Pay-It-Forward...

I have been remiss. I have been meaning to post this for several days, now. However, I've been much too busy trying to find other things to do (okay, not been difficult to 'find' other things to do...you should see my house...YIKES!) so that I didn't have to work on the curriculum for the course I teach online...which started TODAY! Finally got enough done and ready for the students to dig in, that I freed up some space in my brain to allow other 'things' to enter. whew...kinda wordy paragraph, hey?

I have been accepting more and more challenges, lately. Not that I don't have anything else to do, ya know. So, it could be good...or it could be overwhelming. So far, it's all been good. Anyway. When I ran across a Pay-It-Forward challenge on Christy's blog the other day, I was happy to jump right into it with both feet. I love her blog and read it everyday. Or, at least, every time she enters a new post.

I love gifts...especially handmade gifts. I love the idea of giving something to someone 'just because'. It makes my heart feel good. So, I was the #2 comment, which assures me of a gift from Christy. YAY!!!

I have the best idea for the gifts I will be sending...so why don't you jump into this challenge, too.

Here's what it is all about...

Be one of the first 3 bloggers

to leave a comment here on my post.

Those 3 bloggers will then receive

a handmade gift from me.

The first 3 bloggers can then pay-it-forward

to 3 bloggers on your blog.

All you have to do is:

~post this challenge on your blog
~ the gift can be anything you choose

and any price range and

you have 365 days to make/ship your item.

How fun will this be???

I know...many of you who read my blog don't have blogs...or already have too much to do. Could be interesting to see what happens, here.

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Other news...or doodles of my mind...

It's darn cold here! Double digit subzero wind chill. The Collies don't last long enough to potty out in that cold. I keep trying to coach them as we're on the way out the door....'now, if you hurry up, you will still have 4 good feet to walk on when coming back in. Just 'hurry up' and potty!' But, they're not really listening. Tango, in particular. Perhaps he is listening, but cannot hear me...he's 13+ years old, you know...and definitely showing some hearing loss. Allegra doesn't like to be spoken to in anything but a soft, sweet & gentle whisper (kidding...well, sort of), so if she thinks I am speaking sternly, she gets all nervous. You'd think she'd be used to my voice by now, for pete's sake...she will be 11 years old in a few months. Holy Schmoly, Princess Honey-Do Allegra! Now, Tag, on the other hand, is made of much tougher stuff (yeah, I know...and mud for brains) and has no problem at all. With either the voice thing OR the going out to potty in subzero wind chill weather! In fact, almost before pottying comes his immense desire to lower his core body temperature by eating as much snow/ice as possible. He is goofy...but that's my boy, Tag!

Finished 'Marley & Me'...it's funny & sad, and actually made me feel better about my naughty boy!

Now really...Tag is not that naughty. He is a very smart boy. Typical Labrador. Here's how smart the boy is. I dropped my pen under the side table. I could have gotten up out of the easy chair, but I was all comfy. So, I asked Tag to get it for me. Under the side table is a huge box...and another box is in front of it. He could have gotten to the pen by going around the back of either the easy chair or the sofa, OR by doing just exactly what he did. He crouched down and almost crawled through the small space between the table with the huge box under it and the easy chair. He grabbed the pen and then backed himself out. WHAT A GOOD BOY!!! Ya gotta love his eagerness to pick up things...and his desire to please. Ya know? He would make someone an excellent service dog. Ohyeah...me! haha. Of course, there are times when he picks up things he really shouldn't...but being the 'gotta show my mama' boy that he is, he always must come by me to show me...and then, of course, I take it away from him.

Okay, done rambling and it's time to get busy. Only 4 more days of vacation after today. {groan} Still much to do.

The Coal Basket

Have you ever read this story?

I just read it on Tracy's blog

(my cup runneth over)...

and just had to share it with you.

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The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible.

His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.

One day the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?”

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.”

The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house.

The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was “impossible to carry water in a basket,” and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Papa, it’s useless!”

“So you think it is useless?” The old man said, “Look at the basket.”

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.

“Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.” That is the work of God in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son.


Take time to read a portion of God’s word each day, you will never regret you did.

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This spoke loudly to me...remember, I started my daily Bible reading yesterday!

Early to Rise...

As a (sort of) new Christian, I've known for a long time that I need to read the Bible and memorize verses. Not only do I need to, but I want to! However, I hadn't been finding (read taking) the time. And, when I did find/take the time, it was at the end of the day...at bedtime. Not so good. I was tired. I had a wonderful Bible that, regrettably, had very small print. So, I would struggle to focus on the words I was reading, rather than being able to read along and focus on what I was reading. Last year, Brenis gave me a wondeful & BEAUTIFUL Bible...AND, it is large text!!! YAY!!! Now, I can focus on what I am reading...how great is that??

But. Still. I didn't take time.

THEN, I ran across this blog, and read about the 5:00 Club. Now, I am totally motivated! My alarm used to be set for 5:01 (don't ask) every morning...and my schedule at the VMTH was 7:00-1:00. But, now my schedule is 8:00-2:00, so my alarm is set for 5:51 (again, don't ask). However, I am always awake before 5:30...and usually awaken just after 5:00 (after 5:01, to be exact). I was so psyched when I read about the 5:00 Club! Like someone had to hit me over the head with a 2 x 4, ya know...I couldn't have figured out that I could just get up a bit earlier and do my Bible reading!

At any rate, I am on vacation this week, so I thought this would be a great time to begin this schedule! It'll give me a little time to get into the habit, so that when I go back to work on the 20th, I'll already be reaping the benefits and much more likely to continue on.

My good plans got messed up here on the first day, but as soon as the way was clear, I did my Bible reading. I have a journal that was designed specifically to keep track of what I am reading (thank you, Bren!) and what I get from my reading. I gotta tell ya...just this one day of starting everything off spending time reading the Word of God has got me all revved up. I truly believe that this the best way to go...it will better keep me in the Word all day long. Perhaps I will be able to apply what I've read to my ordinary, everyday life. hey?

Hope you're having a great day!

A Day of Rest??

Been baking...

oatmeal chocolate chip raisin cookies.

and working on the curriculum for my class.

Am reading this book...

laughing & crying all the way.

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Speaking of laughing - go read Sue's blog...

click HERE!

Lazy Day.

I got some good hookin' done...

and the dogs had a lazy day.

Another Snow Day...

Yup...it's snowing here. I had just commented the other day how nice it was to drive to work on bare roads for several days in a row. Unlike last winter, when it seemed every other day was a treacherous drive to work. But, hey...I was scheduled to be on vacation January 10-19, so I just took an extra day. woohoo...11 days of no work! Well, I have plenty to do around here, but you know what I mean.

Here are photos of a few more things I made for gifts...

Another apron...this one for my niece, Jody.

Didn't do ruffles this time (like me Mum's),

but pleats all around the outside.

Jody has promised to send a photo...

hopefully, it'll be better than this one.

This is the plastic bag holder I kept for myself...

it has some plastic bags in it already...

As some of you already know, I teach an online course (Veterinary Medical Terminology) for the Madison Area Technical College. The course begins next week and I have some work to do on the curriculum. This is my 3rd spring semester teaching it and I think it is so fun to teach an online course! No need to go to school...well, the final exam is face-to-face, but that's the only time I need to be there. And, of course, I love all things to do with playing on the computer...I am totally in my element.

I have a list of other things to keep me busy this vacation, too...3 projects for birthday/christmas gifts that need to be finished, dentist appointment, joining the 5 a.m. club (more on that on Monday), baking oatmeal cookies, and my granddaughter, Jasmine, will be staying overnight next weekend.

So, I'm guessing I won't be bored! ~grin~

But, because today is an 'extra' day, I think I will hook on my challenge rug. Lookin' forward to getting some good hookin' in!

TUESDAY'S TRUTH...

If you read my blog post on January 1...you know that I accepted the challenge, ‘one little word 2009'...to give me focus & to help guide me through this year. (If you didn’t read about it, click HERE.)

I thought it might be interesting...and it will certainly help me to keep my focus...if I wrote specifically about THE TRUTH on a regular basis. This is - first - for myself. If you garner anything from it, YAY! Just wanting to make sure that you know these 'tuesday's truth' posts will truly be ‘doodles of my mind’.

For this year, 2009, the first Tuesday of every month will have a post entitled ‘Tuesday’s Truth’. Some of the titles of these future blog posts immediately came to mind...now I just need to put my thoughts into words.

This first ‘Tuesday’s Truth’ is one that most of you are familiar with.

Please watch this video...(the first 18 seconds is the relevant part)



"You can’t handle the truth"...the most famous and oft-quoted line from "A Few Good Men". Clearly, Jack Nicholson, as Colonel Jessup, did not think everyone could. Handle the truth. At least on the subject at hand. But, he spoke it, anyway.

The Truth. What is The Truth? Specifically, what is The Truth of me? Can you handle it? Can I? Am I being truthful in all that I do...with everyone I know...whether or not I am understood...whether or not they ‘can handle it’? Especially, though...whether or not I can handle it. I'm not talking about saying whatever comes to mind...what I mean is to be living in truth, with my eyes wide open. To see everything around me, not just what I choose to see.

Do I think too much of what others might think of me? Sometimes, yes. I do. Does that stop me from being and/or doing what I need to be and/or do? Yes, sometimes. Is that the way it should be? No. Am I seeing what’s in front of me as truth? Do I look for it?

To look at The Truth...to live The Truth...I also need to put meaning into my life. Into all that I do. What you see is not always what you get. The me some of you know hides the me that is inside.

The Truth of me...is that I am a Fraud! Oh, not intentionally. But, there are too many parts of me...The Truth of me...that need to be changed. I want to change many aspects of my life, yet I do nothing. Everything I dream of is, in fact, achievable. Yet, it would take effort. If I faced The Truth of me head-on, I could do it.

These are 'doodles' that run around in my mind every day. Something to reflect on...to ponder...The Truth of my life.

This year, it is time for me to take more steps forward than steps taken back. To continue on & live my life with...The Truth.

Conlan's Visit

I had my grandson, Conlan, for the weekend. He is quite the character...way too much like his Dad, methinks. {grin} Conlan's birthday is the 8th...hard to believe that he is going to be 6 years old already!

Tag was sooo excited to see Conlan.

He has always thought that

Conlan was put on earth for the

sole purpose of being his playmate.

We had a great time. I had stopped at the library and picked up a bunch of books for him. Conlan's main interests are anything to do with fire trucks & being a fireman...and dogs. So, I made sure to get a few books relating to those things. He is a beginning reader, so it was fun to help him sound out the words. Other than reading, we watched "Polar Express" & "The Incredibles", colored/drew/cut pictures, and he played with the dogs. AND, we baked oatmeal cookies.

Conlan asks very interesting questions...

"Why is Tag's nose shorter than Tucker's???" (Tucker is their chocolate lab...she actually does have a longer muzzle than Tag)

"Why does the toilet, when I flush it, sound like diarrhea?" (gosh, I don't know...the flushing sounds normal to me!)

"Why does Allegra bark so much?" (truthfully, everyone asks that question)

And, many more questions and comments. He cracks me up! Absolutely...and he always has.

Here are some more photos...

opening a gift...holy schmoly,

he opens gifts like my Gram Kelley used to

...without tearing the paper...haha!

groovin' to whatever song was playing on his iPod...

(I had the other earbud in my ear...also groovin'!)

putting cookie dough on the baking sheet...

eating his good cookies...All tucked in...see who is sleeping with him?

It was great fun. I'll have Jasmine in a few weeks. That will be great, as she is older and a girl...so we'll be able to do some different things.

More Sewing...

Here are a few more things I made

to give as Christmas & birthday gifts

(there are a ton of birthdays in our family

in the months from November through February).

These shown have now been received

by those they were made for.

A lined vest for Jasmine...here's the front

here's the back...that's a kitty button on the tab...
Pajama bottoms for Conlan...

2 pair of long flannel bottoms &

the short cotton labrador bottoms...

More to show at some future date...

Kaylynn hasn't received her gifts, yet.

AND, 3 gifts are started but not yet finished.

By the time I finish these gifts,

it'll be time to start working on this year's gifts!

YIKES!

The New Year...

When I was younger, I faced each new year with much hope and optimism..and eagerness of what was yet to come. Now, though I always have hope and am usually optimistic, sometimes I am not so eager. Ya know? Must have something to do with the passing of time...with getting older. At any rate. Here it is - the NEW year! I try to not make resolutions, but I do always intend for things to change. Sometimes they do...and sometimes not. It mostly depends on my focus. But, there are always new experiences and friends just around the corner to shake things up a bit. And, though this past year was difficult in some ways, I am thankful for each and every moment.

That brings me to two things.

First...this poem. I saw this on another site and looked it up. Tends to make one stop and think.

Click here to see the little movie. Or, read it below...

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The Dash

copyright 1996

Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak

at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

and spoke of the following date with tears,

but he said what mattered most of all

was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

that she spent alive on earth...

and now only those who loved her

know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;

the cars....the house...the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...

are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

to consider what's true and real,

and always try to understand

the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,

and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives

like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

and more often wear a smile...

remembering that this special dash

might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read

with your life's actions to rehash...

would you be proud of the things they

say about how you spend your dash?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This poem is available in a gift book, as a DVD & a framed print here.

Just remember the old adage...if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That's all we can do. Let's try to fill that dash with moments we can be proud of.

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Second...

Saw this on Bren's blog and went to check it out. A 'challenge' of sorts. Check out Ali Edwards' blog.

ONE LITTLE WORD 2009

The idea is to choose a word

that will help you to focus on

where/who/what you want

to be in this coming year.

One that will act as a reminder.

A powerful word.

I have decided that my word is...

Truth is just that...truth.

Truth is that which simply is.

Not one's perception, but the facts.

(just the facts, ma'am)

How does Truth affect me?

Only in everything I live,

eat, and breathe.

Truth of the Word,

truth in my relationships

truth within myself

and others.

Truth from others.

Not half-truths,

not omissions...

Truth.

The whole Truth.

And nothing but the Truth.

So help me, God.

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That's my word...what will your

ONE LITTLE WORD 2009 be???

HAPPY NEW YEAR...and my weirdness...

Okay, just to warn you, this may be a day of multiple posts. I have lots to say...just not sure I have the time. (don't roll your eyes at me {grin})


First of all, a VERY Happy New Year to everyone! I am praying that this will be a good year for everyone I know...well, for everyone, I suppose. 2008 was a year of highs and lows...some very high highs, and some very low lows.


Secondly, I was laughing hysterically out in the kitchen a bit ago, so had to grab my camera and share this with you all. Those who know me best will 'get' this...you others may just shake your head and wonder why you came here...you know who you are.


Okay, here is my handsome boy, Tango...13.5 years old. I took this photo just a few minutes ago. I've been working on getting Tango groomed today...which is not a quick and easy task for me.


Reasons:
#1...he has way too much coat for an indoor dog.
#2...I can sit on the floor for about an hour at a time, but even then have a horrible time getting up and moving around afterwards.
#3...it's been too long since Tango was fully combed out.


Anyway. I was in the kitchen stirring the chili in the crockpot and heard Tango walk into the room. Heard...yes...cuz his nails are too long and I've been very bad at keeping them short lately. It occurred to me that it might be weird for him to walk on the bare floor with one side of his body groomed...because that means that his nails on one side (in this case, his left side) are shorter than they are on the other side. So, I was thinking about that, and wondered if it might be like if I had one foot in a loafer and the other foot in a high-heeled shoe?

(and, before you gasp in horror over what the difference in length must be between the clipped nails and the unclipped nails to make me wonder what I did, let me assure you that it's no more than about 3/16's of an inch.)


HYSTERICAL!!! HAD to call my sister, Jill, and tell her...she, who has the same sense of humor as I.


So...if you look at this photo, you will see that one foot is trimmed and the other is not. Otherwise, it's a nice one of him. I'll get to his right side and feet shortly.





Okay, that's all for this one!