A day off at the Arnold's house!!

It seems as though my kitchen sink looks like this quite often. Is this what happens when you own an old house (our's was built in 1868, so I guess it could be considered "old"). We definately have a "fixer upper". We are really loving it though. Phil and I have enjoyed remodeling our home. We very seldom have a day off at the same time. He always has Saturdays off, but I always work Saturdays. My day off is usually Thursday, which works well, because that is usually the day Jordana needs me to watch Emma. I always look forward to those times that I can spend with her. Unfortunately, I wasn't needed today, because her Daddy was going to be home. So...I managed to talk Phil into taking a vacation day (it really wasn't hard, he agreed quickly). Well, I said all that to say this.....we got up early to get to work on Becky's room. When we moved into this house (a year ago) her room was the first to get painted. It took 5 coats of white paint to cover the hideous purple that was on the walls. Becky knew how she wanted it to look and we started the process. It was a process that requires time and talent. Phil has the talent, but didn't seem to have enough time. I am so excited!! Because it is now finished!!! Phil is just touching up the touch-ups that he had to touch-up when he touched up. Uh....did that make any sense? I hope you know what I mean. I'm hoping that this afternoon I can put everything back together. I just have some washing and ironing of bedding and curtains to do. Knitting? You ask. What knitting? Give me some remodeling and decorating to do anyday!!! When it's all completely finished, I'll post some pictures! Well, back to work. Have a wonderful day!

Hit right between the eyes!!!

I don't mean to get all serious on you or anything, but I just thought I would share how God spoke to me in my devotions. I was reading in Matthew chapter six and got hit right between the eyes. I won't take time to write out all the verses (you could look them up for yourself) but some things from these verses just seem to jump out at me, such as...."And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field....Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,.....shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?....Therefore take not thought......for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things,..". Then, the clincher......Matt. 6:33......"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Today, as Children of God, we are told to seek His kingdom and His will first, even before we seek our own well-being. When we truly do this, He promised that He would provide ALL the things that we need to exist. One word comes to mind:PRIORITIES. Without God at the top of our list of priorities, not a single "material" blessing will seem to satisfy. If we put Him at the top of that list, then and only then can we feel His presence and know His peace. You see, this struck me because I seem to have been struggling lately with "Being Content". Oh, don't get me wrong, I know that God has put me right where I'm suppose to be right now. He has supplied every need and continues to do so, but I find myself having these little conversations with myself such as, "Why am I a cashier at Hobby Lobby? I'm a pastor's wife for goodness sake. What am I doing here? How is this accomplishing anything for God? Do you realize the people I have to deal with? Oh, you have no idea how mean and rude some of the customers can be!! I don't deserve this!!" And on and on it can go if I allow it to (I hate to say, but sometimes I allow it to). Today, I have made a vow to make a conscience effort to GET MY PRIORITIES STRAIGHT. I know Hobby Lobby is where I am suppose to be right now (God GAVE me this job). Believe it or not, I LOVE working at Hobby Lobby. I LOVE meeting all the people (well, most of them). I LOVE to talk, and this gives me lot's of opportunities to do so. So....why do I fret? It's a trick of our enemy. I am resting in God's promise that "..all these things will be added." realizing that I MUST seek Him and His righteousness. Lord, thank you for reminding me to keep my priorities straight!! Isn't serving God just the most exciting thing you ever did experience!?

Oops!

Well, I've gone and done it again. I broke TWO more pegs!! I think that I may as well admit defeat. I hate to say it, but...."knitting", from now on, will probably be referred to in the past-tense. Phil (the patient man that he is) said that he would fix both pegs tomorrow. Hmm..I wonder...should I try again?

It's fixed!!

Just thought that I would give an update on the damaged "knitting loom". Phil came home from work (by the way, he didn't act a bit surprised that I had broken a peg...hmm...) got a few tools and stuff from his handy dandy tool drawer and went to work on my "loom". It's as good as new, well almost, one peg is shorter than the rest. Oh well. Not defeated at all, I went back to work on, hmm...whatever it is I'm making. Maybe when I'm finished I'll decide what it is. Is that the way it's done? I don't know. Maybe you figure out what you're making BEFORE you start. Boring!!! See ya! Sue

"Oh the tangled webs we weave..", well, it's not supposed to look like a "tangled web". What you are looking at is called a "Serenity Loom". This item can be purchased at Hobby Lobby, which happens to be where I purchased it (my co-workers talked me into it). Here are the exact words taken right from the package. "Relaxing -No Needles - Easy for Beginners - Knits up to 110" wide - Portable - Simple & Serene". I proudly (well, not really "proudly") present to you my first attempt at "knitting" on this "easy, simple, anything but serene" loom. I don't know about you, but I don't think it's suppose to look like this. So, patiently, I ripped all this out and started over. I think I finally got the hang of it (after many relaxing, serene hours of labor) and then, guess what!? I broke a peg! So very calmly I place the loom (remember it's "portable") on the counter in the laundry room to await my husbands return from work. I'm thinking maybe super glue or something? As I was lamenting my demise, I couldn't help but think of the "tangled" messes we sometimes make of our lives. I'm willing to admit that my first attempt at "knitting" didn't work because I just "read" the pictures. After that failed, I decided that maybe I should read the directions as well as view the pictures. I know that some of the "messes" that I have found myself in throughout life have been my own fault. I wanted to do things MY way instead of the Creator's way. It was only after reading the instructions (His Word) and following those instructions that things seem to turn out the right way. Now, breaking that peg? Oops! Got a little carried away, I suppose. Well, as I await the return of my wonderful, patient husband, I take time to thank God for His Word. The Bible. Our instruction manual. I am also glad that He is patient with me as I am still learning to trust Him. He knows me and knows what's best for me. I am determined to live for my Creator, Jesus Christ. It will be worth every effort. Now, as for the knitting loom? We'll see. I am a very determined person, who doesn't give up easily. I'll probably try to finish. No....I WILL finish something. I'm not sure what it will look like, but I WILL finish. Until next time.........

Help!!! Christmas is over!

I decided that, since I was in the middle of removing Christmas decorations, (and my sister and her son stopped in for a visit, you know, extra help, how dare I!) anyway (I think I'm having trouble focusing tonight, so please bare with me). Now, what was I saying? Oh, yeah, I decided that it was time to rearrange the furniture in the living room. Phil isn't too excited about me doing such things. He says that he doesn't dare enter the living room without turning on a light. He thinks that he may end up on the floor. He'll adjust I'm sure. Well, here are some pictures of my living room. They turned out a bit dark, but you'll get the idea, I'm sure. I have to say that I am having some trouble with this "after holidays" blues. Now, I wouldn't say that I have much trouble with depression, it just seems like for months things were in a whirl. Lots of hours to work, shopping to try to fit in, friends and family to visit, Christmas decorations to put out, gifts to wrap, meals and snacks to plan, people stopping by, food to cook, busy, busy, busy. I loved every minute of it. Did I sometimes get a little tired? Of course. But I seem to thrive on busy-ness. The more people I have over, the more food I can cook, the better I feel. Then....it seems that, all of a sudden, everything comes to a screeching halt. I almost feel like I've run into a brick wall. What do I do now? Couldn't SOMEONE come over? (Let me know, so I can cook.) Ok, I feel better. Thanks for letting me vent. I'll be alright. Sunday is just a few days away. I can't wait to cook a big meal!!! What sounds good? Any ideas?

Back to Normal? Me?

I have finally managed to get Christmas decoractions down and put away. Phil and I even sorted and condensed while we were at it. Of course, that meant that the "cleaning up" process took a little bit longer (I think we quit at midnight). I suppose that I will be thankful next year when I get ready to put it all out again. It should be easier with totes that are actually marked with what is in them. Hmmm. Why didn't I think of that before?

Well, anyway, you are probably wondering "Why the above pictures?". Well, let me tell you about them. I do admit that I'm pretty impressed with myself (that doesn't sound right, does it?). Anyway, I got this bright idea. I wanted to try to come up with a simple, versitile centerpiece. The picture on the left is what I ended up with. I started with a simple round mirrored glass (from Hobby Lobby, of course). I wanted different heights, too, thus the tall candle holder, a glass jar with a lid and a christmus mug. I used a candy cane theme and followed through with candy cane candles. I put candy canes in the mug and filled the jar with those "melt-in-the-mouth" mints. I probably could have left this out all winter, but because I was in a hurry (not me!) to see what else could be done, I changed a few things, and I'm ready for Valentine's Day! I replaced the candles, put Conversation Hearts in the tall jar, replaced the mug with a smaller jar and put sour cherry balls in it. Aren't I just plain clever!!! Is it Easter yet? I want to see what I could do with it for Easter. Any ideas? I really should get a life!!!!