Friends...

They say that not having friends can shorten your life by 7 years. Whoever "they" is... I believe it.

Not having someone to turn to, to lend an ear, to say a prayer, to hold your hand... must be the darkest of days.

I am so very thankful for my long distance friends and my lifetime friends. Some of which have become more like family. 

A good friend is someone who knows about all of the ghosts in your closet and isn't afraid.                 ~author unknown

Over Forty

Yes, forty is a big number. And I am a few years passed that. But I am thankful. Here's a couple of things I am thankful for...

My big girl

My youngest

Yes, I am blessed. :-)

I've been looking forward to joining this party of all parties!

The first thing that went through my mind was "what should I tell everyone?"; not far behind came "what would make someone want to come back?''.  I began to piece together the answers to the first question in my mind but decided that the 2nd one was not mine to answer right now. I long to have a "productive" and "fun-for-all" blog one day, but at this time in our lives, there are too many obstacles to overcome. I know that when the time is right, God will put it all together. And I will smile. Inside and out.

My name is actually Kellie... not Sue. The title for my blog came about because my husband used to tell me that my best attribute was my smile. He said that I had a "sunny" personality. Then one day at church, one of the older men (not old, just 20 yrs. older than me) that I did volunteer work for, and truly respected, told me that I lit up a room when I walked in with my smile. He was like a father figure and it meant the world to me. Well, hubby was there and heard his compliment as well, and Sunny Sue was born.

I am a mother to 2 teen girls who have grown faster than I could ever imagine. I remember big bows and picking out clothes. Now we are beginning to search for colleges and taking ACTs and SATs. I am proud of who they have become and the days when I long for their presence are fast approaching.

Hubby and I celebrated our 20th anniversary this year and have lived in 4 different states throughout our marriage. We began in Texas and are back "home" again. I love being a Texan but I use the term "home" a bit loosely. We are not sure where that is exactly anymore. Our family is going through the biggest struggle of our lives right now. Jobless for 9 months. I won't linger there because we know that God has a plan for us and we are trying our darnedest to hang in there and stay positive.

My blog is mostly about family and stuff I love. I love to scrapbook and plan to share more of some of my favorite things. I like to share about tips I learn, books I read, and blogs I love. I hope you will hang around and get to know me better.

For now, join the party and meet some new bloggers!

Miscellany Monday

Linking up with Carissa today...

1) Has anybody seen "Waiting for Superman"? It is a documentary about the failing public school system. Sound boring? It wasn't. It was actually scary. By the time the movie was over, I was sad, angry, appalled. You just can't imagine what innercity schools go through. 

I know that a large # of you bloggers out there are homeschool moms and I commend you. It just wasn't for me. I believe I would be in a hospital somewhere by now. My family agrees. (Not sure how terrible that actually is... denial.)

The movie is worth watching. If you have never heard of Geoffrey Canada or David Levin & Michael Feinburg, you simply must check this out. It is amazing what they have done for public education and yet, baffling trying to figure out why it is so hard for the rest of America to do the same.

One part of the movie I wish I could quote was about bad teachers in New York somewhere. They get sent to what is known as "the rubber room" because since they have attained tenure, they can't be fired. While these 600 teachers are there for up to 3 years, they play cards, sleep, read, etc. AND get paid their full salary!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, America...

2) Last week we had some baby calves in the pasture next door. They have been bottle fed by the neighbors and are just the cutest things. To have them run up to you (hoping you are hiding a bottle somewhere), with their baby mooing and licking the air with their LONG black tongues... well, it is one of those times when you are thankful for God's creations.

3)Finally, I have a few softball pics to share that were taken by another mom. This is where we have been spending our time, for the most part.

That's my big girl at 1st base.

After a huge tournament championship.

(My mgr. girlies are on the far left of 1st and 2nd rows.)

Tourney Champs again

(2nd and 3rd on back row)

Hope you all have a great Monday!

Happy Birthday Joanne!

Today I must begin with wonderful birthday wishes to Joanne! If you remember, she had a stroke in January and I have been praying for her ever since. (That's her beautiful pic there on the right.) She is making remarkable improvements and you can catch up with her HERE. Only God...

So~

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you JOANNE!!!

We have been so busy over Spring Break with softball that I haven't posted in over a week. Hopefully those pics I promised will come soon.

Before I close for today, I need to post my new verse for SSMT~

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16, NIV

Happy Sunday!

Just a quick trip to town for some WiFi with the girls. They are on Spring Break this week which is REALLY early compared to everyone else we know. No big plans for us, though. They have a softball game(s) every day of their break except Wednesday. That night... church. Busy is the word. No rest is what my mind thinks!

I wanted to ask those of you that  aren't able to comment on my blog to send me an e-mail at sunnysue66@hotmail.com. Those techy sorts said that I need to know what browser you are using before they can help me figure out why.

Thank you!

My Blogoversary & A New Party

Yes, it is true. It has been one year since I first started this blog. It has transformed and stalled (due to very limited internet) all within a year. There have been many blogs that I would like to imitate. There are many bloggers that I would like to be like. I would put cute little links in here for them, but today I am just short on time.

There are a few weird things going on with this blog as of late... commentors receiving e-mails that their comment was rejected and not being able to post certain pics with their links (such as the button I speak about below). Hopefully I will get it all resolved soon! Anyway...

HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY TO ME!

I have been seeing this cute little button (below) on some of the blogs I frequent. I have not been a consistent blogger because of our current situation, I only have a handful of followers, and I have a whole lot to learn about this blogging community. But, there is so much that I want to do with it!

My problem...
                     I want to know it all and do it all RIGHT NOW!


For today, I have decided to join this blog party. It seems like a fitting way to celebrate by letting you get to know me a bit better.


 

What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life?
George Strait, Matthew McConaughey, Beth Moore :-)

Who is your favorite blogger? Why?
Big Mama- F.U.N.N.Y.
Carissa - honest, real, and relatable

What is your comfort food/drink?
Dr. Pepper is my drink. Kind of wish I could stop drinking it to be more healthy. Kind of.
Ice Cream. Oh, ice cream. Blue Bell, of course. I am a Texan, you know.

Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.
I am a bit of a germaphobe. Love me some Clorox wipes and Germ-X.

Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it?
Work in a scrapbook store and/or create digital scrapbook papers and elements.

Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?
Definitely Romantic Comedies like Sweet Home Alabama and Pretty Woman 
Dramas based on true stories like Remember the Titans and The Blind Side

 Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?
Christian Fiction... Karen Kingsbury is my fave. Seems like the largest % of Christian Fiction writers like to write about the Amish or living in the Old West. Karen is current and so life applicable.
Would love any recommendations if any of you have any. :-)


Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?
We used to call it Contemporary Christian. Now, it gets many names. Faves are hillsong united, MercyMe, Casting Crowns, etc, etc, etc. Way too many to name.
However, my overwhelming favorite would be if I could get our old church in Tulsa - Church on the Move to put out a worship CD. Andy Chrisman (4Him) and Kenneth Weston and the rest of their crew just make me want shout from the mountain tops.

I also like a little country like The King of country... George Strait, Keith Urban, Sugarland, and Lady Antebellum, etc. Too many for this list, too.

If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?
10% to the church, pay for my girls' college, buy a new house, take a vacation with my family (We have only been on one real one that wasn't to visit family and it was still in Texas!)

Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).
How about 2?
Scrapbook paper - I am a collector. I have a great desire to put it all to use someday!
Magazines - Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks Etc., Real Simple, and All You - LOVE THEM!

If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?
I really don't have a clue. A medium sized town with 4 seasons.


What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).
Helping people. I love to open the door for someone, carry something for somebody that needs help, push someone in a wheel chair. Things like that.

What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of?
A fresh watermelon or cucumber
A Bird of Paradise Circle E candle

When you leave a social gathering, do you wish: You would have talked more or You would have talked less?
Definitely less.

If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?
Pottery Barn, Coldwater Creek, North Style (catalog)

What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?
Losing family or me not being able to see our girls grow up and have their own families.

What is your greatest accomplishment?
Our girls

What are your favorite animals?
Dogs, dogs, dogs

I think that is enough revealing for today! If you want to join in, you still have a few more days over at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground . I look forward to getting to know more about you, too!

SSMT Day

I had a longer post planned, but will just have to finish it tomorrow. It has been another tough day at our house. Seriously, I know God is doing his best to grow me somewhere. Maybe that's the problem... I'm just not getting it!!!!!!

Tough stuff on our list today:
1) Today would have been our Abby's 10th birthday.
2) My daddy is in a VA hospital for terrible leg and back pain along with depression.
3) Hubby just got another job rejection where he had made it to the final 3.

 I think my new verse is just the right one. Especially today.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal. 
~2 Corinthians 4:18

**I don't know why some of you are getting a message that your comments aren't getting to me. I will do my best to check it out tomorrow and hopefully fix it! I appreciate your comments too much to miss them.

M is for Monday

What is it about Monday that makes it so, well, Monday?

Linking up with Carissa to share some Miscellany...



1) After some storming overnight, the weather is really beautiful today. A little extra wind but that just reminds me of Oklahoma.

2) Today marks the eighth  month that we have been without a job. Eight months of living with the in-laws. We are so very tired. We try to stay positive but each day that passes makes it more difficult.

3) Went to a wonderful softball tournament this weekend. We won, so of course that made it all better. Played against the hosting team and it was a nail biter. Too much fun!

4) Teens and attitudes. Yuk. Let me say it again just to feel better... Yuk. Actually this whole experience has been neat in the way that I see the girls more often BUT they are beginning to get on each other's nerves. And that gets on mine. If you have or have had teens, any advice would be appreciated!

Stuck in a Rut

OK, I know that I said I would be better at this blogging thing... obviously I haven't been. After losing Abby, we just kind of existed. Sadness was overwhelming some days and other days I felt like I was just going through the motions. Looking forward to weekends when we could all just be together and relax.

Softball season has begun here. One plays and one manages the team. For us, that means lots of driving back and forth, late night dinners, and no free weekends right now. So, we will settle into this new rhythm, enjoy the ballpark life and treasure our time together.  *pics coming soon

Goodbye Sweet Girl

REST IN PEACE

 

OUR SWEET VALENTINE

Hope's Abby Gail

March 1, 2001 - February 14, 2011

In life I loved you dearly, 

In death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place

no pup will ever fill.

                                                                   Author Unknown

We miss you very much!



Abby

She's the sweetest. She's one of the best presents I've ever received. She's been in our lives for 10 years. She's part of our family. And now...   She's sick.

Over the past 6 months there has been a lot of diarrhea and vomitting. Gross, I know, but when it is a "family member", all that kind of goes out the window. Especially if you are a parent and have already been through many a diaper change and toilet cleaning.

In the past few weeks, everything has gotten more intense. We have been to the vet numerous times for blood work, sonograms, meds, etc. Today, a new vet. A tumor has been found and a biopsy sent off. And so we wait. With heavy hearts. And pray for our sweet Abby Gail. For those of you that are not dog lovers, this may not make any sense. But, to us...
she is one of our fur babies and we love her very much.

More Miscellany



1) So glad the winter weather is gone. Like being home with the family but sometimes things happen. This go-round the oldest lost her cell phone... at a snowball fight with about 20 kids... at a park about the size of a football field. So much fun spending hours on end with wet cold feet. Plus side? Phone found, still on, not even wet. Only God.

2) More snow headed our way. Cell phone will stay in the car.

3) Watched a donkey and a border collie playing while I ate lunch. We have never been around so many donkeys in our lives. They are everywhere. Cute when they are newborns, though. Lots of "fuzz". Loud when they grow up.

4) Beth issued a challenge today to go the rest of the day without criticizing or complaining. Ugh. Not one of my strong points. I think God must of told her to do that. I just know it!

Link up with Carissa and post your miscellaneous thoughts today.

Have a good one!

Cold is necessary for what, exactly?

Yes, it is cold here. Way too cold. I am missing the snow but definitely not loving the cold. Very thankful to have somewhere to live. Can't imagine being homeless through all of this. Ugh. Just so painful to think about.

I read a verse this a.m. during my quiet time that made me laugh out loud.

             A fool shows his annoyance at once,
             but a prudent man overlooks an insult.  Prov. 12:16

 If only I had read it before my little episode... I could have avoided the 2 hours crying in my car at the library! I almost considered making that my memory verse for SSMT this week. Decided to just work on that one on my own. My 3rd verse is actually...

            Be strong and take heart,
               all you who hope in the Lord.  Psalm 31:24

So much to learn

Having to drive 10 minutes for internet keeps me from being regular with my posting. When I do get online, I tend to spend my time trying to catch up with my blogging friends and I run out of time. So, I am going to pretend like it's the start of a new week, be a bit random, and act like it is a  Miscellany Monday.


1. I did something SOOOOO stupid and it took me a couple of days to get passed it. The day began like any other... driving my teens to school which is "in town". A woman pulled out in front of me while I was driving about 60mph. When I passed her, she gave us the universally known hand signal. I was not a happy camper needless to say. She also went to the school. I got out of my car. I know. I know.
                         Stupid.
                                                Stupid.
                                                                               Stupid.
She was yelling and certainly wasn't hearing anything I had to say. I did not yell. However, that's when I started shaking. All over. The realization of what I was doing had hit me. But, it didn't keep me from making the next stupid decision. I told her that I wish everybody in town knew what she had done.
There.................................................... I had said it............................................ I couldn't take it back. Ugh. What was I thinking? What made it worse was that there were 3 children raising the flag that were within 15 ft. of us, the principle of the school was not much farther up the sidewalk and a teacher was standing at the front door. I couldn't find a hole anywhere. 
 
2. Joanne is improving by the day. Amazing. Only God.
 
3. When is the right time to get the Gardasil shot? Or is it ever right?  Hubby and I decided a while back that at the girl's ages, it just wasn't the time. This year their school sent out a letter to us. And then another. It's not required but "highly recommended". When talking to the girls, they both held up their purity rings and said, in unison, "This is my Gardasil shot." Wow. Could a parent be happier? Very cool. However, I know things happen. 
 
4. Kind of wishing we were back in Tulsa for the big storm. Something about just being HOME with nothing pressing and no school and no work. Everyone together.  Here it just sleeted a bit. Maybe a flurry or two will drift its way to our part of Texas. We are told not to hold our breath. *sigh*
 
5. All stocked up on groceries just in case some ice keeps us inside. I had a hard time thinking of meals that sounded good. The winter one-pot meals are all running together. Everything is starting to taste like chili. What is your favorite winter food? You are NOT allowed to say C-H-I-L-I!
 
 

No tips today

This used to be my "Tips Tuesday" but I am fresh out. It has been so long since I have been in that mode that I feel a bit brain dead in the tippy area. Oh, I could give you some tips I have learned in the past 6 months, but they might be frowned upon. Let's just say they might come across a bit whiny..... ish. So let's just don't.

Have you heard the WONDERFUL news?! If you haven't checked in on Joanne lately, you must. God is so powerful. And mighty. And awesome. And, well, C.O.O.L!  Hop on over here and get the full update.

With 2 teens, we are trying to take the time to make some memories. You know... good ones. Not the "Remember when we were walking through the desert?" ones, but more like the ones that will overshadow that kind. Anybody got any ideas for us? Inexpensive ones?

Just posted my 2nd verse today for SSMT (Siesta Scripture Memory Team). I had completely forgotten about doing this and so I am a bit behind. Had to get this verse commited to memory so that I will be ready on the 1st to catch up. Here's my #2:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Matt. 11:28-30 NIV

This verse is on the Living Proof Live CD that I bought at my first Living Proof weekend in 1998. Beth reads these verses right before Tammy sings "Jesus, I am Resting". Oh, what an impactful experience that was. Well, I'll save that story for tomorrow.

Nothing too profound

Over the past few days, I have taken the time to "catch up" online a bit. What that means actually is that I have made it a priority to read some blogs from "old friends". They are those that have been so supportive through this experience we are going through and I have relied heavily on their encouragement. It has been so refreshing. It is like new life has been breathed into my soul. Connecting with you all has been such a blessing. You know when you are so excited about something that you just want to shout it from the mountaintops? It has been that kind of feeling.

There are many blogs that I haven't gotten to yet, but I will. I won't ever be able to go back and catch up with all of the happenings I have missed. Just to be a part of your lives again fulfills me. It is strange - this blogging world. One day I hope to meet many of you in person. Because to me, you are such an important part of my life.

I am glad to be back. 

Far from Wordless Wednesday

Today I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with things to say/share. I want to start by talking about Joanne. If you aren't familiar with this sweet woman, I encourage you to get to know her and the family that loves her. Life can certainly change in the blink of an eye. Please also consider praying for her and if you feel led, there are other ways you can help which are posted on her blog.

In thinking about Joanne, I realize even more how selfish my complaints are. You have been patient with me. You have "listened" and encouraged. You have reminded me of my blessings. I am grateful. Here's a pic of a couple of my blessings. I hope this doesn't seem inappropriate here in this post.

These are my beauties at Christmastime when we were able go back and visit Tulsa. Utica Square is a place to experience and one that will remain forever special to us. 

The next thing that is competing for my attention is how behind I am. I haven't been online much since the New Year... actually in the last 6 months. So, I haven't read this oh-so-important-to-me blog to realize that I haven't committed to SSMT. Yikes! Gotta get movin' on this one.

This is my first verse...

Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

Hello? 2011, are you out there?!

It's a new year and I am ready for some changes. Looking back at some pictures from high school and college, I am so glad I don't know "that girl" anymore. However, looking in the mirror, I don't think I like the woman that gazes back at me now. Why didn't I recognize the one I liked when I had her? Where is she now?

I know this difficult journey we have been on as a family has been for a reason. I obviously haven't been paying close enough attention. I certainly don't seem to have listened hard enough or gotten the message. We are still on the same journey. Nothing has changed in our situation. I don't think we have changed. I know that God allows changes to grow us. I'm afraid I haven't grown.

I have been pretty good at waiting patiently. I have learned that God's waiting room is quite full. There are many that wait. Some come and go. I am still here. Did I miss my number being called? I hope I didn't. I pray I didn't. I ask God on my knees to show me what I am missing. It is quiet. Maybe I just don't want to hear what He is trying to tell me...