lizardblog ( the blog of liz creech

April 28, 2006
Relationships

They are an amazing thing. There multi-level and take on so many different shapes and purposes. When I see someone who doesn't really know how to have a relationship or doesn't want to work at it, it makes me sad. To see people just going from person to person and only having sex with them makes me really appreciate what I have. There is so much more to it and it is so much more fulfilling than just on a physical level. There are, of course, those friendship relationships too, but the marriage one is what is most prevalent in my mind right now. I don't have anything else to say I just was thinking about it and wanted to put it up here.

posted by Liz at 1:08 PM - permalink - -

April 27, 2006
LOOK WHAT I DID!!!

I wish it was some huge big nice cool thing but it is only that I started another blog. HEE HEE!!

It becomes apparent that I love to play in the dirt so I thought I would create a Garden Escapades blog and see where that might take me. I so do not want to keep serving, as the pain, soreness, and in general time away from home, is eating me up.

Hopefully, something big, money wise, will happen here and, God willing, I might someday in the future be able to do that kind of thing instead of wearing myself out doing something "just to make money".

If any of that makes sense.

posted by Liz at 9:11 AM - permalink - -

April 24, 2006
Why Organic Gardening?

Do you actually know the effects of man made fertilizer use on the environment? Why do you think they warn you not to use it where it will run off into water sources or where aquatic animals live? Why they warn you not to let your domestic pets to ingest or be around it before it breaks down a bit? Why do you think they warn you not to inhale the dust or get it on your skin? It is because it is poisonous. Yes, ladies and gentlemen the stuff you think makes your yard look so good and green is actually very bad for it. It weakens it and pollutes water sources and kills all matter of insect, aquatic and animal life.

You see we have become a lazy society. We want more for less with as little investment as possible. We are killing ourselves and our planet. I know all this sounds a bit over zealous but it is the truth. I am not some big conservationist, although the older I get the closer I get to being one, but the blatant truth is hitting us in the face and we are ignoring it.

"So, Liz, how do we make our yard look good and not poison the world we live in?" you might ask. Well, you have to get up off your butt and actually do more than throw handfuls of chemicals onto your lawn. Use what God has given us and accept that dandelions and chick weed are actually pretty and serve a purpose might be a start. Also, deciding why you want your yard to be so perfect and just who are you trying to impress? See, if you are doing it for yourself alone, I think you might be a bit more willing to work harder. If you "don't have the time" and want to beat your neighbors at having the nicest prettiest yard then you don't have very good motivation. You are unnecessarily putting stress onto yourself and your family and harming yourself and others along the way.

I started all that because of the season and I see people doing things that are ultimately harmful to me and my family, my dog, my cat and others as well. Yes, I guess it is a bit of a soap box, but there is plenty out there to back up what I am saying. Shouldn't we take better care of what God gave us instead of looking for the easy way out?

posted by Liz at 9:56 AM - permalink - -

April 15, 2006
Eloquence with words

That is not me. I am not very good with words, just every now and then I get a good one in on accident. But, I am ok with that. I said that because sometimes what I put in words isn't really what I want to put forth. Let me give it a shot anyway.

I love nature. I feel and hear God more when I am outside "playing" in the dirt than when I am doing anything else. My spirit quiets and I hear him more and better. I believe for me that because I was exposed to God and his word as a child that I have that when I am outside. A sort of foundation, I guess. I am not a naturalist but I sure can see what God had in mind when he created nature.

It is interesting to sit out in a breeze and sunshine, smell the good smells and be transported to a very nice place in your mind. Even with the everyday sounds of neighbors playing in the yard or a lawn mower going. The power of letting the natural overpower those things is amazing.

posted by Liz at 10:07 AM - permalink - -

April 13, 2006
Cleaning up

I was just sitting outside reading and listening to the birds. Every now and then I would look up at the trees across the road. They are starting to leaf out and turn green and the birds are really enjoying them.

A thought of, "It would look better if they cleaned those trees up." Meaning cutting out the dead branches and broken twigs and such. Then I thought, "Why not enjoy the beauty of it ALL." Why do we think things need to be cleaned up in order to enjoy them? Not everything is always beautiful all the time. Sometimes the bad and ugly help us enjoy and appreciate the good and beautiful.

That symbolism can go toward a lot of things I think.

posted by Liz at 8:18 AM - permalink - -

April 11, 2006
To Long or not To Long?

long2 Pronunciation Key (l�ng, lng)
intr.v. longed, longÂ·ing, longs
To have an earnest, heartfelt desire, especially for something beyond reach.

I am just as susceptible to wants and desires as anyone else. You know, that instant "gotta have it" feeling when you see something, or even just hear about something. An idea, a thing, a place, a person, a relationship, a feeling. Fine fancy things don't usually turn my head, I mean I can appreciate them, I just don't long for them. A really clean house, everybody to clean up their mess, all the bills getting paid. It is the simple things really that get me- HA!

Being a very nature based kind of person, I find it interesting how some long for a very deep spiritual relationship with God. To the exclusion of everything else. That is something I don't grasp. For me, being simple, not "getting things", I like it when God meets me on my level. Not that I don't need to reach out to him a lot more, but it is a nice comforting thing to have him come to me and say "Hey, Liz, Look at this! Enjoy."

Back to the earthly things. Having a nice house is nice (hee, hee). Being so occupied by how it looks and what other people think about it is not a good thing, and I try not to do that. Order is a good thing, then you know where things go and they are easy to get there in a hurry. People can walk in and even if it is not as clean as I would like they can still feel comfortable and welcome. THAT is what I long for - People coming into my house and feeling like they belong and are comfortable and welcome. Peaceful is a big thing too. I strive to have people look at the outside of my house and long to come in because the outside is so welcoming. Does any of that make sense? I am not very good at writing things and drawing people in as my daughter Katey. She is a very talented young lady, and I am VERY proud of her.

I guess that is all for today.

posted by Liz at 8:12 AM - permalink - -

April 07, 2006
Community

Community can mean many things to many people. To some is it a location, a suburb of houses, a small farming community, or even an apartment building in the inner city. It can also mean a place of work or a book club. Community can also mean being available to each other despite locality or convenience. It comes in many levels with different ideas of what kind of commitment it requires.

Some people have an attitude of where they are and what type of community they have is better and even look down on others who aren't doing it the way they are. That is sinful if you ask me. It would seem that God called us all to reach the world, ALL its parts, not just the cities. So, if being in the city is the only way, what about people in rural Africa, or even South Dakota? The attitude kind of pisses me off.

I have been thinking about community for a bit and what it means and I really don't think this was the direction I was going. I think this may have been spurred by frustration at the kids having just knocked over a can of Electric Lime paint onto the carpet, 6 month old carpet. Ruined is the word for today.

I wonder if anything will ever be easy for me? Not that EVERYTHING is hard but damn I am tired of working so hard to have something just to have it ruined or plans screwed up or budgets blown. How is that for a pity party? About 12 years ago I lived next door to an older lady who said the same thing to me. I said "Maybe God just wants you to lean on him more and not have to worry and fret about the money thing." Looks like I can take a little bit of my own advice, get off my ass, and just "Do it" to steal a phrase from Nike.

(Big Sigh!!)

posted by Liz at 8:33 AM - permalink - -

April 04, 2006
Spring Break

This week is spring break for my kids. We are painting their rooms. And mine too. We have 4 spaces going at the same time. I work on my room until they get up then work on theirs. I am being a bit lazy this morning, though. I am a bit sore and my thoughts aren't coming together so good.

The older girls picked out "Electric Lime" and "Harlequin", the second being deep purple. Since we are just getting settled, I figured bright hard to cover colors would be ok. McKenzie is going with an Asian theme, red and gold walls with a Chinese dragon on one wall. The dragon is going to have to wait though. My room is getting painted the same color as the living room, the color is called "Wetlands" and is a nice green. I have about a third of my room done and half of the others.

The brush and roller are calling so, I must be off.

posted by Liz at 9:21 AM - permalink - -

April 01, 2006
Just when you think nothing else could go "wrong"

I am sure most of you have been following mine and Alan's home selling journey. If so you will know that we closed on the old house yesterday - WOO HOO!!!

Of course, most of you who read this will know as well we have suffered some recent losses in friends. Very sad.

I guess God thought that along with that we could handle more. After I had McKenzie I had a Tubal ligation, because we did NOT want any more kids. You may have even heard me say that "God wouldn't do that to us" in response to the "More kids?" question. Well, I had been feeling a little weird and come to find out it is because another little Creech is on the way.

You all should also be aware that it is April the first and that I had you going there, for at least a second!!

Happy April Fools day!!

posted by Liz at 11:40 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