Tragically Beautiful

This past weekend was perfect and flew by faster than a witch on a broom! My bestest friend came down to hang out on Saturday and we just spent our time hanging out. I love those kind of days. But she didn't come just to hang out. She had tickets to a show for Sunday. And not just any show. THE show. You know the one. The one everyone has been talking about for forever it seems like now. You know, that one about the witches and evil and good. Come on? Seriously? Don't you know? Well, any way she had 2 tickets to be exact. One with her name on it and one with (gasp) my name on it. It was my very first ticket to a musical in the United States and I couldn't have been more thrilled! Okay, okay, if you haven't figured it out by now....it was WICKED! and let me tell you it lives up to its name. It was wicked awesome music, acting, and just an overall goosebump raising kind of show. I sat like a child wide-eyed in amazement and drawn completely into the costumes, lighting, singing, and all-together fun of the fantasy world. It was my bestest's third, yes third, time to see it. She has seen it previously in Chicago and then won the lottery in NYC a few months back. Jealous much? Yeah, me too. Anyways, I'll settle for the rinky-dink little show she took me to here because it was amazing. Okay, here are pics and enough rambling. Just go see the show - or else you won't be pop-u-lar!

Bestest and me - she just sparkles, doesn't she?

I am pretty sure I could get into trouble for this one, but I am going to be Wicked and show it anyway. Okay, enough with the puns!

Poser.
(She's not really reading that.)

Can I cheese it or what?

I call this one:
"That's three for me with a playbill that says Marquee."
(She will love that I rhymed, she's a kindergarten teacher.)

Wonderful Wednesday

"Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable."

Isaiah 40:28

Promises, Promises

I've had a little trouble focusing today on Wonderful Wednesday. So, I am just going to borrow from life around me. I usually do anyway, I just don't quite preface it like that. so, here's to another Wonderful Wednesday.

Ahh, a rainbow, what is the first thing you think of? God's promise. Maybe not, but that's what it is. A symbol of God's promise He made to Noah. After that awfully scary storm the other day God graced our skies with one of the most vibrant and distinct rainbows I have ever seen. The colors almost slapped you in the face. It was like one of those little reminders to say, "Oh yeah, God I don't know why I was worrying. You're here and you are taking care of everything." Like the most gorgeous post-it note you've ever seen. (okay, cut me some slack, you know I'm a cheeseball.)

Boy have I needed those reminders this past year. And did we ever receive them. It was always refreshing to see God reveal himself. But why did I get to where I couldn't see God right there in the midst of everything? He didn't move. I did. I could go into a whole schpill here about how rainbows fade as the time goes or how if you move in a different direction the colors will disappear, but I won't. I'm glad for the promises he has made in his word. I am glad that we have the ultimate promise to look forward to. But I have to do what it takes to receive those promises because if time goes by, there will no longer be a chance to partake, and if I move away then I won't be able to see it as clearly.

Today and the hope for tomorrow are all that I am promised for now. And, for now, that is plenty.

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9

Note: These are photos I took with my little rinky-dink camera. So, no credit due to anyone else.

mud and maters

This past weekend was the annual family reunion and most of Jacob's extended family was in town. We headed out Friday after a scary storm blew through. It took us almost and hour and a half to travel the normally 30 minute trip. We met several detours on the way due to trees blocking the road and we even saw some cars where trees had fallen while they were driving. All of the family gathering arrived safely and we were blessed with that. And in true form, God graced us with a beautiful rainbow and an amazing golden sunset. The kids (and MeMe) took off out the back porch and went dancing in the rain. It was wonderful to watch the kids cautiously step into the big mud puddles and then get so excited they just jump to splash everyone around. Oh, it really is the simple things in life that make you the happiest.

Hubby took these great shots of his parents' farm. I'm so glad he took these.

After a weekend of being away and lots of rain, we came home to some monster maters. The current counts stands at 25 tomatoes. Hopefully, the squash won't be long behind. The tomato plants have gotten so big they were overshadowing the pepper plants we have growing. So, hubby had to dig up the peppers last night and replant in a pot we had empty. I hope they do well after being moved - we want to make fresh salsa.

Can you spot hubby's trusty converse in the background?

While diggin' up the peppers, Jacob found this gi.norm.ous. worm. Isn't that crazy? He was so excited. I love it when that happens.

wuhn-der-fuhl

Here's the definition of wonderful according to dictionary.com to get the gears going.

–adjective
1. excellent; great; marvelous: We all had a wonderful weekend.
2. of a sort that causes or arouses wonder; amazing; astonishing: The storm was wonderful to behold.

You can almost (work with me here) insert God for the word wonderful. Think about it.

Be back in a bit with more.

EDIT:

Okay, I am back with more. I have had this song stuck in my head pretty much all week. We sing it in worship service frequently and it is one of my favorites. Wonderful and merciful truly describe our God. The most wonderful part is in bold.

Wonderful, merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Could rescue the souls of men

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost the way
Oh, we hopelessly lost the way

You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for

Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness
You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne

© 1989 Word Music / ASCAP / Dayspring Music / BMI / All rights reserved

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

John 1:29

Monday's Thrifty Treasures

Ahhh, the joys of yard saling. We went this past Saturday and happened upon a neighborhood sale in a great little area of town. An ad for a weedeater led us there and all the great finds kept us going up and down each street.

Head on over to Southern Hospitality and see what treasures others found this weekend. I love seeing all the old stuff put to new use. This week, Ms. Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality also gives some excellent tips on getting the most for your money and time at yard sales. I have a whole commentary on reusing someone else's stuff, but I'll save that for another time. Now on to our finds.......

One brown shutter and two blue ones = $2

One good solid mirror = $3

Various pieces of silverware = $8

(I have big plans to get my money and more back out of the silverware)

Chair on the left = $2

Chair on the right = $3

Both will get a little wood glue and recovered, can't decide about painting

See that price tag on the fabric?

I paid HALF of that.

That's right, fifty cents for about three yards of good fabric.

Love these pots (2 for $1) and candelabra ($2).

I also got about 50 children's books for about $5 at this sale too.

They were good books too. Great variety and in good shape.

Unless you are a teacher, it might be hard to appreciate getting

that many books for so cheap to build your classroom library.

Candle stick set = $1
Two packs of shelf brackets = $1
Wooden star was free. I have big plans for that little star!

Remember that mirror I got for $3? I took some silver leafing rub and gold acrylic paint I had leftover from wedding projects and made it fit our home. I cannot get over how it looks, especially up close. It is perfectly us now. Love it!

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes......alzheimers?

Last week while I was in Denver visiting my sister, I got an early morning voicemail from hubby that I listened to once I got up and going. He had called me from work to tell me he was thinking of me. How sweet, right? We are sappy like that sometimes. Well, I thought it was really cute and sweet until he described why he was thinking of me.

He had seen a commercial on t.v. where an elderly man and woman were looking all over the house for the keys the woman had had. They looked all over and finally found them in the refrigerator. Hubby said that when he saw that part he immediately thought that was something I would do. (Really? Put the keys in the fridge? Okay, maybe.) Well, then the actual advertisement part of the commercial came on and it was for Alzheimer's Care. Boy did hubby feel bad, BUT he still called to tell me he was thinking of me.

I thought it was funny and referenced the phone message at least four times during the week. "At least your husband doesn't think you have Alzheimer's." You know, those kinds of references.

Funny in and of itself, BUT again it gets funnier. Last night, we ordered pizza which is a big splurge for us. I found a BOGO coupon in the Entertainment Book for Domino's, called to order, washed dishes for the 15-20 minutes of waiting and then left to get our scrumtiousness. I left and drove the three minutes to the pizza place, parked, walked in, and told the people my name when asked. They told me there was no pizza there under that name. Just short of me having to talk myself down, the lady spotted my coupon and said "Did you order Domino's because this is Papa John's?" Riiiiiiiighhhtttt. I meant to do that. I was just checking to make sure they knew who they were. So, then I decided to extend my public service and check to see if the other pizza place knew who they were. They did and they accepted the coupon and just so happened to have the two pizzas I had called to order.

I laughed the whole way home.

Oh, but wait, it does get some better. It turns out hubby may have been right about my "senior moments" but he's actually closer than me to being the senior in the moment. This morning while getting ready for worship services, I turn around to find hubby looking for a belt and preparing to put it on. He had his shirt all tucked under his chin (you know how they do), belt stretched and ready to loop on his pants when he says "OH! I already have a belt on."

Ahh, we are truly made for each other but I seriously wonder about us. I hope we have good children who will want to take care of us or will find a good home to care for us. Actually, our children will probably get plenty of practice from an early age. "Mommy you left your keys in my sippy cup again." "Daddy, you have on two different shoes." "But Mommy, this doesn't look like our house, will your keys still unlock it?"

Disclaimer: We hold the utmost respect for the elderly and anyone suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia. I practically grew up in the nursing home where my mother worked and Jacob's first job in college was a CNA at a local nursing home. I also helped care for my step-mother's mother who suffered from dementia. We in no way wish to offend anyone especially those who are dependent on others for care.

Home - where my love lies waiting, Home

Well, the western voyage was great and things are good now that I am back home. A week spent in quality sister time and littles loving may just get me through till the holidays. I miss them already!

My sister and I enjoyed "junkin" and let me tell you in that area their junk is like for sure treasures. Rich folks, fooey! There were community yard sales left and right. We briefly drove through on Friday without much luck, but Saturday we hit the jackpot. Yeah, I bought around 30 children's books for around $7. We planned to hit the Goodwill on Monday to peruse what we could not fit in on the other days.

The weather was as crazy as the fabulous bargains. The second day I was there, I had to go buy a bathing suit so that we could all go to the neighborhood association pool. I was shocked that it was only 75 degrees and we were at the pool. At home that would have been too cold to dip in the water, but this much closer to the sun we were comfortable. Then two days later, I was freezing as a rain storm breezed through. It was a return to winter weather that we might experience at home. I was just glad that it did not snow.

I could not get enough of my nieces and nephew. They are hilarious children and kept me rolling all week long. My nephew wanted to go home with me at the end even though he still couldn't figure out why I had not brought my car. I had a day to spend with each niece just the two of us. It was precious, precious time together and I truly loved every minute of it.

Even though they are more than a days' drive away, I am thankful that we are close enough to talk at least three times a week and sometimes a day. I am thankful that my flight was delayed on the way back so that each passenger got a $250 airfare voucher for future travel (Thanksgiving? Christmas?), and I am truly grateful for technologies like cell phones and Skype that help us stay close when we are apart.

Good times, good times.

P.S. Maybe I will post some of the trash we turned into treasures for my sister's new home. I will definitely be posting the goods that I stuffed in my carry-on just to get it back.