Being a Girl Scout taught me lots of life lessons and principles that I carry with me to this day. The great thing about the lessons is that they were not always obvious. Or even lessons that we were sat down and given. No, the lessons were demonstrated through actions as well as being discussed. One lesson that did not really hit me until today was the buddy system. My Girl Scout troop traveled quite often. Whether it was camping or our annual summer vacations that were partially funded by our cookie sales, we were always on the road. Traveling around with a large group of preteen and teenage girls…

What are you passionate about?  Maybe a TV show or your favorite singing group.  Maybe it is sports, and you have the lineup for every professional game on your schedule.  It might even be your career.  You are a workaholic and cannot rest until the job is finished. No matter what you are passionate about, I am sure that you are well informed on the subject.  You take time to discover new things about your object of interest.  If there is a back story, you are well versed in the topic.  The subject of passion came up the other day, and I had to take a look at myself.  A…

Happy Anniversary to me!  One year ago today, I boarded a plane to Utah.  Very nervous, but desperate.  And I was so desperate that I was flying across the country to spend four days in the mountains of Utah with strangers.  No cell phone reception.  Just time alone with my thoughts and this group of unknown people. I heard about the Haven retreat when I attended a women’s conference last October.  There was a lady there who was selling Younique makeup.  When it was time to introduce herself, she went from talking about the makeup to talking about being an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse.  She went on to…

Birthdays have always been a big deal to me.  Every year when I was a kid, I would let my mom know in advance exactly the type of party that I wanted.  Just a consummate planner from an early age.  I was particularly interested in the milestone birthday years.  I have not ever quite let go of that tradition.  When thirty-five was fast approaching, I decided to celebrate my entrance into my mid-30’s with a weekend trip. Other folks might have called their closest girlfriends to get the party started.  Not this gal.  I sent out an e-mail inviting my family to travel with me to Branson to celebrate in…

This blog was born after a period of intense pain.  I suppose it’s kinda like childbirth.  You push and groan.  You think that you will never make it through and then, there it is, your beautiful baby.  I suppose I am a bit like a teenage girl that does not think her actions all the way through.  I was not prepared to be a mother to this blog.  I did not ask for it.  And yet here I am.  The parent of a child that needs nurturing, love, and care. If I am perfectly honest with you, over time, it has become much easier to share the messier parts of…

Christmas is quickly approaching.  In years past, we would gather together at my mom’s house to start decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving.  We would hang the wreath on the door.  Drag in the tree from the top of the vehicle.  Secure the tree in the water stand.  Cut the twine around the tree and see exactly what shape the tree would display. That’s the thing about using a live Christmas tree.  You cannot fluff out the branches to achieve a symmetrical look.  Once you cut the twine that kept the tree bundled up, you get what you get, and you don’t pitch a fit.  Pine needles would be sprinkled on…

Y’all may or may not know this, but I have dipped my toes into the dating pool.  Folks say that there are plenty of fish in the sea, and they are correct.  But many of those fish live in the depths of the ocean.  When they come closer to the surface, it is not a pretty sight.  They look and act like bottom dwellers.  Listen.  It is a struggle. Wooooo!  I went off on a tangent.  Let me get to my point.  Meeting new people has made me really think about myself.  My likes, dislikes.  My strengths.  My weaknesses.  Some of the questions are commonplace.  You know…occupation, siblings, where you…

HELLLLLO DECEMBER!  I’m back!  I’m back!  I’m back!  November was truly nourishing for me.  Clearly, there is power in words, so I need to give December a good nickname.  How about Delightful December?  Even if you do not like it, I do.  And it’s my blog so…LOL.  I truly believe that this month will be full of moments that put a smile on my face.  I am hoping the same for ya’ll.  Let’s catch up. Months and months ago, I was asked to speak on Mission Sunday at my home church.  Everything within me screamed “NO!”  I was polite and said that I needed more time to prepare.  They asked…