Blue M&M Elvis

For several years we have given Denny M&M characters to decorate his room.  The cute characters are on roller coasters, at the movies, on motorcycles, dancing to a Jukebox, a toy soldier and much, much more.  He has always liked them or at least tolerated them in his room.  So, this Christmas I was so pleased to find a Blue M&M Elvis.  When you push the button, Elvis sings........ (you guessed it) Blue Christmas.   It was just one of many gifts Denny opened on Christmas day so I gathered up all his gifts and put them away.

M&M Elvis was placed on top of the chest of drawers.  However,  Denny had his own plans for M&M Elvis.  No matter how many times I put it in his room, the next day it is always on the coffee table in our den.  M&M Elvis has made more trips back and forth than you can imagine.  Poor little M&M Elvis......  I guess he is having a Blue Christmas and then more!

Cousin Eddie Ensley's new book

My cousin Eddie Ensley has a new book just published in January by Twenty Third Publications entitled Everyday Mysticism, meeting God face to face.  It is exciting to have a cousin who writes such wonderful books that can bring an inner peace to readers.  I am so proud of Eddie and his accomplishments.   Eddie is a great believer in journaling as a way to record our feelings and impressions as we develop a life of prayer and seek a closer relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

Eddie tells the story of his lifelong struggles with his disability but how the Lord has provided a way for him to overcome that disability and help others with their individual needs. The story of his battle with cancer and how he has become stronger in his faith is powerful.  He wants everyone to see that we can all have a deeper relationship with Christ.  It is a uplifting book.  It gives me a calm feeling every time I read it.  We all need that kind of faith that brings peace and calm to our soul.

It is a quick book to read and at the end of each chapter Eddie has given suggestions of activities to help us grow. 
This book, as all his books, speak across different denominations. it is great to have someone to discuss the books and I have that in one of our nurses at work.  She feels as I do about the books and has given many copies to her friends and family. 

 It's only $12.95 and available from AMAZON.

snacking late at night and thinking about stuff

Well, its 10:30pm and I am eating Mayfield Moose Tracks ice cream, watching a marathon showing of THE BIG BANG THEORY.  Love that show.
 
I need to work on what I am going to speak about on Sunday.  Two weeks ago I spoke in church during sacrament and I worked on that talk for 2 weeks. After a LOT of prayer that turned out good.  I quoted the lyrics to one of my favorite Christian song by Brandon Heath Give me your Eyes.  It really summed up what I was trying to convey in my talk - if we could just see each other as Jesus sees us for even just a second we would have more compassion  for each other.

Now the talk on Sunday is to the Young Women group (aged 13 to 17).  I can sort of pick my own subject from my life experiences that show how Heavenly Father has helped me during my life.  It is hard to choose whether to talk about Denny's autism and how that has defined much of my life or the special events surrounding how I met Jim (anyone can see the Lord's hand in that very unusual meeting) or since it is the young women I might tell them about how Victoria has always been so special in her tenderhearted way and her experiences when she was their age.  Too many things to choose from.  I don't want to put them to sleep.  There will be others.  I am one of 4 ladies, all of different ages who have been asked to speak.  Since I know most of the young ladies, it should be good whatever I choose.

On another subject, Noah and I saw the movie THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN.  It was delightful.  It was sort of a "Hardy Boys meets Indiana Jones" movie.  We were unfamiliar with the books the movie was based on but they must be really good children's books.  My friend Gary told me when he was growing up in Great Britain he read all the books and that they are very popular there and in Europe. 

On yet another subject, a reporter from The Tucker Times was here tonight to interview me for an article about my visits to the Elementary school with the bagpipes every year on St. Patrick's Day.  It is scheduled for the March issue.  The reporter is going to use a photo Victoria took.  Victoria calls it my "15 minutes of fame".   Hey, I might get some gigs from this.  Ha Ha

Central high school 50th class reunion 2011 What a delightful evening with so many good friends from days gone by. We had lots of stories to share and memories. Sadly some of our friends have passed away but we had a special memorial poster with their names and we remembered them. It was a much simpler time when we grew up. It was a good time - not perfect but good. I do feel blessed for that simple way of life. I wish our grandchildren could know such an innocent childhood.

Of course we stayed with my sister Dolores and her husband David in Seale, Alabama. I just love to have a chance to visit with my sweet sister.

My granddaughter Rachel encouraged me to start blogging again so I will try and keep it up. I still have enormous problems with photo placement. Perhaps if I try a little harder I can figure it out in time. Rachel can give me a lesson. Victoria and Jim know how to do it so I guess I can learn.

At my sister's home she has a painting that once hung in our family home. My mother selected it. I loved to look at the painting of the young women playing the piano in their lovely home. With child like imagination, I dreamed of living in that time. It was so graceful.

As I promised Rachel, I will blog more later.

Be kind, Sue

Story corp and books

Last week we had our monthly Enrichment meeting for the "ladies" of the Brockett Ward (Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints). It was a bit of a challenge because the terrible storm the night before had knocked out power to part of the church building. We had no air conditioning but we are strong women and we wouldn't let a little thing like 90 degree weather stop us. We persevered and actually had such a good time the temperature was soon forgotten.

For the children, we had several who volunteered to read stories. For the rest of us, we had 3 different presentations. The first was Florence with a great powerpoint presentation but we could only view it on her laptop because the projector would not cooperate. We were encouraged to broaden our reading and find time to read in almost any circumstance. She had great ideas and hand outs.

Next was my turn and I was so pleased at how the Story Corp concept was embraced by our participants and by the audience. We had 3 participants and I was the interviewer. It was designed after the NPR Story Corp so we all listened to the stories on line. Each person selected her own personal topic for the interview. We only had about 5-10 minutes per person but we learned so much about each one. Sandy shared what she learned from her Father that has helped her in her life, Ginny shared what music has meant to her and her family, and Marsha regaled us with stories of her cat Mr Barney and how she rescued him from abuse. It was such a treat to learn these special things about ladies we talk to all the time but never really knew ..... the rest of the story.

Next, Rachel made a great presentation with lots of handouts and props to give everyone ideas about developing a desire to read in children. What great ideas she presented us with. We were all challenged to do a better job of promoting reading with our children.

In July, we will have International night, I will represent Scotland, bagpipes, shortbread, tartans, kilts (what else!). I will try and remember to take photos next month.

Fun Photos taken over the past few months!!

Friends wedding in May

Cathy came to pick me up to go our Friend's daughter Leigh's wedding in Buckhead. We had a fab time. The weather was picture perfect the Venue was the WinBush House and what a historically beautiful location. Leigh and Chris were an adorable bride and groom. Leigh's brother Rob gave her away and her Mom Ann was as lovely as the bride (her mini me) Her Dad Robert was probably looking down from Heaven and loving every minute of it. here are some photos and you know I have problems positioning photos so who know how this will all look like on the blog.