The article I came across today was quite thought provoking:
http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/the-types-of-people-you-will-fall-in-love-with-in-your-20s/
Deep thoughts on love....I do believe you can love many people in many ways in life. You can love friends like a family member, love family less like family and more like friends, love your "The One" and sometimes even after that love someone else in different ways. Love can grow, change, deeper, lessen, get better, fall apart....but the truth of all of these things is this kind of Love is human emotion, raw, and wrecked. Biblical love, the kind that makes that old couple last forever, now that kind of love takes WORK, hard work, and it takes realizing that just because you may feel emotional human love over and over again, that it doesn't mean you always run towards it, sometimes you have to let it be and just stay in your biblical love with the one you chose and promised you always would. And most of the time if you trust in biblical love, stick it out, and choose to stay and work hard on it, you will experience the highest of emotional loves that is humanly possible. You may even realized that the emotional love you started out attracted to your spouse by is now so much deeper that you are that cute old couple who has lasted and stood the tests of time. Don't give up on the one you chose, and don't fall for the emotional love traps, they are great, they feel so right, but they don't last as long as holding out for your forever love. :)
Jesus didn't stop loving you, and He didn't let His human emotions lead Him to sin against His father. So don't let you human emotions take off with your heart...use your head and your soul and that wonderful Holy Spirit to make the right choices and stick it out and work hard to have the everlasting love of both our savior to us and us to our mate.
Love you,
Rachel
Monday, September 30, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
DIY Patio Set Refurbish...PART 2 CUSHIONS
This is a tutorial of the Seat Cushions I made by hand with NO PATTERN and just an idea in my head about how I wanted them to turn out. I liked the boxy look to the cushions I was researching and decided that it would make my fabric choices blend better and stand out more.
Here are my fabric colors:
I knew that I wanted to cover the woven seat (from part 1) with the coral color, but it wasn't until I set out to measure and create the custom cushions that I decided to make them square and add the blue color into them.
So having said that here's what you'll need to recreate my ideas (keep in mind that your measurements will NOT match mine exactly):
3/4 yd of your accent fabric (I used this as the accent color on the cushions and also as pillows, and chose a fun pattern here)
1 yd. of the cushion main fabric. (I chose a solid with texture here.)
Thread
Pin cushion and pins
Sewing supplies be it a machine or a needle and thread
Stuffing or a foam cut out in the shape of your seat
a dowel rod or wooden skewer to stuff the stuffing in good and help flip inside out
iron and ironing board
good scissors
measuring tape and cutting board/surface
So the first step was the measure and cut out the main fabric for the seat. Mine was measuring about 16x18 so I went up and added a few inches and made it 18x20. I left the natural crease uncut on my fabric.
Then I took the accent fabric and cut about 2" wide pieces to match the length of my cushion sides and the front piece. I put the pretty sides together and pinned them, then sewed them together.
So here's the first strip sewn on correctly
And here's how it looked pinned together with one side sewn and one side ready to sew. see how the pretty part stays inside and now you have a pillow inside out with the strip sewn so all seams will not show.
Don't forget to leave little holes in the back for the ties to be added on later. It also serves as a way to pull the fabric right side out.
 |
| Inside out view of hole left open |
Keep in mind also that you will eventually have to add ties to keep the cushion on the chair so do not sew about an inch towards the back of the pillow where your crease side is. Leave those small holes for filling up the pillow with the last bits of "fluff" if you are using your own stuffing or just as a space to sew in those ties and also a place to flip the pillow inside out. :)
 |
| Right side out view of the hole left at the back by the crease |
As you wrap up your cushion with the accent fabric it should look like this.
 |
| Right side out view |
 |
| Inside out view of the sew on accent color strips |
I will show you how to stuff and close up the whole thing and then make ties and close up around those as well in this last part:
Once it's sewn all around inside out correctly, flip the whole thing right side out through the tiny holes you left. I know it's going to be a difficult task, but it does eventually all slip through that hole and go right side out.
After it's the right way, start stuffing it with fluff stuff. If you do this method you cannot use a foam piece. If you want to do a foam piece instead of fluff you'll have to hand sew on whole side back together or leave a LARGE hole towards the back and hand sew that back together after getting the foam to fit inside.
I stuffed mine very full because I wanted the full box shape and the extra padding for my larger half.
When you are finished stuffing all you have left is to make the ties and close it all up.
For the ties you take the leftover square of fabric (you should have some left in a square shape) and you cut in into strips as long as you can get them to be.
Take the strips and iron folds into them. Fold a little bit on each side inward. Then fold those together and iron closed. sew up the seam so they stay closed and burn off or tuck in the ends and sew again. Then close up the hole in the back of the pillow with the ties sewed into the inside nice and neat. You can hand sew this closed or try on the machine which is how I did it.
Once you have sealed up the two holes in the back and sewn in the ties you are done and ready to tie it on and enjoy your work.
COME BACK FOR PART 3
THE BACK PILLOWS
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Pickin' and Ribbons...my repurpose project ONE
So I've decided that it's time to redecorate or actually start to decorate to begin with. I picked up the following at various garages sales for $19.00 the other day.
Some doll sized benches and step stools
A toilet paper closet with chicken wire front
A random yellow ring with spirals and a country star on it
several baskets
a few country star candle holders
many wrought iron candle holders and baskets
and a free window from my awesome neighbor.
So project #1 was to make a Mizzou wreath out of the random yellow ring thing. Here's the progress and final product.
I chose some Missouri Tigers fabric, a little tiger stripe fabric, some felt in black and some tulle in sparkly yellow/gold and black. At the end I added some gold and black ribbons.
This is the ring with the first few felt pieces on it. See the country star and the random ring with metal wound up in springs around it?
And here's what it looked like when I was all finished.
Some doll sized benches and step stools
A toilet paper closet with chicken wire front
A random yellow ring with spirals and a country star on it
several baskets
a few country star candle holders
many wrought iron candle holders and baskets
and a free window from my awesome neighbor.
So project #1 was to make a Mizzou wreath out of the random yellow ring thing. Here's the progress and final product.
I chose some Missouri Tigers fabric, a little tiger stripe fabric, some felt in black and some tulle in sparkly yellow/gold and black. At the end I added some gold and black ribbons.
This is the ring with the first few felt pieces on it. See the country star and the random ring with metal wound up in springs around it?
And here's what it looked like when I was all finished.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
It really is just like the commercial...
YES, there is one product that I just switched to that I swear I was just exactly like the commercials.
Here's the story:
So, I bought my son some cute little shorts and polos off one of the area swap shops on facebook. Yes I've also become a swap addict, but that's a post for another day. So I got his new clothes home and of course like any good mom I washed them in our laundry. They smelled really good before I placed them into the laundry to wash, but I always want to rewash things that I buy him. So I did and guess what?? They came out smelling amazing STILL. Hmm...I held my nose into them, I sniffed them on my son's body, I was obsessed with how good these things smelled. So fresh, so clean, so perfect. So...so...WHAT IS THIS AMAZING STUFF? I had to know. So I did what any awesome person does and I messaged this woman I bought them from and asked her....WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU USE TO WASH YOUR CLOTHING? She said the obvious...GAIN. Oh my goodness, she uses GAIN. I've just played right into every single one of their commercials and I am obsessed with a smell. I'm walking around with my nose buried in clothing smelling of GAIN. So of course I went out and bought it. And I still love the smell. I still pull laundry out from the dryer or wash and sniff it a ton. I'm so totally just like their commercials that it is cracking me up. I've got it bad for GAIN.
And NO I was not paid to advertise them, or put their name in ALL CAPS, or anything else. I really am just a normal mommy who was impressed with the smell and now impressed with how long it lasts and how clean my clothing is. Thanks GAIN. :)
Here's the story:
So, I bought my son some cute little shorts and polos off one of the area swap shops on facebook. Yes I've also become a swap addict, but that's a post for another day. So I got his new clothes home and of course like any good mom I washed them in our laundry. They smelled really good before I placed them into the laundry to wash, but I always want to rewash things that I buy him. So I did and guess what?? They came out smelling amazing STILL. Hmm...I held my nose into them, I sniffed them on my son's body, I was obsessed with how good these things smelled. So fresh, so clean, so perfect. So...so...WHAT IS THIS AMAZING STUFF? I had to know. So I did what any awesome person does and I messaged this woman I bought them from and asked her....WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU USE TO WASH YOUR CLOTHING? She said the obvious...GAIN. Oh my goodness, she uses GAIN. I've just played right into every single one of their commercials and I am obsessed with a smell. I'm walking around with my nose buried in clothing smelling of GAIN. So of course I went out and bought it. And I still love the smell. I still pull laundry out from the dryer or wash and sniff it a ton. I'm so totally just like their commercials that it is cracking me up. I've got it bad for GAIN.
And NO I was not paid to advertise them, or put their name in ALL CAPS, or anything else. I really am just a normal mommy who was impressed with the smell and now impressed with how long it lasts and how clean my clothing is. Thanks GAIN. :)
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Dive In Friends...(Sermon in the songs series) Day 1
I'm going to start a new series on this blog I will call the Sermon in the Song. It will be a serial blog post. There may be many other posts between each sermon, but I'll try to number them so you can know how many there are and which to read to keep up. Each sermon will be a short message based on some song lyrics. They will mostly be Christian music, especially Casting Crowns because they are basically just sermons in themselves, but I may branch out into all genres to find interesting new ways to make a message from music lyrics. *I may/may not have a Rock N Roll and Jesus type of book that I'll borrow from sometimes ;)
Anyways, here's today's sermon in a song.
I want everyone to really contemplate this message I'm about to share with you!!
First off I'll start with the lyrics that started this sermon in my mind to begin with...
Casting Crowns- Somewhere in the Middle
(Chorus)
Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle??
Christians ask yourselves this...are you living inside your picket fence world with a heart of a warrior but no guts to really fight the battle? Are you reckless and willing to abandon all that you are and all that you know but won't because common sense tells you it's crazy? Are you faithful enough to call yourself "deep water" but yet stuck in the shallow end instead? Are we all just going to keep God at arm's length and let Him be what we create Him to be so we can keep on with our American dream lifestyles or are we really faithful enough to lay down our lives and become true disciples and follow Him everywhere He leads, be it to Africa, Middle East, San Francisco, or across the street? People won't hear the message of Jesus if we are stuck in this lukewarm world where we just won't GO when He says GO! Don't be a Jonah. I want to be Fearless, a warrior armed with my shield and sword, reckless and deep. I want to be someone that's not afraid to loose my common sense and just GO when called.
Let's look at the scriptures on this:
Revelation 3:16
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Hebrews 11:13 and 39-40 (Read Chapter 11 in full for context) All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Matthew 14:29
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
I don't want to be lukewarm in my faith. I want to be on FIRE. And what if all the men and women in Hebrews just used their common sense or stayed inside their little picket fence comfortable lives? They would have not furthered the kingdom at all. Yes, they may have done radical things and didn't even live to see the full results, but we know that radical things came from their choice to not stay in the shallow end.
Peter walked on water...common sense was completely obliterated here. Aren't you glad he chose to ignore the warm fuzzy of that boat and walk out onto that stormy sea? How would the world be changed if every person who calls upon Jesus steps out in faith and starts doing these CRAZY, RADICAL, and AMAZING feats that common sense would tell them not to do? We could really change the world, for today and for tomorrow. Trust in Jesus, take the leap of faith, and GO BIG!! Dive in friends, the deep end is waiting for you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0KwqFvucdw
Anyways, here's today's sermon in a song.
I want everyone to really contemplate this message I'm about to share with you!!
First off I'll start with the lyrics that started this sermon in my mind to begin with...
Casting Crowns- Somewhere in the Middle
(Chorus)
Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle??
Christians ask yourselves this...are you living inside your picket fence world with a heart of a warrior but no guts to really fight the battle? Are you reckless and willing to abandon all that you are and all that you know but won't because common sense tells you it's crazy? Are you faithful enough to call yourself "deep water" but yet stuck in the shallow end instead? Are we all just going to keep God at arm's length and let Him be what we create Him to be so we can keep on with our American dream lifestyles or are we really faithful enough to lay down our lives and become true disciples and follow Him everywhere He leads, be it to Africa, Middle East, San Francisco, or across the street? People won't hear the message of Jesus if we are stuck in this lukewarm world where we just won't GO when He says GO! Don't be a Jonah. I want to be Fearless, a warrior armed with my shield and sword, reckless and deep. I want to be someone that's not afraid to loose my common sense and just GO when called.
Let's look at the scriptures on this:
Revelation 3:16
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Hebrews 11:13 and 39-40 (Read Chapter 11 in full for context) All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Matthew 14:29
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
I don't want to be lukewarm in my faith. I want to be on FIRE. And what if all the men and women in Hebrews just used their common sense or stayed inside their little picket fence comfortable lives? They would have not furthered the kingdom at all. Yes, they may have done radical things and didn't even live to see the full results, but we know that radical things came from their choice to not stay in the shallow end.
Peter walked on water...common sense was completely obliterated here. Aren't you glad he chose to ignore the warm fuzzy of that boat and walk out onto that stormy sea? How would the world be changed if every person who calls upon Jesus steps out in faith and starts doing these CRAZY, RADICAL, and AMAZING feats that common sense would tell them not to do? We could really change the world, for today and for tomorrow. Trust in Jesus, take the leap of faith, and GO BIG!! Dive in friends, the deep end is waiting for you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0KwqFvucdw
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Summer Reading plans for toddlers
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond.
Day 1:
Read the book of course!
If you have access to a toy mouse use him for a buddy to read with.
Snack: chocolate chip mini cookies
Craft: cookie
Supplies needed; one piece white construction paper with circle traced on it, black dots precut out for chips, brown crayon, child scissors, glue stick.
Easy color, paste on chips, cut out. Teaches shape circle and colors brown and black.
Have your child color the cookie then use glue sticks to stick on chips. When finished help them cut their circle out.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Ok it's about time I really did something to loose 20 lbs before I'm still trying to at 500lbs :)
So it begins, it's time to move my butt, eat better, and loose this weight and get back into shape. There is no more excuses or reasons to feel so bad about myself and my saggy and fat body. Time to get it back to high school hotness. Here's an article to motivate me TOP 10 WAYS to Lose 20 Pounds and a picture to help me eat better.
I'm also going to start logging my eating habits and exercise into My Fitness Pal app. Please join me on my journey and blogging my healthy living start up.
Also for those reading that have know me dealing with my PPD and other issues, I have finally weaned off medication (zoloft) down to about 25mg every 3-5 days when my head gets a tad dizzy. I feel more energy (even when I was dealing with severe RLS and not sleeping at night) and I feel myself again. Sure I'm a tad moody at times and I definitely have my burst into tears at every sentimental moment, but that's really me and I'm glad to have me back versus the emotionless pit that I was before who slept til noon before she could function each day. I'm glad to have my life back and hoping it gets better as I try to exercise and eat better. :)
I'm also now using emeals.com recommended by Dave Ramsey for our meal planning. One week's menu is lasting our small family about 2-3 weeks due to leftovers. I'm also doing freezer meal parties through Hy-vee so if you have one of those check out their club room for programs like ours.
Have a great night!
Also for those reading that have know me dealing with my PPD and other issues, I have finally weaned off medication (zoloft) down to about 25mg every 3-5 days when my head gets a tad dizzy. I feel more energy (even when I was dealing with severe RLS and not sleeping at night) and I feel myself again. Sure I'm a tad moody at times and I definitely have my burst into tears at every sentimental moment, but that's really me and I'm glad to have me back versus the emotionless pit that I was before who slept til noon before she could function each day. I'm glad to have my life back and hoping it gets better as I try to exercise and eat better. :)
I'm also now using emeals.com recommended by Dave Ramsey for our meal planning. One week's menu is lasting our small family about 2-3 weeks due to leftovers. I'm also doing freezer meal parties through Hy-vee so if you have one of those check out their club room for programs like ours.
Have a great night!
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