Rainy Spring Night at Popcorn's

Tonight is, as my precious popson would say, cozy. It has been gently raining outside on and off for a couple of hours or so. Mr. Popcorn and college popcorn are watching Zorro. When asked if I wanted to join them, I said ZORRNO! Clever, huh? If there's anything I don't want to watch worse than I don't want to watch Harry Potter anything, it's Zorro. I just cannot cannot get into too many movies. Sound of Music, yes. The Story of Us, yes... movies like that. But the action packed thriller, the fantasy, the scary, the silly/stupid/slapstick? NO. Cannot tolerate. Would rather clean out a drawer, organize the soup shelf in the pantry, clean out a bathtub ring even. Sitting and staring at a techno-box for hours at a time Popcorn no can do. I sit here piano side listening to musical popson "transcribe" notes from his ipod to the keys of his piano. He is going to record an intro to a song on Mr. Popcorn's cd and is methodically dissecting the notes and rhythms and playing it section by section. Now this is the way to spend a rainy evening. As the school year winds down, evenings like this one are welcome and give us a taste of summer evenings to come. Bring 'em! The Popcorns are ready.

Popcorn's People: My Niece Sarah

Isn't she beautiful? This is my precious niece Sarah. She is gorgeous inside and out. Tomorrow she will graduate from High School. We all have to be at the auditorium at 10:00 a.m. and then off to her party at 1:00. We are so proud of her. She had a stellar high school career and soon will be off to her dream college. Congratulations Sarah! You made it all look so easy.

Popcorn's Thursday Thoughts: He Thinks of Everything!

Yesterday at my neigborhood Bible study with some of my very good friends the subject of science and the Bible came up. One girl was telling us about all these studies that verify what the Bible says. Some I had heard about, some I hadn't. All were astounding. Then I received this e mail last night from another friend in the Bible study. Her sister had sent it to her... What you will see on this clip will amaze you. You will not believe your eyes. Maybe you have already seen this or know about laminin, but this video is awesome and worth watching anyway. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4

Technically Not Tuesday Tidbits

Looking at the clock on this computer, it's really Wednesday. To me it is still Tuesday since I'm still up and have not closed my eyes on this day. I've been doing my blog rounds and have read some really positive news from my blogneighbors and am feeling happy. All day long I have felt sort of lighthearted and fancy-free. Wonder why? The mind and body are funny things. Some days I have every reason to feel lighthearted and fancy- free, but feel more ho-hum. Then other days there's really no specific reason to feel happy and smiley, but I do anyway. Oh well, who cares? As long as I feel happy what does it really matter if all the planets are aligned correctly and the moon is full in the sky? Mr. Popcorn and I went to the ballgame tonight and our team won. Maybe that's why I feel happy. I watched the game whilst sitting between hubby and a good friend, elbow to elbow; chattering more than watching. Could that be why I feel happy? I had a big carton of guess what in my lap??? Popcorn of course. That certainly could be the source of this happy feeling. Earlier today I shopped with my cute daughter and found some good deals at Old Navy...happiness? Maybe. Lunched with cute daughter at Thai Cottage outside with a cool breeze and my sandaled feet propped up, no rush. That made me happy. Drove through Starbizzle and ordered a lemonade iced tea with extra ice. Happy! Took a bubble bath at a weird time of afternoon, that was fun. So happy. Guess I'll go on to bed now on this happy note. Hope your day is full of happy things.

Monday Moanin' With Popcorn: Daily With the King

There is a devotional book that I love. Daily With The King, by W. Glyn Evans. It is old and not even in print anymore I don't think. But today, May 19, is very good. The title is "The Lord's Ways Are Right". Mr. Evans writes... God leads me not in a comfortable way, but a right way. The Lord's way means putting me through experiences that most clearly produce His Son's image in me. Since God is leading me to realize an internal, not external, goal, many of my experiences will make no sense in this life. It is not essential that they make sense, it is only essential that God appoints them for me. Therefore, I must walk like a blind man, trusting the hand of my heavenly Father. I must also remember to be thankful for all experiences, since they all "work together to produce the image of Jesus Christ in me.. Since that is the highest good any human being can attain, it will be worth alll the pain and trouble. Since every person is different, he must reach his highest good in a different way from anyone else. That is why my life isn't a duplicate of someone else's. What God has devised for me suits my personlity and makeup perfectly. When I arrive in heaven he wants to be able to say, "I have taught thee in the way of the wisdom; I have led thee in right paths." If I could only see the finished product, as God now sees it, I would spend the rest of my days in unceasing, overwhelming praise. I would sing, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." Psalm 37:23. The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds his hand" Psalm 37: 23-24 Perhaps knowing these things will make it easier for us to accept circumstances that we do not understand or cannot figure out. There are mysteries that we can't understand this side of heaven, but will eventually realize the secret reasons on the other side. We have to trust Him anew every single day.

My Favorite Song: Post Dedicated With Love to My Precious Friends Lynn B., Karen D. and Delores S.

Healing Hands

Pick up your heart and

carry it to healing hands

There is no scar, no pain

He won't understand

Those broken dreams you've carried this far

need His touch to mend

Pick up your heart and

carry it to healing hands.

What brought you here to this time to this place

where your own strength has found its end?

And the load that you bear is to heavy to carry,

come bring it all to Him

Pick up your heart and carry it to healing hands

There is no scar, no pain He won't understand

Those broken dreams you've carried this far need His touch to mend

Pick up your heart and carry it to healing hands...

For the souls that surrender

He is gracious to hold us so tenderly

Pick your heart

carry it to healing hands

there is no scar no pain he won't understand

those broken dreams you've carried this far

need his touch to mend

Pick up your heart, whoaaa pick up your heart

Pick up your heart and come to healing hands......

Good Advice from Popcorn's Parent

In the lingering spirit of Mother's Day I found my thoughts drifting to my mother. She has wisdom born of a deep relationship with God as well as just good ol' horse sense. The small town in east Texas from whence she came gifted her with a southern charm characterized by matter of fact snippets of womanly advice that have served us both well through the years. That coupled with her ability to love completely and unconditionally has knit in me a fortitude for which I am eternally grateful. Though my life is certainly awash with blessings, it isn't perfect. So? My mom equipped me with the ability to take any bull by its horns and fight for the upper hand. Early on she pointed me towards God and introduced me to the concept of total faith in Him. Though my mother appears to be a vision of southern belle-ness, she is actually a strong rock, an anchor in the wind, and an unshakable cornerstone. I am blessed and I know it to have enjoyed the blessing of her mothering, her talents, her humor, her strength, her legacy as a loving wife, and her staggering faith in God almighty. I thought I would share some of my favorite Sherra-isms. I feel as though I am sharing a beloved family recipe that will cook you up a nice stew of stability, a pan of productivity, and a veritable jigger of joy.

1. Trying to find a way to justify something?There's no right way to do the wrong thing. Period.

2. Have two places to be at the same time? Do both even if it hair lips Henry.

3. Had something on the calendar for a while but when the day rolls around it's just not working for you and must cancel? Don't worry, if its not right on your end it probably isn't right on their end either.

4.Overwhelmed? Just keep walking through its and do the next(right) thing.

5. God's ways are subtle. We expect big dramatic answers but really He answers us in the ordinary day to day rhythms of life. So much so that it is easy to miss it completely.

6. Our presence means a great deal to people. It's important to show up for your friends and family.

7.Try not to constantly u-turn the conversation back to your this and your that.

8. Look at things from the other person's point of view.

9. God's timing is perfect.

10.There is a solution to the dilemma de jour.

11. You never regret not saying something rude or mean.

12. You can never have too many presents under the tree (my and well as her grandchildren's personal favorite)

Popcorn Publishes Headlines

There is a ticker tape in my head that constantly scrolls headlines that narrate my life. They won't quit...

BRALESS PAJAMA CLAD WOMAN CLUTCHING MONOGRAMMED COFFEE CUP RUNS OUT OF GAS NEAR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL

CRAZED LAZY WOMAN WITH HAIR TOO LONG FOR AGE RUSHES FORGOTTEN LUNCH TO STARVING SON AT SCHOOL: SMILES SHEEPISHLY AT OFFICER

PITIFUL BRUNETTE CHASES HORSELIKE DOG THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD SCREAMING "TREAT!" HAS NO AUTHORITY

MIDDLE AGED FRUMP SHIMMIES NIGHT AWAY AT WEDDING: SHAMED FRIENDS LOOK AWAY

CHRONICALLY LATE WOMAN MISSES SON'S RECORD BREAKING TRACK EVENT: SON TO WRITE BOOK

SUBURBAN MOM STILL CAN'T COOK AFTER 27 YEARS: FAMILY FED UP (PUN INTENDED)

FAMILY REPORTS WOMAN'S HUGE COOKBOOK COLLECTION USELESS

WIFE'S NEVERENDING PROJECTS DRIVE SEEMINGLY SANE HUSBAND TO BRINK

SUBURBANITE'S SPRAY TAN CAUSES SNICKERS: REMINDS ONLOOKERS OF ROSS

FEMALE RUNNER OBLIVIOUS TO THIGHS FLAPPING IN BREEZE

DAZED AND WALL EYED MIDDLE AGER ZIG ZAGS KROGER LOT PUSHING HEAPING BASKET IN SEARCH OF CAR: TRIES TO UNLOCK WRONG SUBURBAN

You get the picture.

Scary

Rearrange Fever

I like to rearrange my furniture, do you? In anticipation of little college kernal's homecoming I've been in rearrange mode. Some major rearranging was called for since her room had become a stash all. All year long I've told self to get up there and take care of that mess, but until I had a pressing deadline, of course I ignored it. dealing with all forgotten "treasures" (crap) got me in a total house mood. I came up with all sorts of creative ideas like taking the brass wheels off of a stupid teacart that I'm so sick of, and putting them on the piano bench, which has always been too low for my ivory tickling taste. I reworked an old iron glass topped table to now serve as desk for college kernals computer, etc. in her room with the newly painted floor. Looks adorable may I say. When I get in these change up moods, I do not leave the house for days. Each little project inspires the next one, and the next... I only leave if forced but then I hurry back home to continue the project so as not to lose momentum.The whole house can become involved and look askew. Paint cans, piles on the stairs, furniture enroute...the process is not pretty. But I know there's a plan and keep working working til it all comes back together. Today I'm going to wallpaper my kitchen with some wallpaper that I bought but forgot about.....then I'm going to move a few cabinets around, then polish some brass cache pots, then do something cute with some old windows....so when you look around and think "where's Popcorn?" you'll know why I've disappeared. I'm probably on the ladder in the upstairs bedroom on the left.

Macy's Nice But Popcorn No Can Do

Macy's replaced Foley's, sadly therefore, Popcorn no can do. I have tried to give the good store a fair shake, but it's just not workin' for me. Nothing to do whatsoever with the merchandise, service, location...that's all fine and dandy. It's more of an emotional allegiance violation problem. I grew up shopping at Foley's and eating lunch at the Terrace with my mom on the second floor across from housewares and the watch repair, got my first job at Foley's, worked at Foley's for many a youthful retail years. I bought prom dresses there and registered in the "china" department when Mr. Popcorn and I got engaged. The green and white Foley's credit card was my first, and as a young wife outfitted a newlywed apartment with Foley's treasures, dressed my infants, bought my strollers, sported maternity clothes, many a bathing suit, countless shoes, trench coats, beloved jeans, cowhide boots, phenomenal purses, pretty watches, and drawers full of Clinique... all from Foley's my friends. When I stroll through Macy's I look wistfully around for any vestiges of my dear old "Floey's" as it affectionately called in my head....and painfully find none. Even though Macy's inhabits the same building, it is not the same. I feel a weighty sense of infidelity to Foley's when in Macy's trying to have a retail experience; I'm cheating somehow. I made it through the Battlestein's/Beall's and the Joske's/Dillard's transitions with little trauma...but... oooh this one was different. You can have Macy's on a platter, I'm afraid Popcorn just no can do. My heart belongs to the sweet store that took such good care of Popcorn's every need through many seasons of life. Listen, a girl just can't forget that.

Popcorn's Princess Comes Home: Freshman No More

I wOnDer iF sHE HaD fUn?