Siesta Verse #2

Having 15 days to memorize is going to make the months fly by because I cant believe we're into the 2nd verse.

My first verse was so appropriate for the time in my life... "DONT PANIC... I AM WITH YOU...."
It was the best scripture I could possible keep in my heart.

The one I'm picking this round, I think will be another one that will be great for me as I am a talker ... & a lot of times, I say things without thinking.  I am working on being more aware of my words & once again, scripture is a great learning tool to learn God's ways on a subject...

So here is my Scripture for round 2:

Reckless words pierce like a sword,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing

-Proverbs 12:18

Ever have someone say the perfect words to you?  Maybe they were simple words... but they helped you... they soothed the pain... they comforted?

Ever have someone say words that tear the heart into two... break down your spirit... punch you in the gut?  Yeah... I dont ever want those words to come out of my mouth...

Words... a powerful thing...

Friday Fragments

Its Friday.... & whew - this has felt like a LOONNNNNGGGG week!  To anyone else?  I thought last week may feel long since it was the first full week back to work after all the holidays.  But nope, that week flew right by... this week is making up for it. But alas, its Friday... let's Frag.

*****

I feel like a grown up.  My Starbucks card that Ricky got me for my birthday - I have officially registered it online.  (Julie, are you proud of me?)  I keep looking online at all the drinks that I'm not sure they even had.  Things that arent on the menu, but that you can ask for... that makes me feel EVEN MORE special... like I know what I'm talking about!  Who knew you could load up money on that same card to keep your points going?  Do any of you use a Starbucks card?

*****

This is just embarassing.  I have ate the edamane that comes in bags - the kind that are like sunflower seeds or something.  Just pop them in your mouth & chomp away.  So I buy a frozen bag of edamane... they looked like peas, or green beans.  I steamed them & then popped one in my mouth... something tasted weird.  I tried another one... OUCH - that one hurt my tooth.  Then I looked at the bag... I didnt know you were supposed to NOT EAT THE POD!!! oops... now I know... & I said I wouldnt tell anyone I did that.  You'll keep my secret, wont you?

*****

Anyone seen "Black Swan"?  I want to see it because its a dance movie, but I keep reading that its so dark... How do you make a dancing movie DARK & twisted?  I'm just curious now to see it...

*****

SPAT OF THE WEEK:  A Christmas Tree... you'll see this in my pictures this week for my Project 365... A Christmas Tree ... its still standing.. in my living room!  There is not one other sign of Chirstmas in my house.  I take down all decoration, box everything up, even carry it down the steps.  Ricky's only job is to take the tree apart & put it in the box.... The tree is still standing... I took a picture of it for this week's Project 365 & Ricky was like "You're going to make me look bad, arent you?"... I told him I'm an equal opportunist when it comes to making us look bad - remember the picture of kleenex stuck up my nose?  ... but the tree is still standing... I'll take another picture next week for Project 365 if its still up... which will cause another spat... its a vicious cycle.

*****

One weekend, I sat through a marathon of Real Housewives: Beverly Hills... anyone else watching this?  Camille Grammer.... wow...but I do feel bad for her though that her husband left her during the taping - that's low... but can I say, I would totally be friends with Adrienne?  I love her!  She seems so real & keeps her head on in the midst of all the crazy!!!  Now watch, on next week's finale, she'll probably go all nutso herself & have a hair pulling, eye scratching, cat fight...

*****

Anyone else feel sorry for that homeless guy with the voice, Ted Williams?  How do you take someone who is homeless & has had some hard struggles in life, & INSTANTLY throw him on every national news program & on all the big radio stations & have instant fame & it not effect him?  I feel bad for the fellow....

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TIP OF THE WEEK:  Because my dogs are running in snow, getting wet & then just smelly afterwards, this tip comes in handy...If your pet smells & there is no time for a real bath, rub a SMALL amount of baby powder into their fur, wait a few minutes & then brush it out!  For us, we have to watch our dogs because the other dogs will want to lick it off thinking its some sorta fun treat... powdered sugar?  But at least it helps with the "musty" smell... who doesnt love the smell of baby powder?

Hope you all have a fabulous Friday!!!!

"Ever see a feather coat?"

It is COLD!!!!! I'm talking bone-chilling, snot freezing COLD!!!!

I'm layering on long underwear, sweat pants, jeans & then a tank top, a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt, & then a hoodie... throw in some gloves & a hat & scarf... & thats just to wear IN my house!  (you think I'm joking?  I'm not)

I work next door to a McDonalds.  I can walk over & get a fountain Diet Coke anytime I want to.  (Arent Fountain drinks so much better then the regular drinks?) But its too darn cold, so I drove over yesterday (how's that for lazy?) & saw tons of birds just waiting for some food.  Some sort of crumbs to be dropped....Someone ended up buying some french fries for the sole intention of giving it to the birds.  I guess they saw those pitiful little looks in their tiny, beady eyes.

This lady went over to a grassy area, dumped all the fries & the birds just swarmed the area...

I just kept looking at these little birds & how fragile they look.  They're so tiny... they dont look like they have anything to protect them from the cold.  I mean, have you ever seen a "feather coat"?  It makes more sense if they had fur, but they dont...& they sit in trees, outside... They fly against the cold wind.... their little feet are so tiny & they hop on that freezing cold snow & ice...

It really is amazing to wonder how they make it through the cold...

& then I thought about how they are stronger then they look. 

They may look fragile - but God equipped them to handle the cold... or the rain... or the heat... they survive.

We have times in our lives where we may feel fragile.  But God equips us the same way - with ways to survive it ...

And maybe its when pepole, like this lady with the fries, come along side us & help...

Or maybe its when we realize that we may be small, but we're stronger then we think...

When we realize that God equips us in ways we never noticed before...

....Now, with all this talk about the cold & french fries, I've got to go find another layer to put on & go next door to McDonalds....

"Look at the birds, free & unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. 

And you count far more to him than birds"

-Matthew 6:26 (The Message)

I'm a Dancing... dancing... dancing... dancing machine!!!

For those of you that got a Wii for Christmas, you've either seen me drool over your console, or you've heard me whine over your blog or Facebook that I am nothing but jealous.

Then last night, the greatest thing happened... in walked my husband through the door.  NO - that's not the greatest thing that happened - he does that everynight.  But he walked in carrying a bag... & inside that bag?  A Wii!!!!!!!!!!

His sister & brother in law bought one a few months back but found that they dont ever play it - they are more prone to play their xbox, so this was just getting in the way.... so they asked if we wanted it for a great deal....

um... hello?  I've had drool hanging from my chin for awhile over wanting one... of course I wanted it.

And what made it even better?  They threw in Michael Jackson - The Experience Game...

So Ricky fell asleep early & I couldnt wait - so I pull up the manual online & figure out how this little contraption works & in no time, I was playing a round of tennis & bowling & getting ready to do a round of boxing.  But then I could feel the King of Pop calling my name...

I had to laugh that the "level" on THRILLER is labeled as "Inhuman"... no, I didnt even attempt it...

(You should see me attempting this move... We stand at what?  A 90 degree angle? 

I lean to probably a 87 degree angle... awesomeness right there!)

Oh yeah baby... I got the moves... was addicted to "Smooth Criminal".... & the whole time, Ricky was asleep on the couch

This morning, as soon as my eyes opened, I said, "I dont want to work today - I just want to dance to Michael Jackson"

Ricky looked so confused & said, "You were REALLY playing last night?" - he didnt know I hooked it up on my own. (Yes, he knows I'm really ill-equipped when it comes to anything technical)

I told him about the songs I kept playing over & over trying to get them down  & he was like "Whew!!! I thought I was dreaming you were dancing to Michael Jackson"

.... I should have just let him think he was dreaming...

Me dancing Michael Jackson has GOT to be the best dream he's ever had! :)

So Wii owners... what game MUST I get?  That I cant live without?  I already know I'm headed out to get the "Just Dance" & probably the GLEE Sing-along games. I just want a microphone.... yes, I'm a 13 yr old girl inside...

Hand written challenge...

So I'm seeing a lot of people taking on the Project 365 challenge this year - which is super-cool  & makes me excited about seeing your week through pictures.  But I've done that - & will continue to do that - & then I ran across a new challenge.  I saw this at my friend's blog: Mimi's Memories (this woman is incredible, along with her beautiful daughters & ADORABLE granddaughter!!!)

The challenge?  52 weeks/52 handwritten letters.

Well, for me, can I make that 50 weeks/50 letters since we're already 2 weeks into the year? 

I may not even make the full 50 - but I am wanting to take the challenge of sending out hand written cards or letters.  One a week.  That seems simple enough - right?

I used to be so good at sending out cards through the postal service, but with everything in life, things just kinda slip off.

But who doesnt love to receive a surprise in the mail?  I know when I used to send cards to kids in the youth group, they always came running up to me with the biggest smile on their face.  I think we're all like those kiddos - love a fun reminder that someone is thinking of you...

I know I have shoe boxes FULL of cards & letters... the most precious ones are the ones I still have from my friend Stephanie who is now with Jesus.  Its just so comforting to look back, see her handwriting & I can hear her "voice" in the words she wrote... letters are like pieces of time captured...

One of my favorite books I've ever read is a book called "I Love You, Ronnie" - a book with nothing but the hand written letters that Ronald Reagan would send his wife.  They are just touching, sweet, full of love... something I'm sure his wife can look back on & just cherish....hand written letters are powerful if you think about it...

Here are is a little bit more details on how others are doing this challenge:

“One piece of “real” mail sent out each week. It can be a letter, a postcard, a care package, a thank you note, handmade art, etc. I’m searching for all of the cards and stationary I have collected over the years and gathering them into one place with pens, envelopes (regular & padded), lots of stamps (.28 & .44), a glue stick, unlined index cards (great for making postcards), and a few USPS Small Flat Rate boxes.

Oh, and update that address book.”

You want to take on yet ANOTHER challenge for the year? 

How about challenging yourself to one or two a month? 
That's REALLY feasible...

Let me know if you will be joining in... & go & visit Mimi!  She's pretty awesome...

Now off to get some Forever-Stamps before they hike up the price of postage again! :)

PS - if you want, email me your address... I'd love to add you to my address book & then you'll never know when you may get a little surprise in the mail from me...

Project 365... 2011: Week 2

Here we go into the 2nd week.. & I'm so excited to see so many new people joining in!  You too can jump in... just click right here: http://thebowyers.blogspot.com/2011/01/project-365-week-2.html
& link up & then visit everyone else.  Love seeing the weekly lives going on around us...

Sunday - January 2 - Planning the year... I ran down to Target to find my calendar for the year.  It literally took me over an hour to pick one out.  I narrowed it to down to three seperate ones & then I walked around the store for awhile debating how this one is pretty, but this one is practical, & this one is one that will hold all I need, but this one is more expensive.... you can see why it takes me so long... but I left happy with my decision... Gotta have the monthly calendar as well as the weekly breakouts - & this one is cute to top it off. A mix of browns & teals... BINGO - we found a winner!

Monday - January 3 - Meet Worthy.... Yep, my sweet Sister-Friend Lynn got me the Lamb Pillow Pet for my birthday!!! Yes, I jumped around like a 10 yr old screaming with excitement!  Wouldnt you?  Look at that face!!!!  Now, he sits on my pillow & waits for me to snuggle with him as I drift to sleep.  You never outgrow a comfy plus animal ... especially in cold weather!  ... And isnt his name, "Worthy" awesome?  Lynn thought of that... Worthy is the Lamb!!!!

Tuesday - January 4 - Clean those feet.... That foot?  Its Ricky's... I was sitting at the computer & he had come to talk to me & fell asleep laying on the floor.  He had his foot up against the couch & Sydney, being the "motherly" type dog she is, jumped right up by his foot & started cleaning his feet... licking them... I cant believe Ricky didnt budge.  It was making my feet tickle thinking of the sensation of it....

Wednesday - January 5 - Olive Salad... my new obsession .... We saw people picking this up like crack in the grocery on Christmas Eve. I'm talking like they were waiting for the lady to unload the boxes of it so they could get a jar themselves.  I had never even seen it before but if everyone is going to act all like a fool, I 've got to see what its about, so I jumped in the crowd & got a jar myself.  And I was hooked.  Maybe it IS some form of crack? OLIVE CRACK!!!!  It is so yummy on crackers... or tortilla chips... or a pizza... or in a salad... or with a straw...

Thursday - January 6 - Let's get this party started!!! .... My 3rd Half Marathon.  Its what is coming up in April.  The Derby Festival that runs this marathon had a free training clinic... Free?  I'm there!  They gave you a training shirt (I'll do almost anything for a free shirt), and a training manual that has the schedule of where you should be on the course to 13.1 miles.  Its great to see so many people, of all ages, of all sizes, of everything - ready to start another year of training.  Here we go!

Friday - January 7 - Scarves for far away friends.... My precious friend, Dawn has the most adorable grandson that we know as Sir Cuteness (isnt that a fun name?) & the most awesome teenage son, Dak... they were so sweet about the knitted goodies I've sent Dawn in the past, that I thought I needed to make them their own knitted goodies.  Sir Cutness loves a scarf I had sent down to Dawn before that was orange.  He called it a carrot... so we had to get him his own version of a "carrot scarf"... As for Dak - Royal Blue & White for his school colors!  He graduates this year so I gotta get this in the mail so he can enjoy it for the rest of the winter months at dear ole' high school!!!! 

Saturday - January 8 - It only took how many years? .... Ricky doesnt like for people to treat us to dinner & poor Ryan has been trying for YEARS... I'm talking YEAAARRRSSS ... to take out us.  He wanted to take us out for birthdays - but he was too young to pay. Then he wanted to take us out to celebrate an event - but Ricky said he didnt have a job.  He got a job - but Ricky wouldnt let him pay until he was off probation.  It's always an excuse.  Ryan finally said enough was enough & he was going to take us out for birthday celebrations & he was treating - no ifs, ands, or buts.  Ricky finalyl gave in.  Ryan is now engaged, owns a house & is a fire fighter... he's grown up on us... & Ryan paid the bill & then laughed & said, "I finally feel grown up"... yeah, I felt like he was grown up too... made me kinda sad actually... But it was a wonderful evening.  Ricky told him now the next bill he can get is in 10 years - You got the bill in 2021 buddy!!!

Hope the past week has been kind to everyone....

Friday Fragments

Oh Friday Fragments... how I've missed you.  The past two Fridays have been on Christmas Eve & New Years Eve - or you can call the it day of Ricky's birthday & the day after mine... Wow, we're some special people cramming in birthdays during all the hustle & bustle of the Holidays...but we're back - kicking off a new year of Friday Fragments...

*****

Starting out - gotta give a big HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY to our grandbaby, Luke!  He turns one tomorrow!!! And its moments like this when the distance of where they live just really bites!  I cant believe we have grandsons that are 1 yr old & a 3 yrs old ... before I know it, we'll be talking graduations...

Happy Birthday Little-Ricky-Look-a-like!!!

*****

Its official - I'm addicted to documentaries.  And I can blame Netflix for it.  Last week alone, I think I watched 7 different ones.  And to see the span of what I watch, in the same day, I watched one on Mother Teresa & another one on Joan Rivers!  I think its fair to say they are two different women - but both shows were great.  I have to say, if you get a chance to see the one with Joan Rivers, I was really impressed.  Say what you will about her, she's very witty, very smart & clever & has some spunk still in her!  I always love a funny gal anyways...

*****

They announced yesterday that the New Kids on the Block & the Backstreet Boys are coming to our town in July... I felt like I was 14 yrs old again... I screamed & started jumping & wanted to instantly make signs that said "I LOVE YOU JORDAN!!!" ... who says you cant relive your childhood?

*****

This whole dead bird thing is freaking me out.  I told Ricky that I think its a sign that Jesus is coming back... & then I saw this & I just thought it was the funniest thing ever... Jesus or the weather... one or the other...

*****

SPAT OF THE WEEK:  Dog food.... we go through the dog food.  3 out of the 4 dogs all eat the same kind of food so we buy the big 40 lb bags.  I can pick up the bag & get it in the basket & pay for it & get it home.  Its not easy, or fun, because that big ole bag is just awkward to hold, but I can do it.  Now, getting it to the containers that hold the dog food is a different story.  If I cut the bag & try to pour it in, I cant hold it up... so I ask Ricky to do it.  I'm one of those people who can see the dog food will be out in a day or two - so why not go ahead & empty the food into the containers? NAAAHHHHH - that'd be too easy.  "Oh, they have food for today - I'll do it tomorrow"... then guess what he says the next day?  And the next day?  Until there isnt a crumb & he HAS to empty the food... & of course, that day always seems to be the busiest, most hectic, gotta hurry up & feed the dogs, kinda day.... geez... One day, when he does this & the dogs are waiting on him, I'm going to put peanut butter on his face & just have the dogs lick it off... that'll teach him...

*****

I am loving Oprah's new channel - OWN.  I can tell I'm going to love "The Miracle Detectives" & the show with Peter Walsh having people clean up & organize their stuff.  I'm also anxious to watch the mess that is called "The Judds" ... but I can tell I'm going to have to DVR everything because its like every 5 minutes is a commercial.  Thank you Fast Forward Button.

*****

Only because I grew up learning martial arts does this picture make me smile... a sword in a 6 yr olds hands... but look at that form!!! She's going to be a natural!!!!  GO SOPHIA!!!  (I have a picture of Madi with a BIGGER sword but I cant flip it... take better pictures with your phone Tony!)

OK - hope you all are getting back in the swing of things... I know its kicking my butt...

Happy Friday!!!

like a hit in the head...

I have worked in Youth Ministry for years... I'm talking YEARSSSSS...

Its almost to the point where I wonder how old you have to get before they kick you out & say "You're not sane if you're still jumping up & down with teenagers"...

Until that day comes though - I'll still be jumping up & down with teenagers!

Last night, our new Youth Pastor, Scott, had his first night, introducing himself to the group & telling us a bit of the story of his life & how became a Pastor.  He was talking about how he wasnt raised in church, but at the age of 15, he accepted Christ & then the ball got to rolling for him...

He asked everyone who had been raised in church? ... yep, my hand went up, with many others...

& then Scott was talking about how accepting Christ at 15, he had the best time in the youth group growing up.  Huge memory making moments...

And then it hit me right in the head... a thought I never ever thought about...

See, I was raised in church.  Have pictures of me in Christmas pagents, Easter egg hunts, every church gathering from the time I was a tiny little girl.  Well, maybe not tiny... I dont think I've ever claimed the word tiny - I started in this world at 10 lbs... come on now - "Tiny" isnt in my world. 

ANYHOO... I was always in church.  My parents even led a youth group when I was a child.  I can remember feeling like I had a ton of big sisters when my parents did all the youth events.  And I remember going to church & just starting to get into the youth group when I ventured into middle school.  Then, there was some nasty "church stuff" that happened with our church  (why do churches have these nasty things happen to them?  Another subject for another day)....& my family quit going to church for a period of time. 

Can you guess what period of time that was? .... yep... my high school years...

I started back to church the year after I graduated & have been back involved in church ever since then.  Even when I started back is exactly when I started helping in the youth group at my church...

But I totally missed the youth group years of MY life...

I didnt do the camps, the lock ins, the retreats, the goofy games...

When that thought hit me last night - it was like God was showing me something.  That I missed out, but now, I get to do it.. over & over again.  Years worth of doing it over & over again...BLESSED to be doing it over & over again, watching young kids become young adults who love the Lord...

How cool is that? ... just another reminder of how our God is a God of second chances ....(& 3rd, & 4th, etc....)

And now, I wonder if they'll still let me go to youth retreats when I'm old & in a wheelchair... I'm sure the teens can have me doing some awesome wheelies!!!

I Heart Faces... VOTING OPEN!

So yep - you can vote for me right here:
http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/01/photo-contest-best-face-photo-of-2010-3/

I'm #63 ... & you can apparently vote up to 5 times!!!!

& I have to laugh when I see there are 839 Entries...

I just dont want to be the only one that has no votes... that would be embarassing.

And come on - I entered the adorable picture of my grandbaby... how can that not get some votes?

Voting is open till Friday... Thanks in advance...

And I already know some other awesome bloggers who are in this & since I cant vote for myself, send me your number & I'll vote for you! :) 

You dont GET it....

I have never claimed to be a Biblical Scholar... or Theologian.. or even someone who knows how to SPELL Theologian ... (by the way, I did spell it correctly - GO ME!!! - but I looked it up to be sure)

I do however claim to love to read Scripture & see what God shows me - how it applies to me - how I can make it relevant today in my life.

I'm sure, at times, I will read Scripture & get something out of it that you may not get out of it... and vice versa.....Praise the Lord for that vice versa...

I mean, isnt that why we all go to church or read other people's books, or have Bible Studies?  So we can hear someone else's "take" on Scripture?  Because maybe someone has a new way of looking at the Word of God in a new way & it'll snap a light bulb on & you're like "WOW - I never thought of it that way before"

Like the story of the Prodigal Son... how many times have we heard that story?  I adore that story & know it inside & out... but just a few weeks ago, in our youth class, I heard a different view on it that opened up a whole new insight to me.  Years & years of hearing it the same way & then BAM!!! A new insight on it...

So one day, someone said to me, "I dont mean to offend you...." - which means instantly that what I'm about to hear is going to be offensive.... "But I dont think you GET Scripture... you just have a good way of 'delivering' it"

Um... ok....

how do you even respond to that?

"alrighty then... thanks....I guess?"

I will say, I did walk away a little offended ... but not really because of the reason you would think.  I didnt get offended personally.  I got offended that someone would think the way they understand scripture is the only way to accept scripture...

If you're shut off to hearing other's ways of looking at how God's words touch someone, then how much do you miss?  I'm not saying anyone has to agree with everything I say (Ricky is going to quote me on that....), or every view point from everyone, but at least being open to hearing what others have to say is a good place to start....

Lord, THANK YOU for so many people I know, people I hear, people that teach, who can still give new insight into Your Word, that is always, forever, teaching....

The Word is alive

And it cuts like a sword through the darkness

with a message of life to the hopeless & afraid

Breathing life into all who believe

-Casting Crowns

A guest photographer... that is 6 yrs old...

We got to hang out with our buddies, Lynn & Mickey on New Years Eve.  We always have a great time getting together with our friends & their family.  They are all just a fun group.  We had a night of dancing with the Wii, & talking & laughing ... & screaming... (the kids were amazed how loud I can scream)... it was a great way to end the year. 

You all know I always have my camera in my purse & Lynn's granddaughter, Kailyn wanted to take a picture... here is one I took of her with her Aunt Carly...

Then I handed the camera over to her... so this is what New Years looked like through her eyes... & truth be told - girlfriend took some good pictures!!!!

Aunt Carly is always up for some goofy pictures... believe me, we had some goofy pictures...

 but this one is the best!

Then a great close up of my face...& by "great", I mean DANG SCARY!!!!!!...

Kailyn then took a picture of her Nanny... NO telling what Lynn is laughing at here...

Her Aunt Carly & her Uncle Michael... Kailyn & Michael are bestest friends

I actually really love this picture.  Murphy... Lynn's baby... He wasnt letting the partying bother him!

Michael with Kailyn's little brother...Her two favorite little guys

Of course, she has to get a picture of her mommy...(Your welcome Chandra)

This is really my favorite picture of the whole night... how cute is this of Camden playing with his cars... Kailyn really got a great shot of it...

For a 6 yr old, not too bad, is it?  I think she may have a future in photography... if she makes it big when she grows up, I can claim she got her start on my blog ....

Project 365... 2011: Week 1

A whole new year to start the Project 365... amazing!  This last week was a busy week with New Years Eve & my birthday... & starting a new fresh year... Let's kick off the year...

Sunday - December 26 - The Day after.... the day after Christmas was a LAZY day.  I dont think I even got out of my pajamas.  I was sitting at my computer & went to pull my blanket around me when I felt a tug.  I looked down & saw Bruno had snuggled up in the blanet that was gathered on the floor.  How cute is that?  I had to go get me another blanket & let Bruno have that one... who wants to wake up a snuggled doggie?

Monday - December 27 - Homemade Pizza Night.... I was tired going back to work & homemade pizzas are so easy to make.  It was a yummy dinner & a good comfort food night after getting back into the swing of things at work.

Tuesday - December 28 - A Cold Morning.... I opened my door to my office & it was freezing cold!  Not sure what happened with the heating, but you can see, it was under 60 degrees.  It was so cold, the lights wouldnt even come on full force.  They had to warm up... as did I.  I had my little space heater on until well after noon....

Wednesday - December 29 - What a welcome.... I opened the door coming home from work & this is what I see!!!!!  The only dog I see standing there is Bruno, who is wagging his tail, like he's telling me, "IT WASNT ME!!!!" - & it probably wasnt him.  He's too lazy to knock over a garbage can.  The other 3 dogs were sitting outside & shaking.  These are dogs who are usually sitting at the door waiting for me, so they just told on themselves sitting outside.  I didnt even say a word - I just turned away from the door & they came in groveling, giving me sad puppy dog eyes.  I could only stay mad until I cleaned everything up...

Thursday - December 30 - A good day to buy yarn.... I ran to pick up some yarn for some knitted goodies for friends.  I went to pay for it & she said, "You get a free bag today for purchasing yarn" .... YEE HAWWW!  BONUS!  Its a really nice yarn bag too.  Its the little things that make me happy...

BONUS PICTURE - December 30 - MY BIRTHDAY PRESENT .... this is what Ricky got me for my birthday. The latest Beauty & the Beast Blue-ray... which Ricky said, "You have all the other DVD's & VHS's - why do you need this one too?" - but he got it for me anyways ;) & then he got me this Starbucks card.  I had to laugh.  I asked him, 'do you know it says "Thank you" on it?" - he said he didnt pay any attention to that - which I'm sure he didnt... but then he saved himself by saying, "I just wanted to thank you for being a wonderful wife" .... slick move Rick!

Friday - December 31 - Wii'ing out the old year... Our friends invited us over for dinner & a night with their new Wii... We had so much fun with the "Just Dance" game!  Holy cow - that is a work out!  And then we did a round of bowling.  I loved it because I was playing against 2 small kiddos... & they did pretty darn good!  Good bye 2010

Saturday - January 1 - First one on, last one off .... Its tradition that I take down the Christmas decorations on New Years Day.  This is the first ornament that I put on my tree & it feels appropriate to be the last one off... Keeping Christ in every bit of Christmas until the last move...now, to keep Christ in 2011!!!!

So let's get to it folks... a new year... I hope you join along in the Project 365 2011 Edition!!!!