My Latest Obsession

Friday Night Lights...the TV series and this young man...  

Taylor Kitsch - "Riggs" FNLs

I know, I know, he's young enough to be my son!  But there is just something about this charismatic young man and his kind, kid loving heart that just steals mine.  I accidentally happened upon this show when my daughter mentioned she was watching it on Netflix.  She didn't say a whole lot about the actual show except that she really like it.  It was a take off from an actual movie made out here in west Texas, Odessa, about an actual team and it's coach who struggled to win the state title some years ago.  Once I started watching FNLs, I could not and cannot stop...until it's over.  It has a great story line about a coach, his family, his team, his life, their faith (God and prayer are included without this show and I really like that) and life in a small town where football is the center of everyone's life.  They all live for football.  It's real life small town Texas.  It does bring back Friday nights in our local town watching our high school boys (including my son in law) winning district!  In the show, "Riggs" is not the quarterback. He's not the academic scholar or the fair haired boy.  He's the bad boy/good boy.  He is the one trying to find his way, trying to do the right thing and often walking down the wrong path.  He loves the girls.  He loves beer.  He loves his brother.  And he loves kids.  His character is one of the few football players that continues to remain in the series into the 4th season.  There are only 5 seasons.  I'm getting nervous about the fact that the end is nearing...especially when I watch a couple of shows a day.  But I'm anxious to see how it all turns out for Riggs, how they end his character.  I am hopeful that it is a "happy ever after" ending where he finds the "right" girl, he falls in love with her and her with him and he can be content and lead a successful adult life, loving God, his wife and his family forever and ever.  Regardless of the ending, I'm sure there will be tears.  I'll let you know how it all turns out.
I'm down to 2 shows left before the FINAL season!

Continuing my journey...down fresh paths.
Encourage one another.

"You Know What the Scripture Says?"

OK, moving is NOT my thing...no really, seriously, I hate moving.  I don't like to pack to go on vacation.  I don't like to pack for the weekend.  I don't like packing or moving.  Got it?  So you can imagine that when I think about moving a whole house, my house, anxiety and worry start creeping in.  I don't even know where to start, but I am not a person to put something off until the last minute.

In an attempt, however, to start somewhere I decided to start with purging first, trying to get rid of any and everything I did not plan to take with me, stuff I've accumulated after I moved here basically.  So the purging started and in one room and several closets turned into a couple of car loads to the resale shop.  No seriously, in only a small area I came up with a couple of car loads.  So you can imagine what I'm thinking.  If I came up with all this in only a couple of days, how much am I going to come up with that needs to go out of my house before I can even start packing.  I had two days that I could drop off stuff at the resale shop.  One was last Friday and the other is July 30th.  What in the WORLD am I going to do with all that stuff I come up with between now and July 30th!!!

Well, I loaded my car and dropped off the first load, stating "I'll be back with rest".  After hauling in the second load I looked at my friend Beverly, who owns the resale shop, with some tears in my eyes and said, "I am overwhelmed.  I don't know where to start or what to do.  I have so much stuff I need to get rid of before I can even start to pack.  The house I'm moving to just isn't as big.  Much of my stuff can't go.  What am I going to do".  Bev is an older gal than me.  Sweet and has a huge heart.  She is kind and reassuring about most things.  In the last 5 years since i have been here we have become friends.  She said "Robin, you know what the Bible says?"  I said "I know a lot of what it says".  She said "it says 'by worrying, you don't get any taller'!"  I thought to myself, well, no it doesn't quite say that, but that certainly is true.  Regardless it made me laugh out loud and I said, "well, then there is just absolutely no need for me to worry".  She referred me to a small mover who will load your stuff here and take it to your new home and unload it there.  She said "he is really good and will take care of you and your things".  The whole interchange lightened my mental load and I left there browsing my phone book and making a call to "Marlin Movers".  He told me he would work out a quote and give me a call back.  He also gave me some great suggestions about packing.  Buy some packing paper, some tape and some boxes, all uniform sizes at Home Depot or Lowes so they'll be easier to stack.  He said in a two bedroom house I"ll probably have about 100 boxes.  He said "if you pack 5 boxes a day you can be packed in 20 days....you have plenty of time Robin if you are not moving until August 10th".  He was very helpful and very kind.  He also calmed me down and gave me a plan.  I did exactly what he said...went to Lowes and made those purchases.  I'll also be calling a couple of local movers to see about the cost of having someone doing the loading, trucking and unloading for me.

In the meantime I called my daughter to tell her about the exchange with Bev and the scripture. We laughed about it again. I actually remembered the scripture as saying something like "worrying doesn't add a day to your life" but as it turns out the following are the scriptures in the Bible regarding worry..

1 Samuel 9:5
When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, “Come, let’s go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and startworrying about us.”
1 Samuel 9:4-6 (in Context) 1 Samuel 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

1 Samuel 9:20
As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?”
1 Samuel 9:19-21 (in Context) 1 Samuel 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Matthew 6:25
[ Do Not Worry ] “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Matthew 6:24-26 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Matthew 6:27
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life ?
Matthew 6:26-28 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Matthew 6:28
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
Matthew 6:27-29 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Matthew 6:31
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
Matthew 6:30-32 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33-34 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Matthew 10:19
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
Matthew 10:18-20 (in Context) Matthew 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Mark 13:11
Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
Mark 13:10-12 (in Context) Mark 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Luke 12:11
“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worryabout how you will defend yourselves or what you will say,
Luke 12:10-12 (in Context) Luke 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Luke 12:22
[ Do Not Worry ] Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worryabout your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
Luke 12:21-23 (in Context) Luke 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Luke 12:25
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life ?
Luke 12:24-26 (in Context) Luke 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Luke 12:26
Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Luke 12:25-27 (in Context) Luke 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Luke 12:29
And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.
Luke 12:28-30 (in Context) Luke 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Luke 21:14
But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.

So although there is nothing in the scripture regarding "worrying not making you any taller" I know that that will now become one of my sayings..."worrying doesn't make you any taller" to anyone who is worrying (including me).  It's like my family's other saying "there's must be a picnic table in the road" in reference to things that keep happening to delay us from doing something or getting on the road to leave for someplace until we finally get the go ahead to leave (that the picnic table is cleared out of the road).

So, to all of us...don't worry!

Continuing my journey...but with fresh paths.
Encourage one another.

God is Always Working

"This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." Philippians 3:13


Back in April I met a gal at a picnic in Roundtop/Warrenton weekend.  She's about my age.  She and her sister have a business with 'old things'.  As it turned out, she lives just outside Seguin...where my daughter lives, where I was originally looking to rent or buy.  She and I visited over dinner that day and I could tell I liked her right away.  I could tell we could be friends.  We talked about our lives and our faith.  I only had one short conversation with her after that, by phone, about a house for rent, which didn't turn out.  But God wasn't through with us yet.
This week I saw her connected to another friend on Facebook.  I sent her an email telling her I was finally moving to the area.  She friend requested me on FB.  I confirmed.  We emailed a couple of short emails and then I got an email that included the above scripture.  TODAY, that is just what I needed to hear.  I need to leave a lot of things behind, my old life in G and the negative things that happened there, still need to be behind me.  I need only be looking at the present and the future which will hold great things.  I know that because God made that promise.  I need to re-establishing old friendships that are positive for me, create new friendships with new people, get involved in a church family, watch my grandson grow up inside my daughters family, watch my daughter grow into an amazing young woman, watch her marriage grow stronger day by day.  I need to "reach forth unto those things which are before", not backward to what could have or might have been.  Those things are over, they are done, they are history and nothing can be changed about them.  My future is bright.  I have a feeling my life is going to be very full.  I am looking forward to my new home, my new friends, my old friends becoming new again, and the "meanderings of a happy girl" once more filling my days.  

Continuing my journey...but with fresh paths!
Encourage One Another

Homeward Bound

Well, it's official.  I'm moving south.  The first little place that stole my heart has my heart after all.

While my head says there are a few short comings about it, my heart needs to tell my head, "it is perfect"..."  Be content with all things".  Scripture talks about he was content and happy no matter what.  I above all know truly that things are just things and if I have to get rid of some, big deal.  I can replace them or do without them, whatever it takes.  The colors will work, the front porch is amazing, the tree covered yard will provide lots of shade, the size will be easier to clean.  I'm planning to put the rockers and white table from our town house on the porch.  I have an idea for the porch swing and if it works out, I'll let you know.  My ivy baskets and planters will make the front porch comfortable and homey.  Ikey and I'll be spending a lot of time on the porch, just listening and resting.  Once I get everything in it's place, it will be perfect.
I praise God I found a place.  I'll be moving south closer to my daughter's family, just like I planned to from the beginning.  My sister and bnl will be following shortly after to someplace south as well and Midland will be in our rear view mirror.  Not that I will never return, as most likely we will.  I have friends here.  I spent part of my life here and I developed relationships that will go on, even though I won't see those folks as often.
And here is one of those "coincidences", twists of fate, "God things" that came to my attention.  I'm a big journal writer.  I have been for about 35 years, off and on, mostly on.  I have all my old journals.  My original journal was just a tablet with lined notebook type paper.  Since then I've had all kinds.  I like to buy journals, the more different the better.  Most recently I had one made from an old book "Black Beauty".  It was published in 1966.  The cover is in pretty good shape, blue fabric with a black horse outlined by a yellow sunset.  He looks like an Arabian.  The journal artist recycles book, taking  out the pages of the book and then adds blank pages to write on, which now have become my journal.  I did ask her to leave in the front page, the table of contents, all picture plates, and all the chapter first pages.  Guess what the title of the first chapter is?  Homeward Bound!  I just started this journal this month, June 2012.  Homeward Bound, how fitting, how timely, how true.
I'm going home, home to the place I have lived most of my life.  Home where there are friends who I think will greet me and be glad I'm back.  Home to my daughter who maybe I can lend a hand.  Home to my grandson who I can watch grow up.  Home to the next stage of my life, whatever that may hold.

                                                               Home Sweet Home

1. Philippians 4:11
   I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be contentwhatever the circumstances.
2. Philippians 4:12
   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.
3. 1 Timothy 6:8
   But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
4. Hebrews 13:5
   Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Encourage One Another

The Fortieth

I guess there are several of us who have a little anxiety about going back and seeing folks you have not seen in 40 years, or 10 or 20 or 30; folks you were young with, folks you were dumb with; folks  you thought were cute or beautiful or handsome or drop dead gorgeous.  That's what I did this weekend.  I went back to my home town to check all that out.
I don't spend any time there anymore since my parents have passed away.  Didn't see many folks when I did go.  I have a very few friends from high school that I am still friends with or stay in touch with.
A friend of mine that I was not real close with in high school invited me to stay with her, so I did.  She was a great hostess.  We dressed and went to the Friday night gig which was at the "famous" Papa Rollos Pizza in Waco.  It was somewhat of a hang out in high school.  Food was great and saw many faces it had truly been about 10 years since I had seen.  Many looked similar but many I would not have recognized without their name tag.
Saturday night was even more fun with even more people.  The food was good and the music was great.  Visited again with some folks that were close to me then who just sort of drift apart.  When we all move away, go to college, move out of state, marry, get jobs, have kids, etc., it just changes everything.  There was much catching up to do.  One of my friends came in from Hawaii and another from Pennsylvania, one from New York.  There was lots of visiting outside, a great group photo, "girl dancing" on the inside and a video of those in our class who have passed on.  Overall, it was a great night that didn't end until about 1:45am.  My friend and I went home, showered and sat up and visited until then.
On Saturday I also have lunch with two great friends I have almost lost touch with.  That was the high light of my trip.  I am hopeful that we will be rekindling our friendships and not near the amount of time will pass again before we will get together to catch up so we can start to make new memories together.  I am so thankful for the time and opportunity to be with them on Saturday.  It was like a breath of fresh air, a deep breath.  A whole lifetime of memories came back, good memories, fun times and a bit of craziness.  We all left smiling and hugging and vowing to stay in better touch.
Valuable friendships are few and far between.  They are worth saving.  They are worth rekindling.  They are worth everything.
Thank you God for good friends, good times, and good memories.  They make our lives worthwhile.

"Greater love hath no one than this; to lay down one's life for one's friends" John 15:12-14

"A friend loveth at all times". Proverbs 17:17

Encourage One Another

One of My Favorite Things

Working cattle!  OK, well, this time I was mostly just the photographer!  Sadly, I was not in any of the photos except a couple I took of myself on my iphone!
But we had some really cute "sons" of one of the cowboys who were fabulous.  I got some great photos.  Along with working in any way they could, they rode a few calves as well.  There's lots of BS that floats around between folks, lots of ribbing and hoorahing.  It's just a good time.  The work gets done and the boss stays happy.

The Eagle Has Landed

OK, when I started at the Y February 1st, I really had no specific goal except to get more fit.  I'd been a bit of a slug since my retirement November 1st and needed to get moving.  I committed to myself to 2 months of doing some class or the other several days a week at the Y.  If I had a goal, it was not a certain amount of weight to lose, it was to get into some NYDJ white jeans I bought a couple of years ago that were too tight and uncomfortable for me to wear.  (Those jeans cost more than any other jeans I've ever bought and I couldn't wear them).  Once I figured out which classes I liked best I showed up 5 days a week at 8:45a.m.  Body Combat 2 days and Body Pump 3 days as that's just how it fell.  I did some work on the weight machines after classes.  I found myself sore all the time.  My daughter and my trainers told me I was doing too much and my muscles never had time to rest.  More cardio was suggested.  So after a month or so of doing not necessarily the right thing, after the class I started walking a couple of miles.  I'd just leave and walk 30-35 minutes in the neighborhood (I don't like treadmills), return to my car in the Y parking lot and then go home.  In early April I introduced myself to a gal in my classes and after a few days of just visiting with her I asked her if she wanted to walk with me after class.  She said yes.  We have been walking ever since.  We have become very close friends.  She calls our time a "therapy" session.  We both get a lot out of it.  We started out walking that 2 miles or so and have now worked into a minimum of 4 miles five days a week.  We did that most of May.  During that time I weighed daily at the Y.  I watched the pounds go down slowly but surely and counted them backwards from my starting weight.  I was glad to see them go.  It was nice to see some evidence of my work, even though it didn't seem to be much, about 2 pounds a month.  Some how the number "minus 10" just kept being the number I was striving for.
Today 'the eagle has landed".  The scale said minus 10 from the day I started.  Woo Freakin Hoo!  Somewhere along the way I was hoping that I would get that minus 10 pounds before my reunion.  My 40th high school reunion is tomorrow.  Two eagles!  I don't remember the last time I saw this number on the scale.
I was very happy with my stats last month at the Y as well.  I apologize, however, I'm going to brag a little.  I was second woman over all in calories worked off (19,715) and second woman in cardio (over 50 hours).  I was first in my age group in all categories.  Today I looked at my total overall stats.  Since Feb 1st when I started counting at the Y I have biked 53 miles (not that many), walked 177 miles (over 94 of those were in May) and worked off 54,094 calories!  OK, really, that's a lot of calories I think!  Add how ever many classes of Body Pump and Body Combat (quite a few) and you have someone who has worked pretty hard for those 10 pounds.
This month the Y started a competition to "walk/trot across Texas 770 miles".  My friend and I signed up. We are VERY competitive.  She's about 20 years younger than I...no really.  She was not happy that I "beat" her over all last month.  She is at this thing with a vengence.  Whoever of us gets the 770 miles first has to buy the other one lunch.  It's good to have a little competition I think.  Keeps me moving and keeps me honest.
Over all my Y experience has been a good one.  From day one when I looked in on the "Silver Sneakers" and the water aerobic exercise classes and said to myself "no Robin, those are not for you...you have to do more than that" until now, I believe I have kicked it up a notch or two.  I'm not ready to match my daughter in her half marathons or even RUN a race, but I'd be willing to bet I'm a lot more fit than many folks I know, my age or otherwise.  I'd be willing to bet I can fight you in some body combat and give you a lickin if I needed to.  I know for a fact I can lift more weight than when I started.  I know I work until I sweat and then I sweat some more.  My trainer friend Sara told me I was her "inspiration" story that she thought about and tells people about,  I like that,  how she found me in the hall peeping in that Silver Sneakers class window that day and how she sees me now.  Thanks Sara for those words of confidence and encouragement that day.  You have made me a better person.

And oh, by the way, those white jeans....they are way too big!!!

"I can do all things with Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:12-14

Encourage one another