A day of choas turns into talking about my driving skills

Have you ever had one of those days where your get up and go, got up and went without you?

Today is one of those days.  I spent the entire day at work in chaos.  Mad staff, upset doctors, crazy patients… it has just been one of those days.

On a positive note, after last week’s 25 anniversary of my 25 birthday I had to renew my driver’s license. Of course I expected the trip to the revenue office to be like the rest of my day – chaos. 

Much to my surprise it was a great experience.  The clerk was awesome. I was in and out in less than 15 minutes.  Then I realized – my license says I celebrated the 25 anniversary of my 25 birthday.

Ugh – on a positive note no-one thinks I am 18 so the most likely people to see my license will be a local police officer.  Most of them have seen my license, they know I am a nurse (who works in the ER during trauma and might take care of them someday) and most of them know I carry a gun (with laser sites) – so I am thinking they (the local police officers) will not mention they know I have celebrated the 25 anniversary of my 25 Birthday.

If you are wondering why most of the local police officers have seen my license – I believe cars and trucks are made with two speeds stop and go – go is on the floor.  I have never understood why automobile manufactures make cars with speedometers that say 160 mph and expect you to drive 60 mph – someone has to make the automobile manufactures are not falsely advertising that their vehicle will do 160 miles per hour.   

 Hoping for a day of less chaos tomorrow

~ Connie ~

D - Could be for...

Daughter, dog-lover, and a diva, that is dynamic, dazzling, and domestic. But, mostly I am determined.
I am determined to live up to Luke 12:48 “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

My determination has allowed me to, raise an awesome group of young adults, serve in the U.S. Army, run a free health clinic, rescue some amazing animals, earn multiple degrees and be a contributing part of the community.

My determination is sometimes based on previous failures -

As a child if you told me I could not do something I would say ok – I was raised to not talk back, to accept what I was told.

I wanted to run track in high school; my mother told me I did not have a runner’s body.  I tried out, made the team, but during a track meet I passed out. I tried again and developed shin splints. Once again everyone told me - it is ok to quit, your not a runner.  I never finished a race. 

As an adult it had always bothered me that I couldn’t be a runner. So, I started training and guess what, I finished a 5K and went on to teach other women how to run. 

As John Bingham, The Penguin, says:

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

I can’t wait to see what Luke12:48 and my determination get me into next.

~ Connie ~

Turning 50

Well today is my last day to be 40 something.  Tomorrow I turn the big 50.  Yes, I will be 50 years old.  Oh, my gosh – I will be 50 years old when I wake up. Now I will have to answer the question “how old are you?” with “50ish”

I never thought I would turn 50.  It seems like just yesterday I was turning 25, 30, 35, 40 – I guess it is natural for 50 to come next.

I am not sure how I feel about turning 50 – I think I am in disbelief.

It is hard to believe half of my life is over – It is hard to believe I only have 50 years to go.

I have achieved much:

2 marriages (found the love of my life and made peace with my ex-husband)
6 kids (3 weddings – sent a son to war)

5 grandchildren
Buried my mother, brother, and grandmother
Rescued more than 20 dogs
Earned an Associate Degree
Earned a Bachelor Degree
Earned a Master’s Degree
Completed all but, dissertation for my doctorate
Completed all but, clincials for my nurse practitioner
Opened a free health clinic
Taught the Big Man to love to Trout Fish

Spent 16 years as a police officer’s wife (experienced retirement with the Big Man)
Ran a 5 K

Hiked in the Smokey Mountains
Took the Big Man Deep Sea Fishing
I have been to Las Vegas
Learned to Kayak
Been Appointed by the Governor and served on a State Committee
Served in the U.S. Army

Opened a red cross shelter
Taught myself to knit
Created a family scrapbook (or two, or three…)

Wow – and I still don’t feel 50.  Maybe 50 is just a number.  Maybe it is true you are as young as you feel.  

Good-bye 40 something – Hello 50ish
Happy Birthday to Me ~Connie ~

C ~ coffee loving, caring, comfortable, cautious, controlling, and courageous, crafter

I spent a couple of days this week thinking about the letter “C”.  Some of the words I thought about include: Coffee, caring, comfortable, cautious, control, courageous, and crafty.
The hardest part of this project is deciding on one word. 

I love coffee – I run on coffee.  I can drink it all day long.  I like almost any blend of coffee.  I like it black, with sugar or with cream.  Simply I like coffee.

I am caring.  I often worry about others. I want to fix or take care of things.

I am comfortable.  Comfortable – cozy, snug, restful, that is my life and who I am.   

Cautious – I am cautious.  I have been hurt in my life. Because I have been hurt I sometimes find myself being cautious about new relationships and friendships.

Control – this is one of my greatest weaknesses.  I feel the need to control most aspects of my life.  I struggle everyday to allow God to work through me.  To give him control.

Courageous – I am courageous.  I am not afraid to jump in to situations that need fixing.  A couple of weeks ago I broke up a fight in the ER where I work.  I did not think twice before jumping between two men, both over 6 foot tall.   My children laugh at me because at 5 foot 2 inches I will not back up when right is right and wrong is wrong.

Each week during this project I have asked the Big Man how he would describe me – this week the word is crafty. When I asked the Big Man why he sees me as crafty, he pointed to my craft studio.   I do love crafts.  I like to scrapbook and knit. I do love to take objects that have little meaning and make things that have meaning.  So yes, I am crafty.

I am a coffee loving, caring, comfortable, cautious, controlling, and courageous, crafter.





~ Connie ~



Tasty Tuesday - Egg Casserole

Yea Tuesday is almost over and I am one day nearer to the weekend. 

I had Zumba tonight followed by a swim with the Big Man and discussion questions to grade.  The Big Man fixed dinner tonight - grilled chicken, green beans, and tomatoes.  I love fresh green beans and tomatoes.

I have a confession - I am a magazine junkie - today I received the newest edition of Taste of Home (Thank you boys for the great Christmas Gift). I couldn't wait to browse all the pages -

After looking through the magazine I think this weekend I will fix a couple of egg casseroles for the Big Man. He has been watching his carbohydrate intake.   Limiting his carbohydrates has helped stabilize his blood sugar and he has lost some weight. 
 

Have any great egg casserole recipes - send them my way.

Happy Tuesday

~ Connie ~



Monday Madness

Monday Madness – Today I started a Zumba class.  

The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. -Stephen R Covey

Exercise is a priority for me, so when a few ladies at work said they wanted to host a group exercise class, I decided to help out.    I have taught step aerobics in the past – but the ladies wanted to try Zumba.  Well….I have Zumba videos.   So today, we used the Zumba videos.

Wow – Zumba is a different kind of work out.  We laughed, sweated, and laughed some more.  But we did it, an hour long Zumba video.

Cooked dinner, replied to student discussion questions, played with the four-legged babies, now headed to the pool for a few laps. 

Monday Madness is going to end – with me sleeping like a baby.

~ Connie ~

A-Z All About Me - Bold, Beautiful, Blessing Looking for Balance

Me and the Big Man

B – Again this week I asked the Big Man, “What word beginning with the letter B would he use to describe me?”

The words he used are Bold, Beautiful, and Blessing.    I didn’t know what to say at first.  I thought about what he said and I have to agree –

The definition of bold is: “Showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous.”

I am bold.  I like to wear red, drive fast, play hard, and think outside of the box.  I am not fashion model beautiful, but I am ok for someone turning fifty this year.  Yes, 50.

The Great River Charitable Clinic

He went on to tell me that I am a blessing to many – him, the kids, our four-legged babies, and the patients at the free health clinic. 

I spent some time today sitting in the swing thinking about what he said – how he sees me.  What he does not see – is how blessed I am. 

The word I want to describe me is balance – I want to find balance in my life.  I want to find more time to spend with my family, to fish, to watch the sun set or the hummingbirds fly. 

Most days I feel like I am in control but I put my obligations on my schedule before “me” time.
So this bold, beautiful, blessing is going to work on finding balance in my blessed life

~  Connie ~

Training Thursday - Keeping it simple

Wow – it is hard to believe that today is Thursday.  This morning as I was getting ready for work the Big Man was outlining plans for this weekend.  I had to ask him what day of the week it is.  This has been a really busy week at work - I have worked till 6 or 7 every night.  

I had planned a run today – the weather is great.  But, by the time I got home and worked with my online students it is 10 PM.  No running for me, the mosquitoes are out in full force tonight.

Run rescheduled for Saturday morning, followed by a few laps in the pool.  Sounds simple – but I tend to let life make my life complicated.

So, for the next few days I am going to focus on the following quote to help me refocus:

Simplicity is truly the mother of invention. Try to keep it simple and begin to understand that all you want is within your grasp. Invent a life that makes you smile and brings you the kind of happiness you once thought out of your reach.
~Gigi Galluzzo~

~ Connie ~

Tasty Tuesday - No Meat for Me

Today is my 18th Wedding Anniversary - It is hard to believe that I have been married to my best friend for 18 years.  We are very opposite - I am short, he is tall.  I love to run, he hates to run. I love animals, he likes animals. I am quick to anger, he never gets mad.  I could argue with a rock, he will not argue. I like vegetables and he likes meat. 

Tonight the Big Man cooked dinner (I had a late medical staff meeting).  Steaks, green beans, and corn on the cob.  The steaks were cooked to perfection - the problem is..... I couldn't hardly stand to eat my steak after seeing calves headed to slaughter yesterday.

We were driving home from Gulf Shores, Alabama when we pulled up beside a cattle trailer with four little black calves - they looked like this little fellow. 

I got to thinking about how they would end up on someones table and started to cry - The Big Man knows how I am, he doesn't say a word, simple squeezes my hand and shakes his head. 

So, what do I do know????  Quit eating meat?  Live on Vegetables? Some people do.  Oh! why did I look those little fellows in the eye...

Now to spend time with the love of my life - the Big Man
~ Connie ~

A-Z All About Me - Week A

Vacation trip over – I had 10 hours in the car to think about the challenge of describing my life with a letter of the alphabet each week.  I asked my husband for how he would describe me using the letter “A”.  

He said – academic.  I laughed.  See I have been in school for 15 years of the eighteen years we have been married.  I have finished bachelor’s degree, master’s (X2) degree and all but a dissertation for my doctorate.  I disagreed with him – academic makes me sound like a nerd.  He laughed and asked how many books did I read on our vacation?  Ok, two but does that make me – academic or a nerd?

He then suggested my word should be accommodating.  When I asked him why, he said I can’t say no to anyone.  I had to laugh – he is correct.  I do say yes when frequently asked to lend a hand. 

I believe: from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked (Luke 12:48). 

I have been given and entrusted with much.  Sixth healthy, not always perfect kids, four perfect-grandsons and a an awesome granddaughter, a loving husband, a great career, the ability to provide a safe and loving home for thirteen-four-legged babies. 
I love being a nurse and my full-time money making job is awesome. I am part of the administrative team for a rural health system.  I average 50 hours a week –

But, I still find time to volunteer.  I am the volunteer director of a free health clinic we serve approximately 650 residents in our county with free health care.  The clinic is open Monday and Wednesday 9 AM to Noon and every other Thursday 5 PM to 10 PM.  We provide medical, dental, optometry, and medications free to those who have no insurance or access to healthcare. 

I volunteer with the Red Cross, the humane society, the National Wild Turkey Federation, various Running activities, and my church. 

I do have a hard time saying no – so, yes I am accommodating.  But, from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked (Luke 12:48).

~ Connie ~

A - Z Challenge All About Me- Recharging My Creative Side



Me and the Big Man

Welcome to my blog Scrapbookwife Running in Arkansas.  For those of you who are new to my blog I like to introduce me.  My name is Connie.  I am married to the love of my life (retired police officer turned city building inspector).

We have six adult children (mine, his and other peoples, I will explain this later).  Our children have blessed us with four grandsons and one granddaughter.  We are the proud parents to 13 four-legged babies.

All of our four-legged children are rescues.  The picture in the bottom right corner is our miracle baby.  She wasn’t supposed to live after I found her; she had chemical burns over 90% of her body.  But today she is 50 lbs of love and joy.

I have accepted the challenge posted on By Kate to use one word a week to describe me. 

This week is the letter A – Hummmm since I decided to play today, I think I will post my description using the letter A on Sunday.  Stop back by to see how I describe myself.

~ Connie ~