Monthly Archives: March 2013

Easter 2013

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 Easter 2013
Hey!

We have a bunny for Easter!  He looks like Peter but his name is Opie.  Doodlebug brought him when she came home for Easter.  Opie is so quiet you hardly know he is around and he feels  exactly like velveteen when you pet him.

Bunnies are fun at Easter but they’re not really the main reason for the celebration.  I find myself caught between the celebration with candy and bunnies and colored eggs and the more important celebration of sacrificial love and life.  

God’s Son, the One He called His Beloved, sent to earth and given for the world that He loved.   

God’s Son, Jesus, who came and poured out His life upon a cross for love’s sake, for my sake, for your sake, for humanity’s sake.  

God’s Son, His body torn, bruised, battered opened a living way for those who believe He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.   

God’s Son, the Mediator of a new covenant, has paid the debt upon Heaven’s altar.  

The tomb is empty.   

“He is not here; He has risen!”  
Luke 24:6 NIV Bible
God’s Son, the Victor, waits for me and you and all who believe in Him, seated to the right of His Father interceding always for us until we’re with Him.  

Today, I hope to pause in the midst of bunnies and candy and colored eggs to remember that nothing, absolutely nothing is comparable to Him.  

Easter blessings to you,

Mimi
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
 that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

John 3:16 NIV Bible

Songs of My Childhood Playlist

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Songs of My Childhood
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I promise, cross my heart, this post will be the very last one celebrating my very BIG birthday!  I’ve had fun all month long making lists: here and here.  I really do appreciate y’all being patient with me and letting me carry on about my BIG day all month. 

Music has the power to speak when words can’t, to stir a heart into a form of expression such as sadness or joy, to transcend language and age barriers and to calm the spirit.  Music can also transport us to recall a certain time and place.  Today, I’m sharing a musical journey through my childhood with you.   I’ve loved listening to Sarah’s playlists at All Manner of Inspiration so much that I must credit her for giving me this idea to share with you.  She does fabulous playlists!  You can check out her 31 Day playlist series by clicking here.

All fifty songs in my playlist have a memory attached. I made my sweet daughter and daughter in law sit and listen as I told them the stories behind the songs.   Thank you sweetiepies for indulging me!  For instance, the very first song on the list is the first “radio” song that I remember.  I was 5 years old and the older kids in the neighborhood sang it.  By the lyrics, you’ll understand why the song made an impression on my big five year old self.

You KNOW your songs are oldies when they’re used as the background music for commercials! I hope you have a GREAT time listening to these “oldies”.   Enjoy!

And just in case the player doesn’t work, I’ve included the list below and a link to the playlist page.
For link, click here. 

 Songs of My Childhood
Brand New Key -Melanie
Crocodile Rock — Elton John
ABC - Jackson 5
Puppy Love — Donny Osmond
Julie, Do Ya Love Me — Bobby Sherman
I’m a Believer — The Monkees
I’ve Got You Babe — Sonny & Cher
We’re an American Band - Grand Funk Railroad
I Honestly Love You — Olivia Newton John
Take Me Home, Country Road — John Denver
Love Will Keep Us Together — The Captain and Tenille
Stayin Alive — The Bee Gees
Just You And Me — Chicago
Soul Man — The Blues Brothers
The Logical Song — Supertramp
Hotel California — Eagles
Don’t Stop — Fleetwood Mac
Jump — Van Halen
Don’t Look Back — Boston
Cold As Ice — Foreigner
Black Water — The Doobie Brothers
Come Sail Away - Styx
I’m Alright — Kenny Loggins
We Will Rock You — Queen
Cheeseburger in Paradise — Jimmy Buffet
Mr. Blue Sky — ELO
Don’t Stop Believing — Journey
Thriller — Michael Jackson
No More Tears — Barbara Streisand & Donna Summer
Hold The Line — TOTO
New York Groove - Ace Frehley
Love Will Find a Way — Pablo Cruise
Call Me — Blondie
You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall & Oates
I Want You to Want Me — Cheap Trick
Shake it Up — The Cars
Girls Just Want to Have Fun — Cyndi Lauper
We Got the Beat — The Go Gos
Hungry Like the Wolf — Duran Duran
That’s All — Genesis
Every Breath You Take — The Police
Feels So Good — Chuck Mangione
 On Broadway - George Benson
The Heart of Rock and Roll — Huey Lewis & the News
Love is a Battlefield — Pat Benatar
Stray Cat Strut — The Stray Cats
Rock Lobster — The B-52’s
Celebration — Kool & the Gang
We Are the World — Assorted Artists singing for Live Aid
Just the Way You Are —- Billy Joel

Blessings,

Mimi

“On your feet now—-applaud GOD! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.”  
Psalm 100:1,2 The Message

Fifty Things: Part 2

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Fifty Things: Part 2
Hey! 
I’m sharing some more list fun today in honor of my BIG birthday this month.  In case you missed Part 1, you can find it here.   I’d love to hear what your answers would be!

Five foods that this Southern girl will not refuse.

  1. Fried Chicken
  2. Fried Okra
  3. Cheese Grits
  4. Pecan Pie
  5. Watermelon

Five songs that put a smile on my face.

  1. “Fireflies” by Owl City
  2. “When the Snow Melts” by Phil Cunningham
  3. “Feels so Good” by Chuck Mangione
  4. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
  5. “Cheeseburger in Paradise” by Jimmy Buffet

Five favorite books that I think turned into good movies.

  1. The Hunger Games
  2. The Lord of the Rings
  3. Life of Pi
  4. Harry Potter
  5. Pride & Prejudice

Five foods I only eat when I travel, (mostly).

  1. Chili Cheese Fritos
  2. Chex Mix
  3. Cheez-It
  4. Chewy Sweettarts
  5. M&Ms

Five beauty products that I would endorse if asked.

  1. L’oreal mascara
  2. Cerave moisturizing cream
  3. Pixi  Illuminating Tint & Conceal
  4. Lancome eye pencils
  5. Cetaphil cleanser

Five clothing items that make up my staple wardrobe.

  1. Jeans - J. Jill/Chico
  2. T-shirts — Mossimo Target
  3. Cardigans — J. Crew
  4. Tennis shoes — Ryka/Converse
  5. Flip flops — Sanuk yoga mat

Five foods guaranteed to make me blow a diet.

  1. M&M’s
  2. Robin egg malted milk balls
  3. Lindt truffles
  4. Pralines
  5. Homemade chocolate chip cookies

Five TV shows that kept or keep me glued watching week after week.

  1. Lost
  2. Elementary
  3. HGTV Design Star
  4. So You Think You Can Dance
  5. Star Trek — any version

Five places I want to visit.

  1. Australia/New Zealand  (so far away- I can only go there once)
  2. South America
  3. Holy Land
  4. United Kingdom ( stomach bug got me the first time)
  5. South Pacific Island like Fiji/Bali/Bora Bora

Five of my favorite quotes   

  1. “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1
  2. “A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” Steve Martin  
  3. “Not all those who wander are lost”  J.R.R. Tolkien 
  4. “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust
  5. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”  Robert Frost        
I hope you’ve had fun reading through my crazy list.  Thanks for indulging me!!!
If you’ve enjoyed reading my birthday lists, you might enjoy checking out my fellow March birthday friend, Katie over at Cardigan Way who made a list for her big day.  Click here
 
Blessings,
 
Mimi 
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”  
1 John 5:11 NIV Bible 

The Love of Cowboy Boots

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The Love of Cowboy Boots

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Cowboy boots.  What is it about cowboy boots that made me want a pair?  Was it the smell of the leather? Or the spirit of adventure they represent? Or perhaps, the attraction is mere fashion?  Whatever the reason, I’ve wanted a pair for a long time.  I wanted a real pair made with soft leather, no pleather for this girl.

I’ve been saving my money for a long time to buy just the right pair to bring home and finally, the day came and they were worth the wait.

For what have you waited a long time?
Blessings,
Mimi
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”  
Proverbs 13:12 NIV Bible

Seashell Mirror Project

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I have dog eared, ripped out and/or drooled over seashell mirrors in magazines and books for years.  Finally, I have my own.  I can’t wait for you to get to the after picture of this project!

I made this mirror specifically to go over the sink in our pool house.  I know that sounds really grandiose to have a pool house, but trust me, this room is only a very, very, small bathroom.   I have to be careful what I put out there because the house is not heated or cooled and shares the space with the pool pump and equipment.  Not to mention, sometimes critters get in there.

I started this project with a thrift store frame.  I think I paid about $1.  I bought one that had a flat surface and then spray painted it white in case some of the frame showed through the shells.

Next, I added the mirror to the frame (with Honey Do’s help).   Do you remember the mirror that I had cut for my side table for free?  If you don’t, you can see it by clicking here.   This mirror was cut out of the same original piece.  Bonus! I got this piece cut for free, too.  The last step was adding the seashells.  I have been saving seashells from our beach trips for several years for just this purpose.  I used a glue gun to attach them to the frame.
And here is the wonderful after!

I’m including this front view shot so you can see the mirror straight on, but I’m not crazy about the angle or the lighting of the picture.  It’s so hard to take a picture of a mirror and not be in the shot!

I think the mirror turned out perfect.  What do you think?  And if you’d really like to see more, you can click here to see the start of our pool house renovation.

I’m also linking up with Jennifer today.  Drop by her site and see all the other wonderful projects! Click here.

Blessings,

Mimi

“I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore…” Genesis 22:17  NIV Bible

Fifty Things I’ve Learned

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Fifty Things I’ve Learned
Hey!
This month in honor of my BIG (and I mean really BIG) birthday I thought I’d post some list fun. 
50 Things I’ve Learned
  1. I’m still learning.
  2. Don’t pull the cat’s tail — she will bite!
  3. Read good books.
  4. Don’t waste your time on grumpy people.
  5. Buy real leather not “pleather”.
  6. Sometimes you need a drink and a peer group — My drink of choice is tea.
  7. Everybody is not the same color in the crayon box.
  8. A little blush makes everybody look a little prettier.
  9. If the shirt doesn’t fit its not your problem but the designer’s.
  10. Lipstick, Lipstick, Lipstick-Trust me. 
  11. Sand gets everywhere, even in the cracks. (True Statement)
  12. Mexican should be eaten weekly, it helps to make you diverse. 
  13. When your daughter gets big she can be your friend (and help you make this list).
  14. The best stories come from the Bible.
  15. Marry your best friend.
  16. Wear sunscreen, not baby oil. Your old skin will thank you!
  17. Vacations do the soul good. 
  18. Be kind. 
  19. Everybody needs a mental health day. 
  20. Stop procrastinating….tomorrow. 
  21. Uggs were always UGGLY (but incredibly comfy)
  22. It’s not always easy to let your children grow up.
  23. Never combine orange juice and doughnuts—YUCK!
  24. It’s not always about you.
  25. Good manners never go out of style.
  26. Weddings are more fun to plan for your daughter, (son wasn’t too bad either).
  27. Never underestimate the power of a picture. 
  28. Sometimes people just need to talk. They do not always need advice. 
  29. Goldfish make boring pets. 
  30. Every age of a child’s life is interesting, there is not a bad age, only different. 
  31. Movies are better with popcorn and family. 
  32. Chocolate chip cookies always make you feel at home. 
  33. You can take a girl out of the South, but you can’t take the South out of a girl. 
  34. Don’t be quick to judge-you’re probably wrong. (work in progress)
  35. Try to laugh everyday. Hahaha!
  36. Being silly isn’t just for kids. 
  37. If it smells bad, you probably don’t want to touch it, or eat it. 
  38. Chill, Don’t get your panties in a wad-wear the right size. 
  39. If you want to hide something put it up high in the cabinet (ie. the Nutella). 
  40. Take the trash out of your car every time you get out, and your car will stay clean. 
  41. No one enjoys laundry or the dishes. 
  42. Be who you are.
  43. Be the little engine that could. 
  44. It’s always exciting to find money in your pocket, not used kleenex. 
  45. Silence can be comforting.
  46. Pray, Pray, Pray, and if you get tired just fall asleep, God understands. 
  47. And on that note, a nap is a good idea. 
  48. Everybody wants to be asked, even when they can’t attend. 
  49. It’s amazing what can be accomplished in the fifteen minutes before company arrives. 
  50. I love you-its that simple.
Blessings,
Mimi
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” 
Proverbs 31:25 NIV Bible

Here it is…

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Here it is…

Hey!
I kept waiting and putting off posting in the hopes that things would turn around but unfortunately, I’ve been having one of those weeks.  I’ve felt awful and have struggled to find energy to blog this week.  I really feel like I’ve let you down not having something wonderful (or otherwise) to read.  I almost chose not to write at all but I stopped and thought that if I’m going to write about the good things, maybe I should write about the bad, too.  Maybe writing about the journey will help someone else.  
So, here it is… Arthritis is yucky.  

Winter is really hard on me and this one, in particular, has been difficult.  The weather has been like a roller coaster ride which has really affected me.   My joints are swollen, some are red with fever and I feel a bone-weary tiredness from which no amount of sleep can cure.  When I taught bible study this week, I had such a hard time focusing on leading discussion.  I came home feeling like a failure to God and my ladies because I wasn’t able to give 100%.  I know in my head that was the tiredness talking but my heart feels different. 

I hate the disease’s imposition and interruption in my life.  I don’t want it to take over by keeping and stopping me from doing what I’m capable of doing.  I want to draw a line in the sand and say, “No More!”  Then, the disease takes control and lays me out.  

I take an IV every six weeks.  The day wipes me out since the procedure takes a good portion of the day.  I take my blanket, my pillow and my book, sometimes my Honey Do and I brace myself for those needles that I still hate to this day and then I pause and think … I’m grateful for medicine and the quick work of needles in the skilled hands of the nurses.  I’m reminded in that moment that others have a far more difficult health journey than I, but the moment is hard when the pain, stiffness and fatigue peak.  Then, the true test of gratitude is at its toughest.  

I remember the day I read this passage; 

 “Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem …in Jerusalem (is) a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda …Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—- the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.  One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”” Sir,” the invalid replied, ” I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred.  While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” John 5:1-9 NIV Bible

 I realized I didn’t want my life to be defined by my disease.  I didn’t want to be an arthritic woman.  I wanted to be a woman who happens to have arthritis.  I want to say, “I can do” rather than ” I can’t do.” My hope and prayer is always that my journey and struggle would be a blessing to someone else. 
Thank you, dear readers, for your patience today in letting me share the bad.  

Blessings,

Mimi
 

“When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness,
 and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.”  
Luke 4:40  NIV Bible