new facet for master bath!

When you don't have a handy man, you have to either {learn} do it on your own or {pay} have someone else do it!  So, when I bought my house and moved in - in March 2007...there were a few things I wanted to do, but some got put on the "Get To Later List".  This facet thing, was one of those.  Okay...in reality, I bought the facet a year ago...and if just now got put together.  :)  I love it!  So old fashioned, matches my hardware and is just a nice touch.  Don't make comments about my enamel chipped sink (I excluded that part in the picture - hahahahahahah)...you know I like vintage things, so that is gonna stay...plus you know, I can't replace everything, you have to pick and choose!


Old:

old gotta go facet

New:

lovely new facet

Reverse

A friend of mine posted this video clip on Facebook called Reverse.  I ask you to please watch it before you read the words below because the impact is greater than just reading the words and I only posted the2nd half of the words from the video clip.  

(You will completely understand why I ask this of you when you watch the video.)  

My heart goes out to those that are in the position and feel the way of the 1st half

...may they come to know God as I have!

Reverse
I am lost and in need of saving
It is ridiculous to think that everything is fine
Without God
Life is an endless cycle of guilt and shame
But with God 
There is freedom to be who I want to be
In a world with no God
Our existence has no grand meaning or purpose
"The more you have the happier you will be"
is a lie meant to make me a slave to those in power
Because of sin,
I am deserving of hell 
The idea that
People can do as they please without eternal consequences
Is only wishful thinking.  
It is a comforting thought however
That an all powerful God brings purpose to the pain and suffering in the world
That there is an all knowing God with a cosmic plan
It is just foolish to think
That God does not exist
I will live my life according to these beliefs!


{Ephesians 2:1 and Ephesians 2:4}


Video by: DeoVolenteMedia

CHECK OUT the giveaway!!!

Do you like really unique things?  With a little vintage touch?  Another really neat giveaway...check it out here!

dreaming of a vacation...

I am dreaming of a Vacation...you know, one of those breaks where I don't have to do ANYTHING???  I know...I am not sure I have ever had one of those, but I am dreaming of one!!!  


A Vacation where...
I can sleep...late in the morning and early at night.  
I can eat whenever I want...whatever I want.  
I can go for a walk...a long walk, not pressed for time and not coming back until I want to.
I can read.
I can lay in the sun.
I can knit.
I can do nothing.
I have no phone to answer.
I have no emails to answer.
I have no deadlines to keep.
I have no priorities for the day.
I have no clock to tell me that I am behind or on-time or early.
I have nobody asking where I am or when I am going to get there or when this will be done.
I can be all by myself...just chilling.  


So I am dreaming...because that is all it is.  I have never had a vacation like this and I don't know if I truly could handle such a vacation...but I am dreaming of a vacation!!!  A Dream Vacation.  


Oh, but Dave Ramsey says "Dreams are wishes that seldom happen. Life does not hand you your dreams.  Dreams only become reality when they become your Vision.  Vision that is ready to go to work is called a Goal."


Ahhh...I need to have a Vision of a Vacation!  Then I can have a Goal to have a Vacation!  Even if it is not The Dream Vacation...


What is your Dream Vacation???

word for the day...{gratitude}

grat·i·tude

 [grat-i-tood, -tyood] –noun the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful

verse to reflect on...

Search for the LORD and for his strength, and keep on searching. 
Psalm 105:4 (NLT)

song ~ my savior my god

My Savior My God 
by Aaron Shust

I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Savior 

I take Him at His word and deed
Christ died to save me; this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior 

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be


Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring;
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be


My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior loves, My Savior lives

living simply project

Week 2 Project:Simplify

This week’s hot spot: paper clutter.

Whether it’s your kitchen island, your desk or home office, the junk drawer, or even your kids’ crafting station, we are going to take care of that paper that seems to grow on its own. 

Because paper will keep coming, and it’s a good idea to have a workable, realistic plan.  

Let’s get started.

...Come roll up your sleeves and clear the clutter from the different “hot spots” in your homes.   March 7th - April 8th.  For five weeks, we’ll work together and tackle different areas of our homes. Be encouraged and inspired, knowing that there are other families around the world rolling up their sleeves and working alongside you!

Quotes

Nobody can prevent you from choosing to be exceptional.
– Mark Sanborn

song ~ beautiful

Beautiful by MercyMe


Days will come when you don't have the strength
When all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart, they'd see too much

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are his
You're beautiful



Praying that you have the heart to fight
"Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
They are nothing in the shadow of the cross

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are his
You're beautiful.



Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You're the one He madly loves enough to die

You're beautiful
You're beautiful in His eyes

You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are his
You're beautiful

You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are his

12hrs w/a girlfriend

I got to pick up Susie from the airport this week on Monday night and spend the evening with her.  It has been so long since I got to be with her...we both couldn't even remember how long!  She had not been to Texas in 4or5 years at least and so it was a privilege to have her at my house for the night.  We ate at The BlackEyed Pea on our way back from the airport.  We went to bed about 10pm as she was tired and we were getting up early to eat breakfast at IHOP with Judy & Miriam.  Judy & Susie were headed to Peru for 3 weeks.  I headed to a client's office after that and they took off for DFW airport.  Here is the one picture I took during our time together, yes, very early at IHOP!  

Misty & Susie

I WISH I was going to be able to see her again on her way back home from Peru, but unfortunately she isn't stopping back for a layover in DFW...come back soon Susie, it was waaayyyyyyy too short!!!

word for the day...{courage}

cour·age

[kur-ij, kuhr-] –noun 
the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery

my blog

Today, I write from my heart.  


I started this blog originally to post highlights of my life such as trips and the like.  I have since turned it more into an online journal.  If you don't want to follow it, please do not feel obligated.  I am not trying to create fans or followers.  My blog is not one that is created to show a life that is fake or a life I do not live...it is a very real.  I simply want to share my life to try and give you courage on this journey, because we all need it!


If you have concerns, please feel free to share them with me.  I have lived here in Texas almost 14 years and I would hope that my openness, dealings with the issues and problems that I have faced in my life, trying to continue to be steadfast and courageous for the Lord would show a testimony to you and that you would know if you have issues or concern you can share them with me.  My life is an open book, and I share more than most would about their life, both in person and on my blog.  Even then, please know that there are things that happen in my life that I haven't shared and therefore it is not a complete picture and by no means the full spectrum of what I have going on and the challenges I face, that I need a Savior to help me with and who gives me strength to face the day.  You may know a few of the issues that I have had going on the last few months, but most of you do not know much beyond the surface, and I will be the first to tell you that I have had to grow in my faith and trust in the Lord.  Life has not been easy...anything but...but my desire to serve the Lord has not changed.  


Please know that right now, I simply have an overwhelming desire to try to simplify my life, one with more peace and quiet.  I pray that God will direct me to continue to aspire to lead a quiet life!

my prayer today

Dear Lord, thank You for loving me today and every day. I am grateful that You are bigger than all of my problems. Give me the courage and the wisdom to seek You today, regardless of my circumstances. I want to be found by You Lord. And give me a heart to be able to see and help others near me in need. Because you give me Life, in Jesus Name, Amen.

verse to reflect on...

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NIV)  


Like God did with Joshua in this key verse, and like He does with us, we can come alongside each other in some of life's hardest challenges and highest peaks and say, "Don't give up, you can do it. I'll be with you and I will help you."

living simply project

Week 1 Project:Simplify

This week’s hot spot: your wardrobe and closet.

Yep — this week we are going to touch every. single. item of clothing in our wardrobe, and make a decision whether it stays or goes. We will then find a new home for the items to pass on, organize the clothes that stay, and take inventory of what we might need in the future.

...Come roll up your sleeves and clear the clutter from the different “hot spots” in your homes.   March 7th - April 8th.  For five weeks, we’ll work together and tackle different areas of our homes. Be encouraged and inspired, knowing that there are other families around the world rolling up their sleeves and working alongside you!

Quotes

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
– Jimmie Johnson

living simply project

Wanna join me in Project:Simplify? Come roll up your sleeves and clear the clutter from the different “hot spots” in your homes.   March 7th - April 8th.  For five weeks, we’ll work together and tackle different areas of our homes. Be encouraged and inspired, knowing that there are other families around the world rolling up their sleeves and working alongside you!

my NASCAR Ride Along

Today I did my NASCAR 3 Lap Ride Along that I bought back in December 2010 off of Living Social.  I have always been a FAN of NASCAR and the idea of racing and going really fast sounds like such a blast...a complete THRILL!  


Several years ago I went and saw an IMAX Film with Veronica, I believe it was called SPEED.  It went thru several things like sky diving, and in one scene you were behind the wheel of a NASCAR race car.  It was an awesome experience. I told Veronica, some day I am going to do that!!!  Well, I checked into it, and the normal price is $500 for 1 Lap...ugh, that would be the BIGGEST waste of money ever and of course I told myself I couldn't do that.  That wouldn't be a good use of my funds.  I subscribe to Living Social, it is a website like Groupon, that emails you promotional specials for the day.  In December they had one where you could purchase the NASCAR Ride Along which allows you 3 laps of riding in a NASCAR with a driver for $77. They also had the deal where you could purchase the NASCAR Drive Experience which allows you to experience 5 minutes of driving a NASCAR for $169.  I couldn't believe it!!!  The pricing was much more reasonable, but still a chunk of money.  The deal was a 1-Day deal only, so I knew I couldn't just think about it for a few days, but with me being unemployed and not making money, I just wasn't sure what I should do.  I decided after wanting to do this all my life, I would purchase them both and take the $246 out of savings!!!  It was half off for both experiences and for more than one lap!  I didn't schedule them for the Texas Motor Speedway until this week and with limited dates to choose from, I didn't have many options, but I decided to book the Ride Along first and the Drive Experience later in the year.


I am now going to describe to you my thoughts and experience:
My instructor told me to climb in with left foot first, right foot second, left shoulder and down under.  That was simple enough.  Then they strap you in...similar to a kids car seat.  Strap between the legs, one over the lap and buckles over both shoulders and arms.  Then this fence guard that gets put up for your "window".  I was in the Ride Along Car about 6.45pm.  My driver (yes, this really very cute young guy) asked me if I was ready...I said "Yes!".  With that, we took off.  No lurching, just stop to fast!  As we came out of the pit stop, I tried to take a picture of what it looked like sitting in the shotgun seat, looking out the dashboard of the car to the track, but it was a blur and didn't turn out well (so I deleted it and will not post it here).  When we took off, I was like "Oh yah, this is gonna be sooooooooooo much fun!!!"  We got going really FAAASSSSST!  Round bin one, accelerating even more down the side...you can't imagine what 170-180mph is until you experience it...believe me, it is an experience ALL ITS OWN!  Now for bin two...and this is when my thoughts sort of took a new spin...this is when I am thinking "No way...he is going waaayyyyyyy to fast, there is no way we can go around this curve this fast...absolutely no, OH MY WORD!!! we are going so FAST".  The feeling, a pull on your body as you head into the curve, the way the car totally handles the turn and doesn't flip and is totally smooth, awesome traction, the impact as you pull out of the curve and gain speed to head down the side-away...is weird!  A totally Incredibly Awesome experience!  Halfway thru bin two, my head started spinning...I could see clearly but it is almost like you feel dizzy, but it quickly passes.  I took a deep breath...as I held on, gripping the inside side bar on the left side of the seat.  We made it perfectly, pulled out down the other side of the track heading into Lap 2.  My heart is racing...I really can't believe I am doing this...something I have wanted to do all my life!  As we were headed into Lap 2, I wondered, could I do this Drive Experience in two months that I had booked?  Could I truly do it???  I mean, it almost seems a bit scary to think of me driving that fast on the track...unsettling...but yet SOOOOOOO fun!!!  Round 2 was more fun because I knew what to expect...or did I?  The driver took to the far outside of the circle passing an open cockpit single person race car (pardon me, I donno the true name for these)...no we didn't just pass him, we flew by him like he wasn't hardly moving on the track...this was a whole new feeling.  But I loved every minute of it and knew that Lap 3 was going to close in on me fast and my Ride Along was going to be over.  Sure enough.  It is 100% authentic!  The smell of burning rubber...exhaust...the roar of the engine...What Fun!!!  Absolutely a BLAST!  We pull into our pit stop and the instructor asked me how it was...I said "Absolutely Awesome,  I've wanted to do this my entire life!!!"  He laughed.  It truly was an Incredible experience.    


I didn't think to find out how fast we actually went until I left the Texas Motor Speedway.  I am going to try to call on Monday and get the stats.  :)


Here are the pictures I took of the Race Car that I got to do my ride along in (I'll try to scan in the photo they took of me later):

My Ride Along Car

rear view of My Ride Along Car

Thats the Ride Along Car flying around the track! ...an absolute total BLURRRRR - ZOOM!!!

After the ride along experience, you get to take your picture out by a race car...not in your suit and helmet and not with the car you drove in, but the 5x7 was included in my package and is a nice memory to have.  I have the photo and plan to frame it or put it in my scrapbook.  The first picture they took of me wasn't saved to their camera memory card, so they had to redo it...because of the "inconvenience out in the cold, we are giving you a hat".  I got a bright pink "Racin' Chick" ball cap!  :)  


So you ready for your turn???  Come On!  I will race you on May 13th (that is my scheduled NASCAR Drive Experience date).  Wanna go???  There is nothing like the NASCAR Racing Experience!!!  See you at the track!

Quotes

Your true character is revealed by the clarity of your convictions, the choices you make, and the promises you keep. Hold strongly to your principles and refuse to follow the currents of convenience. What you say and do defines who you are, and who you are…you are forever.

verse to reflect on...

Death and life are in the power of the tongue.  - Proverbs 18:21