Regret

We all have some. We're not supposed to dwell in them, however.
Such a dichotomy. Live in the now, but what did we do to bring us to "the now." What can we do better. That's supposed to be self-actualization, right?
I can think of a whole bevy of things.

Twice, in H.S., I got a little full of myself & broke up with my boyfriend thinking I could do better. Twice I regretted it afterward. But H.S. is full of such blunders, right? We're learning who we are & who we're to become.

So, here I am, on the verge of 40. Yes, 40!!! And still with the blunders. And so many regrets. I'm learning to let go & let God. Knowing there's a master plan behind it all both has me feeling comforted & bewildered. And that's where free will comes in.

Ahhh... my blasted free will. I CHOSE where I am today.
How comforting. If only I'd let go & let God SOOO much sooner... ??? Or found me a magical, time-traveling psychotherapist.

That's where "Being Erica" comes in. I discovered this little show on SOAPnet. Don't know how because I have never watched SOAPnet. I have enough fantasy & daydreams living on in my own head, thank you very much.

But "Being Erica" is all about having the ability to go back & undo past regrets. The character can't change "destiny," but does come to some interesting realizations about how things would (or wouldn't) have changed in spite of them.
In the end, it's all about being okay with our own decisions.

What is your biggest regret... & how would you have rewritten things?

Jewelry Giveaway!

Beki at The Rusted Chain is having a jewelry giveaway. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE her stuff!

She is so talented, & is also selling her wares to raise money for Haiti.

Go check out her site & lend your support!
Did I mention I LOVE her stuff!?
Oh, & my birthday's in April (hint)...

JANES Retreat Weekend '09

The JANES Core Team were hosted for an amazing (though too short) weekend of relaxation & planning out at the Butlers' Lakehouse on Lake CC. What a place! Sue Butler & her family are the most generous & gracious hosts. I didn't want it to end... Thanks Butler family!!!

The gorgeous Lakehouse property:

The large gazebo with outdoor kitchen, where we enjoyed a delicious dinner:

The main guesthouse where we enjoyed a delicious & healthy breakfast & lunch:

Getting down to business:

We accomplished a LOT:

The radiant Daphne, JANES Ministry Leader ... see Jane lead!

The passionate Marta, Coordinator of Community Outreach ... see Jane reach!

The talented Alene, Discipleship Coordinator ... see Jane grow!

The energetic April, Women's Small Groups Coordinator ... see Jane connect!

The inspiring Alisa, developer & chief editor of the Granola Bar Devotional, & JANES core team member ...

And me... Events Team Coordinator ... see Jane shine!

No... not our Administration Coordinator (we're still looking for one of those to replace our sweet Mandy who is off on a new venture)! This is Kiki! Alisa's daughter joined us for our girls' weekend... naturally! She was a total joy!!! :)

Our fabulous hostess, Sue... I adore this woman! Thank you, Sue... I LOVE your spirit of generosity & look forward to visiting with you again soon!

Preparing for the short trip home (& discussing what a fun time we had)!

I love these women & feel SO privileged to serve with them in this ministry!!!

Let's do it again soon, gals! xo

Meet Alisa Hope... my friend!

My dear friend, Alisa was chosen by Internet Café Devotions as a Guest Barista this week!

Alisa is an amazing writer & friend... my kindred spirit. Please check out her writing blog by clicking on the "Faith Imagined" HEART link above!

Congrats, Alisa... my beautiful friend! Love you. xo

The Terrifying Texas Brown Tarantula!

The Texas Brown Tarantula (looks mostly black) is on the move right now... whether because it's mating season or due to all of the rain we've had lately, I've been finding these unwanted visitors ready to greet me as I got home 3 different times this past couple of weeks!

Here they are... let me know YOUR thoughts!!!


Tarantula #1 in the past 2 weeks. There was another a few weeks previous too!!!

See how close this one was to going INTO my house (garage)?!

Tarantula #2 - I almost stepped on this one going out into my garage! (This pic is post-RAID, obviously.)

See how close he was to going inside my HOUSE!!!??? Eeek!

Tarantula #3 - This guy greeted me at the door as I got home the other night. :(

See how close he was to my front door!? (My door is directly to the left of the light.)

So, "man-in-a-can" (aka RAID) was my immediate friend, until the bug guys I use could come out & spray. And, although I'm praying there will be no further sightings, if anyone (in the CC area) is looking for a Tarantula as a pet, I'll keep you in mind for the future, but it's too late for these guys!!!

Bonne Jour Des Mères!

"The sweetest sounds to mortals given
are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven."
~ William Goldsmith Brown

My Mommy & I in Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia... just a few years back!
Love you, Mom!


My Miranda Roo... my puppy Momma-bear!
She's now 8-years-young & the best puppy Momma there ever was!


Honourable mention to my sister, Jilly, & my GodMom, Aunt Carol too!
Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there...

SPEAK '09

I haven't blogged in SO long! WOW... time flies. Life has been so busy. That's my only excuse. :)

Most recently, the busyness of life has taken me to Grapevine, TX (Fort Worth) & Fellowship Church, led by Ed & Lisa Young. Our JANES (women's ministry at BAF) were invited to their Flavour Women's Conference, called SPEAK. What a great trip!
Thanks to my amazing church for such a great opportunity, to Fellowship Church for being such amazing hosts, & to my girls: DeeDee, Daphne, Jessica, Mandy, & Marta for great memories!

"Couture with a Cause" Fashion Show & "Sweets & Shopping" Social:

You like-a da soap, eh!?

One of my dogs, Brontë, has developed a strange fascination for soap!
I was getting ready in the bathroom one day, when she started sniffing & sniffing & sniffing.
She put her paws up on the side of the tub & was stretching her neck like E.T. trying to reach something. I realized it was the soap dish on the far side of the tub.
When I brought it closer to her, just to see what she'd do, she started to LICK IT! Ugh!
Since then, whenever she comes into the bathroom & smells the soap, she tries to get at it. She won't go so far as to get into the tub, though.
In the other bathroom, she sniffs & sniffs at the cabinet where I keep them... even scratches at it. It's quite funny.
Here's a photo of her: