Treasure Hunting Anyone……..?

I have really been having a good time finding things to purchase for my daughters' apartment.  She will be starting her second year of college (no dorm rooms available), so we found her a cute little apartment, close to campus. However, we need to furnish it??  This is our second child in college, so let’s just say the funds are a little….tight??
The first Goodwill find was this old basket.  I think it is a picnic or market basket, with a hinged lid.(Cost: $10.99)  I was thinking she could use it to store things in and yet still be decorative. Does anyone know what kind of basket it is??



I was getting a little discouraged, when I turned around and looked at the floor.  There on floor, underneath a sewing cabinet, were these quirky looking lamps. I thought they would go perfect with the retro look of my daughters’ bedroom.  I bent down and picked one up and the price was only $6.99 ea., with the shade. I believe they may be milk glass?? Does anyone know how to tell??
I
I was still on the hunt for another lamp for the living room or spare bedroom.  My mind was thinking of something tall, with glass and gold.  What are the chances that I would find something like that without spending a pretty penny. Well, God does listen even to those little things
I walked to the front of the store, got in line to check out and what did I see…….

This pretty little thing, just sitting there as pretty as could be. I know she doesn’t have a shade, but she has all the right bones to be a beauty. I couldn’t believe the cost was only $2.99 (as is). so I ask for a light bulb, plugged her in.and Ta Da she worked. 
Well, so far we are off to a good start for the apartment treasure hunt.
Do you have any advice to share on finding wonderful treasures?
I hope you come back and see what else I have found on my new adventure…….
Blessings,
Chrissy

Have you ever wondered................???

Lately, I have been wondering where I am personally and how I got here???  I know probably no else has ever been in this place, in their life, but I thought I would ask anyway :). 
These are my wonderings lately:

• Did you ever have a passion and then it just fizzled?
• Do you wonder where your kids were raised (because they don't act anything like you ;)?
• Why you all of a sudden let small things paralyze you?
• Could this REALLY be the onset of menopause (getting close to 50, you know)??
• How do I feel spiritually drier then I was 25 years ago????

Well, the past 9 days have been quite the soul searching experience for me! My husband is on an international trip. So when I am left to my own thoughts, WATCH OUT!! It can either be good or not sooo good.  Let’s just say the first couple days were NOT sooo good.

Everything in my mind became amplified!! That is putting it mildly?? My son's health is in need of supervision. My daughter is fretting over money for college.  My dad is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's.  My mom is way more of an anxious Nelly than I am??? Blah, Blah, Blah……..

What I have come to find out, is that that word anxiety, is just a nice word for FEAR.  I mean come on I have never really been a fearful person.  I use to like change and excitement, be fun loving and free.   So how did this thing called "fear" creep into my life.  I will tell you how.   Little by little, and I let it in.!?! Can you believe that?  I can't!  I always thought of myself to be a “diligent” prayer warrior and always on the lookout for things that try to sidetrack me? 

Guess what?  I have news for you.  All it takes is a tiny, tiny little crack for something to get in when you least expect it. The sad part is, is that I isolated myself from the people that could have supported me, because I thought they would feel I was “weak”?? How ridiculous is that? However, I believe we all do it. (I could be wrong though).  ;)

The small crack I am talking about is........ That I let that small phrase "what if" enter my mind?? Now it is only two tiny words, but they can pack a powerful punch, let me tell you.  It can make you start to doubt everything.  Once the doubt starts, unless you catch it, can take on a "whole" life of its own.

 For instance:

"What if I am not good enough for that job?"
"What if  no one reads my blogs?"
"What if someone criticizes me?"
"What if I fail at ..............???

Do you see where I am coming from??? Oh how I have let these thought so bombard me that I came to the point of wondering, "Why am I here?" 

Well, I had an epiphany this morning!  I am here because God created me in my mothers' womb. He has great plans in store for me! I just need to get past the "what if'" in life and GO FOR IT!!!

So if there is anyone else out there that has ever felt or is feeling this way?  There are great things for you to do in this life. Don't be intimidated! Don't let fear paralyze you! Get up and walk, take back your ground and defend it!! We are more than conquerors!!

Feel free to leave an encouraging comment for me and others :)

Have a Blessed day,

 Chrissy