Friday update

I finished getting everything to the magazine editor today! I'm really happy that I was under deadline and organized. The great thing was the check-off list that the magazine editor sent to me. How easy is that? I was able to go down the list and make sure I had everything completed and to their specification! I just have to mail off my contracts to them, now. Easy, peasy!

I am now going to get back to work on my website. I've been revamping it for about 3 weeks now and I will upload the whole new website when I'm completely done. I will be offering things for sale on my site and also have a lot more encouragement on there for Christian women and homeschooling Moms. I have a lot of new plans for the future, so stay tuned!

My knee is much, much better tonight. I went to the Orthopedic doctor on Wednesday and he gave me a shot. It has helped a lot! I'm glad I did it. I'm still using my cane, but hopeful that I'll be able to set it aside again soon. I have a wonderful Orthopedic doctor and am so thankful that he cares so much and is so knowledgeable, too!

We are all getting sick around here. My oldest son had that cold/flu first, then this morning, my hubby, youngest son and I all woke up with that scratchy throat and stuffy nose. My youngest son is the worst, but my poor hubby has a horrible cough. I have that feeling that it could go either way - I could wake up much worse tomorrow or much better. We'll see. I think everyone I know has had that horrible cold/flu that's been going around all over the country.

Tomorrow my sweet Cocker-Spaniel will be going in to be groomed. It's been a while since he's been to the groomer. With finances the way they are, all things have to be put on the back burner until the money comes available. He looks pretty good, really, it's just time for a bath and a trim. We keep our babies brushed and so forth, but with the dogs that need to be groomed, there's only so long you can go before a trip to the groomer is necessary. I'm going to have them put him into a cocker-spaniel trim this time. Usually, he is just sheared short because he's not real happy when he has long hair, but he's been doing pretty good with it right now and it's cold enough that I don't want to shear him. When it's closer to summer, we will probably do that. I know he's going to love going tomorrow and we're going to love how pretty and good smelling he will be.

Not much else is new. I've been house-bound for the entire week, except for my trip to the doctor, so there's not a lot to share. I'm hoping my family starts feeling better and that we will be able to get back out again.

Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!

God bless you - Julie

He has plans

I have this scripture framed next to my bed. I look upon it often as it encourages me. It also reminds me that the Lord is in control of my life and He knows exactly what I'm going through. Not only that, He is with me every step of the way!

I've looked at this scripture often during the past two days of self-imposed rest. I don't know about you, but when I'm in pain or having physical ailments, I get scared. I know it's unreasonable to get scared, but I do. Knowing that the Lord really does have His hand on my life gives me great comfort. I know the Lord didn't make my knee swell up like a balloon - I did that all by myself! However, He doesn't desert me when I make the dumb decisions or over-do when I know better.

I'm trying to focus on my blessings. I have a wonderful husband who loves me (despite myself!) and two, wonderful sons and they are all the joy of my life. I have a beautiful sister that is such a dear friend and sister in Christ. I have wonderful in-laws, and two fantastic nephews and their wives and children. I have a roof over my head and food on my table. I have 3 loving dogs that love me no matter what and bring fun to my life. I could go on and on with all my blessings. God has truly blessed me!

If you're having pain in your life - whether it's physical, financial, or spiritual - please sit down and write out your blessing. Commit your life to the Lord (or re-commit) and know that He truly is with you through everything and is in control. He really does give beauty for ashes!

God bless you - Julie

In Misery

I am sitting here with an ice pack on my knee and my knee is about twice it's normal size. *Insert HUGE sigh here* I have arthritis and when I do too much, it just aggravates my poor knee. I went swimming yesterday and that felt so good, I decided to go into the workout room and try some of the machines. I don't think I did anything too horrible there, but I must have done something. That plus walking around too much on their cement floors. I am so tired of having my knee balloon up on me and hurt.

Your prayers would be greatly appreciated! I have been either in bed or in my recliner all day. I did call my doctor and I will see him on Wednesday. He may do a dreaded shot, but honestly, if he does, I won't care because it is really hurting and swollen. It really stinks getting older!!

On a bright note, my sweet son went to WalMart and bought me a table that I can wheel up to and under my bed - you know like one of those hospital tables! Oh my. A girl could get used to sitting in bed with fluffy pillows behind her back, her computer on the table, and all her friends on Facebook! ROFL! My oh my - I do sound like a princess, don't I?

Nothing else is new. Pray hard for this little princess!! It may sound wonderful to be in bed all day, but not if your knee looks like it belongs on an elephant!!

God bless you - Julie

The Crazy Cousins

Would you be caught dead with these girls?!! I would!! lol This is my sister, my cousin and I acting totally silly when we met up today for the first time since 1971! Can you believe that? We've seen either other separately, but for some unknown reason, we've never all been able to get together. It was long overdue and I'm really glad we finally did it!

Here's a picture of my beautiful sister, Lindy and my gorgeous cousin, Kathy. Look at those beautiful smiles! They both love the Lord and it shows, doesn't it?

We all grew up together and we have so many good memories and times that we were able to share today. We caught up on each others lives and giggled and acted silly. That's what good friends do. That they are my relatives is just icing on the cake. The fact that they are my sisters in Christ is totally awesome!

I hope we get together again before 37 years pass! We had such a good time and I'm really thankful that we were able to share the day together.

I love you, Lindy and Kathy!!

God bless you - Julie

Just Rambling

I had to share this picture with you. Isn't that just beautiful? This was the morning after the big snowstorm. Everything is covered in the beautiful, white stuff - yet there's the sun as bright and beautiful as anything. We got about 6 inches here, which is quite a lot. We do get snow, but usually just an inch or two, and that melts off quickly. We still have snow on the ground, even though it snowed on Monday.

This picture is from my front door and you can still barely see the moutains that are only about 10 miles from me. The largest peak is behind that large cloud gathering on the left of the picture. I'm going to try and get more pictures of the mountains before the snow all melts, but we are in the mud - literally - around here, so not sure how long it will be before I can get in my car and take more pictures.


I just had to share this photo of my "babies". The two in the front are our poodles, Tammy Lou and Cookie. Tammy Lou is the matriarch of the bunch at 10 years old. Cookie is the puppy and she is just a bundle of energy. Her best friend is Sammy Joe, the cocker-spaniel in the back. He really is the epitome of patience with her and they play until I'm sure they just won't have any energy left. He is my sweet-heart. I'm sure I've talked about him before, but have to share again. We rescued him from the humane society and he was full of matted hair, stickers, and had a cut on the side of his ear, although we didn't know that at the time. He kept scratching at his ear and when I took him to the vet for his checkup after getting him, she found that someone had put stitches into the side of his ear - not a vet, mind you, but these were "done at home" stitches. My heart aches every time I think of that. Plus, they were infected! Antibiotics and a trip to the groomer made him feel so much better. Before the trip to the groomer, though, he had to heal. In that time, I was the only one in the family who would hold him or pet him because to say he reeked is a huge understatement. That poor thing just smelled so bad! However, Sammy Joe knew he reeked, but also saw I loved him anyway, and that made all the difference for him. He follows me everywhere! If he can't get in the room with me, he scratches until I let him in. He is the sweetest dog ever. I feel so blessed that I have him.


I'm sharing this pictures because we all need to smile more and who could look at this picture and not smile? Not me! I can't help but smile - look at the cute face! lol

God bless you - Julie

Winter Wonderland!

This is my front yard. I took this shot in color but it was snowing so hard, it made everything look black and white! I hadn't bothered to take the bird bath apart and cover it because we've had such beautiful weather. I hope I won't be sorry and end up with a cracked bird bath! The bird-feeder on the pole to the right of the bath will definitely need to be refilled tomorrow for my feathered friends.

This next picture is looking out East from my front door today. There is a mountain range that normally you can see quite clearly because I'm only about 15 miles from it's summit. However, with all the snow, you can't even tell there are mountains there!


You can barely make out our neighbors house in the distance. We haven't seen it snow this hard in quite a while!

Here's another pictures of my front yard. All the trees are so beautiful with their snowy branches! So clean and white! I have to enjoy it while I can. When this all melts, it will be a muddy mess! lol

In other news. . . I finished my hubby's Valentine book. I will share it with you all after I give it to him on the 14th. He does read my blog sometimes, so I don't want to spoil the surprise by having him see it here first. It was truly a labor of love and I'm so happy with how it came out. I was able to do it while sitting and nursing my knees again. Yes, again. They seem to be better today, so I'm hoping tomorrow I can do a bit more around here. It's really frustrating sometimes having arthritis!

My brother-in-law went to the neurologist and they say this growth is on the outside of his brain tissue which is really great news! They will continue to monitor it with MRI's and so forth, but right now they say surgery is not necessary and, in fact, could do more harm than good. Thank you for your prayers!

Hubby is feeling better after his horrible ordeal with the eye doctor. I give him credit - I'm not sure if I would want to go back. I think the only reason he is choosing to is because it has improved his eye sight. Since he is diabetic, any good news regarding his eyes is very welcome and encouraging!

We are supposed to have our Valentines Party with our homeschool group tomorrow, however, I'm wondering if we really will. I know that if it looks like it does right now out there, I am not going to want to venture out. Since we are supposed to get more snow tonight and tomorrow morning, I have a feeling the party may be canceled. This is so sad for our family because it will be the last Valentine Party we'll have with our homeschool group and we have always looked so forward to them every year. We have always tried to make it to them, no matter what.

Hope you're all staying dry and warm!

God bless you - Julie

Sunday Devotional

Joyful Security

I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)

Fear of falling is wholesome. To be venturesome is no sign of wisdom. Times come to us when we feel that we must go down unless we have a very special support. Here we have it. God's right hand is a grand thing to lean upon. Mind, it is not only His hand, though it keepeth heaven and earth in their places, but His right hand: His power united with skill, His power where it is most dexterous. Nay, this is not all; it is written, "I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." That hand which He uses to maintain His holiness and to execute His royal sentences—this shall be stretched out to hold up His trusting ones. Fearful is our danger, but joyful is our security. The man whom God upholds, devils cannot throw down.

Weak may be our feet, but almighty is God's right hand. Rough may be the road, but Omnipotence is our upholding. We may boldly go forward. We shall not fall. Let us lean continually where all things lean. God will not withdraw His strength, for His righteousness is there as well. He will be faithful to His promise, and faithful to His Son, and therefore faithful to us. How happy we ought to be! Are we not so?

by Charles H. Spurgeon

Isn't it wonderful to know that the Lord's hand is upon us - guiding us, loving us and keeping us from falling?

God bless you - Julie

Passions, Parties and the search is on

I'm beside myself over the horrible decision by our president to not go forward with the trial of the man that masterminded the USS Cole bombing. I mean - really. What about all those wonderful Sailors that lost their life in this terrorist's act of cowardice? Don't they mean anything? I can't even imagine how he can justify this decision to the families of the fallen or the other Sailors that were on the ship that day.

I've decided that I probably need to start another blog where I discuss one of my passions - politics. Not so much politics as the mission to save our country from the liberal bent it has started on. It's getting worse and worse. I honestly cannot believe that any president would choose to let a man go that did that to our servicemen. It's something I can't comprehend. When and if I get this new blog going, you'll be the first to know.

On the home front. . . . Hubby had another shot in his eye yesterday and this time it wasn't completely deadened. Can we all say, "Ewwwww"? Oh. My. Goodness. I can't even imagine what my poor hubby went through. The shot he had last time was fine - no pain or anything. I think this doctor has the tendency to over-book and so there were so many people in that office. I'm not sure if he can actually do things as well when he's so busy. Hubby is supposed to have more shots, but of course, now he's really nervous. I told him to focus on the first shot and that we will make sure his eyes are completely deadened in the future. On the up side, they do see some improvement in his vision, so that's good.

I'm nursing my knee today. I'm not sure what's happening - it's probably just my arthritis acting up again. I'm hoping tomorrow it's better. I had to use my cane today because it kept buckling and I was afraid I would fall. I'm praying for healing.

We are preparing for the big Valentine party with our homeschool group next week. We will be going to Peter Piper Pizza for lunch with everyone and then onto the ice skating rink for skating and a Valentine exchange. I talked to the mom who is planning it all and so far we will have over 70 children who are going to exchange Valentines! We will have more families than that as some children won't be doing the Valentines, so it's sure to be a fun party for everyone. We used to always go to the ice-skating rink out of town as we didn't have a rink here. Honestly, it was so fun to go to the out of town rink. It was something all the families looked forward to. We would eat out at a burger place that was in that town only, go skating and bring snacks to share with everyone and decorate the locker room where we had the party, and then head out to the used bookstore when everyone was done skating. It was so fun! It's easier for everyone to go to this local rink, though, and it will still be fun!

I had a phone call today from the leader of our homeschool group and she wanted me to pick a date out in April or May on a Saturday as the group is going to give 3 of the homeschool mom's a party. I'm one of the 3! Yes, it's true. I'm one of the old guard that will be graduating my youngest this year and I've been a part of the group for a long time. They want to celebrate our time in the group and send us off in style. Isn't that sweet? I'm very touched that they even considered this sweet gesture! It seems so odd that I'm actually going be done with my homeschooling this year. *sigh*

I'm still on the hunt for the missing centerpieces for our graduation. For years our group has had a set of mirrors, candles, and tableclothes that we use for the graduation receptions. In the process of getting new leadership, the centerpieces have gone missing. All my feelers are out, though, and I'm hoping for a phone call any day letting me know where they are. It really saves us money when we re-use the things we've used before. If I can't find them, we will figure out something new - hopefully cheap - that we can use and then pass on for the next graduation.

Hope you have a very relaxing weekend!

God bless you - Julie

Fresh Air & Sunshine

Okay - I'll admit it. I was rather upset that my Arizona Cardinals lost the Super Bowl, but I'm okay now. Well, maybe not okay, but calmer about the whole thing. Sad yes. Very sad. There's always next year, though!!

Today I woke up with this swollen cheek right below my eye. In fact, it looked like someone had punched me. No - no punching going on in this house - so not sure what this is. It was red and just looked really weird. My hubby thought maybe I had a cold in my eye or something, but it doesn't feel like that either. I was really tired all day, too, so maybe it's a bug of some kind. Oldest son wondered if it was an allergic reaction. Could be - but to what, I have no idea. So tomorrow I'll hope that it's all better. I don't feel quite so tired tonight, so maybe whatever it is has passed.

I finished up some of the baby items I've been making. I am going to start picking out the fabrics for my quilt I'm going to start next. I've also been working on the crochet & bead edged socks that I'm making for my nieces. They absolutely love those socks, but had grown out of the other ones I made, so I'm making them each another dozen pair. I'm also making some for my newest little niece who's about 8 months old. They are adorable and just so girly.

Tomorrow I must get some of the pictures printed out that I want to use for the special Valentines book I'm making for my hubby as a gift. My hubby is so sweet and always loves these kinds of personalized gifts.

Our weather has been beautiful and the last few days I've just spent standing on the porch for a long time soaking in the sunshine and soft breezes. It's just gorgeous out! I was also able to open the doors and let some fresh air into the house. I love doing that. Winter houses get so stale and stuffed up from being closed up all the time. A little fresh air is always good!

Hope your weather is improving wherever you are!

God bless you - Julie