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http://debbietibbs.com

EASY BURLAP WINDOW TREATMENT

Mason: Mom we've been in the house for 2 1/2 years, I really want a curtain for my bathroom.

Me: Oops, sorry I forgot about it. But I'll get it done.

I like the window in Mason's bathroom and like the light in there but can totally understand why he wants some privacy. he he

I had some extra burlap leftover from my bulletin board redo. Did I show you that?
hmmmm, I'll have to go look for those pics and share with you later.

Anyway, I went to my handy dandy sewing machine and stitched that baby right up.

It's not perfect but it works.

I took two tension rods and stuck them in the top hem and the bottom hem.

I didn't want to cover the whole window so I just made it big enough to cover the bottom half.

Easy Peezy.......

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Good Morning Sunshine


It's the second day of a New Year.  Again.  Thank you God for the many blessings of 2011, for the trials and the lessons.  As we walk into 2012, let it be with arms open wide.  Let is be with wonder, let us be ready.


In 2012 let us rely more on scripture.  


I wish you Joy and Peace this year.


As in:


Philippians 4:4-9  


Joy and Peace
Rejoice in the Lord always.  
I shall say it again:  rejoice!  
Your kindness should be known to all.  
The Lord is near. 
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 
Finally brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there  is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  
Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. 
Then the God of peace will be with you.
Amen.


All we have to do is listen, listen to the Lord.  He says it right here in this verse and in so many others.


We can have Joy and Peace, even in the midst of chaos.  In the midst of this thing we call life.


We can create Joy in our lives and in the lives of others.  Step outside the box.  What are you doing to create Joy in someone else's life?  


We as mothers strive to have Joy in our own lives, create Joy in our husband's and children's lives.  (or we should)  


But let's look around this year, look at someone else's life who you could infuse some Joy into.


They're there.  Close your eyes and ask God to lead you to them.  And he will.


God Bless you today and everyday.


Love, Debbie

He's at it again....

He's at it again......

Remember Mike Charpentier?  He recently built the bookcases and window seat.

http://debbietibbs.blogspot.com/2011/12/layers.html

This is his latest creation. 

I gave him this pic for inspiration.

And this is what he did.  I placed some pictures on it to see how it would look.

He did a great job.

Found this at Big Lots for 6.00.  What a bargain.  I love the burlap and the blueish gray color of the cross.

I'm looking for a chest to put here.  Hope to go shopping for that soon.

Great photography website and giveaway

CRAVE PHOTOGRAPHY


Be sure to visit this great photography website and blog.  She is having a giveaway!!


http://cravemyphotography.com/blog/25000-fans-giveaway/

Carrying the Cross

I don’t know why my hand shot up at the last meeting when the question was asked, “Who wants to carry the cross?”

I had not been here, to Ultreya in almost a year.  I didn’t even remember the act of “carrying the cross”, but I felt compelled to do it.  Then after I got it I thought,  “what does it mean to carry a cross, this cross?” Then I started thinking, oh no what have I done?  Does this mean I”ll be carrying an extra cross?  To me, when we say we’re carrying a cross, it means another burden, another trial that’s been handed to us.

The first thing I did when I got the cross is I started praying for all of you, your families and for your petitions to be heard and answered.

My dear sisters, carrying this cross has been just the opposite of another burden, another trial.  Miracles have been happening to me during this time.  Now let me say:  these things may have happened anyway, but carrying this cross has made me more aware. 

Miracle #1 – My 24 year old son and his wife told me that they want their marriage blessed by Father Russo.  They got married in a civil ceremony 1 year and 4 months ago.  They also announced that Shani his wife is pregnant with my third grandchild.  I have 2 beautiful granddaughters already and this one will be my first grandson.  Please keep Andy, Shani, Haylee and Liem in your prayers.

Miracle #2 – My 21 year old daughter is a single mom.  Megan works and Rylee goes to daycare.  It has been a struggle for her to say the least.  Raising a child alone has drained her financially and emotionally.  But during this time, she and Rylee’s father have started seeing each other again.  They’ve tried before but neither of them was ready to settle down.  It seems to be working so far and this makes Rylee extremely happy and secure.  I cannot begin to tell you what this means to us.  Please pray for Megan, Rylee and dada Derek.

Miracle #3 - I’ve been a realtor since 2002.  I’ve worked in this profession on and off since then.  I’ve had 2 businesses and sold them.  I am, by nature a “busy person”.  I am a “Martha”.  About a month ago (during this time), my husband asked me to consider retiring from working out of the home.  It was a hard decision at first.  Making a choice to surrender, to trust, to know that I would be making the right decision.  I went to spiritual direction and the message I got was “just be”.  So I went home and thought about how to “just BE”.  What I got from the Holy Spirit was to “just be grateful”, just be prayerful, just serve. 

I have to say I am a work in progress.  Sometimes it’s hard to “just be”.  I have to surrender many times during the day.

The reason I struggled with letting go of my career and really trusting is because my husband is a recovering alcoholic.  Tomorrow marks his 10 year anniversary of being sober.  That in itself is a miracle. 

A couple of years after going through treatment, he started going to Adoration.  The only time that was available was 1:00 a.m on Friday morning.  He took it.  He was not even Catholic at the time.  About a year after that, he went through the RCIA process and became Catholic.  He made Cursillo about 4 years ago.  He went to Ultreya a few times and that was it.  The men’s Ultreya meet in Franklin once a week.  They started having a family night on the first Wednesday of every month.  We started attending that one about 3 months ago.  The Wednesday night after picking up this cross, he came out of the bathroom freshly showered and was dressed like he was going somewhere.  At first I thought he was going to AA.  The AA group meets on Wednesday nights and his 10 year anniversary is coming up so I thought that’s where he was going.  He came and hugged me and I asked “are you going to AA?  He said no, I’m going to Ultreya.  Tears sprang to my eyes.  Thank you God.  He’s been going weekly since then.  That was Miracle #4.

Short story before I tell you about the next miracle.  My grandmother was my best friend.  She is my mother’s mother.  She said the rosary daily.  Not just once per day, all the time.  Even while she watched the soap operas.  I know she’s in Heaven still praying for us.  She had a very spiritual death. For those of you that haven’t heard the story, that will be for another time.

Recently my mom gave me the Rosary that my grandmother received for her confirmation. 

My grandmother had lost this rosary at a street fair when she was young. 

When the old KC home in Jeanerette was moved to make way for the new building the rosary was found.  My grandmother’s name was engraved on the cross so the movers knew it was hers and they delivered it to her house.  It was lost for approximately 30 years.

Mom had it restored and gave it to me.  I’ve struggled with saying the rosary on a regular basis.  After mom gave me that rosary, I downloaded the rosary app on my iphone and while working on projects or having a few moments to myself I would pray the rosary along with the app on my phone.  I love the way it makes me feel when I say it.  I feel closer to our blessed mother, I feel closer to maw- maw and going through the mysteries makes me feel closer to Jesus.

Well Miracle # 5 happened this past Sunday after Mass.  When we got home my husband said you have to help me something.  I need your help.  I thought oh no, what now?   He said I need you to buy another coffee pot so we can have coffee in the morning together.  But I like my coffee strong and I know you don’t so we will need a second coffeemaker.

Ok ladies, first of all I can’t stand clutter and now he wants me to have two coffee pots on the counter.  Second of all, 6:00 to 7:00 is my time.  I make my way to the coffee pot, sip my coffee and spend time with our Lord.  I treasure this time.  But I thought, no Debbie just go with it.  He wants to spend quality time with you. 

Then he said “and I would like to say a Rosary with you while we have our coffee.”

Thank you God. 

Well, I bought the coffee pot and we’ve said the rosary together every day this week so far.  I would have never have dreamed this would be happening to me.

I have prayed for us to grow spiritually in our marriage for as long as I can remember.  And it’s happening.  Are we perfect?  No.  Are we going to do this forever?  I don’t know.  Am I living in the moment?  Yes.

So ladies my message to you tonight is this.  Number one, God answers prayers.  It may not be in our time frame or exactly the way we want it to be, but he answers prayers.  Be specific when you pray.

Number 2, we have to embrace our cross.  While we are going through this journey called Life we will carry many crosses.  Through each experience we will learn lessons that God has to teach us, we will gain graces, we will learn patience, we will earn Wisdom.