Oh shoot....

December 26, 2016
Monday

Dear Readers,

Come on in to my little niche I've carved out as my own little heaven on Earth. This space is where I spend most of my time writing, creating, reading, and entertaining guests that need some one on one attention. It's dog friendly and accidents mop up easily. As a furmoy senior Poms who need to "go" often, it is their restful safe place with a wee wee pad close by.

I haven't written a blog since the end of October and, here it is, the very end of December. Oops! Believe me I am no different than most people and life sometimes gets in the way and needs tending. I am SO READY to put 2016 in the history file! Talk about one little challenge after another. As the Norwegians would say, "Uff da."

All that aside, I am really looking forward to 2017. I have two projects in mind ... redoing the cottage and planting a Texas garden. I am needing to simplify so will be doing more shrubs than flowers and reducing the amount of annuals. At least, I say that now. For now, I sure have a lot of perennials that need cutting back and dead annuals that need to be "gone." All in good time.

The cottage has been my outlet for my creative bent. It's been basically the same for almost 5 years and it's time to rethink how I use it. I've been doing research on several different color schemes and vacillate between Country French and Country English Cottage Style. I am gravitating towards the shades of white, cream, and browns yet I love the colors of Provence too. At any rate, I will be taking everything out then playing with some color boards of fabrics. Will be time to borrow a sewing machine and go to town... So excited ~ will need to do some serious curb and dumpster diving!! At any rate, I want to bring the freshness of my gardens inside.

It's been a great year to cultivate new friendships and renew old ones. It's been a great year to learn more about the Bible and apply it to my life today. My church (that sounds so good, "my" church) has been a springboard to walking in a newness of life. I cannot fully express the extent of the goodness of the people I hug each Sunday and pray for. The Cowboy Culture is a simple one ~ love the Lord and do right by your neighbor. All are welcome, no one is judged. I like simple ... I like real ... I like stomping my foot to some great gospel music ... and, most of all, I like sharing my life with my brothers and sisters in Christ aiming to give more than I take. Pretty dern awesome, wouldn't you say?

Miss Dottie loves everyday adventures and I've been amiss in sharing them with you. That needs to change in 2017. Maybe Sarah and Rick and Susie and Terry would share their lives with me on their ranches. Yeee Haw! And, there are lots of nooks and crannies to explore and taste savory dishes. You need to know about them. People open their hearts and doors wide open when I say, "Pleeeezzzeee."'

This morning, it hit me in the face that the time to do something about my back is NOW. I've been on the phone leaving messages for my back and pain doctors today.  (When I decide to do something, I want to do it right NOW .... never mind that it's the day after Christmas and most doctors' offices are closed.) When I spend more time down than up and running I know it's not just going away with physical therapy, medication, and rest. (Sigh)

The good news is that 2017 is just around the corner. We have a new President Elect, Donald Trump, and new pages on which we will write history personally and as a nation. I know some folks are pretty angry about the election outcome but our electoral system has given us a fair way of electing a President. If we just went by popular vote, New York and California would have their way and much of the country wouldn't be represented. As for me, if Hillary Clinton would have won. I would have prayed for her and wished her the best. That's God's way and I trust He knows what He's doing. (I mention the election only because my blog is a history for my children, grandchildren, and their children to come. What happens in my world needs to be noted.)

I don't know about you but I pray when I wake up, before I sleep, and many times in between. I pray for you, my Readers, because I care. I know about your challenges and triumphs ~ your worries and joys. Today, I lift you up in prayer bowls made of heavenly gold. I petition the one who died for your sins and mine to watch over you and yours. I pray especially for the family and friends of my friend, Patsy who went to be with the Lord the day before Christmas. I pray for my friend, Beverly, who faced this Christmas without her beloved Danny. Oh, Father, where there has been great love there is also this deep sadness for the hole in the lives of those left behind. For Dee, I pray for a peace as she battles bleeding in her brain and strength for her family as they stand by her bedside. For all those with cancer, I pray for stamina and healing. Sprinkle that extra measure of hope in those who are battling that dreaded disease. For those who are worried about family and friends struggling with addiction, I pray for clarity in what is helping and what is enabling. I pray for those facing hard decisions and for those who are kneeling with tears running down their cheeks. Remove the scales from our eyes as we face each day welcoming truth and knowledge of Your will for our lives. I pray for our nation ~ let there be a coming together of our people as Americans. For those in office and authority over us, I pray for clarity and wisdom. They are privy to so much that we, the people, aren't. Come dear Jesus as we open our hearts to you. Convict us where we are wrong and forgive us as we forgive others. Move mightily in all our lives. I pray in the name of Jesus as your servant,

Miss Dottie

PS  Renewal is rooted in faith, not in resolutions! They are made for New Year's and forgotten on an average of thirteen days later, say the surveys. Faith is the result of a decision about Christ. I cannot make a new me or a new you, but Christ can make you new and me new, as well, if we decide for Him.  ~Frank Harrington