100/1 Year ~ How Could I Miss It

When I visit blogs I am always so excited when someone is celebrating their 100th post or a blog-o-versary. I have always enjoyed milestones because celebrating brings joy. How then could I miss my own 100th post and 1 year blog-o-versary in the same month?

I suppose life has become so busy for me that those two milestones just passed me by unnoticed. But not to worry, we will celebrate today.

On May 16th I not only celebrated my 28th wedding anniversary, I just looked back and realized it was my 1 year blog anniversary also. How could I forget? Silly me:)

May 23rd was my 100th post, who knew it would be a give-away post?

Bloggers from all over the world celebrate their posting milestones in various ways. Some choose to share 100 things about themselves, some choose give-aways, some choose to tell about why they blog and what it has meant in their lives, others share their favorite bloggy friends with us and still others share their favorite posts. However they choose to share it is a celebration and a reflection of their personality.

How then am I going to share my two milestones with you, my faithful few readers? One thing is for sure it won't be 100 things about myself as there are just not that many fun facts about me that you don't know.

My personality and 'love language' is gifts. I love to receive gifts but mostly I LOVE to GIVE GIFTS! So there will most definitely be a give-away at the end of this post. Oh, it's ok, you can scroll down and check it out but make sure you come back us as I share just a little about why I blog.

I began blogging a year ago as a challenge from my counselor. I was going through a difficult season in my life and needed an outlet. I do enjoy writing so I started a blog. It is amazing how quickly I found myself spending many hours a week reading blogs and getting to know people. I have met so many wonderful girls out there in Blogville whom I just adore. Some I have actually met in person or spoken to on the phone, they are special friends now.

My blog posts have changed along with the changes in my life. I've shared emotions, job issues, job losses for my husband and son, my husbands healthy worries, fun home projects, of course, wonderful stories and pictures of my granddaughter, as well as book reviews, give-aways and just plan silly stuff. I no longer have need of counseling appointments and blogging is something I do just for fun, more like a hobby. I enjoy sharing life with friends as well as things the Lord is working out in me. Blogging has changed for me and so has life. I no longer have hours to spend visiting Blogville and I do miss it, but attempting to support our family 'SOLO' has become a priority.

I do plan on changing my sidebar so you can meet some of my wonderful new friends but for now those I have listed have requests for their families and can really use our prayers.

So what about the give-away? Well, I have been thinking for a couple of days about what I can use as a prize, I have a couple of ideas but I'm just not sure, so...here is the deal: Leave a comment to help me celebrate these two milestones and let me know if you would like, a book, a gift card to your favorite crafty store (JoAnn's or Michael's), a set of 'tea' items, or a 'set' of lotions. I will be randomly drawing two names: one for my one year anniversary and one for my 100th post! I will announce the winners on Monday at the end of my 'Monday's Question'.

Thank you for your prayers as our family has journeyed this new season and for your encouraging words. You are treasured members of my heart and I adore you so much. I pray that there has been something during this past year of posts that has inspired, encouraged or motivated you to walk closer to Jesus. I also pray that this next year and 100 posts will make us all think about our lives and the purposes God has for us as well as opening our eyes to find the JOY IN ALL THINGS.

Considering 1 Year and 100 Posts Joy-Filled!!!

Cindy

By the way, the winner of last week's book give-away is: Grace from GraceToday, Congratulations! Stop Graces' blog and wish her son and Happy Wedding, it's this weekend!!! Grace, contact me with your address and I'll get the book out to you, something for you to do when the wedding is over!!!!!

Book Review and GiveAway!

Here is another great book with a giveaway.

I have truly enjoyed being a part of the Random House Blog Tours this year.

Not only do I have the opportunity to read some wonderful books, but also to share the blessing with you.

Twists and turns will keep you reading on the edge of your seat while you journey through Rays' story.


Ray Quinn is a tough, quick-witted homicide detective in love with his partner, Trisha Willis. She gives Ray something to live for—something to hope in. Until a barrage of bullets leaves Trisha murdered and Ray crippled.

Struggling with his new physical disability and severe depression, Quinn turns to whiskey, scorn, and a job as a night watchman to numb the pain. But when a pastor and dancer are found dead in an apparent murder-suicide, the pastor’s sister approaches Quinn for help.

Reluctantly, Quinn takes the case and is plunged into the perilous Orlando. Soon he discovers that, not only was the pastor murdered, but the case may be linked to his and Trisha’s ambush. Torn between seeking revenge or responsibility, Quinn is thrust into the case of his life.

Author Mark Mynheir gives readers his most profound police thriller to date with The Night Watchman (first book in The Night Watchman Private Detective Agency Series). Readers of all ages will devour this gripping murder mystery that bristles with tension and intrigue. In a taut cop-style all his own, Mynheir delivers an inside look at the thoughts, feelings, fears, and challenges police officers experience while investigating violent crimes and the lost souls who commit them.


Author Bio:
A detective with the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Palm Bay Police Department, Mark Mynheir investigates violent crimes and writes riveting Christian fiction. A U.S. Marine with a passion for martial arts and firearms training, Mark has worked on narcotics units, SWAT teams, and myriad high-risk situations. His four novels offer a realistic glimpse into the gritty world of law enforcement and the rarely seen raw emotions behind the badge. Mark lives in Florida with his wife and three children.

You can purchase the book here.

Just leave a comment and on Friday, May 29th I will draw one name to win a copy of this book.


Considering Reading a Joy,
Cindy

Creative Frugality for the Shopaholic!

OK ~ It's time for some fun and some confessions.

I LOVE to shop!! Yes, that's right!! I LOVE to shop!!

I don't always have to buy, but I love to touch and feel and smell as I mosey along a store.

Now, it doesn't have to be stores with all new stuff either. I love antique malls (Brass Armadillo) thrift stores (Savers), and especially garage sales (oh yes, my car just automatically turns when it sees those brightly colored signs).

In recent months you have seen me post about my husband being too ill to work any longer. We have gone from being a two income family with a son working to a one income family with a son not working. I am now the sole support of our family and let me tell you it has not only taken a tole on our family, but it has put a real dent in my 'fun' budget.

I am a definite believer in being a good steward over all that the Lord blesses us with so I will Never purchase anything I cannot pay cash for. With that said, I still love to shop. For Saturday morning thrills my husband and I go garage saleing. When ever I have my eye on an item I really have to be able to picture it in a specific spot in my home with a purpose or I won't even consider bringing it home, as I really don't NEED any more Stuff.

A couple of weeks ago I found this cute little box with a fun handle. It was blue, which it not my favorite color but I tried to image it red with a great purpose. I agreed to a purchase price of $2.00. I brought it home, bought a $0.34 tube of paint, painted it red and even left a small amount of blue showing then I began the process of deciding what to do with it.

Here is what I came up with:

Sorry, I forgot to take a before picture.

I could use it in my laundry room for small items.

I thought about using it in my bathroom for brushes and nail files, etc.

I attempted to put pens, scissors and mat stacks in it for my craft room.

But the idea I liked most was this! We will be using this all summer for our BBQ's and pool parties. It will make a great caddy for utensils and napkins and a nice addition to the center of our outdoor table.

I love when I can find a real bargain and use it in so many ways.

And all this for $2.34.

Creative and Frugal

for the Shopaholic

Considering It All Joy,

Cindy

Monday's Question!

Hi Friends,

What a great response and dialogue to last week's question.

I am in agreement! God does have a perfect plan for our lives but because of our free will we often times get side tracked and settle for so much less than He planned. Sometimes I feel so silly! If I would only listen to His voice and follow it I would be able to live in freedom.

I am also in agreement that His GRACE, when I seek forgiveness, always makes my error a benefit to His kingdom:)

So, in light of the answers from last week's question, here is this week's Monday's Question.

Since we know God has a plan for our lives:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Is there something God is asking you to do that you are struggling in responding to Him?

I will be bold enough to answer first.

My life has changed 180 degrees in the past two years and I have struggled greatly with HOW it has changed. I love change in some ways, I get bored with furniture in the same place and I get bored with decorations, I like new towels and I am a shoppaholic, though I NEVER spend what I don't have.

But the changes in my life were NOT expected or requested. I don't like them and I somedays would love for things to be the way they used to be.

Change happened again a couple of months ago when my husband became too ill to work and thus leaving me the sole support of our family. I am working too many hours and am tired. I find myself becoming depressed and uninterested in the lives of those around me. But my personality just keeps on going, one foot in front of the other, never stopping, kind of like the energizer bunny:)

Here's the honest truth, if I keep moving I don't have to face the realities of my life and the changes of the past two years and the unknown future of my husband's health.

What is God asking me to do that I am struggling with: BE STILL!!!

I'll let you know next week how I'm doing.

What about you?

Is there something God is asking you to do that you are struggling in responding to Him?

"Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord." Proverbs 16:20

Considering His Will Joyful but a littl scary,

Cindy

Happy 28 Babe!

Today I rejoice in 28 years of Considering It All Joy!

28 years ago I had the honor of marrying a man who has been faithfully loving me through thick and thin (my thickening waistline and his thinning hair).

I fell in love with a young man whom I could talk to about anything. Someone who listened with his heart and was gentle with his answers. A man who loved me for who God created me to be and not for who he wanted me to become.

This man God chose has stood next to me while I battled infertility and cancer scares from the first months of our marriage and never left me as faced a complete hysterectomy just a couple years into our marriage.

Desperate for children he walked along side me as we journeyed through foster care and finally adoption of two very special little boys.

When I faced an emotionally devastating time in my life, he comforted me and encouraged me to take what time I needed to heal from the inside out.

When my business failed and bankruptcy loomed, he supported my decisions and trusted that I would make the right ones.

As his healthy has failed in recent years and doctor/hospital visits have consumed our lives, I know I could not do anything else except remain by his side.

There have been seasons in our lives when ministry took precedence and time together was short, but through it all our love grew.

I could talk for hours about the trials we have faced and persevered through, the battles we have waged, and the victories we have won, but my tribute to my honey is best shared in a few precious photos from the moments of our lives.

The wedding day so filled with laughter and joy.

You wanted to get married in the church in Bodie, a ghost town and State Park, of course I could not disagree. What fun it was to married in that tiny church, and prepare to begin our lives in the homes of family members now gone.

Always and forever looking into your face.

Life as we began to build our little family.

What a special day when you and I were baptized and Matthew was dedicated.

And then the years came when the camera only focused on the children so there are no pictures of you and I together - but the memories are still alive.

And now in our 'older' years - the camera and our eyes have refocused onto each other and the smiles continue.

So much joy through so many trials, yet a pair of lives came together and remain solidly faithful to one another.

Considering 28 Years Spent With My Babe Joyful!!

Love You, Cindy

Monday's Question!

A few weeks ago I began posting a 'question of the week'. I have been very encouraged by the dialogue we have had due to those questions. I have always wanted my blog to be more than just me telling you about my family or things I do.

I have decided to add a regular post to my blog entitled "Monday's Question". These questions will be posted to make us think about God, life and why we do what we do. Sometimes they may have to do with Sunday's sermon or just a question I am trying to work through myself. If you have questions you'd like to share, please feel free to email me and I may post your "Monday's Question". I will not be asking Political questions!

Here is today's Question(s):

Do you believe that God has one perfect plan for our lives?

Do you ever wonder if you chose His plan or if you made a mistake and missed it?

I look forward to you answers and questions!

If anybody is a great tech-o kind of person, maybe we can make a Monday's Questions button!

Considering Questions Joyful,
Cindy

Question Of The Week!

Hi Friends,

Here is my question(s) of the week.

Why do you read blogs?

What are you looking for?

What makes you leave a comment?

How many do you read?

How much time do you spend blogging?

Do you comment a lot or very little?

What turns you off to some blogs?

Just wondering!

Considering Your Answers Excitingly Joyful,

Cindy

Hi Ho Hi Ho!

Sometimes I feel like this is my life:

Click Here

Considering with a Grateful Heart having jobs Totally JoyFul!!!
Cindy

Dog-Gone Cute!

We have experienced a beautiful spring in Phoenix. The weather has been terrific. I have listened to birds sing and taken long walks along with numerous hikes up South Mountain. Spring in Phoenix is usually short lived but this year it extended into May ~ What a treat.

I have seen on the news that we are supposed to hit the 100's later this week. I guess spring is coming to a close and summer is on it's way.

Today though has been absolutely georgeous. My husband and I have spent some time in the back yard with our son's dog. He (our son) is away for a couple of weeks and we are 'dog-sitting'.

Our last dog passed away several years ago and we decided that we would forgo anymore pets in our 'retirement' years. (Smiles) Yet, we have had so much fun with Sally that we actually talked about 'dognapping' her when our son get home.

I understand how easy it is to spoil your grandchildren ~ we have enjoyed that with ours ~ but I didn't know we could spoil a granddog! Today while we were outside, Sally was putting her feet in her bowl of water, I guess she was hot and wanted to play. My husband and I were laughing at her and all of a sudden this happened:

Yep!! She decided to jump in the pool!

We have NEVER allowed a dog in our pool and I didn't think I ever would but...

She's just so Dog-Gone cute!!

I will continue to enjoy her as summer arrives and the pool will be filled with playfulness!!

Oh my, what am I going to do about dog hair in the filters???

Considering Dog-Sitting A Joy,
Cindy