Ready or Not

Ready or not here comes the new year. I am finding so many things happen just like this. They take place whether I am ready or not. I always hated that part of tag when we played the game as kids. It made me mad. I am generally not ready!

Just ask Construction Man. He will often go for a ride before we go for a ride, just waiting on me to finish getting ready in the morning.

Ready or not a loved one gets cancer. Ready or not a baby is born. Ready or not the lease is up or the bank forecloses on the house. Ready or not someone forgives and sets themselves free from the prison of not forgiving... or not. Ready or not a person's love grows cold and they walk away. Ready or not love finds us again.

There are many attributes I love about God, but this one is for sure and for certain: Romans 5:6 reads: "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."

God's timing is always perfect, whether we are ready or not. That's called trust in His sovereignty. Some days I find this difficult to do. Some days I am stronger in my faith. Ready or not I accept His will for my life today.

So, bring it on... 2012. I'm sure I'll get the date wrong and be scratching it off documents and checks for a month or two. (Yes, sometimes I still write checks.) But, I will adjust. I'm going to have to-- cause here it comes ready or not.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

His promises are all yes and amen.

Bread

I love bread. Every kind of bread. Most women I talk to are the same. I used to try and make bread as a younger woman with poor results. Just like riding/training horses, making bread is a barometer of your emotions. There has to be a degree of peace in your life for such practices to end well.

I bought another cookbook yesterday.

It's a great cookbook with lots of illustrations, tips and descriptions. This woman was an animal in the kitchen! She was not afraid to tackle any cooking venture... whether fish or fowl, salt or yeast, spice and flour. Her techniques are simple and straight forward and highly effective on the palate!

"...the rain yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
~~God


"How can a nation be great if its bread tastes like Kleenex?"
--Julia Child


"There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread."
--Mahatma Gandhi

Beauty When Nobody's Watching

Nothing like yummy, hot, thick coffee early in the morning with my nose stuck in a great devotional. I am learning to take one step at a time again and wait for things--not just rushing in all the time.

I desire a great many things, most of which have to do with my marriage and children. I want things to happen now. I don't want to wait!

I have been reading about patience and kindness. However, when it comes down to applying these virtues, I am sorely lacking. Today is a new day. Today I can try again. Little by little I will understand what it means and how to rightly show grace through patience and kindness.

A desert bloom...beauty when nobody's watching.

Bill Pay Day

As I always do on the twenty eighth of every month, (take note Suntrust!) the bills are all paid and up to date. Of course after the mail fiasco this summer when the post office in our hometown held all of our mail in a huge box in the back room and certain bills never even reached me...

Oh well.

I am thankful that we can pay all of our bills each month. Construction Man works hard and is the best provider in the world... the world!

Hard to believe 2012 is coming swiftly and the days are getting longer again. Changes and decisions beg for my attention. Our lease is up the first of May in this house, and we are diligently seeking out a new home in which to reside forever. Our forever home. Oh where could you be? God has the plan! Wherever it is, it's gonna be great!

Farm in Montana

Our farm on Road 8
The apricot tree in first snow

Changes Again

The decor of my living room is fixing to change today. The Christmas tree is coming down. I need to vacuum and get things back in order. All the floors need cleaning. All the kitchen counters need cleared off, wiped down and things put away. "I can stands no more!" Popeye used to say that just before exerted his huge muscles.

Have a great Tuesday during the week between Christmas and New Years! Here we go.....

"A Year In Provence"

"...a few miles away, the proprietor of Le Simiane was offering a six-course lunch with pink champagne to his amiable clientele, it seemed like a much more cheerful way to start the next twelve months."~~Peter Mayle "A Year in Provence"

I do enjoy a good story. The opening paragraph from "A Year in Provence" invites me to take a trip to France with a month by month description on what one may do there as each season unfurls.

How will you start/spend the next twelve months? Construction Man and I are getting a plan together as we speak. It won't be in Italy or France this year, but we do have a trip planned to go to Canada in June and watch one of our nephews graduate from high school.


I am also going to Thermopolis, WY and a Buck Brannaman clinic with my niece and my new horse. This is in the spring sometime as well.

2012. A new year with great potential... we're keeping our chins up and our faces to the heavens. Yep... it's going to be a good one. I just know it. Gotta go and read a book!

The horse "Monte" on the trip to Canyon de Chelly.

Our guide, James, keeping an eye on things.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Hello world. Listening to Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby sing the great Christmas songs of all time.

O Holy Night, Joy to the World, Hark the Herald, What Child is This, The Holly and the Ivy...

Such great lyrics. They just don't write 'em like that anymore.

I hope your day is spectacular.

Thank you Lord for coming to earth. You rock!

A summer field in Red Lodge, MT

Moon set in Red Lodge, MT

Up Early

We are up early today. The wind is chinooking down the canyon and the puppy is dry in his kennel--again. The tree is lit, as there will be little time left in the season for such delight. The gifts are wrapped, mailed and delivered. The cards are addressed and mostly mailed. (Martha Stewart says it's alright if they come a few days after Christmas; after all, the fact remains: Christ has come into the world!)

We will finish the Smoked Salmon Chowder, pack the Jeep and head for Powell. Church service at 5:30, hors d'oeuvres at my father-in-laws with Construction Man's whole family after church, including Grandma B who is 93 years old! She is the greatest!

There is a rum cake to be baked today, Christmas butter cookies to be rolled, cut and lightly browned. My mom just called yesterday for my Grandma Claire's recipe, as she misplaced hers. Grandma Johnson made these for her children, my mom for us, and I for my lovely daughters! They are the sweetest, cakey, flakey, buttery, vanillaee, goodness in the world... the world!

Blessings and cheers to you and your fam. Have a wonderful Christmas Eve.

Grandma Betty and Grandpa Rusty in Red Lodge, MT a few years ago.

Traditional Rum Cake.

"Why is the rum always gone?" ~~ Captain Jack Sparrow

Peace

South Fork, Cody, WY

South Fork, Cody, WY

Rock Creek, Red Lodge, MT

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
~~Mother Teresa

"How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!" ~John Muir


"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." ~George Washington Carver


"Seek peace and pursue it." ~~GOD

The Chocolate Life

Two words: Meeteetse Chocolatier.

Maybe you're like me and simply have to have 'chocolate something' at least once a day!

These folks sure know their stuff when it comes to truffles. Of course, I certainly do... I've eaten my share in this lifetime.

Chocolate has serotonin. It's good for you. It levels out your brain chemicals. The Lord knows how much I need that!! :) Got alot of brain chemicals racing around in there...

"Nobody knows the truffles I've seen."

"I never met a chocolate I didn't like!"

"I could give up chocolate... but I'm not a quitter."

Smile, it's ok. :) :) :) :0 ;0

Thank you Dad and Mom for the wonderfully, huge box of Mrs. Price's chocolates.
Merry Christmas and I love you.

Diane's Top Five Books of The Year

"A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" ~Donald Miller
This book is inspirational. It will cause you to get up off the couch and go live your life!
Come on, time's a wasting.

"Broken" ~Lisa Jones
This is a love story set in the Wind River Indian Reservation of Wyoming.

"Battlefield of the Mind" ~Joyce Meyer
We really do need to 'think about what we are thinking about!'

"One More Day" ~Mitch Albom
Everything Mitch Albom writes hits a home run in my book!

"Love Wins" ~Rob Bell
You want the truth? Don't throw the baby out with the bath water... Rob's not God and he doesn't know it all either!

For an added bonus and mind trip:
"Back Roads Italy--24 Leisurely Drives"
This book really awakens the wanderlust in me!!

As Levar Burton used to say on "The Reading Rainbow"... "Don't take my word for it, go read for yourself!"

despair vs. courage

The last few days have been glorious. From getting our baby home from college for the next three weeks, having a family dinner with just the five of us, to spending peaceful, laughing times with Construction Man after 28 years, to visiting with my daddy on the phone, to having lunch with two of my very best girlies and exchanging our "Aunt Charlotte" gifts. Then, getting a Christmas puppy called Hank... who had a very good first night at the house of Whitlock; and in my morning time of "recharge!" coming to a place of understanding for the first time in a long time...

"Do one thing everyday that scares you." Eleanor Roosevelt

This is courage. I fear in my grief I had gone down to despair--the opposite of courage. Am I saying one always has to be strong? NO! When we are weak we are very strong through Him who loved us and gave His life up for us.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Jesus Christ

I'm saying it's OK to mourn deeply. In fact, we need to mourn deeply to learn what it is like to be comforted. It's OK to be sad and recognize this sadness. But, we need to also recognize the comfort when it is given. Times of relief have been offered. Times of solace have been laid out before me. Thankfully, folks have wept with me and sat silent while I have tried to sort all of this out. Thank you.

Amidst the grief, peace is here. That doesn't make it hurt any less... but it will.

Be very afraid!! :)

My girlies: Cindy in the middle and Robin on the right.

Hank the cow dog... puppy extraordinaire.

Christmas Puppy

His name is Hank. He is border collie, aussie and blue heeler. He is simply one big ball of black and white fluff! Austin's dog, May, loves him. He slept in my lap for a two hour drive home and didn't even vomit. He is going to be the best cow dog in the whole world... the world! Since it's late, I'll take pictures tomorrow and put them up then.

yesterday's results...

Can we say happy?!

It was a grand day of being with Construction Man, eating, shopping and talking.
Twenty eight years. It's a miracle... really!

Happy 28th Wedding Anniversary to Us!

Well, today is the big day, 28 years ago. Probably one word to describe the marriage experience to Construction Man: ADVENTURESOME!

Being married to an entrepreneur in the construction industry is like being married to a gambler! Thanks be to God who provides; we have never gone without one darn thing! My man is just like my daddy. He can build, fix or invent anything that is needed to keep the physical world of engines, home repairs and field work all up and running. I am blessed to have found a man that even my own father said he "couldn't have chosen a better one!"

Not to mention that his daughters adore him.

This guy just keeps getting better and better.

The girls were right when they said they were ruined for this world. They just don't make men like this one anymore!

I love you, dear. I thank God for you. ;)

Happy Birthday, Maddie!!

Today our baby Maddie turns nineteen! She is in college now studying to be a nurse. She is an amazing girl with great compassion for people. She is underweight at this moment due to lack of food from this fine private college that we pay a gazillion dollars for her to attend. Perhaps they need a new cook? Anywho, we'll get her home and get her fed.

I like to feed people and animals. I inherited this from my mom who is an amazing cook and loves to watch people and animals eat too!! I made Madeleines and Divinity yesterday. So yummy.

We pick Maddie up at the airport at 11:45 p.m. tonight. And yes, we have a banner and flowers! I can hardly wait.

Maddie on the beach at Deception Pass State Park in Washington State. She is the original Drama Queen :)

Maddie at Point Defiance Zoo in Washington State.

ten days...

Oh how I love Christmas. Next to Easter it is perhaps my favorite holiday. If not for the hype to buy, buy, buy, which my husband put the skids on a long time ago, Christmas would rank right up there. But, Easter. Oh glorious Easter!

I remember one in particular when we went downstate to my Uncle Earl and Aunt Judy's house. We all got a yo-yo in our Easter basket that year with lots and lots of candy. We had the greatest childhood visiting relatives for all the holidays and most weekends! My mom and dad enjoyed visiting their brothers and sisters, in-laws and their moms and dads. (We had moved up north to Charlevoix.) My brother, sister and I loved being with our cousins playing outdoors and running through the house. Of course we got yelled at to take it outside while the adults were busy playing cards, drinking beer and listening to Johnny Cash on the stereo! If we were good and quiet we could sit on a stool by the table and watch them play cards. I should have paid more attention--I'm not a very good poker player! But I do play a mean game of Euchre.

Easter brings the promise of spring. Easter brings many promises. That beautiful baby that was in the manger at Christmas time is now a 33 year old God/Man gone to the cross at Golgotha. He did that for me. He went to hell and back so I didn't have to. The promise of eternal life in heaven with Him and those loved ones who have died and left this earth. I'm not going to miss this one. I've got alot of catching up to do with my Uncle Earl, my brother Dave and my sister Cheri. Oh, yes, there are many other folks there I can't wait to see.

But for now, it's only ten days till Christmas. Sweet, quiet, calm, bright... NOT!!! Sweet for all the candy I can't stop eating. Far from quiet with all the folks around to go out and eat with, and visit, and love on. Not even calm with all the preparations for the big eve and day. And bright! Yes, the outlook is very bright with all three girls coming home. I will miss being with my mom and dad and my brother and his family. However, we do have good memories of Thanksgiving and me turning fifty! I'm fifty! I'm fifty! I'm fifty!! I feel so smart and good looking!! Just saying...

Magnificence

"Stand on the edge of magnificence and forget about ourselves for awhile."
~~ John Piper

It's true... we can actually forget about ourselves for awhile when we stand on the edge of magnificence. Take the Grand Canyon for instance. It's so huge... it's so beautiful. What's even more beautiful is watching my girls when they were very little standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon and peering out over the expansiveness of it all. The sun was going down and we were on our family vacation to go see "Free Willy" in San Diego. We stopped off to see one of the Seven Wonders of the world. The peach, orange, and hues of sienna and rust dominated the landscape. I felt so small...

For a minute I forgot who I was. I forgot the enormous task of being somebody's mother, somebody's wife, somebody's daughter or friend. For a minute I forgot about pleasing everyone all the time and trying to be good enough, smart enough, beautiful enough. For a minute, there was something bigger than me. Bigger than my world. Bigger than the sum of my thoughts.

For a minute, The Creator came into view, as the heavens and the earth declared His glory.

Oh what I wouldn't give for just more moments of His glory.

This Christmastime enjoy the baby in the manger. The greatest show of God's love for His creation. Who'd of thunk God would leave His throne in glory to come to earth and save a wretch like me? From where He stands, God certainly does have a better picture of what really matters. Jesus came to free us from ourselves.

Standing at the edge of that manger on the evening of His birth, must have been some magnificence. I bet nobody there that night was thinking of much else than that beautiful sight to behold!

Canyon de Chelly

Sweet little girls at a church we got to build in Mexico

Sunrise over Powell, Wyoming

Just Do It!

So... you find yourself in a bind this holiday season... so much to do. So little time...
I am finding if I get up a bit earlier, exercise more and eat less, I am getting more things done!
Getting up earlier gives me time to focus on the things that really matter... the Lord and prayer.
Exercising gives me more energy.
Eating less makes me feel better mentally and physically!
Just Do It!
Come on... you can do this!
Also, leaving out those things that are not necessary. Remember it's more about relationships than things!

Truly Listen

"The artist doesn't see things as they are, but as he is." ~~ Anonymous

As a musician I watch closely to see how other musicians perform, act, react, etc. Even Eric Clapton says he started out copying the greats until his own style began to emerge.

Through the years I've been to many concerts. Only two performers really stick out after all this time: Bob Seger and Mac Powell of "Third Day." Both were very real with their performances and their audience. You could identify with them. It was like they really enjoyed and understood why they were on the platform. It was more than a show. You were drawn into the message they were trying to convey.

I do enjoy a deeper meaning. I am an old school balladeer. Lyrics matter. To truly listen and think about what you are thinking about. Now, that's a good thing!

"The years roll by like stones under rushing water; you only know, you only know when it's gone..."
~~needtobreathe

Proceed to Party!

We had our gingerbread house building party this afternoon. I baked thirteen houses throughout the week and we have two left-- one for my middle daughter and one for my youngest when she gets home from college this Friday night. One of my nephews was sick, so we sent an unfinished house and lots of candy his way for when he's feeling better. My oldest daughter prepared enchiladas and I made some Spanish rice. The kids watched "Cheaper by the Dozen 2" while the enchiladas were warming in the oven. We proceeded to party with lots of candy, frosting, sprinkles and Christmas carols to keep us singing and whistling along!! Of course it was everywhere when we were finished... my house collapsed under the enormous weight of gum drops, gum balls, licorice and whoppers. The only thing left standing was the dog house in the "back yard" complete with a lemon satellite dish! "Tradition... tradition."

Wyatt and Jacob

Jeremy

Graicen

Sam

You Were Always On My MInd

You know the tune. Willie Nelson sang it years ago... I never forgot it somewhere deep inside. Don't you just love how lyrics roll as soon as you remember the song? "Maybe I didn't love you, quite as often as I could have; Maybe I didn't treat you quite as good as I should have. If I made you feel second best, girl I'm sorry, I was blind; but you were always on my mind, you were always on my mind." Like I said before: Family! Friends! I love you. I love you. I love you!! Tell someone today that you are sure is sure of your love, that you love them, one more time.

My sweet, sweet girls!

Our friend Dar and Construction Man riding the red iron at a church we helped build in Mexico.

Thinking it through...

In reading the beginning of the Christmas story today one line just kept jumping out at me: Matt 1:20. It says, "But after he (Joseph) had considered this..." NIV "While He was trying to figure a way out..." MSG "But as he considered these things..." ESV "But while he thought about these things..." NKJV "But as he was thinking this over..." AMP Joseph actually took the time to think over the news of his betrothed woman's pregnancy. He did not react as I would have done in such a serious situation. He did not jump to conclusions and throw her out, as he very well could have. He did not yell and swear and throw things. He considered it, he tried to figure a way out for them, he thought about these things, he was thinking it over and obviously fell asleep while doing so. I often fall asleep while praying. I always tell the girls, when they say they feel bad for falling asleep while praying, that this is a good thing. It's a great place to be, in the arms of God when you lay yourself down to sleep at night. Thinking about the day's activities, leaving your concerns and all with Him as you drift off to sleep. God is nigh. He will stay up all night and sometimes just like with Joseph, He will tell you how to handle what's going on in your world. Wait for it... think it through. God will do it!

Gingerbread House Time!

So, I have 17 nephews, 3 nieces and we have some pretty memorable Christmastimes at our house. We try to get together and decorate gingerbread houses each year and this Sunday is the day for such joy! I will be baking up the dozen houses with my Pampered Chef molds that I bought over fifteen years ago. They are worth their weight in gold for the all the enjoyment they have brought into our lives. Gotta go start baking.

just a sampling...

Billings, MT... the epicenter for shopping!

Living in northwest Wyoming possesses some challenges. Like shopping... We do try to shop locally to help out friends and family here in town. We keep trips to Walmart to a minimum for that very reason also. But sometimes you just have to go to the mall! The nearest mall is in Billings. Today was that day. With Construction Man in tow-- he actually drove as the roads were slick in some spots; about one hundred miles north we did go, to the sprawling metropolis where there is no sales tax. This can be substantial savings on big ticket items such as washers, dryers, furniture, clothing, groceries at Costco. It was an all day adventure with lunch at Famous Dave's, because pig meat is man food. Unlike Olive Garden, where pasta is chick food. (The world of victuals according to Construction Man!) We skipped Costco as the sun sets around 4:00 p.m. and makes one sleepy and duped into thinking it is later than it really is. A small amount of Christmas shopping is done, and with fuel calculations, a conclusion was reached that the rest of our shopping will be done closer to home. The hidden costs of going to the mall were too high a price to pay. Sad.

My Mom and my sis-in-law, Tonya, at my birthday.

Having more moments...

In my sister's funeral card/program we included the poem by Nadine Stair: "If I Had My Life to Live Over." This was framed on her wall, above her bed. We stood there that day after she was gone and wondered what we could put in that little paper that would sum up her life. What sums up any life? Obviously it's not the stuff you obtain! More about stuff later! In reading the Bible, I have learned that life is summed up in relationships. Not necessarily referring to just those you are related to, though these can be the most difficult to maintain, but how you treat people in general. People are everywhere. It's all about relationships. My sister was very good at making people feel special. She is greatly missed as the gaping hole of her love for each of us goes unfilled. How did she do that? How did she seize the moment to call, send a card, smile and offer soft words of wisdom? How do I live now? Now, I make the call. I send the card. I offer soft words of wisdom-- following her fine example. "Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day." I'm fifty now. You could say my life is half over. You could say... I could live till I'm 88 or die tomorrow. But I do have right now. I do have a heart full of the sweetest, most amazing memories of family and friends. A life lived full, well-lived, and lived well. If I had my life to live over, I'd tell my family and friends "I love you" more often. Everyday... I LOVE YOU!!! Praise be to God!

My sis, Cheri, and our nieces on her birthday two years ago.

A Day of Rest

Just taking a day of rest before the day of rest! Construction Man and I hung out today and scoped out the pawn shops and junque stores here in town. Lots of stuff... and we all know how I feel about stuff! However... there were a few items that I seriously thought about purchasing. There was a Burton snow board complete with bindings... two identical Samsonite cosmetic cases, which would make great "Aunt Charlotte" gifts. What is an "Aunt Charlotte" gift you ask? It's a long story, but in essence it's the worst, oldest, rusted, greasy, used up item you can find to wrap and give to two of your very best girlies at Christmas time! Worse than a white elephant by far... more like a white elephant's turd! Anyway, I have outdone them both for several years now with my creativity and I don't plan to be topped this year either.

A storefront in Bearcreek, MT.

The Whitlocks have gone western

We are mostly moved in to the new rental in Cody. Clothes are put away, towels are washed, dishes are sorted and put away, two houses cleaned and given back to their rightful owners, and one Christmas tree up and decorated! This makes me smile! I decided on a cowboy theme this year after eating breakfast in a truck stop in Casper, WY. Their tree was inspirational with all the ropes, boots and bandanas placed with care, branch by branch... the french toast was scrumptious too! It was early and Construction Man got the drop on me before I was fully awake. It's not my natural inclination to eat truck stop food before breakfast.

This is my daughter Taylor and myself at my birthday party!