My Heart is 2 Sizes Bigger

What a wonderful week I enjoyed last week! I usually write and post on my blog in the early mornings and that time was reallocated. Rosebud is the world’s cutest alarm clock and was here for a full week. I had the joy of being the one to peek in on her first thing (like 5 am!) as she giggled and cooed until the crescendo to happy shrieks could wake up the household if you don’t get her. When you go to pick her up, the reward is a smile so big it’s like the sun coming out. Did I mention I’m smitten with this little girl?
We played…

We cooked….

We shopped…And decorated the house for Christmas…

Yesterday was precious LouLou’s memorial service and it was truly a celebration of her life. I was reminded that I not only LOVE my family, but I really LIKE them and enjoy being with them. LouLou’s sweet church (she was older than the church itself!) prepared an amazing luncheon for about 50 of the family members (a small representation) It was so special. The church was resplendent with garlands and twinkly lights and gold and green Christmas decorations that were breathtaking. I felt LouLou’s smile as we talked about her. Our final stop was at Traveler’s Rest, the country cemetery that holds amazing history lessons and was actually a comforting place to be on a stunningly beautiful afternoon.

I’ve more to tell but I have about 800 emails to sift through. : ) Joy to you as we enter this special season.

There's a Celebration in Heaven

The bells are ringing, the angels are singing and those greeting LouLou in heaven are no doubt a loud bunch. We celebrate a life well-lived.

Louise Brooks Rushing
Nov. 8, 1906 - Nov. 21, 2009

"We can only be said to be truly alive in those moments when our hearts are concious of our treasures." ~Thornton Wilder

She lives on in 3 children, 9 granchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. I can not find the words to describe the rich treasure she leaves for all who knew her. She invested her life in the truly important things. My heart is full.

Let the Wild Rumpus Begin!

My holidays officially begin tonight with the arrival of Rosebud and company for a whole week! Woo HOO!
The whole gang will be here this weekend for my birthday celebration. The presence of all of our children is the greatest present of all and I’m totally excited.

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.
-- Dr. Seuss

These 2 photos are circa 1961 or so.

A Big P.S. I want to introduce you to my cousin, a member of the infamous Bosom Bottom Buddy Club, who has just started her own blog. She writes beautifully and I love her. Visit her at If Stones Could Talk

Ever Seen a Ring Tailed Tooter?

Let me tell you, we had some wild night life around here this weekend. The coyotes started with their yipping and yapping and the next thing you know, every dog within 3 miles was howling. Then our chief rooster started up. This was at 2 o’clock in the morning. Next thing, Builderman is headed outside with his shotgun. He didn’t shoot anything (I would have – and it may have been that rooster!). Yep, I talk tough but my family knows it’s all bluster and bluff. I got back to sleep and then the rooster started up again at 4 am. I was wide awake and thinking, “why is it so cold in here?” Turns out that Builderman had wanted to sleep with the window open and it got down to 46 degrees. Sheesh.

Have I mentioned we live in the country?

I enjoyed it immensely when a pair of bald eagles stopped by for a visit this past week. I walked outside to see one of them actually on the ground by what was the garden. Then I saw the other one take off out of a nearby oak tree. I stood and watched them for awhile as they rode the breeze. I've been reflecting on an eagle's perspective since then and I'd prefer learning from the eagles rather than chickens!

A totally different creature, the Ring Tailed Tooter, was the object of laughter when we went to see Lou Lou yesterday. One of my cousins mentioned that there still must be some purpose that is yet to be fulfilled since God is keeping Lou Lou here on earth. I responded, “that sounds lovely, but I think her will is so strong and her spirit so indomitable that she just won’t let go.” My aunt told the story that when she and my mom (they’re identical twins) were small and acting stubborn, which was often, Lou Lou would call them Ring Tailed Tooters. I leaned over and told Lou Lou she had just been called a Ring Tailed Tooter and she laughed out loud.

Laughter is a such good medicine. Smiles work nicely too. So give me a grin and go enjoy your day.

Just 4 Today

Busy weeks and super-busy weeks seem to be the two choices that most people I know operate with. To-do lists, appointments, work, errands, paying bills, care-giving, running a house….need I continue?

That’s why I like the concept of Just 4 Today. Sometimes the lists get rather overwhelming. That’s when it’s time to break it down – especially the least favorite tasks. It brings to mind Mary Poppins and her famous ability to “Snap” and make the job a game.

So today, I decided to revive my Just 4 Today list. 4 actions that I can take that will move me toward a bigger goal… just one day at a time. Here’s my list:
1) Exercise at least 30 minutes
2) Count points and record everything I eat. (The little things add up, Beverly, remember that concept??)
3) Write 2 notes of appreciation and mail them.
4) Accomplish 1 task from my list for my ministry leadership position.

A little of this and a little of that, some for them and some for me. Reminds me of the best boutique name I’ve ever seen, “Two for me and One for You”. Have a terrific weekend. Hope you get lots done... or not!

Uncommon Hours... Uncommon Years

"If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” ~Thoreau

Uncommon Blonde's birthday is today and this quote is among her favorites.

I marvel at God's faithfulness, from the 18 hour labor that brought her into this world 29 years ago to the labor she experienced as she brought Rosebud to us in July.

God is faithful in the minute, in the hours, in the days and through the years. Since I've given this day a banner quote, I'm going to name Sara Groves' He's Always Been Faithful to Me as the theme song. I don't believe I've shared these photos of my baby as a mother. Happy Birthday, cherished one!

What Goes Up, Must Come Down

I’m thankful this morning that Hurricane Ida downgraded to a tropical storm before she came to see us. The thrashing of trees and relentless noise of sideways rain hitting the windowpanes throughout the night was enough action for me. It’s interesting that it’s always harder when storms come ashore in the night. You can hear the chaos but you can’t see it, and somehow that makes it more unsettling.

On another note, this past weekend, we went to the National Peanut Festival in Alabama. Fireman and Daughter-In-Love wanted to go (she’s never had that unique experience) so over the rivers and through the woods we went. This event is like a state fair with a strong agricultural emphasis. Somehow, it feels cleaner than a local fair, which is a good thing. We ate our standard fare of boiled peanuts and kettle korn. Pretty healthy fair food in my opinion.

We watched as they rode the giant Ferris Wheel and I decided that if I were to define myself as something at the fair, it would be the Ferris Wheel. I’m up, I’m down, I’m all around, but I’m steady.

Here's a tidbit from history:
The original Ferris wheel (also known as an observation wheel or big wheel) was designed by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., as a landmark for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The term Ferris wheel later came to be used generically for all such rides.

If you had to define yourself as an amusement ride, what would you be? The Gravitron? The Carousel? How about the Fun House or the House of Mirrors? Or the Big Slide? I’m laughing thinking about all the metaphors.

103 Years- That's Alot of Living!

Happy Birthday dear LouLou, Happy Birthday to you!

I feel like LouLou is one of the great inspirational forces in my life; she loves God, people and good conversation with the same gusto I do. Most of you know I dance with the daffodils because of her. She was born on November 8, 1906. It stretches my mind to reflect on the staggering changes she's witnessed in her lifetime.

Today, as I reflected on what to tell you about her that I haven't already shared, hundreds of memories flitted through my mind. I must get them on paper and that is among my more pressing goals.

In these last few months as her hold on this world has become more tenuous, there are two things that have consistently penetrated the fog enveloping her. One thing is the hymns that she has loved for a hundred years. The other thing is the words of her favorite poems, like L'Envoi by Rudyard Kipling. Up until September, she could recite these words with very little prompting:

When Earth's last picture is painted, and the tubes are twisted and dried
When the oldest colors have faded, and the youngest critic has died
We shall rest, and, faith we shall need it--lie down for an aeon or two,
'Til the Master of All Good Workmen shall set us to work anew!

And those that were good will be happy: they shall sit in a golden chair;They shall splash at a ten-league canvas with brushes of comet's hair;They shall find real saints to draw from--Magdalene, Peter and Paul;They shall work for an age at a sitting and never be tired at all!

And only the Master shall praise us, and only the Master shall blame;And no one shall work for money, and no one shall work for fame;But each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as They Are!

I love you LouLou.

Attention Shoppers: God is at Cash Register #10

I saw the video below last week and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. It stirs so much in me... memories of when I first awakened to the fact that God is still in the miracle business but more important, it stirs my faith.

I found out yesterday that a dear friend, who happens to be my age, was just diagnosed with a brain tumor. She fell on Tuesday and hit her head – a severe enough injury to send her to the emergency room. That started the round of tests that revealed the mass in her brain. Reminiscent of precious Andrew who is waiting for his miracle. Last week, I heard of another cancer diagnosis in a beautiful 26-year-old young lady.

Last night, as I prayed for these needs, two things came to mind. Almost 25 years ago, I was on a prayer chain at our small Methodist church and got a call to pray for a teen who had been critically injured when she was thrown head-first through the windshield in a terrible car accident. I awakened all through the night after that call with a severe headache and would pray for her (her name was Kelly), the headache would go away and I would go back to sleep for awhile. Then the cycle would repeat.

The next morning, I felt absolutely compelled to go to the hospital and tell the parents Kelly was going to be okay. I had no clue what I was doing – this was a totally unfamiliar experience to me. But I couldn’t shake the feeling, so off I went. I found her parents in the waiting room for neurological intensive care and delivered the message. Two days later, when I got the call that Kelly had awakened from her coma with no brain damage, my life was forever changed.

I’ll tell you more about that journey later. For now, I am full of faith for these three friends in particular, to be wholly restored. I declare a cancer-free zone. It can happen anywhere and anytime….even on cash register #10.

The Color of White

Profound. Thought-provoking. Inspiring.

If that’s what you were hoping to read here today, you’re on the wrong blog. Sorry.

However, I am up for a chat. I feel like I’ve been wearing lots of hats lately, which is really not anything new. Last weekend, Cupcake was home for the weekend and it was fun to hang-out with her. I was seeing photos on some blogs of snow and we were walking on the beach. Guess you didn’t want to know that if that was you in the overcoat.

Busy week, meeting with some really interesting people and working on multiple businesses. I don’t think I recall what it feels like to be bored. I think I used to get bored when I was a child, maybe?

Just enjoyed another good weekend and we were once again graced with stellar weather. I was asked to do a musical program for a church a couple of hours from here. Not my usual thing as they wanted at least 30 minutes of music. It was a delight to prepare and then to share with these very precious people. The scenic drive took us through countryside where the cotton fields were gorgeous with the full bolls ready for harvest. Truly a beautiful sight.

After the service and lunch, we went to see LouLou. Her birthday is coming Sunday the 8th- she’ll be 103. Yes, you read that right. Our visit was sweet, though she didn’t know who I was for the first time. Her physical health is remarkable, but my vivid impression is that she is on the threshold of heaven. I feel selfish that it makes me sad – she is so ready and so tired. When I sang “I’ll Fly Away” and she clapped in delight, I almost came undone.

She seemed really pleased when I told her that her second great, great grandchild arrived this week and is named Eloise in her honor. Since we’re on the subject of babies, I’ll just wrap this by leaving you with images of the joy of my heart. Rosebud is 14 weeks old!