Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Dreams

I wanna set the world on fire
Until it's burning bright for You
It's everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?

I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to

Take my dreams
Come and give them wings

Lord with You
There's nothing I can not do

Nothing I cannot do


I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father's hands

Take my dreams
Come and give them wings

Lord with You
There's nothing I cannot do
Nothing I cannot do


My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love

Lord, use me

I wanna set the world on fire
I wanna set the world on fire, yeah

This week begins a journey, not only for myself but for my family as well.

The countless doors of opportunity that will be open to me to help people once my RN degree is complete is as vast as our ocean is wide (well, o.k., maybe not THAT vast...but still the opportunities are pretty amazing).

Graceful, the youngest of my womb dwellers, went to her first day of preschool yesterday. I have some beautifully sweet pictures of her and her cousin Nora.

I will try and post them soon, I promise.

Until then, eat chocolate in my honor, and encourage,

~Raine

Saturday, September 26, 2009

~~~Queen of Tarte~~~

I regret that I didn't take more pictures. The lighting in the barn wasn't very good and with all the people it was difficult to get some good shots.

I especially regret that I didn't take a picture of this adorable little beaded pumpkin that had a glittered crown on the top. It was very cute.

Thank you to my friend and her family for a wonderful day shopping in the Land of "Tarte". We must do it again soon!
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I "heart" polka dots. Isn't this the cutest little bed?

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I would have never thought to put moss on a light fixture before, would you?

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I think this pillow is sweet and a classy way to welcome in the fall season.

Corned Beef
Corn beef hash for everyone!

Cabinet
This cabinet was cute!
cow hide
Is it wrong that I want a chair upholstered in cowhide?

cow
The cow thinks so!

Encourage,
~Raine

Friday, September 25, 2009

friday "show & tell"

A few people have asked me what type of camera I use so I thought I would have show & tell today!

This is actually my "hunk o' burning loves" camera...but what is his... is mine...right?


This little baby is just mine....but the "hunk" can borrow it if he gives me a foot rub.

Both camera's work well, the smaller one is not fancy but it is a GREAT alternative to lugging a "ginormous" piece of equipment in your purse. I use the little one when we are out at the park or at the beach.

The software that I just started using on the pictures is from Flickr and available to anyone. It does cost money (but only 25 buckaroos which is reasonable) and you are able to do a great deal of fun and easy editing with the program.

Once you create an account at Flickr (which is also free) you can upload your pictures and they will keep them for you. So if your computer crashes and you didn't remember to back up your digitals then they will be safe on Flickr.

I like this.

Some more things I like about Flickr:

Easy to use site.
It's Free (or if you upgrade...it is a reasonable charge).
The photos on there from other artists are AMAZING!
You can blog other people's photos if they give permission (many do!).
You can order prints or coffee mugs or mouse pads to your hearts delight.

Things I don't like:

You need to be careful when your family is viewing this site. The human body is an art form (one of the most beautiful handiwork's of God). However, sending your prepubescent son on the site without mom and dad acting as a "filter" could wind up causing you some angst.

In other words, use your head and watch your children closely when online.

I am a novice. I have no idea what I'm doing when I work with the camera, I just click the shutter...a lot! And usually, I get one or two that I really like.

One day, I will slow down and take a class and actually learn how to adjust shutter speeds and light apertures. One day, I will buy photoshop (oh how I love thee) and I will learn how to adjust "temperature" and "saturation" and it will be lovely.

One day.

Encourage,
~Raine

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Boots how I love thee.....

New boots

I love them.

I love them because they make me look taller.
I love them because they make me look sassy.
I love them because they were $6.99 at our local re-sale shop.

I took them for a test drive on Saturday while I went shopping with my sisters.
They hurt my feet after about 4 hours.

I still love them.

Encourage someone today and compliment them on their shoes (girls like that kind of thing)!

~Raine

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

"new" ...old wheels

This week Internet, we bought a car.

Billy's Car

Billy and Ronda
Meet Billy and Ronda.

I worked with Ms. Ronda for that past two and a half years. She is neat.
Billy is her friend and he was selling his dads car. Billy's dad passed away two years ago and it was an emotional experience for Billy to let it go.

His mom is 81 and she just wasn't quiet ready to sell it until now. They were happy it was going to a family who needed it and I think this made it easier for them. They prayed for us, that the car would bless our family and serve us for the two years I will be driving it to the coast for school. This made my heart melt.

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I think it is 1988 "chic". But my son thinks it is a 1988 mistake.
I promised him I would pick him up from school and drop him off at least one block away.

Wild Olive drives

Wild Olive thinks it is super and she has visions of cruising it around town one day.

Olive drives

As soon as she puts some clothes on. (Hey, they don't call us "rednecks" for nothing.)

Encourage,
~Raine

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

And the emmy goes to....

Kristin Chenoweth!!


Why I love this lady.

She is 4ft 11''
She can sing like a rock star or an opera diva.
She is funny.
She is 4ft 11''
She LOVES Broadway (heck...she IS Broadway).
She loves God.
She is 4ft 11''
She is a tiny bit wicked but mostly good.
She is my "soul" sister (except I can't sing!)
She is 4ft 11''
She is 41 and I like people who are older than me.
She is adopted and I'm so thankful her mommy gave her life.
She is 4ft 11in''

She won her Emmy this weekend for her role on "Pushing Daisies" as Olive Snook. The show was cancelled this last year (probably because it had real talent with real actors instead of these "reality" drama's that have people living in houses acting like babies while they bad mouth one another....oh...ooops...did I rant? Sorry! (not really)...no really! (she is telling a falsehood)...shhhh!!)

Today dear fellow lover of all things silly and sweet, I salute you! and I will try and hit a high C in my shower today....in your honor.

~Raine

Monday, September 21, 2009

Childhood friends

Speaking of childhood friends Internet. Meet these two...
Graceful and Hannah Bananna

Graceful & Hannah Bananna


They are little "fashionistas" and they let the camera know it.
G&H striking a pose

They are proudly showing off the sunflower that Gracie grew from a small seed in her Sunday school class. All summer she has been taking care of her "fowler" and watering it with her little watering can.

Olivia's Flower
Sunflower grown by Olivia Grace-age 4

After these "Vanna" shots were taken....Gracie immediately picked her most prized possession, presented it to me, and told me that I was the best mommy in the whole WORLD!!

I love her.

Whatever you do today, encourage~
Raine

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Thats "anne" with an "e"

When I was MUCH younger...I used to watch this...

O.K., I confess...I still watch this and I still love it. It speaks to my 14 year old soul Internet...the countryside, the vintage houses, the farm animals, the beautiful clothing, the red hair...the freckles.

When this came out on video,for the first time I felt beautiful. I was in junior high, I had reddish dishwater blond hair (cut in a fashionable mullet) and I was disdainfully FRECKLED. I cried a lot.

Then I found her.


"I've always dreamed of having a "bosom" friend...a true kindred spirit"


My bosom friend, my kindred spirit. I found her in the 8th grade. She made me laugh and she made me cry and she loved me for me. We would talk about our dreams and our future husbands and having tea on the veranda. She was my maid of honor in my wedding and I hers.

To my dearest and most loveliest friend. Thank you for getting me through the 8th grade, for talking me into growing out my mullet, and for thinking that freckles were cute.

I love you.

Encourage,
Raine with an "e"

P.S. Yes, I think I will use my middle name as my "pen" name. And yes, my parents DID really name me raine...with an "e".

Friday, September 18, 2009

Teal Power

My first day of school...
School begins with starbucks
We started it off right...with caffiene and sugar from Starbucks.

Then we met some new friends..
School days for mommy
Meet the graduating classes of 2010 & 2011!

We've already been caught roaming the halls...without a hall pass.
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Thankfully, we didn't get into too much trouble. But the year is still young. ;0)

Encourage,
J

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Mirror, mirror, on the wall

In our house, we write on our bathroom mirror.

Sometimes, I write a famous quote. Sometimes I leave my family simple little love notes. Sometimes...I leave a little bit of "silliness" because well, this is who I am.

During a particularly trying day, I wrote a Bible verse on the mirror. Something to remind us that God holds and directs us...always.

About a day or two after I wrote the verse on the mirror, two of my children surprised me with this.
Mirror verse two
and with this...
Verse on mirror

Be still my heart.

Encourage~
J

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