Thursday, March 31, 2011

Third Month

      Today marks the last day of the third month of 2011. Here is a quick recap of my 4 goals for 2011.
  • #1 Start a blog called Everyday Thankfulness to encouraging thankfulness.
  • #2 Start a blog called Pupperville Ponderings where I can post all my puppet stories with some added thoughts to ponder.
  • #3 Finish making the rest of my unfinished puppets.
  • #4 Finish studying out the book of Revelation

      I'm still making at least some progress on each of the goals. This is where I stand as of today.

  • #1 I've continued posting daily to the Everyday Thankfulness blog and have now made over 90 posts.
  • #2 Pupperville Ponderings has now had 12 posts made to it.
  • #3 As for my puppets - I finished hand sewing the necks on all 12 heads so they can be attached to their clothes in the coming months
  • #4 I probably accomplished the least on this goal as I only set up study pages on the computer for each of the remaining 42 sections I broke the chapters in to. (Have 53 total)

      How have you been doing on your goals...

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For the ability to set goals to work towards
  • For making progress towards fulfilling them

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Spring Cleaning

      It's that time of year when people do spring cleaning. For me, I'm spring cleaning the master bathroom as it tends to collect a lot of "stuff" that's mine. While I'm not sure what I'm going to do with everything that has piled up in there over the winter months, it sure is looking a lot nicer.

      While the actual work of cleaning may not be that much fun the results are worth it.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For clean rooms

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Tylenol

     One particular medicine we have at our house is Tylenol or it's generic equivalent in several different forms from liquid, to chewables, to some type of pill to just be swallowed. From headaches to high temps to teething, etc... they seemed to get used and while I personally try not to use them, I am glad we have them when needed.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For the relief that comes from Tylenol

Monday, March 28, 2011

Medicines

      Unless there is something wrong with you, you will probably get sick at one time or another or another or another.... Sickness is a part of life for us in this fallen world but thankfully God has given us a wonderful immune system and knowledge of medicines.

     Many of our over the counter medicines reside in the bathroom cupboard while prescriptions are either in the refrigerator or the cupboard by the sink and right now we have them in all locations and than some

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For medicines to help us when we are sick

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Everything’s Gonna Be Alright



When you need a hand to hold,
Everything’s gonna be alright in Christ.
Take His word and fill your soul,
Everything’s gonna be alright in Christ.

Chorus:
Lift your hands and praise His name,
for eternity the same;
His mercies we proclaim,
Everything’s gonna be alright in Christ.

When your troubles leave you numb,
Everything’s gonna be alright in Christ.
By His blood you will overcome,
Everything’s gonna be alright in Christ.
(Chorus)

If you feel you’re sinking fast,
Everything’s gonna be alright in Christ.
He will give you peace that lasts,
Everything’s gonna be alright in Christ.
(Chorus)

      It's been many years since I first heard this song sung by a different group and I still enjoy listening to it.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For making things alright through Christ

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Tub Toys



      Now it's been along time - make that a very long time, since I've played with toys in the bath tub yet, at our house, toys in the bath tub are a common thing. For little kids, toys make bath time enjoyable and may keep little ones occupied for a long time keeping them out of one's way... so other things can get done.

Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For tub toys for the kids

Friday, March 25, 2011

Soap

      A minister was asked to dinner by one of his parishioners who he knew as being an unkempt housekeeper. When he sat down at the table, he noticed that the dishes were the dirtiest that he had ever seen in his life. "Were these dishes ever washed?" he asked his hostess, running his fingers over the grit and grime. She replied, "They're as clean as soap and water could get them". He felt a bit apprehensive, but blessed the food anyway and started eating. It was really delicious and he said so, despite the dirty dishes. When dinner was over, the hostess took the dishes outside and yelled, "Here Soap! Here Water!

     From dish soap in the kitchen to laundry soap in the laundry room, from liquid at the bathroom sinks to to bar soap in the shower and tub, soap gets used at our house most of the time. Are you glad we don't have to rely on dogs to keep things clean?

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For all the soaps we use to keep things clean

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Roads

      As Spring springs the springs on my car get a work out as the roads turn to mud and fill with ruts. One of the roads we travel most of the year we actually have to quit driving because it gets so bad. A couple years ago all the side roads got so bad we couldn't even get our car through them.

      It's at times like this that we realize just how nice it is to have crews that take care of our roads (as weather demands or permits) so we get through with out getting stuck or being shaken apart.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For good roads to drive on
  • For the crews that maintain the roads

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Brushes and Combs

      Every once in a while I get asked to take a brush to one of the girls hair and ever so slowly, the snarls start coming out and when we're done the poor girl looks like dad - bald. Actually, I don't pull their hair out and when I get done it does look nice and than someone else can put pony tail holders in.

      As for me, when I get enough hair on my head to do anything with, I may use a comb

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For Brushes and Combs

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Q-tips

     When it comes to Q-tips or cotton swabs, I remember my mom always using them to clean out my ears. and now my wife does the same thing (well, not mine but hers and the kids) and once in a while, the kids will want one to do it also. Of course Q-tips have more uses than just cleaning ears like painting, and dabbing peroxide on soars, and crafts.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For Q-tips / cotton swabs

Monday, March 21, 2011

Dad's Birthday

     Three score and 10 years ago he was born and today my Dad celebrates his 70th birthday of course I've only known him for 45 of those years....

     I know that some people have had to go through life with out a dad or a dad that was worthless or worse but I've been blessed with a great Dad and I'm thankful for him.

     Happy Birthday Dad!

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For a great Dad

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Spring

     Boing, boing, boing, According to my calendar, today is the first day of spring but it may be awhile yet in Northern Minnesota before it really looks like spring is here.

     With springs comes many changes. The the days get longer and warmer, the snow melts away, the roads become mud, the trees will start to bud, the Summer birds start to return, the frogs start to croak, the trampoline goes up, the list goes on....

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For changing seasons
  • for the renewal of spring

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Plunger

     Have you ever heard someone yell "Get the plunger, the toilets plugged again." Around our house, toilets get plugged on a regular bases and while our plunge may not be the best, I'm sure glad we have it for with it most clogs are eventually pushed out.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For the plunger to unplug clogged toilets.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Toilet Paper

      I'm not sure how many years it has been since I used a roll of toilet paper as an object for a communion meditation at church. Just like the blood of Christ, it has a dirty job to do - a mess to clean up.

      In the past many things were used in its place including, grass, leaves, fur, mussel shells, corncobs, stones, clay, sponges, catalogs, and even the left hand.

     The first official toilet paper appears to have come from the 14th century when Chinese emperors ordered it in 2-foot x 3-foot sheets. In the U.S, Joseph C. Gayetty of New York started producing the first packaged toilet paper in the in 1857, and the stuff we're familiar with today came about in 1880. In 1935, Northern Tissue advertised "splinter-free" toilet paper, apparently early paper production techniques sometimes left splinters embedded in the paper. Ouch!

     Today there are over 5,000 different companies producing bathroom tissue around the world. With a little over 6 billion humans living on earth, that calls for the daily production of 83,048,116 rolls per day with no days off and no vacations, 30.6 billion rolls per year and 2.7 rolls per second.

     Amazing what you can learn on the web.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For toilet paper

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Peroxide

     Mercurochrome! Does anybody remember that stuff? It's not sold in the U.S. anymore but it used to be. Growing up it was used on open cuts and scrapes as a sort of antiseptic. It was never fun to have it put on because it stung worse than just about everything I can think of.

     Today for open cuts and scrapes we use peroxide and for the most part it doesn't sting. We keep a jug of it in the bathroom cupboard and around our house it gets used on a regular bases.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For peroxide to help clean cuts and scrapes

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Towels

     Wash Towels, Hand Towels, and Bath Towels are all found in the cupboard in our bathroom - and hanging on hooks and laying on the floor and draped over boxes and doors. We have lots of towels and lots of bodies to use them. Often time we have to write names on the towels so we know who's is who's.

     From washing to drying, to sopping up big puddles of water, towels are used very often at our house and yes I'm thankful for them.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For our many towels
  • For the many towels have at our house

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Toilet/seat

     Recently my Dad went over to my niece's place to help replace a toilet that was leaking so bad that it could no longer be used. When all was replaced, she was quite thankful.

      Often times we don't realize how important somethings like an indoor toilet with a comfortable seat are to us until they become unusable and your left - well, holding it? I suppose one could always go find a spot in the snow in the woods if you live in the country or maybe fin an out house with a freezing cold seat or.....

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For indoor toilets
  • For comfortable seats

Monday, March 14, 2011

New Pant

     One of Veggie Tales newest silly songs is "Pants." It's on the "Sweetpea Beauty" DVD which gets watched over and over at our house. Larry the Cucumber sings of pants that can be bought for $9.95 with a set of knives thrown in.

      For only 5 cents more, I was able to buy a pair of pants at Wal-Mart the other day so I bought two since I've had a problem with my other pants getting smaller around the middle. Of course it could have something to do with the extra insulation I've put on for living in the cold North

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For my pants

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Retreat

     This weekend is the 28th Bemidji Winter Retreat at the Church of Christ. I'm not sure how many years I've been attending but I think it's some where over 20 and I don't know that I've ever been disappointed. It's always a great time to get together with friends and family from around the state to worship, fellowship, recreation, relaxation and growing for both spiritual food and physical food.

     It was at one of the retreats (when it was held closer to Valentines Day) that I first gave my wife flowers - pink roses.

     Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For the Bemidji Retreat and all who work to make it possible

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Savings Time

     This weekend marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time for 2011. If we remember, at 2:00 am Sunday morning we set our clocks forward one hour but if we don't want to stay up that late, we can do it before crawling in bed tonight.

      One of the purposes of changing the clocks is to give people an extra hour of daylight in the evening hours and at this time of year, I enjoy that.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For the extra hour of sunlight we get in the evening
  • For all the time you give us

Friday, March 11, 2011

Scales

     I sometimes wish we had one, but than again........ Maybe I don't want to know how much I weigh. I've used scales many times in the past and NO, I'm not always satisfied with the results.

     Growing up, my parents always kept the scales on the floor in the linen closet in the main bathroom and I think that's where they still are just waiting to weigh.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For scales to help us watch our weight

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Toothbrush and Paste

     A little girl is out in the backyard brushing the dog's teeth, and her father stops by and says, "What are you doing?" She says, "Well, I'm brushing Scruffy's teeth." She pauses and says to her father, "Don't worry, Dad. I'll put your toothbrush back like I always do."

     When properly used, a tooth brush and a tube of toothpaste can help to eliminate tooth decay, prolonging the life of your teeth or so the story goes, I think it's even suppose to help with bad breath or so goes an old black and white commercial I have from an old Abbott and Costello show I have on DVD. Or, I suppose, it could give you dog breath....

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For toothbrushes and toothpaste

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Bath Tub

    They may be work to keep clean but they sure take the work out of being clean. I know they haven't always been around but let's just imagine for a moment what it would be like if bathtubs and showers became extinct. Now are you thankful for your shower or tub?

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For hot showers
  • For tubs to soak in

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Vaporizers

     No - I'm not talking about some futuristic space weapon but that little plastic container full of water being steamed into the air - often times with something smelling similar to Vicks in it. When not in use we store it in the bathroom under the sink.

      Over the past month we've had up to 3 different vaporizers going to help with colds and congestion. While I can't say if it worked for certain or not, I can say it's raised the humidity in the house.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For Vaporizers and
    • The added humidity they bring to the air
    • The Health benefits they bring

Monday, March 7, 2011

Razors and Clippers

     I don't know where you may keep them but at our house we keep them in the master bathroom - the hair clippers and the razors.

     Each spring I've been pulling out the clippers and putting them to use removing the hair from my face and the top of my head. And than, for the next six months, I take the electric razor and shave off the stubble that's keeps growing back on my face.

     Every once in a while my wife will grab the hair clippers and do some trim work on the boys or even on me and will take non electric razors and shave her legs.

     These few items found in the bathroom are often used but how often do we stop and say thank you for them?

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For the tools to trim our hair

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Thank You



I come before you today,
and there's just one thing that I want to say;
Thank you, Lord
For all You've given to me, for all the blessing that I cannot see
Thank you, Lord;

With a greatful heart, with a song of praise,
with an outstretched arm, I will bless your name.

Thank you, Lord, I just want to thank you Lord,
Thank you, Lord, I just want to thank you Lord; Thank you, Lord.

For all you've done in my life,
You took my darkness and gave me your light
Thank you, Lord
You took my sin and my shame,
You took my sickness and healed all my pain
thank you, Lord

Paul Bloche and Don Moen

Dear Lord, Thank you

Saturday, March 5, 2011

The Woolly Beard



      Go ahead and smile if you want, but this woolly beard has been keeping my face warm through the cold winter months in Northern Minnesota and now that it's March and spring is suppose to be right around the corner, it's time to give my face back to my wife till fall when once again the woolly beard grows back.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For the beard that kept me warm through the winter.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Old hat / New hat

     One of the kids books that we often read is "Old Hat New Hat" by Stan and Jan Berenstain. In this book, one particular bear goes into a hat shop to find a new hat and after trying on every hat in the shop he discovers the perfect hat - the old hat.

     This book came to mind as I looked at these two hats.



     With thanks to my Sister-in-law Jackie for a gift card to Fleet Farm for Christmas, and the help of my wonderful wife, I now have a new hat to enjoy. I'll let you figure out which one is which.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For the gift that allowed me to get a new hat
  • For the new hat

Thursday, March 3, 2011

The Anthem

     I didn't listen but I've heard that the song was butchered at the super bowl. That song is the Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem.

      Written by Francis Scott Key - a poet and a lawyer - while on board a British frigate during the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1814 Key had boarded the ship under a flag of truce to arrange for the release of a prisoner held by the British during the War of 1812 and had been temporarily detained during the attack. The sight of the flag still flying on the following morning inspired Key to write the poem. It was later put to the tune of a drinking song called “To Anacreon in Heaven,” which was attributed to the British composer John Stafford Smith. and on March 3,1931 congress made it our national anthem

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!



      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For our national anthem
  • For the freedoms we still have
  • For the brave who helped to bring them to us

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Potty Dance

     We all do it, don't we?

     With a house full of little kids we often see the potty dance. The kids will wait too long because they're so preoccupied with what they're doing or afraid that if they leave they'll miss out on something and the next thing you know they're doing the potty dance trying to keep from wetting and still you almost have to force them to get to the bathroom of which we have two and they're both indoors.

     This month I'd like to focus on the bathrooms of our house for not only is that room a room to be thankful for, but there are many things with in it that we can be thankful for as well.

     Are you thankful for your bathroom(s) or would you prefer to head outside when it's 30 below.

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For bathrooms whether at home or on the road

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Grand Parents

     On February 27, 2011 the last of my Grandparents, Ray Kaiser, passed away at the age of 85. Over the past several month his health had been in decline and I think he knew it was his time to go and while he will be dearly missed he left behind many memories. I would like to share just a few.

  • One of the things I remember is that at the appliance shop he worked at he was able to get a certain amount of merchandise each month as a benefit and he was often getting us batteries for our electronic gizmos.
  • Another thing at the shop he worked at was a video game that was in for repair that he started up for us to play.
  • His place he rented out that we used to go fix up for him.
  • Playing hide and seek with us as there was some neat hiding spots around his yard.
  • Going out in the woods with him to get fire wood ready.
  • Taking us with him in his red van to get chicken for birthday meals
  • Our likes for Tiger Direct and computers - I think I get my like for computers and other electronic gadgets from him

      Dear Lord, Thank you
  • For My Grandpa Ray
  • For all my Grandparents