Two Years After Katrina.

New Orleans is my Home. It's where I first felt God's presence in my life. New Orleans is my heritage, my family, my culture, my happiness, my peace, and my hope. Two years ago, Hurricane Katrina destroyed my Home. My family and I were lucky........We all survived. Our houses survived with very little damage. We watched Katrina destroy everything in her path from various parts of Texas and Louisiana. We cried and prayed together. We watched: People being rescued. Families broken apart. People left pets behind expecting them to die. Looting. Violence. People dying due to lack of food & water. Dead bodies floating in the flooded City. People losing hope in Humanity. People who lost Faith in our Government. Victims pleading for help. Life as you know it is Gone.
Since Katrina, I have seen and read about: Children suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Families broken apart. An Increase in the Crime/Murder Rate. People coming back to homes that are not livable. People still finding Loved Ones died after 2 years. An Increase in Depression. Parents suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. People afraid to leave their homes after dark due to the Violence. Life as you knew it before Katrina is Gone Forever.
New Orleans is slowly building her way back to the City she once was. She has a very long road ahead of her. The City is still in such a Sad State. Thank you to the People who are actively rebuilding my Home. I appreciate your hard work.
The day Katrina hit was a milestone in my life. It made me realize we do not live in a safe world. The safety we feel could be taken away in moments. In my short 33 years, I have seen war, terrorism at worst (Sept. 11th), natural disasters, and more violence than I thought was possible. I'm not shocked by what happens in the world. The only Safety we can fully rely on is the Safety of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, Please bless New Orleans and the rest of the United States. Protect & Guide Us. Lead us to make Disciples for you. Without you, we are not Safe. We live in a fallen, sinful world....Lord, I ask you to lead us out of sin and into your comfort. Amen.

The After-Math of Katrina.

Coffee Punch

Coffee Punch

1 half gallon of vanilla ice cream

1 half gallon of chocolate ice cream

Pour a pot of Flavored HOT Coffee over the ice cream.

Serve with Whipped Cream.

YUM!

Walking through the Darkest Valley.

Friends,
I have been reading an incredible blog for months now. Please listen to Christi's testimony. It's very beautiful, powerful, moving, & very real. Satan tested her, but with her Faith & her Love for Christ she overcame Satan's testing. Praise God for Christi!

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Clean Sweep & My Friend's House.

It's official.........I finally finished cleaning my house last night. It took over a week for me to clean. Now, I just need to file papers & then I will be done. Isn't it a great feeling when you come home to a clean house? I just love that feeling. I do enjoy cleaning, but only when I want to clean, not when I need to clean.
Saturday, I started my day at 7:30am. I had lots of work to do and very little time. I finally purchased a desk. So, I had to move one of my green wing back chairs to my storage area so I can have a place for the desk. While I was re-arranging my storage area, I started putting things aside to take to the thrift store. I always feel like a huge weight has been taken off my shoulders when I get rid of things I have not used in a long time. I'm amazed I still keep stuff I have not used in years. Last summer, when I cleaned out my storage area, I still had all of my old kitchen decorations from when I first moved out on my own. My kitchen has not been that style in 8+ years. So, why was I keeping the old stuff! I dunno! While cleaning the storage area on Saturday, I counted all my Christmas plastic tubs. 10 total and 2 two bags filled. Why does one woman need all those Christmas decorations? The simple problem is this.......I LOVE Christmas. I love After-Christmas Sales.
Now I finally have a desk........My friend, Kenny, will come over this week to hook up my computer! It will be wonderful to finally have a computer at home. I know, I know....how can a person live without a computer at home. It has not been so bad. I'm on a computer at work for for 8 to 10 hours a day. When I get home, I do not feel the urge to check my email!
Saturday, my Sorority hosted a baby shower for My Friend's House. Please learn more about My Friend's House here. We had a great time! Lord, Please bless this project, the people involved, and the children & their families who will eventually be at My Friend's House.

The Texas Heat VS. BlueEyes

Yesterday, I walked my dogs for about 40 minutes. When I finally returned home, I completely passed out on the sofa for 2 hours. After my nap, I had no energy....I was completely wiped out.

Texas Heat gets 1 Point........BlueEyes 0 Points.

I need move to a state where the temperatures are constant all year long........Any Suggestions?

Need Maid: Apply Here.

HELP! I need a maid! Lately, I have not wanted to clean. I do not have the time or the energy. I finally did laundry over the weekend. I washed a total of 10 loads. 10 loads for 1 person is absolutely ridiculous! Clothes, towels, sheets, dog's bedding's, etc....it was a chaos. I had an action plan for this week so I could have a clean house by the weekend. Last night, the action plan went right out the window. Here's the action plan:

Laundry and Clean the bathroom over the weekend...which was done.

Monday: Dust

Tuesday: Mop & Vacuum

Wednesday: Clean the Kitchen

Thursday: Sweep the patio

Friday: REST!

For months, I have been frustrated with the clutter in my room, especially my drawers (and I do not mean underwear). Last night, instead of dusting, I organized my dresser drawers. It looks great now. So, I will not be resting on Friday, I will be cleaning the Patio!
Tonight, the dusting frenzy begins! Why do I have so much stuff to dust? I need to stop collecting things!
I keep debating on getting a maid. How would it look if a Single Gal hired a maid? Do I really want a stranger in my home? Do I really want to spend the money on a maid? Am I really getting that lazy OR is just the Texas heat getting to me? Will the maid clean to my specifications? So, many questions. I guess if I just stopped complaining about cleaning and start cleaning I would save so much time!

Getting Older ROCKS.

I know I have gotten older, when

I get diagnosed with having Chronic Urticaria. Urticaria is a BIG Scary Medical Word for Hives.

The Police Officer who stopped me this week was definitely younger than me.

I am referred to as Miss BlueEyes. (When did I become a Miss? My name is simply BLUEEYES!)

I refer to people in there 20's as kids.

I get out of bed and hear my ankles, knees, and feet snap, crackle, and pop all at the same time.

the pain of being on my feet all day keeps me up at night even after I take PM medicine.

the nurse at the Doctor's Office who takes my blood is only 24.

spending more than 2 to 3 hours in a pool is considered work, not play.

I realized that my Cat is actual almost 18....He adopted me when he was a little over two.

I cried knowing the Cat has been my longest relationship (other than family).

I wear high healed shoes.

exercising use to be fun, now it's pure torture.

visiting home would be all about friends and a little family time, now it's completely opposite.

one of my dearest friends called two weeks ago to inform me his father died. (Our Parents are invincible, right?)

drinking coffee at 4pm is a great treat.

I forgot my Mom's birthday about 3 years ago. (I am still feeling the Motherly affects on this one!)

the bills are due and I actually have to pay them myself.

waiting to go to the bathroom could result in a huge accident.

my feet hurt when I finally stand up after sitting down for long periods of time.

the guilt of not going to church lingers for a few days.

my relationship with Christ has grown with each passing day.

it's been 15 years since I graduated high school.

searching for Christmas presents at my Parent's home was a huge treat (oh wait, I still search for presents!).

after I typing a long blog, I have to go look at the title of the blog to remember what the post was really about.

Police Officer

On my way to work this morning, Mr. Police Officer pulled me over. The reason he pulled me over is because my left break light is out. He was a very NICE & FUNNY Man! He asked for my driver's license and proof of insurance which I gave him very quickly. He asked if I still lived at the address on my driver's license and if I still actually have insurance. I told him I still live at the address on the driver's license, and if he wanted the name & location of my insurance agent, I would kindly give it to him. He laughed. He returned my insurance card and told me he was going to check to see if I had any warrants out for my arrest & he was going to be back shortly. I started laughing. He came back and told me I was a little too clean and I was allowed to go to work.

I'm marking this day in my calendar as a NO traffic ticket and a NICE COP day!

Girl's Weekend Rocks!

This upcoming weekend, I will be going on my 2ND Annual Girl's Weekend with Deb, Amy, and Friends. I'm so excited! I had an amazing time last year! Last year, Abby & Phoebe (my pups) went with us. This year Abby and Phoebe will be with Uncle Robert (Deb's Husband). Robert is Abby's boyfriend! Abby absolutely loves Robert! While Robert dog sits for me, the Ladies and I are headed to Granbury, TX. I have been to Granbury once before about 6 years ago. Granbury is a great little town.

Have you been to Granbury? If so, can you give me names of restaurants, stores to shop in, and stuff to do in Granbury?!

VBS Week & the Steece Family.

I am doing registration for VBS this week. I love checking in the kids. The kids faces are so filled with joy, excitement, and happiness to come to VBS........to learn about Christ! How amazing is that?! I want to always have their same excitement when I learn more about Christ!

I finally purchased dog treats! My Girl's are not keeping me up anymore. Life is getting back to normal. Tonight is the last night of VBS. HipHipHooray! This week is a great week for the kids, but a very long week for the Adults.

Please pray for one of my Favorite Bloggers. Suz and Joe Steece who just delivered Quads! Suz delivered 3 handsome boys and a very beautiful girl! Can you imagine 4 beautiful babies at once? God has blessed them beyond imagination. Suz's did an amazing job during her pregnancy! Suz was so inspiring during her pregnancy...she was filled with a wonderful peace that showed on every picture she posted. I've never met the Steece's, but I have been praying like crazy for them! God Bless the Steece Family!

The Simple Life is Gone.

In Holland, there is a simple explanation for extremely stressed People in their Professional & Personal Life: It's called Burn Out. Burn Out is on the approved list of Health Issues/Problems approved by the Holland Government. In other words, the Company or the Holland Government pays someone who has taken leave from work due to the extreme stress in their life. Burn Out could be a great thing for the United States. Some people will take advantage of Burn Out, but I believe a good portion of America needs a break.

When I read the newspaper, I am not shocked any more. I simply accept America to do harm, cause chaos, and destruction. I am shocked that I am not shocked. I recently read about a Soldier who drove from Virgina to Texas to take revenge on another man based on name calling over the Internet. The Soldier burned the man's home down. I read many examples of evil in America: Murder, Rape, Incest, Violence, Racism, etc. Where does it stop? Who actually gets hurt with all the Violence we cause? The answer: the person causing the Violence. The man who burned down the house will go to prison. I believe the Soldier needed Burn Out. Seriously, maybe a little more than a Burn Out.

Do you need a "Burn Out?" Do you need a break from your fast paced life? What do you do to relax?

Can Your Dogs Count?!?

I'm going to share a Great Little Secret with you. MY dogs are smart! They really are very intelligent! My Dogs are Smarter than your dog! I'm glad I finally told everyone the truth.
Here's my story:
My dogs are crate trained. When I am out of the house, they are in their crate. When I am at home, they are out of their crate. In other words, they rule the house. They also sleep in bed with me. Very Spoiled Dogs! Before I get in bed each night, I give Abby & Phoebe 2 dog milk bone treats each. Last night, the unthinkable happened.........I ran out of dog treats. Yikes! I could only find one milk bone. I broke the treat in half in hopes of them not realizing they only got 1/4 of what they normally get. Well, let's say they both started looking for the other 3/4 of the treats. They both were jumping up & down from the bed, whining, barking, and acting a little nutso. Abby came face to face with me. I can just hear what she was thinking.....Where the hell are my other treats, Mother? I could not take all the chaos they were causing as they hunted for their treats. It was bedtime & I had a long day! I needed sleep! I finally got out of bed, went to the fridge, got a piece of cheese for them both, walked back to my room, gave them cheese, got in bed, and all was calm again! They both curled up next to me and fall asleep. Yep, MY dogs can count! Can yours?