SNOW

Somewhere out there under all that white is my backyard. When all this stuff melts its going to be like a tsunami rushing down the bank. The drift on the deck measures in at 21 " Christmas afternoon Dan scooped the deck and made a path for Molly so she could get out in the yard to do her stuff. The drift by the stairs of the deck measures and 28"
The ruler he used is 48" long. The weatherheads say we have had more snow this month than we have for the last 50 years, the most snow we've had on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day since 1948. Enough with the records already!! I gotta buy a snow blower.

Somewhere between the two stop signs at the top of the hill is 129th.
There is a bright side, Spring is only 81 days away.

The young man opening his last gift is my my 19 year old nephew Andrew. He is trying really hard not to show his disappointment. All he wanted for Christmas was an IPod Nano. And at this point he figures that is not going to happen because the last gift is from grandma who gives socks every year. I mean what else would Grandma give?? Well the socks were in the other room and, yes, we all went in together and there is a black metallic IPod Nano in the gift bag. The explosion of happiness that followed was heartwarming. The little blond sweetie in the foreground is my 7 month old great nephew Oliver, Andrew's little boy. Oliver was in sensory overload all day. Bows, shiny paper and toys oh my. He couldn't grab stuff fast enough. But what he seemed to enjoy the most, other than pulling Molly's ears, was some white cotton ribbon and a piece of cardboard. Even with all the blowing snow our family was fortunate to be able to get together. My brother has a 4x4 Ford and he went and got Dan and Aubree. A good time was had by all, we laughed ourselves silly, ate too much, watched Indiana Jones Raiders Of the Lost Ark. We got into a discussion of the cup, as Indy says, "This looks like the cup of a carpenter."
Aubree didn't really know what he was talking about. When we explained that the carpenter Indy was referring to was Jesus her face lit up and she said the movie made sense now. Then she said something I found very interesting. She said, "Jesus is everywhere." I smiled and told her yep He is always with us, that He is here right now and laughing just as hard as we are at Oliver's antics. At some point during this wonderful day I realized that Jesus is the glow we feel when we are surrounded by those we love whether we are celebrating Christmas or an impromptu dinner on a Tuesday night.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Vacation, Sharks and God

My vacation is going to be over much too soon. A week never seems to go this fast at work. I feel like the person in the kayak. Work is creeping closer and closer. . .
If you study this picture for a while you begin to feel the, wet your pants, terror, the terror of not being invincible, the terror of not being in control the the situation. The scene from Jaws plays in your mind where they cut open the shark in the warehouse and you come rolling out, well various parts, instead of a license plate. I've only been in the ocean twice in my life and both times as I am in water over my head a little voice in my head started screaming, "Get out of the water! If God had meant for us to be in the ocean He wouldn't have made sharks!" I have come to understand that we have those warnings (no, not just about sharks) on land, sea or in the air, for a reason and I don't ask why, I just remove myself from whatever the situation is. I would rather be the brunt of a joke and/ or have to endure endless teasing than be the lead story on the 10pm news.
God is going to do everything he can to lead me from the danger I am faced with, whether physical or mental, but it is up to me to listen or not. Sometimes when we are surrounded by the hurricane that is everyday life we forget how easy it can be to calm the storm and find the strength we need. He is always there, always wanting to help and protect us and all we have to do is call on Him. God loves us, He wants to be part of your life and you in His.
If you were in trouble or needed help wouldn't you call on your best friend? Works the same with God. What? You don't think you know the right prayer? All Prayer really is, is talking to God.
"God, I can't do this on my own, I need your help."
Go ahead, try it sometime, no thees or thous required.

Thanksgiving

What a day!
Me, Mom, "Gary -Brother, Laurie - sis-in-law, Dan - nephew , Aubrey - Dan's girlfriend, Andrew - Nephew, Andy - next door neighbor & 3 dogs - Molly, Pockets and Sally. The usual fare for thanksgiving, turkey, ham, ham gravy, dressing, sweet potatoes, cranberries, deviled eggs, green bean casserole, fresh rolls. Makes me full all over again. Oh, I almost forgot, my sister-in-law must have gotten a good deal on her pies, she had chocolate, pecan, apple. If that wasn't enough there was cheesecake and a pan of brownies. Yikes!
As I sat there enjoying the bantering, teasing and the warm comforting sounds of family, I was once again reminded of how blessed me and mine are. We all have a roof over our heads, and none of us have ever known a day of hunger. I am surrounded and held tight by the unconditional love of God, family and friends. We need to quit whining about what I don't have, get on our knees and thank God for the blessings he has bestowed. I have so much to be thankful for, how about you?

barb

Death by Twitter

Are we losing the ability to carry on an intelligent conversation face to face? You know that thing called talking? You remember. . . the words from our brains and are formed and uttered with sound from our mouths. It seems today we are bypassing our mouths for a little tiny keyboard. We have become obsessed and bound to a piece of technology . Don't think so? What on earth would we do if suddenly, without warning the Twitter network stopped? I believe a large number of folks would find themselves isolated and unable to communicate vocally. Their thumbs would cramp from withdrawal. I think these folks would exhibit a lot of the behaviors as someone who is trying to quit smoking. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for technology, but we need to step back and take a look at the importance we've attached on tweeting, because we have become so obsessed that our lives revolve around it.

Friends and Birthdays

I just celebrated my 56th birthday. Yikes!
My best friends, Back row l-r Jenn, Donna, me, Lizzie, front row l-r Sherri, Cheryl, Bern and Deb(not pictured) helped me celebrate in a flurry of Chinese food, way to funny age cards, a powdered donut cake, with yellow frosting that Cheryl made ( I'm not partial to cake, but love powdered donuts), laughter, and most of all an IPOD Nano. Now if I can figure out how to use it :) I just recently got a digital camera and thought I was uptown. But now. . .OMG I feel like I'm now part of the 21st century.
These people know me better than my family, and choose to be my friends anyway. Amid the kids, husbands, moms, jobs and everything else we all deal with, they are always there ready to listen, and help me deal with whatever I might be going through and always help me to see what is really important . I would be lost without them and I want them to know that I thank God for them everyday. . .I love you guys
barb

I Love Barry Manilow

Last night Neil Diamond had a special on tv. Hot August Nights NYC. It has been 40 years since his first Hot August Nights that was in Los Angles. Wow 40 years. . .and Neil, God love him, looked looked like it.

Yes, I know this isn't Neil Diamond, but watching the show made me think about one of my all time favorite entertainers, Mr. Manilow.
I have always loved Barry Manilow and I am not ashamed to admit it. But, alas it seems the time fairy has whacked Barry pretty good too.

It makes me wonder if we will ever again have any great ballad singers when these guys are gone . You know, singers who don't need to have parental advisory on their CD jackets. Singers you can actually understand. Singers who don't have to rely on four letter words. Singers who actually sing.

Maybe its because I see myself getting older, finding it harder and harder to view anything the kids do today as anything other than an irritant. I find that I am starting to understand my Grandfather's logic. . .he believed that velcro would be the downfall of our country. Kids won't have to struggle to learn to tie their shoes so they will think that everything in life should be easy, no sweat. . .hummm

These people are crazy!

My cousin Ian races Sprint cars. His is the black and green in the picture. I love him very much, but he is crazy! These speed machines fly around a dirt oval track upwards of 120 MPH. The saying is sit down, shut up, strap in and always turn to the left. Last Saturday night was a perfect race evening, so we went to Eagle Raceway. It had been many years since I've been to the races. Ian's dad, Monte was racing then. We turned off the highway to the track and the sprints were running their hot laps(practice runs). Just the sound of those engines made my heart beat a little faster. Once we got in, found my aunts and uncles who were there got something to eat, I was ready. Ian did okay, he kept all four wheels on the ground, thank God.

I do love to go and watch the Sprints and Modified run and pray the whole time
Ian is on the track. Of course its exciting, but I found myself Saturday night thinking about my dad and how I would had loved to be able to watch one more race with him. He loved racing, as a matter of fact when I was little, every Sunday evening was spent at Sunset Speedway.
I had forgotten how much I love the smell of hot anit-freeze and being pelted with dirt.

Passwords

There isn't anything on this earth that reduce an intelligent adult into a quivering, drooling nincompoop faster than passwords. And I don't mean the game! I have 11 different passwords to get into 11 different applications at work. In the last 4 days I have had to try, try being the optimum word here, to change them. SORRY, YOU HAVE USED THAT FORM OF WORD WITHIN THE LAST 27 TIMES, PLEASE SELECT AGAIN. Arrrgh! I have already used the pets names you could think of. My nephews, cousins, TV people, real and imagined. All the Food Network folks, Old AOL passwords, Cars etc. You get the drift. So today I had to give up and call the Help(less) Desk. I asked them why this has to be so difficult, I mean come on, we sell groceries, not uranium. The conversation with Eric went like this. . .
"This is Eric, how may I help you."
"This is Barb Hunt in Omaha, I need a couple of my passwords reset."
"Passwords?"
"Yes, the one for Biceps and Main."
"Your passwords are disabled."
(It was like I had walked into the middle of a bad comedy routine.)
"I know. that is why I'm calling. I want you to reset them so I can start over with my selections."
"Ah, I can help you with that. What is your Biceps sign-on and password."
"Eric my password is disabled."
"Yes, but I need it to sign in as you."
"Eric, my password is disabled."
"In order for me to mirror your session I need what your password was."
"Okay, my sign on is 107340 any my password is disibgh01"
"Thank you, it will just take a minute. . .this password doesn't work."
"Eric, That is why I am calling you!"
"Oh, here I can assign you one."
"I need two , I have two sessions down."
" Hold for a minute, I need to find out if I can give you two right now or not. I think I can only give you one per call. You might have to call back."
"WHAT?!"
Silence. . .
"Barb, I just talked to Kim and she said it would be okay. Just a moment, I have to get you two secure passwords. We are required to keep track of all passwords we hand out. Comapny security is at stake."
"Great, what are they?"
'Now you will be prompted to change your password when you get signed in."
"Got it Eric what are they?"
"Okay, for Biceps use Summer and for Main use Spring."
"Wow those are secret, no one would ever think of those."
Go figure. My new passwords were inspired by my new friend on the help(less) desk Eric.
Dumbshit and Lamebrain

My favorite place, where is yours?

Rocky Mountain National Park, Bear Lake to be exact. Talk about inspiration! This is without a doubt my favorite place on this earth. God is here. I know, God is everywhere, but just sitting here and being quiet, as the wind skims the surface of the lake runs up the shore and surrounds me, I can here Him call my name. I don't know why, but I know that I know, that I know. God talks to all of us if we are willing to listen. Where is your favorite place? The ocean, the desert? That special place in your house? Maybe its in your garden. Wherever it is, its special to you because that is where God has called you to be near to Him. Whether you listen or not is entirely up to you. It boggles my mind still to think that the Creator of all that is and all that will ever be, wants to be a part of my life and me to be a part of His.

barb

God and Dogs

For those who don't know, this beautiful young lady is Molly.
She came into our lives a little over 2 years ago. She is schnauzer and poodle, and doesn't hesitate to tell you what she thinks. If you have ever owned a Schnauzer you know what I mean.
She is a gift from God. Unconditional love, expects nothing in return, well maybe a scratch once in a while. Doesn't care about how much money you have, what you look like, what kind of car you drive, or the brand of the shoes on your feet. A dog doesn't care where they are as long as they are with you. They stick like glue when you are sick and make you feel like the most important person in the world when you come home from work. They love your friends as much as you do and will protect you to the death.

Maybe dogs are God's gift to us to show what love is suppose to be all about.

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Brains

Yesterday was the 4th of July, a time of great fun, family and way to much food. It's also a time to be reminded of our freedoms and be thankful to those who have and are guaranteeing we keep them.
It is also the time when the phenomenon of Missing Brains afflicts millions of Americans. How can you spot someone who is suffering from this incurable disease? There are very distinct signs.
1. Scorched eyebrows
2. No hair on shins or forearms
3. Blisters on either or both thumbs and index fingers.

The most severe symptom? Loss of common sense.
Case in point: Normally you would place the artillery shells in the tube that comes with them, light the fuse, get a way, and the little ball of gunpowder and color travels high in the air and explodes in a breathtaking display.
So we, I mean my nephew Dan thought it would be neat to put one of those shells under a plastic bucket and light it. Now any rational person would have said no way, by those of us suffering from missing brain all shouted "Go for it."
So we, I mean he did. needless to say the bucket, buckets( we destroyed 5 before the night was over) flew high in the air and the ground level explosion of color was unbelievable. The entire neighborhood were watching by this time. I have also discovered the disease travels at a high rate of speed and is capable of afflicting many people at once, because the crowd was on there feet before the first bucket hit the ground screaming for more.
I do have to admit we had a great time. No serious injuries. Laughed non stop, and yes I have to admit, I loved it!
We have started to collect buckets for next year.

Must be the inhalation of gunpowder or something.

Birthdays

We just celebrated my mom's 80th birthday last Saturday. It was a surprise and boy did we surprise her. She insisted on no party and "Some fancy restaurant." So we had it at her favorite pizza place. When we walked in and she saw all her brother's, sisters their families and her friends she was got teary. Much pizza, calzones and mozzarella sticks were devoured. Many, many pictures and a whole bunch of fun. We all left Sam & Louis about 7pm and went to our house for cake, coffee and tea.
That's when the magic that is family appeared and spread over the living room like a nice warm blanket. Stories of deeds, and darings from days gone by. It's amazing how stories differs from kin to kin. Connecting again, renewing and remembering. I stood back and studied those around me whom I love so deeply. In the natural they are my strength & my comfort. There is a refrain from a song that goes, "I don't know where I'm going, but I'm sure where I come from." And we take great joy in that. A solid footing for us to stand on as we become who we are. God is a lot like that. He provides us with a solid footing on which we can grow and become who we are to be. Our path through this life is like a bunch of stepping stones across a huge body of water. God sets us on the path, showing us the way. But sometimes we become impatient and jump to other rocks we think will give us what we want, but they become slippery and unreliable in times of storm. Isn't it great to know that Jesus is standing there with us in the hardship and sadness of everyday life wanting nothing more than for us us to call on Him so he can save us and put our feet back on solid ground.

Life Changes

It's amazing how life can change in the time it takes for your heart to beat. And sometimes the direction life takes you in can cause your heart to skip several of those beats. God didn't promise us a smooth sail, and I believe that if we didn't struggle a bit with life we would never learn anything.
A lot of the time we are unwilling to to do or say what we know is right, or reach out because we would then have to be responsible for our actions. When life goes wrong its easy for us to blame God when its no one's fault but our own. God doesn't make bad things happen to us. We allow, invite bad things to happen because we won't let God look after us.
Its kinda like going to an amusment part and getting on the scary looking roller coaster and choosing not to use the shoulder restraint. Its there for us to use at no exta cost. All we have to do is reach up, grab hold and pull it down around us.
Life is all about choices. I don't know about you, but I'm grabbing that shoulder restraint with both hands.

Family Reunion

Ever wonder why we don't have family reunions more than once a year?
I come from a large family. Lots of aunts, uncles, and any number of 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc, etc cousins. You walk in the place and the musty smell makes you wonder if what they say about inhaling mold is true. After scanning the room you realize you don't know half the people there and for that you are thankful.
There is the group from just south of the Missouri border in the woods somewhere who think indoor plumbing is of the devil. "That damn flusher will suck the innards right outta ya. I ain't gonna sit my bare ass... you get the drift. Within the first five minutes cousin Birdie shares every aliment she's had in the last ten years in gory detail and preceeds to hike her skirt up to show the scar on her butt from the boil she had that was as big as a half dollar. Where do I run? The conversation behind (no pun intended) me has to do with gastric juices and farting.
Yikes! Just shoot me now!I escape into the kitchen only to be confronted by a great uncle who finishes every sentence you start or will start in the next year, all the while clicking his false teeth. He could make Job run screaming down the hall in 30 seconds flat. Minnie who talks constantly, none stop and is the expert on everything, makes me wish she was like C3PO with a shut off switch.
Then its time for the meal. I make my way around the room sizing up who's food will be safe to eat. One thing is for sure, I won't be eating anything from Arkansas. Birdie's casserole resembles mac and cheese with little grey bits of what looks like kitty litter. If that isn't bad enough, she puts catsup over the top and licks the remaining drop of catsup off and sets the bottle on the table. Maybe there is a vending machine in the hall.
The rest of the day creeps by, and with no place to hide I've resigned myself to my fate and have become accoustomed to answering to Beth.
But soon I begin to appreciate the oddities and ecentrictiy that surround me. Yes, even cousin Birdie and her group. there is a comfort here. One that comes from a shared background. There isn't one person in the room who wouldn't give you their last dollar if you needed it, who accepts you for who you are and loves you anyway.
So why do we only get together once a year?
God said he would never leave us or forsake us. And just maybe our flesh and blood relatives are His way to remind us of that.

barb