Vertically Challenged

What Short Women Wish the Rest of the World Knew

1. Not all women who wear 'petites' are over the age of 70.  We actually like cute, inexpensive things.

2. We are not afraid to climb on the shelves of the grocery.

3. Big purses look ridiculous on us.

4. Yes, we covet long legs.

5. We prefer a table over a booth in a restaurant.  Why, you ask?  Horizontally moving food directly from the plate to my mouth is not fun.

6. We propose a new vehicle law: both front seats must have a vertical adjustment button.

7. Our tall friends should not feel bad about looking down on us... we are used to it.

8. Gaining 10 lbs is equivalent to the average woman gaining 20.  It has fewer places to settle.

9. Kitchen counters are a little too tall.  Using a knife that close to my sternum is very dangerous.

10.  I know, we always get the tall guys.  Know why?  We have to ensure our offspring do not face these same challenges.

Joy in the Dairy Aisle

I love the little pumpkin pictured below.  

Finding joy in the big moments of life is easy.

Finding joy in the difficult times is hard, but good for us.

Finding joy in the daily grind is sometimes forgotten.

But not lately...

There was much JOY in the dairy aisle when my long lost friend reappeared for the season:
Welcome back, oh beautiful velvety, spicy thang.  You have been missed.  You make mornings so flavorful and soothing.  You are the best thing that has hit the dairy case since this guy was around for the holidays:
Mmm... talk about doing a dance in Walmart.  When I saw that the Gingerbread Man was back in town, I nearly wet my pants! What a delicious time of year.  
 Joy in the everyday is a lot more fun with one of these in your hand!

Excuse me while I go indulge in the flavors of the season.

May the Force be With You

Over the weekend we celebrated our baby's 5th birthday.  I had a hard time with this one.  My baby is no longer a toddler.  5 seems so big!  My momma heartstrings were having trouble letting go a little.  Lots to look forward to, many memories to cherish.

Enough sentimental (can't take it, or the tears will start).

I've talked about my Manly Man before.  His blog name is description enough.  He is all about the outdoors, hunting etc...

But did you know that he could do this:

I had my doubts.  I didn't know such talent lurked beneath.  I also had a little control issue when it came to planning the birthday party/cake thing. But then I came home to this and had to eat my words:

Guess who never has to make another birthday cake again?  Me!  

He has a new job in our family.  Watch out, Ace of Cakes, my Manly Man may give you a run for the money!

Having two older girls, I did not realize the ease of throwing a boy birthday party.

They don't need crafts or cooking or crowns.  

Boys just want to play!

While we did have a few games, a hayride and a scavenger hunt, the rest of the party was all about the lightsabers.
Yes, that is Anekin Skywalker (aka. birthday boy) in the white oufit.

See how easy it is?  I even had time to enjoy the balloon game with the kids.

Happy Birthday, little man.  You are such a little spark of fun and a bundle of snuggles.

Sunday Rest

The fruit of righteousness will be peace...

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places,

in secure homes 

in undisturbed places of rest.

Psalm 32;17-18

I've Been Tagged

Sandy Toes over at A Shell in Your Pocket

has tagged me.

So in the spirit of the game, I give you an average day:

Oh, wait.  I don't have those!

Here is what 3 out of 7 of my days look like:

5:20 Hit snooze button

5:25 Slap the alarm and get up

5:45-6:45 Meet my walkin' buddies and hash out the world's problems before the sun even rises

6:50 Arrive home to be greeted by the only two morning people in our house:  my middle child and that cute furry guy pictured above

7:00-7:55 Shower, make breakfast, get fashion advice from one daughter, give fashion advice to the other, dress my little man, kiss my manly man goodbye, feed the dog,  referee an argument or two, read the Word, make coffee

8:00 pick up carpool, eat my breakfast in the car, sip coffee

8:30 drop older children off at school

8:45-12:45 teach 14 adorable 5 year olds

12:50-1:15 run (quickly) to the library, grocery etc...

1:30 pick up older children (I know, it's a charter school that offers a shortened day ... love gettin' my babies back so early in the day)

2:00 drop off at riding lessons

2:15-3:15 mommy down-time: snack, rest, blog, email, read

kids start on homework

3:15-4:45 help with homework, play with kids outside, start dinner, clean, laundry

5:00-7:30 Family Time:  dinner, game, baths, cartoons (my hubby loves them), reading, laundry

7:45 get the kids ready for bed, more laundry, make lunches, lay out clothes for tomorrow

8:00-8:30 read with the older two, snuggle

8:30-10pm time with my Manly Man

10pm struggle to stay awake for the news, fall asleep trying

Since we are playing tag, 

Kellie

Jen

Tracey

Lacy

tag, you're it!

I want to know what your day looks like.

Smiles!!!

Hutch Transformation

We have had this little hutch for many years.

It was a hand-me-down from my husband's grandparents when they were downsizing.

We've used it in just about every room of the house, but it has found its home in our green room.  It is tucked behind the french doors, so it sort of became the dumping ground for various what-nots.  See the shadow on top?  That is my teddy bear from my childhood.

He feels very safe up there, away from the dog's reach.

While it has good bones, it needed a little something.  The paint was still great (just needed to peel that soccer sticker off the right front).  So I spent $2 in paper and ...
Now she is a beauty.  No more dumping!  

I love using stuff from around the house to freshen things up.
The only money I spent for this whole project was the paper and a new ivy plant.

Under $5.  Love it.

Trusting His Will

We have a certain little someone at our house that is going through a phase.

When we tell him to clean up his room, he usually melts into a little puddle-of-a-boy and wails, "I caa-nn-'t do it."  He is so overwhelmed by the task at hand, he just shuts down.

He doesn't seem to grasp that the two people who love him the most in the world are not asking the impossible.  We are asking the attainable.  

We know what he is capable of and we want to stretch and grow him.

He sees a huge mess.  We see 10 light sabers and swords lying on the floor.

He sees it as a punishment.  We see it as a lesson in responsibility.

He wants the benefit and the blessing of having his own room without necessarily wanting the accountability.

My, my, my doesn't that sound familiar?

So often I hear the Lord calling me to a task, and I melt into a little puddle of self doubt and pity.  

He sees the whole picture.  I see the here and now.

He sees the long term blessing.  I see the momentary inconvenience.

I wail that I can't do it, that I'm scared of defeat.

He gently reminds me that His ways are higher than my ways.

He is not requiring the impossible.  He is providing the attainable.

Do I seek the benefits and blessings without being willing to trust His will?

What is the Lord calling you to do today?

Do you trust Him enough to obey?

Sunday Rest

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

let the sea resound, and all that is in it.

Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.

Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;

they will sing before the Lord, for he comes!

Psalm 96:11-13

Bargain Basket n' Such

One of the largest new neighborhoods in our area had a huge yard sale a few weeks ago.

Unfortunately, we had soccer games all morning, so I couldn't get over there until noon.

Well, maybe it was better that way ... it could have been really dangerous!

I did hit the 'motherload' at one house, though.

I walked away with ALL of this for $6.50!  Can you believe that?  Yeah, that house will be first on my list if they ever do another yard sale!

Aren't these adorable?  Eight of them for this price!  They are the perfect size for ice cream, jello, grapes.  Notice I did not include all desserts, as I prefer a soup bowl size for most. ;o)

This little bird house looks great on my teacart in my new room.

The basket is really a great size.  It holds our library books.  I have found that if I don't keep them in one location, they end up all over the house and sometimes get lost.  (I'm sure that never happens to you)

I have visions of grandeur for the bird cage.  Spray paint will be involved.  Hmm... maybe tomorrow I will tackle that project.

Congrats and a Thank You!

I would like to begin with a big THANK YOU to Tricia Ann at Notes of Sincerity for this beautiful award: I am humbled that you considered me ... kreativ!

And now, a big congrats to Domestic Goddess, Diva Sometimes for winning my 100th post giveaway.
She is under the weather right now, so hopefully this will lift her spirits!
**DGDS: Leave me a comment with your email address so I can get your mailing address ... promise I won't post it for all the world to see ;o)

Just so you know, the drawing was totally random ... my daughter drew a number from a hat and she chose #1! Can you believe that? How... random!

The Power of Changed Lives

Do you ever get discouraged?  Does it sometimes seem that evil is prevailing?

Just watching 30 minutes of the nightly news can do that.

But there is a HOPE.  And it is alive.  No matter how desperate the situation, lives can be changed.

Take the time to watch this ... it is SO worth it!  I guarantee that you will see yourself or someone you love in this video.

I don't usually cry over you tube, but this really touched a tender spot in my heart.

The MS patient made my tears spill ... amazing!

Tell me what you think.

100th Post and a GIVEAWAY

I was brainstorming on what I wanted to say for my 100th post.

I considered '100 Things I Love'.

But who would actually read it, or care?

Then (when I was PMS-ing) I considered 

'100 things that Annoy Me'.

No, no, that's not right.

How about something really profound?

Ummm.... still working on that one.  Can I get back to you?

After much consideration, I decided that it really doesn't need to be about me.

I want to celebrate you.

So I'm having a giveaway.

I haven't been super creative lately, so I don't have anything cute and homemade to entice you.

But I am practical.

How about this?

Starbucks $5 giftcard and a great cookbook!

You'll have plenty of time to go sip a latte and decide what to make for dinner, because the meals in this book only take 30 minutes to prepare.

Here are some yummy options:

Spicy Broccoli Cheese Soup

Fettuccine with Lemon Pesto and Shrimp

Coca-cola Sloppy Joes

Chocolate Hazelnut Napoleons

I will randomly draw a winner on Thursday night and post the winner on Friday morning.

Just leave me a comment and you'll be in!

Why I Luv Grapevine

I have this huge grapevine wreath that my MIL gave me a couple of years ago.

I love it because it is so versatile.

In winter I add a wintery bow with some white berries and some evergreen.

In spring I use a pastel bow with spring flowers and maybe some eggs.

In July I usually stick some flags, red berries and white flowers in it.

For the fall it looks like this:
The best part is that I don't have to hot-glue or wire.  Everything just sticks in and stays!

I'll let you know what I decide to do for Christmas ...

Apples Anyone?

We are home again.

Sigh.  Back to reality.  Back to schedules and school and laundry.

But I'm not ready.

So I'm going to find my happy place and pretend that I am still here:

Rocking on this front porch of my friend's farmhouse.  Isn't this restored home beautiful?

You won't believe the surroundings!  It is nestled deep in the NC mountains.  It boasts 3000 blueberry bushes and hundreds of these:
Yes, glorious apple trees!
One word to describe the orchards that surround the house:  Picturesque!  

Ah, the cool mountain air, the rustle of leaves, the buzzing of bees ... oh, wait.  I don't like bees.

Time to snap out of it and enjoy the gift of today.

While I'm munching on these:

Sunday Rest

Blessed is the man who listens

to Me

watching daily at my doors

waiting at my doorway.

For whoever finds Me

finds LIFE.

Proverbs 8:33-34

Clippity Clop No More Rain Drops

We've been in the mountains since Tuesday and today (Saturday) was our first day without rain.  Sigh.  While it has been a fun, relaxing week, we were so excited to have a nice day.  And beautiful it was.  My girls and I had the opportunity to take a trail ride.  
Yes, she's fabulous, even on a horse.
Is it too early to choose our Christmas tree, because I like the 3rd one on the right.
Oh!  Did I mention it is starting peak week for fall colors here in the mountains of NC?!

Wish you were here!

October Bliss

My favorite month is here!!!

OCTOBER

To celebrate this month, my friend Kimba is having a pumpkin party. Check out her blog for more great ideas.

Our dear friend, Tim, just returned from the NC mountains.

All of this came from his farm!

Isn't God's bounty beautiful!!!

I love the colors of fall.

While we don't get a lot of changing of the leaves in the month of October here in the south, we take all we can get ... and then we fake it:

We planted a big decorative grass plant this summer. It grew to be about 5' tall. Since it is an annual, I know it will be gone soon, so I clipped some of its feathery plumes. I added it to my fall fakery and put it into one of my favorite pots.
Just one more picture of God's bounty. These came from my uncle-in-law's farm:
For a previous fall decorating post, click here.

Now grab some hot cider, sit by the fire with a piece of apple pie, and check out Kimba's pumpkin party!