Kat's Tails

OK, Mama is suckered in again! We have a new kitten. He (she?) is a beautiful little grey and white baby. Yep, a baby. You know how mama's are about babies?!

Anyway, this little beauty is part sweetheart, part wild mountain lion. This teeny tiny beast purrs at me while jumping on my leg and clawing until the blood runs freely. And that's just the "good morning". Wait until I try to play with the beast.

But still....it is only a baby, after all.

Good Read, THE SHACK

Ok, any one want a mind blowing good read? Want to go to a place you didn't expect? Read The Shack. Awesome. I don't want to give it away, but let me just say I almost didn't read it because I don't like murder books. But this is not a murder book, although it is about a murder. And this is not a gruesome book, although I was afraid it would be. Instead, this book really was a great page turner and made me think about some things. Enjoy, my friends!

Any Good Movies? Fireproof?

Ok, so I heard about this movie a few days ago on a radio talk show. I think Kirk Cameron was bieng interviewed. Made by the folks who made FACING THE GIANTS. I think it looks good. Take a peak at the preview/trailers on their web site. I've looked through the various video bits and think we'll enjoy it.

So, tonight, I'm going with my husband of 15 years, my sister (of my whole life), a sister-friend and her husband. Maybe another couple will join us...we'll see. Anyway, I'm hoping it makes it through several weekends so lots of folks will get a chance to see it and it will eventually make it to video. Love to have it in my library...I think!

Here's to heros, marriages, love, friendship, laughter and persevering in the tough times. Here's to faith sought, found and rewarded.

Noise Noise Noise

Bring in Da Noise....Bring in Da Kids. Ha ha ha. OK, so today is headache day (yuk, hate allergies). Took some OTC decongestants which made me very irritable at work, then very very very sleepy. Got to pick up the littlest from school in the middle of the afternoon....and she was very happy which in her world equals very noisy! Ha ha. Really, I love her chatter. When she is chatty like that, she is feeling good and happy. So, even with a headache, Bring in Da Kids, Bring in Da Noise.

What is a Missions Trip?

So, I've been asking myself for easily a month now, What is a missions trip and what is not? What matters to Jesus when I go on something called a missions trip? What is the purpose, goal, reason?

My most recent trip was not what I would have thought of as a missions trip. I mean, it seems so often that we are told a missions trip is a trip somewhere where you go out, share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and bring home a plaque with all the names of the people you saved. OK, that was a bit facetious, but seriously there is a grain of truth in that.

Anyway, my last trip was none of those things. I pretty much served. I was a gardener, a painter's assistant, a wood stacker, a Kindergarten/1st grade English (ESL) teacher, and maybe a few other things I can't think of right now. I was a prayer servant. I was also fed many wonderful meals by people with beautiful hearts; I was given the opportunity to experience something of a different culture.

So, I began to wonder, why am I here and am I really doing what I've been called to do on this trip? What am I called to do on this trip?

I went back to basics: I'm here to faithfully serve under the person who is in authority on this trip. I'm here to faithfully serve the other members of my team. I'm here to faithfully serve the other people with whom we come into contact. I'm here to love, to pray and work with whomever the Good Lord chooses to send my way.

I'm not here to complain (drats! I'm so good at it). I'm not here to judge others (another skill which I possess way too well). I'm not here to push my agenda forward.

So, basically, it seemed I was there to be whom I have been made to be--an encourager and a proud member of the team.

Thanks, everyone, for letting me be on the team. Thanks, Father, for letting me play in that game for that time.

Away from Home

Ok, so I was out of the country for about 4 weeks, from the end of June to the end of July. I was in Ukraine, on two back-to-back missions trips. Amazing.

The first part of the trip was a service trip. This was billed as a "Camp Barnabas for adults". We went to serve folks in the area of Rivne who are invalids. What an amazing group of people. Their love and joy definitely rises in front of us all. What arrogance to think we go to give, when these people gave back so much love, hope and faith to us.

We had two massage therapists, a cosmetologist, a "professional" gardener, a teacher, and myself and my teenaged daughter. I have picked bugs, rubbed shoulders, weeded, helped stack wood, tried to help rake hay, and prayed and prayed.

The second half of the trip was serving as the main attraction (yep, as in 3 ring circus) for an English Camp/VBS. I got to work with little children for about 5-6 hours a day. It was terrifying (yep--they speak no English) and fun (little kissy bug girl stole my heart!). It was also humbling to be served food in rich abundance when you know for many of these people, this is a feast they would not necessarily see everyday, let alone twice a day. The food? Yummy!

I got to pray for the pastor's wife. What a gift that was for me. I don't know what it meant to her, but I hope and pray that she remembers these dumb Americans came over to be part of the love and encouragement that the true Christian church should give to one another.

Many, many more memories: The World War II museum, walking up Nicolyev Street in Kiev, laughing with our hosts at dinner while I tried out my Ukrainski, laughing with my daughter over understanding the camp mother who told her to put the toad down RIGHT NOW! (And probably also to go wash her hands immediately), the fear of my daughter being out at night when I couldn't find her in a foreign country, the appreciation to my teammates who loved, understood and prayed for us while we all had this experience together, the tears of sorrow to think of two young men being headstrong and leaving behind their faith.

Thank you, Jesus, for this gift of time and service.

With love to my Friends, the Doxey Family

I have just received some very sad news about my friends, who have lost a loved one today. All I can do is think how sorry I am for their loss and for the terrible grieving they must be experiencing. The best I can do right now is to pray for them, and let them know that I'm thinking of them during these difficult days.

Going Out of Town

So, getting into the final countdown for a new adventure. My oldest daughter and I are getting ready to leave for Ukraine for a month! Yikes, I've travelled a bit, but never out of country.

So, today, we had to go get some shots. Nothing too fancy, or so I thought. We ended up with me getting two shots (and gotta go back in 6 months for a follow up) and she got four shots (with a 6 month follow up also). Ugh! The good side is we found a fabulous gal at the local Public Health Services who walked us through the various shots we needed, answered all our questions and almost made the shot process painless. No, I'm serious! We hardly felt the shots.

What's left to do to get ready? Let's see. Gotta find out what size our carry-on luggage is allowed to be, get our packing lists together, put together several more training plans for our group, come up with 3 devotions each for our our group, get someone trained to do my job, get some more bills paid...........Oh, I'm sure there's more...I just don't know what it is!

Honestly, I'm looking forward to this trip. What a neat opportunity to get to know my daughter better, to serve others and to see something else of the world.

WHY D MAMA IS SO IMPORTANT

D MAMA is a big deal. She is a mother bear. She loves those cubs. Once you are a part of her protected circle, you are in. She will charge, swing and destroy anyone she feels is a threat to her circle.

Thanks, D Mama for letting me in.

Speaking Fearlessly

So, I'm speaking at the PJ Party of the Year! You go girls!

Seriously, so looking forward to this party. It'll be great fun with great speakers. Can you say, lovin it!?!

whaddya think? Hardworking Guys are Great

Ok, so I came up through school during the initial stages of women's lib movement, feminism, etc. We were taught that little girls were better than little boys because we could do everything they did and still be female.

The truth, as I'm finding it now, is that it is wonderful to be female. But we're not necessarily better than the boys just because were girls. In fact, there are some things that boys are better at than girls:

• Keeping parts of life separate--let's face it, they don't worry endlessly about the kids, the kids's futures, the kids's mates, whether the kids have eaten the best possible breakfast, whether the hubby is getting enough of the right foods for his age, etc.
• Hard work is an easy thing--seriously, the physical stamina of a man is amazing! And he seems to recover his strength and energy better/faster. That's why first there was the Six Million Dollar Man, then the Bionic Woman!
• Looks younger, naturally, longer---again, let's just face this fact. Most men seem to age more gracefully than most women. Drats.

Ok, so I'm breaking out of the old ideas of girls being better than boys. I'm learning to accept that sometimes men can be better at things than women. In fact, I can almost say, vive la diference, without cringing.

You go, boys!

Where is your passion?

Today was a fun day. I got to get up early to hear two fabulous men speak. Ruben Larrazolo of Alebrijes Mexican Bistro and Gary DeGrande of DeGrande's Cafe.

Man! These two have a passion for food. But, it's not just food. It is really their expression for their passion for life and love for people. OK, and a passion to feed others with good food. Seriously! These guys are two of the warmest, kindest men I've had the honor to meet this last year.

And their passion for food and loving people is reflected in their restaurants. DeGrande's cafe is located in Lodi's little industrial area. 2370 Maggio Circle in Lodi, Ca. They are open Monday through Friday as mostly a lunch cafe. But don't be fooled by either the location or the hours, or anything else! This is a cafe hiding a secret--a food secret. DeGrande's cannot be beat for their sandwiches, their soups, their biscottis or any of the other wonderful sweet things they've got going. Find them! Trust me, Find them!

OK, so, it's after DeGrande's closes, or perhaps you're looking for a weekend treat. Want a new experience in Mexican food? You've just got to try Alebrieje's Mexican Bistro. Ruben make a special on Friday nights that is to die for. What is the special? Well, you've got to go by to check it out since it changes each week. Or, pop in for a special weekend brunch....juevos divorciados (divorced eggs) is one of my faves, along with the chicken burritas, along with....OK, I'll admit it, I'm an Alebrieje's junkie.

Alebrije's is tucked away on the corner of Ham and Lockeford St in Lodi. They are on the northwest corner, tuck in past the donut shop, past the beauty shop and before the tanning salon. This is truly a treasure worth finding!

March--A new month-Same Me

Ugh! New month. Let's see....mortgage due. Phone bill cycles through again. Also utilities, insurance, all the other bills....

Shouldn't a new month mean something new? Well, besides new bills? What about new dreams, adventures, plans?

Blah! I'm feeling all grumpy today. Uh oh...maybe that's the new me--Grumpy the Dwarf! Ha ha. (Ok so, I'm feelin' a little better. Get it? Little? Oh, never mind.)

Have a good march!

Some quiet, some sanity

Ok, I have been looking for a place of quiet and sanity for a bit now. Not that I don't love or appreciate spending time with my family....it's just that somehow or other I have managed to make it OK for everyone to take my time but allow me little to no time for myself. (Shame on me!) Anyways, I'm sitting in my office at work, everyone's gone, enjoying the quiet. But only for a few minutes since I need to go home and get things going there pretty quick. Plus, I just miss spending time with my kids.

Hey, get a little quiet and sanity...and let me know how you do it! Drop your card in the comment box on the way back to your life, Please.

Time Flies

Yikes, it's been almost a month already. Ugh! I saw a sign somewhere that said, Once time is lost, it can't be found again. How true!

Time flies for me as a mother. I was being "motherly" to my oldest daughter and told her today that she is 13 years old, blah blah blah (you know, the "motherly" comments). About 10 minutes later I realized, Yikes! She is almost 14 years old--less than a month to her next birthday.

I love being a mother. Even when I have to do the "motherly" thang! But the one thing I dislike as a mother is how quickly time flies when I'm not watching. Let's see....what can I do with my girls this weekend to slow down time?

Hmmmmmmm......Mama Bear is thinking!

Feed a cold?

Ok, so I've been sick. I got something started last week. I thought, hmm...maybe a bit of an upset tummy. You betcha! That upset tummy had me down for about 2 1/2 days! So, while I was sick I was wondering, do you feed a cold, starve a fever? Or is it feed a cold, starve a fever.

I decided it didn't matter. On day 2 I had some mashed potatoes...you know, the ones that are dried little white flakes of I'm-not-sure-what that become mashed potatoes with hot water. Feeling a bit like a baby, I ate some smashed potatoes off the spoon, had some juice and went back to bed. Slept most of several days, worked a half day, back to bed and up and ready for busy-ness again by day 3! Yeah!

Oh yeah....Mama's back! :)

KEEP MAMA HAPPY

I was thinkin . . . "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" is not a true saying. I know dmama. She spends a lot of her energy making sure that everyone else in her life is happy -- often at the expense of her own happiness and energy.

Challenges

Ok, talk about challenges! I've posted this once...but it looks like it got lost.

So, here's the question....do you love or hate challenges? When is the best age to face challenges? Are the challenges we don't conquer bad experiences?

Fear Less Females

Ok, so what makes us afraid? How do we become fear less (or at least less fearful)? Does it start with just facing whatever it is that makes us afraid? Or does it start with a determination to be less fearful?

Hmmmm.