Perfection

The major push we're having at work is almost over - yay! We'll be able to take lunches again and back to our normal schedule starting on Monday. I am so happy about this and didn't fully realize the benefit of taking a break from work until that break was taken away from me.

And yesterday, through a strange little twist, I ended up being the only one at home in the late afternoon/evening. First I took Joe the wonder dog to the park and we both ran around for a bit. When I came home I sat in the chair in our bedroom and was actually able to knit on the Jaywalker sock for a bit. And in the midst of my knitting I realized that I was experiencing one of those rare, utterly perfect moments in time. The sky was a brilliant blue, the light coming in was beautiful, the birds were singing a merry tune outside and a slight, cool breeze was coming in the window and ruffling the curtains. There was nothing else at that moment that could've made it any more perfect, so that was the moment to stop and praise God for all that He has done.

I found the timing interesting as well since during the sermon at church on Sunday our Pastor was talking about coming to Jesus and finding rest. These last few weeks, particularly because of busy work, have been going at a whirlwind pace and I needed that gentle reminder last night that there is a point to all the crazy running around. Rest and appreciation. It really couldn't have been any better.

~ Elizabeth

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul. - Psalm 23:1-3

Happy Sunday!

Yesterday was a 12 hour crop sponsored by my favorite scrapbook store (even though it's 45 minutes away!). Because of work I got there late and had to leave early, but I still was there long enough to finish one page and a calendar! When I showed this page to friends I did get the comment that I scrapbook more about my dog than my kids. Perhaps it's time to pull out the boxes of pictures of when the kids were little, which would be a lot of fun for me to look through and scrapbook.

I did take my camera yesterday, but didn't even get it out of the bag to take any pictures, so I'll have to rely on the kindness of others and get some copies. I did manage to get in several pictures myself though! And this group is amazing to be with as the talent is just enormous. What a blessing to be with all these people and see what they have created!

And today is the day I've been waiting for - we're joining the church today! I am so very excited about this. Really I think once you find a church that's a good match for you that everything else just falls into place. And since my words and deeds are not always what I'd like them to be I'm particularly pleased to be immersed in the Word. Amen!

~ Elizabeth

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs! Psalm 100:1-2

Italian Food Fun

What a fun evening we had - and typing this I'm realizing just how many of our fun evenings revolve around food!!! Is it any wonder I'm working on that weight loss thing??? Anyway, a guy Keith works with told him about an italian restaurant that was celebrating their 40th anniversary with specials. We misunderstood and went last week, but went ahead and ate their and loved it. So last night the three of us climbed into the truck and headed across town.

The specials were only good from 5-10 and we got there at 5:05, only to see a line outside the restaurant! Luckily it wasn't a cold day, so it was no big deal to stand in line and just visit for about 30 minutes before being seated. The special was that they were rolling back prices to what they charged in 1966!!! We had a choice of 3 meals: spaghetti for 1.09, lasagna for 1.29 or a sirloin and baked potato dinner for 2.29. Too fun! And as we were walking across the restaurant to our seat we hear "Keith" and it was the guy from his work that had recommended the restaurant and his family! We went over and met them all and they were really nice.

The only camera I had with me was my cell phone, so the pictures aren't the greatest and I will admit that Keith and Lynne' were getting a little tired of seeing my camera aimed at them by the end of the meal. They were good sports though and I think they're pretty used to it.

Other than eating last night all I did was talk on the phone to a couple of friends. It's been very special to me to get to know two ladies a lot better lately that weren't even in my life this time last year. And of course deepening friendships with those that were. God is so awesome to put so many great ladies in my path!

~ Elizabeth

"A friendship is a treasure chest where precious and shared secrets are kept." - Unknown

Sock Report

I am so tired I cannot even begin to express it. My poor house is starting to show signs of it as well. Last night when I got home we discovered it would only be Keith and I for dinner, so we opted for easy and loaded up Joe the wonder dog and headed to Sonic for dinner. Joe enjoys the trips because he is convinced that everybody parked at Sonic is there to see him and many do come by the truck to pet him, so he's pleased.

When we got home I was all set to watch women's figure skating and knit, but found out they wouldn't be on tv til much later. I wasn't really in the mood for the bobsled races, so I clicked over to some sitcoms instead. I watched and knitted for an hour and the Jaywalker is coming along nicely. I noticed that the purple strands show up in this picture, but the blue looks more gray here. Since the picture was made about 8:30 last night there was obviously no natural light and this was the best I could do.

I guess I'll have to admit defeat on the Knitting Olympics. Though I plug along on these the timing was just terrible what with our manic work schedule right now. That's ok though, it gave me the push to get these going and I'm thoroughly enjoying the pattern and the yarn. I can't wait to finish the first sock and try it on. If these fit as much as I love the way they look I can see me being the Jaywalker maniac like many others are.

And I haven't forgotten the socks from the Jojoland Melody yarn - shown in the banner at the top of the page on my silly cat. That yarn is wonderful, too. I'm really kind of thinking that my favorite sock yarn seems to be whichever one I'm working on at the moment!

~ Elizabeth

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. - Isaiah 40:29

Church and the Home

Sunday morning was the last class at church prior to our joining next Sunday. I knew for sure that this is the right church for us because as soon as I opened my eyes Sunday morning I thought "Oh good, I get to go to church today!". The class consisted of church leaders telling us about different opportunities available in the church, such as missions, music, women's groups, etc. It all sounded so good I was ready to sign up for everything!

And before the class we went to church service where our new pastor (installed last weekend) did his first sermon. It's so exciting as he is just on fire and I feel like the church is going to be even more awesome.

Afterwards the three of us went to Mimi's Cafe for brunch and so that we could the momentum going and talk about the church. They brought out this cute wicker basket filled with jellies, honey and peanut butter alongside the muffins and toast. I of course got teased for taking the picture, but I really think I like this idea and am going to expand upon it in my own home. While I don't have individual condiments served with my meals, I think there will be other ways to use this idea.

~ Elizabeth

"Whether you come in to visit or just to rest when you enter our home may you be blessed." - Unknown

Joe and Chocolate

I was actually inspired to do a layout on Joe (not a surprise), but the surprise is how cool it looks in my head! So all morning long I've been working to get the perfect photo of him for what I need and I think he's getting a little tired of the camera. I believe we're up to 38 pictures is all and I don't find that unreasonable! I did notice though just how gray his little face is getting. He'll be 6 years old in March. Hopefully I'll be able to get the perfect photo and will be sharing this perfect layout soon.

I've also decided that Girl Scouts are really not "all that" like I thought they were. All these years I've admired their programs and such, but not any more - no way. We received our cookie order Saturday from one of the little darlings we ordered from and I have already polished off an ENTIRE BOX of Tagalongs! Oh those little girls smile so sweetly and get you sucked in with their worthy cause and all, then they deliver the boxes of chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness and you try to resist, but the siren call is soon too much. So either it's a big conspiracy or I simply have no will power at all.

~ Elizabeth

"Put a smile on your face, make the world a better place. " - Hershey's Chocolate