Diary of 5 ~#1~ 1/4/2012

This is my 1st entry for a new "sister community" that is actually linked to The Simple Woman's Daybook; if you haven't guessed, it's called Dairy of 5 & relates to our 5 senses in present &/or past-tense. Enjoy.

I am seeing . . . my Bible on the computer desk

I am hearing . . . Maggie the dog's sighs as she snoozes in the sunshine that surprised us this afternoon

I am smelling . . . chicken noodles soup

I have tasted . . . chicken noodle soup

I am feeling . . .
2 little eyes watching

Read other Diaries & register your own at Diary of 5!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#147~ 1/4/12

For Today . . .

Outside my window . . . gray skies & snow. A week late . . . but we have snow. :-)

I am thinking . . . about some loose ends that need tying up.

I am thankful for . . . Holy protection.

From the kitchen . . . made a loaf of my flaxseed bread & taco soup yesterday, I think I'll make some easy chicken noodle soup tonight. Found one of those soup mixes that you add your own chicken to that tastes just like homemade. Found mine at Manard's. Mmmm . . .

I am wearing . . . purple pull-over sweater, gray merle cardigan sweater, purple socks & jeans.

I am creating . . . a peaceful, Christ-centered home.

I am going . . . to go to praise & worship practice later tonight.

I am wondering . . . how tying up those loose ends will work out.

I am reading . . . Bible; The Story/The Heart of the Story & Being George Washington. Hopefully, my schedule will calm down & I can finish the GW book ~ it's great & I hate only being able to read it in little snippets.

I am hoping . . . for the salvation of extended family members.

I am looking forward to . . . DD#1's birthday dinner this weekend! 24 years old ~ where did the time go?

I am hearing . . . the radio, typing fingers, occasional traffic passing.

Around the house . . . a few painting projects, looking into a new roof. Wow . . . this old house needs so much TLC.

One of my favorite things . . . how a simple thing like changing the paint color of a room can make it look so different.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . family time, work, house projects, worship practice, Sunday worship w/the saints, DD#1's birthday dinner.

Pondering these words . . . "Do I choose to see God's potential in the person who is hardest for me to love? I am in his/her life for God's purpose." ~from our church's Christmas sermon.

Scripture thought . . . "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ~ of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him & receive eteranl life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor & glory for ever & ever. AMEN." ~I Timothy 1:15-17 [emphasis mine] If the Lord can save & change a wretch like me, I have to remember to hold out hope ~ to their last breath ~ for the person who is hardest for me to love. I have a dear, school friend who grew up in a Christian home & went to church every Sunday w/her family; she once told me that she KNEW Jesus is real & re-dedicated her life to Him after she saw the the change in me. I will celebrate 30 years of new life in May 2012.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . .

This is a very cool photo. See all those big camels? Now look at the bottom of each one . . . THOSE are the camels! What we originally thought were the camels, at 1st sight, are really their SHADOWS! We should all be careful to realize what is real & what is an illusion.

Read 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Marmee-isms ~#19~ The Look of Love

"They [the Little Women] always looked back before turning the corner, for their Marmee was always at the window, to nod & smile, & wave her hand to them. Somehow it seemed as if they couldn't have got through the day without that; for, whatever their mood might be, the last glimpse of that motherly face was sure to affect them like sunshine."

Little Women ~ Ch. 4

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Out with the Old, In with the New ~ 2011-2012

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

". . . But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind & straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 3:13-14

"Praise be to the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, & into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade ~ kept in heaven for you . . . " ~I Peter 1:3-4

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God . . . " ~II Corinthians 5:17-18(a)

If you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior & LORD, as the Messiah Who has fulfilled EVERY Old Testament prophecy except one ~ His return, His 2nd coming ~ than I plead with you to do it today. Let TODAY be YOUR Day of Salvation (II Corinthians 6:2). Not one of us is promised tomorrow & WE decide our eternal future here on earth, there are NO 2nd chances, Jesus is your Savior or He is not (Hebrews 9:27). Please accept Jesus Christ as your Savior & start the new year out as a brand new creation!

God ~ the Father & Creator of ALL ~ has given you the most precious Gift in His One & Only Son ~ we just celebrated His 1st coming. There is no greater Gift & there are no hoops to jump through ~ simply ask Jesus into your heart by saying something like this:

"Dear Jesus ~ Please forgive me for my sins. Thank You for coming to earth & dying for my sins so that I may spend eternity with You in Heaven. Help me to live for You every day of my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Welcome to the Family!

"He Who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!'" ~Revelation 21:5

Blessing for your New Year . . . Kim<><

Homemade Flea Powder

You may think this is a odd time to post about such a thing as flea powder & flea control (it's winter at the time of this writing), but depending upon your location & the severity of your winter, you may need this all year long, or at the very least, early next spring. I would rather have information or product on-hand, or know where to find it quickly, instead of scrambling around trying to find it when I need it . . . NOW!

As often happens, I needed to do some research for a customer at the health food market I work at & I thought it was worth having for myself & for sharing with you.

Here's what you'll need:

Dried or powdered in equal amounts:

• eucalyptus
• fennel
• rosemary
• wormwood
• yellow dock

Directions:

1) With a hand grinder or in a small coffee grinder (dedicated to use w/herbs ~ otherwise, your herb mixes will smell like coffee), grind these ingredients into a powder & mix well together.

2) Store in a shaker-top container; a used, clean Parmesan cheese container works very well.

3) When ready to use **USE OUTSIDE!** You don't want the fleas to hop off into your carpet.

4) With a brush or comb, brush or comb fur backwards & apply powder so that it gets onto the skin. More can be used in more heavily infested areas.

5) Use as often as needed.

Pets are family, aren't they?

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#51~ New Year, New Beginnings

PASSAGE: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all y our heart.'" ~Jeremiah 29:11-13

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." ~ Lam. 3:22-23

"He Who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' . . . 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.'" ~Rev. 21:5(a)-6

LESSON LEARNED: We serve an incredible God . . . THE One True God. And the most amazing part of the whole thing is that the Creator of everything loves you and me.

And in that love He made a way ~ through His ONLY Son, Jesus Christ ~ for us to spend eternity with Him. All we need to do is simply believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Even though, in our humanity, we fail Him in so many ways, He loves us and has allowed us to simply & sincerely from our heart, ask for forgiveness.

The New Year is a great time to start fresh, make life new again. But you can accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord ANY day . . . why wait? He has such great plans for you, His compassion for you is great and new every morning and, when you ask, He makes everything new!

What better way to celebrate this season and start the new year?

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#146~ 12/27/11

For Today . . .

Outside my window . . . rain has turned to snow!

I am thinking . . . that I wish I didn't have to drive in it in a few minutes. lol

I am thankful for . . . the wonderful CHRISTmas we had. Blessings abounded. Good memories made. DD#1 & her fiance' stayed 'til 2:00a.m.! And that our music went very well on CHRISTmas Eve & CHRISTmas Day. Thank You, LORD!

From the kitchen . . . a lovely new loaf of bread. Smells wonderful.

I am wearing . . . CHRISTmas goodies: brown pull-over shirt, plum drapie sweater & jeans.

I am creating . . . a peaceful Christ-centered home.

I am going . . . to work ~ gotta keep people healthy & beautiful. :-)

I am wondering . . . about something.

I am reading . . . Bible, Being George Washington, The Story.

I am hoping . . . that a rumor I heard about a love-one is not true.

I am looking forward to . . . New Year's Eve.

I am hearing . . . radio.

Around the house . . . everyone is at work, quiet.

One of my favorite things . . . our CHRISTmas tree. I think it's beautifu.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . family time, work, finishing up some painting & staining for the bathroom.

Pondering these words . . . "God doesn't bring people into my life so much as He brings ME into THEIR lives. Everyone that comes into my life is an opportunity for me to serve God." ~Sunday's sermon.

Scripture thought . . . "In the beginning was the Word, & the Word was with God, & the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. "Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, & that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." ~John 1:1-5

Here's a picture thought I am sharing with you . . .

Our CHRISTmas table w/my new log cabin/deer dishes.

Read 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Marmee-isms ~#18~ Home-Fesitvals . . . So Sweet to Remember

"She's coming! Strike up, Beth! Open the door, Amy! Three cheers for Marmee!" cried Jo, prancing about while Meg went to conduct Marmee to the seat of honor.

Beth played her gayest march, Amy threw open the door, & Meg enacted escort with great dignity. Mrs. March was both surprised & touched; & smiled with her eyes full as she examined her presents, & read the little notes which accompanied them. The slippers went on at once, a new handkerchief was slipped into her pocked, well scented with Amy's cologne, the rose was fastened in her bosom, & the nice gloves were pronounced a "perfect fit."

There was a good deal of laughing & kissing & explaining, in the simple loving fashion which makes these home-festivals so pleasant at the time, so sweet to remember long afterward . . .

Little Women ~ Ch. 2

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Behold the Lamb ~ Prophecy Fulfilled

"Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel."

~Isaiah 7:14

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with Child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

"But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins,'

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son, and the they will call Him Immanuel' ~ which mean, 'God with us.'"

~Matthew 1:18:23

"The next day John [the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!'"

~John 1:29

Have a blessed & merry CHRISTmas! . . . Kim<><

Bathroom Renovation ~ Part 4 ~ The Return of the Throne!

Yes! The throne is back to it's rightful place & we are thankfully back to having two. :-) I don't know who "suffered" more while we were down to 1, THE Man b/c he had to put up w/2 women trying to have their "private" time, or we women just simply trying to have our "private" time! Ha!

So . . . Let's review. When this remodel adventure 1st started, our poor, tired bathroom looked like this . . . eww . . .

Now, when you walk in, it looks like this! . . .


Aren't those little lights cute? Usually, I keep an electric candle lit in my bathroom all the time (it helps during those nightly visits to have a low light on so that you don't have to turn on the bright bathroom light & blind yourself), but I found this strand of lovely, soft-glowing silicone coated lights at the primitive store where I got my paint. LOVE them! They are just "enough."

I am so happy w/how the floors look & how the distressed paint on the vanity looks. I will stain the floor-boards today or tomorrow & then they will be put down. Oh, & I even painted & distressed the light switches & electrical outlet plates.

The door to our small wall cabinet is painted & distressed & waiting to be reattached, & the hole in the wall by the tub will soon house our newly made linen closet, which will also be painted & distressed to match the vanity.

When I stain the base-boards they will match the window frame & large wall mirror. But I'm thinking of painting & distressing the new door like the vanity & cabinets instead of staining it like the wood floor trim. What do you think?

I can't tell you how grateful I am that we are blessed to get this done. This old 170+ year old house needs a face-lift & we have been through a lot together in the past 14 years. Thank You, Lord, for making this possible.

More to come . . .

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><