Author Profile Page for: Sparkle333

When we look at the way our church services are conducted today, and compare that to the New Testament Church, we find we are a long way from the mark. The early church had much more freedom for the members to participate in the service, and to flow in the Spirit, using their spiritual gifts, and fulfilling their callings. But today's church has become a spectator sport, where everyone sits...

As many of you know, I have a collectibles booth in an indoor flea market. I am always on the lookout for desirable merchandise, both old and new. Recently, I found this beautiful old fashioned blue and white ironstone pitcher and wash bowl. It really takes you back to a time when people drew water out of a well, and had to wash from a basin, since there was no running water. They wou...

After years of struggling with heavy vacuums from floor to floor, in our two-story house, I am officially in heaven with my Freedom vacuum by Simplicity. And freedom is a great word for it! Freedom from backaches, freedom from straining, and freedom from lugging a dinosaur upstairs and down.It all started in the most unusual way. A tenant of ours (in a rental house) developed health proble...

I purchased this keyboard after having problems with carpal tunnel syndrome. I practically live on my computer, whether as a freelance writer, researcher, or just for fun. So without even researching it, I believe that I ended up with, possibly, the best ergonomic keyboard on the market. It has more features than I will ever understand or use, but the most important thing to me, ...

Recently, I have enjoyed using some of the battery operated flameless tea light candles, so when I saw this flameless pillar candle at TJ Maxx, I thought I would give it a try. I especially liked the idea that it was scented, and caramel is one of my favorite fragrances. But much to my disappointment, there was absolutely no scent that came from it.The candle is made from real wax, and very muc...

I was looking for a good quality desk chair for my mom, and because of her age and recent falls, I did not want it to have wheels. My husband found just the chair at Sam's Club. It's called a stack chair, and it has a tubular steel frame. It has a very well padded seat, back, and arms, in a nice grey fabric upholstery, with fire retardant foam. These chairs are great for office sea...

Since music is so much a part of our fondest memories, it's nice that Hallmark has greeting cards called Innovations.  They contain a nice verse (or sometimes a funny one), and when you open them, they also play music. One of my Valentine's Day cards from my husband was this type. And wouldn't you know it? When I opened it up, it played, "I Got You Babe" by Sonny...

My favorite artwork in our home is by a local, incredibly talented painter, Zoltan Steiner.  Living in Florida, artists that paint ocean scenes are a dime a dozen. But Steiner's work is one of a kind. The thing that impresses me the most, is his ability to make the water look wet. He can capture the reflection of light in a puddle, so that it looks incredibly real.The painting that is ...

My daughter is 20, and loves anything to do with Paris.  She is out on her own now, and rents a room in a large house in a nearby town. I was out shopping today at Bealls Outlet, and saw this adorable small hatbox that I think she will love. She likes to decorate her room with Paris accents.. I like to make gift baskets or gift boxes, and this will make a really neat gift box, wh...

When my daughter graduated from high school, and moved out, I decided to do a makeover on her small room. My thought was to create a mini-retreat for myself; another room where I could write and find escape. My favorite theme throughout my house is a mixture of Victorian and Oriental design. I have found that the two flow quite well together. My daughter's room is painted a soft pink, with ...

When my mom broke her right foot, and her left leg, she was hospitalized, and then transferred to a Nursing Care facility. This meant that I was constantly bringing gowns, toiletries, robes, and miscellaneous items from home. In addition to a large piece of rolling luggage, that I purchased to keep with her, I also needed a piece of luggage to bring things back and forth in. I have a torn rotat...

Lighting can make such a difference in the atmosphere of a room. I found the cutest blue and white teapot lamp on sale at Bealls Outlet.  It is the perfect cottage style accent lamp. I plan to use it in the kitchen of a cottage that I am decorating. It has a wood pedestal stand, with a blue and white teapot base.The shade is made of white cloth. The cottage has a blue and white kitchen (wi...

My husband is always losing his keys. (I confess that it happens to me pretty regularly also.) So for Christmas, one of the employees at his law office, got him a great novelty gift. It's a Whistle Key Finder. I laughed and laughed when I saw it, and thought it was a terrific gift. Of course, he left it in the box for ages, because he didn't want to figure out how it worked. So I decide...

We have a favorite beach house that we like to visit several times a year. Last time I was there, I put this crocheted vinyl tablecloth on the kitchen table, when I wasn't using a cloth tablecloth. I love these tablecloths, and they come in various sizes. I also have a 70 inch round one. They look very much like a fabric tablecloth, but are 100% soft vinyl, and easily wipe clean, with a dam...

My master bedroom is decorated in deep burgundy reds with navy blue accents. My husband and I each have a cozy chair by the bed, and I love to keep  lots of warm throws nearby to snuggle up with, when I read a book, or watch TV.This is a beautiful red velvet burgundy quilt throw, that had a bonus tote bag made of the same material. The quilt can be kept in the tote bag, or the tote ba...

I hate styes! I don't think I've had one since I was a child, but one day recently, I woke up with my eyelid hurting, and a little swollen. By the end of the day, I was sure it was a stye. I decided to see what was available over the counter, and chose to use a product called Stye Sterile Lubricant Eye Ointment. Yes, Stye is the trademark name. I got it at Walmart, along with some ...

I've had my Omron Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor HEM-601 for many years, and it has proven to be dependable and accurate. It runs on 4 AA batteries, which almost never need replacing. The display screen is easy to read. It gives systolic and diastolic readings, as well as the pulse rate. There is also a button to set the tightness of the cuff pressure.My doctor at the time...

When my mom was settled in her assisted living apartment, I knew that she would need a couple of night lights for safety purposes. So I bought a 2-pack of Meridian LED Night Lights. They are advertised to use up to 95% less electricity than standard night light bulbs, and to last for up to 14 years. The bulb is cool to the touch, and only uses 0.3 watts. They are mercury free, and com...

Since I already take 9 prescription drugs, I am very careful about adding anything else to the mix. However, when I got the monster cough and cold from the pit recently, nothing (and I mean NOTHING) would stop my 24/7 coughing. I am not exaggerating! I got the usual Tessalon Perles in a double dose, but they had no effect. I coughed day and night without any relief, and practically no slee...

There are so many areas of my house that need vacuuming, that aren't worth dragging out the big vacuum cleaner for. Or perhaps there are some tight, difficult areas that a regular vacuum cleaner can't reach. That's when I enjoy using a lightweight (stick-type) vacuum cleaner. I have tried many over the years, and I like the featherweight Bissell a lot. Of course,...