Minds are like parachutes

I saw this on a bumper sticker today....

"Minds are like parachutes, they only work when open"

HHMMM...so true! I think there are a lot of times we THINK we are open minded. But I think we are only open-minded as long as the situation or circumstance isn't tied into us. I have known people who are against abortion, then their daughter, who was lined up for a full ride scholarship at an Ivy League turns out pregnant, then all of the sudden, their mindset changes. Or people who say, they have no issues with homosexuality. At least, as long as it is not in THEIR family.

I think a lot of people today have misconstrued what an "open mind" is. It is not necessarily about accepting, but about not walking in judgment. We can say all we want that we have an open mind, but when push comes to shove, how many times do we shut our minds to different ideas, characteristics or beliefs? We don't even want to hear it because it doesn't flow in the same vein as our own beliefs.

Growing up in a church as a young child where everything was very legalistic, as an adult now, I see where there were so many times I thought I was open minded, yet I sat in my judgment, looking down my nose at things that didn't match what I believed. We don't have to agree 100% of the time. But will we stop, get our mind and beliefs to be silent and listen? Can we actually train our mind to shut up and open up?

I think about what it is like to have the parachute open up above me.....a bit turbulent, lots of noise, some pulling and maybe a bit uncomfortable...but then...
then....the still wind passing as I look from far above...everything so clear....just me, my thoughts...silence...peace...soaring.

....just a random thought.

Hope you are having a great one!

My mini-roadtrip blog!

Greetings all! A few days before Christmas...hopefully you are all ready!

What do donkeys, a shotgun, blackbuck, dinner over the river in Marble Falls, small Texas towns, antique shops and an incredible time have in common?

The answer?

ME!

What an incredible time. I scribbled words in my hand written journal as we trekked this great land we all know as Texas, but I don't even know if my meager words or lame attempts at photography can really do justice. But I will try.

We spent the week exploring small towns. There was no agenda, no time constraints. It was just Terry and I enjoying the incredible outdoors. If you know me, you know I LOVE animals. Terry and I have this ongoing joke about how the list of animals I want keeps growing weekly. On that last, high on the list are donkeys. I would like to have a miniature donkey, the size of a large dog and a spotty regular sized donkey. Part of our trip, he pulled over so that I could pet some donkeys. They were just adorable! As I got out of the truck, they brayed, their eyes lit up and ears went back. The more I spoke to them, the closer they got. It was awesome!! We saw SO many donkeys! So little space....so many incredible animals!

Later in the week, he asked if I wanted to go shooting. I said, "heck ya!" (If been researching dove/quail hunting. It is a sport I think I would very much be interested in because it is amazing to watch these dogs "work") So, with a small shotgun in tote, he found 50 acres we could make camp at and as he opened the truck to display a small arsenal of guns, I got nervous. WOW! He explained the in and outs and as he put the gun in my hand, I started shaking. "Are you ready?", he says.
I nervously nod my head.

As I stand off to the side, he tells me, take a deep breathe in, hold it and pull the trigger. I take a deep breath in, hold it and put the gun down. "I'm afraid!" He takes the gun, combs the hair out of my face as the cool, country breeze caresses my face. "It's ok baby. If you don't want to do this, you don't have to. What do you need?" I look at him and say, "give me a second." I take a few steps back and think...what the heck am I afraid of!? I ride motorcycles for pete's sake! I can ride a quad like it's no one's business. I'm not afraid. OK, breathe. Just breathe. Once we round off the first few shots, this will be fun!

I return to where he is standing.

"OK. Ready!" I take the gun, aim, take a deep breathe in, hold it and pull the trigger. YOWSERS!!!!!! HOLY MOLEY!!!!! WHAT THE!??!?!?!? WOW!!!!!
Let me tell you....it was incredible! WOW! We shot off a few rounds...it was pretty cool!

Let's see...what else to report? Gosh...I could go on and on...we saw so many things, did so many things...all with no agenda! I don't know...what can I say...awesome is just so awesome! LOL! Every night was ended with great campfires, talking and lots of laughing about the day's events. Of course, Terry had to get some hunting in, so we did that for a few hours and he got some more meat for the rest of the year. There was one point that we pulled over to watch the sunset...the sky was SO incredible. I looked in my rear view mirror and thought, "what is behind me isn't so bad anymore."

Anyway, instead of boring you with my simple words, trying to frame them to show the extraordinary, I will just say this....I am grateful.

If you are traveling for this Holiday season, please be careful. Wishing you an incredible Christmas!!!!

Life vs Death.....sadly, I think death wins

When I was in High school, I volunteered at the Ronald McDonald house. The other day, I was remembering my time there. It was an old, small home that had been converted to accommodate several families. Every time I walked in, it felt warm. It was a place that housed families in the midst of incredible battles. Families would stay there while their kids were undergoing treatments to keep them alive.
The other day I got to thinking how every time I spoke with the kids undergoing these treatments, I hardly remember ever hearing fear in their voices or words. These kids were mature beyond their years and very much understood that they could loose their lives. Yet, in all they did, all they spoke, all they lived, there was never a hint of fear. Well, let me clarify, their were cautious words and tears shed out of the fear of what the side effects of the treatment were going to be, but I don't remember a fear of death.
I think that comes with age.

As we get older, if we think our life is in jeopardy, we fear being gone. Not getting to finish all the things we started. Fear of leaving people we think so much of. It amazes me how we pay so much respect and honor to the threat of death, yet so very little to life. I myself am guilty. Guilty of putting value in other's lives, yet, if that life were in jeopardy, the level of value I put on them, the time I invest, etc would escalate greatly. Why is that? Why is it that the value of someone's everyday life is so minimized compared to the thought of death. Do we put so much more value in the threat of death than in the every day's of life? Is it because of fear?

I don't know. I guess just been doing some thinking lately. As the holidays round the corner, I know that it is during this time that we make contact with people we normally don't speak to all year round. (even if it is just in the form of a card) But in all of that, knowing that I am guilty of not valuing the lives around me, I feel challenged to try harder. I know that time slips away. I know it is difficult sometimes. But in that, how many times do we sit in room with people and not engage in their lives? How many times do we have 10 minutes in the car to drop a quick call?

I guess I am hoping that we will all choose to let life motivate us, not the threat of death.

....a bit somber topic today, but for whatever reason, I got to thinking about the Ronald McDonald house kids and how they inspired me so much back then. I don't know what happened to them, but, regardless, their spirit/the memories of them very much still live in my life!

My Wish...

For you...

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
and each road leads you where you want to go,
and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
and if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' 'til you find the window,
if it's cold outside,
show the world the warmth of your smile,
but more than anything, more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
all the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
and you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
and always give more then you take.

But more than anything, Yeah, and more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
this is my wish
i hope you know somebody loves you
may all your dreams stay big

...thanks to Rascal Flatts for helping me find the words! LOL!
Hope you are having a great one!!!

Friday Ramblings

Greetings all!

It's Friday. It's cold. No, scratch that, it is freezing! In fact, it is colder in my office than it is outside. The heater is out! So, between my shiver, I scribe these few words.

Uh...lets see. I don't really have any topic to speak of, just was sitting here at work and thought I would pose something.

The holidays are right around the corner and I can NOT believe we are already at another Christmas, at the cusp of another year! Where does time go? Last night I was waiting to go to my board meeting and I saw that Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer was on TV. I stopped to look at it for a moment and I got to reminiscing of the times that were. When we were young and the the world was carefree. All that mattered was that I had my blanket and pillows as my mom would make some kind of yummy goodness and make sure the heater was set in our small mobile home. I remember the smells of the house, the sounds, and most of all the warmth. My brothers and I sitting around our meager TV, but so thrilled! (she smiles) Where did those days go?

Then we grow up, each live our lives and develop our own set of ideals and establish a way of our own life. What was, is no more and may never be again. The fights about putting clay on legos or hanging my cabbage patch with a hang-man's noose are now at another level; now they are direct to the heart. We grow up and the innocence or believing the best in each other is tarnished. Time spent together is scarce. But in all of that, we continue to have the memories and in all of that, we have the opportunity to create more. I guess sometimes it is just a matter of putting ourselves aside? I don't know.

What I do know is this...
I love my life. I have the least I have had in a very long time, as far as possessions. I clip coupons to save money here and there. I actually look at price tags before I throw items in my cart. I don't have a large home or fancy car. I no longer carry a $1500 purse, nor am I concerned about a hair being out of place, my makeup being done a certain way or the fact that the outfit I have on doesn't fit right because again, I have gained weight. I no longer put my smile on with my makeup.
In the simplicity I have been thrust into, I feel SO much joy! I feel. I think that is what it is. I am ever-so-grateful for the place I am in. Although things are a bit strained with my family, I very much appreciate the place we are in because I know it wont last. I am grateful for having a brother that no matter what has always been there, without judgment or ridicule. I am ever-so-grateful for a sister-in-law who constantly impresses me with her savy and talent. I a SO grateful for my niece. Every time she says, "Tika" or looks at me with her big brown eyes just melts me! I am so grateful for Becky-wecks who is one of the only examples in my life that I know of who God TRULY is! In all of it, she is unwaivering and truly loves me to a fault! eh....I don't know...I think I am just rambling, but I felt like writing...so there it is! LOL!
I am happy it is Friday and just a few days before Terry and I head out for a week of road trippin. I am SO excited!! We have a great camera so will take lots of photos and I am sure I will have lots to tell when I get back. I sware, we have done more in the few months we've been together than most couples do in a year...and it is all of the small, simple things! Truly, this has to be the love of my life!!! Not just what I need, but he is everything I want. After divorce, I wasn't sure of what, when, where, what after knowing my ex-husband most of my life. But in all of it, Terry was out there. The right moment just had to hit. I have heard so many girls/women speak of their boyfriends/husbands and all they are/were. I would smile with envy thinking, "that doesn't exist anymore and if it does, it won't ever happen to me." well, THANK GOD my word is not the last word!! He is THAT man. I am THAT woman. We are THAT couple. I am grateful!!

Anyway, I digress! LOL!

I will probably get back on to blog right before I leave and then when I get back! Have a great weekend!!!

Some pic's of our camping trip

Me making breakfast







Our fancy-wancy kitchen in the woods! SO love it!








Me relaxing at our camp










Terry and I in front of the lake

It's Christmas shopping time...why not keep in working America's hands

Greetings all!
I hope you are reading this in good health and total happiness!
Between this cold/flu/who knows what the heck, work and life in love, I haven't kept up as much with my blogging.

Let's see...quick updates. I'm getting married.
(I'll let that one sit for a while)

Work is SUPER busy, but I really love it! I am going to be at another one of the house builds this weekend and since I know the family that is going to be in this home, it makes it that much more touching. I am absolutely amazed at the outpouring of volunteers, donors, etc that come in to Habitat on a daily basis. I have a small army of volunteers that are always so eager to help. It is neat to be in this environment. I will take some pic's this weekend and post them.

I have had this crazy flu, cold, something-or-other bug for about 2 weeks and let me say, it has been relentless!! One day, it is sinus, the next day an ear ache, the congestion and coughing doesn't stop. SO much that I haven't slept in 2 nights. Night before last, I was about to tear my head off because it hurt so bad after coughing all night. I finally started dozing off early in the morning, but had to get up to get some stuff for my brother at 4am. I came back and got some sleep. It is the strangest thing to me how a cough knows its sleepee time and it just kicks into high gear! UUGGH...drives me nuts! Well, last night, same drill. Although, this time at about 1am, I got up and tried something different. A friend of mine told me to put Viks on the soles of my feet and put socks on and the cough would stop. So I tried it. HOLY MOLY! I really DOES work! It was even 2 minutes that I had my socks on and it just stopped....and most importantly, I slept! Yowsers!! So great!

STORY TIME!
Terry and I went camping this past weekend. On Saturday night it was 29!!! YOWSERS! Talking about cold! We had a fire going and if you stepped more than 5 feet away, you were freezing. We took some firewood, but it was apparent, we weren't going to have enough. So, we grabbed our gloves and ventured out behind our camp to see if we could retrieve some debris that could provide yummy warmness!
We did it in the early evening so we could see because it gets pitch black out where we were at. We are walking around and every so often, there are these tree stumps that are about 3 foot high. It appeared someone else had already chopped the tree and just left that. Well, they are anywhere from 2 - 5 inches in diameter, so while I hear Terry crunching the leaves under his boot about 20 feet from me, I decide I will call on the powers of Karate Kid and kick this tree stump down. So I position myself into the crane.....uh....ok! I am exaggerating! I step back, kick my leg back and kick it with my left leg. "WHAT THE!??!?" It's like the stump morphed into a huge rubber stick. It sent me flying back and I tried to regain my stability, I am looking around to see where Terry is. I didn't want to give him material to razz me, you know. Luckily, he was no where to be seen! We gather some wood and on our next trip, he and I are together and he sees that stump. (yes, I'm talking about the super rubber stump) "this looks like its ready to go down", he says. I look at him and think, "this will be hysterical!" Just to be fair, I say, "I don't think it will come down." To which he responds, "of course it will!" So, I stand back, he gets into his Karate pose, kicks it SO hard, it sends him back!!! OMGosh!!!! I was cracking up!!!!
Well, life is interesting how it has its own vindication.
Fast forward a few hours. We have our wood, I am at the camp and we have a stack of wood. I am standing over there breaking branches. They are on the ground, I put my right boot where I want the break and with my right arm, I yank the branch til it breaks. I've done this a billion times. Well, I hit a branch that is just bein' stubborn. I yank and yank and the thing doesn't give. I finally get upset and with both hands give it a huge tug. CRACK! As the branch cracks, it literally flings me in the air and I hit the ground completely flat! Terry comes runnin' out asking, "are you ok? are you ok?" I tell him,"give me a second." I started wiggling my toes and fingers to make sure everything is in tact. I then start cracking up! OMGosh!! I can't believe I did that!! Terry starts laughing with me and we laugh til we cry. He notes, "hmm...payback isn't always fun, is it!" I start to get up and he says, "no! Wait!" He runs to the tent. I am thinking he is going to get me a pillow or something sweet. He comes running out with the camera!! LOL! He takes one picture, no flash. "WAIT!" I am cracking up!! "I can't believe you", I say. He takes another and says, "I had to catch your Karate Kid moment!"
Anyway, here is the picture! This might be one of those you had to be there, stories, but what the heck...it was just one of the moments we laughed til we cried!



So, my sister introduced me to this website called Etsy. I have a link to her store on my blog spot. Here is the deal, I wasn't exactly sure what this was, but in looking at this further, it is a really cool deal! It is people across America, just like my sister that have a craft or talent for making things and they open up a little "shop". They have purses, accessories, journals, scarves, scrap booking stuff, etc, etc. LOTS of stuff! As I am looking through their pages, I see things and think, "that would be good for so and so." I know with the Holidays here, we all feel we have to go and buy gifts for people and sometimes there are those people that have everything. But here it is, why not put that money that you would normally throw into a big corporation like Macy's, Target, or JCPenny and put it back into everyday Joe and Joane's hands? I don't know, something about that just resonates with me. Anyway, I have attached a link to the home site, my sister's site and another friend of mine's from high school that makes some very pretty hairclips with amazing flowers.

http://www.etsy.com/

http://http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6255377

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6234398&order=§ion_id=&page=2


Hope you all are doing well!



PS
Regarding the getting married thing...uh...ya...that would be a no...at least not any time in the next 24 hours! LOL! (o=