Wanda's Wacky Wonderful World

  Butch was 12 years older than me – The same day I graduated from kindergarten - he graduated from high school later that evening.  Pattie was 10 years my senior and she was the spoiler. But it was Butch's goal in life to make sure I did not grow up to be a brat...  so we have him to thank him for my humility and grace. He taught me so many things.  He taught me to be thoughtful and considerate. He taught me that whatever I did, should be done with excellence.  He taught me to eat all the mashed potatoes off the spoon and not savor them one lick at a time.  He made sure to remind me that just because I was the baby of the family did not give me special privileges in his book - (although he rewrote his book as we got older and became best friends). Oh the many conversations we’ve had where he would vent - pour out his heart and describe all the details of his woes. I would listen - carefully ask questions to make sure I understood it all - and tell him to g...

  Help me! Life was probably more hectic and painful than it had ever been. Most of our days were spent back and forth from the hospital. My dad was in end-stage heart and kidney failure. Watching him struggle and knowing he was nearing the end of his days; we were determined he would never be alone.  We took turns spending the nights with him and worried about our little momma; who would rarely leave his bedside.   I breathed a sigh of relief as I settled into my recliner on this particular evening; I needed to unwind before I could go to bed. I had caught a glance at several texts from the kids and needed to read them more thoroughly.  We had five grandchildren and loved all the little pictures and videos their parents sent throughout the day. I giggled as I watched a video from Amanda. Their youngest daughter Sydney was strumming a pink guitar and singing her little heart out.   I showed my husband, Jeff,   and we watched it several times. Although we co...

The Calendar. I live by mine. I set my phone alarm to remind me to look at my calendar. My calendar texts my phone to remind me where I'm supposed to be and who I'm supposed to be with. All of my devices sync to my calendar - so I won't miss something important (or fun!) that I have committed to being involved in. Pain. Just a nagging twinge at first. Then a dull ache that doesn't go away. Increasing to pain that sends him looking for something for relief. Nothing helps and the pain grows. Finally, erupting into incapacitating, gut-wrenching pain and we're on our way to the ER! The one we love is sick and our life comes to a screeching halt. Priorities. The calendar lays silent while we attend to our loved one's pain. Doctors ask questions, poke and prod. Nurses hover and machines chirp in the background. And while we wait for test results, a course of action, a diagnosis... the calendar looms. In the back of our mind, we guiltily ponder... what am I going ...

I woke up to cheerful birds singing this morning and remembered  an entry in my Gratitude Journal several years ago...  so I dug it out and decided to share it here. Today I am thankful for seasons - I love them all! I can never decide which is my favorite - Winter, Spring or Fall -  Oh maybe Summer in its radiance - toasting, melting, sweet - I enjoy the lazy evenings and walking in bare feet. But then the first fall morning dawns with a hint of crispness in the air and I'm sure I'd move to "Autumn" if I could make my residence there! The brilliant leaves and shrubs - the pumpkins and scarecrows - Fall festivals and candied apples - Tom Turkey - but don't you know... It happens late one autumn night - the temperature drops way down and old Jack Frost shows up to quietly paint the town.  Then I'm hooked - 'cause Winter's come and brought the Christmas Spirit! Oh yes, this season is so grand, with coats and hats and mittens! Fudge and...

I am innately a procrastinator... and I get sidetracked. I have been accused of having too many irons in the fire and not finishing projects. However, I will defend myself by adding to my list of confessions... "I work better under pressure!" Having said that - please understand - I LOVE the feeling I get when I have accomplished a task. I like to make "To Do" lists, mainly for the gratification of checking items DONE off my list! As this year closes, I am feeling immensely accomplished! I have finished my Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Alternative Medicine! Every day since my first class in August 2008 until my final exam on December 17, 2011, was a challenge. I learned to structure my time and LIFE to fit around an internet connection and the college deadlines I was given. We traveled more in ministry than we ever have before; and yet I managed to keep it all together. (Dare I mention that I made the Dean's List with a 4.0 every single semester? To Go...