to see more "wordless wednesday" pic- click: here Labels: photography, wordless wednesday
"Silver lining" (Part of my vintage/antique chocolate mold collection) 
"Red Gerbera"
Hmmm....Maybe- but with better tone quality. Click over to my post today at "Laced With Grace" to find out if I've lost my mind...or maybe, just maybe, it's an analogy. Labels: devotions, early morning devotions, Laced with Grace
I'm a lifetime -charter member. This is not something I signed up for. It must have been part of my genetic inheritance. It's also not something I expected. I remember thinking as a teen... "someday my zit will go".. (usually sung to the tune of Disney's "Someday my Prince will Come") They didn't. I heard rumors that adulthood meant perfect skin. A lie. I heard rumors that chilbearing (hate that word) led to perfect skin. Another lie. I heard rumors that: Retin- A, Proactiv, Clearasil, removing make-up, sleeping on a clean pillow case, taking antibiotics, etc... would lead to perfect skin. All lies. The truth is--- I am a lifetime member in the zit of the month club. Every month- a single (though sometimes there are small "bonus zits" included as an extra incentive) large, painful, strategically placed,( usually mid forehead, nose or chin) prominent zit arrives. Colors may vary from fuschia (usually a favorite of mine) to deep bruise colored, glowing violet. The zits can be expected to last about 2 weeks with proper care. (or, none at all) After which, the scar will slowly fade, just in time for next months fresh shipment to arrive! As I close in on "40" ( at least I have another year to ready myself for that one;) I am coming to realize that, I will: Go straight from years of puberty to 20+ years of PMS Straight from PMS to Peri and finally, full on menopause. All of which will and have included my membership. After menopause? I don't know- I'm hoping my membership will expire... although- let's face it... it's not looking good! The cost of this Zit of the Month Club? Hmmmm Prices may vary with your membership package-(pubescent, PMS and Menopausal pkgs are yours to choose) but generally are linked to fertility. (although certainly not necessary- as - many are members , sadly, (or not) without the benefit of fertility. My tubes are tied and fertility is no longer a possible price) (actually, when I use it regularly, the Retin A does help....but, it isn't covered by insurance for women of my age..(yeah thats DUMB) AND, it also leaves my skin feeling the crispy/peely parts of a fried egg for a couple of weeks- which is a 50/50 toss up in my opinion;) This post brought to you by our sponsors: Puberty, PMS and PMDD and Menopause. (AKA the unholy alliance of hormones) Dear Lord- there are so much more important things to be concerned about... Either way- loving and serving *pictures removed for my vanity...and your emotional protection. ** Labels: acne, hormones, randomisity, zitsWELCOME! You've entered the NEWZit of the Month Club!Membership includes:One painful, large to supersize zit, of varying styles and colors, delivered straight to your face each month, while you sleep, and guaranteed to be just in time for your special ocassion and or "period of discomfort and malaise." AKA: your monthly.Special bonus with purchase! A parade of zitless faces to compare yours too. A strong obsession with trying every concotion, natural and otherwise, to remove said zit.A simple way to identify other group members. (just check the nose and forehead- for the special members only "mark" )
and truly- I am thankful to be a woman... with all that entails... but the zit
thing? could you cancel my membership? Please?
you... amen.
Labels: inspired by nature, kal, knit along, knitting
Hey! I started a new knit along..... (well .... knit alone at this point;) I posted the site about 5 minutes ago!
http://traceysolomon.wordpress.com/ What are the rules? What's the point?
See it. Get outside- yeah- wear a hat n sunscreen- you'll be ok. Look around! Find something beautiful, you want to capture in fiber!
Love it. Take a pic. Paint a pic... draw it.....or just remember it. whatever.
Find it. Start shopping- (could shop you're own stash- of course!) for a pattern and yarn that capures your favorite elements!
Knit it. Join the KAL and cast on--- post your progress... and ideas!
check it out- we're starting with a cashmere contest!
Labels: chevron scarf, knitting, president bush
Inspiring colors- captured in yarn.... I know--- enough with the eggs already..... a post about that obsession is in the works- but for now- yes I'm still knitting;) (in short bursts between cleaning tasks) The yarn- is Elizabeth Lavold Silky Wool (the brown_And Rio De La Plata Merino SOck in "Harbor Blue" Here-to-fore known as: "Robin's eggs in shade"
The silk chevron is still growing slowly.....
A quick chevron dishcloth! Had to actually FINISH something!
And, in true ADD Knitter style- a quick chevron dishcloth to grace my very clean, kitchen;) Sugar and cream cotton.... I adapted Domesticat's patternI used US size 7's - cast on 33- knit in pattern till I thought I'd run out of yarn.... then bound off on a wrong side row.. (so the ends would curl out the same way) As for the title of this post???? I mean literally. My knitting, met The PRESIDENT of the United States! To see the evidence: visit Katrina , she was my SP 9 pal t0 spoil.... During our round of SP... she sadly lost her police officer brother. Not knowing how else to help- I knit her a comfy shawl in deep purple KSH- in the "forest canopy" pattern...She went to DC for National Police week... and wore her gift- when she met the prez! Click over and scroll down to see the pic! Regardless of your politics- ya gotta admit that's pretty cool;)(Just hoping SS doesn't contact me to knit one for the prez....that wouldn't be right;) Although, I'm sensing something in a red white and blue theme there! Tacky, but patriotic!PS: Noah (the youngest bugger around here) has stopped asking why he smells "pool water." Apparently we're making progress in the housekeeping department- as the bleachy scent of toilet cleaning is now more recognizable than a trip to the pool.....;) Thanks "Flylady"
Labels: photography, wordless wednesday
All year long they grow..... plain- somewhat ugly, wild looking bushes alongside of my porch. Then- suddenly, for a few short weeks in May, they bloom. Their scent greets you at my front door. Their color can be seen form the street. For the first few years, I let them on the bush. They withered. Wilted. Died. Now- every day, I cut bunches and fill vases. It only takes a few minutes, but if feels like such absolute luxury. A full senses reminder of God's love care and creation. Beautiful full bouquets of fresh flowers, in the kitchen, the livingroom and even our bedroom. They still wilt, they still die. But now- I enjoy them fully, before they do. I don't worry about them-I just enjoy them while they are here. ;) " Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen." Psalm 72:19 Labels: devotions, Laced with Grace, lilacs
So far two of the eggs have been pushed from the nest. They didn't make it. There are still 2 eggs in the nest but the mom hasn't been as attentive. Maybe she lost patience- maybe she sensed they were dead. My husband assures me that animal "self talk" sounds like "white noise" and that it was purely instinctual. "Don't personalize the birds" wasn't exactly spoken... but implied. Maybe, these last two eggs will hatch. I won't be available to post the further progression over the weekend. But I'll be affected by it- or it's lack. It made me think of a very sad fact. Sometimes, mothers- (fathers, family, friends) reject the weak, the immature. Sometimes they reject for no reason other than choice, instinct. This is where the parallel between the birds tender care, and God's care for us ends. She may reject. But He- will never. We are engraved upon his hands. Here is my prayer for each who comes by today: "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power Labels: robin's eggs, the love of God"The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten
me." "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no
compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will
not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. " Isaiah 49:
15-16
through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may
have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high
and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of
God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we
ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and
ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:16-20
The eggs in summary- from when we found the till today;) Egg cam- 11:00 update wonder whats going on in there? These are our little house guests as of 8:00 a.m this morning. Tough to know exactly what's going on, as the momma bird constantly moves and rolls them around the nest. I have a bad feeling about the one that began hatching yesterday. (scroll down for pics) I doubt it has made it. There has been no further progress. Sadness dripped from my eyes, but hopefulness still wells up in my heart. Life is like that some days. Today is one of those days. This week- I've had a number of small disappointments. Plans cancelled. Things I had looked forward, to changed, delayed or lost altogether. A sick kid, broken things, messy things. In-convenient things. They aren't earth shattering things. Just small things, really. But still. Disappointing. Sad. Some are worrisome. Yet- I still have so much hope. If not today, maybe tomorrow. If not now, maybe soon. The eggs- the plans... life, all of it. I am not in control. But, I trust the one who is. Keep checking back... we'll wait and watch for the babies together, with an expectant hope, as God does what only He can. Ecclesiastes 3:11 " He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." "Dear Lord- I am not very patient. Yet, you have me here- waiting- on so many levels. I hear your voice saying- "wait, while I work" and my hearts impulsive first answer is "hurry up! I can't wait any longer!" Yet, day by day- as I wait, I'm learning I can. Because I am. Thank you Lord- for working and for making me wait- I love you- amen." Labels: robin's eggs, waiting
eggs @ 12:35 I'm certainly no "ornithologist" but, shouldn't we be seeing more progress than this? Maybe, I'm driving the momma bird nuts. (I wait until she takes off to the back of the yard for food, to take pics....) She carefully turns the eggs, and keeps them wam, all day and all night. She only leaves when the dog goes out. (She flies to the swingset and glares at the dog) and when I walk too close to the door wall. Maybe it's too cold. Maybe- it's just not time yet.... we'll. just. keep. watching. Noah suggested we pray for the baby birdies.....;) And so we did. Matthew 10:29-31 Even the tiny birdies are held tenderly in his care....we'll wait- in His time- they'll hatch. UPDATE: Our eggs @ 9:00 a.m. Hmmm should I be worried? It's rather chilly here---- Keeping a wary eye on my through the doorwall... (or maybe she's watching the 2 cats and bad dog Sami...) Keep checking back- I'll be posting pics all day- as the hatching progresses! The title above links to a website with information about Robin's and their egg-laying-tending practices... More soon. Send your friends, especially homeschoolers- or children! Labels: hatching, robin's eggs, web-cam;)
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." 
(Where the Robin's nest actually is- in the motion sensor light near my patio door a slightly less "romantic" view than I've been posting, for full disclosure;) )
Looks like I have some good news.... apparently the light hasn't poached them....
Labels: bark, black and white photography, wordless wednesday
Genesis 1:12 "The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good."
"What makes life on this frightful sod so exquisite is God's merciful propensity Labels: in other words, mothers day
(Mother's Day pic- thnx to our neighbor-all three kids clean at the same time! -- however- I swear, I DO have eyebrows... nothing like straight down noon-day sun to flatter the face;) At least I now have a pic where I am actually IN IT!)
Today's Tuesday! Don't forget to stop by and read my post at "Laced With Grace!"
I've written to participate in today's CWO "In Other Word's Quote" Meme.
Today's quote is by Beth Moore:
to perform divine tasks amid deeply flawed people."
~ Beth Moore, LPM Blog ~
For more "In Other Words" Visit my Friend (and co-writer on LWG blog) Laurel's blog! She's our host this week!
There are toast crumbs in my bed. The dishwasher has been emptied- by someone other than me. My oldest gave me a full-on, two armed hug. We have reservations for dinner- I'll be wearing a dress and all three sons will be wearing BOTH clean pants AND shirts with collars.... it can only mean one thing: Labels: memories, mothers day
It's Mother's Day!
To all the Mom's- and to those who love kids like moms-
Happy Mothers Day!
Memories of My Mom:
Mother daughter dresses/outfits. (especially the white sundresses with cherries on them- we were cute;)
Chicken ala Ragu, zucchini bread, stuffed zucchini, stuffed cabbage, lasagna, apple pie.
Saturday Shopping Trips
Saturday Cleaning day(not as much fun)
Mood Music- (Johnny Mathis, Helen Reddy)
Borrowing toilet paper from the neighbors (where I had my first memorable run-in with pride)
Cigarettes and "off mosquito coils" glowing on the porch in the summer- neighbors chatting long after us kids were in bed. (before everyone quit smoking)
Iced tea, especially in the pool.
Lemons on elbows.
9th grade dinner dance surprise. (like getting to go- when I was grounded.)
Hudson's Bargain basement shopping
Sear's Outlet.
Petting my back and rubbing my forehead.
Shoes- the funkier the better.
Cabbage Salad (Never mistake a head of cabbage for a head of lettuce- even the most beautiful salad will never be lived down;)
Leaving at midnight to drive up-north.
Going Up- North.
A gift of live chickens for our neighbors... (who'da thunk we'd be chasing chickens in a suburban laundry room? FYI- make sure the boxes have both ventilation... AND some way to affix the lids. Chickens are tricky)
Barbie doll cakes with MILLIONS of star shaped flowers all over the full skirt.
Christmas Morning. Every one.
Easter Morning. My GIANT Purple basket.
I love you mom-
ttlynn
Nice title huh? If you're offended, Sorry. I have a friend who calls "shut-up" the "S" word....(she's cute- you'd like her) I usually laugh and say that's not the "s" word at our house....But- it IS rude. Just using it to blow off steam. (Besides, it really isn't the "S" word we avoid at my house;) PS--- Or should I say "PMS?" Double posts in one day are usually a pretty clear warning we've entered the "danger zone" of the month..... that is all. ;) Labels: randomosity, the spiritual gift of criticism
I have confession. I'm annoyed. With brother and sister Christians, actually. Not all of them-- just some of them- and then- just sometimes. It seems like in a lot of places I click... criticism runs rampant. I don't get why people have to complain about, criticize and gripe about other Christians, publicly or otherwise. Even, making fun of their convictions and their perspectives. Often times the people doing it, are leaders.
Don't get me wrong- I've been known to think I have "the spiritual gift of criticism." I know how it feels to believe strongly that something is wrong- and should be (must be) confronted. I totally "get" feeling passionately about truth. I just think you can communicate truth - without ripping people apart. I don't have to teach my kids the right things- by pointing to other kids and saying-- "See that kid? They are bad. Wrong. Stupid. Don't act like that." I mainly teach my kids by telling them what's right. I think blogs/website etc are a perfect place to do that. Say what you think- feel believe- know- without criticizing others.
I also know how important it is to handle the confrontation in a way that honors God. Honestly, I've done it both ways. Im not proud- but let's face it- I learn best the hard way.
This is what I've learned: (Granted- it's nothing new. duh- it's stuff we know- but forgetto apply sometimes;)
Being right, isn't license to be mean. It's a responsibility to be handled with care.
Matthew 18:15-19 gives pretty clear direction for handling conflict/correction.
1) GO TO THAT PERSON.
2) If they don't respond- take someone else with you and then, go back.
3) If THAT fails- then take it to the church. (The leadership under whom that person is accountable)
4) Not all conflict can or will be resolved. Roman's gives us a glimpse at our responsibility: It's on us. Individually. As much as it depends on me- (sometimes a lot- sometimes not so much) I have to live at peace with others.
My bottom line: I think it's wrong to blog about (or do the same, in other contexts conversations etc. ) other people. When I see it- I usually try to lovingly confront. Though sometimes, I just click away and don't bother responding. (I figure everybody is human, and ocassionally may blog/speak before we think.) If it's there enough times- I just. Stop. Clicking.
What we put out here on the web- is viewed by all kinds of people... how are we representing Christ, and the love of Christ, if we're filling our space griping about, judging, criticizing, His body? 1 John 3 is a good reminder about how we're to treat each other.
So- Why am I doing exactly what I'm saying not to do? (kind of) Because I want accountability. If you see me post something that is nasty or critical of others-(even if it's funny) I want you to confront me. (Then probably run... cause if you're RIGHT... I'll probably get angry and embarrased- but I usually come around pretty quick;) You can find my e-mail in the profile section. Or-go ahead- leave a comment- tell me not to be a jerk- I'll appreciate it- eventually;)
"Lord Jesus- It's so hard to navigate the differences in the body of Christ- I pray for wisdom in how to handle them in a way that honors you and respects others. God, I pray for courage to say the right things to the right people, at the right times. I pray for your people to love each other- with a love that draws others to you- with a love and compassion that comes only from you. Lord- I pray that you'd be represented well-in the blogosphere- and everywhere- I love you Lord- amen."
Labels: buying sheets, planting, Spring Cleaning
Had I touched them- probably not. (I call myself the "kervorkian" of plants.... only plants who are ready to die end up at my doorstep) But the boy? Along with his dirty nails...he's got a green thumb. The seeds he planted last weekend- have already sprouted. They were in a "Veggie Tales" Learning kit. Cute. A great introduction into gardening. Although, try to convince a 5 year old that his BOB AND LARRY VEGGIE TALES GARDEN will be growing FLOWERS.... and he'll announce: "That's just wrong." Take my advice, if you want to avoid circular reasoning. Buy the veggie kit. It's a tough argument to win. Best part? Noah got to practice gardening- and I didn't have to muck up my nails. ;) (Hate getting dirt under my acrylics...sand is ok.... but dirt? HATE that.) The Spring Cleaning Frenzy, is just about complete. Not perfect- but, boy is this place in better shape than it was. It was also- A. Lot. Of. Work. Blah. Knitting has been slow- as cleaning has taken precedence. I haven't been doing much writing- either- 'cause mostly- I just need to get my house in order. Balance should be restored shortly. The pendulum swings. (So do my hormones) My experiment with the "Fly Lady" (think: flying. Not BUGS.) is successful. Annoying at times... but successful. (I've already admitted that I don't like to be told what to do. And, just to maintain my autonomy- and remain true to myself, I ocassionally "defy the fly"... just cause I can. I'm THAT mature. It's true.) To celebrate the progress- (and the fact that I can go to bed without moving laundry off of it first) I bought new sheets- from Target. On clearance- of course. Our local Target store has them for 50% off. They are 800 thread count- and cheap as I am...(we still sleep on sheet from our wedding shower....in 1988. They aren't in the "rotation that often- but they are- it's true;) I have to admit I will probably go buy some more this afternoon. They are soft and smooth, as can be. These sheets make me want to make my bed and then, lie in it. I think I'll take a nap!
Labels: dye, getting old, gray hair, randomosity
I'm going blonde. Not intentionally, it just seems to be happening on it's own.One. Hair. At. A. Time. It started years ago- one "blonde hair" would pop up- literally. Straight up. In a crooked way. With a strange wirey texture. Since it didn't "match" the rest of my hair, I'd pluck it out. (The all things Must Match rule- one of these things doesn't belong... weird hairs must GO!)Now- I should have been suspect- that my hair color could shift. As it has changed drastically throughout the years. (Not always through a dye bottle) When I was little- I was sunshine- blonde. As I got into my pubescent years it got darker- well, until I found "Sun-In"- then-BANG (Big, permed eighties bangs- actually) insta-blonde. (Or insta- orange, depending;)In the late eighties--- I got my first bob. I was teaching preschool- so, decided to go with the fairy tale theme. I went very dark....Disney Princess Snow-White, dark. I wore ribbons and bows. (? Yeah- I know. It was a phase. I even dressed as Snow White for Halloween one year, didn't need a wig. ) At some point in the early nineties- I decided on red. Yes- an Italian/Welsh redhead. (That's NATURAL. Shut up. I mean- shush. Please. It's a look. I like it.) Anyway, since then, I've varied from Mahogany to an accidental- clearance purchase of "Eggplant". (a lovely- blackish purple, after which, my kids wanted to have me take them into school so everyone could see my COOL, PURPLE hair. Boys. Only boys think their Mom's hair is funny, girls would have been mortified. FYI- NEVER buy hair dye on clearance. Spend the extra $3.00- you're worth it. ) I dye my own hair, (because I'm cheap- and lets face it- I have this one day a month- where I MUST dye my hair. IMMEDIATELY.) Anyway- I pay pretty close attention to "the root" of the problem. The problem currently- is my GRAY Hair. AKA: individual blondes. They are not compliant. Not only, do they stick up weirdly- but they DO NOT want to take the dye. They want to remain white. I mean, blonde. Kind of like highlights- only, not so much.Instead, they are just weird. Worse yet? They are concentrated right in the front. At the hairline. Can't even hide them. Hate that. So- I'm going blonde- one hair at a time. Kind of. I keep dying them. Red. I haven't given up. I will conquer. There are stronger dyes. Like "RIT " If all else fails- I could try that. Maybe, I could even put a bunch of pony tails in and tye-dye it. We will not discuss the weird, white eye-brow hairs. Or, anything else. That, would be wrong.Getting old, isn't bad- it's just well- WEIRD.Hair care- it's in the Bible. BTW "long" is a relative term. Age is also a relative term, in the Bible- see MethusalehWanna pick you're own red?
Labels: eggs, photography, wordless wednesday
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. " Matthew 10:29-30
Labels: fat pants, flickr, Laced with Grace, randomosity, the end of a legacy
It's not because they didn't fit. (Sadly- they do) It's not because I don't like them. (I LOVE my comfy fat pants- sweats) It's because it was simply, time.
The elastic waist band (two inches of perfectly comfy wide- waistband that sat perfectly on my hips- at one time) had broken through it's fabric casing. The velour was thread bare in the back end and knees. (That's attractive) The gaps created by the elastic breaking through the waist band had become dangerous. (No teenager wants his moms pants to fall down- even if she ONLY wears them at home.- It's just plain disturbing. ) There were small holes at the ankles where a certain BAD DOG liked to try to drag me around by the ankles. (If nothing Sami is gutsy)
I think my husband was sick of them- and too kind to say it. (Let's face it- if I thought of them as "fat-pants" how "hot" could they be? ---I only wore them at night-sexy? NOT)
So it was time. I couldn't take a picture- because my eyes were "sweaty" ( My DH's code for tearing up) Ok--- I didn't actually cry... but you know- they were "special."
We shall now have a moment of silence for my fat-pants.
*************sigh*************weep*************wipe a tear***********move on********
If you were stopping by for something a bit "more" today- Please stop by "Laced With Grace"
You can read my take on Todays' CWO Quote: “When God is involved, anything can happen. Be open and stay that way. God
has a beautiful way of bringing good vibrations out of broken chords.”
~
Chuck Swindoll~
No injuries- NO trips to Home Depot--a very busy (like 6 hours of building- busy) weekend! Labels: building project, little tikes, playscapeRental truck- $19.993 Trips to Meijers- including praying for missing pieces to turn up- $10.00 *gas is up:(Half -price (gotta love that) clearance sale "Little Tikes Endless Adventure Playground"Dinner at a local restaurant to pay-off the teenaged help-$50.00Misc Sunburn care products for the very PINK sunburned daddy contractor- $20.00A trip to Marshalls for new towels for my clean bathroom- (And to get me away from the project, because NO ONE wants to hear me give advice on building....) $20.00 our own " extreme home makeover- playscape edition" 
PRICELESS.
A very happy boy playing in his very own back yard
PS- for once- the boxes were not more interesting than their contents-;)
Labels: games, loser, parenting
"playing games" I am not much of a "player." Not because I don't like playing. But, because I don't like to lose. Friends have heard me often say: "I only play games I can win." Nice, huh? "Hi ho cherry -o? " while mostly luck- I feel like I have a shot. Euchre? Not so much. I don't get it- can't play-it. Don't want to try. Scrabble? Yes. Boggle? Absolutely. Risk? Not a chance. Chess? Depends on who I'm playing. I like to win. I like to compete, as long as I'm pretty sure I at least, have a chance to win. (This is totally contrary to my experience in Cross-country as a teen... I loved it- but was the loser of losers;) You can read about that- HERE. When it comes to playing games with kids- winning (or losing) isn't the point. It's not even really "how you play the game" it's playing, together, that counts. Thursday night was a good reminder of that for me. The other day- I was playing "hi-ho cherry-o," for the third straight game... and I started to wish I'd actually win. Yes- against a five year old. My five year old. I wanted to kick his little cutey-booty. For the record- he was talkin' quite a bit of trash.
"I am the cherry-o master!" and "In your face! Take that!" , "Bring it on, Momma!", "Uh huh... I'm the man" He was taunting me. Worse yet- he was beating me. Mostly- without cheating. I started to lose focus on just enjoying playing together- I started to TRY to win. (Yeah- at hi-ho cherry o---- try coming up with a strategy for that one- without cheating!) I started talkin' trash. "Bring it! Little guy!" "I'm the momma!" It was not exactly, one of my finer parenting moments. Competing in a caged death match game of Hi-Ho Cherry-O, rarely shows up n the top ten list of best advice for parenting. It amazes me how quickly I lose focus, and what starts out as a "good mommy moment" degrades into future fuel for my kids' therapy sessions. ("My mom used to talk trash and beat me at hi-ho cherry-o, do you think that's why I'm such a loser today?" I can see the therapist's notes already.....saving for college? yeah- but I have separate accounts for their therapy- too!;) ) After the carnage was cleared. (I lost- fairly and soundly.) I retreated to my corner of the couch to lick my wounds. Noah climbed up into my lap. He put his arm around my shoulder, and said "I love you Mom, even if you're a loser." My eyes welled up with tears. I thought I felt Jesus put his hand on my other shoulder- and say "Me too." I make loads of mistakes as a parent. I say stupid things, I do stupid things. Trash talk. Yell. Things I know better than doing. The bottom line? I love my kids-and I communicate it to them, in all kinds of ways. (yes- even playin games- I don't like, or can't win) They love me, too. And- no matter how much I mess up- so does Jesus. I told Noah I was sorry for talkin trash. He patted my back. "I like you, Mom" "I like you too, Noah" "Dear Jesus- please help me to keep focus on the things I do- help me to remember how short my time is with my kids, and to savor the moments I have with them. God- change me- make me more like you- create a new heart in me- one that is full of your love- a perfect love without competition- full of grace. I love you Lord- amen!"
Labels: chevron scarf, Spring Cleaning
Chevron Scarf stats: hereStill making progress, though it's mostly in snippets, between bouts of cleaning. If you give a room a walk through- If you give a room a walk through,It will ask you to be cleared.If you clear the clutter,It will ask you for a dusting.If you dust it,It will cry for fingerprints to be cleaned.If you wipe the prints,It will whine to have cobwebs cleared.If you clear the cobwebs,you'lll notice the dirt in the carpets cornersIf you vacuum up the dirt,The carpet will need to be cleaned.If you clean the carpet,You'll notice the messy bookcase.If yu straighten up the bookcase,The entertainment center calls your name.If you clean the entertainment center-You'll notice the windows need to be wipedIf you wipe the windows, You'll notice the sills are covered in dust.If you wipe the sills, You'll notice the curtains need to be washed.While you're washing the curtains,The pillows will look funky.If you wash the pillows,You'll notice the couch cushions need to be vacuumed.If you vacuum the cushions....You'll need to lie down.If you lie down.... you'll notice more dirt.Close your eyes- you've done enough.(Loosely based on "If you give a mouse a cookie" a favorite at our house) (Working in the livingroom this week.... can you tell? This afternoon's planned task? Move the couch and clean out from underneath it------THAT should be interesting.... probably some home-brewed- hard cider under there----I think Noah's been experimenting with micro-brewing in juiceboxes under there....)The windows in my living-room are currently naked. As a reward for making progress in my spring cleaning, I picked up new sheers. The new sheers are in the dryer- trying to remove the wrinkles without actually ironing. (I don't iron without causing damage;) The light coming in today is lovely... I love sunshine! (Couldn't resist taking pics...a short diversion -also between cleaning bouts.)I'm still on track with "Flylady.net" . It's interesting doing work in 15 minute increments....(although- I tend to run over the timer;) I don't feel like I have to work the current area all at once- until it's finished. (Which was just making me feel overwhelmed and then, procrastinate :0!) I do however have a desperate question....If I give my dog* pseudophed- will she stop leaving dog snot nose-prints on the windows?????? It's driving me NUTS! Dear Lord- I thank you for the sunshine streaming through the windows and for the rain that's making everything start to bloom....I love you Lord- amen. ***Please don't bother calling PETA....Bad Dog Sami isn't being drugged--- I've been tempted- but not yet sinned;) sorry for the re-posts- trouble with blogger today;)
"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." Luke 12:27-30 For more pics visit "wordless wednesday" Labels: macro, photography, tulips, wordless wednesday
Labels: cross country, devotions, Laced with Grace
Today I'm at "Laced With Grace" if you stop by ... you get to learn how I earned the nick-name of "slow-mo" in high school.....;) A little hint---- I "kind of" ran cross-country for 3 years......
