Biting the Blogging Bullet...Welcome to my Blogdom!

Now, don't get me wrong.  I LOVE a dollar store.  I buy about 80% of everything I use on a regular basis (groceries included) from the dollar store.  Our little town has three of them!  It is THE place to go for most of what I want.  From laundry supplies, to batteries, food for us, the cats, the birds, and the fish, soaps to clean everything in the house (including us), toys to occupy everyone, things to make us pretty, the house pretty, the yard pretty...you get the idea.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the dollar store!  However...sometimes you need a little more. I was walking through the house one morning, thinking about pouring myself a cup of coffee.  Minding my own little business.  Mentally planning what I was going to do that day.  Out of the blue, God ripped right through my thoughts, and in a quiet little whisper said, "Quit living a dollar store life."  Now, I have to admit, I was completely taken aback!  I never really thou...

I have written notes in my Bible since I was a teenager.  It started out innocently enough.  I would highlight or underline a passage that spoke to me.  Then, it became a spot to jot down sermon notes when I forgot my notebook.  Every once in a while I would doodle a little something in the corner so that page would stand out when I was flipping through.  Sometimes I would scribble a little reminder of what God had specifically spoke into my heart while reading a particular passage.  My old Bible is paper thin and falling apart, but I so love reading the notes and promises from years ago.  Many of those pastors whose messages so inspired me are long gone, but their insight into God's word lives on. Fast Forward to now!  Today!  This afternoon my niece left me a note on my fb page stating that I simply MUST check out the Journaling Bible Community on FB!  Oh, my goodness!  It makes my little notes look like chicken scratch.  T...

Loneliness is not my friend. It never bothers with me when I am at home. It waits until I'm in a room full of people, sneaks up on me when I am least suspecting (and most vulnerable), and smacks me in the face...sometimes with enough force to bring tears to my eyes. In all of five seconds I go from shock, to embarrassment, to confusion, and then the realization that fight as I may, I'm only going to be capable of holding those tears back for a few more seconds. In acceptance, I race to do whatever needs to be done to hurriedly retreat into the darkness. Only there can the tears fall unseen and unknown to anyone but God. I'm not a big crier. I hate no one's tears but my own. I'm so thankful I have a God who not only sees my tears, but collects them. Those tears I loathe with a passion, God records them and cries with me. Loneliness may attack, but God comforts.   Loneliness cannot win! I love how David puts it in Psalm 56:8-11 NIV [with a little paraphrase from me.]...

I'm an off the cuff kinda gal.  I'm pretty good at going with the flow.  I usually don't know, from one day to the next, what life is going to throw at me.  Being flexible is definitely a gift! However, sometimes I really do need a plan.  When I have a photography job, it's important to at least have a date and time written down so I don't forget.  If I'm going to Disney to see Emily, I need know when I'm going so she can schedule her days off.  If I'm going out of town, a definite place to stay is rather important, lol.  But, what about a LIFE plan?  How important is that? I'll be honest.  Having a long term plan for my life went out the window years ago.  I never planned to have cancer.  Nor did I plan to get divorced...or remarried...or divorced again.  I didn't plan to have my third child at the age of 36.  I didn't plan to raise her alone.  I didn't plan soooo many things about my life.  Nonetheless, I'm t...

You sang that, didn't you?  Yes.  I'm singing it now, too, hahaha.  I just had to get up and mash potatoes and do the twist!  ;)  Seriously, though...what's the one thing we all want in life?  Be honest!  Whether you admit it or not, it's not fame or fortune, a big house, a nice car.  We all have but one true desire.  To be loved.  Honest to goodness, deep down, without a doubt LOVED!  Not for what we do or who we are, but simply because.  Just plain old unconditionally loved.  I do!  I'll admit it.  I want to know that somewhere out there in this vast universe is one person who loves me more than anyone else in all God's creation ever could.  Even though I sometimes talk too much, in spite of my too plump physique, regardless of the fact I walk with a limp...I want someone to love me, baggage, scars and all!  My personal opinion about love is that we all have a flawed sense of what that tender, passi...

I know you thought I had just downright forgotten you guys!  I promise, I didn't.  I've wanted to blog for months!  Literally!  It's been, what?  7 months now?  Wow!!! Well, let me catch you all up on the Life and Times of ME!  I took a little job in February that lasted until August.  Thus, the reason I blogged not.  A ton has happened in all that time...but I really don't have time to share.  Not much desire to share most of it, either, hahaha!  I'll  share the highlights! My little and middle both graduated this past May.  Little from Kindergarten, Middle from High School!  Yay!!!!  My oldest is back at the Happiest Place on Earth, where she really wanted to be. She's serving up hot lattes and continuing her degree online.  Middle got his first job...which he hates.  Such is the way for first jobs.  Little is now in First GRADE!  Where does the time go? As for me, I'm enjoying life an...

Travis Harbin Photography: My portrait shoots. Travis is not only my friend, he is also my photographer!  If you need some photos done in the Anderson, SC area, hit him up!  He does a fantastic job!  You won't be disappointed.  :)