New signature

I have a new signature for my paintings. What do you think of it? It says "Lila."



I wish I could have the life I've become accustomed to by just piddling and painting.

One can dream...
Lila

How to Simplify Your Life - Part 5

Cut back on debt. Consolidate your different debts into one and pay it off. Put your credit cards in a spot where you won't be able to use them until you're debt-free. Track your expenses for a month, then cut back your spending on items you don't need. For instance, pack a lunch rather than buying one at work. Mix and match your outfits rather than constantly buying new ones.

Plan time for a vacation every year. Some people claim "I haven't had a vacation in three years" as if it was a badge of courage. It isn't.

Find time each and every day to be grateful. Begin the day with it. Remind yourself during the day and recount your blessings in the evening.



Blessed,
Lila

Is This Real Life?

If you are looking for something deep and insightful in this post, just click on over to someone else's blog. My eldest daughter showed me this and I laughed until I cried! I know. I'm a scamp for laughing at other people's misfortunes, but y'all, I just can't help it! tee hee!

Check out poor David after his visit to the dentist.



Laughing,
Lila

Get Those Shackles Off My Feet!

My bloggy friend, Suzanne at Lily of the Valley posted this. I love this song and what it says. Sometimes the shackles are on our feet and sometimes they are on our heart and mind. Whenever we lift our arms and our hands to praise him, the shackles fall.



I just want to praise him!
Lila

The Father's Love

This song makes me think of my friend, Anne, who sounds like an angel when she sings this solo.

Thank you, Father, for bringing so many of us to you through your beloved son.

Humbled,
Lila

How to Simplify Your Life - Part 4

Make a plan for the weekend that doesn't involve work. Plan to spend more time with your family or with people who make positive contributions to your life.

Stop spending time with people who are a drain on your energy or vitality. Get with nutritious people and avoid excessive time with toxic people.

Carry a smaller wallet or purse. Start by cleaning out the one you've got. Get rid of unnecessary credit cards and other clutter that you don't use regularly. (I love this idea! When you go in Target and have to get a cart for your purse...something's wrong.)

Make time for yourself. Set aside time each day to reflect quietly, go for a walk, plan for your future or pray. Visit the park instead of the mall.

Cut back on your children's planned activities. If they have to use a time planner to schedule their activities, and you spend all of your time taxiing them around, they're probably too busy... and so are you. One little boy said to his mom, "I work hard at school all day, go to boy scouts, take Taekwondo. When do I just have time to be Jesse?" Indeed.

Clearer and clearer,
Lila

Be Still

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

I love the way God's spirit speaks without speaking.

This has been one week. Fast paced, chaotic and stressful. For those of you who know "know" me, you know that I love and relish and most importantly need balance. This week has provided little of that.

Last night when I took the opportunity to take a deep breath, there was God's spirit beneath all the debris that had collected in my heart saying, "Be still and know that I am God."

A more profound thought was never uttered.

Ever thankful,
Lila

Happy Birthday, Katie Lea

Kittenfur, Kitty, Kit, Kate, Sissy. These are all names our Katie Lea has acquired over her now 24 years on this earth.

I'm so grateful that God allowed Katie Lea to be OUR daughter. At times her strong will and my will collided until I began seeing our strong willed little girl becoming a woman of passion.

All during my pregnancy with Kit, Vann and I prayed that she would not be a vanilla person but rather a flavor like snickerdoodle or raspberry with chocolate or tutti frutti. God gave us the desires of our heart and blessed us with a daughter who is dark chocolate with a smidge of tabasco thrown in. :) It's a great combination!

I've never heard of another lady who had to be induced 4 times (yes, that's right...4 times!) in order for the baby to come. But I, my friends, was induced 4 times. It was as if Katie Lea had her hands and feet on the wall of my uterus and was saying to us, "I'm just not ready! Back off, Jack!"

God has blessed this precious young woman with passion, artistic ability, an abundance of love and many friends. For this I'm so grateful. (And, she'll never give up on my trying to do "glamour lips" with her even though I've told her thin-lipped women just can't do it!)

Happy Birthday, Sweet Kittenfur. You'll always be our precious little girl.

Kitty Crazy,
Lila

I Want to be a Kind-o-holic

The other day I saw a cute woman with a t-shirt that said, "Nice-a-holic." I loved that! I'm amazed at the vile seething anger that comes out of people sometimes...in the form of a cutting word, an ugly insinuation, a put down either behind their back or to their face.

How much does it cost to just be kind? Nada, nothin', zilch! Yet, sometimes, especially when people respond to us in a less than kind way, we want to retaliate. Why is that? Their response to us isn't about us!? It's about them.

I've seen Christians - - brothers and sisters in Christ - - respond to other Christians in horrible manner. This should simply not be!!

A friend told me she had seen a young man the other day and he was still as surly and rude as he had been when she had worked with him a year ago. Not surprising. Wherever we go, there we are. I think Kermit the Frog (and Abraham Lincoln) are attributed to that great saying.

People are hurting. People are lonely. People are frightened. Sometimes I'm "people." I don't want others to respond to me in a mean spirited way. That is my prayer. I want to be gentle. I want to be kind. 1st Corinthians 13 certainly shares a lot about that. Let's join hearts and be a part of the Kindness Revolution! Check out this website and this one.

Loving you,
Lila