tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33638756276676615622024-03-14T03:20:56.173-07:00Shelley R. LeeShelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-67826678040579926802015-03-07T12:45:00.003-08:002015-03-07T12:45:40.635-08:00My Blog Moved!My blog has moved to <a href="http://shelleyrlee.com/">ShelleyRLee.com</a><br />
Hope to see you there!<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-74527693477849999592014-10-17T14:33:00.000-07:002014-10-17T14:33:00.821-07:00Month of May in 2015 Devo and My Own Book Coming Soon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2B6iLD3o04uj3MLNjmOJKi2oa-JTvvOF4GsIgc4c57aoIv0f65dsecrRi1ii4Ny_hNtNvyB2Sh9IwWNOIO9U5xKxqr5BdugaKMOoH8xNhyphenhyphenLn3dRv_bk9TXD9foaIfkwgtGPjuUG3X0Ee7/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2B6iLD3o04uj3MLNjmOJKi2oa-JTvvOF4GsIgc4c57aoIv0f65dsecrRi1ii4Ny_hNtNvyB2Sh9IwWNOIO9U5xKxqr5BdugaKMOoH8xNhyphenhyphenLn3dRv_bk9TXD9foaIfkwgtGPjuUG3X0Ee7/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="640" width="520" /></a></div>
The <i>2015 Daily Wisdom for Women </i>devotional by Barbour Publishing will be out in stores soon. I wrote the month of May!<br />
<br />
My first solo book by a publisher, also by Barbour will be released in 2015 (I don't have the date yet). The title is<i>When Jesus Speaks to a Woman's Heart. </i>I can't wait to see it!<br />
<br />
If you want a copy of either for a discount let me know. They don't pay me much to write but I do get the books a lot cheaper and am happy to pass that along to you! : )<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-87853404457536883042014-10-04T14:09:00.001-07:002014-10-04T14:09:35.963-07:00October's Column in Boomers Living Magazine<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusCRL0hLJyQ8AyJCn4r2WByZUQ0bEhDykh6fFy0mzbpTN1Y25yq9rTCpeBnKeRv8bhONwfkCXpidky9tdauUmTrZaFnyqTU5B_25xvE8SYgznVKMxzZizZx9HgTVKk7vFJrlooAdfmEJP/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusCRL0hLJyQ8AyJCn4r2WByZUQ0bEhDykh6fFy0mzbpTN1Y25yq9rTCpeBnKeRv8bhONwfkCXpidky9tdauUmTrZaFnyqTU5B_25xvE8SYgznVKMxzZizZx9HgTVKk7vFJrlooAdfmEJP/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Trevor Lee @trevlee on Instagram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gotta Love A Man’s
World <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tree Climbers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
by Shelley R. Lee<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have kids of any age you have been their first responder
in a number of situations to be sure. I’m not sure if having four sons
increases the rate and frequency of these incidents, but judging from the way
people look at me when I tell some of my stories I’m thinking it does.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One day when my four boys were all school age I heard a
faint but urgent “Mommmm!” coming from the little woods next to our house. The gully,
as they called it, was a boys haven, laden with scrap wood, rusty nails, and
Dad’s missing tools. An utter dream. Unless of course you find yourself
dangling by your ankle from a tree screaming at the top of your lungs which is
the state in which I found Wes after I tore out of the house in search of the
frantic cry that could barely be heard from the house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Standing under his struggling little frame and big tears, I
could give him just enough slack to loosen the rope around his ankle and then
he fell down onto my shoulders. On other days their panicked runs to the back
door with a trail of dripping blood behind them may have been less scary than
this one. Wes had gone out to the gully alone to move a part of the zip line
landing to help his brother who was afraid to go down the zip line. Yes, there
was a zip line. Excuse me, but I feel like you’re giving me that look I was
talking about.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well anyway, we had a good talk afterward, again (just in
case you were judging me), about safety and thinking a few steps ahead of
yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now all in their 20’s three of them are into extreme hammacking,
slack lining and climbing things that the average person would naturally avoid
with the use of common sense. I’m sure glad I had those safety talks with them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But all mishaps aside, fall is a such a great time to hang
out in the woods, but maybe you’re like me and prefer a simple hike with less
potential for being a first responder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Shelley R. Lee,
previously the lone woman in a rambunctious<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>family of four 20-something boys is happy to also have a daughter-in-law
these days. Author of three books, numerous articles and book contributions,
she resides in northwest Ohio with her husband of 28 years, David, a wrestling
coach, of course. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-81223119482094573622014-10-04T13:56:00.001-07:002014-10-04T14:12:15.621-07:00August's Column in Boomer's Magazine<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UqWViPxBg0KgvZsHESSWTcoMgqUcZUSMQHfp8-LZ73AfBC7r5hGa9DL6QfLEdYrsr1zoPQjhGHltXHPe24RMuTmNbfHNbGuLbfCvdaSC-O-J4P2Y32jf1HfMhZfz3wCD40zn04XWRQSK/s1600/IMG_9885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UqWViPxBg0KgvZsHESSWTcoMgqUcZUSMQHfp8-LZ73AfBC7r5hGa9DL6QfLEdYrsr1zoPQjhGHltXHPe24RMuTmNbfHNbGuLbfCvdaSC-O-J4P2Y32jf1HfMhZfz3wCD40zn04XWRQSK/s1600/IMG_9885.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my guys practicing their knife throwing skills on<br />
a roadside stop for tea with an ocean view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><b>Gotta Love a Man’s World</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Guy’s Road Trip<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">by Shelley R. Lee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">At home in Ohio, an urgent phone call from my
husband, Dave, seven states away stranded with three of our sons jolted me out
my happy place. I was done with work and awaiting my flight to spring vacation
in San Francisco where I would meet them later the next day. “Shell, can you
look up repair garages around here, we’re in Rock Springs, Utah…my reception is
horrible. Maybe we need a rental…I don’t know, pretty sure we blew the
transmission.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">These guys love a road trip and most of their
adventures end up with a story something like this. We often travel with the
title of our vehicle, and if you saw our fleet you would understand. But this
journey was the first time we actually had to scrap the old beater in the
middle of the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">When I called that nearest repair garage and
explained the situation a kind man talked slowly to another guy who we later
learned was his brother. His voice echoed across the room, “Oh yeah, I saw
those guys pulled over at the exit. I’ll go back and pick ‘em up.” Sort of a
small town, apparently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The nearest car rental was in Salt Lake City,
over an hour away. One of the brother repairmen offered to take them the next
day, and meanwhile directed them to the only motel in town for the night. My
men decided to do what they usually do for a night’s sleep on the road, use the
van as their room, usually with Dave sleeping on the roof. I should mention
here that the van was locked inside a chain-link gated yard, There was probably
a dog. It seems like there would be a dog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Their next night’s sleep was in a stunning 2012
Subaru Outback where they stopped late at night in pure exhaustion at a park in
San Francisco. When the sun came up they realized they were at the Palace of Fine
Arts, the Subaru windows were all fogged up and the neighbors in this upscale
neighborhood were getting concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Our time together at Alcatraz, the walk across
the Golden Gate Bridge, and all of our wanderings in this spectacular city were
great, but in retrospect, not as entertaining as all the travel antics. I hate
to admit it though, because I typically whine quite loudly and get thoroughly
depressed when I see the rental bills. But hey, we saved a boatload on hotels
those three nights I wasn’t with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Shelley R.
Lee, previously the lone woman in a lively family of four twenty-something boys
is happy to also have a daughter-in-law these days. Author of three books,
numerous articles and book contributions, she resides in northwest Ohio with
her husband of 28 years, David, a wrestling coach, of course. </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></b></i>
<span style="font-size: 19px;">This Boomers edition online: </span><b style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">http://www.frontporchpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BT-Aug2014FINALFINAL.pdf </b></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-60391573192975777182014-06-25T19:24:00.000-07:002014-06-25T19:24:00.587-07:00Hidden Parts and Life's Ledges<br />
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Recently I've been shaken up by someone I care a lot about suddenly wanting to leave their spouse. Then I'm told it's not sudden, it's been bubbling up for quite some time. But it's sudden and shocking to almost everyone who knows them. I get how hard marriage is, make no mistake there. I tend to be more frank about this than my husband, Dave, used to prefer, and I guess I wasn't always comfortable with it either. But I think we're both becoming more open about our struggles, realizing that there are others who need to know they're not alone.<br />
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All of this has me thinking a lot about the hidden parts of me that I don't realize have some level of control over me. I'm talking about the dark and injured parts that are hidden away in my soul. They have the potential to be incredibly destructive to me and those I love if I don't care for them.<br />
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If I don't take the time to think, search myself, process, pray, and feed myself with truth and love I will suffer and in turn, those I love may suffer as well. If I don't get some light shining into those dark places I can't expect to make progress. Here's the thing: I am the only one who can do this work - no one can do it for me and I can't do this work for anyone else.<br />
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I know, this post is no funny, light-hearted bit with a slight spiritual emphasis, but it's been brewing in me for weeks. I feel compelled to share it with you with the hopes that fewer of us will be jumping off the ledges of life anytime soon.<br />
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Maybe this encouragement will help you muster the courage to face something instead of running from it, uncover something instead of bury it, maybe you'll talk to a trusted friend, find a good counselor, or call someone you've wanted to be your mentor.<br />
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We were meant for growth, beauty, freedom, truth, and love. When I give those things to myself somehow I end up seeing that God's been offering them all along. Then, I can begin to bring those things to others. It's weird how that works.<br />
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Some great reads over the past several months on this subject:<br />
Psalm 139 (God, I love King David!)<br />
<i>Defining Decade, </i>Why Your Twenties Matter, by Meg Jay<br />
<i>Daring Greatly, </i>by Brene Brown, PhD<br />
<i>You're The One You've Been Waiting For, </i>by Richard C. Schwartz<br />
<i>Immortal Diamond, </i>by Richard Rohr<br />
Jeremiah 33<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-82903628912872704762014-05-12T21:23:00.002-07:002014-05-12T21:23:20.745-07:00An Anniversary Card Split Four Ways<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZUtaDUC4DBEfiMUmMb8IwnIcHyp24mQ_9XRlkW8VOGMHqhGLh5XeLoCxaR_yf2dec5WP29DKjh_gEW7neRv-omCTi6eq5VgEk6ykEZJWY40Lk-3w6rASh4sb6-5HmuXJgRyekWHEXCe3/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZUtaDUC4DBEfiMUmMb8IwnIcHyp24mQ_9XRlkW8VOGMHqhGLh5XeLoCxaR_yf2dec5WP29DKjh_gEW7neRv-omCTi6eq5VgEk6ykEZJWY40Lk-3w6rASh4sb6-5HmuXJgRyekWHEXCe3/s1600/photo.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brothers David & Ray & I, my parents's Gloria and Ray Maurer.</td></tr>
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This past weekend my entire family met in Florida to celebrate my parents' 50th anniversary. My two brothers, their wives, my husband Dave and I and the 11 grandchildren. It was great! Spring is a nice time for the beach and we enjoyed it.<br />
Along with my parents' milestone, my brother Ray and his wife Katrina, have their 25th coming soon. My son Mitch and his wife Liz, celebrated their 2nd anniversary today, and of course there was Mother's Day. There were a <i>lot </i>of greeting cards getting passed around.<br />
The card for Mitch and Liz was sent with Dave down the hall to Trev, Wes, and Dexter's room for signatures. Dave, you may recall is on pain medication... The card came back with a very nice Mother's Day note to me from Trevor. Wes wrote a sweet Mother's Day note to <i>Grandma</i>. Upon discovering the comical error the boys decided to see if they could get Mitch to sign his own Anniversary card, which they did. He actually read the card and questioned them so they told him it doubled as a Mother's Day card for Grandma.<br />
When Mitch gave their anniversary card to Liz to sign I couldn't let it go on, and we all had a good laugh.<br />
The family enjoyed this story at our Mother's Day lunch the next day. I ripped the card into pieces giving each person their note written on the greeting card for four. Never mind that one of my Mother's Day notes said "appy Anniversa" on the other side of it.<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-81348402952634272582014-05-12T20:48:00.003-07:002014-05-12T20:48:56.356-07:00Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and the Iron Skillet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About two weeks after I returned from the beauty that is California I was diagnosed with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It comes from a tick bite and the spots give it away before the fever just in case you're wondering!<br />
A few days after I was in ER for that and still moving pretty slowly, my husband was in the same ER with a shoulder injury from wrestling. He has a high pain tolerance and was writhing with this thing. They were about to send him home with a pain medication that we knew didn't work that well for him. So, I walked down the hall to the nurses station and explained. Turned out they were giving him one of the strongest they could.<br />
"Can the dosage be increased?" I asked..."No, he's at the highest."<br />
Thinking about this for a moment I asked the nurse, "Do you have...an iron skillet?"<br />
From down the hall we heard Dave, "I heard that!"<br />
It has taken about a month to recover from the spotted fever even thought the spots still linger. But Dave is still dealing with his issue, we ended up in a Florida ER this past weekend with it.<br />
The good news? One more ER visit this month and we'll get frequent flyer hats.<br />
The better news: I appreciate my health a lot these days, and having to rest a lot helped me get more of my writing contract done. It's nearing completion.<br />
I am grateful for much, ER and all!<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-19638013617130089542014-05-12T20:28:00.000-07:002014-05-12T20:28:50.177-07:00Snowy Spring Break <div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsv5Fq6ZEke8-AuTTP3AlpHJvxe5jrevSmrgunBi6lXOhJnYidQ5a9LCxUtJQ3qFdGoXbo8pzBTkMw21VrMJc0R75tVCM9nx9wbEfUzTWrcEZuuw7aHWEIaBUj9DEJaeZ8bzTPT8dXAGa/s1600/iPhoto+Library_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsv5Fq6ZEke8-AuTTP3AlpHJvxe5jrevSmrgunBi6lXOhJnYidQ5a9LCxUtJQ3qFdGoXbo8pzBTkMw21VrMJc0R75tVCM9nx9wbEfUzTWrcEZuuw7aHWEIaBUj9DEJaeZ8bzTPT8dXAGa/s1600/iPhoto+Library_2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a> There are so many good little stories I want to share with you! I signed a little book contract back in March that I've been working on (yayy!) but it has kept me so busy, I feel really behind on my blog. So, here come a few of the best I've got lately. I hope you enjoy them.</div>
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My last post was written after a beautiful day and a half at Yosemite at the start of spring break. The very next morning I woke up in my freezing cold 'heated' tent cabin after a night of what I thought was really loud rain.</div>
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Preparing to meet my son Trevor for breakfast I slipped on my flip flops to head to the community restroom. When I cracked open my cabin door I was shocked to discover it was actually three inches of snow that had plopped on the canvas roof all night. </div>
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My husband Dave, and sons Wes and Dexter, arrived the next day and the same snowy scene reoccurred each morning at Yosemite. It was the most snow they had all winter long. Gorgeous, and of course after this winter I hated it with unparalleled passion.</div>
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The photo here is in the valley where the snow mostly melted by mid-day. The location we would hike 12 miles a couple days later...not the case -- NOT melted. That hike took us through trails with 10 inches of snow for long stretches.</div>
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I have to be honest with you. I cried. "What are we doing in the snow on spring break?!" Horrible.</div>
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Trevor gave me a consoling hug doing all he could to encourage me (and stop the tears, they're way too scary!).</div>
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That was a day of polar opposites. Raging beautiful scenery and ugly, raging melt downs (Yes, a meltdown at 30 degrees -- I like to defy possibility). We left Yosemite two days early opting to drive three hours further west to the beach.</div>
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The beach! Now we're talkin. Driving Highway 1 along the coast was like a fantasy I now liken to unicorns and purple penguins. Unbelievable.</div>
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God is real, people. He sees my discouragement and wants to give me joy. I am so thankful!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our stops along Hwy 1 - Dave on a carved tree stump chair...made for a giant.</td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-89225721932370722812014-03-29T16:16:00.001-07:002014-03-29T16:16:21.682-07:00Twisting Tall<div>After the worst Ohio winter since the Blizzard of '78 I am so thankful to be enjoying spring break at Yosemite. It's beautiful here! </div><div><br></div><div>On a walk this morning my son told me that these trees are black oaks. In a crowd of trees they bend and twist between their taller, straight competitors, to find the light they need to grow. They let branches in the shadows die off that are pulling away energy they need to grow and live.</div><div><br></div><div>It's a perfect life metaphor from God's handiwork. I've been thinking a lot about that today. I need to be like the black oak.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zzVSNF9-4CSDILlFkeo32eljLXyD_IspC237BDecJkjkDxpgFl-1LHFvfp4RYM444IPCFh2bodpyIoa1CWGcRg1qGEHtVYt_U00ylnVoeSpdOZRBhirnBUQRigX46MrRg8zhBwnLF3fv/s640/blogger-image-1828534090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zzVSNF9-4CSDILlFkeo32eljLXyD_IspC237BDecJkjkDxpgFl-1LHFvfp4RYM444IPCFh2bodpyIoa1CWGcRg1qGEHtVYt_U00ylnVoeSpdOZRBhirnBUQRigX46MrRg8zhBwnLF3fv/s640/blogger-image-1828534090.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-79220178551597263412014-01-26T15:35:00.002-08:002014-01-26T15:35:59.026-08:00Springish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This winter in northwest Ohio has really been something and it's not even February yet!<br />
To attempt to explain this photo (on one level anyway), there have been several days in a row of lots of snow and below zero temps. The other day: -37 with wind chill (are we in Alaska?!!). So naturally, yesterday when we hit a high of +28, the fifty degree swing felt like spring. The snow and wind didn't let up though and everything was cancelled which left everyone home.<br />
I am prone to a bad attitude when life doesn't go my way which is most of the time. This, combined with cabin fever called for creative solutions to keep me going. And there you have it.<br />
If I could remember that all of life is this way, calling for creative solutions, I would be in the hot tub more often (even if my face is freezing!).<br />
Happy wintering everyone, wherever you find yourself.<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-73481513733575042302013-12-25T14:16:00.000-08:002013-12-25T14:40:14.848-08:00Flat-backed Wise Men and Hope<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A wise man or two have been flat-backed in the bustle of the advent season, but the nativity remains intact under the tree. The center white candle on the advent wreath was lit today. The Christmas goodies were fair game at breakfast, which for us this year came closer to lunch time. I know it's a different season in life when I have to wake up my children so I can still say, "It's Christmas morning!" I love it.</span><br />
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This year is even more unusual -we are holding off our usual Christmas morning for two extra days until our oldest son, Trevor, gets home. It has really changed my focus this year.<br />
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I find myself thanking God for my family, for my loyal, hard-working husband. For each of my sons, and the wonderful young ladies they have brought into my life. For my daughter who I'll see in eternity. For my good friends, and my family members. The Thank-You-God list goes on for pages.<br />
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Of course, intermingled with the blessings of life are the hardships and challenges, a list that feels much longer sometimes than the thank you one. And <b>here is where my focus shifted this year. </b>Along with turning worries into prayers more than I have previously, I realize as solid as ever, that without Hope I have nothing.<br />
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Hope that God has a plan for every baffling thing (of which there is no shortage...I think I mentioned that).<br />
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Hope that eternity will be beyond my wildest imaginations and dreams.<br />
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Hope that my life here will make an eternal difference for others.<br />
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Hope for ongoing personal growth, and authentic, rich relationships.<br />
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This Hope, the eternal kind, is what I celebrate at Christmastime. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Eternal life and redemption right now, are only possible through the Savior Christ who came as a babe for the likes of you and I.</span><br />
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That's it. Hope. Without it I shrivel and die.<br />
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Merry Christmas. Truly.<br />
With Hope Eternal,<br />
Shelley<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-28782062606307502802013-11-30T10:18:00.001-08:002013-11-30T10:18:16.360-08:00I Spy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8y_vHG4ddgTRaTMpejI9aGKJ_4p5TL5AESk3-Um0EZYQMskN6DUvPqQUT79WZYu9bWZUKda7H_oz4wXioZSL9W5ea7TKpmiK1YJuwkyR74TiwHdFliZmbIkFulTNdO_P6LNgXQvhMpMn/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8y_vHG4ddgTRaTMpejI9aGKJ_4p5TL5AESk3-Um0EZYQMskN6DUvPqQUT79WZYu9bWZUKda7H_oz4wXioZSL9W5ea7TKpmiK1YJuwkyR74TiwHdFliZmbIkFulTNdO_P6LNgXQvhMpMn/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Fall and Christmas are colliding at my house this weekend like an I Spy page.<br />
<br />
I look forward to this time each year - it feels good to cast off the rotting pumpkins and bring on the lights that brighten up my shorter days.<br />
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This year though as I reflected on this scene on my counter top and the melding of the seasons it was a sobering metaphor. Fallen, decaying things are layered in with the redeemed and twinkling. Somehow this is beautiful. I made a nice photo of it (if I do say so myself), and God, well, He really shows off in this department.<br />
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This Christmas season I am going to make a point of looking for it.<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-58204639442039748202013-10-09T21:59:00.000-07:002013-10-09T22:00:32.128-07:00Homemade Cat Door<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NIjAeVMZB9wtuNB_jl4CqUNVQjfcRzrrSs7-T4yxM1PQefnlL7Xtj5vmzNZ-pOpd0QSaQGyv_2fLuVHjhyj3mjbtMCT2kV_J4qlvNMGvipvAIpyRrfpUlSGLKG3UVbU9apBBw8HEgi3z/s1600/IMG_7704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NIjAeVMZB9wtuNB_jl4CqUNVQjfcRzrrSs7-T4yxM1PQefnlL7Xtj5vmzNZ-pOpd0QSaQGyv_2fLuVHjhyj3mjbtMCT2kV_J4qlvNMGvipvAIpyRrfpUlSGLKG3UVbU9apBBw8HEgi3z/s320/IMG_7704.jpg" width="238" /></a>So this kitty, Jak Jak's his name, found a quarter sized tear in the screen and made his own cat door that worked really nicely for him (it's shaped a lot like a large hole...right there). It turns out that his ingenious handiwork only got him part way in this case. He needed someone bigger to open the door, preferably someone with thumbs, to get him out from between the doors.<br />
<br />
It hit me (sort of hard) that no matter how much I work, how hard I try, and even finish a project (that may or may not be as innovative as the cat's door) there are so many things that I cannot accomplish all alone. I need help.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkI9R7srikUlrWqZbwmvzKnD1_obd4bKldz9ZMdRUScz61vbbgw0yUe6mUX6s6vYc1P0tVY-2FMVB_LYRR8pZxzvbuz3kIVRTJiDNCA1OxkmGfjsISpojb7-oCgRvefsRCVIK-mVcF5phR/s1600/IMG_7470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkI9R7srikUlrWqZbwmvzKnD1_obd4bKldz9ZMdRUScz61vbbgw0yUe6mUX6s6vYc1P0tVY-2FMVB_LYRR8pZxzvbuz3kIVRTJiDNCA1OxkmGfjsISpojb7-oCgRvefsRCVIK-mVcF5phR/s320/IMG_7470.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitch and Endo on flooring day one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We spent the month of September tearing out a wall between two rooms, painting, tiling, and putting down wood flooring on most of the first floor. The wall part required a professional who knew how to remove a load bearing wall and put it all back together nicely (thanks John Light!). The paint required patience and input from paint pros and Home Depot. The tile required my husband's help with cutting (Thanks Dave!). But the biggest part of the project was the flooring which ended up being a 12 day adventure that a good friend (thanks Endo!!) and our sons helped us with. We could not have done it alone. <br />
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I got to thinking how many ways this is like life. We weren't meant to do this life alone. I can only get so far by myself. In my job. In my family. In my relationships. Even in my faith. To get past my efforts, my hole in the screen, and through the door requires the hands of others. Sometimes the hand of God.<br />
Most of the time, both.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktpc24hMwFUcwpLfD0pvvPZiqtboYfgzzAqP7JF56upAk4zWFMwS2PYasVQLepcgwYxgwr6CYDyXBcO1AYbHplM406UTjoLHTZoWTcEHXAarJG3eIoWpEtZzVyVZHF6LqVTuPtWiPFoMU/s1600/IMG_7625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktpc24hMwFUcwpLfD0pvvPZiqtboYfgzzAqP7JF56upAk4zWFMwS2PYasVQLepcgwYxgwr6CYDyXBcO1AYbHplM406UTjoLHTZoWTcEHXAarJG3eIoWpEtZzVyVZHF6LqVTuPtWiPFoMU/s320/IMG_7625.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thankful for the help and this space!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-64252816958794504082013-08-14T17:51:00.002-07:002013-08-14T17:51:25.544-07:00Dizzying Spin of Life<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhywx5HXNesdBdMsE9E9Kmp-jiC76UFi9FPcehjI8NR7P8HLNjdhga_CBDiYSF5Xmxw-KdEPDFQsOt-5E26cx39xtqe1Vm65OHMe3KeydVpyR7sFNigJMLODuc6kjNybqVpR7fs5v25ccu/s1600/IMG_7293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhywx5HXNesdBdMsE9E9Kmp-jiC76UFi9FPcehjI8NR7P8HLNjdhga_CBDiYSF5Xmxw-KdEPDFQsOt-5E26cx39xtqe1Vm65OHMe3KeydVpyR7sFNigJMLODuc6kjNybqVpR7fs5v25ccu/s400/IMG_7293.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere in this northwestern sky the Big Dipper<br />will be close to pouring out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Almost there. Almost to the time of year when the Big Dipper sets at the perfect angle in the sky, as if it's pouring out deliciousness.<br />
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Another summer season passes by, faster than the last as always. Life, I've noticed, does not stop its urgent and tiring demands, the world does not stop spinning for me to get caught up.<br />
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It is dizzying.<br />
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But tonight I sit and watch my view of the miracle of galaxies and get my balance back.<br />
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<br />
<br />
God spins it all in perfect timing, beyond even the beginning of my comprehension. Why do I struggle to accept that He will do the same in my own whirling world too?<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-74923556950646595532013-07-20T11:55:00.000-07:002013-07-20T11:55:10.098-07:00Sideways Rain and Sleep-in Saturday after Half Dome Crazy Climb<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFh5tLLt0nEnLMernwAjs8odkEY011Rc6wfgnTPt6OJ-73u5yjoXY0FhPjYosnODbOppCTGpCZLtQtzmNtjP018L6JAsw4lhAeetINfH-3ZTPClVFAyhhv8co7QxjFkIYmQ47Q82VNcAEX/s1600/sideways+rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFh5tLLt0nEnLMernwAjs8odkEY011Rc6wfgnTPt6OJ-73u5yjoXY0FhPjYosnODbOppCTGpCZLtQtzmNtjP018L6JAsw4lhAeetINfH-3ZTPClVFAyhhv8co7QxjFkIYmQ47Q82VNcAEX/s320/sideways+rain.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Thunder boomed suddenly and skies opened up this morning at roughly...5:21 a.m. I know this mostly because the dogs were freaking out and banging on my door to be let in for comfort to their panicked selves.<br />
No efforts to calm them were fruitful. They wanted to try nearly every room in the house and whined in every location. Even the cat was crying for our attention.<br />
Somewhere around 6 a.m. when my husband had the dogs and cat calmed in the guest room I heard the water alarm in the basement. Barely conscious I plodded down to find the corner of the basement beginning to flood. Rain continued in sheets, and at 7 a.m. the sump pumps were starting to catch up, keeping the flood out in the yard. Dave babysat the pumps while I dropped back to bed only to be awaken again at 8 a.m. by the dogs who had been left outside and had something to say about it. I looked outside, bleary eyed. Sideways rain greeted me at the front window, wet dogs at the back door. <br />
Thank God this all gave way to the dogs being as exhausted as me and I got a much needed sleep-in Saturday. Good thing too, as this week was a busy back to work week which followed a crazy fun vacation week out west to see our oldest son, Trevor, who works at Yosemite National Park.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7kW-ZJyBMwl27jbn1YtGo0cLervvelOF6_T4N2fc_jHOocfUJYXZMP1rdIoJoWCJK7u9rapS5Xa8gSMNXJtqNKVY75pmIDccorBzKOxfbyEp1hyX6l53VaxfAnwq2OKhgxz4XWkfGu3_/s1600/half+dome.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7kW-ZJyBMwl27jbn1YtGo0cLervvelOF6_T4N2fc_jHOocfUJYXZMP1rdIoJoWCJK7u9rapS5Xa8gSMNXJtqNKVY75pmIDccorBzKOxfbyEp1hyX6l53VaxfAnwq2OKhgxz4XWkfGu3_/s400/half+dome.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on top of the Half Dome, Yosemite Valley below.</td></tr>
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As is the norm, my kids get me into some things I wouldn't necessarily choose myself. This time: hiking the half dome! This is the mile high hunk of granite that the North Face brand logo is in the shape of. We hiked the rounded part (which puts us in the saner category theoretically). The top 800 foot ascent is nothing but cables to pull your self up on at over a 60 degree angle. What an accomplishment this was, mentally even more than physically. In the end it was about a 20 mile day, one which water and pizza have never tasted so good. It was great to spend this day with Trevor's friends Tim and Sydney too.<br />
Dave and I were reminded of that big day with each step in the proceeding days of our California stay. Dave, Trevor, and I also saw Tuolumne Meadows in our rental convertible, we floated down the Merced River until Trevor's raft blew a hole, and we ate at the beautiful Ahwahnee Hotel. Dave and I rode mules on rocky trails with our new friend, Sydney, as one of our guides. It was awesome!<br />
Our flight home was out of Las Vegas, but before the flight we managed to eat dinner at the 107 story revolving Stratosphere, see the famous Bellagio fountains, and Hoover Dam. When we returned home we had our 6th wedding of 8 this summer, and Cedar Point with the kids last Sunday. What a great and full week of vacation!<br />
I guess today's sideways rain and Saturday sleep-in was just what I needed. Thank God the dogs are still sleeping.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-76731679271694596082013-06-17T19:56:00.002-07:002013-06-17T19:56:31.923-07:00Brokeness and Light <br />
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All the stuff in my life is broken or in the process of breaking. I know this theoretically means that these things were at one time whole. I'm not sure. All I know is that I feel like I'm always on the fixing end. Maybe it's because I try to be frugal and own a lot of old things, but I get discouraged trying to keep up in this broken world. Or maybe it's because kittens are rescued at my house and then they reproduce. OK, that's just a side issue that's compounding things. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaBQ_Y1X3NplYOYgQEvA_MZyrpNi6HNkPIeGyVqa_Qb6lPn8hanWIkJiJccdpCZaW1hpnxQOjcO2Yv3BBfVgV79NZEzVdU7mHqxT_nI9_nd98lTqClABwb72Tkrn8v7paweJki_PQnbpa/s1600/summer+sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaBQ_Y1X3NplYOYgQEvA_MZyrpNi6HNkPIeGyVqa_Qb6lPn8hanWIkJiJccdpCZaW1hpnxQOjcO2Yv3BBfVgV79NZEzVdU7mHqxT_nI9_nd98lTqClABwb72Tkrn8v7paweJki_PQnbpa/s400/summer+sunset.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
I bought a hot tub from a friend that I can't get running. I was about
to replace the plug when my husband pulled in with a replacement
outdoor heater that had stopped working after two uses, and now needed
assembled...again. Meanwhile, my hot tub fix didn't work. In discouragement I set down my screwdriver and walked to the
river toward the sunset.<br />
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Somehow when little things like this bother me I am reminded of the bigger things that are broken. Relationships, and hearts, trust, and dreams, and I have to guard against self implosion. <br />
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But thank God, the beauty of the sun, a light that we cannot extinguish reminded me that not everything is completely broken. There is hope and warmth, literal light in the darkness. And of course this too is a small thing that reminds me of a bigger thing - God's eternal hope, redemption, and love that absolutely cannot be extinguished. I can lay my head on my pillow and welcome sweet dreams on this note.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-6210813814061132372013-04-28T13:22:00.000-07:002013-04-28T13:22:09.488-07:00A Place for You<br />
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About a month ago we realized that our 'kitten' Eva’s belly was getting
unusually large. She either had a massive tumor that kicked and squirmed or she
was pregnant. This past Monday Eva, not quite a year old herself, had a load of kittens.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYYE2-AufpY1XDgwC9LJW3Rf_73-bJFJt_Kpt9uMQisntvF14Ky0yCoLrHbdABdyedTWHUp88RfRYQUxrJI2KiuldrCZhOge-5-S3CFAsLf-EpZG3CvewKlSmNUEzJK_a9jDRla7ZgICW/s1600/Eva's+crew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYYE2-AufpY1XDgwC9LJW3Rf_73-bJFJt_Kpt9uMQisntvF14Ky0yCoLrHbdABdyedTWHUp88RfRYQUxrJI2KiuldrCZhOge-5-S3CFAsLf-EpZG3CvewKlSmNUEzJK_a9jDRla7ZgICW/s200/Eva's+crew.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva in the linen closet</td></tr>
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When I realized she was in labor I went out of my way to see this happen, I mean it's not every day that you can see kittens born. I was also concerned for her safety.
She was afraid and had disappeared when I left the room briefly. I finally found her inside a stack of
blankets in the linen closet. Her water had broken by now. I threw the blankets in the wash and put her on a towel in a
laundry basket next to me while I worked on my laptop all morning (pretty slowly).</div>
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Sitting beside her I fended off Bruce, the 19.4-pound ruler of Lee cats, who was way too
curious and making Eva angry. At one point in labor she jumped out of the basket and went after him. He got smacked a couple times.</div>
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Eva had six kittens that day and was completely
exhausted. I was in awe (and put it on YouTube).<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had been thinking a few days earlier just how many cats there are in the world (that's overwhelming...), millions and millions I'm sure, and many of them unwanted. And to think that every one of these kittens
is God's handiwork. And even though cats are not valued highly by most, God knows every one. Every cat
hiding in my woods waiting to pounce on the little ladies (and did). Every cat in the world. I know, this sounds a little silly, but that’s just the <i>cats</i>. He knows every other species too. That’s how<i> big</i> He is. <o:p></o:p></div>
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That's pretty big.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dEMPsexejHfyty43aGumTjdDmlHP8121x15oWBhVcy33iMn5Japz12caW_8yWaEDGG2mSKEDPnaOTjSWxSSWvdVEGowjaCb4bEMd-jxx9vC6tUr1hlXmKgAkiOvDkyzpcPPrLP06_VbS/s1600/bench+at+sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dEMPsexejHfyty43aGumTjdDmlHP8121x15oWBhVcy33iMn5Japz12caW_8yWaEDGG2mSKEDPnaOTjSWxSSWvdVEGowjaCb4bEMd-jxx9vC6tUr1hlXmKgAkiOvDkyzpcPPrLP06_VbS/s320/bench+at+sunset.JPG" width="239" /></a>Recently I began reading Charles Martin books (fiction) and love his work. So much so, that the first book I read,
Thunder and Rain, I thought, “That’s the sort of thing I’d like to write. But
he already did it.” Who needs my
writing? There are thousands and
thousands of writers better than me. I felt really small and inadequate regarding my writing for many weeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The other morning God brought both of the above thoughts
back to my mind while I sat and admired His spring work outside. If God has purpose for each of his creatures,
tiny and unwanted, and all, He certainly has a place for my writing. It was like God was saying, “That’s what I’ve been
trying to tell you.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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I don't know if that makes sense to anyone else, but I'm hoping it does. At least to maybe the one person I was supposed to write it for. God has a purpose for each of our abilities and places in life. No one can be the influence that you can. No one but you.</div>
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Tasteful cat birth video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSMQXOeX6Tk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSMQXOeX6Tk</a></div>
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Also note: I am currently accepting adoption applications : ) and one kitten from another cat is ready now!</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-78395514376897264622013-03-04T17:07:00.000-08:002013-03-04T17:07:28.517-08:00Hope Resurrected<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfj23vmUdeWs-eQCHzo4fNZgGgYdnd2yL3KlQ5-6NfVALJJauCyvuWnYRoEwHI_rw5Dr9o81sETlw8AL5Grhw5IEHtxLmh9HtFjBc4VCwHKU0b9gydGFrtNgL3pCTe6qFv15oDXyQLJm3/s1600/Zelda's+baby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfj23vmUdeWs-eQCHzo4fNZgGgYdnd2yL3KlQ5-6NfVALJJauCyvuWnYRoEwHI_rw5Dr9o81sETlw8AL5Grhw5IEHtxLmh9HtFjBc4VCwHKU0b9gydGFrtNgL3pCTe6qFv15oDXyQLJm3/s400/Zelda's+baby.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
Nothing sounds the trumpet of spring more than new life. And I know it's early, but Zelda, the roadside stray I picked up while running last year, had four sweet babies. Zelda, you may have heard, has kangaroo hopping skills and is seriously the friendliest cat I've ever known (so...if you you need a furry Easter gift I can hook you up!). This one (pictured at left) comes with a bold M on her forehead.<br />
In other pet news from the zoo, my good friend Tracey was taking care of our crew last weekend while we were away. She texted me with concern over our 5 year old dog who acts 10. Zoey would not get off the couch at 1pm to go outside, Tracey reported. My response: Zoey likes to lounge all day, no worries there. Zoey also knows that she's not allowed on the couch, additionally, she knows that you don't know! <br />
What a dog! Zoey is smarter than she lets on.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPx65hpiLW8zonk0vAJL7oYTtiko7Y70T8q9VqmqKrXbg7nSeeHn_hP2jzRWHCfSxiKjtWiHfMxtxGqSaM-uNY-dHlpY-teh4k0uIRIcNYhDaPJP1kHdIsghKa65-jxt-QNo41Oqse881/s1600/signs+of+spring.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPx65hpiLW8zonk0vAJL7oYTtiko7Y70T8q9VqmqKrXbg7nSeeHn_hP2jzRWHCfSxiKjtWiHfMxtxGqSaM-uNY-dHlpY-teh4k0uIRIcNYhDaPJP1kHdIsghKa65-jxt-QNo41Oqse881/s320/signs+of+spring.JPG" width="239" /></a> Yesterday, the animals followed me around outside while I put the chairs around the fire ring on my beach. If that isn't exciting! I don't even care if I sit out there in a snow flurry at this point I tell ya, spring is coming!<br />
There are birds that I haven't heard since the fall, and the ground is getting softer. The sun has come over to the other side of the house and it doesn't set until a whopping 6:30 these days.<br />
I know each of these things are small but when I up-righted my rickety wind blow pathway arch, all I could think is that hope is resurrected! Hope for spring, a time we traditionally celebrate the resurrection that changed everything.<br />
In so many ways, I am thankful.<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-1017251399907626352013-02-09T12:44:00.001-08:002013-02-09T12:44:28.012-08:00Listen to the Sign<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The sign said STOP, so I did.<br />
This is not usually my habit when I'm out for a run. However, when I took a stretch break I was taking a photo and accidentally switched to video mode. This shut off my music (I recently discovered that these two things cannot run at the same time). It was suddenly and beautifully quiet on this mild winter day of blue skies.<br />
A few cars were coming, which usually means I start running again. I'm not sure why exactly I do this, I guess I feel stupid just standing there concerned about people's wonderings about me. But, I looked up and saw the stop sign and felt I should obey it. <br />
I just stood there on the side of the road listening to a few distant birds chirping, a gentle breeze, and the gentle hum of the highway traffic half a mile away. I waved at passersby and let them wonder.<br />
I realized how few times in life that I actually just stop. Stop and think. Stop and listen to what's around me. Stop and be still. Just stop. <br />
These were good moments today. I think God was reminding me to slow down and enjoy life more, experience it rather than rush through it. It was refreshing to focus on what is good, true, and beautiful around me, to calm my anxiety over the things that are not. It's so freeing to just stop and breathe.<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-70981463266284559722013-01-07T16:57:00.002-08:002013-01-07T17:03:12.743-08:00Fear?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me during the Thanksgiving family photo shoot on the roof.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On Thanksgiving day my son Trevor had this great idea to get a family photo <b>on the roof.</b> I've been game for many an adventure when my boys invite me along - after all, one's children have unparalleled persuasive powers.<br />
So while the extended Lee family finished the holiday meal preparations in the kitchen our crew headed to the peak of the house. Getting up the ladder was no issue, nor was the slight porch roof. It was the 10/12 pitch on the front side that was surprisingly a little scary with asphalt granules rolling around under the tread of my shoes...and hands (excellent to excessive exfoliator).<br />
Not everyone opted for the roof. Mitch and Liz are in the open window and I don't blame them! Getting the photo (seen in my Christmas blog just prior to this one) was the easy part (thanks to Wes' girlfriend Chelsey who did the clicking). Getting down from the roof was the really scary part. I chose to take my time with three sons and my husband surrounding me (and suggesting my every next move). I tried backwards walking which the boys make look easy. No go. I tried on my belly. Truly a flop. Sitting and taking small crab steps worked best. This process took so much effort that by the time I reached the easy ladder descent I got a cramp in the arch of my foot! We all had to laugh. Oh my gosh, it was an adventure!<br />
There was healthy fear (the kind that saves your life), and associated fear -like when Trevor got too close to the edge I feared losing another child (not really irrational but a little displaced). Thankfully I didn't have panicky fear, but it all got me thinking about the role of fear in my life. So, I've been looking up a lot of verses on fear, and a healthy fear of God. I have a feeling that some upcoming blog posts will address this topic.<br />
In the meantime, I'm afraid I'm going to miss out on a 75% off post Christmas sale so I better get going. Let's talk about retail fears some other time.<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-3384089240648378092012-12-11T13:45:00.000-08:002012-12-17T20:20:12.469-08:00Christmas!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3c3Y2gtJAR_6Wx24duhHhisLnqtLCZLuVeZqKs_VscPc3bYDKcDRvJ_Yw98UpJNMWQSkQJK9ogBJ9qW8R1MdtiPfxh-eu21oyAXi78fTs27tqTxIF2JymaW_vyOJ8lJ35yj0ql23zoMuf/s1600/Thanksgiving+Photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3c3Y2gtJAR_6Wx24duhHhisLnqtLCZLuVeZqKs_VscPc3bYDKcDRvJ_Yw98UpJNMWQSkQJK9ogBJ9qW8R1MdtiPfxh-eu21oyAXi78fTs27tqTxIF2JymaW_vyOJ8lJ35yj0ql23zoMuf/s320/Thanksgiving+Photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving Day photo by Trevor (2nd from Right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Greetings!</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is the family Christmas letter.
Yep - online this year! Oh boy. It's not that I'm super tech savvy,
people have been doing this for years. But when I told Trevor that I find I'm a bit ahead of the IT curve for my age, he
replied, "Yep Mom, you could teach a thing or two to the people at the
nursing home…"this is a QWERTY keyboard. "" If you don't know what that is
I've proven my point, unless of course, you are online at the nursing home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2012 was a packed year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boys are so grown now that I
don't feel like I should be the one sharing their news - so I will
give you a quick rundown and then if you want to you can chase them down using your own
QWERTY or cell phone (have you heard of these devices? Very handy).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In chronological order (hence to
avoid the endless favoritism jokes)…Dexter finished the wrestling season
at 6th place in the state of Ohio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
of us went to San Francisco for spring break which was awesome (except for the
part where the van gave up the ghost in Utah).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mitch graduated the first weekend in May from BGSU. Mitch and Liz (Wagner) got married May 12th
(with the reception in a huge tent in our front yard, it was beautiful!). Dexter
graduated two weeks later. Two days after that Trevor moved out west for the
summer. I painted Mitch's old room a pretty pastel yellow for a new
office. Wes moved back home to go back to college and pursue an education
degree (he is enjoying the pastel yellow).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dexter and Wes started college at Findlay Owens in August. Trevor moved
back home in September. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Throughout all of this Dave
continues to enjoy teaching and coaching (most days), and the lawn business he
built to help the boys through college has grown a lot. I am in my fifth year
at BG Christian Academy in development, and have been writing a lot more (my
website is even up and running at www.shelleyrlee.com).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We find ourselves as challenged as
ever, and at the same time, as grateful as ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We hope you have a wonderful
Christmas and a fabulous 2013 (well, I mean some of it anyway, because we do
still live on earth as humans and it isn't ….well, why did I even use the word
fabulous?) - have a good one!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDaSjw11UecpDeGbu51MoUgVZQp4Z4cJDeyxcvfj_wYKeH3GAKR5hIMhziLm_pGU41gv-knwYTqU-4v7OuKxGiIGDHNNztoSPuTsTz9L-lip4xhztGcGpxEidnOd1Hvc3N2Bt3t_oAVQN/s1600/frank+and+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDaSjw11UecpDeGbu51MoUgVZQp4Z4cJDeyxcvfj_wYKeH3GAKR5hIMhziLm_pGU41gv-knwYTqU-4v7OuKxGiIGDHNNztoSPuTsTz9L-lip4xhztGcGpxEidnOd1Hvc3N2Bt3t_oAVQN/s320/frank+and+tree.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dave &
Shelley Lee and boys</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A little Christmas laugh:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frank LOVES tennis balls so
I got a bag of them for him for Christmas. I hid them in a shopping bag where he found them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hid them in the attic where he
whined at that door. I wrapped the tennis balls so I could show him they were
not in the attic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tennis balls are
in a box under the tree where he was whining today.</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2PLxazczeVG3v4KTWv8jeflu0SidpNvF5dndtbco7X7v7bLmwCGK7lJu-fC69OfJsnGEEzdN7Sn_nDXX4ITutYCWg8mI0dT5SKixFSTmremoHY8GKG8R43NcFW1M5urp_FZoec8DkakG/s1600/Altar+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2PLxazczeVG3v4KTWv8jeflu0SidpNvF5dndtbco7X7v7bLmwCGK7lJu-fC69OfJsnGEEzdN7Sn_nDXX4ITutYCWg8mI0dT5SKixFSTmremoHY8GKG8R43NcFW1M5urp_FZoec8DkakG/s400/Altar+photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And here we all are at the
wedding!</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> Happy to welcome Elizabeth
Lee to the </span>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Family. : )</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-39670266852895210182012-12-04T18:19:00.000-08:002012-12-04T18:19:52.380-08:00Frank's Favorite Shade of Christmas Gray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eOcbi7VhamMPLIfwOK3GBSfwcWYWkSGSBgMuZfSsfv-c72CQ9DGn_kXNZtYw3vkr9j_QgWNaNV3fy4oCJS56a88wYmobSMuSD70iGfhlSLrUaO6oPAYstjtsLGGzXPblW3ESgYCR9eOj/s1600/Frank+Tennis+Balls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eOcbi7VhamMPLIfwOK3GBSfwcWYWkSGSBgMuZfSsfv-c72CQ9DGn_kXNZtYw3vkr9j_QgWNaNV3fy4oCJS56a88wYmobSMuSD70iGfhlSLrUaO6oPAYstjtsLGGzXPblW3ESgYCR9eOj/s400/Frank+Tennis+Balls.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
During a quick pick-up-a-few-groceries stop today I grabbed a bag of tennis balls for Frank for Christmas. Yes, even the pets get a little something.<br />
I set the bag containing the beloved toys, in his favorite shade of gray, on the counter to keep them out of his sight until I could put them in the attic (and now I've given away my present hiding spot...).<br />
On my way upstairs I paused and set the bag down to gather a couple other things that needed to go up. When I turned around there was Frank alerting me of the presence of the balls. It was as if he was thinking "There they are, all this time! (He loses them like it's his job.) Could you get them out of that mesh trap please?" <br />
I would have been heartless to put them all away. Seriously, look at that face. Plus, he would have whined until Christmas at the door he saw them last go through. So I took one out for him. It made me truly joyful to see him so happy.<br />
He has been treasuring that ball all evening and bounces the spit laden wonder toward you with pride. (Sidenote: I just heard it bounce down the stairs).<br />
I got to thinking how God loves to bless us too, how pleased it makes Him to see us happy. Yet, He knows the perfect time to take the gift out of the attic (...and how to perfectly hide it from us). Sometimes when we get the gift it seems way overdue , but He knew it was right on time.<br />
This Christmastime I find myself grateful for God's infinite wisdom, and that it included a way for me to get to Him. More than any gift ever, and more than ever, I treasure this.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-26853793006919351762012-10-23T20:04:00.002-07:002012-11-05T17:19:52.320-08:00Untangle the Wind Chimes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfORJFp00_XbZRCuMk5k87t0EJGI1JZDKHEwGnZr2JhnmtbzxKsj3d9ZQ_rIPV929jSb8AcSjNAmRWQvVLWS7w_1zH_uacTJ5Eer13rkv_-LDUKLNZiclyS_7ieFC3hRsUrUG0c2UAowbQ/s1600/Kim+Lee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfORJFp00_XbZRCuMk5k87t0EJGI1JZDKHEwGnZr2JhnmtbzxKsj3d9ZQ_rIPV929jSb8AcSjNAmRWQvVLWS7w_1zH_uacTJ5Eer13rkv_-LDUKLNZiclyS_7ieFC3hRsUrUG0c2UAowbQ/s400/Kim+Lee.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I really wanted more to laugh about, but some days are harder that way.<br />
I could have used an Apples-to-Apples family game moment, like the time Trevor chose <i>glazed donut</i> to go with <i>spineless </i>and WON<i>. </i>I'm not sure exactly why it was so funny at the time, but it was and we still laugh about it.<br />
I would have enjoyed something like when the kitten Zelda chased the dog Frank's ball alongside him and hopped like she was a cross between Tigger and a kangaroo. That was hysterical!<br />
But some days are harder.<br />
I just had to get away for awhile so I went for a drive. I spent a lot of time thinking, and talking to God (thankfully, unlike me, He accepts yelling as talking). I sat at one of my best friend's grave for awhile and straightened up the wind-blown flowers and adornments. I noticed that the chimes were caught up so I freed them. Immediately the soft wind chimes soothed me, like they had the handful of other times I had ventured out there to that beautiful hillside.<br />
I got to thinking how God moves a lot like the wind, gentle and unnoticed at times, until you untangle the wind chimes. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-18082271557265302942012-09-09T14:45:00.003-07:002012-09-09T14:45:35.711-07:00Porch Pumpkin Patch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSVqusN6tKKnwBbaPE33jhn-AZvVHucG-Pf3LZ1NGqQ9JbMi_C6-Uo8wvF6okqx4vu2bahVfnKAV1iL3Xf3RrWCUxIk5D54ki9mfBjYYSHT3a4EGjJNeQNDiZI8Fd10dCj0UCbP5-1aBO/s1600/pumpkins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSVqusN6tKKnwBbaPE33jhn-AZvVHucG-Pf3LZ1NGqQ9JbMi_C6-Uo8wvF6okqx4vu2bahVfnKAV1iL3Xf3RrWCUxIk5D54ki9mfBjYYSHT3a4EGjJNeQNDiZI8Fd10dCj0UCbP5-1aBO/s400/pumpkins.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Sometime in August, after weeks of busy work schedules by day (and sometimes night) and a bathroom tiling project by night (and into wee morning some days), I walked down my front porch steps and took a deep breath.<br />
It struck me how neglected my landscaping was, I mean, there were massive broad-leaf weeds taking over the grounds. A closer look revealed that the 'weeds' were actually pumpkin plants that last year's rotted pumpkin display had inadvertently provided.<br />
I thought about ripping out the vines since there wasn't much growing on them yet. But then I thought, "Why not? Something is alive and thriving, let it grow." <br />
Now there are three large volunteer pumpkins pushing the red, barely visible mums around.<br />
I started thinking how many things volunteer themselves right into my life, and end up being a bright, beautiful addition to my days. What I really love is that God knew it was coming all along.<div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363875627667661562.post-20449603972032219062012-08-07T21:33:00.000-07:002012-08-07T21:33:03.365-07:00Zelda the Warrior Kitty<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02Im4HmY8SaByFTnyi7ci1oCeTSCd6fjV-k2e31zNyQbMzV4yNUbDfQNmWVBtpdr2erceMFYu9mZHj2qIC7PjZOWgNJM_1ng_fp4vH4O5JwiJUbCbt-M874LRv3CnRiqATrlLBfKt06TQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02Im4HmY8SaByFTnyi7ci1oCeTSCd6fjV-k2e31zNyQbMzV4yNUbDfQNmWVBtpdr2erceMFYu9mZHj2qIC7PjZOWgNJM_1ng_fp4vH4O5JwiJUbCbt-M874LRv3CnRiqATrlLBfKt06TQ/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a>I began holding my breath for a few seconds as I prepared to run by a dead animal along side the road. Just as I passed, it turned it's tiny face up and looked at me. I'm not sure who was more startled, the kitten or me. But this skinny little thing was so happy to see me. I was still recovering from jumping back when she playfully rolled on her back on the road and started rubbing her soft little self affectionately against my ankles. <br />
<br />
She wanted to stay on the side of the road with the bean field as her refuge when cars came by. I knew I couldn't leave her here to be hit or starve to death. I had to take her home. Besides, she looks just like Bruce!<br />
<br />
My run was suddenly over as I attempted to carry her with little success. She followed me, if you call weaving back and forth between my feet, following. So, I called Dexter who had passed me a few minutes earlier on the way home from his run. The first thing he said was "Did you find that kitten?"<br />
<br />
"Come pick us up. She can live in the woods or something." I recall saying, trying to figure out a way to justify another cat in our lives. <br />
<br />
Thankfully this cat is fit for the outdoors. She makes herself a force to be reckoned with, spitting, hissing, and puffing up in all her glory at the dogs. I decided she needed a warrior princess name, and after some help from Mitch and Wes, I settled on Zelda. She is the opposite of our indoor princess, Eva, who lays down in fear like a snack for her predators.<br />
<br />
Like my mother always said, "It takes all kinds."<br />
Like my boys always say, "Your turning into a cat lady."<br />
I like the "takes all kinds" line here. Besides, I think of myself as more of a zookeeper (though one of the hermit crabs did die this week and I signed an exotic animal paper for that one, am I in trouble?).<br />
<br />
I'm really glad God seems to think it takes all kinds, <i>and</i> that He let's me be a zookeeper.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">ShelleyRLee.com</div>Shelley Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08227651199064414939noreply@blogger.com0