Try, try again!

Job 17: 10
" But come on, all of you, try again! I will not find a wise man among you. "


So, poor Job, a good man whose life was filled with turmoil and injustice, still has to deal with his goofy friends. Been there, done that. Actually as a goofy friend though, certainly not as Job!!  I'm pretty sure I have foot in mouth disease. So please forgive me, if I offend you. I'm almost certain it's completely unintentional!

I need to try again today. Certainly, once again, in my walk with God (I had a derailment last night with one teenage son!!!), but on a more minor note, with my fitness goals... yes, fitness. Uuuugghhh!!! I'm so frustrated with myself right now. I know better! I stepped on the scale this morning and the number not only didn't go down since I first posted that I was going to get more healthy, it went up! So here I go; try, try again.  This morning I actually took pictures of myself (that you will NEVER see!) so I could take some more pics again in another month. I want to see results. I want to be accountable to myself.  So, pray for me, and if you see me with something unhealthy or calorie laden, please save me from myself, I'll help you, too.                             (Only if you want me to, no offense! there goes my foot-in mouth again!)

A friend of mine posted this little diddy on Facebook this morning. Perfect timing.

Thank you, Kelli!!
(Image found on Facebook)

Oh yeah, I took the pictures of myself in the cutest foundation items I have ever purchased. They actually look like a bathing suit set (again, you won't see me, EVER, in these items), but I wanted to share them with you. I only paid about $12 for the set because Victoria Secret was having a special yesterday. I love it so much, I may need to go back and buy some more. There are so many cute styles and colors.

This is one of many styles of the bralette, New Seamless Cutout Bralette- Victoria Secret. I chose blue.
I purchased the matching Seamless Little Cutout Hiphuggers to match. So cute!

Thank you, Lord, that you have given us another day to start afresh.

 I pray this is the day that we all try, try again.

***Don't forget to leave a comment, you don't want to miss being 10,000***

Coffee Talk

1 Corinthians 10: 31
" So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. "


I now raise my mug to you, God, in appreciation for coffee!

 Have you ever gone to church and not had a coffee hour, or a carafe of coffee at Bible study, or a church meeting without a big urn of coffee waiting for you on a table with styrofoam cups?? I'm pretty sure it's a commandment that wasn't listed on the tablets from Mt. Sinai. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love coffee (and chocolate, but I digress). I also like coffee flavored ice cream, yogurt, and I love the blended coffee drinks that so many places are selling now. Here are just a couple of my favorite coffee treats, that I just can't get enough of.

this...

Makes me proud to be part Greek! This yogurt was on sale last week at my local grocery store, and I went back for more.
The only problem I had was hiding it from the children!
(Oikos Cafe Latte- Dannon)

and this...

YES! Frosted Coffee from Chick fil A!
Give it a try, you'll like it.

Oh yeah, and I wanted to show you a cute pic of my girl from our spa day yesterday. I can't stand all the cuteness!!!

After her pedicure, she relaxed with a yogurt mask
and some cucumber slices.

And, apparently they made for an excellent snack!!

I pray today, that in all you do, you give God the glory!

***Don't forget to leave a comment, 10,000 is coming!!!***

Sicky

3 John 1: 2
" Dear Friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. "


Well friends, I was a little under the weather this weekend. Nothing major, just a low grade fever and some aches and pains. Even though the thermometer is registering normal today, I'm just exhausted! What up with that?? So, even though I was up early to make lunches and to make sure everyone got out of the door and on a bus or in a car, I want to go back to bed. But, like many other moms out there, I can't! I have my 3 year old at home with me and she apparently still wants to eat and play. Again, what up with that?? Here's what I'm going to try to do to make the day go a little easier...spa day!

(pic found here- Pinterest)

I think we'll start with a Sprout Stretch, followed by a fun footbath and pedi. I do have cucumbers and some yogurt, so, voila, facial time. Of course we'll need some nice steamy washcloths and some zen music to wind down (and hopefully a nap!).  Wish me luck!

This is a Sprout Stretch !
Click this link to find one on Sprout!
(image found on Google images)

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I pray you have a day of rest and restoration, even if you're busy like me!

PS. Don't forget to comment, we're fast approaching 10,000 views!!

This book is for the dogs

Matthew 15: 27
" 'Yes it is, Lord.' , she said. 'Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table.' "


This is a great story in Matthew about Jesus healing a woman's daughter. What is so remarkable about this story, is that at first, Jesus seems to be sending the woman on her way.  This woman is persistent, though, and by the end of their conversation, the woman's daughter is healed. That is how you want us to be, Lord, with you. We need to come to you with persistence in our prayers and petitions. Thank you, Lord, for hearing us. Never give up, be persistent, there is hope in the cross!

I think dogs are my favorite animals. There was a brief period where it was horses, but I do love me some doggies!! My favorite dog growing up was my "Sugar". We chose her in a litter of puppies and I got to name her. It was probably a misnomer, but I loved her just the same. Then my next favorite dog was "Honey". I did not name her, but somebody got it right! She was the sweetest golden retriever in the world (I'm pretty sure!).  We currently have a dog who is also sweet, her name is "Sophia". I named her thinking I was finished having children, and that was one of my favorite girl names. Obviously, I'm not very perceptive.  I currently have a new dog in my life, it's "Charlie, the Ranch Dog".  If you follow my blog, you know that I love the Pioneer Woman- Ree Drummond. Well, while at the library last week, I came upon these fun books for my daughter written by Ree Drummond (and Diane deGroat) about her dog, Charlie, and his adventures on the ranch. So cute! They are found in the "I Can Read" section, and are the perfect length to hold my active preschooler's attention. Thank you, Pioneer Woman, not only are you feeding my family, you are entertaining them now as well!

Here's one of the books...

I found the book, here on the internet.

Here is my daughter with another one of the books at my local library.

And, here's our sweet Sophia...

We were told she is part Plott Hound and part Bluetick Coonhound.
She ain't nothin' but a Hound dog!

Don't forget about the giveaway. Every day I'm getting closer to 10,000 views. Make sure you comment every day, one comment will be randomly chosen on the day I hit 10,000 views and that person will receive a fabulous prize!! I pray the rest of your week is fabulous, too!

10,000

Matthew 18: 24
" As he began the settlement, a man who owed him 10,000 bags of gold was brought to him. "


Read this parable in Matthew 18. In this chapter, Jesus shares several parables. This parable is about forgiveness and mercy. I am amazed by some of the circumstances people extend forgiveness and mercy towards others. Just watch the news, and even through the day's lists of dirty laundry, you will inevitably hear a story of graciousness and mercy. I wish we weren't so amazed. I think it's hard for us to understand, because if we put ourselves in place of the person forgiving, we aren't sure if we would be able to extend such a gift in the face of our loss or grief. I pray we never have to make such a grand gesture towards another, that our circumstances would be less formidable. We do, daily, make that decision in much smaller ways. Someone cuts you off on the highway, your husband is away on a business trip for a week and doesn't bring you a gift or take you out to lunch..., you didn't get that bonus, your friend said something that hurt you: the list is inexhaustible. Remember, though, the gift of forgiveness we have already been given, by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His sacrifice for us, undeserved and unearned. Thank you, Lord, for your mercy and your forgiveness. Help me, Lord, to be more like you. Amen.

10,000 is on my mind today. Thank you to everyone who has been reading this blog for the last year and a quarter. Apparently almost 10,000 times, someone has taken the time to read my blog! Of course most of those views were probably my mother (5,000 or 6,00 at least!).  I am humbled that anyone would take the time to see what I am up to and what current calamity or blessing I'm in the midst of. I pray you've tried a recipe I've shared, tried something I've tried, you've updated your wardrobe, you've shopped somewhere I've shopped, or gone somewhere I've gone. More importantly, that you've opened your Bible and didn't even take my word for it, but you read a verse or story and were led by the spirit to believe and to want to know more. Thank you 10,000 times over. I am truly blessed.

On the day that I reach 10,000 views, I will be giving away something to a random person that leaves a comment on the blog. For each comment left, your name will be entered into a drawing. Try to comment daily, because I won't know exactly which day this will occur. Thanks again, you are truly appreciated.

What should I give away?? Here's what I'm thinking so far.

Jamberrys wraps?

Trunk Show- Jamberry

These sunglasses from Nordstrom?

BP. 47mm Round Mirrored Sunglasses- Nordstrom

This coffee mug?

Gold Blogging Day Mug- Francesca's 

Or, maybe this striped T-shirt?

Women's Ultimate Striped Crew Tee- Merona- Target
You can never have too many nautical striped dresses or t-shirts in your wardrobe. Really.

Let me know what you think. Remember start commenting below today and everyday. On the day that I reach 10,000 views, I'll randomly select 1 comment. The person that left that comment will win one of these fabulous prizes! Good luck!!

I pray your Tuesday is terrific, 10,00 times over!

O' pening Day!

John 1: 1
" In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. "


I love new beginnings, don't you? When you begin a new game, it doesn't matter who won the last game; you start over. No one is in the lead, no one starts in the negative, you begin from the beginning; a fresh start. We are so blessed to have a God that begins anew with us. We have a fresh new beginning every time we go to him with a our sin and ask for forgiveness. God pushes the reset button, we are washed clean, we have a new day, a new beginning. "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! " (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Thank you, Lord, for beginning again, with me. Today is my opening day!

The O's have their home opener today. Yay! Go O's!! It's a new season, so we start today and play 162 games in the regular season. Hopefully we'll get to play some more in the postseason, too. I egregiously forgot about this event, in my post last week, Eventless in April. Forgive me. We won't be going anywhere, it'll be just another busy day in my home, but I do try to make it a little more memorable, a little more special.

Here's what we'll probably do today...

First of all, we'll don our orange and black.

This was 2 years ago. I can't believe how much my baby girl has changed!

 We'll definitely, need a fun menu.

Popcorn!
(Image found on Pinterest- here)

Image found on Pinterest- here.
(Article from Rachel Ray Every Day)

And dessert. I made this orange cake a few months ago, but it would be perfect for today.

Click here for recipe- A Mystery to Me

I had a post last year with some other fun ideas, you can look at that here- Home Opener. 

Let me know if you have any special plans for today. Leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you.

 I pray you have a fun day, and great new beginning!

What (I did) not to wear

Job 40: 15
" Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. "


For the sake of argument we are going to assume that "Behemoth" referenced here in Job, is an elephant. Please forgive me if you think it is a rhinoceros or a dinosaur. Throughout Job we see a seemingly good man (Job) go through the most horrible of circumstances. And Job is a good man, but he is a man. God wants Job to recognize himself as a sinful creature, and God as, well, God! Let us never forget, that God is not just our creator, but the creator of all. He is almighty, all powerful, all goodness, all mercy, all...awe. When you are in your quiet time today, remember the power and might of our Creator. Be in awe of His all.

Here's where the elephant comes in...

So last week I was picking out my Easter dress, and I picked this one.

 Dress- Lilly Pulitzer -Rosie Square Neck-Seeing Pink Elephants
(no longer available- click link above for similar dress) 

I purchased this dress on sale last fall from The Pink Silhouette, and it is so pretty! It still had the tags on it, it was fresh and new and so cute. But, Sunday was a bit chilly. I did not wear this pretty dress. Instead, I wore my navy blue lace, Chaps dress that my fave husband bought me for Christmas. And I forgot to take a picture of it (I just can't seem to get a handle on this whole "selfie" thing!).  It also still had the tags on it, so it was fresh and new, too. I wore a beautiful peach colored necklace with it. It was a great classic outfit, hopefully you'll see a pic of it sometime. I looked marvelous!! ( insert Billy Crystal impersonating Fernando Lamas voice here).

Here's a pic of the necklace...

and here's that stripe and floral outfit I put together last spring!

And here's a similar dress to the one my husband bought me (mine is no longer available)

My dress is also not sparkly.
He purchased my dress at Kohl's last Christmas.
(click here for information on this dress)

And last, but not least, here's a pic of my babydoll on Easter in her pretty Easter dress.

(you can find details about this pretty dress and shoes here)

I pray you all have a wonderful weekend!!