Three Long Nights

I've spent the past three nights working. I have a great job, but sometimes the nights just drag by. These last three have been sooooo long. I'm glad I'll be off for a few days now.

New Look in my Bathroom....

Last month I painted my bathroom a luscious bright coral. It made the room absolutely glow! So much so that I couldn't see to put on make-up with the normal ceiling light. I tried adding florescent lights on either side of the mirror, and that helped. But every time I went into that room my beautiful coral walls assaulted my senses and disturbed my peace. So, obviously, something had to be done.

Well, today I finally settled on a new color. Now my bathroom is a nice soothing blue. Yep, I toned it down and rediscovered the simplicity that makes my life peaceful and quiet. I think the blue is going to be very pretty with the coral accents that I already have in there. No more eerie glow coming from that part of the house. No more extra lights needed. Yes, I think I'm going to like it.

So, which do you like best?

Easy Christmas Gifts

So, all these marvelous handmade cards I am now collecting are serving as my packaging for my 'non-clutter Christmas'. Yes folks, at the risk of shocking all you Christmas giving traditionalists, I am giving cash this year. These beautiful cards will be the package and gift wrap for my gifts. And for those who feel the need to have a memento of the gift, the card will serve the purpose. It can be framed, scrap-booked, stashed or just scraped. Whatever suits the recipient is fine with me. They can then use the cash for whatever they would really like to have. No more unwanted and disappointing gifts and no more useless clutter.

And for me, no more giving anxiety. No more searching for the perfect item just to find it in the charity box in a few months. In today's economy, I have no desire to waste my money on something that may or may not be the right thing. And as I grow older, I find that the simple life suits me much better. The chaos of Christmas shopping no longer appeals to me. And I no longer feel the need to do things just because that's the commonly accepted way.

So, call me Scrooge, or the Grinch if you like. Or even rebellious. But I think it's time to live life a little differently. I'm done competing with the 'Jones's".

That said, I do have plans for a wonderful holiday celebration with my family and friends. But that will be another post.

Handmade Holiday Greeting Cards

This year I am endeavoring to give beautiful personalized handmade cards to all my family and a few close friends. My friend, Gina, from BabyFishDesigns is such a great help to me in this project. Having tried making my own cards, I found that it is a time consuming task that requires lots of creativity. Since my time is limited, and my creativity does not lean toward paper crafts, I am doing the next best thing. I am having them made. While Gina has some outstanding items in her lovely Etsy shop, I tend to hit the custom request most of the time. I have found her to be exceptional in creativity and in promptly getting to work on my request. With just a little bit of information about the recipient of the card, she is able to create cards that perfectly fit the occasion and the person. And did I mention that her prices are exceptional as well? I could not buy such a perfect card at the card shop for the same low price. I was especially delighted with a 'rush' order for a birthday card just recently. As I placed the card in the envelope, I noted that the butterfly on the card was repeated on the envelope! How perfect is that!? Such attention to details is what makes me return again and again. Please visit her shop at:

http://www.babyfishdesigns.etsy.com

Christmas is Just Around the Corner...

..And I'm doing something different this year. With a scary economy, I think everyone is rethinking their approach to holiday giving. We give so much stuff to so many who are already living with excess. Our houses are cluttered with things, making it difficult to clean and keep things tidy. I know of some people who rent storage sheds to keep their excess things in. Others of us have closets, basements, attics, garages and sheds filled with things we no longer need or want, but are afraid to get rid of because "we might need it someday" or "Aunt Jane gave me that. She might be offended if I get rid of it."

My husband will testify that I have been on a crusade to de-clutter our home for several years now. It takes awhile to decide what to keep and what to let go of when you have a lifetimes worth of stuff accumulated. But we are making progress.

"So, what does this have to do with Christmas?" you may ask. Well, this is the time of year when 'things' make their way back into our lives in a subtle and seemingly innocent way. We are all big-hearted people who are accustomed to showing affection through gift giving, which usually redounds to 'more stuff' in every household. Stuff that brings delight for a short time, but then ends up in a closet or corner until someone has the courage to get rid of it.

Surely, there is a better way to celebrate the holidays. I will be posting a couple of my ideas of ways this might be accomplished in future posts.

Mother Teresa

I've just finished reading about Mother Teresa. What an amazing woman. I began thinking of her the other night at work as I walked through the hospital halls and realized how much suffering, loneliness and fear was all around me. I wondered how Mother Teresa could carry the burden of so many poverty stricken, unwanted and unloved people throughout her life. She loved and cared for many who most of us would shudder to even touch. (yes, even us 'angels of mercy'). Yet, even with all her struggles and spiritual battles, she did not give up. She was convinced of her calling and walked in it even when she couldn't feel the presence of the Lord, which, according to Wikipedia, was the last 50 years of her life. But even while feeling empty inside, she was not deterred from what the Lord had set before her.

I wonder how many were comforted by her ministry? How many homeless people were given a place to call home? How many orphans were rescued from the streets? How many were able to die with dignity, receiving love and care until they breathed their last?

I wonder if there are more people like Mother Teresa in the world today? Surely there are. Surely we need them.

Rainy Tuesday

Sometimes I just love a rainy day! There's something about the subdued skies and sound of rain on the roof that is just relaxing. And all the better when I know that I don't have to leave the house today.

I have a bit of an annoying sniffle today. It's that time of year I guess. A bit of extra vitamin C will help, and lots of soft fluffy tissues. ;) Still, it's a great day!

Two new items have been added to The Kings Treasury today. If you get the time, go check them out. One of them has a prophetic word included. This is a bold step since not everyone understands or accepts that God still speaks to His people today except through His word. And when this subject comes up, I always stress that the Bible is the number one way God speaks today. And any prophetic word given must be in line with what the Lord has already spoken and recorded in His word. That said, I think it is exciting to know that God is not totally silent in these tumultuous times. I love it when He has something special to say to only me. It makes me feel like He is near and He really is mindful of each one of us. That makes even a rainy day seem special!

The Kings Treasury in up and running!!!

Well, I may be sleepless, but I'm still productive! My new Etsy shop is up and running. This shop is special in that it is comprised of inspirational jewelry complete with related scriptures and color interpretation. I am relying on inspiration from the Lord on everything I do in this shop, from the set-up to the jewelry designs to the prices.

I am using the very best materials I have on hand for these items. I think that this shop will probably never have a lot of inventory, simply because it is not about volume, but about Jesus. I am striving for one page of excellent items that have lots of meaning to them.

Some of the pieces will have prophetic words attached. My feelings as I create this jewelry is that each piece is intended for a certain individual. I have faith that God will get each piece into the right hands, and that the recipient will be outrageously blessed! This is truly a labor of love, and I can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do through this little shop.

Monday Morning.....

It's Monday morning, and I haven't slept all night. (sigh) Since I work nights, that's nothing new, but last night I did not work, and I really wanted to get rested so that I would be on top of things today.
But here I am. Tired but unable to sleep.

Poor Sugar's routine is upset too. She has been doing her doggy best to herd me into the bedroom tonight. Her habit is to stay near me almost all of the time when I am at home. Tonight I have been all over the house, and she has been right there, no matter which room I find myself in. It is nice to have a faithful companion!

Yes, my husband is my most faithful companion, but tonight he is out of town. So I'm glad to have Sugar here.

In about 45 minutes two of my beautiful grand-daughters will be delivered to me for a ride to school this morning. I am looking forward to that. They always make me smile! Maybe I can get a nap after I get them to school, and still salvage most of the day. That would be good. I think it is a plan.

I think it's a good time for a new blog look. Something that 'pops'. How's this!?

New Template!

Do you like it???

Visit LeelouBlogs at:

http://leeloublogs.blogspot.com/

She has loads of fabulous templates in fantastic patterns and colors. And they're free!!!

Thanks Leelou, for sharing your awesome talent with all of us.