A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

#fmfparty

Advantage of a Sale

By 4 Comments

Taking advantage of a sale, hubsters and I went to London today.  We had a lovely afternoon out together, we chatted and got needed supplies, bought some things perhaps we shouldn’t, but stockings are getting fuller!  🙂  Then tonight on Amazon I took advantage of a couple of sales and thought I’d round out my hubby’s gift just a little bit.  I found him a keto snack he hasn’t been able to locate in quite a while so I’m hoping it will be a great surprise! 

picture of shopping cart with gifts, text advantage of a sale

Advantage of a sale

Today I had a conversation
with a friend that I hold dear.
A weekly conversation with
laughter and so much cheer.

She asked me what we had in
mind for Christmas this year
and wondered if we gift-exchanged
and what plans we had.

I mentioned that I had two
desires for Christmas this year and
found them on sale during the Prime Days
and Black Friday events on Amazon.

But are no longer on sale but
still sit in my cart as I learn
if I’ll need to buy them after
the Christmas season.

Will a price reduction be again
in my future? Or will one of my
loved ones spare me the trouble?
I’ll know more in a couple of weeks.

ReceiptHog where I share receipts
from items purchased. They have a
contest of sorts going on right now.
We’re to video ourselves talking

About sales and purchases made
not over the Christmas season.
Speaking about the why and how
of gift-giving over the year.

I thought it was an interesting
approach. But really have no ideas
to present as I don’t buy many
gifts over the year. 🙂

I have to admit though, that
when I did shop more often for toys,
taking advantage of a sale is
an added side benefit and often a
boost to making the sale!

Continued thoughts

I sat here after writing the above and wondered if I could find a way to continue faith to the idea of a sale.  I failed miserably.  🙂    The only thing I could think of is how often people love to find a bargain. How often we fail to see the bargain right in front of us.  The bargain of eternal life and eternal hope all for the bargain price of acceptance of who God is. it’s the best bargain out there you know?  Asks for just a little, and in return we get everything most important. Have you taken advantage of the sale of faith yet?   (that’s not supposed to sound as awkward as perhaps that reads).  🙂 I hope you get the idea meant!

Just ask questions if you never taken God seriously before.  It’s eternally important. And literally the best gift you can give yourself! 

The Dreaded Christmas Sweater

By 10 Comments

The dreaded Christmas Sweater, the word prompt for this week, could be a fun read.  At least I hope to have some fun reads from fellow contributors!  Time will tell eh?  So it’s a bit of a struggle this year with the whole gift giving idea…. no one is giving ideas of what they would like for Christmas.  My son’s gal came up with a vague idea, but it’s like meh.  My guys… NOTHING.  No hints, no nudges, no “it would be nice comments, nothing for like almost a whole year!!”   Gah, it’s a hard one this year, that’s for sure. I gave folks ideas… why can’t they be just as courteous??? 

image of man in christmas sweater holding poster board. Text Dreaded Christmas Sweater

The Dreaded Christmas Sweater

It’s a little known fact
that the dreaded Christmas Sweater
does not reside at my house.

I don’t know why I’ve never
been blessed, but I really,
truly do not mind.

I do own some fun tshirts
with Christmas theme ablaze,
those who know me well,
can guess what they might portray.

Bunnies in trees,
bunnies in a row,
and even bunnies wishing all
a Merry Christmas!

Hubby doesn’t know it, but
he might be given an ugly
Christmas sweater this year.

Since well…. he’s given me
no other ideas of items
he could happily receive.

I’ve considered underwear,
the rather fancy kind, but
that led down a rabbit hole
I’d rather not in reside.

No tools, no candy, I’m
really rather stuck, no
hints have been given
in now almost 12 months!

Should I get him yet, 
another cat OR do the
dreaded Christmas sweater?

So give me ideas, my readers
please, what would you give
a 60 year grey haired fellow?


Turkey Is The Word

By 18 Comments

Andrew’s been having fun choosing words that normally we wouldn’t have as options. Today Turkey is the Word and I used it to poke a bit of fun, and to so some thinking.  As a Canadian we had our “turkey day” a few weeks back.  Holidays can sometimes be a good time to pause and reflect on how we are living our lives, don’t you find?

image of a turkey roast, text: Turkey is the Word

Turkey is the Word

Turkey is the Word
and the food of the day
if you’re American and
rather stuck in your ways.

You could have had ham,
sushi, or roast beef,
but it had to be turkey
what’s the matter chief?

Did you rolls, or green
bean casserole, mashed potatoes,
and pickles? The plate of olives,
and maybe some tomatoes?

What’s part of your
American thanksgiving feast?
I bet you made enough to
feed several beasts!

As you prepared, brave
food explorer or not!
Did you offer thanks
for all that you have got?

My mom reminded me,
just the other day,
it’s harder to be thankful
when all of life feels gay.

It’s the harder times of
life that encourage thankful hearts,
remembering all that God has done
gives us faithfulness smarts!

Let the hard things of life
encourage our faith eh?
Turkey is the word for this
reminder needed today!

Where are the Penguins?

By 2 Comments

Today I worked on tidying things up in the house.  I worked to compact my “yard sale” area.  Seeking to move yet more stuff into the pile as I reduce the amount of stuff we have in the house. It’s a process.  But I’ve got a burn in the back of my brain to get the kitchen back in order so moving stuff is important.  🙂  ALL this to say, I had no time in my day to look up Andrew’s word prompt… which is Penguins!  That question I’m sure that is burning in all your minds is where are the penguins?  Did I find them as I moved things around?

text: where are the penguins. Image: penguin on a background of snow and blue sky

Where are the Penguins?

I checked the office shelves
pulling off bunny figures,
removing packs of cards, and
even shelving books.

Wondering through the fantasy books,
I noted the ceramic puppies,
now some 35 years old,
but where are the penguins?
NOT HERE!

Going through the games,
I saw squirrels and bears,
Camelot in battle, The
risk of global domination, and
dicey situations.

But alas, no penguins.
Homeschooling no longer,
books have to go!
Puffins, WW2, the human body,
wolves, and math galore.
I’m fearing the penguins
are no more!

I wandered back to the office,
needing to take a break.
Considering my long term plans
for fun when the work is done.

Beginning the work of
planning out my zoo.
Imagine my delight when I see…
Lego penguins! Black and white,
little cuties from Temu.
Penguins waiting for
water, ice, and snow!

image of lego penguins

Considering the More

I’ve had cause lately to be asking the question… where are my penguins?  Okay, bear with me a bit eh?

Penguins was the word for the day, the one important thing to consider, and I couldn’t find them until I actually went looking for them.  I found my penguins in my lego, right where they were supposed to be. What other things do I miss if I’m not looking for them specifically?   God says, those who seek him find him. So, how do I go about seeking him? Will I find him where I expect?  Within the pages of a his book? In the music I listen to?  How about in the books I read?  In the studies I do like Unexplainable Jesus? Do I keep my eyes open and my heart soft to him? 

Where do you find him when you go seeking? 

Chocolate Eaters Unite!

By 8 Comments

So I’ve originally entitled this post Chocolate Eaters Unite!  But I’m not sure that I like that title so it may change, time will tell eh?  Andrew, who normally puts together a post using poetry, has been gracious to cover Kate’s absence.  She’s on medical leave until the New Year, so for the next couple of months I’ll miss Andrew’s poetry as he puts together a basic FMF post.   The word prompt this week is Chocolate. 

Chocolate Eaters Unite! (text) plate of chocolates pictured.

Chocolate Eaters Unite!

Chocolate eaters unite!
The rallying call!
Women everywhere smile.
They know the draw.

Creamy smoothness,
Dark, milk, semi-sweet,
and if desperate even white!
Chocolate can’t be beat!

Salty snacks desired?
Take a chip,
Melt a pot,
Then take a dip!

Craving something crunchy,
add some bits and nuts,
almonds, peanuts, cheerios, toffee,
Be brave, have some guts!

Extra creamy,
might fit your groove,
nutella, peanut butter,
ganache, it’s your move.

Nibble while you watch TV,
Nibble while you cook,
don’t forget to nibble,
whilst in your reading nook!

Just make your chocolate
your morning, afternoon,
and evening delight.
in every situation, a boon!

m m s chocolates in bowl
Photo by Caio on Pexels.com

Well, looky that!  All finished, and my chosen title “Chocolate Eaters Unite!” still works!   I will say it took an hour to complete because…. I didn’t have my evening chocolate, and thusly fell asleep.  Hubs woke me when he decided to go to bed, and thought perhaps I’d want to follow him.  I told him I’ll eat some chocolate, so I can finish up my post and be up in a bit.  He laughed, “Don’t fall asleep again!”.   

Oh, I’ve written about chocolate before

So tell me, how do you like your chocolate best?   

Coffee and Me

By 8 Comments

I had hoped last Thursday to join in with the Five minute Friday write up that Andrew usually puts up early.  BUT… I didn’t make it and mentally I had a fun post done.  After all the word prompt was Coffee and well… That’s an easy fun post for me.  What I came up with was different then what I intended, perhaps a tad more serious than fun, but still was quick, fun write up for me.  Come and discover the relationship between coffee and me! 

text coffee and me, image fancy coffee in a white cup

Coffee and Me

Coffee and me
we’re such good friends.
I admittedly tell a lie!

Three times in life we’ve met
face to face and well
let’s coffee comes to me to die.

A plowed field, oops I tripped!
The houseplant was thirsty, really!
and well, it’s much too cold to drink
now, perhaps a cup of tea instead?

My hubby loves his coffee
and as I meander down the stairs,
wondering at the stench
and if the cats did something I’d
rather not know about.

I spotted coffee dip ice cream
just the other day wondered
“WHY? Why ruin a delicious treat!!!”
Coffee crisp, mocha cream,
coffee wine, and so much more.

This flavouring of food
with an obnoxious stench
I’ll never understand.
It’s almost as bad as dill!

cup of coffee on saucer
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

A faith element

Each cup of coffee ever offered to me was made by someone determined to give me the perfect brew.  The fact that I can’t stand the smell of coffee isn’t their fault.  This morning in church we were reminded that the more we remember God’s faithfulness, the more our faith is strengthened. 

Just like a cup of coffee, brewed to my hubby’s likes, strengthens him for the day.  The brew of God’s remembered faithfulness in our lives, strengthens us for our journey of faith.   Therefore, let this godly “coffee” be a good smell in our noses that causes us to want more eh?  🙂 

Recognize the Truth

By 2 Comments

Recognize the Truth is a poem for a word prompt provided by Miss Kate.  Once a week she lays forth an idea so we can practice our writing skills.   Tonight I was talking with a friend and she called me a wordsmith.  Isn’t that a neat term? As defined by the Cambridge dictionary a wordsmith is “a person who has skill with using words, especially in writing”.    What I know is I like words, but I tend to go for simple words when writing to make it easy for folks.  And writing is fun!  🙂  I don’t know how skillful I am, I write to have fun.  🙂 

people dressed up as minions and Gru. Text: recognize the truth

Recognize the Truth

This morning at work I was
forced to recognize the truth.
A costume designer I am not.

I admittedly tried, but
the antennae I made, in an
effort to copy Gru’s dog, failed.

Failed miserably I might add.
My manager laughed and then
applauded me for trying, since….

it is much much more than I
would ever do for a holiday I think
of only as Candy Day.

She then did her best to
turn me into a minion, and,
instead of antennae, wild hair!

Some minions I guess have a
wild hair day, and today was one
of those days!

When I got home, there was a survey
awaiting me from the pastor of our church
asking questions about matters of faith.

I had to recognize the truth that
I struggle as a believer at times to
carve out the time needed for God.

To spend time in his word, to
talk with him daily, and to just
take the time needed to deepen.

Lack of planning and the lovely
ability of being distracted by
everything else in life to blame.

You want to know what other truth
I must recognize? Trying to write a
five minute post when

the world series of baseball
and Candy night coincide is
not very doable!!!

Five minutes has stretched out
into bits of time over the
past hour! BUT DONE!!!