Category: Uncategorized

We are planning to take Newton to the vet this weekend, and to the groomers next week for his summer haircut.  These are the "before" pictures.

(And in my house, with my camera, we have two choices:  dark, blurry Newton; or clear, demon-eyed Newton.  I thought you'd like to see both.  Ha!)

What a fuzzy-wuzzy hound!  He will look so much better after his haircut!

My beautiful lilies are in bloom!

 

Last but not least, my handsome boy:

His typical 10-year-old look of "Mommmmmmm…don't take my picture!!!"  And yes, he is just about ready for his summer haircut, too!!! 🙂

That's it for Foto Friday! 

I pray you have a wonderful weekend, and that you plan to spend time in the Lord's House on Sunday.  I will be very sad to miss it if my back is not better.  Maybe you could pray that I will feel up to sitting through the service; and I will pray that you will be blessed by your church services on Sunday, too. 

Yep, that sounds like a win-win situation to me!

=)

They say that

"Necessity is the mother of invention."

This proved to be quite true in my house, today.

I have a handy little device.  I call it my "grabber."  I believe it's actual name is the "Pikstik".  You can find it below at Amazon.

 http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=akconklisxang-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B000H8VPNG

I have been using mine every day this week.  It is painful to do any bending, and even reaching to the side or above my head is causing me trouble.  So the grabber is proving to be very helpful.

The problem I'm having is carrying the grabber everywhere I go in the house.  It's rather long and if I carry it under my arm, I whack stuff  – knickknacks, pets, windows…you know, important stuff that shouldn't be "whacked"! 

I was also having the problem of carrying everything I needed and the grabber to my next destination.

Today, I came upon a beautiful solution.  I rummaged through my old purses, and found a detatchable purse strap with two snaps.  I ran the strap through the hole in the top of the grabber handle, and it worked wonderfully.

I strap it across my torso, so that it hangs under my arm, clear of knickknacks, but handy if I need it.

Here's a close-up of the strap:

Now, if I could just figure out a way to carry my smartphone through the house in a similar manner, I would be one happy camper. 

(I know they crochet and knit little pockets for cell phones, but just the thought of scratchy yarn touching my neck all day gives me the heebie-jeebies!)

I'm seriously considering cutting up a pair of my hubbies old jeans, and seeing what I can do with the glue gun.  I can always add a few sequins or crystals to it!  Ooooo…and maybe one in leather would be nice, too!

Have you seen anything like this for a cell phone?  I'd love for you to let me know if you have.  It would save me time, energy and burned fingertips, if someone else has already created this invention.

:o)

Oh, and one more little "invention" I have made in the past, and just updated this week:

I use storebought table napkins to make throw pillows for my bed!  I just pick out a set of two, in whatever color I need; sew them together; stuff with fiber fill; and throw it on the bed.

The first one I made, I think I used the glue gun.  (If case you haven't guessed, it is my favorite go-to tool for crafting!)  The second one, I used a very tight whip-stitch by hand in a slightly darker thread.  It made a nice contrast, and lasted for years.  This last pillow, I sort of cheated:  I had my mom whip it up on her sewing machine.  

However you choose to sew them together is fine.  They are already hemmed and make a nice square pillow, perfect for adding a little contrast to your bed, or to use in the living room on the sofa.

You could add ribbon or fringe to decorate, if you wish.  I have done both.  Your only limitation is your imagination.

So, has a necessity at your house led to an invention???  I'd love to hear about it in your comments!

 

 

 

Well.  The day itself was no bigger than the usual 24 hours, of course.

However, I went to the doctor, who diagnosed me with bronchitis.  Whoo-woo…

So…subtract from my pocket the following:

• office visit
• antibiotic
• golden seal
• vitamin C
• echinacea
• acidophilus 

Yep…it was a big day!

Aaaaaand it got even bigger.

I stopped at Lowe's to purchase this:

It's a Maytag.  It was on sale – 10% off.  The only one left was the floor model, and so they gave me another 5% off!!!  With tax, I still paid $37 less than the regular price.  I was really pleased with that.  They deliver it – for free($65 value) – on Monday, and my dad will install it with the chord we already have (saving another $20 or so). 

Whew – that big day finished out even bigger, didn't it?

And now…I honestly cannot wait to start that antibiotic!

Happy weekend!

Alesha

I am thoughtful about a few things today:

1. I'm SO happy to have my husband home!
2. I'm praying for Doug's uncle (brother to his mom and his grandma's only other child) who was put into the hospital yesterday with blood clots in his lungs.  Very serious, indeed! 
3. I'm surprised that Doug's mom is going home from the hospital today.  Yay!  She is doing really well.
4. I'm mulling over a little story I listened to last night: The Light Princess by George MacDonald.
5. I'm planning for mine and Isaac's doctor appointments tomorrow.  I am still running fever, just low grade since last night, and figured I should be seen.  Isaac has a patch of ezcema that is "itching" him out of his mind, and we need to get a cream to clear it up.
6. I'm thankful for online friends who don't mind sharing their expertise when I am in need of advice.
7. I'm pleased to be exchanging letters with an "old" friend, who I feared might be estranged from me forever.
8. I'm admiring the incredible weather we are having this week (with the exception of Monday, when it reached 87* – I KNOW!)
9. I'm praising the Lord for a wise, Godly pastor who preaches exactly what we need to hear at just the right time, as he follows the Lord's leading.
10. I'm bummed that I feel a fever blister coming on.  It's inevitable, I know, after my running fever for over a week, but I'm still disappointed to deal with it.

So…what's on YOUR mind today???

So many things have been happening here, that I've been too busy to blog.  Most of you keep up with me on facebook, but just in case there's 1 or 2 who are wondering what's going on with us lately, here are a few bullets to inform you:

• Doug's mom had extensive abdominal surgery yesterday.  They removed about a foot of her large intestine, but she had no complications and was resting in her room by yesterday evening.
• Doug flew out Wednesday morning to be with her and his grandma.  He will be home next Tuesday night.
• It was 80* here the day before he flew out.  It was 25* with snow on the ground when he arrived in Ohio, and they are expecting more of the white stuff today. =))
• Our sweet friends were able to pick Doug up from the airport in Indianapolis, and will be taking him back.  We are so grateful that they were willing to do that, and then drive him to his mom's house.  They also blessed us with a love offering that will just about cover the cost of Doug's ticket.  See?  Really sweet friends…really grateful!
• I was priviledged to sing at a friend's mother's funeral yesterday.  Mrs. Ruby was a member of my church before our pastor was even there, and we just celebrated his 40th anniversary!  She was a Godly, hardworking woman; and I was honored to have a part in her homegoing service.
• Our clothes dryer has been on-again, off-again for several weeks now.  It looks like we'll be shopping for a dryer with our tax return.  Not exactly the way I'd choose to spend a big chunk of it, but thankful that the money is available.  Also, it will be my first brand new dryer.  I'm sure I will enjoy using it.
• We had a fun shopping trip to Whole Foods before Doug left, so I have lots of yummy, healthy foods to enjoy while he is away.
• Isaac had his check up with his neurosurgeon.  Everything with his shunt is looking well, with no problems or issues.  Yay!!!  He was amazing in the MRI!  He totally did not want to lay his head down, but he listened to us and obeyed – on purpose – and then kept his eyes glued to me in the mirror through the whole test.  I was very proud of him!
• Our church's radio station is having its once-a-year pledge drive.  We call it "Restorathon".  It makes for 3 exciting days of radio listening! ;)  This year, they are also streaming video from Restorathon Headquarters, so that those of us at home can enjoy watching as well as listening.
• I had a great time last Saturday recording a jingle for the Restorathon.  My two friends Myra and Lisette met me at the studio and we laughed our way through the recording session.  It was wonderful!  And truthfully, I feel like I need to use quotations for most of words in those sentences – LOL!!!  It's just a tiny little room, and we are in no way professionals, BUT the engineer is really excellent, and makes it sounds top-notch!
• I woke up this morning with sinus congestion, a major headache and a sore throat.  I think it's probably due to all the pollen I was subjected to yesterday; but I still feel miserable, regardless of the reason.  I used all the cure-alls in my arsenal, and hope to feel better soon.
• I won't have help with Isaac tomorrow, and only a few hours on Sunday.  If you think of us, would you pray for strength and stamina for me?  I'd really appreciate it.
• In case you want to watch/listen to our Restorathon, you can go here:  WLVF-Gospel 90.3
• Have a happy weekend!!!

Things that are making me happy today:

a sweet card from a sweet friend

my new "rubbery-grippy-but-doesn't-pick-up-every-piece-of-fuzz-in-the-house" phone cover

JVC Marshmallow earbuds with Memory Foam ear pieces – worth every penny!

Ike and friends, watching Veggie Tales Jonah (can you tell that he was too busy watching, to look at Mommy's camera? :)  oh, well, it was his favorite part – he loves Kaliel! lol!)

Happy Weekend to you!

Alesha

This is the short list:

1. My laptop is still being worked on.  I believe the technical term is "mostly dead".
2. My dryer motor is dead.  Or the capacitor is dead.  Either way, it isn't working.
3. Isaac's caregiver and I just had a CODE BROWN diaper that defies description, so I won't even try.  Suffice it to say that even the floor had to be steam mopped when all was said and done.
4. The weather here has been absolutely gorgeous all week, and promises to continue through the weekend.
5. I have completed Day #4 of my walking venture.  I encountered a loose dog in the neighborhood, but I did my best Dog Whisperer impersonation "Chhhh—CHHH!" and thumped my walking "stick" on the road with each step I took.  He actually tucked his tail and went home. 🙂
6. We have a movie to watch with Isaac tonight – "Despicable Me".  I've heard that it's really cute.  I'll let you know what we think.
7. I'm singing at our senior citizen's get-together tomorrow morning.  I always enjoy being with them, and am really looking forward to it.

This is the long view:

Doesn't it seems like life is just an unending trail of twists, turns, valleys, mountain peaks, dark shadows and brilliant sunlight?

I don't know about you, but all those petty annoyances really suck all the fun right out of my day sometimes.  It's easy to overlook the blessings, the small joys, the chances for ministring to others when I am focused on "all" the things that are going wrong.

That's why I like these bullet posts on days that I would be hard-put to write an uplifting post.  At first glimpse my day would seem mostly negatives, with very few positives.  When I start my list, though, I cannot, in good conscience, just list all the "bad" stuff.  I know my God better than that; and I know He won't give me more than I can bear.

When I look long enough, I will find things for which to be thankful.  Some days, I have to look longer than others — that is very true.  However, eventually, the blessings come to the surface and I find my "happy face" again.

So, while I am in this place that seems a little darker than usual and a little more "negative" than I prefer, I will keep my spirit focused to actively look for the good, for the positive, for the blessings.  I know they were each placed in my day by my loving Heavenly Father.

That is enough to make me truly grateful.