What's your dream?









Ok, I guess today's post will be about something I've always wanted to do. I guess you'd call it my dream.
For years - as far back as I can remember - writing has been kind of a passion for me. Mostly I've used it as the vessel for telling others how I feel - I've written a poem about the heart of a soldier (inspired by Laurie - it actually got published), have written and sent stories to magazines (they were very polite when they said no thank you); have entered contests, or written devotions for our church groups. But I have not accomplished my dream yet...to write something major. Ron and the kids are behind me 100%. One of my favorite Christian writers is Marjorie Holmes. She has written so many beautiful essays and stories...
I'm not sure - maybe the only writing I am meant to do is for my family, or for church; and maybe this blog will be the only writing I do that will be viewed by the public...if that's the case, so be it. The whole idea behind this blog is to reach people...to encourage...to bring a smile. If that's what God has planned for me, so be it. But still...when I grow up (or retire)...my dream is to be a writer. What's YOUR dream? Please share...after all, this is your site too.
God bless you, and God bless our Troops.
Sue

Bits and pieces and thoughts of friends...

Well, today I did something I haven't done in nearly a year - I called in sick. Calling in sick is something that I don't do lightly - but after the night I had, there really wasn't much of a choice. So I spent the day studying for my exam and watching old movies with Lilly. Ron had chores to do outside so I didn't see him much, but Lilly is good company. She curls up on the couch next to me (she has a large bath towel on this designated area so she always knows where she is supposed to be. Uh, yeah, right. Key word there is SUPPOSED).
So today I'd like to wish my friend Wendy a Happy Birthday. She is one of my Military Mom cyber friends who lives in the great state of Wisconsin. Her son Jay is over in the sand right now and I know that her birthday would be a lot happier if he was stateside. She is an awesome lady and deserves only good things. HAPPY BIRTHDAY WENDY!!!' I hope God gifted you today with a phone call from Jay.
I am so excited to tell you that this Sunday I am participating in the Making Strides for Breast Cancer 5K walk. I've never done that before - never had the energy or really thought that it could make a difference. Recently I've kind of of had a new attitude about things - I want to do new things. Things that I've been afraid to do because I didn't think it was possible. The white water rafting with Laurie, the horseback riding, these things were so much fun. And now the walk - there are 8 of us from church participating. It's not really a big deal - people do these kinds of things every day - but for me, it's exciting.
Anyway, this morning, I logged into my email and there was an email from the website I had registered on for the Cancer walk and the email said "your goal has been reached!!" Everyone who signs up for this walk sets a goal for donations. And so, this morning, my sister and her daughter - my niece Erika - donated $125 and I was thrilled. This is my little sister - Chelle, who lives in FL and who I don't see nearly enough but talk to each other as often as we can. Chelle - and Erika - thank you so much for your contribution. What a wonderful gift. I promise that I will make it all the way to the finish line. Wish you were here to walk it with me.
Speaking of gifts, it's almost time to start my Christmas shopping. I can hear the groans - but seriously, it's time. I have to do it in bits and pieces so the past couple of years I have been buying earlier. That gives me time to do my cookies and Christmas cards too. We are planning on visiting Laurie, Stephen and Kasey during the week after Christmas but with the airfares that I've been finding, we might be making it a road trip. That's always fun but in the winter could be tricky. We'll figure it out.
So many people are on my mind tonight and lots of situations too. Too many to mention here for fear of slighting someone. Just remember that you are all important to me and for those with heavy hearts, or difficult situations, and for those waiting for their loved ones to return from the sand, please remember that it's far too big for us to handle, but God has it in His hands and hears our prayers. Every one of them.
See you again soon my friends,
Sue

It's Fall!!

Fall arrived this week - on the calendar anyway. Our temps are still somewhat warm for this time of year, but the mornings and the evenings are definitely cooler. It's that time of year when it's too late to wear summer clothes, too early to wear the heavier garb of winter and so you have to search until you find just the right layering effect so that if the office is too warm you can shed a layer without looking too summery. Know what I mean ladies? And, since I have been able to shed a few lbs. in recent months, it's going to be a bit boring in the wardrobe department until I can find a few more things at SEARS to mix and match.
I think every woman reading this blog can identify with the seasonal wardrobe thing.
But there is more to a change of season than a change of wardrobe. For many of my friends, it's a season closer to their kids coming home from the sandbox...or for some, the season during which their children deploy.
It's a season when most of us think about Halloween, or Thanksgiving, or raking leaves. Pumpkins and winter squash; huge rust colored mum plants on our front porch.
But for others it's a time to think about what they will send in the holiday boxes for their loved ones who aren't home for the holidays. They don't need to be deployed to be missed...from personal experience, I can assure you of that.
And so what do we do when that familiar empty feeling sets in? For me, I look at the beauty God places in our world...the leaves of amber and orange and a thousand shades of red and I remember that the same hand who created that beauty is holding all of us in His care. It doesn't bring our loved ones closer in miles, but it reminds me that we are all in the same loving embrace at the same exact time.
Remember His love for us - it is far reaching, and never ending. As I begin to buy things for the holiday packages I'll be sending to loved ones, I'll be remembering that He keeps us close. And though many who read this are friends from across the country, He also keeps US close.
Enjoy your weekend - it's a whole new season to celebrate His goodness and grace.
Blessings.
Sue

Comfortable!!

Well, here we are at Monday again...when someone figures out why weekends go so fast, could you please let me know? I just get used to being home and it's time to leave again. But that's ok - being at work for me is good too. Days aren't quite as hectic and with my new hours the commute is easier too because the traffic pattern is different.
Comfort is something that can be good - or it can be bad. You can be in a room full of friends whom you can be comfortable with 'cause you are comfortable to be yourself and not worry about trying to make small talk. That's a great feeling to know that silence between friends can be just as good as a long conversation.
I attended a wedding recently and sat at a table with some of my dearest friends. The small talk was good - we laughed a lot, sometimes about the silliest things. We tried to behave and not gossip; we didn't drink much at all, and we enjoyed the food as though it was the first meal that we'd eaten in weeks. Funny, isn't it? How you just know that the person sitting across from you is going to think the same exact thing you are thinking about italian bread dipped in oil; sooooo goooood. And you both say it at at the exact same time...
Then there are the moments when you know they are talking to you but you can't hear a word because of the music...and so you just shake your head yes (hopefully the appropriate response). But actually, they can tell by the blank look on your face that you didn't hear them and you start the conversation all over again. But the silence is ok too - that's when you do the people watching...I LOVE people watching, and it's especially fun to people watch with someone else...not to make fun, but it can start neat conversations. And at the end of the night, you maybe haven't spoken too many words, but you feel blessed in the comfort of sharing the evening with these friends.
Then there is another type of comfort - which isn't always good. It's the kind of comfort that keeps you from taking a leap of faith; from changing jobs because you think you've learned all there is to learn about the job you have and you don't want to learn anything new; it's not asking someone for a date because you like your routine of not having to answer to anyone. Know what I mean? This bad kind of comfort which can prevent you from making life changing decisions.
The longer I study for this upcoming exam, the more I realize that I'm not too old for change...that I LOVE my current job, but could still handle a change. Comfort is good..that good old comfortable presence of family and friends...of being in a place where you are happy and that you are with people you love. My time with Ron and the kids is like that. Ron and I can sit on the couch and watch a movie together and not say too much, but we can sense how the other one is feeling at various points of the movie. Being at that wedding had that wonderful and warm kind of comfort too.
But being so comfortable in something that you don't look ahead for new challenges...that's not good for everyone. Nope, not good for me, that's for sure. So, I guess I better hit the books, right?
Love and blessings to you all...thanks for stopping in. Hope you feel comfortable here, cause you are among friends.
See you tomorrow - God Bless you.
Sue

Friday night at last!!!

Well I thought it would never get here...it's been kind of a long week. Of course it began with 9/11. One of my staff lost a cousin at the Pentagon - I knew she would be upset that day, but she did pretty well until the end of the day...her tears had been right beneath the surface all day long and so we had a good long talk, shed a few tears together, and it helped us both.
I have come to treasure my weekends - Saturdays with Ron, visiting Scott and Tina and the kids, a good dinner somewhere and then a movie here at home on Saturday night. Sundays include church, teaching Sunday school, putting laundry away and a few odd jobs around here and now that it's football season...Buffalo Bills football games. We don't go to the games but we always park ourselves in front of the TV with a bowl of popcorn.
This weekend, I'll begin studying for a promotional exam that's coming up in a few weeks. Our office manager's position is open and those of us eligible for the exam will be taking it - and applying for the job if we pass. I expect the competition will be tough so I need to do my very best on the exam to have a chance at the job. Wish me luck! (and when the test gets closer, I'll be asking for prayers no doubt).
I know for my friends with loved ones deployed, the weekends seem the longest because you have to fill your day without going to work. Praying that you'll get an email or a phone call to ease your mind.
Just an update on our Lilly - she is a sweetheart. She's starting to become mischievious - she is a chewer and a cuddler. She sleeps between us at night, almost nose to nose with us and occasionally snores softly. She loves the kids and I would say that she knows she has it made here.
Thanks to Heather and Cat for stopping by - I appreciate it and I will be visiting your sites more often...Erik, you too. And for my friend...you know who you are...who emailed me the last couple of days...you are in my prayers - may God be ever near to you.

May God bless you all this weekend with restful sleep.
Sue

Remembering the day we all changed.

All weekend long, I thought about what my thoughts would be as I wrote today's post. And still this morning during the commute to work, I wondered what I could say that could be worthy of this day...worthy of the memory of all who were lost...and worthy of offering comfort to those who lost loved ones on 9/11/2001.
There are no words, but as I sit here at work, and hear the silence in our office, perhaps that is what is most fitting. Silence.
And so, in memory of all who perished, and to comfort all who lost someone on that terrible day, I offer silence...to allow all of our prayers to be spoken and all of them to be answered by our gracious Father in Heaven. No matter where we were that day, He was with us. And still is.
In loving memory of who we lost and what we ~ as Americans ~ lost five years ago.
May God touch your heart with peace on this day.
Sue

CAPTURED!!

Here in Western NY and in the towns along the border of NY and PA, there has been a 5 month manhunt going on for a fugitive named
Ralph "Bucky" Phillips. He had escaped jail in WNY, shot and wounded a NY State Trooper in an upstate county and has been on the loose and taking cover in several towns he knew well. Last week Thursday, two more NY State Troopers were shot several times and wounded critically...on Sunday, those wounds proved fatal to one of the officers. "Bucky" is the primary suspect in those shootings. During the last 5 months, in some areas, he has become a sort of folk hero and even after the troopers were shot, his core group of supporters were asking him to surrender so that HE didn't get hurt. It was exasperating. Finally, on Thursday, he was placed on the FBI's 10 most wanted list and the search became national.
In the end, he surrendered to police - looking haggard and defeated. It was a bittersweet victory for the many police agencies involved with the search because the mortally wounded State Trooper will be laid to rest on Monday. The Superintendent of State Troopers was gracious in his praise of all the police agencies involved with the search...and sincere in expressing the grief they all felt with the death of their fellow trooper. And resolute in his words of what they do..."In the end," he said, "we always get the bad guys."
My reason for sharing this today is to remind us all that, truly, good DOES win over evil....always. We may learn lessons along the way, our hearts may be saddened, and there will be sacrifice. But goodness will always take precedence. Always.
Blessings,
Sue

It's good to be back!!

Well, after a very wet and stormy weekend (thanks to Ernesto) we are back home from camping. It really was a great weekend away. We were safe and warm in our trailer with movies and plenty of food and Lilly was enjoying all the changes in our routine. She got to sleep as long as she wanted to (ok, she normally does that anyway but the difference was that WE got to sleep in late too!) and both of us got to spend our days with her instead of just Ron. That meant a lot to me (and hopefully to Lilly too).
While we were gone, Ron celebrated his birthday (ok, Ron doesn't exactly like to celebrate birthdays anymore, but I celebrated his birthday by making a lemon meringue pie on Saturday - the trailer smelled sooo good because I also had a crockpot of chili going at the same time).
Unfortunately some unhappy things happened while we were there...Steve Irwin passed away, and also a State Trooper who was here in our area to help with the manhunt of a fugitive and who was shot last week, passed away on the weekend. That was sad news on two fronts. Makes a person realize how fragile life is. In the case of the trooper, it's a sad reminder that our military aren't the only ones who put their lives on the line to protect us.
Peace and quiet are wonderful things - especially when they are enjoyed in the company of those you love. I sometimes feel very blessed because Ron and I are on the downside of things...you know, more years behind us than ahead. To me, it's all the more incentive to try to get things right...to share my faith, to love others, to savor and give thanks for each blessing all the more. Sure it could have it's negative side too...but the blessings far outweigh the fears or the doubts. I am healthy and happy and have a wonderful person to spend my life with...that's you, Ron...as much time as God allows.
Each and every day there is something - there are many things - to give thanks for...and that would include all of you.
God bless you all...it's good to be home with you again.
Sue