Queenies Little Kingdom

I've been busy…

My pretty fall house is a thing of the past.   I've moved on to the twinkly season of Christmas and I love it!

Since we were still moving in last year….. Decorating the house has been a new adventure.   One I've been doing alone.   Darn that empty nest!

But at least everyone will enjoy it when they come home, right?

Our tree this year is from Costco and it smells amazing!   I've been snipping and clipping limbs to poke all over the house.   Just for the smell.

There's something magical about twinkling white lights y'all.

I love Christmas!

Happy Friday!

Cyber Monday is alive and blazin' if you're interested in searching for deals and scouring the internet to save a few dollars.  Most sites that I've journeyed onto didn't have much to brag about in discounts.  I think it pays to be a "shopper" when it comes to big blowout days like today (and Black Friday).  The offers are nothing new is what I'm trying to say.  The same great sales are offered most other days too.

So, lame!

However, in case you haven't written a check or looked at your calendar today….guess what?

December snuck in and brought with it lower temperatures and anticipation of decorations all over my house.  My hubby has 4 boards to cut and lay down to complete the great floor debacle 2014 and it's going to be KATY BAR THE DOOR on my tree and the trimmings, baby!  I can't wait to do what I didn't get to do last year — have a real Christmas in our new home!

Don't ask me all that I've learned in the last year?  That post is coming soon.  😉

But for now….I have a little advice.  Take it or leave it, December is here.  So, why not make the best of every single day. (if you click on the 31 must do pic, it will enlarge)

Friends, do whatever you can….to

I haven't wanted to write about the Ferguson troubles because the story just never seems to end.  The opinions from either side are passion filled and emotional.  I have my own opinion, of course…but in this instance, I am going to keep it to myself.  What I think or believe about what happened that day in Missouri cannot and will not change a single thing about that case.  The only thing I can offer is my prayers….

…and my willingness to love even the ones I disagree with!  Because, God does.  He loves both sides of this horrible situation.

Tonight, I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and came upon a Christian friend's post that really disturbed me.  It caught my eye because it reminded me just how little we all know about what happened that day.  None of us, were there.  We can judge from a safe distance and come up with our own conclusions and we can even jump on the bandwagon and walk the streets to protest all that we think is unjust.  But the hard truth is…that we really need to pray for all of these people!

What our world needs is peace.  Rioting in the streets, tearing down businesses, flipping police cars…scaring children at Christmas shows, blocking highway traffic, harrassing people at professional ballgames, malls, robbing schools and the list goes on….

Much like the angry protestors…..

This has to stop.  It's only making the very sad event uglier.

I understand what other's mean when they spout off about deleting "friends" because of posting their opinions all over.  I can't look at distorted half-truth information being spread by anyone, including friends.  I just won't do it.  And I won't go to bat arguing with anyone about this case.  It's a tragic consequence!  One that has divided so many and appears to only be streamrolling down the proverbial  MEDIA FRENZY!

The world is brimming with troubles that root from one sure thing, SIN.  No matter which side you're on, you have to ultimately answer to God for how you behave and handle it.  That goes for posting your thoughts on social media.

I'm talking to ME and to you.

Lord

Help me remember that I need to have a pure heart when dealing with anyone who thinks differently than me.  I have just as much capability of being wrong as anyone else.  Let me love….and not judge.

Amen

Before I cut loose…..let me say this —>  I AM THANKFUL!

 For my family.  Healthy bodies.  Sound mind (ok, here & there).  Jobs.  Kids in college.  Kids with jobs.  Sweet pets.  Precious friends.  Mercy.  Grace.  The Lord's unending love for me.  For a nice kitchen.  For a warm & lovely home.

Really.  I am thankful for my life.  It's a good life.  One I truly do not deserve.

But if I've ever uttered the words WHY ME? (which I don't usually use) this is the week for me to start using them.

I can't sugarcoat this…..it's been a rough week of Thanksgiving!

I'm blaming satan.  He attacked at every turn.  The flooring in the foyer and family room that's been sitting, waiting its turn to be put back down…..finally got the attention I've been praying it would get ON THANKSGIVING DAY!!!

But then we left for a movie with the kids and well, it's still unfinished.

That's the way it's going to stay too because on Wednesday afternoon (you know, the DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING WEDNESDAY) my hubby installed a new hot water something or another to our plumbing under the kitchen sink and all night long…..it dripped a swimming pools' worth of water all over our kitchen.

So, how did your Thanksgiving morning go?  Mine was a little stressful. 

If you can imagine….

Slipping on your house shoes and staggering down to the kitchen to make your coffee and feeling the weirdest sensation under your feet.  Sort of like you're standing on a wet sponge.  When you look down at the fluffy rug in front of your kitchen sink and your feet are standing sunken down in water logged carpeting.  You open the cabinet door and everything you've ever stuffed under the sink is floating in a few inches of water (maybe I'm exaggerating here…but this is my sob story so let me go, y'all). 

I hadn't even put a single food in the oven yet.

This sort of morning opens up a whole new thinking when it comes to saying thanks.  Now, the kitchen floor is all ripped out just like the foyer/living room.  The water was just too much and the wood flooring was floating by the time we returned from the movies.

That'll teach us to pretend like we're free to party watching Mockinjay!

So, on Thanksgiving night my hubby is on his knees ripping out the flooring that he put down almost a year ago and I am feeling extra sorry for myself because I AM TOTALLY OVER ALL THE WATER ACCIDENTS AND TORN UP FLOORS!!!

For gosh sakes!  My front porch even has a saw and tools piled up on it.

I'm trying really hard to be the better person in this fiasco.  But the cold hard truth is I am human and tonight, I started crying and the floodgates are pouring!  I'm sick with stress over my house being torn up and disgusting!   I'm a wimp when it comes to big messes and chaos. 

I can't take one more thing.  I know.  I shouldn't have said it, but I did!

Lord Jesus,

You know me and you see me.  Much like the floors, I'm flooded with emotion & feelings that are stealing my peace.  Help me face my trials with a grateful heart.

Amen

I'd much rather spend money replacing stuff that is lost, wouldn't you?

My hubby is home from Texas.  Except, he's missing a few things.  Important things at that.  His new glasses and his latest switchblade knife!  I say latest…because, this item is something that he's been losing as long as we've been married.  Over the last 25 years, we have purchased many knives.  Too bad, he likes the pricier ones, huh?

Some things are just disposable.

Prescription eye-glasses and the sunglass clip attachment …..are not disposable!   So, Merry Christmas babe?  Looks like your gifts will be easy to buy this year.  🙂

Boo, hiss!

Oh, but who needs to get all in a tizzy over lost stuff?  My hubby is home!  That's a huge deal, one worth buying new glasses for (in my mind)!  Maybe NOW…..

…..the floor will be put down.

…..the hot tub will get repaired.

…..the old carpet will get hauled away.

…..the firewood that needs to go where the old carpet is, can finally be purchased.

…..the security cameras can be installed the rest of the way.

…..the chandy can be hung in the upstairs bedroom.

…..the bikes can get hung up out of the way in the garage.

…..the shutters that we started painting can be finished.

…..and the birthday present our youngest requested can be built.

Poor hubby!  Can you tell, he's been missed?  I'll pay him for all his hard work in new glasses and a knife!

Sound fair?

Dear Lord

I'm so thankful for a hubby like mine.  He works hard and tries to please a lot of people (mostly me)!  Bless him for all that he puts up with and thank you that we can replace lost items.  Stuff is just that, stuff!

Amen

It's been so cold here in Indiana that pj's have been my biggest source of companionship!  Who needs to get dressed and go out in below freezing temperatures?  Not me.

Until…..you get called in for a few half-days at school, that is.

So, for the safety and enjoyment of all who will come in contact with me — I shall get dressed and even put on some make-up.

You are welcome, Zionsville high school peeps! 

Happy hump day, friends!