~ Too many irons in the fire ~

Origin: 'Too many irons in the fire' would mark an inefficient smith or one with an unskilled apprentice." (copied) also, the smith can't keep up with all the irons, they become overheated and blister, when the smith takes them out and puts the hammer to them, they flake and break and become unusable .... (paraphrased)

"To have “too many irons in the fire” is to be engaged in too many activities." (copied)

This is me. I am trying to do too many things and what winds up happening is that I am doing nothing well, or up to my full abilities. I just can't decide what I need to cull.

This relating to my "hobbies" only; for now ...

I have cross stitch projects, started and now gathering dust;
I have paintings started and now gathering dust;
I have scrap booking projects started and bought, that I just can't seem to make myself finish or start;
I take violin lessons, but struggle to take time to practice;
I have gardening ideas that I start and leave unfinished;
I have tons of books, but seldom read anymore; but can't resist a used book store - especially the one at the main library downtown - with each book I purchase, I can just imagine curling up on my couch with a yummy cup of coffee within arm's reach and my dogs curled up at my side, getting lost in the pages for hours of pure enjoyment ... doesn't happen though; I am too consumed thinking about all of my unfinished projects; and, then doing nothing, uhmmmm except reach for the remote control so I don't have to think about those things anymore ...


I want to drop violin, but will feel like such a failure if I do. I am struggling with it horribly - probably (most likely) because I don't practice like I should! But of all of these extras, I enjoy it the least. To use the paraphrase from above, my violin is about to blister and it is on the edge of flaking and falling apart when I get it out to practice ...

I am in "inefficient smith".

Do any of you have this problem?

~ My Mom & Dad ~

These are my wonderful parents (photo taken last summer). Many of you offered up prayers for my Dad this past week. He had surgery replacing a pacemaker with a debribulator - he is doing well; tired and a little frustrated at being immobilized for 6 weeks due to left arm being strapped to his chest and having a weak right arm ... but doing very well.

Thank you to all for your prayers!

~ My name is Pride ~

I heard this this morning in Sunday School (thanks to Gracie Lucie) and I thought it was worth repeating on this post. I had never heard this before, but it speaks so much truth. I battle with this enemy - pride - more than I should and this spoke to me ...

My name is Pride by Beth Moore

My name is Pride, I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny....because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment......because you "deserve better than this."
I cheat you of knowledge......because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing......because you're too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness.......because you refuse to admit when you're wrong.
I cheat you on vision......because you'd rather look in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship......because nobody's going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love....because real romance demands a sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven....because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.
I cheat you of God's glory.....because I convince you to seek your own.

MY NAME IS PRIDE. I AM A CHEATER.
You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you. U-N-T-R-U-E.
I'm looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry........
If you stick with me YOU WILL NEVER KNOW.

~ Molly Turns Four ~

My granddaughter turned 4. She had a birthday party and a pile of presents like I have never seen for one child ... It's nice to have them home - they recently moved back home after being away (ARMY) for a few years.

~ Happy V Day ~

~ No Title ~

~ Mom's Birthday ~

My sister and I gave my mom a surprise birthday party. She turned 80 last week.

We invited several of her friends and family and about 40 or so came to help celebrate and the surprise was great. We weren't hiding in her home to yell "surprise" - ya know you just can't do that to an 80 year old woman ... but we were all waiting for her in their home and on their front porch when they drove up at 4 PM saturday - she loved it and we loved that everyone showed up to celebrate and .... that we had enough food!

Happy Birthday Mom - I love you very much!

(Mom and her granddaughter, Hannah)

~ I guess I am getting Old ~

We are negotiating the lease of a new copier and the two sales people we are dealing with call me "Miss Velda" - which makes me feel older than if they called me by my last name ... I am not an age fanatic, and I realize the years of my youth are faded into the shadows of my memories, but really, Miss Velda! That's what preschool kids call their daycare leaders ... It makes me want to bop them on the head with a rolled up newspaper ...

Then again, maybe they haven't been out of preschool that long ago, and at least they kept their manners!

~ Diet Humor ~

Found the below on the web, wonder if it's true ???? :)

~ Uh Oh ~

The space shuttle is postponed ... we don't know yet .... if that means our trip will be postponed or if we just don't get to see the shuttle take off after all. Waiting to see ...

~ Refreshing ~

Going to another church sometimes is refreshing.

I went to Cullman to spend the day with my parents and I met them at their church - before going to their home to share a wonderful "mom cooked" meal! I always like going back there, because it is the church I grew up in, so I see alot of old friends. Their church service was awesome this morning. You felt the Lord's spirit and they have wonderful things happening there; The Lord has sent them a new minister who seems to be setting them on fire and it was a great day to share their church service with them.

Not saying that I feel there is anything lacking in my own church. I love it. This was just a good day with spend in church with my Mom & Dad.

~ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ~

My 13 year old stepson thought I was out to torture him on Saturday. I dragged him off to the theater to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Broadway Theater League. I had no idea that he was not even familiar with the classic movie - obviously he did not grow up in my house ... But from the beginning of the play, while Chitty was still just an old junker waiting to be bought, loved and fixed up, he was hooked! He loved it. I was sooooo glad! If he lived closer, I bet I could make him into my "play" partner because my husband is very particular as to which ones he will actually agree to sit through with me! Men!

~ Keeping my Sanity ~

Working at home
Just to keep my sanity at work ...

~ Ode to Bubbles the Fish ~

Had a sad dead fish waiting for me when I came into the office this morning ...


Ode to Bubbles the Fish

Bred in captivity
Housed in a small plastic bowl
Taken from your slave-like quarters
Given a home with rocks and plants
Offered your companionship to an otherwise dull and stressed office
Nursed when sick and recovered
Produced bubble nests like a most magnificent Betta Male
Any female Betta would have been proud to leave her eggs in your care
Disaster in the form of an earthquake of rocks falling on your head by a careless owner
Life ended too soon
Forgive me for my haste in movement causing your fatal injury
Farewell sweet bubbles

~ Playing with Photoshop ... Again ~

I think I need to find a book called Photoshop for Idiots ... it's probably out there. Anyway, below are some photos from our trip to the Smokies ... I collaged them just for fun ...



My camera is awesome. It lets me get really really close up photos from so far away!





This coyote just sat there and posed for us, and we just snapped and snapped, digital has freed us all from being stingy with our snapping finger ... we were only gone Friday - Sunday and we took 270 photos - ridiculous! but is was fun!





It had snowed and a little was still on the ground, not on the road thank goodness, it was nice to see the snow, but not have to worry about any treacherous roadway conditions.




We had a really nice and romantic get-a-way. The weather was cold, but beautiful. Walking through the Gatlinburg shops was fun and a little exhausting, more so than the mini hike we went on! And we did a total touristy thing and went to see Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. It was fun, wouldn't do it again, but glad I did it once. I even talked G into doing a little thrifting on the way home and we stopped at the Sweetwater TN flea market. I bought some soup spoons but now I can't find them! Oh well, I am sure they will turn up eventually ... I hope!

~ An Awesome Award ~

Wow! I am so incredibly proud of my husband! He received a Space Flight Awareness award - it is an award where NASA is honoring outstanding employees from industry and Government who have performed exemplary work in support of the Nation's space program. The award includes an expense paid trip to Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral) for a VIP viewing of the next launch on 2/12/09 and a tour of the Kennedy Space Center. AND ... he gets to take his spouse!!!! I am excited and very proud of him.

~ Togetherness is Wonderful ~

11 years ago on our honeymoon ... then ... and now ....












Happy Anniversary to us! We have been blessed with 11 years of togetherness. It's actually on 1/17 ...

My husband is taking me on a weekend getaway to here:






Smoky Mountains ...

~ Playing with PhotoShop ~

This is me and my Sister, Mary. It was taken back in the summer.



G got me PhotoShop Elements 7 for Christmas and I am just now starting to play with it. This is my first effort ... I have a feeling I've got a lot of learning to do. This one little project took way too long! Once I start using my new camera more I am certain I will enjoy this program. When I told my son I had this program, he said get used to using the help option alot ... not a good sign huh!

~ Romance, silliness and feeling giddy ~

I hope we are never too old for romance,silliness and feeling giddy.

I am going out with my husband tonight and I am as excited as if I were single and had an exciting date to get ready for! Can you tell we don't go out much?? We do actually, but just not for a planned evening of dinner and a movie with another couple. A dress up (kinda) night. We go out ... this just feels different. I know I am probably being silly, I don't care.

I need to sign off now, I need to go do my nails and pick out my clothes ...

~ Holiday Memories ~

After reading Mrs. Goofy's blog about her favorite Christmas memories, I reflected on my own Christmas memories and while I didn't any one certain "favorite" memory, I did have some definite UP moments.

My son and his family were in town over the holidays, we all went to the Christmas Village and we had a good time ...









They came over to celebrate and exchange presents and G had fun getting my grandson Ian set up on his John Deere tractor ...



There were fond memories, family conflict, some let downs, some hurts, some healings, some happiness, some tender moments, some forgiving moments, some unexpected pleasures, and a few surprises.

All in all, it wasn't my worst holiday ever ... that one is a story for another day ...