Cool, Huh?

http://gallery.xemanhdep.com/2009/01/some-awesome-pictures/

TIME

"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all."
Julie Beck

                                              (Source ) http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/

Turkey Trot

Today I am thankful for such a wonderful husband and father to our children.  Thankful that he pushes us to do that extra mile,  literally!  He has had Mavis and I in training to run a 5k,  she is jogging 2.5 miles and I did my sixth 3 mile run last night.  I have never been athletic so this is wild!!
If I can do this...believe me,  anyone can.  I had this as one of my goals before hitting the big 50 and he made sure it happened.  Lovingly of course:).  Henry rides his bike along side of us cheering us on. 
We are starting a new tradition with my sister, brother in law, daughter and son in law, nieces and hopefully nephews this Thanksgiving,  running the 5K Turkey Trot!!!  Then off to the deer camp for our Thanksgiving Feast this time without the guilt;).
  

A day late and a dollar short?

A day late and a dollar short...  I want to try every day this month to list one thing I am thankful for.  Since this is the second day of the month,  yesterday I would have to say I am thankful for back doors that actually open.  Ours would not yesterday for some crazy reason,  lol.


Where does the time go????  I hit the floor this morning running,  breakfast for hubby,  shower,  kids up,  out the door for early appointment.  Mavis and Henry read their science and readers in the lobby as they wait for me,  receptionist said she heard not a peep:).   My hygienist is really sweet,  I love the fact that she talks about interesting things while she works on me.  Time flies by,  now we are on our way home.  I have heard that McDonald's has wonderful Carmel Frappes,  so I pull in and order a lite.  Everyone has different taste,  I had to throw it away,  sorry:(.   Soon as I am home I fill the sink with hot soapy water and soak breakfast dishes then make a dash upstairs to start school.  Of course Mavis and Henry are sitting on the edge of their seats too excited for words!!! NOT.  Mavis starts her math with no problem,  very compliant.  Henry,  where ever is Henry???  Ok,  now on with math for Henry and a promise of chocolate milk... I rush back down the stairs to feed the sourdough starter and make dough for homemade pizza.  I think I can wash a few dishes then run back upstairs for the rest of math.  Now handwriting for Henry and history for Mavis.  I love, love, love math and history,  why are our children so different from us,  does anyone know??  Henry does not think I mean to do all his handwriting,  only 1/3 of it.  I let Henry know momma really means allllll of the paper has to  be written.  By the way,  I am trying out "Have a New Kid by Friday" 

 by Kevin Leman and so I just let Henry know the fun things for tomorrow are officially canceled.  No big fuss,  just let him know.  This book is fabulous!  Henry is absolutely in shock that I would do this to him,  he does all his writing without another word.  I see an opportunity to practice calligraphy while they are working,  I love that I am in school learning everyday too!  Now it is time for spelling, heritage studies,  piano,  English,  building an elk (yes we do build elks in school,  didn't you?).  Henry and I are hearing our tummies growl so we make a beeline downstairs to create our masterpiece pizza.  Wash all the dishes,  clean counter tops,  boot laundry.  Pizza is out of this world delicious!!!  We watch a history DVD "America the Story of Us"while enjoying lunch.

  This DVD is so amazing!  I feel like I have been transformed back in time when watching these episodes.  Monday we were in the Revolutionary War,  today with Harriet Tubman,  slave traders,  on cotton plantations and the building of the Eerie Canal.  If you homeschool this is priceless for history especially if you have a child that is a visual learner.  As with any thing you read or watch,  there are some parts I do not agree with,  I just stop and tell mine the truth about the situation.  Ok,  back to school to finish up then freeeeeee time.  Free time for them... Mavis uses hers to read,  Henry darts out the door for a ride on the go-kart.  Free time for me,  scouring and decluttering the master bath.  Last night I enjoyed a "mom's night out"  with TACHE.  The subject was on decluttering your life,  compelling.
   Mavis kindly whips up a yummy mocha for me and I am out the back door in a flash for the solitude under the oaks with a delightful book. 
       Thankful today for the FREEDOM fought for by others that I so enjoy today!

Life

"Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
 but about how to dance in the rain."

************love this************

          have a delicious crisp weekend

Do You Want Real Life?

I have to say this "Flower Patch Farmgirl"  blog is most delightful indeed.  She thinks out loud and we get to eavesdrop into her very soul.  Her life is real in every sense of the word.  I feel a kindred spirit with her even though I have never even emailed her!!  I love her to pieces,  she tells it like it is.  She loves her Jesus and serves him REAL!!!  Go there to be blessed!!  You can thank me later , thank you very much:)!!             http://flowerpatchfarmgirl.blogspot.com/

"What's Up- Mavis & Harriet?"

  My dad has been telling me for quite a while that as you age,  your body may be getting older but your mind can still be 25, 30 or even 18!  Well,  I am finding out for myself exactly what he meant by this.  I will be turning 50 at  the end of this year,  never has bothered me to tell my age,  I am who I am.  This number has had me thinking though,  for some time now.  I realize I can't keep waiting to do those things I said I wanted to do in my life.  Determination has set in,  a will power that I have never felt before.  I don't just think about what I want to do,  I do it.  There are no more excuses why I can't or shouldn't.  Being a little crazy can be fun,  acting like an adult all the time is highly over rated:).  My mind thinks I am only 25 give or take and it is telling my body to get up and act like that before I can not.  Silliness with my little ones and grandpirates brings me joy,  time is so fleeting with them.  There will come a day when they will not have time for me like they do now,  I will relish them while I can. 
   So what am I getting to?  Well,  some of you have emailed me and called wanting to know "what's up?"    "Why are you not selling on Mavis & Harriet,  are you going to start back?"  The answer is no,  I will not be selling any longer.  Starting  "Mavis & Harriet" was fun,  lots of fun and buying,  hunting down all the fab finds was a blast.  I had such a passion for it that I thought about decorating and junking all the time!!!  All the time,  did you catch that?  Some women can probably juggle being a wife,  mom,  teacher and have a home business and do just great,  not me.  I felt convicted about my lack of time for areas of my family's lives.  I prayed about the situation every day!  Finally,  I knew I had to do something different,  so I prayed and asked the Lord to take away my desire for decorating and give me a love for teaching my children.  Guess what?  He did just that!!!!  I have fallen madly in love with teaching Mavis and Henry and our school year has been the best we have ever had so far!!!  I could do school all day long:).  As for decorating,  my house is fine like it is.  As for hitting the sales?  I have been out one morning in probably 2 months.   Now I go just when the mood hits me or we may need something and I don't want to pay full price, nice leisurely junking though.
  God has said in His word,  "Delight thyself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart",  the key is that He will give you His desire for you and it will become your desire.  How loving our Lord is and isn't it just wonderful how he changes us to want the true treasures,  time with our little ones,  those chubby faces of grand children,  listening to them,  the best things in life are free.  This is where Jesus would have me,  are you in the place He would have you?  I sure hope so,  don't be deceived by the masked riches of this world.  Dig deep into those treasures that are right in your own home.
  The years have zipped past but my 50's are going to be the most thrilling of all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Want to Go to Neverland!

We just returned from
"Neverland"

tonight.

Totally magical :).

Mavis,   Henry and Grandpirate were on the edge of their

seats.  My dearest A asked,  "Nono,  are those people real?"

His baby blue eyes as large as saucers!

I just hope he does not try and teach little A how to fly tomorrow...!

You may want to grab some little ones full of imagination and visit "Neverland" yourself this weekend.

Grace Community High School

Tyler

Be sure to keep your eye on the lost boy(really an adorable girl) with a black curl loose on her forehead...stellar performance to say the least!!!!!

Fun Loving Fair Day in Dallas!

What an absolutely gorgeous day for the State Fair!!

Weather was perfect....

we had no idea they were going to be there and about

1 hour into our adventure...there they were,  yea! 





The exhibits were wonderful,  pig races,  African acrobats, exotic bird show,  children's aquarium,  Frisbee dogs......

The food,  welllllll,  just not my cup of tea.  Sorry,  but I could not bring myself to eat the deep fried Oreo, fried coke, fried lemonade, fried butter, fried bread pudding, everything was fried.

We opted for the famous Fisher's Corny Dog,  two bites was enough for Mavis, Henry and myself:(. 

I have to say the fresh squeezed Lemonade was delicious!

Rides were extremely expensive but we all know that before we head to the Fair,  right? 

I had not been in 30 years so I was tickled pink to go!

All in all it was a fab day,  love my family sooooooo much!!!!

Contentment=Freedom

Contentment is not only a good idea,  it is our duty.  If God recommends something,  we ought to do it.  If God requires something,  we must do it.  "Godliness with contentment is great gain" and "Be content with what you have".

  Such a forceful endorsement by the Almighty should make contentment a prominent concern for each of us.  Instead,  we make it a secret concealed by our indifference to it.  When the Apostle Paul wrote,  "I have learned the secret of being content,"  his use of the word secret was intentional.  Those things we expect to bring contentment surprisingly do not.  We cannot depend upon it to fall into place through the progressive evolving of civilization,  for contentment arises from a different source. 
 
  Most of us do not know how to uncover this secret and have never seriously tried.  Our quest is usually not for contentment but for more.  This quest brings us into an immense maze,  where before us lie dozens of avenues.  some are wide,  luxurious,  downhill,  and tempting, and we see a rush of our friends entering them.  They lead to beautiful houses,  comfortable cars,  exotic vacations,  and affluence.  Other avenues,  equally popular,  lead to prestigious colleges,  distinguished  jobs,  important friends,  and power.  Still others direct us to beautiful spouses,  beautiful children,  deep tans,  and popularity.
 
  All the while,  off to one side,  courses a narrow uphill road,  unadorned and unpopular.  It is dusty from its sparse use and lonely from lack of travelers.  The sole treasure at its end is an elusive commodity called "godliness with contentment."

  Godliness is and attitude whereby what we want is to please God.
  Contentment is a matter of accepting from God's hand what He sends because we know hat He is good and therefore it is good.
  Contentment is the freedom that comes when prosperity or poverty do not matter;  to accept what we have and to  want but little.   The more we choose contentment,  the more God sets us free.  The more He sets us free, the more we choose contentment!...................."Margin" by Richard A. Swenson


  I struggle no more!  I am content Lord and I am blessed beyond measure.  I love being wife,  mommy,  nono,  friend but most of all your daughter!!  My life is full of wonder and surprise,  I compete with no one but myself,  I am free!

                                  Dinner for tonight??
                                   Homemade Chilli
                                        Frito Pie
                                      recipe here

I want to share this website http://www.coolrunning.com/ with all of you.  Several of us in my family are doing the Couch to 5k and ... let me tell you,  it really works!  Mavis jogged a mile last night and wanted to stay longer and do more:).  Was it really just a couple of months ago when she would ask every 5 minutes,  "how much longer,  can we leave now?"   Now we are asking her,  "Hey,  aren't you ready to go yet?"  Henry loves chasing all of us on his bike with his Indian spear pretending he is Squanto, lol!!  We have such a sweet time,  I am so thankful for my husband who pushes us to do our best at all times. 
  I hope all of you get out with your little ones and do something fun these cool evenings,   make those memories!

Throw out the guns and grab your crafts!!

Check out one of my favorite decorator blogs...

http://www.theshowandtellblog.com

Is this just not the cutest craft cabinet ever???

Originally a hideous gun cabinet!

                          and I will definitely be making me one of these!!!

Dinner Plans Anyone???

As Fall is here:),  I am in the mood to try out some new dishes!
I will be posting from time to time "what is for dinner at our house".  I would love to have comments from all of you as to what you are cooking and will post them so all of us can have some new ideas.
                         Tonight.....Marinated Steak Fajitas
                                          Spanish Rice
                                          Beans
                                          Guacamole
                                          Chips
                                          Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Bites
                                          Salad
                                          Hubby's Fab Homemade Salsa
                                          Mavis' Mini Chocolate Pies
                                          Iced Tea
        go here for Mavis' Mini Chocolate Pie recipe 
http://mavisharriet.blogspot.com/p/maviss-recipes.html

                                                                aimee-weaver blogspot.com

                          He that is down,  needs fear no Fall;
                            He that is low,  no Pride:
                          He that is humble,  ever shall
                            Have God to be his Guide.

                          I am content with what I have,
                              Little be it or much:
                       And,  Lord,  Contenment still I crave,
                            Because thou savest such.

                         Fullness to such,  a Burden is,
                            That go on Pilgrimage:
                         Here Little,  and hereafter Bliss,
                           Is best from Age to Age.
                                                        "Pilgrim's Progress"

                                                         

Clean Sweep Garage/Tag Sale 18890 Elderberry Crt Forest View-Flint Tomorrow!!!!

I will be selling all of my stash from Mavis & Harriet and my daughter and her friend will be adding all of their goodies!  STARTS@7:00
Vintage Stadium Seats
Fenton
Mirrors
Vintage End Table
Canton Buggy
Vintage Sewing Machine Parts
Vintage Linens
Vintage Lamps
Mid Century Lamps
Huge Amount of Vintage Silver
Vintage Train Parts
Great Books
Name Brand Clothing...all sizes
Outside Toys
 Nice Stroller
Pictures
Frames
Shelves
Lots of Home Decor
Vintage Priscilla Curtains with Pompoms
Cute Shoes
Old Bottles
and so much more!!! 

Where Have You Been?

"Where have you been lately?" some have asked,  seeing no regular blog post going on here for quite some time.
Well... let me tell you!
I have been living my life to the fullest!
Loving the freedom of summer,  swimming almost every day and riding bikes almost every night:).  Listening to endless reports about Mario, Toad Stool and Yoshii?  from sweet grandpirates,  studying God's word in the tree house,  praying for precious friends whose amazing son went on to be with the Lord.  Where have I been?  Mopping floors for someone that is no longer able to,  rubbing lotion on cracked bruised skin and listening to her tell me of when she was growing up in Mississippi raising tomatoes back in the early 1900's.  I have been soaking in time with my little ones on a quilt in the backyard learning about creation,  reading books about the early settlers.  Playing spa with Mavis,  Harriet and Henry,  loving scrubs,  facials,  masks and pedicures.  Listening to giggles,  squeals of children playing then joining in for some fun myself.  Learning that I can still be a child at this age:P.  Having quiet time @ 4:30 a.m. because that is just when God wakes me up with a song in my heart,  waking the house up with the smell of homemade sourdough bread.  Trying to keep up with my "sweet child of mine"  daughter in cool running,  riding the go cart through the woods with Big A and Little A,  having loved ones over for Frito pie and strawberry shortcake.  Being ever so thankful for Mr. P taking time with Henry flying airplanes,  and grateful for Ben being his always, count on, best friend.  Chit chatting with some of the greatest women in the world on Sunday's after church,  watching loads of children have a blast together. Movie night with Avonlea, Mavis and Henry, chips and salsa. All in all just having so much fun that I don't think much about posting,  buying or selling.  Maybe later....

Today's the Day!

The new me:)  after today!

Vintage Crystal Prisms

            Over 550 Vintage Crystal Pieces
               9 large Pendalogue Prisms
        63 Small Pendalogue Prisms
       535 Small crystal pieces that make up the chains,  about 4 square crystals and one large ball!                    SOLD

"Monday's Message" by my sweet hubby

When I was a boy I went to the Texas State Fair in Dallas with my FFA class at school. Not long after I arrived I got on a ride that went around and around and around. Finally the thing slowed down and pulled to a stop. Then just as suddenly it started up going backward and very fast. The only thought that held me together was that I knew I had paid for this ride and sooner or later the operator would want some other fool to take my place. I was finally able to stagger off and find the nearest empty park bench and assume the posture of one who didn't have much money and even less sense.
In the first few chapters of the book of Judges the people of Israel are on a ride of their own. The only difference is they could stop it at any time. They however, chose to pay and ride and pay and ride.
They were doing exactly what God had said they would do. They were becoming rebellious. Moses had warned them. Joshua had warned them. But they always maintained that they would never become what they were indeed becoming.
They had been given houses they didn't build, vineyards they didn't plant and victories they didn't win. They were told to destroy the enemy or the enemy would destroy them. There was to be no truce, no compromise, no accord and no enemy left in the land.
At first they tolerated the enemy by living among them. Then they put the enemy to work by making them servants. Then they made marriages with the enemy. At last they were put to service for the enemy, worshiped the gods of the enemy and even plundered by the enemy. What a sad state of affairs.
When they had been made thoroughly sick of the ride they cried out to God and He would send a leader to bring them out of bondage and back to their rightful Master and Owner. The leaders were also called judges. They were to be the ones that pointed out the right and straight path.
The problem was that this series of events happened over and over and over again. When one generation was cried out to God for deliverance their children after them went back on the same ride. Every time God proved Himself to be faithful. He never abandoned them. He always lovingly and thoughtfully put them back on the right track time and time again.
But just look at how much time and effort was wasted. Look how many lives were lost. Look how many blessings were laid aside and never realized. Look how much shame and disgrace had to be endured. All because the people would not believe their God.
Does this remind you of someone you know? Maybe the person in the mirror? Are you the one on the hamster wheel? Do you want off? Or are you content like that?
Jesus said" Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your soul." That my friend, is what we need.

"Trust and Obey, For There's No Other Way...but to Trust and Obey"

                                                               The Battle For Obedience

I hope you enjoyed our journey through the book of Joshua. It is a study of the Christians life of victory in Christ Jesus our Lord. Remember that these things were written for our instruction and encouragement and not just old stories of how things used to be done.
But now we begin the study of the book of Judges. After Joshua died, the people did not have a leader to stand and lead them into battle. There was still much fighting to be done. There was still much land to conquer.
Remember that God had promised the people that this was to be their land, their possession. But they would have to fight for it. They would be assured of victory if they would do only one thing. That one thing still stands in the way of us as we would walk in the victory purchased by Christ. It is that little word, obedience.
As soon as Joshua died the first tribe to go to battle was Judah. They set out to claim what God had given and even started very well in driving out the inhabitants of the mountains (this where Caleb wore out three giants). But in the valley they did not drive out the enemy because they had chariots of iron.
What was the matter? Were these people really too strong for the servants of the Living God? Absolutely not! What you do have are excuses for disobedience when things got tough. When the enemy did not run away but stood up and fought, God's people gave up and compromised. How sad when they had been promised the victory. If only they had obeyed.
Then we read that those that the Israelites did not drive out were made slaves. They thought they would get some use from the enemy instead of pushing them out of the land. They thought they could be enriched by letting them live.
Just remember that God had warned them. He told his people to drive out the inhabitants for good reason. He knew they would infect the Israelites with idolatry and that is exactly what happened.
  My friend, Jesus Christ wants you to conquer your Canaan as well. He wants the sin driven out of your life that you might enjoy complete victory in Him. It is possible for you. The question is this, do you want it? Are you willing to obey in spite of circumstances and consequences? That is true faith.
If you are willing to engage the enemy, some battles will seem relatively easy but there is some territory that Satan is not willing to yield even one inch without an all out struggle. He knows he is a defeated foe but he does not want to concede what is rightfully yours.
God is ready and willing to enable and to encourage you for the struggle. He will be honored only with your complete obedience and will meet your every need. Now the ball is in your court. What are you going to do?