by Debi on August 20, 2010

The ladies at Triple Scent Candles have graciously provided a giveaway you won’t want to miss out on. It’s my desire to fill your Christmas gift list with goodies between now and the holidays.
I love to give gifts and this is one small way I can do that. Plus, I only want to give gifts that I would love to have!! We’re continually burning one of these around our house.
This month’s giveaway is a mid-sized, ‘linen’ scent in a decorative, glass container. You will savor the smell of these great candles that literally burn all the way through.
If you live in the DFW area – it’s worth a trip to this quaint little shop to take in the aroma and see, first hand, the quality of their gift items. They offer the cutest jewelry around and the most lovely decorative crosses I have ever seen. Come and see for yourself. It’s not just a candle store.
The winner will be selected by a random generator. I’ll contact you through your e-mail and will mail your gift to your house! Easy!! The more times you enter – the greater chance you have of winning and you DO NOT have to be a blogger to enter.
To enter the giveaway -
- Post a comment on this post
- Follow me on Twitter and tell me – or comment, telling me you’re already following
- Subscribe to Above & Beyond and tell me – or comment, telling me you already do
- Tell us another favorite blog – there are so many others ‘out there’ – we love the tip!!
Ready — set — GO!!
Offer ends September 1st~
Joining Mingle Monday & Works for Me Wednesday ~ follow me there?
by Debi on August 19, 2010
In continuing my life’s story with Mommy’s Piggy Tales -
After a rough beginning in Jr High, I needed a fresh start. My parents found just the house they wanted and we moved to the other side of town. When your town is mid-sized, that can make all the difference. We had no way of keeping up (like kids do now) and old ties were cut. So, for my ‘cool friends’ this meant ‘out of sight – out of mind.’
Mom began a job at an elite shoe store in town (The Bootery). She worked in the office and regularly brought home the latest and greatest styles. Talk about fun!
A few days before school started – she came into my room and asked if I’d like to go shop at Sears, JC Penny’s, Montgomery Wards … Grigsby’s Rag Doll!! {The boutique that served Dr. Pepper while you shopped and all the High School cheerleaders worked there} *sigh* Seeing the look of shock on my face – she asked, ‘Isn’t that where all the girls like to shop?’ Now, Mom wasn’t an ‘everyone’s doing it’ kind of parent – so this was a moment to savor. Also, she didn’t mean ‘someday’ – we got in the car and went right then! I still remember the houndstooth pants with the tiny belt; the blouse with oversized collar and puffed sleeves; and the v-neck, navy sweater with a parrot on the front. {Don’t laugh – it was waaaay cool} Mostly, I remember our time together. This was the fresh start I’d longed for.
The first day of school I was passed a note during Mrs. Purdy’s Science class. It said something like, ‘I see you’re new – my name’s Kathy – you want to be my friend?‘ That day, a little girl with big glasses, long hair and a kind smile became my bossom buddy. My lonely days were gone! {BTW – Kathy and I are still friends to this day}
I joined choir and was privileged to be in the midst of fine leaders and a well developed choral program. We did well in competition and this favored activity brought school trips and countless rehearsals. Our closing song was, “The Lord Bless You and Keep You”. This song would come to mean a great deal to me.
Come 9th grade – I even tried out for cheerleader – even though it was determined by popular vote. I was stunned to be a finalist! The top 5 became cheerleaders – the bottom 5 were the school’s ‘Banner Squad’. Which meant back to Grisby’s Rag Doll to buy those white, patten leather loafers that went with our ‘uniform’.
No, it wasn’t all about clothes {I don’t think} but it WAS about self expression. Dressing fashionably could show others that I was different – I so wanted to stand out. I guess I did.
This new school had a student body of mixed ethnic proportions. In West Texas, during the 1970′s, that meant racial tensions from both sides. I learned to endure threats due to my color. It was ‘cool’ to be tough and tough I was not! I liked my hair, curled just so and my fingernails painted … ‘prissy’ I was called. The name calling didn’t make me want to change – I just found it confusing. So I learned to avoid the pockets of students who would tease and threat. The teachers were no help – they were obviously afraid of the aggression too. You just had to ‘be there’ to understand the dynamics. Society has changed a great deal and conflicts like these are the rare exception.
My years of Jr High (8th & 9th grade) ended with … a boyfriend. I was ready to settle in for the long haul with him, my friends and the new life we’d made. But, the summer of 1973 brought – you guessed it – another move. This time we would leave our roots for good. The saga continues …
by Debi on August 16, 2010

Romans 12:2 – 3 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Stop a moment and look around. We all feel it, hear it, see it, smell it … the culture around us. It seems to be decaying at an accelerated pace, right before our eyes! Once we saw the decline of society only in retrospect – now we watch it in 3-D {literally} and face the consequences in living color.
What’s a mom to do? Run for the hills? Lock the doors? Hammer into our children’s minds the differences between good and evil? Turn OFF the TV? Worry, fret … pray?! … Relax – this is NOT a trick question. There is no simple, direct answer to the dilemma of culture shock.
As a mom I would like to see this out of control world subdued so that my children can live in peace and safety. But, God’s ways are higher than mine. He works from within as well as from without. Our God changes the heart and navigates lives – turning the tide of culture and ultimately advancing His Kingdom.
Meanwhile, ‘back at the ranch’ {just kidding – we live in the ‘burbs’}, I have choices to make – daily. Because, the world that influences my children the most is in our home. It’s my hope to create an atmosphere of comfort, nurture and growth in our home. This involves everything from sights, sounds, texture, smells and attitudes {starting with mine!}.
The spirit of our homes and the details of daily living create a culture that offers so much more than the world can deliver. I want to give my kids a higher road to build their lives upon, a reason to live above the norm.
As Paul exhorted the Roman church, likewise we can prove to our families what is “good and acceptable and perfect” - in God’s eyes.
Why so much fuss over home-life? There’s a two-fold reason. One is to preserve this present generation from the unthinkable ways of the world; the other is to equip them to go out and preserve the culture, themselves. Perpetuating goodness.
For we are not better than those around us – but we DO have the answers and can show the way. “Christ in us” is the only hope of glory this side of heaven.
James 1:27 - “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: go visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
Joining Mingle Monday, Tuesdays Unwrapped, Walk with Him Wednesdays & Works for Me Wednesday
Give-Away!
July 26, 2010I’m hosting my first giveaway. I hope to do this on a regular basis. I LOVE giving things away – it’s good for the soul. Don’t you just smile once you drop off goodies at a charitable organization? Or give just the right gift to someone you love? We won’t mention Christmas … I also [...]