I am angry, and I think I crossed over the line of "Be angry and sin not" (my paraphrase). In my anger, I slammed my new sweeper down and broke the lever that locks it in upright. Now it falls over. A lot. When you least expect it.
Every time I sweep from now on, I'll be reminded of today. Will I remember and romanticize what made me angry, giving me an excuse to rehash and reflame my anger? Or will I remember how my inappropriate actions cost me?
Friday, June 15, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
We are so close to finishing up school. We've doubled our daily work to catch up. I don't know HOW we got so far behind!! We are now reading The First Four Years, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Our science for today was studying hail. We learned how hail is formed in layer in the upper parts of storm clouds because the water droplet freezes, starts to fall, is swept upwards again, adding layer after layer. The temperature at the top of a 20,000 ft. storm cloud would be -25ºF today because it was around 85ºF on the ground, and the temperature falls 5.5ºF for every 1000 ft. increase in elevation.
How wonderful to be surprised with a timely demonstration by nature! Within ten minutes of searching the internet for pictures of hailstones, we got hit with a "hum-dinger" of a hailstorm! It hailed hard and long. Here's a picture of the largest piece I saw on the deck and was brave enough to go out to get. You can see hints of the layers. Love the irregular edges.
I think this is a science lesson the girls will remember for a long while!
How wonderful to be surprised with a timely demonstration by nature! Within ten minutes of searching the internet for pictures of hailstones, we got hit with a "hum-dinger" of a hailstorm! It hailed hard and long. Here's a picture of the largest piece I saw on the deck and was brave enough to go out to get. You can see hints of the layers. Love the irregular edges.
I think this is a science lesson the girls will remember for a long while!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Grace
Grace=unmerited favor
I've been a Christian for a long time. Most of my life. I didn't always walk right, but I knew the Truth, and eventually I let the Truth set me free (because God can set you free, but you choose to carry around the chains anyway). Something long-time Christians may struggle with is thinking all they do for Christ proves to Him how righteous they are. (Righteous=right in God's eyes)
My epiphany for this week is that God's grace, given to me by Jesus, makes me righteous. Not what I do. Oh, I knew this all along. I knew I was saved by grace and not works. I've taken college classes on being sanctified and justified, and I knew what they meant. But somewhere along the line, I started feeling like all I DO shows what I AM to God.
And here's the thing: I am still right in God's eyes even if I'm not teaching a class; I'm right in God's eyes even if my husband isn't the Praise and Worship leader; I'm right in God's eyes even if we drop all our responsibilities at our church and walk away. What I DO does not make me what I AM to God. (***Goosebumps***) It's what HE did.
I've been a Christian for a long time. Most of my life. I didn't always walk right, but I knew the Truth, and eventually I let the Truth set me free (because God can set you free, but you choose to carry around the chains anyway). Something long-time Christians may struggle with is thinking all they do for Christ proves to Him how righteous they are. (Righteous=right in God's eyes)
My epiphany for this week is that God's grace, given to me by Jesus, makes me righteous. Not what I do. Oh, I knew this all along. I knew I was saved by grace and not works. I've taken college classes on being sanctified and justified, and I knew what they meant. But somewhere along the line, I started feeling like all I DO shows what I AM to God.
And here's the thing: I am still right in God's eyes even if I'm not teaching a class; I'm right in God's eyes even if my husband isn't the Praise and Worship leader; I'm right in God's eyes even if we drop all our responsibilities at our church and walk away. What I DO does not make me what I AM to God. (***Goosebumps***) It's what HE did.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Really?
I've been a Christian for many years. Most of my life. And in those years, I've had times of trouble with obedience. I've even argued with God. My latest disagreement with Him was about being called to lead our Children's Ministries--a position that didn't even exist.
I had many legitimate reasons for not doing it. After all, I'm a busy mom of 6, homeschooling my family. Three and a half years ago, God pulled me out of my ministry positions, only allowing me to gradually pick up a couple--a light load. And I needed that! Doing this would make no sense!
Many times, I've heard fellow Christians say, "God wants us to use common sense." I may have said it myself. A couple months ago this phrase triggered that still, small voice saying, "Really?"
My mind began to wander through the Bible stories; the stories I've been told, I've read myself, and I've taught to others. I was looking for God wanting His children to use common sense.
Wander with me through the Old and New Testaments as we look for God's use of common sense.
* God told Noah to build a big boat in a land that had no bodies of water and had never seen rain.
* God told Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice--the son that would fulfill God's promise to multiply Abraham's descendants to outnumber the stars.
* God called Moses--the man with the stutter--to be His spokesman to Pharoah.
* God told Joshua to lead his people around Jericho and destroy the walls with a shout.
* God informed Gideon that his army of 22,000 was too big to fight the Midianites. He only needed 300 men.
* When fighting a giant, forget the army or strongmen--send a young boy with a slingshot.
* God unraveled a plot to exterminate the Jewish race by placing a Jewish girl as Queen to a self-centered King.
* God sent a baby to a poor virgin girl to save the world.
* Dipping seven times in a dirty river can cure leprosy.
* Spit in the dirt; the mud will open blind eyes.
* If someone treats you badly, return it with love.
I cannot find any example of God saying, "My people, who are called by my name, shall use common sense." Wrack your brain; can you?
In fact, you can almost test God's will by it not following common sense!
Are you facing a decision? Do you see an open door of ministry and wonder if God really wants you? Do you doubt that you could possibly do what God is asking you to do? Does common sense say you should stay in your pew and keep your mouth shut? Ah ha! God is calling you! And like Moses, if God calls you, He will equip you. Step out in faith with me.
I had many legitimate reasons for not doing it. After all, I'm a busy mom of 6, homeschooling my family. Three and a half years ago, God pulled me out of my ministry positions, only allowing me to gradually pick up a couple--a light load. And I needed that! Doing this would make no sense!
Many times, I've heard fellow Christians say, "God wants us to use common sense." I may have said it myself. A couple months ago this phrase triggered that still, small voice saying, "Really?"
My mind began to wander through the Bible stories; the stories I've been told, I've read myself, and I've taught to others. I was looking for God wanting His children to use common sense.
Wander with me through the Old and New Testaments as we look for God's use of common sense.
* God told Noah to build a big boat in a land that had no bodies of water and had never seen rain.
* God told Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice--the son that would fulfill God's promise to multiply Abraham's descendants to outnumber the stars.
* God called Moses--the man with the stutter--to be His spokesman to Pharoah.
* God told Joshua to lead his people around Jericho and destroy the walls with a shout.
* God informed Gideon that his army of 22,000 was too big to fight the Midianites. He only needed 300 men.
* When fighting a giant, forget the army or strongmen--send a young boy with a slingshot.
* God unraveled a plot to exterminate the Jewish race by placing a Jewish girl as Queen to a self-centered King.
* God sent a baby to a poor virgin girl to save the world.
* Dipping seven times in a dirty river can cure leprosy.
* Spit in the dirt; the mud will open blind eyes.
* If someone treats you badly, return it with love.
I cannot find any example of God saying, "My people, who are called by my name, shall use common sense." Wrack your brain; can you?
In fact, you can almost test God's will by it not following common sense!
Are you facing a decision? Do you see an open door of ministry and wonder if God really wants you? Do you doubt that you could possibly do what God is asking you to do? Does common sense say you should stay in your pew and keep your mouth shut? Ah ha! God is calling you! And like Moses, if God calls you, He will equip you. Step out in faith with me.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Just 10 minutes
On March 18, 2006, I was sick of being tired all the time, hanging on to baby weight from my last 5 babies, and the perimenapause symptoms I was having at 37 years old. So I pulled on my snow boots, coat, hat and scarf, and started walking around my backyard. The ground was slushy. It was raining/snowing out. I thought I could die from the effort. I walked 10 minutes. And I lived.
When I got in the house, I was amazed at how ALIVE I felt. My heart seemed to be buzzing from the flood of oxygen. I was hooked. I started walking every day. Soon 10 minutes wasn't enough. Then 15 minutes wasn't enough. I dusted off the exercise bike in my basement, too. I borrowed a Leslie Sansone walking video from library and fell in love with indoor walking.
I want to add that one thing I mentally fought with was: "What will the neighbors think?" It held me back until I decided that what they thought wasn't going to keep me feeling like crap! And one neighbor did comment. I answered him and kept on walking! The mental benefits from walking--fresh air, time without kids, feeling muscle in my legs, weightloss, etc.--far outweigh anything the neighbors are thinking!
Today I walked 3 miles with a Leslie Sansone video. There is no way I could have done it back in 2006. But I am still amazed at what that first 10 minutes led to! FlyLady says you can do anything for 15 minutes (except hold your breath.) This motto has kept me walking and riding the exercise bike many times. And if you can do anything for 15 minutes, surely you can do it for 10. So, go on, get moving. You can do it for 10 minutes
When I got in the house, I was amazed at how ALIVE I felt. My heart seemed to be buzzing from the flood of oxygen. I was hooked. I started walking every day. Soon 10 minutes wasn't enough. Then 15 minutes wasn't enough. I dusted off the exercise bike in my basement, too. I borrowed a Leslie Sansone walking video from library and fell in love with indoor walking.
I want to add that one thing I mentally fought with was: "What will the neighbors think?" It held me back until I decided that what they thought wasn't going to keep me feeling like crap! And one neighbor did comment. I answered him and kept on walking! The mental benefits from walking--fresh air, time without kids, feeling muscle in my legs, weightloss, etc.--far outweigh anything the neighbors are thinking!
Today I walked 3 miles with a Leslie Sansone video. There is no way I could have done it back in 2006. But I am still amazed at what that first 10 minutes led to! FlyLady says you can do anything for 15 minutes (except hold your breath.) This motto has kept me walking and riding the exercise bike many times. And if you can do anything for 15 minutes, surely you can do it for 10. So, go on, get moving. You can do it for 10 minutes
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
New Year's Resolution
Happy New Year--2012. Wow, where did time go? I'm still trying to figure out how July went by so fast!
I've been thinking about this blog and what it is. I've read others' blogs and mine is so different. I'm not sure what I'm aiming at. I guess it's kind of like a public diary to me. We'll see where it goes this year!
My New Year's Resolution is to get back in shape. That includes exercise and eating right. Today is Day 4. Day 1 couldn't really count because I was sick as a dog on New Year's Eve, so was in no shape to exercise on the 1st.
In the first 4 days of 2012--except for Day 1-- I've exercised at least 30 minutes a day, exercise bike, walking videos, and Wii Fit. I've cut out almost all sweets. I'm an all-or-nothing kind of girl. Eating sweets makes me crave more. It's easier to say "No" than "No more."
Recipe of the Day--Pumpkin Soup (super easy)
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 t. minced garlic (opt.)
Olive oil or marg. enough to saute onion (1-2 T.)
2 cups pumpkin--I used pumpkin I cooked, pureed and froze after Halloween; 1-15 oz. can will work
Salt & pepper to taste
Saute onion & garlic in oil/margarine until tender. Add pumpkin. Stir until bubbly. Stir in enough liquid (broth, milk, or water) to get the consistency you prefer. Stir until bubbly. Season to taste.
Great way to load up on an orange veggie! If you haven't ever cooked pumpkin before, it is worth the effort! It is smooth, and tastes more like winter squash than canned pumpkin.
Blessings!
I've been thinking about this blog and what it is. I've read others' blogs and mine is so different. I'm not sure what I'm aiming at. I guess it's kind of like a public diary to me. We'll see where it goes this year!
My New Year's Resolution is to get back in shape. That includes exercise and eating right. Today is Day 4. Day 1 couldn't really count because I was sick as a dog on New Year's Eve, so was in no shape to exercise on the 1st.
In the first 4 days of 2012--except for Day 1-- I've exercised at least 30 minutes a day, exercise bike, walking videos, and Wii Fit. I've cut out almost all sweets. I'm an all-or-nothing kind of girl. Eating sweets makes me crave more. It's easier to say "No" than "No more."
Recipe of the Day--Pumpkin Soup (super easy)
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 t. minced garlic (opt.)
Olive oil or marg. enough to saute onion (1-2 T.)
2 cups pumpkin--I used pumpkin I cooked, pureed and froze after Halloween; 1-15 oz. can will work
Salt & pepper to taste
Saute onion & garlic in oil/margarine until tender. Add pumpkin. Stir until bubbly. Stir in enough liquid (broth, milk, or water) to get the consistency you prefer. Stir until bubbly. Season to taste.
Great way to load up on an orange veggie! If you haven't ever cooked pumpkin before, it is worth the effort! It is smooth, and tastes more like winter squash than canned pumpkin.
Blessings!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Angry Eyebrows
I've come to realize I have a lot of eyebrow stories. Strange. In high school, I started plucking my eyebrows without mercy. I didn't realize how merciless I'd become until school pictures came out. I stopped plucking and started hiding those pictures. I already have a very high browbone...plucking hadn't helped!
A few years ago, I was introduced to waxing. I didn't want to keep going to the salon for something I could do myself, so I bought some waxing stuff from Avon. And did it myself. Now, usually, I have good results. It is tricky to make both brows match. And sometimes when I look at the hair left on the fabric I have a heart-sinking panic attack. Sometimes, in a try to make both brows match, I end up with some pink burns on my brows...or a very surprised expression for a few days from over-waxing.
A couple weeks ago I realized it was time to wax them again. Before I got to it, a lady coming out of Aldi complemented me on my eyebrows. Now, that was a first! And I figured they must not need done after all! LOL
Well, last week I decided, no matter how much a grocery-store stranger admired my brows, I wanted them touched up. I put the wax in the microwave...then forgot it. When I got it out, it had cooled a tad too much. The usual fine coating on the toothpick I use was a rather large blob. And it dripped, or dropped, right onto my eyelashes! Almost instantly my top and bottom lashes were globbed together with rapidly cooling waxing goo. What a panic I was in! Now to remove the wax without removing my lashes! With the help of oil, I got most of the wax out. But it left my lashes sticky. I should have given up, but noooo, I continued to wax my brows with lashes sticking together. And I must say...my brows do not match, I burned my skin enough it was still red the next day, and I look like I'm constantly raising one skeptical brow--an expression I am unable to do naturally.
A few years ago, I was introduced to waxing. I didn't want to keep going to the salon for something I could do myself, so I bought some waxing stuff from Avon. And did it myself. Now, usually, I have good results. It is tricky to make both brows match. And sometimes when I look at the hair left on the fabric I have a heart-sinking panic attack. Sometimes, in a try to make both brows match, I end up with some pink burns on my brows...or a very surprised expression for a few days from over-waxing.
A couple weeks ago I realized it was time to wax them again. Before I got to it, a lady coming out of Aldi complemented me on my eyebrows. Now, that was a first! And I figured they must not need done after all! LOL
Well, last week I decided, no matter how much a grocery-store stranger admired my brows, I wanted them touched up. I put the wax in the microwave...then forgot it. When I got it out, it had cooled a tad too much. The usual fine coating on the toothpick I use was a rather large blob. And it dripped, or dropped, right onto my eyelashes! Almost instantly my top and bottom lashes were globbed together with rapidly cooling waxing goo. What a panic I was in! Now to remove the wax without removing my lashes! With the help of oil, I got most of the wax out. But it left my lashes sticky. I should have given up, but noooo, I continued to wax my brows with lashes sticking together. And I must say...my brows do not match, I burned my skin enough it was still red the next day, and I look like I'm constantly raising one skeptical brow--an expression I am unable to do naturally.
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