Issuing a "Talk Switch Challenge" to Myself and My Friends September 28 - 30

Phillipians 2:14-15 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world

Note: The image above is taken from google images and I thought it was very appropriate for the topic. You got it. . .for the weekend let's try not to grumble (complain) or argue. Actually let's do better than try, let's DO IT!!! This weekend I am going on a "Girl's Weekend" to do some crafty things and to shop. I started thinking about how when girls get together sometimes it can leave you feeling empty and down when it was really meant for fun. My heart asked me why and what I think happens sometimes is that when women get together we start complaining. Did you get that? I did not say they start complaining, but we! I am the biggest baddest whiner, complainer there is. I complain about my husband, my kids, my job, my car, my stinky birthday. . .well you know here I go again starting down that road again!

We pause to take time to remember Whitesnake, the band!! Going down the only road I've ever known, like a drifter I was born to walk alone. But I've made up my mind. . .I ain't wastin no more time. . .cause here I go again. . .screaming guitars in the background. . .did you hear them? Sorry I hate it when those old songs get in my head like that. . .I just needed to get that out. ahem. .anyway no whining this weekend!!! Like one of my roommates in college used to say "you want some cheese with that whine!"

We need a strategy girls; instead of complaining we will follow the plan. The plan is as follows:

1. I will swallow my whine and complaint and I will think of something I am grateful for cuz God gave me the thing I am complaining about
2. I will not only think of something I am grateful for, I will say it out loud!
3. I will try to think of something to change the conversation when those around me complain. . .the high road girls, take the high road!
4. I will do my very best to shine like a star in the universe. . .and if I don't do my best. . .I will become a falling star! Just kidding. . .read some verses or something if you feel a complaint coming on!
5. Last but really not least, pray and thank God for all you have and all that you are, because He deserves it!

Comment if you are taking the challenge. It's not fair if you start on Sunday and write and say you did great! :) See, don't give me nuthin to complain about!

Cheaper than Dirt!

Last spring was the first time in about three years that we have been able to plant a garden. My husband graduated from seminary in Dallas last year. While we tried to grow a nice organic tomato plant in a pot on our downtown Dallas apartment back porch, we failed miserably.

So when he graduated and we moved I was more than eager to try out my garden hands. The bad thing about gardening is that it can get expensive really quickly. We sold most of our gardening equipment before we left for Dallas. We borrowed a tiller from our neighbor, picked a square in our yard that would get plenty of sunlight and started to work.

As we were tilling, we realized that half of our soil was rocks. We paid our kids a penny for every rock and then realized after $5.00 later that they barely scratched the surface. Fortunately, while I was talking to my neighbor who loaned me the tiller (great reason to get to know your neighbors, by the way) that he worked for Wally World at night. He said that one of the ways that he got less expensive soil was to buy the damaged packages at half off.

So I am letting you in on my little secret, during the summer especially, Wal Mart gets a lot of damaged packages of potting soil, rocks, flower and garden soil by them either receiving them that way or by me tearing little holes in them as I walk by. . .just kidding. I think from all of the handling. . .over time the rips just happen. They are usually in a specific place. . .like under a shaded pavilion on some crates out in the parking lot. . .at least that is what they do at my hometown location. They load them up for you and give you a receipt for your half off products. Yay!

Now, I tried this at Home Depot and they said that they send theirs back to the manufacturer and get their money back. Good for them, but they are doing a lot of extra work for nothing. If they would just sell them to me I would take them off of their hands. Oh well, that's all she wrote this week on Works for Me Wednesday. Make sure to check out more tips with Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer.

Song Stuck in My Head

This song by Natalie Grant has been in my mind all day. Especially, the "o so crazy life has got me spinning around and round, hanging upside down." I love all of her music, but I can truly identify with these lyrics. Can you? I want my focus to be on today, not on the past and not dreaming in the future. . . but on today alone. Live for today!

Sittin' in my room staring at the wall
Wonderin' about the meaning of it all
Why is it this thing called life
Has got me goin' crazy
So I open up your word and let it speak to me
The purpose and the plan that you've designed
Is clear to see, and I believe

Chorus:
I'm gonna live for today
I'm gonna follow in your way
I'm gonna let my little light shine
Like there's no tomorrow
I won't worry about the past
I know my future is intact
So I'll choose to live my life one way
I'm gonna live it for today

You told me not to worry
About what lies ahead
So I am gonna focus on today instead
Making every moment count and counting
Every single blessing
I'm gonna set my mind on the
Here and the Now
This is what I want my life to be about
And this is How...

Yea

My o so crazy life
has got me spinnin round and round
hanging upsidedown
Taking one step at a time
holding your hand all the way
and it'll be okay
yea yea yea yea