Life and Lemonade. Who's got the spoon?

It hot, muggy, (at least to me) downright miserable around here lately. What better way to cool off, than a nice cold glass of lemonade. Heck, whats the saying.. "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!"

Got more lemons than I care to have at the moment. Its about time for some mixing...

Who's got the spoon?

Yes Virginia there is a ... (what?!?) Lawn mower fairy?

Driving home today, into the driveway, a bit weary from some long nights, the lawn in the front yard just looks odd to me. I stare at it. Shrug my shoulders thinking that with the drought (at least before this weekends storms) the lawn went dormant. But no! I notice it has got recent mower marks, and there is grass on the driveway. Thinking I've finally lost it, I walk out to the back yard. I'll be darned if its not the same thing. I start counting on my fingers the number of days since the lawn mower died. Try to factor in the heat then rain to approximate grass growth.

No explanation.

There must be a lawn mower fairy that cut my lawn. May God Bless that kind soul. (although, now I am embarrassed since I usually only "pickup" after the dog when I mow the lawn, so the back yard was a bit of a mine field. (sheepish look and shoulder shrug) sorry... :)

Good Job Buddy! You did it!

With our recent car purchase, I am still in the haggling/bargaining mood. With the Lawn mower and the washing machine both crapping out the day after we bought the car, we felt $$ strained. Especially with airfare to Africa spiking into the $3000-$5000 range. I already researched and picked out our replacement washer, did some preliminary haggling down to $800 from $1160 retail (and that's before I really hit the block stores hard for their best pricing!) J asked me to at least attempt to fix the washing machine. So to oblige her, I did. Low and behold. Looky looky.. a broken motor coupling. Saving $800 on a new washing machine, good. $20 on a new part, Better. The satisfaction of fixing a major appliance yourself. Priceless!!


To be fair though. After searching for awhile, I did find exceptional help and photos on how to fix a motor coupling. So I can't take that much credit.

Peace

All Good Things Must Come to an End

I have never been shy about quoting how others should give up their possessions and follow Christ, or pointing out to people how their possessions are getting in the way of their relationship with Christ and have always been keen to demonstrate how I live without a lot of excess, no jewelry, no air conditioning, wearing shoes and clothes until they practically unravel off me. In the last few months, I have been slapped in the face with the complete and utter error of my ways, of course I don't care if I have fancy jewelry or clothes, 'cause dugh! I don't really care about those things while some people do. I consider diamonds not only a complete and utter waste of money, but also, a means to fuel some of the deadliest conflicts in Africa, the same way the minerals such as coltan in our cell phones and Wii's have resulted in the murder of over 5 million people in the DRC and 200,000 rapes. I would like nothing better than to sell my jewelry and do something positive in Africa if not for a reluctant hubby. While jewelry, electronics and shoes are other's crosses, who was I to talk about giving something up when I was totally OBSESSED with my Mini Cooper. Yes, there it was, all wrapped up in a pretty bow with my name on it. TO J, WITH LOVE GOD. It is easy to give up something up we really don't care about, but it pretty much BITEs the big one to give up something that we do. Once I recognized that, it was hard to look at the Mini the same way again. This weekend I traded in the Mini Cooper for a Toyota Sienna, a practical family car some might say in an impractical world, which I guess makes me officially a soccer mom, and a very thankful one at that to have 3 beautiful little blessing that will be riding comfortably in back.

Every long journey begins with 14 miles..

OK so I already started the Destination Kinshasa. But that was really nickel and dime time of mileage adding up. I am starting to get into more substantial mileage. Like the first 14miler of the season last weekend, and the upcoming 15miler on Saturday. It will still likely take a couple of years to finish Destination Kinshasa, but I'm on my way.