Friday, June 29, 2012

An outhouse can & Around the yard


You are probably thinking this lady has gone nuts posting 2x's about trash cans.  Maybe a little but that's besides the point. haha    A while back I was needing a new trash can for the bathroom.  The old one was falling apart.  Someone bought my kids this gigantic barrel of cheese balls about the same time.  It makes a great trash can.  Very sturdy, don't think its going to fall apart anytime soon if ever unless one of my kids takes a baseball bat to it.

Here's what I did.  I sprayed it with Krylon cream, sprayed with Krylon periwinkle, then wrapped leftover wall border around it.  I attached it the same way you would a wall.  It matches my bathroom perfectly!!


Below are some pictures from around our yard.  Enjoy!
One of my favorite spots-A special place for our 2 small angels.


Happy Friday!!

I'm linking up with:






Monday, June 25, 2012

Does Jesus Care?

Thanks to blog world and Facebook we are constantly updated with the news of people's personal lives like never before.  At different times I've wondered has life always been this sad and hard on people or is it one more "signs of the times".  Seems like every time I log into FB someone else has died, another person struck with a horrible illness, family issues, not to mention a lot of complaining in general.  It seems to be a vicious, never-ending cycle.  Looking back over history, I have to realize that it's always been this way.  We are just more exposed to it because of the Internet, phones, and TV.

Several of my friends are currently going through very dark times.  Some are dealing with grief over a death, another is watching their child suffer with cancer, while a couple of others having spouses who are in the hospital, and some who feel like they are at the end of their rope financially.  Sometimes I find myself wanting to grow crusty around the edges from all the negativity.

I know from experience that when life's trials get to be overwhelming it can cause one to wonder:

*"Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth or song, as the burdens press, and the cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?


*Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless dread and fear?  As the daylight fades into deep night shades.  Does He care enough to be near?


*Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed to resist some temptation strong. When for my deep grief I find no relief, tho my tear flow all the night long.


*Does Jesus care when I've said good-bye to the dearest on earth to me,  and my sad heart aches till it nearly brakes?  Is it aught to Him?  Does He see?"














My mind goes to a personal experienced I had about year ago.  I received a phone call that my dad had been taken to the hospital having all the symptoms of a heart attack.  Living 2 hours from the hospital and having a son in school I didn't jump in my car and rush on over.  I waiting to find out just what really was going on before find someone to watch my kids, etc...  I knew I was doing what I needed to do, but I had a brother who didn't think so.  He proceeded to call me 2 times and call me every nasty name in the book.  I hung up on him both times.  I don't take stupidity from anyone no matter the situation.  

Upon having an intelligent conversation with my mom a little while later.  I decided that the situation was bad enough I better take the trip.  To make a long story short, upon arrival at Allegheny General the atmosphere was so tense you couldn't cut it with a jack-knife.  Part way through the evening I took a walk, desperately feeling the need for help because I felt like I was "alone in a crowded room".  I couldn't think of anyone I knew who I could really call and ask them to pray for me.  As I was spilling my heart out to God that I had no one, He very gently reminded me that I did have someone to pray.  It was none other then Jesus Himself.

Romans 8:26

New Living Translation (NLT)
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

That realization alone gave me so much strength I felt like I could take on the whole world.  A peace and quiet settled all over me and I was able to get through the next few days.  I knew that little moment with God would stay with me for a long time.  And there have been times since that I have needed the reminder.

Can I tell you that Jesus does care!!  Let me encourage you that whatever your trial, don't turn to facebook as your only release source.  But rather go to Jesus.  He wants to hear you call out to Him for help.  He is already taking your need(s) to the throne.  Trust Him!!!



Thursday, June 21, 2012

A "New" Trash Can

Probably never thought you'd read a blog post about a trash can. :)  But when it involves spray paint, why not!!  I have had the same yucky blue trash can for the last 9 years and 10 months we've been married.  It has never matched any of my kitchens.  It came with the marriage since it had been hubby's in college. haha  So I've been using it all along and really never paid much attention to it.  Really, who does?!?! Until recently!! And then I am thinking that thing is hideous and needs to go.  


Have you seen the prices for a "cheap" trash can lately.  Highway robbery I tell ya! After one trip past them in Wally World I knew that wasn't happening anytime soon.  Then I remembered my collection of spray paint.  Ah yes!! Tis a wonderful thing spray paint is.  You should try it yourself sometime.  Use Krylon, its the best.
 Shall we say YUCK!
     
Much better!!!  I sprayed it white first to act as a primer then sprayed it Pebble.

An up-close of the decal I stuck on.  You can get these on ebay and Wal-Mart.  My oldest son has these in his room. I didn't think 1 less would hurt.  haha  Goes perfect with my woodsy kitchen.

I am new to the blogging party world.  But excited to give it a try.  I love reading others blogs, many of you out there are such an inspiration!! 
 I linking up with:

Blessings to ya!!



Monday, June 18, 2012

Knife Block Makeover

I came across a Pin the other day that grabbed at my attention. Probably cause it was so simple and it involved painting wood.  Something I like to do.  So today I gave it a try.

Took my knife block and spruced it up a bit. Here's what I did: *lightly sanded *spray painted white  *spray painted Burgundy  *sanded to let some of the white show through  *light coat of stain  *TADA




Blessings to ya!!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

A Walk Down Memory Lane.


nos·tal·gia

  [no-stal-juh, -jee-uh, nuh-]  Show IPA
noun
1.
a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a formertime in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one'sfamily and friends; a sentimental yearning for thehappiness of a former place or time.


This word is one of my favorites.  One does not have to been senile to travel back in time.  It is intriguing the things that will spark a memory.  And when it happens I usually find myself lost in thought for several minutes.  

I read someone scoffing the term 'the good ole days' not too long ago. Yapping about how much better these modern times are and blah blah blah.  People who long for 'the good ole days' are not necessarily thinking of a less technical time.  But rather a time when innocence and freedom abounded.  Back to childhood when life was not full of responsibility. A time when many of those we loved were still living.  And its going to be that way with each generation.

Almost always when I have a longing for those 'good ole days' it is for a place in the hills and hollers of Pennsylvania, lovingly known as Greene County.  Most people reading my blog probably never heard of it much less been there.  


If you are a big city type of person Greene county will be the most boring place on planet earth and you will wonder why anyone would be so nostalgic toward  it.  Maybe it just runs in my Hallam blood. 

 You see my love for Greene county didn't start with me.  It started long before I was born.  It was said at my Pap Hallam's funeral that he loved Greene county so much he used to pile all 8 of his kids into their family station wagon on Sundays and they would drive to that blessed place.  Finally after months of doing that he bought a farm and moved his family there.  It was said, Pap knew Greene county like he knew the back of his hand.  Today some of his children and grandchildren still call it home.

Some of us who moved away still wish we did.  Mom asked me not too long ago if I wished we would have never left those hills.  At one point she had asked my 2 older brothers as well.  Although, my brothers and I are worlds apart in the way we live our lives, the answer from all 3 of us had been a resounding yes.  Since one cannot turn back time we just have to keep on going and try not to think of how much better things might have been.

You might ask, well, why don't you just move your family back there?  No clue, except that doesn't seem to be where God led us.  I do love where we are. I love our church family and our school family.  Those things have a way of making a person put down roots in places built on practicality rather then sentiment.


And so I shall be content where God has placed me.  And in my mind visit that place where our childhood was wonderful.  That place where all 4 of us were still together and life was sweet.  A place where people live at a slower pace.  A place where everyone knows each other cause you've lived there all your lives.  
  







Because I have no reason to return, so-long!!

Monday, June 11, 2012

A Lesson from Posies & Kids :)


My kids are doing one of the things they seem to do best and that is to fight and be mean to each other.  All the while going out to the wildflower field next to us and picking me flowers.  The flowers are pretty and the orange matches my kitchen perfectly.  It is a sweet gesture of love.  But for this mom, it don't seem like it with the fighting going on at the same time.

After the 2nd handful was delivered I very nicely informed them that I wanted their fighting to STOP more than I wanted flowers.  Yep, the one kid shed some tears.  But that's ok.  It's better he have his feelings hurt from the truth.

As I walked back into the house the thought occurred to me, that whole picture is a lot like some "Christians" I know.  We are all about giving God our "gifts", and many do a very good job.  However, they gossip and knit-pick about their "brothers & sisters" in Christ.  I have a strong feeling God feels the same (probably worse)  about this sin problem that I do about my kids.

2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.

Blessings to ya!!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Wallpapering on a shoe string budget

 .50 cent wall border I found at a yard sale.  It's now hanging in one of my boy's bedroom.  What a difference it made to his room.  Plus, he loved it!!
The wall border on got on eBay for $10, and the wall paper I got from Hartville Marketplace for $4.99

Living on a budget and having nice things would be hard if it wasn't for yard sales and thrift stores.  Quite frankly, I don't mind at all.  I love visiting those places and find awesome bargains.  These pictures are proof that you don't need to spend an 'arm & leg' to make your home look great.

If you are ever in Hartville, Ohio be sure to check out the Marketplace.  The wallpaper store is booth #14.  All their border is $2.99 a roll, and wallpaper is $4.99 a roll.  What an awesome savings.

Blessings to ya!!

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