Car Hits Cow

While driving home from a visit with my parents
who live in a rural area. We hit a cow. Arizona is an open range state. I'm not sure what that means, I've never given it to much thought until right there in the road was a cow. My Husband is a good, careful driver but this cow was determined to be hit. As Frank swerved left the cow ran left. I saw a larger black cow come up onto the hood and into the windshield. I covered my face and prayed. It would have been very bad if the cow had come though the windshield. Thank God it did not. I am also thankful that the car behind us could stop in time to avoid hitting us. I saw what I thought was smoke, the DPS Officer said it was dust for the cow! The cow limped off. I got on my cell phone and called 911. A DPS Officer and a sheriffs deputy came much faster than I thought they would. We are blessed to not be hurt. The car was towed and our son drove over to pick us up.

With Thanksgiving just one week away, this is something of which I am thankful . My insurance may not see it that way. Our other auto is in the shop right now for repairs. Just one of those things. We haven't had to file a claim in years and now two claims in 3 weeks. And two deductibles in three weeks!

One funny thing, I called our insurance and the women on the line wanted to know what city the accident happened in after I told her we hit a cow. What kind of city would have cows loose in them? I will start the paper work tomorrow. I'm done with today.

Just pictures of our Okinawa trip

Exploring the shore line.

The family sight seeing.

M
McDonald's in Japan.

My Husband and myself in the back yard with the kid's hats.

Okinawa Japan

My Husband and I were so blessed to be able to visit our daughter's family. Our son in law is in the Military and stationed in Okinawa. It was so good to see the family, we hadn't seen them in over two years. Of course the children have grown. It always makes me a little sad to think of all the things I miss. The up side is when we do get to see them it is in interesting and beautiful places like Okinawa. What a beautiful Island! We had the best time. We did all the family stuff. We visited the kids schools and watched ball game and went to end of season softball party's. And while the Men went golfing we girls hit the gym and shops. But the most memorable was snorkeling in the East China Sea. I'm a desert dweller and not comfortable in the Ocean. But my son in law love the water. We enjoyed the safety of the shallow water behind the reef. And when I felt comfortable enough to try the deeper water my son in law took me out to the reef where the corral drops off about 40 feet. And with His help I went out over the deeper water. This is a big deal for me. I'm not the most adventures of people. But it was amazing. And I never would have tryed it without Son-i-laws help. Thank you s-i-l.
A Japanese man who was feeding the fish shared the food with us. Hubby hurts his knee on corral. The screw driver is to push off the corral, we are sharing gloves. Works well for my daughter and I, she is left handed!

Does this stuff happen to you?

My car was hit three time in one day. I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. My husband had gone to the first gulf war-Desert Storm. I had two teenagers and an eight year old at home and I was struggling to hold it together. I had to drive the youngest to the Military Fort. He had been burned with hot water and was being treated daily by a Military Doc. The pole was bright orange and still I backed into it. My big old boat of a car didn't show much damage but the idea of one more thing to deal with make me more stressed. I pressed on with my day, lunch at Sonic would be fun so we parked and ordered our food. As the car hop came toward us with our tray the look on her face told me something was wrong-and them I felt it. An older man had backed his car into mine. The bumper ones again spared us much damage. What a strange thing two in one day. Now I felt like someone was out to get me. My stress grew. I was home safely at home. I parked my car on the street in front of my house and didn't even see the neighbors car as it rolled down the street and right into my----wait for it----back bumper! But this time something changed! The someone who was after me, the enemy of my soul. You know the one who come to steal, kill and destroy! Well he went to far and his plan backfired. The Holy Spirit showed my something that made me laugh. I saw (just in my spirit) how poorly this plan of my enemy had gone. If he had set out to hurt me he failed. Three time my car was hit and not ones was I hurt. At first it caused me to fear, but what He meant for harm God used for my good. I imagined that in the morning Satan sent out a demon with orders to kill, steal and destroy. But now that foolish imp must returned to report that I was still alive and well and now feeling more at peace that before. God used the events of that day to remind me that He was in control. God set the limits of what can touch me. That thing may not go the way I wanted then to but I was safe in His hands.

Rodeo Clown

My step-son is a rodeo clown.

My Husband, my daughter, and the grand children are pictured with him here at Old Tucson. We are very proud of Him. Rodeo clowns are very important. They are there to help the cowboy when he needs it. And when your in an arena with a angry bull you need all the help you can get.
I'm happy he has found his niche. Although it can be hard for me to watch. I've seen him tossed in the air by a bull like he was a rag doll.
They wear pads and are well trained and as my husband reminds me, men need a challenge The funny thing is that as a child he was so afraid of clowns.

Flying to Sedona Arizona

To celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary we flew to Sedona for a week-end with friends. I was so excited about the trip. Our friends have a plane and the flight only takes a couple of hours. We left early on a Saturday morning. I enjoyed the beautify scenery watching the terrain change as Arizona does.
The flight was smooth and I could not understand why Frank was not as excited about it as I was. When I ask Frank wasn't that great? He just said "It was OK" We all enjoyed a nice day of shopping and even took a sight seeing trip with the Pink Jeep tour. On Sunday we took in a few to many shops getting a later start home that we planed. So the flight home was not smooth. In fact it was very rough. I had planned for that and had Dramamine close at hand. I'm so smart!! But I'm also cheap. So I had the generic brand. Now I buy the chewable tablets and so I chewed two of my CVS motion sickness pills. I knew right away that something was wrong. They tasted awful! Soon my mouth was numb and the bitter taste was bad! I was trying not to drink to much water (there are no bathroom breaks on a small plane) so it was not the fun experiences I had so enjoyed just the day before. "what a difference a day makes" I was never so glad to be back on the ground. I didn't complain about the flight back until Frank and I were alone. I am smart, cheap and polite. But when I ask Frank wasn't that awful? He just said "it was OK " That's my husband. Steady as a rock. So I guess I can say I'm smart, cheap, polite and Blessed.

This is the airport and Senona.

How much is that doggie in the stroller?

The beautiful Pommorian is Simba. He is my dog. Simba could walk all day. But Followee (He was named by my granddaughter) is a little older and loves to ride in a stroller. Followee is my daughters dog and raised with the children so a stroller is natural for him and he love it. The dogs and I walk a block together then Simba and I walk the 2nd block and push followee. There are dog strollers on the market. I wasn't willing to pay the outlandish price so I found this stroller at a resale shop and with just a little moderation it works great.

the red cross

For every gallon of blood donated to the Red Cross you can get a nice little pin. If you look carefully you will see the numbers 1 through 4. I don't wear them, it seem some people find it strange to take pride in how much blood you've giving. In fact some find it strange that people donate blood at all. My first memory of needles were of fainting when I had a shot in my first grade classroom. I awoke to find myself laid out on a table. I didn't get any founder of them as I grew. I don't know how I went from someone so afraid of needles to an (almost 5 gallon) donor. The first time I donated I went with a friend who was a nurse. As I sat at the snack table I became faint and passed out, sliding right out of my chair. As I lay on the floor with my feet up and a towel on my face, I decided this was not for me! It wasn't until my husband went to Iraq that I wanted to try again. I was pleased to find that the process wasn't bad. The feared needle may look big. (don't watch) but it is not painful. The staff are nice people who keep your interest in the conversation and put you at ease. I can fill the bag quickly, anyone up for a race? The cookies are guilt free. Where else can you get a health professional to tell you to eat cookies? Currently only 3 of every 100 people give blood. And now it is needed very badly. I want to encourage everyone to come donate. Jan. 22 2010 they will be a 3020 E. Tacoma st. please think about it. Better yet just go do it!

Valentines Day Or Love is blind

I had plans. last year we would get away for a nice weekend in Tucson. After all the kids are gone and the last few years had not been easy. We needed a break and valentines day was a great time for a trip out of town. We would eat at our favorite restaurants. I could hit the shops and we could get in some golf. Yes I had plans.

But I had a stroke! I have had high blood for a while and I always take my medication. Even so on Feb. 4th I had a stroke. Now we know it was a TIA but I had paralyzes of my optic nerves. My eyes would not focus together. I was very dizzy and because one of my eyes was stuck looking to the left I had to patch one eye in order to see at all. I couldn't walk down my hall without bumping into the wall. The Doctors told me to wait and see, FUNNY wait and see if I would ever see well again. Oh I had all the test. And then I just waited for the appointment with the specialist. I had all the Doctors calling in all the other Doctors and talking about me like I wasn't there. It was when the Doctor said STROKE that the peace of God came on me. First I thought maybe what ever messed up my eyes was making me feel so peaceful. The MRI didn't bother me ( I don't like small spaces much) but I lay there in peace. Then came the JOY.



So for more that a week I was just at home with little to do but wait! I spent my days lessening to the bible on CD and wondering what life would be like if my vision didn't improve. I was so amazed by how the peace and joy stayed with me. It was in the second week that I noticed an improvement slowly regaining my sight. I am so thankful to God for my vision and for the peace and joy he gave me. I know God is faithful and will be with me in whatever life brings. I am also thankful for my Husband of 28 years who never said "Don't worry I'm here for you" ( he is a man of few works) but I knew He would be! The vows for better of worse- sickness or health- till death do we part, sound nice in our 20st but what a blessing they are at 50 when we know how much they cost. Yes I had plans but what I got was the nicest Valentine getaway ever. I learned how much my husband loves me. I didn't get any flowers, no candy, not even a card. We laughed at how unkind it is to give a card to a blind person (He is a man of few gifts also) but He is a man of strong character. A faithful man. The photo is of a bear I got for Him I made the patch for it. And yes I've heard all the pirate joke I ever need to hear.

There is no sorrow that God can not heal.

It was a dream come true. I was paid to talk! I gave my testimony at the Christian Women's Club luncheon. I want to share it again. Here it is as it was given in 1992. I'm so glad to be here today. I know everyone says that, but I really am glad. Here today are some or the things I love. I love to eat, I love to talk, and I love the Lord! When I say I love the Lord I'm not trying to brag. My love for God is not from me or of me. The love I have for Him is because He first loved me and gave himself for me and gave me the heart to love Him. It's all of Him. I was raised in a small mining town, in a christian family who took us to a bible teaching church. So at the age of ten I stood holding tightly to the pew in front of me. The congregation sang Just as I am, there was a great battle in my little ten year old heart. And as the Spirit lead me, I walked down to the alter as was the custom in that church, and was Born Again! But just as birth in the natural is just the beginning so it is in the spiritual we need to grow in the Lord. Now I was a "good kid" I did what I should and didn't do what I shouldn't (for the most Part) But at 17 I believed a lie and rebelled. Before I was 19 I was married, expecting a child and trying to life my life in my own strength. My sweet baby girl was only a year old when our world was shaken. My Husband was involved with another women. I thought I needed out of that marriage-I needed a lot of things. I needed healing from a broken heart, I needed forgiveness for my sin, and I needed to forgive both my ex husband and the women he continued to see. I had never hated before, but I learned to hate. Hate is so damaging to the one who hates, it's like holding a hot coal in your hand but you just can't let go, it hurts you more that anyone else. It was in that brokenness that I started going to a ladies bible study. A Women's Aglow study, nothing like I had ever been to before. They called it spirit filled. All I knew was that God answered their prays and I wanted what they had. I knew that I had to forgive others for God to forgive me. But I could not forgive! They had betrayed me and taken my daughter home. I cried out to God to help me. Still I struggled. How I believe that what Satan does to harm us God uses to bless us and that is what happened. We where in a car accident what totaled our truck the tow truck that hit us and the car it was towing. Praise God we walked away. My daughter was hurt the worse, with a fractured skull. The Doc. told me she might be blind. She was sent to a larger hospital where a specialist would be able to operate if it was needed. We prayed. And this is so funny! My sister raised her hands in prayer and the EMT checked her eyes again for brain damage!! The world does not understand. God is so good my daughter had a fracture but didn't have a concussion. She was alert and happy. And although she looked awful, she recovered just fine. I was so thankful to God for sparing us. For his grace. The next time I prayed I had a new prayer, Lord I want to forgive, I just don't have it in me, but if you will give me your forgiveness I will forgive. And I heard the Holy Spirit speak in my heart simply "It will be OK." And it was little by little I was able to forgive. My heart was healed and I began to walk in freedom. Oh thank God for He is good! "There is not sorrow that God can not heal .there is no damage that He did not feel . Moment by moment he's there where you hide. Tenderly holding you close as you cry. Jesus the Lord of the lonely inside. Jesus the Lord of all love crucified." quote is from Michael Kelly Blanchard. The pictures are of my sweet little girl. and us the year of the accident.

Oh Deer there goes the Buick.

My Father hasn't hunted deer for years but a buck still got his revenge one fall day. As my parents drove in their nice buick on a county road they were followed by a young man who was in turn followed (to closely it turns out) by a car full of teenager. Did the Buck see his chance to total 2 cars ? We know my Dad didn't see the deer as he jumped over a barbwire fence and right into the road. He was a big one! He had a rack that would have excited any hunter but as my Father tells it, the antlers were the first thing Dad saw as they came right at the windshield. The ill fated buck left a trail that C.S.I. could easily follow. The roof was dented in, the drivers door as well as the back seat door where badly damaged with the window broke in and deer dropping all over the back seat. My dad didn't hit the brakes - saving both of my parents the pain of a sudden stop and because the deer hit them not the other way around the air bags didn't deploy. Was that good driving or the slow reflexes of a 70 something driver? That is up for debate but It was advantageous. The driver of the second car was quick to see this and stop. If only the driver with the teenagers had been as quick! Yes the third car rear ended the second car. The buck left the scene of the crime. What became of Him we will never know. We fear the worse.

nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Today I had a breakthrough. This is a long story and I won't try to tell it all here today. I just wanted to mark this day as the day I was able to say the words our Lord said in Matthew 26: 39 "O my father, if it is possible let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." I posted pictures of Our son. He was an answer to pray. I had two miscarriages and was afraid that I would not be able to have a second child. My daughter who I loved and was a joy to me was 8 years old, and I had a bad case of the baby blues. While still grieving the loss and recovering from a second miscarriage. I remember so well the day I lay on my face on the floor and cried out to God. It took so much to say to God that I would except His plan for my life. If He's plan did not include another child for me. I would expect with joy his plan. It was just like God to give me the Healthy baby boy the next year. He was our pride and joy. He walked at 8 months, was afraid of nothing and we had such hopes for his future.

It was six years ago in Feb. when he was 20 that Police came to our home and I cried out again to God. He was sentenane to two years in prison. And to this day when I say that I can't believe that it's true. For six years our hearts have been aching. And our hopes, that this nightmare will end are crushed. He chooses to life in a way that will not let us rest or breath. Today I had a breakthrough! Someway, only by God was I able to say not as I will, but as thou wilt. I feel ashamed that it took me 6 years. But so glad that God got me here. A place where my peace and joy isn't on hold until my son has changed. I will keep on praying for our son and I will keep waiting for the victory. But I will not let it keep me from living my life. I will trust God. Seek God, and keep my eyes on God. And rest from worry. Free to rest in the knowledge that Gods will is good.

Snow Birds

In the winter our city has snow birds the real ones. We see them around the dumpsters and anywhere a free meal can be found. My friend likes to call them "rats with wings" but I loved these birds. I said loved because of when I met one in person, can you say in person when it's a bird? I have enjoyed the Ravens when they visit in winter. They are larger that a crow with beautiful black feathers. And they walk. I love the way they walk! For years mostly as a joke I ask my husband to catch one for me. I like to make unrealistic request of my husband. Don't know why I just do. He never takes me seriouly. So while on a walk I saw a Raven with a broken wing I was sure I could catch it and after 15 minutes of chasing it back and forth along a fence line I got it! On the walk back home I decided It would be a great pet after some medical help I'd get a large cage and maybe teach it to talk. I've heard they can be taught. A long time dream of having this beautiful bird was right there in my hands.

All this changed after I tryed to feed the bird and it took aim at my nose. I bleed from a good size cut but recovered as did the next person who tryed to take in this black beauty. The women who cares for all kind of injured animals. Both she and her friendly dog that meet us at the gate of the shelter were victims of the large beak. So the bird was doctored and released but my childhood dream died. Is that what Poe ment by "Quote the Raven nevermore" ?

Beautiful Arizona

Arizona has a beauty as changing as its terrains. This is a view form the near by mountains. The skies are full of clouds.

This was taken from the window as we drove up the road.
There is a horse and rider on the road.

We saw hang-gliders coming off the mountains I tried to get a photo.

My little city.

I'm told this is the oldest house in Cochise County Az. It is over 100 years old. I've driven past it many times and even got to look inside ones. The picture doesn't show it well but the house leans to the right. I sometimes wonder if it won't just fall over some day. I had a birthday a few weeks ago and have been thinking about time. One hundred years seamd a very long time. Until I marked my 54th year. I don't feel old although I would have call 54 old for most of my life. Now I chose to say "I'm not young but old is 75 or more" I don't really mind getting older. And that is funny when I think of how much I hated turning 30! I must have worried about that birthday for months. But of the day I woke to find life had not changed at all from the day before. That seemed only a number. But what helped me the most was to think of Jesus. He was around 30 when He gave his life for me and you. So every year that I live over 30 is a gift that Christ didn't allow Himself. So Thank You Lord for 24 extra years. p.s. sometimes I lean a little also.