Farewell My Matrix

It happened the other day. I looked out the window and my car was gone.

I don't tend to freak out so I stood there and thought, "Well I'll be darned. Who would want my car?" It's a great car. It has been a great car. It's twelve-years-old.

My car has seen some wear and tear so I wonder if it has aged in dog years? If that's the case it should just roll over and die.

There was the winter during the snow storm when I went out looking for one of "my" kids. In my concern to leave, I didn't see the rather large rock in their driveway that I backed in to and over. It was snowing hard. 

THIS COULD BE MY CAR

There was the entire Christmas and New Year's Season where I'm pretty sure I had a sign on the passenger side of my car. "Hit me, please. And don't bother to tell me who did it." 

Now the front right bumper is my fault. It became one with the bank as I turned in to the driveway.

Well and there is the front left bumper. It's my fault as well. The bank got it as I turned left out of my driveway the other day.

Have you noticed it has gotten colder? Yep. I didn't really pay attention to that until I realized the kitchen windows were "foggy". After I opened the door I saw my car. I had run an errand the day before and parked it at the furthest end of my parking lot. 

It's a big parking lot.

HUGE!

Ginormous! 

I put my phone away. 

I figured it best not to file a false police report. 

So I will not say good-bye to my loyal car as yet. I'm glad it was not stolen. We have far too many roads yet to drive and there are still car parts available to donate along the way. 

Enjoying the journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved

Power Restored -- It's Tiara Day

I have developed a great appreciation for my DVR. Upon recording shows I want to see I have discovered great power in the remote. I watch my show -- I fast-forward through every single commercial. I never knew I had such power! I feel downright royal -- I think I might wear my tiara today. 

No longer do I have to partake in mindless commercials that tell me what to buy, how to think, who to vote for and what toilet paper to buy. I have to power to cut them all off. It is exhilarating. It is freeing. Yep, it's definitely tiara day.

I feel especially empowered as I have decided we, the mindless public (at least that is how we are acting) have entered the political season where people either have lost or are in the process of losing - their minds. I am in no danger: my tiara protects me. 

I received a phone call last night and I admit it -- my mischief nature made its appearance. I can't control that thing for nothing.. It just washed over me. 

So I get this call from a friend I have not heard from in a long time. (I'm to blame as well. I have learned our phones work BOTH ways! Go figure!) 

But I digress. She is volunteering for a certain campaign. She is  VERY enthusiastic about the candidate she supports and she wants the assurance of my vote. Hm ... I tell her to want the assurance of my vote is a strong statement -- not sure I'm willing to offer that, I said. She states how long we have been friends. I agree -- I celebrate that with her. But that doesn't mean I'm going to give you the assurance of my vote, I tell her.

My attempt at humor washes over her like oil on a duck. She sees no humor in a very serious matter. She is convinced those who do not vote for "her" candidate are not Christian, nor are they saved.

WOW.

She carries on ...
She has a lot to say ...
As she is speaking my mind wonders. I look at my phone. I look at my remote. (Insert lightbulb over head!) I realize it is a VERY royal day for me -- where is that tiara? But I digress ... when she takes a breath I jump in to tell her I love her, I wish her well, and to give me a call sometime after November 8. And I end the call.

I'm on quite the power-rush this morning.

And here I sit in my gown, sipping my coffee, wearing my tiara with joy.

So Sarah has yawned and looked up from her morning nap a few times. She does not look impressed.

I have work to do on my royal court.

In the meantime, I'm loving my power. I'm loving it so much I picked up the remote and turned the TV OFF -- this is just getting ridiculous.

I think I'm having a power surge. Never mind - it was a hot flash.

Enjoying the journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved

A Break From My Normal Happy Self

There is something about computer "chat sessions" that make me want to reach out and strangle my computer. For three days I have tried to get in touch with someone at Verizon Wireless about -- well, many things -- and I'm about to throw my laptop out the window!

Due to a bad cough I continue to battle I'm choosing to stay off the phone. I sound like Kermit the Frog and when I cough I sound like I've been a pack a day smoker for about forty years -- which is not the case. So there you have it. So the option that makes sense is to "talk" with someone via a "chat session".

Yep. That was a great idea.

And my poor laptop.
It isn't my laptops fault -- but it is something tangible before me that I can take out my frustrations.
Poor laptop.


I know what this morning is.
This morning is one of those detours on the way to ...
I don't like this detour because it isn't bringing out the best in me.

Of course I realize I have a choice. I have a choice how I respond ... looks like this morning I'm going with grouchy, would like to shove my fist through my screen and choke whoever is on the other side telling me that "all customer service representatives are busy assisting other clients at this time ..." I can hear them chuckling ...

WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE
The red light turns on us and we're convinced it is staying red longer because we're late to our destination. So we blame the red light.
We burn dinner because we get distracted arguing with our spouse. Great. Burnt dinner. So we blame our spouse.
Our eyes are about to pop out of our head because the person in front of us is telling her life story to the cashier. The party started ten minutes ago. We finally get the card and pull in the driveway -- late -- and realize we left the birthday cake at the store. So we blame the lady in front of us in the line.
And on
And on
And on

And yet if we stop to think about it -- how much simpler would it be if we
      take a breath
          calm down
              realize the only one responsible for me is -- ME

Is it really necessary for me to go nuts over waiting a little longer in line? Whose fault is it I'm running late? MINE
And on
And on
And on

It is much easier to blame someone or something else rather than hold ourselves accountable for our own actions. But it is the best decision? NO

So I'm choosing to take a deep breath in and exhale my short-temper this morning. I'm choosing to take the better way -- I realize I am not the only person in the world. Go figure! Other people need help as well with Verizon Wireless on the computer "chat session" so I will patiently wait my turn.

I am reminding myself the question I always ask: is this of eternal value? My answer determines just how upset I choose to be ... Yep. Grateful for the attitude adjustment this morning.

Enjoying the journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved

Who Won?

I'm exhausted.
I couldn't sleep last night.
It tore me up.
Did you watch?

In the big picture of things when I answer the "who won" question -- wow. I honestly can't say. I think it was really close. I do!

If I had to be backed in a corner and really name names I have to go with James and Sharna. They nailed it.

They had the energy, the poise, the temperament -- they brought their "A game".

Others on stage tried but ultimately they won last night.

And what I love about last night is this is T.V. that is clean, fun, good-spirited and good entertainment. But that is not to say the competition isn't fierce. Each person is in it to win it.

I can't wait to see what happens next!

Oh and then there was a Presidential Debate after. It was good too.

Enjoying the journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved

Forget the "Like" Button

The "LIKE" button

I seem to like it very much

I like it way too much

I like to see who has "liked" me

If someone has not "liked" me -- WHY???

Seems way too much importance is placed on a little button

Not only that, but why has the "love" button not been pushed today?

GOOD GRIEF!

I'm going back to the days of actually reading articles for the enjoyment of reading the article -- rather than wasting time clicking "like" and "love" and "laughing" etc. buttons, as well as looking to see who else has "liked" it. What a waste of time!

I'm going back to the days of enjoying viewing photos and then moving on. Who cares whether I like it or don't like it or love it or ... it's ridiculous.

I'm going to enjoy posting my own pictures or articles for the simple reason of enjoying sharing them with others. Forget spending time seeing who all "likes" it.

Wow.

If those buttons are something that give others great joy then I say go for it.
If, like me, others have concluded it's a silly waste of time, then we will respectfully silently enjoy things without having to post how we feel about them.

Social Media can be great ... and then again it can fill hours of time doing absolutely nothing

I have no desire to be some internet sensation, a reality star or a Kardashian wanna-be
I shall be content with keeping it simpler
Ah ... I'm already enjoying it.

It kind of cracks me up as I'm reading my Bible this morning. I can't help but think of our ancestors in the faith -- they were no different than we: human beings who needed to love and be loved, people who needed the acceptance of others

I have to wonder what a system of "liking" and "loving" and "laughing" and "crying" over people's pictures and posts might have done to our Biblical ancestors. I think they would have been just as nuts over it all as we are today. We are, after all, a shallow people -- I am right in the midst of that grouping -- but we are. It's far better if we admit it.

I'm going to sign off for now.
I wonder if anyone will "like" what I said today?
There I go again ... !!!

Enjoying the journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved

Migraine Kind of Morning

I throw in the flag of defeat

The headache wins

I'm signing out for the day

That's My Girl!

It was a very exciting time for Sarah yesterday!

She was off on an adventure. Not only did she get to go for a ride in the car -- she also had a special chauffeur. (My sister-in-law took her for me as I continue to deal with a bum leg)

From the sounds of things the level of Sarah's excitement deflated quickly when they arrived at their destination: the vet's office.

Being the happy girl that she is, Sarah still walked in with her little tail just a wagging.

Sarah in her "frozen" position. 

HOWEVER, she knew something was up when the vet's assistant came to get her. This person had the leash and turned to go with Sarah to an exam room.

Sarah had other ideas.
She laid flat out on the floor -- on her back with all her paws up in the air in different directions.
And she just looked around as if to say, "You think I'm going with you? MAKE ME."

I'm told everyone in the waiting room burst out laughing.
I have no doubt of that as she is quite the ham AND a little bit of a DIVA mixed in to her vibrant personality.

She didn't want to go in to unfamiliar territory AND alone at that!
Were these people crazy?

She seemed content when the people got THEIR act together and understood HER needs. (Never denied she's a bit melodramatic) So off she trotted down with hall WITH my sister-in-law with her and the rest of the appointment went great.

 I know Sarah's reaction was a funny one. I laugh as I think of her sprawling out on her back with legs and paws going in every direction.

But I have to be honest here: I have felt the same way in my journey.

OH how I wish I could just sprawl out on the floor to raise my defiant voice that I do NOT want to go in that direction. Go ahead -- try and pick me up and move me -- not gonna happen.

I may not have done this -- although there are times I would have loved to act that way. I have enough drama queen in me to readily confess I would love to set my defiant self down and say "NOPE, not going that way ... not going to do that ... "

That defiant self tries to get in my way. I cannot let it take over because it is a voice that represents fear and stubbornness, anger and despair. And I will NOT let those negative word-bombs prevail.

New days are here and that means I need to follow along.
Who am I following? What strength am I given?

I call it FAITH
I look forward to deeper moments spent in communion with the One who loves me enough as I am, but loves me too much to allow me to stay in one stagnant spin cycle.

Move me, O Lord
Move me

Enjoying the journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved