Wednesday Hodgepodge:

Thank you Joyce for another week of great questions.  Join in on the fun all!


1. The Summer Olympics officially begin this Friday night...will you be watching? If you could see just one event in person which one would you pick?
I have not set my alarm to remind me to catch the opening ceremonies but I hope to see some of it.  I would like to see the Taekwondo and the Aquatics events.

2. Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

Yes, there are days that I feel rested because I really needed a day of rest but other times (more often than not) I feel unproductive because I am a type-A person and need to always be doing something.

3.  July 25th is 'officially' Threading the Needle Day...can you sew? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being not at all and 10 being Betsy Ross-like, how would you rate your skill with a needle and thread?

I had no idea that the 25th is "Threading the Needle Day"  Thanks for letting us all know Joyce.  Yes I can sew, I made the kids PJ's when they were little and do enjoy sewing for the house.  I guess I'd give myself a 7 since I don't do quilts and don't make my clothes now.

4. 'Threading the Needle' can also mean to walk a fine line between two things or issues (think awkward social situation). When was the last time you had to 'thread the needle', figuratively speaking?

WOW this is hard. I really don't remember the last time I had to "Thread the Needle". Guess I've not been in an awkward social situation in a long time.

5.  Kidney, pinto, black, or navy...your favorite bean?

I'm not a huge fan of any of those but if they are in a soup or Chili I will eat them. I like the green bean, yellow bean and Jelly bean variety.

6. Have you ever hosted a garage sale? Was it more success or bust?
No, never hosted a garage sale.  I usually donate items to those sales so that I can get rid of stuff however.  So it's a success for me.

7. What makes you roll your eyes?

My husband comes up with stuff that makes my eyes roll! He has a great sense of humor but every once in a while, he comes out with something really weird and off the wall!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I have two thoughts as  my brain is in overload this week.
Like most of country, we are hot and dry up here. Because we are pretty far up north in the realms of things, we are not as hot as some of you down south.  I think we all need a few days of gently all day rain, however I see that London is getting it instead.  May we all keep cool and have a great week.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people who have suffered and lost so much in Aurora, CO. May God send peace and comfort to everyone there. 

Weekend Forecast

The weekend forecast for our neck of the woods looks nice except we really need rain!  That is small compared to what I've been reading from other blogger's. Seems they need more that just cooler temps.

Many people are having a hard time it seems.  Drought, very high temps, sick children, failed crops (it's they way of earning a living), and lost jobs.  I've been reading a lot of other post and seeing so many things going wrong for others. I do pray for all of you.

For you all, I leave you with this simple children's song to remind us all that we have joy.
Take heart - Our God is So Big, So Strong and so Mighty, there's NOTHING our God can not do!




Have a great weekend everyone, see you Monday.

A Clean Kitchen=A Great Day

I love a clean kitchen don't you?  You have a great dream and wake up refreshed. You climb out of bed, go the bathroom to...you know, and head towards the kitchen.

You turn on the light and look towards the coffee pot. You find that it's all set to turn on and soon you can smell the aroma of fresh hot coffee.

As you reach into the cabinet to get your favorite cup you notice just how clean the kitchen is.  The sink is empty and shinning, the counters are all clean and whipped down, the floor is clean, the rugs vacuumed.

You can easily move around your kitchen and enjoy what you are looking at. Grab that coffee, make some toast and put some Nutella on it. 

Someone took the time to dust and mop down the counter tops, shine the sink, take out the trash and generally make it look all nice.

Small bowl at the bottom is August's, Large bowl in center is shared water dish, Medium bowl on the right is Becke's

Even the pets have a nice clean place to eat and all is right is with your world. After all just the day before the kitchen was a mess of dishes in the sink and on the counters, food on the floor, unopened mail on another counter and crumbs all over the stove.  It was a mess!

Waking up to this sight put me in a good mood for the entire day! Does it do that for you as well? 

Do you know that God wants to clean up the mess in our lives?  He wants to get the dirty sins out of our lives.  He sends us mail (the Bible) to refresh our lives every morning, and gets all the crumbs of our broken, battered, sick lives and washes them away in Baptism.  He takes the mess that is our lives and makes them shine.  Isn't that a great way to start our day?  Just a thought for today.

Wednesday Hodgepodge: The Olympics of Life!

I don't know how Joyce does it but her questions always fit the events in the world and this weeks questions are perfect.  Come join us please by clicking on her button or answer the questions here.


1. The Summer Olympics begin next week and London is playing host. If you had the chance to go in person which (non-Olympic) London site would you most like to visit?

I would love to go back to the Air Force Base where we were back in 1976 and see if our old house. The base is now closed and so it is most likely not there so my next place would be Well-Next-The-Sea where we spend time on the sand.

2. What is something in your life right now that feels like an Olympic event?

A busy rest of summer with things to do makes me  feel like I'm running a marathon and I'm going to make it, but man that finish line is a LONG way off.

3. What's your favorite supper to prepare and serve when it's too hot to cook?

I like really cold salad with grilled chicken on top!  Add some ice tea and ice cream and I have the perfect supper.

4. July 18th is National Get Out of the Doghouse Day...when was the last time you were 'in the doghouse'?

WOW, I can't remember the last time I was in the dog house. But our dogs are treated really well so it would not be a bad place to be.

5. What television advertisement do you find particularly irritating or inappropriate? You may not answer with 'all of them'. I know some of you were thinking about it.

I really hate all the political adds that we are getting. Each side is making up stuff and stretching the truth so that the ads are just wrong.  And it's only July!! It will just get worst.

6. Share one piece of interesting news from the year you were born. 

You mean besides my birth?? Well then the second interesting thing was that Peanut M&M's are created. (Thank God!)

7. What's the best part of your average day?

This is the easiest question EVER!  The best part of my average day is anytime I get to spend with Hubby! Just look at that baby face!!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Don't hate me but I've started my Christmas Shopping. I do this every year.  I have 4 people on the west coast to buy for and 3 of them also have Birthdays so I have a lot to get together and get in the mail right after Halloween.  The first birthday is November 11th!  I shop on line and play Christmas music, as well as go to stores and look for things.  I like Christmas, I don't like shopping in bad weather and fighting lines.

Your turn now!

An Example from Dogs

When we took August to the beech a few weeks ago, we knew he would feel overwhelmed by it all so we stopped along the way where the rocks were and let him walk around the rocks and look at the ocean from a safe distance.

He enjoyed seeing the water and exploring the rocks as well as smelling the salt water in the air.

We did this on purpose, so as we got closer to the water, he would be ready.

He was with his mommy and he knew his mommy was going to keep him safe. He likes his mommy. His mommy likes him as well.

He likes him daddy too. Daddy keeps him safe as well!  In fact, it was Daddy's idea to stop along the way.

Once we got to the ocean, we stayed right in the shore line. Where the water just lapped the sand and it was safe.

Then we went out a little farther, where there were waves, very small ones, but then again, August is only 11 inches tall! 

His sister stayed with him showing the ease of the water and the joy of pawing the waves.

Together, they played in the waves, walked the sand, and visited the people there.  Together, the day was a hit. August could have had an entirely different day if he let his fears rule him.  But with help from others, who care for him, the day was just wonderful.

My point to this story is to remind me (and encourage you) that although things seem scary, I too have a Father who loves me and cares for me and sends me friends and loved ones to Cheer me up, help me see the joy and stand by me through the scary parts.  

John 16:33 "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!"

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Don't let the day get you down. Trust in Him and smile because He is caring for you, standing by you, walking with you, showing you how to laugh.