The week is getting away from me

Good giggity Miss Wigity,where has this week gone?  I don’t have a clue.  I didn’t mean to stay away so long but I guess that is what happens when you are doing thangs.  :) And please don’t ask me what because I can’t remember. 

I have to tell you ladies, we woke up to the most beautiful weather here this morning, the temps were in the 60’s and just wonderful.  It was a welcomed break from the hot humid days and mornings we have been having.  I know that it is short lived, so I really was grateful and  gave a sweet thanks to Jesus.  Hubby even got outside and watered the lawn early this AM while it was still cool.  I think he was enjoying it too. (The photo to the right is my deck, this shot was taken several years ago, but it is still where I drink in the beauty of the  day.

This morning has been a very productive morning for me, I am getting ready for my upcoming trip to Kentucky.  Let’s see, I have striped the sheets from my bed and washed and dried and put them back on the bed, one load in the dryer and one more in the washer, suitcases are almost packed. Making list of things to NOT forget to take.  So when I am rushing out the door bright and early on Friday morning I am not forgetting anything.   Still have some other inside chores to do today, but thought before I started my afternoon, I would post.

Before I started my morning, I spent some time reading in Proverbs.  I am loving reading through Proverbs on a daily bases.  When you take the time to really read it and soak in all the wisdom that is there, it is incredible.  The last two days I have been meditating on a couple of verses that I thought I would share. Taken from the NIV translation.

Proverbs 28:13-

¹³ He who conceals his sins does not prosper,
       but whoever confesses and renounces them finds     mercy.

Proverbs 29: 20 -

²⁰ Do you see a man who speaks in haste?
       There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 30: 5-6-

⁵ "Every word of God is flawless;
       he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

⁶ Do not add to his words,
       or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Each one of these verses hold great impact on our daily lives. They give us something to ponder and really think about.  What are your meditating on today? 

Well the time has come to go back to my duties, the dryer just peeped as my que to get up and finish my work.

“She sets about her work vigorously;
       her arms are strong for her tasks.” Proverbs 31:17

Hope you have a blessed day, and thanks for stopping by to visit. I love your visits.

Zechariah 14:9“The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Busyness

has come to my house over the last several days.  Over the last several days I have been overwhelmed with getting more things organized.  Jeepers!!!  I go from having no motivation to overkill….hoping that I will get some balance back soon.  Seems like that has been my mantra for the last several months.  Oh well, it is what it is right?

Ephesians 5:15-17- Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Yesterday I spent a good portion of the day cleaning out my INBOX on my computer.  You heard me right…I had over 7 thousand emails.  Don’t ask why I let it get so bad. So I sifted through them and kept what I wanted (you know all the cute pictures my sister sends of my nephew Caleb) and important stuff, like emails my hubby sends me (wink).  Got everything filed away  from decorating inspiration to recipes.  What a good feeling it was last night when I went to bed and nothing in my inbox.  I would say yesterday was a complete and utterly productive day. BTW, Mandi has a great article on helping you get started on organizing your files here. To top it off I also took my darling daughter and her boyfriend to lunch and spent some time with them.  Fun times!!

But the highlight of my day was when I cleaned out my armoire to get things ready to give to goodwill.  I had stacks of shorts and blouses, that I couldn’t wear and decided that I wasn’t going to hang onto them anymore much less move ifn we ever sell this house.  But thankfully before I threw everything in a bag to ditch, I tried a few things on and to my surprise everything fit.  I knew I had lost a little weight because my clothes hadn’t been quite as snug, but when I got on the scales I was surprised to see I had lost 10 pounds.  Did you hear me?  10 pounds.  I was doing the happy dance.  Now if I could lose about 15 more, I would be where I would like to be.  Over the last several years the weight has creeped on, but fortunately for me I hide weight well.  But I just wasn’t as comfortable as I was used too, so losing the extra pounds has felt wonderful.

Today, my goals are to spend some time cleaning out some of my other computer tools.  My Google reader, Springpad, organizing my file structure, and if time allows, get to some of my photo editors.  I really need to get a handle on my Picasa and photobucket accts.  Although the sun is out and wooing me to come outside, I think I best stay in and stay cool.  It’s going to be another hot one today?

Before I close I wanted to share a link with you for the 50 best organizing blogs, because if you are like me…you like ORGANIZED chaos.  Check them out here.

Need to scoot, time is wastin…

Isaiah 40:31“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Be blessed,

My Monday

Happy Monday Morning everybody!!!!  I hope everyone had a great weekend and got a chance to spend some time with that special “father” in your lives.  Unfortunately I didn’t get to  spend it with my dad, but I did talk to him on the phone, nor did I spent it with my hubby as he went to Houston to spend it with his dad.  Plus he got to spend it with his children.  So he had a nice day.  :)  And that is all that matters right?  I mean, it is their day!!!

 

Let me say “thank you to everyone that has left me comments or sent me emails” to my last post.  Your prayers, and concerns really mean the world to me.  Let’s just say that I am doing quite a bit better, I have taken action and started on some medication.  Which I can see a big difference already and it hasn’t been that long…so I know it will get better as time goes on.  The hopeless feeling has dissipated and for that I am grateful.  Each day brings new hope and excitement.  I can’t tell you how good that feels.  Anyway, just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you all.

Since I had the weekend to myself, by the way it was a LONG three days, I missed my hubby while he was gone, I had a chance to catch up on some reading.  I finished up “Plain Paradise”  by Beth Wiseman and “A Promise for Spring” by Kim Vogel Sawyer, (which I highly recommend both these books) and I’m now reading “Hanna’s Dream”.  Yet  another Amish fiction for me.  The book description states ” Set in the Amish communities of northern Indiana and Montana, Hannah Miller has just found a poem about love that stirs her dreams. Checking her past experiences with boys, no one seems to fit, especially not Sam. She had chosen him in the eighth grade only because everyone back then just had to have someone. With his mouth that always fell open when astonished, Hannah now looks for someone else. Feel the agony of mistakes, the burden of guilt, and one girl s attempt to make sense out of love. In this end, will Hannah go the whole way with the logic of her conclusions?”

I also had the chance to spend some time with my daughter and her boyfriend on Friday night, they came over to visit and it was such a wonderful treat to have them here, we didn’t do anything special just visited and watch some TV but it was WONDERFUL!  I loved seeing her and catching up with her. We talked about her recent trip to the beach, (wish I had pictures to show you but she hasn’t uploaded them yet) her work schedule, and just things going on in her life.  Then on Saturday night my son and his wife came over, actually we met for dinner and then came back to the house and just  chilaxed! It is one of the first times I have seen him since he got married and I loved having them here too.  I really do miss seeing my kids on a regular bases so it makes the time spent with them now even more precious.  They really made me one happy momma this weekend.  Thank you Wesley and Tori! 

I am suppose to have a lunch date with Tori and her boyfriend tomorrow, but other than that nothing is on the agenda.  Not really sure what this week holds in store.  I haven’t really kept up with my blogging or blog visiting, so I may try to catch up on some of that. Really need to scoot, want to spend some quiet time reading.  Hope you have a blessed  Monday!

Psalm 91:1“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Crawling out from under the rock

I hope finally for good. Ladies, this has been a very trying time for me, alot of changes going on in and around me and I have felt a bit out of sync and a bit overwhelmed. Days filled with sadness and gloom.

I decided to share this with you because I need to be accountable for this feeling that I have been denying for way to long. Over the course of the last two months I have come to realize that I do suffer from depression and these feelings of inadequacy as a mother, wife have to stop, among other areas.

I get so "down" on myself and regardless of all the sweet gestures made toward me, I don't feel them. I hope some of you can relate to this, and can offer some words or guidance to me. My poor sweet hubby has tried to express this to me, but I would “cut” him off because I didn’t  want to believe I suffered from this. Not another flaw, not another character defect. Is is situational or permanent?  How can you tell?  How do you know?

Between family, work decisions, becoming a empty nester, my life as I have known it has changed majorly over the course of a few months. All the things that made me who I was, is no more.  I was always a mother, but now with all my kids on their own, and living there own lives, I don’t have that “label” anymore per se. I’m not needed like I was before. As well as a  employee, since I now am at home again full time (at least for now).  I don’t have that label either.  I feel I have to reinvent myself and I really don’t know how…where to start? 

I know the first place to look is in God’s word to see what he says on the matter of depression, so I have picked a few verses that spoke to me.

(Using  Bible gateway to research my verses)

Broken Heart- (NASB) Psalms 34:18, Proverbs 17:22

¹⁸The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
         And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

²²A joyful heart is good medicine,
         But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Can result from failure to confess- Psalms 32:3-4

³When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
         Through my groaning all day long.
⁴For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
         My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.

After spending time reading all the different scriptures dealing with depression that I could find, I didn’t stop there, I went in search for more biblical teachings from women who have been there.

As I was thinking about all I have been struggling with, I was reminded again of David and his struggles.  Instead of relaying it all again, Courtney at Women Living Well stated it wonderfully. (Psalms 69)  Back in February she started a series of post about depression and if you struggle or have been struggling, I hope you will take a look at them. 

I thank you all for being patient with me and for not given up on me and my blog….but I find myself at a crossroad in life, with alot of new adventures just over the horizon, and I don’t want to miss them, so the time has come for me to take action….so that I can live in the Joy promised by my Father.

God turns mourning into Joy – Jeremiah 31:13

¹³ Then maidens will dance and be glad,
       young men and old as well.
       I will turn their mourning into gladness;
       I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Love,

Summertime is here

and with that we tend to spend more time outside so with that  in mind, I thought I would share a little inspiration with you.

What better time to head to your local Diary Queen or other favorite ice cream spot, to have  a nice cold treat on a HOT summer day.

Sometimes my hubby and I like to take a walk in the evenings up to our little ice cream shack that is patronized by all the locals here.  It’s a great way to cool off as well as catch up with some of your neighbors. 

 

There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.  ~Celia Thaxter

Now would be a great time to dust off that picnic basket and load it down with all kinds of goodies.  Maybe grab some books or a fishing pole.  Head off to the nearest lake, or meadow and just relish in the day.

You can’t have a picnic without food, so I have shared a few treats with you below.

"If a June night could talk,
it would probably boast it invented romance."
-  Bern Williams

Summer just wouldn’t be Summer without the “House Wine of the South”.  Ice Tea.  It’s always a favorite drink of mine, not only in the summer.  It is something I drink year round, but will tell you that it taste best on a HOT summer day when it is chilled with loads of ice and some lemon. 

Wine of the South-Sweet Iced Tea

Ingredients
3 Family size tea bags
2 Cups of cold water
1 Cup of sugar

Directions

I recommend Luzianne Tea Bags if available, if not Liptons is another great choice.

Place the two cups water in a pot and add the tea bags. Bring to a boil, do not continue boiling. Remove from heat and let steep. Pour warm tea into empty pitcher. Add the sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Fill remaining pitcher with cold water.

In summer, the song sings itself.  ~William Carlos Williams

And what about some fresh strawberry pie.  Yummy!

Ingredients

• 2 (8 inch) pie shells, baked
• 2 1/2 quarts fresh strawberries
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin

Directions

1. In a saucepan, mix together the sugar and corn starch; make sure to blend corn starch in completely. Add boiling water, and cook over medium heat until mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Add gelatin mix, and stir until smooth. Let mixture cool to room temperature.
2. Place strawberries in baked pie shells; position berries with points facing up. Pour cooled gel mixture over strawberries.
3. Refrigerate until set. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Summer has set in with its usual severity.  ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Or some good ole Strawberry Shortcake!  Delicious!!!!

Biscuits
3 1/2 cups (14 7/8 ounces) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup dried buttermilk powder*
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) butter or margarine, or1/2 cup shortening
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 large egg
1 cup (8 ounces) milk*
Shortcake
2 quarts hulled strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup (8 ounces, 1/2 pint ) whipping cream

*Or substitute 1 cup buttermilk for the buttermilk powder and milk.

The Biscuits: Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Whisk together the dry ingredients, and cut in the cold butter, margarine or shortening. Whisk the vanilla and egg with the milk, then add all at once to the dry ingredients and stir until the liquid is absorbed. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 4 or 5 times, just until it holds together. Pat the dough out until it's about 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick, and cut it into circles (using a sharp cutter for the highest rising biscuits). Place the biscuits onto an ungreased baking sheet, brush the tops with milk or egg white for a shiny surface, sprinkle with sugar if desired, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool for 15 minutes before serving. Yield: 9 biscuits.
To Assemble Shortcake: Mash 2 cups of the strawberries. Slice the remaining strawberries, and mix all of the berries with the sugar and lemon juice. Let rest 1 hour. Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Just before serving, split open the biscuits, spoon half the berries and whipped cream on the bottom half, top with remaining biscuit halves, and spoon on remaining berries and cream.

Summer time an' the livin' is easy, Fish are jumpin' an' the cotton is high. Oh, yo' daddy's rich, and yo' ma' is good-lookin', So hush, little baby, don' yo' cry.
Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward

I hope you have a blessed day and weekend.  Get out and enjoy our beautiful summer weather.

Something is on my mind

and today I want to share it with you.  If you have been keeping up with me here, you know for the most part for a while now I have been struggling with much.  Either through post that I have written or lack of written post. 

I feel as though my whole world has been under attack lately.  Now I know this isn’t true, but the feeling remains the same. When times are like these, I just want to cling to God and his word and promises, but for some reason, I have been struggling with that too.  Maybe because sometimes, I just don’t get it.  But let me tell you a about a little find I have found.  It’s a book written by Lysa Terkeurst called “Becoming More than a good bible study girl”.  Wow…I have just started reading it and it’s wonderful and answers so many of my questions about my relationship with God. 

Take a peek at one of her videos

Just in the first part  of the book  “In My Heart”, she talks about….

1. Trying to Be Good Enough
2. Flitting To and Fro
3. When I Feel like I Don’t Measure Up

If these are topics that you can relate too, then you have to read it.  With each page I turn I am eager for her help in getting out of this “rut”. The rut of desiring and knowing God more intimately, and not knowing how to get there.  If you feel this way, then perhaps this would be a good read for you too.

If any of you have read it, I would love to know if and how it affected your “knowing God” better. 

Ok…off to have my quiet time now.

 

Oh BTW…

Courtney of Women Living Well, is hosting this challenge for wives. Every Monday, June 7 - August 9, Courtney will be sharing biblical principles about how to be the woman your man needs. Mark your calendars and join me in becoming the women our husbands need.

Happy June

to everybody.  I can’t seem to believe that we are now into June.  This year is flying by.

I hope that everyone had a blessed Memorial Day weekend, with lots of love of family, friends, and good food, not to mention time spent to reflect on why we have such a holiday.

I would love to tell you that mine was ALL that, when in reality it was a very hard and emotional holiday weekend for me.  You see, on Friday after I made my Memorial Day post, I ended up having to take my family pet of 11 years to the vet, only to have her put to sleep.  (looking for pictures of her so that I can share some with you, but they are on my other computer) .   I spent a great deal of the weekend in tears and heartache.  But I know Mocha is in a better place with no pain.  She is truly missed.  The void in our home is very noticeable.  But with each passing day, I hope the sorrow is replaced with all the loving memories and time shared with her.  She was a sweet soul, and she loved people.  We rescued her from the humane society when she was just 2 weeks old…and she had a great life, for that I am thankful.  

Now, I need to move on, as I feel tears welling up in my eyes.

Hubby and I did get to get away for a day  with some friends which was a nice diversion.  Spent some time in Pa, antiquing.  Which is a favorite pastime for us.  I would love to say that we found lots of goodies, but we didn’t.  Not this time.   Seems like I am so cautious when I shop now, because I really don’t know where I am going to end up.  I am so ready to move, so that I can “play” in a new house.  I love setting up my home.  :)

I’ve got alot of things that I really want to work on this week…mainly to keep busy….but they are things I have been putting off for some time, and it’s time to get to them.  Hubby had a productive weekend around the house.  He painted the deck, cleaned out garage and sorted ALL his tools and gave them a home.  Now my car finally fits back in the garage.  Woo Hoo!  So my plan is to spend some quality time this week working on organizing my craft area.  That is going to take some time.  I really don’t have a room or anything, I have a little area in our basement workshop that is allotted for my crafts, and I have way to much for such a tiny space.  I need to come up with some clever organizing helps. Got any ideas?  Also, we still are in the decluttering stage of our basement.  But it is far better than it was. 

I am sitting amongst a pile of magazines, pads of paper, and have some major list making to do today…that is how I stay on task.  How do you stay on task?  How do you get everything accomplished in a given day?  I would love to hear your helpful tips.

Well, this is getting my day started, so I am going to scoot for now.  Hope to get around and visit with you all later. 

Have a blessed day!