yes mom, I am getting my Master's

Finally,....I started my Master's degree about a month ago! Hence the reason why I haven't been keeping up with my Blog like I should be....and for that, I apologize! Well, like I said I am about a month into my program and it is slowly kicking me in the tail. My degree will ultimately be in Elementary Education with a specialization in Reading and Literacy. I definitely recommend this program to anyone though....it is all online and very manageable. If you have a very tight schedule it is very do-able! I plan to graduate in 5 semesters....2 classes each semester....then on to my Specialist degree....Phew!

Two down...

Finished my second book yesterday.....its called "The Treasure Principle," by Randy Alcorn. I'm still not completely sold on the whole "reading" thing, but I have enjoyed the past couple books I have read. Well, the only two books I have read.....sad, I know.
My wife and I have been praying about the tithing and giving aspect of our marriage. We both believe wholeheartedly that God calls us to give and we want to give, but how much has always been the question. The book opened my eyes and my heart to the concept of giving....storing up Treasures in Heaven, not here on earth. I recommend this book to anyone who is confused about giving to the church, tithing, offerings, etc. Not that we have this thing mastered by reading man's word...we don't......the Holy Bible contains all the blueprints you will ever need. However, the contents of this book gave me insight and counsel in an area I so desperately needed.

Ya Better Believe It....

Check out this by Blair Wingo.....lengthy, but stick with it....it's a good one......






Go to the website here:

Cover to Cover

I can proudly say that I was able to finish my first real book yesterday. I probably hold the record for starting a book, but fizzling about halfway through. My small group that I belong to keep each other accountable with spending time with the Lord each and every day. So, I decided that this would be the best time to read an actual book. After some advice, I chose the book "from Forgiven to Forgiving." by Jay Adams. This book has helped me understand the concept of biblical forgiveness from beginning to end. It also stirred up things in my heart.....like relationships that have gone wrong, grudges that I was holding, and many others. However, I believe that the biggest breakthrough that was achieved after reading this book had to do with my wife and I. In the past we would sometimes handle a problem with a simple, "I'm sorry." This is all well and good, but it is totally different than saying, "I'm sorry, I sinned against God and you; will you forgive me?" Just by saying "I'm sorry," only accomplishes one thing....how one person feels. That is about as far as it goes.....nothing is asked of the other person....no commitment is made....the matter is not resolved....and the one who was wronged is not required to put the matter to rest. Wow, this was eye-opening to me. Long story short, my wife and I took a vow and promised to never apologize to each other ever again. We will always attempt to seek forgiveness because it forces us to make a commitment with each other. Just by saying "I'm sorry," is an easy way out....God requires more! For what it is worth I wholeheartedly endorse this book. I have two copies if you would like to borrow one...just lemme know, or you can get a used copy really cheap off of amazon. Click Here to buy!

Hit em with the Okee Doke

Check out these glorious fakes......



Buffalo Bills fake punt...got em!



MegaWoosh...german commercial

"Can't make it tough enough to complain..."

The words "Can't make it tough enough for me to complain," always resonate in the back of mind when I am faced with unfortunate circumstances. My youth pastor, Rick Bene, introduced this slogan to me back when I was in high school. It has always stuck with me throughout the years. When things don't always go the way I want them to....or if my selfish desires begin to show, I try to remember that someone out there has it worse. There is someone out there who isn't able to experience life like me or to have been blessed the way I have. Now, don't get me wrong....I still complain and I still fail to make true sacrifices, but I know that no matter how tough it gets it is never tough enough for me to complain........

I recently watched an episode of Outside the Lines on ESPN. It was a story about a boy who lost his legs in a freak train accident at the age of 11. He decided from that moment on that he did not want to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. He knew he had to build up his muscles in order to move around normally. This opened up the perfect opportunity to wrestle.....not to mention a friendship that runs deeper than most.....

Hey...who's out there?

Hey.....I was wondering who all was out there reading my blog. If you read my blog would you mind signing up as a follower over there on the right hand side of this webpage...please! This is merely for curiousity purposes and it motivates me to blog more often....thanks! - But don't feel like you have to...it ain't no thang!

Say Cheese Roll....

Check out the total disregard for human limbs and brain matter! This is an annual contest held in Gloucester, England. This contest dates back many many decades.....and they are seriously chasing a rolling wheel of cheese. Truth be told though,.....I would do this in a heartbeat!

Addition by Subtraction....

By getting rid of some old stuff....and then looking through all my Pops' sheds full of cool antique stuff....this is what we have added to the house so far. Also, we finally splurged and bought a new comforter and bedsheets for the master and guest beds. Check it out.....

bought a new lamp at Bed Bath & Beyond to lighten up the room a little.....my TV is almost as old as the antique washstand its sitting on top of

Phew! the most money I will ever spend for something I sleep on....

Antique dresser with a handmade ceramic bowl!

I just had to put this frame up in the house...gotta commemorate the occasion!

Antique bed from an estate sale along with an old coffee table

Picture of an old cottage-style house

below is a cool marble lamp I found in one of the sheds along with another handmade bowl

the Church in the picture below is First Prez of Augusta, where my brother and his family are members. The plane is made out of scrap metal and screws. It all sits on the Antique Secretary's Desk I bought in Monroe

the Guest Bed is covered in a Duvet that I bought at a Yard Sale for 30 Bucks....

Tropical Waters?

So, let me try to update you on what's been going on the past few days.....

Well, my wife of almost a month, had me paint the master bedroom this past week. I agreed knowing that I was about to have to take a deep breath when she finally decided on a color. If any of you know her...she is a free spirit, that loves her wild colors and eclectic ensembles! Don't get me wrong though...that is what I love about her....but this time she definitely took my breath away. End Result: Tropical Waters....we also, rearranged the furniture and are still playing around with the exact formation, oh and ignore the bedspread because we are searching for a new one to match...so ignore the bedspread please,but this is what we have done so far....Oh, and by the way I am adding a couple pictures of some beauties I bought at the Antique Mall in Monroe...great deals.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Semi-Finished Bedroom:

Antique Secretary's Dresser Desk:

Antique WashStand (used as our TV stand):