Tillandsia how may I count the ways

Tillandsia are also know as air plants. These little gems come in many colors and sizes. They are so much fun to do interesting decor and craft projects with. If your like me who tends to kill anything except for cactus or succulents, these are the plants for you. They only need little upkeep and they do not require soil to survive. Making planting virtually endless. They need air and you mist them about two to three times a week. I've been wanting to get back on the crafting train and I wanted to give my little casa a snazzy decor touch. There are countless ways to play with these plants.

Need some light... transform some light bulbs into tiny habitats.

How about a quirky addition to set of glasses...

All bottled up, great idea for those extra collected jars and bottles...

Recycle old toys to make crazy planters...

Don't be shellfish, make your own art for your walls..

Turn your finds from the beach into living creatures from the deep...

Nothing like a jazzed up carcus for the neighbors to get jealous...

Add new angles to your wall space...

Diamonds are forever and a girls best friend, naaa give the gift of Tillandsia...

Today I was in my car pondering wanting more or being content with what I have. Many of you know that I drive a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang type of car, Which is to say its what it sounds like when its running. At least its not as bad as the Uncle Buck car that loudly back fires. Well its old as dirt and has no AC/heat. Which means its bad in hot and cold weather. When I drive it now due to super cold weather, I bundle as much of me as I can. I was stopped at a red light complaining about being cold and needing a new car when I saw a homeless man across the way. He had all of his belongings carried with him. He had a huge bed sheet which he made into a full body scarf wrapped completely around him to stay warm. I sat there totally ashamed and completely convicted. I am so blessed for what I have even though it isn't the greatest. I have a roof over my head, food to eat, money in my pockets, friends & family to help me out in times of need. What else do I need so badly. All the times I spend foolishly on stuff I swear I need, even though I probably have multiples just like it at home. If I were to be stripped down to just having Jesus to rely on and only the bare essentials would I be content or would I need more... I feel like in our world that's were we are constantly surrounded by. Magazines, TV, and radio is submerged by the key phrase you are not happy, you need more. I can't be truly happy unless I have the latest technology, millions in my bank account, hottest fashion trends. I feel the phrase I am content and I have enough is lost in translation. If anything we need to downsize our way of thinking, living, and spending. Have any of you purchased something only to have feelings of spending regret the whole car ride back home. Do I really need another pair of shoes, do my clothes need to cost more than a rent check, do I need to show off and get the latest and greatest. What do all these things say about us. Will we remembered by all that we owned or for what we gave. None of these things we can take with us. Like us they will fade and be only dust in the wind. Today friends at work were telling me I need a new car because I walked in looking like a scientist from the North Pole. Yes, I do need a new car, but I am grateful for God putting that man on my heart. What a picture of being satisfied in God's care and such a picture of where these wants really come from. I need to recheck my focus, that when I swear I will just die unless I have it, I will remember a man fighting to survive on what he's carrying. God is so good in using something or someone to change your heart. Please don't misunderstand my post. I am not saying that having these things are bad. If God has blessed you greatly then that's awesome. Or if you are struggling to make do, you are still blessed more than many others out there with nothing. We need to focus on sharing or giving blessings then needing to receive them. When it gets warmer I need to clean out my house to give away much of what I definitely don't need. My spending will be cut back to being content or to giving back. The homeless man may never know how much of a lesson he bestowed upon me just by standing across the street from my car. I will surely not forget him. I have enough, I am grateful for what I have, I am content in Jesus, I need to share my blessings. God is good.

2013 wrap up

2013 what a year. Its been a whirlwind and it seemed like it went by in a blink of an eye. Ups and downs, highs and lows. Filled with lots of changes. God has been present during the whole rollercoaster ride. We are blessed by Shad's continuing good health. This year has been rough for me in the health department. I was diagnosed with seasonal asthma and with MS. MS was the scariest thing for sure, especially the process to get better and functional. Its been a year living with it and I am happy to say I am doing so much better. A year ago you wouldn't have recognized me from how I am today. It also was sad to say goodbye to my sweet friend and kitty Grayson. He has been having health issues for awhile, but its never easy to make the tough decision in letting him go. We welcomed a new kitten into our lives named Fox. He is such a firecracker, but he's really brought healing and laughter back into our hearts. This year I also married the love of my life. What a day. No matter how much you prepare its a day filled with craziness. Blessed to have many family and friends there to celebrate with us. Our awesome pastor and dear friend married us two and day went so well. We got a lot of compliments on his ceremony he did for us. A big help was my coworker who did my makeup and help set my special day out on the right footing. Another friend did my hair and made me look awesome with my veil. Thanks to my maid of honor and my sister Holly for being there to help me and keeping me calm and sane. Last thing I remember is my gal pal Sunny telling me to breathe, she surely saved the day in many aspects. What a great friend she is to rely on, always there to lend a hand or help. Our friend Rob sang for us and what a great job he did. We had so many people to thank, many helped us out that day before and after. Blessed by so many caring people. My husband, which is funny to say, is enjoying being a worker bee. Working for his dad, teaching at college, and helping his friend with his taco buisness. I worked really hard and was able to lose 20 some pounds for my big day and due to the holidays it might have relocated back on me, ha ha. This new year we as a couple are determined to grow as much as we can closer to our heavenly Father. As for me back to living healthy, eating cleaner, and getting active. Yes, to loose some pounds, but mostly to get a long and awesome life. I'm still volunteering for World Vision as much as I can and we are still sponsoring a little boy from Africa who has really blessed us more than he'll ever now. We feel like he is our son. Its amazing to be apart of his life and giving him the life every child deserves. I also got to be apart of a womens retreat for our church. What an amazing time to get away and reconnect with God with some awesome sisters in Christ. I also through Gods help tried out for the worship team. It was scary, but in the end everything worked out and I did my first singing right before I left for vacation. Wow I think thats about it, ha ha. The phrase I could use is God is good.

Reading with Technology

Awhile back I posted a blog "Long Live Books", to which I still strongly stand by. I was given a Nook for Christmas and was hesitant for even trying it out. Guilty I must say. Like I was betraying all the books longing to be held or checked out from the libraries. I still prefer books to electronic devices. I love the feel of actual pages turning at my fingertips and the way books have a certain smell. Going to bookstores and libraries is still one of my favorite places to hang, its so extremely calming to me. A sort of a supreme relaxing sanctuary takes over while being submerged in book wonderland. Since I have been using my Nook, I must say it is handy. Being able to go online and shop for the very books I adore and to be able to get instant reviews before purchases make it ideal. Its light weight, no need for good lighting, the availability to have hundreds of books with me at one time, and it makes travel a cinch. The cool thing is that libraries are becoming eBook friendly by making those available to check out for free as well. I still stand for the small independent bookstores and institutions. I do find it sad that most kids are reading on devices instead of getting the enjoyment of holding actual books or having neat trips to the library or bookstore. I hope that paper books will not become a thing of the past and I hope that places for books will remain strong and not diminish. Long live books, but electronic book devices are not all together evil.

Just Married

What a whirlwind! Seems like I was just engaged and here I am already hitched. On October 5,2013 I married the love of my life and I am feeling completely awesome! We have been together a LONG time, but for some reason everything feels brand new. Its like we are first dating again. We crazy kids head over heels for one another. It is such a blessing to have him by my side as my husband. I feel whole as his wife. This was the role I was wanting to play for such a long time and its come true. We were teased a lot for being together unmarried for ten years, but God's perfect timing was now and we are so happy. I am so excited for our journey as man and wife. Thrilled to see what God has planned for us. Our wedding day was so beautiful. My Mom went crazy and made everything more than I could have ever hoped it could be. Grateful to all the help from family and friends who were there or that helped us out in getting this done. It was such a great time to celebrate with all our friends and family. I cant believe it came and went like a dream.

Blessed

God you are so good its unbelievable. You cover me daily with your mercy and your grace. Their is such tremendous freedom being in your presence. The great depths of your love is endless. I am blessed with many things seen and unseen by your hand. Let my life be filled with passion for you and for others. Let my life so shine for your name. Let me draw others to you by my countenance.

Long Live Books

With all the new technology replacing our old ways of life it makes me long for the old simpler lifestyle. I love bookstores and libraries. I adore walking in them to be entirely surrounded by books, cozy nooks, and the feeling of serenity. Nothing beats the smells of books old and new. It seems like books are a dying breed. To be replaced by electronic devices. Library cards, books as gifts, and paper flipping to take a dirt nap. Breaks my heart. I still prefer little book stores compared to mega stores. There are still a few independent stores open. Nothing better than to pick up a book, have a cup of tea, and recharge from the worlds constant fast paced way of living. Something so charming as going into a place filled with novels. I have just gotten back into a routine of reading. Makes me feel so courageous to finish a book and to think over the stories I just digested. I love to buy books. I may not read them all, but I get a kick out of it every time. I am planning on getting them all a lovely nook inside my head someday, but one book at a time. I implore you to support your local library and bookstore. Take your children into a world of discovery by taking them there on the weekends. Make it a family affair to open books together. Give books as gifts. Also the library is FREE!!! All those books and even movies to rent at no cost. Beat that redbox or netflix... Sure they are old movies, but they are just as charming like the books your surrounded by. Read on America, read on!