Has It Been Two Weeks? My Birthday and Texas Trip #5

Today is David’s birthday – “Happy Birthday, Dave!”

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I can’t believe it’s been over two weeks since I’ve posted.  It just goes to show you that without structure, I am wandering aimlessly.  (Do I need to do Project 365 to actually keep a blog??)

Two days after my last post – it was my birthday and the present I gave myself was a trip to Texas to see Kale and Kayla.  I went ALONE.  I flew alone.  Did you hear that? And I did it without nerve medicine. Haha!

Before I left, I knew I needed some Maddie time, so I picked her up from daycare  (there’s nothing better than hearing her scream “Mémère” when she sees me come in the door!) and off we went to Wal-mart.

When you live in the sticks, travel isn’t all that “convenient”.  It takes three hours to get to the airport.  The flight from Little Rock to Houston is only an hour or so… unless you get a plane with THESE…

…then, it takes about two hours. Ha!

Kale picked me up from the airport and shortly after we got home, Kayla got off work. I miss them SO much, they are always a sight for sore eyes! We went to eat at a really neat little "family" cafe (Eden Cafe) and I got chicken pot pie.  I haven’t had that in forever and it was so good! (I crunched up my crust before getting a picture. Ha!)

After supper, the “kids” gave me my birthday gift – an iPad2!!

It was a hard gift to accept, but I pretty much ran with it after I got over being overwhelmed!

All in all, it was one of the best birthdays ever! (That’s saying a lot when you get to be my age.)

I’ll post more about my trip tomorrow.  Until then,

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Dear Maddie,

Look what Mémère got for you!

365–This Time It’s For Real

So this really is my 365th post for Project 365.  I may have some perfectionist traits and let it totally bother me that I skipped a post number.  I may have gone back and corrected them to the right numbers. Can you say OCD?

It has rained here pretty much all day again today.

It just keeps coming.

I got excited when I opened my mailbox today and these were in there!!

These are THE BEST workout socks in the world.  They are cushiony!! And you can run in them and sweat like a hog and then take your shoes off and lo and behold – they stay dry! Amazing!!  They’re not easy to find around here… I have to drive a couple of hours to get them, so when I found these in bulk on eBay, I was thrilled!

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Today has been an interesting news day.  I am ever so grateful to our military for the work they do to protect us and to rid our world from the threats we face.  Bin Laden was an evil man, and while I am thankful he is gone, I’m also aware there is someone who is more than ready to take his place.  He is only one.  His death doesn’t make me feel “safer”.  There is only One who’s death changed my life, sealed my security, and gives me hope! 

I am committed to praying for God’s hand of protection over our servicemen and women daily as they remain in harm’s way defending this great Country!  I say “thank you” from the bottom of my heart to each and every one of them today and every day.

“For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways…” (Psalm 91:11)

355–God Knows What He’s Doing

God knows what He’s doing. I am simply not meant to have straight hair.

The hair dresser round brushed and straight ironed my hair today – it took a LONG time.  It didn’t look too bad from the side or back, but I absolutely hated the front.  The finished texture is really not natural and anyone could tell that it was “artificially” straightened hair.  I have fought the curl my whole life, but I guess I’ll go with what God gave me.
Have you been seeing the previews for “The Voice” on NBC? We are really looking forward to it. It looks like it could be really good.  And if you love Hallmark Hall of Fame movies – there is one coming on this Sunday night.  I have my DVR set… I LOVE Hallmark movies!!

351–My Developing Phobia

I used to LOVE going to Walmart. But, for some reason in the last six months or so, I just absolutely dread going.  It’s not Walmart, in particular, but shopping for groceries. Here are some of my reasons:

• It takes a sweet forever to get in and get out.
• You can never find everything you went in for.  (They stock something long enough for you to get dependent on it and then they yank it from the shelf.)
• You run in for a thing or two and leave with a cart load.
• You ALWAYS forget something.
• Plastic bags.  Enough said.
• From start to finish – you handle an item SIX times. Count ‘em… 1) Off the shelf into the cart.  2) Out of the cart onto the conveyor.  3) Move back into the cart.  4) Move from cart to trunk.  5) Move from trunk to kitchen.  6) Finally put it away!
• Once you’re done, you realize you’ll have to do it again in a week!

Am I the only one that feels that way???

330–It’s That Time of Year Again & “Army Wives”

We got our Vacation Bible School order in at church today.  We’re “going to NYC” this summer for the “Big Apple Adventure”.  VBS takes lots of planning and work and we are always blessed with so many faithful workers. (If you go to our church and want to volunteer to help this year… you can register online at www.fbcflippin.com.  Parents can register their children there as well.)

On another note… do y’all watch “Army Wives”?  It’s in its 5th Season, but I think I started watching the night of the 3rd Season-opener.  I love that show!! Last night was the most emotional episode ever.  I cried from the beginning until the end.  Just so sad… and the truth is, every day families in our nation are losing loved ones in combat as they fight for the way of life that we take for granted every single day.  I try to make a point to thank a service man/woman any and every time I can.  Our society idolizes celebrities and athletes… the men and women serving our country are truly my heroes!!

316–The Death of A Heater and a Ms. Charlsie-ism

I know this may not mean much to you, but seriously, it’s pretty life-altering to me.

My heater bit the dust last Friday.  But, have no fear, I had a backup…

And, just because I want to remember this… I took Ms. Charlsie for a tax appointment this afternoon and when we were almost back to her house, she looks down at her watch and says, “What time are we enjoying?” I told her it was 5:30 and she says, “Oh, I missed my program!” (Haha! Jeopardy.)

I love that she said “what time are we enjoying”.  I don’t guess I’ve ever heard anyone say that before.

311–Novocain and New Glasses

I had to go back to the dentist first thing this morning to (once again) work on that crown from last Spring.  UGH! I am never thrilled to have dental work done, but today I had a little crisis.  About 5 seconds after he gave me the Novocain, I felt a spiky feeling (like when your foot goes to sleep) at the base of my skull and it sort of  “crawled” around my face.  I got scared and my heart started racing and when I realized I wasn’t able to really cope, I admitted to him that “I wasn’t feeling just right.”  He assured me it was just anxiety (really? it can do that??), but I seriously thought he was numbing my brain!!! Anyway, I’m done at the dentist until August. Thank goodness!

When I was on the way back from the gym at lunch today, the eye doctor called to let me know that Ms. Charlsie’s glasses were ready for her.  So, I ran back to town with her late this afternoon to get them.  She asked me if they made her look good… I told her she looked 20 years younger and she said, “Oh, that’s too young!” Here she is sportin’ them…

308–Family Tree and Secret Millionaire

Since yesterday’s post, I’ve had my mind on our “family tree”.  I spent the biggest part of this afternoon on www.geni.com – we have an online family tree there.  It goes back to my 7th great grandfathers on the Goulet side there.

I’ve been seeing previews for “Secret Millionaire” for the last several months, so I set my DVR to record it tonight along with “The Amazing Race” and “Army Wives” (poor DVR gets a workout around here!).  Each week the show (similar to “Undercover Boss”) takes an incognito millionaire to one of America’s poverty-stricken areas.  They spend a week working alongside the needy and ultimately decide how to give away at least $100,000 of their own money.  I LOVED it!!! Did you see it??

307–Who Do You Think You Are?

I spent the morning catching up on some DVR’d television.  Do you watch “Who Do You Think You Are?”  I watched three episodes this morning and cried in all three.  Some of the stories are happy, some are really sad, but they’re always interesting.

I love genealogy and that show makes me want to go back and discover my own roots.  Not just see the names on the family tree, but to know their stories.  To know about their lives.

On Lionel Richie’s episode, he began his story by telling how he grew up in the South (Alabama).  His family took measures to shelter him and his siblings from the events that were unfolding during his childhood (the civil rights movement).  He describes it as “living in a bubble”.  When I describe my childhood, I almost always describe it that way. 

My parents (whether intentionally or unintentionally) shielded us from the “bad” that was all around us.  I knew VERY little of things such as divorce, murder, child abuse, crime, etc. as a child.  About the scariest thing I remember from my grade school years (besides the witch on “The Wizard of Oz”) is having to do “duck and cover drills” at school (in the early 70s).

I don’t know how my parents did it, but all my childhood memories are of a time that seemed so innocent.  I was protected.  I was taken care of.  I was happy.  I am SO thankful for that!

295–How Many Can You Count?

I took this picture with my phone tonight on my way home from work.  It's just a sample of what we see most every day in our neighborhood.  I think we counted about 80 deer one evening on our way out.  It’s just one of the perks of living in the country.

What do you love about where you live??

255–Does This Happen To You?

Have you ever had one of those mornings when you wake up at the sound of your alarm and for a moment you can’t, for the life of you, remember what day it is and you have a quick conversation with yourself about how it’s Friday… and then reality sets in and you realize it’s just Wednesday??  Haha! That was how my day started.

It was in the single digits here this morning and it was frigid all day … there’s not much melting going on.

I never had stuff like this lying around when the boys were young.

212–Chef Tyler and Feet Pajamas

I went from work to the gym tonight and when I got home Tyler was just about to take supper out of the oven.  He put together a chicken casserole with cream of mushroom soup, Rotel, and cheese with egg noodles. It was good! HOT, but good!  It was nice to have supper ready when I got home, too!

My sister Kristin (#11) texted me this photo today…

One of the things I’m remembered by in my family is my “feet pajamas”.  When I was in the 4th grade, I got a pair of red feet pajamas for Christmas.  I LOVED them and wore them faithfully from 4th grade until I was 19 years old.  They still fit (width-wise) after all those years, but were stretched lengthwise so much so that I had them held together with safety pins at the knees.  I finally burned them just before I got married (I thought Dave might not appreciate them as much as I did)… but seriously, I wish I hadn’t burned them.

Jodi actually bought me a pair several years ago for Christmas.  I hadn’t seen any in stores, but from the looks of it… they’re making a comeback!!

190–Transparency

I started this blog in June 2008.  Over these past couple of years, I’ve posted about good times and some not so good times.  There’s been lots of blog discussion about just how transparent we should be on our blogs – especially when it affects other people.  I have eluded to difficult times or praying about something I’m going through without giving too much detail to protect others.

Last night, Tyler and I were talking about blogging.  I told him there were many times that I would have loved to spill my guts and tell what I was going through (so that people could pray for us or encourage me), but because it would have affected him I never said too much and kept things pretty vague. So, his posts have really impressed me…he has been very open and transparent about his life and how God is doing a work in him.  I have been completely overwhelmed with thankfulness for the way God has changed so much in my life in the blink of an eye.  On the way to work this morning, I began to think about the things that have transpired this last week and I began to thank God (again) for His goodness and faithfulness and began to weep (again) in gratitude.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been looking and looking for a blog post that I read several months ago.  I cannot, for the life of me, remember who’s blog it was, but someone wrote about how we oftentimes only see the situation we’re in and can’t see the end of the story.  Only God knows the end of the story.  And He also knows how beautifully the story will be written.  When I read what the author wrote, it just really ministered to me.  I have “given the situation to God” so many times over the years, but for some reason, reading what the blogger wrote really gave me hope. I knew if I trusted God with the end of the story and the pages in between, I could finally rest.  I suppose it’s a matter of faith.  But, I do know that after I came to this revelation, lots of things started happening that didn’t really make sense, but I just had to trust that it was part of the story.

All in all, God was at work.  And I am EVER SO GRATEFUL!

I would ask that you pray for Tyler and all the changes that are going on in his life.  And specifically, would you pray for him on Wednesday? He has an opportunity that we are praying God will make very plain to him by either an open or closed door.  We are good with the answer whichever door it turns out to be, but are praying God’s best for him in it.

And… Daisy is feeling much better… even though this picture doesn’t really look like it:

144 – Saying “So Long” and If I Could Have a Do-Over

These are my girls.  I have had the pleasure of training them for about a year and a half (with a break here and there).  I can honestly say that, just like you see on Biggest Loser, a trainer really does come to love and care about the people they work with (or work OUT). Leslie, the one on the left, is moving away this week.  She and JoAnn, on the right, are good friends and it has been so fun to get to know them and to work with them and see them on a weekly basis.  We’re sure going to miss you, Leslie!! JoAnn better get ready, I’m harder on a client when it’s just one-on-one. Ha!

A couple of girls that I think are just the sweetest young moms EVER gave me this blog award.  I am not real big on blog awards, but I liked Rule #1. So, I’ll share.

The Rules:
1. Answer this question: If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?
2. The second thing you have to do is, pick 6 people and give them this award.You then have to inform the person that they have gotten this award.
3. The third and final thing is, thank the person who gave you the award.

The answer:
If I had the chance to go back and change one thing in my life, I think it would be to enjoy every moment with my children more and worrying less!  Many of you are young moms with young children at home.  I know how overwhelming it is… the responsibility to teach the right things at the right time; worrying about the safety of your child(ren); fearing that you have so much to do that your not spending enough quality time with them; worrying that your “no's” are more frequent than your “yes’s” and that your children will think you never let them do anything; the constant concern that something you do could “make them” or “break them”. 

I think I was in a constant state of worry.

I still worry, believe you me.  But, I am so much more laid back now than I was when my kids were young and I wish I could go back and enjoy the ride more.  Working with the 3 and 4 year olds on Wednesday nights makes me realize how sweet, sweet they are and how easy it is to enjoy them when you don’t have all that worry surrounding you.

So, if you have little ones at home… I hope you’ll take the time to just sit and watch them play; look deep into their innocent eyes; tell them often how much you love them; sit and talk and make believe; hug them and hug them again.  Those moments will be gone so soon.

I think all the blogs on my blog roll are great reads…so if you feel like answering the question, too… play right along.

Thank you, Kimberley and Kelley for thinking of me.  I appreciate your kind words even more!!!!  Kimberley has two of the cutest little boys ever!! (Check out their eyes!) She is such a good mother who treasures the moments she has with her family.  Kelley is a mother of two beautiful girls.  She has so much on her plate, but finds a way to make being a wife, mother, teacher, daughter all come together in a way that honors God.

110 – I’m Not a Morning Person

I am NOT a morning person.  Never have been.  They say as you get older you start waking up earlier.  Apparently, God doesn’t think I’m old all the way just yet. Ha!

But, if I were a morning person, I would definitely be into that thing they call sunrise! Morning skies are amazing!

097 – Getting Ready To Celebrate

 

Today we’ve been putting the finishing touches on the 25th Anniversary celebration we’ve got planned for the Preacher (and Judy).  I can’t even say in words how much they mean to me and my family, in particular.  I became a Christian at the age of 25 in 1990 and have been a member of our church ever since.  I started as our church secretary in 1994.  So, you can imagine how much I’ve come to love and appreciate Steve and Judy and their family over all these years.

They truly love the Lord… and while they are as human as the rest of us, I can honestly say I don’t know any two people who give of themselves so sacrificially, who have a burden for lost people (all over the world), who share the true love of Christ in the everyday things, and who strive to live for Him each and every day… as Steve and Judy do.  They are the real thing.

I am so honored and blessed to work alongside them with our church family.

071 – Crockpot Meal and Bad Bread

I wanted to make a meal for a family last night, so I put a roast in the crockpot before going to bed.  I also put some country white bread in my breadmaker… the roast (I hope) turned out fine…

…but, here lately, this is about all my breadmaker does! What’s up with that?

 

Needless to say, the bread didn’t leave the house. Ha!

I spent the biggest part of my workday working on a slide show for a funeral at our church tomorrow.  It is always an incredible honor for me to be able to do this for a family that I care so much about. It’s one of the things I love about my job.  And I hope it helps, in some small way.

024 – My Old Jacks

This is my old set of jacks from grade school.  My “across the street” friend from Placentia sent them to me back in 2003.  She told me that she won them from me fair and square and was returning them to me after all these years so they’ve come full circle.  I don’t remember losing them to her, but I do remember the jacks.  They used to be yellow, but now the paint is worn off.  The bag is a creepy vinyl and in typical fashion… I wrote my name all over it.  (I did that to everything as a kid.)

Jacquie Goulet’s Jacks

011 – My Workspace

I thought I’d share with you a little about my office.  Here’s my desk.  Most people think that I’m a perfectionist, but clearly, I’m NOT.  This is organized chaos.

If you look real close, you’ll see a photo of Jodi and me.  You’ll also see a coffee cup.  I normally don’t do caffeine.  Here lately, I’ve been SO tired in the mornings, so I’ve been drinking a half a cup of Steve’s coffee when I get to work.  Steve makes coffee that’ll put hair on your chest… just sayin’.

Hidden behind the chair is my trusty under-the-desk heater.  I am very attached to that little heater.

Now you know what a messy desk I have!

010 – My Bedding

I thought I’d share my bedding with y’all.  I love the red, black, white and tan colors together.  Looking at it just makes me happy!

Now that Tyler has left his room empty, I need to start getting that room ready for guests.  My two favorite guests are supposed to be coming for the 4th of July!!  I’d like to put a queen sized bed in there since I have a full size bed in the other spare room.  But, I also want to keep an antique bed frame.  Have any of y’all ever converted a full size antique bed to a queen?