Love Bunny is Such a Funny Man

I'm married to a very funny man. Well, he thinks he's funny. No, really, he is funny but in a droll sort of way.

We're Apple Mac people and he just had to have an iPhone. I surprised him one day with it. He had no idea I was buying it for him.

I went to Verizon as soon as they came out last year and bought it, brought it home and stuck it in his desk drawer. Later that night I asked him for some help with something electronic—can't remember now what it was—and that should have been his first clue because he is not very computer savvy. I'm the guru in this family, after my granddaughter of course, but she's on PCs and has to ask me for things Apple Mac. Anyway, I knew he would have to look in that drawer and when he did, it didn't register at first that the iPhone was in there. When I asked him to pick it up, there was a huge smile on his face. He loves his iPhone. If I ask him what the weather is going to be, he'll quickly whip out his iPhone from his hip instead of simply looking out the window. Sigh. I think I've created a monster.

Anyway, he can't connect to the internet at Jack-in-the-box. Never! He tries it every single time we go there, which is every Monday night for their grilled chicken salad. He hasn't ever missed trying. He tries it in any store we go to—WalMart, Costco, even just driving down the street. (I drive my car and he drives his truck. I hate adjusting the seat every time he uses it, so we've made this concession.) It's driving me over the edge. He's also known for putting lists and various appointments in his iPhone; I just write my lists on a sheet of paper. Appointments and alarms are fine but his other lists drive me bonkers as he'll whip out the iPhone if I just mention something and enter it on his iPhone. He's always referring to a list.

So the other night I was driving us home—so he could play with his iPhone—and told him, with a wink and a rather sexy look that tonight might be a good night for him. He looked over at me and said, "Should I put that in my iPhone?" I just had to laugh. He's such a kidder!

Lately, I'm seeing these a lot as I drive down streets.

 

Now, THIS is color!!!

Cute little pup whiling away his hours dreaming of being outside.

*

Can you believe this statement in the news lately?:

Before the summit, the government of President Juan Manuel Santos asked the city health department for an action plan outlining disease prevention efforts with prostitutes ahead of the gathering of 30 hemispheric leaders.

Can't the officials of governments control their lusts for a few days? Disgusting that it even has to be considered, much less reported in the news! Where have the morals of people gone?

~*~

Photos courtesy of tumblr and pinterest

Read more »

Cottages, Roses and Porch to Daydream About

I'm going to repeat this statement until I am through with these scheduled posts that I did with the old Blogger interface and the new interface automatically adapted it to the new interface, which is showing uneven gaps between the photos and text. From that point on I'll be using a template I've created for myself and this statement will disappear. I. Can't. Wait!! Plus to get rid of these horrible looking posts I'm going to publish one every day until they are gone. Trying to work them into some semblance of order just will NOT work! I'm trying as diligently as I can, working on it for several hours a day to conquer the wonkiness of the new interface. And don't you ever think I won't win this battle! ;-)

~*~

As I said several weeks ago, for the most part there is no particular theme to any of the photos I post on here. I just gather thousands of photos from the internet to show you and perhaps let you daydream a while. I couldn't possibly post them with a theme. There are too many variations on the photos. Some are beautiful homes. Some are beautiful rooms in a home. Some are yards and gardens that make one dream of a getaway. Some are actually getaways for vacations. Some are just simply eye candy, which are my favorites. Some days I think I'll stop as I have well over ten thousand photos on my Photobucket account, but then I'll find more and just can't wait to share them with others. So here are some cuties for today.

I can't quite make this tiny dwelling out, if it's a bridge or a house with very unusual front and back entries. I think it's cute though.

It's the sofa, pillows and chair that drew me to this room.

This is a lunch box. I think any girl or boy would like taking lunch to school in this, even a hubby! Mine definitely would. He's a man's man, but he's so funny sometimes it makes me cry laughing so much. You wouldn't know it if you just looked at him. But once you get to know him, you don't ever trust what he says! ;-)

A view from the Amalfi coastline—a place on the shin of the Italian boot coastline.

And this is the town of Amalfi, for those of you who will visit it someday. As you can see, you'll not be wearing high heels to walk the cobbles of this town, more like hiking boots.

This tiny toy set just set my heart a flutter. Pink trucks! Caroline loves trucks and trains so she can have them in PINK now. Maybe hubs, her Poppop, would paint an old one in pink for her. She loves pink and purple.

A cozy little spot to sit and look at the garden, it looks to be somewhere in Europe.

While it looks creepy, I think it's just the darkness of the photo that lends that look to this little cottage. I didn't photoshop it because I wanted to show it exactly as it is. I think it's rather cute yet foreboding in those deep dark woods.

If I had the energy I'd make one of these tablecloths but I'd rather try to find one already made if I could.

Draw up the ladder and you can get away from it ALL in this little tree house.

No one would ever mistake me for a gardener but I think these just may be the famous Cecile Brunner roses as they grow prolifically over arbors. I'd love to have some but I don't know where I'd put them. Our arbor has grapes but maybe I could get hubs to plant these there instead of the grapes. I love roses more than grapes.

This sweet, relaxing porch is among my absolute favorites for whiling away a summer afternoon. Darling!!!!!

This is the shade of yellow I love with pink and red—bright lemony yellow.

*

My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between I occupy myself as best I can because people living deeply have no fear of death. And I don't fear death. It's only the separation from my sweetheart for a season that will make me sad, but it truly is only for a small season.

~*~
Photos courtesy of tumblr and pinterest.

Read more »

Love in action is a powerful thing!

April 27, 2012 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

My two kids have some amazing friends that I love dearly.   Now that most of them are in their twenties, many are grappling with tough issues around social justice and world events and how to reconcile their privileged upbringing with the way 2/3rds of the world’s population live – and it’s hard.

You don’t want to ignore it but you can easily become overwhelmed by the brokenness around us which can lead to depression and lethargy.  What to do?

This question is especially challenging if you’re a person of faith where sacrificial serve, kindness and love to others, and helping the helpless is encouraged.  Though I’d love to have an answer for Abby, Jack and their friends – I don’t.

I do, however, know that I’m called – as a Jesus follower – to love others.  Love. Others.  Simple concept – hard to live out.  It’s even hard to love those who love us back – and it looks different for each of us.  Yet there’s an element of loving others that’s the same for all.  Loving others involves some type of action on our part.

That action of loving others might look for you like living in a third world country and – one person at a time – offering hope and healing.  Or moving to the inner city and becoming an oasis of peace and hospitality in a hostile and often violent world.

Drill down even more and it might look like watching a neighbor’s young children while she/he goes grocery shopping – or – gets some much needed alone time.  It might be the gift of listening – without trying to solve or fix – without interruption for as long as someone needs you to.  Will either of these things change the world?  No.  Will they bless and possibly encourage someone?  Yes.

Loving others through our actions is what we’re constantly trying to do at Jubilee Furniture.  With a primarily volunteer staff – the donation of a person’s time (what a valuable resource!) is a beautiful way of loving our customers and helping the community (the proceeds of what we sell at the furniture store are helping to support the programs and services offered by Outreach Community Ministries). 

Though only open two days each week (Fridays from 1 to 8 and Saturdays from 9 to 4) – all are welcome to browse our 30,000 square feet of quality used furniture.

Here are some photos of the new-to-us-this-week stuff available for purchase:

great retro chair with pale yellow vinylish fabric priced $65

two piece sectional in wonderful blue brushed twill fabric (design team staged this with the two piece separated – but can be pushed together) priced $165.  Wonderful condition!

Two 1958 Cherner side chairs – laminated molded, walnut veneer by Norman Cherner.  One chair needs one leg repaired (see how it’s splitting in photo?) and the other chair has the beginning of the same problem with one leg.  Selling the pair for $750

hard to see in this photo – but I was trying to take a picture of a smallish metal and plastic retro bookcase which is priced $35

fantastic butcher block top drop leaf table with four super solid chairs – priced $195 for the whole thing

wonderful wicker – white wicker chair with cushion for $50 (and there are two chairs); sofa priced $85; rocker priced $65; fun cube ottoman for $25

funky micro-fiber chairs – they sit lower to the ground than a normal chair – priced $55 each

structurally great pieces – just issues with fading – sofa is priced $50; oversized chair for $40; ottoman for $25 (ottoman is so faded it looks like a different color from the other two pieces)

lovely Broyhill dining set – table top is pristine – table, one leaf, six chairs (only one has arms) and table pads for $325 (chairs have some caning issues); rolling buffet for $75; two piece lighted china cabinet for $135

nice wingbacks by Highland House – but need to be reupholstered – priced $35 each

we received a donation of a BRAND NEW executive “U” desk by DMI Office Furniture which retails for $7,000 – our priced $3,995 – set includes executive desk, bridge, credenza, two drawer file drawer, tall storage/file drawer – all in cherry finish.  Some issues (which is why it was donated), bridge has a slightly different stain than desk and credenza, there’s some slight damage to one of the interior file drawers and some minor chips out of one of the shelves in the tall piece.  Great, working, comfortable desk chairs – $125 each

fabulous king-size four poster bed in pine by Kincaid – priced $195

BUNKBEDS – we haven’t had a set in ever so long – this is a fantastic set that includes under-bed storage drawers and two bunky boards – all for $325 (twin mattresses sold separately)

amazing retro oval table that includes Water of Wabash sliding mechanisms (but no leaves) priced $95

unique Klaussner chaises have curve and widen at end for an inviting look in a comfy brushed velvet fabric – one has some worn places in upholstery and is priced lower than the other.  Some wear chaise $145; No issues chaise $175

lovely Lexington six drawer drawer with mirror priced $95; three drawer dresser for $65; two drawer night stand for $35

So, to my kids and all their friends – I offer this response to the inequities and horrors of the world – don’t be overwhelmed by the brokenness but simply start by loving those around you – don’t let differences get in your way – and turn that love into action. 

Through love based action you, dear reader, can impact a life and turn your piece of the world upside down!

Ack!  If this sounds preachy I apologize!  I almost deleted the whole thing but then realized the time…yikes!  I really am trying to encourage my kids and their friends to live lives where loving others is put into action on a daily basis.  Sometimes I verbalize this but I mostly try to model it.

Read more »