Joyful Transformation

I rent my beach condo's from a property management place that runs what they call "last minute specials". Well, I may have reached a new record today, I called today (Thursday) at 3:15 for reservations for tomorrow.....

Hello, I am Donna, I am a procrastinator!!

I have had a wonderful Christmas. Well, except for the fact that my buddy Matthew was sick and we had to try and keep him and the triplets segregated; those efforts were still no big deal, but I hate to see my sweet little boy be so miserable. After a visit to the Doctor yesterday he seems to be on the mend.

Saturday morning Diana and I continued a tradition that we started several years ago. We used to do it on Christmas Eve, but we got up and just the two of us went to breakfast at Cracker Barrel. It was fun to be out with her without three little people competing for our attention. That is a good tradition to try and keep going. Then Sunday, Matthew was sick so he and Mary missed church. So after church Derek and I had a chance to have a lunch that was just the two of us. That was very nice too. It is great when your kids get to the point where you love to spend time with them, and they actually enjoy it too.

The rest of the weekend was spent going to family gatherings and having two separate gatherings at my house. In addition the triplets spent Saturday night and Monday night with us. Life is good.

Yesterday we went to Huntsville to buy one more gift for me and David (although he needs it more than me). We bought a Tom-Tom, or a portable GPS system. David is going back to London in a couple of weeks and I guess he knew he needed something to help him get around since “Don-Don” would be staying at home! Ha!

We will be honoring another of our annual traditions by going to the beach this weekend for the New Years. There is nothing like the beach to ward off an inkling of the end of the year funk…..y’all come on down!!


BTW....I tried to convert to the "New and Improved Blogger" but it said I was not eligible. Maybe the size of my blog??? I may get a complex!!

I would like to give a "shout-out" to the folks at my favorite place to shop....
Amazon.com

I placed several large orders beginning last Saturday....everything has arrived as promised.

(and I get bonus points to apply to more books for Donna...how cool is that!)

The next three days will be filled with family gatherings and much joy and laughter. I really can’t wait. I am not one that gets real built up in the anticipation of Christmas, but I truly do love it. I can’t believe that in four short years we have gone from being a family of four to a family of TEN!! I am humbled by the blessing of my family.

Last night I got in one more tennis outing before the festivities (and the rain) begin. It is great to just get out and hit for fun. It is really fun to play with people who like to stop when we are switching sides to talk about our grandkids. Those grand-dads may be worse than us Mimi’s!

I hope this holiday season finds you doing the things that you enjoy doing and loving those you hold dear.

Merry Christmas everybody!!

I may have told some of you that I am using a Henri Nouwan book as an Advent devotional guide. Yesterday the topic was the temptation to power. Now, this is something I have never had a problem with. I do not understand the motivation of people who wish to be in politics or have political power. I was pretty sure as I started reading that I could feel good about myself this day.

Then came the paragraph that states an action for the day.

Today give up on the need to control others, whether it be scheduling a meeting, expecting others to drive as you wish, or making your references a priority over those of others.

Well….it was probably wrong of me to feel smug anyway. Let’s just say I blew this big time. As we were driving home from dropping Matthew off last night, I pointed out to David that he could go without waiting for traffic…he had the turn signal. He asked me how he ever made it through town without my help. I told him I had no ideal!

Today I only have to give up salting my food to acknowledge the purity of my new birth in Christ…..maybe I can do that!

I guess you can say I am non-traditional. But I like to start new traditions. Sometimes they end up being a one time thing….but that is OK. It is hard to ever duplicate the joy of some experiences…so we might as well create new ones…right?

Last night I was thinking I wanted to do something special with Matthew. The local park had a drive through Christmas light show that you could do for $5.00 per car load. Terri had warned me that it was a little lame, but she did NOT mention that Santa and hot chocolate waited at the end of the ride.
Me, Matthew and his Mom & Dad had a great time. Matthew was happy to look at Santa and take his candy cane (he also called him Christmas Tree…so cute) but he was NOT interested in sitting in Santa’s lap. I am really proud that my grandson will not crawl in the lap of some bearded man in a red velvet suit. I can’t see how that is not a good thing!






Well, after our adventure in the park which included talking to the over friendly ducks,
we went to Cracker Barrel to eat. I let Matthew get any toy he wanted. After much thought and a great deal of study of this one lit house in a Christmas Village, he chose a microphone and an airplane. He walked all through the store part of Cracker Barrel saying “Hey Mi-Mi” into his microphone. We had a great time!

I do know that if I repeat this tradition in the years to come I will not wear 4 inch heels!! My legs are as sore as if I had been to the gym! (where I really need to be).

Christmas time = Family Time….hope you are finding some too!!

Maybe they should just ask for a tithe from the "Stated Income"....

He's home! We had circled through the neighborhood looking for him again this morning before church. We stopped back by the house where I could get my Bible out of the car and I noticed movement in the dog pen. Skeeter is in his pen! I shouted. Derek thought I was being mean for a minute but then they spotted him too.

After bestowing love and dog treats on him we went on to church. What a great relief! All weekend people have called and have just seen him. He kept a path along a creek that runs close to their house. It seemed that he was afraid to cross back over to the side home was on. Well sometime during the night or early morning he finally found his was back home.

Yes, Derek& Mary handed out several flyers. They ran a little ad on the local TV station and were prepared to put an ad in the paper. The neighbors were all very friendly and helpful. It is amazing the number of calls and sightings that occured. It seems everyone wanted to help Skeeter to find his way home.

It is amazing what people will do for you if you just ask. It amazes me that people are basically good and want to see you have good results. People will take time to search if they know something or someone is missing. Analogies???

My son’s dog Skeeter has gone missing. This dog looks mean, he is a Pit Bull, but in reality he is a big sweet puppy. There are two problems, one he has never been out of the yard on his own; the second is he doesn’t trust people he doesn’t know. When someone approaches him, he runs. I am thinking he does not have a good sense of direction since he has never had to navigate without a leash. I sure hope they find him soon. He has been gone since Tuesday afternoon and we all miss him terribly.

I was thinking (you knew this was coming, right?) that we are sometimes like that dog. Many of us have grown up in a sheltered environment. We have been told where to go and how to think. In our minds we can think freely and make our own choices. But when it comes right down to it, without the leash we have always worn (our “doctrine”) we get somewhat lost and confused. Just like Skeeter, we were not created to be “penned up”. When we are it robs us of many of our coping and survival skills. Sometimes the hardest thing we will ever have to do is just break out of the pen and run. Things will get scary and we will get hungry and thirsty. We know that there is a soft bed and bowl of food waiting for us and we are tempted to just find our way back and try to be satisfied with the comforts of home (the familiar). But deep down we know that once we taste the freedom, the sheer exhilaration of running unfettered, we will never be happy inside that fence again.

Like I said, it is scary.

BTW it is 70 degrees here...but Christmas, so my Avatar is on a tropical island celebrating Christmas.....and of course I bought a pre-lit tree. You all should know how lazy I am by now!!

A week and a half till Christmas….how did that happen? This whole year has passed by without asking permission from me. That seems to happen to me more and more.

Strange things going on in my head these days (so what else is new). I had a strange dream the other night where this guy (who used to run a restaurant here in town) was telling me I had to be more extraverted. He said I needed to be up meeting more people at this particular function. I guess I have been concerned about the introverted side of me that appears from time to time. Sometimes I am content to sit by myself and not talk with people. However, I know that I am missing a lot by doing this. So I am trying to pull myself out of this habit…..obviously it has bled over into my dreams.

^^^^^^^^^^^

My heart hurts for those who seem to have more than their share of troubles at this time of year….I don’t know why now more than usual. Maybe it is just because we see so many happy people or people acting like they are happy, and we notice the contrast more in those who are suffering. Today a lady from Hospice spoke at a luncheon I was attending. She told how their goal was not to deal with death but to enhance the quality of life. I think that would be a good goal for me to have too.

About those weekend questions…

1. There is no need to switch now (to new improved Beta Blogger) I will think about that tomorrow.
2. We got the tree up (David got it out and put it up….I just decorated) Yes, it is artificial…I kill enough green things during the year, why waste another tree?
3. I took the weekend off from obsessing about the coach.
4. I played tennis tonight (Monday) but didn’t play over the weekend.
5. The hair is cut….not bad, messy short bob.(see my Avatar for a clue)
6. I started another book.
7. Still no shopping…
8. Still no decision on the cards….
   

For the record, Matthew was not at my house this weekend or I would have a picture of him too. I will get one soon….

Some of you may have read this elsewhere, but I wanted to share my new favorite movie line…

Soon we will all have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Consider this a Christmas Card from my Christmas Babies
Ali, Eli and Ava

1. Should I make the switch? Is the new and improved blogger really new and improved? Will they disontinue my support if I stay with the old blogger format? What did you do?
2. Today is the day....I will put up my tree.
3. I dreamed all night (I think I will blame Greg) that I personally was interviewing coaches for the job at Alabama....then again I may have dreamed it because I am obsessing about it!
4. I really want to play tennis....I wonder if I can find anyone who will brave the cold?
5. I am going to get my hair cut today. I am tired of it.
6. I have about 15 books bought or borrowed that I want to read...where to start? (I know, start by turning off the computer!)
7. I might need to start my Christmas shopping....you think?
8. I should buy some cards if I am going to mail any....haven't decided.

I know 8 is not a symbolic number or a sign of completeness...but it is the number of my favorite driver in the NASCAR series....I probably need to think about NASCAR or the Braves or something else besides a football coach. I was reading a blog last night where the commentors talked about how much work time they had wasted trying to follow all of this....guilty! Living in this age of information can be very frustrating!

Have a good weekend and Roll Tide!

Today is the birthday of my sweet daughter in law. She is the best thing that ever happened to my son. She is a great mother to my sweet Matthew and it is an honor and privileged for us to have her as part of our family. She is currently working very hard to finish her nursing degree, while still working as many hours as possible. She is a very remarkable woman!

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I think I may have mentioned that I have trouble seeing to read since I had the eye-surgery. Last night David brought me a gift for Pearl Harbor Day, it was a HUGE magnifying glass. We are a truly romantic pair. The funny thing was there was something wrong with the handle. Both of us ended up with blue smut all over our hands and faces. We got to laughing so hard at each other that I actually lost my breath.

The kicker to my romantic side may have come as we were about to drift off to sleep….I know most wives whisper sweet nothings followed by a soft good night….my husband gets asked the question that every man wants to hear…..”Is Vanderbilt in the SEC?” I was mentally dividing up the conference and was one team short in the east…..I forgot about Vandy…

Yes, I am thinking of doing my very own marriage enrichment seminar….

Here it is again….Pearl Harbor Day. This day is special to me and to my WWII loving husband. If you don’t remember why you can read it here.

This year we are in the middle of adapting to a life with four grandchildren. It is amazing the changes this has brought to our lives, and in a good way. Children truly are the mirrors that allow us to see the love of God.

It occurred to me last night as we were taking prayer requests that during this time of year…life goes on. People have surgery, people’s houses burn down, teenagers are killed in car accidents, older folks die unexpectedly, children are born, people are over worked; some people lose their jobs and some find a job; many are just depressed or unhappy. It just seems like during this time of year every good thing and every bad thing is magnified.

When I pray for peace on earth my mind does not turn to Iraq. My mind turns to those who I know are hurting. I pray that God will ease their turmoil and that he will fill me with his spirit and with wisdom so that I can know how to help them.

This morning I woke up not knowing for sure what day it was nor where I was supposed to be. Don't you hate that feeling? The realization that it was work was softened slightly by the fact that it is Wednesday. Only two working days left this week!

I used my remote start on my car for the first time this morning. It was hysterical watching my dog try to figure out how I got in that car without him seeing me... I hate to laugh at my dog's expense (no I don't)

We watched Pirates part II last night....it was a little LONG for my taste but OK. The best thing was hearing them say "Captain Jack Sparrow" since this is one of Matthew's favorite phrases right now.


I am starting to get real excited about Christmas.
HO-HO-HO!

I don't think that I lack in the self-esteem catagory and yet I have never really seen myself as much of an expert at anything. I can do several things "pretty good" but am truly a master at none.

Yesterday while sitting in a seminar listening to the questions of the audience I started to re-evalutate my self estimation. Sure I don't know everything there is to know, but I have been in the Mortgage business for the last 5 plus years and the banking/finance business for over 25 years....I do know a few things. Compared to many in the room I know a LOT of things.

I don't know why I sell myself short so often. The fact that I have intelligence of any level is a gift from God. The experience I have accumulated is a result of my willingness and ability to work. I don't believe in "tooting my own horn" but I do believe that I should recognize my strengths and give glory to God for the things that I can do.....then I should do them all for him.

How do you see yourself?

1. You can be convinced that you are crazy if you lose something that you are sure you just had in your hand.
2. You can lose a lot of sleep wondering how you can lose something that you just had in your hand.
3. The 2006 Monte Carlo SS has a design flaw. There is a hole above the place where I put my change (think where the ashtray used to be) that allows checks and deposit slips and cash to go into, making them seem to disappear into thin air....when I am sure I just had them in my hand.....convincing the owner of said car that she has lost her mind.
4. OnStar works even when you don't know how you locked your keys in your car (see, I am going crazy)
5. Just because Matthew went in the nursery one Sunday and had fun it does not guarantee that he will go back the next time.
6. Mary likes to shop
7. Derek knows how to find things that his mother loses that drives her crazy.
8. I miss the triplets when I miss one day seeing them.
9. I miss my husband when we are apart...who else will remind me that I am not crazy?
10. It is no fun to get up at 4:15 to come to Montgomery Alabama for a seminar.

I confess; I have been way too caught up in this hiring of a new coach at Alabama. I am reading blogs and listening to sports radio. I thirst for the slightest hint of what may be happening. It reminds me a little of our search for a preacher (although I have NO DOUBT that this search will not last for 16 months). But I am thinking that “my” opinion or input into the whole hiring process has been given about the same amount of consideration as it was when we hired a preacher, and I won't know what decision has been made or what criteria was used until the final decision has been made.

But, I will be watching the West Virginia/ Rutgers game on Saturday night. I imagine that ESPN will notice several unexpected viewers from Alabama….