New

It's been months since I've done anything new to the Blog.
Months since I even updated my verse of the month.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." Phil 4:4

Today when I did a quick check of a couple of blogs I was reminded again about my memory verse and I found a blog that has something that I would like to add.  (In my free time)  I like the drop down menu in her header.  But who am I kidding, there will be no drop down menu in my header in the near future.

This morning and tomorrow afternoon I am applying for two different jobs.  It's been over ten years since I've applied for a job.  The first one is for an embroidery shop that monograms towels and the like....a friend works there as her second job and set me up with the interview.
Susan set me up with the interview tomorrow at the library working with a teen services program, and this one is the more serious one involving a resume and professional type clothing, language, blah, blah, blah.  Most people do this sort of thing when they graduate from college, not me, but here I go.

Kingdom of self

Our small group is working through a video series on marriage by Paul David Tripp, and I honestly think every couple would benefit from this. This is relational material, unless you have holed yourself up in a tower, the things he talks about really transcends to how you relate to everyone. Every Sunday night, I think that this is something I would love to share with ..........

"The scary thing about the kingdom of self is that it is a costume kingdom. It very quickly takes on the shape and appearance of the kingdom of God.

It is very easy to think that we are living for God, while our personal agenda still rules our hearts and shapes our decisions, words, and actions."

You can get his book here.

How do you turn off the italics and underline when you start it? Oh the joys of posting.

Interesting, the book isn't about marriage.

Oh my, I am getting distracted and my feet are cold and I think I have a sinus infection and I can't make the words form. I had such noble aspirations when I started this post. I was so excited when I ran across that quote and it reminded me of something I wanted to share with you. Well, you are a most forgiving sort and intelligent and if this is something that God wanted your heart to hear then my futile attempts won't stand in the way.

Have a great day!

In case you're wondering

A few of my favorite things:
Nutella and Pretzel sticks
Emerald Cocoa roast almonds
Maui Melon Mint Orbit Chewing Gum
Clean and Clear dual action moisturizer
Shade #200 lipstick Cool sand from Lacura Beauty sold at Aldi grocery store

Quirky things I don't like
Changing the channel on tv or radio
Being in a group of people and feeling like I am in the middle school cafeteria again
Too long or too short phone calls and so I avoid the phone now
Forgetting regularly scheduled events (like homeschool art is every Monday but I forget anyway)
The heat blowing out the upper vents in the car.

Last week I said to Josh "...xxx...Did you know that about me?" He said no, unfortunately I can't remember what it is that I realized about myself that he didn't know either. Today I was trying to remember and didn't have any luck but I'd been wanting to do a list post like this for a little while so there it is. I would love for you to do one too, it's been a while hasn't it? Do I have to beg because I will. :)

Great Expectations

Great Expectations/Realities/Happy Endings:
or the truth behind my experience with water sports.
Last weekend we went down to Sebastian/Vero Beach to see Josh's family.
His Aunt Theresa and her two children from Massachusetts were down for their annual summer visit and so we always plan our summer visit to coincide. Last year Theresa bought a tube for Josh's dad to pull behind the boat...and while I'm not a big fan of being whipped behind a boat I wondered how it would be to lay back my head and be gently pulled behind as we made our way to the inlet.
The picture lies
It is still REALLY bumpy and your neck hurts like you've just done a hundred sit ups.
(which I've never done but if I said twenty five sit ups it just wouldn't have been as colorful)
The next day we went to the beach and Josh's sister Stefani brought her Sea Kayak.
LOVE those things!
Well, I thought I did...the first/last time I was on one was about 9 years ago and I was accompanied by someone with a lot of experience. The ride back into shore was thrilling as we rode back into shore.
The waves weren't bad so I gave it a try with Elise. We had a nice little paddle out and up the coast until Elise got bored (5oo ft), and then we paddled back. Elise jumped out of the kayak as we got close to Josh's dad and so I thought I would have a fun little ride in but it was rather anti climatic.
Josh's dad brought his long board.
Ahh....remember my list?
Yeah, well, on my own I was getting Nowhere...could barely even stay on the board laying down let alone sit up or on my knees....I gave up.
Josh's dad suggested just sitting on the board for a while until I felt my balance adjusting.
After some snacks and a drink I gave it a try and was able to sit on the board off shore.
While that was a far cry from surfing, I was content to let that be the extent of my surfing experience for the day.
Out swims my husband to tell me to catch a wave.
Right....not happening I tell him....I don't even know when a wave is coming let alone know when to paddle.
And this is why I love my husband.
He stayed beside me and watched for the waves, told me when to paddle and gave me the push I needed to ride a wave in.
While I would love to tell you I jumped up to my feet and rode the wave in,
I am just as happy to tell you that I sat up on my knees and rode to shore.
Unfortunately the waves at this beach break really close to the shore so it wasn't a long ride in, but it was success in my book and I am delighted none the less.

Lists

This post got me thinking.
Evidently Sheri has a list of 101 things to do before she dies, and while I have never made an actual list there are some things that I have thought about.
Do you make mental lists or write them out?
My natural tendency is to file it mentally and then forget about it, but I have noticed that when I actually put it down paper that it gets done (or bought in the case of grocery lists).....actually I wanted a new couch since we got married and it wasn't until I put it on a list a year or so ago that it actually became reality (13+ years later).

At the end of this post when I went to find a picture to put with this post (I agree with Robin that a post is so much better with one even if it doesn't match) But when I went to my generic pictures Josh has taken for me I found the above picture and remembered that visiting the Biltmore house when the flowers were blooming had been on my mental list...that got checked off this summer thanks to my dear sister.

There have been jobs that I have wanted to give a try...some I have done,
crazy ones that I would still like to have are

1. Publix Cashier, and Baker...probably I'd like to try every job at Publix...something's weird there.
2. Work for a magazine/newspaper
   
3. own/run a cafe
4. there's probably more but that's all I can think of right now

There are places I've wanted to visit and have had faulty expectations about said travel so I am weary to think/dream on that one but there are still two on that list

1. Chico, California....where Josh's best friend /John-Thomas's godfather lives and it is also the place that brews Sierra Nevada Beer that Josh loves to drink.
2. Haiti....a mission trip that seriously has no vacation hidden agendas involved

Sheri had food on her list and while I am a big fan of food I had never thought about it that way and remembered Melanie Thurman's Spinach Lasagna. Melanie was my closest friend when I lived in Palm Bay and when I was pregnant with Elise she made this for me twice....I have tried several times to reproduce it...using her recipe but alas it has always flopped.

This morning talking with Josh about all these lists Josh added his other best friend, Brian in Tallahassee that he hasn't seen in a while, to the list and I agree.
But then again, the idea of weekend trip with just some girls does seem like a Fantastic idea. Gloria....didn't a road trip to see Jenette come into a conversation when we had lunch that day we were all together?

There is also the list of things that I want to learn, some things I've checked off are:
I've kinda learned to knit
Kinda learned to sew
Kinda learned to cook
Kinda learned to rock climb

1. Would like to kinda learn how to surf.
2. Play guitar or piano
   

Alright there it is...written out...should put clean/declutter my room somewhere on the list but then it would actually get done and what would I complain about then?

Tag, Your IT!

Melissa tagged me, so now it is my turn to post 6 inextroadinary things about me, myself and I.
Posted rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks you possess.
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

Since I am unbelievably unorgional I am following her lead on likes and dislikes.
1. Orbit is my favorite gum...right now I have a box of Maui Melon Mint and SweetMint in the cupboard...none in my purse though because of Elise. :0
2. 8 pm is not the earliest nor is it an unusual bedtime. If getting enough sleep helps keep the weight down I am shooting for skin and bones!
3. Josh calls me honey occasionally and now Elise does too but only in conversation with Josh.
"Where's honey at?"
4. Anything Italian warms my insides. pizza, lasagna, antipasto, tiramisu (from Publix)
5. I can't drive with artillery noises and so they are forbidden.
6. Though I enjoy a good blemish pick as much as the next girl, I don't think I am obsessed with it. So what gross thing do I do...ah, here's something gross you don't want to know...I pick my nose in the car.

There I said it, acknowledging you have a problem is the first step right?
Okay I am tagging:
Josh
Jenette
Gloria
Tavia
Gigi
Mom

Sale!

My grandmother used to say "It isn't a sale if you don't need it." I often repeat this mantra while shopping and try to think about what we have and if we can do without.
Josh and I ran up to K-Mart tonight while the kids were watching a video to check out their tent sale. Our very old second hand tent bit the dust two years ago, which was fine except we have already booked our camping site for Thanksgiving and a tent might be a good thing come November.
So, we get to K-Mart and look at the tent cabins and tent condo's and then way up on a top shelf is one lone tent marked almost half of what the exact same tent on the shelf was marked! EUREKA....Did we need it, YES! Well, maybe not like we need our "Daily Bread" or the 4 main food groups either for that matter but there it was $75 and it has room to sleep a small island nation or our family and Yohanna.
I also picked up a folding cot for $28.
Last year those cots went on sale but our K-Mart never got them in. I will shop at Target any day of the week compared to K-Mart but it is right around the corner from our house and it does have some deals. Check out is a pain in the neck and they don't always what you want in stock and it isn't aesthetically appealing in the least.
ANYWAY, Josh and I got home and immediately put it up and the boys are sleeping in it tonight (with a fan). I am so excited for them. Tomorrow I will have to take a picture. The one I posted is stolen and isn't exactly the same model. It's dark, people, and I don't think anything I took would show up.
Aren't you excited for us?
I can tell that you are, admit it.
You were so happy when you clicked on my blog and saw I had something besides Yikes, peaking out at you.
Ah, the silliness of it all.
Thanks for sharing in my excitement, you all are absolutely the best and I am so glad you stop by to read my ramblings!

Lucky Charms makes me fat

A couple weeks back Sams started selling extra large bags of Marshmallow Mateys (lucky Charms). A few bites of the kids cereal while I'm filling their bowls and few bites a couple hours later when I'm cleanin up the kitchen and putting away the cereal because the boys left it out and next thing you know my clothes are starting to get tight. I love snacking on CEREAL.

Fortunately, Josh has renewed his weight loss goals, and that has helped me shun those evil Lucky Charms. He starts his third contest at work next week. Here's hope'n that he'll bring momma home some moola!

Last night my walking plans were undermined and so I was thankful that at the end of the day when I was tired and didn't want to exercise I just had to press on for ten minutes of jump roping and my health chore for the day was done. It's all about checking things off lists...
Summer list:
Knit a kazillion scarves for Christmas presentsRead a chapter a day in a book, right now it is Hinds Feet in High Places, I am thinking of doing Pilgrims Progress next.
Get rid of stuff. Last night I went through the boy's clothes and shoes and 6 bags later I was done.
Unbeknownist to us, today while my mom was posting about her Wee Folk we were attempting to make our own AND we took a picture of it. Yohanna took the picture...Elise was sleeping. The fun never ends in Blogland does it?

Karma

This morning I offered to take Susan to the airport for her 8 a.m. flight. What was I thinking, I had to pick her up at 6:30. She overslept so I went down to Starbucks and picked us up some decaf coffees with soy. This is always the way Susan takes her coffee, but I hadn't tried it yet because Soy always costs more and really...soy...bleehk. But Josh got me a reloadable Starbucks card for my birthday and if you register it online you can get some free perks, like soy or caramel... Since I was getting the soy for Susan I tried it myself and was pleasantly surprised.

I had the radio on Air1 listening to Scott and Kelli. Scott used to DJ for the christian station we listened to in Palm Bay that was based out of Orlando. The kids and I really enjoyed him then and were excited to be able to hear him again. So I called him while driving home and told him. After that call I started wondering about Karma....you know...do something good for someone and it comes back to you....pay it forward....turn about... etc. Taking Susan to the airport, calling to say 'Way to Go" to the Dj, how biblical is it to think that good will come back to me? Ultimately I have eternal good coming to me but I think that is as far as that goes.

As I am turning onto my street I hear that Scott and Kelli will take the 4th caller to win something. All last week we tried calling the radio to win a Narnia prize pack and never got through so my expectations were low. I didn't even know what contest I was calling for or what I had to know...but I forgot this was Air1 and the questions are always absurdly easy...but I'm getting ahead of myself...I was the 4th caller! How fun. I won 4 cds and am entered in the drawing tonight to win tickets to Ichthus. Craziness! I was able to call Josh while I was on hold with the radio to tell him to listen and the kids all sat in the car until it came on. When they heard me they asked, "did you really say that?" Josh had it on at work and all his coworkers heard it too. How embarrassing. Oh well.

After lunch we are going to see Narnia with the Piersons and the Duncans. I got the candy stash for my purse ready.

So what do you think about Karma? I'm still not a believer but I'll take whatever blessings God sends my way.

Persuasion Again?

I finished Northanger Abbey tonight, Hurrah! My fourth book read for the year but hopefully not my last. In the Jane Austen quiz I was supposed to be most like Catherine but I hope not. She was nice enough but dramatic. I'm sure my mom would say I've had my moments but hopefully that has tempered off. My own copy of Persuasion has turned up on my book shelf so maybe I'll try to read that next.

Favorite childhood song

I have had a hard time trying to get into my playlist so I just made a new one. While I wanted to add the song by the Kiki Dee band called I've got the music in me it wasn't a good version. I went to youtube and found a funny video of three girls singing to it just the way my sisters and I did but it wasn't available to post so this American Idol video had to do. I love this song, on a good day this describes me very well. Not so much on one of those grumpy mom days. What song did you used to lipsynch to?

Blooming before the New Year

Accomplished

The boys and I wrote thank you notes

The boys vacuumed, straightened their shelves & changed sheets

Pulled the dryer out and cleaned around it and behind litter box/shoe bin

Pledged some furniture

3 loads of laundry



Still need to:

starch & iron white damask napkins that I whitened w/lemons

pull down mini-blinds to soak and clean them

put away Christmas stuff/sewing stuff in my room

call Elise's dentist



Don't know when to put away Christmas stuff.

Table Runner

Today another table runner was finished for a gift and before I started on the next one I wanted some inspiration, so I went to Google. Forget Google....now I search GoogleBlog! While I didn't find quite what I was looking for I did find instructions on how to make a rag quilt table runner. Like I need another project to work on but it does look fun. Wish I could post pictures of the runners I have finished but they're gifts for a select few...actually only one of the recipients reads my blog so I could post it so I guess it boils down to my laziness to take a good picture. Speaking of pictures...Last night I made a scrapbook on Snapfish for yet another gift....it was quicker than the traditional way but I was amazed that it still took me several hours. Today at homeschool sports one of the moms mentioned that she had been up until 2 am working on her gift albums but on Shutterfly. Glad it didn't take me that long, this girl needs all the beauty sleep I can get. Have you put together an album using an Internet site? Which one do you use, and do you use the autofil or do you labor away at it like the perfectionist I know you are?!