tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63931042024-03-07T12:35:21.985-06:00Rhonda CNuggetsRhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-74492957578974571192016-08-29T14:24:00.002-05:002016-08-29T14:24:37.643-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvFAsZ9HVhbVcnTHl7RcEhgUqwprB7MPe8p1Jw_VKdQtx0JSfHQpdsvpVipB9zWn4LN6sFQoS_iV_gw_vFxkAsxyStNJ6SPayZoLvvXGwYpjV1gJqernUpBmexmhTp9izmr067g/s1600/14089060_10157166692310012_8512768784476506150_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvFAsZ9HVhbVcnTHl7RcEhgUqwprB7MPe8p1Jw_VKdQtx0JSfHQpdsvpVipB9zWn4LN6sFQoS_iV_gw_vFxkAsxyStNJ6SPayZoLvvXGwYpjV1gJqernUpBmexmhTp9izmr067g/s400/14089060_10157166692310012_8512768784476506150_n.jpg" width="308" height="400" /></a>
Tickets available online at this link: http://www.topoftherockchorus.com/events/music-speaks-2016-fall-show/purchase-tickets/dashboard/40.htmlRhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-17180264950044957732016-04-27T12:51:00.001-05:002016-04-27T12:51:17.694-05:00Keurig Moments - January 7, 2013<div><br></div><div>You know the moment you realize that something/one is more than a part of the decoration but has real function and worth; yeah, that moment. :)</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Do you know what this is? It is part of the Keurig coffee maker. Pretty isn't it, has a designer look to it. You can move it out of the way so that a taller coffee mug, like a travel size, can be placed under it to fill. It also allows the smaller cup to sit higher so that you minimize splash. Guess what else it does? Catches over flow from a cup. Those are not just decorations in that star and round spray design, they are holes and there is a reservoir that holds your overfill, in the event you try for too much in too small a cup. The funny thing is that I have been using this for a couple weeks now and there has been more than one occasion where I have thought I might need to move an empty cup in as the coffee drips out and gets perilously close to the top rim of my cup, not realizing till today that this decorously designed base functions as a drip cup. Yeah, funny huh. </div><div><br></div><div>Isn't life like that sometimes though, those moments when you realize that something or someone is more than a part of a decoration or limited function piece. It/they have real worth, real function. If I am too busy to recognize the moment when these realizations occur, then I am too busy. God says to Be Still, so that, you will know that I AM God. If I am too busy, I am just liable to miss this too, aren't I. Yeah, 'that' moment. Those little things that remind us of the big things, that remind us of God. Yes, THAT moment. </div><div><br></div><div>You might point out that this is such an obvious thing though Rhonda. Anyone can tell that this is a drain catch all. This is true, anyone can tell what it is, unless they don't. Anyone can see the splendor of the earth, of God's magnificent creation, of His love for His creation, of His sacrifice to reset man kinds relationship with Him; unless they don't.</div><div><br></div><div>It might be that we need to be still so that we can know, and show them.</div><div><br></div><div>Today I will go to the Sears parts store in West Anniston to pick up parts to fix my clothes dryer. It sits dismantled in the laundry room as it blew a belt and connected pieces late on Saturday afternoon. Will & Bruce took it apart and determined what would be needed to restore it to function, but parts would be required. After a stop at the Sears store in the mall, Saturday night, we found out that the parts would be available at the parts store, and it would be my assignment to go, in the daylight, on Monday and buy them. Apparently, I am on a journey to take light, but also maybe to witness light, in West Anniston today. I am not sure why I continue to be surprised by what I find while going about doing the everyday, ordinary, daily things, that God is at work, in all our worlds. It isn't necessarily a foreign mission trip that we are to take but the daily moments we are about, going into our daily world, paying attention, and being about the Fathers business. Today involves a Sears parts store. Perhaps I will share with you what I find on this journey today, in the mission fields. Sometimes I assume that I am the missionary, but find also, that a missionary might be working down on the west side of Anniston, and a spiritual meal awaits me. We will see. Assuredly I will know something more at the days end, if I am paying attention, for God is at work, in all things.</div>Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-17124072028631475372015-12-13T16:38:00.002-06:002015-12-13T16:38:15.426-06:00Long timeIt's been too long since my last post. I should do better. I will try. Later.Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-24574816529323787652014-11-02T21:02:00.001-06:002014-11-02T21:02:50.280-06:00The Move - part 7<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As we neared Little Rock, it occurred to me that there might be some difficulty getting our loads up Cantrell hill on Highway 10 so I called Monda and asked for a recommended alternate approach. The absolute last thing I wanted to do was get us stuck half way up Cantrell hill just at the end of our arduous day of driving, sheesh. She suggested the 440 loop over to pick up 630 and north on University. Well, I know the trucks use that 440 loop and boy do they ever, but it was a rough ride that night as we neared our destination. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7wux-vlzg1IR01jrXrFepwLKYUPIx3phwUk7DfhnOKwqdkdwXqqyRDWQZaMZVDNlCkJ02FCFloPDXeNeHOGT2EX_APGIW9UlVdmdPqiJSKlzJJencGIy8mA2irqTsrvI6DdMfQ/s640/blogger-image-1806000578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7wux-vlzg1IR01jrXrFepwLKYUPIx3phwUk7DfhnOKwqdkdwXqqyRDWQZaMZVDNlCkJ02FCFloPDXeNeHOGT2EX_APGIW9UlVdmdPqiJSKlzJJencGIy8mA2irqTsrvI6DdMfQ/s640/blogger-image-1806000578.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7wux-vlzg1IR01jrXrFepwLKYUPIx3phwUk7DfhnOKwqdkdwXqqyRDWQZaMZVDNlCkJ02FCFloPDXeNeHOGT2EX_APGIW9UlVdmdPqiJSKlzJJencGIy8mA2irqTsrvI6DdMfQ/s640/blogger-image-1806000578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhpkQ_YwqvCJ4aItRbTloUi5SO731AC6FP6iID6gHrLMozJiSnb2JeaUTFO5zkZWcOj58YLp3adLg5IVAIQZJQWQNn-1iwUIINfl5S_8YkM3YbkaztEfbiKlfkWHF-8pk38BT3A/s640/blogger-image--147643549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhpkQ_YwqvCJ4aItRbTloUi5SO731AC6FP6iID6gHrLMozJiSnb2JeaUTFO5zkZWcOj58YLp3adLg5IVAIQZJQWQNn-1iwUIINfl5S_8YkM3YbkaztEfbiKlfkWHF-8pk38BT3A/s640/blogger-image--147643549.jpg"></a></div></div></span></div><div><br></div><div>We were bumping around, seemingly shaking our loads, making our way around the southern side of the city on the little rock. I noticed all the landmarks from the signs on 630, saw the city lights, all to be explored and discovered in our new home city, but I just wanted to get us to the little house waiting on North Hughes Street. Pulling up in front of Monda's that night, I felt the full load of relief, as I stopped that truck and set that parking brake. I was done, spent, and there was Will and Monda headed across the lawn to greet us. I must have looked crazy with my head bowed down on that steering wheel, thanking the good Lord for His clearing our path and delivering us safely, cause I had done all that I could do. They let me step down out of the truck, someone may have actually assisted me, and then maybe someone moved it and disconnected a car hauler or something of that sort, but I was done. It was a long day, in May...10.23.14</div><div><br></div>Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-59095143264759423152014-11-02T21:01:00.001-06:002014-11-02T21:01:03.525-06:00The Move - part 6<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The plan was to drive up to Tupelo and then cut over to Oxford, and cross the Mississippi at West Helena, thus avoiding Memphis and the traffic. I had driven this route back from Arkansas in April after participating in the MS Walk, and it seemed doable and much less traffic for someone with my limited experience of driving a big truck and pulling a vehicle. I had not considered that we might be driving that road at night, in the dark, and just so you know, the high beams didn't help much, very little difference really. Well, so you know. In fairness, we didn't know that Prince Charles and Prince Harry were actually in Memphis that weekend at some event, so the traffic in Memphis might have been even more challenging than my imagination had dreamed up, but anyway, I digress.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYaR6aETiF6MQKg3VZ74nOOMeJqs4gbUCxd014Xj9X1epKtQJJUtsZizQ01dYLK7N05gKp1i6-mXOnxxD4ZSJBEHFApkWY-hS5wgVfEtqAZG82t4G9Zp8AUatdP3327qg8ejZ7A/s640/blogger-image-1402249292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYaR6aETiF6MQKg3VZ74nOOMeJqs4gbUCxd014Xj9X1epKtQJJUtsZizQ01dYLK7N05gKp1i6-mXOnxxD4ZSJBEHFApkWY-hS5wgVfEtqAZG82t4G9Zp8AUatdP3327qg8ejZ7A/s640/blogger-image-1402249292.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div>It began to get dark as we headed across the bottoms of Mississippi toward the river. The road was narrower and there were no shoulders, at least nothing wide enough to park a truck on. As we drove, it seemed like forever across those roads. I was driving the lead and knew the route; when the phone rang with Bruce asking how far we were from an interstate and if this was going to last much longer, and that the dog was whimpering to take a break. There was just no good answer. We were still a fair piece from a place to pull over, and it was pitch black outside with no street lights, faded paint lines on the road, the road seemed much bumpier in the truck, and very few other vehicles. Crossing railroad tracks out in the middle of nowhere is never a good sign and we weren't lost but we might as well have been because it was dark and we were tired. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKk-rcp5_Gm55inug22ZiKDl7zm6tHEA0PQ2ieE5wbJMMarsjBON8ZcmxKcmCGTnQINyml5zNwzskEGL8LKefm1IgA4ewMnI0RzfoMwstekhqG_fIXeZqGCueDULQjEk3Eb5DzA/s640/blogger-image-853415885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKk-rcp5_Gm55inug22ZiKDl7zm6tHEA0PQ2ieE5wbJMMarsjBON8ZcmxKcmCGTnQINyml5zNwzskEGL8LKefm1IgA4ewMnI0RzfoMwstekhqG_fIXeZqGCueDULQjEk3Eb5DzA/s640/blogger-image-853415885.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Eventually we neared a casino and a gas station with a driveway big enough for a couple of big trucks and we pulled off to walk the dog. I felt tired about then but it was good to walk the dog and just stretch a minute even though I knew it would be a while longer before we made our way across Arkansas and back to the interstate 40 at Brinkley I think it was. The road was better on the Arkansas side but still, it was a relief when we pulled back on to the interstate. Traffic didn't seem so bad after all the isolation in the dark. Strange how that is. It seems I came away from that stretch with a better understanding of that whole pray without ceasing passage, the practice of which had eluded me over the years, but understand better after my dark night of driving. There was no light of the moon that night, only the invisible hand of God clearing our way, for I prayed for that because much of the time, I could not see the way.</div><div><br></div>Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-78098400712080535822014-11-02T13:55:00.001-06:002014-11-02T13:55:43.740-06:00The Move - part 5<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaeIN-pRBOqHmBkVN2s9f5XBmx-Ow4B6_WENAsZnp78bSpJ8vhHAPRpHVOOw2Eg5v6pesLhrJM-PmglPAVUt4w7cG_rupd0BeH8MMpnhmooGx1Ryqk2vjCeahkF3lMmGht16f1Q/s640/blogger-image-244437506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaeIN-pRBOqHmBkVN2s9f5XBmx-Ow4B6_WENAsZnp78bSpJ8vhHAPRpHVOOw2Eg5v6pesLhrJM-PmglPAVUt4w7cG_rupd0BeH8MMpnhmooGx1Ryqk2vjCeahkF3lMmGht16f1Q/s640/blogger-image-244437506.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>We had picked up an inflatable queen air mattress to sleep on for Thursday night and left out some sheets, pillows, towels, toiletries, and a couple weeks worth of clothing in suitcases. We knew that we'd be spending several nights at Monda's house once we arrived in Little Rock. I still haven't found the box holding that air mattress as it was boxed on Friday morning and added to the load, so it's probably buried in a corner someplace. There are still a couple corners I can't quite get to.</div><div><br></div><div>Eugene and Tammy came by on Friday to help us finish the last minutes, cause there just seem to always be last minutes. We swept, ran the vacumn, wiped down counters, lemon fresh-ed toilets, and tried to leave things ready for the eventual new owners. I hope it felt welcoming a month later when the new family arrived. </div><div><br></div><div>It was closer to noon than we had wanted before we had things ready to lock down and pull out of the cove. We said our goodbyes to Tammy and Eugene, tried to keep the tears to a minimum, but it is always hard leaving good friends, forever friends.</div><div><br></div><div>Up till this point the cats had been secured in the laundry room, away from the coming and goings of their world as they knew it. We loaded them in their carriers, put the dog on her leash, double checked the locks, and climbed into the truck cabs. I would drive the lead truck with two cats and a litter box, pulling the Civic on a car hauler. Bruce would follow, with the dog, pulling the CR-V, with a 17' canoe on top. We were a sight pulling out of Windwood, no doubt. And just like that, we drove away.</div><div><br></div><div>We hadn't hardly pulled onto Interstate 20 before one cat managed to dislodge her carrier from the seat, turned gate side down into the floor, right onto the litter box. At least it was fresh litter. I phoned Bruce to share the predicament and she just had to stay there until we could pull over in Lincoln at the truck stop to secure her back in the seat. There were no plans for backing these loads up, so everything was about being able to drive forward. It took that cat about an hour of meowing before she settled down and rode quiet. It was the first chapter in our moving story but we were on our way.</div><div><br></div><div>Driving the truck was not a problem. The truck rode steady and traffic wasn't bad. I like sitting up a little higher on the road and could see very well. It was a clear blue sky day, Friday of Talladega Race Week, and the best look I have ever had of the speedway from the interstate, as we drove by, and gave it a wave. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALcuhAhZkvvWH_DOZflib_kDavzhLK1NbZImr9uKRdJ06jpmxm2KTZtFGz21iW4ovnyWDfuLO-kyA6DBIlXoCNs_oEDSSvlojkrhPFYE0UTKnhm6XNwQvm9guTtjZt3aH6eJKaA/s640/blogger-image--759358233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALcuhAhZkvvWH_DOZflib_kDavzhLK1NbZImr9uKRdJ06jpmxm2KTZtFGz21iW4ovnyWDfuLO-kyA6DBIlXoCNs_oEDSSvlojkrhPFYE0UTKnhm6XNwQvm9guTtjZt3aH6eJKaA/s640/blogger-image--759358233.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8xCXAaD0WrK33nnBZLVkEhHC8spwQVagJBMdsvscOASnR08eJPqF-WQotEFAYu9N-C6fvBXBRo8qUIfsFFPRbrpoFPUDZAfpmL_2IvkMCka3z08uP5tKWGbsHDFR9Lrd2-Iztw/s640/blogger-image-669175789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8xCXAaD0WrK33nnBZLVkEhHC8spwQVagJBMdsvscOASnR08eJPqF-WQotEFAYu9N-C6fvBXBRo8qUIfsFFPRbrpoFPUDZAfpmL_2IvkMCka3z08uP5tKWGbsHDFR9Lrd2-Iztw/s640/blogger-image-669175789.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xyHRNSj969xuU9GgC9loJn-1RkkTNN9KVLa5FGCFoKeJLEVDLoAcb-Ad_TzPMHrAFACR7MiioIb46vKWXrXAd5EwxXYEZ7ZSrHgdPurlBsqLlD3HTSFoCOJ3vpT7fvXMuwF6Zw/s640/blogger-image-1251728960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xyHRNSj969xuU9GgC9loJn-1RkkTNN9KVLa5FGCFoKeJLEVDLoAcb-Ad_TzPMHrAFACR7MiioIb46vKWXrXAd5EwxXYEZ7ZSrHgdPurlBsqLlD3HTSFoCOJ3vpT7fvXMuwF6Zw/s640/blogger-image-1251728960.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><br></div>Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-56558876154077581822014-11-01T21:08:00.001-05:002014-11-01T21:08:54.990-05:00The Move - part 4<div>When I say "just like that," I mean, wow, I would put my vehicle up on the car hauler and I would for the first time, drive a 26 foot U-Haul truck pulling a car down the road through Anniston and to the house in Oxford, at dusk. Well, I was going to have to drive it eventually, and well, this was our eventually. It turned out to be a good exercise in getting used to the feel of the truck and how it drove pulling just the extra weight of the hauler and the vehicle. We arrived and parked the trucks at our Oakhurst house, knowing that the time had really come, no turning back now. We learned to attach the haulers to the trucks and drive the cars up onto the platform, strap it down, and unhook it all so that the trucks could be loaded on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>I should mention that our son, Will, offered to fly in and drive the second truck for me, but it just seemed to me to be too much to ask, at that point in the plan. I mean, really, how hard could it be to drive a truck pulling a hauler and car across the country. </div><div><br></div><div>Our Unity crew arrived ready to load the trucks and they systematically loaded, turned and stacked our furniture, cardboard boxes, mattresses and every imaginable piece of property that we had accumulated into those two trucks. The first truck was packed tight and high. The second truck had the challenge of carrying more of the misfit sized, lawn equipment, dog house, tiller, tools, and last minute additions to the load, plants. I don't really know how they did it, but they did, and I'm glad it was them doing it. </div><div><br></div><div>We grabbed a last meal out with our neighbors, Edith and DC. We talked of good memories and how we'd miss having each other next door. We'd grown very close, enjoying Thanksgiving meals together for several years, and Will's holiday pilgrimages home at the holiday seasons, one part of our Alabama family. Edith also fixed us a hot breakfast the next morning to help send us out with full bellies. We can never say thank you enough. Always good memories.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KFV1c1Mtj0okdBaZHDDQWMjzuEeP8cUkWaYYEncaGHgdvMjMEVCQvYIdkTaj1vEkY3vptfynw3pXMPeS9KPyFusezAYjF9SkIkBM5Hv04J6YmGmh7RROWQxN2X9T_LcSTBNWeA/s640/blogger-image--1635233721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KFV1c1Mtj0okdBaZHDDQWMjzuEeP8cUkWaYYEncaGHgdvMjMEVCQvYIdkTaj1vEkY3vptfynw3pXMPeS9KPyFusezAYjF9SkIkBM5Hv04J6YmGmh7RROWQxN2X9T_LcSTBNWeA/s640/blogger-image--1635233721.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-64984156730862454842014-11-01T18:14:00.001-05:002014-11-01T18:14:17.593-05:00The Move -part 3<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Some things are a blur. At one point we learned that our buyers were not going to be ready to close on our assigned closing day, waiting for IRS to send lender a letter. It was coming we were assured but stood a good chance of not making the original closing. We learned that it would indeed not get there for the closing and the contract had to be amended to give the buyer more time for it's arrival and we actually went moving week and signed papers and power of attorney, in downtown Anniston at the attorney's office, so that closing could occur with our realtor, Alison Landers, to sign for us, (an angel sent from heaven and other angel Donna Saunders, always ready to assuage our fears and further our education in all things property.) Lending and closing work a bit differently than our previous move eleven years earlier, so it was good working with these outstanding professionals. Never doubt me, they got us through this. ERA King is where you find them, or ask me, I recommend without reservation. As I recall, closing was a month later, yes, a month. And well, we went ahead with the move as originally scheduled. I mean really, it was boxed and ready, our loaders were reserved, and our trucks were reserved, and we had a rental house to move to, so we moved. </span></div><div><br></div><div>Our plan was to wrap it Wednesday, load it Thursday, drive it Friday and unload it Saturday, in Little Rock. We pretty much had to have everything packed up and ready by Wednesday morning. I should have taken a box count, but I didn't so I don't know how many there were, but they fit in two twenty six foot long UHaul trucks, a Honda CRV, and a Honda Civic, and they were packed.</div><div><br></div><div>We also planned to pick up our trucks and car haulers on Thursday morning. As it turned out, we found out that we had one truck coming to Jacksonville and one truck coming to Alexandria pickup locations. We called to see if we could pick up the Jacksonville truck and hauler on Wednesday afternoon so that one truck could be onsite for loading to begin early Thursday morning. So, after a long day of wrapping and prep, Bruce and I headed to Jacksonville. Sure enough, they graciously put together our paperwork, keys and such like. When I mentioned to them that we would be picking up another truck and hauler the next morning at Alexandria, he offered to make arrangements for us to take his second truck and hauler, rather than come back out to Alexandria the next day. And just like that, we were set to drive both trucks and haulers back to the house that evening...part 3</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5tFtuQ4MERxe6ZA3ejS-EZcYcA58BRGeOxiM8-F3ypvvocpDAeU9_HH3vsW9GUkHuxuDuvnwYPrsGx4laDIpPa2BSCICnmfuUdeAsmibfD7hJ1oKFWTW_TcWFz9-W8ae_0FKoA/s640/blogger-image--912092853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5tFtuQ4MERxe6ZA3ejS-EZcYcA58BRGeOxiM8-F3ypvvocpDAeU9_HH3vsW9GUkHuxuDuvnwYPrsGx4laDIpPa2BSCICnmfuUdeAsmibfD7hJ1oKFWTW_TcWFz9-W8ae_0FKoA/s640/blogger-image--912092853.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5E1vVy44XOVCDCWMrItIN97eL889ITD89E3x-TfNW2IqBo0pS0KGiZgCjKIs173et3IcxF4HdTIKQK0qndQfCZCpSz0Ncc-ONc-bJYgBoH1ae1w7_0M77hChNQoRy7PvRKBblA/s640/blogger-image--597813518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5E1vVy44XOVCDCWMrItIN97eL889ITD89E3x-TfNW2IqBo0pS0KGiZgCjKIs173et3IcxF4HdTIKQK0qndQfCZCpSz0Ncc-ONc-bJYgBoH1ae1w7_0M77hChNQoRy7PvRKBblA/s640/blogger-image--597813518.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmylnJZA2mz5frLAFn_9jDEV_doMlnvl_Y7UnUhJ56kHHfWzIbrMumPApibewC1wujJ4u2gOaFgdZ-o39H-6iJapG7Rp65PoD2o5REWHFj-TIzKpIp_LTkqVYglKjK1TSBlBc3sQ/s640/blogger-image-461783080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmylnJZA2mz5frLAFn_9jDEV_doMlnvl_Y7UnUhJ56kHHfWzIbrMumPApibewC1wujJ4u2gOaFgdZ-o39H-6iJapG7Rp65PoD2o5REWHFj-TIzKpIp_LTkqVYglKjK1TSBlBc3sQ/s640/blogger-image-461783080.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-76136892554015001342014-11-01T16:15:00.001-05:002014-11-01T17:39:20.619-05:00The Move - part 2<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We needed to decide if we would rent U-Haul or Ryder trucks for the move. We needed to know where to buy the abundance of boxes we would need to box every other thing we owned to make the trek to Arkansas. We needed to know if we could afford to get someone to help us load the trucks, and found that this was doable. We hired Robert Weiss and his crew from United Moving of Oxford, Alabama for this purpose, and I don't think I could overstate how much this helped us accomplish the moving. Four strong, healthy backs to help wrap furniture, and stage and load it and all the boxes onto trucks was the way to go, just saying. Furthermore, let me just state that everything arrived in pristine shape, no breaks. Frankly, that's almost unheard of and I heard stories from several people of just that. </span></div><div><br></div><div>We did some online research on U-Haul and Ryder, asked some opinions on Facebook, and decided to visit U-Haul in person in Oxford out on Hwy 78. We were able to get the CRV filled with boxes, well actually it took 2 trips that day, and a link up with another outlet over on Hwy 202 for some more wardrobe boxes. Back to standing at the counter of the U-Haul in Oxford. Perfectly nice people, let me just say. However, we did not realize that day that while we could reserve our trucks and car dollies at this location, it did not mean that this would be the location where we would pick up said equipment on moving day. It's a very big detail that I personally think would be better to know about going in, rather than surprised about on the day before pickup for the loading. Maybe that just me, but now you know. Like I say, this would be a detail we would find out about later.</div><div><br></div><div>On that day we reserved two 26 foot long trucks and two car hauling dollies, plus 96 blankets for wrapping, and bought boxes, tape, boxes of paper, and a box of bubble wrap. Let me insert here that bubble wrap is so worth it, so worth it, and we would buy more of it as we progressed with the packing, as well as many more boxes. Before I forget to mention, while I was standing at that counter, my cell phone rang, and who would it be but Ryder to ask me about my online inquiry. Timely I thought and told them that they could call me back in about an hour and I'd be glad to hear what they could offer me as it was supposed to be a better deal than what I'd seen online, as I was actually standing at a U-Haul counter at that very moment. Unfortunately, that call didn't come until maybe a couple weeks later, and well, that was too late. By the way, the reason we went with U-Haul was because I asked Unity and they mentioned that it was easier to load and unload the U-Haul trucks as they sit lower to the ground. I'd say that was good advice as we would be a bit less experienced on the unloading than they were on the loading of the trucks...part 2</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxER_82BBShgoi4JdZaXk_lWOHeGDnZ2TfkscrFAOzQVQ5JXS4BlIwgoti9FDlVyYDbhAquUkxALA1-cyLujZopu1Efw3k3lfCm6Hg7V6u77GMEH9KRsukQsqvPy0HGfHHIsjNw/s640/blogger-image--1991243904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxER_82BBShgoi4JdZaXk_lWOHeGDnZ2TfkscrFAOzQVQ5JXS4BlIwgoti9FDlVyYDbhAquUkxALA1-cyLujZopu1Efw3k3lfCm6Hg7V6u77GMEH9KRsukQsqvPy0HGfHHIsjNw/s640/blogger-image--1991243904.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div>Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-66886487821104396512014-11-01T16:04:00.001-05:002014-11-02T13:44:23.714-06:00The Move - part 1<div>It's been five months now. How can that be? It is, as if, it was just yesterday. Yes, I do realize this is not a novel thought but it is mine today.</div><div><br></div><div>I could start back at the beginning, in May of 2013, when we began the preparing of the house for sale, and listed it For Sale By Owner in August, maybe September, but I won't. Today I write about the move. I will write about The Selling of the House later. </div><div><br></div><div>Once we had gotten the offer on the house and accepted it, it was time to finish the purging of what we wouldn't take with us and box up the rest. We found good homes for several more pieces of furniture including televisions, entertainment consoles, a refrigerator, sleeper sofa, breakfast table and chairs, and such like. It was the second big purging as the first had occurred with the staging of the house for Sale. Friends brought us some boxes and friends helped us box up dishes. Of particular assistance were Tammy and Kim. They helped me keep on track that last couple weeks when there were way too many things to be thinking about and keeping track for sanity. But, just having someone outside the fray let me blather along with what was next, without judgement, well, it was helpful. Thank you both. You are dears and I miss you...part 1</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuts8mFWime5GaVbdFVJmxrR1qiHbBH-bQiM34ALdcTYNZGPh_F8f8GKcx94Hv_jl8IFzdDl1RhnoK3XgGCIy8loG-0T6pbBuPn6704uHwLuFmaei2V5nHQdu7UZhpojScv6zPg/s640/blogger-image--377714422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuts8mFWime5GaVbdFVJmxrR1qiHbBH-bQiM34ALdcTYNZGPh_F8f8GKcx94Hv_jl8IFzdDl1RhnoK3XgGCIy8loG-0T6pbBuPn6704uHwLuFmaei2V5nHQdu7UZhpojScv6zPg/s640/blogger-image--377714422.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-9633227703236817832014-10-08T21:49:00.001-05:002014-10-08T21:49:48.006-05:00Before & After<div>Full appreciation can only be realized by those who experienced the before of something. Perhaps even having to be involved in the transformation itself to fully appreciate the scope of the change involved. Before and After pictures help but still, moving that brush of paint and realizing the effort involved all adds to the experience of what just happened.</div><div><br></div><div>Isn't it the same way with us and the transformative properties of the living in Jesus? Those who knew us well when we were as we were can more genuinely appreciate the differences made in the changing of us. Before & After pictures do not quite translate into the tender heart that a Jesus calling reaps on the Believer over time, with the kneading of the Holy Spirit as the fruits of the Spirit are cultivated and nurtured in the lives of the Christians. </div><div><br></div><div>Just a thought.</div>Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-23043100761564819892014-09-20T17:15:00.000-05:002014-09-20T17:20:05.543-05:00Tangles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK06M64FDvmVjxi61LJT4MWnvf_qKavPmJugScqRvg_jcVcTPV59aDy0PtmCWd327GH3hp2DxKcmkvu67UvFdEfSgaHfUd8YC3VTtHOIYLalQhI_qmD77tfPjwzTcCoTju6W7/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK06M64FDvmVjxi61LJT4MWnvf_qKavPmJugScqRvg_jcVcTPV59aDy0PtmCWd327GH3hp2DxKcmkvu67UvFdEfSgaHfUd8YC3VTtHOIYLalQhI_qmD77tfPjwzTcCoTju6W7/s320/image.jpg" /></a></div>My Pink earrings and necklace had gone missing. The ring was there but the rest had vanished. I thought it odd that they would not be in the same place but I couldn’t find them, and then we were moving, so might they be gone forever, left behind someplace at the Oakhurst house. I hoped not, but wondered that it might be so.
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They were a precious treasure as we had picked them out together on our last Acappella cruise to the Bahamas with a stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They weren’t super expensive but a splurge, a gift from my husband on our cruise shopping. I’d never been big on jewelry and these had a daintiness about them and were pink, my favorite. Those who know I’m a Premier Designs jewelry lady now will find that humorous, but it is the truth.
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The good news is I found them, safe in a ziplock bag, inside a purse tucked away for the move, cushioned amongst those types of things that are small and precious and worthy of a safe place. I find us all like that really, as far as God is concerned and how He looks at us and cares for us.
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Since I had discovered their location, I did not worry about actually unpacking them until today. I found that they were indeed in the baggie but had become intertwined with some other, less delicate pieces. My instinct was to reach for them directly but with their tangles I knew my action might damage or break them. And so, I removed the other pieces, one by one from the jumble and there at last were my delicate pink necklace and earrings, safe and sound and pristine. Patience prevailed with mission accomplished.
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And isn’t it like that sometimes with the tangles of life? We ask God for relief and yet we see Him working on other things, other people, delaying our request for His favor. Until one day we look up and see His hand has been at work on our behalf the whole time, sometimes gently removing from our tangled mess the things that have us pinned down and twisted about. And we are whole, and His.Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-34104440858750900642014-01-28T08:55:00.001-06:002014-01-28T08:55:02.365-06:00Shall I blog again?Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-6123465702192734272012-07-27T10:52:00.002-05:002012-07-27T10:53:13.076-05:00Oliver North Weighs InOllie knows history.
http://townhall.com/columnists/olivernorth/2012/07/27/burning_bridge<a href="http://http://townhall.com/columnists/olivernorth/2012/07/27/burning_bridges/page/full/"></a>s/page/full/Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-85406574016524095062012-07-25T14:08:00.001-05:002012-07-25T14:08:03.476-05:00Credit Expansion“There is no means of avoiding a final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as a result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved.” Ludwig von MisesRhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-80487719982366619302012-05-24T09:11:00.003-05:002012-05-24T09:11:43.510-05:00Time PassingTime is passing quickly these days. Just when something we've looked forward to comes to fruition, we miss the time already passed. It pains me to be so far from family, it surely does.Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-61619925978384772072012-02-16T12:26:00.001-06:002014-11-01T16:12:39.501-05:00AdeleI haven't been able to get Adele singing Rolling in the Deep at the Grammys on Sunday out of my head. I think the reason is that I keep hearing the message a different, and very powerful way.
I hear 'You could have had it all.' and Jesus is the speaker. Maybe I should not ignore the message of that thought, so I'm not.
Peace.
<a href="http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9inzqqKajcM&feature=youtube_gdata_player"></a>Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-84554081094758944652011-08-15T13:46:00.002-05:002011-08-15T13:48:18.002-05:00Clutter Clues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlD2xLMpbNe77sUIB4dAnh8bC34K8qq11jBMzAx22MiZrnZsdc2N7bSJTa-IgUCbcRwWDEKEurBoyi9UNz4zCNDccv4nqvAR9yTU8954WlxISeHmSnvtmIqD_L8iv-8Ly7i8GYg/s1600/holdingtable.jpg.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlD2xLMpbNe77sUIB4dAnh8bC34K8qq11jBMzAx22MiZrnZsdc2N7bSJTa-IgUCbcRwWDEKEurBoyi9UNz4zCNDccv4nqvAR9yTU8954WlxISeHmSnvtmIqD_L8iv-8Ly7i8GYg/s400/holdingtable.jpg.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641156282936545490" /></a>
<br />I accumulate clutter, particularly paper clutter; it seems to be the nature of information gathering. Whether I'm gone a few days and come home to a stack of paper and the decisions of which to keep, deal with, file away or discard, the process can feel overwhelming, to the point that I start little piles in several places. When I realize that my 'coping' is adding to the clutter, I gather all the piles and move them to the dining room to be 'dealt' with once and for all. It's the 'holding' table. Nothing is lost, it's just suspended in time, there, on the table, 'safe', but blatantly clutter:) Don't laugh, I see your desk:)
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<br />The amazing thing is that now the rest of the house feels calm, clutter is cleared away. Surfaces wait, revealed, ready to receive a dusting even, well maybe, they look pretty good actually, as they've been covered in CLUTTER:) Won't Bruce be surprised:)Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-63613218150696423372011-07-16T11:07:00.000-05:002011-07-16T11:08:46.875-05:00Correction NeededFrankly, we appear to have gotten on to the 'Progressive' highway a while back, traveling in a direction we did not realize, headed for a destination we did not understand or fathom. What bathroom we stop at, compromising along the bi-partisanship way, does not negate the fact that WE are on the WRONG HiGHWAY!!!!!!Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-91025489808278920072011-03-19T09:01:00.002-05:002011-03-19T09:03:45.530-05:00Hey, Friends. I would personally love it if you could help the family of Gary Miller by checking out this link http://www.acappella.org/vocalunion/garymillerproject/index.html and contributing to it if you are able. Gary was the sole income earner for his family and his sudden passing has left his family in a quite a financial bind. Your contribution will help cover some of the immediate financial needs his wife, Debbie, is facing. Also, the music you’ll receive from this offer will truly bless your life. I know it did mine! Thanks and Shalom!Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-14179338995406291122010-06-09T10:53:00.001-05:002010-06-09T10:59:31.842-05:00Morning MusingsMorning Musings<br /> <br />I can't help but wonder how long my cat, P, will be able to resist the temptation to jump off the back deck to reach the grass growing below. She has been out here with me for about an hour now and the other cat, B, has been content to now retreat into the coolness of the indoors. But P is pacing the window screen which I have perched in front of the stairway, and she is giving particular attention to the ground below as she pokes her head in between the railing posts. Again she retreats and lays out in a sprawl on the beams of the deck floor, in the shade. You can always rely on her to find the first sunbeams hitting the deck, but now it is the cool of the shade in which she rests, and I feel the warmth of the sunbeam as it falls across my neck and hands at the mini keyboard before me, typing these words of thought. <br /> <br />It is a grand morning and we have thoroughly enjoyed the morning sounds and breezes. The mature jasmine resting in the corner is sharing such glorious fragrance this morning that it is a heady experience. Birds are chirping away and a bee is buzzing just outside the railing that it is a wonder that P is so calm now. There is a small fountain gently coaxing water down the frog and lily pad theme and it masks other sounds which are surely in the distance, as we are not all that far from the interstate and it is abuzz with activity on this fine morning in Alabama. There is just enough breeze for the chimes are singing their own cheery tune and one can watch but for an instance to know that there is a lot of life happening in the out of doors today. <br /> <br />I hear the sounds of trucks moving about and so surely there is some building and moving of things around; all the normal sounds of today and there is comfort in that.<br /> <br />If one were to read the papers today; one would find a lot of turmoil, some self inflicted and some at the hand of outside forces. The oil spill in the gulf is still making the news but not on the front page of the Wall Street Journal today. It has been fifty plus long days already and the major headline for most of it, as it well should be. I wonder if people will come away more informed about oil and how we get it into our homes and cars and such, or if after the sensation of this episode eases, we continue the path of those generally uninformed about how things work in this modern world and economy of ours? I wonder. <br /> <br />I hope to dig out a bit of compost today and plant the two remaining tomato seedlings from the greenhouse as well as a couple more pepper plants. It would surely be nice to have all the tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash that I can stand to eat, share and preserve as possible this summer; perhaps the insects will cooperate with me and share this time. There is a hay bale garden that seems to be coming along pretty nicely out back now so we'll see how well this does. It seems that we don't quite have enough hours of sunlight in any one place to really thrive in this gardening sense but we keep giving it a try and I've done some selective pruning of limbs in the sky so that maybe there will be enough. One can hope.<br /> <br />That was quite the jolt to look up and see that I had inadvertently hit the + and enlarged the text to 195% on the screen, how did that happen:)<br /> <br />The wind seems to have picked up as it is rustling the trees in the woods and leaves are all a flutter. I feel a deep breath coming and find that it relaxes me and P; as she does a roll over onto her side, enjoying the moment; good girl.<br /> <br />I guess B is content to be inside by himself as he is not tapping on the door to return to the deck with us; content in his own company for now. We could all learn something about that from him. B is the one who will go off and sleep for hours and then reappear and crawl up into my lap for for stroke time. He is a truly loving cat; and will insist on this face time, even if I'm doing something else, typing on a computer perhaps:) He is always waiting for his opportunity though and has pushed through onto the keyboard in my lap when necessary as if to say, "enough about that" for now:)<br /> <br />I enjoyed a good face book chat with an old friend, Jayne, this morning and marvel at the distances of time and space that we now breach with just the type of a keyboard and moments online; all of which used not to be. For all the criticisms of the non personal nature of the internet, I find it to be quite the contrary, allowing contact with people who I would never be able to see and communicate with any other way; impaired by time, finances, and the nature of modern life. It would be nice to just travel around visiting with old friends, family and acquaintances all the time, but who can do that really, and so we have face book, and for that I am thankful; just a tool for sure, but one that is useful. <br /> <br />I've finished reading a few more words by Isaiah and will continue it for several more days. Has anything really changed since he penned these words from God, I think not. He has surely done marvelous things and if you were close enough this morning, you would have heard me singing this song, as it came to mind as I read. I think God is smiling at me.<br /> <br />The quiet has now been joined by the sound of a mower next door and so it feels a little hotter out here now. Interesting isn't it, how noise changes other things, but just wanted to take the time to jot down some thoughts this morning as they come and go. I wonder what more will come today and it would be good for me to make it to the grocery and restock the pantry, as I polish off a peach from the refrigerator. There is one more in there but maybe there is some nice fresh produce waiting for me at the market today. Much to do and it is good; breathe deep:)<br /><br />Ah, now P has moved over onto my feet and is rolling around as if to thank me for the morning, nice:)Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-36085109693668743192009-08-04T12:00:00.001-05:002009-08-04T12:00:59.373-05:00His Own Words<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fpAyan1fXCE&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fpAyan1fXCE&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-58244841754284029592009-05-08T14:51:00.001-05:002009-05-08T14:52:43.864-05:00MOMS - THE Party of NoSunday is Mothers Day, an annual day of honor and celebration for Moms. If you’re fortunate enough to have a Mom who is still living; spend time in her presence or on the phone with her, send her a card, do something nice for her; tell her you love her; let her know you recognize she has been given a God assigned role and she works hard at being Mom. She is very important to your life and well being. Say a prayer of thankfulness for your Mom. She loves you. She is a blessing; she counts, count her.<br /><br />Moms wear many hats; some fit better than others. Moms are compassionate, caring and connected to feelings. Moms just ‘know’ when you’re in trouble or headed that way. They know the signs. Moms also say no, regularly. Moms mentor, teach and explain. Moms say no, regularly. Moms ask you if your friends wanted to jump off a bridge would you join them, just because ‘everyone’ else is doing it. Aggravating, yes; cliché, yes, but necessary. Moms say no, regularly. Sometimes it’s so sweet you don’t realize it was ‘a negatory’, but Moms say no, regularly. Sometimes it is discipline and privileges are taken away from you so that you will remember essential lessons. Moms say no, regularly. <br /><br />Moms seek to protect your best interests. Moms want you to thrive and succeed, even though you question her definitions at times. Moms would love to be able to say yes dear, you can have anything you want, and suffer no consequences for your decisions. Moms don’t want you to get hurt, so Moms say no. All this so that one day you’ll know how to say no to yourself and to your children; when you don’t have the money to spend; you can’t afford to buy the fancy car; you can’t afford to pay the mortgage and living expenses on that big showy house; or you don’t have enough hours in the day to do all the things you want to do and still be a good Mom or Dad. Moms say no, regularly. Moms would rather you didn’t have to make all the mistakes they made in their life; so, Moms say no, regularly.<br /><br />Moms are not perfect but Moms say no, regularly.<br /><br />We live in a challenging political time. We hear people and parties criticized for wanting to talk about it, say ‘wait a minute’ or saying no way, no how. Do we hear ourselves? We have a whole ‘list’ of things we want to do, that others have kept us from doing, and now no one can stop us, so we are going to do whatever we want. We don’t have the money but are sure we can ‘take’ whatever money we need to pay for what we ‘want’ from someone else. <br /><br />Moms call that stealing. <br /><br />Everyone is doing it; this is the way that it’s done; don’t rain on our parade; we ‘will’ do what ‘we’ want and you can’t stop us. We will lie; we will cheat; we will say whatever we want about whomever we want, after all, it’s just the news, it’s just politics. <br /><br />Make your Momma proud; BE the party of NO. Someone needs to be. Love you Mom!Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-71997636900948245322009-03-18T14:00:00.002-05:002009-03-18T14:04:11.446-05:00Early tomatoes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_Oimh-C5i7BihJajiG75_i-7CLXgS-BF8AlGCcP5peC9HgA1KL_znd9bUuXbAQmuLd8M5FRI9KNEawLfaQItAJuwdw34i3Xtzo8uxNCxXfTnyC8mQ2WXbxEhOBaW9W2Hk4oe_g/s1600-h/100_1527.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_Oimh-C5i7BihJajiG75_i-7CLXgS-BF8AlGCcP5peC9HgA1KL_znd9bUuXbAQmuLd8M5FRI9KNEawLfaQItAJuwdw34i3Xtzo8uxNCxXfTnyC8mQ2WXbxEhOBaW9W2Hk4oe_g/s400/100_1527.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314605538823262946" /></a><br />I'm a little late on this news as we ate our first tomato back on March 8th; had to pick a couple and take with me on a trip to Arkansas/Oklahoma and ripen on the counter. <br /><br />Now we have abundance and are ripening between the counter and the greenhouse. It's a good thing:)Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393104.post-83501685297624874702009-02-10T09:32:00.002-06:002009-02-10T09:36:37.760-06:00IRS Handle CensusRhonda is wondering why the US Census can't be handled by the IRS. Everyone file your tax forms and you count:) <br /><br />It would create some jobs at the IRS and save a bunch of money over all. <br /><br />Why not?Rhonda Colesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04865869748453727503noreply@blogger.com0