My measle face, and Egg coloring events...

"After a certain number of years, our faces become our biographies."  -Cynthia Ozick

The spots are really showing up in all their glory.  My face looks pretty scary after getting my brown spots zapped at the dermatologist. This is only one side of my face, and you cannot see under my bangs.  Not only do they look horrid, but they itch.  I sure hope going through all this works, and they disappear when the scabs all go away.

We were at Burger King with the grandkids when we took these.  There is a lot of great natural light in the place, so I could not resist taking a picture of my man, and my hero.  They are one in the same.  I am so lucky!

While the grandkids were over, we colored eggs.  This was a new experience for them, and they enjoyed it a lot.  It got kind of messy, but messes are the best kind of fun!

 After we colored eggs, had Icees at Burger King, we went to the fish pond outside of Lovelace Regional Hospital.  They spent their time trying to catch the minnows in the pond.  They did not have much luck though, but they had fun.  There are about a dozen Carp, and a couple of Catfish.  We forgot to take the Cheerios to feed them.

All in all, it was a pretty good day, and they did not seem to mind being seen with their very spotted faced Mimi.

Oliver...

"Dogs are miracles with paws." -Susan Rainbow Kennedy

Warren told me, "Mark called, and guess what?"  Of course, the first thing that came to my mind was that Amber was pregnant.  I guessed wrong, but we do have a new addition to the McKelvy family.  His name is Oliver.  He is the cutest, white terrier you ever laid eyes on.  He is a rescued dog, about a year old.  I cannot wait to hear some "Oliver adventures."  And as I write this, I want to call him Ollie, but I guess I will let them come up with proper nicknames for their new pet.  Thankfully, he is already house broken, has his shots, is neutered, and chipped.  Meet our new member, and let out an "Ahhh!"

Oliver 

Tuesday...

"I'll gladly pay you on Tuesday for a hamburger today." -Wimpy, Popeye comic strip

I look like I have the measles, and it is all Dr. Henry's fault.  I went to see him to get a mole on my back checked out.  He removed it, and sent it for a biopsy.  That done, I asked if he could zap my 4 dark spots on my face.  You know those dasteredly "age" spots that seem to come out of no where.  He asked if I was sure I wanted them off right now, and I said, "yes."  Now I know why he asked.  I did not have only 4.  He found a lot more.  I look like I have the measles, just in time for Easter.  Tonight, when Warren was going to clean my wound, he said all my stitches had come out.  No wonder it was hurting back there.  We went over to his office, and he restitched me up with 4 really nice, and cute stitches.  He's my hero once again.  I knew I married him for a good reason.

I have good news about my CD player.   I was going to have to replace my whole media component in my car since some CDs got stuck in the CD player. Library book CDs.  Well, the wrong part kept coming in.  Finally, they got the right part, put it in, and got my CDs out which was a good thing, but it did not work.  It had a short in it, so they had to send it back to the company.  In the meantime, they installed my old component back in the car.  I asked them if they had tried to see if the CD worked.  They assured me that if I put a CD in there that it would get stuck again.  I, on the other hand, thought, "what have I got to lose?"  So when I got, home I found 3 CDs that I did not care about, inserted them, and tried it out.  It seemed to work fine.  I called back the service department to tell them I did what they said not to do, and told them it seemed to work.  Cancel that order, please.  Whew! That saved me some mega bucks.

Tuesday was Passover, and we went to a Seder at the Andrew's house.  There were about 26 people there from all over the United States, and Israel.  We used to hold a Seder on Passover at our home years ago, so it was nice to attend a Seder once more.  I don't know why we quit.  Hmmm.

Element on the Seders Plate: The parsley is dipped in salt water to represent tears from the hard labor of the Israelites;  the hard boiled egg represents hope and new life; the horseradish the bitterness and tears of the hard labor; the charoset (an apple, date, nut, honey mixture) represents the mortar used between the bricks; the roasted lamb shank the Passover Lamb; and the 10 wine dots, the 10 plagues.

The name of God in Hebrew on some of the table linens.

The Matzah:  the piercing represents how Jesus was pierced for our transgressions; the stripes the scourging He took, so that by His stripes we are healed.

Breaking of the Matzah.  There are three pieces of Matzah that in a Seder.  For the Christian they represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The middle Matzah is broken and hidden for the children to find.  When they find it, they are rewarded with a gift.  The middle Matzah represents Jesus who was broken for us, and those who find him receive the gift of eternal life. 

If you have not been watching the mini-series, "The Bible," you are missing a really well done movie.  It is incredible, amazing, and fantastic.  The finale will air on Easter on the History channel.  Check your local station for times.  You will not be sorry.

Baseball again...

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd;

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,

I don't care if I never get back.

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win, it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

           At the old ball game."     

 --Jack Norworth

I love the game of baseball.  I suppose that is because I lived across the street from a baseball field in my growing up years.  I spent most of my free time either watching, or playing a game of pick up ball with my neighborhood friends.  I wanted to be on a team so badly, but back then, girls were not allowed to play.  My grandfather taught me how to throw correctly...not like a girl.  My dad and I played catch, or whiffle ball all the time.  When I was 14, I was asked to play on a women's fast pitch softball team. Since you had to be 16 to play, I was 16 for three years.  I started off in the outfield, but soon became the second baseman, and later the catcher.  In college I played shortstop, and that was my position for the rest of my softball years. 

When my boys came along, I made baseball players out of them.  One was the pitcher/first baseman, and the other a catcher.  I have done my share of playing, and cheering from the bleachers.  Now, I start with a second generation with my grandson.  I sure hope he learns to the love the sport.  It was so fun to watch these 4 and 5 year olds out on the field.  Such bundles of cuteness, and short attention spans.  For them, there are no outs.  Everyone bats, then the next team's players bat.  After three strikes with the coaches pitching to them, they get the T.  I think that is a great way to introduce the sport.  Games are an hour.  

My grandson plays on "The Brewers" team.  We donned our T-shirts, stadium seats, and headed for his first ballgame yesterday.  He looks like he is going to be another Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, or Nolan Ryan for sure. 

He's focused...

In the right picture, you can see the ball he hit in the right upper part of the picture.  Looks like a home run to me!

The player and his glove are one.

Here he's playing second base, by standing on it.  No one is going to get on base with him there.

Watching...

Here he is playing first base...okay, maybe he is a little distracted.  It sure looks like good dirt though.  His daddy did the same thing when he played ball.  Like father, like son!

It was sure good to get back to the ball field again.  It is going to be a great ball season!

Morning...

"You can only come to the morning through the shadows." -J.R. Tolkien

I subscribe to "Click" which is a photography magazine put out by Clickin' Moms, http://www.clickinmoms.com.

I like trying to recreate some of the great photos in the magazine.  There was one photo taken with only the lighting from under the cabinets that I thought was beautiful.  This morning as I was fixing my breakfast, I thought of that picture.  The sun was just peaking at the horizon, so it was still a little dark.  I got out my camera, and took some pictures.  And I had Warren take some too.  They were not as nice as the one in the magazine, but I enjoyed the experiment anyway.  The magazine's photographer had a much nicer lens than I did.

Warren--Morning ritual...reading as he eats.

Rob- morning tea.

Here comes the Sun!

Surprises, and signs of spring...

"Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world." -Virgil A. Kraft

When I travel out of town, I always stop by the library to get me several books on CD to listen to on the drive to my destination.  It was no different when I went to Las Cruces.  My CD book had six discs.  I got the first three listened to, and was going to change the discs, but nothing would load, or play.  I thought maybe if I turned off the engine, and restarted my car, it would reboot my CD player.  It did nothing.  At this point, I was so distressed about the whole matter.  I had a three hour drive with only the radio to listen to.  Pretty dismal for sure since radio stations are hard to get in the mountains.  It was a long drive home is all I have to say about it.

I took my car in to get my CD fixed.  It was even more dismal than the drive home.  They can't fix it.  It has to be replaced.  The bad news is my car has a "Theft deterrent system."  In this situation, this system is not a good thing. It is one huge unit: the navigational system, the tape player, radio, and CD.  It is going to cost $1300.  My old system has to be sent to the manufacture to have them get out my library CDs.  There are three in there.  No one knows how long that is going to take.  I will be rechecking this book on CD for awhile.  I thought maybe I would pay for the library CD, but then decided I could not travel without a CD player, so I am biting the bullet and paying the money...correction...Warren is paying for it.  I just break it.

Surprise #2:  When Warren goes into work, he has to put on his Doctor smock before he sees patients.  The clothes rack where all the employees keep their smocks is right next to the employee's bathroom.  Warren just happened to notice there was a squirrel floating in the toilet.  Dead, of course.  It is a mystery how it got there.  I don't know what it is about us and squirrels.  They seem to like us.

On a different note, spring is just around the corner.   I like all the spring colors, and new dawning of life.  It makes me so appreciative of God, and how he thrills us with new beauty.  Thank you, Lord, for our seasons.

And Lord, thank you for my man who fishes squirrels out of toilets, pays for things I break, and still smiles through it all, and loves me even more.  I am blessed.

Week 3 Art Journal...

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting."  -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Because I had to go to Las Cruces for jury duty, I did not have access to all my art supplies.  I did take a few, and did what I could with those.  Most of my art journaling involved a lot of drawing of faces.  It was easy to take a pad, pencil, pens, and watercolor crayons.  I found a wonderful video on YouTube on how to draw a face using circles.  See it here: http://youtu.be/1ErvNVnBJE0.  Also, since I was away from home, I could not exactly follow the lessons by Erin Leigh regarding the art journal prompts.  http://artbyerinleigh.blogspot.com/2012/09/31-days-of-scripture-art-journaling-day.html.  Here is this week's art journal pages:

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14

For to me to Live is Christ, to die is Gain.  Philippians 1:21

You shall be Holy for I the Lord your God, am Holy. Leviticus 19: 2

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, ' This is the way, walk in it'  whenever you turn to the right or to the left.  Isaiah 30:21

Paraphrased:  Whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, let your mind dwell on these things.  Philippians 4:8

Jury Duty...

"I vote, and I do jury duty."  -Christopher Hitchens

In December, I got a letter in the mail letting me know I had been selected for jury duty for the months of February and March.  I answered their questions, and asked to be excused from serving since I take care of Jane.  They did not think it was a good enough reason.  February passed...no summons.  Then came March.  I got a phone call, then a letter letting me know I had to report for Federal jury duty in Las Cruces, NM.  I reported.  I got selected.

Driving to Las Cruces...

The Organ Mountains just outside of Las Cruces.

It was a criminal case.  A felon, who had served prison time for previous crimes, was charged with possession of firearms and ammunition.  He naturally pleaded "not guilty", hence the trial.   Long story, short, we had a hung jury: 11 guilty, 1 not guilty, even though he had an assault rifle in his bed under the covers. (His bed was the only place to sit in his house which was an 8x10 well-house).  He had a double-barrel shotgun under the bed.  Ammo was on the shelf by his bed between his cigarettes, and booze, and in the guns.  The one juror who said he was not guilty thought he could not have known the guns and ammo were there.  She thought they must have been planted, and that he was falsely accused.  I know it is hard to believe.  Hopefully, when retried, the next jury will find him guilty. 100%.

I was hoping I was going to get to do some shopping before I had to head back, but because we were not all in agreement on the defendant's guilt, the judge kept asking us to go back to deliberate some more.  Finally, at the end of the second day, he declared a hung jury.  We did get out an hour early on the first day though.  I was told to go to Mesilla Valley for some interesting pictures, and fantastic food.  I did go.  I took pictures.  It reminded me of the Santa Fe Plaza.

 This was an old Catholic church on the plaza.  It did not look to impressive on the outside...

But the sun's rays sure gave it some wonderful appeal.

The inside was beautiful.  There was a lady sitting in the front right pew.  If you look close you can see her.

I loved the colors of the vases.

My favorite store was this place.  I was attracted by the unusual art work.  Inside was so wonderful.

This is what you see when you first walk in.

Cool colors.

A picture of me taking pictures.

This the door to a place called Josefine's Inn supposedly from the 1800's.  It is an eatery that is only open until 3:30.  I am sorry I did not make it in time to eat there.  I was told it is very good.  

Books, books and more books.  I love bookstores. This one is a very old bookstore.

It seems like every place has a Billy the Kid shop.  I liked these doors...made to look like someone is walking out of a Saloon.  I just took the picture.  I did not go in.

 I just have a few more weeks on being "on call" for further jury duty.  I have to admit, the case was an interesting, and in the end, I did not mind doing my civic duty.

6 things to do in a crisis...

"O, Lord I call upon Thee..." Psalm 141: 1

Years ago when I was attending Community Bible Study, one of the ladies in leadership gave a short study on Psalm 142, which she said she gleaned from Beth Moore.  Today, Psalm 142 was part of my daily reading, and I thought it would be appropriate to share her mini study since everyone at sometime has a crisis of some sort.  First it is important to read the entire Psalm, then I will take it apart.

Psalm 142

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Prayer for Help in Trouble.

Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer.

142 

I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord;

I make supplication with my voice to the Lord.

2 

I pour out my complaint before Him;

I declare my trouble before Him.

3 

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,

You knew my path.

In the way where I walk

They have hidden a trap for me.

4 

Look to the right and see;

For there is no one who regards me;

There is no escape for me;

No one cares for my soul.

5 

I cried out to You, O Lord;

I said, “You are my refuge,

My portion in the land of the living.

6 

“Give heed to my cry,

For I am brought very low;

Deliver me from my persecutors,

For they are too strong for me.

7 

“Bring my soul out of prison,

So that I may give thanks to Your name;

The righteous will surround me,

For You will deal bountifully with me.”

Six steps David took in his time of trouble or crisis.

1.  He prayed.  The title to the Psalm gives insight that David was in trouble. Running from King Saul,    David was hiding in a cave, and wrote this song or ballad (called a Maskil). Notice it is called a PRAYER.  We can sing, or say our prayers.  But we must pray.  

2.  He cried aloud.  Verse one lets us know he "cried aloud to the Lord, making supplication."  

3.  He poured out his complaint.  Verse 2, "I pour out my complaint before Him, and declare my trouble."  Complaint is best taken to God first.  God is able to do more than we can think or imagine.

4.  He rehearsed his trust in God.  In verses 3-4, David recounts his trust in desperate times. It is important to recall how God has been faithful in the past circumstances.  This is what helps us to know He will be faithful in the present as well.  Rehearsing our trust is equivalent to us taking up our shield of faith.  We will extinguish those fiery darts of the evil one by recounting and stating our trust in God.

5.  He longs for God's presence.  In verse 5, he cries out to God. 

6.  He confesses his desperate need for God. In the last half of verse 5, and all of verse 6, he declares his need for God's help.  There is no one better to turn to in time of need.  He loves us, and cares for us.  Most of all He alone is able.  

2 Results deliverance brings

The results are found in verse 7 when his soul is brought out of prison (prison=circumstances)

1.  Praise or thanks to God. "that I may give thanks to Your name."

2.  People of God will be around him. "The righteous will surround me."

Art Journal- 31 days of scripture...

"The word of God is living and active..." -Hebrews 4:12

So far, I have been able to follow along with the "31 days of scripture art journaling" as described in Erin Leigh's blog, http://artbyerinleigh.blogspot.com/2012/09/31-days-of-scripture-art-journaling-day.html.  It has been rather challenging finding that special verse everyday--especially when my daily reading is in Leviticus.  I did not find too many "grab your heart" or inspirational scriptures in the blood sacrifices, leprosy, or clean vs. unclean. Thank goodness for my devotional readings, and Psalms.

Here's my journal pages for this week.  I took the pictures with my iPhone, so they are not in real sharp focus.

Inspiration for this one came from Lindsay Ostrom, http://lindsayostrom.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-02-18T06:13:00-08:00&max-results=7.  I think the map looks like the veins and arteries of the heart.  Of course, I chose a Roswell map... 

Next, I wanted to work on painting ladies for "She Art" journals.  I sure need a ton of practice on these.  I decided to paint them on old dictionary pages to add the "old" element to my journals. Later, I can cut them out, or use them whole on an art journal page.  Dictionary pages are my favorite go to background in my journals.

Now for my regular art journal pages.