Love Affair & Prayers

Nah, I am still happily and contently married...but, I have a huge thing for...Etsy! If you don't know what Etsy is, it a global marketplace for all things handmade. I have been a fan for a couple of years now. I have purchased many items from craftspeople all over the US...My Chirstmas cards last year came from a seller on Etsy and she is doing our card again this year! Too excited!!! See, if you don't know me, then you have to know, I DON'T WANT WHAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS! Plus, I don't want anyone to have what I have...I think it's the only child in me! lol

Here are a few items that have my attention...

Handmade Berry Bowl

Stamped Sterling Silver Bracelet

Crocheted Cap

For a sweet baby girl I know...

So, you can see why I love this place!!!

My warning is as follows:

Please enter this site at your own risk! I will not be held responsible for wreckless spending on your behalf, nor will I accept resposiblility for any arguments between you and spouse or significant other! You must allow yourself a LARGE block of time, for one can not go to this site and leave very easily!

Tomorrow, weather permitting, we will journey to The University of Alabama to watch our son, Cole, pitch on their field in a game against Shelton State CC... I have never been to Tuscaloosa, so this will be a new experience for me. I am so gald he is off the DL and able to pitch...Go Lions!!!

As I close today, I would just like to ask everyone to pray for a family here in Saltillo, the Sandlins. They are a fixture in this town, if you live here...you know a Sandlin. They have had a lot of tragedy this year. Kirk Sandlin, was tragically taken by a senseless act this Thursday. He leaves his father, mother, 3 children and family behind. His sister passed away this spring, leaving their parents childless. He was only 35. I urge everyone to get your life right with The Lord, for you never know what the next minute holds!

Much love to all!

Monica

I Love Fall

I have loved Fall for as long as I can remember. I am drawn to the deep hues of the season. Just look inside my home and every room (except Anna Lauren's) is decorated with the rich tones of gold, green, red and brown. I have rushed my decorating this year, hoping the good Lord gets my hint.;) Here are a few of my vignettes... Poor Brent, he is married to a girl that merchandised for years...I treat most holidays as if my home were a department store!

This is my kitchen corner

My sideboard...

A little more sideboard...

One more view ;)

Dining Room table...

Kitchen Window

My Rebs just really blew it today. I don't know what is going on with them! My only consolation was... the lesser of two evils won...Geaux Tigers!

Cole is home this weekend and our dog Belle is in heaven! She loves Cole more than anyone else in this house. Kinda makes me mad, since I am the one that keeps her bowl full of water and makes sure she is fed! You would think I would rank up there, but to no avail. She has a new love now....



The Wallace State Lions!

We are so far away from Cole and the Fall games are played during the day, so going to watch games is virtually impossible! He has been on the DL, so he hasn't gotten to play, but he is much better now and will start playing again. I am so proud of him and I know he will do great things, on and off the field. I am looking forward to the Spring, so I can see him play!

Well, I have to go to bed...Sundays around here are NOT days of rest for me, but I love serving the Lord and I love teaching children about Jesus and watching them grow in God's grace and love! May you all have a beautiful worship experience!

Toodles Y'all!

Monica

Rantings

Funny, I am no "Writer", but I have had a mental block this past week and nothing to write about...so I will give you my "Brain Dump"...

1) Why is it Kindergartners are unable to be quiet? I mean seriously! One of the teachers has a "Yacker Tracker" up in her room. When the noise level reaches a certain, well, level, it goes off...yeah, only, it is not loud enough for our group to hear! I am buying an air horn, that should get their attention!

2) When will the weather cool off? I have lived in Mississippi the majority of my life and I can not remember it being this hot, this late in the month of September. Lord, I am not complaining...I am just sick of this heat and humidity.

3) Why is it that fresh fruits and vegetables cost more than junk food? I bought 4 apples and they totaled $5 ...and a box of Little Debbies cost no more than $2 and you get a dozen? Plus they have to pay packaging and shipping costs, as well as pay people to work in their factories...which costs bazillions of dollars to run...Something just does not add up here. Apples grow on trees, you pick 'em, put 'em in a crate and ship 'em to the store...

4) Why do politicians insist they are telling the truth, when in fact, they are lying when they say they are telling the truth? Is it prerequisite to be untruthful? I would stink at being a politician, I don't lie very well!

5) How is it the "Water Meter Maid" can just lift the lid, never wipe the dirt off or never write anything down? Why bother looking in there at all? I guess she has photographic memory along with x-ray vision...Oh, and 2 showers a day and 3 loads of laundry has moved out and our bill has not changed...hmmmm.....

6) Why is it that everytime my family sits down to eat dinner, the phone rings? I wonder if there is an alarm that goes off the moment we sit on the chairs that alerts the world, we are dining? Never fails...

7) Why is it everytime I sit to watch a tv program, I am bombarded by commercials for personal items? I am just wondering how, of all the products in the world, the ones that are marketed the most are things that we women HAVE to have? Is the market for such items so competitive, you must convince me and every other fertile woman on the planet yours is the best?...Who says women don't rule the world?

8) Why can't photography be easy? I remember those Canon commercials from when I was a little girl..."Just aim and shoot"...yeah, sure, whatever! My camera's manual is thicker than my 365 day devotional...

9) Why do people ask my opinion and then not take my advise? Does it make you feel better to reject sound advise? I have seen it all, done most of it and watched the rest...I know what I am talking about! I am certain that, in the end, you will see I was right...but don't come cryin' to me...I told you so!

10) And last but not least...attention mongers...please, I can handle a bunch of 5 year olds, that is their nature. But, a grown adult should just get over it. If you are not getting the attention you feel you so richly deserve, then maybe you should step back and take inventory of your life...maybe people don't want to give you the attention, because they know you will become even more obnoxious than you already are...

I must ask for forgiveness now...

Good night y'all!
Monica

For Kelly

Back in the Fall of 1983, I began my high school career at Carver. Now, if you are from Tupelo, you fully understand Carver in the eighties. That is where you went your 9th grade year. On Mr. Hankins bus I met a girl named Kelly. Kelly was a cheerleader, yes I said cheerleader (and we wonder where Erin gets it!), and was super nice, too! Like, OMG. (It was the 80's)

As time went on, we became a little closer. There was a group of 8 of us. We spent countless hours driving around "The Loop", windows down singing to the top of our lungs. Lord only knows how much money we spent on gas. Flirted with the boys from the surrounding towns, just to make the girls mad. I can not even describe the trouble, I mean fun we all got in to, I mean had. But it was a fabulous time.

Graduation came and went. Kelly went to State and I hung around and did the ICC thing. While at State, Kelly met Tim, a fella from Saltillo. While I was still around here I met Brent, a fella from Saltillo. See where this is going? Both were pitchers for the Almighty Tigers...both loved to hunt, fish, tell stories and sing (that one's for Contel). The inevitiable happened...Kelly and I ended up hanging out together again. Forging a more meaningful relationship.

I was part of her wedding...she was in mine...She was there when Cole was born...I was there shortly after Maggie was born. Anna gets Maggie's hand-me-downs and Erin gets Anna's. We have celebrated every Christmas together for 18 years, we never miss birthdays. My babies are her babies...her babies are my babies. She is the sister I never had, the one I can vent to, the one I can cry to, the one I laugh with and the one who can make fun of me.... and get away with it.

This is her birthday, and she deserves way more than she gets! She is smart and strong, loves her family and friends, can plan a party better than Martha. She is a great mom, an absolutely FABULOUS children's counselor and a tolerant wife, lol. And the absolute best friend a girl could have!

Last year...Big 40!!!

Happy Birthday Kelly, Love ya!

My Own Little Corner...of the Dining Room!

Well...I now have a desk to do my work on! It is a desk I have longed for...for many years. Mom finally let me have it today, and I can not express my joy! Laugh if you will but it has been a part of my existence for so long, I can't remember NOT having it around. Lord only knows how old it is! I believe it is made of oak and somewhere along it's journey was painted black. Yay for me, cause I love black, distressed furniture!

Mom hesitated when I asked for it...said she didn't want me to "muck it up"! LOL...I am not 12, Mother! I do my painting in "The Shack" where it's ok to "muck things up". She can be so funny! Brent and I went to pick it up this morning....

We put it on the back patio....

I cleaned it and oiled it.

Then I placed it, ever so carefully in the corner....

Then proceeded to get organized!

It really doesn't take much to make me happy! :o

On a side note, Brent and I were eating sandwiches today and check out the potato chip he found! We both laughed because it looks like an apple...and my class is the Apple Dumpling Room!

Tomorrow we must head back to the trenches...

Hope you have had a great Labor Day!

Monica

The Prodigal Penguin

Well, I guess the title of today's post has you saying...Um, Monica, it's the Prodigal SON! True... but there's a new penguin in town and his name is Philip. He lives way up north, where the penguins live, and life just ain't that exciting for him. So he ventures to the big city...and, well, you know the rest!

My dear, sweet friend and Kindergarten Teacher Extraordinaire, Lori Johnson, is now a published author!!! We are sooo proud of her! She is trying to get it in local bookstores and has sent a copy to Lifeway Headquarters! We pray they will love it as much as we do. I believe it will appeal to children of all ages, it is humorous as well as touching.

Being a prodigal son or daughter is probably something most of us can relate to. In our relationships with our earthly parents as well as our Heavenly Father. The truth behind our disobedience is, that when we turn and ask for forgiveness, it is given! We are given a second chance, or a third or fourth! As many chances that we need to find love and healing!

The appeal to children will definitely be that it is understandable. The main character is a penguin for heaven's sake...what child doesn't like penguins? God placed this on Lori's heart when she was on maternity leave with her son, Seth...when she was SUPPOSED to be teaching my daughter, Anna Lauren. But I digress...It has taken her 5 years to get it all together... God's timing... no doubt. But it is perfect, as usual!

If you are interested in a copy, please message me. She will even sign your copy! The cost is $12.00, I don't know about shipping, but I will get that info to you. It is a delightful adaptation of a story we all need to keep in our hearts...the story of true forgiveness!

May you all have a blessed Labor Day...I am sleeping in!!!

Love to all!
Monica

Dove hunting and Rock Bottom Creek

For many years, we have gone to our friends, The Yarbroughs, for opening day of dove season. It has become one of my favorite traditions. Buck, Gena, Chelsea and Houston are good friends. Buck even honored Cole with a dove hunt last year for his senior year!

Today was no exception, I cooked corn on the cob, and headed on over to Yarbrough Trail to spend the day with my friend Gena. The sad part is, we live in the same town and are members of the same church...and we never get to see each other, it seems. So, this is the day we laugh and catch up. Discuss raising our children and putting up with our husbands (ha).

After filling our bellies, Gena took her niece, Sadie (who also happens to be my daughter's bestie), Anna Lauren and me to "Rock Bottom". As long as I have lived in Saltillo, I have never been there, and Gena felt that was a travisty. So we loaded up in the truck and headed on over.

"Rock Bottom Creek" lived up to it's name today. We haven't had much rain this summer and it was pretty much bone dry. But, that didn't stop our field trip. We ventured along the dry creek bed and found so many treasures. Butterflies were everywhere as were toads...the little bity baby ones! Sadie found an ENORMOUS mollusk shell! Anna Lauren and Sadie were FASCINATED! Even though they are 10 years old, they can still be amazed by the "little things".
Even though my Rebels blew it today...the day was really a good one. I am thankful for good friends, good food and good weather. And the opportunity to not worry about a thing, relax and enjoy the day!

I am yet again a thankful gal!

God bless and good night!
Monica

Emily Giffin and The Tooth Fairy

This Summer, while I was on my "Senior Trip", I brought 2 Emily Giffin books with me, Something Borrowed and Something Blue. What a joy these books were, I read them both in 4 days. I really identified with both main characters in each book, Rachel and Darcy. No, I am not a really smart attorney nor am I a self-absorbed pretty girl. But, I could relate to their fears and idosyncracies. I love the way Giffin writes. Now, mind you, I am in no way someone who gets lost in books. I get lost in housework, laundry and jobs, diving into books is not a luxury I have.














Anna Lauren and I ended up in Barnes and Noble Sunday. I decided to buy the next book, Baby Proof. I am really excited to have the book, now if I can just find the time to read it! Don't know if I can relate to this character, but I know it will be a joy to read.

Today, a sweet little boy in our room lost a tooth. God love, he couldn't find it! The assumption was that he swallowed it. Devastated that the Tooth Fairy wouldn't come, I told him that since Ms. Sides and I were witnesses, we would write a note to the Tooth Fairy to put under his pillow. Fortunately, a little girl found the tooth on the carpet. Wish I had a picture of her face! Anyhoo, he told me to put in a safe place...I put it in one of the cute "tooth necklaces" we have for such and occasion. He left this afternoon and when I returned to my desk, the tooth was still on my desk! Uh-oh....

I went through his folder and realized, he lived on my street! However, I did not want to open that can of worms, so I decided I would first try his day care. Anna Lauren and I went by and he was still there! I have NEVER seen such an expression of gratitude on a child's face!

I MUST try to remember those feelings of childhood. Losing a tooth was a BIG deal...it IS a big deal, and that sweet little man will not be disappointed tonight ! He will recieve something from a crazy fairy that collects teeth in exchange for money. The earth is a better place when a child experiences the "little things"!

Now, I must go, I made chicken dumplings for dinner. It is still hot outside, but the comfort they bring, well, it's worth it.

God Bless,
Monica

What or Who is running your life?

I have many blessings in my life. As cliche' as it sounds, there are too many to count. However, one of the biggest blessings in my life is my "boss". Mr. Ken Smith is the Principal at Saltillo Primary School. He is also an Ole Miss Rebel, which makes me smile, and he is a fine man of God. He is not ashamed of his faith. He does not hide the fact he is a Christian.

Often times, when Brother Tim is unable to teach our Wednesday Night Bible Study, Ken Smith steps in. He knows his stuff...which is probably why he is the Lay Leader of our Church. I digress....this evening the topic of our study was, "Who or What is Running Your Life?" Hmmmm.....thought provoking stuff.

Does worry, fear, work, money or "others" run your life? Good question. Do you allow God to take the lead, fill in the gap... often times, that is not the case for me. I am a Jesus loving, God fearing girl, but sometimes I forget that, as a Christian, I am no longer mine. I belong to a loving Father, who cares about me and you so much, He allowed his Son to die for our transgressions (I like that word better than sin, lol). He takes care of the sparrow, and knows when one falls...He makes sure the birds are taken care of...He will, if you let Him, take care of you!

I do not subscribe to the belief that we are down here, flailing around, on our own...left to fend for ourselves, because we have free will! I believe we are given circumstances to exercise that free will, and show where our faith lies. I am also confident that my Heavenly Father is my personal substitute for my fatherless life since the age of 12. He will not leave me nor forsake me....so, how will I let my life be run? By stuff or by God? I chose God, filled with the Holy Spirit and intercession by Christ.

My prayer is that we all learn to let God lead our lives...things will be less stressful!

Love to all!
Monica