Can I tempt you with a new...

DESK!?!
This modern style fruit wood and iron desk has served its term at our place and is looking for a new home. There is a pull out keyboard shelf (like my Vanna White?) and it rolls.
47.25 inches wide
23.5 inches deep
29.5 inches high

$40




Four Windsor-Back Oak Chairs

Paid $50 each (back in the day)
Asking only $15 per chair or $50 for all four. (I'm throwing in the ivory pads)



Are you looking for a cottage styled couch with a fold-out bed. I've got this camel-back, roll armed charmer that is in dire need of recovering (hence the slip cover). The pattern is a blue and white light weight cotton but it REALLY needs to be recovered. If you like the look "as is" I'll sell the slip cover with! The cover is a Shabby Chic from Target (and worth more than the couch if you want to know the truth.) The cover is perfect for opening up just enough to let the bed out without having to dismantle the whole thing.

$75 for the whole thing
$35 for the couch alone if you're interested. (I'm not selling the slip cover alone - sorry)






Maybe its a rug you need!?!
How about this lovely red/gold/green floral? It's 8x10 feet so a big room-sized rug. The cleanings over the years have made the backing slightly smaller than the rug so once its laid out, it can take a while to get the wrinkles out (just being honest). And to keep with the full disclosure thing - see the photo with the one flaw. It is pretty insignificant (I guess thats subjective though).
Asking $100






















OK - this is a funny one - fake ficus trees.
Two taller ones that are just under 6 feet and one 4 footer.

$9 each for the tall ones
$7 for the shorter one
$20 for all three!

Thats it (for now). I want to thank you - all my blogger friends for helping me with my decision about "stuff." I think it only fair that you should have the first chance for some of these "treasures."

My New Favorite

Homework

What is your Motto?
To know God and to make Him known.

What superhuman power would you most want to have?
Reshape my body - you know, get taller and thinner.

What makes you laugh?
My husband - he really is funny, I just tease him about his puns being stupid.

Cats or dogs?
Dogs most definitely.

Would you rather be a little smarter or sexier?
Sexier - I am plenty smart but seriously lacking in the other.

What's the one thing you'll never understand?
Stealing - it's not yours - don't take it!!!!!

My life would be simpler if?
I wasn't so lazy sometimes.

The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is...
Garage sale and Craig's List - OR - give it away (it's gotta go though)

Stealing Peace

It’s 4:00am and I’ve been awake for a little over an hour now trying to “rest” and finding none. This is when my mind turns on and I begin to think. And think, and think and think. Sometimes I think about the silly things I said yesterday that I wish I could take back. Sometimes the tasks that I, again, left undone and really wish I could just complete. But mostly, I think about God, me, my life, my heart, my hopes, my past, my present, my future – basically, what is this life of mine all about.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about peace. I desire to have peace in my life. Yes, that means “peace and quiet” and it also means peace – lack of chaos. But, for me I want more. I want peace that brings that sense or feeling or understanding that “all is well.”

I was talking to my friend Lara the other day about this and I just can’t seem to let it go. I have been trying to “steal peace” in my life. Steal it. Grab it. Rip it out of my day. It must be something really important to me if I’m willing to go to such great lengths to get it but unfortunately, I don’t find it much.

I can find true peace and rest in my life with some very simple things. A great, long, hot shower is one. I have gone into the shower covered in the grime of life and let that water wash it all away. I have entered the stall twisted and crooked in my body and spirit and come out a new person. A good long shower can be so very healing to me.

I have come from a good movie feeling so alive and so sure of myself, I could conquer the world. I will watch an entire movie, just to get to that one crucial line that stirs my heart. Chariots of Fire is one of those for me. Just to hear Eric Liddel turn to his sister and say, “I feel His pleasure when I run.” Or in Last of the Mohicans when Daniel Day-Lewis says to Madeleine Stowe, “No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you.”

I’ve even found a little slice of pure contentment at the mall. Finding the perfect gift for a dear friend or your sister – finding that perfect pair of jeans that gives the illusion of a slimmer backside – or a new kitchen gadget that will save you tons of time.

Interesting thing about all this – IT DOESN’T ALWAYS WORK!!!!

I’ve tried the shower – nothing; the movie – nothing; the mall – NOTHING!!! What’s going on. I’ll try a cup of tea – that should do it. OK – I’ll do some gardening, take a walk, play on the floor with Daniel – shoot, I’ll even try smiling and throwing my arms over my head. Nothing.

Still troubled. Still restless. Still unsure. Still confused. Still sad. Still uneasy.

Obvious – how has this been eluding me – PRAY. What do I pray? OK – I’ll pray for “such” and “so” and then him, and then her, and back to “such,” and again to “so.” Oh no, what am I actually saying and praying? I don’t know. Can God make any sense out of this jumble of words and thoughts and ideas racing through my head??? Even my prayer time turns into a slide show on warp speed. I’m more wound up now than ever.

Oh God HELP! I need some peace in my life. I need to feel that You are near. I need Your presence. Where is that quiet place?

I am thinking of a song that is sort of old and a little corny but oh so precious to me…

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad
Oh, He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad

I think I’ll sing that – maybe a few times. I think I’ll let the truth of it soak into my soul. I want to approach Him (enter His gates) with thanksgiving. I’ll thank Him for my life – the very breath I breathe. Thank you for the roof over my head, the warm water for my shower, my sweet husband, my precious baby boy, my closet full of clothes, a kitchen full of food, great friends, precious memories, happy birthdays, health, legs that work, anything – everything. You are so good God.

Praise is next. God you are AWESOME. You are good. Faithful. Just. Righteous. Holy. Loving. Gracious. Merciful. Steadfast. Enduring. Hopeful. Mighty. Wonderful. The lover of my soul!

That alone can floor me. The God of the universe – creator of heaven and earth – loves my soul. He loves my mind, my personality, my soul! Oh such peace and contentment. I’m starting to feel it now. He loves me. I love Him. I want to rejoice.

I need to say it out loud. “This is the day that the Lord has made – I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I’m thinking of another corny song…

It’s a happy day, and I thank God for the weather
It’s a happy day, and I’m living it for my Lord
It’s a happy day, and things are sure to get better
Living each day by the promises of God’s word

I sing that sometimes to Daniel. I want him to know that whatever the day looks like – stormy, sunny, foggy, cloudy, cool, warm – no matter – it’s a “happy day” and God is to be thanked. I need to say these things out loud. I know – corny. I’ll do anything – even really corny stuff, to find some true peace in my life.

I still think God uses the movies, the mall and the shower (and lot’s of other great things) in my life to bring some peace to me but mostly, He just wants to be present in my life. He wants to stand near to me. Walk beside me. Sometimes He speaks sweet truths and simple solutions but mostly, He just walks near me. I long for that in my life. I want it more than anything else. To be forever in His presence. I will draw near to Him and He draws near to me.

John 14:27 says…
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Another good one is Isaiah 26:3…
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Lord, help me to have a mind that is steadfast and a trust in You that is deep and abiding. Help me to stop “stealing peace” and finding things that are temporal and that fill me with a false sense of contentment. Help me to daily “enter His gates” and give me a grateful heart. Help me to speak and say out loud only things that are True. Walk with me and let me say, “it is well with my soul.”

My Little Monkey

Haircut - The Journey

Baby to Boy

Daniel's first haircut - October 18, 2007

Eight Random Things

1.) I wish I could sing. No, really sing.

2.) I have a brother named Tracy.

3.) I was born on my brother Trent's sixth birthday - Aug. 7.

4.) I peed on the street once and a car drove up with its brights on me! (not my finest moment)

5.) Sharon Bryson is the ONLY person who ever beat me in the reflex game that gives the loser an electric shock. I'm still a little bitter - I HATE to lose.

6.) My wedding was so beautiful - I still cry when I watch the video. Jim is the love of my life.

7.) My father was shorter than my mother (and me too for that matter).

8.) I sat on the couch reviewing a new exercise video once while munching on a huge bag of MnMs. It was a really good workout.

Insomnia

I can't sleep through the night (Daniel sleeps through just fine). I wake up and can not go back to sleep. HELP!!!! Any ideas?

My Mom, who always has an answer for these things and mostly a "doom and gloom" answer I might add, says I am heading into menopause. I need to go to the doctor and ask about hormones. I'm not ready to get old! Wait! No! Please!

I was watching an info-mercial about B12 (yes, in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep) and was very intrigued. Does anyone know anything about this B12 you order that dissolves under your tongue so that it goes directly into your bloodstream producing the greatest effect? It's supposed to provide you with more energy and a better night's rest.

I'm desparate. I need a full 7 hours. Eight would be nice but I'll take 7.

Season of Change

I love the fall season. The changes that come - the leaves turn color, the air becomes crisp, the days get shorter, new classes start, new episodes come on TV, I usually move furniture or change something in the house, and I really feel like Christmas is coming soon! Usually, I love these changes and look forward to them.

This year is a bit different for me - for us. Jim and I have been discussing this idea for a few years now. We haven't been terribly unhappy or disappointed really - just feeling a need for a change. A change that we have never made accept when moving from one town to another. We have had restless hearts and sought the Lord for His guidance. We have longed for a ministry that we both could jump into with our whole hearts. We have longed for deeper walks with God and deeper friendships. We just didn't think God would lead us away from our current circumstances to find these things.

But He has - so we will follow. We are seeking out a new church in which to fellowship and hopefully minister in some way. It has been one of the most difficult changes in my life. I have dug my heels in and fought it all the way and yet I have a strong sense that we are doing the right thing. It's extremely uncomfortable -but right. I will cherish the years at Court Street but look forward to what God is doing. Daniel came home to us at Court Street and I will never forget the love of the body of Christ that we experienced!

Pray for us. Pray for perspective - it is not all about us, but God. Pray He'll guide us to just the right place. Pray for us to grow through this and hold tight to Jesus.

Daniel's First Birthday

One year ago today...

I was with friends in Duvall, WA having a wonderful visit. It was bittersweet in that Marae was recuperating from surgery, I was mourning the loss of my father, and we were reeling from the most recent set backs in our adoption process. All in all, it was a fabulous time with old friends who have been dear to us for over 20 years now. We ate together, laughed alot and the girls even got a little shopping in! While in an antique store, we spotted the sweetest baby book with beautiful illustrations. I picked it up - and again - hoped that one day, I would need one just like it. We also spied an adorable hand-knit baby outfit that possessed that timeless quality, being specially made by loving hands for a hoped-for baby. I thought, if I ever get a baby of my own, I would love to dress him in something from the past, so to remember that babies are special today, yesterday, and always.

While we were sleeping, little did I know, in Newport, Oregon, the most special person was coming into this world and would be joining our family!


The story of how God brought Daniel to us is a miracle. Not to sound cliche, but ALL babies are mircles - each and every one. Labor can be long but the reward is immeasurable.

It's been a year so we had to CELEBRATE!!!!

We had a farm theme for his party and lots of fun games -

"Pin the Tail on the Donkey" - "Egg Toss" - and a fun ruuning relay game of my own invention called "Pen the Pig!"

The party was a group production with many thanks and MUCH credit going to Jim (of course) along with my Mom, my sister Sue and her two "babies," Amber and Joey. 33 adults and 26 kids later, Jim asked, "We're not having a party like this for Daniel every year, are we?"

Daniel has been and will continue to be the greatet joy in our lives. Jim and I feel so blessed to have him. He shows his gratitude for a GREAT BIRTHDAY PARTY! It was a good day.

By the way, my friend Marae sent me that baby book and hand-knit outfit within a few days of bringing Daniel home. Who would have known the hoped-for-treasures were found the very day that Daniel was born.

OK, OK, getting rid of the spider!

I have been getting a lot of comments on how alarming the spider is so this post is for the sole purpose of getting that spider off your screens.

Kim said to make it a REALLY LONG post so to be sure the spider moves way down the screen.

I always have a cute picture of Daniel to share and I'd much rather look at him any time!

Sorry if I scared anyone. (Gabby - I'm extra sorry I really, really scared you!)

EEEEEK!!!

Jim found this on the wall in our bedroom last Saturday night. He didn't call me in to look at it. He only showed me the photos once it was good and DEAD! I am SOOOO AFRAID of SPIDERS!! I slept in the family room at the opposite end of the house for fear he'd brought his friends with him!

So You Think You Can Dance?

I realize that my favorite competitive show is not up there with "American Idol" but I absolutely LOVE "So You Think You Can Dance." I was really not seeing a front-runner in the beginning but once the final four was determined, I was for Sabra. Guess what? Sabra WON!!!!

I love Dance! I am so facinated by movement in general. I love to watch how people walk, gesture, run, play sports, and yes - dance. I think God wired me that way.

I have always been extremely comfortable in my own skin once I'm allowed to move. It makes no sense, I know, because of my insecurities about my weight and such, but I really feel much better about myself when I can move. Sometimes that takes the form of dance but it could just be getting out on the softball field or gesturing toward a sign.

I recently went with a girlfriend to see "Hairspray" and she was seeing it for the second time. She raved about it! She explained that it wasn't really her style to see movies over and over but she planned on watching "Hairspray" often, it was that good to her. She suddenly realized that in her zeal, she had never asked my thoughts on "Hairspray." She turned to me and asked, "Are you into this? I mean, do you really want to see this movie? Is this your kind of thing?"

My response - "What do you think!? It's about an overweight girl that dances more like her black peers and proves to the greater Baltimore area that a fat girl can dance!? Oh yes, I'm into this!"

I'm not certain you all really are wanting to ask, but just in case - YES, I think I can dance!

Rotten Fruit

The fruits of the Spirit have been getting a little rotten in my life lately. Not a pretty sight!
Galatians 5:22 says: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
I have been doing a lot of reading, praying and quite frankly, crying these past few weeks. But God has met me there. He has shown me much and continues to open up some those dark areas of my heart that need His light.
I have needed to forgive and to ask for forgiveness. The process is well underway but will be just that, a process.
Christ died for the sins of the world - the sins of my offenders as well as my offenses. If I do not let the blood of Christ cover my sin, I deny His work and my faith is false - so, in faith, I am allowing God to forgive me. This is not always been easy for me but He is "renewing my mind" and giving me a new way to think. Pray for me if you will. I need it.
Anxious to be growing some new fruit!

4th of July

This is Daniel just hanging out on the front lawn while Jim did yard work. Nothing exciting about the day except for being a perfect expression of many dreams and hopes I had for many years. I always imagined a scene just like this - Jim working, me-playing with a baby on the lawn, Bailey lying in the shade, the sun shining and all of us just being a family. Thank you Lord for making another dream come true.

Daniel's Dedication on Father's Day

Alphabet Survey

Alphabet survey (got this from Chronicles of Momia - Valerie)

A is for age: 43 (will be 44 this August)
B is for beer of choice: I like it OK, don't have a favorite - just not dark.
C is for what you can't wait for right now: Cousins - Brad and Debbie and their two kids - Bryson and Abby - are coming for a visit!!! (Catch that - their kids names are Bryson and Abby)
D is for your dog's name: Bailey (after George Bailey in a It's a Wonderful Life because he came to us at Christmas time)
E is for essential item you use everyday: Deodorant (it does say essential)
F is for favorite TV show at the moment: So You Think You Can Dance!!!!
G is for favorite game: Pictionary - haven't played for years - need to get some girls together and play.
H is for Home town: San Jose, CA
I is for instruments you play: My feet? I can tap dance.
J is for favorite juice: Don't drink much juice but love lemonade
K is for whose butt you'd like to kick: I'm going to copy Valerie. I'd like to kick my own as well and have much more thigh than she! You can see by my future answers that I'm not as dedicated at Valerie to reach that goal.
L is for last food you ate: Thin Mint Ice Cream
M is for marriage: Married to my best friend in the world - Jim. Love him and am so glad he is the father God chose for Daniel.
N is for your name: Angela (Angie) Jane Giordano (Hall was my maiden name)
O is for overnight hospital stays: Tonsils out at six, endometriosis removed in 1999
P is for people you can't live without: Jim
Q is for quote: MAN IN BLACK: "Look are you just fiddling around with me or what?"
FEZZIK: "I just want you to feel you're doing well. I hate for people to die embarrassed."
R is for Biggest Regret: Not going to college when I had the chance - right out of high school. I ended up getting my BS at 33 years old. Much harder to do that way!
S is for status: "I used to be..." I find myself saying that alot just before describing my current lower, lesser, or overall weaker status. Not a good thing - just being honest.
T is for time you woke up today: 6 ish
U is for underwear you have on now: cute ones! It's a thing for me. (white cotton tonga with lavendar, aqua and turquoise stars)
V is for vegetable you love: Tomatoes. Especially really good cherry ones - they taste like candy.
W is for worst habit: Over eating. (gluttony - I think that's a sin not just a habit)
X is for x-rays you've had: Teeth for sure (once a year - I think) ankle (very small fracture) lungs and throat (before my tonsils were removed) MRI of brain twice (is that an X-ray?)
Y is for yummy food you ate today: Thin Mint Ice Cream
Z is for the zodiac sign: Leo, but I too couldn't care less.

A Few Pics of Daniel

To Be Known

I think one of the strongest needs any person has is to be known. We all want to feel as if someone knows us and still loves us. Being the youngest of 7 children, I had to find a way to "be known" in all that chaos. I chose talking.
Some of you are currently nodding your heads in agreement - stop that! If I didn't get someone's attention, I could have been missed! I have always talked alot and truthfully, would like to talk less! If Jim reads this, which he does, he might disagree, but I talk a lot less than I used to!
I think I forget sometimes that my life now is not like my life as a child. I don't have to fight for attention; and besides, I am known and loved!
I am a daughter of God! The creator of the universe knows my name! He knew me before I was even formed in my mother's womb and had me in mind when making a way for salvation. To comprehend this is just too much for me! He knows the number of hairs on my head and longs to spend time with me. He saw me everytime I cried. He rejoices with me when I have little victories in my life. What did I ever do to deserve such devotion?!
Don't ever forget - He knows your name. He sees each tear that falls and hears you when you call!

Party for Molly!

Let’s say so long to our “bosom friend” ~Molly Chupik~

If Molly is a kindred spirit, then you are invited to an evening of food, fellowship and “Anne of Green Gables.”

Friday, June 8
Open House 5pm – 9pm
Main dish and drinks provided.
Bring a salad, dessert, or side dish to share.

At Angie Giordano’s - Call me or email me if you need more information.

Embarassing Moment

From 1993 - 1998, Jim and I lived in Eastern Washington where we both attended Washington State University. Jim was working on his Masters and PhD while I finished up a BS degree. I had an excellent job on campus working for the WSU Foundation - the Development Office - the Fundraising arm of the University. The office was located on the fourth floor of the Administration building where the University President was as well. We were often teased about "working on the fourth floor" as if we were a part of some special club working with the big wigs.

The President of the Foundation was a key person on campus as well. She had a lot of contacts with very influential and rich people all over the US but mainly in the Northwest. Her name was Connie and she was an extremely nice person. It was common when making her travel arrangements for me to set up appointments with people like Paul Allen or the President of Costco where she would show up to ask for millions of dollars. My third day in the office, I opened the mail to find a 3 million dollar check from Boeing. She focused on raising money while the office staff focussed on the details of her travel. Many times, I would drive out to the little airport there in the middle of some wheat fields to pick her up and bring her back to the office.

One summer afternoon, my supervisor, Sharon, asked me if I was available to pick up Connie and I said I would if I could but had not driven my car in that day. Sharon assured me that was no problem; she would lend me her car. She then started to give me tons of details about the make, the model, the color, the location in the parking lot, etc... I admit, I was half listening and really thought I would find the car very easily. Keep in mind, I am one of those people that does not notice cars. I could never tell you who drove what kind of car or even the color. I know there are "cars" "trucks" "SUVs" and "motorcycles." I just don't pay much attention beyond that.

I headed out to row two of the parking lot and found nothing that looked like Sharon's car. I looked down at the keys in my hand and it said "Toyota." I went up and down the second row and found the only Toyota there. It was a worn, red, wagon with lots of fishing gear in the back. Now Sharon's husband could have easily put that fishing gear back there, but he was a neat freak and this stuff was sort of tossed in the back. I was very unsure about this car.

My thought was, try the key! If the key fits, surely I'm in the right place. It fit - I got in.

As I sat there, I became more and more uncomfortable with the vehicle, thinking that there was no way Sharon's husband Philip would allow that mess or smell to be in his vehicle. I had a second key for the ignition.

My thought was, if it starts, surely I'm in the right car. I turned the key, it started and I was convinced.

I pulled out of the lot and headed off of campus out a back road to the airport. The further I got down the road, the more uncertain I became. I just had this awful feeling I was not in Sharon's car. I pulled into the airport right as the plane should have been landing but it was a few minutes behind schedule. I called Sharon on the payphone (no such thing as cell phones yet) and she just screamed with laughter as I described the red Toyota wagon. She drove a light grey Chevy Nova!!!!

I WAS IN THE WRONG CAR!!!! I HAD STOLEN SOMEONES CAR!!! I was 8 miles from campus and 15 minutes into my crime and had to wait for Connie.

We drove back, sitting in almost silence as I had to tell her what I had done. She was very calm but asked me to please stop speeding. We pulled into the lot - and OF COURSE - the space I vacated was no longer available. I had to park the car in a different row facing the opposite direction. Now I may not notice cars but I am very spacially aware. If I had parked my car in the morning in row two facing one building and came out that night with the car in row three facing the opposite direction - I WOULD NOTICE!

I put a very brief note on the car and asked the owner to please call me because I had some information about their vehicle.

Those were the longest two days of my life! The teasing in the office was relentless. Well deserved I might add! Who takes the wrong car!?! Everytime my phone rang at my desk, all my co-workers were like little ground hogs, popping up their heads above the cubicle walls, peeking over and craning their necks to listen in on my phone conversation. The call never came.

Then it happened. One of my co-workers - Sue - who was notorious for her elaborate practical jokes came up to me with a letter. She started in with a very serious tone about a request for a donation receipt. You see - it was her husband's car that I stole! The letter was very cleverly written to Connie's attention asking for donation credit for the use of their vehicle.

Sue worked just two office doors down from Sharon. We are talking Pullman, Washington here! A very small university town. One person drove a Chevy Nova - the other a Toyota wagon. BOTH cars had the same EXACT KEYS and I somehow discovered this all through a fluke accident. Do you realize how many stars in the sky would have to be lined up just perfectly for this type of thing to happen!?! Needless to say, I was embarassed.

Kisses for Everyone!