Handbags, Faith and Elections

Well, I finally finished a purse.

This one has been knitted and felted for quite a while. Mom picked it out for her birthday present (yes, it was back in April. Sigh.). I had to sew the lining twice. First time, I made it WAY too small. And added the grommets for the handles. This is my own design and therefore no pattern.

Here is one that I let Mom choose from. When she didn't pick it, I decided to take it for myself. This is my own design too.

These two were finished this summer. The first is my own design. The second one is a pattern from a book.

I have a few more knitted and felted that need lined and finished.

Took a bunch of photos. Am trying to see what would look good for listing on Etsy. What do you think? Any suggestions?

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Oh yeah, and Joyce Meyer kicked my behind again this morning. God is truly speaking to me through her.

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So glad that today is election day. Living in Ohio, the amount of advertising has been unreal. We get about 5-8 pieces of advertising in the mail EVERY DAY. Also, we have been getting 8-12 phone calls a day. Three already this morning! I really should have reported them because we signed up online to stop getting the phone calls, AND Jason and I both called them to be taken off the list. To no avail. Started blocking all of the numbers but then they switch to 'private caller' and I can't block that. Sigh.

The TV advertising is ridiculous. I really think that political TV advertising should be banned. Don't you? They can say anything they want and then quietly retract it, if it is untrue. People should have to do true research. Voting is a serious thing. We should not just take whatever we see on the TV for the truth - they can skew it any way they want. Even my 10 year old has seen and realized this. So why is it so hard for older, supposedly wiser, people to understand that too?

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Do you think TV political advertising should be banned? What do you think of my purses so far? Has God been speaking to you lately?

God is Awesome!

Ok. So God is really kicking it to me this week!

Joyce Meyer might as well have been talking right to me this morning. Part of her message was on how to stay happy and cheerful when faced with chaos in your life.

You need to turn it over to God.

Soooo...I know this. I really do. But things have been so very chaotic around here lately that I have let my knowledge of this disappear into the clouds of chaos that have been my life.

I am feeling much more at peace the past couple of days. Talking with Jason some about everything always helps too. There is a reason he is my helpmate and my cornerstone. God chose a very forgiving man for me and I am thankful for it.

God really spoke to me this morning and I praise him for it! Thank you Lord for your guidance.

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The other evening was so beautiful that I decided to take the kids to the park. This was a beautiful time to go. It helps me find peace to be in nature and appreciate all that God has made. (Jason went to dinner and to see the movie "Burn" with a bunch of his firefighter guys.)

Here are some pictures from that evening. The thing is, the pictures proceed to get more and more blurry as the evening progressed. I really need to learn to use the manual settings on my camera!

Frogs were EVERYWHERE! The kids kept saying "There's a frog!" "There's a frog!" "There's a frog!" And of course, Eian and Ruth wanted to catch them. Sigh. No, its a park - not supposed to touch or take. Except for pictures.

We saw this really cool duck. But it kept diving under the water for a really long time and I kept thinking it was eaten by a turtle. Finally, Ruth said, "Mom. It is probably a loon not a duck."

Ahhhh.... Abbe at her best. So glad I captured this.

The trees had lost most of their leaves but still some beautiful ones left.

Big Foot's foot print according to Ruth.

A kingfisher, which I said was a blue jay. Ruth - "No, Mom. It's a kingfisher." Abbe - "Just like we chase away from Grandma and Grandpa's pond."

The loon again.

My big spot and identification: bob white quail. Ruth just read this afternoon that the Metro Parks are releasing them. I just wish I would have been able to get a better, less blurry, picture. I was afraid to move because I was afraid it would run away. I have never, ever seen one at a place that is as busy as this park is. Only in the woods where it is pretty quiet. DEFINITELY not with three kids talking and fighting and laughing and jumping!

Abbe spotted this rabbit - she was thrilled.

Eian hanging upside down and looking under the dock for more frogs.

There are fish in there, I promise.

Some sort of tern.

We had a good evening. We needed it.

Where do you go to find peace?

God and the county fair

You know how when you start feeling all sorry for yourself and down in the dumps? Then, God has a way of going "POW" "Get over it!"

This morning I am watching Joyce Meyer and guess what she is talking about?

The story of the disabled man by the well. John 5:1-5

"Jesus told him, 'Stand up, pick up your mat and walk!'"  from NLT Life Application Study Bible

Joyce said not to let yourself get in the way of what you are supposed to be doing. God has special work for each of us to do and we can't let ourselves get in the way of achieving it. We need to ask God for help and LET HIM HELP US!

Hmmmmm.... How about that for God giving you exactly what you need to hear, when you need to hear it.

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OK, now onto what's been going on around here!

Here is a video picture of Eian riding his first "big" ride at the fair. (Couldn't get video to upload - UGH!)

He loved it so much that Jason got a wristband too so he could ride all of them with him! This is a picture Jason took when he and Eian were at the top of the ferris wheel.

Ruth's favorite ride is the carousel. I think she rode it at least five times. Until the other two finally said they were not going to ride it anymore!

The girls and I also went around to see all the animals and baking and sewing and 4-H booths and flowers and photos with Abbe's friend from rendezvous and her mom. They live in a Columbus suburb but her mom is originally from here. I really love getting together with them. It is so nice when you get along really well with the mothers of your kids' friends!

#Please note that Jason took all the pictures in this post.  This was when I couldn't find my little camera and didn't want to lug around my big one for the day. He took these with his iphone. I think they turned out pretty well. Don't you?

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Sorry, I took so long trying to figure out how to get the video not to upload that I don't have time for the Pumpkin Show pics. There are a lot of those anyway. I let the kids take pictures too which makes for some interesting shots!

Have you gone to any interesting places this fall?