The Haze Of Summer...

Old Chair Swallowed Up By DayLillies In My Backyard Garden

It's hot, folks!  Sure Is!  We're in the Dog Days of Summer and it's not even August yet.  It's 100 degrees today and I'm not hating it.  There is no snow, ice and frigid temperatures.  My A/C is working, flowers are blooming and we have a swimming pool down the street to jump into.  It's July and all is well. 

As I write this, I'm at The Shack in the new Student Union at the University of Missouri.  I'm floating around campus this week while our office is being remodeled.  Today, I'm working on budgets...which has proven to be difficult because I keep listening to the conversation at the table next to me. 

Here is what I now know...

...the two girls are MU cheerleaders, they are here for the summer while they are trying to get residency, they aren't 21 yet so they are counting the days until they turn 21 (in two years), there is a strange girl living with one of them and while she is their age she looks like she is 40 (gasp) (heehee)...

I need to focus...but those girls definitely make me reminisce about those carefree days of my late teens and early twenties. 

But...

Not interested in going back there, though!  Thank.You.Very.Much. 

I tell you what, getting out of my office this week has been great for my productivity.  New workspaces...new people...new views...it's all good to get the creativity flowing.   I must remember this when I'm feeling creatively blocked and not producing as much at work as I should in the next few months (because it will happen).

Slow Down Summer....Please....

Jackie   

Menu Plan Monday

Good Morning!

It's been awhile since I've posted my weekly menu so I thought I would join OrgJunkie again and post what we're planning to have for dinner this week.

As I type this, it is Sunday morning and I'm planning to make Strawberry Crumb Bars today and Strawberry Shortcakes since we have an abundance of strawberries that I picked up from the store.  Strawberry Shortcake is easy in this house.  I simply slice purchased pound cake and top it with lightly sweetened sliced strawberries and whipped cream.  Easy and Delicious!








Monday:  BLT's, Chips and Veggies with Ranch Dip


Tuesday:  Country Corn Casserole and Garden Salad


Wednesday:  Taco Salad


Thursday:  Baked Garlic & Herb Chicken (using a bottled marinade) and Corn on the Cob


Friday:  Bubble Up Pizza


Saturday:  Grilled Burgers and Pasta Salad


Sunday: Roast Chicken and Slow Cooker Potatoes


Yum!

Jackie

 

I'm just Second Hand Rose From Second Avenue...

Early this morning I ventured out to my deck in PJ's with coffee and journal.  It was quiet except for the waking Cicadas who would soon be singing their very loud mating chorus and continue all day long. It was a nice cool morning.  Earlier this week I started working through a personal study of  Following God With All Your Heart (Believing and Living Gods Plan For You).  I'm learning about the challenges Joshua faced and how he became successful.  The books I read by Elizabeth George speak to me and I find myself agreeing with so much of what she has to say.  One of the questions in today's study was:

Every Christian woman has many roles and responsibilities along with nurturing her relationship with the Lord. What are your daily responsibilities at this stage of your life?  And what does God expect you to take care of, regardless of the challenges?  List your job assignments from God?

Oh, I have no problem listing everything I'm responsible for. I have a lot on my plate just like most other women out there.  We have a lot to take care of each and every day.  You know the drill....housework, laundry, meal planning, meal preparation, grocery shopping, nurturing our families...and all this before I even leave the house for work each day.  You see, if I follow down this path, my frame of mind can turn negative very quickly.  Sometimes I feel like I'm everyone's Assistant or Support Person.  I feel like Second Hand Rose (from Funny Girl).  At work...I plan the events for our department.  I oversee the details of the venue, catering, speakers, advertising, payments, etc.  I'm behind the scenes...the support for the Stars of the Show.  At work and at home...I'm helping everyone else achieve what they are supposed to be doing in their lives.  Sometimes this is discouraging to me. When am I going to be the Star of the Show?  However, when I answer the question Elizabeth posed to me above, I realize that the support I'm providing to everyone in my life is exactly where I'm supposed to be right now.  My Season right now is one of Support and Encouragement.

Now about Joshua...the more I read about him the more I'm intrigued.  Here are a few things I've learned about him today:

• He was the Assistant to Moses
• He was given huge responsibilities
• He wanted to be successful
• Moses sent him out ahead to explore Canaan
• He Shepherded Gods People

Joshua wasn't the Star of the Show!  He was the Assistant!

Joshua was given great responsibilities and God told him that he would always be there for him to not be discouraged!  

I have exciting opportunities in my life.  We all do...if we just know where to look and sometimes that means seeing what we already have.  I'm encouraged.  I know God has my back and He has a plan for me. 


Uplifted.

Jackie



**Note** Funny Girl is one of my all-time favorite classic movies.  Cute, Funny and Quirky.  Perfect movie for a Girls Night In.