, a mantra......to calm yourself down?

If I were really upset, then would stop all that I was doing and PRAY immediately. I would do some deep breathing exercises. My former trainer use to tell me to think BLUE in order to reclaim my peace. I also like to walk to reduce stress.

5. What is your favorite comfort food? I have a few and they are not very healthy. My first choice would be chocolate, banana bread, & chicken spaghetti. Mind you not all together!

6. Do you have a pet that brings you happiness and peace? If not, what type of animals bring you peaceful thoughts?

My own pets bring great joy to me. Each one is different and special to me.

If I need some TLC and I am not feeling well, then I get my cat because she is such a comfort to me. She likes to snuggle.

I have been known to cry with my yellow lab. She has a soothing way about her that comforts me. I have danced with our smaler dog, and I have had a few conversations with my Dobberman.

My Hubs cat is always by my side at the computer. I have two cats and three dogs, so I am never really lonely. They never question me or talk back...OK, well Hubs' cat does talk a lot...he is very vocal.

I love bird watching, lizards and those cute little green tree frogs. Opps! That is another story.

I love all kinds of wild life. Add whales to that list.

7. What is your favorite peace song? Imagine

8. Did you post a peace globe on November 5th and participate in BlogBlast For Peace?

YES! With help from Mojo...

http://findingpam.blogspot.com/search/label/peace%20globe%202009

Peace and love,
Pam


If so, please repost your peace globe here with a link to your peace post so that the Queen's players can enjoy it. If not, join in! It's not too late. Here's how....
November 5, 2009
The Peace Globe Gallery

Gratitude Post # 9 ~ Raising Peeper

This is a re-post from a year ago. I love this story so much that I wanted to share it again with you. I hope you enjoy it. I am thankful for the birds that fly

A couple of years back, we had the most unusual experience one summer. It all started with one of our cats, Bruno. He is endearing to us because of all the joy he brings to our lives. One morning I heard this muffled sound that went something like this"mau, mau, mau." Not the unusual sound of my cat. Just put you index finger across you mouth and try to meow, then you will know the sound that I am referring to.

Bruno prides himself in his hunting abilities, especially bringing home the food, so to speak. I heard this muffled "mau "sound and then I knew what it was. He had something in his mouth. Much to my surprise, it was a baby bird. Normally, in Texas, I hate Mockingbirds, even if it is the state bird, because they attack my cats unmercifully, and never forget any cat that has killed a baby bird. Never forgets and for years this one mocking bird tormented an old stripped tabby cat of mine because she killed a baby bird. Mocking birds dive bomb a cat or person repeatedly without mercy. I mean they never forget from year to year. So I have one cat that is in trouble from a previous baby bird killing, and now Bruno has brought me a baby mocking bird?

This little baby bird was so tiny that I could not even see it in my cat's mouth. It looked dead, but I held it in my hand and gently rubbed its breast. Soon, it was out of shock from the jaws of death. Birds seem to go into shock and look dead; I have revived many a little bird. OK, we are now the proud parents of a baby mockingbird. We get the dropper out and have to feed this little guy every hour on the hour. His parents were frantic looking for him. I put all the bird eating killer cats up inside the house and fix the back porch with a partition so the baby's parents can get to it. They go in and out of the back screened porch and feed their little bundle of joy for about a week. Then one day the baby bird just flew out with his parents.

On that very same day, Bruno the killer cat, goes and brings us another baby bird from somewhere in the front yard. We can not find it's parents, so we get out the dropper again and start the mockingbird ICU for wayward baby birds. This one is much smaller and his parents don't come to the back yard looking for him. Every hour on the hour, twenty-four seven ,we feed this little bird. We researched baby bird food and found a recipe that would keep him well fed, so we thought.

He lived in a shoe box with shredded newspaper. We put him to bed at night and covered him up with the paper. He is growing up so fast. One morning, we opened the back door only to have this little bird come screeching at us with his mouth wide open, thus the name Peeper. His big mouth was all bright yellow. Too cute! Little Peeper soon out grew his formula and we are out looking in the yard for worms. No small ones, so we had to cut them up and feed Peeper with tweezers. Ahh, he is finally full. Nope that lasted for about a week, his taste changed,then we had to find brown crickets from our yard. OK, for a few days, and this little bird is screaming and almost attacking my feet because he is so hungry. I know that feeling too well! Next thing we try are purchased crickets because the little bird has a discerning palate. Hmmm, does Peeper think we are a five star hotel. Has the word gotten out that we have a nice bird set up? This little bird was so hungry and at five bucks a day, well, that went on for about a week. He is so sociable and will sit on your finger. He follows me everywhere. My little Peeper. Folks let me tell you that raising this little bird was a lot of hard work, but so very worth the effort.

Gradually, I started letting him venture outside the screened porch to the pergola, where I had vining morning glories, evening moon flower and bougainvillea. Little by little he would climb and start to fly more each day. I would take him on outings to the far back yard to test his ability in flying and adapting to other birds. We were scared of course and the little thing would fly back to me and we would go back to his safety of the porch.


We fell in love with this little guy, Peeper. He was so adorable and entertaining. He would sit on our shoulders, play in your hair and walk up and down your arm. I knew the day was coming when I would have to set him free. It took about a week before he finally stayed out by himself. We felt like successful parents seeing our little bird leaving his home. The neatest thing happened with this little bird. We could be standing out in the yard and call him and out of the blue, he would land on our shoulder. Just amazing! It is so thrilling to raise a wild bird and then have it come back to you. He stayed around that summer until it was time to go away, but the next summer he came back to us. Peeper would come up to the pergola and sit by the table or chirp for us. He never did land on our shoulder again, but he did remember us. Just amazing to experience.


That very day he left us, Bruno went and found us another bird. I think Bruno thinks we need a little more to do! So we spent that one incredible summer raising baby mockingbirds. I just wish I had taken pictures of these little birds. Peeper was our favorite because he stayed the longest. I will never look at a mockingbird the same way as I use to because they are such lovely birds and magnificent singers. Now during the spring and summer, I keep my cats inside so they don't bring me any more birds.

Gratitude Post # 8~ Forgiveness...Finally

A this point in my life, it occurred to me that I have been spinning my wheels and going no where. I've spent most of my life feeling like I was not good enough for anyone and I did not even like myself. I have worked diligently on accepting my bad childhood and the woman... my crazy mother that took us on a drug induced, alcoholic, suicidal, insane trip of a lifetime. She was insane! Really...Insane...No, I am not kidding.

After she died, I thought... time to be finished with this thing, start your life, forgive and forget. Believe me, I worked so hard on this that I came to better understand my mother, given her illness and her selfish personality. I did love my mother, but I did not always like her bc or the hell hole shit situations she put us in. I know I am screwed up, but just maybe this is why I can understand all sorts of people and their problems. There is not much that I did not experience as a child... I did forgive her, but like vomit, this shit keeps coming up and I am sick to death of upchucking.

Five years after the death of my mother, just as I am getting my bearings straight, then I get another blow. I find out that my daddy died. His family did not even bother to tell us until three months after his funeral. Why?

At first, I was upset because it had destroyed my sister, Candy, bc she had lived with him and even kept in touch with him as an adult. I was angry that a man, and only a man, could have any power over me. A man that we barely remembered or knew. A man who thought so little of his own flesh and blood, never wanted us in life and now not even in death This I will never understand. Why? Daddy, why?

I guess I am not suppose to know the answer to that question. I want so desperately to forgive him, this man, my father...bc I know that as painful as it will be, I must forgive in order to get on with my life. With God's help maybe I can forgive. That is my prayer.

I wouldn't, no I mean I can't even imagine turning my back on my own children the way my daddy did. What was wrong with us? Or should I say, what was wrong with him? I only pray he knows the price we paid, I want him to hurt like we hurt, to never feel good enough, to never be loved enough. I want him to know what he did to us and how we suffered because of him. I want him to feel my anger, my rage... He lived one life by another standard with his second family, while walking away from us. I want to be able to forgive him for leaving us...his girls.

This anger consumes me. I have morned his loss, and now I have got to forgive. So it's in comming to his graveside that I'll forgive him and Mary, his wife, for not loving us or caring for us. I am ready for this tremendous burden and pain to be lifted off my shoulders, With God's help, it will be.

I am thankful for my grandparents, my sister, Candy, and Ben, my third step-father. Ben always loved us and accepted us. They were my foundation, my rock. I am thankful for a heavenly Father that loves me when my own father did not.

Gratitude Post # 7~ Bottle Shoes

Bottle shoes. Every time I see this photo of this boys bottle shoes, I am shocked. I want to say that this is pretty creative to come up with this idea. I am also saddened that this boy has no shoes. When times were tough for us as kids our grandmama always made sure that we had shoes and a warm coat. Who will take care of these children? Tom's shoes will donate a pair of new shoes to kids in Africa for every pair of shoes you purchase. http://tomsshoedrop.blogspot.com/

Our local churches gathered shoes all kinds of shoes, sandels, flip flops and sent the to needy children. If we don't do our part... Who will?I am thankful that I have shoes and I am blessed by that fact. These children have so little, yet they have abundant joy. When all you have is nothing, you don't know that all you have nothing.

Listen Campaign 1 THE FIRST ANNUAL GLOBAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN FOR THE WORLD'S MOST DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN http://www.listencharity.org/the-listen-charity.html

Gratitude Post # 6~ Power of Prayer

Leah from South Breeze Farm is the lovely host of this Giving Thanks Challenge. If you would like to join us just click on her blog. You can read the other participants there.

My thoughts turn today to prayer and just how powerful prayer can be. I don't know how many of you have ever been on the receiving end of prayer, but I have. I can not aptly express how I felt, I don't know if I can even find the words. I can usually feel when I am being prayed for. It is unexplainable, but I feel the prayers lifting me up. I feel the support of those in prayer.

Immediately, I feel the presence of peace and love. Like a hug from your grandmother. It totally surrounds me and blesses me. It calms my soul and I know that I am being lifted up in prayer.

Today, I offer prayer to the soldiers and their families at Ft. Hood, Texas. Will you join me in lifting them up to our Heavenly Father. Heal their hearts and let them feel the overwhelming love of our nation as we mourn their losses.

Dona Noblis Pacem & Gratitude Post # 5

My thoughts this year about peace are still pretty much the same as always. I want to live in a world free from prejudice, hate, discrimination, indifference, and apathy. Why can't we love our neighbors as ourselves ? If not more than ourselves? Such a simple commandment. Why is it so difficult to follow? I still believe that love conquers all.

When we put someone else's needs before our own needs is when we come to a deeper understanding of what is required of us. The ultimate sacrifice of self less love for another human being, even for a total stranger. Compassion and understanding are defined by love.

It is not an easy step, but for PEACE it would require the ultimate sacrifices. A sacrifice of self less love, a deeper desire for those in need, those hurting, those we know not. To follow a righteous path of love. What would you do for World PEACE? I'd say that I would do just about anything required of myself for PEACE.

I choose to start with my family. I choose to be kinder and more tolerant and more understanding of my loved ones. It is often said that we treat total strangers better than we treat the ones that we love. Some times this is true. I am starting with my family, one person at a time. Then I build on that by taking it to the small community where I live. I choose to be kinder, more tolerant and lift up those in need. It manifest itself in many forms from volunteering, to mentoring, to just simply caring.

I challenge...No I beg each of you to go that extra mile for mankind, for humanity, and mostly for PEACE. It won't be easy, but it will be worth the effort. You only receive what you are willing to give back. This year I pledge for PEACE in my home and community. Like the movie "Pay It Forward", the concept is so simple you wonder why more people are not living this way?

Peace and Love to you my friends,

Pam

Gratitude Post Day 4~ Our Sons

Today my thoughts turn toward my children. I am thankful that the Lord gave me sons because I did not have a good relationship with my mother until late in life. The men in my childhood came and went according to who my mother was dating. So it goes without saying that I knew very little about men. My sister and I lived off and on with our grandmother and sometimes our mother was around.

When I got married I never thought too much about kids, but I knew that I liked them. I knew so little about boys, but with the birth of my first son, I jumped in feet first. I guess you can tell that I was the baby in our family. I had never changed a diaper or even fed a little baby. I had baby sat older kids, but not little babies.

Our first son was perfect in every way, although he did have some troubles at birth, he grew into a healthy young man. I never realized how sensitive little boys are until I had boys. Since I was a tomboy as a kid, I liked all the things that boys did. It just came natural for me to be a mother to my sons. The best time of my life was when my sons were little. I couldn't wait to get up and play outside with them. We would go on picnics at the park, swimming, roller skating, to the zoo, the library, scouts, baseball, football, church. My life was centered on my family.


Our boys are 7 1/2 years apart, so it was like having two only children. I wondered if we would ever have our second child. With the birth of my youngest son, our lives were complete. They are each unique and different in their own right. Our youngest has Tourette's Syndrome, so his young school years were difficult by all the taunting of classmates. He soon learned who his friends were. Let me say this was really hard seeing him in such a terrible situation. We did everything possible to encourage him. We made mistakes, but then we re-grouped and started again with new possibilities. Once, I ask him if he would want to have this surgery that would help his TS. He said "Why would I want to change how God made me?" He is wonderfully made.

I remember everything about them as children and how much I loved them. I miss those little kids, but I am so proud of the men that they have become. I trust them both with my heart and my life. They are both good sons. I am so thankful for them. Thankful Dad and I did good in raising them.

Our oldest son has a career in the Air Force, while my youngest son is a firefighter. I am blessed in that they are community minded and serve to help those in need. There is nothing that either one of them would not do for anyone. I guess they get that from their dad. They are both creative, musical and love the outdoors, which I guess they got from me.

I just want to say that this was one of the most important jobs that I ever had in my life. The rewards were wonderful and I am so thankful that they are the men they have grow up to be.

They have enriched my life beyond measure and have given me so much joy. Thank you Lord for changing my life through my children. I am blessed beyond measure.

Gratitude Post # 3~ The Rain has stopped

To join in the challenge just click the sight below.

http://http//southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2009/10/2009-giving-thanks-challenge.html

My thoughts today about gratitude are how thankful I am that the rain has finally stopped. Today is a perfect day with a blue sky and moderate temperatures. It is absolutely beautiful.

I wish I could package it up and send it to anyone that needs it.

But since I can not do that I will just say how blessed we all are today.

Gratitude Post # 2 ~ A Warm Home

I am thankful that I woke up this morning with heat in a nice warm home. For some, they will not have this opportunity. They live on the streets, or they have no money to pay for the electric or gas bill. They live in less than perfect circumstances and it hurts me to know that people are in need.

Lord, today I pray for those that have not what they need for basic life support. Please lift them up, take care of them and protect them. Amen

Gratitude post #1~ All Saint's Day

I have just joined in the Giving Thanks Challenge at http://http//southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2009/10/2009-giving-thanks-challenge.html. You must post something that you are grateful for thirty days. With that said, let me begin.

With today being All Saints Sunday, I would like to say thank you to so many wonderful friends and family members that have mentored me. Folks that truly made a real difference in my life. I owe them a huge debt of gratitude and would not be the person I am today were it not for them.

Sometimes just knowing someone believes in you can make all the difference in the world. These folks did that for me.

Thank you to Ben, my step-father, for you always loved me just the way I was and did not want to change a hair on my head. You loved me unconditionally. You taught me what it means to be a family. I love and miss you so very much.

To my wonderful grandparents, you were always there for me no matter what the circumstances. You were my rock. You gave me your love and values, life lessons and believed in me when my mother did not. When my father left us you were there.

To my husband's parents, you led by example of what a family lives by and how a family helps one another. You were the ideal parents and I love and miss you so very much. I thank you for my husband and his sisters that love me.

To Janie, you brought so much joy and love to our family. I know you watch over us. Thank you for being our friend. I still remember your famous chicken spaghetti. You gave beyond your measure to all that knew and loved you.

There are so many wonderful people that have passed away. I am grateful for all of your love and kindness. Believe me, it did not go unnoticed. Mostly, I would like to that my Heavenly Father because he never left me. When my own father did not want me, I had a Heavenly Father that did love me.

Observations on maturing...

Observations on Maturing .....
My friend sent me this email this am. I can relate to so many of these. Enjoy!

It's harder to tell navy from black.

Everything old is new again, but if you wore it before, you're too old to wear it the second time around.

Your kids are becoming you...and you don't like them!..but your grandchildren are perfect.

Yellow becomes the big color...walls...hair...teeth.

Going out is good Coming home is better.
When people say you look "Great"...they add "for your age."

"When you needed the discount you had to pay full price. . . ...Now you get discounts on everything...movies...hotels...flights.

You forget names...but it's OK because other people forgot they even

knew you.

The last 2 outfits you wore had spots on them.

You ask your husband or friend how your outfit looks and they tell you the truth.

The five pounds you wanted to lose is now 15 and you have a better chance of

losing your keys than the 15 pounds.

You realize you're never going to be really good at anything...especially golf.

Your husband is counting on you to remember things you don't remember.

The things you cared to do, you don't care to do, but you care that you don't care to do them anymore.

Your husband sleeps better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring then he does in bed. It's called his "pre-sleep."

Remember when your mother said "Wear clean underwear in case you get in an accident"? Now you bring clean underwear in case you HAVE an accident.

You used to say, "I hope my kids GET married. Now, "I hope they STAY married!"

The best place to have a conversation with your husband is in the bathroom...

you have his full attention.

Who wants to wear 3" heels anyway?

You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch.

When GOOGLE, ipod, email, modem were unheard of and a mouse was something that made you climb on a table.

You use more 4 letter words..."what?"..."when?"

Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.

Your husband has a night out with the guys but he's home by 9:00 P.M...nextweek it will be 8:30 PM.

You read 100 pages into a book before you realize you've read it before.

Notice everything they sell in stores is sleeveless.

Many of the people in People Magazine you've never heard of.

Your concealer doesn't conceal.Your lipstick bleeds.Your mascara clumps and your eyebrows are disappearing.

You don't have hair under your arms and very little on your legs but your chin needs to be plucked daily.

What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

Everybody whispers.

Now that your husband has retired ... you'd give anything if he'd find a job..

You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet....2 of which you will never wear.

But old is good in some things ...old songs...old movies...best of all:

OLD FRIENDS.

Thanks for being one of mine!