'DREAM TEAM... s'- Better Together

Everybody wants to be a part of/ partner in, a dream team. The Canadian Olympic foursome that took the podium yesterday in the womens' 'Bobsled' event was a 'crowning achievement' in the world of sports.

This fireplace project is a 'crowning' achievement for my husband and I. We built this together! I am the, ideas, visionary, 'let's do it motivator' behind my husbands' tools. He says his tools are the worst procrastinators.
We had a little help, though, that we could not have done without, from my parents. My Dad is a carpenter and we needed to ask him to help us for the 'really intricate' compound mitered cuts on the crown moulding, as well as the decorative fireplace mantle edges. The crown moulding had to meet a cathedral ceiling. How many people can successfully cut those angles with a piece of wood and a tablesaw? There are many angles to be concerned with- the angle of the ceiling, the angle of the front crown moulding, cut just right to meet the angle of the ceiling and the angle of the side crown moulding, (each step has to be planned so each piece of wood will fit tightly to the last one and the next one), meeting the angle of the ceiling and the front crown. That's a lot of compound cuts. It even took my Dad a few practice cuts to get it right! What was my Mom's part in all this? She watched and listened and when I wasn't getting 'exactly' what I wanted for the shelf mantle... she spoke up and 'recommunicated' my desires to my Dad. I remember her saying very distinctly, "That isn't what she wants!" And, when my Mom spoke, my Dad stopped what he was doing and listened until he understood what he was supposed to be doing with that piece of wood. First came the facet of respect, then came the perfectly cut piece of wood! That's a diamond studded relationship!
So, gentlemen, the next time you say you don't understand how a marriage works- read the above instructions again.
For all the ladies out there... picture the cut that has to be made like this...
Hold up a 'diamond' to the light and look through it but still see all the edges- that's the job of a carpenter. Ah ha, when I'm talking diamonds, suddenly the girls are paying attention.
We girls love those diamonds and what a perfectly constructed symbol it is for what a marriage becomes as we polish it too!

Commitment Is Sexy!

It's morning! Got my coffee! Now... Devotion...s...
I am exhausted- emotionally- from reading "UNDRESSED!" But... it is better to be exhausted from reading about the emotional trauma involved in committing to- sex- before -it's- time than it is to sexperience the emotional, physical, and spiritual trauma of having committed to- sex- before- it's- time. Song of Songs 2:7 "Don't excite love, don't stir it up, until the time is ripe- and you're ready."
Jason Illian has great advice and it is always good to hear it from a man who is fighting from the trenches.
"Keep up your shield, sword at the ready."
'God's mercies (kindness, compassion), are new every morning...' Ironic that this Scripture verse is found in Lamentations 3:22-23. So, if you are lamenting this morning because you've 'messed up,' take heart, oh loved one, ( I love that early 18th-19th century speech), today is a new day. We can all start again. Fresh starts... every relationship needs it every now and again!
"If you want to find a prince or princess, follow the rule of royalty:..." p. 187 "UNDRESSED" (I think I should be looking for a cheque in the mail for all this free advertising I've given this man.)
El's View
So, if you're wondering how roses, coffee and sex relate to each other.
Stop, and smell the roses
Take a sip of the coffee of life
With a kiss, a sweet kiss
But don't stir sex into the mix
Until you're ready for committment
For all roses have thorns

"Romantic Little 'couple of days' In New York

Q. What do Journals, The Bible, a Movie Camera and Marriage have in common?
A. Kirk Cameron on 'Good Morning America'- 5/27/08 and a movie called 'Fireproof.' I have yet to watch the movie but here's the all-fire proof about this movie. The Wall Street Journal published an article called 'What Christians Watch' by Dale Buss, January 21, 2009. It is reported that this movie collected over $33 million dollars despite 'low-profile' reviews from the Hollywood sector.
As Kirk Cameron says in his interview...
"You know this... perception is not reality!"

NEW SHOES

"Heritage" Chocolate Cake & Whipped Cream Frosting... Mmm! Yummy!
"Prudence of the Parsonage"-
Romance Novel- Copyright 1915
Carnations
High Heel 'Art Deco' cake server - I received this as a gift from my son and new daughter.
For an entire 'sandwich generation' of women seeking their 'opportunity' to change the world, here is my poem for you!
NEW SHOES
Learning to live in this new way of being
Of warm hugs-soft touch- is really quite freeing
We tuck back our hair to reveal shell-shaped ears
That act is the seed of new ministry years
We open our hearts, we see with fresh eyes
The heaviness revealed in anothers' sighs
We put on the kettle for coffee or tea
The cutting garden provides a scented posy
Sure hands set the table with genuine care
The ART of communing should never be rare
To give of oneself is a holy fire
Kindled within, God lights the desire
New shoes we don with excitement and pleasure
Knowing each day we lay up more treasure
As we comfort the hurting, God gives us new ways
Less striving, more loving, in these new chapter days
Copyright El

HUG

Sometimes, all I need is a HUG!
...and his right arm encircles my waist.
Song of Songs 2:6

THE APOLOGY- "The Rosebud Apology"

Hello my one fan,
This is Valentine's Week and I remembered a poem that I had written in May, 2006. So I rifled through my journals, (not so easy, I've got about 17 or more), to find it! Here's my art! If any man finds this blog, know this, there is power in an apology!


The Apology
I had all but lost my faith
In the race of humankind
I was used to being yelled at
It was normal to my mind
Then one day the phone rang
An apology I did hear
I listened very softly
It was music to my ear
You'll never know until you try
To right a wrong you've done
How much you may improve the world
And mend the heart of one
My faith is just a rosebud yet
Restored to only scent
But I believe that bud will bloom
And form true sentiment
Copyright- El

JEALOUSY & INSECURITY

Jealousy and insecurity are the worst friends to embrace! I have been the target of some cruel experiences so painful that I have avowed to live my life creating beauty for women who also wish to live beautifully.

So today, I tip my hat to every girl out there who desires to love herself and live in this freedom! I applaud you on your journey to loving your 'French manicured' fingertips or your natural, clean, getting-just-enough-calcium, cutely trimmed fingertips. Both of you are beautiful!