wednesdays bible verse

Romans 12:12

be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer
TNLT

Rejoice in our confident hope.  be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
NLT

rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer
NASB

2nd Quarter progress on 2010 Resolutions

...results on personal goals
#1 begin each day in prayer that God direct me in my path & integrity of my heart; remember Sunday is renew your spirit day, no business work stuff - doing
#2 create and implement Balance in all areas of the wheel of life (spiritual, physical, intellectual, family, social, career, and financial - each of these have goals within them) - in process of achieving this
#3 organize, cull, condense, minimize, sell or use up things in & around the casa - attack a section of a room each week for 30minutes - doing
#4 lead a quiet life, one that creates peace; remove anything that doesn't contribute to this - this is a process
#5 read 2 &/or listen to 2 audio books a month, at minimum - doing
#6 make a list of things that need to be fixed, completed, or started on my house with regards to repairs/maintenance improvements - get two done a month - still in progress to achieve this, have some months, haven't some months
#7 resume monthly piano lessons & establish a schedule for piano practicing - started & quit...no plan to resume at the moment
#8 health: commit to a workout schedule 3-4 times weekly; log into sparkpeople.com daily; resume diet with no wheat, sugar or tans fats; take all vitamins & supplements daily; get 8hrs or more of sleep - still trying to achieve this
#9 email my friends weekly - not done very well at 
      write my friend in prison once a month - done
      entertain company once a month - done
#10 pay off 2nd mortgage by the end of 2010 - on schedule so far




...results on business goals
#1 www.medicalaccountsolutions.com website - completed today (June 30th, 2010)
#2 create P&P Manual  - still in progress of creating
#3 review EntreLeadership materials quarterly - doing
#4 enroll in accounting courses - have not reached this or enrolled
#5 quarterly check in with EntreLeadership friends - doing
#6 help employer achieve financial goals - doing to the best of my ability for the areas I can control
#7 complete all back filing for employer - still in progress
#8 encourage positive thinking, support and morale - doing
#9 review & define motivation, delegation, responsibility, accountability, and authority in my position so that I have a clear picture in view to stay focused on what I expect of me - still in progress
#10 as a leader, I must be different - realizing this and attempting to do

Terry is on his way back

...to Texas.  He left this morning sometime before 9am.  I have called him to check progress, the last time was about 2pm our time he was in Kingman having lunch with Uncle Truman. He is not sure if he will drive straight thru or stop at a motel later. He was very thankful for Uncle Truman giving him a tank of gas.  Please feel free to call him and check in.

CHECK OUT the giveaway!!!

go visit My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia and the giveaway that she is doing with CSN!

a prayer from a little girl...for me

I received this email yesterday and thought I would share it with you all...

Misty, I thought you’d enjoy hearing this. I was just putting Marcail to bed Sunday night and she was praying and thanking the Lord for all the things she normally says…thank you for Mama & Daddy, thank you for Papa & Honey and Gramma, thank you for our family (and she names everyone, every time) thank you for dying on the cross for our sins, thank you for Mr. Modesto, and then she said, “thank you for our trials and thank you for Misty.” She went on with a few more things and then finished, but I thought it was so cute and I was amazed again of how much they are watching and listening. She must have remembered you from what you said in meeting and wanted to pray for you. Keep on in the Lord, Misty, and when you feel discouraged remember that there are little ones watching and listening and praying for you too.

Love,
Lori

weekly devotion

Weekly Wisdom for the week of June 28th, 2010

The same way you're saved is how you ought to live.  Colossians 2:6 says, So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him.

This is such an awesome scripture for it says that the way we were saved is the way we must live. You didn't get saved by trying and struggling; likewise, you can't live your life on your own strength.

Every believer is saved simply by believing (and receiving) God's love, grace, and mercy. Therefore, live each day of your life by receiving God's strength and walking in His grace and mercy. Remember, the same way you're saved is how you ought to live.

Quotes

Be the change you want to see in the world.
~ Ghandi

I received a thank you...

Some of you know that I am a fan of a couple of authors, one being: Glenn Shepard. I get his weekly email newsletter called Work Is Not for Sissies.  I gave all my coworkers his book How to Be the Employee Your Company Can't Live Without, at our year end party in 2008, because I benefited from it in some areas that I needed tweaking along with basic reminders about why and how it is important to serve your boss and work with the team to accomplish the goal, making the company money.  A lot of you may be following the severe flooding that happened in Nashville, TN; but if you haven't heard about it or aren't familiar with what happened, you can get a glimpse of some of it on Glenn's blog. 


To the reason for my post about this today:
He posted a few weeks ago that he really wished he could go reread a book by Devon Dougherty titled “Crisis Communications: What Every Executive Needs to Know”. But it was one of over 2,000 books in his collection that washed away in the flood.  Well, this gave me an idea, I got online, bought the book and had it sent to directly to him.  He received it Friday, June 25th when he got back in town.  In his post, he expresses thanks to me for doing so.  Go read them both, the original on 06.05.2010 and this one on Friday...

verse to reflect on...

Galatians 5:22-26 AMP
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].  And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.  If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]  Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another. 

Lord, help me to reflect on these things and allow your fruit to show in my life.

song ~ stand still

STAND STILL
 by: The Isaacs

The Father has a plan
Though it's hard to see it now
You feel you're walking all alone,
But He is there, no doubt
When the storm around you rages,
And you're tossed to and fro
When you're faced with life's decisions,
Not sure which way to go


Chorus:
Stand still and let God move,
Standing still is hard to do
When you feel you have reached the end,
He'll make a way for you
Stand still and let God move


Verse 2
When the enemy surrounds you,
And the walls are closing in
When the tide is swiftly rising,
And you wonder where He's been
Friend, there never was a moment,
That His arms weren't reaching out
You can rest assured and be secure,
God is moving right now
(Repeat Chorus)


When you feel you have reached the end,
He'll make a way for you
Stand still and let God move
The answer will come,
But only in His time
Stand still and let God move,
Stand still and let God move.



Thank you Crystal for thinking of me and sending this link for me to listen to, I needed it.

Quotes

The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy. ~ Jim Rohn

reminder...Take Your Burdens to the Lord

On of my friends emailed me this last night. I thought I would share it:

Regarding your brother...someone told me many years ago, TAKE YOUR BURDENS TO THE LORD AND LEAVE THEM THERE. I replied that I had turned it over to the Lord and he said, "Yes, but in the back of your mind you don't think He can do anything about it because you have tried everything." I thought it over and realize he was right. Then, I fully turned it over to the Lord and put all my trust in Him. It wasn't two weeks later that the Lord answered my prayers. I admire you very much...you are such an inspiring loving person who loves unconditionally. I will continue to pray for you and Terry.


Thank you, my friend Veda, for this reminder...I think I needed it. 

update on Terry

Terry called me at 12.30pm today.  He said he tried to call me this morning on my drive to work but just got my voicemail. I was on the phone and am not sure why call waiting didn't work, but you know how cell phones can be.  He is at mom & dads packing and sorting through his things.  He said they won't allow him to pack his car yet.  He plans to call me later tonight. 

Please keep him in your prayers that he will be kind to them in spite of how they are treating him and that he will not get violent as has happened in the past.

New Home Gift for my cousin

Jill & her husband moved into their new place a few months ago, I really can't remember when, but I have been wanted to get her something special just for her little new abode.  Well, she is so crafty and as you know has some great inspirational ideas if you follow her blog.  So one day I was shopping at Tuesday Morning and it brought to mind this post she had on green touches to a room and also hydrangeas.  So this is what I gave her...think she will like it? 
I think she will...  

addition to...New Home Gift for a friend

If you didn't read my original post on two white pillow I made for a friend, click here. Alisha knew I wanted to put something on the square pillow because it was a little plain so she added what she thought was the perfect touch.......and I think its adorable, do you???

update on Terry

Terry just called me from a prepaid cell phone that he bought and activated under his old number.  If you have his number, I am sure he would love to hear from you!  He is in his room at the motel for the night.

update on Terry

I just spoke with Terry at the phone number Jeff had for him. He said he didn't want to take advantage of the place and make too many long distant calls so he just called Jeff and assumed that Jeff would contact me.  He is in a fair amount of pain but says he has a high pain tollarence and is okay.  He said he can only stay at The Crisis Center for 23hours, so after that he will get a prepaid cell phone and a motel for the night and then he can go to my parents on Friday (tomorrow).  He said he wants to rest up for a few days before he attempts a road trip back to Texas.  He said that he appreciates everyones love and support.  He told me "Don't beat yourself up over this Misty.  Please don't do this, just pray for me.  I made bad choices and these are my consequences.  I think I have learned my lesson.   I think this will work out for my good.  Mom and Dad are weak and no support for me.  I love you and appreciate all you have done for me and your support."  (I was scribbling these things down as he talked).

Wow! I sure hope this is where he is and that he can stay there and be strong against my parents.  I am struggling at having the right attitude towards my mom.  I know that God knows what she is doing and she will can not evade him.  l love Terry a lot, told him so. I told him lots of you are wanting to know how things are going and what we can do to help. 

Continue to pray for him.  Until I know more...

update on Terry

I just spoke with a lady who was apart of the team from The Crisis Center that evaluated Terry yesterday before he was discharged from the hospital.  They state that he is not under their care but they will not disclose any more information to me because of the HIPAA regulations. She told me I would have to get answers from the hospital.  I informed her the hospital gave me their number as I didn't know what crisis center to contact. 

I then texted Jeff to see if he had heard from Terry or my mom.  He replied to call when I could.  Jeff states he spoke with Terry this morning and he was at a crisis unit of some sort and has been there since he was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Mom evidently gave Terry his keys and he drove himself there.  He states Terry was in good spirits and had a plan to go to Walmart or Target later today to get a prepaid cell phone.  He said Terry's plan is to stay there at the crisis center a day or two, then go to my parents and get his things and then head back maybe by Monday after he rests up.  Evidently mom states he can come and stay at the house after he spends 2days at this Crisis Unit.  I am going to try to get ahold of Terry on the number Jeff called him at as it is different than what I had been given from the hospital for the crisis center.

song ~ more love more power

I will worship You with all of my heart

And I will worship You with all of my mind

And I will worship You with all of my strength

For you are my Lord

You are my Lord.

These are not all the lyrics to this song, and they are repeated several times, but this one section is running through my head today and I thought I would share it.

something funny...

Alyse gave her bible verse tonight: Problems 3:5&6

(she meant Proverbs 3:5&6)  

As I reflected, it is so true, go to this verse for your problems.

update on Terry

Mom left a message on my cell phone during meeting stating that he was at the Crisis Unit in the hospital.  I called the hospital on my way home from meeting to get an update and was told Terry was discharged at 03:05pm today. Not sure what this means since they show him discharged.  I do not have any other information yet and without him having a cell phone, I do not know when I will.  I have attemped three times to get ahold of my mom and she is not answering or is screening my calls.  Jeff, Russell and Delbert all got to speak with Terry before he was discharged from the hospital. Please continue to pray!

another update on Terry

I just spoke with Terry.  I asked him what happened and he told me he was in a bad part of town looking for drugs and got beat up.  The hospital has discharged him but at the moment he is waiting for mom to come get him.  He told me she is not cooperating with the hospital because she believes he needs to stay for another day or two, but they medically have cleared him.  She has his car keys and won't release them to him.  He said he wanted to call me and Jeff last night but that mom wouldn't let him and told him it was midnight and that was too late (but mind you she called me at 02:21am my time and left me a voicemail).  I asked him what his plan was and in frustration he said that he doesn't have a plan because he doesn't have a key. I asked him to assume we could get that worked out and then what did he want to do?  He said, "I don't have a plan, Misty".  He said the hospital might drop him off at my parents, but he was sure mom would take him somewhere else and he would just end back up in the hospital. I don't know what he means by that, but neither did I ask for carification.  I asked him if he wanted the street life again, and he said no. I asked him if he wanted to stay with mom and dad, he said no.  I asked him if he wanted to come back to Texas, he said his car wouldn't make it as it was making a sound.  I know his car is old, but I felt this was a lame response as it made it out there just fine.  I told him that I love him very much and that I want to help him however I can. I told him that there are others who really care and are concerned too. 

Please continue to pray so that we may have wisdom to know how to help...when to let go and let him choose his life.

update on Terry

Terry left Monday night to head to California to visit Mom & Dad and gather his things. The last time I talked with him on the phone was at 6.30pm last night and he was in Blythe. He was concerned that he shouldn't be talking on his cell phone driving down the highway not knowing the CA laws regarding cell phone use, so we did not talk long. I received a confusing voicemail from my mom at 2.21am that I retrieved at 7am this morning. I have spoken with Jeff and the information he has received from my mom likewise is confusing, doesn't add up or make complete sense. I will not try to confuse you with the details she has relayed but give you as clearly as I can the facts:

Somebody stole Terry's cell phone, took some of his money and tried to overtake Terry's car last night.  In fighting back he received a blow to the back of his head, had profuse bleeding (head, nose, mouth), but drove himself to the hospital and has received stitches. He waited for 2hrs before they could place him in an ER bed.  He is still in the ER and doesn't have a phone in his room. The nursing staff would not release me any details (other than they did give him stitches, they consider him stable, and he was sleeping as he had been since he arrived) because they didn't know who I was and due to HIPAA regulations they could not disclose any information to me. I faxed them the POA paperwork and Durable Medical Power of Attorney for their records. By the time I called back he was awake and able to make his own decisions they said so they would not release me any more information. I had tried his cell phone this morning before I knew it was stolen and it went straight to voicemail, I went ahead and left a message. I also had sent a text message and it doesn't show that it was received (he is Verizon also so I can tell when it has been delivered). I have since has his phone inactivated so that whomever has it can not rack up a bill on his behalf.  Jeff would like to talk to him as soon as he can to find out what happened and what his plan is from here. We should be able to when he is transferred to a room. Please pray for Terry.

Quotes

Peace

it doesn't mean to be in a place

where there is no noise, trouble

or hard work. it means to be in

the midst of those things and still

be calm in your heart.

unknown

CHECK OUT the giveaway!!!

Who wants two 12mm black pearl lariats from Nastro Bello Jewelry worth $1200 .... or maybe a better question would be, who wouldn't want these?

Ok, Ok ... so how do you win them?

Go visit this blog here and follow the directions.

* * * * * * * * * * *
I am entering the contest...I don't anticipate winning, but I found the question a fun one and since I have not taken "after" pictures since purchasing my house 3years ao, I thought this might be a good way to start and motivate me to continue - so that I can finish that scrapbook! 
The Inn at Crestview is no model home, not one of those places in a well todo neighborhood, with that all put together everything in its place look, along with that everything completely how you want it style.......BUT I absolutely love my room and my bed!!!

Let me tell you why this is my favorite room, it is: 

Always inviting to me.
A vintage shabby style I adore that reminds me of my favorite shop.
A place to curl up and read a book.
A place to lay your tired head and take a 2hr nap on Sunday afternoon.
A place to spend time in prayer and ask God to be with you.
A place to run to and cry your heart out.
A place to dream about tomorrow.
A place to bring your laptop and get lost on the internet.
A place to talk on the phone with your friend, nestled up against the fluffy pillows.
A place to get some long needed rest and bring conclusion to the day.

The metal decoration is part of a screen door that I got at a old coworkers yard sale for $5.00 6years ago.  I have 3 sets of sheets that I alternate with which changes up the look of the bed a little bit every week: pink floral ones that are on the bed right now, a green stripe set of Rachel Ashwell, and a white ruffle set of Rachel Ashell.  Some of the pillows I have made, some I have bought, and a couple of them have alternate sides.  I also have some deep red pillows that I alternate with the red and pink in the winter season.


Thank You Blayne for your thought provoking question!


The entry deadline is June 23rd at midnight...then we will see the 5 top entries that can be voted on.  I for sure will be checking back to cast my vote...will you???
will you post what your favorite room is in your casa?

Quotes

Tough times separate the winners from the whiners.
-John Maxwell

FREE Card Class

JessicaSprague.com is turning THREE YEARS OLD this month! We are so excited to have made such an incredible journey with YOU, and I feel like we've only just begun. 

As you know, I offer a FREE CLASS every now and then, as my way not only of sharing all that we have to offer here at JessicaSprague.com - the best instruction, the friendliest community, the most amazing atmosphere and products - but also as my way of GIVING BACK to an industry that has given me so very much in my own life and work.  To that end, I'd like to announce my next free class, one that takes on a whole new direction. Introducing Computer Tricks for Cards!  We're meshing two of my very favorite subjects for the first time ever! In this week-long class we'll explore techniques you can create with your computer and then add your own touches, for incredible, giftable greetings. Handmade cards are gifts in and of themselves, and what better way to share and send your memories, your skills AND your love with those in your life? I'll show you lots of creative techniques as we make a dozen different cards together!

Class begins bright and early on June 28!  To register, simply click here, and enter the following access code: JSCTcardsFree2010.  Please share this link with all your friends and family - anyone who sends cards can benefit!

Terry is headed to California...

to get his things.  Since he has a few more weeks of waiting until he can go back to work, Jeff thought maybe a rode trip would be good for him.  He will visit mom & dad, pickup his things at home and return to Texas, hopefully by Saturday.  I think this might be a good thing for him to leave and come back, realizing he has made progress in the last 6 months and all that he has here that he didn't have in his life before.  Please pray that he will have safety and that this will be his perspective.  I did not get to tell him bye in person as I was working and he was ready to hit the road.  He did call me as he was heading out and I told him to be safe, that I would miss him while he was gone and that I hoped everything went smooth. 

CHECK OUT the giveaway!!!

my cousin has posted another great giveaway...go check it out at:  The Virginia House

Quotes

Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.
~Benjamin Franklin

company for lunch!!!

It is June, and I am still purposing to keep to my goal of having company for lunch once a month, I made plans to have company for lunch today two weeks ago for this Sunda.y  I am not sure after such a busy week that this was the best plan, but it was already in the works so here we go...I invited Jeff & Lorrie, but they couldn't make it.  So I invited Shannon & Cindy, Gilbert & Connie and Terry.  Terry went home after meeting and fell asleep, so he arrived just as we were sitting down to eat.  Reid & Collin spent some time in the pool...the rest of us, ate & visited.  Terry left right after lunch. 

Menu: The Chipotle concept ~ make your own Burrito, Burrito Bowl or Salad with Coffee Ice Cream and Cookies & Cream Ice Cream for dessert.

Once again, we had a nice time eating and visiting...I enjoy having company and am looking forward to next month.

recycle

oKAY...I am one of the crazy people who is avid about recycling.  I recycle ANYthing I can get my hands on.  So when I say that, what do you invision?  Let me tell you what I do:

@home. 
paper - once I get the mail, it gets sorted, right away if possible, at minimum before I go to bed. if I don't keep it or need it, it either is shredded (because it has my address on it) or put as is in the green recycle bin.  the bags of shredding are also put in the recycle bin when a bag gets full.
food containers from purchases - if it is paper, if it is plastic, if it is metal, if it has the recycle symbol on it, it gets rinsed & cleaned and put in the recycle bin.  the only thing I do not recycle is anything that has meat in it.
fabric - if there is any way it can be used for something, I keep it.  if not, it goes in the recycle bin.

@work.
I make a weekly pile, under my desk, of the accumulation of recycled items at the office and take them home each Friday.  the pile consists of:  outdated magazines, newspapers, Foldgers plastic coffee containers, empty envelopes, non-financial/non-HIPAA paperwork, boxes, packaging, anything that possibly can be recycled goes in the box. oh and for those sheets of paper that print that unneed little bit of data, it goes in a stack to be reprinted on. oh and I take the office bags of shredding home too.


I grew up most of my childhood in California.  Recycling was a mandatory program...here in Texas it is optional.  The recycle bin is something that was provided by the city a year or so ago so that we would promote recycling.  Each household was given one green plastic bin. I asked my neighbors who had theirs sitting outside their garage if they were not going to recycle if I could use their bin because one is never enough for me, I always have mine full way before the weekly pickup on Tuesdays.  I love it!!!  It is sucha  good, clean, useful feeling to recycle.  Before the bins that were provided for us by the city, I have taken my recycling to the dumpsters around town to dispose of what I collected...it was my way to give back and reuse.  I always have enjoyed recycling which doesn't make sense since I have such a hard time getting rid of things I don't use or need if it can't be recycled.

Do you recycle?  Do you think I am obsessed with recycling?

CHECK OUT the giveaway!!!

An Anthropologie Giveaway...
In this giveaway from Twig Decor, you can enter to win whichever Anthropologie apron you want.  Choose from Anthropologie website above. 

Here are my four absolute favorites:

If I don't win, I am going to make me a look alike we can do it cheaper apron!

 

why???

do you ever just want to ask that question...why???  I do!  do I get answers?  no. sometimes it is really very sad, don't know if it is just my perspective but it seems the older I get, I don't have the answers.  but I still ask.  even if its just in my mind...and nobody knows that I am wondering why.  I question.  I wonder.  I reason.  I ponder.  I contemplate. I cry.  I shake my head in disbelief.  I try to figure out. try real hard to make sense.  try to have the pieces fit together.  sometimes answers come thru this evaluation process.  sometimes you just have to leave it with God.  will God tell me someday when I can sit in front of him the answers to my whys?  I sure hope so.  it is what helps me deal with the unanswered whys of today. 

God knows why.

...tradition(s)

@dictionary.com the definition of tradition
the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, esp. by word of mouth or by practice; a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting; a continuing pattern of culture beliefs or practices; a customary or characteristic method or manner

Growing up we had a few things that were traditions in my parents home.  One of them was homemade pizza EVERY Friday night.  As a child, I liked pizza, but wasn't just downright crazy about it...course you have to realize I had never eaten restaurant style pizza - homemade was all I knew.  But the one thing I did love about Friday Night Pizza was it was the only time we were allowed soda pop!  One glass, and usually it was Root Beer because that is what Dad liked, or we could have Pepsi as that is what Mom liked.  I didn't and don't care for Pepsi, so I either had Root Beer or Punch if I didn't want that.  As me and my sister grew older and assumed cooking responsibilities, pizza making became more fun.  We got to try other things besides a pepperoni pizza and hamburger meat pizza.  We My sister learned to make better pizza crust and it became a really fun project each week.  We rarely skipped having pizza on Friday nights, and when we did, Dad was always sorely disappointed.  Looking back at my childhood, this is a fond memory of a tradition we had.  So I ask...

What is tradition to you?  Did you or do you have traditions in your family?  Do you like them?  Abhor them?

Quotes

The man/woman that walks with God always reaches their destination. 
We reach our destiny – God's will – by walking with God.

signs...with a message

Okay, I am in love with this sign...I thought it was sooooooooooo cute and just my style.  I had to grab my camera phone (and quickly put it on silent so that I could snap a picture of it and nobody hear me do so) at one of my favorite shops (nope I won't tell you where since I actually didn't get permission to take the picture or post it on my blog for free advertising - LOL), then I texted it to a friend who emailed it to me since I don't have the internet on my phone...(please, don't give me a hard time for being too cheap now).  I love the simplicity of the colors, the message and the shape...but for $199???   uh ummmmmmm, yah not that much. 

Maybe I will try to make it.  Think I can???

blogging...

sometimes I don't get blogger...blog spot...blogging
I try really, really, really hard to figure this stuff out in the little bits of time I have, but sometimes I am just left flat out stumped when nothing logical comes from my research!  have you ever felt like that?  so maybe you can help me...you know how you follow blogs, right? and so when your blog is listed on someone elses blog page (i.e. like I have the list I follow on the right hand of my blog), depending on their settings, it either shows your post recent post date or the title of the post unless they don't have it setup this way.  so, how come my blog that is being followed on someone else's page shows the last time I posted a post was 5 months ago???????  this is nowhere accurate. :(  I don't get it and don't know what is wrong with this dumb blogger!!!  Sometimes I schedule posts, sometimes I automatically post them...it just depends on whether I am working in rears, current or the future. LOL!  Either way, 5 months ago was a long time and I have posted a million posts since then!

Quotes

Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.
― Robert Louis Stevenson

exciting news...

I am going to be an aunt again!!!  yes, so fun.  I have six months to plan something fun for my girlfriends first baby...off to the yarn stash and the project room to get my favorite babies knit book the simple knits for cherished babies.  hmmmmm, what shall I make?


(p.s. I can tell now...its RuthAnn)

Quotes

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
~ Abraham Lincoln

...to give

@dictionary.com there are lots of definitions for the word give.  For the content of my post today, I am only going to use a few of them that are most relevent to my thoughts and some things I have been thinking about and working thru:

give =
to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow;
to impart or communicate; to furnish, provide, or proffer; 
to relinquish or sacrifice; to apply fully or freely;
to be warm and open in relationships with other persons  

II Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Giving takes effort.  Giving takes time.  Giving takes motivation.  Giving takes planning.  Giving takes putting someone else first...yourself last.  Giving takes continuing in a difficult situation that doesn't seem to be going anywhere.  Giving means you let that go without any expectation of return.  Giving means you are not cold in your attitude.  Giving means you are rewarded for your hard, very hard work; sometimes not in the way you expect, sometimes not in this life, sometimes never from the individual(s) involved...but giving 100% selfless brings peace.  Giving means you see a need and are willing to fulfill it to the best of your ability.  Giving takes a pure heart.  Giving dissolves your own hurts.  Giving takes focus.  Giving provides a bigger picture to the problems at hand.  Giving makes friends.  Giving requires sacrifice.  Giving makes someone feel special.  Giving is a gift.  Giving is love.  Giving gives life.

What does it mean to you to give? How do you give? When do you give? When do you quit giving?  Can you give too much?  Is it possible to give too little?  Do you struggle to give?  Do you benefit from giving?  What are your thoughts about giving??? 

Quotes

Cherish your dreams, as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.
-Napoleon Hill

CHECK OUT the giveaway!!!

posted@Dreamy Whites

Cabbages and Roses will be giving away a lovely Cabbages and Roses tablecloth and 6 napkins to one lucky reader.  Valued at $185.00. 

You get to choose from three different Cabbages and Roses patterns:

Natural Raspberry, Tulip and Rose, or Cerise Hatley.

                               ...just beautiful! 


check out the book...

Quotes

In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.
― Tom Bodett

Quotes

You'll always miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
~ Wayne Gretsky

5 verses for you Terry

Blessed is the man who keeps on going when times are hard.
James 1:12


Don't get tired of doing what is good.  Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Galatians 6:9


I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in my name.
Psalm 91:14


I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 16:33


The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.
Psalm 18:2

As previously stated a month ago, I have told Terry several times that he needs to pick 5 verses that will strengthen and encourage him in his battles...verses to help him fight the thoughts that invade and consume his mind...that he might be able to combat the lies and find hope in the truth.  Here are an additional 5 verses that I will drop by to him tonight on my way home from work.

how do you help someone that is hurting?

I wish I knew the answer to this question.  I have been pondering it for awhile and I am stuck at square one. 

Sometimes you can tell its physical pain and they just don't want to be alive because the pain is so bad.  Other times you don't know why their response is cold, distant and short.  I mean, you know that we all have bad days, but does that mean you must treat me like this?  I love you...my heart achs for you, I want to see you succeed, what can I say to make you feel better?  I ask if you are bothered, need to talk, what is on your mind, did I do something wrong, hurt your feelings...you say no...but now I am out of ideas and you are still stiff, rigid and determined to leave this wall up...why???  I know that life has treated you really rough, some of it your own doings but much of it out of your control.  Do you know that you have control over you life now?  Would you please just believe me?!!

It makes my heart deeply grieved.  I want to cry.  But will tears proove?  I feel I have failed.  Done nothing to help you.

So I ask you my friend:  How do you help someone that is hurting???

Quotes

Triumph is just 'umph' added to try!
-unknown

Quotes

Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard.
(line from Patch the Pirate song)

New Home Gift for a friend...two white throw pillows

I love to be creative...when I was helping a friend recently paint her guest bedroom, we were discussing a shop I absolutely LOVE...Simple Things at the University Shopping Center in Fort Worth.  I so love to go in there and browse...see what new ideas they have and just be inspired...someday, I want my house to look just like that place!  For now, it is a dream.  I wish they had a website, I would post a link so you could dream and be inspired too, but they are just as their name states in the mode of "Simple Things" which means that they keep things very simple and they do not have a website.  Anyways, Alisha was sharing with me that she wanted the bed to have lots of different shapes and shades of white pillows but that throw pillows were so expensive.  My mind immediately got to thinking of what I could make to start her collection for the guest bed.  A couple days later, I dug thru my plastic box of fabric stashed under my guest bed and here is what I made her:   two throw pillows, one 16" bolster pillow out of white silk dupioni and one 12" square pique pillow that we may add some buttons, monogram, or other handwork to if she so desires, for now it is plain.  Both had invisible zippers so that the casings could be cleaned if she needed to. 

"We Can Do It Cheaper" breakdown of the cost for this project:
Both pillow forms were down fill.  The square one I obtained from my big stash of pillow forms and I simply do not remember what I paid for it, but lets just assume it was $5.99 as I always try to get these things on sale.  The bolster was $8.49 from Tuesday Morning.  The fabric was $0.00 as I used scrap pieces leftover from previous projects.  Total Cost: $14.48 before tax. 

I should have been doing chores and tasks around the house, but the 2hrs spent working on these was a blast! 

Tell me what you think of these two pillows:

the card:

and the inside of the card:

the complete package ready to be delivered:

(and yes I am an avid recycler, so this bag was in my closet,

it isn't as if I was trying to pretend these pillows came from there)

Doesn't it make you want to create some new throw pillows for your couch?

guest bedroom?

your bed?  or the patio chair?  

ummmm, I do!!!

 

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I am getting really very frustrated with blogging today...I am trying to simply put The Virginia House button on this post for you to link to We Can Do It Cheaper...but its not working.  I am able to save the button as a jpg, but then it doesn't link anywhere when I do it that way as it is supposed to.  I have tried multiple times and when I save the encryption that is supposed to automatically make this button thing happen, it does't, I only get "/>.  Ugh, somedays I don't know what the heck I am doing wrong. I am very computer literate, but today, nothing is working like it did on a previous post in April when I did this. Frustrating is not even an adequate word to describe what I feel right now.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

After the 20th time, it worked...not sure what made it decide to cooperate, but I still have no clue what I was doing wrong.  hmmmmmmmmmmm.......

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I think I have figured it out...one of the buttons on my cousins website doesn't have the same lingo as another, so that is why it wasn't working...yah, it wasn't me! :)  I let her know and she has fixed it now so it should work for you too.

update on Terry

Terry had his evaluation today for the outpatient program for Pecan Valley MHMR.  He told me that it went well and that he has been given the top of what they can give him for his situation.  Since I am new to all this, I asked him what this means.  He said that they give you a Level 1 to Level 4 and that he qualified for Level 4.  I am grateful and pray that he will utilize this program to its fullest and not miss any of his appointments.  PLEASE continue to pray for him, send him notes or calls of encouragement, and reach out to him when you see him.  He needs us badly.

Quotes

Employees will tolerate a boss, but will follow a leader.
- Dave Ramsey