Joyful Migration

 

All last week people were talking about the Monarch Butterflies migrating. I didn’t see one. Nope, not one. At first, I told myself that the people who were posting pictures on Facebook lived further north and little more west. Then co-workers mentioned them, and I still hadn’t seen one. My local news reported on them and I hadn’t seen one.  Finally, we were driving home from Mom’s on Sunday and Mr. G pointed one out. It was so beautiful, and from then on, I saw them everywhere. There were hundreds of them all the way home.

dallastrinitytrails.blogspot.com

 

I wonder if they had been there all along and I was just so caught up in myself that I didn’t notice. Did I just need someone to point out the beauty for me to see? How may did miss?

The other morning, I woke up and I was grumpy. I had pushed snooze several times. Stupid alarm. I stumbled to the bathroom. The exhaust fan automatically comes on with the light. It is loud. Stupid fan. I went to the kitchen. I weighed. Stupid scale. Stupid calories. I tried to start my bible study, but my brain couldn’t process. I grabbed my prayer journal and started writing.

“What is wrong with me? I am so blessed, why am I so moody today? Why? Why have I snapped at the most patient man, the man of my prayers and dreams? Why have I scowled at the reflection in the mirror and been so critical of your creation, Lord?”

I heard. “My grace is sufficient. Choose Joy”.

“But Lord, my hair is really frizzy and the clothes in the dryer are still damp and that political post on Facebook is unfair and incorrect.”

“My grace is sufficient. Choose Joy”.

“I will try, Lord.”

And I did. I made an effort to smile. Let it go. Choose joy. Two more times that day I heard someone mention choosing joy or being joyful. I wasn’t perfect, but I was better. The more I heard joy mentioned, the more I things I noticed to be happy about. The more things I noted that were praiseworthy.

I wonder if like the butterflies those things had been there all along. I had been so caught up with myself that I didn’t even notice. I wonder how many joyful things I miss?  Thank you, Lord for pointing out the Joy when I choose to look for it.

 

 

Faith, Love & Summer Camp

I honestly don't know how summer camps stay in business. I don't know how any child ever gets an education. I sure don't know how our military has enough people to defend the nation. Because I have trouble understanding how any parent can allow their child go off to camp or start kindergarten or enlist is the military!

 

We kept Super B for 4 days and nights while his big brother was at camp and his parents took a much needed trip away. I was worried. This isn't like "hey, can you grab the mail and water my tomatoes while we are out of town?" Nope, this was "we are going to be four hours away and this is our youngest, precious son." Mr. G and I neither one have kids of our own. We aren't particularly close to any family or friends with kids. At least not any where we would rank very high on the available baby sitter list. But Super B had school and we are his caregivers. Of course we would keep him. But did I mention I was a little nervous?

I mean, what if he cried?
He usually never cries. In fact, he won award for best smile/giggle at school.

What if he got homesick?
Please. This kid is a rock-star traveler.

What if he got sick?
We had phone numbers and instructions and meds and a first aid kit and...we were covered.

When all was said and done it was an awesome week! We had fun. We had burritos. We watched Finding Dory.  Mr. G took Super B to get a haircut. I kicked a table leg bare footed and didn't say the words I really wanted. We basically kept to our normal routine. Today, when we handed him off to his cousin who was so excited to spend the day with him I was a little misty.  I hugged him real close for an extra few seconds or maybe it was more like an extra 114 seconds (What? No one had an actual stop watch!). I'm going to miss him when he goes to camp next week.

In the end, there was not one single valid reason to worry about this week. In the spirit of full disclosure: we are with him from 5+ hours every week day, so it's not like any of this worry was rational. That is often the essence of worry it's irrational.

Especially if you are a Christian.

One of my good friends and her husband are foster parents. I asked her one time if it's hard to let the kids move on from her home. She said, "not if I know they are going to a good situation." (That's love.) What if they aren't? "I just have to trust God for me and for them." (That's faith.)

Faith and Love.

That's the only way I can figure that any parent can do it. After 4 days, I was clingy. Faith in God is the only way I could imagine that anyone could parent well. The only way I could understand how they would be able to let go. Faith and loving them enough to do what is best for them.

So this post is:

1. A salute to parents everywhere. You got this 'cause God's got you. You and your littles.
2. A reminder to Christians. Faith over Fear, Y'all. Faith over fear.
3. A reminder to me: Fear is a big fat liar.
4. An announcement that I am going to be napping if anyone needs me. It was fun, but I tired.

HAVE FUN AT CAMP, SUPER B!! SEE YOU IN A WEEK, KIDDO!

 

Fret for Months, Finish in Minutes

https://www.teeturtle.com/products/pro-in-procrastinate?variant=32323961097

When we moved into the apartment we mounted the TV on the wall. We put a cheap-o bookshelf underneath to hold the components and...wait for it...BOOKS! How practical and unique. The wires running every which way annoyed me to no end. So I did what I do...I found a solution on Pinterest.

     (For those of you playing the drinking game version of this blog...I said Pinterest. DRINK!)

Fast forward maybe 4 or 5 months. I found some fabric that I liked to cover the back of the shelves. I also bought enough to cover a few pillows. $2.43 - problem solved!?

Not so fast. If you thought waiting 4-5 months to purchase the fabric was bad, you clearly did not read the cute panda meme at the top of this post. I am no amateur.  The next step of this project was to leave the fabric along with a new pack of Mentos (that I just knew I had bought, but couldn't find!) in the bag for another month or so. Now I had 2 things to annoy me: crazy wires and a bag of stuff just sitting in a chair.

Finally, one night when the husband was out of town, and it was a little past bed time, and I couldn't find another thing to do instead - I began the project. I cut the width of the fabric to fit the shelf. Then I measured the top shelf and subtracted an inch to allow for the wires to go out and down to the plugs. I did the same for the second shelf.   I have tall books and photo albums on the third shelf so, (I'm gonna keep it real here)  I DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER with it. Yep, you read that right. I'm a procrastinator AND a rebel.

I took thumbtacks and attached the fabric to the back of the shelf. This measuring, cutting, and attaching the fabric took about 5-10 minutes. I really like the results and Mr. G does too...of course the wires never bothered him, he just thinks the update looks better.

BEFORE

AFTER

Since it was still past when I should have been in bed, I went ahead and stayed up another hour or two watching Netflix in front of a very less annoying TV. Hey, I was left unsupervised.

By the way, don't get all up in my grill about re-covering the pillows with the remaining fabric. It's only taken me a few weeks to write this blog about the shelf protect...there's  no need to rush things.



Get Rich Quick

Financial Advisor Puppy

The radio financial guru advised the female caller

To find her passion, make it pay, and soon you’ll be a baller.

It spoke to me as I sat there in my office parking lot.

What we have is plenty, but the bank account is not.

Find your passion, huh? I pondered through the day.

What really gets me moving and carries my mind away?

Well, I’m in to funky jewelry, Facebook and gooey queso

I also like music, pedicures and funny game shows.

Puppies, football, fishing and Dr. Pepper over ice

I get a thrill from buying things at the very cheapest price.

I like crochet and baking pies – though I’m not good at either

Zumba’s cool, but it’s not long before I need a breather.

Playing forty two and dominoes are also pretty fun,

But nothing beats that feeling when the laundry’s finally done

Speaking of…clean sheet night surely ranks real high.

Good hair days, making lists, and buying school supplies.

And I wish they paid money to listen to old hymns

Or for West Texas sunsets ‘cause I’ve watched lots of them

Did ya ever see a wanted ad for a Super Baseball Fan?

Or ask about the details of cruising backroads health care plan?

Long walks on moonlit beaches really soothe my soul

Christmas Eve and Easter Morning will make my spirit whole.

Sleepy Saturday mornings and best friends that are true.

Date night buffets and crosswords and spending time with you.

My list of passions is extensive and lofty are my dreams
So I was reminded that money can’t buy these things

I’m surrounded by my loved ones, and thank the Lord, I am healthy

Simple abundance. Wrapped in love. What da ya know? I’M WEALTHY.

Carrie Griffith

4/29/18

Every Good and Perfect Gift...

All babies are blessings, but sometimes when fears of fertility issues have been looming, God's gift seems more special. Let me put it another way: This friend and this baby had been prayed for by many.

Hint: The Preggo Chick is the one on the left. (Isn't she beautiful??)

I was so excited to crochet my first baby gift!!  I attended the shower on January 20th. I delivered the gift on February 3th. HA! Who is surprised? I chose to do a simple project in the nursery colors of lilac and sage green. Turns out the people who post things about quick and easy projects are perhaps a little more experienced than I. It's either that or they live in a different time space continuum.

At one point the whole blanket was going to be the little sea dollar circles that form the flowers. I am not good at math, but I figured out it was going to take a boat load of them to finish a whole blanket. So I modified the project in order to present it before her high school graduation. Also, I learned to do a shell edging that really was the finished it off! I really was proud of how the blanket turned out, and since I had all that "extra" time I created a head band, too

 

 

If I was proud of my project before, a couple of weeks ago I received a text...

 



Charis Rose Harris

 

Y'ALL!! ISN'T SHE THE SWEETEST?!?

G is for Getting Crafty

Our bedroom has a whole lotta wall space and I wanted to do something soothing and cheap! I'm sure I saw this idea somewhere. I am also sure if you focus and pay close attention you can follow these super complicated steps. [insert eye roll]
Seriously, you guys know if this project were very complicated, I would have completely lost interest before it was done. Basically here's how this all went down:

 I gathered up the supplies and completed this project while watching college basketball. Texas A&M Aggies over the defending National Champions North Carolina Tarheels! Whoop! Gig Em!!

Holy moly I am easily sidetracked...where were we? Oh yeah....

I gathered up the supplies:

 

blurry,close up pic of fabric choice

 

I bought a 2 pack of stretched canvass, a pre-cut quilter's square in a print I liked and some spray adhesive at Wal-Mart for around $10. You could use a glue gun instead of spray adhesive and that might work better, but I needed the adhesive for another project, so I went with that. Also,scissors and a trash bag to use as a drop cloth and I was ready to go! 

 

 

 

I ironed the fabric - really, I did. You should do better if you choose to do this project for yourself. Then, I spread the trash bag out laid out the fabric - good side down and placed the canvass on top to measure and cut. 

 

 

Using the spray adhesive I first glued the front side to the fabric. Work around edge to edge I used the spray to wrap the fabric around the back of the canvass. Ta-Da!! I told y'all it was complicated.

 

 

In an earlier post, I wrote about the Fall Girl's Weekend. I don't think I told y'all that we had planned to go do one of those paint and drink wine things. Well, we didn't get signed up in time and the class was full. We solved that problem by going to a drive thru Daiquiri place and Hobby Lobby. We drank and painted in PJs in the hotel room.  Seriously, it's this sort of thing that makes these my people!!We picked a word, Heather drew it out, we filled it with a paint pen, we talked about men, we talked about kids, we talked about work, we talked about cheese or tacos or cookie recipes, we ate chocolate éclairs, we laughed, we saved $35 bucks a piece... good stuff...

 

Oh, yeah and I ended up with this really cool BLESSED canvass.

 

 

 

 

The next step of this project took the longest. I held up these 3 canvasses against every wall in my bedroom and in every imaginable configuration. Side by side on the bathroom wall, stacked like a cross over by the dresser, at a weird diagonal by the window. I finally settled on an arch above the bed. I wanted the feather, fabric above the night stands, but now that I see these pictures, I think I want to move it in toward the Blessed canvass. Here's the issue. This is a rental. I want my deposit back. They may stay put. Then again, it may bother me enough that one day I move them. We'll see. Stay tuned!

 

 

 

Selling the Cows

People have told me that the year of firsts is the hardest after a loved one passes. First birthday, first anniversary, first Christmas. I won't lie, Christmas was hard, but it was also good. It was purposely different. We did different things and ate different food. We celebrated at a different place. We made it through. I know those firsts hurdles will be hard, but we expect them to be and so I think we are kind of prepared for that hard. There's a different kind of hard that no one warns you about. It's the common things that sneak up from nowhere and clobber you with their hard. It's the day to day sucker punch hard like the empty desk chair, not smelling morning coffee, no random morning Facebook messages. It's the usual, routine, blind side hard that I really am starting to be edgy about.

We have been very blessed by neighbors, family, friends, co-workers who have been there at ready to help with the hard. They have supported us for months of bad health and hospitals and late night calls and ambulance rides. They have mowed yards and covered work and listened and weaned calves and fed the dog. Even at their very best, with their big hearts and kind words, they cannot hold back the stampede of hard that comes some days without warning.

Yesterday, the neighbors fed the last round bale of hay. This coming week, more neighbors and friends will come and help load the cows and calves and take them to the sale barn. It is winter and the grass is gone and now, so is the hay. In all honesty the calves should have been sold months ago and that was the plan. The cows are bred and will have calves in the spring. That was also the plan. Saying goodbye was not the plan.

 

This is just more hard. None of us will be there. Mom has plans to go to an out-of-town doctor appointment. Derek and I will be at work. We are thankful for these neighbors and forever indebted for their above and beyond kind of love. We just can't. There is no real emotional attachment to these cows. I'm a country girl at heart. I've hand fed an animal, cared for it, showed it, and then walked it to be loaded on a truck headed to the meat packer. It's part of it. This time is different. Mom was explaining to the neighbor why we can't/won't be there to help them load the cows and calves and she said it best: "I will not miss the cows, but I sure will miss the Cowboy."

 

We know this is all in God's plan. We know He carries us through the hard and assures us that the easy will come. We have the truth of His word and are claiming this promise found in  Matthew 11:28-30  (NKJV).

 

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 



 



2017 Review of Goals

Goals:

1. Find a church home
2. 45 by 45 (Lose 45 pounds before my 45th Birthday)
3. Work on Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps
4. Finish something I started
5. Become more active in our community
6. Learn new things
7. Do something I've never done

Sept - Dec
Life happened. Sept 2nd, Dad had his first medical incident and was in and out of the hospital from then until December 7th. We had his funeral and then came the holidays. I had life to live a new job to learn, my focus shifted, and I'm okay with that. For the most part, with help of an awesome husband, amazing friends and family,  I kept myself together.I loved on my family and I am being kind to myself.  I will not let the last 3 months of the year overshadow the first 9.  Priorities. 

August (Goals)
*Learn new job
*Unpack & Decorate apartment
*Organize & De-clutter

July (Goals)
* Survive Still Standing
* Pack everything, attend reunion, find a job, find an apartment...Amazed  & Blessed

June (Goals & Results)
*Read Shauna Neiquist's, "Present Over Perfect" Sooo good!
*Complete 30 Day Shred & Continue Morning Work-Outs
*Organize Spare Bedroom aka Junk Room Done!
*Enjoy Summer/Celebrate Derek's Birthday/Watch Baseball Check, check & Check!!

May (Goals & Results)
* New Beth Moore Bible Study -Loved this!!
* Walk Across Texas - Finished this up! My team is awesome, even if we didn't win!!
* Jillian Michael's Beginners 30-Day Shred - I didn't complete this, but I did do 20 days which is farther than I have made it in the past. I am proud of the work I did and I will get it finished in June!

April (Goals & Results)
* Continue Bible Study - 4 more weeks to go! Really am enjoying it so far. Great Bible Study!
* Walk Across Texas - I am a team captain for this 8 week program. I have set a goal to walk at least 150 miles over the next 2 months. I think this will be fun and it will be helpful to have 7 other people on my team pushing each other. We are in 2nd Place so far!! I am proud of my team and I am going to step it up a little. We got this!
* Read ____________ (???)
* Re-establish Morning & Before Bed Routines I am most proud of how this turned out! The mornings especially. The before bed can use some work, but I'm getting there. I will share my plan in a blog post later.

March (Goals & Results)
* Continue Bible Study - We are on week 4. I really want to be more accountable to the scripture memorization that goes along with each week. Maybe I will find an accountability partner for this. I have continued with this study, but as a group we have struggled to find a meeting time that we can all consistently attend. Also, I have not memorized the scripture as I intended.
* Walk 100 miles & work up to jogging 1 Mile - I don't know that I can accomplish the jogging part in a month, but I do know that I will never accomplish it if I don't start some time. At the beginning of the month I did work on building stamina and jogging. However in the end I only walked 48.54 miles. I still lost 0.6 lbs and 3 inches. I guess the bright side is I know what I need to do to maintain my weight.
* 30 Day Ab Challenge - Found this on Pinterest. My mid-section is the area I feel needs the most work. I completed 18 days of this challenge. I think this may be the real reason for the 3 inches I lost.
* Miracle Morning Challenge - I am excited about creating an improved list of affirmations and a dream board and changing my morning routine. I hope to improve attitudes and faith walk. Eh...
* Read Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace" - I have read bits and pieces of this book for reference, but I don't remember ever reading the whole thing. I read one chapter.
*Anti-procrastination Month - I have several things that I have been putting off: Name change on SS card, Renewing License to Carry, Scheduling annual health check-ups... Most successful of the March goals. I did do the paperwork to change my name on several accounts and my social security card and I had my annual check up. (BTW, one of the test was abnormal I have to go back this week for a follow up appointment. Prayers, please!) I did not, however, get my License to Carry renewed.

February (Goals & Results)
*Start a new bible study - began a 12 week "First Place 4 Health" study with 7 of my bank friends. We are trying to both meet once a week for those who can and use a Facebook group for those who can't.
*Stay off Facebook for 1 month - After reading One Month to Live in January it became apparent to me that I spend way too much time reading about other people's lives instead of living mine.  God has given me talents and passions. Those are the things that will bring my life joy and meaning. That is how I should be spending my time. - I did it! It wasn't as bad a I thought I might be and I will share some things I learned in a future blog post.
*Walk 75 miles - Sounds like a huge goal to me! I let myself slide on things too often. I hope this goal will keep me focused and on track.- I DID IT!!!! 75.17 miles. I lost 2 more lbs and a total of 7 inches!
*Crochet Class - This is being offered here locally and my mother-in-law of 6 months is taking it too! I am excited about learning something new and getting to know her better. I  really enjoyed this class! I plan to continue meeting once a week with these ladies to chit chat and learn more stitches. A very relaxing way to pass the time and avoid evening snacking!

January (Results)
*completed One Month to Live book/study with new friends
*focused on moving more, eating fewer carbs - LOST 5 LBS!!!!
*helping plan a health fair for the community

Ronnal E Bruton, Ron, Mr. B, Daddy

 

 

1945-2017
Ronnal E Bruton was born at the home of his grandparents in Bynum, Texas on November 26, 1945 to JW & Willie (Waller) Bruton. JW was serving in the US Army in Illinois at the time of his birth, and Willie’s brothers sent a telegram to JW that his daughter had been born. Ronnal still had the little bracelet that his daddy brought, across the country to meet his first child.
He grew up in Dallas, Texas but he spent as much time as he could at his grandparents and cousins’ homes in rural Hill County. During school, he was a member of the ROTC and would tell stories about parking cars at Fair Park and getting to attend sporting events and concerts for free. He also raised and showed pigeons. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School.
He and his cousin, Frank Watson, roomed together in college even though both of their mothers were sure it was a bad idea. Two college degrees and only one broken bone later it turned out to be okay. Ron graduated from John Tarleton College in 1969. Later, when the college became Tarleton State University, he was given the opportunity to get a new diploma and class ring with the new name. “No thanks” he said, proudly, “I did not graduate from Tarleton State University, I graduated from Tarleton College!”

 

    It was during a summer internship for the USDA Farmer’s Home Administration, that Ronnal met a pretty girl, Phyllis Smith, who was waiting tables while home from college for the summer. He asked her to go with him to the rodeo in West, Texas and a week later he asked her to marry him. After a year long engagement, they were married on July 25, 1969. They welcomed their only child Carrie Melinda in July of 1972.
For 33 years, Ron worked as a County Supervisor also known as a Loan Officer for the Farmer’s Home Administration which later became the Farm Service Agency. He and Phyllis and Carrie moved all across the state for his job collecting friends and memories as they went – living in: Stephenville, Corsicana, DeKalb, New Boston, Belton, Big Spring, Lingleville, Mineral Wells and finally Morgan Mill. Through his work, he served farmers and ranchers in 18 different counties.
Ron loved to calf rope and team rope and did so every chance he got. He enjoyed having cows and raising calves. He also loved to “wet a line” as he called it. He didn’t need to catch a big fish; he just wanted to catch fish. He could sit for hours jerking perch. He loved to talk and tell stories, and he loved family.

    Ronnal was community minded and very active in the church wherever they lived. He had a heart for kids and has so many that claim him as a second dad. He was a 4-H Adult leader and would serve as the announcer for the stock show. He hauled kids and livestock many, many miles. For years, he worked the side entry gate at the Big Spring AJRA rodeo and learned to know many of those contestants and their families well. Any time anybody needed something, he was there. In fact, “He was there” is a pretty good description of his love of others. If someone he cared about graduated or got married or passed away or participated in an activity and he was able, then he was there. He and Phyllis would load up and drive across Texas to watch a cousin show a pig or a friend’s daughter play softball or to take his parents to the family reunion. The church needed to rent a van to send kids to camp, he was there. Somebody needed to run a weed-eater before Vacation Bible School, he was there. Can we bring out 30-40 kids from the youth group to your place for a hayride in below freezing temps? Sure, he was there. You need help moving 300 miles away? No problem. He was there, pulling a trailer.
He was always a man of action and a problem solver, but he was learning that praying for someone is often the best way to help. His love of Jesus, his love of family and friends, his willingness to serve and joyful spirit will be his legacy.

 

 

Hats of funeral attendees - hung up at the church for Dad's memorial service.