Summertime Ocean Treasures

Two of my grandchildren are on vacation. They went to see the sea and swim in the ocean and play on the beach and to seek special treasures.

Searching for Treasure

The innocence and joy of childhood is a treasure in itself.  I am so glad my little ones are experiencing the beauty and wonder that God has created for them to enjoy!

Celebrating the Find

They are obviously pleased with the haul and proud to show off their good fortune from the day's adventure and hard work!

(Kind of reminds you of "She sells sea shells down by the seashore". These days you'd get arrested for soliciting or not having a vendor's permit or a business license. Kind of like the kids selling lemonade and getting shut down.)

Kid's Hiking Sticks

I have been contemplating making hiking sticks for my grandchildren 6 and 3 to use when we go camping. I'm torn between making them or buying them. Finding the right stick to make one from can be difficult sometimes, especially when you are looking for two.

I found someone else had made one HERE.

Then, I found THIS.

I really like the idea of the homemade whistle attached. We could still probably draw the ruler on it. I like that idea too. At this point, I'm undecided, but thought I'd share just in case anyone found it to be beneficial to them.

An American Celebration

July is America's month. We celebrate our independence day every year on July 4th... Parties, Parades, Cookouts and Festivals.

To be an American is to be proud and to be free. We celebrate our pride and freedom and the many blessings that God has granted us.

For anyone who was born an American, or who have become an American or even those who are just visiting America or thinking of visiting, here are a few sites that offer fun, facts and history about our great country.

Watch free U.S. History Videos
Fun With History HERE

American History Fun Facts
History Fun Facts HERE

Check your American history knowledge with some fun quizzes.
Check out the links to the right to read or obtain The Bill Of Rights, The Declaration of Independence and The U.S. Constitution.
Fun Trivia HERE

Pearls of Wisdom

Whoever wrote this should be ashamed (but it is funny)!

5 PEARLS OF WISDOM TO REMEMBER
 

1. Money cannot buy happiness but it’s more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes than it is on a bicycle.

2. Forgive your enemy but remember the jerk’s name..

3. Help a man when he is in trouble and he will remember you when he is in trouble again.

4. Many people are alive only because it’s illegal to shoot them.

5. Alcohol does not solve any problem, but then neither does milk

Season Confusion

I went to Dollar Tree yesterday to look at the summer pool items for kids and I was shocked! I looked at my phone to verify the date. Yep! It was July 13th. I understand a little Christmas in July to help cool things down and remind us that winter will come and the heat will subside and we have the holidays to look forward to, BUT ..... Halloween decorations and Thanksgiving decorations out for sale in July?

You know, I haven't even had my vacation yet! So, they were getting my vacation money! I just couldn't resist. I especially thought these little goblins were adorable. They will sit nicely on a shelf or mantle.

My grandchildren will think this one is funny stuck to window glass.

It's just all way too soon. It's the middle of the summer!

A Great Second Verse

I was so impressed with this man's voice and with the words to the second verse that I just wanted to share it. (Not Herman Cain but Lewis Schaeffer).

Listening to the Bible

I have been physically down for a little while now and not at my computer, so a little television and my mp3 player have been both my comfort and my pass time. I recently got a GoBible. It's more than your average cheapie mp3 player, but certainly a steal in comparison to an Ipod or a Zune. You can even listen to it on your car stereo.

You know, I haven't had it for very long and because of my injury, I've had time to really play with it. I love this thing! When I registered the product, I found that I could download a free audio book every month and there are other freebies you can get also. That surprised me. This player is 3 GB's so it has plenty of room for audio books and my favorite gospel music. I often listen to worship music as I contemplate the word that I just read/listened to.

You can easily download a free recorded version of the Bible from any number of websites and thank God for them. The word of God should be accessible to all. You cannot, however, get versions on devices that are this easy to use and this dramatic to listen to.

You can choose the book, the chapter and the verse you want to hear and even repeat it if you need to. No fast forwarding to search through looking for a certain scripture the way you have to on free versions. You can also book mark and start where you left off the next time you turn it on. If you accidentally leave it on pause or with the menu up, it will automatically turn off. I love that feature because I have a cell phone and children around and I get distracted a lot!


I'm very impressed with all the extras that come with this player. It has a holiday and events index and a story index of the well-known Bible stories. Just as many hard print Bibles do, it also has a Bible-in-a year plan.


Now, I wish I had gotten the Word of Promise version. It's a full-on audio drama with actual well-known actors and actresses. The KJV that I have is wonderful, though. It is much more gripping than any free versions I have listened to. It is read by Alexander Scourby. Although he died in 1985, his work obviously lives on. According to Wikipedia, Scourby was the first person to record the King James Bible on long play records in the 1950s. He originally narrated the Old and New Testament of the King James Version for the American Foundation for the Blind and it took over four years to complete, finishing in 1953.

The velvet bag that comes with it is beautiful, but I really need something I can clip on so I don't have to hold it in my hand or put it in a pocket. Also, I have small ears and can't wear the standard ear buds that come with it. When you have that problem, you also have a volume problem because the buds don't go far enough into the ear. Both issues are relatively easy to solve. I got a neoprene phone case, with clip, at the Dollar Tree (my favorite store) and a $3.95 pair of soft, "in ear" bud tips from MicroCenter and I'm good to go.

All-in-all, I must say I did good when I got this little toy. It's packed with features and monthly freebies that go on and on, long after the purchase. The site offers great support in itself and emails are answered quickly. I don't know about you but that sure goes a long way with me. I'd recommend this little gem to anyone and would be proud to give or receive it as a gift.

Check out GoBible for yourself at gobible.com

Strange Things In My Back Yard

This is not my husband's pet ant eater living on the cherry tree. It is an old, thick wisteria vine that we cut at the base of the tree years ago and now it's drying up and pulling away from the tree. Pretty weird, huh?

 

This is not a green snake. It is a green bean that came from my garden...a very long green bean.

Freebee Friday

Kick off your 4th of July Weeked with a little Christmas in July with a free MP3 at Amazon.

The Bell Medley - Classic Christmas Singers
 
Download CHRISTMAS MP3

After that, you can get a full sampler album for Free!

Ryko: Flash Of Light Sampler (MP3 Download)
by Various Artists (entire album)


I listened to all the samples from the artists on this album and it's actually pretty good! Some of it is great mood music.

ALBUM