My computer is sick

It won't turn on. I understand how it feels but I need it to turn on. I'm trying not to freak out but I'm freaking out. I have to take it to the computer hospital tomorrow and see if they can fix it.

They better be able to.

The ministry can be a funny thing

The very first church my husband pastored was in East Texas. It was in a part of East Texas described as deep East Texas. The year was 1989 but in this little town, I don't think anyone had ripped 1959 off the calendar yet.

The little country church sat on 10 acres set back off the road and a church member lived up on the road. While my Hero met in the church with the pulpit committee, some of the ladies and I fellowshipped on the back porch of the member's house. I was looking out across the church's acreage and noticed dozens of these dried mud mounds.

Now, where I come from in West Texas, we don't have anything that looks like this so after puzzling over it for a few minutes, I asked my hostess, "Erlene, what are those things?"

Sweet as could answer, she said, "Oh, them? They the crawdad holes."

Still puzzled, I looked out across the property and couldn't identify any water source. There wasn't a creek or even a stock pond to be seen, so I asked further, "Is the water table real high here?"

And without blinking an eye, she assured me, "Oh, no! It's only about $30 a month."

And I am telling the truth although I did change her name.

Aggravated

Even ladybugs can be aggravated. There are some things happening in my world right now that are ultimately going to lead to changes. Not bad changes, just changes. I don't prefer change.

So, I'm trying to seek out the advantages of some of the changes and today I was looking forward to having a little extra time to work on my fall lap quilt.

But I don't think that's going to happen because my silly back is acting up. I'll go to the chiropractor later this morning and get the back fixed but that means I will lose the time I would have had to work on the quilt. I only have to put a border on the top, prepare the backing and do the actual quilting. (I know that sounds like a lot but the hard part of piecing the top is done.) I'm sure the quilt will be ready in plenty of time for the cool Autumn days, but I wanted to work on it today!

What about you? How do you handle change? How do you handle the unexpected aggravation of life? Do you let it work you into a tizzy or do you go with the flow?

I'm trying to go with the flow but I'm not thrilled with it… yet.

Gadgets

Hello. My name is Terri and I am a Gadget Geek. Seriously.

I have a tatting shuttle and I don't even know how to tatt. But it is the cutest little gadget!

I collect them all. It doesn't matter what the gadget does, I want it. I have cooking gadgets, craft gadgets, sewing gadgets, electronic gadgets and gadget gadgets.

I just bought a new quilting foot for my sewing machine. It helps you sew perfect 1/4 inch seams and it really works. I love it!

And this week, I got the best of all gadgets because its a multi-gadget. My brand-new iPhone 4!

This is the ultimate for a Gadget Geek. I have Kindle for my iPhone, my iPod, my Contacts, my Calendar, and my games (also an Angry Birds addict) all in one little pint-sized package in my pocket.

Ahhhhhhh. I like it.

Some things I've seen

A few weeks ago, my Hero and I set out on an adventure. We were driving around in east/central rural Illinois looking for an ancestors grave. As it turns out the tiny cemetery is on private land and we haven't been able to contact the landowners yet but we know where it is now.

While we were driving around we saw this:

Fogottonia, USA! Isn't that funny? I'm not a city girl even though I married a city boy and I've lived in the city for the past 30 years. My heart is "where the blacktop ends." I've said for years that my dream home would sit on 20 acres somewhere that you had to be going to my house to get there. I would love to live in Forgottonia, USA but the city boy I married would go crazy. So I go in adventures in the country and take pictures.

How about you? Would you rather live in the city or in Forgottonia?

Dark

For longer than I can remember now, I've travelled this road. Trusting there is a destination to be gained, I press on. The darkness sits upon my chest as I struggle to breathe. Is it the never ending valley? Did I choose my path poorly?

In the beginning there were many more travelers. Often we walked together. Always I could feel them. Some have abandoned the journey. Others have arrived at their destination. The path of many has led to the mountains.

I know the mountains are there. I know they can be reached. I know the sun, so elusive in this valley, shines there. I can hear those who have reach the mountains sometimes—praising, laughing, rejoicing—while I trod further in the night.

I struggle to understand. Is it my sin? The sin of parents? For the glory of God? I dare not quit and yet, I don't know how much longer I can continue.

Lord, make my path clear, even if it is only one step in the shadows. Walk beside me and calm my fears. Take the past nightmares from me and hold me now, in the present. Reassure me that someday I will see the mountain.

Now off to First Grade

Remember this last year?

Already another school year is here. Now, Beau is in first grade.

August 11, 2010

He's getting so big—so grown up already. I know that in years to come, I'll look back at these pictures and realize how little he still is.

His Mommy got up and made him a special breakfast to commemorate the occasion.

He is eager to learn. He is eager to explore. This morning at the bus stop, he and the other boys knelt and watched an oriental cricket until the bus arrived. They asked questions. They touched it to see what it felt like. They talked about the cricket's song. They took the time to watch and learn.

Beau is a reminder to me. Don't miss the moment worrying about what comes next.

Learn. Explore. Question. Watch.

He keeps me young.

The little things

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" Ephesians 5:20

I was headed off to college before I knew that sheets came in sets. Until then, I had never seen a flat sheet. I grew up "economically disadvantaged." I was nineteen and had been working a full-time job for 6 months before I owned two pairs of dress shoes at the same time.

When we got married, like many newleyweds we struggled financially. I vividly remember when we had been married a few years, opening the refrigerator one morning and feeling like we had arrived because there was orange juice in there.

Since then, we've had our ups and downs, but I never drink a glass of orange juice, choose a pair of shoes out of my closet, or pull a flat sheet up over me at night that I don't remember how very blessed I am.

Beau makes me laugh

Can't you just see the spunk in his eyes? Every day he says something that makes my smile burst forth into a laugh.

He was in summer school for a few weeks recently. For the most part, he loved it but one morning he decided he would rather stay home and play with his trains. He came out of his bedroom holding his forehead and said, "Nana, I believe I have a fever." I felt his head and told him he did not. He thought for a minute and said, "I could get one later! You never know."

Another evening, we bought him some chicken nuggets from Dickey's BBQ (Mmmmm, by the way) and it came with a roll. He loves their chicken nuggets and had specifically requested them. The funny part came when he bit into the roll. His eyes lit up and he exclaimed, "This is the best bread! Now this is what I'm talking about!"

He's growing up so fast. This Wednesday, he will start first grade. He is reading. He has almost mastered the art of tying his shoe. And he makes his Nana laugh a lot.

Time for a Change

I'm changing the face of my blog a bit (I suppose you have noticed). Trying to freshen it up and get back to posting. What do you think of the changes?

• Is it readable?
• Is it pleasant to look at?
• Does it load quickly enough?

Let me know what you think.