Dot Dot

"We are lighthouse people, the storms come and go and buffett us around but we still stand afterwards and hopefully our lights still shine" ...Dorothy Popham

I was privileged to call Dorothy my dearest friend of about 15 years. Dorothy passed this life into the next on December 6, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer. The above quote was taken from a note written to me almost a year ago. Throughout Dorothy's illness, she maintained a positive attitude and a strong determination to continue "doing" for herself. She never lost her spunk. As she lie in the hospital bed one evening, she looked at me through half closed eyes and said, "Aren't you about due for a haircut and some highlights"! In the midst of dying we still took the time to laugh and talk about everyday stuff. Dorothy was my friend, mentor, sister, sometimes mother and often a royal pain and I loved her for all those roles she fulfilled in my life. My daughters loved her as a mother and she loved them as well. My oldest daughter had so many similiar characteristics I often wondered if I was just the carrier and Dot was really her mom! My grandson adored her and she adored him. The two had a very special relationship. He still speaks to her and prays for her. Many children were privileged enough to have this no nonsense, loving lady be their caregiver over a 30 year span of time. She never met an animal that she didn't love. One could go on and on about the amazing qualities of such a great person. Of strong moral character and virtue, Dorothy never lost sight of her values. She was/is a noble spirit and beloved by many. Always at home near the sea, her native home an island, may she run along the sands of Paradise and continue to touch lives.

To Dot, til we meet again...you are loved and missed very much!

"The Four Agreements"

I am new to the blog world and I guess I am very naive about it. As I sat down this evening and was reviewing my blog I noticed some new comments. I am always excited about comments but imagine my dismay when opening the comments, they were mean and spiteful and gossipy.
I had attended the adult session of stake conference and it was about making your relationships better particularly your marriage but would apply to your friends, family, basically anybody. The key elements were love, saying Thank You and being thoughtful! As I sit here I am saddened but also nauseous because why in the world would someone post hateful things on a new blog??? To the person that is so insecure and mean spirited, I send you only love and forgiveness because you definitely need something in your life. I am in a place in my life where I am willing to give people the benefit of the doubt and only want to look for the good in them. We are children of a most high God and thus each is worthwhile and important.
Note I did not say each of us is perfect, that is why we are here to be tested and to become better each day. I am not allowing anonymous comments on this blog. The comments incidentally were not even directed at me but at someone that reads my blog. I just hope they were deleted quickly enough as to not hurt some one's feelings. This is a place where I write what is on my mind, it is NOT a forum to be mean to anyone. I will continue to write here because I will not allow meanness and hatefulness to infiltrate my life. My friend, Jayne recommended a book called, "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. I read it some time ago but intend on reading it again. Basically, the four agreements in a nutshell are,

• BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD - SPEAK ONLY THE TRUTH. NO GOSSIP
• DON'T TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY - IT IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU, EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN AGENDA AND WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR LIVES
• DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS - WE ARE OFTEN WRONG WHEN WE ASSUME THINGS BECAUSE OFTEN WE DO NOT HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION
• DO THE BEST YOU CAN - EACH DAY DO THE BEST YOU CAN FOR THAT DAY!!!

Due to the comment section which incidentally was in the post about my sweet husband, (I really thought someone was going to comment on him) this was not my intended subject for a lovely Sunday. Everyone would do well to remember we are children of a most Heavenly Father and everyone is worthy of love, friendship and happiness. Imperfection abounds but we learn from this. I am by no means perfect, I strive to live each day a little better than the last one. So my friends and friends I have yet to meet, be a little nicer, a little kinder, more gentle, be forgiving so that you may rest your head on the pillow at night knowing that you enriched some one's life rather than crushed their spirit. I go to bed with a clear conscience, my heart is a little heavy but this too shall pass. Namaste

Carl

I'll play along, this is making its rounds from Laresa, Michelle, etc., so here goes...All about us!

His name: Carlisle Curtis Fogle, Jr.

How long have you been married?: 11 years in February
How long did you date?: about 8 months
How old is he?: Older than Me!
Who eats more?: Carl
Who said "I love you" first?: He whispered it in my ear as he was leaving one day, so I wasn’t sure at first!
Who is taller?: Carl
Who sings better? : Carl, for sure!
Who is smarter? : Depends on the subject! But I’m always right (LOL)
Whose temper is worse? Definitely mine
Who does the laundry? : Let me think, oh yeah, it’s me
Who does the dishes? : Usually I do.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? : All I know is that I sleep closest to the bathroom
Who pays the bills? : I pay the everyday household ones. He pays insurance, taxes, etc. (we combine our money)
Who mows the lawn? : Carl
Who cooks dinner? : I do most nights, he often picks up takeout!
Who drives when you are together? : Carl, most of the time.
Who is more stubborn? : I am more vocal about it but I think he is equally stubborn
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? : who’s wrong?
Whose parents do you see the most? : we work with his dad!
Who proposed? : Carl, with the girls’ permission on bended knee, it was a family event!
Who has more friends? : Probably me
Who has more siblings? : We both come from families with 2 boys and 1 girl
Who wears the pants in the family? : Both of us! I’m more bossy.

We laugh together, he serenades me everyday, he is an all around good guy and I love him. Sometimes, he exasperates the heck out of me as I am sure I do the same for him!

One is Silver and the Other Gold

Many of you former Girl Scouts may remember a song that was done in a round; make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver, (and?) the other gold. And I am not referring to hair color! I treasure my friends and I am totally committed to sustaining those friendships. I was delighted to celebrate my birthday with some silver friends and some gold...all are not present...we missed you! I am also happy to count my daughters among my friends! Friends are like soft, warm comforters, they enclose you with warmth when life is feeling a little cold or softness when we feel bruised. And the true test of friendship, they love you when you are at your worst because they know a better day is coming. Most of my friends have common goals and share the same values. I love them all for their diversity. I am feeling so supremely and richly blessed to have people step in and comfort me during a difficult time. Some of our friends have passed the veil of this life and we can't call them, we miss them terribly, know they are in a wonderful place and strive to live in a way that we may see them again.

I Love You All!!!

The Last Quarter

I have thoroughly enjoyed posting 100 favorites. It has made me look around and appreciate people, places and things with a more keen eye. We each have so many blessings. Here they are, the last twenty five...

• my yarn stash
• yarn stores, I love all the colors and textures of yarn, the needles and gadgets!
• fabric
• knitting
• my collection of vintage sewing notions and buttons
• making beaded jewelry
• crisp, clean sheets
• babies
• craft shows
• book fairs
• shopping with friends (or just shopping, shopping, shopping)
• Girl's Night Out
• riding our jet ski
• colored pencils
• stationery and greeting cards
• Brother Gorka's painting of Christ blessing the children
• black sweaters or shirts with awesome accessories
• the perfect handbag
• people watching
• Food Network Shows especially Iron Chef America
• Project Runway
• watching children play
• blogging
• autumn colors
• oatmeal raisin cookies (it is the only way I can eat oatmeal, plus it would lower my cholesterol, wouldn't it!)

I am thankful to live in a country which allows me to enjoy all of these pleasures without censure!!!

Widgets and Such! Oh My!

I have no earthly idea as to why I have a huge space between several posts! You have to scroll way down to post a comment. I now know what a widget is, I just don't exactly know where you find them and how you install them! I am such a blog amateur! Hey Cindy, you look like the queen of widgets (I mean that lovingly) how bout some advice...also my pictures are fine until I load them to the post and then they look faded...Help???

Twenty-five More!

The sky is so blue today. It is still a little cloudy and cool out. I find myself needing a break from year end books and payroll to just gaze out my window. I have wonderful pictures of favorite things to take a look at when my eyes blur from rows of numbers! The photos in this post were all taken at The Bend of Ivy Lodge in Marshall, NC near Asheville. So, it's lunch time and I present you with 25 more favorites...

• Bend of Ivy Lodge, a serene and beautiful lodge in the mountains alongside a tranquil river.
• rock gardens, rocks, especially "found" heart shaped ones
• Christus Statue in Salt Lake City and Brazil (I have been to SLC not Brazil)
• Buddha statues, he is always serene and/or happy
• great massages
• facials
• having my feet rubbed with lots of lotion by sweet husband
• eating cherries over the kitchen sink
• homemade lemonade
• popcorn
  
• beach glass
• shells
• birkenstocks and danskos
• flip flops
• comfortable boot cut jeans
• hair that smells Great
• hugs and kisses
• antique stores!!!
• favorite quilt, the top is made of old suits and embroidered in a feather stitch (antique shop bargain in great shape)
• Sweet grandson taking my favorite quilt and then snuggling with me
• My granddaughter feeding me anything she is eating whether I want it or not!
• my granddog Rhett, the black 125lb lab who thinks he is a lap dog and doesn't know he is a D*O*G
• my daughters asking for advice or recipes
• Heather's pumpkin roll, YUM!
• Michelle's dancing
  It amazes me how many simple things around me enrich my life and bring me joy! Life can be so delightful if we take the time to look at the wonders around us. One hundred favorites, a piece of cake...only 25 more
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

More Favorites

As promised, a few more of my favorites, in no particular order because I am a random kind of girl that way! The waterfall pictured is in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. My husband and I hiked to the bottom. The heavens provided a deluge of rain and we almost slid to the bottom! Well, back to the favs...

• waterfalls (obviously)
• getting caught in the rain, drying off and snuggling
• hiking in the mountains
• The Blue Ridge Parkway
• sunset in the mountains or at the beach or anywhere, actually
• Luray Caverns
• wind in my hair and the sun on my face
• my Boxster with the top down
• labyrinths and mazes
• botanical gardens
  

• roadside picnics
• the whoosh a diet coke makes when you open it and the very first sip!
• capturing cool photos
• landscapes blanketed by snow
• sparklers
• outdoor concerts
• any beautiful coastline
• azaleas, rhododendrons, gardenias, daisies
• poppies - especially the field of them that was near my Oma's house in Germany
• good chocolate, no that is not an oxymoron, some chocolate is better than others
  

• making holidays special for my family and my friends
• finger paints
• bubbles
• doodling and cartoon drawing and attempting to draw "serious" stuff
• castles and castle ruins (would like to see some in countries other than Germany)
  

I am in a vacation sort of mood today. I think maybe a mini-trip somewhere is in order! My friend TeLene and I attempted to ride with the top down not to long ago (November) We had to turn the heat on and laughed all the way home.

A few of my favorite things

One of my favorite singers/bloggers, Christine Kane made the suggestion of listing at least 100 things you love...It is very awkward for me to talke about myself or tell others about myself so I'm thinking this exercise will be good for me. One of my favorite movies is "The Sound of Music", I can just hear "Maria" singing ...these are a few of my favorite things...100 things at one time seems a bit overwhelming so I thought I would go with about 25 things at a time in no particular order!
Here goes...

• My Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ without whom I would not be so richly blessed.
• my crazy, loud, fun and loving husband
• our wonderful children
• being "Nonnie" to the grandchildren, they bring so much joy and love into our lives.
• sending love notes to my husband and receiving notes from him.
• our sweet kitten, Moe, he is a beautiful tabby with an engaging personality. (Michelle rescued him and brought him to us to adopt)
• my fuzzy bathrobe and slippers
• hot cocoa or herbal tea on a rainy, Saturday morning
• watching butterflies and birds from the windowseat
• something yummy simmering on the stove in my wonderful kitchen
• fresh baked bread
• a good soak in the jacuzzi
• a full moon shining through the upper windows in the living room
• cool, starry nights
• morning sounds and smells
• laughter, lots of it
• hearing my mom speak German especially when she switches languages in the middle of a sentence
• calls, e-mails and especially notes from my friends
• big, glossy magazines
• books, reading as much as I can
• the smell of citrus
• majestic hymns, i.e "All Creatures of our God and King"
• music, music, music
• sunrise on the ocean
• rain on the tin roof in Neeses

It is amazing how quickly you can think of many things or people you love. This makes me very aware of some of the truly wonderful, simple things that make life so fabulous. More to come....

"The Greatest Show on Earth"

We had a fun filled family trip to the Ringling Brothers Circus last night. Carl, Me, Mom (in photo), Heather, Danny, Michelle, Kevin, Hunter and Anna had a quick McDonald's meal and headed out for opening night. We had absolutely great seats for a very reasonable price. It's a good thing too because cotton candy was $12 for a large bag with souvenir hat. We did have to get "MiMi" some despite the exorbitant price. I think of everyone in our group, my Mom had the best time. Her face probably hurts this morning. She smiled and laughed the whole night. It was delightful to see her so happy. She has had some rough years.

I was so excited that I did not snap very many pictures. It was rather dark and I could not see the camera settings plus I did not have my glasses handy! The animals were gorgeous. They had beautiful tigers, zebras, horses, dogs and the elephants, of course! Throughout the show, Michelle, Heather and I were each thinking of the characters and animals in a book club selection we recently read entitled, "Water for Elephants" The animals appeared to be well taken care of and well-fed. At one time, Heather looked at me and said, "Mom, this is a great idea, let's do it every year!" Yes, let's! Let us spend many more delicious moments together whether at the circus, at home or anywhere else we may roam.

How the lemons came to be loose

Jayne suggested I offer an explanation of how my blog became know as "Loose Lemons".
It is a metaphor for many things however, I'll just explain one particular adventure. I find shopping to be highly entertaining on many levels. Jayne and I were having an abbreviated Saturday shopping get together at Steinmart. I selected several things I could not live without, one being a container of beautiful lemons. Jayne was admiring accessories as I walked up, we stood talking for a moment, the next thing you see is lemons rolling EVERYWHERE!!! We were scrambling about picking up lemons and it was quite funny to see lemons amongst all the "high end" accessories. I just looked at Jayne and said something like, "I've lost my lemons". This later became a discussion about how one views life. Do you pick up the loose lemons and keep going with a sense of humor and a smile on your face? Or once you have "dropped your lemons" are you embarassed and worried about what others will think? I choose to laugh at the funny little curve balls and mishaps that come my way. It isn't always so, but each day that I can do something to eradicate pessimism, cynicism and a myriad host of other isms is a good day!

The Universe Always Says Yes

My wonderful husband gifted me with a gorgeous midnight blue Porsche Boxster for my birthday last year (wow, it's already been a year!) I was extremely delighted but also had some weird feelings about having such a "hot" car as my friends say. I would catch myself saying things like, "I don't deserve a car like that" or I'm too old. You get the idea! I have encountered a series of misadventures with my sweet car from small things like a pebble dinging the windshield, a rock from a lawn mower knocking the passenger window out and so forth. I parked my car in the garage one Friday evening after a busy week including a Friday night activity involving the youth of our church and went to bed. Saturday, being a most busy day, I opened the garage door with intentions of cleaning the garage and doing laundry. Apparently I bumped the car and as I looked over my shoulder noticed it rolling out of the garage! I tried in vain to get in the door and pull the emergency brake. No such luck. As I ran screaming down the driveway after the car, it picked up speed, went across the street and missed all my neighbor's trees, lampost, railing and stopped inches from his house. The car was basically unscathed. Is this all, well of course not, a month later I went to a Big Dreams Retreat near Ashville, NC. The retreat was wonderful and I learned some really interesting ideas about your intentions and the Universe. I parked my car in the loading area of the lodge, loaded up and backed up. The car became stuck on the hill behind me and being a 5 speed pretty much refused to go back up the hill. I pulled forward a bit and no luck. I looked over the side and my next move would have been to the cow pasture very far below. It was time to call AAA and have the professionals handle it! It was very entertaining for all! It was well past dark when the wrecker arrived and I decided to spend another night. I guess the whole point of this is that I kept making remarks about how I did not deserve this car and the Universe in her infinite wisdom was trying to help me relieve myself of it numerous times. An aside, I really wanted to spend another night at the lodge too!