When I First Accepted Christ...

Grandma Grace and Grandpa Harry 

For me the first time I knew that Jesus was real was when I was little and living in Grovertown Indiana where my grandparents lived... I would go to a little Nazarene Church in Knox, that was just over the bridge from Grovertown... But us kids would get picked up from the pastor each Sunday and then he would pick us up for church on Weds... I don't remember his name, but I guess that doesn't really matter... But my Grandma Grace was a Sunday School teacher and I would learn alot from her about what the Bible said and the fun stories in the Bible... I believe that the Nazarene Church in Knox was the first church and the first church camp I went too... I was only in 2nd grade I believe... I was young, so I am remembering as a child on this one... I asked the pastor about being baptized when we still lived there... In the Nazarene Church, you didn't get baptized till we were atleast 14 and we had to make sure we understood what it meant to be baptized... There was one on one meetings with the pastors and such... Let's say I didn't get to be baptized... Remember I was only in the 2nd grade... My Grandma Grace passed away when I was 10 and we moved to AZ...

Hyder Arizona

I will skip all the little stupid drawn out stuff... But eventually we moved to a place called Hyder Az... It was between Gila Bend and Yuma... You had to go what seemed like an eternity to get to where it was located at in the middle of the desert. Not sure what got my parents to think this was a good idea... I think my parents thought hole in the wall places was the place to be... It was all cotton farms and close to hell temperatures... But I happen to make some friends there and found a little church that had maybe 25 people in it... They came from the areas around Hyder like Dateland, Sentinel, Ajo and other hole in the wall places... Hyder now is a ghost town... Should have been then too... I think peoples brains had to be fried to live there... But back to my topic... My friends and I would swim in the irrigation ditches there... That was really the only way to cool off there... It would be 125 plus during the summer time... But my friends went to church with me and we would act like we were baptizing each other... We would take turns and we did this every time we went swimming, which was every day unless they put sulfur in the water for the farms... We would do the whole thing like we seen in church... We dunked each other in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit... We wanted or I wanted to make sure that I got baptized... So I must have really wanted this... It was the first thing we did when swimming...

Irrigation Ditches

If anyone has ever been to Hyder AZ, you would know there was bad things lurking around there. We would have to be bussed about 30 miles to go to school in a little town called Sentinel AZ... Our school had about 25 or so kids and it went from 1st grade to 8th grade... It was two trailers and two teachers...  I tell ya, there was evil stuff on the drive to that school and all around us... Protection is what we all needed from my point of view... There was this one group called Children of Light where we would go swimming.  As little kids, we didn't realize that we were already protected by God...I count those baptisms that we did every day as my first time and  many times I got baptized...

Our family moved to Willcox AZ... For me this was the first real sign of civilization... It has a population of  2000 or so... But I went to the Willcox Church of the Nazarene... My best friend was the pastors daughter... Her father retired by the time I was able to be baptized... But I remember when some missionaries came to our church... Pastor Harry was still there as the pastor... But they asked a question about what would be the one question that God would ask when you get to heaven that you feared... My friend's sister stood up and said that she would be afraid to stand before God and asked her why she didn't talk to her friends about Him... And she would say that she thought they already know... She was a pastors kid, so they knew that... And then come to find out that nobody talked to her friend and they lost their place in eternity because of it... This stuck with me all the way through my life... I guess that's why I'm not really afraid talk to others about Christ and what He can mean to them...

I got baptized on my 14th birthday and the 1st Baptist Church in Willcox, AZ and I wasn't going to wait till I was 14 yrs old 1 day... I was waiting for years for this to happen and the day was finally here... I am sure my pastor was tired of me hounding him about it, lol... Pastor Randy Tipton was my pastor at the time and he did my official baptism... I don't know if the Nazarene Church is still that way... If they lowered the age, it is probably because of me and giving them a hard time... But it finally happened and I was happy... Now the hundreds of baptisms in the water in Hyder and this one made it complete...

I really like the Nazarene Church... It seemed to be where we were always doing something to reach out to those around us... We had prayer meetings every Weds... There was a sermon, but it always ended in prayer at the alters at the front of the church... Those who were too old or unable to, would move to the front pews to pray and everyone took turns to pray... Whatever was on your heart... There was invitations to accept Christ... I think I compare alot of churches to the Church of the Nazarene... I will always be a Nazarene at heart.  I also liked that there was alot of focus on Missions and Outreach... We were always doing something in our community or for someone else... Or atleast the ones I went too... I think society is laxed in wanting to conform to the ways of the world rather than God... I know I would love to have God conform to my way of thinking at times... But then  again, the world would be even more messed up and dysfunctional... I guess everyone has their thing and how a Christian should or shouldn't be... I think though that alot of churches through out the world and my area are more as a social event than worshiping... Maybe I think that because of how I grew up and my own way of thinking... Who am I to say...I love the people where I go to church at now... It isn't a Nazarene Church, but they are awesome...  I guess each person chooses to worship the way that they do and they all have their own normal... But should we have our normal or God's normal? Maybe I am wrong, which I probably am...

Nazarene's Believe: Nazarene's believe that Christians can experience a deeper level of life in which there is victory over sin, power to witness and serve, and a richer fellowship with God, all through the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

There has been alot of things throughout the years that has happened and I have made good and unfortunantly bad choices... Accepting Christ was the smartest choice I ever made.  But I know that God knows that no matter what that He is first in my life, even when I forget that and do my stupid things...

I would like to thank my friend who edited this post and she helped it sound like it should... :) I have been working on this post for a month or more now and it is finally done... Good thing I can save my drafts on here, lol...

Click Here To Read My Other Blog Postings

If you want to read a little article about the Children of Light from Dateland, AZ... You go here... I remember this group because when we wanted to go swimming in a real pool, they had the only one... They lived only a few miles from where we lived... Or atleast in my mind it was a few miles... This link has a number of pictures from this group and I remember most of them...

I Want to Sue an Atheist!

I am so sick of how atheists think it is ok to sue anyone and everyone over what they don't believe in... This was on Yahoo... The group American Atheists and four New Yorkers are suing the states of New York and New Jersey for planning to place a cross--a piece of debris from the World Trade Center--at the 9-11 memorial for the attacks' victims.


What gets me is that atheists are suing over their rights and all people have their rights... But they don't want to see a cross, they don't want to hear this or that... Usually when I don't want to hear their gibberish I have some smarts left to know to turn off the TV or not take part... Besides if they don't believe in the cross or that their loved ones is in heaven, then why would they care? The image of a cross to them would be two beams joined together. For a Christian it means Resurrection from the grave and that Christ died for our sins.  If they are atheists  then it should mean nothing to them. Most people have enough common sense to realize that not everyone agrees and they have a right to believe or not believe... If they don't want to see a cross or whatever else, then walk the other way... There are alot of things I would prefer not to see and hear... But it isn't like I am going to force my thoughts and beliefs on them and sue them... 


I wonder what I would sue an atheist for? I guess I could sue them because I wanted to go to yahoo and I was forced to open the page that read Atheists Sues Over Cross at 9-11 Site... I guess I can sue them because they are on CNN and I didn't want to hear about them because I only turned it on to hear about missing children and was forced to listen to them because I had to wait for the next story to come on... E gads, my ears were hurt from gibberish, I must sue! Oh Wait! I got it now! I can sue them because the word atheists has offended me and brought me to tears to think they don't believe in God... There ya go... If I ever sue an atheist, I think I will use that as my defense... But, but judge, they have offended me... Wonder who else would join me in this lawsuit? Would I stand a chance to win? Probably not... But it's just as stupid as their lawsuits... 


Our world is messed up enough now that God isn't allowed in schools or anywhere else... It isn't a surprise to me that things are the way they are... 


Below is Diamond Rios- In God We Still Trust Video... 

In closing, I would like to say that I think everyone should be respected no matter what church, group or nothing at all... But when people want to do things like this, I think it is horrible and I am stating that my thoughts are that God needs to stay in America even more when you have people that want to sue for things like this...  The court of law they are going to was built from the laws of the Bible... Our currency says "One Nation Under God"... Since they don't want  anything to do with God, then I will be happy to have any money that has God's name on it...  If they want to have their own laws and no God, let them go to some far off island that is about to sink and let them see who will rescue them since they don't believe in anything... Sorry all this topic just gets me going and I am sure my person that edits this will love me for my rants...  

Last Two Days

Two days from you know where and I think I could have done without them... So throwing my arms in the air and wondering what the deal is...

Where Oh Where...

Not posting much... Just this little splurt to say it has been a very long day, I'm tired and not dealing with things well right now... JUST SHOOT ME and call it done...

Not Going to Do It !

Thinking that when a friend calls and wants you to do something, even if it's for your own good and it is NOT something you are planning on doing... And there is NO negotiation on this earth that is going to allow that to happen... It needs to be dropped there... And it was, so I am glad that she doesn't get pushy and she knows my limits on what I will do and NOT do...

I think there are some people in my life that is pushier than I am... But not in a bad way, it's more of a good thing... Like one of my friends was telling me that she is my voice of REASON, lol... OK, I guess that is something that I probably need right now... So she can stay in my life along with those that are more positive for me to be around...

Then what gets me are those who say they are friends, but are more so out for themselves... I have a few of them in my life and I think I need an eject button for them... Wouldn't that be nice... But then again if they are out for themselves only, are they really considered friends or are they just bad apples in my life... Oh well... I am going to shut my mouth and leave this topic alone...

Being Religious or Being a Christian

There are many that profess to be Christians or believe in Christianity. I think you can believe in Christianity, Jesus and still not be a Christian. Satan even believes in Christ, but that doesn't mean he has a relationship with Christ... There are many faiths that know Jesus was just a great teacher, but not the Messiah that is talked about in the Bible. They believe He walked the earth, lived and died and that is about it. They don't have that personal relationship with Him... 


I was thinking about this when listening to some of the songs from Mandisa... I like her songs because they talk about being real and not hiding who we are. I am still working through the whole letting everyone see all parts of me... Not sure that will happen, but it is what it is... On the outside we may look like we are doing good, but on the inside we all have our own issues that we are dealing with... Then I was thinking about sin and the consequences of sin... I don't think God is out to punish us or likes to punish us I should say...I think the consequences for our actions or ourselves are probably the worse punishment...  But because we chose to sin, the cost for those sins are death... I am putting alot of hope in the forgiveness factor here on this one, lol... 

Back to the topic of this blog... I seem to get off track alot :)  I think we can be religious about alot of things in our lives and those things get in the way of our relationship with Christ... We look at those around us and think they are so religious and righteous to find out that that they are religious about keeping up the appearance about being religious... I don't think God want's us to be religious... I think He wants us to have a personal relationship with Him and be real Christians that are imperfect and broken to where we have to reply on Him alone and not the things about us that make us look and feel religious... 


For me the difference between being religious and a Christian is that religion is about the outer appearance, and being a Christian is the true inner picture of ourselves, one that should be Christlike to the core...I am religious about alot of things like watching Big Brother, cleaning my house, writing on my blog, computer time and spending time with family, not saying these are bad things... They are routines that I do religiously, but that doesn't make them things I do for God... The things I should be doing and need to work on more is spending more time in the Word of God, praying and focusing on what God's purpose is for my life...

During the week or on Sundays you can see the same cars in parking lots at churches or places of worship... I wonder if they are there because they are really worshiping Christ or because they go there religiously because it is something they have always done... I know for me I have gotten into a routine and when I break that routine, I find I am out of sorts... At church, I like to sit in the same pew and if someone takes my seat that I sit at religiously, I am flustered that they are there and I'm not... Then I am thinking about that during the service, and not the message... I am sure God wouldn't and doesn't like that too much...  I wonder if we are afraid of practicing being a real Christian and being Christlike over being religious... I think the word religious can be a double edged sword for us and makes Christians look bad... 

Not Even Sure...

Today has been a very tired day... I was in bed till around 4 pm... It has been a long week of not feeling good... But it is what it is... Could be worse I guess... You would think that when I sleep all night and sleep during the day I wouldn't be so blasted tired... I think I know who to blame this one on this time though... Not naming any names... Hmmmm....

For a short time there was no drama in the house, I think that is ending... It started up yesterday and today... I just shut my door and call it good... I am in my own little world here... I'm gonna leave this one along and this is my blog post for today... Nothing More! Nothing Less!

Hmmm- What to Say?

I guess there are alot of things I could say or grumble about... I'm thinking right now that it is too hot and I am ready to crash for a couple days at least... I did come up with a solution of sorts from the help or suggestion from a friend... Hoping I don't have to go with plan B... Other than that, I am tired and not feeling great... But then again, that isn't anything new... It is what it is... Bridgette was pretty good today... She helped get the house clean and that was a nice thing... I don't like a messy house... It doesn't have to be perfect, but clean is a good thing... Plus I hate falling over stuff that is where it shouldn't be at... I am sure I am not alone there... 

There is one thing that my friend Laura was telling me I need to work on and I think Chris too... But I have issues letting people know what is going on and that is true... It has a way of backfiring when you let people get to close... But I guess they are right that with real friends it is OK... I still have issues... I think everyone has issues about something... Some are small and others are bigger ones... Growing up you learn real fast that you don't say too much to the wrong person... My thought though is who is the right or who is the wrong... I think with me, I have to rely on God for this one... My human mind and heart is deceived easily... I do think that God put good people that I can call friends, real friends that is... My friend Laura was telling me too that by not letting people help out that I am depriving them of the gift of helping... But then I think of the times that I have helped people never expecting anything back and then somehow I got burned... Or by giving them a help up, it backfires... I am sure it is my own fault because I am horrible at setting boundaries and I want to be a good example of Christ... I would like for them to see in me what Christ has done... But when does it come to the point of just saying I did what I could and pass that on to someone else...

I did have to do that with a friend that has passed away... But it was years that I would talk to her and I would be drained after talking to her... She knew what the Bible had to say about things and was super smart... But then she would say that the Bible and God will change His mind... She thought Jesus was a great teacher just like Buddha... It took me years to realize that I couldn't change her, and after alot of frustration I had to back off and let someone else step in... Maybe I was just suppose to be the seed in her life and someone else water and then help her grow... I'm not sure if she ever got right with God in the end... She was a dear lady and loved her very much... But I thought of her today as I was driving into town and how to take care of a situation I have been dealing with way too long... If by now things aren't going to change, they never will...

I do my best thinking when I am alone in my car and driving around... I crank up my radio to KLOVE and just ask God for whatever songs I am needing or message for that time... There are alot of times that I should just sit and think at home... For me that is NOT an option... There are times when I overly think things or go where I shouldn't go... But I guess that is just a me thing and it is what it is... I think people are getting to hate when I say that saying anymore...

But other than these things, things are just as they are... I am thinking I want to go to Pine Valley next week... Just for some thinking time and see all of nature at it's best... Will call someone to see if they want to go with... Don't want to do anything major, just a easy walk about and that's it...

Added Note After Editing: I was not impressed that I had to drive into town to get stuff that I shouldn't have had to go get to begin with... Ughhh, so that is my vent and I am leaving it at that...

Thanks for editing my page Laura...

Not Liking My Dreams

I have to say that for the past two nights, I have not been impressed with my dreams... The one the night before was mentioned in the previous blog and then last night I was having back to back dreams... I remembered that I would wake up for a few seconds or minutes and then go back to sleep... What gets me is that when I know the dreams are lying and I am trying to wake up in the middle of my dream, I usually can wake myself up from a dream... But last nights dreams was one after another and would continue where the other one took off...

What is a pain is that I know the dreams are not what is really going on... But it is or should I say, isn't very cool when they are bad ones... Like the first one of the group was about how this person/group of people are saying that the best thing to do is do things the way I want to do them and not worry about others who really don't care... OK, now I know without a doubt that this is not true... And then it had alot of different type of outcomes or scenarios on how to best take care of things... OK! Now this is something I know is not of God too... But it would be really nice if I have a great dream tonight... I don't think I want three nights of bad dreams in a row... Last night I even listened to my favorite Christian artist Mandisa... I love her new CD about being stronger... What better CD than this one to listen to before you go to bed? Yeah, I know, there is no better one... But It's like when I listen to my Christian music I have bad dreams... A lady I just met told me to continue playing... Not sure I want these dreams if I listen to these songs... But I will chug along and see what happens... So Mandisa it is again tonight... Maybe my bad dream demons aren't impressed with her... I think her words may be giving them a smack down and they are not impressed with her messages about God... Oh Well! It is what it is...

Alot of times food can be associated with bad dreams... I get bad dreams from Pizza and some other foods... But didn't eat those... Maybe in my dream I had pizza... Hmmm maybe a thought projection of pizza is working overtime in my dreams... Who knows?

But other than these dreams, I went to see Dr. Noorda today... I had to take a picture with him since I won $50.00 from a Facebook contest... Which is awesome to have your Dr pay you... Now I think it is time to rest and do nothing and wait for Chuck to get home... I thought he was going to Dallas today, but I am thinking it will be in the morning now...

Planted My Flowers

Not too much of a post today, but I was telling Chuck that we needed flowers in my empty pots... Not cool when there is only dirt in a pot... So when I went to my stuff done in town today, I got my flowers at Lowes... I didn't really do too much in town today... Was more tired than anything, so just did what I had to do...

Nellie did go with me to do a food review today... We did one for American Grill... It is located in Santa Clara where the Lightfoot is... It is in the same building... Thankfully she can eat the things I can't... I had to get other reviewers to help too... Thanks all...

These are some pretty flowers... I don't know what they are... But I think flowers make everything look better and feel better... It will be nice even if I'm not feeling good to sit out on the front porch and watch the butterflies and hummingbirds play with my flowers... I do still want to get a couple rose bushes in big pots... Not sure if that is going to happen... I guess we will see... I am shocked that Chuck let me get these... I guess he got tired of me telling him it looked like crap in the front yard and I am sick of it... He may not appreciate pretty flowers, but I do... Now if I can get the mulch for the whole front yard done, since grass won't grow at all...


This plant is a Coleus... Kinda looks like a pot plant to me... I guess pot has been on my brain since not far from my house they found 20,000 plants... It was pretty crazy... From what St. George News said, they busted 38 guys that were harvesting all these pot plants... They said it was valued at over 28 million... Most of the guys were here illegally from Mexico...

But other than these things, not much is going on... Bridgette is laying on my bed watching the TV in my room since a light went out on our big screen... Have to say that it has been peaceful not having the big TV going... I'm sure my power bill will be cheaper... In a week or this week I will have to go get that light...

Other than these things, I think I am going to go rest and take it easy... Didn't do much, but it doesn't take much to make me tired these days...

Pretty Quiet Weekend and Cool Dream

Didn't really do much this weekend... Mostly slept and let or should I say strongly encouraged Chuck to do the weeds in the front yard... We were suppose to have this guy come over and do our yard... But guess what, he did nothing... So now I am thinking I need to go to Star Nursery for some flowers to plant by the door, would like the kind of deal I got last year... All my flowers for under $20.00 at the drug store... But we will see... I don't like the front door without flowers... Flowers make it the day brighter and happier and draws butterflies and hummingbirds...

I was thinking about driving into town and going to church today, but my body and head aren't cooperating with me... I do need to go get copies of the sermons for the days that I have missed... I am such a slacker sometimes... Sometimes even when I go I will get a copy, because I forget the sermon so easily...

My dream last night: I love it when I can dream of my meadow... Some of you know what I am talking about... What I find interesting is when the dream gives weird details of things or people I have no clue on who they are... In my meadow there is a giant tree that isn't like any other tree... I have written about this tree before... And you can hear the sounds of water flowing... But what was different with this is there was a person/angel that was talking about a school, not a high school... I was thinking that at first since we have the Snow Canyon Warriors here in Southern Utah... But all I seen was the logo of it, the colors of blue and white and I knew it wasn't on the west coast... We aren't that green here... But the logo has a cross in the shape of a sword on the shield... Not sure what the letters where... But was kinda strange and not sure why this shield was in my dream... More than likely it has nothing to do with anything... I am glad it isn't the kind of shield that can do harm... I am thinking that atleast since it has the cross on it... I would think it would be a Christian place since there is a cross...  But this was the odd part of my dream... I like it when I can have the cool dreams about places that are good and relaxing... It makes up for the bad dreams...

Caylee Marie Anthony

Other than these things, there is nothing... Oh, I do want to add one thing... They let Casey Anthony out of prison... I think it's terrible that she got found innocent... But I would think that she would never really be free... She has to live with herself over what she did... Only God really knows anyhow and of course Casey... Casey has destroyed her family and I feel bad for them all...  I hope there are no nut jobs that take things into their own hands... I can see that happening with her... I don't think two wrongs make it right... I pray for healing of the family and that one day there will be justice for Caylee Marie... This question was posted on Headline News and I think it is a good question... 

Even if Casey Anthony had been found guilty and were to be put to death, would that help Caylee or other living children? Would it truly free us in our hearts? Would our energy not be put to better use if we were to choose to help other children who are at this moment starving, homeless, at risk or in danger?" Your thoughts?

Thanks to my friend who edited this blog post for me...

This Week Summed Up...

Sorry I haven't posted a blog for the most part this week... I haven't been having a great week... It's a me thing... For the most part this week I have been resting and my phone has been on silent. I couldn't really go anywhere since I have no gas in my car... That may be a good thing, because then I can't go on drive abouts... I have always been the kind of person who does my best thinking, pondering and go over things in my brain when I am alone in my car... So if anyone has called and I didn't reply, that is the reason why...

Other than that, I think I am waiting for a war to break out at my house... My sister and my neice Bridgette have been treading this fine line... There hasn't been a blow up since Bridgette got back from Phoenix, but not sure that is a good thing, since they don't speak when they are in the same room... And I am sure they are like most people, you can only go so long and then you blow your top...

Last night a friend came over and her friend with her and we talked about God things... I am always up for that. But it would be great to have less negative things around me... As thinking about this today, it is like there is many hidden things out there that can be there to destroy us... I think they want to destroy us even more when we are Christians... But this is my update for this week... Time to take a nap...

Nothing Today

No blog today... Pretty tired and not feeling great... Have a good day...

Patsy- Only a Face a Momma Could Love

Sue aka Patsy- Picture Sent to Us from Shelter

Patsy our boxer came to us when Almost Home Arizona Boxer Rescue contacted me and asked me if I could go get a boxer that has been in the Washington, Utah Animal Shelter since January... Her name was actually Sue at the time... We knew there had to be something special about her because the Washington Shelter (Kim) contacted all the boxer rescues in the surrounding states... That's how they got me, is by calling AZ... We weren't really looking for a boxer because I just had to put my Maddie down that we adopted from Almost Home Boxer Rescue... I wasn't really in the I need to replace Maddie phase... Maddie could never be replaced... This has been a very rough year for our house when it comes to family members aka pets going over the Rainbow Bridge... Makes me sad to think about it...

Patsy

But when hearing Patsy's story they were saying that she was with another rescue group and they tried all these others... They all said that she was not adoptable because of her looks... OK... Now I have to say this, but Patsy is not a pretty Boxer... She is nowhere near being pretty... But she has one of those faces that only a momma can love... She is only 3 yrs old from what the vet says, but she has premature graying that makes her look older... She has a huge crease down her face that looks like someone took a baseball bat and hit her... One eye is off to the side and a little lower than the other one with battle scars... This dog must have put up a good fight to be here with us and to want to survive... Who am I to be the one to not give her a chance...

I wasn't able to go get her, so they braved the snow and ice and brought her up here to my house... Kim  brought her to us and that alone is special. I can see why someone would be afraid of her or not give her a chance... But I knew still that there had to be something about her that made a local shelter who has very little funds search for a home for Patsy... Most shelters will put a dog down that has been there too long and especially one that isn't the cutest dog on the block...

Patsy Playing

So now we have Patsy and I can see why they wanted to find her a home... We were going to foster her and just shortly after that our Maverick went over the Rainbow Bridge to see Maddie and Brandie... Oh how I miss my baby dogs... But back to Patsy... I guess God knew that we needed to fill the void somehow and He sent us Patsy... She has a super sweet and loving personality... With her under bite and it's a big one, you would think she would eat you for dinner... She looks a bit unpredictable, but she loves to snuggle and be accepted... She has a couple flaws, but don't we all... She hasn't figured out that she is not a lap dog.. She is probably around 70 pounds... She is not a kitty type of loving dog... She thinks they are fun to chase...  We have decided that we will be her forever home and she is very much loved... We do have to watch how loud we talk... She gets scared and will cower down... You can tell she has been hit alot and the scar that goes down between her eyes show how much she has been through...

Funny how a dog can go through what we are imagining our Patsy has gone through.. And she still loves and cuddles and is super sweet... It would be nice if people were like animals... This world would be so much better...

In Memory of my sweet babies that have gone over the Rainbow Bridge :( I sure do miss them all... The video is of Maverick , Julie and Maddie... Makes me want to cry when I see this and so happy to know I  have video's of them and I can see them alive... I wish I did that with my Brandie Muffins... I taught her how to pray and say I love you... She will always live forever in my heart... I bawled like a baby when she died...

Brandie Muffins- My sweet girl died January 24, 2006 at 3:30 pm 

If you are looking for a dog or cat or whatever kind of family pet, please check the shelters first... You may be their own chance at having a life and you could save their life... I would like to thank Washington County Animal Shelter for bringing Patsy into our lives... She is a sweet girl that is funny... I posted this on the blog about Jasper, but it is good to repost... I just don't understand how people can harm and throw away a family member like they do... But then again, we are talking about humans here... I would like to get another pug... But when the time comes we will do that... And only from a rescue or shelter...

Local Animal Shelters- Ivins Animal Shelter is the only No Kill shelter... The others have limited space and funds... They are all needing donations, volunteers and forever homes for these pets...

Ivins City Animal Shelter- No Kill Shelter(435) 628-1049
200 W 474 N, Ivins, UT 84738

St George Animal Shelter (435) 634-5829
605 E Waterworks Rd, St George, UT 84770

Washington Animal Shelter (435) 673-7194
95 E Industrial Dr, Washington, UT 84780

Hurricane City Animal Shelter (435) 635-8314
2084 S 700 W, Hurricane, UT 84737

Petco will also have adoptions from thier Washington Utah store... I think all Petco's offer this on Saturdays... The adoptions are from groups I have listed here... All these pets need to have their lives saved... Call them for days and times for adoptions... If you are outside of the Southern Utah area, you can call your local Petco for more information...

765 W Telegraph St, Washington, UT 84780
http://www.petco.com...
(435) 986-9704

My Pug Jasper- A Character of a Dog...

How can I best describe Jasper... He is a funny little pug with a loud mouth, sheds alot and loves with all his heart... We rescued Jasper because his owners decided that he shedded too much. If people would learn about the dogs or pets the are getting they would know this about pugs... They had a Great Dane, but Jasper was too much for them... Dogs are destroyed everyday and they aren't breed specific...  But Jasper is cute and we are glad we rescued him... Not sure why I decided to do my blog on him, but here it is... Tomorrow I will write about Patsy...

We have had Jasper for almost a year if not at a year... When we first got him, I would have thought that he would have attached himself to Jessica... Jessica was the first one that held him and gave him lovings since I was driving... He did sleep with her the first night and after that Jasper was at my side... His name was originally Buddah... OK, anyone who knows me will know that I am not going to keep that name... So Jasper he became...

Jasper's Traits: 

When I have been gone even for a couple minutes, Jasper is waiting at the door for me to come in... It may only be to check the mail... But he lets me know that he is not happy about me leaving him.... He carries on, barks, jumps and chases anyone away or our other dogs away so he can have 100% of  my attention...

When it comes to sleeping... Forget it... He has to be right where I am... He starts off at the foot of the bed if Chuck is home, but he inches his way up to where head is... Just imagine a pug face looking at you as you just wake up... Sometimes that is a bit startling... For the most part he will let me sleep and not wake unless I am having issues... But you know how sometimes you can tell someone is watching you? Yep... It's kinda freaky...

I can tell with Jasper if I am going to have a bad day... He gets very clingy and will not leave... But then  I'm not sure how many times I can go anywhere in the house without him... Even taking a bath, this dog has issues and sits right next to the bathtub... Not sure if he wants to play in the water or he doesn't like to be sepertated...

Poor Chuck or anyone else here at the house... If I am gone for more than a few minutes, Jasper will wait on the back of the couch for me to come home... If he is outside, he watches the driveway... I think that is the only time Chuck gets rest at home... Jasper will sleep on the couch and watch the front door and won't sleep in the bed if I am not at home... As soon as I walk in, he is all over the place and chasing everyone away and I think he is scolding me for being gone so long... He gets pretty grumpy and will give me the cold shoulder until he realizes that he isn't getting his lovins...

But aside from Jasper, I would like to out there that if people are going to get pets, be sure you are going to take care of them... Many times people will get a puppy or kitties because the are so cute and not realize that eventually they do grow up... And if you are looking for a pet, please check out the shelters first... These animals need a forever home... They have been thrown away and they still have love and compassion to offer... It is sad when you think about how many loving animals are killed everyday because nobody wanted them... I am going to provide some rescue groups websites at the bottom of this blog... All are those I either know someone through or have dealt with... I am also going to link to a facebook page called Cookies Hope... This is about a little puppy that was left to die and someone cared enough to give her a home till she could go over the rainbow bridge... Join her page and help Cookie get justice...

Rescue Groups: If there is a Logo, click on the logo to get to their site.. 

        

Cookies Hope

       

Arizona Boxer Rescue- Got My Maddie Here

Local Animal Shelters- Ivins Animal Shelter is the only No Kill shelter... The others have limited space and funds... They are all needing donations, volunteers and forever homes for these pets... 

Ivins City Animal Shelter- No Kill Shelter

(435) 628-1049
200 W 474 N, Ivins, UT 84738

St George Animal Shelter

(435) 634-5829
605 E Waterworks Rd, St George, UT 84770

Washington Animal Shelter 

(435) 673-7194
95 E Industrial Dr, Washington, UT 84780

Hurricane City Animal Shelter

(435) 635-8314
2084 S 700 W, Hurricane, UT 84737

Petco will also have adoptions from thier Washington Utah store... I think all Petco's offer this on Saturdays... The adoptions are from groups I have listed here... All these pets need to have their lives saved... Call them for days and times for adoptions... If you are outside of the Southern Utah area, you can call your local Petco for more information...

765 W Telegraph St, Washington, UT 84780
http://www.petco.com...
(435) 986-9704

And remember as Bob Barker would say, " Have your pets spayed or neutered... " 

If you have a pet that was rescued, feel free to post in the comments... You are welcome to share your experience...

Danger Will Robinson... Obsessions

I touched on this a bit yesterday... I can be a bit obsessive over certain things...I tell myself that I am not going to do a certain thing, but I do anyhow... I was reading about it last night by accident and came upon a couple areas where I can say that I am obsessive... Not really Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, just when it comes to a couple things... Or atleast a couple things that I am willing to share, lol ...


When I think of Obsessions, I think of the show Lost in Space... I think there should be warning alarms and robots that go around and say Danger Sandie Divan, Danger... How nice that would be when you are about to do something stupid a robot would be there to warn us? I guess that only happens in space or someone elses space...

My Two Areas of Obsession that I need a Robot For...

• The first area is I have a one track mind when it comes to accomplishing what it is that I want to accomplish... Something in my brain just says to do it and my focus is on that on a pretty regular basis... 
• The second area when I was looking up the description is they say that people who are obsessive are stubborn... OK... I can't even lie about this one... Everyone who knows me knows this is the truth about me... 

For instance I like to go on drive abouts when I am having a bad day or need to think... I know there are certain places I should not go and I know with having Myasthenia Gravis and CIPD that I need to stay closer to home and out of the heat or I will have problems with my muscles and all kinds of things... But do I listen to what I know? Nope, not at all... My rational thinking goes out the window when my emotions take over... I like to crank up my radio and just leave... I would love to do a Thelma and Louis minus robbing banks and people... 

What I find though lately when I go on my drive abouts is that I get overheated and over tired and I can't think... Or I let too much time go by and then I find I need to rest... But then I figure I can just pull off the road... But then I go on my walk abouts, lol... Which gets me into even more trouble because then I forget my water and get too far away from my car with no phone signal... But what can ya do... And yet, I go and do it anyhow... Mostly when I am overtired and not having my brain in check... 

I feel bad for those who are on my most recent call list... Because out in Snow Canyon my cell phone does random calls and usually they are the ones on my most recent list... I think that people know if they get a call and I'm not there then my phone is being stupid... But then I think about what if I was out there somewhere and lost and couldn't figure out something, or I fall off a cliff and my phone is all I have... Would they think it was just a goofy thing my phone did or would they answer... I'm not sure how that would play out... Can you imagine, you are just out there talking to God and you stand up, loose your balance and fall into an unknown cavern... But then again, its a pretty place to crash and burn I guess, lol...  And all I have is my little phone that is stupid... Hmmm... That could be a bad outcome... But then I guess that all depends on who's perspective you are coming from... 

But it is like I have this obsessive itch that just takes over and until I do something about it, I cannot rest... I know it is something that I need to resist but I give in and scratch that itch anyhow... Even though we know these thoughts would harm us, we will do it to re-leave it... 

Things People Get Obsessed About: Just a few... I am sure there is tons more and in alot of self help books out there... If you are truly OCD I would think some help is out there somewhere... 

1. Cleaning
2. Cloths
3. Weight
4. Suicide
5. Order of things
6. Hand-washing
7. Hoarding
8. Famous People (i.e.) Michael Jackson, Casey Anthony
9. Facebook and Social Networks
10. Papers  
11. Money
12. Religion
13. Education
14. Friends
15. Being Late ( I am guilty of this one, It bugs me when people are late) 

If Not Now, When?

I am sure I am not the only one who looks at what others do or say and wonder what the heck were they thinking... If I am the only one, then  I am shocked... I have more than my share of making bad choices as I said in yesterday's blog... BTW... Thanks to those who help me edit this... I'm sure it was alot of fun, lol...

What I don't get is how people can let things get so bad and then take care of the problem... OK... I better  add to this thought... I guess I am guilty of this one myself too... I wait till the last minute and then I will think about doing something about it... Usually that happens more with health things... I will wait till I am almost dead, pass out or not breathing before I go to the ER... Because I know if I go, I will not get to come home that night... And then when I would get the bill that would do me in for sure... So in that way, I will wait and wait and wait... Besides I think it is better to die and have a heart attack at home then to have to endure the ER or hospital... It's a me thing, maybe not for everyone...

But what gets me is pure laziness and not thinking about those around you... I know so many that fall into this category or we seem to hear alot about them on Nancy Grace on CNN... Sometimes even when we don't want to do something a little common sense tells us that it may be in our best interest... Even I get this idea, may not apply it as often as I should... I have days when I just can't do what needs to be done... Even knowing that I will pay for it in the end I have to get myself up out of bed and at least feed the horses, bull, rabbits and dogs... They depend on me to do that for them... It isn't like they can go get the food themselves and water themselves... They need to have someone do that for them... I think humans are like animals too...

When we were little kids, we couldn't or weren't allowed to do certain things because our parents knew we would get hurt... If we touched the oven when it was on, we would get burned... If there was a knife laying on the counter in our reach, our parents normally would put it away... They would be afraid that we would cut ourselves... Which of course once in awhile we did because we didn't listen... Or when we have a swimming pool, we wouldn't let our child that doesn't know how to swim go in by himself/herself... We would be there to help them, teach them and keep them from drowning... That is unless you are Casey Anthony :( ... But that is another story...

What about those parents or guardians who love their kids or don't take time for their kids... Do they make sure they are being raised in the way they should be? Are they being taught the right ways to treat others and to share... As parents we need to remember that these small kids will grow up to be adults and they watch what we do and will copy that... I know my daughters picked up my good and not so good habits... I have one that is obsessed over everything or was when it came to her room... Then I have another that is not obsessed at all... So what will each of these ways teach their kids... I was more of a pick and choose what I became obsessed over and I think that spilled over to my daughters...

Beckiah is very organized and wants everything just the way it should be... I would pick on her about how she would be and try to move something and she always knew I was in her room because I moved one little thing... I got a kick out of that, lol... And then I have Jessica who is quite the opposite... She is more of a wait till later type of person or procrastinator... But not when it comes to work... She will take her work very serious and she is anal about cleanliness at her work... Both of my daughters are anal at work... But it's funny how our kids will watch what we do and they grow into us, whether they like it or not...

So now I am wondering why I have this topic for my blog, since it was just a random thought that came to my mind... But I guess that works for me... This is just something on my mind that I wanted to put out there in blog land...Maybe this is just one of those off the wall topics that makes no sense to anyone but me...

I was looking for images for this post and I came across this... I thought it sounded good and was appropriate for this topic...  If there is an area of your life that you need or want to organize, then start working on it immediately! If not, you may find yourself in a situation where you wished that you had made organizing a priority.

For example,

- Organize your files at work/home today, so that tomorrow when someone calls on you in a crisis, the documents you need are readily at hand...

- Straighten up your car this weekend, so that next week when someone asks you for a ride, there is no embarrassing mess to explain away...

- De-clutter the extra room this month, so that next month when your a friend or family member suddenly needs a place to crash, there is a comfy and clean spot ready...

- Put your estate in order this year, so that an unexpected tragedy in the next year does not leave your family in the lurch. (A special note on this one: I realize death is not the happiest of topics. In fact, you may feel by even bringing up the subject, you're tempting fate. But if you care about those around you, especially if you’re a parent, you should be prepared.)  

Stupidity and Choices

If life has taught us anything, you would think that I would stop making the same stupid choices over and over again... Or maybe learn from someone else's experience... It's like "OK! What will I do today that is stupid? " I am sure many have wondered the same thing... If not I want to run away from you because that would mean you think you are perfect and that would mean you are actually delusional...  

I'm not really talking about the choices we make and then later find out that it was a bad one... I am thinking about the ones that I know are bad and think it will have a different outcome... For instance, there is one place I like to go to... It is very pretty but I know when I go there that I will not be in the best of moods or thinking as I should be... Now if I go there and think there will be a different outcome when each time in the past I went, it was always the same, wouldn't you think I would smarten up a little bit... I would think so, but nope, I guess I am not programmed that way...

Or how about that really yummy looking piece of chocolate cake and I could even top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream... Now that sounds very good, but I know if I eat that ice cream a couple things will happen... First off I would end up sicker than a dog because I know my pancreas and tummy couldn't handle that and second I would want to eat more than just that once piece of cake and ice cream... Knowing how I would feel afterwards, I decide to go and eat that cake anyhow and an hour later I am sicker than a dog just like I thought I would be... But I'm not wanting anymore because I feel so yucky and then I beat myself up because I should have known better... I have had the same result over and over again... But did I learn? NO! I decided sometime later to give it a whirl and see if It would work out differently, just by chance... I'm sure every one can tell it didn't work out...

So now I wonder why it is that I make bad choices or stupid choices is a better way to put that... I wonder if during this particular time in my life it feels like the right thing to do. I don't have the power to see what the outcome would be, that is unless it is something I have tried to do in the past and now I want to give it another whirl...

It's kinda like this dog we use to have... His name was Sebastian and he was a Doberman Pincher... We rescued him from the animal shelter in Phoenix. When we got him home he seemed all sweet and such and was actually a very nice dog... But he has this weird habit that he would do all day long... We had one of those huge plastic red bats... If you have kids, I am sure you know what I am talking about... Sebastian would walk around the yard over and over again with that bat in his mouth... He was obsessed with that bat... About 10 rounds around the yard he would try to come into the house through the sliding glass door with that bat... Every time he would try to enter he would hit the door with the bat and he would fall back and start the routine all over again... This happened all day long... I wonder if humans are like that dog... We run around with a big red bat and keep knocking ourselves down by trying to get through a door that was not made for a big red bat... But we keep trying and hoping that one day that bat will fit through the door and of course it never does... But we keep trying...

I have a number of my own stupid things I do and I guess I am like Sebastian in many ways... I keep trying and thinking it will work out and I know the outcome, but I still try... You would think I would have learned from past experiences, but nope... I still try to get that big red bat to work and eventually I am going to kill myself with it... It's like when I am faced with a decisions or choice, I know the right choice- but I make the wrong one again... Even though it never turns out right, wonder why it is that I still do it? Hmmmm, I guess this is just one of those things only I would know the answer too... Or maybe not!

I have a few friends and family that knows I am not always on top of the thinking chain... They know I make alot of mistakes and make bad choices... Some are reversible and others may not be... Then I think about some choices can have a huge impact on others and are not pleasing to God... I have always wondered if God takes my stupid actions or thoughts into account...  It's like when you keep thinking on one particular thing over and over again and that consumes your time... It's like, OK, I just need to do it and get it done and over with and then all the sudden God comes to mind... I am guessing that would mean that would not be a good choice or decisions...  And I know that God watches and knows all things that we have done, are doing and are going to do... So it;s like EEEEks when you think about God watching us or I think about God watching me... I am sure as God is watching me He is thinking "just how many more times are we going to try this your way... "