Hindsight

        
She use to embarrass me by always begging my friends to eat as soon as they stepped foot in her kitchen. No matter if there weren’t any food already prepared, she would have gladly cooked them something to eat, or at the very least, made them a sandwich. She couldn’t stand the thought of anyone being hungry.

Now days I am no longer embarrassed of my mama…but I am ashamed of my teenaged self.

I remember that when we first moved to town, there were some little children nearby that were sometimes left outside in cold weather with very few clothes on. They were cold. She would get them to come in our house and take her own grandchildren’s clothes and dress those little kids warmer. Then she would sit them down at her table and fill their little bellies up with eggs, warm grits, homemade biscuits, and sweet milk to drink.

Sometimes those same little children would come back, timidly knocking on her back door the next morning. They never even had to ask. Within minutes, they were sat at her table, clothed, fed and  given something to drink. She never talked about it…she just did what she figured needed to be done for those little kids.

I got to thinking about it today. I am about 16 years older now, than my mama was when we moved to town back then…and I thought she was old.

Isn’t it funny how we were so cock sure of ourselves when we are young? When you get older, you tend to get a whole new perspective on the way things actually were.

You even sort of see that things back then, were actually reversed from the way you thought it to be.

It was our parents who were smart…

       We were the dumb ones.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

12-12-12 … WHAT A DAY

      

I decided to put Christmas decorations up today. Went to the shed and had to move all of Dan’s yard sale stuff to get to the Christmas stuff. Got several of the boxes out and carried them to the porch.  Got the huge Christmas tree box out of the shed and carried it into the house. I got all the branches out and thought how glad I was that I had put the branches back in the container in the order in which they went on the tree. I put all the branches in their little slots and looked at the results. Seemed like the tree looked shorter this year.

I forgot to put the dang extension rod in the bottom.

So I took stand off and inserted the rod.

Put tree stand back on the tree. Set the tree upright. Tree was wobbly. Took stand off, and duck taped the parts on it that are old and cracking. Put the stand back on and finished putting the tree together.

The tree tilted over.

Now I got two choices…I can either go buy a new tree or try to fix this one…I go get my rod and reel out of the closet and cut enough line off to tie the sucker to the window air-conditioner grill which is directly behind the tree. I go get the lights out of the box and plugged them in to test them. They worked! Put them on the tree….they quit working.

Took all the lights back off.

Took my pj’s off, put my clothes on and run up town. Bought two boxes of lights. Came home and put them on the tree. They worked! Put all the ornaments on the tree.

Tree tilted over.

Go back to my rod and reel and cut some more line off. Tied  that sucker to the other side of the conditioner.

Now, during all of this joyful Christmas decorating…Dan was in a mood. See, he gets depressed during Christmas…always has…and at his age, I reckon he always will…just another something I have learned to try to deal with.

But today, between the tree, the lights, the tilting of the tree, well lets just say, my patience was running on about empty.

I finished putting all the Christmas stuff out and got the flowers and tiny tree I needed to put on Danny’s grave. I go to the graveyard and talk to Danny a little bit (told him all my troubles lol)  Then I go see daddy and put flowers on his grave too…told him all my troubles too! lol  While there I cleaned both of their graves off and put the old floweres and trash in my car trunk.

I come home and while cleaning the trash out of my trunk, I decided my car needs to be washed desperately. The crud that falls from the pecan tree was making it look black instead of white.

So, I wash my car.

Just as I was finishing up, the rag I was using on the windshield caught hold of my wiper blade and ripped it slap off, so now my wiper blade is in three separate pieces.

I talked to Amanda and Kelvin and agree to come down to their house later on and let Kelvin put it back on.

          

just before I am to leave to go down there, I walk the pups and it is raining/sleeting or what ever out there, sooooo I will need to go tomorrow and get the wiper fixed.

You know, everyone is talking about we won’t ever see this date again…

I thank God that I won’t see another 12-12-12. 

I don’t think I could handle another one.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

I AM THANKFUL

Everyday on Facebook, during the month of November, there have been folks saying what they are thankful for. Until today I have not participated, but this being the day of Thanksgiving, I thought I would give it a shot.

The last few days when it has been unnaturally warm, the heater in my car has been working, but this morning when I had to get out and go to the store for cold meds, as cold as it was outside, it didn’t work!

I am thankful I have a car that runs. ( most times!) Some people have to walk.

I am thankful I have shoes.

Some people don’t.

I am thankful that I believe in God. I am thankful for KNOWING that Jesus died on a cross in order to save me. I am thankful that I have God to pray to.. for help for me, my loved ones, and all others.  I am thankful that I know there is a Heaven. I am thankful that I know one sweet day, we will meet our loved ones again there. I am thankful that I know that He is always with me, that He will never leave me.

Some people have never found GOD.  I pray for them too.

I am thankful for Facebook.

I have regained friendships, found loved ones and I do not have to leave my house to be able to talk to someone! I am thankful for all my friends and family on there.

I am thankful for my parents who loved me enough to whoop my butt when I needed it, but would also be just as quick to hug, kiss, and rock me to sleep at night. They also taught me how to respect others and their property.

Some kids have no one who cares that much about them.

I am thankful I was poor when growing up and still poor now.

It makes me have empathy for others who are less fortunate, and also to appreciate what I have.

I am thankful that I finally learned how to ( most times) control my temper, learned how to forgive, and learned how to ‘let go and let GOD’. (It took me a very long time though.)

Some people go through their whole lives carrying old grudges on their backs, chips on their shoulders, and just looking for a fight.

I am thankful for all my nieces and nephews.

They have made me laugh and made me cry, and I love everyone of them with all my heart.

I am thankful that God let me have Danny as a soul mate, best friend and husband for over 35 years.

Some folks don’t get that long with their loved ones.

I am thankful God blessed me with a son and then ten years later; a daughter.

Some will never know the love of a child.

I am thankful that God decided to give me the miracle of grandchildren.

Until you have one, you don’t know known how truly special a grandchild is.

I am thankful I have a special son who will get out in the cold and pick up pecans, crack and shell them to sell…

So that he can buy Christmas for his loved ones.

I am thankful my daughter has prepared a feast for Dan and I, even though she is very much pregnant, has a stent inside of her, and on top of all that, has a cold.

She is a strong woman.

Most of all, I am thankful that God loves and forgives me…

Even when I can’t love or forgive myself.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

GOD DON’T LIKE UGLY

Let me just start off by saying that I am madder than an old wet hornet, as my daddy use to say.

Better yet, let me start off by saying that…

I am Madder Than HELL.

I have various ways of getting mad. Sometimes, I get mad in an instant..those are the times that I have to try my best to hold back on my temper. I think I am successful maybe 75% of the time.

Then, there are the times that I first get mad in an instant and I hold it back, and hold it back and hold it back…until I finally explode.

This is one of those times.

I try very, very hard not to publically state my political opinions.  I feel that the usual lies and unfulfilled promises from either politician are not worth losing friends over.

I also feel that any politician running for office here lately needs to be wearing a lie detector belt 24/7. 

So, that being said, and in the words of a dear friend…

I keep it to myself.

Until today.

I am on Facebook. If you are my friend and you read my ‘about me’ section, you will see this:

Political :

When it comes time to cast my vote...I am not on the left, I am not on the right, I am not a liberal, nor am I a conservative..I am just an American who wants the best for our country.

This pretty much sums me up.

Everyday on Facebook, I read a lot of posts on various walls. Usually it is about what someone fixed for supper, how much we love our kids, grandkids, or someone needing prayer, and I love reading them. Here lately though, some of the posts have had my temper boiling and it has gotten to the exploding point.  Never before in my life have I heard so many derogatory, insulting, and downright horrible remarks about some of our American citizens.

The sad part is , these remarks came from fellow Americans.

I know that our country is in pretty rough shape right now, but talk to your parents and grandparents and they will tell you all about the DEPRESSION…where you had to have a stamp to buy gas, a stamp to buy coffee or sugar and then had to wait in long lines to do so, if you had the money.

And yes, I know that there are a lot of folks who feel that is where we may be heading again, but tearing each other down with these hateful and cruel remarks will not help this nation.

Now listen to this..

When I was 18 years old, I proudly marched myself up town and registered to vote. When you registered, you were asked to choose which political party you preferred.

I chose Democrat.

Yep…you heard me right.

If you ask me why, I would probably tell you that it was all I ever heard anyone talking about here in our little town at the time, which was around the late 60’s and early seventy’s…and also because my daddy was a Democrat. 

Just so you know, truth be told, I do not vote solely Democrat, nor do I vote solely Republican on ANY political race…(go back and read my ‘about me’ Facebook profile.)

So, yes, technically, I am a registered Democrat. You can talk about me all you want. Feel free. You won’t be the first nor the last to do so and I have learned to let most of it roll off my back.

Just don’t talk about my kids, my grandchildren, my mama nor my daddy, because this is where I get madder than hell…

In an instant.

Then I explode.

My daddy, who was a Democrat…

Worked two and three jobs ALL HIS LIFE…even when he was sick and practically near death.

He was not lazy.

He was not stupid.

He was not a low life.

He was not a blood sucking, welfare grabbing s.o.b.

And he sure as hell was not the scum of the earth…as some have chosen to call all Democrats on Facebook, thus including myself and my daddy.

President Lincoln said that ‘a house divided amongst itself can not stand’ and he was right folks.

If you want to know the truth…I did not like some of President Obama’s plans, nor did I like some of Romney’s plans. In the end, I  actually entertained the idea of writing  Honey Boo-Boo in, so that should tell you how I felt about either candidate.  She just wasn’t old enough.  

I do know one thing, no matter which way I vote, nor the outcome of the presidential race, I will not class all Democrats nor all Republicans into one big ball of mire. All Democrats are not ‘deadbeats who roll in welfare handouts’ ( not my words) and all Republicans are not ‘rich egotistical pompous jerks’. (again, not my words, folks)

Life will go on.

This presidency will last four more years and then a new president will come in. Be them Republican or a Democrat, no matter which political party, I just hope it will be SOMEONE who can help heal this great country of ours and help it stay the greatest nation on earth.

Call me naïve, but I still truly believe that we, the American Citizens, are so much more than just mere Democrats and Republicans. The majority of us are God loving, God fearing, good and decent people of all races. When trouble strikes, no matter where at, we have been known to be the most giving and helpful people in the world.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD?

Remember folks; God don’t like ugly.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and WILL HEAL THEIR LAND.”
2 CHRONICLES 7:14

God is trying to tell us something.

Think about it and then maybe we should all get down on our knees and pray about it.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

THANKING GOD AND WARNING A DEMON

First, and foremost, I thank YOU God for being with my sister/ friend today as she underwent surgery. I thank You LORD, with all my heart, for keeping the cancer cells away from her lymph nodes. It will still be a long hard road to her healing, but it will not be quite as rough as it could have been, if she would have had to have chemo.

I thank you Lord for my two nieces, who showed amazing strength and faith as they waited all day for news of their mama’s condition. As much as I would want to brag that they get this super inner strength from their Aunt’lene, in all truth, they get that from her. Even after coming through today’s painful surgery and feeling the nauseating side effects of the anesthesia, there she lay, never uttering a single moan, whereas I would have been kicking and screaming.

I knew she was sick and hurting…I could see it in her eyes. You see,  I have seen her in severe pain, so I know her reactions to it.

I have been through two births with this lady, seeing both my nieces born. She had NO pain medicine during both labors, but I never heard a scream, nor even a whimper, come from her…Although she did grab hold of and lay both of  the side rails of the hospital bed out flat…during each birth. I use to kid her, telling her that the hospital had to buy new bed rails each time she went in labor!

Cancer, you sick, demented demon, how DARE you touch this good and sweet lady… my friend, my sister, my niece’s mom?

I do have a warning for you though. Don’t let her sweet demeanor fool you. You don’t know her like I do.

Honestly, you don’t stand a chance.

She has more quiet determination in her little finger, than most folks have experienced in their whole lives. She will beat you and she will do it quietly and with great dignity.

Because that’s how she rolls. 

Oh……and one more thing….

She never ever gives up.

Thank YOU LORD for for the many, many blessings YOU give us…

And also for the angels You bring into our lives.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

THREE… TWO… ONE…BLAST OFF!

I went to see Amanda and the boys today. I got my big box from UPS yesterday and wanted to take them the goodies that I had ordered for them. I got the boys a down alternative blanket for each of their beds. I also got each of them a pair of footed PJ’s with little monkeys all over them…appropriate huh?!!!

Truth be told,  Mawmaw just couldn’t stand thinking of them being cold this winter. I also got them some Lightning McQueen shoes that the headlights light up on the little car icon on the side of them when they walk. Wyatt’s and William both had feet too big for their shoes! But at least Wyatt’s ended up fitting Will, which means I only have to trade Will’s for a bigger size for Wyatt.

I also got each of them a couple of pair of jeans and two shirts. William got an ELMO shirt and after trying it on, REFUSED to take it back off! Wyatt got Curious George on his and ended up keeping his on too. They each got a brown sweat shirt that says, “If you’re looking for trouble, YOU FOUND IT!”  Soooooooooooo true! heehee!  I got their mama a new maternity blouse and a pair of maternity jeans. Both fit her to a tee, thank goodness!

While busy looking in the box, Wyatt and Will both asked me, “Did you get us a prize Mawmaw?” Now I knew little boys don’t consider blankets or clothes as a prize…and they are use to me having them a prize when they come over to my house. ( I go to the Dollar Tree and buy them a dollar prize that they think is worth millions!! ) I did have them a little snack size bag of marshmallows each. William could eat his weight in marshmallows, but their little snack bags only had about 8 mini size each. As soon as Will caught Wyatt’s back turned, he grabbed his snack bag. I said, “ William give me that bag” and before I knew it, he had opened it and grabbed all the marshmallows and popped them in his little mouth! I couldn’t get mad because it took all I had in me not to laugh! He looked just like a little squirrel with marshmallows in his cheek…and a  HAPPY little squirrel at that!

The box that held all their goodies was huge. So when Wyatt and Will asked me again for a prize, I said, “ look…play with this box. Wyatt,you and Will go get your crayons” and when they both ran off to get them, Amanda got busy cutting a ‘door’ in the side of the box. By the time they got back and had decorated it, they had them a space ship! Amanda even made a little steering wheel for them out of some of the card board she had cut off!

They both got into their space ship by their side door and Wyatt said, “Three, two, one…BLAST OFF!” and our little guys were gone to the moon!  I told Amanda that one day, they just may be astronauts and we would think back to this day! They played with that box…excuse me…spaceship…for over two hours! You know, I think that is what I will get them for Christmas……some huge cardboard boxes!!

We were sitting on the porch swing when I got ready to leave, so I told them to come get in my lap and give me a hug and kiss, because I had to go home. Wyatt said , “Mawmaw, why you got to go? Will Uncle Dan be worried about you?” I told him no, but I had to go by and see my mama. They knew who I was talking about, because they have been to see her a time or two. Wyatt said, “Mawmaw…why her in the hospital..is she sick?”  I said, “no Wyatt, she is just very old and can not stay home by herself anymore…”  

The words he said next shook me up a little. He said,“Mawmaw… what will happen to me when I get old?” I swallowed hard and said, “Well Wyatt, you will have a wife and lots of children and grandchildren”. He said, “Mawmaw, I just want the grandchildren….but they can’t ride on my gator, cause the battery is dead!!”

God bless their little hearts.

I thank You soooooooooo much for my grandbabies God. They never fail to remind me, that we were all put here as innocents...

and once upon a time…

a cardboard box could be our spaceship.

To God be the Glory.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.