Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts

Monday, July 25, 2011

Surrounded by Greatness

Wherever I turn, I see the people I love being excellent. Most of my friends have amazing gifts and talents. Because they are strong believers, they are led by the gift giver, God, to their talents. I have seen them nurture their skills and grow incredibly.

I spent the evening with my friend Jan, who wrote a book, look for my upcoming review. And Sabie, who plays piano, paints, runs a nursing home ministry, mentors inmates, runs a book store and grows beautiful flowers.


And then, I came home to my laptop. I remembered to visit my friend Vika's new blog. Yes, Vika who speaks 6 languages while I am still mastering English.  The one who is an amazing Mom. Yes, she takes pictures. Even the ones she takes of me, I can tolerate. She has an incredible eye and she enjoys every minute of it. She has taken her passion and turned it into a part-time career, when she is not doting on her little blessing, Polli.

I'm so impressed with the friends that God has blessed me with. I'm hoping the excellence will rub off on me. I am always amazed at what God does in the lives of His children.

"My friends are my estate."- Emily Dickinson

Are you surrounded by over-achievers? Do your friends amaze you? Let them know. Follow the advice of Anna Cummins.

"Do not save your loving speeches                  
For your friends till they are dead; 
Do not write them on their tombstones; 
Speak them rather now instead.


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Sunday, May 15, 2011

Choices: I choose to be a place of rest

Today's post is part of The Christian Home. This online eZine is hosted by fellow crew member, Mrs. White from The Legacy of Home.



I enjoyed the most incredible nap today until my sleep was jarred by 5 teenager's laughter. For that I am thankful. I have always wanted my home to be the place where they wanted to be. I have my own fond memories of my neighbor's hospitality when I was young. I sat for hours with my friend's mom and savored long conversations over plates of food. She always had kind words that lifted me out of my situation.


I have wanted to be that type of Mom. One who was not avoided, but one who the kids were drawn to. We joked today about my finally becoming a 'boy magnet'. A friend couldn't believe how I spend my Sunday afternoons. Some day, I will have quiet Sunday afternoons and longer naps. But, I am choosing this instead.


I choose not to get frazzled at the wrestling, the weapons, the video games, the nerf wars, and the non-stop hunger. Seeing the speed in which Statueman grew up, I choose to savor this over complain.


I choose to look at the bright side. One great thing about hosting teenage boys in our home is the lack of pressure on the hostess, me. My lame offering of hot dogs and French fries are devoured happily. They don't notice the floors that need vacuuming. If they do, they aren't saying anything. They are easy house guests. Blessings.


I choose this, I had many reasons not to, everyone would have understood. But I am so glad I did. How about you, did you have any great company this weekend?

Thanks for stopping by.





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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wordless Wednesday...My idea of a happy birthday

On my special day, I pick the pizza.
Nine guys celebrating and I take the pictures.
my secret identity...ssshhh
Verizon couldn't have timed it better.



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I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Thrifty Thursday....where someone could win a CSN gift certificate

I really don't know that many bloggers in person. I know about 7. I just don't travel in circles of writers. Lori is one of my first bloggy friends, that I can physically punch in the arm. I don't do this often, but she would forgive me if I did. 


Lori has given me some great advice over the past year. Like what I should really buy with a CSN gift certificate. I saw her in those purple boots, they are so cute. They are very Lori! 


If you want some purple boots, head over to her blog and enter to win a CSN gift certificate. But hurry, the contest closes Friday October 29th. That's like tomorrow. To save some time, just click her cool button below.


HomeSchoolReviews

That's my Thrifty Advice for Thursday. I know it's not profound, but it's real. Like my friend Lori.



I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.

Wordless Wednesday...Where Testosterone meets the desert














I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Vain Janglings



Last summer we stayed with this amazing friend.  My friend, who shall remain nameless, because she has been known to read this blog, is a humble, dedicated follower of Jesus. Each morning, while she was watching the birds, she would faithfully study God's word. I would rudely interrupt her and ask:


"What's the word today?"


Yeah, I know, I am a bit lazy to try to ride on the coattails of someone else's devotions.  But it is a pleasure to discuss the things of God with her. She was a willing participant. She could have barked back:


"Get your own revelation of God."


But she didn't, because you see, she is a mature Christian.


One morning the word was...........drum roll please......................................


"Avoid Vain janglings."


You mean like dangling participles, Mr. Bo Jangles or earrings that dangle?


NO


I had never heard that term, vain janglings.


I took this definition from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia;


jan'-gling (mataiologia, "vain discourse" "babbling"): This word is not found in the American Standard Revised Version; once only in the King James Version (1 Timothy 1:6). The American Standard Revised Version has "vain talking," instead of "vain jangling," and evidently means proud, self-conceited talking against what God has revealed and against God Himself.


Woooh. This was heavy revvie. Especially for women. Is this possible?


Is it possible for me, a blogger, to avoid vain janglings?


I apologize for claiming celebrity status last post.


It's already a challenge to keep Wordless Wednesday wordless. It is an oxymoron. A wordless blog.


But avoiding vain janglings is a good idea. In fact, God says in His word to do this. Well, if God said it then I don't consider it optional.


Weird information to bring up with someone on an airplane.


There actually is a punk rock band called Vain Jangling.
Their profile states: From Portland OR to London and back again, plenty of time to talk about nothing.


Here is 1st Timothy 1:6 In three different translations with my thoughts.


From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; KJV
sounds like an accident that could have been avoided


But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. NLT
this is scary... to miss the whole point...and it sounds like they took up blogging


Some people have left these qualities behind and have turned to fruitless discussion. ISV
fruitless discussion, o.k. now what can we talk about?


God's word says:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. KJV




Remember the WWJD bracelets?
How about some earrings that remind me, ATVJ:  Are These Vain Janglings?


Thanks for stopping by.
~TerriG
I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Thank You Letters

I have been known to procrastinate when it comes to thank you letters. I am not alone. In fact, my friend just 'fessed up at the ice rink. She is still working on her Christmas ones. Thanks for the inspiration. Hi Lori! I thought in honor of my pal, I will motivate her and write a few myself. Dear Pioneer Woman: My family thanks you for your tasty recipes. You have motivated me to go beyond just feeding them. They now enjoy wonderful soups and great meals because I have stared at your beautiful food photographs and realized something was missing in my life. Dear Little Guy: I want to thank you for the wonderful afternoon we had this Saturday. You were a very well-behaved boy at a party that was meant to be held outside. I appreciate you heeding to my gentle reminders and making my afternoon, that started with a splitting headache, a nice memory. I am proud to be your mom. You are growing into a sweet boy and I love you. Dear Pops and Grandma: I thank you for always thinking of me in the midst of your own trials. The package of coupons you send so often enables me to stretch our grocery money further. It also helps me to buy some treats that I normally don't. I know the boys appreciate that. You both are tops! Dear Lizzie: Thank you so much for lending me your beloved books. These long term loans are so appreciated. It's always a pleasure to visit your library and hear your love for books. You are a true friend that only has one fault.You live too far away from me. Consider all of my books yours, except my giant print Bible. Dear Central Vacuum: I thank you for being a true friend. You are always there for me when I need you. Don't take it personal that I have been ignoring you lately. I am just so busy blogging and enjoying spring. I promise we will renew our relationship and spend more time together. Perhaps we will take a trip to the car if the sun shines. With love and deep appreciation, TerriG

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Thrifty Thursday or Passive Aggressive Actions

I spoke with my firstborn, statue man, last night and told him what I planned on blogging about today. There was silence on the other end of the phone. Thank you son, you have years of blogging experience, I take your opinions of blogging very serious. I will save that one for a later date, perhaps when pigs fly or when H-E-double hockey sticks freezes over. New thought... Passive Aggressive Thriftiness. Passive Thriftiness is doing effortless things that help keep more money in your pocket. It is a sort of behavior that isn't profound and noticeable. You don't brag about this. Aggressive Thrift requires much effort. It's a coupon cutting marathon. It's driving to 3 stores to get the best deals. It's humbling yourself and whittling down the price at a yard sale. This you will boast to your friends. "I just got this pair of Gap jeans for $2.00." For today, I have been thinking about Passive Thriftiness. Here is one of my super top secret secrets, not really secret but it is news to some folks ..... The most effective tool I use in trying to live a thrifty life is:
WAITING
Ooohhh, that word is so challenging to me. I do not like to wait. Lizzie doesn't like it. In fact I don't really know anyone that does. I admit that I am a gullible consumer. It's a good thing I don't watch television. I would be one of those couch potatoes that orders everything as seen on t.v.. ORDER NOW and get free shipping and handling. Urgency is the ultimate marketing tool. I am so susceptible to this. I remember being over my friend's house, she's one of my buddies that has a face for t.v. She was showing me this really cool mop . It was like a live commercial. What really hooked me on this product and convinced me I NEED one right now was the 'sudden miracle'. While we were in her kitchen, her five year old boy, yes boy, asks, "Mommy can I mop the floor?" My fantasies began. My three youngest boys at home fighting over whose turn it is to mop. Me, never mopping a floor ever again. Don't wake me up, I am watching myself in my recliner supervising my children mopping my floors. I created my mental note to get over to that web site as soon as I get home to order one for $79.95 plus $16.95 shipping and handling. $96.90 for a mop, I know it is a little pricey. But hey, I'm worth it. Money spending excuse(a.k.a. lie) #1. Wait a minute...what's wrong here? The steaming has ceased, the dirt is still there. The wonder mop is making me wonder. My pretty friend is scowling, her boy has left the room and returned to the computer. The floor is not shiny yet. She is flipping it over and trying to figure out why the button is jammed. My dreams are shattered. Hey! Patience is paying off. I just saved myself $96.90. That doesn't even include the replacement heads, which are $19.95 plus $6.95 for shipping and handling. I am feeling richer already, $123.80 richer. My floors are not mopped, but whew, I was not sucked into believing that mop could change my life. Back to thrift. If I practiced aggressive thrift, I would quit the gym membership, and get down on my hands and knees and mop my own floor using old towels. As I do it I would hold my gut in, just like those killer workouts. I don't have a gym membership, oh good, I am already thrifty. Waiting can save so much money:
  • Wait until the bestselling book, video game or DVD is in the library system.
  • Wait to see if you really need the item.
  • Wait on the God, yes, pray about it. So many times, I have been blessed with an item I really wanted and didn't buy impulsively. Or ask God if you really should have it.
  • Wait for it to go on sale, if you really need it.
  • Wait until spring and check for it at the dump's swap shop. I got my favorite kitchen tool there, but I can't talk about that, yet.
  • Wait until one of your friends buys it and then borrow it. This only works for some things. No, you cannot borrow her Coach bag, unless she really loves you.
  • Wait long enough and you will forget about it. Gman's contribution "forgetaboutit!"
  • Wait until a major holiday and drop hints to your family.
Aggressive thrift...now I'll save that for another Thursday. Thanks for stopping by.
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Bible KJV