MOM’S THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK OF 3-06-10

 

SIGNS OF HOPE

 

It is amazing how quickly we can get ready for the changing of seasons. This week our thermometer ‘s have actually seen 40 degrees and SUNSHINE. Of course, when we think Spring is here, we head outside only to be fooled and blasted with a cold wind chill in the 30s. Makes us wonder why we didn’t put our winter coat and gloves on.

 

We have been hit by cold snowy winter here in Indy, We are inpatient waiting for signs of spring and hope. As the sun and warmer temps of just a few days has melted the snow almost completely, given us signs of hope. Under the snow has revealed heads of crocus, tulips sprouts and green grass. Bring it in----we are so ready for spring. I have always loved spring--- it is a season full of hope. Gives us the promise after long dead winter of things coming alive again. In a few weeks we have daylight savings time changes to spring forward an hour on the 14th and then on March 20th it will be the first day of spring on all the calendars.

 

So appropriate is Easter coming up in April. As spring makes us feel changes of all things coming alive, it makes me think of our Lord’s Resurrection, coming alive again. With it gave us the promise of being reborn again and receiving everlasting life thru eternity. WOW, what a gift of hope. Truly spring is the season of hope, the promise of all things being reborn. I often go to the Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3: 1 thru 22; it gives the promises of the seasons of life. When we let God be in control we see he plans our days for us, fills them with blessings most of us really don’t deserve. His love for us is always expressed in many of our trying times of loss and sadness. They are always followed by things being brighter next, like the sunshine coming up in the morning following the long dark nights. You can count on God being there for you each step of the way.

 

Spring is in the air---enjoy every minute of it, watch the earth come alive, birds in the air, flowers buds opening and even we will notice a little bounce in our walking step. ENJOY! See you next time, Always, MOM

 

TIP OF THE WEEK: Be kinder than necessary cause everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Mom’s Thoughts for the week of 2-20-10

 

SNOW SNOW AND MORE COMING

  Congrats Tori and Ryan on Baby #3 !!!  You go, Girl !!

 

The month of February has really hit hard on this nation especially the Midwest. There has been snow where it hasn’t been before or if it was it was years ago. Sally in Mobile, Alabama says it only lasted on the ground about 20 minutes but long enough for kids who had never experienced snow could enjoy it. How about snow in Texas, Florida, and parts of Georgia? All I can say is I’m ready to hunt down “whoever” made Mother Nature mad and shoot them.

 

I have even thought of a FREE sign of advertising to get rid of the snow. Usually you get takers on anything FREE. Connie out in Arizona won’t even take it if we ship it to her. She’s refused my snowball fights on Face book too. I keep trying to put some humor into our circumstances to try to get thru this snowbound Indiana. All in all I am sure the folks along the east coast with more snow and electrical outages would say we have it darn easy.

 

Here in Crestwood the maintenance crews are daily out trying to keep our roads open for the traffic and sidewalks open and cleared of ice. We daily have ambulance and fire trucks coming in and out. They have done a super job over-all but imagine 7 buildings with parking areas of cars and senior drivers unable to clear their own spots. My car has been parked a lot but the disadvantage is the snowplow snows you in.

 

Even with al this snow it didn’t stop our residents from our Casino Nite affair this week. Lots of gamblers showed up to play poker, bingo, and win prizes after cashing in their winnings. Lots of gift certificates, dollars off their rent credits all pays off. As I headed out after the bus stopped running residents around campus, I decided to walk home. With the streetlights shinning on the white snow, no wind, all seemed peacefully quiet with the stars shining above in the night sky. It reminded me of years ago when I did a lot of walking at night after the kids were in bed, ended the day of being in with kids. It always relaxed me when the nite was peacefully, calm and not really cold. Try it, it is great before retiring for the night.

 

I placed some artificial silk red tulips in pots in the mailroom with valentines on the walls, hoping somehow our weather gets turned around to normal. I am soooooo ready for spring, crocuses, robins, and mostly green grass again. This black and white landscaping gets old after a while.  Hope everyone is enjoying the Olympics from Canada. I believe we have their cold and snow, it’s been warmer up there than usual. Those kids are sure doing the USA proud bringing home the gold.

 

Got warming news this week from Tori and Ryan, great grandbaby #5 has been ordered. Layla is four and really getting the feel of being the big sister, with Roxy now 6 months and a new, boy we hope, due in October of this year. THINK BLUE everyone, the Browns would like a son to finish their family officially. Rest up Grama Pam you’re gona need it. Tori I think you out did me, with 3 under the age of 4, I had 5 under the age of 6. Fertile folks aren’t we? Congrats to you both!

 

Well the weather is posting 4 days of snowstorms starting on Saturday. Here we go again, don’t put the snow blowers away.  Till next time, seems I am running every 2 weeks now with the Mom’s Thoughts instead of weekly, but remember how important you all in my life all the time, Always, MOM

 

TIP OF THE WEEK; The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

Mom’s Thoughts for the week of 2-06-10

  

SURGERY RECOVERY

 

I am sure to some my recent surgery has been a surprising going on. Thursday of this week I had a tumor (basil cell cancer) removed from my hairline on my head. Thanks to my hair dress I was able to keep it covered and pretty much no one knew I had it prior to this week. except my kids, they were the ones that insisted I go to the Dermatologist back in November. This was the earliest they could get me in for surgery. The biopsy was done in November, so we had some time to sweat it out.

  

As some one making a dumb decision, I thought I could rid the spot on my own over the last year. I tried treating myself with many medications, alcohol, and peroxide, antibiotic ointment, all over the counter stuff. I was sure one would cure it. Well, wrong! Finally when I showed my daughters they wouldn’t let up till I made the appointment. When the biopsy came back CANCER it was the last thing I wanted to hear. Skin cancer due to all the sun bathing I did over the years at the pool or even the fact I never wear a hat winter or summer.

  

18 years ago I had throat cancer on my vocal cord, surgery to remove it was followed by 35 radiation treatments. The 98% cured odds the doctor gave me made the treatments worth it. At that time the quick appointment when I noticed trouble in my throat is what saved me from it taken roots and growing which would have taken a vocal cord. It saved me then and I have been cancer free ever since and mostly healthy through the years. I have been truly blessed and once again I count myself blessed. This growth now is a one-time growth and not the kind that spreads to other parts of the body. Again a blessing. Cancer is a terrible disease, one that pain and fear takes a lot of faith, self-encouraging through the hard journey you face for yourself and your family. As with all health issues time allows you to accept it’s happening to you, then you can face the options open to you.

  

My faith has brought me thru, changing me as time has past. I love where I am in my life----the Nana of 3 beautiful healthy great grand babies with another due in March/April. Life is precious. The wonderful news that Layla Belle’s test results for Cystic Fibrosis came back last week it was normal. All being results of plenty of prayers by prayer warriors and our awesome GOD. We are so fortunate to have the advanced medical field we have now. My doctor’s expertise has left me 11 stitches hairline scar that will let the hair grow back with my hairstyle staying the same and no need for a wig. HOORAY!

  

So learn from one stubborn old lady—don’t delay going to the doctors. I love you all, thanks to my family for love and support thru my 2nd journey with Cancer. Couldn’t have made it with out you. Always, Mom

  

TIP OF THE WEEK: SUPER BOWL TOMORROW AND I AM ROOTING FOR THE COLTS. BLUE AND WHITE TREE WILL COME DOWN NEXT WEEK IN OUR LOBBY. EVERYONE WATCH THE GAME.   GO COLTS!

Mom’s Thoughts for the week of 1-30-10

 

FOUR A’S

 

I receive daily messages from Hazelden Org. most of the messages are based on the AA program 12 steps of recovery. Many of them give me time for thoughts regarding life’s cycles that we human have in our journey. All humans have changing situations constantly affecting us. This one was based on ACCEPTANCE, AWARENESS, ACTION AND ATTITUDE. All four great words are ones I have faced over the years at different times.

 

ACCEPTANCE was a hard one for me to learn. I had lots of why me’s to deal with at different times in my life. Finally I got the message WHY not? I am human, living with situations of cancer, financial problems, loss of loved ones, jealousy, hurt coming from others, all building resentment in me. Acceptance has taught me some things you can’t change but it may be happening to add growth and strength to build on your faith, making you a better person when you come through them.

 

AWARENESS has always grown when I take my focus off ME and put it on others. The world around me changes me to reach out to others. Realizing it can’t be all about me.

 

ACTION is again one we need to have enforced when you’d like to ignore circumstances and do nothing. Changes come hard but certainly forces action for any of us to take positive steps. I have had times of limitations and my capacity to fix my world has made me look for positive solutions. There is always a positive any time we’re faced with negatives. It all depends on what you want to spend your time concentrating on.

 

Lastly ATTITUDE has been one of the largest areas I have had to work on. I am thankful over the years I have turned a negative self-center attitude into making me a more positive human beings that enjoys life filled with others. Life is to be enjoyed regardless of our circumstances. ATTITUDE pulls us through when nothing else can. When I worked at Meijers as a Greeter, I met some nasty complaining folks even in public, creating negative effects on others around them. I always thought, “Boy am I glad I don’t have to go home with them!” Your attitude is one area you control, so make living with yourself better.

 

Hope all are staying warm and dry wherever you are. Winter has been rough with all the bitter cold, wind chills, and snowstorms. I for one am grateful every time I hear the heater click on and more grateful Justus pays the bill. So many have had to deal with loss of electricity in their homes.  If you haven’t then curl up and read a good book.    Take care, till next time, Always, MOM

 

TIP OF THE WEEK: Each one of us is unique in our own way. Much like the snowflakes no two alike. So love yourself, God does and so do I. 

MOM’S THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK OF 1-23-10

 

WEEK OF DEVASTATION

 

This has been a devastating week since the enormous debilitating earthquake in Haiti. The losses of lives have been recognized as the highest of any quake in history. The United States is feeling the enormous grief with so many of our missionaries and youth volunteers trapped below  the collapsing buildings. As with all tragedies I believe God has his angels on this earth, angels of mercy, who come forth as heroes who have volunteered to be rescuers needed to find survivors and help the injured medically. They are unique folks that have strong faith and strengths to endure the day after day work needed. Many only receive minimum amount of sleep at night. Our prayers are needed for there strengths to sustain them.

 

Back here at home, we too are affected deeply by the goings on in Haiti. With our live on the pot news coverage, we quickly can find ourselves depressed and feeling of helplessness to help others. I learned a big lesson with the Twin Towers Tragedy and the effects on us individually. We all want to know what’s going on, what progress has happen----but we need to step up--- turn the news off. We can’t handle the 24/7 coverage of negative and depressing news going into our minds. Most of us have enough in our own world to deal with. Lots of questions of why occur daily and we seek understanding of answers. We don’t always receive the answers we are seeking daily; instead it may be time for us to pull thru our faith. We have a God who knows our circumstances, knows what we dealing with step-by-step, day-by-day. He may not give us all the answers to why, but he is there always and will help us weather our storms. What a wonderful gift of peace he gives us that he is in control of all things. Our strength of faith will come as he sees we need it. He created us, he loves us, and he will protect us.

 

Try to keep your self and your world in an upbeat positive mode. Our blessings way over number any storms we might have now or in the future come our way. I love you all, I wish my Great Granddaughter Layla Belle a Happy Birthday on the 21st. she is a big girl 4 years old. She is being a big girl too going thru tests for Cystic Fibrosis. Keep her and the Brown family in your prayers this week. Till next week, Always, Mom

 

TIP OF THE WEEK: GOD NEVER GIVES US MORE THAN WE CAN HANDLE. RELAX AND ENJOY LIFE.

Mom’s Thoughts for the week of 1-09-10

 

WINTER BLUES

 

Merle Haggard’s old Country song “If we make it thru December… better days a coming.” Making it thru the holidays was really a faith tester for me. With a few unexpected deaths, lots of illness and health issues to deal with, our senior folks here in #3 and I made it thru the social activities. So far other than less goings on, we haven’t changed much. I am so ready for a slower pace for a while. The 4 inches of now Indy received this Thursday almost brought us to a halt. We were able to have the Men’s Breakfast with the snow coming down, my men walkers from another building roughed it by walking, I was proud of them. The bus hasn’t run for 2 days, but back at it today. We had about 28 hungry folks for breakfast, mainly the maintenance crew from out in the cold.

 

The rest of my day and even today has been watching the snowfall out my balcony doors. Only activity is our maintenance snow blowing and spreading salt. I am trying to talk my self into making it to bundle up and tackle 14 degrees and try to get to my car. Keep thinking the sun will come out and I wont have to do it but I must be dreaming.

 

The winter so far has been hard on our little ones too with illness. Layla Belle had pneumonia on Christmas Eve and has tried to over it and hasn’t. Still has a bad cough. Roxy has bronchitis and their parents are hoping it doesn’t worsen like Layla’s. Audrey and Tom both have had coughs but no worse than that. It is hard on wee ones to be sick and can drain dear ole Moms and Dads down caring for them and running to the doctors. I am calling on all Prayer Warriors; I have kept Lois busy with prayers for my family. She is such a wonderful prayer warrior but even she has had a long list of her friends and loved ones. I told her do you reckon we need just to say “Everyone” instead of doing individual requests of our Lord. Our wonderful God already knows our needs before we ask and also the outcome. Lots of us get our faith tested often and winter doesn’t make it easier. Alberta and her son Rob are facing some health problems for him that has been very stressful for them to handle. They too are leaning heavy on prayers; don’t know how we would cope without our faith to get us through. God is in control and our job is to trust in his control of everything.

 

Now more than ever during the winter months others need our prayers and support, with our love. Take time today to help those near and far. We are hanging in there with our support for our Colts football team. Their 14-0 at Christmas all too quickly followed with 2 losses. They are still very much in the run for the Super Bowl. So here in #3 we are all white and blue in décor and the Colts Christmas tree is still up for the “WIN.” So keep those fingers crossed and yelling GO COLTS.

 

Hope the New Year of 2010 has been good to you so far, hoping you haven’t written too many checks with the wrong year. I loved the debate over it being Two thousand and 10 vs. 20-10. The young ones are going more for the 20-10 and us oldies are for the 2 thousand 10, we didn’t say 20—09 so what is the debate for? Okay enough news all stay warm and healthy. I love you all. Till next week, Always, Mom

 

TIP OF THE WEEK:  If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving is not for you. AMEN. 

Mom’s  Thoughts for the Week of 12-18-04   (12-19-09)
 

Few of my Favorite Things 

December and so far no snow to speak of, I have been thinking about praying for some to make it feel more like Christmas. But, I thought that really would not be fair, I don’t have to get out in it daily and can stay in where it is warm. So I hadn’t been praying, but when I looked out this morning and saw snow flurries, I said, “YES, I will be happy with that.” I guess all my memories of Christmas past; have snow and lots of it in them. It always represented the feeling of Christmas, and something we required to get in the mood of Christmas and shopping for gifts. I do love snow, always have, and love to walk in it when it is new and falling slowly, specially in the nightlight. The making of snow flakes, not any two is one of those awesome makings of God. One I don’t know the reason for but do enjoy the miracle of snow. Beautiful snow, white and clean, yeah, how many of you already see it dirty and underfoot, work of shoveling and the driving on the slick roads. Just remember I have NOT prayed for it, but I don’t think we will be seeing it too soon, the weather calls for in the 40’s temps. May not get that White Christmas this year, way too warm, but it is Indiana and things can change and quick.

 

I attended the Christmas Program at our Church this past Friday and Saturday night with family and friends. The music was absolutely beautiful and the Choir, with the help of others, outstandingly did the whole event. The feeling one left with was that “Feeling of Christmas, mainly JOY.” The story of the birth of Jesus, the soul reaching music, and singing along with the Christmas Carols, gave one the joy of the heart, bringing God so close and his gift to us, so enormous and unselfish, showing his awesome love. Music, it is so much a part of Christmas, as we sing of joy and praise it can only place us in the high-spirits of Christmas. I can’t imagine what it would be like not to have and feel music in our lives. So I count it along with snow as two of my favorite things, how about you all?

 

After our program Dianna, Tom and I drove around checking out the pretty lights decorated in the Oak Meadows homes, they have mostly clear lights and they decorate the neighborhood. What a beautiful sight to behold. My favorite one was one in different colored lights, and appeared to be a Gingerbread House; there were deer, snowmen, Santas, trees and bushes decorated, and flashing. What a lot of work to give so much pleasure to others. Dianna found the reindeer with the red nose first though Tom and I were trying to find it. I had seen it on the trip with the senior bus light tour last week, but forgot where it was. “Eagle eye Dianna” saw it though Tom and I think she cheated us.   (Note: She also found the error on last weeks MTFTW, I do have 6 grandchildren, and proud of each one, excuse my senior moment).

 

Memories of the heart aren’t they wonderful; they do keep getting recalled thru our mind. I have recycled cards to give in Building # 6 for the last 3 years. Everyone seems to like my verse on them, so I will share with you all too. “May this recycled card bring back the warmth and love of Christmas pasts, filling your heart with love, joy, and happiness shared with loved ones and friends.” Enjoy the blessed season everyone.  Always, Mom

Tip of the week:

The LIGHT is not just at the END of the tunnel; it’s IN the tunnel.