friday's feast #185 (#27)

If you'd like to play along or read other's answers, click on the picture above...

Appetizer

What does the color dark green make you think of?

Honestly? Baby poop. Isn't that terrible?

Soup

How many cousins do you have?

Never counted that before...21, I think. Big family, not that close to most of them. Life moves on...

Salad

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how honest are you?

Hey, we've had this question before!! I'd say probably a 9. Like I said before, I can't tell the lady with the funky haircut that it's awful if she asks. But other than that, I try really hard to be honest. Life's too short to be any other way. Besides, God calls us to be honest so it's the least I can do.

Main Course

Name something that is truly free.

Salvation through Jesus Christ. He paid the price - a hefty price - so that it is FREE to us. Hallelujah!

Dessert

Using the letters in the word SPRING, write a sentence.

Some People Really Invigorate New Growth. Um yeah, whatever... :)

Happy weekend everyone!

happy birthday to me!

Yup, it's my birthday...doesn't matter which one, I stopped counting a few years ago. :)

And for a birthday treat, just look at this sweetness:

This is the sweetie who was born the other day. Yummy newborn goodness!

Have a great day everyone - and can someone find the sun for me? It's been missing for three days! Thanks.

she's here!

I'm plain exhausted but I wanted to write a quick post to tell you that SHE'S HERE!! My friend, well actually my roommate from college, delivered a healthy 7 pound baby girl at 5:47 PM. They've named her Natalie Elizabeth and she is so precious!! I don't have my camera cord thingy with me or I'd post a picture. I will when I get home. Mom and baby are doing really well - just exhausted, like the rest of us. It took way longer than they thought it would (doesn't it always?) and so we (Grandma, Grandpa, her friend and I) had to keep up with and entertain her other two kids. They are 7 and 2.

Whew.

On that note, I'm off to bed! Good night!

friday's feast #183 (#26)

Please forgive me for not having my handy dandy picture today. I am not posting from home. I am helping out at my roomate from college's house. She is being induced tomorrow with her second child! I posted about questionable test results earlier in her pregnancy. All turned out okay. Now, we just pray for a healthy delivery. I can't wait to meet her new baby girl!!!

Now, where were we? Oh, yeah, here goes a try at this week's questions...

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting?

If I take my time, it's a 9 or 10. Usually I'm in a hurry though so it falls more like a 2 or 3. Speaking of handwriting, Baby Girl is in 6th grade this year and it was amazing to see the dynamic change in her handwriting. It went from "who cares?" to "girly, girly". Do you remember playing around with your handwriting as a kid? Was I the only one who did that?

Soup
Do you prefer baths or showers?

Showers. Again, I'm usually in a hurry so showers make more sense. Really though, I never did care for baths. The water gets too cold, there are so many other things I could or should be doing, I can't read because the pages get wet, when's the last time I cleaned the tub?...Not exactly the most relaxing thing I can think of.

Salad
What was the last bad movie you watched?

It's been fairly recent that I've begun watching movies again. Somehow, having little ones prevents movie watching in my corner of the world. And the movies we do watch these days are usually animated and aimed at the under 10 set. I guess I would have to say the Ricky Bobby movie was pretty bad in my book. I love Will Ferrell and think he's a crazy guy - and the movie did have some funny parts in it, but it wasn't my kind of movie.

Main Course
Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life.

It's a tie between reading and the computer. Both suck me in and prevent me from doing things I should be. I would probably engage my kids in more conversation or spend more time with my husband if I took control of these two areas. I've been working on it. But then again, I'd probably just watch more TV. Because I'm not saying my husband is addicted to it...I'm just merely suggesting he is. :)

Dessert
Which instrument is your favorite to listen to?

Wow, this is a hard one for me. I love music. I sincerely wish I was able to play a couple of instruments. I am really moved by listening to music. I guess I will name a few since it's late and my decision-making skills are impaired by fatigue. :) I love to listen to the sax (Kenny G, anyone?), the bag pipes, the piano, and the acoustic guitar. All good, good stuff.

Okay. I'm posted this and gettng some sleep. I get to hold a newborn tomorrow - YEAH me!! :) Have a great weekend!!!!!

friday's feast #182 (#25)

It seems I haven't found the time to blog these days except for this meme. Frustrating! Anyway, if you'd like to participate or read other people's answers, click on the picture above.

Appetizer

If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be?

Amy Grant. I really like her and I'd love to be able to sing like that!

Soup

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone?

Depends on who it is. Probably about a 5. If I didn't talk on the phone, I'd never keep up with some of my friends.

Salad

Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to).

In the past, I've donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I really think that is a good investment. Lately, I'm contemplating sponsoring a child from Compassion International. They recently did a trip to Uganda for some bloggers and their stories really touched my heart. It also validated the company for me - they really do spend the money where they say they do.

Main Course

What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month?

Tacos. Every day for as long as possible. That or donuts with white icing - but those aren't very good for you at all! :)

Dessert

Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year?

Thankfully, no. (Knock on wood!)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

friday's feast #181 (#24)

New picture, same meme - I missed last week but didn't want today to pass without participating. If you'd like to participate or read other people's answers, click on the picture above.

Appetizer

Who was the last person you hugged?

My son. It was bedtime so I got two hugs. Anything to make the whole bedtime routine last longer. :)

Soup

Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.

Um, yeah. This isn't my strength. Oh, here's one I heard recently...usually I use up all my shampoo before the conditioner is gone. The tip is that you can use the conditioner instead of shaving cream when shaving your legs. I tried it - it works well! A great use for something that would be wasted.

Salad

What does the color yellow make you think of?

Sunshine. Happiness. Peace. Joy.

Main Course

If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around?

Ooohh, great question! I would LOVE to make a living as a photographer, but I'm just not that good. My pictures would either be of nature - animals, trees, flowers - or close ups of little kids. Or a combination of the two. I'll share some pictures sometime. I take lots and lots. By the way, did you catch the lunar eclipse the other night? Or "moon-er" eclipse as my son called it? I took some photographs of that - too cool (not my pictures, the eclipse).

Dessert

What was the longest book you ever read?

I've read so many books that I don't know. I guess the longest would be the Bible. I haven't read the whole thing yet, but it's close. I'm working my way through and I'm almost there.

Have a great weekend everyone!

friday's feast #179 (#23)

If you'd like to learn more about Friday's Feast or read other people's answers, click on the picture above.

Appetizer

Name one thing that is unique about you.

I'm drawing a blank here. Unique means one of a kind. That is me but I can't think of why. Long day today - sorry!

Soup

Fill in the blank: My favorite __color___ is ___purple___ but I like ___blue___ too.

Salad

What type of wood do you have for your home’s furnishings?

In the perfect world, I would only have one type of wood throughout my house so it all, you know, flows nicely. In my world, I have a collection of woods - mostly on the darker side.

Main Course

Who do you talk to most often on the phone?

My husband. Some of our best conversations are had on the phone, without the interruption of television or computer or kids.

Dessert

What level of responsibility do you have in your job?

It depends on what job you are talking about. I wear a lot of hats. At work, I am an assistant manager type. I say type because I pretty much fill in wherever they need me. At home, when daddy isn't home, I'm the boss. :)

snow day

they warned us that it was coming
and it did
the roads were nice and icy
this am
and the magic words for baby girl
no school today

it's already turning to slush
but so cold
it's still all over the ground

build a snowman, mommy?
confusion as I tried to explain
the snow won't stick together

two blue jays
and two cardinals
with their mates
fly around today
as yesterday
to hang out with us

how beautiful
against the snowy background
vibrant

and thankfully
a reminder
that spring is coming

night of hope

last evening
gathered with a few ladies
and off we went
to see Joel Osteen

I'd had some reservations
because while I love his message
I want it to be about
the big JC (you know, Jesus)
and not about JO (Mr. Osteen, himself)

off on a tangent here
i'll say that i feel
that sometimes when
a person is called
to give the message of God
in the mix of it
the person becomes
the one glorified
and that's just wrong

that isn't how I see
Joel Osteen
and it sure isn't how
he would want to be seen
but there are people out there
who worship the messenger
not the message
and we have to be careful
in that way

so back on track here
i was so blessed by the message
yesterday

he has the most positive outlook
on life
and it all comes from truth
i was skeptical and
before the doubt could even
form in my mind
he covered it with scripture
not twisting it
to fit the circumstance
but just laying it out there
as truth

appropriately enough
the evening's theme was
a night of hope
and that is definitely what he gave

he's speaking around the country
and it was even a bit pricey for me
but i still recommend seeing him

yes, they will ask for donations there
but his wife said an interesting thing
she said
give to your local church first
that is where you will be fed and grow
give here only if you feel led by faith

one of the things that always struck me
about Joel Osteen's ministry
on tv
is that they never ask for money
on the air
how refreshing
knowing they must need money
to conduct such a large ministry

some people have problems
with the way he views life
saying that God is not always
going to prosper those who love him
but to hear the message he brings
tells you that God indeed wants you to prosper
and that doesn't mean hardships
and trials won't come
it just means that God will see you through it
and see you through it in a better place
than you were before you began
if you just trust and have faith
that God holds you in the palm of His hand
and NO ONE can take you out of it
you matter to God
you are valuable to Him
even if you aren't valuable to yourself
solid gold to Him
if you project that on the inside
it will show on the outside
and your whole outlook on life
will change

the bottom line is
that everyone can use encouragement
and that is Joel Osteen's gift

so here's to a new outlook
God thinks I'm special
and that is enough.

i'm just sayin'...

Just taking a minute to say that if one taco costs $1.99, a combo of three tacos shouldn't be $6.25. Someone needs to tell the guy who owns the restaurant we tried out on Saturday. Do the math people!

Okay, getting off my soapbox now...