Queenies Little Kingdom

Have you ever met someone and immediately felt like you've known them forever?  That's just how I feel this morning.  I'm typing this post from the guest bedroom of some of those very people right now.  I mentioned a tag along trip with my hubby yesterday….only I had no idea how wonderful the trip would be.

I have had the most fun!

The plan was for us to stay in an apartment (I use that term, very loosely) at the home of the company owners.  When we arrived, we were told that someone else needed the apartment (a new family — that is waiting to get into their house) and that we would be staying in their home with them in their guest room.

Awkward, right?

Not at all.  Steve & Sandy Hageman aren't the type to let you feel weird.  They welcomed us in with open arms and full access to their beautiful home.  We had planned to just work and quietly slip in and out but they wouldn't have any of that.  Dinner was a throw together (and very delicious) meal of pork loins, potatoes, green beans and Indiana corn-on-the-cob.  The new family staying out in the apartment joined us and it was one of the best evenings ever.

All impromptu!

I love meeting new people and this was definitely an encounter specifically arranged by God.  Thank you, Lord.  You know just how to bless me–just when I need it most.

Did I mention that I'm in the middle of nowhere?  Remington, Indiana is known for its farms, miles of land and those fancy new windmills you see as you speed by on I-65.  Only, from where I'm sitting…..I can see them up close and personal for miles and miles.  They're a little daunting, or impressive.

The lesson I've learned from this whole trip is never miss an opportunity to make new friends.  Not that I would ever do that (people claim I could make friends with a rock).

Well, I'm off.  My new friends and I are heading to West Lafayette to shop and see the sights.  I hope your Wednesday is full of new friendships and hospitality!

Hebrews 13:2 says, Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

 I'm convinced that angels have been entertaining me for the last few days!

I'm not going to bore you with my blah blah today.  I have a little trip to pack for with my hubby.  It's work for him and get-away for me.  Nothing spectacular, so don't get the wrong idea that I'm some sort of jetsetter.  Matter of fact, where I'm heading there isn't even wi-fi or internet access.  My plan?  Get focused on some of the many books piled up on my Kindle.  Oh and possibly have a few uninterrupted conversations with my guy.

It can happen!

Oh, I do have something worthy to share.  Maybe you already know about it but in case you've missed it. Youtube is flanked with the sweetest marriage proposal video ever.  My daughter insisted I watch it last night and I cried it was so precious.  This morning I woke up to the happy couple on the Today Show and I loved them all over again.

—THIS IS WHERE THE VIDEO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE—

Tell me you watched it and smile cried too!  Can you believe all the people that helped?  How did he pull that off?  Honestly, that was so sweet that it deserves every bit of popularity that it brings them.

God bless Amy & Isaac!  I can't wait to see what they do next.

  Maybe this link will help.  Sorry!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_v7QrIW0zY&feature=channel&list=UL

I have no legit excuses for not posting other than yesterday I was on a book shopping field trip and today I'm cleaning like a mad woman!  Literally, if you drive by my house (I've been out pushing the mower) and see me outside….you will say to yourself<—>What is wrong with that lady?

I couldn't stand it any longer and bit off more than I can chew got started on some jobs that were driving me crazy!  Surely, you know what I mean?  Piles of stuff to be put away, dust bunnies, dirty rugs that needed shaking/washing, items the dog chewed up and NO ONE bothered to pick up.  All the yucky stuff nobody wants to do but enjoys the "after it's done" rewards.

Yea, that's what I'm doing!

I did eat a fantastic lunch yesterday while out on my field trip!  This was my first time eating there and I loved it.  The company was fun too!  (Thanks Betsy)

See what I'm talking about?

That's my lunch in that there pan!  I chose shrimp and lo mein noodles then I selected all the fresh veggies and sauce (I LIKE) to go in my dish and this nice guy cooked it all up for me.  I wish I could describe the smell.  It was heavenly!

Here's my finished product.

Next time you see STIR CRAZY on a sign and you're hungry….I recommend you stop and eat there.  You will love it.  Oh and the best part?  It was a buffet (if you wanted).  I didn't choose a large portion the first go around just because I wasn't sure if I'd like all that I had put together but when I went back I ordered chicken and it was just as yummy!

Enjoy your weekend, friends!  Celebrate & honor our military as you go about your long weekend with friends and family!

Alright, I've got to run…it's back to the mowing and cleaning for me.

Raising a family is a process.  Some days seem to linger forever and others seem to fly by.  I've been so tired that I couldn't think straight.  I've spent nights up and down with a crying baby or a sick kid and then had to function again all day the next day.  I've also wished for time to pass only to see one of my babes do something milestone worthy and then cried that they'd reached that age.  Mama's are twisted, huh?  Being a mom is one of the best blessings to ever happen to me.  When God picked me, I signed up wholeheartedly.  I didn't want to play at being a mom, I wanted to do it with my best intentions. Every. Day.

I've never been without my kids.  It's just the way it worked out.  For the last 21 + years, I've been a mama.  Their mama!  There were no sitters, no family….anyone who watched my kids for long periods of time.  They were always with me.

I'm thankful God worked it out like that.

Today is day #2 of me being home all alone.  The only companions I have are the two dogs that have missed a full-time caregiver all schoolyear.  If I hadn't had them yesterday….I might have cried.  Call me sappy, I don't mind.

Every year since 1990, I've had people to care for.  My house has buzzed with the tv shows of Barney & Sonic the Hedgehog, Lizzy McGuire & That's So Raven over the course of my kids growing up.  Bikes and toys everywhere are now replaced with cars (big people items) and favorite fashionable clothes.  The priorities seemed to change overnight.  

I hadn't quite thought through the reality of my summer until now.  I'm home alone, all 3 of my big kids have jobs and responsibilities away from me.  How did this happen?  Will I be here by myself forever?  Oh, who am I kidding?  They'll just be gone to jobs/school during the day.  They'll all be home in the evenings and still want dinner & clean clothes.  Arguments and squabbles will still take place and of course we'll still hang out and do stuff together.

Besides, I have my summer TO DO list to keep me busy.  Right?

I'm not sure if I should feel lonely or old and maybe deep down I actually feel some of both.  This new stage of life seemed to sneak up on me.  I've heard other mothers say the same thing.  I loved having my kids around.  I'm thankful that I was the one cooking their favorite meals and driving them to do fun outings.  I might be the only parent who jumped with joy for snow days.  I liked hanging around relaxing or partying with my kids.

All I really know is that I am a blessed mom.  I've been lucky enough to be the one to raise them and teach them everything they know.  I'm amazed at the many good things they picked up along the way that each of them utilize in their everyday life now.  I'm grateful for their love of music and drama, I see in each of them a gift that I know God used me to pass along.  I also see so much of their dad in them and I admire them for those great qualities.  Nothing can change who they are–it's time to turn the page.

God,

Your plans are marvelous!  Thank you for the paths of my motherhood.  I wouldn't have wanted anyone to take care of my kids (but me) and obviously, neither did you.  I consider every opportunity with my children to be a privilege!  My life is full because of YOU and them.

Amen

PS-Thank you Honey for making sure I could be the mom God needed me to be.  I give you honor for your contribution to our family.  You rock!

See what my first morning of summer looks like. Just what the doctor ordered. Quiet time, hot green tea, 2 sweet doggies & my beautiful swing. All for me!

I can’t brag on all the wonderful without sharing some real life stuff too. The sickness of the year of our Lord Jesus 2012 that is trying to do me in is still lingering with a vengeance. I went to bed feeling death approaching and woke up just the same. This stuff is killer!! CONGESTION, EARS, THROAT and now SINUS misery. Have I mentioned how awful medicine head feels too?

Shoot me!

I thought I could get away with not using my alarm this morning since my kids all have a full summer of real jobs. Each have been waking up and jetting off by their own alarm system. Who needs Mama?

That’s what I thought until I heard my garage opening this morning and the person leaving was the kid who works down the street and the other kid who works 40 minutes away was still snoring!! Rutro!!

She flew out of bed (7:38 am) and jumped into a dress….she didn’t even brush her hair and raced out the door. Somehow, her phone didn’t go off and now her 8am work time was impossible to make. She left super stressed!!

Poor kid!

I sure know that feeling. It’s overwhelming, sort of like the way I felt when I gathered the worlds largest pile of laundry this morning. Since my washer is only working part-time, I thought I’d cry looking at all of it! By the way, why in the world are appliances so expensive to replace? The lowest price for a large capacity washer in all my searching has been $750! Whaaaaa?

Whoobie whatie?

I really have no right to complain. I do 2 loads of laundry just about every single day of the week. Large loads. The washer I’m using is a hand-me-down that I’ve had all of my marriage. Or at least since before my girls were born. It was used then but seemed to have plenty of life left.

Boy, did it!

So as summer begins…I hereby declare that a new washer will be my vacation/grocery/eating out/any fun at all budget sucker.

Guess this little spot of paradise better be my source of satisfaction, huh?

It's strange to me what people are doing in the name of freedom in the USA!!  I can't see value in rioting in the streets and endangering innocent people and or police just to make your point.  It should be illegal!  Just turn on the tv and look at what's going on in Chicago.  How is that behavior justified as right?

Violent, angry protesters are dangerous…not helpful!  I'm certainly thankful that I don't live and work there.  Who can go about normal business with this kind of crazy going on?  Those trying to make a stance are putting so many in danger and it's as if they don't even care.

Funny how that works, huh?  They protest to be heard regarding what they feel is unfair or right only to put people in danger.

I'm not secretive about my political direction.  However,  I'm not going to riot in the streets and act like a crazy psycho when the President comes to do business.  What help is that?  I'm sickened when I see the absurd behaviors of Americans.  Who decides this is helpful?  It does nothing but make America just like every other place in the world.

Hostile, dangerous and unable to handle our differences without putting everyone around us in harms way.

Please pray for our country.  It's quickly slipping into a land of upset and uncertainty.  That's not the land of the free….if you ask me.

Lord Jesus

It makes no sense.  Our country is at war within itself.  I pray for your hand of protection over those who live in the cities where protesters are behaving badly.  Our world seems to be out of control.  We need you — please reign over us with your love and mercy.

Amen