1....2....3.... RELEASE!

I've heard that when we let go of something, it makes room for something new to come in and fill that place.

1. Clutter!

Take a look in that closet, those cupboards, drawers, book shelves, toy chests..... We all have limited room. Unless you're Bill Gates, you can't just go and build yourself another house to store things. Opening up areas in our lives gives us more opportunities to fill them with what we need now. The books I was reading 10 years ago are not what my life requires for this season. Just think of all the new clothes you could buy when you see 20 extra hangers in your closet from getting rid of things that are worn out or don't fit any longer. Change can be good!

2. Worry....

How many times have I kept things bottled up and bottled up and bottled up and then the blow-out occurs? Even our hearts and minds have a capacity to only hold on to so many things. How about just letting go sometimes? Stress, anxiety, ulcers, tension headaches, worry lines, scowls, knotted backs and necks, migraines, acne, over-eating, indigestion...... do I really need to go on? Why would anyone want love, joy, peace and general overall happiness when you could get a second helping of irritable bowel syndrome?

3. Unforgiveness?

This can be a big storage unit in our hearts. If that area got cleaned out, think of all the love that could fill that space. Usually, when this type of cleansing occurs, we end up happier, healthier and just more joyful. Forgiveness costs a high price in the beginning, (hurt pride, feelings and emotions of being treated unfairly, letting go of control) but any good financial planner will tell you, the returns of letting this one go are well worth the initial investment.

My Specialty..... Dessert!

Dessert at my house. Homemade chocolate mousse in (store bought) chocolate dessert shells. Easy Betty Crocker recipe. It's all in the chocolate; Ghirardelli's a favorite of mine. How could you possibly go wrong with this I ask you? :O)

Disturbing :O(

Recently, I became an unwilling volunteer at my kids' school. Of all places..... the cafeteria lunchroom. The first couple of days, literally all I could hear as I walked up and down the rows of tables was Guns n' Roses, "Welcome to the Jungle" ringing in my head. A friend of mine suggested that if I had to be there anyways, to purposefully go in with a good attitude and see what happens. So I did. The same place... the same kids..... totally new picture to see. I saw the little girl not eating any of the lunch her mom thoughtfully packed for her, the special needs kids sometimes in their own worlds, the loners, sitting alone, heads down eating slowly, the cliques already forming with brand name only girls sitting together......

Today's disturbing sight were two SEVEN year olds (boy and girl) holding hands, fingers interlaced or at times with arms around each others backs walking together from recess. Whatever happened to "YUK, girls" or "Ewwww, stinky boys" being the great wall that kept the sexes apart? No other adult and none of the other kids questioned this or saw this as out of the ordinary. I was completely dumbfounded! Our society is putting ideas into our children's heads that they don't even know what to do with, and the kids are trying to fit in and participate with all the craziness. When these kids are having sex at age 12, the parents will be puzzled and wonder why and how this could've ever happened.So yes..... I am at the school. Watching, praying and even at times reporting to the school what needs to be told. If it were me, I would want to know as a parent. I will not stand silently by.......

Think About it Thursdays

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on earth

The peace that was meant to be.

With God as our father

Brothers all are we.

Let me walk with my brother

In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me

Let this be the moment now.

With every step I take

Let this be my solemn vow.

To take each moment

And live each moment

With peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth,

And let it begin with me.

.......any areas in your life that you could be this peacemaker?

The winner of the mousepad is Tina at Adorn Me Jewelry! I will be contacting you to get your address.

Don't forget to check back October 1st for the next super-dee-duper giveaway! It involves a designer with the initials V.B........ Hmmmmm.

Conversations with My Son This Week

Four babies being born soon. My speciality.... the soccer ball. Not my favorite to make because they're time consuming, but it is a novelty item that every child loves.

"Mom, you are the creator of balls of yarn".... with a big smile on his face. He just looks at me with those adoring, boy loving his mom eyes. He is amazed by my supermom powers to transform mere yarn into balls of delight. My pride temporarily swells for all the adoration and love that a boy can give........ until.......

Conversation number two.

It started out good. We were snuggling, having mom and son time. He's looking down noticing my stomach and here comes the bomb drop..... "Mom, are you sure there's not another baby in there?" He starts rubbing it, looking hopeful..... Can't you just hear my internal screams that are taking place? What should I blame PMS, bad posture, or the two pop tarts I just ate for no apparent reason at all? I just tell him no, I'm sure there's no baby, and then thankfully he moves on to an easier topic..... "Mom, how did I squeeze out of your belly button when I was born"? Hmmmmmmmmm.

Don't forget to scroll down and enter my giveaway that ends September 23rd!

A Little Green Mouse Giveaway!

Mouse Pad that is........

In lieu of "Think About it Thursdays" this week, we're having ourselves a little giveaway!

My super sweet friend Jody co-owns Green Tees Embroidery with her sister. She has graciously donated a Recycled Mouse Pad to use for a Giveaway. Are these not sooooooooooooo cool?!?!

The bottoms are made from post-industrial rubber and the fabric tops are made of post-consumer recycled PET bottles.

"You can choose from one of our designs or send us one of your most treasured photos. Whether it's your beloved pet or your cherished grandchild, these mouse pads are more than functional."

In order to qualify, click on Jody's web site here and find the name of her dog. (You can't miss her!) Leave me a comment with the name of her dog and you could win a free mouse pad which usually sells for $6.00. She has 20 different choices for you to pick from. All comments must be received by September 23rd and a lucky winner will be announced on the 24th.

.... but I'm starting to drift out too far.

My daughter using the blow up raft. Enjoying floating along with the current and waves.

She stops and realizes she is starting to drift a way she had not intended to go.

Is that how it is for us at times? All of a sudden, something awakens in us and we realize we're headed in the wrong direction. Drifting whichever way the world takes us. No one starts out rowing deliberately towards (insert area of crazy behavior here) . Sometimes grief, anger, depression, lonliness, life..... turns our boat askew and we find ourselves acting out and thinking things we can't believe are us. How did we get to this point?

Now, totally turned around and over. Now she can see where she's going and head purposefully in that direction. No more drifting aimlessly for her! How about it? Any areas in your life that you need to stick your oars in and get back on course.....?

Speaking of Vampires......

Growing up, Saturday mornings meant cartoons. My sister and I had a schedule that went from 9:00AM until noon of all our favorites. After our roster was complete, my father took over the TV and we were entertained by one of two things.Some kind of martial arts movie with the crazy fight scenes and mouths moving and words coming out in a different timing, or "Monster Movie Matinee". This was a local TV show that had the most "B" grade monster movies of all time. These movies had very few special effects but were full of eerie music and ghoulish looking creatures. Normal right? Being about 10 years old however and highly impressionable, and not knowing any better, (ie: TV is make believe) it left a very long scar on my psyche. The vampire movies always left me wondering and for many years after, I slept angling my neck downward so that they could not bite me while asleep. I had a permanent kink in my neck. Fast forward, probably about age 17. My bedroom is upstairs, the bathroom is downstairs. Still regressing to my childhood fears of creatures possibly chasing me, I would fly down the stairs in the middle of the night, go to the bathroom, and fly back up to my bed before anything could "get me". One night, my fears became reality...... Our house is small, you can hear every little noise. I am in the bathroom making number one and that noise must have drowned out my mom getting up to use the bathroom next. I finish up, open the door and there is standing a shadowed silhouette with a white gown on.....

In my own defense, I did make some kind of small noise and start some involuntary spasms. A few jerky movements, that's it. My mother is apologizing realizing what has happened and I am thanking God I just finished going to the bathroom. Thankfully, I have never run into my worst nightmare since now I know how I would have reacted. No screams, no bravely fighting back or running away..... just a small peep and some twitching.
Just call me dinner.

Think About it Thursdays

Benjamin Franklin quotes. I've heard many of them, but didn't know to attribute them to Ben.

Honesty is the best policy.

A penny saved is a penny earned.

A place for everything, everything in its place.

God helps those who help themselves.

Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

These two are for all my writer buddies. They made me smile!

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing

Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?

P.S. Teresa (one of our cats) has reappeared after a six day MIA status looking a little more frazzled than usual but seemingly fine. Phhhhhew!

The Last Hurrah of Summer

Our trip to the beach this Labor Day Weekend. A picture show of fun, sun and the lake...

Back to the Grind

First day of school. The best boy, prettiest girl and of course Tom. No Teresa..... she seems to be MIA for about 4 days now. Hope the coyotes didn't get her.....

Giveaway Winner #2

Attention Everyone!

Can I have everyone's attention please....

The winner is:

Jessica! Hope you enjoy the bracelet. The next giveaway will be held on October 1st so mark it on your calendars!

Let's Try and Not Forget!

Today as we celebrate Labor Day, I asked myself a question....... What is Labor Day? I'm sure at some point and time it was taught to me, but that information has either slipped out of my mind or been forgotten. I went to this website and found the historical answer to my question.The two quotes that really struck me from this site:

1. "It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country".

2. "It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker".

My thought is..... let's start acting like it people! Let the people who want to work, work and not feel hampered. Our country is great because of the workers that toil to keep it going and improving. Each person has the ability to contribute in some way, either through working in a company, the armed service, the home or impacting others that do. A big thank you and hug to each person that is helping to make this country great. Keep up the good work!

What's on the Menu?!

Kaye Dacus says Romance!



Guess what came in the mail last week? A wonderful inspirational romance book I won from the very generous Keli Gwyn. Check her out if you don't already know her. The book was great! It was a fast read and it provided some much needed leisure reading for me. I am so thankful and can not wait to pass it along. I love giveaways and it is always a thrilling surprise to actually win one. YEAH!!!!!

Think About it Thursdays

Prayer is, after all, a very dangerous business. For all the benefits it offers of growing closer to God, it carries with it one great element of risk: the possibility of change. In prayer we open ourselves to the chance that God will do something with us that we had not intended.

Clinging

by Emilie Griffin

I'm Here For You Giveaway #2

Here it is, my second blog giveaway. It is a lovely black Lia Sophia cuff bracelet that just doesn't get loved as it should. I would be so honored to bless someone with it.

All comments must be dated by September 7th and the drawing will be held on the 8th. One person, one entry. The same rules apply as last time, you do not have to be or become a follower of my blog but it would be so appreciated. If you do not have a blog, please leave me an e-mail to contact you. The next giveaway is October 1st so stay tuned!