You never know what you'll find...

Spring is in the air... it’s 72 degrees here today and a beautiful day.

Closet Shopping...

We are still “de-cluttering” and I have been going shopping in my closet. This has been great for my pocketbook. In digging through all the green plastic bins and the back of my closet, I have found clothes I’d forgotten I had and still are quite fashionable with adding a few accessories. Some of course are WAY too small and I really don’t have a hope of ever getting back into them. But some I’m very close to wearing again and should be able to in a few months. Since I’ve been sticking pretty closely to my ADA diet, I’ve lost a few pounds. I just need to get serious about the walking and the exercise!

Bud carried off 6-HUGE bags of clothes to the thrift store Friday and we still have a lot to sort through. I promised myself if I dropped it in the bag, I couldn’t take it back out! So far so good! Now we need to start on his!

Bud’s next project after he’s through setting up the canoe as a bog garden/fish pond is to clean and reorganize the garage. Although, our garage does not even begin to look like some in our neighborhood. We are in a subdivision that was built in the late 70’s & early 80’s, so most of the kids are off to college or married and the garages are so packed you cannot even walk through them. I know, I’ve seen them with my own eyes. Ours isn’t quite that bad, yet! I hope never. We do have some of our kids stuff in the garage and under the stairwell in the basement. But you can (carefully) walk through our garage.

To give you an idea of how we classify as genuine “packrats”... I have a bonnet hair-dryer in A-1 condition from when I was in high school. I kid you not! I still have my Brother Word processor with the black screen and bright yellow font! Again, in A-1 condition. Know anyone who would like to acquire these items? Please let me know! I just might get up enough gumption to part with them (and more). Bud just purchased a book and when he got home realized he had the original 1936 version. I can’t say too much to him as I’ve done the same thing and bought a book twice. We are so bad! They change the book covers on you now and republish the same book with a different cover and supposedly an “updated” version.

I have (kind of) promised our kids that we would sort through all the clutter and OLD PAPERS so they wouldn’t have too when that time comes. I’m afraid they wouldn’t go through all the bins and boxes and would just set a dumpster in the drive and start chucking. Although, I do believe they realize some of the “stuff” has value, monetarily and as family heirlooms/keepsakes.

Well, we will keep plodding along on the de-cluttering process. But it will have to wait until I get through my CE study and exams for my State License renewal. Then I have to take my companies BANK course and exam. All this before our Tennessee District Ladies Conference March 19-21! I’ll be ready for a break and a time of REFRESHING!

I want to be outside digging in the flowerbeds getting my hands dirty and feeling the soil sift through my fingers.

Have a blessed weekend and enjoy...while I go back to my studies!

Technorati Tags: Clutter,Decluttering,family,springtime,stuff,closet shopping,garage,reorganize

Are we really a Civilized Nation?

Wal-Mart Stampede... and we think we live in a civilized nation.  When times get tough... look out.  If we'd run over someone to get a "bargain" and save a few bucks, what do you think we'll do when the economy has hits rock bottom and we don't have what we consider to be the necessities of life.   WATCH OUT! 

Remember this is a CIVILIZED NATION and we're a CIVILIZED PEOPLE. 

Link to story:  Wal-Mart Stampede

 

Technorati Tags: Civilized Nation,Stampede,Wal-Mart,Bargain,Economy

Officially Here????

I received my Venti Skinny Hazelnut Latte in this cup today!  Does this mean the Christmas season is officially here?  :D

God and Country or Starbucks and Country?   Just joking!

 

Technorati Tags: Starbucks,God and Country,Latte,Christmas Season

My puny GRIPE for today...

Technorati Tags: BAM,Books A Million,Barnes & Noble,Books,GRIPES,Browser unfriendly

Question: Has anyone visited their Books A Million store recently? Were all the coffee tables removed?

In our city the BAM store has removed them. I didn't get a chance to find out if this was a permanent removal. So, now BAM is becoming "browser unfriendly" again. Hubby and I never used to shop BAM stores because there weren't any chairs except around the coffee shop area to sit with your coffee and check out your chosen stack of books and magazines and decide which ones you were going to purchase. So, we frequented Barnes & Noble only. Then Barnes & Noble removed their chairs and most of their tables. So, we quit going there as BAM had put in comfortable chairs and coffee tables in front of the chairs... So, now what's up?????

We walked into our local store today (hubby needed to get out of the house after almost 10-days of hibernation due to illness) and went back to obtain seats in our favorite section of the store... and to our dismay there weren't any tables to set our books and coffee on. Needless to say, we didn't buy coffee and within 15 minutes we had left the store without buying anything. Now I won't tell you how much of our money we left in BAM during the past month... but I'm secure in saying it was worth the price of a coffee table! We won't be back if they become "browser unfriendly" again. Really they need to keep the "regulars" as we do SPEND money there. But we are getting a brand new larger Barnes & Noble... so, unless it's unfriendly too, BAM beware! We won't be back for a looooooong time!

Anyone else run into this? Want to complain? Call 1-800-876-4510 M-F

Technorati Tags: BAM,Books A Million,Barnes & Noble,browser unfriendly,GRIPES,disappointment

Who's Your GOD?

Again, I refer back to my Sunday School class last week and the lesson for that day.

"Jesus Loves you and wants to be your God"

In teaching the lesson to my young students I was again reminded of what's important from the simple lesson I was teaching.

All week I've been mulling over in my mind the lesson title and realizing that is really all God wants from us, is to be our GOD.  God with a Capital "G".  We have many gods (lower case "g") in our lives.  They can be all encompassing gods or as trivial as a "Starbucks" latte.  It all depends on our attitude. 

Can you "take it or leave it" or is your life "upside down" if you don't have it? or do it? or buy it? or wear it? 

I remember a time many, many years ago, hubby had ben laid off from his job and there wasn't any money coming in.  NONE!  We had two infant sons at that time and didn't have any money to pay the gas bill.  It was disconnected!  Oh me!  I thought the world had come to an end.  I was very young then and pregnant with our third son...  :D   Life changed drastically for me for a few days!  It was winter and cold.  I went into a "pity party" attitude.  We finally got a small electric heater and put it in our bedroom and that was the only warm room in the house.  We lived in that room for several days.  Cooked on a hot plate and ate in the bedroom. 

Needless to say, we survived!  At the time I thought life was awful  :D.  Whew, has my perception of life changed.  After 37 years.... YES, Praise God, it has.  God has a way of giving you a NEW outlook on LIFE. 

Even what we think of as necessities can become "gods" or "idols" in our lives.  Not everyone in this world has the luxury of "flipping the switch".

In spite of all the above... all HE wanted was to be MY GOD through whatever came my way. 

I feel that the United States is spiraling downward quickly and not just in morals, etc. but in the way we live and consume.  I feel that eventually we're going to be covertly "owned" by China.  My son's plant just closed down because of China.  We get everything from China.  Oh my, I won't get on that soap box.

Do I live the simplest life I could?  NO!  Do I still consume? Of course!  But I'm trying to learn not to buy needless junk... stuff I find that once home I never use.  I really NEEDED it didn't I?  I am trying to eat healthy and eat more organic (without additives and hormones added, or genetically grown) foods!  It's hard to change. 

I'm not doing away with change or learning new things or even technology in general... but hey, let's LIVE LIFE and not lead a life fed to us by the MEDIA or Hollywood.  Our individual time span on this earth isn't very long.  Let's make the most of it.

CHOOSE GOD to be your GOD!

Out of the mouths of babes...

Where do I start?  I wish I had been journaling all these amazing things I hear from my Sunday School students!  I could write a book.  Children are wonderful and amazing little people, if you REALLY listen to them.  Hardly a Sunday goes by that I'm not either almost in tears (they can relate some heart-wrenching stories) or chuckling to myself listening to them.

Children are much more aware of what's going on around them than we realize!  They can be as talking, doing some activity with their hands, and even scuffling with their best friend and STILL be aware of what you're saying and what's going on in their presence.  Don't be fooled by that "blank" look they can give you!   :) 

I've been teaching on angels, heaven, salvation, etc. the last few Sundays and this past Sunday I was teaching on heaven, what it's like, how to get there, who'll be there, etc.  And when I gave the illustration of  "in the twinkling of an eye"... and we'll rise to meet Him in the air... and I said "kind of like a balloon when you let it go"... and one little guy said, very earnestly and seriously, " You mean we're going to BLAST off?"  Yes, Robert... one of these days we are going to blast off this ole earth... and we've got to be ready.

Kids do make you think about things... sometimes we just rattle something off to satisfy their persistent curiosity... but they do hear what we say!

This same little guy, who is into all the ACTION heroes of this world... when I was telling about how Jesus could have called 100's, 1000's, and even 10,000 and more of angels to save him from dying on the cross... Robert's little eyes became very thoughtful and he repeated after me, "100's, 1,000's and tens of thousands of angels, WOW, a whole ARMY of Angels".  He was totally in awe that Jesus didn't call his army of angels to save him from dying.  That he chose to die on the cross for our salvation.  It is awesome.  It never ceases to saturate my soul with His love and compassion when I hear this preached or relate this to my students.  It is not an "occurrence" way in the past!  When we come to Jesus for salvation... he has died for each and every one of us.

The ANGELS rejoice when we find Jesus!  How awesome can that be?  My students thought that was neat and proceeded to "rejoice" like they thought the angels do!  (I wish we could let loose and do what they were doing in our worship services, or at least do it more often than we do.) 

He is JOY Unspeakable and FULL of GLORY...

 

(I will try to remember and write what I hear... it's awesome and amazing to listen to these little people.)

All is well...

Just a brief update to let everyone know I made it to Missouri all in one day.  Didn't have any trouble and it actually was an enjoyable trip.  I had 11 1/2 hours to think, pray, worship, and just contemplate the goodness and God's love and mercy.

Got into my parents place around 7:45 pm their time Saturday evening and Sunday we worked sorting their personal belongings and packing the camper and storage trailer.  Went to church Sunday... their service is at 4:00pm and they only have one service on Sunday at the church they were attending in Missouri.

Monday was a run errands and last minute lab and prescriptions, etc. including a trip to Springfield for Dad's lab work.  I kept the rental car 2-extra days until I was sure all the running around was completed.  I did not want to drive the truck with the camper on it anymore than I had to around town.

However, I did find that with the extended mirrors I didn't have any problem driving the truck.  I only had to back the trailer twice and that was a comedy act.  When you can't see the trailer you're trying to back... it gets a little hilarious.  I can back a trailer if I can see where it's going... otherwise, its direction is anyone's guess!

I will write more... this is the first time I've had a chance to spend more than just "email check".  I know we will all get into a new routine... and we will all adjust to the differences in routines.

Procrastination Guilt...

Technorati Tags: procrastination,flowers,yard,excuses,family,decluttering

Today has been a typical Saturday morning. All the intended plans have been forsaken for impulsive or should I say spontaneous activities. I guess spontaneous sounds more exciting and a little less dysfunctional.

The day was supposed to be totally spent doing decluttering in the house and garage in preparation for my parents coming to live with us in TWO weeks! Instead, Bud (hubby) took my car to have a wheel bearing replaced. So now I have a perfectly good Ford Tempo to commute back and forth to work in and no excuse to buy another vehicle! On the other hand, his Buick needed more than a front end alignment and new front tires... it needed another $250.00 worth of work that will have to wait until the end of next week.

Instead of working in the garage, Bud is out planting azaleas bushes and a rhododendron bush and just fooling around outside. I was tempted for a few minutes and trimmed my fern and another hanging plant that I've forgotten the name of. Then the guilt set in and I wandered back inside. However, I have yet to settle down to one particular project! This is my downfall when it comes to decluttering. The mess before the decluttering just about does me in! Choosing the place to start is another one!

Now don't write me and tell me to read all these books on decluttering, organizing, cleaning, and simplifying... I've got shelves full of them. They're all excellent! It's the implementation of the principles that is difficult!

As you can surmise... this blog is just another attempt to stray from the job at hand... so, off I go... I'll try again!

Another Life leaves this world...

Technorati Tags: family,death,grief,sorrow,sadness,missin you,memories,time,life,spirit,body

Mom, my own heart stopped for a few seconds and the tears fell unashamedly when I heard you were gone.

Never more will I catch a glimpse of your mischievous smile or the ornery twinkle in your eyes.

Never more will I sip a cup of coffee over trivial chatter or "go out" to lunch after shopping.

Never more will I watch you carefully choosing your fresh baby spinach at the Farmer's Market and bartering for the best price.

Never more will I read a favorite recipe hurriedly written in your tight little script.

Never more will I watch you fix a meal, and oh, how you loved to feed us.

Never more will I walk with you in the yard, checking out your newly planted spring flowers.

I will forever hold those precious memories in my heart!

I know your body was tired Mom, but I miss your spirit already!

Your daughter (in law),

Pam

http://www.legacy.com/TheSouthern/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=106274040

We're Back from Pigeon Forge...

This first photo was taken about 30 minutes before service time. We had to get there early to get good seats. We like to sit close to the front. Eight of us and Anna Rose our newest baby went this year. I rented a 15-passenger van... we had plenty of room to spread out and we took the back seat out so we had plenty of room to stack our luggage and snacks for our room. I had made reservations in January and we were able to get adjoining rooms. That was nice because we didn't have to run back and forth in the halls to get to our rooms. We really enjoyed our time together. Of course, we did learn who snores, who grinds their teeth and who takes the longest showers on earth! LOL

Sis Cindy Miller aimed straight for the heart matter of living for God. It was excellent. She's a great teacher and teaches from the Word! I truly enjoyed her. I had read her books but had never heard her speak.

Nap time for Anna Rose and Sis Margaret.

This is what you could call a "hair fixing" production line. I thought it was cute. It was an effort to save time and trying to get everyone ready at the same time. LOL It worked!

Amanda - Results of work.

Ashley, "lookin' good."

As you can see we did have a GREAT time! God was good and even though it started snowing... we stayed for the Saturday morning session and by the time we got on I-40 and I-75 the snow had pretty well let up. We had a safe trip there and home! God is good and we're already looking forward to next year.

Tuesday's Musing

Good TUESDAY evening,


It was beautiful today...still cooler than normal...but a wonderful day. We were exceptionally busy at the office today and I'm not sure why. Maybe people were just getting all their ducks in a row before they filed their TAXES. Bud and I filed ours tonight. Whew...glad that's over with. We did owe a little...but not enough to complain about.


I have an hour for lunch and if I've not any pressing errands to run I usually eat my lunch in the shade somewhere and read or write. Sometimes I listen to music and just relax. If I'm reading or studying an hour passes too quickly. It's my quiet time... no interruptions (unless hubby calls me on my cell phone) and I can read and meditate in solitude. I truly enjoy that time. I actually crave it when I've had to run errands and can't get that "alone time". Just me in my car with my thoughts and listening for His voice through His Word. I've had many prayers answered praying in my car all alone. God is so kind to show us what we need and to give it to us at just the right time. What's that chorus... "He's an on time God". That He is!! I always go back to the office refreshed.


After almost 20-years, God is answering my prayers for my children and grandchildren. I heard about a preacher that ends each service telling the members of his church, "NEVER GIVE UP" (Winston Churchill was right).


Mother's NEVER GIVE UP. God knows when they are ready to listen... Keep praying, the answer is on the way.


Have a blessed week with Jesus.



My devotional website: http://heart2heartministries.injesus.com/