What a wonderful weekend!

This past weekend was one of the mini retreats at my LSS. I was lucky enough to attend and had the best time. It started on Friday and I was able to finally get the base for my memorial album done for my grandmother. I worked on it took it apart, reassembled, reread directions, exclaimed, discussed and took apart and reassembled that one project all weekend long. BUT it was worth it, because today I was able to start putting pictures into it. My tablemates where awesome and I laughed, and smiled and giggled and laughed all weekend long. Even when I was undoing my project I still was having a great time. I needed a weekend like that. I do need to get some more pictures printed from my sister's site but I am for the most part going to be able to get it done. I am excited about the construction of this album and am seriously considering making one or two more now that I have this one done. The pictures are on my phone so I need to down load them later but in the mean time, here is a picture of my Halmonie - Grandmother- holding my nephew.

Stole this from Nessie Noo!

Of course when I saw hers I just had to have one too:



create your own personalized map of the USA

Unexpected Joy -

How many of you get phone calls from people who did not intend to call you? I know my girls call them "butt dials". What ever they're called, they can bring joy. My young nephew was playing a game on his mother's IPhone when he inadvertently called me. I was working on a very difficult case and to see the phone show up with a Florida number startled me. I said hello hello - several times and then he finally took the phone to his mother saying someone called you. She and I talked for a few minutes and then I got to talk to both my babies!!! Oh joy, what a pleasure it was to hear their young voices so early in the day, chatting about school, his sister's ballet and pictures they were going to send me, etc. The taxpayer got off lucky, I was is such a good mood, I gave him an additional 2 weeks. He can thank my nephew and his errant call to his Aunt Stella, for the reprieve,

Do we hinder when we are really just trying to help?

The past couple of months have been kind of hard for me at work. It seems that all my efforts to “help” have done nothing but hinder. Have you ever been in that situation? Have you ever just wanted to “help” and ended up being a “hindrance” instead. Well something that God taught me along this walk is that sometimes we just have to go back to the old testament and claim PS 46:10. “Be still and know that I am God.” Because when I stopped trying to “help” and let God deal with the situation like I had been praying He would, He did! It was because I had become the hindrance in the effort for God to do a mighty healing, It still isn’t perfect and my ulcer still is flaring up and down, but since I stopped helping He was able to heal. If in the circumstances around you are not getting better. Stop – reevaluate, are you “helping” or “hindering” God’s Hand. “Be still and know that I am God”- is old testament. He has been trying to get us to be still and listen to Him since the Israelites were in the desert.

My Cousin resides in England and I am so blessed to be able to share one of her pictures that kind of goes with today. Thanks Diane

Good Fall Morning everyone I am glad I remembered how to get over here. I was watching Scrapbook Soup and realized I have neglected my blog for a long time. As an almost empty nester it is weird situation. I thought I would have more time on my hands. More time to do actives I love, keep my house clean, cook healthy meals, etc. NOT. I am still blessed to be teaching at my LSS and today I have my Travel through Texas with Stella Class. Next month is my first class in my "Ask me How" series that Sherri has allowed me to start. Yikes!! My style of scrapbooking is so simple and I am just not sure I can keep up with the big dogs. Last night we got home from Sams with a new mop that was suppose to be the bee's knees. Well Charlie thought it was a new chew toy!. Yep you guessed it. I was chasing him all over the back yard trying to get my new mop head away from him. He thought it was a game, I am yelling like a banshee and Chris is laughing his fool head off. Never a dull moment.

Chris attempted to grow Okra this year. I don't know about the okra part but the flowers were beautiful. Thanks for letting me ramble on, Best wishes, Stel

Hi all

Welp I have survived Mother's day and only have 8 more weeks in this stupid brace. Charlie goes in for the big snip on Monday and comes home wearing the cone. Chris is doing so much better we are a year out from his second hip replacement and seem to be adjusting to the little noises that metal on metal makes. Caedee is home for the summer and I am so glad to have her here. My house isn't a home when the girls are gone. I had supper with a group of friends and we posed for pictures.

Have a safe weekend everyone.

SJ

It's spring time in North Texas

Well things have changed so much in the last 6 months it is amazing how time flies. Chris and I have a new dog he is a bull mastiff/Great Pyrenees mix and eats everything. He ate several pairs of shoes and my willow tree in the back yard. *Le sigh* October was the start of a new group of ladies together for a game called bunco. Its fun. October also was Justin and Rae's first anniversary since they started dating. In November we had a visit from my cousin Michael. December was fast and Christmas was wonderful. January saw some changes with me and now former friend. February Chris and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary. I also had a big fall in February and injured my knee which is still healing. March saw some changes in our office including Marvin's decision to come back to work. April saw my birthday, Marvin's return, Rae's birthday and me remembering I have a blog that I need to catch up on. I hope you all have a great day and remember how precious you are to me.