Money Issues

Joey and I have had many conversations lately about the handling of money. We have decided that in everyones life money becomes a issue at one time or another. Do we handle money in a godly way or do we make it a god in our lives. With the passing of so many this year we have learned a few more things about money. My mom loved to spend money, she never thought about where it came from, or how hard it was to get, or if she would need some in the future. She lived for the moment. In some ways its great to live so care free but in the end somebody still has to pay. (no pun intended), Then you take Mr. Robert, never had a family of his own, took care of so many people with his money. While doing his estate stuff, we realized that everyone who called he pretty much gave money to..  he gave to save the wolves, every Indian tribe out west, boys clubs, veterans, polar bears, save the whales and many different religious organizations. We decided that since he lived a lone for so long if you called and talked to him at night he would give to them. Robert is the complete opposite of mom, he planned ever detail of where his money would go. His extended family received some and they have not been happy with how he decided the rest should be distributed. Joey and I went to take his sister in North Wilkesboro the rest of her stuff yesterday. We had to sit and talk about how Robert chose to give his money away and it becomes uncomfortable when they are not happy and you have to explain it over and over again that it was his money and his choices of where it went.  We told her that he made it perfect clear in paper and words that it was his money and he could "do exactly what he wanted to do with and nobody better tell him different."
In saying all this money can be cause of so much discord in families, where you hold on to it so much that you neglect your family and their needs,  you use money to get your way and love is conditional to that money, you can make unwise choices and blow it on stupid things and leave your family in bad situations, or you can see money for what it really is, a tool for good. You can pay your bills, your can help people out in need, you can further the kingdom. Money is not bad, but if all your life always revolves around the thoughts of money then you might need to rethink your situation.
Joey and I have over the last 5 years had to rethink how we view money, Joey will tell you that he use to think about it too much, how to save it all, spend on what he wanted, and consumed with the love of it. He keeps a little stash for things he wants and I told him I needed some to pay a Lowe's bill (his things) and his first comments was you can't have my money. I didn't say anything, but I will tell you I am no saint, I thought " I know where it is I'll just go take it anyway" then a couple hours later on our ride home from Jeans, he said I don't know why I said that to you about the money. We all struggle with what we think is mine on a daily basis, but what we need to remember is, nothing is really ours, we die without a thing and take nothing with us, so why not use it for good today...

Harpers mean voice

Harper now likes to talk to us in this voice were she growls at us. Abby called last night to ask if she has been talking to me with this voice when she doesn't get her way. She got in trouble for telling her mom to get out of her room, then in the bathtub for telling her mom to quit messing with her. Abby asked her where she learned to talk like that  and she said "in Winston". Abby explained to her that you cannot talk to people with this growling voice when she didn't get her way and that she was going to tell all her grandparents and she was going to be punished if it continued.  I think it is funny when she talks with her little growl and I think she thinks she is being funny, but I have to abide by the parents, so today when she looked at me one time and growled "don't look at me Mam-maw" after I hid my smile, I asked her where she heard someone talk like that and she replied "Walmart"... I am not surprised....LOL

Birthdays

Today is my mothers birthday, she would have been 73, in just a few weeks it will have been a year since she passed away.  Time has flown by so much, we think that when things are hard that time stands still, but I think that when times are tough if flies by too. I  have not been to moms house since Christmas, still have not gone through all her things. Leigh Anne left me and went to beach, I didn't connect at time that it was moms birthday and that's how she copes. Our mom loved, I mean LOVEDDDDD the beach and we would take spur of the moment trips down there when we were younger. So I guess in honor of her, Leigh Anne decided Tues. to go to the beach yesterday.
Ecclesiastes 3
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

There is a time for all things, I have learned this year, you have to be a part of it, you have to enjoy the good, endure the bad, and try to be in the moment at hand.  

April Fools Day

Today has more meaning for me than just tricking people.  I have never been one for tricks. But 31 years ago Joey and I got married on April Fools Day, Good Friday and a over all cold weekend.  I remember when we decided to get married in two weeks time, first everyone thought I was pregnant (not), second we were just going to run off and Myra fussed at me and said you can have a quite small wedding at church in no time at all (250 no invitations sent out guest, mother ready to kill me) , third Joe (Joeys Daddy) was dying of cancer and we wanted him there, last but not least I knew if I didn't get Joey down the aisle, his mother might try to get him to stay at home a  little longer, LOL.
I told Joey the other day I think that this last year has probably been the hardest of our married life, he on the other hand says so sweetly none of them have been that bad.  He is a forgetful man. Audrey gave me a card yesterday and she wrote thank you for showing us that marriage isn't always a fairy tale, but can work if two people are willing. Happy Anniversary to us....

Things that are happening

Buster has a new name this is Harper and Fat Cat

Can you tell what these are, we were having a party so we have, ugly banana, corn on cob, tomato, peas, lemons, artichoke, watermelon, grapes, strawberry with tea. My creative side...

 

Harper and her new water gun, she is a actress...

My shot at trying to be organized,

after having to go through other peoples things, I am trying to clean up my on "stuff"