Don't be fooled...

….things aren't always as they seem.

Like this little clip.  Have you seen this?

John Deere Commercial

Especially the guy who says, "That yellow seat is my favorite chair."  Yeah, right!  If that's the truth this guy is nuts!

I'm a big fan of John Deere.  I love The Beast (I wrote about it a couple of years ago) of a mower we have, but "perfectly level fresh cut grass" is not something achievable in our yard, probably because we don't have a "perfectly level" yard!  I managed to master the art of our zero-turn John Deere mower and can use it really well….if you don't count the sacrifice of 2 baby oak trees and a couple of lawnmower blades.

I may be one of those weirdos who really does enjoy mowing. (not kidding)  The hubs works really hard, and often long hours, so I thought it would be very considerate of me to mow the yard. (now I'm thinking homemade cinnamon rolls would have been a better idea!)

I started this chore 2 days ago.  It was hot, it was dusty, but I was determined.  Our "yard" is only about 4 acres.  We live in north central Arkansas.  We have a bumper crop of rocks…and dirt.  We live in grow zone 7, which means weeds flourish. (ragweed, fescue, Johnson grass, lespedeza (sp?), crab grass, orchard grass, rye grass, along with several allergen laden green things (those are really more weeds than grass), and the sprinkling of Bermuda grass we are desperately trying to encourage.

I have almost decided there are tiny creatures living in the grass who do not want their homes disturbed so they are sabotaging all my attempts at "perfectly level fresh cut grass".  I mowed the front yard with minimal trouble (if you don't count rocks, mole hills, tree roots, and ruts that came from somewhere unbeknownst to me)….then I ran out of gas. (Thankfully, the oldest boy had filled the gas can so that was only a minor setback.)  

half the front yard

looking to the side

Mower refilled, and I was once again rocking along listening to my iPod to drown out the sounds of rocks and mower blades colliding, then it happened….a terrible noise heard above the music in my ears.  In the split second it took to hear the sound, I also realized the ratchet strap which had been on the mower deck at my feet was no longer there.  Yep, it had bounced off and was now thouroughly entwined around the mower blades.   

Being the problem solver I am, I stopped the blades, turned the mower toward the house, parked it in the garage, and came in to take a shower.  Hubs wasn't really thrilled with me when he got home, but he calmly cut the strap (which he uses (used) to hold the sprayer tank onto the four wheeler), and, I'm sure, silently thanked God I hadn't really torn the thing up.  

The majority of the yard, however, remained uncut.

Today, since school is out and I'm a stay-home-mom for the summer, I decided to finish.  I probably should have prayed for rain.  

My first problem was the sneezing fit which occurred approximately 8 minutes (or 2 iPod songs) into my chore.  (It's difficult to sing along with Little Big Town while you're sneezing!)  As if the sneezes weren't enough, the problem was compounded by the fact that I am 47, have given birth to 3 children, and had a hysterectomy (some of you ladies will understand…things happen when you sneeze, cough, or laugh vigorously.  (TMI?)   A short bathroom break followed.

Once again enthroned on the yellow seat, I began the rough terrain of the side yard.  There is one particular area with ruts deep enough it might be a safer alternative to a tornado shelter than the basement. (okay, that might be a slight exaggeration, but a tractor did get stuck there last year)  Still sneezing, and bouncing, and doing my best to avoid the dead briars, still clinging to the fence like the guardian hedge in Sleeping Beauty, I continued….for a couple of minutes.  Yep, the mower ran out of gas, again, but this time, the big gas can had less than a pint in it, just enough to get the Beast started and moved to the garage.  The only explanation I have for running out of gas this quickly is, either someone has been joyriding on the lawn mower, or grass fairies (who don't want their homes disturbed) are siphoning gas from the mower as we sleep. (I'm leaning toward #2).

 

I could make a trip into town, fill the gas can, and continue the job, but my itchy, watery eyes don't want to, and after 2 Benedryl caplets and a shower, I've decided a nap sounds much better.  

Oh, that just for the record, that yellow seat in the NOT my favorite chair….the soft club chair (with the matching ottoman) in which the posterior end of my anatomy currently rests in my favorite chair.  

Sorry John Deere!

It's over….

…School, that is.  Friday, May 23rd wrapped up the 2013-2014 school year.  I'm ready for summer break.  I need some rest.

My plan was to have everything "summerized" by Friday afternoon, but it didn't happen.

Plans change sometimes, and this was my desk/classroom just before I left earlier than intended, so another day next week and I'll be good….I can get more finished when I'm by myself, anyway.

It's been a tough year.  I'm exhausted.  The last semester has been filled with more frustration that I've experienced in a long time.  It's very difficult for me to deal with people (kids) who have no respect for property or people.  I have to remind myself they are just kids, they are immature, and who knows what other issues they're dealing with at home.

This summer I will pray for them.  I will pray they are blessed, and happy, and healthy.  I will pray that, in spite of myself and my sometimes really cruddy attitude, that I will go into the new school year with God's light inside me.  I pray that I will be an example to show Him.

How about a praise?

A few weeks ago I blogged about a sweet girl from our church, Charolete, who was battling cancer.

Wish I could be this gorgeous with no hair!  

Please note that I said WAS battling cancer.  Though I'm 2 or 3 weeks behind posting in on here, Charolete finally got the news that she has, once again, kicked cancer's tail.  Her last doctor visit shows that she is now CANCER FREE!  (can I get an amen?!!)  Throughout her ordeal, she always had that smile on her face, even on days you knew she probably didn't feel like smiling.  She is such an example of faithfulness.

Now, I ask you to pray for another friend, Racheal.  She, too, is currently in the same fight, but her faith has never wavered (at least not that we can see).  I truly believe that God is going to heal her body and remove this hateful disease so Racheal can enjoy her family.  She is an inspiration, though she would probably try to disagree.  I admire Racheal and the faith she and husband, Jamie, exhibit.  Ever faithful.
Please join me in praying for victory over cancer for Racheal.

"For we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28

I swiped this from Racheal's Facebook….I hope she doesn't care! 

I believe that God is still in the business of miracles.  We won't always see them, but He knows all things.  I also believe all things…even the bad stuff…happens for a purpose and He can use our trials and valleys in a great and mighty way.

I know this.  I have seen it in my own life and in the lives of friends.  (maybe sharing their stories is something I should consider)   He will never leave us or forsake us.  He promised.  He NEVER breaks a promise.

On days when you wonder if the sun will ever shine again, don't give up.  Hope in the Lord is a gift from heaven…a gift from Him.  Cling tightly to hope no matter the circumstance.

Counting down…..

This is it.  This is the long-awaited week.  The week that seemed an eternity away when school began in August.

Thursday night at 8pm he will walk across the gym floor and accept his high school diploma.  Time has flown by at light speed.

It’s difficult for me to wrap my head around the idea that my little boy (now 6’ 2” at 17) will graduate high school in 2 days.  It will seem even more surreal when we show up on Friday at the Mountain Home campus of Arkansas State University and register him for classes.

Austin & "Red" at the North Central Arkansas District Fair.

National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY…He's the head above everyone in the second row.

He’s my laid-back kid.  He doesn’t get excited easily.  He is the one with the quick wit and dry sense of humor.  He’s an outdoorsman and usually has a gun or fishing rod in his truck.  He likes the farm and has no desire to live in the city.  He’s a country boy.  Mud doesn’t bother him (just look at his truck after the rain).   He’s always been the one who wasn’t embarrassed to hug his mamma in front of his friends.  He’s kind hearted.  He’s a hard worker.  He knows Christ.  

Around 18 months…he loved the camo overalls.

His dad and I are proud of him.  That little tow-haired, active boy, who was fiercely protective of his mamma, (ask Lance about that) is now a man.  He will be 18 in July. 

He is planning to pursue a degree in Agri Business.  I always knew he would do something with animals, or land, or farming.  I pray that we have prepared him to step out into the world.  I pray for his present and for his future.   I pray for him to be a man of God.  

It seems like only yesterday he was a baby, and I blinked and he was grown.  I am anxious to see what his future holds.

Austin, I love you to the moon and back.