Definition for $100 please

So I can be a bit snarky at times.  Sometimes it's in my brain and I mentally reply to a person who was a bit more than rude. Most of the time it happens when I'm driving.  Sometimes I think people really did get their driver's license from a Cracker Jack Box!!!  Other times,  I think I've mentally replied and, based on the look on the other person's face, it actually came out of my brain via my mouth.  sigh  I did it again! 

Before you Google Snarky, I'll help you out:
SNARKY:  A witty mannerism, personality, or behavior that is a combination of sarcasm and cynicism. Usually accepted as a complimentary term. sarcastic, impertinent, or irreverent in tone or manner

From what I can tell, I'm not the only one that has this issue... Doesn't make it right or acceptable.  I've often told Honey that I could not work as a automotive service advisor. I would be fired for telling a customer that, it is not our fault they didn't plan ahead and waited till the day before their vacation, which they planned 6 months ago, to have their auto problems fixed, new tires, or oil changed.

I've been snarky with my kids.  Their lack of planning is not going to cause an emergency on my side.  They may have inherited some of this from me.

Time and time again, I chide myself and wish I were kinder, sweeter, more Proverbs 31 (but honestly, this woman seems to be a bit beyond my reach), prettier, in better shape, easier to talk to, less distracted, blah, blah, blah...  You fill in the blank. One Sunday, I was talking to a friend and they made a comment about a subject close to my heart and their opinion just about seared my soul.  They weren't meaning to.  Maybe it was a due to a bit of honesty in their observations, but their words were stomping on my heart...

It was a tough week with my mom, school was starting back up, my regular school year kids were back in my care, too little sleep, a bit of loneliness...  Not the best week, but it sure wasn't hopeless!  Getting ready for church on Sunday, my playlist began running through some of my favorites...  Tripping over dogs underfoot, outfit change #4, foundation, some blush, oh shoot... chipped polish on my toes won't go with those comfy sandals...  then the first strum of guitar and beat of drum pulsed through the speakers.... "He Knows My Name" by Francesca Battistelli    Listen  I heard Him say to me.

Spent today in a conversation
In the mirror face to face with
Somebody less than perfect
I wouldn't choose me first if
I was looking for a champion
In fact I'd understand if
You picked everyone before me
But that's just not my story
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

I don't need my name in lights
I'm famous in my Father's eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I'm not living for applause
I'm already so adored
It's all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

I'm not meant to just stay quiet
I'm meant to be a lion
I'll roar beyond a song
With every moment that I've got
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

I don't need my name in lights
I'm famous in my Father's eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I'm not living for applause
I'm already so adored
It's all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

He calls me chosen, free forgiven, wanted, child of the King,
His forever, held in treasure
I am loved

I don't need my name in lights
I'm famous in my Father's eyes

I don't need my name in lights
I'm famous in my Father's eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I'm not living for applause
I'm already so adored
It's all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

Listen...  He said again... though I heard her voice begin, picking up where she had just left off.  

                                                   "If We're Honest"

Truth is harder than a lie
The dark seems safer than the light
And everyone has a heart that loves to hide
I'm a mess and so are you
We've built walls nobody can get through
Yeah, it may be hard, but the best thing we could ever do, ever do
[Chorus:]
Bring your brokenness, and I'll bring mine
'Cause love can heal what hurt divides
And mercy's waiting on the other side
If we're honest
If we're honest

Don't pretend to be something that you're not
Living life afraid of getting caught
There is freedom found when we lay 
our secrets down at the cross, at the cross
[Chorus]
It would change our lives
It would set us free
It's what we need to be

By the time I arrived at church, I was a bit of a mess.  First friend I saw was Miss "I", who visiting with her sweet Momma.  She gave me the biggest hug and then a mug with all these wonderful quips about friends (my favorite one was "Friends become our chosen Family") and I cried.  I cried as her momma hugged me.  I miss her coming here daily, but I am so thrilled for the new opportunity that God has placed their family in and thankful I do get to see them from time to time.  She is a friend of the heart.  As I turned from her, I saw a longtime friend, tears in her eyes approach me.  She just reached out and enveloped me in a hug and let me cry.  The frustrations and self-doubts finally came out.  She told me of her mom's struggle with dementia and her struggle with that, and as we talked,  she listened.  "My brain just can't wrap itself around why I would be good friend material.  We go from work to nursing home, do dinner and go to bed, only to do it all over again.  Late nights that Honey works, schedules.  I have no clue what is going on with anyone or even watch the news."   

Thyme is Honey blog

"Can I ask you something?  Those things that you say to yourself... Would you ever say them to someone else," she asked, understanding deep in her eyes. "No, of course you wouldn't!  Then why do you say them to yourself?"

This week is better.  Her question and challenge has echoed through my head all week.  My head is clearing and  I'm listening...  I'm working toward being less snarky...

 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:12-13

Momma and Alan Jackson

You've looked at your phone You know the moment... It has happened to most of us in the grocery store, a business, vehicle, waiting on hold on the phone, and a song comes on that you knew from childhood or younger years.  You may not have heard it for a very long time, but suddenly you are singing along, and not just in your head. Those lyrics are coming from your mouth.  Music has a way of getting into our hearts and brains and there is a reason for that, but more on that in a little bit. If I could, I would tell Mr. Alan Jackson how greatly his rendition of those older hymns have meant to my mom.  In the advanced stage of her fight, when the button on the CD player in her room is pushed, and his voice fills the room, she will visibly relax, her toes tap on the foot board of her bed, and in the if you wait just a bit, you will hear another voice joining him in song.   

It is a bit amazing, that in the midst of this alzhiemer's, my mom knew the words to many songs she sang growing up and even into her 30's, until just a few months ago.  When Mom entered the nursing home,  many of the CNA's on her hall put Elvis Presley music on a playlist on their phones because it was something that mom reacted positively to.  Her mood would become playful, she smiled, attempted to dance, and was happy.   Hmmm, there had to be something to this!!!  I began searching for music that would help calm her down when she became upset.  At first it was the classic oldies country from the 70's that had her tapping her toes and singing along - Patsy Cline, George Jones, Barbara Mandrell, Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Rich, and more. Those were great, but we needed something for bedtime or when she was very agitated.  

Last year, one Sunday evening, during a special old-fashioned sing-a-long at church, I saw Momma relax, sing lyrics she shouldn't remember, and there was this peace.  I knew what I needed to do, find hymns that sounded just like that little country church in Niotaze that we grew up attending.  It took a few weeks of searching and listening, and one afternoon, I found an artist that sang as if he were in that church.  Just listening to him sing, I could close my eyes, feel those hard pews beneath me, those wooden floors creaking, pages shuffling, voices lifting as the pianist played from that old hymn book ...  How Great Thou Art,  Softly and Tenderly, Standing on the Promises, I Love to Tell The Story...

Precious Memories 

In the advanced stage of her fight, when the button on the CD player in her room is pushed, and his voice fills the room, she will visibly relax, her toes tap on the footboard of her bed, and in the if you wait just a bit, you will hear another voice joining him in song.  Lately, she is singing less, but she still recognizes the songs.  It is amazing to walk down the hall and hear various types of older hymns and songs floating through the hall.  The CNA's will testify that when it is stormy, or anxiety is high, they will put on the the Precious Memories CD and it calms the residents down.   Last week, as I entered the hall where Momma lives, I noticed one resident had her chair parked right outside of my Mom's room.  "Whatcha doing?" I asked as I walked by.
"I love your Momma's music and I sit here to hear it." she replied.   The CNA later told me that she does that frequently. 

Listening in the hospital

If I could, I would tell Mr. Alan Jackson how greatly his crooning of those older hymns have meant to my mom.  I would tell him how his soothing voice takes her back to that old country church, and somehow, the in deep inner-working of her diseased brain, she remembers those hymns.  Honestly, Momma doesn't know who Mr. Jackson is, she can barely recognize me when I visit her, but what she does know he is singing about the Jesus she loves.  While she may not know who Jesus is, but He still knows her.  What would I tell Mr. Jackson???  I would tell him Thank you for helping my Momma through her journey with Alzheimer's.   

So why does it work like this?  If you are curious, music is stored in a part of the brain that is not immediately harmed by the progression of Alzheimer's.  Read on for the more technical layperson's explanation. 

"Favorite music or songs associated with important personal events can trigger memory of lyrics and the experience connected to the music. Beloved music often calms chaotic brain activity and enables the listener to focus on the present moment and regain a connection to others.  Persons with dementia, Parkinson’s and other diseases that damage brain chemistry also reconnect to the world and gain improved quality of life from listening to personal music favorites."   Memory and Music.org

According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, when used in the right way, music can allow the patient to “shift mood, manage stress-induced agitation, stimulate positive interactions, facilitate cognitive function, and coordinate motor movements.  Music has power—especially for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. And it can spark compelling outcomes even in the very late stages of the disease.

Many Alzheimer's patients can remember and sing songs even in advanced stages, long after they've stopped recognizing names and faces. Dementia care homes often use music as recreation, since it brings patients pleasure. But beyond the entertainment value, there's growing evidence that listening to music can also help stimulate seemingly lost memories and even help maintain some cognitive functioning.  Alzheimer's Association

This wasn't the direction that I really wanted to go with this post, but I'm hoping that somehow, this might help someone else, whom is walking through Alzheimer's with a family member.     

Recaping the week: Sickness, blessings, and possibilities

How are you doing?  I mean REALLY doing?  Did you have a great week, an okay one, or are you thankful for the weekend? Are you ready for this coming week?

We've had two sweet little little girls, The Princess and "H", were diagnosed with RSV as well and we can't figure out where they picked it up from. Both have had meds to help with the coughing, of which they act like crazy little happy monkeys after taking it. I feel so bad for them. 


Did you know it is entirely possible to go through an ENTIRE roll of Charmin Jumbo roll TP in one day just by blowing one's nose?  Yep, it's been one of those kind of colds! 

On the 9th, I started reading One Thousand Gifts by Voskamp, and I've slowly, paragraph by paragraph, page by page, made it to chapter 4 writing down thoughts and scripture.  It is slowly teaching and revealing to me that inside each event, person, thing, experience... to look for the blessing - even if it's not always easy.  I'm not great at this, but I'm learning. It has made me think differently about Jesus during the Passover Feast with his apostles in Luke 22:19.  Which lead me to Philippians 4:11-12 and Ephesians 5:20. I'm up to #17 on my own list. 

This coming Tuesday, I will welcome the third sweet little girl(15 months old) to our crew, whom I will be caring for during the day.  There will be many adjustments for all.

Many of you know that we have a German Shepard who is terrified of storms, loud noises, hates riding in the truck,and gets terribly anxious when I leave the house. I was so excited when friends of ours told us about a "Thunder shirt" that they got their dog in dealing with anxieties and acceptance. They said they thought of us when they were talking with their pet therapist about it (I know, I'm in the wrong profession), so I did some research.  Could this be the solution that helps our Lady to feel less anxious? Next week I'm going to see about getting her one of these - I've had enough of sleeping on the couch with her!  



Here are posts that really touched me as I visited them.

• Pickie Palate posted about the most sinful looking Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip cookies.  Just the name makes me melt! You should see these beauties!  
• TracyLou at Where a Second Glance made a great business card holder - She's one  creative and gifted lady. 
• Glenda blessed with by allowing us a glimpse in the studio of talented Drenda Duff
• Lisa really blessed and challenged me in writing Your Life is NOT about you! Being on the worship team (I play the flute), sometimes one may lose focus, distracted by technical malfunctions, or a song set in a strange key that only guitars like, but that's not why I'm really there. It's all about Him.
• Lorie at Thinking Out Loud, in grief about the sudden death their pastor LAST NIGHT.  I cannot imagine the grief of their congregation, family, or the people that he touched.  Can you join us in praying for that congregation, his family, and community?
  

  "When life takes an unexpected turn what do we do?
  We turn to God..." Bishop from First United Methodist

    "Grief is the Price we pay for love" CS Lewis
  

I need to sign off and get some things done, but I want to leave you with a new song I hear  "This Is The Stuff" by Francesca Battistelli 

"This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use"

Central Christian Church Worship Band

A few months ago, our worship team (Central Christian Church Worship Band) recorded a CD of a few songs we do in church.

It was a huge learning experience, but I wouldn't have missed it.  I was very apprehensive about taking part of this because I was just plain scared - scared they would hear all my mistakes and that I would screw up the whole thing. 

Here is a video the recording studio,Omega Sound Recording Studio, put together of this on You Tube.

Just a peach away from insanity

"An apple is an excellent thing -- until you have tried a peach."George du Maurier (1834-1896)

I'm not sure what I was thinking at the time when my mother-in-law called to say the peaches were ready and bring a bucket. My dear husband, packed 4 five-gallon buckets and 3 large boxes in the back of the truck. I'm thinking "You're nuts if you think we're picking that many at your parents."

My dear in-laws leave outside a small town in OK with about 5-7 acres, some of it they have planted quite a nice garden : Corn, beans out their ears, tomatoes, cantelope the size of soccerballs (I have one in my new fridge), black berries, cucumbers, squash, sunflowers, and a few trees of peaches - or so I thought. Waiting until the cool of the evening (okay, I'm talking about 95º here) we ventured out to the orchard, fully expecting to be done in 15 minutes. There I made a horrible discovery - they do not have three peach trees - it was more like 8 and they were so loaded that limbs were bending, splitting, and breaking. We quickly set to work, filling all three buckets, plus more than a few they had, and set about to separate them inside. We brought home 3-4 five-gallon buckets, plus 3 large boxes. I'm going on record to say that my husband is nuts!

Can you guess what we did on Saturday? Yep! PEACHES!!! Now, mind you, it wasn't all hum drum. Dave and I took the kids back to the days of "yester-years" in terms of music and got out some of our old audio tapes: DeGarmo & Key and Carman. Yes, there were some looks, but we saw more than once, their eyes light up, heard toes tapping, and "Hey! I've heard this song before!" We even took a break to watch a few videos on God Tube. I think they decided that the music we listened to wasn't all THAT bad! They said it was actually kind of "rocky" - whatever that meant.

By early evening, we were feeling like the children of Israel in the wilderness when they got the manna. But were rescued by two good friends came out to take some peaches off our table. All in all we put 42 quarts of peaches in our freezer, some in our fridge and some are STILL sitting on our kitchen table!

Peach cobbler anyone?