Friday Felicities ~ July 17, 2009

Things that make me happy:

• Harry Potter tomorrow!!!
• Only 4 more days until my birthday!!
• Working nights next week (ok - I can see how some people wouldn't think that would make me happy - but I get to spend all day - every day - with my kids...something I don't normally get to do...as a workin' gal, you know.)
• Going on a girls weekend next weekend - just me and Jordan.
• This video...of which Myles is Oh.So.Proud!!

Link up over at Becky's with things that make you happy!

Daybook ~ July 16, 2009

Outside my Window ... A cloudy day. It keeps saying it's going to rain - but so far it hasn't...I am prepared though - my windows are up...which pretty much guarantees it *not* raining.

I am thankful for ... my parents - they are sending me and Jordan on a girls weekend next weekend. We are going to have a "Passport to Purity" weekend. I thought it was something we needed to do since there will be a lot of new issues coming up this year as she starts middle school.

From the kitchen ... I am thinking about sausage pasta alfredo tonight...either that or lasagna. Apparently, I am in an Italian mood.

I am wearing ... A multi-print skirt that I got for my birthday last year and a red shirt - that I just noticed this morning that they match.

I am reading ... the book that never ends...I don't think I'll ever get through it - it's not boring at all, I actually like it - I just need to finish it. I have about 473 more books to read.

I am hoping ... to have a great time next week when I am working nights. I'll get to spend all day every day with the kids.

I am hearing ... The West Wing Season 6. I am really liking this show!! Can you believe it!

Around the house ... I need to do a major house clean. Clean the carpets - scrub the kitchen floor - actually move the refrigerator...stuff like that. We'll have to see if I actually do it though.

One of my favorite things ... leaving at 4:00. I love that I can leave early - pick up the kids and still have several hours with them in the evenings. I would hate to get home and have to feed them and put them straight to bed.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... HARRY POTTER ON SATURDAY!!!! Ok, I am just a little excited about that. :)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ... This is a pic my dad took this week while he was out. If you haven't checked out his site...you need to - he takes beautiful pictures.

Mindless Fact ~ July 13, 2009

~ San Francisco cable cars are the only mobile national monuments.

~ The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagra Falls froze completely solid.

~ There are over 50 different kinds of kangaroos.

~ Great Britian was the first country to issue postage stamps on May 1, 1840. It was named the "Penny Black" to attempt to fix their system of paid postage. Before the stamp, there was not a standard rate for postage and could cost up to a day's wage. Since all mail was sent collect, most mail was returned unopened.

~ If you place a tiny amount of liquor on a scorpion, it will instantly go mad and sting itself to death.

~ On average, an American eats 140 pounds of potatoes annually.

~ Fires generally move faster uphill than downhill.

~ The second best selling toy of all time is Jenga, a Swahili word meaning "to build".

~ Cleopatra married two of her brothers.

~ Donald Duck comics were banned in Finland because he doesn't wear pants.

Friday Felicities ~ July 10, 2009

Things that make me happy:

• My friend had her cancer check-up today and got a clean bill of health!! Yipee!!
• An evening out with my hubby tomorrow night sans kids. :)
• Wonderful parents that are willing to watch the kids so we can go out.
• That my cold is seemingly leaving as quickly as it came.
• Sister's that know all the right books to suggest.

Link up over at Becky's with things that make you happy.

Celebrities...and Your Perception of Them

Terrance and I were listening to a sports talk radio show on the way home from mom and dad's this afternoon. With the recent death of Steve McNair, of course talk was about him and the recent unfolding news of the drama around his murder. Apparently, as of the latest reports, he was shot 4 times and the woman with him, Sahel Kazemi, had one gunshot to the head, with the gun nearby. It sounds like a murder-suicide. It also seems, from reports, that he was having an affair with this girl...and she was just a girl...only 20 years old - to his 36.

The topic of the radio show was whether or not our perception of celebrities should change when we find out things about them that are unflattering. Of course, Terrance and I disagreed. :) He thought that it shouldn't...I thought that it should.

In my opinion, their private life - as much as they would like it to be private - is public. That is part of the package when you are a public figure. I don't think they should be held to any higher standard than other people...but I do think that your actions are going to affect how people think about you.

As I have gotten older, a public figures private life plays a big part of whether or not I like them. I have gotten past liking actors or sports figures simply because they are good at their craft. Take for instance Angelina Jolie. She once told a reporter, "I will never sleep with a married man, I'll never lie and I'll never sit back and do nothing." Well, we all know how that turned out...she did sleep with a married man - and I lost a lot of respect for her in doing that. Not that Brad Pitt was blameless - he is just as much at fault - and I've lost respect for him too.

Now that I am older - if a celebrity or sports figure does something I don't like in their personal life...I have no problem with saying that I don't like them - or not watching their movies - or buying their songs - or rooting for them. Some people think that their personal life doesn't have any impact on their skill or profession...it might not - but it doesn't make me have to like them either.

Pacman Jones was big news here in Nashville during all his legal problems. I wasn't a big fan of his anyway - but the constant trouble that he got himself in was tiring. Terrance said that a lot of his problems was because he was a poor boy from the 'hood that was given a ton of money and doesn't know how to act with it. I disagreed (((we do that a lot...keeps it spicy!!))). I told him that Pacman isn't stupid. He knows the difference between right and wrong - he knows that there are things he shouldn't be doing...he just didn't care - thought he wouldn't get caught - and let himself run around with a bad crowd. Those were his decisions - no one forced him into those situations...he did it to himself. And I can't respect a football player - no matter how talented he is - if he's not smart enough to own up to his mistakes and try to better himself.

Part of what the sportscaster we were listening to kept saying was "We shouldn't blame Steve McNair for one mistake"..."we shouldn't let one mistake ruin how we think of him"...Let me just say...One mistake did not get Steve McNair killed...about 100 did. It was mistake after mistake after mistake that led to his death. It was getting involved with that girl...it was owning a car with her...it was renting a home with her...it was disrespecting his wife...it was...on and on and on... He got himself to that point all by himself. Does that change that he was a great football player? No. Does that change that he did a lot of great things for this community? No. Does that change the way I view him? Absolutely.

One of the things that I liked about him was his image of a family man. One of the things I liked about Angelina Jolie - was her statement that she would never be with a married man. In Hollywood, I thought that was saying a lot. If I liked these people just because of their professional talents - then it wouldn't make a difference...but I liked them as people too. I have lost respect for both of them - and I don't have a problem saying that.

I am not saying that celebrities have to be perfect. I am not perfect. I make mistakes - daily. But they do need to be honest about their mistakes and own up to them. And if their private life becomes public - then they have to be willing for people to dislike what they find out.

Pool, Fireworks and Pimento Cheese

"...one Nation under God, indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all."

The 4th of July is always one of my favorite holidays. It's a summer holiday and one that we never travel for...so it's just one of hanging out with the family...which is why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love days to just hang with the family.

Yesterday, on the 3rd, I had the day off from work since the 4th fell on a Saturday this year. The kids had been dying to go swimming - so I took the kids down to the pool at my parents condo. We had a blast swimming and playing in the pool. Myles actually jumped in - although I'm not sure if he meant to do that...lol. We stayed for lunch with Grandma and Grandpa - pimento cheese, chips, and raspberries...fun. I must say that pimento cheese was my absolute least favorite meal growing up...Stephanie loved it, so we got it every time she had a birthday - but my taste buds must have changed somewhat. I didn't think it was as bad as I remembered.

After lunch, we headed back to the 'boro because Steph, Travis and the kids were coming over for dinner and to watch the Smyrna Fireworks program. Smyrna usually has their fireworks the day before the 4th, as to not compete with the huge thing that Nashville does on the 4th. I love it because it's close to the house - and it's not crazy-packed like the one in Nashville. I've never been comfortable taking my kids downtown with thousands and thousands of people...makes me nervous.

Terrance grilled out hamburgers and hot dogs and we had chips, fries and a salad (that Steph brought). It was yummy. We then loaded up the kids and drove down to the K-Mart parking lot. That is where we watch the fireworks from. We could go down to the Rec Park - but they close off the main road into it at a certain time - and we like the option of being able to leave whenever we want. The show lasts about 30 minutes and I love it. I have always loved fireworks...I don't think I'll ever get too old for it. This year, we were kind of interested to see how all 5 kids would do (this was Elizabeth's first big firework show - and Myles has historically not been a fan of the booming) - but they all did great! We had about a 2 hour wait before the show started - and they waited so well. I had bought some $1 bubble tubes at Wal-mart that were the best.purchase.ever. It really kept the kids entertained. They blew bubbles...and ran after bubbles...and tried to catch the bubbles...great fun. Jordan and Terrance played catch with the football while they waited. The hardest part for Noelle was waiting on the lady that sells the cotton candy to come by. lol I can't say enough how much fun I had watching the kids enjoy the show.

Today was a lazy day. I took Jordan to meet up with Dad - she is spending the night over there - so it has just been Myles here today. I got back and mowed the lawn...not much to mow since it hasn't rained since the last time I mowed. Myles played in the slip n' slide for a while before we came in to take a rest and eat some lunch. We napped (((or should I say...I napped))) and now are contemplating heading back out for a little more slip n' slide fun.

I hope everyone else's 4th of July is as fun as ours has been.

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long

as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

R.I.P ~ Ed, Farrah & Michael

The entertainment world lost 3 greats this week with the deaths of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Each one was great in their own field.

Ed McMahon (March 6, 1923-June 23, 2009) was a comedian, game show host, announcer, and television personality. He was most famous for his work on TV as Johnny Carson's announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962-1992 and Star Search from 1983-1995.

He was a fighter pilot in the United States Marine Corp. during World War II, serving as a flight instructor and test pilot. He was a decorated pilot (six Air Medals) and was discharged in 1946, remaining in the reserves. He had 3 daughters and 3 sons.

McMahon was the long running co-host of the annual Labor Day weekend Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. His 41st and last appearance was in 2008, making him second only to Lewis himself in number of appearances.

Ed McMahon died at age 86 on June 23, 2009, at the UCLA Medical Center in LA. No formal cause of death was given, but McMahon's publicist attributed his death to the many health problems he had suffered over his final months such as pneumonia, bone cancer and other medical problems.

Farrah Fawcett (February 2, 1947-June 25, 2009) rose to international fame when she first appeared as private investigator Jill Munroe in TVs Charlie's Angels in 1976. She was a multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee. She earned the approval of critics and was in highly rated television movies in often challenging roles. Fawcett was also a pop culture figure whose hairstyle was emulated by millions of young women and whose poster sales broke records, making her an international sex symbol in the 1970's and 1980's.

Fawcett left Charlie's Angels after only one season and Cheryl Ladd replaced her. She had several years of commercial and critical flops until the early 80's. In 1984, her role as a battered wife in the fact-based TV movie The Burning Bed earned her her first of three Emmy Award nominations. The project is noted as being the first TV movie to provide a nationwide 800 number that offered help for other victims of domestic abuse. It was also the highest rated TV movie of the season. In 1986, she appeared in the movie version of Extremities in which she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.

From 1982 until her death, Fawcett was involved with actor Ryan O'Neal. They had a son, Redmond, in 1985.

Fawcett was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006, and began treatment, including chemotherapy and surgery. In May 2007, she bought a small video camera and, with the aide of her friend Alana Stewart, she documented the highs and lows of her battle with the disease. The two-hour documentary, Farrah's Story, aired on May 15, 2009. It was watched by nearly 9 million people.

In early June, O'Neal asked Fawcett to marry him. She accepted his proposal and O'Neal said the wedding would happen "as soon as she can say yes." The two never married. She died on June 25, 2009 in the intensive care unit of Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA at the age of 62.

Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958-June 25, 2009) was born in Gary, Indiana as the seventh of nine children. He went on to become a recording artist, entertainer and businessman. Jackson debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1969, and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. His 1982 Thriller is the world's best-selling record of all time.

In the early 1980's, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African-American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. With stage performances and music videos, he popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip-hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists. Aspects of his personal life, including his changing appearance and behavior, generated significant controversy, damaging his public image. Jackson married twice and fathered three children.

The Jackson 5 signed with Motown Records in 1968. The group set a chart record when its first four singles ("I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There") peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1978, Jackson starred as Scarecrow in the film musical The Wiz. His album Thriller, released in 1982, remained in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for 80 consecutive weeks, 37 at the peak. Seven singles from Thriller hit the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. It went on to sell upwards of 109 million copies, making it the best selling album of all time.

Jackson co-wrote the charity single "We Are The World" with Lionel Richie, which was released world wide to aid the poor in Africa and the US. He was one of 39 celebrities who performed on the record. The single became of the best-selling singles of all time, with nearly 20 million copies sold and millions of dollars donated to famine relief.

Michael Jackson won over 190 awards during his life-time. He won:

• American Music Awards - 22
• Billboard Music Awards - 40
• Brit Awards - 7
• Golden Globe Awards - 1
• Grammy Awards - 19
• Guiness World Records - 13
• MTV Music Awards - 13
• NAACP Image Awards - 14
• RIAA (Recording Industry Assoc. of America) Awards - 56
• World Music Awards - 12

At the time of his death, Jackson was scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts to over one million people at London's O2 arena.
Michael Jackson collapsed at a rented home in Holmby Hills in LA. Attempts to resuscitate him by his personal physician were unsuccessful. He was noted to have already been in cardiac arrest by the time the paramedics who attended his house. Jackson was pronounced dead at UCLA on June 25, 2009 at age 50.
Thank you for all you have done for our entertainment industry...you will be missed.

Information for this blog post was acquired from Wikipedia.com

Daybook ~ June 25, 2009

Outside my Window ... it's yet another beautiful day that I am stuck inside. My weather bug is saying it is 91...I can only look at the sun... bummer.

I am thankful for ... my job. I tend to rag on it a bunch...how I think I am underpaid, etc...but in this economy, I am very glad that I have a job...and a good job. These are great people I work for and I appreciate it.

From the kitchen ... I think we are having chicken tonight...probably some rice too. Or, we might have a breakfast dinner - I really haven't thought about it. I ate too much for lunch so I don't even want to think about it now.

I am wearing ... a green shirt and a pair of black pants (that Terrance isn't too fond of) and some green shoes my mom didn't want.

I am reading ... same thing as last week...and the week before. I actually finished a magazine - so I think I'm doing pretty good. lol

I am hoping ... to go home soon. I am tired and it has been a long day.

I am hearing ... the West Wing - Season 4. I am watching it here at work. This is the first episode of this season...looks good so far.

Around the house ... the dog is becomming the bane of my existance. He tore up the carpet by the back door yesterday. Grrr. Now we need to look into replacing the carpet - hopefully not with more carpet. I am thinking about that hardwood floor-looking stuff.

One of my favorite things ... playing Wii Star Wars in the evening after everyone else has gone to bed. I can do whatever I want - be whatever character I want - and go as slow as I want - and no one else is around to fuss.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... a fairly slow weekend comparatively. I have a GNO Saturday night - I'm not sure where we are eating - but we are playing mini-golf...the one game that I completely...utterly...suck at - but it'll be fun! I think Jordan wants to go skating Saturday...in fact, I know she does...she told me that she hasn't been in 3 weeks and "has" to go. On Sunday, we are having an adults-only lunch for dad for Father's Day. I am looking forward to it.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ... our carpet...or what is left of it. Again, grrrrrr.

Mindless Fact Monday ~ June 22, 2009

~ The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.

~ Being unmarried can shorten a man's life by 10 years.

~ A donkey will sink in quicksand. A mule won't.

~ The triangular shape that Toblerone chocolates are packaged in is protected by law.

~ Istanbul, Turkey is the only city in the world located on two continents.

~ In the late 1960's, Mountain Dew featured bottles with a hillbilly on them. These are now collector items worth $5-10 each.

~ To be born on Sunday was a sign of great sin during the Puritan times.

~ The most dangerous job in the United States is that of a fisherman, followed by logging, then the airline pilot.

~ In October 1973, Swedish sweet maker Roland Ohisson of Falkenberg was buried in a coffin made entirely of chocolate.

~ A British medical journal, The Practitioner, has officially designated bird watching as a hazardous activity. This is because a bird watcher that was so engrossed in watching birds that he did not notice his dangerous surroundings and was eaten by a crocodile.

Happy Father's Day 2009

Today is that special day that we recognize our fathers. To me, a dad is much more than just being a parent. There are lots of guys out there that have kids...sadly, many of them are not "true" dad's. A dad is someone who you can hang out with, talk to when times are tough, play with, someone who is sad when you are sad - and happy when you are happy...someone who puts his life on hold - for you.

Now, a little history about Father's Day... :)

The first known celebration of Father's Day was on July 5, 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia, where it was commemorated at William Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South – now known as Central United Methodist Church. Grace Golden Clayton is believed to have suggested it to her pastor after a deadly explosion in nearby Monongah in December, killing 361 men.

It was also during a sermon in 1909 that Sonora Smart Dodd became inspired by Mother's Day. After the death of her mother, Sonora and her siblings were raised by their father William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran. Sonora wanted to show how thankful she was to her father and, because William was born in June, she worked to have the first Father's Day celebrated on June 19, 1910.

In 1924, President Coolidge recommended that Father's Day become a national holiday. President Johnson designated the third Sunday of June to be Father's Day in 1966. It was not until 1972 that President Nixon instituted Father's Day as a national observance.

Did You Know – Roses are the official flower on Father's Day, red for fathers who were still living and white for those who have passed on.
Billy Graham said, "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."

Happy Father's Day!!

Friday Felicities ~ June 19, 2009

Things that make me happy:

• Staying home with the kids today
• A church picnic tomorrow - they are always fun!
• Sausage fettucini for dinner tonight...I've been looking forward to it since last night. lol
• The ability to hear...for as long as the Lord allows it.
• Jordan's new braces - she looks so cute with them.
• Summer days...and getting to the sprinkler later!
• Wipe-out...the show is so funny!! Total nonsense kind of funny. :)

Link up over at Becky's with thing that make you happy...

Daybook ~ June 18, 2009

Outside my Window ... it looks like it's going to be another beautiful summer day...although it's supposed to hit 95 today - so it might be a little steamy.

I am thankful for ... Mama Jean (((Happy Birthday!!!))) She has been the kids sitter from the time Jordan was born. She has basically helped me raise the kids and I love her for it. She is fabulous.

From the kitchen ... honestly - I have no idea. I have some fish that I think I might make tonight with maybe some rice. There...I've just planned dinner.

I am wearing ... a blue tank top and a pair of Terrance's shorts.

I am reading ... the same thing I reading last week...I'm reading very slowly these days.

I am hoping ... that Jordan's mouth doesn't hurt too bad after getting her braces today.

I am hearing ... Myles playing Wii Star Wars...his favorite game. I thought I might get a few minutes alone this morning - but, alas - as soon as I got up - he got up.

Around the house ... I need to start on Mt. Laundry - but why do that today when I can do that later. lol

One of my favorite things ... my new purple toenail polish I just bought. I am loving it! How fun!! Totally didn't need it...but it was $3 - and it's fun....you need that every now and then.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... Another busy weekend. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow to have my "blown speaker"...aka - my ear - looked at. We have the church picnic on Saturday in Ashland City and Father's Day is on Sunday. Whatever happened to weekends when we had nothing planned??

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ... Jordan and her new braces...

Friday Felicities ~ June 12, 2009

Things that make me happy...

• lazy summer evenings
• leaving the doors and/or windows open and smelling the warm spring air
• movie time in the evenings with Jordan...no telling how long she will want to hang with ol' mom in the evenings
• watching the kids play on the slip and slide and in the sprinklers
• laying out and doing nothing except getting a tan
• the end of the week...and the beginning of the weekend!
• hot and spicy chex mix...yum!
• my wonderful hubby that fixed dinner for us last night since I was crampy.

Link up over at Becky's with things that make you happy.

Daybook ~ June 11, 2009

Outside my Window ... it is beautiful!! We had a fairly major storm come through this morning - it was so dark it looked like night!! - but the clouds have parted - and it's gorgeous.

I am thankful for ... funds that are available to pay for Jordan's braces. They are going to cost $6000!!! ((can you believe it???)) We have already put $3000 down (Thank you Flex-Pay) and will only have to make the monthly payments for 10 months before I will have more Flex-Pay money and be able to pay it all off.

From the kitchen ... spaghetti for dinner tonight. I am suffering from a visit from "Aunt Flo" - lol - and plan on taking it easy.

I am wearing ... black pants and a brown sleeveless shirt - can't wait to go home to my jammies.

I am reading ... Informed Consent by Sandra Glahn - yet another book my sister has loaned me.

I am hoping ... to do nothing tonight and wait for these darn cramps to go away.

I am hearing ... I am listening to/watching The West Wing - Season 2. Steph has been after me for years to watch this show - and I have finally broken down and tried it...and it's good - I hate to admit it - that I like a show about a ton of Democrats - but it's good. The writing is excellent and the acting is great.

Around the house ... Elizabeth is coming to spend the night for the first time this weekend. She is terrified of dogs - so she should have a minor nervous breakdown when she sees Nico. It should be fun though.

One of my favorite things ... it is about 3 weeks until the 4th of July. I really like the 4th of July. It's probably my second favorite holiday. I love the feeling that everyone is so patriotic. I also like to go to watch the Smyrna fire works display - we go every year and love it.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... It's going to be a fairly slow weekend - compared to the ones we've had lately. We have an anniversary reception to go on Saturday for a couple in our church that have been married for 50 years - we are bringing Elizabeth home Saturday night and then celebrating Travis' birthday on Sunday...guess it's not as slow as I thought.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ... We have had Nico for 4 months and 6 days...and he is 27 times bigger than when we got him...lol. I thought we got a dog...I think we got a horse.

Coming Soon....

We are very excited about this!!

Believing God To Get You Through The Rough Stuff

I'm the type to smile and pretend that everything is a-ok. I'm not one to just offer up all the problems I'm having just because someone asks "Are you ok?" or "How are you doing?". I will just give my typical response of "I'm fine". I don't know why I'm like that - I just am.

I have been a part of the most wonderful group of women for the past two years. We meet on Monday nights for Bible study. I think part of the reason I love the group so much is that it is small - just 6 other women. They are slowly getting it through my head that it's ok to ask for prayer for myself. I never used to do that. I would sit there and listen to other's prayer requests and pray for them - but rarely offer up my own...or if I did, they were about other people - my kids - my friends, etc. - never myself.

This past year - we did a Beth Moore study called "Believing God". It was amazing. Knowing that you can lean on God for everything is something I "knew"...but didn't practice. We had a 5 statement pledge we said every week:

• God is who He says He is.
• God can do what He says He can do.
• I am who God says I am.
• I can do all things through Christ.
• God's word is alive and active in me.

I put out an e-mail to a few of the women from group last week and was instantly covered in their prayer. It felt so comforting to know that there were people that I could trust like that - to pray instantly - without knowing all the facts.
The problems aren't gone. We're still working on them...but it's nice knowing that there is someone out there praying for me.

Sunday's service seemed to have song after song that touched me. One stuck out in particular:

Trading My Sorrows

by Darrell Evans

I'm trading my sorrow

I'm trading my shame

I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness

I'm trading my pain

I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

Chorus:

And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned

Struck down but not destroyed

I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure

And his joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night

His joy comes with the morning

Mindless Facts ~ May 4, 2009

Earth was April 22, 2009. I had a whole slew of mindless facts to use for it...I forgot. :( So, I will do it this week. :)

• Each year, 96 billion pounds of food are wasted in the United States.
• Each day, the sun causes about a trillion gallons of water to evaporate.
• Tasmania is said to have the cleanest air in the world.
• It takes about 63,000 trees to make the newsprint for the average Sunday edition of The New York Times.
• An acre of trees can remove about 13 tons of dust and gases every year from the surrounding environment.
• In a year, approximately 900 million trees are cut down to make the raw materials for American pulp mills and paper.
• Don't leave your tap running!! A dripping faucet means you could be wasting up to 13 liters of water a day.
• Every ton of recycled office paper saves 380 gallons of oil. 50 million tons of paper are consumed annually by Americans...more than 850 million trees being cut down.
• Over 1oo,000 birds and sea animals are killed every year due to plastic garbage.
• The Exxon Valdez spilled the equivalent of 125 Olympic-sized swimming pools filled with oil into Prince William Sound in Alaska.

Now that the mindless fact fun is finished...I must say that I resepect the environment because I respect the Creator of the environment. I have tried to be more "environmentally conscious". I have switched, for the most part, to re-usable cloth bags for my groceries. I don't litter and I have a water bottle that I use instead of constantly buying the plastic ones. The difference between me and the gung-go environmentalists is that they are trying to preserve the planet forever, and I know that this is not God's plan. The Bible tells us in 2 Peter 3:10, "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up."


So, instead of trying to make the earth last forever, we just need to take care of it while we are here, and leave it for those that come after us...until the Lord returns.

Menu Planning

Following in the footsteps of my much older (lol), wiser sister...I have decided to start planning our menus. Too often, when I go grocery shopping, I buy-buy-buy...but come home with very little in the way of food to create meals with. Not that I am buying snacks...I rarely ever buy snack-y type food...because, if it's not in the house - I won't eat it. :) But, I'm usually lacking essential indgredients to whatever I'm trying to cook and end up making several last minute trips to the store - that always end up costing a lot of money...because you NEVER end up just buying that one item that you went in for.

Also, funds have been a wee bit on the tight side around the house lately - so, I figured if we were just spending money on food for meals - we wouldn't be wasting money on stuff we really don't need.

So, we decided to make a list of meals for the next 2 weeks. We don't have any "set" days that these will be made - but, just having a list of meals that we have all the ingredients for is making meal time much less stressful. We never have much problem with the "side items" - and we just about always have salad with our meals. So here is a list of our main dishes:

• Grilled Chicken
• Taco Salad
• Meatloaf
• Keilbasa
• Breakfast dinner
• Hamburgers & Fries
• Spaghetti
• Fish
• Sloppy Joes
• Ham & Beans
• Chicken Salad

This will get us through to the next time I get paid - and I will do the whole thing again. I figured I spend about the same amount as the last time went shopping, and that food didn't last us for 2 weeks at all. This will cover us for every night for the next 2 weeks - except for Sunday's...we don't ever eat dinner on Sunday's because we eat a late lunch with family after church.
It's worth a try - I think it will work. I'll let you know in 2 weeks when I make out my next one. :)

Friday Felicities ~ April 22, 2009

Things that make me happy:

• Gorgeous spring days
• Coming home to find Terrance cooking dinner
• Working out on the treadmill...even though I will probably be sore tomorrow. :)
• Weekends that will be as gorgeous as today
• Kids that are learning about "not" complaining and "using kind words"
• Celebrating birthdays with family
• Friends that you know you can rely on to pray for you when you need it.

Link up over at Becky's with things that make you happy...

Easter 2009

I must admited that out of all the "themed" sermons throughout the year - Easter is definitely my favorite...especially as I have gotten older. I am amazed every year by how much I am moved by the service. I don't know why that shocks me...it is so powerful - just thinking about Jesus' resurrection.

Easter is the annual celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ...just in case you didn't know. It is called a "moveable feast" because it does not fall on one set day every year. It falls on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox...not confusing at all, is it?

The story of Easter:

Matthew 28:1-15

1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.
2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.
3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.
6 "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.
7 "Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you."
8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.
9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and take word to (J)My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me."
11 Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened.
12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
13 and said, "You are to say, 'His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.'
14 "And if this should come to the governor's ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble."
15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.

He Lives!!!

Hallelujah!!!!