An Arm and a Leg for A Christmas Tree?!?!?

I had a great weekend – I hope that everyone else did as well. Friday night, Matt and I hung out with our dear friends, Mickey and Brian. We pretty much didn't do anything other than eat dinner and watch some tv. I did make apple dumplings which were pretty stinking good, if I say so myself. Saturday morning, I got up early and done a little shopping for things that were needed around the house. As I was out and about, I found the perfect pair of very cute shoes. So, being the shoe person that I am — I bought them, and I absolutely LOVE them. Here they are. Another view. Around 11am, I went with Matt's mom to Hazelwood to do some cloth shopping. Michelle is re-upholstering her couch cushions and wanted to find the perfect fabric. So we headed out to Carver's Cloth Shop. While Michelle and the lady figured out how much yardage she would need, I went wandering around the store looking at the decorations and such they had for Christmas and Fall.

Ciao.

Some of you may know, but this year I am decorating the tree in Matt's apartment in "unique" colors (Turquoise Blue, Fushia, Lime Green, Purple, and Silver.) As I was wandering, I found a section of such colors. I was very excited when I found the perfect silver mirrored ball garland ($6.95 for 9 feet.) Then I became even more excited when I found these cute little fushia and green sequined & sparkly ornaments ($0.95 each.) So, what did I do, I grabbed a couple strands of garland and 8 ornaments (4 of each color.) Here are what they looked like - the pictures do not do them justice though.

Green Christmas Ornament

Pink Christmas Ornament

Silver Mirrored Ball Garland

I was so proud of my find. I had figured it up in my head that it would be approximately $30 bucks for all of it. I went to the check out and the lady had rang it all up, I just handed her my card (I didn't look to see how much it actually was, I just paid and signed the slip.) The receipt was put in my bag.

Saturday afternoon, Matt and I went to the Cullowhee Fire Department Annual BBQ dinner. A new and dear friend of mine, who is also Matt's co-worker, was singing. Her brother, sister, herself, and her sister's bf have their own quartet. (Humm, dunno if they have a name or not.) But anyways, we went and listen to them sing – and WOW, it was AWESOME! They blend so great with each other. I was sooo proud of all of them, and they lifted up the Lord's name the entire time...and that only made it all the better! KUDOS to Amber and her siblings!

Later on, Matt and I were going out to town to do some running around for a bit. As we were driving down the road, I decided I had better put my receipt (from Carver's) in my wallet so I wouldn't loose it. It wasn't til then that I actually looked at the receipt. You will never believe what I paid for those 10 items that I bought.........$91.49. Holy Hannah!!! WHOA! That's exactly what I was saying. I had a caniption-fit right then and there.

I began a thorough check of my receipt. The garland was correct, so I began looking at the ornaments – yeah...so they were NOT $0.95 each.....they were definitely $8.95 each. Those little balls should be put in a china cabinet or something – they are fragile at that price! (You can see here, where I had made my error. They are hard to see -- but if you look hard enough you can see it.) The side that I had seen --- it says ".95 each" Yeah this is definitely what the OTHER side looks like. "$ 8"

Then to beat it all — yesterday we were in Walmart wasting time — yeah, Walmart has the EXACT same Christmas ornaments that I had bought at Carvers!!!! They were $1.97 for TWO of them! I was so mad. Matt has not let me live it down yet! I can't believe it! To make a long story short, the ornaments I bought are going back to their home TOMORROW!

Last night the drama team, Collide, performed at our church. It was awesome and the youth couldn't have done a more perfect job. I was so proud of each and every one of them! They even added more stuff in them and made them so much more dramatic than they have been practicing. I was like a parent whose child just received a Terrific Kid award....I was on Cloud Nine.

If anyone would like for Collide to come to your church and perform – let me know, and we'll set a date!

I hope you all had a marvelous weekend and an even better week!

Today's Insight

"If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever."

- 1 Corinthians 13:3

When it rains.....it Pours

Ever feel as if the old saying "when it rains, it pours", is true?? I know that in the last 6-7 months or so that saying is loudly ringing in my ears and at the end of pretty much every thought I have. I love my life, I love everything about it, and I wouldn't change it if I had it all over to do again. My personal relationship with Christ, my most wonderful boyfriend, my awesome family, my amazing friends, everyone & everything I come in contact with, I love it. However, the Devil knows exactly how & when to push your buttons. There are days that I wonder whether my heart/mind are the very bull's eye of the Devil's target. I know that the more that comes my way, the stronger I lean on the Lord for His guidance & His assurance and that is the only reason why the Devil plugs even harder at me. The Devil knows that it is a losing battle, but he just wants me to get weak enough to fall to whatever tricks he throws my way. Little does he know that I will just tell him to "Get the behind me Satan!" I just pray that each and every day I can continue to give my struggles over to the Lord and let Him handle them. He sure knows a lot more than I do and I know that He will lead me in the way that is in my best interest. "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine."

Karen Peck & New River

So last Thursday night at church, Windy Gap Baptist, we had a "singing". Karen Peck and New River was the entertainment. I tell you what, it was the best I have ever heard. Karen and her group were completely amazing. Our church choir sang a few songs to give Karen a break about half way through. I had a solo part and I was very worried about it b/c thanks to the change in weather I've got this crazy allergy crap going on. But anyways, it didn't turn out too bad. To end the night, Karen had the choir come back up and then as I was going back to my spot, she asked me to stay down on the stage. I got to SING with Karen Peck & New River. It was so cool! But what was truly amazing was when it was all said and done. Karen and her group were at the front of the church at their sales table. It was about 25 minutes after the singing and most of the people had went home except a handful. As I was stanging outside, I was waiting on my sis, the pastor's wife got my attention and asked that I come with her. As I walked back into the church, Karen met me with open arms and gave me a hug as she said a quick prayer with me. She also found Nancy and done the same with her. Apparently the pastor's wife had informed her of our brother's death. Karen was so sincere and prayed with the two of us (individually & together). She said that she knows how we feel and what we are going through and she will keep us in her prayers. As a parting gift she gave Nancy and I three cds. Karen Peck & New River are AWESOME. They love the Lord and it is so obvious. She is a woman of God and she isn't afraid to stand up for her beliefs and shout it from the mountain top. I really needed that, to be brought closer to the Lord, but most of all to be reminded that God will not put anymore on His children than what He knows they can handle. Also, He will never leave or forsaken us. Karen Peck is my new Friend!

Fall

I don't know about anyone else, but I am stoked that it is October! I love the fall season, when I say love, I mean I LOVE everything about fall. The smells, the colors, the change in weather, everything. Anyways, so far this month is has been fantastic. Granted it didn't get off to the best of starts for certain reasons, I am still savoring every moment. Last weekend I went to Asheville for Sammie's birthday dinner. Then church on Sunday was fantastic (we had 3 saved!) WOO HOO. Then drama practice, and back to Asheville for another Birthday celebration.

This weekend, Matt and I are joining my sister and her bf (Brandon) and another couple from church and going to Dollywood. I am excited! The ride over the mtn will be gorgeous, and I will have my camera ready for action! I'm making this short and sweet b/c I really do need to get back to work. And get some stuff prepared for my Acteens class tonight at church. Have a blessed day!