tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31527662342037607362024-03-04T20:48:04.845-08:00Walking ButterflyBrenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.comBlogger555125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-69832255294766034942012-06-17T17:26:00.004-07:002012-06-17T17:26:57.520-07:00I'm Now Writing at Recovering Church Lady...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xgbTpxZ7i5U2ZLvwO5AkShQavQD2_d0Ooofng5pWh2plY4p8mHrF_BUFooxTB1TUS4Z3EWZoFrEKOgfaOoR97y3GNsb9MFwMUepCE9JjvEDULMyM6aruS2KpIN1dW3ZKemE3cDYnDw5B/s1600/_MG_0925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xgbTpxZ7i5U2ZLvwO5AkShQavQD2_d0Ooofng5pWh2plY4p8mHrF_BUFooxTB1TUS4Z3EWZoFrEKOgfaOoR97y3GNsb9MFwMUepCE9JjvEDULMyM6aruS2KpIN1dW3ZKemE3cDYnDw5B/s400/_MG_0925.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Come see me at my full-time site, <a href="http://www.recoveringchurchlady.com/" target="_blank">Recovering Church Lady</a>.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>For my long time friends met through</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Walking Butterfly,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>here is an updated pic of my amazing family!</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>My men and their lady-loves</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>keep me smiling</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>and guessing all the time.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Writer Son (stripe shirt) is married</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>to Sassy Bride.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Rocker Son is living with</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>adorable Tattoo Girl,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>and I consider her my second DIL.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Hubs & I,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>well we are still wondering what is next for us</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>after 2 job losses.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Hubs is working full-time at Home Depot</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>and I am bringing in what I can</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>with my writing.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Come on over to Recovering Church Lady,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I promise it's not all churchy and stuff</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>because I am not all churchy and stuff.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Anymore.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I still love God and He loves me</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>and we are walking into</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>the great unknown together.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>See you over <a href="http://www.recoveringchurchlady.com/" target="_blank">here</a> ok?</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.recoveringchurchlady.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxpMV9Zaxij-LomtwN7ldzh6Lryfi1CJEAU67WpP1DdioLth5sy-xpLpBa0Yqot7L3BbgbL07-k96mP9CjHCWhvUtSHLNCb_MTBvOwknFXUPklYAdpeH-dty3kLgukbNJBP937S6ihYXK/s1600/+tat+150+x+112.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-7518410618977068682012-03-02T21:29:00.000-08:002012-03-02T21:29:49.327-08:00Odd Times<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Such an odd and perplexing day. I am thankful for our new puppy Layla, she is bringing some giggles and entertainment in a tense time. Here is what I did today:<br />
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Kept the dog and the music down low as Hubs was on the phone with 6 different people in offices asking him detailed questions about our work history, current expenses, life style and bank accounts. We are 2 months away from being out of savings to pay our house payment. He makes exactly $300 more a month than our house pmt. We've survived so far by slowly pulling from savings but it will be gone in March. Crazy times.<br />
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Here's the crazy part.....The agencies could help, but only when we have missed at least 2 house payments! Hubs has been an uber responsible and honest to a fault man all his life. Especially regarding money and never missing or being late on paying what he owes. To wait until we default on our house pmt simply does not fit in his brain or character.<br />
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But that does not count in his favor at all.<br />
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We are thankful that we have no debt or credit card bills. Like I said, we are careful, and living on ministry income makes you want to do the right thing with every penny. We have. But we also did not set up a retirement plan at all. Don't know what we were thinking. Naive and sure that we would be happily ministering to people for all of our days until death. But ministry does not equal $$. Like I said, we were not thinking.<br />
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One agency suggested we refinance our home. Another call was made, this time a conference call between agency man and house loan people. Ironically we do not qualify for a refi because we do not make enough $$.<br />
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Aargh!<br />
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Sorry for dumping this on you kind readers. There is nothing you can or should do, but you already have. You have been a place I could talk about my day. My very strange and perplexing day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WlMEjB7DokGqTFcAtXa6k79hIFymAwKmgJ6tRwWOgueoNGql94X2fRuld9Y9jABRPiTpQUnf1YUGCviFz9h4h6GLThvn8to2geDpxO-ikYTu-eS07_F1U6tCkoaAaPvWUiH_nvo_-Fbc/s1600/P2230013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WlMEjB7DokGqTFcAtXa6k79hIFymAwKmgJ6tRwWOgueoNGql94X2fRuld9Y9jABRPiTpQUnf1YUGCviFz9h4h6GLThvn8to2geDpxO-ikYTu-eS07_F1U6tCkoaAaPvWUiH_nvo_-Fbc/s320/P2230013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Thank you.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-16697875871759603722012-01-28T21:18:00.000-08:002012-01-28T21:18:12.720-08:00This One Is Very Family Newslettery-ish - Warning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJt08ZKf6EZKb3DedblkWPTb76rtZa3WlLyXYHh-07AzswX39kyMXz85ftjOdDzmvKXwpmDP38R9qyHBv3-bh1ZNag-i59Z2qiSl1LJctzO2qKJk4_dLGsc4pnPs1dnScuSVZKfvqo2FU/s1600/_MG_0925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJt08ZKf6EZKb3DedblkWPTb76rtZa3WlLyXYHh-07AzswX39kyMXz85ftjOdDzmvKXwpmDP38R9qyHBv3-bh1ZNag-i59Z2qiSl1LJctzO2qKJk4_dLGsc4pnPs1dnScuSVZKfvqo2FU/s320/_MG_0925.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We managed to get a family photo just before Writer Son and Sassy Bride moved to Texas. They are the cozy couple in the upper left, been married just over one year! I love both shots and feel like they truly portray who we are. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Miss Tattoo Girl, Rocker Son's girlfriend now has black hair. I have a suspicion that if Tattoo Girl ever officially joins our family, it will be difficult to keep the photos up to date due to her constant hair changes! Ha! That is one of the things I love about her, very artistic! I sincerely hope that she will be making our family photos colorful for many years to come. (C'mon Rocker Son, don't do anything stupid ok?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hubs and I are missing our eldest and his wife but our hearts have been totally gratified to see and hear the good things that are happening for them since making the move. It was the right thing to do and they are happy and thriving with lots of people around them who love and appreciate who they are. What more could a mom want? (...well...to be in the same state when grandkids arrive!....but whatever!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh I remember what I came to tell you! Writer Son has finally created his own blog! I am so excited that he is following the urge to write again as he used to years ago. His writing voice is exactly how he talks, very funny, self-depreciating and clever with words and cultural phrases. He plays with words in a way that people love and find engaging. You'll see when you go to his site cause I know you will, won't you? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Warning...His passions are very nerdy; movies, comics, and God. Name any superhero and he knows its entire history, name a movie and he knows not only the director but which actors were considered before they chose the ones we see. And, yes, name a book of the Bible or a question about God and he has good, deep and often funny thoughts and stories to tell.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ok, enough of the bragging mom, go check his blog out....<b>BUT do not give him this blog address in your comments ok?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is my secret blog that they do not read!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Otherwise how could I post family pics and talk about possible future daughter-in-laws, etc? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Got it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ok thanks! I am trusting you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Writer Son's blog is called <i><a href="http://lastactionarnold.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Last Action Arnold</a>.</i> You will love it, especially my younger readers, well I love it and I'm not young, but I'm his mom so......the rambling has begun so this is a good place to say good-night I think.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blessings,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEN1uKDH1A-3bSjsRfFgucTWXoDIckMRdXE_x0CFaq-qrCSVwlR4je0jcX6C4i3ATzN4OZ8fxlg33xN2jPQ_wZZ9bvNA2kl8Q1V6Csky96ajnx-38R98tMHoOJKvcJ7007EhK8_NU-HM-l/s1600/429638_10150524193372763_500862762_9057504_1737418768_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEN1uKDH1A-3bSjsRfFgucTWXoDIckMRdXE_x0CFaq-qrCSVwlR4je0jcX6C4i3ATzN4OZ8fxlg33xN2jPQ_wZZ9bvNA2kl8Q1V6Csky96ajnx-38R98tMHoOJKvcJ7007EhK8_NU-HM-l/s320/429638_10150524193372763_500862762_9057504_1737418768_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-56024353910406140382011-11-18T16:41:00.000-08:002011-11-18T16:41:00.132-08:00Yes, I Am Thinking About Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jYG5TqYjznZebGdsVQHxkMdQ4yoH6sMlqW9k4jry-mlQrLaSa6aMSW9YRJEw00t9Pa8VfF5NF9FxeihQqy5UeuAXX_i-Pw-F3CJHGAXn2KIsvL-8RoCQpWOFxL_nu3Y_wLo-HJiiEoKa/s1600/Angel+craft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jYG5TqYjznZebGdsVQHxkMdQ4yoH6sMlqW9k4jry-mlQrLaSa6aMSW9YRJEw00t9Pa8VfF5NF9FxeihQqy5UeuAXX_i-Pw-F3CJHGAXn2KIsvL-8RoCQpWOFxL_nu3Y_wLo-HJiiEoKa/s320/Angel+craft.JPG" width="222" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Isn't she wonderful? This angel has visited Walking Butterfly Blog before. I made her a few years ago and made them for all my neighbors the same year. I love her and I am super excited to make one for Sassy Bride and Tattoo Girl this year! So, so excited! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am very tempted (and will probably give in) to add a tiny tattoo on the hand or shoulder of Tattoo Girl's. Wouldn't that be the best? Ha! If I could color the hair pink without ruining it I would try that too. For Sassy Bride's angel I am going to use some left over ribbon from the wedding! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These angels are super easy and do not involve any sewing because the dress is craft paper. I love that. Just a glue gun and go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Any other fun Christmas crafts you guys are doing? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-635201891347184292011-11-04T21:02:00.000-07:002011-11-04T21:02:08.868-07:00That Kid!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl7j7ro0e324nM2cRiVubJwdn-Qtw6-7UptgeL5Jex_8ENtyMJ49n8kAInc3dRi0K59aqVfUIbKkCw2dvBHnfDy0bGFVr5-wbs97iKXNjQvkpB9KbG41eN6MnZ3B_fT_jagT9h-UU-3sl/s1600/386725_10150547510313009_657968008_11497333_1166306787_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl7j7ro0e324nM2cRiVubJwdn-Qtw6-7UptgeL5Jex_8ENtyMJ49n8kAInc3dRi0K59aqVfUIbKkCw2dvBHnfDy0bGFVr5-wbs97iKXNjQvkpB9KbG41eN6MnZ3B_fT_jagT9h-UU-3sl/s320/386725_10150547510313009_657968008_11497333_1166306787_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Joker & Harley Quinn aka Rocker Son & Tattoo Girl!</td></tr>
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Hey Bloggy Friends<br />
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Thanks for asking about Rocker Son (25 yr) and his recuperation after getting hit by a car while going to work on his motorcycle in mid August. His femur has accepted the steel rod that runs down it and though it is still painful and he walks like an 80 year old man, we are happy that he is walking!<br />
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Due to a mess up with lack of insurance and a case worker that gave them bad advice, Rocker Son and his girlfriend could not get in to see any doctors for follow-up care of his leg and the cast on his arm. They finally removed the cast themselves and the arm and pinkie finger are fine.<br />
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But all along since the accident his other wrist had been slightly tender and swollen. The hospital said it was sprained and would go away on it's own. They x-rayed it and confirmed that.<br />
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Two weeks ago they had it looked at again because he could not bend his wrist like he used to. They discovered that he had sustained a very rare disease called Keinbocs Disease. It could not have been diagnosed earlier because the symptoms do not show themselves for several weeks.<br />
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Now according to the doctors, this injury is actually his MOST serious from the accident!! Argh! The impact of the trauma to his hand caused the blood to stop flowing to one of the large platelet type bones in his palm. Without blood and nutrients going to the bone, it has shrunk and is causing his hand to turn in on itself and could become fused to itself if he does not under go some experimental surgeries that involve removing several bones and replacing them. Again I say ARGH!<br />
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Yep, fun stuff. He is pretty much impossible to discourage, he just shrugs his shoulders and says, "whatever"! Crazy kid!<br />
Thanks for your prayers and good thoughts!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-5086499650902745562011-10-30T15:54:00.000-07:002011-10-30T15:54:25.664-07:00Good News - Bad News<div style="text-align: center;">Good News, Bad News.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Good News - I have inherited my mom's hair, still no grey at 56!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bad News - I have inherited my mom's hair, it's getting thinner and thinner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But at least something is </div><div style="text-align: center;">Thin!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-45466091828121465852011-10-23T21:58:00.000-07:002011-10-23T21:58:03.719-07:00Letter To Mom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Wow, this one felt good to get written. Come on over to <a href="http://www.recoveringchurchlady.com/2011/10/dear-mom.html">Recovering Church Lady</a> and read a letter to my mom. Thanks friends!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfm1yLe2rTLKLhUEVxhWm8LpAT4eXU0CrkJGdir53QmswxijpSzFBNQMc7Pa9iQD2P666Ci1AovffCuU2ghevugul1InL78-7LzEmBZrt04ybAK9rPBumGAt9CUpjoHb_yjfwRx1BSK7Z7/s1600/P2210025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfm1yLe2rTLKLhUEVxhWm8LpAT4eXU0CrkJGdir53QmswxijpSzFBNQMc7Pa9iQD2P666Ci1AovffCuU2ghevugul1InL78-7LzEmBZrt04ybAK9rPBumGAt9CUpjoHb_yjfwRx1BSK7Z7/s200/P2210025.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-2102774714833722402011-10-21T10:46:00.000-07:002011-10-21T10:46:42.862-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SzLJnyQwP5otAOuHPEBwGajoOtuAkWGFF2QW7bHpc9Tlb1NxS12YHrtnAyeWbxnjDx7p8rFGYF_R3J7cZh0H9_hGWObnF5nF6t5onlkWaZ4F-63LmiCPpnDKXPZQi2id_DrEDm5VCwhf/s1600/P4010002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SzLJnyQwP5otAOuHPEBwGajoOtuAkWGFF2QW7bHpc9Tlb1NxS12YHrtnAyeWbxnjDx7p8rFGYF_R3J7cZh0H9_hGWObnF5nF6t5onlkWaZ4F-63LmiCPpnDKXPZQi2id_DrEDm5VCwhf/s320/P4010002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am sitting here in my house that is totally silent other than a loud tick-tock from our inherited wall clock. I just kissed the Hubs good-bye before he roared off to work on his motorcycle. I always go stand at the front door as I watch him ride away for his hour long commute to work each day. I feel like June Cleaver. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I may be channeling her these days because I am a work at home writer now and I often have dinner ready when he gets home and even if he does not arrive home until 10pm, I try to make sure there is something for him to eat before bed. Who is this person? Ha! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have sent out tons of blog posts that included these lines: "<i>I never cook because I hate it and we eat out every day for lunch while at work so we just snack at dinner time." </i> That was our pattern, our lifestyle once upon a time. But our pattern has changed into something completely different and still strange. Hubs works as a cashier in a store for minimum wage about 30 hours a week and I bring in about $100-$150 a week with small writing jobs while I try to get "the big one". </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So I stand at the front door of our house which is still ours (yay!) and I am full of thanks for my life and my husband and kids. Sometimes the really loud ticking of our lovely pendulum clock gets on my nerves because I am not used to being home alone, so I put music on nice and loud as I clean the house and write my brains out. :) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am especially excited this week because I have been invited to write Guest Blog Posts to two big blog-sites this next week and my mind is tumbling with ideas! These jobs do not pay, but they get me seen and known and it appears that networking and being seen is pretty important for a writer these days. I will give you links to the blogs when it happens.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Becoming a bit of a hermit was not what I expected with this new lifestyle though. My big outings are Walmart and my Tuesday nights with girlfriends. That's it! We don't always go to church on Sundays because Hubs works and I am still not used to going alone. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But yesterday I had lunch with a friend and former student and it was wonderful! As she questioned me on my writing goals and I got passionate about what I want to write about she kept saying, "Oh that would be a great chapter title!!" Ha! So I came home and made notes for my possible book that I dream about and fantasize over. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Who knows? Right now the clock is tick-tocking and reminding me that this blog post is not paying me anything and it is time to move on. I do not see blogging as wasted time though. It is a lovely place to sort my thoughts and connect with you, may cyber friends. I am thankful for you and I pray that this day will hold good promise for you as well. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-27827587515981095212011-10-06T12:47:00.000-07:002011-10-06T12:48:00.004-07:00One Conversation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">One conversation can bring healing to the hurting heart.<br />
Speaking words aloud that have been swirling in our heads for months.<br />
My stomach was turning flip-flops as we drove to the little Tai restaurant.<br />
If it was going to be all small-talk I was determined to move it to big talk!<br />
It is way overdue. No one's fault.<br />
Everyone's fault.<br />
<br />
One hour moved into more than two hours.<br />
With eyes brimming they said that no harm was meant,<br />
and told us of the behind-the-scenes happenings<br />
that were happening.<br />
<br />
With eyes equally full we said that we knew that.<br />
We had never stopped 'believing the best' about them.<br />
Underneath the surface junk, we knew the hearts and<br />
we never doubted.<br />
<br />
Well, yes, we did doubt and we did stick our<br />
little toes into the tempting pool of<br />
bitterness.<br />
But we hated how it felt and quickly<br />
stepped away.<br />
<br />
But oh, the freedom to look across that little<br />
shiny black table and smile into loving eyes.<br />
To give forgiveness and accept forgiveness.<br />
So sweet, take a deep breath and let the shoulders fall.<br />
<br />
One talk, one conversation.<br />
So powerful and so releasing.<br />
Thank you Father.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-73646909634931677412011-09-08T12:01:00.000-07:002011-09-08T12:01:15.177-07:00FamilyWriter Son and Sassy Bride were here last night. I think they surprised me with a visit because they knew that Hubs was working until midnight and I just <i>might </i>have sounded a bit lonely when I called them earlier in the day.<br />
<br />
I had an interesting little "aha!" moment while they were here. I have plans for this Friday night, but when they mentioned they may come over on Friday to do their laundry I nodded happily and said it would be fine.<br />
<br />
I suddenly understood my own mother's ease at putting aside her plans if the "kids" were coming over.<br />
<br />
There is just something lovely about being around my sons and their ladies. There is nothing I would rather do and I know that Hubs feels the same way. For his birthday coming up, he just wants them all over here for a fun meal.<br />
<br />
Years ago I would have chosen my work or my work friends over them. I would. But this year I have learned a great deal about the value of family. Family is there with you through the garbage and tough times.<br />
<br />
My family knows me. They know that silly stuff and the painful stuff and they love me still. They ask the right questions. They see beyond the "I'm fine." answer.<br />
<br />
Cherish your family members while you have them my friends.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-79372596528787791072011-08-20T22:59:00.000-07:002011-08-20T22:59:30.160-07:00"Hello, this is the Emergency Room..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got the call that I feared.....I was home alone this last Wednesday, sitting down to eat my sandwich and enjoy my iced tea when my cell rang. It was THE CALL. The one I feared and wrote about just one post ago</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> on <a href="http://www.recoveringchurchlady.com/2011/08/ok-so-i-need-upgrade-in-whole-victory.html">Recovering Church Lady</a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> In that post I talked about my fear that Hubs was in a motorcycle accident on his way home from work thirty miles away. But this call was about Rocker Son.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Your son has been in a motorcycle accident and he is breathing on his own....."</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I think, and I told her this later; that she should have said that he was coherent first. Breathing can be done while in a coma or whatever. </i> </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I paced as the ER nurse had to repeat again and again where she was calling from and why my son who would turn 25 in two days was there. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hung up after scribbling info on a tablet and yelled a bad word for only the second time in my life. And then in the same breath I asked God where He was. My mind was swirling and I made a mess of Hub's work papers as I tried to find the phone number of his new job. I was put on hold as they found him and let him leave to get me and head to the hospital 20 minutes away to see how our son was.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We talked to God about our son as we found the hospital by my scribbled directions. I had sent out a couple of quick emails to friends and family before leaving the house. They made us wait while trying to find his name in the records at the ER desk. They had a "Doe" that just came in, yes that's him, have no idea why they did not know his name. Followed the guy to our boy.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He was laughing with a police officer and when he saw me the only look he had was "Don't cry Mom, I'm ok." The nurse had told me on the phone that this biggest concern was how I would react and how his girlfriend would freak out and try to come to him on her scooter. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He was not ok, he was broken. But not irreparably. He broke the biggest bone in the body, the femur (thigh bone). Totally snapped in two. A pinkie is broken, a wrist is sprained and a suspicious spot on his brain has been shown to be only a cluster of veins that have been there all along. No other scratches or road rash at all! It really is amazing!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He flew over the hood of a car that was making an illegal left turn in front of him. He broke their windshield and landed on the ground beside the road with a twisted up leg yelling for help. Someone saw and police and ambulance arrived in minutes. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That was 4 days ago. Yesterday the doctors inserted a steel rod in my boy's right thigh bone and it will always be there. He walked on it a bit today and will be out of the hospital early next week. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mind and heart are swirling with two differing conclusions.......</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My son was in an awful motorcycle accident and is now forever carrying a steel rod in his leg. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My son was in a motorcycle accident and we are all ok. It wasn't that bad!</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The thing that I feared happened and we have been laughing, crying and enjoying each other for the last few days in a boring hospital room. Where do I land?</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I land on the fact that stuff happens. The idea that everything good that happens is God and everything bad that happens is satan just does not work for me. Stuff just happens and we figure out how to deal with it. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God was there. I believe that my son was protected from what could have been much worse. He wore his new leather motorcycle jacket for the first time because even though it was a hot day it was too bulky to fit in his backpack. He wore no gloves but did not scrape his hands or dent his helmet. The police saw a "denim burn" on the road but he has no scrapes on his legs other than some small scratches on his ankle.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have much more to be thankful for than to be angry about. I am learning so much from Rocker Son. He is charming the hospital staff and creating a party where ever he goes! They love him and have told us they don't want him to leave the ICU but were happy that he did just that tonight and is being moved to a regular room. His friends are streaming in and turning a quiet hospital into a celebration of not dying this time. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rocker Son has a gift for living in the moment and seeing the good in it. In his own words on his Facebook page last night: </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>"Surprisingly this is turning out to be a great birthday, even though it's being spent in the hospital. </i></span></div></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="color: black; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My amazing girl is with me</span></i></div><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I get free meals</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Room service</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bluray player</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sponge bath</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And FREE DRUGS at the click of a button!"</span></i></div></span></h6><form action="http://www.facebook.com/ajax/ufi/modify.php" class="live_10150273832393403_131325686911214 commentable_item autoexpand_mode" data-live="{"seq":18255039}" method="post" rel="async" style="color: #999999; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="UIImageBlock clearfix uiStreamFooter" style="color: #999999; zoom: 1;"></div></form><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The awful thing we fear can happen and we will still live through it. As we drove to the emergency room wondering why this happened I contemplated how I could live in such a scary world. Why couldn't I just find a safe place and hide forever. That sounded so good, but so, so impossible. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But then I spent three days around my son and his friends and I am inspired by them. Stuff happens and they find the joy in it and move on. And God is there in his hospital room whether they know it or not.</span> :)</div></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBV4GXscewcz_GNl5SW_ieAfukXDZW8d8Ro4icDxw7m0lGLdv-oy5C5Nz6v8qEWY_TIDUgj5fc6MtL-9BeTojHv4MFnXIO3bXgcW8QH4vWFjnFRxhINWoCZqOz52hED_taJkn3zmGSAKn6/s1600/P8180001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBV4GXscewcz_GNl5SW_ieAfukXDZW8d8Ro4icDxw7m0lGLdv-oy5C5Nz6v8qEWY_TIDUgj5fc6MtL-9BeTojHv4MFnXIO3bXgcW8QH4vWFjnFRxhINWoCZqOz52hED_taJkn3zmGSAKn6/s320/P8180001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUL03U5jQn1d7Ju1iFSL8Mrz1QaeLIt9QX1__4joidZZX2bj4_Bs-MHqTN-PD8d-5WHET0gwG82QCao5umTEzZEbhqBs-IPeLj4OnMytP0G6l-QW6NCc9z1TB__uJhcsCKTSUCWI3I258/s1600/P8180002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUL03U5jQn1d7Ju1iFSL8Mrz1QaeLIt9QX1__4joidZZX2bj4_Bs-MHqTN-PD8d-5WHET0gwG82QCao5umTEzZEbhqBs-IPeLj4OnMytP0G6l-QW6NCc9z1TB__uJhcsCKTSUCWI3I258/s320/P8180002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFY4mBp8oB1gF4oDlp5T4Ba_2U9YMteSOT7yO0-6AyDe54S3sBDhw_GFqlAX1mPvsCBu57YKDi3tIHNsWy98Y5G6kpfg6760cDp4gJQoLdfgz1aDRJhMC072kq4coIZGQ71hCX6PYjkkjh/s1600/P8180003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFY4mBp8oB1gF4oDlp5T4Ba_2U9YMteSOT7yO0-6AyDe54S3sBDhw_GFqlAX1mPvsCBu57YKDi3tIHNsWy98Y5G6kpfg6760cDp4gJQoLdfgz1aDRJhMC072kq4coIZGQ71hCX6PYjkkjh/s320/P8180003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUddX_NmvlTjHGe7l6q5HGYQHAzHUbauffnSd6regWYPWvx-TKfLhuMxADGrBR2kzHYA5Hxhd6nX-PEfOgxA0ExmgbQm4uNaVtKM9cKlauizLJm3CCbxJ13A0mf1wkON57jPd51HH9m5-w/s1600/P8180004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUddX_NmvlTjHGe7l6q5HGYQHAzHUbauffnSd6regWYPWvx-TKfLhuMxADGrBR2kzHYA5Hxhd6nX-PEfOgxA0ExmgbQm4uNaVtKM9cKlauizLJm3CCbxJ13A0mf1wkON57jPd51HH9m5-w/s320/P8180004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGy2zTg8GBNgNuYNDm12E4UxAokv4y98pYg7pE2es5mupUcffULV8Q4e2VRMTzeg6vrtBBupAY5TcprfyIaCMfpkD1jGbQFaeecWzxdHe8NdGCMvHw7sIOt1tijoCY_Oa_SKUeoypyBN/s1600/P8180005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aGy2zTg8GBNgNuYNDm12E4UxAokv4y98pYg7pE2es5mupUcffULV8Q4e2VRMTzeg6vrtBBupAY5TcprfyIaCMfpkD1jGbQFaeecWzxdHe8NdGCMvHw7sIOt1tijoCY_Oa_SKUeoypyBN/s320/P8180005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-33880956847677745562011-08-12T16:30:00.000-07:002011-08-12T16:30:16.740-07:00Bullets Are Fun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge08J9b6xp58DEO2WSaJCI2dbX1sNtDeDZPm9_5TdSH5bed5ivlJOegkBWlUZs-iYaXE7C0gK2QzIJssY-WLctqEkjJ4ukCUNydyJBGi_0wTbPrFF3VWSxnGDiRXSaDzJ-cAg09uh4MTNx/s1600/148131_1723517013681_1411039200_31906547_2359258_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge08J9b6xp58DEO2WSaJCI2dbX1sNtDeDZPm9_5TdSH5bed5ivlJOegkBWlUZs-iYaXE7C0gK2QzIJssY-WLctqEkjJ4ukCUNydyJBGi_0wTbPrFF3VWSxnGDiRXSaDzJ-cAg09uh4MTNx/s320/148131_1723517013681_1411039200_31906547_2359258_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you all have had a good week. I feel pretty accomplished and productive this week and that's a change! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I have worked out most days. <i>....By WORK OUT I mean 20 minutes stretching to a yoga video. Don't want you to think I meant the whole gym membership and sweating thing. I would if I could though. </i></li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I have written two articles a day for the site that pays me $10 per and I hope to make $100 every week that way. <i>....yay me!</i></li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> I am cooking meals and spending very very little money. ....<i>Zucchini is a great extender. I added it to, or rather I put it with mac n' cheese and ended up mixing mine together, super yummy! </i></li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I got a new cellphone and even though it is a downgrade, I LOVE new gadgets. It's an LG Encore and it's pretty fun!........<i>I really wanted and got a touch screen, mainly so I can fit in with all my iphone friends!</i></li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>And the BIGGEST deal this week: I sent the JOB PROPOSAL to the local newspaper AND I also sent one to a local mattress company to tell them I want to write for their website. <i>......I have written product based articles for a baby store for a year, I know I can write about beds and sleep issues also.</i></li>
</ul><div>So that all makes for a pretty great week for me. We also received a very cool surprise in the mail yesterday and I'll tell you about that and show you pics another day. ....<i>Gotta give you a reason to come back you know!</i></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-77798355426442873952011-08-09T11:50:00.000-07:002011-08-09T11:50:44.445-07:00Rich Text & Touch Tone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7bRolDEHESUtcfuwtDXk8IUbABlnl5xdidSadCmsokduvpgundCef8YwwoQscxH0ySQJvJbF2AW18cWJigFlOzPqHZHTEBc0wBXoV5WRIvM7rpNkVeRiVgBlJMCZIU4bvDMBdQ9rZDc6/s1600/1alamodagfairy001c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7bRolDEHESUtcfuwtDXk8IUbABlnl5xdidSadCmsokduvpgundCef8YwwoQscxH0ySQJvJbF2AW18cWJigFlOzPqHZHTEBc0wBXoV5WRIvM7rpNkVeRiVgBlJMCZIU4bvDMBdQ9rZDc6/s320/1alamodagfairy001c.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It seems to be getting tougher and tougher to KEEP UP with technology and social networking etc.. Is this true for you also? I am in my mid fifties and simply not ready to curl up in a rocker and learn to knit (not that there 's anything wrong with knitting or rocking!). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But wow, I don't know if I can keep up with all the new-fangled (oops, there's another OLD word!) tech things that seem to change and UPGRADE faster than I can figure them out! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My problems with my job proposal email that <a href="http://brendasusan.blogspot.com/2011/08/stuff-happens.html">I told you about yesterday</a> have been solved, thanx to my DIL. She patiently went with me to the email to see what went wrong and was truly aghast that I could function with a very old JUNO email account. She had never even heard of it! The big roadblock was that my juno account does not have "Rich Text". There is no bar at the top of my message box that allows me to underline, bold, italicize, etc. So when I used those things on my Word Doc and pasted them over, it went coo-coo because the old site could not use those fun and essential things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we are sitting side-by-side on the couch, and she shows me another way to get around my problem that involved writing my letter in TextEdit first, blah blah blah........."until you feel ready to upgrade to something more up to date." :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This morning I updated to a gmail account!!! And I sent the beautiful letter and all attachments off to the potential employer! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow I am getting a new phone that does not have a data plan because we can save $$ if I don't have Internet on my phone. I am excited because it has a Touch Screen instead of a roller ball like my Blackberry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> But I keep giving away my age when I keep calling it "Touch Tone!" Ha! Oh well.</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-89564643940009595452011-08-05T23:01:00.001-07:002011-08-05T23:01:38.742-07:00Beach Buddies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivz19WKZKZ92CZMn-wMK0JZqrqbsOTUTFu-qiQG9-c1goAAxc0z3jgXFQstYOygye04d3S2rVipkZfql2dRwapH-0eY-1wcqrldgTW_lWxO3lk-MDrM0Bggl7A3F2LnK-GpwwvejXeU8Q/s1600/P7300003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivz19WKZKZ92CZMn-wMK0JZqrqbsOTUTFu-qiQG9-c1goAAxc0z3jgXFQstYOygye04d3S2rVipkZfql2dRwapH-0eY-1wcqrldgTW_lWxO3lk-MDrM0Bggl7A3F2LnK-GpwwvejXeU8Q/s320/P7300003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Driver said she really didn't need to see. We could tell her what was behind<br />
us, and she had the side mirrors! What could we tell her unless we stuck our heads out<br />
the windows? Ha! We survived the 3 hour drive each way obviously.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ggMUUzHVIv94rTX7TV2eiX1omxoFruyonff0T3Ez9esX3iiTzZHZ_njGEi3tSRkaCUyYv55SGQRQMeb8xu9mAlCPEGW3cWiFToUdFuRrdifu_tfbfHVrELJtZDKjJcQgAIRFufy9tF0/s1600/P7310004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ggMUUzHVIv94rTX7TV2eiX1omxoFruyonff0T3Ez9esX3iiTzZHZ_njGEi3tSRkaCUyYv55SGQRQMeb8xu9mAlCPEGW3cWiFToUdFuRrdifu_tfbfHVrELJtZDKjJcQgAIRFufy9tF0/s320/P7310004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We stayed in a trailer park on the beach that is owned by the friend of a friend.<br />
My friend warned me that it was trailer trash not fancy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZE1NbYRzsQKlcxd46Rb7K-jys7d2_2aj0RZjNXOX7b1b_ylLdQSQY9wb_E5phFe4VBbScd37bkTJy66oIW7qM0RNTCbhyphenhyphenBtzs8mWKgq97y_RqNyHHciwS6LZVMl2PFEZC4VHiICzZmI/s1600/P7310006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZE1NbYRzsQKlcxd46Rb7K-jys7d2_2aj0RZjNXOX7b1b_ylLdQSQY9wb_E5phFe4VBbScd37bkTJy66oIW7qM0RNTCbhyphenhyphenBtzs8mWKgq97y_RqNyHHciwS6LZVMl2PFEZC4VHiICzZmI/s320/P7310006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And yes, the place was kinda scary as we found "our" trailer. It was<br />
a community of people who lived there all year round and they stared<br />
at us laughing women as we circled and circled the place.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h0ih8RW6tLMSXiHaK9UfdrPGPJXiK72BV99qsqIQL2P8SK7z4fc9uoVRqr770Ab0pYpzANNYRsBpoxiHCD0k8AiGHIS8h1-Zzh43MmVJJIvVIbs7uJ9paE4aqdgZvSI7FRvlPOgvU90/s1600/P7310009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h0ih8RW6tLMSXiHaK9UfdrPGPJXiK72BV99qsqIQL2P8SK7z4fc9uoVRqr770Ab0pYpzANNYRsBpoxiHCD0k8AiGHIS8h1-Zzh43MmVJJIvVIbs7uJ9paE4aqdgZvSI7FRvlPOgvU90/s320/P7310009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But we soon introduced ourselves and made some great new friends.<br />
There was a veteran in a wheelchair who made his living by fishing and selling his bounty to the park people. We enjoyed a scrumptious dinner of fresh crab for $5 a piece!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRrGL-9oexnAP7KItJRtauffWcDySw5f-xG-lr-SKDwN2WO5bJLtCRMwVfMoxIfWZIPOJ1jiktGEcxhIwGQGeR-hcg_3GQ3gqzfWGRkLpEujd-lVy0SDviRNzJ2DZoLxoEaoHMMuV910/s1600/P7310011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRrGL-9oexnAP7KItJRtauffWcDySw5f-xG-lr-SKDwN2WO5bJLtCRMwVfMoxIfWZIPOJ1jiktGEcxhIwGQGeR-hcg_3GQ3gqzfWGRkLpEujd-lVy0SDviRNzJ2DZoLxoEaoHMMuV910/s320/P7310011.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">T and me.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUrsTZs9CyHYSu4zbAAdHLR_Zf9hRyRyyp4W_m0tYY9XGtU-fx7nv4Vbw40qKesyDB0Hb2rwdOSW66C4pUaqF4-sdk6pjKEDGJ7LSgRzzhLW97cpXGa8ug36VKo6ESuH4RCE87a-uofM/s1600/P7310012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUrsTZs9CyHYSu4zbAAdHLR_Zf9hRyRyyp4W_m0tYY9XGtU-fx7nv4Vbw40qKesyDB0Hb2rwdOSW66C4pUaqF4-sdk6pjKEDGJ7LSgRzzhLW97cpXGa8ug36VKo6ESuH4RCE87a-uofM/s320/P7310012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It took a few hours to stop checking her iphone for reception.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIqyOtdycLJa-sVEA-to1wfftoUud-QS4Yzbs2kLg3phoj5d_BneIR0EC189wcjOv_NMOjU4lmYtcqji3O9O_IUHrojT9HUOCqsAq8px2guWSIePu5hdS5JJh6xOP4NyhVW8u-j0rIig/s1600/P7310013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIqyOtdycLJa-sVEA-to1wfftoUud-QS4Yzbs2kLg3phoj5d_BneIR0EC189wcjOv_NMOjU4lmYtcqji3O9O_IUHrojT9HUOCqsAq8px2guWSIePu5hdS5JJh6xOP4NyhVW8u-j0rIig/s320/P7310013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is the path to the beach right behind our trailer.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwW5VPKdz1SWAvIS3mdFuiFgo26IViHE6Yj7va9szvA4BHLCoeG28EFkzjuXcXzR88NcwarjUSaTQfDfPg6VbyVFtx1jZCM3mr1W37SyU0KU7qCtCeXlXneOTCRIOXIpElMcMI0L7f7I/s1600/P7310014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwW5VPKdz1SWAvIS3mdFuiFgo26IViHE6Yj7va9szvA4BHLCoeG28EFkzjuXcXzR88NcwarjUSaTQfDfPg6VbyVFtx1jZCM3mr1W37SyU0KU7qCtCeXlXneOTCRIOXIpElMcMI0L7f7I/s320/P7310014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">View from that path back over the lovely neighborhood.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Path over the huge sand dunes.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-bbcccqwaSdlxxXyOFWGU0m1PoeFWtGDN69VXRlbgGYyyO5KQqYBMiIp8EKKTS9YYfsaKn5GqkQe01TRIosPQY0PTNDdJLpY7CEvfMK40Rbk1dujijWN1jHbvD_OqG4Y9rZ5BUw8CRA/s1600/P7310023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-bbcccqwaSdlxxXyOFWGU0m1PoeFWtGDN69VXRlbgGYyyO5KQqYBMiIp8EKKTS9YYfsaKn5GqkQe01TRIosPQY0PTNDdJLpY7CEvfMK40Rbk1dujijWN1jHbvD_OqG4Y9rZ5BUw8CRA/s320/P7310023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJBfC5Md2D6mbi-u1HjhL500XcRhN0mJ-nNcCozj13sOVNHu5Ms4wZyuFlUiMEABhz9jWnE1N_IQhOgJ_MX0i-lL_fUwvpBXzPJRKGXKH1tnC8DJTyOHsBa34DSdQVN-VUz__EJBuc6Y/s1600/P7310018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJBfC5Md2D6mbi-u1HjhL500XcRhN0mJ-nNcCozj13sOVNHu5Ms4wZyuFlUiMEABhz9jWnE1N_IQhOgJ_MX0i-lL_fUwvpBXzPJRKGXKH1tnC8DJTyOHsBa34DSdQVN-VUz__EJBuc6Y/s200/P7310018.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VTusvQw7Quit5DOLpgmiS48mXb6om72Y1ke1mB95u_RoLa_udi_J48-zgaIcGkCVrpluClOjztFAXU0eysIMrozZfw4NotQAM-33Ec2EkFovO00RCeud1__cUn1wh7WBRmMzggUoFhg/s1600/P7310024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VTusvQw7Quit5DOLpgmiS48mXb6om72Y1ke1mB95u_RoLa_udi_J48-zgaIcGkCVrpluClOjztFAXU0eysIMrozZfw4NotQAM-33Ec2EkFovO00RCeud1__cUn1wh7WBRmMzggUoFhg/s320/P7310024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I love beach trees!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">OMG the dunes made my legs scream in agony!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedEnW7dbaJZlb9030n7DsAtRoMWeQ7-fhxwf1ROPluQbxMtpN9TMGdXOlzOlsIjwjN8ChFoYZXIBCBbfB-53IRx48MzjS9VnqCP-az0TpFBj0fcFkYudqyXWwqDdtK05exOqPVd6opPA/s1600/P7310032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedEnW7dbaJZlb9030n7DsAtRoMWeQ7-fhxwf1ROPluQbxMtpN9TMGdXOlzOlsIjwjN8ChFoYZXIBCBbfB-53IRx48MzjS9VnqCP-az0TpFBj0fcFkYudqyXWwqDdtK05exOqPVd6opPA/s320/P7310032.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A stray kitty made herself at home with T.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfA7HBLsViKzQgPMO738jF1GiHVoDoweF-3OV5tN942IBBkFuJrdIQiXqau7hCDJPI7kmeUISb-WPh0OyHzBMb-gtimB_YWXSlj4v_hLCkqttMDTNoqwkgf7MwiTPYAzacpdmjMN7t_k/s1600/P7310034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfA7HBLsViKzQgPMO738jF1GiHVoDoweF-3OV5tN942IBBkFuJrdIQiXqau7hCDJPI7kmeUISb-WPh0OyHzBMb-gtimB_YWXSlj4v_hLCkqttMDTNoqwkgf7MwiTPYAzacpdmjMN7t_k/s320/P7310034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The banana s'mores I brought were a big hit when put in the ashes later that night!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiappbC7Gy-ZuAogZvSiUmj6SRggX_IrPWpqQlUfxyJ2JGTPHsX8q8iiU4gety-_Xd9bh7ItD-AgADwbRlxRk5htH_kv4sjA-o8QRuKjCVoUC19Paoz7ydf16sg5ZzpxjleGlf9vW6kyaY/s1600/P7310035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiappbC7Gy-ZuAogZvSiUmj6SRggX_IrPWpqQlUfxyJ2JGTPHsX8q8iiU4gety-_Xd9bh7ItD-AgADwbRlxRk5htH_kv4sjA-o8QRuKjCVoUC19Paoz7ydf16sg5ZzpxjleGlf9vW6kyaY/s320/P7310035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Laughing at our goofy clothes. They expected warm days for some reason!<br />
So they had to improvise. Silly ladies!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dLm27ZAJZ20BUP0eqCcdpLvBZRwk7ScuYV81daMz5eWwoVd__4iqaboG7RzY56NUfsdkb7_j4fCEFhpJRjBwaH2J1TeUMNZZG_NX3uQqdiGYSuseDWdM_fADtAZ6b9oyWLl4NGFQsLQ/s1600/P8010040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dLm27ZAJZ20BUP0eqCcdpLvBZRwk7ScuYV81daMz5eWwoVd__4iqaboG7RzY56NUfsdkb7_j4fCEFhpJRjBwaH2J1TeUMNZZG_NX3uQqdiGYSuseDWdM_fADtAZ6b9oyWLl4NGFQsLQ/s320/P8010040.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">C reminds me of a blond Jackie O.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6MVUWaKQ3BylXRGHniyrWzhmMyincim-7ngy7D7UKtslmbldpVKLo9rKyXc-VkRTg82nrNE3T4nJ79L59K3gKB21U7KMtK_0qQQHKb8HnOvnSN4ROA1XHOjgQKKkU6VkgPo3H1hObU8/s1600/P8010042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6MVUWaKQ3BylXRGHniyrWzhmMyincim-7ngy7D7UKtslmbldpVKLo9rKyXc-VkRTg82nrNE3T4nJ79L59K3gKB21U7KMtK_0qQQHKb8HnOvnSN4ROA1XHOjgQKKkU6VkgPo3H1hObU8/s320/P8010042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Had a great time & as expected, we laughed, snorted, drank and even had a tearful<br />
moment as we talked about our mothers and their absences.<br />
I am so thankful for good friends.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-34992237652688893522011-08-03T11:11:00.000-07:002011-08-03T11:11:39.537-07:00Fun Done, Work Begun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hi Gang, I'm back from my fun 3 days at the beach with close girlfriends and have lots of pics and giggles to share, but not today. Hubs told me this morning that even with his two jobs, if I do not find a way to being in $$ with my writing, I will need to get "get back out there" and get a normal job!! Not the best motivation for creativity but it will have to do for now.<br />
<br />
So after this note to you I am heading back to my writing room to continue working on my "Dream Job" package that is my latest project. As I've said before I would love to write a weekly (or more) column for a newspaper. My only field of expertise is really just my faith, so it would need to be an "Inspirational" column.<br />
<br />
My local paper goes out to a pretty large number of adjoining cities. They have a page on saturdays called "Faith & Ethics". I have been working on a letter that sells my self to them. It will include my writing experience, my blog subscriber numbers, my blog addresses so they can check me out, etc. I have also asked a few friends to write a 2or 3 line testimonial or recommendation about my writing and what it means to them. I will include those in the letter, along with past writing samples and several new sample columns that would fit their need. (If you are so inclined, a one liner from any of you would be lovely. Thanx!)<br />
<br />
Can you think of anything I am missing that would help me get this job? They are not advertising for it at all, it is just what I want to do and so I am "cold-calling" to convince them they need me. Not exactly my normal behavior!! Very new territory!!<br />
<br />
Thanx for being here in my laptop Friends! I appreciate you more than you know,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-24721909530163304182011-07-30T21:36:00.000-07:002011-07-30T21:36:03.367-07:00Take Me Away!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXJ76LjQmcLkrS43WKbpUA_HypVEZGAzi7MFDtCSEW9Rs7mJaw1hqwxHz-KfsNxlTmWk0Kvlf201D_KmegG0euWi0XGEssDMthaSlYjXZPM1Qi6xusBZWJKd0PgRf84TXBFjUx48FaO8/s1600/AAAAA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXJ76LjQmcLkrS43WKbpUA_HypVEZGAzi7MFDtCSEW9Rs7mJaw1hqwxHz-KfsNxlTmWk0Kvlf201D_KmegG0euWi0XGEssDMthaSlYjXZPM1Qi6xusBZWJKd0PgRf84TXBFjUx48FaO8/s320/AAAAA.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Tomorrow night I will be sitting around a campfire on the beach! Late last night I took a call from a friend who wanted me to join her and my other two best friends in someone's beat up trailer on a beach about an hour from us for three days!!<br />
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I am so excited to get away and have some fun with my girly-friends!! I am packing some bananas, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows which we will grill over the fire in foil and then open up for some yumminess!! Everyone else loves to cook and will bring tons of food and this will be sole contribution. They will be so surprised and will love it!!<br />
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These women are my closest friends, we have laughed till we snorted (well one is a snorter!) and did that other thing that women beyond fifty do when they laughed too hard. There have also been a lot of tears flow in our times together. We've held one another through both garbage and good news. Add more than a few bottles of wine to those occasions and that may explain the loads of laughter at stuff that was probably not really very funny. (That is an exaggeration, sort of.) Heehee!<br />
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So my little bag is packed and off we will go on a Sunday morning no less! Scandalous! Don't be picturing a glorious sunshiny expanse of sugary sand though. Northern Cali beaches, at least ours, are foggy, rocky and gravely sand with lots of dunes and cliffs to climb up and down. No swimming at our beaches unless you have a wetsuit. We will be walking, hiking, sitting and yakking. That is the agenda and it sounds totally perfect.<br />
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But it will be a blast! Hubs hates camping. I grew up loving it and have missed the aroma of a campfire in my sweatshirt.<br />
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Cannot wait!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-47181966634318797802011-07-29T14:32:00.000-07:002011-07-29T14:32:09.500-07:00Two Jobs!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63CTTPcGOyoHnmcwPT5Mt6BwTgWbo3z_4Pa-rRFCygahZxSWT8ZiAJrQHb38T2qv_-52BsuKaDKpSrWcRkfYjOSWfOVfgW67VONBPli7lzjhvYtVAOTALnkMAEab5w7tIuRkjaNL10rE/s1600/joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63CTTPcGOyoHnmcwPT5Mt6BwTgWbo3z_4Pa-rRFCygahZxSWT8ZiAJrQHb38T2qv_-52BsuKaDKpSrWcRkfYjOSWfOVfgW67VONBPli7lzjhvYtVAOTALnkMAEab5w7tIuRkjaNL10rE/s320/joy.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ff6699; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #4f4e4e;"> found on </span>http://pinterest.com/pin/77739714/</span></td></tr>
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<div>Last week the Hubs had no job. Today he has TWO! One is a driving job that he is excited about. The other is a cashier job at a Home Depot. He is taking both jobs until they overlap or cause a problem. The driving job is the keeper.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We are both so relieved to have at least these minimal paying jobs! And he is STILL not bugging me about getting out there for a job! What an amazing man! </div><div><br />
</div><div>He also is refusing to get excited or really happy "until the paychecks are in my hand." He's that kind of guy. But I'll be happy enough for both of us. My view is that there is no such thing as wasted happiness. If it all falls through, why not enjoy it while we can? right? Can't picture myself saying, 'Well that was wasted joy!"</div><div>Thanx for caring, my friends!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Of course HE is the one who has to go do these non-dream jobs. sigh.<br />
<div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div></div></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-64433880658607333672011-07-22T22:34:00.000-07:002011-07-22T22:34:06.074-07:00From Gloom to Hope<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Yesterday Hubs and I worked quietly around the house saying very little for hours. The air was filled with a strange mixture of tension and a whole lot of "I give up." We are heading toward the end of the second month of zero income and these belts simply cannot be cinched up any tighter.<br />
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The <a href="http://brendasusan.blogspot.com/2011/05/hubs-first-crop.html">first crop</a> of zucchini from our very first garden ever was rejoiced over loudly and broadly a few weeks ago. This week zucchini has lost it's charm and we are getting a bit tired of it in it's many forms. Yesterday our home was almost funeral-ish.<br />
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No anger, no tears, just going about our chores and even making up projects as the loud, very loud ticking of our<a href="http://brendasusan.blogspot.com/2011/04/tick-tock.html"> inherited Regulator clock</a> marks the sloooow passing of another day.<br />
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But then late last night Hubs gets a call from one of the jobs he has been interviewing for and they want to see him the next morning! Hope!!<br />
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So this morning Hubs left the house before I woke up and when I went to the coffee pot I found a note from him. He wrote that the other job, the GOOD ONE, had emailed him and sent him a bunch of forms to fill out so they can process his application to the next level!!!! The first job wanted him to fill our more forms also and they sent him to a clinic for a drug test and will get back to us next week.<br />
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I was a-dancing with my coffee cup!!<br />
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Crazy! Why in the world did both places suddenly after three months of silence contact him at the same time? He is going forward on both jobs at this point, because neither one is guaranteed yet, but YEE HAW!<br />
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Neither job is high paying, both are barely paying, but some pay is a whole lot sweeter looking than NO pay! You never know what each day will bring. Yesterday my home was a quiet place of gloom and tonight we have a new glimmer of hope in our goofy smiles.<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-3333361492695841652011-07-20T19:00:00.000-07:002011-07-20T19:00:36.524-07:00Old Scribbles Help Me Write New Scribbles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjkm6D1gLGJDZ-s8Z5RBNxjFfCmVKuM-9v6PsCoiXzwCwizzD4IvsLTgu21SGzxunivrDYcJ7YI5Esy3WdASVQlsHHOaaRFZ1mTB6MiPC2uRlATPQ6uMlHZLDbEVA1S6FEy1Pn72IqtY/s1600/P2050093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjkm6D1gLGJDZ-s8Z5RBNxjFfCmVKuM-9v6PsCoiXzwCwizzD4IvsLTgu21SGzxunivrDYcJ7YI5Esy3WdASVQlsHHOaaRFZ1mTB6MiPC2uRlATPQ6uMlHZLDbEVA1S6FEy1Pn72IqtY/s320/P2050093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the last few days I have been getting comfy in my </span><a href="http://brendasusan.blogspot.com/2011/06/leave-me-alone-so-i-can-write.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"writing room"</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and re-reading my huge stack of journals. Opening up one of the journals that I began filling when I was a teenager is always a risky venture. I often get distracted from whatever I was looking for in the first place. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes I will go to my journals when I want to know what year we took the boys to Disneyland or exactly what date we moved into this house. But then I get caught up in reading stuff I do not recall and I forget why I started the hunt in the first place! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But this week I have a distinct and focused purpose for my step into the past. I have a green marker and a black ink pen and a yellow tablet at my side as I open the next journal. I am methodically going through them day by day and marking important personal moments that I may use in a book that I would love to write. I make a green dot next to the journal entry and also record the date and main theme on the yellow tablet. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a weird sensation to spend multiple hours immersed in your own history and then come back to the present. I come out of the room with a dazed and far away look in my eyes and Hubs asks if I'm okay. I say that I am so happy to be in the here and now and done with the "good ole days". I miss some of the cute kid days but would never choose to go back in time and I figure that I still have some cute kid stuff in front of me when I become a Grandma someday! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so glad that I am a natural journal-keeper. It was never a chore for me. I looked forward to my stolen moments to sit and record my thoughts about my life. Some entries are one paragraph but most are a page or two. I realized that my boys would not always be little boys and I knew that their funny comments and goofy mischief would not last forever. My own inner questions and beliefs grew and changed as I lived my life and I have never stopped filling journals and probably never will.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomorrow I will dive into my past once again and who knows what treasures I will find.</span></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-59135074259358409252011-07-16T22:59:00.000-07:002011-07-16T22:59:15.425-07:00Riding and Writing....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtddg0Agi2CmXncdB5oAx8lT3nYLo0rnjJO4nbi3CQrXc-rZ-XJYqm7too2n4u8d1ESLc6_N2uHDYE5T3iiYEc_58kXlkX862O60M-CHMXITOmFUY4CiLBr2XJ2CKlGbjWIzEKwgSd20/s1600/P2060046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtddg0Agi2CmXncdB5oAx8lT3nYLo0rnjJO4nbi3CQrXc-rZ-XJYqm7too2n4u8d1ESLc6_N2uHDYE5T3iiYEc_58kXlkX862O60M-CHMXITOmFUY4CiLBr2XJ2CKlGbjWIzEKwgSd20/s320/P2060046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to say that this leisurely life is really a great way to live! Lately I have lost track of what day of the week it is and sleeping in every single day. I could get used to this. We are getting chores and projects done around the house and yard. Things are looking nice and clean and organized. I even cleaned out that scary nasty dark place under our bed! Why did I save years of magazines under there? No clue. But getting all this done feels great! This is the life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If it just wasn't for that pesky little fact that we are unemployed and have zero moola coming in. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh yeah, that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I doubt that it ever slips Hub's mind though. How long will we have this house? How many more weeks can we stretch out of our savings? Leftovers and our garden are looking pretty yummy these days. When we had jobs we ate lunch out every single day and then just snacked at dinner time. As of today we have not eaten in a restaurant of any kind, even fast food, in two months. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are looking better though! Must be the healthy vegies from the garden we are making full meals out of. I even cut my own hair 2 weeks ago and saved us my usual $30 salon cut. And it looks great! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But the not working has also made us a bit stir-crazy. I love to write and have spent hours each day doing so. Sending stuff to magazines and online job offers. But oh man, you can only do so many chores around the house and we are so very thankful for our bike that allows us some free entertainment that feeds our spirits and rejuvenates our minds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every time we ride I get writing ideas! It's amazing. Must be something about the fresh air and inspiration of nature. I always come back to the house with blog and article plans buzzing in my head. My two favorite activities lately work together really well....riding and writing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib98Z22rY5JuYIf-wmb31c48Fk5RLv_WLP9qARgq5S_oSvHbKEyAnIP6-zFfC8b43kltoKsKhGvpHKYaG6F26k1HIYG-E_YlMBrzSj2fQ13ukrVf6UJKHpNeLNYbOhgYTn-W5FW7zr-uw/s1600/P4210035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib98Z22rY5JuYIf-wmb31c48Fk5RLv_WLP9qARgq5S_oSvHbKEyAnIP6-zFfC8b43kltoKsKhGvpHKYaG6F26k1HIYG-E_YlMBrzSj2fQ13ukrVf6UJKHpNeLNYbOhgYTn-W5FW7zr-uw/s320/P4210035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All the luggage we took on a recent overnight trip with a B&B Gift Certificate!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-40442398205675356252011-07-15T13:50:00.000-07:002011-07-15T13:50:18.378-07:00It Is Finished<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8iaxNVM-0QaZpYsC17eq33qG-NuktjpwYga-5vEgDJRk4ujHQl_B2p0T9XbdOQRloEw0rd9yDs27wOcFziWlX2Zn_Yb5ZEC-CJs1LygoBIUMcAgF4872pu7ivWN4pmMpIIpmIvLZFoc/s1600/tombstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8iaxNVM-0QaZpYsC17eq33qG-NuktjpwYga-5vEgDJRk4ujHQl_B2p0T9XbdOQRloEw0rd9yDs27wOcFziWlX2Zn_Yb5ZEC-CJs1LygoBIUMcAgF4872pu7ivWN4pmMpIIpmIvLZFoc/s1600/tombstone.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found at weheartit.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://brendasusan.blogspot.com/2011/07/even-photo-is-creeping-me-out.html">Mr. Mouse</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">is out of my house.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The end.</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-19880142624379073962011-07-14T20:11:00.000-07:002011-07-14T21:51:07.226-07:00Even the Photo Is Creeping Me Out!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKu2vwPteialoNmvKADLAtvTntbmd3x2mdTtROEPJKqWCKov3pqCz_42NFtxuE46be6rFt-ud_Qu5ZfLBHgJ045ouXy-76iE2GOL-CriCnBqcSNSH6wc8XmrWVatwDDeApnb5ZrYbcl7U/s1600/mouse+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKu2vwPteialoNmvKADLAtvTntbmd3x2mdTtROEPJKqWCKov3pqCz_42NFtxuE46be6rFt-ud_Qu5ZfLBHgJ045ouXy-76iE2GOL-CriCnBqcSNSH6wc8XmrWVatwDDeApnb5ZrYbcl7U/s1600/mouse+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We have an unwanted and uninvited guest in our home. And I am not happy about it! Mr. Mouse made his scurrying little appearance a week ago and had me run screaming from the living room couch back to Hubs in the bedroom with a book. He came to my rescue but could not find Mr. Mouse by the time he got there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I saw the mouse go from under the stove (eeww!) just a couple of feet to the cupboard under the sink. Hubs hypothesized that there is a hole from the cupboard to the outside and the mouse ran back outside in fright from my screamings. I agreed with Hub's theory because it made me feel better. After all, I had to stand in that very spot several times every day at my kitchen sink!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As it happens, Mr. Mouse has not left the building. Again I am on the couch late at night alone and I saw Mr. Mouse run from stove to cupboard. After two more nights of this, the scary part is that I do not even scream! I jump a bit, that's it. That is just WRONG!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We set out some sticky paper traps. They did no good at all, he just goes around them I guess. So today we bought those awful and deadly classic mouse traps and placed them in the path that he takes. Now I am sitting here jumping at every sharp sound! Is that it? Do I want to look? No. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzy36LLTkJsrm5Ejj3EUklO19u8JWf-F0u-Xu5eTIw7eHQnPgf0OzM8msJd75lGCmPwpHsAJPLlPCojxMNkkZdrzdGq-rxS5wv03Hdj_yocJMcjBOvS5rzZ9hecMvGAXHKR5okBHNpVDI/s1600/mouse+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzy36LLTkJsrm5Ejj3EUklO19u8JWf-F0u-Xu5eTIw7eHQnPgf0OzM8msJd75lGCmPwpHsAJPLlPCojxMNkkZdrzdGq-rxS5wv03Hdj_yocJMcjBOvS5rzZ9hecMvGAXHKR5okBHNpVDI/s1600/mouse+2.jpg" /></a></div>It is MY kitchen, I feel violated by this ugly scurrying little creep! Makes me shudder just to think of it. I am suddenly realizing that dear old grouchy <a href="http://brendasusan.blogspot.com/2011/04/tony-it-was-lovehate-relationship-we.html">Tony the cat</a> actually DID do something around here for us, may he rest in peace.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">DOH! I posted this & totally left out the funny part that inspired me to write about it in the first place!.....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span><br />
After Hubs had <u>carefully</u> (because there is no other way!) set the traps with tiny bits of cheese and a dab of peanut butter under the sink, I was cleaning up our dinner. Hubs watched as I wiped the counters and scraped a bunch of yucky shredded cheese into the garbage can and closed the cupboard door.<br />
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He then gently said, "Honey WHY in the world would a mouse try to get a teeny bit of cheese off a trap if there is an entire feast of it for free right next to it in the garbage can?"<br />
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Oops!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Ok, that's better. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-20312573218994583272011-07-11T22:26:00.000-07:002011-07-11T22:26:30.020-07:00No Judgement Zone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3Wj66gpVV0WEkwJBPRIXECzEQtERO3qd5_bABqqOvNOiprqPUXqMpd-MRhlwOobmhinJx_USug5prWuj8pULA979GrGTq7rAgfTIJA4aZxlRV1N3lW_cP-O1Rky50hxwGrEHyGAIi-8/s1600/No+Judgement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3Wj66gpVV0WEkwJBPRIXECzEQtERO3qd5_bABqqOvNOiprqPUXqMpd-MRhlwOobmhinJx_USug5prWuj8pULA979GrGTq7rAgfTIJA4aZxlRV1N3lW_cP-O1Rky50hxwGrEHyGAIi-8/s320/No+Judgement.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Made this myself with picnik.com!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Need to rework the colors of the lettering though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is for my other blog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The blog is called <a href="http://www.recoveringchurchlady.com/">Recovering Church Lady</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and it is geared toward believers who</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">are spinning their wheels</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and striving to make God love them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've lived there and the guilt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">is a heavy thing that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my loving God did not intend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am hoping that my words</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">about how much they are totally loved</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">already without any of the hard work</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and sacrifice,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">will give them a glimpse of the freedom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He designed for them to enjoy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So many have no clue how easy it is to please God.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We've made it ridiculously complicated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then use harsh judgement on others</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to make us feel good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Recovering Church Lady is a safe place of freedom and refreshment!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-49245473535698896322011-07-11T13:29:00.000-07:002011-07-11T13:29:40.779-07:00Just Discovered Picnik.com<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgww2LvqYcWFL0vyabb9ZdAvevkAOe8WZW7pTvSlXIb3dS0oHo7iV3JOYKw064v9OnabTq2nMA-7iOQlMm8X3_g7-hN8FnjPF8rUg0xIOLhvvEMDc_IrUwpKpoJRwE6erVaStZenfnQi_A/s1600/Boys+%2526+Ladies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgww2LvqYcWFL0vyabb9ZdAvevkAOe8WZW7pTvSlXIb3dS0oHo7iV3JOYKw064v9OnabTq2nMA-7iOQlMm8X3_g7-hN8FnjPF8rUg0xIOLhvvEMDc_IrUwpKpoJRwE6erVaStZenfnQi_A/s320/Boys+%2526+Ladies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sons and their lovely loves!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Isn't that a great collage? I have never done much with all the tons of pics I take. I found a fun place called <a href="http://Picnik.com/">Picnik.com</a> and it is really easy and free up to a point anyway. I can't wait to explore it some more. This was just my first practice session with them to see if it works for me. Have fun you creative people! </div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152766234203760736.post-7959538885340401012011-07-09T15:43:00.000-07:002011-07-09T15:43:21.088-07:00Checks In The Mail? Yes, Please!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaCkKdzQP59TPCCieUiWIXBFujTmOTu2OfliAIffJQY6EXzzP4clsuP8KvbwHW7dxZ6apDVwqHlplHPMU27mOPgtTv_mpDLlTGqkIexMtFMRQQnlo-ANHry3FlFKFVhJrAIsUoMQl2v4/s1600/mail+snail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaCkKdzQP59TPCCieUiWIXBFujTmOTu2OfliAIffJQY6EXzzP4clsuP8KvbwHW7dxZ6apDVwqHlplHPMU27mOPgtTv_mpDLlTGqkIexMtFMRQQnlo-ANHry3FlFKFVhJrAIsUoMQl2v4/s320/mail+snail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hubs walked back into the house with our mail in his hands and a frown on his face. Oh great, what now?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a letter from his former employers, the much hated and maligned, big-box store, W-Mart. He worked there for a year during our last episode of being between ministry jobs, about 11 years ago. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He read it a loud and my cynical side kicked in as he read the words,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"A lawsuit against the store during your time of employment</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>has required us to send you this check for _________."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I said it was probably a check for $1.43.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nope. He handed me the check.... it was for $389 !!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nice!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hubs got the bills out and the money was soon bye-bye, but what a fun surprise in the mail today!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">God (and W-Mart) has not forgotten us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51Zveq2qWJYrJU-RXv6MCfDTPaFitGEOg_ZN-KrFuR3cTHSwBpUKlBrzGYYU5GEFuGzvdHfJ2LRInvqiujKoBGxWVOZ1khjZwFdfmrDXzSRDnI6fsUKDlNUMA2eARi6MZWqFHaO0HAwY/s1600/letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51Zveq2qWJYrJU-RXv6MCfDTPaFitGEOg_ZN-KrFuR3cTHSwBpUKlBrzGYYU5GEFuGzvdHfJ2LRInvqiujKoBGxWVOZ1khjZwFdfmrDXzSRDnI6fsUKDlNUMA2eARi6MZWqFHaO0HAwY/s320/letter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/62/C59BA3B0B071D6C9FCBFFAC3D262BD8B.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Brenda Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842228644349167297noreply@blogger.com10