Learn to Love Yourself

I receive a daily newsletter from the (in)courage website and in one of them last week, one of the authors was talking about that small voice we all have in our heads, the one that constantly criticizes and belittles us. She added the following scriptures for dealing with those voices.

I knew you before you were born. I created your inner most being. (Psalm 139)

You are my child (1 John 3:1)

I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)

You are my workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)

I have redeemed you. (Ephesians 1:7)

You are beautiful (Psalm 45:11)

I chose you, you are mine (Epehsians 1:4, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4)

You are no longer a slave. (Galatians 4:7)

You are a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

So whenever, those voices start whispering to you, look at these verses again, print them off and hang them on your bathroom mirror if you have to, just read them over and over until the voices in your head become more postitive and loving. And the whispering has become God's voice repeating his constant love and admiration for YOU!

American Idol Review

I must admit that my hubby and I have been fans of American Idol since it's 3rd season, and I went from "extremely dislike" of Simon Cowell, to "really love him". What I realized was that I just didn't enjoy all the non-talented people that they showcased in the beginning auditions, I would rather have seen just the ones that showed possiblilty. And Simon Cowell WAS being honest, to the point of painful to some of them I'm sure, he was saying what a great majority were thinking, and over the years, there was definitely a "softening" to his comments and he became much more constructive in his critique's. I liked Paula Abdul, but was glad when she left, although her replacement, Cara was much worse. We LOVED Ellen last year and are sorry she's not on again (maybe she will be later, I don't follow Hollywood news so I couldn't say).

We were afraid with Simon leaving the show, we wouldn't like it anymore so we watched the first episode this week with very little expectation and a lot of trepidation. But, we really like it! I absolutely LOVE Jennifer Lopez AND Steven Tyler, he is such a hoot and both of them give great advice. So for us, we will be watching the rest of the season, and really are enjoying more of the "good" talent being showcased.

Miracle Make-up Product Review

L'OREAL Studio Secrets Face Primer

I just had to share my new favorite make-up product...it rated 4 out of 5 stars on the L'Oreal website www.lorealparisusa.com and I have to agree. L'oreal states..."Discover the secret to perfect skin texture....Get the perfect skin texture instantly and all day. The silky lightweight formula glides onto skin and and minimizes the look of pores and fine lines. Skin looks and feels smooth and resurfaced. The result--a unified matte finish that's flawless."

The PROS: It visibly makes my pores appear smaller and my lines ARE much much less noticeable. I apply it after my moisturizer, and it gives my skin a smooth, airbrushed look even when used under my foundation, stays on all day and controls oil while I'm wearing it. The only thing it doesn't do is correct color imperfections, so you will still need concealer for those problem areas. I loved it the minute I put it on.

The CONS: If you use too much, your skin will look powdery and it would be better if they would package it in a tube for easier application.

I've noticed the older my skin gets, the less face powders do their job...powder is NOT my friend anymore, they just seem to settle in my lines, but with the new Studio Secrets Face Primer, I get a smooth finish without the need for face powders to set my make-up.

My daughter tried it and had to stop at Wally world on the way home to pick up one for herself (guess she liked it too). And no, this is NOT a paid advertisement, I just like passing on my favorite things.

A Dreamy Giveaway

A Dreamy Giveaway from Keswick & Country

http://keswickcountry.blogspot.com/

I just found her blog from Dreamy Whites blog (french farmhouse inspired living)

http://www.dreamywhites.blogspot.com/

as seen on the Nate Berkus Show

and fell in love with both blogs so I am of course a new follower to them, so please go check them out and sign up for the giveaway, deadline is January 20th.

I can't wait to check out more on their blogs myself!

Quote

"Simply rest in the day the Lord has given you today."--

Adrienne Rogers

Quote

'Forever -- is composed of nows.' -

Emily Dickinson

...Customer Appreciation

"I absolutely love my infinity scarf. I have worn it everyday since I rec'd it. It was delivered quickly and packaging made me smile:) It also included care instructions and a website to purchase the recommended cleanser. I would def order again from this shop owner." ....feedback left by Julie of Indianapolis

When Julie contacted me at my etsy store about purchasing this cowl, she was asking if it was an infinity and I, thinking she was talking about a "mobius" told her there was no twist to it, it was just a joined circle "infinity"...(my brain was obviously on hiatus)...we finally cleared up the confusion and I sent her the cowl/infinity scarf... and above is the appreciation photo and feedback that she left for me on etsy. I think she is absolutely beautiful and told her I would have loved it if she lived closer and could model some of my scarves for me (it's very hard for me to pin my daughter down to do my modeling).

However, I did have the opportunity to visit with my sister-in-law, Kelly yesterday and was able to talk her into modeling a few for me, I think they show and sell better when buyers can see what they look like on a real person. So THANK YOU Kelly and to all my customers that send me pics of them wearing their purchases.

As for feedback, it's really hard to explain how important it is. Whether you are selling on ebay or etsy, feedback is what buyers look at before purchasing from a shop they've never visited before. So if you are a regular shopper on etsy or are thinking about it, please please please, leave feedback!

New Baby Coming Soon

I am sooo very happy to announce that our family will be welcoming a new addition around August 15, 2011!!! This will be our second Grandchild, our first, Jonah, lives in Washinton state with our oldest son and daughter-in-law. We are so sad as we rarely get to see him (thank heavens for the internet and facebook so we can at least see pics and video his parents post).

Our daughter Miranda (our youngest) and son-in-law Brian, announced at Christmas that they are expecting their first. I was not allowed to post about it until now as they wanted to be able to tell his mother in person, and yesterday was the first they were able to do so.

As of right now (Lord willing that we won't have to move), we live close to them, so I am of course hoping to be able to do lots and lots of babysitting!!!

The way they announced it, was at Christmas, we were all given what we thought was a Christmas card in an envelope, but inside was a poem, and here is what ours said...

I do not have a face to see,
Or put inside a frame.
I do not have soft cheeks to kiss,
I don't yet have a name. (It was at this point it hit me)
You can't yet hold my tiny hands, 'nor whisper in my ear.
It's still to soon to sing a song, or cuddle me so near.
But all will change come fall time,
That's when they say I'm due.
I'll be your second grandchild;I can't wait till I meet you.
All I ask between now and then is your patience while I grow.
I promise I'll be worth the wait, because of all the love we'll know.
So have a Merry Christmas
A wish to you from me.
I cannot wait to be a part
Of this great family!

Can you imagine the tears of joy!

My daughter has always been baby/kid crazy, she started babysitting after taking a class at the local hospital at the age of eleven. She and our new son have been married a little over a year now and I'm surprised she was able to wait as long as she has.

I have already been looking at nursery decor, baby knit and crochet patterns, and searching for the best "baby" websites on the net, so if you find any, please let me know.

Enough for now, I'm sure I'll be posting more about this in the future and I just may have to start a blog for the new addition, how fun would it be to keep track of everyone's thoughts and joy, pics, information and give to him/her in a book when he/she is old enough to appreciate it!

I was asked what I'd like to be called and as I said with Jonah, they can call me anything they want....How does Granny M sound?

Criticism

"A criticism is a really bad way of making a request..." by Diane Sawyer from the new series showing on the OWN network, Oprah presents Master Class

Prayer is FREE

photo is from

http://www.christianity.com/devotionals/

"The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

I'm sure by now everyone has seen Ted Williams' story

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/06/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main7218743.shtml

...and how his mother prayed for him to find his way home. She had not seen him in 10 YEARS.... that is 10 years of prayers for her son, and guess what, God answered! And how did God answer? By sending a good samaritan to pass by where this man was panhandling on an interstate ramp in Columbus, OH

Go to this blog that I follow, Trailing after God by Melinda Todd

http://melindatodd.com

to learn more about prayer and ways that you can help others, ways that are FREE.

#2 2010 Reflections

photo taken from "The Miracle Detectives"

http://www.oprah.com/own

#2 on my Reflections List is "What was my biggest waste of time?"

For this I would have to say....television! Not all of it, just the shows that provide absolutely nothing good (no self-help, non-educational, and not even very entertaining). I'm all for a good sitcom that makes me laugh, or a movie that really entertains me for the WHOLE 2 hours, but here I'm talking about the shows that are just simply a complete waste of my time!

So I'm resolving to watch more educational shows, some home decorating, spiritual, shows that help me in my goals of becoming more organized and shows that help me with my desire to make my home welcoming and warm to my family and friends, with only a few "purely entertainment" ones.

With this in mind, I've checked out Oprah's new OWN network and I am sooooo looking forward to watching some of the new shows on it.

Oprah presents..Master Class

The Miracle Detectives

In the Bedroom with Dr Laura Berman

Cristina Ferrare's Big Bowl Of Love

Enough Already with Peter Walsh.

There are of course many more, but these are the ones I'm going to start with...and if they don't COMPLETELY capture my attention or meet my goals criteria, out they go. And I plan to keep watching The Martha Stewart Show and The Nate Berkus Show (I'm constantly picking up home tips from both of them!).

Customer Appreciation

Meet Melissa from Canada. She first ordered a scarf from my etsy store for her boyfriend and when she received it, she liked it so much, she then commissioned a scarf for herself and was kind enough to send me a pic of her wearing it when it arrived. She wanted one in a green color, so I sent her pics of some different greens and she chose this gorgeous Mossy Green, she also wanted it to be long enough to wrap several times. She loved the texture of the pattern and the softness of the superwash wool yarn that I used.

Isn't she adorable?! She was such a sweetheart, I really enjoyed working with her. Melissa, you can shop with me anytime!!!

2010 Reflections

Desk Calendar from etsy seller Raceytay
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Raceytay?ref=seller_info
link for calendar
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62130252/sale-new-years-2011-mini-calendar-4x6?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_query=resolutions&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title&filter%5B0%5D=handmade

For the month of January, I thought instead of doing the "typical" resolutions...I'd reflect on the past year... the good, the bad, and the ugly (love that movie). The idea came from something I read, can't remember now but oh well.

pendant from etsy seller lisahopkins

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lisahopkins?ref=seller_info

link for pendant

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56956955/etched-silver-begin-necklace?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=resolutions&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title&filter%5B0%5D=handmade

#1 What were the challenges of 2010?

2010 was chock full of challenges so this one is easy.... The only problem is in chosing which ones to highlight here. I'm a true believer in that God allows challenges in our lives right at the time when we need to grow more spiritually. (And boy, He must've thought we needed to do some MAJOR growing!)

In March, Hubby lost his job...9 days later, my ankle and the outside of my foot was kicked by a horse (long story) so I ended up on the couch for 8 weeks, unable to work or help around the house. This was a problem as we needed to get the house ready to sell since we might be moving. Thank Heavens for my mom-in-law, who was there with cleaning and packing help, not to mention bringing meals! Yay for Joy, she's amazing. And also my own mother who doesn't live close was also able to come help out a couple of days. Yay Mom!

You find out real quick who's there for you when you are really down and in need of help. So, of course, MOMS to the rescue! Aren't mothers amazing? Okay that's a blog subject all it's own, so we'll shelve that for later...

Also because of the broken foot and ankle, I was unable to exercize, help train or compete on the horses, so our daughter and new son-in-law to the rescue there...our daughter Miranda, working full-time as a nurse, as well as fostering too young and too sick puppies for the local animal shelter, still managed to show up nearly every day after work to help her dad with the horses, and spent nearly every weekend at competitions with us. She was truly indispensible to us. As a parent, I spend a lot of time feeling guilty and wishing I could have a re-do of certain parenting mistakes, but when your child steps up like ours did, you realize, maybe I didn't do such a bad job after all, had to do something right to end up with such an amazing woman for a daughter.

My challenging list could go on, but I think that's enough, and what I learned is really too many things to list, but probably the biggy is that if you constantly dwell (moan and groan and whine and oh, poor me) on the past, you get stuck. Very hard to move forward once you get stuck, but it can be done...lots of prayers and learning to just let go and give it to God. Not just give it to Him, but really learn to TRUST Him and have faith that things are going to work out exactly as he planned all along!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Banner by piggybankparties (shop link)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/piggybankparties?ref=seller_info

link for this banner

http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.201976052.jpg

Happy New Year to all my friends and family, and to my new blogging friends!