Reflections In A One Light Town

Shattered

2022-07-14T14:36:00.005-04:00

I am in mourning for the life I wished for my son. For the dreams I had for his life. Drugs and addiction have taken everything I had hoped for him away. I've made excuses and looked for the "why" and I am exhausted. I'm drained. Our family is drained, emotionally, financially I feel broken in spirit. I know I am not alone. Every time our son calls we die a little bit more. The fear of will it be he's in jail or is he dead? Unless there's a change soon those are the calls I am expecting---Tracey

I wrote that paragraph almost a year ago, I started a post back then and for all the feedback I've gotten from friends, customers, and readers about my transparency I just couldn't share it. It's mortifying as a mom, as a Christian, as a member of a small community to make this admission but here it is and the calls did come. But It's the one that came this week, the one that will make or break him. It's definitely breaking me.

How do you tell people when they ask about your kids that your sweet, blonde haired, blue eyed baby boy is in jail? His potential thwarted by poor choices, his decisions made under the influence of any number of

ingested, inhaled, injected substances. He is facing serious consequences as he should, as we all do when we test boundaries that should not be tested.

We have hope, we still have hope. My baby will always be my baby and the love I have for him is written in every cell of my being and while this is no doubt not the path God planned for him to be on, it is the path he is on. My prayer now is that the consequences will have impact for future good, that my son will draw strength from God that he will return to a right relationship with Him, that he will be able to be close with us, his family again, that he will come to have a testimony that will bring others to Christ.

I'm so glad that God can see his heart and knows his motivations and loves him still. My own heart is hurting God knows that too. Forever and always my baby you'll be.

John 10:28, CSB: I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.

2020 Return of the Living Dead

2020-11-04T09:47:00.004-05:00

Seriously though, 2020 who else is over it? I thought I was but every month a new impending disaster looms and if not new bring back the COVID. Woke up this morning hoping to know the outcome of the presidential election ( really hoping to find out Trump had won) but no.

Since we have to wait, I began to pray for transparency, accuracy and any shenanigans that are being worked to be brought into light. I was praying in regard to the voting but when you are talking to God and you say "any" that leaves a door wide open. So, I have been convicted. My shenanigans have been brought into light.

My heart has become a cold, dark place. Self centered and self serving. For 20 years of my adult life I was involved heavily in church stuff, I confused church stuff with God stuff, teaching children's classes, adult classes, leading women's studies. My feelings became hardened toward church. At home, marriage not so great. My husband who is a good, decent, religious man consistently trying to do the "right" thing was absent emotionally whether home or not, and absent physically due to his job for weeks and sometimes months at a time. Financially, he held all the cards figuratively but for the most part literally too as he had control of credit and debit cards. I also became hardened to him.

I took a job, regained some financial freedom. Quit going to church except when forced by my husband. I took back some controls I had relinquished. I felt happier than I had in many years but in that freedom I claimed I gave up much. I gave up on the church, I gave up on my marriage. I gave up my heart to the things of the world.... I tell you all that to tell you this.

That prayer of "being brought into the light" hit me hard. There are a great deal of "I used to's" and "I did's" in my life right now but not a lot of present tense happenings. God spoke to my heart this morning and while the election is huge with consequences that are vast and definitely beyond me, he is using it to draw me back to Him, back to life, back to being conformed not to the world but to His image back to Light.

I actually asked my family to pray for my bitchy side to be less and my sunny side to be more. I hope this is the beginning of a less self-centered Tracey. Living for more than the now.

Car business, a rant

2020-01-16T12:42:00.000-05:00

So, I love my job. I may have said that a time or two.or twenty. Selling cars is my jam and my bread and butter. I meet some amazing people (amazingly good and amazingly strange)

I come in on my days off, I stay until closing on my early weeks a lot of times and y'all I'm doing okay. I sell enough to make my bills and buy groceries but I know it's only by God's grace and goodness to me.

In my time here I've seen probably 50 salespeople come and go (that's in less than four years) it's a tough business to make a living in and I thought at some point I'd be one of the guys, I've met goals, been top salesman a couple of times even, but truth is I'll never get to be a part of that "good ol' boys" club that is fueled by testosterone, sports talk, and the thrill that is knocking someone's head off, figuratively, of course.

I want to be okay with that, I do. But then days and weeks like these bring it to the forefront of my mind and I get bogged down in the feelings of insecurity of maybe I really don't belong here doing this thing.

It's been a male dominated profession for so long, don't get me wrong there are many women who have navigated this career path successfully, and you know I really am doing okay. I guess I'll just keep doing me and hold to the quote I have posted on my monitor "Worry less about others actions and more about your own".

I am driven in part by a need for validation and recognition, who am I kidding? I'm a super needy estrogen filled mess. For as much as I don't get them without a shadow of a doubt they don't get me either. :) but that's okay . There's a book title I recall from decades ago "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" we are different in so many ways and to be honest I like working with these men. I like the competitive nature of the job. I like that they've toughened me up a little, I do still cry here occasionally but not nearly like that first year I'm sure that's a relief to them. (haha)

Rant over, I feel better already. If you need a car ( New Fords used anythings) give me a call or shoot me a text 678-588-3858 I would be a poor salesperson indeed if I did not have a shameless plug
I'm on Facebook too at "Tracey Cagle Don't Dream it Drive It" https://www.facebook.com/CarSalesWomanLife/

Hey Y'all ....I'm Back Maybe?

2019-09-24T15:10:00.001-04:00

Okay, so time has passed, things have changed. I sell cars now. Fords to be exact, I am a bona fide, certified, Ford car sales person. I speak torque and horsepower and drive a Mustang. It's insane. Who knew that almost middle aged women had new tricks?
Backing up is not one my tricks. Backing up big trucks even with cameras is not one of my tricks. So, the challenge of getting vehicles back in place is a great obstacle.

I'm going to try my hand at blogging again, maybe some about cars, probably mostly about life. To be honest the car thing is going better than I could have imagined, the life thing not so much. Marriage has been better, I'm not going to kid you it's been worse too. We celebrated 25 years in July and last July I don't think anyone thought we would make it. Divorce papers had been served.
I'm not where I once was in my relationship with the Lord either, it's been been better too. I'm trying but I really struggle in the flesh. Of course, I know it is me who moved and not God so it's just a matter of finding my way back to my first love. Remembering the passion and newness, the wonder of Him and His goodness to me.

They say admitting a problem is the first step in overcoming it, with shame and regret I admit I have wandered.

Tracey
Missed Y'all :)

Just Call Me Carrie

2013-12-04T10:52:00.000-05:00

Long time no inspiration, seriously though, having a 21 year old in college without a driver's license has been a challenge. The fact is that said 21 year old still does not get up easily and battling his sleep predilections drains me. Truly. Physically and mentally it just wears me out but only one more week and he can get the license back. I am hoping for complete sanity restoration.

So.... onto the near death experience that inspired me to share again.

We traveled from Georgia to Alabama for the Thanksgiving holiday on a very cold wet day, The six of us went in two vehicles because I had to return home earlier than everyone else. Sparta

was in the lead with our two youngest and I followed with the older two. We were in the home stretch, at about the fourth hour of a five hour trip when I lost control of the car. I was on an off ramp and picking up speed in the curve of a pretty steep hill, so I braked not realizing how very wet the roads were. At this point it all became quite surreal, it felt like we were no longer touching pavement. I could hear Ben and Allison yelling as we spun completely around, I could see the four cars that had been directly behind us, now in front of us for a split second and we continued to spin. I was trying to recall my driver's ed from thirty years back and remembered "don't press the brake while hydroplaning" but could not recall whether to turn into or out of the spin.......that is when I had a Carrie Underwood moment. No I didn't sing but I did lift my feet from the pedals and my hands from the steering wheel, it was a "Jesus Take the Wheel" kind of reaction and it worked. We stopped in the mud, on the shoulder, facing oncoming traffic about ten feet from a pretty steep drop off (from 9th grade Alabama history I recall the northwest area of the state being called the foothills of the Smokies although at that point in time it looked more like a full fledged mountain).

Allison and Ben had life flash experiences, Allison told me she thought about jumping out of the car because she KNEW we were going to die if we went over the edge. Ben was pretty much speechless and I was laughing hysterically. For me it's either laugh or fall apart and I choose to laugh, no doubt if I should run across a dead body someday I'll be suspect for my inappropriate response.

Do I really believe Jesus took control of my car? Well, prior to road trips we typically have a prayer in the car, for this particular trip I prayed specifically for a double hedge of protection as we traveled since there were going to be two automobiles on the road and I have to tell you I don't think one hedge could have kept us from continuing to slide right through that red mud and rolling right on down to the bottom of the hill. I am pretty sure taking one's hands off the steering wheel is not the recommended way to respond either. So, yes, yes I do believe that a higher power was in control.

Where was the second car in all this you might be asking? I did too. They didn't have a clue what had happened, About five miles down the road, my hubby called to say he'd lost us. He had no idea how very close to actually being lost we were.

For Mothers of Almost Teenage Daughters...

2013-07-15T17:43:00.000-04:00

my girls changing hair color

Things I have learned as my girls have gotten older

1. If I buy them clothes without their input they will hate it...whatever it is.
2. If I buy clothes for myself, they will take them.
3. You can never have enough hairspray.
4. You can never have too many bobby pins.
5. Any toiletry item (razor, shampoo, shower gel etc.) you won't get to keep for long so get extra.
6. Blowdryers, curling irons and straighteners are practically disposable. Buy the cheapest you can find
7. If you buy toothpaste for those over age 55, no one will take it.
8. Cute jewelry will not be yours long , buy cheap or hide it. This is also true of purses.
9. Moods change in a breath.
10. Although said girls will look and smell fabulous (probably wearing your cashmere sweater, dangly earrings, chunky necklace and best fragrance) where ever they were while making themselves so lovely is probably now unsafe to enter.

A Hot Mess

2013-02-12T20:09:00.000-05:00

My oldest daughter has a job therefore she has her own spending money and as any trend following teenage girl should, she spends it all on new clothes. She spends so much that she has no gas money to get to and from said job, but I digress.

A few days ago she asked me to iron one of her most recent acquisitions. I don't how we have lived together for almost 17 years without her realizing that I do not iron. In fact, I go to great lengths to avoid using that evil device. I buy specially made spray to remove the rumples, the crinkles and unwanted creases. I'll run the dryer if needed. I will even turn on the shower to steam unsightly wrinkles away. Mostly though, I carefully avoid buying wrinkle prone items. I am a tag reader. Seeing perma press or wrinkle free on a tag leaves me positively giddy.

I haven't always been this way. There was a time I bought anything that looked pretty on the hanger(unfortunately this was during linen and raw silk's prime).There was a time I worked in an office where the professional dress code was enforced. There was also a time I was running late for work and attempted to iron a wrinkled shirt while it was on my person. I still have the faint scar along my collar bone as proof that this was not one of my better ideas. However, the experience did teach me to read clothing labels :)

Usually, one time is all it takes for me to learn some of life's more valuable lessons. There's an old proverb that says "a fool learns from his own mistakes but a wise man learns from the mistakes of others". Although sometimes foolish, I'm no fool.

When a friend recently commented that a story of personal hygiene gone wrong made her think of me, I wasn't offended in the least because she was right it does sound like something I might do. I wouldn't recommend hot beverages while you read the following as there is a strong possibility you will be wearing a bit by the time you finish but here is a version of the tale http://justmejulie.wordpress.com/2009/12/29/funny-waxing-story/ FYI, I won't be waxing ANYTHING at anytime.

2013

2013-01-16T11:08:00.002-05:00

New set

New bedding, meatless Mondays and fish on Fridays, these are the big changes happening around here this first month of 2013.

The new comforter set and lamps in my bedroom, really weren't supposed to be a "big" change, however, the ten year old nearly had what's known as a conniption fit when he saw me replacing my eight year old comforter. He said, clearly I didn't understand the sentimental value in the picked and faded one. I apparently also missed the value he found in the decorative pillows that are now most certainly NOT decorative, after years of actual use . No matter how hard I tried, I was unable to convince that dear husband of mine they were to be seen and not thrust between his legs as he slept nor were they for him to hug close to his chest all through the night. Even though I bought, and we keep, seven pillows on our bed for just such purpose. Ahhh but I digress.... back to the obviously distraught boy, W. rescued as many pillows as he could and they now fail to decorate his bed.

the old pillows

I didn't run the purchase by Sparta so his was ,in fact, the reaction which worried me a little. He took the change in stride and as an added bonus, he didn't ask me how much it ( or the matching lamps) cost. I kind of wish that he would ask, if he knew how much a pillow cost it might encourage him to look and not touch the new ones.

I also intend for us to eat a bit healthier in the coming year. We shall call ourselves "flexatarians" ( love, finding new terms and the "flex" one means eating both meats and vegetables but I didn't realize it needed a special word). We will have one meatless dinner and one fish dinner per week plus I will introduce some less kid friendly vegetables. So far, so good and yes, I realize it's only the second week. We like broccoli soup. We are not fans of asparagus, but will keep having it anyway. Eggplants and beets, ummmm maybe but I'm not sure they're even adult friendly. Wish me luck on our quest of healthier eating.

Parental Guidance Suggested

2013-01-01T20:08:00.000-05:00

Well, Christmas has come and gone and I am thankful for the new laptop my dear husband gave me. It means I can blog again. It does wonders for my psyche to be able to vent my frustrations for the world to see (or maybe just my 50 or so friends and followers).

Christmas day the weather here was miserable, it was so bad in fact that we opted out of our traditional trip to the theater. I really wanted to see "Parental Guidance", it looked pretty cute and I like Billy Crystal. I also am strangely addicted to all things Bette Midler primarily because a bar fight once ensued over my being told I looked kind of like her and the person I was with found that rather offensive, although I don't know why, I think she's attractive enough.

Anyway, I've been thinking about the term "parental guidance" and am wondering what might constitute "unparental guidance". I imagine it must be things like telling the kids to run with scissors or not to bother with chewing food well before swallowing. How about telling them not to change underwear or brush their teeth?

Those are some pretty silly examples, what's not so silly is the have breakdown of morality and the complete disregard for human life that so many in today's world seem to have. I believe there must be some serious long term unparental guidance for which we as a nation are now paying a price. I'll spare you the sermon but suffice to say the absence of God as a real presence in the lives of many leaves them with no higher moral authority, no true accountability. People are not by nature good, we are selfish and sinful and in desperate need of some guidance from our earthly parents and our heavenly father.

My MRSA

2012-09-21T14:09:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago I wrote about not being able to bathe while I was in the hospital. Now, I want to share with you why I was in there and what I learned from the experience, as you can see from the pic, I had a pretty nasty staph infection just above my ankle. The thing is I don't have any idea how I acquired it. My experience was a small pimple formed on my leg on a Friday, by Sunday I had gone to the urgent care medical center due to the pain and increasing size of the pimple. The doc prescribed antibiotics and sent me on my way. Well, by Tuesday the spot had not only not improved it was spreading and looking kind of scary, so I went back to doctor thinking I needed a different medication. This is where the Dr. frightened me to near panic levels, he walked in looked at my leg and said , "you need to be in the hospital". He left the room and came back with a fast pass admission (anywhere else that would be a good thing, Six Flags,movies, DMV). I could have used a little more sensitivity, where's Dr. Welby when you need him? Turns out I had MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Very scary indeed, especially with the cases of flesh eating bacteria that had been featuring prominently in the news this past summer now playing in my mind's eye.

Dr. Haibach , at Spalding, was wonderful. She explained to me that this super-bug is now pretty much everywhere. We determined due to the location of mine there is a strong likelihood that I got it from shaving my legs.

After four days of IV antibiotics I was released . The doctors did say I am now colonized so more lesions are probably in my future.

So here are tips on preventing your own MRSA infection. Change razors frequently. Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize. Bleach is your friend. (weekly bleach baths, in the laundry and on any surface that it won't ruin)Clean your wounds, use hydrogen peroxide and a Neosporin type ointment, then keep them covered. Don't share towels with anyone and wash your pajamas and clothing and towels after each use. Recognize that any pimple like lesion with a white head is staph but not necessarily the really bad kind..Don't pop them, do seek medical attention if there is any spreading of the redness, pain, or opening/draining of the wound. It's nothing to mess around with folks. When I went back for my follow up visit, the doctor said I was lucky not to have lost my leg, it's that serious an infection. Take care of you!!

Filled to the Max

2012-09-14T10:19:00.001-04:00

In my Christian walk, God at times feels nearer to me than others. There have been times when I have not only felt His presence but actually known that He is speaking to my spirit. In those moments I have cried out to Him to reveal even more of Himself to me because I want to know all of Him. The same sort of feeling I have when I taste something so delicious that portion control is out of the question.

I feel that He has answered my plea time and again. At times His Holy Spirit has overtaken me and the joy I felt has been so overwhelming that I then recant my plea and say "Please stop. No more, I can't take anymore".

I eagerly await the day when I shall talk to my God not from far away and not in this mortal body but in His kingdom and there I will be able to experience a completeness of knowledge that this flesh won't allow.

David says it well in Psalm 63:5 when he says of God, "You satisfy me more than the richest feast." and I might add even more than a second helping of chocolate cake.

My Week of Horse Baths

2012-08-19T14:12:00.001-04:00

Horse what? You may be asking, well let me tell you. When I was a little girl growing up in rural Alabama and there was an ice storm, the power would go out. It would go out and stay out for days at a time. Even when there's no power (i.e. no hot water) a body must be washed. My mother would fill one of those old multi-purpose metal dishpans with water, (if you grew up in the south like me you probably shelled some peas or broke some beans in one too). I vaguely recall she would heat it on top of the wood burning heater we had for a time.

I remember she would set out the pan with it's water and a wash rag, that's country speak for washcloth, and tell us to wash off. She called it a "horse bath", that's what it sounded like to my young ears. I could never figure out why a horse would be washed like that. Seems like not enough water for such a large animal. Okay, so maybe she said "whore's bath" and either I misunderstood because my sweet mama would never say anything vulgar or because I was sheltered and really just had never heard that word before. Anyway, you didn't submerse any body parts. You start high, then go low, then a quick swipe where the two meet, a "horse bath". I'm ashamed to tell you how long it took me to figure out what she really said but I was mom myself by that time and a horse bath sounds much nicer. Weirder, but nicer.

Memories come at the oddest of places this particular one came tumbling out this week after a brief and unexpected hospital stay. The nurses came and went the iv remained attached and there was no time to take a shower without a little help. Because of this I spent four days taking my special baths. I know I never got to stinking, I had my Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom, shower gel, lotion and spray and everyone who came in the room commented on how nice it smelled there. Come to think of it they said the room smelled good, not me. We'll pretend I smelled as fresh as a daisy too.

After four long days and three sleepless nights (sounds like an anti-vacation promo), I was discharged and the very first thing I did was not hug my husband or kids, it was to take a long lovely hot shower. I have a feeling they are thankful I did first things first.

Unequally Caffeinated

2012-08-06T20:59:00.000-04:00

So, I was thinking about coffee today. Well, not coffee so much as how much I like coffee. Piping hot in the morning and iced in the afternoon. Although I can drink it black, I prefer mine a lovely shade of taupe and with a bit of sweetener. Yum!

Sparta never understood my love/obsession with coffee and through the years as I went through one Mr Coffee maker after another, he would suggest that I simply quit. Simply quit.....as if there were nothing special, nothing different about the contents of the caffeine laden mug I held so tightly each morning.

Fast forward fifteen years to a career where coffee meetings had became a bi-weekly norm, and Sparta's reticence to continually draw attention to himself by declining means that we now have a shared appreciation of Juan Valdez's Colombian brew. These days if he gets up before me that means, he's taken care of starting the pot and I get to enjoy the fruits and aromas of his labor.

When he was a non-drinker, I used to fantasize about long leisurely conversations the two of us could have out on the porch as we sipped our morning coffee, all the while birds would be singing and a deer or two might frolic through the yard. Silly yes? Before becoming a convert, Sparta had absolutely no understanding of the physical and mental benefits of coffee. He could hear me sigh with pleasure upon my first sip. He could take note of my panic when the coffee maker's on light wasn't lighting. He thought he understood my need but he didn't, not really, until my need also became his own.

Lately, I've been seeing many comments disparaging Christianity; some questioning it's validity and the sanity of those who profess it. Others have made remarks degrading believers as neanderthals with no intelligence and demonizing those who would dare to take a stand for biblical principles. I say to those posting, as non-believers, you just don't get it and you can't.

The apostle Paul knew this and he forewarned us in 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 where he says,

14 A person who isn’t spiritual doesn’t accept the teachings of God’s Spirit. He thinks they’re nonsense. He can’t understand them because a person must be spiritual to evaluate them. 15 Spiritual people evaluate everything but are subject to no one’s evaluation.(God's Word Translation)

Just like Sparta didn't understand the deliciousness of coffee, the lost have no concept of the reality of God, there's nothing in them to recognize the truth of His word. I hope to remember that when my blood pressure starts rising in response to their words. Oh, by the way two cups of coffee daily has been shown to help combat high blood pressure. Good to know, huh?

Officer, I Can Explain

2012-07-31T12:33:00.001-04:00

Last week I dished out close to 300 plates of spaghetti, actually it was probably a few more because several people came back for seconds. It was the 2nd annual People First of Henry County spaghetti dinner and it was such a blessing to be able to play a small part in the event. This year participation was better than last and in addition to the food, there was a silent auction and several raffles so even more money was raised for the group to provide activities and events for special needs families in the area.

My mother-in-law organized the dinner. She has worked tirelessly for several months garnering donations and gathering people willing to make a crockpot of spaghetti sauce. There was a brief fear that the 30 crockpots would not be enough, but in the end there were two pots left over and I got to take one home with me, well almost home. The crockpot made it but we lost about half the sauce when a deer leaped in front of us on the way home. You know the old junk in the trunk saying, yeah well, now it's spaghetti sauce coated junk.

Lulu, our dog, knew she was in for a treat as soon as the trunk lid popped open. Her tail and tongue both started wagging and I hoped the clean-up would not be the problem I had anticipated. She was a great help but didn't quite get the job done. I, in my one of my ever so brilliant ideas, decided to hose the thing out to finish it. Well, I thought it was a brilliant idea until the next day when the delicious aroma of spaghetti sauce had been replaced by an odor like no other I've ever known. ICK! There were quite a few adjectives bandied about in the describing of it: rotten, gross, disgusting, rancid, putrid, nasty, etc., (FYI...trunks have no drainage system). I hope we never get pulled over and searched while driving the car, the tomato sauce staining might cause some serious problems. It looks like a scene straight out of CSI in there.

On the plus side it did effectively deter the 16 year old driver from borrowing my car for several days. After a can of Lysol, some special odor neutralizer, carpet refresher, and bathroom cleaner with bleach, the smell is not so bad although there is still some kind of indescribably weird, funky odor that hits you smack in the face when the door is opened. Okay, so maybe it is still a little bad, hopefully, time will cure that too.

A Ministry Pool

2012-07-25T11:17:00.001-04:00

It's been said, "you've got to know your audience". My husband is a godly man who given the opportunity will do and give anything to evangelize. After many years of pleading for a swimming pool with a laundry list of reasons why we should have one, I finally hit my husband with the one that persuaded him to come to the wet side. It will be a MINISTRY TOOL!! I told him. Think of the youth and children's gatherings we could host, I said, and he agreed. That was five years ago. The first three years we held several with the youth group but only a couple with the children's. The last one being a children's group party. One of the guests apparently did not want to leave when it was time and to show his dissatisfaction with the idea proceeded to use one of our bathrooms to display this. Number 2 was his tool and the damage was, while not permanent, disgusting. I have been leery of pool parties since that time two years ago. Especially ones where there's an element of unknown about the attendees.

With 20 years of parenting under my belt I have also just become tired of dealing with kids en masse, especially poorly behaved whiny ones. Not a very Christ like attitude, believe me I'm aware and convicted of it. We haven't offered to host anything since "the incident" and up until now haven't been asked....Friday night the kids are supposed to come. When Sparta told me we'd been asked, I hemmed and hawed and caved to the request (albeit begrudgingly). I know, I know it's a very petty not pretty picture.

So, y'all say a prayer for me to have a positive attitude, for the safety of these kids as they come to swim, and that I can fully forgive the one who redecorated the bathroom last time. The Good Lord knows I've smeared enough poop in my own life and been forgiven.

Why Vote for Mitt Romney

2012-07-09T10:54:00.001-04:00

When Barack Obama was elected president, it wasn't with a a vote from me. It's not the first time my choice didn't win and I'm sure it won't be the last. Did I wish for him to be the dismal failure he has been? No. I was as filled with hope as the next person. Transparency and a spirit of cooperation were promised and not delivered. The economy stinks and he OWNS it now. Mitt wasn't my choice in the primary but like mold on cheese, he's growing on me. Here's what I know about him....not from his own fictional account of life but public record. Yes, I watch Fox sometimes and I read the New York Times too.
Oh, and I really like his wife Ann.

About Mitt:

His full Name is: Willard Mitt Romney He was Born: March 12, 1947 and is 65 years old.
His Father: George W. Romney, former Governor of the State of Michigan
He was raised in Bloomfield Hills , Michigan
He is Married to Ann Romney since 1969; they five children.
Education: B.A. from Brigham Young University ,
J.D. and M.B.A. from Harvard University
Religion: Mormon - The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints
Working Background:
After high school, he spent 30 months in France as a Mormon missionary.
After going to both Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School simultaneously, he passed the Michigan bar exam, but never worked as an attorney.
In 1984, he co-founded Bain Capital a private equity investment firm, one of the largest such firms in the United States .
In 1994, he ran for Senator of Massachusetts and lost to Ted Kennedy.
He was President and CEO of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
In 2002, he was elected Governor of the State of Massachusetts where he eliminated a 1.5 billion deficit.
Some Interesting Facts about Romney:
Bain Capital, starting with one small office supply store in Massachusetts , turned it into Staples; now over 2,000 stores employing 90,000 people.
Bain Capital also worked to perform the same kinds of business miracles again and again, with companies like Domino's, Sealy, Brookstone, Weather Channel, Burger King, Warner Music Group, Dollarama, Home Depot Supply, and many others.
He was an unpaid volunteer campaign worker for his dad's gubernatorial campaign 1 year.
He was an unpaid intern in his dad's governor's office for eight years.
He was an unpaid bishop and state president of his church for ten years.
He was an unpaid President of the Salt Lake Olympic Committee for three years.
He took no salary and was the unpaid Governor of Massachusetts for four years.
He gave his entire inheritance from his father to charity.
Mitt Romney is one of the wealthiest self-made men in our country but has given more back to its citizens in terms of money, service and time than most men.
And in 2011 Mitt Romney gave over $4 million to charity, almost 19% of his income.... Just for comparison purposes, Obama gave 1% and Joe Biden gave $300 or .0013%.
Mitt Romney is Trustworthy:
He will show us his birth certificate
He will show us his high school and college transcripts.
He will show us his social security card.
He will show us his law degree.
He will show us his draft notice.
He will show us his medical records.
He will show us his income tax records.
He will show us he has nothing to hide.
Mitt Romney's background, experience and trustworthiness show him to be a great leader and an excellent citizen for President of the United States .
You may think that Romney may not be the best representative the Republicans could have selected. At least I know what religion he is, and that he won't desecrate the flag, bow down to foreign powers, or practice fiscal irresponsibility. I know he has the ability to turn this financial debacle that the current regime has gotten us into. We won't like all the things necessary to recover from this debt, but someone with Romney's background can do it. But, on the minus side, He never was a "Community Organizer", never took drugs or smoked pot, never got drunk, did not associate with communists or terrorists, nor did he attend a church whose pastor called for God to damn the US.

*****The healthcare thing in Massachusetts doesn't really bother me anymore because it's what the people of the state wanted. As their governor he listened to the will of the people. It was a state's right issue and I say more power to them.******* ( an afterthought)

"Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da BATMAN!"

2012-05-21T13:06:00.002-04:00

Usually the sound of feet shuffling into my bedroom in the middle of the night means, "Mom I just threw up". Last night's shuffling brought the 16 year old with an anxious "there's a bat flying around my room", Why she woke me is confusing. I'm not the go to person for critters, car troubles or cash. Those all fall under dadly duties. Got a fever, perhaps a difficult stain, need a cupcake, or a button sewn? I'm your gal. Bats are critters of the most yucky variety, not my thing. Of course I told her "you must wake your dad" ,(who for such a light sleeper is incredibly difficult to wake) he groggily told us he would look into in the morning.

So here's Allison's story. She was awakened by a sound which turned out to be the bat hitting walls as it circled her room. When she saw the terrifying sight she immediately ducked under the covers and after regaining her composure she dared to peek out, about that same time the bat swooped down barely missing her head. Back under the covers she went. She waited until she heard it reach the farthest corner from her, then rolled off the bed, crawled out of the room belly to the floor under the cover of her comforter and shut the door. Absolutely nothing would make her go back in there, except her phone charger. A dead cell phone spells catastrophe to a teen, definitely worth risking life, limb and vampire bat bites to prevent. She opened the door, flipped the light switch and yanked the cord from the wall in one quick move, only pausing long enough to see the bat heading swiftly in her direction. Out she went once again, to sleep on the sofa for the remainder of the night secure in the knowledge she would be able to talk/text.

Before work,with the pool net and 20ft pole in hand up, up, up, the stairs Sparta the brave (aka Batman) went but there was no bat to be found. He told me he will look again this evening. For now Allison's room remains closed off and entry is forbidden (not really but none of us are going in there).

The First Step

2012-05-16T10:21:00.001-04:00

Since the first step towards success in so many problems is in admitting there is a problem, here goes. True confession, I am a shopaholic. I don't seek out designer labels or lavish home decor just the average and ordinary; groceries, clothing and stuff. I guess if it weren't for the plastic I use it would be okay but I've dug a really big money pit and although ~~reasons~~ excuses abound, the reality of it is I just like to shop.

I had a conversation with a friend recently where I disclosed the ugly truth of my habit. The talk made me ponder the "whys" of my spending. I have shopped to fill voids and to some degree for the attention I garner from store clerks as they ring up the purchases. Really sad, huh? Worse still, I have tried to keep said ugly truth from my husband. It's embarrassing at least and will affect family finances for years at worst.

He found out recently (because I told him) and although very angry initially at the amount of debt and even more so at my lack of self- control, he showed mercy and forgave me. I must admit the guilt of my debt burden was overwhelming me. I went to bed thinking about it and woke up thinking about it, not the amount so much as the deception involved. Feelings of guilt made me sick. I am thankful that the truth is now out and I have a plan to pay off the debt, one balance at a time. Prayers for strength of resolve and self-discipline would be appreciated greatly. Also, if you feel inclined to send a few dollars my way to help with the paying down feel free to do so (just kidding, kind of ☺).

So, what have I learned? Credit can be a dangerous thing. Guilt has great weight. My husband is a man who practices forgiveness and mercy. I have a long road to zero balances. God still loves me and so does Sparta.

Rotel Salsa

2012-05-16T09:05:00.001-04:00

Here's a link to the recipe for one of my family's favorite snacks. Tortillas and salsa, who doesn't love them?

http://mentoringmoments.org/ro-tel-salsa/

Here's an "I" Word For You

2012-05-01T15:08:00.001-04:00

Did you know there is campaign currently underway to stop the use of the word "illegal" in conjunction with the words alien and immigrant? You can watch the YouTube video, Stop the "I" Word by clicking the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ebs6SCPf_dU

If a person enters the country without going through proper channels, he is here illegally. Calling something what it is, is not hate. It's not racist, it's not a prejudice, it's not intolerant, it's fact. Good grief. If any "i" word should be stopped it's "intolerant".

We've been conditioned to believe tolerance is always a good thing. You don't agree with someones lifestyle, with some choices that are being made, well bully for you. You are intolerant. Guess what? I am tired of being tolerant. I am tired of being politically correct. I am tired of kowtowing to those who would have us believe that to lack acceptance of immoral choices is narrow-minded. The "progressive minded" folks who berate us for believing in Jesus as THE ONLY way to God think we are bigoted. I am tired of being made to feel racist because I disagree with the policies of the first black president. I am tired of being thought of as uncharitable because I think Welfare recipients should pass a drug test or because I would prefer to choose my own worthy causes. Does this sound like an angry rant? It is.

Sometimes intolerance is a good thing. I can walk with a thorn in my foot and tolerate the pain, if I take it out do I become intolerant or wise for realizing that it was possible to change the situation? Tolerating stupidity does no one any good. Tolerating overspending leads to daunting debt (5 trillion anyone). Tolerating vulgarity, profanity and sexualization at every turn of the page or flip of the channel has lessened civility and created a slew of problems. Allowing an opportunity to share the gospel pass due to a fear of seeming "intolerant" might condemn someone to hell. I'd much rather seem intolerant than face judgment day and find out I could have made a difference.

Seek the truth and speak the truth(lovingly, of course), whether it seems tolerant or not.

14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. 15 Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. 16 He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:1)

Best Email Forward EVER

2012-04-17T10:25:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year again and it always reminds me of my favorite joke. I remember getting it as an email forward at least 14 years ago, and I still relate to it. Gotta go get ready now, appointment today :)

The Washcloth

I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist late in the week.

Early one morning, I received a call from the doctor’s office to tell me that I had been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30 am. I had only just packed everyone off to work and school, and it was already around 8:45 am.

The trip to his office took about thirty-five minutes, so I didn’t have an time to spare. As most women do, I like to take a little extra effort over hygiene when making such visits, but this time I wasn’t going to be able to make the full effort. So, I rushed upstairs, threw off my pajamas, wet the washcloth that was sitting next to the sink, and gave myself a quick wash in that area to make sure I was at least presentable.

I threw the washcloth in the clothes basket, grabbed some clothes, hopped in the car and raced to my appointment.

I was in the waiting room for only a few minutes when I was called in. Knowing the procedure, as I’m sure you do, I hopped up on the table, looked over at the other side of the room and pretended that I was in Paris or some other place a million miles away.

I was a little surprised when the doctor said, “My, we have made an extra effort this morning, haven’t we?” I didn’t respond but of course the answer was "yes", don't we all?

After the appointment, I heaved a sigh of relief and went home.

The rest of the day was normal: some shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc. After school when my six year old daughter was playing, she called out from the bathroom, “Mommy, where’s my washcloth?” I told her to get another one from the cupboard.

She replied, “No, I need the one that was here by the sink, it had all my glitter and sparkles saved inside it.”

Brain Fog

2012-04-03T12:04:00.000-04:00

Do you know how much water is in fog? In one acre that has been blanketed in fog, there is less than a glass. Think about it, less than one glass of water obscures vision for an entire acre. Sometimes I get a type of brain fog. It seems to happen when I take my focus off God and start worrying about stuff. Now the stuff I worry about may have some validity but most of the time, not so much. Worrying over kids grades, the dirty house (what if someone should come over?), will the cell phones cause cancer, medical test results (worry won't change them)and on and on the list goes. Worry on its own does nothing positive. The "what ifs" of life can be consuming but most of the time they don't really add up to a lot.

I'm not as much of a worrier as I once was but I come from a long line of worriers so I fight an uphill battle. That battle was recently made easier by a Godly man who enlightened me with the fog fact. He spoke on the futility of worry. Statistics show that 80% of what we worry about never happens. Our worry can prevent us from taking chances, from speaking the truth, from being joyful. Worry steals your time and attention. Worry is not trusting God and His sovereignty. Trust God that whatever happens can be used to fulfill His plan, because He will not be thwarted. Romans 8:28 says "All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose".

The pastor impressed upon us that by worrying we are being disobedient to God.

It was one of his finest and final sermons, at 77 Pastor Ken Haag went home to be with the Lord just last month. He served as our interim pastor but made a permanent impression. I won't ever look at fog the same, either kind.

Jesus said,"Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying?

And why worry about clothes? Notice how the flowers grow in the field. They never work or spin yarn for clothes.But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers." Matthew 6:27-29

Post Racial America? Not Good News for the News

2012-03-27T10:24:00.000-04:00

I am going to wade into unfamiliar waters here and talk about a tragedy that has captured the nation, the death of Trayvon Martin. It's all my 19 year old wants to talk about. We (my family) rushed to judgment and convicted George Zimmerman as a racist murderer before all the facts started coming to light.

There's a reason our justice system is set up the way it is and there is reason the media should not report with bias or without all the facts. Remember the rush to judgment in the Centennial Olympic Park bombing back in 1996 when Richard Jewel, a security guard, was tried and convicted by the out of control reporting of main stream media? Later, of course, Mr. Jewell was cleared, turns out he was doing his job well and had the police been able to do their job without the media's minute by minute commentary Mr. Jewell would have been cleared of suspicion without the ruining of his life.

Remember the bold claims that the Phoenix shooting last year were done by an out of control "right-winger". How'd that turn out for the media? Wrong again weren't they? It was the irrational act of an irrational mentally unstable man, no political motivation, just crazy.

As more and more facts come out regarding the death of Trayvon, there is no doubt this was a real tragedy. You know, George Zimmerman was out patrolling his neighborhood and due to a rash of recent break-ins it seems he was over zealous in his pursuit of Trayvon Martin, the young man who stood 6'3" and was unfamiliar in the neighborhood. Mr. Zimmerman obviously made a bad decision in continuing to follow the young man and a terrible decision in leaving his vehicle. Bad choices don't make this a matter of hate, they make it a matter of poor judgment. Trayvon made a few bad choices too, not responding to Mr. Zimmerman's question of why he was in the neighborhood was one, assaulting a man with a gun was another. Tragic. Senseless. Terrible. Yes, all those and so much more. Hate crime? No, I don't believe it was. Recent information shows Zimmerman to be a man whose friendships were diverse and whose mentoring of two black children was unquestionably selfless.

In Kansas City, Kansas two weeks ago two black teens poured gasoline on a 13 year old white boy while making remarks about his whiteness about his deservedness for this burning of his flesh as he stood on the porch of his own home while they lit him up with a Bic lighter. Hate crime. Any of you heard that story reported? If not, ask yourself why not? I believe it is because the story doesn't fit the media's need for stirring up dissension and a sense of injustice in the black community.

The Black Panthers $10,000 bounty for the head of George Zimmerman is a disgusting display and an outright illegal one at that. They demand an eye for an eye, justice for all. Where were they two weeks ago? Where did they stand at the execution of Troy Davis, who in appeals that went all the way to the Supreme Court was found guilty of the murder of a white police officer in Savannah? Were they applauding the "eye for an eye" in his case or bemoaning the injustice of his capitol punishment?

You know, I can only imagine the pain and sorrow felt by Trayvon's parents. The loss of such young life and all it's potential is tragic. The chaos and circus like atmosphere now surrounding the death of their son has most certainly been feeding the justifiable anger they must feel. Are we helping or hindering their plight? Stop vilifying Zimmerman, don't try to vilify Trayvon or hoodies. Let facts and reason prevail.
Surely when the police and courts are able to do their jobs, justice WILL BE served.

Can we hope for a country where race is never at issue again? Sure. Will we get it? I don't think so, there will always be bigots, prejudice, rushes to judgment and the threat of injustice (perceived or real). And so long as ratings matter more than truth the national media will focus it's attention on those types of stories and we will continue to be swept along by the current they've created.

Sweet Sixteen

2012-03-20T15:21:00.000-04:00

Allison has turned 16 and she, eager to taste the sweet freedom that comes from having a driver's license, was ready to get it as soon as she became eligible. Since her dear daddy (to whom this particular chore was assigned) has been out of town for three weeks it fell to me to get her to the test. Just to set the record straight, I HATE the Department of Drivers Services. I'd say it's not their fault but, well, it is (that's another story). I had hoped that because I followed the department's advice and made an appointment for the road test it would be less unpleasant an experience. Didn't work out quite that way. Going through the doors was good for a laugh there was a scrolling "welcome!"sign. I couldn't help but feel like fly being welcomed to a spider's web. Another sign stating "we care about our customers" was attached to the wall above the scowling woman we were lucky enough to see after our hour long wait. Can you imagine if she didn't care?

The office was crazy crowded. There were seventeen counters but only five of them were manned and at least sixty people were waiting to be called. I took my Kindle, loaded with good reads, only to have the battery die 10 minutes after arrival. So, people watching became the best way to pass time. Upon scanning the crowd, Allison declared us to be "pretty normal looking". I'm not sure what passes for normal these days but she kept her seat beside me, so I guess I didn't embarrass her too much. The waiting area had hard plastic seats that were not quite solidly backed. There was an opening about two inches high and twelve inches long located exactly where pants and tops should meet. FYI people-low rise jeans are not your friend. We saw more of several folks than they intended. What I saw in that room made me really wish I'd checked the Kindle battery's charge and helped me decide to keep my light jacket on despite the sweating.

Anyway, after being called for our turn at the counter we were sent outside to await a tester. Another hour of waiting. We watched person after person return from road testing and by the looks on faces it was obvious these testers were failing most of the young hopefuls. Allison had a lot of time to get nervous, the dreaded parallel parking loomed large in her mind, even though she had written how-to instructions for it on her forearm. (I have no idea how she thought that was going to work out). Finally, she was up. I stepped out of the car and off they went. While she was gone I saw quite a few tears, a couple of smiles and bore witness to one major screamfest ( Not a good day for Instructor Hernando). The longer she was out the more nervous I became and just when I started to wonder if she'd wrecked, I heard the squeaky brakes of my ride approaching and saw Allison trying not to grin.

We added a newly licensed driver to the Cagle bunch. Yep, Allison is on the roads so you'd better watch out.

Kickin' Chicken Cagle Style

2012-03-03T11:46:00.000-05:00

Big, big fans of the Zaxby's Kickin' Chicken sandwich here and guess what? I've figured out how to make my own. I assure sure it wasn't very difficult but it is much less expensive this way, plus I can turn up the heat if i want.

Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Chicken breast strips breaded and cooked (buy the prepackaged or make your own I've done both)
Hot sauce
Butter, melted
Texas Toast
Provolone cheese slices
Ranch dressing

This is pretty vague I realize, we make them individually and I make them for us all some nights.
Mix 1/4 cup hot sauce and 1 tablespoon melted butter for each four strips of chicken. I put the sauce in a Zip-Loc bag and shake to coat the chicken.
I butter and toast 2 slices of bread for each sandwich in a hot skillet, then put the seasoned chicken strips, cheese slice and a drizzle of dressing onto the toast. If you want your cheese melted just nuke it for 15-20 seconds and you're good to go. Yum~