Perfect Pairings--John 13:34

This picture is an oldie (from this past winter), but I love it...and the verse one of my absolute favorites.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.--John 13:34

To see more Perfect Pairings, go see Baloney.

Get Your Groove On

Yesterday on Facebook I posted a photo of Josie standing on her dresser in her outfit--jammies with Katie's ballet leotard over it. Today, I thought I'd show you what was actually happening when I took that photo.

Have a grooooooovy weekend, because, Groove IS in the heart.

Housewife....Puhleeeze

So I promised Baloney and Dawn that I would do a post on what my definition of a "Housewife" is for the new RHOK webpage. I told them not to hate me if I posted something they didn't agree with. They both told me that they love a renegade (which is me), so here we go....

I don't have to put a lot of thought and multi-paragraphs to explain my definition of a "housewife," to me it is very simple. Here it is: A housewife doesn't exist, that is an antiquated word that is no longer relevant in our society. It would be like calling our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq "Spartans." It's just not relevant in our society anymore. It was a term that pretty much came into popularity in the early 1900's and gained momentum through the late 1940s /1950s/early 60s. But we are no longer "those" women.

"Let's go defeat the Taliban!"

I do appreciate what "those" women gave us...washing machines, dishwashers, FABULOUS fashions--I do love me some 1950's fashions--so tailored, sophisticated, feminine (oh, on another note, remember several months ago when there was that quiz going around on Facebook "What Decade Woman Are You?", well, my answer was 1950s. I was the only one of my friends that took it that got that answer, so I appreciate the 1950s, it's just the majority of the roles women played just aren't existent anymore). But they sure looked beautiful. Ahhh--the days of Dior and Chanel. LOVE IT!

So pretty and feminine--classy. I'd totally wear this.

Tailored, classic, smart. I would wear this any day.

Oh, Ms. Hepburn...be still my heart. Could 50's glamour be more fabulous? Give me the occasion, this is exactly what I'd wear.

Ok...a fashion post is for another day. But I love 50's fashion and just all excited and can't stop talking about it. On with our discussion.

Anyway, the long and short of my definition of a "housewife" is nothing...nada. No such thing anymore. Come on ladies, let's define what we are, without the ridiculous terms thrown around these days...domestic engineer? Gag...NO! Stay-at-home mom/wife? Yeah, right...how many of YOU "stay at home" the majority of your day? Working mom/wife? Um...do we really want to put working women in box that defines them as women who only care about their career and not their life outside the office/workplace? I think not. I don't think there is a word/term out there that can encompass all that women are today, but "housewife" isn't it, nor any of those others just mentioned.

So there you have it.

Except this...

This would be a 1950's fashion I am NOT a fan of, however. Yiyiyi--ouch!

Oh--and Baloney is a punk (she knows what that's about--wink, wink). ;)

The Silent Gift

I recently finished a book, The Silent Gift by Michael Landon, Jr. and Cindy Kelley. Normally I do a review the day I finish the book or the day right after, that way I don't forget anything. But with this one I've waited a few days. I needed time for this one to settle, for me to roll it around in my brain and come to terms with it. I haven't decided if you all want me to give away the story with an in depth review or if you want an overview of the book and my thoughts. Please tell me what you want. I don't want to be a spoiler if you're going to go out and read these books. So today, in keeping with my "vagueness" theme of book review, I won't give anything away.

This book takes place in the late 1930's, when America is still battling the Great Depression. The main characters are Mary and her deaf-mute son, Jack. Jack has a special gift (I won't tell you what it is so not to ruin the book) that would be considered a divine gift and makes Jack's messages somewhat of a prophecy. I will tell you that when this first came up in the book, I about put it down--I actually returned it to the library. To me, it was coming too close to crystal balls, tarot cards and fortune telling with the words "God's Gift" slapped on it. I didn't like that one bit--so back to the library it went. But two days later I went back and rechecked it out. Something about it was still intriguing to me. The was a very human story being told and I wanted to find out what happened to Mary and Jack.

I'm glad I did. I was a touching story of a mother's commitment to her son during a very troubling time in her life and in our country. It was also a story of a mother's struggle with her trust in God. Her guilt in using His gift to secure a future for her son which ultimately takes him away from her and her relentless search to get him back into her arms and life. As probably most parents who go through what she endures she loses trust in God, is angry at God, challenges God. But in the end, defeated, she gives up and just when she is freed from the blindness of her battle with God, He divinely answers her desperate call for help.

The book has a beautiful cast of periphery characters who add charm and anger to the book. You despise some of the characters, are reserved about the intentions of others and grow to love Mary, Jack and those that truly have their best interest at heart.

Many people I think will relate to the struggle that Mary has with God, that when they are at their lowest or when life throws a curve ball their way they wonder where God is and why they trusted Him in the first place, yet, they know, somewhere in the depths of their heart that He will not leave them.

The Silent Gift is a beautiful story about a mother's devotion, trust in God, and human nature--both good and bad. Sure, there were parts that I thought "that would never happen" but it's a book--that's how authors keep us engaged. I am so glad that I went back and rechecked out the book and finished it. It is very touching and I would definitely recommend it.

While this book certainly isn't one of my "favorites of all time," I most definitely give it a FIVE out of FIVE stars.

What Would You Rather Do? Wednesday-Education?

(that's Anderson Hall, at K-State...my Alma Mater)

I don't know why this came to mind to ask for What Would You Rather Do? Wednesday...well, actually, I do, but to keep the peace amongst the people I'll just go ahead and ask the question and not get people's feather's ruffled. So....

Would you rather...

Have a really, really well paying job, but not a college education

or

Have a college education and an average paying job.

This one is super easy for me to answer, but I was to hear from the people! Seriously, leave me a comment, I really do want to hear what you all think about this.

Happy Wednesday!!

Perfect Pairings--Easter Blessings

Happy Easter from the Three Little Lams.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.--Revelation 1:6

He has risen!

April Check In

I've been MIA for the past couple days. You're probably thinking after my last post that I might be curled up in the corner sucking my thumb with an IV of Starbucks inserted directly into my veins. But, oh no, my friends. NO! I have been keeping very busy--kid stuff, life stuff, keeping my mind off my need for Starbucks. But today is your lucky day. It's my first of the month "Resolution Check-In." So here we go....

1. Work out 5 day a week--besides this past week, this has been a good solid "CHECK!" I don't know what's happened this last week, the motivation has fallen. But I'll get back on track, maybe even today.

2. Recycle more household items--again, CHECK, this is getting easier and easier and I'm finding more things around the house that I can recycle. It's actually getting kind of fun...like a game.

3. Only one Starbucks a day--um, yes, I was doing very well at this. Obviously this is going to be a moot point now, since I'm doing ZERO Starbucks a day.

4. Do 20 or more posts per month--CHECK, done!

5. Read at least one book per month--Yeah! This is the one I was struggling with because I simply was having a hard time carving out time in my day to sit and read. But I did it! You can read my review here.

So I think I did okay this month. How are you all doing on your New Year's Resolutions? We're going on 4 months now...sticking with them? Abandoned them? Let me know-leave me a comment! :)

Good Friday to you.