IN MY WORDS – It started out as a normal window shopping experience while on vacation.

Always enjoyable and sometimes entertaining. This time it was our annual stroll through the village of Westhampton Beach. I wandered into a shoe store and immediately noticed a display of sneakers. I have a few pairs but I love finding unusual ones. These sneakers were a bit different but nothing spectacular. I picked up one of them. Turned it over for price. Hmm…truly needed  my reading glasses. I handed it to my husband. “That says $80.00, right? It almost looks like four zeros.”

He grinned and handed it back to me. In a low tone of voice he said, “Yes dear, they are $800.00.”

“WHAT?”

The sales clerk raised her perfectly formed eyebrows at my loud exclamation. I lowered my voice. “You’re kidding, right? How can a pair of sneakers be $800.00?”

“You’re in Westhampton Beach,” he replied.

I placed the royal sneaker back in the display and backed away slowly. Exit shoe store scene.

I admit I had an urge to bring the sneaker back to the sales clerk and give her the third degree. “I think there is a mistake on this price. Why would any sneaker be worth $800.00? Do you have any idea what I could buy with $800.00?” But of course, she only worked there and therefore not responsible for the price, so I behaved myself.

Come to find out after I googled expensive sneakers, they can run up into the thousands. Sneakers, people. That get scuffed and dirty and stinky. Why oh why would you waste that amount of money on a pair of sneakers? I do not have that mindset. And honestly, even if I were rich and could afford it, I STILL wouldn’t pay this amount for….sneakers. Would you? Rant over. I need to go shopping and find a nice pair of KEDS.

What is the most money you have ever spent on a pair of sneakers? 

IN MY WORDS – Finally….warmer temps, sunny skies and sweet breezes drifting through our old farmhouse.  Ah…summertime and the living is easy. There are so many things to enjoy about summer but here are three favorites:

1) my beautiful peonies – pink perfection!

2) fresh strawberries – sun-warmed from the neighbor’s roadside stand.

3) water views – absolutely love being by the water.

Your Turn: What are 3 favorite things about your summer?

IN MY WORDS – We actually saw the sunshine this week in upstate New York. After innumerable days of clouds, wind, rain and even thunder. People are walking around with smiles today because the temps are above 40 degrees and that yellow orb in the sky is shining away! There is hope.

I believe it is time for a NEW SEASON. Physically and spiritually. Do you feel the same? I’m thinking about it while I strip away the winter decor in the house and bring out the light colors and beachy atmosphere that I love. I believe God wants to do a new thing.

Lately I have felt like a circle that others are trying to fit into a square peg. It doesn’t work. Very uncomfortable. So what is the solution? Two of my writerly friends spoke to me with their blog posts recently along these lines. One called “Do the Oatmeal Mash” from friend Connie. You have to know her to love her : ) I confess the “Monster Mash” song keeps haunting me every time I read her title. But her words are true about being “uniquely you” and not following the crowd. (wisdomfromthedoublewide.wordpress.com)

And friend Carlton who always cheers me with his humor. His post on plans that get turned around no matter how we think we have it all mapped out. (almostanauthor.com/people-plan)  So thank you my writerly peeps for clarifying some things and let’s all agree it is time for a NEW SEASON, with God planning it out and us following closely, learning how to be what He has designed us to be!

It’s so quiet today.

The snow hasn’t stopped and most people are staying home, off of the wintry roads. Finally, the pace of life has slowed down.

It always amazes me how God can stall the world and halt the busyness with a few hours of snowflakes. Reminding us…we are not in charge of it all. God reigns.

What do you do on a stormy day when you are forced to stay inside?

I am enjoying it. Baked a banana bread and made hot cocoa. Caught up a bit on emails. Phone call from a friend. Ending the day with yet another…Hallmark movie! And we keep a lot of the snow/winter decor up to brighten the long days.

Happy Lovely Snow Day!

IN MY WORDS – God cares about every detail of our lives. I never hesitate to pray about small or large things.I had been praying all summer to find someone reputable and affordable to clip our way-out-of-control privacy hedges. Yeah, they gave much privacy because you could barely find the front yard through the dense, overgrown, 7 feet high or more hedges.

I came across a business card and noticed the address was local, as in – on our same country road. We called, connected, they came, they conquered and lo and behold the hedges now fit our lovely household : ) It turns out the neighbor three houses up from us has a landscaping service. Who knew? Well, God did. They did a marvelous job and were affordable, nothing like other estimates we had received. 

The second prayer this summer was to find a window screen we had been missing for a few years. We looked everywhere but couldn’t seem to locate it. Very puzzling. Clever husband went through all the screens and pulled one out that we kept overlooking, thinking it was the wrong size. And yep, it fit. Problem solved. I found it interesting that what we had been looking for in both cases was…right in front of us. Hedge solution, three doors down. Screen solution, right where it was supposed to be. But we kept missing it. Till God brought it to our attention.

Hmm…what else are we missing in God’s plan that is directly in front of us? I can’t wait to find out!

Have you had a prayer answered lately that surprised you?  

IN MY WORDS – My husband and I are both musicians and try to attend as many summer concerts as we can. There is just something about music in open air campgrounds or outdoor stages, especially overlooking a lake.

The Kings Brass performed at a local Bible Camp recently and as always, gave an outstanding performance to an appreciative audience. Combining excellent musicianship with a blend of songs and styles, they are never disappointing. Oh, and the hats were part of a song-skit; they always bring their unique humor into the act.

An evening spent with friends, worshiping our Savior with anointed music, enjoying laughter at their antics and sometimes tears with the moving rendition of beautiful hymns. We’ve attended a few other concerts this summer but so far, this was the best!

Have you gone to any summer concerts this season?

IN MY WORDS – DevotedD and LovelyC ran away together this week for a day spent with friends on this beautiful cove on Sacandaga Lake.

The weather was perfect. Picnic lunch by the water. My writerly friend and I spent the afternoon talking about writing, and…writing, and then a bit more about writing : ) Sharing the ups and downs and laughing over rejections while encouraging one another.

The guys swam a bit and relaxed in the sun. They gave us more material for stories when they came back and grabbed a large shovel and rake. And proceeded to start digging by the beach. Hmm…sand castle time or was there a dead body somewhere? What if? Nothing so dramatic, they were trying to locate a part of the beach umbrella that had disappeared. The hours went by so quickly and we couldn’t believe it was 6 pm already.

Back on the road home with a stop at Happy Daze.

Enjoyed our summer fast food on the picnic tables listening to 60’s and 70’s music played through their speaker system and people watching as so many stopped by for a quick dinner. And then a photo with…

Finished off the day with vanilla raspberry frozen yogurt loaded with chocolate chips.

Yes, a lovely summer day! Wonderful weather, beautiful lake, great friends and conversation, a nostalgic musical trip and good food.

What does your lovely summer day look like?

IN MY WORDS – A few weeks ago, I was scheduled to go to an event. I was pulled two ways: wanting to be involved but also desiring to hide in a corner and stay home. While saying goodbye to my husband that morning, I hugged him and whined a bit about my day. “I don’t want to go. Don’t feel like being all friendly and extroverted and mixing and mingling and playing nice.” His quick comeback was, “Oh, so it’s like any other day for you, huh?” Gotta’ love the guy…he knows how to make me laugh.                                                                

Iremember on my way there thinking, “God, I’m not a rubber band. I don’t do well with this stretching business.” Anyway, I went and behaved. And of course, it was fine and enjoyable. The best part? God had an awesome surprise waiting for me there. If I hadn’t shown up, I would have missed out on God’s blessing. It was something only He could have orchestrated.

And guess what? When I got home that day, there was yet another opportunity (don’t whine, be brave) for a “stretching” event via an email notice. I’m sure there is another blessing ahead!  

How about you – has God been stretching you lately?

IN MY WORDS – I gave in.

It took a long time but I finally got a smartie phone. I like this term better than smartphone and some of the brand names.

It sounds a bit more friendly than names like android and galaxy. I’d rather not feel like I’m on another planet conversing with aliens..

So will this smartiephone make me any smarter? Observing many others and their constant use of this product, I have my doubts. There are several vows I am determined to keep with this new gadget.

1. I will not use this phone when I am driving a car. It will remain in my purse until I am back home or legally parked.
   
2. I will not check it 50+ times a day. I’ve lived without it for a long time and will continue to do so, using it only when needed.
3. I will not pull it out when I am in conversation with someone else, unless they are asking me a question and the answer is on the phone. (needing someone’s phone number or showing pictures)
4. I will not go out to eat at a restaurant and sit across from someone, ignoring them while I give complete attention to my phone. It will stay in my purse. I will only answer it if it looks like an emergency call.
5. I will not use it to vent, argue or attempt any serious communication.

And thereby rests my case. Feel free to adapt some of these rules yourself. It is nice to have the phone and it can be convenient. I enjoy staying in touch more with my long distance friends. (waving at Connie)

But I’d much rather concentrate on people and face to face conversation when it is an option.

I WILL control the phone and it will NOT control me.   #refusetobecontrolledbyphone

Do you have any rules for your phone? Now, let’s see if I can follow my own rules : )

IN MY WORDS – I had planned on writing a sweet, serious post about Christmas this week.

But finding these sweaters at a shop in Vermont pulled me in a different direction. 

Where did the ugly holiday sweater fad come from? Maybe from a good idea in the beginning that eventually got way out of control. When we visited Chester, Vermont this past weekend, I found this rack of “ugly Christmas sweaters” in a store on the village green. I confess I have never seen sweaters quite this…unique.

If you’re looking for a brand new look for a Christmas party, or entering an ugly sweater contest, this is the place to shop. I think you’re guaranteed to either get laughed out of the party or win a prize.

Sweaters may be found at Country on the Commons in Chester, VT.

Buy one as a gift for someone you love, admire, dislike, or as a dare to wear challenge : )

P.S. I was going to try one on, but just…couldn’t bring myself to do it.

 Leave a comment if you are brave enough to wear one of these sweaters to be entered into a drawing for a Hallmark Christmas dvd.

Serious post re-scheduled for next week.