The Pretty Purse

Warm Thoughts

What's Up With The Wheeler's? — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 23:33:43 +0000

You’ve heard when you are going on stage or meditating or whatever you focus on a nice place. Well, I am not doing anything nerve wracking or meditating but I am COLD. My bones ache I’m so cold. Even with the heater on I still know its freezing and they ache. I developed arthiritis in my knees a long time ago from injuries and now when I look back when my grandma used to tell me it must be gonna rain I know what she means!

So, if I set here and think about this then maybe I’ll get warm (LOL):

As I set on the deck of the huge beach house overlooking the Atlantic waters and breath in the warm summer air I can feel the salt blowing in the wind.

The skies are bright blue with just a few white cottony clouds. There are sea gulls nearby balking and flying over the water.

Children and their mothers play on the sand building castles and burying their legs and snapping pictures.

You can smell coconut tanning oil and baby sunblock. The cafe next door is putting together their lunch menu of salad and baked sandwiches. The aroma of the bread fills my lungs as I continue to soak up the rays.

There are plenty of people staying at the beach house that as they walk across the planks on the deck they send small vibrations through the metal in my chair. Just to let me know that there are people around.

The noises and smells and feelings of summer are upon us…

I CAN’T WAIT TIL THEY ARE REAL AND NOT JUST THOUGHTS, eh?! LOL

A New You?

What's Up With The Wheeler's? — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:51:43 +0000

This year I am not resolving to do anything but I am seriously going to try my hardest to keep a goal of eating healthier and exercising on a daily basis.

Being that its dark when I get home walking is out of the question during the week but I do have an exercise bike that I can “spin” on, do boxing on the Wii and pretty soon I’ll go buy the Wii fit. So, I really have no excuse as to why I can’t exercise.

I want to start cutting out cokes. Not only do they make you gain weight but they are awful. They are like liquid diabetes. If I have one it will be only on special occassions. Again, I’m not writing this in stone cause I don’t want to feel disappointed in the long run and just give up.

Not only do I want to start all of this I want to get the kids more involved so that they see that I am doing it and learn the lifestyle as well.

I’ve already started going through magazines and cookbooks for healthier recipes using more vegetables. We’ve had a salad with every meal since Thursday (Small steps! LOL). I also know that portion control is key!

I hope that we all can get healthy together! If anyone is in Glenwood on the weekends (or after its not dark at 5 pm anymore) let me know. I’d love to go walking with ya! (:

Leslie

Lazy Days of Winter

What's Up With The Wheeler's? — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:44:13 +0000

Who says Summer is the only season to have lazy days?

As I write this it is almost 4 p.m. CST and no one in my house has made it out of their pajamas today. I’ve slept on and off all day (and will pay for it tonight), Travis figured out a way to crack Wii games so we can get them offline (yeah, its probably illegal…who cares), Sara beat her Littlest Pet Shop game and out popped a stuffed animal…she woke me up to show me. LOL. Matthew has been playing his PS2 on and off. He and his sister have also been going outside from time to time because the Lord gave us a beautiful day AND they got new bikes from their dad. It’s days like this that I love love love being at home. I wish they could occur more often. On the flip side, though, my laundry and dishes aren’t getting washes and the house could stand to be straightened again. But who cares? I, like everyone else, is always so consumed by a busy lifestyle that they don’t get days like this often. Not to mention, Travis is off today, on a Friday…he only has Sunday’s off so its cool that he gets to rest an extra day.
Anyway, I hope everyone had a great New Years Eve and I pray that you all prosper in 2010.
Leslie

The End of 2009

What's Up With The Wheeler's? — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:28:38 +0000

As I set here in my pajamas…on my bed…typing on my laptop…Travis is at his computer and the kids are both snuggled up in the bed watching a movie….there is less than 1 hour left in this year!

Our last dinner for 2009 was vegetable soup(homemade), we also decided to bake brownies and make a strawberry cheesecake.

What did we do the last day of 2009?
Travis worked til 5…came home and napped for about 30 mins and he’s done a few odd and end things around the house, on the computer, with me and the kids…the usual.
Today, I had Matt and Austin. At 3 we went to Sara’s basketball practice and Austin went home and then we went to the grocery store.
YES! Our life is grade A…BORING…ORDINARY…but we are content with it. LOL

The end of the year always freaks me out because you always read about how so and so tribe predicts that the end of the world will happen or something lame like that. Knowing no one knows when the end of the world will happen but it always put some stupid theory in my head. LOL. So, I set here and think bittersweet thoughts about my life, my kids, etc. Of course, the end of the world could come tonight…it could come next week. My point is I shouldn’t set here and think about and worry about things I obvioulsy have no control over. If I did…I wouldn’t be setting here typing this blog for you to ponder over, now would I?

What do I remember the most about 2009?
Ummm, I finished my degree (one of them)…Sara was in Cheerleading….Both of the kids are making good grades…made a few new friends…there were a lot of losses this year…I could go on. But the one thing that I remember the most is that God provided for my family more than plenty of times that I sat and worried about it and then after many many many prayers He came through for me. That happens this year…last year…and the many years to follow. He is always faithful to me and I am soooooo very thankful!

Whatever you remember most about 2009 I pray that no matter the low points in it that you can find the joys in it as well! What you went through should have been a stepping stone to a different part of your life that you are now or were facing. Life is never easy…its not meant to be…but when you rely on Him to help you through then it makes it somewhat easier…definetly in the long run.

God Bless Everyone! Thank you for letting me be a part of your life in 2009 and I look forward to being friends with all of you in 2010….and so on.

Peace & Love,
Leslie

Coupon Hound

What's Up With The Wheeler's? — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:49:04 +0000

I love coupons and I love when I find coupon and freebie blogs and websites. I found a few that have great coupons and wanted to pass them on to you:

coupongeek.net
babygoodbuys.com
thefrugalgirls.com
moneysavingmom.com

If you find anymore let me know.

A great magazine for coupons is All You that you can get at Walmart…you can subscribe for it to be sent directly to your home too. Some issues have TONS of coupons and others aren’t as hefty but its a great magazine.

The New Year will be here tomorrow and I’m not setting any resolutions however I’m hoping to modify my life a little. I want to get healthier yet not starve myself on a diet. I want to stay in touch with my family more yet I don’t want to run myself ragged.

Whatever you plan on doing I pray that you have a safe New Years and the whole year for that matter.

Happy 2010 (wow…its REALLY 2010!)

Leslie

When Things Were Black and White

What's Up With The Wheeler's? — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:36:30 +0000

Do you ever take the time to look at old photos? I mean, REALLY OLD photos? Like the ones of your grandparents or their grandparents? There is a lot to be said of those photos! Possibly the fact that camera’s hadn’t been around like they are now and I was told by my grandmother than people didn’t smile when their pictures were taken because it was a serious occassion to have that technology around you. It’s amazing to look at those pictures and let your mind wander. Like, what were they thinking at that moment? What did that outfit look like had the picture not been in black in white? So they didn’t smile…were they happy or were they just as the picture depicts? Nowdays, people do smile…and pictures are in color and cameras are a dime a dozen but the same remains…are the people that smile…really happy? Or do we fake our happiness because some people are going through hard times, or they don’t think they deserve to be happy or for whatever reason. I know a lot of people that are going through a hard time and for them to even smile without being in a picture takes everything they have. Take the time to be real today and if you aren’t going through a hard time (or even if you are) encourage someone that really needs someone to tell them its okay to find joy in the dark times.

Just thought I’d say…

What's Up With The Wheeler's? — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:23:45 +0000

While I’m waiting on potatoes to boil I thought I would drop a blog just to say…I hate having a stuffy nose. You take forgranted being able to breath out of your nose and not getting cracked lips. I’m just saying…its about annoying. I hope to feel better soon!

So, this week at work is incredibly slow…we realized today that spammers don’t even work this week and apparently art buyers don’t either. Do you know how hard it is to get someone to buy something this week? Very, apparently, they’ve all ate up their budget for 2009. So, 2010 should be “off the hook”…whatever that means. LOL.

If anyone that reads this is a retailer then you guys should look us up when you attend market next month in ATL and Dallas. Email me or something and I’ll give you our information.

Back to the important stuff…my family…tonight is the first night the kids are actually going to get to play their Wii. Well, actually, Matt is going to stay the night with his cousin and Sara Beth will be the only one playing so she wont have to share. LOL.

Ok, so my potatoes are done and ready to be mashed. Happy cooking and Good Night!

My Christmas Wish…

What's Up With The Wheeler's? — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 22:31:24 +0000

Well, it took months to buy for a holiday that lasts a few hours. In case you haven’t noticed…it gets under my skin. Christmas means more when you aren’t the parent having to buy things…because you don’t know the stressors. I’m a stress buyer…I stress because I think that when I buy something for someone they may not like it. What if they saw it somewhere and know I didn’t spend that much on them.
On the other hand, I try to teach my kids its better to give than receive but don’t we contradict ourselves? What if we just didn’t buy gifts? What if we just said Merry Christmas, I love you, I’m glad I have you in my life and be done with it? Would we be okay with that as a Christmas gift? What if we did that all year round instead of during Christmas? What if we tried to feed the hungry and the poor all year round? Do poor people only get hungry during the holidays? Do they only deserve a warm meal and place to sleep in November and December?
You get my point. The reason I am blogging this is because I realized something this weekend when I went to Camden to see my family. My granny is 92 years old. She doesn’t celebrate Christmas because she is a Jehovah’s Witness but I always get her something. As does most everyone in our family because, cmon, she is why we are here..if anyone deserves a dang Christmas present its her…because she birthed our mothers and father.
Truth be told…there is nothing in this world that I personally could give her that would make up for everything she has ever done for me.
Back to my point…she is feeble…and there is nothing anyone could tell me that would make me think anything less of this woman than perfection. Everything she has ever done has been “the best” in my eyes. No one has ever been able to compete with this woman, according to me! As I watched her open her gifts I realized…her heart is giving out and any day could be her last. Why does it even matter what we give her? She may not even be able to use it very long. The pictures that we give her of our family will set on a wall that will collect dust.
I’m not saying that she doesn’t want or deserve a gift but I began to wonder if she thought the same thing?
She just got out of the hospital for the second time in like two months…actually, less than that. They are becoming more and more frequent. She’s lived a life…full…children…marriage…love…perfection and humbleness like no one else.
Her home is twisted from three tornadoes (this last one being the worst) and the wall is cracked and the foundation is probably on its last “leg”. And to think that someone would want her to move out of her home is perposterous (that’s according to her).
So, back to the gifts…and really, my point here isn’t anything to do with my grandma…but materialism.
We are so engulfed by commercialism and materialism during Christmas that we don’t stop to think..today could be my last and I can’t take this gift with me…in fact, who would want to? If today were my last day…I’d want to take my family with me.
As I left my granny’s house yesterday I cried…for one, she’s really weak and I’ve never seen her look more sad but for another I don’t live near her like all the years I did as a child. The selfish human in me sat there and thought what if I never see her again…I brought her a corny music dvd and a family picture…is that really what I want her to remember? Did I tell her how I felt? No. Did I tell her how from the time I was born (from what I could remmber) that she was the one that showed me who I really was? She was the part of my life that I craved…it was always right next door…stability…love…she taught me to accept life and life it to the fullest…to be humble…for the life I me I NEVER remember hearing my grandma say she wished she had something. I don’t remember my grandma spending hundreds of dollars on buying me things yet I always thought she was the richest woman in the world.
I never heard her speak ill of anyone except that she wished they would “straighten up” and that would be it. She used to take me on Avon with her…to see Aunt Viva…to the grocery store…and always made sure that there was food when we came over. I spent more than a majority at my grandma’s house. There is NO Christmas gift in this world that I need other than the memories I have collected in my head of her.
So, what did I do to make up for the corny gifts? I sat down today and wrote her a letter about how important she was to me and thank you for always being “perfect”. She is the most awesome granny that you could ask for…and even if she wasn’t your granny and you needed one…she would be one for you…cause that’s just the way she is.
So, in closing, I’d like you all to make 2010 the year that you tell your loved ones that they are loved and you can’t imagine your life without them…because you never know when your last day is or their’s. Never take the day forgranted…it could be the very last time you see the sun rise…so make it count!
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Where are my rain boots and ‘brella?

What's Up With The Wheeler's? — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:34:01 +0000

It appears that Arkansas will continue to receive generous amounts of rain this fall! Yipee! *sarcasm*

I think that I would like to invest in a couple of cute pair of rain boots for Sara Beth & I! Comment links to where we can get cute ones for a reasonable price (:

Until then, happy splashing!

Coaches: A Tribute

What's Up With The Wheeler's? — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:18:28 +0000

I’ve never been a coach (unless you count being a mom…which technically isn’t really being a “coach” of a sport but of life it is!).

According to dictionary.com a coach is, “to give instruction or advice to in the capacity of a coach; instruct.” But to me, a coach does so much more. Watching my daughter cheer in her first football game or watching her practice her first year of basketball makes me realize that a coach is something made of more than knowledge…but patience, compassion, and care. Within each mold that he or she coaches is a beautiful person with feelings and one wrong move could bring the player down.

Some people are motivated by anger…some by love…some by money…some by other things. It all depends on the person! When you are a 10 year old girl your feelings and self esteem can be bottomed out by one wrong comment and I am happy to say that I do not have to worry about that with the two coaches she has had thus far. I have seen my daughter go from shy and timid to loud and care free. Her self esteem is greater and she believes in herself and pushes herself because someone has put into her head that she is capable!

Now, if anyone knows how hard headed a little girl can be its a mother! I have tried and tried to tell her that she is capable of anything but sometimes it helps coming from someone that is more interactive in the sport with her.

So, my thank you goes to my daughter’s coach(es) this year…and for the years to come.

If you are a coach know that my prayers are with you because I’ve seen first hand the moments when I feel that I would have lost my cool but they stayed patient and kept pushing. The outcome is what mattered the most!

I’m sure I can speak for all of the parents who put your trust in you to lead our children in a positive way…Thank You for your hard work, dedication and love!