Call me CRAZY, but I Have A Dream...

Actually, I have several big dreams!  But one of my BIGGEST dreams is to build an indoor sports/recreation center for our community.  I want it to be FREE for EVERY child in our town 18 years of age and under.  This is something I have been dreaming about for years...but I keep making more detailed plans about where it will be located, what it will look like, how and who will run it, and what other ways it could be used to bless our entire community.

I'm sure you are all laughing at me, like most people do when I start talking about my big dream!  That's OK...you go ahead and laugh!  If this is something God wants me to do and wants this community to have, He will provide the funding that is needed and He will make it happen!  And if not, then I will accept that it wasn't meant to be!
But since I believe with all of my heart that it is meant to be...I'm going to share my plan with you!

I would like to purchase land north of 12th street that is close to the park...either directly behind the park, or the fields on either side of County Club Road, north of 12th street.  I think being near the park and the facilities there would the best location!

I want to have an indoor workout gym...free weights, machines, treadmills and such! 

I also want an large indoor court area like the DISC in Decatur has.  That would allow for several "courts" or areas to have different activities going on at once...soccer, basketball, volleyball, football, tennis, wrestling,  We could even host indoor tournaments and events throughout the year to raise money!

An indoor track...so people don't have to be out on the roads when it is dark, or cold or slick!  So much less dangerous!

I would like to have a Dance room, where volunteers would teach dance to young girls and boys for Free and where aerobics classes could be held and adult dance classes could be offered!


I would like another large room that could be rented out for school dances, reunions, wedding receptions, meetings, and other activities. 

An indoor pool would be nice but I don't know if I am sold on that yet or not.  Water and the risks that come with it makes me nervous! 

I would also like an indoor golf area with putting greens and a driving range type place.

I also want a homey area with a kitchen, living room...kind of a common area,  that could be used for homework help, kids who want to hang out and not play sports.  And I would like some rooms that would be available for people struggling that are homeless that need a place to sleep.

A concession area would be needed...and that would be another avenue to raise funds!

Obviously, showers & restrooms!

I also want a small area of computers that children could use if needed for school work and projects that do not have access to those things at home!


I have had people ask how could I afford to run it...well, I would get volunteers to work...retired individuals or other people that don't have jobs or work part-time.  I would try to get college kids who could donate time.  And I also would charge membership fees for all adults. 
And I believe with all of my heart that the funds needed to run a place like this are right here in the community.  There are people with money...they just need to be nudged by Him to open up their hearts and pocketbooks to support the youth of our community! 

I could even have a room for Big Mama's Closet!!!  Wouldn't that be nice...a store for the kids to shop in for FREE!!

I want this to be a POSITIVE place...where kids are LOVED and ACCEPTED!  There would be no bullying...no stacked teams...all kids would be treated equally...and I would make sure of it!!!

I keep thinking I am going to win the lottery and use that money to build this dream...but I need to play before I can win! Right?

So, I guess I need to start looking for grants, praying for a few generous souls to make a big whopping donations of land, money and time!!!  I can pray that Oprah will see this blog and head on down to Shelbyville and write a check!


So, I guess you can laugh and call me crazy!  But I can't get this idea out of my mind!!!  I know it would be a wonderful thing for this community..especially the children!  

Don't you agree???

So, if you have millions that you are hoarding...think about the impact you could have on so many by helping to building this dream!!   I'm going to keep praying and maybe one day soon we will have a Shelbyville Community Recreation Center!  Our I could keep with my theme and just call it "Big Mama's House!"

What do ya think?

I'm Thankful!

Sometimes, I think we need to stop rushing around, worrying, talking, complaining...just stop...and be silent and thank God for all of the blessing in our lives!  Don't ask Him for anything...just thank Him!! 

So, today I'm going to do just that! I'm gonna list whatever pops in my head!

Today I am thankful for...

Forgiveness...so thankful that He forgives me, that my friends forgive me and that my family forgives me!

Darren...he is amazing!  I'm am so blessed to call him my husband and best friend!

Bart, Brett & Abbie...they bring so much joy, laughter and fun into my life...yes, they bring their own sets of issues but seeing them overcome struggles and develop into caring, loving individuals is so rewarding!

Friends...I do NOT know what I would do without them! 

Bubba & Belle...they make me laugh...yes, they make messes that I dread cleaning up but the kids love them and they love the kids...I think pets kinda complete a family..so most days I am thankful for them!

Vacuums...to sweep up that dog hair that makes me CRAZY!

Hugs...I am so happy that there is a way to show someone you love and care about them without saying a word!  And a great big hug always makes my heart tingle!  I think they can cure many things!  I used to have a big poster in my room growing up and it said this...I still remember it!

It's wondrous what a hug can do.

A hug can cheer you when you're blue.

A hug can say, I love you so,

or, gee, i hate to see you go.

A hug can sooth a small child's pain

or bring a rainbow after rain.

A hug says welcome back again,

it's great to see you, where've you been.

A hug, there's just no doubt about it,

we scarcely could live without it.

A hug deligths and warms and charms,

it must be why God gave us arms!

Hugs are great for fathers and mothers,

sweet for sisters, swell for brothers,

And chances are your favorite aunt,

loves them more than potted plants.

Kittens carve them, Puppies love them,

Heads of State are not above them!

Hugs can break the language barrier

and make your travels so much merrier.

No need to fret about your store of them,

the more you give, the more there's more of 'em,

so stretch out those arms without delay,

and GIVE SOMEONE A HUG TODAY!

Music...how can someone live without music??  It effects me like nothing else can!

Dancing...goes right with the music!  Oh, how I miss ballet class...I LOVE to dance!  I love to crank up the music in the speakers throughout the house and just dance and sing...now the kids aren't always so thankful for that but I really don't care!  Madonna and I have a great time!

Laughter & Fun...oh my goodness, I love to laugh and have FUN!!!!

Humor...it makes me laugh!

Sarcasm...I am thankful that God made that one of my special talents...but not sure how my family feels about it!  Brett appreciates it, I think!

Grass...I love to walk barefoot in it...and cutting it is one of my favorite things to do!


Sunshine...don't you just feel happy when you're out in the warm sunshine?

Shoes...even if you're chubby, you can still wear cute shoes, right?  Unless your foot is as wide as mine..then you are a little limited!

Mascara...I do NOT leave home without it!  Greatest invention ever...besides eyeliner!

Big Barrel Curling Iron...if you saw my hair without the use of one or with the use of

Hair Products for Curly Hair....you would be thankful for both as well!!!

Those things can take me from this....

To this...now you are thankful for those items, too, aren't you?

iPods...music, e-mail, pinterest, FB all in one little rectangle...Amazing!!

Cheese...no explanation needed :)

Jimmy Johns...not only do they have great sandwiches...they have awesome signs in the restaurants that I love to read!

Cameras...what in the world would I do without being able to capture images of my life?  I LOVE looking back at old photos and daydreaming about the past and talking about our memories! And seeing things I otherwise would never be able to see!



Like bart in Australia! I'm so Jealous!



The Beach/Ocean...the peace i feel when I am on a beach watching the waves...nothing compares!  i will live there one day!

Grandma Hazel...I miss her so much, she loved me unconditionally.  And through her life and death, I learned alot about life and love!

Granny Lois & Grandpa Bob......They are goofy and I know they love me!

My Parents...for raising me in church...Dad is a great example of a Godly man, he has helped shape the person I am today and taught me about loving God and loving others!  I am so thankful for his wisdom and ways!

My brother...we may not agree on everything but I know I love him, he loves me, and he loves my kids!  He is so giving!!!

Jennifer...my sister in law!  She is awesome, organized, and loves the kids! 

Computers...oh my goodness, I used to be scared of these things...but they bring so much information, so quickly! 

Books...I LOVE to read and learn...and sometimes escape!

Creativity...I thank God for giving me a creative mind...for allowing me to think outside the box..to be just a little different!

My Health...I thank Him for blessing me with wonderful doctors and for leading them while they repaired my birth defect during open heart surgery 4 years ago.  That is something I never want to go through again and I never wish it upon anyone but I am thankful that my heart is now "normal"!

Smiles...they change everything...put others at ease...and I do believe they are contagious!

Love...so thankful that I have people to love and people that love me!

And the obvious...food, shelter and clothing!  We so take that for granted, but we shouldn't!  So many people in this world go without!

Make sure you thank Him for all of your blessing today!