A Fish Story...

Last Sunday we went 'fishing' at Lake Perris. It was supposed to be one of those family bonding times, and it was - but it didn't work exactly like we thought it would. We thought we would take Bon Jovi, our dog, with us...not realizing dogs are not allowed on the beach. What?...bummer! Our options were few, either we all had to go home - no family bonding at all, or I could volunteer to stay up at the picnic area with Bon Jovi, while Ron and the boys fished - which, of course, is what I did. Fortunately, I brought a book, so I enjoyed reading while Bon Jovi explored the limited space allowed by his leash. There were lots of other people there - swimming, boating, fishing, bar-b-quing, picnicking... total family fun. I took this picture from where I was, and zoomed in about as far as I could. I love how it turned out. Some new editing skills in photoshop (adding a little grunge look, and text) and I've got a great story picture. Our catch of the day? ... In 'n Out Burgers on the way home. (No fish - that's why it's called Fishing, not catching!)

So, I was getting the oil in my car changed...

...waiting in the waiting room. There were a couple of other people waiting there, too. I was using the time to catch up on some journaling, the other lady (who appeared to be in her 70's) was working on a craft project using plastic canvas and yarn. I finished my journaling and watched her pull the needle with yarn up one hole and down the other - remembering the many years I did sewing crafts (though never with plastic canvas). The other person asked the question I was getting ready to ask, "What are you making?" It was a little booklet cover to hold 2 decks of playing cards, a note pad, and a pen or pencil. Very clever... she added that she had picked the craft back up again to fill the time in the evenings since her husband died in December. "How long were you married?", I asked. "32 years," was the reply "it was a second marriage." The number rang a bell with me (I had been married 32 years the first time around), now I'm married again and shooting for 50 - though I'd be very happy with 25... or 32. She talked about her husband, and all the paper work to take care of, the clutter to clean out, etc. now that he was gone. And I felt an extra soft spot begin to grow in my heart for my husband... knowing how terribly I would miss him should he die before me. I was given a new perspective. I had been a little annoyed with the hubby when I first got to the dealership to get the oil changed, because I had noticed about 20 packages of books to mail on the back seat of my car! My husband assuming I would mail them. I thought, he could have at least asked... I had already decided I wouldn't mail them, I had too many other things I had to take care of - his kids, the dog, the car, plus work, and dinner. You know the drill. But after watching the lady's face as she talked about her husband and their life, well I decided to mail the packages after all.

Whatever...

The word on her T-shirt was whatever... at first I thought, great - attitude on a t-shirt. For awhile now, 'whatever' has been an 'attitude word,' meaning whatever it is you're talking about, is just not important to me, or worthy of my attention, or you know ... whatever! I don't like it. Although I admit I've heard it come out of my mouth a couple of times, meaning just that - whatever you're talking about, I'm not interested in dealing with. But I have tried really hard to not use that word, with that attitude, tone, and meaning ... because I don't like it when it's said to me.
But then, I noticed there was something else printed on her t-shirt ... Philippians 4:8... Oh, now that changes everything ...

"whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

yea, whatever!

One Sentence Journaling...

What I love ... surprise dinner dates with my hubby, the way Bon Jovi (the dog) looks up at me while setting in my lap as we're driving, the sense of accomplishment when a scrapbook page is done and you just love it...hearing my grandkids voices on the phone...and seeing the word 'approved' when you use your debit card!

One Sentence Journal...

Did I mention how much I love color on the walls? ...

More on July 4th...

Well, it was another holiday that didn't feel like a holiday. (I'm getting a little worried, because none of the holidays celebrated in this house have felt like holidays, and many of them have barely been celebrated, if celebrated at all!). So, here it is July 4th. Because the kids are flying in from South Carolina this afternoon, we don't make any plans for the evening fireworks - not knowing exactly what they will want to do or how tired they will be. We take them to Spaghetti Factory for an early dinner. Then, we drop them off at their mom's ... we go back home. I decide since there's less traffic in downtown Redlands, I'll go take pictures of some places downtown for my "Our Town" photo wall. I guess those will serve as my 4th of July pictures this year, cuz I don't have any others! When I get back from my photo shoot, we take the dog for a walk to the community field - a few fireworks are beginning around the neighborhood. At 9:00 p.m., when the show is starting at the University, we try watching from our bedroom, but too many trees block our view. So, we end up watching Stars Wars: The Return of the Jedi... and that was the 4th of July around here. (I better start planning for Labor Day now!)

Happy 4th of July!...

As I prayed myself to sleep last night, the last thing I remember praying about was our country - thinking about the 4th of July Bar-b-ques, parades, fireworks ... thinking that's not all we should be thinking about as we celebrate the 4th of July. We need to remember why we have a '4th of July,' and never take our freedoms for granted. I think I have in the past, but I don't want to be guilty of thinking that way anymore. We still need to take a stand to keep our freedom and to take the responsibility of our freedoms - both personal and national, seriously. And above all else pray for our country, for those who are in leadership positions, for those who serve in the military ... for us as citizens. Happy 4th of July and God Bless America!

One Sentence Journal...

How romantic... Candlelight, bubble bath, and rose petals. Ah-h-h...

One Sentence Journaling...

It's July 2, and I'm still scrapbooking the layouts for my in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary, which is what I was working on June 22! (I haven't gotten very far...)

I (still) choose you...

Yesterday, July 1, was my 2nd wedding anniversary (or 14th, if you're counting in doggie years - which we are because I want a 50th wedding anniversary! I'll still shoot for a 'real time' 50th, but I would be 104 ... so, you can see why we're counting in doggie years). Anyway, after a nice dinner out, exchanging cards and gifts, we read our wedding vows ... I think they actually meant more this time than two years ago at our wedding. Who really pays attention to what you're saying (and promising) during your wedding - you're too caught up in the moment, and everything that's going on, and everything that's coming ...

Part of our vows read:

You are vowing today to love each other for as long as you both live. This
love is more than a feeling, it is a decision. One of your playful sayings when
the other one does something in a different way than you would, is ... “I love
you anyway.” And that’s exactly it - when Ron has a bad day at work, and comes
home tired and grumpy, Deiga will love him anyway. When Deiga is stressed and
maybe not as perky as usual, Ron will love her anyway...It’s a commitment and
loyalty to each other that goes way beyond the warm, fuzzy feelings we call
love. This kind of love is beautifully described in 1 Corinthians 13 ... The
Message version reads this way:


Love never gives up. Love cares more
for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't
strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always
"me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of
others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of
truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best,
Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

I think we both realized we haven't always done what we promised we would... and I know I made a commitment to myself that I would be more aware of living up to our vows on a daily basis. I, Deiga, choose you Ron to be my husband...

One Sentence Journal...

Like I need something else to do. Browsing my favorite blogs today, I found a link to "The Happiness Project." Well, you've got to check that, right? So, I did. I didn't have time to read the whole story about the project, but one 'happiness tool' caught my eye - the one sentence journal. I had already been thinking about changing my journaling habits, to be less venting and more capturing thoughts. Whatever is making me happy, or aware at that moment, on that day. I know I've already written a paragraph, but here's my one sentence journal entry today.

This morning before going to work, I gave Bon Jovi (the dog) a bath. Afterwards, he's just all frisky - running all over the place like a crazy dog. (Ok, that's 2 sentences, but it's OK)