A Bit Of Luck

Since today was St. Patrick's Day I decided to attempt to find a four leaf clover in my yard.  I have only found one four leaf clover in my 
life and that was as a small child.  I remember it quite vividly.  I was outside with my Mom and Dad and I was sitting on the ground underneath the clothesline.  There was a large patch of clover there and I liked to play in that area.  On this particular day my parents were telling me that four leaf clovers were rare and if you found one then legend said it would bring you good luck.  Well of course I searched and searched and I found one!  My Mother helped me to preserve the treasure and I kept it for years.

On many occasions I have tried and failed to find another of the rare gems.  Today it was time to try again.  It was hard to find a patch of clover.  My dear hubby keeps our yard free from "unwanted yard pests".  :-)  I finally found a small area of clover.  I looked down and there it was!  A small four leaf clover.  What luck!  I ran for my camera and took pictures.  I yelled for my hubby and told him.  Of course he immediately had to try to find one too......he didn't.  LOL

Gently I picked the lucky specimen. As you can see the insects attempted to eat my treasure before I found it! :-) I plan to preserve it in some way.  Have you ever found one of these rare gems?  Did you keep it?

I feel like I found "a bit of luck" today!  It certainly made my St. Patrick's Day just a little more memorable.

My old church  always ended  every Sunday service by singing the old Irish Blessing.  I love the words and the meaning behind them.  Blessings to you today and everyday!

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind blow at your back,
May the sun shine warmly on your face,
May the rain fall softly on your field.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm 
Of his hand.

 

Sweet Surprise!

This week I received a "Sweet Surprise" from the special folks at Georgetown Cupcake in Washington, D. C.   Now I am sure you are wondering why they would send me a dozen of the best cupcakes in world!?  Well my wonderful children (daughter, son, and son-in-law) sent me an assortment of 12 of the most famous cupcakes in the land....according to me and many other fans of the TV show!

Now why would they pick this week to send them?  It was my Birthday and what a great way to help me celebrate.  They arrived in a cute pink box that happens to match my sewing room. 

They carefully selected the 12 flavors that "sounded like me" and had them delivered to my door.  I have never tasted a better cupcake.  They were all delicious!  I forced myself to test each one.  I did share some with my dear hubby. :-)  I will admit that I had a few favorites.  Key lime, lemon, cherry, strawberry, and cinnamon would be at the top of my list.  Of course the chocolate ones were good too and then there was the peanut butter.  Oh and the traditional "birthday" cupcakes....chocolate and vanilla of course.  As you can see I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite!

What about you? Do you have a favorite cupcake?  Maybe you are like me and they all get an A+.  Are you a fan of the television show?  I try to watch as often as I can and usually I end up making cupcakes the next day! :-)

I am blessed with wonderful children who know their Momma well. There is nothing better than a "Sweet Surprise" to brighten this birthday girl's day!  Blessings!

I've Made My Choice

Through out our lives we are required to make choices.  Some are easy to make and some are more difficult.  Often the answers are not as simple as A, B, C, or D.  Many times the choices can effect not only our lives but those around us as well.  The positive or negative effects often linger long after we are gone, perhaps reaching from one generation to the next.

It is not often that I share my opinion on "hot" topics.  In fact I don't think I have ever "ranted" in my blog.  If you knew me in "real life", I think you would say that I am a calm person.  I am a peace loving, live and let live gal but yesterday my senses were touched and I felt convicted to share my feelings.

My husband and I were invited to attend a MAJOR sporting event yesterday by one of his work "friends".  We were both very excited (we both are huge football fans).  We had shopped for our team gear.  I had prepared the appropriate game day (tailgating) food. We even purchased a new cooler! LOL

The clue should have been that the party started at 8:00 a.m.  It was cold....really cold!  Being the dumb person I am,  I expected coffee.  No coffee just bourbon, vodka, whiskey, beer, wine, jello shots.......get the picture.  I certainly respect everyones right to choose how they live their lives.  I just got tired of being hit on by every man there and being told by all the women that I was "too up tight".  My husband and I were out of place....way out of place and lets face it trapped.  Finally I got so cold that I had to go to the car to warm up.  My husband joined me and we read the paper and believe it or not I had some knitting in the car.  Yes, I did knit and almost completed a project.  No one missed us and it was nice, warm, and peaceful in our cocoon.

After 7 hours of eating and drinking (Diet Dr. Pepper for me) we made our way to the stadium.  I was really excited and hopeful that my team would pull out a win.  We were delayed while the women took plastic travel size shampoo bottles and filled them with vodka to slip into the stadium.  They hid them in their pants and bras.  The men stuffed flasks of bourbon into their knee high socks.  They all made it through security and were eager to get to the concession stand to purchase bottled water and soft drinks to mix with their "treasures".

The funny thing is my husband and I really enjoyed the game.  Unfortunately our team lost but it was close and exciting.  We yelled and cheered for our team until the last second.  The others in our group slept through most of the game.  They did wake up when the decibel level reached 1.3 from fan noise or when they made one of their numerous trips to the restroom.

My husband and I made a choice many decades ago to obstane from alcohol.  My choice was fueled by my parents and the fact that my grandfather was an alcoholic.  The choices he made meant that my mother and aunt had a horrific childhood.  The effects of which still linger today for both of them.  Fortunately by the time I arrived my grandfather had made the choice to stop drinking and I knew him as a fun man that I loved dearly.  I am even named after him.  You see my grandmother became very ill and was at the point of death.  My grandfather prayed to God and promised if he would allow my grandmother to live he would quit drinking.  She lived and my grandfather kept his promise.

In my professional life I worked with patients who had cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism.  A part of my nursing education was to attend 4 months of AA meetings.  A true eye opening experience.

None of the people that ended up addicted to alcohol started off as alcoholics.  They made a choice.  It only takes one drink to "get the ball rolling" and once it starts it is hard to stop. Don't get me wrong I certainly know that everyone who drinks is not an alcoholic nor will they become one.  The thing that always scared me about starting was the fact that I didn't know if I had that internal button just waiting to be pushed, a personality that was prone to excess or a genetic link that I wasn't even aware of.  It isn't worth the risk for me. I didn't want to have to wonder about driving and hurting someone else for the choices I made.  I never had to wonder if some child would watch me and wondered why I was acting so funny or inappropriate.  I knew that my family and I could have a good time without numbing our feelings just to get through the event.  Maybe it is just that I am "old enough" that I don't really care what others think of my choices,  or maybe  like my daughter says I've just become "feisty" now that I am working.

My husband and I made our choice.  We raised our children in a home that was free of temptation.  We have suffered riticule several times because of our beliefs but that's OK.    I respect others and hopefully they will respect me, but if they don't that's OK too.  I've made my choice and for the record I kind of like the "fiesty" new me!  LOL  Blessings!

YOLO...Make Each Day A Masterpiece!

A new year and a chance for a new beginning.  I am sure you are wondering what in the world my post title means. Last week I watched Katie Couric's television show.  She used the term YOLO, which means you only live once.  We all know that but sometimes fail to make the most of every moment.  This year I am making a vow to remember this each and every day.  To awaken each morning with a positive attitude and a smile on my face. 

Yes I know that some days will be harder than others. Just today I told a friend that life is just like a roller coaster....up and down and round and round.  There are things that happen that  "knock the wind out of my sails".   I just have to keep going!  Even great painters have to wipe the slate clean and start over again....and sometimes a masterpiece appears! 

My daughter gave me a plaque this Christmas that contained a wonderful quote by Eleanor Roosevelt.  "Do one thing every day that scares you." Sounds like a resolution to me! 

I know that many people don't like to make New Year's Resolutions.  Many times we make them only to fail in just a week or two.  Well I have two big resolutions this year.  I am going to remember that "you only live once" and because of that I am going  to make each moment a masterpiece.  My second resolution is to try to follow Eleanor's advice and  "do one thing each day that scares me". In other words I will get out of my comfort zone, close my eyes, and jump right in! 

How about you?  Have you made any resolutions?  I would love to hear about them!  Remember YOLO.....jump into the New Year with me.  Let's make this a year to remember!
Blessings!

Slow Down

Slow Down!  I can hear this still small voice in my head saying these words over and over.  Like all of you, I sometimes feel a little overwhelmed  this time of year.  We all get caught up in trying to make everything perfect for those we love.  Packages to wrap, gifts to buy, and goodies to bake.  There just aren't enough hours in the day!  Maybe the solution is to lower our expectations just a little and recognize what is truly important.  Family, friends, and of course the true meaning of the season.

The tradition of the Advent wreath has been a part of my family's Christmas since my husband and I were married.  I didn't grow up in a church that observed Advent so 31 years ago it was a completely new experience for me.  It adds so much to the Christmas season.  An Advent wreath is always at the center of my table during the holiday season.  The appropriate candles give off a sacred glow each day reminding my husband and I of the true meaning of Christmas.

My advice as the "big day" approaches.......Slow Down.  Take the time to truly enjoy all of the preparations.  Treasure the time you have with family and friends.  Recognize that the most important ingredient in all of your special baked goods is love.  Most importantly remember that we all have already been given the most wonderful gift of all!  Blessings!

What To Give?

Today I have been making my list and checking it twice.  Trying to figure out who has been naughty or nice!?  Of course, they have all been nice and are certainly deserving of far more than I could ever give.  I have even wrapped a few gifts.  The process of tying bows and cutting paper brought back to my memory a television show I had watched this week.

In this episode the main character had been very ill and came close to death.  During this time he took "a trip to heaven".  While there he was taken on a tour of the main street and did some Christmas shopping.  The gifts that he had to choose from weren't the traditional ones.  No clothes, toys, or perfume just basic human qualities. 

For his children he choose self esteem not parent esteem.  An eraser for someone who needed forgiveness not only from others but also from their own guilt.  Purpose for a friend who seemed to have lost their way in life.  Dignity, loyalty, respect, and hope were some of the other qualities in his shopping cart.  The most important gift was of course faith.  A personal religious faith that leads to a belief in God.  A faith that  also causes us to believe in the goodness of other people and also in ourselves.  A faith that can cause us to find blessings on even the toughest days.

Yes, I have been thinking.  Perhaps the most important gift that we can give this season doesn't come wrapped with a big bow.  Maybe the goal should be to live a life that inspires others to be their best and then forgiving them when they fall short.  Teaching our children and others (by example) that a life lived with dignity, loyalty, and respect is what is important.  Giving our children wings and self esteem so they can "fly" on their own.  Most importantly living, so that no one ever has to question,  that faith is the greatest gift of all.  Blessings!

Go Dawgs Go!!!

Tomorrow is a big day for SEC football fans.  The SEC championship game is being played in Atlanta, Georgia between the University of Alabama and  the University of Georgia.  Now you have probably already guessed who I am cheering for.  University of Georgia of course!  In this part of the country red and black are standard colors this time of year. 

Last Saturday my dear husband and I had the opportunity to attend the state rivalry game.  The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Georgia Bulldogs have been football "enemies" for years!  My family has fans on both sides.  My brother and his family are Tech fans.  My niece graduated from there.  My family and I are Bulldog fans.  My son graduated from Georgia.  Mrs. DD's parents (aka. Mawmaw and Pawpaw)  remain uncommitted.  I know deep down inside my Dad is a Bulldog fan and my Mom doesn't really care one way or the other. 

Our seats were great thanks to my daughter and son-in-law.   We were right in the thick of things and it was so much fun!

After the game we met my son at a local barbecue restaurant and enjoyed some good food!  My husband and I caught up on all the exciting things going on in our children's lives.  Times like these make me realize how wondrously blessed I am! 

Oh I almost forgot to mention that WE WON!  I mean really won!  I believe the score was 42 to 3!  Is that correct dear brother?!  Sorry I just have to rub it in.....next year may not turn out as well.

I have to work tomorrow so I will miss at least half of the game but you can rest assured that I will be glued to the television as soon as possible.  I have my fingers (and toes) crossed.  It certainly would be wonderful to be able to add an SEC championship ornament to my Christmas  tree this year!

GO DAWGS GO!  Let's have another winning Saturday!  Blessings!