My brother's keeper?

Well, here I am, able to blog. I say that, not only because my life has become unmanageable again and it's taking all my time just to function, let alone breathe, but also because my recent blogging experience, where everything was changed and I couldn't quite figure it out quickly has subsequently been changed again, and it literally took me a few days of quick glances to figure out how to make a new post. Holy cow, when will this madness end? Ok, got that out. Fasten your seatbelts, because I might have to get a new phone soon - lol!

While up to my eyeballs in the practical details of life, it occurs to me that we very seldom realize how each thing we do affects (shoot - or is that effects? I never can remember) those around us. We tend to believe we live in our own little bubble where we control the temperature, the schedule, the happenings, and the heck with everyone else, this is how I'm doing my stuff. Yet that is not truth. Everything we choose to do causes a little (or big) ripple in the large pond of life. Whether you are aware of it or not, matters not - it is still truth. You run a yellowish-red light real quick? People travelling the other direction are going to have to wait on you. Running a little late for work? Someone else may have to deal with your clients until you get there or your clients may have to wait on you. Those are just minimal examples of a principle that works all the way from small, miniscule decisions, to big whopping "I got to tell somebody about this one" decisions. We are all connected as humans sharing this living space whether we want to admit it or not. So make sure you remember - in some ways, you ARE your brother's keeper, so think about that before you make that next choice.

Magic

One of my favorite words in the English language is magic. Before you get all worried and excited, I'm not talking about wizards or witches or even the tricks performed at a kid's birthday party (not that included in that group aren't some very entertaining movies, etc.) No, I'm referring to the connotation of magic that conjures in my head when I hear that word. I think of the magic of a flower opening in the spring; the magic of leaves changing color; the magic of a smile that seems to brighten up the whole area surrounding someone. Anyway, magic is such an exciting, positive, intriguing concept - in a sparkly, glittery sort of way, of course. It's the wonder of making something happen for someone that looked impossible; the look of utter bewilderment combined with awe and anticipation engulfing the face of a child on Christmas morning. Those are the kinds of pictures that run through my head when I think of magic - magic: when something previously thought to be impossible or improbable happens. I hope you have some magic in your life today! And I hope you turn around and share some magic with someone else, too!

Whaaaaat?

I wish to make an announcement to the entire "electronic" and "computer" world. I'm old now. I don't appreciate all these changes. I have tried very hard to keep up as best as this small town girl felt she needed to; however, when I went to quickly blog my thoughts this a.m., my whole blog setup to compose is changed. I don't even know if this will post. So this is a test - this has to be my quick post before work now, and when I have a break later, I will try to come back and post the "awesome" information I was going to post now. Ha! It really isn't as bad as I make it sound, but it is a little frustrating. It's not that I CAN'T learn new things; it's that my life is full of more important things than figuring out how facebook and blogging have change. My time is more precious to me than that - I want to be spending it making and maintaining memories and relationships. Ok - here goes! Let's see if this works! Have a great day until I am able to talk to you again!

Selah concert

Last Friday night some friends and I went to the Selah concert at Bethany Baptist Church. The concert was, of course, wonderful. What fabulous voices and talents those three have. We wanted to arrive early so as to get good seats. The doors opened at 6, concert at 7. So we arrived at a fashionably early, 5:45 and stood in line. We did, indeed, have great seats, but had over an hour to kill. One of us (who will remain nameless) utilized the extra time to get catch some zzz's - she said she had missed her nap earlier that day! And Cheyenne searched the crowd for a new hairstyle for her grandma. Upon finding one, she proceeded to take a picture of it for future scrutiny. She loved one so much, she ended up videoing the woman - luckily the lady was sitting in our row and VERY luckily, she didn't catch Cheyenne videoing her! The evening was capped off with a good Culver's dinner and ice cream, and a hearty discussion about those groups of people who choose to sleep on other's couches instead of renting hotel rooms. Hmmmm......

Weekend activities

Busy, busy weekend! I always seem to need just a few more hours to get everything accomplished! Weekend started last night with the Selah concert at Bethany Baptist Church in Edwards. What a fabulous concert. They are a wonderfully talented group, and we all enjoyed the music immensely. Today started with the adventure of trading vehicles with Tanner - what a hoot! If anyone had seen me getting in and out of that huge truck in the pouring down rain - well, let's just say it would have been quite a show. I worked, then went to the Canton rock and gemstone show, complete with lunch and another trip in Tanner's truck - whew! Made it home safely. Now printing mailing emblems on a few hundred flyers for the Emden Salon, then doing taxes for Tyler, dishes that are stacked up, and gathering the numbers for my own taxes, being done by my accountant tomorrow. That's kinda just the beginning of my list, so busy doesn't seem to cover it, does it? Throw church and Tanner and Tyler's baseball game in tomorrow, plus my tax appointment, and the weekend's about over! Hope you all have lots of good stuff planned! Give someone a smile or even a hug - you might make their day! Enjoy!

Easter with the Gardners

Auntie B and Spencer

Britt and Barry

Barry and Tanner

Britt (complete with cute baby bump!), Barry, and Mal

Terrance and Jim

Mal, Britt, and Barry

Barry and Terrance

Maria and Britt

Apollo and Mal

Apollo and Jim

Group shot

Mal and Patrick

Andrew and Apollo

The Gardner kids

Spencer

Emma and Spencer

Tan man

Terrance and Spencer

Grandma Nola and Maria

Finished Product

Remember a couple Saturdays ago when my friends and I painted pottery? Well, the glazed, fired, finished products are in. Can you match the person with their product?

Here's some help!

We had so much fun creating our pottery and, of course, laughing - our personal specialty! A big thanks to the ladies at Created Just by Me in Washington, for providing us with this fun adventure!

Lent

I am not Catholic by faith, but I did a little research on the subject and decided I wanted to take the time traditionally known as lent, and participate in the giving up of some habit or action that I would like to rid my life of - or at least try to. Anyway, for lent this year, I decided to try to give up (or at least lessen the occurrence of) road rage in my life. I have to say, as lent comes to a close, I have done better about this. Is it completely gone from my driving experience? Well now, that depends on how you define "rage". Do I still say things to people driving around me who, in my opinion, did something not so intelligent? - Yes! (And, yes, I am aware they can't hear me!) But do I yell and holler and say sometimes not so nice words to them? - No! I at least have started thinking before I let myself get all upset by something that doesn't matter that much in the long run anyway. Progress? I think so. Will I slip back into road rage? Hopefully not. Time (and a road trip) will tell! Did you give up anything for lent this year? Let me know how that went for you!