Ants! Ants! Everywhere! Help, Somebody....PLEEEZE!

I have posted this on Facebook pages, but I am appealing to my blog readers as well, hoping that any passers-by will read this and have an idea.

I am pretty sure my house has landed on the mother load of all ant hills.  I have seen lots of ants before, but never as stubborn as these.  I get them in my kitchen and my little bathroom.  Pretty common, I am sure.  The thing I am baffled with is why, when I use every cleaner I can POSSIBLY think of, they come back 10 minutes later, sometimes with a vengeance.  I have a cat, so buying lots of chemicals is not an option.

I know you all are very cleaver.  Thank you for your help!!

Amy

Trying to Fly

Well, it has been a really long time.  I have a dear friend from high school that is a part of Flylady that has encouraged me, just by being her, to restart my path to success.  I know I should not say I am starting from the beginning, but I have been gone so long, I really need to.  I have long battled migraines.  I used to be on a medication called Topomax that really helped me.  I went off of it for some reason that I can't remember.  I AM on a lot of other things and I think it might be the interaction of all the others.

Needless to say, I feel very depressed that my house and my family have been neglected.  My goal, besides getting to the monthly schedule, is to make meals that are healthier for my family.  It has been hard for me because my husband works nights and it is just me and my kids during the week.  It is just easier to pop a can.  I am very motivated by television, and so I feel that I need to be there (probably due to my ADD, it turns my brain off.)

I really need encouragement.  I know I felt better about myself when I was doing things for my home and family.  I know that my online friends are helpful.  I was wondering what else would help.  I have Skype.  If anyone thinks that would help, let me know, I would love to try that.  I am a follower, a direction person, and I love being with people.  Look me up, under Amy n Ken.  The picture should be a black and white picture of my husband and I.  I would love to chat with you face to face and have you encourage me.

Well, that is all for now.  God Bless you all.  I hope to hear from you, in some way!

Amy

Hiding in my shadows

So my job interview did not result in a job.  I really did well, but they brought a transfer in from another store.  I guess it is ok.  I mean I will be able to keep trying, but it was kind of upsetting what with my second issue;

My grandma is still failing.  She has hung in for a long time, but her kidneys failed Sunday night, and so it is just a matter of hours.  I have been into myself so much, I forgot an important date.  Can't believe how things are spinning now.

I just wanted to connect with you all again to let you know that I am still here, just in the shadows.  As for cleaning my house...I am lucky to get laundry done

New Directions (hopefully)

Well, I have been keeping up with my sinks.  That is pretty good.  I feel like the rest of the house is pretty clean, what with the weekly blessing hour and keeping up with my schedule.  My DW, however, is not cleaning very well.  The water seems to be going through ok, but the other day, the water didn't come through, so I started it over and it was fine, but it doesn't seem to be cleaning the dishes well. hmm... I am thinking about a product that might clean out the muck from the inside of the mechanisms.  Any suggestions?

So, I titled this "new directions"  I have had one interview with Petco, and now I have another with them today.  I am excited about it.  I have looked on the internet for good questions to ask them and some that they would ask me.  I have enlisted the help of a friend to help me prepare.  I excited and will report any news!!

This means that if I get a job, my primary focus will not be on my home.  I have been without work for 3 years, so it will be hard for me to balance things.  I think I can do it.  If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.

Grace
This is a portrayal of my favorite "character"...

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=KL7YLPNX

Everyone is Beautiful

The Teacup

There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful cup. They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful."

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the cup spoke. "You don't understand," it said. "I haven't always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over andI yelled out, 'let me alone,' but he only smiled, 'Not yet.'

"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the cup said,"and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. Stop it! I'm getting dizzy! I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'

"Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat!" the teacup said. "I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as He shook his head, 'Not yet.'

"Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. 'There, that's better,' I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag.'Stop it, stop it!' I cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'

"Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate.I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening, nodding his head saying, 'Not yet.'

"Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf.

One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, 'Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'

"'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you'd have dried up.

I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel,but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled.

I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven,but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked.

I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened;you would not have had any color in your life.

And if I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't survive for very long because the hardness would not have held.

Now you are a finished product.You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.'"

~ Author Unknown

Remember, God is the potter and we are His clay. He knows what He is doing with us even when we don't think there could possibly be a plan. Keep the faith and know that you are being shaped according to His will.

God Bless!

Amy

Job Interview...

I stated this a little earlier, but it bares repeating.  I had a job interview this past week!!  I could hardly contain myself.  I have been into the local pet store (chain) quite a few times.  I had put in applications several times, and I thought it might be a good day 2 weeks ago to ask about the possibilities of any openings.  The manager was at another til and said that he would be interviewing in the next week or so.  I went straight home and checked up on the status of my online application.  I then went down the next day and met with the same manager to let him know that I had updated it.  I didn't get a call the rest of the week, so when Wednesday of the next week came around, I went in and checked with him again.  He was just going through applications.  He asked if I could come in the very next day for an interview.

When I did, it went absolutely wonderful.  I was very excited.  I felt like I was just chatting with a friend.  From the moment we met that day to the end of our conversation, I was not uncomfortable.  This is a blessing, considering I have not had an interview in over 10 years.  But what are the odds that I would get the first job I interviewed with in such a long time?  I won't know until the beginning of the week.

As for my family;  I will go over around the 10th, I hope.  My uncle said that he or my cousin would be willing to come and get me to visit.  I would like that time so that I can come back with my parents.  Let's just pray that Grandma is doing well until then.  We were going to go over to see her in August, but she may not last that long.

I just wanted to add a little bit today.  Hope you all are well and keep your sink shined...it helps to wake up to a shiny outlook!

Strength...

So I usually have a lot of things that I can inspire people with, at least that is what I have been told (thank you) But this time I really don't.  It has been a long time since I have written, but I want to connect with my friends.  I will start with my good points.

I have been keeping my sink shined and I started working on the laundry again.  I think it was Monday, maybe Tuesday that I did my home blessing hour.  I did it all, except for dusting, but that made it so that when we had company today, I was feeling good about not doing a major overhaul of the house.  I just shined the sink, and cleaned one room, and get boys clean theirs (always a good excuse to get the kids to clean)

Most of the time, I have been trying to find a job.  I had an interview yesterday, and will find out about it early in the week.  I will let you know.  I have had time to get the work done, and if I get a job, I will have to adjust my schedule.  What a nice thing to have to do.

Anyhow, my family is not doing well.  On my mother's side, my cousin's husband was in a fatal car crash.  The funeral was during a time when my husband's family had a get together that was scheduled a long time ago.  Family will be leaving in June, and we needed to be there.  We had a great time, though.

On my father's side, my grandma had a heart attack and was doing pretty well.  Then I found out that my uncle has melanoma cancer.  His procedure will be June 8th.  Then I heard my grandma is getting weaker.  

Got a call this evening from my mom tonight telling me that I should come see her in Bend.  Living on the other side of the mountains, I have a hard time finding the time to do so.  When I talked to my level-headed aunt and brother, I concluded that I will be going over on Friday sometime of the 10th.  I will stay there for the weekend until my parents come back that Sunday.  This is providing things are going as well as my aunt thinks she is.  When she eats, she does well, when she doesn't, she is weak and unable to function.  Please pray that she will continue to coast through to at least the middle of the month.  One last visit would be a blessing.

But I just read a little piece that made me realize what my journey is all about.  I forget this a lot.  I have been hurt by friends and learned this, I have turned away from God and learned this.  I have been in dark, lonely times and learned this.  I have even cheated death and learned this but never have I remembered it during those heart wrenching times:  "God has a plan with all He is doing."  Wow.  seems so trivial.  Here is an example;

  The Teacup

There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful cup. They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful."

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the cup spoke. "You don't understand," it said. "I haven't always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over andI yelled out, 'let me alone,' but he only smiled, 'Not yet.'

"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the cup said,"and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. Stop it! I'm getting dizzy! I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'

"Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat!" the teacup said. "I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as He shook his head, 'Not yet.'

"Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. 'There, that's better,' I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag.'Stop it, stop it!' I cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'

"Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate.I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening, nodding his head saying, 'Not yet.'

"Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf.

One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, 'Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'

"'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you'd have dried up.

I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel,but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled.

I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven,but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked.

I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened;you would not have had any color in your life.

And if I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't survive for very long because the hardness would not have held.

Now you are a finished product.You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.'"

~ Author Unknown

Remember, God is the potter and we are His clay. He knows what He is doing with us even when we don't think there could possibly be a plan. Keep the faith and know that you are being shaped according to His will.

We as His children have to remember that he has the best laid plan for us.  Let us not forget that in our "storm" He is with us and will never let go.

God Bless you all;

Amy

Wednesday Woes

Well, readers;
My life has been a whirl-wind of issues lately.  I was hit head on by several painful issues.  My grandmother had a heart attack a few weeks ago.  I have not seen her much and feel really bad.  Then my cousin's husband was killed in a car crash.  He lives in La Pine, not to far from Bend, which is good because my parent's are over with my grandma now and will be able to see my cousin (separate sides of the family) since I can't go.  I don't think that my presence is that important, she would hardly know I am there and we are going over in August.  Then, to top it all off, the "school district" has decided to cut some of the music program at the middle school level.  Music has been a part of my family's life since before I was born.  It gets personal...

So, what do we need to do when life is getting us down?  Take the advice of the Flylady..."Shine your sink!"  I shined my sink the other night and the next day I felt like getting a load of laundry done.  Today, more shining of the sinks and getting dressed to shoes.  I put in a load of wash, too.  Not to mention getting back to my blog.  One of my big things is keeping my dining table clean.  If it isn't done, I feel CHAOS approaching.

Now that we have basics kept up, we can always slack a little in the other things.

 Sorry if this seams like a lot to read.  Here are a couple inspirational stories I got from Godvine this week;

How to Stay Young

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age. It's just a number, so don't worry about it.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves (and GOD). Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER...
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

For all who are burdened and heavy laden, I will give you rest

http://www.godvine.com/Made-Beautiful-Anyone-Feeling-Down-Should-Watch-This-428.html

The Little Things

As you might know, the head of a major company survived the tragedy of "9/11" in New York because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.

One of them missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

One's car wouldn't start.

One went back to answer the telephone.

One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn't get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot.

He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic...
miss an elevator...
turn back to answer a ringing telephone...
all the little things that annoy me...
I think to myself...
this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.

The next time your morning seems to be going wrong,
the children are slow getting dressed,
you can't seem to find the car keys,
you hit every traffic light...
don't get mad or frustrated;
God is at work watching over you.

May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things - and may you remember and appreciate their possible purpose.

Friday Funny...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgTJYBgGXJw

My sink!

DSCF1968, a photo by hvnlymusic1 on Flickr.

I love seeing it shined!

Before picture

This is my NASTY microwave!  Scroll down to see if I cleaned it!

DSCF1950, a photo by hvnlymusic1 on Flickr.

Wonderful Wednesday!

eMy dear friends;

Today has been a day of real joy.  As I sit in my living room, I look out on a very dismal street, with wet pavement, and less light, because of the clouds.  I have a problem when it comes to darkness.  I get really depressed.  So why, may you ask, do I live in Oregon?  The weather always brings beauty.  The only time the grass is not a perfect green is in August, due to lack of it during the summer.  I try to look at the joy in everything.

Wednesday is anti-procrastination day.  I did a few things to remedy that.  I did my MR, and finished that in about 45 minutes.  Then I did my Wednesday list that I have for myself.  After finishing my load of laundry, I decided to do the stove, since I didn't do it on Monday.

As you can see, I have a wood covering for part of that.  My father made it out of several pieces of wood.  He also made the wood top to the left.  I will show you at later dates some of his work.  He is very talented.  He is a retired band director and needed something to do with his hands.  He has been doing it about 13 years now, and I am very proud of him.

I then went to the fridge, after a bit of a rest.  It feels good to get things done early so I have the time to do extra.  Anyhow, I did the Zone for today, which was my fridge.  I didn't want to overwhelm myself, so I just did the fridge part.  I will get to the freezer on another date. 

So I keep the candy from Easter in the fridge because we have a terrible ant problem.  I don't know where they come in, they just end up on my counter that I just cleaned.  Any suggestions?

I did my cat's water dish as well.  This cat is very strange.  I had water in a regular dish when we first got him.  He refused to drink out of it, choosing the toilets instead.  I try to keep the lids down, but I live with boys.  Anyhow, I got the flowing water dish from Petco that is continuous flow.  He drank out if it sometimes, still choosing the toilets.  Well, I put it away, not even thinking about a water dish.  He relied only on the toilets for a while.  I got it out last month, and he has been using it since.  Weird.

I did my control journal yesterday, and I wanted to share the photos with you.  I like lists.  I love being able to check them off and see my progress.  I think that helped me out of my depression.  Try it.

I posted a picture of my ugly microwave recently.  Now look;

The power of prayer

This is a story that just floored me.  No one can tell me that prayer does not work.  No one can tell me that science is better than faith and creation.

http://www.godvine.com/Man-Dies-and-Returns-to-Life-on-the-Operating-Table-420.html

May God bless you today!

Amy

Thursday Thoughts And Friday

Thursday, May 12

Convincing myself to get up is a continual battle.  I feel great when I do, getting coffee and dressing- sort of gives me a little boost.  Anyone know if juices, particularly OJ is a diuretic?  I am trying to find a job.  I worked hard on applications last night.  I want to do in-home care, but have applied to Walmart and Petco.  Walmart will help me with the lack of work in the past 3 years, and my learning disabilities.  Also, working with disabled people is right up my ally.  That is what I did for 11 years with the School District.  Now I just need to go and check on the progress- need encouragement.  

I have made Thursdays my "fling and toss" or "Boogie" (depending on how you like to phrase it) day.  Today I plan on doing the cabinet under the sink in the kitchen.  It is so filled with junk, I may need 2 days.  Same goes for the car.  I hop to get a start on it- Or should I have the kids do it and pay them?  (Update:  I did the sink in about a half hour and the car was done on Friday, except details)  Here is my results on my microwave.  

Totally cool results wouldn't you agree?

Since this is errand day, I didn't really have any, so I ate a frog.  Here is my cabinet before and after;

Pretty icky.  There was muck under the garbage can from icky garbage, and under all the stuff on the right, due to dish soap spilling!

Well, pretty good, if you ask me!

Putting others before yourself

¹² Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a  One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. ² There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. ³ Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” ⁴ But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

 ⁵ Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child^[a] or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” ⁶ And they had nothing to say.

 ⁷ When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: ⁸ “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. ⁹ If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. ¹⁰ But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. ¹¹ For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴ and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

My Thoughts

seating arrangements corresponded to the host's assessment of his guests.  Seating the hierarchical guests at the head of the table.   The purpose to this parable was to point out that the seating of the banquet, although the pharisees may be of "upper crust" compared to the other guests behind them, they should give their seat to those seated lower.  Also, He says that when you put on your own banquet, we should not invite just those we are comfortable with, fellowshipping with people who are of the same belief system as ourselves.  We should be inviting those who don't know Him, or that are drunks, homeless, and people living lifestyles that are not appropriate.  I am reminded of a story:

The Love of Jesus Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at their church, the Pastor and his 11-year-old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel tracts. This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside as well as pouring down rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said "Okay Dad, I'm ready." His Pastor Dad asked, "Ready for what? "Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out." Dad responds, "Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain." The boy gives his Dad a surprised look, asking, "But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?" Dad answers, "Son, I am not going out in this weather." Despondently the boy asks, "Dad, can I go -- Please?" His father hesitated for a moment then said, "Son, you can go. Here's the tracts; be careful son." "Thanks, Dad!" And with that he was off and out into the rain. This 11-year-old boy walked the streets of the town going door-to-door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel tract. After 2-hours of walking in the rain he was soaking bone-chilled wet and down to his very last tract. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to but the streets were totally deserted. Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell -- but nobody answered. He rang it again and again bit still no one answered. He waited but still no answer. Finally this 11-year-old trooper turned to leave but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch. He rang again, and this time the door slowly opened. Standing in the doorway was a very sad looking elderly lady. She softly asked, "What can I do for you, son?" With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, "Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU! I came to give you my very last Gospel tract which will tell you all about Jesus and His great love." With that he handed her his last tract, and turned to leave. She called to him as he departed, "Thank you, son! And God bless you!" Well, the following Sunday morning in church, Pastor Dad was in the pulpit and as the service began he asked, "Does anybody have a testimony or want to say anything?" Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet. As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face. "None of you in this church know me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband has passed on, some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart as I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live. "So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. "Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted, I was about to leap off when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.' "I waited and waited -- but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly. I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be?! Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me!' "I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder. When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes! "There on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life! His smile! Oh, I could never describe it to you! And the words that came from his mouth caused my heart, that had long been dead, to leap to life as he exclaimed with cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU.' "Then he gave me this Gospel tract that I now hold in my hand. As the little angel disappeared back out, into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more. "You see, I am now a happy child of the KING, and since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel tract I have come here to personally say, 'Thank you to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time, and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in Hell.'" There were now no dry eyes in the church. As shouts of praise and honor to the KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated. He took him in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Probably no church has had a more glorious moment and probably this Universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love and honor for his son, except for one: This Father, God, also allowed His Son, Jesus, to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of Heaven shouted praises and honor to the King, the Father sat His beloved Son on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named. There may be someone, reading this, who is also going through a dark, cold and lonely time in your soul. You may be a Christian, for we are not without problems, or you may not yet know the King. Whatever the case, and whatever the problem or situation you find yourself in, and no matter how dark it may seem, I want you to know that I just came to tell you, "JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU!"

So, get out of your comfort zone today.  As you are running your errands (yes this is beyond the day, but it still applies)- say hi to someone and give them a quick smile,  You will be surprised at how good it makes you feel! Now just pray that I can go tackle my car- you have NO idea! Friday, May, 13; Morning routine; I am on autopilot.  I keep trying to check my list, you know I love lists!  Well when I do I am already done!  I get a zone done quickly too.  What I love- Getting done before DH gets up in the morning!  Sometimes I feel unproductive when I get done early in the am and don't do anything the rest of the day.  I could tackle some frog-eating (man that phrase brings up an image I don't like)  I have so many that is like the plague of the frogs around here. Well, I got the car done. My challenge to you This video was shot in my home town, Salem, Oregon.  I feel close to it, so I think I am going to do it.  After you watch the video, then scroll down to see my challenge. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWE4zAlEbK8&sns=fb I have a challenge that I believe, whatever your faith, or no faith at all; we can all do this.  We can all go down to the place that we see homeless people and just talk to them.  What a wonderful thing to do.  Just a simple hello or see how they are.  That is all they want.  I plan on taking these names and finding them.  Asking them to share their friends with me.  I even would like to take my kids (more likely my DS11)  and doing what these kids did.  Good for them! God Bless your day! Amy

Terrific Tuesday!

So today has been a really great day!  I love it when I get my routine down pat so I can finish it in just a few hours.  (That is, even taking it slow.  Imagine what would happen if I did it straight through)  So, what is your best accomplishment as a Flybaby?

I still attribute my being able to stay up to coffee.  After the alarm went off, I had to convince myself to get out of bed.  Now I have to get my ds9 out of bed...that is a chore.  (Any suggestions on getting him independent?)   After getting him out of bed, I made my bed.  This helped immensely.  With COFFEE and breakfast, I was ready to go.  I got the sinks shined, and laundry done, with only two to do, I felt good.

So now I am watching Little People, Big World on Netflix.  Are you aware that the entire season is 42 episodes long?  Anyhow, I take time out after each episode is finished.  I did the swish and swipe in the little bathroom, and I typed out the control journal for the week.  I think I am pretty confidant that I have the cj under control!  Here are just a few pics that I took today.  What a beautiful day it is today!  I plan on getting outside with my boys later!

HEAVENLY THOUGHTS

I thought that I would mix up my Spiritual part by giving a story, Bible thought, or a video from Godvine that I get every day.  Many of these are just too special to not share.  Today was no exception.  This is a video that was extra special to me;

A tickle to the funny bone...Out of the mouths of babes!

I also loved the story after it...

It's How You See It

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He had a sign which read: "I am blind. Please Help." There were only a few coins in the hat.

When a man came walking by, he took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. Then he took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words on the back. He put the sign where it was, so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.

That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were going. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way. I wrote: 'Today is a beautiful day, but I cannot see it.'"

Both signs told people the same thing... that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were extremely fortunate that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story:
Be thankful for what you have.
Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.

When life gives you a reason to cry, show life that you have 100 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Keep the faith and drop the fear... just remember God is Near!

I hope your day is filled with lots of love;

Amy

Monday Moping...

Well, when I got up this morning, I had some sort of issue with my stomach, not to mention I have been feeling like I puff up like a balloon.  I tried not drinking coffee today, but still needed to take an aspirin.  If anyone knows a natural diuretic, please let me know.  As a result, I didn't get very much done.  Ha ha, I was so backward today!  I actually got the daily stuff done, and didn't do any of the Zone 2 work or the MR.  Crazy.  I am going to try to get back tomorrow, but I just didn't feel like doing much.  I feel blessed to have people reading this and commenting.  As I am rushed and not feeling well, this will be short.

I DID however get my control journal done.  I copied off the daily things off of the site, to fit into one page, that meant that I had to cut out things I don't use.  I will put in a picture later, but I did a lot of work.  I was not using a journal before, but using 3x5 cards.  I guess we will see how it works.

So kinda moping today.  Feeling like a failure today.

Friday...Finally!

Well, today was a day I really was glad that I have been keeping up on the housework. My ds9 is having a friend spend the night. Usually dh gets upset when I say this, but I have been doing what I needed to. I just had to finish with the day's work, and I was ready for him to come.

Todays tasks included my morning routine, and getting the zone days that I have missed this week. I did all of them I needed to in increments of about 15 minutes. Why I don't set a timer, I will never understand, but I can usually get more done if I am ambitious.

Have you ever felt like you just could not get motivated? I was this way from the minute I got up. I am trying to figure out where I can put a motivational poster as I first open my eyes. I feel like I can do it more. I did, however, get motivated by knowing I had to do my blog. I did my bed very first, and that reminded me of my 2-week goal to get up and stay up after my kids go to school. I have done it 5 days in a row now!

As I said before, I did my MR, and then I did a day at a time of the zone cleaning. Here is my results;

Doing Work

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord, not men." Col 3:23

I think of this verse frequently. In fact this comes in handy when you have the blahs and you feel like procrastinating. God created the universe, He created us. We can rest in the fact that He loves us and deserves the best of our lives, our work. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Phil. 4:13. This is another inspirational verse that helps me when I just don't feel the strength to get through something.

God bless you all;

Amy

Thursday Thoughts

This has been a really great day! I got all my work done before my youngest son left for school. He helped me to clean off the top of my fridge, and to clean off the front of it. I also cleaned the top of the microwave, which has a tendency to become a hot spot. Laundry has been done, and so I really didn't have a load to do. Tomorrow, I do have some to do. My morning routine has become quite quick, but not a habit yet. Here it is;

Get up FLYing!

Make Bed

Wake up ds9

Get dressed, brush teeth and wash face

Load of Laundry

Take meds

Eat

Coffee (which without, this day could not be possible)

Shine sinks, swish and swipe

Read Bible

Zone time!

I have 3x5 cards with my schedule on it. I have a file that I take it from in my BBR. I have yet to get too into the Zones. I am making that my goal for 2 weeks from now. I should have said that my goal for these 2 weeks is to stay up after my kids go to school. Twice a week I get up with ds11. I don't the other days, because it is good for dh to spend with his son. Being as he works swing shift, I try to stay out of as much as I can. When he is tired, though I try to help out a little more.

So, as I said, I got a lot of stuff cleaned in my kitchen...

The fridge was the biggest task. The top had a bunch of plastic food containers on it, plus Christmas cards that we had left over, and papers that got collected. There were a lot of magnets on the doors and sides that were old, the alphabet ones...and the words on little magnets that make words. Zac and I tossed them all. Now we just have our collection of trip magnets.

Psalm 86

Teach me your way, oh Lord,

and I will walk in your truth;

give me an undivided heart,

that I may fear your name.

I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my

heart;

I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your love toward me;

You have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

On May 3rd, a very special member of our church lost her just two year battle with cancer. She was just 22. We think that is such a short life, that it is such a terrible waist. God has a different view.

When I was a baby, I had a birth defect that caused water to collect on my brain. (I know the name, I just can't spell it and the spell check gets it wrong every time) I went in for surgery, I was only 6 months old; one to take off a cyst, and another to put in a shunt. My mother was terrified. A nurse in the children's unit gave her a book written by Dale Rogers. She and Roy had a baby girl and she only lived 2 years. The book came from the point of view of the little girl going back to Jesus and telling Him that she didn't understand why they were so sad, and why they didn't seem to enjoy the time that she was with them. She knew her purpose, and she didn't know why they didn't. It was a help to my mom.

Our purpose in life is to learn to love Him. We are just borrowing our kids, did you know that? The angels gave them to us to teach them right from wrong. We also need to teach them good values and morals. This starts with a deep relationship with Christ. He is my best friend. The closer I get to Him, the better my life is. I feel so blessed to have Him in my life, I pray that He is for you.

God Bless;

Amy

Wonderful Wednesday!

Today has been a great day! I finished all the laundry, including my sheets. I didn't get them changed Monday, but managed to catch up on things that I missed this week today. I had "help" doing this, as my madcap cat played with the sheets. I also had help dusting today. I think he likes the swiffer duster. I think it helped to get up with ds11 as I took him to school. So before my ds9 got off to the bus, I got the sinks shined, the swish and swipe, 2 loads of laundry folded, and my daily Bible reading done. I was then able to sit back and slowly do the things that I had missed the previous days; mopping the kitchen, the sheets, and some work in the living room. I would watch Glee for a while, and then pause it to go get some other stuff done. So happy that I was able to do that, get my sons' errands ran, and my daily bread scripture read (which does not happen much, due to lack of time) I will do some BBR before I go pick the boys from church. You know, it is nice having it just 4 blocks away! It feels nice to get it done, even though it is O.K to not get it all done if I don't feel like it. In my LR, I got the windows washed on the french doors, and things picked up around the room that was cluttering up the room. And drinking water!

Jesus taken to Heaven

After His death and resurrection, Jesus appeared to the apostles with many convincing proofs that He was indeed alive. He appeared to them over a period of 40 days. On certain occasions, He commanded them saying, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my father promised, which you heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit."

Jesus could have appeared to them and then vanished as He had done before (Jn 24:31) but He chose to impress apon His followers the visual ascent, and to imprint the end of his visits in their minds, the end of an era and the beginning of another. He promised them a "helper" that would take the place of His physical body that would go with them wherever they went, the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16)

I think at times we get so caught up in the physical world we forget about the unseen and the unheard. We expect "proof"; "I know my children have been in my room, the bed is messed up" or "If you loved me you would buy me..." But as Billy Graham put it so well, "Can I see the wind? I can see the effects of the wind, but I cannot see the wind" How can we believe there is wind, or love, for that matter without "physical" evidence? We can also say that about the Holy Spirit. Christ was real; the Bible prophicied, of it in the old testament, and many apostles (some of whom had never met) wrote of the same accounts of Jesus. This is proof He was real and did walk the earth. If this is true, then when He spoke of the Holy Spirit taking His place is true. How wonderful it is to know that with just a simple little prayer we can have that same Holy Spirit in our lived that He spoke of the the men who were closest to Him during the years of His ministry- the very same one! What an awesome thing!

Tuesday's Lessonse

Just a little note today. I have had a great deal of progress that was made today. I was up early, got my bed made, swish and swipe, sinks cleaned and my Bible study all before 9am... Pretty good for a person that has had trouble getting going.

I promised you all that I would post every day. I think I missed posting last night. For some reason I also didn't get the pics loaded. I need a bit of organization for this. I have a vision for this, but it hasn't come to be yet. Now that I have that out...

I did 5 loads of laundry today! Woo hoo! I got most things done on my list.

Mary and Martha

The bible lesson for today; Mary and Martha when Jesus went to speak in her home with the

disciples. Mary sat at His feet while Martha did all the cooking and tending in the home. Martha

Complained the the Lord Jesus, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work

by myself? Tell her to help me!" Jesus answered her, "Martha, Martha, You are worried and

upset about manhy things, bu only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it

will not be taken away from her."

Mary chose to spend the time listening to the teachings of Christ, while Martha did all the work.

The issue here is not to misinterpret what is being said here. Christ is not telling Martha that she

should be at His feet, nor is He saying that her work should not be done. He is saying that we all

have our jobs that we are good at.

In today's society we feel we need to do it all. We are to be the nurturers by God's design. He

wants us to take care of our home and children. He is not saying that we should not work out of

the home. He is saying that we need to provide anyway that we can. There are single moms,

and families that can not possibly work on just one income. We are not perfect, we are not Super

Woman who can do it all and expect to have it all together. Keep this in mind as you go through the

day.

See, I have not been able to do everything on my list as well as take care of the kids, husband and

myself. One thing I learned when dealing with my depression; which is now being diagnosed as sub-

bipolar is that I need to do something for myself each day. I need down time, and just because there

is a list of things to do, does not mean I have failed if I don't do it all.

But I still need to remind myself of this on a daily basis.

Now, I will go do my BBR, and get myself to bed at a good time. I have decided to cut out the swish and

swipe for the evening because it gets me hyped up. I think I will be ok, because dh, has said that he

doesn't like the smell of the products when he comes home. Also the house is cleaned at least once

a day.

I hope your day has and will be (depending on your time zone) a good time!

God Bless;

Amy

Blessed and Flying Under His Wings

So this is day one in the attempt to get my life in order. I started the day by getting dressed, to shoes. I then did my hair and make up. I had to put my life in a different priority, because we had a family reunion and left quickly. I did a swish and swipe in the bath and my BBR will include the other bathroom. Babysteps... Tomorrow, back to the whole schedule. I will check my Flylady email and get the day scheduled for tomorrow.

One important thing I started again was my daily Bible reading. I have 2 Bible studies and a Bible in a year that I am working on. I am here to tell you that the more I work on staying in the word, I am able to accomplish so much more. I love Christ and how He has gotten me through so much. I feel blessed to have the Flylady and all my friends. Be blessed and please follow me! Inspiration comes from each of us!

Gearing up for May

Dear Friends;

I am praying that your week went well. This week has been a trying one, but I have gotten in a little bit of swish and swipe, as well as cleaning up the "hot spots" in my life. I am tired, of course, from being up until 6, but we got some sleep after that. The family had the day off from work and school, so we were laid-back.

I take my weekends off, and I will have more for you next week as we work more on doing the Fly List.

Please take care, and God Bless you all;

Amy

Gearing up for May

Dear Friends;

God is doing a work on me. I am not sure what it is yet because I am really tired. This has been a tough day. I didn't sleep but literally an hour. I took a long nap this a.m. Did my MR, and then some shopping. I didn't get back into my jammies after getting dressed. But because of the small routines, I am proud to say that I am getting things done.

DS11 has a concert this evening and I will be up really early to watch the Royal Wedding! My DS9 wants to join me. It will be a nice break and time with my child. Thanks for the good thoughts. I feel energized to read them!

Sorry this got here late, but my son's concert went over. Hope all your days are wonderful, and keep FLYing!

Lovingly;

Amy

Gearing up for May

Ok, I am working toward starting my FLYing lessons on May 1st. I know I have been a member and done work before this, but starting over for me is a way to mark a date, also I have a way to keep myself accountable with a new way of doing things.

Today is simple; just keep my sinks shined and the bathrooms clean. I did my morning routine (MR) in the afternoon, but at least I did it. I got dressed to shoes, but not meaning to stay that way. I stayed that way, so it inspired me to get the sink shined.

I may not post on the weekends, as they are my family days. Please follow me and leave me a note to track my progress, keep me accountable and encourage me. God is my guide, but we can always use an uplift from our friends.

Lovingly;
Amy

My Resume

My resume

Amy Compton
224 45th NE
Salem, Or. 97301
(503)587--9501
amycmptn@aol.com


Objective
Many people want to work to earn a paycheck or to stay busy. I would like to make a difference in people’s lives. The world is filled with jobs and people that just get us by. I want a job that makes a difference as well.



Qualifications
· Intermediate to Advanced Computer
·
*****Use of MS programs
·
Proficient in MS Word

·*****Excell
·
Excellent People Skills

Organized · Very Task-Oriented

·*****Filing
·
Great Phone Skills





Education

Roseburg Senior High School Graduate 1989

University of Oregon attendee 1989-1991

Chemeketa Community College attendee 1992