Friday Fragments

Friday ... FINALLY!!!!!

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the difference a day makes...

No joke, coming into work last Friday, there was not one bud on a tree

...running in the park Saturday for the Papa John 10 miler - not a bud was found in the park

(I take that back - I did see ONE bud... & I sorta screamed "LOOK" to Ricky... & everyone looked at me like I was nuts)

But with the warm weather Saturday & then Sunday, driving into work every day this week, more & more trees are blooming

It FINALLY is starting to look like Spring

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With the "looks" of Spring is also bringing me some crazy painful headaches

Hello Pollen season

my head & eyes & sinuses want to tell you "You suck"

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So I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not

Been taking my blood pressure every day

Its staying around 98/50

Is that good?  Or too low?

I've been feeling like its low - which is why I've been checking it

hmmm

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Race pictures for the 10 miler came out

They look decent enough - right?

No...
Ricky came around the corner & I was sitting in front of the computer crying my eyes out

Some pictures are absolutely horrid

I had no idea I was THAT fat... 

I just kept thinking - OMGT

(Which stands for OH MY GIANT THIGHS!!!!)

Apparently, my cellulite on my legs wanted to wave "HI" to the camera

while I must apparently run with my chin tucked into my neck looking like a long fat log

Nothing like a knock to the system with horrible race pictures

....well, that was uplifting, wasn't it?....

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Everyone check out that blog on tumblr that posts everything that makes his child cry?

Reason my son is crying 

 Funny stuff!

& I just realized I needed to start a new blog with nothing but bad race pictures

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FUNNY STUFF!

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So I finally finished the book "The Host"
LOVED IT!
I knew I loved it when I actually teared up when the character was hurting

but I saw the previews of the movie before I read it & was waiting for parts of the book that never happened

I heard the movie isn't that great.
Is that why?
Because they throw in action scenes that aren't even in the book?

Looks like they change EVERYTHING about the Seeker ...
the books says she's small & has black hair & always wears black...
the movie has her as a tall woman, who is blond & wears white
WHAT?

You don't mess with a book people

I think Stephanie Meyers thought how they changed the ending of Breaking Dawn worked so well, she'd give it a go with this book too
... I wonder if she is like "DRATS!" now...

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TV Time:

Survivor:  Quit talking to Dawn people!!! I liked her before - but she messed with Malcom, so she's on my out list now

Dancing with the Stars:  Why was everyone hugging Lisa when they knew she just finished puking for the 1,000 time?  I would have been standing in the corner spraying Lysol in her face..... & why was Gleb just like "hey, you ok?" while Lisa is sprawled out in the floor?  No rushing to see if she's breathing - no 'get help' sort of reaction.  I thought he'd just kick her in the side to see if she'd move.

New Girl: "Dead Dad Pass" ... Nick is just the best

Glee:  OH.MY.WORD.... I was so freaked out.  If you didn't see it, it had a warning about school violence.  I thought it was going to be about bullying or something.  No, it was about a gun going off in school & all the Glee kids were trapped in their room.  I caught myself holding my breath.  I applaud the show for taking on our latest, & saddest, current events in school.
... the end though?  Something has to work out with that... Sue can't leave. Right?


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OK... me & my giant thighs are outta here...
hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!!

Real problem

Thursday... Bible Study Blog Hop Day...

We're just in Chapter one & Melissa was right when she said this book is packed full of information.  Which is why we're taking 12 weeks to go through it.  I'm thankful.  I'm trying to take each chapter & break it down in small segments so I can really grasp it.

Just in Chapter 1, so much "Oh yeah" & "Oh man" kinda emotions...

There is a section called "The First Step to Freedom"... appropriate being in chapter 1 & labeled the first step.

But I went to town with my pen on this part.  Stars & smiling faces, & frowns & a lot of exclamation points all over the page

... the first sentences say it all

"You have complete control over whether you spend life stressed & depressed or happy & fulfilled, despite the circumstances you face"

I... me... you... we have complete control

(I now am having a flash back to the 80's & getting my Janet Jackson groove on singing "Control")

But that's where I think my problem is...

Its so easy to blame circumstances for our stress

Finances... who isn't struggling to make their bills & have any thing left over
News Headlines.... between threats of wars & shootings happening every day
Government... hello?  Who wants to go throat punch the representatives of our country with me?
Jobs/Office Politics .... funny how rules are different for different people in the same company
Housework.... there's only 2 people in my house - why cant it stay picked up?
Hurtful people.... doesn't everyone have people in their lives that say just the right thing to stab you?

I could go on & on with examples of things that cause stress

But I was reminded that we have "complete control" how we'll spent our life through all these things.

That is the problem... to me anyways... sometimes I don't feel like I have control over that.

But I guess that's where FAITH comes in... & TRUSTING God's word... it's about believing that God is in control.

I actually printed this out & have it sitting on my desk as a good reminder...

So I'm excited to dive further in the book... 11 more weeks ahead of learning to Trust God MORE...

of taking that control of how we respond...

I already have learned, we don't have much control in this world
... but God gives us the control over ourselves
... & the funny thing?  This is where I want to give the control back to God.

Here's to a stressed-less life & 11 great weeks ahead of drawing closer to our awesome God!

Hodgepodge

 

 Hodgepodge Day!  Hope Joyce had a great week off - but we're back...

If you want to join along, feel free to hit the button above & join right in

1. Share one fun thing you did last week while the Hodgepodge was on Spring Break?

Probably the most fun I had last week was after the Papa John 10-miler... it was such a beautiful day.  I came home, took a shower & sat outside for HOURS reading my Kindle.  Almost done with "The Host"... that sucker is LONG... over 600 pages... but it was so nice just relaxing & soaking in warm sun for a change.

not too exciting, I know... but running 10 miles wasn't oodles of fun, & work every day isn't up on my list of fun either.

this is just proof to me again that I need a vacation

2. April 10th is National Sibling Day...do you have siblings, and if so are you close? Share a favorite story involving one or all of your siblings. If you don't have siblings did you ever wish you did?

Just me & my big bro .... we're almost 7 years different so when I was going into middle school, he was already graduated & in the big world of girlfriends & working a real job.

Probably the story that I know I've talked about before, but its the only one that stands out to me when I think of my brother, is how he would punch me & make me cry & then take my picture.  Seriously.   When my parents moved, they found all kinds of the pictures of me crying... I don't know what's more disturbing - my brother punching me for fun, or my parents keeping the pictures... the things that bring families together :)

it wasn't all bruises & tears though (that sounds horrible... he really was a good big brother)... we all took Martial Arts together - my dad, me & my brother.  I can remember going every week.  When my brother was in it, I honestly thought he was the toughest Martial Artist around.  He just had a natural talent with it.  He was so good at the fighting part of it too... maybe that's why he was so good... I made the perfect punching bag.  See?  I'm good for something! 

3. Is it important to you to 'buy American'? How far will you go to 'buy American'? If you're not American insert your own country in the blank.

I do think its important... 

do I do it?  No... not really

I just don't think anything of it, which is sorta sad.

When they do those specials on ABC News (Made in America),  it always blows my mind & I'm like, "I'm going to ONLY buy American products"... & then I go shopping & totally don't think twice.

American's... our attention span isn't the best.

I will say... to make up for my appearance of sounding like a horrible American... I do try to buy local produce & local natural products.  That counts - right?  

I feel like I should stand up now with my hand over my heart & recite the pledge of America!

4. Besides The Bible, what book has impacted your spirituality in some way?

I love this book.... its a part of a series called "The Martyr's Song" Book #2 - but I don't remember that you HAD to read them all - they could stand alone.  

I haven't read it in a long time, but I can remember actually crying over this story.  It's described as "the Hosea story meets Song of Solomon" ... I just remember in the story how much this man loved this woman & how badly she treated him & how much she would go out of her way to hurt him & turn back to her old ways of living.. but he never gave up on her.  

It just painted such a picture of how God never gives up on us, even when we hurt Him & turn our back on Him.

I need to read it again... see if it holds the same meaning I remember it holding.

5. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Do you find rainy days calming or depressing? When were you last caught in a rainstorm? What's blooming in your neck of the woods today?

It depends what I have to do for the day if I enjoy a rainy day.  If I have to do a long run or have a photography session, then I'm totally not digging the rain.  

If I'm home & have nothing else to do, I love the rain.  I'll go grab a book & a blanket & sit out in my rocking chair on the porch & inhale the clean smell of rain.  Nothing like it.

What's blooming?  Everything that holds pollen.... UGH!  Spring time... bring on the headaches & sinus pressure.

6. What's your favorite yellow food?

My favorite is Yellow Dye #4 .... nooooo!!! Kidding

my favorite is actually fresh pineapple.... Oh yeah!!!!  I love eating it as a snack ... I love juicing it. We usually go through a few pineapples a week - especially in the summer.  Time to start making beautiful pineapple juice over crushed ice. 

7. April is National Poetry Month...what's a poem that holds special meaning for you, and why is it special.

I'm not a big 'poem' person...

but probably the poem that holds special meaning? My own!

Yep... in elementary school, me & my dad made up a poem for a contest... & it WON! 

It even got published in a book for young poets...

Yes... I'll sign autographs

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

So less then 3 weeks to go till the Mini Marathon & of course, you knew an injury would come.  Its not my knees this time... or my back.  My back is actually constant pain now. (Lucky girl I am) But its a bone on top of my foot.

I've actually been to the doctor before about it years ago.  They said there is space around the bone on top of my foot that goes to the big toe & it'll shift... when it's out of place, or inflamed  its so painful.   It hurts to even bend my foot.  Which isn't good when you want to bend your foot A LOT going 13.1 miles.

When I went to the foot doctor, he even said, "Do you have a sibling?" - yes - "I bet he has the same thing"... I asked my brother if he has foot pain like that.  He said he actually did every now & then... so apparently this weird bone foot thing is common in siblings.

I should have totally used that as my answer for #2 instead of bringing up once again how my brother used to punch me in the arm...

Louisville Cardinals win... & take it out on couches

Yep.... we are the champions

& its true, I haven't watched one basketball game all year long... not even in the NCAA Championship.

I've had better things to do... like get caught up on "The Following"

But it is all the talk around town, as you can imagine.

& they've asked everyone to wear red & black.

Look, even my nieces are getting into the action....

This isn't a big deal for the one on the right - she's a die hard UL fan already.
The one on the left is a UK fan - I think just to tick off her sister. So seeing her in UL is quite funny to me.

I'm always one for fashion so I've obliged.
Yesterday, I wore a red shirt with a long black peasant skirt

Today, I woke up & saw that the Cardinals won the championship

No, I didn't even watch the game last night.

I had to watch Andy Dick bring me to tears dancing a Viennese Waltz... See, I have priorities
I did turn it over before I went to bed... to see they were like 13 pts behind & then I still didn't really care, so I went to bed.

But on the news & all over Facebook, EVERYWHERE, the news of the win was in my face.

AND, the Lady Cards are in the Women's NCAA Finals tonight (which is kinda cool that our local school has both teams in the Finals)... so its another red/black day.

I don't own that much red.

If we had a team with green or grey, I'd be set

But its finally warmed up a bit & I remembered some pants I have... RED!

Score!

Another day to act like this is important to me...

I'm actually just glad to be wearing flip flops ....

But the one thing I don't get on the news reports... over & over, they keep playing the crowds of people that gathered in the streets last night...

& the sport of choice?

Burning couches.

Yes - you read that right... burning couches

I had no idea there was so much enjoyment in it, but apparently, it brings oodles of fun.

I forgot the count they said had been reported - it was in the teens

Who brings a couch out of a house & puts it in the middle of a street & douses it with some sort of gasoline & thinks, "This is the most fun I've ever had!"?
.... Apparently Cardinal fans do.

What did those poor innocent couches do to anyone?

Maybe they weren't covered in red & black...

See - I'm wearing these colors for my own protection

Race Recap: Papa John 10-Miler

My official SLOWEST RACE EVER!!!....

but that's OK...

really - I'm doing OK with it.

I think because I had fun doing it.... & I still finished at a decent time (for me) & most importantly, I wasn't last :)

I always hate saying that though... someone is always last.  & they still finish, right?  No shame in that.

Ricky did this one with me as well & we headed out before the sun came up.

The news station was at the race location & talking with local runners & owners of the running stores around.  They just kept saying, "Don't over dress - its gonna be a shirt & shorts day"... so I listened.  Ricky turned it down a notch too & didn't wear a jacket or gloves.

Let me say, we were both FREEZING at the long walk to the start line... I'm talking shivering.  Ricky said, "where is that guy that told us to dress light - I'm going to go put my freezing hands on him"

The bad part, we had to park a good 2 miles away from the start line so it was a long, cold walk...

But the good thing - there was a Starbucks at the corner of the street.  We ran in there & got loaded up on some nutrition for the race course... & warmed up a bit before the start began.

By the way, I've never heard of the brand Two Mom's in the Raw ... awesomeness!  Thank you Starbucks for helping me find a new gluten-free, dairy free - 100% raw & organic product
http://www.twomomsintheraw.com/

We get to the start about 1 minute before the gun goes off.  Another good timing for another race.

Mile 0-1:  Felt good starting - felt good just to warm up.  I was proud of ourselves because we passed the news station camera & I got a good wave in... no one probably saw us because its early, but my smiling face was out there for the world to see.

Mile 1-2:  A lady ran by us & turned around & said, "Do you remember me?"... I wasn't even sure she was talking to us... then I could tell she was looking at my face.  I was like "Oh yeah - how are you?" & she said good & then wished us luck & kept running.  I looked at Ricky & said, "Who the heck was that?"... I didn't want to be rude :)  Ricky finally figured it out - she was our old neighbor. She is a BIG TIME RUNNER... like Boston Marathon top 10 runner!  It was great seeing her.  She was probably shocked to see us out there.  When she lived next door to us, the idea of running never entered my mind.

Mile 2-3:  Elvis talked to us on the course... seriously... a guy about 65 yrs old dressed as Elvis was talking to us.  & for a 65 yr old Elvis, he had great pace.

This is the part where the pros are actually coming BACK on the opposite side of the road... we're not even to the park yet, & they've made it through & heading back & it's their mile 7... always blows my mind to see how fast they move.  How natural they look - how strong they are.  The first place guy?  There was no one even near him ... come to find out, he finished in 47:24 - a new course record.  Amazing!

Best sign ever:  "You are totally almost NOT there" ... thank you for being honest

Mile 3-4:  Into the park we go... the most dreaded part of the race for me

Mile 4-5:  Mile 4 is awful & awesome at the same time because you get to the top of a HUGE hill & its a good downhill slope for a bit there.  & a water stop right at the top of the hill, mile 4 marker.  When you go down that hill, its like your lungs are screaming "THAANNNKKKK YOOOOOUUUUUUU"

Got in a pack of women whose hands apparently swell too... we all had our arms in the air trying to drain blood down... & ended up turning the hands in the air to a worship & praise for Jesus :)

Mile 5-6:  Ricky had to go to the bathroom so he jetted ahead to go to the porta-pot & said he'd meet me at the end of the park.... bye honey!

On my own... luckily, my iPod must have sensed I needed some encouragement.  "You're a Superstar" came on... I love the lyrics of this song... good for the soul.  Just what I needed going up Mile 5... the worst hill of the park.

Got passed by a 5 yr old boy.  No joke!  This little boy had 2 men next to him who were training him, telling him how to breath, how to move his legs up the hill - it was pretty amazing to watch.  He looked adorable too in the smallest Under Armor gear I've ever seen.  I didn't even know you could train someone that young.  I told Julie after wards that I think I just saw the Gold Olympic medalist of 2020.

Sailing down the hill out of the park... RELIEF.... Heaven.... & found Ricky at the bottom waiting for me.... onward we go

Mile 6-7:  Fastest mile in my mind... I always have one mile of a race where you see the next mile marker & you think, "I'm already here?" ... that's always a good surprise

Mile 7-8:  that sign from earlier?  It was turned around now & it said, "NOW you're almost there"

With the Louisville Cardinals in the Final Four that day, everyone was wearing red & cardinal signs every where... Ricky though couldn't take it that far. He wore his UK National Championship shirt. Some UL Supporters on the side of the road pointed at him & joked with him about wearing his UK shirt.  He may be rooting the Cards on this time, but his blood is still blue :)

Mile 8-9:  Passed a yard sale where they had DVD's for $2.00 ... Ricky was mad he wasn't aware DVD's were for sale along the way or he would have brought a bag & cash

Mile 9-10: I still don't get why this race puts a huge hill at the end of this rough race... but it's there.  Ricky was trying to get me to run up it.  I said, "I'm getting over it at my pace"... which was walking slowly at this point.  The hills were killing my low back.  But we made it & it was downhill from there.

I always love the finish line of this race... inside of Cardinal Stadium.  But its so funny running on that turf when you've been on concrete for the past 9.8 miles.

FINISHED!!!!

We headed to the lines where Papa John's had pizza waiting for us.  I put napkins on it to absorb half of the grease on it... & it look off the whole layer of cheese.  So I had pizza crust to snack on. I was happy with that.  Just give me carbs.

Thank goodness it was a sunny nice day - we sat down & stretched while eating pizza & took a minute to just breath.  The bad part though once you sit down, you gotta get back up... UGH!

& then the 2 miles back to the car...

It was a trip... but it was a fun trip. Glad to have Ricky next to me to keep me company.

This was the first year he did the Triple Crown with me... his favorite was my favorite though - the Rodes City 10K... that race is just perfect, in length, in course, in the whole sha-bang.
Ricky agreed that this race just sucked.  But it's an accomplishment.

We headed home... I got to relax.  Ricky had to go to church to help take down & carry out & load up a set from the Children's Ministry even the night before.  Bless his heart.  He's Superman... seriously....

we didnt get any pictures at all of the race. Too much to carry & think about... but this is me at home, ready for my shower & to put my feet up.

So, we're done with the Triple Crown.  Every race time was horrible time for me.  But I did them.  & now, I head into my Half Marathon in 3 weeks.  Feeling more confident now that I've done the 10 miler... but have to admit, I'll be glad to get this years running season behind me.  I just haven't been 'feeling it' like usual.  Muddling through.  But making it through regardless.

Friday Fragments

Friday... whew... we made it

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Tomorrow - the last race in the Triple Crown

Papa John's 10 Miler

I'm scared to death

I think this race is worse then the Half Marathon I'm doing in 3 weeks
Its a 5k down to the park, a 5k THROUGH a park, full of hills & a little over a 5K back to the finish line
I'm tired just thinking of those hills

So wish me luck... say those prayers... get me through this thing

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70's!!!!

They're coming!!!! They're coming!!!!

I'm hoping to finally see some buds on trees

Actually make me believe Spring is coming

Especially because I've worn heavy sweaters & my coat & gloves all week long

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Is it me ... or does anyone else really care about the Jay Leno thing?

He left once before... been there, done that

Could care less now

I still cheer for Conan

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Anyone else having issues with Pinterest?

When you click the "Embed" button now, it takes you to some weird "Business" page

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So yeah, we're a dedicated University of Kentucky house hold...

But with this horrible thing that happened to Kevin Ware on the University of Louisville

we're actually rooting them on

(This picture is nothing short of amazing... I applaud this photographer)

This is makings of a movie right here!

Ricky said, "I'd never thought in my life I'd be rooting on for UL"

I'm especially rooting UL on because if they win in the Final Four, our CFO is staying for the finals\ game & will out of the office until next week...

That alone is reason enough for me to cheer......GO CARDS!

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Did you hear about all those teachers going to jail for changing test scores?

Some could get up to 45 years!!!

OH MY GOSH!!!

Teachers be loosing their ever loving mind!

...& Yes, I used horrible English in that sentence in honor of stupid teachers...

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Well great....

I just got a great reminder how fat my thighs are...

Its Casual Friday - I'm wearing jeans 

I look down & see

I've worn my jeans out so much in between my legs that there is an actual shredded hole ...

my thighs are a friction area just waiting for a fire to start apparently

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TV Time:

Revenge:  Its getting a little out there now... how many secrets can Victoria have.  A murder as a teenager... now another child?  What next - an affair with an alien?

Real Housewives of Atlanta:  Gotta say, celebrity has done well for NeNe ... she was my favorite of the year on the show.  Kept calm, funny comments, straight talk to all the girls... maybe it helped she spent half the year in Hollywood instead of Atlanta

The Mindy Project:  This has edged its way into my top 3 comedies.

.. next to Modern Family & New Girl

Splash:  Disappointed in Kendra... dropped out of the show.  I bet the first two players that were eliminated are pretty ticked off.

& how adorable is Drake Bell.  Didn't know he was the voice of Spiderman in the cartoon series.  He would have made an excellent Spiderman in an actual movie!  

He's got that perfect nerd/cute look going on for him

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Funny of the Day:

I cant get enough of this video... I have watched it over & over... & laugh harder every time.  "Get it my man... out here doing it"

Stressed Much?

I did my first Bible Study with the ladies at Proverbs 31 Ministries a few months ago - "Let it Go" was the book we went through over a few months.  I loved everything about it.  Loved meeting some other ladies through their blogs, having interaction on Facebook praying for each other, fun little updates on all sorts of social media - it was a fantastic experience.

So when it was over, I was a little bummed...
only to see the next book they were doing.

Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace in Your Chaotic World

"Your" Chaotic World... how did they know my world was chaotic?  They were spot on...

We actually are suppose to start on April 7th ... but I have had this book in my hands for 3 weeks & couldn't stand it any longer.  I had to dive into the first chapter.

Let me tell you - the first chapter already looks like a child has gotten a hold of the poor book.
Highlighting everywhere - notes written in the side...

Good stuff

here's some things I've already taken note of ... because goodness knows we all have stress... maybe this will help someone out as well:

"Stress typically does not come from the situations in our lives, but rather from the ways we handle those situations"

"I realized that most of my stress was rooted in trying to control circumstances that I had no control over.... I was wasting infinite amounts of time, energy, & emotion on things that were completely 101 percent, out of my control!"

"The more we worry, the more anxious we feel;  the more anxious we feel, the more frustrated we become;  the more frustrated we become, the more we want to find someone or something to blame.  As frustration builds, we get more & more frazzled.  The more frazzled we become, the more overwhelmed we begin to feel;  the more overwhelmed we become, the more stressed we become.  And then we may begin to worry about our increased stress level & the consequences that brings, & the cycle starts all over again"

(How many of you just said, "Yep, been there, done that"?)

A new version of the serenity prayer:

For every ailment under the sun

There is a remedy, or there is none;

If there be one, try to find it;

If there be none, never mind it.

So, how many of you are ready to get the book now yourself after just seeing these few things?

I'm excited to dive into this book... hoping & praying it's opens my heart to God's word & what He has to show me... & all the other ladies doing this study.

There's still time if you want to join in.
http://melissataylor.org/category/stressed-less-living/

Here's to a more Stressed-Less life that waits ahead!

Random Thought.... DWTS Edition

What?  No Hodgepodge today?
Nope - Joyce had the nerve to take off for Spring Break... hmph...
Kidding Joyce... that's just my jealousy speaking.  I wish I had a Spring Break to take off for.

So instead of 8 questions for Hodgepodge, I thought I'd just give 8 random thoughts today...
about something that is near & dear to my heart... DANCING WITH THE STARS!
(That's my dad's cue to say, "I'm not reading today's post)

I know a lot of people are watching "The Voice" that's up against it, but I always jump in that show when they get to the battle rounds.  No use watching people you're going to forget in a month's time, only to see they were booted in a 20 second slot :)

Plus, what would I do with my fringe pants & glitter make up if I turned over to "The Voice"?

OK - so random thoughts...


1. I never thought I'd give up votes for Andy Dick... But I have actually been voting for him.  He's not the best dancer, but I'm just rooting for him.  Now I don't think he'll make it far, & I don't think he really should, but when you have a handful of bad dancers, let him be the last of them to go.  I think he NEEDS this more then any body there to give him some confidence.  Carrie Ann is right when she says, "You've won the hearts of the people"

.... & I just want to see Sherri Shepherd back in the audience freaking out over him too :)

2.  Is it me or is something wrong with Jacoby?  Why does he always make the most stupid looking faces & act like he's a 12 yr old boy or a reject from the cast of Revenge of the Nerds?

I thought he'd be a definite winner when I first saw him in the cast announcement - how he came out & got his groove on.  He can move - no doubt... but I cant get past the stupid attitude.


3.  Can Bruno please dance in every Encore performance?

(This looks like an ad for some sort of muscle building protein drink... look at the arms & abs of these people!)

4.  Zendaya is 16 years old?  That is crazy... especially when she acts more mature then a no-name-mentioned-football-player-who-makes-stupid-faces.  I always hate they have Disney kids on here though - such an advantage.  They hire these kids because they can dance.  I do love to watch her dance though.  Very elegant - very trained.

I think its going to be particularly awkward though when it Rumba time... Val, Mr. Sex Pot, with a 16 yr old girl, doing the sexiest dance of them all?  Yeah... Zendaya's mom is gonna be on the side lines giving a stink eye to Val.  This ain't no Kelly Monaco.

5.  Someone just needs to get DL Hughley off the show.  He obviously can't dance, but he's got a bad attitude about it too.  If you cant the heat, get out of the kitchen.  Or put it in dance terms, "if you cant take the glitter bombs thrown at you, get off the floor." He's feeling 'bullied' & attacked when the judges score him MORE then generously?  Take a note from Wynonna, who just says, 'They're right" when she gets low scores.


6.  I'll admit - I'm a little disappointed in the gymnast, Aly.  She's no Shawn Johnson.  I do see improvement though so hoping that she's gonna keep getting better & better.  I just don't think she has the 'umph' that Shawn brought.  Glad to see that Mark seems to be less cocky then normal this year too.

Mark's face.... I love screen captures of dancers

well maybe not ALL screen captures... because they turn bad pictures into things like this

7.  Speaking of Wynonna... I feel so badly for Tony Dovolani.  He always seems to get stuck with the 'dont bet on them to win' dancers.  Kate Gosselin - Martina Navratilova, Kathy Ireland, Wendy Williams....At least he won the All Stars last year.  Give him that same contract that Derek has - the one where you get the good dancers every year.


8.  Which leads me to my FAVORITE of the YEAR..... Kellie Pickler.  I love everything about her.  Her body is slammin' - her hair is adorable - her personality is precious... & girl can MOVE!  I'm giving all my votes (except for a few throw outs to Andy Dick, until he's gone) to her.

Yeah... I can do that too.... & then I'm on the way to the hospital because that means my leg isnt attached any longer

LOVED when she turned to the lady in the audience & patted her hair & was like "That is sooo kute" - yes, with a "k" because that's how I make it with a country twang.  I'm telling you - I want to bring Kellie home in my pocket & to be my best friend.

So who is your favorite this year?

Price of Gas perspective....

My dad sent this to me one time & I always kept it .... because it BLEW MY MIND!!!!!

All these examples do NOT imply that gasoline is cheap; it just illustrates how outrageous some prices are....

Compared with Gasoline......

Think a gallon of gas is expensive?

Diet Snapple 16 oz $1.29 ... $10.32 per gallon

Lipton Ice Tea 16 oz $1.19 ..........$9.52 per gallon

Gatorade 20 oz $1.59 ..... $10.17 per gallon

Ocean Spray 16 oz $1.25 ......... $10.00 per gallon

Brake Fluid 12 oz $3.15 ...... $33.60 per gallon

Vick's Nyquil 6 oz $8.35 ... $178.13 per gallon

Pepto Bismol 4 oz $3.85 .. $123.20 per gallon

Whiteout 7 oz $1.39 ....... . $25.42 per gallon

Scope 1.5 oz $0.99 .....$84.48 per gallon And this is the REAL KICKER...Evian water 9 oz $1.49..$21.19 per gallon!  $21.19 for WATER and the buyers don't even know the source  Ever wonder why printers are so cheap? So they have you hooked for the ink. Someone calculated the cost of the ink at............... (you won't believe it....but it is true........) $5,200 a gal. (five thousand two hundred dollars) So, the next time you're at the pump,be glad your car doesn't run on water, Scope, or Whiteout, Pepto Bismol, Nyquil or God forbid, Printer Ink!

Just a little humor to help ease the pain of your next trip to the pump...

Weekend Wrapup

Friday

* Tried Domino's new Mediterranean Veggie sandwich for dinner.... HOLY SMOKES... that sucker is GOODNESS on a crispy artisan bun!

* Part 1 - Real Housewives Beverly Hills Reunion.... Why does Kyle act so differently at the reunion then on the show.  She's always so defensive AND offensive... attacks Lisa, attacks Yolanda.  I think her whacko sister helps instigate her though too.  I'm just glad Adrienne didn't show up.  I think she knew she didn't have a leg to stand on.

Saturday

* Got up & cleaned my living room up.  We found another table at TJ Maxx that matched our living room furniture perfectly... & fills up the last corner in our room.  The living room looks complete now... I'm just excited I have another place to put my last Scentsy holder!

* Waiting for the sun to warm up, I catch up on "The Following"... I had 5 episodes I was behind. OH MY SCARED GOODNESS!!! How is this show rated PG-14?  I think you need to be at least 25 to watch it.  It's so freaky scary!  But I can't get enough.  I'd get done with one episode & want to go directly to the next.  Now I'm caught up & have to wait until I get a few more episodes taped. (I don't know how I ever lived without a DVR)

* Started a new knitting project.  I've been itching to knit so badly.  I started a new project for a Christmas present for someone... but now, I'm sitting here with my Bicep Tendinitis flamed up again. ... geez....

* Went for a 7 mile run... it was a beautiful day.  Windy & chilly - but beautiful.  I keep telling everyone how badly my hands swell when I run so I took proof pictures.  The left picture is right when I got home... the one on the right is about an hour later - back to normal.  (The light is bad in the right picture though - but normal fingers in that one)... isnt' that crazy?
I can't hardly even bend my fingers when they swell like that.

FYI - I've heard other runners hands do the same thing... something about blood pulling in the hands.  I'm just waiting for blood to shoot through my ready-to-pop-skin one day.  (Episode idea for "The Following"?)

* Got done with my run & wanted to refuel.  I thought, "I'll try this new iced coffee I got from my swag bag".... it was delish!  But I think it was too much caffeine after a run... I thought I was going to die.  Literally.  My head felt like it was going to blow.  Note to self - slow doses of caffeine after my body is ready to explode from swelling.

* Ricky & I went out to dinner & God put Ricky in the perfect place at the perfect time.  Our waitress asked him if she could ask him a personal question.  She then asked him about his accident & then she told us her brother was in an explosion & was burned pretty badly as well... she was full of questions & so glad to find someone who knew the experience & what happens & what lies ahead.  It was so amazing to sit back & watch Ricky discuss his accident with her & see how God does indeed work things for good for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)


Sunday

* Easter Sunrise Service!!! ... my parents even made it with us!  That was super nice!!!

* Youth service was canceled so we were able to help out in Children's Ministry.  I loved every minute of it.  These kids are awesome.  Eager to answer questions - eager to do the crafts & dance & sing & whatever you ask of them.  Loved it!

(This little fellow at worship time... he wasnt feeling the music)

* Went out to dinner with my family ... Sophia was like a walking Easter Egg.  Madi was just ready for the UL game.


* Look at the Easter card that Sophia drew... isnt it the cutest?

* Headed back to my parents ... we put in old videos of the twins when they were babies.  My goodness - how time flies

It was a great weekend... glad to celebrate our risen Savior!  ... now onto another week that will sure to be busy... I'm just hoping that we finally get to see what Spring feels like... (Please Mother Nature... please!)

Hope you all had a wonderful, blessed Easter weekend!