The New Fall Look

I found a new look here
I just love the new look. Do you? I found Lena over at someone else blog today. I am sorry I don't remember where I was. She is drawing tomorrow for a free custom template and I really hope I win. Wouldn't it be cool for the new shop?

I really do like this new look. I am still working on getting everything put back on because I lost some stuff when it changed over. So, I guess I'll be putting this in that category of dummies at blogging!
Please, please leave me a comment and let me know how you like it!
Thanks for stopping in.
Smiles,
Sherry

The Simple Womans Daybook

For Today...

Outside my Window...Bright sunshine. I love to wake up in the morning and just thank God for anoter beautiful day. I love to see the sun up. I don't think it is morning if the sun is not shinning. You early morning ladies are better woman than I! LOL

I am thinking...I have a million things that I wish to get done today but I have a smile on my face because the sun is shinning and some of the things I want to do are getting done.

From the learning rooms...Still working on the family blog. We are all in agreement on doing the Bible memory together. Our daughter even suggested a weekly three way call so we can all recite to each other. It makes me smile to see thier enthusiasm. Our son the intellectual one wanted to know if the blog allowed comments so he could write a commentary. I had to slow him down a little and tell him to focus on his sons learning first then once we are all doing well with the memory verses we can dig deeper!

I am thankful for...the provision that God provided last week for us and the ministry. And for the new freezer that was donated to the ministry and for the meat and vegtables donated to us!

From the kitchen...not ground venison. That is all we have been having because that
was all that there was in the freezer but we had chicken last night and brocolli.
God provided.

I am wearing...the denim shorts I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. Mine are frayed on the hem too. How does that happen on a pair of shorts? But they are comfy especially since I can wear them again. A red thin t-shirt that I wear when it is hot and brown Clarks slides that I wear around the house and outside which I shouldn't but they need to be polished anyway.

I am reading...research material for the ministry

I am hoping...that our daughter can find God's solution to her job search. I am also praying about this because none of us really know God's plan here. Basically it affects us all since I keep the baby.

I am creating...an online fabric shop. I missed my goal of opening today but hopefully by the end of the week. The distraction...I was recruited to sew a curtain for the babies room. At least I created something. Hopeful to post pic's soon.


I am hearing...the dishwasher and a bird outside. I love living in the country.
Last night we listened to someone doing target practise. Cowboy loved it. Men are weird.

Around the house...still organizing and moving furniture. Just about the time we got settled in new (to us) furniture arrives. We got the crib a couple of weeks ago so had to re-arrange. Then last week an old friend gave them a desk and shelf. And when we went to pick up found out there were two desks. So both came home. I can't wait till they buy a house! They plan to move in March so I'll be moving things around again.

One of my favorite things...Cowboy left a few minutes ago to do a bunch of errands that will last most of the day. I love being in the house alone. I seem to get more done. A busy day I will have!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Meetings and working. We are busy with our fall ministry programs. And making plans and working on budgets etc. for 2009 programs. God continues to affirm this work. I pray for patience and strength to get through the rough parts.


Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...



We received this award last week from Peggy
I wrote all about it on my Sunday post check it out!

Have a great Simple week.

Daisy received an Award!

Do you think your dog is The Best Dog in the World? I am sure all of us dog lovers would probably be able to say that and probably get into some strong discussions on the topic. But I really do think that my dog is the best and here's why!


Because she is so patient with her inept at photography and computers owner for 1!

I learned the other day how to do a collage and of course used Daisy while learning.
Sorry for the bad cropping on the one photo and showing the same photo twice. I am learning and when I get time I'll go back and play with it again and bore you with more photo's of my dear Daisy.

On Sunday I have been letting Daisy write the post and introduce all of our friends to new friends that we have found during the week. But this week was so busy we didn't spend much time visiting the other blogs. We were so busy that we didn't even realize that we received an award! Wow how busy is that? But here it is



O.K. but now your wondering 'What is she talking about? This award is for Dog Lovers' Well duh....It is because my dog is The Best Dog in the World is why I love her so well I think it works and so I give the award to Daisy.

Here are the top ten reasons why I think Daisy is The Best Dog in the World.

1. She loves to ride in the car/truck or any vehicle with wheels. And she is sweet and kind and patient and only whimpers when she sees any other animal worth barking at.

2. She is gentle with the baby and smaller dogs.

3. She is patient with older dogs and doesn't play rough.

4. She is patient when we arrive home late and she doesn't get fed exactly at her special time of day. And she doesn't try to steal the cat's food while they are eating.

5. She does not tear into the trash when I forget and leave it in the kitchen floor and go somewhere and leave her home alone.

6. She takes her "job" of taking care of the horses very seriously. She is always ready to go out and check on them or feed or water them.

7. She always waits very patiently for us if we go somewhere and we don't take her.

8. She is very sweet to everyone and sits up sweetly and waits to be petted and doesn't jump on people (only me)

9. She turned Cowboys heart around and sometimes I wonder if she is turning into his dog. Because like his human daughter she has him wrapped around her little paw!

10. She loves me. This I know because no matter how much she loves her Daddy because he gives her treats that I don't and lets her do things that I don't she loves me more. Because she is always where I am. If I am in the kitchen she is laying down waiting till I finish. Not begging for food but patiently waiting for me. If I am on the computer she is patiently waiting at my feel till I finish taping away at the keys. She has even been known to pass up popcorn from Cowboy if I am leaving the room.

And so dear friends. I really do think that My Dog is the Best Dog in the World at least in my little world!

Thanks for visiting but before I go I want to invite you to visit our friend Peggy and all her doggies: Chiquitita,Toby,Chispita and Chimi they graciously gave us this sweet award. Peggy is a true friend and encourager. Thanks Peggy.

And don't forget to stop over at Dogs on Thursday and meet some of friends.

Please come by everyday because we always try to write something and share a little bit about what God is doing in our lives and maybe entertain a bit. Please leave a comment. We love sweet notes of encouragement and awards too!

Have a Blessed Week.

Then Sings my Soul Saturday

I haven't posted on Then Sings My Soul the last couple of weeks. I have just been so busy with tackling life and ministry that I haven't had a chance to listen to much music.

And, honestly it has been one of those times when you rely on the Holy Spirit. That is what I have been doing. I have felt that I am praying about the same thing over and over. And I am. So I get to the point where I don't know how to pray.

But I do know that God is where I need to put my trust. I do know that the anxiety and worry that I face is not of him. And if you are a believer also you know where that comes from. There have been days that I have had to resolve to cast those thoughts away and I have had to just lean and rest, depend and trust.

This song by Third Day speaks of how I have been feeling. I have felt alone, broken and afraid. In my head I know that God is in control but circumstances dictate our feelings.



I do know that I should lean and trust God and he has always provided. In the last five years it has always been at the last minute or the 11th hour but he provides.
This week he did that. Today on the 27th of the month we are paying our rent.

This week our ministry received an award that included $5,000.00 prize. Of course the majority of this money is already spent on bills but it allows us to keep going.

And it brings more attention to the ministry and gives God the glory. God continues to show us even when things seem bleak that we can't give up. Because if we do we are giving up on him. And he has brought us this far he will take us the rest of the way.

If you are feeling worried and afraid don't do as I do (lol) do as I say trust in God turn it over to him and be not afraid because he is there. Even when you feel afraid or broken just lean on him and rest.

Friday Fave 5

One of my favorite blogs to visit is Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
I went over tonight to check to see what she was up to and found this.
I thought it really looked like fun so I am joining in the group.
You can read more and find out the rules etc. over at Susanne's
Choosing Five things that were special or Favorite things to me this week.

#1 Of course babysitting my grandbaby. It is just so much fun seeing him almost everyday.

#2 Watching my daughter be a mommy. I am so happy for her and proud of her and of course my son in love.

#3 Working in ministry. I am so, so, happy that we got approval to work with the girls from the halfway house every Friday again. Because of a lack of funding we lost our building last fall and we haven't had as much opportunity to work directly with the girls. We start again next Friday. It just makes me happy and Blesses me Big time

#4 My blog and my blogging friends like Sandra that shared this cool meme with me!

#5 Last but not least. I love fall. The cool weather is so nice. Getting to spend more time outside and not using the a/c. I changing color of the leaves. And decorating too. Fall is a favorite season. And I love Show and Tell Friday too.

This was a really fun meme. Thanks Susanne for this wonderful new idea.
I hope everyone has a Blessed week. And welcome new friends. Please leave a comment.

Show and Tell

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday hosted by Kelli
Today I want to show you part of my collection.

I love hearts. These are my little hearts that I display at Valentines and some during the year in various places. I will collect them from around the house and group together for Valentines Day.
I was thinking about how happy I am to be able to babysit my grandson and that it fills my heart with joy so I thought this was fitting.
What fills your heart with joy? I am thankful that God allows my to see him and my daughter almost everyday now. God has been so gracious to us. Seeing God's work and hand in all the circumstances make me joyful sometimes when things are rough it is God's lovingkindess that is the only thing that keeps me going.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my heart collection today. Please go visit Kelli.

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday is hosted by Iris I always enjoy going over and visiting her on Thursday...today she spoke of change. Here is what she had to say.

"Change… we sometimes don’t like change; I know I am not a fan of change. I also know that even though I might not like the change, I can trust the Lord to see me through the transition…" Iris

Today some changes are going on also in my life. Personally and with the ministry and I guess really they both just kind of meld together so when something goes on in one it affects the other.

I am really thankful today for the Holy Spirit. Because he goes to the father for me. Many times I am too confused or struggling with something and I just don't know how to pray. I just don't know what to say. I think most of the time it is because I feel like I am saying the same thing.

I am thankful for God's grace. Because he forever forgives me when I just keep doing the same thing over and over. Like worrying and fretting.

I am thankful for Jesus Christ because he does give me the strength that I need to deal with frustration and heartache.

I am thankful for Cowboy and his desire to trust God and that he is trying to be what God wants him to be.

And I am thankful that I get to spend so much time right now with our daughter and our grandson. I am thankful that I get to keep him during the day while my son in love and daughter are at work.

I am thankful for my Son in Love and his desire to be a husband and a father.

"What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by going over to Iris's and leaving your link to your blog.

And I am Thankful you stopped by today.

Before you go please let me share with you the change going on in my life. I am opening an online fabric shop. I have mentioned it a couple of times but just in case you missed the posts please keep checking in. I hope to have it all done and pretty and ready over the weekend so on Monday you can just sit in your jammies and shop and buy some awesome fabric for dresses,crafts,quilts or just anything your little heart desires. (oh and btw if you don't have really cute jammies...never fear the first piece of fabric I posted would make the prettiest set of jammies you have ever seen!)
There will be some dressmaker fabric along with some great quilt fabrics from all the famous makers. And because this is a fundraiser for our ministry and because the fabric was donated to us just for this purpose our prices are just so cheap that you won't be able to pass us the deals. Please stop in over the weekend and see the progress at the shop and if you are thinking about doing some stitchin' for the holidays check us out before you go out to the super store!

I'll have some Fall themed fabric up quickly for you. Oh and did I say vintage. Yes there is some vintage. I'll give you a hint. Vintage Marcus Brothers. I don't know exactly how old but possible the '60's. I bet you can't wait to get a glimpse of it!

Come by and visit and don't forget to go by Iris's. Oh one more thankful item.
I didn't get to post yesterday at all because I was crazy busy; but I am thankful
for Amy she hosts Wordfilled Wednesday and I usually use her post while I am off at the food bank. Please drop in and see her fun meme and be Blessed by the great illustrations of God's word.

Here's a photo I want to share today. It made me smile today.

If you have read my blog for a while you know that normally the sight of these does not make me smile. But today I was thinking of seeing the joy on a childs face when he/she sees these and then learns to blow them all across the yard. Only to leave the lovely little seeds...oh forget that part just concentrate on the smiles of a child.
Have a great day!

10 Minute Tuesdays

I found the coolest thing over at Clothed with Scarlet
she was participating in Faithful Chicks 10 Minute Tuesday.
Its a cool meme. She posts a verse in the morning and then everyone studies it and meditates on it and then writes a post.
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give you that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."
Sometimes it is so hard to love the unlovable. But that is what we do everyday through our ministry. In our case the unlovable are teenagers that have been in trouble with the law. They are incarcerated in our states juvenile correctional facility.
Each week we provide groceries to the ones that are on parole and share God's love with them and just give them a little hope. Each week we include a devotional or a scripture in the sack.

The thing that I enjoy most are the 20 girls living in a halfway house in our town. Everyone always asks me if they are "bad". If I have any trouble with them if I take them on a field trip or outing. I honestly have to say "no". They are just so happy to see that someone cares about them. It is interesting because they are little sponges. They absolutely absorb the love and attention we provide. And they are like little children when we talk to them about God and Jesus. They are so anxious to learn. They are anxious to find something. They don't really know that it is God that they need. That God is the one who can fill the hole in their hearts. But they are open and willing to listen.
And so we keep telling them and praying that they will absorb and come to know Christ.
That they will someday be a follower of Jesus and that they will also learn to "love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

Tacklin' Life on Tuesday

Post originally writen Monday night....this verse was in my inbox this morning. I had to add it. It fits.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14



But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds. Psalms 73:28

How many things do you need to tackle today? If I were to sit down and write down all the things that need to be done. Things around the house . . . laundry, cleaning the kitchen, vacuuming. The list goes on and on. And in my case there is a ministry that needs . . . financial stability, volunteers and office work, mentoring.

As I think of all I need to do and as I try really hard to make time to sit down and talk to God and ask him what I need to do today. What is his plan. I have to stop and realize that sometimes I get so absorbed with family, life, ministry. I get so into what is good that I sacrifice the best

I have a huge list of good things to do. But do I sacrifice God in my attempt at being and doing good? Do I put God in a box of all the good things I am doing and sacrifice really sitting and talking and listening to what he wants me to do?

Possibly an even bigger list of things that I need to do. Things that I need to tackle. But I realize too that I have a huge desire to please God and to know what he wants me to do today, tomorrow and next week.

And so I sit, I wait and I ask God to show me his plan, to direct my steps; today, tomorrow and next week.

Today with God's help I will tackle today,tomorrow and next week.

Simple Woman's Day Book

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)

Today Peggy at The Simple Woman hosts the Monday meme The Simple Woman's Daybook.
Here's my entry for today.

Outside My Window...horses munching on grain. We have been worried about our old horse he is loosing so much weight. So much that people have stopped and even called the sheriff. He is 27 years old. Very old in horse years. Even our daughters riding instructor (who btw is married to a vet) told us that all the horses that were from the school and all her friends horses have already died. I am sorry I am venting here. But it is annoying when you get a knock on the door to see the sheriff and there is a round bale outside, a full tank of water etc. Anyway we went to the feed store oh I forgot to mention the grain the horse was eating was recommended by the vet. Anyway we went to the feed store and talked to the owner who we have known for 10 years or more. He suggested another kind of feed. That was two weeks ago. Well this morning the horse was trotting around and almost knocking me down. So much so I had to make Daisy stay out of the pasture! Now this is the polite horse that always minds. But it made me smile to see him so frisky.

I am thinking... that was a lot to write in one little entry. Sorry.
I am thankful for... for the above and that Buck is feeling friskier. I am thankful that I get to see our grandson almost everyday. I am thankful that he gets to go to church.
From the kitchen... gosh haven't even thought about that yet. I think I will try biscuits again. I'll have to definitely write a post about that one. Maybe Friday some people write funny things then! today it is funny. The story I'll share later wasn't so funny when it happened! I'll give you a hint
flat biscuits and a smart aleck husband.
I am wearing... a lovely little ensemble..(hehe I must be as frisky as the horse!) sorry. Navy capri workout pants with red and white stripe (bought for our one and only cruise) and a red t-shirt and white socks. Already lost the shoes I wore outside. Which btw were not boots. Don't do as I do
I am creating... A blog for our grandsons. And I am preparing to sell fabric on my other blog. So if you are a seamstress please stay tuned. I'll have dressmaker fabric, craft fabric and quilting fabric. Yardage and kits.
I am going... I am going to pick up a desk and a canoe bookshelf for our grandson. It is a hand me down from one of my daughters riding students.
I think the shelf will go in Texas Grandpa's(Cowboy) "man/boy" room. The desk will go in the master next to the crib to use as a changing table. It is getting harded and harder to change the baby in the livingroom on the ottoman. So this should work better especially when the house is full of people.
I am reading... The same book I was last week.
I am hoping... that my daughter gets the job she applied for.
That is why I didn't read much I spent most of last week keeping the baby while she either went looking or sat on the computer looking for a job. She found one and has applied. It is with our state in the juvenile corrections part. And the Blessing would be she would be working with us. It is at the office where we take the sacks of groceries.
I am hearing... the news on the t.v. talking about evacuee's leaving North Texas to return to Galveston. If you have been watching the news it is not really as they let us think. I spoke to one of our mentee's last night who I haven't talked to in too many days. The roof in her apartment collapsed on Fri. night she returned from work to find out she couldn't get in. Her Guinea pigs are still there. She is trying to call the humane society today to get them because the apartment would not let her in. She had to go and buy some clothes to wear to work over the weekend. She has been at a friends. She is 19 and her birthday was on the 13th so it was an ordeal for her instead of the party that was planned for her.
There is still much disaster in areas of Houston. Please pray for these people.
Around the house... Chaos. We spent so much time with our daughter last week that I didn't get much cleaning done. I did the bathrooms yesterday so all I have to do today is vacuum and just pick up. And clean off the computer desk. It appears to be a catch all.
One of my favorite things... I wrote about this yesterday after praying about it and confessing to God. But one of my favorite things is my blog and my friends that I have found through blogging. Some of you don't even know how much I enjoy reading your blogs. Now don't think I am a lurker. I do leave comments. But just realize if I leave more than a couple of comments on your blog, then you can count on the fact that you are one of my favorites. See the photo below it is for you.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: normal schedule. But back to my Sunday post. I am working toward getting closer to God. And spending more quiet time.
Being Still time. So that I can rest and find refuge in God's arms. And so that I can seek him and his plans for me.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
I love flowers. I love to have flowers in my home and outside. I want to share this bouquet with you. Please copy it and post on your blog it is my gift to you today.
Thanks for visiting! Have a Blessed week.

God is Good

We had a great weekend. I worshiped on Saturday at my daughters church. Then went to Sunday School today at ours.
I have been so busy lately having a difficult time getting everything done I need to and want to.
I have been having a difficult time finding time to spend with God and well that really makes me sad and a bunch of different emotions.
Our class director shared this verse today and it spoke to me

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God
my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works. Psalms 43:28

The last week I have taken a break from my blog. Not actually intentional life just crept in. I realized I had been spending too much time not on it but on surfing around but I really tried to ignore that little voice. I prayed about it today and and confessed that sin. I asked God to forgive me for not being productive but also for putting him on the backburner so to speak.

See that is what our class director was talking about. Having a job "at the church" he is there all the time. And it is easy to allow it to dictate and direct. It is difficult to just worship as just a member.
I really understood what he was talking about because that is what happens with us. Being full time in ministry we tend to allow it to run us.

So if you notice my absence please pray for me as I work things out in my mind and as I pray and ask God to direct my plans.

Daisy does say "hi" to everyone and wants to let all our friends know we love you and we are thinking of you and we might be coming by and saying "hi".

Until we see you we wanted to leave you a present. Below is a bouguet of flowrs for you.
Love, Sherry and Daisy

Thankful Thursdays thinking of Truth

Iris at Sting My Heartthe wonderful Thankful Thursday host was thinking about truth and shared this verse.

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~ John 8:31-32

So today thinking of truth here's my thankful list.

I am thankful for the truth in God's word. That he provides us evidence of himself and his son.

I am thankful for the yearning that he places in my heart to know him more and to be what he wants me to be.

I am thankful for God's extreme patience with me. Aren't you? I mean wow. I am such a dummy sometime. Most of the time. I look around at all that he has given me/us. And I see his faithfulness. Yet I worry. I worry about how we will pay our bills and continue in ministry. And yet I know that God will provide. I have to do my part. Do my job. Not fear. And not worry.

I am thankful that when I am so confused and worried and I don't know how to pray that God provides the Holy Spirit who in our weakness when we don't know how to pray that he intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

I am thankful that God gives us encouragement from our brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful for my Sunday School class and our friends that when we least expect it call or email and check to see how we are and ask about the ministry.

I am thankful for my friends new and old in blog land. I am thankful for sweet Debra and your words of encouragement. And I am thankful for Nancie. You always leave a kind word for me and everyone else. And for Peggy who always encourages and
just sends God's love to us all. All of you guys encouraged me yesterday. Thanks for your sweet spirits.

I am thankful for my family. And mostly I am thankful that God has answered my prayers and brought sunshine back into my life. There was a time that personally I was depressed because of a loss. I prayed and cried and prayed and cried. I asked God to change the things that were going on. I waited daily for something. For just a morsel to see that change was coming. It took almost two years but God answered my prayer and I and thankful. I see sunshine everyday now. I am Blessed.

And since I end this post with a smile and thinking of sunshine I will leave you with a photo that I hope makes you smile.

Word Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Wordfilled Wednesday. Amy
is the amazing host. And also my guest writer on Wednesday. Please go see her but before you go enjoy her amazing illustration below.




What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God!

Psalms 92:1 ~ The Message

——————–

I love this picture.. My little man here is now 4. Since an early age he inherited his father’s gift for music. He can sing on key and has perfect pitch, (unlike his mother *cough cough*)

… but God loves the songs of our heart! Even if we can’t sing, or play instruments he loves to hear our hearts and voices pour out to him! Join with me today as I sing in my own voice that I know is pleasing to God’s ear!!

I also want to mention how much I appreciate and love your posts! I can’t tell you how much your comments and encouragements mean to me! Thanks for being a part of my bloggy friends! I feel truly blessed.

God Bless! Amy Deanne

Tackle it Tuesday A New Project

Rachel at Home Sanctuary has an amazing daily meme. Go over and check it out. Everyday she suggests just a small simple thing to do around the house to make our homes a sanctuary. Each month she chooses a verse a month and does a beautiful illustration. And each one has a wonderful post and application go over and check out her amazing blog.

For my Tackle it Tuesday project I am working on something that will bring my family closer together while we come closer to God.

A week or so ago I started a family blog called Texas Grandpa and the boys. My cowboy had been wanting to share some old hunting photo's with our 7 year old grandson that lives in Missouri. He didn't know how to scan and import the photo's so it was my job to do that so he could email them. Well as I was scanning I thought why not start a blog. So I did and surprised them all. They loved it.

Then a few days later I was going to church with my daughter. I go with her on Saturday night then on Sunday go to my church. (That's another story I'll share another time) anyway she was talking about a good friend that she has been witnessing to for about 4 years. The friend is now going to church almost every week with us. But as far as we know she hasn't accepted Christ. My daughter mentioned her frustration in trying to talk to her friend; and she realized that she didn't have a lot of scripture memorized. Nor can she recite the books of the Bible. She was amazed to realize this. She has been to church since she was in the bed babies. She went to a Christian private school. But she realized that she had not hidden God's word in her heart.

This got me to thinking. I had come to the same realization a year or so ago. You know you have those verse tumbling around in your head that you learned as a child but don't know where they are? So as a personal challenge I began to re-memorize scripture and also learn new scripture. Although I haven't been consistant with it I do have more of God's word hidden in heart now.

Then the other night I was reading some blogs and I actually don't even know where I read it but this writer was talking about thier family choosing a verse a week based on the alphabet. She is a homeschooler and was doing it this way to reinforce the aplhabet. I thought wow what a cool idea. We could choose verses put them on our blog and then as a family memorize them. I don't think that right now my family is in a position to do a verse a week but I am praying that we can get some of God's word buried in our hearts.

Today I am praying and just trying to be still and allow God to speak to me. I am tackling reading the Tuesdays posts and finish the Monday day book entries. And I am asking God to direct me to the verse he wants me to share with my family.

And I am looking for fun creative ways to learn and memorize. Like spelling the words out in scrabble tiles. Or making lovely scrapbook layouts.
If you have any ideas please share them with me.

And please pray for our family as we grow together.

Have a great Tuesday tackling your projects.

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY September 15th...
Outside My Window... I looked out the kitchen window across the pasture behind our house and saw our cat in the field. He was hunting something. It was a peacful sight that made me smile.

I am thinking... about the things that are on my mind. Many personal financial concerns. Yet I am thinking resolving to trust God and Cowboy

I am thankful for... No matter how many times I mess up and don't realize it; that God is always there. He will pick up the pieces. He will hold me he will sooth my spirit if I ask; and let him. And I am thankful for Cowboy and that he is trying to seek God's will.

From the learning room I am so totally excited to share this. I began a blog for our grandsons. Mainly to share with the one in Missouri what is going on and keep in touch. I saw on someones blog about Bible verse memory by using the alphabet. I was thinking it was cool and how to incorporate that. Then my daughter (who lives here and has the 3 month old) mentioned a friend she is trying to witness to and how inadequate she feels about scripture memory. Her frustration was she went to church all her life and Christian school but she doens't have a lot of verses memorized. It all came together for me. I mentioned to my son about using the blog and all of us memorizing together. The adults and the kids. So viola we are all working on scripture together! I am so excited! Can you tell?

From the kitchen... Beef and cheese enchilada's I have been wanting and needing to make for weeks!

I am wearing... A dinghy white tank and Old Navy drawstring comfy pants that I love. They are a little dinghy and worse for wear and not something you were in public. And white socks and worn out slides. It is a day at home and I am chillin' along with the normal routine.

I am creating... a closer knit family. And praying that God will Bless our efforts through the scripture memory.

I am going... to trust God more. Worship God more. Trust Cowboy more. Because I am learning that if I don't be meek and allow him to handle the things he needs to then I am really not trusting God either.

I am reading... an inspirational novel from my own library. I am not into swapping books. I buy a book and unless I hate it I keep it. The one I am reading now is called Colorado Wings by Tracie Peterson. I have read it before and enjoyed it.

I am hoping... that I can keep the resolve I have to Trust and to not worry. I am also hoping that I can get more organizied quicker and keep a better house to provide a Sanctuary for Cowboy and the kids. And I am hoping that we will be able to discern God's will for us personally and for the ministry. We discussed this morning about finding a different place to worship.

I am hearing... The dishwasher running. And utter quiet around the house. I am hearing God telling me to trust.

Around the house... Moving furniture around to make more room for baby. Last night I had the family over for my mothers birthday. I fed 7 for the first time here. I cleaned all day Saturday. Cooked all day Sunday. And so now I am cleaning the house and kitchen after the weekend event!

One of my favorite things... Dr. Pepper

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Number 1 on my list Prayer we are going through about the hardest time financially that we have ever gone through.
The rest of my plans....
working on the family blog and the memory verse
. . .keeping the baby here on Tues and Thurs.
. . .helping our daughter and supporting them and encouraging them...she is being laid off soon and so with a 3 month old baby that is really hard for them. Another thing to pray about.

Here is picture I am sharing...

This is a photo of one of my friend Amy's new puppies. I intended for Daisy's doggie post yesterday to be about the puppies and with all the birthday happenings I didn't get to write a post. Amy has a beautiful blog and she is the host of Wordfilled Wednesday. A fun meme one of my favorites.

Thank you, thank you for coming by and reading my daybook. Please come by any time I love visitors and I love comments. God really uses this medium to encourage me.
Thanks for being an encourager.

And thanks to Peggy at Then Sinple Woman ,Iris at Stings my heart Thankful Thursday,Amy Deanne at Wordfilled Wednesday,Kelli at There's no place like home my Friday Show and Tell hostess and Amy Wyatt at Then Sings My Soul Saturday. They are all great encouragers through their meme's too. And of course my Daisy who writes on Sunday about all the animal friends she finds while blogging.
They are all listed on my sidebar.

Daisy's Doggie Friends

Daisy wishes to apologize...we are having a ton of company today and so her post will be late. As in tonight.
Please,please check back tonight or tomorrow morning and see her post because she has some wonderful new friends to tell you about and the photo's are too cute.

Have a great day.
Woof

The post that almost wasn't A late Show and Tell

I have had the hardest time writing this post. Yesterday was just crazy and I intended to write about all the things that kept me from posting but I hit the wrong button and deleted it all. Last night when I tried to write the post blogger wouldn't upload the photo's.
They are finally uploaded and here's my post.
We are thinking about weddings because my duaghters friend is getting married. They met in 4th grade and have been friends ever since. Thursday the bride was having her portrait taken and she had asked my daughter to make her flowers.
So since I was thinking about all that I thought I would share our wedding photo's.
Here's my 29 year old portrait.

My mother made my veil.

The first photo is our son and daughter in love. They had a beautiful wedding in March. It snowed and he was afraid he wouldn't make it to the church! I'll have to write more about it another time. They live in Missouri and have the 6 year old son.


And this is our daughter and son in love. It is hard to see her veil in this photo but it is the same veil I wore. I changed the head piece and added some daisy's through out to make it look a little more like the original and I added seed beads to it.




And next a photo of our daughter making her own bougets. She did all the flowers for the wedding. This photo was taken at around 2 a.m. the morning of the wedding.
I was still sewing all those beads onto the veil and she was winding wire around flowers while the groom slept peacefully. His only job showing up at the church.
Isn't that like a man?


Thanks for coming by and seeing my late Show and Tell. I hope that everyone has a blessed weekend.
I don't know what the weather will be like here. I haven't looked this morning but we were supposed to be getting some of the remains of the storm.
Our prayers are with all in Galveston.

BTW look all the way at the bottom. I added something. It is really cute. It really doesn't fit the template but I am changing that hopefully over the weekend. I found this cute little thing on a blog today. You can find it at phyzam. Check it out it is cute.

Show and Tell Friday

My Show and Tell today will be late. Please come back later today or tomorrow and see what I am working on. Or take the time to look at my archives and read some of my other posts.
If your an animal lover there are posts throughout my blog but there are a lot on Saturdays and recent we started writing on Sunday too.
Or if you have heard of Company Girls and want to check out what that is about
go visit my blog http:myhomesanctuary.blogspot.com. You can read about Home Santuary at Rachel's

Don't forget to over to Kelli's
she is the amazing hose for Show and Tell Friday. She is so creative and fun I just love going over to visit.

Random Thankfulness

Iris at Stings My Heart hosts Thankful Thursday.
It was interesting she mentioned today that many of the bloggers that write each Thursday about their thankfulness sometimes find it hard to get started because of circumstances that they are dealing with. Then once they begin writing that God just opens their heart and mind and the thankfulness just flows.
I pray that today that is what happens with me.

I am struggling really hard in the faith and trusting area. Daily I have to trust that God is in control of all the circumstances in my life and ministry.

Daily I struggle with escaping fear and anxiety over the financial issues. We used to have a commercial building and our ministry was much larger than it is now. We struggled then financially and one of my prayers was that God would provide and that we wouldn't have to struggle so much.

I have heard often times people say be careful what you pray for. In that instance I know God was in control because he took that burden away from us. We no longer do our ministry in a building and so that financial burden is lifted at least for now.

But the personal burden and the burden to raise funds to reopen are overwhelming.
When we see the need it is frustrating.

I am thankful though that at this point the ministry is such that I can help our daughter and son in love by taking care of the baby. I keep him two days week right now.

If God hadn't closed that door I would be involved 70-80 a weeks in ministry. Which btw was taking it's toal on my and Cowboy. He forced us to step back re-evaluate and to get control. That is part of the purpose of my blog.
My Journey Back is a journey toward finding myself again and to personally finding God and praising him and thanking him for what he has provided.

For the last 2 years he provided us with a home "rent free". We lived on 10 acres and we had a 3 bedroom house with a pool. It was such a Blessing. Who would have known when we moved there (before the mission began) that we would have a landlady that is a Christian. When we began to be slow paying she said don't worry. When we began to not pay she found a way for us to work for her (managing two other rental properties). We stayed there until June when they decided to develop the property.
God Blessed us we know.

Now we are in a house on acreage again. He answered all our prayers. It is minutes from our daughters and is just the prettiest little house. Little fence around the house and lots of potential for flower beds. It is just beautiful. You have to see the whole picture here. For five years we have been in full-time ministry supported by donations. We can't show a reall income. We have never taken a salary only what we needed for gas, utilities etc. So we couldn't show income to a potential landlord. We are convinced God brought us to this place. That he worked out all the circumstances for us.

And so I must trust that he is in control. And I must be thankful that he is and be thankful that he will provide provision.

God provides sometimes not exactly in our timing. Sometimes not exactly as we think it should be but he provides.

I am thankful God is in our day to day business. I am thankful he doesn't give up on me when I lack faith.

I am thankful he helps me put into words my feelings and that when I ask he is faithful to provide.

What are you thankful for today?

Word Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Wordfilled Wednesday. Visit Amy
for more wonderful illustrations of God's word.

Please pray for our food pantry ministry.
Blessings,
Sherry

Tacklin' Life on Tuesday

I didn't write a post today because I ended up being tied down to the family today.
I keep our grandbaby every Tues. and usually I am home by 5 and get to write a post but today that didn't happen.
My daughter had gone to her office, she is a field service rep. so only goes in once a week. She had taken a vacation day on Mon.which is her normal day to go to the office. She went in today instead.
She knew that changes were coming within the company and has been concerned they would affect her position. Well today she got word she should begin looking for a new job and if she can find something suitable she should take it.
She works for a major fortune 500 company.
She has a 14 week old baby.
She is the major income support for the family.
She doesn't have a degree. She took this job while in college. She was offered a part time position. Within 2 months they offered her a full-time position with benefits and a package too good to pass up.
She has been with the company for 5 years.
Now she is praying and trying to figure out what to do.
So today and tonight I have been on the computer looking for postings for her.
She has a strong yearning and desire to work in ministry. To work in a Christian environment.
We all know that God has a plan for all of us.
We need all our friends to pray for our family.
Our son in love needs encouragement. Our daughter needs encouragement.
So friends, please pray for us as we tackle real life and seek God's direction.

Simple Woman's Day Book

Welcome to My Monday Daybook. The Simple Woman's Day Book is hosted by Peggy she has a wonderful blog. Go by and visit and read the other day book entries. I have met some fun and wonderful people. And I know you will too.

Outside my windowFall. The weather is so much cooler. The grass is still green and the horses are waiting on breakfast.

I am thinkingOf pleasant things. And trusting in God and trying not to worry. I am thinking of all the things that make me happy like my shiny clean kitchen sink. Not a thing in it!

From the learning room We started a blog for our grandson in Missouri. He is homeschooled and we support them in that effort. Our husband taught our son alot about nature and God when he was growing up. They love the outdoors and hunting.

I am wearingworn out blue jeans and pink t-shirt,white socks. And soon I'll be putting on boots. I plan to spend some time outside working in the pasture and yard.

I am readingBeginning the book of Hebrews and continuing through the
Psalms. Everyday I read the Psalm of the day Sept 1. Psalms 1 etc. I am journaling
the Psalms. I need to feel God's precense. I need to trust him more. The journaling helps me focus.

I am hoping forthat everything works together for God's plan and that his timing is sufficient in all things in our personal life and in the ministry.

I am creating A way for our family to stay in touch, through the new Grandpa blog. And bedding for a crib we got over the weekend for our house.

I am hearing The horses waiting for breakfast, school buses on the road. The donkey's letting us know if someone drives in next door.

Around the houseChaos. We are moving furniture and boxes to make room for the crib and other things for the baby. That meant a major re-arrange.
We didn't want to take the crib apart. The master bedroom was the only room we had enough space; except my sewing room but to get it in that door we would have to take it apart. So I had to do a major rearrange in the master bedroom. Remember how big I said our closet is? It now has a saddle on a stand in it and my lingera chest in it too. I promise I'll take a photo soon.

One of my favorite thingsFireflies. I have not seen one since we moved back from Missouri. There we saw tons of them. I was in the pasture the other night checking water and I saw one lone firefly. Made me smile.

A few plans for the rest of the week I have been thinking of doing a daily daybook. Not on my blog but a journal. To keep me on task. I am working on getting my scrapbooking supplies out and organzied and get an area in the sewing room to do that kind of stuff. And when that is done I want to start making cards for our churches card ministry.

Here is a picture I am sharing. (They are crazy I know)



This is one of the photo's I'll be posting on the new blog for our boys. We called it Texas Grandpa and the boys. We will be posting his hunting photo's and writing stories for our grandson.

Thanks for visiting my day book and come by again soon. I write everyday and I love visitors and comments. I try to respond to each comment. Have a great day.

Daisy's new friend Maggie

Daisy has put out the Welcome mat and is inviting everyone in today to meet her
new friend Maggie. Maggie lives with her mom Kim in a wonderful little cottage that they call Daisy Cottage. My mom loves to visit thier blog and while she was there we got to meet Maggie.

Here is a picture of Maggie.

I just know she would be a great playmate. I would love to go and visit but my mom says they live to far away.
Maggie is a girly kind of girl. Here's another photo of her.

There are more pictures of her on her mom's blog. She wrote about Maggie's pretty pearls on August 24th so go over and see some pretty pictures.

I wonder how I would look in pearls. But they would get dirty when I got outside to take care of the horses!

I hope you enjoyed meeting Maggie. And come back and visit on Thursday because mom has some new photo's of me to show everyone.

Mom says for everyone to have a Blessed week.
Daisy

Friday Show and Tell on Saturday

Welcome to my Saturday edition of Kelli's Show and Tell it's not too late to go over and visit Kelli and see the others and she always has a cool Saturday post too.

I was crazy busy all day yesterday and didn't get to write a post. I hope you all like the late post. I kind of think it was worth the wait! I enjoyed putting it together.

With no more "ado" here are my treasures . . .

This is one of my favortie treasures for a couple of reasons I love the frame. (I have rabitts hiding all over my house) and because I love the photo in the middile of the fisherman/woman! LOL This was taken when Cowboy was much thinner isn't he handsome? The kids are really little. The place they went is no longer there. It is now houses! It was a place in the middle of our city where you could go and catch catfish. It was a big tank a really cool place for city kids.
It is a tiny fish I am not even sure you can see it very well but. We pretended to take take it home. Our son asked us for weeks no matter what was on his dinner plate beef,chicken pork. He would ask "Is this my fish?" We would tell him "yes" and he would eat every bite!

The next photo is that little fisherman all grown up with his own fish!

This photo was taken last year. This fish weighed 2 1/2 pounds. Last weekend we got an email that he went fishing again with 30 grasshoppers for bait that our grandson caught! While dad was gone grandson caught another huge grasshopper. But that one he wanted to save to discet for sience! He is in first grade!
So these are my fisherman photo's and my fish tale!
Have a great weekend. And I hope you enjoyed my late Show and Tell.
I will be posting my Then Sings My Soul post tonight.

Welcome to Thankful Thursday hosted by Iris from String My Heart
Iris had a wonderful post today about Seasons. She spoke of not only the seasons
of Fall(yea...it was cooler last night)Winter,Spring and Summer. But the seasons of our lives.
Here's the verse she chose..“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: … a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…”
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

When I think of this verse I remember my high school years and the song that was really popular then that came from the verse. Do you remember it? It was redone recently and played on Christian stations. I am thankful for all the friends
I made during that season. I have lost contact with many of them. There is a group that still lives close though and we stay connected because of one person that has pulled everyone back together for reunions.

I am thankful for the season I spent in Misery aka Missouri. I apologize if you live in Missouri. I will have to write a longer post sometime to explain. We lived there for just over 2 years. Our son and his family are still there. I am thankful he met his wife there.

I am thankful for the season that I spent meeting all my quilting friends and learning to quilt. All the classes that I took. And all the projects I started.
And for the ones that I finished! It doesn't seem like it but it was over 15 years ago. I still have one dear friend that I stay in touch with from that time. She is an amazing quilter and inspires me.

I am thankful for the time my husband spent with our son while he was growing up.
Here's a photo fo them.



Our son is teaching his son what he learned from his dad about hunting and about
God's relationship with us, and respect for all the wonderful things that God created for us to enjoy.

I am thankful for the season that I am in now. I was a SAHM and I guess I should add that season to my thankful list. If your in that season of life enjoy it and cherish it. I know somedays it can be difficult but it is worth it. And trust me on this you will blink and you will be in this season.



I hope you are smiling. I don't mean stuck in a sink.










I mean the season of life when you are a grandmother. I am now a Stay at Home Grandma. (SAHG)

The above photo is my lovely 3 month old grandbaby I get to keep him two days a week. And usually spend at least part of one other day with them on my daughters day off. She usually has an errand she wants me to go on. Or just calls for lunch!

Thank you God for the seasons of life. Thank you for what you have taught me through each one. And please give me wisdom and as I move into the next season.

Don't forget to stop over at Iris's

And come back tomorrow for Show and Tell hosted by Kelli. Stop today and see her she does a great card project each Thursday.

Be Thankful,
Sherry

Word Filled Wednesday

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation 1 Peter 2:2Have you had your milk today? Let's feed on the Word together! Amy Dean.

Amy at The 160 Acre Woods is the wonderful host for my Wednesday

———————
Amy provides my Wednesday posts each week while I am doing our food pantry ministry.

Please stop over at Amy's and see the other wonderful WFW posts.

test post

I stopped in tonight over at Monica's
Here post today mentioned a prayer request that I wanted to share with you.
What touched me was the fact that they are preparing for the weather but she mentions that her husband cannot leave with the family because he is in law enforcement.
This really got me to thinking. Here is what Monica wrote

"...we are faced with a possible evacuation for Hurricane Hannah - since my hubby can't leave due to being law enforcement and with three littles, I would leave earlier than a mandatory evacuation so that I'm not sitting on the interstate with my car off to conserve gas and no air conditioning!!

We'd rather be safe than sorry, so the plan right now is to leave tomorrow afternoon - it may be undue, but like I said, we're erring on the side of safety and getting ahead of traffic.

If it comes to mind, right now - I would appreciate prayer for wisdom on if and when to leave, that our little ones would be as cooperative and understanding as possible through this and that above all - we would be safe in His care."

I think her words express the need.
While I was there I found a cool meme. And so I started working on it. But the dummy I am at blogging it is taking awhile to complete.
Here's what I have done so far. I made a collage!


This was a fun meme that Monica found at Megan's, here are the details if you want to make your own!

Here’s how it works:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker. Choose 3 columns with 4 rows.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to? (or, What year did you graduate high school?)
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name. (kid version: favorite animal?)

You can go over to Monica's
to get all the instructions and the details while I figure out how to do the rest.

Please pray for all affected by the weather.

Dummies at Blogging New Look

Well I finally found a really cool template. And I changed it. I chose it because it is fun and funky.
I was looking for something fallish but this just caught my eye. I figure I can leave it for awhile and change it.
But I lost some stuff so I have to see now if I can get it back. I had backed everything up but redoing it may be over my head.
So if you come by and it looks a little confusing bear with me. Say a prayer for me and enjoy the new wild look.
Please leave your comment.

Tackle it Tuesday

I wrote an earlier post to let you know about something new I am starting today.
Please read my earlier post.
Here is my Tackle it Tuesday project.
Re-arranging the living room. Again! I am just not happy with the way it is arranged. Here's the reasons why:
...Hard to walk through
...My furniture doesn't fit
...New things for the baby
...Too many people and animals in one spot

Yesterday we had a wonderful time with our daughter, son in love,
the baby, our dog and thier dog. (that was a sight!)

Our living room has to serve as a dining room as well. So there is the challenge. I am almost ready to video it and post it and get some suggestions.

On Sunday I went ahead and moved the desk the computer was on.
That helped. I put the computer on an antique library table which had been behind the love seat.
Today I am going to move a couple of other pieces and the t.v. which is way too big for the room.
Especially when there is nothing worth watching on!
Cowboy was reading a book last night and I was on the computer.
Doing guess what? You know it!

Well that is the project I am tackling along with working on my blog.

Can anyone suggest a place to get a pretty free layout?

I hope everyone has a grea day and go over to 5 minutes for mom at
http://www.5minutesformom.com/ and read the other tackle projects.
Sorry the link won't work I am at my daughters baby sitting. I'll fix it tonight when I go home. Because you ask? I know how!
Yea.
Have a great day.

Tackle it Tuesday A New Project

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an
undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

I believe he uses us to encourage one another.
Just as the Two Mom's over at Tackle it Tuesday have encouraged so many in the areas of organization and mommy tips etc. I want to Tackle Tuesday by encouraging you too.

Today I want to begin a new weekly Tackle it Tuesday project. I want to share with you what God has placed on my heart or what I learned each week. It might be a devotional, a verse, a tip who knows. But it is meant to help you and encourage you.

And possibly help you maybe be a Happy Momma or make your baby Happy or help you have a Happy Husband.

Today I want to share what I read this week in 15 Minutes with God
by Emalie Barnes

This particular devo. talked about telling and showing your children you love them. I know your thinking well I am a SAHM. We take our children to church. Or maybe your thinking it's too late my kids are older they aren't babies little children anymore.

Here is a little of the devo. "Oh look,Daddy,I catched it!" That's good boy get ready for another make more and dad proud of the next one. "Look,Daddy I am only 8 and I can through faster than anyone on the team. Yea but you gotta work on your batting. You can't play in the big league if you can't hit. "Look, Dad I am sixteen and...." Yea but you need to."
Although not meant to these conversations were not edifying or building up the boy.

I know these are a bit of an exaggeration. But a point is being made here.

Emalie went on to tell of a story about a father frustrated because his son wasn't into to sports. But instead was into motocross. The dad wasn't into out doorsy things or getting dirty or dust etc. He went to their pastor asking him what to do.
The pastor wisely told him. "How much do you love your son? Enough to get grease on your hands?"

Sometimes we get so busy 'taking them to church' or 'grading papers or planning lessons' or 'cooking dinner'. That we forget why we are actually doing all that.

Sometimes maybe our husbands didn't have fathers that were daddy's and they don't know how to be a Daddy like in Emalie's first example.

Do you show your children by your actions that you love them? Or are you just busy running around and taking them to games and practises and driving home thinking about what you are going to cook for dinner.

Or; do you say to your son "Wow that was a great game I saw how you hit the ball. And I saw how you clapped for your team. And I saw how ..."

Emalie suggests thoughts for action:
* Write your child a love note or draw a picture for a young child
* Spend one on one with each child
* Put a note on your calendar to remind yourself to do the above again next
week or next month.

I hope you all have a great week. I hope that you are able to Tackle your own projects today. And I hope in some way that what I have shared will be a Blessing to you.

Have a Blessed week and I hope your days are filled with happiness.

A Cool Giveway

If your a reader of my blog you will notice that the template I had awhile back is gone.
The interesting thing is I didn't remove it. I suppose the place that I got it
"free" only lets you have it for a certain amount of time. I don't know. I do know it is gone.
I have been looking for another source and haven't found one yet but I found this really cute site.
I got there from Laurel Wreath by way of Down on the Farm.
AnywayDesigns by Splat has some cool designs. They are all bright and colorful and fun and not too expensive.
So if your looking for a new design go over and check them out. And sign up for the giveway.

Small Things Jan.25th Revisited

Duh.... Sometimes things don't turn out exactly as you planned. I wrote the below post intending to put it on my new blog. Which btw I have not told anyone about yet. But I guess now is time.

Back in June I was over at Amy'sand I noticed a button on her sidebar for Company Girls being the inquiring mind that I am I checked it out and I am glad I did.

It is so much fun. Today Rachel and many of us are taking a day off from blogging (or at least a few minutes in my case) to spend the holiday with family. I am going to do that later this afternoon.

I am just taking a short break from the kitchen. Needed to sit down for a few minutes. We have a huge late afternoon and evening planned.

I visited Rachel's archives and found this Small Thing that I can do amidst all preparation for our wonderful evening.

Here's Rachel's suggestion and thoughts. I had to share it because what she said just cracked me up!

Today's Small Thing is to tidy up your pet areas. Those nasty bowls could use a good scrubbing and a sweep around them to pick up the crumbs. If you have a dog or kitty bed, give it a good shake or vacuuming if you can. And should we talk about cat litter boxes??? Nah, I didn't think so.

Somehow I think our four-legged friends appreciate our efforts to spruce up their domains, even though they keep quiet about it. There's something classy about seeing them eat from a clean dish and I think it helps their self image. (Not that cats need help feeling even more superior!)

POINTS: 20 for cleaning up the dishes and food area

BONUS POINTS: 20 for cleaning up any other pet mess.....

40 pts max, (this is for any pets, not just dogs and cats)

Sorry, non-pet people! I'll make it up to you somehow....

P.S. I once had a friend whose dog was on Prozac for depression. Ooooh kaaaay. Maybe all he needed was a clean dog dish to eat from to lift his spirits!
One way to make your Home a Sanctuary is to take time off from blogging on holidays,
to spend time with your family.
Now before you start thinking I am calling kettle black...we do have a family time planned for today.

I just love being a Company Girl go over and visit Rachel's site and join the fun. Even revisiting is a hoot and can provide a wonderful opportunity to make your Home a Sanctuary

Here are a couple of photo's of my animals.
Daisy and Rascal are behind the gate. Miss Kitty happens to be laying on the dining room table. In our old house it was right by a set of french doors that lead to the backyard and barn. I had come in and tossed my Cowboys really,really warm coat on the table and Kitty made it a bed.


Now I am off to clean the cat's box and make their little area all clean and tidy and nice smelling for company. I wouldn't want them to get all depressed that it is not nice smelling for the company. LOL

Happy Revisits and come by my new blogyou will find all my Company Girls posts.

Simple Woman's Day Book post

For Today...Sept 1,2008

Outside my Window...Quiet lovely weather, it is still a little cool from the evening and there is dew on the grass. Some of the grass in the pasture is coming back out after the hourses over grazed. When we first moved here the end of June it was so hot and we didn't have all the fences put in. Now they are in and we are settling in.

I am thinking...I am looking forward to getting the yard pulled together and gardens put in...maybe a few fall plantings.

From the learning rooms...I am still planning on making a lap book about Texas for my grandson that lives in Missouri. I am making a soft book ABC for the new grandbaby.

I am thankful for...my daughter and son in love and the baby are coming over this afternoon for a day full of activity and food. They chose to come today so they could spend more time instead of coming on Sunday. Yea.

From the kitchen...Herb cheese bread I made yesterday for todays
smorgasbord with the kids. When our kids were little we had smorgasbord on Sunday night after church. I alwasy fixed fun finger foods and we ate on the coffee table. We are continuing the tradition today. I'll post the menu and photo's later in the week.

I am wearing...what I slept in. A comfy tank top and soft shorts. It is still a little warm here.

I am reading...Another novel. (started that again when Cowboy was in the hospital) it is old I have had it a few years. Nothing inteliigent or spiritual. And I am reading Emalie Barnes Devotions for Couples.

I am hoping...to get a certin quilt finished these week so it can hang during the fall holidays.

I am creating...too many things to list. LOL. I hope to creat some Christmas gifts for the family. And to begin making greeting cards for our church card ministry. Kelli at There's no place like home has wonderful ideas for greeting cards. A new blog.stay tuned to find out about it She also does Show and Tell on Friday. Come back by for my Show and Tell entry. look at what I just did!a link to Kelli's blog how cool is that?

I am hearing...The donkeys outside he hawing. Our house is on land by an recreational type park. The offer paint ball and motocross and some other stuff. There is a storage building behind our house and they park the tractor there.
The donkeys let us know anytime anyone is around. Or if anyone drives into our driveway. A cheap burgler alarm.

Around the house... I am moving furniture in the living room around again! I just cannot get it arranged. I am about to call HGTV and cry for help.
If we can kick the men outside today for awhile my daughter is going to try to help me. Wish us luck.

One of my favorite things... My house. Even though I think I am beginning to dislike the living room. But the walls are the prettiest golden yellow! It'll work out. It is just that my furniture doesn't fit and I am having to get rid of some things. We put the coffee table in our bedroom closet yesterday.
I know your thinking good grief how big is that closet? I'll have to take photo's soon. So you can see why I love my house!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... I know I am a broken record..but I will continue the sorting/decluttering of the house and the blog. I really hope to get a new template on the blog to make it pretty again. And hopefully a new photo. I would love pointers if anyone can give me some.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I found this on Dreamstime. I love sunflowers. I thought this was a cool photo.
I hope next year to share my own sunflower photos. I have always wanted to have a sunflower garden.