Christian | A Thankfully Imperfect Woman

Jun 15

Lessons from Dad…Fishing, Coffee Cans in the Boat, and Goose Hunting

I sure loved my Dad.

He taught me many lessons…

Girls can do anything, but don’t have to do everything: Our entire family went deer hunting (for food, not sport). Off I went to gun training (and was a pretty good shot I might add), but when it came to hunting season I decided I’d rather shoot a deer with a camera, not a gun…and Dad was ok with that.

Always keep your word: When Dad said the kids needed to be quiet and behave or he’d turn the car around and we wouldn’t get to go to Grandma’s house…he meant it. We found out the hard way. Grandma’s house was about 4 hours away and we were about 3 1/2 hours into the drive when he turned around. Read more

Jun 13

I Choose to NOT be Belligerent

Yes, I said it.

Let’s not just look at the things we choose to be…let’s look at the things we choose NOT to be.

We’ve all had people in our lives that have brought about a better understanding of who we want to be like or who we don’t want to be like.

As much as I loved my parents, there were things they did/said that I knew I didn’t want to emulate. And the same goes for other people that I’ve met throughout the years.

Sometimes it really is important to look at the things we don’t want to do or be like…and remember. Read more

Jun 9

2 Comments

Sunday Blessings…

I admit it, I’m too tired to write a full post tonight.

Instead, I’m sharing my favorite blessing which is sung by our beautiful choir at the end of our church service.

(yes, I quietly sing along)

I hope this brings you into a wonderful week!

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.

Patty O

May 1

8 Comments

And Life Moves On…

Today is a day of firsts.

Not only is it May 1st…

But it is the first day for Physical Therapy on my shoulder…(EEE-OUCH)

And it is my first day as not being an owner of Secret Sisters Boutique.

Yes, you read right.

Tim and I decided it was time to take a step back.

The primary reason is the need to give my body time to heal. With one shoulder done, another very sore, and a few other issues, it’s just time.

I will miss my little shop…but my partners, Autumn and Marcia will carry on the Secret Sisters name as they have since it’s inception.

And I would like to say how much I appreciate my dear husband and daughters for putting up with me while I was on that adventure! And of course a thank you to Autumn and Marcia for inviting me to join them 5 years ago…it was a fun ride ladies!

Now, you will find me blogging more…

Playing with the babies this summer (Sam will be watching them)…

Continuing my volunteer work with Ely’s Young Life committee…

And hopefully finding more fixes…and a lot more healing…

I’m so ready for this worn out body to be good as new!

And yes, I’ll also be praying for more patience!

Remember? And then God Laughed…

Yes, well…we’ll just keep saying it as a mantra:

Dear Lord give me patience…and if I can’t have patience, please give me Grace!

I thank God for this wonderful community of people I’ve found through blogging!

Here’s to more blogging…the funny, the serious, the inspirational, the prayerful.

You get a little bit of everything with me…

Take it or leave it – but I hope you take it!

It’ll be real, it’ll be nice, it’ll be FUN! (said by Mary Jo Shively on Designing Women) 🙂

Thanks for listening…

Talk more soon.

Have a great day!

Patty O

ps…thank you Pinterest for the image.

Apr 30

4 Comments

Be Thoughtful

I read this post this morning and could totally relate: The Perfect Gift

I too am a gift lover. I LOVE finding the perfect gift for everyone. I find such GREAT pleasure in finding something that reminds me of someone, buying it and tucking it away for a special occasion.

OK…those who know me well, know that I have a hard time waiting until that occasion. I tend to pull it out the next time I see you and say (all excited…bursting at the seams…smiling wide…almost (almost) jumping up and down excited) – “Look what I found for you!”

In the blog post above it talks about how much she loves to receive gifts too…and yes, I will admit it…I enjoy receiving too.

However,

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize that I’d much rather receive the gift of thoughtfulness…

To see my youngest text me while she’s on the bus on the way to the Twins game with her school group to say that she’s picked up treats for herself, Tim and I at our favorite goodie shop.

To hear my middle daughter’s excitement in the “surprise” gift she’s making for me (that she’s already put 12 hours into).

To see my oldest on Skype showing me the colors she’s chosen to use for an afghan she’s making me for Mother’s Day. (Asking my opinion because she didn’t like one of the colors.)

To get an email from my husband congratulating me on getting a readers comment published on More.com.

To get a text from my friend, the babies Momma asking if they can come for a visit.

To hear my business partners graciously accept my “retirement” and feel their friendship.

It’s the little things that matter…

A phone call from my Mother-in-law.

A stop from my Father-in-law…checking to see if I need anything.

My sister texting me a “hope your shoulder is healing well” note.

A girlfriend calling to see if I want to go for coffee.

An email from a sibling asking how I’m doing.

An encouraging card from a co-worker.

It truly is the gift of being thought of that is the most important “gift” to me…

These are the moments that remind me of just how truly blessed I am.