Coffee and Jesus

 

I first saw this saying on a print by Leslie Zeller (Recipe for Crazy). I knew right then I had to have it. So I bought a small copy for my home office. Since then it has really become my mantra in away it always has been.

I just loved it!

The saying is me and needs to be. It reminds me that I need Jesus more than my coffee. It reminds me to start me day with the one I need more of.

Don't get me wrong I will need the other too.

And I may need more than a little bit of coffee but I will never need less than a whole lot of Jesus.

So when I saw the shirt on Zulily a few weeks ago it was quickly in my cart.

Unfortunately it is no longer on Zulily but, ThreadTank the original makers of the shirt still have plenty in a different style. (I kind of want both styles.)

I alright I am for to  find some coffee.

~ Cassi

 

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Lunar Eclipse

One of Mouse's passions is the sky. She will talk endlessly about the plight of Pluto. Yes, she is still upset about its loss of planet status. We have gone to many planetary classes. 

 

 Last night we had to let her stay up and watch the Super Moon Lunar Eclipse. She grabbed the giant telescope from Grandma and Grandpa. It was so fun watching her excitement as the it inched along the moon. 

We watched the moon go completely dark before we headed in for the night. The perfect way for us to end Steve's birthday weekend.  

 

 ~ Cassi

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No Longer a Phone Girl

This week I have been traveling for work. Hello, Cleveland! During this trip I have realized that I am not a phone girl anymore.
I use to be that kid who would wrap herself up in the 20 foot long cord or stretch it straight to get to my room. I would spend hours on the phone with friends. I remember my best friend and I would watch the after school specials together via the phone. We'd watch and as soon as a commercial came on we'd chat about what just happened. I am sure all of this phone business drove my parents nuts. Oh how we would have loved Face Time!
But life fast forwards more years that I would like to count. I have long lost contact with that friend and my phone habits have changed. I struggle to last minutes on the phone with even Steve or Mouse.
No I haven't decided texting is the only way to talk, I am not that young.
I think its the opposite. I want to sit with the person. I want to look in their face, see their reaction. Connect on something stronger than a phone cord. (yes, I realize their maybe a portion that read this that have no idea what a phone cord is)
~ Cassi

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Agates

Mouse and her Grandpa have many things in common but one that has really grown is their love for agates. I tease my parents about being hippies before I was born. My Dad use to make jewelry from rocks and sell them. My story says out of the back of a van, not sure where I got that part from but I have always said it. When I say rocks I am not meaning the hippy rocks.

I mean beautiful polished stones with filigree settings. Or tiger-eye bracelets set in perfect circles.

My parents never really made or sold any that I can remember after I was born, but they kept all of the rocks and equipment (yes a bit hoarders but that is a different post). Mouse and them have spent hours going through the bin of rocks to look at the different shades and textures of each piece.

While in Canada Mouse loved seeing all of the rocks and agates at the souvenir shops a long the way.

Which prompted me to try my hand at painting these beautiful stones.

The process is fun and you get to sprinkle salt on the wet paint and watch it change the pattern. It is a bit science and a bit art. I think I will continue.

~Cassi

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But it does Matter

I don't really use this blog to discuss hot topic issues such as racism, gay marriage or the Kardashians (which I just had to look up in order to spell). Mostly because I do not care at all for the Kardashians, seriously who decided they were news??

But I don't share on the other topics not because I don't have an opinion or that I am scared to. I don't share because I don't find this the right forum to address such issues. Social media is a giant mask that people wear to voice opinions in angered voices that they would otherwise not.

I want to have these talks but I want to do it face to face. I want to have talks that first come from love and mutual respect. Can you get that through blogs, Facebook or Twitter? I don't feel like you can.

But there is one area I do want to address. This past week I have heard it mentioned more than once "If it doesn't directly effect me than I shouldn't care"! This sentence makes me cringe. What a slippery slope that is. Yes, it worked good for Mom to say to two tattling children, but it is not good for society.

To give an extreme example poverty. Poverty doesn't directly effect me. Steve and I have a home, food and pay our bills. I could say I don't care about poverty because it doesn't directly effect me. That makes me sad just writing it. YUCK! Because the truth is I care about poverty a lot and we all should. Because how are we suppose to make a difference in global poverty if no one cares.

If you are for or against any of the hot topics, I am happy for you. You have taken a stand and decided this is where I draw the line. That is GREAT! Even if I don't agree with you. It makes me happy to know that you care. We need to care.

Because one day you may wake up and realize it now effects you and it's to late. So go research, ask questions, find reliable sources, pray, do what you need to do to decide where you are on these issues.  Change is made through people caring about the outcome.

 

Linking up with Purposeful Faith; Encouraging Posts

~ Cassi

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50 Year Wedding Anniversary

 This weekend we had the pleasure and honor of attending the 50th Anniversary party for these two amazing people. When I was growing up they lived two doors down from my Grandma's house on the lake. My brother and I were never far from their house when we'd come to visit. And the best part was they never minded. They had kids a few years old than me (like I was the annoying elementary kid who followed their high school kids around). Even their kids were good to us, inviting me to go go-charting with them and their friends, though I am sure I was a pain.

They took my brother fishing any time he wanted which was a lot. They taught us to ice fish. They taught us hospitality. And for that I am every grateful.

Fast forward 23 years, (my Grandma moved from the lake when I was twelve) beyond a few brief hellos when they would come down to my Grandma's, I lost touch with them. Then out of the blue my Mom and Grandma plan a trip up to see them.

Again they show us true friendship.

They plan a boat trip around the lake my Grandma lived on (even though they have moved to another lake). They bring us back to the spots we remembered when I was young. They let others in the community know my Grandma was going to be into so they could say hi. They teach my daughter to fish.  I will always love this picture of her and I on their dock, I love when life comes full circle. 

 

Congrats and thank you

Marvin and Marlene

 

~Cassi

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House Hunting

This past month we put our house on the market. It was a hard decision, we love our neighborhood. But we live pretty far from Mouse's school, work, church and activities. With her going into Jr High we know that those things will get even more time intensive and we need to move closer.

We cleaned the house, we're working on the yard and we are house hunting.

It's hard to fit three opinions into one house.

It's hard to mesh three futures into one house.

We all have different goals and dreams for the next space.

I have dreams of projects and relaxing nights.

For me I found the house that fits those dreams.

But also adds a space for bringing people together.

In my mind water always is the answer.

Now to convince the other two.

And to find a buyer for our house.

~Cassi

She Really Liked It

This past week I posted one of my lettering doodles on Instagram and Facebook. This is pretty normal for me. I am part of a Facebook group called Bible Journaling started by Shanna Noel from Illustrated Faith. I have loved being able mix art and faith together. 

But this week was a high light. When I shared this picture one of personal role models asked if I would make her a copy. I have to admit I jumped up and did the happy dance. That might be because I have been watching way to many Friends episodes, oh Chandler you still make me laugh. But, it's also because she liked it, this woman I have always looked to as the one to aspire too, liked something inspirational that I did. And she wants to use it in a talk she is giving on Speaking Life. She has such a powerful gift from God to inspire women to be who they truly are that I am so blessed to be in a small way a part of that. Here is her copy.

I can't wait to hear her talk and as always watch God's power in her. He has given her the gift of being authentic and true in life's messes and in its blessings. And I thank him for that.

Linking up with Purposeful Faith; Encouraging Posts

~Cassi

Building Props and Designing Sets

 

Mouse has been involved with a local children's theatre for years now. She absolutely loves it! This year they are doing Peter Pan. She got the lead part of Smee. Mouse is enjoying the lines and humor to this part. 

Steve and I volunteered to lead the sets and props for this production. Thankfully we have had some great and talented helpers. My Dad painted the above mermaid set. It is eight feet high and 10 feet across. 

 

Then one of the other parents build a 7 foot high working crows nest. While Steve with help built the back of the pirate ship at 6 feet high and 4 feet across. Captain Hook and his crew love it. I will post later on how Steve built the ship's wheel. That is one prop all the kids love! No one can pass it with out giving it a spin. 

We have so many props and sets this dingy Mouse and Captain Hook use to capture Princess Tiger Lily turned out so good. We also built a 12 foot high tree for the Lost Boys hideout.  I will try and post pictures of it this week. 

The kids have worked so hard and are doing so great. Now we are into the final stretch with the performances this weekend. 

~ Cassi

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Practicing my Letters

This past year I have been making a focused effort to take time throughout my week to sketch and practice my hand-lettering.  It has been enjoyable to just relax and create.

 I have a ways to go before I am anywhere need perfect. But the process has been rewarding in its self. The time to not stress about the day and to just do something for me.

Mostly I focus on scripture and inspiration quotes. Quiet reminders of the good. In days of trials and frustration, we need to take that time. We as moms, parents humans, need to make time to do something for ourselves. To do something that feeds our souls. 

To be who we were made to be. 

~ Cassi

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By Name

 

When I saw this drawing on Pinterest a while back, I knew it was my next practice piece.

I can only read it while singing.

"You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God"

~Chris Tomlin "Indescribable"

This past year or so I feel more and more drawn to the words light and shine. God is putting on my heart these words to focus me on what he his calling me to be.

Normally, I focus on the shine. He calls us to lights of the world, the city on a hill.

But, he also calls us be "awestruck and fall to our knees".

Dayspring Necklaces from their Everlasting Light series

He tells us of his power and his love and that we are to worship him. This verse reminds me of this, that he is so much more than I can imagine. I look up to the sky and in rural Minnesota and I can see so many stars. And he knows and has placed each one.

And then he looks to me, so small and insignificant, and then calls me by name.

He knows each of our hearts and still loves us.

Tomlin was right it is "Indescribable."

"You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God"

 

~Cassi
Linking up with Purposeful Faith; Encouraging Posts
 

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Let Light Your Shine

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." ~ Matthew 5:16 

  As Christian's I think we spend January in a state of confidence and excitement. Our resolutions if we have them range on "less me, More God", "I will follow his plan more", "Focus on Him more", etc.. But like all new year resolutions we start to fade in the weeks that follow.

Life gets hard. Time gets eaten up by the business of our schedules.

So we get discouraged and slowly stop shining.

Because society tells us if we fail it is not for us. That we are not meant to do it.

But that is not how God responds.

He is a God of second chances and new beginnings everyday.

 “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” ~Revelation 21:5 

So let him do his work, for he is a God of new things.

Do not be discourage that by mid-January you have already "failed" in your own eyes.

Start again.

~Cassi
Linking up with Purposeful Faith; Encouraging Posts

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Christmas's Past

 

Our little angel. How the years have flown by.

It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating your first Christmas. I know, that is what all parents say. But when you are hitting your last elementary school Christmas, you know the magic is almost gone. We’ve been able to hold on to a bit longer than most.

There is something about Christmas that materialism has gotten right. Its promoted the wonder and mystery of it. I will miss they day she doesn’t go big eyed at the presents under the tree. When the idea of decorating that same tree with Mom and Dad is now boring. I will miss the times we cuddled on the couch to watch one more Christmas show. (OK, they might be Dr. Who Christmas Specials, but still.)

But for now, I will cherish them, because I know they will not last. I will make one more cup of tea for each of us. I will grudgingly watch "Santa Paws" (OK, I may cook dinner through that one, it’s so bad, but she loves it) We will read through the Christmas Carol, the Night Before Christmas and the True Christmas story before this year is out.

And I will take more pictures.

I will remember this year.

~Cassi

Linking up with Purposeful Faith; Encouraging Posts

 

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Down and Out

This has been me since the night of Thanksgiving until today.  I have been down with a nasty cold. I haven't been this sick in ages. Even when I get the flu I can bounce back after a day but this took it out of me. I went from tired and a bit achy to not leaving the bed in a matter of a day. Then it took another day before I made it to the couch. After the couch it still took a few days before I could say I was on the mend. Though the cough, that sounds like I am 90 with a smoking problem, is still here (yes, it's as gross as it sounds), I am on the mend. Today, I made it into work, thankful to have been able to work from home for part of it and not loose all of my PTO. Thankful to that Steve has not caught it. Mouse gave it to me but she didn't get it half as bad which I am also thankful for. 

So my blog has been quit because I haven't the energy to work on it. But it will be back to it's three times a week posts now. 

~ Cassi

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Working on Habits

 

One of the things I am really bad at is having daily habits. In fact I don't have any unless you count eating and sleeping. I have always been this way. In fact I have often said that I thank God that I have never had to be on serious daily medicine. 

But I have struggled with the fact that I don't get into the Word as often as I should. I get the daily emails and newletters from various Christian sites which are great. But I feel like I am still missing something so a few weeks ago I picked up a new book. 

 Just a tiny little book of a few Psalms and Proverbs ( I love Proverbs). I wanted it to be small enough to fit in my purse so I can pull it out when I have a minute or need it. I have loved it. No, I am not to a point of everyday but having it with has made me read the verses more.

I also picked up a few fun Gel pens to high light the verses that stand out to me. If I re-write something it sticks with me more.  After I work through this one I want to pick up one on a book of the Bible I don't know as well. 

I may never be a daily habit person but I can build good habits just the same.

 ~ Cassi

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Our Halloween

This year Mouse was all about the face make up. This in its self was an amazing request. Since Mouse was little she has never liked her face painted. She has some major clean issues, lets just say she will wash her hands sometimes twice through dinner. Then this year she was looking though Pinterest she saw this face design and fell in love with it. And this time, she did it, she kept the makeup on!

 

 She loved her costume and so did everyone else. It was great seeing her get past her own issues. She has such a great time at school and then with the neighbor girls. We had a Gothic princess, Cheshire cat and a gorilla.

 

These girls are so great.  I love how they are so different and OK with it. 

Oh and Steve and I dressed up for the neighborhood party too. 

We were Babe the Blue Ox and Paul Bunyan. We won 2nd place in the costume contest. 

~ Cassi

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Long Road

 

 

The news came through last week that I need to head back to the doctors. The physical therapy has been helping my hip, which is such great news. But, it has been doing little to help my shoulder.

The deltoid muscle is still extremely sore to the touch.

They powers that be have decided to do a MRI of the shoulder.

In some ways I feel like this should have been down a while ago, but I know they wanted to see if cheaper methods would work.

I am not even sure what they are looking for in the MRI.

I just hope they find something. Three years of wondering what is wrong has been long.

I wish I could say that the road has been as pretty as the one above but it hasn't.

It's been tear-filled, frustrating and long.

I am thankful though it is not that bad.

I can still do most of what I want to, I can still stop of pictures and admire the beauty.

The pain will not take that away.

~ Cassi 

 

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Taking Time

This fall we have taken on so much, really to much. It seems like we are always running around and never time to spare. But, this Sunday we had a few minutes before Mouse's theatre rehearsals. When we got there I saw this beautiful alley of red trees. Mouse saw a beautiful field of leaves to play.  

Now we could have said no it's too close to practice time. But, we didn't instead we said yes.

In those few minutes Mouse had so much fun. She rolled, giggled and made leaf angels.

I got a few pictures and we were both happy.  

I hope this time reminds me to say yes next time.

~ Cassi

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Oktoberfest

 

Our 2nd annual neighborhood Oktoberfest was this past weekend. We have a very tight knit neighborhood where mass get-togethers are nothing out of the norm. But this one is one of my favorite of the year. Why?

Because of the picture above.

A local butcher in our area makes 110 different flavors of brats. Yes, that's right 110 flavors ranging from Raspberry Chipotle to Jalapeno Cheddar to my favorite Whiskey Peppercorn. They also make Gummy Bear and Skittles, which I will never try. That is just too weird, but I have heard people really like them.

All the families also bring a dish to pass.

We also all bring some kind of 6 pack of beer or hard cider to try, it is after all Oktoberfest.

The kids run rampant all day and the adults hang out and chat.

Its a nice way to start fall.

 

~ Cassi

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What's Making Me Happy

I have recently discovered a podcast on NPR that is making me so happy. Some of you with just the title of this post can already guess which one it is. No?

That's right Pop Culture Happy Hour. What is it about you ask? Here is what NPR says it is:
"Pop Culture Happy Hour is a lively chat about books, movies, music, television, comics and pretty much anything else that strikes a nerve, all in a weekly roundtable from NPR. Features "Monkey See" blogger Linda Holmes and an occasionally rowdy cast of characters"

So for anyone who knows me the idea of me listen to a show about pop culture is laughable. I have no idea who any new actor is, I can't tell you the latest song  nor do I watch TV to tell about the latest and greatest show. But this show still pertains to me. They use enough historical references so I get it and tells me what to look for.

They also fill my geeky heart with all sorts of happy. They talk about Sci-fi in most episodes. So I get all sorts of Dr Who and Arrow talk. But they have also given me numerous new "to me" tv shows , like Arrow and songs to check out.

So how does the title fit in? Every week they end the show with what makes them happy. Which is a time they go around the table and say what is making them happy that week. So what is making you happy this week?

~ Cassi
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