So…I’ve been thinking about Ali’s “one little word” and have really come up against a wall.
As I surveyed my shambles of a house last night, I thought to myself:
“Would PURGE be a bad word for 2009?”
As in purge the crap in the garage that hasn’t seen the light of day in the three years we’ve been here.
As in purge the clothes that no longer fit or are just not going to be worn again in this house from my closet, Scott’s closet and jay’s closet.
As in purge the junk from the pantry that is just sitting there looking great but being bad.
As in purge my crappy eating habits over the last month and start to eat something besides carbs.
As in purge my bad attitude about work, cleaning, exercise, eating and virtually everything else that I’m frustrated with at the moment.
The problem is that while “purge” is certainly accurate and certainly what I need to do, its literally only ½ the problem AND its not all that inspiring.
I could purge everything that needs purging but would be left with only emptiness in the place of all that stuff…which in some cases is really amazingly inspiring and in some cases is so overly depressing that I want to slit my wrists or run away from home.
Alas, what is a girl to do when she wants to carry the entire household to the curb and start fresh?
And WHAT is the “one little word” for THAT!?!?!?
Obviously, my “one little word” needs some work!
Peace, ya’ll!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Heard At Our House – Traffic Accident
Jay: SNIFF!! SNIFF!! SSSSNNNNIIIFFFFFF!!!!! My nose is bahwoken!!
Mommy: It is? How did it get broken?
It won ovah by a twuck!
Your nose got run over by a truck?
Uh-huh!
How did your nose get loose from your face?
I doh-no!
How did your nose get run over by a truck?
It going to CHUWCH!
Hmmm…I wonder how you file a police report for that…
Mommy: It is? How did it get broken?
It won ovah by a twuck!
Your nose got run over by a truck?
Uh-huh!
How did your nose get loose from your face?
I doh-no!
How did your nose get run over by a truck?
It going to CHUWCH!
Hmmm…I wonder how you file a police report for that…
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Scrapping away the weekend...
For once, I've had some time to do some scrapping...its a wonder what a plethora of new toys will buy you in terms of time - hurray Christmas!!
ok...did these for Scrapbooking From the Inside Out challenges on "regret." Found it all rather cathartic!
This challenge was about what we consider the "perfect holiday":
This was for a challenge on "No Regrets" on our path:
And finally a challenge on Now and Then:
Also used elements from their december kit to finish a layout about LAST year's picture session for the Christmas Card:
Unfortunately, THIS year, I didn't even get the picture taken until Christmas day...sigh!
Peace, ya'll!
ok...did these for Scrapbooking From the Inside Out challenges on "regret." Found it all rather cathartic!
This challenge was about what we consider the "perfect holiday":
This was for a challenge on "No Regrets" on our path:
And finally a challenge on Now and Then:
Also used elements from their december kit to finish a layout about LAST year's picture session for the Christmas Card:
Unfortunately, THIS year, I didn't even get the picture taken until Christmas day...sigh!
Peace, ya'll!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Now that the gifts are opened
I can share with you some of my Christmas projects...
Now, I'm no Mary, but I love two of the sentiments she expressed all through the Christmas season - #1 recycle and #2 use your talents to make meaningful and wonderful gifts within your budget for everyone on your list....so...
I was inspired by her LAST year and set about trying to find ways I could use my talents this year to make some (or all???) of my gifts. To be honest, I was really NO where close to all the way home-made. But I got about 40% done with my resourcefulness, imagination and talent this year. ABD I had so much fun!
First of all, I found the greatest etsy shop called little brown pen. They create printable card and calendar sets among other things.
I purchased these two calendars:
Add a large circle of cool paper and some ribbon ties and I ended up with these:
I also purchased several card sets...these two are some examples:
And couple of these card sets (and one that was given by little brown pen as a gift to its customers) produced these handy little sets of 8:
Add some pretty ribbon, maybe a small gift card and a punched tag and this was my pretty little gift packet:
I had a great time packaging and making pretty some paper piecings I began last year. They became some fabulous ornaments:
I also tried Mary's recycled container concept...I've been saving jars over the year and was able to do some really neat "layered trail mix" jars. Add a bit of festive ribbon and a downloaded tag image from the internet and I had gifts for all my co-workers:
I'm ready to embark on the journey to the new year. Working on a couple of new things and processing some fun challenges.
Have a happy day!
Peace, ya'll!!
Now, I'm no Mary, but I love two of the sentiments she expressed all through the Christmas season - #1 recycle and #2 use your talents to make meaningful and wonderful gifts within your budget for everyone on your list....so...
I was inspired by her LAST year and set about trying to find ways I could use my talents this year to make some (or all???) of my gifts. To be honest, I was really NO where close to all the way home-made. But I got about 40% done with my resourcefulness, imagination and talent this year. ABD I had so much fun!
First of all, I found the greatest etsy shop called little brown pen. They create printable card and calendar sets among other things.
I purchased these two calendars:
Add a large circle of cool paper and some ribbon ties and I ended up with these:
I also purchased several card sets...these two are some examples:
And couple of these card sets (and one that was given by little brown pen as a gift to its customers) produced these handy little sets of 8:
Add some pretty ribbon, maybe a small gift card and a punched tag and this was my pretty little gift packet:
I had a great time packaging and making pretty some paper piecings I began last year. They became some fabulous ornaments:
I also tried Mary's recycled container concept...I've been saving jars over the year and was able to do some really neat "layered trail mix" jars. Add a bit of festive ribbon and a downloaded tag image from the internet and I had gifts for all my co-workers:
I'm ready to embark on the journey to the new year. Working on a couple of new things and processing some fun challenges.
Have a happy day!
Peace, ya'll!!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased”
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Santa is Alive and Well...
And We Are On His Team
I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"
My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns.
Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go."
"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.
As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days.
"Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.
I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.
For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill , wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about though, when I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's second grade class.
Bobbie Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat. I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.
"Yes," I replied shyly. "It's ... for Bobbie." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas. That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write, "To Bobbie, From Santa Claus" on it -- Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobbie Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.
Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie.
Forty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my grandma, in Bobbie Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.
Author Unknown
In the Krech, Kleeberger and Porter households, we're on his team too!
Off to a Christmas Open House tonight. SO looking forward to some socializing and fun!
Peace, everyone!
I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"
My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns.
Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go."
"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.
As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days.
"Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.
I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.
For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill , wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about though, when I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's second grade class.
Bobbie Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat. I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.
"Yes," I replied shyly. "It's ... for Bobbie." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas. That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write, "To Bobbie, From Santa Claus" on it -- Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobbie Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.
Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie.
Forty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my grandma, in Bobbie Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.
Author Unknown
In the Krech, Kleeberger and Porter households, we're on his team too!
Off to a Christmas Open House tonight. SO looking forward to some socializing and fun!
Peace, everyone!
Monday, December 22, 2008
How did the shepards know where to look?
Because they followed a star? Nope....
I read THIS and found it fascinating...
Most of her info comes from HERE :
I've posted this before, but it never ceases to amaze me how God perfectly orchestrate all the tiny details!
PS...The star was for the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12).
I'm breathing a sigh of relief as all boxes have been shipped, and the presents I still have left are those that bring me huge joy to shop for...can you say TOYS!?!?!??
Have a BLESSED DAY!
Peace ya'll!
I read THIS and found it fascinating...
Most of her info comes from HERE :
I've posted this before, but it never ceases to amaze me how God perfectly orchestrate all the tiny details!
PS...The star was for the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12).
I'm breathing a sigh of relief as all boxes have been shipped, and the presents I still have left are those that bring me huge joy to shop for...can you say TOYS!?!?!??
Have a BLESSED DAY!
Peace ya'll!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
One Solitary Life
This is something I've had for a few years now that just floats around on my PC until its time for Christmas.
The credited author is Dr. James Allen Francis.
Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never owned a home.
He never wrote a book.
He never held an office.
He never had a family.
He never went to college.
He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness.
He had no credentials but Himself...
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.
While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat.
When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.
Never underestimate the wonder that God can do with one simple and solitary life!
Peace, everyone!
The credited author is Dr. James Allen Francis.
Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never owned a home.
He never wrote a book.
He never held an office.
He never had a family.
He never went to college.
He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness.
He had no credentials but Himself...
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.
While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat.
When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.
Never underestimate the wonder that God can do with one simple and solitary life!
Peace, everyone!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Fun with Random Acts of Kindness
So…I’ve been hearing about all sorts of fun ways to do Random Acts of Kindness.
The first of these is the random Ornament Drop dreamed up by the ever-creative Creating Keepsakes…You can go HERE and print the tag, attach it to a hand-made ornament, leave the ornament for somebody to find and then go post about it HERE.
The second is the Pay for the People Behind You Random Act. This can take many forms. For example, there is the kindness challenge posted by Brene Brown on her blog Ordinary Courage. Or, you can try the Drive Through Difference that New Life 91.9 has been sponsoring. Just click on the link, download the letter and pay for somebody’s lunch!
You could also pay for groceries, for the people behind you…leave them the change.
Bake cookies for a neighbor or teacher, just because.
Visit a nursing home and bring cupcakes. Sit and visit with a few of the residents.
You'd be amazed at the loving reception you will receive as many residents rarely receive visitors.
Buy a new calendar for a workmate.
Leave an extra large tip for your food server!
Leave a bouquet of flowers on someone’s front door step.
Bake goodies and take them to the police station, fire station, or hospital.
Take a box of doughnuts to an elementary school for a classroom.
Leave your change in the soda machine for the next person. It's a nice surprise.
Write to management at places where you get especially good service and commend them (specify names!)
Tape a quarter to a pay phone with a note welcoming anyone who needs it to use it.
Volunteer at a local shelter, crisis nursery or soup kitchen. This will give more to you than you can imagine.
Volunteer to read to children at your nearest library.
Pay for someone's toll and/or gas.
Buy lunch for the couple or family sitting next to you as you pay your own. Be sure to be secretive!
Buy a toy for a child in the store and ask the clerk to deliver it after you’ve gone.
And my personal favorite – be somebody’s secret Santa. Don’t tell them who you are.
Happy Kindness-spreading, everyone!
Peace, ya’ll!
The first of these is the random Ornament Drop dreamed up by the ever-creative Creating Keepsakes…You can go HERE and print the tag, attach it to a hand-made ornament, leave the ornament for somebody to find and then go post about it HERE.
The second is the Pay for the People Behind You Random Act. This can take many forms. For example, there is the kindness challenge posted by Brene Brown on her blog Ordinary Courage. Or, you can try the Drive Through Difference that New Life 91.9 has been sponsoring. Just click on the link, download the letter and pay for somebody’s lunch!
You could also pay for groceries, for the people behind you…leave them the change.
Bake cookies for a neighbor or teacher, just because.
Visit a nursing home and bring cupcakes. Sit and visit with a few of the residents.
You'd be amazed at the loving reception you will receive as many residents rarely receive visitors.
Buy a new calendar for a workmate.
Leave an extra large tip for your food server!
Leave a bouquet of flowers on someone’s front door step.
Bake goodies and take them to the police station, fire station, or hospital.
Take a box of doughnuts to an elementary school for a classroom.
Leave your change in the soda machine for the next person. It's a nice surprise.
Write to management at places where you get especially good service and commend them (specify names!)
Tape a quarter to a pay phone with a note welcoming anyone who needs it to use it.
Volunteer at a local shelter, crisis nursery or soup kitchen. This will give more to you than you can imagine.
Volunteer to read to children at your nearest library.
Pay for someone's toll and/or gas.
Buy lunch for the couple or family sitting next to you as you pay your own. Be sure to be secretive!
Buy a toy for a child in the store and ask the clerk to deliver it after you’ve gone.
And my personal favorite – be somebody’s secret Santa. Don’t tell them who you are.
Happy Kindness-spreading, everyone!
Peace, ya’ll!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Because I'm busy, that's why!
That is why I haven't posted...
Work is at a fever pitch (we deliver the final product of a year long project on January 8th. Its been an insane month.)
Christmas snuck up on me a bit, although I was more prepared than I initially thought on the day after Thanksgiving.
There is a two-year-old ENAMORED with Christmas and mommy's office and the spare bedroom which is technically North Pole South at the moment.
Scott is helping as much as he can to ease my burden - he has even been loading up my laptop bag and purse and getting them out to the car each morning so I can grab a coat and my coffee and run frantically out the door!
So...
I'll be better and FAR more inspirational as we head into Christmas week...I PROMISE!!!
Blessings and Peace, ya'll!
Work is at a fever pitch (we deliver the final product of a year long project on January 8th. Its been an insane month.)
Christmas snuck up on me a bit, although I was more prepared than I initially thought on the day after Thanksgiving.
There is a two-year-old ENAMORED with Christmas and mommy's office and the spare bedroom which is technically North Pole South at the moment.
Scott is helping as much as he can to ease my burden - he has even been loading up my laptop bag and purse and getting them out to the car each morning so I can grab a coat and my coffee and run frantically out the door!
So...
I'll be better and FAR more inspirational as we head into Christmas week...I PROMISE!!!
Blessings and Peace, ya'll!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Heard at our house – Christmas Edition
Mommy: Do you know why we celebrate Christmas?
Jay: Isss baypee cheeses birday!
Mommy: That’s right. And who comes on Christmas Eve to our house?
Jay: Ummmmm…..Mawee an Joseff!!!
After turning a corner and seeing lots of Christmas lights:
Oh, WOOK! Isss Kissmass EV-WE-WEAH!!!!
While reading The Legend of the Candy Cane
Dat wettah “J”!
Juh, juh, juh, Jay! Dat tand fo Jayden! And CHEEEESus!
While looking at the Christmas Tree.
Dat twee is BEEEE-YOUUU-TEEE-FUL! An a AINchell on top!
Peace, ya'll!!
Jay: Isss baypee cheeses birday!
Mommy: That’s right. And who comes on Christmas Eve to our house?
Jay: Ummmmm…..Mawee an Joseff!!!
After turning a corner and seeing lots of Christmas lights:
Oh, WOOK! Isss Kissmass EV-WE-WEAH!!!!
While reading The Legend of the Candy Cane
Dat wettah “J”!
Juh, juh, juh, Jay! Dat tand fo Jayden! And CHEEEESus!
While looking at the Christmas Tree.
Dat twee is BEEEE-YOUUU-TEEE-FUL! An a AINchell on top!
Peace, ya'll!!
Thursday, December 04, 2008
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