I'm reading a book....

...for anyone that knows me, that is not a shock!

I just started it, so I really don't want to announce it just yet...I've read about 30 pages and it is a tough read...a little preview...it's about alcoholics/addicts and addiction.

I have a long line of these people in my family...both sides and as far back as I can remember. I have friends that suffer also.

The subtitle of this book says: Every negative thing you have always wanted to know about Addicts and Addiction...but were too afraid to ask.

Now, I know that just the connotation of "every negative thing" is not something we want to dwell on, but I have been through this enough to know....knowing all I can find out cannot be a bad thing. Being informed of the good as well as the "ugly" is empowering.

This is what the back page says about the author: ....was an alcoholic who started drinking at age 12, became an ordained minister at age 21, a full-blown alcoholic at age 34, and a full time recovering addict and chemical dependency counselor from age 45 to the present.
He should know.

Other news: I have my house up for sale...some traffic, but no offers. It's been for sale for about a month...so I'm not at the panicking stage yet.


Kelsi has started her Senior Year at Evangel...the time really does fly by....she was sitting on my bed last night talking about the coming year and she just kept saying...I don't really think I'm ready for all this....she has wished her life away and now the big moment is here and she doesn't think she is ready...so typical of teenagers!!!



Cason is growing by leaps and bounds and amazing us all everyday....he's still fighting his allergy/asthma...whatever it is...but he is fighting!!

Passionate Homemaking...awww, I just love the name of that blog. She has some great recipes, advice and wisdom.

Easter Bunny and the Little Man

Saturday, the Easter Bunny was at Bass Pro - so Brandi, me, Donna (Brandi's mother-in-law) and a friend of Brandi's all struck out to take Cason to see his first Easter Bunny...

He did really well, he's really not old enough to be frightened, but the look on his face...."'cuse me ladies - but WHO IN THE HECK's lap am I sitting in!!!!"

I think he may be traumatized for life!!

Anyway, we had lunch walked around and just enjoyed a beautiful day...

He went to sleep behind these sunglasses and we didn't even realize it - we thought he was just a good kid......

Here is a great website and blog - I love this lady's way of thinking - very old fashioned or maybe the word is "traditional"...whatever, I love it.

Monday....Monday

...that's a song, isn't it??

Had a great weekend - kept Cason Friday night, while his Mom and Nonna had a garage sale.

Did a little re-arranging and decorating around the house...it's that time of year, ya know!!

Last night was our book club meeting, we read "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield...one of the best books I have ever read...(of course, the book I just finished is ALWAYS one of the best books I have ever read!!)...and I have read a lot of books. I think it was one of the best books for everyone in the book club - we were trying to talk over each other and really gettin' into our discussion. The people at the next table were wondering what in the world were we so excited about...we were at a local catfish restaurant...it was VERY good.

Saturday night we went to a local crawfish restaurant (I live in Louisiana, ya know!) - we sat out on the back porch and had a great time. (Me, my two daughters, one son-in-law, brother and a ton of friends)

My favorite son-in-law and my brother - they kinda look alike!!!!! especially with the same shirt on!!!

...and my two favorite girls, they are kinda "prissy" crawfish eaters though!!!

Today I am back at work and will go to Kelsi's softball game tonight....

and to leave you with.....the custest cowboy you have EVER seen!!!

Hello...Hello....Anyone there.....

...don't even ask....I'm not even going to say anything about my big ole' long absence...I'm just gonna start from here....today....OK, let's go....

Well, this is one of the things that has kept me very busy.....the cutest little bugger in the world (to his Nonnie anyway)..Cason Gage...he is almost 5 months old....we are having so much fun with him.

Ya know I was just thinking today....does anyone keep a checkbook anymore....with debit cards and automatic bill paying....checks are almost absolete.

A friend of mine told me the other day - she was at the cashier counter paying for her purchases and she was writing a check and she overheard some young girls behind her complaining because she was taking so long....they said..."OMG, she is WRITING a check!!"

I don't really keep one - I get on line everyday and check my balance and see what has posted and what has not - I write maybe 2 - 3 checks a month...mainly for utilities. I really think writing checks will fall completely by the wayside....like alot of other paper!!!


Just something to think about.....

This is a great BLOG if you like to cook and try new recipes. She is a Texan living in New York (could it get any worse!!) - a great writer!!

Tell God...Thank You.....

DEAR GOD:

I want to thank You for what you have already done.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears ; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive. I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.

I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

God is just so good, and he's good all the time

Busy, Busy Weekend....

Don't ya just hate those - where you have to go back to work to get some rest!!!!

It started Thursday night with an excruciating tooth ache - we have plans to do a root canal on this tooth a week from today, but it decided to really act up last week - I called my dentist and they called me in some pain meds - they didn't touch it - I was up all night Thursday - I know I looked like one of those cartoon characters - where the sore place is throbbing and red and 4 times the size it is actually supposed to be - that's what I felt like anyway. Friday morning early, I called the dentist - got a recording - closed on Fridays - OMG!!!!!! ....how do I get through the weekend - luckily I have a dear friend who works for an oral surgeon and they helped me get through the weekend - now, I think I can wait until next Monday - but I am calling my dentist to make sure.

So I went to a little east Texas town to see a "friend" of mine who is a football coach at a jr. college. I haven't talked much about my "friend" on here - because I'm just not sure yet - how much you say on here - ya know!!!! Anyway, went to the game and I was just sitting down to lunch with his parents before the game and I get a call from 17yo daughter - she has just had her first car accident!!! Yes, try being 2.5 hours from home and hear that!!!! Stress level goes up just a tad!!!! She was hit from behind and her car is totalled - she and the two friends in the car with her are OK - banged up and a little sore, but OK. Now, comes the hassel with the insurance companies, other driver, no car for daughter, and on and on.

I got back in town yesterday and just kinda piddled around the house - it was a very pretty day and I opened all the windows and just let the house air out a bit - I sat out on my back patio - and just went through a couple of magazines that I had gotten in the mail and tried to breathe and just relax.

First thing this morning, I had a Dr.'s appt. with my thyroid Dr. We are still working on getting that on an even keel. Tonight I have my bookclub meeting. We just read The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall - it was a pretty good book. Tonight we will find out what our next read is.

Aren't you tired, just reading all that!!!!!????????

Thank you, Donna and Annie for the encouragement, bless you both!!!

Thursday...

It started out kinda rainy and hazy this morning - but the sun is trying very hard to break through the clouds - having the view that I do from my office - its actually looks like heaven is trying to peek through the clouds....it's just beautiful.

Pregnant daughter was at the hospital last night - her legs, ankles and feet are swelling a little more than normal and they wanted to do a MRI to ensure there were no blood clots - and there was none!!! She just needs to take it easy these last couple of weeks and stay off her feet as much as possible.

I had a recipe for some wonderful chicken that I meant to post today - but I forgot the cookbook at home - it is by Dana Carpenter - she has several low-carb cookbooks that I have gotten and they have great recipes - I have tried several of them and they have all been very good.

This morning I had sausage links for breakfast and 2 deviled eggs. I brought some chicken (baked and and basted with hot wing sauce) and more deviled eggs and I will probably go downstairs to the snack shop and get a green salad to go with it. I haven't been eating much at night - maybe a piece of cheese and a boiled egg. Just haven't been real hungry at night. I have lost about 13 lbs in about 6 weeks, but for the past few days, I have been in a stall - more like for the past 7 - 8 days - I will drink lotz of water today - that's usually helps.

Here is a site that I visit everyday without fail...The Pioneer Woman...she has the greatest site. She is sooooo funny, talented in so many ways, she has the greatest cooking section - step-by-step pics and just a great all-around site. She also has great give-a-ways regularly - today she will be having a drawing for a $500 gift card to Sam's.

Good Beautiful Morning....

This weather is just incredible - in Louisiana we have 2 seasons - hot and hot & humid - that's about it - but today it is about 72 degrees and low humidity - looking out the windows of my 22nd floor office - it could not be a prettier day.

Last night I got my hair colored - I have done it for so long - it is really easy - but it just takes a while -

I have been really tired as of late - I got off caffeine about 2 months ago and I don't know if this has anything to do with it - but this morning for the first time in a while I mixed my coffee..1/2 decaf and 1/2 full power....kinda got a buzz going on here.

I am listening to Michael Buble singing "Save the Last Dance for Me" on the internet...and looking at all this paper on my desk that I need to do something with....so I guess I will get started.

I have been reading a wonderful book series by Karen Kingsbury - it's called the Redemption Series and it's 5 books about this one family...I just finished the last one about a week ago and it has been a wonderful read....I highly recommend them.

Brandi and I had lunch today at her favorite Mexican restaurant - i think she eats there 3 times a week - a friend of mine and some girls she works with were there also - so we got a huge table and had the best time....Brandi is due in about 3 weeks - so we are in the home stretch.

That's all for today.....

...a restless day

No, I still don't have a camera - but I really miss blogging - so I decided to blog anyway. I get so caught up in trying to entertain - that I forget why I like blogging the in the first place....I just like to....that's all....I'm quite the people-pleaser - so if I don't have a lot of comments - I think what the heck.....but today as I have been reading some of the blogs I like - I realized - I just like to - I have to quit worrying about if I am entertaining or making someone happy - it's making me happy!!!!!

The weather here in northern Louisiana today is about as perfect as it can get - beautiful blue sky - sun shining - and about 77 degrees. I took a drive a lunch today - just had to get out of the office - but, boy, I did not want to come back - but I did!!!! I'm such a good girl!!!

Youngest daughter has a softball game today right after work - so I will go to that - then I need to go home and color my hair - in the worst way - I look like a skunk!!!! I HATE doing that!!! Takes up tooooooo much time!!!

I have been doing the low-carb diet for about 6-7 weeks now and I have lost about 13-14 lbs. This way of eating really is easy - and you can eat until you get full - carbs cause me all kinds of food cravings - so I do pretty good if I stay away from them. If I just HAVE to have something sweet I eat sugar-free candy - the Turtles are wonderful and you can't tell the difference.

That's all for today......

Still here.......

Hello, everyone, I really apologize for just dropping off the face of the earth.

I went to Destin with some girls from high school - my camera took a dive in the salt water and that was the end of that....I hate blogging without pics....boring!!!!!!

Then life has just kinda taken over - all kinds of things going on - school back in - daughter moving into her new house and awaiting the arrival of my first grandbaby.

I will be back soon - I enjoy doing this too much - gotta go get a new camera - any suggestions???

Thanks for missing me!!!!!

An Award and a Walk....

This is my very FIRST award - I am so tickled!!!! Thank you, Brenda, you are such a sweet friend. Both of us are from Louisiana - we have a special kinship!!!!! Please go and visit her - she has a wonderful place!!!

These are the rules:

1.Put the logo on your blog.

2.Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3.Nominate at least seven other blogs.

4.Add links to those blogs on your blog.

5.Leave a message for your nominee on their blogs

These are my seven:

Karen @ Country Life

Susan @ A Place Called Home

Kitty @ Kitty's Kozy Korner

Kari @ Just Livin' Large

Debra K @ The Bunnies' Bungalow

Annie @ Me and The Boys

Sandi @ The Whistlestop Cafe Cooks

Yesterday about 7:45 I went out for a walk around my neighborhood - I have been doing that for a couple of weeks now - It's not just an ole' wives tale.....you really feel better when you get a little exercise!!!!!

Here I am leaving my house - and first thing I have to do is cross the street and I HATE it -there is a big curve just to the left of the street and about the time I get out there some kid comes barreling around...it is not a pretty site....a 50 year ole woman scurrying across the street...no...not at all!!

OK - made it across the street - it's a pretty little neighborhood - older homes - lotz of shade...

Boy, that looks like a really long way........huff....huff......
I found some new settings on my camera - I got the manual out and read it - when all else fails....so I was trying some of them out...this is a really pretty yard - I was going to take some closer ones....the gentleman who owns the house came around the corner and I was in the street taking pictures of his house....I was trying to explain that I thought his yard was pretty and I was taking pictures for my blog.....Uh??? - he points to his ear - so now I am yelling....PRETTY YARD....TAKING PICTURES...BLOG!!!! He wants to talk.........O well, nice man....

Remember, I am trying new settings on my camera - apparently not the right one.....

This setting said something about Sunsets....so I got a little sunset in it.....

very peaceful.......


back home -

Are you where you wanted to be???

Ree, at The Pioneer Woman, posted a question today - it hit home and HARD with me!

How is your life today compared to how you THOUGHT it would be 10....20 years ago?

Last month I turned 50!

So I guess this is a very good time to look back, see where you've been, unexpected blessings you received and missed opportunities you regret.

I don't know that regret is the correct word for things, opportunities and people I missed. Maybe it is. I don't think I'm where I thought I would be 20 years ago. I guess I thought I would be "further down the road" to the dreams I had, goals I had set, prayers I KNEW would be answered by now!

I don't think my life would ever be used as an example of "The Way To Do It" - I have probably made every bad decision, wrong choice and missed opportunity allowed in one life-time. But somehow, someway I have also experience incredible blessings, untold mercy and grace and the precious forgiveness of those I have saddened and hurt.

You don't get an instruction manual when you start this journey called "Your Life" - it's a whole lot of trial and error. God very gently gives us His guide called the Bible.....then He also gives us our will - me, he gave a very strong one!!! Because He loves us so much - He did not create us to be His little robots - He gave us choices - to live or die, obedience or stubbornness, willfulness or dependence on Him.

I have gone through so many stages of my life - some I have had to do over and over and over again!! I am a survivor - but I have made it so hard on myself at times. Most of the difficult times and circumstances I have had to endure have been because of my own doing!!

Someone looked at me the other day and said, "You have lived 5 lifetimes". I probably have. But I have also learned lotz of lessons, had many "light bulb" moments (some, a day late and a dollar short!) and many, many second chances!!!

No, I am not where I wanted to be at 50 - but I am not through, yet!....and God has promised me grace enough for today!!

Two Posts in One Day.....Lunch......

This is what I have done today....came to work.....this is my desk - now I am a very busy person, that's why my desk is so messy!!!!!!!!

Annie - I hear you snickering.......

This is the other part of my desk - yes, that is a fresh peach that I will have for a snack this afternoon - somehow, I am going to pretend it is chocolate....look at this view - I have the best office on this whole floor - it truly is a blessing to come to work everyday!!!!

Just look at that sky - that is the Red River, ladies. I watch boats and skiers going up and down all day long.....I just close my eyes and pretend I am on a house boat out in the middle of it....
Every Friday (and sometimes in the middle of the week, when we are having a bad week) the girls in the office go out to lunch.

Today we went to a Shreveport landmark...Strawns...now there are several in town, but this is the original, a hole in the wall - but they expanded the hole.....but it still has the same charm and character. They have the best hamburgers and fries....and their lunch plates are pretty good too. However, they are best known for their pies.

This is Cynthia and Judy - they were sitting across from me - so they get their picture taken - there was a family at the next table and I bet that lady took 20 pictures.....I said, "Bet she has a blog." Look at Judy biting into that hamburger.......

...a shot of the room....and our waitress....and see those white bags - they have pie to go!!!! ....we are on our lunch hour, you know!

...there are murals all round the room...

...here is another - recognize any of those folks.....

...and now I am back at the office...tell me if you have to go to an office everyday - is this not the place to be????....look at that sky!!!!!

Recipes....

I thought I would post a few recipes today

....don't have any pictures....(I always forget to take pictures while I am making anything!!!)

these are just some that I have been making for years and we love them....

This is the BEST Banana Nut Bread you will ever eat - I make it in mini loaf pans

Banana Nut Bread


½ cup vegetable oil
1 ½ cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/3 cup buttermilk
3 very ripe bananas
1 c. chopped pecans

Cream together oil and sugar.

Add eggs and salt to sugar mixture.

Combine the soda with the buttermilk. Add to egg mixture with milk.

Add bananas and nuts.

Grease and flour loaf pan.

Bake at 350° for 45 minutes.

This soup is very easy and very, very good.....

Broccoli Cheese Soup


3 cups frozen chopped or cut broccoli
1/3 cup chopped onion
½ cup flour
1 stick butter
1 ½ teaspoon dry mustard
16 oz Velveeta Cheese
2 15 oz cans chicken broth
2 cups milk

Add onion to frozen broccoli and cook according to package directions. Drain.

Melt butter in saucepan and stir in flour, salt and pepper until well blended.

Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, cook until thickened.

Add broccoli and remaining ingredients.

Cook until cheese is melted.

One of my favorite summer-time salads..........

Chilled Corn Salad

12 oz can whole kernel corn – drained
2-3 green onion – chopped
½ cup green pepper – chopped
2 Tablespoons minced parsley
2 Tablespoons cider vinegar
1 Tablespoon oil
salt & pepper

Combine all ingredients and chill overnight.

I Believe......

I believe - That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe - That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe - That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe - That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe - That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe - That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.