Thank God It's OVER!!!
Graduation Day 2007
This is actually last night! We all thought it was
pretty cute - Krysti had to show Derek how to
tie his tie! (the boy does NOT dress up!)
This is actually my favorite picture of the day!
This was before we left home for the ceremony --
they were still happy & excited!
Those feelings didn't last! I know graduations ARE long and boring ceremonies... but this one was beyond boring! We would have killed for a true public speaker in the house! The kids did fine! Valedictorian & Salutatorian did great! Class president did well too. But the adults were long winded and borrring! At one point I looked over and Amanda was almost asleep! I felt myself nodding off a few times too! OY!
Sooooo... this is Krysti with her "genuine" happy smile!
Amanda brought her the pretty flowers!
And here are the new GRADUATES!
She with that horrible fakey "just get this over with" smile...
... and him with the I wanna GO HOME smile!
They are SO done!
LOL!
Thanks For The Memories....
Graduation Day 1994
He got his....
... and she got hers!
TODAY they are going to do it again!
(on a bit grander scale!!!)
I'll be back ... with pictures!
Wordless Wednesday
Labels: WW
How Well Do YOU Know ME???
I found this over at Barbara's blog -- Trying To Catch Up! (THAT Barbara!) This was fun, for both sides, I think! Soooooooo... let's see what y'all think! (I like this - sort of a backwards meme!)How well do you know me?
(if you read my blog at all regularly, you know me pretty well!)
My name:
Summarize me in three words:
Where did we meet:
Take a stab at my middle name:
How long have you known me:
When is the last time that we saw each other:
Do I drink:
Am I happy:
Am I a good person:
What was your first impression upon meeting me/seeing me:
What’s one of my favorite things to do:
Am I funny:
How do you make me smile:
What’s my favorite type of music:
Have you ever seen me cry:
Can I sing?:
What is the best feature about me:
Am I shy or outgoing:
Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules:
Do I have any special talents:
Would you call me preppy, average, sporty, punk, hippie, glam, nerdy, snobby, or something else (what):
What is my favorite food:
If there was one good nickname for me, what would it be:
What’s your favorite memory of me:
What is my worst habit:
Have you ever had a dream about me? If so, what?:
If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what is the one thing I would bring?
Are we friends?:
Do I believe in God?
Am I family oriented?
Who is my best friend?
Will you repost this so I can do it?
You've Got Mail! (no... I'VE got mail!)
Dear Diary...
TODAY the mailman came to my cabin! I was flabbergasted! The sender had NO idea that I collect stamps -- but just happend to have LOTS of fun licking and pasting them anyway!!!
I know that she thought that the contents INSIDE the envelope were the real gift... but she just doesn't know how HAPPY the outside made me!!! So who could have been so brilliantly unknowingly accidentally WONDERFUL??? I'll tell you! It was my fabulous
Captain Stamp Licker Lifecruiser!!! And today I received my award for writing wonderful diary entries -- for which lately I have been so remiss! I confess, it did make me feel guilty!
So... dear diary... don't you even want to know what was INSIDE the package? I'll tell you! There was a darling little tea tray imprinted with a photograph of Stockholm -- which I had no idea was made up of so many islands and bridges -- but it is! 14 island connected by 53 bridges! Amazing! And that is just ONE city!
Along with the cute little tray came
Sweden, The Secret Files and
Sweden MORE Secret Files so that I will be
in the know of all the most wonderful information that Swedes were hoping to keep all to themselves! I will share some of that with you in just a moment! But I want to tell you that the last thing in the package was the cutest little poodle bookmark -- for YOU dear diary! All for you! For me to tuck into your pages and keep track of where I left off writing!
Now... shall I share with you some of the divine SECRETS tucked inside the files? Just listen to THIS!
I quote! "The NORMAL Swede" - wouldn't we all like to be normal? Well - it says right here that so would the Swedes! For "Every Swede should aspire to being normal and average. There's no greater compliment than to be called an ordinary kind of person. To 'be as people usually are' is a fine way to describe yourself and you'll instantly earn others' respect. Successful people are just normal people who have had a spot of luck - but it won't last. Every Swede can tell you about 'Jantelagen', the law of Jante. This states that you shouldn't think you are anybody just because you are somebody. Somebody who is somebody pretend to be nobody because anybody can be nobody and nobody would really want to be seen as somebody in the eyes of anybody." UNquote!
Oh dear! POOR Captain Lifecruiser! Surely she IS somebody! We best work on turning her into a nobody so that somebody won't confuse her for somebody and lose all respect for her!
Another little secret? Ah! Here we go! In Sweden, the word for "sex" is the same as the word for "six" -- which, according to the book, gives a six-pack a whole new meaning! ROFL!!!
And... they have a new language in their country called "Swenglish" -- I'm afraid I can't teach it here! I'm very much looking forward to my next stop in this delightful country! I hope it will be for real and not a cyber-stop though!
In case Captain Lifecruiser should poke her head in this weekend to see what goes on in my cabin, I should remember to tell her tack tack tusen tack!!! This gift is lagom bra!
Until next time...
Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt - Colorful
Grab the Photo Hunt code.
Join the blogroll. Visit participants.
I don't know what ya call it....
But I LIKE it!
And it works for today's theme!
Labels: Photo Hunt
Friday Feast #145
Appetizer
Name a sound you like to hear.
Heavy Rain! I love love LOVE the sound of rain!
Soup
What is your favorite kind of cheese?
Mmmmm... all of them! Probably Danish Havarti... but really, I am such a cheese-a-holic that even Cheez Whiz will do in a pinch!!! ROFL!
Salad
Do you sleep late on Saturday mornings? Why or why not?
I don't sleep late ANY morning! I can't. I would LIKE to sometimes... but I just can't do it. Sometimes I'll get up and have my coffee and play a bit on the computer and then go BACK to bed... I can do that! Not very often ... but I do like to do that when I get a chance! ;)
Main Course
When was the last time you forgot something? What was it, and how long did it take to remember it?
Hm? I forget! Oh, wait! I remember! I forget things on an hourly basis! And it usually only takes me a few minutes to remember... but sometimes it takes MUCH longer! The most recent example is this: I am pretty much covered in poison ivy right now (which I NEVER get so I don't know how I did!) and I got up a little while ago to go wipe it all down with alcohol because I was ITCHING so much! But by the time I got to the bathroom I forgot what I had gone in there for! EVEN THOUGH I WAS ITCHING!!! So I came back out and sat at the computer, and suddenly remembered! Oy VEY!!! I'm really hopeless!
Dessert
Fill in the blank: I notice the quiet when I'm alone in the house.
(and I LIKE it!)
Wordless Wednesday -- The Answer Revealed!
WHAT IS IT?
Come back tomorrow to see if you're right!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*ANSWER* *ANSWER* *ANSWER*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well... I don't think ANYone guessed what it really was!But here is the whole picture!
It's a huge ant hill in my yard!(you can click to enlarge it ... if you'd like!)LOL!Labels: WW
Tuesday Weigh-In
Okay.... I'm down a pound! Progress is slow but at least it is progress! I am still not pedaling as much as I need to be and it just has to happen and until it does I can not expect great things! Obviously I DID do a bit more this week than last - but I can still do a lot more! My calorie intake is fine.... (IF I'm doing enough pedaling) ... and I definitely got enough Curves exercise in this week! (about a month's worth!) So it really all depends on the pedal power! And I don't know WHY I was able to find time for it last year at this time, but I'm not able to THIS year... my intentions are good every day -- but the day just seems to get away from me! I'm GOING to to reclaim it though... one way or another!
Labyrinths ... What do YOU know?
All Saints Episcopal Church
I went to service at MY church yesterday morning, and then wandered over to the Episcopalian side of the road to get a glimps of the labyrinth and await the minister with the knowledge! Well! Only about 8 people showed up -- and NONE of them were the knowledgeable minister! She was home ill with a migraine headache ... I'm guessing she doesn't believe in the "healing" bit - or she would have been here, getting healed - right? Soooooo.... I talked to the Pastor there... I was still a bit concerned though after talking to him - because he really didn't seem to be able to answer my questions and it kind of got me wondering WHY he would allow a labyrinth to be built on his church grounds without FULL knowledge of ALL aspects of it! My BASIC question was "How do labyrinths fit in with Christianity?" I want to know WHY and WHERE they started and WHAT Christians are "supposed" to believe about them. These seemed like questions that should be easily answered by the pastor of a church that HAS one! (to me...) But he wasn't. Now... of the other 8 people, one was a Lutheran from another church (not mine) and the rest were Episcopalians - though one was not from All Saints. NONE of them were asking ANY kind of questions other than "how do we use it?" The two engineers who built the labyrinth (and who are also parishoners of All Saints) were also in attendance -- and they did NOT like my questions! Now, mind you -- I did NOT go into this looking to "stir people up". I simply went up there to try to learn about the labyrinth and how they are used by Christians! But when I am told that the labyrinth itself has certain "powers" - such as healing (which it says on the sign!) - then little flags start going up all over my brain! Because I tend to believe that only God has healing power! Sorry... if you're a non-believer - but that IS my belief! So, the thing is I was very leary! But also very curious! So, I DID end up walking the labyrinth -- and I wasn't hit by lightening! ;)
Before entering the labyrinth, I first prayed - asking Jesus to be with me IN the labyrinth and asking Him to just put thoughts into my head that He would like me to have. Then I stood before the labyrinth, closed my eyes, cleared my head entirely, and stepped in. At the beginning I just used "Jesus walk with me" as a little mantra and before long I was very relaxed and calm and the pattern of the labyrinth tends to take you into sort of a rhythmic walk. I ended up having a lovely conversation with Jesus the whole way through... I stopped and waited for warmth (or lightening bolts) when I got to the center -- but I really didn't get ANY overwhelming feelings, and so I continued back through the path that took me out - still conversing with Jesus the entire way! (it's a quarter mile in and again back out) So, to me, it was a nice little walk - it did sort of aid in my prayer focus -- I tend to have a rather ADHD type of prayer - and I'm always trying to find ways to harness my focus! So, this did sort of do that! But I'm pretty sure I could do that on any walk any where -- it wouldn't have to be in a labyrinth! I had not had the opportunity to talk with Pastor Paul about the labyrinth before going to this -- I HAD talked to Mrs. Pastor about it at Bible study on Thursday night - but we didn't have much time to delve into it either. She did know of labyrinths IN Christian churches - but warned me to go into this cautiously. (which I did!) I also talked to several people about them down at Annemarie Gardens on Saturday - because they are in the process of building one IN the gardens, and so some people were fairly knowledgeable about them -- but NOT in how they mix with Christianity! Soooooooooo.... late last night I wrote Pastor Paul a longish email (probably about as long as this post!) asking for what he knows and feels about them. And we all know I GREATLY respect Pastor Paul - so pretty much whatever he tells me is going to be where I'm going with this!!! I got a response from him a little while ago - and I have to admit I was hoping for a bit MORE information from him -- but his reply to me is below and it IS what I'm going with!Melli…
If it isn’t in Scripture…I’d be skeptical as well.
They do not have a Christian heritage…and are not a necessary part of having a “prayer walk” or “talk” with God. Simply not necessary.
My suggestion…avoid them. Your instincts are correct.
Scripture…Matthew 6…prayer.
Pastor Paul
So there we have it!
.
Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven is a meme designed for giving thanks for the big or little things in our lives - or to recognize the positive things going on! If you'd like to play along, please go here -- but don't forget to come back! *S* I like to do MY Sunday Seven's by choosing one thing from each day of the week -- it helps me remember to give thanks at the end of each day!
Sunday - Today I am EVER so thankful for my children and for the wonderful, FABULOUS, magnificent time we had at Medieval Times for Mother's Day! What a blast!
Monday - This is a hairy scary work week -- I've got waaaaay too many hours happening! And I work every day! OY! (this was never in the plan!) I am thankful that I got a good night sleep last night - and I pray for one again tonight!
Tuesday - I think I mentioned last week about signing Audrey up at Curves? Audrey is 76 and a pistol! We have another gal - Pearl - who is also 76 and a pistol! I wanted to introduce them! Pearl came in this morning around 9:00, and Audrey wasn't coming in until 10:30... so I told Pearl about Audrey and said that maybe they would meet another day! Well, at 10:30 Audrey came in for her 1st workout appointment, and I ran through all the equipment with her. When she was done, she was back in the stretching room getting a massage (we have a massage therapist that comes in once a week) when who should come BACK through the door but PEARL! She went out of her way to come back to Curves on a very busy day for her JUST so she could meet Audrey and make a date to workout with her! Was that not just the sweetest thing??? Both these ladies are just dear dear sweeties!
Wednesday - I seem to have come down with a bit of poison sOMething... I don't think it's poison ivy because it doesn't really travel in a line... but it's some kind of poison! I am EVER so thankful for anti-itch stuff! And I hope it doesn't spread to the point of me needing to take some steroids! I HATE that stuff!
Thursday - Today I was thankful for an opportunity! Mathew missed "the call" that would assign him a job with the Elevator Workers Local... He was in his boss's office and didn't get phone service in there. When he came out he checked his messages and found that he had missed "that call"... of course he immediately tried to return the call, but couldn't get through, and once he did, he found that the job had been given to the next person on the list! So he was bummed. But I told him "Don't BE bummed boy! That wasn't YOUR job! If God wanted you to get THAT job you would have gotten it! The next one is probably yours!" He said Carol told him the same thing! LOL! (Amanda did too - but she calls God "fate" ... I set him straight on that!)
Friday - Today I am thankful that my youngest son, Derek, has decided that in conjunction with his last day of High School today, he would like this to also be his last day as a smoker! He has made the decision to quit and I pray that he will be successful! I have several friends who have quit recently and I wish the same for ALL of them!!!
Saturday - What a great day today! Krysti and I went and got our cars washed together at the church kids carwash, and then we had breakfast at Bob Evans! Yum! (don't ask! I've counted it though!) Then Amanda & I spent the afternoon together at Mind, Body & Spirit Day at Annemarie Gardens! It was LOVELY! Just a really nice day! This evening I am going to cook the rockfish that Dennis caught while out fishing yesterday -- he had a great time and caught the biggest fish! Whooo hooo! I'm making it with a crab stuffing! YUM!Labels: Sunday Seven
Today Amanda and I went down to Annemarie Gardens for the Mind, Body, & Spirit Festival. I was hoping to find some holistic medicine and maybe some aroma therapy... perhaps get a massage... but mostly what we found was
Some jewelry...
.... a bit of belly dancing....
.... and some music!
But we had a lot of fun!
Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt -- Cook/ed
This is certainly nothing original! But it IS cooked - and with the week I've had it's the best you're gonna get!
Brownies
For Today's Car Wash / Bake Sale
for the church youth group!
(2nd batch is still in the oven!)
Labels: Photo Hunt
Friday Feast # 144
AppetizerList 3 emotions you experienced this week.
JOY!, excitement, awe
SoupName a car you’d love to have.
Ugh... I dunno! I have the car of my dreams right now... so... um...
maybe just a NEW Ford Expedition! Noooooo... actually, my needs have changed, so my next car probably will be a "car" rather than a truck... I think. (well, I LIKE trucks - but the gas issue, y'know?) I dunno... see, to me a car is a car is a car... I wouldn't turn down anything new! Maybe a Lexus would be nice. *shrug*
SaladDescribe your typical morning routine.
Oop! See? There ya go! There is NO typical at my house! Some mornings I work at 6:45, other's I don't go in until 9:30 or 10:00 - and then others (like today) I don't work until 3:00! So every morning has it's own routine! They do all revolve around at least ONE cup of hot coffee and at least 5 minutes computer time though!
Main CourseHave you ever emailed someone famous? If so, who, and what did you say to them? Did they reply?
YES! I email the famous NAOMI! (playwrite and artist extraordinaire!) Also known as Old Old Lady Of The Hills! And she answers absolutely anything I ask her in rich full vivid answers!
DessertDo you listen to podcasts? If so, which ones?
Oh, this question makes me soooooooo sad! I could just almost cry. Do you want to know WHY? Because now I have to admit that I do not even know what a podcast is! I am assuming it has something to do with IPOD... which I don't have one of (though I have bought 3 of them!)... so I guess I have to say that I do not listen to them... unless I do it without my knowledge! (someone please enlighten me....)
Seven Deadly Sins... The Meme...
I found this meme over at Heart of Rachel a few days ago... I thought it might turn on some lights for me! Seemed like a good one to do anyway...
So here we go... MY take on how sinful I am with regard to the 7 Big Ones!
1. Lust - Well... this one is not a problem. At least not if we're talking about lusting for "other" men! And usually when I think of myself as having lust, it is a lust for life! (which i think is a good thing!) But I do occasionally lust for "things" ... a cute expensive handbag... or an extra pair of shoes that I really do NOT need... or a slice of creamy double fudge hot fudge walnut cheesecake. Or an ocean front view! (but maybe those things are covered by envy... or greed... i dunno...)2. Gluttony - Well, of course, gluttony is the sin that got me to where I was a year ago - and is the one so hard to overcome to get back down to my "healthy" me! I'm not really choosy about what I indulge in -- though it's far less likely to be snacky foods than it is to be way TOO MUCH of the "good" foods! If I had my way I could eat 3 or 4 Arby's roast beef sandwiches! Or two of my favorite Hamburger Hamlet Turkey with avocado and mushroom and cheese on sourdough sandwich! (thus far I have never had the nerve to order a 2nd one - but it doesn't mean I wouldn't LIKE to!) And I must say I would have been MORE than happy to polish off at least HALF of that cheesecake I made for Bible study Thursday night! Limiting myself to one piece was pure torture!!! I just really like to eat... too much!3. Greed - Most people do not consider me to be greedy or selfish. If I have something, and you want some, I WANT you to have some too! This is the one that drives my hubby MOST crazy because he says I share too much! (i don't think a body CAN share too much! *stomps foot*) I'm sure there is SOMEthing I'm greedy about though... it IS human nature after all... so I'm sure there is. Maybe I'm greedy with my time... I do like a lot of time to myself.4. Sloth - Oy! Another bad one for me... Dang! If confession is good for the soul I could spend DAYS improving my soul over sloth! I'm NOT a "lazy" person -- but I don't wanna do what I don't wanna do! And I don't wanna clean house or cook or garden or "take care" of ANYTHING any more! I just want to have FUN all the time! I will go anywhere with you and walk and run and climb and dance and have all the energy in the WORLD as long as we are having FUN! But the minute you ask me to put that energy into cleaning house or manicuring the lawn ... pft! I'm too tired! I need a nap! I don't have TIME! (there i go bein' greedy with my time... see?)5. Wrath - Wrath used to be a major problem for me in my younger days. I have to admit that age has brought about a much calmer temper... or maybe it was age brought wisdom, and wisdom calmed the temper... I don't know... at any rate, it now takes a LOT ... a really REALLY LOT to get me irate! Sometimes I amaze myself even! The one thing that still drives me crazy though is watching - especially teenage kids - but anyone really - not putting their full effort into something important -- like their education! I do get really angry about that! And the other thing is watching someone else be treated UNfairly! (remember my battle with the little old lady?) Just treat people nice and we'll all get along!6. Envy - This has got to be the one I need the MOST help to overcome! LORD! Help me!!! To me, the grass is always greener, lusher, fuller, sweeter on the other side of the fence! If YOU have it, I want it! If you're going there, I wanna come! I do not want to be left out of ANYTHING! Shame on me! Shame shame shame!7. Pride - Again... when I was younger, this was a big problem! I could hold a grudge for a lifetime! God must have worked on me (Amen to that!) cuz now there is little that is worth holding on to anymore! As a matter of fact, even if I'm right and it will make you feel better if I'm wrong, I'll probably take the fault!
MOST of the time.... not always though.
Crazy 8's!
Beckie over at A Child Of God tagged me with this meme the other day... I'm finally getting around to it!
Here are the rules:Each player starts with eight (8) random facts/habits about themselves.Write a blog post about your own eight (8) random things.Post these rules.At the end of your blog you need to tag eight (8) people and post their names.Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged.1. I one time had a little bunny. Dennis didn't want me to get him and said we could only have a rabbit if it was stew! So I named him Stew!
2. I was born in the year of the Rooster. (and I happen to LIKE roosters a great deal!)
3. When I was a sheetmetal worker I ACCIDENTALLY got a very womanly part of my body stuck in a power roller machine! Though tears were squirting out of my eyes, I did NOT utter a sound, and I carefully hit the reverse button to back it back out of there! I never said a WORD to my foreman about it... but I did tell my hubby! (he worked there too)
4. Shortly after Amanda was born I worked as a volunteer for Birthright. I counseled other young pregnant girls on the alternatives to abortion. I was very effective because I was their age and had been there! It's nice knowing that there are actually a few 'human beans' out there who I helped God bring into the world! Birthright is one of my church's things they help out. I'm thinking about getting involved again - but in a different aspect.
5. I have a jar on my desk that holds 3 whole boxes of paper clips. My son sat down one night after I had gone to bed and hooked all of them together. Every last one! It drives me nuts -- just like he knew it would! LOL!
6. I am currently reading "The Measure Of A Man" by Sidney Poitier. It is an EXCELLENT story about his life and I highly recommend it! He is a GREAT story teller and just a really interesting man!
7. I broke a fingernail doing push-ups on Monday. I haven't had time to get it fixed yet... and probably won't until Friday! Ugh!
8. I desperately need to clean out my car, and that is what I am going to go do RIGHT NOW! And then I'm going to water the flowers and the grass!So, here's my tags! Just let me know when you've posted so I can visit!You YouYou YouYou YouYou You
First Things FIRST!
I DID weigh in yesterday -- I just never had time to POST it! (or change anything on my blog or my weight chart! I'll get to those in a few minutes!) I did manage to lose a wee bit of weight this week -- only half a pound though! I just haven't had time to pedal - and that is simply a MUST! I MUST do my cardio or I'm NOT losing weight! PERIOD! I also really need to get my water intake back up again! That is always the first thing to go when I start "failing" - So, I've already started working on that this week ... I'm forcing the water... and I'm going to go pedal in minute AFTER the minute that I change the stuff! And THEN I'll be back to come around and do some visiting! But I'm warning you - I also have to catch up on some housework! It is a.m.a.z.i.n.g. how fast things get outta control around here!
So... I'm down this week, but only to 224 ... next week has GOT to be better! It just HAS to! I'm working out like CRAZY at Curves! (worked out 4 times on Monday and twice yesterday!) But like I said - if I don't pedal I can forget it! So... pedal pedal pedal!
Tuesday's Seem To Be Crazy...
I work today from 6:45 AM until 8:00 PM.
Sorry... I just won't be around.
At all.
*sigh*
(and i open tomorrow too...)
Mother's Day at... Medieval Times!!!
Let me start by telling you I have been wanting to go to Medieval Times for a lonnnng looooonnnnng time! Well, yesterday morning I woke up to find ...
... these flowers and a card on my desk! The card had a note on it that said "Don't wait for us to wake up... open the card!"
Well, I had woken up late and was in a rush to get to church on time for my class, so I quickly opened the card -- and found 7 tickets to Medieval Times inside!!! Oh my gosh! I was SO excited! Inside the card was a note that told me that we would be leaving home at 3:00 and that everyone was excited about going to do this today!!! YAY! Man! I don't have to tell you I went off to church with JOY in my heart!!! It was wonderful!
So here we are during the dinner... sorry it's so dark - it WAS dark in there for most of the time, of course making it VERY difficult to get any "good" pictures!
Dennis took this one of me and all the kids! From left to right it goes
Krysti, Me, Derek, Amanda, Carol, and Mathew.
We all really enjoyed the show -- the "jousting tournament"! Dinner, we found, left a bit to be desired... but this place really isn't ABOUT the dinner -- other than the fact that you are served greasy meat that you eat with your fingers!!! LOL! I warned all the kids there would be NO throwing of food, but that the male gender could "grunt" all they wanted! Unfortunately, I guess ladies in medieval times never ate salad with their fingers! *w* There is no "menu" - you get what they serve - and be happy with it. I understand complaints are met with be-headings! At any rate - we DID enjoy it ... it was all part of the ambience...
Here are just a few "not so great" pics from the show...
This was our Knight, preparing to joust!
Our colors were yellow and red.
This was not a knight --
he was more or less the "narrator" I guess.
I tried MANY times to get pictures of the king, the princess, and the jousting - but it just was NOT happening in the darkness! This really does drive me crazy! They know you want to take pictures - and they ALLOW pictures - so why don't they leave the lights on??? I know... I know... the setting! As it turned out though ...
OUR knight proved victorious in the end!!!
On the way out I, of course, wanted to get some nice pictures before we left -- knowing that it will be a loooooong while before we ever do this again! So, one of the little maids awaiting was nice enough to get this shot of our whole family together...
This is
Carol, Mathew, Me, Dennis, Derek, Krysti & Amanda
My Motley Crew!
Then, this is me with who I THOUGHT was the King...
but now I realize he was not the king... hmmm...
I guess I missed my chance to be Queen.
So then I TRIED to get a couple of nice shots of the kids...
but this is what I ended up with!
Would you LOOK at those FACES!!!
What is UP with that?
And then check THIS one out!
Is he
pinching her?
Is she
choking him?
They say nooooooo....
hmmmmm...
Sooooooooo... you can see... I had a LOVELY Mother's Day!
I'm SO thankful that I have creative kids who always come up with
the BEST ways to make my day!!!
I hope YOUR Mother's Day was equally enjoyable!
Sunday Seven
Sunday Seven is a meme designed for giving thanks for the big or little things in our lives - or to recognize the positive things going on! If you'd like to play along, please go here -- but don't forget to come back! *S* I like to do MY Sunday Seven's by choosing one thing from each day of the week -- it helps me remember to give thanks at the end of each day!
Sunday - Today was just a niiiiiiiiice normal Sunday! I went to church... it was a pleasant sermon. Got the grocery shopping done afterward, and then just spent the day sort of relaxing... did some pedaling... made a nice dinner... just an all around pleasant sort of day. Monday - PRAISE THE LORD!!! Mathew got the results of his test/interview for the Elevator Workers Union today! He scored a 93.5 on the interview and has been placed in the 13th position for a job! We expect he will get his job assignment in the next 2-3 weeks! YAY!!!Tuesday - Pft! Today was busy busy busy! I had to work a morning shift and an evening shift! Both were closing shifts! (this means cleaning... twice!) Luckily I had made a really nice dinner last night and there were leftovers so I didn't have to worry about cooking tonight. It's nice when things just sort of work out in advance! It's sort of like God new today was going to go wacky and so He took care of it yesterday! I love that!Wednesday - We had some stuff goin' on at work today... my boss was feeling a LOT of stress. It was one of those days when I was very grateful for my positive attitude because I really was able to make her see that the world was not collapsing on top of her, and that things really were going to be okay. I love it when I can be a calming factor like that... I felt like I knew God's purpose for me today... and that is a really GOOD feeling! Thursday - I met a lady today - signed her up for membership at Curves - Her name is Audrey and she's 76 years old! I can tell you right now that Audrey and I are going to be great friends! She's had neck and back surgery and two hip replacements and she's still a ball of energy and is on the GO constantly! She and her hubby still go camping! As a matter of fact, they are members of a camping CLUB and go regularly with two other couples!!! I was wowwed - to put it mildly! I told her I want to be JUST LIKE HER when I grow up!
Oh... and another little thing... Derek blew out a tire on his way home from the movies tonight. He called me from the side of the road. I was on my way home from Bible study. I asked "Where are you D?" He said "I'm on Rt. 4 right by the bowling alley" ... I was two blocks away from him at a stop light ... heading in his direction! How cool is that???
Friday - Today I was thankful to solve the Mystery of the Extra Set of Keys!
I wish I didn't mind telling really really LONG stories on my blog - this would be a good one! Maybe one day... when I'm really realllllllly bored!
Saturday - I bought a pair of denim shorts last week that I just absolutely love! I did try them on in the store - but I didn't realize then just how comfortable and well fitting these shorts were going to be! Over the course of the week I have come to the conclusion that I need about 6 pairs of them! So I went back to get some, thinking they probably will NOT have any more in my size... and I was really hoping that they MIGHT have them in white too! Guess what? They DID have a couple more pairs in my size! AND they had white ones too!!! WHOOOO HOOOO!!! I am happy dancing!!!
I want to wish all the Mom's out there a
JOYous and blessed Mother's Day tomorrow!
AND...
I want to leave you with this song!
Labels: Sunday Seven
Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt - Five!
I hope this doesn't count as fifteen!Have a fabulous weekend y'all!
Labels: Photo Hunt
Friday Feast #143
AppetizerTell about a time when you had to be brave.
Well... I'm not sure. There have been times in my life when I had to be very strong - physically and emotionally ... but I'm not sure that is "brave"... Some people considered choosing to have and raise a child by myself to be "brave"... but I didn't really see it like that.
And I'm not sure if bungee jumping counts as "brave" or "stupid"... I'm really not sure that I've ever had to really BE brave in my life... Maybe having my gallbladder out? Back then it was MAJOR major surgery... abdominal incision from hither to yon and 3 months off work. I didn't "feel" very "brave" about it though -- I felt scared to death - but had to DO it regardless! But I've never had to stand tall and face down "danger" or anything like that!
SoupWhich upcoming movie are you excited about seeing?
I can't even think of a movie that they could POSSIBLY make that I would be excited about seeing!!! The very idea of sitting down for 90 minutes (or more...) to watch a story about make believe life just does not entice me... at all.
SaladName an item you try to always have on hand.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal! It is a necessity at my house. And so is Ranch salad dressing! My kids eat it on everything except Cinnamon Toast Crunch!
Main CourseImagine the most relaxing room you can think of. Now describe it!
Mmmm... well, it would be painted in a soft shade of tan... with blonde hardwood floors and the furniture would be overstuffed cream colored couches and a chair with ottomon... and light wood coffee and end tables ... accessories would be in muted earth tones with just a splash of vibrant orange. There would be NO television in my relaxing room - but there would be a beautiful stone fireplace, and some good reading lights... Probably some sort of recessed lighting with dimmer switches too... Artwork would be florals... Ahhhhh, now you have me wanting to redecorate!!!
DessertOn a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being highest), how spiritual or religious are you?
I think I am fairly spiritual... but I would like to be a lot MORE spiritual... and I'm hoping there is plenty of room for growth there ... so I would say maybe a 6.
Labels: Friday Feast
We Have Choices....
I had a choice today between
posting or
visiting. If I've commented at your blog you KNOW which one I chose! I'm trying to catch up on my visiting today ... and I have precious little time to do it with! I'm sure I'll have something witty or wise for you tomorrow! Have a great day!
This is actually last night! We all thought it was
This is actually my favorite picture of the day!
Sooooo... this is Krysti with her "genuine" happy smile!
And here are the new GRADUATES!
