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.

Lazy-Hot-Days....

Well, I have some good news, I FOUND MY CAMERA.....

I found it in the trunk of my car - I told ya'll I was cleaning out my car and I had it in my hand....

I thought I had either thrown it away with trash...or laid it on the top of my car and drove off with it up there....

Apparently, I laid it in the trunk....I had looked through that trunk so many times and then I looked one more time and there it was!!!!!! I was hollering...Thank you, Jesus....Thank you, Jesus!! I'm sure my neighbors thought there was a tent revival going on over there.....

I have just really had the blahs, blues, whatevers lately. Must be the heat!!

I tend to be a very controlling person (I hear all that snickering from the people who really know me)....they are saying..."did she say, TENDS to be"!!!!!!!

I have been single most of my life and I think women tend to get that way when they have to fight the world by themselves. I am always trying to arrange everyone and everything the way I think it should be.....trying to maneuver situations to where certain things might happen....I am not manipulative...I always think I have everyone's best interest at heart....but I am learning that even when you THINK you are doing someone a favor or helping....sometimes...you're just not.

I have really been thinking on "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your OWN understanding......

It's my own understanding that always gets me in trouble - God very plainly tells us, our emotions and feelings are not very good barometer....and I always have lots of those...feelings and emotions. Sometimes, I just don't understand why something is happening the way it is - when I know that another way would be so much better....for everyone!!!!

That is when that TRUST part comes in...I tend to always want to follow my instincts, my emotions, my feelings......oh, those things have caused me so much pain and heartache.....Trust, it's such a simple little word and so easy to just flow out of your mouth when you are talking to someone else about THEIR situation or THEIR problem.

But when it is you, who is having to do the trusting, it can be so very, very hard.

That is where the FAITH also comes in, where the rubber meets the road - where you put your money where your mouth is......Do I really trust God to take care of me....Do I really think He has my best interest at heart....Yes, I do, I just have to take a step back and look at what He has done for me......and know, with all my heart - the He will continue to walk beside me - I just have to learn to not get ahead of Him.

Here HE is.......

Yes, we have a little "Mr." - we are all soooooo excited - especially Landon (Daddy) - we about had to scrap him off the ceiling.

Most times the tech doing the ultra-sound has to tell you what the sex of the baby is - well she didn't have to say a thing......

I would put captions under the pictures, but Brandi emailed these to me as one - so the explanations are at the bottom.........

Picture #1 - is the profile - he's head is to the right and the feet to the left - you can see his nose and little cheeks - his hand is on the other side of his head in the air.

Picture #2 - is the 4-D picture of his back and legs - his little feet are crossed - he is still very skeletal - she is 20 weeks - they said they really didn't like to show the face on ones of these just yet - because it is a litte "scary" looking. I said he looks like a little dinosaur - so right now he's name is "Dino".

Picture #3 - the "money" picture - like I said they didn't have to say what it was - we all screamed boy when we saw this. The legs are in a "V" - and the arrow is point to the "boy part" - I hope I don't get in trouble for showing this!!!!

A friend of Brandi's had lunch with us after the ultra-sound and she said she had never seen one so obvious -she felt like she should not be looking at that!!!!!!!

So needless to say - we are all so excited - but we cannot come up with a boy name - the last name is Jones - so we need a really "kickin'" first name.....any suggestions??????

BTW....did I mention I am just SICK over losing my camera!!!!!!

BOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOO......

I have lost my camera!!!!

I am sick, sick, sick!!!!

I was cleaning out my car before going to work - I had it in my hand - I either threw it away with the trash from the car, or drove off with it on top of the car!!!!

It was only a Kodak EasyShare, but it was ALL I had!!!

What's a blog without pictures....it's kinda like trying to talk with your hands tied, and God knows I can't do that!!!!

I do have some news - and even a couple of pictures to go with it!!

We found out what Brandi and Landon's baby is...........

Take a guess and I will be back soon with the news......

(Did I mention....I am just SICK about my camera!!!)

Good Friends!!!!

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of

one best friend, and then I started to become a woman.

And then I found out that if you allow your heart to

open up, God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend's best is needed when you're going through things with your children.

Another friend's best is needed when you're going through things with your mom.

Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

TO MY GIRLS... I love you!

One friend will say let's pray together, another let's cry together,

another let's fight together, another let's walk away together.

One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your shoe fetish,

another your love for movies, another will be with you in your season of confusion,

another will be your clarifier, another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion,

on whatever the day, or wherever you need them to meet you...

with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back or to hold you back from

making a complete fool of yourself .... those are your friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many it's wrapped up in several....

one from 7th grade, one from high school, several from the college years,

a couple from old jobs, several from church, on some days your mother,

on others your sisters, and on some days

it's the one that you needed just for that day or week when you needed someone

with a fresh perspective, or the one who didn't know all your baggage, or the

one who would just listen without judging... those are good girlfriends/best friends.

I thank my girlfriends, those who honor intimacy, those who hold trust,

and those who hold me up when life is just too heavy!

The special bond we share is unique.

Thanks for the words we've shared.

The prayers we've sent up.

The laughs, the tears, the phone calls, the emails,

the shopping, the movies, the lunches, the dinners,

the talking, talking, talking and the listening, listening, listening....

So whether you've been there 20 minutes or 40 years,

I love you!

Eatin' crawfish....

We had some great crawfish this weekend - I'm in Louisiana and this is just a staple of our diet!!!

They really do taste good - they just don't look so pretty - and there is definitely a technique involved in eatin' them.

As you can see, daughter Brandi and hubby Landon are really concentrating on their work.....

...and since they are usually more trouble than they are worth to me....I had shrimp......

This is at one of those great Cajun type restaurants - where you eat out on the back porch and they have these huge fans blowing - great place to relax and visit....

...daughter Kelsi, and my brother, Kelly

Brandi & Landon

we grow 'em really big down here!!!!

Looks like small lobster!!!!

I just love these "gas" cartoons

Kinda busy right now - life, work, etc.

Be back later........

A Funny for the Weekend....

Randon.....

Has anyone tried these little thingys??

Very good.....I bought them because I thought they were sweetened, flavored creamers - well, there is no cream involved - just flavored Splenda for your coffee. So I add some 1/2 & 1/2 to make it a pretty color.....

I do love coffee, but I'm a sissy coffee drinker - I have to have mine all "decorated" - after watching me fix my coffee, people have commented, "Like a little coffee with your sugar and cream!"...and that's about right.

...and I just love the shape of them....that's why I buy most products...I think they are cute!!!

This birthday is going on forever....and it's quite alright with me!!!!

I got this card in the mail the other day with this beautiful needlepoint bookmark...this is from a bloggin' buddy from another site - years ago - she is the sweetest - I get cards in the mail from her all the time and they just seem to arrive just when I need them. She really listens when God speaks!!!! I love ya, Cathie!!

Kelsi has decided to play summer ball - she is on the HS softball team - and will continue to play this summer on this team. Yes, it is very hot and miserable, but she will be a Jr. this year - so I need to enjoy the "torture" while it lasts!!!!

I played softball in HS - so at least I do understand what is going on!!!!!

She can be such a tomboy - my oldest daughter, Brandi, didn't like to get dirty - so sports was something she NEVER did!!!

But Kelsi can also be such a girl!!! ...and then she did this.....
Lord, give me strength!!!!!!!

The last of Judy's house.....

Well, this is the finale - I hate to leave Judy's house.....

This is one of my very favorite pieces....have a said that a lot....I love almost everything in her house....It really is my DREAM house!!!

This is where she keeps the TV - and this photo does NOT do it justice - it is exquisite!!!!!

When you walk through her front door this is what you see....so very cozy
This is to the left...I love the fabric on the footstool.....

....look to the left when you walk in the door and this is what you see.... a very cozy little sitting area.....very inviting....

a quick shot of the kitchen - I just noticed her cabinets are just like mine and I hate mine - (what I meant was - they are the same style and mine are still ugly brown and hers and a pretty color) -I've got to get those painted...Judy, what color is that????

the eating area - you see more of her kitchen through here - I know we could have moved the newspaper - but this is a real house....and I love it.....

I know see so many things I didn't get - more of her kitchen for one and she has another guest room that is very cute....another day....

Thank you so much, dear friend, for letting me roam around your house and take pictures...I love you to pieces!!!!!!!

More of Judy's House....

...we're back at Judy's house - here is Judy and Darcy...Judy is saying, "You're going to do what with those pictures...uh....What's a blog??

This is my favorite thing in her house - I just love this....

I love the color of the walls......
Mantle........


other side of mantle.....
...this is kinda dark....love this iron angel....

Guest room - see that cute chandelier on wall.......

heeerreeee it is.....

I just love all the tin pieces.....

Guest bedroom - like this built-in....

...close up....

sitting area in master bedroom - another of my favorite spots....

this little vignette sits on the trunk by the chair in the previous post (I really wanted to say vinaigrette!!!!!!!)

I'm really into turquoise/aqua right now - I wonder if she would miss this plate....

Master bedroom with Miss Darcy........

All for now - tomorrow I have a few more pictures of Judy's house and then I gotta find something else to talk about..........