New look and a giveaway!

Hi ya’ll!  Happy Tuesday to you!  It is a beautiful morning here in Maryland.  It is a little after 9:00 AM and the temps are a nice 70 or so. When I woke this morning the temps were in the 60’s.  Woo Hoo.

Let me first say to those that mentioned the house in the header of my blog…NO that is not my home.  I wish it were, but alas it isn’t.  I love big ole farmhouses, I have all my life, so when I saw this one, it was everything and more of what I dreamed of.  Love the big porch with the screen door.  Mmmmmmm, someday maybe! 

I wish I had something really clever to write about today, but I don’t.  Still working on the things for the house.  We are having new carpet installed in the basement, it was suppose to be on Thursday this week, but the carpet layers showed up today and of course we weren’t ready, so now they will have to do it next Tuesday.   Kinda bummed about it, but it is okay I guess, really.  In the big scheme of things it is only a few more days. 

I didn’t get as much done yesterday that I wanted to in the house, so going to work on some things today…..but before I do…..wanted to tell you about a giveaway I saw at  “And baby makes Five”   How cute are these little bowl fillers. A Colleen is giving them away.  So run right over and get your name in the pot.  :) I think they are simply adorable. 

As you all can see, I have been up to changing things around again in here.  I think I like this better than the blue I had here yesterday.  What do you think? It most likely will stay this way for awhile. Instead of changing things up on here, I really would love to be doing some redecorating in my house.  I miss not being able to move things around.  I am sure if and when I finally get to move it will be like Christmas for me, playing with all my goodies again. 

Well my son just called and he is on his way over, so guess I should scoot, so I can spend some time with him, and then I MUST get some work done in this house.

Have a very blessed day, I know I will!  B

Hebrews 12:1“[God Disciplines His Sons] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Monday Meme

  Here is is Monday again and I have a list a mile long today.  I thought today I would join in some fun at “ Making your Home Sing”.  When I found this little meme I knew it was one that I would love.  I am a lover of making my home a warm and cozy place for family and friends. So you ask, what am I going to do today to make my home sing today. 

My day consist of doing some floors, all the floors on the main level, need a good mopping….so that is on the agenda today, as well as cleaning down our master bath.  Our weather was scorching this past weekend (102 Friday-Sunday), so hubby and I took lots of showers to just keep cool, so that means towels and a gritty shower.  Exciting stuff huh?

On top of this, I am also going to start working on packing up my craft area in my home. With having the house on the market, I need to have that area less cluttered, so going to pack away some tools, and supplies that I will not and don’t forsee using in the near future. 

So I have much to work on today and shouldn’t delay.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hebrews 11:1“[By Faith] Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Wowser’s it’s hot

Happy Saturday A

Since I didn’t get here yesterday thought I would make a little post today.

I’m really trying to stay cool.  It was over 90 at 7:00AM. It’s is suppose to be out hottest day of the year today with the heat index.  Can you say FALL?  I am really getting ready for cooler temps, but I do hate to see Summer come to a end.  Mom just called from California, not sure where she was, but she said their high today was 59.  Wow!

Last night I spent some time downloading fonts.  Can you tell?  I love fonts and Kevin and Amanda has some of the most amazing ones and they are FREE, just my price.  B

I am thinking that I am going to spend some time today playing around with my blog, that is always fun to do on a day like today.  Maybe even work through a few tutorials of future projects.

Well, with the interruption of the phone call, I have lost my train of thought, so I wiill go ahead and close for now.  Hope you all stay cool and have a blessed day.

Hugs and Blessings,

Psalm 112:5“Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Gonna be brief

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This post is going to be short and sweet today, I didn’t make it here yesterday because I spent the day enjoying my daughter and then I was out the door last night.  So I am finally getting here today, and a beautiful morning it is.  I woke to my coffee in one hand and my bible in the other.  I am enjoying my quiet time so much.  Even before my computer is turned on, I turn on God’s word.  What a refreshing way to start my day. 

I have already gotten my floors vacuumed, dishwasher loaded,beds made, and I am sitting amongst piles of magazines that  I need to desperately sort through this morning.  Keep what I want out of them and then discard them.  Hubby will be so happy!  I have way to many magazines. 

Hubby finally got all the glue up off the basement floors for the new carpeting.  UGH what a job that was for him.  I am sure we will be sorting through more of our beloved possessions, and discarding some of them too, before the carpet layers show up next week.  We were really hoping to get it done this week so that we could get the basement back together by the weekend, but they didn’t have any openings.  So unless there is a cancelation we will have it installed next week.

Now as promised I will share a few pictures of the basement, these were made back in April and we were in the middle of decluttering, but you can see what we have been up against. (I can’t believe I am showing these pictures.)

The desk area

One corner of the basement (stuff that still needs to be packed and moved to storage)

Another corner of the basement (stuff that still needs to be packed and moved to storage, or gotten rid of) 

The basement looks nothing like this now, hubby painted the walls while I was in Kentucky back to white and the carpet is a off white Berber with a pattern.  When it is completed and everything is back in it’s place I will show you.  Now that all the kids are gone, we don’t use the basement much anymore and it has mainly been our catch all area.  But with the house on the market, we know that families will want to utilize this space so we are making it more family friendly.

Now, for a post that was suppose to be short, I have got a little long winded.  But need to scoot.

Hope you have a very blessed day,

Psalm 119:30“I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Just another day

What a weekend….for a girl that didn’t have many plans, I sure got lots done and was sore to prove it.  

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

Most of Saturday was spent working on some things around here, but nothing major.  However, on Sunday that was another story.  Sunday both my sons were off from work so they came over to visit and help us out with some “muscle work” in the basement.  We have decided to replace the old carpet that was there with a new Berber carpeting.  It is suppose to get installed this week preferably later than earlier .  So we had to move the larger furniture pieces out to our garage. Which meant getting it up the stairs to the main floor and then out another set of steps to the garage.  Poor boys!  Needless to say that they got those heavy pieces moved and then Michael and I had to pull up the carpet.  Now this isn’t just any old carpet…the people who lived here before us, put down carpet squares which meant we had to pull up each one.  Not a easy task….but we got it done and now we still have junk treasures to sort through. It’s simply amazes me with how stuff one can accumulate over time.  After several attempts at decluttering, we still have have stuff.   If I am brave I will take a few pictures to share with you.  You wouldn’t believe the mess down there right now.

Hubby has been diligently working  on transferring  our old VHS tapes of the children to DVR’s.  Wow, that is another job.  But he has gotten quite a few done already, so hoping within the next week he will have that done. But not sure that will happen with all the other things doing on.   But we are on a mission. This is one of those projects we have had on our “to do” list for a long time, but finally bit the bullet and bought the machine and now it has been running non-stop since he got it. 

We also purchased (ordered it) ourselves a new scanner for our photos…I’m excited about getting it, because apparently it will do a bunch in no time. I have tons that I have wanted on my computer for a long time but it just took to long to do.  Maybe then I can learn to do some digital scrapbooking.  I think I might enjoy that!  Will need to spend some time figuring it all out though. 

Today, I need to get through loads of CD’s that we have had stored in downstairs, some are in their cases, others are not and you know the routine.  I worked for awhile on them yesterday and got through a ton, in the process, I am getting rid of duplicates, giving the kids the one that belong to them… How did I ever get so disorganized with all this media stuff.  Oh yeah, I am not the one that normally took care of it.  It wasn’t my job, but once I have all our media stuff organized, it will be a wonderful treat to ourselves.  It’s one of those things, where you have some here, some there, and it’s never all together.

Also today my daughter is coming over after she gets off of work so that she can cut my hair.  Woo hoo…it really needs it, it is getting too long, and I am always wearing it up in a claw . It’ll be nice to have her here, she plans to spend the night with me since she if off tomorrow.  It’s been awhile.

K…got sheets to wash on my daughters bed, and floors to clean, and CD’s to go through.  So got to get a  move on. 

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Proverbs 31:27

Hope you all have a blessed day!

Isaiah 41:10“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Just had to share…

one of the cutest blogs I have ever been too.

I really do enjoy doing my weekly reviews, however for the past month or so, I haven’t had the time to really scout out any wonderful projects or blogs…but I did find this one and I just couldn’t wait to share it with you and when you see it you will know why. Kim @ It’s a miniature life, has the most adorable site I have ever seen.  She shares her love of miniatures.  Here are just a few of the things you will see when you hope over to take a peek.  I’m telling you, you will be amazed.  I know I was.

Now, you can catch my regular post below.  Just had to share this blog with you.

And this just might be my favorite.

    Let me know what you think….

Blessings,

Another Saturday is upon us.

As I sit here looking out to my deck and seeing the sun shimmer through the leaves on the trees, I am wondering about my day. What am I going to do today?  My mind is racing with all kinds of ideas….from getting out and doing a little yard saleing, to hitting a favorite antique shop, or would I better be served to stay home in the cool and work on a few things here.  Dilemma’s, dilemma’s.

A couple of things that I know I will do today is go to my DIL graduation celebration.  She went back to school and got her AA and there is a celebration this evening.  I am so proud of her dedication, discipline and hard work to finish.  I’m amazed at her energy level and how she can work a full-time job and still have brain cells left over for school work.  She always seems to find time for family, friends, and anything else she wants to do.  She plans to sit out a year before going back to school to get her BA.  And with most people I would question that decision, but for her I know she will continue on.  Great job Steph.

I am sure that hubby and I will get in our walk today too….lately we have been trying to walk for 1 hour three times a week.  It can be treacherous in this heat but we both feel so much better after we do.  Plus my incentive is the toning up and weight I am losing.  I can’t believe the difference a few short weeks make.  I still would like to drop about another 10-12 lbs.  That would be my goal weight.  Although hubby thinks that is a bit to small. 

Other than that, not sure what today holds.  I’m going to kind of have a unstructured and care free day. So what are your plans for today?

Have a blessed Saturday!

Romans 1:16“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Today in my world

Good Morning Ladies, here we find ourselves at the end of the week and another summer weekend on the horizon.  I am so thankful for my weekends, I love them, mostly because it is a time that my hubby is home and we can spend time together.  I always LOVE that.  Granted this weekend will have some little jobs that need to be done but for the most part nothing real pressing.

Today is filled with alot of little things I need/want to take care of.  Just a few little housework chores, but my big focus today is going to be on getting my “quiet time with the Lord” better organized. In recent post I have shared about my struggling with things and one thing I have come to realize is that my time with the Lord has been sporadic of late.  This MUST come to a stop. I am a person who NEEDS that nourishment every day.   I miss my quiet time on a daily basis and I do hunger for it.  But I  can get so sidetracked by life and the computer that I don’t seem to get around to it.  But I feel God calling me back to it, and nudging me to get myself back on track.  So I plan to start back with it faithfully on Monday.   (Although) I will get sometime in today, but normally my quiet time will be spent in the mornings with a devotion or inspirational reading before bedtime.  Not sure about you, but I am a list maker and I like structure and organization.  Those things help me keep my mind focused and on track.  So that is the main reason for putting together my portable desk of study materials.  I like having all my things in one place.

I love devotions and I have found two really good ones that I subscribe too and will be incorporating them into my quiet time.  If you are looking for or are in need of some great devotions check out the  Proverbs 31 Ministries and sign up for their devotional to be email to you daily.  How easy is that?   Another great devotion, you can sign up for is AnGel Ministries by Anne Graham Lotz.

My study time is more than just reading my bible.  As I have grown as a Christian, my quiet time has changed over time, Now I HUNGER for the word and the truth. I like to really research and get to meat of what God is trying to tell me.  My quiet time/study time looks something like this.  In my Bible time tool kit you’ll find:

• My Bible –  I usually use my NIV Scofield Study Bible, because this bible is marked up with side notes and any other pertinent information I have gathered over time.  It is highlighted throughout with passages that have “spoke” to me over the years.
• Pen and highlighter
• Journal – I record specific things God teaches or shows me from His Word. Then I can go back and review them. I also write down things He tells me to do. Writing them down makes me feel more accountable! And writing prayers or the main points of what I’m praying about helps keep my mind from wandering.
• Bible Reading Plan – I have tried several different ones, I have done Topical Reading Plans, Chronological Reading Plan, but for now, I think I will be continuing on with daily Proverbs reading, while hitting some topics
• Scripture Memory Cards – I usually write a verse that speaks to me on a index card, and meditate and try memorizing it through out the day. 
• Prayer Snapshots – Sometimes but not always I put a photo or a article or something tangible into my pray list.  This way it’s harder for me to forget it. 
• Also a book that I might be focusing on….Right now I am studying “The Power of Prayer to Change your Marriage” and “ The Power of Praying for your Adult Children”, both by Stormie Omartian.
• Prayer (I have tried many methods of prayer over the years, so that I cover all those situations, people, etc  using a schedule  ie Mondays-family, friends, marriage, Tuesday-sick, grieving, military, country, Wednesday, well you get the idea) but I think I am going to try a Prayer Calendar this time.  There are so many people and situations to be in prayer for I am scared I will forget…this way I can stay more focused.  Granted, I always pray for a specific need when it is needed.  To get a better idea of the approach I am talking about Teri Underwood has a great post on it here

If you are in need of some awesome helpful tips on your study time check out Kathy Howard, she has given us some great discipleship tools to use, and I recommend printing them out for easy access.

Ladies, even though we live in a troubled times with all that goes on around us.  We also live in a amazing time with all the technology that is afforded us.  The internet is such a great way to connect with our Christian sisters as well as finding the tools we need to be better equipped in our daily walk.  I encourage you to seek these places out and let God grow in you. Be all that God wants you to be. 

“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you.” Psalm 119:10 – 11

Hope you have a blessed day!

Colossians 2:9-10“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Thankful Thursday and other stuff

NOTE: Please note my Network Blog over in the right column, if you are on Facebook and would like to get updates from me, please connect with me.

Can you believe it?  I actually made it here to blog today. I have missed you all.  Before I give my list of thanksgiving, I wanted to update you all on all that is going around here.

Since my last post, it hasn’t been boring.  I have made a trip home to Kentucky to visit with family and witness my nephew become a legal member of our family.  That was a truly awesome day for my sister, and as tears strolled down our faces, she whispered to me “ I’m finally a mom”.  Thrilled and ecstatic don’t do justice to her feelings that day.

Although I made the trip alone, hubby had to stay home, it was some fun time with my mom and dad.  Spent alot of time eating out, watching some movies, and running to antique shops.  A very favorite past time for me and my mom. 

But since getting back home, some areas of my life I have been fretting over.  I hate to even mention it because I sound like a broken record.  But selling this house is taking a huge toll on me and making me question my trust in God. Is he listening to me?  Did I actually say that?  

Why is it so hard to trust God when things look so bleak.  I really don’t distrust God, I really do trust him, but I keep asking myself why certain things aren’t happening for us and everything is working out for all those around us.  Is selling this home some kind of lesson?….what am I suppose to be learning from it?  PATIENCE…..oh boy, I am not good with this trait.  I am finding myself getting disgruntle over the smallest of things.  I am getting anxious about everything.  All my feelings are so raw and I could cry at drop of a hat.  I just want to move on…..I want to start the next chapter in my life. But apparently I have unfinished business in this chapter.

So I am back to “trusting God” that he knows what’s best….I read “

“Trusting God actually takes effort. Trusting God actually takes work. It
takes reading the Bible. It takes meditating on Scripture. It takes praying
about things. It takes taking our own souls to task and stopping one kind of
thinking and turning to another kind of thinking. It takes work. It takes 
effort.”

this excerpt was taken from “Trusting God” by Carolyn Mahaney, Carolyn goes on to say “

The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb.
11:6). Fear is sin. And as my husband has often graciously reminded
me—God is not sympathetic to my unbelief. Why? Because fear,
worry, and unbelief say to God that we don’t really believe He is
“merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast
love and faithfulness” (Ps. 86:15). We are calling God a liar.” 

Ok, WOW I never really thought about that before.  How God views my lack of faith and trust.

If you are lacking in faith and having a hard time Trusting God” check out the whole article written by Carolyn Mahaney.

 

In saying all that, I have much to be grateful and thankful for:

• My nephew,Caleb
• Wonderful time spent with my hubby this last week, we have had a incredible time with some awesome discussions.
• The wonderful rain we received this week to make our flowers and gardens happy.
• Great friends to share a meal with.
• My DIL receiving her AA .
• Another great sunny day and seeing the flowers sprinkle the earth with color. God is a awesome artist.
• Home movies of my children taken 26 years ago.  I can relive their youth.
• And I am thankful for this house too, at least I have a nice home and I can make the payments because we have work. So even when I am disgruntled with having it, I am grateful that I do, because many don’t.  God has been so good to me.
• Thankful for my wonderful hubby.  (pic below was taken at our rehearsal for our wedding)

If you would like to participate in Thankful Thursday join us this month at “Spiritually Unequal Marriage”
Hugs,

James 1:21“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for so many things.  God has been truly good and gracious with me. Moreso than I ever deserve.

I’m a firm believer that one should have gratitude in his heart and be truly happy with what he has been blessed with.  Lately I have been feeling a bit “tattered” and through my bleak times I was finding it hard to be thankful.  Although I knew in my head I had much to be thankful for I just didn’t feel it in my heart.  But no today…..Today I am thankful that my “thankfulness is back”.

I’m thankful that I am getting to go visit my family in Kentucky for a few days.

Thankful I will be there when my sister’s son’s adoption goes through on Tuesday.  Praise God!

If you would like to participate in Thankful Thursday join us this month at “Spiritually Unequal Marriage”

Have a blessed rest of week.

Hugs,

Romans 12:3“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.