What I...

I am taking a cue from Beki over at The Rusted Chain for my post today.



What I know...

Happy is he... whose hope is in the Lord. Psalm 146:5

What I miss...

Texas and Blue Bell ice cream

(and all of our family, of course!)

What I wish I were drinking...

Strawberry and lime water

        

What I was drinking...

over ice! YUM!

What makes me giddy...

Canada Geese

Where I like to go...

Oquirrh Lake, Daybreak, UT

What made me happy yesterday...

Receiving our Christmas ornament from

The Rusted Chain

What I love...

My family

So... What do you?

Monday, Monday...

1) Out in the real world, I am not so fond of Mondays. Usually on Sunday evenings I start thinking about all of the things that I should have accomplished over the weekend but didn't. I actually get this urge to clean my house from top to bottom and get excited about conquering the whole thing on Monday. I run all of the plans through my head and look forward to the sun rising so that I can whip everything back into shape. Then the morning comes... and I don't want to do any of it. Not one thing. What is that about?

2) In blog land, I enjoy Mondays because Carissa "gets it". Somehow she knows that my brain does not function properly on the first day of the week. I suppose there are others out there that go through the same thing and it could possibly be one of the reasons that Mondays have a bad reputation. That being said, I like Miscellany Monday so that I can be as random as my brain.

3) Catching up with all of the bloggers I have missed takes a LONG time. Lots of reading, smiling, oohs and aahs. It's amazing how fast time flies in other people's lives just like it does our own.

4) We have a new sporting goods store about 10 minutes from our house. We have been watching it take shape for many months and the doors are now open.

This is the centerpiece...

And, the "stuffed" animals can be found upstairs.

It is like going to a sporting mall. They even have restaurants on each floor and while we were there, a diver was cleaning the fish tank that you walk under. Nemo was there and Dory was, too. I have never seen anything like it. 

5) The seasons are changing in Utah. In Texas... not so much just yet. We went to the football game with our Sr. on Friday night. Wind chill = 39 degrees. Rain = pouring. Equipped = NO. Crazy = YES. Back in Texas at game time = 85 degrees.

So we have gone from this...

                   

 Mirror Lake, Utah

To these...

 Wasatch Mountains, Utah

It IS such a beautiful time of year with the changing colors and the sounds of football wafting through the house...

Happy Fall Y'all

Don't forget to link up!

Friends...

They say that not having friends can shorten your life by 7 years. Whoever "they" is... I believe it.

Not having someone to turn to, to lend an ear, to say a prayer, to hold your hand... must be the darkest of days.

I am so very thankful for my long distance friends and my lifetime friends. Some of which have become more like family. 

A good friend is someone who knows about all of the ghosts in your closet and isn't afraid.                 ~author unknown

My Blogoversary & A New Party

Yes, it is true. It has been one year since I first started this blog. It has transformed and stalled (due to very limited internet) all within a year. There have been many blogs that I would like to imitate. There are many bloggers that I would like to be like. I would put cute little links in here for them, but today I am just short on time.

There are a few weird things going on with this blog as of late... commentors receiving e-mails that their comment was rejected and not being able to post certain pics with their links (such as the button I speak about below). Hopefully I will get it all resolved soon! Anyway...

HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY TO ME!

I have been seeing this cute little button (below) on some of the blogs I frequent. I have not been a consistent blogger because of our current situation, I only have a handful of followers, and I have a whole lot to learn about this blogging community. But, there is so much that I want to do with it!

My problem...
                     I want to know it all and do it all RIGHT NOW!


For today, I have decided to join this blog party. It seems like a fitting way to celebrate by letting you get to know me a bit better.


 

What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life?
George Strait, Matthew McConaughey, Beth Moore :-)

Who is your favorite blogger? Why?
Big Mama- F.U.N.N.Y.
Carissa - honest, real, and relatable

What is your comfort food/drink?
Dr. Pepper is my drink. Kind of wish I could stop drinking it to be more healthy. Kind of.
Ice Cream. Oh, ice cream. Blue Bell, of course. I am a Texan, you know.

Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.
I am a bit of a germaphobe. Love me some Clorox wipes and Germ-X.

Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it?
Work in a scrapbook store and/or create digital scrapbook papers and elements.

Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?
Definitely Romantic Comedies like Sweet Home Alabama and Pretty Woman 
Dramas based on true stories like Remember the Titans and The Blind Side

 Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?
Christian Fiction... Karen Kingsbury is my fave. Seems like the largest % of Christian Fiction writers like to write about the Amish or living in the Old West. Karen is current and so life applicable.
Would love any recommendations if any of you have any. :-)


Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?
We used to call it Contemporary Christian. Now, it gets many names. Faves are hillsong united, MercyMe, Casting Crowns, etc, etc, etc. Way too many to name.
However, my overwhelming favorite would be if I could get our old church in Tulsa - Church on the Move to put out a worship CD. Andy Chrisman (4Him) and Kenneth Weston and the rest of their crew just make me want shout from the mountain tops.

I also like a little country like The King of country... George Strait, Keith Urban, Sugarland, and Lady Antebellum, etc. Too many for this list, too.

If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?
10% to the church, pay for my girls' college, buy a new house, take a vacation with my family (We have only been on one real one that wasn't to visit family and it was still in Texas!)

Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).
How about 2?
Scrapbook paper - I am a collector. I have a great desire to put it all to use someday!
Magazines - Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks Etc., Real Simple, and All You - LOVE THEM!

If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?
I really don't have a clue. A medium sized town with 4 seasons.


What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).
Helping people. I love to open the door for someone, carry something for somebody that needs help, push someone in a wheel chair. Things like that.

What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of?
A fresh watermelon or cucumber
A Bird of Paradise Circle E candle

When you leave a social gathering, do you wish: You would have talked more or You would have talked less?
Definitely less.

If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?
Pottery Barn, Coldwater Creek, North Style (catalog)

What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?
Losing family or me not being able to see our girls grow up and have their own families.

What is your greatest accomplishment?
Our girls

What are your favorite animals?
Dogs, dogs, dogs

I think that is enough revealing for today! If you want to join in, you still have a few more days over at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground . I look forward to getting to know more about you, too!

Stuck in a Rut

OK, I know that I said I would be better at this blogging thing... obviously I haven't been. After losing Abby, we just kind of existed. Sadness was overwhelming some days and other days I felt like I was just going through the motions. Looking forward to weekends when we could all just be together and relax.

Softball season has begun here. One plays and one manages the team. For us, that means lots of driving back and forth, late night dinners, and no free weekends right now. So, we will settle into this new rhythm, enjoy the ballpark life and treasure our time together.  *pics coming soon

Cold is necessary for what, exactly?

Yes, it is cold here. Way too cold. I am missing the snow but definitely not loving the cold. Very thankful to have somewhere to live. Can't imagine being homeless through all of this. Ugh. Just so painful to think about.

I read a verse this a.m. during my quiet time that made me laugh out loud.

             A fool shows his annoyance at once,
             but a prudent man overlooks an insult.  Prov. 12:16

 If only I had read it before my little episode... I could have avoided the 2 hours crying in my car at the library! I almost considered making that my memory verse for SSMT this week. Decided to just work on that one on my own. My 3rd verse is actually...

            Be strong and take heart,
               all you who hope in the Lord.  Psalm 31:24

No tips today

This used to be my "Tips Tuesday" but I am fresh out. It has been so long since I have been in that mode that I feel a bit brain dead in the tippy area. Oh, I could give you some tips I have learned in the past 6 months, but they might be frowned upon. Let's just say they might come across a bit whiny..... ish. So let's just don't.

Have you heard the WONDERFUL news?! If you haven't checked in on Joanne lately, you must. God is so powerful. And mighty. And awesome. And, well, C.O.O.L!  Hop on over here and get the full update.

With 2 teens, we are trying to take the time to make some memories. You know... good ones. Not the "Remember when we were walking through the desert?" ones, but more like the ones that will overshadow that kind. Anybody got any ideas for us? Inexpensive ones?

Just posted my 2nd verse today for SSMT (Siesta Scripture Memory Team). I had completely forgotten about doing this and so I am a bit behind. Had to get this verse commited to memory so that I will be ready on the 1st to catch up. Here's my #2:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Matt. 11:28-30 NIV

This verse is on the Living Proof Live CD that I bought at my first Living Proof weekend in 1998. Beth reads these verses right before Tammy sings "Jesus, I am Resting". Oh, what an impactful experience that was. Well, I'll save that story for tomorrow.

miscellany monday

So happy to be able to link up with Carissa today!

#1 - I've said it before, but I can't help from repeating... Texas is HOT. Sweaty, stinky, nasty HOT. I'm still proud to be a Texan, though.

#2 - Pet birds are not my thing. There are times when it is pretty neat but other times when it's not (Like when you are watching a movie and they want attention so they squawk louder than the volume on the tube.) I think it must be like a grandchild... you know, love to care for them for a short period but then you can give them back.

#3 - Watching a storm come in on the lake is a lot different. The way the clouds build up and the lightning seems to go from God to the water is a sight to behold. To watch the rain come at you like a freight train is just... well... COOL. As long as you are safe indoors.

#4 - I have missed my ever-so-sweet blogging friends. It's amazing to have people praying for you that you have never actually met. To have their encouraging words and thoughtful insight is a blessing I won't ever take for granted.

#5 - Night lights are becoming a huge "like" for me. In this home there are unique lamps, lighted vases, and little nooks with overhead beams that sparkle through the dark. So soothing. Like a lighthouse for the sailor.

Don't forget to hop on over and visit Carissa and some of her friends for a bit of miscellany. 

Have a blessed day y'all!

If Only...

House sitting is an unusual experience. You are in charge, but not "home". You have responsibilities, but they are different. The house noises are different too. We are adjusting, though. Not too hard to do in this mansion of a place on the lake.
If only...
there were no mosquitos,
a cool breeze blowing,
and a chef...
I guess that might be a little much. I can dream though, can't I?

We visited the coolest shopping place yesterday. It is like a little city in itself with plenty of unique eating places, quaint shops and some familiar but smaller chain stores. Hubby gets to come down and we plan to show him around and explore some more ourselves.
If only...
the wallet were as big as the eyes...
Hmmm. I'll leave this open ended.

I suppose I have been away from this Texas heat so long that I just am not adapting. I feel like I am going through menopause. Always hot and sweaty. Seriously, how do people do it?
If only...
I was a man...
I would get a buzz cut for sure.

5 Friday Finds

I am going to attempt to link up with Traci  today and share some of my recent finds. For Some reason, I still can't use her button for 5 Friday Finds. Sorry Traci! I think it has something to do with my Mac.

1) My family has always loved sports. College football would probably rank #1, but my new like for this summer has been World Cup Soccer. My oldest is a HUGE fan of any team sport where different countries come together and compete. Olympics? Puh-leeze. My gal goes NUTS for the Olympics. Her world stops and she wholeheartedly jumps into the Olympic world with both feet.

2) My new hero is this man. Overcoming Tourette's syndrome and not afraid to tell the world about his belief in God is such an inspiration. 

I have been in Pier 1 a couple of times in the last 2 months and each time I added to my "want" list. Not need, of course. We need a house first. But even then, they probably wouldn't make it onto the "need" list.

Back to the task at hand... 

3) This bronze glass platter caught my eye and I would love to see it find a home in my possession.

4) For some reason, this rug speaks to me. Don't know yet if it would go with our decor. Maybe we should update a little.

5) Lastly from Pier 1, I would like to find myself lounging on my patio in this Papasan, but with a bright cover.

*This is an edited post. For some reason, since I use a Mac, some of my codes are transferring when I copy and paste links. Don't know why and don't have time to figure it out! Forgive me....

Just A Bit of Random

Well, another Tuesday has gone by without any tips. My apologies to my few readers who actually look forward to it. The days are all running together right now and I truly forget what day it actually is sometimes. So, in Elmer Fudd fashion, I will dub this "Wandom Wednesday".

Our boxes are due to arrive on Friday. Believe it or not, I am actually looking forward to it. Having crisp new boxes that need to be pried apart and put together gives me warm fuzzies. It will be kind of like getting new school supplies for me. I'm sure the excitement will last about as long as it takes to pack one box. For those of you thinking we could save money by getting used boxes... there are critters that travel in those used boxes. When you are packing up all of your belongings indefinitely, you don't want critters growing in them. I speak from experience. And yes, I know they can be in new boxes too, but the likelihood of it happening is more rare. Me and my big mouth... satan, you may not grab ahold of that!

The rain is trickling out of the drainpipes this morning as I write and it makes me sleepy. My beauties are sleeping through it and so are the fur babies at my feet. This is peace.

I received my Creating Keepsakes magazine yesterday and it had the cutest new line of products on the back. So, so cute. Makes me smile. Well, I guess there aren't many scrapbooking products that don't. I look forward to the day when I can put all else aside and scrap until my heart's content.

World Cup Soccer seems to be on the minds of hubby and my oldest. It begins this week so I know that as I pack, the sounds of soccer will be in the background. Instead of my preferred choice of football. Well, that's actually everyone's preferred choice in this family. Wrong time of year.

I want to close by linking to over to this post where Ginger at dwelling in the house has a giveaway going on. She also shares pics of her beautiful hydrangeas. Oh, how I wish we had some!

Enjoy your day, my friends! God's blessings on you today!

Brain Blip

It is already Thursday and just last night I realized that Tips Tuesday slipped right by me. I didn't even think about it. Wow. Where have I been? Actually, I know what I've been up to... working on my new blog design with my design gal. :-) I will introduce you to her when she gets it up and running. Soon. Very soon.

In my search of a gazillion (yes, that's a word, I don't care who you are) blogs, looking for things I wanted to copy, I came across the CUTEST idea for a birthday party. You must check out this bumble bee party over at Design Dazzle and from there connect to the birthday girl's mom's blog for even more pics. I don't think I have ever seen such a fab celebration for a 3 year old.

Short post for today as I am off to finish the details that I need to send in to my design gal! ;-)

Aren't weekends the best?!

I must admit... I have enjoyed a relaxing Saturday. For the past 3 weekends, we have had something going on that required getting ready and leaving the house. Today... not so much. I have at least accomplished some laundry and dishes, but for the most part I have taken it easy. This is not something that I allow myself to do very often because I usually make myself feel guilty over not working on one thing or another. Before anyone feels the urge to tell me how wrong that is... I know, I know. I have tried to tell this stubborn self of mine many times. More times than I can count. Still working on it. A bit of success today. :-)

I am trying to read up on this blogging thing. Since it is still very new to me and I have the ole basic Blogger template, I must read. And read. And read some more. Being a scrapbooker, (or cropper, or scrapper, whatever you want to call it) I LOVE scrapbook paper. I mean L.O.V.E. it. Today I spent a lot of time investigating digital kits. My, oh my. Chills, I tell ya. Chills. When I find just the right papers that have all of the embellishments to match in colors that I love... my heart actually starts beating faster. I think it must be like a shoppers "high". I get so excited that I can barely contain myself.  Luckily no one was watching. I absolutely fell head over heals with this beautiful kit. The colors, the flowers, the ribbons... pure happiness. This colorful, cute thing made me wish my big girls were still small. One more favorite I just have to share because of my love of snowmen (more on that later this year) is this to die for kit. Seriously? If I wasn't sitting, I would be weak in the knees. I can't share my all time fave just yet. Hopefully you will see it before too long as it adorns my new blog design.

So, I'm off to discover more beauties. Perfect ending to a really nice day.

Beginning a new week...

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. This afternoon the temps are hovering close to the 80 degree mark and the blooms continue to make an appearance. Some of those blossoms seem like heavenly scents and some are like stink on a skunk. Do you think God was smirking when he did that? Makes me wonder if He had fun with it.

Tomorrow begins a new week and I am a bit unsure of what it holds. I guess that is always true but usually I have a sense just by looking forward to it or dreading it. Today I am just kind of neutral. It may have a lot to do with the sermon we had this morning. Our pastor has started a new series entitled "Kidnapped". The purpose is to bring to light the way the children of this generation are being "sucked in" by friends, technology, etc. This morning's message was heavy on discipline. For the most part, I think Hubby and I have done a good job with our girls. Then there are those times when I begin to panic thinking about the things we haven't done right. Those things that we let slip by here and there because we just didn't want the confrontation. Consistency. Heavy word. Hard to accomplish sometimes. So, I shall pick up my bible, arm myself with the word of God, ask for strength to be consistent as I head out into a new week.

Just a bit random

Well, I promised Easter pics but something is a little screwy and iPhoto won't read the CD. Will have to work on that one.

If you have read my blog at all, you know that I love Canada geese. I actually have always called them Canadian geese until I did a dab of research. Fifteen minutes tops. Learned to drop that "n". Canadian still sounds better, doesn't it? Anyway, yesterday as I was driving down the turnpike, 2 of these beautiful creatures flew right in front of me. It was breathtaking. Thank you God.

Watched American Idol tonight and almost threw a hissy fit. Big Mike (my fave) got the fewest votes. So glad that the judges used their one and only "save". I was about to be done. Seriously. Done. Don't reckon one less viewer would have done them much harm. Guess I may have to start voting next week.

Oh, and good gravies! How on earth is Victoria's Secret getting away with "The Nakeds" commercial? It is pure pornography. Don't you think? My, oh my.

Tomorrow I am going to share some blogs that I enjoy. Off to bed...

Pull 'em up boys

This subject is something that I struggle with daily. As a mom of 2 teen girls, it is a topic that we hit on frequently. Yesterday on the tube, I saw where New York State Senator Eric Adams is taking a stand. He has purchased billboards and recorded this video to get his message out there. I am in deep like with this man. At least about this issue. I do not know anything else about him. Therefore, not promoting. Just love this message.
Last week, the girls told me that at their school, boys' boxers are becoming the fashion statement. If they aren't "saggers" then they will just pull their boxers up higher so they can be seen out of the top. Oldest said it was "like tissue on a gift bag". Seriously? I am so ready for this trend to pass or DIE. JUST DIE!

Stone recovery

The Stones (they deserve a capital) have vacated the building! Well, at least that's what we are counting on. Dr. couldn't see the little boogers on the x-ray so he said that we will just count on them being gone. Positive believing. Faith, I would call it.

Hubby was happy to hear that. Hubby was not happy to hear that the stent he got in the hospital was coming out in the office. Yep. Right then. Right there. Let's just say that Hubby was really "creeped" out when Dr. showed him a tube that was at least a foot long and curled on both ends. We had no idea! It has been a couple of days and he seems to be doing much better. Thanks to those of you who joined us in our cheers (and prayers)!