Friday Fill-Ins #96

1. My favorite food seasoning is chili powder. I add it to lots of things, including baked beans and homemade pizza. Try it!

2. You look like you're in your 30s is music to my ears. [OK, I like it when people say I look like I'm in my 40s, too. Enough said.]

3. Lucky is a word I don't use. A person can be blessed, but not lucky.

4. My faith is something I take very seriously.

5. Many people dress casually on Fridays at the office. Sometimes, too casually ... Sorry, it bothers me when girls at my bank are wearing jeans that I'd use to clean out the garage. I love jeans, but let's wear a dressy pair to work!

6. Buns for my crockpot barbecue was the last thing I bought at the store, because I like to buy them the day I use them. Fresh buns are better!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping (what else?), tomorrow my plans include our Fall Festival at church (hot dogs roasted at a bonfire, anyone?) and Sunday, I want to have my afternoon nap!

If you'd like to see the way other people answered these questions, hop on over to Janet's blog, Friday Fill-Ins.

For Today...

October 27, 2008

Outside my Window...

a crisp sunshiny fall day.

I am thinking...

that the Lord intends for me to have an abundant life according to John 10:10.

I am thankful for...

my hubby and my kids. So many are alone in this world!

From the kitchen...

a new recipe, Mozzarella Pie, that I found in the blogosphere. (Thanks, Rena)

For dessert, a chocolate cake. Yum!

I am wearing...

black pinstripe pants, black shell, burnt orange jacket. Fall colors!

I am reading...

a Karen Kingsbury book! She's my favorite ...

I am hoping...

for my sinuses to clear up soon. Breathing is wonderful!

I am creating...

Still pondering a blog post I want to write. (Was it only last week I said that?)

I am hearing...

the tick-tock of the clock on the wall reminding me that time is slipping away ...

Around the house...

I notice that dusting needs to be done!

One of my favorite things...

reading a library book while I eat lunch in peace and quiet.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...

a visit to the funeral home for friends who've lost their mother this week,

preparations for the Fall Festival this weekend,

and a left-over chore from last week -- cleaning out the paper clutter ...

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I like this picture because it makes me think of Jesus' return. Is that cloud hiding the King of Kings about to step out when the trumpet sounds?

To read the daybooks of others, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman.

Friday Fill-Ins #95

1. Right now, I'm feeling like a zombie. I have sinus, and sinus meds make me feel like I'm someone else existing in my body.

2. Home is where I want to be. It's good to be home!

3. How does one little M & M become eating the whole bag?

4. Studying God's word keeps me on track.

5. Please don't hate me because I'm beautiful! (Sorry, I just couldn't resist. I am the queen of stating the obvious, so when I can put a well known saying in a blog, I can't help myself.)

6. Comments from my readers fills me with joy. (No pressure, though. Mmmkay?)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to laying on the couch, tomorrow my plans include laundry, lesson, and a quick (!) trip to town and Sunday, I want to nap! (I feel like I write basically the same answers about my weekend every week, 'cause I'm just boring like that.)

If you'd like to see what others said on these topics, visit Janet at Friday Fill-Ins.

Thankful Thursday - Special Friendship

This week's theme over at Thankful Thursday is a subject near and dear to my heart. Special Friendship. 
I'd like to honor my sister-in-love, Cora. She's more than a sister-in-law, she's a true sister of the heart. She is one of the most generous giving people that I know.
She married my husband's brother over 25 years ago, but we really became fast friends about 22 years ago, when my first child and her last child were born. Our babies were born 3 months apart. We found out that we had a lot in common and began a real friendship then.
It was so much fun raising our babies together. We spent a lot of time on the phone comparing notes. We carpooled to town once a week to do our grocery shopping and ended up spending the whole day together. Many times we'd cook supper together and our hubbies would come from work to eat and then watch movies.
As time went on, we got involved in crafts. Then Cora (who admits she is slightly obsessive) would go crazy buying supplies for whatever craft we were involved in and then share her bounty with me. We would plan a "Craft Day" once a week, usually at my house, and craft, talk, and eat all day!
My girls would love it when Aunt Cora came over. They loved to look at all her craft supplies! (Okay, we're all slightly obsessive.)
Besides all the fun times we had together, she is a friend who sticks with you during the bad times. My husband struggles with bipolar disorder, and over the years has had to miss a lot of work. Naturally, that made our budget very tight. Cora was always there to help in any way she could. Many, many times she helped me with true generosity of spirit.
The time that sticks out in my mind, though, is one year when Easter time was approaching. By that time, we were a family of five. Cora was determined that all of us would have new Easter outfits-Her family AND mine! We went shopping and she footed the bill. I'll never forget it.
Besides all the times she shared material possessions with me, she also prayed for me. I don't know how I would have made it through the early years of my husband's illness and subsequent disability without her.
So to my sister of the heart, Cora, I want to commend you and say, just like it was said of the Proverbs 31 woman:

"Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly,
and well [with the strength of character
that is steadfast in goodness], but YOU excel them all."
Proverbs 31:29

Sincerely 'Fro Me to You #8 - 70's Pic

It's that time again! Time to look back in the past and share a photo!

I don't have any photos of me with big hair, since I went to school in the 70's, so here is one of my favorite 70's pics:

I'm wearing my favorite accessory, the choker! I loved that thing ...

Notice the hair is not big in any way. In the 70's we wore it straight and long, preferably parted in the middle. I hadn't grown my hair out that long yet. I also loved the dress I was wearing, a green dress with a long collar. It went straight to my hips (the dress, not the collar!) and then flared out. I was stylin'!

It's funny to look at this and see my natural hair color -- I'd almost forgotten what it looked like. Also, it seems different to me because this was about 3 years before I started wearing glasses.

As I said, I like this picture, but to enter into the spirit of Sincerely 'Fro Me to You, next week I'll show you one of me that I DON'T like. Just remember to be gentle with your comments!

For more photo fun, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family.

Works for Me Wednesday - Photo Books

I am all about the church! I love it, pray for it, and attend it regularly. I'm a great believer in attending every time the door is open, if at all possible. Well ... unless it's a men's ministry function ... I mean, there are limits.

When my children were little, this meant that they, too, were always at the church. Now, how could I keep my little ones occupied and fairly quiet while services were going on?

Photo books!

I bought three of those little photo albums that you get at the Dollar store or at Wal-mart. (I have three kids.) They were about 4X6. I filled them with photos of our family. This was back in the day before I had a digital camera. (Remember, I have stated before in this blog that I have rolls of film STILL not developed.) If I'd had a digital camera, I could have been much more creative.

Anyway ... the kids loved them. They'd sit right there in the pew and flip through those books for hours looking at pics of mommy, daddy, sissy, Aunt Cora, etc. If they got bored with theirs, they traded with sissy. I could insert new pictures from time to time and it became a whole new toy.

These books were small enough to tuck in the diaper bag. They lasted for years. In fact, I still have them. They're a little worn looking but still good.

Now that my kids are nearly grown, I'm looking forward to the day when I have grandchildren and I can make them photo books. I have a lot of ideas of ways to make them educational as well as fun.

Photo books. They worked for me.

For more great ideas, head over to Shannon's Rocks in My Dryer.

The Simple Woman's Daybook for October 20, 2008

For Today...Outside my Window...is a cool beautiful fall morning. It is sunny and 45 degrees.

I am thinking... that I am so glad that His mercies are new every morning. I need them!

I am thankful for... that I have a job that I love doing.

From the kitchen... an old fashioned dinner tonight of kraut and wieners and fried potatoes.

I am wearing... black pants with a short sleeved black and green top and black sandals. I need to get my fall clothes unpacked!

I am reading... "White Christmas Pie" by Wanda Brunstetter. I love reading about the Amish, which is the topic of her books.

I am hoping... for reconciliation for my friends. I believe God's will is for us to live in harmony.

I am creating... a devotional I would like to write. More about that later.

I am hearing... a chainsaw in the neighborhood. Someone must be getting ready to keep those home fires burning!

Around the house... my hubby is getting ready to paint our kitchen a sunny yellow color.

One of my favorite things... is candy corn! I must get some this week!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... to unpack some fall clothes, and to take care of a bunch of paper clutter!



A picture thought I'm sharing:

These are some roses my Sunday School class bought me once for Teacher Appreciation. The wonder of digital photography means I can save them and enjoy them whenever I want. Today, I share them with you! [You'll have to imagine the fragrance!]

Join the fun! Go to Peggy's blog here, and see what others are saying today!

What's My Name's Hidden Meaning?

What Jerri Means

You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you. You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries. You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

I think this does sound like me -- except for the third paragraph!

If you'd like to see what your name means, go here.

Friday Fill-Ins: #94

1. Follow the Lord and He will make your paths straight.

2. Extra outfits are something I always take with me on vacation. I like to be prepared for anything!

3. To achieve your goals, you must "plan your work and work your plan." [I wish that was an original thought but I heard that saying many years ago. I wish I would have done it ... ]

4. The fact that I became a mother for the first time when I was 30 is something I'd like you to know about me. That is why I'm addicted to Sunday afternoon naps!

5. I have a dream.

6. I love root beer floats. [I started to say "Hope floats."]

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to being done with the work week, tomorrow my plans include enjoying the cooler weather and Sunday, I want to nap! [I know, I say that every week ... ]

To see other Friday Fill Ins, visit Janet here.

Thankful Thursday - Sky Full of Blessings

I remember once when I was little, I was playing outside on a swing set with a little girl from the neighborhood. Somehow, we got into a discussion about who's daddy was the biggest. She said her daddy was bigger than the swing set that we were on. I said, "well, my daddy's bigger than the house."

"Nuh-uh, my daddy is bigger than that tree right there!" she argued.

"Well ... my daddy ... is bigger than the SKY!" I said with pride. After all, who could top that?

When I grew up, I was surprised that actually my father was not all that tall!

My earthly father may not have had characteristics that reached the sky, but my heavenly Father does!

"For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him." Psalm 103:11

And,

"Your love, O LORD, reaches to the
heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." Psalm 36:5

I am so thankful that His qualities of mercy, love and faithfulness are so bountiful that the earth cannot contain it - it goes up into the heavens. Even with all the space travel that man has done, the boundaries of heaven have not yet been reached.

There's enough of His love to go around for everyone, no matter how many times we mess up.

And that's why I'm thankful!

Visit Iris at Grace Alone to find out why others are thankful.

Sincerely 'Fro Me to You #7 - Hello Down There

This picture is of our daughter, Malia, back a couple years ago. I took it from a different perspective -- a perpective of extreme height. I was up on a water tower/lookout station at a national park. She was on the ground. Even though I am deathly, extremely, afraid of heights, I leaned over the rail and took this photo of her.



Photography from 100 or more feet up in the air can be deceiving. It can make your feet look really big in proportion to your height. It can make you look like you have no legs. Actually, it can make you look like your feet are attached to your knees.



I'm pretty sure that Malia will not want this picture scrapbooked. But I like it.



If you would like to see other pictures that may or may not make it into a scrapbook, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

It's no secret that I enjoy participating in memes. It helps me discipline myself to write something regularly. One of the reasons I started my blog was to help me become a more disciplined writer. So, that being said, here is the latest meme that I am joining: Peggy's "The Simple Woman's Daybook."

For Today...Outside my Window...is a night sky with clouds that is slowly waking up to dawn.


I am thinking...that Monday is a fresh start to the week. I love Mondays because it's a new beginning and who knows what the week may bring?


I am thankful for... all that God has given me. So many thoughts of things to be thankful for are whirling around in my mind. It's hard to settle on just one!


From the kitchen... dinner this evening will be spaghetti and garlic bread and some type of dessert. I am wavering between brownies and no-bakes.

I am wearing...my favorite dark brown pants with a beige top with white accents.

I am reading... the first of the Tides of Truth novels from Robert Whitlow. He is such an excellent Christian writer! I can't pick which of his books I like the best ...


I am hoping...the computer repairman made it to my office to fix the computer Friday. [I had taken Friday off.]


I have planned ... to find more quiet time with the Lord.


I am hearing... the occasional sounds of traffic as people begin their work day.


Around the house...is peace and quiet -- no one else is awake, yet!


One of my favorite things... is a cup of hot tea to start my morning. Ahhh....


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... to work ahead on getting things ready for the board meeting, and to write some posts for upcoming days.


Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

This is a picture I took while traveling through a national forest. I love this picture because it looks like the trees are forming a tunnel. From there, you might enter a secret place!

If you'd like to read what others have put in their daybooks, visit Peggy here.

Friday Fill-Ins: #93

1. One of the best concerts/plays/movies I ever saw that I really didn't think I'd like was Shrek. I usually don't like animated movies, and a movie about an ogre? I really figured I wouldn't like it. I was wrong. It was funny and I liked the message: it doesn't matter what you look like on the outside.

2. Chicken enchiladas was a recipe I recently made that was delicious! I'm going to make it again this week.

3. It's time for lipstick. Gotta keep those lips hydrated!

4. Eating York Peppermints is quite refreshing.

5. If I never hear the words "politcally correct" again, it'll be too soon.

6. To one side of the curving road was a guard rail, and on the other was a rock cut.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching "What Not to Wear," tomorrow my plans include cleaning the bathroom and then being lazy and Sunday, I want to nap (as usual)!

If you'd like to participate in Friday Fill-Ins, click here.

Thankful Thursday-Nature

I've really been enjoying participating in Thankful Thursdays. Tonight as I was considering what I would like to blog about this week, I had so many thoughts running through my mind. So many things to be thankful for! I had so much trouble trying to pick one. No worries, I can pick one a week for a longgg time.

Last week, I talked about trees. I would like to continue talking about the blessings of nature.

For instance, I thought about how I love beaches. One of my most favorite things to do is to walk along the beach at dusk. I love to walk in the water and squish sand between my toes. The sunbeams as the sun is setting hits the waves and looks silvery. The sound of the waves rolling in is so soothing. If I had trouble sleeping (which I've already established on this blog that I do NOT) I'd buy a sound machine with the sound of waves on it. I'd be out like a light.

Then consider the beauty of the sky. I love a clear blue sky with white fluffy clouds. I'd love to go to Montana someday and see "Big Sky Country." Don't forget the gorgeous pinks, purples and oranges of sunsets and sunrises.

I'm thankful God made flowers. Can you imagine how dreary our world would be without the blessing of color and fragrance that flowers give us?

When I think about all the beauty in creation, I just can't understand how some people believe it all came out of a "big bang!" Come on! Get real. Breathtaking scenery all over the world just evolved out of nothingness? To me, believing that takes a lot more faith than believing a Creator made all of this.

The bible actually says we don't have an excuse if we don't believe in God when we consider nature. Romans 1:19-20 NLT "They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities— his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God."

I'm thankful I know God made nature, and I appreciate His blessings!

To find out what others are thankful for, visit Iris at Grace Alone.

Sincerely 'Fro Me to You #6: Passin' Thru Vincennes

In this week's Sincerely 'Fro Me to You, I'd like to share a picture of my mom, brother and me on our vacation. My dad snapped this shot of us standing in front of a road sign in Vincennes, IN, on our way to New Orleans. [This is a favorite landmark of my parents. They always took pictures of us in front of signs. This is actually a clever idea because years later you can remember where you were.]

The reason I focused on this picture is to show you that stirrup pants existed before the 80's. Yes, those are stirrup pants I'm wearing. The year was probably 1966. Also, note the cool Keds I was wearing. I'm not sure but I think my brother had red ones on! I always thought my brother looked like Beaver Cleaver when he was little.

Mom wore a skirt and blouse outfit. Back in those days, I don't remember her wearing pants except around the house or to work. [She worked at a factory.]

I've often heard that fashion trends go in cycles. If stirrups were popular in the 60's and the 80's, looks like we might be due for some more stylin' stretch pants!

For more fashion nightmares, I mean memories, visit Kristen at We Are THAT Family.

Works for Me Wednesday - Sparkly Dishes

It's already time for Works for Me Wednesday! Instead of my usual organizational tips, today I will share a frugal tip.

Vinegar.

It is awesome.

Now you may have heard this before, but just in case you haven't, vinegar is a great rinse-aid in the dishwasher! If you're like me and have hard water, adding vinegar to the rinse cycle will make your glasses sparkly!

I'm all about sparkly ...

Some people pour vinegar in the rinse-aid dispenser. I set a timer for 41 minutes -- I have carefully researched this -- and when the timer buzzes, I put 3/4 C of white vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher. Works for me!

For other awesome ideas, head over to Shannon's at Rocks in My Dryer.

Friday Fill-Ins #92

1. October is for me the most glorious month of the fall. I love the fall colors, the weather and the harvest!

2. Heights scare me! Rodents scare me, too!

3. Leaves are falling all around, it's time for bonfires. Mmmm, I love roasted hot dogs and s'mores and sitting around a bonfire with my friends.

4. I don't have a favorite horror movie because I think it's very important what you put in your brain. I don't want to dwell on horrible things! (Plus I get scared easily. I once had to sleep with my younger sister when my husband was out of town because I watched Ghostbusters and then dreamed about ghosts. Let's just keep that between me and you.)

5. Old photographs = good memories.

6. It was a dark and stormy night the night I graduated from high school. I wanted to attend an all night party against my father's judgment. I went anyway. Driving home in the pre-dawn hours, I got my car stuck in the little dirt lane 1/4 mile from my house. I had to walk in the rain in my graduation dress holding an umbrella to get home. Granted, it wasn't all that far, but it was far enough to dread what was going to happen when I got home!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to working at my other church then running to Wal-Mart, tomorrow my plans include attending the Riverboat parade and later that day watching my daughter compete in a contest for Riverboat Queen and Sunday, I want to collapse!

To read what others have to say, visit Friday Fill-Ins here.

Thankful Thursday-Trees

I'm thankful for trees. They are so beautiful! And useful, too. If we had no trees, we'd have no paper, no wood furniture, picture frames, hardwood flooring, lumber to build houses, etc. If we had no trees, there would be no shade, no place to sit and feel cooling breezes. No tree swings. There'd be a whole lot less oxygen in the air.

I'd miss the sound of the wind rustling the leaves. So calming, so tranquil ...

This picture was taken one time when we were driving through a forest in a national park. When we entered the forest, it was like entering in to a climate that was ten degrees cooler. The glare of the sun went away. It seemed quieter. You felt peace.

We can be like trees. I love Psalm 1:3 that says,

"And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].

Three awesome points are in this verse: in the right season (timing) you'll be fruitful, you won't wither away [dry-up] and you will prosper in everything you do. What's the catch? [See verse 2 of Psalm 1]. IF you delight in God's law and meditate on it day and night you can be like that fruitful tree.

I don't know about you, but I definitely want to be fruitful.

God invented a world of wonders for us to enjoy. Physical trees are some of His best handiwork, and so are spiritual "trees."

If you'd like to see what others are thankful for, visit Iris at Grace Alone.

Sincerely 'Fro Me to You #5: Christmas '65

This is a picture of my brother and me on Christmas morning 1965. Yes, I know the border of the photo says Mar '66 but trust me, it was 1965. [In my family, we let rolls of film age before developing. How wondrous it is that we now live in the age of digital cameras!]



Several things about this picture interest me. First and foremost, notice the sectional sofa encased in plastic slipcovers! I know, you've heard about it on Everybody Loves Raymond, and now you see that people actually did this. Note also, the pole lamp that looks like sideways track lighting.

I know you can't see it, but underneath that pile of gifts, we had a formica-topped boomerang shaped coffee table. Oh! We were cutting edge when it came to home decor!

We did have an eclectic side, though. You'll see that above the sofa, Mom had hung a brass plaque. (She still has it, by the way.) It was one of a pair, the other one reposed on the other side of the room. You'll never believe where she got the plaques. Yup, at the S & H Green Stamp Redemption Center! It was so cool, just for buying gas or groceries, they gave you stamps. You got to wet the backs of them and then stick them in books. Then you could peruse a catalog and dream of how many more books it would take for you to get that special item.

Nowadays at the gas pump or the checkout counter instead of them giving YOU stamps, you give THEM your life's blood, often in the form of plastic. It's the gift that keeps giving you pain month after month when the statements come in.

But I digress.

This picture shows some of the Christmas gifts we received. We were wearing our Christmas jammies. It was a tradition that we always got new jammies for Christmas in order to take better Christmas pictures.

I remember that this particular Christmas, our parents had went all out and bought a ton of gifts. [You can't see them all in this shot.] They both had really good jobs at the time, probably the only time in their married life that both of them were making good money at the same time.

Not pictured were our main gifts, a Huffy 3-speed bike for me, and a drum set for my brother. He also got a Fred Flintstone punching bag. But what you can see is that I got a Barbie, Tim is holding a transistor radio, and on the couch beside me was a Nancy Drew mystery and a Chatty Cathy doll. [I was practically sitting on Chatty Cathy.] It's too bad I didn't save some of this stuff. I could sell it on E-bay!

Thanks for stopping by and looking at my nostalgic photo. As you can see, even in the 60s parents sometimes went overboard!

If you'd like to see some other great photos, go visit Kristen's blog, We are THAT Family.