Green Mountain & Cafe Escapes K Cups – $4.83 Shipped

Have you gotten your $4.83 K-Cups yet?  I just did!  Pretty painless.

Sign up for your free $10.00 Vitacost Credit and receive your code via email.  Then go to Vitacost and search for K-cups or click here.  Be sure to include the dash in K-Cups.

I’m trying this one:

Purchase Green Mountain K Cups $12.59
use $10.00 free credit code – sent via email
Pay $2.59 + $2.24 shipping (today only)
$4.83 after credit

f you don’t like coffee, check out the deal on the Hot Cocoa or Tea…good deals for Keurig’s and other individual brew systems (they have Senseo pods).

My First Week with the Nikon s9100

This shot was one of my first 10-15 shots taken with my Nikon s9100 within the first hour of unpacking it.  Christmas Eve out at the farm, I went on a walk with another photographer.  My zoom blew hers away, though she’d found some sky settings that gave her richer sky colors than mine (perhaps better than was there).  I’ve since found some “sunset” settings and will show those improvements.

This after camera color select for green, then post editing to bump contrast and add nostalgic edging.  I wish this camera had the nostalgic edging (I think the Canon xs230 has it).  I’ve debated exchange for that camera, but several things about this one I liked better:  range of focal length, flash not automatically popping up (more for sound in quiet environments than it’s placement.which doesn’t bother me, having to hold the zoom most of the time with  my leg hand to stabilize the camera anyway–it’s a natural hold).

This shot is downsized to 455 x proportional for wordpress blog, and is unfortunately as large as I can get it here.  Perhaps I can upload to flickr.  I’ve not  used my account in so long I’d have a hard time with my name and password.

Some people are complaining about soft images with these cameras.  I wouldn’t say this is soft.  I wonder if they have something wrong in their settings.  I have it on center focus, so it would have probably been even more crisp with full across the image focusing.  I was zoomed in considerably, which may account for the blurring toward the bottom of the birdhouse.  It’s in morning light with some overexposure from that, but given all, I would call this a good image.  Not the excellence of a DSLR, obviously, but a good image.

Morning light; holly bush.  I have had a hard time getting these berries with a good shot.  Light wants to bounce off the berries in good light.  But, this is macro setting, and flower effect setting, center focus.  I like the blurring of the leaves closer to me.  Someone said they thought the focus always went to the object closest to you, but that is not the case.  It goes to what you are focused on…here, the berries, considerably behind the leaves.

This image is 455X331 as determined by wordpress.  Sorry no enlargements.  It is straight out of the camera, sunset mode.  I can see the clear detail of power lines on my screen, and a jet going by.  This represents accurately the colors I saw.  The sunset mode seemed to help keep from getting grey skies.

This was taken at midnight with one small lamp on in the room, handheld.  I could not believe the image quality for the conditions with no flash.

This was taken at sunset (with the sun on the other side of the house).  It was getting quite dark under this porch, but there is no blurring of the little lights, even hand-held.  I can see branches clearly 75-100 feet away.  Sunset mode (notice light pinks in the sky).  The colors match what I saw….no more, no less.  I liked it.

Before we judge this photo.  I was shooting across about the width or equivalent of 4.5 lanes of traffic/blacktop when I shot this into shade.  The zoom was as far as it could go and still focus in any acceptable fashion, and I was driving, so not a lot of time to meddle with focus or shooting.  Given my distance, the speed of execution, and odd light coming between me and this location from the morning sunrise, I felt it handled those well.  I could clean this up if it’s a photo I really wanted to keep.

This was also a sunset mode trial shot.  I like the graduation of color visible that I saw, the sharpness of the landscape in dim light (sunset was behind me on the other side of the house), and the fact that the moon looks pretty clear given I was doing a purely handheld shot with no bracing.

I adjusted the color for red only in camera, which is a very fun tool.  It was taken sitting on a couch across the room, probably eight feet away.  I may have added a bit of sharpness in photoshop for this, or not, I don’t remember for sure.

This is my brother and niece.  I tried a red color selection and though the effect was fun for Christmas.  It’s a little weird with her hair colored stripped, but cute.  I was watching Alice in Wonderland (the new one) yesterday and found myself noticing a lot of these color selection effects done in video.  They are dramatic and somewhat odd, all at the same time!   I loved the pink highlighted on her cheeks, though.  This is auto with color selection:  red.  I was about four feet away, incandescent lighting, no flash, late afternoon.

This was taken Christmas Day, early evening.  The sun was bouncing off the barn, making it glow against a dark sky behind it.  The photo captured exactly what I saw.  I was 300 feet from the barn, I’d guess.

This was auto or incandescent lighting.  It was throwing a weird color on the photos.  I wasn’t getting it all the time, but did with one series of shots of these two subjects.  After this, I discovered “manual light metering”, which corrected the problem completely.  I have had the seem result with green under incandescent evening lighting in a living room under similar conditions.  I hope I can predict it and meter ahead of time before shooting important photos.  I can fix with editing, but would rather not have to for candid shots.

This was the same room, and the color cleared on that side of the room.  Perhaps having dark behind the previous subjects caused some problems, I’m not sure.  I don’t recall if I used I flash for this, but likely not.

I may have messed with the levels and contrast a bit on this one editing. I loved the photo of me and my man another user took, though, and had to post it.

Dusk.   was very pleased with the contrast on this shot.  Sharpness cannot be adjusted manually, but the camera did a good job of handling it here.  I do wish I could adjust for sharpness in camera…I could do that with my old Sony Cybershot.   I also miss not having a “slow flash” that I had in that camera. 

High contrast black and white mode.  Low light (one small lamp in the room).  I liked how the camera handled this shot.

I may post these larger flickr, but thought I’d at least give some indication of my first week with the camera, my findings, and some feedback.  Just about every point and shoot brand and type seems to find a loud voice of praise and a loud voice of criticism, even in this camara, ranked top 3 for travel cameras, and even with other types of point and shoots everywhere I looked.  For my use and needs, it ranked first, and the images seem good so far, not 100% of them, and I’m still exploring and even looking at other cameras to be sure, but I’ve had fun so far.  Honestly, the manual engage flash probably won me over, as well as being able to have it in my purse pockets with no protruding shapes on the front.  As they say, the best photo is the one you take!  With the best camera in the world, if I don’t have it with me for our candid shots, it’s not a good camera for my use right now.  I’m mainly taking family candid shots and some as I walk around.  I usually don’t like added weight.

I have noticed an odd clicking or grinding when I’m pressing the shutter to take a shot that I’m not sure is normal, but am not sure if it’s worth trying to return it for investigation, either.

I’d be interested in reading others thoughts, experiences, and seeing their photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checking In

Well, so blogging and I have diverged paths for a bit.  I have two teens and one almost there in my house now!  TIME and the passing of it has become something I’m very aware of.  How do I spend it?  Am I pouring all into these kids that I need to be for their next step?  What things get in the way of that?  What things lend me to be a good listener, and what things tune me “out” to the world around me?  There is a time to “tune it all out” and there is a time to “tune it all in”.  I’m at a stage in the game where I need to “tune it all in”.

I spend a lot of time making sure the house and food are ready for them, I’m ready for them, and the schedule is flowing.  Some days, I get all the ‘stuff’ in order and realize I’m still not showing the love I feel.  It’s a tough job some days, just to keep going, keep being there, keep doing the mundane.  But, I want them to be free to pursue their dreams, just as I was.  My parents were so good to me!

This December was brutal schedule-wise.  Our oldest played high school ball and we loved traveling and the games, but there were some things I had to drop and give myself grace with…I didn’t get my Christmas cards finished, for instance.  I know…not the world’s worst problem, but something we enjoy each year, to write an annual letter with our happenings.  It makes a good record for us as well.  I hope to write a “winter letter” and hopefully even get it mailed!

My son is wanting to quit playing ball today…right now.  Praying a lot for him and how to walk through it.   Lord, give us wisdom.

I’ve been needing to replace my point and shoot camera and chose a Nikon s9100.  It has some glowing reviews, and some mixed reviews.  I am finding that with every point and shoot.  Basically, pick what you need, realize it’s just a point and shoot, not a miracle worker, and love it or leave it.  I opted out of manual modes and RAW for now, but wonder if I made a mistake sometimes.  Reading a lot on cameras in my spare time.

I got an iPod touch for Christmas.  I’m enjoying that.

We are trying to have WiFi in the house again this winter…we’ll see how that goes.  It’s very hard to keep tabs of the household with so much muck at arm’s length.  Praying for good levels of accountability and wisdom for my family with a changing world.

Needing to ‘rest’ on my physical goals.  December burned me out so I ate whatever was at hand and didn’t run at all.  Now, I’m feeling a bit better and have time, but am recovering from burn out from the holidays.  Hopefully, I can hit a few good spells in between winter viruses!  I’ll regret it if I don’t!

Spiritually, I’m resting.  Coming off a holiday marathon was not a great time for me to deal with goal setting.  The goal was to get through the holidays.  I do hope to set some goals soon!  I am keeping up with GMO to spread the gospel to the world.

I crave peace and quiet.  Time to pray, time to connect with family, and that’s about all there is time for these days, and I’m happy with that.  I connect with friends here and there digitally, miss them, but also am focused on this season of life.  It’s all good!

Love all my readers and subscribers!  Hope you are well, though I am not doing a lot of blog reading these days due to time constraints.   I hope to get some pics with my camera up, just because there seems to be little blogging going on about point and shoots for comparison.

Blessings!

Maggie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portal 2 XBox Game Review

Portal 2, great mind game, but rated E-10 = profanity the further you go in the game. Leaders teach that language is not acceptable in school or public life, yet every book, game, and movie is laced with it for “coolness” points-no warning on the packaging. Adults writing entertainment for kids have very little sense for shaping the next generation or helping us do so as parents. Write another letter. Ho hum.

Twenty Five Dollar of Free Food from Kroger: Here’s How

Free stuff from Kroger in the last week: two cartons of eggs, two large bags of peeled carrots, a pack of hamburger buns, a box of spaghetti, a three meat Tombstone pizza, one large bag of BBQ Lay’s chips, 1 large bag of Dorito’s, one bag of salad.

So, here’s the nitty gritty on how.

First, know I’m a “all things by grace” kind of person which means that in some seasons I am on top of this and in some seasons, I’m SO not.   I don’t know your family flow or your needs, but here’s what I do/did when I have time to mess with it.  Seems I can’t stay in the swing of much of anything for more than “intervals”, so maybe I should call this “Interval Couponing”.   Once my main pantry is full, I don’t worry about it on small trips.  If I try to focus on it for weeks and months at a time or I get burnt out.  It’s still worthwhile ot pay attention.  For example, Kroger often prints coupons with your sales bill.  I’ve gotten to where right when I check out, as the bagger is turning my cart around, I look to see what is in my hand.  If it’s a coupon I think I could use for my family, I make a mental note.  If I have time, generally there is a trash can behind me from the other checker.  If it’s junk, I move it to that can immediately.  Junk and loose paper and receipts feel like they could be the death of me and my purse sometimes!  I’ve also moved a small trash container or cup that stays in my van.  I can put them there as well if they are useless.  Getting rid of paper clutter as soon as possible still doesn’t work for me…it’s everywhere!  But, these things help!  LOL

I found a really great zip up folder, used at a flea market with the brand name “Children’s Place” on it.  I advise watching little lame video I made about my binder and how I set it up if you haven’t seen one of these.  I stalked a lady in Kroger who was doing it a few years ago and it was totally new to me.  I asked if she’d show me her system and explain a little about how she did it.  Three years later, I’m still very pleased with it and have stuck with it much longer than all the little bitty penda-flex type coupon things I’ve tried in the past.  I’m totally dependent on this notebook when I’m into my coupon groove.   You’ll be happy to know that since the making of that video, I did find a perfect a three ring pencil binder with a pen holder in the top it now holds my trash, scissors, calculator, and any coupons I’m going to use that day.  I’ll post a pic when I have more time later perhaps.

PHASE OF LIFE: As I said in the last video…couponing was very hard for me when I had small children.  If I found coupons for diapers, formula, or baby food, that’s about all the grace I had for it to fit it into my routines.  Also, if you have children that need to sit in the front of your cart, the binder won’t work very easily.  If you were doing a “coupon day”…I’d get childcare.  I seldom had luck with the grocery AND lots of young kids–that’s a job in itself which took more brain/emotional staying power than I had available.  I’m sure you new Moms have that down better than I did.  Anyway, that was my limitation.  Know thyself is the name of the game.

GRACE: You may have grace for that at this stage of life, you may not.  Go with the grace you are given, and pray for it if you need more of it, but forcing it is legalism, and that is no fun, and doesn’t work.  Forcing things makes everyone miserable.  In the same way, I can’t make my family eat a brand on sale they don’t like even if I got it free.

COUPONS: I don’t even buy a Sunday paper.  I hate papers.  They just seem to add to my paper clutter problems.  But, we get one or get mailed coupons or I stumble on them.  When I find these little pieces of dread paper to keep up with, I put them all in the front of a drawer on my counter (where I keep my grocery pad) OR I stick them in the front of the binder which stays on my desk.  They are not ready for a quarterly sifting.   Yes, some things expire this way, but as a whole, most coupons on are a quarterly rotation.  If there is something I know I’m using right away that is going to expire and is worth my mental attention, I’ll keep it near my grocery list.  I don’t know about you, but in my house, there is just a lot of paper in my kitchen to deal with, and a lot of paper on the bar, all the time.  That alone can turn me off if I don’t have a place to stick stuff.

-Paperless Coupons. On Spring Break, I remembered hearing about the coupons you can have added online straight to your Kroger card:  paperless coupons. I asked another child to get online and sign me up with my card.  The child added things we needed for a fundraiser coming up at church (free spaghetti with 2 sauces that happened to be on sale as well).  Note:  it takes one hour for coupons to load to your card for use once you add them on.  Time errands accordingly.  That brought me the free spaghetti and buns. Make a mental note or a written note of these coupons or you’ll forget you have them loaded.

-Online printable coupons below.  I only do this now and then, but it’s usually a good use of time when I have ink ready in my printer (seems it runs out constantly!)

WHEN: In cycles for me.   Namely, when our health is good, when I have more time for shopping, when weather is better, when our budget increases motivate me.

PANTRY REVIEW: Review Pantries!  Clean fridge and freezer!  This is very important.  Do this first. Get some idea of what you have on hand.  Have a meal plan.  If we are not too exhausted as women to answer the question “What do we have to eat?”, we are in a much better situation to make all this worthwhile.  Watch your commitments in the evening and plan on several meal nights at home around the table as a priority.  Make these plans and goals with your spouse so that your commitments are not fighting each other.

MY PERSONAL STORY FOR THIS GROUP OF SAVINGS:

Over Spring Break I got in a mood to clean out my binder.  I was not looking forward to this task with so many other things to catch up on around the kitchen.  I assigned a child the task of throwing away everything expired.  This did not go as well as I’d hoped, but it was still worthwhile.  The child didn’t want to stop a game online and acted like it was rocket science to check dates.  I modeled it and involved the child as much as they were willing to do.  They moved the trash from my hand to the trash until I finished.  It was good moral support for me, and it was important for them to see me doing it, the time it took, and what needed to be done to shop well.  That was all the help I could get and it probably took half an hour for that portion.

It took another hour to restock it with my stash from the mail.  Some of the coupon books had items I would only use if having a superbowl party or going to a potluck.  We have done neither due to illness.  Simply threw those away, not having cut any of them out of the mailers.  I ran across the last one with a LOT of free items in it, even a lot of veggies, it was then that I saw a shopping trip was imminent.

That day was supposed to be chore day, but one child had a hurt ankle from a ball game, another wasn’t feeling great to help with chores.  So, instead of staying home, I asked if they’d be willing to go to Kroger with me, sit at the front of the store, then check out when I was done.  Once we got there, they actually seems to enjoy stirring around a bit.  I let them go choose what kind of chips they wanted with their FREE coupons (Spring Break treat).   They got their chips (bigger bags than I imagined they would be).  They found a few other favorite items they enjoyed on sale. It was a good experience.  They are not always game, but they were willing that day.

MORE FREE FOOD. I could only use four of my FREE coupons that day.  This week, I had to be out doing errands anyway,  I kept my binder in the car.  When I went past that store, I used a few more of the FREE item coupons (saving the gas of making a trip across town).   While in the store, I ONLY got other items I needed to complete meals for that evening to go with the meats I’d bought on sale last week.

I still have much to learn, but I’m enjoying the challenge of getting what part of our budget down that I can, when I can!

Good luck with your couponing!

Easiest Scrapbooking in the World

Can you still call this scrapbooking?  I don’t know.  It’s certainly the person’s approach who does not have the time or space for traditional scrapbooking.  Totally excited about getting my photos under control using divided page protectors, preserving film based photos without glue, tape, or cropping…and it’s acid/lignen free (photo safe).  The empty spaces allow space for journaling and some titling and creativity if I want.  Loving the 12″ X 12″ format.

For the record, I’ve done nine and a half years of our family photos in about two weeks, and the photos are all oriented the correct direction.   I really don’t like looking like a chicken trying to view photos every direction.  LOL.   I’m posting the details and photos over on my crafty blog if you want to check it out.

Loving the Project Life Approach to Scrapbooking

I’ve been spending a lot of my time trying to get our photos under control lately.  I am used divided page protectors from We R Memory Keepers which can orient the photos in various directions in a 12X12″ format.  I found the protectors cheapest at Ritzcamera.com, $4 for 10 (free shipping if the order goes over $100.)  I went in with some friends to share the order to get free shipping.

I did 36 pages today.  You can leave 4X6 spots open for journaling or titling, or there is an official “Project Life” kit by Becky Higgins to help you pull this together (Amazon), though if you don’t plan on doing it as a life journal, I recommend the We R Memory Keepers divided protectors because they give you more options, the protectors are thicker, and overall, I am using them more filing older pictures.  I hope to get into a “Project Life” groove, but I think it’s all the page protectors I’m loving most right now.

I’m using a lot of Ali Edwards overlays for the journaling.  I did my son’s 1st-2nd birthdays and the year in between today.  Go ahead and clap for me, I deserve it.  It took all day!

This month I’m on my fourth album:

• my first 3 years over the weekend from old photos and 3X3″ blocked page dividers (for the old square photos).
• made a Mommy Happy book from duplicates and digital layouts I’ve done.
• our last year’s vacation album.

I’m ready to get on top of this.  Though my house isn’t spotless, I’m accomplishing a big goal!

Next, I want to convert our family videos to DVD.  Yeah, that will be a whopper of a job!  Hoping to enlist my son’s help over Spring Break!

Wednesday

Today, I felt like someone had pulled the plug on my energy.  Wow.  Several things I wanted to do, but just couldn’t get my mojo kicked into gear.  Oh well.

Working on my 20 year reunion, locating people.  Wow.  20 years!  Perhaps it is just the thought of being so old that is wearing me out.

Survived a meeting.  It’s a wonder they put up with someone so young.  Anyway, survived that.

Got some more divided page protectors in the mail for my 12X12 scrapbooks.  Making my organizing go much easier…seeing piles reduce.  Yay!

Laundry is somewhat under control for the week, need to run whites.

Need to vacuum and mop.  Blek!

Expecting a visit from my cousin tomorrow.  Very excited about that.

I’ve been keeping a daily log of things I’ve accomplished the last few days.  Seems to help me realize the days have purpose and that I’m not just “doing nothing”.  Easy to feel that way sometimes, especially with so much “un-done” even though I’m here all day!

Eat the elephant, one bite at a time!

Just a random post of normal stuff.

Later!

 

Label SVG Cut Files

In celebration of all the wonder of SCAL, I thought I’d put up some labels I’d made a while back welding basic shapes to share on a rainy day. (I also posted them on my crafting blog “RecordKeeper.wordpress.com”.)

As a note, I’m trying to not cross post with my crafting blog, but wanted to get this info out there:  Sure Cuts a Lot may no longer be available to you, depending on how a current lawsuit situation goes with Provocraft where you can cut your files/fonts/shapes/.jpgs with your Cricut (many sad tears).  If you want to get it, now’s the time!  You may not have tomorrow!  Here’s the link.

Click the following link for files:  http://cid-962ef967725fa4d7.office.live.com/browse.aspx/.Documents/MAGGIE%20SVG%20Files

Please do not repost them, but you may use them for your own crafting purposes.  Do not share the links, but you may link to this post (http://wp.me/pihKz-hI) where friends may obtain them.

Enjoy!

Whittled

My grandfather whittled.

My uncles whittle.

I…am whittled.

I remember the smell of the wood, the leathered hands, the showing of little knives, the display of projects…names drawn…which of the hundred of us would win this priced piece to be shared with family?  Oh me!  Pick me!  And a few times, they did.  Baskets woven.  Little topiaries with painted stems.  Wall Hangings.

Why whittle?

Why take a branch and begin to form it, smooth it, shape it…into something else?  Why spend the time?

I don’t know.

I do know that working with your hands eases your mind.

I know that sharing something you’ve made is rewarding.  Simple.  Clarifying.

Faltering people.  Skilled hands.  Shaped gifts.

Lately, I feel whittled.

Things carved from my life that seemed the best things.

It continues.

On and on, seeming losses occur which I try to accept as part of the shaping.  I try to allow the smoothing.  I force rest under the pressure, the paring.

And there goes the other side…carved off.

And off.

And off.

I wonder if there will be anything left.

It doesn’t look very beautiful to me yet, I have to say.  I just feel stripped bare sometimes. I am not grieving as if with no hope.  I have hope…from year’s past with my Maker, I know there is something coming.  Something lovely.  Something more than I would have asked for.  Yet, at the moment, there is “feeling” to manage.

Depression.  Anger.  Bitterness.  Frustration.

Getting up in the  morning and feeling low.  Perspective dim.

Wondering

Asking

Waiting

Praying

Seeking

Worshipping

Refreshing

Carrying on

Low

Missing spring…

Not ready for it.

Still feeling very winter.

Thankful, yet stripped.

I could list the large events of stripping of the year, but I won’t.  None of them alone has done me in.  It’ s been the cummulative effect of all  of it that is wearing on me.  I wonder when the page will turn and when I will begin feeling the filling again rather than the empyting.

I wonder today if maybe it’s me.  Trying to fill with a lot of things that while distracting (and that is something good), do not really FILL.  Wondering if my habits are contributing to the problem.  Or lack of habits.  Wondering if I need to make some changes, get back into some disciplines, and find the filling.

I will try.

Lord, I need the filling.  The joy overflowing.  The sweetness of life.  The knowledge that the enemy is not stealing from me in my down-ness.  I want to possess the land you’ve given and not worry with what you’ve whittled.  Such small things, really, in the grand scope of all you give.

Keep my focus on you, Lord.

My eyes, fixed on you.

Grace me to do what needs to be done, even in disciplines, or I will not get them done.

Moving forward…

 

 

Thanks In Advance (Thoughts on Psalms)

I sat in church yesterday and listening, but also perused some Psalms.  There were a couple that spoke to me deeply, as Psalms have a way of doing.

Still mulling them today, I wonder what would happen if we injected the power and presence of Christ into David, as Christians today have?  What if, in reading, we consider that we have the power of Christ IN us?

Another New Testament scriptures comes to mind which says, “We grieve, but not as those who have no hope.”

I grieve.  I feel deep emotion.  I get depressed.  I feel panic, frustration, disappointment, and sometimes for longer than I’d like.

But, I also realize that I can choose to trust God.

I don’t have to stay there.

I don’t want Satan to steal anything further from this earth than he already has.

I cannot change everything, but I must do all I can to stop that.

In “moving on”, that is what I choose.  It’s not that it doesn’t hurt.  It’s not that I don’t pray…intensely.

Yet, I choose life.

I choose joy.

I realize that I cannot control everything.

I am not responsible for everything.

I certainly cannot carry everything.

“Standing in the gap” doesn’t mean that I stop living by grace alone.  It doesn’t mean that I start “striving” that can only be done by God alone, in his time, without losing his breath.

I don’t waste unnecessary time wondering who will think about what, or how this with affect that.

I am not God.

I don’t have to be.

I pray, casting my burdens on the Lord, letting him sustain me.

I pray, giving my anxieties to him, WITH THANKSGIVING, sealing the deal.

Our church secretary often signs her requests “Thanks in advance”.  She is saying, I know it’s as good as done by my asking.

That is what my “thankful petition” prayers say.

“God…thanks in advance!”

Prayer for the Overwhelmed

There is so much going on in the world, in the community, in family…Lord.  I do not know how you deal with ALL this stuff, pretty much every day…seeing people hurt, suffer, make poor choices.

Just the small glimpses I’m seeing of it this week grieves my heart, almost to overwhelming.

I cannot stand.

I find a warm cup of coffee, a hot bath, a job done, and keep moving.

Yet my heart is not smiling.  Too much.  I am not you.  I cannot take it.  My heart cannot.

Lord, how can your people go forward with joy and some peace in the world unless you reign?!  Reign supremely, Lord!  I beg of you to reveal yourself in situations that are too big for me, too heavy for me…to much for me.  I am overwhelmed just watching, seeing impact, hurting people, all over the world, near and far.  I hurt!  It is like watching another woman in labor, which I cannot do as a casual observer.  It is too painful!

Protect us, bring your truth to light, bring your victory!

Cause us to rejoice in your protection, your provisions, your healing, your working! I long for true celebration!

We cannot just elicit a smile on our own.

We NEED you.

Come in power! Come quickly.

Be our salvation, day and night.

Shine your truth in the darkness.

Wake up those walking in darkness and untruth.

Do it big.

Let the world see and know that you love them, and you care, in whatever ways you can.

Restore our joy that we may shine for you more fully, Lord. Lift our heads.

Amen.

Stop Trying to Be God

I had a friend once, who, after hearing my litany of very worthy complaints, said to me, “So, why are you trying to be God?”

In other words, I was scared that my mom wasn’t safe in Iraq, and I thought my worry was necessary to change things:  trying to be God.

I had been sick, and it was tiring, and I was stressed, and somehow, my staying there would change things:  trying to be God.

Today, I’ve had some issues come up with one of my kids and I want to fix it!  Trying to be God.

I have set the boundaries.  I have pointed out the problem.  I have done my part.  Now, it’s time for a response.

I do not have to own the stress.  I do not have to fix the problem (yet).  I have done today’s work.  Now, I need to let God be God.  In my life.  In my child’s life.

Lord, be God.  Do what I cannot.  Speak.  Help.  Give wisdom and discernment.  Help this one make good choices in spite of a million “good” things pulling attention away.

Help me know how far to go.  When to move. When to stop.  ”The boundaries you have placed for me are pleasant places.  Sure I have a delightful inheritance.”  (Psalms)

~Me

Another Monday

MONDAY

Everyone hates Monday.  I rather like Monday.  As a stay-at-home Mom, it is my Saturday in some ways.  It gives some much needed quiet to a house that has been humming full steam all weekend.  I catch my breath, make lists for the week, and plans meals.  Today, not sure if we are talking hamburger helper with corn and corn bread, or Mexican.  Probably the first.  A couple of mine really don’t like Mexican, which means they probably are not my children at all.

Realizing today, in hindsight, that I should have added to my list last week:  physical care.

1. I need to stop eating so much sugar, chocolate, and coffee, and get back to real food.  That means more trips to the grocery, more cooking, more kitchen time, and less “other stuff”.  I feel emotional, moody, and out of sorts most of the time–probably much related to my diet…or it’s not helping, in any case.
2. I added back vitamins Friday, which helps (I do a multivitamin for women, and a B supplement group).  These help, but I’m still just cranky and don’t want to be messed with.  There are other reasons, but physical activity drains some of the stress away and makes me easier to get along with, more focused on priorities, and overall, less down on myself and everyone else.  So, to the treadmill I’m heading.  I have about 30 minutes before I need to pick up the first from school.   Deep breath, and off I go!

Later (hopefully more pleasant, adorably agreeable, and feeling put back together),

Maggie

Lately

Lately, I get up, get my kids ready for school, deal with the mini-dramas of the day X3, get home, check on my home-bound mother-in-law, and then settle in for a cup of hot coffee to sooth my throat.

And it is in this time of day that I feel a good cry coming on.  Every day.  But, I don’t cry.  I usually make my lists and get on with the tasks of the day.

It crosses my mind that I am not depressed, life is good, winter sickness is over. So, why do I feel overwhelmed?

I have come to these conclusions lately:

1. Pre-teen daughter in the home.  There is something about the 6th grade year for both of my kids that has been much like weathering a long storm.  Half the time, I command that the winds be still and keep commanding it until they are, for my own sanity.  Sometimes, I ignore it.  Sometimes, I pray through it.  Sometimes, I get my feelings hurt.  Sometimes, I try to come up with a better strategy for dealing with it.  Irregardless, it’s exhausting.  I blame hormones.  I’m about to ban hormones from the whole earth.  It just seems things would be much more peaceful at times.
2. Aging parents.  It has been a lifelong aspiration of ours to live in the town where our parents lived to help provide support when our parents began to age and need some assistance.  I have varying degrees of that coming in full force on both sides.  Mom is caring for my step-Dad and weathering her own storm there, holding down the fort admirably.  My husband’s mother has broken a pelvis and has osteoporosis.  She got out of a car and BAM! Her pelvis broke.  She is struggling with chronic sciatic pain.  It is very hard to see people come to the end of their physical selves, and to be in a totally new season of their lives.  It is exhausting to watch people suffering, even when you aren’t actively doing anything.  I try to help with little things, to call or go by each day, comb hair, take a video, read a story, talk about the news, straighten up the kitchen or sweep the floor.
3. My house needs Spring Cleaning.  I would enjoy the results of this, but am not looking forward to it taking the whole day.  Little bites need to be taken, and I need to take them.  I think it would really cheer me up.  Having drainage to deal with doesn’t make me look forward to the dust at all.
4. Cooking.  I am at a quandry with this issue.  I just can’t take cranky people anymore.  It has become easier to just get what each individual wants lately and have one area where everyone is happy.  I hope to get on top of this.  I don’t like eating out so much.  It’s not good for us.
5. Spiritual neglect.  I need to get back into my thanksgivings and some inspirational reading.  That always cheers me.

So, that’s that, and my coffee is drained.  I think I’ll start on the basement to prepare for a houseguest this evening, then tackle the bar, front room, and hopefully, a few piles in the garage.  On top of that, I hope to get to scrapbook night, though I’m not sure my energy will hold out that long!

Regards friends,
Maggie