November: 30 Days of Gratitude and Thanksgiving

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! ~ Psalm 95:2

For the month of November I am going to focus on giving thanks for each of the blessings in my life.  Each day will include a post listing at few things I am thankful for.  The purpose being to help me foster and develop a spirit of gratitude and praise into my life.

It is my prayer that each of you will chime in along the way and share a few things you are grateful for also.

New Every Morning

As the mornings have gotten cooler, I have missed sitting on my back porch in the mornings for my quiet time. 

Sitting out there in those early morning hours, it's easy to see the hand print of God. 

"They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." ~ Lamentations 3:23

You can see his work in the trees, the sunlight, the birds coming to the feeder.

You can hear it in the breeze, the bird songs, the soft clucking of the chickens.

Sometimes I can even feel His Spirit here with me.

God makes Himself known to us in subtle ways. 

He is always all around us - with us.  We just have to stop, look, and listen to feel Him there.

"Be still, and know that I am God" ~ Psalm 46:10

Baby Pumpkins

The grand baby carves his first jack o' lantern!

This is gonna be fun!

Hmmm... what's in here?

ewwwwww!!!!

This does NOT taste like Oma's pumpkin muffins!

Squishy pumpkin guts... Hey - this IS fun!

Don't look yet!

2 little punkins!

Living Room: Day 9 - New Wall

The Man of the House framed the new 1/2 wall at the top of the stairs.

Living Room: Day 8

Hard to believe we've only been at this a week! And at the same time, hard to believe it's only been a week!


Saturday (Day 8) was dedicated to two items on the To-Do lists:

• remove the railing at the top of the stairs and get ready for wall construction

 

• remove old antenna and speaker outlets and patch the holes those would leave in the wall.

Yes, that's me - using power tools!



Living Room Makeover: Days 3-7

The week days were taken up with compounding and sanding the new dry wall behind the fireplace.

A New Week, A New List

To Do List for October 29 - November 2:

• Finish grand baby's halloween costume
• Work on Christmas presents
• Start priming newly installed drywall
• Make final decision on paint colors
• Pick up some coffee mugs for project
• Finish "About" page for Queen B's Busy Work
• Finish reading atleast one book (hopefully 2)
• Do something nice for myself
• Walk 2 times (weather permitting)
• Have a happy birthday

What's To Do: Update

I am quickly finding that since I am watching the grand baby in the afternoons while his mother is in classes, I am not getting much done at all.  I have to hurry to get the day to day things not on these to-do lists done in the morning.  And I'm not doing so great at that either!  Yikes!!

• Tape and compound new drywall to get ready for painting next weekend   Well, someone did it.  I'm not going to pretend it was me.  I helped a little. 
• Take down pictures, clean and spackle other walls for painting  Yep.  And I just realized this morning I missed an entire wall.  What?
• Work on Christmas present  My crochet focus this week as it turned out was helping with the grand baby's halloween costume. 
• Walk 2 times   well.....   1 time.....
• Pick up some mugs for new project  Nope. I looked at some mugs.  And decided a trip to the dollar store is in order.
• Figure out where all the note pads for my To Do lists keep disappearing to!  NO clue.  None.  I think all my notepads are in cahoots to run off together.  Somewhere there is a happy little land full of my notepads. 

You Make Me Smile (Follow Friday Four Fill-in)

TGIF! Which means it's time again for the Follow Friday Four Fill In Blog Hop! Each week, Feeling Beachie gives us four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs.

Want to be featured as a Co-Host to the hop? Come up with four fill in’s of your own and email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, you get a nice little mention in that weeks hop! Please help her out and email some statements! This week’s co-host is Irene from Me, Myself, and I she came up with the last two statements.

This week’s statements:
1. ___ is my favorite feature
2. Thinking about ___ makes me ___
3. It’s been a long time since______
4. I just don’t understand_____________

My Responses:
1. My eyes is are my favorite feature
2. Thinking about the man of the house makes me smile
3. It’s been a long time since I had a haircut.
4. I just don’t understand some people.


Please help spread the word about the Follow Friday Four Fill-in! Just tweet, facebook, etc about the Follow Friday blog hop. If you tweet, please use #f5-bloghop . And add the little linky tool there at the bottom to your own blog if you participate.

Queen B's Halloween Sale

Queen B's Busy Work is having a HALLOWEEN SALE:

October 26 - November 1 !!

 

Use Coupon Code HALLOWEENQUEEN for 20% Off your order!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/QueenBsBusyWork?ref=si_shop



Thankful Thursday: October 25

Thursday is the day when I pause to take a few minutes and just soak in the blessings which have been poured over me during the past week.

Team Work: I am grateful that the Man of the House have the opportunity to work side by side together to make some changes and updates to our living room

DIY Know How: I am grateful that we (well,OK.... he) is handy enough to DIY the work so we can afford it.

Prune-staches:  I am thankful for the grand baby and the way he manages to make me laugh every single day. 

What are you thankful for?



Tearing Down The House

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. ~ Proverb 14:1

My temper can be a problem. 

And the way I can hold onto hurt, disappointment, and frustrations.

When I get upset, my feelings get hurt, or I feel overlooked or unappreciated - I tend to press things down.  I pout over them.  I stew on them.  I let them multiply until it all becomes too much and I blow up over any and every little thing. 

Tearing my house down with my own hands - or words, as the case may be.

"In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold" ~ Ephesians 4:26-27

This is an unhappy experience to everyone in the house.  Not just to my family, who suddenly find themselves tiptoeing around wondering what set me off.  It's also hurting me.  The woman letting these feelings dominate me instead of me controlling them.  Once again trying to handle things all by myself.  Instead of holding onto these things, I need to release them to God.  To trust that He is in control.  And while maybe I can't handle all of it - He can! 

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." ~ 1 Peter 5:7
I need to lean on His strength and trust Him to get me through and help me deal with all the little hurts and slights before they boil over into one big mess.

A Few Good Bloggers

Be our guest!!

I'm looking for a few good guest bloggers for the month of November! 

The topic is up to you.  Inspirational, family life, humor.  I simply ask that it be clean and no politics, please!

If you are interested, please comment below including a link to your blog.

What Do You Want To Do?

Have you ever played out this scenario with your husband?

Him: "What do you want to do?"  You:  "Oh, I don't know. What do you want to do?"

-Or-

Him: "Where do you want to go tonight?"  You: "Where ever you want to go is fine."

Now... how many time did you know exactly where you wanted to go or what you wanted to do, but just didn't say it?

Yeh... me too.  Why?  I have no clue. 

Perhaps we expect him to somehow read my mind and pick exactly what we wanted in the first place.  Oh, isn't that going to be just so romantic?  That he knows me so well he can know what I want to do even when I don't say it?  Right...  Probably not going to happen. 

And then we feel let down on some level.  Which is just silly.  The only person responsible for us not doing exactly what we actually wanted to do is.... US!

Ladies.  Men are not mind readers.  And in my experience they are pretty literal creatures.  So if you say "whatever you want to do is fine" , he is not going to think  "Oh, she wants to ___".  He is going to hear and believe that what he wants is just fine with you.

So...

If you have something you want to do - Say it!   If there is somewhere you want to go - Tell him!  If there is somewhere you want to eat - Share the information!

And if it really doesn't matter - smile and just enjoy the time with your man doing something he will enjoy.

I'll try to do the same.

Living Room Renovation: Day 2 -

Day 2 of the Great Living Room Remodel of 2012 called for the Man of the House to adjust the depth of a couple of electrical boxes to account for the drywall-to-be being thicker than the former panelling.  Once he had that task accomplished it was time to start measuring, cutting, and hanging the drywall.

First section of drywall up!

Drywall on other side of fireplace

Looking good!  Well, except for that big gap of exposed brick and foam insulation over the fireplace

Ta Da!!  Looks  better already, doesn't it?

Living Room Renovation: Day 1 - Demolition

Since we are doing the work on our living room remodel ourselves to save cost (and because the man of the house is all handy like that!) , the first step was to rip out the shelves and panelling.  Time to destroy some stuff!!

The shelves are down!

Shelves gone. Panelling gone.

Oh my... what have we gotten ourselves into??

Living Room Renovation: The Befores

After living in our home for 13 years, we had finally reached the end of our rope when it comes to living with the 1970's decor. The built-in shelving units, fake panelling, free standing gas heater, and stained gold carpeting have GOT to go!! We're looking at a major re-do, which has to be done before the holidays! Yikes!!


This is what we're dealing with:

Built in shelving and fake panelling.  Oh... I mean "faux" panelling. 
So dark, so dreary, so... out of date!

Built in shelves wrap around the corner all the way to dining room entry

Overlooking entry way.  What's with the metal railing?

View of living room from top of stairs. Another great(?) view of out dated railing.

That's right.  Check out the gold carpet.  I know you're jealous!

What's To-Do: October 22 - 26

The To DO lists for the next few weeks are going ot be mostly focused on the living room remodel we began this weekend. 

To Do List for October 22 - 26:

• Tape and compound new drywall to get ready for painting next weekend
• Take down pictures, clean and spackle other walls for painting
• Work on Christmas present
• Walk 2 times
• Pick up some mugs for new project
• Figure out where all the note pads for my To Do lists keep disappearing to!

A Brand New Week: Update

Ok, let's review.  Since I hardly even left the house this week, you would think I must have gotten a lot accomplished inside, right?   Yeh... you would think that. 

To Do List for October 15 - 19:

• Write everyday Check!!
• Work on Christmas presents Well, I started to work on a Christmas present.  And quickly realized that I needed a crochet hook size I didn't have (as impossible as that seems, it's true!)  I do have the hook now, and am ready to roll!  OH... I did pick up a Christmas present.  Does that count?
• List a few new items on Queen B's Busy Work CHECK!!  (please check them out at Queen B's Busy Work!)
• Start painting projects on dining room furniture I took some "before" pictures and took the hardward off one piece, so I am counting that as "starting".
• Catch up on laundry  Still working on that one.  The laundry pile seems to grow as fast as I can wash it (or faster)  I think it may be regenerating on its own.
• Walk at least 2 days  Nope.  Walked one day.
• Go to library  I didn't personally go to the library. But the female offspring took her brother and picked up my hold, so I'm calling it done.

 

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." ~ Philippians 4:8

Let Me Out!

I haven't left the house since Monday. 

Wait... that's not entirely true.  I did have the female offspring drive me down to the auto repair shop to pick up the truck belonging to the Man of the House, and came right back.  That was... Tuesday?  Wednesday, maybe.  I can't remember.

Anyway.  That's not the point.  The point is that I am starting to feel a little stir crazy. 

I'm actually feeling excited about the idea of going to do the grocery shopping with the Man of the House this evening.  Not "we're going to Disney World" excited.  But excited enough. 

If Only : The Follow Friday Four Fill In

  TGIF! Which means it's time again for the Follow Friday Four Fill In Blog Hop! Each week, Feeling Beachie gives us four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs.


Want to be featured as a Co-Host to the hop? Come up with four fill in’s of your own and email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, you get a nice little mention in that weeks hop! Please help her out and email some statements! This week’s co-host is Jessica from Black and White with a Little Bit of Pink she came up with the last two statements.

Since Feeling Beachie is sharing with us - it's only fair that we share also! Please be sure to tweet, facebook, etc about the Follow Friday blog hop. If you tweet, please use #f5-bloghop And add the little linky tool there at the bottom to your own blog if you participate.

And now... for the moment you've all been waiting for!! 
This Week's Statements!
1. If only ___ then ___
2. When I was little I ___
3. I think ___ is for ____
4. I feel happiest when_____

AND....

Wait for it....

MY RESPONSES!!
1. If only I didn't need to sleep  then I could get so much more accomplished!
2. When I was little I had very very blond hair!
3. I think Trix is for kids.(silly rabbit!)
4. I feel happiest when I am with the Man of the House

Thankful Thursday: October 18

Thursday is the day when I pause to take a few minutes and just soak in all the blessings which have been poured over me during the past week. What are you thankful for?


It is a gray and gloomy Thursday here where I live.  A little windy.  A little chilly.  But, I'm not letting it turn me into Debbie Downer! 

Nope!  As odd as it may sound, I'm enjoying the day.  It's perfect weather to settle in, organize some coupons, write some blog posts, and catch up on some crochet and such for Queen B's Busy Work.

This Week I Am Thankful For:

• Negative Test Results:  A friend's skin biopsies all came back clear of cancer!
• Walks At The Park:  The Man of the House and I took a walk at the park Monday evening.  It was nice to get some exercise and fresh air while having some alone time to talk with each other.
• Higher Education:  The female offspring started her college classes this week.  I am so proud to see her making choices and working to improve life for her and the grand baby.

If you feel inspired to write your own "Thankful Thursday" post - please share the link in the comments. I would also be very thankful if you included a mention and a link back to this blog somewhere in your post.

Feeling Honored

I t has been a week of honors for my little blog!  I am humbled and honored to have my blog be recognized by other bloggers.  And so very grateful that God has given me a blog to write about the journey of my life and to share what He shows me about His grace and power every day with others. To Him be the glory!

First, Tales of Beauty for Ashes featured my post Made Perfect In Weakness  for this week's Into The Word Wednesday. 

Second, Caffeinated Country Diva Diaries bestowed upon me the greatly sought after and coveted Liebster Award. 

It seems there are a whole set of rules to the Liebster award.  I hope she will forgive me if I humbly accept the award while skipping the rest of the steps.

I Could Be Happy If ...

We've all heard that old saying about how money can't buy happiness.  And we know that's not entirely true, is it?  After all, money may not buy happiness - but it buys stuff.  And stuff makes us happy, right?

On the surface there is nothing wrong with wanting things.  We've all been there.  I've been there.    I want things.  New things. Pretty things.  Shiny things.

Here's the problem:  Happiness from stuff is temporary. 

You're happy for a short time with your shiny new thing.  And then you start craving and aching for that next, newer, better thing. It's a never ending chase.  A constant cycle of ups and downs.  Always seeking what you believe will bring happiness, only to soon feel empty and need something else to fill the void.

For some people it's not only things.  It's a belief that if circumstances were different, they could finally be happy.  A better job.  Moving to a different home/city/state.  Having a boy/girlfriend, finding a spouse, or getting a divorce.  Having a child.  Losing weight. 

And what happens if we don't get that item or circumstances we believe will bring us joy? We find ourselves feeling angry, resentful, frustrated, and lost.


I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." ~ Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)

Paul had  "learned the secret".  True happiness isn't found in stuff.  Or based on the circumstances we are in.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~ Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

Real, lasting happiness comes in knowing the grace and glory of God and accepting all the treasures and gifts He has in store for those willing to accept it. 

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." ~ 2 Corinthians 4:18

Not to say that as Christ followers we don't know sadness, difficulties, or times of trouble.  But during those times there is a faithful, eternal, loving God watching over us, comforting us, and ready to bring us back to a place of joy and happiness.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." ~ Romans 8:28 (NIV)

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11(NIV)


God wants good things for us.  He wants us to know joy.  He wants our happiness.  We just have to place our trust in him.  And look to Him for our joy.  Once we manage to start doing that, we will find an even deeper happiness in the things, people and circumstances in our life.

Dear Fellow Bloggers

I am not a robot.  I promise.

I don't like having to prove I am a human.  It's very frustrating for me.

You see... I really stink at those Captcha things.  In fact, I can promise you that it will take me at least 3 5 7 attempts to get the code right. 

Picture it.  Me, leaning over keyboard to get my nose as close as possible to the screen.  Muttering to myself... "What?  Is that an h, or an l and an n shoved really close together?  s.l.c.o.o.h.m.u.  Slcoohmu?  Is that right?  What in the world is a slcoohmu?  Is that even a real word?  Is that an 8?"  Once I have settled on what I believe to be the magical mystery code which will give me access to comment; I hit enter.  Only to be told that what I have entered does not match and I must try again.  And again.  And again. 

At some point in the process I am going to take one look at the code and tell it to refresh without even attempting because it is so messed up and blurry.

Two things have likely happened by this time:

I have started to wonder if there is some deep secret I don't know about myself.  Such as: maybe, just maybe, I actually am one of the nefarious spamming robots. 

And

I have lost all interest in the comment I was attempting to make in the first place.

I share all of this to say that I hope you will forgive me if I do not comment regularly on your posts.  It's not that I am not reading; but rather that my tired little robot brain just can't face yet one more log in process. 

Take Out

I'm not an easy person to live with.

Not all the time.  (I hope)   Sometimes I am perfectly delightful.  (at least I think so)  But!  When I get stressed.  When I am upset about something.  When I am over tired.  When I am hormonal. When I feel sick.  Or just feel out of sorts. Well, that's a different story. 

Just ask The Man of the House.  He takes the weight of my moods most of the time.  Even though most of the time he is not the cause of the grumpy state I am in at the moment.

I get snippy.  I pout.  I snap out at him over any little thing.  I give him the cold shoulder.

Yes, I know what you are thinking... what a lucky, lucky guy! (Not!)

Why do I do that?  If anyone else treated him that way it would make me very angry.  What makes me feel that it's OK to treat him as if he is the cause of whatever is bothering me?  

I'm not proud of this.  I want to change.

He deserves my love and respect.  Honor and encouragement.  Not to be punished for my bad temper toward someone else, or because I didn't get enough rest or the whims of my monthly cycle.  He's not my personal emotional punching bag.

1 Corinthians 13:5 says of love: "It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful" (ESV)

That is going to be my focus verse as I start trying to break this pattern.

This week I am going to start trying to be aware when I am feeling one of the ways that causes me to act this way toward him.  And to recognize the behaviour when I start doing it and to stop it right then.  To pray about it.

(And honey - if you are reading this: you have my full permission to gently remind me if I do start behaving this way!)

 

A Brand New Week

After the last two weeks, I am determined to make this week a good one.  I'm no longer assuring myself that nothing else can possibly happen.  When I do that - something else seems to happen.   Instead, I am keeping the To Do list short, sweet, and do-able. 

To Do List for October 15 - 19:

• Write everyday
• Work on Christmas presents
• List a few new items on Queen B's Busy Work
• Start painting projects on dining room furniture
• Catch up on laundry
• Walk at least 2 days
• Go to library

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." ~ Philippians 4:8

In Review

I'm going to pretend the To Do list for last week just didn't even exist.   It wasn't a good week.

The week started with me feeling some cold symptoms.  I was congested, sneezy, scratchy throat, headachey, and just feeling generally - blah! 

Things went down hill from there. 

I did get lots of help from the family to get the house cleaned up as we prepared for my sisters to visit this past weekend.  They were especially industrious and helpful and I can't begin to tell them how much I appreciated it!

Wednesday evening I ended up in the emergency room.  We were scurrying around, trying to get some last minute things done before my sister and niece arrived.  My chest started getting tight with an asthma attack.  I used my rescue inhaler.  No improvement.  I started sipping a cup of coffee.  Things got tighter.  I stepped outside to see if some fresh, cool evening air would help.  Kept getting tighter.  I was having a lot of trouble moving air.  This is when I got scared.  The Man of the House rushed me to the hospital.  (fortunately we live less than 2 miles away). 

Less than 1 and 1/2 hours, 3 nebulizer breathing treatments, and a steroid shot later - we were headed home.

Once the company started arriving - all other To Do's just disappeared off the list.  It was all about spending time with my sisters and nieces! 

Undercooked Rice: The Follow Friday Four Fill-In

  TGIF! Which means it's time again for the Follow Friday Four Fill In Blog Hop! Each week, Feeling Beachie gives us four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs.
Want to be featured as a Co-Host to the hop? Come up with four fill in’s of your own and email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, you get a nice little mention in that weeks hop! Please help her out and email some statements! This week’s co-host is Janice from Rockin' My Journey she came up with the last two statements.

Since Feeling Beachie is sharing with us - it's only fair that we share also! Please be sure to tweet, facebook, etc about the Follow Friday blog hop. If you tweet, please use #f5-bloghop And add the little linky tool there at the bottom to your own blog if you participate.
This week’s statements:
1. Given the choice of ___ or ___ for ___ I’d pick ___
2. If you told me ____ I would never have believed you
3. The last time I cooked_______it came out_______.
4. My favorite color is ___

My Responses:
1. Given the choice of ice cream or cake for dessert  I’d pick the ice cream. The answer is always ice cream.
2. If you told me a few years ago that I would become a born again Christ follower I would never have believed you
3. The last time I cooked rice it came out undercooked.
4. My favorite color is periwinkle blue

(Late) Thankful Thursday

With family visiting and the weekly medical drama - it completely slipped my mind to put up the Thankful Thursday yesterday. Here it is - a day late.

Thursday: the day when I pause to take a few minutes and just soak in all the blessings which have been poured over me during the past week.
This week I am thankful for:

Helpful Family: The entire household pitched in to get the cleaning and rearranging of furniture completed before our guests started arriving. (admittedly: some members took more "encouragement" than others to get them moving, but still...)

Sisters: Both of my sisters are visiting this weekend.  Been a while since all three of us have been together.  Since Christmas maybe?  It's always an adventure when the 3 of us get together!

Living Less than 2 Minutes from the Hospital: When you are having your worst asthma attack in about 15 years; it's nice to know help is just a quick drive down the road

What are you thankful for? Please share in the comments section. If you feel inspired to write your own "Thankful Thursday" post; please share the link in the comments. I would also be very thankful if you also included a mention and a link back to this blog somewhere in your post.

Made Perfect In Weakness

Last week I wrote about being weary. I just feel weak. It feels as if it's one thing after another. First, I was sick. Then I had the infected tooth that had to be pulled.  Then the allergic rash attack. Now, I am either fighting the worst allergies ever or some sort of autumn cold.  Pile the chilly, gray weather we had the last few days on top of all this. The weariness has led to flat out exhaustion.

It's having an affect on me. It's wearing me down. Making me feel weak and frustrated. These things always seem to hit me on Tuesday or Wednesday, which means I haven't made it to my women's Bible study for 3 weeks now. I'm not writing as much as I would like. I'm not feeling up to doing much of anything. The kitchen isn't as clean as it should be. The bathrooms need a good scrubbing. The laundry isn't staying caught up the way it should. And the family menu shows a distinct lack of creativity this week.

It's easy to start slipping into the "why me" mind set. I want to shake my fist. I want to cry. I want to give up and just go back to bed. We've all been there, or some place very similar to it at one time or another.  Maybe for you it was even a worse place with darker circumstances.  I know my little health issues are tiny compared to what so many others deal with on a daily basis. But this is where I am.

This morning I was thinking that if one more thing comes up anytime soon, or if I don't start feeling much better quickly - I was going to lose my mind.  Then during my morning quiet time, while flipping through my Bible on my way to 1 John - my eyes landed on this piece of scripture:

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

The Lord knows we will have times of trouble.  He knows we go through times when we are sick, hurt, tempted, scared or weak.

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” ~ John 16:33
But He does not want us to be alone or to carry the full burden without help.  He wants us to seek his presence.  To cry out to Him in our time of need.

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!" ~ 1 Chronicles 16:11

"In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears." ~ Psalm 18:6


He is there to support us.  To encourage us.  He will refresh us and give us rest!

 "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." - Jeremiah 31:25

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." ~ Matthew 11:28

I don't know about you - but I feel a little better already!

No Time for That

I don't feel good.  (well?  whatever...) 

My head hurts.  I'm congested.  My sinuses burn.  My throat is scratchy.  I'm feeling a bit nauseous.  And I'm just generally achy and tired.  What I really want is to lie down and take a nice long nap.

Here's the thing - I don't have time for that.

I have family coming into town in the next 48 hours.  I need to finish getting the house cleaned up.  It is in no way, shape, or form "guest ready".  Carpets need cleaning.  Bathrooms need cleaning.  Towels (and other laundry) need washed.  Floors need swept.

I also have to get the male offspring to guitar lessons after school.  AND he has a violin concert tonight.  Somewhere in there I have to feed him and the rest of the family some dinner.

If I crawl up under the covers and hide, would all the to-do list somehow magically be done when I crawl back out? 

Yeh, I didn't think so.

41 Reasons

Happy Birthday to the Man of the House!!  In honor of him and to celebrate this special day, I would like to share 41 reasons I love him so very much!

1. He's an awesome father.
2. He's an even awesome-er grandfather
3. He's handsome
4. He makes me laugh
5. He still makes me feel weak in the knees
6. He has a strong work ethic
7. He's very handy around the house.  There are very few things he can't figure out how to fix!
8. He's creative.  Just look at the chicken house, the mailbox post, and the closet he built!
9. He laughs with me (not at me) when I'm laughing at myself
10. He knows just the right thing to say to make me feel pretty
11. He's supportive.  Even when I have one of my half brained ideas.
12. It's inspiring to me (and hopefully the offspring also) to see him growing in his walk with Christ.
13. He's patient
14. He can wood smoke a brisket, a chicken, or a pizza like nobody else!
15. He's willing to give a hand cleaning, doing dishes, etc
16. He likes to read
17. He is a strong spiritual, emotional, and physical leader for our family
18. His love for genealogy
19. His obsession with enjoyment of pizza
20. His reluctant willingness to watch the Twilight movies with me
21. He taught me to love football!
22. He taught me how to shoot a handgun!
23. He's nice to my sisters
24. And my parents
25. He's a great uncle
26. He makes a deliciously mean breakfast sandwich
27. His enjoyment of cheesey Asian monster and kung fu films
28. He likes to watch obscure documentaries on Netflix
29. He puts up with my habit of watching TV reruns (currently The Big Bang Theory), even when we've seen the same episode a dozen times
30. When he scratches my back or brushes my hair
31. When it's raining and he offers to drop me off at the door of the store
32. He doesn't complain when I rearrange the furniture (again)
33. Or when I have the light because I'm reading until late while he's trying to sleep
34. He encourages my creative side - whether it's my writing or my etsy shop
35. He makes me feel safe
36. He makes me feel sexy
37. He holds my hand while we pray at church and Bible study
38. When he winks at me with both eyes
39. He puts up with me and my moods
40. When he comes up behind me and hugs me while I'm washing dishes or cooking
41. He make me feel loved!

Weekly To-Do List: October 8 - 12

The effort on the To-Do list for last week turned out to be a fail of epic proportions.  I'm not going to feel too bad about that; there were uncontrollable circumstances.  Nope.  I'm going to pick myself up, dust off the To-Do list and start fresh for this week.

To - Do List for  October 8 - 12: 

• Write everyday  
• Read
• Finish Queen B's Busy Work order  
• Bible Study 
• Clean, clean, clean 
• Clean carpets  
• Take male offspring to strings festival rehearsal
• Take male offspring to strings festival
• Restart "30 Days of Activity" and do something "active" everyday

 

 

Go Ahead, Make My Day!

The man of the house recently took me to the shooting range and taught me how to load and shoot his gun.  This was only the second time I've ever held or fired a real gun.  (Although history has shown us that I'm pretty good at shooting if it involves tokens and/or tickets).

So, you might be asking - how did I do?

If you ignore the few random shots that hit completely outside the target area and into the borders, I think I did pretty well. 

That's right.  A bulls eye!  WoooooHooo!!

The lesson of this story?  If a big bad meanie were to break into the house and I were forced to defend myself with a fire arm - I could definitely cause some hurt!!