The Church House beating....

Sorry I didn't write last night but things got a little crazy around here and it got late before I realized it. This is a very sad story about a little bitty, sweet, sugar dumplin' (me) that got the ruffles whipped clean off her britches one Sunday. I guess I have been in church about as long as I've been alive. By now you know I was raised in Kosciusko, Mississippi and the infamous "church house beating" took place right outside the walls of the Hurricane Baptist Church. I was very young because I can remember wearing panties with ruffles on the hiney! To this day, I still love anything with ruffles and obviously ALWAYS have! I probably need to clarify....I DO NOT STILL WEAR PANTIES WITH RUFFLES! Don't even go there! Anyway, one Sunday, during church, daddy, mama, Rhonda and me (little sugar dumplin') were sitting in the worship service. I can't tell you much of what happened next because in the blink of an eye, I was in the car with my daddy. I can clearly remember where the car was sitting, (on the left side of the church, right up next to a window) I just have no recollection of how I got inside it with this mad man! He may have thrown me out a window for all I know. The battle that ensued inside that vehicle was intense! I can only remember bits and pieces, (because I must have been going in and out of consciousness) but we were in the front seat when he started whipping my behind and I remember crawling over into the back seat, trying to get away from him! He didn't let up! He was right behind me, coming at me like a Spider Monkey! Over the seat, he whipped me some more! I swear I didn't have a ruffle left on those PINK panties! I can't imagine what I could have possibly been doing to deserve such an assault on my sweetness! Many years later I would dedicate the song "Daddy's Hands" to him but it always had a "deeper, extra special" meaning to us that most people didn't know about. No one seems to remember what I did in church that day but I'd venture a guess, it didn't happen again! I can remember about three times in my entire life that my daddy whipped me, but only one incident worthy of writing about! Now mama......welllllllll, now that's a horse of a different color! For the first 10 years of my life I thought her right arm was a peach limb!

Once again, a true story with a humorous slant for your reading pleasure. Oh, I have so many more to tell! I wish you much joy and laughter! God bless..........

SHEILA in the grass....

Since I have such mental blocks and can't seem to write at night, I've decided I'll keep telling my childhood stories. Maybe someone will get some enjoyment out of them. This is a story about cutting the grass. You remember me telling you that we had a huge yard in Mississippi? Well, one day I was behind the house, fooling around with the lawnmower (which I was NOT supposed to be doing!) For some reason daddy couldn't get it to crank a day or two before and so I remembered a trick I saw him do and I thought I would try it. Well, it worked and I cranked the mower! HOLY COW! I HAD BECOME A MECHANIC! This ranked right up there with Moses parting the Red Sea!!! It was only a few seconds and mama came tearing out of the house, screaming like a wounded Wildebeest! She was not happy that I had cranked the mower but I WAS! I was proud of my 8 year old self and what I had acomplished! Right about that time, she got this EVIL look in her eyes, (the look I would see often in the years to follow) and decided that since I was old enough to crank the mower, I must be old enough to cut grass! And, that's how it all started! From then on, my carefree summer days were spent mowing our 900 acre yard! At least that's how big it looked to me! Once again, me and Rhonda would divide it up into sections and decide who would cut what. This one particular day, I got in mama's closet and she had this DROP DEAD GORGEOUS, blue, lacy, party slip I had been dying to wear! It looked like the perfect lawn mowing attire so I put it on, pinned it up tight around my waist so it wouldn't fall off and headed out to earn my slave wages! I began mowing in my same old boring pattern but it was different this time because I looked so beautiful in my dress. Then, out of the blue it hit me! Our yard was big enough that I could mow my name in the grass! How cool would that be!!! Well, off I went in my DROP DEAD GORGEOUS SLIP/DRESS! I was just about to the letter E when from behind me I heard the familiar cries of the wounded Wildebeest again! Oh my gosh! She was after me with a stick! I can't remember everything she said but I can assure you, it wasn't nice! She must have been speaking in her native tongue because I couldn't really understand her very well! I just knew she had a BIG problem with me writing out my name in the front yard! SHE NAMED ME SHEILA so I really didn't know what the big deal was! Anyway, she whipped me all the way back to the house! Then, after she beat me half to death and made me take my slip off, she made me go finish mowing! The very NERVE! It was brutal I'm telling ya! Brutal!

I LOVE my mama! She would cry like the Wildebeest many, many, MANY more times before I grew up but she never gave up on me (or any of us kids.) I exaggerate a teeeeeny bit when telling my stories because I hope it will bring laughter to the reader. If you know my mama, you will laugh for sure. I really DID try to cut my name in the yard that day and she really DID yell at me and she DID get after me with a stick and she DID make me take off the pretty slip. Oh and she DID make me finish cutting the grass so maybe I really didn't exaggerate that much after all! HA! Tomorrow, I'll tell you about the "Church House Beating!" MAN! I had a good childhood! God bless.......

My first love.....

Some time ago, I promised I would write all about my first boyfriend. My sister, Rhonda, and I always played games when we were younger and much of the time we had imaginary friends playing with us. We lived in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE so there was no one else around to play with during the summer. If you had a friend, you definitely had to conjure them up in your mind. We always played in different parts of our yard, which by the way was huge, and we would divide it up into sections, most of the time with the grass clippings after it had been mowed. We would rake the grass into shapes of houses and that's where we lived. It was a great game! As we got a little older, we decided we needed husbands so.......we made them up! Rhonda was always standing there with her back to me and she could wrap her arms around her body and it looked like she was being hugged by someone! It was crazy how that looked and it made me plum mad! I couldn't do it with my arms and so I had to improvise. AND, as luck would have it, I didn't have to imagine my feller up.....He lived on the side of the road at the edge of our yard. We had these little black metal telephone poles that were about 4' tall and they had numbers written in white paint on one side. My guy's name was 764589. I ALWAYS had to go to his house because he only had one leg, but MAN, did we ever have some good times! We'd talk and play games and even danced on occasion. I remember him dipping me during a ballroom type dance several times! He WAS a faithful boyfriend and never danced with Rhonda, well.....at least not that I ever saw! One day I went to see him and a bird had flown over and......well......you know! His numbers were really hard to read that day and I was understandably upset but in no time, he was clean as a whistle. You think I'm kidding don't you? Well I'm not and this is all very true account of a game of make believe that two little girls played in Kosciusko, Mississippi! You can ask Rhonda, (aka Ole Limber Arms) if you don't believe me! Now that I'm all grown up, I wonder if mama ever looked out the window and wondered what in the heck I was doing dancing with the telephone pole? OR, HOLY COW, how does Rhonda do that with her arms! If she did, she never mentioned it! She had probably long given up on trying to figure out what we were up to! God bless her and daddy for raising us AND doing a darn good job of it! I ended up with a man, just as faithful as ole 764589 but he's no where near as good a dancer! I have all kinds of good stories so stay tuned....... I still can't do that with my arms!

I've always heard that God is especially close to the simple minded. You know He's gotta' LOVE me! God bless you all..........

So blessed!

You know, my son Jeremy called me from work this morning because they were having a big lay-off at his job today and we were really worried about it. He's only been with the company for about 4 months so there was definitely reason to be concerned. Well, they didn't lay him off and as an added bonus, they praised him and told him how they felt he was a real asset to the company. Now if you've never seen Jeremy walking on clouds well.....let me tell you, it's an joyous sight to behold! He has been a happy young man this evening and we have been happy for him! I asked him if he wanted to dance with his mama to which he replied, "I'M GOOD!" Oh well.....I tried! :)

As a result of the ongoing economic challenges, Alfred got his hours cut way back last week. While we know things may get rough for us financially, we also know that God has never failed to provide for our needs. Why would I have any reason to think He would fail us now? When our boys were little, in the 80's, Alfred got laid off from his job and I remember being so afraid of what would happen. He has always been the best provider for us so he went right back into the home building business. He stayed plenty busy but we still struggled terribly during that time. The boys had found their stomachs and keeping them fed was a big grocery bill for sure. One day we were so broke and Alfred didn't know how he was going to get gas to make it to work the next morning. It was so depressing but this particular afternoon we decided to get out and take the boys for a walk. No sense sitting there worrying over it. We'd even take a bucket and pick some Dew Berries so I could make a cobbler. I will never forget that walk! Alfred was on one side of the road in a berry patch and I was on the other side picking from vines off the side of the road. I looked down and there in the dirt was a $5 bill! About that time, Alfred hollered at me and said, "The berries are over here!" I hollered back and said, "Well the money's over here!" I picked it up, knocked all the dirt off and ran to show him! You could tell it had been there a while because it was caked with dirt! No matter! It would still buy just about half a tank of gas! We were so happy because we realized, God had provided for that very need at the exact time we needed it the most! God doesn't sit in Heaven oblivious to what's going on with His children! He just wants us acknowledge Him and believe that He CAN and WILL take care of us. It's called FAITH! It's not hard..... you just have to "let go and let God!" Because ... He is good all the time! God bless you guys and don't forget to pray for one another.

God was everywhere!

I have no idea what I did to get that honkin' big picture on my home page! I have tried nine ways to Sunday to fix it but no luck. I guess you'll just have to keep looking at Red & Blue (our two dogs posing so nicely for the camera) Red is a Red Bone & Blue is a Blue Tick! How's that for some real original names? HA! But isn't the river pretty in the picture? Me and Ferd were both off Monday and it was a GORGEOUS day so we paddled across the river, crawled up on the bank and listened to the peaceful, but rare, sound of quietness! Ferd layed back and I just perched on a high bank and enjoyed God's creation. I'm not certain I can convey to you how it felt sitting there, but in that amazing peacefulness was a deep awareness that God was right there; all around us! He was in the trees, the skies, the waters, and I could hear Him in the wind! It was Heavenly and I didn't want to leave. I think I could have sat there for the rest of the day but Ferd had work to do so after a while, we went back across. I can't even imagine what Heaven will be like if just sitting on the river bank was that extraordinary!? WHEW! When you go outside today, take a look around and see if you don't recognize Him! I'm telling ya....there's no greater peace than the peace that comes from a personal relationship with Christ! God bless you all and have a safe and blessed weekend!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

God bless America, land that I love

Stand beside Her and guide Her

Through the night with the Light from above

From the mountains, to the prairies

To the oceans white with foam

God bless America

My home sweet home!

~Irving Berlin~ 1938

Our nation is officially headed in a new direction and more than ever we need to be vigilant in prayer. Regardless of how any of us voted or how we feel about our new President, we must support him and cover him in prayer. We live in the most blessed Nation on the face of this earth and if we don't get on our knees before God, He will withdraw His mighty hand of protection over us. Our precious freedoms we take so for granted, are being taken away and we are sitting back and letting it happen. I am about to be 51 years old and even in my short lifetime I have seen changes that have been detrimental to this great country. When I was a little girl, school started every morning with a prayer and The Pledge of Allegiance! We did NOT begin the day without them! AND, I remember the priority that was put on getting the flag down from the flagpole at even the slightest hint of rain. There was a deep respect for Old Glory and we all knew what she stood for! It was imbedded in us at a young age. Now, some 45 years later, families are torn apart, husbands and wives cheat on one another, children disrespect their parents and elders, killings happen as if some sort of sport! In Matthew 24:12 it says, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Jesus Christ gave us a very clear warning that in the last days, the natural love that should be between children and parents, husbands and wives, and families in general would grow cold. Almost as if to freeze over. If there were only one warning that signaled the "end times" this one would be enough to convince me. But, just go back 40 or 45 years. About the time someone decided we didn't need God in our public schools..and people wonder what happened? Let me put it this way.....If Christ is not the center of the home, then families, schools, churches, governments and on and on, simply will not be able to stand! It's simple really! Christ is the ONLY way! I pray you choose Christ!

New Employee

My devotion today was called "New Employee" and it really made me think about my position in the workplace. I have always tried to do my job to the very best of my ability. I take great pride in being an honest, loyal and dependable employee......one that gets things done. Then I read this devotion. The scenario is simple.....Jesus comes to work in my office for one year! WOW! How do you measure up to His performance? How do you measure up period!? Well let me be the first to say, you don't and you never will but that doesn't mean you don't try. In my field of work, several months ago, I had the chance to meet other ladies that have the same job title and description as myself. They were from offices all throughout our region and as I listened to the different ones talking, I soon realized they were so experienced and to be quite honest, I felt a bit inferior in their company. Now, I had a choice right then and there. I could have thought, I'll never know as much as they do or I'll never be as good at this as they are! OR, I could sit up straight and take some lessons from them. I could listen more closely and glean valuable information from their years of experience. Just because someone does something better than me is no reason to slack off and quit trying. I just have to bow up and get moving! Always trying to be better! That's the way it is with Christians. We are NEVER to settle for "good enough." There's more out there brothers and sisters and I'm going after it! I'm going to take advantage of every opportunity out in front of me and I may not always sit and wait for it to come to me....I may hunt it down! We are to keep our eyes on the PRIZE and that means never giving up. Jesus is the Prize and the road to Heaven is paved with God given opportunities. Don't let them slip through your fingers.

Now, I hope you enjoy the following as this is what all my rambling is about today:

What would happen if Jesus came to work for a year in your workplace? Let's consider some hypothetical things that He might do:

He would do His work with excellence. He would be known around the office for the great work He did. He would develop new ideas for doing things better. He would hang out with sinners in order to develop a relationship with them in order to speak to them about the Father. He would strategically pray for each worker about their concerns and their needs. He would pray for those who even disliked Him. He would rally the office to support a needy family during Christmas. He would offer to pray for those who were sick in the office and see them get healed. He would honor the boss and respect him/her. He would consider the boss as His authority in His workplace. He would be truthful in all his dealings and never exaggerate for the sake of advancement. He would be concerned about His city. He would always have a motive to help others become successful, even at his own expense.

CAN I GET AN AMEN SISTA! :) GOD BLESS.......

Pushin' Smiles!

One of our elderly clients came in last week and asked about selling some of her stocks. She was so happy and had a smile from one ear to the other. She realized her account had significantly decreased in value due to the economy, but wasn't the least bit concerned. Said she knew the Lord takes care of her and she wasn't worried about it one bit. We talked about how good God is and how He has always taken care of us whether it be in times of want or times of plenty. If you turn on the news these days, all you hear is gloom and doom but I'm telling you, this sweet lady has got it all figured out. She isn't relying on what the stock market does or does not do. She is trusting in her Lord and Savior and it was evident with every word that came out of her mouth. She left a trail of "feel good" behind her when she walked out! ;) As Christians, we need to be encouragers. We need to be like this little lady and walk around with a big smile that makes people want to ask, "What the heck?" You know, she is probably pushing 80 years old and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." You don't have to look far to see a bunch of dry bones walking around and I sure don't want to be like them! Did you know that different types of machinery must be oiled regularly or excessive friction will occur and before long, they're completely worn out. The lubrication causes them to operate smoothly. There's way too much friction in this world today and it doesn't have to be that way. We can do our part with something as simple as a smile! It's contagious! Now this is your assignment. "Go about, spreading much oil and causing smooth operations for the people of God!" :) God bless........and don't forget to smile!

Somebody's a year older!

Well Alfred has his 52nd birthday today and he doesn't look a day older than 51! HA! I went to the bakery at Brookshire Brothers after work to get him a cake and well.....the selection was not what I had in mind! I settled on this one particular cake and headed for the checkout. Then, something caught my eye! There was this specialty cake section that had cakes that were so gorgeous, I thought they were fake! You know.....the kind that you just look at and then place a special order for. Anyway, I asked one of the ladies if these cakes were real to which she replied, "Oh yes" and I replied, "Oh my!" Welllll.......Ferd got a chocolate cake with a mountain of whipped chocolate icing and topped with rows of dipped strawberries! Holy Cow! It was so pretty! The girl at the checkout even said, "Wow! What a pretty cake!" Nuttin too special for my man, I always say! :) Speaking of special.......I even made Tacos for supper! Now you're probably thinking.....TACOS? For the birthday guy? Well, Alfred LOVES Tacos! I think he puts them right up there with fried catfish! Leah and Dennis came & had supper with us so it was a really nice evening. They bought him a camping cook set for his cabin.

Today in my daily devotion, I read the following quote and it impressed me so much, I felt inclined to share. "The burden of suffering seems a tombstone hung about our necks, while in reality it is only the weight which is necessary to keep the diver down while he is hunting for pearls." Everyone hates going through troubles and trials but if we do our best to keep things in perspective, maybe we'll see that God has some hidden treasures for us to discover. I know this has been the case in our lives. We have been so blessed but have also been through some very dark days in the past. Days I wanted nothing at all to do with God! I didn't understand why such awful things were happening and the only one I knew to blame was God! He could fix it if He just would! But He didn't right then and oftentimes He won't. He has something He wants us to learn. We have to stay down, with that awful weight around our neck, and force ourself to look for the treasure! Then, after what seems like an eternity, one day you catch a glimpse of something shiny! It's not a physical treasure but a spiritual one. One called HOPE. Something begins to well up inside of you because you know He is bringing you through. There are no words to describe that feeling but one thing is for certain....God is still in the process of working things out for our family. The realization of it all is amazingly beautiful and I am so thankful knowing He's always there. Even though I shook my fist in His face, He still loves me just as much as ever. We can't stand idle in the fire or we'll be completely consumed. Our God is an AWESOME God!

My Curio!

Well we went to Kingwood after church this afternoon and picked it up! It is the most beautiful cabinet and I am so proud of it! Oh, and it's lighted too! I didn't know that when I bought it so it twas a really nice surprise!

Me & Ferd went to a great concert last night in Livingston. The Booth Brothers & Legacy Five were at Livingston High School, sponsored by Central Baptist Church. My boss gave us tickets for Christmas and we really had a good time. Of course, being the avid concert goers that we are, at intermission, we thought it was over and got up and left. Our goal was to get out ahead of the traffic. Were almost home and Jack called to ask where we were. He said the concert was only half over when we left! Do what!?!? I couldn't believe it! They started promoting their CDs and such and I thought they always did that at the end. Anyway, we missed the second half! UGH! Oh, and we definitely got out ahead of the traffic!

Alfred doesn't go back to work until Wednesday. They have been cut back to 48 hours a week and he will work Wednesday through Saturday, 12 hours a day, until things get better with the economy. I know having some extra time off will be good for him because he works so hard and he most assuredly deserves it. He said he was going to quit and let me support him! YIKES! I'm thinking that would be great and I would do it in a heartbeat, but I'm not sure it would work out very well.

I really don't have much time to write because I have a big pot of chicken & dumplings cooking and it's already getting late. Anyway, I must go check on them. Goodnight & God bless....

What to say, what to say.....?

This is one of those nights when I am completely at a loss for words. Those of you that know me well must be thinking, YEAH RIGHT!! Rarely am I at a loss for words but this daily journal stuff is hard. It feels like I need to have an Newsbreaking Story in order to make people want to read it again tomorrow but frankly, my life just isn't that exciting! Maybe I should try bungee jumping or sky diving! Naaaaa......I think not! Oh yeah.....I DID get an invite to come to the sprawling metropolis of Onalaska and take square dancing lessons. YIKES! I really don't want to learn square dancing but the guy that invited me asked if I would dance with him and you know how I hate to disappoint. AND, they might want me to dance in a parade or something and that AIN'T happening!!! Oh well.....I think I just talked myself out of going after all! I have loved to dance as long as I can remember but square dancing always seemed like an old people's dance! After all, I AM such a youngun you know! I mean....I get carded every time I try to buy a silly bottle of wine. Speaking of wine.....I never drank in my life until someone introduced me to a couple of the FINER wines! Boone's Farm Fuzzy Navel and Strawberry Margarita! Woo hoo! Oh me me me, that is some kinda tasty stuff! Please don't misunderstand...I have NEVER been drunk in my life so don't go to thinking I'm a wino cause I'm not! I just like the taste of an expensive, $3.00 a bottle wine. HA! AND, I figure the reason Fuzzy Navel can't sit in a bottle, aging down in a dark cellar is because people drink it as fast as they make it! You know....supply & demand! The doctors say a glass of red wine every day is very healthy for us. I asked Alfred if Strawberry Margarita was considered red wine, since it IS red! He said he really didn't think that's what the doctor ordered! Oh well.....all I want is to be healthy and the real wine is SO DARN NASTY TASTING! Anyway, now you know.....And to think....just a few minutes ago my mind was blank! :) :) :)

God bless............

Fluff dried kitty!

Someone left the dryer door open and this is what we found tonight! Cotton was looking at us as though we were completely insane! He was quite comfortable! We really didn't dry him!

Lookey what I bought tonight!

This is the MOST GORGEOUS curio cabinet I have ever seen! It is an antique and a lady in Kingwood had it for sale for $150! Of course I jumped all over that and drove down and paid her for it tonight. I will pick it up Saturday. It is much prettier than the photo shows and I am so proud! Anyway, there's not too much to write about tonight. I had a good day at work and got to spend some time studying for the upcoming tax season. It will be very hectic from the end of January until April 15th so we have to be as prepared as possible. Lots and lots of phone calls and questions will come in and it gets a bit mind boggling to say the least. Edward Jones believes in preparation but you have to take advantage of all the good things they offer when you can.

The sun finally stayed out all day and it was great! Driving to Kingwood after work this evening, I found myself captivated by the colors in the sky as the sun was going down. It was amazingly beautiful and I wondered how many people were driving along, with that marvelous work of art all around them, never giving it a second thought. How can you not be in awe of something so picturesque? I just had to tell God what a good job He had done! How can anyone deny God when His creation is everywhere you look? It is impossible to open your eyes and not see something of God's handiwork! Whether you choose to acknowledge Him or give Him credit is up to you. This child chooses to be ever thankful for a loving, gracious and merciful God. A God that sent a perfect Son to an imperfect world and an imperfect ME! I pray you choose Christ........

Pop-Tarts & Panties!

Did that get your attention? I had to go to WalMart today and I had a list, in my purse, of things I didn't want to forget! When I pulled it out, those were the top two items and immediately, I was inspired to write! HA! Actually, it made me laugh. Kinda' sounds like a country song don't it? Right up thar with "I'd Like to Check You Fer Ticks!" Don't even get me started on that one! Grrrrrrrr......... Anyway, you'll be happy to know, I bought everything on my list! And....that's all I'm going to say about that! :)

Today was a good day at work. It feels good getting back into a routine, however, sleeping in everyday wasn't too bad for a few days either. I can get used to it pretty quickly! Alfred thinks he's sleeping in if he makes it past 6:30AM but not me! I can make it til 9:00AM if you don't disturb me. However, when I know I don't have to get up early, I may stay up til 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning so it really doesn't count if I sleep until 9:00 right? Holy cow! What am I talking about anyway? See.....when I have an uneventful day, there isn't much to write about so you'll just have to take whatever you can get! Some nights I can't think of ONE thing to write and I wonder, why on earth did I ever start keeping this journal? Oh well.....I guess as long as there is a need for panties and a desire for Pop-Tarts, the ink will keep flowing....

God bless us everyone!

Sleepy Sunday

Know what I did after church? I got on the couch and took a LONG nap! I didn't feel especially great so I slept all afternoon. A cold front started making its way through while we were in church so the temps had dropped quite a bit by the time we got out. It had turned into a sleepy day for sure.

Our vacations are over and it's back to work tomorrow! I have thoroughly enjoyed my time off but it's time to get back at it. I wonder if anyone even noticed I was gone? Hmmmm.....? I have been with Edward Jones almost 15 months now and can truly say, I love my job! It's an awful feeling having to go to a job where you aren't happy. My sister had lunch with her best friend, Paige Smith, who just happens to be one of the bosses at Sam Houston State University. She said they talked about the day I left there and how much Paige cried. I knew she did but it feels good hearing it again and reminiscing about all the good friends I made in my 5+ years there. Paige told her that everytime someone asks when the last time some particular task was done in my old job in Contracts and Grants, the answer is always, "WHEN SHEILA WAS HERE!" Now that reeeeally made me feel good! She said I would really enjoy working there now, since they have a new boss and the work load has been divided up. Irma and I struggled to keep the work caught up in near impossible circumstances for nearly three years. Now that same office has SIX employees so I think we did a pretty good job, all things considered. I am thankful for the experience I gained and the confidence they had in me but am equally thankful that God opened another door for me...a better door in a completely new direction! Who'd-a-thunk it? Like I always say....God is good all the time! You guys have an awesome week!

Counting down....

We went to see Trav today and he'll be home before ya know it! He is so ready but is also very nervous at the same time. I can't imagine what it must feel like to know it's almost over for him. When he left almost 7 years ago, he weighed 164 pounds and now he's 196! He looks like a different person and he's such a healthy, handsome young man. I know God has great things in store for him. It will be so wonderful when we don't have to go to that place on weekends any longer. I can hardly wait! He has been making big plans for me, my mama and my sister to take him on a shopping spree! He's always liked to dress nice but I imagine he's going to put a dent in our pocket books this time around. It will be so nice to see my son walking around a free man again! You have no idea what it's like to have to drive away, week after week, year after year and leave him behind, just standing there waving. It hurts my heart just thinking about it. However, with all the heartache, there came an amazing transformation that one can only give God the credit for. I am so thankful that God knows better than I do and that He saw fit to spare Trav's life and give him a second chance. Thank you Father! A parent's love is something I'm not sure can even be defined by Mr. Webster himself. But God's love is far greater and for me, so hard to comprehend! I can't get my mind around God giving his ONLY son for someone like me! The wonderful thing is, I don't have to understand it....just simply believe it! This is how Travis said it many years ago as a little fella ...... "For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him, should not PANIC, but have everlasting life!" As you know, the word PANIC should have been PERISH but I loved it the very second it left his little lips!! It made so much sense to me and I thought THAT'S RIGHT! Don't panic people......you have life everlasting!!! Out of the mouths of babes!

Accepting Christ is, hands down, the very best decision you can make for 2009! Everything else pales in comparison to the sweetness of salvation. Try it...you'll like it! :) God bless....

The Scenic Loop!

My sister and her husband (Dawn & Jerry) came over today to see Alfred's cabin and eat dinner. I fried a big pile of deer steak with all the fixins and it was sure 'nuff good eatin! After we ate, we went to the river. Dawn and me went down on the Gator and Ferd and Jerry took the tractor. We sat on the porch for a while and watched the river go by. It was nice and I think they enjoyed it. At least, that is, until I decided to take a different route on the way back to the house! I called myself taking a "better" trail back up the hill but somehow I took a wrong turn and Dawn ended up getting cold-cocked in the head by a small tree limb! We just sat there and laughed at the situation I had gotten us in! We were laughing so hard we couldn't even speak! It was SO funny! Anyway, after we regained our composure, I eased on through, knowing I wouldn't be able to back out and certainly wouldn't be able to turn around. Then comes the humongous thorn vine! I'm not joking....this thing had thorns 2" long and from out of nowhere, WAM, it got both of us right in the head! We didn't even see it coming! I was bleeding from the evil looking thing but it was still so blasted funny! I have five punctures and I think Dawn has three. At least she wasn't bleeding like me so that was good! Ferd and Jerry took the main road so I was afraid they wouldn't realize we were stuck in no-man's land! I guess by now he just knows to watch for me so when they got to the place where we were to emerge (and we weren't emerging) he decided to come check! AND THERE WE WERE! I officially had the Gator in a bind! Ferd took the tractor and pushed over a small tree that cleared my path. I then drove out as pretty as you please! We went to the house, cleaned our wounds and sat outside the rest of the afternoon! I know my sister is a city girl but I sure hope she had a good time touring the scenic loop! I know I did! God is good, all the time! :)

Happy New Year....Alfred got a Buck!

And I don't mean a dollar bill either! Finally! Deer meat for the Burts! He has usually killed two or three by this point in the season but he just wasn't having much luck. He got him across the bridge on the top of the big hill this morning. Not a very big buck but at least we have deer meat for the freezer now! My sister and brother-in-law are coming over tomorrow and I am cooking them a big dinner of venison and mashed potatoes. I didn't cook any today for New Years but I did fix a big dinner of cabbage, peas, meatloaf and cornbread. Those boys just about cleaned it up so it must have been good! I suppose I'm a bit old fashioned because I love watching my family enjoy a good meal! Especially a meal that I cooked! :)

We didn't do too much today but we did start another brush fire up between the two ponds. After Hurricane Ike, the little pond had so many dead limbs in it from the Willow trees and I've been wanting to try to get them out. The weather was gorgeous this morning so I went out and just sat on the pier, enjoying the breeze. I couldn't stand it and decided to try to get some of the limbs out. I found a long limb that I was using as my tool to grab and drag the others out. Alfred and his brother Dennis came out there and started helping and before we knew it, we had almost all of them out on the bank. It looks so much better now. Anyway, we loaded all of them up and took them to a huge pile we've been planning to burn. I talked Ferd in to burning it this evening and it was a rip snortin' fire for sure! We walked out there tonight around 9:30 and it was still going strong. There is something so relaxing about watching a fire. I could have sat out there for hours. No worries though....it will still be burning tomorrow because there are some really huge chunks of pine that were in the pile.

Well I guess I'd better close for now. My pup is gnawing on my arm and I think he is trying to tell me he's ready to go to bed. Goodnight all and God bless.....