Six Word Saturday

Old school glasses making a comeback!!

I used to wear glasses since I was in kindergarden.  My vision is perfect, but I have a lazy eye & I had to wear the prescription glasses to pull my eye back into place.  So over the years, I've had various styles of glasses... all the way from small glasses of the 70's, up to Sally Jessee Raphel glasses of the 80's....

And the twins must have discovered my glasses at my parents house & they are having fun wearing them... I keep getting these pictures & it just makes my day.... look at these cute little faces in my glasses.....

When I see Sophia in glasses, I swear, its like I'm looking back at myself... my parents call her Rebecca all the time... she's used to it by saying "I know, I look like Aunt Bec"

Here's Madi with my "clear" glasses....hoping they just blend in  Do you think it worked?  HA!... these were in my early part of high school... Oh mercy!

I actually liked these glasses.  I loved the more bold glasses - even do today!  And to clarify, I have always had big ole' cheeks so I always wore big glasses to try & "hide" the cheeks... yeah, that probably worked as well as the clear glasses hiding....

I need to find my other glasses - particularly the ones in elementary school that had initial stickers in the corners & little puppy dog stickers.  Anyone remember those eye glass stickers back in the 70's?  I bet the twins will actually like those.  Bring back the old school style!

Friday Fragments

*Be sure to go HERE to try & win a free book from my book blog... the drawing is this evening!!!

*We had 80's night at church last weekend for our 175th +1 anniversary of our church... there was a time capsule that was put up 25 years ago... in the 80's, hence the theme.  It was so much fun pulling out the eye shadow & pulling the side pony tail fashion again!

Totally wish I would have pulled out my slouch socks!!! Remember those?  I have a FEW pairs... that's embarassing to admit...& no! I didnt have that sweater laying around.  I made a trip to Goodwill & found the perfect 80's sweater! 

How cute are these girls (& Ryan back there)... I love it though because these girls werent even ALIVE in the 80's & yet, they love the fashion & music of the era... Rock on girls!

*I'm sorry I missed the recap of Dancing with the Stars... but speaking of the 80's ... did anyone catch how awesome my Donny Osmond looked channeling Adam Ant/ Michael Jackson/Corey Feldman...I'm rooting him on all the way to the finals!!!

*SPAT OF THE WEEK:  Candy wrappers!!!! Ricky has the biggest sweet tooth of anyone I know.  Seriously - his blood has to be made up of at least 51% of sugar.  So after Halloween & half off of bags of candy - Ricky is in his heaven.  Reese's cups, Kit-Kat's, Almond Joys... candy is everywhere!  He carries these bags around like a security blanket.  So now, I'm left to pick up dozens... no, make that HUNDREDS, of candy wrappers... & pulling them out of dog's mouths.  I mean, why just throw them in the trash can when its just fun to watch me chase dogs around, pulling a saliva piece of paper out of their mouths?

*Anyone going to make this week officially TAYLOR SWIFT WEEK?  First, the appearance on SNL (how funny was her Montage Song (la la la)....& then she kicks butt on the country music awards?  WOW... that's one over-achieving 19 yr old... What were YOU doing at 19 years old? 

*In case anyone wasn't aware (yeah... right....) NEW MOON... 1 WEEK AWAY!!!!! (aaahhhhhhh....screaming like a teenager girl!)

*Its Friday, the 13th... a guy at Ricky's work will actually not come into work today because of superstition.  Truly!  I never really think anything of it... do you?  I've never seen the Friday, the 13th movies.  Maybe if I saw those, I'd be a little more freaked out.  I dont know - did people get superstitious about it before or after the movie?  Did the date inspire the movie?  ... I'm so confused & lost.  I need to do my research on this topic.

*Best GLEE Moment:  Sue Sylvester actually making me tear up?  What the heck?  A older sister with Down Syndrome that she reads stories to & holds hands with.... Who saw THAT coming??

*I'm still on a hunt for a camera!  Trying to keep an eye out for those big sales that are supposed to be amazing PRE-Black Friday sales..... come on Best Buy - give me something that will make me happy.

Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!!!!!

Mamaw's Dumplings....

Thanksgiving is just two weeks from today... (I still cant believe it).... & someone was asking me what my favorite food is for Thanksgiving?

I'm such a carb nut!  Give me mashed potatoes... or some good stuffing!  I even love Stove-top, so I'm not picky when it comes to stuffing.  Lots of carbs?  I'm in love... Sorry Bob & Jillian!

But the best thing that I always loved for Thanksgiving was my grandma's dumplings!  Oh my word... I seriously looked forward to the family get togethers just for those yellow pieces of heaven!  Turkey?  Who cares!  Pumpkin pie?  HA!  The dumplings were what I was there for!  There was just nothing like them.  They were thick & yellow & a meal in itself.  Oh... my mouth is watering....

My grandma has left this earth quite a few years back now....

And with her, those dumplings have gone too...

Her daughters (my aunts & my momma) have tried to re-create them.  Its just not the same.  They dont turn out the same color - they arent ever thick enough - they just aren't the same...

I swear, I think she left an ingredient out of her recipe she passed down so no one could make them like her... & no one can...

So once again, with Thanksgiving coming, I'll still think of those dumplings, even though its been over 20 years since I've had them... & I'll appreciate the times that I did get to have them... & my grandma....

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food you're looking forward too?  Have a old time family receipe that you just savor?  Got a good dumpling recipe?

Thank you Veterans!

Panting...

Sunday, I thought I was going to DIEEEEEEE if I didnt get something to drink.  It was late & I had been running all day long.  Up & out at 7:45 am to head to church, practiced singing with the Worship Band, then sang through two services, taught the Jr. High youth, so that involved alot of talking (which I'm good at!) - then we had a youth meeting - then off to lunch with my buddy Ryan & some fun talks (more talking!  I'm telling you - I'm good at it!) - then we had our church's 175 +1 celebration that revolved around the 80's!  Oh - I've got pictures coming!  But that event was so much fun!  I dont think I've laughed that hard in a LONG time - & of course, I talked alot...

So I get back into my house at 9:45 & I'm PARCHED.  I literally downed a can of Diet Coke in like 5.7 seconds!  Well, maybe not that fast, but I bet you it was less then 2 minutes.  Then I pull out another one - down it!  I'm telling you - I'm chugging!  Then I get another one!  It was like I couldnt get enough to drink... my poor throat was yelling "SOOTHE ME"!!!

Have you ever been that thirsty?  Isnt that a horrible feeling?  I know working out makes me just crave water - yes, water! - not Diet Coke! 

I had to laugh at how cool God is though because my scripture reading for the day yesterday was Psalm 42... & the first words,

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. -Psalms 42:1-2

I've heard this verse before & never really put a lot of thought into it... I love God's timing of showing me how my thirst was consuming me the night before & how I was doing everything I could to quench it.  This verse became alot clearer.

Then, me, being a word nerd (along with a knit nerd & a number nerd, & all the other "nerd" things in my life) - I looked up what "pant" meant.... here's some of the definitions:
*Breath noisly, as when one is exhausted
*To Gasp; a short labored breath
*To long for (something); to be eager for (something)

AHHH.... yes!  Exhausted - being labored - to long for something...

Yep... those are all the things I am without God in my life or when I put other things before Him...

So next time I'm DYING for something to quench my thirst, I think I'm going to remember that verse & thank God that He is the Living Water to ease my exhaustion - to ease that labored breathing ...& to fulfill all that I long for!

Book Giveaway

Hey... you all know you want a free book - right? 

Stop over at my Book Blog, just click right HERE & leave a comment... easy enough! 

Drawing will be Friday evening... good luck!

Friday Fragments

*Anyone seen these new leg toning shoes?  I cant figure them out... I thought they were a joke at first but then they made an appearance on "Modern Family" (anyone see that guy walking in them with walking poles?  HILARIOUS)... I cant imagine how they feel.  I think I would just teeter totter back & forth standing in them until I was a little nauseated.  Shoe sick?  Is that possible? I think it would be with me!

*SPAT OF THE WEEK:  I'm going to let the picture tell it all!  Because my camera is broke & you have to look through the view finder, Ricky went to take a picture of me for Halloween.  I kept telling him, you have your hand over the lens... the spat therefore ensued... because there is no screen to check how the picture turned out, later that evening when I downloaded the pics... this is what I found...

*I was Pippi Longstocking for the fun.... We could add this to SPAT of the week - but Ricky ended up being right about my hair.  We used solder for my hair.  It comes on a roll & it was actually really flexible so it could hold the shape... My hair stayed up for the whole night too...

Ricky was a Rocker!!!  Not too far out of his real life self really.... but it was the first time I got to put eye liner on his eyes & paint his finger nails black... it was like playing dress up with my husband!  I told him I dont want to ever do that again!  At least not unless he buys his own makeup & not use mine! :)

*I love my Polar Heart rate monitor.  It tells you all the good stuff you wanna know when you work out.  This week, on Wednesday - it said I burned 638 Calories!!! DO WHAT?  I've never hit a calorie burn that high in my life!  It was so nice, I wanted to go eat to celebrate! 

*This time change is KILLING me... I'm ready  to put on my PJ's & crawl into bed at 7:00... which is really bad because most of my night "events" start at 7:00... Bible Study, small group, church.... It just feels so wrong pulling my car out of my garage when the moon is high in the sky.  I'm ready to just hibernate.  Wake me up when Spring comes please.

*Stop by our girl Julie's Blog... she needs some encouragement!  She's at 25 weeks of pregnancy & having some contractions & problems!  If you remember during her pregnancy with Isaac, he was born premature so this pregnancy has had its issues too.  She spent a few hours in the hospital last Friday & me & Ricky were holding our breath for awhile.  Prayers were answered & she was able to go home.  But dont let me tell you, let her tell you through her blog!  She needs some prayers through this pregnancy!  And you can also check out our cutie-pie grandbaby's Halloween pics!  AND.... you can find out the name of our new future grandson!

*CD Update... Got Steven Curtis Chapman's CD... Oh my goodness... the songs are SO amazingly good, but I have to tell you - I have to listen to it at certain times because its just heartbreaking.  Every song is about the loss of his daughter, Maria.... This isnt just a pop in the player & listen on a nice drive on the road.  This is a heart tugger!..... & as for the GLEE Soundtrack - its a MUST HAVE!  if you are a fan of the show at all, you gotta get this!  They are the full versions of the songs & I have to say, "Defying Gravity" is now my official GLEE song (today, anyways)

Happy Friday everyone!

Addiction - a bad thing?

Yes, I know it IS a bad thing in certain situations....

Let me back up... Obviously, if you visit here regularly, you see I do "dancing with the stars" updates.  I also am a huge fan of So you think you can dance... there are some people who can DANCE!!!  And some of the dances stick with you for years!  I still cant hear "Bleeding Love" & not think of our cutie Chelsie, who is NOW on Dancing with the Stars!  Ahh - love the circle of life of dancers!

My funny friend, Pooba had on her blog today two dances... & one of them was one of my top five dances - Addiction by Kayla & Kupono.  I'm adding it at the bottom & if you havent seen it, you should watch it.  If you have seen it - you totally know you want to watch it again.

The thing about that dance is how horrible "addiction" looks - the evil on his face... as addiction CAN look!  I remember when Mia Michael, the choreographer, put it together.  She said, "You can look controlling because YOU KNOW SHE'LL COME BACK TO YOU AGAIN".... & that look he gives at the end - its that look Mia was talking about.  A snide look of, "you think you walked away?  You'll be back"... gives me chills...

I looked at a defition of "addiction" - it said "a strong craving" - or " something that is habit-forming"

I want to put out an idea to some choregraphers out there.  Mia Michaels, you listening?  Let's do a dance where someone is addicted to God & godly things!  Have that person keep running back & running back & have THAT "addiction" lovingly take them back & show nothing but love & caring... Can you imagine how different that dance would be... & how sweet the face would be at the end of that dance with the same look of "you'll be back"... a look of love in the eyes of that statement...

Wouldnt THAT be a good dance?...

I totally want to be 100% addicted to God, where I keep running back & His arms are open to always know I can come back to Him... Addiction.... doesnt always have to be a bad thing....

Took away...

Ever skip over the sections in the Bible that lists name after name, after name, after name... Yeah... I do too!

As I mentioned before, we are going through Genesis to Revelation with the Jr. High kiddos & I have found some cool new eye opening things on stories I've known my whole life - Adam & Eve - Cain & Able (or Cable, as I called them), Noah... you know - the good ole stories every kid knows.

I got to the part where it was the story of the descendants of Adam to Noah... BOOORRRRINNNGGG - right?  I normally just fast forward like the Bible is on DVR, but then I thought, well, my family tree means something to me so maybe I should take the time to look at this.  If anything - the names are interesting.  Gives me some ideas to throw at Julie for the new baby? 

Methuselah - that's a name you dont hear anymore!
Jared - is this the ORIGINAL Subway guy?
Seth - I really do like that name!

But I looked at the name of Enoch... through all the names, his is the only one that says "...Enoch walked with God 300 years..." (Genesis 5:22)

Then the cool thing follows in verse 24 - "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away"

It doesnt mention that about anyone else, but what REALLY struck me - was a reminder that if we walk with God, then HE is in control!  When its time for us to leave this world, God will take us away...

I dont know why I've never noticed that, but it really spoke to my heart of comfort - especially when times of grief come, I think we need to be reminded that God is in control...

I want to keep walking with God so He will take me away to be with Him for eternity!!!  Anyone else in?

Camera? HELP!!!

So, my lovely little pink camera didnt like the horse back riding adventure day I had last week.  As you seen, I took pictures with it through the whole day, but then as we were getting back to the trailer, I noticed my screen was busted!  Now, my camera is like AIR to my lungs... I almost felt a little panic.

You can still take pictures with it but you have to look through the eye viewfinder (who does THAT?) & then you dont know what the picture looks like!  I feel like I'm in the 70's & waiting for my film to be developed to see that you only got one good picture out of 32!  ... remember doing that?

My dear sweet husband has noticed my moping around about the camera.... well, actually he got an experience how hard it will be to use it because he took a picture of me on Halloween... only to have all the pics he took turn out horrible... one of them, his finger is covering the lends... seriously!  Anyways - he said we can go out & look for a camera for me.

The thing is - what do I want????? I mean, I LOVE LOVE LOVE taking pictures... & I love the small compactness of a camera I can leave in my purse all the time - like my cute little Sony Cyber-shot...

But dang man - I've seen some of the pictures you bloggers take with some mac-daddy cameras & I've been looking at those for awhile!  But that's not convenient to tote around everywhere.  I mean, I cant see me toting that thing around while on horseback!  But the quality of the pictures seem to be in a league of their own....

Give me thoughts, suggestions - what camera do you use that you like?... decisions, decisions!

Len is on crack....

This is the first Monday where I havent had something scheduled & dont need to watch Dancing with the Stars on my DVR... so I'm feeling all a frazzle... but I'm literally LLLIIIIVVVEEEE tonight!

We get to start off with the pros dancing.... huh?  Why?  I guess they have to figure out a way to fill the whole 2 hours.  Didnt the show used to be one hour, especially when it got to half way through?  Hmmm... let's get this 2 hour show on the road, shall we?

Michael Irvin & Anna - Let start off by saying that No, I have not mistaken Michael as Fred Astaire one time during this show... does anyone think he looks like Mr. Astaire?  After all, can you see little Fred out on the football field... those poor twinkle toes would never last!  .... But I have to say, this fox trot, I'm going to call him "Michael Astaire" because he really pulled this off!  It looks like he is getting more comfortable & actually ENJOYING himself! And you gotta like the guy even more for designing their costumes around Barney because he loves his kids... ahhhh!  (I love you, you love me, we're a happy dancing family....)

Donnie & Kim - The only person I would want to beat Donnie is Steven Curtis Chapman & he's not on show (hint to you Dancing with the Star Producers!)... so I still love Donnie the best!  They had the Quick Step tonight & I just love anything he does.  He didnt do it perfect - but flash those shiny teeth & it puts a glare that takes away any mistake!  I love even more that he stood there & told on himself on how many times he messed up.... Honesty?  Give that man a 10!!!

Mark & Lacey Anna - Poor guy - the flu has hit his partner, Lacey!  See, apparently, if you are in perfect shape & athletic, the flu bug will take you down!  So Tony steps in & that's just weird to see two men dancing a latin dance together... & then steps in Anna, who changes everything 2 days before.  Oh mercy... you could see the nerves on this man's face & the dance was really bad.  Not at all a Samba...(I always think of Julianne & Apollo)- that was my favorite Samba of them all!!!  This one... definitely not in the top 10 of Samba's...I think it was Anna... she's cursed.  I totally blame her & I hate blaming a red head for anything bad!

Mya & Dmtry - I love that this girl who can dance got advice from Cloris Leachman!  Remember her?  Remember her dancing?  Yeah - why is she giving advice?  Because she's old?  She lived in the era?  Oh well, it was fun to see her back!  I love a spunky ole lady!  I plan on being just like that when I'm old!  .... The Fox trot was beautiful but had alot of 'show" - so you know what that means?  Len is Mr. Grumpy & even spurs Carrie Ann to say "Len is smoking crack"... I agree Carrie Ann, I agree...

Aaron & Karina - They are tackling the Jive & the speed Karina is wanting Aaron's feet to go is amazing! They are even sending him to a athlete training center that would have me walking out with at least a broken foot, if not a broken leg!  And they are Jiving to TWISTED SISTER!  First Ozzy Osbourne & then Twisted Sister!  Look at ballroom turning ROCK!... The training paid off though... Aaron turned it out!  He even got two 10's!  WOW!  Len must REALLY be on crack ... I kid!

Kelly & Louie - First thing is first - Louie has to be the coolest guy ever!  Why?  Because Kelly designed the costumes this week & she's put that dude in the FRINGE PANTS!!!!!  Yes - a MAN in the FRINGE PANTS!  Can you believe it?  At least he's up for it - you'd never see Maks in them - guarantee!.... we see Kelly at her breaking point while learning the Salsa!  Louie is turning on the heat teaching her, making her step up her game & she's not handling it very well!  I'm impressed she didnt curse him out though!  She didnt use the word "bloody" one time during her crying argument!  She's growing!....well, maybe her dancing is not growing though.  I love Kelly & as much as it pains me, I thought it wasnt good at all.  I'm surprised the judges liked it - but to me, her legs were stiff & it looked like she was falling everywhere & it was Louie who was dragging her around & keeping her from falling... guess its why I'm not a judge. 

Joanna & Derek - I havent even seen her yet & I dont like it.... Ok, I'll at least watch it & give an un-baised opinion (yeah, right!)....OK... so I watch to see her running down a beach in a swim suit?  With a corny scene?  Even though I did like Derek in it (he's stronger then Maks - funny!)... Rhumba - the love dance... I'm sorry - this dance didnt make me like her at all... I'm ready to print up shirts that say "JOANNA - ZERO" & that zero is on a paddle!... Anyone else want one?... again, another reason why I'm not a judge.

We have a Team Dance...
Team Paso:  Mya, Michael, Aaron & Mark -  Michael had to knock down the alpha-females of Lacey & Karina as they battle to take control!  You can tell Michael is a team player with all the years of football!  I'm liking that dude more every week!  .... I dont know if I'm tired or what, but I almost fell asleep... it didnt impress me much.  Mya was obviously the best... & Aaron just keeps showing his immaturity.  For him to say at the end "Our real team captains were Dmtry & Karina"... jerk!  Karina was quick to jump in & say "It was everyone who was a captain'... can someone put a piece of tape over his mouth?   He just reminds me of a 12 yr old....

Team Tango:  Kelly, Joanna & Donnie... WAIT... Hold on... Joanna & my dear Donnie on the same team?  I feel like worlds are colliding... I dont know if I can handle this... I love the first thing they say about less people is "less egos" right after we see how bad Lacey & Karina clashed... Funny!  ... OK, that's how you do a TEAM DANCE!  I didnt fall asleep at all during this dance.  It was FANTASTIC!  I just think Joanna needs to thank Donnie for making her look good!  (Hehehe!!!!)

So what did you think?  Did you enjoy the team dances?  Who was your favorite?  And TWO are going home?  Who is it going to be????  Another fantastic night of dancing!

Waiting for Tuesday...

So its dark at 6:00 with this stupid time change... & I have to get up early in the morning for work after having a week off for vacation.  Can anyone imagine my saddness I'm feeling right now... how glum my face looks right now?

But then I remembered what Tuesday is.... And my excitement perked up... that frown is turning upside down!  Why?  look at the two albums that are coming out Tuesday!

Oh yes... my dear, sweet Steven!  This is something like his 18th album... & should you doubt or question, Yes!  I have every one of them.  So does that give you your answer on if I'll be first in line to get this one too?  It should! 

And then... this is the other album I'll be running to pick up this week!

Anyone else as excited about this one as I am?????  I listen almost daily to downloads of "Take a Bow" & "Hold on", "No air", "Somebody to Love"... & the one I'm DYING to hear - "Defying Gravity" from  WICKED... Kurt is singing that one with Rachel, I believe... doesnt matter - you KNOW its going to be great!

So while I'm going to be sad on Monday getting back in the swing of things at work, & it being dark by the time I'm driving home... I'm holding out for Tuesday!!

You excited about either release?

Six Word Saturday

EXCITED TO GET A LITTLE WIRED

...& not in any sorta bad way.  We're heading to our friend Lynn's house tonight for a Halloween party & I'm dressing up as Pippi Longstocking.  And to get my pig tails out & defying gravity, I gotta get some wire.  I'm anxious to see how it works.  My hair dresser said my hair is too heavy, so I'm excited to see if it works out.  Ricky has been yelling at me for the past few days to give it a try, & I've just had fun telling him "Oh, it'll work"... so now, I'm hoping it'll work...

Have a fantastic & safe Halloween everyone! 

Daddy, let your baby grow up to be cowgirls...

Being on vacation & it being a beautiful time of year, my dad asked me if I wanted to go horse back riding with him.  Now, my love for dogs is comparable to his love for horses.  He's always been a cowboy & he knows his stuff about horses.... me, I'm just along for the ride... but he's given me some horse knowledge through my life, and with a good ole horse, some basics on "steering", how to make them stop & I'm ready to go!  Here are some pictures of the day...It was just a perfect day...

The leaves were amazingly beautiful!!!

We came to a clearing & there was a playground.  When the kids saw us, it was like the world stopped.  Next thing we knew, kids were coming over to see the horses.  Dad & his horse are just too good around kids.  And dad was prepared - he had peppermint for the little ones to feed the horses!  This was so fun to watch!

Here I am... tell me the color isnt breath taking!

me & my daddy!! .....

Me & my "brother"... my dad's 3rd child!  Such a good horse!

I told dad I'm ready to go again when I get the chance... just a perfect day... but I'll be honest... I'm hurting in places that NO ONE should be hurting in.... a little bit of pain for a little bit of fun!