Thursday, March 31, 2011

Day 23 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Mornings)

For right now my mornings are wonderful! It occurred to me today that the thing that makes my mornings most special is about to end. And not just end but end for good. I wish I had of realized what the deal was before now. I am not sure if realizing it would have made me appreciate it more or not. But that is really neither here nor there. The point is I have 2 months left and then it is done.


For those of you who know me well you know mornings have never really been my strong point. I am not a late sleeper I am just not a happy early riser. I need a few minutes to myself and a cup of coffee to get moving. If I could sleep till about 7:30 everyday that would be wonderful!


So what is it about my mornings now that make them so special? My kids go to school at different times. Timothy gets on the bus at 6:45 and Caitie gets on the bus at 7:50. Timothy gets up at 6:00 and Caitie gets up at 7:00. That means I get about 20 minutes (taking off time for them to get ready) alone with each of them each morning. Timothy and I talk about all kinds of crazy me and Timothy kind of junk, Caitie and I watch videos and talk about all kinds of crazy me and Caitie kind of junk.

Next year they will both be in middle school and leave at the same time. Even when Timothy moves on to High School that bus only comes about 5 minutes earlier so at the end of the school year from here on out we won't have that daily time together.

So not just today but for the next two months I am very very thankful for Mornings!

Shell

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Day 22 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Safe Places)


On Tuesday nights we have a women's bible study at church.  Last night was the second night in our new book. I missed the first night because I had a Relay for Life meeting. I missed the entire last series because of a mix of Relay for Life, strep, and what ever that flu like mess was that we all had.  It had been way too long since I had sat in that  room with that group of ladies.

We had a lot of  new women there. That was wonderful.  We heard a lot of stories. Ones that would make you laugh and ones that would make you cry.........  And I can't tell you about any of them.

That is what this post is actually about.  What a blessing to have a place where you know you can voice your fears, your hopes, and your concerns and know it isn't going to be the topic of next Sunday's sermon (or that if it is it was a God thing and not a gossip thing).  How many of us have a safe place to share those things and know that those fears, hopes, and concerns will be met with love, caring, and compassion instead of judgement.  As people, but especially as women, we weren't made to go it alone here on earth. We long for friendship and for support.  We need to share those things but so often we do only to have those hurts and fears used against us in some way.

I was thinking what a blessing it is to find a place where it is safe to share those things and feel nothing but love in return.

Shell

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Day 21 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Abundance)


A couple of days ago I did our budget for April. I had to refigure everything because of the recent increase in gas prices. I know the increase is hurting everyone but for those of us who commute it is killer.  Doing that budget just almost made me ill.  It also made me really grateful we have been slowly paying off and eliminating any debt we have (thank you Dave Ramsey but I guess that is a whole different blog post).  I was feeling pretty lousy and thinking about how little money we have. I am missing those Real Estate commission checks right about now I can tell you that.  I stand by my decision to quit but ever so often I wonder if I should have made a different choice.

So anyway as I said I was feeling bad trying to decide if we were going to make it financially until I finish school.  Thinking about choices I made in the past and how I wish I hadn't waited this long to finish.  That oh poor me what are we going to do feeling carried over into the next day and I woke up yesterday feeling pretty much the same.  I was back to maybe I need to get a full time job with regular pay vs. commission and put off school. Then thinking if I keep putting it off nothing is ever going to change. I keep telling myself it will be worth it in the long run but I hate not having any money (insert whining oh poor me voice).  Then my friend Kim called me and wanted to meet for coffee. While we where there we were talking to the pastor of a local church and he was telling us about a new program they were trying to start at their church.  He said that he felt he needed to take action when the church he pastors found out there was a local family living in a storage unit.  Then he was talking to someone at his kid's school and they were saying that many of the kids come to school Monday morning hungry. They are on free lunch at school but they don't have food to eat over the weekends.

Wow can you say wake up call.  There is probably enough food in my fridge that I will toss out when I clean it out tomorrow to feed a family of 4 for a week.  My pantry is stuffed.  My idea of being broke is worrying about how I am going to pay my cell phone bill for our three cell phones complete with texting packages.  As I sit here typing on my laptop (which is one of two computers in our house) while watching music videos on my expanded digital cable package with high speed internet you tell me .... just how broke am I really?  Do I need to make some changes if we are going to make it through the next year while I go to school? Absolutely!  Are those changes any where near as difficult as figuring out where my family is going to sleep tonight or where I will get food for them to eat? No they aren't.  So even though I may feel we don't have enough money I am very thankful today for what is actually an abundance.


Shell

Monday, March 28, 2011

Day 20 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Music)


I absolutely LOVE music!  Music of all kinds. I can't really say I have a favorite style of music. I just like what I like.  That makes for some very strange play lists on my Ipod but hey what can I say I am me LOL.
I range from classic country to modern contemporary Christian to the Black Eyed Peas what ever they are.

One of my favorite bands is on their farewell tour which breaks my heart but if you aren't familiar with the Asylum Street Spankers you should check them out.  They are amazing and funny.

Here are two of my current favorites.  Like I said I just like what I like.  This one came from a car commercial and you might recognize it... Powerful Stuff by Sean Hayes.




Another favorite of mine I found by accident. I love NewWorldSon's song There is a Way.  I was searching for them on youtube and found Weary. I was hooked. Went straight to I Tunes and downloaded a bunch of their music.



Music is all about mood. I learned that for me what I listen to greatly affects my mood. For the most part I only listen to uplifting feel good music.  Okay I know Weary doesn't exactly fit that description but I love it anyway LOL. But seriously what I have found is that if I listen to depressing angry music I find my mood headed that direction. If I listen to inspirational uplifting music I find my mood headed that direction.  As Sean Hayes sings above..... Powerful Stuff!


Shell

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Day 19 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Warm Fuzzies)

I was thinking this morning that there are so many things that happen in life for us to be thankful for. there are car accidents that aren't too bad, the job interview that goes well, sickness that gets cured, family that we love, things that we see as an answer to prayer and we are truly grateful for them. But then I was thinking there are little things that happen everyday. Little things that are the things that make or break our day. Things that we tend to over look because they aren't all that big. I think that when we go through the day and it wasn't a good day but it wasn't a bad day and we are just flat out tired it is because we didn't get enough "warm fuzzies" that day to tip the day towards good.  So here is a list of warm fuzzies I can think of over the last week or so and I am really truly thankful for them.


*Laughing with Caitie over something really silly.
*The way my dog head dives into my lap when she sits with me and how Timothy named it a Kaya Dive.
*Hugs from the Awana girls every time they see me out around town.
*Seeing Miss Lil (no matter where or when I see her it is a warm fuzzy!)
*Coffee on Friday (I know it got a whole day but it is still a warm fuzzy)
*Finding stuff in the VBS closet from when I did VBS years ago
*Seeing an S&H green stamp sign on TV last night and remembering helping my Mamaw put them in her green stamp books.
*Birthday wishes
*Dan home from work all day on my Birthday
*Lunch with Amy
*Seeing a couple of Willow Tree figures at Lifeway that made me think of Caitie
*Jennifer and Bill bringing me one of those Willow Tree figures for my Birthday
*Timothy hugs (He will be 13 in a couple month I wonder how many more of those I will get willingly)
*Watching my chickens
*My room upstairs complete with my "Ghetto shelves"

None of these things were all that big but add them all up and man what a life!

Shell

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Day 18 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Rivers, Trees, and Villages)





I had a water test yesterday in Weems. Any day I get to drive up on the Northern Neck is a good day.  I love it up there. It is a reminder to me of how beautiful it is here. 

Having grown up in a place where we didn't even have water in our rivers I am a little bit awed every time I drive over the Rappahannock Bridge. 

The only thing better than driving over the Rappahannock Bridge is driving over it in the fall. I love the leaves here.  Fall has always been my favorite time of year but I never really understood the beauty of it until I moved to a place that has real trees.  The colors are breath taking.






Another thing I love about this area are all the little villages in the area.  They have a charm and a homey kinda feel that you just don't get in the planned and well-laid out communities farther west.



So whether we live here forever or I get my wish to move to a place where it rains everyday and never gets hot (yeah right) I have to say living here has been wonderful!


Shell



Friday, March 25, 2011

Day 17 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Memories)


I had so many wonderful Birthday wishes yesterday.  Some of them came with "I remember whens" from friends and family.  That got me to thinking. I really am thankful for the fact that I had such a wonderful childhood. I always say that when I see something that reminds me of my childhood it gives me warm fuzzies. I know not everyone can say that I am so grateful that I can.

I have so many wonderful memories from growing up.  In no order...

I remember living in the "Big House".  Complete with the flowered wallpaper and the french doors inside. I remember riding my big wheel around on the side walk and playing with Ray Don Cambell.  I remember summers hanging out with Mamaw making animals out of overgrown cucumbers and walking on the rock fence around her front yard.  I remember Sue living with us and making her sleep on the outside of the bed so if something came into my room to get me it would get her first.  I remember moving to the trailer across from the Dodd's. I still call patty pan squash "Dodd squash" because that is what Mr. Dodd grew in his garden.  I remember my mom making me Barbie Doll clothes and reading to me.  I remember my Dad riding me around on the handle bars of his bike and my foot getting caught in the spokes (OUCH). I remember when he taught me to ride a bike with no training wheels and I didn't know how to stop it. He was chasing me down the road in front of Nanny and Pappy's house trying to catch me before I hit something.  I have more wonderful Christmas memories than I could even begin to mention.  I remember going to the hospital to see Aunt Jeannie when Barbara was born but I couldn't go in so someone held me up and let me peak through the window and see her.  I remember when Doug was born.  I also remember when he locked the truck doors on Mamaw while the pick-up was running. I remember Pudgy climbing the tree in front of our house. I remember all the work Mom put into my Birthday party my 4th grade year and I had the whole class over for the party.  I remember my carousel horse cake. I remember football games and card nights at Sue and Guy's when they lived on the farm. I remember Easter Egg hunts at Mamaw's and shopping on Christmas Eve with Mom.  And of course I remember spaghetti and marshmallows on the ceiling and having a mom who was pretty cool about it LOL.

Man I could go on and on and on.  So as you can see...... WOW BLESSED!


Shell

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Day 16 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (My Mom)

Well today is my Birthday. So I figured since she did all the work to make the day of my birth actually happen this was a good day to write about her.



I am so very Thankful for my mom. I don't know what I would do without her. There is a song that came out quite a few years ago first by Kelly Clarkson then Reba cut it. That song always makes me think of my mom but not for the reasons songs usually do. Not because I identified with the lyrics. Here they are:

Because Of You lyricsSongwriters: Hodges, David Hall; Moody, Ben; Clarkson, Kelly Brianne;I will not make
The same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
'Cause my heart so much misery

I will not break
The way you did, you fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt

Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you, I am afraid

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes

I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh, every day of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of you
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/k/kelly-clarkson-lyrics/because-of-you-lyrics.html ]
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt

Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you, I am afraid

I watched you die, I heard you cry
Every night in your sleep
I was so young, you should have known
Better than to lean on me

You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt

Because of you
I tried my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in

Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you, I am afraid

Because of you
Because of you


For me this song makes me think of my mom and how greatful to have her. I would take a some of the lines of that song and change it just a little. I would say:

Instead of                                                              

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt


I would say:

Because of you
I don't feel like I need to stay on the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play by my own rules
So I can be me.

Okay so I am not a song writer. But what I do know is everytime I hear that song I am so sad for the person singing it and so greatful that I am me and my mom is mine.

Love you Mom!

                                            

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Day 15 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Teachers)

This morning I was on Facebook and I read the status of one of the kids former teachers and it got me to thinking how blessed we have been with the kids' teachers. Now I am not saying that every single teacher we have had should get the teacher of the year award that would just be to good to be true.  What I am saying is that after two kids adding up to 14 years in the school system I have only wished for a different teacher twice. Now that is pretty good.

Mostly what the kids have had are teachers who are doing what they do out of a true love for the kids and for teaching.  I know when Timothy was little we had no intention of sending him to public school. First we enrolled him in a private Christian school but he was the only Kindergartner enrolled. They offered to put him in with 1st graders but we wanted him to have the opportunity to have friends his own age and he was already going to be young since his Birthday is in May.  We talked about homeschooling but to be honest with you I was looking forward to a chance to have some time just with Caitie.  I had never had that and I wanted it.  We decided to "try" the public school.  We really didn't expect it to work.  I figured I would be homeschooling by Christmas.

Some of you who are from the area probably remember Mrs. Hogge she was Timothy's K. teacher. She has since retired but let me tell you I don't think there is another teacher anywhere who loved the kids the way she did.  What a blessing! The year went so well we just continued on in public school and have been there ever since.  I could name the rest of the teachers we have had who were especially wonderful but I would hate to leave anyone out.  The truth is if I thought you were extra wonderful I tried to tell you and I hope you know how much I appreciate you all!

Shell

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Day 14 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Youth Pastors)


Wow, talk about a tough job!  I was thinking about this Sunday night. Our youth headed down to Winter Jam.  They got there just a few minutes too late and the concert was sold out and they didn't get in. So you tell me, how would you like to be the guy in charge of a van full of teenager who drove 1 1/2 hours to see a concert and then not be able to get in.  Not me! I will pass on that.

As parents we expect so much from our youth pastors. We want our kids to learn about God. We want them to have fun. We want them to learn service. We want them to grow up to be strong men and women of God. And then we tend to put the responsibility of all that off on to the youth pastor. Man talk about the weight of the world.  Now don't get me wrong I have high expectations for our youth group.  I want all these things to happen.  But as a parent I also have to remember that the church can help but ultimately I am responsible for my child learning these things.

Timothy comes home every Wednesday night and has something to tell me that Pastor Jonathan has said.  Timothy's friends call him "The Guy" as in "THE Guy".  He is going to the schools to meet with and talk to kids every week.  He is planning events for the youth and sometimes he and Teisha are the only adults who are there. Now remember these aren't just any kids.  These are teenagers! Teenagers are scary! Does he do things the way I would do them if I were the Youth Pastor? NOPE not at all. 

And maybe just maybe that is why he is the one up there and not me.

So not just Jonathan but to all those Youth Pastors out there who are trying to make a difference in the lives of teenagers everywhere..... You got a tough job and let me tell you I Thank God for you!

Shell

Monday, March 21, 2011

Day 12 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Storms)

I know this is like a no brainer today since thunder is what woke me up this morning but I really do LOVE storms. People are always saying words like dreary and blah to describe a rainy day.  Not me! I think they are the best days ever.  To me the rain is cleansing, nourishing, and invigorating.  After a good rain it is like everything is fresh almost like a giant Do-Over. 


I think the rain reminds me of my favorite verse:

Lamentations 3:21-23
21 Yet this I call to mind
   and therefore I have hope:
 22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning


It is like after the rain everything is new!  All the ick is washed away and everything is clean.  So I love a rainy stormy day and all the thunder and stuff that comes with it. Maybe it is just my optimistic nature but I always think there is a rainbow even if I don't see it!


Shell

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Day 11 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Books)

This will be nothing new for those who know me but I love books. I have for as long as I can remember. True enough that I love to read. But it isn't just reading. I actually love books.  The feel of the paper. The weight of the book. Knowing that all that information or story content is right there available for me any time I want to pick it up and read it.


The newest things right now are the Kindles and other electronic readers. I can see the appeal. It would be great to download the book right away and being able to take 10 books with me taking up no more space than a Kindle. Sounds great.  But yet still.... I would miss the actual book.  Plus I really can't see reading a Kindle in the bath.

Shell

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Day 10 of 30 days of Thankfulness (Spring)

Okay so I am a few day early but yesterday was so warm! plus around here we only have a few days of spring and then it is HOT and humid.  But for now the weather is mild. The daffodils are blooming. The chickens are laying.  And it is perfect weather for some outdoor projects.

Shell

Friday, March 18, 2011

Day 9 of 30 days of Thankfulness (The chicken or the egg?)

As I was getting ready to write this post I realized I am facing an age old delimma.


The Chicken or the Egg?

Okay not exactly the same delimma.  I am pretty sure I have the whole chicken/egg thing figured out where creation is concerned.  My delimma is which am I thankful for?  I wanted chickens for YEARS before Dan finally caved and said okay.  I love having them.  I go out every morning and they are so much fun to watch and to listen to.  Mine stopped laying over the winter.  I know a lot of people were still getting eggs but I wasn't.  Plus I have 4 chickens who were just starting to lay right before winter and they also stopped. I was getting a couple eggs a day towards the end of fall.

About two weeks ago they ALL started laying. I am getting in the neighborhood of 5 to 8 eggs a day. That doesn't sound like too many does it? Until you do the math. Now just think about it.  Let's take the low number and see what that means.  5 eggs a day. 7 days in a week means 35 eggs a week. 4 weeks in a month means 140 eggs a month. 12 eggs in a dozen means 11 dozen eggs a month. Now remember that is the low end. More days than not I get closer to 8. So that is like 20 dozen eggs a month.  OH MY GRACIOUS! So split the difference 15 dozen a month!

So how many quiches do you think I can pawn off on my family?  Anyway the chickens are fun.  The eggs taste great and have so many uses so the question is which am I more thankful for? My chickens or my eggs?


Shell

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Day 8 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Blankets)

This may seem like a strange time of year to be thankful for blankets. Winter is over.  No need to have a blanket really.



Unless the blanket is an old saddle blanket that was covering the back seat of car at exactly the moment Timothy dropped a container of four Saint Patrick's Day cupcakes frosting side up in the back seat.  The lovely green frosting would NEVER have come out of my seat.        

I was going to write about eggs today but I gotta tell you right this minute..... very very thankful for that blanket!


Shell

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Day 7 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Friends)


A few years ago there was a mastercard commercial that I just LOVED I have attached the video for anyone who missed it.  It showed three little boys dancing to "We want the Funk".  They are so cute.  It says something like this  "Backpack 20 dollars.  Being with people who understand you ... Priceless"



I have told Timothy many times that if you can find a couple good friends who really "Get You" then you are so incredibly blessed.  I know everyone feels that way.  Everyone want someone to get them.  The thing is for some of us finding people who understand us is a bit of a challenge. 

I have always been a little bit different. (okay maybe more than a little bit) I have had many friends through out my life. Good friends that wouldn't trade for anything but there haven't been many people through out the course of my life who really get me. It is actually a pretty short list so here is a shout out to those who are just strange enough to understand me: Sherrie Denham - you were probably the first person who ever even came close to actually getting me.  Dale Werner -  you not only got me but you knew me well enough to see what I didn't. Dan really was perfect. Thanks. Valerie Lee - you have to make the list you know too much LOL.  Bette Smith - The only good thing that came out of PTA lol. Marie Auker - Of all my friends who really get me you are the least like me. Makes me wonder how you put up with me . Plus I am really blessed to be married to someone who gets me  ♥ U Dan!

 All of this was leading up to the one person this blog post is really about.

Very few people are able to find a friend who really really really truly gets them.  A friend that you could call at 3 in the morning if you needed to.  A friend that you can say anything you are feeling to and know that they will still pick up the phone the next time you call.  A friend you don't have to walk on egg shells around.  A friend you can actually count on. A friend who will tell you the truth. A friend who would dance the robot with you like the kids in the video (okay not really).  Some people go their whole lives and never find a friend like that. So that makes me doubly thankful that I have one.  So as I have said many times "Everyone should have an Amy".... but get your own cause you can't have mine. Amy Pierro you are AWESOME!



 


Shell



Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Day 6 of 30 Days of Thankfulness. (Ideas)

I am always coming up with some crazy idea. For a detailed list of examples you can read Things I get into when I am sick from last month LOL.  I was back on the sheep idea last night (Caitie had a 4-H meeting and they were talking about sheep) which led to I have 5 acres I should be able to do something with it which led to I really hate being outside so maybe not.


Then when I woke up in the middle of night I was thinking about what I would do with the money if I won the lottery which is especially funny since I NEVER buy a lottery ticket.  From there I was thinking it would be nice to put a hammock outside and should it go on the porch or out in the yard.


I always have so many ideas.  I keep myself constantly entertained with a never ending stream of fun and crazy thoughts.  Sometimes it can get frustrating.  I have so many ideas but never really do anything with them.  Or I have an idea, start to do something with it and get sidetracked by another great idea.  But this morning I decided to look at my ideas as a blessing. They keep me excited. They keep me motivated. They definitely keep life interesting.


I know each day is full of all kinds of possibilities.  I was having a conversation with a friend the other day about the increase in the suicides among teens.  I said "I don't understand it...everything could change for them tomorrow.  What ever they are having problems with today could all be gone tomorrow".  Then I realized people are always saying how optimistic I am and how I am in such a good mood all the time.  That is because of my ideas!  I see infinite possibilities in this life!  I am always excited about what is going to happen next.  I am always excited about the next big idea!


Someday I may hit on an idea and actually decide to act on it. Or I may not.  One thing is for sure though there no telling what I may come up with next!



Shell

Monday, March 14, 2011

Day 5 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Choices)

I am really struggling with some major choices I have to make right now. I am always afraid there is something better than whatever I am choosing.  I know people who LOVE what they do. I am not an envious person as a general rule.  That is because I am really not a materialistic person. I don't see a car, or a house, or clothes, or jewelry and think "Man I want that".  But when I talk to someone who is truly passionate about what they do I am a little jealous.  So here I am at that point. I need to pick a direction.  I am so conflicted.  And then this morning it occurred to me..........  I am so BLESSED to have so many choices.


I am Blessed to have the intelligence to do what ever I want.

I am Blessed to have Dan supporting me in what ever I decide.

I am Blessed that financially we can afford for me to have choices.

I am Blessed to live in a place where I have the freedom to choose.

So many Blessings! Now if I only knew what to do. LOL!


Shell

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Day 4 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Newington)

I am very thankful for Newington Baptist Church. The reasons are so many I am not even sure I could list them all.  Mostly it is because of the people who go there. Living so far from my family it is wonderful to be able to surround myself with a wonderful Christian family.  I am not saying that it is perfect.  No church is. They all have one thing that prevents them from being perfect... they all have people. 

That said, I think one of the things about Newington I love most is that as a whole the church realizes it isn't perfect and is trying to change and grow to meet the needs of both the community and it's members.  What we can do to be the Body to this community and to the members of the church is something we are really working on.  I couldn't tell you how many times in the last month I have heard someone with a new idea of how we could serve the community or reach out to someone in need.  It wasn't always that way.  Just like any other group that is made up of people there have been times of struggle and I am sure there will be again.  What I do know is that for now there is more energy, more people excited about doing the Lord's work, and more people wanting to study and learn than I can ever remember seeing.  I think by actual numbers our membership and attendance might be down but the people who are there are serious about the Lord and for that I am Thankful!






Shell


Saturday, March 12, 2011

Day 3 of 30 days of Thankfulness (Abundant Blessings)

You know what I am finding to be really interesting about this 30 days of Thankfulness? I am finding it hard each day to choose one thing I am Thankful for. I am wondering if I should have done a list every day. Each day I think how am I going to choose what to write about? I have so many many things that I am thankful for.  I have so many blessings in my life. All the way from the kids to Dan to the new puppy I have a list everyday of things I am grateful for. I realize not everyone can say that. I know that there are people who have everything in the world and can’t find a thing to be grateful for. I know there are people with nothing who feel so down right now they struggle to find a single thing they are thankful for. 

That got me to thinking that for day 3 of my 30 days of Thankfulness I am sincerely thankful I have so much to be thankful for.  Tomorrow for day 4 I promise to choose one thing.

Shell

Friday, March 11, 2011

Dogs!

 Our neighbors dog is coming to our yard. Now out where I live that is not odd. Very few people here have their dogs fenced in.  The main difference here is that this dog is aggressive and scares me. I am not sure what we are going to do about this exactly but I just have to say I wish they would keep their dogs away from my house!

Natural Disasters

Everyone in my family knows I am a HUGE fan of the natural disaster movie genre.  I have probably seen just about everyone ever made. I especial love Natural Disaster days on the sci-fi channel (no comments needed on what a nerd I am as I am aware of this already).  There are the earth is being destroyed from space days where they show movies like Meteor and Sun Storm.  Then there are the volcano movies gotta love a good eruption.  There are enough volcano movies to fill a whole weekend vs. a day.  Of course you have all the climate change movies and while they have a decided leftist agenda I still love them.  The earthquake movies now there aren't as many of those that play on Sci-Fi but the ones they do show are mini series' so they could fill a week! Why I love these I am not sure but I will schedule my weekend around a good disaster day.

Of all of these movies though one of the most memorable scenes is from the movie Deep Impact a space impact film about a comet about to hit the earth.  While total world wide destruction is avoided they are not able to save the East Coast.  Téa Leoni's character dies in the end.  In the scene you see her standing on the shore embracing death as a Tsunami hits the coast.  It is a pretty dramatic scene.

I really do love those movies in particular I love that they are FICTION.  What Japan faced in the middle of the night last night (in my time zone anyway) and what is headed towards Hawaii right now is NOT fiction. It is huge and it is scary.  Of all the "natural disasters" I enjoying watching movies about I think other than a world wide ice age Tsunamis are probably the most destructive and the most terrifying.  This has the potential to leave such destruction in it's path. Last I heard there where Tsunami alerts for New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, and others.

I am praying for all those who will be affected.  It just goes to show you that we can divide ourselves up into nations, countries, or states but the truth is we all live on this planet and we are more connected than we think.

Shell

Day 2 of 30 days of Thankfulness (Friday Morning Coffee)

Every Friday morning I meet some friends at the local Starbucks for coffee.  I have to tell you it is one of the greatest blessings of my week every single week!  Sometimes we go and have coffee and then we go our own seperate ways to get the things done that need to be done for the day.  Some days we start around 9 for coffee and end up getting lunch until 2pm. It all depends on what is going on and how much we have to talk about.

There are many aspects of Friday morning coffee that I am Thankful for. The ladies who come. Dottie calls us her "Starbucks Girls".  The time spent to just kinda decompress. A safe place to talk about what is going on in our lives. (man how priceless is that!).  I could go on and on but what I can tell you is I so so thankful for Friday Morning Coffee!


Shell

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Day 1 of 30 Days of Thankfulness (Things I Love!)

I was surfing this morning looking for just the perfect picture to capture the way the rain makes me feel. In that search I found a blog that caught my eye. It was from a few years ago and she was on day 22 of Things I Love. I thought what a great idea. Then it kinda morphed in my mind into 30 days of Thankfulness. 

What a great way to focus on what I am thankful for instead of all the junk that is going on right now. It is easy to lose sight of all the wonderful blessings we have every day. With high gas prices, one of my kids becoming a teenager and the other one thinking she already is, strep, and trying to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life, I am a bit overwhelmed.  But all that pales in comparison to the wonderful things in my life as long as I stop long enough to remember how much I love rainy days, coffee on Friday mornings, and my new puppy!  So today I am going to start 30 days  of Thankfulness (oops I already did I am thankful for Rainy Days! so see my post from earlier!)




Shell

Rainy Rainy Days!

I know most "normal" people don't like the rain.  It is dreary and depressing right?  Makes you just want to stay home in your PJs and sleep doesn't it? No one wants to be productive on a raining day do they?  Boy I do! Guess it is a good thing I never claimed to be normal. LOL

If I could talk Dan into it, I would live somewhere like Washington State or Oregon where it rains ALL the time.  I LOVE it. It energizes me. I feel at peace when it rains. I for that reason alone I wanted a tin roof when I was looking for a house. I knew the sound of the rain on the tin roof is one of my most favorite sounds.  I also wanted a covered porch with a swing so I could sit on my porch and swing in the rain.

Silly as it my sound since everyone else is all "Yuck it's raining" to me raining days are wonderful, cozy, perfect days! So I am just gonna sit here in my farmhouse with my red tin roof and enjoy the sound of the rain.  Then maybe a little later I will go out on my porch and swing. It doesn't get any better than this.

Shell

Saturday, March 5, 2011

I found it!

Remember a week or so ago I said I needed some motivation?  Well guess what I found it! Last night I built a wall of shelves. (well built might be a stretch I guess I should say assembled LOL). Today I am moving furniture around and filling the shelves. I think I am going to have a yard sale. I have so so much stuff I want to get rid of.  I will probably wait a few weeks till it warms up but I am still purging purging purging!

This is going to be such a very busy weekend and I am so excited to get started. I have a water test first thing this morning and then it will be time to dig in!

Shell

Friday, March 4, 2011

My own version of anxiety.

I am feeling antsy.  I get this way ever so often. I know people who suffer from anxiety and while this is different it is kinda the same.  The difference is people who suffer from anxiety are worried or fearful.  I am not worried or fearful. But the symptoms are kinda the same I feel edgy, irritable, have trouble sleeping for example.  What I really feel is like it is time to move on.  This feeling hits me every couple years.  When it does I start looking for things to change.

My college major? Changed it around 7 times. I rearrange furniture. Think about moving to a new town.  Starting a new job.  Find a new church. Find new friends. My ultimate dream is to just pick up move away and start all over completely fresh.  I have been thinking this way since 5th grade. It kinda hits me every 2 years or so. Right now it is here with a vengance.  I want to sell the house and move far far away.  It isn't that there is anything wrong HERE.  I just want to experience what is THERE.

I think I was meant to be a gypsy.  Seriously. There was time when people lived this way.  Moving from place to place. Excepting the wanderlust I have as part of life.  If anyone who reads this is family then you know I come by this honestly. I think I must have a fair amount Frank James in me.  I tamper it down because I want my kids to have something stable but I am telling you when they are grown and gone... Katy bar the door cause I am gonna set this feeling free!  Hope Dan is ready to wander.

Shell

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Quiet Time..... Yeah right.

The current study I am doing is called "Making Your Home a Haven: Strategies for the Domestically Challenged" by Cyndy Salzman.  This was a study that the women's group was doing at a church we visited a few years ago. I thought it sounded like it was written for me and bought the book but never did the study.  I pulled it off the shelf a week or so ago and decided it was time to do the study.  I have really enjoyed it so far.  While it is another home organizing book which I LOVE (nothing like reading about that which is at total mystery to you) it is more about making your house a home than it is about what kind of container best holds scrapbooking supplies.  I love the focus on what God says your home should be. I have also enjoyed reading about her struggles to figure out how to juggle working and keeping a home.

Then I got the chapter on Managing Your Time.  Not enjoying it anymore.  Making the best possible use of my time has never been my strong suit.  First thing that comes to my mind is 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (NLT).  Okay I know this but I have never checked to see what scripture says about time management. Honestly, I am not sure I wanted to know. Much easier to just kinda read right through that part and not think about it again.

Well today there was no reading right through it. Bam! Right in my face she starts out the chapter like this:

Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. (Haggai 1:5-6 NIV)

Shortly followed by:

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time (Ephesians 5:15-16 NASB)

Followed by:

A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. (Proverbs 14:1 NLT)

Followed up by of course the dreaded Proverbs 31 woman.  Just so you don't forget what it says:

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10c A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Okay can you say convicted...convicted... convicted. 

So where I leave this today is my "Quiet Time" wasn't so quiet today and I can't say it left me with the sense of calm and peace it normally does.  Instead I would say it was loud and very unsettling.

Shell