Journal of Joy

Sick but pushing through

2011-09-27T07:59:00.005-04:00

Today I am still sick, but I'm pushing on through.

Today I'm going with the old adage of "Fake it till you make it."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBR2G-iI3-I

I will survive until nap time...

Rambling Rose Women's Triathlon

2011-09-25T20:12:00.007-04:00

Well,, since it's been since January of 2011 I have lots of catching up to do - so in light of that, I'll jump straight today and then maybe work backwards...

TODAY 9/25/11 I experienced my very first triathlon. Now before you get all excited it was a "mini" -triathlon. A 250 yrd swim, 9 mile bike ride, 2 mile run. AND I FINISHED.... now my original goal was under 2 hours, however after a little more thinking I was hoping for 1 hr 30 min and I ended up in the middle @ 1:41:09

Swim 8:52
Transition #1 : 5:43
Bike 47:18
Transition #2: 2:43
Run 36:35
GRAND TOTAL 1:41:09

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triathlon -- for more info

I guess some history on how this happened is in order. Once upon a time I was sitting at the office and I went into our break area where the magazines and other external publications are on the rack and I picked up a couple of different ones. I picked up the weekly Creative Loafing, the Blue Ridge Outdoor Adventure magazine and the Endurance magazine. I quickly scanned the Blue Ridge magazine for something to do with the dogs in the mountains and then moved onto the Endurance magazine. Right there in the middle of that was a picture of these women that had just finished their own triathlon. I thought to myself, "I could do that" then immediately my brain said "NO you can't do that" - but "sure you can, read the article, find out more."

I hung that article on the wall of my cubicle in hope that it would encourage me to get back in the gym and/or at least more active. Well, I did get more active and one thing lead to another and viola the finish line.

Headed Home

2011-01-19T08:04:00.003-05:00

I'm sad but joyful, today I leave from the beach to head home. I'm sad to leave the sound and sights of the water crashing onto the shore, but I look forward to being in the arms of my loving husband and seeing my dad. I'm ready to get some puppy kisses tonight.

Relaxed

2011-01-16T16:34:00.004-05:00

The first word in a scrabble game. How I feel right now, and by Webster:

Definition of RELAXED

1: freed from or lacking in precision or stringency

2: set or being at rest or at ease

3: easy of manner : informal

4: somewhat loose-fitting and usually casual in style

This was me yesterday(Sunday) and the day before (Saturday) and the day before (Friday). I'm up for 3 more days of relaxation :) Then I get to go home and see my husband and dad and puppies. :)

I wonder....

2011-01-15T13:13:00.003-05:00

Today I'm wondering if this friend and I had attended the same college how would I be different today.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't need an "It's a wonderful life" movie experience to see how things would have been different. I'm just wondering. But I thank God that it worked out the way cause we have a great relationship now.

New Things

2011-01-15T13:03:00.003-05:00

Today, I am trying a new hotel at the beach. As with everything there are pros and cons. The pros for this place are GREAT BREAKFAST and GREAT WATER PRESSURE and FRIENDLY STAFF. The pools are nice and heated.

The cons are it has a slightly different smell, but that is attributed to the indoor pool, and folks going up and down the elevators while wet. So... that is to be expected.

Monterey Bay Suites is a nice place overall.. I'll give them a 3 out 5 stars.

All in all I'm enjoying my stay as I'm in the company of a great friend and the wireless works.

Just Listen

2011-01-11T14:57:00.001-05:00

Sometimes the best thing we can do as a friend is close our mouths and open our ears...

we are all human and there is no need to apologize for that

Now this is true Thankfulness

2011-01-07T11:36:00.001-05:00

http://www.hulu.com/watch/204979/nbc-today-show-homeless-man-with-golden-voice-%E2%80%98thankful-to-be-here%E2%80%99.

Cog

2011-01-06T10:53:00.001-05:00

I want to see the big picture, but I'm not designed that way.

I want to be a leader, but I'm not designed that way.

I am a cog in the wheel that helps make things go. Lord help me to be a happy cog.

The Joy of Others

2011-01-05T20:03:00.004-05:00

Not sure how best to articulate this words roaming around in my brain, but here goes.

I know for a fact that we (the people of the Earth) are ALL not going to get along. This is a proven fact just look at anything socially. The divorce rate, war, arguments, different religions, and all the way back to Genesis. i.e. Cain and Able.
I know for a fact that we (the people of the Earth) have to choose who is and is NOT going to be in our lives. Simply to keep us as sane as possible so that we can cope with the world that we live in.
I know for a fact that we (the people of the Earth) rub each other the wrong way. I'd say 98% of that is NOT on purpose and 2% is just to see if we can aggravate the other one. In my marriage, I'm not sure of the exact %'s but it's higher on the on purpose side. ;)

However, if we don't try to learn from each other we are certainly going to miss out on a lot of JOY! If we avoid or cut people out of lives before God moves them away from us we can miss out on the JOY that they can bring to us. The Shepherds were afraid, but they got good news that will bring GREAT joy for all people. After we find the JOY in knowing Jesus, can't we find the JOY in knowing each other.

Luke 2: 8-10
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Decisions

2011-01-05T13:09:00.004-05:00

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Today I have an appointment to make a big decision. The decision has been made and I have a plan. It's been a long time coming and now it's here. If all things fall into place, God willing. The date will be Jan 24th. Yes, I'm being vague on purpose. If it's important that you know about this call me and I'll tell you all the details.

Greetings 2011

2011-01-04T13:59:00.005-05:00

Greeting 2011... I've missed blogging, simply because I've been LAZY. No other excuse only the truth here. So far this year, I've watched a football game with my friends, I've been shopping already more than I did last year all together (thanks Shoe Carnival and Lane Bryant for closing the two closest stores to my house and having GREAT, unbeatable sales). I was aware of someone that was not feeling well at church and took their place in the greeters ministry and allowed them to go home and get some rest. Not tooting my own horn, I'm just saying. Had a VERY honest and wonderful conversation with hubby, which I enjoyed very much. I've seen my dad everyday so far this year, I'm loving that.

My goals this year are to:

1) Purge something from my house everyday and no the trash that needs to go out anyway doesn't count. :)
2) Avoid the gym at all costs... not really, but I figured that since my last goal of going to the gym failed why not switch it up to see if I can trick myself into doing better. Anyway that one's already been broken. I went yesterday with Ruby and started on my Couch to 5K routine.
3) Run/Walk a 5K this year with Tiffiny. At least 1. There is one in April
4) Reflect and Blog more -- we'll see I'm out of practice.

That should do it for now. Too much more and I'll be overwhelmed and revert to doing nothing.

We are ALL Human

2010-07-14T12:06:00.009-04:00

We all have emotions. We all deal with things differently. Each day we are presented with different challenges. Sometimes the best thing to do is just listen, close the mouth and open the ears.

Love is Patient

2010-07-14T12:06:00.008-04:00

Love will inspire you to become a patient person. When you choose to be patient, you respond in a positive way to a negative situation. You are slow to anger. You choose to have a LONG fuse instead of a quick temper. Rather than being restless and demanding, love helps you settle down and begin extending mercy to those around you. Patience bring and internal calm during an external storm.

Looking forward and for a change

2010-02-23T13:37:00.004-05:00

I'm excited.. I'm looking forward. Dreaming again, planning again not for getting through the day, but for life, our marriage, and careers.

PHYSICS FUN Vol. 1:

2010-02-01T10:21:00.002-05:00

Ratio of an igloo's circumference to its diameter: Eskimo Pi -

Time between slipping on a peel and smacking the pavement: 1 bananosecond -

Time it takes to sail 220 yards at 1 nautical mile per hour: Knot-furlong -

Half of a large intestine: 1 semicolon -

Weight an evangelist carries with God: 1 billigram

Saw this on FB... :)

The Battle is the Lords

2010-01-25T08:10:00.001-05:00

Exodus 15:1 - Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying: “I will sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!

Guess what happened right before this...

Obama Urges Refinance

2010-01-18T17:49:00.002-05:00

Obama Urges Refinance

Obama asks homeowners to refinance. $90,000 mortgage for under $499/Mo. Calculate new payment with LowerMyBills.com.

Like

REALLY???? we are using sleeping babies in Santa hats to urge refinance?

Mom?

2010-01-17T23:53:00.001-05:00

Scholarships for Moms

If you make less than $45,000 a year, you may qualify for financial aid. Finish your degree at home. See degrees now from ClassesUSA.

Helped out

2010-01-15T10:43:00.000-05:00

This morning one of our church family was sick and had to go home. A fellow Sunday School mate and myself helped teach their class of kids. That was fun.

Tired today

2010-01-14T21:04:00.003-05:00

I would have rather slept in longer, but had 3 doctors appointments today. YEAH!!! I've been checked over, teeth cleaned and had someone look deep into my eyes. Hey I can still see, and my teeth are now bright and shiny... so all in all not a bad day. :)

I still would rather be sleeping. My body thinks I'm a winter bear in for hibernation, but I have another early appointment tomorrow with the PT. So I'm going to bed soon.

BTW.. Romans 14... a good little chapter about not passing judgement and keeping yourself from becoming a stumbling block. Some good stuff in there about eating and not eating.

Nothing to big...

2010-01-13T17:29:00.003-05:00

Nothing great big going on, went back to the gym today and put my worries to rest. My personal trainer took it easy on this old body, but I can still tell... everything hurts a little bit. The funny thing is if I move I hurt and if I don't move I hurt. LOL...

I did tell my brain this morning while doing the elliptical for 10 mins that I was drawing energy from this to get me through the day.. so far so good, but now I'm ready for a GOOD dinner and a good snuggle with hubby.

Excited to work

2010-01-11T09:10:00.002-05:00

I'm practically giddy. My computer is almost back home and I'll be able to dive in and get caught up with work. BIG SMILIES FOR THE UPS MAN TODAY!!!!

2010 kick off week

2010-01-10T23:43:00.003-05:00

Well, here is 2010.. we are 10 days in so.... I've been busy in my personal life and spiritual life these first 10 days. My work life, not so much as I got the blue screen of death the first full work day. So my computer has been at the internal repair shop for the first FULL week of the new year.

In my personal life, I've been sick and to the doctor and on a sting of meds. I've taken dad to the doctor and he's had a string of meds. I've not been to the gym yet or seen the personal trainer and I'm really starting to kick myself for this.

On the spiritual front, I've taken up the desire to read through Romans one chapter @ a time. Not sure why God put this on my heart, but I'll follow through.

Romans 1:20
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Reading Romans 1 in conjunction with Genesis 1-3 today emphasizes the way the wonders of creation hold us accountable. We, along with Adam and Eve, have no excuses for not believing in and obeying God...yet they fell into sin, as do we. Praise God for His redemption

Busy Bee

2009-09-26T11:57:00.003-04:00

Well, as you can clearly see it's been months since my last post. I've gone back to my old habits of not thinking just doing. However here at the Benfield homestead we've done quite a bit such as; survived the summer, failed out and restarted school, taken up lots and lots of bowling, continued to exercise, work and work some more, build a deck, turn the deck into a porch, add lights, throw a party to break in the new porch, been sick, been well, been in debt, out of debt, traded trucks and cars, but alas have not written one single journal entry.

Over the summer our wonderful neighbor's had their brother staying with them and he is quite talented and always has a story to tell. He along with his brother, my dad, and some additional friends have built the most beautiful porch I've even seen. It's perfect for rainy days such as this. ahh....

Today I write to you from my sick bed which I should be able to remove myself from in another day. YEAH!!! I dislike Eve! grr...

Old vs. New

2009-09-26T01:21:00.002-04:00

I too am out with the old and in with the new. Goodbye BMW hello Cheverlot. I'm very excited about this new ride that's been added to our family. I'll have to get some pictures to share. It been a long time since I've blogged. I've been inspired again by a friend from high school to take a moment and reflect on the things of life and write about them. This is for my own good.

1) Ruby turned 18 -
2) New porch
3) Family life
4) Dad's adventures
5) My wonderful husband

So for now I'll say goodnight and get to some of this tomorrow.

Mother's Day Tradition

2009-05-13T21:56:00.005-04:00

We did it again... my girlfriend and I came together to talk to honor our moms

Our mom's who art in Heaven
Honored is your name
Here on Earth we miss you
In God's Kingdom you reside

The Prom

2009-05-10T07:01:00.006-04:00

There is an army of people that I need to thank for helping get our Ruby through her first prom.

There is the dress donor - Becca
There is the alteration lady - name unknown - aka the cleaners
There is the hair lady - Cindy
There is the toe specialist financier - Poppy
There is the nail specialist financier - Tiff
There is the main photographer - James
There is the photographer's assist - Tiffi
There is the shoe and jewlery and purse donor - Julie
There is the spray on tan lady - Denise
There is the callers of encouragement - Jerry, Becca, Joann, Robin, Cindy, Tiffi, Poppy and Julie

I would never have made it to the end without these folks.

I don't know what I can say about Ruby that my hubby didn't already say. She is the closest thing to a daughter that we have. I'm so very proud of her. She's been planning for prom for almost a year, sorta like a wedding. I finally became engaged a the 5th month out point - January.

The prayer is that she had a BLAST, a safe time, and most of all an evening to remember. Please refer to my hubby's blog for the most emotional read in a long time. I would say read the title.... xxx... but apparently my hubby doesn't title his... and that's ok,,, just so you know the posts are dated 5/9/09 and the read begins w/ "This is Ruby" and here is the link ... http://courage1246.blogspot.com/

Healing

2009-05-05T20:30:00.002-04:00

Well, #2 is now talking to me and we have come an agreement. Well not so much an agreement as an understanding. I apologized for seeming/being rude and #2 accepted the apology. #2 understands that it was a private conversation and that #2 shouldn't have nosed in.

All has returned to the "norm" at the place that serves the "pies".

Pondering?

2009-04-14T09:08:00.004-04:00

Can you tell someone that you don't want their opinion without hurting their feelings? Here's the general situation and set up:

A co-worker (#1) and I were having a private conversation in a public place. Another co-worker (#2) approaches our conversations and asks "Can I say something here?" - My response was "No - not really" (and yes, I was probably VERY ticked off in my tone) and never took my eyes off my co-worker (#1) as we continued our conversation. After a few moments co-worker (#2) then gets huffy and storms out the door between co-worker #1 and myself saying something about not being allowed to speak and something else, I think.

So now what?

I didn't ask for the #2's opinion, #1 didn't ask for #2's opinion, #1 had the choice of saying no, I'd like to hear what #2 has to say.

Running forward

2009-04-03T09:48:00.006-04:00

Pretty much over the last month, I've been running forward without taking time for much reflection. Let's see what I've accomplished...

With God's help - I've managed to stay positive and face each day with courage. I may have a tendency to a little sad, but so far so good.

With God's help - I've managed to juggle husband, family, dogs, gym (not so good on this point, but managing), water aerobics, serving slices, holding down the main job, getting to church (most of the time - on time), meeting up with high school buddies, work buddies, and made plans for the future, to meet up with more friends and co-workers and high school buddies.

With God's help - today I will bake, not burn cookies for our church outreach for this weekend.

It's been a busy time, but God is with me each step of the way.

A BOLD DAY

2009-03-24T23:24:00.003-04:00

Today, I was very bold in my words. Normally, I'm very laid back and don't get to vocal about things. Today, I had to say "back off" and "no way" and "I'm not doing that", in a most polite and FIRM way. I was heard, I pulled no punches, didn't raise my voice or use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.

All in all a most productive day.

Lost sight of my Goal

2009-03-11T08:10:00.003-04:00

I admit, I've not been to the gym in 11 days. I've been feeling pretty good and lost sight of my ultimate goal. I need to do some REAL soul searching to find out the stumbling block.

Proud

2009-03-10T13:03:00.004-04:00

My hubby has started on a quest to become a Paramedic. I know that he'll be GREAT at whatever he sets his mind to. This is the beginning of the journey for path in his life and I support him 100%.

Being that humble hero that he is, he doesn't really want a lot of attention drawn to him and I understand that, so without making a HUGE fuss (and you know I can, I am holding back). I'm proud of that man of mine for jumping out there and taking this thing that he loves to the next level.

Taz has surgery

2009-03-10T12:58:00.004-04:00

Well, we (as doggie parents) did it. We had our lab "fixed". I'm not sure that he was broken, but I certainly wanted to be a good parent and prevent him from having a disease in the future. Our boy is now and "it". :(... I had really wanted a descendant puppy from those good personality genetics... but that will not be happening now. I'm ok with that, cause we don't really need a puppy in the house. Need vs. want.

A day to remember

2009-03-09T17:59:00.003-04:00

Father Daughter Day @ Jonas Ridge.

I had a great day with my dad on Saturday. We had a father-daughter date. He drove us up to Jonas Ridge where I proceded to go snow tubing for the first time. WOW, what a rush!! Sliding down the side on the mountain was a lot of fun. There were a couple of other groups there on the mountain with me. Watching them was almost much fun as sliding myself.

It turned out to be a perfect day, not to cold, cause I don't like it that way. The snow was packed well and made the sliding fast and fun. We had a great conversation during our ride. I know that this is and will be a wonderful memory that I'll treasure.

This is a treat that will have to go on the "do this again" list.

A day to Forget

2009-02-17T14:31:00.003-05:00

Yesterday is a day that I think that we'll just write off and call a wash. It was crazy from the "get-go". Maybe it was cause it was a Monday, maybe the moon and stars were not aligned properly. Maybe, just maybe it was a test of tolerance that I FAILED miserable.

I was juggling 3 IM's, 3 phone calls (and yes, I know that I only have 2 ears) and several urgent things that needed to be handled all in a matter of a few mins. When the last thing went wrong (which was a small thing in light of the whole scheme of things), I lost "it", I really just lost "it". Needless to say, I got "it" back rather quickly, but not quickly enough. I never should have lost "it" to begin with. It didn't send the whole day into a burning ring of fire, but it was enough to put the day on the teetering edge of a high cliff.

GRANDMA'S HANDS

2009-01-30T12:27:00.006-05:00

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.
She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.
When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear voice strong.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were "OK," I explained to her.

"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.
They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

"They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.
But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of His Son Jesus........

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember He reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.
-- Author Unknown

Renewing Friendships - Facebook

2009-01-28T14:51:00.004-05:00

Last night I helped "Pumpkin pie" aka "guppy lips" set up a facebook account. I just love the fact that this person loves life, has one of the best laughes and can laugh with the best of them.

I drawn to this person. I know when it's time to speak to them cause God puts them on my heart and drops their phone number right into my head out of the blue. This is really the only one that I can remember. I know it by heart.

We've been apart quite a while it's just the way the world works, but with facebook it won't be so long between contacts and hopefully we can get face to face soon.

Missing him...

2009-01-28T13:38:00.003-05:00

I miss him. I guess it's only fair, I'm gone when he's there alone with the dogs. It could be the rainy, foggy, dreary weather that accentuates it, but I miss him.

He really brings laughter to my life that I don't seem to be able to bring by myself. I'm free to joke and laugh and say stupid stuff cause I know that he'll still love me.

Odd Invitation

2009-01-20T23:16:00.005-05:00

I've never come across this before and it must be a sign that the economy must be in bad shape.

My doctors' front desk person called me at home to:

a. check on my general health or check up on my payments.
b. update my record and make sure my home phone number was right
c. invite me to come in for a physical and a check-up so that I could owe them more money.

If you've ever listened to John Boy and Billy you know to take "C".

I was shocked and recovered in time to decline this lovely gesture of caring about my health. No, not that I don't have physicals each year, I do. No, I do go to see the doctor when I need to, most of the time in time enough to get an IV of antibiotic and a prescription. My doctor likes the needle, I do not.

Anyway I respectfully declined the invite and informed her that I was not due for ANYTHING as I just finished up a round of tests in October.

Against self check-out

2009-01-20T23:02:00.007-05:00

I have decided that I'm against self check-out. There are a couple of reasons...

1. If I don't use self check-out I'm providing someone an opportunity to have a job, and that is a good thing. Even if the thing that I'm buying is probably made in China, I can provide an American the chance to check me out and take my American plastic which is hooked up to my American money.

2. I pretty much talk to myself most days, so it's an opportunity to interact with another individual. Since the market is swinging to customer service those serving in these fields are certainly more than likely ready to be more pleasant.

Something to think about... :)

Psalm 15

2009-01-15T13:28:00.002-05:00

Psalm 15 - A psalm of David.
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?

2 He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart

3 and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,

4 who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath even when it hurts,

5 who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken.

Great news!

2009-01-15T13:24:00.003-05:00

We the admin team at IBM get to have our manager back. I don't know about all the others, but I am one happy chick.

Sillyness

2009-01-13T18:30:00.000-05:00

Click Clack Moo! -- guess where I saw this sign

Out of the house

2009-01-13T00:39:00.002-05:00

I actually got out of the house today. It may not be a big deal for 98% of the population, but for me it's a big deal. I need a plan, a reason, or a couple of reasons for what seems to me as randomly leaving the house.

Also, leaving the house and driving my car actually increases the chances that I'll crash. That may not be a big deal to some, but for me and those that know me. It's a HUGE deal. I guess I'm not really over the last couple of car crashes.

It even makes me sick now to write about it. (my tummy's doing flips) I know that I've covered by grace and I have peace when I have a plan, but to randomly get out and drive... Nope, not this gal. I do have a couple of routine things that I do each week, but dang if it still isn't a little stressful.

I don't want to get to comfortable behind the wheel, cause that's when I'll make the BIG mistake. Not that I'm not ready to go, I just don't want to help speed along the "big move".

Psalm 8

2009-01-08T21:30:00.001-05:00

Ever wondered where the song "How Majestic is your name" came from?

Psalm 8
1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

Still proud!!!!

2009-01-08T10:29:00.004-05:00

Even though hubby did not get a call back for the physical part of the testing for the paramedic position, I'm still proud. This is an opportunity to gain more knowledge and use this time to get more physically fit instead of waiting to the last possible second to get started.

More Biskit

2009-01-07T08:48:00.005-05:00

"There's nothing wrong with more Biscuit."

Hubby and I were looking at some pictures he took of some cars this morning. As I was going forward the camera card had a reader error, so I pushed on through to find a picture of my bff and her newest little addition to their family. "Biskit". I pushed the back button on the camera to see if I could "trick" the technology into showing me the missing picture and was quickly asked "why did I go backwards?" I said that I knew what was on the other side of the picture of Biskit, which was more Biskit.. (what a cutie...) the response was "There's nothing wrong with more Biskit."

And there we have it folks... today's saying...

OMGosh!!!

2009-01-07T07:14:00.002-05:00

I am completely overwhelmed by the man I love... He blogs.. I know that in this day and age of the tech world it may not seem like a tremendous thing, but it is. I love him more and more everyday. So very proud.

Monster Trucks!

2009-01-06T23:13:00.007-05:00

I've downloaded the pictures from my nephews trip to see the Monster Trucks. What can I say, I had a blast, I'm pretty sure that "sunshine" had a blast to. We ate at the Chinese buffet, took the long way around to avoid major traffic jam trying to get into the coliseum area. We had the best time just talking about the future and what he wanted to be when he grows up to what was your favorite color plus, riding in the front seat, and holding hands, sushi, and resolutions.

jet black, magenta, lemon-lime
fashion designer
prayer
singing
pretending to learning Italian
exploding turtles
Monster trucks
simple prayers
riding in the monster truck
Nachos, dippin' dots, soda, cotton candy, a flag, autographs, photo opportunities.

Here are some of the things that the perfect date are made of.

Psalms challange

2009-01-06T01:31:00.004-05:00

We, the Flock class have been challanged to read 1 Psalm per day.. Pretty interesting stuff in there... the first one is only 6 verses. Takes about 1 minute to read and probably a life time to learn all the lessons.

If your not a big reader... www.biblegateway.com will read it to you. just fyi.

Smile!

2009-01-05T00:17:00.000-05:00

A smile adds value to your face!!

Peace!

2009-01-03T17:31:00.004-05:00

He gives Peace to His children. Saw that today while making a return.

Also, just so you know, if you didn't already know... God is SOOOO good.

I finally did it... really lost my earpiece in the parking lot. As I was driving away my phone beeped and I stopped to see what it was beeping for. I immediately noticed that my blue tooth was missing and got to thinking. I turned around and found it in the parking lot.

Ahhh... PEACE!!!!

Show it!

2009-01-02T07:35:00.004-05:00

If you are proud of what you got... SHOW IT!!

This was a licence tag saying this morning at breakfast. Followed by a good helping of Joyce Meyers @ the gym. She quotes Psalms 100:2 - "Serve the Lord with gladness."

The personal trainer didn't show up this morning. Don't know why, so I trained myself. It was a challenge, but I persevered. I am proud of what I'm getting while training. I'm getting less of me and more of my clothes on my body.

Happy New Year -- 2009

2009-01-01T07:32:00.001-05:00

To Blessed to be Stressed...

I heard this on TV while watching the behind the scenes for the Rose Parade. It thought man, that's great words to live by... so...I'm on a short term mission to pay attention to sayings and quotes that I can live by for the day or maybe even for a life time.

The Case of Santa's missing pants

2008-12-25T18:03:00.003-05:00

The ransom has been paid and the exchange complete... Santa's pants are in the home where they belong. :) Who knows what Santa will loose next year?

I'm convinced

2008-12-23T13:56:00.005-05:00

I'm convinced that my husband is an angel sent to earth to watch over not only me but others too. Saturday night, after some time out shopping and gathering last minute Christmas items we returned home around 11 pm. Well as luck would have it, I'd forgotten something from town. Not so important that it couldn't wait till the next day, but I didn't mention it to hubby nor did I suggest that we run back out and grab this item either.

So, after tucking me in bed, 11:30 now, he's still not sleepy. He proceeds to check his EM, watch the late show and run back out to town to the Wal-Greens (24 hrs, thank you very much) to grab the forgotten stuff. Well on his way back he decides to stop by the VFD to grab an empty box for one of the gifts we need to wrap. Upon stopping @ the the VFD and searching only to discover the boxes were already cleaned up. He proceeds to come home. Upon leaving the VFD he hears a noise. "we'll call it a scrapping noise" (since I wasn't there I'm sort of guessing what I think it would have sounded like)

Moving along with the story... he heads on home only to discover that less than 1/2 mile from the VFD there has been a car and driver remove themselves from the road. Off in the field he sees a Mustang, pretty banged up but no driver. He's the first one on the scene and on go the flashing lights and the extra high beams. The driver then comes running across the field and starts talking to hubby. He calls 911 to report this accident and to say that he doesn't need an ambulance that the driver seems to be OK.

Now as you know this story could have been a lot different, but I'm convinced that hubby is an angel. Right place, right time, sent by God to be there to help that young man who discovered that both kinds of Mustangs (cars and horses)don't like really deep muddy fields...

8 Things

2008-12-22T17:43:00.010-05:00

8 TV Shows I watch...

Survivor - reality junkie like my bff...
LOST
Samantha Who?
Life on Mars
CSI's (all of them)
Chuck
Pushing Daisy's/Eli Stone
Dancing with the Stars

(Note, I have to watch most of these on-line cause I have no time @ night)

8 Favorite Restaurants...

What-a-Burger (Local favorite Cherry Lemon Sundrop)
Mexican - Publo Grande - (the closest version (local) of Pancho Villa)
McDonald's --- love those french fries! --If I'm gonna have potatoes to cheat with this is where it's at... :)
Prickly Pear --- Mother's Day tradition with the bff -
No.1 China Buffet (only because that's my hubby's favorite - and they have sushi)
McCann's (it's a little joint on the side of the road) *owned by a race car driver, so again another of hubby's hangouts
Westside - (another whole in the wall with the best breakfast around)*smokers heaven
Flying Buffalo - Kannapolis (another whole-in-the-wall place with really great wings... affectionately known as the Blying Fuffalo around our home

8 Things that Happened to Me Today...

Slept till 7:55 and was still to work on time (no not rubbing it in)
Played Frisbee w/Taz
Good girl talk with bff earlier this morning
Talked to hubby on the phone
Talked to my dad on the phone
Planned to have Chinese for Christmas dinner
Got ready for my other job.
Pondered this blog

8 Things I Look Forward to...

Being healthier everyday.
Travel - anywhere - (not that I don't like here, but I'd like to see more of there...) http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article.aspx?cp-documentid=748043&GT1=41000
Christmas Day -2008
Heaven
Spending time with hubby
Facebooking and MySpacing
Wrapping presents
Finishing this list

8 Things I Wish for...

I wish for my hubby to walk closer to the Lord each day and to become the spiritual leader he was designed to be. - or maybe I'm not the follower that I'm supposed to be... ????
I wish for my husband to be healthy and take care of himself.
I wish for a Remote start on my car.
Right this second, I wish for breakfast to come home (10:29 am) hubby is bringing it ... no joke.. he just drove into the driveway (10:30 am)
I wish that Caramel Macchiato's had no calories... http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_beverage_detail.asp
I wish for a cover for my ATV.
I wish for more foods that have less carbs.
I wish for all my friends and family to have a joyous Christmas 2008 and wonderful growing, fruitful, worshipful, and exciting fellowship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit during 2009.

Challenge goes to: hubby and anyone that wants to reflect and look forward.

Big Day...

2008-12-18T23:50:00.004-05:00

Been to the dentist... first cavity to be worked on in over 20 yrs.. thank goodness... Grocery shopping, Christmas shopping, and getting ready for a very BIG weekend...

Back on the teadmill again

2008-12-05T11:10:00.004-05:00

Well folks, I'm back with my trainer after what was a two week break for being sick and for Thanksgiving. Let me just say OWW!! I'm having trouble getting my heart rate up and my hip hurts and OWW!!!... but I'm trying...

I really did take the full two weeks off... I didn't go to the exercise place at all. What's wrong with me... have I hit a wall already? Probably...why cannot be accountable to myself? My brain knows it's right, why can't I get the rest of me to follow along... dang it... dig in,, up and over my first (of many walls). Back to the treadmill and onto more successes for my body. Eventually it'll be a natural event, until then... stand at the line and at least refuse to go backwards.

Work Reflection

2008-12-03T12:07:00.003-05:00

As I reflect on the past year of my main job, I need to put together my list of accomplishments. Dang it, I ain't no horn tooter... Brag on myself, not so much. But now, I gotta dig deep and find out what I accomplished last year so I can tell my boss so I can keep my job, so I can keep the insurance so everything can stay as smooth as possible.

Black Friday 2008

2008-12-02T12:09:00.004-05:00

Well, we did it again. This time we didn't need to divide and conquer to get what we "wanted" from the stores that had the sales. We went together, oh what fun it is to ride in a big high Chevrolet. This is the second time that Ruby has gotten to go with us on a excursion such as this. Ruby and I had a professional driver, that was a blast.

The night before we had gone through the sales paper, and made a short list of the things that we needed and the corresponding stores. Their opening times and the cost of the items to be purchased. And off to bed we went to get some rest. James was up at probably 3 am to get breakfast started and Ruby and I rolled out about 3:22 AM to the smell of bacon and eggs. YUMMY!!! Good power food for the days events.

Off the the stores we go, Belks(there was a line and didn't have what I wanted), Dicks (which did have what we wanted and we also ran into some other shoppers - (that was planned)), Staples (had a line, but it moved quickly) - then off to K-Mart and the mall and lunch. A grand time was had by all.

Happy Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-27T11:07:00.004-05:00

Another wonderful Thanksgiving is here. And boy howdy, do I love a parade... Right now I'm watching a senior band called "The 2nd timers" play and enjoy life. That really is inspiring to see the joy on their faces. Here is Trace Adkins... I can see him right there on the float... he's singing "Your gonna miss this" pausing... He's with his family. Very nice. Balloons, bands, dancers, flags, colors, music, tunes, Santa Claus, floats, and happy people (I'm looking at the crowd in the background on TV-- they are all smiling - (& no I don't think it's a cue card)), what's not to love about a parade. It's simply a time of joy and a chance to experience some "kid-like" fun... I've never heard anyone complain at a parade... Yep, normally it's cold, that's to be expected, we know it, we say it, we expect to hear it. It's not a complaint, it's a fact.

Something new... Fred's Men's briefcase drill team steppers. {how funny}...

The special needs color guard of America.. (from FL) is preforming. That really was tremendous and couragous for this group. They did a really good job and have been preparing for a while. I'll have to google them later to see more about this group.

Well, 1/2 hr left in the Macy's parade on TV... maybe one day I'll get there in person. Off to the rest of the day to plan the Black Friday shopping trip... The mall opens at midnight and Kohl's @ 4 AM. so, we'll see

Turned out Great

2008-11-26T17:23:00.004-05:00

Our anniversary turned out great, just like I knew that it would. James came home and after we exchanged gifts out the door we went to see the movie "Fireproof". If you haven't seen it go, if you have seen it go again. "WONDERFUL", "POWERFUL", and "LIFE CHANGING".

http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/

We went together to get a cup of Starbucks after the movie. (No, he didn't get coffee, just in case you were wondering - he got hot tea...) Then we went to the grocery store together and then home. It was a wonderful evening.

What's different about today?

2008-11-25T10:38:00.002-05:00

Well, today is our 8th wedding anniversary. And, as life happens this is the first time that we have not been together the entire day of our anniversary.

Just a fact... I don't like it one little bit.

It's ok for me to say that cause, that's how I feel. However, there is an upside to this as always... he gets to work today, which is always encouraging and a good thing. Don't get me wrong, we've spent many a day over the last 6 weeks or so together since he's been on temporary lay-off and I've enjoyed every moment during the times he's been home. However, today of all days should be special right. Right? Yep, I see both sides and I'm still grateful and I'm fine.

As with anything, history has taught us that things go in cycles, even back as far as Moses and the Israelites... repent, complain, turn away, repent, complain, turn away, repent, etc... etc....

So, next year what we do may be different but how we feel will be the same and better.

Preventative thinking measures

2008-11-25T08:26:00.009-05:00

Apparently, I was reminded by my hubby last night that I hadn't placed any words in my journal in a while... so, here I am to say... it's time to reflect a little bit.

My first preventative thinking measure is:

1) I'm trying to get to all the things I do without forgetting a major piece of the equipment for occasion for example:

part of the uniform for Pizza Hut
the bathing suit or the towel for water aerobics
the bowling ball or shoes for bowling with my dad
the gym shoes or the key to get in when I go late after working all day and evening
to church without forgetting the jump drive with the info for the day
to game night without forgetting the game or the food that I'm supposed to bring,
to the Ren Fest without forgetting my camera, season ticket, or parking pass OR
to the office without forgetting the laptop @ home. (Note so far, I've only done this one time. AND NO... it wasn't on purpose....)

So, I guess the simple thing is I've got my brain working on the future things and not the things of the past.

2) PLAIN FACT - I'm addicted to My Space and Face book and Beehive (internal work MySpace thing) all three. (Thanks to Jo for that) Oh, and not only do I have a Facebook, but both Raven and Taz have "doggie facebooks" too and they have friends. (Thanks to Allison for that) But honestly, thanks to MySpace, I've found some of my younger cousins and we've had a chance to reconnect, at least through the computer. Maybe one day we'll get to see each other face to face. :) And on Facebook I've found some high-school friends that have fallen away over the years,.. (no, if you don't know, I'm not telling how many). That's been really nice to catch up and keep in touch. I really enjoy that.

3) When I do think of something deep and important, I'm usually behind the wheel of my car with both hands firmly on the wheel at 10 and 2, just like you're taught in driver ed.. , but that's not really conducive to grabbing a pen and pad to jot down my latest revelation... To wit I have discovered that if I don't do it right then (and by right then I mean pull over to the side of the road and write it down, even then there is no guarntee that I'll remember why I'm pulling over) the thought is gone and my poor brain has moved onto something else entirely.

4) Daily talks with God, prayer, music, worship, work, dogs, family, and normal life challenges. All forward working challenges.

5) ANTS... the battle continues.. and yes I know the Orkin man by name... I think that he's almost part of the family...

Honestly, if I think too hard and much about all the "stuff" that I'm doing, I think my head would REALLY explode.

I think one of my favorite flair is:

No wonder mom would never buy any article of clothing that had any kind of speciality instruction on how to clean such as wash seperatly from others, tumble dry with air and then hang to dry and then iron... GOOD job mom...

No wonder we almost always had the same dinners each week... simplify, simplify, simplify or else your head will explode...

The Test

2008-11-14T23:43:00.004-05:00

The simple definition of the A1C test is - it is the average of one's blood sugar over the past 3 months.

Any average over 6 is not good. Right now we stand @ 11.5. Could be worse. We are working together to bring this down. Takes time and we'll test again next quarter.

Short poem

2008-11-14T23:42:00.001-05:00

'The light of God surrounds us.
The love of God enfolds us.
The power of God protects us.
The presence of God watches over us.
Wherever we are God is and all is well."

Sad, but Blessed

2008-11-12T16:12:00.003-05:00

I am sad but blessed and giving thanks to the Maker. It finally happened... there was a 2x4 that finally came down and whoomped hubby on the noggin about his health. It wasn't going to come from me, I figured that out about 1 or 2 years ago. I finally quit nagging and just prayed. So, this our future, even though sad is a blessing. Off we go into a brand new lifestyle, which is where we should have been all along anyway. I can't say it's gonna be easy, but at least we've got each other for support and encouragment.

Election over for 2008

2008-11-05T13:53:00.003-05:00

Well, we have a winner. It's not my guy & gal, but we have a winner. There certainly is a change in the air. I do hope that he, our future president, will be a man of his word and that the change he promises (if he can get it accomplished) for the United States will be good change.

In his acceptance speach he says that he will be the president to those who didn't vote for him. He's right about that part. I'm not running from this GREAT country, just cause my guy lost, so he will be my president. Running is not how we do things. We pull up our boot straps, jump in and make a difference where we can. Keep our focus on God and praise Him all the same. I know that we'll have tough times ahead... hasn't that been the case since Adam and Eve???

Education - right on time

2008-10-31T13:25:00.004-04:00

Amazingly enough in today's work EM there was this...

Stage 3: FUELING YOUR BODY
Week 8: How can this be Sugar-free and/or Low-carb?
Learn why manufactures use sugar alcohols and some potential benefits they have.
Visit this quick link now:
http://wfl.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=948

I don't know if the link will work for everyone, but it is certainly right on time for this household.

Thank you God for giving us the means to learn and grow.

Lower club #'s are available

2008-10-31T11:52:00.004-04:00

After seeing the eye doctor on Wednesday am, we learned that there is NO eye damage for J at this time. Praise Jesus. The prayers are being heard and healing is taking place.

Wednesday afternoon, we got the call from the doctor that he could stop taking the insulin and be put on an oral medication... albeit it's a high dosage it's a far than where we were on Sunday.

We are progressing down, down, down, and watching what we eat, eat, eat... Both of us together are making changes and keeping each other strong.

Bring on the education.

The 700 Club

2008-10-28T16:02:00.003-04:00

Well, J has joined the 700 club and not in a good way. It the Blood Sugar club. We went to urgent care on Sunday and they had to draw blood to get the number. So off the the doctor on Monday morning. More blood, (2 sticks later), they have enough to test for all the things the doctor wants to know.

Well, we also have to go to the eye doctor to see about the blurry vision and see if there has been any damage done. This is Wednesday morning.

We also have to see a dietitian on November 6th. :)

Double woosh

2008-10-14T17:17:00.005-04:00

Here's the report for the afternoon, all the siding is down, 95% of the footings are dug, bricks are there, sand is there, and the brick mason has dropped off tools and is ready to start tomorrow. Dad and J are off to Lowes to get the vents, door, and blocks that are needed to help with this project get off to a good start.

This makes me feel really GOOD... Thanks so much to those that helped.

Off to the gym.

Happens so Fast

2008-10-14T07:27:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, whoosh... we went from having till the end of the month to a start date of tomorrow (10/15) for bricking under the house. We're no where near ready.. Pictures of demo forthcoming. Ordered, brick, mortar, and sand all yesterday (Monday) to be delivered (today) Tuesday. Thank goodness J has a second week off from work. Gotta dig the footing TODAY so we'll be ready to begin tomorrow with the brick mason.

Trying to get motivated again

2008-10-14T07:23:00.005-04:00

I've been working out for about 30 days. I feel much better. I praying for more motivation to GET going again -- hit a "BLAH" plateau already - how disgusting.. ... Another 30 days. 30 days @ a time. Gotta get there, gotta do this, can't feel like I was feeling. Gotta grow down.. not out.

Not finishing

2008-10-08T15:49:00.004-04:00

I was listening to the radio on the way home from town last night and the speaker was telling about a possible reason that "we" as a general people don't finish things. It was a great point... and here is this speakers take on the matter.

We don't finish things because finishing allows others to judge us and the work that we've done. Good or bad either way. We as a people don't wish to be judged. Now I'm inclined to agree. Fear of criticism, rejection, or whatever the judgement might be.

Could this be right?

Growing

2008-10-03T22:48:00.004-04:00

I was wondering... do we always have to be growing? Striving for the next thing? Can we not get comfortable and in a place where we're strong and at peace. Yep, I know that it leads to laziness.

Not thinking I'm perfect, cause I know I'm not, but comfortable where I am. Maybe that's the clue to start growing again.

The Potato Chip

2008-09-26T14:15:00.003-04:00

Here on the 14th floor, we were having lunch and the potato chips blew over and dumped on the balcony.. No biggie... just pick them up and throw them away right... Nope,,, have a contest... how far can we toss the bio-degradable potato chips out into the wind... The first one... mine... goes well out on the grass where the birds or some lucky beach creature will eat and enjoy... But alas, the second chip tossed by my partner in crime... goes out and then down... 2 floors down.. exactly two floors down to the two guys on their balcony. Surprised they were...... ran and hid we did... only to laugh till the tears were flowing... End of contest....

A Single Fear

2008-09-24T15:24:00.004-04:00

Here is my one single fear... As I gain more energy by exercising, my hubby and I will grow apart. The energy I gain will allow me to experience the world in a different way. This I fear will certainly put a wedge between what I want to do with him and what we will be able to do together.

I have no desire or reason to want to leave him behind, but I can see that happening down the road. But my first goal is to get into the clothes that I already own...

Last night

2008-09-24T12:16:00.004-04:00

For the first time in a while, I posted some short paragraphs to catch up my one or two probably readers.

For the first time in a while, hubby has not put Raven in our beautiful black lab in the bed with us. I was very nice to just fall asleep together without the presence of our doggies between us.

I understand that we have to take time out for each other, so this was a nice change.

Ecclesiastes....

2008-09-24T09:57:00.005-04:00

"I have seen that there is nothing better than for a person to enjoy his activities, because that is his reward." Ecclesiastes 3:22...

Here's a link to the whole chapter:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%203&version=31

This was on our bulletin 9/7/08. I've been meaning to post this for a while now...

This says so much to me about enjoying everything that you do and right now I'm doing a LOT of STUFF...

New TV season

2008-09-23T22:37:00.004-04:00

Finally a time to just sit with hubby and watch some TV. I'm blogging during the commercials and we're loving on the dogs during the commercials too. He's watching Dancing w/the Stars with me. I'm so glad.

Survivor starts on Thursday... another EXCITING event for me... :)

J is looking for another job. Something in his field... he's so good at everything, I'm thinking we need to pray together and get God's guidance so that all of his talents will be used and he will be in a place that needs him and wants him.

He sleeps...

Full life...

2008-09-23T22:02:00.004-04:00

As if my life wasn't my full enough, I've added bowling with my dad 1 night a week and 3 times a week to the gym and a personal trainer. We are also looking to add brick underpinning to our tin can/home and a full porch/veranda. I'm thinking something's gotta give pretty soon. Right now, I'm managing, but don't know for how long.

If I have to choose from the extra stuff, I want to keep the gym, the water aerobics, and the second job.

The Ren Fest is coming up and I'm so very excited about this. I really look forward to this time of year.

Thank God He's given me the energy to manage this stuff so far....

Been awhile...

2008-09-16T11:41:00.004-04:00

Been a while... over a month... lots happening, but have not taken the time to reflect.

My BFF's had a B-day, been to a couple of parties, celebrated several B-day's already and more to come in September, planning a party of my own, waiting anxiously for another trip to the beach, trying HARD not to worry about $$. Taken a few Fridays off.

T's got a job and a new (to her car).. VERY nice.

It's Cold!!

2008-08-08T15:05:00.003-04:00

Well, J, our air conditioned guy bcame through today. The unit is here and installed and working properly and as a bonus the old unit was taken away. Just that fast. Praise God!! I am grateful that this is done and out of the way. It's gonna be quite frosty in our house now that we are running 3 full tons of compressed air. Instead of the .5 ton that we were making it on. I'm just grateful, blessed and completely thrilled.

Helping with VBS

2008-08-07T22:43:00.003-04:00

I had a great time helping with VBS @ the Rock last week. I feel very blessed that I was given a great group of kids for the week. I've had some time to reflect and believe that God put me out front with these kids for a reason. What am I saying He always has a reason. Anyway, my kids varied in their stages of faith, just like we all do. I had some very young Christians to some very wise even at such a young age. As always with all Vacation Bible Schools that I've been involved with we are teaching them about Jesus, the Man, the Son of God, the death, burial, and the resurrection.

I have become a little timid in my ability to actually "LEAD" another soul to Christ. I always want to make sure that I say the right words, (which I usually fumble with) and I always want to have the right scripture in the right order. But alas, my kids were already through the basic stage of accepting Christ as their Savior. These guys were in the stage of finding out about the rest of who Jesus was and is to them.

As I am reflecting noe, I sit in amazement of their faces being so amazed as I began to read them the scripture about Jesus' resurrection (big word for the little ones) so, I broke it down to His returning to life after being in the tomb for 3 days. Yes, Jesus lives and ascended into Heaven. Ascended another big church word meaning "to move upward". They were amazed with these two big events in thier Saviors life and I wish that I'd had more time to tell them about it, cause they seemed to have a lot of questions.

I think that I like letting the children ask the questions cause that means that they are thinking.

It's HOT!!

2008-08-07T18:58:00.011-04:00

I discovered today about noon that the AC in our house was not working. When I work from home I like to let the temp get up to about 75-78 degrees before I start cooling it down. Well, today I noticed as soon as we hit the 80 degree mark that there wasn't that familiar whooshing sound coming from the base of my home.

So, I check it out... flipping both breakers, inside the house and outside and still no comforting whooshing sound of conditioned air. So, I did what any normal girl in crisis would do, I prayed, and called hubby only to discover that I had to leave a V-Mail... So, on to plan B... call dad... and he of course, being the great electrician that he his asked if I'd flipped the breakers. I said "of course, I have been watching you all these years." So, he to was a little befuddled by the non-existent whooshing sound. (And I say little cause my dad is a genius.) But of course, in his dad voice, "sounds like it time to call in the pro". So back to the phone I go to call hubby and leave yet another, more frantic V-Mail. "Please call J", I say.

Finally after a trip to dad's to get fans, and assembly of a brand new fan, hubby calls me back with what would be our only GREAT news of the day... J is coming to our rescue and will be around in a couple of hours and I'll probably be home soon. (Well, J was here well before hubby.) Anyway the diagnose is full collapse of the outside compressor. Well darn. Good news though, we have a price quote and a set time for installing by Sat @ morning. YEAH J!

Now the fun part of figuring out how to pay for the new piece.

My "Last Second Leo"

2008-07-30T11:59:00.013-04:00

I've come to discover, after 7 years of mostly blissful marriage, that I'm married to a "last second Leo" Won't do a thing until the last minute and second (if he can get by with it) and ladies, I mean the LAST SECOND.

Examples:

Changing lanes when driving, unlike me "Polly Planner" (also known as Constance the Crasher") yes I'm a car crasher by DNA default.

Didn't cover the barn until the company needed the equipment back. (Unlike Daisy Decider, who thought -foolishly - why not finish it the next day in the early morning while it's still cool)

Left trash on the front porch until two seconds (literally) before the rain from the thunder storm broke loose from the sky and the power went out. (unlike "All-the-way-to-the-trashcan-Alli" - would do it)

There was a broken hanging basket in the kitchen broke on him, but didn't fix right away until I asked him too 2 days later. Which he did (love you honey) (I tried to fix it but didn't know how. (Under-skilled - Uma)

And this list goes on and on, but these are the things that come to mind and have happened in the last two weeks or so. The fireman and EMT responder in him is always prepared, but my last minute Leo,,, not so much. So..... This "Last Second Leo" and his "Polly-Constance-Daisy-Alli-Uma" are still happily married and plan on staying that way till the VERY LAST SECOND. Proof positive that opposites do attract.

Blister Prevention

2008-07-20T14:18:00.007-04:00

"In our desire to grow as Christians we may easily forget the fundamentals of our faith. If we do, we run the risk of developing painful spiritual blisters that can hurt us as we run our race." This is a quote from Pastor H's sermon today (7/20/08) This statement came after a story about a coach that taught his players how to put on their socks correctly. Silly maybe, but the coach had insisted on this practice with his team and was persistent about the technique of smoothing out all the wrinkles of their socks before practice and games. This allowed the players to practice and compete without getting blisters on their feet.

Our text: 2 Peter 1: 3-11
Making One's Calling and Election Sure

3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So, what are our basics...

Moral Excellence, - not just doing one good deed a day, but starting with one and growing it
Knowledge, - Practical Knowledge - daily skills - allowing the truth to show daily
Self-Control, - a matter of saying "NO" to some things
Perseverance, - falling 7 times and getting up 8 (Pro 24:16)
Godliness, - being in a right relationship with God and those around us
Brotherly Kindness, - relational connection to each other - not being isolated from the world
Love - Expression of Christian holiness... leads right back to #1... doing good for others is showing love

Are your socks on right?

Great Date and Good Sleep

2008-07-19T23:10:00.003-04:00

Hubby and I had a GREAT date on Friday night. He'd put in many long, hot, sweaty hours @ work this week covering for co-worker that had fallen ill. I not having slept good this past week was looking forward to an early movie out and then falling asleep next to the man I love. But alas, no... a late arrival home by the man I adore and preparations for being seen in public took us WAY past an early movie... But it worked out just fine.... We went to see Hancock, a good movie, interesting plot and a few twists. A late night drive to another of his co-workers homes to drop off a piece of equipment and then a rambling ride home... Nice by all accounts. A LONG morning of sleep followed by a quite day of household chores. (done together, I might add) Nice.

A trip to the mall with a fellow church goer (P) and dinner out. Now time for bed again as we prepare to worship another day. Thank you God for today.

Better sleep

2008-07-18T09:14:00.002-04:00

I've logged a couple of night of good sleep without the dreams. (At least I can't remember the dreams) The first night I took an Advil PM since I had worked on my feet @ P.H. and knew that they were gonna be hurting a little. That Advil PM helped a great deal. And last night drifted off as normal after some great snuggling with hubby. He's had some long days back since he's covering for someone that is out sick. So, this was our only chance to chat face to face that day. The man I love has many, many talents in the truck driving industry, so he gets called in as the back-up when others are out sick or his company is short a person. He's got the reverse gene which neither my dad nor I possess. (wink wink) ...

Better sleep, but more dreaming

2008-07-16T09:54:00.004-04:00

Slept better last night as a I was comforted and cuddled by hubby. However, the dreams keep coming. This time about pictures, losing things, and organization, a creek bed with the water and the turtles. Go figure... who knows how the mind works when your sleeping...

Another restless night

2008-07-15T11:30:00.003-04:00

Hard time falling asleep again last night. I had lots of things to say to my BEST friend, I know he was tired, but what a great sport in letting me get things off my chest. Right now I am VERY tired, but still have many things to do this evening.

Things on my mind to write about later:

The negative arguments against my faith being made by a non-believe whose only purpose at this point is to push my buttons. - which by the way I'm handling quite well
These crazy dreams - 2 of them have been very STRESSFUL - both about not being to being able to find my way or find what I was looking for. Basically not being prepared. And the second dream and most concerning - indicated that I liked to cook...Scary I know.. who knows maybe I'll be on Iron Chef one day... Not....
And my need to go back to the beach.

Until later.... back to work and maybe some GOOD ZZ's tonight..

Death of the World's Oldest Blogger

2008-07-15T11:22:00.002-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDSEaBVRQ6A

Sleepless Night

2008-07-14T08:48:00.003-04:00

Don't know why but it was. Home by 12:15am, straight to bed and tossed for 2 hours straight. Tried all the old tricks I know with no avail. Counting back from 100, counting sheep, counting the stars on our ceiling, story telling to myself, but alas to no avail, sleep was still not to come to me. So I prayed, read, watched TV, let the dogs out, let the dogs in and still no sleep. I'm tired, but not sleepy. Now it's time to work and I'm ready, but not sleepy.

Girlie Wisdom!

2008-07-10T09:20:00.005-04:00

Women over 50 don't have babies because they would put them down and forget where they left them.

A friend of mine confused her Valium with her birth control pills... she has 14 kids but doesn't really care.

One of life's mysteries is how a 2-pound box of chocolates can make a woman gain 5 lbs.

My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes
The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you are doing, someone else does.

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then, your body and your fat are really good friends.

Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.

Sometimes I think I understand everything, and then I regain consciousness.

I gave up jogging for my health when my thighs kept rubbing together and setting fire to my knicker's.

You hang something in your closet for a while and it shrinks 2 sizes!

Skinny people irritate me! Especially when they say things like... 'You know sometimes I forget to eat! Now I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name and my keys, but I have never forgotten to eat. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat!

The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing and then they marry him.

I read this article that said the typical symptoms of stress are eating too much, impulse buying, and driving too fast. Are they kidding? That's my idea of a perfect day!

Comfortable Silence

2008-07-05T20:18:00.002-04:00

You know that you are with a good friend when you can have comfortable silence. There is not always a need for static in the air.

"Not merely an absence of noise, Real Silence begins when a reasonable being withdraws from the noise in order to find peace and order in his inner sanctuary." -Peter Minard

The absense of noise - ahh... no TV, which we are addicted to in this house, not the dogs barking, not the washer or the dryer running, not nothing. A good place to be alone with God and a good friend.

Sounds of the Ocean

2008-07-03T08:42:00.002-04:00

I've just returned from the beach trip. Ahh, what a wonderful time away from the "hub-bub" I call my normal life. The sounds of the ocean still fill my ears as I fell asleep last night. I think that I want to move to the beach and lead that simple life, however I'm sure that since the chaos is within me that it will follow. I'm not saying that I don't have peace 'cause I do, but I end up running fast to get way from some of "the stuff" of life instead of dealing with it, simply 'cause I don't know how.

As I returned home last night, hubby and I had supper (which he prepared- thank you baby"), and then I proceeded to clean up the dishes right away. A carry over from watching my friend do this for us as we were leading the "simple life" away from our "normal". Hubby encouraged me to come and relax, to which I responded "I just got finished relaxing". I think what he really meant was "come spend some time with me, I love you and I haven't seen you in four days" but, what my brain heard was "why are you doing that, leave it for later". As soon as I was finished, maybe 5 mins or less, then I sat down with him and recouped. I hope that no damage was done.

He missed me, I missed him. We're in love and by the grace of God and our willingness to work with each other instead of against each other, we'll get to stay that way.

I've got some personal growing to do and I don't know where to start but, I do know that I've got friends that will stick by me till I get there.