MEANDERINGS of Margie

*God Created All Things Beautiful* I chose this because it's true, and, all blessing flow from God. I believe. It's the last day of the month...who knew..lol As I've scanned over the topics I claimed as my personal blessings I find a common thread. Many revolve around  love of my family,my husband,  wanderlust in my bones, hope for solutions, philosophy of life, and some secular/commercial things. Writing these daily only made me speak aloud of how blessed I know that I am. I've always known and appreciated that fact. Seeing things in print is a jerk into the reality of how this life is always presenting a new challenge each day.  I hope there was a touch of humor in these, because we all know God has the greatest sense of humor---above & better than any of us mortals. As "they" say---just make a plan and hear God laugh!                                    Now there is a new beginning....February. Anticipate good things happening, fun, and LOVE!  I

DUPLICATED! It's boring I know...but today was beauuutiful...there was SUN. It was warmer & pleasantly mild weather. It tends to make me forget that it is Feb. and classed as "winter". Doesn't feel like it on days like we've had sporadically. I am soooo thankful and appreciate this BLESSING. It feels better on the skin, and puts a smile on my face! Took the opportunity to get out of the house to do a few errands. There were lots of people out and about on this pretty day. Ofcourse, I know "pay day" will come back around....I'll cross that bridge when I must....for now, I'm just enjoying the sunshine blessing.....   

HUSBAND. Not too many conversations w/me are without mention of Lamar.  God held me in limbo for 7 yrs. before he revealed Lamar to me! That waiting period was worth every moment I may have been miserable. My husband of 31yrs. again today put a stamp on being "my hero".  We needed a few items before our normal grocery buy @ the beginning of the month. It was my intention to go early this mornin and get it done. DUH! It was tooooo dang COLD (at least for me)  to go out. So, I just chose not to venture for the purchase. Lamar needed to pick up a med. he needed....so he included grocery shoppin in his "run" to town. Thank you --he IS the man! I appreciated that soooo much.  It seems his ways of loving are unique. He puts himself out there to assist and "cover" for me on numerous occasions. It may not be the norm definition of "romance" to  some.....but  it  IS romantic to me! He loves me enough to go &  do things when I'm a little &quo

SATURDAY. A good day...no real projects, travel plans or anything pressing to be done. As I crawled into bed, remembered I had not written this blog! So, it's 6:15a.m. on Sun. morning....I'm on it! The best part of Sat. -- Marc called and invited us to eat supper w/them. Heck yes! No cookin, get to visit w/GRANDkids, spend time w/Marc & Stacey. There's the blessing...FAMILY. Our family is smaller than most. It is a fact, though, we can come together quickly if anyone needs support & love! I am very THANKFUL for family....they truly are the best "back-up" team available.                                                                                                    

GRANDMA. Hearing that word is very precious to my old ears! Today I was BLESSED  to be able to attend GRANDson's square dance program. I wasn't sure I wanted to, but I know now it was the best choice I've made in a while! I had soooo much FUN! He and all the kids were having a good ol time. They all seemed to have learned some fairly  tough routines and performed them very well. I even got to spend about 2min. as my Grandson's partner in a bit of ---hand & knee-slapping! Seriously, he did ALL the jumping for me....LOL Life is an adventure....I did NOT miss this one!!

TIMING. It's everything when it happens in a positive way. My annual physical exam was "endured"today...lol It was a bit strange at best.... BP  was" drop down"low! That has NOT happened to me in my lifetime...that I recall. I've always been on the high end, prior to BP meds. I'm truly puzzled. It's all good...Dr. took me off HCTZ ingredient. So, I'm truly THANKFUL--that's the water pill (aka Lasix). That's a very annoying pill! A person sees the bathroom more than daylight...lol Happy that BP was checked this day. Thoughts of what "could have" happened are right scarey.  Divine intervention....I know that, in my heart. Will wait for blood results....hope I can do somewhere near normal on all that! It was truly......a GOOD day.

BLESSINGS. This month I'm attempting to acknowledge blessings of that particular day. Today, simply, I know I am blessed. Not just this month, but all thru my life. This daily has just reminded me never to forget.....always be thankful and continue to honor those blessings EVERY day of my life. Sometimes, even thru the hard times, I feel as tho I live a "charmed" life. Recounting major hardships, I can only acknowledge that I survived. Many times, I wondered if and how I would be able to get one step further. I truly believe -- God never puts more on us than we can bear. The situations do weigh heavily, but somehow, divine intervention I'm sure.....we do go forward. It is very true that we don't have any problems....If you look closely within your own "circle of life", listen with your heart, you  know whatever is going on in your own circumstances, someone else is dealing w/more & probably much worse! Life truly is a journey. There are no stra

PARKS. Yes, I went "parkin" again today! Of late, this has been my source for serenity. We are blessed to have some great public parks in our area. I still have some yet to explore! Atco is a ball complex, w/walking trail and kids play area. Even has a "hill to climb" if you're froggy!  My fav part is the stream that "runs through it"...lol I love hearing the water when walking, or just sitting @ the picnic table and watching the water flow!  I took the camera today and enjoyed the water in a new way. Truthfully, I did NOT go to exercise....only to enjoy being outdoors---the sights, sounds---allow my "meandering" spirit to be freeeeeee! God has provided us w/such beautiful spaces and sights to enjoy. HE knew just what we need...indeed.

SOCIALIZING. This entire day has been FUN! God has blessed each of us with the gift of friendship. It's like a garden and must be "tended" to maintain growth! Today, I spent time w/2 sweet friends. We had lunch together @ Cracker Barrel. The food was good...but the time spent with women who can find similarities between them is PRICELESS.  We cut up & laughed so much. I got so tickled @ one point I had tears....now that's true fun. Being "high" on life....Looking forward to more of this!  Everyone needs to "break" frm the everyday routine of life & just cut  loose! It's healing....for the soul. The off/on part of my day was spent with an "adopted" daughter...playin Scrabble! Now, we always play games that are close....however, the last 4 times --  she whooped me! Points are usually pretty close, but they were still losses... I BROKE free today! It was a gooood feeling.... If you don't play Scrabble -- this is gonna

EARS. God has blessed us w/2 good ears. Ear - organ of hearing; give an ear...a "person who listens", according to the dictionary. Ears promote loving relationships...if, we listen. To have a friend, you must BE a friend. Today I am thankful that I can be still, listen and come to some workable closure to today's problem. Listening/hearing is what it took in this case. I've only been a home computer patron a few short years now. My basic, learn-by-doing knowledge is all I have to offer. I'm so far away from being computer literate....even now! Today Maxine called, frantic....she had (as we all have @ some point) gotten "lost" in this cyber world! I could HEAR frustration in her voice.  We began the process of questions/answers about what she actually saw on the screen. This lead me to feel that she simply had not "x-d" out of a screen before attempting another page. Then, she wound up w/lots of "junk"....both sm. window &

RAIN. There has been sooo much lately!  Logic tells us rain nourishes the earth, making vital things grow. When we're "housebound" because of the weather it also can have a more positive spin! If inside, might as well be busy doing housekeeping chores and projects we normally IGNORE when we are on the road, chasing an adventure! So, truth is, things get done! Parents w/kids seem to "slow down", pay attention & spend quality time together. It's a good thing. Adults actually take time to have conversations...lol The happiness factor of all these positive mentions----depends on how long this confinement continues!  I got very little done today....was a laid-back, rest & relax kind of day. I didn't complete any major projects in the house today...... The point....RAIN keeps us  inside, but we still must make a choice as to how we spend that time! I am looking forward to better weather -- so I can be OUT of the house...lol   My inner self lik

WISHES COME TRUE. This is a bit of silliness today! I can now "capture" birds when I see them w/my camera. I know, why is that a blessing? Well, because I LUV birds & nature. God  is the only ONE to thank for such beauty in our world. There is soooo much beauty to behold all around us, every day.  My personal "take" on these blessings is...I LUV to take pictures and enjoy them over time. I just believe that photography (whether a pro or an amateur) is an avenue to review such beauty....which we might otherwise ignore. Pictures capture a "moment in time" which may/may not happen again for us. Ofcourse, I'm really haphazard yet w/this camera. Practice will improve my skills....Until then, I'll still be "shootin" beauty and enjoying it every day. Nature, animals & a camera = HAPPY to me!!!

CHOICES. It truly is a blessing that we are given so many choices...too many on most occasions...when we make purchases. It is true of every shopping aspect of our lives. If you want to be frugal, you can; want to go "top of the line", you can; there is also an "in between", too. It's a personal CHOICE and usually funds and tastes dictate how we decide! I'm happy that I was able to be frugal today. Going simple and cheap for an over-the-sink light for the 1/2 bath. In my mind, the frugal choice had been made prior to beginning the project! Geez, it's a 1/2 bath. The finish line is in sight! Hoping to be completed Fri. I'll be happy w/the modest up-date and happy to get it completed!

SURPRISE. Today  I was on my way out the driveway when I noticed this box...popping out of  our  mailbox. Curiousity flooded over me...lol  I stopped, pulled a very tightly packed box out and,behold....it was frm Amazon.  When my camera was ordered on Sun., delivery was "scheduled" between the 23rd & 26th. Today is only the 18th! Kudos and many thanks for Ami&Brian giving me guidance in choosing a camera. Their input made me confident in my choice.  I've already begun reading my manual and trying to familiarize myself w/all the buttons/features this new toy offers! I certainly have a way to go yet...so will "hunker down", get serious and hi-lite my way into knowledge....I hope!  lol Look out birdies! I'm shootin  ya...soon!!!  

DRUGS. Pain meds. These are @ the top of my NOT list! Obvious reasons....they can become addictive and the side effects are sometimes nasty. I am very stubborn when it comes to these buggars! I do everything possible to avoid using them. The 3rd time I was forced out of bed w/pain in the wee hrs. -- I gave up and took one! I truly had done everything I could to "fix" the problem. Muscle rub, heat/massage unit and heating pad. Nothing worked...ugh. I know we are all BLESSED to live in the present day....when drugs enhance, prolong life, and relieve so many health issues. Doctors are also much smarter and more thorough than in the days of our youth. Extremely different from our "country" doctors. My sons are much less inclined to "pop a pill" than even I! Guess they heard too many "toughen up" remedies while they were growing up!!  I've developed quite a reasonable tolerance to pain during these 60+ yrs. Admitting that sometimes....I may

ARIEL. This is, ofcourse, my "wild child"! Today I thought about how much love & change she has brought into our lives. I remember bringing her home....a butterball,9-wk. old,2 lb. literal "handful"! Ariel was sweet....until she hit the terrible 2s..lol That girl became possessed by the dark side! She gave me fits for 2yrs.+ some! Chewed on everything in the house....table legs, the corner of my entertainment center...whatever she could get those sharp little teeth on! Ariel was reasonably easy to house train. I remember the first time she "waddled"and struggled up the steps! I was so very proud of her. Finally, the 2s passed...whew! and not a moment before I was about to lose my mind. Next lovely thing....she began scratching the screens when excited and tearing holes in them! We had to put up a new roll of screen around the porch...ugh.  Ariel still gets "excited" and does that at times to this day. Ariel has a very quirky personality

COMPUTER. The journey into cyber-world has changed my life! It truly DOES connect you to people you love, acquaintances new/old, expands education, brings joy thru games(alone & shared w/friends), listening pleasure thru any music that you enjoy. It is still so much more than I can express. Retired sometimes can mean "lonely" to an extent. Full-time home life is sooooo different than the interactions while in the work force.  I really never get depressed....there's always SOMEWHERE to go in the cyber-world to be cheered and know  you are NOT alone at all.  I'm addicted to certain things(as are many who have computers) which  bring me   pleasure.  So, a computer is a blessing to me. Sometimes, I think it's the DEVIL...always battling for my attention...lol I learned early to get the work done, errands completed and then....the REWARD is  computer time!!! It becomes as any other hobby....enjoy,leave and come back to it again later. Older friends are also

BEGINNING...Started modest up-date on 1/2 bath today. Excited to get this done. First order of business...new exhaust fan! Need it yesterday...lol  That   is the one also used by company overflow. The old one wasn't working and only let COLD air in thru that dang hole! Freezing in the winter & hot in the summer...there's no vent in there for heat/air anyway. Eric will put down vinyl floor piece left over frm Lamar's room. Know it will look better than what's been in there for the last 30yrs! Previously had changed out the faucet....needed that, too. Will paint and then the best part----deciding what deco to use. No ideas have knocked me out as yet. Got rid of ALL the fish items....granddaughter loved the border, which had a fish that looked like Nemo to her. I liked it, too, but now am ready to move on.... Replacing light fixture over sink and we're done! I love being on a "project"!! Girlfriend asked after Lamar's room was finished...what'

NUMBERS...that's today's blessing & happiness word. Lamar had a physical and received his "readings" today. Everything was very good. His sugar read was up a bit, but seems to run that way thru all check-ups. The biggest news: his triglycerides were 93..omg...that  is the absolute LOWEST he (or I) have ever gotten! Somethin is definitely workin very well. Since that is the read concerning "blockage materials/fats" it is truly excellent news.  We have this running "competition" w/our "reads" each time! See who's doing the best job of stayin healthy---at our ages, it's important to keep track of such VIP info and "adjust" lifestyle accordingly. Honestly....I prefer my attempt to keep healthy w/o numerous drugs. Sadly, he swallows a literal handful of pills every morning, and a couple @ nite.(bout a doz. in all!) Thank God, I'm only taking 4 prescribed ones + my daily vitamins.  Lamar believes pills will do the

I'm thankful today for a small "WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY". Everyone leads busy lives and sometimes, it's really difficult to schedule "fun"! Vickie &  I were able to get out of the house today...it has been tooo long since the last "escape"! We do very little of importance, just kinda hang out! I had to have some paint tinted(sooo excitin!). Got that done. Went to a loooong lunch and on to a couple of antique stores. (no intention of purchasing such over-priced stuff, just browse!) Window-shoppin if you  will... It was rather coolish, but not unbearable. After the 2nd  stop, it began to rain...bummer. So, we called it a day and brought ourselves home. Soon as I got home, it poured down buckets.... Since I got home, it has steadily rained and the temp has dropped to 36 degrees. brrrrr! I enjoy spending time living up to my blog name---just "meandering" along!!!!!!! Guess we'll be stuck inside the next couple of days...but at lea

FIZZLE OUT! That is a very good blessing today. Bad weather didn't torment us today, as predicted it might...we did have gusty WINDS w/sideways rain for a bit. That certainly was unsettling enough w/o tornado sirens going off! We even managed to have some beautiful sunshine off/on during the day. IT was a pleasant, welcomed sight, too. Why so uptight w/weather? It began in my very young childhood. I remember vividly being awakened in pitch black dark, early a.m. hours by my Daddy. Wrapped up as best they could, out of the house, into a vehicle and transported approx. 1mi. to my Granddaddy's house! Now, ofcourse this is DURING the storm, too. It's a memory hard to release in the mind, even of an adult. Back then, we lived in a less than sturdy, small house with a tin roof...Daddy felt we would be much safer w/Granddaddy. Theirs was a big house, but built much  in the same fashion. Go figure...I never did understand. Guess Daddy didn't like bad weather and wanted to p

I do believe the saying...there's always LIGHT @ THE END OF THE TUNNEL. Today, maybe....this foggy, grey, rainy, coolish, wet day is just a precursor for another beautiful day of LIGHT! I sorta remember Summer days of HOT, dry weather. Now Winter is here with its WET, cold, grey days. I also know the saying....we can never be satisfied! Maybe that's true, at least when weather is involved!! Another viewpoint is: "they" say we're catchin up on our drought figures...the earth NEEDS water for everything to survive and grow. I'm just not sure what the fog means, or does to assist in life cycles....guess I've forgotten too much schoolin frm my younger days! FOG is truly dangerous for me....I get disoriented easily in it. I'm sure other drivers must feel the same "lost" feeling when it just envelopes us. I am a positive person....I KNOW if we just endure/survive these kinds of days....there will be LIGHT again.  We definitely are creatures wh

I'm thinking that today is a thankful day for PROGRESS. Things used as a younger woman are obsolete. ME! I no longer have to hand-wash dirty dishes...I totally LUV & respect the role of an automatic dishwasher.  The family always makes jokes about my using REAL dishes at our get-togethers. They all rely on throw-away, flimsy plates, plastic forks/spoons & plastic cups...Y U C K! I USE my everyday plates, silverware and (cause they won't use glass!) plastic glasses...I know....! I truly ENJOY a "rain-head" shower. The old styles we had when I was growing up were pitiful in comparison! These new shower heads give "massage" therapy  as you shower...I totally  LUV that. Ofcourse, I'm computer-addicted....keepin in "touch with the world" has been an amazing experience for me. I  DO  still call friends/family on a phone, but cyber-space is sooooo cool! I seldom ever watch "mindless tv" anymore. I go to my computer for reading,

FOOD! Wait, let me 'splain... Today, Eric treated us to his chicken n dumplins...they were extremely tasty morsels, too! The reason I love it when the sons share their food  is...I DON'T enjoy cooking as I did when I was younger....Lamar&I are only 2...it costs less to eat out for us than to buy & prepare store bought foods these days! Then, ofcourse, there is NO clean up, now, that is a very good reason to default on cookin! Since we've retired, I DO cook, but very seldom. We do more breakfasts than any other cookin. Main meals are varied, according to our "taster" thermometer!(What food mood we're in that particular day.) It is truly a blessing that both our sons are GOOD cooks. Sometimes, they share the tasty morsels with us and we LUV that! Either of them are independent enough to take care of food prep if the need arises....a plus if the "significant other" is truly sick/away and are unable to provide for them. These guys grew up w/

This particular Sat. has been very lazzzy and laid back for me. Not a very industrious individual at all! FREEDOM--to choose to be lazy!  I'm hoping that I never get so "comfortable" in my life to remember how this is available. Freedom has been purchased and paid for by all our military personnel. Too many have lost their lives defending our freedoms. The price has been extremely high all thru my lifetime and before I became part of this world. Too often, the men & women of our armed forces are treated poorly and shown disrespect. It's sad.... FREEDOM -- I will always think of how blessed we all are to be free to choose.  I  THANK  all our men & women of the armed forces for giving us our freedoms in this country. GOD bless them all.

Today has been a day for extreme TOLERANCE! I am blessed to have people who LOVE me enough to be tolerant! Have you ever just had "one of those days"? That was this day! It began early upon arising out of bed and unfortunately, continued thru most of this day! I would blame PMS --  but I can no longer use that excuse...lol   Frustrations, aggravations, quick temper...the whole nine yards of YUCK! Late in the dusky part of the day, I treated myself to a glass of wine.....didn't help much, but did tone down the negative reactions somewhat! Sweet Lamar & Eric just tried to stay out of the "way"...bless their hearts. Thank GOD, he gave me guys who can "back off" without injuries...hahaha Those two really did put up with a huffy, puffy, ridiculous demeanor from me this day. Just couldn't seem to find that all important "Control button" within myself this day! No excuses....I just am so BLESSED to have men who endure such foolishne

Today it's LIGHT(aka SUNSHINE)! It was truly a brisk, but beeeutiful day. Light uplifts the spirit...makes us feel less "confined" in our homes. The sunshine was truly a welcomed visitor after such bone-chillin, GREY, damp days. God's mercy is truly new every day. He knows we need a break in gloom to cope with whatever this winter might bring us! Getting out to eat b'fast at IHOP was enjoyed, too.  Hoping the weather reports are correct....may get another "sweet", light-filled day tomorrow. Sunshine = smiles   vs  Grey day = frowns :( Hoping smiles outnumber the frowns, at least as looong as is possible. DUH! It IS winter....lol

This day I am truly thankful for HEAT! It has been bone-chillin, feet freezin, body shivering COLD!  When I took Arial for her "walk" this morning @ 7:15am, it was 20 degrees. The way the boys and I were forced to live B.L. (before Lamar!), it was always cold inside, too. No proper insulation, poor heat sources and just plain sad :((.   Now, we have central heat...what an AMAZING invention...how spoiled most of us are to this luxury! There are much less fortunate people with little or no heat sources to keep them warm. That is too sad to absorb. So, warmth has been a great, appreciated blessing today.  Hoping the next few days will be warmer....but  for now, I'm enjoying just being warm...........:))

Today's blessing counted is our 31st WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. We had lunch w/friends @ my fav restaurant. Lamar will choose his this weekend..as this was spur of the moment decision. Included with the above very important celebration is LOVE. Love of good friends,family and new FB friends, too. Everyone has been so sweet and loving in their comments to us today. My parents were married 25 years prior to my Dad's passing. I always remembered that in my dreams for a future for myself and the boys. It took 7 looong yrs. to  happen for us. God truly works His plan in His time. I knew when Lamar first crossed our paths--he was the one--I somehow just knew with my heart. Ours has not been a smooth road at times, but we learned to work as "one" to survive and get through the rough patches. Lamar was well informed prior to our wedding. I told him up front, the  only way he'd get rid of me--was to bury me!! I was determined to live within a successful marriage and not ev

This was an experiment..leave Spam on for a wk. and see how much comes in! NOT...today is 2 1/2 days and already there are 34 of those suckers...UGH Yea - "married women looking to sleep with new people"...WTH??? Guess some are really desperate for what this offers??? Some MORE offensive than others...and maybe a bit humorous, too. This one just amazes me..."meet for sex tonight, join free"... I'm so blessed to have been married 31 yrs. today. I remember the dating scene, it was tough. "They" say you can't meet anyone of good character in a "bar" atmosphere---WRONG!! Lamar & I met @ the  VFW dances in Hawkinsville. I  KNOW there are good people who are out there - it's always the PERSON, not the place that makes the outcome wonderful. Yes, I'm compulsive---I  DELETED  those nasty things,  and will the next batch, too, that comes through! Thank goodness for a place for Spam....the TRASH.

Today has been a bit taxing on the bod! Trip to the grocery store, load/unload, put them up. Clean pots&pans to put away...one of my most Unfavorite duties! Clean the stove...another yucky thing! So. My blessing today is the ENERGY I've found with my new vitamins I'm now on..from the Herb Shop. I still get very tired at this age, but NOT so "bone" tired as before this new vitamin. I seem to have stronger "staying" power...LOL The most important blessing for today is...Thank You God for being financially blessed to go buy groceries...so many people are struggling with that simple blessing these days. The additional note to that is Thank You God for having a home to store, use and enjoy those groceries....another blessing other's may not enjoy these terribly stressing economic times. It was, a good day. I'm very thankful.  :))

I really like the Dec. daily that Ginger&Ami did this past month.  I intend to make this my month of NOTED BLESSINGS. I want to begin the new year with a positive and thankful attitude. Today, I'm led to say that Lamar is, has and always will be God's blessing to me and our family. We soon will celebrate 31yrs. together...who knew! This day is more of a FUN recognition, though....Lamar made his FAMOUS cornbread for us. He makes it so well it almost has the consistency of cake! I've used the same recipe and yet, it never quite attains the level of his! (note: Stacey has been making it w/the same recipe and Marc says it's verrrrry good.) The cornbread was the "hub", so to speak, of our New Year's Day meal. It made the rest just "side items"!! Our sides were fried okra, black-eyed peas, and ham. It was a very good dinner. Lamar has many wonderful, loving and generous traits. We all love him for all those reasons....but, the thing he does

Jan. 1st, 2012...even if camera date is wrong!! Sunshine peekin thru the trees...yeah. Beautiful blue sky.... 10:30am and it's already 58 degrees..oh yea! Sunshine reflection on my "baby"... Can see raindrops from earlier brief shower... GOOD start to the new year...come on 2012....:))