Cat's Out!

The cat is out of the bag! I can now speak as to Art's birthday surprise. We, the kids and I surprised him tonight with supper at his work where I presented him with a card featuring one of his pictures of the beach at sunset explaining his surprise. Which is: a getaway for the two of us to FLORIDA! From Friday until Monday on the gulf coast resting and relaxing, parasailing, bungee jumping or whatever suits his fancy. It's all about him! I did not want to go the "over the hill" route that I've gone with my siblings and friends. I want this to be the best birthday he's ever had and I couldn't think of anything better than to take him to the beach and to his favorite seafood restaurant. So, go by Art's Blog and wish him a Happy 40th Birthday!!

Childhood Music, part deux

As I said earlier, here is more music of my childhood. I suppose that we're all influenced as children by our parent's tastes in music. I remember listening along with my parents to the 8-track tape in our vehicle to Don Williams, Tammy Wynette, Barbara Mandrell just to name a few. Of course my favorite was Dolly Parton. I knew every word to every song on all those 8-track tapes. Wow I'm really dating myself now, but as I look back on it, those were the days! So sit back and relax and enjoy some good ole country music!


George Jones & Tammy Wynette



Don Williams



Barbara Mandrell



Dolly Parton



Statler Brothers



The Oak Ridge Boys

Childhood Music

There have been several folks around the blogosphere posting favorite music of their youth. Well, here are some of my favorites from my early childhood. I have an eclectic taste in music thanks to different influences, so for now I'll start with the influences from my much older brother. I thought he was soo cool and hip, I idolized him and the music I heard coming from his bedroom. It was the mid to late 70's and like I said earlier I was a very small child. I'll post other childhood favorites later. Enjoy!

Opinions

We live in a wonderful country that's bestowed upon us many freedoms. One of those is the right to form our own opinions. I thank God that people have given of themselves to ensure these rights.

Here's my beef: I am entitled to my opinion, and you are entitled to your's. I respect you and your opinion and I expect the same respect so don't berate or belittle me, or insist that I am wrong, because I do not share your opinion.

I am sick to death of 'so called' Christians berating and belittling fellow Christians because of a difference of opinion. Because I have a different understanding of the Bible does not mean that I am "wrong", nor does it mean that I am not a Christian.

In the grand scheme of life I do not think it will matter if I am "left" and you are "right". What I believe will matter the most to God is if we lived out Matthew 25 and took care of our fellowman. In my opinion, God will not care if you are Conservative and I am Liberal. He will care if we fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick and imprisoned, welcomed the stranger for if we do these things for our brothers and sisters, we do them unto God.

End of rant!

Birthdays

Aren't birthdays wonderful? I think so, especially when it's someone else's birthday and not my own!! Well, my darling husband will be celebrating one of those "milestone" birthdays in about a week and 3 days. Which one? Well, Art will be the big 4-0! He's very excited about it, not nearly as excited as I am. Why? Because I have very special plans for him. I won't share these plans with anyone because, well because it's top secret! I know he's somewhat nervous about what I have planned and for good reason. As I reflect over all the things I've done to my siblings and friends on their 40th and 50th b'days, it's not pretty. Let's see, I've hung black balloons on my sisters front porch and mailbox, mailed my brother an 'over the hill' mug, put road signs on three roads announcing my other brother was 50 in addition to placing a funeral pall with black spray painted flowers on his lawn, I've made a "grave" with a headstone for another friend, decorated a wheel chair...ok, well I think I've told enough. As I said, Art has plenty of reasons to be nervous, but as I've told him, his surprise is soo totally NOT what he's expecting. I so cannot wait for next weekend, so people please be sure and wish Art Ruch a Happy 40th Birthday on Friday, March 30th.

Thanks

Just wanted to say a great big "Thanks" to all my blog friends for all your support throughout my father's illness and death. Whether it be through prayers, thoughts, comments, etc. please know that I appreciate each and every one of you. You have been such a comfort to me and I thank you.