Three guesses......

Three guesses who this box is for and where it is headed. 

 Just a hint.......her name begins with the letter M and the zip code is 37916.

Paula and I went, somewhere past Charleston, to a Thirty-one party that Paula was working this evening.  We had so much fun!  I wasn't going to order anything (yeah right), but did decide on a couple or three little goodies.  I can't wait till they get here.

We live by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7

A Sunday

We went to church this morning - Yay!  I love my church!  After church, we came home and Jim fixed breaded chicken parmigiana, and it was delicious.  After lunch, time for a nap.  When I got up, Maci and I headed to Paula's to help set up a presentation for a Thirty-one party she is giving tomorrow evening.

Below is a picture of some of the many items you can purchase from Thirty-one.  They can be purchased through your local consultant, Paula Koontz.

I love this stuff....I love bags, storage and organizational solutions, and monogrammed items, and these are all three wrapped up on one.

I saw on facebook that Morgan had to ride the trolley with PVC pipes, and now I know why......

a project for school, of course.

Molli, Tyler, and Gidget came to the house for a while this evening.  I love to visit with them. 

 I'm off to get things ready for the week ahead.

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  Matthew 7:7

Saturday Hodgepodge of Happenings

 Today was a hodgepodge of happenings.  I worked this morning while Jim and Maci slept.  When I came home, Maci gave me a scarf that she'd made.  She also made one for Morgan and is currently working on one for Molli.  I LOVE it.  It's very warm..and my favorite color, black.

My goobers headed out to the Marshall basketball game in the afternoon.

 While they were gone, I did some laundry, some cleaning, and my favorite......decorating.

 Word just received from the Marshall University Henderson Center...........

85-70 winning faces!  Go Herd!!

Also, today is my Aunt Janice's birthday.....Happy Birthday Janice!!!

I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.  Psalm 40:1

Oh, I love a Friday!

Oh, I love a Friday.  Maci didn't have school AGAIN, because of the weather.  Jim and I both worked, AGAIN, in spite of the weather! Haha.  This afternoon, Maci came in to town and ran a couple of errands for me, went to visit Granny at Eldercare, went to Cozomels with some friends, and then headed to the RHS basketball game.  Jim headed to see Pop, after work, at the nursing home.  After work, I went to Wal-Mart and browsed around a little.  Got a few new decorations for V'day. 

This is Jim on this exciting Friday night. While I'm on the computer, he's watching Jeopardy (or resting his eyes). 

I Love this Fella!!!

And now these three remain:  faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love. 

1 Corinthians 13:13

A New Scarf and A Sneak Peak

 Maci didn't have school AGAIN today because of the weather.  So, in her spare time today, she made herself a scarf.  In MU school colors, of course.

After work this evening, I had a hair appointment.  Below is a sneak peak.....

I read that bangs make you look younger...Huh?

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.  Psalms 3:3

Today, Maci was already scheduled for a early dismissal from school, and I left work at noon, so we purchased comfort food, and came home. 

We changed in to our comfy clothes, got a blanket, and sat down to eat and watch.....

It had started snowing earlier in the morning, and the roads were covered by the time we got home.  Church was cancelled for tonight.  I made dinner for a dear friend who needs prayers.  Jim delivered the dinner when he came home from work, and Molli and Tyler came over for dinner and brownies.  The snow continued to come down and by evening, this is what it looked like outside.......

beautiful to look at.....not so fun to drive in.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Psalms 46:1

Her Heart Breaks, and So Does Mine

I am having a hard time this evening doing the right thing.  It involves my child, and someone emotionally hurting my child.  This is a teaching moment that I don't want to do wrong.  I hurt listening to her cry over the pain.  I hurt when she relives the pain as she tells me what has happened.  Mean girls......they do exist.  I know that there is a lot of high school, teenage girl, drama.  But, this has surpassed what I would call the norm.  This has been going on for about a year.  I am sure that my child is not completely innocent, as she will confess, BUT.....this involves manipulative group behavior.  Public humiliation.  Rampant lies.  And these are coming from people she considered her best friends.  She is the fourth one, of the close group, that this has happened to.  She knows how it goes down.  She knows the one that picks who will be out of the group.  She knows which one plans the attacks.  I'm glad that she's not friends with them anymore, but that doesn't make the pain go away. 

But, after a demeaning public reading, from one of the girls, about her, to a room full of her classmates, this was her response....

I am proud of myself. Most people don’t admit to such a thing, for fear of sounding over-confident, but I am proud. I am proud of myself. This past year I have accomplished and overcome many obstacles that I would have never dreamed to become reality. My life has been flipped upside down, but I couldn’t be happier now.



This past year many aspects of my life have changed. I became Field Commander, which tested my strength and desire to succeed more than anything ever had before. I was tested daily, and often broke down to tears, but I stuck it out, and now have a passion for it. I have branched out my interests, and am now proud of what I have become.


I also worked very hard after school and during lunch, not to mention on my own time to prepare myself for the try-outs that I dread so much. But thankfully, my hard work paid off. I made the 2011 All-State Chamber Choir! I’m very proud of myself for sticking through the nervousness and frustration. I take pride in being chosen for this elite choir.


Another obstacle that I have surprised myself by overcoming is the downfall of “S_EAK”. Yes, the “M” is missing. I left it out because I, myself, didn’t fall. I took a few trips, and got down pretty low, but never fell. I’m still standing. I’m proud of myself. There are two different ways to view the ‘tragedy’ that happened this summer. The two opinions are ‘I left.’ Or ‘I was kicked out.’ I will admit that yes, I left. I am the one whose things were packed up and moved into the other room. I am the one who held back tears every meal, break, and practice. I am the girl who was left crying alone behind closed doors. Yet I was, and am polite and willing to help all day every day; because that’s my job. Although it did take time for me to come around, I was willing to remain friends and chill. Too bad the last get-together I attended was the last one I was invited to. I am proud of myself for relying on my God to ease my pain, rather than dumping it on someone else.


I am very proud of myself for no longer conforming my interests to those of other people, but changing myself for the good of my God and strengthening myself to be the best I can be. I no longer make myself learn lyrics to popular songs so I can sing along, I listen to what I enjoy. I like people who make me happy, not who I have to have a shared opinion for. I no longer feel pressured to watch boring, fake, TV shows so that I can be included in lunch-time conversations. I am no longer expected to be somewhere or do something just because the group name is going. I do what I enjoy, when I feel like it.


One last thing I am proud of myself for is not only sitting down and praying to God to give me strength, but also for sitting down and asking that God use *****, *****, ******, and ****** for great things. It has taken months for me to be able to say this prayer, and many prayers for my own strength.


These are the reasons why I feel its okay for me to take pride in my decisions and accomplishments. If I didn’t have pride, I would undoubtedly fall. Fall hard. I will not give the satisfaction of failing to anyone willingly, which is why I’m thankful for my great friends God has given me. Those who I hold responsible for the things I have to be proud of, because without them I would have nothing, who have held me up when I was falling, and will continue to be there through this rough patch, and all the patches to come.

I don't think that I need to teach her a thing.  She's got it!  She is more mature, and handling the situation better, than I ever would have at that age, or even now.  She has every reason to be proud of herself, but she could never be more proud of herself than her Dad and I are of her. 

If anyone reading this has any suggestions for her or myself, please share them as this is very, very difficult.

On a Much Happier Note......

Got this picture today on my iPhone.

Without a doubt.....this will be the cutest little thing on the construction site!  Complete with safety glasses from her Dad and her Houston Oilers hard hat.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

Kids......You Heard It Here First

Tyler, Molli, Morgan, and Maci.....your Dad and I love you very much and regret that this is how it's going down......

I have to have my vacation schedule turned in at work by the end of this month.  So, Jim and I have been trying to plan a time when he could take a vacation, I could schedule a vacation, Molli would be out of school, Tyler could schedule a few days off from work and hunting, Morgan would be home for the summer, and Maci would be out of school, have no band practices, not be the week that she wants to be at Camp Cowen, have no chorus auditions, concerts, practices, no band parades, no band camp, no auxilary camp, not want to be in Gassaway.....can you see where this is leading?

It is leading to......................

Jim and I, lounging on the beach, reading, fine dining, hot tub, lazy river, lounging on the beach, seafood eating, hot tub, sleeping in, beach sunsets

..................get the picture?

Jim and I are headed to the beach.........by ourselves!!!!

Before you start to feel bad for the kiddos, and kiddos before you get an attitude,

let me bring you up to date:

Spring Break .....  Molli and Tyler are vacationing in Florida

Spring Break ..... Maci and Jim are headed to Disney World in Florida for a week

Early Spring ..... Morgan is flying to Phoenix

Late Spring ..... Morgan is going to Louisiana

And, who do you think is funding all this frolicking around...with the exception of Molli and Tyler's trip?

That's right!  The parents (meaning Jim and I)!

So, Jim and I are grabbing our bathing suits and headed to the beach!  Did I mention that there would be lots of lounging on the beach, reading, fine dining, hot tubs, lazy rivers, lounging on the beach, reading, etc.?

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  Proverbs 31:28

All Good Things Must Come to an End

 It has been a wonderful weekend.  Nothing special going on, it just seems to have been wonderful.

Today, after church, we had our soup/sandwich dinner.  The food is always delicious at these church functions.  Molli and Tyler came and ate with us, at the church, and then Molli asked if I'd like to go to Big Lots with her.  They were having a 20% off everything in the store sale.  Of course I said sure.  So Molli, Maci and I headed to Ravenswood and Jim went home to take his Sunday afternoon nap.  We got some deals!  I got some things for Valentine's Day, and while we were there, Paula called to tell me that some things that I had ordered from her Thirty-One business had come in.  When we were finished shopping, Maci and I headed to my Aunt Janice's where Paula was.

These are some of the deals I got at Big Lots, and a bag of "Valentine's Day gifts" from Thirty-One.

Paula had T.L. with her and Tarah and Alex were there.  The boys had a big time.  There was "a little" bit of throwing, pushing, shoving, and wrestling going on. I think that this is just what little boys do. 

The boys got to drink out of "big boy" glasses.  Alex had some milk.

 And T.L. had some pop (his Momma wasn't there and what happens when you're with Nonna, stays at Nonna's)!  After a swig of pop, he's say aaaahhhhh.  It was too, too funny.  He also had big stories to tell, but unfortunately we were unable to understand a word.

 Alex with his milk mustache.

Like I said before, it was a great weekend!  I hope that the upcoming work week is as fun.

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Deuteronomy 4:29

Saturday, the Way I Like It!

 Jim and I did get to sleep in this morning.  We slept in till an almost sinful time of a little after 10am.  I love to do that sometimes.  I ended up staying in today, while Jim and Maci, after she came home from her friends house, went to Pt. Pleasant to visit Enos in the nursing home.  He was up, and seemed to know who they were today. 

I worked on a couple of little projects today.  I painted a piece of  furniture, from my childhood, and I will post some pictures when I am finished.  Also, I made wall hanging today.  I saw this verse in a magazine, but it was for the mother of sons.  I changed the wording a little and used colors to match our bedroom. 

 I love how it turned out.

I think that it matches our bedroom perfectly.  And more importantly, is 100% true!!!

 I'm baking cookies this evening, and fixing some chicken noodle soup for after church tomorrow.  We are having a benefit lunch for a young family in our community that recently lost their husband and father.

When Jim came home this evening, he built us another fire in the fireplace.  I hope that he continues to do so every evening for a while.  I just love the look of the fire, the warmth it puts out, and the crackling noise that it makes.

 Doesn't that just look so peaceful?  And, I know that my kids like it so, so very much more than the fireplace DVD that I love to put on the TV.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13

I Love Weekends!

 Tonight Jim and I are at home ordering out for dinner.  Jim is building a fire in the fireplace and we are ordering out from The Fairplain Yacht Club.  Their food is delicious! 

Morgan called this evening to update me on her traveling plans, or money needs - ha!  She gets to go to so many interesting places, that she has never been before, to study the architecture.

Molli and Tyler are at home.  Molli has school on Saturdays this semester, so she is studying today in anticipation of getting up early tomorrow morning and heading to Huntington.  Tyler is in the garage tinkering with something, something interesting, I am for sure.

Maci is at the Ripley vs. Ravenswood basketball game.  Ripley High School is the only RHS that wins!  She's spending the night with some friends and coming home tomorrow. 

The following picture is of "my Herd fans" on Wednesday evening as they watched the Marshall vs. WVU basketball game.  Go Herd!  We were the winners!!  That always makes for a good evening.

We did get our snow storm last night, it just wasn't as much snow as predicted (good!).  The picture below is an attempt at taking a picture without freezing to death.  A little blurry, but I was in a hurry to get back inside the warm house.  It is really, really cold.  The thermometer in our bathroom, that reads the outside temperature, says 17 degrees.  Brrrrrr!

Tomorrow, we are sleeping in!  I have a project that I'd like to get started, but we may head out to visit Jim's Pop at the nursing home and get something to eat together. 

 Either way, out and about or at home, I. Love. The. Weekends!!!

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. 

 Psalms 55:22

Home is Where the Heart is!

Finally got the Valentine's Day flag out.  

The weatherman tells us that we are going to get a big winter storm tonight of 4-6 inches of snow.  I hope he's wrong.  I'm so done with the snow, at least during the work week.  I like for Maci, and Molli sometimes, and even Morgan in TN, to get a snow day, but I hate to drive it in.  Hate, hate, hate it!  And I hate it even more to think of Molli driving to Pt. Pleasant or to Huntington in the snow.  Hate, hate, hate, double hate it!  

 Anyway, even with the Valentine's Day flag out, and my matching red chairs, it still looks very bare.  Can't wait for spring, and pretty flowers, and lawn furniture.

Home really is where my heart is!!

Stay warm and safe (if the snow storm arrives)!

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil.  Psalms 37:8
Wrath....fretting....sounds like just the verse I needed with the snow storm coming.

Old/New Pictures

I had a couple of wedding pictures enlarged, made in to black and white, and framed for our bedroom. 

I love how they turned out. 

 I can't wait to put them in the bedroom on our side tables (as soon as I finish that project).  Or maybe hang them on the wall. I'll have to decide later.

We look so young, but we were both 21 (wow, that is young to get married). 

But I just couldn't wait to be Mrs. James Oiler. And, I've never regretted a day since!  I Love Him!!

I got to go to church tonight, and I'm so glad that I went.  I was feeling kind of lousy, but I ALWAYS feel better after I've been to church.

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. 

 Psalm 37:4

Computer Time

Today was my late day at work. 

When I got home, Jim had finished making dinner and Molli and Gidget were here. 

Happy!  Happy!  Happy!

 After eating, there was alot of this going on.  I like to think that they are gaining valuable knowledge when they are on the computer.  Looking up interesting topics, and traveling the world, via the internet. 

I am just going to continue to be in denial of the fact that they are probably on a social network.  At least until I get on my laptop and need to comment on something that they have posted on said social network - Ha!

Everybody have a good rest of the week.  I'm hoping to be able to get to church tomorrow night.

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in him.  Nahum 1:7



A Day at Home



This evening after dinner, everyone enjoyed a game of Jeopardy (except Tyler and I, because Jim, Molli, Morgan, or Maci always know all the answers). 

So Tyler spent the time on the computer and I took pictures. 

 We have a bad habit of eating standing around the kitchen island.

 Guess who showed up for dinner.....Tyler, Molli, and Gidget!  We were thrilled to see them.

 Jim made pizza for dinner.

 I made blackberry cobbler for dessert. 

I didn't have to work today, so one of the projects I tackled was going through our pictures and moving them all to a different storage area.  I still need to organize them, but I was looking for a few photos to put in some new frames that I had gotten for our bedroom.  Pictures bring back such vivid memories.  I spent the day between fits of laughter, reliving sweet memories, and crying spells from the bottom of my heart.  I was emotionally drained by the time I was finished.  When Molli came over, she then decided to go through them, and my emotions again reeled between happy and joyful memories to choking back tears as I laughed with her and then cried showing some of them to Jim.

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.  Psalms 34:19

*I used a different "software" for todays blog, and it works differently than I am use to.  So tomorrow, I will figure out some of the things that were wrong today, such as the order of the photos, and the fact that one of the pictures is sideways.*

Sunday, Sunday

We made it to church this morning (on time I might add)! I love our church family! After church we went to Bob Evans for lunch. It was nice to have no dishes to clean up afterward. Jim got a burger, Maci got a cobb salad, and I got
a salad and potatoe soup.

When we got home, Maci and I went to Janice's and visited with Pete, Janice, Charlie, Tarah, and Alex.
I got in a short nap before I headed
back to church this
evening.

I don't have to work tomorrow, and Maci doesn't have school, so we're sleeping in. I have a few projects planned, and just getting ready for the week.

I love you, Lord; you are my strength. Psalm 18:1

It's been a quiet day today. Jim worked and then went to visit his Pop in the nursing home. Maci headed out this morning, with her friend Mollie, to Kerrs Music World to get her flute fixed. They then came back to Ripley and ate at Kambos. After lunch, they went to Parchment Valley to watch their friends play a game of indoor soccer. Than a trip to Wal-Mart followed by heading to RHS and watching a couple of basketball games (which we lost). I spent the day at home, piddling around doing some laundry, vacuuming, cleaning, and actually got in a nap on the couch. I can't remember the last time I got to nap on the couch. Jim said it is because someone else is always on the couch.

Jim finally received this package in the mail. It's a new tonneau cover for his new truck. Yay! for him. He ordered it on January 2nd and we have been waiting on it to arrive for almost two weeks. Tomorrow he's putting it on and I'm sure it will make his truck look sharp. I can't wait for church tomorrow. We have missed the last two weeks and I am anxious to go. I am setting my alarm clock though, just to be safe and on time.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Proverbs 3:5

Thank you!

Thanks to this sweet little thing, that owns my heart, for starting my car this morning!

It was nice and warm when I got ready to leave for work.

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

Ephesians 4:26

Homemade Muffins

Maci did not have school, again today due to the weather, so she made homemade muffins from scratch and a made up her own recipe.

She said that they didn't turn out too well, but I ate one and they were very delicious. There is not much going on....kind of boring, but also kind of nice.

Work, laundry, dishes, a familiar routine.

For dinner I had left over chili, but Jim and Maci had chili cheese fries. So, I felt at this time, to remind me years from now, I would share this fact......

I have not eaten a french fry in over a year!

Blessed...is the man who fears the Lord...He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:1, 7

A Few Random Thoughts

A few random thoughts on this Wednesday evening:

*I want to go to church on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night next week

*It is very, very cold

*School has already been cancelled for tomorrow (doesn't usually happen till in the early morning hours of the actual closed day)

*I don't like to drive in the snow, but this year I haven't had a meltdown over it because Jim got new tires for my Highlander

*It is very quiet here in the house after the holidays

*I am very heavy hearted for a few people who have recently lost loved ones shortly after having lost other family members suddenly and unexpectedly

*Gidget hasn't been here for two weeks

*I try not to worry about my kids.

*Jim's procedure he had on his toe is not getting better. Two trips to the doctor. He thinks that he is dying. He could never have birthed children! He is crying as I type.

*I miss my Dad and my Mom

*I really, really, really like my iPhone, and one of the many, many reasons is this:

.....I get pictures of my Morgan anytime she chooses to send me one.

You have given me the capacity to hear and obey. Psalm 40:6

Snow, chili, and brown rice

We are preparing for a big snowstorm that was supposed to come during the night last night. Thankfully, when I awoke this morning, there was no snow. The kids went to school, that was then let out three hours early in anticipation of the coming storm. The storm had not arrived as of 3:30 when school would have been dismissed, but I'd much rather the school system be safe than sorry. It has started snowing at this point, and the road was covered as I came home from work this evening. Jim took the day off, because he had a doctors checkup on his foot today, and because he attended the Marshall basketball game last night and got home a little later than usual. He also was experiencing "car lag" from driving 12+ hours on Sunday taking Morgan back to school. Since it is so, so cold and snowy, Jim fixed chili for supper. It is perfect weather for a pot of chili. And, since we are trying to eat a little healthier, he made brown rice to eat with the chili. Have you ever eaten brown rice? Jim is undecided, but Maci says that it taste good. I will have to go and try a bowl.
Stay warm and cozy everyone. And be safe if you have to be out on the roads!

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12