Why "Peanuts"?

I have loved the "Peanuts Gang" for as long as I can remember. My sisters used to call me "Lucy". I never could figure out why. She is crabby, and I, on the other hand, am just like "Mary Poppins". I'm practically perfect in every way. :)

It is easy to see why I love Schroeder. The piano is such a part of my life that, of course, I'm drawn to him. I always think it is cute to see him playing his toy piano with the bust of Beethoven on top. One of my college friends painted me a picture of Beethoven playing a toy piano with a bust of Schroeder on top. It is one of my treasures!

The children at school knew that I loved the "Peanuts Gang" because I decorated my room with "Peanuts" things constantly. They started giving me their "Peanuts" things which I thought was incredibly sweet. I hated to take any of it, but they were delighting in giving them to me. Of course I prominently displayed all of it!

I have thought of hiring someone to watercolor paint me a picture of Lucy as Scarlett O'Hara, one of her as a figure skater doing pairs skating with Schroeder, and one of her as a German operatic soprano. You know the ones with the helmet on. I'm sure it would be a copyright infringement so I haven't done it.

Yes, I'm a "Peanuts" fanatic. I always will be. Maybe someday Molly or one of my other 10 grandchildren will love the "Peanuts Gang" too. Do you think my children will catch my subliminal hint?

Metisha

I wrote a whole thing about how much I hate being sick and having to go to doctors, give blood, etc., etc., etc. When I read it in light of the prayer vigil for Metisha I felt ashamed of myself. Metisha is in a big battle for her life. My little complaints seem very childish.

I am praying tonight for Metisha in so many ways. She is young, beautiful, fun-loving, well I could go on and on. The biggest thing I can say about her, though, is what an inspiration she is to others going through health concerns. I am praying that she is able to keep her positive spirit. It has to be so hard to do. I am praying that she will get to go back to her teaching this fall. It means so much to her.

Mark has stood by her and watched her struggle. I'm sure it is killing him to not be able to fix it. I am praying for his strength, too. Barbara and Danny have to be hurting inside so hard that they just about can't breathe. No parent wants their precious child to suffer. I am praying that they will be able to withstand all of this.

Lord, please don't let them or their doctors despair. Give them all of your grace and comfort. Thank you, Lord, for the way Regan has kept us all informed even though she probably cried every time she wrote an update.

Lord, please give the doctors wisdom and a plan for Metisha. Help her not to suffer. So many of the cancer treatments make you feel horrible and experience pain. Give her the strength to bear them.

Help us all, Lord, to remember to uphold Metisha all the time, not just during our assigned time. She is your child. Help her to rest in You. Comfort all of her loved ones and give them all the strength they need to carry on. We love and care so much for them. This is so hard for our whole town. We love Metisha and want her health restored.

Lord, we are trusting in You!

Why "Pink"

I told Hayley today that my blog is turning out to be a birthday tribute page. That is ok, I want to do that, but I also want to write about other things.

That brings me to "Why, pink?" During the early part of my life I loved red. I still like it a lot, but I switched to the fabulous color of pink in Junior High. I walked home sometimes with my neighbor, Nikki. She told me that she loved the color pink better than red. For some reason that took hold of me and never let go. That was 47 years ago and I still love PINK!

I told my sister, Joyce and all the students in school, that pink is a universal color. It goes with everything. I consider it the new "black". Joyce isn't buying any of that. She tells me that I have an unhealthy obsession and need to let it go. Don't you feel sorry for her? She just can't see that you can never have too much pink in your life.

I have fabulous great nieces who are pinkaholics with me. They are very smart young ladies. Cameron said just today that he will NEVER be a pinkaholic, but he will sometimes wear a pink shirt. I guess I can put up with that. Now I just have to influence Molly. Wish me luck!

Oh yes, check out the book, "Pinkalicioius". You'll love it!

Happy Birthday, BJ

Happy Birthday to my baby sis, Betty Jean! Even though she is working extremely hard on her birthday, I have a feeling she is supremely happy. Her new home is finally ready and they are moving in! She has given some very blatant hints for help, but I have this bad back, you see...................(Ha!)

I could go on & on about Betty Jean, but paybacks hurt so I'll just say, she is a great sister and I can't imagine my life without her!

If you ever get the chance to hear her sing, go for it. It's a treat!

Love you, little sis!

Happy Birthday, Emberly!

Today is my beautiful niece, Emberly's birthday. I always accused her mother of deliberately waiting one day to have her so she wouldn't be born on my birthday! Then to top it all off, she got married one day after our anniversary so the circle was complete!

Emberly is a sweet, intelligent, loving Christian young lady who is married to a minister named Chad. She is such an asset to him. They both have hearts for their Lord. Sadly they just moved way too far away to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Elizabethtown's gain is our loss!

Dennis and I wish her a very happy birthday. She deserves a fun-filled day with her honey.

Happy 59th Birthday to Me! July 10th!!!

The children at school used to tell me that I was the only teacher in the whole school who would tell them my age. I told them that two times in my life I wasn't sure I would have another birthday so now I joyfully celebrate them. This year I am counting my blessings. They aren't really in order but the ones toward the end are most important to me!

59 Things I Am Thankful For On My 59^th Birthday!

59. Cokes

58. The color “pink”.

57. The “Peanuts” characters, especially Schroeder and Lucy.

56. The fact that even though I have an incurable disease, I feel perfectly well most of the time.

55. My rocking chair on my front porch.

54. Growing up in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s.

53. The loving and caring medical staff at the Fairview Hospital, Bass Baptist Hospital, and Integris Baptist Hospital in OKC.

52. Piano/Organ Duets.

51. Chocolate Sheet Cake.

50. Living in the USA.

49. Small town life.

48. Central air and heat.

47. Christmas!

46. First Baptist Church in El Reno, OK.

45. The “Sooners”!

44. Singing!

43. That I had the chance to teach elementary music at Cornelsen.

42. Reading.

41. Going to the BSU at SWOSU in the ‘70’s.

40. Growing up in El Reno.

39. Mexican food.

38. My favorite shows on television, especially NCIS.

37. Our cute dogs (if they leave me alone).

36. Playing games of all kinds.

35. Having been able to be a stay-at-home mom.

34. Playing the piano.

33. Laughter.

32. My gift of optimism.

31. Children singing with all their hearts.

30. Walking.

29. My new house.

28. Having the chance to go to SWOSU at Weatherford, OK.

27. Flowers, especially “Confetti” lantana.

26. Swimming and diving.

25. Having had the chance to sing in choirs.

24. The Vienna Choir Boys.

23. Getting to be in “The Missionaires”.

22. My sense of humor.

21. My wonderful slate of caring Doctors.

20. All of the wonderful students I have had through the years.

19. The Abbotts and Bisels.

18. That I am still able to accompany the choir.

17. Being blessed with friends.

16. God’s beautiful world.

15. My Church.

14. Retirement.

13. The Seasons.

12. Prayer.

11. All of our extended family.

10. Having my children all in Oklahoma!

9. Dennis’ family!

8. My family, even my sisters!

7. My dear parents who are both still with me!

6. Molly!

5. My precious children and their spouses!

4. Dennis!

3. Experiencing joy.

2. My salvation.
1. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Happy 234th Birthday, America!

I'd like to salute the men & women who have served in the Armed Forces today. My precious dad served in the Army during World War 2. He was injured twice and is a Purple Heart recipient.

To this day he suffers from his injury. I have never seen him be able to straighten out his arm. He was shot in the elbow. He told me once that Penicillin was invented just in time to save him. He had gangrene in that arm.

When the 4th graders were getting ready to sing for Veterans' Day I always talked to them about how serious we should be. We want to honor these people. Dad is 86 now. I do believe that he would try to defend our country even at this age if the need ever arose.

Thank you to all the heroes who have fought to keep us free!

Happy 40th Birthday, Eric!

Today is our nephew-in-law's 40th birthday! He is a gentle, considerate, hardworking man who deserves all the best in this world.

Regina certainly chose well when picking her husband. He's a great husband and father. They are parenting three of my most favorite people in the world!

Dennis and I wish Eric a very happy birthday.

Being 40 looks good on him!