I am having a hair crisis. You know how you have a picture of yourself in your mind? In my mind I was blonde, then dirty blonde, then light brown with blonde highlights. (If I ever get my old pictures scanned, I can show you the blonde part, oh yeah.) So, as I have aged, ahem, my hair has gotten darker, and now that I am probably 30% gray, very mousey. I don't like mousey. I would like to be Paula Deen gray. Right now. A couple of months ago we had to have our picture taken for our new church directory. I wanted my hair colored, but didn't have $100 to blow, so I went to Ulta and picked out a DIY color kit. Everything went fine, the picture was fine, but I noticed that in a certain light I had auburn highlights that I couldn't see in my bathroom mirror. This irritated me greatly, no offense to anyone with red hair, I just didn't have or want red hair......then, you know how it is when you think you know yourself and then wham! Outta the blue! The last time I was at my mother's house I was looking at our senior pictures on the wall when I notice.....you guessed it, auburn highlights in my eighteen year old hair that had never been colored..........darn, I do have red hair.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Holiday Garland Carolina Style
Holiday Garland Carolina Style
This was such a fun project. I wouldn’t have thought of this without the inspiration of the “Nester”. Thanks so much for hosting this “Show us your garland” day!
I used four strand of cheapo garland from Michaels for $1.99 each, and one full strand of grapevine that I already had. The center angel is actually a tree topper from Southern Living at Home (previous life).
I also added magnolia leaves and pine cones from my yard and fresh sprigs of sage and rosemary from my herb pots. I love birdhouses so had to have one on the mantel with some ornamental balls and feathers.
I filled this hurricane from Crate and Barrel with copper, gold, and silver ornaments to pick up the colors in my ribbon.
I followed the Nester’s advice and kept adding until I could barely fit another thing. I used every dried thing I had on hand. The last touch was a perfectly shaped seashell.
And that’s my garland, Carolina style.
This was such a fun project. I wouldn’t have thought of this without the inspiration of the “Nester”. Thanks so much for hosting this “Show us your garland” day!
I used four strand of cheapo garland from Michaels for $1.99 each, and one full strand of grapevine that I already had. The center angel is actually a tree topper from Southern Living at Home (previous life).
I also added magnolia leaves and pine cones from my yard and fresh sprigs of sage and rosemary from my herb pots. I love birdhouses so had to have one on the mantel with some ornamental balls and feathers.
I filled this hurricane from Crate and Barrel with copper, gold, and silver ornaments to pick up the colors in my ribbon.
I followed the Nester’s advice and kept adding until I could barely fit another thing. I used every dried thing I had on hand. The last touch was a perfectly shaped seashell.
And that’s my garland, Carolina style.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Holiday Garland
Check back on Wednesday, I should have pictures of the garland I am making for my mantle.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
God's Vessel
I stood at the edge of the ocean today. Whenever I need reminding of God’s awesome power and majesty, my mind goes there. Water everywhere. Not just any water, but an animated, breathing sea that sustains a multitude of life forms. A seemingly uncontrollable, immeasurable profusion of water. How can this be? How do those pulsing, pounding waves stay just beyond the mound of dunes? Sometimes God lifts His hands and unleashes the water and it races forth, spilling out of its well defined boundaries causing roads to crumble and dunes to fall. And we’re always surprised at this daring display of power. Why is that?
The Holy Spirit is as endless and powerful as the ocean. We can fill ourselves again and again, and yet the supply never diminishes. We are the vessels for this mighty spirit. Every Sunday at our church, before we go our separate paths, we recite our commitment, “I will be vessel for living God’s purpose….”
God can fill any sized vessel, yet I bring a thimble, a tea cup, or if I’m feeling especially holy, a bucket. Whatever I bring, He fills it with His spirit like water overflowing and pouring down the sides. Why do I limit the spirit of God within me? Because I am small. I stand by the ocean and think I am insignificant, yet God’s power exceeds the size of the ocean and if I allow Him, His purposes, great and small, will be completed through me.
2 Corinthians 4:7 (New American Standard Bible)
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
The Holy Spirit is as endless and powerful as the ocean. We can fill ourselves again and again, and yet the supply never diminishes. We are the vessels for this mighty spirit. Every Sunday at our church, before we go our separate paths, we recite our commitment, “I will be vessel for living God’s purpose….”
God can fill any sized vessel, yet I bring a thimble, a tea cup, or if I’m feeling especially holy, a bucket. Whatever I bring, He fills it with His spirit like water overflowing and pouring down the sides. Why do I limit the spirit of God within me? Because I am small. I stand by the ocean and think I am insignificant, yet God’s power exceeds the size of the ocean and if I allow Him, His purposes, great and small, will be completed through me.
2 Corinthians 4:7 (New American Standard Bible)
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving
It is hard to believe that this year is almost over. We've had our dinner, ham, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and turtle cheesecake....then we took a little walk through the cemetery. I couldn't believe how many other people were there! I put some poinsettias on my father's grave as well as Nick's grandmother's grave. I don't always remember, but this should be a good day for honoring those that gave us life.
This year my "thankful" list consists of simple things:
not meeting my deductible on my health insurance
my part time job
having too much to eat
the price of gas this week
someone else's house to visit on Thanksgiving
Nick, as always
God's eternal presence
As we enter the season of advent, take care to be mindful of the Christ child. The next couple of weeks are going to be crazy busy, take time to pray and reflect on the greatest gift of all!
God bless.
Friday, November 14, 2008
The year of living FRUGALLY
This has been a long, tiring week. Let’s just say I was more than a little disappointed by Tuesday’s election results, and that’s all I’m going to say about that. Regardless of the winner, I had started a more serious quest for work. Right now I am working as a substitute teacher at our Christian school. I usually work 2-3 days a week, but this week I filled in all week for the same teacher. Since I haven’t worked full time in a year, I am exhausted! Unfortunately with the uncertainty of our economy I hope to be working full time again soon. I am also exploring methods to simplify our lifestyle.
The largest drain on our budget is, of course, housing. Other than utilities, little can be done to reduce this amount. We have two auto loans, one large; one small, but cutting back to one car would only work if I find a job with a set schedule. Other expenditures are fairly inflexible: insurance, taxes, etc., so I’m looking at food since we don’t spent a lot on clothes, and our only entertainment is cable/internet and Netflix. Food is huge and complex. First of all, we love to eat out, and with our often hectic schedule, this is my biggest temptation. Secondly, we both need to lose weight. Choosing healthy, low fat, low carb, yet economical food takes time, education, and diligence. Today, I don’t feel up to the challenge.
Sometimes I would like to return to our previous house just for the lower mortgage payment, but then I remember why we moved. When we got married we bought a house in a good neighborhood. As time passed, more and more of our neighbors moved away and the houses became rental property. No offense to people who rent, but few renters or landlords maintain property as well as owners who live in their houses. We decided to sell and upgrade. Our mortgage payment increased almost fifty per cent; however, we made the right decision because sadly, our old neighborhood looks run down and unkempt. Aside from living on several acres out in the country, everyone must deal with the dynamics of a neighborhood. Since I am not inclined to be a country girl, we must suffer with the mortgage we have.
And so, I continue my quest for a job, coupons, and bargains….remembering that God has always been faithful to provide us with all our needs…..and more.
The largest drain on our budget is, of course, housing. Other than utilities, little can be done to reduce this amount. We have two auto loans, one large; one small, but cutting back to one car would only work if I find a job with a set schedule. Other expenditures are fairly inflexible: insurance, taxes, etc., so I’m looking at food since we don’t spent a lot on clothes, and our only entertainment is cable/internet and Netflix. Food is huge and complex. First of all, we love to eat out, and with our often hectic schedule, this is my biggest temptation. Secondly, we both need to lose weight. Choosing healthy, low fat, low carb, yet economical food takes time, education, and diligence. Today, I don’t feel up to the challenge.
Sometimes I would like to return to our previous house just for the lower mortgage payment, but then I remember why we moved. When we got married we bought a house in a good neighborhood. As time passed, more and more of our neighbors moved away and the houses became rental property. No offense to people who rent, but few renters or landlords maintain property as well as owners who live in their houses. We decided to sell and upgrade. Our mortgage payment increased almost fifty per cent; however, we made the right decision because sadly, our old neighborhood looks run down and unkempt. Aside from living on several acres out in the country, everyone must deal with the dynamics of a neighborhood. Since I am not inclined to be a country girl, we must suffer with the mortgage we have.
And so, I continue my quest for a job, coupons, and bargains….remembering that God has always been faithful to provide us with all our needs…..and more.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
HELP
Sometimes I just love my life. I worked a full week this week so today I am doing laundry and cleaning. I am in the livingroom vacuuming while my cat is in the dining room throwing up on the rug!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)