I can't refuse a great offer!

I have decided that the devil must think I am one of those people that has something to say which might remotely touch someone's life at some point in time because I have tried to post at least every other day, AND as you can tell by the dates that hasn't worked. Technology is eating me alive........well, at least it is eating my posts. It has nothing to do with my ability to figure out technology! Yes, I do know that they are in draft (I love that spot) , but I just can't stand NOT getting it the first time around.

Previously I have thrown a fit, yelled at the computer a few words that should not come from my mouth or been in my thoughts, and all of this as if this computer hears me, cares what I think, or is going to change it's behavior because I want it to. What a waste of time, thought and breath (I am getting older, but does any of that burn calories?) So this morning in church I was reminded that I have two choices. I can look like a goober talking to a machine, or just go on and be peaceful when frustrations and trials come my way. I decided.............. peaceful. As one college friend says..."will it matter in 10 years?". Another friend always asks "Will it pay the bills?" (no, no, and I don't even pay bills on line.) So, I am going to try peace!

Let me be honest. We all need peace....not just peace and quiet. Friends' marriages have recently ended in divorce; another friend's marriage is in trouble; a couple who longs for children has none; my daughter's heart has been crushed many times because "______ doesn't want to be my friend". One friend fights drug addiction; another fights alcoholism, and then there is my son who refuses to lift the toilet seat (yes, this is a trial). I have lost a husband and survived............yet I get upset, carrying on, close to tears because I can't get a computer to mind me? It is just a "thing" that can be destroyed by a glass of water (orange juice is worse)!!!!!! My friends have hearts that need peace! I need peace! A peace that trusts our God who can hold me together, calm the storms of life and walk beside me always.

In his sermon today Joe Barnett talked about having that peace. So, I will choose (just do it...no other option) peace instead of letting go on a computer. I am going to try to choose peace when my son doesn't lift the lid. At least I have a pot to potty in.

In John 20:26 Jesus says, "Peace be until you". So..................I am going to try His offer of peace. And, I am sure the offer is for you too.
Therefore......."Peace Be unto you"! (This post better not go to draft. I don't know if I am ready for a test run.)

450 sq. ft. and we live!!!

The kids and I just spent 5 days and 4 night with my parents and my sister, precious Aunt Traci, in a 450 sq. ft. condo in Corpus Christi. Wow....tight space, wide age span (72 - 6), lots of chiefs, lots of Indians, and lots of fun. There were many perks to this trip. The first perk being that we got this trip together by working together. The second was that Uncle Timmy dropped my sister off at my house with a suitcase, and she brought big smiles to my kids faces as we loaded up. Then......... I was able to watch my son and my dad spend some "male-bonding" time at different times. I watched (more like listened to) my daughter and my mom laugh in bed at night because Makaley HAD to sleep with my mom. And, mom made the coffee. I didn't have to. Dad pumped the gas. I didn't have to. AND if the kids argued, someone else got onto them. I didn't have to!
Kauy and I slept in the living room/dining room/ kitchen on some kind of a "sleeper sofa" (more like a kindergarten nap mat for two under the age of 8) while Aunt Traci(our photographer, mediator and best friend) slept on the matress of the top bunk which we moved to the floor. It reminded me of growing up and going camping with my parents and grandparents only this time we had our own bathroom without the bugs and spiders (althought there was a non-draining tub), no trains, critters, or late night arrivers; we had a microwave, a refrigerator and almost double the space. This time we had a coffee pot that was not plugged in and hidden under the picnic table, and we did not eat mom's famous "Hawaiian Spam" this time. We ate at Landry's, Snoopy's and of course Whaterburger!!! This time we had a TV, but only watched the weather in the morning. It was on those early family vacations we learned to play 42, spades and conasta. Makaley learned to play spades this time. Next time will be 42!
My son loved the visit to the Lexington. In truth, I think we all did!!! What an awesome museum, and it was on water. My daughter loved the Texas State Aquarium !! The kids learned a lesson on lightening and its love for water when we woke to a thunderstorm and watched from our safe balcony the lightening popping the water. We had reading lessons, map lessons, sharing lessons, lessons in directions when you get lost and a lesson in what happens when you are feeding sea gulls(what goes in must come out!). I loved walking on the beach in the morning with a cup of coffee, listening to my kids giggle, listening to us all giggle, watching my family play in the ocean in the rain. The best perk............it was family. Yes, just so you know...we did get short on calm tempers a couple of times. Like I said we were in a 450 sq. ft. condo or a suburban. The only battle scar was the one on Makaley's leg when she fell off a stage.
The down side of the trip..................unpacking, putting things away, and doing loads of laundry when we got home!
You know, when we get to heaven, we won't unpack a single thing!!!!! Nothing!!! We won't have to sort and fold laundry! But we will celebrate, as we did yesterday, that we are home. Safe. Sound. And in a house bigger than 450 square feet!.............but most of all.......With FAMILY!!!!

A lesson in technology....not

And technology is my friend? Not today. I was so very proud of my over 45 year old self yesterday and thought I was pretty cool. I had arrived and thought that was a great thing. This morning I got up and wrote about my experiences with my friend Anne and her family. What a wonderful time and great adventure (shopping) we had yesterday. After all of the typing, rewriting, thinking, and attempt at humor, my computer froze. After trying several times to get it warmed back up to my typing, I finally had to just shut it down and start over....and over....and over...and over then turned it off for the rest of the day. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just reboot over and over again when we freeze up, screw up, or quit too soon? Wouldn't it be nice if when we don't like the way things go, we could just shut down and start over? Isn't it a blessing that God sends our screw-ups off the screen only to be forgotten! My day yesterday with Anne and all of our children won't be forgotten. As a matter of fact it is in "drafts" . I have checked.

I have arrived!

I am now part of the 21st century. Technology is about to become my best friend....or so they say. As I prepared myself to branch into this "great adventure" I reminded myself that I have as much to say as anyone else. I probably have too much to say sometimes ( Just ask my kids!) So...thanks to all of you who encouraged me to join you...even if it is somewhere in space (which is appropriate for me) and thanks to my friend Anne who got me to this new adventure in life. Now, I just have to find time to keep up!!!! Can I have a big Yee-Haw for Trina Lou?