Grains of Sand

Have you seen this floating around on Pinterest or perhaps even Facebook?   I have and I didn't think much about it until one of my children came to me the other day and told me he was bored.  I remember saying this to my mom too.  Sorry mom!    My standard response to the 'I'm bored' statement is, "Which chore would you like to do?"  That question usually causes the offending child to quickly seek the nearest exit, leaving me to my project once again.  However, he tends to be a repeat offender, coming back after a short amount of time saying those words again just to make sure I know he's bored.  Again, I believe I was guilty of this infraction myself as a child.  And again, sorry mom!   I was listening to the radio the other day and the DJ couldn't stop raving about this poster.  She loved it and was very excited to try it with her children.  Like I've mentioned before, I'm a good copier.  So, th...

FOR TODAY May 20, 2014 Outside my window... the sun is shining, the grass is green and the birds are singing.  I believe it's finally spring. I am thinking... of my sister-in-law who just celebrated a birthday.  When I married my husband, I also married into his family and have been blessed to enjoy each and every one of them. I am thankful... for books and the ability to read them.  There is so much I can learn just by picking up a good book. In the kitchen... a growing grocery list.  It includes food items for this holiday weekend.  Today is the day to shop and begin preparing food and snacks for this weekend. I am wearing... a combination of blues and oranges and bare feet.  Hello warmer weather. I am creating... a scavenger hunt. I am going... to tackle the laundry today and spend time in the kitchen cooking, after I do some grocery shopping. I am wondering... what to do for a summer getaway this year? I am re...

This little lady celebrated her seventh birthday recently.  She lost one of her two front teeth the week of her birthday and then promptly lost another one the week after that.   Happy Birthday sweetheart.  You are a sweet ray of sunshine.  Always bringing cheer to our day.  We love you! ♥ Mom & Dad

FOR TODAY May 12, 2014 Outside my window...  the ground is soaked from the rain and thunderstorms last night, skies are cloudy with an 80% chance of more rain and thunderstorms.  Trees are unfurling their leaves and the birds are stopping by the yard for snacks. I am thinking... I don't handle surprise visits with a lot of hospitality.  My friend surprised me this morning and instead of saying, "What a pleasant surprise!"  Something to the effect of "You startled me." came out of my mouth. I am thankful... for hot water!  Something I take for granted and don't realize what a pleasure and luxury it is until I have to go without for a while. In the kitchen... clean dishes, hot & tasty coffee in the carafe and a refrigerator full of leftovers. I am wearing...  capri running pants, tank top and a plum colored pull-over because I almost went for a walk this morning until I saw all the worms on the ground.  Good thing I d...

When I moved into this house, there was space above the cabinet to put knick knacks.  So I put a decorative rooster clock up there.  When my parents saw it, they thought it needed a friend, even though I said no.  And then there were two.  I made it clear to my family that I was not collecting roosters.  Then my dad brought over another one.  And another one.  And so started my non-rooster collection. I was telling this story to one of my wonderful friends.  "Yes" I said, "I do have quite a few roosters now, but I'm not collecting them."  She looked puzzled for a moment and then accepted my explanation.  When she came over again, she was carrying this: "It's for your non-rooster collection", she said.  Ha, it's rooster soap... on a rope!  What a wonderful find.  It's crazy and quirky and I love it.  Just like my crazy, quirky friend I love.  Although, I have to say, don't even think about it friends. ...

  grate·ful adjective \ ˈ grāt-fəl\ : Feeling or showing an appreciation for something done or received     Being grateful changed my life.  A few years ago, I was not a very forgiving person.  I was also quite a proud person.  I would hold the smallest infractions close to my heart and mull them over and become resentful.  Depending on the situation, that resentment would turn into anger and we all know there is no forgiveness in anger. Then I came across Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience .  At the time, she was hosting a meme called One Thousand Gifts (before it became a book).  She encouraged readers to be thankful for three things every day with the idea that by the end of the year the things you are thankful for will have added up to 1000 gifts.  In fact, Ann is faithful in being thankful and is now challenging her readers to take the Joy Dare . (If you struggle with anger, resentment, bitterness and unforgiven...

We have had a lot of gray days recently.  On one such day, with rain threatening, I received a package filled with sunshine!   I was the winner of Garden Glimpses giveaway.  Tammy was giving away all these cheerful items to mark her seventh(!) year blogging.  Woot woot!   Tammy and her blog have blessed me in many ways throughout the years.  Her writing has encouraged me and many posts have challenged me to be intentional in my day to day relationship with God.   One of the best surprises that came with this package was the fact that Tammy, who inspired me to start blogging, lives a mere half hour from my mom!  As she put it, "God's way of putting a smile on my face."   Thank you for the box of sunshine Tammy and thank you for being a faith-full blogger.

Vacuuming!   Shaking up chicken for dinner.   Three, the age when helping mom is fun.  I'm enjoying it while it lasts.