This and that

I think I need a holiday...maybe one of those 'staycations' folks have been talking about. Can't see as how that could work, though, being as I'm home all the time anyhow. But it's just that my head and heart have felt disjointed this Summer, and I'm not quite sure why. I feel all scrabbledy.

Must be I'm simply tired in a long-term fashion.

But last night was a breath of fresh air. Ten year old daughter made biscuits and I mixed up eggs for dinner, and as I was about to put the last ones in the skillet, my husband suggested that he and I go out and get a bite. I hesitated for a tiny minute and walked away from the stove to get ready. He said he'd finish up what I was in the middle of. In the midst of all of the rain, out we went.

Refreshment.

We went to R*fferty's, which is nearby and always a treat. They seated us in a booth near the bar, surrounded by 7 televisions...talk about over-stimulation! Anyway, the sounds were down, but the pictures were set to sports. Then we noticed that some of the news guys were on a couple of the televisions, showing destruction of a store at a mall, north of my husband's shop. Huh. I know the weather had been bad yesterday afternoon, but was unaware of how bad. Found a video of what happened here.

Was glad to get home after a quick grocery store run. And thankful that the bad weather missed our house...well, we got tons of rain, but that was all. Tornadoes here and there, but nothing right in town where we are.

Back to my first thought...have been digging into Kathleen Norris' Acedia & Me lately (see links at side of page I've linked to also), and have felt hugely blessed. More of that today. No pressures, but rest in my heart. That's probably the cure for my rattled spirits. Even reading a few pages of that book is healing. More, please. And I really recommend bought copies. Gary got mine for me last Fall, after I'd finished reading it from the library, and I've underlined most every sentence and have stuck it full of those little sticky notes. Definitely one of the best books I've ever read. No question.

Before and after---finished today

Pretties

Several years ago, I got interested in a website at called Brocante Home. Alison is still at it (thankfully) though has moved to a new online address. Through her site, I found another neat website called Home Sweet Home, a dropping off point for cozy sorts of home photos. Totally inspiring. Makes me want to go dust something. ;) At that photo site, found this picture. Wonderful, isn't it?

Alison herself is an encouragement all the time, and continues to go on about making our homes gorgeous and girlie. Can't get enough of that. Ask my husband about the pink paint cans.

The Wackiest, Wildest, Weirdest Animals in the World

Jack Hanna's newest book, The Wackiest, Wildest, Weirdest Animals in the World, is totally delightful. I was already familiar with Mr. Hanna from seeing him interviewed on television, and most folks are aware of how silly he can be, but I didn't know until recently that he wrote books. After receiving this one in the mail to review, I was amazed at how he mixed learning with quirkiness. We all gained something from it, and our kids continue to pick up the book, and talk about it---mostly about the strangest information. Children love disgusting fun-facts, you know. There are animals in the book that, I guarantee, you've never heard of, whether you wanted to or not! An added treat is a DVD of Jack Hanna bloopers. A treat all the way around.

(Published by Thomas Nelson, and available for preview on the same page. I'm a member of Thomas Nelson's blogger book review program and more information can be found here.)

Needing to accept some Grace

Not feeling in my happy spot, and as a fun diversion am looking forward to time out with one of our sons tomorrow. We'll do lunch and then go to a new Target that's not far from our home. Funny, but it's within a couple of miles from the Target we usually go to. Overkill, yes?!! The plan is to get Double-Chocolaty Chip Frappuccinos to gorge ourselves on while we shop. There are advantages to having a Starbucks in the Target store, don't you think?

Back to my mental health: I need to work on NOT over-thinking things. Seem to dig small holes around myself, jeopardizing my happiness, and taking life way too seriously. A hard habit to change, let me tell you. Need to peel the worries off of my brain, and besides, there's evidence that I'm tense with this irritating rash (eczema--and it's been a life-long problem) that raises its head on my hands when I get worked up. Can't even wear but my thinnest wedding band, and even that is driving me nuts. I have the strongest urge to use sandpaper between my fingers. The weird thing is that money hasn't been the main issue this Summer (well, except for a brief spell of slow-paying customers, you know). Usually, that's been my main issue. The world is recessing (my new word), but my husband's business has been steady. Seems I'm looking for trouble.

I can hear the Lord mildly scolding me in my head, asking me when I'll allow myself to actually have fun. That's His gift too, I do believe. Must've been absent when the permission slips were given out.

Let's eat!

Sometimes the Southern girl just needs to cook a dinner appropriate to her location. So, we're having Hoppin' John tonight. Along with it, we'll have cornbread baked in iron skillets, and some green onions from the store. Yankee husband isn't so excited, though. He gave me a *look* when I told him what we were having for dinner. He'll eat it, just won't be asking for seconds.

It's good for him to feel this way. Keeps him in line, you know?!!

The rice is simmering, the black-eyed peas were cooked earlier this afternoon and are ready, and the sausage (that Polish sort) is simmering in, yet another, iron skillet (I have 6 total) along with some Rotel tomatoes/bell pepper/banana pepper from the garden/onion/garlic and it all smells plain dishy.

Can't wait. Oh, for a good book that'll have you drooling, read Bailey White's Quite a Year for Plums. The first time I read it, I had to slip in a bookmark and whip up some cornbread, onions and sliced tomatoes---and that in the middle of the afternoon. I'm not kidding either. I really did that. Pure yum-ness.

Blessings no matter what

Have been a bit frustrated at the slowness of my husband's current clients to return messages. All they've got to do is respond. Man. But FINALLY today he heard from one designer he's working for, and another individual who has promised a deposit. I think folks are too busy. We're swamped with such trivialities and it seems to sap our time. Least that's what I think.

The thing is, we're not living on love here, and do have to buy groceries from time to time. I can be creative to a certain degree, but there comes a time when 8 kids just gotta eat. Got teary late yesterday, not wanting to ask one of the kids for a loan, but not seeing a way out. Told Gary that it was simple to feed one or two of them, but when it's multiples, it's darn hard. Our oldest son laughs when I tell the story of when he was the only child and he and I had homemade onion rings for lunch. That's all there was. The funny thing is that he hates onions to this day. Have to wonder if there's a connection. Anyway, I scratched my head last night and tried to make sense of half a loaf of bread and lots of partial bags of dried beans, knowing that that wouldn't do for breakfast. (insert laugh)

Then, on the way home from Bible study, just after this conversation, oldest daughter called and said they were making a stop at the grocery. What did we need? Toilet paper, bread, and some milk. That got us over the hump.

The heart-breaker, though, is what happened this morning. As I was climbing out of bed, I just prayed, "Help." Then went into the kitchen, filled the tea kettle, and saw the same daughter's checks that needed to be deposited into the bank. She'd set aside one for me to use for groceries for the weekend. God is so cool. And He did a wonderful thing when He blessed us with this incredibly generous girl. Not so sure I'd do the same thing if our places were switched. Shoot, I know I'd never have been so giving when I was her age. I had tunnel-vision big time. But, am so grateful that she's paying attention. All is well.

...........and Emily, you blew me away with your comment. Had never heard of the poem you mentioned, but read it and talk about shock. Thank you for the honor of your words. You made me blush.