Random.

I love my new computer ... we got it a few weeks ago with left-over tax refund money (what a blessing!!).  Our ancient desk top that I bought in 2003 when Dan deployed to Iraq was on its last leg.  Its GI-NOR-MOUS monitor took up all the room on my desk and the tower took up all the room under the desk. 

Looking at computers, we were AMAZED at what is out there now!!  I guess the newest thing is the all-in-one's where the workings of the computer (hard drive??) are inside the monitor!!  WOW!  We didn't get one of those, but I'm very pleased with my much more economical, very basic HP.  It does have a small tower - and a 20 inch monitor (that's almost bigger than our living room TV! ha!!).  The only thing I do NOT like is there is no slot for my photo card!?!  Seriously?!!   I hate writing posts with NO pictures - and right now, I have no time to search for clip art to liven things up. 

Really, I don't have a lot to say right now - just a few things to share off the top of my head:

I have an article up at Blissfully Domestic again.  :)  It is part one of two or three in a series about the pressure Christians put on themselves to be PERFECT.  It is something I've struggled with a lot.  I am slowly accepting God's grace and just the way God made ME ... and that although I need to learn and grow and improve, I also need to cut myself some slack and not try so hard to gain God's favor and please people.  While I know God loves me, I sometimes wonder how many people really do like me and think I'm doing a good job (in life, with my kids, in my Christian growth, being a good church member, etc).  The older I get, the less I worry about the people, but I always wonder what God "thinks" of me and hope He is well pleased.   

I was a little discouraged by things yesterday, as Blissfully Domestic (BD) was hiring staff writers - $25 each for 2-4 articles a month (which would be awesome supplemental money for me!!) ... I applied in mid-April - and found out just yesterday that I did not make the cut.  I have been writing articles for BD each month since December - and I touted my college degree (thinking maybe I'd finally put it to good use) - and promoted myself as well as I could (first time I've written a resume in years!!) ... but apparently, it wasn't enough.  At first, I wallowed in my self-pity.  :(   I wasn't good enough; maybe these websites (Blissfully Domestic and Mama Buzz) publish my pathetic articles because they just need content that is half-way grammatically correct - and they'll accept about anything ... maybe my blog is just my little world of make-believe where people occasioally stop by, but actually, they just kind of feel sorry for me or read my ramblings because of the "train wreck" that I tend to be!!  :-/ 

BUT I knew I'd prayed about applying for BD ... and I've always prayed about if and how God wanted me to write ... and so far, He hasn't allowed me to do so for much, if any, profit.  And even so, never fear, dear reader (how writer-ish does that sound!!?), I will keep on writing, if only for me (because I *have to* write, here or in a journal or somewhere, anywhere).  I will not worry if people are reading my posts or deleting them.  I will probably still consider if I have any influence or connection with those who do actually read what I say/think - and I'll probably continue to wonder if maybe I'm the only one who thinks/feels the way I do or sees God or the Bible or life the way I do ... but I will continue on... 
So, if you're sticking with me, at least in my little ol' blog, thank you!!!  :)  I know I do have a few kindred spirits among my few readers - and I'm so glad we've connected!  :)

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, anyhoo,

Have you heard about all the flooding in Missouri (and Arkansas and maybe other places)? 
The little towns around here are having some flooding - I noticed one of the rivers (the Gasconade) that goes to the town we technically live in (address-wise but 11 miles from the town itself) had waters creeping up to the bridge/highway yesterday as we drove to piano lessons there.  The other river in our nearest-by town is also flooding out the nearby campground and park (the Roubidoux Creek, a tributary of the Gasconade); this has happened before a few years ago.  Businesses and homes were affected even here.  Also, the Big Piney on Ft. Leonard Wood, our local Army post is flooding out some of the training areas! 

It's ironic that a local church here is building a new building that looks like an ark!  Really.  I drove by it today and was reminded of Noah.  I'm sure he felt a lot like we do today - very soggy.  ;)

Conny