Friday, October 31, 2008

It's All About The Candy!

Happy Halloween, everyone! Have fun, be safe, and enjoy the candy!


Thursday, October 30, 2008

Daddy's Girl is 11 Today!

Hard to believe, but our "baby" girl is 11 years old today! (Her birthday party was last weekend, but the "official" birthday is today....)

Can't believe 11 years have gone past since I was "with child" (I always get so reminiscent when my children's birthdays come 'round.....) :-)

She's getting so grown up.

Here she is, giving her handsome Daddy (a/k/a "Hubster") a big hug.
(Wrapped around her finger, he is....)

Happy birthday, Baby Girl - we love you!

Lest We Forget How Good We Have It In the USA....

Blogger Buddies,
A fellow blogger buddy (props to my home girl - the Ever Fabulous, Beautiful, Intelligent, and always Thought-Provoking D'Arcy) forwarded the below email to me. It really resonated with me.

No matter WHO you're voting for, take a moment to be thankful what a great country we live in and take a moment to be thankful for all the things, as Americans, that we take for granted!

As an immigrant to this country I envy that you all have the ability next Tuesday to vote. I received a phone call today from my brother, who lives in South Africa. Last night people attempted to break into their home. Let me set the picture for you. My brother's home is behind an eight foot fence with electronic gates, there are gates leading to all the doors and then safety gates on the doors, the windows have bars on them, it really does look like Fort Knox. A while back I bought my brother a trellis gate for their back door, this is the gate that I feel saved their lives, they could not open the gate. In South Africa if you are burgaled, or car jacked, they kill you, they don't just tie you up. In this country I don't think people truly know what fear is, fear to walk outside, get in your car, go to the grocery store, fear for your children and their safety. I look across the parking lot and know that if I choose, I can walk to Target and not even second guess my safety. Freedom to me is watching your children play in the yard or at the park, taking a walk in your neighborhood at the end of a long day, taking a bicycle ride to the Nature Conservancy and letting your child walk to a friends home. I know that right now the economy is on everyone's mind, but we can have all the money in the world and not be free. When you cast your vote on Tuesday, think of me, my family and the so many other out there that don't enjoy what you have in this great country. On a side note, thank you, thank you for allowing me to be a part of this country, to be a part of your freedom and for giving me the opportunity to raise my son as an American.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Good Words

"When we have been wounded by the Church, our temptation is to reject it. But when we reject the Church it becomes very hard for us to keep in touch with the living Christ. When we say, "I love Jesus, but I hate the Church," we end up losing not only the Church but Jesus too.
The challenge is to forgive the Church.
This challenge is especially great because the Church seldom asks us for forgiveness, at least not officially. But the Church as an often fallible human organization needs our forgiveness, while the Church as the living Christ among us continues to offer us forgiveness.
It is important to think about the Church not as "over there" but as a community of struggling, weak people of whom we are part, and in whom we meet our Lord and Redeemer."


-Henri Nouwen

NBA Player Devin Harris vs. Some British Bloke

I love this video.... (and I'm not even that big of a basketball fan).
This was just an impromptu game of one-on-one.... amazing.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

All Done, Thank You

I voted early today.
In fact, I was at the location that CNN has been showing on their broadcasts when they show the Really Long Lines in suburban Atlanta. Yes, I was one of the Frozen Masses waiting today in line.

Actually, it wasn't that bad. I brought a book but wound up striking up a conversation with the two funny ladies standing in line next to me (one was a lawyer, and one was an I.T. person).

The poll workers did a GREAT job. I made sure to thank them. I'm sure they get paid next to nothing and have to deal with scowling, grouchy people all day long, so I told each one how much I appreciated what they were doing.

And (just like Bob Schieffer said) when I was all done voting I felt "big and strong".

A good day. :-)

Just for Laurie Keller... :-)

(....and any others who have an "appreciative eye" for the latest 007...) :-)
Laurie, something tells me you need a little "eye candy" today. :-)

Monday, October 27, 2008

Sums It Up For Me....

Heard from the Backseat...

So this evening, I took my kids for an "emergency trip " to Target (it got REALLY cold here, all of a sudden.... and of course all of last Winter's sweaters are too small for my kids...)

Anyway, my 6th grade son said something in the back seat to my daughter about PLAGIARISM.
My 5th grade daughter responded "What's plagiarism?"
He responded "Oh, it's REALLY bad. If you plagiarize, you STEAL someone's idea without giving them due credit and you could go to JAIL."

:-)

I just love being a mom and hearing this stuff.
So darn cute.

(Needless to say, I interjected and corrected the "inaccuracies" being put out there, but did let them know that plagiarism IS a big deal.... but the police wouldn't come screeching to a halt outside our door, sirens blaring and blue lights flashing....)

Sunday, October 26, 2008

The Grocery Game.... (any users out there?)



Hey blogger buds.... do any of y'all use the "Grocery Game" system?
I had heard about it somewhere before out in the Blogistan (but can't for the LIFE of me remember where....)

I stumbled upon the website for it, and it looks like a good deal to me. Apparently you can save around 40% - 80% on your weekly grocery bill.

Anyway, let me know if any of you use it, and if so, has it been successful for you?
I'd be very interested in hearing your comments, and will share them with everyone... after all we're all in this 'shaky economy' together, and I know we ALL want to minimize our expenditures as much as possible!

Thanks, guys!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Richie Cunningham Has Spoken!

As a child of the 70's (and a teen of the 80's) I am fond of Ron Howard, and the characters in the shows he acted in.

So, as you can imagine, this video turned my head. I only saw a small clip of it on TV earlier today but watched the whole thing on YouTube earlier this evening. I liked what he had to say.

You may agree with him (like I do), or you may completely disagree - either way is certainly fine. Here's the video.

Sowing Good Seeds... (from MountainWings.com)

In Charge
1. GOD is in charge.
2. GOD is at large.
3. Nothing gets by Him.
~Winston Kole~

NOTHING gets by Him.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,that shall he also reap. (Gal 6:7 KJV)

A Book Suggestion... just for RH... :-)



Second Guessing God: Hanging On When You Don't See His Plan

It's a great book. Go to the library and check out a copy.

(OR, email me your mailing address and I'll send you one.... gratis....)

I know the leaves in Virginia are probably beautiful right about now.

And you are in my prayers. :-)

Wish You Were Here, Tim.... Wish You Were Here...


You know who I really miss?

Tim Russert. I miss the twinkle in his eye, his big wonderful grin, his fierce intelligence, his excitement, and his respect for both parties.... which is so clearly lacking in today's pathetic excuse for the "news media" we have (I laughed out loud the other night when I heard Brian Williams blatantly self-congratulatory remarks about quality journalism ....). PLEASE, Brian.... your arrogance is almost visible these days....

Anyway. Tim Russert would have really enjoyed this presidential race.

Rest in peace, Tim.
You are definitely missed.