Happy Easter! Today, to celebrate and worship our Lord, Slugger and I stayed in our pajamas :) We had our own worship service and it was wonderful. I wanted to have it outside, but its wet :( First, we listened to our favorite Easter hymns. Well, really one wasn't just for Easter but it put us in the right mood. Then we read several Easter devotional type things, and even listened to an Easter sermon from a Saint (well, Saint's words read by a priest). Then we had a very nice prayer time.
Never once was I worried about what others would think of my off key singing or hallelujahs being exclaimed. I didn't have to worry about my skirt being wrinkled. I wasn't asked to be on a committee. I got to be with Slugger, who also seemed to enjoy the quiet time. He was a little puzzled by the singing, though. :)
I also had my own personal Good Friday service here at home. Same kind of plan as today's. It was very nice. It was valuable time with God.
I know that "Corporate worship" (people worshiping together, usually in a church) is important in the life of a Christian disciple. BUT isn't it also important for a person to simply worship?? I have found that going to church is something I do because I'm supposed to. It's a chore and I don't enjoy it. It means putting on nice clothes and make-up and being sociable when I just don't want to. Instead of worshipping God, I sit in the pew unfocused and unhappy. I keep church shopping thinking I'll find one that I actually want to go to. But really they're all the same! And so I just stay home.
So now I have a plan! If I decide not to go to a church on Sunday morning, or any other church type day, I am NOT going to feel guilty about it! Instead, I will have my own worship service in my own house. I will worship my God my way and He and I will enjoy our time together. Cuz isn't that what it's all about in the end?!
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Sunday, January 5, 2014
The Bedroom Redo
I have been wanting to refresh my master bathroom for some time. I had decided purple. Somewhere in all that, I also read this Epbot blog post from my favorite blogger. Which then led me to ponder the refreshing of my bedroom too!! It had been burgundy with black and white. My bedroom has always been black and white and something. I couldn't figure out how to actually accent with burgundy though, if I wanted to paint the walls. So I decided to switch up the burgundy to turquoise. I also really wanted to make the cool mirror bursts from the Epbot blog. Jen is always posting crafty things and I was so excited to finally be able to do one!!
In all I spent about $200 I think. I have a LOT of material left over. The material (curtains) is really all sheets. Got those on clearance at Target. Pretty sure the paint is the thing only I bought for full price. My mother taught me shopping well!
I had a GREAT time picking out all the new turquoise things and adding some new aspects. The picture wall was a product that just came to me one day and took several days to perfect. I might still play around with the order. The pictures are all family members. So glad to finally have a picture of my dad's mom on display. I am so glad to finally have a bedroom that is decorated and not just "there"!
Below are the after pics :) The only thing I still want to do is fix the crooked George (cat) picture and add a turquoise pillow to the bedding. Haven't felt that creative juice yet though. I have the material… OH, I also want a new ceiling fan and those awesome ceiling tiles I learned about from Jen at Epbot. Someday.
In all I spent about $200 I think. I have a LOT of material left over. The material (curtains) is really all sheets. Got those on clearance at Target. Pretty sure the paint is the thing only I bought for full price. My mother taught me shopping well!
I had a GREAT time picking out all the new turquoise things and adding some new aspects. The picture wall was a product that just came to me one day and took several days to perfect. I might still play around with the order. The pictures are all family members. So glad to finally have a picture of my dad's mom on display. I am so glad to finally have a bedroom that is decorated and not just "there"!
Below are the after pics :) The only thing I still want to do is fix the crooked George (cat) picture and add a turquoise pillow to the bedding. Haven't felt that creative juice yet though. I have the material… OH, I also want a new ceiling fan and those awesome ceiling tiles I learned about from Jen at Epbot. Someday.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Evaluating 2013
It's 7pm on December 31. Facebook and Twitter are flush with remembrances and dreams. Here are my thoughts in the waning hours of 2013.
In 2013: I got a dog. I had knee surgery. I fell in love with the dog. I hiked to the top of North Dome, thus completing a childhood dream. I started teaching the "smart" kids. I suffered more knee pain, though I like to think it's getting better again. I became KF5YNW. I repainted my bedroom and bathroom. The dog and I went camping.
Huh. Doesn't seem like much for 365 days.
In 2014 I hope to: not have knee pain; change up the landscaping in at least the front yard; hike more; recommit to being vegan; hang out with the dog a lot; move my mom to Texas; lose a little weight; praise God more in public; serve God more; encourage students; transmit on the radio; put on a killer prom for my seniors; be happy.
Seems doable. Here we go!!
In 2013: I got a dog. I had knee surgery. I fell in love with the dog. I hiked to the top of North Dome, thus completing a childhood dream. I started teaching the "smart" kids. I suffered more knee pain, though I like to think it's getting better again. I became KF5YNW. I repainted my bedroom and bathroom. The dog and I went camping.
Huh. Doesn't seem like much for 365 days.
In 2014 I hope to: not have knee pain; change up the landscaping in at least the front yard; hike more; recommit to being vegan; hang out with the dog a lot; move my mom to Texas; lose a little weight; praise God more in public; serve God more; encourage students; transmit on the radio; put on a killer prom for my seniors; be happy.
Seems doable. Here we go!!
Saturday, December 14, 2013
SANTA!
For fifteen Christmases I wanted to take George to see Santa. For various reasons, none of which I can remember, besides the fact that she would've hated the process, we never went. BUT, that didn't deter me from making sure Slugger got to see Santa on his first Christmas with me :) Maybe now it'll be out of my system and I never have to subject him to it again. I'll tell you in about 12 months!
Petsmart (and probably Petco) has Santa usually a couple Saturdays in December. It's actually done by the adoption people. Well, it was this year. Apparently in the past you could get a printed picture and a frame just like at the mall. (I guess; I've never done that either!) This year they scaled down and I had to use my own camera/phone and do with the picture what I want. For $5 I was okay with that! Except, I wanted to be IN the picture. Luckily there were people there, other than Santa, who were happy to help.
Now, I had never done this and had no idea what to expect. I called this morning to make sure they were still doing it. Last week's was cancelled due to the ice. Huh, I should post those ice pics. Eh, another time. Anyway, the guy on the phone said he wasn't really sure what kind of crowd to expect since it was a limited affair - 11am-4pm today only.
There was no one there! I had Slugger in his harness cuz I figured he'd be easier to hold on to, move around, etc. It was quite helpful! Santa just sat there. Not sure if he was the husband of the lady in charge or not, but pretty sure someone had bribed him to sit there all day in a santa suit. Slugger was much more interested in the other dogs and smells, but we got him to cooperate, sort of, eventually. Here are the shots :)
Petsmart (and probably Petco) has Santa usually a couple Saturdays in December. It's actually done by the adoption people. Well, it was this year. Apparently in the past you could get a printed picture and a frame just like at the mall. (I guess; I've never done that either!) This year they scaled down and I had to use my own camera/phone and do with the picture what I want. For $5 I was okay with that! Except, I wanted to be IN the picture. Luckily there were people there, other than Santa, who were happy to help.
Now, I had never done this and had no idea what to expect. I called this morning to make sure they were still doing it. Last week's was cancelled due to the ice. Huh, I should post those ice pics. Eh, another time. Anyway, the guy on the phone said he wasn't really sure what kind of crowd to expect since it was a limited affair - 11am-4pm today only.
There was no one there! I had Slugger in his harness cuz I figured he'd be easier to hold on to, move around, etc. It was quite helpful! Santa just sat there. Not sure if he was the husband of the lady in charge or not, but pretty sure someone had bribed him to sit there all day in a santa suit. Slugger was much more interested in the other dogs and smells, but we got him to cooperate, sort of, eventually. Here are the shots :)
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Slugger goes Camping!
I have been so excited for this camping trip, I can not even explain! I don't even know why. Except that I've been wanting to get (back?) into camping for some time and it just never made sense, as a single woman. But NOW I have Slugger!!! He loves to hike, so I figured it'd be a natural progression.
What I didn't count on was a cold Thanksgiving!! The weekend before Thanksgiving we had freezing temps, a little yucky precip, and I was getting alarmed at the forecast for Wednesday night! Sooo… using the one skill I learned from Mark, I changed our plans!! We painted the bedroom BEFORE we went camping, and waited until it warmed up a tad. I am SO glad. First, it was cold enough as it was. Second, I'm glad the painting is done because I have no desire to do a darned thing right now!!
I've had a list going for at least a month or two, and a pile on the dining room table for at least a couple weeks! We took the tent into the backyard and tested it out. We practiced with the cook stove too! I got long underwear and took every warm piece of headwear I own. I bought a fancy new lantern since I happen to really hate the dark.
We painted Wednesday and Thursday. Friday morning we packed up the car and LEFT!! I was so excited that we were at the State Park by 12:30!! I had pitched the tent and unloaded the car by 1pm. And I'd forgotten to bring a book. Or something to do… I wasn't sure my knee would hold up for TWO long hikes, but we were bored. So we got in the car and went to the trailhead. We walked maybe a mile. Just to practice :)
When dad and I were in Yosemite last summer, we spent our first afternoon, before the big hike, exploring Tuolumne Meadows. I thought that would be a great idea for Slugger and I. The state park we were in has a lake, lots of fishing, and a rock climbing area. There's also a trail way, but I'd already seen that and knew it started with a hill, so we skipped that part.
The first place we stopped was the camp store!! They had used books for $1. Jackpot!! I also got a skewer to roast my hot dogs and a coffee cup souvenir (seemed appropriate since I'd forgotten to bring one). Then we drove to the climbing area. We walked around a little. Luckily Slugs wasn't too interested in the edge. The climbers started out at the top and either rappelled down or hiked (way steep, way rocky) down to then climb back up. It was interesting. There were climbers. It wasn't like watching climbers on Half Dome or El Capitan though so we left.
After some time reading and hanging out, I decided it was time for dinner and a campfire. I had bought a bundle of wood at a gas station here in Fort Worth where we bought gas before we left. I got the water on the stove and started on the campfire. Nothing but a lot of smoke. Tried again. The paper burned and nothing. I was running out of paper so I gave in and called Dad :) I tried to ignore the fact that I had full bars 4G while "camping in the middle of nowhere". He gave me a lesson though I think I was hopeless because my wood was oak and I needed a really hot fire to start it. I had flames for a while, but the actual logs never really burned. It was good enough to roast my hot dogs (2 for me, 2 for Slugs, of course) and a couple marshmallows. And now I know!! PINE!!!
Here is Slugs this morning playing in the ashes of our failed fire…
Since I was already wearing all my layers and it was dark, I decided it was time for bed. It was 6:30 :) Slugs went right in the tent with me and we settled down. I read by flashlight a little. The neighbors were rowdy. Then a PA was heard. And we were serenaded with a pretty good rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. The neighbors clapped when it was over! I went online (since I could) to see what was happening in Mineral Wells… 6-man football state quarterfinals were being held at the MW High School stadium. Two towns I'd never heard of were competing. Luckily, the announcer didn't announce much or very loudly. I have no idea who won!
It was a cold, loud night. The neighbors never did quiet down. Or not for very long at a time. Leaves fell on the tent. Bushes rustled. Slugger did pretty good though. He barked and/or growled here and there but not once it was truly "bedtime". We did wake up (stupid neighbor) at about 1am though. He wanted out and I needed to also, so we had a short walk, and then drove to the bath house. Yes, we drove. Every time. He's not allowed in the building and the campsite was pretty far away anyway. So we drove and he hung out in the car while I went in. He always got a walk too :)
Although it could've been colder, it was still VERY cold. We both shivered. But we snuggled and made it through. Neighborman woke us up with some very loud profanity at about 7am. Which is what time we've been waking up anyway so I wasn't too upset. And apparently someone complained, or the ranger could hear it from wherever he was, because the park police patrolled pretty regular after that and I think they kicked the loud guy out.
I made coffee and we sat and enjoyed the morning. A couple deer grazed by in the woods near us. I never would've noticed if it weren't for Slugger's amazing eyesight! He just sat and watched them. I slowly packed up camp and we were off for our hike!!
We went about 4.5 miles. Slugger did very well. He even saw an armadillo!! Or I should say, he saw it and chased it off. All I saw was the tail!! The trail was mostly flat until Slugger decided to explore a different part once we got to the area we were headed for. We went about half of a mile up and I gave up, knowing we'd have to go back down which is my knee's least favorite thing to do. But we did it! And several hours later, the knee still feels good!!
The post-adventure nap :)
What I didn't count on was a cold Thanksgiving!! The weekend before Thanksgiving we had freezing temps, a little yucky precip, and I was getting alarmed at the forecast for Wednesday night! Sooo… using the one skill I learned from Mark, I changed our plans!! We painted the bedroom BEFORE we went camping, and waited until it warmed up a tad. I am SO glad. First, it was cold enough as it was. Second, I'm glad the painting is done because I have no desire to do a darned thing right now!!
I've had a list going for at least a month or two, and a pile on the dining room table for at least a couple weeks! We took the tent into the backyard and tested it out. We practiced with the cook stove too! I got long underwear and took every warm piece of headwear I own. I bought a fancy new lantern since I happen to really hate the dark.
We painted Wednesday and Thursday. Friday morning we packed up the car and LEFT!! I was so excited that we were at the State Park by 12:30!! I had pitched the tent and unloaded the car by 1pm. And I'd forgotten to bring a book. Or something to do… I wasn't sure my knee would hold up for TWO long hikes, but we were bored. So we got in the car and went to the trailhead. We walked maybe a mile. Just to practice :)
When dad and I were in Yosemite last summer, we spent our first afternoon, before the big hike, exploring Tuolumne Meadows. I thought that would be a great idea for Slugger and I. The state park we were in has a lake, lots of fishing, and a rock climbing area. There's also a trail way, but I'd already seen that and knew it started with a hill, so we skipped that part.
The first place we stopped was the camp store!! They had used books for $1. Jackpot!! I also got a skewer to roast my hot dogs and a coffee cup souvenir (seemed appropriate since I'd forgotten to bring one). Then we drove to the climbing area. We walked around a little. Luckily Slugs wasn't too interested in the edge. The climbers started out at the top and either rappelled down or hiked (way steep, way rocky) down to then climb back up. It was interesting. There were climbers. It wasn't like watching climbers on Half Dome or El Capitan though so we left.
After some time reading and hanging out, I decided it was time for dinner and a campfire. I had bought a bundle of wood at a gas station here in Fort Worth where we bought gas before we left. I got the water on the stove and started on the campfire. Nothing but a lot of smoke. Tried again. The paper burned and nothing. I was running out of paper so I gave in and called Dad :) I tried to ignore the fact that I had full bars 4G while "camping in the middle of nowhere". He gave me a lesson though I think I was hopeless because my wood was oak and I needed a really hot fire to start it. I had flames for a while, but the actual logs never really burned. It was good enough to roast my hot dogs (2 for me, 2 for Slugs, of course) and a couple marshmallows. And now I know!! PINE!!!
Here is Slugs this morning playing in the ashes of our failed fire…
Since I was already wearing all my layers and it was dark, I decided it was time for bed. It was 6:30 :) Slugs went right in the tent with me and we settled down. I read by flashlight a little. The neighbors were rowdy. Then a PA was heard. And we were serenaded with a pretty good rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. The neighbors clapped when it was over! I went online (since I could) to see what was happening in Mineral Wells… 6-man football state quarterfinals were being held at the MW High School stadium. Two towns I'd never heard of were competing. Luckily, the announcer didn't announce much or very loudly. I have no idea who won!
It was a cold, loud night. The neighbors never did quiet down. Or not for very long at a time. Leaves fell on the tent. Bushes rustled. Slugger did pretty good though. He barked and/or growled here and there but not once it was truly "bedtime". We did wake up (stupid neighbor) at about 1am though. He wanted out and I needed to also, so we had a short walk, and then drove to the bath house. Yes, we drove. Every time. He's not allowed in the building and the campsite was pretty far away anyway. So we drove and he hung out in the car while I went in. He always got a walk too :)
Although it could've been colder, it was still VERY cold. We both shivered. But we snuggled and made it through. Neighborman woke us up with some very loud profanity at about 7am. Which is what time we've been waking up anyway so I wasn't too upset. And apparently someone complained, or the ranger could hear it from wherever he was, because the park police patrolled pretty regular after that and I think they kicked the loud guy out.
I made coffee and we sat and enjoyed the morning. A couple deer grazed by in the woods near us. I never would've noticed if it weren't for Slugger's amazing eyesight! He just sat and watched them. I slowly packed up camp and we were off for our hike!!
 |
| Deer... |
We went about 4.5 miles. Slugger did very well. He even saw an armadillo!! Or I should say, he saw it and chased it off. All I saw was the tail!! The trail was mostly flat until Slugger decided to explore a different part once we got to the area we were headed for. We went about half of a mile up and I gave up, knowing we'd have to go back down which is my knee's least favorite thing to do. But we did it! And several hours later, the knee still feels good!!
The post-adventure nap :)
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Everybody needs a dog
Every day when I get home, Slugger is so very happy to see me. He doesn't care how my day went; he just loves me and wants to be with me.
Yesterday, a Monday to beat all Mondays, was just not a good day. I left for work early because I was not ready for the day's teaching. I worked feverishly all day to get grades ready because they were due before I left. Then after school I was to drive to Decatur. Prom will be in Decatur in April so we (my senior officers and I were going to check out the location again. We were all taking separate cars since I'm not allowed to drive them and I wasn't going to come home through Azle. When I got to my car, it would not start. Long story short I texted one of them and said to tour without me. I called AAA. They jumped my car and all was well but following good advice from my dad, I went to Toyota to have them check it out. Luckily, the new battery was under warranty so it was free. They even washed it for me.
So when I finally got home, I was very ready for a smiling happy dog who just wanted dinner and a walk. We walked first. While on our walk, Slugger attempted to eat a weird blossom thing from the weird grass blossom plant thing. He spit it out and turned to look at me, smiling. The weird wheat blossom thing was hanging out of his mouth. I laughed uproariously. He smiled and danced, and, in his way, laughed with me. I couldn't help but think at that moment, "what bad day?" And, "how does anyone live without a furry friend?"
I don't have any pictures of that moment. I was too busy laughing. But here is a picture of the crazy grass stuff. I call it that because a few short months ago it was just short ornamental grass. And now it's this:
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Next?
I've been thinking I need to write something. But then I think, how do I follow my last 3 posts?! So, now I have this pitiful post to follow next time I have something to say :) Clever, I am!
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