I heard those dreaded words....

"Mom! One of the cats puked! I don't know which one! They're both eating it!"

...and I am reminded how sometimes I return to my own disgusting sins. Oh Lord, wash my heart clean again this morning. Help me to remember where You've rescued me from and delight in YOU today. Amen.

"Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing
Poured out to death
Many times, I've wondered at your gift of life
I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You,
Once again I pour out my life

Now You are exhalted to the highest place
King of the Heavens, where one day I'll bow
But for now, I'll marvel at Your saving grace
I'm full of praise once again
Oh I'm full of praise once again

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life

Thank you for the cross
Thank you for the cross
Thank you for the cross, my friend

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life"

Grace & Peace,
Leslie

Frugal Friday

For the first time ever in my life, I am willingly attempting to spend God's money more wisely in regards to my grocery bill. I've had budgets in the past (and hated it!) due to necessity but for the last several years I have had the luxury of spending whatever I wanted to spend at the grocery store.
Last month I decided to purchase a box of dishwasher detergent instead of my usual package of drop-in action pacs. When I got home I recorded both the price of the box and the price of the pacs. Every time someone filled the detergent cup on the dishwasher, a hash mark was made to keep track of how many uses were in the box.


In the past, I've paid $4.99 for 20 pacs. The box of detergent was $4.49 and I got 40 washes from it. That's a savings of almost $50 over the course of a year....and $50 is a lot of thrift-store shopping!

I haven't purchased cookies for the kids' lunches from the store at all this year. (Although I did buy 3 boxes of girl scout cookies from the sweet little girl on our street.) I'm not sure that I'm saving any money by making my own.....I'm baking 2-3 times each week because Dr. Love & I are more likely to eat the homemade cookies. And I haven't yet tracked how much each batch of cookies costs me because I've been using up my flour, sugar & spice reserves.

I'll keep you posted :)

and yet I'm still a cat person

Sent to me from Dr. Love. It provided the laugh I needed!

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary......

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary...

Day 983 of my captivity...

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. I hate them!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now ..

a Miss B moment

If your speakers are turned on, you're listening to "Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)" by Chris Rice. Miss B sang this last weekend at the IMEA solo & ensemble competition. Although she credits me with suggesting that she choose this song, I remember it as her deciding on it by herself. However the choice was made, her choir teacher was a bit nervous about a song with such "religious overtones." I was just nervous about her performing a solo at all. She had a cold during the week leading up to the competition and in general didn't seem very sure of herself.
When her time came to take the stage, she had such a sweet, quiet confidence. Her voice was clear and as she sang her love for Jesus was evident. That few moments as she sang will be in my memory for all the rest of my life!

It's been a week since I shopped for groceries. That's amazing for me to think about. I usually shop on Monday and then end up back towards the middle of the week for something that I forgot or didn't know I was out of. I plan my menus a week at a time and then pick up an extra meal or two while in the store. Then I usually shop