January 17, 2021May 2, 2021

DIY Pine Coffee Table

Introduction

Some time this past spring, I decided that I wanted a DIY Pine coffee table for my guest room/library. It just so happened that my son was here visiting due to the changes that the pandemic brought to his career, and so it worked out nicely. I bought the items from the hardware store, and he built the coffee table.

Basically, I was blessed with a two for one deal: I was able to spend some quality time with him, as well as have him here to help me with some of the projects that had been sitting for a while. Either I was unable to do them because of not being handy with a drill and other tools, or I literally did not have the time because I was getting up early in the morning for work, and was too tired for completing projects when I got home.

DIY Coffee Pine Table Instructions: keywords: pine table, blogger, katina horton, simple functional grace-filled living, Valley of Grace, lifestyle, lifestyle blogger, thriving, plumbing pipe materials, interior design, influencer, minimalism, minimalist, home decor — Photo by Katina Horton

Mission

I ended up going to the hardware store about three times. First of all, I was going to make a skinny coffee table, but the piece of wood that I bought was too short. I looked at the table and decided that the would wasn’t wide enough. In essence, the table would look too skinny. So, I set out to buy a piece of wood that was wider and longer. Come to find out, Menards stated that they do not sell lumber pieces wider than 12 inches. The store associate suggested that I place two pieces of wood next to each other and connect them together with some form of hardware from the hardware department.

The guy in the hardware department showed me several different pieces of hardware to connect the lumber together. However, he stated that he was more so biased towards one particular bracket. He enforced the importance of having hardware that could handle the weight of the lumber, and he’d had experience building a table for his mother, so I was definitely all ears to his suggestions. I decided upon a hardware piece called “mending braces”.

Unfortunately, I ended up going to the hardware store another time because some of the plumbing pipe flanges were bent. This was going to cause a problem with the stability of the table. I felt like a kid waiting to open his gifts on Christmas. Was this table ever going to happen? Well, it did.

I am very excited with the end result. The coffee table helped to make the library look like a library. The natural wood also helped to give the room more of an organic look. And lastly, the table is multifunctional: it serves as a holder for magazines, books, frames, mugs, and a footrest.

There are a couple of tips that I would like to give you in regard to building this table (according to my son):

The more mending braces used, the sturdier the table will be. (Especially if someone decides to sit on it.)
You want to make sure that the two pieces of construction lumber are as straight as possible before you start drilling the holes into the wood.
The flanges should be as flat and stable as possible before you start drilling into the wood.
Be careful that the wood that you select isn’t too split, or the table won’t last. (I like the worn split look, but not too split.)

Tools:

(8) 1/2″ galvanized pipe flanges
2 packs of National Hardware Mending Braces (4 braces are in each pack)
(1) 1/2″ 48″ galvanized pipe nipple
(8) 1/2″ 6″ galvanized pipe nipples
(4) 1/2″ 5″ galvanized pipe nipples
1 dril
1 screwdriver
(6) 1/2″ galvanized tees
(2) 2″ x 12 ” wide X 60″ long pieces of construction lumber (this is what I should have done; instead I bought one long piece of construction lumber had them to cut it down to size; either one works. The second option give you leftover lumber for other projects.)
(16) 1 1/2″ construction screws

Execution

Make a letter H with the plumbing pipe materials on both sides, connecting the 1/2″ 48″ galvanized pipe in the middle, per the instructions and picture below.

Take a flange, screw in one 6″ pipe nipple, attach one tee, and then another pipe flange at the bottom.

Attach a 5″ nipple to the tee in the middle, followed by a tee, then another 5″ pipe nipple.

Make the right side of the “H”.

Take a flange, screw in one 6″ pipe nipple, attach one tee, and then another pipe flange at the bottom.

2. Attach the 1/2″ 48″ pipe nipple to the middle tee of the “H” on the left side.

Create the Right H following the same instructions above, and then attach to the 1/2″ 48″ pipe nipple in the middle.

3. Lay the two pieces of wood next to each other, making sure to attach enough mending brackets for stability, staggering on the top and bottom of the wood.

Turn your structure upside down, laying it on top of the top piece of the table, using 1 1/2 inch screws to attach the pipe flanges.

Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.

Psalms 127: 1

February 12, 2019April 27, 2021

Trials

The last poem that I wrote was entitled “The Body“, and it can be found here. Today’s poem, Trials, is another poem that I was inspired to write during the ice storm last week. The one thing that makes everything feel right with the world is witnessing a rainbow after the storm. It is a gentle nod from God to remember yet another one of his sweet promises.

Trials are like rain.

Can be so heavy.

Filled with disdain.

Coming down like cats and dogs.

So hard to see

In all this fog.

The dirt welcomes all the moisture.

As the onset of trials just feel like torture.

Then relief comes in the form of a bow.

With all the colors stacked up in a row.

“I won’t destroy in this way again.”

God reminds us we are his friends.

February 11, 2019April 27, 2021

The Body

body, body of Christ, wooden toys, spiritual health, poetry, challenge, poem. poet, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, blogger life, author life, podcaster life, expression, author, writer, family — Photo by Cflgroup Media on Pexels.com

Background on the Body

The last poem that I wrote was entitled “The Declaration”, and you can find that poem here.

God never makes a mistake with anything that he does. Just a few minutes ago, I was on Twitter doing some posting and scrolling, and I saw a post by Realistic Poetry. I decided to click on it and read it. They presented a challenge.

The challenge was to write a poem based upon two wooden figures leaning up against each other in a box. One figure has its arm slightly around the other figure. The first thought that came across my mind is whether or not I should enter the challenge. I’m glad that I did because God immediately gave me a poem.

The words that he gave me reminded me of how wonderful it is to be in the Body of Christ, doing life with believers who lift each other up, pray for each other, and bear one another’s burdens. Have a blessed Monday everyone!

I lean against you.

You lean against me.

Supporting each other.

It’s positioning you see.

But, then what will happen,

If one of us gets moved?

Will positioning change?

Will we stay in the groove?

Will the box even help?

Will it support us in pain?

Will the loss of “the Body”,

Bring way too much rain?

I lean against you.

You lean against me.

Supporting each other.

It’s positioning you see.

Bible Verse for Meditation

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 King James Version (KJV)

¹²For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

¹³For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

¹⁴For the body is not one member, but many.

¹⁵If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

¹⁶And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

¹⁸But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

¹⁹And if they were all one member, where were the body?

²⁰But now are they many members, yet but one body.

²¹And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

²²Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

²³And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

²⁴For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

²⁵That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

²⁶And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

²⁷Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

February 9, 2019April 27, 2021

Episode 14: Broken Pieces Introduction

The Valley of Grace Podcast

Episode 14: Broken Pieces Introduction

00:00 / 00:15:07

Background on Broken Pieces Introduction

broken pieces, broken pieces introduction, paperback, emotional health, mental health, spiritual health, revolving door, toxicity, relationships, comparison, anxiety, depression, healing, broken healing, abuse, broken identity, blogger, author, author life, blogger life, podcast, podcaster, podcaster life, podcasting, trauma, pain, self-awareness, come to Jesus moment, complacency, stagnancy, shame, guilt, wisdom, acknowledging

The book Broken Pieces was released a few days ago. The poem that I wrote, which is also included in the book, can be found here. In this episode, we are dissecting the reason for the name, the chapters, and the overarching theme of the book. The introduction of the book will be read to help give listeners insight into wh
Broken Pieces is really about. Does the issues resonate with them? And if so, how to seek ways for God to glue these pieces back together.

Broken Pieces Introduction Podcast Outline

Introduction of the Book Chapters

Introduction
Broken Identity
Broken Thinking
Broken Approval
Broken Dreams
Broken Faith
Broken Judgment
Broken Shame
Broken Comparison
Broken Conflict
Broken Relationships
Broken Forgiveness
Broken Healing

Reading of the Introduction

Bible Verse to Focus On:

John 10:10

King James Bible
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

February 5, 2019April 27, 2021

Boundaries

The last poem that I wrote was entitled “Inner Circle”, and it deals with the conflict of deciding who to allow in your inner circle. Today’s poem is entitled Boundaries. It can be difficult to implement boundaries, but when you do, the payoff is rewarding. As with anything, the first step is always the hardest. God bless!

Boundaries

It’s where you end and I begin.

Leave them out, it becomes sin.

I respect you. You respect me.

When we leave them out, our rights will flee.

Bible Verses to Meditate On:

2 Corinthians 6:14

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Proverbs 25:17

Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

January 28, 2019April 27, 2021

Strength

The last poem that I wrote is entitled Unfaithful, and that poem can be found here. We all have those crazy days when we have 20 things to do, and we don’t have a clue how we’re going to get them done. Somehow, they get done. Or, God gives us the grace to finish them up another day. Let’s not forget where our strength comes from.

Strength.

Courage.

Take flight.

You’ll delight.

In his might.

You’ll be strong.

Though you’re weak.

In his power.

If you seek.

Bible Verse for Reflection

Psalms 121: 1-2

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.…

January 23, 2019April 27, 2021

Unfaithful

The last poem that I wrote, Broken Pieces, can be found here. This poem describes the sad turn of events that occurred between Leah, Rachel, Uncle Laban, and Jacob. The conversation that takes place is between Leah and Laban, her dear old daddy. Rachel was noted as being beautiful, and Leah was not. This comparison trap led to Laban tricking Jacob into marrying Leah so that Leah wouldn’t have to be without a husband. It also meant that Laban didn’t keep his end of the deal as far as fair payment for Jacob.

Unfaithful

She is pretty.

I have weak eye.

Oh now, what will I do?

Don’t you worry!

In a hurry!

Just change clothes.

I’ll push you through.

Get him drunk as a skunk.

He will think you are dear Rachel.

I’m a pawn.

And at dawn,

He will see you’ve been unfaithful.

Bible Verses to Meditate On:

But when evening came, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her. And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant. When morning came, there was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob said to Laban. “Wasn’t it for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?”…
Genesis 29: 23-25, Berean Study Bible

January 19, 2019April 27, 2021

Episode 13: Grace Aspect of Living With and Healing from Trauma

The Valley of Grace Podcast

Episode 13: Grace Aspect of Living With and Healing from Trauma

00:00 / 00:15:34

trauma, eye doctor, healing, grace, living with and healing from trauma, emotional health, mental health, psychological health, depression, ptsd, ptsd survivor, doctor, eye doctor, podcaster, podcasting, podcast, healing our brokenness, katina horton, simple functional grace-filled living, eyes, exams, physical health, traumatized — Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com

Our last podcast, Lost in the Woods of Trauma, dealt with the process of going from having the trauma identity to reign, to have our identity in Christ to take over. This week’s episode: Grace Aspect of Living With and Healing from Trauma, shares about the embarrassing moments that we all have when we live with and heal from trauma on a daily basis, even when we have come a long way with our healing. It also handles how to see these moments as God sees them. Click to listen!

Podcast Outline

Traumatic Childhood Events

My Traumatic Childhood Event

My Eye Doctor Visit

Grace Aspect: My Resolve

Grace Aspect: Bible Verses for Meditation

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4: 15-16

January 16, 2019April 27, 2021

Digestion Aspect: Living With and Healing from Trauma on a Daily Basis

emotional health, anxiety, mental health, depression, anxiety, eating, food, grieving, ptsd survivor, podcaster, author, blogger, blog, blogger life, digestion, regurgitation, hypersensitive, trauma — Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

In our Living With and Healing from Trauma on a Daily Basis Series, I dissect issues and symptoms of PTSD/trauma. This is in hopes of letting people know that they are not alone, as well as giving people the freedom to comment, and talk about how PTSD/trauma has affected their lives in these areas. The last post in the Living With and Healing from Trauma on a Daily Basis Series was one dealing with the Holiday Aspect of trauma. You can find that post here. Today’s post will focus on the Digestion Aspect.

One surprising revelation for me was realizing that PTSD/trauma actually affects your digestion. I stumbled upon this realization in June of 2014, a couple of months after getting divorced. There are three things that I noticed when it comes to trauma and digestion:

Trauma and grief will come out in the form of regurgitation.

I am not trying to sound gross here, so please bear with me. Due to complications with my ex-husband’s health, as well as the fact that I had stuffed my emotions for so long, my grief was delayed. Grieving my divorce, and all the events surrounding it, were delayed. Alleviating some of the symptoms that I was experiencing seemed downright frightening because of stuffing for so long.

This caused me to be in a vicious cycle of stuffing and feeling like my face and chest was going to explode, with very little relief. Trauma is in the tissues, and so I discovered, along with reading information on my own, that movement, grief, and massaging helped to release it. The problem came into play when I finally felt like I could release the trauma. However, the underlying feeling was that if I started crying, there would be no bottoming out. Subconsciously, I knew it was going to be a bad release.

Instead of my system waiting any longer, it released the trauma and grief in the form of regurgitation. Initially, I thought that it was just that maybe something upset my stomach. However, after four rounds of this, and feeling grief in between each round, I knew that wasn’t the case at all. It didn’t take long to put two and two together.

I felt very vulnerable, and my son kept asking me, “What did you eat?” I told him that it had nothing to do with the food. It was physiological.

Trauma will cause your system to get confused about hunger and fullness.

Another weird discovery that I made is that every now and then, stored trauma and unreleased grief will make your system confused as far as satiety is concerned. There are times when I have felt like I could keep eating forever. Then, there are other times that I feel hungry, and then attempt to eat, but will all of a sudden feel full.

Lastly, there are times when I can literally feel my emotions trapped in my midsection, causing my body to try to figure out whether it is satisfied, or it needs more food. It is the weirdest thing. It doesn’t happen as much anymore. However, when it happens, it can be very frustrating.

When doing research, one of the explanations that I found is that because of PTSD/trauma, at times, the blood that should flow into the stomach, moves away from it, going to other areas like the arms.

Trauma will cause you to become hypersensitive to certain foods, causing severe panic attacks when consumed in normal portions.

The last issue that I would like to discuss is how trauma causes hypersensitivity to foods. These foods vary from person to person. For me, it was sugar. I first discovered this when I decided to eat a glazed donut in 2015.

Within five minutes, a severe panic attack came on, I felt like I was going to hit the roof. The only thing that would help my system to calm down was drinking an excess amount of water, and then deep breathing, and a lot of prayer. Taking multivitamins has helped , but it is still not the same.

My system has improved a little. However, it can’t handle what it once was able to. Sometimes, I get frustrated with this fact. It is what it is. I have learned to accept the fact that a few moments of pleasure for an hour or more of panic just isn’t worth it.

How has PTSD/trauma affected your digestion? What are some of the ways that you use to cope with it?

God bless,

Katina

January 14, 2019April 27, 2021

Released

The last poem that I wrote, The Advancer, can be found here. Today’s poem, Released, describes what happens when Christ gets a hold of our hearts. When we are open, he can heal us, and take us from a life of just surviving, to a fruitful life filled with thriving. God bless!

walls, piercing, heart, God, emotional health, thriving, spiritual health, mental health, living, healing, survival, poetry,poem, poet, author, blogger, blogger life, author life, writer — by Brodie Vissers-Shopify

Released

The Savior

The Son of God

He pierces

Straight through the heart

To the point

Where we Confess

That we’re tired

Of the Same, Old Mess

The Lifestyle

Of just coping and surviving

We’re done now

Let’s get to the thriving

He breaks down

The power of Sin

Holy Spirit

Come dwells within

He breaks down

All the walls of doubt

And His Name

Alone gives him clout

He breaks down

All power of sin

All God’s people

Can say Amen

Meditation Verse

Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:11