A Future and a Hope...

" People who consider themselves victims of their circumstances will always remain victims unless they develop a greater vision for their lives." Stedman Graham

I have always wanted to be able to give my children and husband more than what they have had. They did not wear name brand clothes and shoes. But I took care to wash their clothes everyday. And when they had a grease spot I got it out, and when they had stains on them I would Oxy them out. I always ironed their clothes before school as well. John always had uniforms from work.

But on the week-ends I ironed his clothes for church and other places we went to.

I had supper prepared every single night for them. I always made sure we had fresh vegetables to eat with our meal. In the Summer we have always had a huge garden with tomatoes, green beans, okra etc.
It was a pleasure to have this garden. I taught my kids how to plant and raise a garden. I never made them work in it because I wanted them to learn to love gardening.

In many respects, it isn't how much money we have. It's how we use the money we have.
We can have a good life with the little we have. It is the attitude of a person that can make or break you.
If your attitude says, " I am going to try to be happy no matter what my circumstances, and try to enjoy my life." You will have happiness.

Haven't you ever meet a rich person who has everything and they are still not happy! They long for nothing. But happiness eludes them.

Then I have seen the poorest of the poor with smiles on their face because they have gotten clothes from a rummage sale!

We have struggled through poverty for years. It can be crushing and defeating if we let it be. But if we put our faith in God He will make opportunities for us. He will open doors only He can open. I want to leave you with this scripture today. and I want to encourage anyone who is struggling today with not having enough money, be encouraged. I am praying for you today that God will help you. Don't give up.
~Nita~

Jeremiah 29: 11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

today's song, There Is None Like You
2nd clip

7 More things....

I have been tagged by Bobbie @ http://grannie-blog.blogspot.com/
and Jennifer @ http://jennifer-juniper-mom.blogspot.com/search/label/books
to list 7 things about myself

1. I love romance.

This past Summer I saw a boy working the window at McDonald's. He had dark brown hair was very tan.
The boy leaned out the window and gave change to a girl he obviously knew.

He pressed a quarter into the palm of the girl's hand, and the way he did it, made my heart skip a beat.

It was like watching something private and intimate.

He held his thumb in her palm for what seemed a full minute. And then circled it on the quarter while holding the bottom of her hand in his.
I watched transfixed.. Just remembering what it had felt like to be touched that way.

2. I watch, Under the Tuscan Sun, once a month.

3.Sometimes, I throw spare change on parking lots for people to find. Quarters and dimes and nickels.

4. Vincent Price is one of my favorite actors.

5. I use to collect comic books. I had at one time over two thousand. I had House of Horror, Ripley's Believe It or Not, every Dracula edition. Superman, Spiderman, The Fantastic Four and many more.

6. When I was a kid I had a secret job of doing the neighbor's dishes for comic book money. I use to do 3 hours of washing dishes every Saturday to spend money on my comics. My Mom never even knew.

7. I was our disk jockey every single morning while we all got ready to go to school, and Mom got ready for work.
I had this old record player that would shock the crap out of anybody who touched it the wrong way. It played 45's, 33's, and 78's. I would ask everybody what they wanted to hear and then line up our music and play it while we were getting ready.
Mom had great taste in music. She allowed us to listen to anything we wanted to. I have a wide interest in all music because of Mom. She use to love, Me and Bobbie McGee by Janis Joplin. And one song that she always listened to when she was sad was, Help Me Make It Through the Night by Sammie Smith.
I could tell each person's mood that morning by the music they would pick.
I remember my favorite part of the mornings would be watching Mom put on her eye liner. She had a gift putting on her make up. She just made it look fascinating.
I would now like to tag Dena~ @ http://swaddlecottage.blogspot.com/ and Robin @ http://thriftymissprissy.typepad.com/ and Susan @ http://blackberrycreek.typepad.com/blackberry_creek/

Today's songs, Help Me Make It Through The Night by Sammi Smith. And my personal favorite from that time and place, This Is For All The Lonely People by America. And Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys my little sister's favorite. That song irritated the @!# out of me but she loved it. (I like it now) But I played it for her every morning.

Elizabeth's Birthday....

Elizabeth had a great birthday! It started the day before her birthday.

I began to save money 6 months before her birthday so I could do fabulous things for her on her 18 Th birthday. I surprised her with a trip to Hollywood hair where we both got manicures and new haircuts.

We loved it. Then I took her to the show and we went and saw Alvin and the Chipmunks. (her choice)

The day of her birthday I had a surprise birthday party for her at Monical's Pizza Parlor. She had alot of friends show up.

Then I hired a limo to take us to Our Lady of The Snow Shrine, where they have the festival of lights.

We have never been there without John, so we called him and talked to him a few minutes while we were going through the lights. It was so beautiful to see the lights through the windows of the limo. I don't think she will ever forget it.

She was so happy. I went over the top for her because her birthdays have always been tinged with sadness,

I think this will be the beginning of a new era. A happy one.

Thanks to all for praying... It really does work. It was the most peaceful birthday she has ever had.

~Nita~