Tuesday

Yes, that's it, I couldn't think of an appropriate name for this post as I am just feeling brainless today.

Oh, but I wish I had been able to get a shot of the sunrise this morning. I'm not usually up to see the sunrise, but my MIL had cataract surgery this morning, and I was on my way to the eye surgery center. The sun wasn't even quite over the trees, so I only got a glimpse of this huge, fire red ball that made the entire sky around it glow. It was breathtaking. I wanted to pull over to get a picture, but of course, I was running late and decided not to keep anyone waiting.

MIL did great! She got the new lens that makes you see like you're young again.....when she came out, although she was very groggy, she could read the tag on my car! I was impressed.

O.K. so I'm supposed to be learning some techniques for controlling the anxiety when I have a panic attack. Which should also work to control stress. I'm such a skeptic!

1. Breathing....well, that's never been that easy for me! Slow, deep breaths, in through your nose, out through you mouth. 5 seconds each way. For 4 minutes total. I'm trying....but obviously I don't do it right because I start to hyperventilate. That'll stop a panic attack...you just pass out!

2. Journaling....I wonder if the blog counts? Journal every thing, every day so you learn what triggers the panic. These are the things I think are the main triggers, my children the dentist and getting stuck on a ride at D*sn*y W*rld.

There are a few other things, but of course I can't remember them so I'll just concentrate on those two this week.

Oh, yes, I have to think of 9 things to do when I start to have that feeling and I know a panic attack is coming right behind.....it's not like I have a lot of actual, full blown panic attacks....just two in the past long, long time...so 9 things?

1. Think about scripture

2. Go for a walk.

3. Oh, I'm sure journal since then I'll know what triggered the attack.

4. Bake (cookies, cakes, pies....because it doesn't stress me to gain weight)

5. Clean ......I don't like that one so I'm striking it off the list.

6. Call my husband. It really does calm me to hear his voice even though he says "Get over it."

Side note: My husband minored in Psychology. Good thing it's not his job.

7.

8.

I can't think of anymore except the one I usually really do.....

9. Go to M*v*e G*ll*ry and rent a movie, watch it in my bed.

I'm no psychologist, but I've figured the last one out! I think about the movie and NOT what I'm stressed about.

Now just in case you're thinking that I'm always in the bed watching movies......I'm not.

Oh, yes, and I'm reading a book called Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend. I'll let you know how that goes.

My sister says just get a brown paper bag and breathe into it and you'll be o.k. Maybe that could be on my list!

On a bright note, it is a beautiful day here. I'm not sick with the crud and a LOT of people around here are, and we start back to our Tuesday nite Bible study tonight.

Happy birthday!

September is a month of birthdays .
Today is Mary Grace's birthday! As
with her sister, I'll leave it to her to
tell her age. Although at their
ages, birthdays are not yet the
forerunners of old age! :)

Mary Grace only lives about two hours
from my home, so she's coming to
spend her birthday with us today!
We are very excited!!!

This is a picture of Mary Grace and Mikey in their home. They are
expecting a BABY at Christmas!

Well, I better go do a little getting
ready for my special birthday
company!

Happy Birthday Mary Grace, you are another light in my life!

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is Katie's birthday! I'll just let
her tell you her age if she wants!
I'll just tell you that a really
wonderful young woman is
celebrating her birthday far
from home today!

She's spent her first two weeks away
from home, making a new home! As a Navy wife, she'll now be going wherever Uncle Sam
sends her husband. We sure do miss
her though!

Have a very happy birthday! You
are a light in my life. I love you.

Today's the day.

UPDATE! I'm all done! Thanks for the prayers....I did o.k. Now, it wasn't great, and I hope I don't have to do it again soon, but I made it and I'm thankful! My sweet husband prayed for me before we left home and stayed in the waiting room until I was through, then brought me home.

I am so thankful for my husband, and for all my praying friends!

As you may, or may not, remember from this post, I have a major problem at the dentist office. MAJOR...Anyhow today is the second appointment for this *&%$@# root canal.

Yesterday, the phone rang and when I looked at caller I.D. which is not always a blessing, it was his name....the dreaded dentist! Reminding me, as if I could forget, that today is my appointment.

I told the receptionist that they might want to clear out the lobby while I was there so that the other patients don't get scared away.

Now this time, the dentist wisely (I hope) provided me with the same medication they give children. In order to take that medication, my husband has to leave a meeting early, come get me and stay with me while I'm there being tortured. My husband is the greatest and really, as my friend calls him, the super hero, but he is a little irritated that I am such a huge baby not able to handle this by myself.

As I explained in the other dentist post, I'm not afraid of the actual procedure...nor the needles.....no it is so much deeper than that, as in buried deep in my demented mind. I am extremely claustrophobic and can't stand anything being in my mouth in such a way that I can't close my mouth. I know that's weird, did I ever say I'm not weird!? My throat begins to close and I have to start clearing my throat, I can't swallow, Oh, or breathe, just in case I forgot to mention that.

Now I have tried to just be a big girl and go in there unarmed and have any procedure done. O.K. I can have my teeth cleaned with no problem. Maybe just a little problem. It just doesn't work. I've prayed through the procedure, which does help. I've tried to put myself in some other place in my mind....like floating on a float in the water, or laying on the beach. Unfortunately, it doesn't work, because I'm too smart to believe the lies I'm trying to tell myself! Please don't confuse that with my actually being really smart!

So, to be on the safe side, I called my doctorpsychiatrist to ask her opinion on this medication. Yes, I have a psychiatrist, if you don't have one, don't knock it....I was able to accept that I have anxiety issues and let someone help me.......also I can tell her anything and by law, she's not allowed to tell anyone. :) Now you're wondering if I have deep dark secrets aren't you??? I'll just let your imagination run wild with that one. Besides, anyone who has children needs a psychiatrist. Trust me on this!

So, if you read this before 1 pm today and think about it, please offer up a little prayer for me that I'll be calm. Of course, I may be unconscious.

Oh, yea, that's what I meant to tell you. My psychiatrist said this particular medication was originally prescribed for sleep, but that the problem with it was people would take the pill, start to brush their teeth and literally collapse asleep. It is also supposed to have the effect of making you forget. Well, wouldn't that be nice???

The only thing is, just like my mama, medications sometimes react differently with me...like it could possibly just not do anything. Oh, dear, something else to be anxious about.

You know how in the Bible, Paul says that sometimes we suffer so we can be sympathetic to others who suffer? 2 Corinthians 1:4. If you have any problems with anxiety, I'm your girl!

Correction

My sister's birthday is actually on the 19th....I just noticed that my post says the 18th. Now I know I'm crazy, but really, I didn't realize I was that bad!





Jump on over to Katie's and read all about her move to Rhode Island. All I know is that Rhode Island is a LONG way away from home. I miss her already! I'm hoping to get a trip in to see her while they are there and also a trip to see her sister in Austin. Why can't everyone stay put???

Anyway, below is a picture of when another friend and I went to see her and sister Mary Grace before she left. Katie's in the middle.

Happy Birthday Sister!

I know some of you are wondering exactly how many sisters and brothers I actually have! :) It seems that every four years, my parents thought I would like a brother or sister....they never asked me! I'm glad they didn't, because I have 5 wonderful brothers and sisters. Three brothers and two sisters.

Today is my sister Debbie's birthday. She is four years younger than me, so you'll have to figure it out.....I don't want her to kill me. She's 52. Uh oh.....I didn't mean to tell, really I didn't.

But doesn't she look great?! She looks the most like our mother. That's mama in the picture below.




























I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy the flowers your husband brought you. She also has a sweet husband! He took the day off, brought her roses and is cooking supper for her tonight!

Happy Birthday, I love you.

Bible Study

Today in our Thursday morning Bible study, we had 4 new ladies! What a great addition to the group and what insights they shared! We are doing R.C. Sproul's book, Now, That's A Good Question! I was out last week and today we were finishing up the chapter on suffering!

I for one, am quick to moan and groan with any little suffering, but the scriptures that were brought up today made me so ashamed! None of us have or ever will suffer like Christ suffered for us. 1 Peter 2:21 and following says.....For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Many more scriptures were shared, I'll just list a few.

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 Paul talks about his suffering.
Psalm 119:50 talks about comfort in our suffering
Romans 5:3-5 talks about rejoicing in our suffering, knowing that it produces endurance, which produces character, which produces hope!
Romans 8:18-25 talks about how our sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

There are many more.

Christ suffered so for us. He tells us we will suffer in this world, but He also tells us to rejoice in our suffering. He comforts us when we suffer. He's right there in the midst of it with us!

Martha, who was our leader today, is a great Bible teacher! I have learned so much from everyone in our group. I'm thankful for them all!


I am thankful that we have our great God who comforts us and is right there with us in the suffering.

In trouble again!

Some of you may remember that I was once afraid of losing my job as the everyday housewife!


Well, I'm trying to get fired again! I really need to take my job more seriously!
My husband has been asking me to take this shirt to the laundry to be repaired....NO, I don't sew! No, not even a little. Anyway, in my defense, I actually took the shirt, but the girl at the laundry and I went over the shirt and couldn't find the tear so I took it back home.

So as you can see, he labeled it and it is now at the laundry being repaired!

Whew! Once again saved by the skin of my teeth. I may have to go back for more wife classes! :)

Now before you go turning him into the Department of Bad Husbands, it's a little joke we have......All in good fun!

The smile award!

Thanks Tonja for the Smile award! Tonja is a woman who has smiled through many uncertain times which continue even today! She has such a shining faith that she in an inspiration to all.


Characteristics for the Smile Award:
Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human)
Must love one another
Must make mistakes
Must learn from others
Must be a positive contributor to blog world
Must love life
Must love kids

I pass this along, with a smile, to:

Leslie

Katie

Roxie

To mama, with love....

Today is my mama's 85th birthday. These are the flowers my sister sent for all of us. Happy Birthday mama!

Backstage with Mickey and Pluto

We did get a private photo shoot with Mickey and Pluto. I can't remember why, but it was fun! I'm sure the characters in those suits get so hot! Because Fall may be approaching some of you, but believe me, NOT in the World of Disney!

















Pluto was so overcome by us that he fainted dead away! :) Well, who wouldn't surrounded by 4 over 50 women??





















One day as we were leaving Disney Studios headed for another park, we found ourselves walking with a security man and his dog, a beautiful chocolate lab named Ranger. We got to talking (as we always do!) and I told Mikael (the security guy) that I used to have a yellow lab and I reached over and petted Ranger on the head. Just for a second! I then asked if Ranger was a drug or bomb dog and Mikael replied yes. We found that the security people don't give out any information!

My sister asked him how people in the crowded parks reacted to the dog and how the dog reacted to the people. Of course Ranger is well trained and doesn't react at all unless there are drugs or bombs involved and Mikael told us that most parents realize that Ranger is a working dog and wouldn't let their kids pet him. UH OH, I petted him! I immediately apologized and swore never to pet a working dog again! I was glad to get away without being arrested! I did wonder if there was a bomb scare in the park. He also told us that the dog (or dogs I'm sure) are in the parks every morning before they open to the public. That is a sad comment on our society!


We had a great time at Disney! The only thing that could have possibly made it better would have been to be picked by the dream team to spend the night in Cinderella's Castle. This is the year of a million dreams you know!

If you have the chance, go, you'll have a great time.

p.s. leave the kids at home!

My favorite ride....but first.....

All those in the path of Hurricane Ike are in our prayers tonight. This is such a big storm that the water here is way up and we're hundreds of miles from Texas. Also, on the news tonight a little gulf front community east of us had a few homes cave into the gulf. That's a big storm!


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In the car on the way home, my sister asked what was our favorite thing in Disney....well, I've already told you what wasn't my favorite thing!

I think my favorite ride is Tower of Terror....I rode it several times during our visit. There are some close seconds, thirds and fourths though.

























I really like Rocking Roller Coaster. Here is a picture of a picture they take during the ride. All of us being too cheap frugal to buy the pictures they take, I just took a picture of their picture. There you go, saving money! That's my motto in life, just ask my husband. No, don't really! He won't agree. He wishes someone would steal my credit card because he's sure they would spend less than me!























I also like Expedition Everest in the Animal Kingdom. Yes, another picture of a picture! Maybe NOW he'll believe I'm frugal! :) O.K. probably not!

You might notice that my safety bar isn't pulled down as tight as my sister's. I'm such a quick learner! I didn't want to have another panic attack, so I left it just a little loose! You may also notice that my hands are not in the air. My sister's are. She's so brave!



















Interesting things always happen wherever we go, because......well, I guess because we're nosy interesting and get in every one's business so naturally people just can't wait to talk to us! This man, posing with my sister, holds the Disney record for riding Expedition Everest the most times. That string you see in the picture actually holds a clicker and it gets clicked every time he rides. At the time we took this picture, he had ridden over 2,000 times...way over. Seriously, he probably needs to get a life. But we enjoyed meeting him!


















Singing in the rain was a fun spot! You step on that little square and it starts raining.



























Finally, for today that is, we starred in a pretend commercial! Yes, folks, we were discovered! Well, actually, we were walking down the sidewalk and stopped to watch a pretend director and camera girl do their thing. They chose a person from the street to be the one who does that little thing where they say take one,two and so forth.....and someone to star in the commercial.

We noticed a woman in the door to a store with a fake fish in her hand....suddenly the director says action, she walks out, holds the fish up and says grouper, I eat it just for the h*ll of it. We were aghast that they were actually using profanity in Disney World and then the director said, no, no......for the HALIBUT. The poor woman didn't understand him. We laughed so hard and my sister ended up standing in the star's place. When the director told her she was in the star's place, she just answered, well, I'm a star!

We then were escorted out into the street, given directions and here's what we did.....Debbie held the fish.....Freida (our friend) said I eat.......Debbie said Grouper......Cathy said.....it's my PORPOISE.....and I said.....in life! We are now officially NOT stars! But it was fun and we laughed a lot! Of course, we laughed a lot the entire time we were there!




















Are you tired of Disney yet?

Remembering 9/11 and.....Disney, not so magic!

I'm saying prayers today for those who lost loved ones in 9/11. I will never forget that day. The images of those towers falling and all the terrified people will always be embedded in my memory.

May God help us as a country!




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When we arrived at our resort in Disney World, we waited in a really long line to check in....lots of people were checking out and trying to get to planes. One sweet couple from England only had 45 minutes to get to their flight. We started talking to the wife while her husband was busily trying to check out. Even in their rush, the husband came back and offered us their last two coupons for snacks in the park. So thanks to them, we each enjoyed an ice cream! Although, when you see pictures, you'll think to yourself "hmmmmmm, maybe she should have skipped the ice cream!"

We had a massive problem teeny little problem with our check in process. My sister made reservations for two connecting rooms which of course are extremely important when you have 4 ladies together....we needed a connecting room! Our check in person (really, I don't know what they're called), explained that unfortunately they saved all connecting rooms for families with small children.

O. K. First of all, my sister asked and wasn't told that. Second of all, if you have small children don't you want them in the room with you? Maybe not. But at any rate, we asked for a manager and didn't get one, so we asked where to complain. I have a huge grin on my face because we aren't usually complainers. :) We walked over to the Concierge....don't you just love that name?? who promptly asked if he could look again. We said oh, yea. He not only found us connecting rooms, but they were water view! So off we went, happy as four clams.

We quickly dropped off our luggage in the room and headed over to Ep*ot, where we decided to ride test track. I've ridden this ride many times, many times! But this time, the ride just stopped......we were at an odd angle which was very uncomfortable, but assumed that momentarily we would either start again or someone would come to our rescue.

Have I ever mentioned here that I suffer from anxiety, otherwise known as PANIC DISORDER??? The situation quickly became not funny at all and I began to feel how tight the seat belt was and I thought I couldn't breathe. Before you say anything, let me tell you that logic plays absolutely no part in panic.

I first asked if anyone had any scissors. I would honestly have cut myself out of that seatbelt if I could have. We were stuck for about 10 minutes. The longest 10 minutes!

The picture below was taken by a fella who was across the track from us, stuck in a similar position.

When we finally got started again and pulled into the station, I got right out. The attendant came over and told me that we could ride again without getting out. I'm sure I had a crazed look on my face as I told her I would NEVER be riding that ride again.

You can see me in the lower position in the front. My sister is on her phone. She should have been calling 911, but I think she may have been calling her husband. I got laughed at more than once after that ride.
























Only good things happened after that. Or else, they all seemed good compared to being stuck on that ride! There was a lot of laughter! Here we are having a little supper in Mexico.





















Chip and Dale had a few hugs for us!

Just a little tease

My sisters and sister of the heart posing in front of New York. We rolled in tonight 4 tired puppies after our ladies trip. What is a ladies trip? So glad you asked. This is our trip where you must be over 50 and no children, grandchildren or husbands allowed. Let the laughter begin! So more to come in the days ahead about our magical trip to Disney World...............y'all come back now and hear tales of women on the loose!

Reunions....

Along with having grandchildren here, my cousin and some of her family were here.
My brother, Tommy and his wife Lois always open their home for any family occasion and with a family as large as ours, there is always a family occasion!






















Mama and the aunts!






















My cousin Eularee and me.....she says we used to make a lot of trouble on Panama City Beach when she would come for vacation. When we were teenagers of course. I can't believe I would have done that!! NO! Don't you believe her mama! You know your angel wouldn't have even gone over that bridge to sin citythe beach!




















Eularee's daughter Sarah Beth and her husband Josh with my son David in the background.




















Sarah Beth's twin sons, my great nephew J.T. and my grandson Adam playing on the trampoline.
























Grandson Adam with great, great Aunt Frances.



There are many more family pictures, but I have to go for tonight.

I'm all packed and ready to meet my sisters on the interstate tomorrow to go to Disney World for a few days. I will be completely away from the computer. I hope they have a detox center down there somewhere. I'm also praying for Ike to stay far away!

McCain/Palin

GO TEAM GO!!!!!

Oh, I was on my feet clapping and crying! Now this is America at her finest!

I'm with Sarah, I've always been proud to be an American! Tonight, I was truly inspired!

Have you ever just....

looked and looked for something? In this case a particular picture. A picture I needed to scan into my computer.










Now, I will gladly admit that I am not the most organized person in American. I mean I try, I do, it just doesn't seem to be my forte.











But, I mean, look at all these pictures! I love pictures and I have lots and lots of pictures.

Almost thirteen years ago, when Russell and I got married, we had 9 or so big boxes of pictures. Last summer it was my project to get them all in albums. So, of course, I started sorting them.......according to....well, therein lies the problem. I started sorting by my family of origin and his family of origin.....which led to his marital family, then children and the same on my side. Oh, it just went on forever. Finally, in an act of desperation, born out of the fact that I have absolutely the patience of a gnat, I just started putting pictures in albums willy nilly.

So.......that makes it very hard to find a particular picture.

Believe it or not, after all that looking I found the picture in question! I am so happy....so very happy.

Oh, except that I had to put all those albums and loose pictures back where I found them. Ugly job!

I'll get organized next year!