Sunday, May 27, 2012

It's a Date!

  Last night I went on a date with my husband. We've been able to do this a bit more lately, but because we try to watch our spending and budget we don't do it too often. But that's ok I really appreciate it when we do get to go out.
   Our date last night was a double date with some of our bestest friends. I love YOU Judi and Dale!
   We went to Red Lobster, with a coupon of course, and spent about two and a half hours eating and talking. Mostly talking and catching up on all of the things that have been going on in our lives. While we do keep in touch weekly, via Facebook and e-mails, there are just some things that are best discussed in person.
    I'm sure the poor waiter was ready for us to leave so that they could sit someone else at our table. However we were so enjoying the conversation and time spent with friends that we were in no hurry to leave. Even when we did leave the table we continued the conversation outside in front of the restaurant.
    I really hope that we get to do this again before this summer is over. I love date night with my hubby, and getting together with good friends is always the best.
    It's Memorial Day weekend. We are spending time with family and making BBQ. I like long weekends but unfortunately for Kelly she has to work the whole weekend. (She was recently promoted to asst. manager where she works!)  Jessica, gets the weekend off because the daycare where she works is closed this holiday. We are very proud of Kelly and Jessica! I love all of my kids more than they will ever know.
    Thank you to all that serve and have served. May God Bless each of you.

Blessings to All ~S~

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Here Lately

  Here lately: I've been working on a quilt for a young girl. It's taking me forever because I have been working on other stuff too. I will get it finished soon. I messed up 4 of the blocks so I had to take the blocks apart and sew them back together. Then a couple of weeks ago, my wonderful sister, gave me a pattern for something called snap bags. Well, these things are so much fun! I get down in my sewing room and just forget the rest of the world is there while working on these things.
    The biggest thing is, I love, LOVE fabric! Yes, I'm a fabri-holic. (sheepish grin) I also love yarns or threads so crochet and cross stitch are right up there.  Big thing for me right now is sewing and fabric.
Snap Bags measure about 6 1/2" x 7 1/2" 
  See, I told you they were cute!  You use the little tabs on the sides to pull the bag open. When you let go, they snap back. The color of the band at the top is the color of the inside.
  Here lately: Kelly went to Ga. to meet Nick's family. I can't tell you how much I missed my girl, but I missed Nick being around too. They came home yesterday, and for a whole afternoon our home was filled with lively and deep conversation, and lots of laughter. That's not to say that there isn't laughter when Nick isn't around, just seems to be more when he is.  Nick brought a gift for me. Yea! A book by Greg Koukl called "Tactics".  I am looking forward to reading it. So much that I want to learn. So much that I have to learn!
  Here lately: My biggest problem is that when I learn something, I get very excited and want to share it with everyone! I know in my mind that I need to not overwhelm people with my enthusiasm. I just can't help it sometimes. I want them to be as excited as I am. Like the woman at the well, when she met Jesus and He told her all the things she had done, she went back and told everyone come see and meet Him. I think I can understand her feelings. My heart swells and I want to know more but I want to share with others so that they too can know how wonderful the feeling is. I need to remember that I am an Ambassador.  I will be praying that God will use me in such a way that I am truly an effective ambassador for Christ.
  Here lately: I've been working hard at losing weight and inches. I've lost 15 lbs. not sure how many inches, because I haven't taken measurements. But, I know that I've lost them because my clothes fit much better now. I even went to TJ Maxx and used the gift card that Kelly gave me for Mother's Day to buy a couple of new skirts and a new top. I also found a pair of new jeans at Wal-Mart on sale that were a size smaller than I had been wearing. Big Grin! The biggest hurdle has been not allowing myself to get discouraged when things don't move along as fast as I would like for them too. Ronald reminds me that I didn't put my weight on over night and I won't take it off over night. It's taken about 10 weeks to lose the weight so far. I will continue to work. The best part is that I've created a habit in the last ten weeks of walking on my elliptical or walking in our neighborhood when the weather is not sweltering. Even Nick, and my girls have been very encouraging. I'm very thankful for that. I love them all so much!!!
   Here lately: I've been feeling like I wanted other changes in my life too. Mostly something like a job change. I don't really mind the job that I do, well I sort of do. I love the people that I work for but I want to work for myself. Yes, I know that it makes no sense. I sort of work for myself since I clean houses. I'd just rather work from home or set the hours that I want to set. Several things have entered my mind that I might like to do. But I think the biggest thing for me right now is the waiting part. The house cleaning thing is flexible enough that I am able to take my time or take a helper and get done a little quicker. Since it is only one or two days a week, it's not like a full time job. I just don't like having to leave my home for several hours on those days. In a couple of years, I will no longer be homeschooling, then I will have time for a little more work. Hmmm Maybe I will volunteer somewhere. Who knows what my hearts desire will be by then.
 
 Blessings to All ~S~

Father God,
 I thank you for all the blessings that you have given, for your love and salvation. For each family member and friend that you have allowed to come into our lives.  I pray that you would keep each of those that I love close to your heart, wrapped in Your loving arms. That each one of us would have open minds and hearts and a teachable spirit. In Jesus' name, Amen