Mountain Mom's Cabin

God is good!

2012-01-23T09:22:00.000-08:00

You know, life sure has it's ups and downs. Some on the inside and some on the outside. Either way, I have learned that Jesus is right here with open arms that hug my heart and carry my concerns. For that I'm deeply grateful.

This past week has marked a turn around in some very difficult circumstances. There are some ongoing challenges but when the tide begins to turn, and the flood waters begin to recede, that sense of relief in itself is a gift from God. Not that the guard comes down fully as there are still things to conquer, but a break from the "battle" gives opportunity to refresh and refuel. God knows when to provide those seasons.

Some folks are so optimistic that they say they wouldn't trade their tough times for anything. Well, I'd like to trade in a couple of circumstances right now, for the sake of my loved ones and for my own sake. But, life doesn't work that way. Over optimism gets on my nerves. I'm a realist I suppose, But the biggest reality that I cling to is the knowledge that God truly is here every step of the way to provide everything I need, sometimes just in the nick of time but never too late.

We needed a break and having a couple things start looking up, those are gifts we are grateful for. You see, goodness is who God is. Folks blame Him when things go haywire but blaming the One who can help us the most is to shoot ourselves in the foot. We create the breach between us and God and then wonder "Where are you, God?" Well, He hasn't gone anywhere. He's just waiting for us to turn our hearts back to Him so He can take care of us. I've done that before and am thankful for Him teaching me the lesson that turning my back on Him is just, well, dumb. Not that He calls me dumb! He's gracious and merciful and always draws us back to Himself. I just finally realized that it's dumb to blame Him, stomp around or lay flat in self pity. Those things are a waste of time. Turning to Him from the get go, then staying glued to Him, that's been the secret, the success, the strength.

Well, thanks for listening to me think out loud this very rainy, beautiful Monday. We have needed rain very much and it's finally here! But I already mentioned that. I'm just thankful that it has stuck around long enough to do our land some real good. See? God is good.

Love,
MtnMom

Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs January 23, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

It's finally raining!!!

2012-01-20T22:17:00.000-08:00

Last week a group of local pastors organized a community prayer meeting to pray for the needs of our community. Upon hearing about the prayer meeting the local water officials contacted one of the pastors and asked that we please pray for rain. That we did and God has answered! God is good at that. We are actually expecting snow starting tomorrow. We have had a terrible dry spell in California and we are hoping and praying that the rainy season is here to stay for a healthy amount of time.

Our previous two winters were insane. We had more snow than we had ever seen here. Over the two seasons, seven of our trees lost their tops and landed on our roof. I really got tired of tress crashing onto our roof. Our home owner's insurance disowned us due to our "extraordinary number of claims." What's a family to do when it rains trees?

At any rate, we are grateful for the rain, the freshness and cleanness that it brings, and the promise of full reservoirs this summer. Full reservoirs means water for the farmers in the valley, and places to play in the summer.

Speaking of playing, tomorrow I get to hang out with my grandson. I love that little guy! He saw me at prayer meeting tonight and says to his daddy, "Want Mima!" His daddy set him down and he came a running! Want to know what he asked for? My cell phone. My cell phone has video of him eating, playing and even of him throwing a fit. Wanna know what he wanted to watch? He wanted to what the video of his fit! He cracks up watching himself kick his feet and then sit up and frown in the camera. That has nothing to do with rain. Just a grin for the weekend.

Stay warm, dry, healthy and safe.
Love,
MtnMom

Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs January 20. 2010 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Good Morning, January!

2012-01-14T09:42:00.000-08:00

Classes this semester are much tougher. That's OK. I will attend the labs and get educated. I'll get tutored if needed also. I will also take advantage of the beautiful campus and use it as my gym. The hills on the campus serve me well as far as my fitness goals go and the scenery keeps my attention so well that one mile of walking is gone before I know it. Time flies when you are having fun and when you are busy.

It's already the middle of January 2012 and I still have my beautiful 2011 Yosemite calender hanging in the kitchen. Didn't realize I hadn't changed it until yesterday when I tried to figure out how many days left until my math test. I stood there with "duh" all over my face trying to find my test date. I will say that the photos on the calender are too lovely for the trash can. So, the calender stays and I resorted to the little Hallmark calender in my purse to help me organize the rest of the month.

By the way, Hello January! When exactly did you arrive? You are half spent and I'm just now getting around to thanking you for the days you brought us! Sorry to take you for granted like that but you did bring us some busy stuff to handle! Thank you for bringing us lovely weather. I'm sure February will bring us the rain we need. We are not at all missing the snow since most of us still have debris in our yard from the last two winters' furious blasts. In fact, all the sunshine is providing opportunity for walks and hikes that normally are on hold this time of year. I'm usually getting fatter this time of year but here you are will all this sunshine, enabling me to progress in my health efforts. Thank you, God, for giving us this beautiful January! It feels like springtime!

Malcontent: It's a noun

2012-01-06T13:10:00.000-08:00

Once again, the definition:

mal·con·tent/ˌmalkənˈtent/
Noun:
A person who is dissatisfied and rebellious.
Adjective:
Dissatisfied and complaining or making trouble.
Synonyms:
discontented - disgruntled - dissatisfied - disaffected

This word has been bugging me for weeks! It's such an ugly sounding word, yet it describes what I have seen way too much of as I go out and about. Yes! The world is full of loving, kindhearted and giving people! And that is usually what I focus on, especially when writing. But it seems that there are more and more people that are just unhappy cranks! I understand that people are hurting. I get that. I understand that very deeply. But why the need to lash out and be mean?

I see it at the store when an unhappy customer cannot be satisfied. I see it on the road when people cannot bring themselves to simply yield and let someone else catch a break in traffic. I see it in countless churches as people want church leadership to bless them to engage in behaviors that could compromise the strength of the church or choices that could compromise a persons own future. I hear about it on the news when yet another shooting has taken place. I see it in my neighborhood when that one person calls 911 on every tiny noise that happy children in the neighborhood make when they play. I see it in myself.

What on earth happened to my heart? I got hurt, grew bitter, withdrew, made excuses and turned into a malcontent. Has that ever happened to you? Is that you today? Those of us wanting to show the love of Christ to the world, show the power of God to the world and show the world that there are people who care cannot accomplish any of that with a bitter heart.

What is hurting you? How can I help? I have been there! More importantly, Jesus has been there! He took upon himself EVERYTHING that hurts us and everything that separates us from God. And then he paid the price for all that separates us from God. He paid that inevitable death penalty for sin. How much more does Christ, who suffered pain beyond our imagination and then had to die for it,, want to meet you today right where you are! He's alive now and no way is all that he went through going to go to waste. His hand reaches out for you today. Give him your heart and let him meet you, heal your broken heart and body, and strengthen you for all that is ahead.

Love,
Mountain Mom

Copyright: Cynthia R. Jacobs January 5, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

A Happy Heart

2012-01-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

mal·con·tent/ˌmalkənˈtent/
Noun:
A person who is dissatisfied and rebellious.
Adjective:
Dissatisfied and complaining or making trouble.
Synonyms:
discontented - disgruntled - dissatisfied - disaffected

I didn't make this up. It's in Webster's Dictionary. Good news is there is a cure for this unhealthy heart condition:

Pro. 7:2 "Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes."
Ecc. 8:5 "Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right."
Ecc. 12:13 "That's the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone's duty."
1Jn 2:3-5 "And we can be sure that we know Him if we obey His commandments. If someone claims, 'I know God,' but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him."

In the culture we are living in, our faith can quickly become smothered and dimmed by the same "Me!Me!Me!" mindset that is destroying our culture. We can become self absorbed, self centered, self motivated, and forget the love that is at the very heart of our faith. We become sour discontents and malcontents and nothing or nobody can please us because we become isolated and stagnant in our polluted "City of ME." We end up choking, nearly drowning, in the mire of our selfishness. Getting back to the simplicity of God, loving him and obeying him, brings an amazing change to the soul. That is the first step to getting out of the smelly, stagnant selfish place of having become a malcontent, the first step in having a truly happy and healthy heart again.

See ya tomorrow!
Love,
Mountain Mom

(Scripture references are from the New Living Translation.)
Copyright: Cynthia R. Jacobs January 4, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Homework

2011-09-18T10:01:00.000-07:00

Our math homework this weekend is to read ahead into the next chapter we will be studying. Our Ministry Training Class homework is simply to pray. There is nothing like reading ahead in a math book to get me praying! Math 601 is going well, but when I see what's up ahead I get panicked. This is a college course and the grade I make counts forever. That makes me nervous so I read ahead, pray big and study hard.

Prayer. Now there is an assignment you don't see often. Pastor Pat McDonald stated it perfectly in a facebook post when he stated that the greatest obstacle in restarting a prayer life is getting past the condemnation we experience because we have stopped praying. How true that is! Much like falling behind in school tempts us to give up and settle for a barely passing grade, we get tempted to do the same in our walk with God when our prayer life has dwindled. We get tempted to settle and let fate takes it's course. Not only is such a choice spiritually dangerous, it robs us of the riches we have in God; it limits what we receive from Him, know of Him and, most sadly, it limits simply knowing Him.

The call to prayer sounds intimidating. How much time should I spend in prayer to pass this class? What do I pray about? One moment in prayer erased those questions because prayer is not about passing a class. Prayer is about knowing the heart of God. God's concepts are eternal and He is not giving us grades. He is longing for relationship, not prized students. He calls us children, friends, sheep and all kinds of affectionate words. Simply stated, fellowship with Him in prayer is a time of being embraced as His child, honored as His friend, rescued as His lambs. Prayer is the first step in realizing a love that changes you from the inside out, and gives you the heart to see others know that love.

I love homework.

Mollie 'n Me

2011-03-23T16:19:00.000-07:00

Well, here we sit, all snuggled in a warm room where we are enjoying the luxury of electricity while our home community copes with mega-tons of snow and massive power outages. Last I checked there was no prediction as to when power would be restored, only a PG&E recording stating they hope to have an update for us by tomorrow. One little neighborhood won't even have a hint of an update until Sunday, that's how difficult this series of storms have been on our electricity infrastructure.

Mollie, being a major attention hog, is enjoying being the only pet in tow during our evacuation escapade. We left the others behind because there is not a hotel between here and Wisconsin that will let us bring a dog as huge as a horse and stinky as a piggy into one of their rooms. The cat, well, he'd kill us if we stuck him in a car. Oh, sure, we could place him in a crate for the drive but as soon as we released him he would kill us. In our sleep he'd finish us off. That cat hates the car, loves his house and is fine in his little nook with his litter box, tons of food and water, not to mention the frequent visitors to the house popping in to snuggle him and make sure he isn't clinging to the ceiling in trauma. Nah, the cat is fine and big dog, well, big dog loves when someone stops in. For him that means he's either in for some serious head scratches or his next meal. Either way, he's happy.

Little dog, Mollie, would die of pure anxiety if we left her behind. Mollie is my baby, my three-year-old seventeen-pound baby. I acquired her last November after my sweet little poodle, Honey Sue, went to doggy heaven. She is a Poodle-Shih Tzu mix. I have owned Poodles for years and I know the breed well. What I don't know at all is the Shih Tzu breed. As it turns out, though Mollie may have a few Poodle-like curls and some spastic Poodle behaviors, she is by all definitions a Shih Ttzu. That's not a bad thing. But I don't know beans about the Shig Tzu.

Poodles are very loyal to their mommies, wonderful guard dogs, and extremely smart. The poodles I have owned have assumed that every human not dwelling in the household is a threat until several minutes of observing that mommy is happy with the "intruder" and not reaching for, well, you get the picture. And the Poodle does not observe quietly. The Poodle barks in a manner painful to the human ear, while bouncing in unpredictable directions and at insane heights for as long as it takes for the Poodle to get the picture that mommy is happy with the "intruder", or until the Poodle gets kenneled.

The Shih Tzu, too, is loyal. But, instead of being ready to attack and defend when a possible intruder comes to the door, the Shih Tzu perceives the human on the outside of the door to be a Popsicle, a Popsicle long overdue for a good licking. The Shih Tzu does indeed bark a bit, but the second the door is opened, the Shih Tzu covers the waiting human with so many licks that the human feels violated. Those licks are kisses to the Shih Tzu and, I don't know if it's just my Mollie or the Shih Tzu in general, but there are no strangers. There are only best friends desperately in need of kisses!

Wait. I must take that back. There was a fella that came to our place, and, not knowing this fella, I spoke to him through the door. Mollie went nuts with a bark I have never heard from her before nor since. I suppose she picked up on my pensiveness and reacted. I never opened the door as the fella apparently had the wrong address. Had I done so, I wonder what Mollie would have done? Probably best I don't know because this dog has a bite that shreds those leather dog chews in minutes. Can't figure that out. I've seen a Dachshund shred things like that but never a Poodle. Maybe it's a Shih Tzu thing? Or maybe she has Dachshund in her. Given the disproportionate length of her body and the comical shortness of her legs, it wouldn't be a stretch to believe. However, her breeder says she's half Poodle and half Shih Tzu, so, I'll proceed accordingly.

"Affectionate and loving" are the main words most articles use to describe the Shih Tzu breed. I concur. Mollie is "affectionate and loving" to the point she will not leave a person's being until she has administered 1,000 "affectionate and loving" doggy kisses. We are in a training process where she is learning to sit quietly until being invited into my lap, instead of appearing out of nowhere and putting her nose in my face, and attacking my face with "kisses". I don't like dog noses touching my face. It's gross. I do not allow my dogs to "kiss" my face. Regardless of how precious their intentions are, my face is off limits. Once Mollie is in my lap and has calmed down, she is allowed to "kiss" my wrist just once, then she gets lots of scratches behind her ears, accompanied by tons of belly rubs and back scrubs. She is adapting well to this routine. As long as she ultimately ends up in my lap, she's happy.

As we sit here hoping and praying that the next series of storms headed to our home community turns to rain instead of snow, Mollie is mellow. She is the only pet around and she knows it. She is sharing my attention with no-one. She doesn't care a thing about the weather, lights, heat; TV, or microwaves. As long as she's with me she is happy, content, settled and smiling. Her contentedness is a lesson to me. How content we should all be when we are loved. No, we are not dogs but, love is love and it amazes me how domestic animals know when they are loved, or detested for that matter, and how they respond to those emotions.

While going for her morning walk, Mollie saw a man out side our hotel who was sitting on a curb taking a smoking break. She of course approached him and, when he reached out to her, she loved on him and he so enjoyed her loves and kisses! Turns out his grandmother, whose name is Mollie, is lying in a hospital and is going to go be with Jesus any moment now. He and my Mollie had a sweet bonding time that obviously comforted the man. Hubby and the man visited and the comfort and encouragement the man received was very evident.

Reminds me of when I first met Mollie. My heart was broken deeply with the loss of Honey Sue. When I met Mollie I had serious doubts that I would bond with another dog any time soon. I fully expected to leave the park with still an empty and hurting heart. Mollie's eyes changed that in an instant. As sat on the ground, Mollie came over to me, rolled over for a belly rub, then climbed up and put her short little front legs on my right shoulder. She then leaned her head into mine for a little bit, then looked me square in the eyes. I pulled her away so I could look back into her eyes. As guarded as I was, I was taken by surprise when those pretty little eyes melted my heart. I hugged her, literally, and she snuggled in, just loving the hug.

I didn't bring Mollie home with me immediately. I wanted to wait and know for sure that she was the one God had picked out for me. I also needed to know in my heart of hearts that I really wanted Mollie, and that I wasn't just trying to replace Honey Sue. I was still grieving the loss of my baby girl and would still sob here and there. But, as the days went by, I knew. Mollie's eyes, her hugs, and her annoying kisses stole my heart. We picked her up the following weekend. We've grown to be best friends, Mollie 'n Me, especially now that I have been studying up on the Shih Tzu breed and learning how to relate to her according to who she really is.

Don't we have to do that with people sometimes, too? Just step back, be quiet, listen and learn? Don't we too often try to apply our cookie cutter methods to people, assuming that what we know is going to change their lives forever? Our intentions couldn't be better! But too often we don't take the time to know the deeper person, the person that God knows and wants to reach. Sometimes we can be much better instruments of his love when we wait a bit, pray, observe, and just get to know someone. Yes, it takes time and there can be sacrifice involved, but, if we end up being the person that God can show himself through, isn't it worth that little extra time and sacrifice?

Guess it’s time to wrap this up so I will. Until tomorrow, may your days be merry and bright, and, for those in the mountains of Norther California, may the days that lie ahead not be quite so doggone white!!!

Love to all,
MtnMom

Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs 3/23/2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Shaking It Off and Moving On

2011-03-22T10:49:00.000-07:00

Thankfulness will get you everywhere. It's the ticket to breaking through depression, grief, anger, resentments and many other emotions and mindsets that can hold us back and stagnate us. I'm not saying that we don't have to work through situations that cause those emotions, but we don't have to stay paralyzed by our circumstances.

Col 3:15,16 - "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts."
Col 4:2 - "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."
1Th 5:18 - " Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
Heb 12:28 - "Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe."

We have a choice in how we think, which of course means we daily choose our attitude, our outlook, and ultimately, our future. Now I'm not one for a bunch of "psycho-babble" but facts are facts and it is a fact that what we think is who we become. Thoughts that we take in become our belief system; our belief system then determines who we become. For some there are temporary setbacks as we have chosen to believe less of ourselves than God's word says we are. Other times we see long term damage and consequences suffered by self and loved ones as choices in thought patterns change attitudes and behaviors.

I don't have a big essay or sermon here, just a reminder that, since we are choosing to change our mindsets, determining to believe all that God has made us to be and longing to to see and fulfill his purposes, thankfulness is the perfect place to start in worshiping him and breaking through to that next step he has for us. It's not to early and it's not to late. Thanking him is a tried and true way to start the day in worship...and we know what worship does! Go for it! Worship him! Thank him! Shake off those chains of doubt and diminished dreams and BLAST into his presence with thanksgiving! There, in his presence, you will see what you need to see, hear what you need to hear, get everything necessary to do what you need to do.

Copyright Cynthia R. Jacobs March 22, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Colorado

2010-08-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

Soon I will be posting photos of a quick trip we made to the old home place in Colorado. I love Colorado. I was born there. There was not much time for photography for the sake of photography, but sure got some good shots of family and friends.

How very blessed our family is to have the tremendous Christian heritage that we have. We have grandparents and great grandparents that served God, and no doubt prayed for each and every one of us to walk with God. That is something I cherish and am deeply humbled and blessed by.

I will post a photo of the Veteren's Memorial that stands in the cemetary where folks on my Mom's side of the family are laid to rest. It was a blessing to finally visit and say good-bye to some whose funerals I was unable to attend. It was doubly powerful to visit there on Memorial Day.

Queen of the Morning Road

2010-04-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

She was a beautiful metallic sky blue turquoise and metallic white. Her engine rumbled. I love those old glass packs. They may be called something else these days but, back when I was a teen, they were glass packs and they took the energy, the character, the mood and the power of the machine and rammed it all the way through your bone marrow clean into your soul. You knew by the rumble the force you’d be reckoning with, and you knew whether to pass her or just let her fly and exult in the thrill of metal meeting what felt like the supernatural.

I sat in my adorable Camry, old lady mufflers and all, knowing darn well I could take the turquoise dream on the grade, glass packs and all. I played dumb, acted like I didn’t notice her so as not to tip off the driver that granny was about to blow him and his dream machine plum off the road. I’ve been there many times and it’s fun to win. Usually it’s the flatlanders in their sports cars that I like to show who's boss-o'-the-mountain. But, occasionally, a truck whose driver doesn’t deserve her comes along with the wrong attitude and it’s on. And I win; but, not today.

Chrome. She had real chrome. Hypnotized, awestruck, smitten, call it what you want but I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. Sometimes a machine is built for more than just driving and this was one of them. One in a million maybe. I had to give her the road, feel the engine and see the sun ignite the metal. I kept up just enough speed to keep her in sight. The driver was no dummy. He knew how to punch her and get her in the lead without abusing the engine. It was powerful! Just enough gas to rumble the essence of the queen of the road into my soul, and, yes, all the way through my bone marrow in the process.

It was an honor to step aside. This doesn’t happen often, and when it does it is usually a Harley Davidson, not a pickup truck. Especially not a Ford F250. Those are usually ordinary and boring, completely unnoticeable. Not this gal. I dubbed her Queen of the Morning Road and I’m glad to have met her. Made me smile and maybe made my day. Sky blue turquoise, metallic white, and chrome competing with the sun: my hat is off to the sunrise special that wanted to blow me off the road but gained a friend instead. Hope to meet you again sometime. Maybe I’ll always let you win.

Copyright C.Jacobs April 19,2010 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

Just popping in to wish you all a very happy Easter! It's a wonderful day to focus on all that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ procured for us in this great salvation. Salvation is so much more that an insurance policy from hell. Not to discount that wonderful benefit but, we are promised abundant life, healing, deliverance from the power of sin over our lives...the list is huge! So is the responsibility to take what we have and show it to the world.

Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is on Me; because Jehovah has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Isa 61:2 to preach the acceptable year of Jehovah and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

Isa 61:3 to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the mantle of praise for the spirit of heaviness; so that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that He might be glorified.

Isa 61:4 And they will build the old wastes, they will raise up the ruins of former times. And they will repair the waste cities, the ruins of many generations
That passage of scripture is just a taste of the kind of healing and delivering love and power that we have within us to give to a very desperate world. Let's take today to focus on and renew our commitment to being all that the Word of God says we are so we can have the kind of impact on lives that God intends.
Love to all,
Mtn Mom

My Passion: to be God's love

2010-04-02T22:45:00.000-07:00

You know, there are folks who blog for a living. That means they have to write something interested and entertaining everyday. I’m only bringing this up to say I respect them and enjoy their work, especially that of my favorite, Debra Legg at http://www.debralegg.com/. There are times when I fondly think of her as my liberal counterpart. So, I’m dedicating this post to her because it takes work to blog successfully everyday, a feat she accomplishes with flying colors and deserves honors for.

OK, on to my post now. I left off hoping that anyone following this might read Romans chapter five so I could more easily get my point across. These posts are not intended to be sermons or devotionals. This is simply me thinking out loud as I take the challenge our pastor gave us last Sunday: find your passion. After thought and searching, I realize and remember my passion is to become the kind of Christian that the Bible instructs us to be and says we can be.

Rom 5:5-8 – “And the hope does not put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us; for we yet being without strength, in due time Christ died for ungodly ones. For with difficulty one will die for a just one, (for perhaps one even dares to die for the sake of the good one), but God commends His love to us in this, that we being yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Notice that Christ died for us while we were described here as “sinners” and “ungodly”.

THAT is the kind of love I am talking about, the kind of love that I believe we are supposed to have. Now, don’t get me wrong. If the Bible defines certain behaviors as sinful, then, I believe they are sinful. I’m not promoting a wishy-washy religion that overlooks sin, expecting us to simply tolerate everyone and everything. The kind of love that God has is the kind that realized the impossibility of human kind to deal with sin so he sent Jesus to do that for us. Our job is to exemplify that love so folks can come to know him, and be delivered from sin. To quote our Pastor Pat, "God loves me so much he takes me just as I am; he loves me too much to leave me that way." You see, sin separates us from God so it should be our passion to pursue the sin-free, love filled life that is spelled out in Romans chapter five and the rest of the Bible.

If God’s response to our sin was to send us a Savior, what should our response be to those who are caught up in sin today? We don’t have to die for them because only Jesus’ blood takes care of that part of the redemption process, but we have a part to play: we are to be the hands of feet of Jesus to this world that has no clue who he is. Generations know him only as the center of a few religions. It’s our job to have such an intimate relationship with him that we become his love, the serving, giving, sacrificial love that changes lives. The world is sick and tired of words. The world is telling Christianity to put up or shut up. Not in a hateful way but in a desperate way. The world is desperate for that kind of love, that powerful love that the Holy Spirit has filled our hearts with (Romans 5:5). What are we going to do with it?
(Copyright-C.Jacobs 4/2010 (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

My Passion

2010-03-31T13:17:00.000-07:00

My passion is, and has been for a long time, becoming the Christian that the Bible teaches us we can become. At a very early age I began to read the Bible. In my teens I began to study the Bible. In my late teens I began to question the Bible and explore other religions. That is another story but, after coming full circle, the only thing that made any real sense and seemed to be a puzzle with all the pieces was that the Bible is indeed true and therein contains the "what" and the "how." Not always do I see the "why" the way I want to but the main "why" is very clearly defined therein: God is love and that is what he wants us to be.

The definition for passion is love. That's the simplest definition. The use of the term passion to intonate the sufferings of Christ during his crucifixion is not an incorrect use of the word; it is simply not used that way anymore. So, when I refer to passion, I am referring to the one thing I love the most, the one thing that drives me and keeps me going no matter what. That one thing is to become the Christian that the Bible says is possible

Now, you would think that I should say my family or my friends are my passion. They are. I love them dearly. But, we all have a passion that defines us and determines who and what we are. My passion determines the kind of wife, mother, friend, community member that I am. At least I want that to be so.

In my exploration of other religions, secular humanism was my favorite. I really liked the idea that we could be our own god, picking and choosing from a variety of ideologies the facets of each ideology that would best suit us as individuals.

I ran into a problem, though. Actually, I ran into a couple of problems. There were no religions or ideologies that were so incomplete that I could choose only a dab of this and a dab of that. Trying to do so created many conflicts in ideology. The one thing I new about God was that, given the beauty and order of creation, there was no way that defining him as he relates to me should be so confusing and complicated.

What if God did not create the earth and we just happened? That would settle a lot of things for me. I tried really hard to go with that but that left me with many different versions of evolution and that, too, was confusing. Is science was so darn the answer, why did the "facts" keep changing? I could not let go of God over something so confusing. I ended up back to the Biblical explanation of creation because, as simple as it seems, it made much more sense than evolution. I've heard some say that it takes more faith to believe in evolution that it takes to believe that God, through the power of who he is, created the universe; I found that to be true.

But what about God himself? OK. So he was this big entity that could create. Why did he bother? Why did he create humans? And why, oh why, did he create such beauty and there be such suffering and pain in the middle of it all. WHY?

Now let's come back to today, and leave that question for just a bit. What is my passion? Again, to become the Christian that the Bible says is possible. Why? Love. The realization that God loves me brought me to a place of humble heartedness in the middle of a set of circumstances that, looking back, makes some folks walk away from God. What I found was that, in my worst condition, God loved me and wanted to heal my broken life, my devastated soul, and wounded heart. I had a choice. I could hate him for allowing me to suffer but I so desperately needed him. Only his love and his power could change me on the inside and I knew it. If I walked away from him I would not have been able to survive the pain in my life. Thoughts of suicide dominated me for a few years. I knew that I could not continue on the path of anger towards the only one that could save my soul. He turned out to be the one who loved, and still loves me, more than any human ever.

This is all a bit subjective sounding up 'til now. But, if you consider how people choose to believe these days, subjectivism is not my biggest concern. Resentment toward God, blaming God, turning away from God, almost killed me and quite certainly is killing many people today. God didn't spare them or their loved ones from suffering so, they hate him. God didn't meet them on their terms so they just decided he doesn't exist, or they create a god of their own, a religion or ideology to suit them, and cut themselves off from the very thing they truly want and need: love.

In John 5:20 and John 14:12 Jesus stated that those who love him would do even greater works than he did. WHAT? What could be greater than the miracles, the deliverances, the giving of his very life to pay the penalty for the sin of mankind so humanity could once again be united in loving fellowship with our father, our creator? What has become of THAT kind of Christianity? Why do we settle for religion that downplays who and what the Bible says we are and can be?

I'm going to end with those questions for now. Read those verses. And read Romans chapter 5 again and let’s come back here tomorrow and have a little chat.

Love with all my heart,
MtnMom
Copyright C.Jacobs-3/2010 (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

"What is my passion?" (Part 2)

2010-03-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

This question is really bugging me. I know what my passion is. But, I’m beginning to think I need to be more passionate about it. I have become complacent to an extent, letting others carry the load when I could be offering more of myself, my heart. I am standing on the edge of apathy and it’s not a pretty place.

How did I get here? How did I let the fire turn into a smolder and the passion into a dream? God, help me. I need you to fan the flames and turn my heart to you with an even greater passion than I have ever known.

Psalm 139:23-24 - Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if any wicked way is in me; and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalms 80:3 – “Turn us again, O God, and cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!”

Rev 2:2-5 – “I know your works and your labor and your patience, and how you cannot bear those who are evil. And you tried those pretending to be apostles, and are not, and have found them liars. And you have borne, and have patience, and for My name's sake you have labored and have not fainted. But I have against you that you left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent...”
Mat 12:20 - “He will not break a bruised reed, and He will not quench a smoking wick….”

Philippians 1:6 – “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ….”

I know that God is faithful to his word, that he will complete the good work he has begun in me. I also know that he wants my whole heart. That is what this week of soul searching is all about. It’s a time to just open up to him and ask him to search all of me, know me and, as the Psalm above states, “turn me again” to him as I turn my heart back to him, my first love.

It’s easy to settle for counting our good works and feeling comfortable with our donations of time, money and service. But he wants our hearts. That is a whole new level. It’s about letting him have that part of us that wants to be in control of us. That takes faith and trust in his perfect character, his perfect fatherliness and his perfect love. I have everything to gain and nothing to lose in giving my heart to him.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the purposes which I am planning for you, says Jehovah; purposes of peace, and not for evil; to give you posterity and a hope.”

This is the heart of God for us. Why do we fear to surrender to his love?
Copyright C.Jacobs-3/2010 (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

What is my passion?

2010-03-29T08:14:00.000-07:00

Since this is Passion Week, our Pastor asked us to contemplate the question: “What is my passion?” My first thought goes to the historical account of the crucifixion Jesus. That is, in Christianity, what Passion Week is representing and asking is to meditate upon. What would drive a human being to endure the excruciating, horrifying, traumatizing experience of crucifixion? Love. It’s that simple. Love.

Is my passion love? There can be no separating love from God so to say that my passion is God is to say my passion is love, and visa versa. Do I have love within me? Can I exemplify the love that saved me, rescued me, heals me, delivers me, strengthens me, gives me peace and changed my life and soul altogether?

Yes. According to Romans 5:5, the love of God completely fills my heart, my soul. It is in me. But, is that my passion? Is it my choice when dealing with life’s issues, or other folks and their issues? I truly want it to be. I want everything about God to be my passion. If He and who He is becomes my true passion, I become what my heart cries out to be: His heart and hand extended to a world gone wonk! This post is just the beginning. You can follow me this week on my blog as I make the journey of asking God to search my heart and life, and to bring my heart and life into alignment with His heart, His passion.

It was for people that Jesus was crucified. People. Human beings. How do I respond to people? In my heart, do I love people? Do I meet the needs in other’s lives though it may mean a sacrifice of some kind on my part, time, energy, money? In many ways I want to give but is love so much my passion that I will sacrifice to make sure others experience God’s love the way I have? Do I have the “what’s in it for me” mentality or do I have the passion for God and God alone, giving and loving for His glory and His purposes?

These are a few of the questions I am asking myself, bearing my heart and soul to Jesus, asking Him to search my heart this week and bring my heart into alignment with His. It hurts. I have to face things about myself I don’t like to face. But, repentance brings life, and life brings love…and vice versa.

Join me this week in bearing our hearts to our King and our God, the lover of our souls, so we can become even more like Him, the one who gave His very life for love.
Read Romans 5:5 and let the Word of God explore your soul.
Copyright C.Jacobs-3/2010 (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

2010-01-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

Facebook Mima Jacobs: Dear Christians, please love Haiti like Jesus loves Haiti.

2009-11-26T07:24:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE

FROM THE MOUNTAIN FOLKS!

I Need a Bigger Mouth

2009-11-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

Perhaps it's the snow. Perhaps it's the fact that my grandson smiled at me three times in response to my goofy sounds and faces. Maybe it's because there are a few good job possibilities on the horizon for hubbin, or that the teen is doing very well in college. Could even be that my oldest, who had some significant health issues a few years ago has rebounded and is thriving on every level. Whatever it is, my mouth is not large enough to express the smile in my heart.

It is more traditional that folks look for new hope and new life in spring. Not me. Winter is my season to live. The icy air on my face, freezing my nose to a tingling red nub, the smell of the air cleansed by rain and snow, and the sparkle of snow and ice; those things bring me to life.

Another contributing factor is seeing God intervene for a loved one whose family could have become a statistic, but because of hearts that turn to God, they are a family of love, living proof of the restoring power of the love of God.

There are many joys to speak of. As I've written before, losing my friend Barb to pancreatic cancer earlier this year broke my heart. I was not prepared for the loss of such a close friend. God has been gracious and has carried and strengthened her family and friends. After all that, it is just wonderful to feel God's heart hugs in the blessings I'm sharing with you now. Sometimes it feels like maybe Barb has sent me heart hugs from heaven. With God's permission of course.

At any rate, this is not meant to be an award winning masterpiece. Just a post from the mountain letting you know that the Lord has kept us, blessed us in numerous ways, and is healing and restoring the broken hearted, just like His Word promises.

Love you all and wish you a wonderful weekend. Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day preparations and don't forget to share with those less fortunate. Even if you have to sacrifice a little, it's still worth being sure someone else has something instead of nothing for the holiday season.

God bless you, and if I ever get my face and mouth to actually express this huge smile in my heart, I'll post the photo!

Yaaaay! My blog is working again!

2009-10-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Web Wizard Will my blog is visable again! Don't know about you but I have really missed me! So much has happened the past couple of months it's going to take from now 'til Christmas to put all of life's goodies in the right size basket for presentation!

We have become grandparents of course, our teen turned 18, and I have wanted to post all kinds of things but...poor blog got neglected and ran away for awhile. Thanks to Will that which was lost is now found and like the father of the prodigal son in the New Testament, I'm rejoicing!

OK, i'm going a little over the top but we are used to that by now, are we not? I do anticipate learning more technical "stuff" so I can expand what I do here online but that's down the road and I will keep you posted when changes take place so you can update your bookmark.

Love you all and hope you have a safe and happy weekend!
MtnMom

Problems with my blog

2009-10-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

After renewing my domain my blog has become inaccessable. Please bear with me while I work with Google and Blogger to solve this problem. Thank you for your patience. MtnMom

Autumn in the California Foothills

2009-10-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

Cover's Apple Ranch

October 7, 2009

Tuolumne, CA

Our Precious Grandchild Is Born

2009-10-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

It happened on October 1. 2009. Our precious grandchild was born. We are in a zone that cannot be put into words at this time. We are beyond joyful. Completely speechless except to express thankfulness to God for this amazing blessing and to express how proud we are of our children. We are grateful. We are more than joyful. When life makes me speechless I know not to talk but to just soak it all in. It the right time a story will be born. Mommy, baby and daddy are all perfectly, wonderfully healthy. We could not ask for more. God has exceeded our expectations in so many ways. All I can do right now is say "thank you, God", and that seems like an understatement. God is good. Really, really good.

"You are what you eat!"

2009-08-24T21:00:00.001-07:00

Okay! So I ate all the "Ragu-mac" for breakfast!

'Cuz THEY didn't save me any PREGO!

Three sisters expecting baby girls at the same time!

...a place to think...

2009-08-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

OFFICIAL PERMISSION GRANTED

2009-08-12T14:18:00.000-07:00

To me from my grand baby's parents!

2009-08-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

Psalm 27

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

2 When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.

3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.

4 The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.

5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

6 Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.

7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me!

8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

9 Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation!

10 Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.

11 Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me.

12 Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence.

13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

PURE CATITUDE!

2009-08-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

We're fine! Just been busy.

2009-07-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Y'all!

Sorry I haven't posted lately! Been busy. Still organizing the mess I made of the house when I decided to use our little water incident as an opportunity to reorganize the whole house. Why do I do that? Don't know but I can tell ya this for sure, I don't want to EVER move another piece of furniture again for a really long time! MtnPops with be happy with that!

Anyway, almost done and now it's time to get the teen all set for college. We are almost there. All that's left is registering for the specific classes then we move on to getting the driver's license. The latter is interesting because we just received a notice from our insurance company the that the teen is specifically excluded from our insurance policy until she is specifically added. I'm still trying to figure out how they knew we even owned a teen!

It's all good. MtnPops is getting used to his new job. I'm getting used to his traveling more and looking forward to traveling with him when they send him somewhere other than Phoenix. Too hot for me there right now! In the meantime, it's all about establishing order around here and getting ready for the arrival of the Grandbaby.

Speaking of Grandbaby, the pregnancy is going very well! There were hints of a couple of issues but they turned out to be no problem at all. I'm so proud of the parents for being hard workers and responsible adults. We are excited with them and for them as the time for baby's arrival nears.

Well, gonna go and get back to my on-line business. That has been a time consumer. Yes, I am part of an MLM enterprise! I love it! I help sell the very best candles and accessories ever! But, this blog is not about making money so I won't advertise. Not allowed to anyway. We have to work for our bucks. No free plugs or links on our blogs. But, I can suggest that you email me for details. :)

I must remember to water today, too. I forgot for a few days and the holly hock blossoms started wasting too quickly. Not sure why I didn't get lots of flowers this year but the holly hocks are especially sparse. Maybe because it stayed so cool and winter like late into the season?

Y'all take care and when I have an interesting brain storm I'll log on and share. For now, it's back to the establishing order thing I mentioned earlier. And that takes time for the likes of me!

Love and Blessing to All!
MtnMom

A Funny Website

2009-07-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

I don't usually post about another's blog but I have to at least this once. Just want to plug Awkward Family Photos: http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

Now, I'm not saying you will never come across something you may think objectionable because I haven't explored every page of the blog but, so far, I have spit coffee on the computer screen at least three times. Maybe because I view it in the morning when I am most likely to laugh at anything. Which explains the ever present and dangerous coffee. (Dangerous to the laptop, not me.) But it is funny!

Anyway, check it out if you want some giggles! You know how I like to share giggles! Giggles are especially appropriate on weekends when ya just wanna loosen up and shake off the week!

Fear Therapy

2009-07-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had an appointment in Oakland. Exited the highway too soon and ended up lost in a very scary bunch of neighborhoods. Don't know for sure for how long, but, more than a half hour. I got scared.

I think Hubbin was also at least nervous. Normally he drives the exact posted speed limit. In fact, he is very comfy driving five miles an hour below the speed limit, just to err on the side of caution. He, however, did not drive the posted 30 MPH through these neighborhoods. I will not post the rate at which he was driving through the neighborhoods. I will say that if we do get speeding tickets in the mail, I will frame them as an honor to his heroism. If we end up paying a fine to the city housing these neighborhoods, I will consider it an offering of gratitude for allowing us to leave...alive...intact...here to blog about it today.

There was a notice posted above one speed limit sign that stated in huge letters, "ENFORCED BY PHOTO!" I am still trying to imagine a photo intimidating enough to make me want Hubbin to drive the speed limit in that location. I come up with nothing.

The stop lights scared me. Not the lights themselves but having to stop the vehicle. I have to sing praises to Hubbin again here. At one intersection there was some really uncomfortable stuff going down and the light turned yellow. He started the legal process of slowing down and I hollered "Go!Go!Go!Go!Go!" really fast and frantic and he gunned it! Really gunned it and we skedaddled! I am proud of him! If we get a ticket for the red light caper, I won't consider the payment a fine. I will consider it the payment of a debt of deep gratitude.

Now, here's what's funny. Some parts of our more local Stockton have been known to scare me. Hubbin knows this about me. If a trip to Stockton is necessary, he specifies the streets involved. I will respond with, "Is there another part of town with a Home Depot?", "Can we take the car that has all four doors that lock?", or "Not going!", depending on what part of Stockton is needful of our presence. However, yesterday, when we finally found a sign leading us out of the scary neighborhood and back to the highway, it was labeled "Hayward/Stockton". Gleefully! Joyfully! And loudly I exclaimed: "STOCKTON!!!!!". Hubbin laughed.

I spent the rest of the day noticing that things of the Bay Area that normally put me on edge didn't phase me. The normally nerve racking four lane highways repainted to make six skinny lanes were hardly noticeable. The San Mateo Bridge was soothing. Yes, motorcyclists speeding between cars on those those skinny lanes startled my eyes but my insides were way OK. Why this sudden peaceful phenomenal change? Fear therapy.

You see, I learned something awhile ago from my mentor, Bob Wiley, the main character in my favorite movie, What About Bob. Bob was scared of many things. But, after surviving being tied up and threatened with a live bomb, Bob wasn't scared anymore. Bob was miraculously cured by what he later termed "Death Therapy" and went on to become a successful author.

I call my experience yesterday "Fear Therapy". It's one of those relativity things. Relative to really almost dying, thinking that there is a one tenth of one percent chance that you might die just doesn't phase you.

Now please, if you live in one of these scary Bay Area neighborhoods, please do not be offended at this. In fact, if you do live there and you are reading this, I applaud your survival skills. And if you are that elderly lady with the walker on the streets of (I won't name the specific neighborhood), I hope you are packing serious heat. But please, don't be offended.

Folks used to the country, like me, find many elements of city life overwhelming. Such as, metal bars over windows with shattered glass behind them "protecting" buildings housing churches, law enforement offices, businesses. Most frightening was the sight of a chain linked fence, fortified with barbed wire, and rows of razor wire at the top, you know, like they have for prisons, toppled and squished like tinker toys! Who or what did that?!?! Thing is, I didn't want to stick around in our itty bitty fuel efficient vehicle and find out what would take out that kind of fence.

Now, folks from the area where we were lost would probably have the living daylights scared out of them if they were to be on a hiking trail up here and come face to face with a bear or mountain lion. It's just a matter of what you are used to dealing with. I'm not used to needing iron bars, barbed wire and razor wire as a protection. I am used to banging pots and pans to scare off bears or mountian lions, or calling the fella next door to remove the snake the cat brought into my house. Never thought of razor wire. (I think it would be awesome to line the ground with razor wire to keep the snakes out but I don't think that's legal).

Maybe it's all about what you associate things with. I associate those kind of fences and bars with prisons. And seeing how those things were shredded, you have to understand the questions in my mind: Did something get out that should have been kept in? Is that something still on the lose? Or, are the bars and razor wire meant for keeping an unwanted element out? And, will my itty bitty car without bars and razor wire be sufficient in the event said element be as interested in the contents of my vehicle as said element was in the contents of fenced in and barred up properties?

When I woke up this morning, smelled the mountain air and heard the birdies, I thought to myself, "Toto! Thank God we are back in Kansas!" I'm sure folks from the cities who were camping up here in the mountains this past holiday weekend feel the same way waking up in their homes after camping with spiders, snakes, mountain lions and bears. Or just the mere threat of said creatures as they are posted on signs all over camp sites. (Our photos do scare people into obedience!)

Either way, today, I love the San Mateo Bridge, and I love the spider on my ceiling. He's itty bittier than my car and I'm big enough to squash'em like a bug should he come too close. (Don't worry. If he gets that close, I will know if he's a safe spider and,if he is, I will usher him outdoors into the garden where he can eat garden pests.)

I don't feel that way about the stuff that was going down on the street corner where I cheered (urged via yelling) Hubbin through a stop light. I know now why I donate money to organizations that work in hard city neighborhoods. It's apparently not my calling, so to speak. I just can't imaging being useful in those areas if the mere sight of broken iron bars on windows and shredded razor wire fences spook me. There are folks built for those outreaches. Apparently, I'm not one of them. In fact, thanks to yesterday's experience, I am loving my life today. I might donate more money to help those helping lives in tough city neighborhoods. But, with no guilt, Toto and I are happy to be back in Kansas!

This morning in my garden...

2009-07-03T10:00:00.001-07:00

I saw a bumble bee, ...

caught a kiss of early morning light, and...

I do like surprises.

Garden Shots of Garden Spots

2009-07-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

Clematis

Notice the bear stepping stones? They celebrate the bear I hit with a 1976 International Scout. The bear was fine but scared the living daylights outa me! Next week a neighbor saw a bear walking up the street toward my house. I figure these here flat bears might scare'em off!

Just on of my favorite spots. Didn't get to this part of the yard this season. Nevertheless, the birdies love the bird bath.

Kitty follows me around when I'm outside.

Sunset through the dogwood and ivy.

Just a pretty spot when all the flowers are blooming.

Some garden "friends".

Kitty in the hollyhocks.

Lavender

Miniature Red Rose

Kitty among lavender and rose.

Budding Bonica Rose

Blooming Bonica Rose

Zinnia

Climbing Clematis

"Mon Petit Chou"

Now, there is a story to this little guy. One afternoon, before the several days of rain we had a few weeks back, I cleaned my fridge. I came across a quarter of a cabbage that had been forgotten and didn't look so great. I was a bit lazy and didn't chop him up for normal composting. I just laid him at the base of some irises that have a hard time holding water in their soil. Few weeks later, iris still looks limp but this cabbage took off like gang busters! What a surprise! Didn't know cabbages could to that.

Here the little fella is this evening's sunset. A cabbage among irises.

Grandma shoulda got a D.U.I.!

2009-06-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

I might owe folks in the cities of the San Joaquin Valley an apology. Yesterday I might have run some red lights, driven through some stop signs, or failed to yield to the cars already in the turnabout. I really don't know and can't remember. I was driving under an influence. You see, I saw my grandbaby for the very first time.

I know that ultrasound is not the same as the actual birth of the baby. I get that. What I don't get is how I feel right now, how I felt yesterday, and how I know that my life is never going to be the same.

We saw perfect little feet and fists, high fives and knees and, oh yeah, it's a ... ! (Gonna keep ya guessing the gender!) A perfect spine and heart, tiny little ears, ribs, tummy, it's all there and it's all perfect. But, then, out of a seemingly mysterious place that is somewhere between physical and spiritual, there was a face. A perfect, precious face. Time and life and motion and thought seem to have stopped for a bit. Some of it has yet to begin moving again.

There are headlines all over the papers and television. News tickers are going and somewhere else the world is happening. But not here. Yesterday I saw my grandbaby for the very first time and I am in a brand new indescribable world.

Somewhere after that little nose became visible (we think it's Daddy's nose while the chubby cheeks look like Mommy's when she was born) and the yawn, something in my being took leave of me. Or maybe something came into my being that I am just not familiar with yet? I don't know. But, this I do know: All that effort I put into finding a name to substitute for the title of "Grandma" was not at all necessary. That little baby can call me anything that "it's" perfect, adorable, precious little beating heart desires. Grandma. That just makes me proud...and a little scared maybe.

You see, I have this sense of responsibility hitting me that I wasn't prepared for. It is not a bad thing at all. It is good. It is just completely new and different. I have never been down this path before. I want to be a good grandparent, for the baby and for the baby's parents. Not one who spoils but one who nurtures. At the same time I do promise to sneak ice cream to the baby when the parents are not looking, unless the baby is allergic.

The baby didn't just yawn. Get this! The baby took a big gulp of water, swallowed, then did the cutest suckle think with "it's" little mouth, just like "it" will do when "it" eats. That, I do believe, was one of the best moments of my life. It was more than just cute, though "cute" is just not a big enough word to describe that adorable face. I saw my grandbaby prepare to nourish, eat, and grow.

Yes, grow. Someday this baby will be an adult. A whole new person has begun. This baby has a destiny, a future, and, waiting here is a family working very hard to be a place where this individual can become all that is intended, all that is possible, all that God has provided for human beings to become.

Yes, I am under an influence. I do believe it is the influence of a brand new kind of love. Not new to human kind, but very new to this soon to be brand new, very proud, and, most of all, completely smitten, Grandma.

Copyright: C. Jacobs 6/30/2009 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Mom is right!

2009-06-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

My Mom emailed me in response to my last post. She said to get rid of the stuff. Unload it and don't waste time on a yard sale. You know, when your Mom gives you advice, it's good to listen. Before noon today I had the trunk of my car loaded with stuff for Salvation Army. They are one of my favorite charitable organizations so each time I felt kinda sad about departing with something that still looks new enough to wear, I told myself the it's going to a good cause. However, I'm not sure if they can sell this stuff. It's pretty outdated. I didn't realize how long it had been since I was in those sizes.

My Mom said to give the stuff away and, once I reach my goal weight, folks will see me in baggy clothing, take pity on me and give me gift certificates to clothing stores. That's how it went for her anyway. I am now wearing some of the pretty things she shrunk out of. Oh dear! I hadn't thought of that! Pretty soon these pretty clothes won't fit! I like wearing the pretty things my Mom gave me! Hm. Guess my dear friend the seamstress will have some work cut out for her as she takes the clothes in!

Well, this isn't a long post. The last one was kinda desperate so I figured I'd better post that all is on the mend around here. The washer is repaired, the insurance check is on the way, and both hubby and I are dedicating today to loading up the car with stuff for Salvation Army. Ya hafta hand it to a guy who will spend the Saturday of Father's Day weekend helping clean up a near disaster. Of course most of the damage was in his office so it is to his benefit to help. But still, it's a nice thing he's doing. We must do something very special for him tomorrow. Strawberry shortcake with whipped cream and the Patton DVD that he has been wanting since Christmas. Easy to please he is.

Thanks Mom! You were right - as usual! :) XOXOXO!

The Magic Closet

2009-06-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

The house is dry now. There is a lot of stuff to put away. However, the stuff has to be removed so flooring can be replaced. Where can I put all this stuff in the meantime? Some, as previously mentioned, will be donated, but, I really don't want to get rid of everything I own.

Take for instance my skinny clothes. I have two closet storage containers of skinny clothes. At the present I am shrinking back into them but, even if I did drop back into a size 12 tomorrow, would I wear these items? Some are classic and style is not an issue. Others, well, by the time I am back into a size 12 (good size for me) they will be back in style. At least some of them will be. If T-shirts over leggings can come back into style, so can long denim skirts. Besides all that, the skinny clothes represent a goal I am actively achieving. If I throw them out it will feel like I'm giving up. Not ready to get rid of skinny clothes.

Then there are the clothes that still fit but are just worn out. Those are easy to let go of. They won't be fitting for much longer and I have worn them year after year after year. I have one black skirt that I have worn for over 7 years. It's my favorite and it kinda grew with me and it is shrinking with me. It's a classic straight, just below the knee skirt that works with heel, boots, flats, dressy, semi-casual and some cut sandals. In fact, I don't think folks would recognize me in anything else. The skirt stays.

Now, about shoes. I really should post a photo. I just might. Shoes are an art form and, therefore, most do not go out of style unless they are ugly platform shoes. Those things should never have been invented in the first place and I don't own any so they are a non-issue here. I own more shoes than I have outfits to wear them with. Most I acquired with the goal of obtaining an outfit to go with the shoes. That's how I do wardrobe. First acquire shoes, bag, and accessories then hope to someday find clothing to complete the out fit. I am faced with opening my home to folks who want to donate clothing to complete my outfits, or part with shoes, bags, and maybe (and this is a huge maybe) some jewelry. This is my greatest conundrum, dilemma, downright conflict of soul.

Folks, all this talk about the contents of my closet scattered all over my room and I have yet to get into the bedding, gift wrap, gifts I forgot to give, keepsake items, and other miscellaneous items that I forgot were even in there. And this is not a large closet. It didn't appear disorderly yet, all this stuff, where did it come from? I have a magic closet, like Santa's bag, the more you pull out, more keeps coming. And it isn't presenting me with items on my wish list. It's stuff from the past and stuff of the present. Stuff that, in a weird way, is like a journal of the past few years. I don't consider myself a materialistic person yet, thinking of parting with some of this stuff, like the guitar from the top shelf that my daughter's now deceased Grandfather gave her (a yard sale find of his), feels like I'm tearing out part of the past that I want to cherish.

It's just stuff but it's what the stuff represents to me that keeps me hanging on to it. Sigh! And sigh some more. I was going to clear a bunch of this out today but I just don't know what to do with the stuff. Keep it? Donate it? Sell it? Would it sell?

That's my head this morning. They say not to put too much personal information on the Internet. Well, I just put more personal information on the Internet. For some reason folks like this stuff. So, today, while reading about my "stuff", feel free to comment on solutions to my inner and outer conflict!

On a lighter note, the house flooded.

2009-06-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you must laugh to keep from crying. I know. That is a worn out cliche but it is as true as the day is long so yer just gonna hafta deal with it for now. The Maytag overflowed while I was napping, dumping enough water to damage carpeting in the hall, a closet, a bedroom and, of course, the laundry closet. Folks who know how badly this house needs flooring joking ask why I didn't just let the thing run so I could get all new flooring. I don't do insurance fraud, that's why.

But, I have to admit, when I heard the news that the insurance company would replace carpet in those damaged areas, my heart leapeth'd with joy - and surprise. (I now challenge you to find that word in the dictionary.) I was grateful just to have them paying for the clean up! Folks, if ya wanna know what real stink is, pour water on 19 year old carpeting and let it sit there for three days with a house fan blowing on it. Waking up to that smell will mess your brain up for days to come! A large herd of wet animals that are not alive anymore. That best describes the smell.

It was interesting discovering how far the water had spread underneath the carpet pad, extending several inches past where we could actually see and feel the water. We did extract a lot of water but who knew water would flow underneath the carpet and never make it to the surface? It was even more interesting learning how saturated the concrete was. I thought I had discovered the incident rather early but, according to the saturation, it must have flowed awhile before the sound of water hitting metal woke me up. Lucky us, there are a couple of cracks in the foundation in front of the laundry closet so apparently water went there instead of down the hall into the living room. That I am very thankful for, but I hope creatures that thrive in dirt don't come crawling up out of the soggy stuff!

There isn't much to report here actually. I just thought it would be good to remind folks to keep an eye on their appliances, not running them when you are out of the house or sleeping. And, if your washer overflows and soaks your carpet, your heavy duty Hoover carpet cleaner is not going to get that water that is under your carpet and sure isn't going to extract it from your concrete or your walls. We were fortunate that only a tiny spot of mold had started to grow. But let me tell ya, the money you think you are saving by not calling the experts right away is not worth the rotten carpet or mold in your walls.

Keep your home owner's and renter's insurance up to date and make sure your deductible is one you can afford should a problem arise. We're barely skidding in under the wire here. It's tempting to cut corners on insurance but the piece of mind of knowing that a problem is covered is worth cutting out some fast food and coffee stops to be able to afford reasonable coverage. Cut the fast food before the coffee though. Creating one trauma to avoid another is silly.

Well, off to the hotel room the insurance company is paying for us to stay in so we can sleep. The noise of the fans and dehumidifiers makes it impossible to sleep, especially when the closet affected if feet away from where you plant your pillow! We didn't opt for luxury. Just a clean, warm (it's still rainy and cold here on our mountain), and friendly. After the professionals exposed my laundry closet floor, dirt scares me. I need clean. Tonight I sleep in warm, quiet, clean and, best of all, dry. Thank you State Farm. You really are like a good neighbor!

Dance, my dear friend. Dance.

2009-06-08T14:48:00.000-07:00

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God''
Psalms 42:1-2

(The quote above is words that I put to music from the Book of Psalms. Barb loved this song and the first time we spent a few days together she had me sing it over and over. By the end of the first evening she knew the chorus and we sang it together a lot that weekend. She cried when she sang it. It was her heart's prayer to God. Barb was one of the first persons my age that I could see that actually had a love relationship with Jesus Christ. She would sing that song and talk about how much she loved Him. What a blessing it has been to be her friend. Her entire life showed that precious love. I will treasure the friendship we shared for all my years.)

I knew Barb for nearly thirty years. When we met, she announced to me that we are sisters because she had been the foster daughter of my aunt and uncle. I never understood the logic but, as time would prove a wise choice, I did not argue with her. That was the beginning.

I married only months after meeting Barb so that meant I "had everything" while she was the single gal seeking wisdom on how to catch a good man. I didn't do anything remarkable to "catch" my man. I just showed up at his church, our eyes met, our souls locked, and that was that. Barb wanted a family, too. Somehow she thought I held the secret, which meant many afternoons after work she would spend at my house discussing the how-to's and wondering when her prince would come.

I went on to have a couple of children while Barb was still waiting to marry. She continued to work hard and was always the best kind of friend a person could ask for. One day I found an ad in the newspaper from a lady giving away kittens. I called Barb at work and she picked up one of those free kittens for me and brought it to me and my young'uns. That cat went on to have dozens of kittens before Barb ever started her family. Didn't seem fair but it did mark the beginning of a co-dependant, enabling relationship: Barb and I both picked up kittens frequently and understood each other's need to do so.

Barb found her man one day. Actually, they had each other all along. I'm not sure how they realized they were in love but, once they figured it out, they married. I was in the wedding. I was also there when she needed the advice all us gals need when we first get married: yes, he will always snore and no, he won't always leave his laundry laying around unless you start picking it up for him.

She went on to have a beautiful daughter and a handsome son. Barb was beautiful. So beautiful and she died way to young. She was only 50. It was on her 50th birthday that she learned the cancer was terminal, and that all chemos would only manage the cancer. While I look forward to diamonds or a cruise for my 50th, she was delivered a death sentence. My God, how cruel and how harsh! Yet, Barb just, well, she said it was a bummer but she began this fight, a fight for life unlike anything I have ever seen or heard of.

Barb loved Jesus. Her criteria in a husband was that he love Jesus more than he loved her. She knew that a man with that kind of love would always love her more than any other man ever could or would. Barb's family, her faith, and her intense love for both gave her a passion to fight that never dimmed. She knew a few passing moments of fear, anger, questions and grief. But, that passion to live lasted until she drew her last breath.

Barb's family didn't deserve to lose her. Her precious family was her treasure, her gift from God, her reason for fighting to live. Barbara is with Jesus now and I know she is fine but knowing that her family must learn to live without her is a very painful reality. Her hubby, her children, her two incredible brothers: God, please give them a special grace and strength, that sweet comfort that only You can give.

Where is God in all of this? He's everywhere. He was there the first day of the diagnosis, He was there with each wave of bad news, He was there as her days began to wind down, He was there to hold her hand and carry her in His arms into His very Presence, a place we can get glimpses of but, for now, only those who are with Him can really know how glorious He is in His amazing fullness.

God is still here now, helping her family and her friends put one foot in front of the other and to live each day, each moment, with a gratefulness for the reality of God, depending on Him for strength, comfort and courage. Yes, courage. When you have one of those moments where the pain of the loss breaks your heart, it takes courage to regroup and believe God for the strength to get up and take another step. He is faithful to keep His word and give strength to the weak, give the "oil of joy for mourning" and "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness".

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory." - Isaiah 61:1-3 (NLT)

Nothing can take the place of Barb. Her big beautiful Jewish eyes, her amazing smile, the way she could never hurt a flea, the look on her face when she talked about her children, the twinkle in her eyes when her hubby came through the door after a hard day at work...this list doesn't end. An entire blog could be dedicated to Barb. She was so unique, so loving, so, well, always there. But now she's not here. She's with Jesus. She's safe, free from the mean things cancer threw at her. She is in the presence of God. I can't be mad about that. I am thankful for that. But, I miss her. I think I will forever miss Barb. But, as each day passes, I see beautiful things in nature that I know would make her smile and I think that maybe they are there to remind me that she is alive, alive in God's presence, alive in her children, and forever alive in the memories that I will cherish until I see her again.

Barb, I miss you, and I want you to know that I went for a walk for us the other day. I figured that it could count for one of the many we said we would take but never did. Did you see that humming bird on the snow plant? I thought of you as I watched it and wondered if you sent it to touch my heart with a heart hug from heaven. That's how it felt when I saw it. That butterfly that flew into my face. Did you do that? I bet you did just to see me jump! I didn't know such big butterflies lived up here! He was beautiful! He and the humming bird were precious wonders that I will treasure from the walk that I dedicated to you as I left the house that morning. Thank you.

Thank you for claiming me as your sister and keeping me as your friend for all those many years, through thick and thin, never a judgemental word. Just love, encouragement, fun, teasing me about swimming into a buoy and injuring my neck, praying for me when my hubby was out of town and I got scared at night when my little ones were babies...so many memories, so many years, and now, so many tears. More tears than I knew my body held. I've lost five pounds in water weight! Thanks for that, too! :)

Ah, jeez! You always made me smile and laugh. I miss you. I will see you again. I know that. For now though, I miss you. But, you were right. The love that Jesus is and has is greater than all the pain, greater than the loss, and is sustaining those of us you love.

See ya kid. Don't do anything in front of God that I wouldn't do. Yikes! I think I just gave you too much permission didn't I! That's ok. You always were the one to make me think twice so, I'm sure you are in full control. And I do mean full control! Gotcha! Uh oh. Now I better be looking for snakes next time I go for a walk, huh! Nah. You wouldn't do that. You really wouldn't.

My beautiful friend, my beautiful, amazing, fun, kind and loving friend. Live in joy with God and dance with all the other saints who've gone on before us. I can imagine there is much dancing and rejoicing in God's presence. After all, He created joy and love, and those are things to dance about. Dance my dear friend, dance. But save the singing 'til we can sing together again. That was, I think, my favorite. That's when we first became friends.

Love forever and ever, eternally and always,
Cynthia

P.S. Go ahead and sing. I cannot imagine not singing in the Presence of God! So dance, sing, and we'll rock to the hymns and hallelujahs when we see each other again!

In Loving Memory of Barb

2009-05-23T22:36:00.000-07:00

I still cannot put thoughts and emotions into words, but I want to thank everyone who prayed for Barb as she battled cancer. What a warrior! Please pray for her hubby and children. It is comforting to know Barb is in the Presence of the Lord, at peace, out of pain and free to dance. Still, I am going to miss her.

My Mom's Garden

2009-05-13T14:43:00.000-07:00

The most beautiful blossoms in my Mother's garden are her seven children. We love her dearly and our lives are a tribute to her. Not that we are perfect, but each one of us carry in our daily lives treasures of faith, wisdom, and love, imparted through a life lived for God and for her family. Her prayers are why we are alive and thriving.

Since I do not post photos of others on my blog, I won't be providing photos of our family. So, I'm going to post a few snapshots of the plants growing in my Mom's front yard. My comments are below each photo.

Pretty Pansy

Pretty like my Mom.

* * * * *

Bear Grass (Xyrophyllum Tenax)

Hosta Plant (Undulata Veriegata)

This Bear Grass ( on the left) is from a family closely related to lillies: Melanthiaceae. When living in Colorado Mom called it a soap plant because of the flowers. The yucca tree is related to this bunch as well, which I found interesting because I thought yuccas to be some kind of cactus. Bear grass is commonly referred to as squaw grass, soap grass and Indian basket grass. It is used to weave baskets. However, the variety in my Mom's yard has leaves that are used to hang pigs after they have been butchered. The leaves get strung behind the ankle tendons and help hang the carcass for the rest of the butchering process. That's just information. My Mom doesn't raise or butcher pigs. She's allergic.

The Hosta (on the right) is really fun to research. It is one of my favorites in my Mom's garden and I have to find out if there is any chance of this plant surviving here at our elevation. We are considered zones 2-11. This particular Hosta grows best in planting zones 3-9. The golden leaf types like more sun to maintain the gold in their leaves; this type likes full to partial shade as too much sun can fade the color from the pretty variegated leaves. In summer the sprout a pretty lavender blossom but, this was spring so I didn't get to see the blossom.

(The tire that the Hosta is planted in is the tire that blew when one of my baby sister's car went off the road and over embankment. Everyone but the tire came out unscathed. The tire represents life and survival - I think - or maybe just a memory of when the police came to the house looking for the person who drove a car off into a ditch and left it there. She only meant to go get help but almost got busted for leaving the scene of an accident. And she is going to have my hide for post the story on my blog!)

* * * * *

Sweet Betsy, Carolina Allspice, or Spice Shrub

(Calycanthus Floridus)

This tree unusual for it's fragrance, which is like the fragrance of spices used to bake an apple pie. The blossoms are also unique in that they are a bit woody looking. It is toxic and should not be used as food. In fall, it is a beautiful golden color.

Blossoms of the Sweet Betsy - It was a bit breezy so getting the blossoms centered for photographing was impossible. Also my camera was stuck on some kind of automatic setting that I didn't know how to get it out of. This resulted in some coloring I would not have opted for, especially when shooting the full tree.

* * * * *

Pretty raccoon in some ivy.

* * * * *

LOVE

This is my favorite spot in Mom and Papa's garden!

Mom and Papa are loving, giving, kind, compassionate, and their love for each other nurtures their children and grandchildren. Their love provides a stability that is deeply needed in families.

These pretty swans sitting on a beautiful old well, a well that, for decades, provided water for the family that has owned this land for over 100 years, represents that love. The love we find in Mom and Papa flows deeper than any well, and will for generations to come be part of the water of life that God has blessed our family with. Their love is real, and real love is eternal. The love they share and give is one of God's greatest blessings in my life and in my family's life.

To Mom and Papa, I love you.

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

May you be blessed today! With Love - MtnMom

The Garden Wild!

2009-05-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

Oh the shame! To think I used to put out stuff to kill these critters! That was before I realized that the stuff could harm my pets. Now this critter is my pet! Folks, meet...

Rowdy Rodney!

Loves the camera!

*****

Now watch...

"ON YOUR MARK, GET SET....

...AND HE'S OUTA HERE!

"CAREFUL RODNEY!!!!"

Look at this rascal pull outa that and take off again!

He's faster than his own tail! (I did not know until today that snails had tails.)

Well, he made that hard run for the holly hocks (loves to eat'em) but I carried him off to the other side of the yard away from my flowers. Sheesh! There would be nothing left of them if he had is his way!

He is sulking now...

...ah geeeez! Who could deny that face a holly hock!

Not to worry. He'll sneak back after dark when he knows I'm sleeping and have at 'em. It's what he and his family does. They eat my holly hocks. Generations of 'em have for years now. But, once you photograph 'em, ya can't kill 'em. Don't want to anyway. They are so darn cute!

Southern Landscapes

2009-05-05T10:23:00.000-07:00

A SOUTHERN LANDSCAPE

A snap shot from near my brother's place. Don't know what these wildflowers are but this scene took my breath away!

A-A-A-A-A-A-CHOOOOOO!!!

This field of flowers was inspiring and refreshing. Just beautiful!

TADPOLES!

There were tadpoles in that thar puddle! Yup! That murky mass in the puddle is what is left of the hatched toad eggs. The toads were chirping (croaking?) like crazy, providing pretty background music to the scenery. A fancy camera could have caught the few remaining tadpoles in the puddle. The field was hopping with tiny toads!

Brought back memories of hauling buckets loaded with frog eggs home from a pond, then watching them hatch, slowly lose their tails and grow legs. then take over the place!

Hm. Sounds just like the ultra sound photos of my grandson. But, his home won't be murky. I do, however, fully expect him to take over the place!

Held in God's Arms, Grasped by His Hand

2009-04-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

“ His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. “ - Song. 2:6(NLT)

“The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.” - Deut. 33:27 (NLT)

“Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” - Matt. 14:29-31 (NLT)

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them with his hand.” - Psalms 37:23-24 (NLT)

"The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him who shelters him all the day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders." - Deut. 33:12 (NKJV)

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” - 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT)

“Truly, one who touches you touches the apple of my eye.” - Zech. 2:8 (NRSZV)

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.” - John 10:28-29 (NLT)

Dear Friends,

The preceding quotes from the Bible are verses found in today's devotional from Daily Light on the Daily Path. This is one of my favorite devotional books because it has no commentaries, just Bible verses, making it simple for me to start my day with God's Word. I like simple!

Today's collection of verses are promises from our loving Heavenly Father, reminders of His eternal keeping power, protection and love. In the difficulties our world is facing these days, I find peace, joy, strength and calmness in the promises of God. The power of the eternally living Word of God heals me, strengthens me, gives me joy and peace. The Word of God eliminates fear.

Fear is one of our biggest enemies these days. It tries to make us doubt the soundness and security we have in God by causing us to focus on the here and now, forgetting that God works in eternity and never ever forsakes His own - - never.

Each day brings a fresh opportunity to humble ourselves and take His hand, rest in His arms, believe what He says and let the fear and frustration go. God's Word gives us the power to do that. We have a choice each day to believe the millions of depressing voices we hear, some trying just to state facts, others trying very hard to influence our thinking for political purposes. The fight is on for our minds. Who will we choose to own our minds? Do we own it? Does our tumultuous world own it? Or do we allow God to own it?

The choice is ours but the promises of God make it a very clear and simple choice. HE cares for us and has our well being, present and eternal, in mind. He is ALL powerful, as compared to the limited abilities of even the strongest and brightest among us. He is the right choice in a time and in a world full of more options than human kind has ever known. He is eternal. All else will end. Most importantly, His love is eternal, never ends, is eternally a solid rock, immovable and unshakable.

With prayer for love, hope, peace and joy to all,

MtnMom

It snowed on spring!

2009-04-24T15:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, it snowed on our spring here in the Northern California mountains. The weather report last night said there existed a thirty percent chance of showers. Didn't mention snow. At least not to my knowledge. Anyway, here's a photo of the action.

Snowing on Blossoms

4/24/2009

Here's more:

I don't think these poor tulips are going to ever bloom now.

More of the snowing on blossoms action.

If you take this one full screen (double click on the photo) it's pretty cool to see the snow fall action.

April 24, 2009

Friends and Flowers

2009-04-03T15:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was one of those days that, when remembered, brings a smile. I love yesterday for what it has given me today. I was driving through part of California's San Jauquin Valley and experiencing the beauties of springtime in abundance. Flowers, rolling hills of green, fields of wildflowers, orchards in full bloom and oak trees that are finally green.

In this beauty I remembered a friend. Soon there were memories of many friends. It was a bitter-sweet process that memory invoked. But really, it was good. When you remember a good person that you may never see again, it can hurt. But when you remember how they touched your life, what a difference a memory can make!

I compared that memory to the beautiful gardens I was admiring as I drove through the valley. Good people invest in the lives of others. They spend something of themselves, planting good in others' lives. And the fruit can be seen for years to come.

This can be said of ministers, teachers, health care workers, parents, family members and best friends. It can be said of a lot of people. I write this today as an expression of gratitude to God my Heavenly Father for blessing me and my family with really good people who know how to love. These people have helped me learn to love, giving and receiving; you can't really love without both of those verbs because giving and receiving define love.

Love requires trust. People that are not so good can destroy our ability to trust. But, God is the most trustworthy of all and is faithful to bring trustworthy people who love us to help us heal and to teach us how to share that healing with others.

Love and trust. Those are two major flowers blooming in the garden of my heart because of Jesus, and because of the people God brought to me to show me Jesus. Some folks really don't know how deeply they are affecting you when they are giving and sharing. Be sure to take the time to let them know what they mean to you. Sometimes we don't know until later just how much they have done for us. But it's never to late to say “thanks”, even if it's in a prayer of gratitude for someone who has gone to be with the Lord or you are no longer in touch with.

Flowers bloom and fade and bloom and fade with the seasons. But their potential is always alive. We don't always feel warm and fuzzy about life and people and things. But love is there. Therefore we can choose to act on love, trusting that love never fails. Love never fails to accomplish good. One may not always see the results of what they plant in another's life when loving, but love is eternal and the fruit of love is eternal.

God is love. He created us to share love with, and His intention is that we love Him by loving each other. His intention is that we reveal Him to the world by loving as He loves. Love is a challenge for now, but it is also the promise for the future: Love never fails.

"Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love."
1 Cor 13:13 (NLT)

Happy Spring!

2009-03-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

Manzanita Flower

2009-03-25T00:15:00.000-07:00

About sin and being sought out.

2009-03-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

Once again the devotional by Charles Spurgeon, "Morning and Evening", struck deep cords in my heart. Firstly, a reminder of the process that can lead even the most seasoned Christian back into sin. And secondly, a reminder of the precious and priceless gift of salvation from sin that is available to all of human kind. God seeks us out. What do we do when we realize that He has found us?

Morning Verse
"Sin . . . exceeding sinful." Romans 7:13

Beware of light thoughts of sin. At the time of conversion, the conscience is so tender, that we are afraid of the slightest sin. Young converts have a holy timidity, a godly fear lest they should offend against God. But alas! very soon the fine bloom upon these first ripe fruits is removed by the rough handling of the surrounding world: the sensitive plant of young piety turns into a willow in after life, too pliant, too easily yielding. It is sadly true, that even a Christian may grow by degrees so callous, that the sin which once startled him does not alarm him in the least. By degrees men get familiar with sin. The ear in which the cannon has been booming will not notice slight sounds. At first a little sin startles us; but soon we say, "Is it not a little one?" Then there comes another, larger, and then another, until by degrees we begin to regard sin as but a little ill; and then follows an unholy presumption: "We have not fallen into open sin. True, we tripped a little, but we stood upright in the main. We may have uttered one unholy word, but as for the most of our conversation, it has been consistent." So we palliate sin; we throw a cloak over it; we call it by dainty names. Christian, beware how thou thinkest lightly of sin. Take heed lest thou fall by little and little. Sin, a little thing? Is it not a poison? Who knows its deadliness? Sin, a little thing? Do not the little foxes spoil the grapes? Doth not the tiny coral insect build a rock which wrecks a navy? Do not little strokes fell lofty oaks? Will not continual droppings wear away stones? Sin, a little thing? It girded the Redeemer's head with thorns, and pierced His heart! It made Him suffer anguish, bitterness, and woe. Could you weigh the least sin in the scales of eternity, you would fly from it as from a serpent, and abhor the least appearance of evil. Look upon all sin as that which crucified the Saviour, and you will see it to be "exceeding sinful."

Evening Verse
"Thou shalt be called, Sought out." Isaiah 62:12

The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly in that we were not only sought, but sought out. Men seek for a thing which is lost upon the floor of the house, but in such a case there is only seeking, not seeking out. The loss is more perplexing and the search more persevering when a thing is sought out. We were mingled with the mire: we were as when some precious piece of gold falls into the sewer, and men gather out and carefully inspect a mass of abominable filth, and continue to stir and rake, and search among the heap until the treasure is found. Or, to use another figure, we were lost in a labyrinth; we wandered hither and thither, and when mercy came after us with the gospel, it did not find us at the first coming, it had to search for us and seek us out; for we as lost sheep were so desperately lost, and had wandered into such a strange country, that it did not seem possible that even the Good Shepherd should track our devious roamings. Glory be to unconquerable grace, we were sought out! No gloom could hide us, no filthiness could conceal us, we were found and brought home. Glory be to infinite love, God the Holy Spirit restored us!

The lives of some of God's people, if they could be written would fill us with holy astonishment. Strange and marvellous are the ways which God used in their case to find His own. Blessed be His name, He never relinquishes the search until the chosen are sought out effectually. They are not a people sought to-day and cast away to-morrow. Almightiness and wisdom combined will make no failures, they shall be called, "Sought out!" That any should be sought out is matchless grace, but that we should be sought out is grace beyond degree! We can find no reason for it but God's own sovereign love, and can only lift up our heart in wonder, and praise the Lord that this night we wear the name of "Sought out." — Charles Spurgeon

Redneck Diagnostics Test

2009-03-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

You know you're a redneck when:
1. You take your dog for a walk and you both use the same tree. (Gasp!)
2. You can entertain yourself for more than 15 minutes with a fly swatter.
3. Your boat (or Scout) has not left the driveway in 15 years.
4. You burn your yard rather than mow it.
5. The Salvation Army declines your furniture.
6. You offer to give someone the shirt off your back and they don't want it.
7. You have the local taxidermist on speed dial. (Darrell: Can you get back to me on this one?)
8. You come back from the dump with more than you took.
9. You keep a can of Raid on the kitchen table.
10. Your wife can climb a tree faster than your cat.
11. Your grandmother has "ammo" on her Christmas list.
12. You keep flea and tick soap in the shower.
13. You've been involved in a custody fight over a hunting dog.
14. You go to the stock car races and don't need a program.
15. You know how many bales of hay (or cords of wood) your car will hold.
16. You have a rag for a gas cap.
17. Your house doesn't have curtains, but your truck does.
18. You wonder how service stations keep their rest-room's so clean.
19. You consider your license plate personalized because your father made it.
20. Your lifetime goal is to own a fireworks stand.
21. You have a complete set of salad bowls and they all say "Cool Whip" on the side.
22. The biggest city you've ever been to is Wal-Mart.
23. Your working TV sits on top of your non-working TV.
24. You've used your ironing board as a buffet table.
25. A tornado hits your neighborhood and does $100,000 worth of improvements.
26. You've used a toilet brush to scratch your back.
27. You missed your 5th grade graduation because you were on jury duty.
29. You think fast food is hitting a deer at 65mph. (This one I dedicate to my oldest sister!)
30. You have ever done your Christmas shopping at a truck stop. (Courtesy of Cathy D.)
31. You read some of these and, like me, ask "What's wrong with that" ?!?!

I added a few things in ( ) and I added the last one. The rest were in my email, sent by a friend who doesn't yet know how to classify this Southern gal who will never leave California, who knows how to "put on the California Ritz" with the best of 'em but goes barefoot at home, even in the winter.

A Miracle Baby

2009-02-22T13:34:00.000-08:00

Back in 2003 our oldest daughter married our awesome son-in-law. A few days into their honeymoon he discovered an old foe. A growing lump on his neck meant Hodgkin's Disease had returned, and it returned with a cruel vengeance. We were indeed shocked but knew that God was in control; the kids' faith and dependence on God gave them a strength beyond any one's understanding and certainly brought sanity to us as we watched the newly weds endure this horrific trial so early in their marriage.

After chemo and a autologous stem cell transplant, he recovered and has remained cancer free. It was told them at the beginning of treatment that the transplant almost always results in sterility. After 5 years of marriage they began the process of adoption. It has been a fun process and gearing up to be grandparents has been a bunch of fun for my husband and I!

A few days before Valentine's Day this year they received a phone call from the adoption agency. The process had progressed without a hitch and the next step was surely going to lead to receiving a child. In the middle of discussing all this good news, my daughter stood up and left the room. When she returned she was carrying baby bottles stuffed with Hershey Kisses. I knew immediately that becoming a grandparent was going to be happening sooner than later!

We opened the darling card announcing that we were soon to be grandparents. Not until I read the due date did I realize: they are pregnant!!!!

I have heard people say “the world stood still” and I can say I know what that feels like now. The world stood still as I recalled so many prayers prayed that she would someday know motherhood naturally. I wanted this for her more than anything. When I looked up at my beautiful daughter, reality begin to sink in. I could see it in her beautiful eyes that, yes, it's true! I stood up, held her in my arms and just cried. All those prayers answered. I just held her and wept grateful and joyful tears.

Joyous describes the atmosphere in the room the rest of the evening. Life triumphing over death, first in the survival of our son-in-law and now life coming forth in a situation where it was said to be most likely, in fact highly, impossible.

When actuality defies circumstance and chance, a miracle has occurred. So much bigger than ourselves is this wonderful and faithful God of ours. Caring so deeply about the things that touch our lives, yet asking only that we trust Him with all of it. When I couldn't have asked for anything more in this wonderful life He has blessed me with, He gives us a miracle. And just to put a sweet bow on the package, the baby is due on his/her mother's birthday! Isn't that adorable? You should see these two parents-to-be glow! No. They are radiating!

The joy of this miracle is reaching beyond just our family. Doctors, nurses, community members who know the circumstances, our church family, the specialists at Stanford who treated my son-in-law, there are so many who are rejoicing with us, and to so many of those we owe tremendous debts of gratitude for their love and support through some pretty amazing events life has offered.

Adoption is still on the agenda! Adoption is a passion our family shares. It may just have to be postponed a bit. God knows I will love any adopted grandchild the same as any child birthed into our family. But as a mother, my longing to see my daughter be able to bear her husband's child and knowing their heart's cry for the same, I am grateful. I thank God for loving us so much and for the precious ways He shows us His love. God is indeed good and we give Him praise and glory for this amazing and deeply personal and precious miracle. Thank you, Lord! Thank you, for keeping your promises to give us our heart's desire when we delight in You.

"Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun."
Psalms 37:3-6 (NLT)

Yes! I found my car!

2009-02-17T14:19:00.000-08:00

Out My Back Door

2009-02-17T14:10:00.000-08:00

Where did my bird feeder go?

2009-02-17T13:52:00.000-08:00

The bird feeder is buried. So is the car, the wood and my back yard.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

2009-02-12T21:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day!

The Pursuit of Stuff, Things and Prestige

2009-02-10T11:12:00.000-08:00

"Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater developments and greater riches and so on, so that children have very little time for their parents. Parents have very little time for each other, and in the home begins the disruption of peace of the world. "

-Mother Theresa-

*****

Morning and Evening

By Charles Spurgeon

Philippians 4:12 - "I know how to abound."

There are many who know "how to be abased" who have not learned "how to abound." When they are set upon the top of a pinnacle their heads grow dizzy, and they are ready to fall. The Christian far oftener disgraces his profession in prosperity than in adversity. It is a dangerous thing to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the fining-pot of prosperity. Oh, what leanness of soul and neglect of spiritual things have been brought on through the very mercies and bounties of God! Yet this is not a matter of necessity, for the apostle tells us that he knew how to abound. When he had much he knew how to use it. Abundant grace enabled him to bear abundant prosperity. When he had a full sail he was loaded with much ballast, and so floated safely. It needs more than human skill to carry the brimming cup of mortal joy with a steady hand, yet Paul had learned that skill, for he declares, "In all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry." It is a divine lesson to know how to be full, for the Israelites were full once, but while the flesh was yet in their mouth, the wrath of God came upon them. Many have asked for mercies that they might satisfy their own hearts' lust. Fullness of bread has often made fullness of blood, and that has brought on wantonness of spirit. When we have much of God's providential mercies, it often happens that we have but little of God's grace, and little gratitude for the bounties we have received. We are full and we forget God: satisfied with earth, we are content to do without heaven. Rest assured it is harder to know how to be full than it is to know how to be hungry-so desperate is the tendency of human nature to pride and forgetfulness of God. Take care that you ask in your prayers that God would teach you "how to be full."

"Let not the gifts Thy love bestows

Estrange our hearts from Thee."

-C. Spurgeon-

******

From Mountain Mom:

When I read these two devotionals this morning my first response was "not much chance of this error in this economy!" However, the things that take us away from attentive pursuit of God are not always material. We can be so obsessed with just trying to survive these times, or trying to distract ourselves from these times, that we leave or slowly lose our search and hunger for God. We need God now as much as ever, if not more. I am reminded by the comments of these quoted heroes of faith to keep my heart seeking Him, and to keep Him at the forefront of my mind's eye, and in the center of my heart. He, His presence, is far more satisfying than the ever changing "stuff" this world dishes out. He never changes and His presence never goes away.

A Double Dog Dare: Mary Magdalene

2009-01-31T10:44:00.003-08:00

My dear friend Leslie (I won't link her blog on the post for reasons she will understand) double dog dared me to use the name of that beloved convert from the New Testament in a post title. That was of course in response to the post frantically attempting to get some unwanted ads off my blog. Usually don't take dares but coming from a fellow Christian who shares my unpredictable sense of humor, I did it.

I am picturing the little fella in "Christmas Story" with his tongue stuck to the frosty flag pole because of a similar dare. Responding to dares can be dangerous but, as a kid, I was the one whose impulsive nature could not resist a dare. I threw a spit wad at a teacher, flung horse manure on a fancy car passing our property, tossed a glass of soapy dishwater onto my dad as he entered the kitchen, all on spur of the moment dares. I always got in trouble but somehow all you had to do to push the misbehavior button switch in my head was say "I dare ya!" and there I'd go.

I'm going to end this post here. If I start telling those stories my Mom might disown me and we kinda need each other right now. (HI MOM! If naughty ads show up from Google: I didn't put 'em there!) But, let me tell ya, for a kid who was shy 'til you got to know me, I could sure pull some corkers! Still can but I try to be calculated rather than impulsive. Calculated misbehaviors can be highly entertaining (such as planning just the right moment to release the poodle from lock up when company arrives-people have been know to wet themselves). Impulsive misbehaviors, not so much.

Well folks, lets give it 24 hours and see if the nature of the ads change. If I come on preaching a sermon on the Ten Commandments you'll know I am trying to rid my blog of Mary Magdalene's unclean spirits (bots gone bad). Have a fun weekend and enjoy the sunshine. I'll meet you back here Monday and we will see if my friend Leslie's dare got me in as much trouble as my friend Sandra's dare did in second grade! (Mrs. Sammons didn't like the spit ball.)

Let's Talk About Jesus - or something!

2009-01-27T11:50:00.000-08:00

This is an emergency attempt to get the Google Ads about life's crisis off my blog! Obviously they are using the title of my last post to calculate what to place. Not that I don't want folks finding help if they need it but it's just kinda awkward having that there when I primarily like to joke around. Or perhaps folks need serious intervention after visiting my blog?

Let's just see what kinda adds end up here after the Jesus title. I could have lots of fun with this! Make money? Maybe not. But goofing off with bots could be a kick!

Midlife Crisis or Cabin Fever?

2009-01-23T17:47:00.000-08:00

I'm going to write something today even if it takes all night! Cabin fever's done set in but instead of the annual shopping binge (unemployment forbids this outlet), I'm going to write. Actually thought of turning cabin fever into a midlife crisis to add drama and excitement but, who needs more crisis? However, if I were to do a midlife crisis here's the criteria: buy a Harley and fly to the Bahamas.

Now, I've never seen a Harley fly but Honey, when I do crisis, I can make anything fly so one way or another me and that Harley would make it to the Bahamas and beach bum for as long as my allowance would hold out. That of course means that I'll never get out of the county (haven't received an allowance for weeks now) but, what an awesome thought, huh?

Let's back up and explain why the Bahamas and not Hawaii: warmth and dryness. Apparently my natural midlife event is failing me because after an amazing state of continuous hot flash, I'm freezing. I'm so done with freezing now. I want sunshine, beaches, warm sand, and food with pineapple in it. And palm trees. ((sigh))

Oh my. Somewhere out there is a Harley with my name on it. Once I find her I'll name her Mighty Mouse and we will fly. We will fly to an island refuge, speed to mountain tops, race through valleys and deserts then rest once again on a beach where I can hear the waves, feel the sun, land in the sand.

It's raining here today. The queen of "Oh! How I do love snow!" has had enough of winter and is craving sunshine. I guess it's alright to pray for rain and crave the sun at the same time because our prayers for rain have been answered and we did have some wonderful sunny days last week for sure!

That sunny spell was real nice. Got me out walkin', singing a little tune here and there and kicked off a spring cleaning effort that, ongoing as it is, will bring much prosperity to the local thrift store and already has the house taking shape!

Too bad my taking shape isn't as simple as tossing unwanted "stuff" into a box labeled "give away" or "trash"! In fact, I'm told that walking more and eating less will have me at my target weight and in shape in about nine months. How is it that getting in shape is so similar to hatching a critter? Both make you puke, eat weird stuff, experience pain in locations you never knew you owned, takes nine months and, when it's over, there is a brand new person squalling in utmost joy to no longer be living inside a fat person. Interesting.

Well, in less than two months spring will have sprung, and all this will the stuff of the past and I will be a skinnier person playing in my garden this year. The Harley will be lurking in my brain still, taunting me to make my dream come true, but reality has to keep the upper hand. A stable family life requires it be so. ((sigh again!))

My trip to the beach will be somewhere near San Francisco and will be taken in a little car going the speed limit. Hubby drives the speed limit. I don't. It's boring. But that's for another post. I'm scared of flying anyway.

The ground in the garden will be soft because the snow stuck around and melted slowly, making for a much easier start to the gardening season. I'll be adding some new plants this year. Drought resistant perennials from the local Native American tribe that has the most wonderful native plants available in a nursery I really like.

And, when spring's done sprung, life here in the mountain takes on a feel like no other anywhere else. (Except the Bahamas but I think we agreed the dream would have to wait.) Silence is broken with songs from lots of little birdies and the sound of logging trucks that start their runs at 4:30 in the morning. Not to mention the cats start yowling after one another if you get what I mean. You ever get so fed up with that racket that you open your bedroom window and holler "SHUT UP AND GET A ROOM" ? I have. Neighbor didn't like me for that. They were her cats, God rest her soul and the souls of her cats. (I didn't do it! Nature just took it's course that's all.)

It's five o'clock in the evening now so gotta go start dinner. It's leftovers tonight as I have cooked a bunch this week and there are plenty of menu choices in the fridge. Plus, it's Friday and I don't cook on Friday. I just made that rule up right this second 'cuz I think it's a good rule for Friday.

While writeing, I decided to dust some nicknacks, call it an adventure then read the two books my friend gave me to give me some giggles. Can't remember the titles but she promised that they are light hearted. I like light hearted. Especially if it's actually the funny stuff, not just the sissy mushy stuff, although the sissy mushy stuff is laughable at times 'cuz it's stupid. The midlife crisis is on hole and I think most will agree that's a good thing.

I'll hush up now and go hit the leftovers. Nothing like having first dibs on the leftovers. I'm going for the whole grain vegetarian stuff I made up two nights ago. Not because it's so awesome but because no one else will eat it and I hate wasting healthy food!

Have a good weekend y'all. Stay dry and avoid flooded streets in the valley and mudslides in the mountains. Pretty tough on your vehicle and, well, not so healthy for you. Just be safe, okay? Blessings to all and to all a rockin' weekend!

(Important update: Hubby starts new job next week!)

Question

2009-01-15T17:13:00.000-08:00

"What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?"

(Woops! Let me take this opportunity to provide proper credit: Photo from Photobucket and quote from bumper sticker on random vehicle on Hwy 49. Spit coffee on the the windshield when I read the that sayin'!)

What the h_ _k ?!?! Oh. It's just a new year.

2009-01-03T06:37:00.000-08:00

Goodness gracious sakes alive! That one snuck up on me. No, not the boogie-man. The new year. Today is January 3, 197 - I mean, 2009. See what I mean? Plum snuck up on me. We had our beautiful white Christmas, but that was last year according to this new calender.

Seems like just last week we were gathered 'round the $5.00 yard sale fake tree (an awesome find a couple months earlier) enjoying gifts, goodies, family and pets. Well, the pets that were here. Cat took off the morning of Christmas Eve, right before the storms. Didn't come home 'til 12:25 a.m. the morning after Christmas.

All that to say we had a fun time but the missing cat presented a bit of anxiety and we were beside ourselves when he came scratching at the window at an hour that would normally bring grumbles outa me.

Anyhow, here it is in all of it's "you can't stop me now" glory: a new year. Time's way of knockin' ya upside the head every 365 days to let you know the race is on and it wants to win. But it won't. I'm too stubborn and headstrong to let time get the best of me. I start by refusing those stupid resolutions people get all worked up about. I treat everyday the same: "Today is a gift from God. Each breath I take is a gift from God. Eat right, do right, move more, do more." - Amen

So there ya have it, along with the best anti-aging cosmetics you can afford, makeup and smashed alarm clocks (alarm clocks annoy the heck outa me), time knows it ain't got nuthin' on me and will never get the best of me. All the electronics change automatically, I hang a new calender and we are good to go.

Nothing could feel as good as saying "GOOD-BYE!" to '08! But of course not without first expressing gratitude for the healing I am continuing to experience, gratitude for all the people that are/were in my life to assist with that healing, as well as gratitude for new friends I met in "the Hive" who have given me to learn, discuss, throw snowballs and run, and learn some more.

Now, the fact that the MtnPop was laid off in early December also brought some anxiety. It gives me the willies to think of being unemployed in these icky times. However, as of yesterday it appears he does have his choice of several different positions, each of which takes him out of town again but...ya go where the work is.

The uncertainty caught me off guard and fear got to me here and there. But, as always, I burrowed into the book of Psalms and found all the peace I needed, and some to share. I bring this up to thank God for His promises, which He always keeps, and to thank God for an amazing bunch of folks I call my church family. They are indeed the best friends that a human being could ask for. I'm blessed with a loving and praying Mom, whose love and prayers I still depend on and deeply appreciate.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, FOLKS! Knew I would get around to that eventually but just couldn't bear to be too ordinary about it. Ordinary bores me. And this looks to be no ordinary year!

Blessings and Love to All!
MtnMom

Copyright: C. Jacobs January 03, 2009. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Perfect Little Angel

2008-12-27T11:27:00.001-08:00

My Snow Angels

2008-12-27T08:58:00.000-08:00

Our precious ones!

A Winter Prayer

2008-12-20T10:15:00.000-08:00

Right here, in the dark of night,
Purity reveals her light.
Darkness, coldness bring much fear,
But winter's glow says love is near.

All is calm and all is bright
While I behold the afternoon light.
Brisk, crisp, the air is clean,
My heart skips a beat and my spirit sings:

Is it safe to imagine that winter can bring
The hope of salvation to which we all cling?
Some hope for healing, a home, or just food.
Others cry out "God! There's such doom!"

Dear Christian friends, can we arise,
And shine the Light of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Dispelling the darkness gripping men's souls,
In the midst of their winter, ending the cold?

Why can't we do what the prophets did say,
Take action like the saints in their day?
They fed their hungry with food for the soul,
And bodies, giving warmth of love and of home.

We argue, we fight, "Who's wrong? Who's right?"
But Jesus made it clear so we wouldn't waste time
His coming is near, believe it or not,
We'll look in his eyes, then what?

Did we love him, believe him,
Love those that he loves?
The hungry, the thirsty, those sickened by sin?
Where are we now? Where have we been?

Will we rise and shine His love from within?

Copyright: c. Jacobs 12/20/2008

Morning Snow

2008-12-15T08:17:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple photos from my back door this morning, snapped and loaded before coffee I might add! I am using my teen's simple point and shoot digital camera, which has a broken lense cover, so photo quality is not photographer grade. But hopefully the snapshots capture the winter I am enjoying with my coffee. ((Huge smile here))

The snow is still falling so I hope to get out today and capture some nice shots from the area here. This truly is God's country!

If ever I ever think of relocating I only need look out my own front or back window and I change my mind-quickly. I love this area with its clean air and tall trees. I am blessed and spoiled!

Snow

2008-12-14T18:00:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of photos from my front yard this evening. I like when the flash catches the snowflakes while they are falling but my edits may have reduced them. Hopefully you can see them. I love the snow!

Snow and Ivy

This is where the birdies ski.

It's So Totally Snowing!

2008-12-13T07:26:00.000-08:00

You know, not watching the news has many benefits. You don't worry as much, you get to sleep earlier, or you just sleep better because you are not worrying, and then, of all things, when you do wake up, there is snow! I love snow! I especially love snow when it arrives unannounced. Oh it's probably been in the news and the talk of the town but I've been remarkably busy and simply haven't taken note of weather reports.

I've lived here for nearly 30 years. It's a blessing because, though far enough away from what some call civilization to enjoy a relatively calm lifestyle, we are close enough to "town" to be able to get what we need without having to harness horses to a wagon and pull us and our vehicles out of a wilderness to the main roads. Some folks do live that secluded, but we are in a just right location.

Just day before yesterday I was in Modesto and I didn't even need a sweater. Well, after the fog cleared a bit I didn't need a sweater. Yesterday, locally, I didn't need a sweater. Today, it's snowing. It's a light snow. Light, airy, gentle and clean. And of course the air is wonderfully crisp and fresh.

I get a kick out of moments like this. I thought the noise on the highway was construction crews headed up the mountain for a big job some where. Duh! Snowplows! I usually know the sound of the snowplows but snow was so far from my thinking because it has been so warm that my little brain didn't even go there.

And all of this just in time for Christmas! Wouldn't it be lovely if the snow stayed, or at least came back, for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Mmmmmm, the joy of the mountain. I love it. I smell my caramel scented candle and think about baking cookies. I smell the pine candle and think about the fact that our tree is not up yet. Nope, it isn't. We have all been so busy. The teen prepping for college, hubby looking for a job, and me shopping and shopping and shopping trying to do Christmas on a shoestring.

Being economical at Christmas is hard for me because I like to give and give and give. This year I can still give but I can't grant wishes and that is difficult for my heart. I am being more creative than ever, pulling together gifts that say "love ya" with out spending an arm and a leg. I have shopped everywhere from the Salvation Army to Gottchalk's clearance racks and I've discovered that being frugal is a lot of work! Back and forth, round and round 'til you find just the right gadget, gizmo or game that will just to the trick, for under an undisclosed amount of cash.

Yes, cash. No checks, no credit cards. Just cash. And when it's gone that's it for me and Christmas shopping. I think local retailers are laughing by now as I pick stuff out, haul it home, work on baskets, then haul stuff back to return or exchange. But you know what? I'm finished now! The shopping is done but the tree is not up. Maybe tonight? If I tell the fam there will be gifts under the tree if they just put it up, I think they'll be more than delighted to pitch in!

Ah, the snow! It covers everything in pure white, covers up the boundaries between properties, covers up homes and cars and clutter and when you drive around you can't tell who is rich, poor, tidy or not. It's all just cleaned up, beautiful, sparkling for everyone. It's Christmas now, for everyone, and I hope and pray that each and everyone of my fellow bloggers have a wonderful, loved filled Holiday Season, filled with the love of family and friends.

If hard times have left you without the means to celebrate as usual this year, reach out and connect with your community events, free dinners, and find locations where Santa is giving free toys to children if you have children. Maybe this is your time to relax and receive. God knows our family has been in dire straits and we've also known prosperity. One thing I have learned, and I hope this doesn't fall flat is cliche-ish because it is powerfully true, the most important thing in life is love. The warmth of the love of family, friends, and even strangers keeps a soul alive and strong, able to take that next step forward.

Reach out, connect, and keep an eye out for folks who are alone. Even the simple stuff of food or fare is rich when shared. God knows how much we need each other these days. He chose us to give His love to one another, in good times and in hard times. Let's be His hands extended this Holiday Season to give to those in need and receive when we are in need.

I wish I could reach through the computer and give everyone a hug and a prayer but I do send along in this post love, and prayer that you all be blessed beyond measure this Christmas with love. God sent His Son, The Lord Jesus Christ, as a tiny infant. How simple, precious and pure. Born not in pomp and circumstance but in a stable. How humble, lowly, yet surrounded by love. For whatever reason God chose the simplicity of a stable, and the weakness and dependence of an infant to ultimately reveal His majesty and power: His love.

Merry Christmas, fellow bloggers, family, friends, and may God prosper you each one in 2009!

Love,
MtnMom

Copyright C.Jacobs, December 13, 2008. All Rights Reserved.

I walked the big dog...

2008-12-01T20:45:00.000-08:00

Somewhere between the front door and wherever the dog took off is my arm, either dangling from a leash being dragged through the forest or perhaps lying along side the dirt road. This dog does not walk. He lunges, he runs, he bounces and leaps like a pony. But, he does not walk.

Now lately he has been having issues about where he wants to sleep at night. I tried having him indoors but the family, all of us, became ill with a variety of "allergic to the big dog" ailments, ranging from asthma and sore throat to sinus infection. So, when he started body slamming the door tonight I figured I should at least walk him just to let him know I love him. This is a job the teen usually does but she's out tonight, practicing for a Christmas musicale. I know better than to try to handle this adorable creature on my own but my heart got the best of common sense. Happens a lot.

Anyway, he is back in the garage now. Earlier today he broke the lead on his run. Maybe it's in the same spot in the great outdoors where my arm, wrist, elbow, and shoulder lie; it's certainly not on the property. This means he is stuck in the garage. It's a two car garage and he has it largely to himself because we love him and don't want him roaming the forest with the mountain lions (or because we don't want to be fined for him eating a mountain lion). It's warm with a comfy bed for him. But because the garage has been emptied of a lot of junk and is not nearly as cramped and den like as it has been for years, he hates it. He absolutely hates it.

If I could record his low, long, crying howl I would so you could know how pathetic he is being about the whole thing. Unbelievable! I went out to fetch something from the garage and he jumped on me, both front feet on my shoulders and sent me landing atop a desk stored in the garage. He wagged his tail as if I should be grateful for the attention and oblige his affection with an open door to the kitchen. Sorry fella but Mama don't take too kindly to being knocked over!

Well, I do know my arm is still intact because the numbness has turned to a searing pain that will bark at me probably longer than the dog woulda whined if I would have just let him be. First thing in the morning I'll go buy yet another lead for the run out back. He has plenty of room to romp out there and even wanted to sleep out there the past two nights. Did get under my window a 6:00 a.m. promptly and whined like a baby. I went to check on him fully expecting him to lunge toward the patio door. Nope. Ran to the garage door. I opened up the garage for him and he ran around sniffing at everything, laid down on his bed and it really did look like he grinned at me.

But, tonight he's stuck in the garage for the full evening 'cuz there ain't no run fixed up out back and I am NOT going to spend the night walking around the little village here. That is what he wants but, a good Mom knows when to put her foot down and say NO! Right? I'm not kidding anyone. Only reason I'm not out there being dragged through the village by the cutest big brat dog in the world is because he pretty much left my arm incapacitated. I'll be in trouble with the fam again for doing something I know I shouldn't have done. But, those big doggy eyes...know what I mean?

Doggy in Cold Weather

2008-11-29T09:01:00.000-08:00

Technically up here it really isn't cold yet but my dog has decided that it is too cold for him. It seems he's still ok in the garage during the day when he cannot be surpervised outdoors, but last night he threw a stinking fit at his normal bedtime.

This is an overnight change in him. He started whimpering and scratching at the door so we took him out for a potty run. His next course of action was a loud whine and fierce scratching at the door. I realized he was in protest and tried to ignore him but his behavior escalated into a barking wail and body slamming the garage door.

I let him in the house (which is a no-no because we are all very alergic to him) thinking he may be ill or injured. Ha! I'm a sucker. He wagged his tail, jumped around gleefully and was as content as a bug in a rug. He was too cute to argue with! He is older and it may be that these chillier nights are uncomfortable for his joints. I don't know, but he was one happy dog indoors last night!

He woke me up at 6:00 am to go outside. I had my first cup of coffee while he ran around the back yard. When finished he popped right back inside with no hesitance at all. It's official: he is now a night time indoor dog.

After my teen took care of him this morning he trotted right into the garage and laid down on his bed and I haven't heard a peep out of him since. Who knows how this is going to play out but I'm having everyone take Claritin as a precaution and plotting ways in which to accomodate the dog's new found liberty without distressing family members who cannot breath when he's been in the house (including me!).

I might mention that he smells like he's been living with cattle and that stepped in something gross. Candles are burning, windows are open and the poodle is hiding in digust, both at the large dog and at me for letting the smelly creature invade our space. After a bath and a good brushing, and a gallon of the stuff you rub the dogs hair with to contain the allergens, it just might be ok. But I have to get on this first thing because, between the large dog's discontent and the family's discontent, I could have some grief on my hands and I don't want to spoil a lovely vacation weekend. I think I will start by pointing out that Thanksgiving weekend is a perfect opportunity to begin showing our gratitude for Toby's amazing guardian angel attributes (or attack devil, depending on which side of the property line you belong).

Right now it's off to get the inhaler, eye drops, and benedryl cream. I need them while I figure this one out.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T11:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Smelling turkey roasted fine and stuffing for us all,
Mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, green bean casserole,
Cranberry salad, candied yams, punk'n pie and ice cream,
Parades, football, music and dance,
So, what's this funny feeling?

Midst all the yummy 'n all the fun I miss the ones I love
That live so very far away so I stop to send this hug! ((HUG!))
And some folks do live pretty near but life is just this way:
I may not see you often but you are in my heart today.

God bless you all and keep you safe now, forever and always,
In tough times, rough times, good times may you always know His Grace.
While giving thanks for all my blessings it's important that y'all know,
That you, the folks I love, and love me, are blessing number one.

Dedicated to Barbara L: You will win, dear friend, because of the work Christ has done!
Copy Right: C. Jacobs November 27, 2008 All rights reserved.

My Gift From Texas

2008-11-17T07:24:00.000-08:00

Recently MountainPops joined our older kids on a trip to Texas to participate in an awesome conference where they rubbed shoulders with some of today's finest Christian leaders. A large group from our church provided some of the worship for the conference and the stories of folks' experiences are just wonderful, truly inspiring.

I keep hearing over and over how Texas is a completely different world as far as folks attitudes go, especially compared to California. There is a strong independence and at the same time a confident calm in the hearts of the people there. All that being said I just wanted to share a photo of the gift MountainPops brought me from Texas.

Today's Morning Reading of C. Spurgeon

2008-11-17T07:10:00.000-08:00

This Morning's Meditation
C. H. Spurgeon

"To whom be glory for ever. Amen"—Romans 11:36.

O whom be glory for ever." This should be the single desire of the Christian. All other wishes must be subservient and tributary to this one. The Christian may wish for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it may help him to promote this—"To Him be glory for ever." He may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that "To Him may be glory for ever." You are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than a single eye to your Lord's glory. As a Christian, you are "of God, and through God," then live "to God." Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to Him. Let this ambition fire your soul; be this the foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter, and this your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow chill; make God your only object. Depend upon it, where self begins sorrow begins; but if God be my supreme delight and only object,

"To me 'tis equal whether love ordainMy life or death—appoint me ease or pain."

Let your desire for God's glory be a growing desire. You blessed Him in your youth, do not be content with such praises as you gave Him then. Has God prospered you in business? Give Him more as He has given you more. Has God given you experience? Praise Him by stronger faith than you exercised at first. Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly. Do you enjoy happier times than you once had? Have you been restored from sickness, and has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy? Then give Him more music; put more coals and more sweet frankincense into the censer of your praise. Practically in your life give Him honour, putting the "Amen" to this doxology to your great and gracious Lord, by your own individual service and increasing holiness.

Cats, Beanie Babies and Stuffed Animals

2008-11-14T10:58:00.001-08:00

Try the commotion that goes on when the cat decides to take on 1000 stuffed animals crammed into the stuffed animal hammock - at 4:00 a.m. - in the teen's room - and the hammock was hung by the teen with such care, right above where her head lands at night!

I would prefer that the teen get up, nab the cat and toss him out into the night air where his instincts could be of value: kill nasty mice, chase away raccoons that spread garbage every where (but the cat is now scared of raccoons), do nature's bidding in the neighbor's garden, or whatever cats do at night.

But no. The teen buries her head under her pillow, reaches out and whatever she can grab gets thrown at the cat. Next morning there will stuffed animals scattered everywhere, along with makeup bottles and bags, books, alarm clock, cell phone, glass of water (yes, this cat hates water so that was thought to be a good weapon of choice), shoes, CDs.

Fortunately the first time this happened I ran to the room before calling 911. An attack like that in the teens room which is really scary at 4:00 a.m.!

The rule now is this: "When kitty wakes you up just put him outside."
Here is how the rule gets implemented by teen: Toss kitty out of room and close the door behind him.

Guess who gets stuck dealing with the creature of insanity itself. This cat hates being outside and only goes out to use nature when to use the flower bed. So all those wacky nocturnal instincts get taken out on my house!

He will climb to the top of the tallest bookshelf in the house and sorta lean out and just stare at ya. It's really creepy to wake up to that sight! Or he will attack anything. Papers, jewelry, perfume bottles, anything left on any surface anywhere in the house gets whacked to the ground, tackled and rolled until the cat is convinced "it" is dead. (Fortunately, for the sake of his own life, he knows not to hurt my art glass, my ParyLite pretties, or collector dolls.)

Here kitty, kitty, kitty! Wanna visit the Hive? http://thehive.modbee.com/?q=node/10890#comment-52871

This post is inspired by my friends in The Hive who responded to the original kitty post, Pastel and LSK9ers. Thanks ladies!

That Dang Cat!

2008-11-13T09:57:00.000-08:00

My six o'clock alarm went off and I was awake to hear it. In about 19 minutes the six thirty version will sound in hopes that I will actually get out of bed and do something about my day. The first step will be to make coffee, then sit and drink it while looking at a book and wondering what it's about. Then I will realize it's just plain too early and turn on my computer, click on the Hive and see if there was anything interesting posted last night.

Thing is, I've been doing all that since 4:50 a.m. when the dang cat woke me up and now I wonder what to do when that six thirty thing goes off. Since I've been Hiving already perhaps I could try the reading the book thing again? Seems like my brain has some circulation going. Maybe I can turn on the TV and see if someone will tell me Dave and Lois changed their minds and won't really be retiring; I can always hope.

I'm sure it has been detected that I have a most unusual case of separation anxiety. Folks in real life die or go away and you can at least stay in touch via email or something. Folks online or in the media disappear and it's forever 'cuz you don't really know them; it just feels like you did because they were in your living room via TV or newspaper for years. (No, I don't email folks that die. I just write memory letters that I keep to myself and God. I ask God to tell them what I am thinking about them in case there is some sense there of what is going on here.)

Ten more minutes before the last alarm. Maybe, just maybe, I should use the extra time to go for a morning walk. Of course it will be dark still but I could start getting dressed for the effort and be ready after dawn breaks some light onto the subject. Oh yuck. Dressed at six thirty a.m.! Where did that stupid thought come from?

Perhaps then I shall just twitter. That saves calories and prevents gaining weight by avoiding strengthening my muscles thus increasing muscle mass. Whew! That was stinkin' close! I coulda been out on the street gaining weight and right before my next weigh in! (Speaking of twitter, posted one thing about the South Beach Diet and have picked up at least five new followers a day preaching health and fitness. I block them. All but one who isn't constantly trying to sell something.)

OK. Four minutes to go. Twitter wins. It's really really cold out there! I will save my strength for Costco, where I will expend calories doing something worthwhile: shopping! Now, shopping, believe it or not, does not have to mean spending money I have learned. Buy one of those polish dogs outside the store and eat it before you go in. With no appetite and the illness that follows, you will walk around, getting exercise, but having no desire whatsoever to stand in that line 'cuz you know you can't make it to the register without puking or taking another needed "break".

Well, that alarm went off so off I go to preserve my health on twitter. Blessings to all and have an awesome day and thanks for listening to my "the dang cat woke me up and I have no brain but can't go back to sleep" ramblings. Anyone want a cat by the way?

Originally posted in the Hive at approx. 6:35 a.m. today. And I never made it to Costco. My twitter will explain.

Charles Spurgeon

2008-11-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

http://www.spurgeon.org/morn_eve/this_morning.cgi

Monday, November 10, 2008
This Morning's Meditation
C. H. Spurgeon

"The eternal God is thy refuge."—Deuteronomy 33:27.

THE word refuge may be translated "mansion," or "abiding-place," which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home. There is a fulness and sweetness in the metaphor, for dear to our hearts is our home, although it be the humblest cottage, or the scantiest garret; and dearer far is our blessed God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being. It is at home that we feel safe: we shut the world out and dwell in quiet security. So when we are with our God we "fear no evil." He is our shelter and retreat, our abiding refuge. At home, we take our rest; it is there we find repose after the fatigue and toil of the day. And so our hearts find rest in God, when, wearied with life's conflict, we turn to Him, and our soul dwells at ease. At home, also, we let our hearts loose; we are not afraid of being misunderstood, nor of our words being misconstrued. So when we are with God we can commune freely with Him, laying open all our hidden desires; for if the "secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him," the secrets of them that fear Him ought to be, and must be, with their Lord. Home, too, is the place of our truest and purest happiness: and it is in God that our hearts find their deepest delight. We have joy in Him which far surpasses all other joy. It is also for home that we work and labour. The thought of it gives strength to bear the daily burden, and quickens the fingers to perform the task; and in this sense we may also say that God is our home. Love to Him strengthens us. We think of Him in the person of His dear Son; and a glimpse of the suffering face of the Redeemer constrains us to labour in His cause. We feel that we must work, for we have brethren yet to be saved, and we have our Father's heart to make glad by bringing home His wandering sons; we would fill with holy mirth the sacred family among whom we dwell. Happy are those who have thus the God of Jacob for their refuge!

(I wanted to share this as I found it very comforting and uplifting this morning. You can read this devotional daily following the link above.)

Time to Vote!

2008-11-02T17:49:00.000-08:00

Yippee!!! Election Day is less than 48 hours away! I can't wait! All this time I have been waiting for the results and it's so close now I can feel it. I don't "just want it to be over"! I want the McCain/Palin ticket to win. I really really do. They are so much better for America, in my opinion.

And my goodness how opinions do vary across the country, across the state, across the county and sometimes across the dinner table! Not in my house fortunately cuz I wouldn't want to make the headlines and end up in jail for burning MtnPop's absentee ballot or duct taping him to his chair 'til election day is over. We have always agreed on politics and religion which is a really good thing because the things we do disagree over can get intense. (We mountain gals are a fiery breed and don't make it easy on our guys when they cross us!)

Anyhow, I just want to remind everyone to go vote! Please vote for McCain/Palin 2008 and if you are in California please vote yes on Proposition 8 and keep marriage between one man (male) and one woman (female).

Thanks a Bunch!
Love,
MtnMom

I wanna go back to the beach.

2008-10-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

La Jolla Sunset

Blogger's Block

2008-10-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

There is so much going on in our world that I don't know what to blog about. Seriously, I try to come up with something but for all my thinking and trying all I get is blankness. I think it's my own mind's way of telling me it's had enough. Enough is enough. Enough arguments about politics, enough reading about politics, enough thinking about politics and, yes, to be perfectly honest, enough praying about politics.

No, I won't stop praying about the election and the future of my beloved United States of America. In fact, I'm praying more now than ever and will continue to do so. I believe very firmly that God hears and answers prayer and I also believe in IIChronicles 7:14-"...if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." I pray and am seeking God to know what He wants of His people in these unprecedented times of wars, global economic crisis, disasters, and global hunger, government corruption and crime, especially crimes against children.

But as far as maintaining a blog, which I prefer to use as a means of entertaining people, I continue to draw a blank. Sometimes life is just plain funny and if you write about life, there is a laugh. But I seem to have lost my laughter. Not permanently, just for now, while I contemplate the future of my country. We are torn between folks who want our country to go secular and make religion illegal in the long run, and those if us who simply want to be free, especially free to worship and serve our God. Some say the changes of the secular camp will not hurt anyone but history paints a horrible picture of cultures who abandon God. It never fairs well for the society that once knew God and turned their backs on Him. Those cultures implode, they self destruct because the self serving souls that create the secular society then turn on each other; once there is no God to fight and each man is "free" to exist without God, individuals become their own society and, never in harmony with the next fella, the implosion takes place.

I can't fix it but I can obey God and humble myself, turn from my wicked ways, seek God's face and trust Him to heal our land. I ask Christians all over to please to the same. This is God's call in this hour. Not going out and griping at all we think is evil but humbling ourselves before God and turning from OUR wicked ways.

God, please hear us and protect your beloved United States of America and let her shine as a beacon once again in a dark world, a beacon that speaks of hope, freedom, love, and a chance to live free to worship You. -Amen.

Absentee Ballot Bliss and Blues

2008-10-16T20:16:00.000-07:00

I voted yesterday. Yes-sir-ee and hot-diggity-dog! I tell you what, I haven't had that much fun and felt so empowered all at the very same time in a very long time! As I blackened the circle next to my candidates, and the yes or no circles next to the bond proposals and various measures, the joy was all mine as I knew I am having the final say folks! That ballot was popped back into the mail less than 24 hours after it showed up in my post office box and I'm sayin', I spent the rest of the day yesterday contemplating the blessing of a system that counts my voice without me losing my home, my family or my life. We fuss and fume and lose friends over politics but when it's all said and done, the fact that we are free to discuss, debate, fuss and, on occasion, cuss should humble our sassy little heads a bit and help us realize how blessed we are.

Well I could go on with quite the patriotic discourse but I'll move on to this morning. As with every morning after the day I vote I woke up, perched myself into a comfy chair, enjoyed a few sips of coffee, prayed a prayer of God have mercy on the USA, then clicked the television on to study the results of the elections. There were no election results on television this morning. Nor were there any election results on-line or in the newspapers. Yesterday was not election day.

I giggled at myself real good over that one. Now I'm rethinking my absentee ballot for mental health reasons. Normally after all the drama and adrenaline of voting there is less than 24 hours to wait for results. Though one may lose a lot of sleep that night, at least the next morning one can begin the process of taking in results, good and bad, and adjusting attitudes accordingly. Not for me. Not this time. All that adrenaline is still in my system with nowhere to go but here in my blog, or on other folks' blogs where I just might decide to expend some energy and express some thought.

Absentee ballots are really great and I am just kidding about rethinking mine. But next time I might wait a little longer to mail it so I don't get stuck with another case of PABT (that's the new condition I just invented called Post Absentee Ballot Trauma). PABT is not deadly so far but does lend itself to unexpected and unexplainable emotions, as well as an unpleasant test of patience, which is trauma in itself.

I voted yesterday folks and beg you all to do so as well. And if you really want to bless my heart, VOTE MCCAIN/PALIN 2008 so we can send the young socialist, Barak Obama, back to his junior senate seat to get some more education and experience!

Have YOUR final say: VOTE!!!

Toby

2008-10-12T22:31:00.000-07:00

The eyes say it all.

A Different Point of View

2008-10-11T15:20:00.000-07:00

A Mom Goes to Jail: Drug Offenders and the Prison Crisis

http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_606001.html
May 23, 2008
(Note: This commentary was delivered by PFM President Mark Earley.)
Susan LeFevre was just 19 years old when she was arrested for selling heroin to an undercover cop. She pled guilty to the first-time offense, thinking the judge would be lenient. Instead, he gave her the maximum: 10 to 20 years in prison.
Unable to cope with prison life, Susan escaped over the fence. She changed her name to Marie and eventually married and had children—and, by all accounts, has lived a model life. But after 32 years of her great escape, Susan’s new life unraveled. A tipster told police where she was, and now she is back behind bars, awaiting extradition to Michigan on an escape warrant.
Susan LeFevre’s story puts a human face on why our nation is facing such a stark crisis in the prison system. As I pointed out recently on “BreakPoint,” America has more people locked up than any other country. Some 2.3 million people are behind bars.
But the lion’s share of what fuels this high number is driven by our drug laws, which sweep up many non-violent, low-level drug offenders—like Susan LeFevre. These offenders make up more than one-quarter of all prison inmates: some 530,000 people. Locking up all these people has led to massive prison overcrowding and out-of-control state budgets—so much so that states all over the country are considering releasing thousands of prisoners early, simply because they cannot afford to keep them in custody!
There are better ways to punish nonviolent drug offenders, which is why Prison Fellowship supports alternative sentencing, restitution, and rehabilitation for those addicted to drugs. And it is why we supported the recently passed Second Chance Act, which provides grants to government agencies and faith-based groups that help prisoners and ex-prisoners overcome their addictions and become productive members of society.
Ironically, it may take the plight of a fugitive mom to open the eyes of Americans to the need to reform our drug laws. Of course, we do not know all the details of Susan LeFevre’s case. Authorities in Michigan say, for instance, that she was a leader of a drug ring. And there is no doubt that escaping from prison is a serious offense.
But according to the San Diego Tribune, before throwing the book at LeFevre in 1975, the judge told her, “I just hope you do change your own life.”
Well, it seems that she did change her life. E. Brady Denton, the prosecutor at the time of Susan’s trial, recently told the San Diego Tribune that if he were the prosecutor now, he would not put her back in prison. He would sentence her under new Michigan guidelines, “which would factor in a prior record, the severity of the crime, and what she has done with her life.”
Denton said, “I’d give her probation and let her go back [to] be with her family in California.”
Micah 6:8 says that God has shown us what is good: to do justice and to love mercy. I hope that the authorities in Susan LeFevre’s case will show mercy as they uphold justice. And let us do what we can to ensure that all the less-famous, low-level drug offenders now in custody will receive not only the justice, but the mercy they deserve.

(From MtnMom: As the debate goes on all across the country regarding reforming our drug laws, I have taken a bit of a "hmmm-I'm not sure about this" stance. Most of the times I am inclined to be critical of those who break the law and figure they get what they have coming. After reading this article I started thinking that maybe the laws themselves really are part of the problem. I know many a former addict who has been delivered and whose lives have been changed by the power and love of Jesus Christ. I do not advocate legalizing drugs but reforming some of the laws to give folks the opportunity to get a grip on their lives might well be a thought worth considering.)

God Will Never Abandon His Kids!

2008-10-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

Psalm 27:4,5,10,13,14

One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

God Will Never Leave and Will Always Provide!

Humans sometimes leave us. God never will. In fact, He holds us close even if our parents abandon us, pass away, or move away. (vs.7: When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me.)
Hebrews 17:5 -"Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
Humans come and go in life and we cherish those relationships. We weep when relationships end. All the while there is unending joy knowing that our relationship with our Heavenly Father will never end. His love is eternal and all that we expend and receive in nurturing that relationship has eternal value and extends beyond our human expectations, even into human relationships so the human race can see Him.
Whether it be at home with my family or in the street with strangers, walking with my friends or praying with a patient who has never met me, God can come through me to touch others lives with His life changing, time altering, darkness shattering love.
While He has and does bless me with His goodness here in the land of the living, it is eternity that matters the most. It is seeing others' lives change for all eternity that concerns me most.

"Patiently I wait, quietly I yield: let God come forth in and through me."

More Hope

2008-10-07T05:51:00.000-07:00

Psalm 34

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?
Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth.
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!
Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Psalms 34:1-22 (NLT)

Again I post a favorite Psalm. A common theme throughout many of these Psalms is the statement that God is a refuge and our strength. May His sweet presence be with each of us today as we draw closer to Him. our refuge. (The italics and bold additions are mine for emphasis.)

Psalm 91

You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust."
Psalms 91:1-2 (NRSV)

There's Yer Sign

2008-10-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

While waiting for a family member to get "comfortable" we saw

this sign

next to these porta-potties.

Ya can't help but wonder how many have been cited for the noise violation, or what actually justifies a call to 9-1-1.

"Hello? Can you send an officer in with a plunger?"

"Hello? Can you send an officer in with T.P. ?"

"Hello? Can you send an officer in with some Lysol ?"

"Hello? Where's the sink so I can wash my hands according to public health code number...?"

"It's just little driplets!"

2008-10-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

Hauling backpack and lots of stuff I don't see the need to haul around but teens need attached to their beings, my teen headed to the car so we could shove off for school. "Mom! Guess what!" Hello! That much excitement from a teen that early in the morning I'm thinking some cat must have had kittens in the back seat of the car. Yes, that would indeed have been an event worth startling my coffee up my nostrils.

"What dear?" I didn't want her to see me removing the coffee from the inside of my face so I answered from way down the hallway though I wanted to go running to see the miracle that would bring a teen to life before noon. "It's sprinkling! It's just little driplets, just droplets but they are dropping! Oooh! I just love autumn!"

Let's stop and just go back to that. Freeze time for a little bit. What she said is so cute it's beyond words, especially coming from an articulate teen. That cuteness got to me. It was a hint of the little girl that is disappearing right before my very eyes. I have been relishing that moment all day. And, that cuteness has taken me back in time.

Oh how I do love autumn, too! Autumn marks the happiest of all events for our family. It has just worked out that way. The birth of our children and our son in law's survival of an autologous stem cell transplant.

Trips to the apple ranch every year now since 1984. There is nothing like an apple ranch in the fall and we have some really nice ones down the mountain that store family memories like the best of photo albums. Apple dumplings, hay mazes, hay rides, pumpkin patches, and even live Christmas trees to purchase in December.

The warm colors of fall against October's sky. The smell of winter, though she is hiding well, is present. Memories of our children from slobbering age to being old enough to pay for their own apple dumplings, running through the mazes, picking apples and berries, selecting the perfect pie for family autumn night and wondering which of the Christmas trees we would bring home the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Well, these days the tree options are less expensive but we do make getting the tree an event. And we do with all of our might, at some point, still have family autumn night. We don't always make it all at one time to the apple ranch but every year I buy one of those world class pies, haul it home and call the kids. No, matter what is going on, just like that unexpected precious moment my teen gave me this morning, the world stops long enough for everyone to gather around and enjoy that apple pie. It is a symbol of survival, a celebration of life, a token of the treasure of really happy times.

After this morning's little moment, you can be sure that family autumn night is going to be taking place sooner than later. I do have to get my paperwork off the dining room table so we can enjoy it old fashioned family style. I'll need a week to do that. But, I'm ordering the pie now. After all, no matter how old they get, my babies are still my babies, and I can't wait for the gathering! Thank God for autumn. Thank God for driplets. Thank God for apple pie.

Who Is Gonna Clean Up This Mess?

2008-10-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

I wish the mess the title of this post refers to was the Wall Street mess. I wish this post was about solving the mess of world hunger or relieving the homeless on the streets of America. I wish the mess I refer to would be the horrors of war in countries abroad. But it isn't. It's my house.

Normally my teen does the dishwasher every evening. Every weekend she gives the hall bathroom a thorough scrubbing from top to bottom so guests have a clean comfort station should they choose to risk entering the house. Also, every week, with reminders, the poodle gets a bath.

But the poodle started stinking yesterday. The kitchen looks like the busy night in a restaurant and I haven't cooked in days. There are no more clean forks nor spoons in the utensil drawer nor cups in the cupboard. Thank God for those 12 oz. paper cups left over from vacation or we would be drinking water out of the hose in the back yard.

The hall bathroom still has tissue strewn everywhere that the poodle shredded in anger while we were away. She dragged pieces of that tissue down the hall and into the living room in protest of her week long abandonment. (She was well cared for by our house sitter. She just doesn't handle being away from me very well at all. Usually leaves a "dropping" on my pillow but we remembered to lock the bedroom doors this time so there would be no evidence of the poodle's revenge where our faces land at night.)

Why the big mess? The teen has a job. A real after school job that pays real money. This job pays more than I ever will. So I thought. I see the benefit of the experience of an afternoon job, stuff like mom isn't the only adult with a bossy attitude, hard work pays off 'cuz the harder you work the more hours you get, and such the like. But I am wondering, should I come up with a counter offer?

I've decided not to. I can do the chores. What I cannot do is provide that development in a teen that is acquired in the competitive environment of the work force. For my teen, who is very competitive by nature, the push to be one's best cannot be rewarded by doing the dishwasher, bathing the dog or cleaning the bathroom. Those chores and the demand that they be done consistently instilled the mindset that work is a part of life that will never go away. But I cannot provide her the reward she receives in a job well done, the maturity taking place as she learns from other adults and learns to work with folks of all ages and backgrounds. The increase in her self esteem, the growth in her confidence, all the while maintaining a four point something grade average in school.

I didn't make all the messes around the house but I did use most of the dishes in the sink. In taking over these chores as she graduates into the next stage of her life, I see that I am still nurturing. I feared that the nurturing that we moms live to give would be over with, but it isn't. Teens need adults as much or more as the toddlers. Teens just communicate their need for attention differently; sometimes you have to watch closely in order to hear it.

As I clean my house and bathe my dog (the teen still cleans the bathroom as no matter what gives and takes there are in life there will always be something needing cleaned), there is an awareness growing in my heart of the changing needs of my family. Much to my delight, there is still much nurturing to be done! No time for empty nest anxiety in this little cabin. In between listening sessions, (which is one of the things teens really need, they need us just to sit and listen sometimes) dishes, laundry, meals and washing smelly pets (not right before cooking--that's just gross), I discover that there is more purpose in parenting than I ever realized. That purpose is never going to end. It's all a matter of how willing we as parents are to be parents at all stages of our and our children's lives.

Hope In Times Of Trouble

2008-09-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

Psalm 46:1-11 (NRSV)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
"Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth."
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

I have posted this Psalm because it has seen me through many a storm in life; it has been the lasting light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. The Bible has been my life's hope and strength for many years now. I share this, one of my very favorite of all Psalms, as I know many hearts are filled with fear today. God will be close to us if we draw close to Him: James 4:8- "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."
"May God keep us, help us, and cause the leaders of the United States of America to do the right thing. In the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray. Amen."
Love to all with lots of prayer...MtnMom.

"Can You Give Me A Specimen Today?"

2008-09-29T21:50:00.000-07:00

Can you give me a specimen today, Sweetie?" This is the question the nurse asked while I was yet in the waiting room. Are there not laws in affect to protect our privacy in medical facilities? But that is not why I am writing. I am writing about the ideas that have been popping in and out of my head about the specimen and the delivery of said specimen.

"Do you want that decaf or fully leaded?" "Will it be paper or plastic today?" "Is this for here or to go?" "I can gift wrap that for you for an additional $5.00." "We offer free overnight shipping on deliveries under one pound!" "Would you like fries with that order?"

All I had was my Starbucks, my purse and my pockets. Was she going to run a lab on my latte to be sure I was ordering non-fat and no sugar? Was she after my favorite lip gloss from Sephora that puffs up the lips to enhance a youthful appearance? (That stuff could use a lab test!) Not sharing my mints, not sharing my chocolate, not sharing my Burt's Bees. Presumptuous of her don'cha think?

That plastic cup along with the little towelette. She tried handing it to me in front of other patients but I declined. "No thank you," I answered ever so pleasantly. There she was, all alone, the "sweetie" nurse, specimen collector in hand, and no takers.

Don't know how things went after I breezed outta that room on in to see the doc. Don't know where that little cup went but never heard anything more about it. I do think it would be funny to go to a gag gift store, find an appropriate substitute, have it gift wrapped and ready for delivery the next time. Bet she wouldn't call me "sweetie" again!

A Few Vacation Favorites

2008-09-29T16:22:00.000-07:00

Dining: Prado in Balboa Park of San Diego.

Embarrassing moment: trying to change skirts in the parking lot at La Jolla Beach.

Panhandler sign: “WHY LIE? I need a beer!” signed-Vietnam Vet

Animal: baby panda

Person: NGO worker on furlough from Pakistan.

Quote: "Muslim people are human beings living in the pressure of a very harsh and often cruel society."

Places: San Diego Zoo and San Diego Wild Animal Park and clean public restrooms.

There are stories to tell and I will tell them. But I have to get the concepts out there for folks to start hashing over in their heads in the meantime. And there are a couple of things to giggle about without stories!

Vacation and strangers, healing and prayer.

2008-09-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

We were leaving Starbucks when we noticed a jolly looking lady woman carrying a tiny little poodle. "Oh how cute!" Hubby stopped the car and rolled down the window and as if on cue the darling lady held the puppy up and exclaimed, "Jesus gave her to me! She is a gift! She is a miracle!"

The poodle had been abused and Rita had rescued her. Rita spoke with an accent and there was no time to ask her where she was from because no sooner had she finished speaking about her darling poodle, she looked at me and said, "I have to pray for you!"

I learned a very long time ago not to put God in a box. But, a Starbucks parking lot? Hey, why not. I have seen stranger things happen in parking lots: drug deals, fights, people that should be getting a room to name just a few. Bring it on.

Rita prayed like praying is what she does for a living. Rita prayed for our entire family. She prayed about things no one knew was in my heart and she prayed about things no stranger could have know about our family and our lives.

The next day, as we were waiting in the lobby of a relatively high class establishment, the kind that makes me double check to make sure I remembered to put shoes on, same thing happened. A gal, probably my age, chatted with us for awhile and then kindly asked me if she could pray for my healing.

She wasn't jolly like Rita but the prayer was on target as far as addressing the needs in my body and the cry in my heart. How could a stranger know these things? Only if God put them on her heart.

Taking this vacation was a huge leap of faith for me. Physically I am not ready. Mentally, well, I just didn't want to hold my family back in doing fun things but I came along anyway because they want me with them. I did this for them. Look what God did for me - on vacation.

Today I blog from a hotel room overlooking the harbor. I love the boats, the view of the coastal town, the barking of sea lions and the sea gulls' flight. I am mesmerized by the sparkle of the sun's reflection on the water.

People can be like that when they follow God. They can sparkle with the light of His love, and carry the touch of His love within them. As easy as breathing they can touch a life and breath hope into a weary soul. Out of nowhere God can send an angel, or two, to say "I love you. Please don't quit." I have strength today to join my family on an outing. Something tells me this is just the beginning of something new.
Copyright C.Jacobs 9/24/2008 All Rights Reserved.

Where are my paragraphs?

2008-09-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

Can someone who uses this "blogger" tell me how to publish a post with my paragraphs intact? No matter what I try the sentences get all scrunched together. Not pretty!

Will Somebody Wake Me Up?

2008-09-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday already. I have been all over the place this week. Transporting the teen here and there, tending to my own appointments, most of which were out of town, and everywhere I go I've just been noticing everything everywhere. I do that. I notice stuff. Houses, lawns, sidewalks, flowerbeds, people, purses, shoes, hair, makeup, cars, guys in girls clothes and I wonder why they don't shave off their mustaches if they are going to go out in those cute pink pants and that darling blouse; the shoes are to die for!

I notice overweight people. There are people so heavy they can barely walk. I see them walking and I want to cheer them on. I used to criticize them but a year of health issues packed some unwanted pounds around my middle and I realize that it can start without your participation. Later on though it's really tough not to give in to discouragement and just let it go. I did that for awhile but realized that I have enough years ahead of me that if I start now I can reverse the cycle and be much healthier this time next year. When I see a person so heavy they can barely move I think much differently about them than I used to. They are moving and moving is progress as long as you are moving in the right direction.

The wake up call about my health came about six months ago with what is now thought to be a "mini stroke." Wasn't fun and has taken time to get my brain back. My limbs came back within hours, my coordination within weeks, but my brain and speech has taken much longer. Pretty much OK now unless I get over stressed or over tired then my speech slurs. It's kinda funny sounding so I get the giggles! I guess I could pass as one under the influence at that point but I haven't tried--yet.

As I was blacking out I could hear fuzzily but I couldn't see. Everything was blurry and gray. I could hear my friends' voices. David and Manny. Both were at the fair grounds with the schools they work for. I was there with my daughter's class. David I know because he is my best friend's husband and we are also involved our church's music ministry together. That he should be walking by just moments before this incident occurred was indeed a God thing. Manny had been my children's bus driver for years, our youngest daughter's bus driver from kindergarten through eighth grade. Real down home fella and our family took to him over the years. Manny and David, in the right place at the right time.

David sat and prayed with me, stayed with me until the first responders showed up. I could still hear his voice even after he moved aside and let the first responders do their job. (One cannot say enough about first responders and paramedics!) Manny called 911 and came back here and there to let me know help was on it's way. I found out later he had to run in front of the ER vehicles to lead them to me. The fairground staff had not yet coordinated the situation and regulations didn't allow Manny in the vehicle. So he ran in front of them so they could get to me sooner. I remember teachers at the table where I had sat down due to dizziness giving me water and going to look for my daughter. I couldn't tell everyone how much it meant to me. They were good people, like angels, there at the right place at the right time doing the right thing. They stayed with me. That meant the world to me.

Now, for the sake of time and space I will spare the details but the "nurse practitioner" who finally came in to examine me in the ER said the dizziness was probably allergies and that I should take Sudafed (never mind the that due to interactions with other meds I'm on, Sudafed can kill me). By this time hubby and my pastor were there and were able to take note of my condition so when we made it to the doctors in the city I received quality care. None of those doctors think allergies were the issue--at all.

Months later, with a determination to get healthy, I have locked arms with every resource available to me to get strong, get healthy, and do the best I can with what I've got. This little mini stroke episode was just a wake up call. There are a couple of diagnosis that I have been managing but really only half heartedly. I've had miracles in my life and I keep hoping for one in my health. I think that my miracle is that God has taken a life that should have ended a long time ago, saved, healed and established it. It is now up to me to take action. The gift of wisdom, the gift of His Word, the gift of His love, the gift of those who love me and help nudge me forward when I feel like giving up, those are my miracles.

Life has been a bit different for me in just about every way. I am just now learning how our government works, how our economy works, and every time I get out and about I am wide eyed with wonder at all the changes taking place in our world. Like handsome men with mustaches wearing pink ruffly pants, a cute blouse and shoes to die for.

I just want to take the little corner God has given me and grow into all He wants me to be. I want to give to others what God has given me. I want to learn fast, I want to learn a lot, I want to know so much! I have the Rip Van Winkle feeling sometimes! Anyone who has had trauma I'm sure can relate. Time stands still for awhile, sometimes for months or even years. Then you wake up and, wow, there is so much to learn, so much to do, so much going on!

One step at a time. If I ever write as though I'm backing off, please: WILL SOMEBODY WAKE ME UP?!?! I don't want to have to do this again.
Copyright: C..JacobsAll rights reserved.

"Men Nabbed With Squirrels Tucked In Odd Places"

2008-09-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

http://cbs13.com/local/squirrels.game.wardens.2.817913.html

When I read this headline I chuckled and thought "wardens done caught my brothers!" Squirrel hunting was the end all be all for the boys back where I came from. Soon as boys were old enough to shoot a gun without dislocating their shoulders, dads would haul 'em out to the back forty and teach 'em how to shoot squirrels. The more squirrel tails you had hangin' around your room. off your cap, or even hidden in your school notebook, the more you were on your way to being a man, if you were a guy that is. A gal with all that git up simply had a boy friend who was on his way to becoming a man. It meant she was gonna grow up to cook real good squirrel stew which is an art form unto itself. (Hint: Ever eaten hair soup? Don't serve squirrel stew unless you know that know you can make it right!)

Now, I was lucky and my brother gave me a squirrel tail. I took it to school to gross out my friends and impress the cute country boys; I figured they'd think I had taken out a squirrel which would likely mean I'd be kinda fun to hang out with. I took the squirrel tail out of my coat pocket at recess and started twirling it around and sure 'nuff, up walked my cute hopefuls. They asked to see it so I handed the tail over and was all proud when one commented about the size of the thing. Another asked if I had used a 22 or a pellet gun. A third kid quickly came to my rescue by handing the squirrel tail back and said, "Smell it." Without answering the caliber of the gun question, which would have led to a lie or the truth, both of which would have doomed me, I smelled it.

Don't remember much after that. Laughter, name calling such as "sissy girl," and a lot of gagging. I gagged 'til the tears rolled. Lotsa painful dry heaves. Dead animals stink. So do their tails.

Never dated any of them fellers. And I still to this very day think that them mean rats were extremely lucky that I chose to show off my squirrel tail the recess before lunch!

Title and link belong to CBS13.

A Miracle

2008-09-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/428289.html

This little darling, a miracle from birth, was not expected to survive nearly drowning...

Cuteness Therapy

2008-09-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

"Tiny Little Critters" is a photo album that is filled with pure cuteness. Cute goes a very long way in soothing the soul when the world feels kinda cruel. Click the title above to view the album. It's especially cute to view as a slide show.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Where's My Coffee?

2008-09-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

This is me and I am pretty ok here.

This is me out of coffee.

I don't do "out of coffee".

Looking for coffee.

If someone will just bring me coffee I will be fine.

Photos come from PhotoBucket.

My Take On Politicians

2008-09-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

When they talk to us as though we are caged monkies here to do their bidding, this is all I have to say:

When they start those desparate smear campaigns against each other this is all I do:

I think that they think we are tiny little monkey brains that just don't get it BUT...

WE DO GET IT AND WE GET THE FINAL SAY BECAUSE WE ARE THE VOTERS!

REAL POWER TO THE PEOPLE: VOTE!!!

Photos come from PhotoBucket.