My Aunt Earlene loves to sing and has a beautiful voice. She is a lot of fun to be around and I love singing with her. She has four sons and all are extremely talented in music. Earlene and mom (sisters) are cancer survivors. Both have had surgery to remove masses and so far all is well. Prayer has made a difference.

Enjoy the video!

Happy New Year blessings! What a wonderful holiday season this has been for me. The music presentations at the hospital and church, Christmas with family, time with my friends, karaoke at the Senior Center (thanks for inviting me Meme Lorie)....it was so wonderful!
For the past several days, I have worked on a little home organization, including some home/office "clean up". I just love getting organized! I procrastinated for the longest until one day I said to myself, "self, don't try to tackle this all at one time - simply do a little each day". Well, that is exactly what I have been doing, and it has worked! I will continue to do a little each day, something that I feel is important for me.
Another thing that I work on when critical or negative thoughts come to my mind, is replacing them with the truth of God's love, acceptance and grace. I went through a very difficult time in my previous position (13 years in same department) at work last year and was deeply hurt. The good thing is that God brought me through it and placed me in a new position. I went from working in a department of over 200 staff, to a department secretary where I work with 4 brilliant ladies. It was evident at my interview almost 4 months ago that this department/office was unique. It took some getting use to, in a good way though. God placed me in a position where I have no stress and the work is very interesting. Thank you God for taking care of me in this situation.
Living the DASH

Hot, hot, hot....

AJ has been working on his project for school this week (Fire Safety).  We had lots of fun making the pictures to put on his poster, and he actually did the typing for information about each picture (I watched him patiently hunt and peck for the correct letter).  He colored a fire extinguisher to put on the poster also.

Remember to check smoke detectors every few weeks

 

 

Stop! Drop! And Roll!  If your clothes catch on fire

 

 

Meet your family in a special place outside

 

 

Call 9-1-1 only if there is an emergency

 

Okay now, it's time to educate your precious little family.  Some other fire safety rules for children and adults are:

Do not play with matches

Do not play with the stove

Don't plug in too many things into an outlet

Tell an adult if you smell smoke

If there is a fire, stay low and go!  Crawl to an exit

Know two ways out of every room

 

Love in the Fall

Today I was blessed by a surprise visit from mother and daddy.  I fixed them a little lunch and visited on the back patio.  I got them to pose for a picture in my fall display I placed in the yard yesterday.

 

I really love this time of year.  Just in my simple little yard alone, I witness some of God's greatest creation.  I love spending time watching all the different kinds of birds that come to eat at the little place I just happen to manage, "Feathered Friends Diner", two  locations in the front and back yard (bird's choice, same menu).  I am very proud to say that we have always scored 100 on our heath inspections (those HAWK inspectors sure have a sharp eye, they check EVERYTHING).

Not long after we put up our Blue Bird box next to the diner in the back yard,  a family moved in.  I am giving them time to settle in, then I will see about getting some pictures to post.

God must know how much I love nature.

This is a couple of the pictures that were taken on the day we celebrated daddy's 80th Birthday in September.  Picture on the left from L to R is daddy, Vicki and Patsy (my sisters) and Mary Jo (my sweet sister-in-law).  Picture on the right from L to R is Christy (my daughter), AJ (my grandson) and my awesome daddy.  He has a whole lot of medical issues including macular degeneration which has caused him to be diagnosed  legally blind.  He and mother still have the most beautiful garden in Madison County.  The "greens" will be ready in a few weeks and I sure plan to go pick a mess to cook, yum yum !!! 

Country Smiles to you!!!

Back and very grateful for best buds

I owe a whole lot of thanks to two best friends in the whole wide world.  What encouragement they give to me, what love they share, what kindness they show, what support they offer....I could go on and on and on.  I give the credit for my new blog design to my lovely Lorie friend.  I give the credit for the encouragement (and constant nagging me that I needed to post, hehe) to my beautiful Barbara.  Plus Barbie supplied the liquid nourishment I needed (WCM, yum yum).  I love you both so very much:)

 

Barbie, Juju and Lorie (2007)

 

I imagine after a while, people would like to see/read something besides the praying mantis.  

Praying Mantis (Walker Home visit/revival August 2008)

 

I guess the little creature has gone on to another location as I have not seen him for a couple of weeks.  I hope the little fellow prayed the Walker Family up!

 

My sweet little grandson AJ had something to tell everyone when he got to school on the first day of first grade.

 

I am active again in blogging and I hope I don't wait so long in between post this time.   

Hello Praying Mantis, welcome to our home!

On AJ's first day of school for 1st grade, this little praying mantis appeared on our front porch.

As of this date, the little insect is still here! I believe it has taken up residence! It is the cutest thing (if you like insects that is). They are some of the fiercest hunters in the insect world! Did you know that the habit of holding its front legs together like someone at prayer earned the praying mantis its common name? Well little mantis, you are welcome to stay for as long as you wish and be our little prayer warrior. Lord knows we need all the prayers we can get.
For the past few days the mantis has stayed close to the bird bath for some reason. This is a special mantis as it lets us pet it and as you can see it got real friendly checking out my new haircut sweet Barbie gave me at the famous AGentle Touch Salon & Spa.

I usually pet it at least once a day, rubbing it gently on its back. Sometimes I hit a spot that must be ticklish because it jumps quickly and startles me!Enjoy the pictures:)

6:05:00 PM
by Juju

Time's ticking away!

My little handsome AJ starting 1st grade last week. Times have sure changed (check out my school picture). I already feel that he has a wonderful teacher. Her room looks awesome (jungle theme this year). He will start going to his dad and step mom's every other week starting this Friday. Boy, is that going to be an adjustment:( Okay, I realize that his mom and dad have needed to play an active role in his life. It is just that he has been with us full time for most of his life. I knew this time would come, so I had already begin to pray about it. And at least his dad lives within 3 miles of us. I am grateful that we have a good relationship with each other (you don't always see this when there is a divorce).
I start my new job on August 24th! Just three more days of working in my current department. Please continue to pray for the department I will be leaving. Staff are concerned that it will not be as "positive an atmosphere" when I am no longer there. They say things like "we know we can always count on Juju to cheer us up". Isn't that sweet! I really worked hard at including 200+ employees in encouragement, listening and just letting them know how much I loved them. I will miss them too, but at least I will be at the same campus and I am sure to still run in to them from time to time.
"Sweet thing" is working on insulating his little shed so he can play this winter in there with all his tools. I am helping him between doing my chores inside. I am sure he will be calling for me anytime now. He is good at this kind of stuff, and we make a good team when we are working together on projects. Opps, I spoke too soon, I hear him paging me for help! Yall take care and have a wonderfully blessed day!
Smile, it does make a BIG difference!
Juju