Nothing a Chicken Salad and a Glass of Wine Won't Fix

About the tractor photo from yesterday:  

Gary couldn't get the lawnmower out of drive, so he put the brake on when he was up against the tree.  He thought it was out of drive, and he left go of the brake.  It was still in drive, so it climbed up the tree with him on it.  He rolled off (not thinking about turning it off)....  Both hubby and tractor are okay :)

I've been having trouble getting my email and messages on my Android, so I spent half the afternoon at the US Cellular kiosk in the mall.  A very sweet girl by the name of Vanna worked feverishly trying to get me straightened out.  In the end, I asked her if there was a charge and she said "no".  I tried to give her $20 for her trouble, but she wouldn't take it.  I felt badly because she was stuck helping me and had to give up on a commissioned sale and she was SO NICE ABOUT IT.  Don't let anyone tell you that there are no longer any good people in the world.  THERE ARE!!!  

Lindsey called me right after my cell phone was fixed- at 5:45PM.  "Rissie dances at the nursing home at 6:15."  I FORGOT!!!  "Lindsey!" I said, "You have to remind me of these things."  (I have way too much going on these days).  So I put up a closed sign and sped out - en route to the nursing home where Rissie would be dancing.  But first I had to stop at the house and get my camera which I usually always carry in my purse... but not today.  I ran into the house, did a quick 'there she is! there she is!' with Gracie (that's what I chant whenever I come in the house from being away)...  grabbed my camera DEAD BATTERY.  Grabbed my video camera.  DEAD BATTERY.  Gary said, "use my video camera".  BATTERY WEAK - but better than nothing.  Thank goodness for my cell, which was now working - and it takes a pretty good picture.  No time for dinner - Had to run.  

The show was already started...  but I found some nice nursing home residents who allowed me to plop down onto the floor in front of them.  See-  MORE NICE PEOPLE!  

Sigh.

I came home, made a delicious chicken salad and enjoyed it with a glass of wine.  And here I am.

Today's sky was awesome.  I had to take a quick picture (with my phone)  on my way into work this morning.

My heart hurts for those devastated by the recent rash of tornados and storms.  I'm praying for you all.

Dear Diary,

I'm counting the days till the stitches come out and I'll be free to be me!  Until then, find me depressed and hiding in the back room under the bed. Gracie.

Just Another Day In The Life

Gary, I told  you to go around the tree stump,

 not over it!

Call Me Sentimental

Of all living things, my favorites to be around are:  elderly, dogs, and children.

Maybe it's their innocence...

Or their desire to please...

They don't expect much from you...

Just a hug now and again...

A listening ear...

An appreciation for their kindness...

They seem to know your heart...

And can feel your love...

They've not been jaded by the worlds unfairness or undeserving blows.  Well...  the elderly have been there - done that - and have wisdom to share on how to get through it all.

Children.  Now, they see beauty in the simplest of things.

And if we can see through their eyes - if just for a moment - we can appreciate that simplicity.

Call me sentimental...

But when I saved Rissa's tiny baby bottle from four years ago,  to display the bouquet she would someday pick for me....

I knew I'd admire it through tears 

of remembrance one day... 

And it would make a most beautiful display...

On her fourth birthday yesterday, we had pizza... ice cream... and played in the yard.  She picked me the most gorgeous dandelions I've ever seen.

Dear Diary,

I'm feeling a lot better. If my mom wasn't such a stickler on following rules, I'd be taking long walks around the neighborhood by now.  She's getting on my last nerve > 'Gracie, quit running'   'Gracie, don't jump'  'Gracie, let me lift you onto the bed.' 'Gracie, don't chew your stitches'.  Humph.  

And then there's 'GRACIE!  YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE RUNNING'.

I appreciate that she took such good care of me, but I'm ready to get these stitches out and live again.  Gracie.

Happy Birthday

Four years ago today, I waited outside of labor and delivery for the best birthday present I'd ever get.  And I'd be a Grammy for the first time.

My birthday: I spent the day in the hospital doing
 what Grammy's do best :)

If you would have waited just 1 1/2 hours, we could have celebrated our birthday's together.  

But you were anxious to make an appearance.  You must have felt the love that was waiting...

 

I didn't get a cake that year for my birthday. 
 Instead, I got a CuppyCake.  
(my nickname for you).

Where did the years go?

Happy Birthday my little Cupcake....

XOXOXO  from Pop-Pop

and Grammy

We Are His Sheep

Jesus.  Fairy tale?  Or Truth?

  Have you ever taken a novel and read a chapter here and there and understood the entire book? 

 The Bible is inconclusive if scripture is taken out of context or if the entire book is not read and considered.

How can anyone understand the importance of the crucifixion  if they do not know about the sacrifices of old?

How can Jesus resurrection be believed if you don't know every detail of salvation that the Bible teaches?

How can we understand God's love, 

without knowing His history?

We are His sheep.  

I am thankful for His sacrifice and His Love.  On this Easter day, which we all know is really just a day we chose to celebrate...  

I remember His sacrifice... and the greatest of His commandments.

Matthew 26: 32-40

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

 ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”