In all their glory. I told you in Tidbits that I don't like making New Year's Resolutions but that I was going to do it anyway. Well, I did it. I thought them through. I wrote them down and now I daringly am putting them out for y'all to laugh at...I mean see.
Here they are in no particular order or fashion:
1. Read through the Bible. Our church gives little thingys out this time of year so you can read thru the Bible in one year if you stay on track. If.
2. Lose 20 lbs. Lord, help me.
3. Learn to make jam.
4. Grow a garden. I want fresh veggies and maybe some fruits.
5. Fold my laundry as it comes outta the dryer. Amber...we can do it together!
6. Stop chewing my fingernails. I've done this for 25 years, can I really stop?!
7. Get caught up on my scrapbook. Good luck, me.
8. Set and stick with a budget. I got part of it done, I wrote out the budget today! yeah!
9. Eat out only once a month. Oh boy...we eat out about once a week right now. And sometimes to a nice sit down restaurant. I believe in us, we can do it!!!
10. Have all Christmas gifts ready by August.
11. Have all Christmas gifts be hand/homemade. Don't be scared, I'm not going to color you a picture and wrap it up, I'm actually planning some fun stuff!
12. Learn to make a pie. Bake, make, build...what have you.
13. Teach Jaylee her ABC's. That's do-able, right?
Why so many you ask? Well, I know me. I know it'll be miraculous if I accomplish one, I didn't want to only set one and fail at it. If I set a whole bunch of 'em, odds are in my favor that at least one is do-able. Right?!
This is where you nod your head and say, "uh huh."
We're outtie for the weekend. Going down to see Josh's sister since it's been a whole five days since we've seen them. ;)
So, let me know what your resolutions are. Maybe we can hold each other accountable for 'em.
Or not.
P.S. Happy Birthday tomorrow, Candee. Love you!
Friday, December 29, 2006
Mormon Cats
First off, here is my disclaimer:
I am not Mormon. My neighbors are. I love them. I do not love their beliefs.
End of disclaimer.
I'm totally dying with laughter right now but part of me feels bad too.
So, we have these neighbors, and like I said, they are Mormon. They have 6 kids ranging from 5-12. Wonderful people. Love 'em. But they have cats. I love cats. But they don't feed them. So, I feed them. So, they come over to eat and then go home. Have I told you about them before? I can't remember. Well, there are three adults, Mama Kitty who's pure black with a tear in her ear, DJ who's orange and the third adult has been dubbed M.W.B. Kids cover your eyes. MWB:Mama with Balls. At first we only had 2 adults, Mama and DJ. One morning while we were drinking coffee "Mama" and DJ were eating inside. I said how "she" was filling out a little more and Josh says, "uh, Mama has balls." I choked.
So, that's how we got the name MWB ('cause I know you were wondering)
Anyway, Mama Kitty keeps having babies and Amber tells me that she must be Mormon too. That cracked me up. But...it must be true though.
The last batch of kittens totalled six. 2 calicos 4 pure black. Somehow or another (and my husband assures me it wasn't him) we're down to three. 1 calico, two blacks. About a week ago I noticed Cali was gone. I was a lil sad 'cause she's cute but then again, one less mouth to feed. She showed up a few days ago much to my inner relief. However, she only had half a tail. Scab on the end and she looked a lil sheepish.
Poor kid.
So, now she's Stubs instead of Cali and one black is Fuzz, because she has the cutest little fuzzy face you ever saw, the second black I don't have a name for. He/She won't let me near him/her so I'm not getting attached...yet.
Well, that's not all of the story. Josh comes home for lunch this afternoon and after he eats goes out to work on Holly (our '85 suburban.) He comes in and says, "I think I know what happened to the cats' tail." He leads me outside and there, on the ground, is Stubs' tail.
He found it while he was working on Holly. Thinks she got stuck in there and when she jumped it pulled it off.
Isn't that so funny...I mean sad?
I thought so, too.
I am not Mormon. My neighbors are. I love them. I do not love their beliefs.
End of disclaimer.
I'm totally dying with laughter right now but part of me feels bad too.
So, we have these neighbors, and like I said, they are Mormon. They have 6 kids ranging from 5-12. Wonderful people. Love 'em. But they have cats. I love cats. But they don't feed them. So, I feed them. So, they come over to eat and then go home. Have I told you about them before? I can't remember. Well, there are three adults, Mama Kitty who's pure black with a tear in her ear, DJ who's orange and the third adult has been dubbed M.W.B. Kids cover your eyes. MWB:Mama with Balls. At first we only had 2 adults, Mama and DJ. One morning while we were drinking coffee "Mama" and DJ were eating inside. I said how "she" was filling out a little more and Josh says, "uh, Mama has balls." I choked.
So, that's how we got the name MWB ('cause I know you were wondering)
Anyway, Mama Kitty keeps having babies and Amber tells me that she must be Mormon too. That cracked me up. But...it must be true though.
The last batch of kittens totalled six. 2 calicos 4 pure black. Somehow or another (and my husband assures me it wasn't him) we're down to three. 1 calico, two blacks. About a week ago I noticed Cali was gone. I was a lil sad 'cause she's cute but then again, one less mouth to feed. She showed up a few days ago much to my inner relief. However, she only had half a tail. Scab on the end and she looked a lil sheepish.
Poor kid.
So, now she's Stubs instead of Cali and one black is Fuzz, because she has the cutest little fuzzy face you ever saw, the second black I don't have a name for. He/She won't let me near him/her so I'm not getting attached...yet.
Well, that's not all of the story. Josh comes home for lunch this afternoon and after he eats goes out to work on Holly (our '85 suburban.) He comes in and says, "I think I know what happened to the cats' tail." He leads me outside and there, on the ground, is Stubs' tail.
He found it while he was working on Holly. Thinks she got stuck in there and when she jumped it pulled it off.
Isn't that so funny...I mean sad?
I thought so, too.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Bench Update
*Bowing*
*Standing up on podium, waving*
*Courteous nods to the crowd*
"Thank you, ladies...gentlemen...I would just like to thank you all for your support of my build-a-bench-by-myself. I'm so freakin' pleased to announce I tackled that bad boy all by myself. I didn't need the help of any man. Yes, I may have let a few unholy words slip from my mouth, I may have had to step outside a time or 12 to cool off and yes, I may have stripped a few screws, but by golly, I got'er done."
"By myself."
*Crowd stands, cheering wildly*
*I'm blushing*
In all honesty...I did get it complete. It was a good thing there was no large hammer around because if there had been, oh boy...I'd probably not only be minus a bench but several windows and possibly a child.
It fits perfectly where I want it. It matches the rest of my living room. It loves me. I love it.
Why do I have such in an issue with doing things myself? Well, sit back...I have a story to tell.
Not really, but growing up in a house with just my mom and two younger sisters, there wasn't a man around to "get the job done." My mom did it or I did it. We made do. Sure, there were tears involved. So much frustration because there wasn't a man to do it. But once the task (whatever it may have been) was complete, we could sit back and laugh about how it took Mom three hours to get the Christmas tree trunk cut off and put in the stand. A sense of accomplishment and pride wells in you when you've done something that usually only a man can do.
When tools are involved it's easy for us girls to think, "oh, I'll leave it for my man" or, "guess I won't be able to do it." Hog wash chicks! We may not be as strong but we are just as capable. It may take us a lil longer but the job can still be done. It's about persevering. Staying strong. It's about wanting to do it. Being proud of yourself enough to know you can.
I loved it when my husband walked in the door and saw that I had built the bench all by myself.
Go make your man proud. Go do something you've been asking him to do. Even if you get in over your head...you've manipulated him to help you finish it. ;)
*Standing up on podium, waving*
*Courteous nods to the crowd*
"Thank you, ladies...gentlemen...I would just like to thank you all for your support of my build-a-bench-by-myself. I'm so freakin' pleased to announce I tackled that bad boy all by myself. I didn't need the help of any man. Yes, I may have let a few unholy words slip from my mouth, I may have had to step outside a time or 12 to cool off and yes, I may have stripped a few screws, but by golly, I got'er done."
"By myself."
*Crowd stands, cheering wildly*
*I'm blushing*
In all honesty...I did get it complete. It was a good thing there was no large hammer around because if there had been, oh boy...I'd probably not only be minus a bench but several windows and possibly a child.
It fits perfectly where I want it. It matches the rest of my living room. It loves me. I love it.
Why do I have such in an issue with doing things myself? Well, sit back...I have a story to tell.
Not really, but growing up in a house with just my mom and two younger sisters, there wasn't a man around to "get the job done." My mom did it or I did it. We made do. Sure, there were tears involved. So much frustration because there wasn't a man to do it. But once the task (whatever it may have been) was complete, we could sit back and laugh about how it took Mom three hours to get the Christmas tree trunk cut off and put in the stand. A sense of accomplishment and pride wells in you when you've done something that usually only a man can do.
When tools are involved it's easy for us girls to think, "oh, I'll leave it for my man" or, "guess I won't be able to do it." Hog wash chicks! We may not be as strong but we are just as capable. It may take us a lil longer but the job can still be done. It's about persevering. Staying strong. It's about wanting to do it. Being proud of yourself enough to know you can.
I loved it when my husband walked in the door and saw that I had built the bench all by myself.
Go make your man proud. Go do something you've been asking him to do. Even if you get in over your head...you've manipulated him to help you finish it. ;)
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
GRRRR!!!
I just emailed my friend Amber to tell her how mad I am right now. But that wasn't enough. I'm going to tell the world. Okay, not the world, but the few of you who (for some reason unbeknownst to me) continue to read what I have to jabber about.
On my husband's lunch hour we went to Bi-Mart to purchase this bench I've been eyeing for some time now. I looked at the ad, it gave the measurements and they were within 3/4" of an inch of the area where I want to put it. Yeah!!! So, we went to get it. On our way home Josh informs me he and Shawn (Amber's husband) will put it together tonight while I fix dinner. My response?
Uh, no, I can do it myself.
He goes back to work. I lay Jaylee down for a nap. I set to work on my bench. After 10 minutes I want to scream!!! S.I.H.B.A.G Sometimes I hate being a girl. (I told you, I've started a weird acronym thing...) Anyway, I called Josh and told him I was ticked. He says, I told you we'd put it together for you tonight.
Pffft. Whatever.
Fine.
On my husband's lunch hour we went to Bi-Mart to purchase this bench I've been eyeing for some time now. I looked at the ad, it gave the measurements and they were within 3/4" of an inch of the area where I want to put it. Yeah!!! So, we went to get it. On our way home Josh informs me he and Shawn (Amber's husband) will put it together tonight while I fix dinner. My response?
Uh, no, I can do it myself.
He goes back to work. I lay Jaylee down for a nap. I set to work on my bench. After 10 minutes I want to scream!!! S.I.H.B.A.G Sometimes I hate being a girl. (I told you, I've started a weird acronym thing...) Anyway, I called Josh and told him I was ticked. He says, I told you we'd put it together for you tonight.
Pffft. Whatever.
Fine.
Pert Near a Good Time
So, how was your Christmas?
Ours was good. We had four days of festivities...yes, four. Saturday we started our morning with SMT, then drove all the way to my in-laws house (about 2 miles away) and had a super fun day there. Kicked off the day making an outhouse for Josh's cousin, Cara. (Another story...for another time.) Then, wrapped a few last minute gifts for my MIL, went home for a couple hours so Jaylee could sleep, came back and went crazy waiting to eat and open presents. Seriously, besides my birthday, Christmas is my favorite holiday. I LOVE TO OPEN PRESENTS!!!
I had a ton of them to open. I received some very cool stuff. I have a coffee house theme in my kitchen and was given some mugs and plates to match. My neice bought us these very cool Legos salt and pepper shakers. So fun. One is black, the other white. They're sitting on my table.
Sunday morning, we headed up to church, had lunch with my sister and BIL and their two kids. Off to my aunt and uncles house to open gifts and play Pictionary. Pictionary on a big white board, in a 10x17 room with about 17 adults and 6 children under the age of 2. Uh....too fun. Very crowded, very fun.
Sunday evening was the candlelight service, then back down to Josh's parents for more games, food and fun.
Monday, relaxing. We stayed home for most of the day. It was just the three of us. My Christmas tree and decorations were down by 10 am. I love having it up but even more I love taking it down.
Evening came and we decided to go back to Josh's parents for...you guessed it, more food and games.
Last night my mom, sisters, one BIL and my neices and nephews came over for dinner, presents and a game of Phase 10. I won so I had fun. :)
Whew...it's all over with and while I enjoy Christmas and all the family time spending, eating, games and what not, I'm glad I have 363 days til I have to do it again.
Hopefully in the next 363 days I'll lose the SIX pounds I gained. Sigh....
Ours was good. We had four days of festivities...yes, four. Saturday we started our morning with SMT, then drove all the way to my in-laws house (about 2 miles away) and had a super fun day there. Kicked off the day making an outhouse for Josh's cousin, Cara. (Another story...for another time.) Then, wrapped a few last minute gifts for my MIL, went home for a couple hours so Jaylee could sleep, came back and went crazy waiting to eat and open presents. Seriously, besides my birthday, Christmas is my favorite holiday. I LOVE TO OPEN PRESENTS!!!
I had a ton of them to open. I received some very cool stuff. I have a coffee house theme in my kitchen and was given some mugs and plates to match. My neice bought us these very cool Legos salt and pepper shakers. So fun. One is black, the other white. They're sitting on my table.
Sunday morning, we headed up to church, had lunch with my sister and BIL and their two kids. Off to my aunt and uncles house to open gifts and play Pictionary. Pictionary on a big white board, in a 10x17 room with about 17 adults and 6 children under the age of 2. Uh....too fun. Very crowded, very fun.
Sunday evening was the candlelight service, then back down to Josh's parents for more games, food and fun.
Monday, relaxing. We stayed home for most of the day. It was just the three of us. My Christmas tree and decorations were down by 10 am. I love having it up but even more I love taking it down.
Evening came and we decided to go back to Josh's parents for...you guessed it, more food and games.
Last night my mom, sisters, one BIL and my neices and nephews came over for dinner, presents and a game of Phase 10. I won so I had fun. :)
Whew...it's all over with and while I enjoy Christmas and all the family time spending, eating, games and what not, I'm glad I have 363 days til I have to do it again.
Hopefully in the next 363 days I'll lose the SIX pounds I gained. Sigh....
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Shower on the Run
Remember the days before kids? Me neither.
Post complete.
Not really.
My mom and I were discussing the other day on the phone about taking showers. Not together, geeeeez, just showers in general. And, how we take maybe 3 a week. If we're lucky. Gross, huh? I know. I think I kind of wanted to go off on her about why she only takes three showers a week when...
She's not the one who has to worry about an 18 month old wild child running loose in the house, pestering the dog, eating dog food, opening cupboards to taste household cleaning products, taking off her diaper, turning the stereo on and up as loud as possible, pulling the Christmas tree down, or my favorite as of late: throwing open the shower curtain and yelling "HI!" while I freeze my tillies off. Yes, tillies.
And how, when she's in the shower she could shave both legs in one shower installment, not two or three. And, the fact that she doesn't have to put shampoo and conditioner on simultaneously to save time and when she gets out of the shower she can take her sweet lil time putting on nice smelling lotions to feel feminine and over both recently smooth, shaved legs instead of slappin' on some deodorant and callin' it perfume(because at least it'll help with the sweat that's going to pour off me as I chase above mentioned wild child around the house). And, she can take her time blow drying and fixing her hair instead of twisting in a ponytail real quick. She can put on her make up in entirety instead of whippin' out the ol' reliable lip gloss-'cause a little dab'll do ya-because she doesn't have to worry about, once again...above mentioned wild child.
Her excuse for not showering on a daily basis. She gets cold after her shower. Pffffft!!!! If that were my only problem:
I might take up showering 4 times a week.
Post complete.
Not really.
My mom and I were discussing the other day on the phone about taking showers. Not together, geeeeez, just showers in general. And, how we take maybe 3 a week. If we're lucky. Gross, huh? I know. I think I kind of wanted to go off on her about why she only takes three showers a week when...
She's not the one who has to worry about an 18 month old wild child running loose in the house, pestering the dog, eating dog food, opening cupboards to taste household cleaning products, taking off her diaper, turning the stereo on and up as loud as possible, pulling the Christmas tree down, or my favorite as of late: throwing open the shower curtain and yelling "HI!" while I freeze my tillies off. Yes, tillies.
And how, when she's in the shower she could shave both legs in one shower installment, not two or three. And, the fact that she doesn't have to put shampoo and conditioner on simultaneously to save time and when she gets out of the shower she can take her sweet lil time putting on nice smelling lotions to feel feminine and over both recently smooth, shaved legs instead of slappin' on some deodorant and callin' it perfume(because at least it'll help with the sweat that's going to pour off me as I chase above mentioned wild child around the house). And, she can take her time blow drying and fixing her hair instead of twisting in a ponytail real quick. She can put on her make up in entirety instead of whippin' out the ol' reliable lip gloss-'cause a little dab'll do ya-because she doesn't have to worry about, once again...above mentioned wild child.
Her excuse for not showering on a daily basis. She gets cold after her shower. Pffffft!!!! If that were my only problem:
I might take up showering 4 times a week.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Lil Tidbits Part 2
I thought of some more, so I'm just going to add them to the others. If you read that post, start at number 21.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Bowling!
I have been looking forward to tonight for a week now. My friend Amber and I are going on a date. Or, what we have dubbed, NMNWJGN. I can't believe I'm admitting to this silly acronym but you know how somethings just strike you as funny and maybe no one else will understand? (I seem to have a lot of these, don't I?)
Anyway, Not Moms Not Wives Just Girls' Night is tonight.
We're going to Red Robin to stuff ourselves with burgers, bottomless fries, and possibly a round or 12 of drinks. ;) Then, it's off to bowl. That's right. Bowling!
I love to bowl but I'm so terribowl at it. LOL...sorry couldn't resist that one. My dear husband would be proud. He is, afterall, the King of Puns. KoP.
Seriously, where are these acronyms coming from?! I'm a little worried about myself and I haven't even had a drink yet!
The ante is up on bowling figures. I usually average about a 37. Amber thinks she can top that with a 42. My goal now is 52. I hate my competitive nature but it runs in my family and I can't seem to get rid of it. (honestly, haven't really tried very hard)
Our countdown is on for this evening. I make up countdowns for everything lately and it's fun. It's fun to have something to look forward to. Usually it's just Grey's Anatomy, (yes I watch that filth) but last week I started the countdown for NMNWJGN. Could there be a longer acronym?
So, with only 3 hours 59 minutes to go...I suppose I should shower.
*post title changed...grossed some people out, including myself. :)
Anyway, Not Moms Not Wives Just Girls' Night is tonight.
We're going to Red Robin to stuff ourselves with burgers, bottomless fries, and possibly a round or 12 of drinks. ;) Then, it's off to bowl. That's right. Bowling!
I love to bowl but I'm so terribowl at it. LOL...sorry couldn't resist that one. My dear husband would be proud. He is, afterall, the King of Puns. KoP.
Seriously, where are these acronyms coming from?! I'm a little worried about myself and I haven't even had a drink yet!
The ante is up on bowling figures. I usually average about a 37. Amber thinks she can top that with a 42. My goal now is 52. I hate my competitive nature but it runs in my family and I can't seem to get rid of it. (honestly, haven't really tried very hard)
Our countdown is on for this evening. I make up countdowns for everything lately and it's fun. It's fun to have something to look forward to. Usually it's just Grey's Anatomy, (yes I watch that filth) but last week I started the countdown for NMNWJGN. Could there be a longer acronym?
So, with only 3 hours 59 minutes to go...I suppose I should shower.
*post title changed...grossed some people out, including myself. :)
Monday, December 18, 2006
Sheryl Crow Knows What She's Talkin' About
I have a confession to make. I don't always listen to Christian music. *gasp* I know, you're all horrified but it's the truth. I feel better now just getting that out there.
Okay, bye.
Just kidding! :) I'm silly, huh? Anyway...
On Saturday we were driving somewhere, thinking it was SMT, Saturday Morning Tradition, we've done this for almost six years, we get up early, go get coffees and sometimes donuts, come home and get to work on our house or lounge around and wait for someone to need my husband's help. This weekend it was me needing his help. I really want our junk room complete. Anyway...again. So, we're driving and Sheryl Crow starts singing "Soak up the Sun." Totally, love the song. Right now I'm trying to think of all the words to make sure I really want to state that I love the song, can't remember them all, so maybe I should just say I like the beat. I'm starting to ramble. I did have a point to this blog, for once.
"It's not about having what you want, it's 'bout wanting what you got." I almost started spelling it the way I hear it in my head..."Snot bout having wut you waaant, sbout wanting wuuut youuu gottt" Now, I did spell it the way I hear it. Please don't stop reading. I seriously have a point.
Somewhere.
That line of the song really resonated with me. I am so quick to want what someone else has. So quick. Sometimes it's something material, sometimes not. I have been getting better but when Josh and I were first married, eight and a half years ago, I wanted. And I wanted some more.
My husband wanted to please me. So, he gave. And he gave some more.
I wanted a Honda Accord, we got one. I wanted a newer one, we got one. I wanted a dishwasher, we got one. I wanted a beagle, we got one (free to good home btw) I kept wanting. And I was so selfish. I was so ignorant. So blind to see what it was doing to me.
To us.
It didn't stop when it came to the cars. In 2002 I decided I wanted a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer. I got one. It was beautiful. It was red. It was mine.
It was ridiculous.
We almost had to file bankruptcy because the payments were almost $400 per month. We were so stressed. We were miserable. I felt like I was drowning. Looking back it reminds me of the Veggie Tales movie with Madam Blueberry. She shopped at Stuff Mart and she always wanted more but each time she got more, she still was not happy. That was me.
Honestly, it's getting better. I truly believe it's a heart issue. I was not walking with the Lord. I wasn't seeking Him out, wasn't asking for His peace. I was just living for myself. Trying to fill a void.
Oh but I was so empty.
I'm not saying everything is perfect now. It's definitely not. I told you at the beginning I still covet. But I'm learning to repent of it, I'm learning to want what I already have. There was so much stress in the "stuff" that I had or did. So, I started eliminating it, a lot of it cold turkey.
1. My cell phone
2. Credit card debt
3. My car, it was paid for but we sold it to pay off debt. And, the reason it was paid for...instead of filing for bankruptcy, we remortgaged our house to pay it off. We will always be so thankful to my Uncle Eric who suggested that to us. Otherwise, well...I don't know what would have happened.
4. Daytime TV, no more soap operas!
5. Unhealthy friendships
6. Wal Mart, I used to go there a few times a week. Not for anything inparticular, just to go. I always left with at least $30 worth of stuff. Now, I don't go there at all. It's literally saving me hundreds each month.
7. Coffee. Oh, this was so hard to cut down on. But now, instead of 7-8 times a week, we go twice. Once on Wednesdays between noon and 3, because it's double punch day and 50 cents off each drink and then on Saturdays for SMT. This is saving us close to $200 per month.
I'm sure there are more things I could cut back on, but for now, this is where I am.
The relief that I feel being happy with what I have is amazing. It feels good to get out of bed in the morning. I'm not scared to check my mail. I'm learning to be okay with going to the mall and not walking out with a brand new pair of Lucky jeans, but oh how I miss them!
I've been blessed. I love my life. I love my husband. I love our daughter. I love our house. I love our '85 suburban, even tho' she didn't want to start this morning!
I think the Lord wants to see what we'll do with what He's already given us before He'll bless us further. Does that make sense? It does to me. I've really felt Him telling me that lately.
Sorry this post is so long. It was just really on my heart on Saturday and we were gone all day yesterday so I didn't get a chance to talk to you.
I pray you have just the best day today.
Okay, bye.
Just kidding! :) I'm silly, huh? Anyway...
On Saturday we were driving somewhere, thinking it was SMT, Saturday Morning Tradition, we've done this for almost six years, we get up early, go get coffees and sometimes donuts, come home and get to work on our house or lounge around and wait for someone to need my husband's help. This weekend it was me needing his help. I really want our junk room complete. Anyway...again. So, we're driving and Sheryl Crow starts singing "Soak up the Sun." Totally, love the song. Right now I'm trying to think of all the words to make sure I really want to state that I love the song, can't remember them all, so maybe I should just say I like the beat. I'm starting to ramble. I did have a point to this blog, for once.
"It's not about having what you want, it's 'bout wanting what you got." I almost started spelling it the way I hear it in my head..."Snot bout having wut you waaant, sbout wanting wuuut youuu gottt" Now, I did spell it the way I hear it. Please don't stop reading. I seriously have a point.
Somewhere.
That line of the song really resonated with me. I am so quick to want what someone else has. So quick. Sometimes it's something material, sometimes not. I have been getting better but when Josh and I were first married, eight and a half years ago, I wanted. And I wanted some more.
My husband wanted to please me. So, he gave. And he gave some more.
I wanted a Honda Accord, we got one. I wanted a newer one, we got one. I wanted a dishwasher, we got one. I wanted a beagle, we got one (free to good home btw) I kept wanting. And I was so selfish. I was so ignorant. So blind to see what it was doing to me.
To us.
It didn't stop when it came to the cars. In 2002 I decided I wanted a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer. I got one. It was beautiful. It was red. It was mine.
It was ridiculous.
We almost had to file bankruptcy because the payments were almost $400 per month. We were so stressed. We were miserable. I felt like I was drowning. Looking back it reminds me of the Veggie Tales movie with Madam Blueberry. She shopped at Stuff Mart and she always wanted more but each time she got more, she still was not happy. That was me.
Honestly, it's getting better. I truly believe it's a heart issue. I was not walking with the Lord. I wasn't seeking Him out, wasn't asking for His peace. I was just living for myself. Trying to fill a void.
Oh but I was so empty.
I'm not saying everything is perfect now. It's definitely not. I told you at the beginning I still covet. But I'm learning to repent of it, I'm learning to want what I already have. There was so much stress in the "stuff" that I had or did. So, I started eliminating it, a lot of it cold turkey.
1. My cell phone
2. Credit card debt
3. My car, it was paid for but we sold it to pay off debt. And, the reason it was paid for...instead of filing for bankruptcy, we remortgaged our house to pay it off. We will always be so thankful to my Uncle Eric who suggested that to us. Otherwise, well...I don't know what would have happened.
4. Daytime TV, no more soap operas!
5. Unhealthy friendships
6. Wal Mart, I used to go there a few times a week. Not for anything inparticular, just to go. I always left with at least $30 worth of stuff. Now, I don't go there at all. It's literally saving me hundreds each month.
7. Coffee. Oh, this was so hard to cut down on. But now, instead of 7-8 times a week, we go twice. Once on Wednesdays between noon and 3, because it's double punch day and 50 cents off each drink and then on Saturdays for SMT. This is saving us close to $200 per month.
I'm sure there are more things I could cut back on, but for now, this is where I am.
The relief that I feel being happy with what I have is amazing. It feels good to get out of bed in the morning. I'm not scared to check my mail. I'm learning to be okay with going to the mall and not walking out with a brand new pair of Lucky jeans, but oh how I miss them!
I've been blessed. I love my life. I love my husband. I love our daughter. I love our house. I love our '85 suburban, even tho' she didn't want to start this morning!
I think the Lord wants to see what we'll do with what He's already given us before He'll bless us further. Does that make sense? It does to me. I've really felt Him telling me that lately.
Sorry this post is so long. It was just really on my heart on Saturday and we were gone all day yesterday so I didn't get a chance to talk to you.
I pray you have just the best day today.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Marbles
I get depressed. Easily. A lot. For no reason whatsoever. I have absolutely nothing to be depressed about. I think part of it is that if I don't do something I had planned on doing, I get upset with myself and then I start beating myself up. For instance:
I wanted to have our spare bedroom/junk room/laundry room/scrapbook room completely cleaned out on Monday so that we could sand the floors in there. I didn't get it done on Monday.
Or Tuesday.
Or Wednesday.
You're getting it, right? It's Friday and it's still not completely cleaned out. I don't want you to imagine a room filled to the ceiling with crap, 'cause that's not the case. But there is quite a lot of stuff in there. And I don't want to just throw it in another room and clutter it up. I'm actually going through the stuff and either tossing it or just putting it where it should have been in the first place. Man, if only I'd done that in the beginning. Geesh.
Anyway, so when I don't get something done that I wanted to get done, I don't do anything else. It's really bad.
So, my house has suffered for it. So, that means my husband has suffered for it. He's not a clean freak or anything but every man loves and deserves to come home to a clean home. Yes, deserves.
And since my sister-in-law reads my blog, I hate that she sees how her brother has come home to a cluttery home the last few nights. She's known me 10 years now, so I hope she's realized that in that amount of time I have grown up somewhat. It used to be that I didn't even realize I was in a funk like this. My house was just messy. Always. Always.
Josh would invite people to come over just so I would have to clean the house. Ohhh I'd be so mad.
I would load all my dirty dishes up (that had been accumulating all week) into a rubbermaid box, take them to my SIL's house across town, run them thru her dishwasher, wait for them to wash, take 'em out, dry 'em, load 'em back up, go home and they'd sit in that tub for a little bit til I felt like putting them away.
Yes, I used to do that.
I have grown. I'm much better than that now. So, when I get down on myself for letting my house go to pot for a couple of days, I need to remember how I used to be and praise the Lord for changing me and growing me.
I'm a work in progress.
Last night, he could tell I was in one of my moods. So, he went around the house and did the things I should have done. He did it with such a merry heart. He was happy to help me.
It took him all of 20 minutes. That's all it would have/could have taken me.
I'm going to do better next week. I'm not going to be down about it anymore today.
Thanks for letting me vent. Not that you had a choice in the matter. But it feels good to just get it out there. I don't want people to think I don't know that my house is a cluttered mess at the moment. I wouldn't want you to come here and think that's just how it is here. 'Cause it's not. I like a clean house. I like to clean my house. I enjoy it. But sometimes I think I bite off more than I can chew. Or, I plan more than is possible for a girl with an 18 month old to get done in a day.
I just have a day or 12 here and there where I lose my marbles and Josh has to go pick them up for me.
Thank You, Lord for this man You've blessed me with. He's the best marble picker upper ever.
I wanted to have our spare bedroom/junk room/laundry room/scrapbook room completely cleaned out on Monday so that we could sand the floors in there. I didn't get it done on Monday.
Or Tuesday.
Or Wednesday.
You're getting it, right? It's Friday and it's still not completely cleaned out. I don't want you to imagine a room filled to the ceiling with crap, 'cause that's not the case. But there is quite a lot of stuff in there. And I don't want to just throw it in another room and clutter it up. I'm actually going through the stuff and either tossing it or just putting it where it should have been in the first place. Man, if only I'd done that in the beginning. Geesh.
Anyway, so when I don't get something done that I wanted to get done, I don't do anything else. It's really bad.
So, my house has suffered for it. So, that means my husband has suffered for it. He's not a clean freak or anything but every man loves and deserves to come home to a clean home. Yes, deserves.
And since my sister-in-law reads my blog, I hate that she sees how her brother has come home to a cluttery home the last few nights. She's known me 10 years now, so I hope she's realized that in that amount of time I have grown up somewhat. It used to be that I didn't even realize I was in a funk like this. My house was just messy. Always. Always.
Josh would invite people to come over just so I would have to clean the house. Ohhh I'd be so mad.
I would load all my dirty dishes up (that had been accumulating all week) into a rubbermaid box, take them to my SIL's house across town, run them thru her dishwasher, wait for them to wash, take 'em out, dry 'em, load 'em back up, go home and they'd sit in that tub for a little bit til I felt like putting them away.
Yes, I used to do that.
I have grown. I'm much better than that now. So, when I get down on myself for letting my house go to pot for a couple of days, I need to remember how I used to be and praise the Lord for changing me and growing me.
I'm a work in progress.
Last night, he could tell I was in one of my moods. So, he went around the house and did the things I should have done. He did it with such a merry heart. He was happy to help me.
It took him all of 20 minutes. That's all it would have/could have taken me.
I'm going to do better next week. I'm not going to be down about it anymore today.
Thanks for letting me vent. Not that you had a choice in the matter. But it feels good to just get it out there. I don't want people to think I don't know that my house is a cluttered mess at the moment. I wouldn't want you to come here and think that's just how it is here. 'Cause it's not. I like a clean house. I like to clean my house. I enjoy it. But sometimes I think I bite off more than I can chew. Or, I plan more than is possible for a girl with an 18 month old to get done in a day.
I just have a day or 12 here and there where I lose my marbles and Josh has to go pick them up for me.
Thank You, Lord for this man You've blessed me with. He's the best marble picker upper ever.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Just Some Lil Tidbits 'Bout Me
Here are some random things about me you may or may not know:
1. I love cats but have a dog.
2. My favorite color (at the moment) is red.
3. I chew my fingernails.
4. I don't like it when people chew with their mouths open.
5. I love to laugh and make others laugh, too.
6. I'm afraid of heights.
7. I'd rather hold a snake than a spider.
8. If my house were on fire and I could only grab 3 personal items (assuming husband and child are safely outta the house) they would be:
a. my scrapbooks
b. my KitchenAid mixer-it's red!! My best anniversary gift yet!
c. Jaylee's baby keepsakes
9. I love to have my hair played with.
10. My first boyfriend's name was Rusty. I was in 6th grade, he was in 5th grade.
11. I have two sisters.
12. Both younger than me.
13. But I'm the shortest.
14. I love chocolate.
15. I love to cook.
16. I've had 1 speeding ticket and 3 seat belt tickets.
17. The last seat belt ticket should have been a speeding ticket, I was racing the cop. He let me off easy.
18. My middle name is Lee. Yes, like the baked goods. Sarah Lee. But I have an 'H' that makes me cooler.
19. I don't like to be a passenger in a car unless it's my husband or father-in-law driving.
20. If it didn't snow or rain ever, I'd just own 37 million pairs of flip flops. Love those.
21. My dad drown in a boating accident when I was 19.
22. I now have an irrational fear of the water.
23. I'm trying to get over it.
24. I love receiving gifts, but prefer to have them in a box and wrapped. No gift bags, makes the opening go too fast.
25. I'm 26.5 years old.
26. I have a My Space account. It's been fun to connect with friends from High School that I haven't talked to in 9 years.
27. I'm still close to 3 of the 4 girls I had as bridesmaids in my wedding.
28. My husband is my best friend.
29. I knew I was going to marry him before I even knew his name. I'm serious. I just knew.
30. I'm 20 lbs overweight.
31. I can't believe I just admitted that.
32. I want to homeschool my daughter.
33. I'd rather clean 100 toilets than do dishes.
34. I watch Grey's Anatomy.
35. I wish I could stop but I'm terribly addicted! :)
36. I no longer have a cell phone.
37. I just started clipping coupons from the Sunday paper, that is so fun!
38. My favorite food is Mexican.
39. I love Sangrias.
40. After 22 years my sister and I are friends.
41. I threatened to run away when I was 4.
42. My mom offered to help me pack.
43. I didn't get far.
44. I love to scrapbook. I use Close to My Heart products.
45. I love to mow the lawn.
46. We used to own our own lawnmowing business.
47. I sell Pampered Chef.
48. I'd rather have McDonald's than Burger King.
49. I don't like to make New Years Resolutions.
50. But I'm going to this year.
51. I'm done tidbittin'....for now!
There you go. Hope this completes your day once again.
1. I love cats but have a dog.
2. My favorite color (at the moment) is red.
3. I chew my fingernails.
4. I don't like it when people chew with their mouths open.
5. I love to laugh and make others laugh, too.
6. I'm afraid of heights.
7. I'd rather hold a snake than a spider.
8. If my house were on fire and I could only grab 3 personal items (assuming husband and child are safely outta the house) they would be:
a. my scrapbooks
b. my KitchenAid mixer-it's red!! My best anniversary gift yet!
c. Jaylee's baby keepsakes
9. I love to have my hair played with.
10. My first boyfriend's name was Rusty. I was in 6th grade, he was in 5th grade.
11. I have two sisters.
12. Both younger than me.
13. But I'm the shortest.
14. I love chocolate.
15. I love to cook.
16. I've had 1 speeding ticket and 3 seat belt tickets.
17. The last seat belt ticket should have been a speeding ticket, I was racing the cop. He let me off easy.
18. My middle name is Lee. Yes, like the baked goods. Sarah Lee. But I have an 'H' that makes me cooler.
19. I don't like to be a passenger in a car unless it's my husband or father-in-law driving.
20. If it didn't snow or rain ever, I'd just own 37 million pairs of flip flops. Love those.
21. My dad drown in a boating accident when I was 19.
22. I now have an irrational fear of the water.
23. I'm trying to get over it.
24. I love receiving gifts, but prefer to have them in a box and wrapped. No gift bags, makes the opening go too fast.
25. I'm 26.5 years old.
26. I have a My Space account. It's been fun to connect with friends from High School that I haven't talked to in 9 years.
27. I'm still close to 3 of the 4 girls I had as bridesmaids in my wedding.
28. My husband is my best friend.
29. I knew I was going to marry him before I even knew his name. I'm serious. I just knew.
30. I'm 20 lbs overweight.
31. I can't believe I just admitted that.
32. I want to homeschool my daughter.
33. I'd rather clean 100 toilets than do dishes.
34. I watch Grey's Anatomy.
35. I wish I could stop but I'm terribly addicted! :)
36. I no longer have a cell phone.
37. I just started clipping coupons from the Sunday paper, that is so fun!
38. My favorite food is Mexican.
39. I love Sangrias.
40. After 22 years my sister and I are friends.
41. I threatened to run away when I was 4.
42. My mom offered to help me pack.
43. I didn't get far.
44. I love to scrapbook. I use Close to My Heart products.
45. I love to mow the lawn.
46. We used to own our own lawnmowing business.
47. I sell Pampered Chef.
48. I'd rather have McDonald's than Burger King.
49. I don't like to make New Years Resolutions.
50. But I'm going to this year.
51. I'm done tidbittin'....for now!
There you go. Hope this completes your day once again.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Phooey
I've been trying to think for the last couple of days what I could blog about. But there's nothing that's on my heart to share. Nothing funny, exciting, sentimental, etc.
So, just want to let you know that I'm still kickin' (and sometimes screamin') but I just don't have much to say right now.
During this CHRISTmas season, remember Jesus. It's so easy to get caught up in gift buying and everything that we sometimes forget the Reason for this season.
While in line at the department store or behind a slow driver or pushing through the crowds at the mall, wear a smile. Remember God's Gift to us. I say this mainly so it's in my brain. But maybe it's something on your heart too, you just needed a reminder as well.
I pray you have a great day. Talk to you soon!
So, just want to let you know that I'm still kickin' (and sometimes screamin') but I just don't have much to say right now.
During this CHRISTmas season, remember Jesus. It's so easy to get caught up in gift buying and everything that we sometimes forget the Reason for this season.
While in line at the department store or behind a slow driver or pushing through the crowds at the mall, wear a smile. Remember God's Gift to us. I say this mainly so it's in my brain. But maybe it's something on your heart too, you just needed a reminder as well.
I pray you have a great day. Talk to you soon!
Friday, December 08, 2006
Bravo!
I was in a rut until today.
A blog rut. A mood rut. And, until today, I was in a laughing rut. My goodness, my belly hurts from laughing so hard today.
I have nothing exciting to say really. No pictures to share. You know how you can think something's funny, but you're just not sure how someone else would see it? Well, that would be my funny stories from today.
Well, today started out just awful. Okay, maybe awful is exaggerating a bit, but it started off not so good. Actually, if we're going to get technical, today started bad last night. Does that make sense? I was supposed to have today "off," no baby, no housecleaning, no cooking, no domestic duties whatsoever. But my neighbor called last night and asked if I could keep her baby for a few hours today. Lovely, selfless, giving neighbor that I am (please sense the sarcasm here) I said, "sure, I'd love to watch her!" Well, I told my mother that I'd just keep my own child for the day so lil neighbor baby would have someone here to beat her up, I mean...play with her. Well, lil neighbor baby never showed. But my own was here. Alllll day. So, I had to cook, I had to clean, I had to be a mama, I had to be domestic.
I was not happy. I had a day planned for myself. It consisted of one thing and one thing only.
Scrapbooking.
I didn't get to do it though. That's okay, I'm pretty much over it now. Josh had the day off so around 3 he offered to take Jaylee for a few errands so I could do whatever I needed to do. I think he sensed that someone's (his) head was going to be bit off. While they were gone I started to address my Christmas cards. I addressed my moms last. I was delirious by this time.
We were sent these address labels from some organization to feed hungry children. The entire letter is a sticker. So, I decided to "decorate" her envelope with the stickers. "Feed Hungry Children" "Do not peel off" "Please do not remove backing" "Happy Holidays" I'm placing these stickers randomly on her envelope when I realize there's a picture of a "hungry" child on there. I cut it out and stuck it on her envelope. I'm in tears by this time. Laughing hysterically. I was in such a bad mood 5 minutes ago but this was killing me.
I don't know if this is funny to you or not but I'm dying remembering it. I cannot wait for her to get her mail.
That's not all. That's right, the story does not end there. You could only hope...
My mom and I went to a dessert and ornament exchange at church tonight. We were going to be early so we decided to get a coffee first. We drink the same thing, Iced Hazelnut Breve No Whip Cream. Before we got to the coffee stand I told her that if she asked the barista for an Iced Hazelnut Bravo (with a straight face) I'd pay for her drink. She busted up. We both did. I reminded her though that I'd only pay if she said it with a straight face.
We pull up. I had to face my window because I was already laughing so hard. Laughing so hard no sound was coming out. You know the kind.
Barista-"What can I get for you tonight?"
My Mom-"Yeah, can I get two Iced Hazelnut Bravos please, with no whip?"
Me-Totally dying in passenger seat.
Barista-"Uh, do you mean, Breve?"
My Mom-"Yeah, whatever."
Me-Still dying in passenger seat.
The barista goes to make our drinks and we were laughing so hard. My mom was quite proud of herself for keeping a straight face.
While making our coffees...
Barista-"You girls from outta town?"
My Mom-"Uh-huh, from New York."
Me-totally dying again, we sooo do not live in New York, where did she get that?!
Barista-"Here for the holidays?"
My Mom-"Mmhmm."
We get our drinks, we leave, go to church and I'm still laughing about our Bravo experience.
I love my mom. She's always up for whatever.
Now that I've shared this story, all my friends who wondered where I got my "normalness," yeah, that'd be from my mother.
A blog rut. A mood rut. And, until today, I was in a laughing rut. My goodness, my belly hurts from laughing so hard today.
I have nothing exciting to say really. No pictures to share. You know how you can think something's funny, but you're just not sure how someone else would see it? Well, that would be my funny stories from today.
Well, today started out just awful. Okay, maybe awful is exaggerating a bit, but it started off not so good. Actually, if we're going to get technical, today started bad last night. Does that make sense? I was supposed to have today "off," no baby, no housecleaning, no cooking, no domestic duties whatsoever. But my neighbor called last night and asked if I could keep her baby for a few hours today. Lovely, selfless, giving neighbor that I am (please sense the sarcasm here) I said, "sure, I'd love to watch her!" Well, I told my mother that I'd just keep my own child for the day so lil neighbor baby would have someone here to beat her up, I mean...play with her. Well, lil neighbor baby never showed. But my own was here. Alllll day. So, I had to cook, I had to clean, I had to be a mama, I had to be domestic.
I was not happy. I had a day planned for myself. It consisted of one thing and one thing only.
Scrapbooking.
I didn't get to do it though. That's okay, I'm pretty much over it now. Josh had the day off so around 3 he offered to take Jaylee for a few errands so I could do whatever I needed to do. I think he sensed that someone's (his) head was going to be bit off. While they were gone I started to address my Christmas cards. I addressed my moms last. I was delirious by this time.
We were sent these address labels from some organization to feed hungry children. The entire letter is a sticker. So, I decided to "decorate" her envelope with the stickers. "Feed Hungry Children" "Do not peel off" "Please do not remove backing" "Happy Holidays" I'm placing these stickers randomly on her envelope when I realize there's a picture of a "hungry" child on there. I cut it out and stuck it on her envelope. I'm in tears by this time. Laughing hysterically. I was in such a bad mood 5 minutes ago but this was killing me.
I don't know if this is funny to you or not but I'm dying remembering it. I cannot wait for her to get her mail.
That's not all. That's right, the story does not end there. You could only hope...
My mom and I went to a dessert and ornament exchange at church tonight. We were going to be early so we decided to get a coffee first. We drink the same thing, Iced Hazelnut Breve No Whip Cream. Before we got to the coffee stand I told her that if she asked the barista for an Iced Hazelnut Bravo (with a straight face) I'd pay for her drink. She busted up. We both did. I reminded her though that I'd only pay if she said it with a straight face.
We pull up. I had to face my window because I was already laughing so hard. Laughing so hard no sound was coming out. You know the kind.
Barista-"What can I get for you tonight?"
My Mom-"Yeah, can I get two Iced Hazelnut Bravos please, with no whip?"
Me-Totally dying in passenger seat.
Barista-"Uh, do you mean, Breve?"
My Mom-"Yeah, whatever."
Me-Still dying in passenger seat.
The barista goes to make our drinks and we were laughing so hard. My mom was quite proud of herself for keeping a straight face.
While making our coffees...
Barista-"You girls from outta town?"
My Mom-"Uh-huh, from New York."
Me-totally dying again, we sooo do not live in New York, where did she get that?!
Barista-"Here for the holidays?"
My Mom-"Mmhmm."
We get our drinks, we leave, go to church and I'm still laughing about our Bravo experience.
I love my mom. She's always up for whatever.
Now that I've shared this story, all my friends who wondered where I got my "normalness," yeah, that'd be from my mother.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Spot Remover
Josh and I served in our church's nursery last month. While it can be kinda crazy with about nine or so babies, it's so nice to get to know the parents of these sweet littles. A couple of Sundays ago a mother comes in to nurse her 5 month old little girl. She's originally from North Carolina, so she has an accent I love to listen to. While she's in the nursery with us I ask how her week was. And the story begins...
During the day she takes care of not only her baby, but her two older boys as well...and her father-in-law's large black dog. She proceeds to tell us that they'd butchered their cows that week and the dog got into the blood and other "stuff." He came traipsing into her home with his bloody paws. Of course it didn't make her happy but she was able to clean it up, needless to say he was kicked out. Well, a little while later it happened again, except this time he proceeds to throw up what he'd eaten outside. Gross, huh?
That's not the end of the story.
She says that the smell is still lingering in their home, she's tried to clean it out of her carpet, to no avail. She decided they'd just have to get new carpet.
The next week, we see her again. I ask if she has new carpet. She looks at me and smiles a soft smile. "No," she says. They'd had a carpet cleaner come out a few times and the spot was lifting and the smell had gone away. She tells me that the Lord really worked on her heart that week and had shown her a few things. Patience, for one. And the other was that He had shown her that the carpet was like us. People.
We get dirty (sin) time and again. But He cleans us, time and again. We have spots, areas of our lives, our hearts, our minds that are always needing cleansed. And He's always there to wash us clean. Always there to forgive.
I loved it. Loved the lesson that was learned, not necessarily for her, but for me. I loved her honesty, her humble nature.
Isn't God so amazing? There's nothing we have done or can do that He can't clean.
He's the ultimate Spot Remover.
During the day she takes care of not only her baby, but her two older boys as well...and her father-in-law's large black dog. She proceeds to tell us that they'd butchered their cows that week and the dog got into the blood and other "stuff." He came traipsing into her home with his bloody paws. Of course it didn't make her happy but she was able to clean it up, needless to say he was kicked out. Well, a little while later it happened again, except this time he proceeds to throw up what he'd eaten outside. Gross, huh?
That's not the end of the story.
She says that the smell is still lingering in their home, she's tried to clean it out of her carpet, to no avail. She decided they'd just have to get new carpet.
The next week, we see her again. I ask if she has new carpet. She looks at me and smiles a soft smile. "No," she says. They'd had a carpet cleaner come out a few times and the spot was lifting and the smell had gone away. She tells me that the Lord really worked on her heart that week and had shown her a few things. Patience, for one. And the other was that He had shown her that the carpet was like us. People.
We get dirty (sin) time and again. But He cleans us, time and again. We have spots, areas of our lives, our hearts, our minds that are always needing cleansed. And He's always there to wash us clean. Always there to forgive.
I loved it. Loved the lesson that was learned, not necessarily for her, but for me. I loved her honesty, her humble nature.
Isn't God so amazing? There's nothing we have done or can do that He can't clean.
He's the ultimate Spot Remover.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Blogs
To the left I've added the blogs I visit most frequently. I love these ladies. I only know one of them personally but I love them all. I love the inspiration I get from each of them. I love their wisdom and wit. It's fun to just take a few minutes...or in some cases...a lot of minutes to sit and read what these women have to say.
I can't remember how I found it, but I found a website called Choosing Home. From it, I found most of these blogs. That site is awesome, whether you choose to stay home or not, it's a valuable site to learn from.
After reading these blogs, I'd be fired up about an idea here or there, and tell Josh about a certain one. I got tired of saying "This blog I read from today..." so I've started calling these women by name. He thinks it's funny. And, I guess it kind of is.
I don't have many friends but these women have become that way for me, even if they don't know it. ;) It may be a tad weird that I refer to them that way, but honestly, when have I been normal?!
So, I hope you'll take some time (if you ever have it) to read what these women have shared.
Have a wonderful day!!!
I can't remember how I found it, but I found a website called Choosing Home. From it, I found most of these blogs. That site is awesome, whether you choose to stay home or not, it's a valuable site to learn from.
After reading these blogs, I'd be fired up about an idea here or there, and tell Josh about a certain one. I got tired of saying "This blog I read from today..." so I've started calling these women by name. He thinks it's funny. And, I guess it kind of is.
I don't have many friends but these women have become that way for me, even if they don't know it. ;) It may be a tad weird that I refer to them that way, but honestly, when have I been normal?!
So, I hope you'll take some time (if you ever have it) to read what these women have shared.
Have a wonderful day!!!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Quiz
Alrighty, so I stole this quiz from Kristie, who also stole it, so I'm not going to feel bad about it.
1. What is your occupation? Domestic Engineer
2. What color are your socks right now? Barefoot
3. What are you listening to right now? Josh making noise outside, why is he out there, it's freezing!
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Pizza Hut Pizza, my husband's turn to cook.
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes, I can.
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My mommy.
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I like the person I stole it from. :)
8. How old are you today?4 years from 30
9. Favorite drink? Iced Hazelnut Breve does it get better than coffee with half and half?! Nope.
10. What is your favorite sport to watch? What are those?
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Let me count the ways....
12. Pets? 1 dog (free to good home) and 9 cats (they belong to the neighbors, also free to good home)
13. Favorite food? Have ya seen me lately?! Doesn't seem to be much I don't like.
14. What was the last movie you watched? Hmm, does the 2nd season of Grey's Anatomy count?
15. What is your favorite day of the year? My birthday, a day dedicated to me, I love it!
16. How do you vent anger? LOL, I call Treena!
17. What was your favorite toy as a child? I feel like such a nerd saying this...books, books and more books.
18. What is your favorite - fall or spring? It used to be fall, 'cause I love the colors, but now it's spring, I want to be warm!
19. Hugs or kisses? Are we talking Hershey's or physical affection? Hershey's kisses, but I like to be hugged.
20. Cherries or Blueberries? Strawberries...
21. Do you want your friends to email you back? Uh, if I emailed them, then, yes.
22. Who is most likely to respond? I dunno
23. Who is least likely to respond? Refer to answer 22
24. Living arrangements? I live with my husband and daughter, I like our arrangement just fine.
25. When was the last time you cried? Today. Yesterday. Ugh, sometimes...well, oh nevermind, I don't want to start all over again.
26. What is on the floor of your closet? I don't really have one.
27. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? I'm not sending this to anyone, but the longest friend I've had would be Lindsey. Summer of '94.
28. What did you do last night? Made dinner, put Jaylee to bed and vegged in front of the tv for 3 hours. (I can't believe I just admitted that)
29. Favorite smells? Jaylee after a bath and Josh after he's been at work...I know I'm a sicko
30. What inspires you? My husband, daughter and anyone who's organized.
31. What are you afraid of? Drowning. I hope it's not hereditary, otherwise I'm in a heap of trouble.
32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheese, please.
33. Favorite dog breed? Since I have a beagle, do I have to say a beagle?
34. Number of keys on your key ring? Hmmm, maybe 8 or so.
35. How many years at your current job? 8.5 years
36. Favorite day of the week? Saturday, because we have SMT (saturday morning tradition, which consists of loading up real early and going to get coffee and donuts) and Monday, I love the beginning of a week.
37. How many states have you lived in? Oh geez, I need to borrow someone elses fingers to count this high...just kidding, only 3, I think. Just don't ask how many cities.
38. Favorite holiday? Besides my birthday???? Definitely CHRISTmas.
There. Now y'all know a lil more about me. Your day is complete. ;)
1. What is your occupation? Domestic Engineer
2. What color are your socks right now? Barefoot
3. What are you listening to right now? Josh making noise outside, why is he out there, it's freezing!
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Pizza Hut Pizza, my husband's turn to cook.
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes, I can.
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My mommy.
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I like the person I stole it from. :)
8. How old are you today?4 years from 30
9. Favorite drink? Iced Hazelnut Breve does it get better than coffee with half and half?! Nope.
10. What is your favorite sport to watch? What are those?
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Let me count the ways....
12. Pets? 1 dog (free to good home) and 9 cats (they belong to the neighbors, also free to good home)
13. Favorite food? Have ya seen me lately?! Doesn't seem to be much I don't like.
14. What was the last movie you watched? Hmm, does the 2nd season of Grey's Anatomy count?
15. What is your favorite day of the year? My birthday, a day dedicated to me, I love it!
16. How do you vent anger? LOL, I call Treena!
17. What was your favorite toy as a child? I feel like such a nerd saying this...books, books and more books.
18. What is your favorite - fall or spring? It used to be fall, 'cause I love the colors, but now it's spring, I want to be warm!
19. Hugs or kisses? Are we talking Hershey's or physical affection? Hershey's kisses, but I like to be hugged.
20. Cherries or Blueberries? Strawberries...
21. Do you want your friends to email you back? Uh, if I emailed them, then, yes.
22. Who is most likely to respond? I dunno
23. Who is least likely to respond? Refer to answer 22
24. Living arrangements? I live with my husband and daughter, I like our arrangement just fine.
25. When was the last time you cried? Today. Yesterday. Ugh, sometimes...well, oh nevermind, I don't want to start all over again.
26. What is on the floor of your closet? I don't really have one.
27. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? I'm not sending this to anyone, but the longest friend I've had would be Lindsey. Summer of '94.
28. What did you do last night? Made dinner, put Jaylee to bed and vegged in front of the tv for 3 hours. (I can't believe I just admitted that)
29. Favorite smells? Jaylee after a bath and Josh after he's been at work...I know I'm a sicko
30. What inspires you? My husband, daughter and anyone who's organized.
31. What are you afraid of? Drowning. I hope it's not hereditary, otherwise I'm in a heap of trouble.
32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheese, please.
33. Favorite dog breed? Since I have a beagle, do I have to say a beagle?
34. Number of keys on your key ring? Hmmm, maybe 8 or so.
35. How many years at your current job? 8.5 years
36. Favorite day of the week? Saturday, because we have SMT (saturday morning tradition, which consists of loading up real early and going to get coffee and donuts) and Monday, I love the beginning of a week.
37. How many states have you lived in? Oh geez, I need to borrow someone elses fingers to count this high...just kidding, only 3, I think. Just don't ask how many cities.
38. Favorite holiday? Besides my birthday???? Definitely CHRISTmas.
There. Now y'all know a lil more about me. Your day is complete. ;)
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Urine Taxes?!
My husband is in the process of moving our washer and dryer from the dreadful basement that is full of spiders to our "guest room" of sorts. It's the room that houses everything we don't want our guests to see upon walking into our home. The room that stores the treadmill, the CHRISTmas presents, the laundry baskets (filled with clean, unfolded clothes) let's see...what else is in this room? Junk. Most households have a junk drawer in their kitchen, our house takes that concept a step further, we have a junk room. How cool are we?!
Anyway...in the summer of '05 we bought one of those real neat, fancy-shmancy front load washers. We did the whole, "no payments, no finance charges" thing and it actually worked out for us, we paid it off before we were charged. Make sure you read the fine print on that "promotion." Had we not paid it off fully in that year, we would have had to pay the interest on it for the entire year. Does that make sense? Not sure if I worded that correctly, hopefully you get what I'm saying.
Okay, well this is really getting to be lengthy for the little bit I had to say, but oh well.
So, we bought the washer. I hated that we didn't buy the pair, but for once in our lives we decided to be patient. Joshua told me we'd just buy the dryer when we could afford a gas one and in my head I'm thinking, "uh, when will that be?" But of course, the wonderfully, submissive, quiet wife that I am, I said, "oh, okay honey." Well, the Lord blessed us for having patience, I tell you what! A few months after we bought the washer there was a woman having a yard sale and in her yard sale, guess what she had? That's right. A gas dryer. One that matched our washer, except black. It still had the packaging around it! And she wanted 1/2 what we would have paid the store. I debated asking her if she'd do the No Payments, No Finance charges, but thought against it, I was already getting a good deal. So, we bought it. Have we used it in the last year? Uhh...no.
To hook it up would take copper piping and all this other plumbing and work and what not. So, it's just not gotten done.
Our washer and dryer are located in our unfinished, spider ridden basement. So, I don't care to go down there. Therefore, I only wash clothes when we've run out of undies or socks or work jeans.
Then Josh had the brilliant idea to bring them upstairs and put them in the room that we don't really use. We bought the copper pipe and everything else to go with it and wa-la, it's working beautifully!
Okay, so why the title, "Urine Taxes?" Today, while he was working in there, listening to the radio a commercial came on and the woman said, "Year-End Taxes," Josh misunderstood and said, "what are urine taxes?" I thought I was gonna die.
I assured him that we don't have to pay taxes to use the commode.
Anyway...in the summer of '05 we bought one of those real neat, fancy-shmancy front load washers. We did the whole, "no payments, no finance charges" thing and it actually worked out for us, we paid it off before we were charged. Make sure you read the fine print on that "promotion." Had we not paid it off fully in that year, we would have had to pay the interest on it for the entire year. Does that make sense? Not sure if I worded that correctly, hopefully you get what I'm saying.
Okay, well this is really getting to be lengthy for the little bit I had to say, but oh well.
So, we bought the washer. I hated that we didn't buy the pair, but for once in our lives we decided to be patient. Joshua told me we'd just buy the dryer when we could afford a gas one and in my head I'm thinking, "uh, when will that be?" But of course, the wonderfully, submissive, quiet wife that I am, I said, "oh, okay honey." Well, the Lord blessed us for having patience, I tell you what! A few months after we bought the washer there was a woman having a yard sale and in her yard sale, guess what she had? That's right. A gas dryer. One that matched our washer, except black. It still had the packaging around it! And she wanted 1/2 what we would have paid the store. I debated asking her if she'd do the No Payments, No Finance charges, but thought against it, I was already getting a good deal. So, we bought it. Have we used it in the last year? Uhh...no.
To hook it up would take copper piping and all this other plumbing and work and what not. So, it's just not gotten done.
Our washer and dryer are located in our unfinished, spider ridden basement. So, I don't care to go down there. Therefore, I only wash clothes when we've run out of undies or socks or work jeans.
Then Josh had the brilliant idea to bring them upstairs and put them in the room that we don't really use. We bought the copper pipe and everything else to go with it and wa-la, it's working beautifully!
Okay, so why the title, "Urine Taxes?" Today, while he was working in there, listening to the radio a commercial came on and the woman said, "Year-End Taxes," Josh misunderstood and said, "what are urine taxes?" I thought I was gonna die.
I assured him that we don't have to pay taxes to use the commode.
Monday, November 20, 2006
I did it!
I cancelled it. My cell phone, that is. As of December 07, 2006, I will no longer be a cell phone user. Ugh! I'm not quite sure I'm ready for that. I'm pretty sad to be honest with you. That'll actually be the 3 year anniversary of my phone and me. We've been pals. He travels with me everywhere I go. Never leaves my side. When I'm down and need a friend to talk to, he picks me up...well, I guess I pick him up and then I call someone. You get the point, I'm never without my phone!!!
So, to reach me, you can do that via email or my home phone.
Even though I'm sad, I'm really excited too. My average cell bill is about $60 per month. My contract doesn't expire til September. So, from December to September I would have paid approximately $540 in cell bills. Since I'm still under contract, I have to pay the early cancellation fee of $150. Let's see, what is that...540 minus 150=390. I will have saved our family $390!!! That's a lot of money!
I really feel the Lord convicting me of my spending habits. I've been trying to look at different areas where I can help save our family money. The first, was my coffee. That was adding up to around 200 a month. I asked the Lord to take that addiction from me and in a round about way He did. (long story, I'll tell ya later) anyway, now we only get them on Saturdays. Second, was my phone. I've taken care of that, now I'm on to other measures. But, just those two things out of my life is saving my family almost 300 per month!
I'm busy today getting ready for a Pampered Chef Show I'm doing tonight, but tomorrow I'm going to make a list of areas I can cut my spending and I'll share them with you.
Hope you all had a great weekend and even more...hope you're having a fantastic Monday!
Take care!
So, to reach me, you can do that via email or my home phone.
Even though I'm sad, I'm really excited too. My average cell bill is about $60 per month. My contract doesn't expire til September. So, from December to September I would have paid approximately $540 in cell bills. Since I'm still under contract, I have to pay the early cancellation fee of $150. Let's see, what is that...540 minus 150=390. I will have saved our family $390!!! That's a lot of money!
I really feel the Lord convicting me of my spending habits. I've been trying to look at different areas where I can help save our family money. The first, was my coffee. That was adding up to around 200 a month. I asked the Lord to take that addiction from me and in a round about way He did. (long story, I'll tell ya later) anyway, now we only get them on Saturdays. Second, was my phone. I've taken care of that, now I'm on to other measures. But, just those two things out of my life is saving my family almost 300 per month!
I'm busy today getting ready for a Pampered Chef Show I'm doing tonight, but tomorrow I'm going to make a list of areas I can cut my spending and I'll share them with you.
Hope you all had a great weekend and even more...hope you're having a fantastic Monday!
Take care!
Friday, November 17, 2006
I'm Embarrassed
I got my cell phone bill today. I can't believe it. I'm seriously embarrassed.
I talk too much. Way too much.
I have 1300 minutes, anytime minutes, with free incoming. My total minutes used: 2,160 minutes. At first I didn't think much of it. Then, for some sick reason I decided to figure out how many hours that was.
36 hours. 36 hours!!!! That's almost a full work week. Spent on the phone. I'm grieved. That is 36 hours that I was not spending time with my baby. 36 hours not spent with the Lord. 36 hours that I was not making my home.
I feel very convicted. Lately, (even before I got my cell bill) I've really felt the Lord telling me I need to be better with our money. We live on one income. We've been so blessed with Joshua's job. I'm able to stay home with Jaylee. But, we live paycheck to paycheck. There's no reason to though. I've looked over the amount of money I am spending. It's alot. Alot more than I need to spend.
So, I'm going to quit. I'm going to quit spending money. I'm going to quit wasting time. Lord, help me.
I told you last week that I am going to have a goal each week. This weeks' goal was to defeat Mt. Washmore (my laundry pile) and I've decided that next week I'm going to set our budget. I know, we should have had a budget by now, but really we just live by the seat of our pants, wasting money. Seriously, I feel so bad about wasting the blessing the Lord has given us.
If you have a budget, one that has been working for your family, please, let me know how you do it.
I hate being embarrassed and this is something I'm really embarrassed about. Too much time on the phone, too much spending, and not enough wisdom about a budget. But, I'm supposed to praise Him in all things, right? So, I praise Him that He has shown me this.
Have a great weekend, see ya Monday!
I talk too much. Way too much.
I have 1300 minutes, anytime minutes, with free incoming. My total minutes used: 2,160 minutes. At first I didn't think much of it. Then, for some sick reason I decided to figure out how many hours that was.
36 hours. 36 hours!!!! That's almost a full work week. Spent on the phone. I'm grieved. That is 36 hours that I was not spending time with my baby. 36 hours not spent with the Lord. 36 hours that I was not making my home.
I feel very convicted. Lately, (even before I got my cell bill) I've really felt the Lord telling me I need to be better with our money. We live on one income. We've been so blessed with Joshua's job. I'm able to stay home with Jaylee. But, we live paycheck to paycheck. There's no reason to though. I've looked over the amount of money I am spending. It's alot. Alot more than I need to spend.
So, I'm going to quit. I'm going to quit spending money. I'm going to quit wasting time. Lord, help me.
I told you last week that I am going to have a goal each week. This weeks' goal was to defeat Mt. Washmore (my laundry pile) and I've decided that next week I'm going to set our budget. I know, we should have had a budget by now, but really we just live by the seat of our pants, wasting money. Seriously, I feel so bad about wasting the blessing the Lord has given us.
If you have a budget, one that has been working for your family, please, let me know how you do it.
I hate being embarrassed and this is something I'm really embarrassed about. Too much time on the phone, too much spending, and not enough wisdom about a budget. But, I'm supposed to praise Him in all things, right? So, I praise Him that He has shown me this.
Have a great weekend, see ya Monday!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Some is Better than None
"She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27 NKJVToday, I have been busy. I've tried very hard not to be idle. I guess I kind of am right now, but I'm taking a break, so I'm not going to get down on myself.
What I've done today:
- Got up at 6:12 am, yeah!!!
- 15 minutes of devotions, would have done more but Jaylee woke up. But some is better than none, right? Right!
- Emptied the dishwasher
- Made breakfast for Josh and Jaylee. Nothing exciting, just toast and eggs.
- Did breakfast dishes
- Took a shower
- Vacuumed my entire living room, even under the furniture!
- Decluttered the living room. We have this super old stereo that was my dad's, and with it came these big speakers. They drive me nuts. They're big and black and ugly. They clutter my living room. So, I made them leave. I then hooked up little speakers that fit nicely on top of the piano. Waa laa!
- Dusted every piece of wood furniture in the living room.
- Hung up family pictures.
- Vacuumed my couches and cleaned under the cushions...this is what I found: a teething ring, a watch (i'd been looking for this for forever!) a Santa Claus pin, a nickel, a blue pen, a mechanical pencil, 2 price tags, 4 hair ties, a fishy cracker (still intact) a bobby pin, paper clip, the letter "O" foam bath toy and more popcorn than I care to admit.
Seriously, how gross is that?! Oh well, at least it's clean now.
If you're having a really bad day and you're just down on your luck, look under your couch cushions, it's like Christmas!!!
I still have more I'd like to get done today. The day is young! I'm learning to be happy with what I got done instead of being upset about what I didn't get done. I think my new motto is, "Some is Better than None."
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Back on the Wagon
I shared with you just a little while ago that I was going to try and get up at 6 am to prepare breakfast for my husband. Well, on the 5th, last Sunday, I started. It wasn't quite 6 the first couple of mornings, but by the end of the week I was waking up before the alarm. On Tuesday I realized I could also be making this a quiet time with the Lord. So, I did. Tuesday-Friday I was up at 6 and enjoying time with Jesus. Let me just tell you last week was one of the best weeks, EVER!
Then the weekend came.
I didn't get up early. I didn't spend time with Jesus. I went to church, but we're in the nursery for the month of November, so I didn't get to be in service.
On Sunday night I thought, "tomorrow I start hanging out with the Lord again." But the wind blew so hard all night and I didn't get any sleep. Next thing I know, it's 7 am. I missed my time.
I was so upset. So mad at myself.
Today, it was 7 again. Ohhh how different this week has already started out to be from last. Instead of going ahead with my devotional later in the day, I had set my mind that if I didn't do it at 6 I couldn't do it all.
Then it hit me!!! That's the enemy talking. Jesus wouldn't set a time and if I were late, He'd leave. He'd wait, patiently, for me to show up. It just dawned on me, so I had to share it. Now I need to do it!
If you're struggling with a daily time with the Lord, be easy on yourself. Take it one day at a time. Even if it's only 5-10 minutes to begin with-some is better than none. The more time you spend with Him, the more you'll want to spend with Him. I'm not a morning person, but I enjoyed last week. Enjoyed waking up while it was still dark out, turning on the lamp, snuggling with a blanket and holding the greatest Love Letter ever written. The rest of my day was great. Even if things didn't go quite right, I had joy. My husband even commented. He said he liked seeing me so happy.
Okay, well I want to go spend a few minutes with Him before Jaylee wakes up. Tomorrow I'm getting up at 6!
Lord bless and keep you.
Then the weekend came.
I didn't get up early. I didn't spend time with Jesus. I went to church, but we're in the nursery for the month of November, so I didn't get to be in service.
On Sunday night I thought, "tomorrow I start hanging out with the Lord again." But the wind blew so hard all night and I didn't get any sleep. Next thing I know, it's 7 am. I missed my time.
I was so upset. So mad at myself.
Today, it was 7 again. Ohhh how different this week has already started out to be from last. Instead of going ahead with my devotional later in the day, I had set my mind that if I didn't do it at 6 I couldn't do it all.
Then it hit me!!! That's the enemy talking. Jesus wouldn't set a time and if I were late, He'd leave. He'd wait, patiently, for me to show up. It just dawned on me, so I had to share it. Now I need to do it!
If you're struggling with a daily time with the Lord, be easy on yourself. Take it one day at a time. Even if it's only 5-10 minutes to begin with-some is better than none. The more time you spend with Him, the more you'll want to spend with Him. I'm not a morning person, but I enjoyed last week. Enjoyed waking up while it was still dark out, turning on the lamp, snuggling with a blanket and holding the greatest Love Letter ever written. The rest of my day was great. Even if things didn't go quite right, I had joy. My husband even commented. He said he liked seeing me so happy.
Okay, well I want to go spend a few minutes with Him before Jaylee wakes up. Tomorrow I'm getting up at 6!
Lord bless and keep you.
Monday, November 13, 2006
I'm not a bad mom...
...but I sure feel like one. Last night my sweet little girl fell down the stairs leading to our basement. As soon as I heard the sound I ran for her, even though I was only a few steps away it felt like forever before I got to her. She was laying on her back with her arms spread out as if she were about to make a snow angel. She didn't cry very hard but I was freaked. Josh was outside under the suburban, so I pound on the door and he came running in. I had blood on me and I didn't know where from. We checked her over and saw the blood was coming from her lip. We gave her a wet washcloth and she seemed to enjoy sucking on that. As we were searching the rest of her body, feeling for bumps and broken bones we found a lump right above her forehead. It turned purple right away. But she didn't seem affected by it. We made sure she could walk and talk and in no time she was running all over again. She didn't want to be fussed over, she wanted to play.
Whew!
So, that "honey-do" list tonight will most likely have "make gate for stairway" at the top tonight.
Whew!
So, that "honey-do" list tonight will most likely have "make gate for stairway" at the top tonight.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Girls' Night Out!
Woo Hoo! Tonight my mom and I are going to Outback Steakhouse. Just us. Her and me. Me and her. Like the good ol' days. When I was three, hey that rhymes!
The days when I was an only child. *sigh*
Well, no time to reminisce, I need to get ready to go.
Have a great weekend, be safe and I'll see ya Monday!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Testing 1, 2, 3
Friends,
I've seen on other blogs that you can link someone to another site but I didn't know how to do it. Thank you, Kristie, for teaching me how.
At least I hope I learned, I'm going to try it out.
A website I stumbled upon a couple of days ago has greatly encouraged me. Just in a couple of days time! I want you to be encouraged as well. Her name is Laine and this woman just loves Jesus so much and has such a desire to serve Him by writing to us. As you read her letters you'll feel she's speaking directly to you. At least that's how I've been feeling. I haven't read through all of her letters, recipes or journals but I've found that when I start reading through her letters, I get lost. I lose myself in them and forget that I have a home I need to be making.
So, that's a warning. You will absolutely love her! I just have to remind myself every time I go to her website that I can only read one letter at a time.
Wait to visit her site until you have some extra time. You'll want to keep reading and reading.
Have a wonderful afternoon!
I've seen on other blogs that you can link someone to another site but I didn't know how to do it. Thank you, Kristie, for teaching me how.
At least I hope I learned, I'm going to try it out.
A website I stumbled upon a couple of days ago has greatly encouraged me. Just in a couple of days time! I want you to be encouraged as well. Her name is Laine and this woman just loves Jesus so much and has such a desire to serve Him by writing to us. As you read her letters you'll feel she's speaking directly to you. At least that's how I've been feeling. I haven't read through all of her letters, recipes or journals but I've found that when I start reading through her letters, I get lost. I lose myself in them and forget that I have a home I need to be making.
So, that's a warning. You will absolutely love her! I just have to remind myself every time I go to her website that I can only read one letter at a time.
Wait to visit her site until you have some extra time. You'll want to keep reading and reading.
Have a wonderful afternoon!
New name, same great taste!!!
What the heck-ola am I talking about?! Well, I've decided to rename my blog. The Front Porch. I don't know why. It just kinda came to me. It sounded good.
The Front Porch. Close your eyes with me a minute. Picture the perfect front porch. I'll tell you what I picture.
A couple of chairs with a table between them. Cups of coffee or iced tea, with a snack. A dog at my feet, a child on my lap. The lawn that's been mowed and the trees that are bare of leaves but full of squirrels.
This is a place to relax. To share conversation. A spot to talk about the days' events, the triumphs and trials of life. A safe place to open up about heart issues. Areas in our lives where we need God to work. But also a haven to give praises to Him for what He's already done in our lives.
The Front Porch is where it all happens. Where we meet and greet with hugs, it's a welcome spot, a place to catch up. It's also the area where you say your goodbyes. Hugging again and the last words are those of encouragement, reassurment, well wishes.
This is what I pray for this blog that I have. That when we meet here, it would be exciting to talk about what's going on, it'd be a safe place to discuss goals and fears, praises and prayer requests.
What's gotten in to me? I dunno. I just know that my heart is heavy about sharing my life's joys and struggles with other women. To encourage. To uplift. Bear with me. I'm just kinda following my heart here.
So, go grab your cup o' coffee and let's talk together about this day.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Reasons why I have joy
In no particular order:
1. Joshua. I have an amazing husband. He loves me. He loves our daughter. He works so hard everyday. Out in this cold, I can't even imagine having to spend my day outside right now. He's kind and considerate. He's polite.
2. My home. It's cozy and warm. It's mine to take care of. I am responsible for it, that can seem overwhelming at times but it still brings me joy.
3. I talked to my sister, Erica, on the phone for almost an hour yesterday. God is so good. I love when I pray and He answers in a way that is visible to me immediately.
4. The sun. It's beautiful outside right now. Cold, but beautiful.
5. Jaylee. Oh, our sweet Jaylee girl. I find joy when I peek into her room and she's curled up so sweet. Just one little creak of the floor and she's bursting with energy! "Hiiii!" she says, and when I pick her up she wraps her arms around my neck and squeezes. Then just recently she's started patting me. It's hilarious.
6. Food. The Lord always provides. Even when we're down to the nitty gritty in the cupboards He makes the mush I put together edible. Do you ever wonder if when manna was eaten for 40 years, did some days He decide to make it taste like a juicy steak or grilled chicken? I'd like to think He did because I feel like He does that now. Some nights I feel so bad for what I am throwing together for dinner but it ends up being pretty tasty.
7. My mom. I love that she loves the Lord. I love that she has wisdom and shares it.
8. My car. It's cute, reliable and wonderful on gas. Even though it's good on gas, I'm trying to be better about driving whenever I feel like it. I'm getting better about planning my trips and making the most of each outing. Gas is expensive and a few miles here and there add up.
9. Blogs. I've found a few of the most God-fearing, inspiring, amazing women that open their hearts and share the journey of homemaking. If you'd like their blog addresses, let me know, I'd be happy to share them. And, I enjoy my own blog. It's a fun, creative outlet for me.
10. Commission checks. I got one today and it made me so happy! I know money doesn't bring joy but the things I can buy will. ;) JUST KIDDIN'!...kinda
11. My SIL, Treena. She's one of my best friends. The woman is crazy busy all of the time. Her house is always clean, laundry done, family fed and her scrapbook is caught up! She's quite inspiring to me. I love her.
12. Random phone calls from my husband. He called me just now to see what I was doing. How sweet is that?! (Yes, Treena I said random)
13. My in-laws. I feel like the saying in-law refers to people you don't like or get along with. I guess this could be the case for some families but, praise the Lord, I have really great in-laws and a great relationship with them. Love it.
14. Jesus. He loves me. Cherishes me. Finds delight in me. Died for me. Comforts me. Disciplines me. He's the most amazing Father a girl could ask for. Not having a dad, my relationship with my Heavenly Father has become more important than ever. My earthly dad has been gone for over seven years and I'm just now realizing I'm not fatherless. How comforting it would have been these last seven years if I'd only realized sooner. I have joy that He made me realize He's here. Always.
I'm sure I could add to my list, but I'm getting hungry, so I'm going to go eat some of that homemade bread I made. It turned out! Can you believe it?! Me either!
My prayer today, for you and me is that we find joy in everything. Big or small.
1. Joshua. I have an amazing husband. He loves me. He loves our daughter. He works so hard everyday. Out in this cold, I can't even imagine having to spend my day outside right now. He's kind and considerate. He's polite.
2. My home. It's cozy and warm. It's mine to take care of. I am responsible for it, that can seem overwhelming at times but it still brings me joy.
3. I talked to my sister, Erica, on the phone for almost an hour yesterday. God is so good. I love when I pray and He answers in a way that is visible to me immediately.
4. The sun. It's beautiful outside right now. Cold, but beautiful.
5. Jaylee. Oh, our sweet Jaylee girl. I find joy when I peek into her room and she's curled up so sweet. Just one little creak of the floor and she's bursting with energy! "Hiiii!" she says, and when I pick her up she wraps her arms around my neck and squeezes. Then just recently she's started patting me. It's hilarious.
6. Food. The Lord always provides. Even when we're down to the nitty gritty in the cupboards He makes the mush I put together edible. Do you ever wonder if when manna was eaten for 40 years, did some days He decide to make it taste like a juicy steak or grilled chicken? I'd like to think He did because I feel like He does that now. Some nights I feel so bad for what I am throwing together for dinner but it ends up being pretty tasty.
7. My mom. I love that she loves the Lord. I love that she has wisdom and shares it.
8. My car. It's cute, reliable and wonderful on gas. Even though it's good on gas, I'm trying to be better about driving whenever I feel like it. I'm getting better about planning my trips and making the most of each outing. Gas is expensive and a few miles here and there add up.
9. Blogs. I've found a few of the most God-fearing, inspiring, amazing women that open their hearts and share the journey of homemaking. If you'd like their blog addresses, let me know, I'd be happy to share them. And, I enjoy my own blog. It's a fun, creative outlet for me.
10. Commission checks. I got one today and it made me so happy! I know money doesn't bring joy but the things I can buy will. ;) JUST KIDDIN'!...kinda
11. My SIL, Treena. She's one of my best friends. The woman is crazy busy all of the time. Her house is always clean, laundry done, family fed and her scrapbook is caught up! She's quite inspiring to me. I love her.
12. Random phone calls from my husband. He called me just now to see what I was doing. How sweet is that?! (Yes, Treena I said random)
13. My in-laws. I feel like the saying in-law refers to people you don't like or get along with. I guess this could be the case for some families but, praise the Lord, I have really great in-laws and a great relationship with them. Love it.
14. Jesus. He loves me. Cherishes me. Finds delight in me. Died for me. Comforts me. Disciplines me. He's the most amazing Father a girl could ask for. Not having a dad, my relationship with my Heavenly Father has become more important than ever. My earthly dad has been gone for over seven years and I'm just now realizing I'm not fatherless. How comforting it would have been these last seven years if I'd only realized sooner. I have joy that He made me realize He's here. Always.
I'm sure I could add to my list, but I'm getting hungry, so I'm going to go eat some of that homemade bread I made. It turned out! Can you believe it?! Me either!
My prayer today, for you and me is that we find joy in everything. Big or small.
Monday, November 06, 2006
I'm all grown up!
Okay, I know you're thinking, "yeah, right." But right this minute I'm feeling like an adult.
Why? Because I made bread. Stop laughing. Downstairs, right now, in my kitchen, underneath a towel some bread is rising. At least it's supposed to be. I've decided to have a goal for each week. This was my first week and my first was goal was to learn to make homemade bread. I do have a bad feeling that it's not going to turn out, but if it doesn't, I'm going to try again tomorrow. I'm not going to give up!
Why do I want to make homemade bread you may wonder, well, for one I think it'll help me feel like I've learned something. All by myself. Two, it makes me feel domestic. I am in my home day in and day out. I've realized that I'm only existing here during the day. I do what has to be done and no more. I want to change that. I want to stop being idle during the day. I need to stop to stop finding excuses to be get out of the house. The only way to make a house a home is to be in it. Not only do I live here, I love here. I love my family, my home, my life...but I want it to be visible to them. This probably makes no sense to anyone but myself, but it's helping me just by putting it down.
Another reason I feel grown up is because a couple days ago I was on the phone with my mom. I'd had a lil get together here at my house and made some fun food. I called her the next day to thank her for helping with some of the clean up. She says, "You're such a good cook and since you had no desire to learn while you were growing up, I can't take any of the credit for you being a good cook."
Okay, I had a desire to learn to cook, but it's not as if you need a teacher to teach you to how to make Helper Helper* when you're 15, there are pretty clear directions on the back of the box.
I'm not an amazing cook or anything, don't get me wrong. For the most part everything I've made has been edible, except for Sugar Rice night, if you don't know the story, I'll fill you in later, but not here, not publicly so I can humiliate myself anymore than I already have! :) If you're frustrated as a cook, which I've been many times, start by using your cookbook. Follow the directions for a recipe you like to a T. If, after your family has eaten it, if you feel it could've had something more, write a note to yourself on the recipe. Then, next time, add that to your recipe. Whether it's extra salt, pepper, maybe an onion or some fresh garlic...you can always spruce up a recipe. Remember, a cookbook is only a base for your masterpiece. There's no cookbook police that will cuff ya if you don't follow it just as it says.
After a little while, you'll know what your family likes and the cookbook will just be your helper, not your guide.
It's amazing, just by making bread and the sweet comment from my mom, makes me feel like a full fledged woman!
I'll let ya know tomorrow if the bread even turned out. I sent my prayers up about it, please do the same!
*Helper Helper is actually Hamburger Helper but being the poor folk that we were, there were times we when couldn't afford the hamburger. So, my sisters and I dubbed it Helper Helper.
Why? Because I made bread. Stop laughing. Downstairs, right now, in my kitchen, underneath a towel some bread is rising. At least it's supposed to be. I've decided to have a goal for each week. This was my first week and my first was goal was to learn to make homemade bread. I do have a bad feeling that it's not going to turn out, but if it doesn't, I'm going to try again tomorrow. I'm not going to give up!
Why do I want to make homemade bread you may wonder, well, for one I think it'll help me feel like I've learned something. All by myself. Two, it makes me feel domestic. I am in my home day in and day out. I've realized that I'm only existing here during the day. I do what has to be done and no more. I want to change that. I want to stop being idle during the day. I need to stop to stop finding excuses to be get out of the house. The only way to make a house a home is to be in it. Not only do I live here, I love here. I love my family, my home, my life...but I want it to be visible to them. This probably makes no sense to anyone but myself, but it's helping me just by putting it down.
Another reason I feel grown up is because a couple days ago I was on the phone with my mom. I'd had a lil get together here at my house and made some fun food. I called her the next day to thank her for helping with some of the clean up. She says, "You're such a good cook and since you had no desire to learn while you were growing up, I can't take any of the credit for you being a good cook."
Okay, I had a desire to learn to cook, but it's not as if you need a teacher to teach you to how to make Helper Helper* when you're 15, there are pretty clear directions on the back of the box.
I'm not an amazing cook or anything, don't get me wrong. For the most part everything I've made has been edible, except for Sugar Rice night, if you don't know the story, I'll fill you in later, but not here, not publicly so I can humiliate myself anymore than I already have! :) If you're frustrated as a cook, which I've been many times, start by using your cookbook. Follow the directions for a recipe you like to a T. If, after your family has eaten it, if you feel it could've had something more, write a note to yourself on the recipe. Then, next time, add that to your recipe. Whether it's extra salt, pepper, maybe an onion or some fresh garlic...you can always spruce up a recipe. Remember, a cookbook is only a base for your masterpiece. There's no cookbook police that will cuff ya if you don't follow it just as it says.
After a little while, you'll know what your family likes and the cookbook will just be your helper, not your guide.
It's amazing, just by making bread and the sweet comment from my mom, makes me feel like a full fledged woman!
I'll let ya know tomorrow if the bread even turned out. I sent my prayers up about it, please do the same!
*Helper Helper is actually Hamburger Helper but being the poor folk that we were, there were times we when couldn't afford the hamburger. So, my sisters and I dubbed it Helper Helper.
Two for two!
Yeah, me! Well, it may not have been exactly 6 a.m. that I was up yesterday and today, but close enough. And, enough time to make my dear husband breakfast. Yesterday, hashbrowns and eggs lovingly thrown into a tortilla with some cheese. :) Today, two eggs (not too runny, not too hard) with two pieces of toast and a cup of coffee. I felt like I was dragging a little bit, dreaming of my comfy bed, wondering why on earth I got out of it to make a breakfast I don't get to eat (that's another blog in itself) but then he says to me, "I feel like I'm at a restaurant."
Bless his sweet, lil' heart!
It made getting up worth every minute of grogginess. Is that a word?
If I don't love him the rest of the day at least I loved him this morning! *grin* I chose the highest good for him. I feel good about that. I'm so quick to take care of my needs, my wants that so many times I leave him to fend for himself. With a husband as self sufficient as mine, it's easy to do, but that's no excuse for my selfishness. Maybe he became so self sufficient because I neglected his needs for so long.
Ugh, I hate that thought.
Instead of focusing on the negative (which I am very good at) I'm going to be proud of the small step I made.
Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to leave your comments. Have a great day!
Bless his sweet, lil' heart!
It made getting up worth every minute of grogginess. Is that a word?
If I don't love him the rest of the day at least I loved him this morning! *grin* I chose the highest good for him. I feel good about that. I'm so quick to take care of my needs, my wants that so many times I leave him to fend for himself. With a husband as self sufficient as mine, it's easy to do, but that's no excuse for my selfishness. Maybe he became so self sufficient because I neglected his needs for so long.
Ugh, I hate that thought.
Instead of focusing on the negative (which I am very good at) I'm going to be proud of the small step I made.
Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to leave your comments. Have a great day!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
The Highest Good
We had an assembly one day, everyone met in the gym, we sat in those bleachers that just kill your rear and we listened to a man talk to us about love, purity, dating and a little about marriage. He never came out and said (probably because it's not allowed in schools much anymore) but I believe this man loved the Lord. I don't remember much of what he said but a main point he made has stuck with me all these years.
Love is a choice.
Not a feeling.
He said that if love were a feeling, when we woke up in the morning next to our spouse, we wouldn't love them because of their morning breath.
His definition for love was, "choosing the highest good for the other person."
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:11
Am I loving my husband? Am I choosing the highest good for him? I tell myself, "of course I'm loving him, for crying out loud, he has clean clothes doesn't he? Or does he? I make him dinner every night...that counts for something doesn't it?" I realized that I have so many areas where I need to grow. Choosing the highest good for him would be to show him I love him in a way that speaks to him. Something my husband would absolutely love is if I made him breakfast every morning. UGH!!! I am sooo not a morning person. But I think maybe to choose the highest good for him, to show him I love him, I'm going to start.
Would you pray I wake up at 6 a.m. every morning to make pancakes and eggs?
Lord bless and keep you all.
Love is a choice.
Not a feeling.
He said that if love were a feeling, when we woke up in the morning next to our spouse, we wouldn't love them because of their morning breath.
His definition for love was, "choosing the highest good for the other person."
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:11
Am I loving my husband? Am I choosing the highest good for him? I tell myself, "of course I'm loving him, for crying out loud, he has clean clothes doesn't he? Or does he? I make him dinner every night...that counts for something doesn't it?" I realized that I have so many areas where I need to grow. Choosing the highest good for him would be to show him I love him in a way that speaks to him. Something my husband would absolutely love is if I made him breakfast every morning. UGH!!! I am sooo not a morning person. But I think maybe to choose the highest good for him, to show him I love him, I'm going to start.
Would you pray I wake up at 6 a.m. every morning to make pancakes and eggs?
Lord bless and keep you all.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Too cute!
I just had to share some other absolutely adorable babies from Tuesday night.
My second cousin, Emma and my lil niece, Sabrie. Sabrie was a sweet little bunny who was sooo fascinated with Jaylee's antenna! When Jaylee would walk by her she'd open her mouth because she wanted to eat them! It was hilarious.
Happy Harvest Everyone!
The Harvest Party at church was so fun on Tuesday. When I signed us up to go, it said the children were to come dressed as their favorite Bible hero. Well, not many places sell Bible costumes. So, I'd decided since Jaylee was little, she'd have no idea that everyone else was dressed up and she wasn't. Well, my friend, Amber told me I'd be a terrible mommy if my child wasn't dressed up. The next morning in my mailbox was the most adorable Bumblebee costume. No, the Apostle Bee isn't Jaylee's favorite Bible hero, but at least she was dressed up. On our way to the church, Joshua announced that we could tell everyone she was from the Land of Milk and Honey. My husband, the ever clever one.
So, here she is, in her adorableness. Is that a word?
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Handing over the Reigns
So the wife put a gun to my head and told me to type tonight.
So, here it goes, one key at a time.
Today was not a good day for the "Culver Backyard Project." It turned into a messy project when I discovered my "stupid strength" and slammed the post hole digger right into Sunnyside Valley Irrigation's 6" PVC pipe carrying a great deal of water to the wear box in the neighbor's pasture.
Turns out that flood irrigation is not entirely acceptable as proper use of the water these days. Thought I was doing the other neighbor's marijuana plants in the basement a favor. Boy, was I wrong.
So the water got shut off a coupla days earlier than scheduled...hope the next 6 people down the line were done for the year.
Sometimes I think life would be easier if I could go back to the days of my childhood. You know, BMX bikes, sling shots & pet aliens. As an adult, you can't say, "time out." Well, you could, but SVID's still going to send me a bill for the repair.
Well, besides the MINOR setback today, the fence we were building is almost done and looks really good.
Jaylee is doing alright. She had to go to the dr. yesterday, so I met her for the first time...she's old. I felt like we should have been asking her the questions. You know, like, "are you walking by yourself? Do you need assistance?" Well, everything went well, except when they shot her four times. Next time I'm gonna shoot back.
I suppose I have taken up way too much of your time, especially if you read as slow as I write. Goodnight.
So, here it goes, one key at a time.
Today was not a good day for the "Culver Backyard Project." It turned into a messy project when I discovered my "stupid strength" and slammed the post hole digger right into Sunnyside Valley Irrigation's 6" PVC pipe carrying a great deal of water to the wear box in the neighbor's pasture.
Turns out that flood irrigation is not entirely acceptable as proper use of the water these days. Thought I was doing the other neighbor's marijuana plants in the basement a favor. Boy, was I wrong.
So the water got shut off a coupla days earlier than scheduled...hope the next 6 people down the line were done for the year.
Sometimes I think life would be easier if I could go back to the days of my childhood. You know, BMX bikes, sling shots & pet aliens. As an adult, you can't say, "time out." Well, you could, but SVID's still going to send me a bill for the repair.
Well, besides the MINOR setback today, the fence we were building is almost done and looks really good.
Jaylee is doing alright. She had to go to the dr. yesterday, so I met her for the first time...she's old. I felt like we should have been asking her the questions. You know, like, "are you walking by yourself? Do you need assistance?" Well, everything went well, except when they shot her four times. Next time I'm gonna shoot back.
I suppose I have taken up way too much of your time, especially if you read as slow as I write. Goodnight.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Weight a Minute
Oh boy. What have I gotten myself into? I don't know if I can do it. In fact, I don't think I can. Most likely it's impossible. There's no way I'll win. But it's $350!!!!
Sorry...my thoughts are taking over my fingers.
Well, last night my husband and I placed a bet. A ridiculous one. One I'm sure I can't win. And ya'll know I hate to lose. But oh well. A bet's a bet. We shook on it. All's fair in love and war.
And this...is war.
Whoever loses 10 lbs the fastest wins $350!!! His idea. I'm sure it's because for about 16 months now I've been complaining about my "baby" weight. Nothing seems to be gettin' me motivated and he must have thought money would do it. He sure doesn't need to lose any weight but he's already Mr. Hardcore. He ran a mile last night on the treadmill (after he uncovered it from all the dust) and then he ran 2 miles this morning. I, on the other hand, ate. I still lost a lb. and he lost 2. So, he's ahead.
I'm totally psyching myself up to lose the bet but I really wanna win! I figure with his metabolism he could lose 10 lbs by Monday! I wanna cuss!
He asked me last night what my plan of action was. I said, "pffft, like I'm gonna tell you. Do opposing football teams share their strategies, I think not." He laughed. So, of course I had to ask him what his P.O.A was. "Eat less. Run more." I said, "okay, okay. I'll tell you my P.O.A. Eat. Throw up." JUST KIDDING!!! I'm not going to do that, but I wish I could.
Maybe I'll get on the treadmill too. Crazier things have happened...
Sorry...my thoughts are taking over my fingers.
Well, last night my husband and I placed a bet. A ridiculous one. One I'm sure I can't win. And ya'll know I hate to lose. But oh well. A bet's a bet. We shook on it. All's fair in love and war.
And this...is war.
Whoever loses 10 lbs the fastest wins $350!!! His idea. I'm sure it's because for about 16 months now I've been complaining about my "baby" weight. Nothing seems to be gettin' me motivated and he must have thought money would do it. He sure doesn't need to lose any weight but he's already Mr. Hardcore. He ran a mile last night on the treadmill (after he uncovered it from all the dust) and then he ran 2 miles this morning. I, on the other hand, ate. I still lost a lb. and he lost 2. So, he's ahead.
I'm totally psyching myself up to lose the bet but I really wanna win! I figure with his metabolism he could lose 10 lbs by Monday! I wanna cuss!
He asked me last night what my plan of action was. I said, "pffft, like I'm gonna tell you. Do opposing football teams share their strategies, I think not." He laughed. So, of course I had to ask him what his P.O.A was. "Eat less. Run more." I said, "okay, okay. I'll tell you my P.O.A. Eat. Throw up." JUST KIDDING!!! I'm not going to do that, but I wish I could.
Maybe I'll get on the treadmill too. Crazier things have happened...
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Panicking
When Jaylee was born I started a journal for her. I haven't written in it everyday but when she was first born I wrote quite often. Telling her our events for the day or marking milestones; first night in her crib, first time rolling over, crawling, teeth, etc. Well, I lost that journal. It's been a couple of months since I've written in it and every time something funny happens or the days that her and her daddy share a sweet moment I think, "oh, I'll remember to write it down when I find that journal."
But I don't remember.
Today my mission was to find that journal and write, write, write! So, I found it. In one of our end tables. It wasn't lost. I had put it in a place that would be easy to get to and because of that I made the searching process more difficult than it needed to be. I looked in dressers, a cedar chest, a box full of her keepsakes, my bookcase, under her crib, on the shelves of her changing table. Why look in the end table next to my chair that I sit in everyday?! Geesh.
So, I wrote. And I wrote some more. I looked back to my entry of October 4, 2005. She was just starting to grab at things in front of her, she was wanting to roll over, she needed to be held to see things because she couldn't sit up on her own yet. October 4, 2006 she's running all over, talking up a storm, she's aware of her surroundings, yet intrigued by everything new, she's asserting her independence...she's becoming a little girl.
I don't know if I'm ready for that. I know that I can't stop it. But I wish to slow it down.
It seems like yesterday she made those little noises that only the newest of babies make. You moms know what noise I'm talking about. While they are awake or even when they sleep, a little squeak, mixed with a sigh, their mouths twitch, eyes flutter...but about 2 months old, it stops. We used to call her Squeaker. Then one day she didn't squeak anymore. I think it was then I realized how fast time was flying by.
I don't mean for this blog to be a downer today. Maybe it's the rain today that has me feeling this way. I don't know...
But tonight, when you're so excited for bedtime because you'll have a few hours to yourself, to be a woman and not just "Mommy", when you lay your little or not so little one(s) down for bed, let that hug last just a lil longer, squeeze a lil tighter. Take a few minutes to praise Jesus for the miracle(s) He's blessed you with and ask Him to help you not take for granted their everyday.
I know I'm going to.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Round Three #@$%
Joshua and his uncle at the top of Half Dome. Uncle Steven's eighth year, Joshua's first. Josh wants us to go back next year so I can climb it, too. "Are you kidding me?" I ask. "You could do it," he says. "You just can't look down." Pfft.
We're still amazed that Jaylee rode almost 2000 miles without fussing too terribly bad. The first 20 minutes of our trip were scary. She cried so hard we considered turning back before we even got started. After that, it was allll good.
@$%&
Dial up and posting pictures do not go hand in hand. Thank you for your cooperation, we regret any inconvenience.
This is at the beach in Bandon. Taken by some random guy.
And a picture at Coit Tower where I slammed my face into the window like a dork. Kinda felt like Ugly Betty, too. Seen the previews for that? Should be called Ugly Sarah.
Vacation Pictures
A recap of our vacation: We headed down to Portland and spent some time with the Patzke family. On Sunday morning we woke up bright and early and headed to Bandon. We went to a Safari park. The Safari park made me realize I need a goat. Yes, need. Not want, need. I loved them. Jaylee loved them. Joshua pretended not to love them, but he did. We went to a little seafood restaurant where we had clams, those are gross. I felt like I was on Fear Factor. Bluuhhck!
We wanted to see the lighthouse at sunset. It was so beautiful! We asked some random people to take our picture. I think they thought we were weird. Pffft...what do they know?....
At Pier 39 in San Francisco, Jaylee and her daddy watched the caraousel before deciding to get on. She was pretty tired but I think she enjoyed herself. We went to Coit Tower where I made a complete fool of myself, I know, you're all shocked at that one. It's totally different to make a fool of yourself on purpose and then to do it by accident. We're at the top of this tower and the windows are all around. Joshua calls me over to look at this roof top garden, I walk over to look out the window and BAM! I smacked right into the window. I felt like a bird slamming into a freshly windexed sliding glass door. I could have died. Uncle Steven told me I didn't have to get that close. Yeah, thanks...
We ate Japanese food, I found out that of the "nese" food, I prefer CHInese. We had Indian, which was quite yummy and inexpensive. Makes it taste even better then! :) And of course, when in California, eat as the Californians...organic. It doesn't taste any different, just has a fancy shmancy label on it.
For the last eight years Uncle Steven has climbed the Half Dome at Yosemite. This year Joshua decided to join him. It took almost 11 hours but they made it. I asked how it was. "The most strenuous thing I've ever done," he tells me. He was pretty wiped out. That night we had to share a sleeping bag so we didn't get much sleep (because there wasn't room to get comfortable, not because...) anyway, we left Yosemite and planned our route home. We figured about 14 hours of straight driving. We chose a road neither of us had been on, we thought it'd be fun to see some new country. Well, that turned out to be a not so good idea. 20 hours ladies and gentlemen. That's right. 9:30 am-5:30 am. Our sweet little girl was so patient. She never fussed. She was such a trooper.
We laid her down and she let us sleep for a couple of hours. The Lord really blessed us with a crazy amount of energy because after only two hours of sleep we were able to clean out our car, do laundry, empty suitcases...it was amazing. For those who know us, you know it's a miracle my suitcases are empty before December. I was proud of us.
All in all our vacation was so great! The Lord blessed us with amazing weather, safety on the road and a great time with family.
Thank you all for wearing your life jackets while we were gone.
We wanted to see the lighthouse at sunset. It was so beautiful! We asked some random people to take our picture. I think they thought we were weird. Pffft...what do they know?....
At Pier 39 in San Francisco, Jaylee and her daddy watched the caraousel before deciding to get on. She was pretty tired but I think she enjoyed herself. We went to Coit Tower where I made a complete fool of myself, I know, you're all shocked at that one. It's totally different to make a fool of yourself on purpose and then to do it by accident. We're at the top of this tower and the windows are all around. Joshua calls me over to look at this roof top garden, I walk over to look out the window and BAM! I smacked right into the window. I felt like a bird slamming into a freshly windexed sliding glass door. I could have died. Uncle Steven told me I didn't have to get that close. Yeah, thanks...
We ate Japanese food, I found out that of the "nese" food, I prefer CHInese. We had Indian, which was quite yummy and inexpensive. Makes it taste even better then! :) And of course, when in California, eat as the Californians...organic. It doesn't taste any different, just has a fancy shmancy label on it.
For the last eight years Uncle Steven has climbed the Half Dome at Yosemite. This year Joshua decided to join him. It took almost 11 hours but they made it. I asked how it was. "The most strenuous thing I've ever done," he tells me. He was pretty wiped out. That night we had to share a sleeping bag so we didn't get much sleep (because there wasn't room to get comfortable, not because...) anyway, we left Yosemite and planned our route home. We figured about 14 hours of straight driving. We chose a road neither of us had been on, we thought it'd be fun to see some new country. Well, that turned out to be a not so good idea. 20 hours ladies and gentlemen. That's right. 9:30 am-5:30 am. Our sweet little girl was so patient. She never fussed. She was such a trooper.
We laid her down and she let us sleep for a couple of hours. The Lord really blessed us with a crazy amount of energy because after only two hours of sleep we were able to clean out our car, do laundry, empty suitcases...it was amazing. For those who know us, you know it's a miracle my suitcases are empty before December. I was proud of us.
All in all our vacation was so great! The Lord blessed us with amazing weather, safety on the road and a great time with family.
Thank you all for wearing your life jackets while we were gone.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Safe and Sound
Well, we made it. Our trip was great. I pick up our 10 rolls of film tonight so I'll have pictures to share later. Just wanted you all to know we're alive and well. (Glad to hear you all are, too.)
Thank you for your prayers for our family.
Thank you for your prayers for our family.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Signing Out...
Tomorrow's the big day! 18 hours til we leave! Woo Hoo! We'll stay the night in Portland and spend some quality time with our nieces while their parents spend some time with friends. Then we'll head down the Oregon Coast. We're going to a Safari park where you get to walk thru all the animals! That's going to be so fun. I can't wait to see Jaylee's face as she sees all the animals up close.
Then Monday we'll head to San Francisco to see Uncle Steven, Dana and Una. We'll be there for a few days before we head to Yosemite. Josh is going to climb the Half Dome with his uncle and us girls will linger around camp.
We'll be home Saturday night and have Sunday to unpack and unwind. It seems like we'll be gone for a long time but we know it's going to fly.
If I have access to the internet I'll try to keep you up to date on our trip but most likely won't be back on until Sunday, the 1st. Then, I'll have some fun pictures to share!
Please keep our family in your prayers, we really appreciate it!
Lord bless and keep you all.
Then Monday we'll head to San Francisco to see Uncle Steven, Dana and Una. We'll be there for a few days before we head to Yosemite. Josh is going to climb the Half Dome with his uncle and us girls will linger around camp.
We'll be home Saturday night and have Sunday to unpack and unwind. It seems like we'll be gone for a long time but we know it's going to fly.
If I have access to the internet I'll try to keep you up to date on our trip but most likely won't be back on until Sunday, the 1st. Then, I'll have some fun pictures to share!
Please keep our family in your prayers, we really appreciate it!
Lord bless and keep you all.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Life Jackets Everyone
After seven years, we're going on vacation.
While I'm super excited to get out of this town for eight days, I have to admit I'm a lil nervous. The last time we went on vacation was to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary. Two days before we were to come home, I get a call from my mom saying my dad passed away. This wasn't expected. My dad was a healthy, 40 year old guy. He went rafting with some friends and honestly, I've never asked what events led up to his death, but while rafting their boat flipped or snagged, I don't know...but my dad didn't know how to swim and he wasn't wearing a life jacket.
So, we leave on Saturday the 23rd, return Sunday the 1st, I'd appreciate it if, while we're gone, you all wore life jackets. It'll just make my vacation a little less stressful. :)
While I'm super excited to get out of this town for eight days, I have to admit I'm a lil nervous. The last time we went on vacation was to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary. Two days before we were to come home, I get a call from my mom saying my dad passed away. This wasn't expected. My dad was a healthy, 40 year old guy. He went rafting with some friends and honestly, I've never asked what events led up to his death, but while rafting their boat flipped or snagged, I don't know...but my dad didn't know how to swim and he wasn't wearing a life jacket.
So, we leave on Saturday the 23rd, return Sunday the 1st, I'd appreciate it if, while we're gone, you all wore life jackets. It'll just make my vacation a little less stressful. :)
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Tiara Instead, Please
So, I had a root canal this morning. Joy. Really, it wasn't too bad. The worst part was the shot to numb the roof of my mouth. They pinch your nerves together to numb them, it's been 4 hours and it's still a lil achy. Is that a word? Anyway. As I was laying there, with these really cool sunglasses on, I realized my tongue had no place to go. The doctor is drilling and filing and whatever else he was doing and it hit me that my tongue was kinda outta control of itself. Then I panicked. When you realize you don't know what to do with your tongue it gets even worse.
He asks if I'm okay, "uh huh, I think." I try to say.
Then he tells me to keep my mouth real still. Well, then don't ask me questions! Then comes the mouth guard. This balloonish material thing that covers my entire mouth causing me to be able to breathe through my nose only and I thought I was suffocating. I thought to myself, "is he putting this guard on me so I'll stop licking his fingers?" 'Cause really, my mouth was so numb, I have no idea what my tongue was doing. He said it was to protect my throat from all the stuff they were going to be doing.
Uh huh, sure.
So, two hours later, root canal complete. Now I have to be fitted for a crown.
See, Mom, I really am a Princess!
He asks if I'm okay, "uh huh, I think." I try to say.
Then he tells me to keep my mouth real still. Well, then don't ask me questions! Then comes the mouth guard. This balloonish material thing that covers my entire mouth causing me to be able to breathe through my nose only and I thought I was suffocating. I thought to myself, "is he putting this guard on me so I'll stop licking his fingers?" 'Cause really, my mouth was so numb, I have no idea what my tongue was doing. He said it was to protect my throat from all the stuff they were going to be doing.
Uh huh, sure.
So, two hours later, root canal complete. Now I have to be fitted for a crown.
See, Mom, I really am a Princess!
Monday, September 18, 2006
My Favorite Chore
Today, like most days, I procrastinated. I didn't do much all day. I cleaned up the breakfast dishes, caught up on my emails, started to clean up my scrapbook area, then called it a day. Then 3 o'clock rolled around and I realized my husband, who'd been working so hard all day and had to miss his lunch, would be home soon. So, I did the rest of the dishes, dusted the living room (with the help of Jaylee) and then off to my favorite chore, the bathroom. Seriously, I love to clean the bathroom. It's one room I feel you can see a huge difference in even if not much is done. Just making sure the towels are folded neatly, dried toothpaste is washed out of the sink, and the t.p. roll is facing the right way makes the room sparkle.
After cleaning the bathroom I made dinner. While making dinner I realized that if I'd done all this work in the morning, I would have had the entire day to prepare for my husband to come home without a rush. Lately the Lord has really pressed on my heart to become the Proverbs 31 woman. It seems crazy. But I know it's His will for me. To take care of my husband and my household. So, while making dinner, the verse that came to me was Proverbs 31:27, "She wathces over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness." (NKJV)
The entire day I had been eating the bread of idleness. I was not watching over the ways of my household, I was watching daytime television. Praise the Lord for tomorrow! I am going to work on this. I go through phases where I do so well then it seems I fall off the wagon. I just realized right now why I fall off the wagon, I'm trying to do everything in my own strength. No wonder I don't get anywhere. I need His strength.
Maybe one day the bathroom won't be the only chore I love.
What's your favorite chore? What makes it your favorite?
After cleaning the bathroom I made dinner. While making dinner I realized that if I'd done all this work in the morning, I would have had the entire day to prepare for my husband to come home without a rush. Lately the Lord has really pressed on my heart to become the Proverbs 31 woman. It seems crazy. But I know it's His will for me. To take care of my husband and my household. So, while making dinner, the verse that came to me was Proverbs 31:27, "She wathces over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness." (NKJV)
The entire day I had been eating the bread of idleness. I was not watching over the ways of my household, I was watching daytime television. Praise the Lord for tomorrow! I am going to work on this. I go through phases where I do so well then it seems I fall off the wagon. I just realized right now why I fall off the wagon, I'm trying to do everything in my own strength. No wonder I don't get anywhere. I need His strength.
Maybe one day the bathroom won't be the only chore I love.
What's your favorite chore? What makes it your favorite?
Such a newbie
I received an email saying that on a couple of my posts you(the viewers) cannot comment. I have no idea why. I don't know what I've done differently on the last couple.
Any advice out there? Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?! Hopefully you can post a reply to help me out, but who knows.
I sure don't. Grrr....
Any advice out there? Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?! Hopefully you can post a reply to help me out, but who knows.
I sure don't. Grrr....
Day 4 of my Intestinal Journey
Okay, I really thought by now something would have happened. I've been drinking 64 oz. of water each day. Taking the mix and capsules they gave me and then the herbal tea before bed. I keep saying, "today's the day!" Each day I've been wrong. I understand that it's only been 3 full days and I've just started the 4th but I'm a girl who likes to see instant results.
So, for the sake of those of you reading this, maybe it's good nothing's happened. As for me, I really wish something would happen.
So, for the sake of those of you reading this, maybe it's good nothing's happened. As for me, I really wish something would happen.
I'm going to quit brushing my teeth
Fear not, I don't mean it, but I'm considering putting Jaylee in some sort of prison while I do it. Last week we had the butter crisis while I brushed my teeth and this morning...I come out of the bathroom and she's M.I.A. We don't have a very large house. I scanned the 2 bedrooms, the bathroom, living room and kitchen. No where to be found. Then I hear the pitter patter of little feet running upstairs. "No way." I say to myself. But oh, yes. I look up the stairs to see her smiling at me with her 3.5 teeth at the top of the stairs. I couldn't believe it. Those of you who've been here know that the 11 steps going up are incredibly steep and quite dangerous. Her proud little face made it impossible to scold her. I picked her up, told her she did a good job and said that next time she needed Daddy or Mommy to help her. And being the brilliant 15 month old that she is, I'm sure she understood every word I said.
I don't mind her climbing up, she seems to do a very good job, I'm just worried for the day she decides to try to come down.
For now, she's too afraid to even attempt it.
I don't mind her climbing up, she seems to do a very good job, I'm just worried for the day she decides to try to come down.
For now, she's too afraid to even attempt it.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Beginning of a Journey
Can't believe I'm going to share this with whoever decides to read this, but oh well, here goes.
I've decided to do a colon cleanse. And I'm going to keep you all up to date on the wonders of what it does to the human body.
Maybe you've done this before, please, tell me what I'm in for...maybe you don't need a colon cleanse, whatever to you...and maybe you think I'm outta my mind, I most likely am. Either way, I started my Intestinal Journey today. So far there isn't much to tell.
I have to take a couple pills in the morning, no problem, except that I had to drink a full 8 oz glass of water. Then, I have to have a fiber mix that I can mix into the beverage of my choice. I chose Nestles Quik. It wasn't half bad. The bad part, after the fiber drink is done, I have to follow it with yet anooother glass of water. Many of you know I hate water, I don't know why since it doesn't taste like anything, but to me, it's a waste of filling my belly with something that has no flavor.
The next step is to drink a tea tonight before bed. The tea is supposed to be calming and help me have a wonderful night of sleep. This will be nice since I have a Show tonight and I'm always wired afterward.
So, that's the start of my journey, nothing amazing has happened yet. Could take up to four days. Lovely...right before our trip to San Fran.
Now that I've put everyone to sleep...I'll end this post.
I've decided to do a colon cleanse. And I'm going to keep you all up to date on the wonders of what it does to the human body.
Maybe you've done this before, please, tell me what I'm in for...maybe you don't need a colon cleanse, whatever to you...and maybe you think I'm outta my mind, I most likely am. Either way, I started my Intestinal Journey today. So far there isn't much to tell.
I have to take a couple pills in the morning, no problem, except that I had to drink a full 8 oz glass of water. Then, I have to have a fiber mix that I can mix into the beverage of my choice. I chose Nestles Quik. It wasn't half bad. The bad part, after the fiber drink is done, I have to follow it with yet anooother glass of water. Many of you know I hate water, I don't know why since it doesn't taste like anything, but to me, it's a waste of filling my belly with something that has no flavor.
The next step is to drink a tea tonight before bed. The tea is supposed to be calming and help me have a wonderful night of sleep. This will be nice since I have a Show tonight and I'm always wired afterward.
So, that's the start of my journey, nothing amazing has happened yet. Could take up to four days. Lovely...right before our trip to San Fran.
Now that I've put everyone to sleep...I'll end this post.
Slippery Situation
1 minute. That's all it takes for a child to turn herself into a butterball. I sit her at the table with her cup, that she calls "bobby"(no idea where that name came from) and go into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I come out, seriously, like a minute later (I know, you're supposed to brush for 2 minutes...I don't do that, hmmm, maybe that's why I have to have a root canal next Wed.) anyway, I come out to see that Jaylee has a butter knife and is pounding it into the butter on the table. She has butter all over her face, hands and chair.
The joys of being a mommy...and a 15 month old.
The joys of being a mommy...and a 15 month old.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
My Little Ham
Most of you know that our little Jaylee girl is a very good eater. She eats pretty much anything. Today, however, was not the case.
It was lunch time so being the amazing, creative mommy that I am, I decided she'd eat some ham and grapes. I place her in her lil chair (thank you, Treena) strap her in and she patiently waits for her food by pounding her cup on the table. You see she has a place on her tray where she could set her cup but for today she's decided not to use it for that. I give her the ham and grapes. About a minute later I turn around to see that it's all gone! I was so proud. But she had a look on her face that was a lil mischevious. So, I look to see that she's placed all her ham in the little area where her cup is supposed to go.
Guess she only wanted grapes for lunch today.
It's official...I'm a blogger!
I've been contemplating this for a while now and I've decided to go ahead and do it. I can delete it at any time. But I think it might be fun.
I'm so computer illiterate that I didn't know what a "blog" was. Honestly, I still don't. All I know is that I got a link to a friends' blog and thought, "that looks fun, I wanna dooo it, too!!!" So, here I am. Starting my own.
Took a while to come up with a blog name but awhile back I heard the term "Organized Chaos" and thought, "yup,that's us." Not that I'm totally organized, 'cause I'm really not, but..well I guess chaos describes us best. Who am I trying to fool?!
I've been trying to decide if I should have a certain rhythm to my blog but I doubt that would work. So, I'm just going to fly by the seat of my pants. Some days I may just ramble (like now) other days may be about my amazing husband, my silly daughter, our cranky beagle, our stolen kitten, cooking, cleaning, well, as you can see the list goes on and on about what the topic of the day could be.
Well, this is the end to my very first post and I'm quite excited that I finished it! I'm sure I'll probably add to it before the sun goes down.
Lord bless and keep you all.
I'm so computer illiterate that I didn't know what a "blog" was. Honestly, I still don't. All I know is that I got a link to a friends' blog and thought, "that looks fun, I wanna dooo it, too!!!" So, here I am. Starting my own.
Took a while to come up with a blog name but awhile back I heard the term "Organized Chaos" and thought, "yup,that's us." Not that I'm totally organized, 'cause I'm really not, but..well I guess chaos describes us best. Who am I trying to fool?!
I've been trying to decide if I should have a certain rhythm to my blog but I doubt that would work. So, I'm just going to fly by the seat of my pants. Some days I may just ramble (like now) other days may be about my amazing husband, my silly daughter, our cranky beagle, our stolen kitten, cooking, cleaning, well, as you can see the list goes on and on about what the topic of the day could be.
Well, this is the end to my very first post and I'm quite excited that I finished it! I'm sure I'll probably add to it before the sun goes down.
Lord bless and keep you all.
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