I'm totally beat

And I mean that with every sense of the word.  I haven't had any computer time since Thursday afternoon, so haven't gotten to post.  I have been working like a mad woman on a mission in this house.  Thursday night when I got home from work, I started gathering and boxing miscellaneous ideas in Tori's room and worked on this most of the evening.  On Friday, Wesley came over to help his momma out.  He and I gathered all the things for goodwill into the back of his truck and headed out.  Either they are loving me or hating at Goodwill.  I don't have any idea how much "junk" I have taken there.  After dropping all that off, we swung by our local senior center.  I have a piano that I have been trying to get rid of, no one plays it here, takes lots of room, and it just too heavy to move again.  So anyway, I stopped in to see if they might be interested.  Unfortunately they didn't need it but one of the seniors there was a piano teacher and she said maybe one of her students could use one.  Also the director of the center wanted my phone number and name and said she might know of some people, within a few hours, she called me and said she wanted it.  SCORE!  So she is suppose to call on Tuesday to set up a pick up time.  WOO HOO!

Once we got back home from that little errand, Wesley and I loaded up our vehicles with all the things from Tori's room and headed to her dads.  It felt good getting that stuff out of the house.  Let me tell you.  This took the better part of the day.  By the end of the day I was famish and sore.  So Michael and I headed out to dinner and done some grocery shopping.  I wanted to pick up some things, because the kids are coming over on Monday for a BBQ. 

Yesterday morning Michael and I got out EARLY in the yard and were there all day.  I really got nothing done in the house except for washing the linens off Tori's bed, and ours.  We spent the day working on planting flower beds.  After that, we had 3 yds. of mulch delivered and we got  that all out too.  Do you know how much 3 yds of mulch is?  Let me tell you it's ALOT!  2 yards wouldn't have been enough and 3 was too much, but we decided to put the extra in our veg. garden to keep the weeds down.  So needless to say my flower beds look great.  I mowed the back yard while Michael was working on other yard work.  Finally at 8 last night we called it a night.  We ordered dinner to be delivered and then we vegged in front of the TV for a couple hours, and it was all I could do to stay awake.  So hit the hay, just to get up and start all over today. 

We have LOTS of little piddly jobs that that have to be done upstairs and we have divided those up to conquer them.  So while Michael is taking a break from inside work, by going outside...I decided to post to my blog, and update ya.  He is power washing the front of the house,porch, driveway and the one sides of our house.  He has already done the back when he redid the deck.  Anyway, we want the front to look nice before the guys bring in my doors.  My new front door and slider is going to be installed on Thursday and I can hardly wait.  We also plan to call the carpet guys either tomorrow or Tuesday, and get that oredered and installed.  So as you can see there hasn't been alot of time for the weary here.  Just pushing forward.  I can see the light!!!

Gotta scoot...really do have things I should be doing...feeling guilty sitting here when I know he is hard at work. 

Busy as a bee

Hey blogging friends, today is going to be a busy day.  I have bunches of things that I want to get done today. Plus the weather is suppose to be in the 80's. Which makes me a very happy girl.  It just gives me that extra boost of energy that I need to accomplish some things.
I didn't get alot done last night after I got home because frankly, I was tired and took a nap instead, then had to head out to a meeting so by the time I got home, I just wanted to watch AI and go to bed.  Not without getting my votes in for Kris though.  Those phone lines were busy for the longest time.  I think both guys deserve to be in the finals, but I am just drawn to Kris.  His ability all around.  Is there a instrument he can't play?  To me, Adam is so predictable and guess I lost luster with him some time back.  But after tonight I guess we will now who the new idol is.  Is anyone watching the new Bachlorlette show?  I recorded it, but haven't watched it yet.  I really like Jillian and it will be interesting to see her pick in guys.  I already have a favorite guy for her from the little bit I did see, but not going to divulge that right now.  Let's face it, I got to watch the show to see if he even stuck around for the next show.
Anyhow, yesterday while I was out at lunch I picked up a few things to complete some projects that have been running through my head.  I picked up some of those liquid chalk markers that Auntie Ruth has been telling us about.  Can't wait to try my hand at putting some pretty messages on my chalkboard for the kitchen.  Plus I picked up a roll of black and white toile wrapping paper that I plan to line the back of my hutch with.  I am anxiously awaiting my new dinnerware from Longaberger and thought the toile paper would be a pretty and formal backdrop for me new dinnerware.  I also picked up some new valences for my son's room, so need to change those out too. 
Our door guy comes today and we have also contacted a plumber to install a new shower fixture in our shower.  Michael did all the other installations but this one is going to be a bit tricky and wants to get a professional to do it.  We also picked up some carpet swatches so we can make a decision about that.  Man is things rolling right along.
With the weather being so pretty today, I hope we can get the rest of our flowers out.
So tell me what is on your agenda for today?
Gotta scoot for now, check back for some pictures soon. 
Hugs!

Can you say random?

Hi friends, Just wanted to say hello and wish you all a great day.  It is a sunny pretty day here in Maryland.  Albeit a bit breezy for my taste, but sunny and pretty all the same.  Looking forward to June because maybe the temps will be more consistent.  Last night it got down to freezing here.  can you believe that?  Fortunately I don't think any of the flowers or veggies we put over the weekend suffered. 

We don't usually do a big garden but we do put a few things out each year.  Several different type of tomatoes.  We both love them.  I like the little cherry ones for my salads, and the beef steak ones, I use mainly for burgers and such, plus I like to use fresh ones for my pico de gallo.  Boy do we love that stuff.  We also put out several types of peppers.  We like sweet peppers, but Michael has to have his hot peppers, so I always do some jalapeno's for him.   I also like to put out cucumbers, because that is something I just like to snack on or use in salads too.  My mom use to make pickles, but I never have tried that...but one of these years I am going to try it.  I also put out two kinds of squash, I love fried squash and Michael makes them great.  Mine aren't usually all that good, I think I cook them to fast, but his are always perfect.  Usually I put out zucchini but couldn't find any...that is until today on my lunch hour.  I ran out and found a couple of slips so I am sure they will be in the ground later today.  :)  Squash is such a favorite for us.  We like to cook it in foil on the grill and add some peppers, onions and some seasonings...mmmmmmmmm yummy.  I am ready for garden produce to start coming in, and cooking out on the grill.  Nothing says summer to me like a big cookout.

So tell me, what are some things that you put in your garden?
Other than typical stuff there is really nothing going on with me.  Mainly house projects but hopefully that is going to be over soon.  Tomorrow afternoon, we have a guy coming over to show us samples of doors, and we are hoping we will be able to order them and get them installed next week.  That is one of our major jobs still left to do. Of course our other major job is replacing the carpet on the stairs and upstairs.  Hoping to do that in the next week or so.  I will be so happy when those things are done. It will feel like such a huge accomplishment. 

This weekend ( I have a three day weekend) I plan to go through my kitchen with a fine tooth comb, and clean out the cupboards.  That will be a chore.  But again, it will be a nice feeling knowing it is all behind us.  It isn't exactly how I wanted to spend my Memorial Day, but hopefully I can get out at some point and do something fun.
Yesterday I went to the salon and got my hair cut  and highlighted.  Let me tell you girls, it is BLONDE!  It is taking getting used too. But now I feel ready for summer.  Well almost, I could of/should of tried to lose a couple of pounds but that didn't happen.  Oh well, I'm hopeful I will drop of little weigh with the hot months upon us.

I will try to get Michael to get a picture of me in the next few days and post my hair.  Be prepared to be shocked.
Well ladies, I need to scoot...got things to do.
Have a blessed Tuesday.
Hugs,
Cindy

Semi busy weekend

Hi ya'll...wow here we are at the start of another week.  Where does the time go?  This weekend was a wet and cold one and so I didn't get nearly as much done as I had planned.  Although I did get my plants bought for the yard on Friday night which was a big project for us. Then we went and met friends for dinner.  It was a fun and relaxing time.  But Saturday morning hubby and I  were really lazy and didn't get a early start on the yard as we had planned.  But we did get a little bit of work done outside before we had to head off to take pictures for all the proms.  It was a busy day.  (I do have some pictures of Tori in her dress, but will have to get them off my camera)

We reworked the flowerbed border in our front yard and moved some plantings  around, actually thinned out some of our flowers and moved some to different areas in the yard. Plus added some new ones for that splash of color.  But we still have 2 flats of flowers to still get in pots and in the yard. Our plan was to do that on Sunday, but it was just cold and windy and looked like rain all day.  So we worked in the house.  Which needed it.  While Michael put another coat of paint on our foyer (until he ran out of paint that is) I piddled around the house, trying to make it more cozy and warm.  My house looks so sterile, and I am just not use to THAT look.  I like it, but I know it isn't there yet, because I don't have that sense of satisfaction yet.  But I am getting there.  I am finding that the older I am getting my style and taste are changing?  Does this happen to any of you?   I still need to pick up a few new things to complete the look that I am striving for.

I also got everything on my to do list done last week in my bedroom.  Now comes the fun part...NOT, of getting the boxes and extra furniture pieces out of there and into storage. If you look around my house, you will find boxes for goodwill, storage, and toss. We really  need to focus on getting Tori's room complete and then we will be able to call in the carpet folks.  I know once the carpet is laid, the house will look so different.  I know that will be a big change. And I can't wait.  We called the man about the new doors, and we are waiting to set up a time with him to make a decision and get them ordered so we can have them installed.  Woo Hoo!   So things are slowly moving along.  I noticed this weekend, that Michael and I are both so tired.  The gusto we started out with is waning and it's hard to get the momento back when you have to start and stop all the time.  I think if he had several days off, he could probably finish up most of the stuff.

Ok....so what do you all think of my new header for this site?  That is a actually picture of my front door during the summer months.  I wish I had gotten some more of it when all the flowers were in full bloom...but will have to remember that for another time.  I think I am going to be working on a new look and header for my home site as well.  Hopefully soon I will work on it.
Need to scoot, I have new list to make, hope you all have a blessed Monday.
Hugs!

Safegaurding your marriage

Howdy friends, it's finally here...the weekend that is. I am beside myself, because it has been a LONG week with work and more work at home. Originally our forecast called for a wonderful weekend, but that has all changed and now it is all about rain. I know I shouldn't complain because later this summer we will be needing it. So I am trying to be optimistic and just work between showers. That is if there is "between time". I still would like to get out in the yard and get some flowers in the ground. Will see if it happens or not.

Right now I am in the midst of reading about three books and last night I ran across a book that I had forgotten that I had until I went to packing away books last night. I ran across a book by Kay Arthur on a biblical marriage. So now it resides on my bedside table. I read about two chapters of it last night before calling it a night. I am excited to read this book. It really looks good. This is the book description:

"A Marriage Without Regrets": No matter where you are or where you've been, you can have

This book isn’t about how to have a perfect marriage, or to change our spouses,” says Kay. “It’s about having the kind of marriage where you can stand before God and say, ‘Lord, I was all that You intended me to be.’ Only when we make that kind of commitment can we truly have a marriage without regrets!”


Speaking candidly about her first marriage, her conversion to Christianity, and her longtime marriage to Jack, Kay offers practical advice on effective communication, security and significance, difficult relationships, parenting, and God’s guidelines for divorce and remarriage.

Readers will discover what the Bible says about.

resolving conflict

understanding each partner’s role

improving the sexual relationship
becoming financially wise

respecting and keeping marriage vows

This rerelease with a fresh new cover (more than 110,000 copies sold) contains the marriage–building and life–changing material Kay has presented to enthusiastic audiences worldwide—helping thousands of people in many countries experience supportive, Christ–centered marriages.

No matter how great we think our marriage is, it could always be better. I know after the dimise of my first marriage (which I thought was a great marriage) if you don't stay connected to God, the creator of marriage then when things start falling apart, your marriage will too.



I often look back at the mistakes that was made in that marriage and my part in them and remind myself, I don't want to make the same mistakes twice. I hope I have learned from that experience, no matter how good it is and how much you love someone else, you have to be practical. I loved my husband and was more than forgiving on many issues that others couldn't believe I could forgive. But my marriage was important to me, as I had made a covenant with God. I honestly believe I was married to this man for a lifetime. However, one thing I learned during the process, that one can't do it alone. I didn't want the divorce but he did and you can't make someone else stay if they don't want it. I believe I wanted the marriage for all the right reasons, and I asked/pleaded with God to save this marriage. However, my ex told me he didn't love me anymore. I felt so hurt and rejected, and I knew that I had never known anyone other than my family that loved me so unconditionally as he did. So what happened!!! I believe what happened is that God wasn't the center for both of us. I believe my ex couldn't or wouldn't deal with the past mistakes he had made, even though I was willing to forgive the past so we could move on to the kind of marriage that God ordains.



Marriages aren't safeproof unless you put GOD first. I have known for a while that was a major problem in the first marriage. So many hurt feelings, and no abilitly to forgive ourselves. You later, sit and ask yourself what happened? I know I did. I know that me and my ex both played a part in the demise of our once happy home.And I know we will answer to God for that one day. But by God's grace, we can move on and be happy once again. Believe me, I never thought that would happen for me.



I guess that is why this book has intrigued me. You see, know matter how strong you think your marriage is, Satan has a way of moving in. And he will, unless you both stand firm and arm yourself with the appropriate armour. Be ready to go to battle for your marriage. This book tells us the biblical truths about marriage and how God designed it for us so that we could have a marriage with no regrets. I had one with LOTS of regrets but I NEVER want to have another one that way. God is/will be the center of this marriage.


Didn't mean to get off on a tangent but I feel so convicted that I have to share with you, that you MUST have God in your marriage. It is the most vital part of your marriage. As the bible says, " What God has put together".....you know the rest. Please safeguard your marriage by knowing what the bible says about it. Don't be a victim of divorce as I have been.





It took me a long time and lots of prayer before I could move forth in another relationship. But I have been blessed to find a man who loves ALL of me. I have been blessed to have that twice in my lifetime. (yes, I say twice, because I know my first husband did too, but ....) I want to glorify God in this new marriage. I thank God everyday for my husband and continue to pray that he will be the head of the household as that is God wants. I have been learning to trust again, and that has been hard when you have felt so violated and rejected. But God has a way of healing those wounds. Praise God!


As I did deeper in this book and also in th WORD, I will be made aware of where/how/why my first marriage when wrong, so that I don't repeat the same mistakes.


I hope I have given you something to think about.


Feel free to drop me a note if you feel you have something to share. Would love to hear from you.

Blessed,

Cindy

Movin right along!!!

How ya'll doin? Can you believe that this month is half way over? I'm not sure where the time is going but it is moving, I think the older we get the faster time travels. Before long, instead of getting ahead, I am going to be falling way behind.
So glad Michael got the yard work done last night, because the rain set in this morning. It rained all the way into work on me. Word has it, it isn't suppose to rain all day. We will see. Right now the clouds look grab and drab. Poo! But that makes it a good day to work in the house..huh? So back to my list.
Last night I finally got my main floor cleaned completely up with the exception of a few boxes that we need to move to the garage for storage. They are just to heavy for me to lift alone...but other than that..I finally feel like I can breathe again. I hate when my house is in a state of chaos'. My plans for today are to start on my room upstairs. I have a antique cabinet in there that has all my collection of books (that I want to keep), so I need to box all them up. So we can remove the cabinet from the room. I also have a chest at the foot of my bed that houses bunches of my handbags, so I need to box them up as well. Need to get that chest out of my room. I'm trying to create space as well as have things out of the way for the carpet layers. Basically my room is going to get a good clean.
I think Michael is going to start painting in the foyer. We have a tall foyer (20 ft.) so he is going to freshen that up with a coat a paint and bring it on up the stairs into the hall area. After that...ALL the painting will be done in the house. Woo Hoo! So guess that means we will both be busy tonight.
Any fans of AI? Did you see the show last night? I hated to see Danny go, but was thrilled Kris got to stay. I love him. I know alot of you are big fans of Adam, but I really am tired of him and his attitude. To me, he acts as if he has already won this competition. Did you see the look of the judges faces when Kris name was announced? Unbelievable outcome last night. Guess I will have to make sure that Kris gets my votes again next week.
Need to scoot...my bedroom is calling me. Hope you all have a wonderful evening.
Blessings,
Cindy

A treat from a special friend

Hi ya'll! Today is yard day! Yeppers! The yard has to be mown again before the rains come again tomorrow. One good thing about doing it today is maybe we will not have to do it again this weekend...but depending on the rain, we just might. Seems like the lawn has been getting cut twice a week. Michael and I are both particular about the lawn. I just think it sets the tone of the home at first glance. If you have a yard that is unkept and overgrown, then you can't help speculate at what the inside must look like. Or is that just me? If a yard is well manicured then usually the inside of the house has been taken care of too. The weather is in the 70's here today so that makes it nice weather to do it. This weekend I hope to get to get out and get some annuals for a splash of color for the yard. All my perennials are doing great and look wonderful. But I haven't had the time or opportunity to get anything for my flower pots.

Last night when I opened my mail, I had a sweet little treat waiting for me from my friend Judy. I am so honored that she enjoys visiting with me. She presented me with this lovely little award.

The rules for this award are:

Put the logo on your blog or post.
Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
Be sure to link your nominees within your post.
Let them know that they have received this award.
Remember to link the person from whom you received the award.

Ladies, since all my friends already seem to have this award, I am not passing along.

Again Judy thank you!

Well, need to get outside and get at it....

Sending hugs!