Down in the dumps

I know that when you are on the mountain top you can't stay there but it just seems like everytime I make the long climb up instead of a trek down from the high, I get shoved off the cliff. I had such a good weekend and studied the word and was feeling good then yesterday on the way home from doing laundry, the engine blew up in my car. Cracked head. Too much to fix so now I am without a car again. I can't seem to win for losing. Its so discouraging trying so hard and never getting anywhere. I work every day, don't spend money on cigs or alcohol, am not a shopper who wastes money left and right and yet I can't ever get ahead. I know this world isn't my home and that it rains on the just as well as the unjust but can't seem to feel it today. Today is not a good feeling day.

Facts about June

I found a new web site that lists unique holidays and observances for each month. I thought it would be fun to post some of the ones I find most interesting.

June
Month Long Observances

* Dairy Month

* Great Outdoors Month

* National Adopt-A-Cat Month

* National Iced Tea Month - find out how to make perfect southern tea here.

June 1st

* Donut Day

* Oscar the Grouch's Birthday
Sesame Street Character

* Stand For Children Day

June 2nd

* Radio Was Patented
In 1896.

June 3rd

* Egg Day

* First U.S. Spacewalk
By Ed White in 1965.

June 4th

* Aesop's Birthday

* Cheese Day

* First Ford Made
Henry Ford made his first operational car in 1896.

June 5th

* First Hot Air Balloon Flight
By the Montgolfier brothers in 1783.

* National Gingerbread Day

* Richard Scarry's Birthday
Author of children's books, born in 1919.

* World Environment Day

June 6th

* D-Day

* First Drive-in Movie Theater Opens
In New Jersey in 1933.

* National Applesauce Cake Day

* National Yo-Yo Day

June 7th

* The Amazing Mumford's Birthday
Sesame Street Character.

June 8th

* Frank Lloyd Wright's Birthday In 1867.

June 9th

* Donald Duck's Birthday In 1934.

June 10th

* Ball Point Pen Day

* Iced Tea Day

* Judy Garland's Birthday
Singer and acctress born in 1922. Started in the Wizard of Oz.

June 11th

* E.T. Movie Premiered
In 1982.

June 12th

* Anne Frank's Birthday
Born in 1929 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

* The Baseball was Invented In 1839.
* Magic Day

* Race Unity Day
Second Sunday in June.

June 13th

* Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's Birthday

* Weed Your Garden Day

June 14th

* Caldecott Medal First Awarded
In 1937.

* Flag Day

* "Pop Goes the Weasel" Day

* Sand Paper Invented
Invented by I. Fischer Jr. in 1834.

* World Juggling Day

June 15th

* Fly A Kite Day
Ben Franklin's Kite Experiment in 1752.
* Power of a Smile Day

June 16th

* National Fudge Day

June 17th

* Eat Your Vegetables Day

June 18th

* International Picnic Day

June 19th

* Father's Day
Third Sunday of June. Check out my page for this special day!

* Garfield's Birthday
Debuted in 1978.

* Juneteenth

* Tasmanian Devil's Birthday
Debuted in 1954.

June 20th

* Bald Eagle Day

* Ice Cream Soda Day

June 21st

* First Day of Summer

June 22nd

* US Department of Justice Established

June 23rd

* Edward VIII - King of England's Birthday
Born in 1894.

* Johannes Gutenberg's Birthday
Born in 1400.

* June Carter-Cash's Birthday
Born in 1929.

* National Pecan Sandies Day

* National Pink Day

* Soap Opera Day

* Typewriter Patented
In 1868.

* United Nations Public Service Day

June 24th

* U.F.O. Day
First documented UFO sighting on this day.

* My pretty pretty princess granddaughter's 4th birthday.


June 25th

* Eric Carle's Birthday
Author of several children's books.

* LEON Day
Shared by Cindy - LEON is NOEL spelled backwards. It means six months until Christmas.

June 26th

* Bicycle Patented
In 1819.

* National Chocolate Pudding Day

* Toothbrush Invented


June 27th

* Captain Kangaroo's Birthday
Bob Keeshan.

* Helen Keller's Birthday
Born in 1880.

* Melody for Happy Birthday Song
Written in 1859.

June 28th

* Paul Bunyan Day

June 29th

* Camera Day

June 30th

* Meteor Day

* Superman's Birthday

TSMS- Some Gave All

This weekend is Memorial Day, when we are supposed to honor those who died defending our country and our rights. America may not be perfect but its the best country I have ever lived in. I am very grateful for those who have fought to protect my rights and the rights of those around the world. A lot of my uncles fought in Vietnam.
A few years back I had the privilege of seeing the traveling Vietnam Wall and as I traced the names of those who died or were missing in action, I was amazed at how I felt. Until I actually stood there the wall meant nothing to me but seeing those names and knowing they were mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters overwhelmed me. I can't find my pictures of the wall currently.
Here is a song from a few years back that really says it all.




Here is a good tribute video


Thankfully, none of my family died while serving but please never forget those who did.

Can God use You?

The next time you feel like GOD can't use you....
....just remember....


Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
The disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer...
AND Lazarus was dead!




No more excuses now.
God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message,
you are the messenger.
~~~Author Unknown~~~

then sings my soul- Carman

I am feeling nostalgic and I just love Carman and he is one of my oldest's favorite gospel singers. Here are some of my favorites of his songs.


The ending to this song always causes me to lift my hands in prayer. There is so much power.



The girls club won at teen talent with this song. They were so cute singing this song.




I just can't pick one.


I don't really like this one but my oldest loves it.

Cold Wednesday.

I am really starting to wonder if its ever going to be pretty again. Its rainy and cold yet another day here in North Carolina. I still am not feeling that great. I appear to have some odd reaction to the Prednisone and my back is all bruised and hurting. I am tired of being cold so I have the heat on for a just a little bit to take the chill out. I did have some happy news today. My aunt and her husband are trying to work their marriage out. I am thrilled with that since my uncle has been in the family for so long, I can't imagine life without him as part of our family. Plus he is a good man and I know that God had no part in her wanting to move on.

I have been planning some weekend shopping deals since this is payday. Plus Harris Teeter is having triples this week so I can't wait to see what I can find for free.
Since its so cold I wanted something warm to eat and whipped up a quick cream of potato soup and some no bake cookies. I like potato soup but my oldest could live off of it. All we do is boil some potatoes until they are soft, drain the water add butter, milk and salt and thats it.

Here is the recipe for the no bake cookies.
Small Batch No Bake Cookies

1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons cocoa
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa. Bring to a boil, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in peanut butter, oats, and vanilla. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Let cool until hardened.

Yield: 18 cookies


Here is a picture of some things I got in the mail this week.

I got a full size correcting primer from Physician's Formula, coupon for a free pint of Breve Creme creamer, coupon for a free Suave Professionals product (this was from a Facebook offer) and the cutest little art kit. I can't remember the site I was on but I entered a giveaway and part of the prize was an art kit but they also had a link that the first 5 people to sign up got a mini art kit. The contest had been posted for over a week but I figured what the heck and signed up and I was one of the 5. Its just adorable with the mini colored pencils, crayons and chalk. Also I got a reusable tote shopping bag from Sea Pak but it wasn't in the picture. I apparently one this on facebook.

Facing your giants- Book Review

I got Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado from Book Sneeze last year but then things just went badly in my life and it ended up getting packed up. I finally have everything unpacked and finished the book. I loved this book and how much it has helped me deal with issues in my life. This book is about the life of David. God called David a man after his own heart and yet when you read the life of David you see that he wasn't perfect. I find this encourages me that if I will just keep striving to put God first and do repent then He will always be willing to meet me and forgive me. Every time David took his eyes off God then the giants in his life would attack him. I love how Lucado can take words that we have read a thousand times and yet show us what they mean to our lifes and how to use them to draw closer to God. I really enjoyed the key points that were brought out such as "Focus on giants - you stumble. Focus on God - your giants tumble" One of the early points that was brought out and really meant something to me is that the giants we face are often things we should have been over but we tried to keep in our lives. For example if the Isrealites would have done as God commanded, and eradicated the Philistins then all the troubles would have been avoided. When we try to hang onto things of this world, it ends up being a stumbling point for us again and again.

All in all, I would recommend this book and its one that I will read again when I need encouraged.

A couple of recipes

Since I have been on steriods for my breathing the past couple days, my joints feel great. Its a rare day that someone with RA can move pain free. I thought I would take advantage of it even though I still can't breathe :).
I wanted something but wasn't sure what. I made this pasta mix.

1 16 oz box elbow macaroni
2 tbsp philadelphia cooking creme ( I used 1 of italian herb and one regular)
8 oz tomato sauce
salt.

Boiled the pasta and drained then I just stirred in the other ingredients and added a salad and that was dinner. It was quick and simple and actually pretty good. I have so much cooking creme due to recent sales with coupons.

For dessert my daughter has been bugging wanting my grandmother's sea foam candy.

My great-grandmother made this for years. I have talked to people who used to buy it from her. They still miss the taste of it.

Sea Foam Candy

1 3/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. white sugar
pinch of salt
2 egg whites
1/2 c. hot water
1/4 c. corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine sugars, water, corn syrup, pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil
until syrup spins threads. Stir often. Takes around 5 minutes on high heat (use a heavy pan) In the meantime, beat egg whites until foamy. Once the syrup starts spinning threads, mix into whites. Add vanilla. Mix with mixer 5 minutes until it holds it's shape. Be sure that you mix it alot or it won't set. Spoon by spoonful onto wax paper: let cool. This will
not set in high humidity.

COVERGIRL NatureLuxe review

Everyone who knows me knows I love to try new makeup. BzzAgent recently asked me to review the new Covergirl Natureluxe line. I had seen this on tv and magazines with Taylor Swift but hadn't tried it.

When 3 out of 4 professional make-up artists would recommend the NatureLuxe Collection to their clients, you start to listen — that's some serious support! But it's really no surprise: COVERGIRL's new luxury line exchanges select heavy synthetics for carefully-chosen natural ingredients. For a polished make-up look with a lightweight feel, every time, it's what COVERGIRL likes to call “luxury touched by nature”.

This smooth silk foundation trades in a heavier emollient for a touch of cucumber water and a hint of natural jojoba and rosehip extracts. It provides a flawless coverage and a silky lightweight feel. In fact, 8 out of 10 professional make-up artists agree it provides a luxurious skin finish and light, luxurious feel!

But the NatureLuxe love doesn't end there — new COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Gloss Balm contains a lightweight blend of mango, shea and other natural butters that 9 out of 10 make-up artists would recommend to clients for a sheer color with a non-sticky, lightweight feel.

I have to say that thus far in life this is the best foundation I have ever tried. Most people know I have a low self esteem but there wasn't a time that I put this on that I didn't absolutely love how my skin looked. It felt great going on and I just felt pretty wearing it. My favorite thing though was the gloss balm. I put it on and immediately told my oldest to try it out. Then I went to work and bragged to everyone about it. It went on and made my lips feel so silky I kept rubbing them together just to feel it. I loved the way my lips shined. Growing up my lips were always super red but as I have gotten older they have paled some. This balm made them shiny and red again. Simply put, I love both products but can't make it without the balm now. Its a very rare product that I will buy without waiting on a clearance sale but this is it.

Disclosure: I'm a BzzAgent and received free products to review from Covergirl. The opinions are my own. If you like to review new products become a BzzAgent.

TSMS- When Dust Shall Sing

I heard this while blog surfing and since I had just found out that an old school friend had passed on and I had just spend 6 hours in the ER with heart issues, I was especially moved by it.


WHEN DUST SHALL SING


I stood beside the graveside of a loved one
Like planting seed to watch and wait for spring
That’s when He returns with all His power and glory
He’ll call for death to come to life and dust shall sing

When dust shall sing on resurrection morning
The saints will rise and let their voices ring
Those who remain will be changed in a moment
We’ll hear the shout and trumpet sound when dust shall sing

Since Jesus died the grave has lost its victory
And if you’re in Christ death has lost its sting
Christ conquered death so He’ll conduct the chorus
With voices raised and shouts of praise dust shall sing

We’ll hear the shout and trumpet sound
We’ll leave the ground when dust shall sing

Help out a woman with cancer

If you know a woman who is currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care.

Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along. Go to Cleaning for a Reason for more information

Free Downloads- To Teach What is Good (Titus 2) and more

To Teach What is Good (Titus 2) mp3s and outline guides. Eight messages and accompanying outlines in one zip file. The updated series from Carolyn's classic messages to women based on Titus 2. Topics include self-control, purity, kindness, having a love for husbands and a tender affection for children, making your home your center of ministry—and more. Carolyn teaches about how these qualities in women glorify God and draw others to the gospel. I burn these type messages to cd's and listen to them in the car while driving. This offer is from Sovereign Grace Ministry.

I found a number of free offers from Sovereign Grace
New Attitude 2007 MP3 DOWNLOAD Set Item # A2270-00-51
Eight MP3 files in one convenient place for downloading
At the 2007 New Attitude conference, almost 3,000 singles and young married couples spent four days studying biblical discernment and its effect on every area of life.

A whole slew of freebies from Sovereign Grace.

WHAT IS A HOME?

I saw this poem on another blog and liked it.

WHAT IS A HOME?

A roof to keep out the rain.
Four walls to keep out the wind.
Floors to keep out the cold.
Yes, but home is more than that.
It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father.
Warmth of living hearts, light from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship.
Home is first school and first church for young ones,
where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind.
Where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick.
Where joy is shared and sorrow eased.
Where fathers and mothers are respected and loved.
Where children are wanted.
Where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned.
Where money is not as important as lovingkindness.
Where even the tea kettle sings from happiness.
Thatis home. God bless it.
~Madame Ernestine Schumann-Heink

Words of Wisdom from Mom

Saw this video and thought it was funny.

2nd graders ideas about Mom

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2.. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring..
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot
2.. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball..
2. Mom.. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long...

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

A few deals for Tuesday

Going through some of my blogs that I follow I found the following deals.

While surfing my facebook pages I found this free Kindle book offer on the Smart Couponing blog. I downloaded it for my computer since I don't have a kindle.

Sweet Pennies from Heaven tells you how to get a free 10 pack of Breathe Right Strips.

Death of Bin Laden

The big news around the world today is the supposed death of Osama bin Laden. Navy Seals supposedly shot him and he has been buried at sea. I am a doubting Thomas since he has already supposedly been buried at sea. I would be more trusting with an actual body. Assuming its true, on one hand I am glad that such a terrible person is dead but on the other hand I am sad that someone has died lost and undone. Its been almost 10 years since the terrible tragedy of Sept 11, 2011 and the loss of so many innocent lives but there have been so many more lives lost since then in the pursuit of Osama bin Laden. I refer back to the Bible "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles" (Proverbs 24:17).
"Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his way and live? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore, turn yourselves, and live ye."--Ezek. 18:23, 32

If bin Laden is truly dead, there are already people waiting to fill the spot. Evil runs wild in this world and the middle east has been a feuding ground since the days of Ishmal and Isaac. I pray that those who are lost will come to know the truth of Jesus Christ as their Savior before its too late. I long for the day when Jesus returns and we can leave this evil world for good. Evil seems to be making me more and more homesick as the days go by.

Revelation 21
1. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Heads Up- Free Admission May 6th

Better Homes and Gardens is teaming up with botanical gardens across the nation to offer free admission to dozens of botanical gardens on May 6, 2011 to celebrate National Public Gardens Day. Check and see if there’s a participating garden near you and then sign up for a free admission pass. One pass will allow 10 people in free!

Invisible by Disciple

One of the lovely visitors to my blog yesterday had this song posted on her blog and I just loved it so much I wanted to share it with you. While searching for the lyrics, I found a great site for downloading free Christian music legally. Its called FreeCCM.



Verse 1
You’ve got my attention
There’s no need to hurt your self this way
You think no one will notice you’re feeling
When you cry yourself to sleep

You feel stuck on the outside looking inside
Wishing this life wasn’t your life
And you think you’re damaged way beyond repair
Well you’re not so far that I can’t get to where you are

Chorus
You wish you were someone else
Every night you fall to pieces
Knowing you can’t save yourself
I can see you, I can hear you
There’s a place where the broken go
There’s a room full of second chances
You’re not stranded on your own
You’re not invisible

Verse 2
I’m ready to listen
There’s no need to hold it all inside
The smallest whisper
I hear it when your strength has all but died

I need you to believe me, can you trust me
That what you see, is not what I see
The reflection in the mirror’s telling lies
Cause nothing you have done could change how much I love you

Bridge
You’re not invisible
I can see you as you’re falling on your knees
You’re not invisible to Me


Psalm 139:1-18