I was tagged.

Now, here’s how you play:

Once you have been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird, random things, facts, habits or goals about yourself.  At the end, choose 10 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them.  Don’t forget to leave a comment ("You’re tagged!") and to read your blog.  You can’t tag the person that tagged you.  Since you can’t tag me back, let me know when you have posted your blog so I can see your answers.

1) As a child I wanted to grow up to be a Nun- I'm not catholic and love men way too much

2) I am a bit OCD...ASK MY KIDS, vacuum cleaner lines are necesary, hangers all go in the same direction and I line up my remotes by size.

3)Before I was 18 ;I moved more than a two dozen times, I've lived in 12 states

4) I collect baseball cards

5) I am an ordained Stephens Minister

6) I have broken every finger and my thumbs too...fast pitch softball can be dangerous

7) I love to paint ; any room anytime...it's like therapy to me

8) I love elephants and have a collection from different places and countries(all with trunks up)

9) I am one of five daughters and I have 5 daughters

10) I'd rather walk in the woods than any other place

I TAG---

 RunningWithThePack

plaitsandjeans

Southerngal84

 lifeliveit

Tanya1968

mattsmammas

MelissaWRN

B2KITTRELL

TONYA

O.K. I'll start with the flying fishes and walking forest...That makes me think of a magical but mysterious time.Since the donkey is talking ,He seems to be referring to his self and his birth . Next he goes into the worldly views of a donkey. His description of his self is sad...but reminds me of how we often see ourselves. We are quick to condemn. That self condemnation often robs us of self growth and self worth. That condemnation is obviously from the liar himself..

The donkey...this poem made me think all about the donkey. It wasn't just a donkey. It was a foal ...a colt. This chosen donkey was an untrained baby. I have often heard donkeys are trainable; but often difficult .So why does Jesus picks a colt? He rides it with ease into a loud ,cheering crowd. The parade must have been noisy and distracting with palms and clothes tossed in the pathway.I have not read anywhere in the Bible about any difficulty during this procession. Jesus trusted the faltering footsteps of a donkey colt to carry him in to save the world.The donkey was ready when called upon.I even thought ...why ride in. Jesus walked everywhere. Why now, why ride a few hundred yards into town.He fulfilled prophecy.(Zechariah 9:9) A humble king riding a donkey to make all things right. As you can tell I allowed myself time to ruminate over this poem and the triumphant donkey ride.Perfect thoughts during Holy week. 

The whole idea of being used really spoke to me.   With my faltering steps am I ready and willing when called upon?    

THE DONKEY

When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born;

With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
Of all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.

GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON

We made it through another week, bring on the weekend! I love xanga, I have met some interesting people on here. But with the good comes the bad. Someone has found it necessary to use this forum to attack my daughter about her pregnancy. Anonymously asking why she would have another child when she is low income.Stating they have to support people like her. Wow, this blew me away. It really shouldn't have .I mean I have heard alot worse.I guess the anonymity bothers me most of all.It also bothers me that no one ever questions what her husband or other family members are doing to help..what is up with that. Why attack her...??

 I have always stood up..right or wrong . I respect those that do the same.

My pregnant daughter works 40 plus hours a week. Usually walking to work in the middle of a cold Michigan winter.She also babysits. She only takes help when absolutely needed. She is proud and strong and courageous.She is a loving mother who has battled off depression, poverty and unemployment. Though at times I am sure she had to swallow her pride...She has done so with her head held high.She has done everything humanly possible to make a rough situation better. Many people would have walked away long ago.I am  extremely proud of her and I want her to know it is o.k. to accept help. We are suppose to care for one another.She gives more in a kind glance than most people give in a lifetime. To know her is to be blessed! I love you my sweet "T"

Some of you know my Tanya and read her xanga post, if ya haven't been by in awhile this would be a good time to give her some love and hugs!

I will leave you this morning on a lighter note..actually a picture. ...

look how cute my puppy is.

She brings me toys and just looks at me until I play with her.

At Dunkin Donuts, of all places, I had an interesting political conversation..Yesterday; a lady obviously very conservative Baptist was complaining about Hillary Clinton and the fact she was still in the running as a presidential candidate.She said she believed a woman should never have an office where she was to rule over a man.She was claiming the proverbs 31 woman etc. It was interesting because I thought she could not see the  forrest thru the trees.I came from this background and believe some of what she was saying...actually most. But she could not see the big picture, The longer they run against each other the more damage they do to each other.They are hurting themselves. The democratic party has a good chance to win back the office this time, unless they blow it.Attacking Hillary and not Obama has been unfair.The news stations have coddled him and not her,how else will we know anything about him? I am a republican and believe most of what they stand for. As one, I am hoping the DNC allows them to rerun in florida and michigan and they carry on into the summer.One of these two may very likely be our next president...shouldn't we know more about them??

Speaking of trees...that was a leap.

Anyone out there watching Men in trees?I really don't know why,but I love this show. It has finally returned after going MIA during the long writers strike.The beautiful backdrop of vancouver is awesome. The idea that the ladies are way out numbered by men is a good thing ....a very good thing !It is a feel good kinda show, I like feeling good and watching handsome lumberjack type.....guess I do know why I like it.

That reminds me of a joke...I will leave you today with this thought.

A  large, well established, Canadian lumber camp advertised that they were looking for a good Lumberjack. The very next day, a skinny little man showed up at the camp with his axe, and knocked on the head lumberjacks' door.
      
      The head lumberjack took one look at the little man and told him to leave. "Just give me a chance to show you what I can do," said the skinny man.
      
      "Okay, see that giant redwood over there?" said the lumberjack. "Take your axe and go cut it down."
      
      The skinny man headed for the tree, and in five minutes he was back knocking on the lumberjack's door.
      
      "I cut the tree down," said the man. The lumberjack couldn't believe his eyes and said, "Where did you get the skill to chop down trees like that?"
      
      "In the Sahara Forest," replied the puny man.
      
      "You mean the Sahara Desert," said the lumberjack.
      
      The little man laughed and answered back, "Oh sure, that's what they call it now!"

We have been here over a year ,I am ready to move.A part of me wants to stay put, but I also have a desire to move. I guess it's because I have moved so much during my life that I think its the norm.My dad was in the military so we moved alot. My first husband too. Russ has had many job changes over the past couple of years. So there you have it, it's in my blood. No place has felt like home since we lived in south carolina.Michigan started to, then we moved.

62 monday...snow and ice storm tonight.Of course I washed my car yesterday.

My daughter is in a play at school. The play is mandatory since her exploratory is drama. She has to stay after school 3 days this week. 5 hours on thursday...and complete homework.That will be a fun night. I also have to pay to go watch her performance. I pay for the school, the costumes,the snacks for the cast party .Why should I pay as much as a movie ticket to go watch.We pay so much for her to go to this private school and every chance they get they want more.I have decided I do not want to help with any fund raisers, which is counter productive. If they don't raise money they raise tuition.If our schools were half way decent I could send her to public. So after all the expenses of the play we received a letter asking for money to thank the teachers. Sorry but NO!

Trading spaces is back and so is paige davis. I have watched it every week since it's return. It is even better than before.

I have to prepare my testimonial for a womans meeting next month. That should keep me busy.

Springtime is around the corner...I can almost see it. Maybe when it arrives I won't want to move so badly.

I always wanted a snowblower;until I used one. Russ had hernia surgery and can not do much. I have to shovel and use the snowblower.I thought...this will be a breeze. Where I live the wind never stops blowing. I tried to figure out which way to direct the shoot. I swear I rotated it every few seconds and no matter what I was covered in snow. Cold, wet, blowing,exhaust fume filled snow...yuck. I will go back to the old fashioned way...I will shovel for hours if I have to. I imagine they are handy when the wind is gentle and calm. Never here.I really thought Allen Funt(?) from the old candid camera show was going to jump out of a van and yell those immortal words..."smile, your on candid camera"My driveway is clear...just in time for tonights snow.

Pictures from the park today...enjoy. It is fun to look at and play in;but not so fun to clear

Looks like more fun for Abbey..she loves the snow.

A friend passed this along today. This friend obviously knows of my love for the WORLD CHAMPION BOSTON RED SOX!

I am ready to hear those words...let's play ball!

Just to make it's point...being-" I am not finished yet." Old man winter showed up again last night. We received about 14 inches of snow.Two days ago it was in the 40's.For those of you who do not know what that looks like ;I thought I'd share some pictures.For Ron and a few other snow dwellers..sorry. I know you are probably ready for spring and tired of looking at snow.It's pretty when it first falls. The land looks white and clean. with a sense of serenity. Then the snow plows and sand and salt rucks hit the roads. It turns nasty brownish/grey;slushy and mushy.

Yesterday afternoon I shoveled for 2 hours. This morning I opened my garage door to this;

This is the road I travel to the park. It is the long way. I love how the trees look just after a snow storm.

Winter........still kicking for a bit longer. The park was beautiful.

Seagulls and a rose...That is what I found at the park today. Is 42 here today.Anything over 35 and I'm outside.I decided to take Abbey to the park for a walk. I brought along my camera too. We are suppose to have a big snow storm tuesday. I could almost hear it announcing its arrival at the park. The waves off Lake Ontario were smashing on the shoreline.I wish I had my camcorder so you could hear the sounds. The ice was breaking apart and beating on the shore. Seagulls squawking loudly and adding to the loud wind.Wind here is always whistling it's never ending tune. I will ever get used to the wind here.It howls and whistles and snarls daily.Never a calm day. Even in the middle of summer we seem to have a brisk breeze everyday.While taking pictures of the seagulls..(I really need a more exciting life.)I noticed a single red rose half frozen in the ice. It was only halfway submersed in the icy river.What was the story behind this rose? Any ideas?I am thinking it blew away from a romantic couple picnicking...yeah right;reality check it has been very cold.Who in their right mind is out enjoying a picnic in february?It probably fell out of a dumpster leftover from valentines day and rolled it's way down the street over a hill and fell into the water.Forever frozen in ice and my romantic comedy imagination. 

The seagulls were not too happy to see Abbey. Though she really wanted to play chase with them.Abbey loves the park. She is afraid of children , but loves the park.Now you know why I take her during school hours. Here she is frolicking  over the ice and snow.                   just another day at the park...