My friend, my blessing

Happy Birthday, my friend, my partner in crime, my sister chick. I am most blest because, after my Mom, you are my biggest prayer support. You know me so well and yet you still let me be your friend.

5 years

Today 5 years ago Mr. Studly married my Betz. Marrying a cowboy meant you had to have the reception in a barn. After searching the county one was found that checked off all the items of the list. She wanted pictures in the barn BEFORE the wedding - it's where she wanted them to see each other each in their wedding attire for the first time. She got herself together and waited by the front of the table as he came up the stairs .




She's almost busting with anticipation.





Mr. Studly doesn't give us smiles like this very often. In fact, I think it may be the only one of its kind in my possession. But he couldn't contain himself. He's too far away to skin my hide for posting it. (nyeah nyeah)






Betz had never seen her cowby looking so fine and she approved.






I'm pretty sure she had his approval also.






Of course this was the next and correct response.






She's waving as a sign she needs to come up for air.

We used this backdrop for all the guests to have their own picture taken for the album.

She was hoping for outside pictures around the barn but the rainy morning kept us all inside.

They sent us this picture this week from the ranch. Although Mr. Studly has a devilish side to him those are candles on a shelf behind them.

Happy Anniversary you two! We miss you! I can only imagine what the next 5 years will hold for you. Your life possibilities are as wide and open as the space you currently find yourselves in.

Mr. Studly, thank you for loving my daughter and making her world shine. And Betz, you have a winner! Praying God's blessings on you both.

Phone blessing

The butchershop is running as normal but things are taking much longer because of some major equipment failure. Everyone is working harder and longer and we're asking customers for patience in the midst of increasing orders. Fur-rustrating! Yesterday one of our amish customers left a message on the phone system and then said 'since he wasn't able to talk with anyone just then, he would leave us with a song'. And this dear gentle man, in a wonderful singing voice, sang this stanza:

Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us ev'ry day, it will brighten all the way
If we'll keep on the sunny side of life

The creative avenues the Lord uses to send 'pennies from heaven', blessings of care and support....well, it just made the day much brighter.

After yesterdays harsh post =) it feels much better to present a praise! And ya know how a song catches in your brain and hangs out there all day?..... I'm a goner.

I can give testimony to the truth of these words.

There's a dark & a troubled side of life
There's a bright, there's a sunny side, too
Tho' we meet with the darkness and strife
The sunny side we also may view

[cho:] Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us ev'ry day, it will brighten all the way
If we'll keep on the sunny side of life

The storm and its fury broke today,
Crushing hopes that we cherish so dear;
Clouds and storms will, in time, pass away
The sun again will shine bright and clear.

Let us greet with the song of hope each day
Tho' the moment be cloudy or fair
Let us trust in our Saviour away
Who keepeth everyone in His care

Who thinks of these things?

Stresses in life continue and so more humor is needed. This post won't surprise those who know me best but to others...well, here's the ugly truth. One of my annoying personality traits faults is that I wear my heart on my sleeve and it's not so easy for me to hide my frustrations. I've always admired folks who can wear a poker face in the midst of agitation. The older I get I'm discovering that if I can get to a point of laughter it greatly helps diffuse some of negative spiral. For those who don't know me too well you must read this with a load of sarcasm and a grain of truth.

I found my laughter point this morning in my email inbox. I have a lot of 'parties for one' in front of my computer screen. Again this will show you the level of low that I'm capable of - at least in my thinking.

Last week ended with a difficult day. Catching up on some much needed rest was in order. The weather was cooler and sleeping with the windows open was finally a possibility. I guess the weather also was an invitation to the neighbors to party through the night. At 2 in the morning we were still hearing laughter that sounded like a hyena in heat. Totally disgusted at the rudeness of people who live in such close proximity to others I slammed the window closed closed the window and turned the AC back on. The last two days I didn't want to run into anyone at the mailbox, etc... until I found a way to diffuse my frustration.

Here's the email:


It merely stated "A special wish for the difficult people in your life....."



I feel so much better. I can howl and guffaw my way to the mailbox now. And I can in all honesty ask anyone I might run into "How are you?"


mua ha ha ha ha

Smiles for the day

Blogging has been silent at my end simply because it seemed like there wasn't much to blog about.

I admire my blogging friends who have new and amazing posts every day.

Life currently is quite wrapped up with the business. If I'd blog about that part of my life there would be unending material - there is always a continuing saga of something. We continue to pray for wisdom on a daily basis - probably something we'll pray for a long as we breathe so that's not a bad thing. Currently there is a list of things that it would be nice if the Lord would simply 'check off the box' as to what to do next in the multiply choice quiz, but He hasn't work that way in our lives so we pray for wisdom and walk through the day in a mode of trust.

Living life is truly tiring somedays but when we stop to count our blessings there is always an array of things to count and to be thankful for - always. In the last few days we can give testimony for His watchcare over us and the quick thinking in decisions that needed to be made on our feet.

Some days the emotional release from laughter is the perfect remedy. I laughed out loud with these and thought I'd share them.

Premium Toys

At the butchershop we provide only the best, 'cream of the crop' playroom experiences and premium, high quality playroom equipment. We won't think of using anything less. Look out "Melissa and Doug".

Sunday afternoon drive

I received this photo in an email and thought I'd share it. This dashing, young couple was spotted Sunday afternoon on Route #222... A perfect example of grabbing life and running with it.