Wordless Wednesday

Obviously NOT today. Six months ago. And in less than six months--all over again.

Visit WWHQ the place to find photos to make you wordless.

Works for Me Wednesday--Prayer Collage

Prayer collage.

It isn’t pretty. It isn’t tidy & organized. So all of you who are really all about the spiffy sparkling kitchens with the pristine refrigerator fronts—just run away now.

For those of us who, however do have the children's art gallery on the fridge, and for all you good cooks, or for those of you like me who struggle with the rummaging through the freezer & fridge for something that you might have forgotten was worth snacking on—this is the thing.

Post your prayer requests on your freezer. Save the art work for lower, eye level for the kids, but put your prayer requests at eye level for you. I do mine with a lot of pictures. Some of those people on my fridge I haven’t seen for more than five years. But I think of them every day and say a quick prayer, more if led, when they come into view.

No, it’s not a nice tidy notebook, but I lose those. Trust me, it works, I never lose the refrigerator.

For more Works for Me Wednesday ideas, visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer.

Visit the rest of my blog for the book giveaway and the CD giveaway.

Goodbye Old Man, We Will Miss You

Yesterday, in the midst of waiting for news about my mother, we had to make the choice to put down our “Old Man” cat, also known as Tucker. Tucker was in his early to mid-twenties and had been a part of my life longer than my husband.

Up until Friday he was still getting up early every morning to greet my husband over coffee and meow about the current events. At one time Tuck was a large (near twenty pound) cat, but the last few years have seen him thin down quite a bit. Over the weekend we noticed he wasn’t up with the dawn and in fact needed called to be roused. Sunday night found him unable to navigate stairs and his meower was noticeably quieter. By Monday morning there was nothing but a squeak and two steps was about all his back legs were good for.

My sweet husband came home from work, made the vet call, and gave the boys a little time to say goodbye to their beloved grey tiger. Many tears were shed and I’m not sure that my sweetheart didn’t shed the most. This from a man who supposedly didn’t want cats. He’s missing his coffee buddy quite a bit already.

For my part, I’m missing a friend of near sixteen years. He came to me as an adult, he was somewhere between the age of seven and ten. I’m looking for someone to head butt me and track me down to the kitchen in case there is a can of tuna to be opened. His animal buddies, Libby and Sid are a little confused at his absence.

This cat somehow became “my mother’s cat.” When she would visit, he would wait for her to find a seat, thereby creating a lap, proceed to insinuate himself in her arms and stay there for as long as he could. He would position himself so he could gaze adoringly at her and meow and “talk” to her, telling her, surely, of his abused life with me and all insults, real and imaginary he was forced to endure. She of course would tell him how wonderful he was. I swear he knew when I talked to her on the phone. He would shove his way onto my lap and head-butt the phone until I told her he was there.

There is a furry hole around here, I’m telling you.

For those sweet friends who’ve commented or e-mailed about my mom, I am still waiting on any real “news.” She was transferred late yesterday from the local hospital to the university hospital in a nearby city. She has been unable to eat and has at least one episode of extremely low blood pressure with rapid pulse. She’s quite unhappy about all the tubes she’s wearing, among other things. We were going to visit today, but my sister and father think waiting one more day might be better. So the boys and I will leave early tomorrow and stay at least one night.

I plan on blogging as I am able, while to some it may seem insensitive, but as some may recognize it is really good therapy for me.

Blessings,
Julie

Book Giveaway

Pay It Forward Book Exchange
created by Overwhelmed With Joy

The Pay It Forward Book Exchange is going strong. Several bloggers have been inspired to play along and host giveaways and I am ready to jump in too.













The first book I am going to give away is Crime and Clutter by Cyndy Salzman. I got this from Glass Road Public Relations a while back and already gave away one copy of it. Now this one is gently read and greatly enjoyed.

Perhaps it is because I enjoy quirky recipes. Perhaps it is the fact I join with five other friends on a regular basis for a girls night about once a month and we have been doing so for over sixteen years now—although, we don’t have a spiffy name for our group like the FAC (Friday Night Club) of the book, but I know what it’s like to have good friends. Or perhaps it is the era that I was a child in that this book revisits, although my parents were never flower children. I don’t know what it is, but this book resonated with me.

It was not what I expected, but it was more. I enjoyed it so much. Cyndy Salzman writes in a real and honest way about real and honest things but presents them in a unique light. Her book is full of humor, good recipes and love.

And so with that I am going to give away my copy of Crime and Clutter. If you would like to win it, it’s as easy as leaving a comment in the comments section saying, “Enter my name.” or something to that effect. If you want to link here and tell other people that is fine, but not a requirement. Remember you will need to be willing to give me your e-mail and IRL address to receive the book. So please, if you don’t think you want to do that, leave me a lovely comment elsewhere on my blog.

This giveaway will run until Sunday, August 12, when I will draw a winner's name. I am also going to be giving away a CD on my blog. The artist is someone that I'm quite partial to.

I will be giving away another book next week, posting more about that on Monday, August 13.

Good luck!!

Visit Overwhelmed With Joy for her Pay It Forward Book Giveaway. She is giving away The Road by Cormac McCarthy. She also has several other ladies giving books away.

Another Giveaway--Music!!

While I am giving things away (see here for my Pay It Forward Book Exchange giveaway), I want to give away a CD. This CD, New Life, is by Marian Greer, a wonderful woman I have known for several years and am blessed to count as a friend even though I only get to see her two or three times a year—she is one of those genuine people who doesn’t need a lot of formality.

This is her second CD and I have really enjoyed listening to my copy and I wanted to share a brand new, in the wrapper package with someone else—my treat. You can also listen to samples of the songs here.

Marian didn’t know I would be giving this away when I purchased an extra. So this is not a paid advertisement—just something God has prompted me to do.

The promo for her CD says:

Marian’s positive, prayerful music reawakens the soul with her message of hope and joy, and her gentle reminders of God’s love. The music is comfortable, easy and real. It’s a stirring mixture of Marian’s vocals and the inspired instrumental talents of Dave Greer and Jeremy Cameron that invokes praise and invites prayerful contemplation. The New Life CD will bring you to a place of peace and New Life in Him. A portion of the proceeds of the New Life CD will go to Option Ultrasound, a ministry which provides ultrasound equipment and training to Pregnancy Resource Centers in the hopes that young mothers-to-be might see their unborn child in a new light and choose life.

This is a fun CD by a Christian mom, she is a teacher and a praise and worship leader at the church I used to attend. I've heard all these songs in person during Sunday morning worships & they are very personal & dear to my heart.

If you would like your name entered for the CD leave a comment saying, “I want to win that.” or something to that affect. You will have to be able to be reached by e-mail and willing to give me your IRL address to send it too. You are welcome to link to this post if you want to let others know, but it is not a requirement.

This giveaway will be open from today until Sunday, August 12 when I will draw a winner's name.

Have a great week!!

Grains of Gratitude

Grains of Gratitude is a Sunday meme started by the joyful Christine at Brady’s Bunch. She is mommy to a whole beautiful family and I love to visit her site.

This week I am grateful for a week that feels “normal.” Too much of anything, even good things, wear a person down. This has been a “normal” looking week. (Of course we all know “normal” is relative and only an ideal.)

I am grateful for boys who have had pretty good attitudes. They cheerfully cleaned their room this week in a manner that impressed me. While there are some things I want to go in and organize, I would not be embarrassed for someone to view their room.

The van is paid off!!!! I am so excited. That is has finally happened is amazing to me. It is a milestone for many reasons for my husband and I. Doing a tiny, little happy dance and praising my Father for bringing us to this point.

Oddly enough, I am grateful for reaching an emotional low this week. It is when we hit bottom that we see how nothing is really in our control and if we give it to the LORD He will be faithful—He may not follow our plan—and sometimes that is why we need a low. We have to be low enough to let go of ourselves.

I am grateful for my craft area. My husband has his cave, my children have most of the house—I have a desk. It is there that I vaguely remember that people used to think I was creative. Some of that creative energy is slowly trickling back. A free ten minutes is all it takes to rejuvenate.

What are you grateful for?

This week I am keeping many friends (both those met IRL and met on the web) and family members in prayer. My mother is starting a new chemo study and still having issues with the stent in her kidney, a traveling niece and nephew, “B” and her family making a long journey & for health issues—you know who you are ((()). And dear Kelli & Heather. Continued prayer. Continued prayers & believing for sweet, sweet Izzy and her family.

And if anyone would feel led to pray for wisdom for my husband and I as we are faced with some issues and decisions, I would be really grateful.

Have a great week everyone!!

Edited to add: My mother has been admitted to the hospital today & if anyone is so led, I would appreciated a prayer for her. Blessings, Julie

Favorite Ingredients Friday

Fusilli with No-Cook Tomato Sauce
Courtesy of Good Housekeeping's Vegetarian Meals

1 package (16 oz.) long fusilli pasta
2 lbs. ripe tomoatoes (about 6 medium), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup pimento-stuffed olives, chopped or salad olives
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. In large saucepot, cook pasta as label directs. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, in large serving bowl, combine tomoatoes(with their juice), basil, olives, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper; stir gently to mix well.
3. Toss pasta with tomato sauce.

Join all the cooks at Overwhelmed With Joy's Favorite Ingredient's Friday.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I learned from Harry Potter and JK Rowling:


1. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

2. Things are never exactly what they seem.

3. Go with your gut.

4. Help those less fortunate—even if it doesn’t seem wise.

5. Don’t worry about what everyone else thinks…but…

6. Don’t think to highly of yourself.

7. A little help from your friends should never be turned down.

8. Help will always be there if you ask with your all your heart.

9. Truth always wins.

10. Don’t mess with a mom. (I love Molly Weasly.)

11. Love conquers all.

12. Don’t fear death.

13. Greater love hath no man than he who lays down his life for his friends. Whether she meant to or not…it is there.

Ready to read through the whole series again—but maybe better wait until I get a little housework done.



Find more TT participants!

THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE THURSDAY THIRTEEN: The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. What do you do? Write Thirteen things about yourself, summarize your week in one entry, make it easy for other bloggers to get to know you on a weekly basis. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well!

Wordless Wednesday

Tame Tiger

My niece's cat who likes to think he can stalk humans!!

Visit WW HQ for more fabulous photos!

Works for Me Wednesday--Parenting Advice Edition

A friend of mine is having her first baby in December. I certainly don’t have this parenting thing all down pat. In fact, I often feel like I am learning on the fly. But I guess there are a few things I think to be important. And basically that is what this list is, things I have shared or will share with my friend.

I am NOT saying I do all or even any of these things well—just I’ve found them to be important to me. After I pontificate to her I will then point her to this WFMW at Shannon’s and let her get really good info from all the other wise contributors to WFMW—The Parenting Advice Edition.


10 Don’ts and 10 Dos:

DON'Ts

1. Don’t do something just because it is in a popular book.

2. Don’t do something just because all the other parents are doing so.

3. Don’t feel bad for having your own set of rules.

4. Don’t be afraid to change rules that don’t work.

5. Don’t be afraid to put your children first.

6. Don’t be so quick to force independence—protection is what parents are supposed to do.

7. Don’t be afraid to be human.

8. Don’t pretend you have all the answers. "Let's look it up together." Goes a long way. Admitting that you don't always know what is what is tough, but can be rewarding.

9. Don’t be afraid to say, “No.” But sometimes try to figure out how it can be a, “Yes.”

10. Don’t assume you know what they’re going to say—be prepared to be surprised at their answers.

DOs

1. Be their safe harbor—to have a child come to you with full trust is an awe inspiring thing.

2. Be their advocate—if you don’t go to bat for them how will they ever learn to bat for themselves—and why do you thing someone else will do it.

3. Do go with your gut. Don’t care what the nurse on the doctors’ info line says, don’t care what your best friend says, don’t care what your sister says—if you really, really think something is wrong it is better to be safe than sorry. This applies to so many things.

4. Do eat well and exercise. You want to be around for a long time and you want them to learn from your wonderful example.

5. Do read—alone and together, silently and aloud, as a whole family, let the kids read to each other. Read and read a lot of different things.

6. Do say you are sorry. It took me until way late in life to admit to ever being wrong, and while no one would accuse me of being a humble person, I truly want to have a humble heart before God, my spouse and my children.

7. Do love your spouse.

8. Do pray for your children.

9. Do pray with your children & your spouse.

10. Do love God first. They learn what they see.

Visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer for more WFMW.