Some out - more IN

Today it was clear and sunny --a beautiful day to play in the garden - which is not what we did.

We did - take the carpet which was removed (by us) and put it in garage to be sold on Craigslist or given to someone who wants beige carpet. THEN we unloaded a lot of paint, 39 (yes I counted them - twice) boxes of cork flooring, a new light fixture for the kitchen and about a quart of sweat. I confess this is simply a catching up with small changes post - one big point I'd like to make - look closely at the picture of partially painted room (which will become our office/workout room once we actually move in). See the ugly dark grey tinge to what was apparently a white room? THAT my friends is what happens when you use those "one coat" paints - there is a black pigment added to a perfectly good white paint so indeed it covers most anything else but is NOT white. The white we are using is called Fragrant Jasmine (doesn't that just sound wonderful and relaxing? - still smells like paint but the name is the thing). It goes on the wall in a barely warm white shade not a cold touch of black white shade. It isn't all that noticeable until you begin to paint a real white over it - then the greyness becomes all too obvious. I'm tired - you must excuse my obsession with colors of white.

It is good on Buhlaland - because I have a great big bottle of ibuprofren and a Coke Zero over ice right here next to me. See you soon!

What's it all about?

Looking closely at our country (Butterscotch is not camera shy)

- lest we forget why we celebrated July 4, 1776

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,"

All the powers of government are from the consent of the governed - or as the great philosopher Pogo said

We appear as a country to be our own worst enemy in recent years. Americans elect people based with skewed values and when the elected officials turn out as useless (also known as without backbone, good sense or virtue) as the previous bunch - we just pick more like'em. We are not advocating Rick Perry for President - he isn't even a favorite Texas governor - but he is definitely onto something with this proclamation.Rick Perry's Proclamation

Life on Buhlaland doesn't depend on the government for our values. We don't need government telling us it is acceptable to destroy life if it isn't convenient, to defend evil and call it good, or to recreate the definition of being married. For those who are confused this election season- if you need a reference book or two - we strongly suggest the Basic Information Before Leaving Earth and on politics you might try these time tested writings. We're just suggesting - it is good on Buhlaland and with some determination, willingness to take charge again and the most uncommon of qualities - common sense - it can be good in America again. Bless y'all and if you aren't praying for rain in the southwest - well please start - we are dry as a powder keg - both precipitation wise and politics wise.

What you need or what you want?

Picture of poison oak turning fall colors.Has almost nothing to do with today's blog unless you really stretch the idea of beautiful poison. I was reading Max Lucado's website and below I've inserted most of a short message about greed. (Emphasis added by me.)

"In 1900 the average person living in the United States wanted seventy-two different things and considered eighteen of them essential. Today the average person wants five hundred things and considers one hundred of them essential.
Our obsession with stuff carries a hefty price tag. Eighty percent of us battle the pressure of overdue bills. We spend 110 percent of our disposable income trying to manage debt. And who can keep up?" “Be on your guard against every form of greed.”Luke 12:15 NASB

We (here on Buhlaland) want to know the difference between what is OUR will and what is the Lord's will in our lives. We don't believe God wants us to be miserable, He loves us enough to provide a way back to Him. We do believe He wants us to love Him first and others as ourselves. Easy to see how our neighbors waste their money on "stuff" - harder to ferret it out in my spending.(speck in someone else's eye and log in mine issue!) No wise answers from this blogger - but what IS essential to you? Do we really believe there are more than ten times as many essentials in our lives than 100 years ago? It is sufficient on Buhlaland - and that is good especially when we remember to be grateful for sufficiency. It is good we have a Lord who is Jehovah-jireh - God who provides -- maybe not what we think we want but definitely what we need.

Rub a dub dub

Have you ever realized how few pictures a person takes of bathrooms? I came to such a realization this week because I wanted to do a bloggity/ HGTV type episode on Buhl's Bath Buildout.

We built our house 8 years ago and never quite finished the master bathroom - it was on the "round to it" list. Our tub hasn't been useable for many months - many months. Apparently our tub developed a nasty problem in the whirlpool lines and a crack along the base rendering it DOA (dead over all - these are the jokes folks). I developed a stronger sense of urgency about wanting a tub right after DH finished the stone pillars by our front gates and was in a little "lull" work wise. I got busy and tub was ordered, delivery set for today.

I didn't get in and take a "before" picture in time - DH had already broken out the front piece (apron is the actual term). We have a sequential going -- partially removed, then the tub completely out but weird shelf behind tub still there. Yes I know it looks like a mess - but you have to break some eggs to make an omelet (isn't that the dumbest saying? pretty much a big DUH) Next in the sequence is the pretty, shiny, just delivered this morning bathtub which will go IN the old tub spot. Currently displayed in our living room behind our couch - convenient and safe for the tub - I hope I'll remember it is there when I go through the house at 4:30 in the morning to make coffee - my shins will appreciate if my brain remembers object placement.

I thought I was nearly done with "you have to decide" dilemmas until DH reminded me - "WE" (meaning me) have to decide on a material for the decking (shelf around the tub) and a general idea of what kind of vanities I want built. AARGH!
Here is what we have - and I'm messy but this is way beyond normal - this is a lot of storage lost and now piled on top of the vanity. We are currently (until I get to the home improvement store and see something ELSE I might try - grrrrr) thinking tile around the tub deck - and try to use tile which can be repeated in new shower planned for sometime in the spring, also on the floors because we don't like what we have now. White isn't it? very very very white - and we live in the country - so white isn't the best choice (note to self - no more white floors, thank you, we'll be in touch). Here is where the project stands - I'll keep adding to the thrilling information about my bathroom (some days blogging seems so massively self indulgent!) as new materials, colors or decisions are made. We are committed now - it is all about tiles and colors and oh yes - the fun of making decisions! We are blessed DH has so many skills, patience, and imagination - because I lack all three! My spiritual gifts are ------

I'll get back to you on that one. Here in Buhlaland it is all about the journey and for now our journey heads to Home Depot and Lowes! See you soon - be kind to yourself and those you love. Over and out ---it is good on Buhlaland!

Waiting on whispers

DH is one of the genuine guys about whom people say "real men love Jesus". A habit he developed a couple of years ago was to include a scripture or illuminating statement in his email signatures. In the past couple of weeks he has used a longer verse which captivates me. God speaking to Elijah ---1 Kings 19:11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Have you been hearing a whisper lately - what ARE we doing here? I'm working on some things - I promise Lord - I'll get around to what you want me to do when I'm better organized, thinner, healthier, better educated, more prepared, richer, smell better, happier, - well He's heard it all before from better followers than me. Amazing how He is still there - after all the drama and chaos and storms - whispering to me - "what are you doing here, Linda Sue?" One of the amazing things about grace - He gives it without us ever being worthy - not even a tiny bit.

Without going into a bunch of drama (I'm WAY over the top with people and their dramas) I have to tell you - the Lord's whispers are definitely more effective than all the storms and winds and quakes and fires. Listen to the whispers - read His word.

I'll be back in the next few days - life is gentling.

Everything coming up roses

It's been a rough few months, stuff happening, life bumping along in ways I hadn't planned or necessarily wanted. Spring is here with warmer weather, abundant rain and suddenly my roses are blooming. I realize "it's not so bad - life always changes". Often it changes for the better, but it definitely changes. Resisting change is futile (that sounds SO Borg - google if you don't know Borg). Rose blooms and a sunny day - it is well with my soul here in Buhlaland. Hope the spring is rosy for you also.