tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366200942024-03-04T21:13:03.141-08:00Daffodil DreamsLady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.comBlogger340125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-29376208393691183052014-01-17T15:42:00.004-08:002015-10-24T22:50:48.666-07:00ENCOURAGEMENT<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://lisajobaker.com/" style="color: #999999; line-height: 20.799999237060547px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lisa-Jo Baker</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"> challenges us every Friday to write. Just write. No editing, no over-thinking, no backtracking (that's the hardest one for me - no backtracking! Yeah, I see the error.). For five minutes - and no more - with her prompt.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">Today's prompt is "</span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2014/01/why-your-words-matter/" target="_blank">ENCOURAGEMENT</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">". I will be linking this post over there. Come join the challenge!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">Timer's set.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><b>Go.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She always says I’m pretty.
That I look so amazing that day.
She tell me that I glow. She says
I look so good in my outfit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She makes me want to be her friend. She makes me want to stay close. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I smile when I see her coming my way. She brightens up my day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, I don’t always think all those things, but when she
says them, I want to believe them. It
makes me stand a little taller. She
makes me want to smile back. To say
wonderful things to others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her brightening my day makes me want to brighten someone
else’s day. To pay it forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, the compliments don’t flow off my tongue. Not that I don’t think things; it just
sometimes feels awkward to say them.
But, she makes me feel brave. She
makes me want to be her when I grow up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She gives me strength that I can pass on to others. She builds me up and often doesn't know how
very much I need that building up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She encourages me. To
live up to who I am. Or who I am
supposed to be. To whose I am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you, friend. You are my hero.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>STOP.</b> Time's up.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiY_c2ny3BNXdbHrx0k7O4YVgTlq4PeJhg_GjU1cJ7e-zOlteUT_RnkbH6DPsG52bXNyeiD6mpEWEizgJJaRh29mi_GFRytpVkcGEWg3ZEB4TIeZkkSjiYcyc0OLmcNWIzVVbqR2AybeEkUOdUGMxNLe6yt3ndfNdwcapJ1e1B03EED-i-o7D1LQJMvCmddZTMvkpmZJ5lFUiQXZw=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://www.plumroselane.com/images/custom_projects/themes/Daffodil_Dreams/DaffDrms_signature.png" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dOgIvmdM90DTZfyp8Gzd-ARpkdXpDDOBB-uGnGSr_tZpwegmRpmhP3vQBwQt8haQpzj1a_fV0QrOPn2UdKftLtoyXjo5OyhnF7EqqsE5ME6OmA0lKi8UVS13pqd6S0C2mhPO/s1600/1f36e34f5a40fb45f123885bc0bca85a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dOgIvmdM90DTZfyp8Gzd-ARpkdXpDDOBB-uGnGSr_tZpwegmRpmhP3vQBwQt8haQpzj1a_fV0QrOPn2UdKftLtoyXjo5OyhnF7EqqsE5ME6OmA0lKi8UVS13pqd6S0C2mhPO/s1600/1f36e34f5a40fb45f123885bc0bca85a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Prepare your shields,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">both
large and small,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and
march out for battle!</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span id="en-NIV-20050">Harness the horses,</span></span></span><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">mount
the steeds!</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;">Take
your positions</span></span><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with
helmets on!</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;">Polish</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">your spears,</span></span></span><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">put on
your armor!</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span id="en-NIV-20051">What do I see?</span></span></span><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They
are terrified,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;">they
are retreating,</span></span><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">their
warriors are defeated.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;">They
flee</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">in
haste</span></span></span><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">without
looking back,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and
there is terror</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">on every side,”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;">declares
the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Jeremiah 46:3-5</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Go.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This has been a favorite Scripture passage since a man in our church years ago put it to music. A fight song.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">It speaks to me of the importance of preparation -- of both the large and small things. When one is prepared, he can be a fearsome adversary. And he may not even have to fight! The enemy sees him and is terrified!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I see this even in the every day tasks and chores. The big and small ones.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">When we prepare ourselves, the "enemies" -- you know, those things that seem to get in our way and trip us up -- even them -- see us, and retreat! They know that we can beat them. That those tasks, chores, and whatnot will disappear when faced with our preparedness.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Ah, but that preparedness takes work, too. Polishing, harnessing, dressing.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Stop.</span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://www.plumroselane.com/images/custom_projects/themes/Daffodil_Dreams/DaffDrms_signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-63496250678472161142014-01-04T16:08:00.000-08:002015-10-24T22:52:00.943-07:00My Signature Style<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About two and a half weeks ago, I took one of those fun online quizzes regarding one's decorating style. (You can find it on the <a href="http://www.homegoods.com/stylescope/" target="_blank">Home Goods</a> website.) You pick five pictures that "speak to you" and it will tell you your decorating style. Well, my style turned out to be "<a href="http://www.homegoods.com/stylescope/?primary=7&secondary=1" target="_blank">Farmhouse Glam</a>" -- such as hanging chandeliers above picnic tables! I hadn't had a name for it, but felt, yes, this is so me! I took it again today, not remembering what images I picked last time. Guess what? I got the same results. So, yeah, I think it's probably safe to say this my style.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LPK9TXgUA62Py3g_dT6hHf-Mmq1MEBLdHh0mgtDsVCpeTjKR094NFwnnvcTLeAu0biWIUHJ93jbewWoxR9SUevNKUfYUaDdZBPq7bhwMMHjhxM0w7t8_4uR-nVrN6-UCzO94/s1600/farm_download.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LPK9TXgUA62Py3g_dT6hHf-Mmq1MEBLdHh0mgtDsVCpeTjKR094NFwnnvcTLeAu0biWIUHJ93jbewWoxR9SUevNKUfYUaDdZBPq7bhwMMHjhxM0w7t8_4uR-nVrN6-UCzO94/s320/farm_download.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last January, Darlene over at <a href="http://www.fieldstonehilldesign.com/2013/01/odp-signature-style-board.html" target="_blank">Fieldstone Hill Design</a> challenged her readers to make a Signature Style Board. I saw it yesterday on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/128774870569047085/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> (which I love) and since I just started playing around with <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a>, I figured this would be a good project for me. This is what I came up with:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupAeF-RJtOoeRwMWENamg8r49FThyN1AcC4CxzkJrM-pDfaOFIAbdXarwmWhuMSoI5bjsV6rZQUuM1CNnf79X_S5zr8nTx8xcwLiz1mWbHu6evMkTR2YGPTZGzOkxdb5vdGF6/s1600/My+Signature+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupAeF-RJtOoeRwMWENamg8r49FThyN1AcC4CxzkJrM-pDfaOFIAbdXarwmWhuMSoI5bjsV6rZQUuM1CNnf79X_S5zr8nTx8xcwLiz1mWbHu6evMkTR2YGPTZGzOkxdb5vdGF6/s400/My+Signature+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was really hard to pick only nine pictures. I chose these from my Pinterest boards and I've really pinned a whole bunch in the past couple of years (I joined Pinterest back when you had to be approved!) I love these pictures, but feel really bad for all the pics that weren't chosen; I really like them, too! So, if you want to see everything else I've pinned, come follow me by clicking <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/dorothyabdelaziz/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What do you think? Have I found my signature style?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://www.plumroselane.com/images/custom_projects/themes/Daffodil_Dreams/DaffDrms_signature.png" /></span>Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-81817895798250008172014-01-01T21:56:00.000-08:002015-10-24T22:52:25.588-07:00ONE WORD<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, it has been almost two years since I've written here. Time flies when you're procrastinating, doesn't it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first day of the New Year is always so promising. We look forward with such bright hopes and dreams. I love it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love a brand new calendar, new blank notepads for all those lists I love to write, and this year, a gorgeous new <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyEnglish">planner</a>!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_7QZhMI0UXjVgJkjySzA8SNuWksel2YjNT91c5WIC7IG8sssTZcYxNSp9tNxlKuUjSSJFpN4eUtrh4D06afuu33GkqWg7TE0ONAi1rdXF-KMvMlJD894EYdPIllZR6WCPhv8/s1600/Day+Designer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_7QZhMI0UXjVgJkjySzA8SNuWksel2YjNT91c5WIC7IG8sssTZcYxNSp9tNxlKuUjSSJFpN4eUtrh4D06afuu33GkqWg7TE0ONAi1rdXF-KMvMlJD894EYdPIllZR6WCPhv8/s320/Day+Designer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's so pretty, it's almost hard to write in it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Resolutions, I'm not so good at. But I love picking <a href="http://oneword365.com/" target="_blank">one word</a> as the theme and goal for the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2010 was YES.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2011 was FREEDOM.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2012 was RELEASE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2013 was DREAM.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2014 is HEALTH!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I definitely need to get my physical health back, but I know this word encompasses so much more than just that <span style="font-size: x-small;">(as important as that is right now)</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luke 2:52 tells us that Jesus grew intellectually, physically, spiritually and socially.</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."</b></i></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year, 2014, I'm planning on increasing in the same manner! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing I think is important to this increase is meeting you (if there's still anyone out there) right here on a more regular basis. So...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HAPPY NEW YEAR and a toast to HEALTH! See you soon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(and maybe we'll catch up a bit, too!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://www.plumroselane.com/images/custom_projects/themes/Daffodil_Dreams/DaffDrms_signature.png" /></span>Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-39495025173306517982012-03-06T17:43:00.000-08:002015-10-24T22:52:50.777-07:00The Provision Room<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so excited about a brand new blog called <a href="http://theprovisionroom.com/">The Provision Room</a>, named in honor of <i>Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. </i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(You can get a free Kindle copy of the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Five-Little-Peppers-They-ebook/dp/B002RKRTUU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331083434&sr=8-2">here</a>.)</span> My daughter and her friend have a vision for their homes and lives that can help all of us out, too! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The mission for their blog in their words:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">To prepare our homes—kitchens, pantries, and gardens—to be ready in case of emergencies or unexpected life changes. To do so we will not increase our food budgets nor cause our family to subsist on bread and water. We will strive for the following ideals:</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">~Real Food</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">We will not recommend you go out and buy food-like substances, just because they have a shelf life. We will learn to make Real Food last.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">~Organic, local and sustainable whenever possible</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">This is not always possible, but is a lot more possible than people think. We’ll try to show you how we feed our families while being true to our values.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">~Frugality</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">We will search out things that are genuinely good deals and not just short term solutions. We will strive to be good stewards of the family finances.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">~Environmentally friendly</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">We will try to find ways to store our food and stock our pantries without resorting to a bunch of disposables that overfill already overfull landfills.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">~Transparency</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">We will not act like we have all the answers and will show you our mistakes and learn to laugh at them!</span></span> <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Provision-Room/341842902504870?sk=wall">Facebook</a> charming us all! You can also read more about them on the <a href="http://www.prosperousandsuccessful.blogspot.com/2012/02/provision-room.html">Prosperous and Successful</a> blog were they are being featured this week.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week they are having an pretty fantastic <a href="http://theprovisionroom.com/2012/02/29/its-a-party/">giveaway</a> to celebrate their grand opening with all kinds of chances to win. They are giving away a $50 gift card to <a href="http://theprovisionroom.com/2012/02/28/review-azure-standard/">Azure Standard</a>, an autographed book entitled <a href="http://theprovisionroom.com/2012/02/28/review-year-of-plenty/">Year of Plenty</a> that I can't wait to read, and a case of <a href="http://www.venicebiscotti.com/">Venice Premium Biscotti</a>. How fun is that?! The giveaway ends tomorrow (Wednesday) night, so hurry on over the <a href="http://theprovisionroom.com/2012/02/29/its-a-party/">party</a>!</span></span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://www.plumroselane.com/images/custom_projects/themes/Daffodil_Dreams/DaffDrms_signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-34905086675731524112012-02-05T18:47:00.000-08:002015-10-24T22:53:15.202-07:00River Arvin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfa-MUTfbs1GiXMlQyeGUbGA1QIT8VLgp9iMSX_rzjMDqYi75n_q368R33awYrvVMJ4a7wr8NiWdkHjQxy7fxErNQ2mcyTDNbKELZR_jVmjROAvyz6pj7LqAg02CHPiOwjf1r/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfa-MUTfbs1GiXMlQyeGUbGA1QIT8VLgp9iMSX_rzjMDqYi75n_q368R33awYrvVMJ4a7wr8NiWdkHjQxy7fxErNQ2mcyTDNbKELZR_jVmjROAvyz6pj7LqAg02CHPiOwjf1r/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">River Arvin Gombojav was dedicated to the Lord by his parents on Friday, February 3. His four-month birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As is my custom, I celebrated by giving him a little reception after. So fun.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEIRnxCFblJclwnc1ogibhyc7BC0fp5rCCGRXOzCVTqTTsfIxSwAq-mNMZYhuVW5nn2PLdRrwS8h_e08djs4NGgBJ6R0nWMtRKhxNIxXVSmLTdLJTEJlTJwfDfpkcH-VitPhv/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEIRnxCFblJclwnc1ogibhyc7BC0fp5rCCGRXOzCVTqTTsfIxSwAq-mNMZYhuVW5nn2PLdRrwS8h_e08djs4NGgBJ6R0nWMtRKhxNIxXVSmLTdLJTEJlTJwfDfpkcH-VitPhv/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>An almost finished table:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Taffy bouquet, milk was served in the little milk bottles</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>with blue-striped paper straw flags with River's name,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>cupcake fondue with fun sprinkles and toppings, and a cafe latte punch.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>And zigzag streamers.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His mother blogged all about it over at <a href="http://gombojavfamily.blogspot.com/2012/02/river-of-blessings.html">in other words...</a>. Go on over and be blessed by the goodness of God.</span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://www.plumroselane.com/images/custom_projects/themes/Daffodil_Dreams/DaffDrms_signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-29637524239539532922012-01-27T01:29:00.000-08:002015-10-24T22:53:38.229-07:00Baggage<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For the past couple of Wednesdays, a sweet, timid, middle-aged woman has been showing up at church. She comes in with a large backpack and about four or five more bags filled with who knows what. She tucks them all around her on the floor. She doesn't want any help bringing them in from her car or through the door. If someone touches her or them, she gets a bit frantic. From what she says and does, I realize that she is coping with mental illness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I watched her, I realized that she wasn't the only one who had brought extra baggage to church that night. Oh, some of us hid it better than she did, but we still came in juggling bags and then tucked them nice and tight around us. They do help insulate us. And help build a protective wall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How do I know there were others with baggage? Well, some have let me peek into some of their bags. So I know some of what they're carrying. But, basically I know because I brought in all kinds of baggage with me that night. Some helped insulate me. Some just made it hard to juggle the rest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jesus asks us to lay all of our stuff at His feet. (1 Peter 5:7) If we seem to get a bit frantic at that thought, He doesn't grab or snatch the stuff out of our hands. Can you imagine the searing pain of that? No, instead He comes along side of us, puts His loving arms around us, asks us to open just one bag, and then lovingly helps us unpack.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTJiwl4Kwz3O3RjoApX0bUGkowWcz4NViR9CuYZf1uZk-gPS655-I7ajGwQGOhyphenhyphennFquQGuxbpdYxkLvMYz2iUF3D-AS3pQsdEwsdWVd6j5c-GYDLJnSLYTt5j9kVAgVbWZMfa/s1600/unpack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTJiwl4Kwz3O3RjoApX0bUGkowWcz4NViR9CuYZf1uZk-gPS655-I7ajGwQGOhyphenhyphennFquQGuxbpdYxkLvMYz2iUF3D-AS3pQsdEwsdWVd6j5c-GYDLJnSLYTt5j9kVAgVbWZMfa/s1600/unpack.jpg" /></a></div>
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://www.plumroselane.com/images/custom_projects/themes/Daffodil_Dreams/DaffDrms_signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-16824179746540024072012-01-06T10:39:00.000-08:002013-05-07T12:35:44.283-07:00The One About Name Changing<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Humor alert: You'll only "get" this if either you know my family or if you've seen pictures of my family. If you haven't, you might want to look around first.</i></span><br />
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I was cuddling on the couch last night with my four-year-old grandson. Here's how our conversation went:<br />
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Me: <i>What's your name again?</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NGY38f-fsZr-ZXHNOPbku5IUy8dX-r8Xvxf0Pcj7kB9p6p47i764-_Nz7LPGowk3qPpYlA-wHgxNV49RZl34U7WCeqzxBh3gLCB5W1UIzM88IJYlNZPXEFE-u8UypydfHVjN/s1600/012+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NGY38f-fsZr-ZXHNOPbku5IUy8dX-r8Xvxf0Pcj7kB9p6p47i764-_Nz7LPGowk3qPpYlA-wHgxNV49RZl34U7WCeqzxBh3gLCB5W1UIzM88IJYlNZPXEFE-u8UypydfHVjN/s200/012+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Deonte: <i>Deonte!</i><br />
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Me: <i>Deonte what?</i><br />
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Deonte: <i>Deonte Correa!</i><br />
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Me: <i>What's my name?</i><br />
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Deonte: <i>Nana!</i><br />
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Me: <i>What's my real name?</i><br />
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Deonte: (blank look)<br />
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Me: <i>What do other people call me?</i><br />
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Deonte: <i>Dorothy.</i><br />
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Me: <i>Dorothy what?</i><br />
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Deonte: (blank look)<br />
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Me: <i>What's my last name?</i><br />
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Deonte: <i> I don't know.</i><br />
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Me: <i>Abdelaziz.</i><br />
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Deonte: <i> Abdelaziz. Is that Papa's name, too?</i><br />
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Me: <i>Yes.</i><br />
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Deonte: <i>Is that Grandma's name, too?</i><br />
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Me: <i>No, her name is Jones. You know, you call her Grandma Jones.</i><br />
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Deonte: <i>Oh, yeah. How come her name is different?</i><br />
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Me: <i>Okay, so Grandma's my mommy, right? When I was born, my name was Dorothy Jones. When I married Papa, my name was changed to his. So now my name is Dorothy Abdelaziz. </i><br />
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Deonte: (paying close attention)<br />
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Me: <i>I'm your mommy's mommy, right? When your mommy was born, she was Sarah Abdelaziz. When she married Daddy, her named was changed to....</i><br />
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Deonte: <i>Correa!</i><br />
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Me: <i> Right!</i><br />
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Deonte: <i>When daddies get married, do they change their names?</i><br />
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Me: <i>No, just mommies.</i><br />
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Deonte: <i>So, what do daddies change? Their color?</i><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/custom_projects/themes/Daffodil_Dreams/DaffDrms_signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-52240238727745236252012-01-02T16:35:00.000-08:002013-05-07T12:35:53.304-07:002012<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whew.</span> It's over. 2011, that is.<br />
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I'm emotionally drained. But, I am slowly recovering and hope to be in ship-shape in not too long! <br />
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In all the sadness, in and amongst all the stress, there were two miracles. Two little baby boys were added to our family. Caleb Journey was born to Josh and Serena on July 27 (remember I was in Colorado in July?)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3IjLrpXC-RJKe8HNw9bclc9VhZmGJZmmJYSpa2zP6vaMheJhk0roCl1VIzL0WC3c2-Hqas_eHrVKfXEgLlxTETgCFuB1tW40bubFizeUUrmkWp-E2mMyblGqvB-n4ujIh-rF/s1600/023+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3IjLrpXC-RJKe8HNw9bclc9VhZmGJZmmJYSpa2zP6vaMheJhk0roCl1VIzL0WC3c2-Hqas_eHrVKfXEgLlxTETgCFuB1tW40bubFizeUUrmkWp-E2mMyblGqvB-n4ujIh-rF/s400/023+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
and River Arvin was born to Gana and Daja on October 3. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFadfxrP7KfE51XIMxR_YjKwRZZJM8ldiXO_pPaVQjPp5-jNxOiojfmzAav4t6vqej03sQzSSmlo1I2Ct38UIlmBSl1A9SAADbj0sEC0vIHPUQiJhonkGkJHzSj6UdtK0aHGN6/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFadfxrP7KfE51XIMxR_YjKwRZZJM8ldiXO_pPaVQjPp5-jNxOiojfmzAav4t6vqej03sQzSSmlo1I2Ct38UIlmBSl1A9SAADbj0sEC0vIHPUQiJhonkGkJHzSj6UdtK0aHGN6/s320/045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Oh, we do love babies around here! Those two brand new ones redeemed 2011 for me. Without them, I'd be hard-pressed to find the good. <br />
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Well, the "big" good, anyway. God is always good and gives us so many every day wonders, that there is always good. Always a gift from Him. Always a smile to find.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Lamentations 3:22-24</span></i></blockquote><br />
And now it's <span style="font-size: large;">2012</span>.<br />
<br />
New Years Day landed on a Sunday this year. What a wonderfully clean slate it represented. A new day, a new week, a new month, and a new year! <br />
<br />
Today my husband and I sat down to map out our goals and dreams for 2012. No resolutions, just regrouping. We'll do it again at the beginning of February. Either to pat ourselves on the back or to kick ourselves back into action!<br />
<br />
For the past few years, I've been choosing a word for the year. Naming it, if you will. I named 2011 <a href="http://ladydorothy.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011.html">FREEDOM</a>. 2010 was the year of <a href="http://ladydorothy.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-years-eve-blue-moon-and-yes.html">YES</a>. Do I sometimes forget what year it is as the months roll by? Well, yeah. But, it usually doesn't take too long before the year's name comes calling me back.<br />
<br />
2012 is being named "RELEASE". Not the most common of names, but a very personal one. This is our year to release pain and illness, to release negative financial concerns, and to release excess possessions. We are also opening our hearts, hands, and bodies to <i>receive</i> freedom and health.<br />
<br />
Hey, 2012 is looking pretty good sitting there all clean and new! <br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/custom_projects/themes/Daffodil_Dreams/DaffDrms_signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-22254629153207786942011-09-20T10:56:00.000-07:002013-05-07T12:36:00.651-07:00Della May Abdelaziz (5.22.1932 - 9.19.2011)<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>I am standing on the sea shore,</strong>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A ship sails in the morning breeze</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>and starts
for the ocean.</b> <br /><b>She is an object of beauty and I stand watching
her</b> <br /><b>Till at last she fades on the horizon</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>and someone at my side
says:</b> <br /><b>“She is gone.”</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gone! Where?</b> <br /><b>Gone from my sight –
that is all.</b> <br /><b>She is just as large in the masts, hull and spars</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>as she
was when I saw her</b> <br /><b>And just as able to bear her load of living
freight</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>to its destination.</b> <br /><b>The diminished size and total loss of
sight is in me,</b> <br /><b>not in her.</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And just at the moment when someone at my
side says,</b> <br /><b>“She is gone”,</b> <br /><b>There are others who are
watching her coming,</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>and other voices take up a glad shout:</b> <br /><b>“There
she comes”</b> <br /><b>– and that is dying.</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Bishop Brent</b> <br /><b>1862 – 1926</b></div>
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/custom_projects/themes/Daffodil_Dreams/DaffDrms_signature.png" /><br />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-87166642766460064492011-07-26T12:05:00.000-07:002013-05-07T12:36:10.171-07:00Shallah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlmnSuEGm9S0xxWK8eKJC75UBlnaLPOHqRtdhT4XA8Z8_OkFzExjxgxDeWyUQmpq8gPzCcEtrdsQ0wBOQsiWkxTW-Z_PfY9EB3EKP850dkHsPCswV6PVF2C0Snu8mT6fKiqoV/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlmnSuEGm9S0xxWK8eKJC75UBlnaLPOHqRtdhT4XA8Z8_OkFzExjxgxDeWyUQmpq8gPzCcEtrdsQ0wBOQsiWkxTW-Z_PfY9EB3EKP850dkHsPCswV6PVF2C0Snu8mT6fKiqoV/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">There was a little girl, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Who had a little curl, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Right in the middle of her forehead. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> When she was good, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> She was very good indeed, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">But when she was bad she was...</span></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -1em;"></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Still as cute as cute can be.</span></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -1em;"></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: left; text-indent: -1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>(Sorry, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, it just didn't work the way you wrote it.)</em></span></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -1em;"></div><div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -1em;"></div><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://www.prl-images.com/images/custom_projects/themes/Daffodil_Dreams/DaffDrms_signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-75477883903550973162011-07-25T15:45:00.000-07:002011-07-25T15:45:13.321-07:00Surprise! Papa's here!About 2:15 Wednesday morning, Papa came to visit! Total surprise to me! I had absolutely no inkling that I would walk downstairs to see his luggage in the living room and then have him pop around the corner!<br />
<br />
He came because he missed me, of course, but he was really hoping to see his new grandbaby while he was here. But, I guess the baby didn't realize that, so Papa had to go back home without meeting him/her.<br />
<br />
On Friday, the day before he left, we went up to <a href="http://www.estesnet.com/">Estes Park</a> for a family outing and to walk Serena. Grammie (Serena's mom), Papa, and I explored the town with the grandchildren while Josh and Serena went "hiking". <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19utkp6PwiWbEvddl1dDCDWPc35HFyEoxY7u07noQBAiwrPjeQldY8DloR3VBG-zNbCHEknEpf0inxm1URoTUpFiE4y98vWyo_Dpt_6HN_YGNvEINQ3qpum48bdmse9TxDZ7i/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19utkp6PwiWbEvddl1dDCDWPc35HFyEoxY7u07noQBAiwrPjeQldY8DloR3VBG-zNbCHEknEpf0inxm1URoTUpFiE4y98vWyo_Dpt_6HN_YGNvEINQ3qpum48bdmse9TxDZ7i/s400/023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>As you can see, we have an extra couple of kids.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>I brought Meg along and Emily brought her other grandson.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>The more, the merrier!</em></span></div><br />
<br />
Before we all set out, though, we had a picnic. We found this lovely little spot next to a church. It even had a little creek.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSwTzmSmYOBPUZJ8mowm9s4HY1ctZMAqb__0NxDqAPBrzvhLbl_hgrc5lzvATnjqGp1Iobr7sAhljIFD5fM2LQQRRO7s9nXxhMIEV54UDTmgf94qHKJAKM9gpLzY0FwHBMBdm/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSwTzmSmYOBPUZJ8mowm9s4HY1ctZMAqb__0NxDqAPBrzvhLbl_hgrc5lzvATnjqGp1Iobr7sAhljIFD5fM2LQQRRO7s9nXxhMIEV54UDTmgf94qHKJAKM9gpLzY0FwHBMBdm/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSEOj2s3-nq6GJGlYVYb8X2SIMe-wMpKpZNtbVLHzfWZUMs3n2kaL2tCWFG3PJwP66NbmzO7m9riqVi9q-nSREHe8p5A-KTOTsP7zbFVwQyMixbn2f0dzwuOD-UqGEnF9zz5w/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSEOj2s3-nq6GJGlYVYb8X2SIMe-wMpKpZNtbVLHzfWZUMs3n2kaL2tCWFG3PJwP66NbmzO7m9riqVi9q-nSREHe8p5A-KTOTsP7zbFVwQyMixbn2f0dzwuOD-UqGEnF9zz5w/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shallah and Papa sharing cookies.</span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuaAwO3Dc7oxcr9gba1dK8XmEmsMzeLVZItm4hzRlGX7QuLQg6o8Y8ZaFutBTMZ1lVoVCY0tv6SIB6XJqNjVwPDde4DwgGYTdogb8F_QKv7IcDrI4YXNe7kXOH7v_d0drBsz2/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuaAwO3Dc7oxcr9gba1dK8XmEmsMzeLVZItm4hzRlGX7QuLQg6o8Y8ZaFutBTMZ1lVoVCY0tv6SIB6XJqNjVwPDde4DwgGYTdogb8F_QKv7IcDrI4YXNe7kXOH7v_d0drBsz2/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmmR0lYHfnHBCfShGIMPEq-uvnhJiJX6vQZ8v2XJ68l9vgmd9VZY0LHrlS5t0UDTDIFE1T-A1YOxUUgvMaeBKl0mDm8_rCHyQ9nl1CK46kHdFgf-9rIKloFVewQdQvD8yNosF/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmmR0lYHfnHBCfShGIMPEq-uvnhJiJX6vQZ8v2XJ68l9vgmd9VZY0LHrlS5t0UDTDIFE1T-A1YOxUUgvMaeBKl0mDm8_rCHyQ9nl1CK46kHdFgf-9rIKloFVewQdQvD8yNosF/s400/017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Shallah and Papa have a special thing going. Before he came, she acted like she loved me. But one day, I went to get her out of her crib and she hugged her arms around her and said, "I want Papa." Oh, well. He's gone now.<br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-47261556765481456592011-07-19T19:24:00.000-07:002011-07-19T19:24:56.777-07:00Cousins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am in Colorado awaiting the birth of my sixteenth grandchild, Josh and Serena's sixth child. I have made it for every birth so far; I certainly hope I timed it well for this one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I brought my oldest grandchild with me. It just seemed like fun for the two of us to go on an little adventure. But, another very compelling reason was so that my two oldest could spend some quality time together. They are both the first born with several brothers born after each of them. They need girl time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUsCHBZsdj7NpZFN72T48LbT3iysc35NpjR_-7snPG6Cn4ogRSAJIk_EOSKWNGFjtZhRgfdgRCrstsMz9Cv5ntSbSmI0n80YAXEqwBl1uORpNTiZN4frkuNEsnihNKeNftWHb/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUsCHBZsdj7NpZFN72T48LbT3iysc35NpjR_-7snPG6Cn4ogRSAJIk_EOSKWNGFjtZhRgfdgRCrstsMz9Cv5ntSbSmI0n80YAXEqwBl1uORpNTiZN4frkuNEsnihNKeNftWHb/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em> Meg (l) and Jael (r) rolling cookies.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdvGZaBS6rj8inykX74nz6rVnELI1cmpAk4IQxcVgBBxrzZlU8Q7EW0NPBcMaSxKLF_buNh9NNaX1QjmnjndwOMiVQmrIybMUJR5JIJswZKGziBu9ldtkDkTpg1FU34Ov0h9r/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdvGZaBS6rj8inykX74nz6rVnELI1cmpAk4IQxcVgBBxrzZlU8Q7EW0NPBcMaSxKLF_buNh9NNaX1QjmnjndwOMiVQmrIybMUJR5JIJswZKGziBu9ldtkDkTpg1FU34Ov0h9r/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j9H7ZUykNm_lwKoPde7FPkKTrdyuu_-r2fH7E8draHgqWji_t6HWT_KtCSUNqxIvltVHaL0HKs9llDqz8fxAMcx_lFXTataqIkJ78rhIWKAKLryr2_KcNFcwIcCwLItUaTn0/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j9H7ZUykNm_lwKoPde7FPkKTrdyuu_-r2fH7E8draHgqWji_t6HWT_KtCSUNqxIvltVHaL0HKs9llDqz8fxAMcx_lFXTataqIkJ78rhIWKAKLryr2_KcNFcwIcCwLItUaTn0/s320/036.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Ready for Dance Camp</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ah3crxOO2RTwyQ_m7u2lMV9Y9wvyXtmcTfrVlHlKKAcZAb1SFOgS9y1Rmwl3MOppCn006fUzAT_m4X6y9UXFnBjA7PQYLXj-8UZDGoS6tD75FX884neRndkmMG_X5vDcW-jm/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ah3crxOO2RTwyQ_m7u2lMV9Y9wvyXtmcTfrVlHlKKAcZAb1SFOgS9y1Rmwl3MOppCn006fUzAT_m4X6y9UXFnBjA7PQYLXj-8UZDGoS6tD75FX884neRndkmMG_X5vDcW-jm/s320/041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you notice they like to dress alike?</span></strong></div><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-84664683038014557872011-06-21T14:08:00.000-07:002011-06-21T14:15:38.110-07:00Summer 2011 Manifesto<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well......Spring didn't go exactly as I had planned. I'm not sure I have any expectations that summer will, either. *sigh* </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I think I'm going to go nice and simple here. I hope having this posted in front of me will help keep me focused. Odd that I've come to a point where I have to focus on having fun. *another sigh* So, without further ado, here's to my summer - with a little commentary by Winnie-the-Pooh.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will get sunshine</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and go barefoot on the grass.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>“Always watch where you are going. Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the Forest that was left out by mistake.”</em></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will “just do the next thing”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">without anxiety.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>“Rivers know this: there is no hurry.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>We shall get there some day.”</em></span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will take each day slowly --</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">no matter how fast the season scurries.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>“Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear,</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>and not bothering.”</em></span></div></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will have fun.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>“When late morning rolls around and you're feeling a bit out of sorts, don't worry; you're probably</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>just a little eleven o'clockish.”</em></span></div><br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-13226272373287889822011-06-13T18:31:00.000-07:002011-06-13T18:31:15.577-07:00Daddy's 84th Birthday<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today Daddy would have celebrated 84 years. Since he is no longer with us, we figured we'd celebrate anyway. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13725162178992586535">Sarah</a> invited us over for a full-blown dinner for lunch, complete with birthday cake. The kids insisted we sing and blow out a candle. They sang real loud so Grandpa could hear them in heaven.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6uljskpR5EGqSXruzfqj3vtrzbF0ix87HqRmwhl-2S8lz6dOgJq-YTlEqBJcWrUZmzu81t1dYRfZ1e5CfMqJ6JxZ7y6UhYf9q5TpS_83-lCL6BmYJAP5wUgT9QvDMc3baBeO/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6uljskpR5EGqSXruzfqj3vtrzbF0ix87HqRmwhl-2S8lz6dOgJq-YTlEqBJcWrUZmzu81t1dYRfZ1e5CfMqJ6JxZ7y6UhYf9q5TpS_83-lCL6BmYJAP5wUgT9QvDMc3baBeO/s320/002.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In honor of this day, I thought I would share what my son, <a href="http://standingformarriage.blogspot.com/">Josh</a>, wrote for his grandfather's funeral:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remembering Grandpa</span></strong></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The past week has seemed a bit surreal. Grandpa Jones is the first person close to me that I can remember to have passed away. It seems very odd knowing that his physical presence will not be around anymore. It is sad that he is no longer here. But, I am glad that he is no longer suffering and enduring life with a body that was failing him. Instead, he now is in the presence of His King and Lord. As I thought about him that Friday afternoon, I started singing the old hymn, "What a Day That Will Be."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whenever I think back about being around Grandpa Jones, I am never saddened by the memories. I would like to share some of the things about Grandpa that were unique to him; things that he did before his body began to fail. I want to remember him the way my memories do; I want to remember the things that made Grandpa Grandpa...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember, when they lived up in Paradise, how he would always be up on the roof sweeping off the pine needles. There could not have been very many up there but, still, he went up and made sure that they never built up.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember many times taking vacations with him and Grandma in the old brownish orange Westfalia. We would drive for hours and he wouldn’t say a whole lot...he just drove. He got us to where we were going.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember how he always needed more oil...oil for the cars, for the lawn mower, or just to have some extra. Whenever Grandpa went to the store and he would disappear, you could bet that he would find us soon with a case of oil. That is just who he was.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember many nights as a child sleeping on the floor in his house when he would come home from work. His heavy footsteps notified all of us kids that Grandpa was home.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember how he always took care to maintain his responsibilities. Whether it was continually checking the oil in the cars, washing his vehicles, sweeping the pine needles, or going in to work everyday. He always made sure the paper goods were burned in a timely manner. Grandpa was a man...plain and simple.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You never had to prime Grandpa for the altar call, to come up for prayer. He was usually the first one to come up. And after he couldn’t get there anymore without difficulty his hand was the first one up. To those that didn’t know him, you may have thought that he must have major problems to always be coming up for prayer. He may have had things he dealt with but he knew that bringing them to Jesus would make the easier to bear.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was his financial sowing into my life that made it possible for me to play the piano and, as a result, lead the church in worship. Without those many years of continued work I would not be gifted with the abilities I have today.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, my best memories of Grandpa didn’t involve his chores or his quirky habits. You would often find him with his Bible or a book by Billy Graham. Never one of many words for men, he always had words for his God. I remember so many times walking by his room and seeing him knelt down in prayer. You could never make out the words but every so often he would cry out, “OH, JESUS!!” I can only imagine what he was praying about. The state of the world? Maybe. His grandkids? I am sure he brought our names before the King. And I would imagine that he prayed for Grandma and their marriage. But, I know, without a doubt, that most of the time he was praying for his own 4 children. His heart was always thinking about them. He wanted only the best that God had for each of them. And I have to believe that “the prayers of a righteous man avail much.”</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a Day That Will Be</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is coming a day when no heartaches shall come </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All is peace forevermore on that happy golden shore, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a day, glorious day that will be. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chorus: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a day that will be </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When my Jesus I shall see, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I look upon His face, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The One who saved me by His grace; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When He takes me by the hand </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And leads me through the Promised Land, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a day, glorious day that will be. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There'll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And forever I will be with the One who died for me, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a day, glorious day that will be. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And now, Grandpa, you get to be with your Master. No one could ever doubt that you loved your Jesus. You have received the reward for your faithfulness. You no longer have to fight with your natural body that afflicted you for so long. You are now, finally, made perfect in Him.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grandpa, thank you for all you did for this family. Thank you for always working, for always giving to God first, for always praying for us, and for establishing a firm foundation in Jesus. You have left a legacy that cannot be taken away from you. What you did in quiet service to Jesus will be amplified through the lives you leave behind. I love you, Grandpa...see you soon.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Josh, Serena, and the kids</span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-42509093494983569532011-06-10T23:02:00.000-07:002011-06-10T23:02:00.484-07:00Daddy<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daddy went to live with Jesus last Friday. We celebrated his life here on earth on Wednesday. I believe it was just as he would have wanted it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We sang, we heard God's Word read and the Gospel preached. As one man summed it up well, it was an honest service for an honest man. It was not pretentious, because he wasn't. It was not somber. It was honestly real. We cried. We laughed. We worshipped. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gabe officiated and summed it up well by expounding on four things my father loved:</span><br />
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<blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. He loved his God. More often than not, you could find him reading his Bible or praying on his knees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. He loved his wife. Even in his sleep, he could be heard saying (or sometimes singing), "I love my wife, I love my wife, I have a wonderful wife, I love my Martha."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. He loved his children. He prayed extensively for the salvation of his children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. He loved his church. And he loved going to church. </span></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daja wrote and read his eulogy. You can read it </span><a href="http://gombojavfamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/grandpa-jones.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sarah-Kate put together a beautiful tribute in the form of this video montage.</span><br />
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<div><embed flashvars="&p=e19249e1edfc33f36a5ae6&skin_id=1703&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" height="382" name="FLVPlayer" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" salign="LT" scale="noscale" src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=e19249e1edfc33f36a5ae6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="408" wmode="transparent"></embed><div style="font: 12px/20px verdana, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; text-align: center; width: 408px;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt4" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Make an on-line slideshow at <span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love you, Daddy. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1010142160"></span><span id="goog_1010142161"></span><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-15192311402919745012011-05-09T21:48:00.000-07:002011-05-09T21:48:34.464-07:00National Wear Your Apron Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Today was </strong></span><a href="http://gombojavfamily.blogspot.com/2011/05/under-apron.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>National Wear Your Apron Day</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1Pc3luzIequFfPmdDAr7XKPnRfa0r65uwNUJaaeToHKG-37o2k0JAcEnZLL7TDGoflGQl6ooqmhmkEDu6Khrk9SsQpeORlpOt6zUfixTdGQYW2bokilnw-22Jw0P6mZ-u4sb/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1Pc3luzIequFfPmdDAr7XKPnRfa0r65uwNUJaaeToHKG-37o2k0JAcEnZLL7TDGoflGQl6ooqmhmkEDu6Khrk9SsQpeORlpOt6zUfixTdGQYW2bokilnw-22Jw0P6mZ-u4sb/s320/042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-46720135869190373102011-04-29T21:20:00.000-07:002011-04-29T21:20:23.303-07:00Five Minute Friday: If I Knew I Could, I Would...<center><a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_lCeOMfY0_fQ/TWly2m-jN_I/AAAAAAAAFEY/k8HJ__cvkws/s200/5%20minute%20friday.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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It's Friday! Time for Five Minute Friday hosted by <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/2011/04/five-minute-friday-if-i-knew-i-could-i-would/">The Gypsy Mama</a>. The rules are simple: Throw caution (editing, revising, and worrying) to the winds and just write for five minutes flat. Without wondering if it’s just right or not. Here we go. Today's prompt: If I Knew I Could, I Would . . .<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">GO.</span><br />
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<strong>If I knew I could, I would . . .</strong><br />
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Save the world.<br />
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Heal the heartache.<br />
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Gather the brokenhearted and just give them a hug.<br />
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Spend all the money that’s needed to make sure no one is going to bed hungry.<br />
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Protect all the unborn babies from the selfishness of their mothers.<br />
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Bring back my father’s mind and soul.<br />
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Give my mother true joy and peace….and a good night’s sleep.<br />
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Guarantee my children and grandchildren a life without the pain that goes on forever.<br />
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Express the love I truly feel inside.<br />
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Convince every soul that Jesus gave up everything just for them.<br />
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Be the person I envision myself to be.<br />
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Be fully awake spending every bit of life I have for Him.<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">STOP.</span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-55667153164240016472011-04-26T15:10:00.000-07:002011-04-26T15:11:09.704-07:00Deonte's 4th!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5oQ5IU3wCQT_oZdgw0L8Ig8o1Sw48iIkp0qG8rgtFJu66qq8HKVFycI6ULdOOhkZrZc7Nl0lNqGKczTVTo4IZBTf4imLEf6k5lgP-OOQBPumdiM2F5qkefegivJgyvKsRN7T/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5oQ5IU3wCQT_oZdgw0L8Ig8o1Sw48iIkp0qG8rgtFJu66qq8HKVFycI6ULdOOhkZrZc7Nl0lNqGKczTVTo4IZBTf4imLEf6k5lgP-OOQBPumdiM2F5qkefegivJgyvKsRN7T/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We traveled over an hour so that Deonte could have his fourth birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese -- his first time there. He enjoyed it immensely and being the center of attention for a whole day and evening suited him just fine, too! He played hard and ate hard! <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Whew! Can that boy put away some pizza and cupcakes!</em></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFv6IYAbU_0HlZG_tC2t70lSocFPK0PXj0nyfdEUc9Hn89gFuqJPuzK43ts0lbqHbbtzKUcca0U9Nt6Me6vys8zlNnZwwzFvpPvX3qzY47-zrEfjhWOFn0HElQIpUghOY8uFXv/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFv6IYAbU_0HlZG_tC2t70lSocFPK0PXj0nyfdEUc9Hn89gFuqJPuzK43ts0lbqHbbtzKUcca0U9Nt6Me6vys8zlNnZwwzFvpPvX3qzY47-zrEfjhWOFn0HElQIpUghOY8uFXv/s320/043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em> <span style="font-size: small;">He so enjoyed opening presents with Daddy, though reading every card thoroughly did try his patience a little!</span></em></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8hXqxbQSWxLru8hrqOBs3AZMI_UGFFJ_aF8Q3nqBTPymgJnsD7avPoWRZDEeYy0XOTawKcZpSgydkHx-vJux1OinsQTCormg3N-2q79_OhCXoj44aCQf2fEbVkRT0-LP3pIn/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8hXqxbQSWxLru8hrqOBs3AZMI_UGFFJ_aF8Q3nqBTPymgJnsD7avPoWRZDEeYy0XOTawKcZpSgydkHx-vJux1OinsQTCormg3N-2q79_OhCXoj44aCQf2fEbVkRT0-LP3pIn/s320/047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>He can definitely sport his new sunglasses! </em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, remember that first picture of him riding on the horse? Well, the adults couldn't let him steal the show, even on his birthday! </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG70xfQnDgmMjNjX-njJEoYiLfhEzWT9j5F0y5m_DpwtJq1J14dvASj_CEcA1uQ4ycaJaCyAfmt4F0tUoCun6PMV8I6u6xcA2Bu3yacUb2Qdxs4dw1CXHdji1G4Wc5cm3kypY/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG70xfQnDgmMjNjX-njJEoYiLfhEzWT9j5F0y5m_DpwtJq1J14dvASj_CEcA1uQ4ycaJaCyAfmt4F0tUoCun6PMV8I6u6xcA2Bu3yacUb2Qdxs4dw1CXHdji1G4Wc5cm3kypY/s320/038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Papa </em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZk4SQ7H3gzsQiQWCEuWM6FoaUmL3wfpQkKNyAAnNSvG3gc4dHBCzo7RVI-B40GuwxaSXOg1dcMLrdldHm1IaG2-AX9afAUzT1a_hXhpVuE_RBgSS9QMwK4_G-da5xosPZXYR/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZk4SQ7H3gzsQiQWCEuWM6FoaUmL3wfpQkKNyAAnNSvG3gc4dHBCzo7RVI-B40GuwxaSXOg1dcMLrdldHm1IaG2-AX9afAUzT1a_hXhpVuE_RBgSS9QMwK4_G-da5xosPZXYR/s320/041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Mr. Kevin</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Happy Birthday, Deonte! Nana loves you!</span></div><br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-2110355878509575182011-04-25T13:52:00.000-07:002011-04-25T13:52:50.129-07:00What My Marriage Really Looks Like<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We like to take pictures on Easter of how pretty we look in our new clothes. Sometimes not everything is so new. Sometimes we don't look so pretty. But, when things come together and we do take a good picture that we both like, we are happy. Didn't happen this year. Nope. I did like ONE picture, but he didn't like it. So, no new Facebook profile pics. At least of us together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BUT, what we did end up with were a couple of pictures that illustrate our life together. Enjoy laughing <strike>at </strike>with us!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0h6vbHMk1vu0t9EG7GPMwb_zm9-idO6guMOnr0QOX1fEl7JcKM49QJf08YMGxK5Gn_Eyu0QeGVLlest7ZRGYJxuPuVLpxZxAn-klONIxwu1V3rAcxox0h_845agfpPIocOua/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0h6vbHMk1vu0t9EG7GPMwb_zm9-idO6guMOnr0QOX1fEl7JcKM49QJf08YMGxK5Gn_Eyu0QeGVLlest7ZRGYJxuPuVLpxZxAn-klONIxwu1V3rAcxox0h_845agfpPIocOua/s320/006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPxhxzHDvF-xcS-Jf1QhyqR0YNft6inz7HP83rQwIda6oIGjHJIUXM1WPTVNqEV5kPW_Htay2xAIQ1JrF4pI3P67TkKFaeiXjldlLubTBtCfp7bz3Bmm68PLSqIpZ6wuk8zqi/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPxhxzHDvF-xcS-Jf1QhyqR0YNft6inz7HP83rQwIda6oIGjHJIUXM1WPTVNqEV5kPW_Htay2xAIQ1JrF4pI3P67TkKFaeiXjldlLubTBtCfp7bz3Bmm68PLSqIpZ6wuk8zqi/s320/007.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-73916875960736162862011-04-23T14:20:00.000-07:002011-04-24T08:26:43.148-07:00Easter Brunch Menu<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We're having Easter Brunch this year instead of Easter dinner. Same time, different food. (Yes, that means we might be eating brunch in the middle of the afternoon, but it's the difference in the food itself we're thinking of here.) Just to do something different. And because brunch somehow seems more springy. *shrug* And because I love trying out new recipes. Even for guests. Even on holidays. Maybe especially for guests and holidays. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, here's our menu:</span><br />
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<a href="http://mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com/2011/04/glorified-rice.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Glorified Rice</strong></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz07d-MAgGg9u-tXxvMYoOcMoRjsN6h02bCvtb3liJciZKWHEhiM01GuCf3PHqnhbkNZGC4Qy1rMIFr9efX9yv_CiratGvLJJUiBM__6V8yh__0IVQQGFSu-3c9Jd4Ex-h1Ya/s640/IMG_8227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz07d-MAgGg9u-tXxvMYoOcMoRjsN6h02bCvtb3liJciZKWHEhiM01GuCf3PHqnhbkNZGC4Qy1rMIFr9efX9yv_CiratGvLJJUiBM__6V8yh__0IVQQGFSu-3c9Jd4Ex-h1Ya/s200/IMG_8227.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><a href="http://reluctantentertainer.com/2010/12/christmas-day-breakfast-pear-vanilla-french-toast-casserole/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Baked Pear Vanilla French Toast</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, <em>The Reluctant Entertainer</em> cookbook, p. 153</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://reluctantentertainer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/securedownload-171.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" i8="true" src="http://reluctantentertainer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/securedownload-171.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Bacon, Ham and Lamb</strong> (Sarah's bringing bacon and lamb; Grandma bought a ham...) <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Lamb seems a logical choice for Easter. Growing up, we always had ham. I've never understood that. How did ham get to be the meat of choice for Easter? </em></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://picky-palate.com/2011/04/18/itty-bitty-cinnamon-roll-bites/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Cinnamon Roll Bites</strong></span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picky-palate.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="http://picky-palate.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_0698.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://www.heatherchristo.com/cooks/2011/04/17/candied-popcorn-for-easter/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Candied Popcorn</strong></span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5624735835_fa9a2a81b7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5624735835_fa9a2a81b7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/04/hot-cross-buns/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Hot Cross Buns</strong></span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4480756172_2f7099b3e1_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4480756172_2f7099b3e1_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.bhg.com/recipe/eggs-cheese/scrambled-eggs-in-potato-nests/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Scrambled eggs in potato nests</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/recipe/l_R084569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/recipe/l_R084569.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Sherbet with Lemon Crisp Cookies</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Cold beverage: Orange Pineapple Mint Punch with "Peep" straws</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Vanilla/cocoa flavored chais</strong></span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-80615301719234700632011-04-22T16:20:00.000-07:002011-04-22T17:13:27.179-07:00Five Minute Friday: The Hard Love<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://thegypsymama.com/category/five-minute-friday/" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_lCeOMfY0_fQ/TWly2m-jN_I/AAAAAAAAFEY/k8HJ__cvkws/s200/5%20minute%20friday.jpg" /></a><a href="http://thegypsymama.com/2011/04/five-minute-friday-the-hard-love/">Gypsy Mama</a> hosts Five Minute Friday. This is my first time participating, but it sounds fun...and good for me.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The rules are simple. You take her prompt and write for 5 minutes flat with no editing or tweaking.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, here goes.</div><br />
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<center></center><br />
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<strong>HARD LOVE</strong><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">GO.</span><br />
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Hard love. Isn’t all love hard? Selfishness gets in the way of love all the time. We want to esteem others better than ourselves (as the Word says), but maybe later. Right now, I’m just tired. Right now, I just don’t feel like it.<br />
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Today’s Good Friday. I am so glad that Jesus didn’t feel the way I do so often. But, maybe He did. He just didn’t let it stop Him. Who knows? He was human. He did fall carrying that cross up the hill of Golgotha. He was tired. He felt the pain. The physical pain. The emotional pain. I’ve watched The Passion of the Christ. I know how much physical pain He bore. But, I think the emotional, spiritual pain must have been so much worse. Can you even imagine what carrying EVERYONE’s guilt must have felt like? I can barely bear my own. All of our guilt. All of our sorrow. All of our shame. All of our pain.<br />
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That’s hard love. How can I not love Him back?<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">STOP.</span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-57027326965966661952011-04-21T15:38:00.000-07:002011-04-21T15:40:05.361-07:00Country Drive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5oNbODqTPWuMVN8htmRJ3CXxSMAO4eTdFeWaQhWAdGEJ4PgAheAsbMTktDa4xOEXOL1w-NB6icT3Rh2aSunDWIzlV2_Rpw02-zPOwbKR8YTm94FjQhEnQPObzr7GyxSdwTGK/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5oNbODqTPWuMVN8htmRJ3CXxSMAO4eTdFeWaQhWAdGEJ4PgAheAsbMTktDa4xOEXOL1w-NB6icT3Rh2aSunDWIzlV2_Rpw02-zPOwbKR8YTm94FjQhEnQPObzr7GyxSdwTGK/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
With spring trying its hardest to bloom forth this year, we thought we'd go for a drive a few days ago to see how she was doing. I truly believe we live in one of the most beautiful places with so many differing scenery options. This day we chose country views.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivE4siyHB8wWLLNp5wENu21gjLoYoWxetAJr2UHs9CGl1nNYAUnLc9zh7yOITJ3nuxmC_32UjAxuHhzxuZVIHNaP7euuVtWF30MppdcHelUeb5sLbTbPf3vkZaaS1GPdbZXFNR/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivE4siyHB8wWLLNp5wENu21gjLoYoWxetAJr2UHs9CGl1nNYAUnLc9zh7yOITJ3nuxmC_32UjAxuHhzxuZVIHNaP7euuVtWF30MppdcHelUeb5sLbTbPf3vkZaaS1GPdbZXFNR/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Though we were hoping for fields of wild flowers, there were only a few patches of poppies. Too little to even get out the camera.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdypRDFV1M4ak3F6j3R7q-093hFP78VAXvc3HpFuXKAd-ndXnATuZDf6PtelLdbdLjVDY92QuxtoGUutrxywkwVqDFDy6uovFyvvxBVrFn25w7ZHRgj8aPtrbP9nVewHnsc_Tt/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdypRDFV1M4ak3F6j3R7q-093hFP78VAXvc3HpFuXKAd-ndXnATuZDf6PtelLdbdLjVDY92QuxtoGUutrxywkwVqDFDy6uovFyvvxBVrFn25w7ZHRgj8aPtrbP9nVewHnsc_Tt/s320/021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
But, we saw some ground squirrels, birds, and a bunch of cattle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALBjnbIFgXL3k8hfZlMY-xXNfuigRHAxHpOMbciSmgBVtUfxdH5egxTt4cu_l8l4_inJHzd4NpLJdRJz4QE67wrT9s_a_Ht0VH3dXW-iHvlVz8hfKFCwo2ob4zCRf0Si2xs1D/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALBjnbIFgXL3k8hfZlMY-xXNfuigRHAxHpOMbciSmgBVtUfxdH5egxTt4cu_l8l4_inJHzd4NpLJdRJz4QE67wrT9s_a_Ht0VH3dXW-iHvlVz8hfKFCwo2ob4zCRf0Si2xs1D/s320/022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
No fences to keep these bad boys off the road. But, they definitely were quite interested in us. They may have been a bit put out since we didn't even ask permission to take their pictures. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpGtYZJyCzze9q4PKXPWnzQwB56jibGBCmWlzxvoTR_q-bvxJ7ZDYwmdTeFVee5yXhN-8WtgCuKluVqZ41cwEFOV3S0GH8O2paQy6qvgqg_KyzIqkX2e93VNC5c3kLObZvD4N/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpGtYZJyCzze9q4PKXPWnzQwB56jibGBCmWlzxvoTR_q-bvxJ7ZDYwmdTeFVee5yXhN-8WtgCuKluVqZ41cwEFOV3S0GH8O2paQy6qvgqg_KyzIqkX2e93VNC5c3kLObZvD4N/s320/023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I just love to watch cattle as they mosey along. They always look like they think they are so much smarter than I am. Maybe they are.<br />
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Look at this one giving us a side glance. <br />
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We only saw two snakes, but they were less than a few minutes from each other. Both in the road. This one we tried to urge off the road before he got hit, but he wouldn't listen. As few vehicles that are out his way, he probably thought he had all the time in the world. <br />
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However, we knew better. This was the second snake we saw. He had already been hit. Though, to be honest, I can't say I was sad. <br />
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This looked like a rattler and I am so afraid of rattlesnakes. I guess I feel like that's one less to breed and perhaps come my way. I know. I doubt if his descendants would have ended up in my backyard, but still. It just somehow makes me feel better. <br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Don't judge me! They scare me!</span></em><br />
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So, I don't leave you with thoughts of venomous snakes, here's a fabulous bush we drove by. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was a fantastic flash of color in the midst of all the green of the rolling hills.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLYag_K39Wgrkr2F0waIsw5YaNAEEbgAxpy38_zwEs0e9pG0zof6Th4jYQEevknrSfeob-6dFzKkbZ7jRbwWRLn5Kwlxxo4_0whrD2rT-VybQdqO5NjZyOAv54r_ieOI8paoH/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLYag_K39Wgrkr2F0waIsw5YaNAEEbgAxpy38_zwEs0e9pG0zof6Th4jYQEevknrSfeob-6dFzKkbZ7jRbwWRLn5Kwlxxo4_0whrD2rT-VybQdqO5NjZyOAv54r_ieOI8paoH/s320/029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-65771687615210863372011-04-05T19:37:00.000-07:002011-04-05T19:38:30.347-07:00Spring 2011 Manifesto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2AOu9hWYUMHJuOsxy5dtiQIHnI3LX1H1whBkM9kJcE2BOHc5OwqteOrSQMiEoe0w_ZtD6xdrBy8ZN6QkHaDmcNWp73hBC9g0xIuDgTjH2QuCPWn4eFKD_Pta4eshyoqPEgQP/s1600/Spring+2011+Manifesto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2AOu9hWYUMHJuOsxy5dtiQIHnI3LX1H1whBkM9kJcE2BOHc5OwqteOrSQMiEoe0w_ZtD6xdrBy8ZN6QkHaDmcNWp73hBC9g0xIuDgTjH2QuCPWn4eFKD_Pta4eshyoqPEgQP/s400/Spring+2011+Manifesto.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(Double click on graphic to view in larger format.)</em></span><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36620094.post-54700370230190799652011-03-16T00:01:00.000-07:002011-03-16T08:44:25.186-07:00Have a Blessed St. Patrick's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW3mWwOwPqSJ-cxXdjH8qsAOUs5X-F6_xzigMRnJDemMJR-OIvZx_XNuPjSdTlSKZk__fpFgKqLhbZmrgvIfGryt0m8xcLBgn0ipXN1QSttp722uYK5JsMmuO_Y_Z-0RWmwbV/s1600/GirlOnPhone+used+BW+030310+030911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW3mWwOwPqSJ-cxXdjH8qsAOUs5X-F6_xzigMRnJDemMJR-OIvZx_XNuPjSdTlSKZk__fpFgKqLhbZmrgvIfGryt0m8xcLBgn0ipXN1QSttp722uYK5JsMmuO_Y_Z-0RWmwbV/s400/GirlOnPhone+used+BW+030310+030911.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Tomorrow, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated all over the world. Does that seem odd when most of the world is not Irish and not everyone is Catholic. So, why do the rest of us non-Irish non-Catholics like celebrating this day?</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>St. Patrick was born in Britain in the 4th century. He was kidnapped as a teenager and made a slave by Irish raiders. He escaped after six years and returned to Britain and became a priest. Amazingly, he later chose to return to Ireland as a missionary. It is said that he used the shamrock to help explain the concept of the Trinity to the Irish pagans. Even through continuous opposition from the Irish, he continued to evangelize for thirty years and established monasteries, churches, and schools. He died on March 17.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Over the years, the holiday has grown to include many non-religious traditions mixed in with celebrating the Irish heritage. Though wearing green clothing and eating green food may not seem to have much to do with St. Patrick and the God he worshipped, it brings to mind that hanging icicle lights from our roofs and decorating with poinsettias don’t have much to do with celebrating Christ’s birth, either. Do we stop celebrating because of this? I think not. I think we can teach our children and pass the word along about a man who overcame great odds to be used by the Sovereign Lord to bring many to a saving knowledge of Him. I think we can teach our children about missionary work, the doctrine of the Trinity, and the awesome love of God by using this day as a tool. And if we use a little green food coloring along the way, eat a bit of Irish stew, and don our green attire, the better to celebrate, my dear!</strong></span><strong><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/plumrose-lane/Blog%20Backgrounds/Customer%20Backgrounds/DD-signature.png" />Lady Dorothyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05532012172750866329noreply@blogger.com4