A Case of the Chicken Pox

Yes, our family recently underwent a severe case of the chicken pox -- fortunately neither Pablo nor I were affected. The victim, in fact, was our guest room.



That's because the previous owners had painted that poor room the most hideous shade of pale toothpaste green. Not to mention the strange yellowish tint that extended about two inches onto the ceiling. And they had also been rather careless in their shelf-fastening techniques (seriously, five stripped screws in two shelves?).

Pablo and I finally decided that it was time to clear out the mountian of book boxes, the spare bed, and all of the other various things that had wandered into the room, and give it a fresh coat of paint. I was put in charge of patching holes while Pablo took down the ugly cheapo shelves and prepped the rest of the room. By the time I was done -- well, you can see the results below! How on earth does a single room (and a small one, at that) acquire so many dents? And please tell me that most people are smart enough to take off their switchplates and outlet plates before painting?



Fortunately, Pablo and I have almost identical tastes in paint colors, so it was not difficult to find a color that we liked -- in our case, "Drawbridge" for the walls and "Creamy White" for the trim. Eventually all of the trim will be the same color, but we're only tackling this room for the present.



I must confess that I *love* to paint! When my dad was building our house when I was 13, I had a blast getting to paint my own room (and several others, as well!). Pablo touched up the ceiling with spray paint, and we set to work on the walls -- to our surprise, our paint smelled like Tootsie Rolls! *smile* We used Olympic from Lowe's -- no VOCs in the paint itself (though there are some in the coloring additives).



Some leftover khaki paint in the garage did very nicely for the closet (which was in even worse shape than the room), and once we finish painting the doors, the room will be complete. Home, Sweet Home -- and it's much sweeter now!

Because We All Need Cheering Up...

...and let's face it, Hugh Laurie is about the best way to do it!



I think Pablo and I have watched this about a dozen times in the past few days, and I still roll with laughter every time I see it!

I must warn you to avoid watching other "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" sketches. Unfortunately most of their material is far from suitable.

Historical Cuisine

Terrible, terrible things can happen when you decide to have dinner at 10:00 at night.

Especially if you're tired.

Especially if you're fond of history.

Especially if you're finishing off a bag of Potato Sticks and starting a bag of Tater Tots.



I blame it on Pablo -- he's the one who stands up his Tater Tots on the baking sheet. And well, when I saw those handy slabs of potato, the urge to recreate Stonehenge was too much to resist. So I didn't.



Who says you can't play with your food!

Humbling Renewal

"The renewed man

acts

upon new principles,

by new rules,

with new ends,

and in new company.

The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though the same as a man, he is changed in his character and conduct.

These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation. The man who formerly saw no beauty in the Saviour that he should desire him, now loves him above all things. The heart of the unregenerate is filled with enmity against God, and God is justly offended with him.

Yet there may be reconciliation.

Our offended God has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. By the inspiration of God, the Scriptures were written, which are the word of reconciliation; showing that peace has been made by the cross, and how we may be interested therein.

Though God cannot lose by the quarrel, nor gain by the peace, yet he beseeches sinners to lay aside their enmity, and accept the salvation he offers.

Christ knew no sin.

He was made Sin;

not a sinner,

but Sin,

a Sin-offering,

a Sacrifice for sin.

The end and design of all this was, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, might be justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

Can any

lose,

labour,

or suffer

too much for Him,

who gave his beloved Son to be the Sacrifice for their sins,

that they might be made the righteousness of God in him?"

~ from Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthinans 5:16-21 ~
all emphases mine