Some days

All one wants is chocolate cake with white frosting...

I can wait until Tuesday...
but I don’t want to.

Words - of advice

Words are powerful.
If you don’t mean it, then don’t say it - especially in a fit of temper.
Don’t use words to be mean. That’s abuse. Pure and simple.
Words can cut a person to the quick and hurt more than a knife - especially if it comes from the one we love most.

If something doesn’t go exactly the way you think it should, please remember... it’s not always all about you.  The person at the other end isn’t trying to make you angry. Sometimes things happen. Please try to be patient. Take a step back and take a deep breath. Sure you’re frustrated, but understand that the other person is trying their best to help you. When you snap, you’re selfish. When you whine and complain because you aren’t getting what you want when you want it, you’re being a selfish brat!

Use words to build people up.
Be kind.
Be compassionate.
Be empathetic.
Be loving.

If you find yourself in a fit of temper, write a T on your calendar. I bet you’ll see a pattern. Can you fix it? I bet you can. You need to work at it.

If you can’t say something nice, keep your trap shut!
If you find you’ve been nasty, an apology goes a long way... But, try to fix the behavior. I’m sorry only works for so long...

Owie.

Last night when we got home from bells, I needed to make some rice to go with the pork chops that were simmering in the crockpot. As I reached down to get the pot out of the cupboard, I misjudged the location of the counter and promptly brought my forehead down on it... squarely and hard, I might add. No, I didn’t see stars, but it did hurt quite a bit.
Fortunately, I didn’t give myself any permanent injuries - just a light bruise between my eyebrows. For that, I’m quite thankful because I thought I’d end up with a huge bruise on my forehead. It’s tender to the touch, but if I leave it alone, it doesn’t hurt a bit!
Learn from me. Turn the light on before you get the anything out of the lower cabinet.

Wise words

A very wise woman once told me:
A mother is only as happy as her saddest child.

She was absolutely right.

My LLB is going through a rough patch. If I could fix it for her, I would, but this is something only she can handle. How she decides to handle it is up to her. That said, no matter what she decides to do, we will be there for her.

Sunday

I can’t believe another week has flown by! I had a Military Mama meeting this afternoon and I wish more people would get involved in this worthwhile cause. We support the troops from all branches. Want to get involved? Want to help? Look up the Military Mama branch in your area.

Learning new things

Today I learned that Mini steals yarn - whether I’m finished with it or not. She stole a ball right off my spot on the couch that was connected to the beginning of a blanket. She wrapped the strand all over the family room and up the stairs. Somehow I only lost about 5 stitches. When she was done, she deposited it in our room near my dresser where I’d be sure to find it. I was not pleased...

Today  I was not up for working on the blanket associated with the ball of yarn above, so I decided to learn something new. I’d seen a couple of articles on Tunisian Crochet. I have some super soft yarn, and a Tunisian Crochet hook. I watched a video. I read up on the technique. I figured I’d give it a shot.  I like it. I like the result which is thick and snuggly. I like the technique. It’s different and I’m not very fast, but I’ll get there! I’m about 1/4 of the way done with a scarf. Yes, I am pretty impressed with myself!

Tomorrow I’m going to learn new things, too! I’ve got bible study in the morning. I always learn something there!

Tomorrow afternoon I’m headed to my shooting class. I’m so so excited! I am hoping they can help me with my aim. I don’t know if it’s the glasses combined with the eye protection or just the eyes, but I need a little help in that department. I’m looking forward to using the simulator as well as trying out  a bunch different weapons. I’ll be learning lots.

Hug your loved ones

We had a funeral to attend on Saturday for a young man who was 23. His family is keeping his cause of death a secret, but we assume is was either a drug overdose or suicide. His parents are devastated as are his grandparents and siblings. His friends were scattered around the room with their parents and significant others. Many of them were still in shock and are so sad that their friend is gone forever.
This kid had the best of everything growing up. He had cats, played soccer, took music lessons, went on family vacations, and was on a crew team. He came from a very close knit family that was so incredibly proud of him. He went to a college known for turning out highly successful people. He was an amazing musician who taught underprivileged children how to play the guitar. How could this terrific kid be so incredibly selfish as to do drugs or to take his own life? What could be so bad that he needed this horrific and permanent solution to a temporary problem... it just incredibly sad...
So - hug your children, each other, and your parents tight. Life is too short.

The starting bell

Today was our first bell rehearsal of the year!
Yesterday I was a bit ambivalent, but today I am excited.

Leeds Bell Choir did a fantastic job! We started slow and steady and finished up ringing through a long - but fun - piece. I am so proud of each and every one of them.

Tomorrow Emmanuel will have their first rehearsal. I’m sure it will be just as fun and productive. We will be missing two ringers, but we will manage.

I’ve got to get information for festival together because I want both choirs to attend in the spring. I know they will all benefit from the classes and from the time away together.

Tuesday?

Already? How did that happen?
Bell rehearsals start tomorrow and Thursday. I’m prepping music and finishing up the last couple of foam pad covers. And yet, I am tired. I feel like I could use another month before starting up the ringing year.  I’m also tired of being the leader, the director, the responsible one. I just want to show up and ring... one more year and then I might be able to step back behind the table. I miss ringing. I love it. Maybe I can sub in once in a while... I need to keep my skills up!

Finished!

I ended up making 2 Dragonfly blankets for 2 different charities - both cancer related. It was hard to get one done on a schedule, but the second was due to the charity sooner than the first. I did nothing but work on those blankets for a week. My house is upside down, the laundry basket overflows, but those blankets went into the mail yesterday.
I hope they both bring a lot of money!