Looking at the words

I’ve been thinking more about how we live our lives and any “crowning” achievements we have.

I’ve never been very interested in the concept of laying my crown at the feet of Jesus, because I didn’t really want a crown,

but when I think of being able to lay at his feet any achievements made because of him (and it’s all because of him)

….. I kinda like that idea ;-)

Quote: Conquer we shall, but, we must first contend! It's not the fight that crowns us, but the end.- Robert Herrick

Something I wrote long ago

As you may know my parents house burned down in January, it was pretty complete and the things that we salvaged from it would probably fit in a plastic storage tub. When that happens the things that you do pull out are more meaningful than they were before somehow. Things that were in a box in the bottom of a closet in the center of the house and somehow managed to only be slightly burned.

We brought a handful of photos home to dry out from all the water that put out the fire. In with that I unfolded a page that had a poem/song I had written sometime over 16 years ago. The edges were only slightly burned. Here it is.

I asked the Lord to come into my life
but not too far

I asked the Lord "please change my life
but leave things the way they are"

I ask the Lord to be my guide
but just where I wanted to go

I ask the Lord to show me truth
but just what I wanted to know

Now I'm asking you Lord to come into my life
all the way

Lord please change my Tomorrow
starting with Today

I did get two paintings done

One was of my Dad.

I took an old photo.





Then did an underpainting in burnt umber.





Then added colors over that painting.

It's hard start adding color because the painting looks pretty good in burnt umber and at first the color makes it look worse.

I know I haven't posted in a while

First we were working an extra 3 hours a day at work for a couple of weeks, then my parents house burned up. They were okay, but about a week and a half after that one of my Mom's feet and that same leg swelled double. She went to the Doctor and got sent to the Hospital to get checked out. They let her go home, but she has to go get checked out tomorrow.

I am maybe going on another painting trip next week, if she is okay Monday.

Potato Soup

Today was really cold and so I decided to make some potato soup with carrots and turkey bacon. It turned out really good and I will probably make it again soon. I'm trying to create a simple recipe book for myself of things that I like to cook.

I want to try to start eating healthier.

Quote: What I say is that, if a fellow really likes potatoes, he must be a pretty decent sort of fellow. - A. A. Milne

It's the first day of the New Year

I went to a New Years party last night. I'm not really much for parties, but it was fun. I didn't take pictures, but I did get this one that someone else took.

I noticed that the light on my tiara and glasses made it look like I had horns and glowing eyes. I don't.

This morning I work up thinking about the parable of the talents and how sometimes were afraid to use the talents we have because we don't want to be judged or laughed at. When I first started painting I have to say that my paintings were pretty bad and I am so glad that I didn't just stop there. Whatever Talent that God has gifted you with (yes it is a gift). I hope you will be encouraged to use and develop it.

One thing that got me to thinking about this was my shyness about dancing. Not that God has gifted me in dancing ;-), but sometime I do want to be able to just go out on the dance floor and leave that shyness behind.

I have this little song in my heart this morning.

The Lord gave him Talents
and even though they were few
he used them and grew them
and now has some new

The Lord gave you Talents
he meant you to use
so don't hide them away
because your afraid to

Listen with your heart
and you'll hear God say
Try me and trust me
I'll show you the way

It's a White Christmas

I went for a walk in the park Christmas Eve and it was really pretty with the snow coming down and covering the ground.

I read that it's been 83 years since we had a White Christmas in North Texas so that makes this pretty special.

This is a picture I took of a couple of ducks in the park.

Singles Christmas Party

I don't think I impressed anyone at the singles party I went to today. I wore some really light color pants and spilled coke in on them.

I guess the only good thing was that the weather was not too cold and I was able to hold my jacket in front of me as I walked out because there were a LOT of people walking into the building. I was at a GIANT church and people were coming in to go to a Christmas Pageant.

Quote: Your Business clothes are naturally attracted to staining liquids. This attraction is strongest just before an important meeting. - Scott Adams (I guess I'm not the only one who has this stuff happen ;-)

Book Fair today

Every now and then we have a book fair at work. I love books, but I didn't intend to buy any. This book caught my eye, because it has a lot of pictures in it.

It shows you pictures of food and tells you which ones are the best to eat and which are the worst. I haven't made use of it yet, but I'm going to make a new years resolution and try to start eating better.

Quote: The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook - Julia Child

Blindsided by my hat

This morning when I was going into work I had my hat slipped down over my eyes. I could see just a little ways in front of me. I had made sure that the cost was clear and then headed for the door.

Suddenly there was a man in front of me and I came VERY close to running over him. Then when I went inside I went to the basement and got on the elevator. He went up the stairs and in to the elevator, so there I was when he got on. I almost ran over him again leaving the elevator. I guess he will be wary of pink hats from now on ;-)

Quote: Her hat is a creation that will never go out of style; it will just look ridiculous year after year. -
Fred Allen

Getting Ready for Christmas

I'm not really into a lot of what has become a part of Christmas. Santa, blow up lawn ornaments, shopping, spending, and the crowds are not for me. I do love the plays, the lights and the manger scenes.

Quote: Tinsel is really snakes' mirrors. - Stephen Wright

Freeze Warning

It felt like Easter and Christmas all rolled into one. We had snow and then I had to hunt through the grass for something (well not an egg).

I let the grass get tall beside the house and then I had to hunt for the faucet to cover it from the cold.

It is pretty cold here now and I don't like it at all. I don't think we should get this cold of weather.

Quote: The quality of the imagination is to flow and not to freeze” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ignorance is Bliss

Today I'm up early because I'm taking The Cat in for a bath and a hair cut. Right now he is scrunched up next to me purring blissfully unaware of his fate.

I am going to have to dress up, so that they don't mistake me for stray.

Quote: “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance” - Derek Bok

Thanksgiving

My grandfathers brother got to come to my thanksgiving dinner. He will be 95 in January and he is still in pretty good shape.

I also thought that I would include myself in the picture so you can see my new look (with bangs)

Quote: “The soul is born old but grows young. That is the comedy of life. And the body is born young and grows old. That is life's tragedy.” - Oscar Wilde

Redeeming the time

I have still been spending too much time looking at Facebook and not enough time updating my blog.

I have got to hear some good teaching lately. One thing that really stands out if the "Redeeming the time" verse. That one really hit home with me.

What I have been doing while not posting. Still looking at recipes for thanksgiving and also I tried something different with my hair. Sort of a reverse frosting. It didn't do what I wanted, but it didn't turn out too bad. It's something I've been thinking about for a long time and doing a lot of thinking about how I could make it work.

Quote: As if you could kill time without injuring eternity. - Henry David Thoreau