When I was 16, my mother gave me a little princess ring. I thought she told me that her daddy gave it to her when she was 16, but I later found out that she bought it herself because my dad said she couldn't have it. So, she scrimped and saved until she was able to buy it for herself. I wore that ring every day until I gained weight and it would no longer fit my ring finger. I took it to Coins and Such (now Coins and Bullion) and had it cut down to fit my pinkie. Fast forward to my adult years. I was married and we had two sons. We lived in a house on a quiet street, except for the house next door. We befriended a teenager who lived in that house. They were renting the house and were always having fights over there. The young boy was always being mistreated, so my boys would ask him over to eat supper and play even though he was a few years older than they were. They had BB guns and would shoot targets in the backyard. They just happened to mention that I had a real gun - a snub-nosed 38 Smith and Wesson police special - that I kept in our bedroom. We would feed him most nights because he said his family wouldn't let him eat. I could hear them screaming at him, so we did our best to make him feel like somebody cared for him. A few times, he or his mother would come over and ask us to call the police to come break up a fight. That always made me very uncomfortable. One morning, I had left for work and my oldest son was getting ready for school. The boy came over and asked to use the phone. My son let him in and went to take a shower. The boy left, my son got his lunch money out of the jar I filled up every weekend with money for lunches and snacks for the entire week. We kept the jar beside the phone. My son locked the door and went to school. That afternoon, we noticed that our neighbors had moved out. We knew they were going to move; just not when. The boy told us that his brother had gotten out of jail and they would be moving to a trailer park on the beach. We went about our daily activities and started getting ready for bed. My husband went to bed without turning on the light in our bedroom. I followed a few minutes later and tripped over a bunch of clothes when I went to my side of the bed. I turned on the light and that's when we saw that our room had been ransacked. The curtain was almost pulled down, there were clothes all over the floor and my gun was gone. Our window was right next to their driveway, so they just blocked the view from the road with a truck while somebody climbed in our bedroom. I'm sure the reason the boy came over was so he could unlock our bedroom window. My husband called the police the next morning after I went to work. No need in losing sleep over it that night. We also noticed the jar of money was gone with four more days of lunch money in it and the only ring I had forgotten to wear the day before, my little princess ring. I had left it laying on the bathroom vanity. It was also gone. I tore that bathroom apart and even made my husband take the pea trap apart just in case it had been knocked down the drain. I dumped the cabinet drawers and searched through all the contents. It was nowhere to be found. I was heartbroken. I really loved that ring. I knew where the neighbors had moved to and told a friend at work who was in the Sheriff's Auxiliary what had happened. He set up a sting operation by getting an informer to go around in the trailer park trying to make friends with the family. He was hoping to get a glimpse of the gun, but he never really got close enough to be allowed inside. I found out that criminals actually have more rights than victims in a case like this. Even though we knew beyond a shadow of a doubt what happened, the police are not allowed to go question them. That is a violation of their rights. Fast forward several more years. I was sitting in a pew at church after practice for the production "The Promise." We were to perform in a few weeks at a local Theatre. Several of us were sitting around talking and somebody mentioned they had lost something and prayed for God to bring it back to them. I said "You know, I have a little princess ring that my mother gave me when I was 16. Several years ago, it was stolen from my house. I pray that God would take it off the hand of the person who has it and bring it back to me." They all agreed and we continued practicing. I went home that day and opened the drawer in the bathroom to get my makeup remover and there on top of my makeup was my little princess ring! I know you are probably saying it was there all the time, but I had dumped that drawer out several times since the ring was stolen. And why would it show up the same day we prayed if God hadn't answered my prayer? I believe that ring miraculously disappeared off someone's finger and reappeared in that drawer because God answers prayers and wanted to give me the desires of my heart. Now, it's the day my youngest son is about to get married. The bride needs "something borrowed", so I grab my little princess ring and carry it with me to the church. She was so excited to get to wear my ring. I really don't think she wanted to give it back, but she did. After she gave it back, I put it away for safe keeping and never wore it again. About a month ago, the Lord started prompting me to give the ring to my daughter-in-love. She was my first daughter by marriage and her daughter was my first granddaughter. It just seemed right to pass it on to her, but I couldn't remember where I stashed it for safe keeping. I looked and couldn't find it, so I dismissed the thought. A couple of weekends ago, my daughter-in-love wanted some "Mama time." It was Saturday morning and we were calling each other to see how far along we were progressing in getting us all ready for me to go pick them up and go to the Waffle House for breakfast. It takes at least an hour for my shower and hair fixing. I have to blow it dry and then straighten unless I just want to walk out the door with wet, curly hair. Before putting on my makeup, I started rearranging my jewelry basket. Right on the bottom of the basket was a little black pouch with the princess ring in it. So, I grabbed it and put it in my purse and then put my makeup on and headed to their house. During our very filling breakfast, I pulled out the ring and gave it to her. She was so excited. She had always loved that ring and it was special because she wore it on her wedding day. With her starting a new venture as a Mary Kay Consultant, I believe the Lord just wanted to bless her in some way and this seemed the perfect way to do it. That's why it appeared once again when I really wasn't searching for it. She called me a couple of nights later and asked me if this was the ring with the miracle story behind it. My son had told her the story of the ring and she thought that made it even more special. She told me she couldn't stop looking at the new ring on her finger and what it means; that we have a very special bond between us - brought together by A Loving Father God. She is not my daughter-in-law; she is my first daughter from a different mother, and she is now wearing a most amazing ring.

Thanks to Kim Stone

I had the most wonderful time this past Saturday hanging out with my photographer friend, Kim Stone of KimStonePhotography.com

I met Kim two and a half years ago on Facebook and saw the beautiful photographs that she had taken. I became a Friend. Her Water Shots photos captivated my interest. I decided to do something that I am not comfortable doing - being the model in front of the camera. I'm always the one behind the camera taking all the photos. It's been a hobby since I got my first Brownie camera in the 5th grade. That was a long time ago!

My 40th wedding anniversary was approaching and I thought water shots would be a great surprise for my husband. I contacted Kim and we set a date. I almost backed out; I was so nervous.

To show you how good God is, my sister-in-law "just happened" to be visiting from South Carolina and offered to go with me. I worked that morning and could not keep my mind on my work. All I could think about was the photo shoot and all the emotions I was experiencing - nervous, excited, scared, excited, terrified.... I picked up Robbie and we headed to Look and Tremble Rapids on the Chipola River.

The minute I met Kim, I knew I had found a friend. She made me feel so at ease. It took a couple of minutes for all the tension to melt away, then I began to have fun. When I was a teenager, I had dreamed of being a model; but I was way too short. I was plenty skinny enough, but was vertically challenged. That day with Kim, for just a few minutes, I realized my dream. And, I had a blast! We laughed and she got some really great shots. So many, in fact, that it was hard to choose just one to have enlarged and framed for my husband - so I chose two!

The hardest part for me was hiding the photos from my husband for three months before our anniversary. I don't like keeping secrets from him. I had told him Robbie and I were going to see a professional photographer work (which was true). I came home wet and told him I fell while walking in the water (also true). Ask Kim. My fall was hilarious. No, I didn't get hurt. I was trying to sit, missed the rock and sat right down in a hole. The whole idea behind water shots is to start out dry and work your way into getting completely wet. I was just getting there faster than planned.

On December 11, 2010, I presented Vance with the photos. He loved them! He hung one in the living room and one in our bedroom. For Christmas, I made him a calendar out of 12 more. He took it and hung it up at his job. He liked it so well that he brought it home the beginning of this year for me to put up for safe-keeping, because he didn't want to throw it away.

Since the day of the photo shoot, Kim and I have kept in touch on Facebook. Last week, I decided to buy a new camera and Kim suggested the best camera for what I had to spend - the Canon EOS Rebel 60d. I purchased it on Thursday and posted on Facebook that I was itching to get out Saturday and shoot. Kim contacted me and asked if I wanted to go to St. Joe and shoot a wedding with her. She didn't have to ask twice! I was so excited to get to see her at work and play with my new toy.

Saturday morning, I could hardly contain myself. I couldn't wait to get to St. Joe. Kim brought along a young lady named Camilla to help her. I was just there to play. It was great having three photographers working together. When I shoot a wedding, I'm usually the only photographer and it is so stressful. Believe me, I do a lot of praying. Having three people, we had everything covered.

Since I had just gotten my camera and hadn't had a chance to read the whole book or take any photos, it was such a blessing having someone like Kim to share her knowledge and show me how to work some of the settings.

Following Kim around was a dream come true. She is such a professional, but is so nice to others who want to take pictures. She is willing to help you get a shot and she is so inventive with her shots. And, she is so much fun! Her "through-the-window" shot rocked! I got a couple, but they were not nearly as good as hers. The best one is posted above. One reason, I don't know how to set the camera yet so that the window and the couple behind the window are both in focus. I will study up on that and try it out at a later date. (Hmmmm, now to find a door with a window to shoot through so I can practice.)

All in all, I had a fantastic time playing with Kim Stone on Saturday. I want to thank her for allowing me to tag along and try out my new camera and for showing me things I didn't know about it. She's a joy to be around and I was truly blessed being able to watch her work. And thank you, Kim, for suggesting the 60d. It is a great camera! I know I'm going to like it.

Last Day Off - Back to Work Tuesday

It sure has been fun being off for a few days. But, I don't think I could make a habit of it. I really love my job and the people I work with. It has been fun spending time with the family, but tomorrow is back to normal once again.

My youngest son woke up this morning and could not turn his neck. If you are reading this and pray, please pray for his healing. When I went over to check on him tonight, he was sitting up in bed and that's the only way he can get even a little relief.

My oldest son has been trying to figure out a way to come over and pick up a free car from our house. Didn't know it was going to be such a hardship to give away a car. With all government offices closed today, that just added to the problem.

Watching Joel Osteen on TBN and he's talking about speaking positive things over our lives. When we speak negative things, we get negative results. When we speak positive things, we get positive things. For those of you who are following my blog because we are in the same weight-loss group, start speaking over yourself that you are going to lose weight, you will get healthy and fit, you will get out of debt this year. Quit speaking death over yourself with words like: I will never lose this weight. I will never get healthy. I will never get these bills paid, etc. Remember that life and death are in the power of the tongue. You become what your words say you are.

Okay, gonna cut this short tonight since I have to go to work tomorrow and it's 11:30. I want to watch Perry Stone and then get to bed.

May God bless and keep you all.

Beautiful Day Today

Took my last day of vacation today. Slept till 9:45 when Trent called to ask if he and Hope can spend the night Saturday night. You bet! Love having them come over. They are such good kids.

Got up and made my shake and sat down to watch a movie. I don't know what it was called, but it was about a high school Science class of misfits who developed a solar-powered car called The Cockroach. Halie Berry was the Science teacher and Jim Baluche was the shop teacher. It was a great movie based on a true story. Really enjoyed it.

Chad came over to get some tools to work on Tabitha's car. For some reason, Docker will not go into the garage. He wanted to play with Chad so bad, but he'd take his toy to the door, but would not go in. Since he is a throw-away dog, I figure whoever threw him away used to lock him in a garage. Why do people mistreat animals? I just cannot understand it. The picture is Docker the day we got him last year.

Heard on the news that K-Mart in Callaway was going to close, so I decided to go there and see if there was any after-Christmas sales going on. Walked in and spotted a long coat at 60% off. At the original price, I never would have bought it even though it was exactly the coat I've been looking for - long, light weight with a hood. I got it for $25.00! I was so excited. I do not like to shop, so I hardly ever come across good deals like that. Still can't find any dark brown jeans in my size. I have to have petite and the ones that I find would have to be cut off and I don't like to cut pants off. Never can seem to get both legs the same length when I re-hem. I asked the cashier if she would be able to get transferred to Sears when the store closes and she said that Sears already had too many workers. Please pray for all the employees of the K-Mart's that will be closing that they will be able to find new jobs.

Went to Beall's next door and still couldn't find any brown jeans. Bought one small item and when I got to the cashier, she asked if I had their discount card. I told her that I hardly ever came in to shop, so she said she would give me the discount anyway. I call that the favor of God.

Went and spent some time with my Dad. He is still so miserable about losing Tiger. He's not sleeping at night, because he said he keeps waiting for Tiger to come in and sleep on his bed. He has called the Sheriff's office and believes he knows who shot Tiger. I told him I would get him a kitten or cat if he wanted one, but he says he will never want another animal. I told him to never say never. He needs an animal to keep him company.

Got on the scale today and I've lost a total of 9.5 lbs. so far. I could tell when I put on a shirt today that had been really tight the last time I wore it. It's not tight anymore. And I feel great. Came home and threw out all the rest of the sweet cakes and candy we had left over from Christmas. No temptation means greater weight loss.

The Saga Continues

With everybody on vacation, it's really slow at work. I got caught up on some filing. I did remember to bring my shake fixins today; so around 1:00, I got out my smoothie blender and mixed everything up. You are supposed to keep it on the low setting as you flip the spigot to pour out your smoothie. Can't get it all out, so I turned the pitcher up over my glass and poured the rest into the cup. I use a plastic cup that has a lid and straw and a scripture verse "Taste and see that the Lord is good" on it. As I was putting the pitcher back, I noticed black stuff leaking out of the bottom. It was oil. I had blown up my blender! In the garbage it went. I wiped up all the oil and cleaned off my desk, checking my clothes to make sure none had dripped on me. Nope, my clothes were clean. I took a big sip of my shake and swallowed. It was then that I tasted oil. Yuck! Yuck! Yuck! I guess when I poured the last little bit into the cup, some of the oil dripped into it and I didn't notice it. Or, it might have gotten into the blender from the blade when it blew up. What a horrible taste! I wanted to wash my mouth out with soap, but refrained. The only kind of soap we had in the bathroom was the kind that has grit in it. I sure didn't want that taste in my mouth. So, I just drank a bottle of water and got some chewing gum to cover the taste. No lunch for me today! I didn't think anything would taste good after that experience. Just couldn't help but laugh. I know God is looking down on me saying "Yep, that's my little girl. She will laugh about anything." Better to laugh than cry, I always say.

Report on my weight-loss: I've lost 7 lbs. so far since the beginning of November, even going through Thanksgiving and Christmas. So excited and I feel great.

Talked to Daddy today. He didn't sleep last night thinking about Tiger. I feel so sorry for him. When he's ready, I will get him another cat or kitten - whichever one he wants.

Went with a group from church to the mall tonight to see the movie "Courageous". It was so good! I think it should be a required movie for all young boys before they grow up and become fathers. Glad I got a napkin when I got some popcorn, cause I laughed and cried several times during the movie. If you haven't seen it, go see it or buy a copy of it when it comes out. Show it to your teenage sons and your husband. If you are planning to marry and have children, show it to your boyfriend. If he doesn't like the movie, you better think twice before you have children with him; because he will probably not be a good father. Just saying.

I'm off work until next Tuesday. Hoping I can get the Christmas decorations put up and work on our spare bedroom that I want to make into a walk-in closet/storage area. I can't even get in there to find old pictures that I want to scan. They are in a huge container against the far wall. Would love to put up shelves in there and rods to hang clothes on. I've just got to get stuff out that I don't need anymore. It's time to do some early spring cleaning especially since it feels like spring outside.

Such a Sad Day

Stayed up really late last night working on my blog. Hard to get up this morning, but managed to get up in time to make my shake, get ready and head off to work. All was well until I pulled out my bag to make my shake for lunch. I had forgotten to pack my shake mix. (I mix ahead of time all that goes into my shake so I don't have to carry around the big containers.) There is an Herbalife Cafe just a few blocks away from work, so I thought I'd go there and get a shake. Well, they were closed for the holidays. I ended up at McDonald's and got a grilled chicken sandwich, fries and sweet tea. I told you stress works on my appetite.

Drove down to the city marina and ate most of the fries, but only half of the sandwich while watching the seagulls flying around. Should have given them the fries and eaten the sandwich myself.

Around 2:30, my dad called and said his cat had been stabbed and needed to go to the vet. I called three vets near his house only to be told that they were closed on Wednesday afternoon. The fourth vet couldn't see him, but gave me numbers of three other vets. The first number was my own vet, so I called them and they were able to see us. I got a box from work and went to my dad's. It was easy to get Tiger in the box, but had to really tape it up to keep him in.

The vet shaved the area and found out that Tiger had been shot. Did x-rays and found the pellet from a pellet gun on the opposite side of the wound, meaning it had probably gone through vital organs. All they could do would be to put him on an IV overnight of strong antibiotics and do exploratory surgery tomorrow with no guarantee that he would survive. My dad lives on social security, but would have spent his last dollar to save his "little boy." He asked the vet to be very honest with him and she (in a round about way) told him she wasn't sure Tiger would make it overnight. He made the decision to have him put down. The vet, her assistant, the receptionist and I bawled. They were so kind. We said our goodbyes and they took him in another room, then brought him out to us in a cardboard coffin.

We took him to my house and my sweet husband buried him, while I took my dad home. He was so sad and said he felt like he'd just lost everything. That cat gave my dad so much pleasure. Daddy suffers from gout and he'd say "Tiger, my foot hurts." Tiger would lay down beside his foot and rub his head on the foot like he was massaging it. Then, he would turn to the other foot and do the same. He was such a smart cat. Daddy would tell him that I was coming over and Tiger would go out on the porch and wait for me. Such a sweetheart. We are really going to miss him so much.

When I got home from church, I ate too much and even had a piece of cake. I hate that I drown my sorrow with food! But, tomorrow is another day and I can start over again with my shakes and get back on track! I CAN DO THIS WITH GOD'S HELP!

Let the Weight Loss Begin! Again.....

Now that the "eating" holidays are over, it's time to get serious about weight loss again. The beginning of November 2011, I weighed 215 lbs. I'm 5'3" tall and should weigh below 135 lbs. But, five years ago, I got down to 140 lbs. and people were telling me I needed to gain weight because I was too skinny. Even though I'm petite in stature, I'm fairly big boned and have always been pretty solid in the muscle department. I will be 60 in three months, so I don't really care to look like a super model, just get healthy. My blood pressure was getting a bit on the high side and my sugar was about to step over into the diabetes category. I sure don't want to be labeled with high blood pressure and diabetes.

In November, I joined a group of close friends and we started on Herbalife. I love the shakes. I drink one for breakfast and one for lunch and try to eat a small meal at night. I really have trouble remembering to snack between meals. Before I started Herbalife, I didn't usually eat anything until lunch time. I am just not that hungry during the day. Now, if I'm upset about something, I do want to eat more at night. And, it's usually something like ice cream or cookies.

Since starting Herbalife, I have dropped down to 208 lbs. and that's even with Thanksgiving and Christmas mixed in. So, I guess I'm not doing too bad; but I want to get serious and get more weight off before February. My niece gets married in February and I'm supposed to photograph her wedding. I need to be able to move around and get up and down without someone following me around to help me to my feet. I haven't enjoyed photographing events since I've gained all this weight. I did a couple of weddings earlier in the year and it was really very tiring and very hard to squat down and get up without help. I'm already feeling more energized since going on Herbalife and it's fun having friends to talk to about my struggles.

God bless all of you who are planning to lose weight and get healthy again.

In the Right Place at the Right Time

Thursday morning, a co-worker's 15 year old daughter's suicide note was found and it said that she was going to a local lake to commit suicide. Kim called me to let me know and I rushed down to her office. She and I and another co-worker, Beth, went into the bathroom to pray. Because I have known the parents since about 1990, I just felt that I had to go to the lake and give my support as the police were combing the area for her body.

I jumped in my car (around 10:20a.m.)and took off, arriving at the landing to see the rescue efforts in full swing. There was a helicopter flying overhead and divers in a boat on the lake using sonar to try and find a body. I found the father and hugged him and told him we were all praying for his daughter to be found alive. It was so cold and the wind was blowing hard.

The longer we watched, the more I felt that she was not there. I can't explain how strong the feeling was in my heart that she just was not in that water. Another co-worker, Laura, had the same feeling I did. It had been raining the night before and it was cold. She would have had to walk 15-30 minutes to get to the landing from her home. She had said she was going to take pills and swim out and drown. It just did not seem right. I asked her brother if the police had checked out the area south of their home and he said that the police just came directly to the landing because that's where her note said she was going. I kept saying "We need to go look closer to the house." Teresa said "Let's go!" Paul, Teresa, the brother and I jumped in Paul's vehicle and took off towards the house. We went to another landing and started looking in the water. I started walking up the road and went into the woods. Teresa and the brother walked towards his house. Paul went in another direction. I found an open field with a lot of brush and a creek or big drainage ditch running through it, so I walked all through it looking in culverts and under bushes and in the water. I walked and prayed "Lord, please don't let me find her body. Please let us find her alive." I saw Paul drive by and thought I was going to have to walk back to the landing to get my car, but he saw me and turned around and picked me up.

We went to the house and the mother grabbed me and hugged me and just held on for dear life. It was so good seeing her, but not under those circumstances. She had been checking her daughter's computer and found the last entry to a boy on Facebook. Teresa said we needed to go knock on his door. He had already been questioned by the police and said he didn't know where she was. He was at school and his parents were at work, but we decided to go check out the house. Teresa just had a feeling like I had earlier that she was at that house or they knew where she was.

Paul was driving and Teresa was ready to get there and told him if he didn't step on it she was going to drive. Because of what happened to another friend of mine a few months ago when her daughter was missing, I knew that the kids would hide her and lie for her if she was still alive. We found the road that the house was on and we were driving around a circle looking for the house when we saw a girl drive up to a house, get out and head to an open door. It was the house we were looking for. There wasn't supposed to be anybody home, remember? Paul drove past and turned around. He was ready to go knock on the door, but Teresa and I told him to stop about four doors down and just watch and wait. Paul said "I didn't know I was with Starsky and Hutch. What do you two do? Watch cop shows all the time?" I don't know about Teresa, but I do. We knew that she would hide or run out the back and we'd never find her if we knocked on the door asking questions. We couldn't just barge into the house and search for her, so the best thing to do was wait and see. It seemed like forever, but it was probably only about 10 minutes.

Paul had noticed that the car was from out of state, so we decided to get closer and get the tag number. (I had left my camera in my car back at the landing. When I needed it the most, I didn't have it with me! I could have just zoomed in on the tag and we wouldn't have had to move.) As we got close to the car, two girls walked out the door. One was the girl we were searching for! Praise the Lord, she was alive! I noticed that she was carrying a blue duffle bag. Teresa was so excited, she couldn't dial her phone to let the father know we had found her. We circled around and came up behind the car and followed them to a stop sign. Teresa and I both yelled "Go around and block her! We've got to stop them!" Paul was amazing as he whipped that vehicle around and slammed on brakes in front of them. As soon as he stopped, all three of us jumped out and ran to their car. They knew they had been caught. (I have always wanted to be a cop; and when we jumped out of that car, I could just see myself in a police uniform. I can cross that off my bucket list - cop for a day.)

Teresa finally got in touch with the father and he told the police that we had found her. They didn't believe her at first, but when she said she had her arm around the girl and positively ID'd her, they finally believed her. We waited until four policemen arrived to take over custody of the girl. We went back to the landing to get my car and talk to the dad. As we got there, the Search and Rescue dog handlers were leaving with their dogs. This was a full-fledged search effort and the police, fire department, K-9 search and rescue people deserve to be commended for their hard work.

I left the lake and broke down and cried all the way to McDonald's and then again when I got to the office. Giving thanks to God that we found her alive.

All of us agree on one thing: God orchestrated this whole thing. Had we been a few minutes earlier, we would have knocked on the door and never found her. She would not have answered the door, so we would have kept looking for her. Had we been just a few minutes later, they would have been on their way out of town and the family would still be looking for a body. We give Him all the glory for the way this turned out. We just listened with our hearts and did what He led us to do. Now, we just pray that she gets the help she needs and will turn her life around and live a long and prosperous life. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

Hutch signing off.....

We decided that Teresa was Starsky, I was Hutch and Paul is McGruff the Crime Dog.