Archive for July, 2011

Finding Inspiration

Saturday, July 30th, 2011

If you’re anything like me…..you love encouragement! Kind words push me forward. Just think about a time when you felt inspired to do great things. Didn’t it feel awesome? Being encouraged to do big things is how I’m feeling today.

I’m psyched!

I don’t want to lose my enthusiasm. If I sit on what I’ve discovered too long though…..I’ll leave it for good. That’s just how I am. Lame, huh?

I’ve had this one dream for so long, that I’d reached a point of believing maybe I had it all wrong. Now, I’m feeling pulled to give that old dream a shot. What will it hurt?

If I don’t TRY…..I’ll never know.

S T I L L

Friday, July 29th, 2011

I have a morning ritual. I let my dog out, feed my cat and read (in)courage’s blog post for the day. It’s there that I’m sure to run smack-dab into Jesus and His encouragement for me. Before you flip out and say, “What, you’re relying on strangers for your spiritual nourishment?”. Don’t, these ladies write for HIM and if you sneak over and read—you’ll see for yourself. God is working through each writer at (in)courage and I’m blessed because of it.

Today, Lisa-Jo has thrown down the gauntlet and challenged readers to write from their heart on the topic Still. No deep thinking or pondering, just fingers to the keys writing for 5 minutes straight. So, here goes…

STILL

I’ve always been a right-now-gal! Recently, my husband said that he knows once I “get something in my head” I can’t move on until I do, buy, get, see, have it conquered! I wished immediately that it was a compliment but I knew it wasn’t. He was simply trying to reign me in from a wild goose chase that I was zipping towards.

I want it, now. I’m fast at everything. I cook, clean, drive and love at record speeds. Wasting time just bugs me. If I’m honest and I will be….I have a lot in common with Sarah in the Bible. She must have been a right-now-gal too. I mean who comes up with an idea of such desperation to “help” God by using her handmaiden to bear children with her husband? Looking back (I’ve not used another for children) but I have ran fast ahead of my Lord and tried to “handle” things in my own way. It stings to even admit it. Again, like Sarah….I have learned the hard way that things do work out.

Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.”

Today, I’m going to be a WAIT AND BE STILL right now gal. I can do that because Jehovah God is in control of my destiny. And he is in yours too.

Whew. That was hard, ya’ll! Thanks for visiting if you’re here from (in)courage.

ShutDown

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

Seriously, I’ve been shutdown! Yesterday when I rubbed the sleepy out of my eyes and tried to log onto my baby blog all I got was a DOMAIN EXPIRED page! Whoobie whatie?!!

Yea, seems they shut the old girl down without even as much as a NOTICE!! Who does that? Well, looks like they do. {I’m not mentioning names because honestly…..I don’t know who THEY are!} Plus, who cares? Right? I don’t! So why should you. πŸ˜‰

I cried to hubby. He really doesn’t have time to be my personal IT dude but darn his luck…..it is his lot in life. He sent them a message and waved the white flag of peace and love while we waited to hear back. Finally, today the issue was resolved. Not only did I get my blog/email restored but they did it for free.

It appears they made a little boo-boo and felt so sorry for it that they blessed me with a free year. Geez, thanks ya’ll. I missed my blog and email while it was down…..but it didn’t kill me. All’s forgiven.

Sometimes, inconveniences work out in your favor.

Thank you domain people. I’m so happy to have my blog back online.

Blessings & Curses

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

I suppose it was time. Life has gone relatively smooth for most of the summer. Today has turned into one big wing-dinger after another. Starting off my morning with a booming headache, not good. I went to bed feeling a little “anxious” over several issues on my mind. I prayed about them until I finally zonked out only to wake up with the harsh reality that I was stressin’. Boo, to that dude!

My sweet friend in Tennessee invited my family to join her family in Panama City Beach for a week in August. The first problem, we’d have to share a small place together. Now, we are great friends and our kids are too. But anyone with a brain knows squeezing two grown families into one sleeping locale with 1 bathroom is not a setting for comfort AND fun. It would be hairy and honestly…..someone might end up not speaking by the end of the week. Not the best idea, ya’ll.

When I told hubby about the offer….he said, “Is there another room available?”. Good idea, I’ll check into that. The reservation person was gone for the day so I just left a message for her to call me back. (Aren’t you glad you read this blog? Seriously? Who cares about my business, right?) I let my friend know the situation and she mentioned that she left a message too about a cottage possibility. It’s bigger and could be an answer to a more comfy stay.

This morning, I get a call back from the beach (Laguna Christian Retreat) and I tell her why I’m calling and she says—“I have your room reserved already!”. Huh? I didn’t reserve one. Somehow she saved 2 rooms beside each other on the Gulf/beach for both our families. [My friend didn’t ask her to, she must have just done this] We chatted about what costs to prepare for and what to bring, then hung up. I told the kids that we had our own room and that God had reserved it for us—since the camp is FULL.

Wow, God! You’re so cool!

We haven’t had a vacay in 4 summers. It’s not been possible and who has the money to blow partying it up on the beach 11 hours away? Not us, that’s who. This IS NOT a luxury hotel/condo. Like I said, it’s on the beach and used for church camps. We have to bring our own linens and such. Everything is basic. However, we also get a sweet ministry discount. Each night costs us $68 instead the normal rate of $85. Not bad for ON THE BEACH!!! At this point….we’re not the least bit concerned with fancy. It’s the beach and fun with friends that appeals the most.

Now, let me break it down with all that satan threw my way today. 1) the dang headache. 2) Hubby sent me to have my tires checked on my car. She’s been a shakin’. The news? I CANNOT drive said car until I replace 1 for sure but need to change them all! What? Blast it! Of course a belt has broken and it’s dangerous. To replace one (which the guy didn’t agree with) was $160ish dollars. To take care of them all was $570. Aye-yay-yay! (insert more head pounding!)

I WANT TO GO TO THE BEACH!!! [not driving that vehicle-we planned to squeeze into hubby’s car for the journey through the wilderness]

3) We have a dog. No pets allowed at the hotel. (head throbbing again) Time to start dogsitter shopping. Fingers crossed. 4) Ally just started her JOB at TJ Maxx. She’s nervous about asking for a week off already. She needs this job and doesn’t want to seem like a total flake! Oh the stuff to think about.

I’m torn about celebrating until all these little details are handled. Then, I’m jumping on the yahoo wagon and telling the world—-I’M GOING TO THE BEEEEEEEACH!!!

Prayers won’t be wasted here, people! Thanks X’s a million!

Oh and remember that FIRST PAYCHECK? It was left sitting on her dresser and didn’t get deposited this week. Guess who went to the movies and out to eat? The girl who just got charged an overdraft fee in her checking account! Sad day, ya’ll! πŸ™

Full House

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

My family is back in the normal mode. Everyone sleeping under the same roof. I like it. It gives me a sense of peace. I know I don’t possess any of the members of my family (personally). Each of them belong to God. I’m just pretty thankful that HE shares them with me. For such a time as this.

Gavin made it home from his summer counselor job in Wisconsin. My living room hasn’t looked this junked up since before he left in May/June. It’s baby steps here with the moving back in. His closet/dresser had to be cleaned out (again) so he could put his clothes away. Dude has grown. I managed to share some of his barely worn clothes with someone who can use them. Score!

This weekend is hubby’s last Sunday to interim preach at Bethel Baptist Church. It’s been a great summer sharing our Sunday’s with them and listening to a great preacher. πŸ˜‰ I’m excited about the next step God has for us. The kids will do special music this week too. I love it when they share their gift so willingly. So does God.

I know other mom’s understand what I mean when I say all feels right in my world. Tonight, I’ll sleep with a special measure of comfort knowing all three of my BIG babes are home and in their own soft beds. Ahhh. Sweet dreams, friends! May your own life be filled with the same.

Oh and look who finally got her FIRST paycheck!! Talk about excited…

Zingers

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

It might seem as though I’ve taken to advertising. My last two posts have been about stuff I love; good razors and an awesome magazine. Don’t worry, this isn’t one of those fancy blogs that gets contacted (darn it) by big companies to do rockin giveways (bummer)! It’s just little ole opinionated me. Sharing the love.

I’m a cheapskate kind of girl and love a good deal, on EVERYTHING! Just this morning, I spent 20 minutes bartering back and forth with a representative from my cable (highway flippin robbery) company! Don’t even tell me what you’re paying. I know without a shadow of a doubt–I’M PAYING MORE!!! It’s ridiculous!

I was on a mission to shave my rather large bill down to something I could say outloud and not hear gasps from listening ears (including my own). I also wanted to rid my home of some of the filth offered nightly on my family’s available channels. [Lyn] my representative was very understanding and began removing the fluff, all the while counting outloud each items price. I added them up to be around $47 dollars. When she finished and gave me my new bill it went down a whopping $20! Gasp! Really?

I laughed and mentioned that I’d be doing some cable shopping. Much to her shock, she offered to GIVE me a deal on my HD service for 3 months! Woohoo, right? That’s $7 dollars by the way. So, now my new savings is $27 dollars. How can you beat that, huh? Absurd! Did I mention that I was clear with Lyn that I needed to TRIM MY BILL down to something affordable? She felt I was getting a great deal. Seriously!

I’m still laughing. Another funny thing about this is when I told her I would be shopping (hello, I get better offers all the time in the mail from competitors) around for a bigger savings….she had the gall to tell me that THE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE FOR A LIMITED TIME!!! Haha! To which I mentioned to her that this was the exact same tactic her company had done to win our business in the first place! “Oh!” she exclaimed! πŸ˜‰

Everbody wants a deal, eh?

Aside from my cable woes, I’m on a book mission. I’m searching far and wide for the best deal (or a GIVEAWAY) on a new book I’m wishing for! Laura Ingraham is an amazing lady and I love her smart savvy sense of humor. Her newest book Of Thee I Zing is hot off the presses and I’m loving all the hoopla of it’s content. This lady and I think so much alike. I haven’t bought any books for my nook lately (saving money, remember) but I’m so close to just pushing BUY on my Barnes & Noble page. It’s not at my local library either in book form or ebook. They don’t rush to shelve the conservative stuff. Boo! So, I’ll wait…..patiently to read it.

In the meantime, I’d like to leave you with a few of my own zingers. Stuff that just bugs me about our society.

PAJAMAS–people wearing pj’s as clothes! Why do you wear your pj’s to the grocery store, shopping, around town and to school? They aren’t clothes! It’s TACKY, people!

TATTOOS–on TEENAGERS!! Seriously? How exactly does this idea come into play? Allowing (isn’t there a legal age?) a kid to permanently alter their body forever begs to question parental intelligence. Geez!

Let me know, if you get your hands on Laura’s book and read it. Also stay cool this weekend friends! It’s H O T out there!