Sincerely, 'Fro Me to You Thursdays

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Hey! Thanks for stopping by. I enjoyed the Doodle Week Challenge so much that I decided to make it a daily event. Today I am going to begin with all twenty six letters of the alphabet and post 26 Doodles. Tomorrow, it will be the entire Greek Alphabet, and Saturday, will be clowns.

WAIT!! Don't click away, I am just kidding. I did have fun, and I appreciate your compliments, but I won't subject you to anymore. For now.



I'm spending another Thursday with Kristen over at We Are That Family. Her idea of a good time is to post a photo and share a memory that goes with it. I'm in.



This beautiful young girl is my Grandmother. I called her Nanny and she is about 15 years old in this photo. I have a story about her that she shared with me years ago.

Now I need to tell you first that my Grandmother had a bit of a reputation for being a Tom Boy and a tough one at that. Once a boy was teasing her younger brother. Nanny took Bull Nettles (briers), held them in her handkerchief, and proceeded to use them as a whip on the bully. She lashed him with the briers and fought back for her little brother. She had a Reputation after that.

When she was 12 or 13 years old, she rode the bus to school. There was a little girl who rode the bus who was "slow" as Nanny called her. These days, she might be described as having a learning disability. The little girl suffered teasing by some of the kids at school because of it. One day, February 13 to be exact, Nanny left her usual seat on the bus to sit with the girl. A group of boys were taunting her, and Nanny wouldn't have it. She sat with the girl and mouthed back at the boys when they picked on her.

The next day, Valentine's Day, Nanny got on the bus and headed to her seat. On it, was a bag of valentines. ALL of the Valentine's that the little girl had brought to school to pass out to friends, she had left on the seat to give to my Nanny. And it touched my grandmother's heart so much, that she remembered it as an adult and told me about it.

I asked her what happened after that and she told me that she continued sitting with the little girl and would not allow anyone to pick on her.

The reason she told me the story was because in High School, I found myself in a similar situation. I helped a younger girl get from one class to another. Her legs were weak and she had to use canes to get around and had trouble carrying her books. I mentioned that she was teased, and that I was teased as well for the amount of time I spent helping her. Time that I could have spent gossiping with friends, eye balling boys, and having fun in between classes.

Nanny saw herself in this situation. She encouraged me to do the right thing with the right attitude. She shared about her little tag along on the bus and how she wouldn't have it any other way. Her encouragement helped me get through the High School insecurity and see that it was the right thing to do.

So there you have it, my memory of my Nanny's memory!

DOODLE MAD

In keeping with the prompts from Doodle Week, I have become the Mad Doodler.


This is the cabinet under my kitchen sink. Notice that it is all cleaned out. Completely empty.

That is because a Mouse made it's little mousy powder room under there. By the look of things, the little turd maker had been there a WHILE. And of course I didn't realize it because I keep my cleaning supplies under the sink. No reason for me to even open that cabinet door.

So.

Mad Doodles or What makes me MAD.

You guessed it, Mr. Mouse using my Kitchen cabinet for his outhouse.



Mr. Mouse met his untimely death (untimely in that it took so bloomin' long) the other night. He died with a satisfying *SNAP* of the mouse trap. The Mad Doodler shows no mercy.



Just for Kicks and Giggles, I am posting the other prompts that I missed. If you haven't noticed, this has been very fun for me!

Doodle Animal


Doodle Monster


Doodle Me



Doodle Flower


Doodle Daydream

DOODLE-DOO!!! or Abstract Doodle

As I was roaming around Blogland on Monday, I discovered Doodle Week. About 5 days late. But Hey! Better late than never. So with a bit of encouragement from Claire, I signed up. The prompt for today was Abstract. I have mentioned before here, that I am a Doodler. If I sit for any period of time with any type of writing utensil and paper, I doodle. So, I put on the movie Juno, and let the absent minded Doodling begin.

It doesn't meet the exact definition of Abstract but it FULLY meets the definition of Doodle. This is what I came up with, on the tail end of Doodle Week:





My Grandmother used to say this:

The Rooster says Cock-a-Doodle-Doo.

Uncle Sam says Yankie-Doodle-Doo.

The Widow Woman says Any-Old-Dude'll-Do.


Hope that you have a Pleasant Tuesday!!

FUN MONDAY!!!!!

It's time for Fun Monday! I just love Mondays, don't you? If the answer isn't a resounding "YES!!", then maybe you should be playing along with Fun Monday too. If you would like to improve your Monday outlook, slip over to see Sauntering Soul. She is the Hostess of F.M. this week and this is her challenge:


I know we all try to be sweet and kind to people the majority of the time. But let's face it....we also know that sometimes we can be a big jerk. It could be that you experience road rage from time to time. Perhaps you empty the coffee pot at work some mornings and don't feel like taking the time to start a new pot for the next person. Or maybe you don't return phone calls on a timely basis when you know someone needs a response from you. Have you ever "accidentally" ruined a favorite shirt of your spouse just because you didn't care for it? Come on - it's confession time! List the small things you do that make you a jerk and elaborate just a bit on each one. Please tell me I'm not the only jerk around here!


ACK! Double ACK! If you know me, you would know that I am nice. Sister Mary Sunshine. Miss Magnolia minus the Steele. I will bend over backwards to avoid confrontation. Hubby and I DO NOT fight. I insist on keeping things peaceful and he is a real jerk to live with sometimes. *grins*


Now this doesn't mean that I can't be, hmmm, difficult. I have my moments (as my husband likes to tell me) when I get my 'Butt on My Shoulders'. But it is a countenance thing. I don't express it with yelling angry words, but in the storm clouds that gather across my forehead and push my eyebrows down and together. You can see my jerkiness in my face.

Now when my face does the talking, what is the CAUSE of me being a Jerk-face? I mean, we ALL have a moment or two of jerkiness, but isn't the real question here "Who made me act this way?" You don't expect me to assume full responsibility for my Butt on My Shoulder-Ness, Hubby, when there are so many reasons for me to be this way, right?

So, WHY am I a Jerk, when, and IF I actually am a Jerk? *wink*

1. Everyone coming at me at one time, NEEDING.


OK, so I am a Mother, but is the definition of that word "the meeter of every need in the household, as well as those of the Universe"? When I am overwhelmed by much NEED, I tend to tense up. And get my Mad look on.

2. Driving.

I have a feeling this one will be over done today in Fun Monday, but doesn't driving tend to bring out the worst in all of us? I mean if Nadine, my favorite pastor's wife, confesses this as a thorn in her side, wouldn't I be susceptible too?

My behavior ranges from the "What the...." hand motion, to the laser-eyes look, to the smarty britches grin with a five finger wave. My phrase that I yell, in front of my children to my shame, is IDIOT! But pronounced in a funny accent (as though southern isn't funny enough). It's pronouced ee-dee-OTE with a deepened voice. French maybe? Stupid definitely.

But I am NOT a shooter of 'birds'. I NEVER give the tall man salute. THAT is just crass and tasteless for a lady like me (IDIOT!! is WWAAAAAYYYY classier).

3. Anyone being a jerk to my kids.

I don't think I even have to elaborate. Leave my kids alone or the Mother Bear Jerk will show her ugly face.

4. When I am judged.

Aw now, stand back. I don't like that feeling AT ALL. I REALLY try not to judge others. I fail, but at least I try. But when I get judged? Mm Mm Mm. Not a happy camper. This has been an issue in one of my close family relationships lately. That relationship has Suffered. All I can do is ask God to help me cope lovingly and forgive this person for how they make me feel.

5. My own insecurities.

When I get down on myself, I can be hard to be around. A rotten Jerk. A fat rotten jerk. A fat rotten jerk with thin hair and wrinkles. Old too.

Just ask Hubby. Poor guy. I hate to say it, but I can be a jerk just because I feel so wretched about myself. I can become very off-putting in my attitude and demeanor. "Step Away From the Fat Rotten Jerk....." well, you know.


WOW. So I guess that's it. I think I'll climb to the top of Notre Dame and ring some bells. Me and my Jerk-Face.

Sister Mary Sunshine, come back!!

MOTHER'S DAY BLESSINGS

JANA'S SHOWER IS THE NEXT POST! PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO OFFER YOUR WELL WISHES!!!

My heart is so full right now, I TRULY wish that I had written something in advance. I am sitting here, my heart overflowing through my eyes, trying to write. I am sure that I will be ZaPpEd any moment with the combination of tears and computer. Oh well, that will end my addiction to Blogging, right?

So *sniffle* *snuffle* *snort*
I have much to report.

Have I ever mentioned that I make weak stabs at humor and poetry when I am emotionally full?

I had planned to let Ms. Jana's post stand as my Mother's Day post. I mean, a woman with child and the Mother of FIVE children, what is more motherly than that? Being a Mother for me, is LIFE. It is where I live, so everyday is Mother's Day. No hoopla from me. And my own Mother just wants a piece of Cheesecake Factory Dulce de Leche cheesecake. No card. No grand words or gestures, just bring her the goodie. Admirable, but not fodder for a Warm and Fuzzy Mother's Day post.

But life has a way of providing inspiration.

Last night the storms RAGED through Alabama. Not on scale with recent devastating storms in our Nation, but it was nasty. I did not go to bed until 4:00 am. You see, if I keep watch, the tornado can't sneak up on me and my family. I am awake, so we are safe. Yeah, Jen vs. the Tornado - with no basement to do battle with.

I woke up at 7:45, told Hubby I wouldn't be going to church and that I was going to lay back down on the couch. I snoozed away, coming up from sleep occasionally to hear activity from upstairs. The kids were having fun with their Dad. I could hear a snippet of conversation and thought sleepily, "Sweet, they are making Mother's Day cards." *snore*

Well, I was ambushed out of sleep by a flood of excited "Happy Mother's Days" from three kiddos that needed showers and hair brushing and teeth brushing. They had been too busy for grooming! But the smiles and the excitement on their faces were a pleasant wake up call.

My Hubby has always been a creative gifter when he applies himself. For Valentines day one year my gift was in a hand made , um, "Primitive Heart shape" bag made of cardboard with I LOVE YOU written in white out. I still have it.


I was presented with these gifts, artfully wrapped under Hubby's tutelage, by each child.
From the boy...

I had to unscrew it.

There is a Pandora birthstone bead taped to the heart on the right.


And from the Diva....





and from 12 Year Old Daughter....







And from Dad (cause you know he didn't buy those charms, the kids did, right?)...

LOTION! But artfully wrapped Lotion.
Doesn't it look like a Fruity Drink?

The base for the present!



And, not to be forgotten, the While You Were Sleeping Mother's Day Mess!

This is a picture of the whole bracelet.


Hubby and Diva Daughter started the Pandora Charm Bracelet for me for Christmas one year. He has slowly added charms to it and when I mentioned that I wished that I could do two of them, one for each daughter, he bought me another. It makes gift giving easier for him - he knows just what to buy! This is bracelet #2. I don't know which of my girls will get what bracelet; we'll work that out later!!

All of this was completely LOVELY and sweet. I felt so cherished by the time spent, and excitement that the children showed for giving. BUT, the gift that has brought me to tears, that spoke to me in my Spirit, was from the Lord.

This week, I was thinking about when the girls were little, and there was no Boy. We spent A LOT of time watching Gaither videos. The Girls and their Dad had a song that they would sing together. They were so little and OH HOW SWEET their little baby girl voices were when they sang. But for the life of me, I could not remember the song. I TRIED AND TRIED to come up with it, but my memory would not bring it up.
"I'll ask Bryan" I thought. But I didn't.

After the gift giving, Hubby told me to listen to a song - "This will bring back memories". He said the CD was just laying by his computer yesterday.

And it was THAT song. Instant tears. Instantly flooded with memories. And an INSTANT recognition of a God Wink. He blessed me today through my Husband, My children, and through my memories. Who am I Lord, that thou are mindful of me?


This is not the Gaither's version, but it is Fabulous! Enjoy!


I Will Sing of My Redeemer


To ALL of you, Happy Mother's Day.

~*~ WeLcOmE AuTuMn fAiTh ~*~

Jana is having a baby SOON! Miss Autumn Faith will be Jana's third daughter and her fifth child. And take a look at Jana. JEEZ Louise, she is a skinny pregnant lady. Anyway, back to the point, Jana is less than two weeks from her delivery date. Since we are a Blog community, I thought that I would host a Blogland Baby Shower for her. Now we can't really send her gifts like diapers, cutie-poo pink clothes, or Sweet Pea Gowns, but we have our words, our well wishes. SOOOOOOOOOO...

How about, in the comments section, you leave a verbal gift. It can be an outrageous something that you wish you could send (a brown and pink polka dot Hummer to cart her and her brothers and sisters around in) or it can be advice (Boogers don't taste like sugar so don't try them). Have you bought a shower gift recently that you wish you could give to Jana as well? Describe it. You could even share your favorite scripture verse, or your favorite knock knock joke. Just offer a blessing to Jana as she and her husband get ready to welcome Miss Autumn Faith into their family. I am so happy for them!

I'll start here: Miss Autumn Faith, Honey, you are so blessed to be a part of this big loving family. You have been anticipated for a long time. Your Mommy has taken good care of herself so that she can take good care of you!!

BUT.... you are the FIFTH child. So, I am giving you your own group of paparazzi photographers. The number of photographs tends to go down a bit with each child so with your group of paparazzi, you should have plenty of photos of you spitting up, being diapered, sleeping, crying, and smiling. I am also going to send a safety task force into your home. By the time we had our third child, we were letting him climb to the top of the refrigerator with scissors in his hand and a quarter in his mouth. Every move you make, the task force will ask your Mom and Dad " Did you let the first child do this?" Sorry Autumn, no fifth child fun for you!

And now on a Serious note, I speak this scripture over you:

Psalm 91:11

For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.

Congratulations, Jana and Family!!!

POST SECRET.....Comments Edition

Have you ever looked at the website for PostSecret? If you haven't heard of it, let me tell you a bit about it. PostSecret is a PHENOMENON that started as an art project. People were invited to mail in anonymous postcards that held their "secret" written on it. This small movement has turned into books published showing the decorated post cards and pretty interesting secrets.

It is a guilty pleasure of mine, visiting this website, because the secrets and post cards can be a bit, um, adult. But I find that I am amazed at the baggage that people allegedly carry around and feel driven to share. I can see where it would be satisfying to write that deepest darkest thought down and be 'free' of it. If you do not have the benefit of prayer in your life, I would say it could possibly be a MUST. It shows me that as much as we are different, we really are a lot alike. EVERYBODY has something that they are coping with in their life.

So, with this in mind, I would like to ask you to play.

*BLOGPOST*SECRET* comments edition

1. All comments should be posted using the ANONYMOUS feature, please.
2. Post a secret to the comments section.
3. If it is an R rated secret, well, keep it PG, please. This is sort of a 'Mommy blog'.
4. If you think you have an interesting Blog audience, feel free to nab this, as it not based on an original thought to start with!

And as for the rules for myself, I will not use any type of site meter to figure out who said what. I really don't CARE if you have a crush on your boss, I just want to see if there are any brave souls who will play along.

AND, I reserve the right to delete any comments that are not appropriate for this site and Blog audience. Anything vulgar or base will have to go, K?

If you don't have a Secret to share, make something up. I think a good portion of the people with the post cards do; at least that's what I tell myself.

If this is not for you at all, I have a Comfort Zone compatible post up before this one, Scroll on Down!