All I see is Orange!!!

We used to live in Ohio and you knew when winter was over because the Orange barrels would go up in a lot of the roads and you could count on construction crews blocking lanes and causing traffic delays. My father-in-law calls them the state flower! LOL

Well, now we live in Florida and we call them Bob's Barricades (the name of the company that makes them that is on every orange barrel) and they have shown up on a lot of roads we travel on because they are adding lanes and expanding and now we will experience the traffic delays one day at a time...DURING TOURIST season-could we not have waited until August when it is a little less crowded down here?! 

The projects are expected to last awhile, according to the signs, so this picture will be a normal sight on my way home from work each day. Guess I will be working on my patience over the next few months. :)

A Real Find!

Have you ever found a store that carries unique items and you really enjoy going there to even just look around?! Well, in my town I have just the place! The Rustic Rose-Lakewood Walk location!

My mom made the comment when she was visiting that she didn't have any gift shops where she could find nice unique gifts. We have a few and Rustic Rose is one of my favorites! They know the importance of the visual and the sensory ties! It always smells wonderful when you go through the door. They also know how to decorate and combine beautiful sets by color! They have everything from jewelry to scarves to purses to towels to words and all other kinds of "tchotchkes"!! They are weekly getting new merchandise and putting new things out one day at a time-you really should visit weekly to be sure to see all the new stuff!

Doesn't all the colors just make you happy to look at them?! If you are looking for a birthday present or a thinking of you or Christmas present or just a little something for yourself then stop on by!

(Thanks to Barb for my birthday gift certificate so that I could get a new scarf and some bracelets!)

If you come to visit I will gladly go with you!

Let your Light Shine

I like the verse..."Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Also, Matt. 5:14-15 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." LIVE THIS VERSE!

In the absence of light there is only...darkness. No one wants to be in the dark all the time. I may be the only light some people see that could point them to Christ. My life should point them to Christ, the ultimate LIGHT. I can only live one day at a time but I can be a witness. I can be that light to others through my actions and my words. Do you live your life only for yourself-what you can get out of it-like the motto-He who dies with the most toys wins? This is NOT true. You cannot take any material things with you when you die. We should be living for Christ and striving for the incorruptible things that will turn into crowns so that we can cast them at Christ's feet when we reach heaven. "What's done on earth will pass, only what's done for Christ will last."

Light is a wonderful thing. Let your light shine! 

Can't you hear that child's song in your head right now? "This little light of mine I'm going to let it shine."

Happy Birthday to the best Brother in the World!

Forty-one years ago today my mom had a little boy so that I could have a real life baby doll!! They brought him home and I took on the job of being his big sister very seriously!! There were a few years where he was a real pain in the neck (one day at a time) but he has turned into a wonderful man who loves God, his wife, his extended family, his country and his Sissy! Even though we are 1200 miles apart we still stay in touch. Today though we are thousands and thousands of miles apart as he is in Africa delivering a mobile medical clinic but I can still let him know that I love him and am so proud to be his big sister...

Happy Happy Birthday T.D. You are the best little brother a girl could have and I wouldn't ever trade you in!! ♥

Just like school...Show & Tell!

Today my blog won't be extremely wordy or long. Today my picture is of my new coffee maker!

I have had a Gevalia coffee maker for quite a few years and have been very happy with it but it has served thousands of cups of coffee one day at a time and has become quite worn out!! It started leaking and so my hubby said that if I didn't get a new one soon it would be my Mother's day present. Don't get me wrong-it would make a nice gift, but it isn't what I wanted for Mother's day so that night I went to Target and found this little beauty, Mr. Coffee. I love the red-it matches my color scheme. It has a water filtration system in it. I love the clock and automatic shut-off!! It has a couple of new extra features-one of them is that I can choose the type of brewing-regular or strong and you can set it ahead to start when you want it.  I have been using it the last few days and have really enjoyed it already!! The bonus part was that it was even on sale!! I think I might just have to go have another cup of java!!

Easter isn't about bunnies and eggs

Tonight we looked out the window and saw that "Peter Rabbit" had come to visit us!

We joked about it but I started thinking about the true meaning of the holiday that is fast approaching and what it means to me.  Easter is the most important day for me because it is the day I celebrate Christ conquering death-His resurrection! It's wonderful knowing that every Sunday is the start of a new week-commemorating Christ being alive. We have been practicing songs for church choir and I love the song-"Then Came Sunday"! It is a great reminder that when he died on Friday and his body was placed in the tomb that it wasn't the end. "Up From the Grave He Arose"  and now "He Lives!" It is a promise that I can take with me as I live One day at a time!

What I see "Around the Ranch"

The area that we live in has only been developed over the last 20 years and our neighborhood was put in 12 years ago. There were a lot of woods and water and there were many different animals that lived here. We still see a lot of different animals and I love keeping the binoculars nearby so that I can see them up close. I try to take pictures of them whenever I can and here are a few.

We regularly see 2 couple of eagles fly around our back yard and the lake since they have a nest across the road. I love living in an area where there is such a variety of wildlife to see. We have seen many snakes (which I could do without) and a black panther. You never know what type of bird or animal may walk through our back yard and it's great to enjoy it one day at a time.

Thy Word have I hid in my heart ♥

I work in A.W.A.N.A. program (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) with the 3rd-6th graders in our church. They are known as the Truth-n-Training group. They work through a book memorizing bible truths and verses to back them up. Then in March they meet up with other churches and have a Bible Quiz. They are asked 10 multiple choice questions and 15 write questions. Normally I am a scorekeeper but this year there was only one T-n-Ter and she was the one that I have been a leader of for the last 4years so I was her coach. I think I was as nervous as she was!

We had a total of 5 quizzers-one in book 2, 3 in book 3 and one in book 4!

Here we are waiting for the quizzing to begin!

It's a little daunting when you are solo and the other churches have 2-4 on their teams.

She did well and 3 took third place out of 5 churches! Way to go Grace!! I am so proud of you and I know that the verses you have hid in your heart will never be wasted. You will be able to use them throughout your life. God will bring them to your mind as you go One day at a Time through life and are in different circumstances. "Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee."  Psalm 119:11

Morning Java

I love my coffee!! Every morning I drink 2 large mugs filled with coffee and one of my favorite creamers. Then I may have another mug in the afternoon and Bill and I always have a cup after dinner. So, when I was given the opportunity to apply for a Free Flavor Friday party through Coffee-mate it was a no-brainer! And I was chosen!! Free flavor Friday was today and as of yesterday I still didn't have my party pack and I was a little disappointed. Then at 6:30pm the doorbell rang and the UPS man was delivering my box.  It included cups and napkins and coupons for Coffee-mate creamer! This morning on my way to work I picked up 5 bottles of different flavored Coffee-mate-all for free!!

I chose Belgian chocolate toffee, hazelnut latte, cafe mocha, peppermint mocha, and french vanilla.

I have never tried the first 3 flavors before and they were very good!

Mike's favorite is Peppermint Mocha

One of our clients came in and he loves his coffee so I had him try one and he was a good sport to let me take a picture (even though he had to give a goofy grin.)

We really enjoyed the tasting party and I have to say I have added a few more flavors to my favs list!

A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent~

Have a cup of coffee, add a flavored creamer and enjoy it one day at a time!

Maybe you have been chosen to receive something free so that you will try it and give your opinion back to the company. This is the same with salvation. God has given us salvation-for free-all we have to do is take it and receive it-acknowledge we are sinners, repent, and accept Christ as our Savior. Salvation is better than any other gift we could possibly be given. Don't take my word for it-accept it for yourself.

Knock and it shall be opened...

Doors...you see them all the time...you open them and close them one day at a time...sometimes some people walk into them instead of through them!

I love the multitude of different styles and types of doors.

 The door at the top is our front door. The next 2 doors are ones that I took pictures of in London. The one below is at the Buckingham Palace.

The rest of these doors are in Savannah. The double doors were from 2 identical apartments that a father built his twin daughters.

 

Doors can be beautiful. Doors can have many different purposes. They can be to keep things out. They can be to keep things or people inside...for protection.

I think about the verse that says:

Luke 11:10

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 

God uses a door as an illustration of our heart. Have you heard him knocking? Have you answered? 

You know it's Spring Break...

You know it's Spring Break in Florida when your commute to work has 10 extra minutes added on to it.

You know it's Spring Break when you have to wait an hour (at least) at a restaurant anytime you go.

You know it's Spring Break when the beaches are crowded and there isn't an inch of sand available.

You know it's Spring Break when you see more out of state plates than Florida...

...Like this one!! I especially like this plate since I know the car attached to it and the riders inside. I also like the fact that if you add an O at the end this plate would say Ohio-just a note of observation!!

If you live in Florida then you realize that snowbird season and spring break is just a temporary situation and we learn that we just have to take it a day at a time and pretty soon everyone will go home and we will have our roads and our beaches and our restaurants back!! We appreciate all of you who come and visit our state and enjoy our sunshine and sand!

It is an easy time of year to be stressed out and get impatient and lose your temper, but it won't get you anywhere. It will only frustrate you and it could hurt your testimony if you lose your temper in public. Another way to look at it is this...this extra revenue helps our state which in turn helps us. It might also help you work on patience in your life! So, in other words, be thankful for all the extra people! Be thankful for the wait. Relax--

Colossians 3:15  

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."

Spring has Sprung

Today is the first day of spring and it was a beautiful day in my neck of the woods-although maybe a little warm for spring weather!

We even had a spring shower this afternoon where the large drops fell to the ground while the sun was still shining.

I don't have any flower bulbs planted to sprout up out of the dirt but I did buy some daisies to decorate my table and took a couple of pictures to share.

Happy Spring from me to you-wherever you are celebrating your first day of Spring and take it one day at a time!

God created such a wonderful world full of beauty for us to enjoy.

Genesis 1:11-12

"And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

   And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."

Fountains In Life

I love fountains! I love the sound of the water as it cascades down. I love the designs and how there are so many different types. I have taken pictures of fountains from many different places I have visited.

The first four fountains can be found in Savannah. There are many in that city-in parks like Forsyth as well as in many of the squares that make up the entire town.

The next one is close to my home, right here in Lakewood Ranch. I'm able to enjoy it each time I go to a certain shopping area.

The last one I took while we were in France. It was in a round about on one of the street we walked down one evening as we explored the area one day at a time around our apartment.

I can't help but think of a scripture when I see fountains. We speak about how through Christ is the fountain of life.

Psalm 36:9 

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Christ is the only one who can give us water that will cure our thirst.

John 4:14 

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 

 Have you drank of that water? If you haven't and want to know more please let me know-I would love to share with you. 

Stop and smell the Roses~

Do you really look at things around you or are you in so much of a hurry to that don't remember the drive to work? At my job there is a busy season and we are in the middle of it. It made me really think about how quickly the days go by and I have purposefully made myself look around and see what it going on. Of course I still pay attention to the road but I look at the buildings to see what businesses are still there. I love looking at all the wildlife that I can see along the road to my house-turtles, anhingas, the occasional alligators, and especially the sand hill cranes and their babies. I love to see the sunrise in the morning on my way to work and the sunset in the evening over our lake. God is amazing and used such a wide palette when he painted what is known to us at our world.

I love looking at all of the different types of trees we have. This is just a snap shot of the sunset tonight as we came home from church.

This was from the street in front of our house on another evening. 

Psalm 19:1

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."

Don't let the busyness of life make you miss on the beauty that God has given us. Take a minute to stop and smell the roses...or watch a sunset...or dip your toes in the ocean...or watch the rain fall and water the grass, one day at a time.

Friends in Life

Friends are needed for both joy and sorrows~Samuel Paterson

Friendships double our joys and divides our griefs~Swedish Proverb

Distance now separates all three of us and we don't see each other as often as we would like, but we have remained friends one day at a time and today we were able to be together again for Liz as we celebrated the life of her dad, who went home to heaven this past Wednesday. We saw pictures of him throughout his life and many of them were with family and friends. We heard how he loved Jesus and loved his family and had many friends. He was a wonderful example of Christ to those around him and loved to share Christ with everyone he came in contact with. It is a reminder about how life is but a vapor and only what we have done for Christ will last. It makes me think about my life and how I want others to remember me-one who loved God and loved my family and was a good friend to others.  I read an anonymous proverb that said count your age in friends and not in years. I like that! I am thankful for all of those who count me their friend and those that I can call a friend. God has blessed me with many and my prayer is that I will take that seriously and continue to be the type of friend that would be pleasing to God and a blessing to others. If you count me your friend-thank you and to those I consider a friend-I love you and am thankful for you!

Proverbs 18:24  

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

The next day...

A lot of times you anticipate and wait for a certain day and then when it is over you come down from the excitement and feel a little blue. Well you know what? That did happen just a little to me but I am still celebrating!! I think it had more to do with the fact that I waited up last night until 1am for J.W. to come home from a youth activity (although the extra shot of espresso in my free Starbucks drink may have contributed to that wide awake issue too) :). 6:30a.m.  came very quickly and today seemed to drag a little at work. I did enjoy my flowers and balloon and candle again today but then I forgot and let them there for the weekend.

We enjoyed some family time at Chili's tonight where I had chips and salsa (free) and then turned in my birthday certificate for a free brownie sundae, which I shared with my hubby! 

The boys wanted dropped off at home and then I ran some errands-turning in rewards certificate for ink at Staples and using a gift card, gift certificate and coupon at Kohl's for a new outfit for me and a tie for J.W.

One new thing I learned today was when a florist came in and commented on my tulips. She said that tulips continue to grow up after they are cut and put in a vase. I didn't know that but it made sense because they did look longer today and were drooping longer over the vase by this afternoon. I tried to do some research on it but couldn't find any proof to back it up-let me know if you find anything.

Sometimes you have an exciting event and when it is over you feel some let down. Feelings sometimes change. But it reminds me that Christ never changes. He never lets me down and I never have to worry about Him leaving me.

Malachi 3:6 

"For I am the LORD, I change not;"

My Birth-day!

I have been truly blessed. Today is my 44th birthday and it has been one of the best birthdays yet.

I had to to work but my boss and co-workers made it a special day for me. There were pink tulips on my desk when I arrived given by my boss! Charlie gave me a "birthday girl" balloon and m-n-m fan! Mike & Peggy gave me a beautiful luminary candle. Robin cooked a spiral cut ham for lunch for me and we finished with double stuff oreos and ice cream from Charlie!! Clients called and came in wishing me Happy Birthday-I even had 3 phone calls where they sang to me! My husband took me to Moe's-one of my favorite restaurants (where my meal was free) and then we went to Starbucks where I got my free iced white mocha! I have received a lot of wonderful messages on Facebook today from so many friends-God is so good to me! I have my salvation, my health, my family and all my needs met one day at a time. 

Even my sweet daughter hid a present here at home for me to find while she is away at college-it's a charm reminding me of our wonderful summer vacation trip we took to London and Paris! 

Thank you to everyone that has laughed with me and indulged with me as I have been celebrating my birthday month. Tonight I found out a friend's twin sons accepted Christ as their Savior tonight!!! I told her that was the best gift ever-the best decision they will ever make and I will always remember that! They will celebrate their spiritual birthday with my physical one and it's so much more important!

 If you haven't accepted Christ as your Savior it's not too late-

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

NCAA March Madness

 Today I jumped into the bracket madness and was given a crash course by one of our clients on how to pick the teams and who I think might win. I watch basketball by default-because my teenage son watches all the games and knows all the teams and can tell you the who's who and stats and all!

Do you like basketball? I enjoy watching college ball-the play is more intense and I like watching the crowds on T.V.-they all wear team colors and participate-it's fun to watch!

There are a lot of people who take this very seriously and watch every game possible. I won't watch all of them but I will keep track each day to see how close my guesses on the brackets are correct.

Michael tells me you need to pick one wild card that could upset and win it all the way. I tended to play it pretty safe-I've picked my final four and who I think I would like to win it all-my son says it won't happen :)

It all boils down to this-each of these teams have practiced and worked hard and played their best in order to get this far and have the records that they do in order to be known as the best of the best. It makes me think of my christian life. I should be working hard and studying God's Word and sharing the love of Christ with others so that they can know Him-the best of the best. We can come out on top as the winner if we have Christ on our side!

1 Corinthians 9:25 

"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." If we strive to do our best one day at a time and learn about Him more and more each day we can grow closer to Him. If we have accepted Him as our Savior then we will spend eternity with Him after our race is run.

II Timothy 4:7-8

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

   8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

"Fast" Food

I actually enjoy McDonald's for dinner every once in awhile. Some of you will agree and others will say they can't stand McDonald's. 

I enjoy getting a hot carmel mocha (nonfat no whip) and a french fry!

My father-in-law loves their double cheeseburgers-I happen to agree! :)

I think about the term fast food and realize that it can mean more than one thing. It is made quickly and we usually don't have to wait too long before it arrives on our tray ready to eat. I think that it also is food that will add pounds to our frames "fast". If our diet consists of only this type of food we will most likely gain weight.

It then made me think of something else-fast food can be an example of anything in our life that we do to an excess that is not "healthy" for us. It will have a negative result in our life. One thing that always will have a positive effect in our life is the Bible. It's as "good" as fast food but will not add the fat to our bodies. It can strengthen us and encourage us and guide and direct and nourish us one day at a time, but we have to open it and read it and be willing to listen to what it says and allow it to change our lives. A great place to start is in the New Testament in the book of John. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." If you want to talk about this please comment and let me know-I would be happy to share more of the milk and meat out of the Bible. It's more filling than fast food.

Ice!

This is my new favorite find!! If you have not tried this-you need to!!

I stopped drinking soda almost 3 months ago and wanted to find something to replace it without the calories (something other than just iced tea). I was shopping at Walmart when I came across this display. ICE is a sparkling no calorie flavored water priced at only $1 a bottle. Publix has also started carrying some of flavors. I have 2 favorites-Black Raspberry and Coconut Pineapple. Some of the other flavors include lemonade, lemon lime, orange mango, strawberry kiwi,and pomegranate berry. It takes my craving for a soda one day at a time. If you want a carbonated drink without the caffeine and calories you should try ICE!! 

When you like something you tell people about it. Companies rely on word of mouth. Research shows that a lot of business is produced by word of mouth. If you like something you tell others and they will buy it. If you  don't like it you will also tell others and that may result in loss of sales.

This is how it should be in the Christian life. Christ died for me and redeemed me-should I keep it to myself? By no means! I should be shouting it from the rooftops!  Here is one example of a man that did just that after Christ healed him!

Mark 7:32-36

"And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.  And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.  And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it."

Sunday Birthday Lunch Celebration

Today we had some new friends and old over after church for lunch.

I invited our S.S. class over for lunch and Josh and Danielle and Justin were able to come.

We had a great time!

We enjoyed lasagna, salad, and garlic bread (JW enjoyed a grilled cheese sandwich).

For dessert we decorated our own cupcakes. I had colored frosting and all kinds of toppings. I also included ice cream. Have you seen the new Red Velvet ice cream from Publix? It is delicious!!

It was a relaxing afternoon of food and fellowship-getting to know new friends. It's unbelievable how much Danielle and I are alike!!  They are such a sweet couple and we are looking forward one day at a time to more fun times together.

A Magical March Day

So today has been an extremely eventful day!!

This morning we got together with friends to celebrate our birthdays! We get together twice a year and group it together. Today was the day that we celebrate Chloe (February birthday), Danny, Barb, Johnny, & me (all March birthdays), and J.W. (April birthday). Barb made a delicious egg casserole and little sausages and gravy. 

I brought cinnamon rolls and fruit. It was delicious and a nice morning spent with dear friends that are part of my family.

Then this afternoon I was invited to be a guest at the wedding of Becky and Jordan Merowelli. It took place outdoors at Mixons Grove. It was a beautiful day for a wedding.

The ceremony was sweet and simple with his father officiating. They wrote their own vows and looked so sweet together.

I pray God's best for them as they start their life together taking just one day at a time!

My day ended with another amazing event but I have been asked not to share it yet so if you are reading this you may want to re-read it tomorrow night when I will update this post and add the fairy tale ending that took place tonight and we were able to be a part of afterwards! Stay tuned :)

My update is that Andrew proposed to Madeline and she said yes!!

Then he brought her to the Polo Grill for dessert and she was surprised!

So happy for them!

A majority of the day was centered around marriage or upcoming nuptials. It reminds me of how God created the institution of marriage and His desire is that one man and one woman join in matrimony and stay together for the rest of their earthly life- "until death do us part". It may mean in sickness rather than in health, it may be poorer rather than richer but it can still be the best time of your life if Christ is the center of your union and you rely on Him throughout your relationship. It won't be perfect because we aren't and there will be ups and downs but God will always be there to help you through them.

Genesis 2:24 

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."