CTL 2015.......

Memorial Day weekend 2015 has come and gone.  This always makes me sad.  While it marks the beginning of summer for most...for our family it means our annual Carry the Load walk.  

This is our 4th year to pack our gear and head out to Reverchon Park with thousand of other to remember our fallen...that is why we have Memorial Day.

If you live in the metroplex unless you have been in a coma you know that we have been deluged with more than abundant torrential rain.  A little is good...the lakes are now full and the 4 year draught is over.  What we have seen has been unheard of.  With 7 day a week rainfall for weeks before this planned event we prepared for the worst...and that is what we got.  

MUD, MUD, and more MUD.

 The mama Shubzda, who must have been a boy scout in a former life, packed the big blue plastic tarp and at least under our tent we were mud free.  

The most important article of clothing....rubber boots!

Somehow it did not diminish the crowd or dampen the spirits of all who come out annually to walk.  I am pretty sure that those we honor do not get to stay home in wartime if the weather is bad....and so we all show up.

Tim mustered his JCP team and they spent the weekend entertaining children with rafts and games.  

We recruited family and they all showed up....with umbrellas and smiles.

Opening ceremonies began with those that had made the 200 mile trek from West point to Dallas.  Yes, these men and women walked the route and arrived in Dallas to kick off the event at 4pm on Sunday. 

What shear guts and determination it must take for these veterans to keep going when so many others would quit.

This year in addition to Matt I carried a college friend who died in Viet Nam. Lou Breuer was a super star.  A graduate of Richardson High, he went on to play football at Texas Tech.  Sadly on a mission in Anh Hoc his helicopter was shot down and he became a statistic.  This weekend his story went along the trail with me.  There a so many heroes who stories have been forgotten.

At exactly 4 pm the clouds broke and the sun shone through.  It was as if God was waiting for the perfect moment to remind us that He is always in control.

When you actually see the number of casualties represented in flags it is overwhelming. 

So many lives lost.  So many families suffering.  So many young men and women who will never know their full potential.  

So much heartache.

And that is why we walk.

Our family was awesome.  

No one complained about crawling out of bed on a holiday morning.

We are TEAM TOUGH.

As a family we have battled the death of a child, divorce, cancer, the death of spouses, and other countless burdens.....but we are strong.  

I so appreciate the support.

My family means the world to me.

Team TOGETHER (Mandy's family) joined us for a final food and beverage moment before we took the final march down the hill.

TEAM TOUGH you amaze me.

Memorial Day weekend was incredible.

God is good.  

The rain stopped for 24 hours so we could honor our fallen.

My grandchildren know what the day means.

I am a proud person.

Grateful......

It is almost Memorial Day Weekend.  

That fact is very apparent if you drop into Target, Walmart, Kroger, or anywhere else.

Check out the newspapers....want to buy something on sale?

Ready, set, go!

From cars to underware, shop this weekend. Everything is at "rock bottom prices".

 I am the consummate sale shopper.  

Tack that magic word on anything and I will buy it...needed or not.

Not this weekend!

Memorial Day took on a new meaning in 2003, the first holiday that the real meaning of this day struck home with us.

Memorial Day is meant as a day to remember and honor those who have lost their lives in service to our country.  In 2003 that was my son...not some stranger but MY son who was no longer here to celebrate with us.  

We still had the weekend at the lake, hot dogs, beer, and family but it just was not the same.

Then in 2011 things changed.  "CARRY THE LOAD" was born.  Established by two of Matt and Tim's best friends from the Academy, a 20 hour period was blocked off for those who are willing to give up the beer and hot dogs and spend their time walking and "carrying" the memory of lost loved ones, friends, and even strangers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

I am proud.  This year we will be there...we will always be there because it matters.  

I am also proud that my grandchildren are learning about why we have Memorial Day.

I am proud of Brooklynn who on her own, took her reading money and gave it to Carry the Load.  

It is a family affair and when I look at the time and effort that is put in to prepare for all of us to devote this weekend as we do, I am reminded that Matt's life matters.  What he did is not lost in a scrapbook.
We know....and we remember.

Packed and Ready???.....

 I am packed but just not quite so sure I am ready.

I am headed out for three days to pretty much the unknown with about 40 ladies from church.  Some I know well, some not at all.  We are going on an ACTS retreat.
The letters stand for Adoration, Community, Theology. and Service.
I have heard about this retreat and have been asked to attend for years but the time has just never seemed right.  Tonight I am off.....
clothes, pillows, sheets, my bible, another book, and a flashlight.
Of course, the usual toiletries, a towel and washcloth....
BUT
No phone and no alarm clock.  

That is a big YIKES to me.  

My phone is an extension of my body.  Don't look at me like that.  Yours probably is too.

We are not tethered to a phone on a curly cord attached to a wall anymore.  A phone goes where we go...we do not leave home without it.  I am fine leaving it in my purse, and I leave it in the car during church but to leave it for three days.....is scary.

I have no idea what to expect.  I have heard they feed you well and if you go you will never regret it.  Had I known about the phone before hand I amy have thought about this more carefully.  BUT, I have paid my money so I am going to commit.  

If I can be phone free for three days I will be a changed person.

Oh goodness I am worried!

Yes, Please!!!......

I have about ten posts going on in my head...and none on a blog.  It is the end of my busy season.  I am wondering if this is how the tax man feels on April 15th.  A sense of relief, maybe sadness after coming out from under stacks of paperwork???

It is the end of things for all of the things I love to do,  until next August...except for Meals on Wheels that is.

And on that note just let me say that we made a trip to Eddie Deans Ranch for a volunteer luncheon this week.  It was a nice day.  It amazes me how MANY people give up a morning to get 4200 meals a day out to senior citizens who cannot manage on their own.  I have been at this for two years.  I am just beginning. I sat by an elderly lady (86 to be exact) who has carried meals to clients for 33 years.  That is dedication, incredible dedication.  

It takes a village to keep a community running.  I never realized how many options there were for volunteer opportunities.  My dad was the best.  There was always time on his calendar to give.  I remember it well.  I just never realized why he did it.  I know now, and what I do is so minimal.  To see the enthusiasm and love for stewardship in these people is inspirational.

I am blessed to have been able to retire, be healthy, and have time to be involved.
The benefit...having met so many great people who inspire me to continue.  The whole experience has opened doors to things and places that I never knew existed.  I have grown...in a good way.
I hope I have years to go, the rewards are great.

Nightmare on Elm Street!........

There is probably nothing that can be said about this that has not already been said in a hundred different ways.  Swimsuit shopping is a nightmare for anyone over 50....maybe even 40.

 I took on the task today.  I don't really need a suit.  I have several because if you hang out at the lake and have a pool in your backyard it is a must.  But...I needed a new and more proper one.  I am going on a trip with about 30 people from church, including our assistant pastor.  We are headed to the Holy Land and on the agenda is a swim in the Dead Sea.  From all that I have heard this is pretty much the same a swimming in a pool of pure mud and it takes several showers to rid yourself of the filth once you get out.  So here is the point...once you get in you are so covered that there is no one that is going to see anything but your head.  You do, however, have to get from the bus to the Dead Sea in some sort of swimwear and therein lies the problem.

Who is in charge of designing swimwear for the elderly?  It is absurd.  

There is money to be made here for anyone that understands the problems that we face.  

I am not vain.  I got over that when I lost my second front tooth a week ago.  I do have sagging bosoms, abundant cellulite, and like everyone else in our age bracket I have love handles and stomach fat.  Back fat?  Varicose veins?  Check!  Please help!

What did I settle on?  A skirt that hits mid thigh and has a secretly slimming tummy panel...NOT!

That would take more elastic than the law would allow, but the tag says it works.  For a top...I selected two.  Neither is a really good choice.  No upper body support in either and all of us know that it takes underwire support to keep the "girls" aimed in the direction they belong.  None present in these tops.  Just hoping they will stay put for a dip in the mud.

I am disheartened and bit depressed.  This was not a cheap shopping trip. I made do with a less than appealing choice for my less than appealing body.  I am going with this in my suitcase but I am seriously considering yoga pants and a tank top.  I think that it is a far better idea.

May Day........

HELLO MAY!!!!

It is May 1st!

It is 72 degrees outside, the sky is clear, the birds are singing, there is no humidity, and I am in May Day heaven.

 There are 244 days remaining in this year.  I wish that there would be about 40 days in a row with weather just like today.  Sadly, we are in Texas.  By June 1st I am sorry to say we will see humidity and heat and I will not be able to sit here and watch Shark Tank with the back door wide open.

But, not so for today!

I am going to milk every minute out of this May 1st.

 I spent the morning with a cup of coffee on the patio, the afternoon working in my flower beds....

And I think now before darkness sets in I will put on the tennis shoes and go for a walk!

It's May Day....

Celebrate the HAPPY!!!!

Weekly Report......

My family (i.e. Sara and Jimmy) took off early Monday morning for a little "cruise" on this very big ship!  I am totally opposed to traveling on one of these boats.  

A boat on the lake...of course!

A ship on the ocean...ummm NO!

I will not subject myself to any nano virus or stranded ocean liner, even if the trip free.

So...they took off for their vacation and I looked forward to mine, at home alone!

First planned activity..order new Yellow Box from Belk's.  It was time for their annual sale and the dozen pairs of flip flops I accidentally ordered over two years ago have seen better days.  

This time no mistakes.  Proper color, proper size, and just in time for summer.

 Next activity, totally unanticipated and unwanted....

a broken tooth.

Hidden inside this green box and nothing I want to share publicly is my front tooth that broke off at the gum line.

  NOT PRETTY!

It simply snapped when I opened a bag of M & M's with my front teeth.  I didn't even lie to my dentist.  Up front and truthful, he did not even question me.  He did question how a paper bag of chocolate could cause $3875 worth of damage.
Me too!!!

Consequently, and sadly I spent about five hours of my vacation visiting two different dentists and it is not even fixed.  That is another story for next Wednesday and I just cannot wait. :(

 What else did I do for five days?

I watched it rain.  That enabled me to sleep late and clean more than I really wanted to.  

 I couldn't even plant the flowers that were part of the plan...

way too wet to dig in the dirt!

So I have about 24 hours left.

I am tired of eating alone.  I need someone to talk to, and as much as I like this big ugly dog he does not respond to much but food.

It is time for my family to come home....

We are lonely!!!

My Big Weekend.......

I have come to the conclusion that I must have lead a very sheltered life for the last 66 years because

I can get very exited about getting out of the house even if it is only as far as the Irving Convention Center!

I gladly accepted an invitation to attend the Bishops Pro Life Dinner and I thought I was going to the prom!  How many times do we get the opportunity to drag out the "bling" and act like we are somebody special???

For me, not so often!!!

 Fine wine...

 Super salad....

 And an entree and dessert that I just had to take a picture of....

Never without a camera of course!!

It was fun, great friends, wonderful entertainment, personal time for me (a rarity at best) and an awesome cause to support.  

Sometimes I am amazed by the blessings that fall in my lap.

In bed WAY late and up very early because Sunday morning my precious second graders made their first communion.

It has been such an honor to be with these children each week to lead them in the way of Jesus.

In all honesty, my own kids learned nothing in CCD...nothing they can begin to recall at least.

It matters.  If these kids are going to be part of the church they need to get it....they need to know why the church believes what they do and what the sacraments mean.  

These children make me smile. 

 This is what heaven will look like...a mini United Nations.  They are black, white, Asian, and bi-racial and they truly do not notice the difference.  It is beautiful....and they are beautiful.

They woke up this morning ready to receive Jesus...

White dresses, beautiful veils, and prayer hands....

and a teacher with big old tears!

I am in love.

I am in love with the fact that I have been given the opportunities that have come my way.

I am having one of those looking back days, and for all the days that I have wondered what God's plan for me was, this weekend I found some answers.  It is to take advantage of each and every chance I have been given and be thankful for all of them.
Sometimes it is a big slap in the face and when you wake up you know how beautiful everything is.
"How great are your works Lord!
How profound Your purpose!"
Psalm 92:6

Easter Shubzda Style.....

For the first time in two years we all gathered to celebrate...

Easter!!!!

 And new babies...

and babies arriving soon!

 Our family is fun and growing and being together makes me smile...

ALWAYS!!!

 

 There is the annual egg hunt which always leaves the adults wondering why we are not included in the festivities.

There was real money in some of those eggs!

 The McCauley girls

 The Shubzdas

 The soon to be one more Bergesons

 The Davis, Wheeler, Perry clan

 And everyone!

If you think gathering 27 people together that will look at the camera is easy well, I can assure you it is not!

Easter 2015 is in the books and it was a HUGE success!