Signs of a Decaying Society

Key points from today's sermon really got me thinking:

6 Signs of a Decaying Society:

1. Marriage loses its sacredness
2. The traditional marriage ceremony is diminished as couples today often don't even know what the words mean
3. Feminist Movement led to a decline in the birthrate
4. There is an increase in disrespect for authority and parents
5. Increase in juvenile delinquency
6. Increase acceptance of homosexuality as the norm and immoral sex in general

As a public school teacher of 22 years, I can say I am in the trenches and see how much of this has impacted teenagers daily.  I teach 7th grade and have seen two pregnant 8th graders this year.  They are not ashamed but rather proud.  Our government makes it entirely too easy for these girls to procreate like rabbits.  I've seen many in my career, but what took the cake was two years ago I had a pregnant 6th grader.  They are pretty much imitating their parents.  Our country is in a mess, and as my pastor said this morning, it has been gradual.  When I started out 23 years ago, it was not this bad.  Lord, help us.

Southern Quaintness 2

This little prayer chapel is so cute.  I don't know the history behind it......yet.  I plan to research it when I am off this summer.  I wonder when it was built....and why.....and by whom.  Was it used by travellers passing by?  Or, was it for the local folks?

Cats on Tuesday

Cats on Tuesday are cat lovers who write about their cats once a week.  For more pictures and stories, go to Gattina's.

Below:  My Lovey in "his" sink

Below:  I felt like I had been neglecting my girls lately.  Here are Snowflake and Minnie chillin'.

Right:  The brothers Thumper and Humpty Dumpty have taken over *my* end of the couch. You should know that if I am on MY end of the couch and get up, Humpty will leave the other end and come take my spot.  He is very picky!

Blooming Where You are Planted

I am a follower of moneysavingmom.com, as many thousands of people are.  Crystal's post this weekend really hit home with me.  I must be honest and say I don't really like what I do for a living.....nor do I like where I do it.  Having said that, I *do* believe it is what I am meant to do and I do it very well (by all my evaluations)----I just don't like it.   To me, there is an abundance of unnecessary stress for very little in return.  I believe God used her post "Learn to Bloom Where You are Planted" to speak to me.  For a couple of years I have felt I was where I was meant to be; I just didn't *like* it.  Now, I will try to approach it with a different attitude.

Have you ever felt this way?  While you didn't really like where you were, you knew you needed to *bloom* there?

Free Mary Kay Cosmetics

One area where I splurge is in cosmetics, NOT clothes.  I love Mary Kay cosmetics, especially the skin care products.  Friday afternoon I got an e-vite to a MK event on Saturday; I could not make it.  Last night my consultant called me with the news that she had put my name in as mystery hostess, and I WON!  I could not believe it.  What you see is about $150 in products (including MK sunglasses) in a beach bag with a South Carolina beach towel (a huge one at that).  There were some things I would not use, so she let me swap out equal product.  I have won things in the past, but nothing like this.  I have the chance to try products I wanted to try that I would never otherwise have tried.

I consider this a blessing. 

,02 for Skinny Cow!

So CVS had these small cups of Skinny Cow for $1.00 this week (regularly $1.69).  I had 2 $1.00 coupons, so I paid $.02 for them.  I love this kind of deal!

Rachael Ray Cookware Giveaway

Who doesn't love free stuff?  Especially quality cookware like Rachael Ray's?  I have her bubble and brown casseroles and love them.  Well, head on over to Katy's to see how you can win these.

Quaint Little Southern Town

There's a lot I love about living in the South.  One of the things is there are many small (tiny) towns.  I pass this tiny little barbershop often.  I think it's so cute .

Cats on Tuesday

Cats on Tuesday are cat lovers who write about their furry darlings once a week----on Tuesday.  For more cat pics, go to Gattina's.

I labelled this picture, "Go Away," because it seems that Humpty Dumpty is pushing Snowflake away.

Notice the cup in the background:  "All lives should have 9 Cats"....well, I have 6---Here is Lovey enjoying the spare sink in my bathroom again.

Matthew and Lovey watching TV

I had to include a picture of the brothers.  I call this one "The Pillow"

Blueberry Parfait

Two things I love are blueberries and Kashi cereal.  For a healthy dessert I pair the two with lowfat vanilla Greek yogurt.  Yummmmooooo