The Name Game

Naming your blog can be a bit daunting. It want something to strike the right tone...to, at a glance, tell what the blog is about and who you are. It is kind of like being in a class and everyone goes around giving one word for who you are.

After several stops and starts, I've come upon The Next-to-Nothing House. It is the title to a lovely little book first published in 1922. I am quite fortunate to own a first addition and truly treasure the wisdom found between the faded green cloth cover. I could try to explain what it means to me, but Lanier says it much better than I could.

The Dry Season

It has been a rare summer here in Kentucky....or at least in Central Kentucky. We have been blessed with enough rain. Usually water conservation is one of the main topics on the local news by August, but this year the rain has been plentiful.

The post title is not a comment on the weather, but of the times. It is almost impossible to watch the news, read a newspaper, or even listen to the radio without hearing about how times are tough. I have to regularly remind myself to look for the positive...and it's not always easy.

Today one of my favorite bloggers posted a lovely old poem from the Depression era that helps us to remember that times are only as tough as we allow them to be. Please hop over and see what Mrs. Wilt has to share. You won't be disappointed.

At Our Table

While growing up we always had dinner together at the kitchen table. It wasn't something we thought about...we just did it. I never thought of watching tv while eating my dinner, but somehow times have changed. I must admit that while our family sits in the same room and eats, we are not eating together.

With the house being for sale and trying to keep it 'showing perfect', we have returned to our table. I think we will be the better for it....

Where can you communicate while you eat?
Where can you enjoy real fellowship sweet?
Where can you laugh with friends who are neat?
At the table.

Where can you pour out your heart and soul?
Where can you explain what is taking its toll?
Where can you share your vision and goal?
At the table.

Where can you dialogue and sift through ideas?
Verbalize thoughts and yet still be at ease?
Discover new subjects to debate if you please?
At the table.

Where can your hearts be knitted as one?
Where can you yarn and old stories be spun?
Feel accepted so you don't have to run?
At the table.

Where can your children learn to sit still?
Acquire eating habits that won't make them ill?
Be taught good manners of which some have nil?
At the table.

Where to imbibe values and ethics for life?
Learn to eat correctly with fork and knife?
Observe how "to father" and be a good wife?
At the table.

Where can you reveal God's ways to your kin?
Teach them His Word will keep them from sin?
That to follow God's laws is the way to win?
At the table.

Where can you encourage your children each day?
And boost the confidence of these "jars of clay"?
Give counsel that will keep them from going astray?
At the table.

Where can you make your house feel a "home"?
With a lovely warm ambience and happy tone?
From where your children will not want to roam?
At the table.

Where can you show love to God's special "flock"?
Feed those who come to your door and knock?
Even those who don't know God can be their Rock?
At the table.

Where does God love His presence to fill?
Where does He want His blessing to spill?
Where does He want restless hearts to be still?
At the table.

Dear father and mother, look again at your table,
Family meals together will make your home stable!
Make it a priority -- your God will enable!
Sit at your table!

~Nancy Campbell

Cultivating Patience

Those of you who know me won't be surprised that patience is a virtue I have yet to cultivate. I've been able to make it through most of my life with few complications (and a few temper tantrums), but it appears that the time for patience has come.

Do you know the old joke of how to make God laugh? Punch line: tell Him your plans. Well, He must have been laughing like crazy back in May. I was so convinced that I could whip this house into shape, put it on the market, sell quickly and be on my way to Georgia. This is how it actually happened.....

Our house was not ready until mid-July and if I were honest I would admit that there are probably a few things I could still do. We have placed it for sale and while we've recieve a fair amount of interest, as of yet, no offers. Home shopping in Georgia hasn't been much more productive, but without a sale here it doesn't really matter. School is starting soon and I must admit to getting a bit teary eyed. I've been crying to God that we are living in limbo. We don't really live in Kentucky, but we don't yet live in Georgia. Do I place the children in school here or try to enroll them in Georgia? Do we try to buy a house in Georgia or just find an apartment for the time being?

These are just a few of the things that I discuss with God each night, but He only has one word for me....patience.

"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:25

Moving....blogs

I thought this was more appropriate for our circumstance.....The Next-to-Nothing House Enjoy our new (blogging) home!

Anyone???

It's time for someone...anyone...to find me a magic wand!!!! I'm tired of cleaning, painting, organizing and being unpaid labor. I know....I need a little cheese to go with my whine.

What We'll Miss

Needless to say, this is a hard move for all of us. I thought I would take a moment to share just a few of the things that have made life here so great...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Of course, this isn't everything. There are so many friends that we will miss something awful, but I didn't think y'all would want me to put your pictures on the internet lol.

Stay tuned in...I will show you what I'm looking forward to...

Graduation Week

Today was the big wrap up of graduation week and I am exhausted. Yesterday was Madeline's graduation and she looked just beautiful...yes, I am bias, but it is my blog and I get to write whatever I want :o) Of course, a new dress makes most girls feel extra pretty so we had to go shopping Thursday night. (I thought the Mr. was going to drag us both out of the store lol.) She received several awards, but just missed honor roll. Lets just say she didn't get her daddy's math abilities ;)

We took lots of pictures, which I will post soon, and took time to say goodbye to all of her friends and teachers. It was pretty sad....we've known most of them since kindergarten. We'll miss them all.

For Sale

Time seems to be flying. The Mr.  will be leaving in 10 short days and there is so much left to do. Of course, we should be spending all of our time getting the house ready to sell, but real life keeps getting in the way.

I'm sure that there are lots of mothers out there feeling exhausted from the final days of school and I'm no exception. Baseball practice and games, final projects, plays, end of year picnics, 5th and 8th grade graduations leave me feeling tired and I don't want to be an adult anymore....it's over, I quit. If only it were that easy... So, what do I do? I make my lists and work each item one by one. I hope to finish by Christmas :)

A big step was taken today when I called our realtor. Our house should be on the market in a couple of weeks and then the hard work really begins. It makes me crazy trying to keep our house clean while it is being shown. Lets all pray for a quick sale! If I can't get a quick sale, I would, at least, like to not lose all of my hair during this.

Whistle While You Work

Vacation is over....meet my new best friend.....



Just so y'all know, I am taking volunteers!

Georgia On Our Mind

Welcome one and all to our new blog!

We have big news to share... We are moving to Georgia! I know it's shocking isn't it?! It is our hope that this blog will help us stay connected with our family and friends....hey, we may even make new friends with this.

So, this is your invitation to join us as we get our house ready to sell, find a new house, move seven hours away, start new schools, start new jobs....Gotta stop...I'm scaring myself. Here we go!