Psalm 17

1Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
2 From your presence let my vindication come!
Let your eyes behold the right!

3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,
you have tested me, and you will find nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who do me violence,
my deadly enemies who surround me.

10 They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They have now surrounded our steps;
they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.
12 He is like a lion eager to tear,
as a young lion lurking in ambush.

13 Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
14 from men by your hand, O Lord,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their womb with treasure;
they are satisfied with children,
and they leave their abundance to their infants.

15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Sort of my Latest Project

We live in an apartment with white walls that we can't paint, and to begin with, all of our bedding was white. Being a color person, this was bad. SO, before I went crazy living in our little psych ward, something had to be done about the bed. pictured above is my inexpensive alternative to the duvet I wanted from Pottery Barn. The idea was my mother's, and the commission was by my husband (even though he said I could still order from PB). He thought it would be a good project for me to work on, and he was right. I had so much fun putting the pieces together. If you asked me where I got my bedding though my answer would be something like 'Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy's, Kohls, Jo-ann Fabrics, Elder Beerman, left-over wedding supplies, the living room, the closet, etc'. By creating and building my own coverings and pillows on the base of a solid duvet I found on clearance, I was able to save at least half the cost of the Pottery Barn Beauty. A nice mattress set was what we agreed on as a wedding gift to ourselves, and a nice mattress needs to be trimmed beautifully (and what's a pretty bed without a canopy?). So now when I look at our bed, I feel like we're a prince and princess living our happily ever after. I feel as if I've been resourceful.

Someday...

Just because we're all now thinking of Cyprus...

"This is a World of Dreams and Reverie..."

I haven't written anything in a very long time and I am sorry for it. During the holiday season I let it get away from me. I think I've developed new time-wasting habits. In fact, I have had to drag myself to the computer at times, realizing I hadn't been on in days, completely forgetting that people might actually try to contact me that way... O, well. I had other things - huge, fascinating, challenging things - occupying my time. Puzzles. I've done them alone, with friends, with my husband... I love putting them together so much I will do 1000 pieces in an afternoon all by myself. But then 1000 piece puzzles got too easy, So I have gone a step up and am working on a 1500 piece photograph of Prague. Enjoying the challenge immensely :D. (The only problem is that I don't own any myself, so I've been borrowing them from family members :). That part isn't a problem.)

Besides puzzles, I really haven't done much lately, except reading. Les Miserables. I'm so close to be done with it (just a few hundred pages left!) and I really can't wait because Jonathan gave me a hardcover unabridged copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, and I'm dying to start it. (Thank Johnny!! I love you!!) He didn't get me any puzzles though.....................................

I hardly think it's unreasonable to say that I have cabin fever pretty bad, and I really need to go to Cyprus right now!!! And after I typed that I decided to google some pictures, and I think I shouldn't have done that. You don't get much better than a tropical Mediterranean island with ruins on it. But my simple google search turned up property for sale on it and... $330,000?? Nice knowing y'all. Please visit us at your convenience.

I'm planning a cruise first to scope out the territory and choose new furniture.