Rebecca Homecca

The Shack by William Young

I had heard about this book as it has been both controversial and well loved. After reading the synopsis, I originally decided I did not want to read it. I did not think I would like it and was unsure about the subject matter.

If you don’t know, it’s about a guy who goes up to a shack and meets God.

So yeah, I thought, this could be really offensive.

A lady at work (whose judgement I trust in these matters) raved about it and said I HAD to read it. She stayed up half the night to finish, it was so good.

I did not have quite that reaction. My MIL read it and said she had heard others having that reaction, but she did not. She said she thought she was over analyzing it too much at first.  After hearing that from her, I realized I was too. So I tried to just take it for what it was and it went a little smoother.

I still did not have some big reaction to it. It was an interesting story, and I can see where it would maybe help people get through a difficult time. Also, some of the imagery was a little over the top for me.

I didn’t NOT like it (as I originally thought) but I wouldn’t say I LOVED it either. I did not find it offensive, so therefore I am recommending it.

Becky’s totally scintific rating: 3

Little Miss (Em’s baby girl) is turning 2, so I went to her little birthday shin-dig today.

There was a bubble machine and everything. It was pretty rockin’.

She is going to be a busy girl out in the garden with mama. She got her own rake, shovel, hose sprayer (no bad can come from that right??), watering can and lots of other outdoor things. The hit of party was her own stroller for her baby dolls, which she prompty turned into a wheel barrow for all her new garden implements.

Oh, and lets not forget the cake. Costco has the best cakes. I might get a membership just for the cake.

Before I went to the party I stopped by Sheets and Stuff (not it’s real name) to get new sheets. Ours are all pilled and just all around bad. Which makes me kind of mad because they are not they old. They were, however, cheap. So this time I went up a grade and got a slightly more expensive sheet set. I am hoping this one will last longer.

Then after the party we went over to visit my grandma for a few. Once I charge my camera I’ll take a pic of the Peonies she sent home with me. Her bushes are the biggest I’ve ever seen.

All in all it was a busy day! Now I am exhausted. Good thing we had left over pizza otherwise I might not have enough energy for dinner.

Here’s a little frog who was hiding in the tree bark our in the yard. I saw him when I was out raking and he hung out long enough for me to run inside to get the camera.

I’m not sure if it is such a good thing that I have a short week. I am so busy at work! There was no easing back in after vacation. Luckily I had studio tonight so I was able to relax.

One of my studio friends got into the big art show downtown. It’s a huge deal to get into that. People from all over enter. She was the only one from studio to get in this year.

Now we are getting ready for another event this summer. It’s kind of just a big town festival, all the stores participate and there are different booths and activities. The chamber of commerce asked us specifically to participate. I thought that was kind of cool!

Then not too long after that, the arts council asked our group to have a show at their gallery. I guess word is getting out!

Hopefully I can sell a few more. I am working on some specifically for the festival.  I am not going to frame them, only mat. I have some pictures of local land marks that I am painting. I thought they might be good sellers.

Wish me luck!

We are back from our long weekend in Ohio. Craziest thing happened while we were gone-Summer Arrived!

Everything is all leafed out and stuff is blooming, the kitty is shedding like crazy…AND it’s warm! Yeah!

We had a good time in Ohio. Even though it is only 6 hours away it was Hot there and they have strawberries already.

The highlight (that may not be the right term) was a trip to Louisville with the Bro in Law. We had originally planned on spending the day with him and his girl, but she was really sick. Since we are such caring people, we went on with out her to the Louisville Slugger factory tour.

Louisville is about 2 hours away. Except that day. There was an accident on the highway and we were 1 hour parked, car turned off ,on the highway. Due to the delay, we only had 48 minutes at the factory before they closed. It was  barely enough time for the tour and the museum. Then we hopped back in the car and headed back so we could at least all have dinner together.

So if you do that math, we spent 5 hours on the road for a 48 minute adventure. But it was cool and we got a story out of it! I told the boys, the point was to spend the day together, and we did. In the car.

Other than that we had big fun just hanging out, relaxing, and helping the Bro in Law get settled into his new apartment. We got to meet Marvin’s cousin Oscar who is BIG! If kitties grow into their feet like puppies, he is going to be the size of a puppy!

Back to the old grindstone tomorrow, but at least it will be a short week.

I braved the mosquitos to get these pictures of my pots that I planted. All the plants were selected to attract butterflys and hummingbirds. That plant in the middle is a black and blue verbana (I think). It has black buds that turn into bright blue flowers.

Hmm…that one’s a little blurry. Must have been swatting a mosquito. I dig these rectangle ones. I think they look so cute.

This pot is a found item from an antique store. I think  it was some kind of strainer. It has kind of a mesh in the bottom (great for drainage!) and a flute type thing that I stick in the ground.

Ran out of room and still had  a few left. So, I threw together this little pot for the steps. That is our little snake that lives on our front steps (next to the pot). He came with the place so we just leave him be.

Oh and he’s plastic. Makes for fun conversation when we have visitors though. Now you know my secret, so if you ever visit you won’t be scared!

Also, let’s try and ignore all the weeds in the flower beds. Too many skeeters for that. Hubs is out spraying though, so maybe I can stand to be out there for more than five seconds now and get those weeds out.

Now I just have to wait for the butterflies to show up!

Anybody watch the Glee Club preview? Don’t know how I feel about the show yet, but I’m digging the music.

If they keep bringing the Journey, I might stay tuned.

I came in from outside just in time to catch the first song on American Idol.

A couple of notes about that…

I am so glad it is only an hour long. I just assumed it would be 2 (Biggest Loser was 3 and far less interesting).

I do not like it when they sing songs they have done already. I understand why they do it,  it’s alot of pressure to learn 3 new songs. Having said that, I think they both chose good songs to repeat, if they must.

Now on to Adam Lambert…He did not invent that rendition of Mad World. I have heard that song sung that way before. Not that he doesn’t sing it well, he just isn’t the genius they think he is. It would help if the judges turned on a radio once in a while.

That was an awesome performance by Kris. I love that he busted out the piano.

I hate to make empty threats (see also Taylor Hicks) but if Adam wins, I am considering boycotting next year.

Ok, back to the outside business. I had a magazine article about making containers for attracting butterflys and hummingbirds. I have seen a couple of hummingbirds already, so I thought that sounded like fun. I took my magazine to the greenhouse across the street from work and the lady helped me pick out plants. They were having a good sale so I bought way too many and ended up with several pots instead of just one.

Alright Adam Lambert enough with the screaming.

The skeeters are out in full force, which made planting interesting. I did not know you could sprint while planting flowers, but I did. I have never planted pots so fast in my life. I also planted some marigolds to try and keep the deer away from my peppers and tomatoes. They are on the deck, but I’m taking no chances.

Can someone tell me why these judges are so in love with this guy? I think only dogs can hear some of those notes.

My boy Kris Allen is coming on. Can you say PERFECT song choice?? These judges are idiots. Do they not get that he is a laid back guy and that is why people love him? Not everyone likes people who sound like ambulance sirens when they sing, but apparently these idiots do. I feel like ripping Randy’s ugly tie off and shoving it in his mouth so he can no longer talk.

Not that I’m bitter.

What are those pants Lambert is wearing?

I hate this song. Kara, I think you are great but this is horrible. Really what do I expect? The songs they write for them every year are lyrics ripped from a 13 year old girls diary put to a casio keyboard.

Prediction-Adam is going to win, put out an album sell like 5,000 copies, get dropped from the label and tour the country starring in Rent in third rate theaters.

Kris is actually make this song not sound like total drivel. How is that possible? New prediction-Kris, win or lose, is going to sell a bazillion records.

He totally beat Adam with a baseball bat mob style on this one. The judges don’t know what to do now. Their pride and joy just got served.

The vote off show is going to be 2 hours? Is that neccesary? We only care about the last 5 minutes.

Go Kris!

Since the deer ate our hostas within about 5 minutes of planting them last year, I decided to try and save them this year. I saw a couple of nibbles on one of the hostas, so I figured I better get to it.

I had done a little research last year on my different options, all of which are expensive.

You can buy all kinds of animal urine; coyote, wolf, bobcat. But it’s kind of pricey. So I opted for somehting called liquid fence.

Apparently the key ingredient in liquid fence is butt stink. It is the most foul smelling stuff ever.

I started gagging while spraying it on the hostas, and one little one on the just about got skipped because I couldn’t take it much longer.

I told hubs how bad it smelled when I came in. I don’t think he realized the extent to which it reaked.

Then he went out for milk. He opened the door and immediately closed it back up. Then he told me it smelled like someone dumped raw sewage in our front yard.

He held his breath and ran out to the car. Upon return he used the back door as to avoid walking past stench radiating from our flower beds.

I’m not sure if it would keep deer away or not, but I’m pretty sure we don’t have to worry about any Jehovah’s Witnesses ringing the bell.

Here’s some pictures from when we were setting up. Click on the picture to see more. This was before hubs came to rescue with sides for my tent. Also, I moved things around about a million times after this.
It was the Christmas tree all over again. I was fussing with stuff all day.