Saturday, December 27, 2008

a whole lotta white stuff outside!!

I woke up this AM .... threw the shade open ... and there before my brown eyes ... a whole lotta white stuff!! okay they said possibly snow ~ but with rain and couldn't predict how much. HHHmmmm ... I want their job ~ can't predict and won't predict and most often than NOT wrong!!! So, darlin D and I scooted out for breakfast (this is a favO'rite for both of us) ... then hurried to the bank ... then had a quick fix for the 'puter!!! and now, safe and sound at home. I was re-checking through my bags ... hard to pack t-shirts and summer stuff when it's only 26 degrees outside. And, now it looks like we will get the chance to paint some housing for the children. Oh how much fun, do they know that I love to paint? and that I'm the messiest painter in the world? Maybe it will be different on a different continent. Well, I'll say dumela (hello/goodbye in Basotho) for now and catch ya in January. Happy New Year!! Much love to my family and friends for all your financial support, prayer support and just plain O' support .... I take you with me in my heart! Know I will always love you tons! I can't wait to hear your stories and to share mine. much love, michelle

Friday, December 26, 2008

It's the day after Christmas .....

and all through the house not a creature is stirring not even a mouse! Oh what fun, quiet times, laughs and goodies too! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!
It's going to be cold here in Idaho for awhile!! But the white Christmas was beautiful and enjoyable because all my family was under one roof. Ryan especially enjoyed the Christmas dinner of steaks, salad and baked pototatoes. We've done this now for 26 years and every year we enjoy it! Have a happy day and do something nice and anonymous!!
love, m

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

SNOW .... and more snow .... and more!!

okay, I woke up at 2:14AM (don't ask!) ... and it was snowing, the most beautiful quiet large flakes ever. And it kept snowing and snowing and snowing. Now, I've learned NOT to listen to the weathermen b/c God is going to do what God is going to do. Well, this was not "predicted" ..... and I don't have my FORD F-150 anymore ... and I won't be able to get outside'tis AM to go buy Christmas dinner (steaks, salad and loaded baked pototates ~ we live in IDAHO! no doubt!!) until way later this afternoon ~ NO! I am NOT whining ... I'm just telling you all that there is a lot of SNOW ... and more snow .... and more!!! and I'm packing for 90 degree weather .... I will get this done TODAY!!! Grace given daily ~ love, m have I told you lately Merry Christmas ............ enjoy!!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

5 more days ....

are you ready? I sooooooooooo enjoy Christmas. The meaning, the time spent with family and friends, the quiet moments, the miracles that happen, the giving, the sharing ... Christmas! One of my favO'rite Christmas words is J O Y. I just love it! Joy to the world, joyful, joys ...... what's a favO'rite of yours? I'm giving my neighbors TX pecans for Christmas tonight, so I best be going and gettin' them caramalized!!!

Friday, December 19, 2008

F R I D A Y ....

hooray it's Friday. I really enjoy the weekends. Doug doesn't have any school work, I don't have any training .... it's the countdown to Christmas. Spending free time and quiet moments are tooooooooooo much fun for me. I hope you can slow down and enjoy some quiet times too. love, m

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

C O L D

....welcome the to Pacific Northwest. It's cold and getting colder and then getting colder!!! zero degrees tomorrow night! I wish I had some photos for you but my camera battery must be cold toooooooo!! and the 'puter is under the weather toooo. Happy Wednesday everyone. Make some memories and tell me about them. love, m

Monday, December 15, 2008

random thoughts ....

it's cold in the treasure valley and SNOW!!! not much here but much in the higher elevation it's beautiful . It's very very cold, and the high for Thursday will be 18 degrees ~ yikes! and the COUNTDOWN begins ... 10 days and counting. Merry Christmas everyone. I've decided to give my darlin' girlfrineds the gift of time = you know, Christmas coffee together, a walk in the park or a looooooooooooong long distance telephone call!! Have a merry Monday and a great day.
love, m

Monday, December 8, 2008

favO'rite TV Christmas movie!

 


My number one favO'rite is Charlie Brown!! I love the CB Tree!! You're the Charlie Browniest ever!!
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early send off!

 
 





9 of teamAFRICA headed to Lesotho this AM! I am way jealous, but will meet up with them on Dec. 29!! Travel safe and God bless. And of all things ..... 4 letter words ~ SNOW & BRRR is what I'm talkin' about. The most beautiful and large snowflakes fell this AM. See the photo of my front yard!! Merry Monday everyone. ~ m
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Thursday, December 4, 2008

the latest! health issues

dearest ones, I hate to whine! and yet, I am in need of prayers. Not only am I, but doug and paul, sick and are fighting this. Went to the doctors on monday, she prescribed leviquinn (sp?), both ears are infected and "angry" as she stated, bed rest, fluids and more rest. I am doing all of the above, and yet not getting a whole lot better. THIS IS WHERE I NEED YOU ALL ... prayers for quick recovery, that my ears will completely clear and that all nasal congestion will stop and my body will build up a healthy immune system so that I can travel Dec. 28th.
Thank you!!! all and happy December to everyone!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

all dressed up .... off to the African Gala!

 
Well the day has come. We are dressed and ready to go. Let's goooooooooo! delightful evening all around. Such moments, such stories ... WOW!!!
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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Gala BASKETS

 
 
 
 
These are just a few of what we will have to sell at the silent auction on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 6:30 PM - 9:30PM at the African Gala. Let me know if you are interested!!!
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Monday, November 17, 2008

Fast Forward to Warp DOUBLE SPEED

"just because you don't get up ~ doesn't mean life stands still!" Incredibly busy! KWIM? Both of us, darlin' D and me ~ it's that week ~ crunch time ~ double duty at school ~ the Gala/Silent Auction on Saturday ... and yet, I'm excited tooooooooo!!!! What happens happens. It's all been prayed over, everyone has worked diligently ~ and continues to do so ~ prep for the delicously african meal ~ the festivities ~ E V E R Y T H I N G!!!.... rest of life continues and Thanksgiving is next week. Dear ones, have a great week. I hope to see you soon. xoxoxo ~ m

Monday, November 10, 2008

Gala ~ Nampa, Idaho ~~ Nov. 22

 
It's a Gala. 100% of proceeds goes to the children in Lesotho, S. Africa. The silent auction items are AWESOME! roses, massages, themed baskets, Mary Kay cosmetics, eateries, 1/2 hour airplane ride, jewelry (from Simmons Jewelry and Kay's) .... it's Christmas shopping with a benefit. You won't want to miss this!!! tell everyone and bring your friends!! hope to see you and make sure you stop by and tell me hello!!! xoxoxo m
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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Monday, November 3, 2008

spicy!!

 

someone sent this to me ...... how are you spicy????
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November ~~~ HAPPY!!

Can it really be? November already!!! YES. So Happy November and Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. I will probably be moving at warp speed in the next couple of weeks ... so I wanted to get out my wishes early to you all!!! ~ m

Friday, October 31, 2008

Pumpkin Patch Parable ....

this darlin' childrens book is GREAT .... story of salvation using the parable of the farmer, a pumpkin, making it a jack-O-lantern ... and ultimately ~~~ shining in a dark world. Written by Liz Curtis Higgs

Happy Friday!!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

what's in a name ....nickname that is!!

 
top row: ginga, me!, and maryanne
bottom row: beverly kay (BB), AJ, and B3 ..... causes one to think, huh?!!!
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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

such sights!!

 
 
 
incredible ..... the colors, the textures, the beauty!
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shopping .....

 
okay .... at this stage of my life ~ I am NOT .... I repeat NOT a shopper. However, I saw these boots, tried them on, made AJ take a photo .... and I was satisfied!!! loved the boots .... Branson MO no less!!
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CLGW2 ~ Branson MO Big Cedar Lodge

 
 
 
 
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on the road with the circle of 7 ..... Lambert's Cafe ~ home of the throwed roll ... and they walk around fried okra, macaroni w/ tomatoes, fried potatoes .... the fall scenery and foliage was breath-taking .... on our way home .. retreat week a HUGE success!!! love to you CL's

Sunday, October 26, 2008

HOME sweet HOME!!

there's no place like home & home is where you hang your heart. Oh, I had the most lovely time (physically, emotionally, spiritually) .. and being with the girls from St. Louis (Grapevine too) rocks my world. We drove to Big Cedar Lodge outside Branson. We paid $2.13 per gallon for gas .... that was surprising. The weather was picture perfect fall-wise ~ leaves, pumpkins, gourds etc. We took AJ to Lambert's Cafe ... home of the throwed rolls!! we shopped, laughed, cried, had a spa treat compliments of Catherine, drank great wine, laughed, cried, ..... went to a dualing piano bar and sang (I caught up on the baseball game!!) ... we laughed, cried ... AND DID LIFE TOGETHER!!! and now I am home, back in the real world doing real life. I'll posts photos tomorrow. love, m

Friday, October 17, 2008

CLGW = Church Ladies Gone Wild

okay, this was the original name .... however, let me illumine your eyes to this CLGW = Chicks Living Gods Way ~~~~ and that is exactly what we do wherever we may roam. And speaking of roaming, we are roaming towards Brandson MO/Big Bend Cedar Lodge. I've never really been there ... but to hang out with these women is just holy times, worshipful (is that a word?!) moments, glory stories and ever so authentically doing life together. I leave monday ..... and won't return until saturday (so I won't be blogging for a bit!!) ..... do you miss me yet? have a great week and a half!!! and I can't wait to share the stories (and photos) when I return.

love, m

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Darrin C. Ray ..... baby brother

Darrin is my beloved baby brother by 10 years. And life has NOT always been easy for this precious child. From birth, he had a cleft pallatte and hair lip .... yet God had a plan. He's 6'5 inches and you can't really see his scars etc. and he's developing his education to "teach" for God. (going to seminary in California) And he has a soulmate of a bride, Carri .... and a beautiful darlin girl, Carrmin. Carrmin's name comes from a combination of my brothers name and his wifes name ~~ kinda clever. AnyWHO ..... he was in a horrific accident 2 years ago in August. Just awful .... ugly awful (get my drift!). Well, there has to be a re-trial. Uuughh! and that's hard enough. However, his body is NOT healing as the doctors would like ... and there are 3 options (none are really "good") ... it maybe that he may have to have his leg amputated below the knee. I would be so bold to implore you to get on your knees and ask God for His way and will. I know that Darrin will accept lovingly whatever God gives him.

Monday, October 13, 2008

flying MONKEYS

 

I have no idea who gave this to me ...... but I love it and it's true!!!
happy monday.

m
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Sunday, October 12, 2008

C E L E B R A T I O N !!!! big time

here's the story .... our church body decided to put the service back into Sunday Service and literally cancelled church last week and what we did do was went into our community and helped 30 different projects. Anything from weeding around the green belt, to weeding/cleaning the Fire Dept. training grounds, visiting the Veteran's Home at which there was a car show, to cleaning up the dog park, to detailing over 30 police vehicles, to stocking and serving supper at the Lighthouse Mission, to working at the Boise Rescue mission, visiting nursing homes ..... just to serve and give. WOW ~~~~~~~~~~~~~> and then this week we celebrated God's goodness. Such glory stories!! 2 Corinthians 9:12

have a great week, xoxoxo M

Thursday, October 9, 2008

frost on my green grass!! this AM

well don't ya just know .... those weathermen were right ~ frosted ... that means it did drop to freeeeeeeeeezing last night. 32 degrees. well, that's okay ... as if I could control it. I had this thought ... of course, I do that daily .... what do you do for ME TIME? we have this cute darlin' coffee shop named Me Time in Meridian, Idaho and I enjoy popping in there ocassionally. DEFINE your ME TIME please !!!!
xoxoxo, m

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

collections of ????????

okay, today is supposed to be the last day of warm weather ..... I think I can handle that ~ and Autumn is upon us ... 'tis be October already!! and I got to thinking about my different collections!! What do you collect or what have you collected over the years? Some of my collections are on going ... others have faded with the times. I really really want to hear what YOU collect. My most favO'rite collection is FRIENDS!! and then there are my recipes, my seashells, at one time I collected Precious Moment figurines. Books ... can one ever have enough books? and my hobbies! oh .... such collections ~ this is what we like!!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

William Eugene Flanigan

 
Mr. (Bill) Flanigan is BB's dad. I am forever grateful to Marge & Bill for giving me BB as a dear friend. Friends doing life together through all of it. Yes, it's been ever so difficult ~ I promise you sweet one, we will walk through this together. About the photo, I purposefully meant NOT to have any faces .... but to represent the life Bill lived ... he was a Navy veteran, a father, a uncle, a friend, a grandfather, a golfer ..... and look closely, his beloved daughter is wearing his ring. Thank you Mr. Flanigan!
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Saturday, September 27, 2008

FIREPROOF ~ the movie!

last night Doug and I went to see FIREPROOF ~ the movie. It's good, if not excellent. Yes, it's about marriages and it's about relationships too. I loved this movie. And, yes it has the Word and the message of Christ! so ... all of that to say............... Isn't all of life (yours and mine) about doing life together .... honestly and being real? have a great weekend!!!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

t i r e d!?!!!

Is anyone else tired? I am so tired! I can't seem to get a grasp of anything let alone feel refreshed to tackle the heavy-duty stuff. Just wanted to ask the blogworld ... how are you??? m

Friday, September 19, 2008

the seasons are changing!! not soon enough

 
okay ..... I am one who holds onto summer for as long as I possibly can. I don't listen to advertisements on TV or the radio (so don't ask me if I heard that!!) .... but today, I painstakinly took down all my seashells, all my mementos of summer (years past and 2008) ... and felt it should technically begin the change of the seasons. However, the temperature outside is hot .... too hot for all of this!! and then I read this .... it does look delicious, I've never tasted it ~ have YOU? describe the taste for me please. And I am one that literally will do a "happy dance" when I spot the pumpkin spice creamer in any store ...... because then I know the seasons are definately changing. have a great weekend.

traveling bag ....... a la scrapbook style

 

this is my traveling bag when I go scrapbooking(alright, this is 1 of 4 bags ~ I know I'm a baglady too!). I traveled to Idaho Falls yesterday to hook up with my PIC (partner in crime) and did we ever do some damage!!! but the funny thing is this .... her darlin Mr. Sir Bentley is a thief!! twice if NOT more he got into my bag and stole my socks!!!! and he's more tiny than the bag!!! tooooooo funny!!! I left the house at 4:30AM (there actually is a 4:30AM!!) and didn't get back home till almost 10PM ~ I do NOT recommend this for anyone!! do NOT try this ..... I was/am exhausted.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

photos you love love love !!!!!

this is my favO'rite photo of us together, in Hawaii (maui), celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary!! I love love love love this photo!!!! I decided to tweak it a bit ~~ soft focus - focusing on my beloved Douglas!

I truly have found the one my heart (<3) loves. do you have any photos you love love love? I know you do! care to share? m

Monday, September 15, 2008

grateful!!!!

are you? can you be? why not now? the answer is YES! treasure those darlin' spouses, treasure those babies, treasure those siblings, treasure those blessed girlfriends ............ the list ~ be grateful!!! Let me know who you're grateful for ....... have a great week. m
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Saturday, September 13, 2008

Sarah Palin INTERVIEW with Charlie Gibson

what did you think?
I hardly ever never ever give my political opinion ..... so I guess, tonight I'll break the glass ceiling off one of my cardinal rules. What did you think of the Sarah Palin INTERVIEW with Charlie Gibson??? The issues, the comments, the questions, the area, the scenery. Personally, it rocked my boat. Had some Q's answered. And, I'm thrilled .... for her and the US of A. Your views? dare to share???
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Thursday, September 11, 2008

G I R L F R I E N D time!!

so dear ones ~ when you get with your girlfriends WHAT DO YOU DO? I've always wanted to do a card-stamping club .... you can never have enough cards you know! So, I joined this darlin club Miss Betsy is part of this goup .... and she is so endearing to me (and always will be). The "group" doesn't really have a name just a mission ~~~~> card making. As tired as I am, as busy as I am ....... I just had to do this. I will admit this, I didn't want to go .... it's at 6:30PM, after supper blah blah blah ~ Doug didn't even give me an excuse for NOT going .... so I went. God Himself showed up!! yep! let me tell you how .... one of the ladies, Alicia, happens to be moving to Lexington KY. I got so excited for her and her family. It's a great place to raise a family, southern living ..... we laughed and laughed. And you know we ate some great foods ~ oh alright, we indulged in desserts. They were so good!!! and as women .... we connected beyond the cardmaking thingy. heart-to-heart. Even us newbies. I was so glad that Anjanette (she's the Stampin' Up guru) did intro's .... and off we went. Here are the 3 cards I made .... if you get one ~ act real surprised!!!! But ...... take a closer look at card 3. It has mosquito's on it ... you read that right ~~~ M O S Q U I T O ' s ....... ick, yuck, double ick ick. I don't like them Sam I AM ~ not in the house, not on a train or a plane .... NO Sam I am I do not like mosquito's!!!! Not in the US of A or in S. Africa. I guess I was more tired than I had thought b/c I had a real hang up on this card ~~~ do you want me to send it to YOU???? Oh, about the Godpart ....... (this brought me to tears) darlin' Alicia wrote me a check to help for the teamAFRICA fundraising. She said "it blesses my heart that people take time out of their own lives to go and make a difference in the world." Wow ~ God speaks through our girlfriends. Now, if I had been selfish and a baby and NOT gone ~ I would have missed God! sweet sisters, allow God to show up and bless you!!! and BTW, I do NOT limit my GIRLFRIEND time to just one event ~ I have many things I love to do with my girlfriends all over the place!! What joy it is to think about those times. I challenge YOU to invest in some GIRLFRIEND time soon. m
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Tuesday, September 9, 2008

20th bday .....lunch dates!!!!

this is my beloved baby son .... he is 20 years old today. Oh my how time has gone by. I remember the morning ...... I remember holding him ~ Paul Ray Reader. 09-09-88 He's grown yet not gone from the nest! He was on my left at lunch today ...... a lunch date on Wednesday after Bible Study Fellowship is a wonderful way to end my afternoon. Happy birthday dear Paul ~ Happy birthday to YOU!
and darlin' hubby ~ doug ~ was to my right at lunch. The food was good but the company was much much better and more excellent. Beautiful day, lovely lunch, handsome men (and they are all mine!!)

YES! a great day. Oh and BTW beloved baby will turn 21 years old on 09-09-09. He's already making plans for next year!! Have a great day. m
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how's your laundry???

what a Q for all of U!!! speaking of laundry .... did mine! darlin' Pauly (youngst son) did 5 and has another 6 or 7 loads to do .......... but hey it's his 20th birthday today!!! he'll get caught up soon!! I'll post his bday picture too.
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Monday, September 8, 2008

P R I O R I T I E S ..... teams and in order!!!

Prayer team ...... we couldn't and wouldn't do anything without this vital important TEAM!! one member is missing from the team (Dorothy) ..... but what an awesome group and I am blessed!!
teamAFRICA ..... ta-da ...... all 30 of us. The sun is bright!!! and we are Son-reflectors. We were challenged to be the moon!!! check it out ~~~ fascinating concept. Training has begun.
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