Warren's Project...

Well, I did not get to plant my garden today - too cold and damp to get out and plant. So I thought I would share with you Warren's house project. Here is how it all began:

Back last spring or summer

(can't remember the date - but it has been awhile).

Kathy puts a frying pan with oil in it

on the stovetop and turns it on.

Phone rings - it's Jenny - we talk.

Jenny needs me to look something up

for her on the computer.

Kathy does and then FORGETS about the frying pan

with oil in it cooking on the stove!

Kathy is back in the computer room and begins

to smell something burning.

Keep in mind Kathy is still talking on the telephone!

Kathy walks in the kitchen and discovers what is burning.

YIKES! Grease in the frying pan!

Kathy is still talking on the telephone!

Jenny does not have a clue what is going on

at the other end of the telephone line!

Kathy immediately gets a pot holder and picks up

the very hot frying pan and puts in on a hot pad

(I do not know why I did not put it on another burner

on the stovetop, but I didn't).

Kathy thinks all is all right and finishes

her conversations with Jenny.

Kathy says good bye and checks the hot frying pan.

To Kathy's dismay the frying pan was SO HOT,

it melted the hot pad and also burned the counter.

ugh! BIG time UGH!!

As always, Warren was very understanding about this. We knew when we moved into this house 2+ years ago we wanted to put new countertops in the kitchen. This just forced us to do it a little sooner than planned.

Below are a few pics of Warren tearing out the old kitchen countertops. The new ones will be installed on April 7th. We (I should say he) has all week to get these torn out - he started on them yesterday! YEAH!! We will be without a sink and stove top until the new counters are installed. We have our microwave and other electric appliances to cook on. We will be using paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils until my NEW sink it put it! Then of course there is always the eating out option!

Stove top taken out for now.

So while Warren was busy doing his project, I decided to do something I have put off for quite some time. Pull off a piece of the wallpaper in my breakfast eating area and kitchen! I knew when I finally did this, that meant I was committed to taking down ALL the wall paper and then paint! I really had not wanted to do this until now.

SO here goes!

The wallpaper is coming off VERY easily! I pulled off the first layer, then score it and sprayed a mixture of fabric softener and hot water on it. It just peels right off! I should hopefully have it all off by Monday. Then I will paint the wood trim and paint a primer sealer on the walls. I have found out that if I paint the walls with a primer paint after there has been wallpaper on it, the new paint goes on so much better and no wallpaper glue comes through.

My plan is to have this all completed it two weeks. Then the next house project is to paint our formal dining room and decide what we want to do with this room. Right now it is a catch all, gkid play room.

Gardening 101

Here's one way to get some exercise!

Time to start the garden again. I put this garden in last year and had a good crop. I have spent several days getting the dirt tilled for planting. I am thankful for some warm yet windy days to get this accomplished.

I am also thankful for my work horse!

The pic below shows you the size of my garden: 16 ft. x 24 ft. I plan to put in turnip & greens, radish, carrots, onions (3 varities), zucchini, Romaine lettace, swiss chard, green beans, lima beans, spinach, yellow squash, tomatos, and some herbs. Ambitious, I know! Those are sacks of manure to help the garden grow better.

My garden last year produced lots of green beans and tomatos which I froze and we have eaten most of the year. There's nothing like home grown produce! My yellow squash and zucchini did very poorly - the squash bugs got them - ugh! I am going to plant marigolds all around the garden in hope of keeping those bugs OUT! I understand that the smell of these flowers keeps them away - we'll see!

I planned on planting seeds today, but too chilly and windy. Hopefully tomorrow if it is not to cold or rainy. I must get the early growing plants in soon.

I talked to our grandson, Grant, on the telephone today. He asked me if I was going to have a garden. I told him yes, I was. He blessed my day when he said, Yippee, neenee is going to have a garden. Of course he and Za want to help me plant it! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh the joys of grandchildren. All the grandchildren enjoyed the garden last spring, especially the pumpkin patch in the fall.

Sisters are the Best

Wrong Expectations

(Another good word from Joni & Friends. This will challenge your walk in the Lord.)

"They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Hosanna in the highest!'" Matthew 21:7-9

No wonder those people waving palm branches were so excited. They had great expectations of Jesus. This was the one who would throw the Roman oppressors out of the Holy City. He would cast off the burden of taxes. He would feed and protect them, giving them back their national dignity.

But as the week wore on, the mood of the crowd changed. Why wasn't Jesus making His move? Sure He made a few appearances in the temple, but why did He remain aloof, retreating to a nearby village outside the city walls every night? Why wasn't He spending time with the "right" people, the political types who got things done?

The mood of the people soured by midweek. And the rest is history. I wonder -- are we all that different from those people? When expectations are running high, when we think we've got God's plan neatly figured, when we've convinced ourselves that the Lord's job is to make our lives easier -- don't you think our praises may sound a bit empty?

Do we sing our hosannas to the Most High when Palm Sunday turns into Blue Monday? Let's not turn on God with lackluster, halfhearted praises when He doesn't follow through on our expectations. Let's give Jesus praise for who He is, not what we think He ought to be.

Praise You for who You are and what You intend to do. My only expectation is that You will fulfill Your glorious purpose in my life.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends

Taken from Diamonds in the Dust. Copyright © 1993 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Easter Gathering 2008

This was such a special Easter Gathering for us since it has been 8 months since we ALL were together and we added 2 new ones since then. As I look at these pictures I am reminded time and again how truly blessed we are as parents and grandparents and as a family. It is such the delight to see all the cousins together playing, interacting, and helping each other. The older cousins are teaching the younger ones - the younger cousins look up to the older ones. What an impact we have on each others lives! We are thankful that our family makes special times to stay connected to each other.

Family is Most Important Always!

BLESSED EASTER...

Jesus was BORN...

"for God so loved you & me that He gave us His only son..."

to DIE...

"But God showed his great love for us by sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8

to RISE AGAIN!

"that you might have everlasting LIFE"

He is Risen!
He is risen! Here the angels shout for joy;
Hear the bells of Heaven ringing;
All Creation now is singing songs
Of praise and great thanksgiving
On this resurrection morn.

He is Risen! He is Risen!
Death has lost it's fatal sting.
We now have a new beginning -
That is why the earth is singing -
And to God our praise we're bringing
On this resurrection morn.

He's Alive! Praise God! He's Alive!

And now for all those who have been born again,
Walk in newness of life...His Life!

For all who do not know Him as Saviour and Lord, call out to Him today...He is waiting and desing that all might be saved and walk in newness of LIFE.

Jesus said:
"I AM The WAY, The TRUTH, AND The LIFE. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Family Time...

Todd, Jenny, Abbie & Savannah are here! They drove in yesterday (Thursday) for the Easter weekend. We and our 3 children and families will be together on Sunday, Lord willing, making wonderful memories!

Today (Fri.) we are going to the Tulsa Zoo. Abbie told her dad that she wants to pet the giraffe! Our weather forecast is a good one: the high 70's. I continue to ask Father, God to breathe His warm, healing air over us as we enjoy our day at the zoo. Kelley and 4 of the gkids (from Missouri) will join us at the zoo also. Tanner and his dad are on a RA campout until Sat. Parker and Mallory B. will be with us also.

SO what a fun, full, energetic zoo day we will have! Did I mention tiring, but the oh so good kind!

Thank you, Lord, for giving us opportunities to make family memories and to shine as "lights" for Christ sake to our children, gchildren, and the world around us.

I will have pics to post in the days ahead for sure!

By the way Renee' and Blake: Flat Stanley will be going to the zoo with us! He is having such a great time on his visit in Skiatook! Here he is playing our keyboard!

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY ALL year long!

Lifting Barbells!

This is such an EXCELLENT devotional from Joni and Friends that I just had to post it.

"Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:12-13

Growing strong in Christ is like lifting very heavy barbells. The trouble is that no one likes to lift them. We walk around those huge barbells and examine them, comparing them to other weights we've seen. We gather with other barbell lifters and discuss the proper technique involving the approach, the bend-and-grasp and the pull-and-jerk.

We enjoy listening to the testimonies of famous people who have lifted record-breaking weights, and we collect books and articles about barbell lifters of the past. We join groups of other lifters who are like-minded, and together we pray and memorize verses about barbell lifting.

We do everything but actually walk up to the barbells and lift them! Sometimes fear keeps us away. Will we succeed? What if we can't lift the heavy weights? Are we too weak? When we finally wrap our hands around the task and begin to exert force, eureka! At that point divine energy surges through us. God's power works in us at the moment we exercise faith for the task. We can do all things-even lift those barbells-through Him who strengthens us.

As you work out your salvation, God works in you, giving you the desire and power to accomplish His will. You only have the strength to say "no" to a bad habit when, in His energy, you say "no." You only have the desire and the power to read His Word when, in His energy, you pick up the Bible and begin reading! (This was for me!)

Lord, today I will face many challenges to my faith and I probably will feel like turning and running away. May I respond positively to each challenge, wrapping my hands around the task, and trusting You to give me divine strength as I obey.
Blessings, Joni and Friends

Taken from Diamonds in the Dust. Copyright © 1993 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Easter 1953...

Kathy, Carlos, & Theresa Ingram
ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Hey GRANDkids...

Elly has been sneaking around our house again. We see her foot prints everywhere. We think she is sniffing out the chocolate candies! Below is a note she left you all:

Dear GRANDkids,
I heard your Neenee call you her "Baker's Dozen"! So that means there are 13 of you now! How Cool is that! You know you must be truly loved by your Granddad and Neenee, because I hear them talk about you ALL the time and it is all good stuff! You certainly must be some VERY, VERY SPECIAL GRAND kids! I even heard them say how BLESSED they are by you! They tell everyone they meet all about you.

WOW, makes me want to be one of their grandkids too, but I'm just an Ellyphant who loves chocolete and and likes to have a good time!

So, it is that time of year again. Have you been thinking about me and where I have been hiding all this time??!! Are you ready to have some fun. Neenee and Granddad just love to have fun, especially with all their GRANDkids!!

Let me tell you, I was peeking around their house the other day and saw Neenee & Granddad making some Easter Surprises! Well, I just couldn't help it - I took them ALL and hid them for myself! I really want to keep them, but figure that would not be right since they really belong to you! So I will give them back to you, but I thought it would be FUN for you to go on an "Ellyphant" Hunt to find them! I hope you agree!

I think Easter is the best time of year! Especially when you know it's not just about bunny rabbits, candy and elephants!

WOW, to think God loves you so much that He sent His only Son, JESUS, to die for you so that you could live with HIM one day. That's really powerful!

And coming alive again, now that's RESURRECTION POWER!

And to think after you ask Jesus to be your Saviour, you can celebrate Easter every day!

ALWAYS remember:

JESUS is Alive and

Loves YOU SO Very Much!

P.S. You will find the first clue among the eggs!

Resurrection Buns...

A friend sent me this recipe and I plan to make these for Easter Morn. It sounds delicious and what a wonderful picture of the empty tomb!

Recipe:
Ingredients: frozen bread dough (18 frozen bread doughballs/Rhodes brand)
1 stick margarine (melted)
18 large marshmellows (fresher is better)
Cinnamon sugar (made of 1 cup white sugar and 4teaspoons cinnamon-adjust to your taste)

Directions: Thaw dough in the refrigerator.(Usually overnight works.)
Wrap each dough ball around a marshmellow, sealing the edges tightly.
Dip each wrapped dough ball in the melted margarine, then roll in cinnamon sugar.
Place (sealed end down), evenly spaced, in two round cake pans (9 rolls per pan)
Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size. (Loosely cover each pan with a dishtowel or flour sackcloth while allowing dough to rise.)
Bake for 18 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Serve warm. (They are great cooled off, too.)*

These rolls are called "resurrection" buns because after they are cooked, the middle of each bun is hollow...a great treat for Easter morning. Kids and grown ups like them!

From the mouth of babes...

This is so good...I had to post it...

One day, a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?" Her mother replied, "Well, every time you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white." The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"

Spring is here...

Thank you, Lord, for spring!

What a spectacular reminder of life after a cold, dreary, bare winter! God is good ALL the time...

ALL the time God is good!

These daffodils have sprung up practically overnight into full bloom! What a wonderful reminder (after a seemingly long winter) of God's great goodness and faithfulness to us.

Eternal Spring
The life of Jesus is like the seasons of the earth
Spring brings life as a symbol of his birth
New animals are born and the children play,
The sun seems brighter with each passing day.

Then summer comes and Jesus is a man,
He teaches His Father's word across the distant land,
It is a time of joy and happiness everywhere,
But a darker season approaches and autumn will soon be here.

Autumn follows with darkness and cold,
As the men of the earth reject all the Lord has told,
He is carried to Calvary and there He is tried,
He is crowned with thorns, and then crucified.

Now winter arrives and my Lord lies dead.
Satan claims victory and crowns his own head.
But the grave cannot hold and Jesus reappears,
The Savior is alive, and eternal spring is here!

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life'." John 8:12 (NRSV)
[ Scott Metcalf -- from T. Foster ]

Check it out:

I have added two new items to my blog on the side bar. Check it out: Old Family Pictures and Grandkid's Corner.

I will post some old family pics and you can try to guess who they are! Fun, uh!! Leave a comment and let me know who your guess is. I may post several pic clues until someone comes up with the correct answer.

In the Grandkid's Corner I will be posting a joke or riddle. Answer the riddle by leaving me a comment or email me. Correct answers will be posted on Friday's. Okay, grandkids get with it 'cause there just may be a little surprise for the correct answers:)

Memory Lane Pics...

See No Evil...Hear No Evil...Speak No Evil !

Kelley (2 yrs.), Amy (4 yrs), & Todd (5 yrs).

Shreveport, LA / February 1977

Happy 7th Birthday Isaiah!

God's Sufficiency...

Exceeds Our Need

For every need, there is a name of God that meets the need. Our lack is perfectly engineered to magnify His perfect sufficiency. The great I AM stands ready with His supply from His eternal riches. His infinite supply magnifies in bold relief our complete dependence on Him. It is not I, but Christ. Celebrate how he reveals himself to you this week in his names.

When we need a hug, Abba-Father takes us in His arms to love us and protect us.

When we need someone on our side, He is our Advocate, the divine lawyer who pleads our case.

When life has knocked us down, the Breath of the Almighty renews our life and refreshes our strength. He is vital to our existence, because in Him we live and move and have our being.

When we feel totally helpless, Faithful and True is absolutely dependable and trustworthy.

When the shame of the past weighs heavily upon us, the Father of mercies cleanses our sin and our memories in the sea of His forgetfulness.

When we feel weary and discouraged, our God of hope lifts the burden of responsibility from our shoulders and puts it on His shoulders of government of our circumstances.

When we are stressed and overwhelmed, Jehovah-Shalom, our peace, floods our souls with assurance that He cares about every detail.

When we can't forgive ourselves, the blood of Jehovah-Tsidkenu, our righteousness, has wiped our slate clean, no matter what we have done, because He is our sinless sacrifice.

When we treasure His salvation and desire His intimate friendship, the heart of Jesus bursts with joy.

When we have been wronged, our Righteous Judge settles all violations against us with perfect judgment, so we must not take matters into our own hands.

When we need guidance, the Spirit of Truth is the infinite Word of God available to us to give understanding that is accurate and reliable.

We have everything we need, because His name is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

From Prayer Essentials For Living In His Presence, Vol 1, page 59-60. © 2000 Sylvia Gunter. There are several pieces on the names of God, including 365 Names, Attributes, and Titles of God, in the praise section of Prayer Portions (© 1991). Revealing The Treasures (© 2005) has over 455 names and attributes of God with Scripture references that teach who we are because of who God is. All three of these are available at www.thefathersbusiness.com.

Also on the website, you may read past devotionals in this series. On the home page, on the right side under the sign-up to receive the weekly devotionals, there is a prompt that says Click Here For An Achive of Past Devotionals. That will take you to the archives.

Think About It...

What do Buttons...

Sewing...

Sea Shells...

and Computers...

Have in common???

GRANDchildren, of course!

Don't you just luv it! Some of you are thinking I have way too much time on my hands!!

Maybe I do, but I am so thankful for very busy times with my precious grandchildren and I am just as thankful for the quieter times with just hubby and me!

They are both needful in this season of my life.

This weekend will be one of those busy, fun grandchildren times at our house...we are keeping the 5 Schubert gchildren from Missouri. There should be plenty of great pics to share with you in the near future.

Grandchildren are the Crown of Grandparents.

Proverbs 17:6a

Tribute to Mother...

At the bottom right hand corner is the "pause" and "play" icons and "arrow" icons. Click on "pause" to stop the photoshow so you will be able to read each page, and click where it tells you to click. Use the arrow icon to go forward through all the pages. Enjoy!

Desire for the Simple Life...

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."

Psalm 34:12-14

The psalmist, David tells us that if we want to have a life (not activity but life) and enjoy our days and the length of them, there are four things that we must do:

Keep our tongue from deceit.
Depart from evil.
Do good.
Seek peace.

This list represents a life of simplicity, devoid of deadlines and calendars. Take today and cultivate the habit of placing David's list on your agenda.

Lord, my life is so hectic, and I feel that I've outrun Your will at times. Slow me down to do that which is good in Your sight. Fill my calendar with faithful appointments.

(adapted from Friends of Joni's online devotional)

Stress Busters!

Life is soooooooooooo daily!

But fortunately, so is God!

Stress Busters: Check it out HERE - a MUST read! Scroll down on this link until you see "New Stress Busters!" They are really good ones! Click HERE for a great read on Escaping the Stress Trap.

Too Blessed to Be Stressed

I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad or to cry.
I refuse to be downhearted and here's the reason why:
I have a God who is Almighty;

Who is Sovereign and Supreme.
I have a God Who loves me,

and I am on His team.
He is all wise and powerful.
Jesus is His Name.
Though everything else is changeable,
My God remains the same.
I refuse to be defeated.
My eyes are on my GOD.
He has promised to be with me,

as through this life I trod.
I am looking past my circumstances,

to heaven's throne above.
My prayers have reached the heart of God.
I am resting in His love.
I give thanks to Him in everything.
My eyes are on His face.
The battle is His!
The victory is mine!
He will help me win the race!

ARE YOU TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED?!

-- Author Unknown

A Cousin's Influence...

How this blesses a Neenee's heart!

Katelin on the Cello