Reasonably Chubby

Friday, October 8, 2010

Hallelooyer, Fall is Here!

I was on the verge, the precipice of SNAPPING with the relentless 98 degree weather, when out of nowhere, with seemingly no warning, it was FALL.

THANKYOU JESUS!! I love fall.

Or AUTUMN, as I like to call it. With the word autumn lodged firmly in my pea-sized-ever-shrinking brain, I stroked my middle-aged bearded chin and began to ponder the great mysteries of life.

You see, this weather phenonmenon reminds me. It's all about seasons, and the moment you think nothing is going to change, that you might just die or wilt!!, a cool breeze miraculously begins to blow...

And then of course,Winter arrives.With it's icy wind and frigid days, we'll break out the parkas and look forward to Christmas. But then... we'll think we might SNAP from the mind numbing 18 degree weather and gray skies ... when out of nowhere, with seemingly no warning, the grass will miraculously turn green again.

Hope. Things will change. New seasons will present themselves. Death, Life, Growth...Enjoy the wonders of what life brings. Unless you live in Hawaii. Then you have the same season continually, but really, I don't feel that sorry for you. It is HAWAII after all.

Dear friends,
ON THIS DAY:

*Mend a quarrel. Search out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in a word or deed. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forego a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate, be kind, be gentle. Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. Worship God. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still again. Speak it still once again...

*author unknown*

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

When I Grow Up I Wanna Be A Raccoon

Monday was my middle girl's birthday. Her 21st birthday!! This is how she celebrated...

I'm pleased to say she took seriously her vow when she was eight 'to never grow up and leave me.'

Oh, what shall she be?

A raccoon!

A raccoon?

Personally, I've never seen a prettier raccoon in all my life.

Um...okay...I'm not sure if this, this raccoony type of look is going to be helpful in the husband hunting department. And I need grandchildren.

She did entice others to join her. Big sister...

Married college friend. Point taken.

Young Cousin...who is being influenced. Calling all flamingos...

'Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they won't depart from it.'

Throw in a dog show, and you've got yourself a real celebration!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Dream A Little Dream...

She married young that first time...and try though she might, her heart would be broken. She had three pretty daughters and worked hard to provide for them all the things they needed.

Sometimes she would get tired.

But, she let herself dream...

She dreamed of finding true love someday. Of finding just the right man, a good and just man to give her heart to. After 17 years of waiting, and hoping and dreaming...

She met him! His name is Jack, her knight-in-shining-armor. He too had experienced heartbreak. But he let himself dream...
Of love, and family and second chances.

And somehow, God orchestrated the whole thing. You see, she had to decide to move back home, to pack up her stuff and move clear across the state. She had to start attending the little country church near her house...

where she fell in love with the pastor.

And he? He had to trust again, to let love in, to take a leap of faith.
They were married on 'Cowboy Sunday' and the bride wore boots. She'd never had a real wedding before. But now, she did. This is my dear cousin, Tonya, and I hope her story gives you one more reason to dream.

It won't be all roses and fairytales, this new life of theirs. Sometimes things will be hard, there will be misunderstandings, and hurt feelings. But there will also be love, and laughter, and good times. Lots of good times. There will be knowing glances, and friendship, foot rubs and warm embraces. There will be love. More and more love.

"Dream a little dream of me"...