Liz's Letters

Honestly, I cannot believe that I managed to get a photo a day. One day, I missed, but the photo I took was early, early the following morning...so I almost made it. This week was the first week of 10th grade for my daughter, my first week at a new job, my son Aaron flew to Washington DC to visit his brother (no photos of this) and my husband was out of town. Whew! Here is what it looked like....sort of! Sunday, August 23 My mom came to help me this week and one of her main objectives to to make sure our family ate healthy food. This was Sunday night's meal, which she and I prepared together and then she and I ate together. Aaron was at work (ate later that night) and Rebecca ditched us to have dinner with her boyfriend. The spinach salad was her suggestion and then she wasn't even here to eat it. She ate it later though. My mom had picked up fresh ocra at the farmer's market in Tulsa before she came and it was such a treat! YUMMY! The meatloaf? Just good old comfor...

Hooray for Friday! Time for Fill-In's! 1. He was a wolf in sheep's clothing! See number 5! 2. High School Football is what I look forward to most this time of year. 3. My best friend' s are God, my hubby, and my mom. 4. It is easy for me to be honest with you. 5. Appearances can be deceiving. I know it is a cliche', but I have been deceived before...it is something that I want to remember. 6. The last person I gave a hug to was my mom as I was leaving to come to work and she was traveling home to Oklahoma. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out with my hubby who has been gone all week, tomorrow my plans include cycle class, hanging out at home, and then going with my daughter to a friend's birthday party to hang out with the girls and my great friend, Ashley, and Sunday, I want to go to worship services and hang around the house, read a book, and pick up my middle son who has been in Washington DC visiting my older son!

Lately, I have been trying to imagine the words that God would use to respond to me if I had a certain conversation with Him. It all started a couple of weeks ago after an email conversation that I had with a friend. I have to say, I am glad that God does not send me important messages via email, and I should probably take His example to heart and refrain from this myself. But, on this day, I did send a semi-serious message to a friend of mine. I prefaced it with "I know this sounds sort of silly, but I need your prayers..." I continued on to explain something that I was struggling with, and even though it was sort of childish, I really wanted to overcome it. When God said in His word to confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed (James 5:16), I took Him seriously and have tried to find a few people in each season of my life that I can be honest with. In my recovery program, there is a saying, "You are only as sick as your secrets....

How is it that I can be in the second day of a new job and I am so tired that I can barely stay up until this tremendously late hour of 9:00 p.m.? Yesterday, I barely was in the office for 5 hours. I did have to take a drug test...which was odd, never having done that before. (did you know that you cannot flush the toilet and you cannot wash your hands, until your bodily fluid has been sealed?) Today, I did work 7.5 hours...but work is a loose description of how I spent my time. I feel like I have run a marathon! What' s up with that?? Do I need to mention that I couldn't think of an interesting blog post if my life depended on it today? Here's what I do know. Cardiology does not seem as complicated as I once thought. My 22 year old son is old enough to ride a subway alone in Washington DC. (did I really doubt?) Even 47 year old women like to have their mom's around to help. Humility is something that God will always have me work on...or so it seems. I REALLY am a ...

Another week has flown by in my life! Sometimes, a photo for the day was quite difficult, and other days, I couldn't decide which photo to use! Here we go... Sunday, August 16 As part of a plan to accomplish more of what I want to accomplish in a day, or a week, or even in my lifetime, I am scheduling time periods to work on certain projects. Sunday evening is a time that I have scheduled to paying bills and doing necessary paperwork for a more efficient lifestyle. This past Sunday, this is what my desk looked like while I was doing several projects at once...but they all got finished! It is quite empowering to finish things that I need to finish. Monday, August 17 My daughter went on her first date with a young man who can drive. She has been friends with this guy for a long time and recently, the friendship was becoming a little more involved. He turned 16 recently, and asked her if she would go to the movies with him on this day (the first day he officially held his driver'...

Hip, hip, horray...it's Friday! Time for Friday-Fill-In the blank! 1. I remember, I remember exactly how it felt when we first fell in love . 2. Dear Friend I want you to know I forgive you, and I love you . 3. Is that my new car !!??? 4. I'm trying to resist the temptation of eating too much . 5. I'm saving a seat at the restaurant just for you! 6. If I made a birthday list Ashley would definitely be on it!!! 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to celebrating my last day at my old job - going to a lovely place with a couple of my very best friends , tomorrow my plans include cycle class, some pool time, and my mom is coming into town and Sunday, I want to go to church services, plan meals and grocery shop, and see a movie with my mom and daughter - probably Time Travelers Wife (daughter's pick) ! Have a wonderful weekend! Love, Liz

There has been quite a lot going on lately. Not that it is big stuff, but I guess it could be big stuff if you consider a job change "big". So, maybe it is and maybe that is why I am so tired. Or it could be because I have stayed up too late escaping the reality of so much change in my life by reading the last Twilight series book, Breaking Dawn. Or, it even could be all the farming I have been doing on Facebook's Farm Town game. Seriously, I am finding it difficult to believe that I am even participating in that activity, much less, staying up past my bedtime to harvest some strangers virtual potatoes for 20 coins a pop! Lately, though, real life is just tiring. Many of you have asked about the resignation of my job. It would be nice to say that I am retiring, but with one child in college just a little over half way finished, and another who will be going in three years, I will be working for another 7 years or so, unless we strike oil...wait...that might not even...

Rooms Outdoors Big and quiet, cold and hard place to slip away and play Love the room at edge of yard at Grammy's I would stay On that porch the world looked big my imagination soared treasures found; a rock, a twig my mind was never bored A teen, the porch now focal for gatherings of friends At night hides good-night dawdle love whispers, life impends Now my porch I call my own extends the life we live family meals or time alone this space it holds and gives Memories and future fun My favorite room to meet when everything is said and done My porch time's very sweet

August 9 through 15, 2009 has now passed. Sunday, August 9 While spending a little time pool side, I sat amazed at how much the ruella plant has grown. This is the plant that currently has a flower photographed in my header. I bought it two summers ago, on a whim...not knowing what the plant even was. I kept it contained for the remainder of the summer of 2007, but stuck it in the ground in the fall. It has returned every year and it spreads like a weed. However, I love it and I love the memories of when I bought it. Monday, August 10 FINALLY! I gave my notice at my current job today. I have been waiting for weeks, for various reasons, for the perfect time to turn in my letter of resignation. Today was the day and my relief was great! I found myself going home after this day of work to an empty house. My hubby had to travel out of town, Rebecca was busy with band practice, and my son was at his apartment in Denton. I sent out a quick email to a couple of friends - inviting t...

This weeks poetry prompt at Seedlings in Stone was yet another part of the house - the hallway. I pondered all week, having thoughts of what the hallway in my house represents, but struggled with writing a poem. Today's deadline, I sit and write...still rough, unfinished, but the feelings now moved into words. (sigh) This one was difficult. Connected Am I aware That it is where I monitor all Coming and going Making certain that Loved ones stay Tucked in covers Warm and safe Top of the hall Is where I stand Guard, waiting Are you coming? Where are your books? They roll through Doors like bowling balls Running, ready At night in bed A soft glow Each night light tells That sleep has come I read and watch No one moves The hallway still Connecting Brothers Sisters Mom and Dad Just down the hall

My office Monday through Friday this is my view from my seat behind screens Supervising Coding Solving - Today Change is put under way officially resigned My job is good But God saw better and sent an opportunity my way. - So, I begin the good-bye's handing over promising lunches and help Three years of work My first job in Dallas I 'm grateful - Change is good when it comes from God This one is visible location, work The others are hidden deep in my heart changes He makes that no one can see but him and me - Prayers of thanksgiving He takes care of me Includes every part Inside and out I'm glad I hang on When I really can't see and hope that other's see His change in me

One picture a day Week 12 Sunday, August 2 It's that time of year again...football season. And thus for us in the Russell family, Marching Band season. Here is Rebecca getting measured for her marching band uniform. Monday, August 3 This photo could become an entire post because it is very significant... but on Monday of this week, I was having my prayer time, early in the morning, as is customary for me, when I had an epiphany. Much prayer has gone into the relationships that these little figurines represent in my life. Two of these were given to me by friends who are no longer in my life, but at one time, were very special. One of them, was removed from my mantle for over a year, and another, was painful to look at for a few months. The third one, purchased by me, to represent the healing that God has surrounded me with, the Angel of Serenity. God covers all the hurt and pain that surround the loss of the other two. He revealed Himself to me in a new way on Monday. Tuesday, Aug...

Well, it is Friday evening already and I am SLOW getting this post up... doing it anyway because at this moment I am waiting for dinner to be finished. Fill in the Blank! Here I go.... 1. Swimming in my backyard pool is my favorite summertime past time. 2. My favorite John Hughes movies is The Breakfast Club . 3. The skin of people that I love is something I love to touch. 4. The full moon makes me ponder things that I don't normally think about on other moons. 5. I am ready to eat dinner right now. 6. When daylight fades the cicadas begin to sing; they create a melancholy mood in my heart . 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending time with my husband as we celebrate the 29th anniversary of our first date (but our daughter is entertaining a young man...so we can't go out!) , tomorrow my plans include cycling class, a hair appointment for me and my daughter,after which she and I will do a little shopping and then some time spent with my...

(My mom, Dr. Swenning , and Peggy-a solid friend throughout) On Labor Day in 2005, my mom and Ron, her husband of almost 22 years, were returning home from a dinner date with friends. Ron was a motorcycle lover and had just purchased a shiny red Honda Gold wing that looked something like this. He was proud of it and wanted to take it to dinner - gas prices were over $4.00 per gallon at the time and the weather was nice. On the way home, only a few short blocks from their house, they were rounding the corner and hit by a car. The driver had no driver's license because he had too many DUI's . On this day, he was driving, unlicensed , in a car that was not his, and it was not insured. It is likely that he was under the influence as well, although not notated on the accident report. What he was arrested for was hit and run. He fled, probably terrified. A young couple witnessed the accident, got out of their car and stayed with my mom and Ron until the ambulance came. They f...

This weeks Random Act of Poetry prompt is to write a poem about the living room. The living room? I thought the kitchen was stretch enough... :) L.L. Barkat at Seedlings in Stone mentions in her post that she had nothing to say about the living room, but the poem did. I found similar to be true; possibly her comments led me in agreement, but nonetheless, the poem found the words. Thus Living Walls Living Walls The walls wrap around Loved ones, gathered Conversations Sometimes silent Reading, napping The floors hold memories Of babies, crawling Cartoon watching Toys thrown askew Laughing, crying Closing eyes I hear Digital programs Soundtracks, popcorn Ballgames, cheering Dancing, music Shielded, as message That must be shared A tragedy When one must sit down Hugging, holding In contrast lights dance Bright colors and cheer Holidays Presents and parties Singing, giving The room we live in Grow up in, slow down in Together Abiding and searching Cocooning, protected

It has been another week and it is time again to post a picture a day from my life. Let's go. Sunday, July 26 I spent the afternoon transferring activities from various calendars and appointment cards to our family calendar. Rebecca has band, Behind the Wheel driving classes, school schedule pick-up, along with various appointments and invitations, the month of August was looking a little overwhelming. Honestly, I was not relieved when it was all consolidated into one location, but at least I could tell what needed to be moved or canceled. I did not take a photo, but now I am working on syncing my iPhone with my Thunderbird and Google calenders. Whew! Monday, July 27 I drove to work this morning after a big thunderstorm had hit. Some of you know, I commute 23 miles into Dallas for my job and I really don't enjoy driving in the rain. Especially in my new car! Ewww! It got dirty. So, I drove my old car the next two mornings (Tuesday and Wednesday) We had thunderstorms 4...