Use It Or Lose It

Around the age of 45...maybe a little before that, I kept hearing these words over and over again. I am sure the over and over again is because I was starting to forget things.

Use It or Lose It

I knew these words meant I needed to focus on different areas of my life that I wasn't using...most specifically, exercising.  Like so many things, I felt I could pick it up when I desired and my abilities would be waiting there for me.

Five years down the road, well, I walk and stretch some.  I have had my back rebel a couple of times since my sixth child and his 10 pound entrance into the world...meaning I need to exercise and stretch more.

So the storms blew in and I didn't want to lose my days of walking, so I thought I would turn the television on and exercise with Gilad. Hey, I had done this in my early 30's and could more than keep up with the pace, so confidently I ventured into the exercise routine.  Surely my long forgotten body, my dancer's body would respond with very graceful movements to the counts.

Well, to my horror, the saying came flooding back to my memory!!!  USE IT OR LOSE IT!!!  

I am so glad candid camera wasn't installed and my whole house was vacant of any eyes.  If I could lose pounds by laughing that would have been the calories I lost.  It was just toooooooooooo funny!!!  I couldn't keep up with the movements, my legs went to the right, while he was going to the left.  Their kicks would go double time, while I was still on the first kick and  the wrong foot.  As they did stomach crunches  up and down, over and over again...well I collapsed...forget my stomach muscles.........I DON''T HAVE ANY!!!

At the end I was sweating....laughing by myself and I started to tell my brain that it has fooled me.  What was my brain thinking when it thought I could still keep pace and with grace, like I had done so easily years ago?

What a lesson!  Use it or lose it!  That saying works for so many things in our life.  Our spiritual walk, our relationships, our manners, our education...the list goes on and on.  I am going to pause and make me a list...which is a miracle for a non-list person, and see what abilities I have that I am not using.  Even if I have to use glasses to do some of it again. Stretching will allow my body more flexibility and other non-used abilities will stretch my brain.

I am so glad you didn't see it....but I can say, it would have given you a very good laugh or for some of you a smile!
I couldn't resist adding a clip from Lucy!!!  I have heard that laughing does burn up calories!!!

Just Have to Laugh!!!

My handsome, young, single, college graduate (does that sound like a mother speaking?) started to tell me this story over the phone.  

"When are you going to San Antonio?" - me

"Well,  don't know. Oh, I didn't tell you what happened to my car." - son

"No, what?" - me

Now I must tell you, this is the son who prides himself in getting us caught in one of his tricks.  He is the King of April Fools...but I did pull one off on him.  So when he started, I was already racking my brain on what the day was...joke day?? fools day?????

"Well I had another blowout with a tire. The lug nut wouldn't come off again." - son

"I just told you Dad you need to go down and buy all new tires for that car. " - unmerciful mom

"Well, I decided that since I had free towing, I would call and have them tow it to Discount Tires." - son

"The tow truck got there and he started to jack up my car.  I told him that he wasn't doing it right. He told me he had been doing this for years and knew what he was doing.  Then I heard a crunch!!!" - son

"I told him to stop....he came and we looked and the jack had gone through my floor board!!" - son

"NO!" - mom...still trying to figure out if he was pulling one over on me.

Now I must say...my son bought his own car and it is his dream car!  He doesn't let any dirt get on it. He drives it with great pride...and yes, he knows the verse, "pride comes before a fall"

"I told him to put the car down! Then he went to connect the hitch to the front bumper and...he pulled the bumper off!" - son

By this time, I am sure this isn't real and I burst into laughter.... but my son isn't laughing!!

"ARE YOU FOR REAL?" - me

"YES!!  I started laughing and the tow man got mad at me!  I told him it was MY CAR!!!" - SON

"So the car is now at the dealership....not at Discount Tires....and they are trying to see what damage has been done to the car and repair it."

No, this was not for a reality show.  NO!, no one came out of the bushes and said it was a joke or they were taking his car away to fix it up...........this WAS REAL!!!

What can I say..........when something gets the best of us WRIGHTS, we LAUGH!!!  Beware the next time you call a tow truck!!   Yes, that is his picture at the top of this post.  This executive wore this Sesame Street Count Dracula costume to his clients' offices on October 29th.  He is known for having a smile on his face from the day he was born.  He hopes to get his car back soon!!

Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  Matt. 6:20

Tagged Seven Questions

Debbie at Heart Choices has tagged me to answer Seven Questions!

1. If you could travel anywhere with no thought to cost, where would you choose to go?  Easy I would go to the Mediterranean.  I have taught Ant. Civilization to my children for years and I would love to see where it all happened.  Greece, Italy, Israel, etc.
2. What song would you choose for someone to sing at your funeral?  At this time it would be "I Can Only Imagine", but I would like for it to be danced also. I would love a concert of praise! 
3. If you could spend a day with anyone (dead or alive) who would you choose?  At this point in time it would be my grandmother.  She had five children, four boys and a girl.  She lived through so many trials and stayed strong to her faith.  I would just love to have time with just her and talk.
4. What do you want people to remember you by?  That I loved my God, my family, and I encouraged others through word and deed.
5. Are you an early morning person or night owl?  EARLY Morning....you will find me going brain dead after 9:00 pm...I am totally useless in the evening, but enjoy the beginning of the day
6. What is your favorite meal to prepare?  I love being creative in the kitchen, so getting to cook a new recipe is always my favorite. I tend to enjoy variety and get bored when I have to repeat a dish....so a favorite would be the newest meal I cooked. Now I do love making cheesecake!
7. What would a perfect day be like to you?  Since I would say perfect has no boundaries it would start with my whole family on a beautiful beach.(of course that means I would look good in a bathing suit, even being in one would be a perfect day)  After playing all day with my family I would enjoy attending a live musical with my husband.  Enjoying family, nature, the arts and special time with my husband would be a perfect day!

Now I was tagged twice...how much fun.   Sandy from Faith, Hope and Love also gave me a list of questions.

Here are answers from her tagging.

1.When did you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?  I accepted Christ at age 5 and wrote a post on my spiritual birth while recording my youth with Mommy Piggy Tales.
2. What is the first thing you're going to say to Jesus when you see Him face-to-face? I will truly be speechless for the first time in my life...I will probably be on my face!
3. What qualities do you look for most in a friend? transparency...I tend to be very open and expect that back
4. What type of clothing do you enjoy wearing on a regular basis? - let's see...I wish they were smaller...probably jeans
5. Do you have any hobbies? love to paint, sew, read, cook, and entertain
6. How many brothers and sisters do you have and are you close? I am the oldest of four, three girls and one boy...different choices have separated us
7. Describe yourself in seven words or less. determined, loving, caring, sensitive, logical, analytical, and creative

That was fun....I tag you and if you would love to join in then just answer the following questions and post on your blog. I will be visiting!   I just can't make up my mind on who to ask....so I must be fickle...so just go for it, consider yourself tagged.

1. If you could go on two vacations, without any concerns, one  with your family and one with your husband where would you go?
2. If you could write a book, what author would you want to be like and why?
3. If you could dream up the most romantic evening with your spouse, what would it be?
4. If you could hear your parents say anything about you, what would you want to hear?
5. If you were to have your dream job/career/extra-occupation, other than the blessings of what you are doing today, what would it be?
6. If you could be a missionary in any country, where would you go to serve?
7. If you could go back for a day, year or month in your past, what would it be and why?

Have fun...it is nice getting to know you all better!!!  What a fun post!!

Do You Hear Your Mother's Voice?

Okay, if you are already laughing then you know what I did....I broke the carnal laws of washing and drying my clothes.


My mother's greatest gift to me was preparing me for taking care of my own household.  So, at the early age of 19, when I married, I never remember calling to ask for advice... I had it down.


So, the other day when I opened my dryer, I started to laugh out loud with my mother's guiding voice in the background.

1. Always hook your bras straps together...so they will not attach to other garments
2. Never dry your bras...hang them out to dry
3. It is best to hand wash your bras

I guess after running my own household for 30 plus years, I must have had a little rebellion in me because I  didn't obey  the rules. I grabbed my unhooked bras and tossed them into the washer.  I then proceeded to throw them into the dryer.  Round and round the dryer went, entangling the hooks of my bras in its grip.


To my 14-year-old's horror, I called him down for assistance.  He reluctantly, with a red face, dislodged the dangling boulder holder from it wedged claws of the dryer door.


What is funny is that I did this twice in two weeks....sounds like a hard head to me.


I walked away wondering... when my adult children hear my voice, what do they hear?  Do they hear..."don't mix whites with colored clothes or you will have pink underwear", when they pull them from the dryer?  Do they remember me when pulling out melted plastic from the dishwasher?


My prayer is that they will remember more... that they will remember our prayers, our devotionals, our forgiveness, our laughter and most of all, our relationship with Christ.  I pray that memorized scripture will come back to memory when the time is needed... that all the Proverbs we read will be there for their guidance.  I hope my voice will be remembered for tenderness and love, rather than just correction.

Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Proverbs 1:8

Have you heard your mother's voice lately?  What was she saying to you?

My Chickens

I have so delighted in fellow bloggers displaying their wonderful pictures of their chickens and their coops.  I can say they would all win awards in my book.  

So this Saturday I thought I would invite you into my city, postage-stamp-sized backyard, neighbors within sneeze distant...my chickens, that are approved for my current dwelling.

Yes this is my first one, bought by my husband, framed in red.  Her title is Mr E Tudman's Partridge Cochin Hen, "Titania", she won first prize at Birmingham in 1870 and 1871

Her companion hangs right beside her.

Buff Cochin Hen named "Blossom" Bread by Mr H Tomlinson....she didn't win any awards.

Below them stands a glassy looking fella.

Wearing a little thin from her falls from her high perch, she guards the kitchen.

He has conquered them all, so he stands cocky from his coveted position on the island.  What can I say, this is a male dominated household.

 If the good Lord ever wills for me to have some of these that are alive and a dressed-up coup...you can bet your last dollar (no I don't believe in gambling, just a saying I learned as a child) I will share them with you. For now, they don't produce well, but the clean up is a cinch.

HAPPY SATURDAY! For all the Texas and Oklahoma residents - GO HORNS!!!

Painting My Barn - The Older Version

Okay, Okay, I need to be fair.  I may not use the things mentioned on "Is She Real?" and yes, I loved the laugh, but I need to be fair.

So I will take shots at myself today.  This barn has been through 49 years of life and six full pregnancies.  My last baby, just four years ago, weighed in at 10 pounds and 4 ounces...leaving behind zero hope of returning to my "youthful" figure.  So, with menopause adding her "advantages" to my already extra curves I need to " Paint My Barn."

So Here It Goes...I am Painting My Barn....even though I have my "Knight in Shining Armor" I want to keep him!! I have to say, he has never complained.  I think he still sees me the way I was 30 years ago.

Underneath my Make-Up I need to diminish all my "character" lines...you think this product does what it claims?

I have covered my make-up frustration in my post, "What Make-up Do I Buy, Ethel?" and you are more than welcome to enlighten me in this area.  If I buy the right products I will have a whole new face.

If I could make a decision on make-up then I am left with getting rid of more facial hair then my husband.

"Do I Have to Wear These?" post showed my frustration with having to wear reading glasses...forget worrying about my eye color. 

I have to use this!  What is my natural color?  I have no idea!!!

Nursing Six Children has left me without the need to add cleavage or size....but they do need lifted!!!  And as for back fat....well if transfered to the front I would fall forward.  So forget the beautiful bra....mine are a piece of under armor!!!  I will spare you the visual on this!!!

Although I would do it again, well, six children also left me with a need to hold it all  in....not show off...can't imagine trying those _________ underwear...I need reduction.  I remember folding these for my grandmother!!!  Lift and hold in garments allow me to fit into some clothes and they put everything in their original place!!

I still love high heels and they do help visually to make you think I have been doing lunges to firm my buns, but  I pay the price when they come off with aching feet that need a good massage.

I have removed the space in my bookshelves that held pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and post-pregnancy books to be replaced by these.  So I am on a mission!!!

So if the mood comes upon my husband....well lets just say, like the young girl's  post, his visual could be disappointing and the disassembling could be a total riot!!!!  Song of Solomon it wouldn't be!!!
Maybe, just maybe, after I get through "painting my barn" I will give you a visual!!!
I hope I was fair to the younger generation.

Is She Real?

As a mother of  five boys I look at life a little differently.  My only daughter joined me with a giggle or two as we walk through the accessories available to young women.  Another friend asked me through a gasp..."Have you seen this?"  We both have boys and start to imagine how it could be on an innocent wedding night.

This is totally for fun. I know the stats on innocent wedding nights, even though I pray that for my children.

What is Real?  Is this my wife?

After waiting for the special night the couple comes to their honeymoon night.

As she prepares for the event, which doesn't leave anything to your imagination, she starts to disassemble.

Hair - What once looked like long, flowing locks are too painful to sleep in, now reveal a bob..

Eyelashes...they weren't permanent so they were intended to be taken off before bed

Blue eyes were popular, but color contacts needed removed at night

Bra - which appeared to hold a 38D now releases the average breast size of 34B...little cleavage

 Buns -The slim body admired by society doesn't leave a woman with an ounce of fat, so the fake bottom is removed , leaving behind a bony hiney

 Height - The high heels are left at the entry door, diminishing her height by 4  inches

Will He Be Shocked?  Can't you just see it on a Lucy Show?

I know I could go into some deep meaning here, but it really was just a good, tear-jerking laugh as we imagined what might be in the future for some innocent guy!  You truly don't know what you are getting these days....they know how to paint the "barn" better than when I captured my 

"Knight in Shining Armor", he could see what he was getting!!!

Still Politics - Hometown History Lesson

What was she thinking?  This is one of my favorite stories in Texas History. This event is probably why Texas women get their reputation as being “Strong Women”.

During the days of the Texas Republic, back when we were our own nation, Samuel Houston was President.  The Capital of this Republic resided in Austin against the desires of Sam Houston.  Houston, not being a man full of humility, wanted the capital in the city named in his honor.

Austin was just a small city near the Colorado River.  Houston wasn’t impressed. He decided to send a military dispatch to the capital to retrieve the archives.  Angela Ederly, an innkeeper, discovered the wagons being loaded with the archives.  She rushed to the town cannon, placed at Congress and Sixth Street to sound the alarm.  She set off the cannon, blowing a hole in the Land Office, while arousing the citizens.  The citizens continued to chase down Sam Houston’s men.

The archives were returned for safe keeping under the watchful eye of Angela Ederly. Her tenacity and short temper are credited for the capital remaining in Austin, Texas.

When I hear of the different underhanded schemes that still penetrate through our government today, I remember 1894 and the Sarah Palin of her day.  There is truly nothing new under the sun.

What fascinating history do you know from your home town?  Have you ever tried being a tourist in your own city?

DO I HAVE TO WEAR THOSE?

My husband is seven years my senior, therefore, he experiences life's changes before me, which allows me to give him a hard time. Hair greying, soreness after yard labor, being called old by his children and then the most unavoidable of all...needing reader glasses.

His diminishing sight began in his late 40's while trying to read a menu and having to ask the waitor or me what it said. Oh, did I harass! That seventeen-year-old girl he had fallen in love with came back to life as I gave him a hard time for not being able to see the menu, since my sight was still "perfect".


I used my eyes through hours of reading, cross-stitching, sewing, cooking and couldn't imagine having to stop and obtain eye-wear.



Well, to my disbelief, I started entering the age of needing extra assistance with my eyes. As my Dad said, "Do you need longer arms Janette?" I couldn't believe that what had always been there was slowing decreasing.

If I was going to have to give in, then it would be with style...so the readers came in red, dots, lime green and one pair to carry in my purse with it's own holder.


I am now used to my new occassional accessory, but finding them can be a problem.


The other day I went all over the house looking for my stylish pair. Where could they be? I searched upstairs and downstairs. Surely they couldn't have walked off... nowhere to be found. Then I took what seemed to be my tenth trip up the stairs for a final search.


As I turned the corner of my stair's landing, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I burst out in laughter, so loud my son came running to see what had happened.

There, so daintily postioned on my head....were my glasses! I couldn't believe it. I had finally given into the idea of wearing glasses, now is forgivefulness next?


I might give into buying those librarian beads that hold your glasses around your neck in order to have them within reach....well, probably not yet.


My gracious husband refuses to harrass me. Instead, he will slowly hand over his reader glasses to me when we are at a resturant...we are growing older together.

My youngest only knows his mother with glasses and proudly tries them on.  My 18-year-old daughter wears fake glasses as a fashion statement. 

God is so merciful to walk with us through the changes of life. To hold our hands, to hear our voices and even our cries that come from pure vanity.

 I look forward to a body that is perfect when I get to heaven, but more than that, I look forward to using my eyes to behold  the giver of sight...and without glasses!
 
Did you notice my font size?

What Make-Up Do I Buy, Ethel?

Middle Age Madness has brought many challenges and a big loss of confidence.  You have to watch what you eat.  You wake up at night with unexpected hot flashes, and you seem to forget things at the worse time, like my pin number while checking out at the grocery store.

I was chuckling to myself, and yes, those around me weren't sure if I was sane or not, when I strolled into Walgreens for a long, overdue make-up purchase.  I hate to admit it, but, due to other financial priorities, my make-up drawer had been neglected.  So there I stood, totally overwhelmed by all the selections and their promises to undue what life had left behind on my face.

First, I started with my foundation purchase.  Did I want to hide wrinkles? Well, yes, I am almost fifty.  Did I want to diminish my jaws, which I had inherited? Again, yes.  Did I want to smooth out my coloring? Well, didn't think about that one.  As I moved up and down the row, I wasn't sure what all I wanted corrected and how many products it would take.

Second, came the lips...then I started to laugh.  There is moisturizing lipstick. Then there is lipstick that you apply to pump up your lips, which to me makes you look like a botox treatment gone bad.  I stopped in my tracks and decided to ask the man I wanted to please if he liked big lips.  I texted my husband, who knew the most loving answer in the world, "No, I love your lips the way they are."  Yea!, now I didn't have to spend extra for the busted lip look, which the product had promised, and I would be able to talk.

The lip selection became easier, so I moved to the mascara.  Now I have to admit, my luscious eyelashes have started to disappear.  So the advertisement for long, extended, will-grow-more-lashes mascara was a big pull for me.

I moved from the mascara to facial cream and moisturizer, which I will save you from reading all that they promised to do to my aging face.

Not wanting to spend our complete salary for the week, I just put some reasonably priced products in my cart, since my loving husband had just told me he loves me the way I am, and headed out the door.

I was laughing by the time I got to the car and thought that if I had picked all the right products then I could go home and reappear with another face, a younger, non-wrinkled, pumped-lipped, long eyelashed, youthful-complexioned face, without the signs of a life lived by this 49 year old.  Then again, I love my well-earned laugh lines.

This was just from going to get make-up!

Couldn't you just see this being played out between Lucy and Ethel?

Now I will have to recover before I go and look for a new bra! Oh, the body issues that need to be corrected... what products will I buy?

"A cheerful heart is good like medicine" Proverbs 17:22