There's A Spring In My Step

I think there's a direct link between the sunshine and my moods.  I rarely get in 'bad' moods, but when the day is sunny, I have a better outlook on life. I get energized, I become more creative, I embrace the day!  Though our little spot on the map has relatively mild winters, we do have a lot of overcast weather that time of year. Combine that with shorter days, and I often find myself bordering on the glum side of life. Though we're still dipping into the 30's at night, I think spring has finally sprung. Today's forecast is for a high of 73 (perfect!). The sky is blue, and the sun, she is a shining.  Hallelujah!

We made a whirlwind trip to see our daughter, Nikki, in Colorado Springs last month.  I think it's the most fun I've ever had visiting her. Mr. Studley had to deliver some trailers to Denver, so I rode along with him. Nikki and I got to spend a lot of one-on-one time, something we so rarely get to do anymore. When she visits us in Texas, there are so many relatives and friends to see, that she often feels stretched thin. Most times we've visited her at her home in Colorado, other relatives have visited concurrently, so again, not much time for just the two of us, or even three of us, including Mr. Studley.

It seems that most of what we did while there was eat. There are some great restaurants in that city, and we tried out a few of them!  I do wish I'd removed that ugly, plastic ketchup bottle before snapping the pic above, lol.

Nikki introduced her daddy and I to our first sushi experience. I'd always resisted the idea of eating raw fish (and yes, I realize not all sushi is raw fish). I hear so many people talk about how much they love sushi, and finally decided, that many people can't be wrong!  Nikki took us to a nice little place near her home. The atmosphere was fun, and the food was fabulous. I am now a sushi convert.  Seriously, I love me some sushi!

I'm still struggling with understanding the blogging process. Before, I'd go to Picasa, add the pics I wanted to post to the photo tray, then click "blog this" to add each picture; plus it would give me the option of the size picture I wanted. The 'blog this' button is no longer in the updated Picasa, so I am now forced to use the 'insert image' icon at the top of the blogger posting page.  It doesn't give me an option of size, though.I don't like these tiny little pictures (stamping my foot)!  If anyone has tips or suggestions, or knows something I apparently don't about it, I'm open to advice.

Studley and I spent a week last fall by this lovely river in Arkansas. It was a perfect week in October. The air was crisp, the foliage colors were brilliant (tho not so much in this picture), and the temperatures were just right for bundling up and sitting by the campfire.  It was a tad nerve wracking at night when we'd hear packs of coyotes howling at the moon...or howling at something. They were loud, and sounded too close by for comfort.  We really did have a good time, though. Fall camping is the absolute best. When I say 'camping', I'm talking about the kind of camping where I have a bathroom indoors, along with a plush mattress for snoozing. The youngsters can have the tent camping. I prefer our 5th wheel!

I've had an unrest in my soul for some time now. I wasn't sure if I was going into a depression or not. I'm not prone to depression, though I did go through a spell of it a year or two ago (hormone related, I'm sure).  Mr. S read something to me the other night from a book he's reading. The author mentioned something that grabbed my attention. I can't remember the exact phrase (Studley & his book are both out of town, or I'd go ask him), but I think it was 'spiritual unrest'...or maybe it was the word was 'dissatisfaction' . I can't remember, but the gist of it is I think that's what is going on with me. I think God's put something in me that needs to come out, or that He wants to lead me into doing.  Because I've not been able to put my finger on what's causing the 'unrest', or 'dissatisfaction' in me, I thought maybe it was depression. I believe that line from the book is God's way of saying to me, "wake up and listen to what I'm saying; seek me with your whole heart".  I think, in these latter days, God is likely causing this unrest in a lot of people's hearts, to get us busy about doing His will.  Food for thought.

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.~Matthew 17:8 KJV

In The Words of Cookie Monster....

COOKIES!!! UMM-NUM-NUM-NUM-NUM!!!

I had a hankering for homemade cookies today.  I don't need to be eating cookies.  Somehow I manage to convince myself that if the cookies are chock full of oats & raisins, they must be kind of, sort of healthy.  Sounds logical, right?

Can I just say, I love my KitchenAid mixer. I've wanted one for years.  Though I have no recollection of ever mentioning this to my mom, apparently I did, as she surprised me with this one for Christmas, a year ago.

See the red mat lying to the left of the mixer?  My niece sent it to me for Christmas this year, along with several other goodies. It's a dish drying mat, and I've been wanting one for a couple of months (and I did't tell her that, either!). It was a surprise and a delight to find it in my bag from her. I told her she's a "gifted gift giver". She always chooses gifts I really like. She said that when she goes shopping, she just buys things she knows she'd like. How clever. Wonder why I never thought of that.

Ahh, now to eat the fruit (so to speak) of my labor. I knew these cookies were going to be good by how tasty the dough was.  I got this recipe from Pinterest, my third home (Facebook being my second).   This recipe made a lot of cookies.  I couldn't, in good conscience, keep that many cookies on hand, for I know where my hand would constantly be....in the cookie jar!  I took about half out and wrapped them up nicely, and asked my son to take them to work with him tomorrow to share with his co-workers.

Isn't this a lovely picture? It's a place in the UK called Scafell Pike. It's the highest mountain in England. While my daughter, Nikki, was living in England, she went with a group that camped and hiked to the top. I have a few more pictures she sent me at that time which I'll share  later. Isn't the scenery  just gorgeous?  I'm pretty sure Nikki's somewhere on that rock bridge in the distance, but you can't quite make her out.

May you have a wonderful weekend. As Joyce Meyer (teacher of God's Word) is always saying, do something to bless someone every day!

I am not moved by what I see-

I am not moved by what I feel-

I am moved by what I believe!

~Smith Wigglesworth

There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another-showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way.  Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

~2 Tmothy 3:16 the Message

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Who Wears Short Shorts?

My mom wore short shorts. This was taken around 1956 or '57. I think she was adorable. She had really nice legs. Even now, at 77, she has nice looking legs.  No varicose veins, no wrinkling, no sagging of skin.  White enough to make you grab your sun shades, but nice.  I remember one time when she was in her early 50's, she commented that she rarely had to shave her legs anymore. I was shocked.  I was also excited, thinking "well, there should be some rewards to growing older". Trouble is, she didn't bother telling me  those hairs that quit growing on your legs have to find some place to come out. I'd rather have leg hair than chin hair any day of the week!

I was about a year old when the Royal Teens recorded "Who Wears Short Shorts?". Not that I remembered the year, or even the name of the group, but I do remember singing that song with friends when I was a little girl, as we danced around the yard in our short shorts, thinking we were hot stuff.

I love this video. Get a load of the lack of expression on the girl's face, on all their faces for that matter. Not sure if they were that emotionless, or just trying to look super cool.  I'm figuring the latter. Watch it and see if the song doesn't get stuck in your head.  But first, scroll over to the right and pause my music player. Not sure Kiss From a Rose playing simulatneously with Who Wears Short Shorts would make for pretty music.

I  also love this picture of Nikki. She looks so relaxed and happy. She was taking her vacation days, and though she loves her job working with small children, she was enjoying just hanging out with the fam.

She drove down in October and went camping with us. Nikki, my son, John, my mom & her husband, Mr.Studley & I, our Min Pin Leyna, and Nikki's chocolate lab all in our 5th wheel. It sleeps plenty, but that doesn't mean plenty actually sleep!  It was fun, though. One night Nikki, John, and I stayed awake long after the others watching some silly dvd and giggling like 5 year olds. I can't remember the last time we had that much fun together. Even my son's flatulence was giving us the giggles, and trust me, there's nothing really funny about John's flatulence..

The older I get, the more my memory fails me. By staying away from blogging so long, I managed to forget a lot that I'd learned about it. Add to that, there's been changes around here in bloggerville. She's done gone and gussied herself up a bit since I was here last.  I used to run hollering to my friend, Marilyn, at A Mixed Bouquet whenever  I needed help with my blog. She helped me set it up, and installed the design stuff for me, but Marilyn's got her hands full these days, having gone back to college to get her nursing degree.  Don't expect anything fancy schmancy around here, as I'm just not smart enough to pull it off. I am happy for Marilyn, though, and so proud of her!

Nothing earth shattering  going on around here. I've not even been knitting. What a slump I've been in; just can't seem to get started on anything. Last year, Mr.Studley had a hernia operation, which seemed to go fine until the incision area got infected about a month after the surgery. In & out of the ER, a stint in the hospital, and a couple visits per week to the doctor for a few weeks (won't gross you out telling you what took place there with a really big needle), and he's finally back to normal. Well, all except for his belly button, which doesn't look normal at all now.

In other news, my son, John graduated from his Paramedic course (yea!). He still has to take his state test, which I know he'll ace.  Mr.Studley is almost fully retired, and we enjoy our days together. We've fit into a comfortable routine,  only occasionally getting on each others nerves; and really, I can't even remember the last time that happened.  I'm blessed by God, and I know it. He love me, and He loves you, too!

I'm reading  Joyce Meyer's new book, "Living Beyond Your Feelings", which I got for Christmas. I'm not too far into it, but already I've learned things I know will help me in my life. That's my idea of a good book, one that helps me make changes for the good. Who doesn't have room for improvement?

If you're reading this post, you probably had me in your google reader, or whatever reader you use. I want you to know I'm happy you came by. My post is short, but I'm going to try and ease back into blogging. I don't have much to say, but I remember back when I blogged regularly, the excited feeling I got when someone left me a comment.  Isn't that funny, how excited we can get by the comments of  strangers?  Of course, some of you aren't strangers, at least not anymore, as I got to know you back then. I pray your life is going well, and that you find joy in each day.  Be blessed!

Mike, Leyna, Nikki, & Macy at Beavers Bend State Park, Broken Bow, OK



"Words are containers for power, and as such they have a direct effect on our emotions"
~Joyce Meyer, excerpted from "Living Beyond Your Feelings"

A Man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment-how good it is!
Proverbs 15:23 Amplified Bible

Fun at Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas

This was our view as we hiked along beside Cedar Creek, near Davies Bridge, at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas. It's near the spot where we went Letterboxing and found a snake egg. Not quite what we were hunting, but still fun, nonetheless.

That's Mr. Studley standing next to the marker, probably contemplating how he'd like to live in a cave, and wondering how to convince me. Dream on Stud!

The cave is known as Rock House Cave. You can go inside and walk around with no ropes or barriers preventing you from getting up close to the paintings on the wall, which some archeologists suspect to be more than a thousand years old. Technically, it isn't a cave, at least not the likes of Carlsbad or other caverns which go deep into the underground. This is more of a shelter under a huge rock bluff. It's quite large inside, and goes back plenty deep enough that it's inhabitants would be completely sheltered from the weather.

The hike down to it from the nearby parking lot and road is easy enough for a healthy person, though I think it might be too much for an elderly person, or anyone who has trouble with their balance, as you have to climb over a fairly rocky area before getting to the trail leading down to the cave. I like to add little details like that for anyone who may Google about the park when considering a trip there. I do lots and lots of Googling before we travel. I don't like surprises....unless it's flowers..or chocolate...or a diamond ring...or....well, you get the picture.

Our view from atop Davies Bridge. I'm not sure if this little waterfall had a name or not. Cedar Falls was farther on down the creek. We didn't hike to it, though we did hike to the overlook above it. I took a picture of the falls from there, and will show it in a subsequent post. Picasa only lets me send four pictures to a blog post at one time. Drat.

This is one of my stepgrandsons posing in the cave. Is he a cutie, or what? I only add the 'step' in there so no one will think I'm old enough to have a grandson that age. Vain, aren't I?

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!
For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.

~Psalm 100:4-5 Amplified Bible

Gone Campin'

Taken at our campsite at Spirit Mountain, Duluth, MN. Fall 2007

Mr. Studley, Leyna, and I are off this morning for our week long camping trip in Arkansas. Yessiree, Bob, we'll be enjoying the good life. Arkansas is a state packed full of natural beauty. In the fall, it's as if God dipped His paintbrush in a dozen colors to paint the trees. My little corner of blogland will lie silent for a week, but I'll be back with plenty to say, and lots of pretty pictures to show you. Who knows? I might even be in one of them if I can teach Leyna how to use the camera. Y'all be good, now!

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse...

~Romans 1:20