Romancing Him (the 14 day marriage challenge)

What gal doesn't like a little romancing?  Sweet words, a little pampering, a little appreciation, some flirting, maybe a little gift every now and then?  Yeh... me too!

But when was the last time you romanced your hubby?

It's easy to get into the day to day routine of married life and forget to show that awesome man exactly how we feel about him!  That's the perfect time to shake things up a bit. 

I invite all of you to join me on a 14 day challenge to show the man in your life a little love and appreciation!

Each day there will be a new assignment for you to complete.  Don't panic - they are super easy!  And inexpensive (or totally free!)

Now, I have to admit - I will be a day or two ahead of the posted assignments.  Just so the Man of the House doesn't read what I've got planned for him before I do it! (In fact... I have completed Day One by the time this post goes live!)

So, what do you say?  Are you up to the challenge?  If so, leave a comment below and check back tomorrow (February 1st)  for your first assignment!

The 14 Day Marriage Challenge:

Day One: A Relaxing Touch

Day Two:  Your Undivided Attention

Day Three:  Be Thankful

Day Four:  Third Times A Charm

Day Five: Show Him You Missed Him

Day Six: Let Him Know You're Thinking of Him

Day Seven:  Be Helpful

Day Eight:  The Way to A Man's Heart

Day Nine:  Be Positive

Day Ten:  Be Flirty

Day Eleven: Get Touchy Feely

Day Twelve: Put It In Writing

Day Thirteen:  Do Lunch

Day Fourteen: Date Night

A Spirit of Gratitude: January 30

This Week I Am Thankful For:

• The male offspring's 1st semester grades
• Blog hops where I can promote my posts
• Hall's cough drops
• The sound of birds as the sun rises
• Cuddling on the couch with the Man of the House while we watch TV
• Cute Valentine decorations for $1 in the Target Dollar Spot
• Watching the cat play
• The Grand Baby
• Pictionary with the family
• Hot cocoa with marshmallows
• Singing in the car at the top of my lungs
• Fresh fruit - even in the middle of winter
• Watching snow fall all day
• The Man of the House getting home safely through the snow

Hold It!

How is it that all my library holds always seem to become available at once?

It doesn't seem to matter if I start out as second in line, fifth in line, or twenty-something in line. Whether some are paper copies at the local branch or electronic copies from the digital library. I wait patiently and then BAM! - All of a sudden I have a huge pile of books waiting for me.

And all those books must be read within two to three weeks, because there are more hold requests waiting behind me - meaning no renewals, sorry!

So, if you will please excuse me, I've got a lot of reading to do!

Just One, Just This

One day...

One hour...

One minute...

One breath...

One prayer...

at at time

This day...

This hour...

This minute...

This breath...

This prayer...

Jesus, Guide me in the Father's will.

Two Years

My sweet, adorable, crazy, hilarious little grand son is TWO years old today!

Seems like just the other day I was writing about how I was completely Head Over Heels with this sweet new life.

Now here we are.. two whole years later.

He's into everything (and I mean e-ve-ry-thing!!)

He runs full speed from the moment he gets up in the morning until he falls asleep at night. 

He talks up a storm (gets that from his mommy!)

He has the most precious little curls

He makes me laugh every single day.

He has his grandpa completely wrapped around his finger.

I love him bunches and bunches (in case you couldn't guess that)

Happy Birthday Little One!!

Fearless Love

"There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear..." ~ 1 John 4:18

"Perfect love". 

The type of love that sends Its own Son to take the punishment for countless sins.  

The type of love that redeems.

The kind of love that remains strong in all circumstances.

There is no fear in that love.

Only... love.

Overwhelming.

All consuming.

Leaving no room for anything else.

No room for fear.

Pushing the fear out.  Taking over everything.

Until there is nothing but that perfect love.

What's Eating You?

Every year for as long as I can remember I make some variation of the same New Year's Resolution.  THIS will be the year I lose some weight and get healthy.  Only to reach December the same (or heavier).  Making the same resolution again, and again, and again the next January 1st.

This week I began a new online Bible study through Proverbs31 Ministries based on the Lysa TerKeurst book "Made To Crave".

I have to confess... the first time I sat down to try and read this book I had a Snickers almond bar in hand and a bottle of Dr. Pepper sitting next to me.

Um... yeh.  Not the best way to begin a study about satisfying your cravings with God rather than food.

Clearly I still wasn't getting it. As Lysa says in the introduction: it's about the "want to". Something I was missing.

God created us to have cravings.  A longing.  A desire for something to satisfy us.  A great want.

For Him.

Satan wants to replace our cravings for God with something else.  An idol to displace God in our hearts, minds, and lives.

For some it may be food.  For others it's material objects.  Money.  Or the approval of other people. Fame. Or an emotional or sexual relationship.  In some cases it becomes alcohol, drugs, or gambling.

It becomes the thing we work for, strive for, seek.  Our lives become focused on getting that thing we think will satisfy us. We may ignore things that are truly important in life to get it.  We find ourselves in a cycle of excuses, rationalizations, or promises to start (or stop) at some later time/day/month/year.  In some cases it may destroy relationships, our health, or entire lives.

But somehow when we seek fulfillment through something other than God, we always come up feeling empty.  Needing more.  Wanting more.  No matter how much we get or have, we are always left unsatisfied. It's like a raging battle.

This has given me an entirely different perspective on my plans to get healthier and get back to a healthier weight!

This time it has to be about more than just me.  It has to be about more than a smaller clothing size or number on the scale.  I have proven over and over again that I CAN'T DO IT. Not by myself.

I have to replace my cravings for the chocolate and Cheetos with something healthier.  Something that will really satisfy.  By getting closer to God in the process.  

A Spirit of Gratitude: January 23

This Week I Am Thankful For:

The Female Offspring making me laugh at her Hot Pocket reference

A clean bedroom

New blog followers

Homemade pizza night

Helping plan the Grand Baby's birthday party

Staying in on a cold morning

Coffee & a good book

Starting a new Bible study

Singing in church

Reuben sandwiches

Going to bed early

A beautiful Spring-like day before the cold comes back

Making it to 10,000 steps for the day

The Man of the House doing the dishes


I am linking up with:

New Items Now Available!!

These new items are now available at Queen B's Busy Work!

Tiny Crocheted Hearts (set of 6)

Washable Bath/Shower Puff

Valentine's Mug Cozy

Valentine's Heart Hair Clip

 

 

Seek First

Matthew 6:33

I find myself wondering...

Have I been so busy seeking God's purpose for my life that I have been missing his presence in my life?

Am I focusing more on finding His will for me than finding Him?

Perhaps the answer is in those very words of Matthew 6:33 -

"But seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well"

Don't seek God's will - seek GOD!

Seek to know Him better.  Get in His Word.  Commit it to memory.  Draw closer to Him.  Commit yourself to him - heart, soul, and mind.  Love Him.  And let Him love you.

Maybe then, and only then, "all these things will be given to you as well"

The purpose will be shown to you.  His will becomes clear.  The path before you made straight. 

Pick Pick Pick

I remember being a child and seeing a small spot on the wall paper in my bedroom peeling up.  I couldn't seem to resist picking a that spot.  Slowly, because of my efforts - the paper began to peel more and more.  Until finally there was a large spot of wallpaper pulled, requiring my mother to eventually need to re-wallpaper the entire room.

Why do we always tell a child with a scab not to pick at it? Because we know that one little opening can allow the germ to enter and cause an infection throughout the body.

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour". ~ 1 Peter 5:8

looks harmless enough - doesn't he? Don't be fooled!

The enemy does the same thing. He creeps around, looking for a peel in the wallpaper.  A crack in the foundation.  A chink in the armor.  He looks for that opening.  That one weakness he can pick away at.  He digs at it.  Pushes at it.

He makes us doubt ourselves.  He tells us we'll never be good enough.  That we can't change.  That we aren't loved.  Or lovable. That we are better off doing things our way.  That our sin isn't really that bad.  That we're basically a good person, even though we ___.   That it doesn't matter.  That we don't need God.

He lies.  And then he uses that opening to worm his way in. 

We have to be alert.  Keep our guard up.  Arm ourselves with the truth of God's promises. And put on the full armor of God.

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." ~ Ephesians 6:11

Dear Mr Stinkbug

Mr Stinkbug (or perhaps Ms, I don't know stinkbug gender);

Thank you.  Thanks so very much for throwing your nasty little body right into my cup of coffee, therefore making the entire thing undrinkable.

It's not as if I really, really looked forward to drinking that delicious cup of salted caramel flavored caffeine.  It's a good thing you were there to save me from that experience!

Sarcastically yours,
Me

The Song in my Heart

Because It's NOT

This might be the funniest name for a non-butter spread knock-off product I have ever come across!

No, that's not a joke product.  It actually sits on the shelves of a major retailer located not far from my home.

Who in the world come up with this?

The first thing that came to mind is that maybe they somehow traveled back to 1984 and got some 15 year old Valley Girl wanna-be to name the item.

The second was some Keanu Reeves type dude tasting it and stating these words of wisdom, leading some marketing fellow to think "that is the perfect name!"

Then I thought, it must have been submitted as a joke and somehow slipped through the cracks and actually made it to production.

I'll never know the story behind how this name came to be.  All I know for sure it that it made me laugh, and I still chuckle every time I think about it.

TGI... Wait... What Day Is This?

Friday!

TGIF!

Right???

But what if Friday is just another day of the week?  What if you're not even 100% sure what day of the week it is much of the time?

 I'm not sure if this loss of distinction between days is a good thing or a bad thing.

I can identify the weekends easily enough.  That's when the entire family is home.  Unless the Man of the House works Saturday, then even that day seems to lose its identity.

Monday can usually be kept straight because it's the day everyone goes back to work or school. The day for grocery shopping.

However, if a Friday or a Monday should happen to be a holiday when the family is all home an extra day.  Well... then all bets are off! Your guess as to which day it might be is as good as mine. (probably better)

Any day could be Tuesday, or it could be Thursday.  Or maybe it's Wednesday.

But wait... today is Friday! (I have to keep reminding myself)

Fearless Obedience

"Noah did everything just as God commanded him" ~ Genesis 6:22

Noah. 

As I read his story this week I realized - there is an example of one Fearless individual!!

Credit: focusonthefamily.com

He did "everything just as God commanded". 

 

Trusting God he acted in faith.  Not afraid of what the neighbors would say.  Or if he was qualified to build an ark. Not getting tangled up in the specifics - like where to get all the wood, could he afford it, how was he going to gather up all those animals, etc.

He stepped up and built in obedience.

Fearlessly.

A Spirit of Gratitude: January 16, 2014

This week I am Thankful for:

A clean living room

The beauty of a foggy morning

An organized and clean fridge

Football playoffs and pizza with friends

Clear blue skies and comfortable temperatures

Early morning quiet

The Man of the House coming home early

New pants for the male offspring

The Man of the House and the grand baby coloring together

My new FitBit

Hearing the male offspring tells his nephew "I love you"
New crochet orders
Watching the snow falling

Linking up with:

Special Ordinary Things

Sometimes it's the little things...

watching a child meticulously, seriously, intensely playing with play-doh

snowflakes falling, melting on your sleeve

an unexpected kiss as you get in the car

the sweet richness of a cup of hot cocoa

a phrase that catches your imagination

laughter

song lyrics playing over and over in your head

the words "I love you"

... that make an ordinary day special.

Ignoring Them

"Ignoring what they said, Jesus told him, 'Don't be afraid, just believe.'" (Mark 5:36)

Did you catch that, friends?
"Ignoring what they said"...

I have been so focused on the "don't be afraid, just believe" part of this verse, I have always overlooked the first part.

"Ignoring what they said"

The doubters, the nay-sayers, the Debbie downers, the bullies, the laughing.  Ignore them.

Or worse... those voices in your own head whispering "It's impossible", "It's never gonna happen",  "you're not ___ enough".  Reminding you of all your past attempts and failures.

Jesus dismisses all of them with these five little words "Don't be afraid, Just BELIEVE"

Dry

I have discovered a new side effect of the cold weather...

Horribly dry skin!

Even my normally oily skin is feeling dry, tight, and uncomfortable.

Not being used to my skin feeling this dry, I have no idea how to deal with it.  The obvious solution would be to slather on plenty of moisturizer. That's exactly what I have been doing to my dry, itchy arms and legs. 

My face is a different story.

I'm nervous about putting more moisturizer on my face because in my previous experiences along those lines it has led to the development of out-of-control blemishes. Or a hyper rashy reaction resulting from my sensitive skin.  And that is something I would prefer to avoid.

I did have to give in and put some lotion on the face last night. And this morning.  Using as little as I possible could to get some relief from that uncomfortably tight feeling I was experiencing.

What's a girl to do?  It's difficult enough to find reasonably priced products to use on my oily - yet sensitive - skin.  Now, I have to cope with this dryness on top of everything else!

The Song in my Heart

Frozen

Frozen. No, not the new kid's animated movie.  The weather this past week!  It was COLD, people!  Crazy cold.  Below frozen!

 Many places north of here, had it far worse than we did in western North Carolina.  I know that.  I also know that the "polar vortex" (as they are calling it - whoever they are, and whatever that) was plenty bad enough down this way.

Our low was negative one.  That didn't count the wind chill, which made that negative one degree air feel as if it were negative twenty-two.  And people living up on the mountain tops got even colder.

 Yeh... it was cold.

Cold enough to cancel schools.

Cold enough that there were ice crystals on the inside of some of our windows.

Cold enough to freeze our pipes.  Unlike sooooo many other people, we somehow managed to avoid any of them bursting and causing a huge flooding mess when they began to thaw. (praise God!)

Cold.

Now, before y'all start thinking I am just complaining here I have to tell you a little secret.  I don't mind the cold all that much. Especially since I am blessed to have a nice warm house and a comfy couch to cuddle up on while I watch TV, read or crochet, and a nice new Keurig to pump out warm beverages at the touch of a button.  I actually deal much better with cold than I do with extreme heat.   So, no... I'm not complaining.  I'm just sayin' - It was COLD!

If I was going to complain about anything related to this cold weather, it would be that if it's going to be that cold it could at least give us a little pretty snow to look at.  But, alas, no snow - just cold

And don't worry about us eventually freezing or anything.  It's already warming up.  (warming up being a relative term here) This weekend it's supposed to be in the mid to upper 50s.  With plenty of rain to go along with it

Slow Start

Between the holiday falling in the middle of the week, family visiting, the offspring and the Man of the House being home on break, and then just trying to get back in the swing of "normal" life - my blogging life is off to a slow start in 2014.

Slooooow, slow.

Like molasses in January slow.  Moses slow.  Tortoise slow.

As in, today is the 6th of the month and this is the first post I have gotten around to writing slow.

It also hasn't helped thatI seemed to have used up all my creativity during the month of December and now feel like I'm coming up empty for ideas.

Or that the one or two times I sat down to write the laptop was being a complete brat! In fact, when if I ever get to hit "post" on this - I will have spent more time waiting for the darn thing to start back up than actually writing.  Talk about frustrating!

Please bear with me.  I have plans for the new year.  Projects to work on and write about. Two new Bible studies to start, which should provide some inspiration.  And I am relying on the family to amuse and entertain me in ways I feel obligated to share with all of you.

Assuming the silly computer ever decides to let me complete any posts...

 

The Song in my Heart

This song goes so well with my word for 2014: Fearless!

Happy 2014