The Blessing of a Bowser

What is a Bowser?

A Bowser is a blessing sent from above.

At just the right time, one day after the incident. 

To take our minds off of "what could have been."

A Bowser is a soft, furry, cuddly bundle of energy.

A Bowser is a playmate.

A Bowser is a friend.

A Bowser is a personal trainer.

But best of all, a Bowser is love. 

Heaven-sent love.

Amen!

(The long and short of it is that we'd been searching for a dog for almost 6 weeks without any luck.  I'd found a few leads, which were quickly put aside when I heard, "I had to eject" from the other side of the phone.  But, Bowser, bless him, showed up in our backyard the very next day.  And though we returned him to the neighbors, he popped back over the next day.  We talked to the neighbors who didn't really want a dog, but had rescued him from family who were not taking good care of him.  That night, the neighbors showed up with Bowser on a leash, a 20 lb. bag of dog food, bowls, toys and hearts happy that the dog had found a good home.  We feel that God brought us this dog.  He is an answered prayer.  And we LOVE him!!!)

A Plus, Plus, Plus, Plus, Plus

Is there such a thing as a personality type A-Plus? 

Cuz I think I've got it.

Either that or I'm obsessed with organization.

A-Plus sounds much better.

More positive.

Because I am still honing my coupon skills, I have tried several different methods for organizing my coupons and flyers.  I'd been using a small expandable file, but that was getting really full.

I'd read about the "Coupon Binder" but honestly, didn't see the need.

"Really?  How many coupons does one Greyhaired Momma need?"

"How much stocking up will I really be doing?"

And I quickly came to realize that there are a lot of coupons out there in this big coupony world.  And I'm not talking, "I buy 756 copies of my Sunday paper so that I have lots of the same coupons."  I'm talking one Sunday paper, printing coupons off Facebook, store websites, and the Internet.  Oh, and maybe a few coupons that friends and family have sent me (there's that hint again!). 

And my little expandable folder runneth over.  And my files were bulging.  And I felt really unorganized. And I don't like that feeling.  Not a bit.

And so, I caved. 

I created a Coupon Binder.

Oh, and she is a lovely, lovely lady.  I haven't named her yet, but I'm sure that's to come.  She and I will be spending much time together.  Not only at home, but out in the world -- shopping!  (oooh, maybe her name should be Violet.  "Violet, you're turning Violet, Violet!")

She has 3 rings, some built in expandable folders, many little pockets and hidey holes, and -- here's the Coup de grâce -- a zipper.  Keeping all her valuables inside.

Be still my heart.

I added a bunch of baseball card display pages and dividers, and filled the pages up.

Now all I need is a T shirt that I can wear each time I go to the store.

A sort of warning, I guess.

To those behind me in line.

The back would read:

"I might take longer at the checkout,

But I leave with more money in my pockets."

Or possibly,  "I have coupons and I'm not afraid to use them."

Or the sassy, "Pick another checkout lane, honey.  I'm gonna be a while."

I'm still working on the shirt.  I'll be thinking it over as I stuff coupons in my new binder!

PS -- FREEBIES -- GIVEAWAY --  I'll send some sort of coupony prize to the first reader who can correctly tell me, in the comments section, which movie the title of this post comes from.   And another prize to another reader who can tell me which movie the "Violet" line comes from.

Do You See What I See?

 As the Lord's abundance

bursts forth from the earth,

in overwhelming, utter awe,

I breathe it in.

Absorb it into my marrows.

Bask in the radiant glory.

Silently whispering,

"More!  More!"

 "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, 

but only God, who makes things grow.  

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, 

and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 

For we are co-workers in God’s service; 

you are God’s field, 

God’s building. "

1 Corinthians 3: 7-9 

MY Little, HER Little, and Me

Each time I look at CraftyGirl, I am shocked at how quickly she is growing up.  And so, from time to time, I might be guilty of indulging her flights of whimsy.

CraftyGirl received a Journey Girl for Christmas, and "Alana" has become her fast friend.  

Last month, CraftyGirl declared that the 2nd was to be Alana's birthday and that we'd be having her party on Saturday.  Since Saturday was a designated "Girls' Day," CraftyGirl felt that it was perfect because "we can go shopping for Alana's birthday present."

Bandana was not a fashion statement, but "to keep her hair out of the food."

The day began with pancakes and then, in full indulgence mode, we got ready, and hit the stores. 

And after finding just the right gift for Alana, we just might have come home, sang, 

opened presents,

and had a bite of birthday cake.

As I said, from time to time I might be guilty of indulging my Little's flights of whimsy!

Yes, the same Little who just confessed her reasoning behind wanting Alana to have a birthday party:  "We NEEDED cake!"

Uh, yeah.  

"Now boarding all pushovers for the flight of whimsy."

Excuse me while I find my seat.

Creative Contemplation

Hello, friend!

It's been a while since we've been together, you and I.

I missed you.

I've not been far.  At least not physically far away.

But mentally, I've been light years away.

I've been contemplating a few things.

Sorting, rearranging, measuring up against what I know to be true.

And as soon as I have it sorted,

And into words,

You can bet I'll let you in on it.