Homecoming 2012

Well, we all grow up, eh?

Stephen.  Almost 16. Homecoming 2012. 

And with his date - far right -(Christina) and friends.

Life is about having fun, right?

Love this photo.

Blessings,

Jerry Ann

P.S. I don't like looking at how old my children are getting

...means that I am getting older as well. Pooh. 

Clutter!

Okay, blogger universe.  I have a question, actually several.

Background:  Both of my parents have passed away, only child.  I have all of their stuff, keepsakes etc.  I also have lots of furniture (rockers, clocks, trunks) that I am not discarding.

I need to start going through photographs, under the bed tubs (4) full of them.  I am not sure what to do with them.  I can scrapbook some of them, but do I toss the rest?  Scan them all? I don't think some of the general black and white photos that have no one recognizable should be kept?

I want to keep some of things...but deciding on what keepsakes to keep.

I need to start...so one day I will be finished. ugh.

So, how do you deal with keepsakes (of parents), and just in general how do you sort your stuff?

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Progress...

Progress...I believe that I have acquired some recently.

Progress in thought that I have adjusted to the new routine of not working daily.  Well, sort of.

I had the privilege of meeting my hubby in London in September.  Wonderful.  We haven't seen one another for about 4 months.  So it was a good break from his work in Bagram Air Base (Afghanistan), and for me to confirm the decisions that we have been making.

David and I at the Tower of London

Yes, we did all of the tourist stuff, and many museums. David is a geek of sorts, and loves armor and history. I love the Queen, and everything about the Monarchy.  So we compromised and got to see what we both wanted to see around the city of London.  We didn't really travel out of the city.  We took our time each day and discovered things that we would not have gone to if serendipity hadn't occurred. Walking everywhere in London wasn't easy, but it was fun to do especially with David.  

But most of all, I really enjoyed just spending time with my best friend.  Talking about our past, present and future.  We enjoyed the time with one another.  David is now back in Bagram (prayers always appreciated), and I am back home with the kids and their schedules.  It was really good to be connected with him again.  I think both of us were a bit lost without the other for a while.  

The camera ad above is my new camera (got it for my birthday)...and yes, we took lots of pictures in London.  By lots, I mean 1928.  Yes, that number is correct.  My dear hubby took most of them, and the majority of them are pictures of items in museums (like game pieces that the Romans had played).  I did tell you he was a geek right?  I do love him, so very much. It is taking forever for me to sort through them though.  ha. Such is life, right?

On another note, my IV therapy's have been going very well, (I do them once a month for about two hours) and I believe that I am doing better with the day to day of living with Lupus.  The daily stress is gone from work although I truly miss the daily activities of the church.

I am changing my habits to healthier ones with my diet.  I am trying to be PRODUCTIVE.  My Mom was German, and stated that "We must be productive!" every day. ha.  I do try, really I do.  Sometimes I have convinced myself that I have been productive if I am up and showered.  And depending on my fatigue level, that is good enough for me.  Our family goes by the Spoon Theory with my health, if you are unaware, please click on this link.  http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/
Christine does a wonderful job explaining hidden illness and how we deal with it on a daily basis.

So, progress. I just wanted to update all of you.  Life is good, today is better than yesterday.

Have a great week.

Blessings,

Jerry Ann

A to Z Meme...with LPM Blog (Beth Moore's Blog)

Hey! I saw a cute idea on Beth Moore’s blog (Living Proof Ministries).  

Please feel free to comment with your answer to a letter or link up your own blog entry!

A. Age: 46...proud of every day.

B. Bed size: A King.

C. Chore that you hate: Dusting...the minute I am done, I need to do it again.

D. Dogs: Dexter - Rat Terrier; also Cat: Abigail.

E. Essential start to your day: Coffee. 

F. Favorite color: PINK! 

G. Gold or Silver: Both are beautiful, and I don’t think I would turn down either <wink>

H. Height: 5′ 3″ and round 

I. Instruments you play: I don't, can't sing either, but I do.

J. Job title: Administrative Assistant, Director of Preschool & Children, NOW: Homemaker, Wife, Mother.

K. Kids: Carmen, daughter -19; Stephen, son - 15

L. Live: Florida 

M. Mother’s name: Lore, so wish she was still with me.

N. Nicknames: Cookie, from elementary school friend Mom.  Hand always in her cookie jar.  It stuck.  

O. Overnight hospital stays: Just to bring two babies into the world… well worth the stay.

P. Pet peeves: Wal-Marts ---NO it is Wal-Mart!!!!! And, people that never see the good or bright side of things.

Q. Quote from a movie: “A dream is a wish your heart makes” - Cinderella

R. Right or left handed: Right-handed

S. Siblings: Older sister (Carmen) deceased.

T. Time it takes you to get ready: Probably about 50 minutes. I always shower in the morning, the hair must start the day out clean, and fluffy (I am a Southern girl from the 1980's by the way).

U. Ultimate Vacation: anywhere with my family.

V. Vegetable you hate: Fennel, not a fan - don't hate. 

W. What makes you run late:  The snooze button. 

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Lots…. Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, so knees, shoulders, hips, ankles, wrists, fingers.

Y. Yummy food that you make: Sauerkraut, my Mom's recipe, or Nutella Marble Pound Cake both are comfort food.

Z. Zoo animal: Giraffe. Their chins are always up.  (plus it is a inside family joke, and whenever we try to explain to anyone, they don't get it. so)

Pick a letter, and leave it my comment section.  I would love to see them!!

Thoughts

I know that I should be more specific, but eh, that wouldn't be me.  A reminder that I ramble, or forget where I am going (unless it is a recipe - but then I forget the items to put in it), or turn right three times and still get lost.  So hang in there...

Today's calendar thought:

"You can't get anywhere today if you are still mired down in yesterday."  - unknown.

I went to bi-monthly Mom's group today.  One that I last attended regularly in the Summer of 2000.  Yep, 12 years ago.  I know that my children are almost done growing (youngest is a 15 year old boy, and oldest 19 year old girl at college), and that I may not have much to offer or gain.  But I did today.  I did one of the hardest things in a long while for me to do, and that was admit that I have been feeling lost.  

The Lord has been working on my ego, and pride much to my dismay.  Ah, why can't I just learn a lesson and be done?  Why can't any of us read what scripture tells us, and do it.  Simple. Right?

Proverbs 16:18 (MSG) First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.

Lost in my past routines, daily frustrations that they were, my routine.  Although, I felt called to be doing what I did...my pride now...is showing nothing.  I am not working...  I am at home...  Without a routine.  Structure is to be my gain.  Learning from the past, letting go of my past pride and ego.  

Lost in the securities of knowing what the day held.  Lost.  I let go this morning of that feeling just by sharing in Christian Fellowship.  I know that hindsight is 20/20.  I know that I am secure in His plans for me.  Just need to seek Him.

I know that I am home for my health, to have less stress.  I know that I am home to help my hungry all the time 15 year old son.  He is struggling now with school, and we are on the path to help guide him.  But this is a path that I am unsure of...one with a routine I have never experienced before.  Not sure of my steps in this path.  How am I to guide when I have no clue where we are going? 

Connections.  We are to be with other Christians to support, help, remind ourselves that we don't do anything alone.  I will attend that Mom's group again, Lord willing.  I will try to listen, and be there for someone else, like those precious women were there for me today.  

He guides our ways.  He holds us close. 

Focusing on Him, today and tomorrow with a new routine.

Philippians 4:13 (NIV)  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Blessings,

Jerry Ann