Weekend Wraup

Friday

* Went to get in my corner spot to catch up on some DVR goodness... but got booted by Buffy.  She curled up on the couch & was sound asleep with my pillow.  How can I make her move?  So I ended up in my computer chair.... the things you do for your fur babies.

* We watched Betty White's "Off Their Rocker" for the first time... some of the reactions are pretty funny

Saturday

* Ricky had to work, but no sleeping in for me... we had an electrician coming.  I got up early to straighten up & was happily surprised that Ricky had cleaned the bathroom for me.  SEE!!! I knew he knew how to do it.  Now I'm going to make him do it more often ;)

* Lights EVERYWHERE!! YIPEE!!!  We got new lights put in our foyer, recess lights in our kitchen... dimmers installed in places, light switches added.... it was an electrical haven happening.

* Disney Day on ABC Family... makes me happy

* I forgot how much I loved Mary Poppins.  Julie Andrews & Dick Van Dyke were so young looking!!!

* With Ricky off at work, I got to get my hammer & nails out... he hates when I put holes in the wall.  But I got to hang this beautiful creation a friend made for us for Christmas.  Y'all know I love Scrabble tiles - so its perfect.  This wasn't an added nail, but I had a cross hanging there & added it to our cross wall... one cross makes me have to arrange all my crosses.  I love our wall.

* Headed to a Send off Party for my buddy Joe.  He's been like my little bro for years.  We've taught in youth ministry together, he was my pal who would help me get through boring days with emails back & forth,  he's just been a great friend through the years... & now, he's heading off to the Navy! I cant believe it.  But Ricky & I are cheering him on & excited for him & his family.

* They sent me home with sweets for Ricky (Ricky had to stay at home with the electrician).... dang it!  I ended up taking a small piece of cake to see what it tasted like... not expecting it to taste like sugar straight from God himself.  It was amazing... so I ended up eating the biggest piece of cake I've ever had.  Drats!  More time on the treadmill needed.

* Ricky & I turned on & off lights all night long looking at the beautiful new look in our home

* Watched all the Casey Anthony stuff on Lifetime.... still blows my mind how our legal system works.

Sunday

* I was up to teach... loved the message I was able to deliver on TRUST... even had a fun 'trust fall' in there.
Closed the message with a fun video of people doing "surprise trust falls" ... & then at the end of class, everyone going "TRUST FALL" (I'd show the video but it wont let me embed)

* Ricky & I headed out to lunch.  We get the veggie plates & they were out of potatoes. WHAT?  How do you run out of potatoes that early in the day... but they said they could have them ready in 25 minutes if we wanted to wait... we actually enjoyed the wait.  We were in the corner of the place, it was quite, relaxed - we had an order of onion rings to pass the time... it was a great lunch

* STARBUCKS!!!!

* Headed to see my parents... & got to see a family friend.  It was nice chatting the evening away

* Ended up missing the women's ministry first night... but wouldn't have traded it spending time with my parents & our friend

* Once Upon a Time... poor Chip.... I screamed

Time to start our week.... our COLD week... hope everyone has a great one!!

Friday Fragments

Friday... the day we work for!!!

******

So anyone else watch it?

Lance Armstrong?

It got kinda old really...

over & over with him saying, "Yeah I took it"

YAWN

I coulda watched Scandal

I'll watch part 2 tonight hoping for some more info though

*****

By the way, what the heck is BLOOD DOPING?!?!?!??!

That just sounds disturbing

I just Googled it & its "boosting the red blood cells in the bloodstream to enhance athletic performance"

Can I get that done on a daily basis?

Sounds like a burst of energy I need

******

Oh come on....

if Bill Clinton can come back after lying about an affair

& Tiger Woods can still have commercials after his little hijinks

Lance Armstrong is gonna be back down the road

Welcome to America - where we love a good comeback

(Sorry OJ Simpson - that doesn't apply to you)

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Anyone else having problems with Pinterest lately or it is me?

It just freezes every time I go to a pin

or if I try to 'pin' something, I have to try it like 3-4 times before it'll work

Between Pinterest & the problems Blogger has been having,

I really do need a blood doping

******

Anyone watch American Idol?

I did watch the first night

Goodness gracious....

Mariah Carey & Nicki Minaj are just going to end up scratching each other's eyes out & pulling off each other's wigs.

(I almost wore this exact same outfit to work today)

Source: pinerly.com via G E R R Y on Pinterest

I just miss my goofy-faced Steven Tyler

I'll probably watch once it gets to the Hollywood week

But I will say, I have an Instagram friend 

(I actually did her best friend's Senior pictures)

She's going to be on the audition round

....but I guess they made her sign her life away because she hasnt hinted if she makes it or not

*****

Speaking of American Idols...
I really want Phillip Phillips new CD
I heard him on Jimmy Kimmel & really like his new song
...although it does sound a lot like "Home"

Another American Idol CD I want to pick up?
Colton Dixon
He's released his Christian CD
Fingers crossed he makes it ...
His version of "Everything" is still one of my favorite AI performances!

Source: Uploaded by user via Rachel on Pinterest

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Is this the COOLEST wedding ring picture ever?

Source: cheezburger.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

******

Anyone else feeling the pain of a lesser paycheck
with the Social Security tax increase?

I keep saying, with taxes & health insurance raising every year,
& no raises in our company for the past 10 years
I am the face of America....
people who make less every year

Geez.....


*****

Freak out of the day:

I could look at this over & over...
its a sink with the water going down it

crazy - huh?

Source: cheezburger.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday

& stay away from EPO & Blood Doping everyone... it'll catch up to you!

Lance Armstrong...

Tonight is Thursday... & its the night I turn into a 13 yr old girl & get excited about 8:00... the Vampire Diaries are on.
I tell Ricky to leave me alone - dont even THINK about talking to me...
its my guilty pleasure of the week

Tonight is going to be different...
I'm going to watch Oprah & the interview with Lance Armstrong instead.

Source: google.ca via Megha on Pinterest

I'm going to take the fun, forget-thinking-Thursdays that I usually have & try to wrap my mind around Lance Armstrong's words... try to understand why he lied.

I have to say my opinion before I even watch his reasonings...
I'm not angry at him.
I'm sad for him.

I can only imagine the world of lies he has lived in over these many years.

He obviously had to continue the lies for so long that it got to him.

Even when people accused him, he still said, NO - I didnt take any performance enhancement drugs.... knowing he did.

What a tortured man he must have been to have continued the lie for so long.

I for one believed him... why?  I dont know. 
I dont know him personally so I have no reason to put my trust in him.
But you WANT to root for someone, dont you?
Especially someone who came back from cancer... someone who did so much for cancer research... someone who was American & we could all root for him together.

I really wanted him to be the real deal

But he wasnt....

& I dont really think he's an awful human being.

I think he just got caught up in it.
Caught up in the celebrity
Caught up in the pedestal he was on

it happens...

I'm not perfect
you're not perfect
Lance Armstrong isnt perfect

At least he's finally telling the truth

I just pray that he finds some sort of freedom in the truth

& I hope he finds a grace of redemption in his future

Will you be watching his interview tonight?

Did you believe him all these years?

How many are just glad to see Oprah doing an interview again? (meeeeee!!!!)

Hodgepodge

Wednesday!!!!  Hodgepodge Time

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English...here's the list for 2013-

fiscal cliff, kick the can down the road, double down, job creators/creation, passion/passionate, yolo (acronym for you only live once), spoiler alert, bucket list, trending, superfood, boneless wings, and guru

Which of these words would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Go here to read more about how the words were chosen.

I have a feeling most people are going to pick "Fiscal cliff"... but I don't even know what that means!

Yes - My awesomeness in all things political is showing! :)

My answer is "Boneless wings"... that just makes me want to barf

I choose barfing over politics

2.  When was the last time you rode a train? Where did you go?

Does the one in DollyWood count?

They even stop the train & you have a cowboy robbery... scary stuff... (Sarcasm inserted)

But even then, that was about 16 years ago

I need to get out more

Though I did see our Zoo just got 2 new trains

.... it hasnt had trains in over 4 years because the last one tumped over & hurt a bunch of kids & parents

Nice - huh?

3.  Bagels-yay or nay? Favorite 'flavor'? Favorite topping?

Panera Bread's Cinnamon Crunch Bagel is straight from Heaven.... I'm convinced of it

& I dont know - nor do I want to know - how many calories are in it.

4.  'Tis the season of awards shows....if you could star in a movie already made, which one would you choose?

Well.... DUH!!!!  You already know I'm going to pick Les Miserables!

To be able to sing & dance with Hugh Jackman?  Sign me up...

I know you'd thought I'd pick Beauty & the Beast... but hello!  I'm already in that ;)

5.  The move towards single gender classrooms has been making the news in recent months...what say you? Do you think kids perform better if separated by gender and are taught differently or is that discrimination? If you're a parent is this something you'd support in regard to your own children?

I didnt even know this was an issue that was being talked about....

It kind of makes sense though...

Working with Middle School kids in youth, I see the difference when we seperate the girls & guys.  The girls are much more 'themselves' - no one to impress.

But then, I guess there's a thing called "Social interaction" that is already being taken away from this generation with everything being behind a screen or phone or gadget....

So as everything in life - I can see both sides

6. What's your favorite thing about staying in a hotel?

Not having to clean the room!  YES!!!

I will say, being a germaphobe, it freaks me out being in a hotel room though.  I wear socks 99.9% of the time - that .1% being the quick shower I take, & I like to have my own blanket & my own pillow.  

I had a friend who worked as a hotel room cleaner in Vegas & I heard HORROR stories of how some people would clean the room. GASP!  So now, I walk in a hotel room with Lysol & go straight for the phone, remote, door knobs & I turn down the bedspread.  Did you know they never NEVER get washed? You're welcome

7.  Do you have a 'word' for 2013? What's the story behind your choice?

This 'one word' thing has gotten popular, hasnt it?

My word is "FOCUS" - you can see it right in the sidebar.

The story came from a scripture that has hit me in the heart (Phil 3:14) - Just the idea of focusing on the important things - not the petty, stupid things that can bring you down, cause you worry.  

Focusing on things that make you stronger & better... 

I've already said to myself 100 times in situations where I want to scream or throw something, or give up, "Just FOCUS"... its already calming me down & bringing me peace.

I like my word

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

So how did I not know about Ruzzle?

But my word-loving friend Auburnchick  sent me a heads up... & now, I'm ready to not do any work at all today :)

Anyone else addicted to Ruzzle?
My name on there is becjovincent ... if you play, send me a game.
Make my Wednesday at work fly by! :)

Back to the beginning....

Yesterday was the day...
Monday
The day to start all over again.

My training for my 6th half marathon begins again.

& you'd think it'd be easy & nothing to think twice about.
After all, its my 6th time doing this...

But this is coming out of the Post-Christmas time...& post-back injury (which still hurts)
I haven't ran since December.

Yes - I've continued to work out doing yoga & Pilates, walking & spinning & even pulled out my good ole VHS tapes.  Let me tell you, some of those workouts are still pretty awesome.  & some of them are pretty corny & embarrassing to even look at.  (What was the deal with one piece unitards that ride so high up on the thigh that it was under your arm pit?)

The first day of training is a 40 minute trek on the road.
40 minutes on the first day?
Its going to be a long 14 weeks

But I kept thinking about the next 14 weeks.
That's a long time
& you don't know what lies ahead.
So I said a prayer over this training... this next race...
Expecting the best is still yet to come

Thinking positively...

Because I believe this...

Source: standuptofight.tumblr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

& yep, starting over again always makes me think of bigger things...

Like how we get new chances every day to start over again
that thing called Grace

A new beginning is always a fresh slate to try again
...for a better you

So are you starting at the beginning again of something?

Go for it!
Pray over it!
It will be worth it!!!

Weekend Wrapup

Friday

* My goodness - it was a warm beautiful day... I ended up coming home from work & sitting outside with my Kindle while the sun was setting.  Made me long for Spring more then you know

* Started a new project with some Noro yarn I had.  I started 3 different projects & pulled them all out until I just decided to do a hat.  Then by the time I got it finally good & going, I was tired & said, forget it, I'm going to bed.

Saturday

* Had a relaxed easy morning... lounging, breakfast making & knitting.

* I love the look of Noro - but it feels like YUCK... they better be glad they have beautiful colors that work up. ( & yes, I know they have a silk Noro that is softer... this aint it)

* Headed to see the Princess Diana exhibit.  Nothing like waiting till the last minute.  Sunday was the last day.  The line to see this exhibit was HUGE.  But the workers said it had consistently been that busy.

Yes - I teared up walking in & seeing her tiara
Yes - I gasped when I saw her wedding dress
Yes - I remembered so many of the dresses they had on display

My favorite part?  There was a prayer book from Mother Teresa & it was opened to show Mother Teresa's writing about how Jesus is so good & Jesus is love... it gave me chills

* My sweet hubby endured with me.  He kept saying, "Am I the only man in here?" ... for the record, we found 2 others... that looked equally as bored with their wives.  But to make up for it, when we were done, we ventured around so Ricky could see guns, knives & exhibits on cowboys & Indians   I will say, I enjoyed that myself.

* I actually bought 2 Christmas presents for 2013... no joke... now, let's hope I dont forget that I bought them come December!

* Came home & Ricky got our Blue Ray player hooked up in the bedroom .... we had a movie night.  Hunger Games!  Yes, I had seen it before & when I saw it in the theater, I had dreams about actually being IN the Hunger games.... yep, after watching it again - I had dreams again of it.  SCARY!!!!!

Sunday

* We were going to go to "big church" but I am so freaked out about the flu, I said, let's skip this week.  We  did however make it to Youth... which is probably flu-germ-central.  But I kept my hand sanitizer on me ... & no joke, it was a new bottle & by the end of the day, I had used 1/3 of it.  I'm not taking any chances.

* Ricky was saying he wanted some meat or protein for lunch - that he was feeling weak with all the vegan cooking for the week... so we headed to a place that he normally gets a burger at.  I ordered their veggie burger - which is AMAZING .... guess what Ricky got?  A veggie burger! haha!  Guess I'm really rubbing off on him.

* It was rainy & the temperature dropped... I just wanted to go home & put on sweats & lounge.  Ricky & I both nodded off for an afternoon nap.

* GOLDEN GLOBES!!!!
- Les Miserables!!! HUGH JACKMAN!!!  Anne Hathaway!!! All winners!!! I was one happy girl.
- Amy Poehler & Tina Fey were fantastic!  They need to host every year... & they need more screen time!
- Will Ferrell has to be the funniest person alive
- Louisville girl Jennifer Lawrence won!  Was happy for her - but didnt care for her first line of "I beat Meryl"
- Jodie Foster's speech was both moving & bizarre.  It was like she was talking out of her mind one second & then being profound the next.  & then flash shots of Mel Gibson & it made it all even more bizarre.
- The trend of the night?  Women's chest's showing.  Katherine McPhee, Amy Poehler, Kate Hudson, even the chic that won Best Lead Drama... all had dresses cut down to their belly.
- The lady that won Best Lead Comedy - she obviously wasnt comfortable in heels.  My advice, go for flats, or barefoot.  Who cares - you're the winner.  Strut on that stage in comfort!
- Wonder if it was awkward with J-Lo & Ben Affleck with his wife in the same room?
- Bill Clinton - that was a surprise - or as Amy Poehler said, "Hillary Clinton's husband!"
- Josh Brolin freaks me out... he has morphed into his father... how did that happen?  I still see the Goonie's guy, but turned into another person.
- I cant see Kevin Costner speaking now without thinking about Whitney Houston
- Lucy Lu gets my nomination for worse dress... that HUGE dress was too much for her little boy
- My favorite?  Probably J-Lo... she's the only one who can pull off a nude dress like she can... 2nd - Anne Hathaway just because she's class to the extreme

Now, let's get into this week & see where it takes us!

Friday Fragments

Friday... 

the first full week back after the Holiday Hub-bub

... it was rough...

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My training for my next half marathon starts Monday

I'm actually excited about it

My body is feeling very BLOBBY lately

& yes... Blobby is a word I need to copyright

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My new ache & pain?

Burning in my low back

I mean BURNING!!!!! 

It feels like someone is pouring hot liquid down my lower spine

geez

I swear, since I turned 40, I think it's all been downhill

I need some Bob Harper or Dolvett in my life to get me back in gear

... no Jillian Michaels please...

she's just mean

******

New Scandal last night!!!!

I just love Huck

loved the hastag they had at the bottom of the screen #freehuck

This show is as close as I get to politics

but it freaks me out 

does that kind of thing really happen?

No.... not in America

(I'm saying with sarcasm)

*****

With Blogger being a pain in the butt,

I havent been able to post pictures lately

but I'm trying it today in Google Chrome - so I think it will today

But the other day when I got my hair done, a lady walked in

I gasped... literally

I thought she was holding my dog, Zoe

(NOT Zoe... but her doppelganger)

(you cant see Zoe very well in this picture - but loved this... she loves sleeping in dirty laundry)

We found Zoe on the road so we never even know exactly what kind of breed she was

The lady said hers was part Shi Zu & part poodle

that makes perfect sense - Zoe doesnt shed

I may have been looking on Zoe's sister right there!

*****

Its going to rain for 3 days straight....

why did I bother trying to straighten my hair?

*****

Source: cheezburger.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Mind blown?

*****

So yeah... I want to go see Les Miserables again
... nothing like seeing it on the big screen...

I already told Ricky that when it comes out on DVD
It will be played on a constant loop

*****

Happy Friday everyone
Stay Flu-Free & have a Fabulous Friday!!!

Flu is freaking me out!!!

So, for a germaphobe, this time of the year is freaking me out!!!!

FLU SEASON

& not just any flu season,
but the worst flu season in 15 years...

are you kidding me?

So far, I've survived
...& I'm knocking on every piece of wood around me....

But they're on the news even saying how the hospitals are turning people away
WHAT?

& even Boston has declared a state of emergency! 
I thought they only did that in natural disaster events....

& this is the year I dont get a flu shot?

Its making me want to get in a hole in my basement & stay until Spring.

Anyone in your household suffered with the flu yet this year?

Do you feel like this is the making of a movie... like Contagion?

Did you get a flu shot this year?

Who wants to escape to a warm climate with me until Spring?

Source: renown.org via Luciana on Pinterest

 

Hodgepodge

1. What is one thing or area in your home or life you hope to report is completely organized when 2013 draws to a close? Do you have a plan to make it happen?

haha... hahahahaha.... whooooo.... heeee.....
sorry... organized?  My life?  ... makes me chuckle

I will say though, I'm going out to get a file cabinet this weekend.
Does that count for anything?



2.  What's the worst uniform you've ever had to wear for a job?

I started working at grocery store at 16.
Let me tell you first of all, it was my DREAM JOB!  No joke.  My whole life, all I wanted every year for Christmas was a REAL cash register.  None of this PLAY plastic kind.  I wanted real buttons, with a real register, with real paper receipts.  So when I turned 16 & was able to work a real register, it was like a dream come true.
...how sad is that?...

But the uniforms when I started were seriously HIDEOUS

This is exactly what they were

(I have no idea who these people are... just thankful they were brave enough to take a picture in their uniforms so long ago)

Source: Uploaded by user via Rebecca on Pinterest

But for once, I hit the lucky time because they were switching over the uniforms in the near future, so I didnt have to wear one of those blue polyster tragedy against fashion outfits.

instead, I got the squarest looking piece of material that existed. 
A smock.
It seriously was awful.... completely square shaped, 3/4 length sleeves, a collar from the 70's on it.  Who designed this stuff?

I get so jealous now when I go in the grocery store & see they only have to wear polo shirts with the grocery name on them. 


3. What was your last kitchen 'mishap'? This question comes to you courtesy of Betty who blogs over at A Glimpse into Midlife...everyone go say hi to Betty!

The only thing I can think of happened last night.
I got a new spice from the grocery this weekend.... have you ever tried to get those stupid plastic hole covers off?  You HAVE to get it off too if you want to get the paper off from underneath... or measure any out...

But goodness gracious.  With 2 nails broken & Ricky finally taking a razor blade & slicing it off, I've never seen anything so tough in my life.

I loose my patience in stuff like that



4. How do you protect yourself against other people's negativity?

Its tough...
I have someone in my life that I see Monday - Friday that is probably the most negative person I know... I cant even DESCRIBE how negative they are.

& sometimes, it rubs off - I aint gonna lie

But honestly, my office is like a church because I have bibles all around me & scripture written EVERYWHERE... trying to keep my heart & mind in the right spot.

I even have a white board & I keep scripture on it so when someone comes in my office, they see it as well. 

Right now - the scripture (that I've actually kept up for MONTHS now because its so appropriate)

 

Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless of course - you want the same treatment. ~Luke 6:37

Hoping some of this rubs off on negative nellies around me :)



5.  Who in your family do you most resemble (physically)? If you have children, who do people say they favor? Do you agree?

I think I hear it at least once a week, if not once a day, "You just looked like your mom when you said/did that", says my husband

I always thought I resembled my dad a bit though... but the older I get, the more I see my grandmother

But I will say, my parents when they moved found a picture of my mom when she was actually pregnant with me... HOLY COW... it made me tear up - I thought it was me.  That was freaky!!!

So I like to think of myself as a HODGEPODGE of my family
(Like that Joyce?  that was for you!)

.... & I totally can hear the Hubs reading this & saying, " No way - you're your mom made over - case closed"



6.  January 8th is National Bubble Bath Day...will you be celebrating?

I'm not a bath kinda girl...
maybe because our bath tubs in our home are like kid size & miserable to get in & out of

Home Makeover - want to come to my house & give me a new bathroom?



7.  Some of the 'world's best winter festivals' are...Mardi Gras (New Orleans), Quebec Winter Festival (Canada), Sundance Film Festival (Park City Utah), Rio Carnivale (Brazil), Sapporo Snow Festival (Japan), Venice Carnival (Italy), and the Harbin Ice Festival (Northern China). Of those listed (and if cost were not a factor) which would you most like to attend and why?

The Sundance Film Festival in Utah...
have you ever seen the pictures for that?
Celebrites everywhere... beautiful land... & great films.  I think they have tons of documentaries as well - it would be the coolest week ever!

& I wouldnt need a passport or have to fly over the ocean like some of the others.



8. Insert your own random thought here.

My first night of vegan cooking was a success.

Source: Uploaded by user via Rebecca on Pinterest

I made roasted cauliflower with quinoa & black beans & tomatoes.

It was crazy good.

I put like 5 spices on the cauliflower - paprika, cumin, pepper, chili powder & garlic salt... & putting it with the black beans & tomato - it almost tasted like a chili.
The quinoa was a roasted pepper flavor - so it just mixed in great

The end result? Even Ricky was excited & thrilled & said, "this may be one of the best things you've ever made"

SUCCESS!!!!!

Ten Thoughts for Tuesday

1.  Frist show & I'm addicted to The Bachelor already.  I think Kacie B is going to get her heart broken for the 2nd time... makes me sad...

2.  Grocery shopping & got 5 new spices... my resolution of cooking more vegan is starting tonight.  Spices must be key because every recipe calls for tons of it.

3.  Its going to be 64 degrees & sunny on Friday... is it too early in the year to take a vacation day?

4.  Today is our youngest grandson's birthday.  Luke is officially 3 now.  He's probably really confused when his birthday really is since its been celebrated for awhile.  He kept saying this weekend, "I'z 3 NOW"

5. 71 more days till Spring

6.  I still have my Santa picture hanging in my living room... I dont want to take it down :(

7.  My coworker has now had the flu, as in the respiratory kind - the stomach flu, & now, an INTESTINAL flu... didnt even know there was a difference.  Thankful that our office manager INSISTED she stay home today. 

8.  Why do they have to show the actual vomit of people on Biggest Loser?

9. Why did Al Roker talk about pooping in his pants?  Is there such a thing as TMI?

10.  This morning has been moving along just fine... until someone said, "This morning is going by SOOOO SLOW"... now, its moving even slower to me... great

Weekend Wrapup

(First of all - Blogger is BITING right now... why cant you upload pictures?... so I've uploaded everything to Pinterest to bring it here... geez Blogger - you're really making me hate you lately... ok - rant over... continue to the weekend wrapup)

A fun weekend celebrating a cute little 3 yr old...

Well, not actually until Tuesday - but when work weeks mess up everything.  All birthdays should be designated to weekends only.  Which is what we did with Luke.

I'm not even going to break down the days... its all sort of a blur.
That happens when you ride in a car for awhile.

* I'm now getting good at marking things on the road to Nashville & our location.  This is now our 4th or 5th trip down... I cant even remember...

* We couldnt find the cute little gas station/grocery store we found last time.  & of course, a 'discussion' (code for argument ready to happen) occured on where we both thought it was.  For the record, I know I'm right.

* Yes, the trip is under 3 hours, but we still load up the car with snacks like we're going to travel around the world.  You never know what can happen in 3 hours.

* Get to Nashville & 2 little boys have since forgotten their "favorite toys" (remember that at Christmas - they werent super impressed at the time because they had other toys to play with... that's been moved over).... they have finally loved their 4 wheeler  that we got them for Christmas. 

Source: Uploaded by user via Rebecca on Pinterest

* Boys have no sense of COLD when playing... they were outside like it was summer time & it was in the low 40's

* We went to the coolest place in Nashville for lunch.  Its right around the corner from Julie too - I'd be there EVERY.DAY!  They have so many vegetarian options - I was in heaven.    But the whole place is decked out in roll & roll stuff.  Even the menu comes in like an old album cover & the menu is on a record cut out.  Of course, you know its cool when KISS is on the wall.

I personally like the Liberace life size stand... I'd wear his socks...

Source: web.stagram.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

* Cutest moment of lunch - Isaac sees that poster & gets excited & says, "PAPPY - LOOK!" ... he already knows who KISS is... can you say, "one proud Pappy"?

* Pappy kept the boys from napping by running in circles around the house for a good hour.  Nanny sat & drank tea while watching... I'm not dumb

*  Luke said he wanted "CHOC-O-ATE" for his cake.. that's what he got.  He was so cute watching Julie make it - helped out... & waited anxiously for the licking of the mixing spoon

Source: web.stagram.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

* The cake was so moist, it just crumbled... it was the most awesome cake EVER!  We laughed while it was falling apart.  But let me tell you - it was AMAZINGLY YUMMY!  Seriously - the best cake I've ever had.  The icing was like a chocolate cheesecake icing.  Enough said.

* Luke ended up nodding for a late nap & we woke him up so he wouldnt sleep long... & to sing happy birthday. 

Source: web.stagram.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Not feeling the Candle blowing...

* Poor Baby had pains in his legs... Julie had JUST said about an hour earlier that she thinks he's having a growth spurt because all he wants to do is eat.  He kept crying "OWWWWW" & grabbing his legs.  They were so tense like they were cramping.  It was so pitiful.

* With a sleepy little boy, Isaac was getting so grumpy by the end of the night.  I just wish I could throw fits & throw things when I get tired.  Believe me, I want to.

* I got to watch the boys for a little bit Sunday morning while Ricky & Julie went to get batteries for some walkie talkies & some breakfast... its so fun to sit & talk with Isaac now.  5 yr old conversations are the BEST

* Headed home... we left a sunny, warmer temp to a grey, gloomy, COLD home

* We got home & literally laid in the bed the rest of the evening with the dogs... there's no place like home

* Shows are BACK!  Once Upon a time... Revenge... Biggest Loser... I was happy to be snuggled up...

Now back to the routine - right?  5 full days of work... sigh...

Friday Fragments

 

Friday!! .... I think....

 

*****

 

What is today?

I will say, I'll be glad to get back on a regular schedule

The days of work a day, off a day, work a half day, work 2 days, 2 days off

...repeat...

I need regular schedules

my body needs regular schedules

 

*****

 

Speaking of my body - I can tell I'm fighting getting sick

Wonder why...

only except EVERY PERSON AROUND ME has had the flu

I've been nauseated since Monday

...its getting old & can stop now...

 

*****

 

I'm getting a new newphew today!!!!!

Cant wait to hold Baby Evan in my own arms

Nothing like the smell of a new baby

 

& we're celebrating our youngest grandbaby's birthday

3 years old

We're getting Grand TODDLERS now

not grandbabies

 

 

*****

Yep... I got SQUISHED yesterday!
My first mammogram
... & it wasnt anywhere as bad as I thought it would be...
a tad awkward
but by the end, I coulda walked out topless & not thought anything of it

******
 

I came in late on the Passion 2013

so today, I'll be going through the sessions & getting caught up

http://live.268generation.com

 

 

Session two - the girl singing with Matt Redman?

She looks like the girl that opened for Believe last year

 

Wouldnt that be the coolest job EVER?

Leading worship in that sort of atmosphere?

What a dream

 

*****

 

Speaking of dreams...

this week is going to be torture #1 for me

...seeing all my running blog buddies leaving for Disney World...

Next weekend is the big half marathon/Marathon

 

Torture #2 will be in February when everyone leaves for Disney

for the Princess Half Marathon

 

I'll be having a pity party that weekend

 

*****

 

TV is back next week.

No more reruns

YAHOO!!!!

 

******

 

Funny of the day:

 

Source: cheezburger.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

 

Happy Friday everyone! 

 

 

You are desired....

...but probably not how you want to be desired.

Its the beginning of the year - back to the beginning of the Bible. 

Dont you love when you get to start fresh on your daily readings.
See things that you never noticed before?

That happened to me yesterday

Back in Genesis... probably the most read chapter in January... before everyone slacks off the one year reading programs :) .. I can say that because I do the same thing...

But look what it says about sin

But if you do not do what is right,

sin is crouching at your door;

it desires to have you, but you must master it

-Genesis 4:7

Source: birdsoftheholyland.tumblr.com via Pilar on Pinterest

Kinda freaky - huh?

I dont want NOTHING crouching at my door....
that sounds like 'sneakiness' to me...
waiting to pounce on you....
That is just scary to me...something straight out of a Stephen King movie!

But it also DESIRES us?
YIKES!
I mean, some days, I know I have a desire for chocolate that is pretty intense.
& in those moments... I wont stop until I find chocolate

Ever do that?
Crave something so bad that you're in cabinets, in drawers...
you'll even eat a piece of it that has a bad date on it & has turned a weird color

... no... am I the only one...

... I may need help for my chocolate cravings...

But whew...
at least it says, "you must master it"
which means it CAN be mastered.

that's encouraging news....

So if you feel sin crouching outside your door, waiting on you... wanting to eat you up like some piece of chocolate... know you can kick it in the face

There's my preaching for the day

... & I think more preachers need to use the visual of kicking sin/the devil in the face

I can dig that! :)

Happy Thursday friends!

One Word 2013

So I saw in Blog Land where an awesome lady was making buttons for your ONE WORD... just because...

How cool is that?

That lady is Melanie at http://www.onlyabreath.com/

So I had to think about what my word for 2013 would be... & this is what I came up with

FOCUS!

Its really hard to pick a word that you want to sort of LIVE by for a year...

but I have my life verse for the year...
its one I've had on here before - but its really hitting my heart stronger then ever in so many ways

.... I FOCUS on this one thing:  forgetting the past & looking forward to what lies ahead.  I press on to reach the end of the race & receive the heavenly prize for which God,

through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

-Phil 3:13-14

That's what I want to do this year... change my focus...

Keep it on God
Keep it on the future

I'm so bad at looking behind & putting so much focus & energy on what happened - instead of what CAN happen in the future.

Source: lukepeoples.tumblr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Source: quotediary.me via Rebecca on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

All of this to me screams of that scripture

Where is my FOCUS?

I'm going to strive to get my focus off of fear & worry...

In life ...
in all the things I do

Work... running... relationships...
All of it - where is my focus?

If I keep it where it should be - there should be no negative...

I'm excited to remind myself to focus on good things in life...

& I'm really excited to take this word & see how it speaks to me through Scripture.
How God reminds me where my focus should be in life...

I know is going to be a blessing...

At the end of the year, I want my focus to be 2nd nature...
where my eyes automatically turn....
where my heart instrinctly goes...

Now, I'm linking up to see everyone else's word for the year...
I know its a personal thing - so its exciting to see what everyone else is going to FOCUS on this year
(like that?... see, I have the perfect word)

Its a new year....

I saw this fun thing that my friend Deidre did with her girls... I thought, Hey, I'm like a kid - but its still good to review the year end & the questions apply to everyone... so if you want to answer along, feel free to grab the questions - afterall, that's what I did myself.  Thanks Deidre :)


2012
Favorite Color:  I have been in a grey phase
Favorite Food:  I have been in love with edamame this year... mmmm...
Favorite Activity:  Taking pictures... of course :)
Favorite Book:  Mondays with my Old Pastor

Highlights of 2012
Greatest Lesson Learned:  That was I strong enough to give up meat & Diet soft drinks :)
...& that I learned that I can keep my mouth quiet in situations.  Believe me - that was something I never thought I could do.  I tend to be a 'mouth blurter' but have found a new control with that. Who knew?

Hardest Thing of the Year:  My battle with neuropathy.  I still have days where it flares up, but nothing like it was at the beginning of the year last year.  I honestly have never felt so WRONG in all my life.

Favorite Memory:  Crossing that finish line in my PR at the Ky Derby Half Marathon - with my hubby by my side.  I think this memory will be in my top 5 of my life :)

What I loved most about 2012:  I've got lots so I'm cheating & choosing a few
* My marriage, after being with my husband for 20 years, is stronger & closer then ever
* The photography thing has been amazing.  I have a fantastic partner, we've got our feet in the wedding pond now, & its great meeting such fun, unique people with every session
* My family is all closer... Julie & the grandbabies are closer in Nashville & my parents are 5 miles from me
* All my doggies are getting older, but have survived the year... we dont take it for granted


Looking Forward to 2013:
Want to learn:  How to cook more vegan dishes
Want to get better at:  Running
Biggest Goal:  To be more natural in my eating... more vegan... definitely staying vegetarian - but just want to treat my body with natural health.  Exercise, good foods - I want to FEEL good - that's the goal :)