Sufferin’ Succotash! ~

~ *And Other Favorite Sayings*



I love quotes and sayings that have been passed down over the span of time. And I believe often, we are somewhat surprised when we find out their true origin. Like, “I see the handwriting on the wall.” ~ Straight out of the Good Book! “A little bird told me,” you’ll find as a warning in Ecclesiastes 12:4, and one of my favorites, “Straight from the horse’s mouth,” only in this case, it was an ass speaking to Balaam in Numbers 22.

There are famous sayings, for just about any subject, from the powerful words of John Paul Jones, “I have just begun to fight,” to the even more powerful (yet sad) words of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perez , “I will fight no more forever.”

Over the years, I have been amazed at the influence other people’s words have on our own lives. Never more so, then when, my then three year old referred to me as, “Dispectable!” (Yet another that can be attributed to Bugs Bunny ~ or maybe it was Daffy.)

(From my soapbox) ~ Remember the song, “Be careful little eyes what you see. Be careful little ears what you hear. For the Father up above is looking down with love, so be careful ~” ? In this day and age, we need to be especially careful for the sake of our children and grandchildren. If not us, who will be?

Perhaps Peter said it best, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind.”





“Hardy har har. Au revoire. Adios”

“Okay Okay I'm shuttin' up. Why should I continue to
keep yappin' when I'm told to shut up. I'm not the kind that
don't know when to stop.”

“I knew I shoulda takin' that left turn at Albuquerque.”

Be sure and go by the awesome Jenny Matlock’s and see what others are say about the letter “S” for Alphabe ~ Thursday.


Happy Thursday, everyone!

Blessings,
Cheryl

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... from Cheryl's Daybook

Tuesday, May 25th





Outside my window... ~the moon is shinning and nearly full, a scattering of small white clouds, the sounds of the night

I am thankful for... ~LIFE, salvation, family, and good friends


I am wearing... ~ a red Old Navy tee shirt (year 2001), black stretch pants


I am remembering... ~ things that remain steadfast. We have been sitting outside in the garden the last few nights, enjoying the lightning bugs (or fire flies), the smell of fresh dirt mixed with the scent of honeysuckle, showing the boys the big dipper and how to find the North Star. These are the things that remain constant, regardless of the economy, regardless of our individual pains or sorrows; these are gifts that make up our everyday, ordinary splendor.


I am going... ~ to finish up two graduation gifts, so I can tackle some summer projects.

I am currently reading... ~ The Prophet by Francine Rivers (still) ~ This is an excellent book by one of my favorite authors. I just haven’t had a lot of time for reading lately.

I am hoping... ~ to shampoo the carpets this week. (Carry over from last week, still headed in that direction.)

On my mind... ~ All that God is doing around me. Amazing! This is one of my favorite scriptures:

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." Zep. 3:17 (How amazing is that? He is going to spread joy over you with His singing!)


Noticing that... ~ that many people are making major changes in their lives, one step at a time. When I am out blog-hopping around, I find the most interesting people and so many of them are in a season of change. I am not referring to a political climate change, but change of a personal, spiritual nature. Noticing this change has affected my choice of words to ponder, also.

Pondering these words... “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” ~Jeremiah 6:16


From the kitchen... ~ beef stir-fry, salad, fresh strawberries

Around the house... ~ too many projects and not enough organization.


I am praying for ~our country

I am creating ~a haven, a place of rest

One of my favorite things ~the garden and spending time in it with my other half

A picture to share.... the wildroses, such a welcome sign of spring making way for summer.


I didn't take this photo (it is much to clear, to be one of mine). It is from an online gardening catalog. But I noticed over the weekend, the wildroses along our dirt roads are beginning to bloom! They are so lovely! This week I plan on dusting off the camera and taking some photos to share.

For more from The Simple Woman's Daybook go here or, better yet, post your own and link up with the rest of us!

Have a wonderful week!

Blessings,
Cheryl

Plans for the Summer

The lovely Mrs. Nesbitt is posing the following questions for this week's Monday MckLinky:

What are YOU doing for summer vacation?

Where are you going? What are your plans?

Are you loading up the car and heading somewhere or does this year
bring a "stay-cation" for you and yours?

In answer to the question(s)....good questions! I know we are staying inside the borders of Oklahoma. No venturing south of the Red River for us! ~ well, maybe LOL

We are letting the boys decide, kind of. The plan is, to take one day trip each month. They (the boys) have to gather the information, either via the internet or by snail mail. They also have to locate said destination on the map and have an active hand on plotting the route to same, said destination.

For June, we are looking at Arbuckle Wilderness, with a possible side trip to Chickasaw National Park (we've only been to the nature center about a million times, but they always, always love it ~ they're boys).

Also in June, there are two air shows (AeroSpace America at Tinker, and one locally) and the National Sand Bass Festival.

July and August are still undecided (except for a Rodeo in July) but in September we are planning a trip to Robbers Cave State Park.

The rest of the time there will be trips to the library, to the river, lots of work in the garden, working with their animals, and time in the pool.

I'd like to take them to Gainesville, Texas, aboard Oklahoma's Heartland Flyer. We can board at Pauls Valley (about 20 miles from us) and take the train to Gainsville (a little over an hour). Once at Gainesville, I understand there is a shuttle we can ride to the Outlet Mall, where we would spend the day, then return that evening. Not that I want to spend all day at a mall with four boys, but I think the train ride would be a great experience.

That's about it. Mostly, we are going to enjoy the summer, one day at a time!

Hope your summer's a blast! In the meantime, have yourself a blast and head on over to the Real Housewives of Oklahoma and see what others are planning!

Blessings,
Cheryl

Memorial Day Challenge ~ Week 3

This Memorial Day Challenge is brought to you by Sandy. You can visit Sandy at A Working Mom's Joy. Thank you, for doing this, Sandy. And I promise, no nagging this week.;-)

Memorial Day Challenge - Week 3

Weigh In Day: Saturday

Starting Weight: 248

Challenge Goal: Loose 24 lbs (I know, it is a lot in a short time. Keep reading!)

Week 1: May 8 - 248

Week 2: May 15 - 239 (Tada!)

Week 3: May 22 - 236

Week 4: May 29

Not as dramatic as last week, but (since I finally found my tape measure) I am happy to report I dropped 7 1/2 inches!

I know, I didn't drink as much water as I should have this past week. I am going to work on that.

I did exercise a little, which helped my over all mood.

As for the effect of the hCG:

I am no longer having the headaches that I was plagued with the first few days. And I did start taking potassium, which has seemed to help in a number of ways - less muscle cramps (I was already taking magnesium), resting better at night. And the real plus is, I am not having any cravings. I went to town yesterday with DD#2. She was hungry, so we stopped and she ate a cheese burger, chips and pop and I was fine with water. Not even a chip!! Before, I would have at least eaten a couple of chips without thinking.

There were two days, I didn't watch what I ate as carefully as I should have. Not that I really over ate (for me anyway), we just had too much going on and lots of company. By the time I cooked for everyone else, I just grabbed a little of whatever. Notice, I said little.....no huge helpings or going back for more.

At this rate, I probably won' make my goal, but it was a little unrealistic to begin with. I will be in a better place than I was at the start. Overall, I am thrilled with the results of the hCG....and another thing, my hair and nails seem to be growing like crazy!

This week I am going to work very hard at drinking more water. I have restocked with lots of fresh fruit and lean meats. I think we will have a reduction in "busyness" now that school is out, which will make life much easier on me, thus reducing my stress and the temptation to just eat something, because I am too exhausted to care.;-)

I am going to work at adding more exercise.

I am going to focus on positive thoughts, rather than negitive.

I am going to choose LIFE.

Be blessed!
Cheryl

Gorgeous Blogger Award

I recently received the Gorgeous Blogger Award from the lovely Crystal at Soupbaby. Thank you, Crystal!

The rules that go along with this award are:

Accept and thank the person who gave the award to you!

List ten about yourself.

List five additional things you DISLIKE.

Then pick five people to receive this award.

Ten things about me:

I have a secret desire to go para-sailing.

I started working when I was 14.

I volunteered to drive a car on a biology field trip, before I had my drivers' license. My 16th birthday was on a Tuesday and at that time, Tuesday was the only day the driving test was given. I left school at noon, got my license and at 1:30 p.m. drove myself and five other students on the field trip.

I love Mexican food.

My favorite fruit is watermelon, followed closely by cantaloupe, peaches and blackberries.

I love flavored teas. In the winter my favorite is apple-cinnamon, during the summer I enjoy both peach and raspberry.

I saw Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid nine times in the theater....no, it wasn't in black and white.

I was once in a tornado....it is Oklahoma. Actually, I've been in two. During one I went to a cellar. The cellar was small. There were 21 people and 2 dogs in there. I said I would never go back to another cellar. (I have, but..). The other, I was on horseback when we spotted the funnel cloud. We made it back to the house.

I love being outside, even more so at night. I look at the stars and it amazes me, that those are the same stars Abraham and Sarah saw when they were in the desert, or the ones Yeshua and the disciples sat under while cooking fish on the banks of the Galilee.

I love my blogger friends! Knowing each of you has added so much to my life!

Five things I dislike:

Baby-talk or whining from anyone over two.

People who are selfish.

When veterans, or others who have served our country, are not shown the respect and courtesy they deserve.

That our country has gotten away from many of basic principles on which it was founded.

When pictures, or anything for that matter, doesn't hang or sit level. Drives me crazy.

Now to choose five lovely, gorgeous bloggers to carry this award forward.

Let me say, I love and enjoy each of you. I can't tell you how much I have learned from all of you! Whether you are on this list or not, you ROCK!

I am going to try and pick five of the more recent bloggers I have *met*. Some of these are newer to blogdom, so if you have a few minutes, go by and say hi. One thing they each have in common, whether they know it or not, they all reflect qualities of the Proverb 31 Woman.

So, in no particular order, they are:

One Heart (Love the artwork on her header and her sweet spirit.)

Jen @ Reflections in the Window (Jen is a breath of fresh air, striving to please her Heavenly Father in all things!)

Gae @ Cherished Hearts At Home (Gae would receive my vote for Mother of the Year~down under division. She home schools (& as rewarding as that is, it is also difficult at times), she is the mother of 11 beautiful, imaginative children, and currently her husband is having to work away from home; yet she manages all of this with an ample supply of grace.)

Territory Mom @ OklaHome (Barbara Mandrel had a hit song, "I Was Country, When Country Wasn't Cool". Territory Mom is the real deal. She's an Okie and she's country. You'll love meeting her. I think the Dept. of Tourism should hire her....but, then she'd have to commute and wouldn't have time to blog.)

Wendy @ There Are Always Pine Needles (Wendy oozes energy and enthusiasm for all those things she cares about! Whether she is making diapers for Haitian babies or teaching you how to make Dandelion Cookies, she is welling to give 100%.)

I had intended to also join Jenny Matlock for Alpha-be Thursday; however, we were surrounded by storms once again...reeling, rocking, rowdy storms! I cannot count the times I have lost the signal while attempting to write this post. So I am giving up for the night.

Because I will be fasting and praying tomorrow (Thursday), I won't be around much. I will check my email through out the day though. If you need anything, email me at:

bloomwhereyoureplanted (at) yahoo (dot) com

(P.S. ~ No, I didn't take time to proof read. Don't ya hate that?!)

(P.S.S. ~ Blogspot is once again, not allowing me to put spaces in. If they are there now, it is because I just tried for the third time. Sorry!)

Blessings,

Cheryl

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Notice....I will be leading a group of ladies in prayer and fasting this coming Thursday. If you have a prayer request or would like to join us, feel free to contact me either by leaving a comment or email me at:

bloomwhereyoureplanted (at) yahoo (dot) com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For Today.....from Cheryl's Daybook

Tuesday, May 18th

Outside my window....~ I hear crickets, tree frogs and every once in a while the call of a whippoorwill

I am thankful for.... ~ the fact, we rec'd no damage from the recent storms

I am remembering.... ~ this evening is the beginning of Shavuot or Pentecost (Feast of Weeks)

I am going.... ~ to plan on taking the boys and the grandkids to Arbuckle Wilderness soon

I am currently reading.... ~ The Prophet by Francine Rivers and Take Two by Karen Kingsbury

I am hoping.... ~ to shapoo the carpets this week

On my mind.... ~ getting ready for Memorial Day weekend

Noticing that....~ our weather seems to be growing in intensity

Pondering these words.... ~ "So teach us to number our days that we might apply our hearts to wisdom." Psalms 90:12

From the kitchen.... ~ pot roast with all the trimmings, fresh fruit

Around the house.... ~ removing clutter that seems to build up during the school months

I am praying for.... ~ among others, Katie's daughter (Kayla) in India on a short term Missions Trip

One of my favorite things.... ~ the garden

From my picture book....

For more, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

Blessings,
Cheryl

~ Prayer & Winners ~

Prayer ~



Notice: This will be posted at the top for the next few days.

I have been asked to lead a group of ladies in prayer and fasting this coming Thursday, May 20th. If you have a prayer request, you are more than welcome to post it in the comments or if you are more comfortable with emailing me, feel free to do so at:

bloomwhereyoureplanted (at) yahoo (dot) com

Please type "prayer" in the subject line. Somedays, I don't have a chance to read all my emails. I would feel terrible if I received a request and then didn't open it for several days.


Winners! ~

The following three ladies will receive an asortment of both soy and palm wax tarts. They are:

Dawn @ Momza's House

Mari @ Mari Larkin

Raymonde @ Everyday I Walk With You

These two "Okies" (I could not believe that!) will receive either two eight oz. candles or one 16 oz. candle.

Katie @ Dishin and Dishes

Beth @ Beth: A Work In Progress

And (drum roll, please!) the grand prize winner is ~~~

Dianna @ Bits and Pieces

Congratulations to all the winners, but these aren't just winners, they are my friends. Each person who comes by my blog and shares is very special to me ~ even some of you who do not comment, you too are special! (Really, I don't bite!) Please do me a favor and go by and say hello to the ladies who won! I will do another contest soon and we will be having an amazing autumn candle give away toward the end of summer!

Now that I finally announced the winners, I have to share this: making candles to fill the orders for Mothers' Day about wiped out my supplies ~ poor management policies~(When you are the boss, the candle stick maker, and the janitor, whata ya gonna do?)! Therefore, I will need a little time to reorder supplies. I apologize for making you wait and will get these out as soon as possible. In the meantime, if the winners would, please email their addresses to:

prairiesongcandles (at) gmail (dot) com

To Everyone:

Again, if you are following me, and I haven't returned the favor, leave me a comment, so I can be sure and take care of doing so!

Now, because you are so loved, and the fact I haven't pulled myself together and posted a Friday Fragments post in a few week.......and because we need to laugh (it is good execise!), here is a picture from Wade's Wisdom:

I don't know where he finds this stuff!



For today ~ live, love, laugh and be blessed!

Cheryl