October 2008
Finding Tony
October 30, 2008 by Deb · 5 Comments
Cataloging Christmas
October 28, 2008 by Deb · 41 Comments
Its that time of year, again. This year we’re publishing the biggest Christmas Catalog ever! If you’re a small business owner, indie designer, author or shop owner and want to be listed in the catalog, we’d love to hear from you. Insertion is free and publicity is going to be fabulous for you this year.
Getting into the catalog is simple. Leave a comment here, and be sure when you do to leave a good email address in the required field. That’s all! I’ll get the information out to you! ASAP.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
I Am “That” Woman
October 27, 2008 by Deb · 24 Comments
Because my family reads me, I have to apologize for the following post. I’m sorry, but it all has to be said. Most of this post rambles. But my mind is rambling now as I struggle with where I am and where I need to be. For those of you who have messaged me directly, thank you for your support. I hold your friendships near to my heart.
An open letter to e-hub
I am a mother, a wife, a daughter. I am a sister, a sister in law, a friend. I matter
I have cried myself to sleep on more than one night, being screamed at for something out of my control. I have been told to hit the road, leave, get out; with only a dollar in my pocket. I’ve been told I’m a mooch, a waste and stupid. I’ve been called a bitch, an idiot and well more than I can say here. I’ve been told the death of my ex was my fault, even though he decided to take his own life after more than 15 years. I’ve been told it was my fault a knife was put to my throat. Had I known then what I face now, I would have taken the knife.
I’ve been treated like a child, allowed out only when it was necessary. I’m only here to do laundry, cook and clean up after you. I’m not allowed to drive your car. My battery was ripped from my own, when I made it known I was leaving some months ago. When I ask to have the car for the day, I’m scoffed at. I haven’t a need for a car. It needs to be parked outside your work.
I’m not allowed to have money for my own needs. (Mind you I left my own employment to insure yours was a success) But you hold the money from your own paycheck, not allowing me to have any cash for even the most basic of needs. You purchase what you want, when you want it. To hell with what I might need or want. You tell me I have a roof over my head, that should be enough.
You rail against me about silliness like a cell phone bill (the simplest of communication needs), yet don’t mind spending the equivelent in one night at a bar. Once stumbling drunk, you set out to make me feel less than human with insults and vile words, not to mention breaking household objects. The only ones in this house that haven’t suffered your wrath are the animals. Are they next?
You talk to me as though I am incapable of understanding the simplest sentences. Nevermind, I hold an advanced degree in Ethics. You do not value me or care that I might make a valuable contribution to the world. You sabotage every effort I make to make a career move for myself. If I had a job interview right now, I could not take it. I have no clothes appropriate for such, I’m in such need of a hair cut and basic upkeep, I’d be ashamed to be seen in anyone’s office.
You want me to support you and take care of your needs, yet are unwilling to do the same for me. You have issues ranging back far beyond my control or understanding, yet you want me to take them in hand and fix them. I cannot. They are things YOU must handle.
You’ve seen to it, that I am no longer confident, and engaging, but rather sad and scared that I will never be able to be what I once was.
The problem with this whole thing is that I do matter. I am intelligent and I am afraid now of your alcoholic rage.
You always apologize the next day. It means nothing now. I will leave. If it means leaving all that I have in this world, except myself and my pets, I will. I will find a way to get the money and way out.
I am “That” woman. The one who will hold you accountable for the damage you have done now and the rest of your life.
Making A Nest
October 21, 2008 by Deb · 5 Comments
In case you haven’t noticed, the Bird has a new nest! Yes, not only have I physically moved two states over, I’ve given this blog a face lift. I’m still busy tweaking and moving things around, so you’ll get the fun of wondering where your favorite parts of this blog are hiding for a while. Take a little time, look around and let me know what you think!
The Mosaic Of Prayer
Part 3 in the Series A Dot Mom Prays™
Moving from city to city, state to state isn’t always what its cracked up to be. This week, some of my fellow bloggers agreed to take over my blog while I finished the business of moving. Today, Lylah of The Lylah Blog has comandeered the pages. Read on, I think you’ll find a special grace here. I’ll be back on Monday, til then…
From the beginning of time, prayer has always been the mystical conduit for the soul of (wo) man to reach up to her creator in moments of expression, need, desperation and desire.
I am a woman who believes in the power of prayer. I believe that when a woman prays, God leans forward, bends His ear to hear her voice and her heart. It’s women and their innate ability to influence that God often uses to change the world around them.
Examples of Women and Prayer
One can be sure that Jocabed, the mother of Moses prayed a desperate prayer when she could no longer hide her infant son from Pharaoh’s order of death for all newborn Hebrew boys. In time, her son would become the deliverer of his people. (Exodus chapter 2)
Manoah’s wife was a deeply disappointed woman who felt intense sorrow. Her womb was empty and yet, her faith taught her that heaven knew all about her longings for a child. In time, she bore a son who would become known as Israel’s strongest man. (Judges 13)
Hannah’s prayer was nothing short of the deep agonizing longing that poured forth from an empty womb. Scriptures record that after Hannah had eaten the sacrificial meal at Shiloh, she got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord making this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime.” In time, her son would become known as Israel’s first prophet. (1 Samuel 1)
Queen Esther was in quite the predicament when Haman convinced Xerxes (the King) to issue a decree to destroy all the Jews in the land. Esther, unbeknownst to the king, was Jewish. Esther prayed and then summoned all the Jews in Susa to pray. In time, God leaned forward from His throne to save His people.
Oh, the power of prayer when a woman prays!
What is prayer?
Prayer is simply talking and listening to God. It’s communication to the Almighty who is my Audience of One. Prayer is the expression of my voice talking to my God and it’s the place of quietness in my soul where I wait on His presence to hear His voice – His voice to me about the things that concern Him.
The attitude of prayer . . .
When I read God’s instruction book, I see three important principles that are necessary when talking to God. The first is to give thanks, next is to come before the throne of the Almighty with confidence and then third is to have a humble heart. God surely ignores the proud heart.
All kinds of prayer… .
The Bible is the instruction book for life. It’s full of principles that teach us how to “do relationship with God” and how to “do relationship with others.” Included within these principles are examples and instruction on prayer as well as the reasons women prayed.
I love the examples of Esther, Hannah and Manoah’s wife who had enough faith in the Almighty to pray some “big” prayers. But, it’s not just about praying “big prayers” it’s about partnering with God for His eternal purposes in this world. It’s about learning to understand His ways and His heart for people and it’s about having confidence that He wants to use us to accomplish those eternal purposes.
I’ve prayed all kinds of prayers that I know have had eternal purposes: prayers for broken marriages, wayward children, those who are sick, and those who have struggled financially. I’ve seen God answer many of my prayers often not in the way I’d have liked, but looking back it was because He wanted His character developed in me.
No prayer – no conversation is too small or too big for God. He wants to hear us talk. He wants to hear our fears, our joys, and our concerns. I’d say that sometimes that He wants to ‘move’ on our behalf, but because we don’t ask, He just waits. Prayer is all about relationship – me relating to the Almighty – because He loves me and has purpose for my life. He wants me to partnership with Him in the big scheme of things.
God’s partners …
God designed and intended that we - His Image Bearers would be in intimate relationship with Him – for all eternity. He put eternity in our hearts and His plan from the beginning was and still is that all would come to know Him intimately and choose to love Him. And, it’s through His Son Jesus that we have that privilege and that access to His throne. Prayer – communication – communion – conversation is the vehicle He uses for us to partner with Him for the sake of His love being made known to this crazy world.
We do live in crazy and uncertain times and in this hour of eternity, I have this sense that women are being called to take up the charge to pray. Will you join me? Will you become a woman in prayer - together we’ll see just what will happen when a woman prays!
The Lylah Blog: Simple Home Living is devoted to help women become better wives and mothers by providing tools and tips on how to do life with purpose, create sanctuary and restore dignity to the home. Lylah ( a wife, mother and nana to six) sprinkles The Lylah Blog with a variety of subjects from marriage to mothering, hospitality to the understanding the simple home, making cupcakes with her grandkids and gardening with her husband. She writes with experience on issues women struggle with such as: singleness, anger and how to understand men. As a novice photographer, you’ll enjoy the stories and pictures of Lylah’s frequent Traveling Tales through Europe.
For more information about Lylah Ledner or The Lylah Blog, please visit her at LylahLedner.Blogspot.com ~ and don’t forget to bring your coffee!
