Book Meme

I found this over at Lisa's blog and Roxanne has posted it,too. Now I want to find out what some of them are. There were some I had never heard of.....

Here are the rules:

Look at the list of books below.
*Bold the ones you’ve read (bold and italicized I’ve read multiple times)
*Italicize the ones you want to read
*leave alone the ones that you aren’t interested in.

Here is the list:
1.The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2.Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3.To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10.A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11.Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12.Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13.Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie(Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True(Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolsoy)
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth(Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100.Ulysses (James Joyce)

But It's A Dry Heat

Let's get real. I grew up in Alabama in the age of window air conditioners. I know humidity. Trust me, I've done humidity.

90% humidity in Abilene, Texas - What's up with that??!!

Proud Mama

Kenny is a winner! He participated in an Arts contest at school and won in the Visual Arts category for 3rd - 5th grades. Here he is describing his picture of a knight fighting a dragon. Honestly, to me, it looked like any number of drawings he does all the time. You could see something similar after Sunday worship services on any given Sunday. But the judges saw something that they liked. I say bully for Kenny!

Just so Tammy knows: I had the hardest time getting him to wear that outfit. And, heaven forbid, he had to take a bath before we went to the awards ceremony. What he didn't realize is that I gave in on not tucking in the shirt and wearing khakis!

Kenny also was given the part of one of the dancers in his upcoming 3rd grade show. He had mentioned that he wanted to do it and he was so proud when he was chosen. He explained to me that he will be dancing with a girl and none of the other boys wanted to do it. So, he volunteered. He told me that his music teacher said, "I already had you down, Kenny." In a very weary voice. Apparently she knew who would be willing to showboat.

Jim and I were less than excited to hear that none of the girls wanted to dance with him. Now we understand that 3rd graders have boy/girl issues but Kenny told us that the little girl who ended up dancing with him that day (I don't know about the show) was paid one dollar. Good grief, how much will a prom cost us?!

Books, Books, Books

It's Here! We are being encouraged to make a list of our reading for this spring - starting today!

What will it be? Romance, Business, Biography, Classic, Religion...? Have you given it any thought? Have you decided what your family should be reading? That's tougher for me - my hubby never follows my suggestions. He reads his books and I read mine. Kenny has just started the 6th Harry Potter book. He reads it with one of us every night.

I have a extensive list on Amazon that I will probably add to when I see what everyone else is reading but these are some of my favorites.

So on with the list!

Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamont - I expect to finish this soon. I'm actually reading it concurrently with Walk in the Woods (oops!) I'll probably pick up another of hers soon.

The Chili Queen by Sandra Dallas - Not an author I usually read by I saw this on someone else's blog and it sounded funny. I like funny.

The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresa - My mom read this and loved it. Sounds good.

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller - I've had this on my list for awhile - sounds interesting.

Water for Elephants by Sara Greun - fiction

Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali - autobiograpghy of a Somali Muslim

That's all for now. I will try to make it though these by June 21. Go over to Callapidder Days and check out her Mr. Linky to see what every one else has on their list....

Livin On Love

When I was a kid, my dad forced us to listen to Country and Western music on the car radio. You remember the days when the car radio was all there was in the car? No DVD player? When there was an AM but no FM? Maybe that's too far back. That was his favorite and he was driving - and there ya are.

I remember some of those songs. I remember when we got old enough to understand some of the lyrics. "I can tell you've never been this far before" or "Take the ribbon from your hair" or maybe "And when we get behind closed doors" One or two became family jokes and we all sang along.

The singing is the important part. I grew up in the church of Christ where it was acapella - all the time. My daddy was a song leader and our whole family sang (my mom's part is also or so she's always said.) So we all sang along in the car with the Country music - I would say that "Daddy sang bass, Mama sang tenor" but my dad sang lead most of the time. Us kids were the harmony when we got old enough.

I was thinking about all this when we were driving back from Ft. Worth last week. Jim and I found a "Country Gold" station and we were just singing along! I loved it. (It's always a treat for me to hear my hubby sing or to sing along with him.) You should have heard us singing "She's a broken lady waiting to be mended." It reminded me of riding with my family and, even though I didn't know it, I was perfecting my harmony. Those country songs are full of harmony and I've been hearing it for years.

There's lots of talk about getting too far away from our acapella heritage. About our kids growing up without being able to sing the hymns or harmonies like we can. Perhaps we should switch it over to the country station every once in awhile?

Don't forget that tomorrow we start the Spring Reading Thing! Have your list ready to post in the comments!

Promised Pictures

45 minutes waiting in line - just to get in! Kenny seems excited.....

This was taken after I told Jim I had to sit - I needed a break from the hoards of kids running around. Check out that sincere smile on Abbie.

Here are the kids digging in the sand outside searching for fossils. They didn't find any.

All smile cause the looong tour was over!

This is the spot that Abbie found to walk under while fossil digging.

This was taken at the Cowgirl Museum. They had a special exhibit on Hawaiian cowgirls.

Report From the Front

Well, here it is the end of Spring Break. Finally. Today I started to think about how summer would be - taking kids somewhere, washing some kid's clothing, making sure some kid has food to eat.... But tonight they are watching a movie, Yeah!

On Wednesday, Jim and I took the kids to the children's museum in Fort Worth. Approximately half the population of Ft. Worth had the same idea, imagine. The museum was okay. It was too crowded for my taste. Let's face it - I've become a small-town gal. Kenny and Abbie were a little crowded, too, or maybe they were responding to me. In one of the exhibits, I had to leave.

Surely there some kind of fire code about too many people in one little space? Right?

The IMAX was pretty good. We saw some cave movie and Abbie fell asleep. Let me just state for the record that Abbie has fallen asleep in every IMAX movie she's ever seen! Oh yeah, the IMAX was sold out. "Could you move to down so the people who come in late can sit on the end?" Sure. Just because my family and I stood in line....

But I want to tell you about the good thing we saw. The National Cowgirl Museum. It was great! It's right across the street and the price is included in the other one's price. We went there after suffering though the Museum of Science and History and it was so worth it. I would have gone there first if I had had any idea how wonderful it was. Good exhibits for us and the kids. The building is beautiful. Even the gift store was inviting. Go there.

I'm working on posting some pictures but I haven't quite finished. Check back later.

One more great thing about this trip. I can now drive myself to Hulen Mall, one terrific fabric store, a SuperTarget, TJ Maxx, and Pei Wei. That made it all worthwhile.

Sunscreen - It Isn't Just For The Pool Anymore

Only 2 hours at the park yesterday and I got sunburn! It was bad enough to send me to the Evil Empire for "AfterBurn" at 9:00 last night. At least it's on the bottom of my legs where I never get any sun.....

Who Ya Gonna Choose?

I found this website though Mark Elrod (at Harding) and thought it was cool. It is supposed to show you who would most likely vote for. Thank goodness, Hilary was down on my list!

It is apparent that I vote personalities. I don't much like Giuliani and wouldn't vote him. I'm pretty sure we don't need our president going though a divorce while in office. I would chose almost anybody over Hilary. But, you know, I'm part of the "right-wing conspiracy." I didn't vote for Bill way back in the 80's in Arkansas either. I was working for "the Man" even then.

Check it out - it's only 20 months until you have to vote!

You Know I Love a Good Book!

It's time to start reading again! I know that most people pick up a book to go to the pool/beach but spring is the time to renew! Time to re-start! Time to re-think your Reading List!

Katrina over at Callapidder Days has issued a Spring Reading Thing hoping to encourage you to get into reading this spring. On March 21st, she will add a Mr. Linky to her site so you can see what everyone else is reading. Maybe you will see something that you must be reading!

This is your heads up. I'll re-post on March 21st because that's when the Reading Thing starts and then you can go over there to see what everyone else is reading between March 21st and June 21st. On that day, you may choose to put your titles in my comments sestion or on your blog. I'll keep the cute picture in my side bar to remind you to choose a book (or two, or three.)

To All the Beauticans in Abilene:

1. Yes, I've been known to color my own hair! It comes from a box that I've bought (usually) at the Evil Empire. It may be Nice N Easy but this last time I had a coupon - I bought some other kind. It was still Clairol, though, so I felt pretty safe. Maybe if you would give me a coupon for $2 off I could afford you. Although if would still be more than I usually pay for a pair of shoes. To further throw you off - Jim has been known to add the highlights. I buy another box - again, the Evil Empire - and Jim "paints" my hair. It turns out ok. Someone asked if Jim is artistic - no, he's very precise. It comes out nice and even - usually. There was that unfortunate over blondeing but, professional, you've had some of them, too!


2. Yes, I've cut Abbie's hair, too. It doesn't come back as good as Jim's coloring but what am I supposed to do? I pay a lower price for a blunt-cut bob and it comes out crooked. I pay for a high-priced blunt-cut bob and it takes 5 minutes but costs the same as dinner at Outback! So when you see my daughter - don't comment on her cut.


3. Yes, I've given myself a manicure! I didn't realize that OPI really needs a base coat. I did make you work harder to get the color off but I gave you a 20% tip! Come 'on!


4. Speaking of tips - Again, I apologize for being 20 minutes late. I simply had the wrong time in my head. I thank you, thank you, thank you, for getting me in later that same day. I hadn't even washed my hair! That's why I gave you that nice little tip - without even having styled my hair.


5. Yes, again, my hubby paints my toenails. I love a pedicure but sometimes I have to spend my money on bread or milk. They usually look ok but my heels may need a little extra care. That's just the way it goes.


6. Lastly, I know you're busy!! I try to make my appointments 4 to 6 weeks in advance! But I have been known to wish for you to have a cancellation. And I've been known to step out on a limb and ask you if you have a cancellation. Don't be so insulted! Be proud that you're so good I'm dying to get in to see you!

Funny Stuff

Starting out this morning early! Sometimes sleep alludes me and I think I could read on the computer without interruption or guilt.

Check out some good links:

Tammy has decided to take pictures without people in them and they are great! You can link here or you can access though her blog. Check out the link "Town Texas" at right. I'm sure Tammy can make money off of these pics and I'm trying to find a way - any ideas?

This was entirely too funny. It is all-girl so be warned if you're reading this and thinking about what's on the History Channel. Sarah has already posted this link on her blog but I couldn't stand it! Every female should read it! Testify!

There's more to say but, for now, I must read my filled up Bloglines while everyone is still sleeping....

Edited to add: Oh. My. Goodness. This video is too funny, too. Abbie doing the rapping is funny, too.

But wait there's more: I fixed the links for Tammy's pictures. You can now use either link. Happy Linking....

TGIF!

The conventional wisdom is that people post on their blogs during the week. They are slackers at their desks and trying to stay awake. I, on the other hand, like to post on the weekends. I seem to have more time. I have been checking my email and I've gotten to some of the sweet people who have stopped by my party but that's all I've done this week. You should have seen my Bloglines!

So don't give up on me during the week - come back on Friday or Saturday. I'm here.

Yesterday, at school, could only be described, as the worst day ever! I skipped the jalapenos and went right to the french fries. I came home, napped, took a bath and then I was able to talk to Jim about it. As I told him - no, I wasn't fired and, no, no one cussed me out - it was just overwhelming. He took me out to Red Robin (I sing it whenever I say it - so do my children) and, of course, they have bottomless french fries. I did not succumb to the shake though - bully for me!

Well, it's on to Spring Break. If any child needs a sp*nking, I can and will administer it! Dadgum it! I feel better just putting that into words. (Yes, we live in a world that requires I use an asterisk in that word so I won't get freaks on my blog.)

Lastly, under the category of stuff I've been thinking about - something I saw on Oprah awhile back. The guest (I don't remember) asked everyone to come up with 5 words that describe your marriage. I took on the challenge. It was hard to come up with 5 words - really. How to describe something that has become my life? I think about it whenever I hear those commericals for that "let's find the love of our life" site.

My first word was loving. We both used that word rather quickly - I figure we've said it before. Doesn't that just about cover it? Isn't that what we all want?

What are your five words?

Disclaimer: I realize I have unmarried readers. This small portion was not intended to make you feel uncomfortable. I love you all, too. I would hope that God leads you to the mate that may make you feel loved. If that is not in God's plan (it may not be,) I pray for you to find that feeling in God Himself and - just know - that puts you ahead of some of us. LOVE YOU!

Preschool Blues

Work day is over. I'm at the computer attempting to have sensible thoughts while answering emails. I'm also eating jalapenos from a jar - that tell ya anything?

Welcome To My Blogging Party!

Did you hear there's a party going on? At 5 Minutes for Mom they are throwing a party and yall are invited! Everybody knows how much I love to give/go to a party so - I'm hosting over here in my little part of the Web.

Come on in and have some Sunny Spring Lemonade. This was published in Southern Living (of course) by a nice lady from my old church in Birmingham. That's where I grew up, ya know. I'm actually from the NE side of town (not Hoover like on MTV) that has become very cool to live in right now. My niece and nephews play baseball, football, basketball, etc. with the kids of people I went to school with - freaky, huh?

I married a Texan and even though I'm not from here, I got here as fast as I could. Now, this is one of my favorite dips, Tex-Mex Black Bean Dip. It's actually from Cooking Light magazine (another publication of Southern Living, of course) and only has 42 calories per serving. Now the chips are fattening, but the dip isn't! Jim and I had both our children before moving here but they think they are Texans now. Good grief, Kenny (3rd grade) has to say the Texas Pledge to the Texas state flag every morning! They indoctrinate them early here in the Lone Star State!
Abbie gets to experience that next fall when she goes to kindergarten! Can't wait! You know how they have some kind of tearful breakfast for the moms of kindergartners? I plan to wave to all of them on my way to have coffee with my friends!

You should try this Grilled Corn Salsa, yes, it's Southern Living, too! I had Jim grill the corn last night and it gives the corn such a good flavor. Did I tell yall that my friends and I have started a new ministry? It's called The Coffee Group and we go around and speak at retreats and ladies days and spread the good news of good friends and God's working in our lives.

That's why I blog and had yall over - to show that friendships are God-given and fun. These women of mine have and will see me through thick and thin. I can depend on them for cleaning and prayer. We've done both. Oh yeah, TPing, too. While we were on vacation, they came over and did our house up right! They said my neighbors stood and watched them. It makes me feel safer just knowing my neighbors care that much!

I'm so glad you came over. We can't go too long or the party gets boring. Unless you wanna stay longer? You can keep reading any previous posts - they're all out there. Be sure to try to get to some of the other parties, too. It's alot but maybe you can.

Go to the Recipe Swap listed in the links for all the recipes mentioned here. Plus lots more! Love ya for coming!

Edited to add: I'm number 513! That was my mailbox number at Harding! That feels lucky! Hey, if you made it this far down the list - BULLY!

Ditto's Ditherings

I'm so glad that yesterday is over! I worked at school and then worked at Dittos for Kiddos - I came home about 11:30. I also got to go to Wal-Mart after picking Kenny up at school. Happy, happy, joy, joy.

Last night at Dittos, I was wishing for my camera. I realize that I'm not supposed to post pictures of folks without asking, but I saw some funny stuff! My favorite was the lady with her shopping buggy and the 16x20 picture of a giraffe perched on top. Apparently somebody really wanted that picture!

A lady bought a large, outside dollhouse (that I thought was overpriced by my friend.) When she came to the back door to pick it up, I admit I was curious.

Me: "So, you already have a bunch of play furniture to go in it?"
Buyer: "No, I have 3 boys."
Me: "They are gonna be super-excited to get a 3-foot-tall faded pink dollhouse. They are gonna wanna know why you didn't buy them all a new dress. Either that or they are all gay and you're okay with that." (Maybe I just thought this to myself." "3 boys?"
Buyer: "It's for our church."
Me: "Thanks for shopping with us (big smile.)"

At 9:00 the sale becomes open to the public and, bless em, all these kooks (read about later) come in with their children. I'm just glad I didn't have to teach all those kids who were in line when I left at 11:00. Why do parents do this their children? There were also, bless em, all these couples with the little pregnant wife trying to find a deal. I really wished I had given one of these people my guest pass - then they could have come in at 7:00.

Lastly were the couples who strolled in at 10:00, 10:30, like it was a date. "Babe, let's go over to this sale and see what they have!" He says, "Sure." But he's thinking, "What do I get outta this?" Are you single? Are you dating? No man enjoys going to a consignment sale for fun! This is true. No matter what they tell you - they don't enjoy it.

Supermom and Her Denim

Go over and read this post by my old friend Lisa. I think she's getting it right....

Anna posted a picture of the dust storm. If you live outta town, check out what we were eating on Saturday!

Bargains, Bargains, Bargains!

Go to Dillard's!! If you have any money or if you can steal from your food envelope, go check out the bargains! All the clearance is another 30% off and there were lots of clothes on clearance.

Examples: unlined denim jacket for Kenny - $5.25, fleece pullover for Kenny - $2.63, reversible jacket for Abbie - $4.38

I couldn't have gotten it for less at Dittos for Kiddos! And this stuff was brand new! It has made me glad (clap, clap.)

******************************************

Also at Dillard's - the most beautiful pair of shoes I've ever laid eyes on! My heart is beating faster just thinking about them! Is this wrong? It feels wrong.... Imagine them in chocolate brown patent leather. Ohhhhh!


If these are wrong, I don't wanna be right.

Not a bargain. $175

Wesnesday Wanderings

I'm at my computer with a cup of coffee and all is right with the world. I usually like to be here earlier but I had to make the bed, eat breakfast, start the laundry, etc.

I finished reading The Thirteenth Tale and loved it! A work of fiction based on a writer of novels. It had me hooked early and I didn't guess the ending until I got there! That doesn't happen so often (I'm sure Jim would have figured it out. He always gets the ending of a show) so it was surprising. Oh, how I love a good story. On TV or in a book, I just want to come back for more.

Speaking of good stories: Lost is on tonight. I like that story - I know it's driving some people crazy but it has become a book that I can put down. I'm always happy when I pick it up again. Now, 24 is like a book that someone takes from me and keeps for 7 days then lets me read just a small part of until they take it back.

In the interest of full disclosure: I am reading A Walk in the Woods but I'm also reading the Texas Monthly that came in the mail yesterday. I am also going to be doing some sewing so I need a book that will be ready for me when I need to read but easy to put down when I need to sew (compare with the show Boston Legal.) So it will take me awhile to finish and I wanna spend the big bucks and get Traveling Mercies. That book seems to be calling me.

I really want to write about kooks in our churches but I haven't the time. Maybe next time.....

That's Why We Sing

I went back to St. Andrew about once a month. No one tried to con me into sitting down or staying. I always left before the sermon. I loved singing, even about Jesus, but I just didn’t want to be preached at about him. To me, Jesus made about as much sense as Scientology or dowsing. But the church smelled wonderful, like the air had nourishment in it, or like it was composed of these people’s exhalations of warmth and faith and peace.

There were always children running around or being embraced, and a gorgeous
stick-thin deaf black girl signing to her mother, hearing the songs and the
Scriptures through her mother’s flashing fingers. ….And every other week they
brought huge tubs of great food for the homeless families living at the shelter
near the canal to the north. I loved this. But it was the singing that pulled me
in a split me wide open.

I could sing better here than I ever had before. As part of these
people, even though I stayed in the doorway, I did not recognize my voice or
know where it was coming from, but sometimes I felt like I could sing forever.

Eventually, a few months after I started coming, I took a seat in one
of the folding chairs, off by myself. Then the singing enveloped me. It was
furry and resonant, coming from everyone’s very heart. There was no sense of
performance or judgment, only that the music was breath and food. Something
inside me that was stiff and rotting would feel soft and tender. Somehow the
singing wore down all the boundaries and distinctions that kept me so isolated.
Sitting there, standing with them to sing, sometimes so shaky and sick that I
felt like I might tip over, I felt bigger than myself, like I was being taken
care of, tricked into coming back to life. But I had to leave before the
sermon.

Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamont

This is why I sing on the Praise Team - for the person who hears it in their heart.

Free At Last, Free At Last

Funniest story to come out of the Ladies Retreat at church.

We were at one of the local hotels and the hotel had a Happy Hour. Most do, of course. We were also lucky enough that our retreat organizers had 4 students there from the local beauty college giving manicures.

Best buy in Abilene: A facial from the Beauty School (on Sayles and S. 1st.) Walk-ins are taken and it only costs $10! It's a wonderful pick-me-up!

Anyway.

The students were in a different room, set up at 4 different stations, working on ladies' nails. I saw one of the ladies when I got there getting her mani - I said hey and got my name on the list for my turn!! Later this same woman made a comment about getting her free glass of wine during Happy Hour - she was sad that several of us couldn't get our glass because we weren't staying there. Wasn't that thoughtful?

Yep. She'd had her free glass while getting her nails done.

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36 -

Punked!

So, last night I was sitting at home and my phone rings. I see on the caller ID that it's my friend - who hates to call folks - so I know she has something important to ask or tell me. Imagine my surprise to hear a voice tell me I have won "1 million Coke-a-colas." I talk to the jokester for a few minutes and figure out my buddy isn't coming to the phone and the kid doesn't want to talk to my kid. I've been crank-called.

Well, at least they didn't ask if my refrigerator was running. I guess they hadn't heard that one yet.

Anyhoo, Jim and I laughed for a minute and thought of all the crank calls that we thought were so funny. (Jim: in the middle of the night say, "I'm up for a sandwich. What are you up for?")

Then I called my friend, the Mom. She wasn't laughing. I think she wanted any anger taken out on her children, who had already confessed to her, rather than on her. She had informed her children that most people had Caller ID. Duh.

I'm thinking I may call them back and ask for my "1 million Coke-a-colas." In a disguised voice.

Salt and Light

You know, WATS Day is coming up at the end of April. I read this article and it made me think of WATS Day. How willing are we to get into someone else's life? Would we (I) want to be this ladies friend? Or even just someone who comes over and helps her clean? What about taking responsibility for her car? Just one of them?

I don't know what I would do. This story made me want to go over there with trash bags, rubber gloves, and a few other people to at least make the trash go away. She lives faraway from here but there have to be people like this in Abilene. I think of Jim's grandaddy that had newspapers stacked up at the door. How easy it would have been to haul them off. Then there was Tammy's grandmother, whose house I had the privilege of helping to clean.

This morning Phil talked again about us being salt and light (Matthew 5:13-14) Oh, don't we want to be salt! Don't we want to get out of our comfort zones and change our world! Don't we want to shed some light in the dark! Don't we want to be more than just church-goers!

Father, we pray that You make us salt in a tasteless, Godless world. We ask you to make our hearts see the lost as your children looking for Home. May we this week be a light in the darkness of sin. Lead us to teach our children to be light, too. Forgive our past of looking to just ourselves and our own little world. Let us see those around us as you see them.

Finished One and On To Another

I finished the book Born on a Blue Day. Not exactly finished but stopped. It was a 7 day book (at the library) and I didn't care enough about the ending to let it be overdue.

That sums it up, right?

Interesting autobiography written by a man with Asperger Syndrome (all I could think about was that guy from Boston Legal.) I did think of the autistic kids I've had in the past and, especially, the little guy I had in class last year. The writer did get bogged down telling us about his numbers. Three pages on his made-up solitaire game - I skipped part of it. Interesting enough - especially if you're curious about autism and how the brain works.

Just Checking In

It's been a week here. Nothing too exciting - just a week.

• Yeah, I'm still alive, Tammy. She just wanted to make sure.
• Valentine's Day came and went. We didn't make great pancakes, cards or anything else. The kids made valentines for their friends and I had a party at school. Does this make us bad people? Jim and I are going out tonight to celebrate. Or to have dinner without the children. Whichever works. (Having said that, I hope no one comes in and steals my computer. It has lots of important stuff on it.)
• Someone asked if I got any great stuff from my kids at school - well. It was sweet. And, no, I didn't send anything to school for their teachers. Abbie's teachers both got a piece of gum and a tattoo (that I'm sure is still on them!) Kenny's teacher got to live though the day without asking Kenny to "pull a card." That's enough - trust me.
• I was excited to get asked to sing on Praise Team on Wednesday night. I had finally been called up to the "Show!" I got there early, I had on appropriate clothing (you have to ask in person if you want more info) - I was ready! They didn't need me unless I was willing to sing soprano. Ewww. Now, when that one song went south, into the basement, I could have sung soprano but that was the only song. Back to the Minors.
• Interesting that I would call Sunday morning "the Minors" and Wednesday night "the Show," huh?
• Pajama Day at the preschool - I felt like a slacker wearing my pjs all day. I never had to change not even to go to bed. The kiddos were cute in their tight pajamas. These skinny legs and big ole shoes.
• Watched 24. That show is so great - how could they make it any better? And Jack's dad (the farmer from Babe, yall!) is so evil. He'll probably make it the entire season and then escape - Jack will have to hunt him down.
• Watched Lost. I love Desmond (played Jesus and ended up on our big screen at church) and his story is fabulous. Is Charlie really going to die? C'mon! Where's Sayid? I love to look at him.

That just about catches yall up. Just a week. Nothing too exciting - Oh, did I mention the police coming to my house? Maybe tomorrow.

Sunday Stuff

One of the bonuses of singing on the Praise Team is standing on the stage. I get to see sooooo much. Sometimes it's funny and sometimes it's just sweet. Yesterday wasn't any different.

I saw a couple sitting in the back of the building next to each other. Not too strange, right? He has recently stopped their divorce proceedings and she has prayed though this difficult time. It was so wonderful to me to see them sitting next to each other with their kids there, too. I don't know what's going to happen with this family but I saw God working in their marriage yesterday.

I saw a 78-year-old whose wife lives in a nursing home with his head bowed and hands raised. We were singing "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." I thought of his life that has been devoted to God. Of his move here away from all his old friends. I thought of his wife and how much he wanted her there with him.

I saw one grandpa holding his grandson. Then I saw that Grandma had gotten the baby. She was snuggling him like he was the best thing ever. It was so sweet. I saw that their daughter is getting a little tummy - she's having another.

These are the stories I know. Imagine how many more there were in that audience. Stories of faith and love. Stories of forgiveness and hope. It's makes the rehearsals and the early mornings worthwhile.

Oh yeah, I saw yall grinning at me, too. It's always so fun to see the smiles on yall's faces.

Water, Water, Everywhere

I know I'm not the first person to think of this

but

wouldn't it be cool if we could just put all this in Lake Fort Phantom? Or even just a small portion?

That's Why We Have Rules, People!

I work in a Mother's Day Out. It has it's own challenges - one of which is Sick Day. Our program has a guideline that children must be fever-free for 24 hours before coming to school. If the child has thrown-up, the child must go 24 hours before returning to school.

These guidelines are for the well-being of the other children and I try to follow them. These are the guidelines I use when sending my child to elementary school, too. It's also so the teachers won't become infected and take it home to their own children.

Why do so many parents ignore these guidelines? Why do so many parents think their child doesn't have to follow these rules? Why do so many kids cough their lungs out all over me?

I've been blessed to not work or work part-time ever since my kids were born. So, I don't know the struggle of the working mom (or dad) that has to leave work to take care of their sick child. It's difficult I'm sure but no teacher wants to be sick, infect their own child (because of yours,) or see every other child in their room be infected. When a child is coughing like crazy in a small, enclosed space, all that teacher (or maybe just me) can see is the germs flying out into the air.

I don't want to condemn working parents - just parents who drop their children off at school (or day care or the babysitter) sick. Don't make us the bad guy who has to diagnose your child.

Whew! That's a load off my chest - at least I wasn't coughing.

*******************************************

I finished The Historian. I really liked the book and vampire books usually are too scary for me. My mom asked me if that was the book I couldn't read at night because it was too scary - yes, it was. The story reached a point that I didn't feel that Dracula would pop out at any time and I was able to read it at night. Very engrossing. Very hard to put down.

Read it if you dare.....

Where's Lost?

I'm ready to watch Lost again tonight. These long haituses between the fall and the spring are annoying. They take some of the excitment out of the story line. Instead of creating momentum, it slows it down. I'm sure that after watching tonight, I'll be ready for the rest of the story! But, please, can we have story and not the sex?

Tonight at 9:00 Set your Tivo, DVR, or VCR!

One More

Maybe you don't need one more blog in your life - but, yall, it's Beth Moore! Not everyone likes her - I get that - but it's Beth Moore! On her blog! Writing with her daughter!

Cursing the Darkness

6:30 - Feed both kids grilled cheese sandwichs. They both eat pretty well. Jim and I eat a big salad and some chicken.

9:00 - Both kids go to bed and fall fast asleep quickly. That's just the way we like it....

10:15 - Jim and I watch 24 on tape. Jack Bauer was killing me - struggling with his emotions while torturing his brother. Yikes!

11:30 - I fall asleep on my nice, clean sheets. Just the right temperature - wonderful.

12:20 - Kenny comes out to Jim (watching the History Channel) and says he feels queasy. Kenny throws up all the way to the bathroom.

12:22 - Jim wakes me up to help with Kenny. Kenny changes clothes, I clean the bathroom, and Kenny goes back to bed.

12:30 and following - Jim and I use the Spot Shot on the worst spots. The Jim gets out the carpet cleaning attachments and begins to clean the carpet on the way to the bathroom. Let me just say here that Spot Shot is a great carpet cleaner! That stuff has cleaned some of the worst carpet stains ever and I always have it on hand. I put all the yucky clothes in the washer.

1:08 - The Sopranos have gone off of A&E and I'm finally ready to go back to bed. Jim and I get into those wonderful crisp sheets again.

1:58 - Abbie wakes me up standing right next to my bed. "Are you sick, sweetie?" Shakes head, no. "Do you need to throw up?" Shakes head no. "Did you have a bad dream?" Nods yes. (Bare in mind that the vacuum has run and she slept through it.) I fix Abbie her pallet on our floor (4 extra pillows and a blanket) and we all go to sleep again.

3:02 - Abbie rolls over into a bag on the floor and wakes me up. These things happen. Then she sits up and..... Well, you guessed it. She is much more considerate and uses mostly the blanket - not as much on the carpet. Jim uses the Spot Shot again and I start another load in the washer. Abbie chooses to go get in her own bed. I think to myself that at least now I'm for sure staying home. I'm not leaving 2 sick kids at Mimi's.

So the kids and I are at home today. The sunshine is wonderful and I love having a washer and dryer. And Spot Shot.

Super Bowl, Part 3

I was always taught that if you had a 1 and a 2, you must have a 3. The same rule applies for an A and a B, you must have a C. So......

Check out this link! It has all the Super Bowl commercials on it - or at least the funny ones. I've been laughing my head off. Yeah, it doesn't take much.

"You can't judge things by their names. Right, Harry? Ilean? Joy?"

"Try dragging it. Faster"

"Spicy. Cheesy. Crunchy."

"Last one standing gets a promotion."

"No speak English"

Super Bowl, Part 2

I gotta tell yall that I'm a college football girl. That's how football is played in Alabama. We have no pro team in the state and, generally, we hate Atlanta (the city, the Falcons, the traffic, etc.) So when I married my Cowboys-lovin' hubby, I was forced to watch Pro Football. He doesn't make me sit though as many games anymore but I'm still not generally a fan.

Except the Super Bowl.

I usually only watch for the commercials. The games are often boring. It always seems to be about the "stars" sitting in the stands (who cares?) The teams make little plays (I'm all about the big plays.)

Last night was the exception! Wasn't that a great game?! I thought pro-players didn't make that many turnovers! And they had to play in the rain! These guys make the big bucks - it was nice to see them earn it. I really enjoyed the game and, of course, my nice Southern boy, Peyton was fantastic! Who knew Pro Football could be so fun?

By the way, Stephanie's hubby is a fireman so I guess he knows about rain and electrocution. Although I have to agree that Prince looks as good as 1980 - that's impressive. Maybe it was the Little Richard head wrap?

Super Bowl, Part 1

Prince has still got it! He had me up and dancing! He can flat play that guitar and ooooo, Purple Rain.....

Did any one's husband comment on the potential electrocution with all that standing water on stage? And all those wires and electric guitars?

His mind works in a mysterious way.

What Cha Readin?

Amy asked me what books I have my list for this year. I can't make a list - something will come up I'm sure. Like another title. I saw a great suggestion on Boomama's blog to make a wishlist on Amazon and use it whenever you go to the library! Some folks are just smart! I've done that. I'll continue to add to the list whenever I hear of another interesting title.

Are you interested in the list?

Lifeguarding: A Memoir of Secrets, Swimming, and the South - Catherine McCall I actually got this off of Amy's list

The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century -Thomas L. Friedman

Bee Season: A Novel - Myla Goldberg

All the Fishes Come Home to Roost: An American Misfit in India - Rachel Manija Brown

For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men - Shaunti Feldhahn

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (Official Guides to the Appalachian Trail) - Bill Bryson

Take Flight! (Sisterchicks in the Word) - Robin Jones Gunn, Cindy Hannan There are several books in this series - I wanna check 'em out.

Worms in My Tea: And Other Mixed Blessings - Becky Freeman, Ruthie Arnold

The End of the Affair - Graham Greene

Prep: A Novel - Curtis Sittenfeld

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality - Donald Miller

Water for Elephants: A Novel - Sara Gruen

Rift in Time (Rift in Time #1) - Michael R. Phillips You mean there's a time travel book that I haven't read?

The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary Into Extraordinary - Joseph Michelli

The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel -Diane Setterfield

Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith - Anne Lamott

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J. K. Rowling I'll be reading this one on Jim's birthday since that's the day it comes out!

Now I'm reading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova and I can barely put it down! It's about Vlad Drakula so I'm having a hard time at night.....

Just Because You Need To Know

Well, it's unusual but I have lots to write about! But you don't have the time or patience to read it all so I'll pick and choose.

Since we had procrastinated in joining FPU, we didn't have a kit. At church everyone was asked to pay $90 to pay for the kit - you need the kit for the lessons. I mentioned to the guy leading the sessions that we would like to come and he told me (very nicely) that our kit would have to be ordered special and we would have to pay the shipping. That would raise the price to $100. Yikes!

I came home and went on Ebay to see if I could find a kit there. Sunday afternoon. There were 3 worth bidding on - one was about $72, one was $50, and another for $30. I wanted the kit yesterday! the $30 had be erased in - no. The $50 was still in wrapper but the auction ended today (Wednesday.) The $72 one had never been opened. It was offered by Dave Ramsey's Ebay Store and auction closed in 55 minutes! I bid on it and I got it! I've already received email confirmation that it's been shipped and should be here as early as today! $86.37 with shipping.

Dave Ramsey loves a bargain. I feel like I got one!

*******************************************

BooMama has asked for reading suggestions and she got over 100! I made a list of 11 - only 3 I had heard of before. If you're looking for something to read, you might check out the comments to find a new title. Or just pick up The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. LOVE IT!

******************************************

Jim is doing a little home improvement. I'm working on posting some pictures but I'm not ready to show the final product. Let me just say - the walls have been painted yellow! Yellow makes me happy.

******************************************

I wanted to write about this video on YouTube. I have linked yall to the shorter version so you don't have to hear all the cuss words out of these girls mouths. (No home training!) She has 1 hour until her wedding and she does what? Fact: when we're in crisis we shouldn't make drastic hair decisions. Fact.

Financial Peace Now!

Yep, we started Financial Peace University last night at church. Have you already given up on your New Year's resolution? This is the only one I made - Get control over our money! I told Jim that '07 was our year! He has spent the last 11 years trying to do it alone and, surprise, it hasn't happened. So, I'm actually committing to doing my part to "make my money work for me."

A little history: I had been single and taking care of myself for about 10 years before we got married. I hadn't done a good job but I was the one doing it. I hated it! Money always stressed me out - I knew all I needed was more. When we married, I told Jim that he would have to be the one to do all the money stuff and I didn't want anything to do with it. It worked okay for us when I was earning 29K a year and we had no children. When I quit working and had Kenny, it started to be somewhat inefficient. Is anyone surprised by that?!

I clung to the belief that I could continue to be a non-participant in our finances. It hasn't been working well.

If only to make me talk out loud about money, I have pushed us into Financial Peace University. Jim was willing to go and he's looking forward to the videos about future planning. I, on the other hand, am taking "baby steps." So far, Dave Ramsey keeps quoting Sarah. I'm pretty sure I've heard these mantras before from her.

My favorites so far:

"Baby steps" - This is really big for me - it seems so overwhelming. Last night we talked about wills, for goodness sakes! Baby steps, baby steps....

"Make your money work for you" - That's right, dadgum it! I can tell my money what to do!!!

"A budget isn't a straight jacket" - You mean I have some flexibility! There can be movement in a budget?! Yes.

"Cash flow plan" - Not the evil - budget. It's about where my cash goes - cash flow plan. See, isn't that better?

Spark Your Brain

Ya know, it's that time of year when I start thinking of creating. The cold weather makes me feel home bound and I'm getting antsy wanting to be working on a project. These are some pj's I made for Abbie after Christmas. I changed the pattern a little to make it easier on me (I love when I can do that!) and it was the first time to work on this slippery fabric.

Didn't they turn out cute? I'm pretty sure this is a model pose - I've tried to tell her she isn't tall enough to model. I'm trying to convince her to grow up and be a doctor/nurse/teacher (these are all things she has previously expressed an interest in) but she wants some glory job. Yall, she's about to be off Raven so she'll quit talking about being a fashion designer!

Let me encourage yall to do something creative to spark your brain out of the winter doldrums! I'm thinking about Easter....

Abilene Oddities

In continuation of some of the weird stuff in Abilene, I give you "Winter Holiday" This person just put up Thanksgiving, Christmas and a snowman all at the same time. I had to snap a shot!

Way to cover all your bases!

Yall Friendly

It has come to my attention that this may not be a family-friendly blog. What!!?? Me, not family-friendly??!! I love the family. I'm usually friendly to those families that I meet. Well, maybe not the hordes that all come to Wal-Mart at the same time, but who is?

The truth is I'm not trying to be read by everyone in your family. This is an adult blog. There I said it. If you're reading this you should be grown-up, things like bills, grumpy kids, perimenopause, good-looking 40 year olds, and my hair color shouldn't be interesting to anyone under 18.

So, sorry if your workplace won't let you access my blog. Go home and log in. Although, there didn't seem to be a problem for the guy who worked for General Motors on a Saturday. He found me with some creepy search that lead to Abbie without pan**es. Then there was the guy at some bank in Manhattan that got here with a "men in pant**hose" search.

********************************

I saw a funny video and laughed out loud! Go over and check it out.....

One more thing - ok, two more:

Hillary's "in it to win it."- yeah, not if I have anything to write about it!

Go Colts! I love Payton Manning and that was some exciting football! If the Super Bowl is anything like that game against New England, it will be worth watching! Even I got into it!

Sunday Six

I've decided to start playing a blog game - Sunday Six. I found this though Nicole (I'm giving her all the credit) and I thought it might be fun. The writer will post the questions and my children will provide the answers.

Kenny's first....
1. How many colors are there? 16 No, 21. (He had been counting on his fingers)

2. Can you name some colors? white, red, chartreuse, pink , yellow, purple, blue, violet, orange that's it that's enough

3. What is your favorite colors? Red

4. Where do we get colors? water and sunlight

5. Who made all the colors in the world? God

6. Name something colorful. Rainbow

Now it's Abbie's turn....

1. How many colors are there? Alot

2. Can you name some colors? purple, green, yellow, red, even dark red, pink, oh, and orange black

3. What is your favorite colors? All the colors of the rainbow

4. Where do we get colors? We get colors from everywhere from the supermarket from balloons at the supermarket. We get colors to paint with colors of crayons even mirrors and different colors of wigs

5. Who made all the colors in the world? Jesus and God

6. Name something colorful. The rainbow

Oh, No She Di-in't

Just one more sign that the country is going to hell in a handbasket!

Variations On A Theme

• Sit in your chair.
• Keep your bottom in your chair.
• We are sitting in our chairs now.
• Where are you supposed to be?
• Look at ______, he/she is sitting in his/her chair.
• I need everyone sitting in their chair.
• _____, it's time to sit in our chairs.
• Where is your bottom supposed to be?
• I like the way ________ is sitting in his/her chair.
• This is our Bible Time. We sit in our chairs.
• We stay in our chairs until everyone is done eating.
• You stay in your chair until Mrs. Denise says for you to get up.
• On our bottoms, on our bottoms, on our bottm in our chairs. We are right now on our bottoms, on our bottoms, in our chairs. (Sung to the tune of Oh, My Darling Clementine)

It's Only A Game!

One of the nicest things that I've started since moving to Abilene is Bunco. It's a fun game played with (hopefully) fun women. I have a great group that means monthly at one of our houses, eats and laughs the night away. It's always one of my favorite nights. Bunco is the kind of game that allows everyone to chat and learn about each other. There's no skill or strategy involved - just fun.

We frequently have a theme and Monday night's theme was Co-Ed.

What??!! Hubbys (and 1 fiance) at Bunco? You say that will be fun? Judy said it. Judy did it. Fun? Some. Interesting? Totally.

Intellectually, I knew that men were more competitive than women but Monday night I got to live it! My first round was played with Vann (last names have been omitted to protect the not so innocent.) His lovely wife warned that he was a competive guy but whoa!! He learned "Baby Bunco"(any 3 of a kind and worth 5 points) and yelled it alot. Either to identify it or calling it forth - whichever worked. He was on the edge of his seat most of the night. He did keep a smile on his face. I was unsure if he was happy or it was his bloodlust smile.

I had the opportunity to play with Matt several times. He was scary. I was afraid he would come unglued if the wrong dice showed up. You throw the dice -the wrong dice frequently shows up. Matt looked like he needed a stiff drink by the end of the evening. All these talking women, trying to lose! (There's a prize for low score.) Woe, was Matt.

It seemed to be louder than usual. Lots of high fives and yelling. I'm thinking - wow, there must be a ton of Buncos (3 of a kind of the # that being rolled and worth 23 points) because there was so much shouting. No, apparently not. Not that many more than usual. Just more shouting. I wanted to tell the guys that the Ferrari they were passing around wasn't the real thing and Judy didn't have one parked outside for the winner.

Towards the end of the evening one of the ladies mentioned that she hadn't heard me all night. I usually enjoy singing and being somewhat rowdy on these nights. Well, who could be heard? When was I supposed to get a word in edgewise? And Phil was doing all the singing - You Can Ring My Bell (there's a bell that rung at the beginning and ending of each round.) He even introduced me to a new song! I didn't think it possible. (Typically, I've forgotten it. Sorry, Phil.)

So, men at Bunco. Good thing - once a year or once a millenium whichever comes first.

Maybe I Should Just Publish a "24" Blog?

I'm dashing off a quick one!

School starts 2 hours late this morning - not yesterday when I needed that extra sleep! Yall know I had to stay up and watch all 4 hours of 24. Jim and I were just gonna watch the first 2 hours that my sweet MIL had taped, BUT once we started we couldn't stop. Yeah, that worked out to about 2 AM.

OMGosh! Jack Bauer as a broken man. Jack on his knees, crying! More Middle Eastern men out to kill us all! And, where's Kim? In L.A.? That's all I can write until I'm sure I wouldn't spoil it for everyone. Let's just say - Keifer deserved EVERY acting award available and I can't wait until next Monday night!

********************************

Sweetest thing ever - I came out 0f the bathroom a little while ago and the kids were playing in the snow. (There is some snow this time.) Jim was out there taping them. Our family works so much better when Daddy goes to work in the morning and comes home at night. We are all just happier. They were all smiles out there - I was smiles in here.

It's Cold and I'm At Home

I decided it was time to sit down and give out some interesting info......

OMGosh! How many of you here in Abilene tried to watch 24 last night? Were you watching the local station? Did you cuss or throw something at the TV when the local Fox station went out??!! Yeah, me too.

Seriously, I've been trying to call the local station or send them an email because I would really like to see the first 2 hours of Jack's 6th adventure. I can't get though and they don't have anywhere on their website to contact them. It feels like a conspiracy to not listen to their public. Maybe I should contact an advertiser? Hmmm? I would have liked to have seen it before I watch the second 2 hours that come on tonight. I'm not sure I can wait. The only good thing to come out of the evening - Jim didn't have to compete Jack Bauer for my attention. My MIL did tape it (she has satellite) so I can watch it - just not now!

************************************

Well, we've been in the house now for 3 days. We didn't try to go to church yesterday. Southern Hills was one of the few churches that met yesterday and I feel guilty about not going. I was brought up going to church! We went no matter what. We went "every time the doors were open." How many horrible "gospel meetings" did I sit though growing up? For 5 nights? What were they thinking?

I will say how happy my kids were when we sat around the kitchen table and "had church." They loved sharing a Bible story (Kenny did his Bible Bowl and Abbie told her favorite) and they both chose a song to sing. Then we all held hands and prayed. They were so sweet and happy - grinning the whole time. I plan to keep it as a sweet memory.

Oh. You're wondering.....

Kenny - Read: Aquila and Priscilla Sang: Days of Elijah

Abbie - Told: Mary and Martha Sang: Hosanna and Blue Skies and Rainbows

"I'm Gonna Need a Hacksaw"

Some of you know that I'm addicted to this show. Some of you are addicted to this show. Some of you need help getting started - join our addiction!

What show? What show keeps you awake at night wondering who's the next to die? What show will lead to conversation for at least 2 dinners about why the terrorists are so bad and why don't we just bomb them already? What show features not one, but two, African-American presidents? (a little spoiler - hehe) What show features the only TRUE American? Willing to do anything for his country? Maybe even die?

24. That's right. 24. On Fox.

It starts again on Sunday night with a 2-hour premiere. Oh, you'll be at church? You holy people need to tape (or DVR) this. Oh, you have children? You good parents need to tape (or DVR) this, too. This show isn't for children. There's alot of violence (language? I can't remember) and our kids have never seen it.

Jim and I have watched it from the beginning and we've always loved it! I've always said it's like a book that you can't put down and yet, it only lasts 1 hour. If you're afraid you can't start it because so much has gone on - don't worry. All you need to know is that the Chinese have wrongly imprisoned Jack Bauer (our hero) and anyone at any minute could die.

I saw this on a blog and it made me laugh out loud so I'm posting it, too.

Basic Truths About Jack Bauer

Killing Jack Bauer doesn’t make him dead. It just makes him angry.

If Jack Bauer was in a room with Hitler, Stalin, and Nina Meyers, and he had a gun with 2 bullets, he’d shoot Nina twice.

If you wake up in the morning, it’s because Jack Bauer spared your life.

Superman wears Jack Bauer pajamas.

If it tastes like chicken, looks like chicken, and feels like chicken, but Jack Bauer says its beef. Then you better believe it’s beef.

Jack Bauer once forgot where he put his keys. He then spent the next half-hour torturing himself until he gave up the location of the keys.

1.6 billion Chinese are angry with Jack Bauer. Sounds like a fair fight.

Let’s get one thing straight: the only reason you are conscious right now is because Jack Bauer does not feel like carrying you.

Jack Bauer was never addicted to heroin. Heroin was addicted to Jack Bauer.

Jack Bauer played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.

When life gave Jack Bauer lemons, he used them to kill terrorists. Jack Bauer hates lemonade. Jack Bauer once won a game of Connect 4 in 3 moves.

Osama bin Laden’s recent proposal for truce is a direct result of him finding out that Jack Bauer is, in fact, still alive.

Jack Bauer is the leading cause of death in Middle Eastern men.

Jack Bauer doesn’t miss. If he didn’t hit you it’s because he was shooting at another terrorist twelve miles away.

When Jack Bauer was a child, he made his mother finish his vegetables.

Jack Bauer killed 93 people in just 4 days time. Wait, that is a real fact.

Simon Says should be renamed to Jack Bauer Says because if Jack Bauer says something then you better do it.

Jack Bauer won the Tour de France on a unicycle to prove to Lance Armstrong it wasn’t a big deal. He thinks yellow wristbands are gay.

When Jack Bauer pees into the wind, the wind changes direction.

Jack Bauer’s favorite color is severe terror alert red. His second favorite color is violet, but just because it sounds like violent.

When Google can’t find something, it asks Jack Bauer for help.

You can lead a horse to water. Jack Bauer can make him drink.

Jack Bauer can get McDonald’s breakfast after 10:30.

When the boogie man goes to sleep, he checks his closet for Jack Bauer.

In 96 hours, Jack Bauer has killed 93 people and saved the world 4 times. What the heck have you done with your life?

Jack Bauer killed so many terrorists that at one point, the #5 CIA Most Wanted fugitive was an 18-year-old teenager in Malaysia who downloaded the movie Dodgeball.

In kindergarten, Jack Bauer killed a terrorist for Show and Tell.

What color is Jack Bauer’s blood? Trick question. Jack Bauer does not bleed.

Guns don’t kill people, Jack Bauer kills people.

If Jack and MacGyver were locked in a room together, Jack would make a bomb out of MacGyver and get out.

People with amnesia still remember Jack Bauer.

Jack Bauer literally died for his country, and lived to tell about it.

Jack Bauer has been to Mars. That’s why there’s no life on Mars.

Superman’s only weakness is Kryptonite. Jack Bauer laughs at Superman for having a weakness.

When Batman is in trouble, he turns on the Jack Bauer signal.

It took Jack Bauer two minutes to beat a confession out of OJ.

Jack Bauer was conceived by torturing the other sperm until they gave up the location of the egg.

Jack Bauer’s family threw him a surprise birthday party when he was a child. Once.

Tagged, Again

Well, I survived the first day back - Woohoo! The kids seemed to be happy to be back and in our routine, too. Tia and I enjoyed the day with our little bots and the eternal words "Stay in your chair."

**********************************************

I've been tagged by Anna and I'm always going to do what I'm told - so I'm participating!

1) Do you like the looks & content of your blog?

It's okay. I've been able to change the font and I like that. Changing the look is one of my main reasons for switching to WordPress and I'm still learning to do that over there. And, yes, I like my content. If I didn't, why would I write?

2) Does your family know about your blog?

Yes, but they don't all read. My brother reads some and my mom reads regularly. I think she's just looking for pictures of the kids. Same thing goes for my mother-in-law - just wants pictures of the kids. One of Jim's sisters reads all the time and she thinks I'm funny! That is my reason for writing!

3) Can you tell your friends about your blog?

Yes. I don't write anything that anyone can't read. I have been surprised by someone that reads me and I didn't know it. I mentioned her (without her name) and found out she reads it. Oops. At least it wasn't insulting....

4) Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog?

No way! I read lots of people who don't read me - at least, I don't think so. The reciprocation is nice but not necessary.

5) Does your blog positively affect your mind?

Yes. My mind is getting old and blogging jump-starts it. I have to have a topic, compose a decent sentence, create structure and make sense. I've also learned alot about computers (more all the time) and learning keeps our minds young!

6) What does the number of visitors to your blog mean?

Okay, a little transparentcy here. You love me, you really love me! I can't help it. I try to ignore it but I get worried if there seems to be a slack-off. Sad, isn't it?

7) Do you imagine what other bloggers look like?

I like a picture but I'm okay either way.

8) Do you think blogging has any real benefit?

I've been thinking about this one lately. My blogging community is another support group for me. It's like a big, old-fashioned coffee-klatch - that's why I love it when you talk back to me. We can discuss problems and find solutions with our "virtual" friends.

9) Do you think that the blogosphere is a stand alone community seperated from the real world?

Alright, I'll put some thought into this question! No. Blogs effect the media and the media effects blogs. I discuss blogs with friends usually people who also blog. I send links to people who don't blog. The answer is No.

10) Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?

I only read one and that's just because he teaches at HU. I don't have the time to read something that would just aggrevatie me.

11) Do you think criticism of your blog is useful?

No. Thanks, no. Don't read if you don't like. Unless you're my friend who has the uncanny ability to see to the heart of people, you can critize. (She knows who she is.)

12) Have you ever thought about what would happen to your blog if you died?

No. Sarah, come over and put it on a disk for Jim then delete it, okay?

13) Which blogger had the greatest impression on you?

Toughie. My close friends, of course. Someone I don't know would probably be Planet Nomad. She makes me realize how good I got it. I love Antique Mommy's writing - she should publish a book.

14) Which blogger do you think is the most similiar to you?

I'm thinking............and I got nothing. I have to say I don't know. Who do you think?

15) Name a song you want to listen to.

Just one!!?? One Night Only by Jennifer Hudson on the DreamGirls soundtrack.

Blogger makes me crazy! It lost the first thing I wrote so I've taken all morning writing this! Don't we all need this t-shirt?

Monday, Monday

Today is the 9th anniversary of Kenny's coming home from the hospital. If you read this, you had a sense of how long ago that was.

There are 22 hours until school starts again, Praise the Lord!

Ordinary Princess Life

Roxanne has given us all a challenge to write and I was needing a topic! She has quoted a study that 36% of women wouldn't marry their same spouse all over again and in response she would like us to write about our Ordinary Princess lives. It's that story that should have been all mushy and romantic but real life doesn't get many of those (Am I on target, Roxanne?) Here's one of mine.......

We were on our once-in-a-lifetime-honeymoon. It was incredible! Jim planned the entire time and it was perfect. Except for one night.

We were in the Canadian Rockies and we were driving to Jasper to catch the Rockie Mountaineer Train to ride it back to Vancouver (over 2 days.) Our travel agent had arranged for us to stay just outside of Jasper at a natural hot springs. "People had been going there since the 1920's for the hot spring." - travel agent.

Well, it was about 20 miles "outside" of Jasper and we got there so late we didn't get to see anything! We had to drive about 7 miles down this twisty road and at one point had to stop to allow a porcupine to lumber off the road! The hotel was owned by some Indian family and they were worried about us - because it was late. Our room was more like a cabin. If I had been expecting camping, I would have felt better. The light in the bathroom was a chain over the mirror. The shower was one you buy at Home Depot and put in your lake house or hunting lodge or cabin in the woods. No TV. No phone. No food. One lamp. The windows opened up to the woods without any screens. Jim was told that the deer would come up to the window - yuck.

We had to catch the train back in Jasper at 8:00 - having had breakfast. It was so far out that we had get up extra early - 6:00. On our honeymoon. My dear hubby went to the office to inquire about a wake-up call and was given the teen daughter's clock radio. It received no station - just static. I sat still on the bed, freaked, until he came back.

We left early. Jim told me it was about $25 US - the cheapest place we stayed the entire time we were on our honeymoon.

In answer to the poll, I would state without hesitation that marrying Jim is the one thing I would do over without thinking. We are the most well-suited couple you know. We would have been friends if the Lord hadn't wanted us to be married.

Link over to Roxanne and join in with your Ordinary Princess story!

3 Questions For the Ages

Do you have a child that's just like you and does that child drive you crazy?

I do and he does.

************************************************

Did you know that AISD doesn't start back until the 9th?

I didn't and it does.

************************************************

Do you think that it's a law that at least one piece of Christmas isn't put away?

I do and it's hanging in my kitchen.

Edited to add: I found 2 more Christmas things! One in the bathroom and one next to the front door.

Movie Time

Tuesday night was a big night around town - it was Judy's Birthday! I was lucky enough to be invited for a little movie viewing and coffee drinking - fun had by all who were there! We saw the movie The Holiday and it was very cute. I've been wanting to see this chick flick all though the holidays and it was worth it. Just a quick critique:

Jude Law - Hunk! One lady especially liked his horn-rimmed glasses. He is pretty hot. Nuff said.

Kate Winslett - Great Actress! She could make any chacter interesting and funny this time out. The scene with her crying was so hysteristical!

Jack Black - Funny Second Banana. Jack Black as a love interest was interesting casting (like Kate Winslett couldn't do better??!!) but I always liked me a funny guy so I could believe it.

Cameron Diaz - I'm not sure you could call this acting. She's just a skinny girl who goes though her scenes attempting to be Lucille Ball. I think she was supposed to be endearing like Jack Black - I just wanted to punch her.

One of our friends said it was her favorite new movie - she hadn't seen Dreamgirls yet. I'm currently listening to the soundtrack and, surprising Eddie Murphy's singing isn't awful. I can't recomend this movie enough - it didn't seem like a chick flick to me but it's a musical. Lots of Motown.

Anyway, Happy Birthday to Judy! You inspire me to be a better wife and mom!