11-12-13

The title of this post really has nothing whatsoever to do with what I'm going to write, I just wanted to call it that.
So, for some time now Mommy and I have been making soaps together completely from scratch (lye, oils, and all that good stuff) and really enjoy it. We've made some really pretty ones lately and are looking forward to taking pictures of them to list in our Etsy shop that we hope to start soon and hopefully sell some. They're really pretty and smell really good as well, I'll post the link whenever it's up and running.
Right now I have my own Etsy shop where I sell my handmade earrings. Mommy just got that up and running for me last night and there are some Christmas earrings there, too, so please check it out. A part of the proceeds I hope to make from my earrings I'm going to donate to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as it has forever been my dream to somehow donate to them and it has always been so dear to my heart and I just hurt so much for those children. And whenever our soap store is running we're going to make a specific kind of soap so that each bar of that which is sold we will donate the full amount to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society as that is something that is very dear to our hearts as well.
Our goal is to eventually make some other things to sell, like lip balms, candles, and whatever else we can think of, so we'll see how that goes.
It's so fun to do things with my mommy and we always have such fun together no matter what we're doing. And it's so great that we can make our soaps together and everything and I wouldn't have it any other way. She's my best friend and there's no one on earth I would rather spend time with than her.

In other news, we got some snow last night! Unfortunately, it's mostly melted now and later on in the week, the temperatures are supposed to be back up in the 50's and 60's, which isn't cool for me because I prefer the cold weather and was so happy about the snow. Oh well, hopefully we'll get a lot more later on this Autumn/Winter. A white Christmas would be quite welcome as well, we'll see.

Grace be with you.

I've Started Another Blog!

So my favorite grocery store in the whole world is Kroger. Mommy and I go there almost everyday and I go in with my grocery list (and the beautiful grocery bags she made!) while she waits in the car. So many times I surprise her by how little I spend and so she suggested that I start a blog about my love of Kroger, so I did.

http://thekrogerqueen.blogspot.com/

I'll try to update as much as possible.
Now if only I could think of more things to write on here...

Grace be with you.

Long Overdue

Back in early June, my best friend and her husband drove here from PA to visit the Creation Museum and to see me. I've been meaning to post pictures, but obviously never got around to it....until now.

Brittany and me standing with Moses!!

The cute couple: Jim & Brittany.

Brittany and me again. Our white tops weren't planned, ha.

:)

We had an awesome time. The day they came down here, Mommy & I took them out for dinner, which was a blast. Then the next day, the three of us went to the Creation Museum and caused some trouble (not really) and they took me out for lunch and brought me home and stayed for a few minutes. Then they left the next day. It was an awesome time. She and I have been friends for years but never met face-to-face until then, it was great and she rocks...and she's preggers and will be a great mother. I love them.

It's such a blessing that I was able to meet two of my best friends within 9 months when we had never met in person before. Such a blessing and I thank God for them and for the time that He blessed us with.

Grace be with you.

Lovely Day

Pictures from when Mommy & I were out today.

God's creation is stunning.

Despite the fact that it is miserably hot, it is still a gorgeous day....and I'm listening to Christmas music.

Grace be with you. 

The Duggar Famiy

Mommy and I just love watching the Duggar family's show. We've been watching them probably from the beginning, before they even had a regular show. They're so inspiring and such a sweet family, rooted deep in their faith in God and love for Jesus...an inspiration to all.
I'm reading their book "A Love That Multiplies" and am thoroughly enjoying it. All of the stories they share of their hardships and all that they've gone through and yet still trusting in the Lord that He will bring them through everything, and clearly, He has. With all of the criticisms they face everyday, it's amazing to see how they respond to it. Jesus told us that in this world we would face tribulation and that we would be persecuted for our faith in Him (Matthew 5:10-11), but to "take heart" because He has "overcome the world" (John 16:33). They hold fast to that, as should all who God has called to be His children.
It has always been my dream to have a ton of children after I'm married. Watching them really has made me want it even more (not for the fame or anything like that, but because of the love they have for each other, the joy of having so many little ones running around and all of the friendships you have just in your family, no one is ever bored or lonely...it sounds fantastic), but I realize God might have something else planned for me. Just because it's MY dream doesn't mean it's HIS plan, indeed, that's often not the case at all (though I'm not complaining).
Mrs. Duggar gets so much criticism for having all of those children and not doing something to keep it from happening, but I think she's amazing for having all of them. Though everyone is allowed their own opinion, there is no good reason to criticize her or her family. They're a wonderful example of a Christian family and everyone (Christian or not) can learn from them. It's a sad, twisted world where people are criticized because of the size of their family, there's no reason for it. Why people have to make it their business about the size of someone else's family is beyond me, just because they don't want a big family themselves, that doesn't give them the right to criticize those who do.
I love that the Duggars don't have cable and don't watch television, that they always find something to do, and I hope to have that with my own family someday.
I love that they homeschool (my brothers and I were homeschooled as well) and hope my children will be homeschooled as well.
I'm not saying they are perfect, no one is, they're just a lovely example of a loving, Christian family.
My family and I are conservative as well, just in a bit of a different way. Mommy and I do believe in modesty and we do wear dresses/skirts because we feel more feminine and it's just our preference. We have a lot in common with the Duggar girls, I think, and we kind of aspire to be like them.
Mommy & I admire the Duggar family and are always inspired by Mrs. Duggar and her older daughters. We think the little children are just as cute as can be and they never fail to make us laugh.
There have been those certain episodes where I just couldn't help but cry with them and those when I was so excited for them. Actually, just last night I made a playlist on YouTube of older episodes that I love watching over and over again, particularly the ones about Josh & Anna's engagement, wedding, honeymoon, etc.
Obviously the show can't go on forever, but it'll be sad once it's stopped.

I suppose that's about all. I've just been wanting to write about them for a long time and since I've been reading their book and am otherwise engaged recuperating from my surgery and have a lot of time on my hands, I thought I'd write it now.

Grace be with you.

Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day. A day to celebrate our mothers and shower them with gifts/flowers/whatever. We don't really do anything for Mother's Day, and I'll tell you why:
Mommy doesn't really want us to, for one thing, but also, she knows we love her and she doesn't want any material item to prove that. Mother's Day is a day to celebrate them, but why give them just one day throughout the whole year? Mothers are the most important people in our lives and celebrating them and showing them we love them should fall on more than just one day. Little (or even big) surprises all throughout the year are so much better, in my opinion, because they wouldn't expect it and that's a better surprise. We should show them we cherish them and how much they mean to us, show them we love them, on more than just one day. Mother's Day is a lovely idea, to be sure, but little things for them throughout the year are even better. You don't need a holiday or special occasion to do something special for someone you love. I'm not against the idea of celebrating it, by all means, this is just my own personal opinion about the holiday. (I feel the same way about Father's Day, by the way...and Grandparent's Day, for that matter). My mommy is the most important person in the world to me and every moment spent with her is a cherished memory, no matter what we're doing at the time. Spending time with her is something for which I will always be grateful. I am so thankful the Lord has blessed me with such a wonderful mother. She's the best example for me. She's my role model and I hope to be like her someday. She's a wonderful example of a Christian woman/wife/mother and there's no one on earth I would rather be like than her. Her faith is strong, she has a passionate love for Jesus and for her family. Jesus is everything to her and that really shows. With every hardship we face (and there have been many), everything that happens in our lives, she knows our Father is in control and will always take care of us....for He has. She always supports us and builds us up and we do the same for her, she more than deserves it. I love her-we love her-very, very much. Life would not be the same without her. I could never have asked for a better mother/girlfriend/best friend. This will probably sound unusual to others but, Mommy and I have never once, never once fought. So many girls fight over everything with their mothers and we honestly feel sorry for them because she and I have just always been so close and open with each other and it's sad that it's not like that with every mother/daughter relationship, there's never been a reason for us to fight anyway. It's unusual, and we love it (we both love being different from the world anyway). We truly are best friends and it will always stay like that and even after I am married, she will be my best girlfriend, for my hubby will be my new best friend, she looks forward to that day as much as I do. I'm so thankful for her, she's the best.

I'd also like to add another woman to this post that is like a second mother to me, and that is, my grandmother (my mommy's mom). To be perfectly honest, everything I've said about my own mommy applies to my grandmother as well. No one has been more blessed with a grandmother. Something we've always said about her (and this is the same about my mommy) is that every time we go through a hardship, just thinking about her and going to see her brings tears to our eyes because of the love she has for us and the love we have for her. There have been times that we've cried together and she manages to stay so strong because her faith in our Saviour is so strong. There are times during those hard things, that, when we're with her, we don't even have to say anything to each other because being with her is more than enough. I don't know how to explain this love we have for each other because it is unlike any that exists between a grandmother and her grandchildren. She knows all about us, just like a mother would be with her own children, it's incredible. A mother is very protective of her children and would lay down her life for them, my memaw is the same way with her own children and with her grandchildren, I don't know how strong that protective mother instinct is found in grandmothers for their grandchildren. She and my mommy are the wisest women I know and I can go to them for everything and know that if something is meant to be kept just between us, it will forever be kept just between us. Spending time with her is a joy and a treasure, memories I will cherish forever. She and I are so alike in so many ways, it's almost unnatural...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
These women mean the world to me. They are nurturing, caring, loving, strong, and so many other good things. They are extraordinary women of faith and I'm so thankful for them.

God has truly blessed us.

Grace be with you.

S'Mores & "Merlin"

The time is 10:10pm and here I sit, leg up, in the dark, with the only light coming from my lap-top, and that, is how I like it. I meant to write a blog post earlier, but was otherwise engaged writing in one of my stories (I'm in the midst of writing 4) and then wasting too much time on Pinterest. Now, I have no e-mails to write, nothing new on Twitter or Facebook, so here I am. Regrettably the main thing I have been doing throughout all of this recuperating is watch movies, which isn't bad, I guess, since I can't really do anything else and ideas for stories don't often just flow right when you need/want them to. Besides, I rarely watch many movies, and I have some DVD's that I am unable to watch any other time, so why not?
One of the worst things about having surgery and not being able to get around or go anywhere is the fact that Mommy & I are missing Starbucks frappuccino happy hour, which makes me sad. Often they sound so good (ok, maybe they always sound so good....particularly java chip). Ah well, so goes life sometimes.
I am now enjoying my new bedding that Mommy, Daddy, & Chris just put on for me. The sheets are light pink and the comforter is burgundy and it is tufted. It all looks so pretty. And, of course, it wouldn't be the same without my Nani Bear and big Winnie The Pooh bear right next to me (yes, I'm 23 and still have to have stuffed bears on my bed...indeed, Nani Bear comes with me everywhere we go, he's been with me during my doctors' visits, surgeries, scans, chemotherapy, and radiation - I even created a fanpage for him on FB, which has 7 'likes', all of whom I know, indeed, I'm one of them, so clearly, I'm not showing off). I like to have my story journals on my bed, too, in case something pops in my mind that needs to be added.
The movies I've watched (over the course of 5 days) are as follows (some on Netflix, some are my DVD's, and 2 on YouTube):
"The Christmas Card" (about 4 times- DVD)
"The Parent Trap" (original and remake- DVD)
"The Parent Trap II" (DVD)
"Once Upon A Christmas" (DVD)
"Twice Upon A Christmas" (DVD)
"The Muppet Christmas Carol" (my favorite movie ever- DVD)
"A Princess For Christmas" (YouTube)
"Luther" (the story of Martin Luther- YouTube)
"Roman Holiday" (Netflix)
"Neverwas" (Netflix)
Then I've watched a few shows on Netflix. Just a few nights ago, I decided to rewatch "Merlin" (Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath) on Netflix, which I've been enjoying immensely; just as good the second time around.

Oh, just yesterday I was informed of some wonderful news that one of my best friends is preggers! I do so look forward to the baby's arrival (due December 15th)....even though we live miles apart and I won't be able to hold the baby for quite some time, regrettably. She and her hubby are going to be wonderful parents and I'm so happy for them!
I am also delighted because Manchester United have won the Premier League and Manchester City lost the FA Cup. Good tidings all around, save for Sir Alex Ferguson retiring from managing Manchester United after 26 years. Ah well, all good things must come to an end.

*Salutes*

It is now 11:10.

Grace be with you.

P.S. You can never go wrong with S'Mores, whether they're made over a fire or in the oven, they're delicious.

Posting this at about 11:32 because I have to read through anything I write online thoroughly at least twice before posting it.

Redecorating!!! (Cake & Ice Cream Is Always Good)

The past few weeks we have been redecorating my room. We are not done, but it's already looking beautiful. My walls are painted two of my favorite colors: the top is light pink and I (with the help of Mommy & Chris) stamped metallic pink roses on it and then the bottom half is a deep garnet. Mommy & Chris made a headboard for my bed by gluing two pieces of thick foam onto two pieces of wood and then we took some really pretty fabric and pinned it around the foam in the back and they nailed the wood to the wall behind my bed. It's just perfect and looks lovely. I spray painted my outlet covers gold and they look really nice. Mommy ordered some pretty, white lace curtains that we will eventually put up (I'll tell you why we can't really do anything in a mo) and then we'll sew some heavier curtains to put over the lace curtains. We got the fabric for the curtains at Wal-Mart, I loved it the moment I saw it and was sure it was going to be expensive, but it was only $1 a yard! We were amped about that. We also got some really pretty, light pink sheets at Wal-Mart and then my burgundy comforter (with bed skirt and pillow shams) arrived today and it will all look so pretty when they're put together!
We still have a bit of a ways to go, but it will look really pretty when it's all finished and I will finally have the room of my dreams. I do so look forward to it being finished and I can't wait to share pictures with you all!
Mommy & I are going to swag a pretty, burgundy tulle fabric around my room where the paint colors meet and she said she'll paint a gold line around the room where the colors meet, which will be really nice and will go quite well with my outlet covers.
Because I have a love (which is possibly an understatement) of Ireland, Mommy is going to paint one Celtic Trinity Knot on each wall in green and gold.
We have a shelf that I plan to paint pink to put on the wall so I can display my porcelain dolls on it.
You can never go wrong with a Victorian pink room (unless you're a guy, in which case it is disturbing).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The reason we are unable, at this time, to continue in the redecorating process is because I had surgery on my foot 2 days ago and so have been in bed a lot, with my foot up. It is getting a bit better, but I still can't bend it to walk on it very much.

A kind-of-friend of mine told me to have cake because it would make me feel better and a best friend of mine told me to have ice cream because it would make me feel better, so I had both together last night and am convinced that's part of the reason I feel better today....not really, but I like to think so anyway.

Always remember, you can never go wrong with cake and ice cream....or chocolate (unless it's white chocolate or, in most cases, milk chocolate; stick with dark chocolate).

YUM!!!

*Note* Picture not taken by me.

Grace be with you.