"Dirty Cup" Painting

Ok, so my roomie/friend loves YouTube and finds the most interesting things at times. Recently, he happened across a painting technique called "Dirty Cup Pour" using acrylic paints. This is a simple technique, although I must admit it almost kicked my bum.

Here is a link to the YouTube channel he likes pertaining to this art: Suave Arts.

Following is a photograph of my first attempt with some close-ups of different angles.

I think I found a new artsy outlet. But I am not giving up on cross stitch.

Not much to say

But so much on my mind. I get annoyed so easily anymore. Especially when I feel like a bomb is going to drop. I've been untrusting of certain people for a long time now. It's not really their fault. Well, not completely. A few have earned my distrust. Which is truly sad. For them and me. There's a lot about my life I don't divulge easily. More for protection so that kind of hurt can never cross me again. Also because I just don't want to talk about it.

When I find myself questioning things, I don't do what I should do: Trust God. Does that make me a hypocrite? I don't know. What I do know is my questions don't seem to get answers until I do turn it over to HIM. And even then I don't always like HIS answer. That makes me human, I suppose. And I don't think I'd want to be anything other than human. Certainly not super-human! I'll leave that to Superman and the like. LOL

So where am I going with this post? I don't think far, but we'll see.


I attended an event last evening for one of the best programs Pasco County has to offer those who are on government housing assistance. It was both emotional and inspiring. To see these families work their way into a life of self-sufficiency is wonderful. It's God at work in their lives. I didn't just attend, I took part. I took the pictures for the agency. (I was a little disappointed at how they turned out. I even took 2 videos. Turns out the sound didn't pick up. DRATS!) I won't share them here out of respect for their privacy, but I will say that the women who graduated were beautiful and a lot of fun! They have come a long way in their lives, not just financially, but I believe spiritually as well.

So, I reflect on things from my life. Things that happened. Things that didn't happen. Things that won't happen. And I think, things really are not so bad for me. I just need to learn how to trust more. And not trust just anyone, but TRUST HIM!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge HIM, and HE will direct your path. 

~ Proverbs 3:5-6

PS: I am finally getting back into my cross stitching. While I have nothing to share yet (mainly due to my not taking pictures yet), I will share the light that was made specifically for me to do my craft.

It makes my room a whole lot brighter!

2018 Has Arrived!

Ok, so I'm a little late getting the Happy New Year out to you. It's been a busy couple of weeks for me since the year changed over. I am teaching two classes this semester at the college. This is my 7th semester of teaching. I am thoroughly enjoying it; more than I anticipated.

Church is keeping me somewhat busy. I am still working as part of the 11 am worship team, albeit behind the scenes. I keep threatening to sing with them, but I don't think they would like that. At least my cat likes to hear me sing, lol. Right now we are in a series called "Limitless." It's been insightful!

I have my Life Group on Sunday evenings. I may be the youngest in the group, but I love being a part of it. Maybe I keep them feeling young, lol. Nah, it's a great group of people who are in various walks in their relationship with Jesus. We are working our way through the Old Testament searching for Jesus. It's amazing just how much he truly is in the OT. Our next book to discuss is Esther. Amazing story. If you've never read it, I highly encourage it. Then watch "One Night with the King." This movie really brings Esther to life!

Today was our annual Classic Car Show at the church. Here are a few of my favorites:

As you can probably tell, I really like the really old cars.

CHRISTmas is Coming!

Each year, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We do this with food, family, friends, gifts, decorations, and more. Some will attend a Christmas Eve service. Others will attend various parties. Whatever the case may be, one thing remains the same:

Ok, this picture doesn't do it justice by any means. This year is the first year I have had a real, living tree in my home since I was a teen. The last time, my dad got us one when I was a freshman in high school. I woke up physically ill every morning after. My mom even forewarned him that would happen. But I digress...no issues this time. Maybe this will be a new tradition for me.

Here's my other tree (relocated to my office this year):

Yes, Sparty Tree is up! And it was the guest of honor at our office luncheon today.

Thanksgiving in America

Today is a day we celebrate the first harvest in America. A day when Pilgrim and Indian came together to share that first meal. A day when families come together and enjoy food, fun, and laughter. Oh, and football!

Today, I wish all of my family, friends, and readers and Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.

Self-Reflection on the 4th

So much is going on in my life right now. If I were to try and blog about it, I'm afraid that the posts would go on forever and be a jumbled mess. For now, I am going to say that I have a much deeper understanding of "battered woman syndrome". I put it in quotes because I'm not sure if I can classify myself as such, but I have been in a somewhat volatile at times relationship for two years, until last week. Unfortunately, I had to call for help for him. I wasn't going to let him die, if indeed that's what he was trying to do. I'm not necessarily afraid of him, when he's sober. He's a lot of fun to be around, half the time. Sometimes he's a bit frustrating. And when he drinks...let's just say alcohol and uncontrolled diabetes DON'T MIX! Now, he's in a safer place where he can't really harm himself, or me for that matter.

As for me, I am trying to just pick up the pieces and keep him in my prayers to God. I pray that God gives him peace, love, understanding. I pray that God fills him with HIS presence. I pray that he finds a healthy way to deal with his depression and alcoholism. I pray for healing. It's difficult to love someone who doesn't love themself, who doesn't know how to really love another. But I do truly love and care for this man with all my being. In this moment, I can't say that there's any kind of a future there, friendship or otherwise. I do know that he will always have a place in my heart.

Two Saturdays ago, we had a wonderful outing. We went to the Hillsborough River State Park and walked the River Rapids Trail. Neither of us are in shape to hike, so this was the best (and shortest) one to walk. Yes, that's him in a couple of the pictures. After our "hike", we went to Applebee's for lunch. We both enjoyed it so much we talked about going back. He's a cook by trade and doesn't like to eat out, so this was a big deal! LOL



Maybe someday we can be friends and do some of the things we talked about doing.

Maybe...
 

What does it mean to disciple?

The past few Sundays, we've been learning about being a disciple of Christ.Well, really we learn something about this EVERY Sunday, lol. Anyway, this past Sunday, a few things stood out to me that I wanted to expand on here as a word study.

To begin, the definition of "disciple", according to Merriam-Webster is one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: such as Christianity: one of the 12 in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts, or a convinced adherent of a school or individual (i.e. disciple of Freud).

Dictionary.com defines it as this: (1) Religion (one of the 12 personal followers of Christ; one of the 70 followers sent forth by Christ; any other professed follower of Christ in His lifetime); (2) any follower of Christ; (3) a member of the Disciples of Christ; (4) a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower.

So pretty much, these two definitions seem to match. And what's more, they both use a couple of words that are synonyms of "disciple:" adherent, follower. Other synonyms include: student, pupil, teacher, mentor, influence, learn.

But what does it mean to BE a disciple? Well, from what I understand of the Bible and teachings of Jesus it means to be a student of Him and His teachings. To follow Him and live out His teachings in our daily lives. To teach others about Him. To spread the Good News! Jesus even commanded us, his followers, to share Him with others in Matthew 28:19.