It's A Wonderful Life

A New Years Poem

2012-01-01T13:46:00.000-06:00

Another Year Is Dawning

Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be,
In working, or in waiting,
Another year with Thee.

Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness
In the shining of Thy face.

Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.

Another year of service,
Of witness of Thy love,
Another year of training
For holier work above.

Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven
Another year for Thee.

Author - Francis Ridley Havergal

HAPPY BLESSED NEW YEAR!!

Have a blessed day!

2011 Recap

2011-12-30T22:13:00.002-06:00

Since I've only posted about three times this year I thought I would let y'all know what went on in 2011 for me and my family.

It wasn't a horrible year but it wasn't a great one either. The Lord has blessed me tremendously this year. He has provided for us on so many different occasions when I didn't know how we were going to get by. And I mean in every sense. Like emotionally, financially, spiritually and our safety! He always has provided for us. (read Philippians 4:19)

The year started off normal enough. I was just enjoying life and my family. We had started planning for my step-father's 80th birthday party in May. We were having family coming from out of state and we were excited about seeing them. But what really excited us the most was my nephew coming from Michigan. It was what I was looking forward to most of all. It was great to see him and all our other family members that came to the party.

In April there was a tornado that wrecked havoc in our state. I was watching the news when it actually showed it touching down in Tuscaloosa. Immediately I started worrying about and praying for my nephew who works there and lives by the university. It was an F5 while it was on the ground. Thankfully it didn't come near his apartment, it did kill a lot of people and it did destroy a lot of others' homes and businesses'. We continued watching it not realizing it was heading right towards us!

The weather man kept saying it was going to hit metro Birmingham. Well we are about 8-10 miles north of the city, thought we were in the clear. About 6 o'clock that night I looked out the window, I was looking to see if my neighbors were home. That's when I noticed debris on our cars. At that time we heard on the news that the tornado was in Smithfield. Now Smithfield is right across the highway and usually if a tornado touches down there it will hit my neighborhood next. We started heading down to the basement, my phone rang and I was on it when my husband yelled for me to hang it up and come on. It was my sister asking if we were in our basement. I was trying to juggle the phone, a flashlight and my chihuahua all the while heading downstairs. Oh with my motorcycle helmet on too!

We were in our safe spot only a little bit when it hit. My town was struck by an F4 tornado. We were very blessed as we had almost no damage. Just trees basically. Other neighbors lost their homes and businesses. Our town was hit pretty bad but no deaths which was a miracle. Below is an actual video of the tornado going through our neighborhood.

This video was taken from an apartment building across from my neighborhood (across a 4 lane highway and I65). While I was in the basement with my husband, hearing the roaring and just by the sound of it you knew it was big. I told my husband this is how we're going to die. Strangely enough I had no fear of dying. As I said we were very blessed that day.

Even now there are still lots of reminders of that day. Our trees behind our house are just all broken. There has been a lot of repairing of our town but there are still signs of the tornado. I think the emotional scars have a long way to go before they are completely healed though.

My grand babies turned 4 and 2 this year they are getting so big. The best parts of the year were times spent with my daughter's family. They have brought us so much joy. They are really at the ages where we have a ton of fun. They like to wrestle and let me tell you this Grammy gets worn out! I am so tired after spending the afternoon with them. But there are also a lot of climbing on my lap and snuggling. I will have one on one leg and the other on the other leaning up against me reading stories or watching videos on the iPhone. I love these times with them.

October brought sadness. My father passed away on the 25th. We went to California for his funeral. It was a beautiful service, he was a great person and the best father ever!

Alfredo "Fred" - my dad

After I got home it was about three weeks before we lost my husband's mother. She passed away on November 20th. She had been sick with her heart and on this day her kidneys failed. As we were getting ready to leave the hospital it was about 9:30 when my husband seen all the doctors running into her room. About 20 minutes later they came out and told us she had passed.

Kathryn - my mother in law

My husband was her only schild. His father has passed so he feels really alone now. Please remember him in your prayers. Kathryn had remarried about 7 years ago. Her new husband was real good to her. One thing I disliked was that one of her step-children's wife had posted on Facebook that Kathryn had passed before we even got to notify all of her family. I hadn't even told my daughter and it was already on Facebook. I just think that people ought to consider a person's family before they start posting their deaths.

We stayed home during Thanksgiving just didn't feel like going any where. For the first time I had my daughter and her family over and made my very first Turkey. I must say it was really delicious!

We really did have a great Christmas. We enjoyed shopping and then watching our grandchildren opening their presents. Hubs got a kick out of putting Roary the race car together with our oldest grand son Ray. Little Bruce played with his toys for a bit then got on his old airplane toy that he likes to ride on. All the new ones and he was on the one toy he plays with every time he comes over here. Oh and the marshmallow suckers I got them tasted like "turkey and cheese!" I don't even know where that came from. lol

Well that's about takes us through the year. I am sure I have forgot a few things. There were losses but also lots of love and good times. But now that's life. Prayers and a relationship with God will always get you through the bad times and the good times. Just so thankful He is in my life.

Have a blessed day!

When I Say "I Am A Christian"

2011-07-12T10:22:00.000-05:00

When I Say "I Am A Christian"
by Carol Wimmer

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I get lost!"
"That is why I chose this way."

When I say..."I am a Christian"
don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.

A friend sent that poem to me and I wanted to share it. I hope you like it.

Have a blessed day!

Family Fun

2011-07-08T14:56:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July. I stayed home and had my daughter and her family over. We had just got home from Nashville and really didn’t feel like going with the family to the lake. I can’t swim in lake water anyway and just didn’t want to sit there sweating all day.

I served my delicious ribs and I must tell you that they were my best batch ever. That’s saying a lot because my ribs are the best. So we had our meal and waited for it to get a little dark so we could do our fireworks. The boys were just so excited. They were clapping and screaming and really had a great time. They were swapping laps between me, their mommy and Paw while daddy was in charge of firing off the fireworks. They are at the age right now that it is so much fun. Here’s a couple of pics of the boys watching the fireworks.

The important thing to me is just being with them. God is just so good to me and has blessed me so much. I am just so grateful for the family He has placed in my life. Also my friends, my Siesta’s and church.

I’ll leave you with one last pic. It’s my son-in-law, hubs and Bruce with the bike. I don’t know why I like this pic so much you can’t see any of their faces but I do like it.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Have a blessed day!

Hiya Blogging Buddies

2011-07-01T09:54:00.007-05:00

I just can't believe I haven't posted since January!! I am so sorry for neglecting my blog. I have had a thousand things to blog about but just haven't sit down to do it. So I am seriously going to try to get back to my bloggy self. I have missed you all so much.

So I wanted to let ya'll know that I finally got to meet someone very special last month. Someone I have loved for 19 years but wasn't able to see or meet. You might remember this post from 2009. Here we are on Memorial Day.

This is my nephew Stephen. He is such a great kid and fit right in, he has always been with us but now he was with us in person. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with him but I am looking forward to the future.

I'm going to be getting this blog up to date and changing it around a little. I added some new pages as you can see at the top but need to update those too. Can't wait to get caught up with ya'll!

Have a blessed day!

A Couple of Prayer Requests

2011-01-13T12:52:00.001-06:00

Hey I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year. It actually snowed here in Alabama Christmas day. I did not get out in it though, just stuck my head out the door to look at it. I'll write a post with some pics about our Christmas later though. As for right now this is the second day that we have been able to get out of the house after being snowed in for a couple of days. I am telling you that I am officially tired of the snow!

I have a lot to share with you all but for now I am stopping by to ask you if you would say a couple of prayers for a couple of people.

First I have a friend who's grandson really needs our prayers. His name is Jayden and he is improving some everyday but has a long way to go. So please remember him.

If you are at all familiar with the Siestas then you probably have already heard about this next prayer request.

This is Joanne. The other day her daughter found her collapsed next to her treadmill. She had had a stroke. She is only 38 years old and the mother of two. For more details and updates about Joanne you can visit her blog The Simple Wife or you can hop over to Mustard Seeds. Right now she is a asleep. She has had two surgeries and they are just waiting for her to wake up. I didn't know Joanne or wasn't even familiar with her blog before her stroke. But I do know a couple of very good friends of hers. They are very close to her and they are also hurting. So please remember Joanne's family and friends during this time. She really needs prayers right now.

Have a blessed day!

HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY!!

2010-11-11T13:33:00.003-06:00

Veterans Day

By Taylor Weinman

Representing the red white and blue

The colors of our flag stand out proud and true.

The white stars on blue background with red and white stripes

Remind me of these veterans, who all risked their lives.

Just so the people of the U.S. could all live in peace and be free.

These are the heroes that represent you and me.

They stood up strongly, untied as one,

And kept up the fighting until they were done.

And although some have fallen, and lost their lives in war,

We pray for each one of them.

And now that their souls live on forever more,

Above in God’s hands. They watch over our nation,

And give us strength to triumph over others with strong anticipation.

So every year, when this day comes by,

Think of all the veterans that while fighting, had to die.

And remember that they were people

With fire and passion embedded inside.

They die for this country, So remember and honor them with pride.

I wanted to post this in remembrance of all the soldiers who gave their lives for all of us. Also in remembrance of my grandfather and my hubs’ grandfather.

I won't forget about all the soldiers like my dad and step-father who are still among us and served their country – THANK YOU!!

Have a blessed day!

Boring Monday

2010-10-18T15:50:00.003-05:00

Monday is the boringness day of the week. Other than bible study there is nothing that I do. Tuesday – Sunday are usually busy and fun. But Monday’s while others resent it because they have to go back to work I resent it cause it’s just boring.

Saturday was my oldest grandsons birthday - Ray turned 3. We had a private skating party for him on Sunday. It was fun to see everyone and to watch the kids skating. I know it’s ugly but it was so funny watching them fall. lol I will be posting pics in the next few days of his party. I made his cakes so I want to show y’all those too.

On another note my house is a mess - my entire house. I need to clean but when I feel like doing it I am busy and having to leave to run errands. Then I get home and I am tired and lazy so I put it off. But really now this week I am going to have to really get off my butt and do it. The kitchen is the only room in this house that is clean. I don’t really like to clean to start with. So tomorrow I will be spending it cleaning the living room. Unless any of you want to come do it for me? Anyone?

You know that I love doing bible studies. This time I am doing Beth Moore’s Here and Now…There and Then. It is a bible study on Revelations. We are on our sixth week. It is different from her other bible studies. The homework is not as much. The DVD’s sessions are longer though. So far I have enjoyed it and really have understood a little more about Revelations. So glad that I get to meet with the ladies at my church for this study. My sister’s have been going also and my daughter she’s going to the morning sessions.

I have a lot to catch all of you up on. I went to a woman’s blogger/Christian retreat in North Carolina that I want to share with you. I had such a wonderful time and got to meet a lot of new friends. Also enjoyed seeing a couple of old friends too.

Well let me run. I have to figure out what to do for dinner. Something fast but filling. Then I’m off to bible study!

Have a blessed day!

Bruce & Chico

2010-08-19T10:12:00.002-05:00

Hey y'all! I hope that where ever you are you are enjoying these dog days of summer. It has been in the high 90's and up the last few weeks here in Alabama. But this week it's been mostly in the low 90's and RAIN! So it hasn't been too awful.Of course hubs would disagree since he's been working outside! lol

In our household right now we are planning our little one's first birthday. He was actually due on September 4 but came two days after his Paw's birthday on August 27. We are having his party on the 29th. Since his name is Bruce Wayne (named after his grandfather's) we are having a batman theme birthday. I am making a two tier birthday cake for the party and a small cake for him. I will definitely post pics of my cake, I am so excited about making it.

My oldest grandson was due on October 18 but he came on October 16 so right after Bruce's party we will start planning his. Right now it looks like a dinosaur theme as he is really into dinosaurs but that's subject to change. I can't believe how fast the time flies.

I have a couple of pictures for you. First off here is a picture that I see when ever I have a snack or anything to eat for that matter.

I NEVER get to eat anything without these little vultures waiting for a bite!

Now these two do not get a long. Bruce likes to pick at Chico and Chico nips him every chance he gets. Here they are on the very rare occasion where one is not bothering the other.

Yes those were my blinds. It was a small hole that the dog made so he could look out when ever he wanted to. With the addition of my grand baby to the house it has become quite a bit larger. This is them catching me taking their picture.

Yeah after that it was back to picking.

Hope y'all have a great day today. I am off to run some errands!

Have a blessed day!

Staying Focused On God

2010-07-29T10:01:00.001-05:00

I was going to blog about something different when I checked my email and received this from my uncle. I want to share it with you:

Three Bullets

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat.

He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out

hunting and kill some wild game for dinner.

As he went down the road, he saw a

rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it.The rabbit ran away.

Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it.

The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree.

As he went further, he saw a large wild "Tom" turkey in the tree, but he had

only one bullet remaining.

A voice spoke to him and said, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused."

However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill.

He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake

between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brought the gun down further

to shoot the rattlesnake.

Still, the voice said again to him, "I said 'Pray, Aim high and Stay focused."

So, the man decided to listen to God's voice.

He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey.

The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer.

The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it.

And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond.

When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer

and a turkey to eat for his family.

The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.

Gist of this is:

Pray first before you do anything, Aim and shoot high in your goals,

and stay focused on God.

Never let others discourage you concerning your past. The past is exactly that. "the past."

Live every day one day at a time and remember that only God knows our future and that He will not put you through any more than you can bear.

Do not look to man for your blessings, but look to the doors that only He has

prepared in advance for you in your favour.

Wait, be still and patient: keep God first and everything else will follow.

I know God has been trying to tell me something and I have just not got it in my head. I have been getting this message a lot. "Stay focused on God". I have come across scriptures every day during my bible devotion, bible study and reading my bible that have all pertained to focusing on God. Yet I still have asked for prayers and although I try to hand it over to God I just don't know how to do that and still keep it from lurking around in my head.

I recently have handed over to the Lord two problems where the decisions are to be made by two different people. I don't know how long they are going to take (too long for me already). I hate that! I like to control things and it has been hard for me to not worry about something that someone else is controlling. Yet I know that God is in control of it all. Still I am concerned that what if the decisions aren't good for me? What if God is wanting me to go through something I just don't want to go through? Is that awful of me? Especially after what Jesus went through to save me? It just seems so selfish for me to feel this way.

Staying focused on God is hard for me sometimes. During those times, when I realize that I'm not focusing on him, I pray. During those times I find myself worrying or stressing I realize it's because I am not focusing on him. I have never really worried or stressed too much about anything. I have always said and felt that if I can fix it - I'll fix it and if I can't - then I can't. I would just let go, give it to God and be on my way and it wouldn't bother me again at all. I don't know what has changed to make me not have that attitude anymore. I do know though that I am going to do my best to get it back and give it to God and be on my way!

Have a blessed day!

SILENCE

2010-07-20T10:31:00.003-05:00

That is what my home has been. The grand babies and their parents are on vacation. They left Sunday and well I really miss them. It takes some getting use to when a family of four move in with you. But things are going good.

My youngest grand baby has become accustomed to banging on my bedroom door so that he can visit with us. Then whenever I walk into a room he is in he thinks I am there just to get him. If i speak to anyone in the room he is looking at me and saying “huh”. lol He’s so cute.

My oldest one spends his day roaring, stomping, singing and playing all over the house. He will put a blanket over his head and stomp and roar saying he is a dinosaur and that the blanket is his tail. He’ll get excited and come running into the living room to tell us something that we can’t even understand. I’ll be laying in bed and I can hear him laughing hysterically and it always makes me giggle. The other day he ran up to his mother and said “take a picture” then he said cheese. This is the result.

I miss those little faces!!

Friday was my birthday and I got cupcakes to celebrate. Well we put candles on them but every time we tried to light one Ray would blow it out. My youngest grand baby was just staring and looking at us all. I think he must have been really confused as to what we were doing.

I have a couple of prayer requests if ya’ll would remember me I would appreciate it. I can’t disclose them right now but God knows what they are. I will go for now but I have a lot going on and a lot to tell ya’ll. I am going to try to get back to regular blogging and reading blogs. I have really missed my blogging friends.

Have a blessed day!

Weigh In & Other Stuff

2010-06-04T15:49:00.001-05:00

Today I didn't think I was ever going to get online! It was another early morning-all day appointment at Kirklin Clinic/UAB. I really don't mind going there but by now I know that I have to bring a book with me. I can't even make phone calls unless I go to a crosswalk or outside. But if I do that I may miss my name being called so no internet til now! When I am doing a bible study this is always a great time for me to do it. I would've loved to had started my new devotional reading book today but I didn't get to buy it until after I had left the hospital.

So after I left the hospital I went straight to Family Christian - where I spent way too much money as usual! A couple of things for my grand babies another new book mark and then my new devotional. I really wanted one that I could journal in too. But the one I got is called Streams in the Desert. I really like it. Looking forward to reading it during my quiet time in the morning. What devotional do you use?

Ok now it's time for check in on the diet. Did well with my water - not great at exercise but am planning on getting more this week. Got my treadmill out, or rather my daughter did, so I'll be back on it starting tomorrow. The hardest thing for me this week actually was not weighing every day. I usually get up go to the rest room then weigh. But now I am only doing it once a week. So how did the weigh in go well minus 1 pound. lol No I am not discouraged it didn't come on in one week and it's not going to come off in one week. lol But I am feeling good about it and going to do better on my meals next week.

Now before I go I want to show you something that my daughter told me she wanted ten of at Christmas time.

lol It's called The Cleavage Caddy! I had never ever seen anything like it. It's made by Mazantri Creations. What will they think of next???

Ok so now that I am finally home I have some paper work I have to go through and shred. I mean a lot maybe three bags full, big bags. Yeah I hoard at times. lol Hope y'all have a great weekend!

Have a blessed day!

Ugh!!! Here I Go - AGAIN!!!

2010-05-28T13:21:00.001-05:00

So here I go again!! I am about to embark on yet another weight loss journey. My buddy Becky Jo (who has done a wonderful job - losing 32 lbs.!!!!) has decided to declare a new beginning and asked if any of her buddies wanted to join her. So I ~~said~~ commented that I wanted in. I do not know why in the world I do that to myself!!! I LOVE to eat!! I do! I have lost weight in the past and I have felt great. But then I get lazy and gain it back. So now I am accountable. Ugh!!!

Ok so we are going to weigh in every Friday - which will be hard on me because I weigh every day. I'll be posting my updates every Friday here, like any of you will be interested. lol

Some activity - at least 5 - yes!! FIVE days a week (I'm going to DIE!!!). I was taking Zumba classes but with the hubs out of work and me on part time now $10-$15 a week seems high. When you think about it that's $40-$60 a month. But they do have some great Zumba DVD's I can get. But before I do that I am going to use my dusty old treadmill, stationary bike and FINALLY start my 30 Day Shred DVD that I have had since last summer. So I think I'll have plenty of activity - just have to get up and do it!!!

Water - I already drink 8 oz. a day. So I have heard you need to drink more than that so I will go for 10 starting off. I can not drink water alone, like Becky Jo, I need that little bit of flavor.

Food let's see - I have the health nazi (my daughter) living with me now so I am a little afraid to ask her to hold me accountable. We had a little tiff last night because she made spaghetti. Well she didn't drain the pasta. So when I went to get some (with our spaghetti strainer spoon thingy) I asked her why she didn't drain it. She said because it would stick together. So I told her after you drain it you put butter in it and it won't stick. So there I go, I asked for it - a long explanation about how bad that was for me. Do you know how unhealthy all that butter is? Yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah! I LOVE MY BUTTER!!!

I am going to have to go back to my spray butter that I use to use while I was on Weight Watchers, it is really good. But I am going to miss my Country Crock!!! I think I am going to do a combination of Weight Watchers but with food from the Rice Diet. I have been very successful on both diets and like different things about both of them. I even have a good Mexican salad recipe that I really liked using their guildelines. Oh and homemade salsa!!

Why is eating healthy and exercising so difficult? I mean that is all you have to do to lose weight - diet and exercise. I KNOW this. It's the doing it that is the problem. But I need this. I need to get healthier and to feel better. Even ten lbs ago I was feeling more energetic. It is really a discipline problem with me even affecting my spiritual life. Although I am still praying every day they are the rushed prayers, the oh I almost forgot let me go ahead and do it real fast prayers. My quiet time has went completely out the window. Like letting yourself go physically you begin to feel the difference when you let yourself go spiritually! I so need the spiritual food!!! Does that make sense?

I need to sign off now. Have to finish up some stuff here at work and then I'm off. Yay! lol

Have a blessed day!

Life Change!!

2010-05-24T16:54:00.000-05:00

So the major change in my life is that my daughter and her family have moved in with us. (Taking a deep breath) When she first asked if she could I knew I couldn't say no, hubs knew he couldn't say no. But we have been so use to living by ourselves (7 years!!) that we have become VERY comfortable. There was quiet in our house, with just the noise of our Chicobaby barking when he heard something. We have been use to being alone. It will be a month on the 29th. We have adjusted fairly well. Hubs has had more problem than I have. He also has been laid off from work so he is there all day. For a couple of weeks he wasn't really handling it too well - leaving to go to a friends house. And well let's just say I prefer he stay away from this friend's house. I am so glad that he hasn't been there in over a week now and things have gone back to normal for he and I.

The living room and dining room are a little cluttered. I went through a few things over the weekend and cleared out the living room pretty good. I will start on the dining room tomorrow. My daughter is reorganizing the kitchen. She has been doing the cooking, all of the cooking, so that I don't have to when I come in from work. Cleaning is a bit more challenging for her though. lol We still need to get one of the bedroom's organized so the kiddos can have a play room.

This morning as I heard my oldest grandson jumping and laughing in the living room it made me smile. It also makes me smile when I walk into the living room and see their cute little faces. They are always smiling and happy to see me. To my husband's delight our son-in-law has been great with the yard work. lol So overall we are all adjusting to each other.

Oh I failed to mention the reason they moved in with us. They have property over in the next county and they moved in with us to save money for the building of their house. The property is paid for and they want to do like my son-in-law's sister and build their own house. So please pray with me that all works out well for them and us!!! lol

Have a blessed day!

Fast Living!

2010-05-21T17:27:00.001-05:00

That is how life has seemed here lately! I have had a great day today. It started with a meet-up at Irondale Cafe - The Original Whistlestop Cafe. It is the same restaurant that was featured in the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" (I linked to a You Tube clip of the original movie trailer) If you haven't seen it you will really enjoy it. Ok back to the meet-up it was held and hosted by my friend Rachel of Alabama Bloggers.

I always enjoy the Alabama Bloggers meet-ups. At today's meet up there were three new bloggers that I had never met. I don't have their links right now but if they link up at the Alabama Bloggers site you can find them there. The ones that I knew that were there was Wade (he has several blogs!) Drew (Okra Cola) , Rhoda (Southern Hospitality), Amy (Ordinarily Extraordinary) and of course Rachel (Grasping for Objectivity).

I had the Beef Tips and Rice. I don't think I have ever expressed that one of my favorite foods, besides Mexcan - it is ALWAYS first, is beef tips and rice. I can not make beef tips and rice to save my life. I have the rice down but not the beef tips. So any tips out there on how to make it good and not tough I'd appreciate!!! The food at the Irondale Cafe is sooo good. Good southern food!! I did not get the fried green tomatoes - people that like that say they are really good, I just do not like it. But I do not eat tomatoes on anything - so. But the beef tips and rice and the roll I got was delicious. If you want some good southern food you need to head on over to the cafe.

There is so much going on at home and at work that these days are just flying by. Before I know it it is the end of May. There has been a few changes in my life lately and will fill you in next week. I have a lot of catching up to do and since I now have a little more time on my hands I will be able to get back to regular ~~programming~~ blogging!

Thought I would share this picture with you. My 9 month old grandson likes to antagonize. He is always picking on his older brother, our dog Chico and even me!!! He gets so tickled with himself that he just starts smiling and wiggling all over. These two little guys always bring a smile to my face!!

Have a blessed day!

Tamara Lowe's Jesus Rap

2010-04-26T13:20:00.001-05:00

Have y'all seen this?

It's been floating around Facebook and I wanted to share it with you. This is by Tamara Lowe she is a motivational speaker, author and rapper!! I just love it!!

I will be posting in the next couple of days about the Beth Moore live event I went to Saturday. I LOVED it!!! So good!! Didn't get to spend a lot of time with my Siestas but I did get to hug quite a few of their necks!

I just wanted to say that I have quite a few new followers and I wanted to say thank you to them for following me. I've been extremely busy but promise to pay you a visit and follow back. Appreciate you guys bunches!! Ok gotta run I'm at work and busy busy busy today!

Have a blessed day!

I'm Still Here!!

2010-04-22T13:40:00.000-05:00

I have been so bad about not posting!! It has really been such a busy month for me. I have a few pictures to show you of my grand babies from Easter. A lot to tell you too. Unfortunately it won't be with this post. I just wanted to drop a line to let you know I am still here. I so appreciate those of you who have inquired about my whereabouts. Work is still crazy due to the IRS stuff and when I get home seems like I barely have time to make dinner when it's time to go to bed. I know you know how that is.

I am also getting ready to head to Atlanta hopefully Friday for Beth Moore's Live So Long Insecurity event. My roomie canceled on me last minute so anyone want to join me???? I hope I can make it Friday night but may just have to drive over Saturday morning. I do have some good news. I had had main auditorium tickets then they were mistakenly given away. So then I got a couple of overflow tickets and then I got two tickets back in the main auditorium. So now I have two overflow tickets with lunches for sale and may have one main auditorium ticket for sale if my other friend calls and can't make it. I really want to go for Friday night but to be honest, with hubs just now going back to work, I really just can't afford the room by myself. So here's hoping my buddy can make it tomorrow - so short notice for her so maybe doubtful!

I will definitely be posting a lot of pics and hope to meet so many of the wonderful Siesta's that I have talked to on Facebook and Twitter. I have already meet a few local siesta's but this will be my first time to go to a big Siesta event!!

Now I know I am posting about a Beth Moore event but I wanted to share with you what I have been listening to today. I love it!!

It's the David Crowder Band the song is "How He Loves". I hope you enjoy it and hope ya'll have a great weekend!! I'll be sure to let you know how the event goes!! I am so EXCITED!!!!!

Have a blessed day!

Sunday's Coming!!!

2010-04-02T15:43:00.001-05:00

I hope you enjoy this great video!! Sunday's Coming!!!

Have you thanked the Lord for his sacrifice today????

And Sunday is the RESURRECTION!!!

Have a blessed day!

A POST, A POST!!!

2010-03-30T10:41:00.002-05:00

Oh wow I must apologize! I didn't realize that the last time I posted was on the 17th!!! I am so sorry!! I could have sworn that I have posted since then and I was right. Except for it was in draft!! Of which I haven't finished!!

So I have just been busy living life! I remember when my daughter was young and so involved in so much stuff that I didn't think there was enough hours of the day! After she went to college I had soooo much time on my hands. It took a while to get use to being an empty nester! Then I went back to work and started to get involved in things for ME! Well it wasn't long til I was just as busy and always on the go again! Now that I am also a Grammy I am thinking the same thing - there's not enough hours in the day. I enjoy being busy. But I also like my relaxation time. For me that is watching tv, reading a book, bible study or just praying. These are times that are spent alone - ME time! Well I'm not going into details right now but hubs and I are about to have some life changes that will limit my ME time considerably. Not complaining - just a little timid, worried and concerned - but also a LOT excited!! I'll have to fill you in later.

I am so excited about Easter this weekend! Last year my DD and her hubs were working when my church had their Easter egg hunt so it was just me and Ray. You can see how much fun we had here. Even though we had fun it was hard trying to catch good camera moments with just me. This year my DD is a stay at home mom and she will be joining us along with Bruce. So I am glad that they will be coming along with us. When I first told her about it she kinda thought I just wanted me and Ray to go alone again. But I made sure she knew that I wanted her and Bruce there too! I am old and need the help!! lol

We are also having our annual Easter program on Friday night. I am so excited about it. Last year was spectacular and I have heard this year is even better. I'll be posting pics next week!

I am sad that next Monday will be our last bible study session. I am always sad when they come to an end! My church does one in the Winter and one in the Fall. I usually find another group or do one online in the Summer. I just like to have a study going at all times. It just blesses me and I am always wanting to study His word.

Oh hey if you want to read a really funny post about Communion/Lord's Supper hop over to Fran's blog - Blessed by Him! She had me laughing sooo hard!! I think I first noticed Fran over at the LPM Blog and then we became friends on Twitter and Facebook. She is such a wonderful, Lord loving person! She has the best heart and I am just so blessed to have 'met' her. Oh and so super excited that I will be meeting her IRL in April!!! Yay!!!! Hop over and tell Fran I sent ya!

I am going to close this post with some new pics of my little men! Hope you enjoy them and don't hold back telling me how wonderful they are!!!

Aren't they too cute!! lol Oh and um please excuse the mess on the right.

I don't pick up til after they leave!

Have a blessed day!

Zumba and Drama

2010-03-17T14:26:00.002-05:00

Saturday I was good!!! I got up early got my house together then I threw on some work out clothes and headed to Zumba class. Now I really enjoy this new activity that I have found. I actually made it through a whole class without stopping!! The last two classes I had got to feeling a little bad and had to leave. After running to the bathroom for a few minutes, I felt a lot better and hopped right back into class. Well when I woke up Saturday my blood sugar was 92 - low for me. I was feeling a little weak and had no energy. So I ate breakfast and went on with my day. Well when I got into Zumba class I was still not feeling right. I have these glucose tablets that I do not take often but had with me. I thought maybe I better take one, you know so that I don't fall out. Well I don't know if during the other two classes that maybe my blood had dropped and that's why I had to go and take my little break or not. But I do know that after taking the tablet I felt good and didn't need my bathroom break. So I was proud that I got through the whole class!!

Although they tell you to go at your own pace at first I find myself trying to keep up with the pros in class. lol Well I'll be going at my own from now on. It just wears me out way too fast. These ladies that I am talking about are fit and trim and young. So I don't know why I think I need to keep up with them. I am old, fat and a Grammy!!! While my doctor likes the activity he's told me that someone with my illnesses shouldn't take such a fast pace class. Puhlease!!! But since he is my doctor I am going to continue taking the classes but just go at my own pace. I enjoy it! It doesn't really seem like a work out (my body disagrees with me!) because it is so much fun. The hour flies by and I think some activity is better than none! My doctor's never say anything to me about my weight - they say the meds and insulin make it hard for me to lose weight. But I want to. I want to have more energy. So I am hoping that this will help whether I lose a lot of weight or not - just to have the energy I need to play with the grand babies without getting so tired so fast.

Ok so let me move on to Sunday. As I mentioned in my previous post DST was not my friend this year. I love it when we switch back because I like having daylight for a couple of hours when I get off of work. But it has really worn me out. So I get up - I am running way late. I get dressed and head out the door. My daughter and her family were coming over that evening for tacos so I had to run to Walmart to pick up a few things. Mainly cupcakes for my grandson Ray.

Well I find a really good parking space one lane over from the doors right in front. So I park, get out of my car and proceed to walk over to the other side of the lane I am parked in, so that way I can then cross over towards the doors. Well there were no vehicles when I walked away from my car. By the time I got to the middle of the lane though, I looked to my left and I was shoulder to hood with a big black truck. The driver was looking off towards his left - not seeing me. My mind is racing and I am thinking -

"Oh Lord I am going to have to run!"

"Should I run?"

"Even if I run, he's still going to hit me!"

"If he doesn't slow down, when he hits me I am going to fall and end up under his truck."

Now I am in the middle of the lane, the vehicle, that I could literally pucker up and kiss, is positioned to where I am standing smack in the middle in front of the hood. So even if I do run I am going to get hit. About the time that I get ready to sprint the driver turns his head and looks straight at me. Luckily he stopped with MAYBE a 1/4 of an inch in front of me. At that point I have my arm out towards the truck - I guess I thought I could stop it. lol When he finally came to a stop - which seemed like an eternity - I looked up and walking towards me is a girl I go to church with. I said "Thank you Jesus!!" We chuckled as we passed each other made a little comment and I was off into the store. The man made no attempt to stop and say he was sorry. He just kept on driving like nothing had happened!

I am glad to report that the rest of the day was a ton of fun. My grand babies came over and we all ate and had a good time. Oh and for your viewing pleasure:

Aren't I blessed??

Have a blessed day!

Freaky Friday And A Friend!

2010-03-16T12:10:00.001-05:00

Did y'all survive Daylight Savings Time? I do not think that I have. I am still sooooo tired!!! I could fall asleep right here right now! It's not that I have not been sleeping well at night, because I have. I am just tired!!!

So I wanted to tell you about my Friday. Last Friday. I woke up excited because I was going to meet a high school friend. I haven't seen her in about 18 years so I was really excited!!! I was going to go ahead and take the rest of the day off after our lunch. Well that didn't happen...

When I first got to work on Friday I did not have any power to any of my electronics. Nothing was working. Even the phones weren't working. Now my boss had been there a while and just so you know how alert he is, he had no idea that the phone wasn't working.

It wasn't too long before I found the source of my problem. We have a backup power box, for those that don't know what that is, it is an uninterrupt power supply. You plug your electronics into it and when the power goes off it stays on and gives you time to save your work and shut down your computer. Well apparently it died. What is funny is that all week last week my office had a smell so bad that I had to keep the windows open just to stay in here and work. It smelled like sewer or a dead something. So now I think it might have been the box dying.

After hunting and finding two power strips I was able to get everything plugged in and working. I had barely settled down to get my daily work started (finally). When the next surprise for the day showed up....

An IRS agent! Yeap right there in my office. Wanting to see my boss. I had always told him if they showed up I was walking out the door. I know how intense an IRS audit can be but that has never bothered me. It is the fact that some of the advice and actions that my boss has got has not been good. Although I have told him that it was bad advice I have been ignored. I am not an accountant, I do not have an accounting degree and I am not a CPA. But I have worked enough to know what you can do and what you can't. I have also taken accounting classes while in college. But I guess if you don't have that degree in that area some people will not listen to you. Although I didn't say I told you so, I was not surprised when he was talking to the agent and she kept telling him over and over and over again that he had been misled. When really from the time his "accountant" told him certain things he could do, I was right there telling him he couldn't do it. So it's not like he really didn't know that it wasn't right, he just chose not to believe me.

The next 3 hours was spent running back and forth from his office to mine and printing stuff off for her. Then running and pulling items from files and making copies. I was so ready for 1 p.m. to get there. When I noticed that it was 12:20 I just simply told her that I had an appointment at 1. She jotted down a long list of items she would need and left. I must say that she was a very nice person.

So finally I could leave to go to lunch! Since I had spent mostly the whole day on other stuff, I did not have the chance to get my daily items out of the way like I had planned. That meant that I could not take the rest of the day off. But I was still going to get to see Lee Ann for lunch!!!

This is my beautiful friend Lee Ann! In high school I always thought she had it all together. She just looked so chic to me (ALWAYS), something I am not and never will be!!! lol I thought she was so talented because I remember that she could sing but if I am not mistaken I think that she even danced. Pretty sure of it. Just so you know, I can't do either one!! I think it was our senior year when we were both aides for the office. We would also run the concession stand after school. I remember that we just had so much fun!

Ok back to current time, Lee Ann has a very interesting life. She had just left a photo shoot that morning! She has her own blog My Birmingham, she also writes for B Metro. She has just recently started Glamour Survival Guides. Hop on over and check them out. I think she has a little something for everyone!

So I met Lee Ann and I want all of you to know that I just had the best time!! She had made the comment that she felt like it hadn't been 18 years since we've seen each other and I didn't either. We spent quite a while at lunch - mostly chatting not eating. Catching up was fun and finding out things about people we went to school with. Some I hadn't heard from or seen and some she hadn't. We have a friend who works for the Mayor so we thought we would go pay her a visit. She unfortunately wasn't in but I know she would've been so excited to have seen Lee Ann. Not me so much as we see each other quite often. lol After a little walk around the "old" square I had to leave to go back to work. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that even though you haven't seen someone for so long that we still felt like such good friends. I have the same feelings for her that I did in school and am just so blessed to know that I have such good friends! I love ya Lee Ann!!!! Let's not wait so long next time!!!

So my Friday started out a little freaky, moved on to be a little intense, then ended with great feelings of friendship and love!! How wonderful!!!

Have a blessed day!

Family Happenings!

2010-03-10T12:35:00.002-06:00

Got this in my email the other day from my uncle and thought I would share it! I am going to keep it posted at work so it will remind me to just pray when I get frustrated!

My cousin passed away last week and her funeral was on Saturday. Now she is my mom's first cousin so I think that makes her my second. Martha Bibby Green. She was always so very nice! I always had a good time around Martha and just remember her smiling a lot. She really loved the Lord too. A couple of months ago she was praying in church and she said that she had actually seen the Lord at the church. She was so in awe and excited about that.

During the service her preacher was saying that as we were sitting there that Martha was in the presence of the Lord. That she was face to face with Him and that if he knew Martha she was on her knees praising Him to His face!!! How awesome! I know her sisters, brothers, her son and granddaughter are going to miss her terribly. But the thought of her praising God just made me happy. I know her family would appreciate your prayers for them at this time.

Martha wanted to be cremated and I knew that when they cremate people they put them in the wood/cardboard coffins that look like the ones on the cowboy movies. Well Martha's son just didn't want his mother in one of those coffins. So they looked at a couple of others and the one he picked for her was just beautiful. It looked like a regular steel casket but it was just wood or cardboard. It had the appearance of wood but I thought I heard my other cousin say it was cardboard. If it was cardboard they did an excellent job because the wood looked like wood! It was just beautiful. I thought it was prettier than a lot of the steel caskets I have seen. Just a plain wood grain looking coffin. I told my family that that is what I'd like to be buried in. Just a simple, and to me, beautiful wood grain looking coffin.

I wasn't planning on spending too much time after the funeral with family. I had quite a few things I needed to do at home. I was just going to drop off some chicken and leave. But I decided to ride over with my sisters and we all really had a good time catching up with family. The circumstances was not idea but seeing everyone was great. It was almost 5 when I got home!

Sunday after church I got a call that my brother (who has been gone for a while working out of town) had surprised everyone with a visit home. So we all got together and went out to eat. Mexican of course! lol It was nice seeing him again and today he is heading back to North Carolina. So please say a prayer for him while he is traveling and working away from home. I know it is hard on his daughters and him too.

Well I guess that's it for today. I have a few posts I'm working on letting you know a little more about what I have been doing so stay tuned!!

Have a blessed day!

ZUMBA ZUMBA ZUMBA!!!!

2010-03-05T15:51:00.000-06:00

It has been a busy busy week!! I am so glad it is finally Friday!! Well along with church, bible studies, blogging, tweeting, Facebook, family and work I have decided to add something else to my schedule. When I had lunch with my sister last week she said we need to do Zumba! I was excited. I had heard of Zumba but that is about it. I didn't even realize that we had a class very close. So that is what we did. Let's see it was me, my sisters, Helen and Emily, my daughter and her sister in law and her friend. We were all first timers. I just want y'all to know that I was making bets on how long I would last. I gave myself 10 minutes. lol

Here are a couple of shots before class:

Quite a big room and by the time we got started it was packed!!

My daughter and my younger sister, Helen.

Those are the pros there! lol

This was us after class. Notice the coin skirts they gave us to wear? I tell you what you really want to shake those hips so you can hear them jingle!!

At any rate, we had a BLAST!!! I LOVED IT!! I am definitely going back. I do admit though that I was working up quite a sweat when the instructor yelled "Ok warm-up's over!"

LOL I screamed "Warm Up!!" I knew then I wouldn't last the whole class. But I did!!!! I had to run to the bathroom and take about a 5 minute break but then I got right back out there! I think I did real good with keeping up too.

I just knew that I was going to be so sore! By the time the class was over my hips were killing me! But I was excited and couldn't wait for the next class! By the time I got in bed that night I slept like a baby - but dreading how I would feel in the morning. To my surprise when I woke up I felt great! My stomach muscles were sore but that was it. I couldn't get over that that was all that was sore.

Let me just tell you also that during the class we smiled and were laughing! To me it was really intense but you have to realize that I have stopped walking and doing any form of exercise since before Christmas. I have never had such a fun workout that felt like a work out!! Does that make sense? lol

Just in case you want to see what Zumba is - here you go!

If you are looking for a great work out you really need to try it! I know you are going to have a blast. Oh the best part was that before class began we seen a couple of girls my daughter went to school with. Afterwards I seen my neighbor come running towards me. It was fun to see that she was there. I had no idea she was taking Zumba class.

I am once again participating in Friday Follow this week. Hop on over and link up. This blog hop is hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades!

Have a blessed day!

Estetica Winterguard and Friday Follow

2010-02-25T22:12:00.046-06:00

I am so glad that it is FRIDAY!! It seems like it has been a long week. Have a lot going on this weekend. I have packages to pick up in the morning. Then I have to pick up two very special packages because they are spending the day with their Grammy and their Paw. I am so excited to spend some time with my grandchildren. Just the best fun there is!

Then on Sunday I have a baby shower to go to. One of the girls that went to high school with my daughter. I try not to intrude with her and her friends but when they request that I come I just love it!! It really is weird at times. I spent forever running my daughter around with some of her friends or chaperoning at events, spending time with them at competitions out of state and really becoming close to a lot of them. Then they graduate and move on with their lives. I hear my daughter talking about seeing them or talking to them and I find myself asking her all kinds of questions because I realize I miss seeing and being around her and her friends. I see a lot of them on her Facebook page but I never friend them. I just feel like it's not my place to. But when they friend me of course I accept and I am so excited that I have to chat them up a bit. lol

I also miss their parents. I have become really good friends and close to a lot of them. Some have moved away, some I see around town. But it's just not the same as seeing them every practice or game or event. You really do miss that when they have grown. Of course I keep in touch with them on Facebook, Myspace and email but it's not the same. I ran into a good friend just the other night at our local gas station and we talked for a good 45 minutes. lol Fun seeing her and enjoyed catching up.

So I brought all of that up because my friend that I went to high school with invited us to see her daughter perform Monday night out our high school. Her daughter is doing Winterguard this year. Now my daughter was big into Winterguard it was with this team (& Colorguard) where I became close with a lot of the families. They are called Estetica and when my daughter did it they won 3 SCGC Championships in their division. A real big deal! I am not sure what they have done since my daughter graduated (2003) but I was excited to learn that they have so many girls now that they have both a Senior Winterguard and a Junior Winterguard - that is amazing! Here is a performance from last year, it is a competition performance. (not the one we seen Monday night.)

It is really awesome to see it in person. If you ever get the chance you need to! I forgot to mention that our city was so proud of our Winterguard that they designated May 23rd as Estetitica Winterguard day!! Now that is quite the honor!!

I am once again participating in Friday Follow this week. Hop on over and link up. This blog hop is hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades!

Have a blessed day!

Follower Appreciation

2010-02-25T13:09:00.000-06:00

So I have been thinking a lot about doing a Follower Appreciation for a while now. I will be doing this on Wednesday's but I am a day late this week. I remember when I first decided to put my "Follow" gadget up on my blog. I was worried - maybe no one will follow me. But what got me so excited is that within a half hour I had my first follower. I was so excited!! By the end of that very first day I had 10 followers. Now my first follower was someone that I believe was her first time to my blog. The other followers were bloggers that I had found and been commenting to them and them commenting back for a while. So today I want to tell Janie that I so appreciate her for being my very first follower!!

Isn't that the happiest face ever!! Just her picture makes you want to get to know her better. Janie's blog is Sounding Forth. Though I do not get to comment as much as I like anymore I do still read her blog and I tell you she is one funny lady!! I promise you you will enjoy her adventures. I love how she refers to her husband - ThatManILove! Anyway she cracks me up so hop over and give her a holler!

Now if you think you may want to do this also let me know and next time I will put up a linky thingy and make a little button for us. For this week you can spread the word that I will be doing it on Wednesdays of each week.

I am also participating in a blog hop that a few friends were doing. Midday Escapades, One 2 Try and Hearts Makes Families are the hosts of this blog hop. It is called Friday Follow. Hop over and check it out and link up with us tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

Wash Day

2010-02-24T16:53:00.002-06:00

Monday...........Wash Day

Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and

Vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility

Through the week ahead.

Tuesday...........Ironing Day

Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles

Of prejudice I have collected through the years

So that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday...........Mending Day

O God, help me mend my ways so I will not

Set a bad example for others.

Thursday...........Cleaning Day

Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults

I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday...........Shopping Day

O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others

In need of love.

Saturday...........Cooking Day

Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly

Love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday...........The Lord's Day

O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please

Come into my heart so I may spend the day and the

Rest of my life in your presence.

Have a blessed day!

Friday Follow & Grandbabies!

2010-02-19T07:46:00.008-06:00

So I decided to hop on board with a couple of friends, Georgie at Decisionally Challenged and Blue Violet at A Nut In A Nutshell, for the Friday Follow hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and my fellow blogger I have been following (on Twitter) for quite a while Midday Escapades. So hop on over and join in on the follow fun!

Today I have a couple of surprises for you!!

My grandson loves to dance and sing and loves watching cartoons. On this particular day he was watching a cartoon and they were singing a song with a chorus of 'We are family' so that is what he is saying in front of the tv. Hope you like it!

Isn't he just the cutest thing!!

Okay so I can't show you one video of one grandson and leave the other out now can I?

This was his first time in the Johnny Jumper! I don't think he quite knew what to do!

Sorry the quality is poor they were taken with a phone. But I hope you enjoyed them!!

Have a blessed day!

PS - See what happens when you schedule a post the night before? You forget to sign in to MckLinky!!!

Mama's Losin' It Writer's Workshop

2010-02-18T13:00:00.000-06:00

I have been wanting to do Mama's Losin' It Writer's Workshop for a while now and just never have got around to it. So I decided I would do it today!!

So what you do is pick one of the prompts and, well write about it!

The Prompts:

1.) The heart that just wouldn’t quit.
2.) Relay an entertaining conversation or string of emails you recently had with someone.
3.) Open your picture folders…find a random “February” picture from a past year and tell a story.
4.) Childhood memory time: Write about something you loved to do as a child.
5.) “The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned” ~ Maya Angelou -Now write.

You know a Grammy is never going to pass up a chance to blog about her grandbabies so of course I picked #3!!

This is my oldest grandson he was 16 months in this picture. For those of you who have read my blog for a while this is the same picture I had as my header (back when I designed my own blog). At this time in his life he was obsessed with glasses. He loved to wear them. These particular glasses were Diego glasses whom he still loves! The only story here really is the pure happiness of a child. And yes we have had his hair cut since this picture. lol

Now I know the assignment is for a past year but well, since this is the only February this little guy has seen I had to share it! This is Bruce and this is his first time in a Bumbo. It looks like he quite doesn't know what to think. lol Since this photo has been taken he has also experienced the joy of a Johnny Jumper! He is 6 months old by the way.

So I hope you enjoyed my first Writer's Workshop post. You really need to hop over to Kat's blog and check out all the other posts! Or you can join in the fun!!!

Have a blessed day!

I met BETH MOORE!!!

2010-02-16T16:37:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone!!

Well last Wednesday I woke up so excited!!! It was the day that I was FINALLY meeting BETH MOORE!!!! So I had taken the day off just because I wanted to. I thought well I will have to go stand in line and I am going to be sure I get to see her!!

I had planned on getting there about noon. Then I decided I would call. They said they were giving tickets out at 1 p.m. so I thought great 12 it is. I got in touch with my buddy Mary who was meeting me there. We were texting and a tweeting lol.

So I had the whole morning to kill. I had had an hair appointment but when I got there they had a sign reading No Debit Cards and No Credit Cards. What? Really? Well by the time it took me to go to my bank's ATM to get cash and then back to the salon it would be 25 minutes - 25 minutes that I did not have to spare! Yes I could have went to a closer ATM but then I would've been charged for that convenience fee or what ever it's called. I just didn't feel like I wanted to pay any kind of fee just because they didn't take a card. So I went to another salon that I go to sometimes. Well as I walked in I reached into my pocket and realized I did not even have my wallet with me!! I had decided not to tote my purse with me (I do that A LOT) and just bring my little wallet I use when we go riding. I was going to wear another pair of jeans (beige) but had decided that blue jeans would be better. My wallet was in my other pair of jeans. Great!

Well by the time I went home and got it and back to the salon I didn't have time to get my hair cut! :( So I just decided to wax my eyebrows and mustache so that my morning wouldn't' be a complete loss. Because by this time it was getting close to 12!

I headed on over to the Family Christian Book store. There were only a couple of people in there. I went in got Mary's and Gayle's book (So Long, Insecurity) and went to the counter to pay for them. I was just chatting with the cashier as I usually do since I am a frequent visitor (too frequent). I asked for them to make sure to give me the bookmarks and as she did she asked me if I wanted to go ahead and get my tickets!!! A WHOLE HOUR BEFORE ANYONE ELSE!!!! I said 'yes that would be great!' As she handed them to me she said 'shh your the first one to get them!' So I was excited!! Here are the bookmarks - the one on the left is the one you get when you purchased your book on the right is your ticket for the book signing!

So I was SO EXCITED and had to call Mary and tell her that I got our tickets early!! We had decided to meet back at the store a little later. After having lunch and running a few errands it was finally time! I went in and still was surprised that there wasn't a lot of people there - about 15 or so. But of course I did see a few people that I knew. So we were just hanging out with our buddies and yaking! Here are a few pictures while we were waiting.

Mary and Gayle with the Chic Fil A cow! (ha! I'm a poet)

Before we were called to get in line.
Pretty little Morgan, Mary, Gayle, Me and Jenny Hope (who only wishes she was as beautiful as Morgan).
I have actually known Mary for a little while - such a great lady! I met Jenny Hope last month at Mary's Revive 2010 posted here. Wednesday was the first time for me to meet Jenny's little girl Morgan and also (although I have been following her on Twitter) Gayle.

Mary and I - waiting in line!

Morgan, Jenny and Gayle waiting in line.

Me and Beth!! So excited!! We hugged here like about three or four times!! lol

Then we went across the parking lot to eat - Mexican!!

Gayle!

After we ate we went back to see Mama Beth again!
This time she was walking down the line!

And I got a better picture with her!! Chatted and hugged a minute or so longer!
As I said SO DANG EXCITING!!

It was great fun to hang out with Mary, Gayle, Jenny and Morgan. I had so much fun! Also it was great to see several ladies from church, bible study and other friends I haven't seen for ages.

Have a blessed day!

Beth Moore and Some Siestas!!

2010-02-08T16:53:00.002-06:00

So I know all of you guys know that I am crazy about Beth Moore!! Well she will be in my hometown this Wednesday signing her new book So Long, Insecurity and I am just OVER the MOON!!! So excited!! I can't believe that she will be in my hometown! Just amazes me - no one comes here!!

Not only that but I am going to Atlanta in April to see her!! I am so excited and looking forward to meeting more bloggy and twitter friends!!

Then in December she will be at Deeper Still here in Birmingham and yes I will be going to that too!! So excited to see and meet my spiritual mentor, Mama Beth as we Siestas call her!!

Speaking of Siesta's here is a little shot of a few that I have been twittering with for a while and had the opportunity to meet the first of January.

They are Nikki, Lisa (the speaker), Robyn, Jenny, Dedra, Mary, Karen (in green), me, Tammy (in black) in back with Cathy. Hop over and visit with them!

I met them at the Revive 2010 conference in Oneonta. After the event we got to eat and chat a while. It was held at a beautiful golf course clubhouse and there was snow outside. It was beautiful scenery and a wonderful message from Lisa. If you ever get the chance to hear her speak DO IT!!

Ok so I have to run now I have bible study in just a bit. Have I told you which one it is? It is Beth Moore's Breaking Free!! Each one of her bible studies I do I like it better than the last!!

Oh and did you notice the little ticker on top? I stole that from Becky Jo at Sweet Abundance! She is one of the Siesta's that I can't wait to meet in Atlanta! Ok really need to go!

Have a blessed day!

Especially for Suzanne!!

2010-02-01T16:21:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone!!

Wow I hadn't realized how long it had been since I last posted. Do you remember this post? It was my Secret Santa Soiree post. The one that showed off all the gifts I received. Well since that time I have found out who my Secret Santa was!!! Her name is Suzanne and her blog is The Shabby Tiara and it is a great blog!!!

Just a little recap of what she got me. Oh and she didn't get me the dog, just the toy, that my dog loves!! She also got me chocolate but well they are long gone!!

Along with the above bunch of goodies she burnt me a Christmas cd!! It's a cd of some of her favorites and you know what A LOT of my favorites too!!

It has some of my favorite singers - Rod Stewart!! Faith Hill!! Harry Connick, Jr!! Andy Williams!! Barry Manilow!! and ELVIS PRESLEY!!!!!! I absolutely love it!!

So Suzanne I just want to say thank you so very much!! I loved all of the wonderful gifts and I so appreciate them!!

I hope you all hop over and check out Suzanne's blog I promise you you will love it!!

Oh and ah speaking of Elvis look what my daughter got me.

Oh yeah!! Christmas ornaments!!

So that's it for now I have a lot of catch up to do and plan on getting it done this week - so stay tuned!!

Have a blessed day!

Roll Tide Roll Baby!!!

2010-01-07T12:39:00.002-06:00

Hello Everyone,

I haven't blogged a lot this year about my favorite football team. I have just been a little busy. We have had a great season!!! We are use to winning! We have had a few bad years lately but we are BACK!!! Last month we played for the SEC Championship once again. This time that other team had NOTHING for us!! They looked kinda shocked every time they walked off the field!! This was our 22nd SEC Championship!! No other team even comes close to winning that many!!

This year for the very first time ever we have a Heisman Trophy winner too!!! He's Mark Ingram!
In eight of his last nine games he rushed for 99 or more yards, totaled 1,542 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. He also caught for 322 yards and three touchdowns. He so deserved the Heisman!! The Bama Nation is definitely proud of him too!!

Even when my team is losing I still wear the Crimson and White proudly. I am not a fair weather fan I am a Win or Lose Fan!!! Meaning whether or not we win or lose this is MY team! The Tide has been a part of my life all of my life! But today, well tonight, at 7:00 pm CST my beloved Crimson Tide will be playing another team for the National Championship!!! We haven't won a National Championship since 1992! We are overdue! If you are not part of the Bama Nation then you just don't understand. We are a special breed. We are winners!!

Tonight I hope you join me in cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide!!! I have a good feeling that we will be bringing home the National Championship! But you know what? Even if we don't they are still my team and I am still so very proud of them!!!

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!

"If wanting to win is a fault as some of my critics seem to insist, then I plead guilty. I like to win. I know no other way. It's in my blood." Coach Paul Bear Bryant

Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you. But your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others.

Have a blessed day!

Happy New Year (a few days late!!)

2010-01-04T12:39:00.001-06:00

Hello Everyone!

Well it's a new year and I wanted to say Happy New Year!! Let me start off by saying that the very first verse I read for the New Year was Micah 6:8:

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.

I made it til 12:00 a.m. but was fast asleep by 12:30 lol. Right after the New Year though I opened my bible and that is the verse I came to. Can you think of anything better than that? I know my wishing you a Happy New Year is a few days late but I never post on the holidays. It's time that I spend with my family and so that is why I am late. Here is a poem I wanted to share with you also:

A New Year's Poem for Christians

Instead of making a New Year's resolution
Consider committing to a biblical solution
Your promises are easily broken
Empty words, though earnestly spoken
But God's Word transforms the soul
By His Holy Spirit making you whole
As you spend time alone with Him
He will change you from within

-- Mary Fairchild

I don't make New Years Resolutions. They are forgotten by the end of the week. I also feel like since my path is led by God then it is He, not I, that will lead me the way in which I should go.

Does that mean that I might finally open my Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred that I bought back in August when my friends Rachel and Lianne (she mostly Tweeted about it!) were doing it? Or that I will finally get back on my treadmill? Or that I will finally ride my new stationary bike that I got for Christmas 2008 and I've only rode once? I'm not sure! If I feel like it I might do it. If not I may not. We'll just have to see what the Lord leads me to do!

I am just going to live day by day and try to handle every situation the way He would want me to. Philippians 4:6 has really become my daily verse. I say it to myself several times a day. It calms me!

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in every situation,

by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your request to God!

I am doing the Proverbs in 31 Days Challenge held by Crosspoint.tv we are on day 4 so it's not too late to hop over and join!!

I need to get back to work now and to give my daughter a call. She is having a little bit of an emotional day so think about her and pray a little prayer for her! Hope you all have a wonderful blessed New Years!

Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you. But your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others.

Have a blessed day!

SSS - Secret Santa Soiree!!!

2009-12-30T13:20:00.001-06:00

Hello Everyone!

Well a little while ago I joined Amy's and Georgie's Secret Santa Soiree. I had a great time picking a few things for my swap partner Angie at Angie's Spot. But the other day I got my package from my partner!!!

I was so excited to get it! Boy did she out do herself. I love everything I got!!

Look at the cute little doggie card!!

Here is everything all wrapped up and pretty!

On the left is Santa himself!! On the right is a cute little candy cane for my little Chico!! How sweet of her to think of my fur baby!

Oh yes chocolate!!! I can not even tell you how good it was. Yes it is all gone!!

Here is everything she got me:

God Is In The Small Stuff At Christmas - I had never heard of this book but I absolutely love what little I have got to read about it!!

The mittens in the background are salt & pepper shakers!!!

The little bag with the snowman are two bottles - lotion and shampoo!!

The pretty white material in the middle are slippers and I want you to know that they feel wonderful!!

She sent me a beautiful bracelet!!

I also got a holiday CD. It is a collection of various artists!! Some of my favorites I might add.

A big red Christmas tree - I have a great project in mind for it!

and last but not least is the book The Best Christmas Ever by Mary Engelbreit!! It is packed full with great stuff to make and well all kinds of stuff!

So there you have it!! Isn't that a great package to get!!! I will be posting more pictures tomorrow as I took the rest of the pictures with my camera and left it at home today :(.

Thanks so much to my Secret Santa!!! I don't know who you are but I truly loved everything you got me!! I am so enjoying showing my friends and family too!! I can't wait to meet you!!!

Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you. But your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others.

Have a blessed day!

When A Child Is Born

2009-12-24T11:21:00.000-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

This is my favorite time of year! I love everything about Christmas. But one thing that bother's me is the real reason of Christmas gets overlooked. So I thought this video is appropriate. I hope you watch the whole thing.

When a child is born

A ray of hope flickers in the sky
A tiny star lights up way up high
All across the land dawns a brand new morn'
This comes to pass when a child is born.

A silent wish sails the seven seas
The winds of change whisper in the trees
And the walls of doubt crumble, tossed and torn
This comes to pass when a child is born.

A rosy hue settles all around
You got the feel, you're on solid ground
For a spell or two no-one seems forlorn
This comes to pass when a child is born.

And all of this happens because the world is waiting
Waiting for one child, black, white, yellow - no one knows
But a child that will grow up and turn tears to laughter
Hate to love, war to peace and everyone to everyone's neighbour
And misery and suffering will be words to be forgotten, forever.

It's all a dream, an illusion now
It must come true sometime soon somehow
All across the land dawns a brand new morn'
This comes to pass when a child is born.

This comes to pass when a child is born.
Is born.
Is born...

I love Christ! I love the fact that my Father thought that I was worthy enough that he sent his only son to save me. Can you imagine? Who would give up their child to save a sinner? He is worthy of our praise. He is worthy of our Love. He is worthy!!! For those that know me personally you know the difficulties I have faced in my life. For all of my wonderful bloggy friends I have shared with you some of them. If you are here for the first time I want to tell you that I have been blessed way beyond what I deserve. My Father has spared my life so many times and blessed me so many times that I just can't see why He thinks that I am so deserving of His blessings, love and mercy. Or why I was ever worthy enough for Him to give his only son to save me.

My God is a wonderful God!! If you don't know Him why not say the following prayer and make Him your Savior. I promise you it will be the best decision you have ever made!!!

Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against you and that my sins separate me from you. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my sinful past and turn to you for forgiveness. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your Son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, that He was raised from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become my Savior and the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You and to convict me when I sin. I pledge to grow in grace and knowledge of you. My greatest purpose in life is to follow your example and do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

God Bless You!!!

Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you. But your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others.

Have a blessed day!

The Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

2009-12-22T12:34:00.039-06:00

Hello Everyone,

I had never heard the story of where Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer came from.

The story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Did you know the origin of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer? I had never heard this story. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!!!

A guy named Robert May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night. His 4-year-old daughter, Barbara, sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer. Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dads eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob. Being small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember.

From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938. Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined a make one - a storybook!

Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose.

Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there. The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book. In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter.

But the story doesn't end there either. Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas." The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing!

The above tale is true - for the most part. The real story is here on snopes.com. As you will read he didn't come up with the story for his daughter but his boss asked him too. While he was in debt after his wife's passing, there is no proof that he lived in the slums of Chicago or didn't have any Christmas presents for his daughter. I thought it was a neat tale though and something that I didn't know. I hope you enjoy it as the story above is good and the real story is too!

Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you. But your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others.

Have a blessed day!

Christmas MeMe

2009-12-17T13:28:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone,

I found this over at Trish's blog, Me & My Boys, and decided I wanted to do it. (I added the picture myself found it at Home Decor Shop)

1. What is your Favorite Christmas Movie?

Well with my blog title you would think It's A Wonderful Life but it's not. lol My favorites are Holiday Inn and White Christmas LOVE them!!

2. What is your Least favorite Christmas Movie?

Least favorite mmmm can't think of one right now.

3. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Silent Night but I really love ANYTHING Elvis sings - see this post.

4. What Christmas song(s) drives you crazy?

Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer

5. What is your favorite Christmas Drink? (ie. egg nog, hot chocolate)

Hot Chocolate!!!

6. What is your favorite Christmas Memory?

I don't know why I can't remember one right now. But as a child I remember my younger sisters getting skateboards and they were real happy. One was red and one was blue. I can't even remember what I got that year. lol

7. What is the best toy/gift you've received on Christmas?

I guess the LCD HD tv we got a couple of years ago. Pretty big and nice!

8. What is the worst toy/gift you've received on Christmas?

I hate getting a regifted gift. I once got a Christmas card holder that had the persons old Christmas cards in it.

9. What do you LOVE about the holidays?

Buying presents for my loved ones!

10. What annoys you about the holidays?

That people seem to take the Christ out of Christmas. We have to remember he is the reason for the season and that it is really about giving. On Christmas God gave his son to us (John 3:16) there is no greater gift!

11. Do you prefer star or angel on top of a Christmas tree? Or something else?

I have always had an Angel on the top of my tree (the same angel for 20+ years now)

12. What is your family favorite recipe at Christmas?

We make Tamales every year so I have to say Tamales!!

13. Are you a Grinch or a Who at Christmastime?

A Who!!

14. Christmas light displays - Love them or Hate them?

Love them but don't get to do them.

15. Santa's at the mall - Fun times or Creepy?

Fun times - real beard too (like Trish)

16. Christmas cards - do you send them, yes or no?

Oh yeah!

17. What is the best thing about Christmas, in your opinion?

Watching my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren open their presents.

18. What is the worst thing about Christmas?

Some people's attitudes while shopping

19. When do you put the tree up and take it down?

I put it up sometimes before Christmas and always take it down after New Years day.

20. Out of the 12 days of Christmas, which day and item would you want your truelove to give to you?

I would have to say 5 Golden Rings! But hey I have a story to tell you about 10 Lords A Leaping!

21. Why do you think that Grandma got run over by a reindeer?

One of them had to be drunk.

22. Who is your favorite reindeer?

Ha Rudolph - who else?

23. Do you believe in Santa Claus?
Yes I do!

24. What is your favorite smell at Christmas time?
Pine - love it.

25. What would make you happy at Christmas this year?

Just being with family and friends!

If you do the Christmas Meme please let me know so I can hop over and check yours out!!

Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you. But your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others.

Have a blessed day!

Showing Off My Ornaments!!!

2009-12-16T11:54:00.003-06:00

Hello Everyone,

Well if you remember I hosted a Secret Christmas Ornament Swap. There was a great turn out and I got to meet a lot of new bloggers and some old bloggy friends joined in on the fun too. So now let me show you what I got!!!

I received my ornaments last week from Annikke (I LOVE her name) at Mom is in the Fishbowl. I just want to say that I LOVE my ornaments. Wanna see what all she got me? Okay here we go....

Here they are all together

I love snowflakes and actually have some that are just like these but they are white instead of silver. I can't wait to see them on the tree together.

I love these next two too. The one on the left is a little doggie in a mitten. How cute is that? I also love the red and gold of this ornament I know exactly where I am going to put it on my tree (when I get it up that is!)

Now this one if you can't read it saids Hope!! Love it! I am not going to put this on my tree though. I have a perfect spot to put it in my living room. It will be in the middle of where I arrange my Christmas cards wreath. I think it is going to look great. I'll be sure to post a picture when I am done with it so you all can see it.

Last but not least is this cute Noel! I love it too! lol I love that is different colors and a little whimsical. You can also see the cute card that Annikke included.

Annikke thanks so much I liked each and every ornament that you sent!!

If you want to see what all of the other participates received for their ornaments then go here or click on the picture at the top of this post. I wanted this swap to be fun and I just want to say that I had the best time both shopping for my partner and receiving my ornament. Can't wait to host it again next year!!

Also SnafflesMummy seen my swap and decided to do a UK version. She has her link up now too for all of her participates. Hop over and check theirs out too.

Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you. But your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others.

Have a blessed day!

Busy, Busy, and Busy

2009-12-15T16:24:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone,

Well Friday I said I would let ya'll know why I haven't been posting like I normally do. Life for me, as I know for many of you, has been especially busy! I usually have a really active life anyway but since about August it just seems like I am barely keeping up.

I still have to post pictures of my new grand baby, my daughters baby shower back in August because I want to show you what all I made. There are, of course, so many other events that have happened that I just can't list them all.

Along with being busy my boss had a heart attack on October 31. I have, up until last week, been holding down the office all on my own. Even now he is only here a few hours a couple of days. When he had his heart attack they did not expect him to live. He had been helping with his brother and his sister to care for his sick mother. After being in the hospital for about 4 days and being told they couldn't do any thing for him, his mother died. He did get to go to her house and see her but was so weak he had to leave. The night before his mother's funeral he had another heart attack. He has a lot of blocked arteries and so much scar tissue around his heart that they just cannot operate.

The doctors at first told him basically to go home and die. I'm not sure how much his prognosis has changed but he looks and sounds very weak. He tires easily. He is a very good man and he has been good to me. I was unable to share with you all of this because I was asked not to tell anyone. My boss is the type of guy that he will always ask you what can he do for you and literally mean it. If you say well I need this he will try his best to do it for you. So as of now I guess he is just living day by day. They told him that the next heart attack will kill him.

I decided back in September that I could handle taking two classes at my church. I soooo enjoy them! I have enjoyed the fellowship with my church family. But it has really tired me. One of the classes ended late last month and the other one ends tonight. I will be on break now until January 11th when our new bible study starts. I can't wait I just LOVE bible study.

I am so behind with Christmas. I have my Christmas buying pretty well done with just a few more things to go. I, however, have not put my Christmas tree up yet! I plan on doing it this weekend. One of the reasons why is I only have time to do such things during the weekend and it never is long enough. With my grand babies on Saturday, church and family time on Sunday there just isn't enough time. But this weekend I will have to get it done! The year my daughter was away at college I didn't put it up til Christmas eve. lol So maybe I am ahead of schedule. lol

Okay so tomorrow I will be posting my ornaments that I got from my swap!!! I am so excited to show ya'll what my partner sent me.

I am off now to get hubs a meatball sub from Subway, then to my class at church and then to a Wrestling reunion at my high school. It is for all wrestlers, coaches and mat maids. I still have my shirt from when I was a mat maid my sophomore - senior years. My daughter and her babies will be there. She was a mat maid from 7th - 12th grade and actually her and Miranda were over all the mat maids starting in their sophomore year. I remember definitely that she was over all of them her 11th and 12th grade years for sure. Her and her buddy Miranda even did a few matches while home from college after they graduated. My son-in-law was also a wrestler the years he was in school and did quite well. The current coach was actually a classmate of mine while I was in school. He coached my son-in-law and would often call my daughter asking her to do this or that for the wrestlers. He (the coach) was also there for my family when my brother passed away so many years ago. So I hope to see some old friends and have a great time watching Fultondale win a few matches.

Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you. But your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others.

Have a blessed day!

MERRY SITSMAS DAY!!!!

2009-12-08T11:16:00.001-06:00

Hello Everyone!!

Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? Well if your not hop on over to the party at SITS. Today is Merry SITSmas!!!! They are giving away prizes all day long too!!!

So I would love to do one with my grandchildren but since my daughter Summer has a blog now I will let her use those pictures! My next best thing is my baby.

Now he wasn't exactly in the Christmas spirit!! He does not like to be dressed up. But I found this cute little collar and I just couldn't resist. This is my Chicobaby for those of you who are new to my blog. Trust me it took several shots to get him to settle down. lol

So hop on over to SITS and give a little comment love to everyone who is participating. I also wanted to say to all of my new friends and my loyal followers and bloggy friends that I so appreciate you!!! I have not kept up with my blog like I usually do because of a health issue with my boss that has kept me so incredibly busy. But I wanted everyone to know that I so appreciate them.

I hope all of you have a very Merry SITSmas today!!!

Have a blessed day!!

Things I Love Thursday!!

2009-12-03T16:48:00.005-06:00

Hello Everyone,

You know I hadn't realized that it had been so long since my last post. I thought I had at least four more posts up. To my surprise I have them alright, in my drafts. So that just goes to show how busy I have been and I will explain exactly why I have neglected my blog (which I have NEVER EVER done before) tomorrow.

But for today I am participating in this new meme I found on Twitter. It is hosted over at The Diaper Diaries.

Well if you know me then you know that I am a little bit of a electronics geek. I love working on computers both technically and software. I enjoy cracking open electronics and fixing them. I must say that I am quite good with it. I enjoy computer programming and design software. So MY Things I Love Thursday are these little gadgets:

The first one is my battery charger. Now I know it's not a big deal but I just love it!! Very convenient and economical for me.

Now these are my jump drives. Yes I have three. I use at least one of them a day. I love them. I store all of my pictures, documents, music and anything else I can put on them. They are with me always and if I lose one well that is ok because I have everything backed up on my computer at home. If something happens to my computer at home well I have all my stuff on my jump drives. Love them!!

And last but not least. This is my SD/MMC card converter drive. Now I have used it so much that the little blue shield has broke off but it still works fine. What you do with this is put your card from your video camera or digital camera in it to add it to your computer. I have two laptops that I don't need to use this with because they have a card slot but my desktop computer is older and doesn't. It works great to transfer my video or pictures to my desktop. Yes I do love it too!!

There are a lot more gadgets that I love but I have time to share those with you later. Why not join in and hop over to The Diaper Diaries and tell us about the things you love!

Have a blessed day!

An Award, An Award!!!!!

2009-11-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone,

Look what I got!!! This award is from 2 Toddlers and Me! It is the Best Blog Award!!! Thanks so much I LOVE awards!

Ok the rules for this award are:

Accept the award post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link.
Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have recently discovered and think are great. Remember to contact those bloggers you have awarded to let them know they have been chosen for the award.

15 is a LOT of blogs but luckily I happen to have 15 blogs that I have just discovered!!!

The first blog that I have newly discovered is my daughters blog!!! Her blog is Summer Breeze! It is new so hop over and say hello and also give her any advice that you can about starting a new blog. I have given her some and she has met some bloggers when she went with me to the Alabama Bloggers meet up (that's my grand baby front and center with chocolate ice cream all over his face!). I know she would appreciate any and all advice you can give her!

Ok now the list:

Summer at Summer Breeze

Susan at Blackberry Creek Home Arts

Marie at All Access Pass to Jack

Natty at Eissua

Jeri at In The Gutter

Sandy at Aging Disgracefully

Priscila at Little Miss Heirlooms

Pennie at Mom Thoughts

Pippa at A Mother's Ramblings

Christi at Polka Spot Farm

Eva at Wrestling With Retirement

Rebecca at The Adventures of Fred and Ethel

Mommy Amy at The A to Z Twins

Lee Ann at Lee-Ann's Crazy Life

Julia at Everyday Mom Ideas

I hope you all enjoy your award!! Now everyone hop over and say hello to these great new bloggy friends of mine!

Also I wanted to call to everyone's attention that some of the bloggers that participated in my Ornament Swap are part of my list. If you click on my ornament swap button (left sidebar) you can check out everyone that has already got their ornaments and have posted their links. Until next time

Have a blessed day!

Secret Ornament Swap Link Up!!!

2009-11-18T12:50:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone,

I am so excited!!! Annikke has informed me that she has already received her ornament from the swap!! I am so excited to see everyone's ornament.

Ok let's get down to business first though. After you get your ornament and blog about it link up here so that everyone can hop over and see the great ornament you got and check out your blog. I hope you all have had as much fun as I have looking for your partners ornament.

Have I said that I can't wait to see everyone's ornament!! So let's all link up!

Blog Hop Tuesday - Favorite Book

2009-11-16T21:42:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone,

Today's theme is Favorite Book!!! Oh my word!! I do not know what to pick. When I was little I LOVED princess' books, adventure and funny ones. I loved Black Beauty and Ode To Billy Joe. But I also liked Jaws, Little Women, Helter Skelter (yes I read it!!) In the 90's I had the whole collection of Jenelle Taylor's Ecstasy series. I loved historical romance at that time. Gone With The Wind is one of my favorite movies so of course I had to read it and then the follow up book Scarlet but neither one of them is my favorite book. I have read Wuthering Heights, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Hobbit, The Shack, The Great Gatsby and Great Expectations. Soooo many!! I love Beth Moore's books too. The Bible is one of my favorites it has every thing in it!!

So after really thinking what one of favorite books is I have to say Frank Peretti's "This Present Darkness". It is the beginning of a series and they are all good reads.

So what is your favorite book? Until next time

Have a blessed day!

Musical Monday - Tammy

2009-11-16T11:10:00.005-06:00

Hello Everyone,

This past week hubs was flipping through the music channels when I heard one of my favorites. I was in the kitchen and I started yelling leave it there, leave it. I had gook all over my hands as I was cooking. I stood there in my kitchen doorway swaying and singing this tune. I loved this movie when I was a kid and I love this actress/singer too. But this song is just wonderful. Hubs said he had never even heard it before. So of course I had to tell him all about it and the movie. So without further delay I give you Debbie Reynolds' "Tammy"!!!!

I hear the cottonwoods whisperin' above,
"Tammy ... Tammy ... Tammy's in love"
The ole hooty-owl hooty-hoos to the dove,
"Tammy ... Tammy ... Tammy's in love"

Does my lover feel
What I feel
When he comes near?
My heart beats so joyfully,
You'd think that he could hear

Wish I knew if he knew
What I'm dreamin' of
Tammy ... Tammy ... Tammy's in love

Whippoorwill, whippoorwill, you and I know
Tammy ... Tammy ... can't let him go
The breeze from the bayou keeps murmuring low:
"Tammy ... Tammy ... you love him so"

When the night is warm,
Soft and warm,
I long for his charms
I'd sing like a violin
If I were in his arms

Wish I knew if he knew
What I'm dreaming of
Tammy ... Tammy ... Tammy's in love

I could just sit here all day listening to it!!! If you have never seen Tammy and the Bachelor then go and find it and rent it and watch it!!! lol

Hop over to Diane's and check out others' Musical Monday. Until next time

Have a blessed day!

Musical Monday - Rico Suave

2009-11-09T12:39:00.002-06:00

Hello Everyone,

Well today I have picked one of my favorites for Musical Monday. I loved him when he first came out and I still have his cd and listen to it. I love to dance to his music and love to watch him!! So I give you Gerardo!!!! The song - Rico Suave!!

Seguro que han oído que yo soy educado
Soy un caballerito un chico bien portado
Un joven responsible y siempre bien vestido
Yo no se quien ha mentido

I don't drink or smoke ain't into dope
Won't try no coke, ask me how I do it, I cope
My only addiction has to do with the female species
I eat 'em raw like sushi

No me gustan ternos, mi estilo es moderno
Si me enterno, you me enfermo
Mi apariencia es dura, vivo en la locura
No me vengan con ternuras

So please don't judge a book by its cover
There's more to being a latin lover
You got to know how to deal with a woman
That won't let go
The price you pay for being a gigolo

There's not a woman that can handle
A man like me
That's why I juggle two or three
I ain't one to commit, you can omit that bit
You pop the question that's it

Haber uno, dos, tres, cuatro mujeres
Y la situaci?all?no muere
No es un delito calmo mi apetito
Con un llanto o un grito

So again don't let my lyrics mislead you
I don't love you but I need you
Would you rather have me lie
Take a piece of your pie and say bye
Or be honest and rub your thighs

Well, it's ten o'clock and I'm two hours late
I never said I was a prompt date
But you kept persisting that I meet your parents
Huh, they're going to love my appearance

Ding dong el timbre suena
Tu madre abre, que vieja mas buena
Le digo ¡Hola! Pero no para bola
Que se ha creido vieja chola

Go and serve the food mom
Que tengo ambre
If you don't hurry, me va a dar un calambre
Y usted señor? Why's your chin on the floor?
Sierra la boca por favor

What's this amor, these little huevos?
Esto s?que yo no pruebo

I'm used to good ol' fashioned
Homestyle Spanish cooking
If i try that I'll be puking

Well it's been a pleasure but we got to go
Regresaremos temprano
Cinco, seis, o siete de la mañana
Su hija esta en buenas manos

Being Latin myself I can tell you that young Latin men actually think along the lines of this song. They like women and they like to play the field. My own little brother, in regards to his womanizing, use to say "I can't help it, it's the Latin blood in me". And there you go!

Hop on over to Diane's for more Musical Monday's!! Until next time

Have a blessed day!

Dona Nobis Pacem

2009-11-05T00:00:00.001-06:00

Hello Everyone,

Today is Blog Blast For Peace! It's a day to blog about peace or just put up your version of your badge. Mine is below.

This is "Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream" performed by Serena Ryder.

Dona Nobis Pacem

Have a blessed day!

Work, Family and Halloween

2009-11-04T13:26:00.004-06:00

Hello Everyone,

I am so glad it is Wednesday!! I am off half a day tomorrow and I can't wait. I'm not going to be lazy and laying around though. Hubs had cataract surgery on October 29 so tomorrow is his follow up visit and also his 6 month check up to his regular doctor. I guess just a little break from work is good. Then again I am so grateful to even have a job!

One in which I hope to continue to have but need your prayers as there is a certain situation that may not only affect the future of my job but also those of my co-workers throughout the Southeast. With my health problems I know it will be hard finding a job that pays me what I get paid now, on salary, and still be able to take off whenever I need to. I can't disclose the situation yet just know that it really needs your prayers. I hate that I am sounding/feeling selfish worrying about my job when this is really a horrible situation.

Last Friday my brother in law Anthony had to have a couple of tumors (cancerous) removed from his bladder. Now this is his third surgery for this type of operation. The doctor told us that he will just keep getting them. The thing that bothers me is that he is suppose to go back every 3 months and he doesn't always do that. Makes me very irritated at him and a little at my sister too. My hubs has to go back every year to make sure his Kidney cancer isn't back. I make his appointment and make sure he goes. Which by the way my hubs went a couple of weeks ago and he is still cancer free!! Yay!!! Three years now!!! Okay, back to my brother in law, I just feel like that between him and my sister one of them should be able to make sure he has an appointment every three months and goes to it!! I'm just sayin. . .

I hope you all had a great Halloween. My 2 yo grandson was running a fever the day before and as they were getting him dressed to make his rounds (grandparents', aunts, church, etc., etc.) my daughter noticed he was warm again. Well he was running a fever so he didn't get to go out. You know he is so little he really didn't care. lol So they came over the next day with his empty little pumpkin. Made me a little sad that it was empty.

We usually don't get but one or two trick or treaters so I always have a lot of candy left. My little man loves sweet tarts, just like his Paw, so when he came in he went straight to watching cartoons. Got to love Nick Jr.! Anyway, when he did notice the candy he started to pick out, one by one, the little sweet tarts. After a little bit he kinda looked over to see if we were watching him. We were but didn't let him see us. At that point he took my candy bowl and turned it upside down on the floor. He was picking the rest of the sweet tarts out when he glanced up at us and when he thought we weren't looking he started picking up all the candy and dumping it into his little pumpkin. He was just too cute. Acting like we wouldn't notice. At that point though I did jump up and hide my candy corn ;).

Needless to say that after going to my house, his Nana's house, seeing two aunties and then my mother bringing him his candy Monday he had enough candy for a whole class room!!! This is what happens when sucking on a ring pop while it's suppose to be nap time!!

Have a blessed day!

Old Farmers Advice & Stephen Torrence

2009-11-03T06:06:00.007-06:00

Hello Everyone,

I forgot where I seen this but I copied it and it's been in my drafts since July. I thought maybe it was time to publish it.

Old Farmers Advice

*Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.

*Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.

*Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

*A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

*Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled....

*Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.

*Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

*Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

*It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

*You cannot unsay a cruel word.

*Every path has a few puddles.

*When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

*The best sermons are lived, not preached.

*Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.

*Don't judge folks by their relatives.

*Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

*Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

*Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none.

*Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

*If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

*Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

*The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.

*Always drink upstream from the herd.

*Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

*Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

*If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

*Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

*Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.

That is really good advice if you ask me!

Yesterday I did Musical Monday with Miley Cyrus' 'Party In The USA' the video I posted was Miley's but there is another video that is my sister Emily's favorite. Jessica at Mommy to a lil lady[bug] left a link to it on my comments section so I thought I would post it. It is a young man, Stephen Torrence, doing Miley's song in sign language.

My sister enjoys watching his face as he is signing the song. When I was young my father started going deaf. I remember having a sign language book that I think our dad bought. Well anyway, my sisters and I did learn a little sign language but we never have used it with our dad. He never learned it. Now we just write on a notebook to him when we go see him. We did get to use it a little with our adopted uncles brother who was deaf. I remember signing with him and the signs we didn't know he showed us. It was fun learning and signing a little with him.

Well that's it for today. Until next time

Have a blessed day!!

Musical Monday - Party In The USA

2009-11-02T12:11:00.007-06:00

Hello Everyone,

Well I must say that the only song of Miley Cyrus' that I have ever liked was The Climb. Let me just say that I didn't even listen to it til my hubs (hard core rock man) heard it and told me he liked it. I was like okay I need to listen to this song. So I listened and I liked it and that was it. Then cute little Miss Cyrus came out with this little song that just sticks in my head. Now I don't listen to regular radio. I have Sirius and I usually listen to the Enlighten station. Love it! When I do listen to a local station it is usually between 1-4. I listen to WYDE to hear Dave Ramsey. So how did I even hear Miley Cyrus' "Party In The USA"? Well my sister has it as her answer ringy thing. So once I call her (which I usually do everyday) I hear it and there it is in my head all day long.

So by now you have guessed what song I will be using for my Musical Monday today. Enjoy.

I hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan
Welcome to the land of fame, excess, whoa am I gotta fit in?
Jumped in the cab, here I am for the first time
Look to my right, and I see the Hollywood sign

This is all so crazy, everybody seems so famous
My tummy's turnin' and I'm feelin' kinda homesick
Too much pressure and I'm nervous
That's when the taxi man turned on the radio

And the Jay-Z song was on
And the Jay-Z song was on
And the Jay-Z song was on

So I put my hands up, they're playin' my song
The butterflies fly away
I'm noddin' my head like "Yeah!"
Movin' my hips like "Yeah!"

Got my hands up, they're playin' my song
And now I'm gonna be okay
Yeah! It's a party in the USA!
Yeah! It's a party in the USA!

Get to the club in my taxi cab
Everybody's lookin' at me now
Like "Who's that chick that's rockin' kicks
She's gotta be from out of town"

So hard with my girls not around me
It's definitely not a Nashville party
'Cause all I see are stilettos
I guess I never got the memo

My tummy's turnin' and I'm feelin' kinda homesick
Too much pressure and I'm nervous
That's when the DJ dropped my favorite tune

And the Britney song was on
And the Britney song was on
And the Britney song was on

So I put my hands up, they're playin' my song
The butterflies fly away
I'm noddin' my head like "Yeah!"
Movin' my hips like "Yeah!"

Got my hands up, they're playin' my song
And now I'm gonna be okay
Yeah! It's a party in the USA!
Yeah! It's a party in the USA!

Feel like hoppin' on a flight, on a flight
Back to my hometown tonight, town tonight
Something stops me every time, every time
The DJ plays my song and I feel alright

So I put my hands up, they're playin' my song
The butterflies fly away
I'm noddin' my head like "Yeah!"
Movin' my hips like "Yeah!"

Got my hands up, they're playin' my song
And now I'm gonna be okay
Yeah! It's a party in the USA!
Yeah! It's a party in the USA!

So I put my hands up, they're playin' my song
The butterflies fly away
I'm noddin' my head like "Yeah!"
Movin' my hips like "Yeah!"

Got my hands up, they're playin' my song
And now I'm gonna be okay
Yeah! It's a party in the USA!
Yeah! It's a party in the USA!

Now hop over to Diane's and check out others' Musical Monday posts. Until next time

Have a blessed day!

Pumpkin Contest

2009-10-30T00:14:00.005-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Ok go here and leave a comment for my pumpkin to win this contest. Stesha at Hot Chocolate Caramel Mocha is hosting it on her Facebook page. The most comments decides who the winner is. I am turning off the comments for this post so you can go to the link and comment there. Now go!! Contest ends October 31st!!

Have a blessed day!

Tamales, Family, Roll Tide and a Grandbaby

2009-10-29T16:30:00.007-05:00

Hello Everyone,

This past weekend I had a blast!! First of all last week my cousin from Florida came for a visit. She requested that we make some tamales. Now we usually only do tamales at Christmas. Most Mexican families make tamales at Christmas. I remember being little at my Nina's house swinging my feet at the dining room table making them. I was so little I couldn't even touch the ground but we were even 'helping' then with the tamales. So I have been so busy that I wasn't going to be able to help make the tamales this time. But for some reason the masa that was bought made them taste bad when my sisters and mother made them on Wednesday night. So on Thursday we had to make a whole new batch. I did help on Thursday because Thursday and Friday are really my only free nights during the week. We had a good time making them and they tasted great!! Oh we made around 4-5 dozens and I want you to know that there were none left. I only got one! Around Christmas we usually make around 13-15 dozens.

Friday is when we all got together and ate them. Let me tell you the food was great. I made Mexican 7 layer dip and we also had chili, home made salsa and of course the tamales. Let me tell you when I say homemade salsa I mean homemade! I don't mean buying some salsa from the store and adding stuff to it and calling it homemade - that is not homemade!! My stepfather actually grows his own tomatoes and chili's for his salsa. He first fry's them, yes I said fry's. He lays them on the hot griddle or uses his cast iron pan and leaves them there til the skins are black. He then peels them, dices them adds his spices, and other ingredients he wants and wala!! Homemade salsa and that is what homemade salsa is!! It tastes great!!

After Friday everyone was meeting at my other sisters house for the Alabama/Tennessee game the next day. Everyone but me and my family. I think I have mentioned that we do not go around people when we are watching the game. It is better for everyone involved. Trust me. Here is a picture of some of my family during the game Saturday.

L-R Helen, Larissa, Emily, my mom, Angie, Anthony and in back Ginger.

Those are some of my family members. The rest hadn't got there yet but you add in 4 nieces, 2 nephews, a brother, an aunt, step-dad, cousin, cousin's husband, uncle, another cousin and a brother in law. That is everyone my sister had at her house during the game. At my house it was my daughter, 2 grandsons, my son in law and later after half time my hubs was home from work to watch. Now I have been a little more calm this year because of the baby during the games. Even though he sleeps mostly through them. Ray the older one just usually plays and every now and then yells Roll Tide or Touchdown and laughs at me and his daddy when we jump up.

As you know it was a tense game Saturday. Hubs went straight to his bedroom to watch the game because he had listened to most of it on his way home from work. He was not in a great mood because of how Alabama was playing. I did mention that it was a tense game right? Towards the end of the game a plate had been thrown, a coke had been thrown and a front door slammed. NO it was not me but my son in law!!!! Ha! Thought it was me didn't ya?

I never give up on my team no matter what. I get nervous and upset but I never give up. This game was literally down to the second before we knew who won. Once that field goal was blocked by good 'ol Cody I was ecstatic!!!! Jumping up and down and yelling and this time I was opening the front door and screaming at the top of my lungs ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a wonderful yell it was too!!!

So we prevailed! We were in such a good mood that my little party then hopped over to my sisters big party. I want you to know that if they had of lost we never would have left our house. lol But we had a great time visiting with my cousins and the rest of my family. We always have a good time when we get together.

Now I just want to show you the conversation I had with my newest grand baby on Saturday. He had a lot to say to me.

LOL I love being a Grammy!!! Until next time

Have a blessed day!!

Blog Hop Tuesday - PICTURES!!

2009-10-20T10:42:00.004-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Time for Blog Hop Tuesday again and the theme is Pictures!! Any kind you want. So I picked an assortment.

This is Chico - he was doing something he wasn't suppose to be doing!

This is how Bruce spends his days - being a baby is hard work!

Ready for some Alabama football!!! Bruce with Paw getting ready for the game!!

The first grandchild - Al Bundy characteristics!!

I was going to post pictures of Ray's 2nd birthday party but my daughter has my camera, so expect those later in the week.

Also, just a reminder that today is the last day to sign up for my Secret Ornament Swap!!! So if you want to sign up go here and follow the directions!! Until next time

Have a blessed day!!!

A Nut in a Nut Shell Giveaway!!!

2009-10-16T13:43:00.005-05:00

Hello Everyone,

A Nut in a Nut Shell is hosting a great giveaway! Check out Cookware.com for your favorite brands like Hamilton Beach, Emile Henry, Rachael Ray Cookware and more! Giveaway ends 10/26!

Hop on over and check out Blueviolet's site. This isn't her only giveaway, she is having a couple others too.

Have a blessed day!

Happy Birthday and Aloha Friday!

2009-10-16T12:23:00.004-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Today is my darling wonderful cutie patootie grandsons birthday!! I can't believe that he is already 2!!! He is such a joy to be around and so darn smart!! Here he is at his cousins birthday earlier this month. He loved whacking that pinata, I had already bought him one for his party. I didn't know my sister was going to have one too. But anyway hers was a butterfly and his is his favorite cartoon character Diego!!! That is his party theme. We are celebrating it on Sunday and I will be running by his house tonight to give him his birthday day present. So Happy Birthday Baby Boy Grammy Loves You!!!!

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

We are big Survivor fans at my house. When it first started years ago they would let you bring a luxury item with you. So . . .

My question today is:

What would be your luxury item?

My answer:

My luxury item would have to be my Bible. It comforts me to read His word and let's me know that I am under His care always!!

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

Oh and even if you don't want to participate hop over and congratulate Kailani she is at the hospital this very minute getting ready to have her baby!

And if you haven't already don't forget to sign up for my Secret Christmas Ornament Swap! Click here for the details. Until next time

Have a blessed day!

Blog Hop Tuesday – Anything That Feels Good

2009-10-12T20:10:00.005-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Today’s Blog Hop theme is Anything That Feels Good. First let me say that it feels good to know that God loves me!! He made me and He loves me and He loves you!!

Here are a few more things that make me feel good:

Holding my first grandson for the first time.

Holding my second grandson for the first time.

My beautiful daughter and my son-in-law.

Last but not least they two fellows:

Hubs and Chico.

And that is what makes me feel good!! If you haven’t already click on the link below and join in on the Blog Hop!

Don’t forget that you still have time to sign up for my Secret Ornament Christmas Swap!! It’s going to be a lot of fun!!

Have a blessed day!!

MM – Rainy Days and Mondays

2009-10-12T05:41:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I was awaken a couple of hours ago by the sound of heavy rain. This song immediately came to mind. Although I am not feeling sad I always enjoy listening to Karen Carpenter’s voice. So today for Musical Monday I give you Rainy Days and Mondays by The Carpenters.

Talking to myself and feeling old
Sometimes Id like to quit
Nothing ever seems to fit
Hanging around, nothing to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

What I've got they used to call the blues
Nothing is really wrong
Feeling like I don't belong
Walking around some kind of lonely clown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

Funny but it seems I always wind up here with you
Its nice to know somebody loves me
Funny but it seems that its the only thing to do
To run and find the one who loves me

What I feel is come and gone before
No need to talk it out
We know what its all about
Hanging around, nothing to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

Funny but it seems that its the only thing to do
Run and find the one who loves me

What I feel is come and gone before
No need to talk it out
We know what its all about
Hanging around, nothing to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

Hanging around, nothing do to but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

Hop on over to Diane’s blog to check out other Musical Mondays or to participate. Jori, who has co-hosted Musical Monday from it’s start ,is having to quit. So hop over and congratulate her on her new little bundle of joy.

Have you entered my Secret Ornament Christmas Swap? If not go here! Only 8 days left to sign up!! Until next time

Have a blessed day!

Busy Blessed Days

2009-10-10T06:51:00.007-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Life in the last two months have been so hectic. My days are filled with Beth Moore, Dave Ramsey, work and my grandsons. When I think I am going to have a little free time something pops up. I am blessed!

Our Bible study started at church and I am LOVING it!! We are studying Beth Moore's The Patriarchs. My mornings are spent doing my homework, it is such a blessing. It is just amazing the things the LORD will show you when you are studying His word. I am also participating in another class at church, Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. I wasn't to sure I wanted to do it but felt like it would be interesting. I had heard of Dave Ramsey but never really listened to him. I am enjoying the class though.

The other night the Chocolate Connection (that is what we ladies call our ministry at church) had a Bunko game. It was set up to just see how many would want to participate and when. No prizes at this one. We had a lot of women show up and only three of us had ever played the game before. Let me just say that even though we didn't have any prizes we had a great time playing and I enjoyed the fellowship. Oh did I mention that I won!! Yes in all the years I have been playing Bunko I have never won first place until this time, when there wasn't a prize. lol

On the 16th we are celebrating my grandsons birthday. He will be 2. I just can't believe that he is already 2. Time just flies by and they grow up so fast. About a month ago my daughter was still recovering from having her baby so Ray's dad and Papa took him to get a haircut. Usually my daughter does this and Ray does fine with the lady that cuts his hair. Well his dad and his dad's dad took him to a different lady. This was the result:

His mom almost cried when she first seen him. The back is really gapped up too. So needless to say mom is going to be in charge of hair cuts from now on. lol

Like all parents when they brought home this beautiful bundle of joy:

They were concerned how Ray would react to having another child in the home. When Bruce was first born Ray kept saying "No, no". He would only look at him when no one was watching. Well I had the great job of keeping Ray while mom and dad were at the hospital. So I would take him to visit. The day after he was born I said "Ray little brother needs a kiss" the picture on the right of my sidebar was the result. Ever since then he can't get enough of his little brother. He is always wanting to kiss him and asks to hold him. See?

We are just so blessed!!

This is how I have been spending my Saturdays, with my wonderful grandsons. Both of our husbands are working on Saturday so my DD and I spend the day together. I use to just get Ray by his self but since the baby is still nursing mom is tagging along. lol Just kidding, I am enjoying spending more time with her too.

Last year, during football games, Ray's screams for Alabama were limited to 'touchdown' and 'Alabama'. Well this year he has added 'Roll Tide Roll'. Makes a Grammy proud!!!! ROLL TIDE!!!!

Have a blessed day!

Aloha Friday - Robin Williams

2009-10-09T05:42:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone,

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and link up over at An Island Life. Don’t forget to visit the other participates.

My question is:

Who is your favorite comedian?

My answer:

My favorite is Robin Williams! Hubs and I are going to be seeing him tomorrow night!! Yay!!! We are so excited! Our tickets were actually for March but he had to have heart surgery and it got postponed til tomorrow. Let's hope all goes well!!

Can't wait to hear all of your answers!!

Have a blessed day!

Musical Monday - Rod Stewart

2009-09-28T11:44:00.006-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Today is Musical Monday and the theme is first concert. I had to really think about this. I remember that my first concert was suppose to be Boston but I had an asthma attack and didn't get to go. After that was Rod!! It was his 'Blondes Have More Fun' tour. Loved it!!! Love him!!!

Me and my sister went to the concert. We had good seats on the main floor!! So good that we were first up against the stage and I could touch the end of his shoe when he got close to the end of the stage!!! Woohooo!!!! We left with a t-shirt and a concert book. We were in LOVE!!!

So for your musical delight I give you 'Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?'.

I remember when he song this song he was dressed in tight black leather pants. Just like the album cover:

Hop over to Jori's or Diane's to see other Musical Monday posts or to join in the fun!! Until next time

Have a blessed day!!

Miscellaneous and Hubs

2009-09-17T11:31:00.004-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Gosh I have a lot to catch up on and tell you guys. I still have to post pictures of the baby shower and pictures of the baby when he was born. A lot has been going on both in my life and work. I have been crazy busy. I promise to get you all caught up by Monday.

For now I want to remind you about my Christmas Ornament Swap. Getting a good response to it and I am so excited. I WANT YOU TO JOIN IN ON THE FUN TOO!!! So sign up!!

I love to sing but I sound awful. I really do. But it doesn't keep me from doing it. Here is a little exchange between me and my hubs while we were listening to the choir at church a Sunday or two ago.

Hubs: That's what you ought to do.

Me: What?

Hubs: The choir, you ought to do that. You love to sing.

Me: Coming from the one person that is always telling me I can't sing.

Hubs: Well, why not?

Me: You know, they are having enrollment right now.

Hubs: Do it.

Me: You think I sound awful why would I get up in front of everyone if I sound awful.

Hubs: Don't worry about that. They will all drown you out.

Until next time

Have a blessed day,

I Love You Patrick!!!

2009-09-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Oh what a sad text I got last night while leaving Bible study.

Patrick Swayze died

It was from my sister. I LOVE him!!!

Oh gosh I think the first time I seen him was on The Outsiders I was 19. Then Red Dawn I thought how beautiful he was. Then there was Dirty Dancing – can’t even write about it just one word. Great. Oh and I can not forget Road House – also starring a wonderful man, Sam Elliott. One of my daughter’s favorite To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar. Loved him in that too. Next of Kin was a great movie too. I can’t list all of them but I will tell you if he was in it I seen it.

But my favorite movie of his had to be Ghost. I still cry when I see it. I also loved his skit on SNL with Chris Farley – too funny.

Here is one of my favorite lines from my favorite movie:

“It’s amazing, Molly. The love inside, you take it with you.”

Rest in peace Patrick. You were amazing!!

Have a blessed day!

Secret Christmas Ornament Swap!!

2009-09-14T06:02:00.009-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Today is the day!! I have been wanting to have a Christmas Ornament Swap for a while now. Not only a swap but a secret swap!! Do y0u want to join in on the fun? Great!! I intend for this to be tons of fun and also to make a few new friends. Here are the rules:

1. Grab the button on the left and put it on your blog.

2. You have to spend at least $20 before shipping!! You can spend more if you want, but the least you can spend is $20. It can be just one ornament or several if that’s what you want to do. It is your prerogative if you want to spend more but please don't be upset if your partner doesn't.

3. It is a ‘secret’ swap so no reveal until you send your ornament. Please include your blog address and a card. To make it more fun don’t forget to gift wrap the ornament.

4. Once you get your swap partners name and her blog address give her a visit and get to know her a little.

5. Deadline to mail your ornament is Thanksgiving, November 26th. On the outside of the package if you don't want to reveal your name until your partner opens her card, then just write Secret Ornament Swap with your mailing address. It would be good to have delivery comfirmation also. It costs between $.70 - $2.00.

6. Please do not sign up if you are not going to participate. It is not fair for someone to be left out if you have decided you don’t want to participate. Please contact me if you have a problem and have to withdraw. Please do this before the deadline (November 26th).

7. Once you have your ornament blog about it!! I will have a link up so we can all visit each other and see the great ornaments we got!

So that’s it!! This swap is open to anyone! Deadline for participating in the swap is October 20, 2009. I will get your partner info to you by the 25th!

How do you join? Send me an email at valwonderfullife@aol.com or you can click my email button on the sidebar. I will need the following information in your email.

Your name and address

Your blog name and address

Favorite color/Or color you decorate in

Do you have a holiday theme? Or collect anything? (i.e. snowmen, Santa’s, Willow Tree, etc.)

Anything you don’t want/don’t like. (i.e. no glass ornaments, no Santa’s, etc.)

Also are you okay with shipping overseas? (please be sure to answer)

Let’s have some fun with this!! Don’t forget to blog about it and tell your friends – the more the merrier!! Until next time

Have a blessed day!!

Happy Anniversary To Me!!!

2009-09-08T13:00:00.007-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I have been so MIA lately. I am sorry, it has a been a very hectic and busy last three weeks or so for me. I am hoping that finally things are back to normal. That being said, I hope to get around to commenting and visiting all of you this week! Can't wait to catch up with anyone. Today is a special post for me!

It is my and hubs' wedding anniversary!!! I have been with this man for almost 16 years now. We have been married for 11. I am not going to tell you that he is perfect and wonderful. Because he isn't! Neither am I!! But we are still very much in love and very happy.

He is the one person that can send me to the moon and also the one to bring me back crashing down ready to tear his head off!! He is so aggravating at times that I just think WHY OH WHY am I here!!! He is so loving and sweet at times that I think I am the luckiest person in the world.

We are so very different. About the only thing we really had in common when we met was that we both loved Alabama football. Roll Tide Roll!!!! (sorry I just had to put that in there. lol) Over the years we have learned to like SOME of the same music, SOME of the same television shows and SOME of the same foods. We still have a lot of different ideas and opinions. It isn't rare to hear him say 'I give up' or me to not push a point. As I am sure you know, you have to give a little. One of the hardest lessons I have had to learn about being married is to pick my fights. Patience is another thing along with counting to 10 - or 100 - or 1000!! lol

But as I said what it boils down to is that we love each other. We want to grow ~~old~~ older together. I have posted already on several Musical Monday's a lot of 'our' songs. But here is another one! I couldn't find a video for it anywhere so I hope you enjoy listening to it. It's Clay Walker's "That's Us".

Sometimes I ignore reality
But baby that's me
I've always been a dreamer
You'd rather face the cold head truth
But baby that's you, you called it like you see it
Half the time my head's up in the clouds
And you're the only thing that keeps me on the ground

That's us
As different as the night and day
That's us
But the good Lord had planned it that way
That's love
He looked down and knew
A man would need a woman's touch
Two souls come together and make one
That's us

And when I feel I just can't go on
The dreams have come and gone
I know you'll always be there
And when that old cold truth is hard to face
I'll carry you away
Years from now I'll still care
In rockin' chairs we'll share old memories
Made up of part of you and part of me

That's us
As different as the night and day
That's us
But the good Lord had planned it that way
That's love
He looked down and knew
A man would need a woman's touch
Two souls come together and make one
That's us

Larry I love you!!! Your my best friend, my hubs, my lover, my protector and my go to guy! lol I hope to grow older with you and to be loving you forever!

Have a blessed day!

Tuesday Blog Hop – Baby Pictures

2009-09-01T00:10:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Have I got a surprise for you!! Today is the MckLinky Tuesday Blog Hop. The theme is baby pictures. Some of you may not know that last Thursday night my daughter gave birth to my newest grandson. Here he is:

Isn’t he just too cute!!! I have to post this next one too because it is just to dang precious.

This is my 22 month old grandson giving his little brother a kiss. I told you it was precious!!

I hope you enjoyed my Baby Pics! Now link up and happy hopping!! Until next time

Have a blessed day!

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!

2009-08-31T14:33:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone!!

Today is the “Score For Your Team Football Carnival” over at Alabama Bloggers. Well you know that I just had to join in. Everyone that knows me, reads my blog or hey even looks at my header knows that I am a BIG BIG BIG ALABAMA FAN!!!

Loving the Crimson Tide was passed on to me by my beloved grandfather and grandmother. You rarely seen my grandfather without a Alabama jacket or hat on. Some of my best memories are being at their house and watching Alabama Football!!

Growing up it was always loud at my house, with six kids you can understand why. But when Alabama was playing I am sure it sounded like the biggest brawls ever. Screaming, shouting, cheering and yes even cursing. I have great memories of the time spent with my siblings watching the games and cheering on our team.

As I got older I went with my school to Legend Field to help with selling items such as peanuts, cokes and hot dogs. We would walk up and down the isles. It was a great way to be at an Alabama game. I seen Coach Bear Bryant up close many times from volunteering to do this. Great fun!!!

I would also visit T-town every weekend as I became a young adult. It was a town full of electricity when Bama was playing. I have so many great memories of friends, fun, food and the Crimson Tide. Let’s not forget the tailgating. You have got to experience tailgating at the University of Alabama!!

When I got married it had to be to an Alabama man. We unfortunately are not fit to be anywhere during a game. Nowadays we do our ~~screaming~~ cheering from our own living room. We are just too overly enthusiastic to be at anyone else's home or in public. lol Trust me, we like it like this!

No one escapes wearing a Alabama shirt on Fridays and Saturdays. Even Chico has his own shirt!

Here is the best video that I have found that expresses the way I feel about the Crimson Tide!!!

This video gives me goose bumps!!!

I can not do a post about our great Alabama Crimson Tide without including the words to our fight song.

"Yea, Alabama!"

Yea, Alabama! Drown 'em Tide!

Every 'Bama man's behind you;

Hit your stride!

Go teach the Bulldogs to behave,

Send the Yellow Jackets to a watery grave!

And if a man starts to weaken,

That's a shame!

For 'Bama's pluck and grit

Have writ her name in crimson flame!

Fight on, fight on, fight on, men!

Remember the Rose Bowl we'll win then!

Go, roll to victory,

Hit your stride,

You're Dixie's football pride, Crimson Tide!

If you are an Alabama Crimson Tide football fan hop over to Alabama Bloggers and join in on the carnival. If your not a fan I feel sorry for ya!!! lol Until next time

Have a blessed day!! Oh and

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!

Blog Hop Tuesday - Time To Laugh

2009-08-25T11:36:00.005-05:00

Hello Everyone,

The theme for today's MckLinky Blog Hop is Time To Laugh. I have a couple of videos here that I always laugh at, I hope you like them.

What can be more funnier than people dancing?

Maybe scaring people?

Or how about a cute kid?

I hope you all have a great day!! Have fun hopping!!

Have a blessed day!!

A Little Catch Up

2009-08-20T20:56:00.009-05:00

Hello Everyone,

These last 2 to 3 weeks have been a little crazy for me. I have been really busy! I have rarely ever gone more than one day without a post let alone 3 to 4 days. I have dealt with a sick husband, a sick dog and and helping to organize a sprinkle baby shower.

It is hard to get my husband to go to the doctor. The only time he goes without a fight is to his annual cat scan to make sure his cancer hasn't come back. He has been sick for a couple of months now. It really bothers me especially when I am awaken by his cough spraying all over my face!!!

Well he finally went to the doctors, who told him if he had waited 1 or 2 more days he would be in the hospital for about 7 days. He received a breathing treatment, a couple of shots and several bottles of meds. I am so glad he went, now he is on the mend!

Our little dog was acting up Monday. He was up and down all night and just aggravating us. He just wouldn't stay still. Well the next morning I was getting ready for work and he was still acting weird. I told him he needed to calm his little butt down. Well right when I was getting ready to leave I noticed that his ears were really red. Now I have a chihuahua so they have big ears and well they were really noticeable. I gathered him up and off we went to the vet. I am so glad that I took him. He was having some kind of allergic reaction. The vet said that the next stage of this reaction would've been trouble breathing. So I am so glad I noticed his ears before I left. A medicated bath, shots, an IV and $300.00 later he was back to normal. The doctor said he was so fidgety because he was itching so bad. We love this little guy like he is our child and I just hate to think that anything is wrong with him.

We had my daughters sprinkle baby shower earlier this month. You can check out this post to see what I made for her first shower. I will do a post later with pictures of what I made for this shower. But for right now here is the little favor I made for this one:

I just think they are soooo cute!!! It is a little bottle filled with shower gel. The baby is wrapped in a felt baby blanket with a tag on it that reads:

We sprinkled Summer with gifts, it’s true -

But this sprinkle gift is just for you!

They went fast!! People wanted 2 & 3 of them. I will do a post later showing you my diaper wreath and diaper cake I made. I wasn’t planning on making either of them but Summer asked me if I would and of course I couldn’t resist her. I actually got a couple of orders!!

I think that will be it for now. I still have a few things to post about but it’ll have to wait till next time.

Have a blessed day!

Musical Monday – Beautiful Morning

2009-08-17T15:29:00.009-05:00

Hello Everyone,

It’s Musical Monday and this is how I am feeling today!! “It’s A Beautiful Morning” by the Rascals! I know I am posting late today but I’ve been busy. But it’s been great!! lol

It's a beautiful mornin', Ahhh,

I think I'll go outside a while,

An jus' smile.

Just take in some clean fresh air, boy!

Ain't no sense in stayin' inside

If the weather's fine an' you got the time.

It's your chance to wake up and plan another brand new day.

Either way,

It's a beautiful mornin', Ahhh,

Each bird keeps singin' his own song.

So long!

I've got to be on my way, now.

Ain't no fun just hangin' around,

I've got to cover ground, you couldn't keep me down.

It just ain't no good if the sun shines

When you're still inside,

Shouldn't hide, still inside, shouldn't hide,

Ahhhh..Oh! (shouldn't hide) Ah, ah, Oh.....

(Do, do, Waaa) (Do, do, Waaa)

There will be children with robins and flowers;

Sunshine caresses each new waking hour.

Seems to me that the people keep seeing

More and more each day, gotta say, lead the way,

It's okay, Wednesday, Thursday, it's okay,

(Ahhh) Monday, Wednesday, Friday, weekday, Ah, Ah, Ohhh.

(Do, do, Waaa)

Ah, Ah, Oh, Oh, (Do, Do - Aaaa)

Wooooo oo oo oh, oh, oh, Ah wo, do, waa

Ohhhhhhh.....Oh, Oh, Oh, .....

Hop on over to Jori’s and Diane’s blog for other Musical Monday posts and see what is moving other people today! Until next time

Have a blessed day!

Beth Moore Giveaway Winner!!

2009-08-14T17:58:00.006-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I want to thank everyone for entering my giveaway.

Now time for the winner:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2009-08-14 23:01:46 UTC

Transitional | Valid CSSWeb Design by TSDA

Number 37!!! Which is Sassy and Classy!!! Congratulations!!!! You've got mail!!

I hope everyone has a great evening!! Until next time

Have a blessed day!!

Photo Story Friday – Wearing Daddy’s Shoes

2009-08-14T12:51:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
Wow!! I haven’t posted since Sunday – that is so unlike me. I have been extremely busy and have barely had time to squeeze in 3 – 4 hours a day to sleep. I am exhausted!!! After tomorrow though my life is going to return to normal!

I haven’t done a Photo Story Friday in quite a while and when my daughter sent me this picture the other day I knew I had to use it for today.

He had a fit to wear his daddy’s shoes. LOL

Hop over to cecily and MamaGeek’s to see others’ Photo Story Friday. Until next time (which will be later tonight when I announce the winner of my giveaway)

Have a blessed day!

Spiritual Sundays – When I Don’t Know What To Do

2009-08-09T14:33:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Thursday night at Bible study we had to tell what was our spiritual go to song. I had no problem listing mine: How Great Thou Art, I Feel Jesus, Fear Not My Child and Who Am I. All are my favorite but I forgot another one that is my go to song. “When I Don’t Know What To Do” by Tommy Walker. I couldn’t find a video by Tommy Walker but I found this one on You Tube. The singer is name Drew Grounds. I have posted the lyrics below also. I hope you enjoy it!

Lord I surrender all to Your strong and faithful hand

In everything I will give thanks to You

I'll just trust Your perfect plan

When I don't know what to do

I'll lift my hands

When I don't know what to say

I'll speak Your praise

When I don't know where to go

I'll run to Your throne

When I don't know what to think

I'll stand on Your truth

When I don't know what to do

Lord I surrender all

Though I'll never understand

All the mysteries around me

I'll just trust your perfect plan

When I don't know what to do

I'll lift my hands

When I don't know what to say

I'll speak Your praise

When I don't know where to go

I'll run to Your throne

When I don't know what to think

I'll stand on Your truth

When I don't know what to do

As I bow my knee

Send Your perfect peace

Send Your perfect peace Lord

As I lift my hands

Let Your healing come

Let Your healing come to me

As I bow my knee

Send Your perfect peace

Send Your perfect peace Lord

As I lift my hands

Let Your healing come

Let Your healing come to me

As I bow my knee

Send Your perfect peace

Send Your perfect peace Lord

As I lift my hands

Let Your healing come

Let Your healing come to me

When I don't know what to do

I'll lift my hands

When I don't know what to say

I'll speak Your praise

When I don't know where to go

I'll run to Your throne

When I don't know what to think

I'll stand on Your truth

When I don't know what to do

Such a great song!! It really reminds me where to turn when I don't know what to do! For more Spiritual Sundays click on the picture above or visit Ginger’s or Charlotte’s blog. Oh and don’t forget to enter my Beth Moore book giveaway. Until next time

Have a blessed day!

Beth Moore Giveaway!!

2009-08-07T01:26:00.004-05:00

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED- THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!!

Hello Everyone,

So if you follow me on Twitter you may recall that I mentioned I was going to have a giveaway this Friday! Well it’s Friday. lol

As you can tell from my post title it is a Beth Moore Giveaway!! Now I love Beth Moore!! I love her Bible studies and I LOVE watching and listening to her. It’s like I am hypnotized. lol

So what am I giving away? This -

This being the Personal Reflections Series of Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only! Here is a little snippet from the back:

YOU THINK YOU LOVE HIM NOW. . .

Just wait till you’ve spent 90 solid days enmeshed in His life, walking with Him through triumph and trial, reacting to the very same questions He posed to His first followers.

That’s because this is deeper than daily devotional. This is Bible study. This is a plunge into the Word’s picturesque original languages. Yet it’s also an invitation to quietly sit at His side and awaken your spirit, to hear and respond through journaling and prayer. To love Him. Oh to love Him!

Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only is everything you’d expect a Beth Moore devotional book to be – the perfect blending of your heart, hers, . . . and His.

If you read my blog on a regular basis you know that all I require is a comment to enter my giveaways. I don’t want to make you follow me – only if you want to. I don’t want to make you have to Tweet, Facebook or blog about it. If you want to do any of that you can I am just saying it’s not required.

So just comment and in the comment tell me your favorite Beth Moore book, Bible study or any thoughts you have on her. Oh and for the lucky winner I will also include a personal surprise!

This giveaway will be open till August 14, 12:oo pm CST. I will use Random.org to pick the winner. I will notify you by email so make sure you leave one if it’s not in your profile. If you don’t I will have to pick another winner. I will post the winners name that same day by 8:00 pm CST. So good luck to all of you and until next time

Have a blessed day!

I Want To Win This!!

2009-08-07T00:16:00.004-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Dee over at Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House is having a great giveaway!! It's a Bumbleride Indie twin stroller valued at $650!! Check out this post for all the details!! For more colors and details on their other strollers visit Bumbleride's web site.

Now listen ya'll know I really need to win this for the bundle of joy we are getting in the next 3 - 4 weeks and also for the bundle of joy toddler we currently have. After my back injury there is no way that I am going to be able to tote both of my grandbabies around at the same time! lol Until next time

Have a blessed day!

A Ranting, A Purse, A Win, A Heads Up and A Parting,

2009-08-05T12:43:00.008-05:00

Hello Everyone,

You know one of my biggest pet peeves is people walking in through the out door. You know what I mean? It has EXIT in big white letters and yet people still walk in. It really bothers me when I am pushing my full buggy out and someone walking in through the out door expects me to yield to them. Hello? You can’t read? You are going in the wrong way.

These same people are no doubt the same ones that do not follow the arrows in the parking lot. If it is one way do not go the wrong way while people are coming in. You are not even going to be able to park in any of the parking spaces. Why do it? Just follow the arrows – it really isn’t that hard.

Speaking of parking. . . look I can understand if you need a handicap parking space. I do. But you don’t need to park in one if there is only one person in the car that needs it. Pull up to the door and drop them off!! It doesn’t make sense to me that you park in a handicap spot when you are capable of walking. Are you just lazy? If someone can’t walk the distance drop them at the door. Leave the parking spaces for the elderly or the real handicap people who have wheel chairs. That’s why they are there!

for disabled people not lazy people!!

Do you know how hard it is to push a buggy to one of those corral places? It is really very easy. It really bothers me when I come out of the store and there is a buggy right next to my car. Just put your buggy up.

Okay now that I got that off my chest I feel better. Next time I will rant about how to act inside the store.

So I want to show you something that made me feel better.

Isn't it pretty? I absolutely love it!!

So if you follow me on Twitter you will remember at the beginning of the week I said I was going to have a giveaway tomorrow. So if you are a Beth Moore fan you are really going to like it! I promise!!!

Speaking of giveaways I won 'The Justice Game' by Randy Singer over at Cathy's blog, Latte With Me, I am so excited and can't wait to get my coupon for the book.

I am a little sad that tonight is the last meeting for my Me, Myself and Lies Summer Bible study group. I have really enjoyed this study. It has really taught me a lot about how we are careful about how we speak to others and how we treat others but we don't take that same care with ourselves. It was a really great study and if you ever want a good one to do this is one of them. I am looking forward to my fall Bible Study at church though. Last we were told it was going to be Beth Moore's The Patriarchs - I can't wait. I absolutely loved Esther another Bible study you HAVE to do.

So that's it for now ya'll have a great evening. Until next time

Have a blessed day!

My BFF

2009-08-04T12:22:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone,

So on Saturday afternoon we went to a BBQ at a friends house. After several hours visiting and having fun it was time to go home. Now let me just say that I don’t drink. I haven’t in years. That’s not to say that I won’t take a sip of a Margarita or Long Island Tea from my sister’s glass. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like to go out with girlfriends or sisters being the DD while they are all ‘partying’. It’s just not something I enjoy and religiously I don’t feel right about doing.

However, my hubs does. There has been countless times that I have had to be not only his DD but his friends’ as well. This is the only time I karaoke people. They are so – um – enjoying themselves that I know they won’t remember anything the next day. Seeing that I love to sing but I can’t carry a tune this is a good time to let my ~~screeching~~ talent known.

There was no singing Saturday but I wanted to share a conversation between hubs and me as I put him to bed. Now he wasn’t slurring a lot but a little, sorry I don’t know how to type in slur.

Hubs: Your my BFF.

Me: Well your my BFF too.

Hubs: What?

Me: Your my BFF too.

Hubs: I can’t be your BFF!!

Me: Yes you can.

Hubs: No I can’t!!

Me: Well why can’t you be my BFF?

Hubs: Because I am not female.

Me: (giggling by now) I know you are not female.

Hubs: Then I can’t be your BFF.

Me: What does that have to do with being my BFF?

Hubs: I am not a female!

Me: What do you think BFF means?

Hubs: Best Female Friend!!

Have a blessed day!

Musical Monday – Who Am I

2009-08-03T12:34:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Musical Monday time. I am being moved today by Casting Crowns’ “Who Am I'”. I hope you enjoy it too.

Hop on over to Jori’s and Diane’s blog for other Musical Monday posts and see what is moving other people today!

Have a blessed day!

A Sprinkle Baby Shower

2009-07-30T16:28:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Well the time is approaching fast! My daughter is having her baby shower on August 15th. It is a Sprinkle Baby Shower since it is her second baby. We are only sprinkling her with the necessities because she already has all the big stuff. Well I do need to find a reasonable side-by-side double stroller. The one she picked out costs $714.00 – you just have to know my daughter.

Here are a couple of pics from her last baby shower that I posted here.

This is the diaper cake I made – my first one! I was really proud of it.

This is the baby sock bouquet I made and the corsage I bought.

This is the baby wreath I made – my first one again!

So it hasn’t been that long since I have been to a baby shower but I was wondering have any of you been to one lately? I am looking for some fresh food ideas, favors and you know just stuff like that. I’ll be meeting with the other 5-6 people who are helping with the shower this week so I wanted to do some things a little different than her first one. Oh and look I get another one of these in a little over a month!

Have a blessed day!!

Funnies and A Tag

2009-07-29T13:55:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Some funnies for you. Well not really for you I need them.

These last two are for my new bloggy friend Hayley – over at Reflections of Grace - who had the nerve to write those two awful words - that I will not repeat on my blog - in my comments section.

Seeing that she is a fan of that cow college on the other side of the state you can pretty much figure out what she said. Hayley I think I am going to have fun with you this year! lol

I also have been tagged by my buddy Missy at Little Things In Life. I am to tell 6 things about myself.

1. I love sappy movies

2. When I was a kid I took Violin lessons

3. I am very stubborn

4. I am going to the Chiropractor for the 1st time on Monday

5. I love to read

6. I love doing Bible studies

Then I am to tag 6 more people and the rules are they are to tell 6 things about themselves and pass the tag on to 6 more people! Link back to the tagger's blog and link to the blogs you tag.

Some of these ladies I have known and followed for a while, some are new followers or new people I am following that I want to get to know better. So I tag:

1. Hayley at Reflections of Grace

2. Blueviolet at A Nut in a Nutshell

3. Renee at Always a Southern girl

4. Tammy at Love My 2 Dogs

5. Amber at Bamber’s Blessings

6. Michelle at Because I Love You

Ok now I am off to let these 6 lucky bloggy friends know that I have tagged them! Until next time

Have a blessed day!

Musical Monday - In My Heart

2009-07-27T18:11:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Today is Musical Monday. You can hop over to Jori’s or Diane’s blog to see others’ Musical Mondays.

This is my brother Ray. This is always a hard week for me and my family. On July 26, 1988 my brother was in a car accident. He was in a coma for a week and then he died on August 1. Although he is in our hearts and our minds all year long this week always brings back the emotions of that week. It has taken me all day to even post this. He was 17.

I found the video below on You Tube. I loved it and wanted to share it with you. It is performed by Alan Williams and was written by his mother. It's called 'In My Heart'.

Please forgive such a sad song and sad post but this is what is moving me today. Also, little Stellan is in need of prayer again. I need to also tell you about Abby, her story is here, her and her family really need our prayers today too. Until next time

Have a blessed day!

Blog Hop ‘09

2009-07-24T14:48:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Robin is hosting Blog Hop ‘09 for those of us that aren't at Blog Her ‘09. I thought I would join in. I wish that you would too. Just hop over to Robin’s blog, Pensieve, get the details and link up!!

Okay a little about me. I am Valerie. I am married to Larry we have a daughter, son-in-law and a 21 month old grandson. I have really been blogging since 2004 but on this blog I have been blogging since 2006. I blog just about my every day life. My view, thoughts, feelings and my inspirations. I have made a lot of friends by blogging and it is one of the things I enjoy doing.

Hubs and I usually hang out together, we also hang out with our friends and we enjoy riding our Harley. Hubs is an only child but I have a large family. I am the second of six children and we always have a good time when we all get together. I see my sisters almost every day as we like to have lunch together.

I am also a child of God. I am always growing in this relationship I have with Him. He has truly blessed me and my family so much. We have an awesome God!! I love to read Christian books and doing Bible studies. I love Beth Moore!!!

I am also a fanatic about Alabama football. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!

So that is just about it. I hope you look around my blog a bit and come back. Have fun hopping!!

Have a blessed day!

The Blog Frog's New Site Is Up!!

2009-07-23T19:45:00.005-05:00

Hello Everyone,

It wasn’t to long ago that I started being featured on The Blog Frog. It was really neat. I refreshed the page like three times. Now there are a lot more being featured I have to refresh like maybe six or seven times to see my blog. lol

When I first signed up for The Blog Frog there really wasn’t a lot of blogs on there that I knew. Now there are tons!!

So the big new tonight is that The Blog Frog’s all new web site is now up and running!!!

Click on the above picture of any of the highlighted links on my post and hop over and check it out - oh and let all your friends know about it!!

Have a blessed day!

It's A Wonderful Life

A New Years Poem

Another Year Is Dawning

2011 Recap

When I Say "I Am A Christian"

When I Say "I Am A Christian"by Carol Wimmer

Family Fun

Hiya Blogging Buddies

A Couple of Prayer Requests

HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY!!

Boring Monday

Bruce & Chico

Staying Focused On God

SILENCE

Weigh In & Other Stuff

Ugh!!! Here I Go - AGAIN!!!

Life Change!!

Fast Living!

Tamara Lowe's Jesus Rap

I'm Still Here!!

Sunday's Coming!!!

A POST, A POST!!!

Zumba and Drama

Freaky Friday And A Friend!

Family Happenings!

ZUMBA ZUMBA ZUMBA!!!!

Estetica Winterguard and Friday Follow

Follower Appreciation

Wash Day

Friday Follow & Grandbabies!

Mama's Losin' It Writer's Workshop

I met BETH MOORE!!!

Beth Moore and Some Siestas!!

Especially for Suzanne!!

Roll Tide Roll Baby!!!

Happy New Year (a few days late!!)

SSS - Secret Santa Soiree!!!

When A Child Is Born

The Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Christmas MeMe

Showing Off My Ornaments!!!

Busy, Busy, and Busy

MERRY SITSMAS DAY!!!!

Things I Love Thursday!!

An Award, An Award!!!!!

Secret Ornament Swap Link Up!!!

Blog Hop Tuesday - Favorite Book

Musical Monday - Tammy

Musical Monday - Rico Suave

Dona Nobis Pacem

Work, Family and Halloween

Old Farmers Advice & Stephen Torrence

Musical Monday - Party In The USA

Pumpkin Contest

Tamales, Family, Roll Tide and a Grandbaby

Blog Hop Tuesday - PICTURES!!

A Nut in a Nut Shell Giveaway!!!

Happy Birthday and Aloha Friday!

Blog Hop Tuesday – Anything That Feels Good

MM – Rainy Days and Mondays

Busy Blessed Days

Aloha Friday - Robin Williams

Musical Monday - Rod Stewart

Miscellaneous and Hubs

I Love You Patrick!!!

Secret Christmas Ornament Swap!!

Happy Anniversary To Me!!!

Tuesday Blog Hop – Baby Pictures

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!

Blog Hop Tuesday - Time To Laugh

A Little Catch Up

Musical Monday – Beautiful Morning

Beth Moore Giveaway Winner!!

Photo Story Friday – Wearing Daddy’s Shoes

Spiritual Sundays – When I Don’t Know What To Do

Beth Moore Giveaway!!

I Want To Win This!!

A Ranting, A Purse, A Win, A Heads Up and A Parting,

My BFF

Musical Monday – Who Am I

When I Say "I Am A Christian"
by Carol Wimmer