Monthly Archives: July 2011

Is It Autumn Yet?

I haven’t blogged for the past couple of days. That is unusual for me, I know. Some days are just that way. I decided not to fight it. Instead I took a short break and a deep breath. The past few weeks I’ve been living life, and quite frankly I was tired.

Over the past couple of days I’ve been looking through all my back issues of Country Living, This Old House, and my plethora of decorating books. I have also been watching hours of HGTV, while I do the daily, “must do” chores around the house. I guess one could say I have been taking a summer “staycation”.

I know that Autumn is still a couple of months away but, I am already anxious for the cooler days and crisp nights of October and November. I’m also looking forward to autumn decorating. Candles, hot chocolate mix out on the counter, fluffy floor pillows in warm colors, blankets and throws, and pretty rugs to keep tootsies warm.

I can’t wait…

 

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You Can’t Go Back Home Again….But, You Can Visit

Michael Jackson dancing with the living dead.

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I graduated from high school in 1986.  Fellow classmates are putting together a twenty-fifth reunion, that will take place in a couple of months. I wish I could go….but, alas, I cannot. I grew up in Maryland, but now live in Ohio. Life tugs at me. So much to do, busy schedule, time slips away. How did I get from 18 to 43? From attending Friday night football games to Saturday morning soccer mom? From staying up late to dead tired by 9pm? From long talks on the telephone with friends, to email and smart phones? From being the teenager to now having teenagers of my own? When did I get old? Sigh. It would be great to be able to attend the reunion, because we are all in the same boat. Life has changed us all. We are on an even playing field now, no longer tied to our high school images. We might see other “children of the 80’s” at WalMart, our kids sporting events, or walking our subdivisions….and we just know.

My time in high school was good. I wasn’t a jock, or a geek, or a band member, or new wave. I did have friends that were. I don’t really know what I was in high school. I guess I was fairly average. Isn’t that pretty much how it goes? A teenager, trying to find herself….. The teen years are so confusing anyway.

It was the ’80’s. I watched The Cosby Show and Family Ties. Michael Jackson’s Thriller was at the top of the charts. ( Still, every time I hear the music from Thriller, I want to break into that zombie dance–I can’t help myself) The preppy look was in. How many layers of shirts could one person wear? Michael J. Fox was Back To The Future. I loved listening to The Police, Madonna, and the Eurythmics on my cassettes. X box and PlayStations weren’t heard of, we had Atari. VCRs were new, as were microwaves that weren’t the size of a house. If I wanted to get in touch with someone I called on the rotary phone that hung on the kitchen wall, or mailed them a handwritten letter. Email was unheard of. Cruising around 140 shopping center was the thing to do. Hanging out. Life was simple.

I can’t ever go back to the way things used to be. I can’t say that I’d really want to do that anyway….but, the memories are fun.

The old saying, You can’t go home again, is true…..but, I’ll always be part of the WHS Class of ’86.

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Weathering Life

Lightning

The morning sun pours in through the windows and puddles golden on the floor. It is a bright morning following a stormy night. The lightness is in direct contrast to the steel gray of last night’s weather. I think that life, in general, is a lot like the weather.

*we can try and plan outdoor activities, schedule things on the calendar….but, sometimes it rains and plans change.

*storms are unpredictable, and sometimes scary….but, they don’t last forever.

*as much as we enjoy the sunshine, we need the rain. Rain helps things to grow.

*sun is important and our body needs it for good health and for our moods, but too much sunshine and we get hurt.

*Sunshine and rain are both important in nature…and in life.

Enjoy the sunny times of life, appreciate them. Embrace them. Remember them.

But, also remember that every life is going to have rain…need rain. Learn to weather the storms. Hang on tight. Ride them out.

Both sunshine and rain help you to grow.

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-thank you God, for the sunshine and the rain

-puddles of sunlight

-doggie licks

-the smell of coffee

-holding hands

-good morning hugs

-friendship

-good ideas

-comfy pajamas

-a fresh start to a new week

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Commercial Break From The Heat

Columbus is the fourth largest city in the Midwest

Image via Wikipedia

 

The Midwest has been under a record breaking heat wave. The heat index in my area has reached as high as 110 degrees this week. The news people are warning everyone to stay inside, turn on the a/c, and drink lots of water.

I felt like I should interrupt this miserable heat for a brief, and much needed, commercial break. On that note I bring you the cool, icy thoughts of winter. Snow falling. Ice forming. Freezing cold toes and nose. Snow men and sled rides, mittens and gray skies.

I think I can feel myself cooling down already. Some more ice for my tea, please?

This commercial is brought to you by January in Ohio.

 

The road to home…

Ice covered trees, so pretty.


Let  it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

 

And now a word from our sponsors.

Bark. Woof. Give us a treat….Puh-leeze?!

Now, back to your regularly scheduled program. Think cool thoughts!

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They’re Coming To Take Me Away…

horse fly, Diptera family Tabanidae, Tabanus s...

Image via Wikipedia

On this incredibly stinkin’ hot day in the rural Midwest, I thought we could all use a good dose of humor. I will allow you to laugh at my expense. Dawn vs. Nature. It is not a pretty sight.

I thought that we had moved to a picturesque setting in the rural farmland of Ohio. Actually, this turned out to be true, although I had no idea the other critters that had also chose to live alongside us on our little slice of land. In the Spring we had a raccoon under the deck. This visitor caused our dogs to nearly go berserk. At 3 am in the morning. The dogs couldn’t get to the “scared out of his wits” raccoon, and the raccoon was NOT coming out with two “Cujo‘s” on the loose. There was not much sleeping going on that night for anyone in a five mile radius of our house.

We have a ground hog that has a vacation home down where our property meets the road. He is quiet and keeps to himself. Every time I see him, The Wind and The Willows comes to mind.

We have Bambi and family that trek across our side yard on a fairly regular basis. Fun to watch, unless one decides to jump out directly in front of the the family van….then it is a little scary. The other night my husband laid some rubber on the road when he braked hard not to hit a deer that literally came out of nowhere, directly in front of us. My heart was hammering in my chest during that little moment, as I was nearly decapitated by the stupid shoulder strap safety belt. Are there any statistics on death by shoulder strap?

In August and September we have the gnat plague. Where in the world do gnats come from? Honestly, there is no food sitting out, nothing like that….they just appear like clockwork. In August. They stay for two months and the family chases them around with the bug zapper before they disappear, or are inadvertently eaten, as they are always in my way while fixing dinner. Um…they look like pepper. Sorry. I looked gnats up on the internet. They are a nuisance, but harmless and will not kill anyone if eaten. I don’t know why they come here. It’s one of life’s mysteries.

In late Fall and early winter the field mice decide that it is time for them to head toward their winter retreat. The retreat happens to be our garage, and if they are slick enough….the main living quarters. This does not set well with me. At all. I hate mice with a white hot passion. They mock me, as they scratch around in the walls. I find myself yelling at them ….and I know I am not imagining that I hear the faint sound of laughter. Go ahead and laugh! It’s all fun and games until I start laying out glue traps. Stinkin’ little fur balls. Then who will be laughing? I digress…….mice put me in a precarious mental state.

We are currently battling a horse fly population that has reached biblical proportions. Now, before I moved to Ohio I thought I had seen horse flies. I was wrong….at least not like these. These flies are the huge. Their heads are the size of my thumb nail. I am not kidding. One has to make a run for it when leaving or entering the house. If one should linger too long on the deck, there is a great possibility that said person could possibly be carried off by the mutant horse fly gang. They dive bomb anyone on the deck, like miniature Kamikaze pilots.

I better go. I’m heading out to the deck.

I think I’ll take the electric bug zapper with me. It reminds me of a lightsaber.

Just call me Luke Skywalker.

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Keeping The Faith -Part 2

A new notebook and pen

Image by paulcapewell via Flickr

Here’s the topic:

How is God challenging you to keep faith fresh?

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Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8  NIV

The everyday is difficult. Chaos reigns. Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people. It doesn’t make sense. Life is hard for everyone. It is easy to complain about all that isn’t.

I was heading into the hard, dark winter months when I read about a book called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I’ve blogged about her book before and have given it rave reviews. The truth is that book helped change my perspective. I’m not perfect, never was, but this book caused me to look to the One that is…and always has been perfect. I believe God used the words of this humble woman, to draw me back to Himself.

How can I be thankful in the everyday? How can I look at moments in life and appreciate them for what they are? Not needing the excitement of the world, but the calm assurance that I already have all I will ever need, in Him.

I have been on a journey of “eucharisteo” for the past six months. A journey that has encouraged me to look at each day with my eyes wide open, in order to see all the things that God has blessed me with. It has given me a vision for the things that are true, pure, lovely and admirable, and through that, it has given me a clearer vision of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Don’t get me wrong, focusing on the good is not easy. I wish it was. I struggle on some days more than others. Why is it easier to keep a mental list of the day’s problems and complaints than it is to choose to focus on the times that give us a glimpse of what Heaven will be like?

In the meantime, I journey on. I thank God for all that is good. All the moments that matter. All the things that He has so richly blessed me with. With each of the “thank you’s” I draw closer to Him.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17  NIV

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FaithBarista_FreshJamBadgeG

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In The Name Of Love

Holding hands

Image by QuinnDombrowski via Flickr

*I promise to love, honor, and cherish you; from this day forward until death do us part.

*Mommy, I love you very, very much. You are the bestest mommy ever!

*Love you, Mom! Love you, too.

*For God so loved the world…

*Love you, babe!

*I think I’m in love.

*Don’t you just love that?

*Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

*What’s love got to do with it?

Love is patient, love is kind…

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Sometimes the word, love, is a scary word to utter. Unsure. Unnerving. A word that holds so much meaning, but will the speaker of the word have it returned back to him/her?

A mother and child. A husband and wife. A boyfriend and girlfriend. God to His people.

The world would have us believe that love is a fragile emotion, best not to use the word too often. On one hand, love is over simplified, and overused. Love hurts. Love stinks. Love breaks hearts and ruins lives. The world also says that love makes the world go round.

So, what is love?

4 Love is patient, love is kind.       (love allows one to try again, love treats others in a way that she herself would like to be treated…even if it isn’t returned)

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (love is humble and does not have a smart mouth)

5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, (love is giving up the spotlight, love is stepping down and letting the other person shine, love is choosing to make itself less)

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (love holds its tongue, love doesn’t roll it’s eyes, or attempt to cut another down, love should not hurt)

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (love heals the hurts, love triumphs in the truth, love stands tall and is not ashamed)

7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (love gives the benefit of the doubt, love tries harder, pushes farther, and longs for the best)

 8 Love never fails. (real love is what everyone craves, we all want it, long for it, live for it)

 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.                         I Corinthians 13 NIV

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Will you share the love?

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Take Me Home–Windows Version

 

My family moved into our house (that we built, along with dozens of other men) in Ohio, two years ago this month. My husband and I had decided that our windows would have the grill work that snaps on and makes the windows look like they have small panes of glass. (I’m all about aesthetics, you know.) I stained all the grill work by hand, by myself, thank you very much. I did that and it sat in the attic…..until yesterday. You see the casings of all the windows are natural wood and did not match the dark wood in the house. Staining all the window casings would be a big job and I didn’t feel up to it. Until this week. I am grabbing the bull by the horns, so to speak. Maybe I should say I’m grabbing the brush by the handle. I think HGTV has inspired me. Or not. I just want to get this task completed….and I want the trims to match, so there you go. Yesterday I worked all afternoon staining the casings in the kitchen, then I washed the windows, wiped down the grills, and snapped them in (which is much more difficult than one would think, believe me…. I have a cut thumb to prove it). Instant beautification.

The white parts on the windows are not wood, so therefore cannot be stained. It’s the tracking part thing-a-ma-bobbers, in the windows. So, that is not my fault. Just sayin’. When looking through the kitchen window, one can see the corner posts of the front porch and my still empty flower bed…although, it has been tilled. The bird feeders are also visible.

I like my faux silk curtains. I got them for $7.99 a piece at Wal-mart. One can hardly go wrong with that price. Pretty. Pretty. They add some snazziness to the windows, and are beautiful when the light filters through them.

This is the small kitchen window facing the driveway. The bottles are from Snapple‘s raspberry tea. I washed them and filled them with colored glass pieces. When the sun hits them it almost looks like stained glass. Once again, I got the glass pieces at Wal-mart and already had the glass bottles. Prettiness on the cheap.

 

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Beat The Heat

Ice cubes in a tray

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It is a hot, humid, sticky, stifling Monday morning in west central Ohio. I know there are a lot of people dealing with temperatures much hotter than the 90’s, but it’s still hot, regardless. I could gripe about the heat (and I probably will, because I am not above whining), but I will begin today’s blog with being thankful that we have a working air conditioner in the house.

The last severe heat wave we had, the air conditioner was not working. We couldn’t catch a breeze and I was quickly melting in a pool of sweat. It was a gross and disgusting scene. Just trust me on that. Moist skin, hair plastered to my head, and a sweat mustache are not my most beautiful look. Needless to say, I was happy to see the temps eventually drop. Now, this week, I am looking at 95 degree temps again.

Have I mentioned that I enjoy the laid back spirit of summer? But, not so laid back that I drop over dead on the lawn from heat stroke. Just sayin’. Don’t waste your time telling me I am a heat wimp…because I won’t even fight you on that point. I will just agree with you and then request that you go and get me some more ice cubes for my tea…..or fan me……or spray me with the water hose. That’s just how I roll.

The dog days of summer are very real at my house. The outside dogs just lay around in the shade, and pant a lot. I make sure their water bowls are always full. I tell them to drink up. I’m seriously considering buying them a kiddy pool. They can lay around in it and I can bring them their water bowls with little umbrellas in them.

I’m already thinking ahead. Three months from now will be October 18th. Aaahhh….cool days and crisp nights. My perfect season…..Autumn, I miss you. Please hurry. Before I melt.

Well, it’s off to find something to wear today. Something cool…..but, still decent. And legal.

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I’m thankful this Monday morning for…..

*laughter

*humor

*friendships

*family

*working air conditioner

*ice cubes

*cold water

*my house

*a to do list, and the ability to do

*my husband’s job

*compliments

*encouragement

*the possibility of rain

*creativity

*A heavenly Father who loves me

*That sad times never last

*That there are golden moments in each day

*Life

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Because I’ve Got Vision…That’s Why

Taken at a Chicagoland Flea Market. Rosemont, ...

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I bought this fireplace cover years ago at a local flea market in Tennessee. I didn’t have a fireplace, but I did not let that stop me. Details. Details.  I enjoy metal work and this was interesting to me. I took it home and actually hung it on the wall, with some of my other architectural style salvage. I was going for a kind of industrial, eclectic, shabby chic decor. I am all about repurposing objects. My husband does not understand this at all. So…..I did not hang it up when we moved to our new house. My poor fireplace cover has been setting forlornly in the corner. All alone.

I think he needs to be repurposed (my fireplace cover, not my husband). I tend to call my flea market items “he” or “she”. I don’t know why. I’m just weird that way. (chunky metal objects, things with rough edges are definitely “he”, and pastel colors and vintage floral prints are unmistakeable “she”. Understand?)

I have been looking at the cover….and plotting…..er…. I mean thinking. I’m considering painting it a lighter, brighter color. I could use it as a memo board or a place to tuck pictures. It would make a great headboard for a twin bed. (which I currently do not have) It is metal, so it has weight…but, is not terribly heavy. The two side pieces bend back, so it can set up independently….or it can lay flat.

Do any of my crafty readers have ideas?

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