A Picture of Life

...or so it seems. It's not really my picture, but you get the idea.

We've had some typical cold & flu type stuff, much due to seasonal allergies. It's hit Boo first and Roo thought it looked fun and tried it out. My husband and I decided to fight it off and have been semi-successful so far. We'll see how that really ends. School has been happening, but a little less intensely. I'm trying to let the sleep as much as possible to fight off those icky germs.

Our actual anniversary day (last Friday) was lovely. We went to Mass at 9 a.m. with the boys and our best friends and my god-daughter and afterwards, renewed our wedding vows and had our marriage blessed. We went out for brunch after. It was just one of those perfect moments in time where you want to freeze everything.

I got to wear my new outfit & my husband got a new sport coat. I was so impressed! He got it after I got my outfit. He had coordinated it with my skirt and sweater. Somehow a very sweet jewelry box with garnets and citrines got stuck in his pocket. I was just flabbergasted. I felt like a teen again.

There've been a few IRL questions about why we did everything special on our 16th anniversary--why not last year on the 15th or wait until the 20th? Well...many reasons. This year some things were very important to us that have been growing in our hearts since last year. It was something important to share with our children. Some of the "goodies" would not have been possible last year, and frankly may not be possible next year.

Why not wait until the 20th? Because we're not promised anything but the moment and each day is important. Not just the years that end in 0 and 5. Life's too short!! I'm glad we did what we did.

That evening we went to the ballet. Season tickets have been my anniversary, Christmas, birthday, Mother's Day gift for the last couple years. Many years it's been a stretch for us to do so, but it's been important for the boys and I just love it. It was fabulous. The boys were able to see a few of their teachers, both past and present, dance marvelously. We actually have improved our seating each year and this year was the best.

It was a really good weekend, in spite of increasing sniffles and sneezes for the boys. They were able to rest and enjoy most of the time. My husband and I were able to enjoy time together and lots of talking. He's a blessing.

As a bonus blessing, he's been offered a full-time position with the company he's contracted with for a while. The contractor position has been a good opportunity. I was very leery of him taking it, but he was right, and it's worked out well. The full-time position will offer us some much coveted extras on insurance that are hard to come by when one self-insures. And are "of an age."

Moving was optional. But we decided to stay. We're still not moving. In this economy, I think a full-time job and a sufficient roof over our heads is really more than a blessing. God knows where we need to be. We need to listen.

Tuesday I joined girlfriends of almost twenty years to celebrate two birthdays. We went to a restaurant that was super! Asian soups and dumplings, yum, yum!! I would have never found it on my own. Much laughter and reminiscing that can only come with relationships that have evolved over much time.

I've been reflecting on how we've all changed. The youngest of our group just turned 29 and I met her when she was 10. I won't say how old our "oldest" is...I'm somewhere in the middle.

But we've been friends through horse shows, boyfriends, surgeries, job changes, marriages, divorces, deaths, childbirths, moving, book publishings, parties and more. We've laughed, cried, disagreed, fought, made up, consoled and celebrated. We are comprised of two Catholics, three Protestants of various observance, and an agnotstic; or, a professor & author, two mommies, two successful accountants and one very creative one who should be starting her own business. Three have no children--one of those would like to be a mom; two have stepchildren--one of those also has her own child; and then there's me with two children. How different are we?

Through all of this and more driving to dance I've been trying to pack for a trip north on Sunday. I've been trying to keep up on the daily needs and school. I'm trying to start a venture that's been brewing in my heart & mind for over a year; trying to be available for some new friends...

Whew!! I'm a bit well...winded. But it's a great sort of winded. After typing all of that I sat and looked and said, "I am very blessed!"

Blog Book Tour--The Rook

The Rook is Steven James second book. His first, The Pawn was incredibly disturbing, frightening even with his ability to look into a serial killer's mind.

The Rook picks up with Special Agent Patrick Bowers trying to create a family with his step-daughter Tessa, while simultaneously working on a series of fires started by an arsonist. His wife, Tessa's mother, has been dead less than a year, after succumbing to cancer.

Tessa a volatile Goth-like teenager gives him conflicted and dishonest signals, sometimes charming and profound, sometimes surly and caustic. The developing relationship between step-child and step-parent is riveting to read, sometimes almost shadowing the crime that Bowers is trying to solve.

As with The Pawn, The Rook is chilling and dark. James leads the reader into dark and twisted minds of killers. But what began as a hint of the salvation message in the first book, becomes a cry deep within desparate souls for light. There is obviously going to be at least one more book in the series and I will be looking forward to seeing where this "thread" leads.

I received The Rook from Glass Road Public Relations. As I recommended after reading The Pawn, these books are not for the faint of heart or those who are looking for gently stories. The subject matter is gruesome. These books would definitely fall into the category of thriller.

From Baker Publishing and various reviewers:



The Rook by Steven James

Special Agent Patrick Bowers is about to uncover the military's darkest secret . . . and his own dark past.

While investigating a series of baffling fires in San Diego, Special Agent Patrick Bowers is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue where nothing is as it appears to be. With a killer on the loose and one of the world's most deadly devices missing, Bowers is caught in a race against time to stop a criminal mastermind's trap before it closes around the people he loves.

Full of fast-paced action and mind-bending plot twists, The Rook is an adrenaline-laced page-turner that will hold you captive until the very end.
Endorsements

Praise for The Rook

"James ratchets up the thrills and chills, the twists and turns, and our connections with the characters. This is first-class suspense, with threads of wisdom tying it all together. I'm panting for the next book already."--Eric Wilson, author of A Shred of Truth and Expiration Date

"James's ability to use modern, up-to-date investigative techniques to solve his criminal mysteries places him at the forefront of current mystery writers. [This is] a book you hate to put down even when you reach the end."--E. Cleon Glaze, retired FBI agent

"Steven James does it again! The Rook is a riveting nail-biter that takes the reader on a wild ride of suspense, thrill, and danger. James seamlessly combines the edginess of contemporary crime-solving stories with the real world struggles of romance, broken families, loss, and honor."--John Thurman, counselor and radio personality

"Steven James has certainly done his homework. His level of detail and knowledge in the area of the military characters is superb. . . . [They] almost come to life as you read his books. I could not put this one down! Top-notch work."--LT Robert Bess, US Naval Special Warfare/Naval Special Operations
Reviews

"Sophomore slump? Fuhgeddaboutit. In his second thriller about FBI criminologist Patrick Bowers, James delivers the caffeinated plot twists and intriguing characterizations that made The Pawn a welcome addition to the suspense genre. In this installment, Bowers is called to San Diego to investigate a rash of fires, but he begins to suspect that a seemingly random kidnapping and suicide may be related to the arson attacks. As Bowers digs deeper, he uncovers a chilling biotech conspiracy. Fans of CSI and Law & Order will enjoy the police work and forensics, but this jacked-up read feels more like an explosive episode of 24; it's a wild ride with a shocking conclusion."--Publishers Weekly starred review

Psalm 139

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?

22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Thursday Thirteen

Last year near my anniversary I posted Thirteen goofy things that happened in the process of getting married.

This year I'd like to offer:

Thirteen things I love about my husband

1. He's a great cook. He makes the best fried chicken & grills a mean steak and does so much better than I do on breakfast items. He's also very good at making a pretty, well presented plate. He also knows just when to order pizza.

2. He acts really cranky some times, but he has one of the softest hearts.

3. He's more open minded than I am.

4. Which means he'll listen to my opinions.

5. He's always been able to fix things. He has a mechanical mind. It's help things last around this house and also brought a few extra dollars in at times, too.

6. He is a talented musician. He can coax any instrument he picks up make wonderful music. He also is a singer and songwriter. I am so glad the boys got his genes for that!

7. He likes to learn everything he can about a new subject that interests him. I always love to hear him talk about things that are passions of his.

8. He's honest to a fault.

9. He works so hard.

10. He's given up a lot of things to take care of our family.

11. He leads our family in prayer at night.

12. He's a fabulous Dad. I am so impressed with how he cares for our sons.

13. He's my best friend.

Happy Anniversary, to my sweet guy!

16 Years for the record!!

THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE THURSDAY THIRTEEN:
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. What do you do? Write Thirteen things about yourself, summarize your week in one entry, make it easy for other bloggers to get to know you on a weekly basis. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged!

Wordless Wednesday

Originally posted last year on 10/10/07. Some good things need to be revisited.

Anniversary Edition

Wordless Wednesday hub here!

And at Five Minutes for Moms!

What Your Burger Says About You

I found this quiz at Donna's JUST ME & decided to try it. Seems she and I have somethings in common.

What Your Burger Says About You

You are very gluttonous. Even if you're full, you'll still clear your plate. You are the ultimate foodie. You're picky about food quality, but you're not picky about eating strange things. You are bold and resolute in your choices. You don't back down, and you aren't afraid to go at something full force. You are a very open eater. You like many types of tastes, and you'll eat just about anything. You tend to gravitate toward strong, pungent foods. Even if it means having bad breath! You are straightforward, honest, and ambitious. You tend to be direct about what you want when it comes to food. You are emotional. You have a big heart, and you tend to go for comfort foods. You have trouble making decisions quickly. Everything looks good to you... especially at a restaurant.

What Does Your Burger Say About You?

How about it? What DOES your burger say about you?

Grains of Gratitude

This week I am just grateful to have my husband home. The fact of just “being” together is wonderful. Whether it is sitting next to each other reading, watching television (can anyone say “Debates”?), or just knowing he is downstairs working, it is great just having him in the house. He works from home about 80% of the time and to have him away upsets the apple cart. We are blessed to be spoiled.

My sons received their information from their audition. It was all good news, and they were happy just to be involved. I think Mommy cared more about the whole thing than they did. They have really good attitudes.

I was sent shopping this weekend for clothing. Something I really don’t like doing. Usually I pick up something off the sale rack, usually dark (on the bottom at least) and loose on the top. We have two events Friday. One is an evening thing—I can wear something I already own for that. Black is always good for evening. But for the morning thing…I need to be a little more daytime and prefer to be grown-up looking. I was happy with what I found. I was grateful my husband told me I needed to go. I hate shopping. And I hate dressing room mirrors.

My back is tender, but I am up and about. The boys (and my husband) have been great! I know what I need to do to fix this. I just need to get in gear.

I’m grateful Christine at Brady’s Bunch started Grains of Gratitude.

What are you grateful for?

SLANE

Psalm 3

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
1 O LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
"God will not deliver him."
Selah
3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
4 To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.
Selah
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
6 I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.
7 Arise, O LORD!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8 From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.
Selah


There are many folk-songs or "tunes" that have more than one set of words to them. One of my favorite is the melody SLANE. An Irish folk-song apparently from an Irish village of the same name. (If my information is wrong, please correct me!!)

Whoever the songwriter, this tune seems to inspire worship.

Lord of All Hopefulness

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy,
be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
be there at our labours, and give us, we pray.
your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray.
your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

Words by Jan Struther

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Also to this tune is the song God of Creation, All-Powerful


From Saint Patrick's Breastplate

Christ be with me
Christ before me
Christ behind me
Christ in me
Christ beneath me
Christ above me
Christ on my right
Christ on my left
Christ where I lie
Christ where I sit
Christ where I arise
Christ in the heart of every man
who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of every man
who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me
Salvation is of the Lord.

Amen.

Whatsoever you do to least of my brothers, that you do unto me..…

We’ve been sick. We’ve been down. We’ve been flying solo.

I am a whiner.

Families where Daddy travels, single mamas (and papas), military families have huge respect from me (and I was already respectful)!! It is sooooo tough to go it alone. When Daddy gets home we will have successfully (yes, that opinion is debatable) negotiated twenty-six days without him present. He got to come home for two days in the middle of this so it really shouldn't have been a big deal. But it was. To me. That is NOTHING people. Some families don’t see Daddy for months. Some…well…some…have it tougher.

Everything in the following list is TRIVIAL.

TRIVIAL.

Trivial.

But.

I am a whiner. Since then:

The vacuum broke—fixed that.

The storm hit—I got to take the awning and deck chairs down in the storm and later put them up so they wouldn’t mildew. Fun.

Kept the yard down to a jungle. I am so glad I only have a postage stamp. I mowed over very few things that shut down the lawn mower. Just a few. And it started back up. So, HEY!! I did good.

The garbage disposal is on the fritz!!! I cannot fix that. I will quit dumping garbage down there for two days.

There’s a dead squirrel in under the big tree in front…um…left that for Daddy or the cat. YUUUUUUUUUUUUCKKKKK!!!

The boys got sick with first allergies followed by secondary sinus infections. Surprise!!! Guess who got sick? While her husband was still in another time zone!!!! Guess???!!!!

And then…you know, insult and injury, and all that…I threw my BACK OUT…Remember Tim Conway??? Remember Mrs. UHWhiggens???? Ummm…that’d be me.

So much for sorting through the closets. So much for organizing the cupboards. So much for Menu Plan Monday and any blogging. I read and commented as I could. And I did a lousy job at it. Wordless Wednesday—posted in advance.

I am a rotten mommy/blogger/friend and interwebuddy. Yup…lousy. That’d be me.

My father offered to come help me. He would do that. Drive four hours and see if there was something he could do. But we were managing.

My husband offered to come home. We decided that would not be conducive to the "continuous paycheck program" thing he has going. We like the food in the cupboards and the roof over our head experience.

And my friends who have been friends for near twenty years? Yeah…busy. Really busy. If I’d been crying…they’d be here, but with no clue how to deal with children. Honestly, they have no children. One checked. She did ask. She did want to know how auditions went. (I don’t’ really know. They are in I am sure. Besides that—who knows) she was relieved when I told her the boys were doing the housework.

Relieved I tell you.

And then the momma of one of the little girls who rides with us to dance? (I could still drive—the van, she is a beautiful machine. You just step gently up, and no twisting of the body. I still drove.) She found out yesterday I had been struggling with my back. She made the boys and me dinner. And she yelled at me. YELLLED at me for not calling her. She has FIVE kiddos. And she would help me. And I am HUMBLED to tears over this. She has children with health issues, and doctors’ appointments. She made me dinner. Because I drive her daughter to dance. And my back hurt. And my husband was gone.

Well…Dinner was mahvelous, dahling. Comfort food. Blew my diet all to heck, but hey!!! I put it in the oven at 350 and guess what? 40 minutes later I am in carbohydrate heaven with minimal dishes.

My husband? On the road still. BUT!!!! Driving home. ONE DAY EARLY!!

It is the little things. It is. It is the one who you are surprised at who helps you along the path. It is the one who you should be doing something more for, who lifts YOU up.

It is two young boys who step up to the plate, helping with dishes, laundry, vacuuming and feeding the ancient cat who won’t eat the same thing from meal to meal.

It’s the lady at church who teaches your children, who tells you how great they are.

It is your husband who you can HEAR misses you and all the stupid things you do over the phone.

It is the fact that at 3 a.m. when I can't sleep, I can still know my Savior cares for me and is there.

That my friends…is why my days, no matter what are JOYFUL DAYS.

Find some joy today!!

Wordless Wednesday

A Tale of Two Gorillas















For more Wordless Wednesday visit the Hub.