Don't quit your day job!

Well, my friends, I'm sorry to say that I will not be entering the field of refrigerator repair anytime soon. My diagnosis was completely inaccurate. Instead, we had a bad defrost timer ?!? (BTW, that would have been my second guess wink!wink!) Anywhoo, glad to report that all is cold again in the Striving home. Our milk is cold, our butter is firm, and mamma is happy, again!

Striving for some sanity!

Can I just say, there a three things that a Florida girl never wants to be without:

1) Air Conditioning
2) Water
3) A Refrigerator -- Uggh!

I love my Kenmore stainless steel refrigerator. It's so sleek & stylish. However, I'd love it more, if I didn't keep having to replace the compressor relay! Last August, I learned a hard lesson. After noticing that everything in my freezer was melting, I attempted to self diagnose fridge. I took everything out -- did the hairdryer thing. You know? Trying to defrost it!?! Why? I'm not sure. There was no ice built up or anything like that. I just remember seeing my parents do something to that effect when I was younger. Well, after I had wasted the day trying everything I could think of, it was far too late to call a repairman. Hubby was out of town and my food was spoiling each minute, as I struggled to call friends and family and ask to borrow coolers to put the food in. Needless to say, the repairman came out the next morning and fixed the problem. But the food? Nope, the food didn't make it. So, not only was I left with a $140 refrigerator repair bill, but a big 'ole grocery bill to boot!

So, last night when I noticed Maddy's milk didn't seem as cold as it should be, I alerted hubby, who quickly went into "refrigerator repairman" mode and grabbed his tool box. He unscrewed, yanked, wiggled, unplugged, reset and voila . . . nope, didn't work! I'm almost positive it is the same deal as last time. Only this time, I think we're going to be able to save the food IF the repairman would GET.HERE.ALREADY! He's 15 minutes late!

I'll let you know how it turns out . . . just thought you might want to know what's going on in our household today . . .

Well, that's not the only thing! We WILL be dying Easter eggs tonight! And I'll have to tell you about our Easter Party we attended yesterday!

What's that? A knock at my door? Aarrggghhh! Just a Baby Lulu! Mr. Refrigerator Repairman . . . WHERE ARE YOU?

This out of the mouths of babes!

Maddy and Mommy headed home from the store -- only the two of us in the car. Picture this: it's completely dark outside and Maddy has on her pink sunglasses, her diva sequin bag draped on her arm which is securely holding her money (60 whole cents!)

Mommy: "Maddy, you're such a silly turkey!"

Maddy: "Why tank you mudder!"


*Want a $25 giftcard to Amazon.com? Well then go here.

Got a favor to ask of you . . .

I know! The nerve of me . . . being gone so long and all and here I just show up and ask for favors. But, in my defense, I REALLY do need your help. Because, well . . . I'm about as creative as . . . well . . . I'M NOT! And I've asked someone to help me redesign my blog. New title, new tag line, new look . . . that's right folks -- I'm sparing no expense to bring a little sunshine to my bloggy audience. But, this is where I run into problems. What in the world am I gonna name the new blog??? And this is where the favor comes into play . . . I know that there are a lot of creative juices packed into my most favorite bloggy readers (ahem . . . that's you!) Can you all atleast just point me into the right direction! Here are some things you might want to know:

1) I'm a stay-at-home mom to two little girls
2) I'm a girly girl -- love polka dots, handbags and shoes
3) I'm married to a wonderful man - who is, unfortunately, absentee ALOT -- which makes for good blog fodder!
4) My name is Summer and I love warm weather, walks on the beach, christian music (oh my . . . this sure sounds like I'm soliciting a mate instead of a blog title!)

Anyhoo . . . I guess you can get started from there. I've actually thought about creating a name centered about my name. You know, somehow incorporating Summer in title or artwork!?!

So, if you don't mind, give it some thoughts and leave me some answers in my comments. Once I receive a few nominations, I'll add a poll some you all can vote. And for the most creative person who submits the winning entry, you'll receive a $25 Amazon.com giftcard. That's right . . . I take care of my peeps!

Ok . . . go forth and be creative!

I'LL BE BACK!

Hi there! No, I haven't forgotten about all of you. I'm back in Florida and just trying to get caught up. It's our busy rental season for our vacation condo and I'm doing all I can to keep my head about water. BUT . . .

I promise I'll be back with a new design and some blog worthy material . . . soon!

Lunar Eclipse

Did anyone see the lunar eclipse last night? Now, I’ll have to admit, in my younger days (not that I’m very old now, thankyouverymuch) I was not concerned with anything that involved me going outside and looking at the moon for an hour. Hello? A girl had better things to do like paint her toe nails or wash her hair.

But, last night, after I had put the girls into bed, I went outside several times (in 5 degree (f) weather, might I add) to marvel at God’s amazing handy work. Seriously! How perfectly timed – the moon passing in the Earth’s shadow. He planned it all. He knew it before he did it! And these marvels and miracles are the sort of things that I consistently take for granted. I’m busy --- too busy to stop and see God’s wonderful creation.

My Hubby and I have often had the discussion of wondering why God seemed to show himself to the people in the Bible more than us today. Well, I’ve come to the conclusion that he’s still working! Y’all, I believe he’s still performing miracles everyday. But we’ve cluttered our lives so much with outside influences that most times, we can't see or hear him anymore . . . the T.V., cellphones, internet, video games, running here and there. In biblical times, those people dedicated a certain amount of time per day to be with God -- in prayer, listening. They stopped. STOP. And listened. LISTEN. And looked around them. LOOK.

Living here in Grandma’s house, I’ve been forced to slow down. I don’t have ALL the modern conveniences. I wasn’t able to blog as often or check my email as often or surf the internet as often. And you know what happened? I saw things that I’ve never seen before. The beauty of snowfall on the ground. And I heard things. The sound of the wind blowing snow and ice and how it cracks when it hits the ground. I know that those things seem so minor – but in the whole picture of life, those things are God’s creation. And had I stayed at home, I may have never experienced those sights and sounds. Had I not stopped my fast paced life for just a few moments, I would have missed out.

So, I say all of this in an attempt to share with you just a few of the lessons I’ve learned about life in the past two months. Thanks for being a part of my journey.

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.


Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.


Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!


And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

words & music by Carl G. Boberg and R.J. Hughes

Nursing my patience & patients!

Well, I bet you have been wondering where I've been (all two of you who read this blog!) No! What's that you say? Well, I know I don't post consistently but I'm trying to tell you why!

This week has left this momma tired! Both girls have been suffering from pink eye in both eyes. So, you know what that means . . . EYE DROPS! Any of you tried to put 2 drops per eye 4 times daily in the eyes of a 2 year old and a 1 year old? Well, let me just tell you, without bribery, IT'S.DARN.NEAR.IMPOSSIBLE. I've began bribing Maddy with her vitamins. Vitamins, you ask? Let me explain. Her vitamins are gummy vitamins. She loves gummy bears, so I bribe her with her vitamins if she'll get her drops done without a big 'ole scene. Hey -- a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! Her Daddy actually bribed her with a cookie -- so there!

Anyway, it's now actually about two days later from when I actually started this post and the girls are doing sooooooooo much better. Lacy still has a runny nose, icky cough and a hint of pink eye. Maddy is back to her old self with the exception of the icky cough. And Momma . . . well, I'm hanging in there. Got a little sore throat myself but nothing to really complain about.

My wonderful in-laws are entertaining my girls at their house this morning so that I can pack and clean. Yes, I said pack. Can you believe that two months have passed already and it's time for me to head home! My plans were to leave tomorrow with my best girlfriend who lives here. She's going to drive back with me and the girls and then stay for a week and fly back home. However, apparently, no one notified the weather of this, so looks like I probably won't be able to leave tomorrow as most of the first half of the trip would involve driving in icy conditions. Now, I've learned to drive in snow --- but ice -- that's a whole 'nother story! Uh huh, no m'am, NOT.GONNA.DO.IT with my sweet little babies in the car.

So, I'd be so grateful if you all would keep us in your prayers as we'll be making the long drive home in the next day or two.

Oh and FYI - Just assume that my spell check is NEVER.GONNA.WORK.AGAIN.DARN.IT.

OVER AND OUT!