A merry heart is good medicine…
Proverbs 17:22
Happy Mother’s Day! Here are 2 funny but true depictions of a mom’s life by Anita Renfroe. Enjoy!
A Merry Heart– March 3
A merry heart is good medicine…
Proverbs 17:22
If you don’t work with teenagers, you might have missed the latest thing– screaming goats. (or at least I think it’s the latest! Things sometimes take a while to get down here in our small towns in the South.) Mr X insists that they are fake, but I’m not sure. They are so funny, anyway!
Here’s Justin Bieber
And a talking goat…
And for the classical music lovers among us… The Queen of the Night…
Just a little silliness to get your giggle box turned over. Have a wonderful Sunday!
A Merry Heart– February 3
A merry heart is good medicine…
Proverbs 17:22
Today I can’t really decide what to share, so I’m sharing a bit of this and a bit of that! (This picture is showing Texas wildflowers in April– I’m sure this is in our Hill Country. Beautiful, yes?
For your spirit
If you have never had the opportunity to be blessed by Thelma Wells, you have missed out! She used to be a regular speaker with the Women of Faith team and I got to hear her speak several times; she tended to be my favorite. She has quite a lot of material available on Youtube– here is just a teaser.
For your ears
Billy Joel performing “Piano Man” live in 1975. Many artists rely so much on studio manipulation that live performances are awful– but he is such a good musician, it’s still really good.
For your eyes
I’ve seen pictures of Butchart Gardens on Pinterest– this is really pretty and for you poor folks in the snow this will give you some hope of Spring!
For your funny bone
Don’t be put off by the length of this one– it’s a medley of short clips.
Home Organization– Keepin’ It Real
Surely you don’t EVER start to think that Auntie Em has it all together, do you? Because you would be sadly mistaken. I think you know the truth, but love me anyway. That is what I have discovered about my little corner of the blogosphere: Bloggers and blog readers — at least the ones that run in my circle — are the kindest, most gracious people anywhere. They cheer you on when you need it; encourage you when you are down; and laugh at your corny jokes.
THANK YOU! You are appreciated!
Over the Christmas holidays, between motorcycle accident (Mr X) and upper respiratory infection (me) recovery, I managed to do my normal bit of beginning to organize the house. It’s been a dream for about 15 years, to lay my hands on everything in the house and make sure it’s up-t0-date and where it should be. (We have lived in this house 15 1/2 years.) I’ve never finished, but I’ve done parts. This time I did my closet, my bathroom cabinets, the refrigerator, and the pantry.
A friend of a friend organized a community garage sale to raise money to send to the Sandy Hook families, so I took some things there. Mr X’s co- worker was holding a blanket drive so we sent a couple that we had replaced there. A church members works for a community charity that aids needy families, especially when their homes burn, and I sent my dishes that we replaced with her. I had a zillion hotel shampoos and lotions that I sent to a friend who works with the Christian Women’s Job Corps.
What I was happy to find lurking in the depths: 1 bottle of Lancôme eye makeup remover; 1 queen-sized thermal blanket; 1 bottle of Zyrtec. I put these to good use.
Several friends brought food for us when we got back from the hospital, so I was forced to clean out the refrigerator. I have always used a turntable but got another one, even before the latest Pinterest pin began circulating!
What I was embarrassed to find in the refrigerator:
Sour cream … May 14, 2012
Beef broth… September 22, 2011
UGH. Cottage cheese… May 12, 2011
Feeling better about your life now??
These are a Few of My Favorite Things
And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:20
Over the Christmas holidays I caught up on LOTS of blog reading– I saw several who were taking part in Ann Voscamp’s 1000 Gifts Joy Dare and thought what a good idea that would be. I ultimately decided that I could so easily become obsessed with “keeping up” that it might do me more harm than good, so instead of counting, I’m working hard on keeping a thankful heart all the time. One evening I looked around my kitchen and took some pictures of some of the things I’m really thankful for, so many gifts that I could spin around and see without taking a step. I am blessed beyond measure.
If you’d like to get in the mood, listen to Julie Andrews sing “My Favorite Things” while you read! From when my kids were tiny, I’d sing this when something bad was happening– shots, sickness, broken hearts, pets dying…
I love dishes and kitchenware! Sis got me this new bowl for Christmas.
And the amazing thing was how well it went with my Fiestaware (which I also love) that I already had!
I love a hot cup of Constant Comment tea when I get home from school in the afternoon.
I love my KitchenAid stand mixer. Mr X got it for me for Christmas about 20 years ago. (Some women don’t like kitchen tools as gifts– not me!)
I love this dipper. Granny just gave it to us over the holidays. It belonged to Mr X’s great-grandmother and she kept it on a nail by her sink, and everyone who needed a drink of water used it. (People were tougher back then, and viruses were weaker!) He drinks out of it now.
I love my pantry. After Hurricane Rita we replaced out cabinets and put this in. Thank you Home Depot!
We also added a built-in buffet and this display cabinet. I have lots of glassware that belonged to my grandmother.
I love my Lenox Holiday china. For several Christmases Mr X had gotten me a serving piece, then after Christmas in 2007, he bought several dinner and salad plates, plus a platter and vegetable dish, to give me the next year. (on the sly, and at half-price!) In September of 2008 Hurricane Ike hit, and as I was preparing to evacuate (he has to stay since he works for the electric company) and was sinking fast, thinking it was going to be like Rita again, he brought out my Christmas present early to cheer me up. Sis and her husband spent the night with us so we could leave together the next morning, and we ate on it in case our house got smashed.
I love my Wusthof knives. Another Christmas gift.
I love coffee in the morning. Mr X fixes it the night before, and sets out my cup and Splenda for me.
I love our refrigerator memory gallery. That’s my (and the girls’) piano teacher in the upper left with Sis and me, and my mother on the lower left. We get magnets from places we visit.
I love our little stray cat that adopted us. We call him “Bullet” because he runs around like crazy. He is marked a lot like our black and white cat, Max. I love the way Mr X is such a cat person! Knowing him, you wouldn’t expect it, but he’s a big softie about those cats.
I love the fact that my girls are crafty. Sunshine made this cake for a baby shower.
Sis made these cupcakes for the birthday party of a friend’s little girl.
And my friends, I love the fact that YOU are reading my blog! I pray for you. I pray that God will give me words to speak, to meet needs.
Look around. See what you love. We have been extravagantly gifted. What are you thankful for today?
I’m Just a Girl who Cain’t Say No
Or at least I USED to be. I’ve struggled with it for years, because I would like to do so much more than my schedule, energy, and priorities allow.
Come on over to A Biblical Marriage and read my post about Overcoming Overcommitment during the holiday season– quite a challenge! And you can listen to Ado Annie while you read!
A Merry Heart–December 9
A merry heart is good medicine.
Proverbs 17:22
Today my Merry Heart is a bit different than usual — in honor of Mr X’s being released by the doctor following his motorcycle accident, I will share some of the corny jokes that he and Sunshine love to torture entertain us with.
What do you call a deer with no eyes?
No-eye deer. (Say it out loud and pretend you’re from Texas. It’ll make sense.)
What do you call a deer with no eyes and no legs?
Still no-eye deer.
What do you call a dog with no legs?
It doesn’t matter, he’s not coming anyway.
Why do dogs make such lousy dancers?
Because they have two left feet!
What’s the #1 use for cowhide?
To hold cows together
How many sides are on a barrel?
2– the inside and outside
Why do cows wear bells?
Because their horns don’t work
How far can a dog run into the woods?
Halfway. After that, he’s running out!
What’s brown and sticky?
A stick
What does a fish say when he runs into a wall?
“Dam!”
What do you call a cow with no legs?
Ground beef
What do you call a cow with 2 legs?
Lean beef
How do you catch a unique rabbit?
U-nique up on him!
How do you catch a tame rabbit?
Tame way.
What kind of jelly does a whale eat on his toast?
Jelly fish
Which is the funniest state?
Joke-lahoma
Why are there so many Smiths in the Houston phone book?
They all have phones.
A Merry Heart- September 9
A merry heart is good medicine…
Proverbs 17:22
This is too funny! Enjoy– have a good time at church today- I hope you get a good lunch and a good nap!
(And join me tomorrow for Revive your marriage- Revive your attitude, and Wednesday for Life Lessons from Philippians 4- Be Anxious for nothing!)
A Merry Heart- September 2
A couple of weeks ago, Sis, Sunshine, and I, along with a few other friends, had a girls’ night out and went to see TNT’s 60th anniversary theater showing of “Singin’ in the Rain.” It had been a long time since I watched it all the way through, and of course I had never seen it in a theater– it was wonderful!
One of my favorite numbers is Donald O’Conner in “Make ‘Em Laugh.” As a choir teacher, I have learned that this lesson is very true… audiences love to laugh! So enjoy… make your heart merry!
A Texas State of Mind
Texas is big. I mean, really big! It’s the second largest state in the United States, both geographically (behind Alaska) and in population (behind California). It’s about twice the size of Japan and Germany, and a bit bigger than France. It’s close to 900 miles from El Paso in the west to Orange in the east– less than El Paso to San Diego on the Pacific coast, or Orange to Jacksonville, Florida on the Atlantic coast. (Both are close to 750 miles) Auntie Em’s house is a bit north of Beaumont, and 50 miles from the Louisiana border in Orange. We are near the Big Thicket National Preserve, which is a remarkable phenomenon– Wikipedia says it well:
Today the Big Thicket retains numerous species, and has been described as the “biological crossroads of North America” or the “American Ark”. The area contains over 100 species of trees and shrubs, but is dominated by Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris), which reaches heights of over 30 metres (98 ft). The National Park Service lists more than one thousand species of flowering plants and fernsthat can also be found in the thicket, including 20 orchids and four types of carnivorous plants. Animal life includes 300 species of migratory and nesting birds, many endangered or threatened. The thicket is also home to numerousreptile species, including all four groups of North American venomous snakes and alligators.
But there are other distinct geographical areas in Texas- the Hill Country, with its beautiful wild flowers…
the Panhandle, right in Tornado Alley…
and the West…
Texas has a very colorful history- we have been Spanish, French, Mexican, Confederate, United States, and of course, our own independent country. (Hence the “Six Flags over Texas” theme parks)
We’ve got famous Texas shrines — The Alamo being probably the most well-known.
We have our own “national” heroes– Sam Houston is my personal favorite, but also Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, among MANY others…
(If you don’t know Sam, check him out! He was a Congressman from Tennessee, a Senator, Governor, and President of Texas, plus a whole lot more!)
We like lots of things in the unique shape of our state..
jewelry …….
food….. (When we stay at an out-of-state hotel, I’m always surprised to see a ROUND waffle maker!)
garden accessories…
Some really hard-core Texas lovers build pools and homes to honor Texas!
“Texas” comes from the earlier “native Texans” (We all claim that title!), whose word for “friend” gave us our name. I’ve heard that some non-Texans think that our Texas pride makes us obnoxious, but we’re too friendly to notice…
Texas bumperstickers say a lot about the Texas mindset:
and my favorite:
So if you’re not fortunate enough to live in Texas, come visit! Practice saying Y’ALL, and you can be an honorary (or we sometimes say “ornery”) Texan!
Jewelry, dishes , waffles Quotes, history
