A Beastly Hodgepodge

1. 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' What's something you've seen recently that you thought was beautiful?

The sight of my young quadriplegic friend getting stronger. For the progress she is making with her personal trainer as she was able to move her foot for the first time in ten years! The joy in her face at this accomplishment was absolutely beautiful!

2. Our culture and beauty...your thoughts?

Too much emphasis on looks and "smoking hot bods!" as they love to say.

3. Age before beauty, beauty queen, beauty mark, beauty sleep...which beauty-ful phrase resonates with you today? Why?

Beauty sleep. I need eight hours each night and maybe someday I'll be beauty-ful!

4. I read here a list of the top ten beasts animals that scare us the most-

alligators, coyotes, black bears, birds (but pigeons in particular), sharks, bats, bed bugs, rats, rattlesnakes, and the black widow spider.

Which 'beast' on the list scares you the most? Snakes, sharks, rats. I never thought about being afraid of pigeons, but when we were in Venice at St. Mark's Square, one of the ladies in our group was absolutely terrified at all the pigeons there. I mean really terrified!!!

What is the liklihood of you having an actual encounter with that particular beast?

Our back yard is next to a lake and Corps of Engineer property which has wildlife and SNAKES, we don't see them often, but I know they are out there and have actually had one in the garage and one in the house. YIKES!

Did a movie contribute to your fear of this creature?

No. I had recurring nightmares throughout my life about snakes.

Have you ever had a real life encounter with any of the animals listed?

I've had encounters with snakes ... one in the house and one in the garage. So glad DH was here to take care of the problem.

5. Where were you when you last heard a bell ring?

A church in our city rings church bells often. Was it alarming or musical? Musical. I like it.

6. What's your favorite carb? How's that for random?

Bread and potatoes.

7. Let's wrap up another month of Hodgepodging and life with an acrostic. Recap your month using the word MARCH.

May April Resolve Craziness Here

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Well, my random thought is that I'm sitting here working on a late Hodgepodge instead of waiting in the hospital room. I will be doing that next week instead. Surgery was postponed due to the surgeon being sick!!!! How's that for random?

I did this so hurriedly, but I'm publishing anyway!!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Hospital

Remember Maxwell Smart? His character coined the term we use all the time. "Would you believe?"

And our old friend, Gomer. "Surprise, surprise, surprise!"

DH and I were all psyched up this morning ... ready about an hour early ... maybe two. Family and friends were on the way. We were going to the hospital for the long awaited surgery. Thanks be to God for the drastic change in weather which allowed for a beautiful day to maneuver through some heavy duty Dallas traffic. About halfway there, the phone rang. It was the doctor's office calling to let us know the surgery had been cancelled. CANCELLED!!!!!

Is that legal? Is the surgeon supposed to be sick?

So, oh my goodness. We certainly don't want any kind of germs in the operating room. After getting off the freeway, I found a deli where we could stop and begin making phone calls and sending texts .. oh, and feed DH, who had been fasting all morning.

Oops! Sara had already made it as far as Dallas. My brother was about an hour away from his home. Pastor was packing his bag to come pray with us, and our son was just getting ready to leave. Hold the phone, everybody! Go back home and we will let you know when we know something.

Soooooooo ... I'm waiting. Trusting.. Getting stronger. Strengthened by His grace.

Bits and Pieces

It seems that our deck is turning out to be a condo for birds. We love watching them flutter about and make their nests. So sweet. Unfortunately, I can't get a good picture because of the angle and the light.

Due to timing of the Spring Break here, I missed out on the trip to the Arboretum. However, my sweet friend, Victoria, shared a couple of pics she took of some of my favorite flowers. Well, one of my favorites. There is so much beauty in all of God's creation.

In the Spring, even the weeds flower and are pretty.

It has been our intention to have lunch with the kids at school one day and this week we finally were able to do it. We checked out the lunch menu to see whether the kids would want to bring their lunch, have us bring in lunch, or eat what was on the school menu. They approved the school menu and so we enjoyed chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and broccoli ... twice!! Jack had lunch at 10:30 and Kate at 11:30.

We arrived early, so we strolled through the halls and this caught my eye. I thought to myself how cool that this child said the sweetest thing was Jesus. A closer inspection of this was to see that Jesus was the child's name!

Pretty cool that on Fridays they enjoy pizza from Pizza Hut!

The line up to go out for recess.

Last one out is a rotten egg.

Sitting in the cafeteria brought back memories to me of our school days in the lunch room. Quite different, and yet the same. We always took our lunch and only on occasion did we buy lunch. At one time in sixth grade, I thought it would be fun to work in the cafeteria. What in the world was I thinking? They assigned me to washing dishes, which included ginormous pots and pans in addition to all the other dishes. And they trusted me with washing huge butcher knives!! Wow! In return for all this, my lunch would be free. Well, shortly after, my career ended when I was informed that there was a needy girl in my class whose parents could not afford to buy her lunch and so she would take over my job in return for the free lunch. Trust me. I was okay with that. But as I recalled that on Friday, it was interesting to me that there were no free lunches back then. Anyone needing a lunch was expected to do something to earn the lunch. They worked in the cafeteria. Not judging anybody, just something that occurred to me.

Meanwhile, my brother and sister-in-law were finishing up their relaxing time in Palm Springs. It looks like a nice place to visit and one I'd never thought about.

On Saturday, Kate played softball for her first time and Brady played baseball. Both had hits! So proud of them.

Classmates, teammates, and neighbors!

Signing off this Monday to cook my Pioneer Woman's Perfect Pot Roast and some Tasty Buns! Company coming!!

Stormy Weather

We watched a fantastic lightning show in the storms that came through last night. It also brought some much needed rain, along with some undesirable hail. The city sounded the sirens so I went in the closet for just a bit while DH sat outside watching the storm. In light of everything that is going on this week, I won't be having the insurance adjuster out to see if there was any damage, so will just have to wait for an inspection of our roof. Besides, there will be more storms to come in the next month, so it won't hurt to wait.

Many roses came into bloom this past week

and grass is greening up

The sky was dark as the storms came in

An amazing lightning flash lit up the entire yard

Both the above pics are of the same view

from a video I took as I watched the storm.

Looking out the front door

The yard was muddy enough for a couple of weeks before the lawn guys determined there was a sprinkler line broken and after a few days of them digging through the muddy muck, I think ... believe ... hope it has been repaired!! Yucky stuff!

It got worse before they finished.

The following is from my friend, Victoria. I wanted to share it here.

"The storm roared through here last night, determined to destroy anything in its path. It was loud, it sounded mean. Of course, I prayed protection over humans, animals and property, and in doing that, felt no fear. We have some dents in the truck and leaves lay about the yard and, as you see from the picture, many rose petals on the ground. I was just showing those roses off hours before the storm.

But, look at the second picture - a lovely bud that promises a beautiful bloom tomorrow. Isn't that a picture of God's mercy and grace? The enemy comes roaring in, seeking to destroy and devour. He is loud, he is mean. He is sometimes able to do some damage. But, God never leaves His children hopeless. There is always the promise of a future and a hope. If the enemy is roaring at you this morning, pray and stand, knowing that no one can snatch you out of your Lord's hand. I love you, friends."

I have great hope!

It's a Mad, Mad Hodgepodge!

Spring has sprung and Summer is already trying to rush Spring with our temps the past couple of days reaching 90! 

1. Setting aside the real March Madness (NCAA Basketball) describe something happening at your house this month that might earn the title 'March Madness'?

It would have to have been last week with all four kids on spring break, dealing with my dog who was nearing the end of her life, getting the taxes ready, and then, the biggest stressor of all, my husband's upcoming surgery next week. The madness of the latter has been in the waiting. I am optimistic and hopeful that March madness will soon end and we will roll into April with hearts lighter and a real good spring in my DH's steps. 

2. What's a favorite made up word from your childhood or a favorite from your children's childhood? Does your family still use the word today? If there's a story behind the origin please share.

I can't think of any made up words. I guess we missed out on something fun. 

3. Will you be doing any spring cleaning now that the season is upon us? I read here a list of 15 quick (under one hour) spring cleaning tasks. They were-

clean out a drawer, vacuum furniture, whiten tile grout, dust the nooks and crannies you don't get to year round, degrease kitchen cabinets, wipe down walls, go behind furniture, wipe down ceiling fans, vacuum the mattress, clean the range hood, wash baseboards, shine the stainless steel, clean out vents, tackle the windows, and wipe down gadgets

Of the fifteen 'quick' tasks listed which two most need doing at your house? Will you do them?

Those are all great ideas! Week before last, I woke up and just had the urge to clean all the windows on the back side of the house. I followed through and was so proud of myself. It did take longer than an hour though. I also did some wipe downs in the kitchen. Everything else will have to wait for a while. 

4. A favorite movie set in Paris or New York?

These questions that ask for a favorite are difficult. I can never just choose one. 

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Miracle on 34th Street (with Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood), and The Devil Wears Prada which I believe was set in both New York AND Paris.

5. What's put a spring in your step this month?

The grandkids. Just keeping up with them will put a spring in your step. 

6. Did you ever want to be a teacher?

Yes, when I was young. But just because one had the desire doesn't mean they would have been able to continue with the passion, so as I grew up, I realized, no, I wasn't meant to be a teacher. 

Why or why not? 

I don't think I have the patience to deal with the inattention and disrespect. I just don't have the gift. 

7.  What's your favorite floral scent? Peony 

Do you have this somewhere in your home or maybe in a perfume?

In the yard. They smell heavenly. It would be nice if their blooms lasted longer because I absolutely love the scent. Once I got a real snootful when sniffing deeply into the flower which had teeny little ants in it. Now that's a tickly whiff.

How do you feel about florals in food? That's not something I've thought about. 

How about wines with floral notes-yay or nay? Nay. I'm not a wine person.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Many of my high school classmates have passed away, but one who died suddenly last week has caught me off guard. I wasn't close with her in high school, but we reconnected on Facebook and were enjoying sharing about our families and exchanging thoughts every day about life, politics and our faith in God. Saturday a week ago she posted a few fun things on Facebook and the next thing we know, her brother informed us she had a massive stroke from which she never recovered. Wow! I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, but I can't stop thinking about how fragile life is. Even though I know all too well the truth of the following having experienced it myself, it still leaves one reeling. 

On a lighter note, this morning at Ladies of Grace, three of us must have received the memo because we all were wearing striped tops. Someone wanted to take a pic and Erin stepped in for the photobomb.

Good-bye to Trudy

I have shared several times about our dog, Trudy. One of the sweetest dogs we ever had and a great little fun-loving companion. The way she came to us in the first place was remarkable in itself. After our Miniature Schnauzer Allie died, we thought maybe we shouldn't get another dog, but of course, after you're used to having a lovable dog around, you miss it and the house just feels empty. After a long search to find one exactly like her, it just wasn't happening. That is, until one day after looking at a number of possible dogs to adopt, we showed a pic to the lady at the humane society to tell her this is what we are looking for and the dog has to be like this. We left and about 30 minutes later, received a call saying that a woman and a little girl had just found a dog wandering about their neighborhood. The dog matched our description and would we be interested? Heck yeah! We went over, found this sweet dog and loved her from the beginning.

This docile looking little dog was quite deceiving. We discovered early on that she was a bolter and most likely, that is why she was out wandering the neighborhood where the little girl had found her. We spent many, many times chasing this dog down because she could sneak out of a barely open door faster than anything. She loved going for walks, chasing rabbits, and swimming in the pool.

Let's walk!

The past two years have been difficult as we watched her go silent into a world of old age and dementia. The last year has been especially trying as I have had to carry her to the places she needed to be - to her bed, her food and water bowls, and outside to take care of business. She never made a peep of complaint, just wagged that little tail expressing her happiness at being with the people she knew loved her. Friends and family suggested gently many times that it was time to let Trudy go, but we just couldn't do it. I prayed that she would go peacefully because it would have broken DH's heart had I taken her to be put down. Especially these last two weeks it has been hard to deal with because DH's surgery is getting closer now and I didn't know what to do about her.

Wednesday night I attended a special memory care support group and the pastor asked for prayer requests. As I explained my DH's love for Trudy and his denial about her condition, my prayer request was that Trudy would die peacefully before Friday morning because I had decided we could wait no longer and she would have to be put down.

That night, DH held her in his lap for the last time. As I tucked her into her bed, she was barely breathing and I told her we loved her and it was okay for her to go.

On Thursday morning, I went to take her from her bed as usual, and discovered she had passed away.

We loved this dog and I knew how much she meant to DH and I was never convinced that putting her down was the right thing to do because of my concern for him. I share this to say how thankful I am that God does care about the events and concerns in our lives and He knew this would be best. I am so thankful to You, Lord for letting Trudy go peacefully in her sleep.

My friend Bettye and Trudy had a great friendship and so it just seemed fitting

that she be buried in Bettye's back yard out in the country.

A Heckuva Week!

You make your plans! Life recalculates!

We were anticipating having Kate and Jack with us for a couple of days during Spring Break, but surprise, surprise! The kids' grandmother Oma fell and broke her hip last Friday, which changed everybody's plans for Spring Break. Sara needed to stay with and care for her so the boys came up to spend Spring Break with us and Uncle Jason and Aunt Amy. We took turns splitting the kids up for the overnight stays and each day we did something fun. No need to explain it all - it's just been a great week. (A good week with the kids, a sad week for our little Trudy, which I will tell about in a different post.)

Play, play, play!

At home

at the park

Urban Air Trampolines

Obstacle Warriors

Some rest in between

Proud of his accomplishments with the Rubik's cube.

Cinnamon rolls, bacon and scrambled eggs.

Grandpa

Just hanging out.

Jason and Jack coming down the hill.

The big guy with the little guys

Cloudy skies and cool weather didn't dampen

our spirits. The indoor swimming was a big hit!

 Cousins having fun.

When our plans get adjusted, we just go with the flow and enjoy the ride. So Grandpa and Nonnie have been just about everywhere this week and today we returned the boys to their Mom. We hit major traffic jams in 6 different cities! Whew! What a crazy, fun week. Wish I could remember more of the details. It went by in a flash. Well, some days seemed to flash by more quickly than others. Suffice it to say we are pooped.

My hat is off to the Super Moms Sara and Amy! Sara for taking care of her Mom and Amy for facilitating the activities this week and holding rein over the wild ponies.