Opening that can...

I have so much I want to share...decor, projects, ideas, etc. I feel like I first have to take care of some "housekeeping" if you will. This picture has absolutely nothing at all to do with the post, by the way...

I think anytime you open up and put yourself out there, you run the risk of someone taking it the wrong way. Its so hard to come across in the very sincere way you mean to, when you can only read, and not hear the voice. I just checked my dashboard yesterday and found a comment that needed moderating. It was for this post.

Before I get into it, let me just say that I have what I call a "park friend". I met this lady at a Girl Scout sign up, and we found out we both have Fishers. Well, her's is spelled Fischer. We then saw her at the park one Friday afternoon shortly thereafter. So now, we meet up with them at the park. We celebrated Halloween with them, eating dinner, then trick or treating. Want to know the funny thing?? She and her husband both drive Mercedes!! I promise I am not really going there, again. I thought this was all so funny, since God revealed to me, that this lady, who was so down to earth, friendly, not at all snobby, and shopped at Wal-Mart, was possibly in my life for the very purpose of me not judging people based on what they have, versus what I don't have. I think that may have made sense...???

Okay...onto the comment. I felt the need to share it and clarify myself. Because...what if it was a new friend that read that post and wrote this comment?? A post that I did not mean to come across in any ugly way, at all.

Aren't you insecurities about your "cheap" car the same thing? People buy what they like and what they campn sorta afford. If someone is high-income, a "nice" car might be relatively affordable to them. Maybe no other dealer would finance them. Maybe thet're working 100 hours a week to buy that car, that house, that lifestyle. Maybe they ear ramen all week but really enjoy a nice car-- that's their one luxury. Sure, some people buy thongs for show. Others have worked their whole lives to buy their dream "toys." others may have ingerited those things, or be upside down on the payments but couldn't find a buyer. You're judging them on wealth because you perceice they're judging you on poverty. But, you don't know wjat those people have been through or stand for... nor do they know what you've been through or stand for. It's not that someone makes the car. That's silly because it over emphasizes possessions. You have your needs more than met- that's whatnmatters. You have a caring family and food and shelter- that's what matters. The car or house are not what you make- they're what you've been given. Some have more, some less... but being prideful in things is futile, "making" your car is futile. You are valued as a human, not because of what they or you have.

So...I do agree with what some of "anonymous" wrote. The parts I could understand, what with the typos and whatnot. I know that my problems were totally mine and not anything anyone said to me or about me. That is just something I have to pray about and work through. I sincerely hope I haven't offended anyone, as it was not my intention. There it is...

Embracing where I'm at...

{my view while washing dishes}

I'm not gonna lie. I've been fighting a bad attitude for weeks now. My perspective has been about as fuzzy as parts of the picture above. Let me start this story at the beginning.

Where we used to live was a small town that was primarily middle to lower class. I mean, I felt down right highfalutin when I walked into Wal-Mart. Any of y'all that know me in real life, know that can't be further from the truth. I am very much down to earth{when my head's not in the clouds} and casual. The city I now live in is very much the opposite. The main area, if you will, has a ginormous neighborhood with subdivisions consisting of McMansions within itself. Whatever...I was fine when we moved here, having lived in this very house before. That was all before my children went to the local public school...

I take my children and pick them back up from school. I am usually surrounded by Lexus{Lexi-??}, Mercedes, Lincoln's, etc. Normally I'm not a car person, but considering I'm driving an older Plymouth Grand Voyager that is missing 2 hubcaps and the front bumper is held up with zip ties...well, it just feels funny.

I've shared my feelings with a few close friends. One said to me something a friend of her's said to her, "The clothes do not make me, I make the clothes." I thought that was a fabulous quote!! One day as I was sitting in carpool behind, no lie, a Mercedes, a Lexus, and another Mercedes, I quoted to myself, "My car does not make me, I make my car." Then, wouldn't you know it, I had an epiphany!!! It occurred to me, that perhaps these people had insecurities, too. Insecurities, that perhaps wouldn't let them just drive a Toyota, because after all, isn't a Lexus just an expensive Toyota?? Now, I'm not trying to be judgmental in the least if you do drive a "fancy" vehicle. Ever since then though, I haven't felt nearly as embarrassed about what I drive.

I love my little home and I am so thankful for it. I do try to keep that in perspective when I think about the friends my children are making. Most of my children's friends do live in that neighborhood and when I think of birthday parties or future sleepovers, I start to think about the differences in our homes. "Will they think less of us because our home could fit into a small portion of their's??" "What will they think when they drive up and see flaky, peeling paint??" "What will they..." Who cares?? I am so drawn to sweet, older homes and I just want to remain authentic and true to myself. I don't wish to live in a large home. We did live in a big to us home and I couldn't keep it clean!! Why I let the thought of what someone may think bother me, I don't know. I have had to pray to ask God to help me be more thankful for what I do have and less bothered by what I don't, and it has worked!! I sometimes have to ask daily, and to also ask forgiveness for my bad attitude. I seek to "be content in all circumstances" as Paul learned to be. I also keep in mind the quote that Ashley Ann shared, "Comparison is a thief of joy." That is the truth.

Tonight, while washing dishes, I had to get my attitude in check again. I was looking thru what was originally the kitchen window, back into what we so cleverly call "the back room" and was overtaken by how much I really do like this house. Its a great reflection of us. Its not a show home and that is totally okay. It really is. And that is a lovely thing...

Linking up to Life Made Lovely...

Food deals and something to say...

Have y'all ever heard of Angelfood Ministries?? Ever bought food from them?? If you have what are your opinions?? Yes, I read, briefly, the hullabaloo about the execs of the company. What I am asking, though, is were you pleased with the food and quality/value of it??

On to another food deal...I've noticed that Publix and Ingles, and probably Kroger, if I paid any attention, have lowered the price on some products we use everyday. Ingles has their milk for about $2.60 a gallon and I've seen that Publix has lowered their price on milk as well. I was just telling my sister in law that while I'm not happy about what all is going on in the economy{as it directly affects them-my brother, who lost his other job, is now at a low paying job just to help buy food and pay some bills and SIL had to get a job, where she used to stay home and homeschool their girls}, BUT I was glad that some food items we use have lowered in price. I wasn't meaning to be insensitive to their, or any one else's, position, but if there was any silver lining, a lesser grocery bill would be a portion of it.

The economy hasn't directly affected us yet. Though they have done quite a few layoffs at my husband's job, as well as the hourly employees have had their time cut. Thankfully, my husband is salaried, otherwise, we wouldn't be making it. So, YES, I am GLAD the milk is cheaper!!! I am sorry that anyone is going through tough economic times. We've been there. Our bills for this house are ridiculous. So much more than we've ever paid. So when my husband is home and not breaking his back to have to keep us afloat, I am grateful. I am not, however, freaking out and hoarding. Maybe I should, I don't know. Any opinions on that one??

Sorry for the bummer post, but really wanted to ask about Angelfood and get the other off my chest. Its a biggin' already!! ;)

FREEDOM!!!

I will start this post by saying that I grew up what I will call a "religious mutt". We went to many types of church's growing up-Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Pentecostel, Christian. We've been to almost all of them at one time or another. I don't think one religion is "better" than another.

With that being said, somehow I ended up quite legalistic. I remember being a little girl at the Baptist church and having these offering envelopes. You had to check off whether you read your Bible everyday, brought a friend, etc. I took that to be my holiness meter. I remember thinking if I didn't read my Bible one night and I died then surely I would go to Hell. Its almost funny now, but its really not. How many people are struggling like that now?? I know that God's word doesn't say that anywhere. I also know that the enemy{Satan} comes to kill, steal, and destroy. I struggled my whole life with my salvation. I know{I thought} I was saved when I was around 7. I was at a revival and walked down that aisle and I knew why. I have been baptized 3 times since that. Did it not "take" the first time?? I don't know about that thought process.

After we left the Baptist church we went to the Pentecostel church. I was going to be really spiritual then with my dresses and growing my hair out. Something still didn't totally jive with that, because I still wore my jewelry and pants on my "off days". I remember going there and this lady asking if I had the Holy Ghost. I told her yes and she said, "Then speak in tongues". I tried, I really did. Then the lady said that I did not have the Holy Ghost because I couldn't speak in tongues. I was in fifth grade, y'all. Now I cannot believe how that lady acted. And while I am on the subject, you wearing dresses or not cutting your hair, not watching tv or listening to certain types of music does not define your salvation or what degree of Christian you are. Simply having a relationship with Jesus is the important thing.

When I met my husband he was Pentecostel and we were back to Baptist after a few stops around the religious block. We were moving away from both of our churchs, which were far away from one another as well, we decided to find a happy medium. When I was pentecostel, I thought everyone who wasn't was going to Hell and thought Baptists were a bunch of hypocrites, and then when I was Baptist again, I couldn't believe that I thought that. Of course, I thought Baptists were perfect(as much as a human can be) and that everyone else was wrong.

Anyway, before we were married we found a great church that is non-denomination and its great. No lables=no judgement. Not always and God has worked on my heart and acceptance of other religions. Not one is the perfect one.

On my journey, I still felt like maybe I wasn't really saved. I thought I must be, but I didn't feel like I was. I now know feeling don't really matter, it is the facts that matter. The fact is I know Jesus is the son of God and he came to save my sins. How do I explain that to my children?? I tell them that he died so we can go to Heaven, but also he can take our mean hearts and make them sweet. Kind of like the Grinch. Speaking of the Grinch...I was reading this blog and she seemed so joyful and talked about Jesus and living in his love. I was like that is great but how. I emailed her and she was so kind to email me back. I remember times where I felt like I was losing it and how can I raise these children that God gave me and not totally screw them up like I was. I was in bed praying one August morning in 2007 that God would love them through me because I couldn't and I didn't feel like I had a lot of love to give. They were also waking me up very early and I don't do early. I prayed for God to fill me with his love, and I needed to FEEL it this time. I wanted to get my salvation issue solved once and for all. I am telling y'all once I prayed that I felt like the Grinch in his salvation moment. I felt my chest literally fill up with air, like it was a shriveled raisin into a balloon. Thank God he let me FEEL it because now I know. Its a wonderful feeling and while I know I am not perfect I am forgiven. I still yell at my kids every now and then, but I know I can ask forgiveness and I ask them as well. And you mother's out there, I would encourage you to ask your children to forgive you when you know you have wronged them. I don't feel like my parents did that, that what they did was okay because they were the grown-ups and its okay. They need to know that we need God just as they do, because he helps us all.

I hope y'all understood this okay. I am still learning and to not put other Christians on a pedestal. That came clear to me just around this Christmas season. It was another one of those times where I just thought either me or my children are out of control. I thought well I will just ask one of the children's leaders for advice on parenting. Then I remembered reading in Proverbs where God said anyone who asks for wisdom will be freely given wisdom. That was when I realized I didn't need another parenting book, I just needed to ask God. I think Bible studies are great but I also know that the Bible says not to add or take away and that the God who gave those authors wisdom will also give it to me.

I tell y'all, I am so glad the fog has lifted and God has given me clarity. I also know if you ask, God will give you the peace you need.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me athomeelise{at}yahoo{dot}com.

Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Elise

Some Housekeeping

Hey y'all!! Happy Tuesday to you!! I am officially a slacker as you can all have guessed by now. I did take my photos of my winnings and Fall Swap package from Michelle. I will share those. Promise.
Mama Llama asked about the swag in the background on my mantle. Emilie, my Halloween swap partner, made that for me. Her friend, Jenny, made one and has a tutorial on her blog, Lipstick and Laundry. The Nester also made one.
Nichole brought up a good point about McCain having met his current wife when he was still married to the previous one. Yes, I did know that and think it is wrong, certainly. I have to agree with another Michelle on this point. We are voting for the lesser of the two evils here. In my personal opinion. Though I did say that I really wanted Huckabee for president. I do have another interesting link for y'all to check out. You may have seen it by now. It does pose a good argument. Ok, done with politics now.
In house news, the funds have been allocated. I think we got the funding number yesterday-I can't always understand what the lender is talking about. Our lender called and said there was a test we had to take. A test?!?! Can we possibly fail it?? Not sure what's up with that. If all goes well, we should close the 30th of October.
That's all for now. I will(I think) come back and post about all the fun mail I have been getting lately!! Promise. I hope...

God Bless Our Country

I know that election day is getting closer and closer. Some days I am relieved, others I am terrified. I know that we don't all have the same views and values. I don't always choose my friends based on that either. However, I know lots of people have(in my opinion) been deceived by certain politicians. I generally like to keep things light and fluffy around here, but in real life I tend to speak my mind a little more. So here goes. The Bible says you will know them(Christians) by their fruit. I also know that he without sin can cast the first stone. I am not judging here, only showing the facts. I would love for you to read this link. I think it is very telling. I don't vote on economics, though I think they are important, I vote on values, who has basic morals in place. That is why I will not be voting for Barack Obama. I don't care that he went to church, that doesn't make him a Godly man with Godly views. I don't care that he believes in God or Jesus, Satan does too. Now, I am NOT saying that Obama is Satan's cousin or anything like that, but I cannot see how someone who professes to be a Christian can support abortion and other things that I will not get on my soapbox tonight about. I am NOT saying that Obama is not a Christian, I do not personally know him, only he and God know that. All I know is that I am praying hard for our country. I do not think he is the right man for the job. I personally wanted Huckabee, but that is obviously not going to happen.
I am not looking for a fight or debate. You can kindly leave your thoughts and opinions.

Questions and Answers and Regrets

Hello again!! I have had a few questions about the tassels and decided to answer them in a post.
Why two different types of glue?
I used the Allene's to roll the trim at my mom's suggestion so I don't burn my fingers on hot glue. How's that for an answer?? Someone did mention that hot glue loosens over time. I don't know what the "professional tasseliers" use so we will see how it holds up. I am open to suggestions...

What type of fringe is it that I used?
The main trim is a rope-like trim that I got from a yard sale. I noticed that it was like $10 a yard at Hobby Lobby. Yikes!! I would definitely look for their sales. The brown trim was maybe called eyelash fringe. You could click on the picture of the tassels to get a better look. HL has such a big selection to choose from. I would just go there and see what you like best.

Where did the toppers come from and did the bird topper come with a hook?
I actually got my toppers from one of my local antique shops. The bird came from HL originally, I found out I was taken on that one!! I paid a dollar more than the original HL price and it was probably on sale there!! Oh well, the birdie sure is cute. No, it did not come with a hook. I am going to look online to see if I can find some that do come with hooks. I don't know where others get their little birdies with hooks. You could use Christmas ornaments too. Now would be a great time to start looking for ones with good tassel potential.

Hope that answered everyone's questions.

An another non tassel related note...I went to a funeral today. I used to be good friends with the lady that passed away. I haven't spoken with her in quiet a few years because I felt like she betrayed me. That is one thing I don't like. In some ways I thought she got sick because it was her punishment. I know that is not true though. I didn't think it would bother me if she got better or not. I regret that I did not reconcile with her. There is a reason that the Bible says do not let the sun go down on your anger. It is better to swallow your pride than to hold a grudge. I am now learning this. Too late. Carol used to make me laugh at work. Everyday. I think it was her life's mission. She used to call me Elsie. My name is not Elsie, its Elise. She used to write it L.C. It would make me laugh. I would even get Carol to repeat the joke she just told so I could laugh some more. I urge you to forgive the people you feel wronged you. I wish I could have had the time back now. Please pray for her family. She left behind a husband, a daughter and two grandgirls.
Sorry to end on this note tonight, I had to say what was on my heart.