The grand-sisters had a Mardi Gras time!

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AND, they had a great time. It is so fun to see them have such a fun time via pictures.

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Fresh Find: Love this eyelet dress!

Have you ever thought about how Blonds might feel with all of the Blond jokes? Any group can be targeted with jokes. Jokes are suppose to be funny. I love to laugh but, I would not want to hurt anyone's feelings either. I mean, I suppose it is the confidence we have that determines how we take the joke, right?

I enjoy books about Redheads. I came across a book, The Best Ever Book of Redhead Jokes. This author has basically taken every target group and revamped old jokes with said group plugged in.

I bought the book. 

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People can be mean. I love my red hair. I have never once wished for another color, although in my old age it is turning Blond and I wish it had more of that copper penny color in it. Kids made fun of me growing up. Even adults addressed me by a Redhead name like carrot top or ginger. I just ignored it with respect.

So, back to the book. I have laughed and laughed but I can see where some jokes could be offensive. 

Just made me put myself in another's shoes...not everyone is at a place where they can laugh at themselves. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe never. We just don't know what people have struggled with or are struggling with. 

I guess if the Redhead wants to tell the Redhead joke or the Jew, Postal Worker, Russian, Bowler, Tea Party member, or hundreds of other labeled groups, want to tell "their" jokes, then it is okay.

Laughter is good. I suppose to tell a joke there has to be someone to create the laugh moment. I just wish we could do it without the label being placed on the person.

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How do you make a Redhead laugh on Monday? Tell her a joke on Friday.

What do you call 100 redheads on the bottom of the ocean. A good start.

What do you call a fly in a Redhead's head? Space invader.

Why do Redhead's lunchboxes have clear lids? So they can tell if it's morning or afternoon.

Did you hear about the Redhead who wore two jackets when he painted his house? The instructions on the can said:"Put on two coats."

Why do Redheads laugh three times when they hear a joke? Once when it is told, once when it is explained, and once when they get it.

There was a Redhead that was late for work during a power outage because they got stuck on the escalator.

What is the first thing you should do if you find a Redhead buried up to their neck in concrete? Get more concrete.

Did you hear about the Redhead who was asked to be a Jehovah's Witness? She refused because she didn't see the accident.

Why do they bury Redheads 20 feet deep after they die? Because deep down they are really nice people.

and...this is but a few. Did you laugh? I hope so :O)

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Fresh Find: I like these painted rocks. This artist has a steady hand.

"... that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."  Ephesians 3:17-19 (NKJV)

Last evening I was leaving the Brew after a filming segment by a Lubbock TV station on our upcoming ARTWALK PLAINVIEW. (I chose to watch :O) As I drove east down 7th Street and came to a stop at the sign I looked up and there was the most amazing sky. It was a thick fog coming over just this area. I looked around and it was clearer everywhere else.

I grabbed for the trusty camera to get a shot of the colors forming before me. I was reminded that even when the "fog" of life comes over us and we face the battles, we can rest assured that they are already won.

The "fog" of life cannot cover the depth of God's love for us. He calls the color of our game of life.

Blessed!

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Fresh Find: I like this painting very much. i love the depth of colors with the simplistic detail. Focus in!

And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Matthew 13:4

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You know, I always say I'm a city girl. I don't know a thing really about country. When I read in Matthew about the farmer planting the seeds God shows me that I AM a farmer. I am a planter of seeds. What is hard is wanting to control the situation or the growth environment. Farmers can't control the weather, this is God's alone. All they can do is plant seed to the best of their ability and trust. It is the same for Christians. We must plant seeds and trust.

Some will be 'birds' and be fed.

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Fresh Find: These shrubs/beverages look amazing!

When people ask me what I do I typically say. "Nothing." I am blessed to have a flexible existence. To me what I "do" is try to keep up with the amazing journey that God is leading me on. I am led to action in the most unconventional ways. 

You can make fun of me for the green dot showing on-line on Facebook 24/7. You can say that I need to get a life. I will respond that I won't judge you for watching TV and movies if you don't judge me for having a Facebook ministry.

I have wonderful friends that God has placed in my life in this short time that I have here on earth and I am not going to underestimate God's power to use a social network tool to reach others. He has blessed me with so many new friends through Facebook that have blessed my life. 

Because of my love for graphic design, photography, and community partnerships, I spend a great amount of time in front of the PC. What a joy Facebook and the ministry it provides is in my life.

It is through the open heart that God reaches others.

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Fresh Find: I LOVE these leg boot cuffs!

Our Miss A had another winning day at her twirling contest. The first picture she is wearing her mother's first Barnyard Academy twirling recital costume. Mrs. G. O. Dickerson, of Plainview, whose daughter is my life-time friend, made her this costume. This costume is special for so many reasons!

Of course, I mostly love how much fun Miss A is having and I know all that the sport of baton twirling teaches!!!

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Miss D is trying to wait until she can compete but, she loves to march & twirl!

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Twirling friends getting their "stretches" on!

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I love this happy girl! She is a natural! Can you tell that she is tickled pink? So happy!

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Fresh Find: What an interesting ring. I love the halo!

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One of my favorite things to do is read and I love to share my love of reading by reading to and with children. I don't have the opportunity to share very often, mostly with the grand-sisters. I'm very thankful for my eyesight even though there are days it isn't great. I'm thankful for a mother who worked with me with reading inflection and a teacher who created a love for reading within me.

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Fresh Find: Loving the color on this handbag!

What a fun story about a great lady...who just happens to be our grand-sister's twirling coach. The Drum Major is a National/World publication for the sport of baton twirling. I have pieced together the portions about our long time friend, Vicki Ray. I hope you can read the small print and I apologize for the messiness of the layout but this is like a newspaper so it is hard to get pieces from it...AND it is not an online publication. A special friend honored ...

Anyway, we want to congratulate Vicki on her many years of coaching young people to success through baton twirling!!!

(click to open in a new page & easier to read)

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Fresh Find: Flip Fashion! Looks like a very fun book!!!

Today I had a doctor's appointment in Lubbock. I typically drive there & right back because the trip just wears me out. Today I had a huge Holy Spirit nudge to go see a high school friend in Tahoka. I was having a day of little energy but, I just felt so strongly that I needed to go say hi to her...so I did.

What a joy she is. We were not friends in school as we did not run around together. I did not "run around" really with anyone. I liked everyone though :O)

As we have grown in age and mostly in our faith we have become encouragers to each other. I love her gifts, talents, and love for the Lord.

Thank you God for allowing the blessing of Retha in my life. Neither of us wanted in the friends double selfie shot!!!

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Enjoyed driving around Tahoka. I had never been in their city.

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Fresh Find: What a fun vase!!!

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On being a redhead. I can honestly say that I was never sorry that I was born with red hair. So many have been bullied for their differences. I'm sure I was called names directed at my red hair but, I was also called names for wearing glasses and braces. I was called names for being short and poor, too. 

I guess you could say I was bullied but, I never took the insults to heart. God was there and at age seven I accepted his love and clung to him. He was my refuge. 

There are those who can't accept differences. I find we are all the same through God's enveloping love.

Matthew 10:30-33 says, And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

I find this an amazing promise. Through the years I have recognized my uniqueness and have actually embraced it to find a deeper compassion for ministry. God is good, he is so very good to me!

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Fresh Find: What am awesome little desk for a laptop!