The World According to Leslie

There are a lot of things I want from life. Some of them, I am working toward. Some of them, I just dream about having/doing. Some of them are on my "Wish List". If you go on Amazon.com or eBay, you can add things to your "Wish List". Naturally, I have lists on those... but some things just can't be bought. Here's just part of my "Wish List": I wish I could win the lottery (that I don't play)! I wish I could DVR more than 2 shows at a time without having to pay more on my cable bill! I wish I had enough money to help everyone who truly needs help. I wish I could come up with the right idea to write a book. I wish I could lose these last 12 pounds before I go to the doctor in June!!  (Personal choice, not doctor's decision) I wish we could find The Princess a dress for her Me and My Guy event (for Girl Scouts) and her 8th grade semi-formal.  (One dress will work for both....but seriously, she's worse at making decisions t...

Since the year The Princess was in third or fourth grade, every year, about this time, I start looking at options for school for her. I have friends and family who homeschool. I always peruse that as an option. I have gone online and figured out what subjects we would need, where we would get them from, and (unfortunately!) the costs. There are some places I can get things online (like secondhand) but I won't start looking in earnest until we make a decision. Homeschooling (probably) gives us the most flexibility with subjects and schedules. When she is listed as a Junior, she can start taking Dual Enrollment classes at the local Community College for high school and college credit (for FREE!!)!!!!  Her fifth grade year, she was at a local Charter school. It didn't work out so well. (We went through 3 teachers and 2 principals in one year.)  I guess we could always look at going back there (now that they have been open and running for a few years) as an option. It's n...

Philippians 4:13--"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." (KJV) We all know that verse. We all quote that verse. What does it really mean to you? Today, it means that I can do the things I need to do because Christ is giving me the strength. It means that, although Facebook reminded me that 7 years ago today we held my Grandmother's funeral, I can remember the good things about her and know that I will see her again one day. It means that even when times are tough, I am tougher. Today, that verse tells me that no matter what, I have the strength of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I can do anything... even when my body, my mind tells me I can't. It could be the simple things like dealing with the pain in my left shoulder. It could be the more aggravating things like dealing with a teenager! (WOW! Enough said!) It could be big things like dealing with financial situations, jobs, family, and faith. For me today, that verse ...

As I've said before, my church, Remedy Church , is planning to help 500 families this year at Christmas. YES! It's only MARCH! But, we have a big goal because we have a BIG GOD! We have broken down how we are collecting toys (new or gently used--aka like new) for the kids. You can help in a couple ways.  1. You can donate toys to the Better to Give Project . 2. You can donate money to the Better to Give Project . The information needed for doing either of those things is on the Remedy Church website . Here is the breakdown for the Better to Give Project ! March --Girls 0-3 years April --Girls 3-5years May --Girls 6-12years J une --Teen Girls July --Boys 0-3years August --Boys 3-5years S eptember --Boys 6-12years October --Teen Boys In November, we will be organizing everything and getting it ready for the delivery. We are also accepting donations of travel-sized hygiene items. While the kids/teens in the family will get toys, the adults are going t...

This is one of those questions that I get asked often. "Do you believe in Karma?" I have been known to say, "Karma stinks, right?" Sometimes I think I believe. Other times, I think it's just consequences of actions. That makes no sense. As I wrote that, I confused myself.  :) Sometimes, I think that there really is Karma. People do things that are mean or horrible, and then something happens to them that is equally as bad. It also works in the reverse. Someone will do something awesome and then they get a "payback" out of nowhere. Other times, people do something horrible and then there are natural consequences from the action(s). Those consequences are sometimes better than any punishment anyone could have given them. Of course, that works in the positive also. Someone will do something and then they will get a reward they never dreamed of because of natural consequences. My parents taught me to believe that God handles the behaviors that ...

Today is my final day of the writing challenge. I hope you have enjoyed it. Check out all the other days! Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Link up in the comments to share your Writing Challenge!  As always, I have a lot of goals for the new year. Some of which I can control. Others, I need help to reach. 1. Have a closer walk with God 2. Get a full time job 3. Build my crafty business 4. Build my travel business 5. Write a book 6. Build my blog 7. Get back in to the gym on a regular basis 8. Read a book every month (at least one!) 9. Spend more time with family 10. Keep my house cleaner 11. Pay off bills 12. Save money I could go on and on. We all could. Now....what are your goals for 2017? Link up in the comments!!

I took a few days off to spend time with my family for Thanksgiving!  I hope you all enjoyed your time with family/friends/co-workers--whomever you spent Thanksgiving with! There are links to all the other Writing Challenge posts on Day #7 . I know in the beginning I said there are 60 days to this challenge.  However, I have thought about it, and I think I'm going to do the first 10 days. I have started writing on a regular basis.... which was the point. So, now, I'm going to write about other things.... not just the challenge topics. Today's Challenge is actually quite appropriate.  It's about Thanksgiving. Today's Challenge: "Make a list of 10 things for which you are thankful." Making a list is easy. Leaving it just in list form is hard for me. :) I'm Thankful For.... 1. God--He is so awesome. He supplies everything I need. He is there no matter what and loves me no matter what. I have failed Him so many times, but He has never fail...

Today's challenge: "Put your iTunes on shuffle. Write down the first 6 songs that pop up." The only problem I have with today's challenge is that I do not have iTunes.  :)  I have Spotify. I love it. So, I put it on one of my playlists and hit shuffle. Here is what happened: Say Amen by Finding Favor Call It Grace by Unspoken Just Be Held by Casting Crowns Completely by Among the Thirsty Keep Making Me by Sidewalk Prophets Just Say Jesus by 7eventh Time Down I have these in a playlist called "Inspirational for Me".  I love all of these songs. They are so inspirational. They help me when I'm down. They remind me Who I should be looking toward at all times. So, what are the first 6 songs on your playlist?

Last night, the Celebration Ceremony for Girl Scouts was great!  I’m finished for the year, except for one event where I just have to show up, eat, and watch awards!  lol   I do have to do my TROOP awards, but those are in about 4 weeks. I have a couple days to rest first!    Today, I’m having mixed emotions.  My pastor’s dad is being buried today.  I’m sad for that.  He’s in a better place….that’s good. My emotions are crazy because I’m here at home.  My parents and my sister (and her hubs) went to the funeral—6 hours away.  Mother’s Day is tomorrow.  My dad’s birthday is tomorrow!  I won’t get to see either of them tomorrow because they are staying in Elizabeth City again tonight.     Kinda stinks.   Anyways….. softball today….at noon!  GO TARHEELS!  If we win today and both games next week, we will be in 1st place!!!

Right now, I have two songs (actually more) stuck on repeat in my head.  My family (not just Tony, me, and the Princess) are going through some things right now.    Some of them, I will discuss later.  Some I will have to wait until they are absolutely finalized before I can share anything.   Right now, the songs stuck on repeat are:  God Will Make a Way and Got Any Rivers? (or, at least I think that is the name!)   God Will Make a Way God will make a way When there seems to be no way. He works in ways we can not see. He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side. With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way. He will make a way. There are more words to that, but these are the ones on repeat!   Got Any Rivers? Got any rivers, you think are uncrossable? Got any mountains, you can’t tunnel through? God specializes in things thoug...

Here is Part 1 of this story. Now we are up to May. In May 2012, Tony and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. The last time we really went anywhere (like a trip) was in 2002—our first anniversary. The only reason we went anywhere then was because my best friend was getting married the day before our anniversary. So Tony and I took off to Kentucky (or West Virginia, I can’t remember). Anyways, we haven’t been anywhere since then for our anniversary. So this year, our anniversary fell on a Saturday. That was the first time it has been on a Saturday (since we got married)!!! So after the softball game that day, we left for the beach. We took all the stuff with us in the car. We changed clothes in the bathrooms at the ballfield. We left! The next morning, before we headed home, we walked on the beach for a while.    School let out on June 8th. On June 14th, we had to take Chasity to the ER. She couldn’t breathe. She...

A year ago this past Friday, I was informed that my Grandmother only had about a week to live. A year ago this past Saturday, I came home from my student teaching in tears and decided to take an Incomplete. A year ago yesterday, we took Grandmother off of all her feeding tubes and machines that were keeping her alive. We only left the oxygen. That means that a year ago this coming Saturday, my Grandmother went home to see her dad, her mom, and her Heavenly Father! A year ago, I was not sure I wanted to be a teacher any more. Today...I'm pretty sure I'm crazy for wanting to be a teacher, but I know I can do it. A year ago, I had no idea how strong I could really be. Today...I'm still not strong every day, but I know I can be when I need to! I know that God only puts on us what we can stand. So I know that I can do whatever I have to do!

My high school band director used to say "Time's fun when you're having flies!" I always thought that was funny. I don't know why! :) Friday night, Tony found Chasity's pics from her 2nd birthday! She really DID have one! lol I was beginning to think I dreamed it! Later that evening, I went to the Crop with my friend. I finished Chasity's second book. Next time, I get to start on her 3rd book. Right now, it's going to be very small. I can only find Christmas and her 4th birthday! I'll add more when I can find more! lol I can't wait to start on her other books that I have to print pics for. I have LOTS of pics to put in them! :) Saturday, our Girl Scout troop went to Plaster Creations! It's an awesome place where you can pick a plaster piece and paint it (check out that alliteration)!! You dry it with a hair dryer. They seal it. You take it home the same day! I have pics of the pieces for a different post! Sunday we had an...

In a perfect world, I'd have all my assignments finished. I would know exactly what's going to go into my unit plan. I wouldn't have to worry about it. In a perfect world, I'd have a job that helped my husband pay the bills and we wouldn't have to stress out about Christmas this year. In a perfect world, my parents would be home for Thanksgiving instead of travelling to TN. In a perfect world, I would be able to get everything done. And, I'd want to do it. However, since my world (nor anyone else's) is perfect, I have no idea what is going to go into my unit plan that is due on Monday afternoon. I have no idea when I'll have time to look up things to include or actually even type it up. In my world, I don't have a job. I have worked very little (including at the daycare) since January. I have no idea how we are going to do Christmas this year....even just for Chasity. However, the Lord is faithful and I will continue to trust HIM for everythin...