I was here this morning.

I'm getting ready to come back to "blogdrive"...

  Isn't it just so sad the things we do that move us away from where we really want to be with God?  What I mean is ...  sometimes without even realizing what's happening we misdirect our focus for what seems like such a short time, and before we know it much time has passed, and we look up, with eyes wide in wonder and puzzlement, and think "Good Grief!!!   "This is NOT where I wanted to be."  Have you ever done that?  I sure have, and it's been going on for a time. 
 You know, when I get into a nice, comfy, place I just want to stay there.  Since I moved I've told a number of people that "I'm like a "pig in a puddle."     I just want to "waller" around in the newfound peace and joy that the Lord has provided.   The only problem with that is that we have a tendency to get complacent and passive and we stop moving forward.   OR   Do you think maybe we sometimes need some time in one spot to rest and relax before the Lord is ready to move us along?????  I think I'm ready... Am I Lord?

  This heat is terrible.  I know we all probably say the same things every year, but this summer I really mean it.  My a/c quit working in my car and I've been unable to have it fixed.  The mechanic says I need a new compressor....  Sooooo, when I go to work or shopping it's with the windows down and hoping to not get stuck sitting at traffic lights or in traffic too long.    
 The only pleasant thing about it is that driving down the road sweating, with the windows down and the wind blowing through does bring back memories of years ago when we didn't even have any a/c in our cars. 

Nevertheless I sure do miss mine and when I get home I sure don't want to go anywhere else.  LOL

I sat on the back porch the other night.   I have my patio table out there and that's where I sit at least 3 times a day while Ginger wanders around the yard doing her thing.  The porch light was on and I sat there watching a spider (my spider) working furiously in it's web.  This spider had been there for a few weeks, had grown before my eyes, and as it grew it seemed to extend it's own little world outward periodically.  It's web started out very small and by the night I last saw it, which just happened to be the evening before a thunderstorm,  the size of its web had multiplied many times. 
  As I sat there and watched I remember thinking how large the spider itself had become and wondered if maybe I should get some bug spray or a flyswatter and just get rid of it.  I couldn't do that ... after watching this creature for so long it just seemed unnecessarily cruel of me to destroy it. 
  I could hear thunder rolling far off so I knew a storm was coming; and as I watched I realized the spider knew it too.  It was working faster and more frantically than I had ever seen it work.  Back and forth, up and down, around and around... it was moving and working so quickly, almost furiously,  in preparation for the storm.  I remember wondering how much of it's web would remain after the storm came through, and if it would simply rebuild it's home. 
  The next morning when I took my coffee and Ginger out to the porch the first thing I did was look for the spider.  It was gone, no web, no spider.  Nothing...

  How like the spider we are in our efforts to build a fortress that will sustain on this earth...

   I don't know what happened to me that I just stopped blogging for so long, but I have finally realized that I miss it a lot.  Since I moved, I've been like a pig in a mud puddle... LOL...just wallowing around in my own little puddle (my house and the peace of it).   Yes, my "hermit syndrome" set in for quite some time...  

  I've been getting out in the world  (the cyber-world)  through a couple of dating/social sites.  Do you think that's a ridiculous thing for a 60 (almost 61) year old to be doing?  I have to blame Cyndy for that... just kidding, Cyndy.  (She encouraged me to join a site.)
 
  I've had a Facebook page for quite a while (I've neglected it too) and a gentleman  from the UK began to correspond with me.  Well, one thing lead to another, and we became close e-mail friends for a time.  Nothing came of that, but the realization that even though I had convinced myself that I would live the rest of my life alone, by my own choice, God does not necessarily intend for my life to stay that way.  I discovered that I DO still have feelings!!  Go figure?? 

  It's been a great 3 months and I certainly have learned a lot about the world of cyber-dating and the people in it.  Some good; some bad... but I do miss my blog.

  So I am back, again... 

Yes, I know that I've been absent for quite a while.  I'm fine ... in fact I'm probably better than I have been in a long, long time.  Since I moved in the middle of April I've had a lot of unpacking, fixing, culling, stashing, cleaning, and, you know, the usual things to do.  But ... I take longer to do all those things than some people.  Add to that the fact that I've been sort of basking in the peace and tranquility I now have.  I've kind of been like a "pig in a mud puddle".  I know now that the cloud I lived under for so long was bigger and darker than I realized.  What a blessing to be out from under that dark cloud. 

You know, I'm 60 years old, soon will see 61, God willing, and I had lost sight of the fact that there are men, in particular,  who have a whole different attitude about life than what I had become accustomed to.   It's taken meeting a few different people to see that again.  After the last 8 to 10 years of being closed to the idea of any kind of relationship other than family and friends God has made it abundantly clear to me that there is still more. 

Some time back I said that change was beginning to come about in my life.   I can see it more clearly all the time.   I'll say more later on this subject.

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May You Be Blessed.

I got this update on my friend, Susan's, friend, Shanon today.  She still needs prayer.

Woo!  Hoo!  Surprise! Surprise!  I think I'm finally going to update.  I don't know if anyone has missed me, but I sure have missed all of my friends on here.  You all know who you are... ;) 

The good news is that I have finally moved into my little house in Falkville.  You know, the one I've been talking about off and on for 4 years now.  The one I've been working on and making payments on for the last 4 years. 
I actually moved almost 2 weeks ago, but you know, I'm a "granny" and "grannies are slow".   It took over a week to get my computer desk put together and my computer back online.  Add to that the fatigue from it all and I'd say I'm doing pretty good.   I have about 70% of the unpacking done.  That's not bad is it?  As far as I'm concerned it's great!  I can live with it.  I love the peace, and I love it that I feel so much less stress.  Maybe I can get my mind back to normal soon.  God is good and I know that He has His plan for my life.   If I can just be patient and stand strong I know everything will come together as He has planned.   You know me...I want what I want, when I want and that does not work in God's scheme of things. 

I got this e-mail from Beth a couple of days ago.   Beth has been my youngest daughter, Cyndy's, friend since they were in kindergarten and they're both almost 37 now.  I want to share it with you all.

Good morning, Rita!!

I have a list of friends and family I would like added to your prayer list please!!!  I know and fully believe that God hears and heals!!!
1. My Aunt Donna--she was just released from the hospital, she has COPD and Pneumonia.  She has been too sick for too long, I pray for her strength and healing.
2. My Mom, she is suffering from "shakiness" that concerns me.  And you know, good ol trooper Ida,she doesn't seek medical care as she should because she's always "fine".  Money is A LOT of the reason she doesn't go, she's struggles finacially due to our lovely government and the wonderful "social security" they provide. I pray for her to "let go and let God", for financial peace of mind, and also, her strength.  (Even though Mom's probably the strongest person I know…)
3.  A friend, single mother of 2 girls, Kathy--she is 44 yrs old and very healthy.  A month or so ago, she had what she thought was the flu, unfortunately it is cancer.  She is undergoing major surgery today to determine what she's up against.  I pray for her full recovery and her daughters.
4.  My children: Kody, he is 14 1/2 has ADHD and has been diagnosed with tics recently, this is now starting to trigger ODD.  He is dealing with bouts of depression that are heart wrenching, he is on an emotional roller coaster and it breaks my heart to watch him deal with this, teenagers have ENOUGH to go through just being teenagers, then to throw a "nervous condition" in on top of it that other kids don't understand and make fun of.  I praise God, that the last week has been a great week, and I know that with each day he will continue to improve.  My daughter Kacy, she is beginning another year of competitive cheerleading, I pray for her health and strength.
5. My sister, Krissy.  I woke up with Krissy on my mind this morning, I pray everyday for the Lord to lead someone into her life, that will love her for her, and see the heart of gold she has.  I pray that whoever God brings to her, will understand and help Krissy with her girls.  Her daughter, Alexis has severe ADHD and behavioral disorders and needs special assistance and Jackie, the oldest, sometimes feels slighted.  Krissy has a full plate and I pray for her peace of mind, a job, and doctor's who can help with Alexis. Also, please say a special prayer for Krissy, she has a growth in her vocal cords that doctor's won't remove and she needs special medicine (of which she can't afford and her insurance won't cover).
6. My oldest brother, Johnny, he lost his job a month of so a go, the lovely world of corporate downsizing.  He's 50 and has to start all over again.  His youngest is getting married in November, so the concerns of that along with just trying to find a job is taking an emotional toll.
7. My other brothers, Joey, I pray for his health, he's been sick a lot lately and it scares me! Danny, just opened his own business. 
Rita, Thank you for being such an inspiration…! I pray the Lord continue to bless you too!!
Hugs!
Beth