What if it was their last day....

A sweet family friend's death has really pushed me to think about how precious life is! I will open with the story of this friend because it really is soo powerful. He was a husband and a father of three (two college age and one high schooler) children. He worked hard to provide for his family and had a sweet servant's spirit. All that to say, he was a "normal" guy that appeared to be in pretty good health. In the timespan of one month...he was not only diagnosed with cancer but passed away within one month of his diagnosis! I will attend his funeral this Sunday to celebrate his life and his homecoming to our gracious Savior!
When I was 22, I was on top of the world. I had just married the greatest guy and was on my honeymoon. The last day of my honeymoon, as my husband and I prepared to go home, I received the heart wrenching call that my gran (my term of endearment for my granny) had passed away suddenly in a surgery. In one second, I went from the top of the world to one of the most devestating experiences that I will ever have. My gran was my best friend! She was my mentor! (and so many more things) I still remember the last time I saw her at my wedding. She said "Honey, go say bye to Carol (her sister, my aunt) before you leave. I love you so much!" Isn't it amazing how the last moment you can recall with someone is engrained in your head! Should I have said something more? Should I have given one last hug? Did I say I love you?

What have I learned: Love your family and friends to the fullest and tell them so!!!

Yard Sales: Hidden Treasures or More Junk!!!

One of my memories as a child was my mom going yard selling! I must say that those memories are mostly filled with bored sighs asking "Is this the last one?" But....NOW....I see yard sales as a vast opportunity to: 1) Save money and/or 2) Make money :) The first step to yard selling is: don't buy something you won't use or need!!!! Otherwise you end up with a garage/house full of stuff that you'll eventually sell to another unfortunate soul!  So, hopefully here's a little inspiration for you. I have been yard selling the past two months and I have found:

1) Set of white plates (dinner & dessert) and large white serving platter: $10 (replaced the 5 year old black Wal-Mart plates that were in desperate need of being tossed)
2) Black Chest. This thing must be 40 - 50 years old and will go at the end of our guest bed for storage: $15
3) Two Bedside Tables: $5 each (Again to be painted and put in the guest bedroom)
4) Road Bike!! - That's right a road bike! I've been looking for one for a year and a half!!! - wait for it...$15!!! (I couldn't resist posting a picture of this one...I may post the others tonight)

What have I learned: yard sales (done in moderation and with intention) can be gold mines!

Girls Night Out...

So, I am of the opinion that couples need friends! Meaning, I cherish times with my girlfriends. One of my best friends in the world brought her son over today and we had about 3 hours to just talk about life. I needed that! I can share things with my sweet husband all day long. But, there are certain things that only another girl can relate to!! I know people who are so busy with life that they have few relationships outside of their family. Don't get me wrong; I love and appreciate my family! I have probably laughed my hardest with my sister and mom; but...friendships...female friendships are a blessing. I want to always make time to nourish and grow genuine girl friendships! Somehow food and good desserts and sometimes good coffee seem to bring us girls together in ways that nothing else can! Our Sunday School class has a Girls Night Out once a month. One girl hostesses and cooks and we typically have some sort of activity. So, tonight about 10 of us girls spent the night talking, eating, making the super cute craft below (which I don't know exactly what I will do with yet), eating (did I already mention that?!) and laughing. So, what did I learn tonight? I will always have a girlfriend and good coffee in my life no matter how busy I am!! :)

(So, this was laughably easy but so cute..from http://buttonbirddesigns.blogspot.com/)

(Not sure if I'll keep it here or not??)

Here it is....

Finally after much encouragement and maybe a little procrastination...here it is... WWW.WORKINGWIFEANDMOMSJOURNEY.BLOGSPOT.COM. Wow that's a lot to write. I hope you can remember that!! In thinking about what I (and hopefully the Lord) might want out this blog..here is what I've come up with (and what you can come to expect in my posts):

• Balance between the many hats we wear
• Saving Money
• Encouragement in your Christian Walk
• Time Management
• Decorating Ideas
• Menu Ideas
• Ministry Opportunities/Ideas/Journeys

So, I hope there are people out there interested!!! Here we go...