Crazy Dogs and Blood Donations

So, I am not really much for confrontation but there are times that it just can't be avoided...this is just one of those times. Let me start at the beginning. I have two dogs and I have a neightbor that has two dogs. I have a poodle and a beagle mix. She has a pit bull and some other cute little mut dog. We have NEVER had problems other than our dogs barking at each other and having to watch ourselves to not walk them at the same time. No biggy, right? Well, two days ago I had my dogs in the yard when her pitt got out and ATTACKED my poodle...UGH! I had to beat the crazy mess out that dog to get her off and it took forever (if you know anything about dogs...especially pitts....then you know they don't exactly like to let go of things once they got their jaws on them)! I was SOOOO SCARED! But, my poodle was okay (obviously the pitt was NOT trying to kill or she would have). I talked to the owner and she promised to keep her in from now on. Everything was going well for two days. But then, my mom and I were walking the dogs tonight and I saw the pitt coming down the street and I yelled for my mom to pick up my poodle and I picked up my heavy tail beagle mix. BUT...that didn't stop the pitt. She kept on trying to get to the poodle scaring the CRAP out my mom. I mean WOW! She could feel the dogs breath and hear its jaws snapping shut as she tried to get to my poodle. NEVER have I seen my mom so scared. So, I had to go talk to my neighbor again and I told her that I would eventually have to call the cops about it if she got out again as it was getting very dangerous for us. Well, I just got a door in my face. I was not mean about it. I was sooooo nice and as kind as I could be...all things considered. I am a very understanding person and would never yell or be mean to anyone. And I am sitting here worried about the whole thing becausee I don't like people not liking me. I mean, I was really VERY nice about the whole thing. I don't konw what else to do. I mean, the dog attacks! It is scary! So, why is the neighbor mad at me? I have NO issues with the neighbor. I have always liked her just fine. But, come on! I can't just keep on letting a bitt bull pick on my little 12 pound poodle...and not MY MOM! I mean, come on! What do it do?!?

Well, on a better note I GAVE BLOOD TODAY! This was the first time I ever had the guts to do it. I mean, I was sooooooo nervous. I am SO not a fan of blood. But I did it and it wasn't even bad at all. I was a little dizzy after but it was so worth it knowing that my blood will be used to help someone. Pretty cool! After I was all done....eating my cookies and drinking my juice.....I watched them stick someone to get the blood and I saw how HUGE the needle was. I am sooooooo glad I didn't see that needle first or I would have never been able to do it. Then they started telling stories of different things that had happened in the past. Like one lady that worked there didn't the gauze on in time after taking the needle out and the blood squirted across the room. GROSS! If that happened OMG! I have no idea what I would do....UGH!

Well, today has been eventful and could use some prayer but I gotta tell ya....all in all..... Life is still good! God is good! God is great! Everything that surrounds me is basically amazing!

Be blessed!

Out With the Old....In With the New....

2011 has been the best year yet! It really amazes me because I was sure that nothing could get better than 2010 yet things got even better. I have done sooooo much this year.

For starters, I have become single and stayed that way! WHOOT WHOOT! I know there are so many ladies out there trying to NOT be single but I have actually trying TO be single...and this is the first time I have accomplished and been happy at the same time. It has been good to be able to spend so much time with my daughter without having to worry about another person. Soooooo, the plan is to stay this way for a few more years....we will see how it goes. I am just happy that I have finally learned to be a content single person instead of an unhappy person constanting chasing the next relationship.

I have also changed my major which was a HUGE step. God has really been working on me to stick with Seminary and I have been running like crazy from Him for some time now. Well, you can't exactly run from God...LOL! So, I finally did it. This is the year that I enrolled in Liberty's Seminary for my MDiv in Professional Ministries. One of hte greatest decisions I have made....it has been such a blessing (a stressful blessing at times....LOL....but a blessing nonetheless)YAY!

And the healthy changes in my life have been great also. WW has helped me lose some weight. I have lost 15 pounds so far. And when I went for my physical this year I was in super shape! Praise the Lord! I have also started exercising again! :)

And Hanna and I have grown closer and it is great to be learning about God's Word with her each day in our daily devotions and Bible studies. We have also found a GREAT church and Hanna LOVES the youth group there.

In general, 2011 has been a time of change. There is been ALOT of stress but everything has been for the good and life is just awesome. I must give all the credit to God! Without him I would be nothing.

So......bring on 2012!!!!

No More Wasted Time :)

Well, I do love my facebook but I have realized that really all it does is waste time. Yes, I have seen many people up there that I haven't spoken to in awhile but no one that I really need to talk to and no one that really talks to me much now anyway. Then there are old friends that I like to believe are my best best besties still because they were from way back but really that is not true either. I mean, the past is the past....time to move on. I go out of my way to interact with people only for it to not work out. I mean, I set up lunches and make calls but the fact is...we are busy....they are busy....everyone has their new life now and that includes me. I mean, I do have many many friends that I talk to regularly but these people actually use the phone. Even better....many of them I see face to face. I don't NEED facebook to continue a relationship with them. If I need facebook to have a relationship with you then chances are I don't really NEED a relationship with you to start with. Of course, I will miss the updates about the church and the youth group my daughter is in and the couponing advice I get (and never use might I add). But...guess what, I can get ALL the church and youth info I need when I am actually at church. I am there AT LEAST once a week. I will walk up to people and actually talk to them....there's an idea that it seems people have lost touch with. So, 2012 I am NOT using facebook at all. If the year ends and I have managed to live without facebook then I am just going to permanently delete my account. So, we will see where this new adventure will take me. Yes, it is an adventure. I will actually have to see people to know what the look like and call them in order to know what is going on. And....it wouldn't hurt if people picked up the phone and called me every now and then (just sayin....LOL).

There are also other screens in my house that I will be limiting. I mean, really....do I really need to watch TV every single day? I don't think so. I have books...most importantly ....God's Word. And how often do we sit around brain dead staring at a screen when God just would LOVE to hear our voice....and even more....would love to speak to us through His Word. How much do you think you could read in the time it takes to watch a 30 mintue show....a 1 hour show.....a two hour movie? Now, I am not saying I will never watch TV....just limit my screen time so I can expand my God time :)

Everyone has things they do when we all know we should be doing something else. That is what I am going to do this year! I am going to stop procrastinating....limit my screen time and do things like spend time with God and my family!

Be blessed,
~Dawn~

People come....people go.....

Well, here it is December 11th! Where does the time go? It seriously feels like Christmas 2010 was just yesterday. I just got done writing out my Christmas cards and while doing a little research on some people before sending the cards I found out that one of my old bosses died last year. It kinda makes me take a step back and realize that sending Christmas cards once a year is just not enough. I have to start connecting with people in my life instead of just taking forgranted that they will always be there. I get a reminder of this everyone now and then even though you would think I should never need this type of reminder after losing my best friend some years ago. We must not take the people in our lives forgranted. They may not be here tomorrow. I have made many many New Year's resolutions just to break them in the first month but this year I am making a resolution that I WILL keep. I will connect with the people in my life that mean something to me and I ask that all my friends out there do the same. We all have people in our lifes that we love yet we never tell them. People that mean so much to us that don't even realize it. We gotta take that first step in healing the relationships in our lives...

I am still alive! Life is still good!

Hello all! Yes, I am been totally slacking with my blogging and I just wanted to come in and post a quick little note to let you know that I am still alive but I have had alot going on. First we were hit with Irene then my Grammy was put in the hospital. Three weeks after that she went to be with Jesus. It has been a LONG couple of months and I am glad that things are finally starting to get back to normal. Tomorrow I am going to take some time to blog about the homeschooling we got going on. It is good times. The kids and I are having a blast! Until then....stay blessed!

Dawn

This is going to be a busy year....pray for me!

I am busy busy busy these days. I am looking at my schedule and I am like WOW! I am going to have alot to do this year. I mean...Monday is TaeKwonDo for all three of the of the kids, Tuesday will be dance for my dd, Wednesday is Voice lessons for my dd, Thursday is Weight Watchers for me, Friday night is AWANA for all three of the kids and I am helping with the Sparks, and then Saturdays will be Girl Scouts every other week. WOW! Something everyday! I sooooooooooo should not have something planned for every single day and I know this but what am I to do. I mean, I think about it all and a realize that there is really nothing I can get rid of (or nothing that we want to get rid of). The kids love it all and the kids don't want to let go of any of it. I guess I will just have to plan to work on my own homework while the kids are doing what they are doing. But, dating and girls nights out will be out of the question for me this year. LOL! Of course....truth be told, I would rather just hang out with the kiddos then other people my age anyway....funny huh? :) I have also been working on lesson plans and activities for the homeschool year. I will post about that later. Be blessed everyone!

Who influences you?

Who do you let influence you?

Sunday, May 22, 2011

It got this devotion in my inbox today from Lifeway. It could not have come at a better time as I have someone in my life I love so much that is definitely a bad influence on me. I know there are times that I think I can handle it but I have to remember that when I think I am standing strong....those are the times I may fall. I have to...as we all do....be careful of who I allow the most room in my life. I am an all or none kinda chick and that can be a problem sometimes. So, is there someone in your life that maybe influencing you in the wrong way? Nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand! :)


Bad company

Read Ahead: 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." 1 Corinthians 15:33, HCSB


How strong do you think you are? Are you able to stand up against temptation? Do you think you can resist the opinions and attitudes of those who don't respect the love you have for God?

If you think you can, the Bible has a warning for you. Paul claimed that you will be influenced by the people with whom you spend the most time. If you associate with wise people, you will become wise. If you hang around with fools, they will influence you in the wrong direction. Pretty straightforward, isn't it?

Does this mean, though, that you should never associate with those who hold different beliefs than you do? Of course not. It does mean, however, that you must maintain a real awareness of this truth: both of you are going to have an influence on the other.

Sometimes we argue that we're in a friendship in order to have a Christian influence on a person whose values differ from ours. Maybe we are. It's crucial, however, never to forget that influence goes both ways. At times we can be under someone else's influence far more than we are influencing that person.

Hold up each of your relationships to God and ask for his guidance, remaining always prepared to remove yourself from bad company (as he leads you) if your own character is in danger. At the same time, be looking for people to spend time with who will encourage you to become more like Christ.

How have you noticed influence working for or against you in your relationships?

Read Up: Proverbs 13:20-21, Proverbs 22:24-25

This devotional is courtesy of TQ.

Opinions, Not Judgements

I was sent some clips of Hardball with Chris Matthews the other day and I can say that I will never watch him again. He ONLY lets people talk that he agrees with...it is wild! I mean, he seriously would ask a question but NEVER give the other person a chance to answer. I have heard of how he was but never really watched him myself. Of course, a lot of those political type shows are hard to watch. Everyone just tries to talk over everyone else. It is just nonsense to me. Whatever happened to people asking a question then actually waiting for an answer……and maybe even listening to that answer? What are people so scared of? Why can’t they just take the time to listen? I know that there are many people that I talk to that I don’t agree with but when we talk I will listen to what I have to say. I am firmly grounded in my beliefs so it doesn’t bother me when a person believes differently than I do. I am not worried that they will change my mind. I am not worried that they will mention something I cannot defend. I have done the research necessary to always defend what I believe even if others don’t agree…and there are many others that won’t agree. I am okay with that.

And as far as our president goes….I think that asking to see things does not make anyone a racist. I had a friend post on facebook that Republicans were racist, ungodly, and evil. I think that asking for documentation for things that the president has accomplished is reasonable. It is crazy that people think this part of politics is any different than anything else. I mean, for as long as I can remember politics is all about making the other person look bad. People in politics have always been seen doing what they gotta do to win attention. It is just a part of life. But ungodly? Evil? Really? Let’s let God makes those judgments.

Now everyone wants to say that Obama has absolutely nothing to do with the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Well, I agree that the ones that should get the main credit are our service men that are overseas BUT you gotta give the president something. I mean, he IS the one in charge whether we like it or not. And as for those that don’t believe Bin Laden is dead just because a picture has not be released…I say give it a break. I mean, first he was lying because of his birth certificate and now he is lying because he won’t release a picture. Really? What if he is lying? I mean, come on….almost all politicians lie at some point. It is practically a job requirement. But it doesn’t make it right and us talking about it over and over and over again isn’t going to change ANYTHING so I say people just need to get over it and move on!

And, for the record here is what I think:

I believe that there may have been an issue with the birth certificate but it is released now so obviously it was not that big of a deal. I also believe that Bin Laden is dead and that I don’t rejoice in death but I am glad that that issues have finally come to an end. We don’t need to see a picture to believe it and I don’t see a problem with giving him a burial at sea. Any disagree? If they do then…well, who really cares….LOL! Everyone has their own opinions and it is nothing to argue about.

Be blessed!

Getting Organized

I am getting just a little stressed out with my homework. I actually missed a quiz and ended up getting a zero because my instructor does not let us take quizes late. This is ridiculous! There has to be a way to get better organized!

So, I went searching for something to help me out and found a webiste called Toodledo! It is a great website that I think everyone should try. It is soooo organinzed and will keep everyone from missing dates! Let me know if you try it and like it...I love it!

Nature with Dawn

Today was my first day going on a 'hike' with my dd. It was somewhat scary. For starters...I am not really sure if we were even supposed to be where we were. I mean, it is just some random trail out by our house. Secondly...I obviously watch way to much TV! I mean, some of the beautiful scenes from nature were beginning to look like scenes for horror movies I had watched at one time or another. And then the KILLER butterfly! Yes...I said Killer Butterfly! It scared the crap out of me. I mean, I know it is just a butterfly but when I first saw it out of the corner of my eye it scared me...I about wet myself! Then my dd was just laughing and laughing and laughing at me and I made her promise to never tell anyone how much the butterfly startled me...she agreed as long as I didn't share the fact that the exact same butterfly scared her only a few mintues before...LOL! We are not exactly nature gals! All in all we were only on the trail for about thirty mintues but it was  loooooong thirty mintues. We are going out again on Tuesday to a 'real' trail...one that I know we are allowed to be on. I will tell you all about it that experience if I live through it :)

Be blessed,
Dawn