ETSY!!!!!! - Who Gives a Hoot?

Check Out My Etsy Shop!

I'm still working on stocking my shop. Here are some of my current offerings:

Keep coming back. I will be adding checkbook covers soon.

I can't wait to see some of your creations!

Thankful Thursday

I'm linking up to Thankful Thursday.

Some days I tend to wallow in my discontent. On those days, I probably complain more than I should which leaves me focusing on everything except what I SHOULD be focusing on - blessings. I am SO incredibly blessed and so I am committing to attempt to walk through my days with a grateful heart.

Life has a way of wearing you down, but there's so much to be thankful for. I have a roof over my head (one that doesn't even leak!), plenty to eat, I have clothes on my back, shoes on my feet  - and that's just the beginning.

I have a wonderful husband who treasures me. I have family who loves me (some because they have to *wink*) and supports me. I have some of the greatest friends a girl could ask for - some I just met 6 months ago, but feel like I've know them so much longer. I have a fabulous church home (and I mean FABULOUS!). This list could seriously go on and on.

Counting your blessings really does put things in perspective. I think we have so much that we take for granted. I don't know about you, but I don't want to live life being ungrateful when there's so much to be thankful for.

I love this song and it's a nice reminder for Thankful Thursday!


Thankful (by Josh Groban) from gregorythetruth on GodTube.

Sheena Talks...About Energy Conservation While Driving

For those of you who couldn't figure it out from the title, this edition of Sheena Talks...is full of subject matter that I have NO knowledge of. I decided to do a little research, though, after hubby mentioned it as the reason he was driving like a maniac!

Something about coasting - no gas - energy conservation, blah, blah, blah.

Here's what I found out:
-it's technically called Ecodriving
-you basically take care of normal maintenance on your car and change your driving habits and you get improvements in fuel economy (15-20%) and reduce carbon dioxide emissions
-don't step on the brakes (well, not unless you have to stop) - something about the kinetic energy you have being transferred to the brakes (and that's bad because you lose energy to move forward - silly me, I thought that's what the gas peddle was for) - SO optimal use requires you to drive so that you don't have to use the brakes
-don't be a speed demon (lookin' at you hubby) - steady speed, low RPMs
-close the windows while you're driving on the highway - something about the car's aerodynamics being disturbed and causing it to be less energy efficient

Ok, that's all I can stand on this subject. Hope you learned something today, kids. If you want to know more, call my hubby.

Self-Tanner

Is it possible to be SO pale that your skin rejects even tanning with self-tanner?

I think it is.

I first tried the Neutrogena Spray. FAIL.

Now I've been trying the Neutrogena Build-a-Tan. I'm halfway through the bottle and I'm think I MAY be seeing a little hint of tan (however, it could just be the lighting - yep, I think it's the lighting.)

UGH.

I don't even want to be dark. I just want to NOT be pasty white.

Identity Crisis

How many days of our lives do we spend living in defeat while singing Victory in Jesus? Well, hopefully you're not really singing Victory in Jesus - because that's annoying, but you get the point, right? Fake it til you make it somehow becomes our motto without us even realizing it. You put a smile on your face and go about fulfilling your obligations.

Last Sunday (yes, almost a week ago - yes, I've been thinking about it all week), Pastor Keith started a series on Victory. And right now, I'm not feeling very victorious (but I most certainly have Victory in Jesus stuck in my head! - thank you Southern Gospel upbringing). With the help of my husband, I'm trying to sort out why I am so darn discontent and I think it boils down to the fact that I don't know WHO I am when you detach me from the things I DO. I don't know who I am apart from job titles and positions. I have problems sitting still and I have figured out that I can stay busy all day long and not really know what I did (because it's rarely what I intended to do).

Seriously, is it even possible to not know who you are at 33? Apparently so because I'm having an identity crisis. I decided to make a list of the most simple things I know about ME.

I am:
-a child of God
-a wife (and in turn a daughter-in-law and sis-in-law)
-a daughter
-a friend

Then I made a list of things that I KNOW (even though it may just be head knowledge some days):
-God loves me (even thought I can't figure out why for the life of me)
-God has a plan (thankful for this, because I currently have NO plan. Period.)
-I am where I am for a reason (not just location, but season)
-YHWH (God) provides
-I have a roof over my head, food to eat, clothes on my back and shoes on my feet
-My husband is a gift from God and loves me regardless
-God is good
-I am NOT alone
-I am important

And for now, that's enough. Ever been there?

A to Z

I thought about joining the A to Z blog challenge, but I am seriously not certain that I COULD blog everyday for a month. I mean, I do Facebook (love knowing what's going on - at this point I would know very little going on 'back home' if it weren't for FB).

I have been sucked into the Pintrest garbage (HUGE time suck - don't even sign up if you can't afford to lose hours of your life and not be able to explain where they went). I have gotten several great ideas from there, so I'm not complaining, but it's addictive.

I am also trying to check my Twitter at least once a day because my sister-in-law is attempting to tweet regularly, but I don't get The Twitter. I think it's because I don't follow anyone cool. Who should I follow that has interesting tweets? I think Twitter is mostly for people who want to follow stars. Does anyone really want to know that I just did laundry? #noonecares

I am currently trying to memorize the soprano part for Handel's Messiah. #notgoingwell (I have to admit that I DO like the hashtag thing.) Our new church performs it every year at Easter. No one is using music this year (except me!) and I don't want to be the loser with the sheet music, so I'm working on it. Grrr.

My parents are coming to visit this weekend and I am SO excited! I keep trying to talk everyone into staying longer, but they only want to stay for 3 or 4 days! What is that about? I mean, you drive 9 1/2 hours, you should stay for a week before you drive back! (looking at you, Crys) :-)

Oh, and my mom and dad bought me a new sewing machine for my birthday (not until May, but it was on sale). Now I just have to figure out what to do with it! ;-) I'm excited about it!