25 Days of Christmas

On November 30, 2009, I spent a couple hours making a cute little Christmas Mini Album with the sole purpose being that I would take a picture everyday in December, days 1-25. Somewhere along Dec. 10th I realized that I had not taken even one picture. I thought about just taking a whole bunch of pics and just putting them in the album anyway. I mean really-who would know! But I couldn't.
So here it is, December 1st again. Wow, how time flies. The good thing is the mini Christmas album is still here, just waiting to be filled with 25 days of Christmas photos. And once I dust it off it'll be good-as-new!

Remember the reason for the season, and Shine.

Imitation: The greatest form of flattery

Fresh Grounded Faith 2010 Women's Conference at Second Baptist Church of Springfield

What a weekend-it was fantabulous!

Devony and I attended Fresh Grounded Faith at Second Baptist Church in Springfield. Oh, it was so good. I absolutely love, love, LOVE Jennifer Rothschild. She so sweet and true. She's truly an inspiration to me.

Jennifer Rothschild

During the conference Jennifer mentioned that if ever you're in a situation and you don't really know how to handle it or feel a little out of you league, that's it's OK to imitate someone you admire and respect. She told of a story where always before she was just a helper at these conferences but this one time she was more in charge of things, more involved. She didn't realize it until right before it got started, everyone gathered around and someone said, "OK Jennifer!" And she was thinking Ok Jennifer, what? Then she realized they wanted her to lead in prayer, to take charge and be the leader. She was overwhelmed and didn't know what to do or say, she had never been in that situation. So she quickly thought to herself, "What would my good friend Beth Moore do?" Jennifer then acted, thought and talked like she assumed Beth would in that situation. She got her strength from what she knew of Beth Moore's character.

So it's OK to imitate someone that you look up to from time to time. We learn from others examples. And I look up to Jennifer. It's alright, go ahead, call me a copy-cat. In this case, it's something I'm proud of. 
Did I get pictures of this super-wonderful event. No. (gasp) I guess I was to excited to remember my camera. Not sure how that can be, with me being a scrapbooker and all. I take pictures of everything-normally. I had to borrow photos from the Fresh Grounded Faith Facebook page. I don't think they will mind. :)

Thanks Jennifer-you help me to Shine.

Love What is True

Good Morning and happy Friday. It's so cold, but the sun is out and that always makes me happy. I'm feeling a little giddy this morning for no apparent reason, so who knows what I may post. My giddiness may be due to lack of sleep-I got woke up at 2a.m. from my crazy dog, ferociously barking at something. I didn't go back to sleep, but I did watch a little TV. My Wife and Kids is a really cute show, and I found out from the History Channel that we have aliens living in our oceans.
Michael Buble love, love... Love him has a new song out called Hollywood. It's message is about people selling out. He sings,
If you get to California,
save a piece of gold for me.
If it's the only thing you save,
then I'll bet you'll never wave when I watch you on tv.
Have you ever sold out? guilty  Is gold and the world what you live for? been there, done that 
John 17: 15-17 Be in the world, not of it. (paraphrasing credits go to Angela)
I want to save more than material things and meaningless relationships, I want to save me and others from and eternity of doom. So how do we do that: we love. It's just that simple.
At the end of the song he sings,
Keep loving what is true and the world will come to you, 
you can find it in yourself.
Love. That's what's true.
We Shine when we love, there's no disguising it.

Swings

We've been twice and I've said the same thing both times, "Want to know what's fun but completely insane-The Barn Swings in Ozark!"
Last year I attemped to swing from one, albeit the small one, but this year I was smarter, I stayed on the ground the entire time and took pictures.

Keep Shining!

Happy Pumpkins

Halloween is such a fun time of year. Devony and I had
a good time drawing our Jack-O-Lantern faces. She took a
picture of them and sent it to all her friends along with the
message, Vote For Your Favorite Pumpkin. Hers won. (it's the big one)
I can't wait to cut them out this weekend.


Be happy, Shine and smile big like our pumpkins.
(I know- that was really cheesy)

An a-'MAIZE'-ing Fun Time

Have you ever been to the Verona Corn Maize? Yes?Well, that's what I figured. Almost everyone has been to this place but us. And after visiting it this weekend, we know why. It's a blast!

We took the kids and my parents (Doug says my parents are like American Express: We never leave home without them) to the maze Saturday night. That place really draws a crowd. There were people lined up to get in the whole time.

$$$ Doug and my dad are already talking about how they can plant a corn maze in my back yard and convert our home into a haunted house for next year ;)

On the way down there, Doug and my mom devised a plan to help us find each other should we get lost. They decided to use bird calls. Doug would yell out "Ca-Caww! Ca-Caww!" and my mother would reply "Hoo-Hoo-Hoooo! Hoo-Hoo-Hooo!". So lost or not, we and everyone else in the maze got to hear that allllll through the corn. At one point even the workers joined in. One of them hollered out, "Hey, why don't you guys come up here on the bridge, you can hoot all want up here." Once my mom got up there she lost her balance and fell into one of the guys almost knocking him off the platform. Fortunately they thought she was adorable (my mother looks, sounds and acts just like Betty White) and found it funny and commented, They didn't need him anyway, and the guy she almost killed said he thought she was trying to grab his knee and flirt with him.

We went through the second half of the maze after dark. I warned my mom not to go because it's spooked after dark. My mother has never been through a haunted house in her life so she had no idea what she was in for. Halfway through she got so scared that the 'corn cops' radioed ahead and described our group and told them not to scare us. They even walked with us til we got out. Probably so they wouldn't have to deal with us anymore.

Then on the way home we stopped at Braum's, and just as my mom took a drink of her hot chocolate Doug said something funny and my mother spewed it all over me, my white coat and my ice cream cone. I swear, I can't take that woman anywhere!

I am so grateful for my family. Together we Shine.

We're Batty

October in my opinion is the most beautiful month out of the entire year. Changes start happening so fast it's hard to keep up with them. One day the leaves are green, the next they're yellow, then orange, then red. One day it's hot and the next day it's not. And the hours of daylight become fewer and fewer.

   

I'm starting to get a little spoiled to all the warm weather we keep having this autumn, and decided today better be the day we spend outside having fun and putting up some Halloween decorations, (I just had to make those bats flying up the side of the house like I see every year in all the October magazines) and taking wacky pictures.  It could very well be our last warm weekend of the season. But I assure you, it will not be our last weekend of wacky fun.

 Have fun and Shine no matter what!

Darn it! I just realized we forgot the spiderwebs.

A New Day

Do you ever have those days where you wake up and realize how wonderful it is. ('It' being everything) One of those days when you feel like you can take on the world and succeed in changing it in a positive spirit-filled way. Today's that day.
Rejoicing in my life and my God.

Shine the way you're meant to.

Having Fun

No, that's not Halloween photos. That's Clay and Cody having fun dressing up in Devony's heels, costumes and semi-formal wear.They were so funny prancing around the house and 'striking a pose'. They really got into it. The funniest part is that Cody doesn't know us. Last night was the first time we met him!


Don't be concerned about what other people think, just Shine. And have fun while your doing it!

Best Friends

Who would have known that the man I married all those years ago would become my very best friend in the world. It didn't start out that way. That sounds kind of funny but what I mean is it started out me just marrying a man that I loved. A man that made me happy. A man that is hilarious. (living with Doug is like living with your own personal stand up comedian) A man that became an easily teared-up old softly after we had kids and a romantic old fool of a husband to me as the years have went by. (although he would adamantly deny it if any of his friends ever reads this)

I married a man that was meant for me.

Let the best friend in your life know how much they make you Shine.

I won't tell you about the 'heated discussion' we had last night about who was going to clean the toilet. ;)

Canine Couch Potatoes

They have the right idea. It's a cozy rainy day and they know just how they're going to spend it. It's where I was spending it until I got up to do some things. When I came back 'someone' had stole my spot in the recliner. Such spoiled dogs.

Oddly enough, I'm reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle this morning. The dogs in the book are an extremely important part of the boys' (Edgar) life. Hmmm, that sounds familiar.

After I'm finished with it I'll let you know what I thought of the book. But I can tell you already, I think I'm really going to like it.

Have a truly wonderful day and Shine.

Back to School

Oh, the lazy days of summer are over. Say it isn't so. No more staying up half the night. No more snoozing til noon. No more sleepovers with friends that lasts for days. No more swimming and barbecuing, vacationing and lemonade. Yes, lemonade. It's just better in the summertime.

The carefree days have come to an end.

Oh, but the things we have to look forward to. School. Autumn and falling leaves, shorter days and crisp afternoons full of sunshine. Apple picking. Sweaters. Mugs of hot cocoa and sitting around the fire-pit during a wiener-roast on a Sunday afternoon. Halloween with pumpkins and witches, black cats and spooky ghosts.

Then comes 'the Holiday Season'. Gathering with friends and family around the table for turkey, fellowship and stories of thankfulness. Discussing Christmas plans. you have no idea how much i love Christmas The lights, parties, presents and Christmas Carols, it's all so beautiful. That spirit that fills our lives during December is the best feeling. There IS 'magic in the air' around Christmas-you can just feel it!

Kids, I know you already miss Summer but get ready, we've got some great things in store for us! But for now, grab that backpack and put your Thinking Caps on. You've got a bus to catch!

Shine bright!

Ice Storms and Sunflowers in August

Sigh.

Today is the last day of my vacation. Boy does it go by fast. So how am I spending my last few hours of freedom...scrapbooking. Am I scrapping about our wonderful trip to Florida? Heck no! I got a wild hair to make a layout about this years first day of Spring. You remember, the ICE STRORM!! The one that was predicted and happened March 20th. Yes, that's where my thoughts are this afternoon.

Maybe I'll get around to putting together an album of our vacation time next Spring. No. I can't wait that long to put our beachy pictures in the super-cute, official COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA scrapbook album that I puchased at the Discount Souviners & More shop!

My Sunflowers bloomed profusely while we were in Cocoa, of course, and since my head is in an ice storm in August and returning to work, I thought a little cheering up would be nice. So I snipped a few and brought them in to look at while I work/play/create...play!

It's done the trick!

Have a blessed day and remember to always Shine.

I have no idea why that picture is sideways. And try-as-I-might, I can't fix it.

Sunflowers

Wah-Lah! My very first bloom!

These poor little sunflowers have been put to the test. I'm surprised they even bloomed for me after what I've done to them. First, I left them out and they got a little frostbite on them, but they pulled through. Then, when they were still in their little greenhouse/terrarium and only 3-4 inches tall, I set them in the sun for awhile and completely forgot about them. For two hours! Oh it was bad. When I lifted the lid, steam poured out. They were layed out on the soil looking like cooked green spaghetti noodles. Surprisingly some of them, again, pulled out of it. Others were not so lucky. Thank goodness most of them were hardy!

I can't wait to see what it looks like in a couple weeks when all of them bloom.

Hopefully it will be sooner.

Enjoy your day and remember to Shine.

:)

What color?

Not too much going on around here, other than the 'vehicle curse' that has been placed on us. We have four, yes four cars broke down at the moment. One isn't even ours! And it has all happened within 3 weeks. It's so ridiculous all we can do is laugh about it now.

I really need to start getting ready for work. But instead I'm thinking I want to paint the office. Not at this moment of course, but soon. For some reason I'm drawn to bright pastel colors right now. And would kind of like to put one on the walls in here. BUT, it's really going to clash with the rest of my house (well, except Devony's room).

Most of my house, with one exception, is painted warm dark colors. I like barn reds, mustard yellows, pumpkin orange, colonial and navy blues, browns and dirty looking greens. And black. Oh I can't forget the black. Not shiny, modern black. I'm talkin old fashion, dull and worn, wicked looking black.

So, how do you think bright meadow green is going to look? I'm thinking it's going to look funny next to all of my antiques and old stuff. I'm thinking that as soon as the painting is done and the room is put back together I'm going to say, "This isn't right. Let's repaint." And since I've done that before, a couple times actually, and know what a pain that is, I'm thinking....."How about Tan?"

Warm and Sunny

Memorial Day weekend is the kick off to summer. What a beautiful Saturday it is! I've not had a Sat. off of work in over three months-so glad I took this one off. It's warm, sunny and gorgeous outside...and the pool opens today...and we're grilling out...and visiting with family...Yee Haw!

Have a wonderful holiday weekend. Drink lots of lemonade, eat yummy burgers and hot dogs and laugh entirely to much!

And wear your sunscreen. :)

Here's the Reason

It seems that most of my blog posts, scrapbook layouts, Facebook status, etc., are always about Doug, the dogs, Devony or 'Yours Truly'. There IS another member of the family. His name is Clay. He's our son.


Many of you may not know about him. Here's why...

1. He's super-quiet. Spends a lot of time in his immaculate room listening to music.
2. He's a computer geek; always in front of the PC. I have a great many pics of the back of his head and the computer screen! We encourage this. He will probably be our meal ticket when Doug and I get old.
   
3. Metro-sexual!! He can't be bothered with non-sense like playing around or rough-housing. He might get dirty. Or wrinkle his nicely ironed shirt. (that must be purchased at Pac Sun)
4. His hair is longer than Devony's and he takes great pride in it. Therefore, after all the grooming, there is not a lot of extra time to spend with the family. you can admire that hair in the afore mentioned photos in reason #2.
5. He's very popular with the ladies. His cell phone is 'blowin up' at all times, day-or-night! All that primping pays ;)
6. He's cool...
   
7. ...so cool that, well, I don't really know where to begin or end with that.
8. He's 13. There, that's the beginning and end of his coolness!
9. He spends a great deal of time irritating his sister and freaking me out with claims of playing that barbarous sport of football next year. Apparently he's one of the fastest runners in his class and the football coach has took notice of that. Dang that stupid coach for being observant.
10. Hates having his picture taken. Which just kills me. I'm a scrapbooker which means I take pictures of EVERYTHING!! I once made a layout that had a pic of Devs closet and alllll the t-shirts she has. she loves tees with silly sayings on them.

Sunday morning before church I was snapping pics like crazy. Devony was being baptized that morning so I was already on a photo taking high. After about 10 surprise tries for getting Clays picture taken, the best one was of him and the chocolate milk glass in his face. Darn that boy. :)

P.S.

I don't know where those 'flower bullets' came from. It's suposed to be #1-#10.

Rain and Shine

I LOVE Thunderstorms. There's so much electricity in the air! I'm always energetic and very creative on days like this. And from what the forecast says, it's going to be like this most of today and tomorrow. Sounds like I will...er...should get a lot accomplished. ;)

It needs to quit raining soon though. I really want to finish planting my flowers. Hey, at least I don't have to water. Right?! Of course these poor plants look like their about to drown. I might not need to water but I should probably drain.

Change The World

What a simple thing that seems to be when you say those three words from your heart. How overwhelming and impossible it sounds when you hear it in your head though.

I think it's safe to say, all of us agree that the world is not what we want it to be. Loyalty and honesty are not common practice anymore, nor is hard work. Friendships are often based on convenience. Love...well, for most it's in the form of a switch; they can just turn it on and off as needed.

We have become a desensitized society. Desensitize:1. to lesson the sensitiveness of, 2. to make indifferent or unaware in feeling.

It's happened to all of us. We see and hear so much violence through the media. We are often let down by yet another persons 'fall from grace'. And no, I'm not talking Tiger Woods or Jessie James here. It's our friends, family and neighbors. People we have looked up to and respected for their morals and integrity. These kind of people are far and few between. So we are naturally disappointed when we hear of their mistakes, selfishness or greed that they allowed to invade their lives.

Another major culprit of desensitivity is texting. I like to text, but I don't use it as my main source of communicating as many do. How many times have you received a text and thought, "What do they mean by that?". Or, how many times has your simple and completely innocent text been misinterpreted and/or caused anger or hurt feelings. It's because we can't hear the other persons tone. And we can't see their body language.

Don't let disappointment and negativity drag you down. I've been there before. Actually, I stayed there for quite a while. Thank goodness (God) I decided to change. It's a world that's dark and cold and it's no way to live. It affects everyone around you whether you think it does or not.

We can change the world. It's very simple to do. The way you want the world to be, is the way you need to be. The things you wish others would do, is the things you need to do.

Change you. It starts there.

Today is PAY IT FORWARD DAY. Here is the website for more info. http:/payitforwardfoundation.org/

Do something nice for someone. Don't tell them or anyone else what you've done. If the recipient is aware of your good deeds that's fine. But it's defeating the purpose if you expect a 'pat on the back'.

Just do it!

Wow! This day really makes me smile and want to Shine...bright. :)

Bits and Pieces

Well, I've done it again. I've gone and not kept up with a goal. For two weeks in a row now, I've not posted a blog entry like I promised myself I would. I know, I know, I'm only letting myself down, (cause I honest-to-goodness don't think anyone else reads it) but it's a promise all the same. And me, myself and I, get aggravated at ourselves when we don't do what we say we are going to do. Oh boy, I'm really starting to sound crazy....wait....yep, the other two agree.

Hmmm, what all has happened since my last post. Well, I've turned a year older. It's the big three-nine for me now. My mother swears I was born in 1971, but I just don't feel like I should be this old already. In my mind, all three of them, I feel much, much younger. Sometimes I start to do something, then 'I' stop 'myself' and say, "You're to old to act like that!" Then 'me' says, "Go for it!" So I do.

This was not exactly the direction I had expected my blog to take this morning.

Back to my birthday, and saner minds. It was a wonderful day. Doug took me out to dinner at our favorite place, J Parrino's. We ordered baked mostaccioli, as usual. And split it, as usual. And was home by 9:30, as usual. Doug and I had a great time at dinner. However, I noticed he didn't seem to act quite like himself. I talk about myself not acting my age, you should meet my husband. It wasn't until we got home that he finally told me how sick he was. I would have been just as happy with a bologna sandwich at home that night. Especially if I had known he was not feeling well.

There was girl drama at the High School. But we won't talk about that. Though your prayers are welcome and are encouraged. :)

Clay, well, he's the same. Doing good. Living to pester his older sister and freak his mom out whenever possible.

Got new glasses.

Had lunch with a dear friend on Saturday.

Um....lets see, what else. Oh, I went to see Chonda Peirce Sat. night in her Did I Say That Out Loud tour. She's a christian comedian and super funny! It was so nice to listen to a comedian and have good, clean fun....the whole time. Vulgarity and the "F word" does not make jokes funnier. Plain old simple, true, daily life is the funniest. Especially if you live in my home.

Just plain old simple, true, daily life is what's been going on in our lives. Boring as it may be to others, it's the simplicity of it that makes one Shine!