Tag Archives: Irony

July 9, 2013 · 12:27 am

Weeds In The Greenhouse

I have a hoop greenhouse.  It was just set up this year so I am learning a thing or two about greenhouses.  One thing I didn’t know is that if one is not careful, the warmth intended to strengthen and nourish the plants can end up overwhelming and harming them.  There must be a balance between the light, the warmth and water and nourishment.

I figured having tomatoes, beets, squashes, zucchinis, bell peppers, onions and other assorted vegies in a protected environment like the greenhouse meant my plants would be protected from the elements like frost and cold.  I thought I would not have to worry about pesky bugs, well not as many anyway. However, if the bees cannot get in to the greenhouse, there will be no pollination and the plants will be fruitless.

I was sure weeds would be a thing of the past.  But not so!  There are weeds in the garden beds, and in the walking path between the beds.

Some of the weeds were blown in as seeds by the wind. Continue reading →

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June 28, 2013 · 1:24 pm

Providence For A Hardened Heart

It was in the mid to late 1990s that I had the worst financial struggles as a single mom raising three teenagers alone.  I had no family support, and an ex who refused to pay child support.  I worked multiple jobs, yet still could not fully provide for my family.  One winter, the temperature dropped to the single digits.  My teenage son, who normally, proudly walked around in shorts and a T-shirt in the winter, begged me for a winter jacket to replace the one he had long outgrown.

I was far behind on paying my utility bills. The credit cards I relied on to buy groceries, gas, or sometimes pay utilities were full.  One evening, overwhelmed with the desperate situation, I tearfully sought out God’s help in spite of the anger I felt towards Him over our drastic situation. After several years of extreme poverty, I saw no relief in sight.  I was physically exhausted, mentally spent, and spiritually tired of God’s silence. Continue reading →

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June 26, 2013 · 2:03 pm

Will You Only Be Remembered By Your BIG BUT?

imageThis gorgeous hunk of flower blossomed in my front yard, but I almost missed it.  It was too heavy to support itself, and ended up faced down, nearly on the ground.  The peony’s rich color seemed almost artificial, especially because of its size, nearly seven inches in diameter.  Its wonderful fragrance was unbelievable.

I usually try not to bring garden flowers in the house.  They just don’t last long.  Earlier this spring, I made myself a beautiful bouquet of fragrant, purple lilacs.  Within minutes, my counter top was crawling with tiny black bugs.  Yikes!  I wasted no time getting that bouquet out on the porch.  I carefully examined the peony before I even thought of cutting it.  Not a bug!  The flower pedals felt soft, cool, and somewhat squishy; in a good sort of way. Continue reading →

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June 22, 2013 · 2:12 pm

Why Are You Doing This To Us?

My kids still talk about the time I was the meanest mom ever. And around Christmas even.  My daughters were just reaching their tween years and my son was about eight.

I had already proven myself to be a cruel mother by policing television programs, and limiting their TV and video time to two hours a day. I made them have reflective quiet times spent reading or writing in their journals.  In the summer, I extended the TV-movie time to four hours, after much begging.  We had a large supply of what I called clean movies. Any movie encouraging good morals, respect for parents, caring for others, and loving God, qualified.

But this time, I really outdid myself. I was “forcing” them to almost entirely go off TV and videos, cold turkey, for a month.

“It will be our Christmas present to Jesus. God gave us a part of Himself, in the best present ever: the baby Messiah in the manger.  We give Christmas gifts to each other each year. This year, let’s give God a part of ourselves.  The time we would spend watching TV or movies that exclude Him, let’s instead give to Him as a thank-you and birthday gift.” I said. Continue reading →

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Filed under Everydayliving, Everythingelse, Following Christ Has Changed My Life, Gottalaugh, In a Kids World, Life Lessons

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June 14, 2013 · 12:16 am

The Good, The Bad, And The Forever

Last Friday evening, my bank account went overdrawn by a couple of dollars. Since I hadn’t used my debit card in a few days, and had no outstanding checks; this was a definite red flag alert. I found an unsolicited $93 charge from Oxyfresh Cleansers. I called the phone number associated with the charge on my bank statement, but my call immediately went to this recording. “You have reached customer service. Someone will be with you in 34 minutes.”

You’ve. Got. To. Be. Kidding. Not only had I not ordered anything from Oxyfresh, but I was supposed to wait 34 minutes before, maybe, I would be able to speak to someone, who may or may not, be able or willing to help me. I wasn’t going to go there! I had been scammed.

Continue reading →

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June 7, 2013 · 5:01 pm

Is The Grass Really Greener On That Side?

Annie

Annie

I think half of every kid in America has had a grey bunny they named Thumper. My daughter Rachel wasn’t any different. Her Thumper was the sweetest bunny. With a little nudging, Rachel was good about keeping his food and water supply filled. She often gave him vegetable treats. Under her watchful eye, Thumper even got to run loose in a small section of our backyard sometimes. She cuddled him and dressed him in baby doll clothes. But Thumper wasn’t satisfied with what he had. He constantly scratched at the corners of his hutch, in a desperate effort to get out. I couldn’t blame him; he was confined to a small space.

Continue reading →

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May 2, 2013 · 12:42 am

Why Don’t People Say Something?

Last year, I was getting ready to go on a trip to Florida for Christmas, then we would swing over to Maryland to visit my daughter and toddler grandson.  I had lots to do, so I embarked on one of those fit-everything-into-one-productive-day events.

First things first, I stopped at my chiropractor’s office for an appointment and got my neck and back adjusted.  I shopped at several places and visited several banks, which meant standing at way too many check stand lines.

My very last chore for the day was Walgreens.  As I stood in line to pay for my items, the lady behind me tapped me on the shoulder. Continue reading →

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April 27, 2013 · 6:12 pm

Senior Creativity

This is what OLDER people do during the day with their spare time!

imageRepurpose Old Barrels Into a Drum Set Continue reading →

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April 20, 2013 · 11:08 pm

God’s Hand Is Mightier Than A Falling Tree

What I saw when I went outside.

I was daydreaming while washing lunch dishes when I heard the front door slam.

“MOM! MOM! You have to come outside! A tree fell on the car!” Continue reading →

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April 19, 2013 · 1:10 am

ALDD – Adolescent Logic Deficit Disorder

imageHave you heard of ALDD?  It stands for Adolescent Logic Deficit Disorder.  It is a name I came up with to keep my sanity when I had no other way to explain my teenager’s complete lack of logic. Somewhere out there in a medical journal, I know there exists the scientific name for this adolescent condition.  You may even recognize your teenager in this post.

When my son was about 16 years old, he got his first vehicle.  It wasn’t much to speak of and certainly not a chick-magnet, but then since when did Jonathan need a magnet.  He came out of the womb magnetized.  The ladies at our church nursery called him, “The Flirt.” His friendly nature and dimply smile attracted many people. Continue reading →

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