Comma placement

Eats shoots and leaves. (Panda bear)
Eats, shoots, and leaves. (Hungry gunslinger in a hurry)

******

Let's eat, Grandpa! (calling Grandpa to dinner)
but...
Let's eat Grandpa! (eating Grandpa for dinner)

Oh the joys of a literal son :)

Last night before bed, I readied the dishwasher and told kiddo to start it after his shower. I casually mentioned that if he felt like it, I would appreciate his washing the pots & pans by hand. I also mentioned that it was no biggie if he didn't. Well, he did :) However, he left the two big Tupperware bowls, as well as, the mixing bowl unwashed. I just noticed that the ice cream scoops are still dirty as well. *roflol*

For the record, my son usually does what I ask with very little fussing. What fussing he does is usually good-natured ribbing that brings a smile to everyone's face. He's simply not detail oriented in the kitchen chores. I was not surprised or upset at all. I'm blessed that he did the chore that I requested considering how tired he was when I asked.

Spell Checker funny :)

I have a spelling checker,
It came with my PC;
It plainly marks four my revue
Mistakes I cannot sea.
I've run this poem threw it,
I'm sure your pleased too no,
It's letter perfect in it's weigh,
My checker tolled me sew.

The little ditty above will pass muster with any spellchecker, and you can tell immediately that something is very, very wrong.

"The Criminal On The Cross" Acappella

"All My Tears" by Selah

Love this song!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Lord, Bless My Enemies" (Nikolai of Ochrid)

This prayer was posted on a message board I frequent.  I thought it worthy of reposting.

"Lord, Bless My Enemies" (Nikolai of Ochrid)

Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them. Enemies have driven me into Thy embrace more than friends have. Friends have bound me to earth, enemies have loosed me from earth and have demolished all my aspirations in the world.

Enemies have made me a stranger in worldly realms. Just as a hunted animal finds safer shelter than an unhunted animal does, so have I, persecuted by enemies, found the safest sanctuary, having ensconced myself beneath Thy tabernacle, where neither friends nor enemies can slay my soul.

Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.

They, rather than I, have confessed my sins before the world.
They have punished me, whenever I have hesitated to punish myself.
They have tormented me, whenever I have tried to flee torments.
They have scolded me, whenever I have flattered myself.
They have spat upon me, whenever I have filled myself with arrogance.

Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.

Whenever I have made myself wise,
they have called me foolish.
Whenever I have made myself mighty,
they have mocked me as though I were a dwarf.
Whenever I have wanted to lead people,
they have shoved me into the background.
Whenever I have rushed to enrich myself,
they have prevented me with an iron hand.
Whenever I thought that I would sleep peacefully,
they have wakened me from sleep.
Whenever I have tried to build a home for a long and tranquil life,
they have demolished it and driven me out.

Truly, enemies have cut me loose from the world and have stretched out my hands to the hem of Thy garment.

Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.

Bless them and multiply them;
multiply them and make them even more bitterly against me:
so that my fleeing to Thee may have no return;
so that all hope in men may be scattered like cobwebs;
so that absolute serenity may begin to reign in my soul;
so that my heart may become the grave of my evil twins: arrogance and anger;
so that I might amass all my treasure in heaven;

Ah, so that I may for once be freed from self deception, which has entangled me in the dreadful web of illusory life. Enemies have taught me to know what hardly anyone knows, that a person has no enemies in the world except himself.

One hates his enemies only when he fails to realize that they are not enemies, but cruel friends. It is truly difficult for me to say who has done me more good and who has done me more evil in the world: friends or enemies.

Therefore bless, O Lord, both my friends and my enemies.

A slave curses enemies, for he does not understand.
But a son blesses them, for he understands.
For a son knows that his enemies cannot touch his life.
Therefore he freely steps among them and prays to God for them.

Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them. Amen.

Definition of Expert

Expert

Ex = former, no longer.

Spurt = a leak, esp. when caused by water pressure.

Expert = a has-been drip under pressure.

Skywatch Friday

I haven't done a Skywatch Friday photo in a while.  Here's are a couple of sunset photos from last September.

SkyWatch Friday is hosted by a team of bloggers (Klaus | Sandy | Ivar | Wren | Fishing Guy| Louise).  Be sure to stop by and visit them.

Strange day.

It was a good day, but everything felt strange.  I keep expecting to need to do something for or with Smokie, but she's not here and no longer needs me.  Little things remind me of her, like the thunder tonight (which she hated), her collar, or the tree she loved to lie beneath. I keep expecting to need to say "Look out" before I open the fridge as she always laid in front of it.  She's not there. 

I've lost other pets (all much younger), but this one seems to be hitting me harder than the rest.  Maybe it's my age or the fact that I am not as able to occupy my thoughts as before when my son was little and life was super busy?  I don't know.  Maybe I am just having a hard time reconciling my feelings with the fact that she was a dog not a human.  My grief is stronger than I imagined it could be. 

My Secret Sister sent me a condolence e-card tonight that had this verse on it.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (New International Version)

The God of All Comfort

 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

What a sweet verse and very helpful. 

God is good.

I posted this yesterday on a home schooling forum for Christian moms. 

God is good!

After spending the last 2½ weeks dealing with seriously and rapidly declining dog, I was feeling pretty forgotten today when she had to be euthanized. I had prayed intensely and almost without ceasing for this dog to not leave me. I don’t ask God for things for myself very often. Don't get me wrong, I pray for myself, but I don't get specific very often, preferring instead to be open to His gifts and leading. I have never been disappointed and frequently stand amazed at the blessings I receive. However, this time I did ask and was quite specific. I prayed hard, I cried, I considered bargaining with God, and I even got angry at times. I don’t know why He said "No." I am sure He has some greater lesson in mind for me. I have to wait upon Him to reveal it.

I don't know about you ladies, but when I am extremely sad, I need chocolate. I wanted a frozen fudge bar, but thought they were all gone. The cost of today's vet trip was unplanned and expensive. Our pocketbook screamed, "OUCH!" I figured I could be a big girl and just ignore my desire for comfort food. I went about my day trying to put the house back in order after the unraveling of the last few days. I put away her stuff and comforted my son. I cried and shared some laughs with those who knew my beloved pet. I cleaned a carpet and even tore apart my Bissell to clean it afterwards. I mentally charted a timetable for some other chores and prepared things for that. Basically, trying to stay busy and not think too much.

A short while ago, I decided to take a quick nap. Sleep has been rare the last 4 days while nursing Smokie. I haven't eaten much either and knew that I had better remedy that first. I went to the freezer to see what I had that could be fixed quickly. What do I find stuck behind the pancake mix? One lone fudge bar that had fallen out of the box. All I could say was "God has not forgotten me." He hasn't. He won't. EVER! It may seem like a simple thing, but simple things DO MATTER to us and to God.

God is good!




*Now off to eat something nutritious before my nap :)

May she rest in peace

this is back dated 1 day
-----

Today I said goodbye to a beloved pet and friend.  Smokie had been with me 10 years in April of this year.  She was 13½ and a joy to be around.  This beautiful dog rarely ever lost her temper or was grouchy. She loved to run and play and cuddle.  Many times she thought she was a big old lap dog. 

The pictures are all from Oct. of '07.  For some stupid reason, I don't have many recent pictures.  The little dog is Amy and she's missing her buddy.

 

 

Wait......I found a couple from this year.  This first one is from Feb. and this was their usual position in the computer room.  I am at my desk taking this, and my son's desk is to the left.  The kitchen is to the right.

Here is the last picture that I took of Smokie.  During the spring, she always found the highest point in the yard and laid there.  I always said she was playing Queen of the Hill.  She looked so majestic the way she crossed her feet and held herself.  The garden fence that you see behind her is 4 feet tall. 

This is my favorite picture of Smokie and is not by desktop background.  I posted this a while back here on the blog.  It shows off her happy personality.  She was about ready to jump and start talking to me.  She is under what we call "Smokie's tree" which she loved to lie around regardless of the weather.