Sweet Little People.....

Make my heart leap with JOY!

My dear hubby faithfully takes out the trash each day. Each day, I forget to see if he has, and accidentally drop something in there before replacing the bag. I usually groan about that, or grumpily get a bag. (yes, I am a sinner)

This morning, before eating breakfast, while I was still picking out clothes for the day, my sweet little girl came up and said, "Mommy, I put a trash bag in!" :-D
Not bad for never being asked to do that, or shown where the things were, and being 5.

Little acts of kindness make the whole day sunnier!

WoooHOO!!! Praise Yah!

Heehee... remember how I told you about those times when you are given an amazing blessing, just when you need it?

We are having a baby in dec, and are not rolling in dough.
Well..... Look what I got today, new, in the box, from goodwill for only $39.99.

Yes, this is the nicest looking version of the evenflow triumph, with leatherish trim... No, it is not old. Just made in 7/08... Nope, no recalls.... yes, it was unused, tags on and all bits still in the bags.

It is still for sale at target.com... and I got it for 81.25% off retail!

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Goodwill had it priced at 49.99, and I had a $10 off credit from using my goodwill card.

This is 3.98 less than the very cheapest car seat out there. :-D

Attitude Adjustment Fun!

What songs keep your attitude straight?

I have to confess, I like songs from almost all music styles, from classical to rock and all sorts of things in between. One of my current favorite songs to listen to when I need a bit of coffee and an attitude change is Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine"

Here a few of my favorite bits.

"Let it go……
Can’t let this thing called love get away from you
Feel free right now, going do what you want to do
Can’t let nobody take it away, from you, from me, from we
No time for moping around, are you kidding?
And no time for negative vibes, cause I’m winning
It’s been a long week, I put in my hardest
Gonna live my life, feels so good to get it right

"Feels so good, when you’re doing all the things that you want to do
Get the best out of life, treat yourself to something new
Keep your head up high
In yourself, believe in you, believe in me
Having a really good time, I’m not complaining
And I’m a still wear a smile if it raining
I got to enjoy myself regardless
I appreciate life, I’m so glad I got mine

Chorus:
You see I wouldn’t change my life, my life’s just…..
Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Just fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
You see I won’t change my life, my life’s just fine


Somehow I doubt that she was thinking of what I think of, serving Christ, homeschooling, budgeting, mopping the floor, contentment with what I have, etc.,

But it sure is a nice upbeat way to change my attitude quickly.

PS this is not an endorsement for all of MJBs songs, just this one. :-) And only while having the right attitude. :-D

How do you do "Girl Time" with convictions and no cash??

Why don't I go out with girlfriends more? Well, I have convictions on certain things and no cash. I cannot in good conscience put my children in public school. Therefore I must home school them as private school is far, far beyond our means. That pretty much rules out days unless you want me to bring my 2 school age children with us as we try on dresses or see a movie. I cannot usually go out at night, because by the time my hard working hubby gets home, he is too tired to have to put the kids to bed.

I work 1 day each week to help buy things like clothes, school books, and dates. My gracious mother watches my children during this time. I cannot afford a babysitter, so if we do get to have a date it is once again up to Mom to watch the kids. She seems to enjoy this vastly, but more than 1 -2 times per week seems just too much for me to ask.

I cannot ask my sister to watch the kids for long, because her kids take a nap right after lunch, and my kids don't anymore and are too noisy. I cannot ask my other sister because she has been attending private school, and is usually way too busy with homework, or super tired. (this may change)

No, I don't have anyone interested in doing a kid exchange during the day. We live too far away. But, of course, we can't afford to move closer.

I have a hard enough time just trying to get to the grocery store...Let alone actual fun girl time. I would much rather hang out with you than go to the grocery store, but let's face it life is about doing the right thing, not always the fun things.

Occasionally I get to leave on a Monday night and play cards with a few friends, but this always depends on how difficult the day has been for my husband, and me. It is hard to go play cards when you feel super depressed or lonely or just plain old tired.

So in short, forgive me if I seem to be unsocial. Really, I would love to go hang out, shop at the mall, see a movie, or go to goodwill, I just have a hard time getting out.

If you have any ideas on solving the dilemma, let me know. :-) 'Cause I really want to go shopping with other grownups... :-D

Holidays ! Could you, would you on a holiday/Saturday?? Maybe for a little bit, but my husband uses these days to get caught up on some of the myriad of projects that swamp our time. Here is the current list:

1. Replace rotting porch step
2. Hang towel rack and paint bathroom door
3. Mike work extra to save up for possible mission trip
4. Meet with people re possible business purchase
5. Repair work on 3 cars
6. Mike work
Etc.Etc.Etc.....

Well, I could go on, but you get the picture. I did sneak out to the outlet mall for 20 minutes yesterday (Labor Day) while hubby was working on one of the cars, but I had no advance warning this might happen, so I couldn't ask you to come too...

My time is not my own.... :-D