Friday, December 16, 2011

Cleaning out the Home

I have a problem. Admitting you have a problem is one of the first steps, right? I have so much stuff (a/k/a junk) in my house that I need to get rid of. It is quite daunting. When I have watched Clean House or Clean Sweep, I have seen the trucks swoop in and haul items away. But, the problem with my "stuff" is that it's not necessarily junk -- there are good, usable items in with the not-so-good and non-usable items.

I have started researching and have found that Shenandoah Junk Removal will take my stuff - no matter what it is. All I have to do is point them in the right direction, and they will load up their trucks and take the stuff away. After it is taken away (as if the best part isn't the fact that it's taken away), they will sort through the things and either trash them, recycle them or donate them! They will do all that I don't want to do and will make sure it doesn't wind up in a landfill.

To get started, all I need to do is call 1-800-GOT-JUNK or go online to schedule an appointment.  They will to come and look at my stuff and they will give me a quote for the removal. After my approval, the truck is loaded and the stuff is hauled away!


Have you ever used this service? Would you like to help me get ready for them to come? ;)

Home Improvement

Why is that the holiday time reminds of what all we really need to do around our house? Is it because we have people coming over? Or, is it because we are rearranging the furniture to make room for Christmas decorations and in doing so, we notice just how badly we need to do something?



When we moved into our home, it had newish carpet. It's certainly not what I would have picked out. Through the years, though, it has needed serious cleaning, what with kids and dogs and clumsy folks. But, I don't think of cleaning the carpet when I look at it. I daydream of carpet for the home that I actually picked out.

Not only would I feel better with new carpet for the home but the inside of my home would look better and the value of my home would increase. I have visions of replacing the carpet and having the walls painted. Hanging beautiful pieces of art which I created on the walls. I guess somewhere in there, I would hear birds chirping and my dog not shedding. Also, in this vision, no one was clumsy or spilled anything on the floor. :)

This site offers tips on increasing the value of your home and how new carpet for the home helps.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011

He speaks

I saw the words on Proverbs 31 ministry - I created the picture using picnik - have you tried it? Love it! I hope it speaks to you.




(Just in case the words are too small!)
He asks three words my parched soul thirsts for, “How are you?”

I’m weary. "I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10b (NIV)

I feel alone. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NIV)

I can’t take much more. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28b (NIV)

I pour out, He pours in. An ebb and flow more natural than the ocean’s tides. My needy soul needs His words; needs Him: the Word.
Sunday, December 11, 2011

Test post from app

Hi friends. I downloaded an app that will let me post blog on my apple product. So, I thought I would test it out and see how it works.

This is always such a busy time of year! Is it just me or does December seem to throw life into overdrive? For those with young children who are involved in multiple activities, I hope you find some time to just sit and relax. Let us hold dear to The reason for this Season.

I'm glad I have both of my girls under one roof for a few weeks!! We have our 4 foot tree up and it even has a few ornaments on it:).

Have you been introduced to pinterest.com or craftgawker.com? It's a crafter/DIY'r DREAM!

Let me see if I can post some crafts I've done. Ok. Mixed media pictures, fabric flowers (courtesy of my friend Jeannine), scarf from a t-shirt! Like you don't have enough going on, why not try some new stuff :)!


App seems to work ok. I'll have to try a book review with links next. Until then...
Friday, December 9, 2011

He Sees You When You're Sleppin' - Guest Post

 
He Sees You When You’re Sleepin’...
By Dr. Charles W. Page
 
Do you recall trying to sleep on Christmas Eve while waiting for Santa to come to town? The anticipation of Saint Nicolas and all his goodies was just too much—who could sleep? The lyrics of Santa Claus is Coming to Town taunted me. “He sees you when you’re sleeping—he knows when you’re awake…” I tossed and turned trying to fall asleep, fearful I’d miss out on Santa’s visit if he caught me awake. I never doubted Santa’s ability to be aware of my wakefulness.

Unfortunately, as adults, the issues that keep us awake during the Christmas season are more complicated than those we experienced as kids. Financial burdens, strained relationships, difficult decisions, brooding regrets and fretful thoughts race through our minds and hinder our rest.

There is someone who “sees you when you’re sleeping and knows when you’re awake.” It’s not Santa Claus. The Bible reminds us, God’s eyes never close. Perhaps this truth can tuck us in for the night.  
 
“He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:3-4) 
 
We erroneously think that as we “turn in” that God somehow “turns off” or moves on to do more important things. But God doesn’t wait for us to wake up before He returns to work. God is just as active during our sleep—or sleeplessness. Believers can rest assured knowing God is awake guarding our lives.

What does God do as we slumber? Psalm 127:1-2 reminds us that God gives to those that He loves as they sleep. What does God give? Understanding God’s generous nature, one rendering would be that God gives to the believer whatever is needed at the time. God can give you wisdom and direction with decisions as you “sleep on it” overnight (Psalm 16:7, James 1:5). Maybe there is a financial need. The scriptures are filled with examples of how God provided for the physical needs of those He loved as they rested (I Kings 19:1-8; Exodus 16:1-8).

God’s gifts are good, perfect (James 1:17), eternal (Ephesians 1:3) and purposeful (Galatians 5:22-25). They do not require batteries, warranties and cannot be purchased in stores. But they are available 24/7/365—not limited to one night each year. God’s greatest gift did not arrive under a tree but on a tree (John 3:16). “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

It’s plain to see, God has our back as we sleep. Try this Christmas recipe for rest.  
  1. Repent—in areas where we are aware of our transgressions. “A clean conscience
    makes a soft pillow.”
  2. Release—control of problems you’re facing and give them over to God.
  3. Relate—connect with God through prayer and meditation while in bed.
  4. Rest—allow God to do what you cannot do for yourself as you sleep.
  5. Receive—God’s unmerited forgiveness, grace and blessings while you sleep.
An English proverb reminds us, “As you make your bed so you must lie in it.” The truth of God’s Word helps us face our situations. Although we cannot change the failures of our past, we can rest with a clean conscience based on God’s gift of forgiveness. Our current circumstances may appear overwhelming, but God gives His presence and His guidance in our hour of need. Our future is secure and hopeful when God’s greatest gift—His Son—is kept in view. A life supported by a vibrant, healthy relationship with the Shepherd of Sleep makes the most comfortable mattress. In childlike faith learn to trust Him as you lie down to sleep and remember: “He sees you when you’re sleeping.”


 
Author Bio
Charles W. Page, M.D.
Dr. Charles W. Page is a sleep-deprived surgeon who completed medical school and residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Page is currently a rural surgeon and has taken numerous medical mission trips to South America and the Middle East. He and his wife Joanna live in Texas with their five children. He is the author of Surrendered Sleep: A Biblical Perspective. You can find more information at surrenderedsleep.com.
 
 



 
Surrendered Sleep
A Biblical Perspective
by Dr. Charles W. Page
 
PUBLISHER: Camino Real Publishers
ISBN-10: 0983138109
ISBN-13: 978-0983138105
PRICE: Paperback: $14.95; Ebook: $10.95
 
Available at:
 
This article content is provided free of charge by the author through Kathy Carlton Willis Communications.
You are welcome to place this article on your site or in your publication as long as
1) it’s used in its entirety, 2) the full bio is also used, and 3) you notify KCWC.
 
All other standard copyrights apply.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Crafting an Elevated Dog Bed

Crafting an elevated dog bed
Guest post written by Malcolm Evans
One thing that I really love about my home is that it's pretty streamlined. Growing up, my mom had trinkets everywhere, which really made it hard for me and my brothers to play football around the house. We broke a couple of things and I thought that it would be better to set up my home to where my kids wouldn't have to worry about that.

Even though my home is really streamlined, I thought that our dog really needed a dog bed. He's always sleeping anywhere around the house, which can be a problem when I get up in the morning and trip over him. I looked online with my wireless internet Tacoma to see I if could find a good dog bed for him. I found lots of beds I could buy, but also directions on how to make a lot of them, so I decided to go with that.

I decided to make a elevated dog bed because it just seemed so cool. Plus, it will be a little easier to notice him in when I wake up in the mornings so I won't trip over him.