.....New Designs for Fall

These adorable knobs (along with many other Fall designs) can be found at our web store at www.mrsmorris.net

Enter FRUGAL at check-out to receive 20% off your entire purchase!

The Journey to Perspective

Although friends and family may beg to differ, the thing I hate the MOST about the accident which occurred three years ago (you can see a snipet of it in my blog header, right above the Partridge Family logo - my dogs and I were in the blue car) is my inability to truly put it into perspective, accept that my life is different now ~ and move on.

I was raised to count my blessings. I was taught it's okay to feel what you're feeling, but don't let it control your life. I know these things to be true and they are a part of me, fused into my being by a mother whose life had countless tragedies. She always got up again, through the grace of God, she was strong. I am not strong and wobble to and fro like a one year old taking their first steps. I fall down. I go boom - a lot. It's alright for a while but after three years it gets old.

Then I read a story like this one:

Everyday Americans

I am both inspired and humbled. I'm sure this courageous man has had more than his share of moments of doubt, frustration and hopelessness. I cannot even fathom the pain he has endured. It makes me hang my head in shame for complaining about my pain. His story is a great reminder that it isn't what happens to us - it's how we react to what happens to us.

I pray others will be touched by his story and join me on this journey to Perspective. The only failure is in giving up, right?

Bye-Bye Gall Bladder

Kay came through the surgery just fine. The doctor said it was an easy removal, and definitely a necessary one. Hubby and I will be picking her up from the hospital later today.

Still no news.......

Surgery will be sometime today - still not sure when. I am leaving for the hospital soon. She is having no pain - for which we thank God!! Her spirits are good and she is happy to be having this surgery.

Update on Kay

I spoke to her about 20 minutes ago. The surgery won't be until this afternoon, most likely late this afternoon. The surgeon's name is Dr. Sunshine and he has a very good reputation. His P.A. visited Kay and said the doctor's schedule was very full and he was already running behind.

She is exhausted of course, but they are controlling her pain and she is happy to be saying goodbye to her gall bladder. They will attempt to remove it laparoscopically.

Thank you for your prayers.

Prayers please, for my Friend

Kay, my friend of 20 years, was admitted to the hospital about three hours ago. I could get into the gory details, but the bottom line is she and her gall bladder must part company. She will see a surgeon sometime after 7:00 am, and hopefully they will get the show on the road and relieve her of this most unhappy, unhealthy organ.

I offered to go to the hospital now, but she declined. So I will go later in the morning. I told Kay I would get the word out as much as I could, so people could begin to pray. I will post again when I have more info.

Thank you in advance for your prayers!

Back to School Shopping

The day after I found out I was pregnant, I began to haunt the thrift stores in search of all things baby related. Okay, it was mainly clothes. That's how I've always shopped for my son. Occasionally he has been given clothing that was NWT (new with tags), but until he was about 12, he didn't know you could buy clothes at stores other than Value Village and Goodwill.

I knew once the teenage years were upon us that he would become very conscious of his wardrobe. But, all the seeds I have planted about being a good steward with your money did take root. He is far less materialistic than most kids his age.

I had received a $10 gift card in the mail from a store called Kohl's. I also signed up to receive emails from J.C. Penney, and their thank you to me was a $10 coupon. Neither of these had any minimum purchase requirements. This afternoon I discovered both offers expired today! So I told my son we would go shopping after dinner.

As we were walking out the door I reminded him I had to write a $542 check on Monday, for his tuition. Next to food and shelter, his schooling is the highest priority. It has been that way since kindergarten and now as he enters high school, nothing has changed.

At Kohl's I got him a VANS hoodie and a Tony Hawk t-shirt. Final total was $34.23 after the sales and the $10 gift card. At J.C. Penney he got two pairs of blue jeans and a new pillow for his bed. Total spent was approximately $36.00. I was able to obtain a whole lot of information regarding which brands are cool. Now I can begin shopping at the thrift stores for said cool brands.

It is funny to write about it here, but both my son and I were like two fish out of water at these retail stores. I told him, "Wow it feels weird to buy brand new clothes" and he quickly agreed with me. We had a very nice time. He even smiled a few times.....really.

Hurry Fall.....Hurry!

I am seeing more Fall related offerings on Etsy and eBay, not to mention in the stores. How I love Fall. This is an altered art card I made last year. I will be sharing more Fall themed creations in the weeks to come.

New Pendants

Here are two new pendants. These are listed in my Etsy store. I have LOTS more pendant designs to come. Really pretty pendants that you don't see everywhere.

Tonight we sold some Fall/Halloween themed ceramic knobs. It made me so happy! It gave me hope! The cold, crisp air will return ~ I just have to be patient.

A Full and Grateful Heart ~

My son has just returned from a four day church trip to Seattle. They go every year. The event is called Urban Plunge. These middle and high school students mingle amongst the homeless people and share the gospel with those who will listen.

Last year he strayed off the path, broke from the protocol, and found himself face to face with a man brandishing a knife. This man REALLY did not want to hear about God. Thankfully this trip was a peaceful one. He told me he was able to witness to several people who didn't know the Lord.

Tonight I am grateful for my precious son, and all he teaches me about loving and trusting in the Lord. I am grateful for the pastors who nurture and guide these young souls, keeping them ever mindful that it isn't all about them.

Holy is the Lord

* Vinegar anyone?

Did you know there were 1001 uses for white distilled vinegar? I didn't either. Here is the link to a site which explains how useful vinegar can be.

Vinegar Tips

Cat owners should find this info particularly useful.

A (Nice) Pit Bull and Her Friend

A female pit bull and another little male dog (Lhasa type) came to visit us this morning. Thankfully it was a nice pit bull although I have to say mice scare me much more than pit bulls do, and I have squared off with a couple of them (pit bulls, not mice). DH was gone all day, so I had to put my big girl panties on and handle things.

My neighbor came to help and we got the name and number of the owner, and also the number on the rabies tag. The supposed owner lives about 60 miles away and I got a recording when I called the number - both times. The Vet where the dog had been vaccinated was here in town. They told me her name was Zena and it turned out both of their contact numbers were disconnected. The dog had been in their office last month though. She was a very friendly girl, and a perfect specimen if you like pit bulls. She has been well taken care of.

The poor little boy dog was not from Zena's family as the Vet had no record of him belonging to Zena's family. He was not nearly as well cared for and of course, no collar. He too was very sweet and quite attached to Zena.

As you may know, we have two large dogs who were quite unhappy being cooped up as other dogs explored their yard. I had no choice but to call Animal Control. Did that about noon and was told they'd send someone before the end of the day. Nice. I had to listen to my son kvetch about that until Animal Control did arrive, about 3:30. He said "they're probably just eating tea and doughnuts."

In the meantime my neighbor took them to her house. She had a nice crate for Zena, in the shade, with food and water. The little boy went inside her house. Mind you Linda has a big black Lab and her roommate also has a dog. Both of them were kept away from the strays. Between the whining from my two, and the whining from her two, it sounded like a kennel on our little cul-de-sac.

Juneau complained loudly all afternoon....until the Animal Control van pulled into our driveway. He was completely silent from that point on. I know he watched through the window as the two strays were put inside the van. After the van had left, I opened the door and Miss Jessie couldn't wait to get out. Not Juneau. He sat on the couch and just stared at me. It took over an hour for him to venture outside.

Given his traumatic first few months of life, and the amount of time he spent being shuttled from place to place, he makes it very clear he likes his home and has no interest in leaving. Friends he knows and loves can visit, but when they get up to leave he is immediately on guard. If he is touched or even looked at, he growls. He will sometimes hide behind my husband or I if he feels someone might try to take him away. Poor guy.

~ Checking In.....

Haven't posted in a few days, so here is wazzzup.

Monday was Day #10 of temps above 90 degrees. Last week we had 102, 104 and even 107. It is getting soooo old. We are finally on the downhill slide though, and should be in the 70's later in the week. It might even rain but I won't get my hopes up.

I've done a bit of coupon shopping. The General Mills spend $30 get $15 back is definitely a great promo. I did the deal Sunday and got a bunch of pantry items. Total after coupons was $15.81 and I got $15 in Cats back.

Last night I concentrated on ice cream, which I seem to be doing a lot this summer. I bought 12 packages (6 bars to a package) of Klondike bars in various flavors to arrive at a total of $30. Used coupons to bring my total to $20 and then used my $15 Cats from Sunday. This made my total due $5.00. Regular price would have been $59.88. So that's a killer deal all by itself. BUT, I received another $15 in Cats which means I made a $10 profit while bringing home 72 ice cream bars.

I got a much needed haircut - three inches gone bye-bye.

I saw my son smile ONCE today. The rest of the time he walked around like his dog had just died. Oh the teenage angst. I took him to rent a movie and he was so sullen. I asked him, "You really don't like going out with me, do you?" He replied, "No, not really. It's not one of my favorite things. But it's not horrible or anything." I decided I am going to choose a day and spend it acting just the way he does. Same facial expressions (or lack thereof), same tone of voice, etc. As I used to tell him when he was very small - dial 1-800-MEAN-MOMMY.