ho hum

ho hum

what to write.

just want to write for the few viewers i have, if any to read something on my page.

election is over. good. now we just need to pray.

lots of volunteering coming to a close. see the light at the end of the tunnel. good.

loved having Integrity Worship Conference at our church. Wow-- love Gateway Worship! check them out and get it on your iTunes! love kari jobe.

love my new friend abbey from the conference. check her out on http://www.moorerocks.com/ what a sweety. what a great mentor for molly.

veteran's day thought....thank a veteran not just on that day....everyday thank all who have and still are serving.

i don't like to capitalize anything. takes up too much time. sorry.

my sister is moving soon to s.c. sad. but glad for her.

i miss my big brother in ca. he is very good to me.

we are having steak for thanksgiving (i am not! no to red meat/pork) how untraditional is that? i just love the sides! jello, corn, green beans, sweet potatoes...yummo

this is a random post, but i guess that is okay.

i have been trying to get out the door to workout for the last 2 hours. i have not done a darn thing since my tri (which i was 2 min. faster and it was a longer swim!) so i need to get back out there and run, swim, bike and use some weights. there is something about me entering a gym (the Y) by myself that i find intimidating (sp?). but i have to leave.

so for the one or two readers i have...go be a light for Christ. if you don't know Him...get to know Him. ask me how. I would love to tell you about my Jesus!

blessings.

My Mom...

Meet my mom. Isn't she beautiful? Yes that is a cancer wig...but beautiful . I get weepy...seeing her.

I so wish she was still here.

I feel cheated.

But I tell myself not to go there. I will see her again....but for right now....I wish I could just call her.

Quite frankly....i miss her so much it hurts my heart and tears well up in my eyes. When will the tears stop....when?

If you still have a mom...call her for me....tell her you love her and miss her. tell her for me. because i can't tell my mom....i just tell God to tell her!

Tri day done!

hey there world of bloggers:
I finished my second tri and 2 min. shorter than my last one and it was a longer swim!!! YEAH! I am just glad i finished and had fun. It was my 50th birthday and my family was all there. My girls (well, megan did most of it) decorated the house and my car., so when i woke up at 4:15 it was "birthday" time! wow! Molly was a joy (as all of them were) in running to all my transitions and cheering me on! My family is amazing to be my fans in a sport like this one...it is not a spectator sport. I am going from one thing to the next and you usually only see the finish or start! Although they did see my whole swim in the very dangerous current and choppy water! What part of "Do not enter water--dangerous current" sign do you NOT want to read or participate in???? They sent 600 of us out there...we looked like 600 piranhas! Now until next year....train, train, train and try to get in better shape so i can "TRY" harder! Molly ask me to take up softball because the games are later in the day! but i said but we are done and it is only 10:30a.m.!!!! We have the whole day ahead of us!

my birthday was fast and furious. Both my brother and sister sent me flowers...ahhh. and my $20.00 (faithful) came from my step dad in memory of my mom! my hubby got me roses and the search is on for a laptop!!! wow! any suggestions? it was a good day. went to church...blew up balloons for a ministry fair. i couldn't have had a better 50th! love serving!!!

I am trying to ask a blogger friend how to get friends. she said to make comments on blogs i like...so maybe i will. i have given out my blog to friends. so we should see. but i don't think you can comment unless they have a blog.

Well, i just wanted to tell you i finished my second "try"athlon and survived! YEAH for Fifty year old "try" gals!!!!
Still praying, pedaling, paddling, and pounding the pavement!
betsy (need to find out how to do my name down here!)

Hydrox Cookies and My Mom

Hi to whoever reads my blog....i someday will have a laptop which i believe will make me a better blogger. but til then here and there comes a post-a-note from me!

This Saturday i turn 50...wow. Old. Don't feel it. Like saying "I am 49" better. I just read a friends blogs about birthdays and memories (thanks Scott and Cindy).

I have a memory of birthday's: I use to get a $20.00 bill from my mom and step dad every birthday. I kept the last 20.oo from my mom and the "handwritten"note.

My sweet step dad has tried to keep up the $20.00 for birthdays...i have kept all those. I think I am just keeping them. Don't know why (maybe for a laptop...well that will take a LOT more 20's and LOT more birthdays!) but i am a big "hang-er on-er" to things. Especially when it comes to my parents. My dad passed away 15 years ago and my mom 2 years ago.

I guess i think when i keep things it is a piece of them...my daughter, begs to differ, she says "it's just stuff, it is not grandma"...i know she says that with love and compassion and i see her point.....just sometimes i have trouble letting go.

So back to the 20.00. My birthday is around the corner and is there a 20.00 around the corner?

It matters, but then it doesn't.

This is why...because today...God did a "God smile" to me. I was walking in a grocery store killing time....(some place to kill time???)...and low and behold a packages of Hydrox cookies (a whole display!) were right in front of me!!!Those were my mom's all time favorite cookies (and craved during her cancer period). She always wanted them to come back in stock. She even researched the Sunshine company...but no luck. But they are back to celebrate 100 years and i bought a box...had a few...made some memories...cried...put the rest in a cedar chest...hope i remember they are there.

Anyway....i absolutely LOVE how God does stuff like that. How He constantly reminds me He cares and is in control! Thank you God for my early birthday present from mom. Tell her Hi and I love her.

Moving on....SECOND "TRY"athlon this Saturday on my 50th!!! yes it is a sprint 1/3 mile swim, 10 mile bike, and a 3.1 mile run. I just want to finish and have fun! in that order! So i guess because i am doing this tri....i can truly have my cake and EAT it too! since i worked out just "alittle" on my birthday! Then i get to "chill" for awhile til next season....just keep training and getting stronger. I say this is my last one...but i am already thinking "TOPGUN" in the summer of 09! we will see!

have a great day seeing all of God's blessings (smiles) that He gives you!

Remember "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" (phil 4:13)

Still praying, pedaling, paddling, and pounding the pavement...
betsy

hey...and hi...
I am writing a quick entry. I am off to take brian's car in, making a funny noise. Anyway...i am trying to put God first on my list of "things to do today"....it was biking...but i have learned it the hard way that putting Him first/ that all the rest will get done according to His will. So why fight it. Don't freak out if i am not on my bike by 9 or swimming by 8....just let God do my schedule and it will be such a blessing. I am doing a study on Joshua...we are right around the crossing of the Jordan and building the stone memorial....and i have to ask myself have I built any memorials above God...probably yes....my biking....so i am praying everyday that God releases me from "things" that I put before Him. I want my worship to be focused on Him first. So that is my prayer today...that my eyes will see Him first each day...that my eyes will read His word first each day and that I will pray to Him for guidance and His will in my day. So have you talked to God today? Pray for all who need to know Him. "I can do all things in Christ, who strengthens me".
Praise Him.....

Back home again in Florida

Well, we (as in brian and I) are back from an awesome trip to Bloomington, Indiana. Where we did these things: went to TWO IU football games (who cares if they lost, well Brian does); saw lots of friends, hung out with those friends, got to ride a bike in your "fall/cool" area a WHOLE 7/10ths of a mile (got a flat and gave up--true "Try"ahlete!);ate with friends, got to see my mom's gravesite (very, very hard and FAR too much closure); got to smell decaying leaves (and brought some back); got to wake up and walk outside without sweating (or women "glisten"); ran in the wonderful cool fall air (well it was in the 80's no humidity); got to eat at this great veggie restaurant called "Roots" (loved it, brian is unsure); shopped in every IU shop possible; went to Brown County; went to Cincinnati to see friends; got to take lots of cool pics; got to worship TWICE at our old church (awesome); got to swim at the YMCA and workout with a friend (thanks Sharon); got to see my hubby totally relaxed and laughing with old guy friends (miss them!); got to see FIREPROOF (GO see it) with some friends; got to thank friends that were instrumental in our salvation (do that such a blessing to those you thank and you!) and cried and laughed and slept and so much more. What an amazing NINE days (missed the girls though, they on the other hand loved the "no reminder" week...i.e. "clean your room" "pick up ruth's poop", etc. Get my point...they didn't miss us that much.) Anyway, it was a fabulous time....the friends looked the same but their kids all GREW up! Wow. The children are so much older, but the parents NO WAY are they any older! (because if they were, then i would be older!) So thank you Brian for a very early birthday present and thank you friends for creating lifetime of memories in my head and heart. I love you all very, very much. NOW it is your turn to visit us! (and sweat/glisten).

Have you heard that the new forties is 50....i am so glad since i am ever so quickly approaching that age...which my 16 year old says 50 is old. thanks! I however am young enough to say i never rode in a stage coach to get from one city to the next nor have i ever had to bath in a large tin bucket heated by water off the stove....so i am not old!

Well, my 2nd "try"athlon is fast approaching and my enthusiasm is somewhat there. I just want to run, swim and bike for fun and not to "get ready" for something. But i am extremely thankful that i can do all and them! thank you Jesus for my healthy "youthful" body!

Well, i just wanted to update you all (do i actually have readers?) on our trip up north. Continue to pray for your friends and family and the upcoming election. Pray that Jesus' hand is on it all! Have a great God day....and remember to smile and say HI to atleast 10 people! Later and remember...
still praying, pedaling, paddling, and pounding the pavement.

Hey there blog buddies,
My computer is going in to get "debugged". Have you "debugged" yet? I know I am always in need of spyware check. I am glad though that i have the opportunity to read my bible everyday. Keep it open on my kitchen table. Go to my church and "hang out" with my buddies there. Wow, what a blessing we have to be able to worship as we do. But do we take advantage of it? I need to do it more.
We are doing a new series at our church called "IMAGINE....A fully devoted life". It is a nine week study on looking at our talents, testimonies, treasures, and time (with God). A real heart changing time. I like to imagine a 'fully devoted life' to Christ.. How I would worry less, tell more people about my Jesus, spend time in His Word more, just a 'ton' of things i want to take 'advantage' of more. Oh and setting a good example for our girls! that is such a GREAT advantage of being able to share my faith with Megan and Molly. It is very cool how we share cd's and iPod songs....my new love..Jimmy Needham. Check out this guy and his songs. Very neat and thanks to Molly a cd always in my car! Listen to the song "hurricane" (no pun there, since Ike is out there somewhere...pray for those in his path). Anyway the song is soooo me. It talks/sings about "i need you like a hurricane, crashing down my walls...." okay so the words are not right on....but i do need God to crash down a few walls of mine. But go listen to him...you can on iTunes for free!
Okay so my computer is going to be gone and i am just getting into this whole blogging thing. sorta. And "poof" my computer has to go to the "virus" doctor. So maybe i will work on a few of my own "virus'" while it is gone. Sound good? Sounds good to me. So anyway I hope this finds you smiling and serving ! And spreading some good cheer today. Hey do a random of acts of kindness today....well i am off (and way late) to ride my 12 miles or more and than run my 3 miles! My second Tri is coming up in October and I need to train, train, train! Until later...
Still praying, pedaling, paddling, and pounding the pavement

Finally 2K

My daughter, Megan, who claims to be my blog manager is all over me for not blogging....so here...this one is for Megan.

The picture and the title to this blog is about reaching 2,000 miles on my bike that means 1,000 on my new rubioux in 85 days. I know to some cyclist that is not so sweet...but to this cyclist I love to see that number with all those 0's. Now off to the next 1,000 can't wait to see 5k...cool.

I wanted to blog about my 'lovely' computer and i write that in a sarcastic tone. It has been hit by a virus....ugh. I have spent numerous hours on the phone with verizon. And paid to have someone come fix it. But it is still sick. In all my time of waiting for the computer to let me go online. I have also learned alot about "anti" this and "anti" that...like anti-virus. Oh and there is that James Bond thing..."spyware" and "firewalls" that you don't call 911 about. Gee....but the whole "cleaning my computer and checking for virus' made me think about scanning my own heart, mind and soul for the same thing...virus'. Hmmmm....something to think about. Do I have my firewall initiated? do i have an anti-virus running in me? Yes, the Holy Spirit....is constantly as my Helper. God's Word is my "parental protection"...as my Father, Jesus is constantly there for me. His Word gives me protection, wisdom from so called "virus'" the world may try to put on me. His Word provides a firewall in me and around me. I love that. Although sometimes i get "virus'" and have to run an "anti-virus" on me and go seek God's Word's....and then i feel clean and (no more cookies!). Anyway this is a thought, may be kinda a corny for some of you, but me it is not, especially my recent experience with my computer gave me WAY too much time to think deeply into all this computer lingo! oh well. (megan i hope you enjoy this post)

the numbers are in 2,000 miles on my bike

This is what it looks like...2,000 miles on a bike. i love it. am glad i
ride my bike. try it.

My First Triathlon is finished.

hey...

another post
I did it. I completed my first TRI (athlon). I wanted under 2 hours (which is long for a sprint) and i did it in 1:38. I had an injury and so my run was the pits. but the deal is...I FINISHED...with my family cheering me on. Megs took photos at the end and Molly ran the last leg to the finish telling "you can do it' and "look there it is the FINISH". ahhhhh. they had to walk 3 miles just to see me because of parking. Wow...they did their own sprint. So anyway...my verse held me together.."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil 4:13. I now am back in training for my next one October 25....my 50th birthday. I have learned alot about training and my body. So prayerfully i will be alittle better. I am humbled by those athletes around me. They train hard everyday. They have done this all their lives...they deserve the trophy. And look at what we will see 08-08-08....the olympics....more athletes that have sacrificed so much to represent the USA in Beijing.

phew...what work it is to create a blog

okay...so i did not put "computer" down as my "interest". I am not a computer "savvy" person, nor do i really want to be. I just want to journal on a "simple" blog site, but still have it
be fun and "cute".

thanks to my first born daughter, this was created in about 2 hours...the time it will probably take me to complete my first "try"athlon this Sat. Ha!

so for those who have entered this blog...may it glorify God and be covered in His Grace. I wanted to do thi s blog so i could share some "real simple" thoughts in being a housewife, a mom, and a friend. most of all to share things i have learned in my walk with Christ (and still are learning!). I want to encourage others and maybe even give someone a "happy surprise" through my words of encouragement.

I also hope my stories and thoughts will encourage you and become a "happy surprise". I will explain that in my next blog. May you all have an incredible simple moment and remember "every day deserves a chance." (thanks Max Lucado).