Project - Living Room

You are all aware of the troubles that I have been having being satisfied with my house. I have rearranged, changed color about 5 times, and I have still don't have that comfortable, settled feeling in each room. Out of 11 rooms in our home, I am totally happy with one (my bedroom).

Well, tonight (being childless for two nights in a row!!), M and I decided to head over to Home Depot to do some looking around (and because we have over $200 in gift cards burning a hole in our pockets). We picked up a few color chips for the kitchen and dining room. Secretly I was looking into ideas for my living room as well. We were also pricing new floors.

After complete frustration, we headed home. As soon as we walked in the door, we changed into tee shirts and flannel pants...AND... we TORE OUT THE CARPET IN THE LIVING ROOM. That in itself, revealed REAL, TRUE hard wood floors (yes we knew they were there but we were taking a chance on them being workable). There are a few boards that will need to be replaced, but it's gorgeous. Now we have REAL, TRUE hardwood floors in both the dining room and living (oh, and the hallway too). Upon riping up the carpet in the hall, we discovered that H and S both have REAL, TRUE hardwood in their bedrooms as well!!!!

I am a little more pleased with the living room now. It looks better with the "rustic" look that we are into right now. I also rearranged the furniture so it feels a little new and exciting to me!!

Next, we will decide colors for the dining room. Paint it.

Decide on a color scheme for the kitchen and go from there. We are redoing cabinets, counter top, floor, and EVERYTHING. The only thing staying the same will be the appliances. Keep in mind that we gutted the kitchen exactly 3 years ago and bought everything brand new. Therefore, we will NOT be spending thousands of dollars more for new appliances, we will have to work with what we have.

I'll post pictures as soon as I get around to downloading them to this computer.

Love to you all!!

Here's Another

This picture is from last year. I have not downloaded the new ones from my new camera yet. I'm still playing around with the photoshop program. I'll tell you right now that I really hate it!

Playing Around

I obviously have a LOT to learn about Photoshop, but this is what I first played around with.

Original picture

Photoshop picture

If you have photoshop, where do you suggest going to read up on it?

Celebrate the Season

Dear children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can & may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally.
They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that some people in your town will attempt to take their own lives this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who those people are, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.

10 Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

P.S ~ Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above & get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember I LOVE YOU

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass - it's about learning to dance in the rain.
-- Author Unknown

LET US ALL REMEMBER THIS!!

Okay, I finally ordered our Christmas pictures. After the price of the "package" and the additional fees (which I was not made aware of) it came out to $108.25. I would be fine with that if these were amazingly captivating pictures, but when they are mediocre and over $100.00, it just isn't setting well with me. ESPECIALLY when I found out that their photos are edited with the EXACT SAME program (and YES I do realize that this is Adobe Photoshop
Elements for ONLY $89.99) M has bought me for Christmas and the EXACT SAME camera (they have various lens, while I am currently going to have just two) that M also bought me for Christmas.

Well, I have been reading up on the photoshopping "techniques" because I am on my own now!! Much cheaper that way. ALSO there is a GREAT small business in town that will print them out for me if I need special sizes. For example, Profession Photo Workplace $100.00 for 16 x 24 picture. $200+ for sitting fee, creation fee, and photo package (1 8x10, 2 5x7). Small Business Workplace $25.00 for 16x16, FREE picture taking by Mommy! I think that I am better at capturing my kid's real personality too. They look to "posed" in these pics.

Wish me luck!

Just Stay

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.

"Your son is here," she said to the old man.

She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.

He was heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.

He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.

Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.

Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.

"Who was that man?" he asked.

The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.

"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life."

"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"

"I knew right away there had been a mistake,

but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here.

When I realized that he was too sick to tell

whether or not I was his son,

knowing how much he needed me, I stayed."

The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay.

Mike Huckabee

With express permission from ConservaChick... I present to you...

* (Another Conservachick disclaimer)*I know that many of you are not all that interested in Politics, but I encourage each and everyone of you not ignore this post, but actually read it, consider it, and GET INVOLVED!

*I didn't name myself Conservachick for nothin'! Most of my posts do not revolve aroundpolitics (even though I love them so very much) but around my walk with God, my daily life with my family, and even some theological stuff. As we are nearing the 2008 election, I think it's important I live up to my name, and let you know why it's so important we support MIKE HUCKABEE!

When I first looked at our options for 2008 presidential election I was very discouraged. The Republican choices didn't support my beliefs, and Hillary and Obama would get my vote when hell freezes over! I looked at Mitt Romney (figured a Mormon might share my conservative views) only to discover his voting record was more Liberal than most LIBERALS!

Then I started to hear a buzz in Christian circles about an unknown... Mike Huckabee. He is UNAPOLOGETICALLY a Christian. He believes just as I do on all the issues. Speaks with tact, and kindness, and is not run by the special interest groups. He was the Arkansas Governor for over 10 years and before that, a pastor! He was the youngest president ever of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention!

I thought.... this is too good to be true! I love this guy, but this "unknown" doesn't have a shot! Ah, but with GOD, all things are possible. Christians everywhere are starting to catch wind of this candidate who ACTUALLY supports their beliefs! Like wildfire his positive campaign and moral stance on issues are being noticed. People like me... and now hopefully YOU are sharing the news! We DON'T have to settle! WE CAN HAVE THE BEST!

Proof that God's hand is in this campaign? Last week, this unknown with only $475,000, shot up to 25% of the Republican vote. Today, CBS/NY Times poll as well as a CNN poll have us statistically tied him for first place in the nation with Rudy Giuliani! DID YOU HEAR THAT! Look at what GOD is doing!

So what should we do to get Mike Huckabee into office? GET THE WORD OUT! Just yesterday I asked a conservative friend who he was voting for, and he glumly said, Obama I guess. WHAT? What about Huckabee? He replied "who's Huckabee?" THIS is where WE come in. Tell everyone you know about this candidate who really supports our views!

I also encourage you all to donate. Let's encourage a man who is not taking money from special interest groups. Let him continue to answer to God, not the company or cause that throws the most money in his direction. TV ads cost $$$, traveling costs $$$. Shouldn't we as Christian's help support our brother's efforts to get in office, and create real and positive change in this nation? You can donate a just $1! If we all give a little, God can magnify it into a lot.

They also have the option to give $20.08 (for the 2008 election... cute). I thought, I'll skip the fast food this week and give to a GREAT cause instead. It's a win win! $20 bucks to a great cause, and 800 calories less on my butt!

I think once you learn more about this guy, you'll think being a part of this cause, is reward enough!!!!

LET'S GET TO WORK!MIKE HUCKABEE FOR PRESIDENT in 2008!!!!!

My First Award

Thanks Miss Sniz!!!!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Oh Shit!

If you need a good laugh, please go visit Heather. Right. Now. Got that? RIGHT. NOW.

I've come up on search engines before, but not like her :)

Margaritas

Frozen Margaritas!

Ingredients:
2 6oz cans limeade
6 6oz cans water
2 6oz cans tequila 1 6oz can triple sec
1 6oz can beer....I prefer to use a Mexican beer, since it is a Margarita! :) ...anything cheap will do!

Mix all ingredients together in a gallon sized Zip-Loc Freezer bag and place in freezer. Do not go cheap on the zipper bag or it will burst in your freezer. Store bag in freezer, and you'll have tasty Margaritas at a moment's notice. When in the freezer for a while, it may separate a little; just take your frustrations out on the bag and they'll be perfectly prepared!

*Of course, sometimes it's easier to find limeade in a 12oz can, so just adjust the recipe accordingly. Also, it makes pouring all ingredients together in the bag easier when you place the bag in a mixing bowl or something first.

Enjoy!

PLEASE SHARE YOUR FAVORITE DRINK RECIPE WITH ME (IT DOES NOT HAVE TO INCLUDE ALCOHOL)

Any suggestions for good books?

Christmas MeMe

I seen this over at Tricia's blog, Dragon Fly Dreams. I had to participate too!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I hate wrapping and I'm NOT good at it. Either M wraps or it gets a gift bag!

2. Real tree or artificial? Always artificial. Then I don't have to worry about keeping it alive until Christmas.

3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? After the first of the year.

5. Do you like eggnog? Never had it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Everything!!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope

8. Hardest person to buy for? My 10 year old son

9. Easiest person to buy for? My (almost) 2 year old son

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Homemade bath salts

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail (when I actually have time to do them... it's been a few years)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Michael's Cheese Ball

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear!

17. Favorite Christmas song? O'Holy Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home!!

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Yes!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star. I am doing something different next year.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The Rude People (those that run over you with their shopping cart everytime you turn around)

23. What I love most about Christmas? I love EVERYTHING about decorating for Christmas!!!!