Friday Fragments

How did it get to be after 10am already?

... because its been a rough morning... that's why!

But that means its only 5 hrs till my weekends starts

so why not fill it with fragging

*****

What would yesterday's decision on health care reform been like without social media?

You got to see instantly what people thought...

& get mad at all those that didnt agree with you

Source: 9gag.com via Leslie on Pinterest

*****

This is what my week has been like every evening...

editing, editing, editing.

But I'm getting some great pictures.

& I know the poor hubby has to be so tired of me saying

COME HERE - look at THIS ONE

or

Which one out of these two look the best?

(when the color is so slight he cant tell the difference)

*****

So my NutriBullet has already gone Ka-poot!!!
Its probably my fault - I filled it up & it exploded in my motor
... there's a "MAX" line & I went over it...
but its covered under a warranty so they're sending me a new one out
COOL...
I'll try not to blow this one up
But for the record.... I love my juicer more


*****

My coworker refuses to use a debit card, get a DVR, use any sort of social media, even knows how to barely use a computer
& uses the PHONE BOOK to find phone numbers.

Why does this bother me like it does?

It's just not right....

*****

Did anyone else expect a big blow out on The Bachelor

with the story of Arie & the producer?

Only to have them say, "They talked it out off camera"

... & then have them kissy-faced in the next scene.

...let down..

For the record, Jef is my favorite

*****

Everytime they show that video of Ann Curry saying goodbye,
it chokes me up
... not cool Today Show... not cool...

*****

For the record, I know that everyone is wearing arm bands for Robin Roberts
(who I think is awesome by the way)
but if you see me sporting one on my right arm?
Its because I've been wearing one for a year for my bicep tendonitis...
the pressure holds my tendon together & gives me a bit of relief.
So I'm not trying to be cool or jump on the bandwagon
... its what keeps me from crying all day long in pain...


*****

Spat of the Week:  NONE... well, kinda

I'm going to be generous to my hubby
... for those of you that didnt hear...
he had his foot ran over with a FORK LIFT this week
Yes... a ForkLift!!!!!

They say that 7 out of 10 people that a forklift accident happens to?
They loose their foot - or part of it....

not my hubby
He said his foot FLATTENED ...  & then when they moved the fork lift
he could feel it sort of raise back up.
What the heck?
is he Stretch Armstrong?
(I just dated myself)

But honestly, he said he kept praying
& it must have worked
NOTHING BROKEN!!!!!

Oh, its swollen & purple & blue
But NOTHING like it could have been!!!!
Thank you Jesus!

But a spat can be noted because now,
he thinks he's really a SuperHero that cant be hurt.
Like that Bruce Willis Movie, Unbreakable...

I told him to see if his nose breaks if I punch him in it
& we'll see how SuperHero he really is :)

*****

I'm gonna leave with this video
Know this - its TOTALLY not policially correct
But its Belle...
I had to throw it in...

Happy Friday y'all!

Healthcare ... the other side

I know I'm going to get flack for this post...

but that's ok...

this is my blog... & its my life...

& I know lots of people are upset about today's decision on the healthcare reform that was passed

Now, I'll be the first one to stand up & say, when it comes to politics, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed...

but I know my life...

& I know how my life has been since my health insurance has been taken away from me at my job.

I have been at my company for 20 years... & 15 years in, they took our health insurance away.  I ventured into the world of finding my own policy.

If you never had to do it, then let me say, you have no idea what its like. 
You THINK you know - you dont know...

They run you through the mill & put you, as I call it, under the spot light like you're being questioned for murder.

Why did you go to the doctor 13 years ago?
Why were you coughing on 7/22/1992?

They really ask ridiculous questions & make you feel like you're ready to die if you've ever had a cold in your life...It really is insane

...not to mention, the insurance company's customer service must take a class called RUDE 101

And all of that, only to get turned down - or have a premium that is so high, you have to make changes in your life to get health insurance.

And you think you have health insurance & you're good?  HA! That's a joke

I've vented on here before about it... I have my own policy - but that doesnt really mean anything except the doctor will let you in their office.

For one MRI & some blood work this year,  I still have had to pay THOUSANDS of dollars out of pocket.  On top of the monthly premium that has been raised...

& now, when its time for it to come again for renewal, with having one trip to the doctor, & having tests done, I guarantee you, it will raise a few hundred dollars again.

So when I see a plan that does involve health insurances not being able to cancel you... or preexisting rules changing... or even employers that have to offer health insurance or be fined... I have to say - I'm for it...

& I know people say, "but I'm being taxed"... let me tell you - there are so many people sitting in the hospital right now with no insurance... you're being 'taxed' without really knowing it.  Those people that arent covered? The government, insurance companies, hospitals - they find a way to make their money...

What it comes down to - for me?  I think every decision made in this country - it has a good side and a bad side for everyone...

for me?  this is going to be a good side...  I think...

I just wanted to state this side because I'm seeing nothing but opposition towards the decision today.. & while I will say I'm a Republican & not a Obama fan - I just want the 'other side' to be noted....

& for the record, I do realize the 'bad side' too that everyone is voicing
... & I understand the points being made...

but believe me, know I'm not the only one in America that this is going to help.  There are children & people with 'pre-existing conditions' who are thrilled that they can go to the doctor without being dropped by their health insurance companies ... or can actually GET insurance now...

There's always lots of different sides to a story, isnt there?

& also know - this will probably be the only time politics is ever talked about on my blog...

but probably not the last time I'll complain about health insurance
... I was doing it long before today & I'll be doing it long after today.

Hell on earth...

Here's my area temps for the weekend...

I keep seeing pictures of everyone posting pictures of their local temperatures for their area for the weekend...

& some of the areas are INSANE...

112 ...109... 115

I have always heard of "Hell freezing over" -

but do we have a phrase for the opposite? 

Because I'm pretty sure its happening...

& let me be the first to remind you that my car has no AC

That's a warning to everyone - dont hug me if you see me

... my shirt will probably be stuck to my back & I'll probably have the smell of

Eau De STANK

How hot is it going to get in your area?

Stay safe everyone!!! 

Hodgepodge

Wednesday ... Its Board Meeting Morning... my internet was down this morning... I'm exhausted... & I'm thinking its Monday, not Wednesday... but its time to Hodgepodge so it must be Wednesday. 
Thank you Jesus... I couldnt handle another Monday.


1. What do the words 'freedom' and 'liberty' mean to you? Does your mind go in the direction of not being persecuted or discriminated against or does it head in the direction of doing what you please?

I dont hear the word "liberty" & not think of the Pledge of Allegience... "With liberty & justice for all" ... I dont think I've ever used Liberty in a sentence otherwise...

"Freedom" - its what I think of when Friday at 3 pm comes around....

WEEKEND!!

2. Nathan's sponsors a hot dog eating contest every July 4th. Last year over 40,000 people attended the event and almost 2 million watched it on TV. The winner ate over 60 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. How do you like your hot dogs?

OH.MY.GOSH....

Whenever I see them dip the hot dogs & buns in water so they SLIDE down... I want to puke... I'm gagging now...

I dont eat hot dogs anymore, but in the day, I was about ketchup & sweet relish... hold the cup of water to dip it in...




3. If you were going to enter an eating contest what would be on the menu?

Anything that I didnt have to dip in water...

Probably grapes... I'd like to see how many I could hold in my mouth at one time & then BUST them all at once....

Or you could just have someone constantly toss them in your mouth.

Can you imagine the belly ache after ANY eating contest? 

Add belly cramps to that gagging now



4. Do you run your house more as a dictatorship or a democracy?

I know my answer will be different then The Hubs... I think its a democracy, but I would bet The Hubs would say dictatorship.  Is it wrong to give orders to pick up socks & belts when they're laying in the wrong place every day?  Sometime dictatorships are necessary :)

But if the orders arent followed - then is it really a dictatorship?

We'll just say I have a democraship ... I like that word...




5. Where was your favorite summer place as a kid?

The basement... sounds scary, doesnt it?

But in summer, me & my mom would stay up late & go down in the basement & watch old TV shows.  And I'm not talking Nick at Nite 'old shows' - which are my shows from my teenage years.  I'm talking, "George Burns & Graccie Allen" - "Hazel" - "I Married Joan" ... we would play games & watch the TV till it signed off. 

Source: google.com via Michele on Pinterest

Yes - the days of TV signing off...

But I always looked forward to summer time just for late nights ... great memories



6. Do you have a guest room? Would you want to stay there?

Yes we do ... do I want to stay there?  No ... because The Hubs has taken it over.  It's his own hang-out-room.  He keeps his computer on the bed - he's got a huge TV in there - he uses that closet for his clothes....
its his 'den' to get away from his 'other den' - the basement den.  So he has an upstairs den & a downstairs den... very chique...

When we do have quests, it gets cleaned up & he gets booted though...

I cant talk though - I took our other guest bedroom & its where my knitting, camera equipment, computer, TV & Beauty & the Beast goodies are at...



7. Next Wednesday America celebrates her independence. Do you have any special plans for the 4th of July? If you live outside the USA when and how does your country celebrate its own patriotic holiday?

My plans?  SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes!
& stay in the air condition!!!!!!!!!!!  YES!!!!!


8. Insert your own random thought here.

No joke... It takes me forever to loose any weight.  I loose like a half-pound a week.

...& then I missed running last week preparing for the wedding...

& guess what happened?

I gained 10 lbs back over a week & a half

HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?!?!?!?!?!?

You work so hard to loose weight... & then it comes back in what literally seems overnight.

Its not like I sat for a week & gorged on ice cream...

Needless to say - I'm pretty bummed out right now in my fat 10 lb heavier body....

Here's a picture of the story of Jack Sprat... I always say that's me & The Hubs... he cant gain weight & I cant loose it....

Source: museumsyndicate.com via Hilarie on Pinterest

You can call us "The Sprat's" from now on... I need to change my weekly "Spat of the week" to "Sprat of the week"

There's leaving ya on a happy note...

I need to go eat something to cheer up.... KIDDING!!!!....

God sucker punched me....

This past Sunday at church, the message was on the "Unlovable"

... I instantly had 3 people pop in my mind when I heard the topic & when our Pastor started talking about the people we have in our lives that just make things difficult.

you know the ones... the ones that make you cringe when you have to talk to, or interact with...we all have 'em in our lives

But what makes someone 'unlovable'?

Our pastor had us turn to 1 Corinthians 13 - the "LOVE" chapter... love is patient, love is kind... you know the one.

So if these things are love - then the opposite could almost define "unlovable"

So let's look at it... because this hit me in the gut... or the heart, as God likes to sucker-punch us sometimes

Love is patient .... how often have I lost my patience
Love is kind ... how many times have I been less then kind
Love does not envy .... how many times am I jealous of people for the things they have - or the life they have
Love is not proud ... how many times have I been proud of what I've accomplished
Love is not rude ... dont even ask the guy that cut me off in the road about this one
Love is not self seeking ... how many times have I put my own selfish needs above others needs
Love is not easily angered.... My hair aint red for no reason.. my hot head may have something to do with it
Love keeps no records of wrong ... Why do you think I keep the "Spat of the weeks" ... so I can remind the Hubs of all the time I'm RIGHT!!! ... I cant help it I'm rights so much! ... (see? that's so wrong)
Love does not delight in evil ... I'm gonna admit something - I usually am glad when the thing called 'karma' happens.  When its something I think people deserve...
Love always trusts & hopes ...how many times do I not trust what people say ... &how many times do I give up hope - even in the simpliest things?

Get the point?

With that scripture, I saw in the mirror not the people that I think are unlovable...

I saw that I'm the one who is unlovable...

I am probably that unlovable person to someone in this world....

& that's hard to swallow... isnt it?  Because we like to be liked.  We dont want to be 'THAT' person to someone else.  But according to the Bible's definition - its very possible & easy to see why I could be unlovable...

but our Pastor reminded us... even with every bad thing - with every horrible reflection of that verse in my heart...Jesus still loves me...Jesus still loves you...

It doesnt matter how 'unlovable' you are... you have someone who still overlooks all the bad in us... all the selfishness - all the jealousy - all the pride ... he just loves us...

& that makes me want to be more lovable to others...

How about you... are you lovable?

Weekend Wrapup

Think I went MIA?

I actually was SWAMPED this weekend... doing what you ask?  I was shooting a wedding on Friday.  It was a crazy long day.  Left my house at 9 am & got in my bed about 2 am Saturday morning....

This old gal doesn't usually make it past 11 pm on ANY weekend so 2 am?  I think my body freaked out a bit... but it was a fun time - TONS of pictures taken & a busy weekend to follow...

here's what it looked like... I'm adding a bit of Friday in since it was the beginning of my weekend

Friday

* Here's what I looked like leaving my house... try to keep it simple - I like to blend in the background of pictures in case someone else is snapping around me.

* I dont know what I would have done without my friend Chasity assisting me & even my hubby... he came & did the 'grunt work' - carrying equipment, ladders, jumping on the ball when we would come running screaming, "GIVE ME ANOTHER CARD"... it takes a village

* cant post any wedding pics yet, but here's the church the ceremony took place in

Saturday

* EXHAUSTED!!!!
... I literally was more sore from this wedding then I was from running my half marathons.  I'm not even joking in the least either... my arm muscles were sore from the camera, my quads were sore from squatting, my feet have blisters the size of quarters on them & my pedometer said we walked almost 7 miles that day.  Wedding photography aint no joke.

* We had to return 2 lens that I rented... yes, I rent lens for events like this because I cant afford $5000 for 2 lens right now.  There's a goal to build to.  (Can you believe one lens can cost $2800?????)

* We were going to head to Nashville to help Julie get settled in, but I knew I would be NO HELP - so we called Julie & told her we're old & exhausted.  Luckily, she had a friend from Arkansas come up to help her get things moved & unpacked. 

* I needed fuel... I honestly ate one veggie sandwich on Friday around 2:30 pm & that was all I had the whole day... I'm talking even fluid.  I was so dehydrated & run down.  So we stopped at Panera Bread.  Everyone else was getting breakfast... me?  Give me some lunch food.  Mediterrean sandwich - mmmmm.....

* My parents were doing a big move day so we headed over to their new house & Ricky helped my dad & brother load & unload ... & load & unload again...me?  I sat on the porch with my mom & sister in law & kept falling asleep.  I'm THAT helpful in moves.  See Julie?  I would have been asleep on your porch if we came to Nashville :)

(The view from one side of my parents porch... see why I kept falling asleep?  RELAXING)

(My moving, camera shy hubby & my daddy... waiting on my brother)

* I went through some pictures at mom & dad's house... old pictures are always fun to look back on... here's one of my favs...

(I still give that look)

* We found a picture of my mom when she was pregnant with me... OH.MY.GOSH!!!
It looked EXACTLY like me... Ricky tells me all the time how much I look like my mom - I never saw it until I saw this picture. AMAZING!  I'll be posting the pictures up later... I'm still amazed by it...

* Its awesome to leave my parents home & be at my house in 5 minutes... nice...

* Let the editing begin... I started on wedding pictures & didnt even know that 3 hours had passed...

Sunday

* Church ... an awesome message... I'll be talking more about that tomorrow too

* Got to hang out with Chasity & Ryan... lunch & then back to my house so she could see the results of her picture taking...

* Ryan gave up after 500 pictures... he said he couldnt take anymore so he headed to play cards with Ricky... me & Chasity were in picture heaven :)

* Went back to see mom & dad... since 5 minutes is so much better then 35 minutes (that's how long it took to get to their other house)

* More editing... that's going to be the story of my life for the next few weeks :)

Now onto a new week... need to get back in my routine now. I've let my running slack this week & I'm feeling it...I'm just hoping to get some sleep in sometime this week... I think my body is crying out for it.  Or maybe its just that blister leaking... (ewww)

The story of So-n-So

I taught on Sunday about doubt...

who doesnt have it .. on many things...

& I could talk for DAYS on this topic - but there's one main point that I shared with the kids & want to share with you

DOUBT IS OK!!!!

Yep - I said it... I think God is totally OK with doubt... even when you doubt if He's there - even when you doubt His word - even when you doubt everything you've been taught...

but what are you going to do with the doubt?  That's where the hard part comes.

Because if you doubt something, you can find answers... that means you question something & want to know the truth... but do you look for it?

The example I gave the kids - which I think is a perfect illustration for us all:

Ever have someone tell you So-n-so is talking about you or saying something that hurts your feelings?  Then, when you see So-n-so, you feel funny about them.  Most of the time, we dont like conflict & we just look at them & think, "Why did So-n-So say that about me" & we just go on having these bad feeling about So-n-so ...

After awhile - we dont even want to have anything to do with So-n-so - we cut them out of our lives... why would we want someone in our lives like that?

But what if So-n-so never said a thing... what if it was all a lie... or what if something was heard wrong & understood in the wrong way? what if someone planted doubt in your mind... & it took root... & you didnt find out the truth?

Doubt in God is the same way

We get doubts planted in our mind by people everyday - questions in our lives - situations that are thrown at us.. & we doubt...

but are we going to find out the truth - question God?
... or walk away from God & think, "I dont want him in my life"...

its up to us...

doubt can drive us to finding out more then we ever wanted to know
... more then we knew before
... but we have to want to find the truth

because its easy to just avoid conflict - avoid trying to find answers - its just easier for us sometimes to cut things out of our lives

There is a perfect example - & the reason why Lee Stroebel wrote "A Case for Faith" ... this man, who served alongside Billy Graham - who worked in "Youth for Christ" events for most of his life - he had questions that drove him to just walk away instead of trying to find answers....

that blows my mind...
but I think it happens everyday

We may have questions that will never get answered... but that doesnt mean you shouldnt stop trying to find some sort of truth... & I guarantee, you'll still learn something else that God wants you to know...

Never stop questioning God...
its only going to bring you closer to him

Hodgepodge

1. Summer officially rolls in with the Hodgepodge, for those of us in the Northern hemisphere anyway. What song says summer 2012 to you?

Since you asked of a summer song for THIS YEAR, I'll go with this stupid song... Call me Maybe .... because its summer 2012 & this song is CONSTANTLY in my head. Ask Ricky... he hears me singing it all day around the house. Its EVERYWHERE... you may not like a summer songs, but they stick in your head regardless



If you were to ask me of another summer song of all time - I'd go with "Ice Ice Baby" ... reminds me of my summer time as a teenager, "cruising" around meeting up with friends...& I totally just dated myself with that song

2. What is the quintessential summer food?

For me?  Sherbert!!!!

There is a local ice cream place that opens on Memorial Day & closes on Labor Day & they make they're own sherbert daily.. you never know what flavor you're going to get.  Its wonderful!!! And its always interesting to drive by & see the 'flavor of the day' - Orange is always my favorite - but we tried Lime the other day.  Thumbs up... & we saw they had Apple this past weekend.  We didnt have a chance to stop by - but that sounds interesting.


3.   I've spent a lot of time traipsing up and down the NJ turnpike in recent weeks. Did you know the rest stops on the turnpike are named after people who lived or worked in NJ? Clara Barton, Walt Whitman, James Fenimore Cooper, Molly Pitcher, Joyce Kilmer, Thomas Edison, and Grover Cleveland just to name a few. Of those I listed who would you most like to have known and why?

Is that the same Grover that was on Sesame Street?  If so - then I choose him.

4. At what age did you move out of your parent's house and what prompted the move?

This is a touchy subject right now since my parents are moving out of my parents house.  What? .... Yep... its true.  The house I grew up in - the one they've been in for 40 years - they're leaving.  Makes me choke up... that post is for another day...

But I left originally when I was 18 - just graduated high school & got an apartment with my Bestie.  You think that friendship can weather anything - but living together is way different then just 'hanging out'... unfortunately, it didnt end well... we're OK now - but at 18, you know how dramatic stupid things can be.

So I moved back home... & stayed until the day I got married at 23 yrs old...


5.  What's more satisfying to you-saving time or saving money?

Saving Money... I think because its so hard to do.  It seems like everytime you save any up, life throws a curve ball & then its gone...



6.  Name something you think brings out the good in people.

Tragedy... which is sad, isnt it?
But when someone is suffering, it makes people step up & want to help.
What a world it would be if people felt that same apathy in good times...


7. This last question comes to you courtesy of Kathy at Reflections...are you taking a vacation or staycation this summer? If so where are will you go? If a staycation is on the calendar have you made any special plans to fill the time?

We're not sure yet... we usually take our "vacation" in October so we have awhile to plan.  I know we'll be doing a lot of trips to Nashville now that the family is there... but we need some time to get away & have fun together as a couple.  I'm still keeping fingers crossed for Disney World - but know when we go there, I want the grandbabies to go with us.. & I want to plan a trip there around a race. (A Disney Race is my DREAM!!!!) - I'd also love to relax in Gatlinburg for a few days... but I dont mind a staycation either.  Perfect to sleep in, stay in sweats & no make up for a week, & get my house caught back up.  We've also been talking about Niagra Falls ... I want to go & walk a tightrope across it. Its all the rage right now.

Source: via Rebecca on Pinterest

...in the end, I dont CARE what we do... as long as I'm away from work...


8. Insert your own random thought here.

See this view?

Its me this morning... sitting waiting for help...

My car FREAKED OUT on me driving in.
Driving this morning, the lights started flashing on my dash... battery, brakes, engine
... then my lights on my radio started flashing
... then my radio died (to me, there's nothing worse then no radio)
... then the lights on my dash all faded slowly out

... then I'm on the expressway & getting close to my exit & it starts jerking like some CRAZY POSSESSED CREATURE...It said it had no power & was dead, but it was still going... so I kept driving to get closer to work.  All the while, it was still doing that jerk thing.  I finally ca-booted about 4 blocks from work... sigh...

Called AAA & waited - but my awesome hubby came to the rescue... he put a jumper cable on it & after a half hour, was able to get it started & down the 4 blocks to my work (which has a repair garage at it)... & then it ca-booted again...

Great... this is the car I was ready to trade in on another car... & now, I've got to put money on it to get it fixed... See?  My answer to #5 at play in real life...

My new toy

So I stopped on the way home from work for some more apples & lemons... going to make some more of that 'lemonade'...
& then I get home & see something on my front porch....

I am so excited... been waiting anxiously for my NutriBullet

It started a couple of weeks ago.  I woke up on a Saturday morning & turned on the TV.  Now, I'll admit, I'm a sucker for info-mercials... I think I can tell you all about every work out video, every piece of exercise equipment, every cleaning product, everything...

(I'm also on the verge of wanting to buy some of that Tommie Copper that Montel Williams promotes for my bicep tenonditis!!!)

But this Saturday morning - I see this guy...

Source: longevitywarehouse.blogspot.com via Rebeca on Pinterest

David "Avacado" Wolfe ... no, I'm not making up the name... thats what he calls himself.

He reminds me of Howie Mandel with hair.

If you've ever seen "Hungry for Change" - you'll know who he is.  He's an amazing nutritionist.

But I've got this new love of nutrition & food & what it can & cant do to you.  The idea of you are what you eat... the idea that food can be used as 'medicine' ... its all so fascinating to me.  Makes so much sense to me too...

That's why I got my juicer ... & obviously love it... I'm always making juice.

But this looked so simple ... you just toss it in this thing & blend it & drink out of the cup.

Was it as easy as they say?

I pulled it out of the box & just glanced at the directions.  The thing they say to keep in mind is use 50% of greens (spinach, kale, swiss chard) & then 50% fruit - ANY fruit - any combo of fruits.... then you can add any kind of "boost" - nuts, seeds, acai berries, goji berries... & then just add some spring water to make it thin & that's it...

blend & just drink out of the cup...

Its seriously that easy... I made a cup of spinach, pineapple & strawberries...

made it in 30 seconds...

& had the whole unit cleaned in under a minute...

I will say, that's the only downfall of a juicer.  While mine isnt AWFUL to clean, you still have to clean out the strainer everytime.  It takes about 5 minutes to clean that... aain - how horrible - but now I see this thing cleans in SECONDS?  Thta's sweet....

I'm sure I'll still use my juicer...

but this is going to be amazing for breakfast... when I dont have 5 minutes to do dishes...

I'm also trying to find out the benefit/differences of juicing verses Nutrition Extractor.  I do think you probably loose a lot of nutrition in your pulp... & with this, you get all the benefit of greens where in juicing, you get very little juice out of them.

I could tell its going to be nice when The Hubs tried my first drink & said, "Can you make some more?" ....  & I had another cup ready, & cleaned up in under 5 minutes...

NICE!!!!
Anyone else have one? 
Any combos I must try/
Here's an exaple of how it works if you're interested... & I'm not being paid to promote this - I just think its pretty darn cool...

"If you eat wrongly, no doctor can cure us.  If we eat rightly, no doctor is needed" -Victor G. Rocine

Weekend WrapUp

Friday

* We gave some furniture to our church for a yard sale & had to clean out some drawers.  We found some old pictures & man oh man... it was crazy looking back & seeing how long we've been together.  Here's a picture I found - we were the Matron of Honor & Best Man at our friends wedding...

Source: web.stagram.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

I found tons of pictures too where I forgot how skinny I was... that's depressing...

* Uploading pictures onto an online site so I can delete off my computer & make some room... took ALL stinking night... good time to catch up on my Housewives of Orange County... (Still love Heather as my fav)

Saturday

A hectic day - where I needed to be at few places at once... Where's the Harry Potter gadget Hermoine used when you need it?

* Parents still moving...

* I found the most AMAZING veggie burger at a local restaurant... I expected one of those small frozen patty things ... no way.  This thing was HUGE & was made out of black beans with different ground up veggies. I think I'm in heaven.  Just found my new favorite place to eat.

* On the way home, Ricky had to stop for his new addiction... Chick Fil-A chocolate chip cookies.  He buys them in a half dozen bag.  Have you had them?  They are like an inch thick.... & served WARM.

Source: web.stagram.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

* To balance the chocolate - how about some healthy juice...

Source: web.stagram.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

TRY THIS... its the most amazing summer drink you can have

Serving for 2:

4 golden delicious apples

1 lemon

Throw it all in a juicer & no joke, it tastes just like a fresh squeezed sweet lemonade!
Served over ice chips - this is going to be perfect on hot summer days

* After all the food of the day, it was late & I hadnt got a run in... it was dark so I hit the treadmill for my own late night 5K

Sunday

*My turn to teach at Jr. High... on Doubt...this was the improvise lesson because by the time I got up to teach, I had 8 minutes... & my lesson was 25 minutes... talk about some cutting out, but getting the point across.  I think it still turned out OK

* Headed to see my dad for Father's Day... they're still moving.  Its crazy to see some of my old toys... remember this game?  Cat's Eye?  It was so loud with all those marbles churning in that funnel..

Source: web.stagram.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

* Back to church - I got to teach Sr. High too... this time, I had time to do my whole lesson... ahh - made me feel better

* Ricky came & heard me teach.. I've taught for 8 years in youth ministry & this was the FIRST TIME EVER he heard me... made me feel good to know he was out in the crowd.

* These funny faces are just one of the many reasons I love what I do... these kids are fantastic

Source: web.stagram.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

* More uploading pictures... an exciting end to the busy weekend

Here's hoping its a wonderful week for us all!!!

Friday Fragments

Friday...Finally...

this week has royally bit the big apple

(whatever that means... it just rolled off my tongue for some reason)

*****

Its a big moving weekend for people I love...

Julie is packing up & headed to Nashville tomorrow!!!

Yep - my grandbabies will be 3 hours away from us.

MUCH better then 18 hours...

& no more airplane rides

(THANK YOU SWEET PRECIOUS JESUS!!!!!!!)

She got an amazing job opportunity & is heading into a new adventure

so if you could pray for her on this big move

& then my parents are moving!!!!!!

They've been in the same house since I was born...

& now, they're going to live 4.7 miles away from us!!!!

When we lived in Louisville, my parents were about the same distance away from us there... & now, they're that close again

This move?  Its got some highs & lows

Highs all for my dad

Lows all for my mom

So pray for this too if you dont mind...

*****

Another big decision to make this weekend?

Which movie to go see????

Source: Uploaded by user via Rebecca on Pinterest

or

Source: fanpop.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

A red haired tough gal (YEESSSSS!!!)

Or 80's rock?

Decisions...decisions...

*****

Sad day...
in my co-op basket this week?
No more strawberries...

All done for the season...
I may have teared up a bit

I should have known too
These were the strawberries I got last week
Cute to look at (SOOO tiny)
but not much to eat...

Until next year Strawberry Goodness

*****

I went to Hobby Lobby & looky what I saw...

Are you kidding me?

Christmas stuff?

I know you need to get started on crafts early

but WOW...

I broke out in a sweat seeing the Christmas stuff...

*****

I hate sleeveless shirts on me...

*****

FUNNY OF THE WEEK!!!!!

If you're a child of the 80's & know that Gloria Estafan RULED...

then you'll appreciate this...

Source: failblog.org via Rebecca on Pinterest

*****

Did anyone else watch BUNHEADS?

Source: m.imdb.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

You know I'm always up for anything that involves dancing...

but the end...

I gasped...

I wont give it away,

but REALLY?!?!?!
On the first episode, you're gonna make me say,
"DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?"

*****

Still on the car hunt
Yesterday, my car dashboard decided to go all "LOOK AT ME"
by flickering every light on the dash
Check Engine... Brakes.... Seatbelt... Battery

Someone wants some attention

*****

SPAT OF THE WEEK:  Kitchen Light
(this is a fresh one... just happened this morning...but I was RIGHT
so you KNOW I'm gonna use this one for the week)

So our light in part of our kitchen is fluorescent
so when you turn it off, you cant turn it right back on
it has to warm up

This morning, it was already on, but habit, I walked in & hit it, turning it off
DANG IT!

So the Hubs comes in & says he'll take care of it by hitting the switch again
(turning it on)
then walks to the other side of the kitchen by our door & hits that switch
(turning it off)

But he thought he was turning it on

For some reason - he thought that both of the light switches had to be in a certain position for the light to come on

I told him that he just turned it off...
to which he didnt believe me...

so he strutted with that manly, "Oh wait, I'm going to prove you wrong" look
over to the light switch again & hit it
... thinking it wouldnt come on...

guess what?  it came on
YES!!! I was right!!!!

So I told him, "you gotta say it... you gotta!!!"
"You were right... I was wrong"
YES!!! The best way to start a day

Oh... dont worry - this was at 5:25 am...
I'm sure there will be PLENTY more today where I'm wrong & he's right
But its my blog... so this is the winning spat of the week :)
(Love you Hubby)

*****

Hope everyone has a fantastically fabulous Friday

Impact

I just started reading a new book yesterday

Finding Ultra

Source: goodreads.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

This is a story of a man, Rich Roll, who at 40 yrs old, decided to change his life & he ended up becoming one the world's fittest men... becoming an Ultra-man...

Ultra Man as in extreme running (like hundreds of miles) & biking (like HUNDREDS of miles) & swimming (like HUUNNNDDRRREDDS of miles) ...

all starting at the age of 40

For me, turning 40... I need to hear stories like this because my body feels like this age thing?  Its creeping up hard...

I've only just started, but something really struck me in the 3rd chapter.  He was telling his life as a teenager.  He was awkward, not very coordinated, always was bullied by other teenage boys - had really a hard life. 

He found his nitch in swimming though.  His grandfather was an Olympic swimmer & the legacy had been passed down.  Finally, something he was good at.

When he was nearing the end of high school & colleges were scouting him for his skills, he would travel to visit the campuses & get "swooned" over by the coaches.

One man imparticular ended up giving Rich a beer.  Rich loved the way it made him feel.  Bold - not intidimated by others - (From the book) "All those feelings of fear, resentment, insecurity, & isolation just vanished, replaced with the rush of comfort & belonging"

Soon, Rich became an alcoholic... years of hardship, struggle & rehab...leaving a lifetime of a battle with alcohol.

I thought about that...

One thing this random person did - this coach at a school did - giving a beer to a young man - it changed a man's life forever...

Would he have become an alcoholic if this man didnt give him that beer that night?  Whose to say...

but Rich even acknowledges that this man, giving his beer to him at that time in his life changed his world around...

The power of a moment... the impact one person can have on someone's life... all without much thought given...

I think it reminded me that every single thing I say or do can impact someone around me...

I want to always remember that... so I'm aware of it & impacting people for the better

Its a good reminder for us all...

You touch people lives everyday... with the things you say, with the things you do, with your actions...

what kind of impact are you leaving on someone?

Hodgepodge

1. In what way are you your own worst enemy?

Oh my... in so many ways...

I criticize myself in all things I do... from the pictures I take, to my times in running, to my body shape/weight, to the way I deliver a youth lesson, to the way my house isnt perfectly clean...

I can go on & on...

I truly believe we are our own worse enemies and/or our worse critics... at least for myself, its very true.


2. Jacques Cousteau's birthday was Monday, June 11th...ever been scuba diving? Is that something you'd like to try? What's your favorite under the sea creature?

I have never done it & not sure I could...One of my top five fears (doesnt everyone have a top five fears?) is suffocating & I think I'd get under the water & panic a bit with the mouth breathing & be all a frazzled wet mess.

Not to mention, they say the pressure on the ears is something else I wouldnt be able to handle.  I'm the 40 yr old that they want to put tubes in their ears because I have so many issues... so between pain & fear of suffocating, I'll pass.

I even got a little claustrophobic going through that tube at the Aquariums that go under the shark tank...

I'm just a mess...

Thank God for Hi-Def TV's... I'll check out the ocean view that way...

& for the record - Dori is my favorit under sea creature... love a funny, Ellen-like fish anyday


3. On a scale of 1-10 how comfortable are you in and around the water? (1=not at all and 10=very) Do you know how to swim and if so how and when did you learn?

I'm a 10 ... where are my Bo Derek braids?

My aunt had a huge built in swimming pool so I spent my summers there.  She also owned a local kindergarden & during the summer, they gave swim lessons - so I dont remember learning, but know I learned fairly young how to swim.

Its something I'm very passionate about - that every child should learn EARLY to know how to swim... goes back to the suffocating, drowning thing...


4. What's something you do to motivate yourself to tick an item off your to-do list?

Wait... you're supposed to have a 'to-do list'? 
Maybe thats why my life feels so unorganized...



5. What makes a good neighbor? Are you a good neighbor?

We live in the country & our neighbors arent really 'next door' - the houses are scattered & its just different.  But I think a good neighbor is someone who helps out when they can - see you have a need & ask if you need help - just being friendly.

I'm not sure we're home enough to be a 'good neighbor' - but I know Ricky tries to help out our neighbors when he can... & I know our neighbors are AWESOME!!! He plows off our driveway in big snows, he helped fill in our pool hole with dirt that would have taken us a year to fill in - he had it done in an hour... & they are always waving & saying hi... we have perfect neighbors. 


6. Who loads the dishwasher at your house? Is there a right way and a wrong way?

I think we're an equal opportunity dishwasher loaders ... but putting the dishes up?  I gotta take that lead... & I HATE it.. probably one of the worse things I hate doing. Dont even know why it bothers me so bad, but it does.

& of COURSE there's a right way.  Glasses have to be a certain way - plates in a certain area - pans upright a certain way...its all very scientific...


7. You know it's summer when_______________________.

...you step outside & instantly, your hair frizzes out into the shape of a Brillo Pad

Humidity is fierce

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8. Insert your own random thought here.

Source: marsmusings.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

I've been catching up on the whole first season of SMASH on Hulu...

& last night, I dreamt I was Marilyn Monroe on Broadway...

Kiss my Broadway singing behind, Katherine McPhee