Friday Fragments

*I sat & watched a guy trying to figure out whether or not to buy an engagement ring today at the store.  I had the best time watching him decide.  He looked & held the ring.  Got the price ($2800 ... which was 55% off) & just stared at it for 10 minutes... put it back... walked away... made some phone calls... came back & held the ring again... then I had to leave.  I so badly wanted to see how it ended - but Ricky was ready to go at this point... Oh, I hope this guy has a wonderful Christmas!  Ricky had fun teasing me how nosy I am... but how can you resist romance during the Holidays?  If I was REALLY nosy & followed my blogger instinct, I would have pulled out my camera & taken pictures of the whole thing!

*Can we talk Biggest Loser Finale folks?????? WOW! Danny!!! Wasn't he Amazing!?!? And Rudy too! For both of them to have lost over 200 lbs like that - INSANE! But I know the topic of the night for me was Rebecca & that blond hair.... oh mercy! I loved her black hair do... thought the blond made her look older. Here she is with the hair I like... & I loved she was still sporting the arm contraption they wear on the ranch when she was on Leno. I want one just so I look like I'm doing something!

*I am now officially addicted to pancakes... I had never made them before & since I am Miss Cook, I thought I'd follow that complicated receipe on the Bisquick box (quit laughing - its true!)... & I made them... & now, wish I hadnt.  I want pancakes ALL THE TIME now!

*which leads to the "SPAT OF THE WEEK" - Pancakes!  Ricky is so dang picky with the pancakes... "this one is too doughy, this one is too thick, this one smells burnt, this one isnt perfectly circular & round"... UGH... I want to say in the voice of the soup Nazi from Seinfield - "NO PANCAKES FOR YOU!"

*So I hate to even admit this... I havent been that much into "So you think you can dance" this year.  Is it just me?  Dont spoil anything for me because I havent seen this week's cuts yet - but I do love the married couple... is some one going to tell me Ryan's gone?  or his wife since she didnt even get to dance this week?... I personally think they shouldnt have put the next season on so close to the last...anyone else not feeling this season?

*I dont even like brownies, but I am so interested in the "Perfect Brownie" pan... why didnt someone think of this sooner? It makes so much sense! Will it work for cake too? Or is that too "soft"?

*Sunday is our Christmas program at church... I love to sing with the Ensemble... some beautiful voices in that crowd.  Its always funny for me though because I have a pretty deep voice for a woman & sing normally tenor - so I'm always in the back with the guys!  I wanna join a men's tenor group & tour with them... mix it up a little!

*I've talked alot about our Aussie, Sydney, & how bad her hips are getting.  Ricky went & got her an orthopedic bed - that is like those mattresses with the memory foam.  Its pretty dang comfy.  Yes - Ricky got on it in the STORE!  So not like him... but he wanted to make sure his baby would be comfy.  The problem now, all the other dogs love it... Syd doesnt get to use it that often.  Ricky wonders if he's going to have to go more so they can all have one... spoiled much?  Here's Syd trying to stay on it while Buffy is trying to push her off...

*How about that GLEE Fall Finale?  (And what's the deal with having Fall Finale's?????)  Mercedes singing "And I am telling you"... Girlfriend can SANNNNGGGG.  And I wondered how they were going to do the Sectionals since we already seen all the songs.  Pretty slick Glee writers, pretty slick! And the truth is out on everyone... Puck's the daddy, crazy wife isnt pregnant, Hot Teacher has left his wife & kisses the quirky guidance counselor... sigh... happy endings!  And Sue is taking some time to tan & become even more evil....Love it!  Rachel got to sing an awesome Broadway tune & be the star!!!  Loved how they put all the dance moves from the whole season into that last song too... I had chills!!!!  Now off tomorrow to totally pick up my GLEE 2 soundtrack!

Hope you all have a Fabulous Friday!!!!

Jesus doesnt wear velvet....

Merry SITSmas!!!

Oh, I love Merry SITSmas day!  Last year, I dont think I did anything but visit blogs... & had so much fun meeting other SITSa's & wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!  Dont know what I'm talking about?  Visit right HERE to catch up on the coolest group of blog buddies you can meet!

So if this is your first time here - WELCOME! For all my blog buddies - Happy Tuesday!!!    Now, lets get ready for Christmas by looking at my Christmas tree & some of the things I see in my house every day to get me in the Christmas mood...

I love our tree... it makes me smile every time I walk by it... its so bright (Thank God for Pre-lit trees!)

Here are some of the ornaments on our tree

Then I love this area... our Pluto.  With our four doggies around - we see this guilty look all the time.  Notice I have a Belle Stocking.... love that thing!  Ricky's stocking is red & shaggy... just like him!

And finally, our center piece on our entertainment center... this is just beautiful & pictures dont do it justice - especially on the size... but I love when the lights are on around it... it just glows off Mickey & Minnie so nicely...

And YES - we do have a nativity scene that is in our entry way... So yes, we do keep Christ in Christmas - just as our ornament says! :)

Anxious to see everyone during today's SITSmas & to enjoy some great Christmas pictures!  Hope everyone is prepared & decorated & ready to go!!!

So Dramatic...

Ahhh - Drama... the cornerstone of a teenagers life... or a 5 yr old.  My niece Sophia is so overly dramatic & I love every pouty face she makes or every look of surprise, as I too have been told I've got a dramatic side to me.  Sophia didnt stand a chance when she couldnt even walk & I'd put her on my lap & practice her "emotions" with her.... if she ever wins an Academy Award, I hope she remembers those days & thank her Aunt Bec.

Working with the youth too, its such a fun reminder of all the drama that a teen life holds.... shoot, I remember thinking the same things these kids do!

"If they dont like me, I'll just die!"

"If he breaks up with me, I dont know what I'll do!"

"If we dont win the game, my life will be over!"

Oh, the drama....

Then we were looking at the story of Jacob & Esau yesterday in class & came across the part where Esau comes in after a day of hunting & says to his brother

"Quick, let me have some of that red stew!  I'm famished!" -Genesis 25:29

The next few lines bring the drama into play

Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright"

"Look, I am about to die" Esau said, "What good is the birthright to me?"

-Genesis 25:31-32

... yep, he gave up his birthright because he was "starving & about to die"... can't you just hear the torture & drama in that whining voice?  Do you really think he was going to die?  Come on Esau!  Man up! :)

The kids in the youth group all started to make fun of Esau, even calling him "not so bright" for giving up such an important thing over something stupid.  Jokes & jabs were made...

but wow!... what a reflection of who are are & how it goes back that far.  We get caught up in something so meaningless & make it so dramatic & we make some stupid decisions...

Such a good reminder for the kids - & for us - to watch ourselves & not get caught up in a moment & feel like its the end of the world.  But to stop, focus on the important things, & then, maybe some wiser decisions can be made...

And finally - I did enjoy getting to point out to the kids that just proves that guys can be JUST AS dramatic as girls! ... haha!!  Gotta throw my own little touch in a lesson!  The girls enjoyed that part!

Six Word Saturday

PRAYING FOR OUR FRIENDS BEAUTIFUL BABY....

These are our friends Joe & Erica & their beautiful daughter Emily at Baby Dedication Day at church just a few weeks ago...

Today, baby Emily is in the hospital...

let me tell you first, Joe & I have been side by side in the youth ministry at our church for the past four years.  And in these past four years, Joe has truly become my little brother!  He's got my back & I've always got his back.  The deal was even better when I met his wife Erica & I knew I couldnt talk to her without busting a gut laughing... yep, add in a sister in the mix for me.  I love these two people!  They are just family to me...

They have always wanted to be parents... the road was not an easy one... but God was faithful & Erica became pregnant & after a hard road for momma, Baby Emily was born 6 months ago today....

She is now in the hospital with a genetic disorder called "Infantile Cluster Seizure"... or another name we've heard is "Infantile Spasms"... Emily is currently starting a very strong steroid & tests are still being ran.  The only thing that is certain is that there is going to be a long road ahead for this family...

Can I ask you all to join along & pray for this beautiful little girl, for her parents, Joe & Erica, & the whole family....

Jingling for Jesus

This morning, I needed red socks.  Looking through the drawer, I found a pair & then saw what was attached to them & had to just smile... there were bells attached to these socks...

I put them on & had to find Ricky... the dogs were chasing my feet at the sound & before I could get up to him, I could hear Ricky laughingly say "Oh no!"

You see, these socks were given to me from my dear friend Steph who is celebrating her 3rd Christmas with Jesus himself in Heaven!

Steph LOVED LOVED LOVED bells!  If a bell could be put on something - there was a bell on it! 

And one Black Friday, we convinced her to go shopping with us.  Lindsay, our youngest, decided to tackle it too... so what does Steph do?  She comes prepared for me, her & Lindsay.  She gets in the car & hands us our "Bell Socks"... her reasoning was legit for our Black Friday shopping adventure - "So we dont loose each other in the crowd"... & because I know my friend's love for bells - I had these bracelets ordered.  They say "Jingle for Jesus" on them...

Well, add a few bell necklaces & you could hear the three of us in any store!  So much so that Ricky was even embarassed to be around us!

It was awesome though because when the lines were super long, one of us would stay in our place & the other two would run to find bargains... we could hear each other getting closer because of the bells...

So today, as I walk around my office - with every ring of my feet, I'll smile of memories of my friend...

& I cant help but think of the line from "Its a Wonerful Life" - that every time a bell rings, an angel gets their wings!  My friend Steph, I'm sure already has those angel wings!... But I'm sure she's doing some major Jingling for Jesus up there in Heaven!  So I'll keep smiling at every ring I hear...

GOD/DOG... for all the dog lovers...

My daddy knows I love my doggies... & all the doggies in the world...

And he knows I love my God... so he sent me this video... its under 2 minutes... you HAVE to watch it... even if you ARENT a dog fan, you'll adore this song...ENJOY!!!

All About Christmas

With no Dancing with the Stars, I'm all at a loss... So needless to say, I was out in the blogging world tonight & ran across a fun Christmas tag... if you wanna play, let me know so I can stop by!

(1) What is your favorite Christmas movie?

For sure... ELF!!!!!  So many favorite parts but every time, when he burps for 5 minutes & then says "DID YOU HEAR THAT?"... I about pee on myself laughing every time!!!

(2) What is your LEAST favorite Christmas movie?
I think the Frosty remake... dont even remember the name of it, but it had something to do with a snow removal product...stupid, just stupid...

(3) What is your favorite Christmas song?
O Holy Night.... by ANYONE... everytime I hear that song, it makes me tear up or gives me chills... the part "Fall on your knees....", mercy me, its just beautiful

(4) What Christmas song(s) drives you crazy?
Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer.... seriously?  This song is popular, WHY?

(5) What is your favorite Christmas drink? (i.e. egg nog, hot chocolate)
Diet Coke...
Hey - I'm not a big "hot" drink kinda person... & I'm not a fan of anything milk-y... But at least this year, they have coke products in those cute little ornament looking bottles - that's festive enough, right?

(6) What is your favorite Christmas memory?
I just love remembering all the Christmas mornings as a kid... me & my brother waking up, doing what we could to wake our parents up so we could go downstairs to see what Santa left... that anticipation is something that cant be replaced!

(7) What is the best toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
Our Schnauzer puppy... my brother & I ran right past her & she was sitting under the tree scared to death of two kids running around... she was a great present... a part of our family for MANY years!

(8) What is the worst toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
call me corny or sentimental, but I dont think any gift is bad... if someone is giving you something, then to me, its wonderful... (too Pollyanna?  sorry)

(9) What do you LOVE about the holidays?
Just the feeling... Christmas definitely has a "feeling" that can be sensed EVERYWHERE!

(10) What annoys you about the holidays?
The need I have to find that "perfect gift"... I can drive myself CRAZY sometimes... & that's not even what its about...

(11) Do you prefer star or angel on top of a Christmas tree? Or something else?
I PREFER an angel, but we have a Disney Christmas tree... & we actually found a Minnie Mouse Angel - but it kept toppling over at top... they dont make the top of trees very sturdy... so we're ribbon clad at the top.

(12) What is your family favorite recipe at Christmas?
If you saw my post not too long ago, it used to be my grandma's dumplings... but now, I have to say, I look forward to my brother's brocoli casserole... cheesy, yumminess at its best!  Doesnt even taste like a vegetable!

(13) Are you a Grinch or a Who at Christmastime?
Probably a Grinch... hate to admit it... but look back to #10... too much pressure at Christmas & too much to do with so little time... I can do some Christmas complaining - that's all I'll say about that!

(14) Christmas light displays - Love them or Hate them?
Love them.... at everyone else's houses!  I get to enjoy it & dont have to deal with the hassle... so thank you all you Christmas Light Displayers!

(15) Santas at the mall - Fun times or Creepy?
The ones with the fake beards... FOR SURE CREEPY!!!!  But some of them that play along & look the part, those are some fun times!  or ones that let me & for teenage girls pile around him - definitely FUN TIMES!

(16) Christmas cards - do you send them, yes or no?
I used to be really good about it, but now with postage being so expensive, that's one area we have cut out...It seems like every year we receive less too... or maybe that's because more people dont like us every year (gasp!!!)

(17) What is the best thing about Christmas, in your opinion?
That's a given for me... the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!!!!  Nothing better then that in the world!

(18) What is the worst thing about Christmas?
The commercialism or greed that seeps into the season taking away the whole meaning of Christmas...

(19) When do you put the tree up and take it down?
It goes up every year the day after Thanksgiving, after the Black Friday shopping (can you say EXHAUSTED?)... & it goes down on New Years Day... the house is always so empty looking after that!

(20) Out of the 12 days of Christmas, which day and item would you want your truelove to give to you?
Knowing my husband, it would be the 12 Drummers Drumming... but his drummers would look like the picture here!  He IS a rocker afterall!  And really, this red headed dude kinda looks like Ricky! 

(21) Why do you think that Grandma got run over by a reindeer?
Just to tick me off... see #4

(22) Who is your favorite reindeer?
Hello?!?!  Do you all know me... my favorite reindeer is NOT Rudolph... it would have to be DANCER!!!!

(23) Do you believe in Santa Claus?
I believe Santa is part of the magic of Christmas... & Christmas is FULL of magic

(24) What is your favorite smell at Christmastime?
ANYTHING baking... if it has sugar & is sweet & is warm out of the oven... mmmm, yeah!

(25) What would make you happy at Christmas this year?
To see Isaac's face Christmas morning when he opens his gifts... big heavy sigh...

Be sure to let me know if you are playing along!  I wanna see if you too detest "Grandma got ran over by a Reindeer"

Close to the Broken-Hearted...

I know the Holidays arent wonderfully happy for everyone....

& today, this verse has just kept going through my mind & my heart...

So I'm thinking someone, including me, needs to hear this verse...

And today - my blog post is simple, but I pray it touches & speaks to whoever needs it today...

If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;

if you are kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.

Disciples so often get in trouble;

still, God is there every time.

-Psalm 34:18-19

Six Word Saturday

WHY IS CHRISTMAS SO DANG MESSY?????

I woke up this morning after a long day of shopping & an even longer day of wrapping last night, feeling refreshed & ready for a new day...

Then I walked out of my bedroom....

UGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!

No - this isnt what my table looks like - mine looks worse!!!!  But my house is just a mess!  Wrapping stuff everywhere, bags everywhere, gifts that are wrapped - just sitting on the couch waiting for my tree to go up, gifts that NEED to be wrapped...you know those - the ones you wait until the last minute because they are the weirdest shapes to figure out how to make it look pretty!  By the end, I wont even care - I'll just roll it in paper & put a piece of tape to hold it together.  Slap a bow on it, & good enough for me!

But today, we've got to pull out the Christmas tree decorations - MORE MESS...

Not to mention the mess of Thanksgiving leftovers being pulled out & reheated & nibbled on all day...

And NOT to mention all the knitting projects going on so piles of yarn everywhere...

Needless to say, I'm getting overwhelmed...

& it doesnt help I'm sitting here watching Martha Stewart & her showing how easy & beautiful Christmas is supposed to be... shut up Martha!

Off to do SOMETHING to get this house straightened up...

How the Day went...

How was your Thanksgiving?

I was woken up at 7:00 with my husband standing over top of me saying "Are you ready?"... I clear my eyes to see what the heck he's talking about & he's standing there with the newspaper!  Its tradition for us to go through the Black Friday sales ads together & he just couldnt wait until I woke up....Sydney had to get in the mix too....

I went to my brother's house & had Thanksgiving with them while Ricky went to his family's...  today was also my brother's birthday!  Happy Birthday Tony... I asked Sophia how old she thought her daddy was.  She said 27... I said, how old do you think I am?  She said 28... yeah, my brother is older then me, & Sophia knows that, but that's OK - I'll take 28!  Here's Madi just eyeing Tony's ice cream cake... & I had to be slick to take a picture of Madi - she's Miss Camera Shy....

& then me & Ricky meet up for our own Thanksgiving dinner so we can eat together.  I do a turkey breast in the crock pot & man, can I tell you - it just fell off the bones & it was the yummiest turkey...

Ricky even said, "Take a picture of my plate for your blog"... to me, that's his way of saying "This is good stuff!"...

& even the dogs were going a little crazy....

So now, the kitchen is clean & the leftovers are put up for tomorrow & I'm ready to relax a little because we've got the alarm clock set for around 3:00 am.... WHAT?  Yes, 3:00 AM.... This is a glimpse of where I'll be in the next few hours....

Are you out taking advantage of Black Friday Sales?  How was your Turkey Day?  Are you still as stuffed as I am?

Happy Thanksgiving

May we be thankful for our blessings at ALL times...

Enter his gates with thanksgiving & his courts with praise; give thanks to him & praise his name.

For the Lord is good & his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

-Psalms 100:4-5

And for a little fun... enjoy this video... THANK YOU CHICKEN NUGGET PEOPLE!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just enough

I was blessed to give our church's communion thought this past Sunday... Every time I hear "Communion Thought" I think of Saturday Night Live's "Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey"...two TOTALLY different things...

But our pastor gave me the scripture earlier in the week from where he was going to get his message.  It was going to be in 1 Chronicles 29:10-22... I kept reading it over & over & one verse just kept coming out to me.

"And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements & decrees...." verse 19

Those words wholehearted devotion just kept hitting me....

I mentioned earlier that I just celebrated 17 years at my job.  Obviously, I'm dedicated to my job - devoted... to an extent.  I mean, after 17 years, I know the days where I can take a longer lunch... or I can bring knitting in & knit the afternoon away.  Its like I know on some days where I can just do what needs to be done... just enough to finish what I have to do...

Then I thought of how we do that with our walks with God.  That we loose our "wholehearted" devotion - we end up just doing "enough"... following the commands & rules that we LIKE... not the whole thing...Oh, yes, we still love Him & are devoted... but we loose the complete picture somewhere along the way.

Where are you lacking wholehearted devotion?  In finances, in relationships, in attitude, in passion....?

Its easy to do - & I think we all loose it at time... but God can & does restore it...

Beautiful Ending...

I've always loved Barlow Girl... love people that have a ear for harmonizing... jealous of them actually (Yes, I'm talking to you Lynn!)  Barlow Girl is made up of a group of sisters & they are just growing & changing with each of their new albums.

Their latest came out - "Love & War" & they had it on sale for $8.99 the day I ran in to pick up my wonderful Steven Curtis Chapman's CD.. (You totally knew I was going to throw his name in there)...

I am in love with this CD... but the one song that I'm just listening to over & over is "Beautiful Ending"...

The words in just the first part of the song breaks my heart...

And it scares me to think

That I would choose

My life over you

Oh, my selfish heart

Divides me from You

It tears me apart

The selfishness in us - that tears us away from God...

Its funny because this morning, Ricky & I were just talking about selfishness... not because of something we did - but I was watching my dogs this morning.  Zoe was laying in the dog bed at the foot of our bed... she wouldnt move because she knew Sydney was standing right next to it waiting for her to move so she could take her place in the comfy, warm softness of this bed. 

And I look up and on OUR bed (these dogs said "forget the dog bed!") & Bruno is chewing a bone just staring at Buffy while Buffy is just waiting for Bruno to turn his head for a minute so she can run off with it...

I told Ricky - look at that.  Selfishness is bred into not even our being, but animal's instincts as well...

Its "what I want"... "its all about it"... "I'm in control"... "I am in charge."..

And then I get in my car & the CD is still tuned into this song...

The words continue to say "At the end of it all, I wanna be in your arms"....

Thats the most beautiful thing of it all... no matter our selfishness, God will take us back into his arms because He loves us DESPITE ourselves....

May I set aside more & more of my selfishness daily as I long for my own beautiful ending...

Who's it going to be?

Tonight's the night.... Our big Dancing with the Stars Finale!  I get so anxious...I usually do a recap during the show, but honestly, I am so happy about the final 3, I'm just going to kick back & hold on to my knitting & yell on the couch instead of sitting at the computer.... I dont think there is anything else I could even say about these three.  With Aaron & Joanna gone - I'll be happy with ANY of these three holding that hidious, beautiful mirror ball trophy...

Is it going to be Kelly?  She's the under dog, but she truly has become a beautiful young lady who carries herself with more poise.  Is she the best dancer?  Nope, but in a show like this - its kinda, not really the thing that makes someone win.  Plus, there are alot of Ozzy fans out there so you may see a rush of 50-60 yr old rocker men pick up the phone... (hey, that almost includes my husband!)

Then there's Mya....She is obviously the best dancer on the show so that's why I feel like she deserves it.  I dont think she has anywhere the personality as the others, but her dancing definitely pulled her through.  And I'd like to see our alumn from So you Think you can dance, Dmitry, take the trophy!  He deserves it after having that horrible partner of Holly Madison last year!

Finally..... DONNIE OSMOND!  Yes, he is deep in my heart my fav to win & who I'll vote for.  I can say that without even seeing his dance tonight - I just would love for him to win...But if he doesnt win - I wont be devestated.  He is truly the entertainer & for that reason, I believe he should win.  And (Sorry AuburnChick,) I really like Kim & would like to see her take a win too...

Who do you think will take it all?

Somebody lost a tooth....

... & it wasn't me!

How many of you all thought it was me with all the dental issues I've had over the years?  Luckily - this isnt about my teeth...

I met up with my family this weekend & lo & behold, one of the twins has lost their FIRST tooth!!!

Here's a picture of Sophia showing me... & yes, you actually cant see her tooth space in this picture - but I love her eyes in this picture, so I'm showing you all anyways...

The kicker - no one knows where the tooth is.  She didnt even tell anyone she lost it!  My brother & sister in law think maybe she lost it at school...

She just keeps saying "I think its under the couch"... how funny is that?

Hopefully the tooth fairy found it in fairy land enough for her reward for her first tooth gone...

Where does time go...they grow up so fast!...

Six Word Saturday

OUR FUR BABY IS TURNING 9!!!!

Sydney is our Australian Sheperd.  She is one of our fur-babies - the oldest of the group - & her birthday is tomorrow & she turns the big 9 YEARS OLD!  Her birthday is so easy to remember because it is 11-22-00.  Being a number freak, I always loved that date....

If you've never dealt with an Aussie - let me tell you - they are the best breed!  They are so smart - smart enough where we literally have to SPELL words around her - & I'm not sure she doesnt know how to spell now too!

They are a protective dog. Protective of their family, of their home, of their other fur-sisters & fur-brother.

Ricky & I always said we will always have an Aussie in our home...

The down side of an Aussie - they have horrible hip problems & as we hit Sydney's 9th birthday, her hips have really kicked in the past few months.  We had to buy steps for her to get up & down in the bed.  She doesnt like to use them & she's smart enough to con us to pick her up & put her down out of the bed so she doesnt have to push herself.  Not easy to do sometimes, as she's about 75 lbs - but its building up muscles - right? 

We had an Aussie before Syd - & we literally carried her in & out to go to the bathroom the last part of her life for about 2 years, so we're used to tending to those hips... just hate its already setting in on our Syd-girl.

So tomorrow, Sydney Louise will get a special treat & we'll sing happy birthday to her & maybe even take her on a walk to the park (her favorite thing in the world!)...

And if you think its weird we celebrate our fur-babies birthday, you must not be a dog-owner.  Because once you are, you know how they are a part of your heart & how they are a member of the family!  And would you ignore a family member's birthday....

Friday Fragments

*I could just put this picture up & leave it at that.... after all - it is NEW MOON day!!!!  AHHH - counting down... t- minus 11 hrs till my moving showing...

Yes! I'm one of THOSE people!  And believe me - if I didnt have to be up at 5:30 am to go to work, I would have been at the midnight showing.  But I'm looking forward to meeting up with friends & sitting in a room full of Twilight-ers & screaming like I did about Patrick Duffy when he was the "Man from Atlantis"... dang - there I go showing my age again!

Anyone remember this show?  I was  YOUNG... but man,  I crushed on this guy in this show!  Before his big days of Dallas... we're talking REALLY old school there!

*I got a camera this weekend... Another Sony Cybershot - but the next step up from what I had.  I feel so much happier knowing I can pull out & click any time I want to again.  Didnt realize how dependant I was on cameras until it was gone.  But now that I have that - I can set my goals on that mac-daddy camera... yes, the best of both worlds!  I love the HOT PINK of this one too... makes me smile every time I hold it!  Hot pink just does that...

*Driving home yesterday from working out, I saw 5 Christmas trees in windows & at least a dozen houses with lights up... I guess Thanksgiving is getting further & further pushed out of the way...

*Project Runway season is over.  And surprise - another ALL BLACK collection won?  Wasnt that FIERCE with Christian?  But again?  I think they just look for the wackiest things & say that's "Innovative" & let them win.  I liked Althea the best... but I'm no Michael Kors or Nina Garcia!

*SPAT OF THE WEEK:  Cordless phones!  Our phones are deader than a doorknob... no charge left in them at all.  They are getting pretty old & it was time to get some new ones.  So when we made the trip to get my camera, we went ahead & picked up new phones.  They are on the counter & Ricky goes to pull them out & hook them all up around the house the minute - literally, the minute - I call him to tell him supper is ready.  As he's pulling everything out of the box, I ask him if he can wait, since hello?, I'm putting his food on his plate... he said "Fine, they can just wait now - we dont need to get them hooked up"... so because I made him wait that minute, he refused to hook them up all week long & he'll do it when "he's ready'... seriously?  Really?  So if you call my house & the phone goes dead, its because the old ones are still hooked up & Ricky's still sporting his stubborness.

*Anyone else excited about seeing Disney's new movie "The Princess & the Frog"?  I cant wait!  I love me a Disney story anytime, and add in a Princess in there - I'm all about it!  Hoping to take my twin nieces... if not, I gotta snag up on someone's kids, so it doesnt look like I'm the one who's anxious to see it!

*Speaking of Princesses... do you believe in Happily Ever Afters?

*BEST GLEE MOMENT:  We had a full episode without Sue Sylvester?  And it was STILL good?  Who would have thought!  But when Finn was in the bathroom talking to Kurt & he said

"I gotta go - they'll think I'm pooping" -

I about died laughing!  And then his "Karate moves" to pump him up to sing his heart to his family... is there anything better then this show?  And to close out the week, I'll leave you with the song that made me cry this week - Finn singing "I'll stand by You"...

Oh - & speaking of Finn - I saw on People.com that all three of the hot guys from Glee - Finn, Mr. Shue & Puck - they are all like within 3 yrs of each other - in their late 20's...

Now - onto my tearful song of the week....

Water thru the nose is a lesson? Oh yes!

You know me - I try to find a lesson in anything...  & with flu bugs going around - the Neti-pot has been sitting right on my bathroom counter, I could just see so many things that spoke to me... yes - a Neti-pot - the contraption that puts water through your nose.

I pulled out the neti-pot & not one of the kids knew what it was... I was sorta surprised, but that made it even more fun!  So I ask for a volunteer & everyone is afraid!  One brave soul finally came up... Here I am explaining what he's about to do... yeah, he's nervous!

Our youth minister came up & he brought his own Neti-pot... & he demonstrates how it works...

Then he walks this young man through it - giving him one on one directions & support

He even puts his hand on his back & tells him what to do so he doesnt choke, walks him through step by step...

So many lessons in this example...

First - I really hit on the salt water!  The way that salt gets in there & cleanses out your nasal cavity... when we take God into our life - dont we get "cleansed"?  So many examples of washing away our sins in the Bible!  So many great scriptures of God scrubing us clean of guilt ...

And what really hit me too - is that Jeremy, our youth minister - he showed the example of how it was going to be... it didnt take the nerves away... Eli was still nervous because he never did it before - but he saw that Jeremy survived!  His words were "I knew if I choked - he could do CPR or go get my mom"... Eli felt the support there!  The safety of the situation...

I loved the fact that Jeremy stood there & walked him through every step... "tilt your head".... "breath through your nose"....guided him...

But you know what - Jeremy couldnt FEEL what Eli was going through - Eli had to do that himself.  But Jeremy could be with him because he knew HOW it felt... & Jeremy couldnt take away the "weirdness" of water running through his nose - but he knew what it felt like himself & could relate...

And ultimately, Eli lived through it, he could do it himself now & then he could walk someone through the same process...

What an example to me... can you see it? It was screaming to me! 

We are on these walks with Christ - & people can come along side us & encourage us & walk us through - but its still OUR decision to take a step & go through with the relationship with God... & because people come along side us - it doesnt make the walk totally rainbows & butterflies... we'll still have painful situations, but they can relate & they can put their hands on our backs & walk us through.  And we can go through processes that cleanse us & those aren't always pretty situations & they can be uncomfortable... but in the end, we see we survive...

& then we can help the next person...

All through a Neti-pot....

Now that's a long time!

Today, I have been at my job for 17 years.... did you hear that? 17 years!!!

WOW... 17 years is longer than a whole span of education...

When I started, I wasnt even married... I was just 20 years old... I've AGED in this building! 

What's crazy is its basically the same people who I'm still working with!  That's a long time to be around people! 

So in a world that holds a lot of instability in the job market - I'm thankful today for my job.... even though I started as a young single lady & am now sitting here a much more "mature" woman who hides my grey!

Thankful for your troubles...

I saw this on a Youth Ministry site & just loved it & wanted to share... what a reminder to find gratitude in the midst of troubles & hardship...

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,

for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,

because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

SAVE DONNIE OSMOND & HIS ISOTONERS!!!!

So last Monday, I was swamped & missed Dancing with the Stars & when I did catch it, I had 3 conversations going on at one time - so didnt feel like I could do it justice to recap... & I was worried about tonight as well.  But God, once again, was looking over me & took care of my plans for the evening - So I'm all comfy, fresh Diet Coke sitting next to me - dishes washed after ANOTHER dinner cooked (Go me, go me!)... & I'm ready for some dancing!  Let's get this party started!

Donnie & Kim
First Dance - We get to see GILES back... oh mercy!  The man is still hotter then hot & has the ability to make me drop my jaw in just .5 seconds that he's on tv!  And he's giving advice to our little Donnie Osmond on how to make everyone uncomfortable during the Tango.  I just cant imagine Donnie forcing the same kind of "appeal" that Giles does... but I do love my cute, innocent Donnie.  Both can be sexy - right!... All I can say is that stupid song "Black & Gold" made me uncomfortable.  What the heck kinda song is that for the Tango? No wonder it threw him off & he was stumbling all over the place & ripping Kim's dress...& why does he have Isotoner gloves on?  ... my poor Donnie... I'm giving him all my votes... SAVE DONNIE!

Second Dance - The Samba... But first, we get to see Donnie's background & another reminder of how amazing he is... honestly, is there anyone out there as wholesome & adorable as him?  I dont think so!...He's the comeback king for the Samba!   So entertaining!  And there's Mary Hart with Marie Osmond..the Entertainment Tonight connection.  ... the audience is packed of celebs tonight!  Remember season one when no one even cared about the show... how far we've come!

Third dance - I'm just glad to see what their Knock out dance is because those green outfits have had me curious every week.  Jitterbug!  That's what green & pink combo represents... Just love his energy... If I havent said it before... we have to SAVE DONNIE!!!!... I feel like taking a water tower & writing on it - like Ferris Bueller - SAVE DONNIE!  (Anyone remember that part of the movie?)

Joanna & Derek (ugh... she's still there)
First Dance - The Venice Waltz... Brook Burke came back & I always loved her.  It must be reunion night!  I hate to say this about the dance... it was pretty... UGH!  I think it was because of Derek!  How adorable is Derek!  he seems like a perfect blond Ken doll who is just romantic dancing.... yep, only looked good because of Derek!  Derek - I give a 10... Joanna - I give a .01

Second Dance - The cha cha cha... but first we get to see the story of how to go from a communist country with $200 to the spread of Playboy  (oh mercy)....we get RED fringe pants for the dance... I totally still gotta find a pair!  Derek was great... no further comment...

Third Dance - Samba... .....by Joanna's 3rd dance, I've had my fill of her tonight.... If there is any way she doesnt make it to the finals - be prepared to go outside & listen real close because you will hear screams of joy coming from my house that will probably be heard for many many miles!

Kelly & Louis
First Dance - OK.. We all know I'm a dog lover & we start it off with the passing of that adorable fur ball?  Break my heart DWTS!  And look at Kelly hanging in there!  Louis said normally she would go home?  Heck, I want to sit & cry myself for that fur baby.  So Kelly has the Rhumba & she just looked beauitful in her dress... & doing a little move that was amazing with one leg!  Carrie Ann is exactly right - she has a magical quality that reachs into our hearts... love Kelly!  Love Louis... love this couple!

Second dance - We get a glimpse into Kelly's life & I have always loved "The Osbourne's"... I think as weird as they seem, Ozzy & Sharon are amazing parents who love their kids so this is a fun little look at this quirky young lady.  ... The Quickstep.. & Kelly NAILED it!!! I love when her mom is just beaming from the audience!  Makes me want to root for her even more!

Third Dance - Cha Cha Cha.... Can only say I LOVE HER & her pink skirt & her little blond curls... just adorable!

Mya & Dmitry
First Dance - They have the Waltz... give a flowing white dress, soft lights, & opera & how can it NOT be beautiful... Where Derek is the blond Ken, Dmitry is the dark headed Barbie cousin - perfection!

Second Dance - We see a glimpse of Mya's life... she is just such a poised young lady...She has the Salsa this time & holy cow... PERFECTION! And I'm not just talking about Dmitry's bare chest!!!  That was amazing!!!!!!!!!!... & that Len was amazed by her Tutti Fruitty Booty, sums it all up!

Third Dance - Cha Cha Cha.... cant even say anything but Awesome... that's all that comes from Mya - awesomeness!  She HAS to make it to the finals!

So what do you think?  Can you believe the finals is NEXT WEEK?!?!?!  Who do you think will make it?  Am I the only one hoping Joanna doesnt make it to next week?  Anyone else want to go buy some Isotoners now?

Six Word Saturday

Old school glasses making a comeback!!

I used to wear glasses since I was in kindergarden.  My vision is perfect, but I have a lazy eye & I had to wear the prescription glasses to pull my eye back into place.  So over the years, I've had various styles of glasses... all the way from small glasses of the 70's, up to Sally Jessee Raphel glasses of the 80's....

And the twins must have discovered my glasses at my parents house & they are having fun wearing them... I keep getting these pictures & it just makes my day.... look at these cute little faces in my glasses.....

When I see Sophia in glasses, I swear, its like I'm looking back at myself... my parents call her Rebecca all the time... she's used to it by saying "I know, I look like Aunt Bec"

Here's Madi with my "clear" glasses....hoping they just blend in  Do you think it worked?  HA!... these were in my early part of high school... Oh mercy!

I actually liked these glasses.  I loved the more bold glasses - even do today!  And to clarify, I have always had big ole' cheeks so I always wore big glasses to try & "hide" the cheeks... yeah, that probably worked as well as the clear glasses hiding....

I need to find my other glasses - particularly the ones in elementary school that had initial stickers in the corners & little puppy dog stickers.  Anyone remember those eye glass stickers back in the 70's?  I bet the twins will actually like those.  Bring back the old school style!

Friday Fragments

*Be sure to go HERE to try & win a free book from my book blog... the drawing is this evening!!!

*We had 80's night at church last weekend for our 175th +1 anniversary of our church... there was a time capsule that was put up 25 years ago... in the 80's, hence the theme.  It was so much fun pulling out the eye shadow & pulling the side pony tail fashion again!

Totally wish I would have pulled out my slouch socks!!! Remember those?  I have a FEW pairs... that's embarassing to admit...& no! I didnt have that sweater laying around.  I made a trip to Goodwill & found the perfect 80's sweater! 

How cute are these girls (& Ryan back there)... I love it though because these girls werent even ALIVE in the 80's & yet, they love the fashion & music of the era... Rock on girls!

*I'm sorry I missed the recap of Dancing with the Stars... but speaking of the 80's ... did anyone catch how awesome my Donny Osmond looked channeling Adam Ant/ Michael Jackson/Corey Feldman...I'm rooting him on all the way to the finals!!!

*SPAT OF THE WEEK:  Candy wrappers!!!! Ricky has the biggest sweet tooth of anyone I know.  Seriously - his blood has to be made up of at least 51% of sugar.  So after Halloween & half off of bags of candy - Ricky is in his heaven.  Reese's cups, Kit-Kat's, Almond Joys... candy is everywhere!  He carries these bags around like a security blanket.  So now, I'm left to pick up dozens... no, make that HUNDREDS, of candy wrappers... & pulling them out of dog's mouths.  I mean, why just throw them in the trash can when its just fun to watch me chase dogs around, pulling a saliva piece of paper out of their mouths?

*Anyone going to make this week officially TAYLOR SWIFT WEEK?  First, the appearance on SNL (how funny was her Montage Song (la la la)....& then she kicks butt on the country music awards?  WOW... that's one over-achieving 19 yr old... What were YOU doing at 19 years old? 

*In case anyone wasn't aware (yeah... right....) NEW MOON... 1 WEEK AWAY!!!!! (aaahhhhhhh....screaming like a teenager girl!)

*Its Friday, the 13th... a guy at Ricky's work will actually not come into work today because of superstition.  Truly!  I never really think anything of it... do you?  I've never seen the Friday, the 13th movies.  Maybe if I saw those, I'd be a little more freaked out.  I dont know - did people get superstitious about it before or after the movie?  Did the date inspire the movie?  ... I'm so confused & lost.  I need to do my research on this topic.

*Best GLEE Moment:  Sue Sylvester actually making me tear up?  What the heck?  A older sister with Down Syndrome that she reads stories to & holds hands with.... Who saw THAT coming??

*I'm still on a hunt for a camera!  Trying to keep an eye out for those big sales that are supposed to be amazing PRE-Black Friday sales..... come on Best Buy - give me something that will make me happy.

Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!!!!!

Mamaw's Dumplings....

Thanksgiving is just two weeks from today... (I still cant believe it).... & someone was asking me what my favorite food is for Thanksgiving?

I'm such a carb nut!  Give me mashed potatoes... or some good stuffing!  I even love Stove-top, so I'm not picky when it comes to stuffing.  Lots of carbs?  I'm in love... Sorry Bob & Jillian!

But the best thing that I always loved for Thanksgiving was my grandma's dumplings!  Oh my word... I seriously looked forward to the family get togethers just for those yellow pieces of heaven!  Turkey?  Who cares!  Pumpkin pie?  HA!  The dumplings were what I was there for!  There was just nothing like them.  They were thick & yellow & a meal in itself.  Oh... my mouth is watering....

My grandma has left this earth quite a few years back now....

And with her, those dumplings have gone too...

Her daughters (my aunts & my momma) have tried to re-create them.  Its just not the same.  They dont turn out the same color - they arent ever thick enough - they just aren't the same...

I swear, I think she left an ingredient out of her recipe she passed down so no one could make them like her... & no one can...

So once again, with Thanksgiving coming, I'll still think of those dumplings, even though its been over 20 years since I've had them... & I'll appreciate the times that I did get to have them... & my grandma....

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food you're looking forward too?  Have a old time family receipe that you just savor?  Got a good dumpling recipe?

Thank you Veterans!

Panting...

Sunday, I thought I was going to DIEEEEEEE if I didnt get something to drink.  It was late & I had been running all day long.  Up & out at 7:45 am to head to church, practiced singing with the Worship Band, then sang through two services, taught the Jr. High youth, so that involved alot of talking (which I'm good at!) - then we had a youth meeting - then off to lunch with my buddy Ryan & some fun talks (more talking!  I'm telling you - I'm good at it!) - then we had our church's 175 +1 celebration that revolved around the 80's!  Oh - I've got pictures coming!  But that event was so much fun!  I dont think I've laughed that hard in a LONG time - & of course, I talked alot...

So I get back into my house at 9:45 & I'm PARCHED.  I literally downed a can of Diet Coke in like 5.7 seconds!  Well, maybe not that fast, but I bet you it was less then 2 minutes.  Then I pull out another one - down it!  I'm telling you - I'm chugging!  Then I get another one!  It was like I couldnt get enough to drink... my poor throat was yelling "SOOTHE ME"!!!

Have you ever been that thirsty?  Isnt that a horrible feeling?  I know working out makes me just crave water - yes, water! - not Diet Coke! 

I had to laugh at how cool God is though because my scripture reading for the day yesterday was Psalm 42... & the first words,

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. -Psalms 42:1-2

I've heard this verse before & never really put a lot of thought into it... I love God's timing of showing me how my thirst was consuming me the night before & how I was doing everything I could to quench it.  This verse became alot clearer.

Then, me, being a word nerd (along with a knit nerd & a number nerd, & all the other "nerd" things in my life) - I looked up what "pant" meant.... here's some of the definitions:
*Breath noisly, as when one is exhausted
*To Gasp; a short labored breath
*To long for (something); to be eager for (something)

AHHH.... yes!  Exhausted - being labored - to long for something...

Yep... those are all the things I am without God in my life or when I put other things before Him...

So next time I'm DYING for something to quench my thirst, I think I'm going to remember that verse & thank God that He is the Living Water to ease my exhaustion - to ease that labored breathing ...& to fulfill all that I long for!

Book Giveaway

Hey... you all know you want a free book - right? 

Stop over at my Book Blog, just click right HERE & leave a comment... easy enough! 

Drawing will be Friday evening... good luck!

Friday Fragments

*Anyone seen these new leg toning shoes?  I cant figure them out... I thought they were a joke at first but then they made an appearance on "Modern Family" (anyone see that guy walking in them with walking poles?  HILARIOUS)... I cant imagine how they feel.  I think I would just teeter totter back & forth standing in them until I was a little nauseated.  Shoe sick?  Is that possible? I think it would be with me!

*SPAT OF THE WEEK:  I'm going to let the picture tell it all!  Because my camera is broke & you have to look through the view finder, Ricky went to take a picture of me for Halloween.  I kept telling him, you have your hand over the lens... the spat therefore ensued... because there is no screen to check how the picture turned out, later that evening when I downloaded the pics... this is what I found...

*I was Pippi Longstocking for the fun.... We could add this to SPAT of the week - but Ricky ended up being right about my hair.  We used solder for my hair.  It comes on a roll & it was actually really flexible so it could hold the shape... My hair stayed up for the whole night too...

Ricky was a Rocker!!!  Not too far out of his real life self really.... but it was the first time I got to put eye liner on his eyes & paint his finger nails black... it was like playing dress up with my husband!  I told him I dont want to ever do that again!  At least not unless he buys his own makeup & not use mine! :)

*I love my Polar Heart rate monitor.  It tells you all the good stuff you wanna know when you work out.  This week, on Wednesday - it said I burned 638 Calories!!! DO WHAT?  I've never hit a calorie burn that high in my life!  It was so nice, I wanted to go eat to celebrate! 

*This time change is KILLING me... I'm ready  to put on my PJ's & crawl into bed at 7:00... which is really bad because most of my night "events" start at 7:00... Bible Study, small group, church.... It just feels so wrong pulling my car out of my garage when the moon is high in the sky.  I'm ready to just hibernate.  Wake me up when Spring comes please.

*Stop by our girl Julie's Blog... she needs some encouragement!  She's at 25 weeks of pregnancy & having some contractions & problems!  If you remember during her pregnancy with Isaac, he was born premature so this pregnancy has had its issues too.  She spent a few hours in the hospital last Friday & me & Ricky were holding our breath for awhile.  Prayers were answered & she was able to go home.  But dont let me tell you, let her tell you through her blog!  She needs some prayers through this pregnancy!  And you can also check out our cutie-pie grandbaby's Halloween pics!  AND.... you can find out the name of our new future grandson!

*CD Update... Got Steven Curtis Chapman's CD... Oh my goodness... the songs are SO amazingly good, but I have to tell you - I have to listen to it at certain times because its just heartbreaking.  Every song is about the loss of his daughter, Maria.... This isnt just a pop in the player & listen on a nice drive on the road.  This is a heart tugger!..... & as for the GLEE Soundtrack - its a MUST HAVE!  if you are a fan of the show at all, you gotta get this!  They are the full versions of the songs & I have to say, "Defying Gravity" is now my official GLEE song (today, anyways)

Happy Friday everyone!

Addiction - a bad thing?

Yes, I know it IS a bad thing in certain situations....

Let me back up... Obviously, if you visit here regularly, you see I do "dancing with the stars" updates.  I also am a huge fan of So you think you can dance... there are some people who can DANCE!!!  And some of the dances stick with you for years!  I still cant hear "Bleeding Love" & not think of our cutie Chelsie, who is NOW on Dancing with the Stars!  Ahh - love the circle of life of dancers!

My funny friend, Pooba had on her blog today two dances... & one of them was one of my top five dances - Addiction by Kayla & Kupono.  I'm adding it at the bottom & if you havent seen it, you should watch it.  If you have seen it - you totally know you want to watch it again.

The thing about that dance is how horrible "addiction" looks - the evil on his face... as addiction CAN look!  I remember when Mia Michael, the choreographer, put it together.  She said, "You can look controlling because YOU KNOW SHE'LL COME BACK TO YOU AGAIN".... & that look he gives at the end - its that look Mia was talking about.  A snide look of, "you think you walked away?  You'll be back"... gives me chills...

I looked at a defition of "addiction" - it said "a strong craving" - or " something that is habit-forming"

I want to put out an idea to some choregraphers out there.  Mia Michaels, you listening?  Let's do a dance where someone is addicted to God & godly things!  Have that person keep running back & running back & have THAT "addiction" lovingly take them back & show nothing but love & caring... Can you imagine how different that dance would be... & how sweet the face would be at the end of that dance with the same look of "you'll be back"... a look of love in the eyes of that statement...

Wouldnt THAT be a good dance?...

I totally want to be 100% addicted to God, where I keep running back & His arms are open to always know I can come back to Him... Addiction.... doesnt always have to be a bad thing....