A New Adventure

Today was grocery day! As we started out to Sam's we decided to visit a new store in our town. The new store is called Whole Food Market. It was a wonderful store! They had so many different types of produce you could look all day at pears! There was so many meats, cheeses, teas, personal hygiene products, spices, and coffees. Then there was an olive bar(I love olives!), a hot food bar, a salad bar, and pastries!

Most of the things in store was organic or fresh. Some of the prices were expensive but some were very reasonable, and through the weekend you get a coupon with your purchase for 5$ off your next purchase(of 25$ or more).

They also had a rather unique and impressive plant and flower section. I would suggest a visit to all! They are having a lot of special events through the weekend.

Supper time

I hate not knowing what I am going to fix for supper! It is time to start cooking and I don't have a clue. Sometimes it is so hard to think of something that really sounds good. This is grocery week and so the choices at this point are limited, and that makes the decision even more difficult. Not to mention we have been really busy and I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE COOKING!!!

I also feel like I am in a rut and need some new ideas. So, if you have some good, new, EASY recipes please pass them my way.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. I feel a lot better but, I STILL DON'T WANT TO COOK!!!

Deep Question

I have been reading a lot of other blogs that have been really deep and subject to great debate, and this has made me question my next entry greatly. So far, my blogs have just been the meanderings of a mad woman. So today I would like to share a theory and pose a question. Now let me say up front that THERE ARE NO HIDDEN AGENDAS OR MEANINGS. So with that out of the way here we go!

I have been giving some thoughts to bathrooms. Now you may be saying" why would she think or write about bathrooms?" Well.....Why not! The bathroom is probably one of my favorite rooms in the house. I love to clean my bathroom(please note I said "MY" bathroom, so no offers to clean others, thanks) When I travel there is nothing like coming home to my bathroom. I mean isn't it strange how the hard surface of a toilet just feels different when it is your own? Also, you can tell a lot about a person by their bathroom. Is it bright and fresh looking, or dark and mysterious? Are there books, puzzles, or magazines? And don't you always just want to see inside that mysterious medicine cabinet? Are there lots of air fresheners or candles? Where do they hide the extra rolls of toilet paper? What IS behind that shower curtain?
My bathroom can sometimes feel like a haven. For sure it is one place that I can be alone! And it is amazing how a big ceramic bowl(tub) can remove so many pains, frustrations, and exhaustions! Then to top it off with a warm towel!!!! AAHHH!
Anyway, just wondering and thought maybe I would share some of my deep questions with you! And yes, when I visit I probably will be looking for some of these answers!

 

Living with computers

I fell in love with the most wonderful man, I mean the minute I saw him I saw someone I HAD to know better. It was also very evident early in our relationship that he was truly talented when it came to working with computers. He was the student worker that everyone wanted. He didn't just do student work, he fixed their computer problems. So needless to say he went from student work to being hired as their network administrator. I soon learned he was truly bilingual, he spoke english and binary! About this time we were engaged and planned our entire wedding in the server room and around different workstations, occasionally even sneaking in a server room smooch!! Upon returning from our honeymoon I realized I was sharing MY man with these square boxes. The boss he had at that time even welcomed me to the world of computer widows! I think at this time a small part of me declared a silent war against his computer world. That poor man was working to provide a good living and future for his family and I was jealous of a machine.

His changing jobs required more responsibility and more time commitment, and our having another child only intensified my feelings. " These square beings are really getting more of him than I am". I felt so much dislike for computers.

Then I decided maybe I just needed to learn more about them. About this time we put our first computer in our house and had internet access. I finally saw something I could enjoy besides solitaire! Then as some of the walls starting to come down that I had put up I saw again just how talented this man really is with his work.

In the last couple of years I have witnessed something even more amazing. I have seen him minister, and worship from behind this square being. He makes ministry possible , he assists a message being delivered and he enables worship to happen. And with all of this God has grown a stronger leader of our home, and a better follower of His word. So, I stand in awe of my husband.

This weekend I woke up and before I opened my eyes I knew some things about my surroundings: the temperature was just right, I was comfortable, there was a really nice song playing on the radio, and Sid was on his computer! And as I layed there, something dawned on me. The clicking of those laptop keys sounded comforting, I felt secure hearing him type away, and I knew I was not a computer widow but a very lucky woman!

mondays.....

Do you know that feeling when you wake up and can't remember what day it is? Then you know that feeling when you realize the reason you can't remember is because it is ---Monday!
That is the way my day started today! Then to top it off, I thought we were out of coffee!!
I thought I was going to declare a state of emergency! I thought we were going to have to get in the van and take off for Ingles. This would have been terribly embarrassing since I was 99% sure I was not going to be able to get dressed before I had my coffee!

Now all is calming down as I sit here thinking about life, with coffee in hand. I see out my window these men on a roof at a house behind mine and I wonder...are they having a Monday?
I mean if I were on a roof this morning that might be really dangerous! (Not only for me but for anyone nearby.) Do doctors have "mondays"? If they have "mondays" the way I do remind me never to have surgery on a Monday!

When do "mondays" really begin to become an issue? Is it just when you enter the workforce or reach a certain age? I do not have scientific proof but, my theory is "mondays" are genetic. Sid and the boys do not seem to have "mondays". However, Bonnie and myself suffer until Tuesday! I think I always have, I don't think I have ever retained anything that happened on a Monday. I mean all of my children came on the weekend, because God knew I could not handle a Monday delivery!

Well however "mondays" effect you, grab a cup of coffee and hang on ......Tuesday is coming!

"Tammy" movies

I just caught the second half of a "Tammy" movie this weekend and wanted to pass along how wonderful these movies are. My mom introduced me to "Tammy" movies when I was a teenager(of course these were old movies then!!) The movies are all titled something like, "Tammy and the Millionaire", " Tammy and the Doctor", "Tammy and the Bachelor". They are wonderful romance movies about a girl who is pure and very naive , raised on a river boat by her grandfather. She goes into the "real" world and changes all the lives around her and wins the heart of the leading man! (aaahhhh) Tammy is played by Debbie Reynolds, Sandra Dee, and Debra Watson. They are truly feel good movies! Great for a girls day with your daughters! You could proablly find these movies at the library and I know they are available through Amazon.
Take time to watch and enjoy the theme song;

"Tammy, Tammy, Tammys in love................."

My wonderful 10 year old! Here's to Boys! 

Over A Cup Of Coffee

My grandmother's house always smelled like coffee. It did not matter what time of day it was there was a pot of coffee on the kitchen counter, sometimes fresh and sometimes scorched. As a child I would watch my grandfather wrap his hands around a cup of coffee and slowly bring it up to his mouth. Then he would curl his lips over the edge of the cup and take this slow slurp. His eyes would sometimes close like he was tasting the most wonderful thing ever.

As a college student I began to enjoy coffee. I mainly enjoyed the benefits of coffee on the long drives back to college or on a long study night. As an adult coffee has become a form of entertainment. There are coffee houses everywhere, with every kind of coffee conceivable. Even a trip to Target can be enhanced by coffee. There are many coffee accessories; flavored creamers, seasonable creamers, special insulated mugs, and special cups for lattes or expressos.

However, the best way to enjoy coffee has nothing to do with the cup or cream or even the type of coffee. It is spending the afternoon with a really good friend, sipping coffee, and talking. Just knowing at that moment that over that cup of coffee anything can be discussed. You can laugh, cry, dream of future plans, and be the best of friends.....over a cup of coffee.

Girl's Night Out

Last night we had another "girl's night out", and we had an awesome time! We went to see the movie Madea's Family Reunion. Once again Tyler Perry created an extremely funny movie with excellent content. He was able to bring explosive comedy to the audience and an excellent message about family and giving control of our lives to God. The movie also included some of my very favorites Cicely Tyson, and Maya Angelou. Seeing it with some of my very best girl friends only added to the enjoyment!

After the movie we went to Cracker barrel for a late supper and some good ole girl talk. We had a wonderful waitress that made the night a complete joy! We shared anxieties and joys, we solved all the problems of the world and then returned to reality. We agreed on a certain time of day to pray for a friend of ours battling breast cancer, and ended praying for each other.

Thanks girls for such a great night and thanks for the comfort of having women like you standing in the gap for me! Love ya!

My Date with Sid!

Wow! I had a date with my husband! It was perfect, we just had the most wonderful time! We just spent time hanging out together. It was so nice to just walk around and run some simple errands by ourselves. First, we went to Family Bookstore. Sid bought a book called The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, and I picked up a bible study for women put out by Focus on the Family called Balanced Living. I can not wait to get started on that!

Then we went to Kohl's because I needed some new tennis shoes. After that we decided to get supper at Paneras; a wonderful quite meal. Then, we went to Barnes and Noble. I did not even go in the children's section! I picked up Dr. James Dobson's book Preparing for adolescence. I feel like the time has come to read that book again so we can help Wes through this transition time in his life.

After a quick stop in Sam's, we headed back to Greer and grabbed a coffee at Starbucks. I love my children and love spending every day with them, but the chance to just be with Sid is priceless. I feel so much closer to him when we have chances to actually finish sentences uninterrupted. Just a simple chance to reconnect.

Well that was my date night, with some of my favorite things....books, a good cup of coffee, and my main man!

Homemakers Psalm 69

Save me ,O God,
for the laundry has come up to my neck.
I sink in the cluttered depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
and the dishes engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;
my throat needs a Starbucks
My eyes fail ,
for my windows are dirty.
The dust bunnies under my bed
outnumber the hairs on my head;
Many are my chores that
seek to destroy me.
I am forced to clean
messes I did not make!

"Daughter your faith has healed you..."

As a woman, having great friends is a true blessing. Sisterhood is not just from bloodlines alone.
This unique bond brings with it the chance for unconditional acceptance.

I have some great friends. They can even get away with things that Sid can't, like telling me that an outfit is not flattering to my figure, maybe this is not my best haircut, or I must be hormonal. Sometimes they know me so well, Sid calls them to find out what my schedule was and where I might be! We have great times watching movies, cooking, talking on the phone, and shopping. We share recipes, household tips, and trade childcare.

Sometimes, our friends need us to walk with them and sometimes they need us to carry them.
We need to take the needs of our great friends to Jesus with the faith the woman in Luke 8:43-48 showed. Her faith was so strong she knew she just needed to touch Jesus' robe. She didn't need fancy words, or a certain status level, just to touch Jesus.

Father, I have some sisters in need.

Please invade their lives with your healing.

Bring them peace and joy.

Remove all doubts and confusion.

Restore them to the beautiful creation you

intended them to be.

I give you all the glory for what you are going to do.

Thank you for the wonderful friends you have blessed me with.

Amen

"Then He said to her, 'Daughter your faith has healed you. Go in peace' "

This is a picture of the really important people in my life

I just returned from a visit to Greenwood. Sid was sent to Atlanta with work and I seized the opportunity to visit mom! We have had a stressful week and I really enjoyed escaping from it all.
Someone once told me it was wrong to escape. I am not sure how I feel about that statement. I feel that in escaping, that is when I truly can get a clear picture of what is taking place all around me. Is there some lack in my faith because I want to escape? Do you remember the story found in Matthew 26 where Jesus has just had the last supper with his disciples? Do you remember what came next?
He has just told the disciples that He was going to die, and He just told a dear friend that he would betray him, not once but THREE times. Now Jesus was having a stressful time. He was going to DIE, his best friends were going to betray him. Then comes the part I like, Jesus escapes. He took the disciples to a place called Gethsemane, a garden. This was not just a garden in someone's backyard, this garden was on top of a mountain! Jesus, escaped! Just for a few moments He went somewhere to be away from the situation. He went to spend time with God, and I am sure to regain focus of His mission. He even asked God to remove the situation.
When we feel stressed and are dealing with hard situations, or maybe even events we don't want to face , escape. I am not saying don't deal with whatever is going on, but find somewhere outside of the situation to seek God.
Do we have to do this alone? Jesus, prayed alone, but he took his disciples with him. He asked them to stay with Him and keep watch. Maybe in our times of escape we need our family and friends to be with us and help us. Then maybe we can face all of our challenges with courage and faith that only comes from God.