Another great Lowe's project for kids

In July, the kids can make a Dune Buggy. It looks kind of cute. 

https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/default.asp

Quote

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

Abraham Lincoln

Quote

"I am a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to let him down...."

Abraham Lincoln (16th US President 1861-1865)

Free Thomas the Train

This can only be printed once...

http://www5.toysrus.com/Our/tru/prom/2008ThomasRC2/922426.cfm

Free Thomas the Train from toys R us - $12.99 value.

Savings at Michaels

My husband found a great 40% off coupon for Michael's - here is the link:

http://www.michaels.com/coupons/061608/coupon.jpg

Coupon is valid through June 28, 2008. 

Happy shopping. 

Angels do exist

The two youngest and I went to get a gift for Dad for Father's Day. Then we were going to head to a wedding of a friend of ours. Hubby was there already as he was taking the wedding photos. Well, the car seemed to be driving rough. Got to Best Buy and noticed that the tire was completely flat. At this point, we decided to get the gift. Then drove 2 blocks to Richlonn's Tire Center. Unfortunately, I forgot about Sears Auto - also right there but in the other direction. Richlonn's closed at 3:00 and it was now 4:00. 

The amazing thing is that several people were in the House of Pancakes eating. They noticed a mom with two small children - stranded. They came to help. One offered to change the tire but we couldn't find the jack. (Later I found out that it is stored not with the tire but under the seat - who knew.) This very nice man who was just finishing dining with his very elderly mom (who was on oxygen) offered to give us a ride home. Normally, this would seem unsafe as I did not know them but I also assessed the situation and didn't think that a man who so nicely is caring for an elderly mom would be trouble. The elderly mom was in the car and that made me feel safer. They did take us right home. 

Poor hubby gets to spend Father's Day putting on the donut to get the car to Sears Auto and buy new tires. Hopefully I didn't damage the rims driving the two blocks. 

I am very grateful to the strangers that offered their help and for the ride home. In today's world it often seems like people don't care about others but I found today that there are angels in the world. They came to my rescue today. And I thank them from the bottom of my heart. 

Bucket List

We watched The Bucket List last night and it was very good. 

During one scene the two guys are talking and trying to determine how to rate a life. One of the gentlemen says he believes it comes down to two things:

1) Have you found joy in your life?

2) Has your life brought joy to others?

Something for all of us to ponder on a daily basis. What brings you joy? Is it something eternal or is it fleeting joy? And do you bring joy to others or grief? 

Fabulous movie!

Coupon for Michaels

A money savings coupon - save 50% on one regularly priced item - now through June 14, 2008

Here is the link:

http://michaels.com/art/online/static?page=060408

Tired? Weary?

Do you ever get tired? Weary? I know I am tired of the rain, tired of checking that the basement is not flooding, tired of being vigilant through the storm. This verse in the bible really spoke to me tonight. 

Those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary, 

they will walk and not be faint. 

Isaiah 40:31

Things I am grateful for

Things (gifts from God) that I am grateful for:

1. I am thankful for my wonderful husband.

2. I am thankful for my terrific children.

3. JL is healing well after his surgery and the surgery went very well. No complications. And he doesn't seem to be in much pain. Thank you God for keeping my boy safe in your hands. 

4. I am thankful that God has been watching over us through this storm - the sump pump is still working and so far we have not had water in our basement. Several of our neighbors are experiencing flooding and we pray this does not happen to us. 

5. I am thankful that my MIL and step-FIL came to visit. They brought JL gifts of love --- he loved the attention and thoughtfulness. I am additionally thankful they made it home okay. 

6. I am thankful for our house.

7. I am thankful for my husband's job and the health insurance the company provides. 

8. I am thankful for the old time movies that have values and are really very funny. 

9. I am thankful for on-line friends that have provide me with so much insight. 

10. I am thankful for our trip to Florida. What fun we had!! (I hope to find time to share some pictures of that trip.) 

Have a wonderful evening. Stay dry. 

Garden Bean Salad

I got this recipe out of Taste of Home. It was very good.

It is a great 'meatless' meal. 

2 cans (16 oz each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans (15 oz each) garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

2 medium carrots, grated

1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced (I did not peel or seed - I used it all)

1 small zucchini, diced

5 medium radishes, sliced

In a bowl combine ingredients. 

In a small bowl, combine the following:

2/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt (I did not add)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Mix well. Pour over vegetable mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Then top with 1/2 cup shredded Swiss Cheese. 

Savings on paper

Here is a coupon for savings on purchasing paper at Walmart.

Get Coupon

Projects for kids

Two wonderful, free projects for kids at Lowe's.

This is aimed at ages 1st though 6th grade.

They can make a measuring tape and a mini baseball game.

Here is the link to Lowes

The Challenge

I am in the middle of reading When the Game is Over It All Goes Back in the Box by John Ortberg. I like his style of writing. Lots of humor. 

This is a quote from the book (p. 52). 

"Mickey Mantle always expected to die very young. When he turned sixty, he commented, "if I had known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself." You --- your inner being ---- will live for eternity. Now is the time to start taking better care of the inner you. We have already read that Paul claimed he was being renewed every day. How? He prayed. He sang. He gave. He fellowshiped. He worshiped. He hoped. And God renewed him. Right there in prison, his inner being was strengthened in faith, hope, love, poise, wisdom, patience, gratitude and joy. It can happen wherever the outer you happens to be. Live in such a way that you prepare yourself for eternity. Here's a concrete place to start: spend as much time caring for the inner you as you spend on the outer you." 

I got to thinking about this as it also tied into the sermon at church this evening which was on spiritual growth. I spend time taking care of the outer me - washing clothes to wear, taking time to dress, showering, brushing teeth, putting make-up on, etc. It takes time out of every day. But do I put as much time into my inner self - developing that and growing spiritually? I think in comparison this gets the short end of the stick. I know I would like to find time to exercise but I also need to find more time to exercise my mind and grow spiritually. While I know I do spend time on this, it was the comparison that really got me to thinking. John Ortberg's challenge is to spend as much time caring for the inner me as I spend on the outer me. This is quite a challenge. I will ponder this and see what ideas I come up with. 

And I will follow you all of my days