30 Days - Day 27

Something caught my attention outside my window today. It led me to treck through the mud that is my yard right now and look for some more....here's what I found!!!

Looks like my Daffodills are waking up!!!

30 Days - Day 26: Show & Tell

I'm showing my china cabinet today. I actually got this cabinet for free when we lived in Florida. Our church received a building that was once home to a "homemaker's club" back in the 1930's and 1940's. There were several antique pieces left there (unfortunatley we didn't realize this until we gave most of them away!!) This china cabinet, however, found a home with me.

The year before Cliff and I were married, I worked in a high-end housewares store in New York called Fortunoff's. This was my first introduction to Lenox China, Spode, and Waterfor Crystal. It was a great place to work while I was planning my wedding and my new home. Thanks to a great employee discount, I bought some beautiful things for my home. One was this Waterford Vase. It had a very slight chip on the rim and was significantly reduced in price. The older ladies I worked with encouraged me to buy it...so I did. It bring back great memories of a special time in my life, but I don't think I've ever put flowers in it.

Because I worked in the gift-wrapping department, I got to see all the wonderful things people bought. It was so great!! I absolutely loved that job and I'm so nosey I want to know what people are buying!! These crystal goblets came to be wrapped many times. They were so beautiful and delicate. I watched the prices on them until it dropped. I bought half of my set and a friend bought the other half as a shower or wedding present (I really can't remember anymore)

Just a matter of months before the wedding, there was a HUGE sale of formal china. Cliff and I picked this set out together. In the 23 years we've been married and through all the moves we've made, I think only 1 plate has been broken. My china cabinet is full of memories and stories and whenever I clean it, I am reminded of them and it's nice to go back and remember.

Thanks for stopping by today. For more stories and show & tell, visit Kelli at No Place Like Home.

30 Days - Day 25: Girl's Night

Jacob left today with my dad to go get my mom who is still at my sister's in GA. Jacob was so excited to go see his "twin" cousin, Zack. So, since Cliff and Amy are working and Jacob's gone, Emily and I are having a good old-fashioned Girls Night!!

She's been home sick from school most of this week. Not the flu, just some little virus it seems. So, we're abandoning all housework this evening, putting on our PJ's, picked up our favorite Chinese take-out, got a few other little snacks, and thanks to Amy's recent obsession with Jane Austin, we've got a great "Chick Flick" to watch. I also got her a new WebKinz as a little treat. She never asks for anything and hardly ever complains about anything. She does what she's told, when she's told and I just wanted to do something nice for her.

In other news, last night's mac & cheese was really good. It was very close to what I remember. Of course, I forgot to mark it in All Recipes!!!! Thanks for the new ones. I'm going to give them a try too!!

30 Days - Day 24: The Kitchen

I decided that during these 30 days, a post about my kitchen was in order since I spend a portion of my day in there cooking and washing dishes and did I mention washing dishes??? I'm reminded of an episode of "I Love Lucy" where Lucy and Ethel get tired of washing dishes and try to demand dishwashers. I'm with those girls. I'd LOVE to have a dishwasher. I was so hoping when we bought this house there would be one but to no avail. Actually, I can't complain too much. Since there's usually only 3 of us for dinner and no one around much during the day, my load of dirty dishes has decreased so I'm down to a manageable amount.

Then there's cooking. When Cliff and I first married, I could cook a few things. I could make virtually any Italian pasta dish thanks to my Italian friend, Suzanne but after that it was sheer trial and error. One of the very first Sunday dinners I cooked was a ham (a canned one). Now I had seen my mother do something with a sort of brown sugar glaze so I'm not sure what I did but my brown sugar glaze caramelized and burnt way before the ham was even remotely done. Of course we had a guest this Sunday also. So while Cliff was entertaining our guest, I somehow cleaned all the ash of the ham, wrapped it all in tin foil and finished cooking it. I came out pretty good. We laugh now that my first Sunday dinner was Ham and Ashes!!

Three years later, I went through a phase where it seemed almost everything I cooked came out of a box or a can (except for my italian dinners). Now that I have been cooking for a family for some 23 years, I can say with pride that I can cook fairly well and I enjoy it. I'm also enjoying trying some new recipes of late. (If you've never checked out the Pioneer Woman Cooks, it's worth a read) She has some great recipes and Cliff likes that the majority of them seem to be man pleasers!!

As a kid, I remember having homemade baked macaroni and cheese and not liking it. I much preferred KRAFT!!!! Can you believe that???? Over the years, I've tried to find a mac & cheese recipe that replicates what I remember it tasting like and have NOT been successful. Tonight I'm making another attempt at it with a recipe I found on all recipes. If you have a tried and true recipe for good old-fashioned, comfort-food macaroni and cheese, let me know.

30 Days - Day 23: An Unexpected Friendship

"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile,

nor the joy of companionship;

it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover

that someone else believes in you and is willing to

trust you with a friendship."

~Ralph Waldo Emmerson

This picture is borrowed from my friend, Karen's blog. It is she and her son holding up an incredible t-shirt quilt she made!!

I've been thinking so much about Karen today. We met back in 2005. Another friend of mine went to a garage sale Karen was hosting. They got to talking and found out they both had interests in learning more about Photoshop. Now, I have to stop right here and say that I think Karen is a major Photoshop Whiz but Dianne (the other friend) had just taken an on-line Photoshop course and they decided to get together at Karen's to go through the course. Dianne also invited me. It was so much fun getting together in Karen's shop. I honestly don't remember too much of what I learned. I gained very, very MINIMAL Photoshop skills but what I did gain was a great new friend who happens to live right down the street from me!!

So, in the interest of time, the reason Karen is on my mind today is because she and her sister left today for Utah to bring back her brother who has recently been diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer. He will require alot of care and Karen has opened up not only her home but her life to provide this care for him. If anyone can take on this challenge it's her. She's one of the strongest women I know and that says alot because I come from a family of strong women. If you want to know the rest of Brad's story (her brother) you can read it on her blog, Horn-A-Rosa. And if you think of it, say a little prayer that tomorrow's trip with Brad will be smooth and uneventful.

And Karen, you know I'm here!! I hope I haven't embarrassed you too much!!

30 Days - Day 22: Grandpa Benzing

As part of my 30 day challenge, I had intended to do a post about my grandpa. I was going through pictures I have stored on CD and came across this picture I took of my Grandpa almost 3 years ago. I can't believe I forgot I had this picture.

My grandpa LOVES the Word of God. It's been his guidebook since he came to know the Lord years and years ago. He's read, studied, and memorized it all these years and even in his old age, his Bible is so precious to him. I absolutely love this picture because it just encompasses what guided and directed his life. I've since had it printed in a sepia tone. It's getting framed and put on my wall.

30 Days - Day 21: New Family Member!!

Here he is in all his little glory!!!!

Benjamin Robert Anthony

I'll let my sister share the rest of the details on this sweet little bundle!! I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait until July to hold, love on, and kiss this little guy!

30 Days - Day 20

(Sorry this is all in one big paragraph. Blogger would not keep the line spacing!!)

I know, I know...this is NOT a picture of ME!!!!!! In my attempt to capture 30 days of my life in pictures, I needed a very specific picture for today's post. Since I do not have a picture of me spouting off the following sayings, I'm choosing to show one of my favorite WWII Era depictions....Yes, Rosie the Riviter will have to stand in for Rebecca today!!

OK, so my friend Robin sent me this email today. It was so funny because it's so true!! Unfortunately it captures me. I'm so guilty of saying all these except #8.

9 WORDS WOMEN USE:

1: Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2: Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3: Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

4: Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5: Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6: That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7: Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says "Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome" ... that will bring on a "whatever").

8: Whatever: Is a women's way of saying fooey on YOU!

9: Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to # 3.

*Send this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember the terminology.

*Send this to all the women you know to give them a good laugh, cause they know its true.

* Let us all walk our path with gentle footsteps, with kindness and with listening hearts.*

In a side note, my sister hasn't posted pictures of the baby yet as the hospital has no internet service. I don't feel right about putting up pictures of him before she does. As soon as she's home and they go up, I'll get them up here.

30 Days - Day 19: Show & Tell

I'm showing my collection of "I Love Lucy" books today. My sister gave me 3 of the 4 (I think she found some incredible deals at Half.com) I absolutely LOVE them. They are so fun to look at. I decided to spotlight the 2 very unique ones.

This one is a paper doll book. It shows some of Lucy's more famous dresses, what colors they were, the fabrics they were made of and the episodes she wore them in. It wouldn't be an authentic paper doll book but more of a collectible edition. It's so fun to look at!

This book is a scrapbook. It seems that after Lucy's death, they found volumes of scrapbooks. They made this copy with copies of some of the memorabilia from her original scrapbooks. Talk about fun to read. There are little pockets with copies of newspaper articles and receipts. There are envelopes with copies of letters and cards. It is so interesting!

There is alot more Show & Tell over at Kelli's.

Oh, and keep an eye out, I'll be posting pictures of our brand new nephew later today!!

30 Days - Day 18: Sisterly Love

This picture is of my sister and I circa. 1968 or 1969.

For several years, my parents and my brother and his wife, sister and her husband, and Cliff and I all lived in Florida...for a very brief period of time we all lived less than 1 mile from eachother. The hardest thing about moving to Kansas was leaving behind my brother and sister and being part of their lives. We didn't see eachother daily but we were all in the same church and had family dinners and parties. I miss that. There are days when I think "I'd like to have lunch with Jon today" or "I wish Elizabeth and I could go check out the scrapbook store." We're all used to living so far from eachother and we're all very sure of the fact that we're all where God wants each of us to be.

All of that being said, my sister is having her 6th child tomorrow. Oh how I wish I were there with her. I was right outside the door when she delivered her first baby. I was there in spirit with her 2nd (I had a c-section 10 hours earlier) (you can read the entire story here) I sat with her through the entire labor of her 3rd baby. I so wanted to see that baby born. She ended up having a c-section and I missed out (after waiting all night!!) Her 4th and 5th babies I was here in Kansas. I've hated missing each one. By the time I see the babies they are already 5-6 months old. This is where it's hard to be so far.

So Elizabeth, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers all day today and tomorrow. I pray for a safe delivery and a very healthy baby boy!! And know that this very proud Aunt will be waiting to see pictures ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Really Good Movie

I didn't make it to church tonight. I just haven't felt well all day. Between my head and my stomach, I thought it best to stay home rather than moan and groan in public!! I found a great treat on TV on the Hallmark Channel. A movie based on a Jerry B. Jenkins book: "Though None Go With Me."

The movie was all about faith, service to others, making a difference, unselfish love, and the list could go on. There were so many lessons that I'm going to have to think about this one for a while...I may also get the book.

I love Hallmark movies. One time, Josh, Amy, and I were watching one and during the movie, they had all these Hallmark commercial. I think by the end we were all crying from those sappy card commercials!!!!!!! We all just kind of laughed at eachother. Fun memories.

Bought used, the prices on the DVD and also the book are very reasonable.

30 Days - Day 17

This is an acceptance letter for college to my oldest daughter, Amy. Even though she's in her 2nd year of college she's been living at home. This one is for Bethel College where Josh goes and is 3 hours away. Yep, another one is planning on leaving the nest and once they leave, even when they come home it's never the same. If God wills, when her time at Bethel is done she'll be planning a wedding. My how time flies!

In other news, we have lived in our house for 5 years now. It's an old house built in 1910. I've had ideas how I'd like to decorate, etc. I've know I wanted to stay somewhat vintage in keeping with the style of the house. I've struggled because I've had no direction and no ideas....until today. I came across a catalog for this website. Oh my goodness!!!!! THIS IS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's what I've been looking for!!!! So, now that I've got the inspiration I just need the $$$. Easier said than done. Maybe I can get one piece at a time and also look for thrift versions of the ideas. It's going to be a work in progess. I feel better just having some direction.

The keyword around here today is COLD!! We're in the middle of an artic blast! Snow & freezing drizzle are expected tomorrow and Friday. I'm also having a "green bottle" day....a bad one again and I can't tell if I feel bad because of the headache or if I'm coming down with something. I have to confess that I'm very afraid of getting the flu. I've heard it's nasty!!!!

30 Days - Day 16: Shopping

Somwhere in this 30 day project, I knew I wanted to do a post about grocery shopping. Since going through Financial Peace and reading various blogs, I have changed the way I shop. I usually divide it up between 4 stores, trying to get the absolute prices that I can. I will only buy meat from our local grocery. I buy only what's on sale and I prefer their cuts and prices far more than Walmart. I also take advantage of any sales that the local grocery has. For other items including dog and cat food, I head to Walmart 1, because their prices are generally lower and 2, they will price match to any other store ads I may have. (On my last trip to Walmart, however, I noticed an increase in prices across the board!) For all health & beauty items, medications or pharmaceutical needs, and paper items (like toilet paper and paper towels) I buy between CVS and Walgreens depending on the sales and coupons.

Because I have stocked up on sales, etc, this week I only went to the local grocery on Monday because they had a great president's day sale. Other than that, I didn't need anything else.

Today (as with most Tuesdays) I headed down to the drug stores. I already have my lists compiled and coupons pulled. Pictured above are my purchases (a gallon of milk isn't in the picture). Between both stores, I spent a total of $25.00 The rest was virtually free because of coupons and store rewards (a saving of over $75.00). It's amazing and that's why I consider the time I spend planning for these trips almost a part-time job. It is not my intention for my blog to be a blog about shopping but because I'm doing 30 days out of my ordinary life, this is part of it....a regular part.

30 Days - Day 15: A Normal Evening at Home

This is a typical evening at home. Nice...warm...quiet...uneventful. Youngest son, Jacob on the computer and youngest daughter, Emily doing homework! Add in a few loads of laundry and dishwashing for me and that's about the extent of our nightlife!!

A Nice Award

A big Thank You to Betty at Country Charm for passing on this sweet little award today. I'm passing it on to my cousin, Gretchen at Gretchen reads 24/7 and a fairly new bloggy friend, Nanny Kim.

30 Days - Day 14 (Daytona!)

OK. I've been talking about it all week. You HAD to know what I was going to post pictures of today. We had a great party. Lot's of food, lot's of fun, and lot's of racing action!!

30 Days - Day 13

Tomorrow is our Daytona 500 party. I had planned for 2 weeks to take Homemade Chex Mix, and a Cream Cheese Dip and crackers. Then, this past week, Kelli had this recipe posted for Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. Now, Red Velvet Cake has been a staple in our family for years. We've always had it as a 2-layer cake with a cooked frosting. Kelli's cupcakes looked so delicious that I decided to add them to our party foods. (I confess, I had a sample and they taste as good as they look!)

30 Days - Day 12: Show & Tell

When I was a senior in high school, we were living in Long Island, New York. My parents decided that particular Christmas (1982) we would travel to Kansas to spend it with my grandparents and our other family who lived relatively close.

My grandmother was so excited to have us all there. It's the only time I ever remember that entire side of the family sitting down together for a Christmas dinner. I happened to remember a particular bowl she used to serve some vegetables. At the time, it caught my attention because it was pink and had a unique shape. Two and a half years later, my grandmother passed away from cancer. One of the things my mother received was that particular bowl. It stayed in her house until two years ago when I asked her if I could have it. One, because I LOVE bowls and two, I especially loved this one. It's so unique and I have it on display in my china cabinet. The picture does not totally capture all the variagated shades of pink. It's a Fenton glass bowl and when I look at it, I remember my grandmother and especially that very special Christmas.

For more Show & Tell, head over to Kelli's at No Place Like Home.

30 Days - Day 11

Amy's cake for "J-Man"

Ah, the wonder of young love. Seems just like yesterday I was almost 20, in love, and making something like this for my Valentine!!

30 Days - Day 10 - Power of Simple Things

I can't believe I'm already 10 days into my self-imposed 30 day photography project of a slice of my life. Yeah, in this year when I'm trying to simply my life I go ahead and put myself through this project (I'm chuckling to myself here) but it's been good, because each day, something seems to happen that sort of just captures a moment in that day that I want to remember. So anyway, here's today:

This little pile of things all came in the mail this past week. The 101 Cups of Water book and the apron were won in the bloggy carnival give-aways. The other 2 books are from paperback swap. I can't wait to dive into all these books!!!! The apron has already been passed on to Amy who can wear it tomorrow as she serves her sweetheart his valentine's dinner. The main idea of my post today is the little notecard that sits in the front.


It came from a girl I work with at church and who also is a very good friend. She said the nicest things to me. She made me feel so good because she took notice of the work I do week after week. She noticed and she complimented me on some very specific things. I'm telling you this not to pat myself on the back for the work I do but because someone noticed and took the time to write it down and actually mail a REAL card. I speak to myself here. I have such good intentions but very little follow-through. How about challenging myself with writing at least one note a week and make someone else's day like she made mine. How about challenging myself to take notice of someone else's hard work and letting them know that I noticed and be very specific about it. We all want to make a difference. Sometimes we all need to know that we are. My dad is great at writing notes. He says over and over..."Nobody is actually good at it. Most people don't want to take the time to do it. But the difference is there are those who actually do instead of just thinking about doing it." I want to be one of the "doers!!"

Random Thoughts on Divisions

Ok...this one's been rolling around in my brain for awhile. I think I'm ready to put my thoughts down in writing. Please pardon me if it's a little rough. It's just my thoughts...

It seems to me that if you were to put a group of people together over a length of time, a couple of things would happen. It wouldn't take you very long to identify the introverts and extroverts. Some would lead, some would follow, some would try to help everyone they could, some would pout, and some would gripe and complain. Eventually there would be those who would form a sort of "us against them" atmosphere and would line up a team of followers.

According to John Maxwell, in his book, 25 Ways to Win With People, there are 4 types of people:

*Those who add (this is an intentional act) They add to your life. They add to the group. They add to the workplace. They go the extra-mile, it seems, in whatever situation they're in.
*Those who subtract. They take away. Every meet anyone who just drained you?? Perhaps we are all a subtractor to someone at some point in our lives.
*Those who multiply. They draw people. If you're running a volunteer organization, you love these people. They know how to get others on board.
*And lastly, those who divide. (And according to Maxwell, this is almost always an intentional act.)

God has some very strong words about those who cause division. It's found in Romans 16:17-19 (Amplified Bible)
17: I appeal to you, brethren, to be on your guard concerning those who create dissensions and difficulties and cause divisions, in opposition to the doctrine (the teaching) which you have been taught. [I warn you to turn aside from them, to] avoid them.
18: For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites and base desires, and by ingratiating and flattering speech, they beguile the hearts of the unsuspecting and simpleminded [people].

I've grown up in the church. I don't claim to know everything or be an expert in anything. But when you've been involved in something for a number of years, you begin to see things and notice patterns. I've seen those who divide. Have I ever been one? Ashamedly? Yes. I have. I'm embarrassed and humbled to admit it. I have sought forgiveness and continually try my best to be on-guard so I do not cause any sort of division. I'm sure I do stumble from time-to-time. Some, however, do not change their ways. They continue to divide and draw people to themselves until an almost literal line is drawn in the sand. And all the while, you can almost hear Satan laughing his head off. Because while we're so busy focusing on lines and teams and what belongs to whom, we're not focusing on what's really important. I've seen it happen in the local church and I see it happening all the time within the large Body of Christ. I will not even begin to mention "lines" because I'm not writing to promote controversy or draw more lines. My attempt here is to raise some awareness of how powerful and damaging division can be. It is deep and wide. And sadly, I have seen lives ruined because of it.

Maybe it's my age but I won't play these games anymore. There's too many more important things.

Matthew 12:25 (Amplified Bible)
25: And knowing their thoughts, He said to them, Any kingdom that is divided against itself is being brought to desolation and laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will last or continue to stand.

30 Days - Day 9

AARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel like I'm drowning!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel just like this guy!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm amazed at how much paper our house produces. I took 3 paper grocery sacks to the recycling bin at church and when I cleaned off my desk this afternoon, I filled up another box. Yeah, I forgot to take a picture before cleaning it off, so you can call me chicken for not showing my mess but this guy's instead :-)

I'm desperately trying to be like this woman...FREE from the bondage of clutter!! It's so HARD!! I fight it constantly. My kids are no help!! Just when I think I have an area clutter free, my daughter decides she need to bake a Valentine's cake for her sweetie. Now this isn't a problem except she seems to have bought out the entire cake decorating dept. at Hobby Lobby and guess where it all sits???? Hmmm??? My brother-in-law told my sister as she was complaining of the same thing, "One day you'll miss these days." She replied, "I'll miss the kids but not the mess!'

AMEN sister!!!

30 Days - Day 8 "Dog-Sitting"

Whenever my mom goes out of town, I get the distinct responsibility of caring for her little "princess"---Gabby. Gabby is in the foreground and that's my dog, Jack (who is a younger brother) in the background. You can read Jack's story here. Anyways, Gabby is a good little dog except she has to be reprimanded for chasing cats (a big no-no around here!!!!)

It's so cold here. It started yesterday. I think the high might have been 15!! We have a cold week ahead of us with a forecast that also includes snow flurries and possible freezing drizzle and rain. Spring is starting to look really good!!

My to-do list is growing faster than my list of accomplisments. I'm falling behind, it seems, on everything. I'm not sure why. I go through cycles from time-to-time where it almost seems like I'm in a fog...and almost like I'm running around in circles. One day, the fog will lift and I will be productive, get alot done, and think clearly. Anyone else ever experience that? Maybe I'm just weird. :-)

See you tomorrow!!

30 Days - Day 7

The "Big Guy" intensively playing his favorite computer game. "Big Guy" is not the most computer savvy person but he does manage this game!

And in other exciting news, this is what I do on Sunday afternoons....coupons and NASCAR. (Don't ask me to explain it. It works for me!) The exception to this will be next Sunday. Friends are hosting a Daytona 500 party. Fun, Fun, Fun!!! Can't Wait!!!!!!

A Special Birthday Greeting

18 years ago today, I was blessed with my first nephew. Somehow I was the one who ended up going and bringing him home from the hospital with his mother. Paul is such a good kid. He's smart, and funny. I love him dearly. He's my NASCAR buddy and fellow #24 supporter!! (even though he doesn't answer my phone calls).

Happy 18th Birthday Paul.

You can read his mom's story here.

30 Days - Day 6

My beautiful, funny, free-spirited daughter....inspired by some music to dance!!!!!

Best Brownie Pan Ever!!!!!

OK, I so totally need to get this for our family. We all LOVE brownies but everyone's favorite pieces are the edges...Hence, the EDGE ONLY brownie pan!!!!!!!!!!!!

And in other interesting news, the church Valentine party was tonight. I had to go alone...yeah, not very happy about it. I tend to get a little socially anxious about these sorts of things without Cliff. Anyways, I did win a gift certificate to a local restaurant. I knew all the famous "pairs" Yep, I can thank growing up in Sunday school and watching entirely too much TV for the prize!!!!!!! It was fun.

30 Days - Day 5: Show & Tell

The very first Sunday we went to church after our move here to Kansas, I met a girl named Kelli. I instantly knew we were "kindred spirits" as Anne would say in "Anne of Green Gables."

Kelli and I became fast and furious friends. We did so much together. We went out, stayed in and watched movies, travelled together with our husbands, and just had a great time.

Kelli was the youngest of 5 children in her family. She was a surprise baby to her parents who were in their 40's when they had her. By the time I met her, her parents were in their early 70's. Bill and Scottye were such sweet people. In fact, her mother felt somewhat like a grandmother to me. 2 years or so after I met Kelli, her father quickly passed away. Without her husband, Scottye lost her will to live and passed away not long after her husband. I went over to visit Kelli shortly after her mother's death and she asked me if I'd like to have this Lady's Head planter that was her mother's. Now I had secretly admired these (Scottye had 2) and was so touched that Kelli would pass on to me this special remembrance of her mother.

For a couple years I kept it in my office at church to protect it from the young children I still had at home. Now that they're older, I have it sitting on a shelf in my bedroom where I can see it each day. It is so special to me. She's missing her little pearl earrings but I don't care. She's just a great little keepsake.

I haven't talked to Kelli now for 2 years. She and her husband have since divorced and she's started a new life in another state. I miss her and our friendship. I'm thankful for the season of our friendship and thankful to have this little reminder.

For more show & tell fun, please visit Kelli at "No Place Like Home."

Book Review

From time to time, I like to read a work of fiction. I love reading stories and find these, at times, to be easy reads. I don't stick to exclusively Christian fiction but do try to excercise the same kind of judgement I would when choosing a television show or movie.

Last night, I finished up this book, Face to Face by Linda Dorrell. I've never heard of the author or the book before. I just happened upon it while browsing through paperback swap. It turned out to be a great book about forgiveness, healing, and grace. The primary story was not a love story but rather a story of forgiveness. It also ended up different than I thought it would. I noticed on Amazon you can pick up a copy for .01!!!!

30 Days - Day 4

Someone was staring at me while I was blogging!!

(You can read her story here)

A Special Blessing

I received a "Blogging Blessing" today from Nanny Kim. I am very touched by her kindness.

The idea…it’s a game of tag with a difference, rather than looking inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for 3 blog friends. By participating in this endeavour we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Recipients of a bloggin’ blessing may upload the above image to their sidebar if they choose to.

*My sister, Elizabeth, who is expecting her 6th child on Feb. 22.

*My friend, Karen, who just came home from seeing her brother.

*A new blogging friend, Tracy.

30 Days - Day 3

Evidence of a Snow Day...

It also happens to be a "green bottle" day... bad one.