House Cleaning!!!

I found this on Mark Lowrey's web site and just thought it was funny!!! (Martha, yes I am talking to you again, prepare to shudder.)
10 rules of housekeeping...
"Vacuuming too often will weaken the carpet fibers." Say this with a serious face and shudder delicately whenever anyone mentions Carpet Fresh.

Layers of dirty film on windows and screens provide a helpful filter against harmful and aging rays from the sun. Call it an SF factor of 5 and leave it alone.

Cobwebs artfully draped over lampshades reduce the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere. If your husband points out that the light fixtures need dusting, simply say, "What? And spoil the mood?"

Explain the mound of pet hair brushed up against the doorways by claiming you are collecting it there to use for stuffing hand-sewn play animals for underprivileged children.

If unexpected company is coming, pile everything unsightly into one room and close the door. As you show your guests through your tidy home, rattle the door knob vigorously, fake a growl and say, "I'd love for you to see our den but Fluffy hates to be disturbed and the shots are SO expensive."

If dusting is REALLY out of control, simply place an urn on the coffee table and insist that, "THIS is where Grandma wanted us to scatter her ashes..."

Don't bother repainting. Simply scribble lightly over a dirty wall with an assortment of crayons and try to muster a glint of tears as you say, "Johnny did this when he was two. I haven't had the heart to clean it..."

In a pinch, you can always claim that the haphazard tower of unread magazines and newspapers next to your chair provides the valuable Feng Shui aspect of a tiger, thereby reducing your vulnerability. Roll your eyes when you say this.

Dust bunnies cannot evolve into dust rhinos when disturbed. Rename the area under the couch 'The Galapagos Islands' and claim an ecological exemption.

Mix one-quarter cup pine-scented household cleaner with four cups of water in a spray bottle. Mist the air lightly. Leave dampened rags in conspicuous locations. Develop an exhausted look, throw yourself onto the couch, and sigh, "I clean and I clean and I still don't get anywhere..."

(All original contents © 2006 Mark Lowry Productions, Inc.)
Just a note to all "I do keep my house clean, I just don't really enjoy doing it, but love the feeling after it is done. And just so you know I have started spring cleaning my house!!!"

Update

Ok it is the end of March and time for an update on New Years Resolutions. (Just as a side note about proof reading if you were to check my original post on this subject; you would find I can't count. LOL)
1. Finish reading my bible thru by the end of August. (this is something I have never done and so want to do.)
Update: Doing well may have to move the date till December.
2. Get at least 20 books read this year.
Update:Not so good, only 1 book read starting on my second.
3. Send more cards to people on b-days, ann., encouragement etc.
Update: So-so on this one
4. Lose 2o to 30 lbs. (this is a yearly ritual.)
Update: I would like to say no comment if I am losing weight I want people to truly notice, not notice because I have told them.
5. Be more organized.
Update: Does getting togather 14 boxes of "Junk-n-clothes" ready for a garage sale count??
6. Pray more
Update: Find myself doing it more often then not at times, but we all have room for improvement.
7. Be a better wife. (that includes keeping my house cleaner.)
Update: Umm, should Jonathan comment on this?? I am trying to do better...Sorry Martha (Castle), cleaning is not my favorite past time. Not to mention laundry
8. Draw closer to God
Update: I am growing! Paise the Lord!
9. Get caught up on my scrapbooking.
Update: To date since Jan. I have completed approx. 52 pages!!! (I am so proud)

So how are you doing on yours??? I know this blog is a little silly, but I felt the need to blog and this subject was on my mind. Hope to hear from you. Have a good week!!!

IHC BOOTH INFO!!!

Just a little inside info: "Outlook Makeover" will be having a booth at IHC. So please come check us out!!! We would love to have you young girls (ages 13-19) join us on our next retreat in March 2008!!! Also you older "girls" that may have girls in your church please pick up some info and take it back to your church. We also are Planning a shopping trip to the Edinburg outlets the first Saturday in May. Check out our web site for details www.outlookmakeover.com we would love to have you!!!

My lil' bro's

This post goes out to my 2 Lil' bros!!! I love you guys! I am so proud of you. After Last weekend seeing you both about your ministry and serving God makes me so excited. I keep you in my prayers.

Brandon, I am so glad to see you serving God and seeing you use your passion of music for God, and also being able to use your love of Graphics to make you a little extra cash. I will be honest if you would have told me that you would be doing all this 10 years ago I would have tried to have been hopeful, but not sure it would work that way. I am so glad that you let go and let God do the work.

Justin, you are the shy one of us three, but I am so glad that God is slowly helping you get out of your shell and be a "Flame" for Him.

As your OLDER Sis, my heart swells when I see you minding God. I cry tears when you feel His blessing. And I say a prayer when I see you struggle. Always know I LOVE YOU both SO much and Will always be so proud of you!!!

Outlook Makeover

Well I got to start by saying I couldn't be more greatful to God for answering so many prayers this last weekend. I will start from the beginng and try to keep it brief.
Back in December my old college friend Krista Mitchel Crabtree called me and left a voice mail and asked me to think about being involved in a teen girls ministry. I promptly forget considering the holiday activities, so then in Janurary she called again. I considered it over the weekend and felt this would be a path that God would want me on. Also my husband began to get excited and throw out ideas. I was thrilled to think that this was something Jonathan and I could do togather. So we decided to meet her and Lacy Crabtree and discuss the details of the upcoming Retreat on Feb 23 and 24. (Also on the board is Jennifer Glick, Jill Murray,and Kim Deaton)
Finally the day came and after much preperation we had 31 girls registerd we had our fist session with Sonya Vernon. From the start the Spirit just set down in our midst....Krista said it was amazing looking out over the crowd of girls with some of their hands in the air and tears steaming down their faces. I think the fact that the male gender was not present, allowed the girls to just let loose emotionally and spiritually and just worship God and open up their hearts to what God would want for them. After a touching message of "A Relationship with God" we had 3 or 4 at the alter. We board members agreed we could leave after the first service and say the Retreat was totaly what we had hoped and prayed for.
The evening progressed with several funny games including: Having to act out a fairy tale, WITHOUT saying a word. My team (THE WONDERFUL GREEN TEAM including: Edna and Elizabeth Hunt, Monna Cole, Whitney and Shannon, Elizabeth Wigger and Shelly Weaver) did "Cinderella" we won 1st place!! Then we had a clothes desinging game, where we were given a bag with fabric, glue gun, sissors and other tid-bits. We could use anything in the bag and also use other things we had on hand but had to get them approved. Our teams were split into 2 teams each. And after we designed our outfit we had to have one of us model our outfit and one read a discription. I was on Green Team 2 , All my girls did great. Monna and Shelly our models where MAA-rvalous!!!
After not very many hours of sleep, we headed into a new day with Speakers:Dalynda Crabtree, Elizabeth Welsh, Pam Kuhn, Rolin Mitchel, and Sis. Cole. Speaking on subject of Beauty, Dealing with past mistakes, what I can do for God, Rejection, Trust, and Living the Christian life. Each session the Lord just seemed to come in such a sweet way. I can't even translate into words how happy I was to sit in the service and see God just move thru the pews.
Fun-could only describe the afternoon activites. The Girls had fun giving each of their team leaders a Makeover with the clothes given to them. I had no idea what I looked like until I saw pictures later. *Grin*
Then it seemed the Devil was trying his hardest to defeat us....by a snow/ice storm come in. Kind of ruined our "Brent Vernon" concert, but we still had about 20 their even after alot of girls headed home. We also were expecting a bigger crowd and along with that extra donations, but God still came thru and we closed the retreat "DEBT FREE" and give Brent a sizeable offering!!! Praise God!!!! My heart is just so full, and I am so excited to look to the future and what God might have for "Outlook Makeover" Please!!! We covet your prayers as leaders and mentors to these girls. Pray that God will give us direction to what we should do. Keep in touch with us and check out our web site.... www.outlookmakeover.com