Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.....

Our tree is trimmed and our stockings our hung.
Christmas music is blasted daily through every speaker in the house.
Hickory smoke is billowing out of my chimney every single night of the week.
We have been so very blessed.  I am so thankful that Jesus came to this earth to give us a gift worth celebrating!
Joy to the World , the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room!
And Heaven, and nature sing!

Christmas Decorations

My Improvisational centerpiece

I'm making new stockings ;) I found the inspiration for these burlap stockings in a Southern Living magazine.

I like earthy, rustic things :)

Sean made the little wooden candle holders :) these were just test pieces he is going to sink the candle in.

Sean doesn't like this....is it bad?

Love my bargain wreath! I got it at Pottery Barn the day after Cmas for $14!

 Our Christmas Tree

A shot from above

I couldn't get a good pic of the tree.

My favorite Ornaments

Love my woodsy little owl! My sis-in-law Melissa gave this to me last christmas.

I love the reindeer and the Lenox first Christmas ornament that Sean's mom gave us last year.

I love the butterflies and the pinecones.

I wanted the  ornaments like the one in this picture and the picture above this one so bad last year but I was not about to pay the price tag on them. Soo, I bought them after Christmas for 75% off....with a gift card! Score!

This is another first year together ornament from Mimi, Sean's Grandmother. I really love this one too :)

This is another love, My silk tree skirt :)

A little bit of a splurge for me but It was still a great bargain.

I know that was alot of pictures but what can I say?

Love of Decorating+Love of Christmas season=

One very excited me!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid, were replaced with 4 pigs, and you know that looked stupid!

 The line "the stockings were hung by the chimney with care" has been running through my head ever since I hung my stockings "by the chimney with care" a couple of evenings ago.
I couldn't  remember the rest of the poem so I Googled it.  I found the original version, as well as quite a few parodies of the well known Christmas poem. I thought some of them were amusing renditions so I thought I would post some of them periodically through this month. I also took the liberty of embellishing with pictures.

Politically Correct Night Before Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck...
How to live in a world that's politically correct?
His workers no longer would answer to "Elves",
"Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.

And labor conditions at the north pole
Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul.
Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,
Released to the wilds by the Humane Society.

And equal employment had made it quite clear
That Santa had better not use just reindeer.
So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,
were replaced by four pigs and you know that looked stupid!

Dancer

Donner

Comet

Cupid

The runners had been removed from his sleigh;
The ruts were termed dangerous by the E.P.A.
And people had started to call for the cops
When they heard sled noises on their roof-tops.

Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite frightened.
His fur trimmed red suit was called "Unenlightened."
And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows,
Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his nose

And had gone on Geraldo, in front of the nation,
Demanding millions in over-due compensation.
So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife,
Who suddenly said she'd enough of this life,

Joined a self-help group, packed, and left in a whiz,
Demanding from now on her title was Ms.
And as for the gifts, why, he'd ne'er had a notion
That making a choice could cause so much commotion.

Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,
Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her.
Nothing that might be construed to pollute.
Nothing to aim. Nothing to shoot.

Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.
Nothing for just girls. Or just for the boys.
Nothing that claimed to be gender specific.
Nothing that's warlike or non-pacific.

No candy or sweets...they were bad for the tooth.
Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.
And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden,
Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden.

For they raised the hackles of those psychological
Who claimed the only good gift was one ecological.
No baseball, no football...someone could get hurt;
Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt

Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe;
And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.
So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed;
He just could not figure out what to do next.

He tried to be merry, tried to be gay,
But you've got to be careful with that word today.
His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground;
Nothing fully acceptable was to be found.

Something special was needed, a gift that he might
Give to all without angering the left or the right.
A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision,
Each group of people, every religion;

Every ethnicity, every hue,
Everyone, everywhere...even you.
So here is that gift, it's price beyond worth...
"May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on earth."

Wednesdays

I was at a bonfire on a Halloween, standing in a dark field with only the light of the moon and the fire to light the faces of those around me. I was near the fire talking to a friend. While we were talking Sarah reached up to put her hair behind her ear with her right hand and a little sparkle dazzled in the light of the bonfire. I reached up to take her hand and examine the source of sparkle (don't get any ideas. I said right hand!) It was a big fashion ring studded with black and clear jewels. "This is so cute!" I exclaimed. "Thanks" she said. "I got it at this really cute boutique in Bartlett! And I found these boots there too!"
I had already noticed the cuteness of her boots but didn't want to quiz her from fingers to toe on her fashion.
"I love those too! Tell me more about this shop"
So she told me about Wednesdays.
Here’s the catch, but also what makes it more fun, the name is quite perfect because it is only open on Wednesdays! Conveniently for me the shop is only about five minutes from my office. But if you love to shop and find good deals and unique items it's worth planning your Wednesday around a trip to Wednesdays.
Wednesday’s motto is "We Rescue Beautiful Things."
They have vintage clothes, shoes and accessories, as well as brand new tops and purses.
I also found lightly worn items at great prices. There was a shelf with cute teapots and unique teas. I had a sample of a delicious black currant tea.
Also Debbie and her daughter Alexis are the Owner/Operators and they are both so Sweet and fun to talk with. I could go on but its Wednesday and time for lunch which for me means time to stop by Wednesdays and see what is new this week! They have new items every Wednesday. I'm excited to see what I will find today!
Last week I bought the cute shirt in this picture:

Happy Wednesday!

Will I Choose Perfectionism and Pride or Obediance and Action?

God isn't interested in our stellar Performance but in our hearts. He loves our willingness and obedience despite our insecurities. -Beth Moore

Silence and solitude is a very difficult discipline for me.
I realized that even in my "quiet time" with the Lord I am praying or reading or journaling and very rarely do I ever just sit in silence, listen and wait on the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart. But a couple of weeks ago I prayed and in effect said "Father, I'm going to be still, shut up and listen so please speak to my heart.”
I have felt the Lord leading me to minister in a certain area for awhile but have convinced myself that I needed to "prepare myself," I need to "get it together," I need to "figure things out."
I also begin to feel defeated before I have even tried to serve in this area. I start to think that I'm not needed and that what I have to offer isn't necessary for the people I would be serving.
But that day I really felt like the Lord leading me to move forward in this area even though I'm not perfect, even though I don't "have it all figured out." Imagine that, The Lord wanting me to use me before I have achieved perfection? I know, it very perplexing but as it turns out we're never in our earthly existence going to be perfect.
Two days later, I was doing my homework for the Esther bible study and Beth Moore presented Esther’s approaching the king in whole new way to me. In chapter 5 when Esther approaches the king she has just walked into a life or death situation. Even if the king did extend his scepter to her there was still a chance the king would not show grace and save her people from genocide.
But Esther said "if I perish, I perish." and prepared to approach the king in anyway.
But this is what was so encouraging to me; Esther probably didn't have it all together.
King Xerxes asked the question "what is it Queen Esther? What is your request?..."
The Hebrew word used was mah lak, translated in Esther as "what is it”, and is also translated as "what troubles you" or "what ails you."
This shows the king knew something was wrong with Esther. This was likely due in part to her breaking protocol but also very likely, it was apparent in her demeanor.
Also, when Queen Esther replies to the king her words translate as broken sentences.
Basically like she starts to say something and then stops and rephrases it.
Perhaps as if she was nervous and her voice was a little shaky. (Just a suggestion by Beth Moore)
When I read this I thought if Queen Esther was like me and a lot of women and waited to be obedient and to do what she was called to do until she could do it flawlessly, without nervousness or the risk of screwing something up......the Jews would be dead!
Often we don't want to do something because it makes us nervous or we think we won't know what to say or how to do it perfectly and we are fearful that people will see that.
Reading this was such an encouragement to me to think that great Queen Esther might have not had it all together but she acted anyway!
This was encouraging to me, especially since the Lord was already working on my heart in this area.
"I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't do our best. I'm simply saying that sometimes just surviving certain tasks without falling apart is our best and in those times God is not ashamed of our performance. He is proud of us for fighting overwhelming human emotions to do his will. God isn't interested in our stellar performance but in our hearts. He loves our willingness and obedience despite our insecurities." -Beth Moore

Barter- verb; to trade by exchange of commodities rather than by the use of money.

 Our new windows have been delivered and I am very much  looking forward to having them installed. First of all, for the energy effiency that they will bring (and  that they will look nice. =) But more excited about my home  being warm in the winter than any aesthetic enjoyment they will bring. Also, once the windows are installed we are having the house painted! I'm very excited about this as well because it is one thing that sean doesnt have to do himself!
Now, with regard to that excitement, I would like to tell you that I love bartering . People don't barter so much these days but it is really a great way to get things done with out money coming straight out of your pocket. Of course you have to invest time and labor but even so, you both get what you want without breaking the bank! I'm sure we wouldnt have been able to do half the things we've done in our home without bartering. Atleast it would have taken us twice as long to accomplish it.

I'm going to have to think about this but here is a list of the things we have "bartered" :
Exterior Paint:

in exchange for an 8ft Cap and trim fence. Our estimate for the having the house proffessionally painted was around $2800. Sean had somewhat of a relationship with the owner of the painting company, who happended to need a fence so they worked out deal where both of them would spending $800 out of pocket for materials and trade labor. So all in all it probably works out to a little over $1000 when you figure in labor costs but still way better than $2800 or sean, once again doing the work himself
GE Monogram stainless steel wrap refridgerator :
blood, sweat and tears!Sean Stained and Scored about 600sq ft for a lady we know who owns an appliance store. This was a really difficult one because he was working at best buy and landscaping and then going to this empty house until 3-5am almost everynight for awhile. I would go with him and help some, It was really hard work and I like to be asleep at 2am...hence, the tears :) BUT, it is a beautiful high end fridge that we never would have splurged on and he did get paid for the work and we got the refridgerator for a fraction of what it cost. So all in all, a sweet deal.
Renovations: Exanding the kitchen and laundry room and a creating a beautiful archway:
When sean worked at best buy he earned 3 samsung blu-ray players OR a blu-ray player and surround sound sound system. He had already purchased those items the year before so we traded Jesse Smith (Seans friend) the bluray and surround sound for his expertise and labor. (We obviously came out on top since the system was free to us but Jesse was going to help just for the sake of freindship so the entertainment system just sweetened the deal.) Jesse can do pretty much anything and do it with expertise. I thought sean could do alot of things but jesse is a like bob vila with more skills. So jesse and sean ripped out walls and ceilings and built new walls and ceilings and re-wired the electrical outlets...and alot of other stuff.
Hardwood Floors:
Seans roommate at the time, Brian Bell, helped sean install the floors. I'm really not sure what the arrangement was in this case
Recessed Lighting:
Sean is making concrete countertops, like ours but in onyx, for the Barkers kitchen and Mike .is going to do recessed lighting for us in our kitchen.
----------
Just some examples of bartering. It's a great way to get things done and help each other out in bad economic times...and good times too.
You don't have to have construction or hard labor skills to barter.
My sister Rebekah and about six of her friends, who are all in dorms or apartments at Mississppi College,
cook for each other several nights a week.
So the way it works out they don't have to eat out so much but instead are able to have home made meals and only have to cook once a week. I thought it was a really smart idea.
I have some more ideas for saving money but I will save those for another time!

A Beautiful Autumn Day

I'm so glad fall is here! I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. I can't believe that this time last year I was going to EVERY craft store in the greater Memphis metropolitan area to find enough off white votive candles to light a small community. yes we cleaned out Hobby Lobby in Colllierville, Garden Ridge and Old Time Pottery among others....Why do do brides do these things?

I'm pretty sure no one will ever remember all the little flickering candles that were so cleverly tucked along the bed of the stream that flowed from the candle covered waterfall.

And Besides all that, someone made the executive decision (without me) to remove the pumpkin spice candles (that we also went all over town to find enough of them) from the edges of the bridge that I walked over in fear that I would catch on fire...but you see, people would remember a bride who caught herself on fire.

This is basically how it would go:
Once I realized what all the gasping was about and why my dad was stomping on my train. I would have frantically jumped off of the bridge and into the pool screaming and then my drenched head would slowly lift from the shallow water and at the moment there would be a look on my face that said "I need to go back into the womb and start my whole life over" ......and then somehow an unauthorized copy of my wedding video would be getting thousands of hits on YouTube :)
Awful, but memorable.
Anyway, the point is I love the fall and I can't believe it has been a year since I was wrapped up in all the wedding planning nonsense! (That being said I loved my wedding is was absolutely perfect and better than I ever dreamed of Thanks to the Lord blessing us beyond reason with wonderful family and friends)
The air is so crisp and cool, every time I walk outside I feel at peace and hopeful.
It's times like this when you simply walk outside and can't help but remember that only an intelligent creator could create seasons so perfectly.
Sometimes when I think about the winter coming I feel rather melancholy because I so dislike the bitter cold and distance from the sun (and therefore all together LACK of sunshine) that winter brings. However, I must remind myself that I wouldn't appreciate the other seasons that I love and celebrate so much, if they were always here.
For instance, if we it was always fall we would never have leaves on our trees and we would get really tired of pumpkins and pecan pies and burnt orange table clothes.
If it were spring all the time I wouldn't get so excited about my tulips blooming because they would always be there and we would have to go to a wedding every weekend of our lives!
All I really wanted to say in this post is this:
What a beautiful time of year! Praise the Lord for seasons!

"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him
with songs of praise!
For the Lord is a great God, and a king above all gods.
In His hands are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are His also.
The sea is His for he made it, and his hands formed dry land.
Oh come let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the Lord our maker!" PSALM 95:1-6

after all the candles and torches were blown out...still pretty :)

An excerpt from my prayer journal....

I decided to share what I wrote in my journal this morning...

I woke up at 545am to Amy's call to confirm that we were walking at 6.
I though about backing out because my bed felt like the best place in the world I could be at that moment.
The truth was that upon waking I actually felt perfectly able (physically) to get up and face the day (...other than a back ache which subsided after walking :)
But I was very tempted to crawl back into bed at 655 when Amy left. I convinced myself to at least take a shower before wimping out and going back to bed. After showering I still couldn't get mentally pumped to spend time with the Lord. After all, a little nap before work seemed so pleasant. Fortunately, I didn't let Satan win. I thought about the Screwtape letters (a book brilliantly written by C.S. Lewis. This book is Written as if it is a compilation of letters from Screwtape, a very experienced and senior demon, giving advice and correction to his young demon nephew wormwood who is assigned to a certain human with the goal of doing everything in his power to get that human into hell on the humans own accord.)
I realized my demon has me right were he wanted me...well little wormwood, your going to have to give a bad report to your uncle today! I'm going to spend time with my Jesus today!
It is 7:34 and I'm going to start reading Esther. I should have started reading Esther almost a week ago...since the first day of our Beth Moore study of Esther began last Tuesday. I'm going to get my workbook on the way to work and I now resolve to be diligent in keeping on schedule with my homework so that I can get the very most of this study.
I'm very excited about studying Esther. I desire to be wise and discerning like Esther. I want to be brave like Esther. I want to learn from her the discipline of knowing when to speak up and when to hold my tongue.
Thank you Lord for your word. Thank you for allowing me to live, for a time, in a place where we can access the word of God at any moment, where we can gather and worship freely, and where we can profess you as our Lord and saviour without fear of imprisonment or other physical persecution.
But Lord, if the day comes when our free America is lost and our precious rights to worship and claim you are taken from us, I should rejoice even more
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." Matthew 5:10-12a

"But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great
conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated.
For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE,
HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.
BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.
But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. Hebrews 10:32-39
8:35am
(End of journal entry)
-----------------------


I'm inconsistent with my journaling but I've been trying to get on a schedule that allows spending time with the Lord, praying and being in the word to be my number one priority. I struggle with getting up in time to accomplish all the things I want to before going to work.
Since July I have been getting up every morning just in time to walk at 7am with Amy (my dear friend and workout buddy)
so it was almost 8 by the time we would get back to the house. I would make coffee and Amy would stay and chatter with me while I would do laundry or unload the dishwasher, or vacuum or whatever chore was weighing on me that morning. Then it was time for me to get ready for work and run out the door. I Would try to read my bible at work but I'm usually much to distracted to pray very intimately. Sometimes I spend some time in prayer and the Word in the evenings at home but still I am distracted by my impending bedtime and shortly become so very enticed to sink my head into the sweet conforming softness of my pillow.
Well, my dear Amy started a new job last Monday so we took last week off and today we started our new routine. Start walking promptly at 6 so Amy can leave by 650 for work.
This is perfect because I can make coffee, shower and then have my quiet time all before 815 then do a little housework and head out the door for work. Friends, Please pray for me that the Lord will renew my strength each morning so that I can be consistent in this.
For those of you that don't know, I have been suffering from fatigue and tiredness off and on for a couple of years now.
I have been doing much better now that I have a regular routine. No more crazy Starbucks hours has been so good for my health!
Before I close this very long post I must say that the story of Esther is so cool!
I mean just as a story it's so interesting and then on top of that we get to learn from it. I'm pumped about studying Esther with the ladies!
If anyone would like to join us on Tuesday evenings at 6 to do Beth Moore's study on Esther your are welcome! tomorrow (Sep.22) is just the second week and dinner is provided! just message me if your interested.

DISCLAIMER

First of all, Let's get something straight, I AM NOT A BLOGGER.
I've noticed every blog I've read lately is written by other non-bloggers.
This of course makes sense because I am a not a blog reader.
So natuarally someone who does not read blogs would only find themselves reading blogs wrtitten by people who are not actually bloggers.
So although, I'm writing a blog and you are reading my blog, let it be known that, although I am blogging, I am NOT A BLOGGER.

The Paragraph above is not an introduction, it is a disclaimer.
Because I am not blogger I CANNOT Gaurantee the content of this blog will be: USEFUL, FUNNY, USE PROPER GRAMMER OR PUNCUATION, OR INTEREST YOU IN ANYWAY.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get to it.
I've decided to start a blog because my life is so interesting and my thoughts are so full of Wisdom and Prophecy that I feel it is selfish to not share them with the world. (sarcasm)
So I'm going to go ahead of give this blog thing a shot.

I started a new job recently bringing my starbucks career to an end after almost six years.
I work at Shelter Benefits. I love the people I work with and I'm really getting the hang of the job.
Sean and I have been married for almost a year now! It's kind of hard to believe but really excited to be coming to a huge milestone in our life.
It's been a fun, crazy, challenging, wonderful year of growth for us filled with lots of laughter, tears, sheet rock dust, and more frozen pizzas than any two people should ever consume in their lifetime.
We don't have any pets except for my estranged puppy/daughter Stella who is the ugliest most lovable little orphan dog I have ever had to give up (to my mom, who loves her ;)
But I want a big gaurd dog, actually two....I want two dobermans. First I Want a red female doberman that I will name Ruby and Then I we will get a Black doberman, that we will call Bruce for short. His name will be Bruce Wayne.
In january of this year, sean and I started visiting centerpoint church in lakeland and never left.
We love the people at centerpoint and are we are happy to have found a church home were we are spiritually fed and are able to fellowship with other believers who are earnestly seeking to grow their relationship with the Lord.
God has been growing each of us individually and as a couple. I will write more about that later but now i must go pack, so we can get going to the lake to enjoy this long weekend. (labor day)