Pookie

What's your favorite card game?

It's so easy for me to answer, but I don't know the official name for it...we were told when I was a youngster that it was 'Nertz'. It is a take-off of solitaire in a way...2-4 people can comfortably play, each with a deck. Each person has a stack of 13 cards, and you only face the top one. You have the rest of the deck in your hand, minus 4 that are face-up in front of you, and those are the ones you can do solitaire on.  In the middle is where you put all the aces as they come up, and you build suits from there. The winner is the person who unloads the 13 pile first, and when you do, you yell 'NERTZ!!!' It truly is great eye/hand co-ordination, and veeeery competetive!

Last Saturday on the 7th, we had plans to go to a near-by city to spend the day for my birthday, and had invited friends to join us there for dinner and a nice walk around the city...nothing wrong with that!  Sounds pretty good...nice enough.  We received 2 requests from my in-laws to drive our niece, who was here visiting from out of state, to a huge mall where she was to meet her sister and be taken back home. At first request, I reminded my in-laws that it was my BIRTHDAY that day, and we had plans. Well, they then talked with my husband to see if he would ride with his Dad and take her.  At first, I was a tad insulted that they were persisting, knowing it was my BIRTHDAY. Thankfully, my husband called and discussed it with me, and after his sweet thoughts of it being an opportunity for me to shop with the $$$ he planned to give me for my big day, I felt in my heart that I needed to re-consider my thoughts for the day, and ask God what His were.  Well, I don't like selfishness, and so I realized that as long as I was spending the day with people I loved, it didn't matter where.  Also, we had not seen much of our 14 year old niece since she came; she spent her time with her cousins, and understandably so. I decided that this could be a perfect opportunity to talk with her during the 2-1/2 hour drive, and get to know her better. My husband's sister, her Mom, died of cancer 9 yrs. ago, and we have had minimal chances to see the kids since then.  So we agreed to make the trip, and I got excited about the new plans!  Called the friends we were to meet for dinner, and they were fine to go the next evening, so no problem there.  The neat thing about all this tedious story is that I realized how important our attitudes are in our happiness and contentment, and even fulfillment!  We wound up having such a terrific day with our 2 nieces, and my best friend who also joined us!  We ate a great lunch together, shopped here and there, walked and talked, had Starbucks...all that girlie stuff!  I realized just how much I could love and enjoy our nieces if given some alone time with them!!!  The oldest is 27, is a forensics chemist with such an interesting job, and a life of her own for which I didn't know much. I found out things that the girls like and don't like...and how much we have in common. What touched my heart the most was to see the relationship between the 2 of them...how much the big sis is like a 'mama' figure at times to her little sis, who was barely 5 when her Mom passed away. What also impressed me was that they spent all day until 8:45 p.m. with us, and were in no hurry to 'get  going'. Even as we shopped, they were so polite and patient.  So I came home and as I reflected on this day, my big whoopdy-doo "BIRTHDAY", I thank God that He wanted to give me 'relationship' for a gift, and I can't think of anything I would have enjoyed or appreciated more.  Had I been selfish, I would have totally missed out on such a wonderful opportunity!!! So glad I didn't....

It seems so hard to believe that the Princess has been gone from the world for a decade, come August. It would have been her 46th birthday July 1st. I became interested in her right from the start because we were a year apart in age, and after all, it was a real-life fairytale of sorts.  I was a Diana watcher and read everything I could about her back then.  But sadly, the fairytale crumbled before the eyes of the world. I came to realize that though she had great privilege, adoration of the public, and beautiful children, she had NO privacy of any kind. That had to get OLD...not even being able to go work-out without the cameras infringing upon you. She had alot, but she paid a high price. And I think the thing she wanted most eluded her, definitely throughout her marriage. It had nothing to do with 'things', it had everything to do with a longing in her heart and soul to be loved by one special person whom she could share a 'private life' with.  How sad that Charles could not love his princess. I guess she tried to be okay with it all for as long as possible, but we all have our breaking points.  I think that once she broke from him...all the sadness and loneliness, she seemed to come into her own, and was more beautiful than ever!  It saddens me that it didn't last longer for her, or her sons. But they shared alot of good together!   I realize that I am writing my thoughts from a perspective of caring for her, and not having much fond regard for Charles.  I suppose he married her for the wrong reasons, and she was too naive to see that possibility until it felt too late, so she went on with the wedding at her sister's urging.  That decision made for some of the best, and some of the worst times in her life (she was human and made mistakes too). I feel she always tried to think of others and serve the needy.  She had a huge heart, and the part of it that longed for a true love wasn't filled by her husband.  I guess we will never know what happened for sure the day she died.  So I choose to remember all the beautiful smiles she shared with the world...the giggles...the hugs and loves she gave her boys...the handshakes and hugs she shared with AIDS victims, or children in Angola. She also gave alot to charity.  So I just wanted to remember her, and celebrate the life she shared with the world.  She had her empty parts, and her full parts, and that is what made her seem like a real woman to me, not just a superstar. Miss you, Diana!

If any if you reading this have insights I didn't address, I welcome your comments...even if in defense of Charles....My best friend just told me that she recently heard that Charles loved Diana when they married, but he loved Camilla more. Makes me think Diana was the sacrificial lamb...he couldn''t have the woman he loved most, thus Diana....

  I don't know about any of you, but it seems like spring came and went in a flash!  That is my favorite season because of all the new life that nature presents us, and the mild temperatures are so pleasant.  Today I realized that summer has taken over!  Time for cook-outs, celebrations (Happy 4th of July!), and sweating!  If you have a pool, that's a great addition to all of the above, but I personally don't (have a pool...unfortuneately, I do sweat). So for those who have a pool, ENJOY!!!
  I want to say 'thank you' to those who are serving our country to help ensure our freedom...we don't take you or your families for granted.  You are dearly appreciated for the difficult job you do for us. My best friend has a brother who is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army...thanks Ray!  My brother-in-law, Bill, served the Navy for 10 years, and is in the Nat'l Guard now...thank you!  We can all think of someone to be thankful for, so let's say a prayer for their protection and blessings on them.  This year our choir didn't get to do any patriotic music, and I really missed that.
  Do any of you have a terrific vacation on the horizon??? Or have you already been on one?  It would be fun to hear where friends are going or have enjoyed going for some down-time!  I realized a few weekends ago that we didn't have to go far to find a place that felt like we were far away on a vacation...it's the downtown of a near-by city where there is a river running right through...there are sliding type rocks, and the views are gorgeous!  They have made it a lovely place to take a stroll, to have a special event, such as a wedding...it is wonderful.  The best part is that you are right in a downtown where Starbucks, Marble-Slab Creamery, and tons of fine restaurants are!  There are great hotels, and a beautiful cultural events center.  It is a great spot to spend a day, and that is what I hope to do next Saturday for my birthday, weather permitting!  I enjoyed it so much, that was my special request. Sometimes the simple things in life are the best....
  We  sure hope to make some baseball games this season...our church softball season is over. What great fun that proved to be...we miss seeing our friends twice a week!  Don, my husband, coached 3rd base, and I kept score this year since I wasn't able to play...hope to once again next year!
   Yup, the dog days of summer are here!!!

What's that secret dream job you've always believed you'd be good at, but never gone for? 
Submitted by wedgeh.

Well, I think it would be incredible to be a studio singer...harmonizing all day, doing background vocals. Never had the confidence when younger or knew how to pursue that. Can I tell you one more?  Hope you don't mind...the other would be designing rooms/interior spaces.  Not just the decorating thing, but figuring out what to do to rearrange walls, etc., to make it better. We did that with our own home...neat experience...ALOT of work!

Gee...alot has happened since I wrote!!!  I bet my neighbors wanted me to move out for being a BORING neighbor!  Well, I did have surgery on Feb.8th, and had a bit of pneumonia for the following 10 days because they forgot to tell me that you are supposed to take deep breaths and cough to help your lungs clear of your fluids (from being put to sleep).  But you know what??? The months of pain, the surgery, the loss of days at work and work-outs is all behind me now, and I don't want to dwell on that!  I would prefer to dwell on the GOODNESS of God in my life, and the peace He gave me prior to surgery!  I'd like to thank Him for reminding me of a great Christian hairdresser that I went to hair school with 25 years ago, and when I called him to see if he would take some of my clients while I was out a couple weeks, he more than graciously did so!  What a relief that was for me!!!   I didn't want the people who mean so much to me personally and in my business to be without an option during my absence.  Hair just won't wait forever  : )  

I also want to thank God for my friend Barb who is a nurse, and called to check on me several times...she came by and brought me an awesome fruit basket with all my fave fruits (she guessed)! That was so refreshing, and meant so much to me.  A couple of my choir friends brought over a meal one night, as did my mom a couple times. My sis brought me flowers and chicken soup! My best friend came to spend time with me each day, and brought tulips, and my husband was there to help me with whatever I needed!  He has been doing his laundry even!  So how could I not feel Gods' blessing and love for me?   It was incredible to have people truly care and express that in practical ways and fun ways. Sometimes it is when we face difficult times that we find out we aren't alone...not only is God there with and for you, but your true friends are too!  Their prayers mean the most.

I look forward to softball season!  Practices have begun, and though I won't be playing, I still go hang out and help shag balls just so I can continue to hear instruction on the finer points of the game, and watch, watch, and watch! My  best friend ever, Miranda, is our coach, and we see this church team as a ministry.  We endeavor to be a Christ-like example out on the field, and we share needs and pray for each other after the game ends. Myr and I enjoy sending cards to the ladies, for their birthdays, or for encouragement.  It is a great way to get to know other ladies for me as well!  So I will be their score-keeper this season, and look forward to being there to do anything I can to help!

I am so blessed to be back at my job...this is the 3rd week already!  I can tell that the Lord is strengthening me day by day.  It is going well.  I am VERY excited to have finally been able to get back in the gym, and out on the track to walk. I missed working out so much...I was in pain, and technically I could still at least use a treadmill or bike, but I was so tired from the lack of sleep, I had nothing to give except to do my job each day. So I am very ready to get back in better shape. It has been several years since I have not exercised VERY regularly, so it has affected me unfortuneately...but not for long!!!

Last of all, another blessing I'd like to share is a spiritual challenge in my life that has come in the form of a new worship leader at our church. This 30 year young man has so inspired our choir and praise team, as well as our congregation, to love on and worship God at a higher level than we ever have!  He is so in love with Jesus, and His hunger and thirst to know Him more and love Him deeper is SO evident. I have had the privilege of knowing him since he was 6 years old and the cutest little drummer you ever did see!  He is phenomenal on the keyboard as well, and writes worship songs also.  He is still very cute, but isn't taken with himself at all...just God.  When someone has that intimacy with the Father, it almost makes you jealous in a good way...you find yourself checking your heart to be sure you have that too!!!  It is for us all...and he is an inspiration to motivate us...God is cool.  Life is GOOD.

Because I'm dealing with carpal tunnel and sleep depravation as a result, my husband was insisting that I drive to my orthopaedic doctor without an appointment and try to see him or someone...I was desperate.  No one was returning my voicemails or cries for help (I said I was desperate!) from the doctor's office.  At first I told my husband "no way, who sees a specialist without an appointment?"  But he told me the 'squeaky wheel gets the grease," so we decided to forego our lunch together on Friday and I skeptically went to see my doctor. 

When you come off the elevator, someone is there to greet you and ask what you need.  So as I was explaining my story to the person and the fact that I had not heard back from my doctor's nurse, guess who came off of the elevator right behind me?  I saw the greeter smile and she said, "here's your nurse."  So suddenly I had their undivided attention.  It just happens that we are members of the same church, and he recognized me (cool). He was able to contact my doctor who was in a conference and got permission to get me a prescription for pain medication.  I couldn't believe how the pieces fell into place! 

So I tried the new meds last night and was feeling mild side effects initially.  But then I did go to sleep (it caused drowsiness) and the dosage I took apparently didn't agree with me.  I felt okay initially, but then around 10:15 this morning, I began to get a headache, felt dizzy, and sleepy.  It went downhill from there.  The severe dizziness made me nauseous.  Okay, so this is getting depressing.  The good news is that I finally felt better about 3 1/2 hours later.  One might think the medication wasn't such a blessing, however, upon contemplation of the situation, I believe now I know what meds I'm sensitive to for future reference (in case of surgeries or anything like that). 

So though it was unpleasant, I believe there is still a positive outcome, especially now that I'm sitting here eating popcorn feeling fine.  Just a little something to think about...we can find a rainbow after the rain if we try. 

And one last comment...I will never wonder if my best friend is true-blue or not. She was with me when I began not feeling well this morning. We thought we had a ministry appointment at 10:00, but it didn't happen (which was a blessing in this case). We were headed to my salon when I realized something was wrong. We got there, and soon I was in the bathroom not sure what was going on. She brought me a cool cloth to put on my forehead, and called the Nurse-on-Call service to ask about the situation. They thought I should go home and lay down and sip water and see if the symptoms would subside. At first, I wouldn't open my eyes (dizziness), and definitely didn't want to move. After a little while longer, she encouraged me in the direction of home, and prayed for me.  We got there, and I was truly able to rest and do as was suggested.  She was such a dear blessing to me today, and so I wanted to share my joy with you! It might be sappy, but so what!  I am thankful to have people who care in my life.  My husband gets up with me in the night if I need help. I hate for him to lose any sleep.   So I am grateful for God showing me His love through special people who allow Him to use them.    How blessed I am!!!   And I'm happy for her that her Colts won tonight!

What a neat privilege to have an opportunity to write and to share a bit of yourself with friends you know, as well as potential new friends!   I was blessed to be brought up knowing God my whole life, and as a wee child, I called the pastor "Jesus"...I'm sure he was flattered!  I can't think of a time that I didn't desire to please Him (or my folks!). In spite of efforts and attempts toward 'perfection', I  know in this stage of my life that it ain't gonna happen, and all that striving only wears you out, and caused me as a young person to feel such a burden of responsibility to the point of not always enjoying being a 'youth'.  I guess the up-side to that is the fact that I never got into trouble, and have lived responsibly (though NOT perfectly), for the most part, throughout my life. I am so thankful for the realization that God truly loves me for me...imperfections,weaknesses and all...because He made me and understands me better than anyone. He knew from the start that not one of us could be or would be perfect, thus His perfect Son did for us what we could not do for ourselves through His shed blood, death, and ressurrection!  What an incredible gift the Father provided us...do we even comprehend what that is for us?  Just by receiving this gift of love and mercy by faith, we are granted redemption for what is past, what we face now, and anything to come. We have the choice to love Him, and because of this love, we do desire to please Him and keep our noses clean, so to speak!   At least we know that in our humanity, we can know forgiveness when we repent sincerely to the Lord.  What freedom His love brings to our hearts and souls!   When we can focus on others, and what our lives can do for them, we find purpose and meaning beyond what we can imagine. Others need us, and we must be responsible people...it forces us to be accountable. And I think at times that this is one of the toughest realizations we will make. Some of us feel insignificant, misunderstood, different...but such is common to man!  Christ gives us a higher purpose that is beyond ourselves, and life is not about "me", but about our brothers and sisters moreso.    Just food for thought....