In Loving Memory of Kathy Boyer - a Remarkable Woman!

Well.....I am at work - obviously, I am not working.
I just can't work right now - can't get Kathy Boyer off of my mind - can't get the heaviness to leave my heart.
Kathy went home to live with Jesus 2 days ago, December 26, 2009. She is now a resident of the Kingdom of Heaven - not Springdale, Arkansas anymore. She has seen Jesus face-to-face. She is walking and living on streets paved with gold. She has a new mansion. Her body, her earth-suit,has been made whole and she has no more pain, no cancer and she can take in big deep breaths whenever she wants to. I think that her first feast at the banquet table had some extra cheesy, creamy mac-n-cheese and ice cream. Not sure what else - but I think those two things for sure.
I imagine that she has already been horseback riding this morning and probably did some skiing this afternoon. I feel confident that she has been dancing and singing all over town. I am sure that Kathy has already met her neighbors - I'll bet she went door-to-door greeting them all with her huge smile and twinkling eyes.
Kathy Boyer was a remarkable woman on many levels! She never complained - NEVER! Although she battled, and I mean battled, ovarian cancer for 24 of her 50 years - the woman never complained! She never felt sorry for herself - she never quit living - she never considered dying.
Whenever asked about her condition, she matter-of-factly said that she was doing good. She would tell the latest Dr. reports and act and talk like it was no big deal. She ALWAYS ended her report with "God has a plan - He has everything in His control."
Kathy never missed a chance to enjoy her family and friends. If she wasn't in the hospital and she could walk (or be carried) - she was there - enjoying herself and everyone's company. She went years without hair. That didn't keep her home - she had a seasonal wardrobe of hats and scarves to cover her little bald head.
I didn't really get to "know" Kathy until 2007 or so - before then, she was just an aquaintance. She became part of our Girl's night out group and also our Friday Night dinner gang. That is when I really learned what this lovely lady was made of -
Everyone that ever met Kathy - loved Kathy. You had to! She was one of the most genuine, caring, loving, kind and considerate people - she was contagiously happy and full of joy! Kathy loved the Lord and shared that with all that would listen. She loved to laugh and had a perpetual smile on her face. Kathy had a huge cross to bear in this life - I don't understand why - . Kathy never questioned it - she just made the best of it and moved forward. Kathy never asked anyone to help her carry that cross - she knew it belonged to God and she allowed Him to carry it for her.
Josilyn, Brenda and I visited Kathy in the hospital last Tuesday (22nd). It was very evident that she was gravely ill. She couldn't breath even though she was on full oxygen and taking respiratory breathing treatments every hour or so. She gasped for air and for each breath. We asked her how long the Dr. thought it would be until she could breath again - she said that this was how it would be going forward.
The 3 of us knew that Kathy was not long for this world at that point. So - we knew that Kathy knew too. She never let on. As a matter of fact, she told us that the Dr. was trying to get her home on Christmas Eve and that she planned to go to Shaun and Sara's house that evening and then to another family members home the following day if she felt like it. She said that she would be at the New Year's Eve celebration at Josilyn and Don's house. She wanted mac-n-cheese; I was going to make her some for New Year's Eve and make extra for her to take home. She was down to 85 pounds and needed to fatten up.
She was still busy living!!!! She didn't have any plans to die!
And then - just like that - she is gone.
Some of the things I have learned from Kathy's life (and want to implement in my life, in her honor) are: it is possible to lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus -and really leave them there; It is possible to truly know and believe that God has a perfect plan for us - to not question it - to realize it isn't necessary to worry about anything - our job is just to live and trust Him; to always remember that the Joy of the Lord IS our strength; to remember that no matter our lot, Thou has taught us to say - that it is well, it is well, with our soul.
I believe that was Kathy's mantra - she knew at all times that it was well with her soul!
It seems like life should stop, at least for a day, in order to acknowledge and honor her life and her passing. But that isn't how it works - life marches on.
So.... Kathy, my friend, enjoy your new home! Those of us that are left behind will forever miss you. You will be remembered fondly. I can't begin to imagine how many lives you have touched or how many people you have inspired. But I for one am so very thankful that God caused our paths to cross and humbled that you considered me a friend.
So long for now......I will see you again someday on the other side.

A Fun Day with Britain!

Last weekend, Poppy and I got to spend the WHOLE day with Britain! It was Sean's weekend to have the children and Lawson had an all-day Cub Scout event and Britain wanted to spend time with her Nene - so it all worked out!
I love my precious little blonde-haired granddaughter!
Poppy and I met Sean and the kids about 7am in the parking lot of Hobby Lobby. We loaded Britain into our car and off we went!
Britain wanted pancakes for breakfast so we stopped at the Village Inn and got our tummies full of blueberry pancakes, bacon and chocolate milk.
Britain and I dropped Poppy off at work and started our day together.
WE went to Hobby Lobby and bought Autumn decorations for Nene's house and many rolls of ribbon for making hairbows.
Brit and I got manicures with matching orange halloween polish.
From there we stopped at my friend Penny's house so that Brit could change into her soccer clothes - from there we were off to her soccer game!
After soccer we picked Poppy up and headed to Bella Vista!
Britain and I had a great time making hairbows! She is very creative.
Britain wanted to learn how to sew. Hmmm...
I taught her quickly how to properly handle a needle and thread without sticking herself - and then how to sew a straight stitch. She loved it! She sewed up every bit of scrap fabric and ribbon that I had.
So cute! I promised her that next time I would teach her to sew on a button. She is excited.
Britain is a little love-bug. I got lots of hugs and smooches and "I love you Nene" from her. She still likes to sit in my lap and read or just talk.
I love you little girl!
Thanks for spending the day with me.

Drama Magnet!

Sometimes I feel like a drama magnet! Really - I do!
I don't need any help - I am a bit (ok a lot) dramatic all by myself!
It's part of who I am.
I think it is partly because I feel everything so deeply - I feel with my entire being! In addition, I find it hard to hide my feelings. I am pretty transparent.
Over the years, I have learned to control many of my feelings. As every responsible adult knows, controlling feelings and emotions is sometimes a "requirement" for getting along in our society and daily life and to not hurt another's feelings.
I have spent a big part of my life apologizing for being emotional and passionate. I think I will quit though.
Had a conversation with my middle son a couple of months ago - he suggested that I just embrace that part of my personality - that part of who I am. Sean actually loves my emotional, zealous, passionate, sometimes fanatical side. He gave me a really good pep talk and suggested that I embrace that part of who I am and quit trying to change in an effort to accomodate other people and just love all of who I am. After all, people void of passion, rarely ever do great things.
I can't risk not doing great things - so my passionnate side is now embraced by me!
With that being said - I DON'T NEED ANY EXTRA HELP in the drama department.
But - guess what happened this past week???
It was 11 am on Wednesday - I am leaving work to go to an enrollment meeting with a new group. I pull out of my parking space in the parking lot in front of my office. There is a jeep in front of me - just sitting in the parking lot, blocking me from getting by. So I am waiting behind him while he decides what he will do; park or drive forward. He (yes it was a man) starts to turn into a parking space, then suddenly puts his car in reverse and SLAMS into the front of my car! Hmmm...
He doesn't get out of his car - I finally get out to look at the front of my car - and the jeep driver stumbles out of his vehicle and starts walking (well staggering) toward me. Yep - at 11 am, he is drunk and driving and in my work parking lot!
I start trying to get information from him; he gets back in his jeep and rolls the window up. My cell phone is back in my vehicle, so I can't call the police - I am feeling like if I go for my phone, he will drive away.
Anyhow, He finally decides that he will hold his insurance card up to the window of his jeep so that I can write down his information. He put his window down again - and said, "I can't believe that you are being this way." I said, "what way?" He says, "making me give you my insurance information." I said to him, "I think you have had too much to drink and have no business driving a vehicle right now. Why don't you pull into a parking spot and let me call someone to come and get you?" He said, "that is none of my business." I told him that, "he just hit my vehicle and made it my business." Anyway there was more incoherent conversation - I didn't get mad - he didn't want to call the police and he finally drove away.
I went inside my office - did the right thing - called the police to let them know that he was driving drunk - told them it was a 2002 Jeep and even told them that he was looking for the Cox Cable office. I tried to write down his license plate number as he drove away - and gave the dispatcher that information too. The dispatcher asked me if I was ok - I said yes - and asked if I wanted an officer to come. I said "NO-not right now, I am on my way to a meeting and can't be late."
Well, after my meeting, I called my hubby - he was upset with me cuz I didn't have an officer come out and said that insurance wouldn't pay without a police report. I called and verified that with Aaron, my policeman son - it is true - gotta have a police report.
So - I call back to the PD - and they send a Johnson police officer to my office. Yep - a Johnson Police officer. Turns out our office has a Springdale address - but it is actually in Johnson.
Now, I appreciate every man and woman that puts on a uniform everyday and carries a gun in order to protect and serve me. I do. I for one am NOT willing to put on a uniform, a bullet proof vest and a gun everyday and put my life on the line for total strangers. So, yes, I am thankful for everyone that does.
But the Johnson police! Really??? Johnson has about 500 citizens and 25 police officers! Their job is to patrol the ONLY street in Johnson and give out speeding tickets to several hundred people every day that go 26 mph on their 25 mph street!
Oh - I forgot to say that when I made my first call at 11:09 am - I called the Springdale PD because our address at work says Springdale. They told me that I had to call the Washington County Sheriff and gave me that phone number. I called the Washington County Sheriff and their dispatch department took my information about the drunk driver, etc.
When I called the WCSD to request an officer - they say that a Johnson PD officer will come out to take the report.
About 10 minutes after my request for an officer to take a report so that my insurance will fix my car, in struts and yes I mean struts, a dorky looking little tiny officer all dressed up in his uniform and looking very stern and serious. For real - I am about 5'9" tall and I towered over him by a good 9" and out-weighed him by at least 100 pounds! Ok - that is a slight exaggeration.
He begins by letting me know that I am now involved in a criminal case. I looked at him and asked, "who is the criminal?" He said that I was the criminal. Me, really? I asked him how I could be the criminal here? He proceeded to tell me that I allowed an alledged drunk driver to drive away from the scene of an accident. Really???
I think I said something like, "you're kidding, true?" With a very pompous, stern and serious reply - he said that he was not kidding and this is now a criminal investigation. He demanded to know why I hadn't notified the authorities earlier. I reminded him that I did call them and told them the whole story, let them know that the driver was drunk, that he hit my car, that I was ok, gave them what I believed to be the license tag # (remember, I was trying to remember it as he drove away) and even told them where he was headed; The Cox Cable Office.
Anyhow, to make a long story not quite as long, he maintained that I was trying to hide something because I didn't request an officer to come to the scene until 4 hours later and I had allowed a drunk driver to leave the scene of an accident. He also let me know that the license tag that I had reported, belonged to a rental vehicle so that was suspicous. I reminded the little frick (replace f with a p) that I was trying to remember the numbers and letters as the real CRIMINAL drove away. He told me that he would fill out the report for me but it wouldn't have the drivers information because the tag # was wrong. I reminded Barney Fife that I did have the perp's insurance information, complete with a NAME!!!! Barney maintained that wasn't enough.
He left and I was emotional and passionate! aka I was PISSED!!!! Drama followed! I called my personal police officer, Aaron, and he assured me that I was not a criminal and that the Barney Fife impersonator that came from the Johnson PD was indeed a frick (he knew him personally)and that Barney could and BETTER put all of the criminal drivers information on my police report so my insurance would pay. My son assured me that if Barney didn't fill out my report correctly with all of the information that he had access to, then my personal police officer was going to file a report against Barney!
See what I mean? Now my sweet son was in drama mode.
I tell you - I feel like a drama magnet sometimes.
I was trying to mind my own business - go to a work meeting - wait patiently in the parking lot for the guy in front of me in the jeep to get out of the way so that I could proceed. And then suddenly - VOILA - drama!
On top of all of this - I called the criminal's insurance company next. The nice lady that answered the phone at Geico - informed me that an accident report had already been filed that day by the criminal. I insisited that he must have been involved in TWO accidents that morning. He didn't even know my name and didn't ask to see my license or my insurance information. Turns out, he recognized my face from when I was in real estate and knew my name from that. That's kind of scarey in itself.
Anyhow - he reported to his insurance company that I WAS DRIVING DRUNK in the parking lot and ran into him.
Unbelievable!!!!
More drama ensues!
See what I mean?
I think I am indeed a Drama-Magnet!
Peace and Love,
Char

Autumn in the Ozarks

Autumn in the Ozarks is unbelievably beautiful!
I feel incredibly blessed and thankful to be surrounded by such magnificent beauty.
I have taken a few pictures today - some right out our back door, some as we enjoyed a walk today and some as we drove through town.
To see such sights convinces me further of the reality of God. God gives us glimpses of heaven right here on earth, so that we might long for such a place from the deepest reaches of our hearts.
That part of me that belongs to God responds to His beauty in creation.
I find that if I will look at the world with my spiritual eyes rather than my physical eyes, I will begin to see God's glory in new ways. The gifts of God are indeed abundant.
Open your eyes with me and enjoy them all.
I stand in awe of the wonder of Your creation, God. Help me to see beauty wherever I look. Don't let me waste time on ugliness, but turn my attention to what is good.
Everthing will be okay - I can promise that - because of Him.

Check out this dog!

On the way home from work today, we stopped at Walgreens.
As we went inside, right by the front door, was a car - still running, windows 1/2 down and a dog sitting in the driver's seat.
We chuckled.
When we came out about 10 minutes later, the vehicle was still there - dog in the drivers seat.
It was pretty cute.
I took a picture.
I am so easily amused!

A few facts about me

I hope you will write me a few things about you!

When I hear "Nene" roll off of the lips of Lawson, Taylor, Britain, Emma Grace or Lila - my face lights up and my heart skips a beat!
When my grandchildren's eyes meet mine, and their little face breaks into a big smile - they immediately have my undivided attention!
I am beyond proud of my 3 sons, Ryan, Sean and Aaron!
John is my "bread when I'm hungry, he's my shelter from troubled winds, he's my anchor in life's ocean, but most of all, he's my best friend!"
I am compassionate and passionate
I am generous and will do just about anything for the people I love.
I am crafty and creative - love to make beautiful things.
I am sensitive - maybe overly sensitive
I am loyal to those I love.
I try to lead a spiritual path.
I LOVE avocados - especially in guacamole dip.
I genuinely love spending time with my family.
I love costume jewelry more than expensive jewelry.
My happiness is more important than money to me.
I don’t need to spend money to have fun.
I love to read.
I am good with people - most of the time.
I am not snobby!
I can’t stand snobs!
I love life, and all the unexpectedness of it.
I am a one of a kind, you’ll never meet anyone else quite like me.
I WANT TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING.
I love with my whole being.
My name, Charolette, means Woman of God
I am sometimes dramatic
I learn through reading and I think that I would be a very different person if I weren't a book-lover.
Have a wide range of music genres that I listen to.
Music stirs my soul - I can "feel" music
I'm not ashamed to cry.
I forgive people and always give 2nd, 3rd, 4th... chances - however, when I've had enough - I am finished for good.
I'm there to listen to people when they need to vent and give advice when asked. OK - sometimes I give advice when not asked.
I am going to write a book someday.
I like to make people laugh.
I hate to get shots. John tried to get me to have a flu shot at Walgreens this evening - no way - I'm waiting till another time.
I am NOT a morning person.
Growing up my favorite teachers were always the ones that made me believe I was special.
My favorite fruit is watermelon.
I really like putting lotion on my feet.
I hate facing problems - sometimes I just bury my head in the sand.
I have size 9 feet.
I LOVE shoes and handbags..
I'm happy with my life.
I still have my tonsils
Yellow is my favorite color.
I can't stand rap.
I am addicted to Cranberry Apple Crystal Light
I dislike superficial and false people.
I love surprises.
I have the bestest friends in the world.
I cannot and will not function without a cup of coffee in the morning.
I turn the music up really loud and sing if I'm stressed out.
When I was was a little girl, I wanted to be an ice cream truck driver when I grew up.
I love spicy food - Mexican is my favorite.
I wish on stars.
I like sleeping.
I like burning candles.
I don't want to relive high school.
I love pictures.
Flowers make me smile.
I dye my hair.
I hate being lonley.
I love music.
I like smooches on my face.
When I point to my cheek (the one on my face), my son's and grandchildren automatically know I want a smooch - and they give me one where I have pointed.
I don't like mean people
I think it is always best to be honest

Our weekend.

Poppy and I had a GREAT weekend! However, this morning as we had coffee together on the deck, we both agreed that we were really tired for a Monday morning!
We decided to give our very busy weekend credit for making us tired - we liked that idea much more than admitting that perhaps we were just over-weight and out of shape.

Yep - I'm sticking with the weekend story.
;-)

We started out on Friday, immediately after work, having dinner with our wonderful friends that participate in the monthly "Friday Night Dinner Gang!" Hmm... that sounds like it should be weekly - but we only meet once each month.

Anyway - what a great group of friends - we laughed and discussed and ate way too much!

One of our gang is Kathy Boyer - what an amazing and inspiring woman of God. Kathy has battled cancer for at least 15 years - that is how long I have known her. I think that she has battled even longer. Kathy ALWAYS has a smile on her face and an encouraging word for everyone. She is amazing - Kathy lives each day of her life as if her body were totally healthy and feeling fine. She isn't waiting to die - instead, she makes sure that she doesn't miss out on anything in life! Kathy is full of joy - really - I have never heard her complain or whine or feel sorry for herself. She has just finished another very grueling round of chemo - she has been wearing scarves and hats for over a year to cover her beautiful little bald head. Friday night - we got to see Kathy's hair again - it is even long enough to part on the side. She looked beautiful!
Please pray for our sweet friend... As I listened to the latest Dr. reports, scans, tests, etc. - it didn't sound all that great to me. She will have to stay on low-dose chemo everyday for the rest of her days on earth. Kathy was of course, very up-beat and matter-of fact about the whole thing. She believes that God has everything under control - so she doesn't worry about it. And she is right - God does have everything under control - but I WANT her to be healthy and feel well now -

We got home late on Friday evening and then up early on Saturday! We went to Springdale to watch Lawson and Britain play soccer. She cute they are and incredibly full of energy and life! Any posted pictures from soccer Saturday that do not have Britain in them, were probably taken by Britain. She walked around taking photo's all during Lawson's game! I love the ones she tried to take of herself. We haven't seen Lawson and Britain for awhile (scheduling issues) - so I got in lots of extra hugs and smooches from them. They missed seeing me almost as much as I have missed seeing them.

Immediately after the games, we picked up Geneva, John's mom, and took her to Alma to a store that she has been wanting to go to for sometime now. A-Z is the name, it's in Alma, NEVER GO! It was a horrible place; wall-to-wall people trying to push shopping carts down very narrow aisles while stopping to pick up and look at EVERY piece of junk in the place.

After Alma, Poppy and I got to stay with Taylor and Emma Grace while their mommy and daddy had a date night. That was fun! I have some sweet little pictures of Miss Emma Grace - HOWEVER, Taylor told me that if I took pictures of him, he wouldn't cuddle with me. So, this Nene chose cuddle time with Taylor over pictures of his sweet face.

Sunday - up for early church - then home to hammer on the deck project. Later in the afternoon, we got to hook up with Sean, Lawson and Britain again. It was our lucky weekend - got to see them twice. We did a little shopping, Britain needed new shoes and Sean needed a female opinion. He said she needed shoes that she could wear with jeans and with a dress. I told him that there was no such shoe! BUT - we found some cute little shoes - they will be best with jeans and Sean promised that he wouldn't let her wear them with a dress. Not sure I trust him on that one. ;-)
He did promise that if he did let her wear the new shoes with a dress, she would have on lace edged socks. I can live with that.

We had dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings! YUMMY! Can you believe that Lawson ate Mango-Habanero wings? They are so HOT! I took one tiny bite and my mouth and lips and tongue were burning! He is so cute! About to lose his other front tooth!

So - that was our weekend. I feel certain it was the weekend that made us tired today. Wouldn't have traded one wonderful moment though - I can rest tonight.

Missed you Lila --- and your mommy and daddy too.

I love my family - showers of blessings..........

Here I am!

I have neglected my Nene and Poppy's Place blog for awhile. Been writing in my private blog instead. Have to write there for now - so many things that can't be revealed until later - maybe never.

On a better note - Poppy and I (well, mostly Poppy) have been working HARD on our wonderful new deck! Can't wait to reveal the finished product and start entertaining outside again! It will be 1st class all the way; built in grill and refrigerator, lighting with dimmer, comfy furniture and decorated beautifully! I am pulling together the fabric, etc. now! The decorating and enjoying it are my favorite parts of this project! Might have to get a professional to look at the roof - have a leak and can't find it - can't install electrical until we find the leak. Really need to find that leak!

Grandbabies are doing great! Lawson started 1st grade, Taylor started kindergarten, Britain is now in pre-k, Emma Grace moved up to the next room since she is walking, and Lila is loving her play school too! All are healthy and growing like little weeds! Oh - how I love my precious babies!

I love our family! I love each individual member and I love how we love one another within the family. I love the way that we pull together to help when one (or more) member is hurt and bleeding. I love each tender heart. I love the honesty, loyalty and sincerity that each one possesses and lives by.

Here are some pictures to enjoy! (been missing you Lawson and Brit)I got your message Lawson and Britain - Nene loves you so so much too!
Taylor - would love to have more pictures of you - you just don't like to have your picture taken right now. I understand. ;-0

Lawson had a birthday and we're so glad!

Saturday was Lawson Riley Coble's 7th birthday! Hard to believe he is 7 - seems like just last week Poppy and I were driving to Phoenix to help him celebrate his first birthday!
Things that happened years ago are more often than not, feeling like last week. I have noticed it is a common thread in my life these days. Does that mean I am getting old? NO - but it does mean Lawson is growing up!
Lawson had his birthday party at Murphy Park so that he and his friends could fish. That little boy loves to fish! Several of his friends from cub scouts, t-ball and football came to celebrate with him.
The daddy's stayed busy putting bait on hooks and taking little fish off of the same hooks - over and over and over again. This Nene didn't offer to help - Nene doesn't do bait and fish and things.
Lawson's mommy made a special cake - Pokeman - one of Lawson's favorite toys/games/trading cards these days.
There were presents, cake, hot dogs, chips, crickets, worms, fish, fishing poles, lots of smiles which all equaled fun!
Happy birthday sweet Lawson!
I love you!
Nene

Pictures!

I am posting a few pictures from our latest events/life.
Let's see:
* Lawson plays football
* Emma Grace is one!
* Fun at the lake
* Ryan and Laura celebrate their 7th wedding anniversary
* Aaron and Audrey celebrate their 4th wedding anniversary
* Laura celebrates her birthday (we are going to have a combined birthday with Audrey in a couple of weeks)
* New pictures of Lila
So - enjoy the pics!