I’m totally random today so it’s perfectly fitting that I link up with Andrea from Under Grace and Over Coffee. You will absolutely want to visit her site to read some wonderful ladies doing God’s work through writing and other ministries. I adore them all.
I know I have mentioned recently that we are completely the “Beverly Hillbillies” this summer. Our backyard make me shudder – between the plastic baby pool and the random sand toys, to the Lightning McQueen Slip ‘n’ Slide to a bird feeder in which the seeds are clumped together from too much moisture and beckons to be cleaned but I don’t want to so I don’t, to the patches of grass that WILL NOT grow because of our dog and said baby pool and Slip ‘n’ Slide, we are quite a sight. I used to think I would rather die than have all of this stuff sitting around and felt that I always needed to apologize or explain but I don’t anymore. Anyone who walks into my home and spends more than five minutes with us will know why our backyard looks the way it does.
It’s happy chaos. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I would change it if I really wanted to but the great thing about being almost 37 (gasp) is that I don’t worry about stuff like this anymore because it is so not a big deal. Whew.
This is what my mother sent to me this past week via email:
Redneck Hanging Basket
I find this to be completely fitting and apropos for our backyard decor. I also have several old bras that need a new purpose. I think I found a way to use them.
I just wrote a piece for Exemplify on decorating your home for autumn on a budget – I’m just sorry I didn’t see this before the article was submitted. This would have been a great idea to share with the readers of Exemplify don’t you think?
We will line our fence with these planters and I know it will look lovely. Then I will put temporary tattoos on my children and we’ll lounge around our plastic pool. Please don’t send me hate mail about people with tats – I married one. I know about your breed. I love you all.
On another note, I want to thank Jen from “Finding Heaven Today” for honoring me this week with the “Blog of Substance” Award. I love the meaning behind this award and it’s an honor to be considered of substance, so thank you sweet Jen. I enjoy your blog immensely and love that you are also a fellow writer.
As part of this award, I am asked to use just five words to describe my blog…Tough one but here’s what I came up with:
I WRITE FOR GOD’S GLORY.
It’s not earth-shattering or too riveting, but it’s true. I don’t write for my glory. It’s for Him.
On that note, God has placed it on my heart to share something as part of my “Life Story” series next week that was a source of pain for me at one time and very controversial. I’m worried how it will be perceived and yet I’ve been feeling the tap on the shoulder to share and I no longer can deny the call. My delayed obedience has resulted in disobedience and I feel like I can’t put it any longer. I’ll publish it Wednesday or Thursday. Please pray for my courage and for those who will be reading.
Happy weekend to you all. See you on Monday, dear friends!
I love the redneck planter!!! Reminds me of the high school senior prank with all the bras thrown everywhere in the halls of Lawrence north.
Too funny! I had forgotten about that – yes, absolutely follows the same theme, Lisa!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
So glad you’re blogging. I love your voice! Cannot wait to keep reading. Hope to see you sooner than later!
Jeni
Thanks, Jeni! So thankful to reconnect with you – you were always one of my faves!
The planter is a re-assurance to all of us who look out the back window and shudder. Regretfully, I have no bras whose color is taken from petunias. Perhaps, I should evaluate that?
Congratulations on your award, and I already knew that about your five words:-)
.-= Maggie S.´s last blog ..Button- Button- Whos got =-.
Oh so glad to hear I’m not the only one with a Beverly Hillbillies backyard…:) I’m with you – I think my boring beiges, whites, and blacks might not look as pretty as this one. We SHOULD rethink this – let’s remember this when we bra shop in the future!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Maggie!
Great randomness!! I was looking for Andrea’s link up today, but I guess she’s taking a break. I’ve never seen anything like that nice planter. LOL.
Lounge away sista!
.-= Kela´s last blog ..As of Late… =-.
Yes, it’s a real beaut! The great thing is that all of us women can do these so very easily…Do you need a bra planter, too? Thanks for reading and commenting, Kela!
Girl! I didn’t know you wrote for Exemplify! Check my post out today. Too funny.
I love the plant hanger. Did you know that you can do virtually the same thing with extra disposable diapers your kids have outgrown? Yep. Just punch some holes in the back, taper ‘er together and add the flowers of your choice. Also, it sounds like you need a new bird feeder. You could also use extra diapers for bird feeders. Or a bird bath…those diapers absorb a lot!
I’m praying for you in regards to next week’s post. Remember, Natalie, whatever you share, God loves you and has forgiven you, and you’ve been “washed by the water”. Your life experiences are being used for His glory; the enemy can’t persecute you and if anyone judges or persecutes you for what you share then they are being used as a puppet for the enemy. It takes great courage and obedience to put ourselves out there for the entire world to see. You are these things. HUGS
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Caffeinated Randomness- This and That =-.
Erin, you are so funny! I love the diaper idea – maybe I could alternate them along our fence – diaper planter, bra planter, diaper planter…Lord knows we have no shortage of diapers in this house! Great idea!
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I absolutely love your words of wisdom – I am saving them for when I feel like I need some courage to be real because even though I know I have been cleansed and am as white as snow, sometimes I feel nervous about being too transparent. But then I think if I’m not willing to be totally transparent and honest, then why am I blogging/writing in the first place? Life is not always rainbows and unicorns (though often it is!) and I want to always be thought of us someone who was never afraid to address the big white elephant in the room.
Thanks again for your sweet words. Can’t wait until Relevant!!!
I cannot tell you how relieved I am to finally have something to do with all my old bras. I work so hard at being green and all.
Grin.
Oh, and congrats on your award, Miss Substance! I’ll be looking forward to the next segment of the Life Story. Have a great weekend!
.-= GlowinGirl´s last blog ..A Time to Embrace and Other Books to Read =-.
Absolutely! We must always be thinking of what other uses we can have for old things – even if it is a bit unconventional.
Hope you are well, GlowinGirl! Shall we get together soon?
Love the planter! What a hoot! ;-)
I always look forward to your blog postings. I am learning to be closer to the life that God wants for us by reading your blogs and how it is woven into our everyday lives.
Thank you for that! I love your humor Miss Natalie.
Hugs to all of you!
Lana
Well, didn’t you just make me tear up, Lana Banana? Comments like this keep me writing what God places on my heart. Thanks, girl.
I’ll pass the hugs around – thanks for those!!!!
Your blog is such an inspiration to me and I thank you for sharing your life with us. I can’t wait to read more. God has blessed you with so much talent.
Love
Kae
Kae, thank you so much. God has blessed us all with so much talent but in all different ways, don’t you think? I love that about Him.
I hope you are doing well, sweet Kae! Thank you for reading and commenting!
First of all — you totally made me smile with the bra picture. I think it would fit right in with Exemplify, no? I am actually new to that magazine — I just read the July issue. It’s great! I can’t wait to read your new article!
Also, I will be praying for you as you write out your life — the good, the bad, and the ugly. You never know how something will be perceived, but you also never know whose heart you will radically touch. If that is not writing for God’s glory, what is?
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Random Beach Musings =-.
I do think it would be great for Exemplify! Yes, I do! I just wrote articles for the May and June issues so you’ll have to check out the back issues when you get a free moment. HA!
Thank you for your prayers and thank you again for the sweet award!
that’s so funny!!! Thanks for stopping by my blog!! So glad to have found you!
.-= julia´s last blog ..Say Cheese! =-.
That planter is hilarious!!!! My husband is going to get a kick out of it…
.-= Kristen ´s last blog ..Its Friday!!! =-.
Sadly, one day your kids will be too big for that baby pool & you’ll kinda wish it was in your back yard. Mine are only 9 & 11, but what I wouldn’t give to have them little again!! I wish I had your perspective on the cleanliness of things when mine were little! Though now (at about the same age as you), I don’t care as much! It’s nice to have something to do with old bras, though unfortunately I could only fit about one flower per cup! Congrats on the award ~ that’s a nice one to get!!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Do it Again =-.
OMG!! This is too funny!!
Love it.
Sadie at heyMamas
.-= Sadie at heyMamas´s last blog ..The Beach =-.
how do you get the bra to hold the plants since there is no bottom to the bra. like i know there are the cups but it has no bottom support if you know what i mean. i really want to try to do that though