Vintage Reading: The Bible and You...

Two weeks ago I went to my favorite little thrift store. It’s my little secret store where I find fantastic deals! During this visit I found a little vintage book for 25 cents called Your Bible and You.  I was instantly drawn to the little book because of the cool retro illustrations. (I mean, if I can’t find Pyrex, then I want to see it in a drawing right?)

I was in between books at the time, so I thought that I would take a look at it, and I fell in love with this little book. It’s by Arthur Maxwell, and by Google I found that he was a leader in the Seventh Day Adventist movement, but there is little in the book that supports this doctrine.

Although the illustrations and some of the content are a little corny, I enjoyed reading about the problems that faced Christian in 1959. These issues are not that different from what we face today. Christians faced the uncertainties of what the Cold War could bring the way we worry about terrorism. People were as unsure about the economy and government, but the Bible provided the answers and assurance needed to face challenges just like it does today. Christ is the same Person today as he was over 50 years ago and will be the same forever.

Sometimes a simple message might be just what you need to hear. This was a great quarter spent!!! 

It's A New Day!

Well, I am finally back after almost a year, and what a year this has been!! I have learned a whole lot over the past 12 months.

A year ago, I started a new job. I basically started it out of desperation, afraid that I wouldn't find anything else. So I took the first offer I had, even though I had a small gut feeling that it was not the best idea. This was lesson number one that had to be learned: listen to that feeling!!

This began a very difficult year. I learned a lot at my job, but I also struggled. It was fun at times, but I was miserable at the same time. Nothing and I mean nothing went right! Finally, as I was in bed sick from stress, I finally decided that enough was enough. I had to make a tough choice.

This week I decided to take a step of faith and resign from my job. It doesn’t really matter why. What matters is that I am grabbing hold of my faith, and trusting that God is going to provide for me. I’m taking time to think about what He wants and what is best for me.

So for now I am going to focus on what makes me happy, which are the little things in life: a cup of coffee, my Bible or a good vintage book. And don’t forget about a good meal decorated with beautiful Pyrex! Yes, life is good, and I can’t wait to enjoy it again!!! 

I Have a Job!!

Hello World if You’re Out There!

It’s been over a month since I last posted. The main reason that I started my blog was because I was unemployed and looking for something to do during some much needed free time. Well, I didn’t have much time because last month I once again became part of the workforce!!!!!

It’s not a full-time teaching job, but it is with children and it’s full-time and in education, so I am very excited. It is not an easy job, and it’s long hours so quite frankly I have been too tired to even get on the computer.

As of right now I am trying to prioritize my life and decide on what I consider important enough to continue and other time-wasting activities I can give up for the moment. I have definitely decided to keep the blog going.

I don’t think that anybody really looks at this, but it’s important for me to do something that I enjoy and releases some of my stress.

So yes, I’m still here. A little tired, but I’m here!!

Pyrex: Small Addition!

This was not one of my greatest weeks. I had a horrible toothache starting last Friday and going through Monday before I could go to the dentist. So I was in bed for most of the week. This was the only time when I was really glad that I didn't have a job…

I was well enough Friday to get up and do a little thrift shopping, and boy did I find some deals! This was one of those times when I was able to find Pyrex to complete some of my collections at a great price.

For example, I found a small Cinderella casserole bowl to go with my Square Flower Verde collection plus a lid to fit the larger bowl! This was a welcome addition! I pick up Pyrex lids whenever I find them because I hardly ever find a bowl and lid set together. Even if I don’t have the dish, I might some day!

I will be taking pictures and documenting my other great finds soon! 

Reading List: Northanger Abbey

After reading a books as long as A Portrait of A Lady, my mother and I decided to read a couple of little fun classic novels; and what better novels than Jane Austin’s! I am an avid fan of Pride and Prejudice, and no one wants to marry Mr. Darcy as much as myself; but I have to admit that I had yet to read three of Miss Austin’s novels: Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and Northanger Abby. So we decided to begin with Northanger Abby.

I actually started reading Northanger Abby while waiting at the movies late Thursday night during the Midnight showing of The Hunger Games, and the enjoyment that the story brought me made the wait go by very fast!

It’s a very short book, with the characteristic that makes it completely Jane Austin:

1.    It involves young girls.

2.    There are always two men pulling at the heroine’s heartstrings.

3.    A heartbreaking event almost prevents the heroine from being with her love.

4.    All plots are tied up neatly.

5.    The heroine is happily engaged or married.

Northanger Abby has everything you could wish for. I haven’t spoiled any ending for someone who has yet to read this, because you don’t know who the luck man is that is going to sweep Miss Catherine Moreland off of her feet!! A very nice read indeed!! 

Pyrex: Square Flower Verde Casserole Bowls

The other day I came across some Pyrex Square Flower Verde Cinderella casserole bowls. Several months ago I would have just walked by these, but I have started to dig the retro green and orange colors. They remind me of the grooviness of the 70’s. So I went ahead and bought them for a pretty cheap price. Now I just need to find the lids and the larger bowl to complete the set.

They go pretty good on one of my mother’s placemats from her 1975 wedding! What once was considered dated is now considered cool!  

Reading List: The Portrait of a Lady

This week my mother and I finished The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James. 

This is the second book in the past couple of months that I have read by Henry James. The last one was The Bostonians. I have to admit that I really was leery of reading another one of this author’s books because I found The Bostonians to be somewhat boring with a ton of narration. Mr. James seems to have a hard time letting his characters do the explaining.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the book! It is based in Europe, which I love, and has a somewhat Jane Austin feel; although Henry James seems to be somewhat anti Jane Austin by the way he depicts his heroines at the same time. I find Henry James to be somewhat of a sexist, but I guess that was pretty common in 1881!

The only thing that bothers me is the main character in the story, Isabel. How can one woman have so many men dying to marry her?! I mean, seriously, I wonder what it’s like to meet a man and have him fall all over you the first time you meet? A little unrealistic…

Other than that and it being over 600 pages, it’s a really great read! It was so good that 613 pages didn’t really feel that overwhelming. Good job Mr. James!!