Moody Monday's: Feeling Blessed

tlpoague

I woke up this morning feeling under the weather. This put a damper on my mood to write...a long with any topics I had thought to write about. All day, while trying to over-come the stomach bug, I tossed ideas about. Nothing sounded up to par.
So...I sit here, sipping a cup of coffee, and thinking about how blessed I have been this last year.
My writing hasn't gone in the direction I had planned when I made my New Year's resolution. Instead, my research for my stories have led me down a different path with different views. I think this will help to enrich some of my stories I have been working on. (This also began the process of un-learning a few things.)
I have been blessed with another grandson earlier this year. It is amazing to see how fast time flies as I watch this young man blossom. Between him and his brother, my days have been full keeping up. (Hence the reason why my online writing has slowed down.)

Photo by tlpoague
It seems like just yesterday my children were babies.

Photo by tlpoague
Now I have two grandchildren. They are such a blessing.

 The reality of how short life is hit hard again this year. I won't go into details about it because I wrote about some of those experiences in my earlier blogs. It also impressed upon me how God works in our lives and in answering prayer. I know some of these experiences deepened my faith in the Lord.

This year we sold our business due to health issues. It is so weird to say we are retired now because I feel like I am working harder now, than when we ran our business.
In its place, I have taken up crafting again to go with my writing. I have never seen myself as being that talented. Just the average Jane learning something new.

Photo by tlpoague
This is a hat that I made with matching earrings
and necklace.

Photo by tlpoague
Here is a toddler bed Mr. P. and I
made. I didn't realize how easy it was
to make a quilt with matching crib sheet.

Photo by tlpoague
This could be used as a child head band
or a choker. 

Photo by tlpoague
This is one of many blankets
with matching caps.

Photo by tlpoague
This is one of the scarves I made
for my mother whom is
battling cancer.

Photo by tlpoague
Since I couldn't stop with just one,
I made a second one to go with it.

Because I didn't think I had enough to do with all of that, I talked my hubby into trying our hand at canning again. Something we haven't done since we were kids. 

Photo by tlpoague
A batch of chili for those cold,
snowy days.

Photo by tlpoague
Our first try at jelly.
It should come with its own
warning label.
Very addictive!

Saving the best for last, to wrap up this rambling, I am blessed not just with my family...but the friends I have met online through the social networks and writing websites. You guys mean more to me than you will ever know. I wouldn't be here trying this online writing thing if it wasn't for all of you. Thank you for your support, prayers, and encouragement. 

To me, this Christmas is more than just the over-rated commercials, last minute gifts, and hoopla. It has been a moment to take a breath, relax, reflect on the times gone by, and enjoy this moment...here and now. People will forget about the gifts five minutes or five years from now. But, they won't forget about the people who touched their lives in so many ways. 

I would like to invite you to join me on TSU. It is a new social website where I am sharing my writings and others. It is by invite only, so I would like to extend this invite to you...https://www.tsu.co/TLPoague

Moody Monday's: Falling for Fall

tlpoague

Today is the first day of fall. A season I love...and not just because my birthday is coming up soon. It holds so many special memories of hard work, family coming together, and joyous moments.

I love to get up early to watch the sun rise over a background of changing colors. Smelling the harvest upon the shifting cool breeze, I imagine tasting my favorite holiday dishes. I can feel the change of the season deep within my bones. Eyes closed, I listen to the migration of the birds. Their sounds can be heard for miles. Words can't describe the feeling of enjoyment in those few precious moments as I sit there, sipping my coffee, praising God for his canvas of artwork.

photo by tlpoague

This last weekend was a celebration of sorts. It was a non-stop garage sale for three days along Hwy 36. I glanced at a few but mostly hung out with my sisters. We talked of nothing important, chatted with the customers, and soaked up the last bits of summer sun, before the cold of winter sets upon us.

I decided with the changes in the air it was time to do some of my own. Yesterday, I took the time to do some cleaning, decorating, and re-organizing. (It was pretty hard not to do it the Redneck way.)

photo by tlpoague

It reminded me of the times, as a child, we would scurry around to clean before company came. Company meant a time of hard work celebrated with food, fun, and long cherished stories. It was a time when the women would gather around the table, and stove, canning precious food for the winter ahead. The men would gather their guns and head out for some hunting. The children annoyed by the thoughts of school and missing out in the fun, would dash home, eager to be a part of the activities.

photo by tlpoague

I remember my grandmothers, aunts, and mother, teaching me the trades of being a homemaker. There were sewing and crocheting lessons, canning fruit, veggies, and jams, and prepping the meat harvest the men brought home. I still remember the stories that were told, legends that were created, and the laughter.

This weekend is another celebration. It is called the Feast of Trumpets.

It is a time to purge the old, both physically and spiritually, to make room for the new. It is also a time to come before the Lord to give thanks for his blessing. To praise and worship him. A time when we should be watching for Jesus's return to gather his harvest.

I can't wait for the celebrations to start.

What are you plans to celebrate the first day of Fall?  

Moody Monday's: Having Faith

tlpoague

It's Monday again! That day of the week that is often dreaded. A time to shake of the weekend slumber/fun and head back to the work place.

It is a day that often starts out on the wrong foot. A day where nothing seems to go right. A day that finds most in a slump of negativity. 

So, how does one get past that slump?

I could list a series of ideas but I can't speak for anyone but myself. Each of us deal with life differently. For myself, I seek the Lord. 

It may not be the answer for everyone..but it works for me.

I have been in a slump these last few weeks. I feel the clutches of negativity and stress digging its claws in.  I have tried to face it with humor. I have tried to overcome it with projects. I have tried writing about it. I have been tempted a time or two to post about it. But in the end, none of these methods have worked...until I prayed about it.

God has helped me along the way.

With God:

I have been able to face my fears of success/failure. 

I have set goals and felt the exhilaration of making them. 

I have learned that procrastinating only gets you so far before you have to do something.  

I have learned the path is much easier when trusting God to guide the way.

I have been flipping a coin as to continuing my writing online. I have many irons in the fire that make it difficult to find the time to mingle with everyone I have meet. I love the writing family that has surrounded me and supported me. I am grateful to be a part of it. I don't want to give it up...but, in the same sense...I'm not sure this is the direction I should go. I will continue to pray about. For now, this will be my last post.

I will continue to keep in contact as time allows. 

I will think of you all often. 

I will cherish the time we had together swapping stories, laughs, and support. 

I will always be grateful for the friendships.

I feel blessed with the opportunity to meet and correspond with all of you. 

If in the future you want to chat, just drop me a line on FB or email.

I thank you all for everything you have done to help me to grow as a writer. I wish you all well in your adventures.

Hugs,

tlpoague    

Welcome to Moody Monday

tlpoague

Welcome to the first Moody Monday Blog.
Are you having one of those days where you want to crawl back in bed and start the day over? Would you like to share your thoughts and feelings about it? Drift on over. You have come to the right place. I welcome you to Moody Monday.
Moody Monday was created as a way to express joys or vent the heart out. You can share any emotion that pulls your strings. (I will try to have the tissues ready if you need one. Laughs are life's best prescriptions.)
Just to give a brief description for those that would like to join the fun...there are no rules or commitments. Time is precious for a writer. Sometimes it is hard to commit to a new project. The only thing that I ask is to leave a comment to let others know you are here and a link to your Moody Monday. (Feel free to use the photo of Moody Monday. Just add the caption tlpoague) That way we can spread the love.
Grab yourself a cup and let's get this party started!

photo by momster

My mood today that I would like to share is CHAOS! I know, I know, chaos really isn't a mood but I feel like my mind is spinning enough to give myself whiplash. My emotions are like a roller coaster stuck in overdrive.
Organized chaos can only begin to skim the surface of what I am feeling, as I try to prep to get this blog ready. Excitement bubbled over starting something new. That quickly drifted to fear of screwing up. I was plagued with doubt. I did screw up trying to figure out the codes for my links. (I am by no means computer tech savvy.) My chest hurt as a panic attack threatened to freeze me in concern. (What made me think I was capable of pulling this off?)
"Take a deep breath..." I told myself as I saw spots form before my eyes.
What is the worst thing that can happen?
Focus. Focus again. There...that wasn't so bad. I made it. I have wrote my first blog on this step to an amazing adventure.
No worries that it will fail. If anything it is one more step to freedom as a writer. No more doubt. No more anguish. Only the outcome of something good.
I am a person. Flaws happen. I know I can get over my Fear of Failure...if only I try.

tlpoague 2014

Starting Something New

Photo by tlpoague 2014

I'll admit. I'm slow. This is my first post and I may blow it. I have no clue what I am doing. I started this blog years ago to help my mother when she wanted to get into writing. Then I kind of forgot about it for a bit. This year I wanted to pick up the pen again and try something new. Here I sit. Racking my brain. Feeling like I am taking a pop quiz.

Bored, I take a break to meander over to a different website. I browse a list of questions they ask you to fill out. 

Social site: What are your favorite interests?

Me: Too many to list. 

Social site: What is your favorite music?

Me: Anything that doesn't make my head pound and ears bleed.

Social site: What is your favorite food?

Me: Haha, funny you should ask. Have you seen a picture of me lately? (I feel like I am in grade school again.)

Social site: Religious preference?

Me: I wouldn't say that I have a religious preference. Many different religions interest me. But...I will say that I believe that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. (What do these questions have to do with anything? If you give all the information away, what is left to talk about?)

Back to the subject at hand. I write because I want to share creativity in its rawest form...from the pools of my imagination.  For those that are not familiar with the name tlpoague let me introduce myself. I am a writer on HubPages. I have a wide variety of interests that I enjoy writing about. I have a warped sense of humor that I inherited from my family of Rednecks/Hillbillies. (If I lost ya, bare with me, I plan to move some of my writings here as I get time...and figure it out.) If asked or inspired, I will share my views as a Christian but do not expect others to believe the same as I do. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, caregiver, and love anything that has to do with homesteading...gardening, baking, crafting, reading, writing...are you bored yet?

For those fans and followers from HP...thanks! I have missed being around and hope I get a chance to write as much as I have planned whether it is at HP or here.

I am not sure what direction to take this blog other than transferring my dead or dying hubs here to give them new life. (If it wasn't for so many reader's responses I may have killed some of them off permanently.)

Before I go I will leave you a picture of my grandson and his beloved best friend. 

(For those that want to read my writing on HubPages, click here.)