Read to Go

Mike and I have been camping since we first married. We have tent camped and many times primitive. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. We tried to go at least once a year and would have loved to have gone more often. For my birthday, we bought a camper that is really more like a home on wheels. I spent a couple of days cleaning it up (not that it was dirty - I just like things clean MY way). This camper has a queen sized bed in the main bedroom ( bathroom is there also), a couch that makes into a double bed, a separate bedroom for the kids with bunk beds (the bottom one will sleep two). The table also lets down to sleep two if needed.

The camper is now fully stocked with dishes, cooking pans, utensils, spices, storage containers, sheets, blankets, bedspreads, pillows, every thing needed to camp Holiday Inn style. I am so ready to go. Being home the last almost 2 months and not being able to do much of anything until the last 2 weeks I am ready to get away from here. So, my darling husband is actually going to be home this weekend and he is taking me camping. I am so excited and can hardly wait for Friday afternoon.

The only down side ( and I am handling this), is our grandchildren have begged to go with us. I have been so proud of myself for not giving in to them this time. We are going to Tenn the middle of October and have invited the whole family to go with us. The kids are really excited about this as are we. I love going places with the grands ( and Mike too).

Be back Monday (hopefully with a story about our camping trip).

Fall

This is the time of year that requires three changes of clothes a day. I get up around 6-6:30 every morning to start my walking. Lately it has been so cool that I put on sweats and a heavy coat to start the walk. After about the first one and a half mile, the coat comes off. The sweats still feel good until the end of the 4th mile. My house being in the mountains stays pretty cool until afternoon. So after my walk, I generally start cleaning or straightening the house. After a few hours, the house begins to get warm. Therefore, I change into some lighter clothes to keep from getting to hot while I work. I refuse to turn the air on this time of year. Then when the sun starts going down in the evening and breeze comes up, it gets down right cold in the house. That is the reason for the third change of clothes (or if I have finished my rat killing a bath and warm jammies). It's really no wonder colds abound this time of year in this area.

I'm really not complaining. I love the cooler weather to walk in and work in and it really makes sleeping better. As a matter of fact this is actually my favorite time of year. Cool enough not to need air conditioning and just barely warm enough not to need heat (although I did get a small heater out of the attic last night for the bathroom). The electric blankets got put on the beds yesterday also.

Enjoy your fall (all those who have a change of season).

Happy Birthday Older Brother

Today is my older brother's birthday. He once again is older than I. He will never be exactly a year older because I was born 12 days before he was 1 year old. So, for 12 days of every year we are the same age (and he seldom lets me forget this). We were the closest Mom got to having twins (which she really wanted), hence we have twin names - Alan Dwain and Sharan Elaine. Most of our younger lives we fought like cats and dogs. Mom told me once that when we were about 3/4 she had put us to bed in different rooms at our grandmother's. About an hour after putting us down she heard a terrible fuss going on. She went to check and we were both asleep and fussing with each other across the hall.

As we grew up we contiuned to have our moments of aggrevating each other but there were also times when he was truely there for me and I hope I was for him. So I want to take this opportunity to say THANKS for being my big brother. I am very proud of you and who you have become. Hope your day is a great one.

Love Always, Cis

Listening

Every morning I awaken dreading putting my feet on the floor because I know it is going to be painful. I make myself get out of bed, get dressed, put on my brace (still have to wear it some each day) and start my walking. I am currently up to 3 miles every morning (the first 2 are ok, the last gets to me, but am making it). The area I walk is in my front yard - sounds innocent enough. But, I have to watch for snakes (Mike has killed two rather large rattlesnakes in the last couple of weeks), and I am terrified of them. We also have coyotes that roam in packs in the woods surrounding the house. They have been bolder lately. Then there is always the mountain lion seen in the pecan trees at the end of the drive. My walk is more than just a stroll around a grassy yard (that is not even ground). Keeps me on my toes so to speak.

Most of the time, since I was forced to start this exercise I have used my MP3 to keep my mind off the dangers lurking (maybe just in my mind) and to make the walk a little more enjoyable for me (I can't seem to get much of anything done without music in the background). Over the past 3-4weeks, I have spent most of my walking time in prayer and just talking with God and the last 30 minutes or so listening to music. Yesterday, I had my time with God and put the headset on and turned on the music. Something told me to take the headset off and just listen. I did and heard some of the sweetest music I have ever heard. The birds were having a time just singing their hearts out. I have never heard this before (maybe chirping here and there but nothing like this) it was amazing. I finished my walk listening to God's creation sing me a song.

Try it sometime, it will refresh your soul.

One Hundred Percent

This has been going around the e-mail circles and you have probably seen it but I thought it was pretty neat, so it you have seen it go read Greg's blog(just kidding bro).

FROM A STRICTLY MATHEMATICAL VIEW POINT -

What equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they ARE giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

IF

A - Z is represented as 1 - 26 THEN:

H A R D W O R K

8 + 1+ 18+ 4+ 23+ 15+ 18+11 = 98%

K N O W L E D G E

11+ 14+ 15+ 23+ 12+ 5+ 4+ 7+ 5 = 96%

But;

A T T I T U D E

1+ 20+ 20+ 9+ 20+ 21+ 4+ 5 = 100%

And, look how far the LOVE of GOD will take you

L O V E O F G O D

12+ 15+ 22+ 5+ 15+ 6+ 7+ 15+ 4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While hard work and knowledge will get you close and attitude will get you there,

it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Wish I could take the credit for that put can't. Also wish I knew enough about computers to paste and copy from an e-mail to blog site so I didn't have to type all of that. I'm just glad I can find both sites.

Birthdays

I celebrated a birthday Sunday (that means Greg is getting older). Had a great day with the children and grands. Had the best meal I've had in 6 weeks (I cooked it myself). The girls got a little upset at me because they wanted to take me out. I told them I wanted something to eat that would not upset my stomach (must be the medicine I've had to take since the surgery but everything I've eaten has either smelled funny or had a horrible aftertaste). Therefore, I felt if I cooked it I would know exactly what went in it and maybe I wouldn't have any problems. I was right. It was great. I even made my own birthday cake (spice, my favorite). As I said it was a great meal and a great day.

I am doing well - walking 2 miles every morning (ordered by the doc) and feeling better as each day goes by. I have weened myself off most medicine so my emotional state is getting better also. The doctor released me to drive and to ween off the brace so I feel like I have been released from house arrest. Of course, it helped that Hannah was over here a couple of weeks ago and she "found the devil with a flash light and swept him out of Memama's house". I guess that is why I feel so much better.

Thank you all so very much for your prayers and thoughts. It really meant a lot to me. Hope you all have a great week.