Hodgepodge

1. What was your biggest worry five years ago?  Is it still a worry?

2008...

Heck, I don't even remember yesterday...


Let's just say I can remember what is needed in the midst of an argument

 2. Yesterday (October 15th) was National Grouch Day...what makes you grouchy?  What cheers you up when you're feeling grouchy?

A messy house make me grouchy... which explains why I'm grouchy all the time.  I hate I missed the opportunity to celebrate my grouchiness...

Will Ferrell cheers me up.  Every time.  Let me pop in "Talladega Nights" or "Elf" or "Anchorman" & I'm instantly a happier person

See... this alone just raised my level of grumpy for the day

3. In one word, how does it feel to be photographed?

AWKWARD!!!!

This smile is natural... right?

Its funny because that's what I do... try to capture natural smiles from other people, but I was in front of the camera last year... & I was like, This is the most uncomfortable thing EVER.  Gave me a new appreciation to make others feel comfortable in front of my camera....

this is actually the picture that was taken...
my Second Shooter was playing with the camera settings & I got to be the victim model

4. Besides your parents, who would you say had the greatest influence on you in choosing your life path?  Explain.

I have a life path?

I need to get on that probably....



5. The crisp days of autumn are here...what's something you like to eat, but only if it's crisp?

This was kinda hard... & it made me hungry thinking of all different foods...

But I hate when the breaded coatings of things aren't crisp... if they're soggy, yuck...

Onion rings comes to mind... & again, I'm now hungry & craving them...

My belly is growling.....

 

6. What's the most useless object you own?

My sun visor for my car...

I bought one with the thoughts of keeping my leather seats from scalding the skin off the back of my legs every day after work...

7. Share a favorite fall memory.

Of course, I have to say when I got married.  My anniversary is coming up October 28th... 18 years!!!

But I always knew I wanted to get married in Fall... its always been my favorite time of the year.  The leaves changing, the cooler weather.  Its just perfection.

I also have wonderful memories of family vacations down to Gatlinburg in the fall... cool nights walking around the streets & shops.  Good times.




8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Rain came in yesterday...

with it?

The WORLDS WORST HEADACHE!!!

When we had a tornado come through the area about 3 years ago, I had a headache like I've never had in my life.  I thought it was a stroke.  As soon as the tornado & storm left, my headache went away...

I've since learned that the change in the pressure in the atmosphere can cause headaches ...

& every time it rains now, I get these horrible headaches

Precious? ... really?

What do you think of when you hear the word "Precious"?

I think of a litter of puppies playing
I think of a new born baby that is sleeping & snuggling in your arms
I think of time you find that you can relax in
I think of the award winning movie about a young girl...

Nope, haven't seen it.. but whenever I heard the word, I do think of this movie

I even went to look up the definition of the word

Precious:  Valuable ... highly valued.. much loved or considered to be of great importance... not to be wasted

So it surprised me when I was doing my devotional this morning & came across this verse with the word Precious in it...

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints

~Psalm 116:15

OK... I don't know about you, but when I think of death, the word "precious" doesn't instantly pop into my mind.... far from it...

If you read yesterday, you saw where this world lost a young mother...
This past Sunday, our family lost a member.  A cousin who had been fighting for his life after an infection.  His fight ended... & we're supposed to look at that as 'precious'?

You see & hear of death all the time on the news... I never once have tilted my head, made googly eyes & gone, "Ahhhhh"...

I think the difference in this verse... its precious in the sight of the Lord...

I know I see things differently then God does.

I see people who make me angry, or situations that make me cringe, or things that break my heart...
God sees people or things or situations that needs mercy, grace, redemption...

The Lord knows that His Saints are coming home to Him though... its a homecoming... a welcome... a chance for God to finally say, "Well done good & faithful servant"

I guess that would be precious to me as well if I was waiting for a loved one to come home...

So hard to turn on our "God Goggles" sometimes & see things from His point of view...
but that's what we strive for...
a heart like His

Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

~Philippians 1:20-21

Shocked....

I got a phone call Friday that knocked me off my feet... the kind that leaves you punched in the stomach.

A phone call of a young life that had been lost....

My sweet friend, Stephanie, that we lost in 2007 of Liver Cancer... her oldest daughter, Amber had passed away earlier that morning...

Stephanie & Amber with Amber's middle daughter

Amber was just in her 30's... she has 3 children... & recently got married & also has 3 step children...

I sat in shock when I heard the words that she passed away.  Some things just don't seem real in life.  Like they can't happen.  They shouldn't happen.

While Amber lived in this area to be near her mother & to have her children be near to their grandmother, Ricky & I really grew to know Amber... loved her kids
... our tree house is still full of their drawings & coloring book pages.

She made us dinner many times... fettuccini alfredo being a specialty.
We worshipped together...
We shared Christmas' together & I was able to join in their family Christmas traditions.
I got to help her with her daughter's Halloween party ...we had more fun then the kids did.
I always wished I could have her passion for cleaning....
She loved her kids intensely & protectively...
I held her mother's hands after she passed away so Amber could paint her finger nails.

We love Amber...

All weekend long, Ricky & I would be doing random things & then we'd stop & look at each other & say, "I can't believe it"

So I just ask for you to pray for her family... her siblings... her children. 
Her 3 beautiful babies... I can't imagine what they are going through... at such a young age, they shouldn't have to go through this...

The one thing I find comfort in... I know Amber loved her Heavenly Father... she loved Jesus... so I just imagine the reunions in heaven with her mother & father have to be just full of joy.

The loss reminds me of the verse:

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while & then vanishes

~James 4:14

Enjoy today...
Live for today...
LOVE today...

we don't know what will happen tomorrow...

Five on Friday

{One} Glee

 

Oh my goodness... anyone else sit through the sadness?  I knew it was going to be sad, but I didn't realize HOW sad.  (I'm slow on things)  You could tell the emotions were so real.  Seasons of Love gets me every time....when Santana broke down crying in her song... when Sue started crying... when Rachel popped up in the hallway... when she sang (oh my broken heart).... when Mr. Shue just lost it at the end...
I was emotionally drained at the end of this show....
I'm headed to iTunes today to purchase some of these songs.

{Two} FitBit

Its not a secret of my relationship with my FitBit... its love... true love.
Its what keeps me motivated, keeps me moving, makes me march in place at my desk 6 times a day (its true)... but they're coming out with a new one.  The FitBit Force!!!!  I'm intrigued.  This one stays on your wrist instead of your hip & it has all your info right there to look at.  That's why I didn't care for the FitBit Flex because you had to have an iPhone to see your stats.  This one has it all...
But I'm curious... I wonder how it can tell movement from the wrist better then the hip.  I mean, I move my hands a LOT more then my hips & legs during the day, with work & just plain being an Italian who talks with my hands. 

Everyone tells me that I would be silent if my hands were tired together

I wonder if its accurate.  I know my FitBit One is VERY accurate.  I'll take steps all the time & see if it matches... it does... I'll have to check this one out though & see what everyone thinks.

{Three} Sea of Tranquility
 

Just finished a book yesterday that another blogger was talking about & recommended.  Its definitely not a book I would think I would love (it has quite extreme language in it) but I was so hooked with these characters & the story.  I think I let big sighs out at the end of most chapters & then couldn't put the book down to go to the next one.  Sometimes its good to read outside of your ordinary book reading box.  Now, today I'm kind of sad that I have left those characters behind.  I get attached to my friends who exist in books.
Side Note:  PLEASE make this into a movie!
Side SIDE Note:  I'll have my review up on Goodreads today & also on my Book Blog (Link is at the top)

{Four} Poopourri

Yes, it really exists... http://www.poopourri.com/
Yes, I actually bought some
Yes, I'm thinking of giving it as Christmas gifts to all my co-workers (We have one small communal bathroom in the middle of our kitchen)

{Five}Celebrity News

* OK... I must be naïve because I really was shocked to hear about Bruce & Kris Jenner... & it actually made me sad

* Did anyone see Miley Cyrus on Ellen?  I think the girl has it together more then anyone thinks.  And yes, I actually downloaded songs from her new album.  I love "Wrecking Ball" ... gotta give it to her, the girl can sing

* I think Jimmy Kimmel is incredible awesome the way he handled himself with Kayne West & that whole mess... & I think Kayne West has major issues.  When he was on the show, I didn't understand 85% of what he was saying.

* What is the rumors of Prince Harry being engaged soon?  I didn't give my approval to him... this can't happen yet.

Continually....

I just heard this morning about Diana Nyad attempting to swim for 48 hours to raise money for Sandy Victims....

I've been hooked on the live feed all morning watching her finish it out

48 hours of swimming?

Oh my goodness...

My body just aches thinking about it.

Can you imagine doing ANYTHING for 48 hours?

I don't even think I can sleep for 48 hours

I could probably do something Disney or Belle related for 48 hours... that may be it...

Think about it....What is something you can do continually?

God tells us something we need to be doing, not only 48 hours, but at all times...

 

Study this Book of Instruction CONTINUALLY.

Meditate on it day & night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.  Only then will you prosper & succeed.

-Joshua 1:8

I think that seems like too much of a task to do sometimes too, doesn't it?

Does that mean I have to walk around with a Bible in my hands at all time?
Do I need to have ear buds in with the Bible on tape & that be the only thing I listen to?

I don't think that is the extreme we need to go to...

but I think its a point God is making for us...

Keep our heads, our hearts, everything about us in the Word of God.

Get to know it
Read it
Learn to live it

I read a story about Billy Graham's mother, Morrow Graham & how they made scripture a part of their life.

Simple ways of it really....

At breakfast, they would read a scripture calendar
They prayed before each meal
They would memorize verses as a family
They would gather at night before bedtime & read a part of the Bible & then have prayer as a family before everyone was tucked away

That's not really drastic measures... something that is doable...

But its all keeping the "book of instruction" close.
Its not about doing something that seems so far out of reach, like swimming for 48 hours... in which I wouldn't be able to move for the rest of the year...

its about living a life getting closer to Him

& I love that the verse even reminds us, WE'RE the ones who get blessed... "then you will prosper & succeed"...

A win-win situation...

& no chlorine hair & sore muscles involved!

Hodgepodge

 

Wednesday - its that time... time to Hodgepodge!!

1. The USA will mark Columbus Day on Monday, October 14th this year...what's something you need or want to explore (literally or metaphorically speaking)?

I need AND want to explore Disney World & all the new things that's been there since I've been there last in 2000...

13 years since I've been there.

I was a young, energetic young lady last time I was there.
Now I'd probably be the one who needs to sit down a lot & complain about how big the park is.

Nahhh... tell me Belle is around the corner & I'm knocking people out of my way & getting a PR for the fastest mile ever!



If I ever make it to the Be Our Guest Restaurant, I'll push all the tables out of the way & do a ball room dance right there in this room...
I'd probably never leave unless I got kicked out anyways...

2. The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, Ursula from The Little Mermaid, or Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty...who do you most love to hate?

My mother would ground me if I didn't say The Wicked Witch of the West...

but when I was little, that green faced woman scared the bee-geez out of me...
& then seeing "Wicked", it made me love her...

So its a love/hate relationship anyways

If you've never seen Wicked... find it... see it...

 

3. Is open-mindedness a virtue?

I refuse to answer this question because I don't like it...
(see what I did there?) ;)


4. How often do you weigh yourself?

Any time I want to be depressed

Isn't this the normal reaction when you get on a scale?
It is for me...

5. Costa Rica was recently named the happiest country in the world on The Happy Planet Index.  What's the happiest country in the world to you, and what makes it so?

The only country I've been in is the good ole USA...  I know happy people here.  So I guess we're doing OK.

I'd say England though... because they have William & Kate & Prince Harry...

AND they have Harry Potter!

6. Besides The Bible, what is one book you think should be mandatory reading for every high school student?

Heck, I don't remember what books were mandatory reading for me when I was in high school...

I say let them pick anything that they enjoy... let them enjoy reading however it works for them

its still reading...

7. I went shopping at some nearby outlets last week, and while I was there, I picked up a couple of Christmas gifts. How about you? Have you started your holiday shopping yet?

I actually have picked up a few Christmas gifts already.  I even had to start writing my Christmas list because I've picked up that many gifts... I'm super proud of myself.

But I know I'll still be out in a panic on Christmas Eve as stores are closing to pick something up... its tradition...

So by Christmas time, I should be FIT & in shape! :)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I can't believe it... today, the little twin girls I held a few minutes after they were born... they are 9 years old today... I can't believe it... Double Digits next year...

ZOOMMMMMMM... that's time flying by

Happy Birthday to my nieces Sophia & Madi

Look at them... 9 years ago...

Exposed....

I have such smart dogs.

When they were younger & little pups, full of energy & sharp teeth, they would get into everything.  One time, we came home from work only to find our couch in our enclosed back porch had been completely 'unstuffed'... the cushions must have done something horrible to provoke the dogs, I'm sure. 

Another time, they must have looked at the ground & it must have aggravated them because we came home to find our HUGE outdoor carpet pulled through the doggie door & outside.  I still for the life of me don't know how they got this huge piece of fabric, that is heavy as all get out, through a tiny door without breaking down the wall.

My dogs are engineering geniuses.

They have mellowed as they have aged, but they still get into trouble. 

Its usually shoes, socks or pants pulled outside through the doggie doors.
Tissues pulled out of the bathroom garbage cans & tore into 1 zillion little pieces down the hall way.
A tug of war with belts that have been laid by the laundry basket.

They're little stinkers.

But the funny thing, when I walk in the door every day, I can tell if I need to keep an eye out for something.  Why?  Because they totally let me know something is wrong.   They hide.  They keep their ears down.  They hang their head.

They know they did something wrong & they don't want to be caught
.... which is my cue to go find out exactly what they did wrong.

I thought of them when I was reading John 3:20 this week

Everyone who does evil hates the light & will not come into the light

for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Not that pulled out underwear in the yard is "evil", but its what they know not to do...
& they don't want to be caught...

& why am I talking about my dogs & not me?

Because I'm exactly like that verse... I don't want my bad deeds, the things I have messed up on exposed...

who does?

But we all mess up... & we don't want to be caught... we don't want anyone else knowing about the things we've screwed up on.

& we hide... or we try & hide the 'deeds'... cover it up how ever we can.

We can think about the HUGE things, but don't we even try to hide small things we screw up on?  Its human nature.  You never get too old to 'get in trouble'....

Big & small... we don't want our screw ups showing for others...

But the next line

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light,

so that it may be seen plainly & that what he has done

has been done through God.

~John 3:21

When I read this verse too, something else touched my heart in a different way today.

I know its saying that those in the light do good because they are with God, but don't we even mess up when we are in the light?  Even though I try to do good, & I believe who God is & I try to stay in the light as much as possible,  I still mess up & I still try to hide my mistakes....

But this time I read it & something else spoke to me ....  I don't read it like all your mistakes are the only thing that is seen plainly...

It speaks to me that when others see you in the light, what they also see plainly is GOD... not just you & your mistakes... not the things that we fear of being exposed... but the goodness of God for ALLOWING us to be in the light.

No more hanging out heads
No more hiding
No more fear of being exposed

Its just about being in the place that God is... & others seeing that God takes the things we are afraid of being found out & when we stand in the light next to Him, it just shows the mercy & grace that God pours out...

yeah... I'm not so afraid of standing in the light with Him next to me...

You ready to step into it?

What a wash out!!!

My goodness... I don't think it rained this much during the whole year what the heavens dropped in the past 2 days... Noah?  you there?

Here's some thoughts of the weekend

* Kohl's Cash is from the devil!!! .... I thought my Kohl's cash was going to go bad so I ran there after work on Friday.  Wanted to run in & just get a few things to spend the Kohl's cash.  Well, who's laughing because you KNOW you don't walk in for just something quick.  I ended up going to the cash register & spending $75 ONLY to find out my Kohl's cash actually didn't START until Saturday ... & then I got MORE Kohl's Cash... DANG IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I gotta go back again to spend this all... its from the devil, I tell you!

* I had tears at the cash register with the young girl telling me about her Senior Portrait session & the photographer who took their Senior Prom pictures.  Let's just say, it involved a photographer that they later found out took only nude pictures.  She was telling me they should have known something was off when he was making them "ROAR" & make animal noises... WHAT?...

* Good thing about Kohl's?  I found a pair of sunglasses.  Remember my post on Sunny, my lost sunglasses?  These don't compare... but they'll do.  Now, to name these.  I think I'll call them Amber

* Let the heavens open up!  It rained... & rained... & rained.  It was the first time I had to cancel a photo session due to the rain.  I was so messed up not doing pictures... it was the first weekend since the August 1st that I didn't have a camera in my hand.  Weird.

* When it rains, I want to go to my happy place... on my front porch, in my rocker, with my Kindle.  Its my dog's happy place too.

I love fellow bloggers who recommend great books...
this one has me totally enraptured

* Ended up catching up more on Elementary.... I'm pretty sure I've convinced myself I could be a detective. It also makes me notice every little detail about people... & I have always been pretty good about details anyways.

* Drove to pick up dinner for Ricky & I... this was what you call a LAZY Saturday.  I didn't put on make up for the day... & only put on 'real clothes' to go pick up food.

* SLEEPY HOLLOW!  Ricky & I saw it was on On Demand & heard a lot about it... YAZZHAAA - what a good show!!!

* Insomnia?  I couldn't go to sleep for the life of me on Saturday.  I guess staying at home & being lazy doesn't wear you out... so I ended up watching SNL for the first time in eons.  Wanted to catch the Miley Cyrus train wreck... (though I think she did pretty good)... I'll admit here.  I really do like her song "Wrecking Ball"... but nope, I haven't seen the video yet...

* CHURCH.. MAC (Merge After Church) ... FUN!.... the adults played the kids in a game of dodge ball. We were outnumbered... but we still WON... TWICE!! OLD PEOPLE RULE!!!

how I was breathing after 2 rounds of Dodge Ball

* Mexican... no more... Ricky & I went out to lunch after MAC & hadn't had Mexican in awhile.  Between both of our stomachs aching & acid reflux, we won't be back for awhile.... burp...

* I found a bag of Googly Eyes & bought them... I keep seeing where people put them on the most hilarious things... no telling where you'll find mine showing up

* Knit weekend... with no pictures, I've tried to knit some.  My bicep tendonitis is my nemesis now.  You should see me.  I wrap my arm up, prop myself side ways on a couch so I press my arm into it to brace it & then try not to move my right hand that much... & it STILL hurts my arm... but I still knitted... (I'll pay for it today at work)

*Revenge... How can Emily take down a Priest who is about forgiveness?  That one was tough to watch.

Hope everyone had a great, DRY weekend with no arm pain :)

Five on Friday

{One} Thursday TV

Thursdays are back... no one bother me on Thursdays.

Vampire Diaries started back yesterday.  The show that brings my inner-screaming-vampire-loving heart out...

Parks & Rec.  I want to hang out with Amy Poehler

Grey's Anatomy.  I know its been on forever but I still love it.  Derek Shepherd gets better with age.

Scandal.  My goodness.  That show is amazing.  I don't know what makes it so awesome.  The actors, the writing, the story line?  But its just incredible.  The first episode of the season & it blew by in what felt like a breath because it was THAT good.

The plan is for me to watch every Thursday

{Two} Zulily

 

 

How did I not know about this place earlier? 

I've seen some of you grab some adorable kids clothes & mention it, but I never knew the extent of how much you could shop for.  And the deals!

So I've since bought a few Christmas presents off of there... & of course, had to snag me up a cute moleskin long skirt... perfect for boots. 

Now to keep an eye out on Zulily for boots! :)

{Three} Steven Curtis Chapman

 

So my Autographed copy of Steven Curtis Chapman's new cd came in.  I was happy.  I called Ricky & said, "What do I do with it?"... Ricky had a good idea.  We're going to his concert for this CD in November so he said to put the ticket stub with it & frame it.  Look at my husband!  Has he been on Pinterest lately or something? .... but I want to take it one step further.  I'm going to try & get a good picture of him at that concert to put with the goodies.  Wouldn't it be even more awesome if I could get a picture WITH him?  .... oh, my heart just beat a little off rhythm & I got a little faint...

I just found out you can listen to his new CD as well as some of his other songs from other albums right HERE ... YEAH!!!  Guess what's going to be playing in my office all day?


{Four} Big Boy

 

Yesterday, our first grandson turned six years old

SIX YEARS OLD!!!

I can't believe that.  I remember going down to Texas to hold him for the first time & that felt like yesterday.

(Maybe it feels like yesterday because I'm still getting over having to do a plane trip?)

I'm snagging the picture Julie posted of the boys in their new costumes. 

I'm digging Luke's old school Batman!
& the cape on Isaac's Superman is the bomb diggity!
... but I can never see a cape & think of Edna on "The Incredibles"...

I think this makes it official that they have EVERY super hero costume available. 

Ricky & I picked up a Wolverine & the Flash costume this weekend too for them.

Need a Super Hero?  I know of 2 little boys that are prepared & ready...

{Five} Fall Leaves

 

Its starting to look a lot like Christmas Fall

 

 

Leaves are turning more every day.

I live surrounded by trees so every day I see the difference & its beautiful!

Soaking it up & enjoying it ....

because I know the next step is bareness & cold

 

So live for today - take in the beauty!

 

Are the leaves turning where you are at?