Everyday is an Adventure. Embrace it

Archive for the ‘Thoughts’ Category

Hurricane Harvey – Will the Seawall protect Galveston?

With hurricane Harvey increasing in strength as it nears the Texas coast, a lot of people are wondering if the Seawall will protect Galveston Island.

The residents & business owners in Galveston are hoping it does!

Will the Seawall protect Galveston?

The Seawall was built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1902 after the most deadly hurricane in United States’ history struck the area in September of 1900. With a record loss of somewhere between 6000 & 11,000 lives and the complete destruction of over 3600 homes, it caught the coast of Texas off guard. The storm was considered a category 4. At one point Galveston Texas was under 15′ of sea water.

The Seawall was constructed 17′ high and the base was made 16′ wide and tapered at top. The first Seawall was only about 3.3 miles long. Over the next 60 years, it was extended to more than 10 miles long.

Although the Seawall in Galveston was built as functional protection from storm surge, it also has provided recreational enjoyment. Visitors and tourist have long enjoyed walking the length of the Seawall, parking on it to access the beach, and fishing from its rocky bottom.

Foot of the Galveston Seawall

Since the historical event in 1900, Galveston has survived several other natural disasters.

June 26, 1902 – Tropical storm smacked Galveston bringing a twister that knocked a freight train off its tracks.
July 21, 1908 – Tropical storm came inland and derailed many train cars. Storm swells were at 10′ but the Seawall held tight. No lives were lost behind the Seawall, but 5 fatalities were reported on the outside
August 27, 1909 – Storm surge was only 3′ and the Seawall held.
June 27, 1913 – Tropical storm surge created 12.7′ waves. The Seawall saved Galveston.
August 16, 1915 – This storm was rumoured to have been a rival to the Great Tropical Storm of 1900. This time the 12′ storm surge came over the Seawall. The downtown area swam in 5-6′ of sea water. All beach front bath houses were washed away. There were 12 fatalities and 1 of which was behind the Seawall.
September 14, 1919 – Sea swells at 8′ 8″…this storm wrecked Corpus Christi harder than Galveston.
August 14, 1932 – The Seawall saved Galveston from another tropical storm.
1933 – This year saw 5 tropical storms in the gulf.
September 23, 1941 – Galveston measured 7′ tides and all rice crops were ruined.
August 29, 1942 – Over 50,000 people stumbled over each other to flee Galveston as this storm approached due to a hurricane that struck just 8 days before. Galveston survived.
July 27, 1943 – Big hurricane! Winds of over 100 mph knocked brick buildings over and churches collapsed. Northerly winds across Galveston’s bay kept tides low. Storm surge was 6′ feet. There were 11 casualties. Galveston survived.
August 24, 1947 – Hurricane with sea water storm surge of less than 4′.
October 3, 1949 – Tropical storm was mild for Galveston only moderately damaging streets.

In 1950, the US military began naming storms and hurricanes. By 1954 the public was beginning to be made aware of storm names. There have been a great number of storms affect Galveston since 1950. Rather than listing them all for you I recommend you go here to further your research. It’s where a lot of my data came from on the historical storms listed in this article.

So, after all this time, will the Seawall protect Galveston? Hurricane Harvey was just upgraded to a category 4 hurricane. Please keep Texas in your prayers!

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Adventures, Thoughts, Travel

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Hope Faith and Love

Faith Hope Love

I met one of the most beautiful ladies recently. She is lovely with a gentle nature. When she talks, life radiates from her eyes. She’s a good conversationalist and well-educated. Her spirit is meek and kind. She has had many experiences in her life & been blessed with opportunities to work in many fields (that I often found interest in my younger days). Her eyes sparkle when she smiles and she has no idea she is special. She loves the Lord and knows him well.

Who is this beaming woman of whom I write? She’s a new friend that lives close by. I am blessed to have met her. I don’t think it was a coincidence we met either. She makes me happy when we talk or get to spend time together and I think I needed this. Although she smiles, there is pain there as well. Who doesn’t carry some of that with them, right? Somehow her inner sadness touches my heart and I pray for her gentle spirit to be healed.

When life seems bleak, how do we cope? When the lights go out and we are alone, where does the mind go for comfort? Those who are gifted seek out positivity to remind themselves how beautiful life can be. They hold tightly to Hope. Embracing it and seeking signs of it around each corner. They know that their Faith leads them there – to Hope of all things. It’s that same Faith that tells them they are worth loving. Faith that they know our Savior loved us enough to die for us. Love that they know they are deserving of.

But… what of those without this gift? The gift that helps them continually seek out encouragement? Where do they go in their mind when they are swimming in doubt? I scares me to think about it.

Where do you go for your uplifting dose of inspiration? Is it a person, place, thing or a website?

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death, Family, Love, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, PTSD, Smiling, Thoughts

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Carefree as a Bird

I am not a bird watcher nor a bird enthusiast. My neighbor however is. She frequently feeds them and finds great joy in them. I personally couldn’t tell you a mockingbird from a warbler (I had to look up how to spell that). I just identify birds by their colors. I like to see them come and they are quite inspirational to watch. I’ve just never delved that far into it to figure out which birds I’m looking at.

One thing I have noticed is they don’t seem to have the worries that we do. Not that they don’t face adversity, but they don’t appear to sit around in their nests discussing how their kids lives may end up or if they will be able to make their nest payment. Maybe their chirping to each other is a discussion about how to keep the sun up longer or about how they wish it would rain to bring out the worms…I just don’t know – but I doubt it.

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There is a momma bird that comes by daily to gather food for herself. I assume she is ensuring her own health and well-being so that she will be able to provide for her young. After she is satisfied, she then begins to hunt food for her babies. She takes care of herself first. (Is this selfish? I don’t think so. It’s wise and natural. I doubt her social media friends on Instabird will condemn her for it out of jealousy.) She makes many trips back and forth from the ground to the safety of her nest. (When she gets to the nest, she doesn’t have to post it on BirdBook or check-in to prove she made it.) Most of the time she returns with nourishment for her babies, but not every time. Each time the little birdies see her they perk up and become vocal. She seems content with her home nest while she is providing. She sings a beautifully happy and melodious song. (She doesn’t take a selfie with her young eating to prove she provides.)

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I see the daddy bird wearing his Majestic colors, taking turns from nest to ground, alternating his trips with the mama bird. (He too fed himself before he began to take care of the kiddos. He does not have to post it on SnapBird though because he is strong and confident. He doesn’t need to prove he helped build the nest.) The babies are not vocal when he returns to the nest. Because I’m not an avid birdwatcher and have not studied them, I am not sure why this is. I assume it is out of respect. Sometimes he has food as well for the young but not near as often. I think he is there more for security.

Each morning during this daily ritual, there’s a large brown squirrel that appears. He’s huge, at least the size of a large Tom cat. He wants the same food that these birds need and for some reason he also wants to get to the nest. It is as if they play a game comparing cleverness and whit. He will race the birds from the ground to their nest back and forth. It’s hard to tell if he’s trying to take their babies or if he’s more interested in their food. This squirrel is their adversary and they work together to stop him.

Most mornings are the same song and dance routine. While the birds are alternating from the nest to the ground, they are also alternating which goes after the squirrel. Usually the male bird goes after the squirrel’s tail and he is the first line of defense. If the squirrel is extremely persistent, the momma bird will fly down and attack the squirrel’s head. Most mornings this show of force is enough to make the squirrel go elsewhere to rummage for food. But this morning, that squirrel was not going to budge.

With the daddy bird swooping down and grabbing at the back side of a squirrel, the squirrel fought back. I heard an unfamiliar sound as they encountered each other. The bird with its usual loud warning chirps warning Mr squirrel and the squirrel with a high pitched scream. Who knew squirrels could scream? Anyway it was obvious that the male bird was failing. The momma bird swooped in for the victory blow. Both birds attacked the squirrel at the same time. Then they flew up and back down, grabbing the squirrel and lifting him several inches off the ground. Finally the squirrel gave up and left. He screamed the whole time he was running away. (Chances are really good the squirrel didn’t post his drama on BirdBook either.) High-five birds!

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Observing Nature’s little Adventure this morning brought my mind to a very important realization that I often forget. The birds of the air don’t sit around and worry about their troubles. They know what they need to survive and they do it. They started off working together by working separately. In the end, they worked together by focusing on the same thing. They are able to overcome their adversity without sitting around discussing their worries, problems, and trials. They worked together without hesitation because they know that it’s the only way to solve their problem in the end . Scriptures remind us of this:

26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? MATTHEW 6: 26-27

Although this is probably one of the most common verses preached, taught, and shared… it is often the most forgotten. At least I know that I forget it. It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. It is easy to only focus on getting by and forget to live. I believe everyone has their own interpretation of purpose and I am not here to say what one person’s purpose is over another. But, I will say that I don’t think anyone’s purpose is to sit around and worry about things. Will worry help you achieve your purpose? Will worry and the anxiety it brings change any circumstance? Will worry bring you happiness or help you fulfill your goals?

If you have forgotten your purpose like I catch myself sometimes doing, maybe it’s worth thinking about a little deeper. Purpose doesn’t mean answering that age old question “why am I here?”.

Purpose is knowing what you want out of life and striving each day toward that goal.

With Love,

Chrissy 😊

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death, Family, friendship, Love, PTSD, Recovery, Smiling, Thoughts

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When everything seems to go wrong

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Have you ever had one of those days when everything goes wrong (or at least it feels like it)? That pretty much sums up the past month for us. I’d rather not go into every detail on this post because it would be pure negativity. I could choose to see it that way or I can remind myself that everyday is an adventure!

Not all Adventures are full of fluff, glitter, happiness, and wahoo. Some Adventures involve hard work or strategic problem solving. Some may even test your strength emotionally or physically.

I read a quote somewhere once that said life is not measured by the breaths that we take but by the moments that take our breath away. I must say, this is a very wise quote. Although most of us see this quote in a very sweet, positive and possibly even romantic way, I’m here to tell you that this quote is true. Even if what took your breath away was getting slammed in the chest by some horrible calamity, or that moment that shocked you beyond comprehension.

Every day is what we make it, so make it an adventurous one.

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Adventures, Thoughts

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The Mother’s Day Thief

This Mother’s Day I really want to warn everyone about a thief running rapidly through families and obviously never satisfied with its heist. One that cannot be caught or stopped. It snuck in so slowly, none of us noticed. It was hidden in the normal aging process and we didn’t see it. Shrouded in forgetfulness of the ordinary and cloaked by the everyday stresses that we thought clogged her mind. The Alzheimer’s thief is slick, it’ll slide right by you and you don’t even see it coming. Its cruel and unforgiving nature robs many special moments from the mind of the great. It’s been around for a very long time, taking as it pleases and never giving back.

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It reduces the great person that was and steals their thoughts. There is no sheriff to run it out of town nor warrant for its arrest. There is no way to stop it! It catches its victims off guard and like a parasite, leaches onto them and won’t let go. It wraps its crusty hands around the mind of the unknowing gently at first – so it’s not noticeable. Then over time, it tightens its grip until it has its grubby fingers in every crack and crevasse available.

An abomination… this disease is not satisfied with just daily forgetfulness. Oh no, it is the epitome of selfishness. It wants all memory, not just the daily or in-the-moment ones. It snatches them all until it has taken even the oldest and most dear. It steals what we hold close to our hearts and leaves a breadcrumb of who the person once was.

I hate it.

I took my mother for granite for almost 30 years before suddenly, I understood her. We were finally able to share with each other and have conversations without argument. My heart gushed over with love for her and I began to confide in her more. I began to trust her a way I never could as a child. I finally understood her love for me and the reasons behind many of the things that she did. I had to have children myself before I truly appreciated her and then suddenly – she is leaving me? The horrible, selfish, hateful, nasty, unnecessary and under imagined disease it stealing my Momma and I feel like I just met her a few short years ago.

It’s not fair, but then….when is life fair? I spent too much time wasted, not understanding her in this life. I have violated my personal life motto: Everyday is an adventure. Embrace it. I waited too long to embrace her and now she is leaving me…she is leaving daddy…she is leaving us all 😦 The last week I have spent in tears while my husband is away. I am ashamed that I am filled with so much regret that is self-inflicted by my own immature and stubborn mind of too many years.

I am glad we had the time we did get to enjoy each other. I still have Mom from time to time. She wiggles free from the grip of her oppressive thief and I suck up every available moment I can. Every tiny moment of that time is engraved in my memory and it is wrapped in so many emotions – hopefully even if this thief comes for me, I will fight it long and hard. I hate you Alzheimer Disease! I hate you!!

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Family, Love, Thoughts

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Becoming a Mom

Bruner Boys That moment you realize you are a Mom!

How to describe that moment? That moment when it hits you, when it all comes down like a ton of bricks and reality steps right in your face – You’re a Mom, a Mother, the one trusted source of information about vomit, diarrhea, diaper rash & common illnesses.

Not during pregnancy, although many women experience revelation then, but when that young one is in your arms. That’s when it’s real. That moment when the mental connection is made. I’ve heard some say it was in the hospital it hit them, but not for me. Oh no, it was after I got home. Suddenly, I realized how helpful the hospital staff had been during the first couple of days. They didn’t come home with me. There was no help really!

Nothing prepares you for it – not books, movies, seminars, or pregnancy classes. Nope, no stories you hear or conversations will prepare you for the inevitable; that fateful moment that suddenly shakes your inner being like a banana tree.

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It can happen multiple times, through multiple ages of the child’s life, and can be as small as a thought or as profound as a huge chilling emotion sweeping over you. You know, the one that takes your breath away and leave you feeling shell-shocked? Yep, that’s the one I’m writing about.

For me, the pregnancy was not it. Not with my first-born anyway. Not carrying him, not the short easy labor, not even the nurses bringing him to me created the reality that I had entered into the everlasting realm of motherhood. Nope. I carried on as though completing a task. Like getting from point A to point B. I marked off the mile markers as I went until one day, when he was about 3 weeks old, it hit me.

I was laying in bed with him beside me nursing. He was making little sounds. He was so relaxed. It was like he trusted me already and didn’t even know me. He looked up at me with his little eyes full of love as his little hand patted my arm. BOOM! Right there, right then I realized I was a Mom. I started to cry. Emotions swept over me like an avalanche and I was completely consumed. 20 years later I can still feel that same love & emotions sweep over me when he calls.

Chrissy +Nicky

Then a couple of years later, my life replayed the previous 2 years. I was pregnant again with another boy. I thought man, I got this! I mean, I had already been there, done that, got the t-shirt!

Nope, it all hit me again. He was about 6 days old…my oldest was laying beside me & new baby was in my arms. We were home. I realized this was a forever gig. And I realized that although I didn’t apply for the position, I knew it was meant to be 🙂

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Here they are today. Those 2 babies grew up and they’re so much bigger than me. My biggest fear, the one I wrestled with the most with throughout their infancy & toddler years – never came true (PRAISE GOD).

My biological mother gave me away. She didn’t want me. Her biological mother gave her away. She wasn’t wanted either. All the women in my biological family seemingly did the same thing. I don’t want to be like that. Please Jesus, please don’t let me do it. No matter what comes, keep my mind strong. Keep me fiercely independent and protect my mental state. Please, please, please!!

God is merciful. I kept them…plus 2 girls and another boy God sent me. 🙂

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Family, Love, Smiling, Thoughts

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100 Reasons Why You Should Call Your Mom

100 Reasons Why You Should Call Your Mom… No, really – call her!

I know the drill, I’ve done it myself. It’s been a while since you spoke to your mom (or accepted one of her calls) so you are thinking…maybe, just maybe – you should call her? YES, you should… and here are 100 reasons why!

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1. She is your mother for better or for worse.
2. She did the best she could at the time and she always wished it was better.
3. She thinks about you every time she sees someone your age.
4. She misses you dearly
5. She likes to see and hear about your successes.
6. She is your biggest fan.
7. She thinks about you every time she speaks with someone on the phone that talks the way you do.
8. Although you are human, you can do no wrong.
9. She is proud of your accomplishments. Even the little ones that you don’t even remember.
10. She loves you.
11. You took up residence in her body for almost a year without paying rent or helping buy groceries!
12. You were the apple of her eye.
13. She was your primary dietician during your formative years.
14. She put off things she wanted to do, so she could spend time with you.
15. She bought you that article of clothing you were dying for instead of going to the dentist to have her teeth worked on.
16. She always fed you. Even if she was hungry after supper, she made sure you were full & happy.
17. She cleaned up your vomit & probably didn’t complain.
18. She held you tight when you were sick and sat up with you all night. Although she knew she would catch your illness, she did it to comfort you.
19. She always dressed you first and didn’t take much time for herself.
20. You were her world…and probably still are.
21. When you broke something, she took the fall for it.
22. She stood between you and many butt-bustings. She was your shield.
23. Your mother is the only woman in your life that will never judge you for being you.
24. She may be spastic at times, but she handled all your crisis Like-a-Boss.
25. She would improvise when you ate her office work…or peed on it.
26. Your Mother protected you from sharp objects.
27. She cuddled and reassured you when you were sad.
28. When you were lonely, she was your friend.
29. She protected you from the boogie man & the zombie’s in the walls.
30. When you are hurting, her heart is breaking.
31. She celebrated all your tiny victories.
32. She celebrated your big Victories
33. Your Mom gave you breathe and you took hers away
34. Your hopes were her aspirations for you
35. She fixed your favorite foods often to make you happy.
36. Your dreams were her goals
37. She paved the way for your success.
38. She worked to help you in school and then came home and worked there.
39. Your mom encouraged others to see the best in you, even when you were at your worst.
40. She may not have kept the house immaculate, but she made sure your clothes were always clean.
41. She skipped naps while watching you sleep.
42. Your Momma gave it everything she had!
43. She tried to dazzle your friends to make you cool.
44. She liked your music even when it gave her a headache.
45. She baked your favorite sweets to make you happy.
46. She told every teacher that doubted you where they could go!
47. She stayed awake to make sure you were breathing.
48. Your Mother stayed up late at night worrying about you.
49. She called everyone she knew to track you down when you were late coming home.
50. Moms have a special heart given by God. Her heart misses you.
51. She sees you with eyes of confidence.
52. Her arms are always ready to hug you.
53. She’s always waiting on your call.
54. She watches he driveway…incase you might drive up.
55. Even though she may disagree, she will take your side.
56. She removed gum from your hair patiently.
57. She cleaned the stains out of your underwear!
58. She would suffer a million calamities for you.
59. She has patience with you.
60. Your Mother was purposely objective to your mate for your emotional safety.
61. Your children are her crown in life.
62. She loves your pets like your children if you do not have any.
63. Her life was put on hold to raise you, and she never regretted it.
64. She delights in your career and brags on you regularly to her friends.
65. She prays for you all the time.
66. When she shops, she thinks of things that you need or would like.
67. She celebrates your birthday more so than you do!
68. Your Momma remembers how tiny your hands were.
69. She is always lighting a candle for your life.
70. She knows your vulnerabilities and keeps them safely secret.
71. Her hips are slightly off-center because she held you so much while you were young.
72. A mom never forgets the time you only wanted her to comfort you.
73. She is a fixer – always striving to help you fix something.
74. Mothers come in many forms – not all biological!
75. Even if she wasn’t really your mom, but just a lady you looked to like-a-mom, she knows that and never forgot.
76. God changes the mind of a Mother. This is why you think she is a little crazy.
77. One day, she will not be there to answer the phone.
78. A day may come when she doesn’t remember who you are.
79. There may be a day that she can no longer speak verbally.
80. She has carried the weight of every tiny thing she could have done better on her shoulders.
81. She remembers every single mistake she made – and is hard on herself.
82. You can release her from the Mother-Guilt she carries.
83. She is a strong woman your mate should look up to.
84. Every little wrinkle on her face she wears as a trophy from your childhood.
85. Each gray hair on her head is a reminder for her of what she once was to you.
86. She sees herself in your face.
87. She realizes when she has gone too far.
88. Your Mom knows when she should stay silent, but can’t help herself.
89. She invested her entire life into you.
90. She still dreams about when you where a toddler.
91. Her mind races with thoughts about how you are.
92. She still wants to help you.
93. Her life was forever changed by you.
94. Her thoughts were forever changed by you.
95. You made her stronger than she thought she could be.
96. She feeds off your energy and thriving life.
97. Every busted vein in her legs is a sign of her love – walking the floor with you while you were a fussy baby.
98. She never regretted you!
99. You were not an accident.
100. You make her the happiest woman alive when you call!!

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Adventures, Family, Love, Thoughts

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Mother’s Day Gifts 2017

You’re a mom, so what do you really want for Mother’s Day?

You know your kids (and maybe even your husband) are doing internet searches on what to get you. Will those searches return answers that really fit you? Will they remember something you said you liked several years back? Does it even matter? Are you one of the mothers that finds delight in emotion rather than material objects?

I am one of those matronly mothers now and I don’t feel like Mother’s Day really applies to me this year. I am still a mom, but the kids are all grown and on their own. Sometimes I am really excited when I think about the fact that I am an “empty-nester”. It is in these glorious years when you get your life back. You can finally cater to yourself and your spouse. It’s the time for creating new memories and living again before your health fails or you can’t get around as well anymore. I should be happy, right?

Mother’s Day 2017 has me thinking about how blessed I was to raise boys….a lot of them. The blessings continued with some beautiful girls the Lord allowed me to have for a bit too. Everyone is grown now though and none of them need me. Isn’t that the biggest part of being a Mom? Everyone needs you! You are the rock.

I found several great websites with many Mother’s Day gift suggestions straight from the intellectual minds of Moms. Many of them make so many wonderful suggestions, but I find myself just wishing I could be with the kids this year. I long for a day with all the kids together at one time. I wish I could hug them all at once (although my arms are way to short for that).

Anyway, please enjoy the recommended Mother’s Day gifting solution below: