Guarding your heart is very hard work. No wonder few people do it! I look at people as if they are crazy as they jump from relationship to relationship; they look at me as if I'm the crazy one for not doing the same. In the end, I may be lonely, but at least my heart will still be in one piece--safely tucked away.

If , on some crazy off-chance, I do find the one person God intended me to experience life with--well, then he alone will have my whole heart and will not have to live with the little bit left after many broken relationships.

Okay, this concept would be ideal if I had not the past I have. Considering it, I have chosen not to think of romance being even a possibility for my future. But I stress again and again the beauty of guarding the heart, no matter how difficult it may be, because so many of my friends (and family) find themselves broken time and time again by failed relationships.

You say dating doesn't involve the heart. Well, you tell that to the girl who cries her eyes out when her boyfriend dumps her after a couple of weeks. Tell that to the man who can't sleep because the pretty girl at work refuses to go to dinner with him. Tell that to the woman who can hardly walk straight from the sheer happiness of a first date that went superbly well.

All these things are emotionally-charged, whether it is a broken heart or a happy heart. That piece of your heart is given over to the other person the moment you begin thinking of them as more than a friend, even if a date has not yet taken place.

I'm trying to guard my heart. I can't say I'm perfect, nor can I say I'm even good, at it. But I am trying.

And, honestly, it has made a difference in my life.

So, again I say: you can call me crazy, think me crazy, believe I'm crazy, all you want. I still think I'm right.

Like grandma, like granddaughter. Stubborness, as well as burnt food, runs in the family.

I have a lot to learn about the blogging community. Something I discovered today is that bloggers give awards to other bloggers...and I got one! Here it is:

Here are the guidelines:

1. Thank the person who gave this award to you

2. Copy the award and put it on your blog.

3. List three things which you love about yourself.

4. Post a picture you love.

5. Tag five people you wish to pass this award on to.

Here we go:
1. Thank you, Kat, for giving me an award that I hope I can live up to! I'm also thankful for the others you gave awards to, because out of curiosity I checked a few of their blogs and was greatly blessed!

2. Already done that!

3. This is a toughy. I don't think about that much. Umm, (1)I love my God-given ability to make things out of paper, (2)I love being an aunt, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. (3) I love my cooking.

4. I lost most of my photos when Stella decided to eat my SD card, but out of what remains, I have chosen not one, but THREE pictures I love. I will explain why with each.

Children singing praises to God, quoting scripture, and hearing God's word is one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever witnessed. The photo may not be professional-grade, but the moment captured here is worth more than a million fancy photos.

Brothers and sisters forever! This was last Christmas, we were all together, and it turned out to be one of the happiest holidays I've had in a while. Have I mentioned that I love being a sister?

Like Papaw, like grandson. Aiden was revelling in all the attention. I love this photo most because it has two of the most important males in my life--my papaw and my nephew. I love them both so very much! Aiden was being silly and trying to sing along with the music on his toy, giving Papaw a kick (he is a musician).

5. I don't know many people with blogs, but there are three people I would gladly give an award with a cherry on top because they richly bless me in person as well as through their words! Great blogs, guys!
*drum roll please*
Karen G. at Gott Joy! (What an encouragement and joy it has been to get to know you through your blog! I am amazed at your strength, your love for God, and your joy through all the pain you have faced. )
Kat C. at Living for His Renown (though I would think since you gave it to me, you don't have to redo all the steps. Just so you know, you deserve an extra cherry on top...and extra whipped cream. Thank you for sharing your heart!)
Heather P. Mrs. Southern Bride (You challenge me with your insight , inspire me with your photography and travelling experiences, make me laugh with all your stories, and help keep me from losing weight with all those delicious recipes. So why not add a cherry?)

Horray for Puree!

Mashed foods are not really that exciting. I should know; I care for a gentlemen who has to have everything pureed in order for him to safely swallow. I get to turn that hamburger and french fries into baby food. Yum.

So, when my emergency visit to the dentist ended in a prescription for two 45 minute sessions of muscular and massage therapy per day and a diet of purees, I was not all that thrilled.

I'm doing my best to stick to this strict regiment, but, well, hmmm...I sure wanted to spice up those mashed potatoes I had for lunch! I thought they'd taste a lot better if I added bacon and cheese and made some "twice-baked" mashed taters.

However, I am my grandmother's daughter, and ended up overcooking the pork...just a little bit.

Okay, so maybe it was a lot overcooked. Does anyone like their bacon extra crispy?

Well, perhaps the bacon would have been too chewy, anyway. I ended up throwing some chives, garlic, and parmegan cheese in, and the potatoes didn't taste too shabby. Maybe my taste buds were just motivated by the chocolate pudding with extra-ripened strawberries I could gnaw on. Who knows?

All I know is lunch was pretty good,

in spite of the whole squishy, mushy baby food texture.

So, besides the news that I have TMJ and the muscles in my jaw are tied up in knots (like a charlie horse in my face!), Stella got a very nice hair cut this week. Check out my pretty baby:

She is the most beautiful dog ever. You can say I'm just partial to my own, but I don't buy a minute of that kind of talk.

She is one special pooch!