A Chili kind of night.

It is WET and COLD here in GA...and I already have a pot of chili in the crock pot. It is waiting on Matty to come home and eat it.


On my way out to check the mail I took a picture of Blakely...and it just looks cold in the picture.


I am heading to church tonight to be a greeter at the Abby Rike (click to check out her website) event. She was a contestant on the Biggest Loser (she lost her husband, daughter, and son in a car wreck) and is now a Christian motivational speaker. She is also from the South, I believe. We have a meet and greet, then I'm meeting my friends, Becky, Ashley, and Kelly there. I'm excited to hear her story. Although, I know it will be sad.

I'm ready for an uplifting Thursday night with friends!

Waiting...

Learning to wait upon the Lord isn't always easy. It is another rainy night in GA and I ate a skinny veggie taco from Barberitios, had a bubble bath, worked on my Bible Study and caught the tale end of American Idol.

I was up very late last night after a super long and very sad school board meeting. We had to absorb a lot and the teachers that I work with are reeling. It was a tough day. Some things that I am sure about are: that I have the best administration a girl could ask for and LOVE my school system. It is a great system with great test scores, and we always put our students first. Every child: Challenged, Prepared, Successful is our motto. I guess living in a small town and the politics that go along with it can sometimes be overbearing. I stayed late today to work on my portfolios and I heard a few songs on Pandora radio that reminded me of the current situation. They are old favorites of mine and I'm sure I've posted before. But enjoy anyway. :)



I'm turning in early, as dentist appointments, a LONG and draining board meeting, and a trip to the nursing home with my babies have worn me out! This Wednesday I'm thankful for my Savior, my family and friends, and my job.

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

My Rainy, Stella and Dot, Monday.

We had a Stella and Dot trunk show at work today. It was the perfect pick me up on a cold, rainy Monday. I have LOVED S & D for about a year now. I can't get enough of their trunk shows. I do wish that the prices were a little bit more reasonable (remember, I am a bargain shopper and always on a budget). *I did feel flattered when almost every teacher in the school came up to me and said, "I thought of you when I saw that jewelry." or "You have got to go look at the jewelry...it all looks just like you." I just find good knock offs. :) However, I will actually order something this time.

Here are some of my favorite things for Spring/Summer. There are a few things only in the catalog that I didn't get to add.









*All pictures are from www.stelladot.com

Bible Study tonight was awesome. Beth Moore just knows how to bring the word. She never disappoints. We had poppyseed chicken and the BEST salad I have ever had tonight. Not to mention, sweet fellowship with amazing women. I am always blessed on Monday nights.

Psalm 105:4
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek His face always.

Hollywood Weekend

Friday night felt like I was in Hollywood at our Bargain Bazaar Preview Party. All League members had on black and boas. I worked 3 shifts. I took up tickets for the meal. Then moved over to the sale room...and actually got to watch the people pour in. It was an experience. Then I was in charge of a table during the silent auction. My favorite part was taking up the bidding papers really fast when the whistle blew...before anyone could write down a final bid. Listening the live auction was entertaining as well. People got some GREAT things.







Saturday morning was cold and rainy, just like Friday night. It was a LONG day, but fun too. We boxed up a lot of childrens clothes to send on a mission trip to Nicaragua with my church...I really enjoyed that. I also got some MORE bargains (I'll post pictures soon). My friend Jennifer always brings us a honey butter chicken biscuit from Whataburger on the morning of BB. I have been tasting one since last Feb. They are sooo good!




I got home around before 5 and then crashed for about an hour. (I knew my 4 seasons were having a fun weekend and was heart broken that I couldn't join in on the fun). However, they decided to eat dinner in Quitman around 7:30 and called to see if we were free to join them. I knew I would be tired from my week and we were planning on having some family in town, but it ended up working out for us to meet them. I am glad I got to see them, even though it was too short.



I've been catching up on things around the house all day today. And now we're having a low key Superbowl Sunday. We made homemade veggie pizza and are listening to the game. Matt hung a few pictures and crosses (a towel rack will go under the crosses) that have been laying around and I have been in an organizing mood. He was pouring ranch to eat with his pizza (yuck) and looking at me at the same time and ended up with a plate full of ranch. Haha! It has been so nice being home together ALL day...and having time together last night too. Definitely a blessing to be able to slow down for a bit.

Attention:

Learning all about David has taken over my life today.


And I'm LOVING it! It is amazing how "wrapping familiar passages around me like a security blanket and feeling their warmth" can soothe the soul. I was quoting Beth Moore here and it is so true. I've actually done this study before. However, the new updated version in already speaking to me in many ways. Maybe the fact that I'm older now and have had a lot more "life experience" is helping as well. *Before I started it this morning I was already feeling bogged down about being behind. Now that I'm caught up, I'm enjoying soaking up the Lord's truths. I can't wait to dig deeper into this study tomorrow night!
Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.
1 Samuel 14:6

Well, we got our bargains alright!!

I'm so tired right now, but I had a great day! I actually woke up at 5 with lots of energy. Must've been straight from the Lord.

This morning I was reading my Bible and blow drying my hair...I looked down and saw this sweet face. :) I love my cute pup.


I had a parent drop off some donations in the pick-up line today! I could barely lift the box. I also had a teacher friend leave a trash bag of donations by my Tahoe after school. Haha!! I had to capture the moment. I do love that all these donations go to such great causes.


After a long work session tonight, we are FINISHED setting up! Everything is put up and priced in my department and I am so thankful. A few of us got to shop ahead tonight...excluding furniture. We found our bargains! There is a little table for $10 that I would love to have. Maybe Matt can get to it tomorrow.

We ended up getting Matt an Eddie Bauer wool coat for $4 dollars. It is in great condition. Not to mention, he really needed a nice coat.


We also got him a brand new columbia fishing shirt (tags still on it) for $5 I think.


Then, I got some Valentine placemats for my house area at school. Our grand total was about $10.00 and that is with 50% mark up.


Just a few pictures from final set-up tonight.



It is so rainy tonight. I'm very happy to be warm in my bed, listening to the rain. I hope that everyone had a great Thursday!

Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Set up week happenings.

Monday-Work (write units second half of day), bring dinner to Bible Study at 5:15 (we started David Mon. night), head to the fairgrounds to set up until 9ish. I had to laugh because I went from beautifully set up taco soup, salads, cake, and prayer requests to eating pizza out of boxes, salsa out of the can, and sushi out of the container at Bargain Bazaar set-up. It was a hoot! I made two salads for Bible Study...a Savannah salad and my spin on a Fiesta Salad (minus guac...I had a slight disaster). We priced and made so many signs I thought my hands might fall off. :)






Tuesday-Work (meetings galore), Zumba, pick up chicken from Publix for dinner out at the fairgrounds, set up at the fairgrounds until 10ish. TIRED!

Wednesday-Work (write units second half of day), Zumba, FAIRGROUNDS until 9ish.

Other than that, I haven't been doing much else. I am digging into my David study tonight and beginning to breathe. :) In school news, my kids earned a "fruit bar" and sprite party. They come up with the craziest things. And my girls have started wearing scarves to school (they are wrapped pretty close to how I wear mine)!!! :) LOVE it!! I have still been wearing my gray cardigan out...I tried to disguise it with a flower pin one day. :)




I have 3 more super busy days...then there will be rest for the weary!!!! I seriously enjoy all the time spent up at the fairgrounds with all of my JSL girls. We make hard work fun! It will really be worth it on Saturday when we get a total of $ made to donate to charities. It is just a struggle to balance everything and stay energized. However, the Lord is MY EVERYTHING and in Him I have strength!!! Lord, please be with me and my family each step of the way!


Psalm 43:3-4 (NLT)
Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp,O God, my God!