Sunday Seven ... Project Blue... and The Turtle
I haven't done one of these for waaaaaaaay too long! And since I've been kinda grumbly and whiney this week, I figured NOW must be the right time!!! So without further ado... Seven things I am feeling a need to THANK the Lord for this week!
1. I am thankful that my husband and all 4 of my children are currently gainfully employed! Husband has never NOT been employed and indeed has worked for the same company for the past 31 years -- and for that I am even ESPECIALLY thankful! I do pray that son-in-law finds the job of his dreams soon - but in the meantime, I give thanks that he is a good, loving and dependable provider for my daughter and their daughter!
2. I am thankful that today is June. As of today it is only 20 days until I get my PERMANENT dentures, and it is only 21 days until we leave for a week at the beach! I'm not sure which of these things I am more excited about! But I know I thank God for providing them both for me!
3. I'm thankful for the little box turtle in my back field. I can't wait for Luz to come back over so I can show her. He/She/It has apparently been living under Derek's skate ramp! How cool!
4. Speaking of Luz.. I'm thankful for the cutest phone call EVER that I received Friday afternoon. Me: Hello? Wee Little Voice: Nana! Do you want to come SWIM with me? LOLOL! I love it! Unfortunately I was not able to go swim with her this time -- but we will have LOTS of swim time together over the next few months. I'm SO thankful for that!!!
5. As a matter of fact... I'm just plain thankful that SHORTS season is finally here! The only day I have to think about what to wear now is Sunday! Cuz I certainly won't wear shorts to church! But I will wear sundresses and flip flops! LOL!
6. After yesterday's post, I really think I should clarify that I am ever so thankful to have a God that loves me and thinks I'm practically perfect just the way He made me -- excess fat cells and all! Apparently He knows He didn't make me exactly perfect -- that right was saved for His One and Only... whom He sent to show me The Way... and to teach me how to try my darndest to be like Him! And this is why I CAN post pictures like that... because He loves me -- just like that! And what's more is... He would much rather me spend my time teaching VBS or taking care of Mom or writing letters to little Lesli than worrying about what I LOOK like. He would, however, like me to take care of my HEALTH!
7. I am thankful that today is Sunday and I have reliable transportation to get me to my little church where I will listen with my working ears to the sermon that my Pastor Paul will preach to me! I will use my not so good voice to sing songs of praise - sometimes at the top of my lungs, and not one person in my congregation will complain about it! In fact, they will encourage it! And when the service is over we will all smile and laugh and they will say "Melli suuuuuure enjoyed those praise songs today!" And they'll be right! And I LOVE that little church! (a year ago I would NOT sing out loud at all! But somehow they all figured out how MUCH I like to sing ... and they really couldn't care less that I CAN'T!!! Ya gotta LOVE people like that!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Project Blue
Hosted by Anna
Take 1
Squoosh!
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The Turtle Under the Ramp
This is Turtle...
We don't know if Turtle is a he or a she...
...and so... it's just Turtle.
As you can see...
Turtle wasn't thrilled to meet me!
Peekaboo!
That's all I got!
Could be that I'm not the most patient "waiter" in all the world.
Labels: Projects, Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven -- Thanks for Mom...
...Lest you think I've forgotten HOW to be grateful...
7 things I am thankful for in relation to my MIL
1. If I must have constant companion and travel buddy, Mom is the one to have. She is the only person related to me that does not mind listening to my PRAISE MUSIC as we tool down the road! Never mind that I could just as easily listen to Toddler Tunes or John Philip Sousa -- the POINT is, I can listen to my PRAISE music without complaint!!!
2. I ALWAYS have a lunch companion ... which is important because lunch "dates" with friends have ... um... dropped off considerably! But Mom loves lunch and because she does not complain about food either, I am free to try places that no one else would try with me! Never mind that our entire lunch time conversation revolves around "mmm... good."
3. I sometimes complain because it takes us no less than 15-20 minutes from the time the bath water starts running until Mom is actually sitting in the tub... we have a few rituals... and apparently she doesn't mind cold bath water... but I am THANKFUL that she IS able to get in and out of the tub on her own, UNassisted, on most days -- and I do believe that with the help of Curves she will continue to improve in this respect! Never mind that her idea of a bath is one dip and we're out! (hm. maybe it's the COLD bath water?)
4. I am thankful that since Mom moved in with us, Dennis eats dinner at the table with us most nights.
5. I am thankful that since Mom moved in with us, Dennis goes outdoors to smoke. (it really is AMAZING the influence that a MOTHER has on her son! EVEN when she doesn't know he's her son half the time!!!)
6. I'm thankful that Mom is our Light Patrol, Door Patrol, and Pet Patrol! Don't even DARE leave a light on when you leave the room! Do NOT leave the front door open, EVEN if you're carrying in groceries (or out trash) ... and honestly ... the pets are just tooooooooo spoiled! They TRULY go in and out at will! (withOUT a doggie door! ... and without leaving doors open!)
7. I'm thankful that I NEVER have to come up with NEW material to entertain her! ONE joke is all I need - it will last for MONTHS -- if not a lifetime! Annnnnd it can be korny! :)
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven ... Answered Prayers
Seven prayers God has answered this year.
1. I told God that I wanted to grow in my relationship with Him and He took me to heart and our relationship has G-R-O-W-N!!!2. I asked God to help me find my perfect church, and he lead me to First Lutheran which is certainly it.3. I asked the Lord to guide me in decisions about my marriage, and He has made my marriage stronger than it has been in a long, long time. It's still a work in progress - but He continues to show me that our marriage IS His desire and that it is meant to last.4. I asked him to send our church a dynamite music director who knew a little something of Matt Redman, and he sent us one who delivers a great variety - including Matt Redman!5. I've prayed for a grandbaby for many years! THIS year God has blessed me! And in so doing He has blessed my whole entire family!6. I asked God to give me a purpose in my life. ( I should have asked Him to give me a passion... but...) Silly me, when I heard I was getting that grandbaby, I thought SHE was going to be my purpose. hehehe... instead, He sent my mother-in-law to live with us. My life now has purpose. Be very careful what you ask God for... He has a great sense of humor! AND... HE has a purpose!7. I also asked God to make me a more patient, compassionate person. Thus He made sure I have multitudinous opportunity each and every day to practice patience and compassion. Now I need to remember to ask him to GIFT me with those qualities! I think there just might be such thing as tooooooo much practice!Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven ...
Baby steps that have made me happy this week!
2. Tomorrow is MIL's birthday. She's 78. We're going out to dinner tonight to celebrate!
Derek agreed to go with us!
3. Meeting Luz on Thursday was GREAT! Getting to babysit her for a few hours on Saturday was even better!!! I am sooooooooo in love!
4. Amanda thought she would need time to warm up to me again on Saturday - but when I walked into her apartment and she saw me, she ran and JUMPED into my arms like I'd been her Nana FOREVER!!!
5. Play practice went really well after church this morning! Our little skit is coming together beautifully! (and I get to wear a HARD HAT once again!)
6. Time management isn't my strong suit... and it's not my favorite thing either... but I'm sorta starting to get it together... sorta!
7. MIL added a 5th story to her repertoire today!Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven...
Seven things I'm thankful for this week!
2. I'm thankful that all of my children are employed and in ownership of trustworthy and reliable vehicles again.
3. I'm thankful Krysti is coming home on Nov. 16th and will be here thru Thanksgiving. This is great because even though our little family will not be together FOR Thanksgiving this year, we will have an opportunity for us to all get together for a visit.
4. I'm thankful that George and Louise are going to be coming back to Maryland on Wednesday - and will be here with us for Thanksgiving too. (originally we planned to go to Pennsylvania next week - but George feels he needs to come here to get some things taken care of while he still can.) We will be making decisions during this time as to exactly when all the various changes will begin to take place, and working on sorting through a lot of legal matters that need to be taken care of too.
5. I'm thankful for family, friends, and church who support me and pray for us in all the trials and tribulations of life.
6. I was lector at church for the first time this morning, and I'm sO thankful that I made it through both looong readings with only a couple of tiny mistakes! Whoo hoo!
7. I have a part in a little Advent skit we're doing at church on Dec. 9th! I actually have 9 lines!!! It's going to be fun! I'm thankful that my church gives me sO many ways to stay active AND have fun! And by the way... I'm LOVING both my new Bible studies!!! So, I'm thankful for them too!Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven ...
I don't know if anybody is doing this meme anymore...
maybe just a few of us... But I use it to remind myself
at the end of each week that I have a LOT to be thankful
for.
1. I am very thankful that BOTH of my boys have obtained cars this week! Even though Derek does not yet know how to drive his... yes, it's a manual! But he's working on it... and I have FAITH that he will "get it" soon!
Derek in Honda Civic & Mathew in Mazda
2. Although I miss our Little Missy - she has such an adorable personality - she is Mathew's kitty and moved out when he moved out -- so although I do miss her - I do NOT miss her when it's time to clean the litter box! I am very thankful to be down to ONE kitty using the litter box! :)
3. I am thankful that many many MANY years ago, I had the foresight to hang on to my children's bouncy horse so that hubby could get it out of storage this weekend and clean it up! I'm sure Luz will be thankful too! When she gets here!
4. I'm thankful for Arundel Mills Mall, and the Oshkosh Outlet, and the Carter's Outlet, and Books-A-Million! And you don't really want to know HOW thankful I am for them! (I bet they are even MORE thankful for ME!)
5. I am VERY thankful that it is finally November and we can finally count down the DAYS until Luz comes to us!!!
6. I am SO thankful that all of my children, who at one time I wondered if they would EVER even LIKE each other, have grown up to
absolutely LOVE each other and place family as their first priority in their lives. (well... I would prefer they would put God first... but I keep praying... maybe someday... In the meantime, I'm thankful for what I've got!)
7. I am thankful that the two Bible studies I was not crazy about have both ended, and THIS week starts two new ones for me! My Monday night group will be studying James and Jude. I'm excited about that one for sure! I haven't decided exactly which study I am starting on Sunday's yet... I have a few more hours to make up my mind. The two I'm looking at are Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods - Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word ... or... Ablaze! Evangelism At Work. I really REALLY want to take the evangelism one -- but it is video based and I do NOT do well with watching television!!! I like BOTH instructors, so that's not an issue... I just have some decision making to do!
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven - Savannah Style!
This week I am listing 7 things I am thankful for about my trip to Savannah.
(and it was tough narrowing it down to just 7!)
Wanna Play?
2. I am sO thankful that I was able to pick up Lazy Daisy on the way and she could be my co-pilot map reader directions interpreter entertainment for the long trip! We laughed and SANG praise songs the whole entire way down, and half the way back! Trust me -- the going and coming was WELL planned into this trip!!! I never knew before that Daisy does not "do" adventuresome tours on her own -- so you know what THAT means don't ya? Yep! She'll just always have to ride with ME! Awwww darn! (yea... right!) Like... YAY!!!
3. I am thankful for store employees who HAVE a sense of humour, and an understanding, even helpful spirit toward a bunch of crazy mostly 50/60ish ladies who don't come into their stores to "buy" - but only to "try"... their patience.
4. I'm thankful to certain friends who know how to turn their flash OFF when certain HAT SHOPS do NOT allow photography in them! (did I MENTION we are ALL Christian women???) I am also thankful for a very FORGIVING God!
5. I'm thankful -- so very thankful -- that after a day too many in a row of go go go go GO, I was allowed to have a complete and total MELTDOWN and no one complained. Everyone UNDERSTOOD! Is that amazing or what? We did a last minute change of plans and basically did NOTHING that day! And it was good! We all enjoyed it! Such a great bunch...
6. I am SO thankful that God chose our little group of 6 with which to bless a homeless family. He put that family right in our path, and gave us the opportunity to be a blessing! I wish we could have done so much MORE for them - I pray for them every day and it makes me so sad that I will NEVER know the outcome of their story. I just have to trust that my prayers will be answered ... and be thankful that I was able to help in some small way.
7. I'm EVER so thankful to have become such GOOD friends with so many wild and crazy bloggers who are willing to travel to the ends of the earth to get together for a few days of incredible, hysterical FUN! I think each of us spent at least a little bit of time in awe of the fact that without the internet -- and blogs -- we NEVER would have met. But I'm pretty sure that God had it in his plan that we WOULD meet ... and He amazes me again how he MAKES things happen! Lord, I thank you! You are sooooooo GOOD!
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven ...
I know... it's been a couple of weeks since I've done this! It's not that I haven't been thankful for things - believe me I have! I just haven't been feeling creative about coming up with new interesting things for y'all to read that I've been thankful for! The Lord and I have just sorta been re-hashing all the same ol' stuff I'm always thankful for. You know -- home, health, family, etc... I just don't know how many times y'all want to read the same thing -- and God doesn't really mind if I DON'T write my thanks on my blog.... yea... he actually told me that! *nods* But this week I do have good stuff to share... so let's do it!1. Mathew started a new job LAST weekend, working in sales for a furniture store. Not exactly what he was feeling "called" to do -- but it was who actually called him and gave him a job! It will pay the bills until he re-connects with that job of a lifetime!2. The job was especially important because Mathew and Carol will be moving out of MY house and into their OWN apartment on October 24th! This is good just because... this is good! ;)3. We had a group from Russia called Lyra come to sing at our church Wednesday night. They.Were.Fabulous!!! No music - just vocal ensemble. Oh my gosh! Such RICH voices! The first half of the performance was Russian Orthodox church hymns (all in Russian, of course - we couldn't understand a word - but we didn't NEED to!) The 2nd half of the performance was Russian folk songs - again all in Russian! But they still managed to tell the story! Really cute! Really exciting! Everyone LOVED them - even the little children! This was the 2nd time they have come to our church, and they have already agreed to come back again next year! I can't wait!4. Derek got his letter from the Carpenter's Local on Thursday and has been accepted into the apprenticeship program! YAY! I'm so happy that he did this! I'm very proud of him. Now I guess we have to do something to find him some transportation so that he can GET there!5. Krysti is home from college this weekend! It's nice having her around again!6. Because of that, we went into DC on Saturday. She and Amanda & Hector and I -- we went first, to Crystal City (in Virginia) and had lunch at Hamburger Hamlet (our favorite!) and then down to the Washington Monument. T'was fun! She has to leave Tuesday morning to go back to NY - so I will be enjoying her as much as possible the rest of the weekend! (she is going to see a friend at a nearby college on Sunday)7. On FRIDAY (the one coming up) I leave to pick up Lazy Daisy (i hope) and Saturday morning we will be heading for SAVANNAH!!!! LOOOOK OUT SANDY! Heeeeeere weeeee COME!!!Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven is a weekly meme, used to share 7 things that we are grateful for in our lives. Seven positives, if you will! If you would like to play along, make up your list, and go HERE to let us know!
1. Even though Pastor Mack was sitting in for Pastor Paul today (who is in New York baptizing his 2nd grandson), we still had a good sermon, very relevant... he preached on Prayer and being a child of God. Okay... I concede... sometimes it IS good to have a visiting Pastor! :)
2. Even though none of the songs were Matt Redman today, the music at church was FABULOUS! Needless to say, these first two combined, got my day off to a nice start!
3. Derek had a gOOd interview / test with the Carpenters Local this week. He came home feeling fairly confident - which is excellent for him!!!
4. The weather this weekend has been spectacular! 72 yesterday. 68 today! Just gorgeous weather to be outside! In addition to that we have had a couple of night storms this week that have watered us well and greened things up! Nice to see green for a little while before Winter comes! :)
5. Wednesday night Bible study started back up this week! We are going to be doing a Max Lucado study on Hebrews! I'm very excited about this one!
6. I went and did a weeeee little bit of shopping for that little girl grandbaby! I got her a Dora doll and two little "twin" dolls that go with her. I really need to study up on the whole "Dora thing"... I'm completely Dora challenged! I also got her two little outfits, 2 fleece hoodies, and a couple of puzzles. WHAT FUN!!!
7. Amanda & Hector have made the decision to go to Texas for Thanksgiving instead of Christmas! This means that my Lucy Luz (above stated grandbaby) will be coming home with them on NOVEMBER 27th ... and I will have her for Christmas!!! Praise the Lord! (and I didn't even have to suggest it!!!) God is sO good!
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven
Ohhhhhhh I sO hope I don't BORE you guys this week! I am a weeeeee bit focused on one particular topic... but I tried not to over do it too much! LOL! If you would like to play Sunday Seven, please make your list and then stop by HERE and let them know! Now... almost 7 things I'm thankful for this week!1. THANK YOU, GOD, FOR A GRAND BABY FOR ME!!! In case there should be ANY doubt about what I am MOST thankful for this week month year ... let me repeat... PRAISE JESUS! I AM GETTING A GRAND BABY! Well... she's 3! (a BIG girl!) But that's not the important part! :)
2. I am also thankful for a hubby and 4 kids and a SIL and a hope2b DIL who all love ME soooooo much! (and I love them too!) YAY!
3. I am sooooooooo thankful for a whole Blogosphere full of friends who sO went out of their way to CELEBRATE me HUGE for my birthday this week! If you missed it... I'm sO sorry - cuz it was soooooooo much fun!!! I felt so loved! Good friends are sO important - and I have met sO many here in Blogland! And not just bloggers -- I have sO many on-line friends... they FAR outnumber my "close" home-town friends at this point! This amazes me allllll the time! And I love you them all!
4. I'm sO happy that Krysti is SO happy at college! Honestly! She barely even THINKS about us! *pout* LOL! She loves her roommate, and she loves ALL her classes, and she loves ALL her teachers! She's started EMT training now at the local Ambulance Corp. and she's LOVING that, and one might just think that she was just BORN to go to college!!! She does not miss us a bit -- and I would miss her MORE if she were miserable! Knowing she's so happy makes life a lot easier!
5. Derek was sO sweet the other day -- he works in a restaurant over at the beach, and he needed a ride to work on Thursday, so I dropped him off sort of on my out of my way to work. When we got there, he ran in real quick and made me lunch to take with me -- a CRAB CAKE sandwich! Tastes so much better when your own boy makes it for ya!!! ;)
6. I'm thankful for Hubby's friend, Bob, who has invited us to go out for a cruise on his boat! (along with 4 other couples) We will be cruising the Chesapeake Bay for several hours today! And hurricane tropical storm Gabrielle is cooperating by staying south until late tonight or even Monday! (thank you God!) (I should mention that Gabrielle does not worry me -- I'm nearly positive that INGRID is going to be the one to watch out for this year!... just a hunch!)
7. Can I use two for Luz Estrella Starlight -- did I mention to you that Luz means light and Estrella means star? So her name is Light Star Starlight! I do believe this child was destined to be SOMEbodies shining star! And now I know who's! And did I happen to tell you guys that the birth mother actually wanted Amanda & Hector to adopt Luz when she was born? But they were too busy getting a divorce at that time! (talk about messin' with God's plan!) So He had to do some maneuvering to get them all lovey dovey and back together good and strong so that NOW, just when Luz happens to need new parents again, they are NOW available and ready!? Talk about a plan! Thank you, Lord... thank you! He is gOOd! All the time!
I can't wait to get another
picture to share!
LOL!
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven
Hehehe... this weeks list is 7 things I'm "struggling" to be happy about! Donations of encouragement will be accepted! If you would like to play Sunday Seven, please make your list and then stop by HERE and let them know!
1. I had got to work TWO night shifts this week - and I got through them! Turns out I'm going back to working ONE night shift every week from now on. I've been spoiled by zero night shifts for many many weeks....
2. Two of my new Bible studies started this past week. The Monday night group is doing Aslan's World - based on The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I have never been able to get through this book. It just bores me out of my mind! I borrowed it this week, got through chapter 3 and have not been able to convince myself to open the book again! Soooooo tonight I rented the movie, Hubby agreed to watch it with me -- he enjoyed it... I was bored out of my mind -- BUT... I got through it! YAY! I certainly do see the most obvious of symbolism in it. Perhaps once I learn it all, I'll be willing to go back and watch it again - and enjoy it more? Maybe... could happen.
3. The other study is the Sermon On The Mount... I was really looking forward to this study to balance out the "fantasy" of Narnia.... but the leader is ... um... well... it's only been one class! Maybe it will get better!!! Right? (just nod!)
4. My dryer broke down on Thursday... the repair man is coming on Tuesday. (yes... my birthday... when I would have been out having lunch with some friends, IF I didn't have to wait for the dryer repair man...) That will make 5 days I didn't have to do ANY laundry! God is gOOd all the time! All the time, God is gOOd!
5. Hubby came home the other night and announced a BIG date for him and I - a trip out on a friends boat! With 4 or 5 other couples! Stopping for lunch and maybe a little shopping - next Sunday. For which I will have to miss church.... and a Bible study... *sigh* BIG DATE! :)
6. Dennis and I went back on our diets this week! Started on Monday. Today is Saturday... I've only cheated um ... 6 times this week. Good thing there's another Monday next week!
7. I've gotten lots of emails and texts from Krysti this week. She LOVES college! She's gotten involved with the Ambulance Corps in Penn Yan, and she starts EMT training next Tuesday. EMT training runs through January 17th... so instead of coming home for 2 months over Christmas, she'll be coming home for um... one week. *sigh* She LOVES college! :)
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven ...
Sunday Seven is a meme designed to give thanks for the BIG or little things in our life. The "stuff" that makes up life... the happenings of your week. God blesses us in SO many ways each week - it's really good to stop and think about it! Gives ya just a weeee bit more appreciation ... reminds you to praise Him! If you would like to play along, make your list and stop by HERE to let them know!
1. We got Krysti safely delivered up to New York to her college. She is settling nicely, meeting lots of new friends, having a ton of fun, and so far misses nobody! :) This is all good!
2. Dennis and I have had a lot of time "together" this week. Of course, the travel time up to NY and back - but the kids left at home have been busy, and we've had some quiet time together HERE too!
3. We have been blessed with some rain this week! We can still use mOre - but we have had some! And that more MAY be coming today! We hope!
4. We are so thankful that our Derek, despite his stupidity, is still with us, and that only his car and the telephone pole are suffering. I'm so thankful that it was a telephone pole he hit and not another car! God really does love that boy - even when it doesn't seem like it!
5. WE have decided that tomorrow is THE day that we are both getting back to seriously losing weight! Enough is enough!
6. The new music director at church is being sO welcomed by the whole congregation! I am so happy! I can't wait to get there this morning to see what he will have for us today!
7. Today begins the new Sunday School season. The late service moves back to 11:00 a.m. to allow room for Bible studies at 10:00. I'm joining one focusing on the Sermon On The Mount, and I'm excited about it!
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven...
Sunday Seven is a meme designed to give thanks for the BIG or little things in our life. The "stuff" that makes up life... the happenings of your week. God blesses us in SO many ways each week - it's really good to stop and think about it! Gives ya just a weeee bit more appreciation ... reminds you to praise Him! If you would like to play along, make your list and stop by HERE to let them know!
This week I am just going to be thankful for 7 random things...
1. My sense of humor! I honestly don't know where I'd be if I couldn't look at life from the funny side of things. Sometimes you either have to laugh or cry... I'm thankful that mOst of the time I am able to laugh!
2. Auto mechanics (yep) and a husband who always has a different idea than I do! Honestly... I know... sOMetimes this can be a real nuisance! But SOMEtimes it can be a very gOOd thing! When things start to go wrong, I'm good about thinking of a couple of solutions... but sometimes I don't like ANY of my solutions. Fortunately, men do NOT think like women ... and as much as I HATE to admit it ... sometimes his solutions are better. (ugh! Did I really say that???) LOL!
(remind me to tell him I said that...)
3. My twins finally figured out that they LIKE each other! I knEW it would happen one day! I always said it would happen someday! Of course they waited until 3 days before one of them is moving out... Mmmm hmmm... you got it ... they're gonna miss each other! Go figure...
4. Acrylic nails. (okay... I'm allowed a superficial moment occasionally!) I bit my nails for the first 40 years of my life. The past (almost) 10 years I've had "fake" nails! I like them! Without them my nails are short and stubby if they exist at all! But fake nails keep my hands looking pretty and make me feel just a little more feminine... (and that's saying something... cuz feminine is not my strong suit!)
5. A. New. Music. Director. At. Church. Whoooooooo hooooooooo! You have NO idea how happy I am about this! I haven't met him yet -- but I know he's gonna be awesome! I have prayed and prayed and PRAYED for a new music/choir director ... and I didn't pray for just ANY ol' music director! I prayed for an AWESOME music director! This week the email came announcing him! He has awesome credentials and I just knOw it's gonna be GOOOOD! I'm so excited!
6. I'm thankful for good, inspirational books to read until I drift off to sleep at night. I'm finding I like this kind of reading before bed better than "stories"... they sort of send me off to sleep in a good frame of mind, and somehow I think I sleep better. Of course, good "stories" are still required reading for my pedaling efforts!
7. Did I mention Dennis thinks Pastor Paul is "cool"? I am soooooooooooooo thankful! ;)
*** Just a little post-church update ***
GOD. IS. GOOOOOOOOOD! Our new music director IS awsome! I just have to tell you guys... when I was praying for him, I was VERY specific in my prayers! I asked the Lord to send me an "awesome" director - and I asked Him to make sure our new guy was familiar with Matt Redman's music!!! The very first song he played today was Blessed Be Your Name... and then after service, he did a little private concert for me of 2 or 3 more Matt Redman favorites!!! ~~God is Good~~all the time~~all the time~~God is GOOD!!! Whoooooooo hooooooooo!!! I am just on cloud NINE! The only place better to be than my church would have to be Heaven itself!!!
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven ~~
Soooo... Sunday Seven is a meme designed to give thanks for the BIG or little things in our life. The "stuff" that makes up life... the happenings of your week. God blesses us in SO many ways each week - it's really GOOD to stop and think about it! Gives ya just a weeee bit more appreciation ... reminds you to praise Him! If you would like to play along, make your list and stop by HERE to let them know!Sunday - Today we "thought" we might get some real rain! We didn't, of course, but the hope was there! Instead we got some real thunder, and some real lightening, and then the power really went out! Normally this isn't memorable for any reason ... but THIS time, Krysti was home. And about 15 milliseconds after the power went out, Krysti said "I'm bored." She proceeded to convince DENNIS and I that we "needed" to go up to Paint & Pottery with her (because they have back up generator) and spend some "quality" time with her ... because she is leaving for college in 16 days! Now... I go to Paint & Pottery with her on a regular basis and she and I spend "quality" time together... often! So, I really didn't see a need for ME to do this... however... once she convinced DENNIS to do this, I knew I had to go along! To take pictures! And have proof! :) And yep! I am thankful!!!
Monday - I am fighting a head cold, and have taken myself off the "dizzy" meds - I think they were causing me to NOT sleep! So today I am very very thankful for these...Tuesday - I wished I had the nerve to wear those Breathe Right strips to work! (but I don't) ... so instead I am thankful that I only had a 3 hour shift and was able to come home and go back to bed!!!Wednesday - Derek got word from the Carpenter's Union that he should come for an interview on Aug. 29th! ~Happy Dancing~Thursday - BIG day today! Had a meeting with Pastor Paul... Big stuff is happening in my life! God stuff! Would love to give you details - but just can't right now! Just know ... HE is working! BIG TIME!!! Also, had dinner with my Bible Babes to celebrate Tina's birthday... good fun, that!
Friday - Ahhhhh! Last week found me WISHING for some sleep... this week I am proud to announce that I HAVE gotten some - finally! (since taking myself off the icky meds!) My head is still congested, but the dizzy's have not returned, and I'm energetic again anyway! I'm SO thankful!Saturday - You know how sometimes life just sort of rolls along and "busy" takes over and while you SEE all the members of the family everyday, you don't necessarily spend "time" with them? Well... This morning Mathew and I had time to have 3 cups of coffee together ... and just talk. It was soooooo nice! Honestly! We just sat at the kitchen table together and talked. Really nice. And this evening Amanda & Hector came down. SHE made dinner - and it was yummy! And we were all together ... except for Derek. He had to work. *sigh* Well... it IS hard to get EVERYONE together at one time! It almost has to be a holiday! lol!Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday 7
Sunday Seven is a meme designed for giving thanks or recognition to the big and little things going on in our lives. Sort of a reminder to count our blessings, if you will! If you'd like to play along, go here.This has been one amazing week at my house...
1. I guess that first (in order) I am thankful for so many friends, both in Blogville and the neighborhood who were praying for me and encouraging me through tough times this week.
2. I am so thankful for Jesus, and for His amazing love, and for His encouragement to get out of the boat, to "walk on water" and for keeping me on top of the water and NOT letting me drown! I'm thankful that when I got back to the boat, and thought I MIGHT have gone under, He showed me that I just got splashed. I am so thankful to Him for opening my eyes; giving me new understanding, and for the Holy Spirit re-aligning my heart, giving me new compassion. I'm thankful for a new determination He has given me to succeed in an area where I have failed miserably in the past. I'm SO thankful for answered prayers!!! Some of which I have been praying for almost a year! I know that I need to continue praying on this issue - but the progress that has been made this week has been amazing -- and watching the Lord at work is just incredible! I just give praise!!!
3. Those of you who are not familiar with my family will find this very odd... but my eldest daughter and her husband were re-united in holy matrimony on Friday... and I am VERY thankful that they are, once again, officially man & wife! CONGRATULATIONS AMANDA & HECTOR!!!
4. I had a conversation with a sweet sweet lady at Curves this week -- I was telling her that one of the girls at my church had just come back from a mission trip in Kenya - and that I would SO love to do something like that! She told me that I was not allowed to do something like that because CURVES is my mission! ... I'm thankful for people who think I'm being helpful enough in their lives that THEY are my mission!
5. My youngest son, Derek has put in an application and is hoping to get an apprenticeship with the local Carpenter's Union. I am very thankful that he has taken this step -- it is a BIG one for D, and I'm proud of him for doing it. I pray he gets in!
6. Amanda and Hector came for dinner and a birthday/wedding celebration last night. It's always nice to have them here and I am SO thankful to have them living in the area. This is the first time that she and I have lived "apart" but also close enough to visit! It's such a joy!
7. Everything else in my world pales in comparison to #2 this week... but I'm sure I am thankful for all the other little things I am blessed with each day too! Birds, trees, kitties, coffee, canned air... you know.... allllllllll of it! Even bottled tap water.
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday 7 ....
This week's seven is just things I'm thankful for in the past week!
1. I'm SO thankful that VBS was such a success last week! I've MISSED it this week - even though I was honestly too dizzy to care for a good bit of the week! LOL!
2. I am ever so thankful for doctors who prescribe medications that work! I honestly was not sure that this doctor (he was not MY doctor) was in his right mind prescribing drugs that CAUSED the same issues I was complaining about! But lo and behold - they worked! I thank the doctor and I thank my Lord!!!
3. I must give thanks for my work partners who really came to my rescue this week! Each morning I got up and TRIED to go to work -- well, in fact I DID go IN to work -- but I was supposed to work until 1:30 each afternoon -- but someone came in to relieve me at 10:00 each morning -- and I mean I was REALLY thankful!!! I could just barely keep my head up! It was not good! Thanks to THEM I was able to come home and go back to bed!
4. I am also very thankful for sweet and understanding MEMBERS at our Curves -- because they are NOT used to a bedraggled Melli! They are used to a chipper, perky, energetic Melli who coaxes them on and CHEERS for them! Well... this week they were cheering ME on! They are all such good people!
5. My good buddy and partner in crime, Lazy Daisy called and told me that she has APPROVED the dates I chose to make a BIG trip to Savannah in October! Of course, I couldn't GO without taking Daisy - so her approval was of prime importance! Flip Flop Floozie's approval was also of prime importance! We are going to descend upon HER home ... and her poor hubby! But she has approved it too - SO! Ladies of the Southeast ... we are ON for October! And I am sO excited I just can hardly wait! It's going to be forever now until October gets here!!! We are going to try to get together with as many Southern friends as we can that week!
6. I'm WAY thankful that 3 of my kids made it safely to New York this weekend for a very special once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a rock concert that they have just been SO excited about! I'll be even MORE thankful when they are once again safely back in my home!!!
7. Krysti and I have almost finished shopping for all her college necessities. We made a marathon day of it yesterday and got about 90% of it completed! And I just have to tell this -- it's too funny! We had JUST walked out of IKEA and put all her goodies in the car when her new college roommate (Stacey) called to say that SHE had just bought her bedspread and that it is purple, blue and lime green! Well... we had JUST bought Krysti's bedspread too - and it is also purple, blue and lime green! We're not sure -- but we THINK they may have gotten the exact same one! WHAT ARE THE CHANCES??? rofl!
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven... Playing Ketchup!
Sunday Seven is a meme designed for giving thanks or recognition to the big and little things going on in our lives. Sort of a reminder to count our blessings, if you will! If you'd like to play along, go here.
1. I was just a weeeeee bit busy this past week and did NOT keep track daily of my blessings -- but I guarantee you EVERY day was FILLED with blessings this week! VBS was just plain FUN and I just PRAY that I was a positive influence on some of those kids and made a great memory for SOMEbody! Sooooooo many of them made great memories for ME!
2. I got to meet so many more members of my church this week - and had some great (as in AWESOME) volunteer helpers working WITH me throughout the week! I know I'll never remember all of their names though ... and that just saddens me! WHY can't I have a memory Lord?
3. I learned a BUNCH of new Christian kid songs! I even woke up one morning singing "I believe, I DO believe, Truly I believe it! Truly I believe it! Truuuuuuly I believe it! I believe, I do believe, Truly I believe it! Truly I believe it! Truuuuuuuly I believe it!" ROFL!!! Oy! Of course, that's just the chorus - there are LOTs of other words - truly! The band that was visiting the first part of the week was TRULY energized and really made the PRAISE part of the day a blast!!! The kids couldn't HELP but dance!
4. My neighborhood was blessed with some GOOD rain this week! It wasn't enough and it didn't last long -- but at least the ground got a good drenching! Even if most of it did just run off.... SOME is sO much better than NONE!
5. I have been especially thankful for NAPS this week! They are honestly a necessity in my life even during a normal week -- at least a couple times a week! But this past week I could NOT have gotten through without at least a short nap most of the days! I know it's going to take me TWO weeks to recouperate from this one!!!
6. Amanda has invited us up to her home tomorrow night for supper ... and fun! So we're going and I'm planning on double portions of fun!
7. My kitchen table is clean. :) First time I've been able to see the top of it in two weeks!
Now. Something important happened this week... and I missed it! The Pope made an announcement? Something about the Catholic faith being the ONLY faith? Can SOMEbody please tell me exactly what was said ... and why??? I'm totally lost on this one! (and I don't want to make a fool of myself to my RL friends! ROFL! It's okay with YOU guys though!) Actually... I'm going to ask Pastor Paul about it tomorrow... IF I get the chance... but I would still like to hear what you've heard ... and what you think!
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven ... Confessions On Dingledine Lane
THIS week neither Daisy NOR I remembered to count our blessings during the week... Daisy wasn't actually entirely sure she had any... until I showed up ... and then we found some! So WE decided to combine and do a Sunday Seven TOGETHER! These are the seven things that darling Daisy and I are collectively thankful for!
1. We ARE
both thankful to Mr. Wonderful for being the bestestest chauffeur / photgrapher / wheel chair pusher / historian today! He took us on a wonderful tour of Dayton and beyond and was just delightful and helpful and ... well... wonderful!!! Cuz that's what he is! Really.
2. WE are ever so thankful for this time we are sharing together and being allowed to have so much fun... again... even if Floozie can't be with us. (or any of our other blog friends either)
3. WE are thankful for camera's with working batteries so that we can document all of our outrageous shenanigans (on Dingledine Lane)...
4. WE were blessed that the Green Valley Book Fair chose this weekend to be in town with ME!
Of course, I did NOT spend over $60 on books... and neither did Daisy! (sorta)
5. We are thankful for broccoli-cauliflower salad, cornbread muffins with apple butter and ONE of us is even thankful for peanutbutter pie (but that wouldn't be me... I think crutches and peanutbutter go together well!)... that we ate at Thomas House ...
near Dingledine Lane.
6. WE are so sorry to be thankful for Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie from the Dayton Farmer's Market, made by skinny little Mennonite women in aprons and caps and long dresses... who also twisted my arm and made me buy a cream filled horn and a gooey chocolate eclair ... against my will... (I think I'm going to Hell...) (but remember... I didn't eat the peanutbutter pie!)
7. WE are sO thankful that WE have the opportunity to go to Church together today at Blue Ridge Church Of Christ. (which we hope has not mysteriously moved to Dingledine Lane recently....
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven
SO much to be thankful for this week!
I did not have time, nor remember to be thankful at the end of each day -- at least not on "paper" in my blog -- so this week will not be daily - but just a list of 7 things I'm grateful for/happy about!
1. Krysti returned to us from Europe ... safe, sound and happy! She had a BALL and I am still working on trying to get a post together about her trip! But I will tell you about her "return" - cuz it was sO cute! I am NOT a "clingy" mother... my kids are given - and take - a lot of "space" - they are very independent sorts! So, even though I was out of communication with her, I didn't really think about how much I missed her - mostly I just wondered what she was doing and if she was having fun (and if she had enough money...) and I knew that she wasn't really "missing" me either other than to occasionally think "Oh, Mom would LOVE this!" ... so it was really cool that the minute she walked up the steps and we saw each other we just sort of FLEW into each other's arms for a BIG OL' hug!!! Krysti is not real demonstrative - so this was probably the BEST hug I've had from her since she was about 4!!! LOL! I loved it!
2. Had a great dinner meeting with the director of VBS this week. We got all the crafts decided for the week and she has just let me have free will with EVERYTHING! I'm sure a lot of you think I am crazy and know that Bible school is SO much WORK -- but I haven't worked with elementary age kids for about 7 years -- and I haven't worked with pre-school for about 10! So this is VERY exciting to me! It's NOT something that I really want to go back to doing every day -- but for a week, it will be VERY fun!!!
3. Yesterday I bought all the stuff to make my 5-in-1 costume for the VBS week! Now I'm excited about that too! I can't just have ONE costume because I'm meant to be FIVE different Shop Keepers! So I will just make one robe and then have different belts and shawls and scarves and headwear for each day!
4. Last Sunday I was thankful for Carol getting a temporary job at Outback Steak House - remember? Well, THIS week we are making JOYFUL noise and giving praise that she has been hired as a leasing agent with a very VERY nice apartment complex over in Virginia. We are only SO sorry that they will not get to LIVE in these apartments -- the cheapest one runs $2600.oo a month!!! (our HOUSE payment isn't that!!!) LOL! She is very excited!
5. This has been a really REALLY long week at work, and I'm SO thankful it is over! I love doing my job, but this week while BOTH owners were completely and totally out of reach to us, the lowly fitness tech's, we had a lot of piddly STUPID stuff go wrong that isn't really in OUR job descriptions to deal with! Both, the fax machine AND the printer (separate machines) broke down. Then apparently both shops on either side of us exterminated... and we DIDN'T! ... so all the bugs came to our place! UGH! and EW! We keep T.H.E. cleanest shop in the world and we do NOT deserve to have those bugs... but there they were! Sooooooo... just stuff like that! I'm glad it's over! Bonnie's back on Monday! HURRAY!
6. Some of you would not consider this something to be HAPPY about -- but it doesn't happen to me very often at all -- so I CAN be! My hubby is out of town this week! For the WHOLE week! I have the WHOLE bed to myself!!! LOL! And I don't have to cook dinner! Whooo hooo! It really is a vacation when he goes away! And this is only the 3rd time in 21 years that it's happened! So YES! I'm allowed to be HAPPY!!! hehehe... *giddy even*
7. Last, but not least. On Monday I had to go to the bank for Krysti. While I was there I realized that I didn't have my driver's license. I looked through every pocket in my purse and then I went out and looked in the car, all through the console, above the visor... everywhere. No license. So when I got home I went through the other two purses I'd used during the week and the pockets of a jacket and the jeans I wasn't wearing. No license. I looked all over my desk - in, around, and under... no license. I HATE driving without my license!!! By Wednesday morning I'd had it! I NEED my license! I decided I would get someone to cover for me at work the next day so I could go get a new one made... but first, I said a little prayer. "Lord, if the license is in my reach, if I've just overlooked it please lead me to it because it's really going to be a hassle for everyone if I have to replace it!" About half an hour later I remembered I needed to make a phone call and went out to the car to get the paper the number was written on. I shuffled through the console looking for the paper and voila! MY LICENSE! Don't ever be afraid to ask for the small stuff! He's there. He listens. He helps! Thank you, Lord! Amen!
Labels: Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven is a meme designed for giving thanks for the big or little things in our lives - or to recognize the positive things going on! If you'd like to play along, please go here.
Sunday - Well, I guess you knOw I was sO thankful to be out on that boat with the kids and the dads! We just had so much FUN -- I think we all hope to make it an annual event!
Monday - Today I was thankful for two things. One was that Krysti got SAFELY off on her trip to Europe! After last week's fiasco, this is truly a blessing! The other thing I was thankful for was that Monday's ARE short workdays for me - I get off at 10:00 ... and that gave me the rest of the day to TRY to recuperate from the weekend! And Carol and I had lunch together today - at Ledo's ... ooops! That makes 3 things! :)
Tuesday - Bonnie and I had lunch together today! (at Mexico) This is the first time we've gotten to do that! It was nice to have a bit of time together just bein' friends - not co-workers! (I mean we still are - but you know what I mean...)
Wednesday - A DOUBLE dose of good news today! Carol & Hector BOTH got temporary jobs! Carol will be working at Outback Steak House until something comes along for in her true line of work! It just sickens me the way these college graduates can NOT get a decent job these days! And the interviews she has been on -- those people just don't knOw what a hard and dedicated worker they DIDN'T choose! But for now she will have this anyway! And Hector was hired as a Supervisor at Target... (with a pretty darned good salary!) If the Post Office doesn't hurry they MAY not get him!!! And that will be their loss -- and Target's gain!
Thursday - The Bible Babes met for dinner at Stoney's Seafood House on Broome's Island tonight! We were celebrating Tammie's birthday and it was sO much fun! The weather was PERFECT ... and just sitting out on the deck by the water and having a nice seafood meal... with good friends... WONDERFUL!
Friday - Amanda & Hector came over for dinner tonight. I sO enjoy seeing the two of them together! It has been way too long since he was a regular part of our life!
Saturday - Guess what my boy, Mathew, did for me today? Well... he and Carol. They scrubbed my kitchen floor (while I was out running errands) and when I got home they were upstairs painting my hallway! Just out of the blue... Sometimes that boy just amAzes me!!! I AM blessed! Indeed I am!Labels: Sunday Seven
I haven't done one of these for waaaaaaaay too long! And since I've been kinda grumbly and whiney this week, I figured NOW must be the right time!!! So without further ado... Seven things I am feeling a need to THANK the Lord for this week!
Squoosh!
We don't know if Turtle is a he or a she...
As you can see...
Peekaboo!
