We've all heard of drug dogs...sniffing their way through traffic stops and airports. And, we have all probably seen a service dog of one type or another - for someone who is sight-impaired or has a mobility issue. I've even seen a segment on TV about a cancer-sniffing dog who makes a loop around a low-to-the-floor examining table to smell for melanomas. But here's an application of a canine's scent ability I've never heard of - mold sniffing!
This site from New Jersey mold detection business uses “Hunter” to “detect and locate the source of mold growth by detecting the gasses (MVOC’s) mold growth gives off.” By Hunter locating the source, there is less damage done to areas of your home than if they had to pop holes in walls and such “tracing” the visible mold back to a source. The EPA is even advocating this since it has been shown that dogs can smell compounds at 1 part per billion!
How cool is that? Sounds like something that should be on one of Shannon’s Works For Me Wednesday posts!
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Thinking and Learning
"Learning without thinking is labor lost; thinking without learning is dangerous." (Chinese proverb)
It was my turn to be stunned about the reach my ramblings have when Debbie left a comment for me to go check her site for a surprise! Being game for something unexpected, I checked out her bloggy home and found this...
I'm honored and flattered - particularly since I've been feeling so "off my game" lately. But, as Debbie did, I accept graciously.
In return, an "honoree" is to pick 5 other blogs he/she feel are deserving. Many of my favorites have already been chosen this last week or so - like Everyday Mommy - whose posts probably cause more conversations around our dinner table than any other blog I read. But, I scanned through the 30+ blogs I check each day (yea, I know, I'm addicted) and found these ladies who bless me with their amazing insight into the things of God in their everyday activities...something I'm striving for. So, with no further ado, here are my honorees...
My first one is for Peach at her new home at Without Fear...she's been given this nod already but I couldn't help doing it again. Her struggles and transformation in the last few months have changed the way I look at my daily life. Because of the time she spends contemplating what her life and her beliefs mean to her and because she takes the time to blog about it, I'm more thankful and conscious of every good work of God that's around me.
Next, JMom at Lots of Scotts. Her sweet, sweet, SWEET trio of miracles are only 2 months younger than Flicka. She and her babies came very close to being with Jesus during their delivery. I am humbled and inspired by how she is raising her munchkins in the knowledge of the Lord. And, because of one of her awesome parenting ideas, our home runs significantly smoother by using our version of her "blessings chart".
Sarah at In The Midst of It is a "new find" of mine. She apparently had quite a following, took a break from blogging, and I caught up with her as she returned to the "mommy blogosphere". She seems to have a sense of discernment about the things of God that I hope to have someday.
Karen at Growing In Grace is one I stumbled onto during the Blog Party last month. She's a homeschooling children's pastor. Needless to say, she has a lot of wisdom in the areas I'm interested in! LOL
And, finally, my sweet friend Christina at The Right Perspective. We met through a MSN message board aimed at parenting issues for moms who had struggled with infertility. Lost sight of her there for a while. Found out why...two of the things she's most passionate about - politics and her faith - were something we weren't "allowed" to discuss on our MSN board. So, she does it on her blog.
So, ladies, since you've been tagged, write a post with five links to blogs that made you think as well as linking back here for the explanation. There are two versions of the award. You may choose either one...the lovely silver one above or the shiny gold one below!
It was my turn to be stunned about the reach my ramblings have when Debbie left a comment for me to go check her site for a surprise! Being game for something unexpected, I checked out her bloggy home and found this...
I'm honored and flattered - particularly since I've been feeling so "off my game" lately. But, as Debbie did, I accept graciously.
In return, an "honoree" is to pick 5 other blogs he/she feel are deserving. Many of my favorites have already been chosen this last week or so - like Everyday Mommy - whose posts probably cause more conversations around our dinner table than any other blog I read. But, I scanned through the 30+ blogs I check each day (yea, I know, I'm addicted) and found these ladies who bless me with their amazing insight into the things of God in their everyday activities...something I'm striving for. So, with no further ado, here are my honorees...
My first one is for Peach at her new home at Without Fear...she's been given this nod already but I couldn't help doing it again. Her struggles and transformation in the last few months have changed the way I look at my daily life. Because of the time she spends contemplating what her life and her beliefs mean to her and because she takes the time to blog about it, I'm more thankful and conscious of every good work of God that's around me.
Next, JMom at Lots of Scotts. Her sweet, sweet, SWEET trio of miracles are only 2 months younger than Flicka. She and her babies came very close to being with Jesus during their delivery. I am humbled and inspired by how she is raising her munchkins in the knowledge of the Lord. And, because of one of her awesome parenting ideas, our home runs significantly smoother by using our version of her "blessings chart".
Sarah at In The Midst of It is a "new find" of mine. She apparently had quite a following, took a break from blogging, and I caught up with her as she returned to the "mommy blogosphere". She seems to have a sense of discernment about the things of God that I hope to have someday.
Karen at Growing In Grace is one I stumbled onto during the Blog Party last month. She's a homeschooling children's pastor. Needless to say, she has a lot of wisdom in the areas I'm interested in! LOL
And, finally, my sweet friend Christina at The Right Perspective. We met through a MSN message board aimed at parenting issues for moms who had struggled with infertility. Lost sight of her there for a while. Found out why...two of the things she's most passionate about - politics and her faith - were something we weren't "allowed" to discuss on our MSN board. So, she does it on her blog.
So, ladies, since you've been tagged, write a post with five links to blogs that made you think as well as linking back here for the explanation. There are two versions of the award. You may choose either one...the lovely silver one above or the shiny gold one below!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Overheard at the Vikings' Hus at dinner tonight...
We've been doing one Resurrection Egg per night over dinner to start telling Flicka an age-appropriate version of Holy Week events. Each egg holds a symbol of the resurrection story along with Scripture. So, in the last nine nights, we've talked about a donkey (Jesus entering Jerusalem), coins of silver, a Passover cup, plastic praying hands (Gethsemane), a whip, crown of "pickers" (LOL), nails, dice, and (for tonight) a spear.
Once we had gone through the refresher of the first 8 and then introduced the 9th, Flicka said "let me tell YOU a story!" And, she went on to explain about Jesus walking on water! Wow! We haven't talked about that recently. It must be from Sunday School. And, then she stunned Da Hubby and I...
"Mom, now YOU tell ME a story about Jesus!"
Da Hubby and I could nearly keep it together. Since she was on a "water theme" and since we live within walking distance of Lake Michigan, I told a three-year-old version of Jesus silencing the waves. You should have seen her face! "And, he stopped the storm, Mommy?"
"Yes, baby, he did..." *sniff*
He calmed that storm, as well as the storm in me, in Daddy, and every believer! Amen.
The Secret Is Out
(Written by John P. Kee)
Tell me a story about Jesus Christ
Tell me of His goodness
Of His mercy, and of His life
Tell me of His boldness
He charged me not to tell
Of the good works He had done
And I must run and tell
Each and everyone
(Chorus)
The secret is out,
the secret is out
The secret is out
And it shall never be contained
The secret is out,
the secret is out,
the secret is out
That He shall come again
Once we had gone through the refresher of the first 8 and then introduced the 9th, Flicka said "let me tell YOU a story!" And, she went on to explain about Jesus walking on water! Wow! We haven't talked about that recently. It must be from Sunday School. And, then she stunned Da Hubby and I...
"Mom, now YOU tell ME a story about Jesus!"
Da Hubby and I could nearly keep it together. Since she was on a "water theme" and since we live within walking distance of Lake Michigan, I told a three-year-old version of Jesus silencing the waves. You should have seen her face! "And, he stopped the storm, Mommy?"
"Yes, baby, he did..." *sniff*
He calmed that storm, as well as the storm in me, in Daddy, and every believer! Amen.
The Secret Is Out
(Written by John P. Kee)
Tell me a story about Jesus Christ
Tell me of His goodness
Of His mercy, and of His life
Tell me of His boldness
He charged me not to tell
Of the good works He had done
And I must run and tell
Each and everyone
(Chorus)
The secret is out,
the secret is out
The secret is out
And it shall never be contained
The secret is out,
the secret is out,
the secret is out
That He shall come again
Godly Woman 101: Day 2
For an explanation, see here.
Ruth 2
Boaz - probably means "in him is strength." He was designated the "kinsman-redeemer" for his family. That meant that he was responsible for protecting the interests of needy members of the extended family. The Lord led Ruth to him as she tried to support herself and Naomi.
Boaz has heard of Ruth's commitment to care for her "emptied" mother-in-law. Boaz acknowledges his commitment in her while sharing that same commitment toward his family.
Boaz goes out of his way to make sure Ruth's labors in his fields were productive.
Beginning to see a parallel between what Boaz does to what Jesus will do...kinsman-redeemer, responsible for the needy, fulfils a commitment to them, makes sure one's work is productive...hmmm.
Ruth 2
Boaz - probably means "in him is strength." He was designated the "kinsman-redeemer" for his family. That meant that he was responsible for protecting the interests of needy members of the extended family. The Lord led Ruth to him as she tried to support herself and Naomi.
Boaz has heard of Ruth's commitment to care for her "emptied" mother-in-law. Boaz acknowledges his commitment in her while sharing that same commitment toward his family.
Boaz goes out of his way to make sure Ruth's labors in his fields were productive.
Beginning to see a parallel between what Boaz does to what Jesus will do...kinsman-redeemer, responsible for the needy, fulfils a commitment to them, makes sure one's work is productive...hmmm.
Wordless Wednesday
(Updated: Thanks, Debbie, for saying something...but YES everyone has some kind of "bottoms" on! *wink*)
WFMW: DIY car maintenance
While this isn't exactly a "momma tip", it IS a tip that a momma who is keeping a budget CAN appreciate. The only thing needed is a car-handy hubby and a book like this one. This happens to be the one we purchased for "Goldilocks"- our 2001 Ford Focus when she needed her brakes replaced and we about had a heart attack when we were given estimates for the cost!
These Haynes manuals (and their competitor, the Chilton brand) contain instructions that even *I* could follow! LOL Particularly since I was reading them to Da Hubby as he flawlessly replaced Goldilocks' brakes in under two hours! At a savings of over one hundred dollars!
Da Hubby also used it to replace the cabin aircleaner/filter, PVC valve, and fuel filter as well as other things that saved us expensive trips to the dealership or repair shop!! Works for me
So, head over to Shannon's today and see what other cool car-related tips everyone has!
These Haynes manuals (and their competitor, the Chilton brand) contain instructions that even *I* could follow! LOL Particularly since I was reading them to Da Hubby as he flawlessly replaced Goldilocks' brakes in under two hours! At a savings of over one hundred dollars!
Da Hubby also used it to replace the cabin aircleaner/filter, PVC valve, and fuel filter as well as other things that saved us expensive trips to the dealership or repair shop!! Works for me
So, head over to Shannon's today and see what other cool car-related tips everyone has!
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Godly Woman 101: Day 1
There have been several opportunities and "nudges" lately around me that keep referring to pressing in, diving and digging deeper, stepping up, and striping away spiritual junk. My "church grandma" (aka Sister P) who is a very strong woman of God and an absolutely Heaven-glorifying example of the gift of teaching spoke during our last-Wednesday-of-the month, women's meeting a week ago yesterday.
I won't go into all the details right now but I left that meeting determined to learn more about what exactly Scripture says about being a godly woman. So, I'm temporarily "suspending" my Bible-in-a-year schedule to focus on a month's worth of Scripture that Sister P suggested to me. Doing one chapter a day, this should last from today until April 30th.
So, to keep me accountable, I'm going to "document" my notes each day...
Today I read Ruth 1 and this is what I found out from notes, commentaries, and observations...
- Ruth is about grace by obedience that comes from faith (not by blood or birth). She was not a "native" Israelite but an adopted one. Yet, the Bible documents her as one of only four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. The Book of Ruth is a testament of how all the tribes and nations can be saved by God.
- She was David's great-grandma!
- The words "redemption" and "kinsman-redeemer" are used repeatedly...again reinforcing God's grace.
- She was a remnant of true faith and piety in a time of religious and moral degeneracy.
- Naomi means "pleasant" - probably why she asks for her daughters-in-law to call her "Mara" once she had been "emptied" of everything - her husband, her sons, and no heirs.
- Ruth is similar to the Hebrew word for "friendship"- how appropriate!
- Ruth a a wonderful example of loyalty and love to Naomi, particularly since she had nothing to gain and what appeared to be a pretty bleak future as a Moabitess in the nation of Israel.
I won't go into all the details right now but I left that meeting determined to learn more about what exactly Scripture says about being a godly woman. So, I'm temporarily "suspending" my Bible-in-a-year schedule to focus on a month's worth of Scripture that Sister P suggested to me. Doing one chapter a day, this should last from today until April 30th.
So, to keep me accountable, I'm going to "document" my notes each day...
Today I read Ruth 1 and this is what I found out from notes, commentaries, and observations...
- Ruth is about grace by obedience that comes from faith (not by blood or birth). She was not a "native" Israelite but an adopted one. Yet, the Bible documents her as one of only four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. The Book of Ruth is a testament of how all the tribes and nations can be saved by God.
- She was David's great-grandma!
- The words "redemption" and "kinsman-redeemer" are used repeatedly...again reinforcing God's grace.
- She was a remnant of true faith and piety in a time of religious and moral degeneracy.
- Naomi means "pleasant" - probably why she asks for her daughters-in-law to call her "Mara" once she had been "emptied" of everything - her husband, her sons, and no heirs.
- Ruth is similar to the Hebrew word for "friendship"- how appropriate!
- Ruth a a wonderful example of loyalty and love to Naomi, particularly since she had nothing to gain and what appeared to be a pretty bleak future as a Moabitess in the nation of Israel.
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