Weather, Skirts, and Shoes?

This year Texas has actually had all 4 seasons. Normally that is not the case as a lot of you may already know. The past couple of weeks have been really nice. Today the weather is just gorgeous - Highs in the upper 60's and tonight it will actually get to the 40's. That is SO unusual for Texas, but I LOVE it. The windows have been open and the breeze blowing through feels so good.

I wanted to share a blessing with you all today. Normally I buy my clothes at Thrift stores or Goodwill. There are great brands for very reasonable prices. I love shopping at them. Ever so often I go to Cato's or other like store and shop off of the clearance racks. Well a couple of weeks ago I found a fantastic brown skirt at Cato's for $5.99! I have a nice black one and I had been looking for a brown one for a while. Anyway while I was at the store I looked around to see if I could find a shirt to match. Well I had a little extra money so I thought I will find a shirt here and with the savings on the skirt it will be OK. Well I finally found a shirt for $19.99 and I thought well that is high but I may not find a shirt to match the skirt if I don't buy them together. When I got home I tried the shirt on and it was OK - not like the perfect shirt. Well I thought about it and a couple of days later I thought you know what - I can go to GW or my thrift store and buys several shirts for that. And I just could not believe that I paid that much for the shirt in the first place. So I took it back. Well about a week later I was at one of my thrift stores and found a really cute shirt that had small roses on it and I just loved the shirt enough I bought it without even trying it on. I got it home and I loved the shirt but it was a tad bit too short(because I am self conscience about my stomach). Well I hung it up and went about my day. Later that day I was taking care of something else and when I looked up - I noticed that I had hung the "new" shirt up in front of the brown skirt. And they looked great together!! Yay! God had answered my prayer for a shirt to match the skirt -without me even realizing it. Then today I was pulling out my summer clothes and I found a gorgeous turquoise/brown/black top - like a leopard print. I knew I had it but had forgotten all about it. In fact, that was the shirt that had caused me to go on a hunt for a brown skirt. But I had totally forgotten about it since I pack up my summer stuff during the winter. So I have 2 great shirts to go with the skirt. I love to have a couple of great tops to wear with skirts. That way you have a couple of different outfits using the one skirt.

Over the past year or two I have become more modest. I have never been immodest but I have just come to the point that I only like to wear long shorts - like to my knees or Capri's. And my skirts are always go down between my knees and my ankles. Those are the things that I feel the most modest in. God has blessed me with helping me to find some great deals. I am considering wearing more dresses - oh and when I say dresses I mean like skirts and tops. That is about all I wear any more. It is funny cause up until about 2 years ago - I only wore dresses - and would not wear skirts - I thought that they made you look fat. Well it seems that the style of dresses that I like have stopped being made - well maybe I need to say that I have not been able to find them at the places that I shop. So I tried skirts and I love them. So anyway I have been considering wearing more skirts. My problem has been that I need shoes that have arch supports because I have problems with my feet. So that has been something that has held me back in the past. I am looking into buying myself a pair of Keds. I used to buy the cheap ones from WalMart many years ago - but they have no support and that is one reason why I have feet problems in the first place. Wearing the cheap shoes and standing on concrete for long hours. So I need to go to the store and see if the Keds have arch support and if they would work for my idea. If any of you ladies out there know if they are good shoes - could you leave me a comment and let me know? Thanks a bunch. I am also going to look for a pair of sandals or two for this summer. In the past I have worn tennis shoes most of the summer - just to have good supportive shoes but I really need to have a pair of sandals or two in order to be able to be cool. It gets hot here. So that is something else I am on the outlook for. Anyway have any ideas?

A little help for the Journey..

"Mirror" by Barlow Girl

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Have I got it?
'Cause Mirror you've always told me who I am
I'm finding it's not easy to be perfect
So sorry you won't define me
Sorry you don't own me

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you?
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, I won't try

Mirror I am seeing a new reflection
I'm looking into the eyes
of He who made me
And to Him I have beauty beyond compare
I know He defines me (Yeah)

Who are you tell me
that I'm less than what I should be
Who are you?
Who are you? (Yeah)
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, no, I won't try

You don't define me (You don't define me) [x4]

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be
Who are you?
Who are you?
Yeah!
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, no, I won't try
Yeah

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be
Who are you?
Who are you?
Yeah
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, no, I won't try

I think that God tried in many different ways to teach me that I needed to look to him for my value and some how I just kept missing the point. A year or so ago I went to someone's blog. And I heard this song playing in the background. I had never heard the song before. I would go to this blog often to hear the song. Since then our computer messed up and I lost the link to this persons blog, but I am so thankful that I was able to find it and hear the song. It sure did the trick.
Anyway so now anytime I am feeling low or am questioning my value, I get my mp3 player and listen to this song. Oh I wanted to share one more song that helped in my journey to self acceptance.

"Video" by India Arie

Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the india arie

When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
And I know our creator didn't make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes; I'm lovin' what I see

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the
india arie

Am I less of a lady if I don't wear pantyhose?
My mama said a lady ain't what she wears but, what she knows
But, I've drawn a conclusion, it's all an illusion, confusion's the name of the
game
A misconception, a vast deception
Something's gotta change
but,Don't be offended this is all my opinion
ain't nothing that I'm sayin law
This is a true confession of a life learned lesson I was sent here to share with
y'all
So get in where you fit in go on and shine
Clear your mind, now's the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself
'Cuz everything's gonna be all right

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I Learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be the india arie

Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks
I don't need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive car and your caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Kristal and your pistol
I'd rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don't need your silicone I prefer my own
What God gave me is just fine

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be india arie

I hope you all have a wonderful day. Mine is going to be a busy one. I am so thankful for the beautiful weather we are having.

Benefits of Self-Acceptance - Part 3

Last week I shared about the importance of self acceptance. And that we do not need to be looking to other people for acceptance and for our value. I also shared that when I realized that my value came from God - that I was able to better accept myself - just the way I was. It was really freeing when I finally figured out that I did not have to be good enough in order to be of value. We are bombarded by TV, secular magazines, and billboards of what the worlds idea of perfection is. What is so sad about this idea of perfection is that it is set at such an unrealistic level that most couldn't achieve it with out the help of professionals. And I, like many, fall short of those standards.

Another great thing about realizing that your value comes from God and that his standards of value differ from the worlds is that you learn to accept others as well. They, too, have awesome value because God created them in His image just as He created you in His image.

This morning I was reading a short devotional that was talking about how the wilderness sanctuary that is talked about in the Bible shows a great example of how our beauty needs to be. From the outside of it - it was plain and simple but the closer you got to it you could see that the insides of it were beautiful. See to God our greatest value and beauty does not come from outward things, but from a beautiful character on the inside. So then the question is - how do we get this beautiful character? We need to get close enough to God, spend some time every day with Him. As we spend time with Him we will start reflecting His beauty. It is my prayer that I might be a mirror in which others can see God. Oh I have a LONG ways to go..but with God's grace and patience this is a goal I hope to achieve.

A Simple Guide to Planning A Dinner Menu

1. Choose the main dish first.
2. Select a starchy food-- potato, noodles, spaghetti, rice, etc.
3. Select a vegetable and/or salad.
4. Think about bread or rolls.
5. Decide on dessert.
6. Consider the extras, such as beverages, adding an appetizer, and making a special garnish.

If your main dish is a meal-in-one, all you need is a lovely salad ( a green one is delicious), a tempting bread, dessert, (if you like), and a beverage.

Taken from "American Home All-Purpose Cookbook" copyright 1966 page 24








A couple of weeks ago, I found this awesome cookbook at Goodwill and only had to pay $2.00 for it. It has a hardcover and has over 500 pages in it. Lots of cool charts and basic tips for cooking.

Today will be a busy day for me so I will probably not have a lot of time to spend on the computer. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

I serve a risen Saviour...

He Lives--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I serve a risen Saviour,
He's in the world today;
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him
He's always near.

####Chorus:

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives
today!
He walks with me and He talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He live, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives:
He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And tho my heart grows weary
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading
Thro' all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing
Will come at last.

####

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him,
The help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
So good and kind.

####


Today I am thankful that I serve a risen Saviour. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter Day.

Let Go and Let God

With the remodeling of our bathroom going on, I am reminded that I do not like change. Sometimes I seem to do OK. And actually I really thought that I was dealing with change a lot better. I mean - look at ALL the changes going on in my family over this past year. Yes, it has been hard but doable.

Well last night when my husband jumped into the job of remodeling our bathroom and I came in on the middle of it - I was thrown for a bit of a loop. The things that I use on a daily basis were here and there through the house and I did not know for sure what he had done with half of the stuff. So I was stressed out. And truthfully I was stressed out until about an hour or two ago when I finally remembered that sometimes in your life the very best thing that you can do is to Let Go and Let God. You know the truth is that I can handle my house being a mess. There are such worse things that could be going on. So why am I stressing out so much about this. If the house is not tidy, that is fine. It is understandable to have a mess. Any time that you rearrange things or remodel - there is a mess for a bit but what you get in the end is usually well worth the effort and the mess.

I am also finding that there are many situations in life that the phrase - "Let Go and Let God" are really the best motto. There are many times in our lives that we do not have control over what is going on and it is just best to stop trying to control these uncontrollable things and just let God have them. By Letting Go and Letting God we are also showing Him that we trust Him. He is trustworthy with these things in our lives. There is so much freedom when we turn our troubles over to His care.

So I have decided that I will Let Go of the stress that I have been feeling about this remodel job. I will Let God be in control and I will go with the flow. And honestly I am sure that my husband is so glad that I finally came to that conclusion. I am a lot more fun to be around when I am trusting God.

So today, if you find yourself dealing with something that you do not feel like you have control over.. Let Go and Let God...and then relax knowing that the one that created you and loves you so very much- that he died on the cross for your sins and so that you could have the gift of salvation will take care of the burden for you. And he will take care of you. Let Go...Let God.

Stress of Remodeling

I hope you all will bare with me as I let off a little steam. OK this week-end my husband and I were going to go away on a little mini vacation. Yesterday I just had a bad feeling about us going on this week end trip and so we cancelled - no big deal. My husbands job required him to go out of town quite a bit for a while and he accumulated a lot of points. So we were going to "pay" for the trip with the points. We did not lose the points because we cancelled in time. Anyway so with the trip being cancelled my husband decided that since he had already taken Friday off that it would be a great time to redo the bathroom. Something that he had been researching and looking up prices for the stuff for the last several months. But this was a job that we WERE going to tackle on a week vacation coming up in a couple of weeks or so. Anyway so he got home from work today before I got home and he started pulling stuff out and taking stuff apart. Things from the bathroom are in my sons room, our sewing room, the garage and the toilet is on the back porch. I am trying to look at the bright side- While the toilet is sitting pretty on the back porch I will give it a good cleaning.
So anyway - where is the steam you might be asking - well here it is: While my house is not super neat and tidy - I do like some order to things. And it would have been so much nicer had he allowed me to go in and neatly take stuff out and pack what we could do without for the next couple of days and take just the few things needed during the next few days to the other bathroom. Anyway I will get caught up and have it half way decent soon but I just don't like a big fat mess. I guess the truth is that since I am a visual learner I am a bit worried that we may not know what we are doing.
See when I was about 11 years old my sister and I wanted to do something nice for our Mother. Our parents had just gotten separated. Anyway so we decided to wax the car. Sounds like a really nice thing to do - doesn't it? Well we thought so. So we got the wax on the car and something happened and we had to leave for a little bit and did not get the wax off. Well come to find out this wax needed to be rubbed off pretty soon after being put on or it would never come off. So we ended up messing up the cars paint job. Well my Mom was not happy about it at all and yelled at us. It is funny because when I said something about it recently - she could not even remember it. Anyway ever since then I am a little gun shy about starting projects unless I KNOW what I am doing. So that is why I am a little stressed at this job. Plus the fact that it makes such a big mess when you do any type of remodeling in your home. I have faith that it will be well worth it once it is done but right now - I am not too thrilled about it.
Thanks so much for letting me blow off some steam. I am sure that my husband has heard enough of my thoughts about the matter so far and I needed to get a little more off of my chest.
Oh and I did not get a photo of it before he started - because like I said I was gone. But I will see if I can get a photo and post it when it is all done. We have a small bathroom - just a shower, toilet, and sink. So I don't know how good of a photo I can get.

*Edited* Photo added of our remodeling job. I could not get back any further so you could see the rest of it. But there is not much that is not showing. The end - of course, is where the shower is. Then the toilet is on the right and the vanity/sink is on the right - right inside the door. There is a window across from the sink. I love having a window in my bathroom and will share more about that in a later post.