Hand Me Downs - I Love 'Em!

Is there anything more exciting than receiving a huge bag (or in my case, huge bins), of clothes to sort through for your own kid(s)? In my case, I have the pleasure of looking through bins of clothes that my niece wore at one time. And, seeing that she was a first born, her mom, my sister Lora, bought lots and lots of clothes - all being handed down to Jules. It really is so much fun digging through a bin, trying different pairs of shoes on, searching for the matching shirt that goes with the skirt, checking out the bathingsuits, and not having to pay a cent. I love it. (On a side note, I don't know if it would be quite so fun if I had a boy. I just love pretty dresses). I especially love getting Sunday coats which would be quite expensive brand new. So, if you see Jules wearing a different outfit to church every Sunday, don't assume it's a shopaholic Niccy who just can't keep her money in her wallet. And, so what if she has three Sunday coats? I mean, one for every Sunday, right? When it comes to actual paying for clothes, right now I am focusing on accessories for myself and Juliet. One of these days I will write a post on fashion - not that I am an expert or anything, but I am amazed at how accessories can extend your wardrobe.... Since I am teaching now and wear skirts everyday, it gets a little boring to wear the same thing once a week. So, it's off to the second hand store to look at the jewelry...

Dating Photos to Christmas Cards

I was looking at somebody's online photoalbum (nevermind who!), and all I saw were shots of the young (unmarried) couple. There must have been fifteen shots of the couple (all looking pretty much the same every shot), and about five of other things. It reminded me of when Mike and I were dating. All that matters is THE COUPLE. All you want to do is take photos of... each other. I look at my dating pictures, and yep, the majority of the shots are of our two mugs, plastered with smiles. It makes me feel slightly nostalgic. Now, it's hard enough to get a picture together and what with Christmas around the corner I'm starting to get nervous since we try to put a photo of our family on the cover. Did you hear about the new rules? If you want to be in the "in" crowd, you have to send a card WITH a picture. If you don't, I hate to break it to you, but you are horribly behind the times. And now, I have a grand announcement to make: I am the official judge of the annual Christmas Card Contest this year (D.R., and W.R., winning last year's contest), and I will soon let you know the rules. Extra points to those who include the actual parents as well as the kiddies (if you have them), in your photo. (I am not going to be surprised when the amount of christmas cards I receive dwindle to about...5.) And, now, I better stop this post before I get in serious trouble and someone starts to actually take me seriously!
P.S. - Pictures taken by a photography studio will be instantly excluded from the competition.

Jules - Ready for a Night Out on the Town, Handbag and Keys Included

This and That

I was reading Romans 12 or 13(?) this morning, and the chapter talks about how the body is made up of different parts and how each part is necessary. The eye as well as the arm is needed...etc. It is comforting to read that. Every believer is different! It seems to me to be a bad habit (of woman in particular) to try to make rules about EVERYTHING - and then try to impose them on EVERYONE. We've read every bloomin' book on how to be a good wife. The nitty-gritties are fleshed out. A guide line is given about almost every issue under the sun - eating healthy, keeping your man happy, raising productive kids, breastfeeding, time spent at home, birth control (or lack thereof), dieting, baking, cooking, clothes, etc. Maybe it's human nature; let's make every gray area out there as black and white as possible. But have you ever noticed that the Bible doesn't really dealve that much into the particulars? It seems to me if you love God, you will strive to love your spouse and the kids (though you won't always succeed). As a result, your love will flow out in practical areas of life as well. And when the Bible does give clear commands, then obviously, we should follow them! When Jules grows up and meets her man, I will press ONE good book on being a godly wife and that sort of thing. But kick me in the tush if I start sending her off to "woman's conferences" and child-rearing classes and..., and, who knows what!!! (I've read a few marriage books and after I read them, felt very sure I knew how to be the perfect wife. I just came to realize that though I was good at reading about it, the practicing part was a lot harder).

Inspirationed-Out

I'm getting inspirationed-out! Whatever in the world do I mean? Well, I was just on facebook and came across, let's see, five wise, thought-provoking comments in just a few minutes of scrolling. So, if you asked me now what new "inspirational" quote I read, I probably couldn't tell you because I no longer remember. Ever get that feeling? Now, by no means stop posting thought-provoking expressions or proverbs.... I do the same thing! But when I'm on the computer, I find that I just breeze through them and don't really appreciate the significance or wisdom of a particular idea. Know what I mean? It's like I'm in my computer-mode; I want what I want as FAST as possible. Any thinking involved only delays my immediate gratification. I think I will stick to Bible reading in the morning and at night for real INSPIRATIONAL words.