$$$$$$$$Garage Sale Fever$$$$$$$$

I've had many garage sales over the years. I actually like having them and I enjoy going to them. The thing I like most about having or participating in garage sales is the time spent sitting with family or friends just talking. Actually taking the time to do nothing more than enjoy the outside weather and each others company. I use to do three a year every year with my ex-sister-in-law and her mother. I miss that. The past two days and today though I had an opportunity to participate in my friend Chris's garage sale. I loved it. There was a wonderful cool breeze and a friend that I haven't gotten to spend much time with over the past couple of years and I got to sit and just shoot the breeze, so to speak. The picture above though is from my garage sale I had at my house in June. Yes it is a long and I mean long driveway and I had a lot of stuff to sell. I still do believe it or not. I'm trying to organize my house (maybe actually get a style) and I'm trying to empty out my storage unit so I can get rid of it. I will be doing another garage sale with my friend in September.

Along with enjoying the time spent with family and friends there is always a good show guaranteed. Along with the tons of bargain shoppers who are looking to get a a good deal there are always those people who look at something priced $5 and ask you if you will take a quarter for it. Now what logic goes through someones mind that says it's OK to ask someone to drop from $5 to twenty-five cents? I would never dream of asking someone to drop more than 40 to 50% and I probably wouldn't ask them to drop that much.

Another thing that just shocks the heck out of me is how people who come to garage sales just seem to want to tell you their entire life stories and will tell you things I would blush telling my closets of friends. (And trust me those who know me know I don't embarrass easy.)

One thing is for certain. Garage sales are enjoyable to go to and for me enjoyable to participate in. Lots of work yes, but everything in life worth while you have to work for.

Garage sale anyone? Catch the fever.

By Chance or Divine Intervention?

In my last blog entry I spoke of my favorite author John Edward. One of his sayings is that nothing is by chance. There is a purpose and a reason for everything. Well, yesterday I got an email from Walgreen's. So far nothing unusual because they often send me coupon updates. In this email it offered to develop film, whether it be a roll or one time use camera, free today only. You could have one. I use digital now so I had no use for it. I took the coupon to my mom. She had a camera she needed to get developed but she had no idea how old the camera was or what was on it. I told her it's free, why not find out. We dropped it off and Walgreen's processed the film in their one hour photo lab at no charge. The above picture is one of the pictures we got. Now here is where the by Chance or Divine Intervention comes into play. The picture above is of my mom's brother Monroe and his wife Connie. Monroe passed away a couple of months ago and this picture was taken on the last trip to Kentucky my mother took and as it turned out the last time she saw her brother alive. There were several wonderful pictures on the camera for her and it touched her very much. If that coupon hadn't come she may or may not have ever gotten this film developed which was stuck in the back of a drawer. So I ask you: By Chance or Divine Intervention?

John Edward

OK, so I have received a couple of very interesting emails as of late regarding my choice of authors as my favorite author. I chose John Edward because he is my favorite author. I get great comfort from reading his books and have read a couple of them several times. I thought today I would just take a moment and clarify which John Edward I am talking about. I am not referring to the one who is known for his political association with the democratic party. I don't even know if he's written any books. I am referring to the one that has a television show and is revered as a "psychic-medium".

Now, to also clarify things I am not really sure if I believe or do not believe John Edward can really talk to the dead. I have not really come to a conclusion on that. I think for me to believe I would have to have my own reading and he would have to tell me something awfully convincing that no one else should know. I'm skeptical by nature even though I have had a few of my own dealings with the supernatural or unexplainable as it may be. What I do know though is I do not have to be a believer in what he professes to do to enjoy the words written in his books. His books make me want to review my own life and they somehow give me comfort when otherwise I might not have any. I love the idea of what he writes about and about how it does make me think long and hard about what may or may not be in my future.

Also to clarify. I believe in God and all power of everything belongs to God and is with God and should be glorified with God. I am not, nor do I see how I could take anything away from Him by reading these books. I just feel every one's relationship with God is their own. We all have to find our own peace with Him.

That being said. I would like to recommend that if you have some time and want to read something that will make you examine the way you think. You might pick up one of his non-fiction books. He does have fiction books that do that as well though. My favorite book by him that I have read several times is "What if God Were the Sun". I highly recommend this book. Every page kept me wanting for more and the ending was totally something I didn't see coming.

Keep the emails coming. I'm always happy to answer questions.

Hotter Than A Pistol!

***********Chris Young***********

If you haven't checked out Chris Young's music then you're missing something. He's got great looks and a great voice to go with them. You can check out his music at http://www.chrisyoungcountry.com/ - Also if you want to check out his latest single, "Voices", off his new CD that is coming out August 26Th you can go to http://www.musicremedy.com/. I'm personally counting down the days to his new album. If you are a Verizon Wireless subscriber his new single along with his other music is available for download with VCAST or as a ring back tone or ring tone. Hope you enjoy!

Ashley Rene & Dakota James

***Ashley & Fuzzy 7/24/08 Picture Courtesy of Ritchie (dad) ***

***Dakota James 8/03/08 - Picture courtesy of Ritchie (dad)***

Just thought I'd take a moment and show you pictures of the best niece and nephew anyone could ever ask for. My pride and joy. Hope you enjoyed.

Time Moves On, Even When We'd Rather it Not.

-------------------Sheila & Ashley Rene December 25, 2004------------

Life is a cruel mistress. Time marches on and memories sometimes are all we have of a life it seems is nothing more than just that... a memory. In this photo my niece is a little over a year old. Now she will be five years old come this October 18Th. It's hard to believe. She just got her ears pierced and she's just as proud as she can be of them. She is adorable to me, but I really don't feel children that small should be having their ears pierced. I feel it takes a choice away from them for when they are older. Now her great aunt, Margie, says well she wanted it done. Again she's four. I always felt this is something a little girl should decide when she's becoming a young lady. Once she decides what direction she's looking to go in with her life. I didn't get my ears pierced until I was grown and a friend of mine, Joe, took me to get them done. I know there were times growing up I felt out of place because I didn't have them done and other girls did, but I also felt special in my own right that this was a decision my mother felt should be left up to me when I was able to reasonably make my own decision. It just seems to me it's rushing past childhood and pushing our children to be more adult-like. That is another thing I've noticed... it doesn't seem like these days parents want there children to be children. I guess because I don't have any children I'm not the best person to be talking about that. I would love to have had a whole house full of children. I am an old school person who would love to have been a stay at home housewife and mother, but that wasn't meant to be.

So many things have changed in the last four years in my life and my family's life that it's just hard to imagine. My brother and his wife got divorced. My favorite uncle died. And there are a million other things I could name that have changed in my life in a short four year period. My niece and my nephew are the light of my life though. What do you think? Should a four year old be allowed to have their ears pierced? What about other things? What age do you think Tattoo's should be allowed? How about Dating? Feel free to share your opinion's and thoughts. I look forward to the comments or emails.

Spiders and Frogs are My Friends.

OK, most people don't like bugs in the house. Me? I can't say I'm over thrilled when I see the little creepy crawlers running around, but I do believe in a live and let live system on this earth we live on. I don't like to intentionally kill anything, with the exception of Mosquito's and Fleas and I feel they've lived as long as they need if they live one minute. Can't help it, just the way I feel. So most bugs I will catch and put outside. I figure they have some purpose they have to complete, but not necessarily in my house. The only exception to this is spiders. Unless it's a poisonous spider, such as a black widow or brown recluse, I let them live in my house in harmony. Why? Simply because they kill and eat mosquito's and fleas and flies and pretty much anything else that gets in your house that is a creepy crawler. Remember I said I wouldn't kill anything if I could help it. I didn't say I would let something else. Sometimes my cat, Prissy or my dog, Princess, decide the spiders days are numbered and take them out. Not me though. I figure they are my friends and as long as they leave me alone I leave them alone to do their natural job of getting rid of other creepy crawly things.

Oh yes and if you have frogs in your back yard.. count yourself lucky cause these little jewels also get rid of those pesky bugs we all hate so much.