When I found out my sister was visiting our parents over night, I decided to invite myself, too.  You see, Mom and Dad live an hour and a half from me and two hours from my sis.  Sis is over an hour from me.  Yep.  We're all spread out.  (I know that is not a big deal for those of you in Texas!)

 

In any case, I needed a break and this was the perfect opportunity. 

 

What a blast we had!  Sis was in rare form and I was happy to let her take the lead (at least I think I did ).  We were actually saying the same thing at the same time.  The funniest was when we quoted Hannibal Lecter after talking about how much we like Silence of the Lambs.  "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti."  Pause.  Slurping noises...we laughed so hard. 

 

After dinner, Dad read a book in the living room and Mom, Sis and I talked in the kitchen.  Mom told me today that it warmed Dad's heart to hear all the laughter.  Mom's ribs were sore the next day from all her laughing.

 

Laughter is so cleansing, don't you think? 

 

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful."  Proverbs 15:13

"The cheerful heart has a continual feast."  Proverbs 15:15

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

 

My prescription is filled!

 

Did you ever laugh so hard when you were taking a drink of something that the liquid came out of your nose?  I don't remember it happening to me but I remember it happening to Sis with chocolate milk when we were kids...

 

Do you like silly movies?  As a matter of fact, for the most part, yes.  "Arsenic and Old Lace" with Cary Grant.  "Blades of Glory" (Although I don't like most of Will Ferrell's recent stuff.)  Bringing up Baby with Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant (Yes, I love Cary Grant!)

 

Have you ever experienced true joy?  Joy had been missing from my life for many years before Isabella came along.  Now I often seek it out. 

 

Are you a silly person?  Not usually but I am working on it!

 

How long will it take for you to get sick of hot dogs and hamburgers at summer cookouts?  I'm there already.

 

Hope y'all have a great weekend.  Stay safe, gail

 

 

Just came home from an overnight trip and am beat.  Will try to write soon.  Sorry.  g

 

 

My thanks to all who payed the ultimate price for my freedom.  Also to their loved ones.

 

 

 

 

 

That makes me think of a tire losing air.  If you look at the time stamp you will see that I am getting a late start here and I am running out of air.  Went shopping for a dress for a wedding we are going to next month and got one that looks like it is from the '60's.  Even got a costume jewelry necklace that almost looks like it is from the same era.  My friend, N, and I got a real kick out of it! 

 

I hate clothes shopping.  With a passion.  When I mentioned to N I was going, she asked, "Want some company?"  Having a good friend along for the ride makes it an easier experience.  We also get a kick out of the same funky stuff!  (Incense and Peppermints plays in the background...)    This was the first record I ever owned...and my parents picked it out for me.!  Grrroovy!

 

It's funny how my son's music is too loud and noisy but I can still get into my kind of rock.  Then again, mine is so much better....

 

Do you still like the same music you listened to as a teenager?  Yes.  As a matter of fact I do.  From Bach to Clapton I believe my tastes haven't changed all that much.

 

Do you listen to music a lot?  In the car, I often have talk radio on but tune into the contemporary Christian music station a lot.  Casting Crowns is one of my faves.  Will also listen to a classic rock station or two when Himself is in the car or I need an adrenaline surge!

 

Have you ever been to a concert?  Many of them.  That was before I had a big problem with crowds.  Harry Chapin, Springsteen (only like him in concert not on albums), Hall & Oates, Journey, Adam Ant (took my kid brother to his first concert), and more.  Boy, am I dating myself or what?

 

If you could have a ticket for any group or solo act that is around now who would you choose?  Hmmm...why do I ask questions that stump me???  Probably Casting Crowns. 

 

How can anyone listen to the words of that last song and not be moved?  Beats me.  Makes me want to worship...

 

Have a great weekend.  hugs, g

 

 

My kid brother, J, has long been considered a genius.  The internet IQ (intelligence quotient) tests top out at 180 and that was his score.  Another IQ test measured, I believe 184.  (The average IQ is around 100 and, according to what I have researched, Albert Einstein is thought to have had an IQ of 160.)  Wanting to see if he is truly as smart as he thinks he is he took the Mensa test and confirmed it; 98-99th percentile.

 

No, his head is not shaped like The Brain  or Elmer Fudd .  Actually, he's a very good looking guy - tats and all.

 

While J's IQ is higher than mine, I know that I am not dumb.  My intelligence was always a point of pride.  Then, it happened:  my memory just isn't what it used to be. 

 

Early onset Alzheimer's?  No.  Perimenopause?  Partly.  Stress?  Partly.  Getting older?  Yes.  My brain is full?  Not quite.

 

Whatever the reason, I was so very upset.  Then I realized it was a blessing in a way.  No longer did I feel I had to have all the answers.  When people look to me for an answer, I don't have to have it!

 

Now, it is bothering me again.  My friend, A, tells me not to analyze it.  If God wants me to know the answer He will tell me (I've been thinking it may be a spiritual attack).

 

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon states, "Meaningless!  Meanlingless!...Utterly meaningless!  Everthing is meaningless!"  Throughout the book, Solomon seeks the answer to what truly matters in life.

 

His conclusion:

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion  of the matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  For God will bring every deed into judgement including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

 

If I do good deeds or use my intelligence for a thumbs from the world it is meaningless. Unless I do it in God's name and for His pleasure, not mine, I might as well stay home. 

 

Every gift or special talent we have such as artistic, linguistic, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,"(Galations 5:22, 23), wisdom, strength, everything is a gift from God.  "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."  (Galations 5:26)

 

I can not boast about any talent I might have because it is not mine other than that God entrusted it to me for His glory!

 

Whether or not my memory becomes acute again, I must trust that God is in control.  In the meantime, I will try to use my other gifts, through the spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ to further His kingdom.

 

What special talent do you have?  Come on.  Everyone has at least one.  I can roll my tongue like an oyster shell.  I'm very good at writing eulogies.  Oh, and I can sing and harmonize.

 

What special talent would you like to have?  Once again, I want to learn to play the piano.

 

Were you "forced" by your parents to take music lessons when you were a kid?  No.  We didn't have the money for that.  However, my mom found it in the budget for me to take flute lessons in school for a while.

 

What is something you used to do that you would like to take up again?  Maybe skiing.  Driving very fast - that would have to be on a track, though.  I love to put the pedal to the metal!

 

What were you "born" doing?  Asking questions.  Lots and lots of questions and I haven't stopped since.

 

Thanks for the prayers for my m-i-l.  She is recuperating slowly but surely from her surgery. 

 

Have a wonderful weekend and ponder your special gifts.....g

 

 

Am I a failure at fanciful freedom?  Himself left for a trip Wednesday morning and I have had very little free time to myself.  The truth is The Boy is around way too much.  Waaaaay too much.  TV and video games make noise in what could be my quiet haven.  Heavy sigh.

 

At my women's group, I wished for a "cloak of invisibilty."  In his book "Piercing the Darkness,"  Frank Peretti describes how angels use their wings to cloak a person in protection so that her enemies can not see her.  How cool would it be to be able to become invisible when you see trouble coming your way.  Or circumstances you would rather avoid:

 

"Honey!  I need a haircut!"  Pop.  Invisible.

 

"Mom!  What's for dinner?"  Whoosh.  Gone with the wind.

 

"Want to go visit..."  Nope.  Don't turn your head or I might disappear.  I have a book to finish before the library starts to charge me fines. 

 

~heavy sigh~

 

However, I do sense the angelic protection given to me by my heavenly father;  when we come so close to having an accident that could only be stopped by a heavenly intermediary.  I see it each time Isabella has a "near miss" coming so close to hitting her head on something she has fallen close to.  If I choose to I experience it when I pray and give strength to the angelic army sent to protect His own.

 

A cloak of invisibility would be cool.  However, I will try to be content with the protection God has so graciously given me. 

 

Are you able to be in a home without having noise around (tv, radio, etc.)?  It used to be that I couldn't.  I didn't want to deal with my own thoughts.  Now, though, it is a good thing.

 

How often would you like to have time to yourself?  Every day.  For at least a few hours.  Delicious.

 

Do you like to talk on the phone?  Why or why not?  Not really.  It's hard for me to just sit and pay attention without doing something with my hands.  Sometimes I have to play solitaire on the pc to be able to pay attention or clean the kitchen.  I'd much rather visit in person.

 

Do you sometimes go to "another place" and realize you haven't heard a thing going on around you for a while?  Yes.  It's not something I can will myself to do.  It just happens sometimes.

 

You are not there.  Where are you?  In Texas with my baby bro and his bride.  I want so badly to hug them!

 

How was your week?  Looking forward to seeing your falderal answers.  gail