Note to Self

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Water Babies

While the Yard Sale was going on Jacqi took Penelope and Charlotte for a swim. 

As you can see they enjoyed themselves a lot!

After the yard sale ended Elijah went for a swim. 

He's learning to doggie-paddle and kick-kick-kick!

That is effort written all over his face!

Bill works hard to keep the pool maintained.....when he sees his grandchildren
enjoying it so much I know he believes his efforts are totally worth it!

 

Yard Sale

 We had a great yard sale again this year.
A nice chunk of money made and a whole lot of stuff gotten rid of!

Here's a little slide show of photos to give you an idea of what went on.

"Picnik Show"

As you saw in the photos we gave out bottled water to anyone making a purchase.  We also gave them a little flyer inviting them back after 1:00 PM.  Everything left then was given away .... for free!  All we had to clean up were the empty tables and a couple small boxes that my husband took to Goodwill after the sale.

A job well done.  One that I'm really glad to be able to cross off my list!

No Comparing...

Yesterday we heard the third message in the "Stop...Start Really Living" series at my church. 

Before the message began we had our time of praise and worship.  Generally speaking our congregation is pretty low key when it comes to singing praise songs.  Inside we're on fire for the Lord...but that doesn't usually show on the outside.  There's not usually a lot of hand raising or clapping.  But I know from experience that there are tears of thanksgiving and hearts bursting with love for the Lord. I also know from experience that my actions (or lack of actions) has something to do with "what's everyone else doing"? 

I'm ashamed to admit that, but it's the truth.

As the first song of praise and worship began our worship leader asked us to stand.  It was a beautiful song...one you could kind of lose yourself in. The music softened before the second song began and our worship leader said "You may be seated......if you'd like to".   During his pause people began to sit, some did sit. But then he continued with the "...if you'd like to" part.  Some of those starting to sit stopped, stood, and out of the corners of their eyes looked around.

What was everyone else doing?

I was standing in the fourth row. I could tell people in the row behind me were still standing....but then they sat down.  Someone to the right of me was standing....then, after a second or two, he sat.  A couple to my left stood as the next praise song began.  But then they sat as well.  As near as I could tell I was the last one standing (I found out later that I was).  

All along I didn't want to sit down. I love to sing praise songs and sitting just doesn't seem to me the best position to do that in.  I glanced at the worship leader and then.......I sat down.  Because everyone else sat down.

Praise and worship concluded and the message began.  The message this week was called:

"STOP Comparing"

~~:::~~

My point.....it doesn't matter how you want to praise the Lord if it truly comes from your heart. What does matter is that you praise Him the way you want to...without concern for the way everyone else is doing it.   (and by YOU I mean ME!)

6:00 AM on 6/25/11
Praise God for His Beautiful Creation

~~:::~~

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  Romans 12:2 

Busy, Busy, Busy!

So much to do....So little time!

Tomorrow is my yard sale.....my living room looks like dozens of totes exploded everywhere!  But there is an end in sight!

I'll show photos of the yard sale next week...it's sure to be fun!

Here's a peek at last year's sale.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Happy Birthday To My Mom

I talk with my mother pretty regularly....but I haven't seen her in almost two years!  In August we're going to Michigan for my nephew's wedding and we'll get to visit her.  I'm really looking forward to it....and to the "stuffed cabbage" she makes when we visit.  Hint, hint Mom!    

I hope you have an excellent day Mom!! 
I love you a bunch and I can't wait to see you!

Anticipation

"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides."

~W.E. Johns, The Passing Show

Exactly what am I anticipating you ask?  

A yummy tomato sandwich!!

Plain white bread, some mayo, a generous sprinkling of salt, a bit of pepper....and the all important luscious red tomato!  I can't wait!

What's you favorite way to eat a tomato?

Simplify

 I chose to focus on the word SIMPLIFY for my "One Little Word" this year.  This is my eleventh post on the subject of simplying.  (You can read the others here).  

I used several quotes in the posts....this one is my favorite:

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. Hans Hofmann



I've been trying very hard to eliminate the unnecessary by sorting through and cleaning out closets and bookcases and boxes and totes. I've gotten through all but two rooms in the house and the fruits of my labor are stacked up in the living room.  Next step on the road to elimination is price tags....'cause it's yard sale time!!  I have lots of work to do this week!!

UPDATE:  Just for the record...this is not all mine!

My daughters have both contributed.  I was a little embarrassed by the large piles of stuff and just really felt the need to clarify!   : )

It's kind of funny to see how the boxes and totes ended up stacked underneath the SIMPLIFY sign!!

In My Garden....

Gnomes:

"Very small creatures that live in holes in gardens. They have leathery skin and large bald heads. To de-gnome a garden, grab the gnome by the ankles and swing it around your head, and then throw."  Muggle Guide


But really ~ why would anyone want to de-gnome a garden!!?

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day to ALL the DADS in my life....

my husband, my father-in-law, my sons and my son-in-law.

I love each of you very much!!

Happy Father's to all DADS everywhere!

"I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity..."  1 Chronicles 29:17

Note To Self

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such

as is good for building up, as fits the occasion,

that it may give grace to those who hear. 

Ephesians 4:29  

It's been a good week of thinking before I speak....I have no complaints.

I think I'll work on making this a habit.

It's good to be challenged once in a while.

Thank you all for being so encouraging ~ your comments truly blessed my heart!

How Can I Keep From Singing

Here I am at Day 4 of the challenge to "STOP Complaining" and can I just say that it has been a great week so far!  Now, I must confess to commenting a couple times (in a kind of negative way) when the temperature got a little warm in my office (the AC broke down) and when "my new knee" decided to ache more than usual  ~ but overall I've managed to put a stop to the complaining.  I even asked my family and they agreed!!  No sarcastic comments about chores that they haven't done, no grumbling about the chores I have to do...not even any complaining thoughts!  Really!  The only explanation for this is that my focus has been different.  It hasn't been on me...it's been on Him and all that He's blessed me with. All that He's done for me.  All that He's brought me through.

I want to continue filling my thoughts, words and actions with praise for Him because I like who I am when I do this.  How could I not want this to continue!?

My sticky note for today:

"How Can I Keep From Singing......"
   

There is an endless song

Echoes in my soul

I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come

I am holding on

To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise

How can I ever say enough

How amazing is Your love

How can I keep from shouting Your name

I know I am loved by the King

And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes

In the darkest night

For I know my Savior lives

And I will walk with You

Knowing You`ll see me through

And sing the songs You give

I can sing in the troubled times

Sing when I win

I can sing when I lose my step

And fall down again

I can sing `cause You pick me up

Sing `cause You`re there

I can sing `cause You hear me, Lord

When I call to You in prayer

I can sing with my last breath

Sing for I know

That I`ll sing with the angels

And the saints around the throne

How can I keep from singing Your praise

How can I ever say enough

How amazing is Your love

How can I keep from shouting Your name

I know I am loved by the King

And it makes my heart want to sing

My Special Family

Day 3 of "Stop Complaining".

"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky." Philippians 2:14-15

Do everything without grumbling....?!  Even at home with my family?!  That's a tough one. Home is sometimes the hardest place for me to be obedient to God with regard to grumbling and complaining.  I'm not sure why....maybe because I know they'll forgive my grumpiness.  But this week I've worked hard at praising God for all the blessings He's given me, because when your mouth is full of praise there's no room for complaining...not even at home.

Today I want to focus on my family and the wonderful blessing each of them is to me.   I praise God for blessing me with them and I thank Him for their physical and spiritual health.

I especially want to thank Him for my husband Bill. He's an extra-special man and today is his birthday!! (yes, yesterday was mine...convenient, isn't it!)

Happy Birthday Bill!

I love you!

My sticky note reminder for today is:

"God gave me a special family..."

Me & The Grand Old Flag

Continuing with the challenge to have a complaint free week...I want to praise the Lord for our country.

Today is Flag Day.

 

The Flag..."the emblem of the land I love,

The home of the free and the brave."

What a blessing to live in this country.  Even in the midst of all that is wrong there is so much more right about our land.  Thank you Lord, you could have put me anywhere, thank you for putting me here....where I'm free to praise You.  

 

You're a grand old flag,

You're a high flying flag,

And forever, in peace, may you wave,

You're the emblem of

The land I love,

The home of the free and the brave.

Ev'ry heart beats true

'Neath the red, white, and blue,

Where there's never a boast or brag,

But, should auld acquaintance be forgot,

Keep you eye on the grand old flag.

My sticky note reminder for today:

"The Grand Old Flag...."

Speaking of old....I'm 56 years old today.
Happy Birthday to me!
When I was a little girl a lot more homes displayed flags on Flag Day than do now.  I used to think they were putting them up for me, 'cause it was my birthday!

Praising God for life!!  Thanking Him for giving me such a wonderful one!

Consider the Lily

Last week my Pastor began a new message series called
STOP..... Start Really Living!
This week's message focused on Stop Complaining.  Pastor encouraged us to get through this coming week without complaining.  I don't know about you ~ but this will be a challenge for me....in certain areas of my life. 

"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky."
Philippians 2:14-15

It's difficult to complain when your heart, thoughts and words are full of praise. So this week I'm going to focus on praising the Lord.  Today I want to praise Him for the beautiful flowers that are blooming in my yard. The colors, the shapes and smells. The intricacies of each one.  To help me maintain a spirit of gratefulness through out the day, I'm going to write something on a little sticky note and post it nearby.  Just a little something to help me remember how many blessings I have. 

Today it will be:

 "Consider the lilies of the field......."

Some Summer Reading

I read this on Edie's blog ~ Life In Grace ~ and I thought it was a great schedule for me to follow.  Maybe you would like to as well.  The paragraph below is from Edie's post.  I'm not sure when she'll be sharing highlights each week...but it doesn't matter because her blog is great to visit anytime!  Browse around while you're there.

"My church is encouraging it’s members, kids and adults, to read the New Testament through this summer so I thought you might want to join us. The pastor will go over the scheduled reading each Sunday and I’ll give you the highlights. The girls and I plan to read it together in the mornings—it will usually end up being 2-3 chapters a day. Here’s the reading schedule if you’re interested."

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly."

Colossians 3:16

I can do this ~ how about you?!

Laundry Room

The Inspiration

Two years ago we remodeled our laundry room ~ I can't believe it's been that long!  I also can't believe that there are two more things that still have to be done in it....but it's basically done and I love it.  I don't think I ever showed the finished product ~ but first some reminders from the past.

If you click HERE you'll see how it used to be....oh so sad!   Click HERE to see some progress being made.  HERE it is freshly painted. 
Go HERE to see the "laundry tower" and also a peek at my cute father-in-law.
Now here comes the (mostly) finished room.  It's by far the brightest room in the house.  I take photos on top of the washer frequently! 

The valance on my backdoor is a vintage apron I won in a giveaway on Notes From A Cottage Industry.  Thanks Tracey ~ I love it!

This is a little peek at some of the necessary stuff on my laundry room shelves...they run the full width above the washer, dryer and laundry tower.  The banner you see a part of was made by my friend Joyce of Scrap for Joy.  She makes the best things!!

These are close-ups of the canvas pictures hanging on the wall.  I bought them and then decided on the colors, etc. for the laundry.  I just fell in love with them ~ they're from HomeGoods.  Love that store and I love this room.  The two things left to do are on the wall I didn't show....above and next to the washer and dryer.  Soon as they're finished I'll share a peek. I'm hoping it won't be another two years!  : )

The First Swim of 2011

Joe wore himself out jumping in the pool.  He was trying to coax his little guy, Elijah, into joining him for a swim.  Eventually he did, but in the meantime Charlotte and Penelope were certainly enjoying the entertainment provided by Uncle Joe!!

Picnik

I'm really enjoying playing around with Picnik.  Sunday evening I had a little time and I experimented with the texture feature on the website.  The first photo is straight from the camera and the next seven were edited. 

Won't these be great as notecards!  That's the plan!

"...the flower fadeth..."

I have a little sign in the garden by my favorite rose bush - it says B L O O M and you can see it here.  Well, it worked and my rose bush bloomed like crazy!   There were dozens of buds on it and as you can see below it bloomed into some pretty pink roses.

The rose is a member of the "New Dawn" family of roses.  I believed it's called "Awakening".  It's been blooming along my fence for many years.  Some years it does better than others....this year was a good year for my Awakening Rose.  Look at that pretty bud just beginning to open and look at the next one showing a bit of the pretty pink inside. Then one more showing the promise of all those petals tucked away. I was excited about actually having enough roses for cutting this year. I wanted to put a small bunch on my desk at work.

Then this started happening....brown edges on my roses.  First on just some of the roses but soon....every single one.  Then not just the edges, but the entire petal. Actually the whole rose.

I was so sad and I couldn't figure out exactly what went wrong.  All my rose bushes were fertilized and treated for insects and disease.  I'm definitely not quilty of over-watering, in fact sometimes quite the opposite!  We did have a very rainy Spring. But really I'm not sure what happened.  As I said I was sad but then I started looking closely at the roses and I decided that they look quite beautiful just as they are!

The roses that still have some pink coloring are soft and smooth. The others are dry and papery, a few of them are losing their petals but most are intact and ready to be cut and used in a beautiful dried arrangement.   This rose bush usually blooms several times through the summer .  I wonder what the next bunch of roses will be like!  Any ideas about why the roses all dried out and turned brown? 

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”  Isaiah 40:8



The Garden's Gate

I like quirky in my backyard.  Like the broken wheelbarrow that I may or may not plant stuff in and the old sign from a gift shop I (along with a couple friends) used to own.  There's also the gate that was part of our old fence that we replaced a couple years ago.  There's a better look at it in the photo down below.  I'm not sure why I insisted on keeping it but there it is!  I told Bill that I was going to make a sign that said "Garden Gate" to hang on it.  He said the sign should say "The Garden's Gate". 

It's going to ~ 'cause that's what it is!