Tag: dailyprompt

Girl, you’re gonna make it!

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Me at 2 years old

Everything you’re about to endure is going to give you the tools to handle the challenges in your future. You are in training for the battle of your life. You are not a victim, you are a warrior, for such a time as this.

Keep moving forward no matter what is in front of you. Press on, press in and trust God with your whole heart. He will be the only relationship that does not let you down. Even in those darkest hours, when you feel as though God has abandoned you, I assure you He has not.

Don’t be afraid to take risks, make mistakes or try new things. Even if you mess up, God can use it and flip the script so long as your end goal is to serve Him and your faith all the days of your life.

You will hit many battles along your timeline of events but the blessings in between, your children and grandchildren will be what gives you the strength and courage to do really hard things.

Whatever you do hold onto hope, do not let anything steal your peace and do not allow anyone to take up free rent space in your head. Read your Bible, go to Church, serve every chance you get.

Save your money while you’re young. Educate yourself on the difference between needs and wants. Needs are water, food, shelter, clothing and a healthy, peaceful home. Wants are desires of the heart. Those wants will come in due time, nothing is as immediate as you think at the time.

Give yourself time to process for at least 24 hours on big decisions and big expenses. It’s interesting how giving yourself space between a want and the actual cost of your time, talents and resources will save you from buyer’s remorse.

Finally, girl, you’re gonna make it!

Love,

Your Future Self

If you’re bored, you’re boring.

What bores you?

I do not have enough downtime in my life to get bored over anything. Everything I choose to do brings fulfillment to my life in one way or another. That being said, I do not participate in things that would have the opportunity to bore me. However if I did, these are things that I have no interest in, whatsoever:

Watching golf or tennis. These are participating sports, in my opinion. Watching live is a better option but totally boring unless I’m physically playing them.

That’s about all that I can think of.

Java hits my soul

What is your favorite drink?

“I love you more than coffee, but not before coffee.” author unknown

There’s something about that first taste of coffee in the morning. It smells wonderful, tastes like heaven and wakes up my soul.

Could I live without it? Yes. Will I? No.

Family First but that dog…

Who are your favorite people to be around?

My family is the most important to me. I’ll start with my girls. I have four incredibly talented, beautiful, smart and daughters. I am so proud to be their momma. I have such a wonderful relationship with each of them. I am so blessed that God would allow me to be a part of who they are today. Being around them individually or all together fills my heart to the full.

Next, my grandchildren are my legacy’s future. Each one of them having their unique gifts and talents. I love hearing their laughter as we sit around eating good food, playing games inside or playing sports outside. What a joy each one of them brings to my life.

My husband is my safe, happy place, where I can be me. He rolls with the good, the bad and the ugly with me. There is nothing we can’t do together. Yet, we each have our individual stuff too but it doesn’t separate us, if that makes sense. Even when we’re doing our own thing, I feel close to Him.

But that little dog of mine. Who would’ve known that this little 14 lb dog would bring loads and loads of joy into our home.

My home is my favorite place to be and my family are my favorite ones to love.

Our newest grandson and my 2nd oldest daughter

No shoes no service

Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

All my life shoes have felt like a burden. I found that my toes sifting white sandy beaches are the best thing to ever wrap around my soul. Soles separate me from the warmth of the sand. Give me a beach where I can rest my weary head and sift all of my cares away. Let these bare soles take me where there’s no phone service and no shoes required.

It’s not what you think.

Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.

I remember the day He reached me on His mission to save me. I was 16 years old. First, I received a King James Bible, with my name inscribed on it, for my birthday. Mind you, I was not raised in a Christian home.

Next, I read the forward entitled, “Jesus: Man for All Time”. It blew my mind that nobody was talking about Jesus, at least around me. I became extremely sensitive to the words I consumed that day. I sensed a reverence towards this man, Jesus, of whom I knew very little about that day.

About a year after that, I was at a Hallmark store and saw a plaque with the poem, “A letter from a Friend”. I’ll include a copy of it at the end.

Jesus reached me through word, the Bible through revelation by educating me on Who He is. It was like I had this divine appointment on my calendar that I didn’t put there but somehow knew I needed to be there. Finally, through a poem on a plaque, in a Hallmark store.

How else would he reach a writers’ heart but through these means of communication. He was in relentless pursuit of me, while I was as far away as I could get from Him.

And that was just the betrothal stages 🥰

He sealed the deal with a Sermon Series on a Father to the Fatherless in 1989. This was so significant because my father was murdered when I was 9 years old. I learned that I was no longer fatherless, no longer orphaned but adopted into God’s family and I was never as alone as I often thought.

So, don’t, nobody, try to tell me Jesus isn’t who He says He is. He pursued me, when I needed Him the most. What a gift it is to know Jesus, deeply, intimately and intentionally.

A letter from a Friend

Dream home

Write about your dream home.

My dream home is not a structure but an atmosphere. Where peace welcomes and love embraces everyone that crosses its threshold. A place where God is revered, honored and glorified. Where unity reigns, joy strengthens and wisdom leads. When this atmosphere resides in any structure, my dream home becomes a reality.

When your spouse is your BFF…

You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

This is us

No matter the news, my go to person is my spouse. He gets me. Sometimes, even more than myself.

Sports

Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time?

No longer in use

It’s not that I outgrew or lost interest it’s because I fell and broke my back. I used to play softball, volleyball, wallyball, dance and teach a dance class.

After I broke my back, all of those things became almost impossible to do or even if I could, I feared re-injury.

It’s challenging when my kids, friends or family members treat me like I have no clue what it’s like to be in a sport of any kind. I want to scream from the roof tops of what I used to be able to do. However, I find myself sinking into those thoughts and feelings because no one really cares what I used to do. They only care about what I can do now.

It’s like I’m someone I used to know, as if this new version of me is more like an antique and the old version of me is brand new. They’re both me. I need to accept that and just move in to the next season of my seasoned life.

Fun facts about my favorite candy.

What’s your favorite candy?

1. Father and son (Mars) are the M’s in M&M

2. The candy was inspired by rations given to soldiers during the Spanish Civil War

3. Were only sold to the military during WWII.

4. Didn’t have the “m” stamp until 1950.

5. There were no red M&Ms from 1976 & 1987 due to a FDA ban of the die FD&C Red No. 2.

6. They were the first candy to go to space.

7. The actual inventor of peanut M&M’s was allergic to peanuts. So he never got to have one (this is sooooo sad).

Citation Information

Article TitleSix Times M&Ms Made HistoryAuthorLaura SchummWebsite NameHISTORYURLhttps://www.history.com/news/the-wartime-origins-of-the-mmDate AccessedFebruary 8, 2024PublisherA&E Television NetworksLast UpdatedSeptember 11, 2023Original Published DateJune 2, 2014

My favorite candy has some interesting history behind it. Now that I’ve done the research, I’m craving them. Time to go get my sweet tooth satisfied.

Gimme a break

Do you need a break? From what?

Done!

I just need a little break in between getting my BSCOM and go after my Masters.

College came later for me but I didn’t want that to be an excuse not to do well. Juggling full-time work, family & managing my household was a challenge but mission accomplished.

Global Positioning System

The most important invention in your lifetime is…

1983

GPS The Global Positioning System was opened for use by civilian aircraft

Eric Orkin launches Delphi Management Systems, the first comprehensive meetings and group sales, marketing, and catering software for the hospitality industry. It became Newmarket Software in 1985. (2023 Ball C.)

The invention of GPS was and is a life changing event for me. Fumbling with paper maps or remembering to print out my “turn-by-turn” instructions made it challenging to travel alone.

GPS, however, especially now that I can hook it up to my truck, is so convenient & safe. It helps me gauge timing, stops, locate hotels, food or just about any stop or need, on the way to my destination. Such a timesaver and stress reducer when I am alerted to accidents and delays ahead and the helpful rerouting around those delays, takes the guesswork out of these minor inconveniences.

Had to really think about this one but hands down the GPS is my pick.

What an ideal day

Describe your most ideal day from beginning to end.

God paints the sky

Waking up to the sound of the ocean coming through my sliding glass door, from my bedroom balcony, with my eyes still closed, thanking God in advance for this glorious day. I sit on the balcony watching the radiant colors of morning burst through the horizon, as daylight pushes back the darkness of night.

My house staff knocks on the door with my morning coffee and breakfast. My dogs sit next to me while I hang out with God and His masterpiece of a display. Another knock at the door, it’s time for my morning massage.

My library faces the ocean. This is where my laptop and I engage for the next writing piece. The ocean reminds me of who is charge. It inspires humility in that, no matter what I’m going through, God is bigger. My writing time comes to an end after a few hours, when the flow of ideas and rabbit trails slowly diminish.

Now it’s time to prepare for the family to come and enjoy the pool. We play and splash with lots of giggles and cannonballs. Nothing pressing us more than our sweet time together.

We all head in after sunset. I’m cooking in my custom designed kitchen while everyone sits at the breakfast bar or table. Some are reading, others are playing cards or board games and occasionally one or two come in to learn how to cook one of my recipes.

The liveliness of my family and pets fill the room. My heart is full and my soul is satisfied because God has blessed me far beyond what I could’ve ever imagined.

This is a picture of my ideal day.

Legacy vs Young Adult

How do significant life events or the passage of time influence your perspective on life?

When I was a child, I couldn’t wait to be an adult so that I could be in charge of my life. I missed out on a lot of life events chasing adulthood.

My kids and grandkids (not pictured because we didn’t have them yet, Waylon and Khloe)

When I was a young adult, I yearned for the simplicity of being a child; When my biggest concern was counting down the days of summer I had left to go back to school; When my best friend and I had a fight; What I was wearing to the school dance; How was I going to convince my mom for an hour later curfew or the big test I was having in class.

Now that I have some life experience behind me, I cherish the moments that made me the mom, nana and wife I am today. All of which I learned the hard way, most of the time.

Now that I’m moving into my 55th year of life, realizing that I have much less days in front of me than behind me; it’s so important for me to make an impact that leaves a legacy that my children and grandchildren are proud of. The moments I took for granted as a child now flicker through my mind as they’re happening, as if I were watching them on the big screen.

My perspective has changed from hope and planning for a future to gratitude and preparing for my passing. From never thinking about what I would leave behind if I die today to thinking about it almost daily. All of which is good. I am blessed with children and grandchildren that continue to give me moments to cherish & a husband who never leaves me wondering if I’m loved. I want to leave a legacy that my family finds worthy enough to talk about long after I’m gone.

To do or not to do

Something on your “to-do list” that never gets done.

I always have at least one incomplete writing piece waiting to be finished. There is one in particular that has been on my to-do list for almost 10 years. It’s a trilogy about a superhero that saves humanity from its own self destruction. It’s been at least 5 years since I’ve added anything to it.

I get frustrated with myself because I am processing ideas to write about almost constantly. I have my story concepts in notebooks, my phone notes, my voice recorder and journals.

Part of my struggle is the fear of my ideas being rejected. I really need to just write it and not worry about what others think about it. Time to let it flow.

Hobby Home Chef At Your Service

What’s your favorite thing to cook?

My motto is: “If you leave my house hungry, it’s your own dang fault!”

Here are a few of my favorite recipes:

Pasta and Veggie Salad
Sunny side up eggs over avocado spread and toast
Biscuits and gravy with a side of breakfast potatoes, bacon and eggs
Soft chicken tacos with a side of beans and Spanish rice
Beef and cheese nacho
Authentic German Chocolate Cake
Christmas ham with all the trimmings

These are just a few of my favorites from what we call, “The Holy Grail, Cookbook”. This is my collection of recipes that my family loves and I get the most requests for a copy of the recipe.

Ironically, the recipe in and of itself isn’t the magic that is put in every bite. The magic ingredients are dash of joy and topped with a sprinkle of love.

There’s something about a good meal that brings families together and satisfies not just those hunger pains but the soul, as well.

I say it again, “If you leave my house hungry, it’s your own dang fault!”

Technically speaking…

Write about your first computer.

My first computer was a calculator. Then I advanced to an IBM PS/2.

My 1st of many computers

This thing was a tank. I can still remember how heavy and bulky this thing was. I was one of the first people in my area to have a mouse. It made it much easier to maneuver around the screen instead of having to remember the command prompts and tab key.

Those were the days when we thought we were so advanced that computers would shorten the work day and eliminate people’s jobs.

What I loved about my first computer was being able to write and store my writings on floppy discs. I eventually had to buy a storage organizer for all my floppy discs. Having my catalogue of writings made it so easy to refer back to unfinished ideas. Ahhh those were the days. As I write this on my Apple phone, I giggle to myself a little of how advanced I thought I was back then.

Fear is a liar

What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?

Ever since I fell 2 stories, and broke my back, I am terrified of heights. I literally get shaky legs, heart racing, instantly get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Fear sits in my stomach looking at this photo

I can’t even watch other people do heights, of any kind, without feeling the ill effects of this imagery.

Fear is such a liar, sometimes, isn’t it? I mean, prior to my fall I never gave heights a second thought. Unless, I take a step off of a cliff, heights are not going to take me down. My mind just doesn’t process heights that way when confronted with it. Fear may be a liar but I get sucked into its toxic vacuum every time.

Maybe one day I’ll conquer this fear. However, today, is not that day.

I wonder how annoying I am?

What do you complain about the most?

Many people would look at this landscape photo and call it beautiful. I look at this photo and think about having to clear off my truck and drive in it. I am not a fan of snow, like at all. No, I do not think it’s pretty. Green lush grass, blooming trees, flowers and warm sun on my face, is absolutely beautiful.

I start complaining about the cold as soon as temperatures drop below 75 degrees F. Many have tried to coerce me into liking it but I’m good. I’ll be alright, about mid May. Until then expect some complaining.

I used to be obsessed

What are your favorite sports to watch and play?

During the “Bad Boys” era of the Detroit Pistons. I did not miss a home game. Now, I could not even name a player.

My other obsession, Tom Brady. Now that he’s retired, I have no person or team to be loyal to.

I’m from Detroit so the Lions never were much worth watching but the tickets were always affordable. Lol! Until this past season. It’s like the Lions transformed. I might just have to be a fan after all these years.