Driven by Jealousy and Envy

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming but who can stand before jealousy?  (Proverbs 27:4)

I'd bet if I asked most of you are driven by jealousy and envy you would answer NO very quickly.  I would too.  If you are like me you probably equate being driven by jealousy similarly to being consumed by jealousy.  However, there is a huge difference in those words, driven and consumed.  

By definition being driven means you are compelled or have an urge, being consumed means to take in, to expend, or to destroy.

The recent shootings at the theater in Colorado are so frightening and unsettling.  My heart breaks for those parents who children did not return home after the midnight showing.   Like several others that I know, I  also had a child who also went to the theater for the midnight opening here in SC.  I cannot shake the feeling that the person who committed this crime must have been consumed by some type of jealousy.  Something he felt he could not have but deserved, perhaps something as simple as attention or notoriety in his case.  Who knows?  Only God!

  I won't attempt to define the word jealousy here.  Did you know that the definition for jealousy is even hotly debated by scientists?  My first thoughts on this were huh, why?  But then if you think about it wisely you can understand how we all seem to have our very own definitions of jealousy.  

Sometimes we think of jealousy as being acceptable.  You know, as in being just a little bit jealous or envious, just a tad.  I know that I have allowed myself to feel envy many times lately.  My latest subject of envy involves the woman who operates a fruit and vegetable stand with her husband here in my little town.  I cannot help but look on her with envy when I pass by on my way to work.  I see her there in the mornings uncovering their wares underneath the roof a very old broken down shack of a building that used to be a corner store back in it's hay day.  It is now literally is a decrepit old wooden shack.  She is usually clad in cut off blue jeans, no makeup, barefoot and holding a baby on her hip.  The baby is just one of many small children along with a few teens on occasion.  Her hair is usually pulled up high in a loosely contained ponytail in attempt to escape the heat of day and her body is nicely tanned and very well toned.  I am assuming she is so fit from from all the hard labor of growing a crop to sell by the roadside.    I am jealous because I think she has the life!  No pressures, and no worries from the conventional lifestyle that I lead.  She is a farmers wife, complete with a bustle of children an adorable farm house, a field of fresh food and a schedule set by the pace of her own choosing.  But the truth is, I really don't know.  I don't know her story at all.  I've never stopped to ask about her story.  I have stopped and bought delicious tomatoes from her, though I have not inquired about her lifestyle.   Perhaps it was jealousy keeping me from getting to know her more or a fear of sounding rude.  I also don't want to face the fact that she might even laugh at my jealousy of her simple lifestyle.

If I were to move beyond my envy I might just make a new friend.  In fact the truth is that if I were to let go of all the jealousy's which are holding me back in life there might be something more.   The bible speaks very clearly about being wary of jealousy and envy yet we still do not take it very seriously. 

And I saw, that all labor and all achievement spring from man’s envy of his neighbor.  This too is meaningless, a chasing of the wind. (Ecclesiastes 4:4)

This verse and the ones that follow the verse above teach us quite a bit about the hollowness of chasing after that of another.  For when you are so busy looking at another you are not focused on all that you have and have been given.  Jealousy not only destroys the chance of true friendships and relationships but it also eats away at the relationship we have our lord, Jesus Christ.  Unwittingly perhaps, allowing jealously in your life pulls your trust away from God our provider.  Satan will use whatever he can to destroy that trust.   Destroying friendships and relationships which are at the heart of Christ is what jealousy and envy will do if you allow it too..."who can stand? ".  

Did you notice the question mark at the end of the first verse?  I did!  It's there!  It questions us (or me) to stop and think.  There is no doubt that jealously and envy are deeply rooted in this world.  But we can take a stand against it.  We cannot cure the jealousy of another but we can surely work on our own hearts thus opening the door to others.  Will you also take a stand against jealousy?   You and I can trust in the Lord to show us the way.

I am sharing this with you today as part of my own

Sharing Jesus Sundays.

I hope you enjoyed this long overdo devotional style post today as I attempt to share with you my thoughts and love for Jesus Christ and his word.  

Have a blessed Sunday!

When Lightening Strikes

Why is it that just when it seems as if you are smoothly sailing along something strikes sending life into a turmoil?  Is that the way it is with you?  It seems that way for us quite a bit and this week was no exception.  Monday night we were struck by lightening.  The damage we recieved was miminal compared to what I have seen others experience but it was an unsettling experience none the less.

One of the best features of my back yard is my BIG beautiful old oaks.  When we built the pool last year we chose to keep the ones we could because they would provide a nice amount of shade during the summers hottest months.  We knew there would be lot's of maintance with them concerning the leaves in the fall and winter but chose to keep them anyway because we enjoy their beauty that much.

Late Monday afternoon while everyone was away a storm popped up and lightening struck one of our big beautiful trees.   The Mr. came home to find shreds of bark all over the pool and deck.

Our tree looks like it was attacked by a giant cat.  The terrible monterous cat also singed the fence as it traveled along the fence then jumped over to the pool pump and wreaked havoc on it.  

Our poor pump is still screaming in terror from the shock and will not stop.  We may have to send it away to restore some sanity around here.

Our big screen TV was so terrified by the shock of that huge horrible beast that it simply expired on the spot and took out the cable box and internet with it.

The cable repair Doctors came and fixed the damages to our home and our neighbors because the beast also traveled along the ground and worked his way over to our neighbors home following the cable lines.  I have not spoken with them yet to see if that nasty cat made it's way into their home as well.  I certainly hope not.  I hope he died right there on the line and was not able to wreak havoc on another family like ours.

I grieve for my tree as I do not know yet if it will survive.  It is not likely.

So sad to be reminded how quickly life can change in an instant.

Most importantly we are well and safe and for that I am so thankful.  I am sharing this with

 Outdoor Wednesday

Watch out for these summer storms yall!

May the sunshine be on your back!

My New Sofa Print

 Awhile back I posted about needing inspiration on what to do with the area above my sofa?  You can go here if you missed it.  Well, after thinking it through I decided what I really wanted here was a larger picture. As a rule of thumb I typically don't buy art unless it has some specific meaning for me.  It's just the way I've always rolled.  But needing  wanting a big substantial piece of art to make an impact above the sofa was not going to be cheap for what I like.  So, I searched and searched for just the right deal and... 

...look what I found!  Now that really is a nice great big print, isn't it?

Just look at the size of this thing!  And oh my stars is that one big beautiful frame or what?

What, you say?

  Come on!  Don't you see the value in this?  Well, I certainly did! 

 Of course the picture does leave a bit to be desired though doesn't it?  LOL!  I had you going there didn't I? 

 However, I just could not pass up this picture from Hobby Lobby's clearance isle.

I especially couldn't pass it up when I also found a print that I loved too.  To my delight the print was the exact size I needed to fit inside the matting perfectly and was on sale for half off.  All I needed to do was change out the pictures.   It was a little easier said then done but went fairly smoothly and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. 

Here's a few closes up of the print after I finished putting it in the frame.  I bet you can see why I like it so much now right?

This photo shows a close up of how well the existing matting coordinated with my new print.  

Not to bad for just under $55.00 Total!  I think it was a steal considering the original picture was priced at $199.99 before it went on clearance.  I couldn't find anything wrong with this frame though some of the others did have some damage, but not all of them.  They had several of these on the clearance isle so I am assuming it was the original picture (art) that was not selling. 

Here it is on the wall above one of my sofa's.   It has the sailboats that I was looking for and even has a bit of Tuscan feel to it too.  I love it!

I am still thinking about if I'm going to add anything else to each side of the picture.  I've got plenty of sconces I already own that I could use but am not sold on the idea just yet.  Since I'm not sure if I want to do that or anything else we are just going to enjoy it as it is for now.  

I thought I'd share this with you all today for

Metamorphosis Monday.

Because this really was quite a BIG change for us in the den now having a great big picture in here.  I especially loved that I was able to do this on budget and share it with you as well.    I know most of you do this already, but always think outside the box when looking at framed art.  Sometimes the values is all in the frame.

Thanks for stopping by!  Let me know what you think okay?

Have a great week!

Sailing and Dreaming with Mermaids

Are you as fascinated by Mermaids as I am?  If so, your going to enjoy your visit today into a world full of legends and mystery.  Mermaids are well known in the sailing world as being either a blessing or an omen depending upon the story. With that in mind, I've decided to create this post today in honor of my NEW LOOK  here at The Decorative Dreamer.  In case you didn't notice I made a new header for my blog and it now contains my old blog name (Sailing Simply) as well as my new blog name (The Decorative Dreamer).    I've also successfully merged all of my old blog posts over with my new blog.  This is a merge that makes my heart sing!

caseashells.com

I have mentioned before how much I have regretted changing over to a new blog.  In retrospect, I should have just changed the name only without creating a new URL then it would have been fairly easy to change back.  However, I had it in my mind at the time that I needed a new name and URL so I did. I can be kinda impetuous like that at times.  LOL!  What I wasn't prepared for was the expectations and limitations that would come with my new blog name as The Decorative Dreamer. In short, with my old blog name, Sailing Simply, I felt like I was more free to be who I truly am without any prior expectations.  I am a decorating blogger who also enjoys writing randomly about things I am interested in, amused by, sometimes even annoyed by and anything else that catches my fancy.  Mermaids have always captured my fancy, how about yours?

I love this scene above here that I found online.

Isn't it just dreamy?

  I used to own a mermaid statue that I absolutely adored.  It was large enough to fit in the middle of my bird bath.  Unfortunately, she met her untimely demise when we cut down a tree that crashed right on top of her. The Mr. really didn't want to tell me about that one! 

The statue I owned looked much like this one but was greenish in color though it certainly was not bronze.  It was a bargain find at TJ Maxx one year.   I have not yet been able to locate another in my price range that I really like.  I saw several at the beach this year but they were priced $50.00 and over which I just will not do.

Speaking of statues...check out this beauty along the Malta coast. Isn't she gorgeous?

...and this one is just amazing!  It almost seems like a real Mermaid that has become fossilized.

While creating this post I was contemplating a few post names and kept thinking of calling this post, 

"Reconnecting to my Inner Mermaid".  So I decided to google that and look what I found.

https://sites.google.com/site/mermaidshifting/home

This is a site that actually connects you to your inner mermaid through meditation I think.

It's a bit out there for me but shared with you anyway.  Just in case you want to go there.  LOL!

Now if I really wanted to reconnect with my inner Mermaid I need not go any further then my own commumnity.  You see, we actually have mermaids here on Lake Murray now among all the other legends that we have on our lake.  

Seriously!  There is even an article about them in my latest copy of our local magazine.  The real story is about a truly talented local photographer that has done some absolutely beautiful work photographing women on the lake as mermaids.  You can be one too!  

http://lakemurraymermaids.com/SeeTheMermaids.htm

I would so love to do this!  I haven't checked into it to see how much it is but I'm sure it's not cheap. Wouldn't this be so fun to do with a group of friends?  I think so!  Anyone interested?

Now if meditating or trans-meditating or whatever that is and the stunning photography shoots are just a little bit much for you. You can always pick up a few novels that might reconnect you to your inner mermaid.

I have read this one and can tell you it was fantastic!  It's by a SC author out of Charleston.  She has so many other wonderful books too!  It is not so much about a Mermaid as it about the true spirit of freedom of self.  This is a fantastic dive into the depths of love, legends, and saints.  A great summer read!

This book I have NOT read...yet!  It appears to be a romance novel that also encompasses the lore of mermaids and lovers.  Hmm??? I may have to try and find this one.  The reviews seems pretty good for this type of genre.  

I've NOT read this book yet either.  I definitely will have to find this one.  It reviews that it was inspired by The Little Mermaid and is a modern fairy tale about growing up and discovering ones self.    This seems to be a bit of a recurring theme among Mermaids doesn't it?

I personally think I could really connect well to my inner mermaid just fine here at any of these vacation homes on Tybee Island, Ga rented from;

http://mermaidcottages.com/

Check out the link above to see some of the most fabulous beach cottages ever!

For you movie buffs, here is a wonderfully old movie named Miranda from 1948 about a physician who finds a Mermaid and takes her to town.  I love old movies and this one is a hoot!

Now wait!  Wait! Wait!  There's more! As if all of this wasn't enough, I also found another website that is chock full of legends from all around the world about mermaids.  This site would be a great place to visit when you have the time to browse a few of the links that are provided.

http://www.beautiful-mermaid-art.com/legend-of-the-mermaid.html

In case you are starting to wonder, no I have not decided to take a dive on the murky side (hehe) with all these legends and fascinating folklore.  While the rest of the world (or so it seems lot's of people I know) may be stepping near the edge with all those shades of grey they are reading, I've decided not to go there. I've decided there are so many legends out there, such as Mermaids, that are so much more interesting!

Now if we could just find a beautiful Mermaid fountain for the pool that didn't cost thousands of dollars.  Life would be grand!

  As you can see, I am still dreaming here at The Decorative Dreamer but I am now Sailing Simply again too.  I guess all those Mermaid stories and legends have taught me a thing or too about revealing my true self.  So from here on out my blog will be titled;

 Sailing Simply as The Decorative Dreamer.  

The last step here in my merge of the two blogs would be to change both URL's to only one and I do not know how to do that without loosing followers from both blogs.  IF anyone knows how I would love to hear from you.  Otherwise this is the direction I am going until technology catches up with me.  

Thanks for the visit today and I hope you enjoyed it.  I would love to hear from you if you did.

Comments are always welcomed!

Happy Summer!

Bargain Shopping Finds

One mans trash is another mans treasure!  I love this phrase...don't you?  Well, I can't in all fairness say this was one mans trash because it was not found in a thrift store or yard sale or anything like that.  But it was a bargain for sure!  

This lamp was actually a return to our store.  It's not one we had in our stores inventory because we are a newer Stein Mart but it was purchased from one of the other stores.  I couldn't help but get a little bit excited when I also realized it was a clearance lamp.  Add that to the fact that we had a 50% off coupon on all our Home clearance items and it was SOLD to me after sitting back out on the floor for a week.  Hey, I really tried to give someone else a chance!  Oh well!

I was going to put it in one of the upstairs bedrooms but thought it looked really cute here in the kitchen instead.  What do you think?  Kitchen, right?  One of these days (very soon) I'm going to have to do a lamp post. Haha!  I mean a post on lamps.  They are my thing and find them hard to resist.  It's getting to the point where the Mr. is saying...the last thing we need is another.....(fill in the blank!)

I also wanted to show you another thrift store purchase I got while on vacay at the beach.  Just in case your wondering...lot's of folks thrift shop while on vacay.  It was crowded at this store.  I'm sure you can understand why I just couldn't resist these glasses.  They actually had them in green also and I was going to get those until I saw the rose colored ones.

Oouu! I just love the hot pink color on these! They were only $6.00 for a set of four stems.  I almost got the green set too but talked myself out of it.  I'm glad I did because my sister in law and I went back the next day and purchased the green set for her.  So it's all good!  We decided now we can share glasses if we need too since they coordinate so well together.

One of the other purchase I got thrifting at the beach was this dish stand.  It was less then $5.00.  I think this is going to be really handy during the holidays.

I decided to keep it out with my Ivy dishes displayed for the summer.  So pretty!

I remembered I never did show you my door all decked out for the fourth.  This is about as much decorating as I did outside this year except for flying the flag.

I just don't have the time like I want to spend on these things anymore.  I am very envious of you who do!  I want a slow summer and it is speeding right by.  I have to scoot off to work again today so I'm rushing through this post.  Still trying to hang in there though!  I also wanted to say 

Thank YOU! 

To all of you who have been hanging in there with me!

Enjoy your weekend Everyone!

July 4th Tablescape 2012

Hey Yall!  Are you ready for July 4th entertaining?  

I certainly hope so cause it's just around the corner now.  I am soooo ready!  Not only am I ready for the fourth of July but I've also been collecting a few goodies to share with you too.  I hope you enjoy!

I pulled together a few things I've collected over the last few years and added in a few new finds as well to create this setting.

I've had the red watering can for a few years now and decided it would be perfect with a patriotic bow.

The blue calico plates from Queens were a purchase from TJ Maxx two years ago.

I then topped them off with my Lenox salad plates.  Then I added melamine star plates found this year at Michaels.  So cute!!! 

The festive bowls I also found this year from Target on the $1.00 isle.  They were a must have item!  Can't you just imagine enjoying ice cream in these? 

My new flatware purchased from work, Stein Mart just sparkles!  Get it?  Sparkels!!!!

Speaking of sparkling, my iridescent blue goblets have a nice sparkle too!  They were a nice yard sale find a few years back.

The painted metal star napkin rings sure could use a touch up.  LOL!

These cute little pails were found at Target this year on the $1.00 aisle as well.  I filled them with corks and a candle to add a little ambiance.  

Salt and pepper shaker from Family Dollar last year for only $1.50.

And finally my flowers were purchased this year at Michaels on sale for only $1.00 a bunch.

Well that's how it all came together for me!

Looking forward to celebrating with family and friends this year when time permits.

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful 4th too.

Please check out the following links for more fun festive dining ideas at;

Let's Dish

Tablescape Thursday

Happy Fourth of July Everyone!