Last Day of May for Me

I wanted to finish this by last weekend, and I did well enough to use it and move the monstrosity of a computer desk out.

I debated on changing the hardware, but you know...I kinda like the old things. They are brass, but have a very dark patina and I didn't polish them.I also debated on antiquing it, but decided against that for now. The crisp white will look much better when I get my walls painted light aqua blue.

Today, I added the chair pad and curtain in the knee well, to hide the computer wires and cables. I used fabric I had in my stash and I am in love with it now!

I decided to turn the monitor back on and show you my desktop wallpaper..... *wink*

 A satisfying finish to May For Me!! Now, on to trying to get some accessories on the wall and a lamp for the desk. But that will have to wait until after my vacation. I'm saving all my $ for that!!

And End and a Beginning?

May is almost over and thus May For Me is almost finished. BUT, I think it's begun a good work in most of us. We are getting used to taking time for ME, aren't we? We've all decided we spend too much time online as well.

I want to thank Tonya and Marcia for coming up with this great idea! And thanks to everyone who gave something away during May. This has been really good for me, and I feel I've made some new friends. I hope that when May is over, we all continue to support each other and stay in contact.

Love to all,
Belinda

Friday Fun

 Ah haz meh hat, meh stick, meh drink, meh ride, and meh showfer. Ah'z ready for a road trip! Ohhhh Boyee!!

Now where duz Ah wants to go??

Iz gunna costs meh how much?!

Gud ting Ah gots meh trusty stick to keep goggieez away!!

Ohhh!!! Ah tolz you not ta go dat way!!!

And Ah sayz, "You stayz away frum me you goggie!"

 

Dis ridin' iz stursty bidness!

Memorial Day Salute

To all the veterans who fought for our freedom, and those who lost their lives doing it...

  I salute thee!

God bless America and God bless our veterans!!

My father, 1rst Sgt. A.J. Brown. 8/24/34 - 3/12/05

Veteran of Korean and Vietnam wars.

 I miss you Daddy.

We're Ok

There was a very sweet blogger who checked on me today. We live in Arkansas and tornadoes were all around us yesterday, and she wanted to make sure I was ok. They missed us completely thank the good Lord.

Thanks for checking on me Donna!!

One Word Wednesday

Sanctuary

It's Official!

I appreciate all the suggestions for a beach getaway. Ultimately, Sister and I decided on Orange Beach, AL.  And last night.....I booked the hotel for three, count'em THREE nights! We will have a balcony with a view of the ocean and everything. I am beyond excited! We've been looking online at some activities and so far, have agreed to take a dolphin cruise. Most of our time will be spent on the beach though, just relaxing. It will be wonderful.

We've also been discussing a "bucket list". Maybe every other year, going on a sister excursion, someplace we've never been. Sure hope we can actually do it. For the in-between years, maybe go for a day trip to somewhere in Arkansas that we can reach, enjoy, and return the same day.

In other news....

*SR and I visited the newlyweds this afternoon. They seem to be fat and sassy (a southern expression.) 

*I'm in the home stretch of my dresser re-do. I pray I finish it by Friday or Saturday. I'm really tired of working on it, and tired of it period.

*I've still got quilts partially completed and really need to finish at least one of them! Maybe if that pesky dresser cooperates, I can.

*LMW is walking everywhere and asking to go outside frequently.  He has learned that Nanna always puts his hat on him when she takes him outside, so he will hand it to me and tell me "side!"

I hope you all have a great week!

Need Your Advice

Seems like there are a lot of people blogging about that... but my sister and I are planning a trip to the beach.

photo source

We live in AR and are trying to find the closest place that will be a good experience, not casinos everywhere. We don't want to spend a fortune either driving there or paying for our motel. (wishful thinking isn't it?) We want to sit on the beach, maybe splash around a little, and do a little sight seeing and/or find some museums, or attractions that interest us. She is wayyy into photography, and I am wayyy into art and quilting.

Do any of you have favorite places you go to the beach? Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Plans for Ministry

And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. --Galatians 6. 9

I won't go into a long drawn out explanation of how it came to be, but God and I have made plans for me to provide quilts for the NICU at St. Vincent Infirmary, where LMW stayed a few days. They were so good to him and to us, and I want to do something for them, and for the glory of God. I'm trying to be low-key about it, because I do want HIM to get the glory and not me.

And so my first NICU quilt is done......

 And another is begun.....

Please pray for me as I try not to obsess over this, and make it an idol. And help me pray that my small talent will be used for His kingdom. I pray that somehow, this small effort will bring peace to the parents of the sick children, and bring them closer to a saving relationship with Christ.

Art of The Day

Yogurt Grass

by one of the great masters........

The color and composition are very interesting, as is the choice of medium.

Sure to become a classic in the art world. It is not presently up for sale.

Tuesday Two

1.) I've been using IGoogle, as Tonya suggested a while back. I kinda like it, except it won't let me add some things I'd like. But that's ok. And blogger won't display in it for me. I have the worst luck with computer issues. It surely can't be operator error all the time....can it? It is nice to see so much of what I like on one screen. My monitor blackout issues only happen when I'm reading blogs and it doesn't happen when I use IGoogle for some reason. Very strange....

2.) One of the gadgets I added to my home page was Art of the Day. I have always loved painting and looking at beautiful works of art. Yesterday this painting was displayed....

Don'cha just LOVE IT?!! It's called "Girl at Sewing Machine" by Edward Hopper.

I adore it, and wanted to find it so I could contemplate putting it in my sewing area. The colors would work very well in that room. Unfortunately, I can't find a print to purchase on either art.com or allposters.com. I'm not sure I can afford it any other place it might be, but I'm going to continue my search.

Wishes and Ideas

Ok, the dresser/desk is just about to defeat me. I've tried to clean it up enough to paint without using a stripper. I used sand paper, mineral spirits and a scraper, and problem is, it's still gunky. So, stripper it is. Ugh.

You know what I wish I could do.... I wish I could buy second hand furniture and redo it. (Like I've seen so many of you doing.)  Even though this particular piece has been the bane of my existence, if I had just started out right in the first place, I wouldn't be having a problem. But, I have no good place to work on furniture items. I don't have a spare room, no storage shed, and our garage is for our vehicles. Period. That's my firm stand on that matter.  And that leaves me no place to work on anything big. So, I guess that wish will not be granted by the craft fairy. Bummer.

So, I will do what I can do. And be happy about it. Sew, quilt, paint, garden....those are blessings from above and I am not nearly thankful enough for them. So, I am thanking God right now. In the presense of others.

How'm I doing in May For Me?

I finished redoing a trash bin.
I finished a pillow.
I'm working on finishing up my first ministry item.
I did something fun in my yard.
I'm still reading Same Kind of Different As Me. I hope to finish it by the end of the month. I don't have a lot of time for reading these days.
I've been spending a little more time in prayer and less on the computer. Not enough, but it's a start.

So, maybe I'm not a total failure in the May for Me department. I know there is no MFM police, but I hold myself to a pretty high standard when I commit to something.

Super Duper Extreme Giveaway!

There is an unbelievable giveaway going on at 1 Choice 4 Quilting!
There will be several winners, so you might try your luck. I intend to!

I enter giveaways on a regular basis, and recently won one from Marcia. I was so excited! And when my prize arrived, it was exactly as I thought it would be and more. She's one talented woman!

God Smiled On Me Today

Guess He got enough of my whining.... :P
See what I found He showed me today?????

I was so excited!!! It has very little rust on it and the owner only wanted $15.00!!! I sure wish there had been two, but I'll take them one at a time and be happy about it!

Not only that, but I was able to finish the trash box/can overhaul I started months ago. It started like this:

I absolutely adore Calla Lilies, but this just didn't go with my new bedroom decor of aqua, white and brown. And I couldn't see throwing it away. Even though it nearly made me cry to cover it up, here is what I did with it.....

It's perfect!

And then one more thing I did God did today that made me smile.  He allowed me to sandwich and baste a baby quilt I've been trying to get to for several days.

I'm excited to get to that quilting part!! So, May For Me is looking better folks! I feel like I'm actually accomplishing something. Hoo Ray!

May for Me? Really?

May for Me is not happening like I wanted. Bummer.

The trip I wanted so badly with my sisters to Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs. -- Cancelled due to technical difficulties.

Some embroidery I wanted to add to a baby quilt. -- Hurts my hands too badly to do.

Turning the dresser I inherited from my Mom into a computer desk. -- Actually turned into a heck of a mess that will take DAYS of work I hadn't planned.

Finishing the new decor in my bedroom and bathroom. -- Doesn't look like that's going to get completed in May.

Finding a new Bible study. -- I haven't even had time to think about that. Will have to settle for TRYING to finish the book, Same Kind of Different As Me, and reading my daily women's devotional.

Relaxing. -- Ha! Tis to laugh. Some things are happening in my world making that almost impossible.

Now, I know it's early in the game and only the second week of May, so all is not lost.

I am staying away from the computer more and more. And hardly EVER look at facebook these days.

I am working on my personal ministry project. It's slow, but it is happening. It's going to take some time to get it up and running.

I will figure out the dresser/desk thing. It may take me two or three weeks, rather than one, but I'll get it done.

I may not get the redecorating finished, but at least I'll make progress.

And I will have to just force myself to sit down in the evenings, instead of working like a mad woman, trying to get three or four different things accomplished at once. 


Slow and steady wins the race....or so they say.

Birthday Fun and a Winner

This weekend we partied down for LMW's birthday! Much cake and fun were experienced by all.

So sorry you didn't make it to my party. The cake is really good!

I'm pretty stoked about my Dr. Seuss outfit!

I had lots of gifts to open!

And an awesome cake made by Aunt #2.

She even made Horton!!

We had lots of guests. And the weather was perfect.

I love my Mom. Isn't she beautiful!! And so nice to give me such a big party.

If you want to see the winner of the fat quarter giveaway by Nanna and me, go here.

Gotta Have This

Ok, so here is a great giveaway from Needles and Lemons! I just started following her, and it looks to be a great blog!  She's also got a facebook  and Etsy page you will want to check out.

Good luck with the giveaway... but I hope I win. :P

Motherhood

In my morning devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley, he discusses what it really means to be a mother.

**************************************************
May 7/8
The Service of Motherhood

Philippians 2:1-11

Children are a blessing from the Lord (Ps. 127:3-5). Motherhood is a great honor and privilege, yet it is also synonymous with servanthood. Every day women are called upon to selflessly meet the needs of their families. Whether they are awake at night nursing a baby, spending their time and money on less-than-grateful teenagers, or preparing meals, moms continuously put others before themselves.

Sometimes this constant serving can be exhausting and even discouraging—particularly for a first-time mother. But you can take real encouragement from Jesus. One of the best examples of gracious servanthood is found in John 13:3-16. By kneeling to wash His disciples’ feet, the Lord showed that the key to true leadership is humility. And it is humility that leads to eternal reward.

Unless you are willing to stoop down and get your hands dirty, you will miss the real riches of motherhood. By dying to your own desires and pouring your life into someone else, you become like Christ and create a godly legacy that will carry on for generations to come. What greater blessing could one hope for? Of course, the motivation for serving others is not to reap benefits, but when we follow God’s plan for our life, that’s what happens.
In giving us children, God places us in a position of both leadership and service. He calls us to give up our lives for someone else’s sake—to abandon our own desires and put our child’s interests first. Yet, according to His perfect design, it is through this selflessness that we can become truly fulfilled.
*********************************************

What comes to my mind as I read this? Not myself, that's for sure. I think of my daughter. I see her doing everything she possibly can for her child, and her husband. I see her denying herself for their comfort and pleasure. I wish I had been that kind of mother. But, I'm so thankful she is made that way by the Father.

Happy Mother's Day LeLe. I love you.

Mother's Day and Anniversary

My son and his wife sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers today for Mother's Day.

You know cut flowers wither and die so soon, I thought I'd take lots of photos to remember them. I sometimes wish I had one of those high falutin cameras with the macro lens and I'd have a blast. But, you can't have everything and you can't do it all!!

Don't you just love the color of the roses? They look red here, but they are actually more dark peachy colored. I used just a bit lighter shade of that in my wedding...34 years ago tomorrow!!! May 7, 1977. Man! Where does the time go???

Don'cha love the hair and beard? He uh, was making a statement...ahem. And I was failing at my attempt to look like Farrah Fawcett.

Tomorrow we will celebrate LMW's birthday with family and friends. That's the best anniversary I can think of! Everyone have a great weekend! And

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

 

Got My Prize!

In the mail today, I received my cards from Marcia! They are as beautiful as I expected them to be.

I'm thrilled to have won the giveaway and I appreciate Marcia's generosity. She has many beautiful things on her etsy site.

Now, let me warn you that I'm having some real issues with my monitor. I've got it going right now, but it could go back out at any minute. If I go offline, please be patient with me. I promise I will get to the giveway from another computer somehow. Let's just keep our fingers crossed this one holds, because I really can't justify spending the amount of money it would cost to replace it.

Giveaway

Hey!
LMW and I are giving away some fat quarters on The Seam Rippers. Jump on over and check it out!

Wordless Wednesday

I'm a WINNER!!!

Ok, so some of you may not think this is a big deal, but I never win anything. And I finally did thanks to Marcia at Crafty Sewing and Quilting.

I won a set of her note cards. 

It's part of the May for Me Celebration. I am just so excited I can barely stand it. Her note cards are absolutely BEE YOU TEE FUL! Please visit her site and take a gander at all the little beauties.

So, thanks so very much Marcia. You rock!

May for Me Begins

I began May for Me by unplugging. I didn't sit down and watch any television, I didn't get online, and I didn't initiate any text messages and no phone calls. The only two things I did were add my calories and exercise to my Loseit account and I did keep my phone on, because my son and his new wife *huge grin* were flying back from Jamaica and I needed to know when they were flying out and flying in. It's a Mama thing.

I also needed to have my phone on, because my sister and her husband were camping in the mountains, and the weather was threatening. She needed someone to let her know if there was a tornado or flash flood warning.  And there were, so I did text with two people. And that's ok, there is no unplugged police. (That I know of anyway.)

I spent the day at church, working on cleaning  my bedroom and bath, and trying to finish this pesky Irish Chain quilt.

I thought I was in the home stretch, but there is still a lot of work to do. I am finding that as I get one thing finished, I'm getting a new idea to try on it. It will be unique, that's for "dang shore" as we say here in the south.

I had to spend a little extra time this morning, answering emails, and checking the rest of you out, but it was really worth it to live without the interruption of checking email every 30 minutes and getting caught up in all the blogs I follow. I think I need to trim them down, because I find myself skimming. Why bother if I'm not going to give it my full attention??

So on day two, I plan to get on that elliptical, then go get my grandson for the day. I'll get back to the quilt tonight and hopefully have it finished by tomorrow evening. Keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for me.