Sunday, August 24, 2008

Monday Musings

The contest at the gym will be over in one more week! I think I'm doing about as well as anyone else, so will let you know if DC and I are heading to Mexico on a cruise. It doesn't seem possible that this small amount of weight loss is in the running, but maybe it's as hard for everyone else to lose as it is for me.





This is going to be one of those meandering types of posts - in fact Monday seems to be that way every week lately. I'd call it Monday Meanderings, except that Barb already has dibs on Sunday Meanderings. So I'll call it Musings --



So I think I have finished the "I Used To . . . " series - it was so much fun. I did it to remind myself that I used to be a very productive person! Susie, dear Susie, was so sweet when she asked me if there was anything I couldn't do. Oh, my - I think that should be my next series - things I CAN'T do, or don't want to do, or am afraid to do. That should be a good long series! To clarify one thing regarding the most recent one - I did not write any of the plays or musicals - I just picked them out, ordered them, did the casting, and directed them. Lots of work, lots of fun!



Thinking of all of those musicals was so much fun - and seems to have brought a lot of good memories to many of my readers as well. I'm glad for that. As you may have figured out over the past 2+ years of blogging, music is a huge part of my life (but only music that I like!). As I've told before, I started piano lessons at age 7 and began playing for this tiny little church at age 8. So many of the good old songs hold a lot of memories. Today, for instance - it was my week to play the organ (after 20+ years of being the only organist, now we have 3 and we take turns). We're a small church compared to the mega ones that many of you attend. We've been there for more than the 35 years of our marriage. Someday I'll write more about that subject. But today several songs took me back.


The first one was "Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus Our Blessed Redeemer . . . " This is a rather fast song, and I'll never forget the first time I played the introduction - I was a young teen and was playing for Sunday night service. My fingers got so mixed up that the intro was a mess - so embarrassing!


Then there was "All That Thrills My Soul is Jesus." I can remember singing this song during college chapel - the rather sacriligious joke on campus was "Do you know how you can tell a hypocrite? It's someone singing 'All That Thrills My Soul is Jesus' while holding hands with his girlfriend." Now - I don't mean to offend anyone, either with the joke or with the gender picked on, but I remember it from so many years ago!


Speaking of music - the girlies and I were driving down the street with the Bible school cd playing - and me singing along. I don't know why all of a sudden, after all the many times we've done the same thing, Feisty pipes up, "Grandma, quit singing! You're not a kid!"


A few weeks ago, after retiring from my paying job, I also retired from the mission president position I've held at our church for close to 30 years. I was so pleasantly surprised when I was given a lovely award, called the Distinguished Service Award, a nice reception after church, and a gift - a one-hour, in my home massage - a deep, therapeutic massage by one of my newer friends at church. We were finally able to connect this week - it was wonderful! But was I ever sore the next day. She really found all of my "spots." I could use one of those about every week!


Someone asked me if I was ready for all the excitement around here this coming week. The answer is - I'll be staying as far away from Denver as possible when the Dems come to town for their convention - and I won't be watching the intense coverage on the networks - you can take from that whatever you wish! I do have to say, though, that I'm really proud of the churches in Denver that are coming together to feed 7500 "first responders" 3 meals every day, plus snacks. In case you don't know what that means (I didn't), this is how many police and firefighters will be on hand for emergencies. That's alot of food! What a ministry. I will never understand, though, the mentality of people who run around the country protesting. They have a huge jail cell ready for those who get out of hand. Pathetic!


My dear friend, Nancygrace, gave me this sweet award today - thank you, Nancy! I would love to pass it on to all of you wonderful friends, who have so enriched my life.

FosterMeUpAwardperfectfriendshipblendawardCHUCK[1][1]


Remember last winter when I locked the keys in my car - with the car running - at 7:00 in the morning on campus? I had to call dear DC, who hadn't left for work yet. He trooped up 15 miles, gave me a key, and went on another 10 miles to work. That evening, before he came home from work, he stopped by his favorite store, Ace H*rdware, and picked me up one of these:


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It lives underneath my car now and I don't even want to think of how many times I have used this gift - and I sure don't want him to know! I am so pathetic - I get distracted looking for something, or listening to the end of a song, or reading something that I forget to take out the keys. It is definitely the gift that keeps on giving!

My favorite time of the year is approaching - in fact, there's a hint of autumn in the air in the mornings. There is plenty of warm weather to come, I'm sure, since Indian Summer is common around here. But there is that different feeling that I just love. The flowers are enjoying it as well. Just come for a little walk around my yard with me --


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Two colors of mums - does anyone recognize the little white ones?

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Pink zinnias

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Varieties of zinnias and impatiens


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Marigolds


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See the tomato peeking through the leaves? We're going to have BLTs some night this week.


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And hopefully a few carrots someday, planted by the girlies.




And my very favorites - hibiscus


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Have a wonderful week!

14 comments:

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Good luck with your continuing weight loss. I'm at a standstill myself - not gaining, but not losing much either...

I have one of those magnetic key holders hid out with a spare house key. It's come in handy a few times too!

Beautiful flares - uh, I mean "flowers". Our Arkansas Southern twang makes it sound like we're saying "flares" instead of "flowers" sometimes. ;o)

"Praise Him" is one of our old and dear standards, but I'm not familiar with "All That Thrills". I'll have to look it up. I'm sure it's in one or more of my many hymnals and songbooks.

Have a great new week, Dawn. :o)

Love and hugs,

Diane

Susie said...

Hi Dawn,
As I've said before your "rambling" type posts are among my favorites! Your flowers are all looking so colorful. My tomatoes are nearly done and the flowers seem droopy. I'm so ready for rain!
Congratulations on your award. Very well deserved!!
Thanks for the linky. I really do think you're one of the most multi talented ladies in blogland!
xo

Midlife Mom said...

What a lovely post Dawn! I always enjoy your random posts. Praise Him is one of our all time favorite songs. Our church is leaning more to the praise and worship type songs and I am kicking and screaming to keep some of the old favorites so that our young people learn them as well as P & W songs. That was a nice tribute to you for all the work you did on that committee for so many years.
Your flowers are so pretty. Mine are starting to look a bit faded now with fall coming on but I still enjoy them. Fall is my favorite time of year with the changing colors and the cool dry temps! YIPPEE! No humidity!
Have had a few tomatoes from the garden, good idea from Susie, I think I will make blt's some night this week. I planted gourds this year and they are starting to look like something now. I hope I get a lot for decorating.
My sister is here this week helping out with Mom so we have been having a good time. She has taken her to one of her many doctor appointments this morning so I am sneaking in some computer time which has been scarce lately. I hope to get around more once summer is over.
Congratulations on the nice award and thank you so much for passing it along!
You're doing well with your weight loss! I don't think I have lost a pound yet. Sigh...... Just too many summer goodies!!
Have a wonderful week! Oh, I have misplaced your new e-mail addy could you send it again? thediz@roadrunner.com Thanks!

Susan said...

I agree with you about the demonstrators. I've often wondered how they can afford to travel literally all over the world to demonstrate (like the World Bank meetings). SOMEONE is picking up those tabs.....have to wonder who?
Susan

Needled Mom said...

What beautiful flowers for the upcoming fall season. I do find that fall is my favorite season although I hate to see summer end.

I would make bets that you enjoy the music as much as the congregation does.

It is a shame that there are people who will disrupt events and cause trouble for everyone. Why they feel that this is the way to accomplish anything is beyond my wildest imagination. Now...if we could get the media to NOT cover them, perhaps it would be solved. Hmmmm.

My mouth is watering over that BLT sandwich. Enjoy.

nancygrayce said...

Jesus, my blessed redeemer is one of my all time favorites that I just realized we never sing anymore! I think we sang it every Sunday nite when I was a child along with Wonderful words of life.....Do you remember that one? I also loved the joke! I think God has a wonderful sense of humor. Else, why all of us!?

Sam said...

Hi Dawn!

Beautiful flowers! And I love this post!

I'm sure things are very chaotic with the convention in town. I was living in New York City when the Republican convention took place there a few years ago and it was just insane! Protesters, roads closed off, police everywhere...
We were all glad when it was over and we got our town back!

Congratulations on your weight loss! Doing it slowly is the best way! And a cruise? What motivation! I've always wanted to go on a cruise.

Have a great week, Dawn!

Sammy

Mike Golch said...

Dawn, that is why I made a second set of keys for my car,I've done the same thing way to many time.so the extra set is carried on my person instead on the key ring.

Jess said...

Beautiful flowers...and I am catching up after a few days away. Loved your post...Have a great week

Unknown said...

You must really feel lighter these days after retiring from your paying job, retiring from the mission president position at church, and losing weight!

I need one of those magnetic key holders. I have a spare key taped to the back of the license plate-what a pain to get to!

Tammy said...

Hi Dawn...back again from yet another unplanned bloggy break!
Congratulations on that award...I think it truly is so perfectly deserved by you!

Those flowers are absolutely beautiful...wow!

Have a great rest of the week!
~Tammy

Linds said...

I love ramblings. It is such a wonderufl window into my friends' minds! I tend to ramble a lot too, I have to say.
Autumn is coming here too, and the petunias are lying down already. As in keeling over and expiring. But there is still colour around, and the apple tree is heavily laden. More work to do!
Most of my tomatoes are still green, but there are plenty of them out there in the garden, which is good. Congratulations on the weight loss! You are doing so well!

groovyoldlady said...

Alas, my weightloss is on a serious plateau, one that is perpetuated my excuses and indulgences!

I love your zinnias. They're such a happy flower; I need to try them up here.

Ah, and where did he get the key thingy? My mom NEEDS one of those!

Sharon Lynne said...

Don't you just love Feisty! Apparently she likes that pure kids-singing sound.

Loved your flowers!