Major fail

Read the following about Keurig and make up your own mind.

Keurig unsafe 

We got rid of ours this evening.
We have all been having stomach problems for months.
Hopefully this will be the cause and we will all get better.

Santa Fe

  I'm posting my trip photos backwards.  We went

to Santa Fe the last day we were there.  I've always 

wanted to go there.  I'm so glad my Donna asked.

We went to 3 very old churches.  They were so beautiful!

I love the architecture in Sante Fe, the adobe style buildings,

the colors, the wood carving, so beautiful!

 Our last stop in Sante Fe.  Donna and I wanted to try

chocolate with spice, or peppers in it.  They were 

giving away hot chocolate samples.  The first was very

mild.  Donna asked for the least spicy next and I asked 

for the spicy one on the top of the list.  My mouth burned and

I couldn't taste much for a while after but I'm glad I tried it.

I'm glad we got to go and I really enjoyed our day in

Santa Fe!  I will post more photos later!

I used to be afraid to fly...

...not anymore, not since finding out I had cancer

and there were bigger things to be afraid of.  These were

taken on the way back from Albuquerque.  I find it 

strange, but it's probably not, that we would leave Albuquerque

and fly to San Diego to catch another plane to fly to Orlando.  

There were fascinating things to see and it made me want to be able to go 

to San Diego to see what it's like up close and personal.

This is leaving Albuquerque.

A little Mesa at least from my view

  Amazing cloud formations.

 This was flying into San Diego.

warships

This is the Tampa area.

Except for the crowds and squishy conditions,

I really like to fly now!

I read this on facebook and decided to share;

MARRIED OR NOT, YOU SHOULD READ THIS ...

“When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.

Suddenly I didn’t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn’t seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?

I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn’t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn’t love her anymore. I just pitied her!

❝ For more Inspirational Quotes/Story Please visit
www.socialmeems.com ❞

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn’t have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn’t want anything from me, but needed a month’s notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month’s time and she didn’t want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that every day for the month’s duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Jane about my wife’s divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don’t tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.

Suddenly it hit me… she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.

Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it’s time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office…. jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind…I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won’t divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I’ll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.

That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed -dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push through with the divorce.— At least, in the eyes of our son—- I’m a loving husband….

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves.

So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. If you are not in a relationship now, remember this for the second (or third) time around. It's never too late.

If you share this, you just might save a marriage. Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up

Reading:

Jesus Calling;

Live first and foremost in God’s presence.  Not an easy thing to do when the world tries to grab your attention and distract you. 

Gradually you will become more aware of Me than people and places (and dogs) around you.  My peace will permeate your words and demeanor.  I do desire this.

Streams in the Desert:

Paul and Timothy were trying to go to Bithynia and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.

Was it a strange thing for the Lord to prohibit?  Some times God requires not only a service of work but a service of waiting times; times for action times to refrain from action.  Sometimes a place of isolation is often the most useful place of all in this diverse world. 

When I cannot understand my Father’s leading,

And it seems to be both hard and cruel fate,

Still I hear that gentle whisper ever pleading

God is working.  God is faithful,

only wait.

I started working on a piece of art on the computer.  It's a long way from
being finished.  I'm struggling with direction and probably won't finish it
before my trip.  Woo hoo!!! I get to go visit my brother and family for a week
in Albuquerque.  So excited!!!!!!!!!

When we were driving a truck I listened to Anne Graham Lotz.... lots.....lol

Seriously, she kept me awake many of my night shift drives..  

I would love to meet her and I love listening to her and reading her 

daily writings.  She is such a great Christian and very inspiring.

God Is Great-Still!

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.

Psalm 37:23, NKJV

Before the Flood, God had said, "Come into the ark" (Gen. 7:1, NKJV). The clear implication was that God was already inside, inviting Noah to join Him there. After the Flood, when God said, "Come out of the ark" (Gen. 8:16, NIV), the implication is that He had left and was asking Noah to follow. The great God of the Exodus Who led His people out of bondage to slavery in Egypt, parting the Red Sea to allow them to pass on dry ground and so escape the armies of Pharaoh - that same great God led Noah, his wife, his sons, his sons' wives, and all the animals out of the ark!

God's greatness has not been diluted in any way over the years of time. He is just as great today as He has been in the past. So why do you think He cannot lead you out of trouble? Why would you think He cannot lead your entire life so that you find peace and fulfillment? Why do you think He is unable to lead your children in the right direction that will be pleasing to Him and good for them? God is great!

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

AnGeL Ministries Website 

random...ness...

Took some photos of photos at Mom's.  

Dad in his basketball star days.

 Overseas in the Air Force

 I never knew he drove one of these

 being cool

 We've been having some good storm clouds lately.

 Jason, Jesse, Millie

Been struggling lately.  I don't know if it's the shot,

or stressing about the trip next month and possibly

having to go alone.  It's not the plan and I really

don't want to but I may get stuck without a choice.

I surely hope not.  I don't know what's been getting to

 me for sure but I choose to make it stop.  

Tomorrow I get my first vit c IV and I hope it makes 

me feel better.  I thought it was last week and showed up at the Dr. -

felt stupid but it's not a big deal and Mom and I had fun.

We went to Trader Joe's for the first time.  Whoever designed the

parking lot though - super bad planning, ridiculous!  

Robert & Sara Genn Twice-Weekly Letter Click to read this letter online and share your valuable insights. Letters to a young artist August 22, 2014 Dear Lynn, In Letters to a Young Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926) counsels a pen pal to "have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart" and to "live in the question." These letters were published in 1929. In 2006, American actor and playwright Anna Deavere Smith wrote a book called Letters to a Young Artist - an updated homage and remake of sorts to Rilke's original. "You can't teach talent. You can't teach inspiration," says Anna. "You can teach people critical facilities. You can give them techniques. You can teach discipline. And you can teach them about the business." In Letters to a Young Artist, Anna writes to a fictional young painter called BZ. "Art should take what is complex and render it simply," she advises. "It takes a lot of skill, human understanding, stamina, courage, energy, and heart to do that." Anna describes a desire for "wide-awakeness." "Do you want to be an artist so that the whole world will look at you, or do you want to be an artist because you would like to use your ability to attract attention, to have the world see itself through you differently?" she asks. In her version, Anna calls for action. In response to those feeling concerned or even despairing about the risk of art becoming a popularity contest rather than a profession, Anna advises that it's best to choose another line of work. "Your desire to communicate must be bigger than your relationship with the chaotic and unfair realities," she says. On the importance of artists taking control of destiny, Anna implores us to plan our lives - to be the authors. "Be more than ready. Be present in your discipline. Remember your gift. Be grateful for your gift and treat it like a gift. Cherish it, take care of it, and pass it on. Use your time to bathe yourself in that gift. Move your hand across the canvas. Go to museums. Make this into an obsession. I needed to read this today because I've been feeling discouraged about not accomplishing anything.  I have to remember when I design a t shirt, that's art, and I've done a few of those recently.  When I take photographs and work on photoshop, that's art, I do that quite a bit.  When I write, though it's not visual art, it is still an art form and one I know I'm supposed to use, ex. writing here and I've been working on a couple of things that have been taking a while.  One will be finished soon and I will be sharing here - though it will be difficult to share.  I just needed this.  Maybe someone else will too.

Beach Day and Shot day

New neighbor, one of my favorite birds.

This was crazy - catching this photo with 

the birds behind this woman.  It looks very added

in or something but it was just a lucky shot.

 I wanted to get his yellow feet

 I told Chuck to make them fly but I didn't catch the 

wings fully open like I planned.  I like how his feathers

look - if you click on it you can see it better.

The sun kept hiding behind the clouds.

I liked the reflection it made in the sand

We had a patriotic neighbor with a flag

on a fishing pole.

Chuck told me I should start taking more

people pictures at the beach.  This is one 

I caught I call "dancing strangers".  

Yesterday was my monthly shot day.  I also have blood drawn at the same visit.  It’s how they check my calcium levels.  I take lots of calcium daily.  If I don’t the ingredients in the shot instead of strengthening my bones will have the opposite effect.  Mostly, I don’t think about cancer on a daily basis.  But days like yesterday bring me back to the reality of my life. 

I wasn’t feeling well when I got to the Dr.’s office.  I didn’t want to reschedule my shot so I went.  The regular nurse who takes care of me was on vacation.  The lady who was there was very sweet and I know did her best.  Because I wasn’t feeling well in the first place is the reason I had a bad reaction and I need to remember that for my next visit.

She tried taking blood the first time and had to move the needle around trying to find a vein.  It really didn’t hurt but I guess because I wasn’t feeling well, I started getting nauseous and feeling very much like I was going to pass out.  She removed the needle and I told her, “I really don’t feel well.”  She said she was going to get someone else to do it and gave me a few minutes to feel better. 

After waiting a bit she asked if she could try using the veins in my hand.  The other girl was busy trying to get 3 different IV’s started and would be a while.  I told her to go ahead and thankfully it worked.  She finished and gave me my shot and let me go.  I told Corey what happened and she said she couldn’t pick me up if I passed out.  I let her know that feeling had thankfully passed  - but I did stumble in the parking lot.  I almost started crying because it was one of those days when cancer is very real and very much in control and I couldn’t ignore it like I normally do.

I went home and slept a few hours and I’d like to say it helped but I just didn’t feel that great the rest of the day.   I’ve read about other women taking this shot and not having side effects.  It always seems like everything hurts worse after I get it.  Every place I’ve fractured since this happened and every place they’ve said tumors exist just aches more than usual and I get a really upset stomach.  

Today, I feel better, thankfully.