Working for "Big Daddy"

Eight months ago I started working for Double M Construction on a temporary basis just to fill in while my sister had major surgery and recovered.

The first day I walked in my boss (Big Daddy) asked me, "What do you know about Union Payroll?"

"I know payroll, but nothing about Union Payroll."

He then handed me a huge stack and said, "here it is...learn it!"

Kathryn told him, "Hey, that's not why I hired her!"

He said, "We leave next week and we've got to get it right. Payroll won't start for a month and that should give you plenty of time."

Mike left the next week and didn't return until Christmas.

Two weeks later he calls and tells us the job was starting early. I can't remember many details about those weeks other than the work was...intense. Kathryn and I had a motto: Ain't no fun till the work is done! Thing is, it was always fun to me. Every week I would say, "next week will be much better." Somewhere along the way I quit saying it.

Many have asked me, "How on earth did you do it?"

Kathryn's vast knowledge of payroll issues and support, the delays of her surgery, supportive people of Union Halls in 3 states, not to mention the top Union guy and our great foremen helped me as I picked it all apart and put it all together.

So, here we are 8 months later winding down the Ruby Pipeline job. Kathryn is back at work full time and has turned over the payroll for both companies to me. I'm still getting out monthly union reports and such.

Today, Scott from the Union Hall in Wyoming called. He started out telling me what a great job I had done. He went on and on how the big Union Companies weren't able to keep all the variables straight and that for someone who tackled it, knowing nothing, had nailed it.

Have I made mistakes? Yes, I have. But I've always done my best to correct quickly and above all, be nice!!

Now, this job has turned from temporary to permanent. I don't know right now how the details of my life will work out over the next months but I'm sure of one thing and that is that God will continue to guide my life and take care of all those details.

I'm alive and doing well!

Spreading the Love

Last month I was in Arkansas helping my florist friends, Joe & Pam, spread the love for Valentine's Day.

They have a nice, high-end flowershop and Valentine's Day is one of their busiest times of year. I got my feet wet helping with Mother's Day last year and evidently they thought I was helpful enough to have me back.

Three days before Valentine's Day we were busy. The phones were ringing; the designers were designing and basically a pretty noisy place. Joe is multi tasking like few men I know. And I might add....he loves it!

Something I had witnessed the previous May was about to happen. In this den of noise and activity a family walks in to order flowers for the casket of a loved one.

Someone gets Joe and he takes them to an area set up with a table, chairs and books of flowers. Without anyone saying anything everyone is quiet. Oh, the phone still rings and orders are taken, flowers are still arranged and deliveries go out but all this happens in hushed voices. Joe takes the time with the family like he has nothing else to do or think about. It's like the space around that table is in a bubble....

Joe shows us the meaning of spreading the love.

It's a hard thing to do to make preparations to bury your loved one and in this shop, on this day, at this moment it is the most important thing we do.

The husband pays for his wifes flowers. As he turns to go he looks around and notices all the roses, chocolates and valentines. Joe has returned to his work in the back and the man returns and asks me if he can talk to Joe again. I get Joe and with tears in their eyes quiet words are exchanged between the two men. Joe pats the man on the shoulder and they part.

Later I asked what the man wanted and Joe said the man wanted to know if he could have a single red rose for the inside of the casket for his valentine. This elderly man was burying his wife on Valentine's Day.

There wasn't a dry in the shop and you can believe me when I say that on Monday, February 14, 2011, at 2 pm we were all thinking about that family and especially that sweet man.

Things aren't alway what they appear to be...Part 2

Kathryn and I leave for work every morning before the sun comes up. A few weeks ago she wanted to run through the car wash and have me do a quick vacuum of the floors. She came around the back way and as she was turning in I saw a man dressed in dark clothes and a ball cap doing something at the dumpster.

I said with a bit of concern in my voice, "Oh, Kathryn it's a homeless person!"

She responded vehemently, "Elizabeth! That's the owner! And trust me, he's NOT homeless!!"

This got me to thinking how easily my mind forms an opinion based purely on what I see, without any knowledge...

I think I'm going to work on not being so quick to jump to conclusions.

Things aren't always what they appear to be...

Early Saturday morning my friend Liana and I drove over to Del City, OK to attend the initial training session to become SBC Disaster Relief Volunteers.

She picked me up at 6:00 a.m. and when we reached the McDonald's on the turnpike between Tulsa and OKC we were ready for a rest stop and a biscuit.

As I got out of her car I turned and looked into the restaurant through squeaky clean windows. I saw a woman standing by some tables with what looked like a wad of tissue in her hand and she was proceeding to clean her nose. Oh, not with the "tissues" but with her index finger. The "tissues" were where she was meticulously putting the ....harvest. I just stood there staring at her in disbelief. It was about this time that Liana emerged from the car and I realized that the "tissues" were in fact some type of rag.

I gasped to Liana, "Don't tell me..."

Liana questioned, "Don't tell you what?"

To which I responded, "Oh, No...Please don't tell me..."

And at this point the picture came clear. The woman was an employee and she proceeded to use her rag to wipe down the tables!

We went ahead and went in to find THE CLEANEST MCDONALD'S I HAVE EVER BEEN IN! It was so shinny clean that one might even consider wearing sunglasses to block the sparkle.

We hurried into the Ladies room and there was a sign, "We take pride in our bathrooms cleanliness. If you see a problem please flip this switch." I suppose flipping that switch would send in the swat team to wipe down any drip. We were washing our hands when in comes the "swat team." Yes, same lady but with a side kick. She still had that rag in her hand and proceeded to wipe all the stall door handles.

Now, you might think that this would have sent us on our way. But, we are talking about two friends who have been up since 4 a.m. We are hungry and in need of some caffeine.

I was standing in line to order and just taking in the sparkle when my gaze fell upon "Our lady of cleanness" now behind the food counter. I quickly looked for the rag and noticed she had laid it down on a ledge outside the food area. She was getting herself a cup of coffee. She then strolled on over to her ledge and rag to sip her coffee.

I place my order to go...I was not sitting down at one of those shiny tables! I took my cup and headed for the drink station. Again, sparkly clean!

The ice was a bit watery and my mind flashed back to my frog experience...I SO wanted to get out of there that I just blocked Kermit from my mind.

I made some remark about the booger rag and then noticed our lady right there swiping up any drips or smudges we might leave.

We left and went on our way...laughing all the way...kinda...

So, never assume that the shine and sparkle means clean!

Make Each Day a Story Worth Telling

This morning started off with one unbelievable story!

On our way to work I had Kathryn stop in at our favorite convenience story so I could get me a 32 ounce diet Pepsi. I walked over to the machine, got my cup and began dispensing ice. I noticed that the ice seemed a bit "watery" and even thought I might need to pour off some water before adding the pop when I saw what looked like a small brown twig hanging out of the ice shoot. All of a sudden the twig turned into a small frog and it dropped into my cup.

I started screaming, dancing up and down and shook the cup till the ice dumped out in the machines tray. (Some ice may have flown through the air and I was not doing the happy dance)

I found the gal working there and told her what had happened. She looked at me like I was crazy! We walked over to the machine and there he was...being very still. I realized at this point that I was still holding the cup. I sat it down and said, "I don't believe I will get anything to drink..."

The gal didn't know what to do. About that time a man came in to pay for his gas and she asked him if he would get a frog for her. I thought, wow! It hadn't occurred to me that she didn't want to get the frog herself. The nice man extracted the frog commenting on it being rather cold as he took it outside. She came over to ring up my other purchases when I casually mentioned that she would have to empty and clean that machine.

I got out to the car and Kathryn said, "I thought you were going to get you a pop?" and "what took you so long?"

We laughed all the way to work.

I told her that I didn't think I wanted a fountain drink...at least for a while...until I can get the whole picture out of my head.

Red Hot Lover

Where I used to work we would on occasion bring food to work to share with each other. One day Steve brought one of his favorite holiday snacks. It was quite simple: club crackers, cream cheese & jalapeno jelly. Being an Oklahoma Girl I know it's hard to believe but I had never had jalapeno jelly. I loved it, especially with the crackers and cream cheese.

Last December I was planning a Christmas Eve Hors d'Oeuvres buffet and wanted to include this little treat. Working full time makes Christmas shopping a challenge but I managed to make it to all three grocery stores in town looking for the brand of jalapeno jelly Steve had served. I could only find what looked like an off brand. I reluctantly purchased two jars; one was green and the other red. I was not satisfied and didn't want to chance ruining the little yummies with some nasty tasting stuff but I was literally down to the wire on time.

While at work I had emailed Rebekah complaining about our grocery stores. She quickly responded and told me that Petty's Fine Food in Utica Square had a really good jalapeno jelly. She said the name of it was...Red Hot Lover. She also dared me to walk in there and ask if they had a Red Hot Lover. Now, you know me...

The plan was made. Kim and I had just enough time at lunch to zip into Tulsa and get that Jelly! Plus, have a wonderful fun time in the process. We giggled all morning and I practiced saying it without smiling or laughing but the morning turned into afternoon and the work kept piling up. About 2:00 we knew we wouldn't be able to go.

THEN my sister Suzan calls me. She called to tell me that she was over at Sam's Club and wanted to know if I needed anything from Sam's as it would be her last time in Tulsa before Christmas. We talked briefly about our to-do-lists and Christmas shopping and just as we were getting ready to hang up the phone the light bulb turned on in my head.

I'm going to pause this story to tell you a bit about my sister Suzan. She is three and a half years older than me. Much to her dismay, I have looked up to her my whole life. We are polar opposites...one could say she is the good daughter and I am the...let's just use the word ornery daughter. Another way, she is the typical oldest child and I am the typical middle child. One of my great delights in life is to torment her with teasing and joking...I guess mostly because, bless her heart, she just doesn't get most of it.

So, back to the story and that light bulb.

"Oh, Suzan, are you going to be over by Utica Square?"

"Yes, I can just get off the highway, do you need something?"

BINGO! "Do you know where Petty's is?"

"Yes"

I had been rehearsing this all morning...

"Could you go in there and ask if they have a Red Hot Lover?"

Silence...thought I was busted but she didn't let me down.

"I've had that before and I have one at home that I made and it is a lot better and cheaper..."

I really never heard the rest of what she said and she will never live down this story!

Galen, Elizabeth and the Copperhead

This is one of Lauri Anne's favorite stories. It's kind of graphic but true.

Years ago we were expecting company and I had been in a flurry of preparation.
Looking back I don't remember who we were expecting to visit but it was probably one of Galen's siblings and family.

It was late in the evening on the eve of their arrival and I was, well okay, nagging Galen to do something out in the garage. We were already dressed for bed and Galen, in his boxers, was parked in his recliner watching TV. Galen reluctantly got up and headed for the garage. Just a few minutes passed and guilt overcame me and I, in my nightgown, headed out to give him company during the "chore."

I opened the door into the garage and saw Galen on the stairs, back and hands against the wall, with each foot on a different step.

He said, "Get back in...there's a snake!"

I stepped back in the house and closed the door. Then I thought I would peek out to see what was going on. I saw Galen in front of the freezer with an old sponge mop. He was standing with his legs spread and was holding the mop firmly by the handle with the snake pinned with the sponge.

He said, "It's trying to get under the freezer...get the square point shovel."

I scurry down the steps, pass Galen, slide around the riding mower, squeeze around the van and retrieve the shovel. As I'm returning back around the van and to the mower the door from the house opens and David steps out, takes one look at us and steps back into the house closing the door behind him. He didn't know what we were doing and I don't think he wanted to know. Anyway, by this time we had one angry snake on our hands and Galen had me take over with the mop. I spread my legs far apart just like he had done, held down with all my strength and closed my eyes. After the chopping stopped and he pried my hands off the mop he was able to carefully get the copperhead out from under the freezer.

I'm sure the whole time I was swearing and I'm equally sure that Galen never said a word. The old snake measured about 3 feet long and we were glad neither of us had been bitten.

David returned as Galen was throwing the carcass out into the woods and then we started laughing at the sight David must have witnessed in those few short seconds.

Barnsdall Oklahoma

Yesterday I met my friend Kim for lunch and she mentioned that her husband was going to be out of town for the weekend. She invited me to her house for the evening and to spend the night. We always stay overnight when visiting each other because we live an hour apart and it gives our time together more of a mini vacation feel.

I hurried home, threw some things in my overnight bad, sent Samuel a text explaining my plans, and pushed, pushed, pushed all the thoughts of things to do at home out of my mind.

Kim got off work at four and we met up north of Sand Springs and I followed her home, taking the back roads. She knows I love exploring new roads and she took me down a few I'd never traveled. Again, Osage County is beautiful! That girl drives pretty fast but my newly healed car was up to the task not to mention I like to drive fast sometimes too. She also has a yellow car so I'm sure we were a double blurr zipping down those curvy roads. Have you ever had so much fun driving that you were laughing out loud?

We had a relaxing evening. Tori, her teenage daughter and one of her friends came in and out through out the evening and even "hung out" with us. We had fun playing Sing Star. Those girls are good...how do they know the words to all those songs???? We drug ourselves off to bed in the wee hours of the morning.

I woke up early, as usual, and snuck out to the deck with coffee, magazines and glasses. I probably sat there enjoying the morning, the amazing view and magazines for over an hour. Something I seldom get to do. Kim finally drug herself out of bed :) and we drank more coffee and chatted even more.

I tore myself away late morning and took the familiar road home. I was physically tired when I got home but mentally refreshed. Thanks Kim! Good friends sometimes know without knowing just what you need.

George Proffit Ramey ~ Part 2

My daddy tells the story to answer his question to his father, "Why was Uncle Proffit a nervous style individual?"

Uncle Proffit had a tough time.
One evening after a long day in the coal mines Uncle Proffit, daddy and some other buddies went down to the bar to get a drink. They were standing at the bar sippin their whiskey and this guy comes up behind Uncle Proffit and grabs him by the hair and with a knife tries to cut his throat.

I asked daddy, "What kind of knife was it?"

He said, "A hooked knife, like they use to cut linoleum. He was trying to cut Uncle Proffits jugular."

Uncle Proffit got loose, smacked him and ran out the front door. He was headed for his pony out back. The bar was one of those corner bars with a front and side door. Just as Uncle Proffit passes the side door the guy steps out and catches him in the shoulder with that knife and cut him, in and out, all the way down his back to his butt...clean through his britches belt. Uncle Proffit grabbed his pants and managed to pick up a brick, threw it at him but missed him. So, he got another brick and hit him in the head. Uncle Proffit kept running to his pony so he could get to the doctor.

I asked daddy, "Did it knock him out?"

Daddy said, "Well, yeah! If you got hit in the head with a brick it would knock you out!"

As you can imagine people were getting stirred up and started hollerin that a mad man was on the loose. Uncle Proffit was riding his pony down the street, bleeding pretty bad, still trying to get to the doctor. The sheriff comes running with his shot gun. Thinking Uncle Proffit was the mad man the sheriff shouted for him to stop and when Uncle Proffit didn't stop...he shot him, right off his horse. The shot hit him in the right lower front chest. Well, they hauled him to the doctor. The doctor looked him over and said, "I don't think it is worth sewing him up, he's shot all to hell - just gonna die."

Uncle Proffit rose up a bit and said, "You jist sew me up, I'm jist fine."

So the doctor sewed him up and now wherever Uncle Proffit sits, it's with his back to the wall...facing the door!

After my daddy heard this story he said, "I didn't monkey with stuff in his house."
Daddy also said, "And as proof to me Uncle Proffit showed me his scars, all of them!"

Note of interest: This happened in the late 1920's early 1930's. The story was told to my daddy in the early 1950's and the old coot lived until 1968 to the age of 78!

Nellie's Tiger Lilies

It's June and that means the tiger lilies are blooming.

Early this morning I was out working in my flowerbeds and started thinking about the lilies. I got these from Nellie years ago, not long after we moved into this house. I had cleared the woods back and prepared this long bed not knowing what I would put in it. I was talking to Nellie about my gardening and she insisted that I come over and thin out her lilies. I went over to her house and we started digging. It took some work to get them all planted but I did it.
It was 2 years before they bloomed. I couldn't wait to tell Nellie. She told me to just be sure they get lots of sun and they will keep blooming.

Well, here I am many, many years later and they are still blooming even though I haven't been able to keep up with clearing the woods back. You can see them stretching for the sun.

So, every June I enjoy my Nellie Lilies...they are just an old fashioned flower that reminds me of a dear, special lady.

As you can see they need dividing and some sun ~ so if you loved Nellie like I did then please come and let's dig some up and then each June you too can enjoy the lilies and remember Nellie.

George Proffit Ramey

This story was told to me by my daddy, Don Sweeney. It is a true story and I have read it to him and received his approval. I think you will enjoy it.

George Proffit Ramey was married to my daddy's Aunt Fannie. My daddy says he was a mean man. Story is, that he wasn't too good to Fannie...didn't call the doctors in time...basically they blamed him for her death. She was only 30 when she died and Proffit was remarried before the year was out. I'm not sure why my grandfather continued to associate with him...guessing he was a good drinkin buddy.


When I was 14 or 15 years old me and my daddy went up to Kansas to see Uncle Proffit. We were down at the pool hall and Uncle Proffit decided he wanted a haircut and shave. He knew a barber so they went down to the barber shop and Proffit got up in the chair. Well, the barber gave him the haircut and lathered up his face with the brush and that was alright. Then he got the straight razor out and started honing it on the strap. At this point Uncle Proffit straightened up and watched every move the barber was making. As the barber shaved his face and moved to the side burns Uncle Proffit tensed up and backed away. When the barber got to the scar on his neck Uncle Proffit said, "You don't need to do the scar, just shave around it."

He didn't want the barber messin around that scar. You see, Uncle Proffit had a scar on his throat. It was pretty long and when he smiled it pulled his mouth down on that side.

When the barber was all done Uncle Proffit didn't look too much better than he did before.

Then we went on over to Proffit's house and the men were sippin on whiskey and me being a nosey teenager got to snoopin around. I found a little box and opened it up. Inside was a straight razor. Well, Uncle Proffit saw me messin with that straight razor and asked me, "What are you doing?" Then he got on to my daddy and told me, "Put it up! It just git you in trouble."

Not long after they left daddy asked my grandfather about what had happened and why Uncle Proffit was "a nervous style individual." And THAT is a story! And I will tell you...

To be continued...

The Little Yellow Bug is sick....

David, Amy and Miss Annabelle met for lunch today over in Jenks at Los Cabos. We had a wonderful time. Have I mentioned lately how precious that little princess is?

So I'm zipping along, heading into the construction zone in downtown Tulsa when my generator light comes on...hmmm....never seen that before. I called David and discussed the situation and decided to drive on home. It was really hot with the A/C - Fan off and no George Strait to listen to, but I made it home. I grabbed the owners manuel and got a slightly sweaty me into the house. The manuel said that I shouldn't drive the car when that light come on....I'll be calling Chad on Monday morning!

So Samuel is leaving with Phillip. I asked a few inquiring questions and discovered that Samuel was leaving his car at home. He looked at me with squinted eyes and said, "Have you ever driven my car before?" I assured him that I had driven all kinds of cars, trucks and even a U-Haul. Off they go...I decided to give it a spin down to the "corner" (gas station) just to get a feel for it and decided before I got out of the driveway that I would NOT be driving his car to church in the morning. His fan motor is broken and the only air blowing is coming in the windows. Now wouldn't I just look lovely?

I called Liana, talked to Jerry and they will be picking me up in their air conditioned car!

Fashion alert diverted.....

A ho!

A ho! A ho! My dad's been captured by a ho!


I laugh out loud everytime...and yes tears of laughter too!!

Memorial Day 2010

A few weeks ago I called my mom and told her that I would be to visit over Memorial Day weekend and that I would hlep her with the flowers for the cemetary. We talked more than once in the days leading up to my visit. We were making our list to be sure we had all the flowers needed.

On my way to Henryetta I had to swing over to the east side of Tulsa to put flowers on my great aunt Juanita's grave. I do this for my favorite uncle Troy and count it an honor to do it for him.

I arrived at Moma & Daddy's house on Thursday afternoon and I unloaded the flowers into the house. We made our plans for Friday and I left to spend the night at Kathryn's. I got up bright and early and walked over to my parents house. We clipped, stuffed and arranged flowers then loaded them in the car.

I had mentioned to my mom that I hadn't been able to locate favorite uncle Troy's father's grave online. So, she called city hall and was able to get the location. We had no idea where it was but I was determined to find it.

Moma and I decided to swing down Main Street to get a Sonic pop and boy were we gald we did! It was a hot day. As we were zipping back down Main Street towards the cemetery I had her swing in to park in front of the flower shop. I went in, hoping to find a wreath for my parent's front door (and I did) but while in there noticed a table with bunches of flowers tied with a ribbon for just a few dollars. I picked one up and mentioned that I didn't want to spend a lot of money since I wasn't even sure we would find the grave. The nice lady at Reba's Flowers asked me if I had the location and I told her that we got it from city hall. She said, "Honey, get the location for me ~ I have a map!" I ran out to the car, got the location and she located and gave me directions for finding the grave. With her help I practically walked right to it.

It took us over 2 hours to put all the flowers out. The grounds keepers had done a nice job but we still needed to sweep off the headstones before putting the flowers in the vases or on the ground. This year I took pictures. Not so much for the flowers but to have a visual memory of our time.

Walter & Margaret Pippin

My mothers Paternal Grandparents

Virgil & Georgia Higgins

My mother's Maternal Grandparents

We talked about each person and Moma told stories about each person I hadn't known. We had a precious time.

James Walter & Fern Pippin

My mothers parents

Margaret Sweeney

My fathers mother

My Paternal Grandmother & Maternal Grandparents

For me the most special one was the wreath we put on my Uncle Kenneth's grave. Since it was Memorial Day, a Military National Holiday and that they had recently placed his military marker....well, it was just emotional.

Also, putting flowers on Galen's grave is always special to me. The picture here is actually of a year past since the two pictures I had taken on this day strangely had my reflection, taking the picture, on the face of the headstone.

One can't help but notice the veteran part of the cemetery. This cemetery doesn't have any Civil War graves that I know of but plenty of WWI to the present. The local veterans spent their weekend placing American flags at the entrances to the cemetery as well as on each veteran grave. They also have a Memorial Day Service on Monday that I'm sure takes a lot of time and preparation. And just think, this takes place all across the country. I kept telling Moma that Memorial Day is a Military National Holiday but also a good time to honor our loved ones.

We drove out to the cemetery each day...just to drive around and look at the increasing flowers. It is strangely beautiful to me to see the people, older people in particular, putting flowers on the graves of their loved ones. I like going to the cemeteries where loved ones are buried. It is good to reflect and reconnect with the memories.

Gettin a Little Sunshine

I heard a rumor that there was a petition going around the neighborhood. It seems my grass was too long. Have you heard the weather reports lately? Rain, rain, rain! I have been watching the neighbors yards as I come and go and I'm just wondering....when are they getting their grass mowed? All nicely trimmed. One of my neighbors even took a swath down my side of the fence. Oh, that really helped my yard look better.

So I decided that today was the day, rain or shine. I got out pretty early and it was muuuggy! I trimmed, picked up lots of sticks and even scooped up gopher dirt hills. The word must have gotten out because I could swear the traffic increased in front of my house. I couldn't look up at them but I'm sure they slowed down!

I always marvel at those ladies who do their yard work looking like they just stepped out of the salon. I'm not one of those women. First of all I sweat! Not just a little, oh no, I need a sweat band! So, there I am sweaty, red faced and wet hair working away.

Enter Samuel, He returns home and I with a smile tell him I'm ready to push mow (or trim as we call it). He told me that he was going to do the trimming. Bless you my child!

"Oh, and you might need to charge the battery, I forgot to get a new battery for the riding mower," I told him. One would think that with the long break from mowing that one would have taken care of that. Sure enough the battery was dead and needed that charge. I took advantage of the break to do important things: eat lunch, check e-mail, face book and surf around the Internet. Once "cooled off" I thought I would try to improve my appearance so I took off the sweat band and combed my hair....it really didn't help.

I'm getting more efficient with the riding mower. I finished in a little over 2 hours! Let's see, I was stalked by a red wasp, saw a young mockingbird, had grass thrown all over me on more than one occasion and lost a flip flop. I was quite the site.

All is well in the neighborhood....
The yard is mowed and I got a little sunshine.

Cindy Sharp

I found out today that a very dear friend's battle with cancer is over and she is now in the presence of God. That makes me happy. My sadness is selfish. I will miss her. Cindy came into my life almost 7 years ago when Galen died. She helped guide me through mountains of paperwork and was a constant encouragement to me. The last time I saw her was in early February and she was fighting the cancer. As usual she pointed our conversations to God's goodness in our lives. As I was leaving she again told me how proud she was to be my friend. The last thing she told me was how she thought I looked beautiful and that she couldn't wait to dance at my wedding. I laughed and told her we would have to find me a Christian man first. She laughed and said, "Oh be patient, he is out there and God is preparing you for each other."
I always left her feeling better about myself. I will miss her...

As usual with me a song pops into my mind now when I think of her. So here are the words...
Cindy flew to Jesus today!

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

Making My Moma Laugh...

I chose this story to be the first one that I post because it is one of my "colorful" stories. It is a true story and one my family's favorites...especially my moma. Go ahead, shake your head, because you will see that I'm a mess!

Before I begin, my sisters and I have always called our mother, momma. Except we spell it moma. So don't think I can't spell it and don't say it with a long O. :-)

Making My Moma Laugh...

Every mother thinks their children are angels and mine was no exception. I remember clearly the day she found out that I was, well....not. She might have suspected such but never let me know.

It was a very hot last day of school and my sister Kathryn and I arrived home with our car loaded with the contents of our school lockers. We started hauling it all in passing first my mom's car, on into the house, down the hall, past her bedroom and on to our bedrooms. About the second or third trip out to the car, as I was passing Kathryn (which happened to be in front of my mom's bedroom) I said, "After I get this next load I need to take a quick shit." And on I went outside. Kathryn met me just outside the front door with her hand on Moma's car and said, "ELIZABETH! I can't believe you said that!" To which I replied, "What?" She then thumped our mom's car and said, 'Uh, I guess you forgot that Moma is home, in bed, down on her back!"

That's when it all became crystal clear! How many times had I passed her car, her bedroom? I just had one thing on my mind and that was the "quick ....!" Anyway, the last thing I wanted to do was go back in the house, but I really needed to. So, I took a deep breath and marched inside hoping maybe she was asleep or something and headed for the bathroom. As I turned the corner heading for the home stretch I heard her, but her voice sounded different "Elizabeth Ann, come in here right now!"

Busted!

My mom started telling me how shocked she was to hear me use such language and I don't remember the rest because I was looking at her, trying not to laugh, realizing that she was fighting back the chuckles herself!! We ended up laughing together, talking about speech becoming of a young lady and that she never wanted to hear me use such language again.

I learned a few things about my moma that day. First, after laying there in shock from what she had heard she started laughing and had to try to get a hold of herself before calling me in. Not to mention laughing hurt her back. Second, if I want to make her laugh, really laugh...just throw in a "choice" word at appropriate times and catch her off guard...well, it works every time.

Over the years I have perfected the "gift" with my mom even though she never wanted to hear me use such language again.

He Giveth More Grace

Can't remember if I've ever posted the words to this song but tonight it is on my mind. The words have been a comfort to me and I hope they are a comfort to some dear friends going through an unimaginable time....

He Giveth More Grace
Annie J. Flint
1866-1932

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
Four out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

My love & prayers to Michael, Chrissy and sweet tiny baby Lilian

The Village Blacksmith

Our church provides a meal on Wednesday nights. One Wednesday night a few years back I was feeling rather sorry for myself when I arrived to have dinner. I walked in with a smile on my face and a frown in my heart. You know, a real good pity party…all by myself and no one to sit with…another meal eaten alone…
Then I saw them: two ladies I had seen many times. I paid for my meal, walked over to where they were sitting and asked if I could join them. They smiled and welcomed me at their table and into their hearts.

This is one of Mary’s many stories. Betty’s story is for another time.

I will never forget that first time I ate with Mary. Mary was so friendly and did she like to talk! She is 82 years young and has had a wonderful life. Mary grew up in southern Oklahoma in a tiny little town and has told me many stories of her “growing up years.” On this first night she mentioned her daddy. I asked her, “What did your daddy do for a living?” She said, “He was the blacksmith.” I gasped, “The village blacksmith!” She looked at me and said, “Yes, he was.” I then replied, “My goodness Mary, he must have been strong!” She got a twinkle in her eye and a chuckle in her voice and said, “Yes, yes, I guess he was the strongest man in town!”
I started quoting the first stanza of Longfellow’s poem to her and she knowingly smiled. I left that night with a smile on my face, a smile in my heart and thankfulness to God for sending me just what I needed!

We girls always sit together now; they have taken me into their group. I wouldn’t give up those friendships for anything.

So, here is the poem that I made all three boys memorize as small children. I never would have imagined that the poem would years later be one of the links to a dear friendship.

The Village Blacksmith
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.

His hair is crisp, and black, and long,
His face is like the tan;
His brow is wet with honest sweat,
He earns whate'er he can,
And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.

Week in, week out, from morn till night,
You can hear his bellows blow;
You can hear him swing his heavy sledge,
With measured beat and slow,
Like a sexton ringing the village bell,
When the evening sun is low.

And children coming home from school
Look in at the open door;
They love to see the flaming forge,
And hear the bellows roar,
And catch the burning sparks that fly
Like chaff from a threshing-floor.

He goes on Sunday to the church,
And sits among his boys;
He hears the parson pray and preach,
He hears his daughter's voice,
Singing in the village choir,
And it makes his heart rejoice.

It sounds to him like her mother's voice,
Singing in Paradise!
He needs must think of her once more,
How in the grave she lies;
And with his haul, rough hand he wipes
A tear out of his eyes.

Toiling,--rejoicing,--sorrowing,
Onward through life he goes;
Each morning sees some task begin,
Each evening sees it close
Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night's repose.

Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend,
For the lesson thou hast taught!
Thus at the flaming forge of life
Our fortunes must be wrought;
Thus on its sounding anvil shaped
Each burning deed and thought.

More Love to Thee ~ Elizabeth P. Prentiss

At the conclusion of each Sunday school lesson I like to read the "story" behind the writing of hymns. This was the suggested hymn for the week so I looked into it...

But before the poem, a bit of background:
During the 1850's The Prentiss' lost a child and then a short time later their youngest child also died. During this time of mourning Elizabeth wrote in her diary, "Empty hands, a worn-out, exhausted body, and unutterable longings to flee from a world that has so many sharp experiences." From her broken heart came this poem:
I thought that prattling boys and girls
Would fill this empty room;
That my rich heart would gather flowers
From childhood's opening bloom:
One child and two green graves are mine,
This is God's gift to me;
A bleeding, fainting, broken heart,
This is my gift to Thee.

Not long after writing this poem she completed another poem (in one evening, all four stanzas) to what would later become a hymn.

More love to Thee, O Christ, More love to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee;
This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee, More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Once earthly joy I craved, Sought peace and rest; Now Thee alone I seek - Give what is best;
This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to Thee, More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Let sorrow do its work, Send grief and pain; Sweet are Thy messengers, Sweet their refrain,
When they can sing with me, More love, O Christ, to Thee, More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Then shall my latest breath Whisper Thy praise; This be the parting cry My heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to Thee, More love to Thee, More love to Thee!