From Griping to Gratitude

Hello Everyone,

I've been trying to overcome the habit of griping, because I think it is not just bad for my mind and my health, but I've come to realize it's not pleasing to God. It makes everyone else miserable too.  I noticed in places where God's servants like Moses and Elijah and others began to complain, He quickly set them straight and gave them a mission. I am on an anti-gripe diet.  I think a lot of griping could be prevented if people went on an anti-news media diet. It just encourages negative feelings.

If I feel like griping I'm going to use it as a trigger to clean  out something and get more orderly around here.  

Mr. S. likes to scour the Good Will and Vinnies for new office supplies. When many of the offices went paper-less, there was no need for all the file holders, three ring binders, pencil holders and all that neat organizational equipment that holds paper clips and so forth. As a result, brand new packages of paper and pens and office desk equipment are surfacing in the thrift stores.

So, he enjoys finding things he can still use, since we are both still living in the previous century. And it is good he collects it because someone in the family is always looking for some old fashioned thing like a pencil or an eraser, and they know who to go to, to get what they need.

While he was in Goodwill he found this cute cottage teapot to add to my collection; cost $2.50 with a senior discount.  Hang out with a senior, kids, and you'll get your stuff paid for at a discount.  I haven't seen any teacups with the cottage scenes on them, but we have been able to get a couple of these cottage tea pots. This one has not been used.

It makes me smile because it has a pink roof. and it makes a nice little scene here. I'll be using it when we get out the tables for the annual Summer-in-the-Country tea here in August. Every table will have one of these cottage teapots, hopefully.

While Mr. S. was doing all his errands, I was walking around Walmart looking at the fabric and feeling so grateful that they stock it as a permanent supply, so you can depend it will be there even years later.  And that way, it is not always a come-and-go-trend.

I got some pictures for you:

I like to watch youtube videos when I have time, of people who come to the US for the first time, going on their first Walmart trip. They are just thrilled with things we take for granted. But, none of them ever go to the fabric department.

 I didn't get anything today but I am seriously thinking about this fabric. It seems so outrageous but it is something I'm drawn to and I wonder how this would look on a big big skirt or a tablecloth. What do you think?  

 I could carry it off, so to speak, as I'm just that bold of a personality. A white blouse with it might be nice and it would be fun to wear at home and in the garden.

Ive got my eye on that pink and white stripe for curtains.

This aqua and white stripe is nice too:

I guess you know we are still buried here and the buckets of water I've managed to get are outside but are solid ice now.

We are soooo happy to have heat and running water!!!!!

And we are also happy to go places now the roads have been cleared.

I think it reduces tension when I'm not anxious about anything, and it certainly helps when things get fixed.

That's what it is all about here. When we see something wrong we try to fix it as best we can and with how we know.

The key to going from griping to gratitude? Do what you are able to do, and what you are not able to do, give to God.

By the way I found a picture of a dress one of the British royals wore recently, modeled by someone else.

This 1980's Laura Ashley pattern might duplicate the dress but it doesn't have a number on it!!

Someone who reads my blog has found several patterns for me, which I have been able to purchase, and I wonder if anyone can find the number for this 1980's Laura Ashley pattern.

Thank you to the reader who found the pattern for me and sent the number via email. I was able to order it from an Etsy shop and it is uncut.