Thursday, May 30, 2013

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing.....


my67 019

Come thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace:
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of thy redeeming love.
Hear I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come;
And I hope by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood.
Oh to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter; bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

Words-1758-Robert Robinson
Music-Wyeth’s repository of sacred music-1813

As I stood to sing this grand old hymn recently in church….
I found to my amazement that I didn’t need a hymnal!
I am this person who is having trouble recalling yesterday...
and here I was singing all three verses without even glancing at my book! How could
this be? Are the words so powerful that they have made such an
impression on my life that I can never forget them? I don’t think so.

“Here I raise mine Ebenezer, hither by thy help I’m come…”I don’t
even know what that really means but how my heart is lifted up as I sing
these old , old, lyrics.
I was never required to memorize these songs,
but I sang them every Sunday of my life. I watched older folks sing
them and draw strength from them.
“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel
it, prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, O take and seal it..”
This part is a little easier to understand, but there again, It is not the
words, but the songs----the songs of my heritage. The foundation of my
faith. The songs that make my soul come alive and lift me up!


If I could offer an encouraging word to parents dealing with children who
all at some time during their growing up years, balk at the idea of going to
church, Take them anyway! You are giving them a wonderful strength
to draw from as they experience the difficulties of life.


On a lighter note, I remember when our seven year old granddaughter was visiting and
on our way to church, she was complaining that church was “boring”. I
replied that I understood and that sometimes, I too, became bored. I
shared that when that happened I just sat quietly and counted my blessings.
In an exasperated voice she said, “Mimi, I only know two blessings,“God our Father…..and God is great“….now how long can that take?”

my67 023

First published on bcpmylife.com

Monday, May 27, 2013

Work is Good!




We may be doing too much for our children. Many have so much they
are never satisfied. As parents, many are struggling too hard and
spending too much to make things easier for their children. Easier
is not necessarily better.

It’s good for children to work.

There should be little jobs for little people.
Then, more responsibility as that child gets older.
We should allow them to know the satisfaction of a job well
done and be rewarded accordingly.

At our house, one of the best agreements we ever made went like this:
When you’re old enough to work, you get a part-time job. The money
is yours to spend. If there are special things you want to buy or do
that don’t fit into our budget, you pay. If you want a car, we help you
find a used one, and we pay for half. You pay for the gas, and we pay
for the insurance.

Work builds character. Take away the challenge of work and the
attitude changes. Every child understands the value of money best
by learning to manage their own. I also believe there is nothing
wrong with telling children that “we can’t afford that” or “we don’t
have the money for that right now.”
Effective parents teach children how to earn, how to save, and how
to spend—even more, the best parents know something else. They
know that children need more than material things to be happy.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

A Flexible Sigmoidoscopy


DO WHAT?


A FLEXIBLE SIGMOIDOSCOPY!



THE LATEST “EVENT” IN MY
EXCITING JOURNEY OF AGING. (MAYBE NOT TOO GRACEFULLY)

I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS! However, because I trust my doctor and he says this is important, I will. My instruction sheet reads, “no sedation required due to examining only the last portion of the colon. The doctor will advance the scope only as the patient tolerates it.” Is this supposed to be comforting? As I read on, THE DAY BEFORE YOUR TEST:Take one bottle of Citrate of Magnesium at 1:00 p.m.
You may take it later but you may be kept awake at night”! FROM WHAT?
First of all, what in the world is Citrate of Magnesium? Soon after I consumed the bottle, it became all too clear what it was and why I should take it at 1:00 p.m.! THE DAY OF YOUR PROCEDURE; “take 2 fleet enemas before leaving for the doctors office. Oh, lord, I don’t like the sound of this! I hated going to the drug store for these items. I didn’t dare go to my regular pharmacy. I went to one of those big chain stores and hoped no one saw me. I had already decided I would explain that I was shopping for my husband, who was much older than me. I also made sure the items had a price on them because I couldn’t bear a “price check” on the PA system. My appointment was for 2:00 p.m. and since I had not eaten since lunch the day before, I thought I would be famished…. but who could think of food! Stress levels were “high”. How do I communicate my"tolerance level”? First, I had to weigh and that is stressful in itself. Why do they need to know how much I weigh? I’m sure there is a good reason. Then the nurse handed me what was much like a very small paper tablecloth and preceded to give me this list of instructions: “If you need to go to the bathroom, do that, then go in here, undress, leave your clothes there, wrap up with the “tablecloth”, lie on the examining table on your left side”. O. K., let’s get this over with.
A very kind and gentle doctor made the actual procedure the easiest part of the “ordeal”. And by the way, I had no problem communicating my “tolerance level”! Like the experience of giving birth, I’m sure I will forget this by the time I need the test again.

Published originally on bcpmylife.

Up, Up, And Away.....

What a wonderful Week-end!

The Alabama Hot Air Balloon Festival in our own back yard.  We actually sit in our alley and watch the balloons.  
Perfect weather! 


My Sister would not allow a "front" shot.  6:30 a.m., no makeup,  lst cup of coffee...

Good neighbors....

My (SH) cooked ham and biscuits.  I know, he is wonderful!

These two are dangerous!  Settling the worlds problems...

Sweet Ms Mary...alway smiling!

Such a beautiful sight!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Some Secrets to Happiness


(I'm not sure where this came from but I like it.)

Return everything you borrow.
Stop blaming other people.
Every day do something nice and try not to get caught.
Listen more; talk less.
Strive for excellence, not perfection.
Be kind to people.
Be even kinder to unkind people.
Take time to be alone.
Don’t criticize anyone for 24 hours.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Know when to say something.
Know when to be quiet.
Donate blood.
Learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present.
Cultivate good manners.
Admit it when you make a mistake.
Understand and accept that life is not always fair.

First published on bcp.....My Life












Tuesday, May 21, 2013

It Has Nothing To Do With How Much We Love You


A funny story……Grandparents were waving their good-byes to their family after an extended visit. As the family was driving away, the tired grandmother glanced at
Granddaddy and noticed that there were tears running down his face,
“what’s wrong?,” she asked. He answered, “they just ran over my foot, but keep waving, they might come back”.

No, it has nothing to do with how much we love you. It has everything to do with endurance, stamina, and the increasingly difficult task of cooking a turkey, dressing, 10 side dishes, 6 desserts, homemade rolls, 4 gallons of sweet tea, and having it all ready at the same time, with one oven! This must also happen with all the adults gathered around you in the kitchen and the kids needing your help with their crafts.
Another amazing tidbit about this scenario, the whole bunch expects to eat the next day too!” By then, Granddaddy and MiMi are not making complete sentences!

It has nothing to do with how much we love you!

Comments from our friends are comforting and reassure us that we are normal.
As I talked with one of my really good friends at our Christmas Eve service at church, she whispered, “they’ve just told me they are staying for 4 days! What am I going to feed them?”Another funny comment from a new grandmother, “we have been making organic baby food all week, I have washed 11 loads of clothes every day, and they brought their 100 lb. dog!”

It really has nothing to do with how much we love you!

(As you have probably already figured out, I wrote this after Christmas, 2008)

Published first on www.bcpmylife.com.

A Good Laugh





On the eve of a recent birthday, I am laughing at myself!


After a weekend with five grandchildren, I think my son thought I needed to be pampered a bit, so, thoughtful person that he is, he called and said my birthday present this year was four hours at the most luxurious, expensive day spa in our town. I've never even been there.
He said there would be a massage, pedicure, manicure, facial, and some more things that I don’t

even know what they are talking about! I have never had any of this done to me. Everyone tells me it will be wonderful, and I'm sure it will. It's just that blasted massage that has me so stressed! I needed to talk with my good friend, Margaret. She is the "massage queen". I had lunch with her today. Earlier this morning I called the spa to hear exactly what was involved and how long the massage lasted? 30 MINTUES!
Now on to the questions for Margaret. “How much do I have to take off? WHAT? I’m not sure I can do that”. She said, “don’t worry, the lights are really low and they cover you with a sheet”. I wonder if they could do this in the dark? She said they worked on different parts of your body and only uncovered that part! Well, I’m telling you I have large parts and I don’t think 30 minutes will do it! Hmm............... I wonder if I could get my hair cut instead.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Maintenance


my67 008 Maintenance.…..hmmmmm, “continuing repair work”. The art of maintaining…..

Wow! No one told me it would be this hard!  I am forever looking for easier, simple, makeup tricks. How do I keep foundation on my face while sweating like I am running a marathon? How do I apply mascara and eye-liner with my glasses on? Where do I not put concealer?
As we age, I think all of us, still want to look nice without all the trendy products that we see in the national magazines. I have come to the conclusion that the secret is to find a few great make-up artists/companies, (Bobbie Brown is my favorite) use them, then, let it be!  Learn to be comfortable in your own “skin”. Be happy. It will show.
I have learned that I must keep my hair short. To do otherwise adds years in weeks!
I have also realized that I can look in the mirror easier if I color my gray.

feel really good in beige and black clothes. Notice I said I feel really good, not look really good. I have to really talk to myself to wear bright colors although I enjoy red and purple.

Jewelry is hard. Something classic and silver is usually good. Mostly earrings, never a bracelet. I also love antique brooches and old rhinestone earrings.

My preference in purses goes in cycles. It must always be a shoulder bag and I am attracted to expensive leather! For years I carried a very organized, small handbag.
I have never been one to change purses to match the clothes. I usually change with the seasons. For the past couple of years I have migrated toward larger, hobo type bags which is like looking in a deep, dark hole to find my keys. My cell phone always stops ringing before I find it! Oh well…….
Socks…..I love them. Loud, gaudy ones. My sister(who thinks everything must “match”) almost faints sometime when I cross my legs and my socks reveal themselves.

Shoes……I used to love them. I still love them on other people. There is nothing as good looking as high heels. I bought my last pair about 4 years ago. I saw them at T.J. Max and bought them without blinking an eye! They are snakeskin, 3 ½ inch
good looking shoes. I call them my “sex in the city” shoes. I haven’t dared wear them in at least two years. Just can’t do that anymore.

“It is what it is” and I’m gradually becoming "content in my own skin".
my67 009

This is another post that was first published on www.bcpmylife.com.  I am slowly moving all my posts to:  messagefrommimi.blogspot.com.  Both blogs are mine.  Thank you for coming by.

Dark Roots and Red Ends



Each birthday, as I get older, I re-evaluate, i.e: take stock, resolve to make some changes.

On my last birthday,  I decided this was the year to do something about my graying hair. Well, as anyone who knows me can tell you, the first few attempts were total disasters! Very expensive disasters. As I was trying to convince myself that dark roots and
red ends made me look younger, my insightful granddaughter informed me she thought "it was
morally wrong to dye your hair". Finally I said "no more, I'm not doing this anymore!" Then my sister suggested a "mousse". (Dear God in heaven) I thought this was a dessert! "No", she said, "just a temporary color to use around your face where you have more gray."
O.K., I'll try anything once. I did, and it was working great until.....my doctor's office called---they had an appointment available if I could be there in thirty minutes. First, I don't do well rushing anymore, in fact, I refuse to do it. But I did need the appointment. When I sat down in the waiting room, I was sweating so I went to the restroom in the waiting area to get some paper towels to wipe my face. As I looked in the mirror I saw black lines running down my face.
My white, linen top had black smudges on it. Good grief! No one had considered how much my scalp sweats, not perspires, SWEATS!
The only mousse I use now is Chocolate-----the dessert kind.

This was first published on bcpmylife.com.  I am slowly moving these posts to messagefrommimi.blogspot.  Both blogs belong to me.  Thanks for coming by.

I agree with Katie, I think it is morally wrong to color your hair.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

New Blog!

Hi,

In my other life, I was bcpmylife.com.  Due to things I could not control, I had to change my name (blog).  

This is a "test" post about nothing. 

 I do not understand why my beautiful forest keeps moving around?  I am very anxious about my old blog friends being able to find me.  I think, as sad as it is, I have lost most of my writing from the last three (?) years.  Can blogger connect what is left from bcpmylife with Message from MiMi.  I don't knoooow!  Why do I keep getting a pink message telling me "an error has occurred while trying to save or publish my post.  Please try again."  

I'm just going to walk in my garden.....come with me.

The joy of Pink Peonies!

Black Mission Figs (grown in a pot)

My neighbors rose (this is what I see from my fence).  I am blessed!

These elegant Iris' are so beautiful.  They don't last long but some things are just for the moment.

I really believe the Hydrangea is my favorite.  They are very easy to root.  Just break off some new growth and stick in the soil!

This fragrant vine is Confederate Jasmine.  It takes me to the beach every time!

Ok..... lets see how this is going to work.
All help is welcome.