We are Bushwhackin' Locust Exterminators

Last night we did a little yardwork after dinner. I am convinced that doing yardwork in Texas is warfare. Man against the elements: amazon insects, tree-like weeds, rocks like boulders and soil you could break your skull on . . .

This a a picture of what remains of the red-leaf bush that was growing out of control, right by our driveway. Said bush (prior to the shave) would give you a scratchy 'hello' each time you tried to squeeze by. Its time was up - fear the man who has an electric saw.



While cutting this beastly bush down, a saw a nasty, absolutely curse-like locust on the prowl. Haven whacked the thing till it was flying at a limp and then a eager grackle (a bird which I normally HATE) swooped down and caught the ugly nasty thing in its beak, midair. . .



Ahh, life in Texas is ALWAYS exciting ;)

Letters to my heart

Why do you still yet yearn, this heart of mine?

Why do you still want when you are not in need of anything? He has given an abundance and you still desire an abundance. You feel like everything you have could be even better. But how would you know? You are not Wisdom, you do not know the numbers of sand upon the seashore, or hairs upon the head.
Has He not led you? Has He not protected and provided for you? Has He ever let you go?

Genesis 32:4

He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He.

Trust in His time - Trust in His promises - Trust in the plans that He has for you.

Hues of the Blues

Has anyone ever read the 'Streams in the Desert' devotional?

*I remember grabbing this from my mom's bookshelf during a family crisis situation in high school. I couldn't put it down. I would read one day's devotional, then turn the page to the next. It is such a good soul soaking in times of duress and trial.

I found that it is posted online as well, here. Today's seemed especially appropriate.

*Service of Waiting*

"After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithyma: but the Spirit suffered them not" (Acts 16:7).

What a strange prohibition! These men were going into Bithynia just to do Christ's work, and the door is shut against them by Christ's own Spirit. I, too, have experienced this in certain moments. I have sometimes found myself interrupted in what seemed to me a career of usefulness. Opposition came and forced me to go back, or sickness came and compelled me to retire into a desert apart.

It was hard at such times to leave my work undone when I believed that work to be the service of the Spirit. But I came to remember that the Spirit has not only a service of work, but a service of waiting. I came to see that in the Kingdom of Christ there are not only times for action, but times in which to forbear acting. I came to learn that the desert place apart is often the most useful spot in the varied life of man--more rich in harvest than the seasons in which the corn and wine abounded. I have been taught to thank the blessed Spirit that many a darling Bithynia had to be left unvisited by me.

And so, Thou Divine Spirit, would I still be led by Thee. Still there come to me disappointed prospects of usefulness. Today the door seems to open into life and work for Thee; tomorrow it closes before me just as I am about to enter.

Teach me to see another door in the very inaction of the hour. Help me to find in the very prohibition thus to serve Thee, a new opening into Thy service. Inspire me with the knowledge that a man may at times be called to do his duty by doing nothing, to work by keeping still, to serve by waiting. When I remember the power of the "still small voice," I shall not murmur that sometimes the Spirit suffers me not to go. --George Matheson

"When I cannot understand my Father's leading,
And it seems to be but hard and cruel fate,
I Still I hear that gentle whisper ever
pleading,God is working, God is faithful, ONLY WAIT."

Angels All Around

God certainly is watching out for us, even when we are stupid. This morning was no exception.

I was driving down a slick farm road this morning, Hector in tow, happily listening to music and getting a little distracted with doggie's antics - a good set-up for an accident. And yes, I did have one.

I really can't remember all that happened. . . all I remember was that I lost complete control of the car (due to a slick spot), and was spinning both directions, all over two lanes and then collided my back-end into a tree in a ditch. . . it was scary. All I remember was spinning and crashing, shaking and trying not to panic.

God was right there - a tow truck was driving by as this all happened, and pulled over immediately to help me. A kind lady in a minivan offered to drive me and my frazzled dog wherever we needed to go. I just had to sit in the car and collect myself (even though the car was sunk in the wet earth and stuck). The tow truck driver got it out of the ditch for me and there was no significant damage other than tree-branch scratches and a banged up rear back light.

I am so thankful for this thing called life. God protects us from ourselves, other people, and gives us all kinds of things in life to make us realize how mortal we are, how needy and how frail we are. He gives us tattooed good Samaritans, understanding and loving husbands, and angels all around us.
I am still so shaky - what if my airbags had gone off, what if I had a baby in the backseat, what kind of driver am I??? I take everything for granted so easily. I am so thankful He keeps me safe.

Life is precious. Drive safe.

An Evening of Lipizzaner Stallions

Last night was positively magical. Bright spotlights, gleaming coats of shimmery white, flowing manes, and artistic footwork. A horse ballet, basically.

The events began in steps of two



And then, of course, steps of three



One more was added, for steps of four







We had some exiting extras




And masterful 'airs'







A Tribute to the Calvary






Coats of Red and Coats of White



Top Hats and glitter, adorning Andulusians









Truly, a night to remember



Go to The World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions Site for their history and beautiful movements.

Sleep-in Saturday?

After a long & particularly stressful week for us, we were looking forward to some log-sawing this morning. . .
I was awakened by our 11 month old whining for love and attention. . . this dog is currently our future 'baby training' I guess - although, you can't exactly put your baby outside and leave him ;)

Well, anyway. . . it was 5:30 am - dog was whining and barking and yipping, a combination not very conducive to sleeping in. Groggily, I let Hector out - loved him up with belly scratching, ear-rubbing, and squeaky toying. . . I put a smear of peanut butter in his Zoink (its a kong, basically) and tucked him back in for at least a few more hours of sleepytime. . . (please).
Half an hour later, the interest he had in the zoink had dissapated - he is quickly finding a way to lick all the peanut butter out in 10 minutes. . .
Hubby did the duty this time - he just put him outside and gave him an early breakfast. . . I didn't hear any more peeps after that.

The next time I woke up, I was alone in bed and it was 9am. . . hmmm. . . I wandered downstairs to find my industrious hubby making waffles - oops. . . I stumbled upon breakfast in bed. . . I went back upstairs and waited till minutes later, hubby arrived with steaming cups of coffee, and plates of heart-shaped waffles - ahh. . . he's such a romantic. . .

We are doing some yard work & I am uploading pics from last night's event. . .

Life outside the city

It's GRAND . . .

We have discovered that we live in quite a pleasant neighborhood. Quaint little houses in neat rows, at least two lush trees in every yard, and families everywhere. How refreshing to be in a neighborhood & not a noisy apartment complex :) (Our previous residence began to be a big headache the last few months).
Evenings here come with cool breezes and light rain - perhaps this is just a 'spring thing', but I am savoring every moment - throwing open the windows and drinking in deep breaths of fresh air - perhaps catching a whiff or two of Austin (as gusts like to blow from that general direction).
We love taking Heck on night time walks in the neighborhood - its been great exercise for us chubbies too ;) He is getting used to life on the leash & in the crate. Every day gets a little bit better. Less fighting and more submission (this is good) :) He is a chewer - (yes, you guys were right). He tore up the swing canvas, and mangled two tiki torches (left by previous owners, so thankfully, no great attachments). Well, anyway, we are working on it. He's still too cute to kill though, & is quite obedient in all other areas.

Our commutes to work have flip-flopped - I am on the longer route now, so at day's end, I have to gear up mentally for the traff-ICKY, 45+ minute jaunt home. Haven gets a nice 20 minute drive ;) He gets to feed the dog and preheat the oven though, so all is fair -

Well, I am bushed - work and the week are catching up. Tomorrow, we are going to Austin to see the Lipizzaner stallions. I am so excited - I have ALWAYS wanted to see them perform! I will take pics!

Love to you all!

Bienvenue :)

Here they are, at last: PICTURES - more posts of backyard and dog forthcoming. :)

Essentials :)

Doorbell


Welcome
Brightening the Doorstep


Front
Front, Again


Entry
This is Hector :) His grin & waggy tail will greet you


Fireplace (& corner still-in-progress)

Living Room

Dining Room

Kitchen


Stairway

Loft

Guest Room - with Ocean Mural

Guest Room Window

Future Nursery - right now, it is sort of our 'junk room'/craft room - it was the previous owner's baby girl's room (but you couldn't guess that, right? ;)

Guest Bathroom

Master Bedroom: Office area & bathroom

Bedroom & window seat - open door is a walk-in closet

Master Bathroom tub


Master bathroom Shower
Haven's dungeon - aka 'Las Vegas' (previous owners had a thing for Vegas and 'the King' ;)

Let it be said . . .

I officially HATE AT& T/SBC Global internet services . . .

They said that we will have our internet up tomorrow - they also said that they would have our internet up LAST week.

Sigh . . .

Breaking out of the Silence . . .

I know, its been FOREVER since I last posted . . . I promise you, there is an explanation though.
We are moved, we have unpacked, and have even put up pictures on the walls. We got our Dish network hooked up, and our dryer and washer . . . but alas, not our internet. SBC is not being very nice to us right now, so we have to wait till this weekend.

At any rate - we are still breathing & doing wonderfully - all THREE of us! * (we have a new addition to our little family, Hector the yellow lab pup! :)

& I am taking MOUNDS and MOUNDS of pictures!

Of clean carpets & such

Last night. after work, we headed over to the house(with an army of boxes, cleaning supplies and a huge pack of paper towels) . It was not really that bad - just needed some disinfecting and a little scrubbing. Haven rented a Rug Doctor at HEB & let me tell you, those things work WONDERS on a dingy carpet. It smells so fresh while the carpet is drying too.

I bleached out the bottom of the shower stall in the master bath. . .hopefully it will get a bit fresher. Anybody have a good solution for shower scum?(Or am I just doomed?)
Our glass shower door is kinda streaky, and the scrubbing bubbles spray that I used didn't really attack it.

Anyway. First load is in! You probably wouldn't really notice it if you looked at our apartment right now. Tonight and tomorrow should be enough to clear out :) Hurray!


**p.s. I know, NO PICTURES YET? - I will get some tonight to upload - we had to make it sparkly first :)**

PoP Goes My Heart

I just can't get enough of this video

;) The movie is okay, by the way. (I'd give it a B -, Hugh Grant was actually pretty good in this one )

The Best Smells

Steaks on the grill

Roast in the slow cooker

Chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven

Freshly shampooed hair

The air right after a rainstorm

Spring blossoms on trees

A second or two after you spray on your favorite perfume

Bath and Body Work's - Warm Vanilla Sugar

Calgon's Tahitian Orchid scent

Fresh baked bread

Leather

Roses

Lilacs & tulips

towels and sheets from the dryer

New books

Pizza

Ground coffee

Moving right along

In between watching older episodes of 24, we have managed to get most of our packing done.
Last night, we felt like a couple of felons fishing for cardboard boxes in dumpsters. (silly, considering that they were thrown away)
We obviously didn't let that stop us though, and we hit the jackpot - I am convinced that if we had children, they would be in cardboard heaven.
It took a good number of boxes to pack our bookshelves . . . (fellow students and readers, raise your hand ;)

While looking at another dog rescue site yesterday, Haven got in contact with someone who had a 1 yr old yellow lab up for adoption. Last night we checked him out - what a cutie! He was mild and very sweet- mannered, yet, still playful and puppyish. The gal had crate-trained him, and he is potty-trained (hip-hip-hurray!)
So, hmm. He wasn't very expensive, and had already gotten his vaccinations and is micro-chipped. I think, I think, I think that maybe- possibly- perhaps we have found our dog :)
I'll keep you posted though -we can't really take him until Saturday, when he will have his own yard to play in :)

By the way, looking for an appliance? Have you considered Best Buy? I know, I thought that they only sold electronics and gadgets! In a very small section of their store, we found our new GE microwave for literally 1/2 the price, just because it was a display item and was missing a dish & a manual. What a deal - we got a $20 coupon (so we can buy the dish from the Best Buy parts store) and we already downloaded a manual off the internet. It was awesome!

Bark R Us

We are on the search for a dependable, loving, friendly hound doggy.

We looked at a fluffy black lab mix today, and thought he was a fine idea. . . until we learned that he thinks digging large holes in yards is a fine idea. . .

hmm. . . no go

We put in two applications this afternoon - for a yellow lab named Yogi & a sweet alaskan husky who likes long walks and sits like a gentleman. We'll see.

I've got a nice, neat row of boxes going, filling up with belongings from the bedroom and under the bed. The kitchen, however, is another story to be told.

We'll get there, this just comes in pieces. ;)

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

It's Ours!!! :)

* We plan to be moved in by next Sunday :)

DaySpring

Lately, I have been thinking about the way that I seek God. I am not very surprised to find that it is quite self-centered. I am forever concerned about how things will work out, and my present needs, while praising God and praying for others slide to the backseat.

God Himself taught us how we should pray:

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

But deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

It begins with praising His name
Acknowledging His will & our submission to it
Asking Him to feed us
And to forgive us
Praying for grace that we may extend to our enemies
Strength to resist temptation
By His power
For He is Sovereign over all


I fall short of this prayer, every time I open my mouth. The words are meager. But I was again reminded of His love for us today, when it came to mind that He hears us. He hears these feeble attempts we make to praise Him, just as He hears our mightiest shouts. They are both used for His glory. Even the times when we are not so eager to give Him the glory.

And you know what is the most comforting assurance? He does not depend on us to give Him glory. He is already glorious, already masterful and awesome. Why in the world would He need fallen man to give Him tainted praise?
But He delights in the worship that we give to Him. He sanctifies it & washes it clean, just as He has made us to be a new creation. He instills a new heart and new mind in us, to yearn to praise Him. Through His Spirit, we are brought to conviction over the sin that we commit.

It is an honor to praise the Lord, and we should hold it in highest regard. He has allowed us access to the throne room, to behold His glory. We do not deserve it, but He is merciful to us.

Thanks be to God.