"Sometimes we regret our failure to write about things that really interest us. The reason we fail is probably that to write about them would prove embarrassing. The things that we are interested us during the past week, for example, and that we were unable or unwilling to write about (the things that stand out clear as pictures in our head) were: the look in the eye of a man whose overcoat, with the velvet collar, was held together by a bit of string; the appearance of an office after the building had shut down for the night, and the obvious futility of the litter; the head and shoulders of a woman in a lighted window, combing her hair with infinite care, making it smooth and neat so the it would attract someone who could want to muss it up; Osgood Perkins in love with Lillian Gish; a man on a bicycle on Fifth Avenue; a short eulogy of John James Audubon, who spent his life loafing around, painting birds; an entry in Art Young’s diary, about a sick farmer who didn’t know what was the matter with himself but thought it was probably biliousness; and the sudden impulse that we had (and very nearly gratified) to upend a large desk for the satisfaction of seeing everything on it slide off slowly onto the floor."
E.B. White April 26, 1930
Written eighty years ago, this essay by E. B. White is fresh and revelant today. This short essay is taken from collected essays from Writings from the New Yorker - 1927 - 1976. This small book sits next to my computer. Maybe your library has a copy of this book.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Online Surveys
Why not sit on the couch, watch tv and earn a little extra fun money...I've been taking online surveys for almost a year and have earned extra money and airline miles just by sitting on my couch and spending about an hour online. It's also beneficial as a consumer, because I am able to give my input. There are many different survey sites, but here are a few of my favorites:
www.toluna.com
www.surveyspot.com
www.erewards.com
www.valuedopinions.com
www.i-say.com
bywl (blog with ya later)
dama
www.toluna.com
www.surveyspot.com
www.erewards.com
www.valuedopinions.com
www.i-say.com
bywl (blog with ya later)
dama
Miracle Grow
"Can you create a plant? Can you create a seed that will die and grow into a tree?"
"Me neither."
"Growth is a miracle. And just like the new life we see in the plants around us this spring, Jesus can grow new life in us. During the coming five weeks, we're investigating five of the things God has put in place to create miraculous growth in our lives."
http://www.southlandchristian.org/media/series/miracle-grow/
As I grow older, I've noticed that my memory isn't as good as it used to be. Therefore, I like it when things are made simpler by allowing me to take one step at a time.
I am looking forward to the new series beginning this Sunday at my church, Southland Christian, Lexington, Ky. The title of this 5 week study is "Miracle Grow... Five Things God Uses To Grow Your Faith".
Mike Breaux, who was our senior pastor several years ago, will kick start the series with "Practical Teaching", and end it with "Personal Ministry". Jon Weece, our current senior pastor, will preach the three Sundays in between. His topics are: "Private Disciplines", "Pivotal Circumstances", and "Providential Relationships".
Each week, I will try to convey the messages via this blog, so come back each week to see what this series has to teach us.
In the meantime, I will continue to cling to one of my favorite Bible verses: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"(Heb. 11:1, NIV).
Peace and Love,
~Edie
Monday, April 19, 2010
From the heart of a friend
My Favorite Things
Thanks to Jacqueline for starting this blog. I am on the list to add to the blog this week. I have been in a flurry of activities recently and I e-mailed Jacqueline saying I had a mental block about what to write. She said to write what is in my heart.
What is in my heart is love of family. Sadly, a year ago, I lost my oldest son. I have always loved family and appreciated them greatly. With the loss of my son, I feel myself holding on to family a little tighter.
My son, Chris, blessed me with my first grandchild, Matthew, in January of 2005. In March of 2005, my daughter blessed me with my second grandchild, Taylor. At this point in my life, I discovered what I am good at being, a Grandma. To Matthew, I am Funny Grammy. To Taylor, I am Mamma. Whatever you call me, I am blessed with two grandchildren who teach me something new every day. Matthew is much like his Dad. He has a great sense of humor, is a bit mischevious and has the most infectious laugh you could ever hear. Taylor is much like her Mom, beautiful, girly, filled with song, and like her cousin, humorous and mischevious.
I have struggled with the"why's" of losing my son too early in life. I have turned to my favorite Bible verse,
Ecclesiastes 3:1-7
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
I wish this Bible verse could have comforted Matthew when he asked God to send his Daddy back. We work with him, trying to explain, but it will take time for him to learn about God and his plans.
One of many of my favorite moments with my grandaughter was when we were taking a walk. She said, I feel it in my heart. I asked her what she felt. She said, I feel the wind and the warm. Great to see a five year old appreciating life's simplest pleasures. An hour later she asked me where boogers come from. Well, she is five.
Yesterday, I found myself once again, turning to my favorite Bible verse. We all know how inquisitive five year olds can be. Taylor and I were sitting in our sun room. I looked down on the carpet to see the dreaded return of ants this Spring. I started stomping on them, retrieving the bug spray when this inquisitive five year old started asking questions....where did ants come from, how did they get here...etc. I explained that God has a purpose for every creature on this earth, that he had put them here.....well, then why are you smooshing them? Sigh, I struggle with answers sometimes. I only hope my grandchildren are with their Mom's when the question comes up about where babies come from.
May God comfort you all when you are struggling with life and the "why's". May this Bible verse be of some comfort during these times, happy and sad.
Thanks to Jacqueline for starting this blog. I am on the list to add to the blog this week. I have been in a flurry of activities recently and I e-mailed Jacqueline saying I had a mental block about what to write. She said to write what is in my heart.
What is in my heart is love of family. Sadly, a year ago, I lost my oldest son. I have always loved family and appreciated them greatly. With the loss of my son, I feel myself holding on to family a little tighter.
My son, Chris, blessed me with my first grandchild, Matthew, in January of 2005. In March of 2005, my daughter blessed me with my second grandchild, Taylor. At this point in my life, I discovered what I am good at being, a Grandma. To Matthew, I am Funny Grammy. To Taylor, I am Mamma. Whatever you call me, I am blessed with two grandchildren who teach me something new every day. Matthew is much like his Dad. He has a great sense of humor, is a bit mischevious and has the most infectious laugh you could ever hear. Taylor is much like her Mom, beautiful, girly, filled with song, and like her cousin, humorous and mischevious.
I have struggled with the"why's" of losing my son too early in life. I have turned to my favorite Bible verse,
Ecclesiastes 3:1-7
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
I wish this Bible verse could have comforted Matthew when he asked God to send his Daddy back. We work with him, trying to explain, but it will take time for him to learn about God and his plans.
One of many of my favorite moments with my grandaughter was when we were taking a walk. She said, I feel it in my heart. I asked her what she felt. She said, I feel the wind and the warm. Great to see a five year old appreciating life's simplest pleasures. An hour later she asked me where boogers come from. Well, she is five.
Yesterday, I found myself once again, turning to my favorite Bible verse. We all know how inquisitive five year olds can be. Taylor and I were sitting in our sun room. I looked down on the carpet to see the dreaded return of ants this Spring. I started stomping on them, retrieving the bug spray when this inquisitive five year old started asking questions....where did ants come from, how did they get here...etc. I explained that God has a purpose for every creature on this earth, that he had put them here.....well, then why are you smooshing them? Sigh, I struggle with answers sometimes. I only hope my grandchildren are with their Mom's when the question comes up about where babies come from.
May God comfort you all when you are struggling with life and the "why's". May this Bible verse be of some comfort during these times, happy and sad.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Not Usually a Cat Person...
but, I just happended to see this on yahoo buzz and thought it was cute. Click on the link and it will take you to a youtube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9NP-AeKX40&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9NP-AeKX40&feature=player_embedded
Save A Little Extra
If you are looking at ways to save a little money, ebay.com is a great way to start. There are so many things available on ebay that are much cheaper to purchase online than in a retail store. For example, I recently purchased Frontline (flea & tick prevention) for Carson on ebay and saved almost 50%. I paid, $44.00 (free shipping) on ebay for a 6 month supply. On petmeds.com, the same 6-month supply costs $80.99.
I purchase all of my cosmetics, books, gift cards, Gus's video games, clothes, shoes, electronics, baby items for my nephew, etc. on ebay. I can't even begin to calculate how much money I've saved over the last couple of years. I do almost all of my Christmas shopping using ebay.
If you haven't tried it and want to, just let me know if you need any pointers.
bwyl (blog with ya later)
dama
I purchase all of my cosmetics, books, gift cards, Gus's video games, clothes, shoes, electronics, baby items for my nephew, etc. on ebay. I can't even begin to calculate how much money I've saved over the last couple of years. I do almost all of my Christmas shopping using ebay.
If you haven't tried it and want to, just let me know if you need any pointers.
bwyl (blog with ya later)
dama
Thursday, April 15, 2010
XM Radio, Books, and Travel
Each week, I spend at least 10 hours traveling in my car. While I live a short distance from Lafayette High School, it takes about a half on hour to commute to work. On most days, I am listening to XM Radio. In my car, I have a notepad to list books I want to read. One of the books I discovered while listening to the XM, A Serious Call to a Devote and Holy Life by William Law. I'm still researching about William Law. XM radio is a must for road travelers. The following is a link about William Law.
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