recipe for sand

What do you remember from your last beach experience? Picking up sea shells, building a sand castle, being buried in the sand, getting a nice sunburn, maybe learning to surf, or just having a good time with your company? I wonder what God meant beaches to be used as when he created land and sea? ...nature's relaxation point!
(which is friendlier, the land or the sea? the sand sits, at least the ocean waves!)

Today as I was people watching, a nearby 3 year old's questions were quite entertaining... "When can we go swimming daddy?" We are swimming. "When can we have fun daddy?" We are having fun. Then a little later when it was time for them to leave, the little guy was not keen on leaving nature behind. "Can I take it with me?" No answer. A few minutes later... "Can I take it with me?" No answer, again, "can we take it with me?" While his parents were busy picking up their beach clutter, he was getting quite frustrated why he wasn't getting a clear answer...why weren't they packing his waves, his sand, his sunshine? At least he did get to take home a little sunburn!

Have you ever thought of making sand at home? Probably not, since when you leave your beach time you don't mean to steal it, yet a little always sticks with you...so you don't forget your experience!
 SAND
-mostly brown sugar for firm packing
-some flour so it will rise to each occasion
-equal parts cloves and cinnamon to add a sweet scent
-pepper for some spicy times
-salt for a good full flavor
-touch of static cling for easy covering
mix with fingers and toes, be careful, may become clingy!

Question of the day- Have you ever seen a grouchy swimmer?

goosebumps at the beach

Yesterday as I drove closer to my beach destination, I noticed the temperature dropping. Then walking toward the beach I almost wished I had brought my jacket. But oh, the salty aroma and mist of the ocean, the calm pink sunset, the warm soft sand, the crashing and joyful screams of cool refreshing waves...what a sight! As I sat down to eat a dinner on the beach, I noticed goosebumps appear on my arms and legs. I was at the beach though, how could this happen! Thankfully after dinner while I walked down the beach my goosebumps faded...like all the footprints on the sand.

kick the complainin'

Throughout my work days I hear the average amount of complaining, whining, murmurs of disapproval, and most of the time I can let it roll off my back...and who doesn't complain from time to time? Sadly, I've noticed I have done a fair amount of complaining too! Eeek-those you hang around do rub off on you-even if they're little.
How about you? Do you listen to your conversations with family, friends and coworkers? Normally they start on a high note, yet quickly it becomes a list of why the day is not going just right or why people are not living up to your expectations.
So I've made a resolution to myself to have a more conscience effort of speaking with gratitude. Yes, life and work and people are not always perfect, yet optimistic attitude and tone can truly change perspective.
James 3:11- Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, again, I say rejoice!

why?

Lately, I've been asking myself "why?" a lot. Why didn't I remember to... Why don't I... Why can't I... why, why, why??? I don't consider asking "why?" a bad question...I'm simply trying to understand something more thoroughly. I think it's wrong to let questions stop you. I might not get the answer right away, or the answer I was hoping for or even expecting. I may be considered an interviewer when I talk with friends, yet I'm just a highly curious learner.
And just today as I was stepping out my door I almost stepped on a curly leaf shaped like a question mark! Kinda cool.

overwhelmed

Whew! Lately my schedule has been brimming full! Lots to do-go here and do that, so I can be there and see them, before I need to go there and do this again. Several times I've whispered to myself, "What was I just doing? or "Where should I go first?" or "Oh look-I'm late again!" I think many gray hairs have sprouted too. I feel as if my life could be compared to one of those little kid toys, beads on wires sliding in roller coaster motions, often seen in doctor office waiting rooms. They're colorful and eye boggling and  even fun to play with-pushing and pulling the beads in all directions...yet when it's my life routine, it's not too amusing because it's hard for me to keep my attitude held calm while circumstances are seeming out of whack. You see it's not one more thing to do, its my whole hay stack of life that must be rearranged in order to follow suit. And because everything doesn't go how I think it will go-the best way, of course-I get discouraged, annoyed, and worry of failure sets in. At first I muster through hang-ups, but then it seems I have too much to bear...complaints and tears flow as if a tornado plowed through my hay stack.
What's sad is I've only taken on an extra few responsibilities for a couple of weeks that have altered my normal little routine. I enjoy being able to help others and cram my schedule full, and check off these extra duties from my list, yet my attitude and guilt levels have plummeted at the same rate-eek!
I've had moments of rationalizing my expectations to myself, taking deep breaths and telling myself  "I'm only human," but most of all, finding comfort from Bible verses that came leaping to mind. Thank the Lord for his reassuring Word! Failure on my own strength is okay because it's proven to me I need God and I need His strength!
Philippians 4:8 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God, and His peace will guide you.
Lamentations 3:22-24 The Lord's steadfast love never ceases, His compassions never fail, they are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, therefore, I have hope in Him.

waiting at a stoplight

What would you do...while waiting at a stoplight? Check your hairstyle, grab a bite or a quick drink, maybe change the music or even check your phone. Today I looked in the car beside mine and to my amazement the driver, yes-the driver, was painting her finger nails! OMG!
That was a first to see. Hope they dried by the time she arrived at her destination.