Mistakes, dogs and grace

Making mistakes is part of living.  But, I really don't like it.  Does anyone?

Just wanted to give you a little insight into my last  few weeks and the SURSEE of a phone call...

First, a little backgound.

Our dog died back in December.

Thinking we needed to get a new dog while the boys were home, we purchased a miniature dachshund.

Cute, sweet, but we didn't count the cost.

Dachshunds are hard to potty train + We are entering empty nesting stage = Not the right dog for us.

Basic question I kept asking myself:

Can I make a mistake?  Is there grace for me?

A friend knows someone who raises dachshunds. Has bunches of them.

 My friend just met dachshund mamma.

My friend makes the phone call, and the gal wants the dog. Woo-Hoo!

Can I make a mistake?  Is there grace for me?

Next day we have the Dachshund Drop Off.  Of course, Gatsby is a perfect angel all morning, sitting so perky right under my chair and being on his best behavior, sending me into waves of doubt and distress .  But when the phone rings, and they say they are ready for him, we know it is the right thing to do.

Well, mostly sure.
The Bear is sure, me not so much, but we drop him off with all his paraphernalia.

 Can I make a mistake?  Is there grace for me?

They ooh and ahh over him...he's a beauty.

 And bam, Gatsby is off to his new home in dachshund land.

Can I make a mistake?  Is there grace for me?

I know this saga might sound a little silly to some of you, but I really struggled with this.  What kind of person gives away their dog?

But I am reminded that God is gracious and loving.

God provided the perfect home for Gatsby- a family that loves dachshunds and has a daughter who wants one.  

~Freedom~

It is ok to make mistakes.  And, God does have grace for me.

Waking up the next morning, hearing the thunder and gentle rain falling, the Bear and I high five that we don't have to go out into the elements with the Divo Dog.

"He is playing on the ranch with all his friends." said the Bear. Ahh, so fun, I think.

Later that day, I receive this from the new owner.

Gatsby is happy and is playing on the dachshund ranch, and I have learned an important lesson.

It is ok to make a mistake. 

 I am not perfect. I know that sounds ridiculous, but hey, we all think we are at times, right?

God always has a plan.

Freedom and Grace walk hand in hand when you are walking with Him.

I am happy. The Bear is happy.  Gatsby is really happy.

Freedom.  Mistakes made.  Grace received.  A new day.

My Cup Overflows

Recently I received this from a friend.

I hung it in my kitchen by our coffee maker to remind me every day.  I still forget.  I need to be reminded.

While lunching with a friend yesterday, she commented on how our cups are filled and overflowing.  I nodded, um hmm, yes.

When I returned home, I saw my art work and was reminded, yes, indeed, My cup does overflow.

I need to be reminded over and over of all the blessings He has given me.  That He fills my cup.  That He is faithful and good.  I need to remind others of this truth.

I think that is one of the reasons I want to blog.  To share the ways my cup overflows. To remind you. To remind me.  God knows I am frail and need reminding and need big pictures of His grace toward me.

So remind someone today that his or her cup overflows.  Remind yourself.  It is a SURSEE we all need.

White Space

"White space is what you need, Leslie."  I heard and understood exactly what she meant.

Aspens and a hidden bird

I need to create places in my life that are not cluttered.  Not set.  So I can, what?  Sit a spell.  Hard for me to do.  How about you?

I looked up the definition of white space:









In page layout, illustration and sculpture, white space is often referred to as negative space. It is the portion of a page left unmarked: the space between graphics, margins,gutters, space between columns, space between lines of type or figures and objects drawn or depicted. 

Ahhh...unmarked spaces.  That is definitely what I need.


The term arises from graphic design practice, where printing processes generally use white paper. White space should not be considered merely 'blank' space — it is an important element of design which enables the objects in it to exist at all, the balance between positive (or non-white) and the use of negative spaces is key to aesthetic composition.

I like that too.  It is an important element of design.  I think the Creator designed us to have white space.  Time to sit with Him.  Time to not be productive with our hands.  What does that look like? I am really not sure, but I want to practice that this summer.  Wanna join me?

Butterflies enjoying white space

 When space is at a premium, such as some types of magazine, newspaper, and yellow pages advertising, white space is limited in order to get as much vital information on to the page as possible. A page crammed full of text or graphics with very little white space runs the risk of appearing busy, cluttered, and is typically difficult to read. 

When my life has no white space it also runs the risk of appearing busy, cluttered and is difficult!

Judicious use of white space can give a page a classic, elegant, or rich appearance. For example, upscale brands often use ad layouts with little text and a lot of white space. 


I love that idea of judicious use of white space.  That is what I am going for this summer.  I want to be an upscale brand with little text and lots of white space.

So for right now, I am trying to say no to things.  Trying to schedule in time to rest.  Time to think.  Time to write and read.  I really want to learn how to sit and rest and not do.  Like a good friend says, "We are human BEINGS not human DOINGS."

So, white space here I come!  White space = SURSEE for me this summer.

Painted Parade- I love a Parade!

Ok, y'all.

Gotta do some bragging on my niece, Alyson.  She is an amazing gal who can paint like nobody's business.  Wanted to show you her newest Etsy site, called Painted Parade

She is painting plastic animals and they are adorable.  Who would have thought?

I want one of each!

She is also painting dinosaurs all decked out in their finery.   They have SURSEE written all over them!

Lester the Dinosaur

 Use them for a party or a decoration or just to set by your sink to make you smile.

Here Comes the Circus!

Look how cute they look as they marched across the table of a recent Baby Shower

These are a Sursee worth savoring.








Alyson also has an amazing business in San Antonio- go check out her work at Painting Places.  She would love to paint something special for you!

* Disclaimer *
Don't want to be an infomercial or anything, I just want to be a connector...  I love connecting people,
and I think you need to know about Aly!  Enjoy her work~