The Life of Mrs. Miles

'HE LOVES ME' WORD FLOWER ELEMENT (BIG!)

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Well I hope I can get back to the land of the living again this week. You know, for a bit, on Saturday, we felt great – I even got all dolled up – yes, the nails, the hair, high heels – and we went out to dinner! We had a terrific meal and some time together but later, at home, my illness returned with a vengeance! It was awful and yesterday was awful too. I'm not complaining, its just the way things are. I was certainly grateful for the opportunity to dress up and spend time in the wonderful company of my handsome husband.

I'm simply overwhelmed by you all – such an outpouring of well wishes and anniversary wishes ... if there's another thing I'm actually grateful for in being ill is being humbled by you – here many of us have only ever connected on line, and yet you take time out to care for me. I've finally found time to organize and 'clean up' after the PJ party. It was sure a lot of fun... I want to do something like this in the future!

PJ Party Gallery 2

I have to tell you about something that really moved me. If you see Demetria in my PJ Party slideshow #2... well, Demetria is African American and she asked me if I could make some appropriate adjustments to my fingers in my PJ Party Pack. I am so grateful to you Demetria for bringing this issue to my mind. I have since adjusted the digits and emailed them off to you. You opened my eyes and reminded me that we are not all white out here! How selfishly our minds can get thinking!

I'm going to post a second slide show here as I've had so many neat things come my way and can't see how I can possibly post them on blogger – it complains after only 5 pictures are uploaded at a time, so this is the very best solution.

valentines

Soooo... what did Mr. Miles surprise me with for an anniversary gift? Ahhh.. he knows my love language and he bought me a membership to the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. My membership has all sorts of benefits (which will ultimately be benefitting you too, no?) Some benefits include magazines, discounts on software and loads of tutorials. This gift will keep on giving back to me all year long.

My gift to Miles was a set of 6 pictures. They are all romantically themed paintings which I gathered from a lover's journal I had picked up long ago a the thrift store. The book itself was ruined in some areas, so was not suitable to be used as a journal. I simply took the most beautiful paintings and cut them out and, after backing them with scrapbook paper, laid them into six glass frames. These will grace our bedroom in our new house. I also bought a deck of romantic conversation cards.

I thank the Lord that I have been blessed with my wonderful husband for all these years. Though you may ask we will tell you we've simply stopped counting the years – each one is as precious to us as the last – each one a milestone. We remember when we were teaching marital workshops and how newlyweds told us how discouraging it was when people would ask how long they were married and upon a small number of years, would be told “Oh, your just newly weds, you just wait, the romance will wear off!” Well, it does if you LET it – Miles and I made a choice to never let it, and to never tell how long!

When we read 2 Corinthians 12 we find many qualities of love shining through:

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  Ultimate love pursues the beloved. It is a love of action that perseveres against great odds and never gives up. “I come to you,” Paul writes.
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  Ultimate love is unselfish – undemanding and compassionate. “I will not be a burden to you,” Paul says.
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  Ultimate love values the beloved. “I do not seek what is yours, but you.” Paul reassures.
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  Ultimatel love freely assumes responsibility for the welfare of the beloved. “I am responsible for you,” Paul states.
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  Ultimate love gives to the limit without totalling the cost. “I will gladly spend and be expended for you.” Paul affirms.
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  Ultimate love grows in expression and does not diminish, regardless of the nature of the response. “I will love you the more.” says Paul.
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  Ultimate love is pure in motive and action, unadulterated by self-centered considerations. “I will not take advantage of you,” Paul promises. “I will not exploit you. Everything I do is for your strengthening and building up.”

ROMANCE

I will make brooches and toys for your delight
Of birdsong at morning and starshine at night.
I will make a palace fit for you and me
Of green days in forests and blue days at sea.
I will make my kitchen and you shall keep your room
Where white flows the river and bright blows the broom,
And you shall wash your linen and keep your body white,
In rainfall and morning and dewfall at night
And this shall be for music when no one else is near,
The fine song for music, the rare song to hear!
That only I remember, that only you admire,
Of the broad road that stretches and the roadside fire.

Robert Lewis Stevenson

Miles and I heard a most interesting article on the radio, about a swimmer who intends on swimming the Amazon River. It's fascinating and worth the time to listen. This man will only be 1/3 his body weight by the time he finishes.

BARB'S HANDY TIP #192
Do It Yourself

This website is chock full of information and resources for do-it-yourselfers. Anyone from beginner to well established will find something to challenger here:

DO IT YOURSELF HOME IMPROVEMENT