Cock-a-doodle-doo

It's fun waking up knowing you get to go meet some beautiful friends for breakfast.  Have I mentioned what a blessing these ladies (and the rest of the gals) are to me?  They came into my life when I was praying for something new to fill my void.  Larry was consumed in his responsibilities and I was feeling .........(fill in the blank)  I needed these ladies and they have been such a blessing to me.  I literally felt my soul light up by having them include me!  I have grown so attached to each of these dear friends and I worry about them when I haven't seen them for awhile.  I also worry when they aren't able to come to our outings because they have to work.  So I suggested we get together on a Saturday.  It was nice hearing what's going on with their lives a bit.  I worry about Karie.....it's a blessing she is still here with us.  She has been fighting cancer for years and there isn't anything more the doctors can do for her and she is tired of the fight.  She's amazing and has such a great attitude.  She will just continue with the things she is doing and hopefully be with us for many more years.  I love her....and all my friends.

I find myself listening to Satan....he whispers in my ear "you shouldn't call the shots....remember they let you in their group."  "the others didn't come because you are taking over" and on and on....but then I think...there might be a reason you are thinking of them...maybe they need an out and are just waiting for someone to ask them or get one going.  Today with all those thoughts going through my head I remembered a quote I have read..."No matter how good a person you are, there will always be someone criticizing you."  I'm trying so hard to please the Lord...He is my TOP priority!  If he prompts me to do something I am going to try to be strong enough to do it and try to be strong enough to know that those negative thoughts are from Satan. (and not real)  Plus, if Satan is trying to get me not to do something I must really be meant to do it.

Sometimes it is so hard to balance life...friends...family....everything!   Focusing on the Lord helps so much...HE is the ONE that matters!

Festival of Trees

I'm through with Festival for another year.  I really enjoy helping out with the Festival of Trees since it's such a noble and good cause....all profits go to the Primary Children's Medical Center.  It really is a huge event where so many help and contribute.  I like working with my cute friend Heather.  When she asked me to be on her committee I just couldn't tell her no.  I'm glad I have this opportunity and I love seeing Heather!

This year for my treats that I donate for the Sweet Shoppe I made Pumpkin Brownies.  They were so easy and I liked the way I wrapped and presented them.  I think I might do them again next year.  To make them you use a brownie mix and add a 10 oz can of pumpkin.  Mix together and cook at 350 for 30 minutes in a cake pan.  Ta Da that's it!  I made cream cheese frosting and put a little dab on top of each piece using my cake decorator.  To make it I used 4 oz of butter and 4 oz of cream cheese (both softened) and 1 tsp vanilla and about 2 cups powdered sugar.  Simple Simon....I like simple.  I took a plate down to share with the other volunteers I was working with and they were a hit.  (the frosting adds a lot)

I guess I will continue helping with Festival of Trees as long as Heather is over a  Committee ... if things change for her they just might change for me too.  However, I believe after helping the last few years that I would still volunteer for a day.  I Feel Good!

I need an Exterminator.....I'm Bugged!

I have said it many times: "The more you do for some people, the more they expect and the less they appreciate you."  My mom would say: "You're Damned if You Do and You're Damned if You Don't".  I am in trouble with some family members and it breaks my heart.  I guess I was expected to personally invite everyone to our Thanksgiving dinner.....truthfully....it never crossed my mind which also bugs me.  Since Darinda and I have been rotating hosting Thanksgiving dinner and the Christmas Party for over 15 years I just assumed the whole family knew what to expect.  I assumed we all knew we were always invited.  I assumed that if anyone wanted to join us they would call to see what they could bring and what time was decided.  I found out that my "assuming" was wrong.  My defensive side says "no one invited me to theirs.....no one else has ever offered to host Thanksgiving or the Christmas party".

I feel sick!  I would never leave anyone out intentionally.  I worry about hurting others feelings and try so hard not to but no matter what I still seem to.  I text the four that I know are mad and not one responded! :(  (I apologized)  When I tried calling a few of them on Thanksgiving they wouldn't answer....I didn't realize why at the time. (still didn't cross my mind)

This quote showed up on my FB page: "YOU'RE NOT REALLY FREE until you're free from trying TO PLEASE EVERYBODY."  I don't know that I will ever be free then.  As much as I try not to worry about pleasing everyone when I realize I haven't... I care.....I hurt.

I forced myself to smile....here's the good part.....it HELPED!  It's so hard to be sad when we are smiling.  (Smiling is Magical!)  I did my best....I could have done better.  If I had thought about inviting them and hadn't I would feel bad but since it hadn't crossed my mind I figure I did my best. It's not easy hosting all the time.  It's even a little stressful but I would rather do it than not. (the sad thing is my mind really doesn't remember everything these days...sometimes that's good~sometimes it's not)

I love being around extended family.  I enjoy seeing my kids mingle with their cousins and my grands with the other grands.  I prayed a lot today....I hope those that I have offended forgive me.  I hope that I will remember better.  I pray this doesn't last long....the bad feelings towards me.  The only bad feelings I have are knowing I hurt the others.  I love them all and if they really think about it they know that.

Satan is real!  He tells us to be offended. He tells us not to respond or communicate.  He whispers lies in our heads.  He loves us to be mad.  He loves us to be defensive.  He loves us to separate ourselves from our loved ones.  He loves us to be miserable like he is!

Jesus is also real!  He tells us to forgive to turn the other cheek!  He tells us to love unconditionally!   He tells us our best is okay!  He loves us and wants us to be Happy!

I Choose Jesus....I Choose to be Happy!

Ropelato's + Coy's = Fun

Our Thanksgiving Tradition has been altered and adjusted.  Sherwood Hills was sold and isn't a place for families anymore.  I think it's a correctional center of some sort.  I couldn't believe it.....didn't they consider us families that came every year (like 20) for the Thanksgiving Weekend?  We even use to get the same room for many years.....so sad.  I didn't know how we would adjust but Tonya's family came up with a great idea.  We would plan Fun around here.  Having our families together is the important part.

We went to breakfast in Roy and those who could come did.  It was all decided just a few days earlier and so a lot of us had other things planned already but that's okay.  We usually just have suggestions and those who want to participate can.  (Larry and our boys were fencing so the cows won't get out)

After breakfast we met at the Bowling Alley in Roy and to our surprise we were the only ones there for a minute or so and then others came.  More of my family showed up to bowl and we all had a great time. I like bowling with our families.  It's so fun seeing everyone improve and have a good time.  I enjoy seeing everyone visit and get reacquainted. The little's don't see each other often enough to remember each other but it never takes them long to renew their friendships with each other.

We then went to our house.  It was suggested that we rent a church but our house has enough room and is more cozy.  The guys went out in the field and shot skeet.  They were gone for quite awhile. Those of us who didn't want to shoot were just visiting and having a good time.  It's so nice having a day set aside especially for our families.  We have so many good memories of our Thanksgiving Tradition.  It's a favorite of mine!

When the guys came back in we had soup and snacks ready.  More visiting took place as we ate.

After we cleaned up from eating we played some "Minute To Win It" games.  Amity brought everything we needed and took charge.  Right off she made Tonya and I captain of teams and made us choose teams. Tough Love....she called it!  How do you pick?  I hate picking teams because I always worry about hurting someone's feelings.  Tonya and I decided quickly between ourselves to choose the youngest first and work our way up.  It worked out fine and I don't think any feelings were hurt.  The games were so fun and we all laughed and had a great time.  I think my team ended up winning by one but it didn't matter.  We all had a fun time.  I told Amity she should save her ideas and we could repeat them in years to come.  It was fun watching everyone participate and have a good time.

Then we put a movie on for the kids and those who wanted played a "Quarter" game.  You needed $3 worth of quarters to play.  It was fun but I think instead of quarters we could use penny's or candy.  (I don't like losing money....however I didn't mind seeing others win....so it's all good...it's just $3....unless you provide 6 others with their quarters)  It was fun.  Playing games together is always so much fun and we have learned some really fun games over the years.

I'm glad we didn't let this tradition slip away with the selling of Sherwood Hills.  I hope that getting together with the Coy's will continue for many years....like forever!

What a fun few days....very long days but loaded with lot's of fun, laughter and love!

Gobble Gobble

This year I hosted the Ropelato Thanksgiving Dinner.  Darinda and I take turns and have done so for many years.  I like knowing what to expect from year to year. Before we started taking turns I always felt so uncertain of what to expect on Thanksgiving....I love knowing where our family will be and who we will be celebrating with.

We had a pretty good group this year and we enjoyed the whole day together.  The first to arrive came around noon and the last to leave was after 11:00 so it was a long day filled with lots of love and food. The weather was nice and the kids loved playing outside.

I love how the Holidays bring families together. It's a time of year we do take time to visit with our loved ones.  Shari and her family came from Pennsylvania to spend the Holiday with us.  It's so fun seeing them.  Jared and Cameron can't get enough of each other....so great seeing the love between cousins.

It was a fun day and very little stress.  I did get a head ache about a half hour before anyone showed up and I did get a bit upset when I went to get something from a cupboard and things had been shoved in there and were a mess.  I growled and shed a few tears and it was over. (the headache meds kicked in quick) The rest of the day was wonderful....

I'm Thankful for everything little thing I have and enjoy.  I am most Thankful for Family and Friends and the time we get to share together making memories.  I am Thankful for a Loving Heavenly Father who is the source of ALL blessings....not the Universe or anything else....our Blessing our from Heavenly Father....every single one.

Build Me up Buttercup

That "title" just popped in my head...so there it will be.  Build Me up Buttercup!  When we are having a hard time it's nice to have friends to tell that will love us and build us up.  Today a little bit of that was done for Davaleen.  Dave had been on my mind and wondered if she was okay.  I knew that her daughter had been giving her some problems and since I haven't heard from her much I thought I'd better check.  Good thing I did!  Some unpleasant things have happened and she needed some friends.

I was a little late because I forgot a "Sunshine" Bag for her and I knew she truly needed it.  I text her to tell her I'd be late because I had to turn around but I'd be right there.  Funny that the thought had crossed her mind that I might have a treat for her!  Good thing I did...honestly that has happened before...someone thinking that I might be bringing them a treat.  I don't think that is a coincident..I just don't.  

We went for breakfast since Davaleen works in the afternoon.  It was a great way to start the day.  So much better than walking in the cold temps we are having and freezing my bottom off. (if it would freeze my middle off...I'd go no matter how cold)  I love that Kathy lives close and likes to go too.  It's fun spending time with her and I know that it helps her health issues by getting out.  Glad we are all able to bless each other.  Friends are such an important part of my life....I'm glad I have such wonderful ones!

Lots of Sunshine

Well this weekend was a good weekend for Scattering Sunshine.  I knew I was suppose to give a Sunshine bag to Heather and The Malone's but have waited....okay procrastinated.  But Yippee...I did it this weekend.  I gave Heather one on our way to the play.  Heather deserves more than a Sunshine Bag for everything she does and has been through.  Her little path in life has not been easy but she has managed to keep a smile and push forward anyway.  Heather is my Hero.

The Briggs recently moved and I knew that they could really use a little Sunshine Scattered their way. I have really learned to love this family.  They are a good family and try so hard at so many things.  They are always busy improving and developing their talents and supporting each other.  I really like them and they have shown much kindness to me.

The Malone's are just great.  They sacrifice so much time for  Building Up The Kingdom of God. It's not easy being  so involved in the Gospel and being stretched and shared by so many.  They have my love and support and should have their ticket now to enter into the Celestial Kingdom.  I love them and appreciate them!

 Davaleen is wonderful.  Her life has not been easy but she manages to smile and get through each day.  She is so caring and takes care of her mother and does so much for her kids.  Davaleen is a kind person.  I hope and pray that she never gives up.  She has been a blessing in my life!

***Time to make more Sunshine Bags***