Houston

I am finally catching my breath again. I have been travelling a lot for work. I always think I will take the time to update my blog while I am on the road; but it never happens.

I worked in Houston from May 4 - May 23. I didn't look forward to the trip. The first time I travelled to Houston, I hated every minute of it. The traffic was horrible, the people were not very friendly, you name it.

I actually loved the time I spent there in May. The weather was beautiful...not to humid. The traffic did not bother me. I was much more comfortable. I don't know what the difference was this time. It could be that I have travelled a great deal for work during the past three years or my handy, dandy GPS. Whatever it was, I loved being in Houston. The Galleria area is awesome. I told someone that I could see myself living there. LOL...

My one and only niece celebrated her ninth birthday while I was in Houston. I was a little disappointed, as she had her party at the Clay Cafe, and I wasn't able to attend.

I told her that I would buy the paper goods for her party. She also wanted a cookie cake, which I told her I would buy. Before I left for Houston, I met she and her mom at Party City to pick out the plates, napkins, etc. She also picked out some cute party favors.

A few months ago, I purchased the cutest purse template from Papertrey Ink. I have been dying to use it. I told my sister-in-law that I would make "purses" to hold the party favors. I made four, one for my niece and each of her friends. I loved the way they turned out!

Sometimes I feel guilty that I don't make as much stuff for the boys. There are just so many things to make for girls. I really don't think the boys notice. As long as they get $$ they seem quite content.



Blessings,

T-Ball

My nephew turned 6 in February. He is playing T-Ball for the first time this year.

He looks so cute in his uniform. I've always had a soft spot for boys in baseball uniforms.

My brother is coaching the team.

Go Indians!

Bluebonnets

I recently travelled to Fort Worth for business. As I drove from the airport to my hotel, I noticed bluebonnets all along the side of the road.

They were beautiful.

When I parked at the hotel this was my view.

I had to snap a couple of photos.

The next day, when I arrived at the hotel, there was a photographer taking pictures of two cute young boys. It made me wish I had a Canon 40D camera.

A girl can dream...

Blessings,

Expiration Dates

Recently I reached into my pantry to grab a can of soup. For some reason, I looked to see what the expiration date was. To my astonishment, the expiration date showed 2007. I began to look at the expiration date on the other food items in the pantry. With the exception of a couple of cans of corn, green chilies and pumpkin, the expiration date on all the other items was 2007.

As you probably guessed, I do not cook often. I usually buy the ingredients for a dish when I am considering making that particular dish. Sometimes the dish gets made; often times it does not. The items then get put in the pantry and forgotten about until I think about the recipe again. Sometimes it is months. Sometimes it is years.

I hate to admit it, but I have done the same thing with God. I have placed Him on a shelf; out of site, out of mind.

I have always believed in God. I was saved when I was in high school. However, I never developed a relationship with Him. I never believed that God was interested in my day to day activities. That He really wanted to know how my day went; if I was happy or sad. I never considered Him to be my friend. He was just there on the shelf for emergencies; much like a first aid kit.

God sat patiently on that shelf for many years; just longing to hear my voice call out to him.

It has taken a long time, but I am finally learning about the relationship that He desires to have with me. A relationship where we talk each and every day. A relationship where we share anything and everything. He wants to be my friend, my counsel. He wants to know and love me, flaws and all.

For years I believed that in order for God to love me, I needed to be beautiful, thin, smart…perfect. God has shown me that He loves me no matter what. No one has to tell Him what my flaws are, He knows them all. You know what? He loves me any way. He thinks I am beautiful, no matter what I weigh, how smart I am, or how organized my pantry.

I have learned that God doesn’t want to be kept on a shelf for emergencies. He wants to be involved in every aspect of my life; in little things as well as big things. He wants to celebrate the happy times and comfort me in times of sadness.

I am so grateful for God’s love. I am thankful that unlike the can goods in my pantry, His love for me does not have an expiration date, but endures forever.

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Blessings,

What I Am Reading

I am reading, “What Happens When Women Say Yes to God,” by Lysa Terkeurst. I have read her blog for about a year. I love her style, her honesty. She appears to be just an everyday woman, mother, and wife. It is apparent that she loves God.

I had not, however, read any of her books. I can say that I haven’t been disappointed in this book. It is full of God’s truths.

For a couple of weeks, as I have been reading Lysa’s book, I have heard God whisper that he wants me to write for him. I have tried to ignore the whispers; telling Him that I know nothing about writing; yet I hear another whisper, “You have a blog.” To which I have responded, “Just because I have a blog doesn’t mean I can write. What if I don’t punctuate correctly? What if I use a comma when it should be a semi-colon? What if people judge me? What if? What if?”

With each excuse, I hear a whisper, “I want you to write for me.”

So I am saying yes to God. I will write for him. Even if it means I don’t punctuate correctly, even if it means I will be judged, even if I am not perfect. I am learning to trust Him completely. He will give me words.

I will still share pictures of my projects and silly things that are going on in my life. Whatever I share, just know I am writing for Him.

Blessings,

Birthday Cards

Happy April Fool's day! I hope you didn't get fooled to many times.

I have a couple of cards to share.

My youngest nephew celebrated his birthday in February. He wanted to ride a horse for his birthday. No, not a carousel horse; a real one. Although I could not grant that wish, I did make him a cute “Cowboy” card.


Here is card that I made for my cousin. She is celebrating her 30th birthday on Friday.

I was pleased with how it turned out. I just wished I would have stamped something for the front of the card.

I am trying to make birthday cards to send this year. For those of you who celebrated your day in January, I apologize. I sent you a store bought card. Maybe you will get a hand made surprise some time during the year.

Blessings!

Mr. Flu

Mr. Flu bug stopped by my cozy cottage for a visit. If you know me, I don’t always welcome unannounced visitors with open arms. I much prefer that they call first. Mr. Flu did not take my preference into consideration.

It all started on Saturday morning. I had some congestion and a scratchy throat. I wanted to stay in bed so bad, no makeup, no fixing hair…I bet that’s a visual you could have done without. Hey, I’m a very visual gal and I believe that a picture is worth a thousand words. Anyway, back to the story. My parents were flying home from a week long visit with my baby brother in San Antonio. I was their chauffeur. I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed, showered, and fixed my face and hair.

My sister-in-law, her children and I headed to the airport to fetch my parents. When we had collected the parents and their belongings, we headed to my parent’s favorite eating establishment in the big city…Golden Corral. We could eat anywhere; but my daddy loves The Golden Corral. He says that everyone can get what they like…lol. As we left The Golden Corral, I commented that my body ached. It actually felt like I had been in a fight and someone stomped my chest; not that I would know what it would feel like for someone to stomp my chest, I’m just saying I hurt.

We arrived back at my place. I might have been a teensy, weensy bit anxious for everyone to transfer their belongings from one vehicle to the other and be on their way. My dad was somewhat confused, because earlier in the week I had whined that they (my parents) never come and stay with me for a whole week, it must be nice to be the baby. You know how it goes. Being the oldest is not always that much fun; even if it requires being the bossiest at all times.

Finally, Sophie and I could take some Advil and rest. No, I didn’t give Sophie Advil. Later I would learn that Advil was the strongest medication (over the counter or prescribed) in the house. Over the course of Saturday night, Sunday and Sunday night, I scoured the bathroom cabinet for Benadryl or something stronger with an expiration date of at least 2008. Not one Benadryl in the whole entire house; everything else in the medicine cabinet (if you call it that) had an expiration date of around 2006. When I used the last tissue on Sunday night and resorted to blowing my nose on Quilted Northern, I knew I must see my kind young doctor if at all possible on Monday.

The doctor asked me how long I had been running a fever. Fever? I have a fever? Oh that explains why, I would dose off to sleep, only to be awakened fifteen minutes later drenched in sweat. Did the fever cause the really weird dreams, too? Yes, I own a thermometer. A digital ear one. No, I had not used it.

I am grateful to my awesome PCP. He prescribed me a strong antibiotic and a cough pill. Today I began to breathe through my nose again and the cough is practically gone. Modern medicine rocks! I actually stood at my back door this afternoon and soaked in some awesome sunshine. This is quite the accomplishment; as I have not had the energy to lift my head off the pillow in three days.

Notes to self:

1. Buy tissues with lotion. There is a difference.
2. Keep a supply of Benadryl and Tums.
3. Stock freezer with frozen juice, ginger ale and ice.
4. Stock pantry with items other than Rotel, green chili’s, microwave popcorn, caramel sauce and Starburst Jelly Beans.
5. Buy lots of Lysol - the big cans.
6. Check the dates on items in the bathroom cabinet, the pantry, the refrigerator. Most items have expiration dates!

Be Blessed!