Ten On Tuesday: People Turn Offs

I need to get back into this whole blogging thing so here goes!

10 Things That Turn You Off About People

1. Bad breath.....can't stand it. Don't come at me with breath that smells like you just ate the slop out of a pig trough.
2. Rude people....have a little decency. Say things in a nice way, even if you have the right to be ticked off and rude. That's how we southerners do it!
3. Posers.....I've known one very good one. Be real...don't try to be someone you're not. Trust me, I've tried it :-) It isn't a happy place to be!
4. Disregard for elderly people....I see so much of this by young people and it really lights my fire. These elderly people raised us and gave things up so that we might have a better life. If that isn't enough to change your behavior, remember that you'll be elderly one day. How do you want to be treated?
5. Control freaks.....I'm more of a team player. I like to see a bunch of hands working together to accomplish something. I can't stand the loud mouth who acts like they are the end all be all. Get over yourself!
6. Non-readers.....there is more to life than what is contained between the pages of People magazine. Pick up Jane Austen and give her a whirl....I guarantee you'll laugh yourself silly and learn a lot of great vocabulary!
7. English teachers who use bad grammar....that's all I'm going to say about this one. If you can't speak or use good English in writing, how can you possibly teach anyone else to use or speak it?
8. Medical professionals who smoke.....I'm not against smoking. It just bothers me for a doctor or nurse to preach to someone about kicking the habit when secretly they spend their breaks and the majority of their lunch time behind the building puffing on one :-)
9. Half-hearted efforts.....Give everything you've got or don't even attempt it. If you're not willing to pour all of yourself into something, you probably shouldn't do it.
10. Chewing with an mouth open.....if I'm not eating it, I certainly don't want to see it :-) Just sayin'!

For more Ten On Tuesday posts, visit yanowhatimean.com.

Playing Catch Up....Again!

Since it's been awhile, I thought I would take a minute to catch up where blogging is concerned. Things seem crazy busy right now although I realize it's really not as bad as I think it is. That's called stress :-) For me, school is going well. I finished my first math course in May with an A. Then I decided to fill my summer up with classes. I just finished up a three week psychology course and walked away with an A in it. That was a trip. Because it was an intersession class, it flew by. We had sixteen class days and covered fifteen chapters worth of material. Talk about my head spinning! It was fun but I was happy to get it out of the way.

Monday I started my online anatomy class. So far, it's going well. It's just really hard. There is a ton of material to learn and many, many details. I haven't let myself get stressed out about it yet and I hope I don't. I also started a statistics class this week. It is an on campus class and I have it four days a week for five weeks. My first class went pretty well. It's a large class and there is plenty of material to cover so I'm trying to stay focused and keep my head above water. I'm enjoying the challenge of school and I feel like my time management skills are getting better. Now if I can just figure out how to manage the stress, I'll be ok.

The girls are doing well. They are enjoying a more relaxed homeschooling schedule this summer. Caroline has found a new neighborhood friend and spends most of the day playing. It's been good for her. She's my social butterfly and has really needed someone her age to spend time with. This is really a win-win situation since it frees Logan up to do things she enjoys. They have both been wonderful to help around the house since I've been in school. I don't know what I'd do without them.

Jeff's doing good too. He's still working from home although he doesn't have a full-time position yet. That really stinks because it leaves us without health insurance and we hate to do without it. The economy is just so horrible right now that there isn't much we can do about it. We're trying to wait it out until this company can afford to bring him aboard full-time. Initially they promised him full-time status after three months of work but that three months has come and gone. I won't complain too much because the situation could definitely be worse. He could be out of a job all together.

No big plans for the summer here. We decided not to vacation this year since we are hoping to save some money and work toward paying our house off. We have a long way to go but we're always trying to find ways to put our family in a better situation financially in the event that Jeff is out of a job. Who wants to pay all of that interest in a home loan anyway? Not us, that's for sure!!

That's about all that's going on around here. Boring, I know. I'm hoping to get outside and take some pictures soon. That always makes me forget about all the other things I need to be doing! Our neighbor is going out of town next week and always allows us to use her pool while she's gone so we are looking forward to that. Hopefully I can snap a few photos of the girls then....when they aren't looking :-)

Missing Mike

Yesterday was Mother's Day and we enjoyed the company of my in-laws for several hours after church. Since it was so beautiful, we decided to cook out. It has been a long time since we've done this.....maybe since before my BIL passed away last year. I'm not really sure why we stopped. Personally, things are not as much fun without him. He was always the life of the party. He had such a great attitude and was such a likeable man. Anyway, while we were eating yesterday, we all talked a lot about him. We were sitting out on the deck....the deck that he built for us almost two summers ago.....the deck he never got to enjoy much....and his last building project before he died. In a way, it made me sad to be out there enjoying ourselves without him. It seems that every time we go out there for any length of time, our conversation always ends up being about him. The last year of his life, he was here so much helping us with so many household projects. It's nice to be able to look around and remember that "hey, Mike helped us do that."

Yesterday was hard for me though. We used to all get together for Mother's Day and cook out and I really missed him not being here. I started thinking about all of the things I missed about him......they are too many to number but here are a few things I loved most about him:

• He was the easiest person in the world to get along with. He loved people.
• He would volunteer to do anything...no matter how dirty the job, you could always count on him.
• He was very funny. He was so much fun.
• He loved classic rock and we used to spend Friday nights at our house playing board games and listening to WQUT.
• He loved his kids....to a fault sometimes. He hardly ever told them no and was always, always with them.
• He was an excellent carpenter. He worked with his hands and was very good at it.
• He didn't have an enemy. Seriously, we've tried to sit down and think of one person he didn't like or vice versa and have never been able to come up with one.
• He loved the Lord.
• He loved children. He worked with many different local groups to help troubled teens. He was always great with our girls and they adored him.

There are so many other great things about him and if I tried to name them all, I would be sitting here the rest of my life. Oh, I have to add that he was THE BIGGEST UT fan ever! I am fully convinced of that! He was a very strong man and we miss him very much.

As I was looking through old photos this week, I found one that I fell in love with. Mike loved all things Harley Davidson. It was his dream to own one. About a year before he died, he bought one. He loved it and was so proud of it. Shortly after getting it, he went on dialysis and became very weak. He still rode the bike but it was hard for him to hold it up. Then he had his kidney/pancreas transplant and died five weeks later. We are so thankful for his life and for the time we had with him. He was only 47 when he passed away and I'm happy that for 11 of those years, I was able to call him my brother-in-law. In many ways, I was closer to him than I am to my own brother. I miss him. I can't wait to see him again one day.

Note to Self

So, things have been going well for me the past few months. I've been busy, but things have been good. So good in fact, that I've managed to gain back ten pounds of the weight I had lost. Did you hear me? TEN pounds! When I think of how hard I worked to get that off of me and how easy it was to put back on, it makes me ill. Now it's time to start all over. Every time I think of starting over, I immediately think I'll take the easy way out and buy some diet pills and I'm good to go. That thought lasts all of about five minutes before I realize that it's not that easy. It was a lot of work to drop the twenty total pounds I dropped. It took several months and lots of hard work. Grrrrrr......

I find myself two days away from summer intersession at school. I've chose to pack four classes into the summer (and my advisor is horrified by my decision to do so) and they are all fast track classes except one. That one is my most important class (Anatomy & Physiology I) and it's an online class. The other three classes will zip by. I'll start with Psych on Wednesday and that class runs every day for three weeks and then it's over. I hope I've not duped myself into thinking it'll be too easy. I think it'll be easy enough but I realize that three weeks is FAST and there'll be a lot of reading and memorizing. I think I'm up for it. Once this class is over, my online Anatomy class begins, along with my Prob&Stats class. The math class is a five week class and it's over. The Anatomy will be ongoing from June 3 to August 12. Anyway, when math class ends, my computer class begins. It's also a five week class and I think it'll be fairly easy. I mean, I spend my life on a computer so if I can't do well with it, then I have real issues. All of this is just to say that I'll be really busy.

Add to this, the fact that we homeschool year round. The girls will be working through the summer while I am in class. When I get home, we'll work on the studies that require my help. If that isn't enough, pile on this whole ten extra pounds thing. How does one diet when on a fast paced time scale? Thank goodness WW recipes are fairly simple to prepare! And since Logan (at least right now) wants to go to culinary school when she graduates, she will be getting most of the supper duties. It's a new season in our lives.....one that I pray I can handle.

So, this portion of the post is mainly for msyelf.....

Goals 4 Summer: Do not neglect family, do well in all four classes (strive to make A's), see to it that supper is always on the table by 7:30, eat healthy (even in the midst of stress), work hard with the girls and their summer studies, and remember that you can't do it all (know when to say no!). After all, look how long it took Solomon to build the Temple!

Books and Calculators and Finals, Oh My!

It's finals week and my final is first thing tomorrow morning. I've studied until my brain can't take in any more information. So in preparation for tomorrow, I'm going to........

 

I hope I have time for much more blogging in the very near future. I miss you guys!

Get A Life....Seriously!

Seriously, what is the deal with truckers? Don't get me wrong....I know some of them are nice normal people. But what's with the male truckers who feel the need to express themselves to other women drivers?

I'm sure as a child, you remember being in the car with your parents on your way to some sweet vacation spot (for me it was usually always Myrtle Beach). You're driving along and you come upon an 18-wheeler. So, you do what any normal American child has been taught to do. You start making a pumping action with your arm so that the trucker will blow his horn. Just go ahead and admit it....we've all done it. We can wallow in our humiliation together.

This past week, my mom was visiting from West Virginia. We headed into town to do some shopping. As we were driving, I heard mom start giggling. I asked her what was up and she told me to look out her window. I glanced out to see this 18-wheeler driving beside us. The driver of the truck had held up a cardboard sign to his window and was smiling real big at my mom. His handwritten sign said "Hi Pritty." Ok, first of all, that's so lame. The man had a pre-written cardboard sign in his truck, which means that he does this often! That's just wrong people! If that's not enough, the ding dong misspelled pretty! BAH! My mom was totally embarrassed and we couldn't stop laughing!

Here's my advice to all these hard working truckers......#1 stop being so lame. It's not very attractive. # 2, and most importantly, learn to spell! As my good friend Jenny would say, sheeshamoley! Pretty really isn't a hard word to spell and if you're going to use it, you really should know how to spell it!

That's my two cents for the day........

X-14

The good people over at Mom Central were kind enough to include me in the testing of another product recently. I received a bottle of X-14 Mold & Mildew Stain Remover and quickly got to work. Now, I love to clean my bathrooms. Nothing thrills me more than to walk into the bathroom and see everything all shiny and clean. Having said that, I do not like to deal with mildew and it plagues my shower curtain all the time.

This week, I happened to have overnight company coming. When they called to say they were coming early, I panicked since I didn't have time to wash the shower curtain. I grabbed the X-14 and gave it a quick squirt. When I came back a few minutes later, the work was all done. The mildew stains were gone and everything smelled fresh and clean. Problem solved just in time! There was no scrubbing involved. You just squirt and go! It worked wonderfully for me and this is a product I will use in the future.

If you have problems with mold and mildew, give X-14 a try. I think you will be just as satisfied as I was!

Christos Anesti!!!

To all of my Orthodox brothers and sisters around the world, Happy Pascha! Christos Anesti!

Love Me Some Ice Cream

I love me some ice cream. I love it for dessert. I love it for a snack. I love it for breakfast. I love it before bed. I never turn it down! With so many companies making it and so many varieties, I never get bored where flavors are concerned.

When the good people over at Mom Central asked if I'd like to sample some new flavors, I jumped on the chance. They were kind enough to send me some samples of the new Haagen-Dazs five. It is made with only five ingredients and has less fat than other types of ice cream (ah, let's face it....all ice cream is fattening and that's why we love it!). When the UPS guy knocked on my door to deliver the samples, I almost trampled him! Nothing comes between mamma and her ice cream!

I received samples of the ginger, mint, brown sugar, and passion fruit. I gathered the family around as I opened each container. Of course, I got the first taste and then I passed each container on to the family. Passion fruit is quickly becoming my favorite! It is very rich and creamy. I think the only thing more exciting than finishing this batch is going out and getting more! As a matter of fact, I think I'll go out and get the new chocolate flavor this weekend. If you haven't tried the new Five, I urge you to do so. It's worth every last spoonful :-)

Ten On Tuesday: 10 Signs You're Getting Older

I could probably list a bunch but I'll stick with ten :-)

1. I get excited about reading the news online every morning.
2. By the end of the day, my knees are killing me from going up and down the stairs all day....and there are only about ten stairs.
3. I actually like to scrub the bathroom.
4. Cleaning out the refrigerator is my idea of a party!
5. I have no idea what a Pokemon is :-)
6. Gaining weight is EASY to do! When I was young, I could eat all day and not gain an ounce.
7. My idea of "going out" is a sit down meal and a trip to Walmart on Friday night.
8. I get heartburn. I swore that it didn't exist as a teenager because I never experienced it!
9. My kids have no idea what I'm talking about when I mention the Roger Rabbit or the Electric Slide.
10. The word stress has a permanent place in my life :-)

For more, visit yaknowwhatimean.com.

 

I Say Eco You Say Friendly

If there is one thing I spend a lot of time doing, it's laundry. I do at least one load a day for our family of four. That may not seem like a lot but when you consider the water and energy it takes to do this everyday, it adds up. I am constantly trying to find ways to conserve. Many companies are making this easier all the time with the production of new eco-friendly products. One such company is Electrolux. They have joined forces with Kelly Ripa and created a new limited edition, Kelly Green, eco-friendly, front load washer and dryer.

In order to raise awareness and funds for Global Green USA, Electrolux has also kicked off their virtual flower garden campaign. For every virtual flower you plant while visiting their site, Electrolux will donate $1 to Global Green. Global Green will in turn use the money to support their healthy green schools initiative all across America. Also when you plant a virtual flower, you will automatically be entered for a chance to win your very own Kelly Green front load washer and dryer. I don't know about you but I would be more than happy to make room for these!

Want to hear more great news? Mom Central is also giving away one of these sets! In case you missed it, you get TWO chances to win this product, plus you get to plant a virtual flower and help Global Green USA in the process, plus you will be a proud contributor to "green living." How great is that!! Visit Mom Central to sign up for your chance to win!

Love Your Veggies

When it comes to my ten year old and food, we have issues. She loves her dairy but is very picky about anything else she eats. Veggies are no exception. If they are green, you can pretty much give up on getting her to try them. I continue to encourage her and many times that helps. However, she is still apprehensive about trying new things. I find that if I can get her excited about veggies, she is more apt to try them. I usually do this by allowing her to help me prepare the food or by reading something neat about it. Last year she helped plant and maintain our garden and that was a great way to expose her to several different kinds of vegetables.

These days, kids are all about computers. They love to scour the internet for information and games. The brilliant makers of Hidden Valley Salad Dressings had an excellent idea. They recently introduced a new website geared toward children, to help expose them even more to the wonderful world of vegetable eating! Love Your Veggies is filled with information and games that your child is sure to love. From the website:

As part of their continued effort to help parents and educators overcome the challenges of getting children to eat their vegetables, the makers of Hidden Valley Salad Dressings have created Veggie Adventures, a free online game that can be played now at LoveYourVeggies.com. Keeping in mind a recent study that indicated that 60 percent of parents play computer games with their kids, the makers of Hidden Valley Dressings hope Veggie Adventures will be yet another tool for moms to utilize to expand their young children's appreciation for vegetables.

Veggie Adventures engages families in a three-part vegetable adventure that begins with growing vegetables on the farm and ends with serving and sharing vegetables with friends. Along with fun and easy game-play, Veggie Adventures provides players with great tips and vegetable facts meant to be transplanted outside of the gaming experience. At the end of each stage, players receive a printable certificate to commemorate their success.

My daughter loves playing Veggie Adventures and I am thrilled that she is learning lots of neat things about vegetables. I can already see excitement in her eyes when we talk of planting our garden this year. I look forward to making many yummy vegetable dishes this summer!

As always, thanks to Mom Central for alerting families to such useful and helpful products and websites!

Reflections 3/31/09

Well, the days of needing a steam cleaner are almost over. After years of putting it off, we're finally pulling up our horrid carpet and putting down flooring. I am very excited since I have allergies and the carpet breaks me down :-) The only problem now is that we are still remodeling a bathroom and Jeff's new job takes up every spare minute right now. Perfect timing, huh? Just when our "to-do" list needed to shrink, we go and make it bigger. Ah well.

As for everything else, things are going great. School is good and I have maintained an A average so far. Only five more weeks to go and I'm hoping I keep that A. As I get older, I realize that it's really hard for me to accept anything less than the best from myself. In many ways that is a good thing. Having had self esteem issues all of my life, I'm finally proving to myself that I can accomplish my goals with a little bit of hard work. I think our transition to Orthodoxy has helped in that area too. That's a story for another time though.

The kids are doing great and Logan's co-op classes are winding down. I think we are both happy about that. She's been enjoying her biology class. They have been dissecting animals over the past several weeks and I think she's learned a lot. I don't think she's actually done any of the cutting but I'm proud of her for being able to sit through the dissection without loosing her lunch. She's really found something she loves in writing too. She is taking an IEW class and has loved every second of it. The only other class she is taking is Spanish I and we won't even talk about that! It's been a nightmare and we've determined that in the future, foreign language will be done at home. Caroline wasn't involved in co-op this semester because I didn't have time to commit to helping out. Plus, she has weekly piano lessons and Jeff and I really wanted her to focus on that. She has so much natural ability in that area and I really hope she develops a great love of music. Right now, much of her piano learning is effortless. I only wish I had half the talent my girls have. They are very inspirational.

This summer looks busy for me. The girls and I usually have a pretty laid back schedule in the summer. Since that's the case, I'm going to load up on pre-nursing classes. I'll be taking four classes from June to August. I have two classes from June to July and then the other two courses will run July to August. They are quick since I'm taking them in the summer but most of them will be fairly easy. The only one that even worries me a little is, of course, the math course. Lots of prayer and hard work have helped this semester so I pray I don't lose focus.

You know, just when I think life couldn't get any more full, it seems to. I'm not sure if that happens to you but more often than not, it happens that way to me. Spiritually, I'm in a place I've never been before. I am very happy and content. I have a clear purpose and I am striving to fulfill that. I'm surrounded by people who love me and whom I love dearly. I'm making friendships that are unlike any I have ever had. Life is good. I pray I will not squander a single second of it.

Blog Tour: Michal by Jill Eileen Smith

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Michal
Revell (March 1, 2009)
by
Jill Eileen Smith


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jill Eileen Smith is the author of several articles, poems, and stories, and her unpublished novels have placed in five writing contests in the past five years. A children’s story, which she wrote for her church led her youngest son to faith in Christ several years ago; much like a gospel tract led her to the Lord at a similar age.

That story, “Seeking Treasureland,” is now available. Jill is a member of several online writing groups and helps promote fellow authors’ works through monthly interviews on the "Spotlight" page of her website. She, along with her husband and children, are active members in their local church. A stay-at-home mom, she homeschooled the couple’s three sons for twelve years through high school, seeing them go on to higher education.

In her spare time, Jill teaches piano, reads, does picture scrap-booking, and enjoys trying out new recipes, especially those that include dark chocolate. Jill and her family make their home in Southeastern Lower Michigan.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Can their epic search for true love survive a father's fury?
The daughter of King Saul, Michal lives a life of privilege--but one that is haunted by her father's unpredictable moods and competition from her beautiful older sister.

As a girl, Michal quickly falls for the handsome young harpist David. But soon after their romance begins, David must flee for his life, leaving Michal at her father's mercy in the prison that is King Saul's palace.

Will Michal ever be reunited with David? Or is she doomed to remain separated from him forever?

Against the backdrop of opulent palace life, raging war, and daring desert escapes, Jill Eileen Smith takes you on an emotional journey as Michal deals with love, loss, and personal transformation as the first wife of King David. Jill Eileen Smith has more than twenty years of writing experience, and her writing has gathered acclaim in several contests. Her research into the lives of David's wives has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Michal, go HERE

Go Vote for J4!!!

Silly me. I don't know how I could have forgotten to blog about something as exciting as some homeschool kids competing on national television for a CBS recording contract! What's even more exciting is that these homeschooled kids are local and we attend co-op with them! Bad me! Bad me!

J4 is a local group out of Bluff City, TN. They are made up of four brothers and sisters, ages 7 to 14, and they have lots of talent. They are great kids. They also have great parents. Their mother heads up the co-op where Logan takes classes each Monday. Their father is a pastor. Wonderful family.

They competed today on the Early Show, in the semi-final round of competition. There are three families left. Voting is open through 6pm (ET) tomorrow. The two families who have the highest number of votes will go on to compete in the final round next week. This has been a dream come true already for this family. They are so thankful to have the opportunity to represent the homeschool community and they have made us proud! Please go check them out and remember to vote!

CBS Early Show

Read more about J4

Back to Work

I was all geared up to buy some sports gifts for my FIL this week.....then MSU had to go and spoil it for me! They beat my Vols yesterday in the championship game. I'm sure I'll get over it in a week or two :-) In the meantime, everything else is going well. I was on spring break from school last week but I'm back in the swing of things this morning. I'm trying to catch up all the homework I didn't do last week. Seriously, who does homework on spring break?

March 12th marked the one year anniversary of my BIL's death. We spent the day recalling many memories of good times we'd had with him. It seems that everywhere we turn, there's a reminder of Mike's life. I am very thankful for that. For the last few years of his life, Mike worked as a carpenter. He had done this on and off all his life. He was very good at it and enjoyed doing this kind of work. The last project he completed before his death was building our deck and screened in porch. He, my hubby, and my FIL spent an entire summer getting it all done and we were all thrilled when they finished. Mike was very proud of the work and we were able to enjoy the deck for a few months before Mike got really sick. Every time I walk out there, I think of him. He was a very unique person and I wish everyone had gotten to know him.

While we miss him greatly, we know that he is with God and suffers no more. The last year of his life, Mike had grown very weak. To know that he is no longer in that state is very comforting. His children are still struggling but I guess that's normal when one looses a parent.

As for everything else, it's going well. Jeff's new job is working out great. He is keeping long hours but we hope that'll calm down once he's been there for a few months. Financially speaking, the job is going to be such a blessing to us. We are hoping to work toward paying our house off over the next few years. My goal is to have us debt free by the time hubby is 43. That's a little more than three years away. If we are able to accomplish that, it'll be a huge relief to us.

Everything else is excellent. We are settling into the new church. We feel very welcomed and loved already. I'm hoping to share more about that in the coming months. This was a change for us but we are learning so much. We have already developed a couple of really strong friendships and can't wait to see what the future holds.

It's finally nice to get back to blogging also. Facebook has been really distracting. There's something about being able to chat with friends that trumps having a blog :-) How about you guys? What's up with you?

Blog Tour: Journey To The Well by Diana Wallis Taylor

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Journey To The Well
Revell (March 1, 2009)
by
Diana Wallis Taylor

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Diana Wallis Taylor, San Diego resident, is an award-winning Christian author and speaker who shares her personal testimony to women’s groups. The Lord gave Diana a desire to write a book about the woman of Samaria who encountered Jesus at Jacob’s Well. It was at the edge of the well where the woman of Samaria found the living water of Jesus.

A native Californian, Diana Wallis Taylor graduated from San Diego State University. She has had many occupations; elementary and junior high school teacher, bookshop owner, and conference director for a Christian college. A poet since the age of 12, she published a book of poems, Wings Of The Wind, in 1994, now republished with watercolor illustrations in 2006. She has received awards in songwriting and poetry and her writing contributions appear in various books and magazines. The author speaks on the woman at the well in conjunction with her own testimony. She also speaks on A Walk in the Darkness, on her family involvement in the occult and how it affected her life.

Diana lives with her husband Frank in San Diego, California and between them they have six grown children and ten grandchildren. In addition to her speaking and writing, she serves on the board of the San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild and is active in Christian Women’s Fellowship.



ABOUT THE BOOK

She went to the well for water. What she found there would change her life forever.

Marah is a young girl in love with her childhood friend, Jesse. When she is forced to marry an older man, she must abandon her dreams of happiness. At the mercy of men who are often only interested in using her, Marah must fight for survival. Will she ever meet a man who can save her?

The story of the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well is one of hope, redemption, and a life changed in an instant through a remarkable encounter. Jesus told her "everything she'd ever done," but we are left to wonder at the circumstances that led her life on such a tragic path to begin with. Now from the creative mind of Diana Wallis Taylor comes the full story of the woman at the well.

This well-researched portrayal of a woman's life in the time of Jesus opens a window into a fascinating world. Taylor's rich descriptions of the landscapes, lifestyles, and rituals mesh easily with the emotional and very personal story of one woman who desperately seeks to rise above the difficult circumstances of her life.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Journey To The Well, click HERE

Man of Many Hats

My hubby is a funny man. There isn't a day that passes without me doubled over, laughing at something he has said or done. He's also a good sport and goes along with most silly things I come up with. Oh the things he allows me to talk him in to doing!

We happened by a huge bin of foam hats for kids at Michael's. Of course, he let me talk him in to modeling several of them while I took pictures. Other customers got a kick out of it too because I heard many of them snickering as they passed.

The pink cowgirl hat was my favorite because, well, it's pink!

Jeff the Tiger

Elephant Man

Oh Bunny

By this time, I was laughing so hard that I couldn't get a clear picture. I'm blessed to live with a man who loves me more than I can imagine and that has a great sense of humor!

 

 

Playing Catch Up

Since the discovery of Facebook several months ago, blogging has sort of taken a backseat. I found myself missing my bloggy friends this week though so I'm hoping to settle down and get back on track. It's funny how you go through "phases" even as an adult. We've also had lots of changes in the past few months so I have plenty to write about.

Two weeks ago, hubby started a new job. This job is 100% home-based. The transition has been an easy one since he already worked at home three days a week with his previous job. The hardest part for me has been to discipline myself to make lunch for him every day. His work hours are a little cooky right now but we are confident that it will straighten out once he gets the hang of things. He is already starting to get into a groove so normalcy is sure to find us soon!

School is going well for me. I'm only taking one class right now so it's very manageable and has not affected our homeschooling schedule at all really. It's very motivating to be working toward something that I will be able to use once the kids are older. Medicine has always fascinated me and I love people so I am looking forward to using these skills. As far as the class is concerned, so far, I have an A. It's a math class and math is my weakest area so I really have to stay focused in order to do well. The section we are in now is pretty tough for me but I'm hanging in there.

The girls are great. They are progressing nicely with their school work and I'm actually looking into volunteer opportunities for us. I hope to find something that the three of us can do on a weekly basis. I know there are plenty of great ministries out there so hopefully I'll find us something soon.

The biggest change for our family happened several months ago. We left the church we had been part of for six years. Through lots of study, hubby decided we were going in the wrong direction so we took a step back and changed direction. This was a very, very hard thing for me at first. There was plenty of heartache and fighting that happened here but God is good and healed us. I think the hardest thing for me at first was that our former church chose to "cut fellowship" with us. There were other families that left and they were also "cut off." There are a few families that made the decision to continue to fellowship with us and we are happy to count them as friends. We love all of our former church family and pray that God will bring reconciliation in the future. For now, we are focusing on the really important things...like controlling our passions and bringing God glory in any way we possibly can. We have grown even closer as a family and are in a very good place right now.

So, what have you been up to?

Ten Ways To Make Your Life Better

My list is pretty simple. Since I have been working more on this lately, these are the things that come to mind right off:

1. Get rid of negative influences. Right now for me, this means getting rid of negative people in my life :-)
2. Pray more.
3. Read more.
4. Exercise regularly.
5. Eat properly.
6. Show more compassion.
7. Love more.
8. Die to self more.
9. Get priorities straight.
10. Enjoy life!

For more Ten On Tuesdays, visit the official site.