8. February 2010 by imoomie.

Just today I happened upon a “I’m not at Blissdom” blog-hop…

Now the reality is at this point, on this day Monday, the 8th, no one is at Blissdom anymore.

I still feel compelled to link up with others that were never there.  How nice it would have been to have found you all this weekend and to have been united through what was not and to celebrate what indeed was.  It would have been like a sisterhood of “Not at Blissdom-ers”…it would have been great!  The celebration of us, not there, wondering what everyone was talking about, eating, learning, but united just the same.

We could make a pact and promise to all meet there next year in 2011…I am trying to be funny, but it’s coming across creepy isn’t it, yay, I thought so…breaking the blogger cool code.

Just to prove my sincerity I will share something humorous with you…a few days before Blissdom was to start, I went on line and put my name on the waiting list just in case.  I expectantly checked my email the next few days just in case a spot with my name on it popped up.  I was ready to hop in the car and go.

Obviously, that didn’t happen, but I can’t remember the last time I considered being impulsive or that I allowed myself a far fetched dream.

Oh well, you seem like a fun and friendly bunch.  If you would be so kind as to leave me a comment I promise to hop over and pay you a visit.  I would find it refreshing to have some new friends and hear some of your stories, it gets old listening to myself talk.

Thanks to Blessed Moon at http://blessedmoon.squarespace.com/ for getting the party started!

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6. February 2010 by imoomie.

Usually, when I watch a movie trailer, I make up a story in my mind of what the movie will be about.  Then when I go see the movie I end up feeling disappointed that the story line wasn’t what I thought it would be.

With Avatar, I saw the trailer and thought I wasn’t that into it, although upon hearing my family and friends rave about it, I realized that it was a must see movie.  A movie that will be a marker on the timeline of cinematography.

So, last night my husband and I went to see Avatar at the IMAX, in 3D…Wow!   What an experience!

I had heard buzz about there being underlying messages about this or that…I was so enthralled that I just enjoyed being transported into this made up place and away from planet earth for a bit.  We got a mini vacation for the price of a movie ticket.

As awesome as it was flying, leaping and exploring in this adventure…at times, the violent battle scenes were equally realistic for me and I just had to quit watching for awhile.

What an amazing story full of courage, greed, beauty and love.   Just not enough adjectives…

Here’s the trailer -

http://www.avatarmovie.com/index.html 

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4. February 2010 by imoomie.

The thrill and the fear all wrapped up in one speedy trip down the hill…

Pure joy, simple pleasures…

 Just getting in touch with her inner snowgal…

Thanks to my clever daughter, I now have pictures to share with you!  Not only is she the supplier of some fantastic shots, but she also figured out how to post them for me! 

Yippee, skippy!

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2. February 2010 by imoomie.

We spent 7 hours in the ER last night…

The call came at 6pm that our daughter, Hannah, had been kicked by a horse.   A high impact kick from a horse can be likened to a whack from a sledge hammer.   We loaded her up and off we went for x-rays.

Here is where thankful perspective comes in…

Badly bruised, but not broken. 

Hit on her thigh, not her head.

Surrounded by others, not working alone.

I would rather take a shaken, sore daughter to the ER and sit for 7 hours than endure 1 second of any of the “what if’s” that bounced around in my mind.

My husband, daughter and I were all together as we waited.  My daughter asked if one of us should have stayed home to care for the others.  Absolutely not, when one of us is hurt, we both go…that is how we roll in our family and for that I am grateful.

Thankful, simply thankful today…

Emily is sharing her thankful perspective today over at Tuesday’s Unwrapped.

Posted in Tuesdays Unwrapped | 3 Comments »

30. January 2010 by imoomie.

I admit I was extremely skeptical…

But just as predicted, in fact, earlier that predicted the snowflakes began to fall, lightly at first and then within the hour, with purpose.  A storm with a mission.

 I bet some of you have snow stories to tell, the likes of which would leave me shaking in my boots.  I come from a place where we may have 3 decent snow storms a year.

I guess I don’t have a great reference point for what a dandy snow storm experience would be like or what it is like to be truly isolated for days and days…

Realistically, I am just playing “snow storm”(it has been really fun though).  Lots of homemade hot chocolate, snow ice cream and sledding.  We had hearty beef stew and homemade bread for dinner. 

We also cranked up the gas fireplace, you know the decorative kind, that costs so much to run that we live in fear that the gas company will hold one of our children for ransom when the bill comes due.   Hey, but it’s worth the risk for some toasty warm kids, dry clothes and lasting memories.

Happy Snow Day!

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29. January 2010 by imoomie.

I am just crazy with giddiness right now…

We are expecting “weather” this weekend in the Carolina’s.  Are you thinking that it is the prediction of snow/rain/ice that has me in this elated state?

Close…it is the emails that are flooding in this morning, postponing or canceling all the activities that peppered the squares of my calendar marked Jan 30/31. 

Have you heard the song -

“Feeling Groovy” 

Slow down, you move too fast,

you gotta make the morning last,

just skippin’ (or perhaps slippin’ is in order) down the cobblestone,

looking for fun and feeling groovy…

I’ve got no deeds to do, no promises to keep…

Well, that would be me, right now!

 I always feel like I should be doing something.  Ha!  There is nothing to do!

We are being isolated, yipeee, I feel so freeee! 

Games, pizza, movies and fun, here I come.

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28. January 2010 by imoomie.

My oldest daughter asked me why I only write about the goofy things she says and does…

Why, because the things she says and does often makes me throw my head back with laughter, that’s why!  These moments are priceless!  I am laughing all over again recalling them in my mind’s memory folder labeled “funny”!

Anyway, today was priceless for other reasons…

My daughter, Hannah,  when not home with us lives at the barn.  She is a working student and helps her instructor with the kids and horses while the instructor teachs out in the arena.  She also works horse camps, shows and recently has taken to cleaning stalls in exchange for board for a horse she gets to call her own for now.

She is maturing into a beautiful, balanced, hard working young gal and we just couldn’t be prouder of her! 

Here comes the priceless part…for Christmas, Hannah, gave our youngest daughter, Tori,  horseback riding lessons.  Between traveling and the wet weather, today was the first day we could take her up on the long awaited, highly anticipated gift.

Tori was all ready to go with her riding hat, pants and new riding boots that she bought with her own money and a smile clear up to the moon.  Hannah teaching, talking and demonstrating with her whole being.

They were adorable to watch, bringing sweetness to my heart and overflowing joy to my soul as I watched my oldest apply all the things she has learned from her patient, kind and remarkable instructor transfer to her student, who just happen to be her little sister.

I am telling you…priceless.

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26. January 2010 by imoomie.

Over at ChattingattheSky.com where we gather for Tuesday’s Unwrapped,

Emily has asked the question…Am I embracing all today has to offer?

Well, funny she should ask, this has been a a thought in the forefront of my mind lately.  I know that it is possible for God has told us in His word. 

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”  Philipians 4:12(NIV)

When it comes to being discontent or content there exists at times a canyon in between the two attitudes in my heart. 

I seek to embrace all the day has to offer, unfortunately I don’t always know how to merge how I feel with how I could feel.  I generally see the good in a day and if the messy is before me I can extract some gem.  There is another aspect of how I view the world (or simply, my home), and that is through the lens of what needs to be changed, fixed or better organized to run more efficiently. 

I think God made me this way and in it’s prime moments this perspective can be helpful.  It is during the times that are the opposite of it’s prime moments that I look inward and find…yep, a canyon.

As I am writing this, walking, walking, thinking, writing…I come to a inviting bench on the windy path of this thought.  Why, I am unwrapping right here, before you (thanks for being here)…

I know that my Heavenly Father, the one who inspired the book of life, can fill up my unwanted canyon in a heartbeat.  He is the lifter of my soul and I believe that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. 

“So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.” James 1:17(MSG)

Do you know what I don’t have though?  Enough, sleep!  I think a lot of dread for the day comes from being extremely tired.  I am reaching for the exciting “this or that” in the future as a tool to propel me forward so I can keep moving and not fall asleep or worse drop into a coma right were I stand.

Sleep deprivation is not a game just for the parents of small children, parents of a house full of teens get to play too.  I could easily go on and on about my sleep patterns if I thought you would stay and listen, but here is the crux of what I am trying to say.

When my kids were little I dreamed of the day that they would grow up and sleep.   You can imagine my shock and dismay when here they are closer to adulthood than toddlerhood and it’s not turning out the way I expected. 

So, here is the bottom line, be content, be joyful…call a good day a gift, find a smile behind a scowl and hug on those you love, (or if it is your love language-make them a really yummy sandwich).  You don’t know that tomorrow will be more exciting, or easier or what you are expecting it to be.  

Now, this is a notion I can daily embrace and maybe just maybe when the canyon is gaping open in my heart. I will stop and see that the canyon is not only rocky, but also full of colorful splendor.

Hop on over to ChattingAtTheSky to see what others have to share…

Posted in Tuesdays Unwrapped | 2 Comments »

25. January 2010 by imoomie.

I have just finished this book by Susan Meissner…in case you don’t know, I am on a quest to read all (or the majority) of her books… 

This is a charming story about a jilted bride who opens a Bridal consignment shop after her impending marriage is called off ten days before she is to walk down the aisle. 

A lovely aspect of her bridal shop is that each secondhand dress comes not only with a story to tell, but also with a blue satin heart sewn into it that brings a blessing.

You journey with Daisy Murien as she works through the “whys” of the situation.   We stand next to her as she comes to grips with the reality that maybe her perception of the relationship with her ex-fiance was a little skewed, although this doesn’t make the break up any less painful.

In the midst of her healing she crosses paths with another hurting soul and the dance begins as they each travel the road to forgiveness, unconditional love and eventually to each other.

A sweet love story that left me smiling.

Posted in Read and Read Some More | 1 Comment »

23. January 2010 by imoomie.

Who enjoys a good Rockband fest?

It is a fun time around our home when a Rockband marathon begins…it is enjoyable to see the kids and/or adults interact with each other.   Each personality brings something creative to the experience.  

I get a kick out of the freedom that comes from the encouragement of others and that even shy people will try it.   Nothing like being a rock-star in the privacy of your own home! 

There is something about the reprive from the chores and obligation of every day life.  Our home is routinely a little noisy, but this is the kind of happy noise that makes me feel like all is well with my soul. 

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