End of Day Two - Act of kindness

Better.....today was better.  I'm working through the stupid emotions - humiliation, degradation and anger.  It's not something I'm proud of, but those are the emotions I've developed from years of thinking I was an underdog and....well I think I'm most angry that I allowed myself to put myself into a ridiculous corner.  Okay, enough of that!

Today I worked on remaining polite AND finding a positive gesture to express my love.  Being that it was Sunday, I think it was a lot easier to accomplish.

My "gesture" was peach pie.  And it was the best peach pie I've ever made.

Ta Da!  (nah, this isn't it....it was even BETTER!)

Tomorrow's dare is as follows:

"Whatever you put your time, energy and money into will become more important to you.  It's hard to care for something you are not investing in.  Along with restraining from negative comments, buy your spouse something ta says, "I was thinking of you today".


James 3:16  "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work"


Wow!  Let's just address our weakness straight on, eh?

End of Day one - Naughty or Nice?

So 1 minute into the first day - and I am talking about 12:01 A.M. - I was already mad.  Dang....this is going to be hard, isn't it?

Still, in the light of day all went well for this first challenge.  I kept my temper and I paid attention to what came out of my mouth.  If I felt like my words were heading into a negative direction, I apologized or said something positive.  It felt good. Good to see Ron relaxed and happy.  Good to know that I could be a civil human being.  Good to know that I had control over my thoughts and actions.

Tomorrow the challenge is as follows:



Dare 2


I addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.

Proverbs 19:22



The desire of  man (is) his kindness; and a poor man (is) better than a liar

Being kind is something I really value.  "The worth of a man's soul is great in the sight of God,"  so who am I not to understand that value?  My husband is one of the most talented and hard working men I know.  He's also very kind to those in need.  I am happy to have a chance to show him the kindness he deserves.

I'm signing in for "The Love Dare"

My beloved sister, Audrey Escarzaga has made the decision to take "The Love Dare", which is a book she discovered that takes the reader through 40 days of challenges to strengthen one's marriage (this book comes from the Christian movie "Fireproof".)  She's been blogging about her experience.  I am intrigued and I want to try it also.  So I will spend the next 40 days taking 'The Love Dare".

The reason is clear and simple.  I am married to a lovely, deserving and honorable man.  He's not perfect, but then again, I'm far from perfect myself.  The greatest blessing in my life began the day I met Ron.  I want to see him happy and I want to be happy myself. 

Like my sister, I'm going to take this opportunity to utilize this blog to chronicle my experience and lessons learned.  I hope you are amused and that I don't muddle about being silly.

-----------------------------

Dare 1


The first part of this dare is fairly simple.  Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart.  For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all.  If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything.  It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.

James 1:19-20


Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.


For the wrath of man worketh no the righteousness of God

What a perfect place to start.  Just the challenge of keeping my mouth shut will be exercise enough!  I thought I might start today, but I only made it until early afternoon before my sharp tongue got the best of me (sigh).  So tomorrow will be my first day to make it through an entire dare.  I will let you know how it goes!

Our latest visitor...he's a little 'nuts'

This little fellow saw my table umbrella (with the green top) and thought he had found a tree!

Him not so smart, eh?

We're baaccckkkkk

From our New York adventure, that is....

Ron kicking back in Time Square

Audra at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

James Ronald did NOT want to leave the dock!

Back of the bus (make that SUV)......with Amber Dale and Harley Marie

Jade Tyler Marie

Joseph Smith Sr. Homestead

Kirtland, OH temple

R.I.P. Squishy Fishies

Behind these rocks in my husband's fishtank hid a predator so vile, so underhanded, that it refused to show it's face.  It's long, hairy tentatcles (of DEATH) would wrap itself around the rock, peaking and prodding in search of helpless, clueless victims.

The evil one chose it's prey carefully.  Plink, plink, plink!

One by one it destroyed all my favorites.  Lady and Lord Marble - the marbled Goby Pair; Lawnmower Man - the spasto keeper of the tank; and the babies, Yellow Goby 1 and 2.

Lady Marble

Lord Marble

I no longer like Ron's tank.  It is CURSED.

But the evil octopus like hairball of a starfish is now gone - given to some unsuspecting fish enthusiast.  Beware fish enthusiast.  You're favorite fishies may be NEXT!

doodle do dahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh CRASHHHHHHH

(old organ music and a clap of thunder) 

Pretty Bird

Ron is not fond of cranes.  He is convinced that they are after his turtles.  I saw the crane first, so I took a 'shot' of him with my camera before Ron could run downstairs, get his air rifle loaded and take a shot of him with a different purpose in mind.  Darn thing flew away (snicker, snicker).

Ron's pretty sure I did that on purpose.  I plead the 5th.

I love the cranes, by the way.