The Many Faces of Charleigh-Girl

Do you pet owners feel like your dog has differing facial expressions?  I certainly feel like C-G does.  I see so much in the way her face looks.

For instance...

 

"Mimi, Can't you do something about this?  It's sooo 

embarrassing.

I don't care if Susannah did use her own money to buy this getup on the dollar aisle at Target!"

And then there's her all too familiar guilty face...

I don't know what got into me. I'm just going to act real cool."
Maybe she won't know I did this.
Oh, no!  She figured it out!" 

This is the latest face I've noticed.

It happens when I'm getting dressed and ready to leave.

"I'm so sad.

Looks like she's getting ready to leave me again.

What could be better than staying here and playing with me?" 

 

Now only you over-the-top, slightly goofy dog lovers like me believe that the expression on her little doggy face is really changing.
No...I'm projecting my feelings into her "expressions."
I'm assuming she feels like I would feel!
And, who really knows?  Maybe she does!

There is one time when her expression really changes.
That is when I come in after being gone a while and let her 
out of her "palace."
She smiles at me then.  Seriously.  I have witnesses.  She 
curls her lip and smiles at me every time!
It is difficult for me to get a picture of this.  I can't get down on her level quick enough to capture the grin.
I even bought something called a "MeCam" which videos and
can be pinned on my lapel.  
Of course, I may have to crawl into the room to get it, but at least she won't recognize the MeCam like she does that
bad old pink camera!
We'll see! 

You've really missed something if you've never experienced 
the unconditional love of a pet.
I certainly have with my Charleigh-Girl. 
   

 

I Am Not Second

Remember the "I Am Second" campaign?  Celebrities, sports figures, and other notables spoke out for the cause of Christ, stating that He was first in their lives, making them second.  There were many striking "I Am Second" billboards.  I admired the courage of those who were willing to put their beliefs out for everyone to see.  It was a very impressive effort which I am sure reaped great rewards.

Something has always bothered me about this, however.  Matthew 22:36-39 says, "'Teacher (Jesus), which is the great commandment in the law?'  And Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Placing God first is the essential, most important step in the right direction.  We then need to place the needs of others before our own needs and desires.  God first, others second, myself third.  Do you realize what a wonderful world it would be if everyone did these three things?  There would be no wars or arguments or cruelty.
  
Before we can love others as much as we love ourselves, however, we would have to be realistic about just how much we do think of ourselves!  We are truly looking out for #1 most of the time, and #1 is not Jesus! 

Even though I earnestly strive to live in this manner, I constantly fall way short of the mark.  What can we really expect from a world to which this would be a totally foreign and probably foolish notion?

The incredible thing about belonging to Christ is that, even when I do miss the mark, I am forgiven!  God loves me (and you!) as much as it is possible to love.  He grants His grace (undeserved favor) to His children in spite of our constant shortcomings.  Believing in and belonging to Jesus is the ultimate win-win situation.  He is our shepherd here on earth, and He holds our eternity in His nail scarred hands.

I am Linda Stovall, and

I am Third.

Is There No End To My Talents?

I wrote a song today while I was out shopping!  Wanta hear it?  Here goes:

Where, oh where has Will Power gone?

Oh where, oh where can he be?

I've not seen you now since so long, long ago,

And my house&waistline&exerciseprogram&doggy&Bible study&;etc.etc.etc.

need thee! 

Bring back, oh bring back, oh bring back old Willy to me..e..eee!
Bring back, oh bring back, oh bring back old Willy to me.  


What do ya think?  If I can get the right accompaniment I'll do an  iPod version.

Oh...I had been to University Park Village where there is a 
McKinley's
which just happens to be where one can get the world's best
 vanilla petit four
which just happens to be one of my favorite things
as you can see HERE.
You'll just have to look at that previous picture, cause this one is 
long gone. 
  
No Will Power in evidence at University Park Village.
I checked thoroughly.    

I Dance! I Live! I Love!

My iPod (actually now it's my iPhone--I lost my iPod) has 

a lot of different kinds of music on it.

Much of it is contemporary Christian, and much is secular.

Today I'm thinking about some songs that are secular

but have messages with great value--

A type of crossover, to me at least.  

I remember that Susan told me about this first song.  I don't remember the year, but it was before the time of iTunes (for me anyway), because I went right out and bought the CD.  She said she was proud of me for keeping us going after the disheartening diagnosis.  Her comment and this song were very important to me. 

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
And when you make the choice to sit it out or dance...
I hope you dance! 
  

 I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you make the choice to sit it out or dance...

I hope you dance!  

I guess I may have taken the song literally--we went to General Dynamics Recreation and took dance lessons!  We weren't too successful, but we had a great time trying. 

************** 

Then there's this one--I imagine most of us have given some thought to it:

...someday I hope you get the chance to Live Like You Were Dyin'

I might not have the courage to go sky divin' or the strength to go Rocky Mountain climbin', but...

I loved deeper, and I spoke sweeter, and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying...

And I took a good long hard look at what I'd do if I could do it all again...

And I said someday I hope you get the chance to

Live Like You Were Dyin'  

('cause we all are, you know!)

**************

I placed the newer ones first.  I can't, however, omit the one which was sung at our wedding and played at our 50th anniversary celebration and again at Jack's funeral.

I'll be loving you...Always, with a love that's true...Always.

When the things you've planned need a helping hand, I will understand...Always, Always.
Days may not be fair...Always; That's when I'll be there...Always.
Not for just an hour, not for just a day, not for just a year, but
Always.

**************

This one is surely a favorite!

I see trees of green, red roses too; 
I see them bloom for me and for you;
And I say to myself..."What a Wonderful World."

I see skies of blue, clouds of white,
The bright blessed days, the dark sacred nights;
And I say to myself..."What a Wonderful World."

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the faces of people going by.
I see friends shaking hands, saying "How do you do?"
They're really saying, "I love you."

I hear babies cry...I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know.
And I think to myself, "What a Wonderful World."   
   

    

 

The Futility of Arguing

In doing my "Proverb a Day" this month I was reminded of the futility of arguing.  Even if one does not believe in the Bible, I believe a case could be made for this: Arguments are rarely "won" or "lost."  Just stop and think about it.  When can you recall actually walking away from an argument dusting your hands and feeling like a clear winner?  Or when can you remember saying, "Well...I believe I was wrong about that and you were completely right!"


Now, why would this be?  Well, the main reason is this:  The person with whom you are arguing more than likely thinks he or she is just as RIGHT as you think you are!  This was a revolutionary thought when it first came to me.  That other person is not just being arbitrary.  They actually think they are right!  Even though you KNOW they are not!  Stop trying to prove your point!  You're not going to be successful anyway!  You'll do nothing but cause more disagreement and bitterness!


Actually, "When two quarrel, both are in the wrong."  (Author unknown)  I also found several quotes about not entering into quarrels in the first place.  "Be not the first to make a quarrel, nor the last to make up."  Proverbs 17:4 says, "It is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts, so don't let it begin."

Remember, "A soft answer turns away wrath." Proverbs 15:1.  It may feel like at the time that you are giving up your rights.  But...you're actually maintaining them!  Don't waste a precious minute of your precious life in an exasperating and quite probably futile attempt to prove yourself right.  Personally, "I'd rather be happy than right!"--any day!


If I haven't convinced you, then please consider this:

  If you must argue,

 "Never argue at the dinner table, for the one who is not hungry always gets the best of the argument!"

  (Richard Whately)

                   (It's amazing what one can find on Google!)



    

Still Grateful

I should be getting ready to go to Bible Study Fellowship.  Alas, I'm not because I'm puny.  I have made it through the winter months without falling prey to any cold or flu symptoms, but now I have a very sore throat.  And I sneeze.  And take Cold-Eeze.  (And make rhymes!)

In spite of my circumstances, I have gratitude on my mind and in my heart this morning.  I blogged about my gratitude journal HERE.  Unfortunately I have not become any more faithful about writing in it, but I'm going to do so this morning.  Why am I grateful, me with the aching throat?

Well, I'm sooo thankful that I can wrap up in my blankie and just sit in my chair this morning.  The majority of my life I would have had to keep on keepin' on--responsible either for sweet children or later for a husband placed in a helpless situation neither of us expected.

If you read that prior blog, the unexpected reason for gratitude it featured was coffee!  It's still way up there on my list!  Coffee is very soothing to my semi-raw throat.  And it's especially good out of this very special mug my cousin Sarah brought me!

 You're all welcome that I'm keeping my germs at home!

 **************************

Just realized that the earlier post was before I knew how to put pictures on my blog.  So here are a couple of pictures of the journal.

  

Practice Hasn't Made Perfect Yet

If you will click HERE you will find my introduction of my new hobby.  I know you have all been waiting with bated breath for a progress report.  You haven't?  I am sort of insulted!  Well, here it is anyway.  Don't worry.  It's pretty short.  I'm progressing fairly slowly. 

  

I did this arrangement when Sarah came to visit.  It was one of my best so far, mainly because of the gorgeous flowers I found!

I particularly love monotones or striking duo-color combinations. The purple irises with their yellow throats looked so beautiful with the fabulous yellow roses.  

When I was preparing for Easter at my house, I created this arrangement.  I was very proud of it, and it lasted for days--with a fabulous scent!  The florist at Kroger helped me select the flowers.  The color palette was beautiful, and included some pale coral color orchids that he brought "out of the back."

  

The following arrangement precipitated my update today.  These are lovely tulips, but I don't think tulips will be my favorite flower to arrange.  

I used clear scotch tape to divide and make partitions for the tulips, but they didn't quite cooperate as I wanted them to. 

My arrangements may not be perfect, but God's flowers certainly are!  Onward and upward!  I'll keep you posted!

******************
 A funny thing happened to the tulips overnight!

Yep, those are the same flowers.  They stood up all straight!  
This is how I expected them to look.  

This phenomenon might possibly, perhaps, in some probability
have happened because the arranger (moi) did not
get in any hurry to get the tulips in water upon arriving
home with them.  (Can you say lazy?)
So...if you're taking lessons from me (who am I kidding?)
rush to get your flowers back in water!  
Unless you like the droopy look, which I now think I might.