Hi, How'dy, How are ya?

Welcome to "The Country Schoolmarm"! Get yourself a cup of coffee (I take mine strong with vanilla creamer), grab a seat, and chat a while! Isn't that what country friends do? Now, all we need is a porch...

Thursday, August 30, 2012

I need a nap...

     I need to go back to Kindergarten!  I need a rug, a pillow, and a floor.  I didn't leave my classroom until 11:30 pm last night.  Then I woke up with that throat reaction again.  Down went the Benadryl! 
     I have some tubs that need emptying.  Last night, I threw the leftovers into tubs so that it would look neat for today, and I can empty them one by one.  The kids all brought in their supplies, so the tables are messy- that part is not me.  But the pictures I am about to show you, well, that is ALL me.  I was too tired to stand up and take the pictures, so I took them from my desk.  I redid my desk area.  I could have let it all alone, but no.  I had to tweak it. I love how my desk is now, well, when I get rid of the stuff in it and can walk around... I like my "command center".  It will not have stuff all over the place (LIKE MASON JARS!!!).  I will post good pictures, when and if I have them.  I just thought I would share the process a long the way.  Don't look at these pictures before bed- they may cause nightmares.  I know I had nightmares last night.  I dreamed that our principal hated how I arranged everything and the things I had on my walls, and she made me take them all down (She isn't like that...).
Comfort food for today- hot dog in a pretzel and frozen lemonade!  Yum!  I got some more goodies in the mail, but I will show them to you later... If I ever get home!!!
So now, on to the horror show that is my desk area...

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Apples for the Teacher...

     So, another day of In-Service done.  I think this one needs coffee cake too. It all started when there were 8 turkeys blocking my drive to school this morning. 8! They stood and stared at me like I was in THEIR way.  The group split in half, but one stayed in the middle.  I tried reasoning with them, but I don't think they were listening to me.  Great.  Turkeys aren't listening to me.  What does this tell me about the school year? ;) The turkeys started to move to one side, but at the last moment, Tom called his group to the OTHER side.  Indecision may or may not be his problem.  
      See, I live in the country.  Most of my colleagues do not.  So when I say that turkeys, combines, cows, Amish buggies, etc slow me down in the morning, non-country bumpkins just don't get it. So, I usually take pictures with my phone as proof!  But, I'd rather have turkey traffic than the car kind!
     But the day ended with a wonderful surprise!  At first, I thought that it was from outer space (been watching too much Star Trek lately). But, I saw the name- and I knew! Granny Trace!!!  Apples for the teacher!  Yippeeeee!  Here are the goodies I ordered from Trace from Granny Trace Scraps and Squares. They are wonderful!  And, I mustn't forget my pumpkin pinkeep! Awww! I AM SO pulling out my Fall decor this weekend!  Bye-Bye, Summer!
    
      My dear friend also tucked in some sweet stickers!  Yea! Stickers! Teacher+Apples+Stickers= Happy Teacher. And LOOK! If I hold it in front of the window, it looks like Autumn outside!  Magic!  
     So, here's the summary- turkeys, apples, pumpkins, and stickers for the teacher from a dear friend. And coffee cake.  Again. Oh, yeah, I got a paper cut (But, the coffee cake cancels that out!). A day in the life of a teacher. Not, really, but I'd like to think that for now!

Coffee Talk for Today- When do you plan on putting up your Fall decor?

Monday, August 27, 2012

Why I need coffee cake...

     Okay, so first, I am leaving for school with my brand new book bag laden with, well, books.  Apparently, during the summer, I have lost the ability to walk correctly while carrying a backpack.  So, I tripped on the stairs and sprained my ankle. Um, sounds to me like Anne Shirley walking the ridge of a building.  Well, except no one dared me.  And it wasn't the top of a house.  And there wasn't a bush to break my fall.  Or Diana to help me walk home.  Okay, okay.  The only thing the same is the ankle.   But, praise the Lord, it could have been much worse!  
     This is the disaster area that is my room right now.  It's worse around the corner, but I couldn't bring myself to share such a disheveled mess.  So, I will try to update you on my classroom later in the week.

But!  Some goodies came in the mail!  The pumpkin is from Natalie at Tins and Treasures! It has all different textured materials and perfectly prim! I bought it off of her etsy. The adorable cow is from Wendy at Ravenwood Whimzies!  Check out her blog for great stuff, but she is requesting prayer for a friend.  I posted it on the Prayer Board as well.  There are some new requests, so check it out!

 Oh, my other "Anne" moment- I have a ton of eBay things ending tonight.  I didn't think it through that it may not be the best idea to have 20 THINGS ENDING ON THE SAME DAY!  Ugh.  I think my hair is turning red.  I think I also hear Marilla calling me... HOWEVER!  I think she has coffee cake in a cup for me!

Goodnight and blessings, Friends!
Heather

Coffee Talk for Today:  How was your day?  What can we pray for?

Gold Stars...

I am serious. I buy in bulk...
Blessings!
Heather
( P.S. I have reserved your 3, Trace!)

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Why a teacher teaches...


Well, it's time to turn into "MRS. WISE"! I'll do my best to post a few times per week!  It will be a joy to come home and read your blogs! 

You will be in my prayers.  Please continue to update "Pray Without Ceasing" so I can pray for your needs and celebrate your praises!

This is one of my favorite poems. 
Enjoy!  Have a wonderful week!


  The Bridge Builder

by Will Allen Dromgoole

An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim-
That sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned, when he reached the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,
"You are wasting strength in building here.
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way.
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head.
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

A Doxology...

Doxology (n)- An expression of praise to God... 
I have always loved this Doxology! My Pastor closes each service with it. I found this towel at an antique store. It is a sweet, vintage stitchery that someone, who must have also had an affinity for this verse, lovingly created.  
     The disheartening thing was that the price of this handiwork with its precious words was only a dollar.  It is sad that such valuable words are seemingly worth so little today.  But I am reminded by a verse:  
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

II Timothy 3:16-17
     Yes, these words are profitable.  Not in the monetary profit it brought to the seller, but by its words and the profit it brings to us by being fully equipped servants of Christ.

Have a blessed Sunday!
Love,
Heather

Friday, August 24, 2012

Thank you, thank you!

II Thessalonians 2:16-17
" Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word."

     I just want to say thank you to my 25 new friends!  I am so appreciative of your taking the time to respond, encourage, and just fellowship! To be honest, 25 is a number I didn't think I would hit!  So, thank you for taking a chance on me and my craziness!

     So, your reward is another cup of goodness.  This is Brownie-in-a-Cup! Now, I must say, it says ice cream with it.  I highly recommend it because the brownie is really chocolatey, so the ice cream is a sweet balance and cools it more quickly.  My favorite is still the Coffee Cake one (my hubby says to put ice cream on that one too...), but this one is a good fix for a chocolate craving.  There are many other recipes out there for brownie-in-a-cup, so if you find a better one, please post it!  We all thank you!

     If I ever hit 50 followers, I will try to offer a treat more substantial than a coffee cake or brownie addiction.  Sorry! (Oh, and I KNOW a lot of you went to that coffee cake website.  My "Feedjit" thingy showed a lot of you exited this blog to the coffee cake one...  Heee Heee!) 
(I don't know why a promotional blog is giving away recipes, but okay!  I originally found this on Pinterest!)

Blessings!
Heather

Thursday, August 23, 2012

It's a Beautiful Day in the Bloggerhood...

Okay, so here is the run down from yesterday of what I did in-between working on my class newsletter(Which I MUST finish today!!!)


     I painted the lantern.  Hubby would not let me paint it black, so I grunged it (there are some black splotches...  heheee).  I used Gesso to build up areas  of "gunk"- a always like that look on prim furniture.  It's like it got a little grimy and someone painted over.  The gesso soaked up the brown wash more that the rest of the wood- awesome!!!  Then, I mushed and rubbed in some cinnamon and Modgepodge to further darken the grimy areas.  The picture doesn't really show the grime as well. It is a darker brown.


     Next, I started my baggies and finished my dolls.  I need to finish the bags and stain everything.  I don't know why the one doll has a big head.  Maybe it is vanity...

     My eBay packages are ready to be mailed.  I fit the large order carefully into two packages.  Pray that they all arrive safely.  One lady ordered fabric about a week ago.  I mailed it within the 3 day processing time that I show on my listing.  She also got free shipping that was parcel post.  She has not gotten it yet and seems a bit discontent.  However, it is WELL within the range of the delivery time frame- 8/21-8/29.  Please pray that it arrives soon.  I am so afraid of poor feedback and letting people down. :(
     I grunged a can and ball jar.  Now, I did mostly cinnamon.  I did put quite a bit of modgepodge, but I like the "dusty" look.  However, I don't want cinnamon sprinkling everywhere.  It seems that most of it is staying on.  Does anyone have a recommendation as to how to keep it on there better without losing the dusty look?

Bailey was good support through out the day in getting things done.  But, at 12 am, she gave in to comfyness and sleep.  I had to carry her to bed later...  My little baby!
  

Blessings to you all!
Heather

Coffee Talk for Today:
How are you all doing?  What can we pray for in your life?

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The Final Countdown...

 “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32

     Give us what?  What are all things?  For me, right now, it is the prayer for a calm heart, wisdom, diligence, and creativity.  I have 4 days left before starting school preparation and In-Service meetings (which are THE WORST for people like me with ADD and can't sit still.  Ugh.)

     This is a late post, I know.  Many are going to bed, eating dinner, or already fast asleep. I have been working on my welcome email to my new students.  I put it off because I just wasn't excited about it.  The end of the summer, the revival of early morning routines and late nights, concern about the hearts and needs of this new little "family".  I'll get over it.  As soon as I go into Staples on Friday to get supplies, it will be game on!

     I have been working on my crafts today.  Making clothes pin dolls, prepping my lantern for its new paint job.  Stitching.  Grunging ball jars and cans and basically anything I can get my stucky, Modgepodge-hands on.  Only problem, which you will see in a bit- I used up all of my baking cinnamon. I will go to the grocery store tomorrow, but I need it now.  Just wait, I will tell you in a moment.  I used it up and then realized I have a big container on my craft shelves for just that-crafts.  Ugh. So, I have been grunging, working on my newsletter, stitching, working on my newsletter, gluing and now...

     I am going to make COFFEE CAKE IN A CUP!  Woooooohooo. Seriously, it is more addictive than shopping on Benadryl.  (That's why I am bummed about the cinnamon.  I may use the container I use for crafting.  I am desperate.)  And you all were there!  You know!  This Coffee Cake is just comforty goodness in a mug.  Now, I adjust the recipe in the link below by taking the flour measurements and "halving" it- half of it flour and half of it oat bran.  That way you don't feel so guilty.  Well, I don't.  Truly.  Now, you can click on the link way down below and see step-by-step directions.  You need to try this. Now.  Seriously.  Go out in your kitchen, make it, and come back and tell me about it.  I will give you an extension until tomorrow, but after that, your work will be considered late.  You WILL NOT get full credit.  Those of you who do it and respond get gold stars.  

     See, the teacher in me is starting to creep out.  It is funny, well I think it is, you may think I am plain weird.  In the mornings, when I get into the car and start for school, I always put on my lanyard with my whistle and school key.  Now, before I put it on, I am just me.  Heather.  But when I put on the whistle, I feel a little like Clark Kent changing into Superman.  I am no longer "Heather".  I AM "MRS. WISE"!!! (Say it like a superhero.  It sounds much better.  I have said it in the car before.  Told you. Weird.) 

     Now, here are another couple things you should know about me as a teacher.  The more coffee I drink, the faster I talk.  My students KNOW when I have and have not had coffee.  If I have had a lot, well, let's just say I have a lot of students staring at me like I am talking in another language. BUT, we get a lot done!!!  

    Here is another weird thing about me as a teacher.  When I say, "Gold stars for you!" I mean I really give out gold stars. And I put them on my students' foreheads. Yup. They walk around proudly all day with gold stars on their heads (if they earned one that is).  Sometimes a student may have as many as six (Those students are my favorites...).  You should see the looks I get from visitors...  LOL.  So, it is too bad you all are not close by, or you would have gold stars on your head!

     Well, I must warn you, friends.  Starting next week, I will probably do more reading your blogs than writing on my own.  I am going to try to keep up with it at least a couple times a week.  Once school gets rolling, maybe more.  Writing and talking to you all is really therapeutic.  I want to thank you all for allowing me to come into your circle of friendship, for your encouragement and fellowship.  I will also warn you that I will try to write about crafts and decor at least once a week, but the other posts may actually be the "Schoolmarm" part more than the "Country".  I will still be seeking wisdom.  And, I am sure, provide some entertainment courtesy of my munchkins...

And now, GO MAKE THE COFFEE CAKE IN A CUP!



Coffee and Coffee Cake Talk for Today:
  • Well, how was it?
  • What things could you add to it to change it up?
  • If you could be a super hero (You can't use one that already exists.  No Thors or Ironmans.) what would you call yourself, and what would be your "super power"?  Mine is ear shattering whistle blowing!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Morning to ya...


     Well, I don't have much to say today (I know...SHOCKING!).  Need to get some school planning done, artwork finished for display in the local coffee shop, and crafts to finish.  Not to mention some of my eBay items are ending on my auction, so there will be shipping labels to print and boxes to pack.  I am a little nervous (so you can pray about this)- there is a buyer who is buying almost all of my "starter kits".  I know that is good, but I am worried about the packing and shipping part.  That is such a large order.  Please pray that I do a good job.  I take this eBaying seriously because I do think the quality of the work and diligence I put in to this are a testimony to our Savior.   I want to do my best.

     So in lieu of my endless babbling, here is today's "Morning" from Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon.  I do have a "Coffee Talk" at the end regarding his writing today.  I would like to know what you all think! 


Morning

"He that watereth shall be watered also himself."
Proverbs 11:25

We are here taught the great lesson, that to get, we must give; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we are ourselves watered. How? Our efforts to be useful, bring out our powers for usefulness. We have latent talents and dormant faculties, which are brought to light by exercise. Our strength for labour is hidden even from ourselves, until we venture forth to fight the Lord's battles, or to climb the mountains of difficulty. We do not know what tender sympathies we possess until we try to dry the widow's tears, and soothe the orphan's grief. We often find in attempting to teach others, that we gain instruction for ourselves. Oh, what gracious lessons some of us have learned at sick beds! We went to teach the Scriptures, we came away blushing that we knew so little of them. In our converse with poor saints, we are taught the way of God more perfectly for ourselves and get a deeper insight into divine truth. So that watering others makes us humble. We discover how much grace there is where we had not looked for it; and how much the poor saint may outstrip us in knowledge. Our own comfort is also increased by our working for others. We endeavor to cheer them, and the consolation gladdens our own heart. Like the two men in the snow; one chafed the other's limbs to keep him from dying, and in so doing kept his own blood in circulation, and saved his own life. The poor widow of Sarepta gave from her scanty store a supply for the prophet's wants, and from that day she never again knew what want was. Give then, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and running over.


Coffee Talk for Today...
What do you think about the last line?  Do you think he is making an argument for helping others in that we will receive blessings in return?  Should we serve others with any preconceived intentions that are self seeking?  Maybe I am interpreting this incorrectly, but that is why I want to know what you all think!!! 

Blessings,
Heather

Monday, August 20, 2012

A Call for Help...

Please!  I don't want to follow my own blog!  It was an accident, not ego!  I don't know how to get myself off of my blog!  Call me Cordelia and HELP!!!!!


Oh, and while you are at it, I still can't figure out what color to paint my lantern. Could you help with that too?

Ideas:
  • Black
  • Brown
  • Brown Wash to give it a little age

Blessings,

Heather



Coffee Talk for Today:
What are some silly things you have done that can give us a chuckle!  Come on!  Be brave!

Monday Morning Meditation

Psalm 16:7-9


"I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure."

 (English Standard Version)
 


As my summer draws to a close, I am getting anxious about the school year starting.  This is my last full week of "being free".  It is a bittersweet moment.  Part of me is anxious about school starting and the adventures it contains.  That part wants to just sit by the pool forever.  The other part is anxious for it to start.  To interact with the students.  To hear the voices of children in the halls.  That part wants to be in front of the classroom trying to make learning become something that each child finds as a joy to do. To help them, through God's wisdom, power, and grace, to be in awe of God and want a personal relationship with him.

This is my week of switching gears.  Of planning units.  Of making bulletin boards. Designing a theme for the year (Owls of course!).  Buying school supplies for me and also the children.

Next week is In-Service.  I get to be reunited with my other family- my co-workers.  That brings excitement into my heart. I get to clean and scrub and prepare my room to be an inviting home away from home for my students. I get to start fresh!

But, the pool beckons.  Making crafts and having the freedom to come and go sweetens my Summertime.  Once school starts, that freedom ends.  The pool will be closed.  No time to sit on the porch and listen to the cicadas and birds.  They will all be leaving soon as well.

But the colors of Fall will soon appear!  I will get to tuck pumpkins, gords, crows, and other Fall needfuls everywhere! Thanksgiving will bring a shouting reminder to give thanks to a good Lord for His provision and bounty.  It will also bring "turkey comas" and wearing pants with elastic waist-bands.

But, the days will be getting shorter, darker.  The day will seem to end before it begins.  I will get home from work and crash on the couch, no creative energy left to craft or blog as often. Just nap.

But then, it will be Winter!  And snow will cover the ground making everything bright and new! Maybe some snow days tucked in where I can snuggle under a blanket and drink cocoa.   I can read and blog and just relax.

But then January, February, and most of March stretch on endlessly.  Indoor recess.  Cabin fever.  Cranky kids.  Cranky teacher.

But then, Spring comes. Flowers and field trips brighten the day! Plants and trees come alive with colorful clothing, their Easter attire, ready to celebrate our risen Lord. He who brings new life to all who believe.

But then, Spring leads to testing and the end of a year.  A year that was no doubt full of blessings and struggles.  A full year.  A year of God's grace.  And the children, whom you did not know at the beginning, have now become dear to you.  You have become a family.  A unit.  But it must end, and you are parted with your "children".  You are grateful for the break, but the halls seem empty without the sounds of children.  You tear down your room with the wistfulness of tearing down streamers and decorations after a wonderful party.

But then, Summer is there.  To renew and revive.  Until at your Summer journey's end, you start the process over again.

That is the life of a teacher.  But, God is by my side every hour, every minute, every second.  He is constant.  Guiding, calming, giving wisdom, giving joy, comforting in sorrow, encouraging grace and mercy in all that I think or do.


"Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure." Psalm 16:9

Sunday, August 19, 2012

The Ugly, The Bad, and The Good plus Albert Einstein...

You should now hear old-time, spaghetti western theme songs.  Maybe you visualize Clint Eastwood.  You can keep the theme music, but our main character is- my toilet!

 Here is The Ugly: the handle I snapped off the toilet (BUT, in my defense, it WAS in a weakened state)... 

The Bad: Then, check out my creative repairs!  A little pull handle!  I considered wrapping it with homespun, but that would probably not be sanitary.  This was just a temporary fix until I had time to go to the hardware store anyway.  I emailed my creative fix to my dad, who is also a creative fixer.  And, as much as he may have thought it was creative, my repair just would not do.  


The Good: So, since my husband was working, my dad and I had wonderful father and daughter time picking out a new toilet handle! Shiny and new.  On a 14 year old toilet, it's like putting lipstick on a pig.  Oh, well!
Couch Pillows
The Queen's Pillow
     Okay, here is a commercial- This commercial is for flour sack pillows!  You can get vintage flour sacks pretty cheaply. The well-worn, cotton ones are usually nice and soft.  You can stick a regular bed pillow in, slip-stich it shut, and WAAALAAH- a flour sack pillow.  Since they come in various sizes, I have used standard sized pillows to king-sized ones.  They are great for the couch and floor!   I made two for our couch because the back of our couch is rather low.  It gives you something to lean your head against, or hit misbehaving hubbies with (I would NEVER do that.) The one in the picture below is a king-sized one. It was meant for my husband because he likes to lie on the floor.  However, Bailey, has commandeered it.  As soon as Steve leaves it for even a second, she is on it like a bear on honey!

Okay, our second break for station identification- An Anne of Green Gables moment, brought to you by the "Rollings Reliable Baking Powder Company":
     I don't know how I do these things.  Somehow, I joined my own blog (I am number 21) by accident.  Now, I see my posts with your post feeds.  How do I make it stop and un-join my own blog?  Please help!

Finally, our last program is a horror flick (at least in my mind it is...)
Albert Einstein once said that, "Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.”
     So, my husband and I were swimming in our pool around dusk about a month ago.  We have done it many, many times because my husband gets home later, and it is a good way to chat and decompress (Awwwww...).  Well, one night, I noticed a bat fly from one tree to another on the other neighbor's property. "Hey, did you see that bat?" I asked. We've seen bats before here and there.  No big deal (Cue foreboding music).

      Suddenly, out of  NOWHERE, the bat starts dive bombing us, skimming the water and heading right for us.  We tried to swim for the ladder, but he keeps swooping between us and our escape route.  I was struggling up the ladder, but it kept coming after me, so I would duck back into the pool.  In my mind, I was thinking, "Really, Mr. Bat, you must think pretty much of yourself to think, 'I am tired of grasshoppers- that's child's play.  I think I'll take down a human.'" And the bad thing was, with all of the screaming by us (yes, my brave husband was screaming too), we were easy targets for said bat to echo locate.  The sad thing we learned was that if we were ever attacked by anything, and screamed for help, none of our neighbors would bother to check on us.  That's a reassuring thing to tuck away for later...

     Well, finally, we made it inside.  My husband literally dragged me out of the pool. It was like those caveman cartoons where the caveman is dragging the cavewoman by her hair. We were huffing and puffing and laughing at ourselves.  It seemed like something from a movie with Chevy Chase or John Candy.

     But wait!  That's not the insanity part...  Last night, we went out again around dusk.  No bat.  And, believe you me, I was watching!  It started getting darker and- no bat.  I started easing up a bit until my husband smacked the water next to me trying to scare me into thinking that the bat had splashed down (We pause now for a hubby beatin'). I said to him, "Maybe the bat thing was a fluke?"  Hubby said, "Maybe Bailey is scaring him off." (Ok. So, no disrespect to my husband, but the dog is barely 10 lbs.  The bat would go for her first as an appetizer. And, she'd be no help at all.  You saw the picture above!  What a mushpot!  But, I digress...)

     Now, and learn from this, you know when people say things like that in movies? Things such as, "Maybe the zombies are gone!" They always show up and eat everyone.  Okay, gross analogy.  Well, it's like saying the Titanic is unsinkable.  Things like that.  No more than two breaths after I said that, down came the brown bat (and I am not talking about the little ones, I mean the medium-sized ones.  Vampire kinds.  I think it had red eyes and big fangs.  Really.). We were ducking like nobody's business!

     We researched this bat thing after the first episode, and the research said you can get bats around your pool if you don't skim your pool often.  Yeah, that's not the reason.  This bat has a "V" for vendetta on his back.  We looked outside many nights at the pool area- no bats.  So, we ran inside like Dracula was right behind us.  When we got insde, I said, "You know what Albert Einstein said about insanity?"  My husband's answer was that we were only insane if we went out again. And I am telling you, I am not about to plead insanity any time soon.  No way!



Sunday Morning Snippet

Morning

from  Charles Spurgeon's Devotional
Morning and Evening
(Courtesy of Bible Gateway)

"He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord."
Micah 5:4

     Christ's reign in his Church is that of a shepherd-king. He has supremacy, but it is the superiority of a wise and tender shepherd over his needy and loving flock; he commands and receives obedience, but it is the willing obedience of the well-cared-for sheep, rendered joyfully to their beloved Shepherd, whose voice they know so well. He rules by the force of love and the energy of goodness.
     His reign is practical in its character. It is said, "He shall stand and feed." The great Head of the Church is actively engaged in providing for his people. He does not sit down upon the throne in empty state, or hold a sceptre without wielding it in government. No, he stands and feeds. The expression "feed," in the original, is like an analogous one in the Greek, which means to shepherdize, to do everything expected of a shepherd: to guide, to watch, to preserve, to restore, to tend, as well as to feed.
     His reign is continual in its duration. It is said, "He shall stand and feed;" not "He shall feed now and then, and leave his position;" not, "He shall one day grant a revival, and then next day leave his Church to barrenness." His eyes never slumber, and his hands never rest; his heart never ceases to beat with love, and his shoulders are never weary of carrying his people's burdens.
His reign is effectually powerful in its action; "He shall feed in the strength of Jehovah." Wherever Christ is, there is God; and whatever Christ does is the act of the Most High. Oh! it is a joyful truth to consider that he who stands today representing the interests of his people is very God of very God, to whom every knee shall bow. Happy are we who belong to such a shepherd, whose humanity communes with us, and whose divinity protects us. Let us worship and bow down before him as the people of his pasture.

Coffee Talk for Today:
Reflect on the passage and pray for our friends on the prayer board.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Bought it, Making it, Broke it, Repainting it...


     I posted another give away.  This is an anniversary giveaway from our friend at The Primitive Skate.  What wonderful items! Happy Birthday, Sandi! I am just blown away by the generosity of everyone's giveaways!  Thank you! Good luck to all! And, most of all, best wishes to these wonderful blogs in being able to celebrate these mile-markers!  Congrats!

Bought It... (AND, sooooo want to buy it...)  

     Some of my Benadryl Spree items have arrived!  This angel bust is from The Olde Salt Box!  I love it!  So prim and grungy!  Love it, love it!  
     Here are some other items that have arrived.  These are from eBay sellers.  The apples are from Olsoncityblues who has an eBay store called "Annie's Fabric Arts and Primitives".  She sells some burlap apples that are so perfect for the season.  Burlap is in!
     The Pumpkins made of old coverlets came from eBay seller "auntiemeowsattic".  It was a grouping of three! I am giving the beige one to my mom, and the other two I have tucked in different spots.  I love coverlets and wovens, don't you?  The little mouse in a tin comes from another eBay seller "dorothy3217".  She has some cute and affordable mouse items.  They are simple- but cute and prim!  Buttermilk Creek Farm also has some really beautiful mice!  Each mouse tells a story and are so detailed!  I love the mouse sticking out of the pumpkin!  I just think mice are such a perfect addition to a prim decor. With the Autumn decor rolling out, what better items to tuck among Indian Corn and other fall wares?


Making it...

My mom gave me these pewter owls that are from a broken wind chime.  I thought about trying to redo the wind chime, but I think I am going to put hangers on them and put them on one of my country trees.  What do you think?
Crafting, crafting...  

     Here are my cheater pictures again.  The top left- my little pincushion cups in-line to get made into, well, pincushions!  No shoving, guys!  The next picture on the right is the beginnings of my stitching to be the cushiony part of the pin keeps.  Any ideas of what I should stitch?  I have quite a few different little cups! 
     The bottom right are some pen and water color pictures that I did.  I am trying to prepare for the Coffee Shop art display.  I am thinking about doing different pumpkin pictures and make them look like old-time food labels.  Maybe even do some coffee ones or other items.  I have some paintings, but, well, I just don't know what to put there.  My items are diverse, so I don't want a hodge-podge.  I want it to have some cohesiveness. I also want to sell them, so I am not sure what would attract buyers. I will keep you posted on that one.
     The final picture on the bottom left is a craft project I am starting.  I am not telling exactly what I am doing yet, but you can probably guess... 

Broke it... (Ooops!)
(Disclaimer... If you don't have time to sit with a cup of coffee and read this story, skip to the "Repainting it..." section.  I will not be offended.  If you need a laugh at another person's expense-mine- then read on...)
     Okay, so my mom and I went shopping yesterday.  Hit some more thrift shops- woohooo!  Well, we used the bathroom before we left.  We are usually careful to make sure the water stops running in the tank.  I guess we were too exciting to go out and get coffee, that neither of us checked.
     Well, when I came home, it was still running because the chain thing and the little apparatus below didn't seem to work properly to let the little flappy thing close and allow the tank to fill up. I really shouldn't have touched it. REALLY.  I tried to fiddle with the chain- that wasn't it. The little lever thing didn't seem to be moving right. So, I twisted it a bit and- snap!  I stood there, staring at the broken pieces, all the while hearing in my head, "Awwwww, you're going to be in trouble..."
     So, I tried gluing it.  Fine.  I lost circulation in my hand trying to hold the pieces together while I waited FOREVER for the glue to set.  Whatever.  I put it in, but the lever seemed to be at an odd angle so that I couldn't put the lid on.  Well, that's not good.  So, I fiddled some more.  SNAP!  Back to gluing and no hand circulation.  I am now waiting for the glue to set again.  Ugh.

     Well, have you ever read "Anne of Green Gables" or seen the movie?  They are my favorite books (after Austen and Gaskell).  So, let me introduce myself to you... Hello, my name is Anne Shirley.  Anne spelled with an "e".  Seriously, I may not live in Canada, have red hair, or tell people to call me Cordelia, but I am a teacher, and I am a mess. This next story is brought to you by If You Give a Moose a Muffin, aka- my brain (Meaning breaking the toilet made me think of this...)

     If you have ever read my bio, I said that one thing I can't stand is when students use the bathrooms and don't leave you a "square to spare".  Ladies and gentlemen, here is that story...

     The setting- the 2nd - 5th Grade wing (it's a modular unit), in the girl's bathroom.  Since we are a distance from the main building, we share the bathroom facilities with the students.  I try to use it when the students are not, and since the other teachers are teaching, I was alone in there. (This truly is important to the story.)  Another detail is that the bathroom fan sounds like a Black Hawk helicopter is hovering above your head (No yelling for help...). One final detail is that one of my fellow teachers takes care of some of the maintenance in the building, including replacing the rolls of toilet paper.  He is kind enough to leave partial rolls on the back of the toilet, just in case. MOST OF THE TIME...


     SO, THE STORY...  I went in to use the facilities and the reached for the toilet paper.  Gone. I reached for the spare behind the toilet. IT WAS WET.  A child dropped it into the toilet and then, just put it back. Seriously.  So, I started to panic. The teacher next to my room was keeping an eye on my students. The fan was loud, so no yelling (And truly, who wants to yell for help for this.)  No one thought it was odd that I hadn't returned yet.  No one came into the bathroom.  That room is usually a hub-bub of activity of children who want to escape the classroom.  No one. (You can hear the crickets at this point.  Well, over the helicopter.) 
     MINUTES went by.  No one. Well, I had my cell phone in my pocket from recess duty.  You can't directly call another teacher's room from an outside line, but we do have phones in our classrooms.  So, I tried to text my coworker down the hall about the predicament and to bring some help!  Everyone's phones are either off or on vibrate.  Since everyone is teaching, you would never know it was buzzing.  I took the chance.  I felt like Anne Shirley floating down the river, pretending to be the "Lady of Shallot"
     Ok.  I had to do it.  I called the office from the stall.  I asked our administrative assistant if she could call the second grade teacher in her room and ask her to bring some toilet paper to the girl's bathroom. "Where are you?" she asked.  "In the stall."  Laughter erupted from her like a long dormant volcano. THEN, she repeated the story to the principal nearby.  Apparently, there were others in the office who heard the story as well.  
     She said (FINALLY, but in a choked-up voice) that she would call Mrs. R..  Mrs. R. comes in laughing so hard she is in tears. That is Anne Shirley's moment when she is saved by Gilbert, "Anne Shirley, what in the world are you doing here?" as she holds on for dear life to the bridge, seeing her boat slip beneath the water.  I felt Anne's pain!.  
     She hands me the goods, and I make a hasty exit.  Sheesh.  Well, that story got around.  Every teacher in the school heard the story. Parents even laughed at me as they passed me in the hall.  I would enter a room, and they would laugh at me. Whenever we hire a new teacher, the story is shared at our In-service Meeting. I am the poster child for keeping tissues in your pocket at all times. JUST IN CASE!  And the teacher who neglected the maintenance of the stalls?  Well, I didn't bust a slate over his head... But, there were repercussions...


Repainting it...

     I see these really cool lanterns that are popular now.  But, they are expensive!  My mother-in-law got me this Pier 1 lantern years ago.  It is huge.  But, the whitewash is more of a beachy look rather than prim.  I want to repaint it and put it in the middle of my table with a flicker light in it.  What do you think about possible colors- a dark-brown wash to give it a barn wood look or, well, black? 
 Coffee Talk for Today...
You have a choice of flavors:
  • Talk about "Anne of Green Gables" moments in your life or just laugh at me.
  • Give me some ideas for my crafting dillemas.
  • Share any good giveaways or purchases that you made recently.