Fragmented Me – September 9, 2011

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scan00022 Fragmented Me September 9, 2011

It’s fragmentin’ time again! Time to unload all the bits and pieces of the last week into one patchwork of a post and link it up with Mrs. 4444. Join us! It’s fabulous!

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The care package(s) are getting shipped out today. I was able to repack everything into 4 “large” flat rate boxes. I will go to the Post Office on my lunch hour and bid them adieu! They should arrive in Nepal sometime in the next week or two. Final shipping cost … $234.00. Which is a VAST improvement over the nearly $700 that UPS wanted when I had the whole shebang in one big box. Oh well … lesson learned! THANK YOU to those who stepped up to help us with the cost of shipping and with hints on how to lower that cost! You are a blessing to us and to our precious boys!

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I have decided that I want to color my hair with deep purple lowlights and put one lock of bright fuchsia (hot pink) in the front. There is this little voice in my head that keeps asking me if I realize that I am 52 years old and I should stop being ridiculous! (Please tell me that everyone has little voices.) Last night I was driving along, conducting this argument in my head, and I told the little voice that little old ladies have always had blue hair … I see NO reason that I cannot have pink and purple! Besides which … while I may be chronologically mature … I am NOT old!

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I love autumn! The colors, the smells, the sounds, even the flavors! I do not however like the allergies! I have had a sore throat for a week and now I have a wicked cough! Yuck! Go away pollen and mold spore! Go away!

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Tigger, my beautiful orange cat, went to the Vet this week for shots and neutering. Poor guy! He weighed in at 12.8 pounds which was actually a little less than I would have guessed! When he climbs into my lap and lays down across my chest I would guess him to be closer to 20! We were hoping that neutering would resolve the issue he has with the litter box but it hasn’t happened yet! He better stop or hubby is going to evict him! I could make him an outdoor pet I suppose but I’m afraid Lucy (German Shepherd) would eat him for lunch! Besides which we live on a busy street!

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Stress level at home is on the upswing again. Not going to publish details right now but please pray for us. Particularly for wisdom followed closely by unity and peace! Thanks!

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I am taking a 4 day weekend next week and traveling to Texas with Bert. He was intending to go primarily for Homecoming in his hometown. I’m going to spend the weekend with my parents in a nearby town. And my aunt and uncle, whom I haven’t seen in 20+ years, will be there for a couple of days too.  I will have internet access while there but I’m not sure how much time I will have to spend online. I will be back.

Beth

September 9, 2011

My Autumnal Top 10

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The theme for today’s top 10 post is the top 10 things I love about autumn. In some ways autumn is my favorite time of year (at least until Spring rolls back around) so this will be a fun one for me. Here goes …

1. The colors of autumn! I grew up in Maine and the reds, golds, and even oranges of autumn are still one of my favorite sights! The trees are not quite as glorious in Oklahoma as they are in Maine but it’s still pretty! I used to love walking through the falling leaves, kicking my way along, listening to the rustle and crunch, and watching the shifting shades of color in the bright autumn light. Happy memories!

autumn leaves 300x217 My Autumnal Top 10

2. The sounds of autumn! I already mentioned the rustle and crunch of the fallen leaves. And while I’m never a big fan of sitting out in the cold … I love the excited roar of sound that rises from the stadium when the football team is at home. I enjoy the happy cacophony of a dozen students stuffing envelopes, while talking about everything from their schoolwork to their sex lives (we’ve had a chat or two about office appropriate conversation), in the workroom right outside my office door. And I even like the discordant tuning of instruments that rises from the stadium and drifts my way on chilly breezes as the band gathers to practice.

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3. The smells of autumn! The air smells fresher or brighter or something when it’s crisp and cold. I love when that air holds the aroma of burning leaves or a wood fire. Even better when the smell of smoke holds the hint of tasty things to come from the smoker or grill. I love the spicy autumnal scents of apples and cinnamon … hot cider on cold days! The homey aromas that make their way back into my kitchen after a summer when it was too hot to cook … never mind bake!

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4. The tastes of autumn! Crisp apples from tart to sweet. Home baked breads. Apple Cider. Hot Chocolate. Fresh berry cobblers. Hot Apple Streudel with Caramel Sauce and Cinnamon Ice Cream.

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5. The feel of crisp cold air on early autumn mornings. I’m not generally a fan of cold air but there is something about an early morning in the fall that just makes me feel alive and vibrant! I love pulling as much of it into my lungs as I can and then breathing out gratefulness for life and love and the beauty of the world in which we live!

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6. Branson, Missouri in the fall. If you’ve been here for a while you already know that I love Branson anytime but autumn is my favorite by a long shot! Silver Dollar City does a National Harvest Festival at this time of year which is the most wonderful blend of sights, smells, and sounds of fall. There is live music floating on the chilly air along with the aromas of wood smoke and hot turkey legs. The decor is amazing and I am always impressed with the craftsmen and women that line the walkways with baskets, quilts, handmade instruments, leather crafts, music and art. Silver Dollar City and Branson, especially in the fall, is the only place I’ve never lived for which I literally can feel homesick!

Autumn Daze Arts Crafts Festival basket 400 6 400x400 300x300 My Autumnal Top 10

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7. Another thing that Silver Dollar City does in the fall is a Southern Gospel weekend. I’m not generally a big fan of Southern Gospel but live and in person … it’s amazing! Heartwarming and spirit-lifting! A combination of Christian music (which I love) and Bluegrass music (which I like) . It’s just one more thing to love about autumn.

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8. Relevant! Okay … I’ve never been to the Relevant Conference before but I keep hearing amazing things about it and I’m getting excited!

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9. Time with family! Whether it’s Labor Day weekend, a quick October getaway, or Thanksgiving, we almost always manage to spend some quality, and at least a small quantity, family time in the autumn. It’s my busiest season at work but some how we always find time to step away, together, and reconnect!

10. Thanksgiving – an annual reminder of the abundance with which I have been blessed and a gentle nudge to pause and express thankfulness!

thankful life My Autumnal Top 10

September 8, 2011

An Autumnal Top Ten

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topten1 e1314843766683 An Autumnal Top Ten


Autumn blasted into Oklahoma, this past weekend, with the first college football game (we lost) and a burst of cold air (80 is downright chilly when compared to consistent 110s)! Makes me long for long walks in the woods, jeans and sweaters, leaps into piles of colorful leaves, and piping hot mugs of spiced cider. What are the top 10 things that you love, or are looking forward to, about autumn? Write your list and then link up here.

September 8, 2011