Wednesday, November 30, 2011

the Word Wednesday


Last night I read through Luke 2.  I decided to join Cyndi in a countdown to Christmas.  This was the first time I had read it in the NLT.  I have it memorized in KJV, but decided to read in another version.  Luke 2 is one of my favorite passages of scripture.  This particular time a section struck me in a way it hadn't before.  So, I hope you'll let me share a couple of verses today instead of just one.  (they go together)

Luke 2:8-11
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them.  They were terrified, but the angel reassured them.  "Don't be afraid!" he said.  "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.  The savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"

Wow, I tried to imagine myself in the shepherds shoes.  Minding my own business when an angel suddenly appears!  Radiating God's glory!  I don't know about you, but the only thing that radiates from me is sweat!  :]  I would be terrified too.  But the angel brought great news.  Their Messiah had come.  Our savior was born!!!  Can you imagine??  I would follow that star to see him too. 
I love it.  I just love this story.  I never grow tired of reading it.  I love that I am still learning new things everytime I read it. 

Friday, November 25, 2011

She makes me laugh!!!

Ok, so black Friday is over and let's be honest here.  How many of you could say that this is you?


Are you smiling?
That would not be me.  I am not one to get up and head out on black Friday.  I prefer to stay in, do my shopping online, and watch funny commercials like these.


See, if you were out this morning and missed out on any of the deals I'm willing to bet that it's because you don't have red spandex and heels.  :} 
If I were to head out on black Friday, it would be to watch people like her.  We've all seen them.  She has really nailed it.

This one is my favorite.  I just love her facial expressions at the very end. :}

HAHAHA!!!! (or should I say HOHOHO?!!)  Maybe next time you're out shopping you won't be afraid to break out in song!!
I must admit, she has inspired me to start getting in shape for next years black Friday sales.  Remember, if you see someone in red spandex and heels, it might just be me!!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

the Word Wednesday

Hi my friends.  I'm continually amazed at how God is using me for the Word Wednesday.  He is constantly guiding me through it and showing me where to go with each post.  I am richly blessed (in many ways) to work in a christian environment.  I'm surrounded by christian friends and scripture!  How many of you can say that?  I work in a christian bookstore, but we sell gifty home items, including pictures and those pictures always include scripture.  It truly is a Holy place where the Lord's presence dwells.  However, there are those days when you wonder.  Customers can take away from the peace and tranquility of the atmosphere.  Anyway, got a little sidetracked there, while at work one day last week this piece of scripture jumped off of the picture at me.  It hit me when I needed it and was a great reminder for me.  Again, I'm continually amazed by God working in my life.  So, this verse is:

Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

As I have mentioned before, my husband was out of town last week for 10 days and I was holding down the fort and family while he was gone.  It was exhausting and hard to do.  One may not realize how often you rely on your spouse just for daily survival.    Well, this verse reminded me to call on Jesus for help.  How often I forget and think I can do it on my own.  What a great reminder that I can't.  I absolutely need Jesus everyday in everything even the little things of daily life.  And they are little.  I love that He cares about the little things.  Even now, I'm barely out of bed, husband at work, kids home from school and are already fighting.  I'm already weary from it.  I'm calling on Jesus today to help me through.  I know he will.  There will be time for rest.  I will take this day as it comes and thank God for it.  And hopefully I will not lose my temper, patience and sanity. 

Thank you my friend Bevy for your post today.  It was a blessing and something I needed to hear read today.  I think there are times that God needs us to do things we don't necessarily want to be doing, but He gives us the help to do it if we just seek Him. I hope that as the time progresses today and into the holiday weekend that you will remember to go to God and He will give you rest.  He will take your burdens and give you rest!!! Amazing!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Something New!!

This past weekend I bought myself something new.  It was a bit of a splurge, but I had my eye on it for quite some time and decided to go for it.
What do you think?  I was really not liking what was on this wall in the kitchen, so that's where this big black beauty comes in.  I don't have a hutch in my house, but wanted some place to display some of my goodies, and this piece just fit.
One of my favorite things to do is decorate.  Needless to say, I had a lot of fun.
Also purchased this chalkboard.  I've been wanting one and sitting right next to the black window, was this chalkboard, so I decided to go ahead and do it, to finish off the wall. I just love the way it all turned out.  It adds dimension and color and makes such a great statement.  Let me know what you think.  I'd love to know. 
Happy Monday!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Easy Chocolate Trifle

I know what you're thinking, "I thought she hated cooking/baking."  Well, I do but, this is a recipe I can handle and since I had to make it for our family Thanksgiving dinner tonight, I thought I would share it with you.  It's one of my favorites.  How can you go wrong with chocolate pudding, whip cream, chocolate cake and 5th Avenue bars?  Here is what you need:
1 box chocolate cake
1 box chocolate pudding
2 tubs of cool whip
3-4 5th Avenue bars
*These will vary based on your preference.  I say, the more the merrier. :}
Prepare your boxed cake using 2 round 8" pans as directed on box. 
Prepare your pudding as directed on box and chill.
Once the cakes have cooled you will want to cut them in half to make 4 round cakes.  Understand?
Once you've done that you are ready to start layering.  Place your first cake in the bottom of your trifle dish.  Than spread the chocolate pudding to cover.
After that layer the cool whip on top.

Break the candy bars up.  I use whatever that thing is.  (I think its a meat tenderizer, not sure!?!)
Anyway, sprinkle those on top of the cool whip.
Continue layering in the same order until you are done.  Use as little or as much pudding and cool whip and candy as you like.  *If you like more pudding, you might want to make 2 boxes.  I didn't quite use up both tubs of cool whip, but the boys will be happy to use the rest in their hot chocolate.  (ok, so will I ;})
Once you're done, it should look like this.
Pretty huh?
*The toothpicks are to keep the plastic wrap from touching the cool whip and making it messy.  A trick I learned from my Mom.
One last thing, chill in the fridge till it's time to dig in and enjoy!

I would love to hear your variations on this.  I'm sure you've tried your own trifles.  Let me know what you like.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

the Word Wednesday

I'm really enjoying my new Wednesday blogs.  For the second Wednesday in a row, God woke me up early.  This morning it was just Him reminding me that I need to post a verse today. 

Lamentations 3:22-23
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

This is one of my favorite verses.  For many reasons.  A few years back I went through a very difficult time physically and this verse brought hope in that I would not be consumed.  I felt God's mercy and compassion during that time.  I have found this verse to be oh so true!  Isn't it great to know that God gives us a fresh start and a second chance "new" every morning? 
Great is His faithfulness!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Sending out a message

My hubby left Monday morning for a business trip to Texas and isn't due home till this coming Thurs. night.  We are about half way through the time, and I think it's getting worse instead of better.  I'm getting lonely and missing him.  Having a little "boo hoo" party right now.  So, I'm sending this out there to those of you who are without your hubby tonight.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

On the hunt

A couple years back on a trip to Lancaster, I purchased small block letters to spell my boys' name for their bedrooms.  Well, some time ago the letter "N" disappeared from my son Collin's name.  His shelf looked like this.
Not a big deal I know, but yet everytime I was in there and looked at it, it bugged me.

This past Saturday I headed to Lancaster with my girlfriends and I was bound and determined to find a letter N from the store I had purchased them at.  I located them in the store and to my dismay they did not have the letter N. What?  Really?  Literally every letter was in stock through the letter M.  Everything after M was either limited or they had none at all. :{  My friends stood and laughed, and after the shock wore off, I joined in.  However, I was slightly bummed.  My son Collin would have to remain Colli until I got out to that store again. Likley in another year.  Ugh!
Well, we continued our day shopping at other stores buying things we absolutely didn't need, but wanted to buy anyway.  It was all fun. 
We decided to hit one last store before we went to the outlets and voila there were the block letters.  (insert loud trumpet music here)  I searched and searched as quick as I could.  Sweat beginning to form on my brow as I reached the area where the N should be.  My heart was racing and I think I might have stopped breathing for a few seconds.  :) 
And like a light shining from the sky there it was!!!
I grabbed my N and ran to the counter to pay for it, before it got away.  The one thing I needed and couldn't find, I finally had in my hands.  I asked the cashier not to bag it, so I could show it off to my friends waiting in the car.  I think she thought I was nuts.  I think I am.  :}  I was soooo excited.  Do you know the block only cost $.80?  Why is that something so inexpensive could bring such a burst of joy?  It's the little things. :} 
Collin was happy, but not near as happy as me!  That's okay.  I can now go in his room and not have that empty spot staring at me.  I honestly think it stuck it's tongue out at me once.  I could hear it say "nanner nanner boo boo! 
Well, not anymore!


The letter N...$.80
Gloves for Christmas...$6.00
Lunch with the gals...$10.00
Laughter with my friends...Priceless!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

the Word Wednesday

I decided to try something new on my blog.  I've seen a lot of versions of Wednesday blogs.  None just seemed to work for me.  Then it came to me to post a verse.  (I think it was a God-thing)   And so, the Word Wednesday is born.


I had a verse in mind for this post until this morning.  I woke up uncharacteristically early.  I laid in bed and desperately tried to go back to sleep, but I realized that would not happen and that God wanted me up and studying my Bible.  It was in that quiet time (before the kids wake and crazy happens) that God showed me which verse to post. 

Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God.

I wasn't studying in Psalms, but God reminded me to "Be Still."  Its in the still and quiet that we hear God.
I normally roll out of bed and start my day, but I'm thanking God that on this "the Word Wednesday" God woke me up and gave me a time to "Be Still" before the day begins.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

We can all do something

I stumbled upon something tonight in my blogging journey I want you to see.  Have you ever been touched in such a way that you knew only God could have done it?  Well, that happened to me tonight.

Please visit here to read about this special family and how they started to help children in Uganda.  Continue by reading "Once Upon a Time" and watching their video "Home at Last".  You will be glad you did.  I only hope that you feel lead to make a donation to help these children.  Visit http://www.sixtyfeet.org/ to see how you can help.  Please do something.  We can all do something.  If everyone gives a little, a lot can be done.

Monday, November 7, 2011

A beautiful fall day

When I was a little girl something I used to do was pick leaves.  I (my sisters too) would find the leaves and  press them in pages of a really big book.  Thinking back now I don't know why we did that, but at the time it felt like a very important thing to do.  Well, just last night under the light of the streets, while walking Sadie, I found some huge leaves.  Did I mention they were HUGE?
I showed the boys this morning, so on the way to the bus stop, they looked for some too.  It was quite fun.
 
I placed a "regular" sized leaf on top of my find, so you could see just how big it is.  (Not a very good picture I know.  so sorry.)
I never tire of the beauty and detail of God's creation.  I hope you find some time to go exploring during this beautiful fall season.

God Bless.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Our Table, in all her glory!

Yep, my table is finished.  I'm sooo excited.  I think it looks fantastic.  It's definately not perfect.  There are a few minor flaws, but I'd say it's not too bad for my first try.
I wanted to put a fancy centerpiece on the table, but when I went looking through my decor, I couldn't find anything that would suit, so I went with this.  Besides, I didn't want to steal the glory from the table herself!

Some of these pictures aren't that great, but I hope you get the idea.

Just look at that shine!!  I don't know how long it will last, but we'll enjoy it while it does.  In case you didn't see the before pics, I'll show them again.

Before

Ugh!!

After

No more embarassing dinner parties at the table.  I can't wait to have a meal with my family.  (Even if I have to prepare it!)
I realize in this picture that the chairs don't match, but it is just the flash of the camera.  They really don't look that bad.  
So, now that I'm done with the table, it's on to my next project.  What will it be you ask?  Well, you'll just have to stay tuned!!  With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming it might wait till the New Year. I'll keep you posted.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

An Award! Who, me?

My friend Bevy recently nominated me for this.
I'm not really feeling worthy of any blogging awards that's for sure.  I'm so new to this and still figuring out how to blog myself.  But, it was an honor none the less.  Thank you Bevy.  If you haven't checked out her blog, you must.  It's an absolute blessing.  You can check it out here.

Well, apparently this award comes with rules.  (who knew?)  I already thanked Bevy, so the next thing to do is tell you 7 things about myself.  Hmmm.  That probably won't be hard, since you barely know anything about me at this point.  So, let's see what I can come up with.

1.  I love home.  All things home.  I love being home, decorating my home, cleaning my home, rearranging my home, and with 2 crazy boys 3 crazy boys at home I love to be home ALONE!
2.  I love to play volleyball.  That you might have already figured out, based on this post.  I recently started playing with some gals for a church league.  What fun.

3.  I'm not one for cooking.  I see all of these lovely blogs with wonderful photos of delicious food they prepared.  That is one thing you will not likely find here.  I'm sorry if that disappoints you, but based on my reputation in the kitchen, I don't think you will be disappointed.  :)

4.  I hate facebook.  I know, I know, I hate facebook, but have a blog.  I find blogging more of telling a story and letting you see a little into our lives.  I'm not too sure about facebook, but I know I'm definately not interesting enough to be posting updates every hour like a lot of my friends do.  I'm the only one in my Sunday School class who does not have a facebook account!  I'll tell you, it's tough being an outsider.

5.  I love animals.  All animals.  I especially love dogs.  Always have.  Always will.  I would interject a picture of my dog Sadie right here, but she is afraid of the camera, so I don't really have any pictures of her.

Okay, I did find one.  She is the sweetness in my life.  I love her to pieces.  We walk every night together and she gets treats when she comes in.  She's a good girl.

6.  Sometimes I long to go back in time.  To a time when life was simple.  (if there ever was such a time)  Getting old stinks.  Dealing with life and issues can be hard.  How I wish I could just sneak back to the primitive days when life seemed to make sense.  Sigh!

I'm on the last one.  I feel like it should be something grand and glorious to end on, but I'm finding it hard to come up with something else.  I told you I'm not that interesting.

7.  I love to read.  And sitting on my front porch with a good book is one of my favorite ways to pass the time.  My job at a bookstore comes in handy when I need reading material.  Right now I'm reading this.

It's called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  If you haven't started reading it, you need to.  It will change your life.

So, that's it.  I made it through the list.  One other rule for the award is to pass this on to 15 newly discovered bloggers.  Well, I'm still finding bloggers, so I guess I'm a party pooper, but I don't know who to pass this on to.  So, I'll just end with another thanks to Bevy.

Here's a bonus.  One more thing about me is that I hate to iron.  Absolutely despise it!  But, that's what I'm off to do now.  I've got a huge pile waiting for me.  So, tata for now.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Table Update

The time has come for me finish my table.  I had applied a product called poly shades from minwax.  It looked horrible and I thought I had ruined the table.
It was dark and thick and not to mention the fact that it did not match the legs.  I wondered what I had gotten myself into.

After crying to Andy and telling him that I ruined it, I decided to be a big girl about it and see what I could do.  So, I took out the sander once again and began performing surgery.

Well, as it turns out, the sanding made it look a lot better.  So, this time I would apply the stain using an old t-shirt instead of a foam brush.  And, WOW! Did it work better!!

Don't you think?  So, I did a few coats with the t-shirt and let it dry in between.  And finally, she was ready for the finishing product.  The polyurathane.
I was even able to touch up her legs.  Long and lean and blemish free.  I wish it was that simple for my legs!  :)

So, she's ready for her clearcoat and I think she looks wonderful.  I hope to get it done by the end of the weekend as Andy is heading out of town and won't be around to help me should I need it.  I'll show you the finished product when I get it done.  Wish me luck!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Pumpkin Fun

On Sunday night we went to Gramma's house to carve pumpkins with our family.  It's always great fun.

Everyone busy at work!
It was fun to see what everyone picked for their pumpkins.

My nieces, Carien and Taylor, artists at work.  They did a great job.

This is my friend Natalie.  She dared to come and join the fun.  She must be crazy.  I think she fits right in!


Collin tries to avoid the camera, but I managed to sneak a picture!  Not sure what he is doing!


More family fun.

We're all crazy.  It's hard to get 5 boys settled enough for a picture, but we tried anyway.


Friends!


The finished product.  They look good huh?

Britt made Buzz Lightyear.  A little hard to tell, but it really looked great.

Collin, looking thrilled.  (as always)

I'm not sure what he made, he said it didn't turn out.  I think it looks like the aliens from Toy Story.  All in all it was a fun night.