Here it is, November 21st, the day before Thanksgiving and the weather has done one of it's incredible flip-flops so famous here in the midwest. Yesterday, I am not kidding you, I was outside around noon in a short sleeved T-shirt, in the shade, as comfortable as can be. Today, it is 32 degrees out there, the north wind is blowing something fierce, and bringing with it sleet and a bit of snow. My trampoline is sporting a nice white coat.
Just perfect for Thanksgiving! Over the river and through the woods is one of my favorite songs this time of year. It was cold back in Grandma's day by Thanksgiving time. Time for a warm fire, hot cocoa and a good game of Scrabble. Ok, I haven't played Scrabble for years. How about Life? Or Monopoly? Or Sorry! Forget it, I need a Wii.
Angelia
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Holiday Hectivity
Ah, it's the holidays. I know Thanksgiving is still six days away, but for many, it begins this weekend. If you are like me, you have family spread out and it takes time to fit in, if not all, than as many as you can.
Today is my kids' school's Thanksgiving Lunch. My husband was supposed to go, but was told last night as he was leaving for his much anticipated three-day weekend that they needed him back. So I called in to my job, found a substitute and I will be eating with the kids. NBD, except we also had other things on our plate, including taking the car in for repairs over the weekend while we are gone. We'll still do that, but on the way out of town.
I bored you with that little insight into my daily life to illustrate how hectic the holidays can be. I need to set up lights outside the house and the weather, on cue, brings in cold windy days. OK, enough complaining for one day.
I added a few of my favorite links. My Utmost is the daily devotional by Oswald Chambers. It was compiled about 100 years ago, but still so relevant today. I also added Mustard Seed Ministries, and, as promised, the interactive weaving site from the House of Tartan.
I particularly liked My Utmost today. I've been feeling a bit dry spiritually. I know why, I haven't been practicing my spiritual disciplines like I should. So, I'm going for a walk right now. It's time to pray because the Lord and I have some catching up to do. Have a great weekend!
Angelia
Today is my kids' school's Thanksgiving Lunch. My husband was supposed to go, but was told last night as he was leaving for his much anticipated three-day weekend that they needed him back. So I called in to my job, found a substitute and I will be eating with the kids. NBD, except we also had other things on our plate, including taking the car in for repairs over the weekend while we are gone. We'll still do that, but on the way out of town.
I bored you with that little insight into my daily life to illustrate how hectic the holidays can be. I need to set up lights outside the house and the weather, on cue, brings in cold windy days. OK, enough complaining for one day.
I added a few of my favorite links. My Utmost is the daily devotional by Oswald Chambers. It was compiled about 100 years ago, but still so relevant today. I also added Mustard Seed Ministries, and, as promised, the interactive weaving site from the House of Tartan.
I particularly liked My Utmost today. I've been feeling a bit dry spiritually. I know why, I haven't been practicing my spiritual disciplines like I should. So, I'm going for a walk right now. It's time to pray because the Lord and I have some catching up to do. Have a great weekend!
Angelia
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Short on Time
OK, it's Day 3 and I decided to add a few elements to my blogsite, but they are not working like I wanted. I will tell you about this really cool site, but first a bit of background. My last name is Scottish and I found a Scottish shop on the web that makes tartans. I found my clan's tartan and ordered some incredibly soft scarves for Christmas. Well, I just got an email from them and they have on their website a "Design your own Tartan" program. So I did! And I wanted to make it the background of my Title, so I followed the editing steps, and it imported it, but it was huge! I really want it to be the same size as it is now, just with my one-of-a-kind tartan design behind it. I also wanted to add it to the bottom of the blogsite, and the "size to fit" box was checked, but did it size to fit? NO! So I'll have to fiddle with it when I have more time.
Another assignment to the CWG is due. It is about Humorous Articles. I was supposed to write something funny. I don't know if it's funny. I like it, but who knows, really? So, being brave, I am adding it to today's blog for your reading pleasure.
I had to clean my house the other day. My kids were naming and feeding the dust bunnies, so I figured it was time.
I always plan my housework because I hate it and planning is pure procrastination. Then I make a to-do list. Lists are procrastination in disguise because I feel like I am working when all I am doing is confirming that I’m totally overwhelmed.
Today’s houses are big and that means more to clean. Someday I am going to move into a three-room house: Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. That’s all anybody really needs. A place to eat, sleep and skip to the loo.
Alas, I had no more excuses and I reached for the vacuum. Immediately I ran smack into a big pile of kid’s stuff on the floor by the front door. Backpacks and jackets and an assortment of shoes to rival Imelda Marcos. The hall closet is right there, but it is stuffed full of coats and the vacuum cleaner. Would it be tacky to pull the vacuum cleaner out and hang stuff on it? The answer is obvious: I cannot, absolutely cannot vacuum until I buy something to fix this problem. It is as self-evident as the Declaration of Independence.
I love Bed, Bath and Beyond. I can escape house cleaning and still be housekeeping. Surrounded by sky-high stacks of everything household, I searched for some kind of thing that would solve my backpack/shoe problem. I ended up with a toothbrush holder (purple and silver, so cute) and a cool black-framed corkboard to replace the ugly one I have up now. Onward.
I hit a couple of duds: An overpriced furniture store and a “discount” store that hikes up prices so they can lower them down to normal and claim a 60% savings. And people buy stuff there. “Oh look at this thingy-majigger I bought. It was priced at $80.00 and I got it for only $39.99!” Whatever, I just saw the same thing at Cheapo-Mart for $19.99.
Right next to the “discount” store was one of the stores on my No-No List. My No-No List is the mental list of stores where I love everything, but the price of one item would require a mortgage refi. The No-No lists commands obedience, but this was about duty and duty required that if I was ever to vacuum again, I must visit the store.
So I gleefully strode into the store and there it was: My Ultra Fashionable Solution. I swear I heard a choir singing and an angelic glow emitting from it. I knew this store would be my salvation. The clerk even gave me pointers. Take that discount store and Cheapo-Mart! This store knows the meaning of style.
They also know how to charge. Carefully and ever so gently laying down the price tag, I backed away and made my escape behind the Christmas wreaths display. Within the confines of my Camry, the No-No had its way with me.
“You shouldn’t have gone to that store.”
“I know, No-No, I’m sorry.”
“What else?”
“You, No-No List, are my friend and protector. You are here to make sure I do not blow my whole budget on overpriced, but incredibly fashionable, and did I mention practical . . .?”
“Ahem.”
“I mean, thank you, No-No List, for being there.”
“So are you going home to vacuum?”
“Yes. Can I whack those dumb dust bunnies on the head with my extension wand?”
“Whack away.”
The house was cleaned that day and the dust bunnies were safely incarcerated in the Hoover. I even swabbed the place down with bleach water. But the Ultra Fashionable Solution? Rest assured the dream has not died. It will be on my Christmas List. Just don’t tell the No-No.
That's all for today--really, it's enough.
Angelia
Another assignment to the CWG is due. It is about Humorous Articles. I was supposed to write something funny. I don't know if it's funny. I like it, but who knows, really? So, being brave, I am adding it to today's blog for your reading pleasure.
Me and My No-No
I had to clean my house the other day. My kids were naming and feeding the dust bunnies, so I figured it was time.
I always plan my housework because I hate it and planning is pure procrastination. Then I make a to-do list. Lists are procrastination in disguise because I feel like I am working when all I am doing is confirming that I’m totally overwhelmed.
Today’s houses are big and that means more to clean. Someday I am going to move into a three-room house: Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. That’s all anybody really needs. A place to eat, sleep and skip to the loo.
Alas, I had no more excuses and I reached for the vacuum. Immediately I ran smack into a big pile of kid’s stuff on the floor by the front door. Backpacks and jackets and an assortment of shoes to rival Imelda Marcos. The hall closet is right there, but it is stuffed full of coats and the vacuum cleaner. Would it be tacky to pull the vacuum cleaner out and hang stuff on it? The answer is obvious: I cannot, absolutely cannot vacuum until I buy something to fix this problem. It is as self-evident as the Declaration of Independence.
I love Bed, Bath and Beyond. I can escape house cleaning and still be housekeeping. Surrounded by sky-high stacks of everything household, I searched for some kind of thing that would solve my backpack/shoe problem. I ended up with a toothbrush holder (purple and silver, so cute) and a cool black-framed corkboard to replace the ugly one I have up now. Onward.
I hit a couple of duds: An overpriced furniture store and a “discount” store that hikes up prices so they can lower them down to normal and claim a 60% savings. And people buy stuff there. “Oh look at this thingy-majigger I bought. It was priced at $80.00 and I got it for only $39.99!” Whatever, I just saw the same thing at Cheapo-Mart for $19.99.
Right next to the “discount” store was one of the stores on my No-No List. My No-No List is the mental list of stores where I love everything, but the price of one item would require a mortgage refi. The No-No lists commands obedience, but this was about duty and duty required that if I was ever to vacuum again, I must visit the store.
So I gleefully strode into the store and there it was: My Ultra Fashionable Solution. I swear I heard a choir singing and an angelic glow emitting from it. I knew this store would be my salvation. The clerk even gave me pointers. Take that discount store and Cheapo-Mart! This store knows the meaning of style.
They also know how to charge. Carefully and ever so gently laying down the price tag, I backed away and made my escape behind the Christmas wreaths display. Within the confines of my Camry, the No-No had its way with me.
“You shouldn’t have gone to that store.”
“I know, No-No, I’m sorry.”
“What else?”
“You, No-No List, are my friend and protector. You are here to make sure I do not blow my whole budget on overpriced, but incredibly fashionable, and did I mention practical . . .?”
“Ahem.”
“I mean, thank you, No-No List, for being there.”
“So are you going home to vacuum?”
“Yes. Can I whack those dumb dust bunnies on the head with my extension wand?”
“Whack away.”
The house was cleaned that day and the dust bunnies were safely incarcerated in the Hoover. I even swabbed the place down with bleach water. But the Ultra Fashionable Solution? Rest assured the dream has not died. It will be on my Christmas List. Just don’t tell the No-No.
That's all for today--really, it's enough.
Angelia
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Day 2
Well, here I am again. I couldn't help it, something about posting my thoughts here yesterday on the Internet for everyone to see was so freeing. I figure no one has actually read my blog yet, I certainly haven't had time to tell anyone about it, but there it is, sitting there for someone, someday to read.
Isn't that just a basic human need, to be heard? I think that is why writing draws so many in. Whether you are a published writer, write a blog, write emails or letters, or just write your private thoughts down in your diary or journal, there's power in thoughts turned into words on paper.
It's also a bit scary. What if someone thinks what you wrote is bunk and zaps a critical response? What if someone gets ahold of your private journal and reads it? You know, someday someone will, even if you've been dead 100 years. Finding journals of ancestors is a major historical find, something full of treasures. But did that person ever think, "Well, someday one of my descendants is going to find this and read it." No, or they would not of put some of the stuff in that they did! But those most private and human thoughts are true treasures, leaping through time as if it were mere wind and connecting us all through shared human experience. It is my sincere belief that we are all more the same than different, whether we are 21st century newbies or the people of ancient Rome. Cultures may change, but human needs, dreams, talents, skills, sins and weaknesses still prevail.
So here I am, putting my thoughts out in cyberspace, along with millions of others. What will our descendants, 100 years from now, think of all of us?
Angelia
Isn't that just a basic human need, to be heard? I think that is why writing draws so many in. Whether you are a published writer, write a blog, write emails or letters, or just write your private thoughts down in your diary or journal, there's power in thoughts turned into words on paper.
It's also a bit scary. What if someone thinks what you wrote is bunk and zaps a critical response? What if someone gets ahold of your private journal and reads it? You know, someday someone will, even if you've been dead 100 years. Finding journals of ancestors is a major historical find, something full of treasures. But did that person ever think, "Well, someday one of my descendants is going to find this and read it." No, or they would not of put some of the stuff in that they did! But those most private and human thoughts are true treasures, leaping through time as if it were mere wind and connecting us all through shared human experience. It is my sincere belief that we are all more the same than different, whether we are 21st century newbies or the people of ancient Rome. Cultures may change, but human needs, dreams, talents, skills, sins and weaknesses still prevail.
So here I am, putting my thoughts out in cyberspace, along with millions of others. What will our descendants, 100 years from now, think of all of us?
Angelia
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Welcome to Home Word Bound
My name is Angelia Crawford and welcome to my blogsite. This is my very first blog, I know I'm a little late in the whole blog scene, but I hope you'll find my blog comfy cozy.
Just a bit about myself: I am a thirty-something mother of two school-aged girls and married now for 13 years. I have a Bachelor's in History and worked in the legal field for nine years before coming home. I now fill my life with wonderful things: family, friends, and faith.
I am a freelance writer just beginning in the business. I have a devotional posted at http://www.mustardseedministries.org (look for Lonely Places) and will have an article published in the Dollar Stretcher in Spring 2009.
I chose Home Word Bound as my blogsite title because I feel it best describes me. I discovered that I am such a homebody, I love words and the Word and I feel it's been a long journey home for me, both my temporal home and coming home to the Lord.
I'm a member of the Christian Writers Guild and am taking their apprentice course. That means that every two weeks I have an assignment due and the whole course will run the gamut of writing types. Right now I am finishing up the article section and then I will dive into non-fiction. Then, finally, we will deal with fiction, which is one of my main interests.
I don't know how often I'll blog, but I'd like to blog everyday, although every week may be more achievable. I also don't know the content, it'll probably be whatever is going on in my life, which is family, faith, friends and the writing life.
I hope you all enjoy the site!
Just a bit about myself: I am a thirty-something mother of two school-aged girls and married now for 13 years. I have a Bachelor's in History and worked in the legal field for nine years before coming home. I now fill my life with wonderful things: family, friends, and faith.
I am a freelance writer just beginning in the business. I have a devotional posted at http://www.mustardseedministries.org (look for Lonely Places) and will have an article published in the Dollar Stretcher in Spring 2009.
I chose Home Word Bound as my blogsite title because I feel it best describes me. I discovered that I am such a homebody, I love words and the Word and I feel it's been a long journey home for me, both my temporal home and coming home to the Lord.
I'm a member of the Christian Writers Guild and am taking their apprentice course. That means that every two weeks I have an assignment due and the whole course will run the gamut of writing types. Right now I am finishing up the article section and then I will dive into non-fiction. Then, finally, we will deal with fiction, which is one of my main interests.
I don't know how often I'll blog, but I'd like to blog everyday, although every week may be more achievable. I also don't know the content, it'll probably be whatever is going on in my life, which is family, faith, friends and the writing life.
I hope you all enjoy the site!
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