Miscellany Monday - Mothers Day, Photography & Friendships

 Mother's Day

 As I am writing this on Sunday evening, it is still Mother's Day.  This special day always brings back thoughts and memories of both my parents because they were the most in-love and special couple I have ever known.  Dad always tried to make Mother's Day special for his bride, but even more than that he made every day special for her.  He would often find a flower, or some interesting thing in nature and take it to her - just because.

Hardly a day passes that I don't think about them and wish I could share an experience or tell them what their grands and greats are doing.  This coming Tuesday would have been my dad's 93rd birthday.  I am so grateful for their example and love, especially on this day.  It is from them that I got my strength and ability to love and forgive.  It is from them that I learned the importance of family and the value of giving.  It is from them I learned to trust and have faith.

Thank you Mom and Dad, and Happy Mother's Day.

And without my family, I would not be celebrating Mother's Day.  Thank you John and Christy for blessing my life and being the most amazing kids and parents a parent could ask for.

Photography

My granddaughter became a teenager this week.  Oh my goodness, another one.  Actually, I have fewer grands who are not teenagers than are.  I sure am glad I'm not getting older.

For Savannah's birthday, I treated her to a photo session on the opposite end of my camera lens.  When she came in from school on that important day, we went outside and I have to tell you, I had a ball.  She is so photogenic as you will see, and in spite of my inexperience, we got some really good shots.

Friendship

My littlest granddaughter, Ava Grace and her two friends are the cutest little things you have ever seen.  They bonded when they were still in diapers.  It is the sweetest thing how they absolutely adore each other.  They are 5 years old now and the friendship just becomes more precious.  I'm sure as they grow and start Kindergarten next year, there may be changes, but I think there will always be something very special between these three precious little girls.

They started dance together

And performed together

Queens for Queen Day at School

Birthday Chums

Christmas Cuties

Soccer Buddies

Be Silly Girls together

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all love so unconditionally?

Thank you Carissa for giving us Miscellany Monday.

Friday Favorite Things

As I've thought about blogging this week, I decided participating with Rachel in Friday Favorite Things is the best way to share with you some of my favorite things so far this week.

As you will remember from my Miscellany Monday musings we had soccer games in Indianapolis all last weekend with my almost 13 year-old granddaughter, and that her team won their age group championship.

What I didn't share with you is that after a very long and terribly hot Saturday on the field, the team went out for dinner together.  Afterward, a few of the moms agreed to take their daughters shopping.

Where better to end up than Nordstroms?  These 13 year old athletes who had played their hearts out on the field of competition, had the time of their life playing at the Bobbie Brown make-up counter.

Thanks to the lovely clerk who encouraged their fun.

Instead of joining the gym with hubby while we are up here, I prefer to walk in the beautiful neighborhood and also do my own Pilates workout.  One morning this week, I took my camera along and captured some of my favorite things along the way.  I hope you enjoy them too.

 Notice the curtains in the playhouse below.  Don't you just love it?

 I really like this house, but the thing I like best is the ornate gold-leafed desk behind the french doors on left.  I keep expecting to see those red rotating lights come toward me down the street for peeping.

Another of my favorite things is the way my Louisiana family tries to maintain their ties to their home state while living in the mid-west.  There is no doubt where their loyalties lie!  There are Saints and LSU blankets, sweatshirts, jackets, and jewelry not to mention memorabilia in their rooms.

 The Fleur de leis has also found a prominent place in their Indiana home.

 

How do you display your favorite things in your home which identify your interests and loyalties?

Miscellany Monday - Princesses & Soccer

I am joining Carissa for Miscellany Monday from northern Indiana this month.  I look forward to sharing our 5-week visit with our family with you.  Stick around because it will be a busy time.

 

Princess Blitz

You may recall that I featured the delightful program that was developed by a precious young lady whom I met while visiting up here in December, Samantha Petersen - Princess Blitz.  When she learned that we would be here, she invited me to participate in one of her events.  Actually, we pushed our travels up a date so we could be here for it on Thursday afternoon.

I will be covering this in much more detail later when I get all the pictures from her photographer Dad, but I just wanted to mention this wonderful young lady and her dedication to making little girls see themselves as the Princesses they really are.

She wrote her own story about two twin princesses and introduces the program by reading it to all the little 2nd grade girls who have been invited to participate.

My two granddaughters, Savannah and Mary-Elizabeth were also able to help for the first time.  The little girls thought they were beautiful, and they truly are.

Sammie, as her friends call her, has applied for a grant in order to fund future Princess Blitz events and asked me to be a reference for her.  I had absolutely no hesitation in agreeing to support her in whatever way I can.  It is an honor to know this super special young lady and her parents.

 

Soccer Tournament 

On Friday, Daughter-in-love, Michelle, Savannah and I made the 3-hour trip down to Indianapolis for a weekend Soccer Tournament.  This was a huge state-wide tourney for all age groups and was held at an amazing complex that must have held more than 25 soccer fields.  Try to imagine the people!


As we were finding our particular field for the first game, I passed two little siblings of an older player who were no doubt made to attend with the family.  I was so intrigued because of their resourcefulness and creativity in entertaining themselves.  They were probably the only children there who weren't glued to an electronic gadget.

Savannah's team, the Invaders is a travel team that draws girls from this northwest area ages U/13 (under 13).  Savannah will be 13 next week. They were a marvel at this tournament.  Coming into the tourney, they had not won one single game, and probably weren't expecting to accomplish what they did.


The first game they tied with a very worthy opponent.  They won the next two making them eligible to play for the championship.  WOW, what courageous young ladies!


Their opponent in the finals was a team whose C team had beat them handedly earlier in the season.  And now they were having to play against the A team for the championship.  The girls were really tired after having played a game earlier in the day, and the temperature was a hot 83 degrees with the humidity of a Louisiana day, not Indiana.

BUT,

THEY WON!

These girls played their hearts out and came away winners in more ways than one.

Our Savannah is one of the toughest defensive players I've seen.  She is fearless and as a result has drawn more than one foul, but she plays her heart out and made a great contribution to her team.  She is a joy to watch, and may I say is so like her daddy in many ways.

The little brother of one of Savannah's best friends is James.  He is the most adorable little 3 year old you will ever see, with the most gorgeous red hair just like his sister, Allie's.

This next weekend, we have more soccer and more Rugby.  Hopefully, I will be able to see our BIG grandson, Jackson play Rugby this weekend.  They, by the way came in THIRD in the Mid-West Rugby Tournament this past weekend and will be going to Nationals in Utah on the 17th.  The guys will be flying together to attend that huge event.


Meanwhile, the girls are looking forward to watching and playing more soccer in Columbus, Ohio that same weekend.  I told you it would be a busy month.

Miscellany Monday - Make me Dependent

Again, I am late joining Carissa and getting my Miscellany Monday posting together.  Retirement life is so full and wonderful, time just gets away from me.

"As you look into the day that stretches out before you, you see many choice-points along the way.  The myriad possibilities these choices present can confuse you.  Draw your mind back to the threshold of this day, where I stand beside you, lovingly preparing you for what is ahead." Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

I draw strength from this today as I face so much that needs to be done.  But first, I must turn my mind and thoughts to the One who holds my day, my life, my plans, and my future in His hands.

Again, to quote Sarah Young, 

"When some basic need is lacking ---time, energy, money---consider yourself blessed.  Your lack is an opportunity to latch onto Me in unashamed dependence." 

 So, as James told us to do in 1:2, I will count it all joy that I am in need of being DEPENDENT today! 

Time with Friends

 Last week I had the pleasure of spending time with special friends on two separate days.  The funny thing was, both groups chose to eat at the same restaurant - Fairfield Market.  The weather was perfect so we ate outside both days.  These ladies are such blessings to me and I thank God for their friendships and for blessing me with time to spend with them.

Open House

Yesterday, Hubby had an Open House in perhaps the most desirable neighborhood for millionaires in our city.  An interesting thing happened as he was about to close up.  A lady was accompanied by her realtor who informed Hubby that "money is no object."  Come to find out, she was the mother of the #6 NFL Draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys.  If you are an LSU fan, you will know who this is.

Morris Claiborne is a Shreveport native and it is wonderful to see local boys who are as well thought of he is do well.  So, congratulations to Morris and his family.  Hope you find that just-right home.

Grandson 

This past weekend our grandson attended the National Underclassmen Football Combine (NUC) in Indianapolis, which in itself was a great honor and opportunity for him.  Jackson is a Junior at Penn High School in Granger, IN.

Well,  he was awarded the OVERALL MVP!  As a result of this honor he will attend the

National Underclassmen - Ultimate 100 Camp

 in Indy in July.

We could not be more proud of our BIG Grandson and his willingness to work hard.  Won't this look impressive on his recruiting profile!  We look forward to being able to watch him on the Rugby field this next month.

Travel

Hubby and I are looking forward to our long-anticipated trip tomorrow to visit family in the Midwest. I may not have time to do my regular blogging as a result of having too much fun, but I promise to keep you abreast of some of what is going on.
  In the meantime, have a great Monday, or what is left of it!

Miscellany Monday - The Handwritten Word

When was the last time you got a handwritten letter in the mail?

Do you remember the excitement of opening the mailbox or post office box and seeing a letter addressed to you?

I remember those days of long-distance courtship when not many days passed without either sending or receiving a letter from my soon-to-be hubby.  We kept every letter that passed between us.  Also, my mother kept every beautiful letter she received from my father.  He had the prettiest handwriting and was so romantic.

My sisters and I treasure these letters because they reveal a side of our parent's great love for each other that we never knew - that early budding love between two young adults.

Has this day passed?

Do you remember those days in school when we wrote notes to each other and hoped the teacher didn't catch us passing them around?  I remember the excitement of seeing who they were from and sometimes being disappointed.  I could never quite master the art of intricate folding patterns like some of my friends.  Now, the kids just text and don't worry about folding or getting caught.  But neither do they have special notes stored away for safe keeping.

 Several years ago when going through some old books that had belonged to my father, I found these handwritten documents and transactions dating back to the mid 1800's.  Does anyone write like this anymore?  Do children even learn to write in cursive these days?  What a lost art!

Another of my treasures is a letter my dad wrote to our two children when they were very young.  My parents had kept our children for a couple weeks while we were out of the country.  Even though the children were much too young to understand what their Papa wrote, they understood the love that was expressed for them.  It is something they can pass down to their children someday.

I keep these two precious notes from our two oldest grandchildren because they are expressions of love and the act of being grateful.

Is it too late to instill this seemingly lost art of handwriting letters in this new generation?  I sure hope not.  What will they have to treasure and share from boxes and trunks one of these days - email print outs?  Maybe.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Birds, Movies & Inspiration

I am again joining Joyce for Wednesday Hodgepodge.  I had so much fun last week that I decided to come back once again.  I hope you enjoy reading my hodgepodge as I enjoy writing about it.

1. Spring is in the air (at least in my neck of the woods) and the birds are singing...what's your favorite bird?

It would just have to be the dove!

We have so many beautiful doves in our neighborhood and I love to hear their cooing as they communicate early in the mornings.  We had a family of doves that roosted above one of the columns on our front porch each year.  But, although it was a daily adventure for me to stand at my front door and watch them, they created such a mess that hubby decided we could no longer provide a maternity ward for them.  I still miss them and I'm not at all sure they have forgiven us for that.

2. Speaking of birds...do you tweet? If so tell us your screen name and we'll come flocking to your Twitter site. Even if you don't let's all pretend here that we do-in 140 characters or less, sum up your week so far.

Elizabeth L. Day - Reading, blogging, cooking, exercising, time with friends, ringing bells.

3. Its been reported recently that employers are not only viewing the facebook pages of potential hires but they're also requesting your facebook password to have a look at what you've kept from public view. What say you?

I say "No thank you!"  We have finally instilled in our grandchildren that they need to be very careful what they post on Facebook for this very reason; however, I do feel that requesting passwords is going too far.  Still, there is very little that remains private any more, so we must be so careful that we do not do or say anything that might be harmful to ourselves or others now or in the future.
 
That being said, as a retiree, I take every opportunity to express myself openly on Facebook and Twitter regarding my political views.  It is too serious a time in our country to be quiet.

4. It's April and you know what that means-Major League Baseball is back in action. What's your favorite baseball movie? If that's too hard, what's your favorite sports themed movie?
Well, who doesn't love "Field of Dreams" or the more recent football movie, "Moneyball?"
But my all-time favorite sports themed movie is "Hoosiers."  The story of the Indiana High School basketball team who won state against all odds.

Indiana State High School Championship Game: Husker Team Pre-Talk and Prayer

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechhoosiersfinal.html

5. Something else this season brings-asparagus. Yes please or no thanks? If it's yes please what's your favorite way to have it prepared?
This is an easy one!  YES!!  My family used to give me a can of Asparagus for Christmas each year.  What does that tell ya, huh?  Actually, back in the late 50's our precious dad would have a plate of canned asparagus with a dollop of mayo ready for us when we got off the bus.  It was our favorite after school snack. Still sweet memories of this today!

Today, I enjoy it roasted or grilled but fresh from a can will always be my favorite way to eat it.

6. What drives you? (Don't you love how I sandwiched that one in between asparagus and jugglers???)

I would have to say first and foremost it is my relationship with Jesus Christ.  He is the reason I live and without Him I am nothing.  He has given me the desire to excel at whatever I do; it is He who blessed me with talents and abilities, strengths and weaknesses; it is He who gives me the focus and interests and the ability to "do all things through [Christ] who gives me strength."

7. April 18th is International Jugglers Day...can you juggle?

I used to juggle schedules and activities, but I fear this is not exactly the kind of juggling to which you refer.  NO, I am not a juggler in any stretch of the imagination. 
 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have always admired Tennessee Basketball Coach Pat Summitt, even though I was a huge supporter of the Lady Techsters, their arch rival for many years.  Recently, Coach Summitt was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  I have read several articles about her fight against this horrible disease, but recently I read something she said that really impressed me.  When asked why she started her foundation she had this to say:

 "I did not want to waste the opportunity to use the platform that God gave me to help others."

When asked what advice she would offer others dealing with the disease, she said:

"If you are dealing with a diagnosis for yourself or a loved one, continue to live fully.  Life can be challenging, but we all have more abilities than disabilities.  You are a gift to your family and the world.  Make the world a better place one person at a time." 

I think this is good advice whether we have a dreaded disease or not, but thank you Pat Summitt for being our inspiration.