lizardblog ( the blog of liz creech

August 30, 2005
Cheating

Alan and I have been cheating here lately. We have been sneaking into our new house. HA! Well, the door was open so we went in and did a little bit of measuring for tile and window blinds. We went on a "date" and looked at paint colors - we like what we have so we will probably just stay with it - you know transfer a little of the old to the new. One thing that is really funny is our countertops in the new house almost matches the tile we have in our house now. I just find that interesting. When we were doing our selections for the house we both saw it and agreed instantly that was the one. I am kind of excited and weary of the whole process at the same time - WHEWWW!

I am buying some cheap posters of art from some great artists. I just bought Auguste Renoir's Pitcher of Flowers. I really like Monet's Luncheon: Garden at Argenteuil. There are a few more I would like to have as well, but just a bit at a time. On one of those do it yourself home improvement shows I saw how they made a poster look like a painting and I am going to try to do that. First you take a pre-stretched blank canvas that you can get from any arts and craft store. Then you use spray adhesive and put the poster on it. After that dries you paint the edges with paint to match the poster and cover it with a polyurethene to simulate actual brush strokes. That is cheaper than an oil painting and you get the same similar results. I found some stuff by Dwayne Warwick that I like a lot too. I really want the one called Summer luncheon.

The day calls so off I go. May art inspire and give you joy!

posted by Liz at 9:12 AM - permalink - -

August 17, 2005
The stuff I did

Sometimes it is easy to wish you were something or someone other than who you are. It is kind of fun to play "what if" in your head. Ultimately it is best to be who you are and be happy with what you have. There is ALWAYS someone in worse shape than you. I think we all know that. Allowing ourselves to become melancholy over stuff, or what if's, is harmful. That just popped in my head and I wanted to share it.

Working on a concrete floor is not too good for your feet. You need to have some really good shoes. I have been experiencing some bad foot pain that has been gradually getting worse recently. Deciding to use the health insurance that I never use except for the kids, I went to the Podiotrist. It appears that I have Achilles-plantar fascia complex. There is a connector tissue called a plantar fascia that runs along the bottom of your foot from the heel to the toes. I have aggravated mine. This wonderful doctor gave me some inserts to wear in my shoes, and gave me some great stretching exercises to do. There is one "treatment" that I like a lot. This is going to sound weird, but you freeze a water bottle and then roll your foot on top of it while you are watching TV or in general sitting still. Even though it starts out cold, this is the most wonderful feeling thing and it helps a lot. Even after just one day my feet feel at least 50% better. The only bad thing is that I have to wear shoes ALL THE TIME, except when I sleep. Being a Kentucky girl this is not a fun activity. I guess all for the health of my feet - hee hee!

Last thing for this morning: Our humming birds have been very active the past couple of days. I knew there was, at least, a pair. This morning Meaghan and I stood at our back door and watched 4 flying around and eating. It was pretty cool. After the girls got off to school I stood outside and watched a female for about 20 minutes as she perched and preened and ate. Pretty cool - I was within 8 feet of her. I am continually amazed at God's creations.

posted by Liz at 8:25 AM - permalink - -

August 10, 2005
Process

Everything is a process, you start at one point and work to another. Sometimes it is fast and sometimes it is slow. I feel like I have gotten some things quicker than I actually have. God knows me better than I know myself and gives accordingly. One lesson I have learned it to trust God. Oh, I have known that one for a long time, at least in my head. Seems that is a hard one to take to heart and make "true" and "real". You know what I mean, something that just comes naturally without pause. Like just believing that God is there, that the "Jesus thing" is real, and that he would have done what he did for just me. Those things are ingrained and I don't even think about them. Believing that God will actually honor my prayers is a hard one, trust is a hard one too. The pause between the question and the answer is way too long. I know the answer, but I don't really just blurt it out. I have to stop and think and there is doubt. Then when the timing is right, I get what I asked for, or not and things are ok. I find it interesting that when I have to "make things happen", it really isn't God's will. Some times when the process is hard but they happen with a little work, it is usually a character builder, and you look back and shake your head at yourself. I wonder as humans if we will actually ever "get it". I kind of doubt it, but the process is good. We become who we should be, even when it hurts.

posted by Liz at 8:26 AM - permalink - -

August 05, 2005
Damn, damn, damn

I cussed - ha! Well, I am sitting here, after waking up early to get the house ready to show, waiting on someone who apparently isn't going to show up. They were supposed to be here at 9:15. Made the kids get up, yelled a lot at everybody, and nothing.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. I guess I like saying things in 3's today. I also think the stress is making me sick again. I just don't get sick and I have started hacking and feeling congested here lately. I think maybe I give up. I will be glad when the process is over. Feeling stupid isn't the worst thing in the world. Knowing you have been spouting off and dragging everybody from your cyber world into it too, and then the process was for naught. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

It is amazing how much this stuff affects your relationships. I am taking my husband out on Monday to do a bit of reconnecting. I love him a lot. I am sorry this process has been as hard on him as it has.

posted by Liz at 9:36 AM - permalink - -

August 03, 2005
Changes ahead

That is a big "DUH". There are always changes to come. I have an appointment today with the board of education to see if they will let Meaghan attend public school. I am a little bit nervous about that. I know she wants to go so bad, and if I can't come across as actually knowing what I am doing, have done, then she won't be allowed to go. I remember when I did this for Katey and it was a lot easier than I anticipated. I believe if I go in there with what I have and what I know then it will be fine.

Another thing, even if we loose the house we are currently under contract to, it seems we will still continue to look for a bigger house. I agree that we need a little more room. It is unfortunate though if we have to do all this once school starts, but it looks like it is going to be that way any way.

Yesterday I got so stressed that I had a headache all through the time I was at work. I had to come home and take a lot of aspirin and a hot bath and then just try to go to sleep. Just a lot on my mind with the house and school stuff. I am getting a jump on the younger kids stuff though, and that makes me feel good. If I have to take so much time during a school day to prepare stuff then "school time" takes up too much time. I like being prepared, over prepared. I am a control freak like that.

I have told you all this before, but you outdoor enthusiasts will like this. We for sure have a pair of humming birds that live near our house some where. I have seen both of the pair quite often now. It is really cool, as I have been trying to attract some hummers for awhile now. I just hope that who ever buys this house will enjoy them.

Enough for now, I think I might relax by looking for houses on line, just in case, you know. :-)

posted by Liz at 8:50 AM - permalink - -

spiritual

> vine & branches
> vineyard central

blogs

> Garden Escapades
> Trish Hiduk
> Maryann
> Alan Creech
> The Vine
> Little Houses
> Amber Bishop
> Jody Nixon
> Laura Ogle
> Debi Warford
> Jason & Brooke Evans
> Eric Keck
> Beth Keck
> Pete Matthews
> Trudi Matthews
> Brian Phillips
> Bryan Sherwood
> Malie
> Kim Johnson

Homeschool

> vegsource homeschool
> discovery school channel
> saxon math and phonics

general interest

> john rosemond's affermative parenting
> lisa welchel
> thunderstruck
> Homestar Runner

gardening

> Kids Gardening

books i like

Here are some books I suggests if you are looking to homeschool or just for information. I gleaned a lot from them. Our church gets credit if you buy through these links.

In their Own Way
by Thomas Armstrong

Seven Times Smarter
by Laurel Schmidt

How to Talk So Kids Can Learn
by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

Teen Proofing
by John Rosemond