And the numbers, please:

Mile completed 18:09 (I *purposely* walked slower today!)
Total distance: 1.87 miles
Time: 35:08
Calories burned: 243
Fat calories burned: 76

All in all, not a bad showing. I was completely depending on God -- oh, from say about the 3rd minute on. My legs hurt so this morning! It's either all in my head (because they feel fine now that I'm sitting), or it's because I walked so late yesterday. I hope I didn't wake the whole house walking. But I gotta walk! :)

It is so easy to read through the Bible--particularly the Old Testament--and sit in condemnation of the people I'm reading about. I have to be so careful not to give in to that temptation. I am the people I'm reading about! When I read about David giving in to the temptation of Bathsheba, it's *me* giving in to whatever fleshly desire reigns strong within me. When David then heaps lie and sinful action on top of lie and more sinful action, that's *me* covering my own guilty tracks. And when God uses Nathan to bring David into repentance, that's God telling *me* that He wants to draw me back into right relationship with Him, if only I'll bow in humility, admit my sin, and ask forgiveness.

Lord, I'm so ashamed of my actions; please forgive me of my arrogance, particularly when it comes to the reading and understanding of Your precious Word. I pray that You will allow me to be strengthened by You through this day. That my countenance will reflect Your love and glory. And that my words and actions will mirror You. Please enable me to focus on You; Your purpose, desire, and leadership. Thank You, Lord. :)

Selah!

:)

The Gather ye Rosebuds quilt is almost finished. I completed the borders, the heavy black lines and the fine black lines. The border had a blue flange added prior to binding. Now I am working on the beads and three-dimensional flowers.
when it's finally finished, it will be my first quilt entry into a big quilt show, starting with the RNA show in Brisbane this August.

Okay, I give in . . . I felt icky, so I walked. Some. See for yourself:

Mile completed: 16:25 (getting better!)
Distance completed: 1.16 miles (you'll see why next)
Time completed: 20:07 (I just took a quickie walk)
Calories burned: 151
Fat calories burned: 47

Okay, I feel *better*! Tomorrow, I'll get my early start. Especially since I've got to be at work early, and Jocelyn wants us to have our tea party in the morning! It may be time to feed the cats and go to bed!

Thanks, Lord, for not letting me falter.

:)

Holiday!

From everything. I didn't work, didn't walk, and I didn't do much of anything. I had planned to walk with Todd this morning, before he went on shift, but I went to bed with a migraine, and woke up with it worse.

We had Kim and James and Dallas and Jocelyn for Sunday dinner yesterday. It was fun! Both girls helped me in the kitchen. The menfolk all hung out in the living room. It was a fun meal and a happy memory.

I can't believe Jocelyn is heading out again in two days. Good gracious, I am going to miss my girl!

SS went spendidly yesterday! We had two visitors, and I think the girls really enjoyed the lesson. This Sunday is the account of Adam & Eve in the garden, along with the first sin. Lord, I pray that as I study this week's Scripture and lesson plan, You will give me understanding; that You will open my eyes fresh and anew to Your Word. Father, I ask that You impress upon me the information You would have me share with those lovely girls.

And they are just darling.

:)

Good gravy!

I missed Thursday, due to travel, so Todd & I had determined that when he got off shift this morning and got home, we'd walk the creation walk. At 7:30 this morning I get a call -- he's stuck on shift working overtime. POOH! I was really looking forward to a creation walk this morning! Then the flesh started creeping in . . . well, it's Saturday, you don't really need to walk. You're allowed to take a break! Egads! So I asked James if he would walk with me -- I didn't think he would, and he didn't disappoint me. :( So, dagnabbit, I put on my treadmill playlist, added a couple of songs to make it 30+ minutes long, and hit the treadmill!

Mile completed at: 16:49 (!!)
Miles walked: 1.86
Time: 34:03
Fat calories burned: 75
Calories consumed: 242

Look at those numbers! Thanks, God -- I *know* I couldn't have done that without Your encouragement!

I'm dripping. Ewwww. I made a determination last night -- I really do believe that perhaps all the aspartame I've been consuming of late is adversely effecting my memory. Splenda for coffee/tea; only Diet Coke and 7 UP, with Splenda, for sodas, and more WATER. I'll try it for a couple of weeks and see if memory starts to improve. If it does, I'll continue in that same vein. If not, I'll do some more research.

I was incredibly irritable yesterday. Most especially with the people (my family) who deserve it the least. Lord, why do I get that way? How can I prevent my irritability from hurting my sweet husband and children?

Today Dallas arrives. Tomorrow is Sunday (YAY!). I need to get cleaning!

Oh what a beautiful (and incredibly hot) morning!

Buh-bye!

:)

Creation walk, today -- it was a nice morning for a serious walk!

My children are finally home, safe and sound! Hurrah! I missed them so very much. I've got to take advantage of the time I have left with them! :)

There's been a lot of talk about the Da Vinci Code book/movie lately. I finally hit upon the main reason I don't want to read the book or see the movie. If someone were to write a novel about my daughter, son, husband, or any of my family, that painted them in an ugly light, or slandered them, or was derogatory in nature, even if it was the best fiction around, I wouldn't read it. Why would I want to? How can I treat my Lord and Savior any other way? Why would I want to read such averse speculation about my Jesus? I don't, and so I won't. It feels very good to know and understand exactly why I don't want to have anything to do with it. Thanks, Lord.

I've got to go to work today -- I hope I have a pile of stuff to keep me busy, 'cause I know I'm going to want to get home and be with my Jocey!!

C'est la guerre!

Lord, be my strength today, please? I'm so irritable right now; and I'm not sure why. I need to lay it at Your feet and let You take over! Not me, but You. Not me, but You. Not me, but ONLY YOU!

Adieu!

:)

Friday, May 12


Progress is being made on Gather ye. Last weekend I loaded up the quilt and started on the the intense quilting that will cover the design. It was fun. The lines just flowed and I really enjoyed myself. Have to admit that it was a bit scary to quilt over the face and hands, but I just did it and the end result was OK. I tried to make it look like an old fashioned etching up close and I was happy with the result.









Here you can see the quilt on the Gammill in progress. The same thing could be done on a smaller machine, but the Gammill just makes it easier.







I have also been doing lots of quilting for customers. This is a detail of a nice one from Lyn P. She said - "do whatever", which was just great and I enjoyed playing with textures and fills