I know.  You're (all) saying, "wow... a new post??!!  could it be?

and yet, I am not feeling it lately...  when I get the actual chance to sit and write, nothing comes. When I feel witty and free enough to write, I either don't have the computer or the kids are on it.  

I guess facebook will have to do for now... maybe I will find my way back to you...

I do have some seemingly exciting news, however...  two pieces of it!

It really, truly looks like this will be our last summer in Texas.  No, really.  We are aiming for August to leave and head for Sioux Falls, South Dakota to plant a church - a vision that has been nearly 9 years in the making.  And for that to happen, a LOT of things have to fall into place.

the second piece of news is that after a couple years of asking, waiting, nearly begging, I may indeed get to have a weekend (Friday evening to Sunday morning) to myself!!  It is going to be my birthday present from my wonderful fam.  I just want to hole up, spend a realllly goood time with the Lord, ( a "REAL" quiet time that isn't interrupted) rest, sleep, pray, relax, not hear "moooommmmy!!!" for nearly 40 hours...  it sounds like heaven.  I was telling a friend about it and a lady listening in said that she had a day like that once and just got bored.  I told her, "I'm willing to take that risk!"   Bored sounds good... and really being anxious to see my family sounds wonderful, too...  ya know??  I LOVE them to pieces, wouldn't change anything (much) about our lives, but I just need, really need some time by myself... to just BE myself.

Bring on the boredom!

There is a girl at our church that just lives to make her life more complicated and make sure everyone knows about it.  Nary a positive conversation with her.... I find it hard to love her, but am trying desperately to do so, and to help her...  when she makes comments about ways that make her life more difficult, I try to (teasingly, lovingly, yet motherly/sturnly) tell her that she is doing it to herself and direct her to a better way.   She hasn't had an easy life by any stretch, (who of us has?) but she makes it so much worse with her behaviors. 

Why am I talking about this??  I guess for a couple of reasons... I need to find a way to love her more... I need to pray for her more.  I wonder if you have someone in your life that is "difficult" and wonder how you deal with them.

Couponing, CVS

I guess it's time for a new post, since this will become my main blog from now on...

it's amazing to me how I can think in blog terms all day, all week all month and then when I get on to post canNOT think of any of those wonderful things that I wanted to blog about!!

I think I am becoming "that lady"...  you know the one - she is at the checkout with her store flyers, coupons and makes you feel like you're gonna be late for whatever incredible stop that you have next - and in reality, those few minutes won't make any difference in your schedule - (ANYWAY - yes, I feel guilty, yes, I let ppl in front of me if I know it will take a while) HOWEVER, I am saving over $100 a month on my grocery and household bill and you wish you were too, but think it will take too much time/effort that you THINK you don't have, but if you were making $25 an hour (which is what it comes out to) you might think differently...

Yesterday I was brilliant at CVS...  I got $70 worth of merch for $8.19!  Hair color, granola bars, fingernail polish (2 free!), shampoo and conditioner, mouth rinse, clearanced Easter gifts for next year, etc!!   In one transaction I had to get a $1 nail clipper so that they didn't owe ME money!  My first one was $38 and I paid $1.19 and my second was $32 and I paid $7... AND I walked out of there with $6 in free money for next time!  seriously, folks, you are wasting money if you don't try this...  I'm not even talking store brands!  It's L'Oreal, Pantene, FiberOne, Colgate...  You should NEVER pay full price for most of this stuff.  If you have the money that you don't NEED coupons, sales, etc... then think of what you could do with that money to either make it grow or bless others or further the Kingdom of God if you saved it anyway!!  Either way, I believe it's nearly irresponsible.