1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch? Pan-fried thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts w/salad
2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.) Cell phone
3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting? Washington, DC - can't wait to go back for Memorial Day weekend!
4. Share one factoid of your family's history. As Sandra says "We don't have a family tree, we have a briar bush..." - in other words, LOTS of in-laws, out-laws, steps and halves...
5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...." "...thought I knew it all. I was wrong."
6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be? Hmmm, practically - gas. But really, probably BackStreetBuzz "Payne" frappes!
7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...." I have a LOT of food quirks - just ask my hubby.
8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy? I'd probably have to give it to my kid... lol
9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...." My daughter - she's the funniest person I know!
10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal? Not eat a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie from Subway. It's calling my name from the office kitchen...
11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else? I think I'll give out extra hugs at church tonight - to people that I usually don't hug (you know we all have those 'regulars' LOL)
12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon? Esther Bible Study tonight - only 2 weeks left and I'm so sad that it's ending!
Click on the Random Dozen button at the top to peek into more random lives today...
Haven't done one of these in awhile, and I just saw that there's now a link-up so we can read other's daybooks. Fun!
Outside my window... the rain has just stopped and the sun is trying to peek out. Perfect for my deck garden!
I am thinking... that I really wish I was a SAHM/housewife.
I am thankful for...diet orange soda.
From the kitchen...I have a pork roast in the crock pot - yum!
I am wearing...yoga pants, 3/4 sleeve t-shirt, lab vest, Earth Footwear sneakers (my work gear)
I am creating...my first quilt! I can hardly wait to sit and sew awhile.
I am going...to stop surfing and get back to work after I finish this post. :)
I am reading...The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult
I am hoping...that my quilt is functional when I finally finish it.
I am hearing... Rob Thomas on the radio.
Around the house...I have started re-doing my quilting area, moved part in the dining area until hubby can take out the spare bed and I can move the table in there with all my sewing goodies.
One of my favorite things... seeing a new, red strawberry in the pots of them that I planted on the deck this year. My first time trying to grow them, and they are so sweet & juicy!
A few plans for the rest of the week: Sewing, cleaning/decluttering, getting things together for church yard sale donations, church tomorrow night, walking - trying to do at least 10 miles this week thanks to inspiration from my friends!
"The poet Muriel Rukeyser said the universe is composed of stories, not of atoms. The physicist Werner Heisenberg declared that the universe is made of music, not of matter.
And we believe that if you habitually expose yourself to toxic stories and music, you could wind up living in the wrong universe, where it's impossible to become the gorgeous genius you were born to be.
That's why we implore you to nourish yourself with delicious, nutritious tales and tunes that inspire you to exercise your willpower for your highest good."
-- Rob Brezsny
What's going into your eyes, ears, head, heart...?
This will be one of my very unusual rambling posts (haha, ok, stop laughing now)...
It's been a very rough week. My friend, Sunday, and her husband took their boys fishing at a local river on Monday. Long story short - their 5yo drowned. His body has not yet been recovered. Please pray - then pray some more - for them all. This alone makes the rest of this post hardly worth writing, except that I need to post something else or I'll just depress everyone for the 3rd time this week.
I went out Wednesday afternoon to help search the riverbank, and apparently the only thing I found was poison oak (to which, I am highly allergic). Luckily, my coworker was able to call me in a prescription for Prednisone (oh yay, don't you love it? like I need MORE bloating??)
I just started listening to the revised edition of Beth Moore's Breaking Free cd set today. I was LOLing in my car when she talked about her need to do her own Bible study before. She said "I kept Amen'ing myself, and yelling at the the videos "I have BEEN THERE sister!" --- well of course I had, it was MY STUDY!" Ha! I just love her so much. What a blessing her teachings are.
Hmmm, what else? Oh yeah, my sweet online buddy(whom I've yet to officially meet in person, despite the fact that she lives in my little town!) was featured in Complete Woman Magazine this month for...of all things...abstinence! Now, when you see the cover of this mag, that's probably the last thing you think of (Kendra What'sHerName from Playboy/Reality-show fame on the cover in a bikini). But they did an article about women who are waiting until marriage for sex, and Katie was one of them! I'm so proud of her, and the example she is setting for other young ladies!
Speaking of abstinence, have you downloaded your FREE audiobook from Jonathan Acuff?? The first essay reminded me of the subject matter of Katie's article. It's so funny! I love that our God has a sense of humor and gave us one, too!
Ok, so - I need some serious Mamavation regarding my workouts - again! I put a hold on my YMCA membership over the holidays and forgot about it. I joined the gym my hubby goes to, but haven't been at all this week. Then today, I found out my hold at the Y has ended so now I belong to TWO gyms and still not working out!!! If that doesn't deserve a kick in the pants, I don't know what does!? So give it to me, ladies (and gents if you're out there). Kick away!!! I need it!
Gotta get to my sweet babygirl's fastpitch game now...then to church for a run-through for our Child Hunger Ends Here! benefit concert on 4/30. Y'all come now, ya hear???
3. If I want to do something, then it will be on my terms.
4. Smile at a stranger and see what happens.
5. I could use a nap right about now.
6. Posting this and then going to do some cleaning.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to possibly going to see Menopause, the Musical, tomorrow my plans include church in the morning and then a nap - missed it last week because we were at church from 7:45am - after 6pm!
This morning, I read the news that Andrew Koenig's body was found in a park in Vancouver. I also read that Brittany Murphy died from a lethal combination of cold medications, which she was taking properly but her body just couldn't handle. Just two more Hollywood deaths, right? Last weekend, my husband and I watched Michael Jackson's movie "This is It", which is a documentary covering his preparations for his final tour which, as we all know, was not meant to be. I cried.
This guttural reaction to these stories surprised me. I mean, I cried about Haiti and I don't know those people either. But that's different, right? These three were Hollywood stars - people who had everything, people who the media have, and will surely continue to, crucify: for being selfish, careless, and downright "crazy" in MJ's case. in the case of Brittany Murphy, they have already accused of being everything from a drug addict to a brainwashed bride. In MJ's case, for being "weird", eccentric, owning a pet monkey, buying all the rights to all the Beatles songs, having an amusement park in his yard...we know all the "crazy" stories. And in case you haven't heard, his "child molestation" accusers have all admitted that they lied for their parents to get his money - one under force by his very abusive father.
I cried because all of their deaths were preventable, Because these were young people that I "grew up with", because they are my age and people my age aren't supposed to die in parks all alone or from trying to get over a cold at home or trying to get a decent night's sleep.
I cried because it could have been me.
Mostly I cried for their families. How do you handle something so tragic as the death of someone in the very prime of life? How do Michael Jackson's children grow up and thrive and become normal adults when they are - MICHAEL JACKSON's kids? How will they deal with the horrible stories when they start reading them when no one is around to monitor them as they get older? How do Andrew Koenig's parents and friends deal with the grief and guilt that they might have been able to save him from the inner demons of depression? How do Brittany Murphy's family and friends handle the fact that they lost their beloved because she took medications as her doctors instructed?
I pray that they were all Christians. I pray that they are all now with Jesus - singing and dancing and acting out wonderful plays for audience of Our Father. I pray that their deaths won't be brushed under the rug or quickly forgotten, because there is so much to learn from each one.
* Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2
So what if Michael Jackson bought a pet monkey and had an amusement park in his back yard? Let's all admit it, if we had the kind of money that he did - after we gave to the poor and fed the hungry and sheltered the homeless - we'd probably buy some things that others think are "crazy", too. He was robbed of his childhood, he tried to recreate it and be as happy as possible in his own Neverland as an adult. Why? Because he COULD. He also gave millions to his friends and family and charities around the globe. He was also a devoted father who was raising 3 amazing kids, from all accounts, and allowing them something he never had - a beautiful childhood. He also ended nearly every sentence with “God Bless You” to whomever he was talking with, or “it’s all in L O V E - love” We never heard that in the press, huh?
* He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. - Psalm 147:3
Andrew Koenig died from depression. He gave away his belongings, sent a note to his parents, and went into his favorite park, where he felt "at home", and took his own life. Depression is very real. It kills people every day. It is a lonely, horrible disease - I know, I have battled it for 20+ years. I heard John Mayer's song "Heartbreak Warfare" this morning and thought of the tragic discovery yesterday afternoon in Vancouver: "If you want more love, why don't you say so?"....when you're depressed, you can't say "I need more love!" even though that's what you're screaming inside. You feel unworthy of love. I've been where he was, mentally. It's scary and horrible and the only things that got me through those suicidal times was my children and my faith in Jesus Christ - for He does heal the broken-hearted and binds up our wounds. Sometimes depressed people don't know Him, sometimes they do but they are too far gone to turn to Him for healing, sometimes they just need someone to shake them and say "LOOK UP! Look to Jesus!" not "Shake it off, get over it, take a walk - you'll feel better."
In Brittany Murphy's case - we need to learn to be SO careful with medications. This is the saddest example of how even mixing drugs that are considered safe on their own can be deadly. We need to be aware ourselves and teach our children to know their pharmacists as they grow up, to pick up the phone when they are sick and call them - to see if combining an inhaler with a painkiller and an antibiotic - all prescribed by a doctor - is safe.
But most of all, we need to learn to accept people.We need to love them, no matter who they are or what they do for a living – everyone is valuable in the eyes of God, everyone is created and loved by Him, and everyone deserves to know Him and SEE him in us. I have been guilty of joining in the Mob Mentality regarding celebrity stories, and sharing in the gossip and debates about their lives. But these three stories have touched me somehow. They have made me realize that they deserve to be loved as Christ loves us – because no matter what – He loves them too. So while I’m praying for my friends and family, and my leaders and children and the prayer requests from church – I will add the famous in our society to that list.I’ll pray that they ALL come to know Christ, because nothing else in their lives – or ours – is seeing that all people know Jesus.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you,
One of my Twitter friends linked to this article yesterday morning. I love the image that was used. The name of this photo is "noisy". The moment I saw it, I thought - that's a perfect visual interpretation of what I feel my brain looks like lately - before I even read the piece.
I saved the link to read later since I was trying to get to work earlier (one of my new goals). So this morning, I got around to reading it and this was just awesome... like God giving me one more little nudge in the right direction through this total stranger I'd never even heard of 24 hours ago:
How NOT to Get Sucked Into Buzz/Twitter/Facebook
Ask yourself this question CONSTANTLY: where can I add the most value to what matters most to me and the people who care about me?
I love spending time on Twitter and getting to know people. I do a few hours a day inside Twitter, but for every bit of time I spend just talking back and forth with people to prove I’m human and that I care, I’m also collecting information for work, for clients, for story ideas, and more. When I feel like I’m just chatting for chatting sake, I ask myself, “where can I add the most value to what matters most to me and the people who care about me?” The answer is rarely, “by chatting about plane delays.”
If that doesn’t work, use a timer. I have a very simple egg timer software application for my Mac. I set it often. Want the real one? Go to a kitchen store (do they have those any more?) and buy a green pepper egg timer or a cat-shaped one. Whatever. Simple, and yet it works. Allot yourself time.
Budget. Set an attention budget.
I've actually thought about the egg timer idea before, but haven't gotten around to implementing it. I think I'll try that, along with asking the question "Where can I add the most value to what matters most to me and the people who care about me?" (or something to that effect.)
What do you think? Do you have an attention budget? Or are you like I have been, just randomly flitting from one mindless thing to the next without realizing how much time it's consuming? (hello, Facebook, I'm looking at you!)
Does anyone else get into these ruts where you just procrastinate about *everything*?? Seriously, I can not get my mind to focus at. all. lately.
This is my desk.
* That big pile of white papers on the right is work I've brought home the last umpteen Thursdays and not gotten done yet.
* The packages stacked up need to be mailed (that I *will* do today) - been putting that off since last week. I mean, how hard is it to put some books in envelopes & print addresses??
* The post-its are covered with items that need to be done - and the lists just keep growing. They are small in the pic, but just so you know - there's 3 pads of Post-it's there...all with To-Do Lists.
* There's a bunch of items to list on eBay that you can't see - both on the desk & under the desk in boxes.
Plus - all the clutter makes me CRAZY - so I need to DO all these things to clean my desk off.
* And this is just the stuff on my desk that needs to be done! I have 2 appointments today, a house to clean, mounds of laundry to do, floors to mop...Ugh.
And yet, I just wanna sit here and read blogs and surf and drink coffee. Or maybe curl up on the couch with my pups and watch a chick-flick. Or read a book. ~shrug~
I'll be SO glad when Spring gets here! I think it's all this crazy weather that's making me so lazy. Anyone else??
On a positive note: WOW, my monitor looks HUGE in this pic doesn't it?? Thanks to my sweet hubby for the much-needed Christmas gift. :)
Please note when you read this, "self-love" doesn't mean being conceited or selfish! It means making ourselves the best we can be as women! My personal belief is that this begins with a solid relationship with Jesus Christ, but I also think he gives us tools on this earth to help us along the path. Some of these tools are in Christine's book and the Madly in Love with ME day celebrations! ~Melinda
Guest post by Christine Arylo:
Feed the kids. Get a raise. Lose the weight. Clean the house. Wear the lingerie!
Whew! It is tiring being a woman these days. We have more opportunities, self-confidence and independence than any generation of women before, yet something isn’t working. Why is it so exhausting? How is it that the last 30 years of unparalleled equality has also had the unintended impact of liberating women into a new jail cell?
The answer is pretty straightforward according to Christine Arylo, recovering achievement junkie and doing addict turned inspirational catalyst, author, coach and speaker…we are currently experiencing a “crisis of self-love.”
“Women today face challenges and pressures like no other generation,” she says. “The 21st century woman has more opportunities, self-confidence and independence than any generation of women before, yet something isn’t working. While this woman knows she can do anything, she feels a tremendous pressure to do, be and have everything.”
A recent study by Time Magazine states that 40% of women are the major breadwinners in their families, and 55% report that they still take care of most of the responsibilities at home. Add to that fact that 68% of women see a conflict between working and raising a family, and you can understand why so many women are exhausted, overwhelmed and no happier than their mothers and grandmothers were in the 1970s.
"Get clear about the areas that you do love about yourself and the areas that you don’t. Put energy into both and make it a practice.”
Wouldn't you love to do this? I know I would!
Arylo encourages women to start with a 40-day self-love practice in any area of her life needing more self-love – having better relationships, taking care of yourself first, treating your body like a temple, expressing yourself fully. “The yogis, metaphysicians and brain scientists agree,” explains Arylo, “that if you can do anything for 40 days you can alter patterns and beliefs that have the power to change your life.”
Arylo gives an example of a 40-day self–love practice focused on relationships.
“Ask yourself, ‘Does every relationship in my life honor and respect me?’
If the answer is no, you owe it to yourself to straighten out those relationships, or let go of the ones you can’t improve. There is no reason to have a relationship in your life that doesn’t support you to be the best you or create the life you want to live. The only reason to have a relationship is because it helps you be a better person, or it helps you live your dreams.”
“Be honest with yourself. So many of us say our lives are ‘fine’ but when you truly look at our relationships – friendships, romantic relationships, relatives – that really isn’t the case. We often refuse to face the truth because we are afraid of what the truth will require us to do. For example, we aren’t really afraid to end a relationship, we are more afraid of what people will think. We are deathly afraid of being alone. And many people can’t handle feeling like a failure. But, self-love requires self honesty,” she says. “It’s not an option.”
“When it comes to self-love and relationships, I believe that every woman, no matter how successful or beautiful she is, desires to be deeply loved. And that love has to start with herself,” she says. “Learning how to both give and receive love, to both have strong boundaries and be vulnerable enough to freely love, is a practice, one that all women can benefit from. And one that you may need some help with.”
“One of the reasons I wrote Choosing ME before WE and started the Madly in Love with ME movement, is to give women a place to connect with other women and learn from each other. We all face the same struggles and challenges, the details just look different. But when we reach out for inspiration, support and wisdom we have the power to change our lives. It is said that it will be women that change this world. But if we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t change anything.”
“Begin by asking yourself what you really want in life,” she says.
“Then start taking the action steps to fall more and more madly in love…with you.”
About Madly in Love with ME™
Madly in Love with ME launches every year on the day before Valentine’s Day. On February 13th Arylo asks every woman and girl to make a promise of self-love to herself for the year, and to recommit to a life-long self-love promise to know and honor what her heart and soul desire, never settling for less. Arylo encourages every woman and girl to participate in this day.
“Without self-love, we end up in relationships and lives that don’t support or respect us, that take more than they give and that reflect our own lack of deep unconditional love for the woman we are right now, today.” she says.
To inspire and support women to take this challenge, in 2010, Madly in Love with ME events will take place on February 13th in 4 major cities – San Francisco, Chicago, Orlando and San Diego www.madlyinlovewithme.com/events These ‘Self-Luvapalooza’s’ make self-love a tangible reality for women through experiences, talks, performances, and interactive exercises led by amazing women who have struggled with and overcome the same challenges. Women who attend the flagship San Francisco event at the Claremont Resort and Spa, will spend the day with some of the top transformational teachers and performers of our time!
If the Madly in Love with Me event is not hosted in your town, Arylo encourages every woman to throw your own self-love soiree’. She’s developed an entire kit full of daring yet practical ways to bring more self-love into your life. Download the kit for free at www.madlyinlovewithme.com.
About Christine Arylo
Christine Arylo is an inspirational catalyst, m.b.a, coach, teacher and speaker. Author of Choosing ME before WE, Arylo’s opinions and techniques have appeared on E! Entertainment, WGN, FOX, CBS and ABC TV as well as in radio stations, spas and business schools across the country.
Contact Christine: Get the book! www.mebeforewe.com Get the Kit! www.madlyinlovewithme.com Read her blog!www.daretoliveyou.com/blog/ Tweet her! www.twitter.com/christinearylo
A couple of weeks ago, I tried my hand (again) at Once a Month Cooking - inspired by OnceAMonthMom (who, ok I'll admit it, I thought meant she was a Mom once a month - maybe stepkids? Yes, I'm occasionally very slow!).
Anyway... one of the dishes I made was her Mexican Stuffed Shells (courtesy of RecipeZaar). I never would have thought to combine Mexican with pasta shells, but it was/is Fabulous! ("is" because I'm having leftovers for lunch as I type this). Hubby gave it two-thumbs up, as well, in between bites.
Thought I'd pass it on to my readers, in case you're looking for a different dinner idea! It's super easy and very tasty! Next time, I think I'll try it with some chopped/cubed chicken instead of ground beef, since we're trying to limit our red meats.
I find this amusing since I can't remember anything these days. Ok, so the "it's hard for people to get your attention when you're immersed in an activity." is true, I suppose. I can't type and talk at the same time, and since I spend approximately 12 hours a day on the computer (it certainly feels that way)... This will explain to my real life friends why I babble so much in person! I'm just catching up. ; )
By the way, anyone wanna try and guess my middle name?
You Are Hardworking and Disciplined
You are the type of person who is very courageous and brave. You go after what you want in life, even if it's a little scary to do so.
You are fearless and determined. You never give up, even when you probably should.
You find it easy to focus and concentrate. In fact, it's hard for people to get your attention when you're immersed in an activity.
You are honest even when you shouldn't be. People count on you to be a straight shooter.
If you're able to watch this without getting goosebumps (or crying), please let me know. I've heard this a million times, and it never fails to touch my heart. I don't think anyone could do "O, Holy Night" better than Martina McBride except Jesus himself.
1. No, we will NOTworry about the foot of snow forecast for today - hot chocolate & blankies are ready!
2.I loved watching Popoo (grandfather) mix molasses & butter, then dip his homemade biscuits in it at the old kitchen table.
3. I watched the steam rising from the hot cup of coffee (or tea) and thought: "Life is good."
4. Chris is going to be okay, one of these days.
5. I'll take snow over ice any day!
6. Christmas gets more commercialized every year, at least from my point of view, and that stinks!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to the holiday concert with hubby (if it's not snowed out), tomorrow my plans include wrapping gifts and relaxing with my hubby & pups, watching movies and thanking God for a warm home during this weather. And Sunday, I want to be able to go to church (snow can't keep us away!), have lunch and nap!
4. Sometimes I really wish my kids were still little.
5. Once more, same as before!
6. Are you ready for the end?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to resting after a day of cleaning & making Christmas gifts, tomorrow my plans include an early Christmas get-together at my mom's, and Sunday, I want to lay on the couch with my dogs and nap after church!
This year, I haven't been in the Christmas spirit like a lot of folks I know. I didn't rush to get my tree up the day after Thanksgiving (which I usually do every year). I have bought exactly ONE gift thus far ~glancing at calendar~. I just put up the first of my decorations this past Thursday night, after a sudden wave of Christmas Cheer overcame me while in the holiday section at Walgreens. I went in to pick up a $5 prescription and somehow came out with $60 worth of Christmas stuff! I hate when that happens.
Today I've been debating on whether to even put up the big tree this year. I bought two little porch trees, and was thinking maybe just one of those on a table in the living room. The thought of this makes me feel like my grandmother, who stopped putting up "real" trees years ago. She had a little one that she would put in the den on a little round table, with tiny little decorations on it - if she felt like decorating it at all. Sometimes, it would just be a simple little tree with lights. I always felt sad for her, not having a big tree like when we were little. In my mind, it somehow signaled that she was giving up on life - that even the simplest thing like decorating a tree wasn't worth the effort. I would try to get her to allow me to put up a big tree for her every year, and she'd have none of it. I used to think "This may be her last Christmas, and she'll have spent it with this sad, tiny little tree!"
Now, in my old age, I think I've realized that she was just TIRED!! She practically raised 7 grand-children along with her 1 daughter (my mom), plus all the assorted strays that we'd bring to her house on a regular basis. You can imagine the Thanksgiving through New Years season with 7 grandkids, their spouses or significant others as they grew up, great-grandchildren as they came along... I think around 75 years old, she decided enough is enough - no more of this holiday madness! Her little tree was sufficient cheer for her little house, and it was quite beautiful in it's simplicity.
So today..."Big tree, or no big tree. That is the question."
I *have* gotten into the spirit by printing up some nice business-card tags for homemade gifts. I'm going to make some cocoa and coffees for those friends that might enjoy that sort of thing, some body scrub for all the special ladies in my life, and for the men...uhhh...what do men like that I can make at home & put in a pretty jar?? (any suggestions?)
I found the templates for my cards at Avery Design & Print Online - since I had some Avery business-card stock in my desk that would never get used for anything else. I made not only the gift tags, but cute little instruction tags for each mix. They turned out really nice, if I do say so myself!
Oh, by the way - Nana (my grandmother of the tiny trees) just turned 99 in October. I guess she wasn't giving up on life at all! ;)
I am joining Linda today for Random dozen. I think I should have had a few more cups of coffee before doing this one...
1. Which Wizard of Oz character are you most like? The Scarecrow, definitely! I seem to have lost my brain lately...
2. When you're deciding what you're going to wear each morning, which item do you select first? Why? Pants...because if I have jeans to wear I'm good, can match up any shirt with them. If not, then I have to wear scrubs (thinking work days here) and then I have to find a shirt that matches.
3. What kind of animal do you think the world could live without? Are snakes considered animals? I really dislike snakes....a lot. Or rats. Since snakes eat rats, that would work out perfectly!
4. How many Christmas trees are in your home? None yet...well, there is one in a box in the attic. I want to have a couple of little trees this year, in addition to the big living room tree. However, I haven't made any progress in the tree direction at all.
5. Would you prefer to be emotionless if it mean you didn't have to feel a heartbreak? No way! Who would want to miss out on FEELINGS? What a boring life that would be.
6. Do you ever experience holiday let-down or depression? Most every year.
7. Do you like Michael Jackson's music? Yes, I thought he was a great performer and had a lot to offer through his music. Off the Wall was bangin'!
8. Why is it that we never judge people who have their teeth fixed for cosmetic reasons, but every other cosmetic procedure has a stigma? Hmm, I've never really thought about it.
9. Enjoy horseback riding? I haven't been on a horse since I was little. It's one of those things I keep saying I'm going to do, but never get around to it.
10. Shoes--practical or stylish? Yes, please. ;) But if I have to choose - practical.
11. What was the name of your first pet? Feel free to post a pic. First one I can remember was a mutt named Mandy (after the Barry Manilow song). Yes, she came and she gave without taking... ~sniffle~
12. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done? Ha! I have one small gift for hubby (more like a stocking stuffer) and 1 for stepdaughter. And that is all I've done!
I'm continually amazed at how God is always right on time! The past few weeks, I have felt so frazzled and out of sorts, due to too many commitments and a general lack of being able to do things that truly bring me joy and peace. I decided yesterday to let go of some outside commitments and focus more on home, family, and devotion (Bible study, prayer). And tonight, I came upon this great meme on Homesteaders Heart's blog! This will be a nice reminder that I need to slow down, stop, and think about the little things each day in my desire to be a more Simple Woman. :)
FOR TODAY...
Outside my window...it is dark & rainy.
I am thinking...that this is a cool new-to-me meme.
I am thankful for... the fridge FULL of food that we are blessed to have, even though I have no room for the stuffing I have to make tonight for tomorrow's work luncheon.
I am wearing... brown yoga pants w/pink trim, and shirt that says:
I am remembering...that I need to make that stuffing for tomorrow's work luncheon!
I am creating... this blog post. :)
I am going... finish this blog, check my Facebook, try to locate some wedding songs for a friend, and either read or watch some mindless tv before sleep (desperately need the downtime).
I am reading...Peace Pilgrim - "Peace Pilgrim walked and spoke continuously across America from 1953 until her death in 1981. "Walking until given shelter and fasting until given food," she carried a simple yet powerfully enduring message of peace."
I am hoping... to hear from my sons soon.
On my mind...work tomorrow and all that needs to be done in the next two days before Thanksgiving vacation.
Noticing that... the house is quiet except the hum of the dishwasher.
Pondering these words... "Count your blessings"
From the kitchen... again with the stuffing for tomorrow!
Around the house... I got a bit done today: some laundry (still not completely done, but is it ever?), sweeping, kitchen & bedrooms are clean, office could use some tidying.
One of my favorite things. . . my beautiful inside-and-out daughter!
A few plans for the rest of the week. . . work tomorrow & Wednesday, lunch at Mother-in-Law's house Thursday, then to my moms to see all of my family (the ones in the continental US, at least). SO looking forward to seeing my baby grand-niece again!
From my picture journal...
HUGE fish my brother caught in the Bay on Saturday!
Nope, not kidding! If you're in the NC/VA area and would like some FABULOUS holiday photos for your family, check out my niece's work here.
She offers a 2-3 hour professional photo shoot for $100 (up to 6 people! $25 for each additional person) - as many outfit changes as you'd like, as many poses as you'd like!
The best part, though - she doesn't require you to buy your prints from her! She gives you a disk with the edited photos (no PROOF stamped across the front of them all) and you can print them at home, drugstore, Walmart, online, email them - whatever you want! They are yours!
Sounds like the work wouldn't be great for the low price, but just look at her photos and you'll be amazed! She's offering these low prices since she's just really starting to advertise her new business... so get in now before she becomes famous and you can't get an appointment! ;)
1. The last band I saw live was Casting Crowns with Michael English & Natalie Grant.
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is spending time relaxing with my family.
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is not even started...ugh.
4. Thoughts of cleaning fill my head, but here I sit.
5. I wish I could wear something cute and sexy again... (out with my hubby, of course) unfortunately, those words don't match my bod right now.
6. Bagpipes are awesome!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sorting clothes for the give-away at church tomorrow, tomorrow my plans include And Sunday, I want to the give-away in the morning, taking Kelsey & Megan to Danville, then a House Party at Hannah's!rest after going to church and Robert's memorial service!
This year, I haven't been in the Christmas spirit like a lot of folks I know. I didn't rush to get my tree up the day after Thanksgiving (
