Visit from V

My V came to visit me. I haven't posted as many pictures lately because I lost my phone-AGAIN-the second one so far- and I don't have any way to take or post pictures. So anytime I have a visitor I try to always make it a point to have them take photos that I can share. It was a good visit. I miss my sweet V. She moved out a little over a month ago and I have not gotten to visit with her much at all. Tony fixed us a nice steak dinner and then we goofed off a while.

Libra

If you’re born between the 24^th September and 3^rd October you are a true diehard Libran with the quality of Venus fully dominating your life.  You are artistic, caring, full of love and social warmth with many friends, but perhaps too many even for you at times.

The junction point of two star signs is called the cusp.  This is a change over period when those born in this interval, in your case between the 21st and 29th of September, will partake of some of the characteristics of the previous star sign, namely Virgo. The combined influence of the two ruling planets that is Venus the ruler of Libra and Mercury, the ruler of Virgo endow you with a very quick and analytical mind.  You have an extended awareness and can apply this to both practical matters as well as spiritual insights as well. Because you are such a rational person you take on the critical aspects of Virgo and can sometimes be extremely difficult to deal with.  Your mind is in hyper mode much of the time and this can tire you out as well as get people off side. Relationships are to be felt and ideas are there to be thought about.  Try switching these around although it’s not a bad idea to keep a balance of these other areas of your life and by doing so the Virgo - Libra combination will serve you well. An important point I should make is that Virgo being the sign of health and Libra being the sign of sociability, one may affect the other.  Living life too hard, on the razors edge is not a good thing for you.  If you are as aware as what I’ve indicated, it will start to make sense when you’re not living in harmony with what nature has intended. You have a mixture of emotion and mentality and at times when you oscillate between the two.  You try to make decisions with your feelings and try to analyse emotional relationships with your mind.  Don’t you think this is back to front Libra? Your bodily signals will be quite clearly pronounced and you should listen to what these signals are telling you.  Try to keep balance on your mind, don’t let the critical side of Virgo overtake your sensibilities and be gentle on yourself because Virgo can be their own worst self critics.  Love yourself Libra!

Modality: Cardinal Element: Air Ruler: Venus Season: Fall 7th Sign of Zodiac

Metal: Copper Stone: Diamond, Quartz, Marble Color: Pastel Green Anatomy: Kidneys

Keywords: just, sociable, refined, accommodating, kind, fair, diplomatic, likable, indecisive, respectful, artistic

My Hippie Henley

My sweet little grandson is 5 months old. 

He is such a chunk monkey.

This Mimi got some great lovings today. 

Happy Saint Patrick's Day~2014

Wonderful Ice Cold Day

Brrrrrrr

I hate to complain. I just cannot wait for Spring. It keeps sneaking in and then disappearing again. It does this over and over and over. It makes it hard  to adjust. The cold just seems colder after a nice warm day. Today had a sweet bonus though. I had a bit of reward for braving the cold. Here they are.

Me and Bony March 16, 2014

Farmer's Market

Stuart, Va

Blustery Windsday!

Every time the wind blows like it is tonight it reminds of Winnie the Pooh. This captured me today.

Hum dum dum ditty dum Hum dum dee

Oh the wind is lashing lustily And the trees are thrashing thrustily And the leaves are rustling gustily So it's rather safe to say

That it seems that it may turn out to be It feels that it will undoubtedly It looks like a rather blustery day, today It sounds that it may turn out to be Feels that it will undoubtedly Looks like a rather blustery day

Oh I know today is Windsday And this is how I know It is always on a Windsday That the winds begin to blow

(Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr)

Oh the wind is lashing lustily And the trees are thrashing thrustily And the leaves are rustling gustily So it is rather safe to say

That it seems that it may turn out to be It feels that it will undoubtedly It looks like a rather blustery day, today It sounds that it may turn out to be Feels that it will undoubtedly Looks like a rather blustery day

Repeated Titles

Once again I approach the subject of me repeating myself. If I were to have truly titled today's post it would have been, "Dazed and Confused." But, alas, somehow, I know I've done that before. Maybe I've been here before. Man, that is a scary thought.

I feel the spring coming on. I've been incredibly up. I've been having fun, enjoying myself, my friends, life and laughing and dancing harder than ever. I wonder if the lows are worth the highs I get to experience. Some people just don't know how to get there. I feel for them.

I've set goals for myself. One of them of course is my weight. I go for 10 pound increments. I'm down around 30 pounds from 2013. I've finally hit a low for me since 2010. I am sticking to my diet quite well and feeling it. That is the amazing thing. How much better I feel when I am sugar and carbohydrate free. The goal is to stay free and prayerfully this amazing energy and crazy spirit I have will endure the days to come.

It's sad to admit it but weight brings depression, depression brings out a me that I have been most of my life.. a me that I do not like.

Another goal is to spring clean my entire house. Several rooms are complete, I have several to go, plus the basement. But I can't wait to be done with this one. I keep telling myself slow and steady wins the race.

I'm working, and aging, and trying to hang on to any bit of youth that I can. I want to grow old feeling and looking as young as I can at whatever age I am. I feel this way, I take away the power of age, and step into the important, VERY IMPORTANT, task of enjoying this life.

Some call it selfishness. I question and wonder if I am. Selfish is such a harsh word. In a world where we are taught to be selfless. There again I must bring myself back to balance. You can lose yourself in being selfless. I think it's very important to know who you are and not be afraid of changing into who you need to become, who you are inside, the person you've hidden for so long. It's is a stifling life to say the least, and releasing the inner you is so freeing.

Peace, love, happiness, smiles, dances, and laughter. Things that bring joy to your spirit.

More goals. I wanna hoop. That is no secret. I  need to get a good hoop and do the dvds I have sitting on my shelf.

More exercise. Walking/running. I miss my times with the Lord.

Strength. Let me draw the strength I need to be myself.

New love for March: Patchouli

Ha!

Did I leave you dazed and confused? Or did I make perfect sense?

March 2014

I wonder if every year at this time I feel the exact same way. I think so. I think that each year as a new season approaches I long for it. I get impatient. We are at the end of a long cold winter and I am more than ready for change. I long for the warmth of spring, the beautiful flowers, the birds and the bees. I definitely feel as though I repeat myself a LOT. But I guess that is okay. This blog is for me, for me and my family. I'm sure repetitiveness can be over looked.

Come on spring....come on....

Peace

I have peace.

February

Really?

I can't believe January is gone.

Time really does fly.

Today was a beautiful day. I was very thankful for the warm sunshine, a short day at work, and a lunch date with my sister. Then I came home to Meadow and her friends-which always makes me smile, some of my best childhood memories are from my friends and cousins. On top of all of that, I spent the afternoon in the bed, cuddling, lazing, talking, and just spending quality-loving time with husband. It was a wonderful Saturday.

A wonderful first warm day of February for 2014.

Thanks Lord.......

Going Private For a While

I am going to make a change on my blog. I'm going to go private. If you want to continue to read send me an e-mail at  jb25853@email.vccs.edu  and I will add you. I'm going soon. Not sure how long I'll stay that way but it may be a long while, it may even be permanent. So if you want to continue to read let me know. Thanks ~ Jenileigh

Pasta Night

These were a gift to myself. I had been wanting pasta dishes for so long and found them on clearance! There was no way I could pass these up. Somehow they just make spaghetti taste better!

Another Cake Date

These are pictures of our cake date. My best friend Melanie, my oldest daughter Heaven, and my newest grandson Henley took off to Greenboro to one of our absolute favorite dessert shops called Maxie B's. We laughed all the way there and home again. We sampled the finest of cakes and found some we absolutely loved and some that we could do without. We lounged on their couches next to cozy fireplace with double couches facing each other. A much needed girls night out.

Heaven, me, Henley, Melanie

 7 up cake-divine

 Banana Pudding Cake- delicious

 Our favorite spot in front of the fireplace. So cozy.

Mocha Buttercream-oh my goodness. 

Pink Lemonade with Lemon Buttercream. Eh- good but not my favorite.

The Outside of Maxie B's. Doesn't it look so romantic?

Fresh Strawberry Buttercream. Worth driving 1.5 hours.

Lemon cake with Almond Buttercream. This one blew my mind. You just don't expect it to be this good!

This was Thursday night. A midweek cake date for the girls. Can't wait until next time! 

Enduring the Cold

What a lesson there is in that title.

The cold settles in and stays for a while when it comes. It lasts for it's season.

There are many good things about the cold. It certainly makes you appreciate the warm. It gives you excuses to cuddle with your children, your hubby and your doggies. I love that my doggies sleep with me. Foot warmers they definitely are. I've been thanking God today for the little things. Like gloves, and blankets, our home and gas logs. He is so good to me.

My precious daddy came by this morning for a visit and some warm coffee. He's so full of love. Our relationship with him has grown over the years, the appreciation for one another, time revealing that we stick together. He loves my dear husband Tony. I'm thankful that he is a loving, positive father figure for my husband - who lost his own father in 1994. He was not close to his own father and it means a lot to me that he has formed a bond with my own.

The bad things about the cold. The depression it brings in, the cold that seeps through to my bones, the attacks of the enemy from so many different people.  Well I guess that last one happens year round but this winter it seems as though he has definitely worked overtime. My husband has never had any real family other than his mother, his uncle Kenny and his aunt Bonnie. The devil seems determined to destroy his relationship with his mother and he is using his sister to do it. Tony and his sister have never been close. She's always been many things that aren't good. I'm not going to air it all out here as that wouldn't be fair. She has just gotten out of jail last August. We were both hoping for our families to be able to spend what's left of our lives together. Taking the time to get to know each other better, help each other out. She claims to have changed, she says she is different but all I see is the same mean, hateful, trouble starter she always was. Not caring about her own mother, keeping her so upset and starting so much stressful drama. I've been married to Tony for 20 years and it's always been this way. Somehow this time, I thought it would be different. The saddest thing is that his mother is believing his sister. All of her lies. If you've ever been blamed for something that you honestly didn't do then you can certainly understand how it feels. It's a horrible feeling.

The best thing is that the Lord is dealing with our hearts and our anger. We've made the decision to move forward and leave all the ugly behind. During this time the Lord has shown me how full of love and close my own family is. He has revealed all the truth to my family, my three girls and my husband. Now that we can all stand together it makes it better. It helps us to be stronger. It doesn't ease the pain of my husband's heart to have his relationship with his own mother destroyed but it helps him to move on.

I think that is what 2014 is going to be about.

Moving on. Moving on together. My next posts coming are going to bring more of our life. Less of those trouble and pictures of what we get to experience every day. Our children. Our grandchildren. Precious moments. Full of love. Focusing on the positive and letting go of the negative. Looking forward to where we are headed and not looking back to where we have been.

We will continue to pray for the truth to be revealed but we will not dwell on that we cannot change. Tony won't fight it. He never has. He'll sit back and allow his sister to do whatever it is she will do. In the end, I know, that the Lord will prevail. He will take care of it all.

It's going to be a good year.

We will endure the cold while it lasts and bask in the warmth of the sunshine that is to come!

Brrrr, Baby It's Cold Outside

I've had this blog for so long I often wonder how many times I have repeat my titles. Year after year, season after season there are so many catch phrases and favorite songs in my heart that I know I must duplicate myself. I've decided that I'm okay with that. When the Lord repeats Himself to me it is for conformation. That is a great thing so for me, if I repeat myself then just know it was worth repeating - to me.....or else I just forgot about the first go round, hence, the blog.

The blog.

The Journal.

Small details of my life. And believe me, even though I've been blogging since 2007, very little of me, my life, my family and my friends are captured here. I love that I have some sort of record of my life but I do wish that I had the time or took the time to share a little more. The one thing I hope is that one day my children, grandchildren and even great and great great grandchildren will be able to look back and get somewhat of a feel of the lives we live.

I hope that the love shines forth more than the struggles.

I hope that the Lord shines through most of all.

I've been missing Him lately. We aren't in church anywhere right now and even though I say that you do not have to be in church to love and serve the Lord, unless you are very dedicated it's easy to stop praying, talking, asking and thanking.

This past year has brought a lot of hatred into my heart. As you read through my blog the beginnings were of my deliverance. Now it seems I've become entangled again with the bondage the Lord set me free of.

So many people being cruel. So many accusations. Remembering at 42 that life is not fair. It's not about what you deserve. Innocent people are found guilty. Many lives are ruined due to the cruelty of others. I've never understood it. I've always tried to good unto others, to be forgiving, to help in any way I could.

I love friends. I have some great friends but one lesson I forgot was that there are wolves in sheep's clothing. Sometimes the friend you trust the most is the meanest, ugliest, liars in the world. You can't see it though because you are blinded, blinded so that all you see is a false good, and you hear false truths from their lips. And you are not their only victim. You fall so far from where you were, making horrible decisions, getting caught up in the lies thinking somehow that you are special. That you mean more to them than anyone in the world.

Lies.

You bare your heart and soul to them only to be exposed, used, hurt, mangled and not only you but all of those you love are hurt too.

You knew God's word.

You didn't obey.

You strengthened your flesh and abandoned your faith.

Mistakes. Some of the worst mistakes of your life and you can't take them back. Then the hate sets in. Hatred because you were a fool. Hatred because you didn't obey. Hatred because you believed someone to be something they absolutely were not and never will be.

You beg God for forgiveness. You know He forgives and forgets but can you ever forgive yourself? You have to, sometime on a daily basis. The only way I know to survive is to obey more than ever. To turn from those people and those sins and never look back.

You have to muster up the strength in God to pray for them, to pray blessing upon them. Sadly you wish they didn't know what they did but they do. They know. They are evil and they choose. It was a plot, a plan, it was premeditated.

It's a huge battle. A spiritual war.

I let down my guard some time ago. Actually years ago. I've suffered and those I love have suffered many consequences. Even now they still come and I am sure there will be more to bare.

It's easy to blame them but I am the one who allowed them to mislead me. I gave in to sin. I have to take responsibility for my actions.

I praise God that I am forgiven.

I'm forgiven now.

I'm putting my armor back on.

I'm praying for the Lord to fill me with Love. His love. The only thing that drives out fear and hatred is HIS LOVE.

It's cold outside. Tomorrow school is on a two hours delay. I know many times my blog words blur. I branch off from one thing to another. The things I speak of today happened years ago. It is this last year, the year of 2013 that I truly reaped much of what I sewed. This is when the anger overtook me. The anger was so bad I almost had a breaking point. I almost let it take me down. I was rock bottom. The Lord pursued me with a vengeance. How I love my Father. Thank-You Lord for NOT letting me go. You could have, you had every reason to, I turned my back on You and you could have given me over to myself but You did not. I praise You for that.

Lead us Lord. Lead my husband. Bring us back to You and allow to surpass the place that we were onto serving others and loving others in Your name. Lead us and show us the way.

1 Peter 1:22  Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

1 John 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Matthew 5:43-48  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Scripture Love

Loving on this scripture tonight......

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."  Isaiah 61:1-3 (KJV)

Merry Christmas 2013!

I love how God changes things in moments. SO many answered prayers. I get down sometimes but I know that my Father allows that only to show me His greatness and His power. I'm nothing and have nothing without Him. He is just and He is faithful.

This year has been hard to get into the Christmas Spirit. The things I wanted couldn't be bought. Because of all of my anger I've felt as though I couldn't pray. I know what the Lord expects of me. I know His word, but I have been so in the flesh and so angry at people and how heartless they can be. I know to pray for them but all I've wanted to do is seek revenge.

I sit at home today for that reason. I knew that if I were to be around one person and I were to be provoked that I would give in to that anger. I am glad I stayed home. I have a wonderful mother in law but my sister in law and her family have always rose against my dear husband and my family. It breaks my heart for my husband. It breaks my heart that he has always been mistreated, treated less than his sister, and never good enough for any of them. No matter how well he proves himself, still, he is attacked. It's hard as his wife to watch him experience this and not retaliate. He on the other hand is so good at it. Who knew he could be such a meek and humble man. He is so honorable. I love him so much.

I mentioned my brother and the custody battle for his son in my last post. I'm happy to report that he was able to pick his son up today on Christmas day and will return him to his mother on Sunday before he returns to work! The Lord knew that in the midst of all the battles swarming around me and my own family that my very one wish this Christmas was for my brother to be able to see his son.

The Christmas Spirit has overwhelmed me. I couldn't be happier. THIS truly is the BEST Christmas that I have ever experienced. I am still battling some anger, so prayers are appreciated, but the one thing I know is that God is in control. He alone is my provider. And He takes very good care of this family. I have no worries.

I pray that each of you have a very very Merry Christmas!

Thank You Lord for sending your Son Jesus to die on that old rugged cross and raise again three days later to save my unworthy soul.

Merry Christmas!

Rough Week

It seems like the devil is never at bay. This is the first year in a really long time that our family has been getting along. Everyone is broke but at peace. So, because of the peace, hell hits everywhere else that it can.

It's not that I'm complaining.

I'm just upset.

Especially for my brother and my nephew.

He's having to fight for custody of his son and it breaks my heart. He's been the primary care giver for over 3 years and all of a sudden to have your child just ripped away and you're told you cannot see him again until the court date in March.

Heaven and Matt's heat is out.

Bills are behind.

I'm thankful for all of our health. I just hate this feeling of doom.

It'll pass I know.

Brighter days are coming.

Prayer warriors pray for my family.

Thankfulness

We've made it through two girls with the flu, one with the strep, two Thanksgivings, lots of visits, wisdom teeth removable coming this week, new job-at the same place- a promotion to office manager with lots of new things to learn. My brain is over crammed with things.  Yet, I have so much to be thankful for. I've wanted to blog but it seems like I can't find the time. I head to bed very early in order to handle my days that start so much earlier than I'm used to.

I miss my camera. I lost my phone. I used it as a camera to share so much. That hurts a lot on my blogging and major life event sharing. I'm hoping to figure out a way around this soon.

I wish I had all night to poor my heart out but tonight is just not that night.

Soon though. Soon.

Romantic Interlude

I had a stressful few days. Lots of tension, my oldest is wore out and tired from her newborn. This Mimi is exhausted as well. So my hubby offered to sweep me off of my feet, taking me out of town to a little cabin with the best view, for a night alone. We started a fire. We laid on the couch and snuggled. We talked and we laughed like girlfriends. We had the best brunswick stew and lots of delicious comfort food. Stuffed, toasty and warm. I slept like a babe. He didn't rest well at all. He enjoyed the stay but his back makes it hard on him to sleep anywhere away from home.

We also took Roxy and Suki. They were so well behaved and we all had quality time together.

The fire.

Suki

Our View. So beautiful!

I also want to express how blessed I am to have such great friends. I have one special girl that lets us use her special place that I like to refer to as Paradise on the Mountain Top.  I stood out on the rocks you can't see in the photo above and I lifted my arms to praise my Lord. His presence was there. Our time was golden. I love my husband, his heart, and his efforts. We watched movies together like Dances with Wolves, Young Guns, Due Date, A Week with Marilyn Monroe and some Stevie Nicks. 

This ole girl can't wait until next time.............

Lover's Leap

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is to ride up the mountain and see the leaves. This year was dominated by golds. Sadly the reds and vibrant oranges were more subtle, almost nonexistent. But the golds were many, deep and strong. There are places when the sun hits just right, that is glows, and you can feel the presence of God. We took a day and visited the beautiful over look at Lover's Leap, went to the candy store, took my mother in law to eat at Tuggle's Gap, and enjoyed the company of our youngest daughter and oldest grandson. It was a splendid day.

We live in a beautiful place. We don't have to travel to see the wonderous creations of our Master and Creator. We only need to slow down long enough to enjoy what He has surrounded us with. We couldn't be more blessed. He is so good to us. I am ever so Thankful to Him for every single blessing.