The Terrible Twos Meme

Posted on May 22, 2007 by Barbara Harper

Saw this at Jen’s:

Two Names You Go By:

1. Barbara
2. Barbie (nickname from childhood. My family — and only my family — still calls me that.)
(Not to mention “Mom.”)

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:

1. Dress
2. Slip

Two Things You Want in a Relationship:

1. Love
2. Companionship

Two of Your Favorite Things to do:

1. Blogging
2. Reading

Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment:

1. Something sweet
2. Something to drink

What 2 pets you had/have:

1. Suzie, half Collie, half German Shepherd, has been our pet for 11 years.
2. I had a collie named Sam when I was a child.

Two people who will fill this out first: I’ll tag…

1. Whoever wants to — please let me know if you do it
2.

Two things you did last night:

1. Watched the finales of “Heroes” and “24”
2. Folded towels

Two people who live at your house:

1. Jim
2. Jeremy

Two things you ate today:

1. Corn Chex
2. Just about to have some canned pears.

Two people you talked to last:

1. Jeremy
2. Jesse

Two things you’re doing tomorrow:

1. Blogging. 🙂
2. Working on details for Ladies’ Luncheon

Two Favorite Holidays:

1. Christmas
2. Thanksgiving

Two favorite beverages:

1. Unsweetened decaf iced tea
2. Diet decaf Pepsi

Thursday Thirteen: Favorite Puns

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Barbara Harper

1. When two egotists meet, it’s an I for an I.

2. She had a boyfriend with a wooden leg, but she broke it off.

3. Dijon vu – the same mustard as before.

4. Shotgun wedding: A case of wife or death.

5. Sea captains don’t like crew cuts.

6. He often broke into song because he couldn’t find the key.

7. Once you’ve seen one shopping center, you’ve seen a mall.

8. When an actress saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she’d dye.

9. You feel stuck with your debt if you can’t budge it.

10. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

11. A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.

12. A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter.

13. When you dream in color, it’s a pigment of your imagination.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday: Rose Bouquet

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Barbara Harper

See more WW entries at the Wordless Wednesday HQ and 5 Minutes for Mom.

Works-For-Me Wednesday: Preparing for Errands

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Barbara Harper

This really should go without saying, but it is something I still forget to do, and it causes such frustration!

When you know you have errands to run the next day, prepare for them the night before, or at least some point before you’re getting ready to leave.

I do usually do this now, after years of not doing so and running into so many problems either getting out the door late and frustrated or forgetting what I needed til I was actually on the road. But I still forget sometimes. Recently I wanted to get a curtain rod, but didn’t have the measurements I needed before I got ready to go, so I was delayed getting out by having to stop and take the measurements and write them down. I was heading out one day to Michael’s and almost forgot the 40% off coupon they have in most Sunday papers. Argh!! Just a few minutes of thinking through what’s on the agenda and what’s needed to accomplish it and then getting everything as ready to go as possible and putting it in or near my purse ahead of time makes the errand itself so much more pleasant and peaceful.

As always, you can find a wealth of tips on Wednesdays at Rocks In My Dryer.

Thursday Thirteen: Mother’s Dictionary

Posted on May 10, 2007 by Barbara Harper

This has made the e-mails rounds several times over, so it’s probably old to many. But I thought these were funny even after several readings, and appropriate for Mother’s Day coming up. There are just a few more than thirteen, but I’ll let you have those free. 🙂 The lovely Thursday Thirteen banner above was made by Yellow Rose.

ADULTS: Group of people Mom longs to communicate with after several hours of talking in small words about topics like “who touched who first”

BATHROOM: A room used by the entire family, believed by all except Mom to be self-cleaning.

BECAUSE: Mom’s reason for having kids do things which can’t be explained logically.

CHINA: Legendary nation reportedly populated by starving children who love leftover vegetables.

DATE: Infrequent outings with Dad where Mom can enjoy worrying about the kids in a different setting.

FEEDBACK: The inevitable result when the baby doesn’t appreciate the strained carrots.

LOOK OUT!: What it’s too late for your child to do by the time you scream it.

PUDDLE: A small body of water that draws other small bodies wearing dry shoes into it.

STERILIZE: What you do to your first baby’s pacifier by boiling it and to your last baby’s pacifier by blowing on it.

SUNDAY BEST: Attractive, expensive children’s clothing made of a fabric which attracts melted chocolate and grape juice.

TEMPER TANTRUMS: What you should keep to a minimum so as to not upset the children.

TOP BUNK: Where you should never put a child wearing Superman jammies.

“WHEN YOUR FATHER GETS HOME”: Standard measurement of time between crime and punishment.

WHOOPS: An exclamation that translates roughly to “Get a sponge.”

Works-For-Me Wednesday: “Thy list be done”

Posted on May 9, 2007 by Barbara Harper

The following is from A Lamp For My Feet by Elisabeth Elliot:

I am a list-maker. Every day I make a list of what I must do. I have an engagement calendar and an engagement book. I have a grocery list on the wall beside the refrigerator, last year’s Christmas list in this year’s engagement book (so I won’t duplicate gifts), a master list for packing my suitcase (so I won’t forget anything), a prayer list (a daily one and a special one for each day of the week), and several others.

Recently a wholly unexpected minor operation badly interrupted my list of things to be done that week. But because God is my sovereign Lord, I was not worried. He manages perfectly, day and night, year in and year out, the movements of the stars, the wheeling of the planets, the staggering coordination of events that goes on on the molecular level in order to hold things together. There is no doubt that he can manage the timing of my days and weeks. So I can pray in confidence, Thy list, not mine, be done.

When I first thought of posting this today, I hadn’t intended it for a WFMW post. But it is one of the best tips or reminders for me. I can get very frustrated when my list, my carefully thought-out and even prayed-over plans and goals, are thwarted, and that can lead to anger at the people or circumstances that hindered them. I have to remember that everything I have is the Lord’s, including my time and my schedule. He either directly intervenes or allows for those speed bumps or road blocks along the way. When I remember that, I can handle them with grace and seek His will and wisdom about what He wants the next step to be and what really needs to get done.

See Rocks In My Dryer for more WFMW tips.

7 random facts

Posted on May 7, 2007 by Barbara Harper

I was tagged by Janeen to do a 7 random facts meme. You wouldn’t think it would be that hard to come up with 7 facts about oneself, but I had to think about it a while! Thankfully it’s not the six weird things meme — though you might think some of these weird. 🙂

Here are the rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. You need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. I’ve lived in TX and SC for most of my life, with a brief 4-year stint in GA.

2. I don’t really enjoy cooking even though I was a Home Ec. Ed. major. 😳

3. I’m hot-natured (my husband says our house is like a meat locker. )

4. I cannot stand repetitive noises. I don’t know why. It just makes me feel like I’m going to come out of my skin. One of my sons used to continually be tapping or drumming fingers or something, and I’d try to be patient, but then blurt out, “Would you please stop that?!” Poor guy. You can imagine I am therefore not fond of the guy beside me in traffic whose base is throbbing through my windows.

5. I am a pastel person — I love pinks, softs blues and greens. I don’t care for red, orange, or yellow. The only time I liked bright colors was when my children were small — I liked brighter colors on their clothes and in their room.

6. Even though I know someone else has locked up, I feel compelled to check the doors before I go to bed.

7. Though I don’t consider myself obsessive/compulsive in general, I lean a little that way with my refrigerator. I like having things always in the same place so no one has to open the door and ask “Where’s the….” whatever (though some do no matter what 🙂 ).

Now I am supposed to tag 7 more people. I have seen this meme here and there but don’t remember where, so, if you haven’t done this yet, I tag:

Bet (Grades are turned in and you can come out and play now. 😀 )
Jen
Karla
Addie
Jungle Mom (when you recover from your surgery)
Kim (when you get back from your break)
Susan (when you recover from moving)

Thursday Thirteen: Prayer

Posted on May 3, 2007 by Barbara Harper

With many of us praying for Heather throughout the day, and with today being the National Day of Prayer, I thought I’d share a few quotes about prayer.

1. Pray when you feel like praying.
Pray when you don’t feel like praying.
Pray until you do feel like praying
(Author unknown)

2. “Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, ‘above all that we ask or think’. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!” — Andrew Murray

3. “Work as if everything depended upon your work, and pray as if everything depended upon your prayer.” — William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army)

4. “Closet communion needs time for the revelation of God’s presence. It is vain to say, ‘I have too much work to do to find time.’ You must find time or forfeit blessing. God knows how to save for you the time you sacredly keep for communion with Him.” –- A. T. Pierson

5. “We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game. Prayer is good; but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism…To your knees, man! and to your Bible! Decide at once! Don’t hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses. Enlist! ” — C. T. Studd

6. “I myself, for instance, am not especially gifted, and am shy by nature, but my gracious and merciful God and Father inclined Himself to me, and when I was weak in faith He strengthened me while I was still young. He taught me in my helplessness to rest on Him, and to pray even about little things in which another might have felt able to help himself.” — James Hudson Taylor

7. “Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him.” –-James Hudson Taylor

8. “The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came…Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory.” — R. A. Torrey

9. “Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart” — Martin Luther

10. “Isn’t ‘no’ an answer?” — Amy Carmichael

11. “Pray often; for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan” — John Bunyan

12. “Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for power equal to your tasks.” — Phillip Brooks

13. The trouble with our praying is, we just do it as a means of last resort. — Will Rogers

Bonuses: “There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.” — Victor Hugo, Les Misérables, 1862

“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” — Corrie Ten Boom

Wordless Wednesday: Don’t cry over spilled milk

Posted on May 2, 2007 by Barbara Harper

See 5 Minutes For Mom or the Wordless Wednesday HQ for more.

Also, see the next post for an interview with author Lynn Walker and a an opportunity to win a free copy of her book Queen of the Castle: 52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Uninspired, Domestically Challenged or Just Plain Tired Homemaker!

Works-For-Me Wednesday: Themed Birthday Parties

Posted on May 2, 2007 by Barbara Harper

The first WFMW of every month is a themed edition, and this months theme is birthday tips.

When my older guys were little, we didn’t really have a themed party beyond maybe the plates and cake decorations matching. One of their favorites took place at a state park that had a little stream they could play in. On the invitations I expalined what we’d be doing and the need for appropriate clothes, and Jason (who was turning 6) delighted in telling invitees that they’d be able to get wet and dirty. 🙂 And some years we just went to some place like Discovery Place in Charlotte or just a place near by with video games, go-carts, and such and let them invite one friend.

I don’t think a theme is necessary — the kids care more about playing and cake. But over the last several years we have had a few themed ones that were really fun to do, and I wanted to share three of them with you.

1. Lego party

I saw this idea in the Family Fun magazine (which has a yearly focus on theme parties. This may be where I got the idea in the first place. They have tons of wonderful party ideas on their web site if you can get past all the ads). One of the games was building a tower out of Legos as high as you could within a time limit. At the time stores sold little $2 Lego sets we used for favors. The cake was the best thing, though, for a cake-challenged person like me. It was made to look like a giant Lego — just a regular 13×9 cake with eight cupcakes on top, spaced like the little round interlocking parts on top of a Lego, and frosted all the same color. All of my guys LOVED Legos, so this one was close to my heart.

2. Army party

For this one I made invitations on the computer using a military-looking font and clip-art of army guys, couching everything in terms like “Your presence is requested to complete a mission: celebrating Jesse’s birthday.” We got cheapy plastic camouflage helmets at the Oriental Trading Company. My husband acted as “drill sergeant” and put them through some funny drills (I think tossing water balloons back and forth trying not to break them was one, shooting something with water guns was another), then took them on a short hike through the woods. Our local grocery store bakery didn’t have any kind of army-looking cake in their book, but when I told the decorator what I was looking for she said they did have a kit for that, so the cake had little hills and roads and army tanks on it. Many of the guys wore camouflage pants.

3. Detective party

This was fun but did take a little more thought. I did the invitations on the computer again with clip-art detectives, magnifying glasses, etc. The bulk of the invitation was normal but part was written in code. We cut footprints out of black construction paper and placed them outside. We used gold foil-wrapped chocolate “coins” to represent the “loot” that was stolen and hidden. I came up with 3 clues to lead them to the coins. That was hardest — I was trying not to make it too hard, but they figured it out pretty easily. We had little detective hats, sunglasses, pads, pencils, and I think maybe magnifying glasses. We played one game that was a variation on what you might have done at showers — showed them a tray of items, let them look at it for a minute, then covered it — then they had to list as many items as they could remember (because detectives are supposed to have good powers of observation. 🙂 ) We also had one of my older sons walk through, then asked them questions about what he had one, how tall he was, etc.

Since my youngest is 13, that’s probably the last themed one. When they get to be teens, they seem to prefer pizza and cake with not much formal planning. But it was fun while it lasted. 🙂

Go to Rocks In My Dryer for more birthday tips or to join in the fun. And don’t forget my interview with Lynn Walker, author of Queen of the Castle: 52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Uninspired, Domestically Challenged or Just Plain Tired Homemaker.