Thrifty Treasures: Happy Feet!

I LOVE thrift stores!

Most of my cutest clothes have come from a resale shop of some sort.

A couple weekends ago I went 'shopping' and came across some great finds!

Look what I found at Goodwill for only $3!

A cute, practically brand new pair of vintage look leather oxfords!

The cute, slightly ruffled-cut edge details gives them a little femanine

flair to offset their comfortable, low healed and practical style.

I was looking for a pair of more sensible dancing shoes

for all of the swing dancing I've been doing lately,

and think these are just the thing!

See, they still had the stickers on the bottom of the souls!

I have never heard of this brand of shoes, have any of you?


And then my other happy feet shoe find was a steel!

One of our local thrift stores had a bag sale (don't you love those?!)
so mom and I went to see what we could find.

We both found some nice things, all together we got 17 items
(stuffed into one brown paper bag) for $3!
Among the items I got was this pair of shoes, again, they looked hardly worn in!

These are such a versatile color I can wear them almost anything!
Although...I did see a blogger recently who took a pair of shoes
like this and dyed them!
Here is the link to her blog and the adorable shoes.

Hmmm....I've been wanting a pair of red shoes....???

BUT, I have to confess, I have a slight issue with these adorable shoes.
Even though they are the right fit (even slightly on the tight side)
my feet keep popping out the backs!
I already tried putting the little gel-thingies on the heels and
even in the front where the pad of my foot rests, but to no avail.

Any suggestions?

Do you think I should dye these, or leave them?

I'd love to hear from you!

~Me~

Summer Reading List!

Ahhh.

Even though I've been out of school for years, and my day to day is the same summer or fall, there is still something about the allure and adventure of summer.


It breathes a slower pace, a brighter day, a virbrant life. Summer.

In that spirit I have been inspired to compile a Summer Reading List (which, according to the number of books I have on it, might more aptly be called my 2012 reading list). This list consists of books aimed at getting me closer to who I want to be, what I want to know and maybe a couple far away places I can "travel" to this summer.

My goals to accomplish through my reading list were these:

1) I wanted to find a role model, a 'hero' so to speak. So many people have historical or famous people they look up to, modeling their lives and actions after those of their idol. I realized that I don't have a person like that! I know, right?! But really, I don't have a certain person that has really inspired me. So- I'm going to find one this summer.

2) Gain knowledge of other countries, cultures, religions etc.  I already shared with y'all my love of India, but sadly, I don't know much about the culture, people or country. Since I can't really afford to make a trip there this summer, I can maybe travel there through some Indian literature and geography books. A different kind of Indian Summer. :)

3) Recover my heart: stronger sense of strength and purpose in the Lord  I want to always grow forward and be moving in the direction God has for me and I recently realized I had gotten a bit burnt out and lost a lot of my 'heart'. I want to recover it and grow closer to His.


In moving closer to these goals I have been in search of good books!

Last week I went thrift shopping (I hope to soon be sharing some of my fun finds!) and among my purchases was an exileratingly exciting stack of books! Some of them are for future reading and aren't priority for this summer, but several of them are.

Here is my list (so far).

Summer Reading List 2012

* In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado (just barely started this)

* The Great Eight by Scott Hamilton (AHH!! I grew up obsessed with ice skating and this man was the greatest! This book is about his faith, battle through cancer and living in the spot light and staying happy and positive through it all. I am really looking forward to reading this one!)

*The Great Divorce and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis ( one of my favorite authors)

* Revolution In World Missions by K.P. Yohannan (a look into missions and life in India)

* Katha: Short Stories By Indian Women (a look into the life of Indian women, their culture, their literature style and some of their legends.)

*Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs (about the needs of men and women in a healthy marriage relationship. It is always good to learn as much as one can in preparation.)

as well as....

* Appointment in Jerusalem by Lydie and Derek Prince
*Adam and His Kin by Ruth Beechick
*Praying Hyde by Basil Miller (a story of a Indian MIssionary)
* Dare to Desire and/or Journey to Desire by John Eldredge
*Crazy Love by Francis Chan
*The Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
*How to Argue Like Jesus by Joe Carter and John Coleman

Some of these titles I have yet to purchase (we have a tiny library!).

So, there is my list! Goodness! I had better get cracking!

Do you have any suggestions?

What are some books that have really impacted your life?

I'd love to hear from you!

~Me~

Monday Melodies: Marie's Wedding

Get yer swingin' dress on and grab yer las er laddy

'cause this is a great jig to do a tourn aboot the room to. :)

I've danced to this song a couple times now
and it is great fun. You can't help wantin' to stomp yer boots.


Go ahead. Hit repeat.
Enjoy!

~Me~

Monday Melodies: What Are Words

Wow.

What to say.

This song nearly makes me cry ever time.

It isn't just the words....it is how they are sung...

not just from the heart, cause that is emotions,

but rather, from the soul.

This artist was an American Idol contestant, so some of you may

have heard of his story from that.

 (Click Here  for a YouTube video, it isn't the best quality,

it is his audition video, but it gives his story.)

It is a tender, traggic story, and it is from

the deapth of that experience that he is able to sing this song, this way.

This is the deep, devoted love of a man for a woman.

Beautiful.

It brings to mind another love,

a deeper, deathly devoted love...

the love of our Saviour Jesus.

Listen a second time and imagine He is singing this song over you.

Take His words to heart.

He took them to the cross.

~Me~

What Are Words by Chris Medina

Anywhere you are, I am near
Anywhere you go, I'll be there
Anytime you whisper my name
You'll see

How every single promise I'll keep
'Cause what kind of guy would I be
If I was to leave
When you need me most?

What are words
If you really don't mean them when you say them?
What are words
If they're only for good times, then they don't?

When it's love
Yeah, you say them out loud
Those words, they never go away
They live on, even when we're gone

And I know an angel was sent
Just for me and I know I'm meant
To be where I am
And I'm gonna be

Standing right beside her tonight
And I'm gonna be by your side
I would never leave
When she needs me most

What are words
If you really don't mean them when you say them?
What are words
If they're only for good times, then they don't?

When it's love
Yeah, you say them out loud
Those words, they never go away
They live on, even when we're gone

Anywhere you are, I am near
Anywhere you go, I'll be there
And I'm gonna be here
Forever more

Every single promise I keep
'Cause what kind of guy would I be
If I was to leave
When you need me most?

I'm forever keeping my angel close

Monday Melodies: Suitcases

School is over.

Summer is here!

Some folks are probably headed out road tripping and vacationing.

People are packing suitcases.

You may not be carrying a literal suitcase, but in this life

we all pick up burdens and carry things we aren't supposed to bear alone.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to go where

those suitcases are headed.

Like the song says, "there's a better way".

Drop those suitcases of burden, worry and fear and

RUN into the arms of your Father God.

~Me~

Suitcases by Dara Maclean

How can you move when they're weighing you down
What can you do when you're tied to the ground, yeah
You carry your burdens, heavy like gravity
Just let them go now, there's freedom in release

You can't run when you're holding suitcases
It's a new day throw away your mistakes
And open up your heart, lay down your guard,
You don't have to be afraid

Just breathe, your load can be lifted
There's a better way when you know you're forgiven
Open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don't have to be afraid

Can you imagine what it's like to be free, ooh
Well, send those bags packing, they're not what you need, ooh
Abandon your troubles by the side of the street
Just let them go now, believe me

You can't run when you're holding suitcases
It's a new day throw away your mistakes
And open up your heart, lay down your guard,
You don't have to be afraid

Just breathe, your load can be lifted
There's a better way when you know you're forgiven
Open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don't have to be afraid

There's nothing holding you back now, just run

You can't run when you're holding suitcases
It's a new day throw away your mistakes
And open up your heart, lay down your guard,
You don't have to be afraid

Just breathe, your load can be lifted
There's a better way when you know you're forgiven
Open up your heart, lay down your guard
You don't have to be,
You don't have to be afraid

You don't have to be afraid

A Liter of Light

Oh my goodness!

I just came across this video today while doing some Pinterest surfing

(not sure how I stumbled upon this one exactly...it was one of those bunny trails.)

I have not heard of seen of this being done before, but what a greatly brilliant discovery!

A cheap way to generate light from recycled bottles and liquids we all have

around the house!

Granted this wouldn't be quite so easy to incorporate here in the US

considering our house structures and the huge roofs we have,

BUT,

this is still a very useful thing to know in the event of economic changes

or

an outreach a church group could do while on a missions trip!

Anyway....

My mind was illuminated with this video,

Enjoy!

~Me~



Waka Waka Dance

This song couldn't wait until next Monday, I wanted to share it with you now!

My good friend (the one I did the Henna with) shared this song with me

last week and I have been listening to it lots since.

It has a great beat and it is fun to watch

some of the African style dancing.

BUT...

I took it a 'step' further than that and found some dance videos

so I can could do my own dancing!

I found lots of dance routines and tutorials to this song,

but I am sharing the ones I thought had the best moves and video quality.

Zumba dance moves!

This one was a little bit harder to follow the moves,

but I love the beginning steps and motion and

the waka waka part is more like the official

music video.

This one has some interesting moves too.

I think this may be my new exercise routine!

So get warmed up and

d*a*n*c*e!

~Me~

Dogs and Gardening: The Larger Four Legged Pests

I nearly cry....

nearly scream.

A strange sensation comes over me, a sinking feeling with an odd mixture of righteous anger.

After hours of searching for the perfect plants, enduring numerous frustrating online checkout sessions, digging, laying, digging, layering, and finally placing not just seeds and flowers, but dreams and visions into fertile dirt, it comes to THIS!!

A hole.

A big whopping, dog sized hole right in the middle of my hard work. Not to mention disturbing the area where my disappointingly minuscule and precious few Wishbone and Perennial Primrose seeds were planted.

*Sigh*

I had doubts they would grow as soon as I pulled out the tiny, Barbie doll sized envelope containing 25 (yes, they specified 25! How they counted I have no idea) seeds the size of a grain of salt...smaller, actually. And NOW, I might as well give up watching for them.

BUT!!

All is not lost!

After a good 4-Wheel ride, a walk in my cowboy boots (an empowering feeling I must say, why don't I wear them more often?!) the ingenuitive fighter arose in me once again!

Knowing I wasn't the only one to have struggled with this, I turned to the ultimate source of information....the Internet.

My findings were very interesting and gave me hope that I could solve this problem without giving up on my flowers OR banishing the dogs.

10 Tips for Keeping Dogs Out of Flower Beds

One of our three dogs, Joyce, enjoying some shaded seeting.

1. Mothballs-  Dogs apparently hate the smell of mothballs, but then again, doesn't everyone!


2. Their own poo-  I found lots of sources that said this worked great for them. The reason being is dogs will not do their duty in the same place they sleep and lie down, so if they are laying in your flower beds, this is a good way to keep them out. I'm not entirely fond of the idea of doggy poo in my flower bed tho 0_o


3. Orange Peelings-  another scent repellent dogs don't like, however this one is much easier on our own noses, and probably pretty good for our growing flowers. Just throw your orange peelings around the flower bed and reportedly dogs should stay clear.


4. MOUSE TRAPS!- I'll admit, this one sure caught my fancy at the time, granted I was still a little perturbed. People say they have used this trick for teaching dogs to stay off their furniture as well, although in those cases they hide the mouse trap under a couch pillow so when it goes off it won't hurt the dog. I'm not sure how one would accomplish that in an outdoor garden setting ( I have yet to see someone use pillows in their flower bed decor.) One person suggested tying string to the straps and somehow rigging it so the dogs would trip the string before actually sitting/stepping on the trap, merely providing the scare and startle of the trap without the pain.


5. Chili powder, Cayenne or Black Pepper- Dogs always sniff out an are before laying down. Sprinkle a bit of one of these three hot choices in your flower bed and the dog will go away pretty quickly. (Mom thought this was mean, I though, hey, dogs are smart, once may be all it takes, and if it works, then good.)


6. Rocks- This is actually the method that my brother (the official garden guru around here) uses in his flower beds. He fills them with old farming equipment and rocks. These uncomfortable


7. Sticks-  To make your flower beds less inviting and comfortable to your pooch, grab some twigs or skewers (as used for making kabobs) and poke them into the flower bed, spaced close enough together so there isn't a comfy dirt patch exposed. You don't need sharp sticks, just a protruding object so the 'bed' isn't comfy (think the Princess and the Pea).


8. Vinegar-  Again, dogs don't like the strong smell of this all around wonderfully useful liquid. Simply spray undiluted vinegar around the perimeter of the flower bed. I went ahead and sprayed it lightly on the soil inside on the 'problem area', the special spot they like to return to. I don't know if the vinegar would harm the plants or not, so I didn't spray it all over inside.


9. Half full water bottles-  This one sounds pretty strange, but I came across person after person that swears this works! No idea why, but over and over it warded off unwanted puppy dog in their beds and on their lawns. All they did was take old water bottle (pop bottles) filled them half full with water, then laid them on their sides scattered around the flower bed or around the perimeter of their yard to keep out strays who liked to leave little gifts.


and finally....


10. Give them their OWN place- The reason our canine friends are sleeping in our flower beds is because they are looking for a cool, shaded place to nap. Create that same environment somewhere they CAN lie down: wet down the grass under the shade of a tree, create a separate plant bed for them that you don't mind getting a little tousled, or make up a sand box in a shaded place and keep it moist.

So there you have it!

I have already implemented orange peels and a vinegar spray around my afore mentioned flower bed. It has been a whole day and so far the perpetrator hasn't returned! It was only 80 degrees F today (a cool spell!) and cloudy so it doesn't mean much just yet. The real test will be a hot, sunny day when the temperatures reach a squelching 100+ F!

I'll let you know how goes the battle in the near future! In the mean time, good luck and happy gardening!

~Me~

Monday Melodies: I Can't Help Myself

Here is a good oldie that you can't help but DANCE TO!

I'm sitting on my bed writing this and listening to it and I'm dancing,

so even if you are sitting in your computer chair,

get a little groove on and

enjoy!

~Me~

I Can't Help Myself by the Four Tops