Invisible Savings

Breaking one of my unwritten rules here, I am posting this article on both blogs.

For the sake of context, though, I will tell you here that I have been shopping for a bookend or bookends for weeks now; I have a collection of writing-related books stacked on my desk, which I want organized bookshelf-style instead.  The price of $10 or more prevents me from buying a set of bookends, because I'd rather spend that $10 on food or clothes.

This morning I spent approximately 30 seconds from the time I Google searched "diy bookends" until I found the following brilliant idea at Lifehacker.com:

It works incredibly well, and I am at least $9.00 richer because of this hack.

What hacks are you employing lately?



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Did You Notice?

 This is ONLY for my regular readers and followers. . .ok, the rest of you can read this, also.  I was only teasing.  Who am I to discourage anyone from reading my little ol' blog?

  I chose a different blog template recently; did you notice?  I'd love your thoughts and feedback in regard to it.  I feel like I need change often, so my blog reflects that at times.


And today's random:

  I was grocery shopping this morning, using my re-usable shopping bag horde. The cashier who was waiting on me does NOT like the re-usable shopping bags.  I have been in her "line" before, and each time she comments offhandedly about how she does not like those bags.  Honestly I try to avoid her line because I know it pains her to wait on someone like me.  As far as that goes, I'd rather we both be enjoying the shopping experience as much as possible.  As I could not avoid being in her line (read that as not enough lines open), there I was.  She grudgingly greeted me, and I cheerily replied.  She began listlessly loading my frozen and cold items in one of my freezer bags; "great!" I silently cheered.  After she filled one of my "least of these" bags, I re-positioned my bag o' bags (whilst she was busy and NOT looking) with the other freezer bag on top and my best bags next; in her defense, the "least of these" was the next one in the pile.  I said nothing except cheerful thank-you's as we both endured the process -- me with a smile and her with lips in a grim line.  Then I heard her sadly mutter, "I don't pack these kinds of bags very well." My heart stirred with compassion for her -- silently I released blessings and peace over her.  And I am thankful that I was privileged to be in her line this morning.  She needed me and what I carry of the #Kingdom.  I needed her to stir my compassion and to give away what Jesus gave me.

  Someone once told me that I pick up on lots that is going on in a given situation, which seems to be true.  What I have realized is that I often misinterpret after the observation.  This morning I was reminded that even Paul did not always hear and discern correctly, (it's right there in The Book).  I need Holy Spirit and His gifts soooooo much!  Still a work in progress here:).

So, what do ya think about the new template?

What's your random from today?


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Creativity -- Yes, This is So

Renowned neuroscientist Alice Flaherty theorizes that the key biological ingredient in incubation is dopamine, the neurotransmitter released when we’re relaxed and comfortable. “People vary in terms of their level of creative drive,” writes Flaherty, “according to the activity of the dopamine pathways of the limbic system.” More relaxation, more dopamine. More dopamine, more creativity. http://www.openculture.com/2014/12/why-you-do-your-best-thinking-in-the-shower.html

 A life of doing the next thing and then the next thing and then the next thing without interruption robs me of creativity.  I was made in The Creator's Image and am wired to be creative.  Busyness is an attack on my very purpose and destiny.  I must make time, guard my time for relaxing and creating. 

May 2015 be the year of new beginnings.



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A new twist on an old recipe

 Gloriously I took time to bake yesterday.  Had I thought about it more I probably wouldn't have done so because I should have dashed out earlier in the afternoon than I did to do my shopping trip a day ahead of schedule; winter weather impending today means I want to be at home.  Because of the February birthdays, I tend to bake less in terms of random sweets during the month.  Hooray that March has arrived!

 On my last outing to Aldi about a month ago, I purchased white chocolate chips, dried cranberries and walnuts with this new cookie variation in mind.  I used my stand-by oatmeal cookie recipe from "Eat Well for $50 a Week" and stirred the additions in with love and care.

I had my dear hubbie in mind when I first baked this delectable cookie; he absolutely LOVES them!

As for the winter weather, we are still awaiting signs of it at our house.  May this be winter's last hurrah!  Organizing my unexpected at-home day for maximum productivity and life is my next challenge.

Cracking on...


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Dream

One of the amazing, creative people I am blessed to know has a God-sized dream she is pursuing.  Lisa Walsh's art is life-giving and inspiring and is on the cusp of advancing to new heights.  Join me in supporting her dream, please!




I admire Lisa for taking this step forward and am convinced that she is advancing.  It encourages me to hear the stories of people dreaming with God and beginning to move toward those dreams.  Thankfully I am beginning to "hear" the whispers of my dreams, long forgotten and abandoned; that encourages me greatly as well!  May we all take the time to sit in Father's lap and dream with Him.

What are your God-sized dreams?


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Knee Deep Still

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboards/wireless-touch-keyboard-k400#

What's up with me today and since last I blogged is school planning.  As a result my shoulders, neck and upper back are growing more and more stiff and sore.  I'm considering a wireless keyboard as a helpful, ergonomic solution.

You Make Me Come Alive!

Summer is seeping into my soul and spirit.  "This is what ya do...You make me come alive!"

I posted about my personal post-it notes passion earlier in May.  I am using a modified version of these ideas which I found here, though I've adapted it to my own needs.

Originally from http://jenhewett.blogspot.com/2011/02/msel-jen-hewett-guide-to-managing-it.html

May is here!  Our drama season is over and ended fabulously.  With only days of school left for the school year, we are all on tiptoes with anticipation for our summer break.  

I feel somewhat  disoriented and disorganized, as well as very much "behind" in regard to the things which I need and want to complete.  I must discover a method for keeping it all organized better.  I have lots of tools and ideas, but so far nothing "fits."    

Pinterest has offered some fabulous ideas that would feed my need to create, but which I am not certain will be useful in my situation.

From Cornflower Blue Studios

 And also:

 wisewittyteacher.blogspot.com

If I can figure out how to use these ideas, I do want to do so; I love post-it notes.



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Creation Nativity

Another pondersketch...

To view this in more detail click here.

If you would like a pdf copy to print out, please send a request and your email address by clicking the comments link below.

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Going Out on a Limb or O Christmas Tree

Really? Reading Deprivation Week?

If you've followed The Artist's Way, then you know what I am talking about in the title.  And if you haven't, it's self-explanatory, really.  Below is some verse I felt inspired to write as a response.  It's not really poetry, so if you don't like poetry, you might like this.

Lying in the bean bag chair,
My soul is crying, "not fair!"
Grocery list, calendar,
Clogging up my flow of words.

Dull responsibility,
Dull responsibility,
Clogging up my flow of words.

Reading deprivation - what?
To this instruction - "cannot!"
But I will try, crazy week.
It is breakthrough that I seek.

Dull responsibility,
Dull responsibility,
It is breakthrough that I seek.

Finding rest while moving fast.
Making gold from seeing past.
Sounding like my perfect plan.
Forming gold from wood and sand.

Oh responsibility,
Sweet responsibility,
Forming gold from wood and sand.



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