Found on the web......

Melted Crayons

by Kimberly B. Southall

"Oh, honey! I told you not to leave crayons in the car," I admonished our son. The box of 16 crayons had melted all over the interior of the plastic lap desk in the summer heat. The result was a brownish mass of wax.

A couple of days later when I set myself to the task of scraping the hardened wax off of the plastic lap desk, I began by prying the cardboard crayon box loose. Curiosity made me study the once melted but now hardened wax. Just an indescribable murky color existed. All the pretty, individual colors were gone. Then I turned the crayon box over and made a fascinating discovery. One crayon hadn't become indistinguishable like the others. On the back of the crayon box, there was an unmistakable large blob of the white crayon. It had melted alright, but it stood alone as the one crayon which could be identified. Interesting, huh?

As I gave more thought to the uniqueness of that single crayon, a passage of scripture popped into my mind which gave me pause for thought: You are the light of the world . . . let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. --Matthew 5:14, 16 (NIV)

Am I like the white crayon when heat is applied? Would others know I'm a Christian by my behavior in times of stress? Or would I be better compared to all of the other crayons which melted into an undistinguishable murky-looking mess?

What about you, fellow Christian? We all will have trials and times of stress when the heat is turned on us. Do we let our lights shine before others for God's glory? Remember the melted crayons.

Etsy

I'm considering opening an Etsy shoppe. Does anyone have a review or tips they would like to share? I would love to hear from you!

I love my sizzler. Really. I do.

I have a Sizzler. He spins, he twirls, he rolls on the floor with the dog. He does cartwheels while eating popsicles, he is a study in motion. He is a trial of my patience. He is the light of my life. Days like today, I turn to the stories section of Sizzle Bop and read...just to hang on. To gain some perspective, and to give us both time to just RELAX.

That's why Sizzle Bop is at the top of my Homeschool--->Favorites List. The following is from the site and is used with permission. (Thanks Carol!)

Why is it called "Sizzle Bop?" The title for this site was an inspiration from my much loved but high energy (and high maintenance) son.

One night several years ago, he came rushing into my room, out of breath, to inform me that something “really serious” had happened. It somehow involved flying pieces of broken light bulb glass and smoke. Fearing an impending fire, I flew to the site of concern. Sure enough, there was a light bulb with a substantial portion missing. I found the offending piece lying almost ten feet from the lamp.

I wondered at the laws of physics that had been at work here when I saw what looked like the remnants of a water drop on a piece of glass. I asked my son if water had been dropped onto the bulb. With very deliberate speech, he said that perhaps…when he had been talking…a piece of saliva...might have been expelled onto the bulb. Why had he been talking to a lamp?…I thought. Then I noticed the desert dry rivulets of previous spit streams that were encrusted upon this defenseless bulb. “Son…?” I called quietly. My incredulous tone betrayed the calm I otherwise possessed. What I’m thinking might have happened here couldn’t really have happened....could it? “Son,” I said again… “have you actually been spitting on this light bulb?”

No answer.
He gave me a very wide-eyed and fearful expression.
Let’s try again.
“Son…why were you spitting on this light bulb?”

I could visualize seventeen or eighteen wheels turning in his head. Finally, the answer I shall never forget emerged. “Because I like the sizzle”

In spite of the very clear dangers, I burst out laughing. (I know that many children go through a saying “NO!” stage. Some go through a biting stage. But no one ever warned me about the “spitting-on-light bulbs-stage”). I think the most revealing part of the story can be summed up in the line “I like the sizzle!”

These kids do indeed like the sizzle. They like to

See the sizzle
Hear the sizzle

and often
BE the sizzle

That is a part of their wonderfulness…and also a part of the challenge in sharing daily ife with them. That sizzle can lead them into wonderful discoveries of humor, earning and experience. But that same desire for sizzle can lead them into difficulties. Our hopes in this group is to limit the difficult side with shared strategies and to more fully celebrate the wonderful side that is so often missed.

And here comes the “Bop” part of Sizzle Bop! There is a daily dance of life that is unique to the shared time with these high energy individuals. In spite of all of their challenges, there is a charged and delightful energy that comes with the package. In our family, we’ve chosen to dance to the music, to join in the bop, instead of trying to turn down the music.

Here I sit

at the public library while the youngster participates in the art program. The sky is cloudy, and lightning flashes in the distance. This business of staying home has got to be the most challenging, invigorating, wonderfully exhausting thing I've ever done.


Son is so intelligent, but he's also quite the handfull. He is a sizzler. Do you know what a sizzler is? I'll let you in on the secret next post. I'll give you a hint, though. If you have a sizzler at home and have yet to find the resource I'm going to review -- you'll cry when you finally see it. I did.

Salt...and Sinuses

So sorry for my prolonged absence. I noticed last Tuesday that the chili I'd fixed was not pleasing to my palatte. So I added some salt. Upon re-tasting, I still couldn't quite enjoy it without adding another dusting of the white stuff. And another. I should have known something was up...

On Wednesday, I headed to the doctor with what turned out to be the "head" infection of a lifetime. One ear has fluid, the other is angrily infected, and the sinuses are infected as well. Had I not been so self-absorbed with the move to working/staying at home, I'd have known something was coming. When I'm getting sick, I can't taste salt. It took years for me to add two and two but I kept noticing that when I'd layer on the salt for lack of flavor, something dreadful was coming down the pike.

That got me to thinking, so I googled "what does salt do?"

This is one of the first sites I was drawn to. Here's the quote on their home page:

"Over the course of human history, salt has added much more than flavor. Its ability to preserve foods and sustain civilizations through cold winters has sent countries on desperate searches to find it, control it, tax it, and trade it. In some parts of the world, salt was minted into coins as valuable as gold and soldiers were paid in salt (hence the terms 'salary' and 'worth his salt'). Today, salt is far more common that it used to be, but not every type is the same."

- Weber Grill-Out Times, Fall 2002

Soon I got to pondering the spiritual concept of being salt. After all, this is an illustration used by Christ Himself. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth" From here we read this:

"Salt is necessary for flavor. Without Christians and the gospel they proclaim and practice, this world would be more insipid. There is no true flavor found in the world. There is no true joy found in this world. Only the company of Christians gives flavor and joy to the world. We can prove this by examining the worldly parties and good times. What are they like? Boring, tasteless, and insipid. As Christians, we have the function to provide flavor and taste to the world. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. The world is without hope, and only the Christian, by his proclamation and practice, will point the world to hope in Jesus Christ.

The world is sick. Terribly ill with all that satan has to offer. All that is void, displeasing to the Creator, unlovely, unloveable. In fact, it's so sick it can't taste the salt. May God hear my prayer for just a tiny way to be salt to a sick and dying world.

Too Cute...

Who told them they could be so stinkin' cute anyway?!

It's official...

I'm home now. Today was my last day at the part time job I've held for 6 years. I'm feeling a tiny bit sentimental, but not so very much. I'm very glad to have this opportunity.

The timing certainly was grand on the Lord's part, though, the kiddo has a severe sinus infection today and needs some extra TLC.

That'll give me something to think about OTHER THAN some special friends I won't see nearly as often now. *sigh*

I love this idea!

I'm participating in A Commitment to Loveliness over at
Charming the Birds from the Trees. What a lovely idea! Here are my commitments:

1. Fresh flowers for the table and nightstand
2. Bathe the dog...it's hard to have a lovely home with a stinky critter running about!
3. Take time to read the Mitford series of books my wonderful Mother gifted me.
4. Polish my antique silver - I display part of it and it's tarnished.
5. Wear makeup. My hubby loves a tiny bit of color and I just don't take time for it often. I will make more of an effort now that I know he likes it.

I'm sure I can come up with much more, but this is a good start. Join me?

A Kindred Spirit

"What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow." -Martin Luther

Rebecca has this quote scrolling at the top of her lovely site. I absolutely LOVE it. How wonderfully blessed we are to be entrusted with such great responsibility!

The Codfish/Catfish Story

I just found this great blog! The following story was featured there, and I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you:

Codfish is a big business. The market is huge. When codfish were first being shipped, they froze them. They noticed that the flavor was lost during shipping. Somebody came up with the idea to put them in tanks and ship them in actual seawater. Even then the codfish would arrive at the market 3 or 4 days later, and would have lost much of their flavor because they were not active enough in the tank. They had a kind of mushy texture.

Finally, they learned to ship the codfish with a couple of catfish in the tank with them. The catfish is the natural enemy of codfish. During shipping the catfish would chase the codfish all around the tank the whole time, and when they got to the place where they were going, the codfish tasted like you just pulled them out of the sea. Their texture was great; their taste was even better than before.

See God knows that we are codfish in a catfish world. God allows all things, even catfish type things to help us grow strong and if He kept us from those things, we wouldn't grow into the image of Jesus Christ. Jesus himself said, "In this world you are going to have struggles. You are going to have troubles, tribulations, but be of good courage. I have overcome the world and I am going to take those troubles and I am going to transform you more and more in to my likeness."

Today is District Children's Talent at Church

So we're off...with artwork in tow:

...and scripture passage firmly in mind (hopefully)! Here is what the kiddo will (hopefully) be quoting today. It's really quite lovely.

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise His holy name!

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits -

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion.

Who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.

-- Psalm 103:1-5

Mother Sent Me

this lovely little book, and I'm enjoying it so very much! I highly recommend it, and it can be found at Amazon.

The Big Question for Frugies...

In our parents' and grandparents' eras, the big Where Were You Question was, "Where were you when you found out Kennedy had been shot?"

The big question for those of us more {ahem} frugal minded? How long have you had your copy of The Tightwad Gazette?

Sallie posed this very question not so very long ago. Mine is a funny little story that teaches a big lesson about God's grace. Did you know he even cares what you read? Of course you did!

I'd been scouring frugal websites and kept seeing TG or Amy mentioned. I finally asked about it and was told about the book. This was during a very lean period in our lives, and I decided to go to the bookstore to see if they had a copy I could read. If it were cheap enough, I reasoned, I would buy it.

I looked everywhere in the store - to no avail. There wasn't a copy to be found, so I approached a sales person to ask about ordering and the price. She checked the computer and said that there should be a copy in the store somewhere...and off she went. I kind of hung around, a little lost, when lo and behold she returns with another lady. The lady looked at me and said, "I've been carrying this book all around the store but had just decided to put it back because I'm buying so much. Would you like it?" I breathed a quick prayer to the Lord that if He wanted me to have the book it would have to be on sale. {A little late, I know. LOL} As she handed it over, I saw that the book normally priced at over $30 was on sale for $7.00. I smiled, thanked the lady, thanked the Lord and paid for one of my new favorite books.

That was over 4 years ago. I've implemented many of AD's ideas with a great deal of success. Others will never be for me unless we're under duress, but it is nice to know they can be done and they work!

SAHM I Am...

or soon will be! That's right. A week ago now I gave my two weeks notice.

I have really loved working where I did, but one mama can only be spread so far no matter how much of her there is physically. Papa-Dew and I both agree that it is time to devote more energy to homeschool and my small freelance business. I'm scared, excited, frightened, challenged, afraid, and did I mention scared?

I now have a little less idea what tomorrow holds, but I most certainly DO know who holds tomorrow. So come to think of it, I'm not really so very afraid after all.

Big News Coming Soon...

tomorrow or the day after. But for today mum's still the word!

Fall Heralds Busy-ness!

Autumn is by far my favorite season. Spring is a close second, with Winter and Summer tied for third. A funny thing happens to me in the Fall and Spring, though. My husband calls it Erma Bombeck syndrome. Erma called it Martha Stewart Syndrome.

Autumn heralds a return to order, a desire for the crispness of the early morning and the cool comfort of evenings. It creates in me an instinct must like Nesting. In fact, the "experts" would probably call it just that. Papa-Dew both loves and hates it. He loves that the house is squeaky clean (well, most of it) and decorated, but he hates that it is the only time of year I actually write out a honey-please-do list. Most of the year, I ask him and let his timetable dictate the rest. I make a great effort to not be a contentious woman. Fall, though, all the stops are pulled out. The eyes are batting, the tone of voice is wheedling, and I am not above turning his head with baked goodies and promises of Saturday sci-fi marathons.


Thus far, it's been pretty tame - although expensive. The week started off with a new pair of jeans for me. Then some really darling (and totally on sale) fall and Christmas themed dish-towels to hang on the shelf-rod (pics to come later). You know, the shelf that was gifted me by my precious mother (hi Mom!) when we visited last week. The one he put up today in the kitchen for me.


Then things got expensive. {sigh} But necessary. A new mattress/box springs set. On sale, of course, and discounted for a cash payment. That was nice. I'll sleep well tonight! And so will my sweetie and his poor, overworked back. But before bed, I think I'm really feeling the need to make a list of things to do tomorrow...


Does Autumn motivate you as well? Share with us!

Okay, not quite back to the world...

that sinus infection heralded a massive asthma attack Wed. night...followed by an upper respiratory infection. The doc has me on good, heavy-hitting drugs but I still feel pretty awful. I had prepared this little pic for y'all on Tuesday. enjoy, and say a prayer for me please.

WEEKEND AT GRANNY-MA's

Welcome back to the World!

We've been out of town at my mother's home, and brought back souvenirs! Twin sinus infections...the kiddo and myself. Who knew a human body could create so much mucus! yuuuck. So we're holding out of church today (wah!!!! We love church!) and drinking hot drinks, soups and the like. Oh, and I'm reclaiming my bachelorized house from my trip. That should take a year or so. (Just kidding dear!)

While we were at Mom's I set up her computer and got her (drum roll please) ONLINE! Now she can surf to her heart's content. (Hi Mommie!)

I'll post more later when some of the concrete has left my skull.

RSS

I'm wanting to add an RSS feed to my blog and just can't seem to do so. My poor brain is just too tired. Could someone help?

pretty please?

Never Forget.

God Bless America.

America - bless God!

In Other Words for September 11, 2007

Laurel Wreath is hosting "In Other Words for this week. She has chosen the following quote for each of us to ponder and paraphrase:

"The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love." a Henry Scougal quote (from The Life of God in the Soul of Man ), quoted by John Piper in The Pleasures of God.

There is a commercial currently running for something or other that utilizes a song that repeats "Who do ya love?" over and over. The marketing ploy mustn't be too good, for I can remember only the song - not the product. Since reading LW's quote, that song has been crashing about in my mind.


Who do I love? We all know the answers to that question. God, family friends. But what about self? ouch. Yeah, I may love her a bit too much. Maybe that's why I try to take things into my own hands. Why I sometimes leave things at the foot of the cross, only to sneak back later and snatch them away.


Another question springs to mind. What is the worth of a soul, anyway? The value is enormous. A soul is what sets us apart from all of creation. It's what makes us similar to God - made in His image. Just as he is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we are body, mind and soul. Sinner-saved-by-grace or not, it is one thing we all share that is the same, that has the same potential.


Bodies come in all different shapes and sizes. Some bodies are broken at birth. Deformaties and diseases create situations in which some are more challenged than others right from the get-go. Differences in color or ethnicity have resulted in conflicts as personal as school-yard bullying and as corporate as genocide. There are more suffering from eating disorders than ever, yet obesity is at epidemic levels. Because of the Garden Fall, sin has its way with our no-longer perfect bodies. We do not, nor will we have a "level playing field" when it comes to our physical bodies.


Like bodies, minds come in all different sizes. Whether we like to admit it or not, we are all limited by our capabilities. Certainly, we can do all we can to maximize children's potential and retain what we older folks have. How many people do you know who Soduku in an effort to stay sharp? How many people buy Baby Einstein videos hoping to make Johnny a genius? Lots! And as little as we like to admit it with regard to our bodies, it really irks us that we are not all the same mentally. Sin has done its best to take away this third of our triune nature as well. Mental disabilities and injuries, as well as simple differences in genetic makeup and environmental stimuli insure that we won't have a "level playing field" there as well.


We are left with the final third of our triune nature. The soul. The breath of heaven within us all. The one portion of our beings that all begin the same. Sin has played its insidious role in this portion of our lives as well. Satan covets this third of our being most of all, as it is the only one that is eternal. This is the gold. After the fall in Eden and the resulting birth into a sin nature, Satan thought he had won. Each soul, fresh and new into the world has a sin nature - a soul tarnished like aged gold. Dormant until the oh-so-mysterious and oft-debated age of accountability, the time comes in each life when there is an awareness of the condition of our soul. Until that time, the playing field is level. We are all the same. We have the same potential for sin, or for glory through God's grace. It is the choices that we make, and the desire/love of our soul that further dulls or places our soul into the Refiner's fire. A soul that loves things of this world takes on the garish, carnival paint of superficiality while the soul that yearns for and loves the refiner will begin to shine brighter and brighter..adding to its worth and value.


Do we love the cheap, carnival artifice that sin has to offer? Or do we love the priceless purity of God?

Menu Plan Monday

Tuesday - Pork Chops, Corn on the Cob, Fried Potatoes


Wednesday - Hamburgers, Macaroni w/Tomatoes, Green Beans


Thursday - Spaghetti with Meatballs


Friday - Crockpot Sticky Chicken, Peas, Hominy


Saturday - At my Mother's home!


Sunday - Soup & Sandwiches


Monday - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli w/Cheese Sauce

From Mrs. Wilt...

Mrs. Wilt found this amusing, as did I. Consider yourself tagged, if you do as well.


She found this hilarious meme at Allsorts and thought she'd join in the fun (She left out the "Stripper Name" question, just in case you visit and see that it's not numbered the same. I did the same, although my rock star name kinda sounds like one!).


1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car),
Prissy Plymouth



2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie),
Cookie Dough Macademia


3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name),
S-Pha


4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),
Green-Dog


5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),
Kimberly Lexington


6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),
Pha-Sa


7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),
The Lavender Coffee


8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),
Chester McKinley


9. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),
Faye Morrison


10. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter),
Donna Detroit


11. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).
Autumn Larkspur


12. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Cherry Capriy


13. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),
Eggs Dogwood


14. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”),
The Everything Rainbows Tour

Meet the Family

I had shared our love of froggies with Christin and she requested pictures! So here goes...

In this version of "Meet the Family", you will meet Hoppy and Swimmy - our aquatic frogs. We raised them from tadpoles, and they have been vastly interesting and amusing to watch. We purchased them from Grow a Frog for dear son's kindergarten science project. I highly recommend this company for excellent product, fast shipping and prompt, friendly customer service.

After a period of "froggie" excitement - racing around their tank after I fed them, they cooperated quite well with the crazy mama's photo shoot.


So without further ado, meet Hoppy...

and Hoppy and Swimmy...

CAUTION: Rantings of a Distraught Woman Ahead

#1: I will get a blog entry in tonight.

#2: I will ignore the rhythmic crashes from the kiddo's room.

#3: I will write until that throbbing in my neck stops.

#4: I will have to devote more time daily to his room. Either that or up the life insurance.

#5: Do you know how a stroke feels?

#6: I think I do.

#7: The Legos and Knex have gone to their respective bins now. I've explained to my 8-year-old that they lost their legs in a horrible warehouse accident and cannot be expected to find their own way home.

#8: When will the chest pains go away??

#9: Did you know that you can cull a grocery bag full of trash from under the bed and an 8-year-old boy will argue with you for 5 minutes on how "that's good stuff in there!"

#10: Did you know that you can actually loosen a gold crown by gritting your teeth?

#11: My dentist loves me. I've paid for his kid's college education.

#12: The chest pains have subsided.

#13: The throbbing is dull and slowing.

#14: The vision is starting to return in the left eye, and the nausea has abated.

Ok. I'm done. really, really done. in. really.

In Other Words

"Under the banner of God, victory is always assured;

but apart from it, defeat is a certainty.

When the banner of God's rod was not held high, Amalek prevailed.

You can't do battle against the flesh under your own power."

~ Kay Arthur ~ Lord, I Want to Know

I must confess that, at first blush, I thought I would be unable to post today. Apart from a general agreement with the sentiment set forth by Moses' example, I didn't feel any relevence for today in Kimberly-land. Do not misunderstand. My world is as un-idyllic as anyone else's, and I have done battle with the enemy. I have met against him with the Lord's strong shoulder nearby. I have called upon my mother to assist me in prayer at such times. The battle is very real, although today has been relatively free of skirmishes. At least to my human eyes. And that brings me to what the Lord showed me today.

First, the Lord gently reminded me that I have been suffering more bruising from the enemy than necessary. And in that regard, the enemy has gained a toehold in my life.

I've always had trouble making close friends. I think everyone has had times when our friends have let us down, even hurt us. I've had a few more than my share lately. My best friend (at the time) decided to divorce her husband. She divorced all of her friends too; and after an odyssey into an abusive situation, drug use and turning her back on the Lord she lives in spiritual and physical poverty - a lonely alcoholic who won't let anyone in.

My next "best friend" didn't wrong me per se, but her teenage son abused my young son in the worst way imagineable. She abjectly refuses to even consider that he could have done such a thing. Thus the end of friendship #2 - necessary, but still painful.

Many years later, I befriended the mother of my son's classmate at karate. We became instant friends, closer than sisters in a matter of months. What happened? Yup, she moved to Houston. We're still very close friends, and I love her like a sister, but it's just not the same.

Now why did I just dump all of that on y'all? To get to this: the Lord showed me today that I had been actively avoiding new friendships in an effort to avoid getting hurt again. Pushing people away, or just not letting them close in the first place.

Really, I knew it down in my heart, but didn't want to admit that it was wrong. Yes. Wrong. I'm admitting it. I've gone out of my way to avoid people in 'real life' and in the process I missed out on so many blessings. I see now that I can't continue holding my arms up alone. And while my mother is faithful to the end if the Lord tarries she won't be here forever. My precious husband is always there for me, but sometimes cannot relate to things the way a girlfriend would.

God showed me that I've been wondering why my arms were so tired, when I was shooing away those who would offer some relief. OUCH

When we are as in tune with our spiritual vision as we are the physical, we will begin to see that the battle is never really over. It can't possibly be; the war is still on. There are days when the war rages in our hearts and minds, and we cower before the Lord pleading mercy on our own or a loved one's behalf. Then when the battle eases, we rest. But we rest thanks to the those in the heavenly realm who continue the fight on our behalf. Those in whom the Lord has placed some of our spiritual and - I believe - occasional physical protection. What a wonderful God we serve who not only meets but exceeds our needs!

If you've ever read any of Frank Peretti's books, you'll know how easy it is for me to picture it. Close your eyes with me.

See yourself - holding your arms aloft as you prayerfully watch your child battle in the valley. God's word is in your hand, and the eyes of your child look to you over and over. Searching, seeking the courage to stay the course. Looking to you for the example of how to fight the good fight. Your arms begin to falter, shaking with exhaustion. The storm clouds are thick, and the thunder is rolling low and ominous. The Lord is there, you know, but He has entrusted you with this particular fight. He seeks to increase your faith.

Just as your right arm begins to collapse, one of the angels appears to help you. This is no cherub or seraphim. This...this is a warrior. A beautiful being created as a servant to God himself. And he is here. Helping you, a sinner saved by grace. There is his sword, you see? The sword of the Spirit that is so sharp. It's in his other hand, ready to ward off that which threatens your precarious perch on the edge of the cliff. With his free hand, he grasps your elbow and bolsters your grip. Your other arm feels like jelly, you're nearly spent when another angel appears at that side to help you along. You feel his help, his support and devotion to the creation of his God.

Whether in the form of angels ministering or friends supporting, isn't is grand to know He cares for us? In so many ways! Friends DO matter. They are a gift from a loving God. Now, let's be clear: Like all of creation, angels are under God’s authority and subject to His judgment. They are not divine and are not to be worshipped. More on angels at this link: http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=711#

And now I see where I was wrong. No more pushing away for me. With God's help, my wall-building days are over!

A Kindred Spirit

"What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow." -Martin Luther


Rebecca has this quote scrolling at the top of her lovely site. I absolutely LOVE it. How wonderfully blessed we are to be entrusted with such great responsibility!

Work in Progress Wednesday

This little project has been in the works for a while, but I've just resurrected it. At my place of employment, in our office area we have a mural of a pier and ocean complete with parrott and sailboat. During the CHRISTmas season, we put up a beautiful tree adorned with seashells and nautical themed ornaments. This year, I'm hoping to have a stocking for each of us...in theme, of course!

This is the first and very rough "draft" It has not yet had the back added, thus the rough edges. It is made of felt, the palm fronds at the top will be relocated to the fold-down white top of the stocking. when it is added. I'm thinking of adding just a very few pom-pons or sequins to the fronds to simulate ornaments, but am pretty much undecided on that one still. Every element will be stitched (simple running stitch) but is currently put together with FabricTac.

As I didn't have a pattern at all, I'm doubtful as to the shape of it. I would very much like any input or suggestions! Creative criticism is okay, I can take it! I think. ha.

Today we had Kentucky Hot Browns with iceburg/pepper salad and turtle brownies for dessert.

Tuesday: Chicken Divan, steamed asparagus and corn

Wednesday: Turkey, sweet potato casserole and greens

Thursday: Chicken Dip, peas and hominy

Friday: Meatball Subs, salad, raw veggies w/dip

Saturday: Salsbury Steak, Consumme Rice, grilled zucchini

Sunday: Grilled Steaks with Blue Cheese, cauliflower salad, green beans

Yum-Yum!

Life Began in a Garden...

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.

Refrain

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

Refrain

I’d stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go;

through the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling.

Refrain

Words: Charles Austin Miles (1912)

Small Cute Dog + Small Cute Skunk =

Big ugly stink! There is an adorable, if pungent, skunk that visits our house each evening now. Apparently, she considers the dog great target practice!

About 2 hours ago, DS let her in. I was on the phone with Papa-Dew and noticed. an. odor. In less than one minute, she managed to spread the joy throughout the house. Said dog, however, is now consigned to jump at the front door until Papa-Dew gets home and saves her. She won't be coming in here again until she's been de-skunkified.

And of course, the preacher and his wife are coming for supper Monday.

Discovering Home

Meredith wrote today about their local discovery. Here's a lovely, local place we looked into not so long ago...



We enjoyed the boat tour and panning for gems!

I'm not super crazy about the liberal slant here but I do agree with being more green as good stewards of the earth entrusted to us. Not to mention the frugal and educational benefits of exploring at home!

Anticipation

This is the best pic I've ever taken of DS. I was sitting beside him as we awaited the lightnin' bug parade and just lifted my arm and snapped the pic without even looking. Every other pic, he saw me coming and I had a full memory card of goofy faces. This, this is the one.

I wonder how the gracious Jewels gets those stunning pics of her kiddos. 'Fes up, you wear camouflage, right? ;-)

I have to sneak around or disguise myself as a sofa to get a good pic. harrumph.

For Vivian's 30th Birthday...

Blessed be Your Name...

“Blessed Be Your name

When I’m found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed Be Your name…”

~ Matt Redman

These are powerful words, from a powerful song. They echo a sentiment I learned the hard way... God is good. Even when things seem to be going so wrong. When pain has taken up residence in my heart. When tears sting my eyes at the most inopportune moments.

One of the first desert places in my adult life was at Vanderbilt UMC neo-natal intensive care unit. That's where my son was born. At 27 weeks gestation. That's about 3 months early. 2 pounds, 3 ounces. Quite possibly dying. But God was there. And I learned to bless His name at every stage. Whether gasping a prayer during a Brady event (breathing/heartbeat stops) or rejoicing over another 6 ounce weight gain. He was right there, walking through the desert with me. And His name was blessed.

When walking through the wilderness associated with the discovery of a potentially life threatening disease in the same child years later, He was still right there with me. And I'd learned enough by then to bless His name - even before I felt like it. The more I praised Him, the more I meant it, and the easier it got. What a relief it was to cast every burden on Him. And later to rejoice at His assurance that He would provide healing in a miraculous way. And He did. There are doctors from Kentucky to Boston still scratching their heads over that one.

I'm not naive enough to think - or even hope - that there will be no more desert or wilderness experiences. What I do know is that He is there through it all. Holding me. Comforting me. Loving me. Blessed be His name - forever and ever.

Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. - Psalm 113:2

Who really practices "Come Ye Apart" any more?!

I've got a post swirling around my brain and I have no idea how to convey it without sounding trite or whiny so I suppose I'll just jump right in. Hang in there with me to the end...

In their effort to "connect" with young people, I see changes in the church with which I'm uncomfortable. Now, by "the church" I'm speaking of the corporate body of Christ - not necessarily ours in particular.

Some are merely different methodologies - the use of a screen and PowerPoint presentations. To me, they are a distraction - an intrusion even. To others, a welcome addition to the worship experience. After going to the Lord about my feelings, I realize that neither method is inherently right or wrong. Thus, I've resigned myself to staring purposefully at the bulletin or hymnal to avoid distraction.

The switch from hymn-based worship to chorus-based has been difficult as well, but I think is still a difference in methodology. Although I do really, really wish my son would grow up hearing those wonderful songs of old regularly in the service. It's one thing for a 5-year-old me to request the song, "Bringing in the Sheeps" (LOL), another for my 8-year-old to have to be taught "Victory in Jesus". I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for traditional-hymn CDs to listen to at home and in the van. (Do you have a fave? Let me know what it is!)

Here's where the water muddies a bit for me. This past weekend involved a "prayer journey"...there were "stations" set up around the building and you were to go at your own pace around. It was basically a series of object lessons. One had rocks you were to clean, there was a mirror at another, a map at another, and instructions on how to participate at each. Papa-Dew made the decision for our family to leave, and we did.

There were several different reasons for his decision: 1) We had an extremely hyper boy on our hands who thought this was playtime. 2) Papa-Dew and I were both extremely uncomfortable with the whole process. I can't list all of his reasons, they are his own and private.

But to me it felt rather superficial. I know everything was symbolic. What I need to learn and work on with regard to prayer is not symbolic at all. It is so very private, making myself so very vulnerable before the God who loves me and knows me by name, that to put it in a box - do this here, pray for this here, take a drink here, write a letter here - is to make it somehow seem less holy.

Human nature is too prone, I think, to put a great deal of stock in the symbolic. That's why I no longer have a prayer journal. For some people, it's great. Not so much for me. I caught myself just writing prayer requests down in it instead of actually taking them to the Lord. Once I realized that it wasn't for me, my prayer life increased. I still don't have a specific time each day that I devote to prayer. It's more like speaking to a loved one on an hourly basis. I'm so ADD that when I see a need or receive a request, I stop right then and pray...no matter where I am or what I'm doing. I've found that this way, I have a daily, hourly, sometimes every-minute running dialogue with the Lord. Of course, there are times when I feel the need for a season of prayer/spiritual warfare, and I search out a quiet spot and do so, but for the most part, I speak to the Lord every few minutes. I need to work on listening more often, I know.

Now, am I going to leave the church over a prayer journey? Of course not. Just because it wasn't for me doesn't make it wrong. But I have to wonder how we got so far away from the very basics of worship & praise. Why are the old ways being abandoned so quickly? Why are we so quick to change things to 'appeal to those outside the church'?

The church managed to win souls in the 40s without adding big bands. The 50s somehow saw increased church attendance without the allure of Ringo Starr in the choir loft. The 60s? Well, we won't go there. But the church did manage to hang around. The 70s and 80s saw the genesis of "Jesus Music" and the birth of contemporary Christian music. Petra was shockingly "rock-like" but remained on the record and cassette players of the youth group (I have lots of Petra on my iPod...they really mean what they sing!). The 90s ushered in the era of the 'mega-church' - where Sunday School included latte and donuts, small group ministries came into vogue, and suddenly abortion and euthanasia were 'political matters' and were verboten in the sanctuary.

Where are we headed with all this? Several denominations have sullied their fine histories by condoning things God calls abomination. I'm NOT speaking of loving and ministering to those in the lifestyle - we are called to do that! We are called to care for those who are homeless, downtrodden, poor, widowed, elderly, single parents, the hopeless, those who do not know Him. We are to love them, bring them in to fellowship with the Lord who loves them! In our quest, though, to "connect" with those, are we letting go of too much of ourselves?

I'm a fan of the show "24". I know, but it is really a roller-coaster ride thriller for a news/political junkie like myself. I'm a recent fan, so I've been watching older shows to catch up. In one plotline, Jack Bauer has inserted himself into a drug cartel/family. To seem "authentic" and show that he's "for real" he has been taking a drug. Heroin, I believe. True to form, his mission was moderately successful. He managed to ingratiate himself to at least one member of the family. But when all was said and done, when the situation was over, Jack was a junkie. No cute words...just a junkie. He'd done what he thought was necessary to get into that private circle. But he still had to pay the price.

I wonder...if we change our ways to appeal to the world, will they still appeal to God? Or will we have a price to pay? Can we reach the world without changing? I think so. You see, He's not changed. He's forever the same. Is all change bad? Of course it isn't - but change simply for the sake of change is not always wise. If we must change, perhaps we should begin not with the order of service - but the type and regularity of our service to others. Perhaps the words of Petra lyricist will illustrate the type of change I think is needed most:

Another sleepy Sunday, safe within the walls

Outside a dying world in desperation calls

But no-one hears the cries,

or knows what they're about

The doors are locked within,

or is it from, without...

Looking through rose colored stained glass windows

Never allowing the world to come in

Seeing no evil and feeling no pain

Making the light as it comes from within, so dim...

*instrumental*

Out on the doorstep lay the masses in decay

Ignore them long enough, maybe they'll go away

When you have so much you think,

you have so much to lose

You think you have no lack,

when you're really destitute

Looking through rose colored stained glass windows -

Never allowing the world to come in -

Seeing no evil and feeling no pain -

Making the light as it comes from within, so dim

so dim!

I've always wanted to (dot) (dot) (dot)

As you either know or may have guessed, I work in the creative field. Much of my work is done from home, at outlandish hours, and in something of a controlled frenzy.

But now you know that you'll need protection if you interrupt one of my "hands-on" creating sprees. I've been known to crochet, sew, paint and scrapbook - all in one day! (Yes, I'm somewhat ADD.)

To be utterly honest with you, dear reader, I've been blessed by compliments from co-workers and clients as to the quality of my work. My impression, however, is that while it is acceptable and my very best effort it is certainly nothing to "write home" about. The Lord has enabled me with a tiny bit of creative ability, and I thank Him for that.

There are other folks whose creativity is just not their cheif ability. And thank the Lord for that! What would we do with a police officer whose greatest achievement was to draw a pretty picture of an escaping criminal, or an accountant whose "creativity" landed him in prison and his clients in the poorhouse?! Not everyone can (or should) be creative for a living.

I've been noticing something for a long time and it all kind of came together for me today. Consider this for a moment: How many times have you heard someone wish they could be more creative? Probably a lot, especially if you are geared toward creativity. It always amazes me how many acquaintances or clients hand me their ideas on paper - or even a completed project - and say something to the effect of, "I'm a little bit of an artist myself, you know." And they're an incredibly gifted accountant/manager/technician...but maybe not so much an artist. And again, I don't want to sound snotty. I'm not "all that" myself. I have co-workers and contemporaries whose abilities far outshine my own.

Now, how many times do you hear someone wish they were less creative, or more business/mathematically oriented. A few times for certain, but most likely nowhere near as often as the first.

Why is that? I've often wondered, but as of today have a theory.

There must be something that Cs (creatives) and NCs (not-so-creatives) have in common. And since everyone on the planet falls into one of those categories whether they know it or not, it would have to be something rather broad in scope. And I think I've figured it out.

A CREATOR.

To understand my convoluted haven't-had-coffee-today theory, let's consider my 8 year old precious precocious son. You can always tell what movie he's seen, book he's been reading (!) or story he's heard most recently. Last week, we saw National Treasure again. His days were filled with copying the Declaration (Mama's no dummy! lol) and running around the house with it in his document holder (paper towel tube with a yarn handle).

Friday evening we watched some friend's karate videos on youtube. So what was going on in my house? Yup, full scale sparring mixed in with some freestyle kata for interest. Monday he began reading a Star Wars book I got (at a yard sale for 10 cents!) so Monday evening he hummed the SW theme and wore a cape. We also had a fantastic light sabre duel in the front yard. Today he was an earth bender al a Avatar. Complete with plaid blanket kimono, bathrobe cloak, socks for long gloves. I wish I'd had a camera handy. It was cute.

Do you see where I'm going with this? The point here is that when you see something that you love or admire, it is only natural for you to want to imitate it. So when we long for creativity (or more creativity) in our lives, I think it's a natural outgrowth of longing to be like the Creator. To connect with Him on a very basic level. Whether they claim kinship with Him or not, on some level each created recognizes and longs to be like the Creator.

An Answered Prayer

He did it on his own.

That's what a friend of mine calls "kisses from the Father" - and she's right!

Mama's Manic Monday (with a menu!)

My turn to join in on all the fun! Since we started back to homeschool today (hurrah!) - I just decided to do my menu plans on the weekend when I do my lesson plans. It's really going to be a winner of a system, I think. So here goes:

Today we had hot dogs, dressed eggs, pork 'n beans & chips.

Tuesday: Tuna Salad, raw veggies, cottage and hard cheese

Wednesday: Rotel Chicken and Spinach Balls (I'll post the recipes later.)

Thursday: Meatball Subs, Broccoli Casserole & fresh Corn

Friday: Chinese Restaurant (Dad's Day Off!)

Saturday: Grilled Chicken Salads with Fruit

Sunday: Crockpot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots, Corn, Green Beans & Sliced Tomatoes

Monday: Schtuff (hamburger/tomato/noodle), Peas and Apples

Reminds me of watching Hee Haw as a kid - "Hey Grandpa, what's fer supper?" Guess you don't remember that, huh?

Man, I feel old.

While you're clicking around...

be sure to look at Monica's most recent blog entry to see her cute-as-a-bug Christmas tree!

Jewel had me weeping...her site is filled with praise, thanksgiving and gentleness.

And of course, Like Merchant Ships is always a joy to read.

And the Duggars have #17! I'd love to have #2!

A Sisterly Shoebox Swap!

Guess what Monica at The Homespun Heart is up to! I'm participating - perhaps you would like to as well. Here are the details:

You are invited to participate in the first Sisters' Shoebox Swap hosted by two real-life sisters: Carrie and myself! Our swap theme is refresh. Isn't that such a beautiful word? Now, here are the details of this event:*

To sign up, please send an e-mail to sisterswaps@hotmail.com
and include your name, mailing address, e-mail address and blog address if you have one. You do not have to have a blog to participate in the swap.*

When we receive your request to sign up, we will send you a short list of questions which will be sent to your swap partner to help them get to know you and what you like.*

The swap goodies should all fit inside a shoebox (please include several items) and be built around the theme of "refresh". This is a broad idea, so there is plenty of room for creativity! There are no specific expectations about types of items, for example there does not need to be a homemade item, though that is fine if you so choose.* We will accept international swappers on the basis that we have other swappers who are willing to ship internationally. Please indicate this when you sign up.*

Sign-ups will be open from Monday, July 30 through Wednesday, August 8. Swap partners will be assigned and sent out as quickly as possible after that date. Boxes should be mailed no later than Friday, September 7.*
Please make sure that if you sign up, you really want to participate and
will follow through so that no one is disappointed. Also, please mail using a delivery confirmation number, which should be sent in to sisterswaps@hotmail.com so we make sure everyone gets a swap.

Finally Frugal Friday!

In the chaos of the recent design marathon, I realized that I wasn't seeing well when finally I turned from the computer screen to other "housely" duties. I'd been noticing more eye fatigue than normal, and finally did something about it.

Today I purchased a lovely 19" LCD monitor at Staples. Before you report me to the frugal authorities, let's look at the purchase from several angles. I think we can agree that it was, indeed, frugal after all.

1. I had the money. The Lord in His goodness has provided a great deal of freelance work for me this month and I praise Him for it!
2. I had a coupon downloaded from a money-saving/coupon site for 12% off the purchase - found 10 minutes before leaving the house. These web sites can be a real help if one is careful to confirm the legitimacy of the savings/price/coupon - and doesn't abuse the system. I have two or three places I check regularly, and have saved a great deal of money between them on items I would have bought anyway. ( www.fishingfordeals.com www.fatwallett.com and www.slickdeals.com are just a few of the sites out there. Just be sure you have a good adware and spyware blocker - not that those sites are bad, but it's just a good idea when following linkies!)
3. It is cheaper to prevent eye strain than to recover from it. http://www.naturaleyecare.com/ says

   Use a good monitor. Usually the higher the resolution (the more pixels) the better. Monochrome displays usually have better resolution than color. For color monitors, look for smaller dots per inch (less than .28mm). Higher refresh rates (flicker speeds) are preferred, at least 70 Hz. Make sure the monitor has a high enough illumination to match the surroundings (be aware that antireflection screens reduce illumination).
4. On a whim, I asked the Sales Associate at Staples if they price-match. Indeed they do! In fact, if you find a cheaper price on the item purchased within 14 days online or off they will refund the difference plus 10%! The moment I got home with my purchase (and I do love it!) I searched the internet for a lower price. Within 5 minutes, I'd found one! $50 lower! I printed the page, and tomorrow I will be going to Staples for my refund. I'll be in the area anyway, so the gasoline expenditure will be negligible.

All in all, I'm very happy with my purchase. I think it will save a lot of time and headaches (literally!) in the near future.

The aftermath of my frenzied design marathon...

Shield your eyes, it isn't pretty! But before you look you should know that of all places in my home and home office, my desk is generally the neatest...almost the the point of severity. I simply must have order to work efficiently. So here goes:

Now you know. Goodness, was I tired when all was said and done. But depositing that check in the bank today more than made up for it!

The funniest thing about my office is that my dear hubby loves to fly remote controlled airplanes. Actually, he loves everything about them...building, flying, crashing. Well maybe not the crashing part! What does that have to do with my office? How well would YOU work if there were 3 planes circling overhead? I do that all the time! It used to be a major source of contention with me. Now, I've decided to go with it. The office will be getting a much-needed vinyl floorcovering to replace the decades old brown shag. The walls are going to be painted a lovely gray with just a hint of lilac for color, and the ceiling? Sky blue with clouds, of course! I've even threatened to get the ceiling fan that looks like the nose of a plane...so I'd have 3 circling and one headed straight for me! What do you think? I am a graphic designer after all, and we are supposed to be a bit on the <> unusual side, right?!

I haven't abandoned you...

I've just had a huge freelancing project due. I've been working much more than sleeping. I will post a nice long update in the very near future. Probably tomorrow - possibly tonight. Until then:

"In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again so that where I am, there you may be also."

A favorite scripture for all times.

God and the Geese

Well, here I sit - all misty-eyed as I knew I would. I told you I'd be crying by Tuesday. I didn't even make it until Monday afternoon. The youngster is at camp for the first time ever, probably having the time of his life and I'm glad. Oh yes, I am. Glad. For him. But this morning I've indulged in a bit of a pity party with a self-imposed sniffle-limit of lunchtime today. After that, I'm no longer allow to sniffle. Miss him yes, sniffle no!

In the meantime, I received this in the e-mail and loved it. Hope you will too...

There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays. His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments. One snowy Eve, his wife was taking their children to service in the farm community in which they lived. They were to talk about Jesus' birth. She asked him to come, but he refused. "That story is nonsense!" he said. "Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!" So she and the children left, and he stayed home. A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window. He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of Wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn't go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.
.
The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them To stay, he thought. It's warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside.
.
But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn't seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them, and they moved further away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread crumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on. Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe. "Why don't they follow me?!" he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. "If only I were a goose, then I could save them," he said out loud. Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn -- and one-by-one, the other geese followed it to safety.
.
He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: "If only I were a goose, then I could save them!" Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!" Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese--blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us. As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood why Christ had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished with the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed! his first prayer: "Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!"

I will update when I can actually see what I'm typing. Have a wonderful, blessed morning. I'll see you this afternoon!

Potpourri

What a day! Up and off to work an hour early to make Friday easier for the full-timers. All in all, it didn't look to be too busy when I left so I hope their afternoon was comfortable.

The kiddo leaves for church camp on Monday. Whatever will I do? How will the house tolerate such silence? I'll be crying in my dishrag by Tuesday noon - you just watch and see. In talking about his upcoming trip, I asked him if he wanted me to cut his hair or take him somewhere. He's not used to having a say-so and looked at me with those gorgeous blue eyes and said, "Take me somewhere. I'd like to go to a professional." I must've grinned for he looked me in the eye, leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, " 'Cause you're a N-O-V-S-I-E....a novice." *chuckle* Yes, folks, we homeschool. Hey, the vocabulary is there! I haven't emphasized spelling too much, but we'll be working on it a lot this year. And I had planned to do so before being declared a NOVSIE. So there. lol

Speaking of the boychild, he wants his room to look like a laboratory! So here's what I came up with for his closet door. The brown squares are cork.

The pup-a-lup has discovered that there is very little in life that equals a (clean) old shop rag tied into a knot. She tosses it, chews on it, teases the boy with it, and will most certainly sleep with it tonight. She is quite the character. See?!

Thrifty Thursday!

Okay, so I didn't get to go thrifting today like I wanted...nappy time was calling, calling and I was lulled by its siren song.

I did, however, make it out Saturday and had a glorious morning! Fueled by a Starbucks Rasberry Mocha Frappuccino (I know - but - it was Starbucks! And I only go there about every three months! And it was only a tall! And, and...I have no excuse. *bowing head in shame* ) Anyway, fueled by that lovely caffiene, I found some yummilicious stuff! Here's my take:

1. Hand Crank Radio/Flashlight - pretty much new in box. The headphones were still wrapped in plastic. Now, I'd priced one for PapaDew (hubby) for Christmas at $29 from LL Bean. My cost? $5.00

2. "I Spy" software - computer game for hyperkid - new in box for $3.00

3. Pirate pop-up/punch-out book for hyperkid - brand new - $2.00

4. 3 stacking storage bins (large, with hinged lids) for doggie treats and such - $1 for the set

5. Large vintage anatomy book with really neat pull-out poster of the different systems labeled and in color for homeschooling - 50 cents

6. Paperback, unabridged copy of Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution (the only way of eating on which I can lose any weight) - 25 cents

7. Paperback Star Wars Book for hyperkid - 25 cents

8. A stack of 12 Birds & Blooms magazine - most never taken out of the wrapper - $1!!! I love this mag but don't subscribe!

and last, but so not least:

9. A stack of 12 Good Old Days magazines - $1! I love this mag too!!!

So, all that for $14. Not bad, huh?!

What treasures have you found lately?

Work of Her Hands Wednesday

What fun to make a one-of-a-kind giftie for a dear friend! I would love to sell these somewhere like Etsy. What do you think? Should I try?

Rebecca's artist has been busy as well!

A Fresh, New Blog...

Welcome! I'm so excited to have this new venue, and hope that you and I, dear reader, will become fast friends. Kindred spirits if you will.

Perhaps you're curious as to the name of this particular journal. It comes from one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors - Grace Livingston Hill. Mrs. Hill was a true innovator when it came to "romance" fiction in that her characters and plots were created to show true love. Not necessarily that between a man and a woman, but that of our living, loving Heavenly Father. In this day and age they are truly a breath of fresh air and serve as inspiration for me on so many levels. The particular book is entitled "A Daily Rate" and draws its name from II Kings...

25: But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah.

26: And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose, and came to Egypt: for they were afraid of the Chaldees.

27: And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;

28: And he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon;

29: And changed his prison garments: and he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life.

30: And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life.

The emphasis, of course, is my own. Don't you just love the thought that the very King of Kings does the same for us? That each and every need of ours is on His mind! Some scoff at such an idea, "the King of the Universe - GOD - cares about whether or not you have a headache?" He sure does. "But He's so BIG - surely He has better things to do." Exactly. He's that big. And yet he cares for me. "Daily, only, He says to thee, 'Take up thy cross and follow me.'" Daily only. That's pretty specific. It has to be for a world-class worrier like myself. Even I can't argue with that one!

Here's one thing I plan to do daily. Perhaps more...hopefully not less. I want to share with you. Some days we may laugh together; other days we may weep together. But the point is - whether its in 'real life' or here in the blogosphere - we are all in this together. The title "A Daily Rate" means so much more to me even than trusting in our Father (which is the most important thing of all) it means being content with my allowances...be it time, talent, money, child(ren), spouse, family, whatever! Thus, we'll cover it all here. Many days my thoughts are like potpourri scattered on the floor...disjointed, broken perhaps - but hopefully still capable of creating a pleasing aroma to The Great Big God we just happen to call Father.