Obtaining Mercy

I just had to share these receipts, something I don't normally do, but I was super excited about my savings this week!

 

I can honestly say the coupon-gathering and the deal-creating are getting easier each week…AND I feel so victorious when I have spent $81.19 and saved $80.28!!!

I know eventually my savings will be higher than my spending, and THAT will be really exciting! 🙂

We did have another adventure while shopping – a flat tire!!!  Argh!

Then I remembered that Dave Ramsey said as soon as we had an emergency fund in place, we would need it! 

It was super hot today, supposed to be in the lower 90s, I think.  Isaac and I sat in the truck while Doug worked on the tire.  He did have someone who offered to help and that was a blessing.  The man's wife even went and bought cold water for all of us!  The kindness of strangers…really amazing, isn't it?

We were able to get the spare on, and get home in time to salvage all the groceries (Praise the Lord!); and even though Isaac's schedule is to eat at 2 p.m., he didn't fuss at all that his meal was over an hour late.  I had TWO heros today – Doug and Isaac! =)

Doug took the tire to be patched, and they said they could even put it back on for him for about $10.  Whew!  But when he went to pay, they said, "Don't worry about it!" and sent him on his way!!!

God was just showing off for me today.  He knew that this week has not been easy for me.  We have been working really hard in the area of our finances, but sometimes the flesh just screams to be indulged.  We have been denying the flesh what it wanted, and the Lord has been paying attention. 

Today's blessings are just His little love notes to me.

I am reminded of the following verses from the first chapter of Ephesians {emphasis mine}:

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

He is a good God.  May I never take His blessing for granted!

Alesha

 

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!