{Curb Alert!} Antique Headboard & Footboard

Recently I was driving along on a drizzly morning when I passed a driveway with all their trash out at the end, including what looked like an antique wood headboard and footboard. Which I'm not in the market for (I already own 2 more beds than the # of people living in our house). But free furniture is hard to pass up, especially roadside beds lately. This particular day, I had all three kids in the car and somewhere to get to. Although I considered turning around, I did not. I figured, if they were still there on my when back, then I'd pull over and at least check them out.

If I believed in destiny or luck, I'd be saying that as they would have it, on my way back home they were still out there. So I pulled over and took a good look at the queen size headboard and footboard. I thought they were beautiful and got excited right away since I have a queen bed and no headboard or footboard. I knew right away they would need refinishing or painting to spruce them up. But as my mind turned from beauty to function, I quickly discovered that the grooves where the metal bed frame (that was no where to be seen) fit it had been completely torn through in most of the legs.

It would take someone with a lot of wood working skills to basically rebuild them to usability as a bed.  I've got someone that fits that description in my family so I thought I might someday get help rigging up something that would work.  For free, it was worth a shot.

I had a few other back-up ideas of how I could use them if the bed didn't work out. Maybe install some hooks on one for an entry way? Or turn one into a kitchen chalkboard? Maybe use one to make a sign? I figured there had to be 101 other uses for a headboard if I looked online.

So, I managed to cram them into my van with the kids all packed in too. Thank God again for Stow 'n Go seats. I love how my kids get all excited and play 20 questions anytime I pick something up off the curb. "Mom, who's house is this?" "Why are you stopping?" "Where are you going, Mom?" "Can I take off my seat belt?" "What is that?" "What are you doing with that, Mom?"  :)

When we got home I just unloaded them into my garage and almost forgot about them. Today I took them out to take these pictures:

Footboard:



Footboard details:

Headboard:

Headboard details (reminds me of a genie bottle):

One of the broken legs :(

As you can see they are in need of some TLC. Poor things, thrown out to the curb like that with so much potential...until I came along to rescue them.

So I did a search through Pinterest and the blog underworld landed me a handful of fun and creative projects to transform these fabulous freebies into something unique and wonderful. Here are some inspiration pictures (which link to sources), in case you ever find yourself with an extra headboard and footboard on hand.

I don't know what happens when it rains, but here's a chalkboard sign for a garden. Different. Not sure I'd actually do this.

I have actually seen people make flower "beds" with headboards and/or footboards like these. Well, not exactly like this first one...this is over the top.

Or to simply frame a raised bed...

I love this quote:

I would not use my particular curbside wood headboard and footboard for a flower bed bed, but I would use a metal one as a trellis.

Here are some great benches that use both parts.  A friend who'd asked me to be on the lookout for benches at yard sales actually had shared this idea with me not too long ago, only I think it was using a crib frame.

I love the idea of the bench but my woodworking skills are not where I want them to be. Yet.

Here are a few headboards/footboards used for hooks:

Those are my speed. I'd could and would do that.

One idea I had not thought of but came across in my search was a garden gate. Now granted, this picture is of a wrought iron headboard which has a completely different look, but I think a wood headboard could be used as a garden gate if it was painted and/or sealed properly. I'm not dismissing the idea entirely. If I ever have a fenced garden.



Another idea I would not have thought of is to make a large planter. This wasn't a great quality photo so its small. Again, if my woodworking skills were up to par, maybe.

So I've got a free headboard and footboard and a zillion ideas of what to do with them. Only thing is, I don't think I'm going to be getting to many creative projects anytime soon. We are actually in "lets-get-this-house-ready-to-sell" mode. Needless to say, my list of projects are more along the lines of a honey-do list. Like freshening up paint, taking things out of the house - not bringing new things in, finishing landscaping projects, etc. Not transforming my treasures. I don't expect to turn this headboard and footboard into anything amazing anytime soon, but when I do, and if I'm still doing this blog gig, I'll be sure to share it here. In the meantime, that's not to say I won't continue snagging curbside treasures.

Thrift Shop Shelves After

Last week I posted about the shelves I finally found at Sally's to bring a little sanity to a corner of my girls' bedroom. After it sat on the porch for a few weeks in its initial state, then was brought out to the driveway and back in several times for primer and paint (all paint was leftover from other house projects so I didn't have to spend any money on new paint), I finally finished.

This is what the corner looked like in its insane, cluttered, messy "before" state.

The desk was rarely getting used anymore since the dining room table is our every day workspace. But I can't toss the desk because it was mine growing up. I can't tell you how many pictures were colored and sketched and painted at that desk by both my daughter and I. So it'll go into storage until she's able to upgrade to a bigger room where it fits and hopefully gets used more again. She didn't cry about the desk leaving, which is a miracle in and of itself. Maybe its because I promised her that, when it comes out of storage, she can paint it pink, per her request. (Because I refuse to paint her bedroom walls pink....am I a mean mommy?)

So with the shelves in place of the desk, this is what the $20 storage solution looks like "after."

I haven't actually finished sorting through all their stuff to determine what will end up staying in/on these shelves for the longer term, but this is it for now. The 3 organizing cubes were something I already had in the baby's room, just collecting junk that didn't even belong in that room anyways. This gave me a good excuse to finally clean those out. I had been planning to still use them in the baby's room when I redo this piece of furniture next. We'll see where they end up for good. The basket on the bottom shelf (which was originally a yard sale find) was also a re-use. It had been crammed under the desk going the wrong direction - the only way it fit. I'm thrilled that these four existing (free) storage containers fit on the shelves perfectly.

The girls are pleased with the results too.



 I ended up moving the plastic trash bin full of dress-up clothes from the left side of the shelves to the wall under the window on the adjacent wall. And although the photo doesn't look like it from this camera angle, the new shelves are centered below the existing shelf on the wall. That collection of 1950s readers, vintage wood blocks and old Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls are for display only, much to my daughters' dismay. Little girls don't appreciate those things for decorative purposes the way I do. It may be time to take them down soon. :(

Putting the kids' same old toys in this new place has caused them to to take new interest in and play with things they'd forgot about. So even if you don't bring in any new storage or new toys, simply rearranging the location of existing toys can suddenly make them seem new again. Which may then result in a mom having a little more free time on her hands. For things like....blogging per se.

GOD IS...(VI)

Last week I was scattered all over the Bible. I finished up the book of Acts as my last week of my formal study group. I dabbled a little further into Corinthians with my teens' Sunday School class. And I stumbled into other verses here and there during various devotionals and readings with the family. Yet it is amazing how the same common themes and specific truths were evident in all of the verses combined. Different Holy Spirit-inspired authors writing at different times and places to different audiences, yet all clearly the same words of the one true God. And all still relevant to us today.

Acts 22:7-10 Jesus appeared to Saul with a bright light from heaven and a voice that said, "Why do you persecute me?" Saul, who later became know as Paul, immediately referred to Him as Lord. Jesus then told him to get up and go to Damascus where he would be told of his assignment.

Acts 22:14 God chose Saul (Paul) to know His will, to see the Righteous One and to hear words from His mouth.

Acts 22:17-21 The Lord told Saul to leave Jerusalem because he had persecuted followers of Jesus there for so long and his testimony would not be accepted there. The Lord instead sent him out of Jerusalem to speak to the Gentiles (non-Jews).

Acts 23:11 While Paul was in the barracks at night, the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."

Jeremiah 32:18-19 God is great and powerful; His name is the Lord Almighty. Great are His purposes and mighty are His deeds.

Proverbs 3:5-6 God will make straight the paths of those who trust in Him with all their heart, lean not on their own understanding, and acknowledge Him in all their ways.

Acts 26:6-7 God had made a promise to the fathers of the Jews, to the twelve tribes of Israel, and they hoped to see it fulfilled as they earnestly served God day and night.

Acts 26:16-18 After appearing to Saul, Jesus told him, "I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified [made holy] by faith in me."

Psalm 16:7,11 The Lord counsels you. He makes known to you the path of life. He fills you with joy in His presence and with eternal pleasures at His right hand.

Acts 28:25-27 The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to the Jews' forefathers when He said through the prophet Isaiah, "Go to this people and say, 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'"

Acts 28:28 God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles.

1 Kings 3:9,12 Because he asked, God gave King Solomon a discerning heart to govern His people and to distinguish between right and wrong.

Isaiah 11:2-5 The Spirit of the Lord rested on Jesus - the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.  He does not judge by what He sees with His eyes, or decide by what He hears with His ears; but with righteousness He judges the needy, with justice He gives decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth; with the breadth of His lips He will slay the wicked.  Righteousness will be His belt and faithfulness the sash around His waist.

1 Corinthians 1:18 God's power is the message of the cross.

1 Corinthians 1:20 God has made the wisdom of the world foolish.

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 Christ crucified is a stumbling block to many but to those whom God has called it is the power and wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:25 The foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

A Bleeding Heart

Never underestimate what your kids are capable of understanding spiritually. Or what they are capable of expressing, given the opportunity. I often wonder if all my training and instruction goes in one ear and out the other when I don't see the daily fruit in their lives. But sometimes, God throws me a bone. :) Let me give you a little context...

I like to spend a lot of time outside with my kids. It makes me happy to share with them my love of God's creation. Some of that time is unstructured and they like to do things like mix together dirt, water, leaves, sticks, and grass to make mud pies, bricks or "salad." Or they like to ride bikes or see how high they can throw balls or pick dandelions or what not. They play best together when they are outside. I tell them, "If you didn't get dirty then you didn't have fun! Now get back out there and have more fun!"

I also like to make our outside play time educational - school should be fun! For now "science class" (I don't call it that) consists of at least least making them familiar with the elements of God's creation in our own yard and community. What things are called, how to identify them, and exploring them with our senses (and maybe a magnifying glass and tweezers). A few weeks ago I'd taken home a library book for myself called "Good Bugs for Your Garden" and was able to interest my oldest in learning about these with me.

I can always spark their interest with a treasure hunt. ;)  "How many different kinds of moss can you find and what do they feel like?" "What do different flowers and leaves smell like?" "Let's count how many butterflies we see today!" Earlier this week we found slugs, earthworms and caterpillars and we've had a pet inch-worm living in a bowl in our kitchen all week. He gets a fresh new leaf daily that we can watch him eat through (and poop out). Such fun - its the first thing the girls check on each morning after they wake up.

So, all that to say my oldest should know the names of many of the plants and animals found in our yard and garden.

Another part of her school day is drawing and writing in a prayer journal. Not only does it give her opportunity to visualize and creatively express what she wants to say to God, but its good writing practice. She's now at the point where she can do this independently; sometimes she needs help spelling words.

Yesterday, I watched her as she sat at the table with her blank journal page open, gazing out the dining room window into the yard. She was thinking about what she wanted to write. Then, all the sudden, she burst out - "Hey Mom! Guess what! Jesus is kind of like a bleeding heart!" And just in case you are not familiar with that plant, here is a picture (I snagged from Google images):

This was the journal entry that followed:

Moms need moments like that. "Aha!" moments like that are what make being her mom and teacher worth every second of the teaching and training. I'm trying my best to cultivate my kids and God is making things grow in their minds and hearts - even when I don't see the fruit for a while.

I'm pretty sure I never would have thought of that. God is love = heart. Jesus shed his blood for us to pay for our sins on the cross. Yes, He is sort of like a bleeding heart.

I'd love to hear some of your stories or "proof" that God is using your best efforts to work in your kids' hearts and minds.

Thrift Shop Shelves & Lamps

I'm still catching up here, as usual lately. So at this point it was a few weeks ago that I dropped off 2/3 of my kids with Gram to run errands and do grocery shopping. But before leaving town I had to zip into the Salvation Army Thrift Store, of course. I've become more hard core about my hunt for a cheap but sturdy solid wood bookshelf to improve the storage situation in my girls' bedroom. I haven't been able to yard sale as much the last month because of other plans so I gotta make up for it somewhere!

To my excitement, they had exactly what I was looking for for $20. Just the right size. Solid wood, decent shape. Granted, I might have been able to find something similar at a yard sale for half the price but there's no guarantee. So I did it. I swiped that price tag right off and brought it to the register to stake my claim. And, since I was already in the store, of course I had to take a quick gander through the "Brick-A-Brac" aisles. Don't laugh, that's what they call it on their sign.

Well, timing is everything because as I was carrying the shelving unit through the store towards the door, a fellow shopper said to me, "Oh! So that's why there wasn't a price tag on it!" If I hadn't snagged it, I got the feeling she would have. You see, this treasure hunting is serious business. It's not just a leisurely game, its actually a race. Which is why I get a flood of adrenaline when I find something really amazing because it not only means that I got it, but I got it before someone else did. (So maybe I have a little something to do with my oldest daughter's competitive nature.)

As I was on may way out of the furniture department, something else caught my eye - a pair of very unique vintage lamps. I knew I was going to have to come back in to take a better look at those. So, I loaded the shelves into my van myself without a problem. And sure enough, I headed back in to look at those lamps. I couldn't help but be drawn to them for their unusual shades. I hemmed and hawed for a little while. They would need a little TLC. The bases would need to be painted but they had a great shape. I ended up deciding I couldn't pass up the pair and back to the register I went. 

So here are the shelves "before" painting (they are still in process). Clearly, this was before dusting too...

Nothing fancy, just simple and functional. I'll update once painted and integrated into the room.

Now here are the lamps "before" painting the bases (I think I'm going with dark brown so I can be flexible where they end up).

It's hard to explain what the shades are made of. I'm not sure but they are sort of pearlesque. I think they are pieces of plastic welded together? Welded like Tiffany lamps, which are not my thing.

I like the way the light shines through and the scalloped edge.

The shades totally remind me of silver dollar plants.  And these bring back happy memories of a friend's house growing up.

So try and picture this with solid dark brown base. Or do you have a better suggestion?

They are different, that's for sure. I think they are the sort of thing that you either think the are really interesting and have beauty potential, like I did. Or you think they are UG-LY. Come on now, be honest, which side are you on?? :)

GOD IS...(V)

Eeeek! I'm falling almost a week behind here! That is, on putting together and publishing "GOD IS..." posts. (I'm months backed up on other posts.) Hey, it is what it is.

I have to admit I'm a little nervous. My Bible Study Fellowship ends next week. I'm so afraid of becoming a slacker after that. Getting "too busy" to read my Bible and letting sleep or reading other books or doing dishes (who am I kidding, dishes are always last on my list) or Facebooking...letting anything become an excuse or higher priority.

The thing I love most about being in any Bible study is that it keeps me accountable to be reading the Bible regularly. Daily at best. Weekly at worst. Summer vacation is right around the corner but Bible reading is not something I want to take a vacation from. Why would I want to take a vacation from filling my mind and heart with truths like these....?

2 Peter 1:1 Our God and Savior Jesus Christ gives faith through his righteousness.

2 Peter 1:2 God gives you abundant grace and peace through your knowledge of Him and Jesus your Lord.

2 Peter 1:3-4 God's divine power has given you everything you need for life and godliness through your knowledge of Him who called you by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given you His very great and precious promises.

2 Peter 1:11 Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has an eternal kingdom into which He richly welcomes those He has called.

2 Timothy 3:16 God breathed all Scripture and it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

2 Peter 1:14 Jesus Christ made it clear to Peter that he would soon put aside the tent of his body (die).

2 Peter 1:16 The Lord Jesus Christ came to earth and was powerful. Peter was one of many who were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

2 Peter 1:17 Jesus recieved honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory saying, "This is my Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased."

2 Peter 1:21 The Holy Spirit carried men along as they spoke from God the prophesies of Scripture.

John 14:21 Whoever loves Jesus Christ will be loved by God the Father. Jesus will also love them and show Himself to them.

2 Peter 2:4 God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgement.

2 Peter 2:5 God did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others.

2 Peter 2:6 God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly, but he rescued Lot, a righteous man.

2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgement, while continuing their punishment.

Psalm 119:105 God's word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path.

2 Peter 3:5 Long ago, by God's word the heavens existed and the earth were formed out of water and by water.

2 Peter 3:8 With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but wanting everyone to come to repentence.

2 Peter 3:10 The Day of the Lord (when Jesus returns to earth) will come like a thief in the night.

2 Peter 3:15 Our Lord's patience means salvation.

2 Peter 3:18 Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ allows you to grow in the grace and knowledge of Him. To Him be glory both now and forever!

1 John 1:9 God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and and purify us from all unrighteousness if we confess our sins.

2 Corinthians 12:9 God's grace is sufficient for you for His power is made perfect in your weakness. Christ's power rests on you when you boast in your weakness.

Jude :1 God the Father loves those who have been called and are kept by Jesus Christ.

Jude :4 Jesus Christ is your only Sovereign Lord.

Jude :5 The Lord delivered His people out of Egypt, but later destroyed thos who did not believe.

Jude :6 The Lord has kept in darkness and bound with everlasting chains for judgement the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abondoned their own home.

Jude :14 The Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of His holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly and all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.

Jude :21 God's love keeps those with most holy faith as they wait for the mercy of their Lord Jesus Christ to bring them eternal life.

Jude :24 Jesus Christ is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.

Jude :25 To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore.


I usually just end it there but after reading that whole string of verses at one time I love how it highlights two sides of God's character. On one hand He is a Holy, powerful Judge. On the other hand He is a loving and merciful Savior. God doesn't beat around the bush when it comes to His judgement of sin. He's clear. He has done and will continue to do it. At the same time, He is patient, waiting for repentence which results in His forgiveness and mercy. And even then it's HIS power and love that keep us and present us without fault, even though we are full of faults.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found. Was blind but now I see.

Be a Blessing

A couple of weekends ago my hubby and I spent two days in a nearby city for the annual local homeschooling convention. It happened to be the same weekend as an annual town-wide yard-sale I've been going to for a number of years so I was a little torn, thinking of all the treasures I would never discover. Well, I ended up bringing home treasures of another kind.

This was our second year attending the convention and it has been so encouraging for us as we begin this journey. Basically its two days full of various seminars and workshops and you pick which ones seem most applicable or interesting to you. Then of course, there's the main hall with almost every homeschool-related vendor known to man.

One session that my hubby and I sat in together on was presented by Dr. Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries. He talked about raising your kids with a mindset of cultivating them verses manufacturing them.

Within that talk he shared a list of 11 ways you can be a blessing to your children with your words. Really, you can be a blessing in these ways to just about anyone. I found myself quickly jotting down the notes so that I could review this for myself often. And last night I happen to be reviewing those notes and thought - these are worth sharing! So here it goes:

BE A BLESSING

1. LISTEN. "Tell me what's important to you."

2. GIVE A BLESSING. "You have the gift of ______."

3. AFFIRM. "Here's something about you that makes a great deal of difference to me..."

4. BE TRANSPARENT. "I'm sorry. I made a mistake."

5. PRAY. "I don't know what to do either. Let's pray and ask for God's help and wisdom."

6. ENCOURAGE. "I know its tough but I believe you can do it."

7. TEACH. "May I share a verse that's imporant to me? Here it is, I wrote it on a card for you."

8. SPONSOR. "I know someone who can help you. Let me connect you to them."

9. ADMONISH. "You were running a good race. Who or what cut in on you?"

10. LOVE. "No matter what, I will love you and be here for you."

11. WALK ALONGSIDE. "Let's go together. Wherever I go, I'd like for you to come with me."

These are invalueable treasures that you can impart to someone that will have ETERNAL value. The Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. (Proverbs 8:21) You can bless others with your mouth in ways that will water their soul, shed warmth and light on their heart, and fertilize their mind.

Who will you cultivate with live-giving words today?  In which of those ways will you be a blessing?

Wicker for Gram

My family is very blessed to have three sets of grandparents all about a stone's throw away. I thank God DAILY for them all, as do my girls. They've got a Grammy, a Grandma and a Great Gram. Rarely a week goes by that they don't spend at least a few solid hours with each of their grandparents, including their Great Gram, my hubby's maternal grandmother. I remind the girls often how special it is for them to have her in their life, especially when lots of their friends have never had the opportunity to even meet their great-grandparents.

Gram is a young whipper snapper at 75.

She still takes my girls for walks to the park, lets them help her tend to her garden, bakes cookies with them and reads them lots of books. If it weren't for her, my kids probably wouldn't know who Elvis is or recognize his music.

With 5 grand children and 10 great-grandchildren of her own, she's "Gram" to countless others. I married into Gram's family not long after my own last living grandmother passed away. Gram is just one of those sweet and loving grandmothers that never hangs up the phone without telling you she loves you and never greets or parts from you without saying the same and giving lots of hugs and kisses too.

Gram would do anything for anyone. And we would do anything for her.

So after picking up on a few subtle hints last year, for Gram's birthday this past fall we decided to give her some new furniture for her enclosed porch where she spends a lot of time. For decades she has been using an old white wicker set her husband originally gave to her. While it had sentimental value, it had seen it's better days. Ideally, I would have presented her with something on her actual birthday but November isn't the ideal time to buy new outdoor furniture. So we told her that we'd probably wait until stores came out with new inventory in the spring and let her help pick out something she liked. I assumed we'd probably end up going the rattan route - fake wicker - or deck-type furniture.

For the last month or so she and I had been talking about how its time for us to go furniture shopping. She's seen a patio set at Walmart she liked. Well....a couple weeks ago on a Wednesday evening I happened to be kid-free and driving by the Salvation Army about 15 minutes before they closed. I buzzed in quick, still on the hunt for a shelving unit for my oldest girls' room. Lo and behold, there was treasure I was not expecting - a gorgeous real wicker loveseat, chair and ottoman, including all the cushions and pillows. Beautiful, great condition, and fairly priced. The date on the price tag informed me it had just been put on the floor that day. I didn't think it would last the 10 days needed to get a price reduction (thanks to my mom I know these things).

I called up Gram and told her she had to go down and check it out as soon as she could the next morning...which turned out would not be until after 11am. I prayed that it would still be there if it was meant to be. Sure enough - it was and she liked it. So we planned for her to come to my house to stay with my kids while I ran down with my "Stow 'n Go" van to fit the three pieces in.

After securing the furniture price tags at the front counter to stake my treasure, I took a 10 minute detour to the back of the store. I grabbed up these two oval frames for $2 each:

These will be perfect for a project I've been dreaming up for at least a year now. They will be repainted and will supplement a few mini oval frames I already have. I'm not sharing any more details on that just yet...stay tuned. :)

I also found a Barbie umbrella for the girls for $3. It was an instant hit (especially with the weather lately).

So I paid for everything and was able to load up the furniture with ease (not like the last time I tried to leave Sally's with a big piece of furniture). From there I drove to Gram's house, single-handedly unloaded everything and put them on her porch, to be arranged later.  I had to get back quickly so she could get to a lunch date with a friend.

Here it is almost two week's later and Gram has settled everything in on her porch.

Finally, 6 months later, happy belated-birthday wicker for Gram. WE LOVE YOU!

Estate Sale Garden Goodies

Saturday morning I had a limited window of opportunity for treasure hunting. I had a 1st birthday party to attend for my absolutely adorable nephew at 10:00. If ever there was a worthy cause to disrupt my Saturday morning second-hand shopping therapy, this is surely it.

I knew I would be cutting it close and if I did nothing else, I wanted to hit up an estate sale that started at 9:00 in the next town over. So I had to have everyone at home ready to go to the party before I skipped out. The baby woke up late so I didn't actually leave my house till about five of nine. I was afraid I'd end up waiting in a line at that point. My fears came true. Sure enough, I had to park 1/4 mile down the street from the house so I literally ran along the side of the road to get there quicker. And this was the line of impatient shoppers that beat me.

I was handed ticket #56. They only let in 10 - 12 people at a time so it wasn't until after 9:30 that I was actually let in the front door. Thanks to the ad I knew exactly where I was heading first. Out back to the gardening stuff to hopefully get the most bang for my buck. It took me 15 minutes to gather up the things I was interested in, get pricing for all of them (because of course none of the things I wanted were pre-priced), decide what things were a rip-off to be left behind, get my sale ticket written up, and somehow carry it all upstairs to the register. I passed too many other treasures I was tempted to stop and look at but I had no time or room left in my arms.

Back upstairs, I had to wait in line again to pay. It was practically 10:00 as I was dragging my stash out the door, across their driveway and down the road to my car. I booked it home, unloaded the goods, loaded up hubby, two kids and the gift, went to pick up the third kid from a sleepover and got to the party unfashionably late just after 10:30. I'm not proud of that.

But I am proud of what I was able to score. First, a couple of garden obelisks.

For now they are just thrown in my garden to take a picture but they won't stay there so close together. I'd been hoping to come across something like these or a trellis for my morning glories and clematis vines, of which the former has yet to emerge from the ground. For the past several years I had been using a couple of wooden grills that were the size for a sliding glass door. Of course I'd gotten these for a couple bucks at a yard sale.

But these were finally falling apart so badly this year that they were no longer usable. I'm still on the lookout for more of this kind of thing or lattice work or more obelisks for the peas and beans we started indoors (of which only half have sprouted...so far...).  Gotta move these outside!

I also got another old galvanized watering can for $2. It's a little rusty but that just adds to the charm. Have I mentioned my love of all things galvanized tin or zinc? I've nestled this in on my porch.

I decided to take this set of garden markers for herbs for $2.

And last but not least, these three garden rakes for $2 each.

Let's just say these will not be uesd for raking. Stay tuned for more on those in a future post!

So, provided I had only 15 minutes to shop an estate sale, not bad, not bad.

GOD IS...(IV)

I only have a couple things to say about this week's edition of God Is.

First - I just wanted to clarify that I am including verses from my Bible reading that say anything about any of the three persons of God. God the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) or the Holy Spirit. So if you notice that some of the verses only talk about Jesus, or Lord, or Spirit, they are all talking about the same one and only true God. This concept of the Trinity - God, three in one - is hard to wrap our human minds around, but the Bible, God's own words, confirm this truth all throughout. I just had to get that out there - obvious for some, no so obvious for others.

Second - I don't have anything new from 1 Corinthians to share this week. A bunch of kids who were not in my Sunday School class the first week showed up last week so instead of picking up where I left off, I had the kids who were there the first week help me bring the others up to speed about the book (who wrote it, when, where and to whom, historical context, themes, etc). So this edition is shorter than last week's, but still packed with power.

I Peter 3:4 A woman's inner self and her unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit are of great worth in God's sight.

1 Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

1 Peter 3:17 Sometimes it can be God's will for you to suffer for doing good.

1 Peter 3:18 "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit..."

1 Peter 3:19 "...God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built."

1 Peter 3:22 Jesus Christ has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand - with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Psalm 51:10 God is able to create a clean heart in you and to renew a right spirit within you.

1 Peter 4:1 Christ suffered in his body.

1 Peter 4:5 God is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4:10 God's grace is administered as you use the gifts he has given you to serve others faithfully.

1 Peter 4:11 God provides the strength to serve, and you should rely on it so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:11 To Jesus Christ be the glory and the power for ever and ever.

1 Peter 4:13 Christ's glory will be revealed.

1 Peter 4:14 The Spirit of glory and of god rests on those who are insulted because of the name of Christ.

1 Peter 4:19 It is God's will that some should suffer and that they should also commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

1 John 1:9 If you confess your sins, God is faithful and just to forgive you your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 13:6 God has been good to you.

1 Peter 5:1 Christ's sufferings were witnessed by Peter.

1 Peter 5:2 God wants his flock to be shepherded under the care of elders who are willing and eager to serve as overseers and be an example to the flock.

1 Peter 5:4 God is the Chief Shepherd who will reward these elders/overseers with a crown of glory that will never fade.

1 Peter 5:6 God's hand is mighty and will lift up the humble in due time.

1 Peter 5:7 God cares for you and wants you to cast all your anxiety on him.

1 Peter 5:10 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

1 Peter 5:12 God's grace is true.

1 Peter 5:14 Christ gives peace to all who are in him.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."

Brag Bust

I hate it when I'm reading the Bible and a verse just pops off the page at me, as if to say, "Busted!!!" Okay, so I don't actually hate that, I actually kinda like it. That's one of the many reasons why I read the Bible in the first place. I want it to point out the sin in my life, to wake me up to the crappy attitudes and actions I've been blind to or aware of and ignoring, so I can deal with them. And by deal with them I mean confess them and repent - to be sorry and stop doing them. I love knowing that, as a believer in Christ, my sins are forgiven. I'm not afraid of judgement. This is another one of the reasons I love reading the Bible - being reminded of God's love and mercy towards me.

So that's exactly what played out for me not too long ago. I read James 4 but it was sort of a rush job. Then I got into my study notes which always ask great convicting questions that force me to take a closer look at verses that I would otherwise breeze over. Granted, the whole book is littered with commands to be humble, but chapter 4 verse 16 said, "As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil."

My first thought was I don't boast and brag. I guess I kinda thought any pride issues of mine were just internal. But when I read the verse the second time, I was totally busted. The word Facebook was what came to mind.  I wondered, if I was to look back on my wall - or timeline - or whatever they'll call it next - how often do I brag or boast? Even if I'm not bragging about anything major - for example, the quality of the cheeseburger I'm wolfing down or how funny or witty I think my kids are  - how often do I announce to my entire world of "friends" about how great my life is or how amazing something I have is or how cool something I did is?

Why do I post some of the status updates that I do? To lift myself up? To make me look good? To tempt other people to be discontented? Shame on me.  If I back up in the same chapter to verse 6 it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Verse 10 says, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up."

So I'm going to try to think twice before posting some of the status updates I might otherwise be quick to shout out. I guarantee I'll continue to post some of the little quips my kids come out with...I hope to make people laugh. Of course I'll continue to promote my blog - it's my creative outlet to inspire and entertain. But there will always be times that I will feel the tempation to share with my Facebook world some tidbit where the only purpose would be to one-up people or make me look good.

James 4:17 goes on to say, "Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." The good I know I ought to do is to humble myself, not boast and brag. The good I know I ought to do is to put this conviction and commitment out there for some accountability. The good I know I ought to do is to encourage others to do the same.  Are you with me?

And now, especially for my Country music fan friends, here's a little closing tune you'll be sure to appreciate.