Living Life Moment By Moment

formspring.me

2010-02-24T13:23:00.001-05:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/labloverinsc

formspring.me

2010-02-22T15:02:00.001-05:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/labloverinsc

I'm a Sister-in-Law ...

2009-09-21T08:42:00.004-05:00

Last weekend, my baby brother finally tied the knot. I've gained an AWESOME sister-in-law! We are all thrilled to have Candice as a part of our family now. I'm so thankful that she loves my brother and has been so wonderful to and for my nephew. I could go on and on about how wonderful she is, but I'll end by saying that I wish them NOTHING but the best! Here's a little slideshow I made of some of my favorite pics from the wedding. ENJOY!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Long Weekends ROCK!!

2009-09-04T22:12:00.006-05:00

AGAIN, I've been terribly slack in blogging. Hopefully things will calm down soon & I'll get back to blogging regularly. My baby brother is getting married next weekend, so the past several months have been consumed with planning, coordinating, showers, etc. I'm so excited for him & his fiancee, Candice. He's getting an amazing wife & I'm getting an AWESOME sister-in-law. I can't wait for the big day. I know it will be just beautiful & so much fun.

I wasn't feeling too well when I left the office today. I already had a bad headache before I left (this is a daily thing for me), but by the time I got home, I could tell it was fast becoming a migraine. I ate some leftovers & then it hit me like a ton of bricks. So, I took my meds and went upstairs and laid down for about 2 hours. As of right now, the migraine is gone, and I hope it stays that way! I'm so glad it's a long weekend, in celebration of Labor Day. We're supposed to be going to the Apple Festival in Hendersonville, NC tomorrow. On Sunday, me & a bunch of girlfriends are going out to dinner at Olive Garden & then catching a Greenville Drive baseball game. I'm so excited to be hanging out with some of my besties! Monday, my holiday off of work, may very well consist of staying in my jammies and chilling. It's rare that I do that, but we'll see.

I haven't participated in any of the Friday memes in a long time, so I thought I'd play along this week.

Graphic courtesy of Tonya!

Click on the icon to play along

I feel _____. I feel a little nauseous thanks to the migraine I had earlier.
___________ is always fun. Spending time with friends is always fun.
Right now, I can hear these things: ___________. Right now, I can hear these things: the hum of the ceiling fan, they keys on the keyboard as I type this blog post, and the Golden Girls episode that I'm watching on TV.
___________ and I'm glad ___________. The migraine is gone and I'm glad I headed it off when I did.
The last time I ___________ was ___________. The last time I had a real vacation was a long time ago. [I desperately need one!]
___________ this Labor day weekend. Fun times with friends & family this Labor day weekend.
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include going to the Apple Festival in North Carolina and Sunday, I want to go to church and then I'm hanging out with some of my besties that evening.

Well, there you go ... a little Friday Fill-In to get the weekend started. I hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

God Is In Control

2009-06-30T11:38:00.012-05:00

I've been very slack in my blogging lately. I'll admit it's mostly because I spend more time using Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. But, I need to get back into blogging, because it truly is what I enjoy more than any of the others.

I've had A LOT on my mind lately, but have been struggling with how to get it all down on paper (on screen). Sometimes, as hard as this is to believe, I'm at a loss for words. This post will probably go in about a hundred different directions and may possibly get lengthy. I'm simply going to type as the thoughts come to my mind, so please bear with me.

As I mentioned above, I use Tumblr, which can be used as a blog, but I use it to post (mainly re-blogs) quotes, pictures, etc. that I love. Rarely do I post anything original (as in, my own) on there. There have been a few things on there lately that have just made me stop and REALLY think. There are really too many to post on here at one time, so I'll go with the ones that have most recently had me thinking the MOST.

"The only people you need in life are the ones that need you in theirs.”
- Unknown
MY THOUGHTS: It's hard for a people pleaser, like me, to come to terms with the fact that there are people in life who simply want to use & discard you, all the while never once entertaining the thought that you may just be what they need in their life. I've had to step back and look at things from a distance lately. That's not easy to do. It's not easy realizing that people who call themselves your "friend" really are anything but that. Even harder is removing yourself from the situation. I've had to do A LOT of 'weeding' in my relationships over the last couple of years. It's true what they say ... "You realize who your true friends are when you've lost everything and have nothing to offer." My Daddy always told me that by the time I was an adult, I would be able to count my TRUE friends on one hand. I used to scoff at him when he would make that statement. Unfortunately, he was so RIGHT! I don't say any of this to imply that I'm a perfect friend - I am NOT! I have made many mistakes & failed miserably many times. Thank God for forgiveness and restoration. None of us are perfect!

MY THOUGHTS: Seems simple enough, but … what if the ONLY option you’re ever given is to leave someone alone? The truth is, everyone wants to be loved. And, I'm not speaking of only romantic love. People want to feel loved by family, friends, etc. While I agree that the two options are really the only ones there are, if you're never given the chance to love someone, how are these options fair? There are many people in my life, in the past and currently, who I have tried to show love to. For whatever reason, they avoid me, shut me out, etc. I used to blame myself for these actions, but I've had to come to realize that A LOT of the time, people have been hurt so badly that the only choice they feel they have is to put up huge walls. I've also come to realize that I have huge walls built up around me. I've missed out on A LOT of opportunities for love, friendship, happiness, etc. because I've been too afraid to take a risk and let down my guard. It's taken me a long time to wrap my mind around the fact that God does not want me to live in fear. He wants me to give Him my life and trust in him completely. Since I've come to grips with that, my life has been so much happier. That's not to say that I don't have bad days - I do! It's not to say that I don't have worries - I do! But, when it's all said & done, God already has my life mapped out and He wants me to stop trying to control things & listen for His voice. With that said, don't put yourself in the confines of a box and give people only the option of 'leaving you alone.' You'll miss out on so much if you don't also give them the option of 'love me.' We must realize, however, that with this option comes the chance of being hurt. We must have faith in God & trust that He'll never give us more than we can handle. Life is full of hurts! We'll never know true happiness & contentment until we're willing to listen to & follow God's direction. So, take some risks! God's in CONTROL!

The past few years have been very difficult, but I know that God is using all of it for a purpose. He has a plan for my life and I'm so excited to see where He takes me. I will have to remind myself EVERY SINGLE DAY that I cannot stand in His way; that I need to seek His will, listen to His voice & follow His direction! Otherwise, I'll never be in the center of His will for my life! And, if I'm not in the center of His will, I'll never know true peace, contentment & happiness!

Thanks to all of you who have loved, supported & encouraged me. Most importantly, thanks to all of you who have lifted me up in prayer! I love & appreciate all of you more than you will ever know!

Tweet, Twit, Twitter, Twittering ... Whatever You Call It ... I'm ADDICTED

2009-06-24T11:39:00.006-05:00

I have recently upgraded my cell phone to a Palm Treo 700wx. It's FABULOUS! I swore I would never get sucked in to all the technology, but I am now addicted to Facebook, Twitter, etc. So, I've been on the search for great applications for my phone that are Windows Mobile friendly. I have found an AWESOME application for Twitter called Twikini. It's user friendly, customizable, fast & efficient. If you have a Windows Mobile based phone and are a Twitter addict like me, click HERE to check out Twikini. The screenshot below is the screen I use (it's called Summer), but they have many options to choose from.

If you tweet, feel free to request me as a friend by clicking HERE.

So Many Men ... Yet, So Far Away

2009-06-09T20:44:00.004-05:00

Well, hallelujah ... I have finally discovered what my problem is - I'm living in the WRONG place. I need to head out West or down to Florida. Then, maybe, just maybe ... :-)

(You can click on the image to enlarge it.)

Ultimate Wedding Dance

2009-05-09T11:47:00.002-05:00

I got this video in an email and it just makes me smile! This is the kind of love I would be thrilled to find and the ideal wedding reception . . . two people in love, having a BLAST!! It's EXACTLY what I want & hope, one day, to find.

Have a great weekend everyone! And, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you moms and moms-to-be!

Life Is Too Short

2009-05-05T11:57:00.005-05:00

This quote is a great reminder to me that life is too short to live in self-confinement. I need to take risks, quit worrying so much & live my life to the fullest. With Jesus in my life, it's DEFINITELY worth the ride and He will take care of me, irregardless of what happens. I CANNOT have the life God intended for me if I'm not willing to do whatever he asks me to do, no matter how scary it is! I need to step out on a limb, take some chances & let God handle the rest!

I hope that this quote will encourage you, as much as it has me.

“Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So love the people who treat you right.
Forget about those who don’t.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a chance, take it.
If it changes your life, let it.
Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised
it would most likely be worth it.”

Ten on Tuesday: 10 AWESOME BANDS

2009-05-05T11:05:00.009-05:00

I haven't participated in any memes in a long time. Today's Ten On Tuesday is music related, so how could I resist playing along? Here are 10 (though I could probably list 50 rather quickly) of my favorite bands (by band, I will assume any artist that involves more than 1 person):

Journey
The Beatles
Coldplay
The Fray
Rascal Flatts
Hillsong / Hillsong United
Casting Crowns
Nickelback
Fleetwood Mac
Goo Goo Dolls

What are your favorites? Feel free to play along. Be sure to comment and let me know so that I can check out your answers. Have a GREAT week!

Things That Make Me . . . Happy, Laugh, Smile, Etc.

2009-04-28T22:02:00.003-05:00

This is a list I’ve been compiling for quite some time & will probably be added to every now & then. I believe that we must stop & take the time to be thankful for the small things in life and this is a great way for me to do it. ENJOY!!

THINGS THAT MAKE ME . . . HAPPY, LAUGH, SMILE, ETC.
(Past, Present, etc.)

“American Graffiti” soundtrack
“American Idol”
“Annie”
“Bambie”
“Beaches”
“Cinderella”
“Cosby Show” marathons
“Criminal Minds”
“CSI”
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
“Fresh Prince of Bel Air” marathons
“Golden Girls” reruns
“Grease”
“Home Alone 2”
“Home Alone”
“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”
“Law & Order: SVU”
“Little Mermaid”
“Pretty Woman”
“Radio”
“Reba” reruns
“Riverdance” live
“Saturday Night Live” (the old ones . . . from the 80s and 90s)
“Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs”
“The Lion King”
“Top Gun”
“Will & Grace” reruns
“Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”
“Wizard of Oz”
1st Kiss
1st trip to New York
80s music
8th grade dance
A child's smile & laughter
A good book
A shuffling iPod
An old couple holding hands
Animal Planet
Art by Ansel Adams
Art by Georgia O’Keefe
Art by Jim Booth
Atlanta Braves baseball
Babies
Barnes & Noble
Bath & Body Works
Beach trips with Lyn, Cory & Heather
Being appreciated
Being on yearbook staff in high school & college
Bill Engvall
Billy’s laugh
Biltmore Estate
Black & white photos
Blimpie subs
Boston
Breakfast for supper
Broadway Shows
Bubble baths
Calendars (I’m all about planning)
Candles
Carriage rides in Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC
Chatting online with Shell
Childhood friends
Childrens’ books
Claire’s ‘voices’
Clemson Tigers football
CNN
Coffee punch
Coffee table books
Collection of ornaments (each one has a story)
Compliments
Cool breezes
Cory hitting a baseball over the fence when he was smaller than the bat
Cory playing the guitar
Country music
Court TV
Cute return address labels
Dalton's hugs & kisses
Decorating for Christmas with my mom
Downtown Greenville
Drafting a legal document “well” the first time
Early morning/late night walks on the beach
Elmo
Encouraging words from others
F.A.O. Schwartz in NYC
Facials
Fall
Falls Park
Family reunions in GA
Feeling understood
Finding a great deal
Finding money
Finished projects
Fireworks displays (especially the one at Stone Mountain)
First time roller skating
Fitting into an old outfit
Flat Rock/Hendersonville, NC
Flowers – gerbera daisies, orchids & lilies, specifically
Flute
Fox News
Fresh sheets
Furman lake
Fuzzy bedroom shoes
Game Night with friends
Getting my first job
Giraffes
Girls' Night Out
Going for a walk
Going to the aquarium
Going to the movies
Going to the zoo
Greenville Drive baseball
Guitar
Haircuts
Hallmark (after all, I’m the “card lady”)
Handmade cards
Having a clean house
Having loving & supportive people in my life
Head massage
Heather dancing, cheering & singing
Heather talking about her "baby shoot" (aka "bathing suit") when she was little
Holding hands with someone special
Homemade ice cream
Honesty of children
Hot apple cider
Hugs
Hummingbirds
IKEA
Inside jokes & secrets with Crystal
Italian food
Japanese food
Jeff Foxworthy
Joel's impersonations & reenactments
Journaling/blogging
Kentucky Derby
Knowing that God has a special plan for my life
Knowing that God is in control of my life (and I’m not)
Knowing that I have more than 1 person that I can count on
Knowing that I will see my loved ones again in Heaven
Laughing until it hurts
Lifetime TV
Light bulb moments
Lighthouses
Listening to the rain
Live music
Local bands
Long, winding roads in the middle of nowhere
Losing weight when I'm not trying
Love from Daisy (Mel & Claire’s dog)
Magazines
Magnets
Making handmade Christmas ornaments
Making people laugh
Manicures
Mark Lowry
Martin Lawrence
Massages
Matthew McConaughey
Memories of dances with Jerry
Memories of Liberty
Memories of Lizzy
Mexican food
Mission Trips
Mom’s “obsession” with the Weather Channel
Mom's lasagna
Monkeys/chimpanzees
Mountain trips with the girls
Movie nights with Bridget (Reggie)
MSNBC
Music - basically anything (with a few minor exceptions)
My brother’s upcoming wedding to a great girl (Candice)
My brother's sense of humor
My church family @ Marathon Greenville
My circle of friends
My daddy's last words to me
My Life Group girls
My PaPa (my grandfather Gulley) taking me every day to Sky City or KMart to ride the horsey
My upcoming graduation (finally) from college
Ocean breezes
Old photos
Passing Anatomy after A LOT of hard work
Pedicures
Penguins
Pens
People-watching
Piano
Picnics
Planning a trip
Playing Chickenfoot with Mom, Daddy & my brother
Playing Phase 10 w/ the girls
Praise & Worship music
Precious (my brother & his fiance’s dog)
Publix birthday cakes (chocolate with whipped frosting)
Putt-putt
Quotations
Rainbows
Reading devotions and Bible verses that always fit with what’s going on in my life (God’s funny that way )
Reality TV
Receiving flowers (especially if they're my favorite)
Receiving mail that doesn’t involve bills and/or junk mail
Reconnecting with old friends on Facebook
Rock & Roll music
Samples/Freebies
Santa’s White Christmas coffee (from Barnies)
Scavenger hunts
Searching for seashells
Sending & receiving Christmas cards
Sending cards
Shirley Temple movies
Shopping with Mom
Silence
Singing in the shower or car
Sitting by a roaring fire on a cold winter night
Sleeping in
Snow
Sonic Happy Hour
Starbucks
Staying up all night - sharing & laughing
Studying at the Milliken campus in college
Sudoku puzzles
Sunrises
Sunsets
Swinging at the park
Taking Dalton to see his first movie
Taking pictures
Temptations music
The beauty of the mountains
The first time I met Dalton
The last trip our family took together
The stories my daddy always told about his childhood
The trials in my life . . . because they have made me a better person
The way it smells after it rains
Tigger
Times spent with Mama (my grandmother Gulley)
TLC
To-Do Lists that are complete
Toile
Towels just out of the dryer on a cold morning
Traditions
Trips over "the mountain" with my brother
Tumbling (on Tumblr)
Twitter/Tweeting
Unconditional love of a pet
Unexpected "thinking of you" gestures
Van Morrison music
Violin
Volunteer work
Waffle House at 3am (in my younger days)
Watching Dalton play
What it feels like to get a 4.0 GPA for the 1st time
Windchimes
Wrapping Christmas gifts
Youth group memories

A Music Nerd, Like Me

2009-04-21T22:07:00.010-05:00

I've seen this video floating around lately and decided to check it out. "Love Story" by Taylor Swift and "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay are two of my favorite songs and this guy (Jon Schmidt) is performing an AWESOME version combining the two. Check it out. For a music nerd, like me . . . it's AMAZING!

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T22:42:00.006-05:00

Happy Easter to everyone! Below is one of my latest favorites that is very appropriate for this special day. I hope you will listen the the words and that it will give you hope & encouragement.

Rockin' Tunes

2009-03-15T11:35:00.002-05:00

My current favorite album is Kelly Clarkson's All I Ever Wanted. I've liked her since her days on American Idol. Her first two albums were great. Her last one was a little questionable for me, but this latest album may, in my opinion, be her best one yet. She performed on Saturday Night Live last night and did an awesome job. I LOVE that she's real - mainly that she's not a size 2 and doesn't apologize for it. And, she's a powerhouse singer, for sure. Here are some clips from her performances on SNL.

A Few of (Her) Favorite Things

2009-03-06T11:10:00.002-05:00

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I love a good swap. The latest swap I participated in was the Mamarazzis Favorite Things Swap hosted by HolleeAnn over at Our Dandelion Wishes. My partner was Lisa over at Growing up Mo' and I'll say this . . . HolleeAnn sure knows how to pair up swap partners. Lisa & I have A LOT in common . . . reading, scrapbooking, the love of food, and of course, our love/hate relationship with "The Bachelor." I've really enjoyed getting to know her.

I received my package yesterday and let me just tell you . . . it was like Christmas morning when I was a child. I had so much fun opening up everything. I wish I had done a better job on her package. Normally, in these swaps, I take the time to wrap up everything and attach cute little explanations of the gifts, but it's been a rough week and I just didn't take the time to do it with her package. So, Lisa . . . I'm sorry!! I hope the gifts will make up for the lack of craftiness this go-round. Hopefully, I'll redeem myself in the next swap.

So, on to the important stuff . . . the pictures . . .

Everything wrapped up nicely in all of my favorite colors

This was the sweet card she enclosed

Package #1 - - - the attached tag read "Two of my favorite reads . . . a little gossip, a little food."

Package #2 - - - the attached tag read "More favorites . . . coffee, my candy of choice, and popcorn salt. This is my daily diet - just kidding!"

Package #3 - - - the attached tag read "I think this bag is super-cute, don't you? Peek inside, there are some scrapbooking goodies!"

Here's a picture of all of my loot!

Thanks again, Lisa for EVERYTHING!!!!

Ministry: Shaped to Serve

2009-03-03T16:35:00.002-05:00

I receive a daily devotional from Purpose Driven Life and I really enjoyed this one and wanted to share it.

Ministry: Shaped to Serve

2009/03/03

God formed every creature on this planet with a special area of expertise. Some animals run, some hop, some swim, some burrow, and some fly. Each has a particular role to play based on the way they were shaped by God. The same is true with humans. Each of us is uniquely designed, or "shaped," to do certain things.

Before architects design any new building they first ask, "What will be its purpose? How will it be used?" The intended function always determines the form of the building.

Before God created you, he decided what role he wanted you to play on earth. He planned exactly how he wanted you to serve him, and then he shaped you for those tasks. You are the way you are because you were made for a specific ministry.

The Bible says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). Our English word "poem" comes from this Greek word translated "workmanship." You're God's handcrafted work of art. You're not an assembly-line product, mass-produced without thought. You're a custom designed, one-of-a-kind, original masterpiece.

God deliberately shaped and formed you to serve him in a way that makes your ministry unique. He carefully mixed the DNA recipe that created you. David praised God for this incredible personal attention to detail God gave in designing each of us: "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous" (Psalm 139:13-14 NLT).

Not only did God shape you before your birth, he planned every day of your life to support his shaping process. David continues, "Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" (Psalm 139:16 NLT).

This means nothing that happens in your life is insignificant. God uses all of it to mold you for your ministry to others and shape you for your service to him.

God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory. By identifying and understanding these factors you can discover God's will for your life.

The Bible says you are "wonderfully complex." You're a combination of many different factors: "The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises" (Isaiah 43:21 NJB).

The Great Snow of 2009

2009-03-01T23:59:00.002-05:00

Being in the South, we can experience 4 seasons in one week . . . NO KIDDING!! We have had forecasts all season for snow, but to our disappointment, we never received any. We started hearing forecasts for snow today and my first thought was "Yeah, right!! That's NOT gonna happen." Well, I was WRONG!!

I got up this morning and headed to church in the pouring down rain. It has rained ALL weekend. During the service, you could tell that there was something different about the rain . . . it had ice/sleet in it. I had to keep nursery during 2nd service and then I went out to lunch with a bunch of girls afterwards. As I was heading home, the rain turned to nothing but ice/sleet. I got home around 3:00. An hour or so later, the ice/sleet was nothing but snow . . . HEAVY snow and HUGE snowflakes! By the time night had fallen, we had several inches of snow. I would guesstimate that we have around 4-5 inches, which for us is a BIG DEAL! All of the counties around us have called off school for tomorrow. A LOT of businesses have announced that they are closed. The roads are, for sure, a HUGE mess. I attempted to move my car from the road to the driveway & couldn't even accomplish that. Nothing but slipping & sliding. I have NO intentions of attempting to go to work tomorrow. My boss isn't supposed to be in the office tomorrow anyway, so unless someone comes to get me, I will be staying at home.

The "feeling trapped" mode has set in now & I'm bored out of my skull. I'm wide awake, which is nothing new. So, I'll just do some internet surfing, watch a little TV, etc. until I can fall asleep. Then, tomorrow . . . I'm going to try to get some projects accomplished while I have the chance. I need to clean out my bedroom closet and also do some furniture rearranging in my bedroom. I guess those two things will turn into an all-day event. But, it's okay because what else is there to do?!

Here are some pictures of the "great snow of 2009" (I'm still amazed that we got a big snow on March 1st . . . MARCH 1st):

So, any of you have winter weather over the weekend?

Have a great week everyone!

Sweet Lizzy

2009-02-25T16:12:00.004-05:00

Today, I had to say goodbye to my furry sister, Lizzy. She was diagnosed with cancer in November and it took her precious life this morning. Below is a picture I snapped of her at the Vet's office. It's not the best picture because I took it with my cellphone.

Rest in Peace, sweet Lizzy!

You were a wonderful companion & friend for almost 12 years.

I love you & will miss you always!

Lizzy (a/k/a Lizzy Mae)

March 23, 1997 - February 25, 2009

This has been a very sad day and I'm sure it will continue to be for a good long while. I would appreciate your prayers!

Love,

Australian Wildfires

2009-02-10T11:52:00.003-05:00

I saw this picture this morning and just thought it was precious. It's a terrible situation in Australia and what makes it even worse is that they believe the fires were intentionally set. My thoughts & prayers go out to all of our Australian friends.

(AP Photo/Mark Pardew)

New Hairstyle

2009-02-05T21:35:00.002-05:00

I'm about 6 months overdue for a haircut, which translates into . . . MY HAIR IS OUT-OF-CONTROL!!! I have a wonderful stylist and trust her completely, but I always like to have some idea of what I want when I go see her. Here are some of the ones I'm considering:

#1 - - - Swoosie Kurtz

#2 - - - Brittany Daniel

#3 - - - Katie Holmes

#4 - - - Frances Fisher

#5 - - - Ellen Degeneres

#6 - - - Lisa Rinna

#7 - - - Mariska Hargitay

#8 - - - Josie Bissett

Help a Sister out & vote below:

Thanks bunches!

Miss Harper

2009-02-04T22:45:00.002-05:00

Is this not the most precious little girl you've ever seen? This is Harper Brown Stamps, daughter of Kelly & Scott Stamps. Twenty days ago, this precious baby wasn't expected to live. Now, after the prayers of thousands upon thousands of people and God's mercy & grace, this precious little miracle is going home tomorrow. Head over to Kelly's blog for the details. PRAISE THE LORD for this miracle child!

Favorite Things Swap

2009-02-02T22:32:00.001-05:00

I love participating in swaps and have participated in quite a few over the last couple of years. I've made some really good 'blog friends' by participating and have gotten some wonderful gifts! I am participating in Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap!!! You should head over, check out the requirements/specifics and sign up for this fun swap. The RSVP deadline is February 13th, so hurry on over by clicking on the button below.

Stressed Out??

2009-02-02T14:14:00.002-05:00

I get a weekly newsletter from Reader's Digest (I have no idea why), but I usually enjoy reading everything in it. Today, I received the newsletter and it had this great list of 79 Instant Stress Busters that I thought I would share with everyone.

Here’s the article in its’ entirey:

Stressed-Out Nation

We’re a stressed-out nation: We work too much, sleep too little, skimp on exercise, eat the wrong foods. And if the nail biting and teeth grinding aren’t bad enough, just look at what stress does to you on the inside: Blood pressure revs up and immune system function slows down, leading to any number of health problems, not to mention the six top causes of death like heart disease and cancer. Relax! Here are 79 quick tips and tricks to use anytime you need to chill out – before the big meeting, after that argument with your spouse, as you’re racing through your daily to-do list. Try these, and you’ll feel just fine.

Quick Stat #1: Be aware of the top 10 stressors: sick family member, money, your own health, children, work, personal safety, state of the world, terrorism or natural disasters, intimate relationships, discrimination based on race or ethnicity.

Quick Stat #2: Consider this -- Nearly half of all Americans are concerned about the level of stress in their lives. Source: American Psychological Association 2006 Stress Survey.

Quick Stat #3: You’re not alone: 30% of workers claim they are working longer hours compared with this time last year, with 32% saying that they are experiencing more on-the-job stress (Source: Adeco North America).

From rd.com - January 2008

Roll up your area rugs and walk around the house barefoot, like you’re on a beach house vacation.
Crawl between soothing sheets, freshly washed with scented detergent or linen rinse, such as Tide Simple Pleasures lavender and vanilla.
Pop some bubble wrap. Can’t find the real thing? Go to virtual-bubblewrap.com.
Quickie yoga: Standing, bend and place palms on your thighs. With chin parallel to the floor, breathe in and arch your chest forward; breathe out and arch it up like a cat.
Blow up a balloon in slow, three-second puffs.
Stare at the blue sky (a calming color) and watch the clouds float by.
Watch a two-minute replay of The Office at nbc.com/theoffice.
Mini-massage: Lie on your back and position a tennis ball under the tense points—your lower back, between your shoulder blades, etc. Roll gently up and down and side to side.
Soak a hand towel and microwave for two minutes until steamy. Place on back of neck, on face or computer-achy hands.
Power off your computer so the screen goes blank and that ever-present buzz stops. Think of a fantasy place—the beach, the mountains, playing at home with your kids—for five minutes before rebooting.
Visit rd.com for the cartoon of the day.
Pick up a bouquet of purple lisianthus and light blue or green hydrangea, which have a calming effect. Place in a glass bowl so you can see the water, and keep it on your desk.
Take a punch at the Desktop Speed Bag from Everlast (amazon.com) and pummel away stress as needed.
Stare at a picture of Monet’s Water Lilies.
Dab lavender body oil on your wrist and sniff a few times.
Squirt StressLess mouth spray, packed with passionflower and cinchona, under your tongue three times a day (sprayology.com).
Drink green tea—packed with theanine, which increases the brain’s output of relaxation-inducing alpha waves and reduces the output of tension-making beta waves.
DIY reflexology: Tap the tips of your fingers together to clear your head. Or, hold one finger at a time between your other thumb and finger and roll the finger like a pencil. Believe it or not, this is thought to relax neck muscles and improve circulation.
Play a free version of Bejeweled 2 or Bookworm on popcap.com. Designed by a stress doctor, these games require concentration and focus without violence or adrenaline.
Touch a talisman or object that has meaning to you—your grandmother’s crucifix, a shell you found on the beach as a child, a cherished stuffed animal—and let pleasant memories seep in.
Quickie yoga: Sitting down, as you inhale, touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Exhale, relaxing your tongue. Repeat.
Drink a glass of cold water, then go for a walk outside. The water gets your blood moving and the air invigorates by stimulating the endorphins that distress you.
Break your focus—stir your coffee backward, close your eyes and hum a song, drink your soda in exactly 24 sips.
Log on to theonion.com for hilarious fake newspaper stories.
Take a steamy shower with a luxurious gel such as Aveeno Stress Relief Body Wash with lavender, chamomile and ylang-ylang.
Mini massage: Starting on the bone directly behind your earlobe, apply gentle pressure with your thumb and forefinger and follow to the top of your ear, two or three times. Then rub briskly.
Order black tea instead of coffee. A study by University College London shows that drinking black tea four times a day for six weeks lowered the stress hormone cortisol after a stressful event.
Place a heating pad or pack such as ThermaCare HeatWrap underneath clothing on your tight shoulders or lower back.
Squeeze a stress ball for two seconds, then release. Once your muscles begin to relax, the tension will slowly go away.
Hold your loved one’s hand. Brain scans show the contact provides immediate relief from stress.
Quickie yoga: Sit up straight, and let your arms drop limp at your sides. Inhale, and on the exhale lean forward and rest your chest on your thighs. Slowly come up and inhale.
Light a lavender candle and inhale the fragrance in three long, slow breaths through your nose. Let the air out slowly through your lips, only strong enough to make the flame flicker.
Hold a sleeping baby.
Moisten a lavender and chamomile eye tea bag and place over strained eyes.
Race your dog around the backyard.
Keep a desk toy, such as the executive Slinky, handy for a few seconds of that hypnotic hand-to-hand “schling, schling” sound effect.
Quickie yoga: While reading e-mail, breathe slowly and focus your attention on your breath. Make the out-breath two times longer than the in-breath.
Slather on Johnson’s Melt Away Stress body lotion, which in studies reduced tension and anxiety by 50 percent.
Quickie yoga: When seated or standing, pull your shoulders back and down—good posture and alignment brings oxygen directly to your brain to help you think more clearly.
Rub the palms of your hands together vigorously to create heat. Quickly place hands over each closed eye and relax for a full minute.
Play a song by Norah Jones. A recent study found that people who listened to slow-paced tunes had lower heart rate and blood pressure than those who listened to faster songs.
Take a walk in a natural setting—a park, field, the woods.
Forgive someone.
Cross your bare foot over your opposite leg, and place one thumb at the base of the pinkie where the soft sole meets the ball. Bend toes forward and back with the other hand as your thumb massages up toward the big toe, in this diaphragm-relaxing move.
Repeat three times: “I’m doing the best I can,” and accept that you can’t control the current situation.
When the phone rings, wait to answer until the third or fourth ring. Breathe deeply a few times and tell yourself to relax.
Rub warm sesame oil (found in health food stores, not the cooking aisle) on your forehead. Sesame, a calming salve, is the only oil that penetrates all seven layers of the skin.
Write down every possible solution to the problem you are facing. Then let it go. Then write down everything you are thankful for.
Keep a running list of compliments and kudos on your computer or in your journal. Read the list when you’re frazzled and down.
Quickie yoga: Standing up straight, put the ball of one foot on top of the other. As you breathe in, bring arms up over your head and touch palm to palm. Bring hands down on the exhale and repeat on the other side.
Do a free relaxation exercise at stressremedy.com.
Pat a kitten.
Say a prayer.
DIY reflexology: Tug your earlobe with your thumb and forefinger. Gently pull and let your fingers slide off the ear.
Plug in a jasmine-scented air freshener (such as Glade Plug-In). Research subjects who slept in a jasmine-scented room snoozed better and were more alert the next day than those who didn’t.
Take a walk and think about five things you are thankful for. Research shows it’s physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time.
Visit topfive.com for a funny top five list every day.
Think of someone you love and read your favorite romantic poem aloud.
When you encounter a discourteous driver, try to shift focus to all the good drivers around you. Just five minutes of positive focus raises immune system function for six hours, while focusing on those you resent has the opposite effect.
Spray peppermint Motor Mist Spritz in your car. Peppermint, studies show, decreases anxiety and fatigue while driving, easing frustration behind the wheel.
Quickie yoga in the car: Before you start the ignition, lay arms palms up in your lap, take a deep breath through your nose. As you exhale, stick your tongue out and try to touch the tip of your chin. Then, your eyes looking up between your brows, bring your hands up as if you were going to pounce and roar as loudly as you can.
Remember being soothed to sleep by a bedtime story? Pop in an audiobook narrated by Barbara Caruso, one of AudioFile magazine’s Golden Voices. Her newest: The Teahouse Fire by Ellis Avery.
Chew cinnamon gum, which gave study subjects more energy and alertness, cutting down on stress.
Go to Lime.com. Enter the “room” of your choice—winter room, floral room, forest room, water room or Zen room—launch it and watch a calming nature image slowly appear on your screen, mesmerizing you as it disintegrates and reforms into a new scene every 10 seconds.
Melaniegriffith.com’s meditation room lets you pick a mantra for one of six different topics, including health, relationships and spirituality, which you repeat while watching a video of nature close-ups.
Gracecathedral.org has an online “finger” version of the Labyrinth, an ancient maze on which you can walk as you reflect and meditate.
Onegoddessway.com gives you a choice of several soothing nature scenes with audio, including a tranquil waterfall and fire in a hearth.
Drink a glass of milk. It contains tryptophane, which as it is metabolized is converted to mood-boosting serotonin. Plus, its calcium, magnesium and potassium content may help keep blood pressure down.
Eat broccoli and low-fat ranch dip. Broccoli has folic acid, which aids stress reduction.
Enjoy sorbet with a vanilla sugar wafer. Sugary foods decrease levels of anxiety-producing hormones, specifically through the production of glucocorticoid, a stress hormone linked to storing more fat in the belly. Just a little sugar on the tongue is enough to produce a feel-good effect, so don’t overdo it!
Have a whole grain English muffin with jam or honey. Complex carbohydrate-rich foods raise serotonin levels, boosting your mood and helping you relax.
Snack on a handful of nuts. They’re packed with magnesium, which seems to help keep cortisol levels low. Nuts are high in calories, so if you’re watching your weight, make sure not to eat more than a dozen a day.
Savor some salmon. Omega-3 fatty acids help brain cells to function more collaboratively, helping you to deal with stress more effectively.
Indulge in some dark chocolate. By far the most potent endorphin-producing food on earth, chocolate contains more than 300 different compounds, including anandamide, a chemical that mimics marijuana’s effects on the brain, and theobromine, a mild stimulant. Look for imported dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70% or more.
Drink hot cocoa. Warm drinks raise your body temperature—a feeling we associate with comfort, so it triggers a similar response in our brains.
IN-Fused Chocolate. Handcrafted from imported dark organic Dutch chocolate, this bar has 150 mg of L-theanine, as well as aromatic oils such as lavender and chamomile (Intelligent Nutrients).
Top stress-relieving aromatherapy scents to keep around the house: orange, grapefruit, lemon rosemary, peppermint, rose, sweet marjoram, lavender, chamomile, ylang-ylang.
Stress-reduction tip from ER doctor John Rogers, MD, Bolingbroke, Georgia: “For a while I wore a little gold halo-shaped pin on my sleeve. It would remind me to ‘be an angel,’ to stay focused on keeping peace inside me and be compassionate toward others regardless of all the stresses that surrounded me.”
A tip from air traffic controller Mike Clark, Newark, New Jersey: “I call my girlfriend, parents or friends. Just hearing their voice is a great escape and helps me to decompress.”

Randomness

2009-02-01T22:42:00.002-05:00

I saw this over at Blue-Eyed Bride's blog and thought I'd play along.

Step 1: Respond and rework – answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.

Step 2: Tag eight other un-tagged people.

What were you doing and who were you with at 9:59pm on Friday night? I was with Mom and trying to help her get upstairs to bed. She sobbed all the way up & it just frustrated me that I couldn’t do anything to help. She pulled a muscle in her back really bad and has been in excruciating pain. Today is the 1^st day she’s been able to do much of anything.
What's the last thing you read/are currently reading? I just started ‘Marley & Me.’
Do you nap a lot? No. I CANNOT take naps in the middle of the day. I used to be able to, but not anymore. They ruin me!
Who was the last person you hugged? My brother’s fiancée, Candice.
What's your current obsession/addiction? Facebook and sudoku puzzles.
What was the last thing you said out loud? “If you don’t feel up to going to work tomorrow, don’t go.”
What websites do you always visit when you go online? Facebook, Bloglines, AOL, Twitter, local news sites, my work email.
What was the last item you bought? Groceries (fun, fun, fun!).
What is your most challenging goal? Getting into a better place financially. But, I know it can be done.
If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished – anywhere in the world, where would it be? Charleston, SC or the NC mountains.
Favorite Vacation spot? Charleston, SC and the NC mountains.
In your opinion, what is the most important quality/characteristic that a person can have? Honesty and loyalty.
Name one thing you just can't resist no matter how bad it is for you. Ice cream.
What is your favorite item of clothing? Honestly? My jammies!
Favorite pair of shoes you keep going back to over and over, even though your closet is over flowing with a zillion others? Well, for starters, my closet is overflowing with shoes. I’m just not a shoe person (GASP!?). My favorite shoes are my brown penny loafers.
Name one thing you cannot live without. Friends and family.
Has a celebrity's haircut ever influence you on your own hairstyle? Yes. When I want a change, I search for hairstyle pics and I print out some of my favorites and take them to my stylist. Some of the celebrity influences in the past have been Meg Ryan and Reba McEntire.
What is your favorite room in your house? My bedroom because it’s the one place I can go to & just relax.

I'm not tagging anyone. If you want to play along, feel free to do so & be sure to leave me a comment if you do.

1001 Movies To See Before You Die (according to Blockbuster) - - - Part V (the FINAL part)

2009-02-01T20:13:00.001-05:00

Here is Part V (and the FINAL part) of this post:

Here is the list from the years 1995 – present:

Three Colors Trilogy
Million Dollar Baby
Fahrenheit 9/11
The Passion of The Christ
Collateral
The Aviator
Oldboy
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Dracula, Pages From a Virgin's Diary
Good Bye Lenin!
Bowling For Columbine
Hero
Talk to Her
Far from Heaven
Ararat
Russian Ark
City of God
The Pianist
Adaptation
Gangs of New York
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Royal Tenenbaums
Nine Queens
Monsoon Wedding
Spirited Away
Y Tu Mamá También
Lantana
Kandahar
The Piano Teacher
No Man's Land
Mulholland Dr.
Amélie
Moulin Rouge [This is one of my all-time favorites!]
The Son's Room
Italian for Beginners
Fat Girl
Brotherhood of the Wolf
The Others
Little Otik
Murderous Maids
Memento
Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets
Meet The Parents
The Foul King
Yi Yi
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Kippur
In The Mood For Love
The Gleaners and I
Amores Perros
Dancer in the Dark
The Road Home
Requiem for a Dream
Gladiator
American Psycho
Traffic
The Blair Witch Project
The Matrix
All About My Mother
The Sixth Sense
American Beauty
Fight Club
Three Kings
Being John Malkovich
The Insider
The Wind Will Carry Us
Magnolia
Beau Travail
Shiri
Pi
Buffalo '66
The Celebration
Happiness
There's Something About Mary
Ringu
Run Lola Run
Rushmore
The Red Violin
The Thin Red Line
Saving Private Ryan
The Butcher Boy
L.A. Confidential
The Ice Storm
Happy Together
Funny Games
The Sweet Hereafter
Princess Mononoke
Deconstructing Harry
Boogie Nights
Titanic
Life Is Beautiful
Open Your Eyes
The Taste of Cherry
Shine
Fargo
Trainspotting
Secrets and Lies
Ghost in the Shell
The English Patient
Independence Day
Breaking the Waves
Trees Lounge
Gabbeh
Scream
Lone Star
Toy Story
Zero Kelvin
Safe
Smoke
Braveheart
Dead Man
Underground
Babe
Clueless
Antonia's Line
Casino
Heat
Leaving Las Vegas
Welcome to the Dollhouse
Seven
Cry, the Beloved Country
The Usual Suspects
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Clerks
Forrest Gump
Pulp Fiction
Natural Born Killers
Hoop Dreams
The Last Seduction
The Shawshank Redemption [This is one of my all-time favorites!]
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Sátántangó
Chungking Express
Heavenly Creatures
Lamerica
Crumb
The Kingdom
Once Were Warriors
Muriel's Wedding
The Lion King [This is one of my all-time favorites!]

So, now that the lists are complete, I guess I better get to watching some movies. I don’t think I’ve even seen ¼ of these movies. And, I’m a HUGE movie fan!

1001 Movies To See Before You Die (according to Blockbuster) - - - Part IV

2009-02-01T19:44:00.001-05:00

Here is Part IV of this post:

Here is the list from the years 1980 – 1994:

Krzysztof Kieslowski's The Decalogue
Back to the Future: The Complete Trilogy
Manon of the Spring/Jean de Florette
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Three Colors Trilogy
Ghostbusters / Ghostbusters 2
Cinema Paradiso: The New Version
Trust
Sink or Swim
Lamerica
The Lion King
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Heavenly Creatures
Chungking Express
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
The Shawshank Redemption
Crumb
Once Were Warriors
Muriel's Wedding
Clerks
The Last Seduction
Forrest Gump [This is one of my all-time favorites!]
Hoop Dreams
Natural Born Killers
Pulp Fiction
The Wedding Banquet
Farewell, My Concubine
Short Cuts
The Piano
Schindler's List
Philadelphia
The Blue Kite
Jurassic Park
Groundhog Day
Unforgiven
Strictly Ballroom
Reservoir Dogs
Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer
The Player
Glengarry Glen Ross
Indochine
Belle Epoque
The Crying Game
Raise the Red Lantern
The Silence of the Lambs
Slacker
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Thelma & Louise
La Belle Noiseuse
Boyz 'N the Hood
Danzon
Delicatessen
The Double Life of Veronique
Europa, Europa
JFK
Man Bites Dog
My Own Private Idaho
Naked Lunch
Close-Up
Reversal of Fortune
Total Recall
The Unbelievable Truth
La Femme Nikita
Pretty Woman [This is one of my all-time favorites!]
Edward Scissorhands
GoodFellas
Jacob's Ladder
Ju Dou
King of New York
Dances with Wolves
Drugstore Cowboy
Batman
The Killer
Roger & Me
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Say Anything...
My Left Foot
Tongues Untied
Ariel
When Harry Met Sally [This is one of my all-time favorites!]
Glory
Tetsuo: The Iron Man
Do the Right Thing
sex, lies, and videotape
Big
Akira
My Neighbor Totoro
The Naked Gun
The Vanishing
Rain Man [This is one of my all-time favorites!]
Bull Durham
Grave of the Fireflies
Dangerous Liaisons
Die Hard
Story of Women
The Thin Blue Line
Good Morning, Vietnam
Full Metal Jacket
Fatal Attraction
A Chinese Ghost Story
Broadcast News
Babette's Feast
Withnail & I
Wings of Desire
The Untouchables
Raising Arizona
The Princess Bride
Moonstruck
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
Manhunter
Platoon
Sherman's March
A Room With a View
Salvador
Stand by Me
Top Gun [This is one of my all-time favorites!]
Aliens
Blue Velvet
Children of a Lesser God
The Decline of the American Empire
Down by Law
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The Fly
Hannah and Her Sisters
Kiss of the Spider Woman
The Breakfast Club
Brazil
Always
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters
When Father Was Away on Business
Vagabond
Shoah
Ran
The Color Purple
Out of Africa
Prizzi's Honor
The Quiet Earth
Amadeus
This Is Spinal Tap
The Terminator
A Passage to India
The Killing Fields
Once Upon a Time in America
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Beverly Hills Cop
Stranger Than Paradise
The Fourth Man
The Evil Dead
The King of Comedy
Paris, Texas
Return of the Jedi
The Right Stuff
Scarface
Terms of Endearment
A Christmas Story
El Norte
The Big Chill
Fitzcarraldo
Tootsie
The Thing
Sophie's Choice
Poltergeist
The Night of the Shooting Stars
Gandhi
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Fanny & Alexander
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial [This is one of my all-time favorites!]
Diner
Blade Runner
Raiders of the Lost Ark
An American Werewolf in London
Annie [This is one of my all-time favorites!]
Lion of the Desert
Gallipoli
Stripes
Body Heat
Chariots of Fire
Das Boot
Absence of Malice
Airplane!
Atlantic City
The Big Red One
Ordinary People
Stir Crazy
The Elephant Man
The Shining
The Empire Strikes Back
Raging Bull

I'll post the rest of the list later on.

1001 Movies To See Before You Die (according to Blockbuster) - - - Part III

2009-02-01T14:10:00.001-05:00

Here is Part III of this post:

Here is the list from the years 1960 - 1979:

Ingmar Bergman Collection [Special Edition]
Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie]
Rocky Horror Picture Show [25th Anniversary Edition] / Shock Treatment
Eclipse Series: Wings/The Ascent
Killer of Sheep [Special Edition]
Fassbinder: The BRD Trilogy - The Marriage of Maria Braun/Veronika Voss/Lola Breaking Away
Being There
Apocalypse Now
Alien
All That Jazz
Nosferatu the Vampyre
The Life of Brian
The Tin Drum
Real Life
My Brilliant Career
The Muppet Movie
Manhattan
Mad Max
Kramer vs. Kramer
The Jerk
Soldier of Orange
Grease
Halloween
Up in Smoke
The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith
The Deer Hunter
Days of Heaven
Dawn of the Dead
The Last Wave
Annie Hall
The American Friend
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Saturday Night Fever
Stroszek
Star Wars
Eraserhead
Suspiria
1900
All the President's Men
Black and White in Color
Carrie
The Man Who Fell to Earth
Man of Marble
Network
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Rocky
Taxi Driver
Barry Lyndon
Dersu Uzala
Dog Day Afternoon
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Jaws
Nashville
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Fox and His Friends
Young Frankenstein
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul
Amarcord
Toute une Vie
Blazing Saddles
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
Chinatown
The Conversation
The Godfather Part II
The Mirror
Swept Away... By an Unusual Destiny in the Blue Sea of August
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The Wicker Man
The Long Goodbye
Turkish Delight
Serpico
The Fantastic Planet
The Exorcist
Enter the Dragon
Don't Look Now
The Sting
Sleeper
Badlands
American Graffiti
F for Fake
Papillon
Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
Mean Streets
Day for Night
High Plains Drifter
The Spirit of the Beehive
Sleuth
Frenzy
Solaris
Superfly
The Godfather
Cabaret
Avanti!
The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant
Deliverance
Last Tango in Paris
Cries and Whispers
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
The Heartbreak Kid
McCabe & Mrs. Miller
The Last Picture Show
Harold and Maude
Dirty Harry
A Clockwork Orange
Walkabout
Two-Lane Blacktop
Get Carter
El Topo
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory [This is one of my favorite movies of all time!]
The French Connection
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
Straw Dogs
The Sorrow and the Pity
Shaft
Five Easy Pieces
M*A*S*H
The Conformist
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders
Wanda
Little Big Man
Performance
Patton
The Garden of the Finzi-Continis
The Rollin Stones: Gimme Shelter
Woodstock
Color of Pomegranates/Paradjanov: A Requiem
Midnight Cowboy
Lola
Fellini Satyricon
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage
Z
Easy Rider
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
The Wild Bunch
Shame
Romeo and Juliet
Rosemary's Baby
The Producers
Planet of the Apes
Once Upon a Time in the West
Night of the Living Dead
In the Year of the Pig
2001: A Space Odyssey
Mandabi
Belle de Jour
The Firemen's Ball
Bonnie and Clyde
Weekend
Playtime
The Young Girls of Rochefort
Daisies
War and Peace
The Jungle Book
Point Blank
In the Heat of the Night
Cool Hand Luke
Le Samouraï
The Graduate
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Hombre
The Battle of Algiers
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Persona
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Au Hasard Balthazar
Blow-Up
Andrei Rublev
Closely Watched Trains
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
The Shop on Main Street
The Sound of Music
The Saragossa Manuscript
Come Drink with Me
Doctor Zhivago
Juliet of the Spirits
Loves of a Blonde
Pierrot Le Fou
Repulsion
Onibaba
Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
My Fair Lady
Marnie
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
A Hard Day's Night
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
Goldfinger
An Actor's Revenge
The Servant
Shock Corridor
The Nutty Professor
Hud
The Haunting
The Great Escape
Contempt
The Birds
8 1/2
The House Is Black

I'll post the rest of the list later on.

1001 Movies To See Before You Die (according to Blockbuster) - - Part II

2009-01-31T22:51:00.001-05:00

Here is Part II of this post:

Here is the list from the years 1940 - 1959:

Cat People / The Curse of the Cat People
John Cassavetes – Five Films
W.C. Fields Comedy Collection
Jean Cocteau's Orphic Trilogy
Gaslight
Killers / The Killers
Story of Floating Weeds / Floating Weeds
Citizen Kane
Wolf Man: The Legacy Collection
The Magnificent Ambersons
Eyes Without a Face
Breathless
North by Northwest
Pickpocket
Hiroshima Mon Amour
Black Orpheus
Ben-Hur
Anatomy of a Murder
The 400 Blows
Some Like It Hot
Rio Bravo
Mon Oncle
Gigi
Ashes and Diamonds
The Defiant Ones
The Music Room
Touch of Evil
Vertigo
Throne of Blood
Sweet Smell of Success
The Bridge on the River Kwai
The Seventh Seal
Nights of Cabiria
12 Angry Men
An Affair to Remember
The Cranes Are Flying
Mother India
Jailhouse Rock
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
Paths of Glory
Wild Strawberries
A Man Escaped
The Man Who Knew Too Much
The Searchers
The Ten Commandments
Written on the Wind
The Wrong Man
The Burmese Harp
Around the World in 80 Days
Forbidden Planet
Giant
High Society
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
The Man from Laramie
Lola Montès
Marty
The Ladykillers
Kiss Me Deadly
Guys and Dolls
Bad Day at Black Rock
All That Heaven Allows
Bob le Flambeur
Smiles of a Summer Night
Rebel Without a Cause
The Night of the Hunter
Night and Fog
The Barefoot Contessa
White Christmas
La Strada
On the Waterfront
Sansho the Bailiff
Rear Window
Carmen Jones
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Salt of the Earth
Diabolique
The Naked Spur
Beat the Devil
The Big Heat
Pickup on South Street
Roman Holiday
The Band Wagon
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
From Here to Eternity
Ugetsu Monogatari
Tokyo Story
Mr. Hulot's Holiday
Shane
The Quiet Man
Singin' in the Rain
Umberto D.
The Bad and the Beautiful
Forbidden Games
High Noon
Ikiru
Strangers on a Train
An American in Paris
Pandora and the Flying Dutchman
A Place in the Sun
A Streetcar Named Desire
Rashomon
The Lavender Hill Mob
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Panic in the Streets
Winchester '73
Sunset Boulevard
Rio Grande
All About Eve
In a Lonely Place
The Diary of a Country Priest
The Asphalt Jungle
Gun Crazy
The Heiress
On the Town
The Third Man
White Heat
Kind Hearts and Coronets
Adam's Rib
The Bicycle Thief
Force of Evil
The Lady from Shanghai
Letter from an Unknown Woman
The Louisiana Story
The Paleface
Red River
The Red Shoes
Rope
Secret Beyond the Door
The Snake Pit
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Unfaithfully Yours
Out of the Past
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
Black Narcissus
Monsieur Verdoux
The Stranger
Brief Encounter
The Big Sleep
The Postman Always Rings Twice
My Darling Clementine
Notorious
The Best Years of Our Lives
Great Expectations
Gilda
Detour
Beauty and the Beast
It's a Wonderful Life
Mildred Pierce
The Children of Paradise
The Lost Weekend
Open City
I Know Where I'm Going!
Spellbound
Laura
Ivan the Terrible, Part 1
Henry V
Double Indemnity
To Have and Have Not
Murder, My Sweet
The Miracle of Morgan's Creek
Meet Me in St. Louis
The Ox-Bow Incident
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
Shadow of a Doubt
Ossessione
The Palm Beach Story
To Be or Not to Be
Now, Voyager
Casablanca
Yankee Doodle Dandy
High Sierra
How Green Was My Valley
The Maltese Falcon
Sullivan's Travels
The Lady Eve
Sergeant York
Dumbo
His Girl Friday
The Grapes of Wrath
Dance, Girl, Dance
Rebecca
Fantasia
Pinocchio
The Philadelphia Story
A Star Is Born
A Night at the Opera

I'll post the rest of the list later on.

1001 Movies To See Before You Die (according to Blockbuster)

2009-01-31T14:21:00.001-05:00

With the economy the way it is, going to the movies is almost always out of the question, so I decided to reinstate my Blockbuster Online subscription. For $19.99 per month, I can get as many movies as I want. The only catch is that I can have 3 out at one time. But, that's not a problem. After all, I can only watch 1 at a time. The other cool thing is that I have up to 5 in-store exchanges each month. So, if there's a new release that I just don't want to wait on to arrive in my mailbox, I can swap out a movie in-store. COOLNESS!!!

In searching for movies to add to my queue, I discovered that Blockbuster has a list of "1001 Movies To See Before You Die," so I thought I'd go over and check them out. It appears that I've got a lot of movies that I'm going to have to watch. Here is the 1st part of the list (I'm going to do several posts). I've bolded all the ones I've seen. Which ones have you seen? Your favorites?

Here is the list from the years 1900 - 1939:

Studio Classics - Best Picture Collection
Earth
Laurel & Hardy: Sons of the Desert / The Music Box / Another Fine Mess / Bus
Our Hospitality / Sherlock, Jr.
Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection
Marx Brothers Silver Screen Collection
Dracula: The Legacy Collection
W.C. Fields Comedy Collection
The Freshman
A Nightmare on Elm Street
The Black Cat
The Harder They Come
All About Eve
How Green Was My Valley
Gone With the Wind
Ninotchka
Only Angels Have Wings
The Rules of the Game
Destry Rides Again
Stagecoach
Gunga Din
Wuthering Heights
The Wizard of Oz [This is one of my favorite movies of all time!]
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
The Lady Vanishes
Jezebel
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Angels With Dirty Faces
Bringing Up Baby
Olympia
Pépé le Moko
The Awful Truth
The Life of Emile Zola
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Grand Illusion
Stella Dallas
Camille
Dodsworth
Modern Times
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
My Man Godfrey
Sabotage
Swing Time
Things to Come
The Bride of Frankenstein
A Night at the Opera
Captain Blood
The 39 Steps
Mutiny on the Bounty
Top Hat
Triumph of the Will
It Happened One Night
L’Atalante
The Thin Man
King Kong
She Done Him Wrong
Queen Christina
42nd Street
Trouble in Paradise
I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang
Boudu Saved from Drowning
Freaks
Scarface
Love Me Tonight
The Old Dark House
City Lights
À Nous la Liberté
Tabu
M
Vampyr
The Public Enemy
Le million
The Blue Angel
L'Âge d'Or
Little Caesar
All Quiet on the Western Front
Pandora's Box
The Man With a Movie Camera
Blackmail
Un Chien Andalou
The Passion of Joan of Arc
The Fall of the House of Usher
Steamboat Bill, Jr.
The General
October
Metropolis
The Jazz Singer
The Black Pirate
Seven Chances
The Gold Rush
The Phantom of the Opera
Battleship Potemkin
Strike
The Thief of Baghdad
The Last Laugh
Nosferatu
Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler
Foolish Wives
Nanook of the North
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Broken Blossoms
Intolerance
Les Vampires
The Birth of a Nation

Answered Prayer

2009-01-29T14:30:00.002-05:00

The Stamps family had the best day yesterday! Little Harper is quite the miracle! She is now off of all the machines and is feeding and being held by her loving parents. If this isn't an answer to prayer, I don't know what is. The pictures are definitely worth 1,000+ words! Head over to Kelly's blog for the full story.

Miracle on the Hudson

2009-01-27T16:53:00.002-05:00

I got this in an email today & couldn't resist posting it. This is EXACTLY how I feel about the plane crash on the Hudson a week or so ago. God was certainly holding that plane, the pilot & everyone else in the palms of His hands.

Google Name Meme

2009-01-27T16:23:00.002-05:00

I saw this over at Life With My Special Ks and thought I'd play along.

Type in "[your name] needs" in the Google search. Jennifer needs a smack daddy! [Really, now! First, I have to find out what exactly a 'smack daddy' is.]

Type in "[your name] looks like" in Google search. Jennifer looks like the cutie-girl down the street who works at the corn dog stand. [What a fabulous stand to work at. I love me some corn dogs!]

Type in "[your name] says" in Google search. Jennifer says "Men come and go but there really is no relationship like the one you have with a dog - and then they don’t live as long as they should. You have to say goodbye way too soon. It’s just so sad. It makes me so sad. But their love is unconditional and I love that." [This was a quote from Jennifer Aniston. I LOVE it because it's so true.]

Type in "[your name] wants" in Google search. Jennifer wants more babies. [I didn't realize I had one baby. But, apparently I want more. This is funny because I'm not convinced I'll ever have children.]

Type in "[your name] does" in Google search. Jennifer does stick the knife in a bit, then she twists it some for good measure. [WOW! I guess yall better not mess with me! Ha!Ha!]

Type in "[your name] hates" in Google search. Jennifer hates constantly being questioned about her relationships. [AMEN & AMEN!!! The two questions I hate hearing are "Are you dating anyone?" and/or "When are you going to get married?"]

Type in "[your name] asks" in Google search. Jennifer asks to see her Mom. [Well, I guess that's possible, though I see her every single day!]

Type in "[your name] likes " in Google search. Jennifer likes photography. [This would be very accurate. I love it!]

Type in "[your name] eats " in Google search. Jennifer eats breakfast in bed naked. [Uh, NO!!!! That would be a big NO!!!]

Type in "[your name] wears " in Google search. Jennifer wears cancer pendant. [What a coincidence. I wear a bracelet every day in memory of my Daddy who died of cancer in 2006. So, technically, I do wear a cancer pendant.]

Type in "[your name] was arrested for" in Google Search. Jennifer was arrested for beating up another girl living in her apartment building. [This isn't too far of a stretch. If the noisy neighbors don't settle down, I may just beat them up. Ha!Ha!]

Type in "[your name] goes" in Google search. Jennifer goes back to work. [On that note, I guess I should get back to work!]

If you play along, leave a comment so I can check out your answers.

I'm a Quote Addict

2009-01-22T17:25:00.001-05:00

I love quotes, sayings, verses, etc. I save them from emails, blogs, newsletters, etc. and post some of my favorites from time-to-time. So, today is one of those 'time-to-time' days. Here are some of my favorites, with more to come in the future. ENJOY!!!

* * *

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.

~ Etty Hillesum

* * *

Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope.

~ Reinhold Niebuhr

* * *

Sorrow makes us all children again, destroys all differences of intellect. The wisest know nothing.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

* * *

Prayer is an end to isolation. It is living our daily life with someone; with Him who alone can deliver us from solitude.

~ Georges Lefevre

* * *

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes but in having new eyes.

~ Marcel Proust

* * *

The kindest way of helping yourself is to find a friend.

~ Ann Kaiser Stearns

* * *

Rest. Rest. Rest in God's love. The only work you are required now to do is to give your most intense attention to His still, small voice within.

~ Madame Jeanne Guyon

* * *

Don't cut your conscience to fit this year's fashions.

~ Lillian Hellman

* * *

Worry gives a small thing a big shadow.

~ Swedish proverb

* * *

The serene beauty of a holy life is the most powerful influence in the world next to the power of God.

~ Blaise Pascal

* * *

Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and of true progress.

~ Nicholas Murray Butler

* * *

We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.

~ Marian Wright Edelman

* * *

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.

~ Erin Majors

* * *

When you are reluctant to change, think of the beauty of autumn.

~ Unknown

* * *

Grant me, O Lord, to know what I ought to know, to love what I ought to love, to praise what delights you most, to value what is precious in your sight.

~ Thomas à Kempis

* * *

Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can.

~ John Wesley

* * *

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you.

~ Desmond Tutu

* * *

Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.

~ Tennessee Williams

* * *

Rest in this--it is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call...It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond.

~ Jim Elliot

* * *

He who wants a rose must respect the thorn.

~ Persian Proverb

* * *

It is impossible for a person not to be puffed up by his good works unless he has first been deflated and destroyed by suffering and evil to the point that he knows that he is worthless and that his works are not his but God’s.

~ Martin Luther

* * *

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

* * *

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

~ Jim Elliot

* * *

Kindly words, sympathizing attentions, watchfulness against wounding men's sensitiveness--these cost very little, but they are priceless in their value.

~ F.W. Robertson

* * *

Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence.

~ St. Augustine of Hippo

* * *

Conditions are never just right. People who delay action until all factors are favorable are the kind who do nothing.

~ William Feather

* * *

Physical strength is measured by what we can carry; spiritual by what we can bear.

~ Unknown

* * *

Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength.

~ Sigmund Freud

* * *

By humble and faithful prayer, the soul acquires, with time and perseverance, every virtue.

~ St. Catherine of Siena

* * *

Many of us spend our whole lives running from feeling with the mistaken belief that you cannot bear the pain. But you have already borne the pain. What you have not done is feel all you are beyond that pain.

~ Kahlil Gibran

* * *

Faith wouldn't be faith without having to trust what is unseen...God wants us to put one foot in front of the other and just step out on faith.

~ Rebecca St. James

* * *

Whenever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.

~ Seneca

* * *

Believe those who seek the truth; doubt those who find it.

~ Andre Gide

* * *

When you eat a fruit, think of the person who planted the tree.

~ Vietnamese proverb

* * *

I live with the understanding that truth is bigger than any religion and the world is God’s and everything in it.

~ Rob Bell

* * *

The world is not moved only by the mighty shoves of the heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.

~ Helen Keller

* * *

Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over.

~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

* * *

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

~ Jose Addison

* * *

When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

~ Franklin Roosevelt

* * *

The Bible is a harp with a thousand strings...Play on all of them, keeping them in their places in the divine scale, and you will hear heavenly music all the time.

~ William P. White

* * *

When I first open my eyes upon the morning meadows and look out upon the beautiful world, I thank God I am alive.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

* * *

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

~ Khalil Gibran

* * *

The only way on earth to multiply happiness is to divide it.

~ Paul Scherer

* * *

Do you have a favorite quote, saying or verse? More than one? Please do share them with me! I want to make a scrapbook of all my favorites in the near future.

Don't forget to continue to pray for Harper and Brayden. They are making improvements, little by little. Prayers are being answered! Praise the Lord!

Prayer Request

2009-01-17T01:18:00.001-05:00

I have been reading this sweet lady's blog for a long time. She gave birth to her miracle baby, Harper, this evening. From what I've read, it sounds like Harper could use a miracle right about now. Please lift up Harper, Kelly, Scott and the rest of the family in your prayers. I know that they would appreciate it very much.

3 Years Today

2009-01-09T00:07:00.003-05:00

IN LOVING MEMORY OF JAMES EDWARD HENDRICKSON (1947-2006)

Today is the 3-year anniversary of my Daddy's death. It is so hard to believe that it's been that long. In some ways, it feels like yesterday & in other ways, it seems like 20 years ago. Looking back over the last 3 years, life has changed so much for me & my family. The past year has not been kind to any of us and I can't begin to remember all the times that I've just wanted to talk to Daddy and have him tell me everything is going to be okay. But, I believe that Daddy's spirit is still very much alive and that God has a way of wrapping His arms around me when I need it most. This past Christmas was the first one since 2005 that was actually enjoyable. It's easier to talk about him now and not break down. Time has a way of making it a little less painful. But, there will never be a time when we don't miss him. And, there will always be times of great sadness because he is no longer with us. My times of great sadness almost always come at the strangest of times. It's usually when I hear some song on the radio, like a couple of weeks ago when Prince's 1999 came on and I fell apart. You see, I have vivid memories of hearing that song on the radio when I was a little girl and asking him "Daddy, how old will I be in 1999?" And, he'd always say, "You'll be 23, but that's so far away." Oh what I'd give to have him back here to tell me that. I wish that he could've known Candice, my brother's girlfriend. He would've loved her. She reminds me of him, actually. She has such a quick wit & wonderful sense of humor, just like him. Daddy would be thrilled to see my brother so happy and even more thrilled to see someone accept my nephew & treat him as her own. What a blessing she has been in all of our lives. And, I'd like to think that my Daddy had some role in it. :-) This evening, our family will sit down and share a meal, like we've done so many times since he died. We may laugh, we may cry, we may do a little of both, but we will remember a man who died too young & will miss out on so many milestones in all of our lives. However, one thing is for certain . . . he still lives in our hearts & always will. Thank you to all of you who have been there for me & my family over the years. Each of you have made it a little easier to continue on.

20 Questions

2009-01-08T21:18:00.000-05:00

This is an old post (from January of last year) I had saved to participate in, at some point. Now that I'm trying to blog more regularly, I thought today would be just as good a day as any. I changed any questions that referred 2007 to 2008 and anything that referred to 2008 to 2009. I originally read this over at The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness.

Here are the rules: Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag 8-10 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged.

At what age do you wish to marry? I always said I'd be married and have at least one child by the time I was 25. I'm now 32, going on 33, and still . . . NO marriage & NO children. It just goes to show that 'our' plans aren't always God's plans.
What color do you like most? Blue, green, and yellow.
Where is the place that you want to go the most? In no particular order: Greece, Italy, Ireland and Scotland (internationally) and Vermont, California and Texas (in the U.S.).
Which part of you do you hate the most? I wouldn't say that I 'hate' any part of me. If I could change one physical thing, it would be my weight. One thing that's not physical would be that I not worry as much as I do.
When you encounter a sad moment, what would you do? It typically depends on what kind of sad moment it is. I would say that my normal reaction to sad moments is to clam up, tear up, cry, or withdraw.
What are you afraid to lose the most? My family and friends, though I've experienced both.
If you win $1 million, what would you do? Pay off debt, start a trust for my nephew, give to charity, give some to family & friends, travel and invest the rest.
What’s your wish for the year ahead? That I would not worry as much as I have in the past and that I would be a better friend and family member.
How did you celebrate the New Year? Attended a party at Nancy's house. We played ate, played Phase 10, laughed, and ate some more. We watched the ball drop on the Dick Clark TV special. It was A LOT of fun!
Till now, what is the moment that you regret the most? I try very hard to live without regret, but if I had to say one thing, it would be that I didn't tell someone how I really felt before it was too late. I won't go into any other details on such a public forum.
Which type of person do you hate the most? I don't 'hate' anyone or anything, but I would say that I dislike very much people who are dishonest. I also can't stand people who always have to be the center of attention, regardless of who it hurts along the way. Lastly, it would be people who refuse to handle situations in an adult manner, instead insisting on acting like juveniles.
What is your ambition? I have a lot of ambitions, but I would say that my #1 ambition for this year is to be in a better place, financially, by the end of the year.
If you had one wish what would you wish for? Enough money to not have to worry about the simple things (bills, etc.).
To date, what has your biggest accomplishment been? (This is the question I added) That I stepped way outside of my box and found a job that I love.
What is the best gift you can give someone this year? Love.
List two of your Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions. Worrying less and being a better friend/family member.
What is your favorite thing to do when you have nothing to do? Reading, blogging and working sudoku puzzles.
What are the Top 2 things that you are most thankful for in the year 2008 that make you even happier for 2009? That my brother's girlfriend has moved to town and has made him much happier. I love that she loves him and that she loves my nephew. I am also thankful that God brought Crystal into my life at a time when I needed her most. She has been such a blessing to me and has taught me so much about what true friendship is all about.
In this very moment, are you doing what you thought you’d be doing at this stage in your life? If I'm being honest, not really. Nothing I'm doing is what I planned to do, but I know that it's all in God's plan for my life.
What show do you most enjoy watching on TV these days? This is a tough question, because I'm a self-admitted TV junkie. Here are some of my favorites lately: "The Bachelor," "The Biggest Loser: Couples," "Criminal Minds," "House Hunters," "The First 48," and almost anything on the Food Network.

If you decide to play along, don't forget to replace one of the 20 questions with one of yours. And, also leave a comment letting me know you played along so that I can check out your answers.

How to Be Thankful in Tough Times

2009-01-06T20:58:00.003-05:00

I receive "The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional" and I wanted to share one I received last week. It's very appropriate for the times that we are in and I think we all need reminding of a couple of these things.

"How to Be Thankful in Tough Times" by Rick Warren

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

*** *** *** ***

1. Don’t worry about anything. Worrying doesn’t change anything. It’s stewing without doing. There’s no such thing as born worriers; worry is a learned response. You learned it from your parents. You learned it from your peers. You learned it from experience. That’s good news. The fact that worry is learned means it can also be unlearned. Jesus says, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34 NLT).

2. Pray about everything. Use the time you’ve spent worrying for praying. If you prayed as much as you worried, you’d have a whole lot less to worry about. Some people think God only cares about religious things, such as how many people I invite to church or my tithing. Is God interested in car payments? Yes. He’s interested in every detail of your life. That means you can take any problem you face to God.

3. Thank God in all things. Whenever you pray, you should always pray with thanksgiving. The healthiest human emotion is not love, but gratitude. It actually increases your immunities; it makes you more resistant to stress and less susceptible to illness. People who are grateful are happy. But people who are ungrateful are miserable because nothing makes them happy. They’re never satisfied; it’s never good enough. So if you cultivate the attitude of gratitude, of being thankful in everything, it reduces stress in your life.

4. Think about the right things. If you want to reduce the level of stress in your life, you must change the way you think. The way you think determines how you feel, and the way you feel determines how you act. So if you want to change your life, you need to change what you’re thinking about.

This involves a deliberate, conscious choice where you change the channels. You choose to think about the right things: focus on the positive and on God’s Word. Why? Because the root cause of stress is the way you choose to think.

When we no longer worry, when we pray about everything, when we give thanks, when we focus on the right things, the apostle Paul tells us the result is, “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NLT).

What a guarantee! He is guaranteeing peace of mind.

Christian Ways to Reduce Stress . . .

2009-01-05T23:36:00.002-05:00

I received this email from a dear friend of mine today & I wanted to share it with all of you. It is very appropriate for entering into a new year.

CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS . . .

An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'

Pray.
Go to bed on time.
Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
Say "No" to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
Delegate tasks to capable others.
Simplify and unclutter your life.
Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
Take one day at a time.
Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
Get enough rest.
Eat right.
Get organized so everything has its place.
Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
Write down thoughts and inspirations.
Every day, find time to be alone.
Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
Make friends with Godly people.
Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus.'
Laugh.
Laugh some more!
Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
Sit on your ego.
Talk less; listen more.
Slow down.
Love those who are unlovable and those who hate you.(God Works miracle.)
Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

'If God is for us, who can be against us?'
(Romans 8:31)

Blessings for 2009,

Happy 2009!

2009-01-02T14:33:00.002-05:00

I don't know about the rest of you, but 2008 was a year I'd just as soon forget! I've never been happier to usher in a new year! I hope that it will be a better year. 2008 was a year of many trials, struggles, losses, etc. I'm not going to go into the details on such a public forum, but those who know me best know what 2008 was like for me. I will say, however, that through all of the trials & tribulations of 2008, I grew into a better person and learned so much. Here are just a few things I learned (or was reminded of) in 2008:

Appreciate the little things in life!
Money isn't everything (it isn't even close)!
I love my family very much!
TRUE friends never have to ask what you need! They just show up!
TRUE friends are few & far between. My Daddy was so right - - - by middle age, you can count the true friends on one hand!
Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to realize that you can't control your own life. That's God's job & he can handle it!
Stress WILL kill you if you don't get a hold on it!
Worrying does nothing but make a situation worse! It also adds to the stress that WILL kill you!
It's okay to admit that you need help!
It's okay to let people help you when you can't handle it all yourself!
It's okay to say 'no'!
Life is short!
Faith is more than just believing!
God's plans are bigger & better than my plans!

I could probably go on and on, but I'll end with these. I am going to try very hard to blog more regularly this year! I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas!

May 2009 be a year of much happiness, health & blessing!

A Good Time Waster

2008-12-18T15:04:00.001-05:00

I borrowed this from Dog's Eye View.

Do you like cheese? Yes, I do.
Have you ever smoked? I tried it once, but it was disgusting.
Do you own a gun? No.
Do you like listening to Christmas music? Yes. I love it!
Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Almost always!
What do you think of hot dogs? I have to be in the mood to eat them. And, they MUST be All-Beef hot dogs.
Favorite Christmas song for all time? "O Holy Night"
What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee
Can you do push ups? Ha!Ha!Ha! Yeah, right!!
Who is your favorite Grey’s Anatomy character? I've always liked Izzy. Of course, Derrick, too! :-)
What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? I'm not a big jewelry person, but I love my 3 diamond necklace that my parents gave me the Christmas before my Daddy passed away.
Favorite hobby? Scrapbooking, blogging, sudoku, photography, making Christmas ornaments, etc.
Do you eat “exotic” foods? Absolutely not!
Do you have A.D.D.? No, but I think I might have O.C.D. every now & again. :-)
What one trait do you hate about yourself? My ability to worry about any & every thing!
Middle Name? Lynn
Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? "I wish I could go one day without a huge headache," "I am so glad tomorrow is Friday," and "I can't believe Christmas is a week away."
Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Christmas gifts, but I can't say specifically because it would give it away.
Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, tea and coffee.
Current worry right now? Mostly financial worries right now.
Current hate? Having a headache every single day.
Favorite place to be? Honestly?! Sleeping!
How will you bring in the New Year? I don't have any specific plans right now. I may get together with friends from church, but I'm not 100% sure right now.
Where would you like to go? On vacation - - - somewhere, anywhere!!
Name three people who will complete this? I have no clue!
Do you own flip flops? I do, but rarely wear them.
What shirt are you wearing? teal short sleeve shirt and black long sleeved dress shirt (kinda like a jacket)
Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Nope.
Can you whistle? Yes.
Favorite color? Blue, green, yellow.
Would you be a pirate? Probably not.
What songs do you sing in the shower? Pretty much whatever pops in my head or whatever is playing on the radio at the moment (if I have it on).
Favorite girl’s name? Grayson Elyce
Favorite boy’s name? I've never been as set on a boy's name, but I would definitely name a son (if I ever had one) in Daddy's memory. Probably Austin Hendrix (each grandmother's maiden name) or Austin James (Daddy's mother's maiden name & Daddy's first name).
What’s in your pocket right now? No pockets.
Last thing that made you laugh? My co-worker.
Bed sheets as a child? The ones I remember most are the Holly Hobbie ones.
Worst injury you’ve ever had? It would be a tie between the concussion I had this summer and the time I chopped the tip of my finger off.
Do you love where you live? It's ok.
How many TV’s do you have in your house? 4
Who is your loudest friend? I'm gonna plead the 5th on this one. :-)
How many dogs do you have? One - Lizzy, almost 12-year old black labrador retriever
Does someone have a crush on you? I'm guessing probably not.
Do you get embarrassed easily? It depends.
What is your favorite book? Anything by Nicholas Sparks and "Suzanne's Diary to Nicholas" and "Sam's Letters to Jennifer" - both by James Patterson.
What is your favorite candy? Candy Cane Hershey Kisses, Reeses PB Cups, Dove Milk Chocolate
Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince theme song? Oh yeah!
What song do you want played at your funeral? I'm not sure. I could definitely tell you what I don't want played.
What were you doing at 12 AM last night? Surprisingly . . . sleeping!
What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? "I wish I didn't have to work today!"

Feel free to play along. If you do, let me know so I can head over to your blog and check out your answers.

Take the Challenge

2008-11-14T19:38:00.008-05:00

An old friend of mine, Kati, from my Marietta Baptist Camp days posted this on her blog and I took the challenge. Will you take the challenge with me?

In a few days, we will be stuffing ourselves with turkey, dressing, and pecan pie. Every year I tell myself . . . "Next year I am going to make a list of the things that I am thankful for." Every year I wonder why I didn't make a list of things to thank God for blessing me with. Perhaps it is because I am afraid that I will leave something out. Or maybe, I don't create a list because I am embarrassed of the things that I am thankful for (dark chocolate would definitely be on the list). Most likely, I resist making a list of things that I am thankful for because it would take away many of my reasons to do one of the most natural human things . . . complain!

Do you ever find yourself complaining about the economy, gas prices, the OTHER political party, grocery prices . . . the list can go on and on until it gets personal. Oh, yes, we seem to complain about our spouses, the kids, being too busy, being bored, and my favorite choice of complaint, being tired! The list goes on and on. And yet, I am more blessed than I ever deserve. It is only by the undeserving mercy of Christ that I have the things that I do and that I have the opportunity to enjoy the simplest things in life, including dark chocolate.

God's Word tells us this:

"But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been greed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." ~Romans 6:17-18

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods." ~Psalm 95:2-3

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O most High..." ~Psalm 92:1

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God." ~Philippians 4:6

"I shall wash my hands in innocence, and I will go about Thine altar, O Lord, that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and declare all Thy wonders." ~Psalm 26:6-7

It is clear that we should be giving thanks and not complaining. So here is the challenge to myself and to you: between now and Thanksgiving, make a list of at least 100 things that you are thankful for. Simple, yes. I imagine that if we all attempt it, we will find that we will quickly surpass 100 and be well on our way to several hundreds of things that we can be thankful for. Don't get too worried about whether something is "important" enough to be included. Number 1 on my list is salvation, next will be my husband, children, and family. I will name each one. But, I am sure, the simple pleasure of dark chocolate will also be on my list, as well as, birds singing, sunrises, and cell phones. Do you see where this may lead? We may have so many things to be thankful for that we forget how to complain . . . or at least make it not the first reaction in our life! My hope is that I will be so busy giving thanks to God, that I will notice fewer things for my complaining.

So, get your lists started! I would love to see what is on your list. You may add your list to the comments section on the blog, email them to me, or post them on facebook. Look out for my list . . . I have already started it! I hope the bug of giving thanks spreads!

Take the challenge! Give thanks!

Here is the beginning of my list:

My salvation.
The Bible.
My parents.
Jeff - my brother.
Little Man/Bubby - my nephew.
Candice - my brother's girlfriend & the little sister I never had.
Lizzy - the best 'sister with fur.'
Precious - the best 'niece with fur.'
The time spent with my Daddy in the last months of his life. It is rare that a working person is given the opportunity to "work when you can and want to" so that they can care for a dying parent. I am forever grateful for being given that opportunity.
Having a close relationship with my grandmother for almost 30 years of my life.
Bubba & Shell (not their real names; it's just what we call them).
Crystal.
Jeannie.
Finding a wonderful church (Marathon - Greenville Campus) after so many years of not going.
All of my Home/Life Group girls - - - Claire, Melody, Nancy, Phyllis, Mary, B.J., Kim, Kellie, Kristy, and Norma.
A place to live.
Heat & air conditioning.
Running water.
Food in the fridge, freezer & cabinets.
True friends. I have come to realize over the years that people use the word "friend" very loosely and that you never know who your real, true friends are until you face a crisis in your life. For those true friends (and you know who you are), THANK YOU for always being there for me - through the good, the bad & the in-between.
Black & white photos.
Praise & Worship music.
Country music.
Warm, fuzzy socks.
Books.
Cool, crisp Autumn days.
Computers (I know, I know . . . but, I really am thankful for the invention).
Handwritten letters & cards via snail mail. In my opinion, this is a dying art, but I love receiving mail that doesn't involve bills or junk. I also love sending cards and letters. I'm affectionately known to some as 'the card lady.'
Laughter.
Coffee.
My health.
Living in a country where I can worship, speak & live freely. We are so blessed to live in the United States of America!
Kids/family movies.
Drawings, coloring pictures, etc. from my nephew.
Memories.
Quotes (I have a little 'addiction' to quotes, but I just love them & am thankful that I can post them in places to encourage me during the day & share them with others at various times in their lives.)
Candles.
My job.
Pastor Reggie & his wife, Ginger - for being dedicated to using their talents for God's glory.
Kenny & his wife, Melissa - for being dedicated to using their talents for God's glory.
Wil, Heather & the band - for being dedicated to using their talents for God's glory.
Hugs.
Long walks on a Fall day.

New Blog

2008-11-07T11:55:00.006-05:00

Hello everyone!

It's been a long time since I've blogged - - - I'm still alive, I promise. I've just had A LOT going on lately! Hopefully I'll get back to a daily (or at least weekly) routine very soon.

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that my blog address has changed to http://www.livinglifemomentbymoment.blogspot.com. After this post, I will no longer be posting at this site. By the end of the month, I will shut down this blog and you will no longer be able to access my blog or read my posts through a feed reader. So, please update your bookmarks and feed readers to my new address.

Stop by soon!

8 Is Enough

2008-10-01T12:50:00.000-05:00

Well, I thought it was about time to at least do something on this blog AGAIN! I'm soooo slack. Anywho . . . in catching up on my feed reader, I stumbled across this meme over at 100 Percent Cottam and thought I'd play along, so here goes:

8 FAVORITE TV SHOWS . . .

Criminal Minds
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Will & Grace (on DVD)
48 Hours Mystery
Ace of Cakes
Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives
The First 48
Forensic Files

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS . . .

Stax's Original
Olive Garden
Atlanta Bread
Chick-Fil-A
Carolina Drive-In
Silver Bay
Red Robin
Copper River Grille

8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY . . .

Worked on OFCCP audits
Drafted wills, living wills, durable powers of attorney & healthcare powers of attorney
Downloaded music
Made Christmas ornaments
Talked to my brother on the phone
Played with the dog
Went to bed early (but, got jarred out of a deep sleep AGAIN by the new neighbors who are loud & inconsiderate)
Laundry

8 THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO . . .

Spending time with my nephew this weekend
Bible Study that starts next week
Gela's Partylite Party on Sunday
Shelly's Partylite Party on Thursday
Cooler weather
Thanksgiving
Christmas
A new year - - - hopefully a fresh start

8 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT FALL . . .

Cooler temperatures
Changing colors of the leaves
Rides in the mountains
Sleeping with the windows open
Being able to wear sweaters again
All the holidays that come after it's arrival (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas)
Fuzzy socks
Curling up with a good book under a soft blanket

8 THINGS ON MY WISHLIST . . .

A car (even if it's a clunker)
An iPod
A new digital camera
A REAL vacation
A new mattress - - - my back is killing me & the current mattress is the culprit
Some new clothes . . . I need them baddddly!
A break from all the stress
Patience

8 PEOPLE I TAG . . .

Anyone who wants to play along *

* Just be sure to leave a comment letting me know you played along so that I can check out your answer.

I Love a Good Swap, Part 2

2008-09-27T18:53:00.010-05:00

Even though I haven't taken the time to blog a whole lot lately, I did take the time to participate in some good swaps. I participated in another Favorite Things Swap over at Because Wendi Said So. My partner was Diana over at Forgetfulone. Even though I certainly didn't expect to receive anything once I realized she lived in Houston, TX and had to evacuate because of Hurricane Ike, Diane sent me some totally cool things and they weren't even late! How AWESOME is that!?!

Here are some pics of all the goodies I received:

Here's a list of the great goodies I received:

A cute handmade card
A yummy smelling candle
A bag of coffee . . . yummy (One of my FAVORITES)
A photo memo box
Scrapbooking stickers, rub-ons, etc.
A chipboard book kit (this is REALLY cool & I can't wait to try it out)
A bag of Dove Milk Chocolates (I'm in Heaven!!!)

Thanks Diana for EVERYTHING!!!!

I Love a Good Swap

2008-09-24T19:25:00.011-05:00

Hello all . . .

It's been a VERY long time since I've blogged. For that . . . I am sorry! :-( I'm going to try my hardest to do better. I've had a lot of 'things' going on in my life and I just haven't had much time to sit down and blog.

I did, however, take the time to get involved in another swap. All of you know how I LOVE a good swap. I joined in on the Favorite Things Swap over at The Pink Potpourri. My partner was Linda over at The Random Memorandum. Let me just say . . . Linda is AWESOME!!! She sent me some FABULOUS things!! Here are some pics of all the goodies I received:

A sweet little froggy card

Snowman ornament - - - because she knew I collected snowmen!
Napkins, mini salt & pepper shakers and a package of popcorn boxes
Her favorite movie - - - "Life is Beautiful"

A cute popcorn bowl that says "Please Pass the Popcorn"
A cute matching butter dispenser

Doggy Treats from her doggies to mine . . . how sweet & thoughtful
The second and third pictures are of Lizzy testing out the treats . . . she gives them two paws WAAAAAYYY up!

Thanks Linda for EVERYTHING!!!!

That Girl, Starring . . .

2008-08-20T15:05:00.003-05:00

I saw this meme over at bubble babble's blog & thought I'd play along. As always, leave a comment if you play along so that I can head over to your blog and check out your answer. ENJOY!!!

What are the last three things you purchased? Gas, Groceries & a drink at the gas station.
What are the last three songs you downloaded? "All I Want to Do" by Sugarland, "We Are Broken" by Paramore, and "Stop and Stare" by OneRepublic.
Where were the last three places you visited? Lake Keowee (SC), Tryon (NC), and Charleston (SC).
What are your three favorite movies? This one is tough because I LOVE movies, so I'll just give you the three that come to mind first. "Radio," "Beaches," and "Wizard of Oz."
What are your three favorite possessions? Laptop, Grandmother's jewelry, and 3-diamond necklace that was the last Christmas present from my daddy.
What three things can you not live without? Coffee, my church, my friends & family.
What would be your three wishes? A cure for cancer, healthcare for every American, and for the cost of living to become manageable for every American.
What are three things you have not done yet? Travel extensively, get married, and have children.
What are your three favorite dishes? Mom's lasagna, salmon, and homemade potato soup.
What three celebrities would you want to hang out with the most? Matthew McConaughey, Simon Cowell, and Maya Angelou.
Name three things that freak you out. Snakes, spiders, and deep water.
If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be? Organized, loyal, and generous.
Name three unusual things you are good at. I don't know that I'm good at anything unusual, to be honest. I'm gonna have to think on this one.
What are three things you are currently coveting? Well, coveting is wrong, but . . . I'd love a new car, some new clothes and a vacation.
What three bloggers would you like to tag? Nobody in particular. Anyone who wants to play along is welcome to. Don't forget to leave a comment if you do!

You Know I LOVE a Swap!!

2008-08-19T15:28:00.001-05:00

The Pink Potpourri is hosting a "Favorite Things Swap" that I'm participating in. It's a great way to meet fellow bloggers and also receive some "good" snail mail. If everyone is like me, the only mail I ever get is junk & bills - - - neither of which are fun for me!!! If you're interested in participating, just click on the box below. It will take you to the post about the swap and you will find instructions for what to do to get in the mix. But, hurry . . . you only have until Monday, August 25th to sign up!

I've been VERY out-of-the-loop lately and haven't done any posts. I've had A LOT going on and just haven't had the time or haven't been up to posting. I promise to get back on track really soon! Until then . . . hugs,

Back-To-School Giveaway Event

2008-08-05T11:53:00.002-05:00

I love reading 5 Minutes for Mom's blog. They have great tips and always host wonderful giveaways. They're currently having a Back-to-School Giveaway Event. It runs from August 4th through August 10th and they're giving away some awesome prizes. Head over HERE to check it out.

Filler Tag . . .

2008-07-19T11:50:00.001-05:00

I wasn't 'tagged' for this, but saw it over at Picture Clusters and thought I'd go ahead and play along. Because you know how much I love a meme. :-)

What's your latest addiction? At the present moment . . . This Is Sand
What are you listening to? The CMT Top-20 Countdown
How late did you stay up last night and why? It was after 1 a.m. before I fell asleep. I was watching TV & just relaxing.
Who were you with last Friday night? A whole bunch of girlies from the church that I love & adore. We had Game Night at Melody & Claire's and it was so much fun!!
Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 months from now? I seriously doubt it, but I guess you never say 'never.'
When is the next time you’ll see your close friends? This afternoon when I head to see "The Dark Knight" with Shell.
What were you doing this morning at 7am? Watching the backside of my eyelids. :-)
What radio station do you listen to the most? WSSL 100.5 and SHINE 96.7
What was the reason you last cried? Worrying about how everything that needs to get paid is going to get paid. Worrying didn't solve the problem . . . the problem is still there and it surely didn't help me - - - just made me sick! MUST.QUIT.WORRYING!!!
Have you ever talked to someone when they were high? High as in "illegal drugs" . . . ??? Yes, but I wouldn't call it a stimulating conversation.
What’s the fifth text in your inbox say? "I'm on my way back from the beach." [From my friend, Andrea]
Where was the last coffee shop you went to? Starbucks
What's your outfit right now? Honestly?! I'm still in my jammies. But, fixing to get a shower and get ready to head out for the afternoon/evening.
What were you doing at 11pm last night? Washing my face and putting on the jammies.
Who was the last person you talked to last night before bed? Mom
Will you be driving in a year? I would imagine so, yes.
Is there anything that you are craving right now? Italian food . . . I sure hope that's what we end up doing for dinner after the movie.
When did your last hug take place? Last night.
Have you ever started a sentence with “No offense, but…”? Yes, but that's not the typical way I start a sentence.
Do you drink tea? Yes, but only if it's sweet tea.
Have you ever been arrested? No & have no plans to.
Have you rode in someone else’s car today? Not yet, but will this afternoon.
Have you made a mistake this past week? Oh yes! If you're a human being, you've made a mistake in the past week. And, if you say you haven't . . . well, you must be an alien. :-)
Who was the last person you texted? Andrea
Are you happy with your life right now? I wouldn't say I'm super-thrilled with my life right now, but I am happy. Does that make sense to anyone out there?
In the past 72 hours have you been under the influence? Nope
What’s the connection between you and the last person you texted? She's one of my good friends.
I'm tagging . . . nobody! Anyone who wants to play along, feel free to do so. If you do, leave me a comment & I'll head over to your blog & check out your answer.

Duhda Duhda Duhda Duhda. . . BATMAN!!

2008-07-18T22:47:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow . . . .

I'm off to see . . . .

THIS

I've always been a Batman fan, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Anyone see this movie tonight? Anyone seeing it this weekend?

I'll post a review shortly!

Have a GREAT weekend!

A Longish Sort of Meme . . .

2008-07-15T19:56:00.001-05:00

I saw this over on A Virtual Hobby Store and Coffee Shop's blog. This is one I've never seen, so I thought I'd play along!

Do you like blue cheese? No. I find it rather disgusting!
Have you ever smoked? I tried it once and never touched it again!
Do you own a gun? No.
What flavor of Kool-Aid was your favorite? Orange
Do you get nervous before a doctor appointment? It depends on the type of appointment it is.
What do you think of hot dogs? I love them, but only when I'm in the mood. My favorite is when they're on the grill. YUMMY!
Favorite Christmas movie? It's a toss-up between Elf and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee
Can you do push ups? No & never have been able to.
What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My 3-diamond necklace my parents gave me for Christmas the last year my daddy was alive. He died 2 weeks later.
Favorite hobby? Scrapbooking
Do you have A.D.D.? No.
What's one trait you hate about yourself? Worry too much!
Middle name? Lynn
Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: (1) I sure wish I had my final project instructions in my Litigation class because it's due in less than 2 weeks and I'm worried that it's going to be more than I can pull off in such a short amount of time. (2) I'm worried about a family member who is going through some really tough times. [I'll leave it at that.] (3) It's freezing cold in this house.
Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Sweet tea, water, and coffee.
Current worry? A family member who is going through some really tough times.
Current hate right now? The fact that I have a slack professor for my Litigation class.
Favorite place to be? Spending time with family & friends.
How did you bring in the New Year? Honestly, I think I was already in bed asleep when the new year started. Sooooo sad, huh?
Where would you like to go? On vacation . . . anywhere, really. But, I'm longing to visit Charleston again. It's been way too long.
Name three people who will complete this. Not sure because most of the people who read my blog aren't people that I know. But, I'd love for anyone who reads it to complete it and then LEAVE ME A COMMENT so I can check out their answers.
Do you own slippers? Yes and I love them.
What color shirt are you wearing right now? I'm in my jammies, but they're turquoise.
Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I can't stand them.
Can you whistle? Yes.
Favorite color? Blue and yellow.
Would you be a pirate? Probably not. I wouldn't be good at stealing.
What songs do you sing in the shower? Anything & everything.
Favorite girl's name? Grayson Elyce
Favorite boy's name? James Austin (after my daddy & his mother's maiden name)
What's in your pocket right now? Nothing because I don't have any pockets.
Last thing that made you laugh? Celebrity Family Feud - - - Bill Engvall's family vs. Larry the Cable Guy's family. HILARIOUS!
Best bed sheets as a child? Goodness, I have no clue! I remember that my entire bedroom was decorated in Holly Hobbie, so I'm sure those were the best!
Worst injury you've ever had? I chopped the tip of my middle finger off. It was really bad - - - nothing left to stitch, nerve damage (to this day) & took almost 3 months to completely heal. OUCH!!!
Do you love where you live? Sure
How many TVs do you have in your house? 3 in the house and 2 in the garage
Who is your loudest friend? Let's go with the loudest person I know . . . my boss.
How many dogs do you have? One - Lizzy - black labrador retriever.
Does someone have a crush on you? I'm doubting it, but it would be nice.
What is your favorite book? Suzanne's Diary to Nicholas and Sam's Letters to Jennifer - - - both by James Patterson.
What is your favorite candy? Reese Cups
What is your favorite Sports Team? I'm not really into sports, but I am a Clemson Tigers fan.
What song do you want played at your funeral? I've always said I wanted "Victory in Jesus" played at my funeral, but I also love a lot of Josh Groban's songs, so probably one of them, though I'm not sure which one. Kinda morbid thinking about that.

Don't forget to leave a comment if you play along so I can check out your answers! Have a great evening!!!

Jennifer Means . . .

2008-07-15T11:56:00.001-05:00

Saw this over at LindaNJake and thought it was interesting. Mine is pretty interesting & mostly accurate.

WHAT JENNIFER MEANS

You are fair, honest, and logical.

You are a natural leader, and people respect you.

You never give up, and you will succeed . . . even if it takes you a hundred tries.

You are rational enough to see every part of a problem.

You are great at giving other people advice.

You are friendly, charming, and warm.

You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat.

Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are very intuitive and wise.

You understand the world better than most people.

You also have a very active imagination.

You often get carried away with your thoughts.

You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy.

You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound.

It's easy to get you excited . . . which can be a good or bad thing.

You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly.

You don't stick with any one thing for very long.

You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time.

Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are loving, compassionate, and ruled by your feelings.

You are able to be a foundation for other people . . . but you still know how to have fun.

Sometimes your emotions weigh you down, but you generally feel free from them.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel.

You're always up to something.

You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you.

You're very intense.

You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

WHAT DOES YOUR NAME MEAN???

Click HERE to find out!!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things . . .

2008-07-09T23:43:00.000-05:00

I joined in on the Favorite Things Swap and had soooo much fun. We were instructed to send some of our favorite things to our partner. I sent my partner a mix CD, cute pens, oversized memo cube (I get these at Target & LOVE them), a copy of one of my favorite movies of all time, Beaches), etc. I hope she loved everything. I certainly enjoyed putting together some of my favorite things. Take a gander at all the great goodies I got from my partner, Janice.

Here's a list of all the goodies I received:

Wendy's Giftcard
Flashlight
Rice Krispy Treats
Stephens Hot Chocolate
Dial Pomegranate & Tangerine Hand Soap (this is YUMMY)
Cute lime & green notecards
Postcards with handpainted birds (absolutely gorgeous) from Hand Painted Love Boxes . . . by Tiffany
Super cute shopping list from Scrappy Notes
An issue of Cook's Illustrated
A great letter explaining all of the items, which was typed in her favorite color . . . BLUE

I was thrilled with every single item and will enjoy using everything. Thanks so much, Janice!! I really enjoyed the swap and gaining a new bloggy friend!

Until the next swap . . . .

A Rainy Day Meme

2008-07-05T17:50:00.002-05:00

It's been a rainy day that has now turned into what is looking like a stormy evening. I'm still house/puppy sitting for my brother & his girlfriend. I've just been hanging out at the house today, watching movies, catching up on my blog feeds, etc. Here's a little Saturday meme for this rainy day. Have a great evening!

When is the last time you actually filled your car’s car tank completely? That would've been this past Thursday. The only reason is because I was on "E" and had just gotten paid. That's the only time I ever fill up. This particular trip, I spent $60 and didn't even fill the tank. UGH!
What’s the most you’ve paid for a gallon of gas so far? I think the highest has been $3.98/gallon, which is RIDICULOUS!!!
Has the high gas prices affected how much you travel at all? Oh, most definitely!
Take the quiz: What does the road trip of your life say about you?

The Road Trip of Your Life

You see life as a journey to be shared with others. Kinship and sharing are very important to you.

You often find yourself rushing through life. You don't take as much time as you'd like to enjoy the little things.

You are all about risk and randomness in your life. You travel off the beaten path... in fact, you're often the one carving the way!

You are able to find a fairly healthy balance between work and play. You work when you need to, but you never let yourself burn out.

In another life, you could have been a great novelist. You have a knack for describing things in an interesting way.
Which single statement was the most accurate about you? "Kinship and sharing are very important to you" would be the most accurate statement.
If your best friend called you up and wanted to take a week-long road trip, would you be able to afford it? No, which would be unfortunate.

A Little Travelin' Fun

2008-07-03T22:23:00.000-05:00

I joined in on The Orthodox Mom Travel Swap and it was sooooo much fun. Take a gander at all the great goodies I got from my partner, Jan-Juliana.

Here's a list of all the goodies I received:

"Memories" Travel Journal
Pampered Pet Bookmark
2 Sun & Sand scented Yankee Candle votives - - - smells WONDERFUL
Seashell votive holder
Rainkissed leaves scented lotion from Bath & Body Works which has now become one of my new favorites
Beautiful nautical themed box . . . not sure what I'm going to use it for just yet . . . candle holder, flower arrangement, etc. My kitchen & dining room are both lighthouse themed, so this will go beautifully with my decor!
Rocks handpicked from the shores of Lake Erie . . . what a SUPER-fabulous idea for a swap item!! I will put these on display & remember my new bloggy friend!

Every item was PERFECT and fit me to a tee. Thanks so much Jan-Juliana!!!

What An Inspiration

2008-07-03T21:42:00.001-05:00

There aren't many 'reality' TV shows I watch anymore. Quite frankly, they've all gotten just a tad too silly & ridiculous for my taste. But, I do love America's Got Talent. It is better this year than it ever has been. There have been great acts each week, but did anyone happen to see the 9-year old little boy, David, who is autistic, perform this week? If not, I've posted the YouTube video below. I'll admit, I sobbed like a baby just hearing his story, but when he opened his mouth & sang so beautifully, that just sent me into hysterics. I have worked with autistic children before & one of my best friend's nephew is autistic. I have seen how difficult it is on the child and their families. What an inspiration this precious little boy is to not only us but to all those who have been diagnosed with autism and their families. I must say, I'm rootin' for him!!!

I may post some other acts that I've really loved in another post, but this one deserved a post all on its' own. ENJOY!!!

Love,

Happy 4th

2008-07-03T20:33:00.006-05:00

I just wanted to wish everyone out in blogland a very happy 4th of July!!!
Have an enjoyable day with your family & friends!
Be safe and be blessed!

Love,

More of My Bucket List

2008-07-01T09:30:00.002-05:00

After posting My Bucket List yesterday, I started thinking about other things I'd like to do, so I started jotting them down and I have quite an addition to the original list. So, I figured I'd go ahead and post everything while I still had it on the brain. I guess some of these things you would call 'goals' more than you would 'things I want to do before I die,' but either way . . . they're things I want to do. I'm not going to mess with trying to find pictures to post with each one because it will take FOREVER! But, here goes:

Own a home
Get out of debt & stay that way
Lose weight
Learn another language - probably French or German
Exercise regularly
Go on a cruise (even though I have a huge fear of deep water)
Learn to knit/crochet
Learn to sew
Take a road trip with friends
Take cooking classes
Learn how to paint
Read at least 50 books every year
Write a letter and/or send a card to someone at least once a week
Take Bubby (and the rest of the family) to Orlando to visit Disney World, Sea World, MGM Studios, Universal Studios, Epcot Center, etc.
Have a Spa Day with friends
Keep a daily journal/blog
Do "random acts of kindness" weekly
Attend the Olympics
Take a first aid & CPR class
Visit every lighthouse in North America (there are approximately 700)
Graduate from college
Meet someone famous
Go on an African safari
Teach someone to read & write
Experience a true "White Christmas"
Participate in a Book Club
See another show on Broadway
Research my family heritage/ancestry
Play the lottery
Give a speech or presentation and not be fearful
Travel by train
Start and/or work for a non-profit/charity
Learn to dance
Have a complete makeover
Learn to drive a stick-shift
Own a convertible (a Mustang would do)
Attend the World Series
Sing karaoke
Fall in love
Attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Visit all 50 states
See the Grand Canyon
Visit Memphis
Go to the Grand Ole Opry
Get my Bachelors degree
Attend the Super Bowl
Celebrate New Years at Times Square
Attend a taping of "Ellen"
Spend Christmas in New York

I'm sure that I will think of other things from time to time and will update my list. Don't forget to comment & let me know if you have a list so that I can check yours out.

Have a GREAT day!

My Bucket List

2008-06-30T19:26:00.008-05:00

I've actually seen this idea on a few memes, but have also seen it as a random post on various blogs. I FINALLY got around to watching the movie over the weekend and it was FABULOUS! I'm a huge fan of both Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman and neither of them disappointed in this movie. There were plenty of laughs throughout the movie, but there were some very tender & emotional moments, as well. I will admit that it was hard for me to watch portions of this movie because it was a reminder of my daddy's battle with cancer. Jack Nicholson's character reminded me sooooo much of my daddy. With all of that said, the bottom line . . . I give it 5 STARS!!!

I've been working on this "Bucket List" for a while and have gotten to a plateau in my thoughts, so I figured I'd go ahead and post it in 'honor' of finally watching the movie. I may add to it from time to time, but this covers the most important items on my list. Here is my list (in no particular order):

TRAVEL TO GREECE

TRAVEL TO ITALY

TRAVEL TO IRELAND

TRAVEL TO HAWAII

TRAVEL TO ALASKA

TRAVEL TO LAS VEGAS

TRAVEL BACK TO NEW YORK CITY

GO TO A TAPING OF "THE DR. PHIL SHOW"

SEE THESE PEOPLE IN CONCERT . . .

Josh Groban

Kenny Chesney

Sugarland

Michael Buble

Carrie Underwood

SWIM WITH DOLPHINS

GO TO A NASCAR RACE

OWN A GREAT DANE

AND HAVE ANOTHER LABRADOR RETRIEVER

TAKE PHOTOGRAPHY LESSONS

GO BACK & TAKE PIANO LESSONS

GET MARRIED

HAVE CHILDREN

READ THE BIBLE ALL THE WAY THROUGH

So, what's on your "Bucket List?" If you post a list, leave a comment so I can check yours out.

Love,

Reba's Meme

2008-06-21T22:01:00.000-05:00

I snagged this from Reba (she's a rottweiler) over at Reba's Run. For a dog, this is a good meme. Nothing on TV worth watching, so I figured I'd play along. Here goes:

You're feeling: somewhat accomplished (since I did get the house cleaned and laundry done).
To your left: the bedroom wall.
On your mind: what God is trying to teach me through the current events in my life.
Last meal included: Baked spaghetti & garlic bread, which was oh-so-YUMMY!!!!
You sometimes find it hard to: relax.
The weather: a lot cooler than it has been. It's stayed in the 80s this week, which has been nice compared to the 100s we've had. We actually got a little bit of rain earlier this evening. We need a lot more, though!
Something you have a collection of: lighthouses.
A smell that cheers you up: clean smells (laundry detergent, fabric softener, etc.).
A smell that can ruin your mood: cigarette smoke.
How long since you last shaved: Day before yesterday. It'll be time again in the a.m. I hate shaving!
The current state of your hair: overdue for a cut.
The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): I really don't have a desk/workspace at home. I usually just sit in bed when I'm on my laptop. I'll go for the desk/workspace at the office & say . . . other than my computer, I guess it would be my file bins.
Your skill with chopsticks: not skilled at all.
Which section to head for first in a bookstore: true crime.
Something you're craving: ice cream.
Your general thoughts on the presidential race: not hopeful!
How many times have you been hospitalized this year: None, thank the Lord.
Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: I usually retreat to my bedroom & shut the door.
You've always secretly thought you'd be a good: private detective. Well, I haven't really secretly thought about it because I've had several people tell me I'd be a good one. I'm not sure if that's a compliment or if they're saying I'm 'nosey.' :-)
Something that freaks you out a little: deep water terrifies me, so to say it freaks me 'out a little' is an understatement.
Something you've eaten too much of lately: sub sandwiches.
You have never: traveled outside of the U.S., but I would love to.
You never want to: get married just to say I am. I want it to be the real deal!!!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Love,

Friday Couldn't Get Here Soon Enough

2008-06-20T16:17:00.001-05:00

What a week! It's not even worth the effort to type about. It was just a BAAAAADDDD week & I'm glad it's over. Looking forward to a semi-relaxing weekend. I am planning to run by Blockbuster after I leave the office & pick up a few movies, pick up take-out and then 'veg' this evening. Tomorrow, I'm going over to the old house to pack up some more stuff & do a little cleaning. Sunday, I'll go to church and then I'm going to a cookout Sunday evening. Hope all of you have a GREAT weekend. Here's this Friday's onslaught of memes . . . ENJOY!!!

FRIDAY FILL-INS

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A smile is __________. A smile is contagious.
__________ is my favorite board or card game. Chickenfoot is my favorite board or card game. [I don't know if it's considered a board game or not. It's a dominoes game that I LOVE!!]
I would love to have more __________ in my life and less __________. I would love to have more patience in my life and less stress.
When I think of the Summer Solstice, I think of __________. When I think of the Summer Solstice, I think of the never-ending day. [Isn't TODAY the Summer Solstice?]
I just remembered I need to __________. I just remembered I need to write a thank-you note.
One of my favorite song lyrics goes like this: __________. One of my favorite song lyrics goes like this: Don't blink. Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife. Don't blink. You just might miss your babies growin' like mine did. Turnin' into moms and dads. Next thing you know your better half of fifty years is there in bed and you're prayin' God takes you instead. Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think , so don't blink. The first time I heard this song, I just sobbed! It's soooo true!
And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching a movie, getting take-out & 'vegging' out at the house, tomorrow my plans include going over to the old house to pack up some more stuff & do a little cleaning and Sunday, I want to go to church and head up to the mountains for a cookout with friends.

* * * * * * * *

THE FRIDAY FIVE

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What is one thing about you that you hate? The fact that I worry about and stress out over pretty much EVERYTHING!!!
What is one thing about you that you love? That I am a compassionate person.
If you had to change one thing about you what would it be and why? I would love to not let things get to me. Sometimes just the way someone says something sets me off & it ends up ruining my day. And, I hate that!!! I'd love to be able to just let things roll off my back.
What is one word that you would use to define yourself? Committed. [And, probably need to be committed, too . . . HA!HA!]
Imagine what you would look like in a perfect world . . . what do you look like? Oh, the perfect world that doesn't exist . . . let's see . . . I'd love to be just a smidge taller (maybe 5'6" or 5'7"), weigh somewhere in the 130-150 range, have totally manageable hair every day, have flawless skin that required no make-up, etc. Ahhhh, the dream!!!

* * * * * * * *

FRIDAY FIVER

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Last party you went to? Bubby's birthday party.
Do you pee in the shower? This is just a gross question. I mean, why would I want to discuss this?
Have you ever fired a gun? Yes.
Where do you call home? Greenville, SC
What's your favorite board game? Chickenfoot (may not be considered a true board game), Imaginiff, Apples to Apples and Cranium.

* * * * * * * *

FRIDAY FUN

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When you look back at your childhood dreams, has your life gone in the direction you expected? Oh, absolutely not! I'm so far on the totally opposite end of where I imagined myself.
What were the three most life changing events in your life? How did they shape who you are? The biggest thing would have to be my daddy's cancer diagnosis in 2001, his 2nd diagnosis in 2005 and his death in 2006. This was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through, but it taught me so much about life. Losing my grandmother in 2004 was really difficult, too. She was the one person I could always count on and losing her was extremely difficult. I guess the 3rd thing would be going back to college. I met some of my best friends there and also have learned so much about myself. It has also helped me gain a lot of confidence in myself that I didn't have before.
Is there anything you would drastically change about your life or are you content with where your life has taken you? I would love to feel more secure financially (wouldn't we all?). I'm in a pretty bad place right now and have had to move in with my Mom. This has been extremely difficult for me, but I hope it will only be temporary. Other than that situation, I'm fairly content with the way things are.

* * * * * * * *

FRIDAY 5

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What’s too spicy for your tastes? A lot of Mexican dishes - - - especially the peppers & jalapenos.
What’s too sweet for your tastes? The icing on the cakes at the bakery my Mom works at. She loves it (and A LOT of people do), but it's rather nauseating for me.
What’s too salty for your tastes? I'm not a big chip fan, unless they're the baked kind. They tend to have less salt.
What’s too bitter for your tastes? I can't think of anything specific right now, but I don't really like anything bitter.
What’s too sour for your tastes? Those sour warheads or whatever they are that kids love. They just about bring me to tears every time I attempt to eat one.

* * * * * * * *

FRIDAY FEAST

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APPETIZER: If you could live on another continent for 1 year, which one would you choose? It would be a toss-up between Europe and Australia, but I'd probably end up choosing Europe because so many of the places I want to visit are there.

SOUP: Which browser do you use to surf the Internet? I use Mozilla Firefox at home and really like it A LOT better than Internet Explorer.

SALAD: On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you know about the history of your country? I'm a history buff. I almost majored in history my first time in college, but changed my mind. I would say I'm probably somewhere between a 6 and an 8.

MAIN COURSE: Finish this sentence: Love is . . . Love is . . . the best feeling in the world.

DESSERT: Have you ever been in or near a tornado? Yes, when I was a child, and it was no fun! It did quite a bit of damage to my house. I was riding in a vehicle with a lady from the church. We were on our way to a concert. It was so scary. The sky turned green. Objects (stop signs, etc.) were flying all over the place. The whole 'train whistle' thing was happening. It was just terrible!

Well, that about does it. Have a GREAT weekend!

It's FRIDAY - - - WOOHOO!!!

2008-06-12T22:31:00.001-05:00

With Friday comes the onslaught of all the memes I love, so here goes:

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______ is high up on my bucket list. Traveling is high up on my bucket list.
My favorite quote is ______; it's from ______. My favorite quote is "Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved"; it's from Helen Keller.
____ inspired me to start blogging. The need for self-expression inspired me to start blogging.
Strawberries are best _____. Strawberries are best in homemade strawberry cake with homemade strawberry icing (YUMMY)!!!
_____ in the last dream I remember having. I got married in the last dream I remember having. [This is a recurring dream, but I never see the groom's face.]
The most enjoyable time to go for a walk is _____________. The most enjoyable time to go for a walk is on a cool, crisp Fall day.
And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending time with Bubby, tomorrow my plans include celebrating Bubby's 5th birthday and Sunday, I want to go to church and then have lunch with my family in celebration of Father's Day.

**********

Friday Five

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Did you get an allowance as a kid, and if so, how much was it? No, I didn't.
How old were you when you had your first job, and what was it? My first real job was at a local restaurant (i.e., 'grease pit'). It was during my freshman and sophomore year of high school, so I was like 14-15 years old.
Which do you do better: save money or spend money? It's hard to save money when it's all spent on bills. I used to save money very well, but not so much anymore. :-(
Are people more likely to borrow money from you, or are you more likely to borrow from them? DEFINITELY from me! But, these days, I have nothing left to borrow.
What's the most expensive thing you've ever bought? My car.

**********

Friday 5

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Who gave you your last balloon, and what was the occasion? My friend's kids gave me a sweet teddy bear & balloon for Valentine's Day. Sooooooo sweet!!!
Who gave you your last scolding, and what was it for? My mom gave me my last 'scolding' because I moved her CDs and didn't re-alphabetize them . . . ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!!
Who gave you your last attaboy, and why? My friend, Lyn. She's always giving me 'attaboys' and it means so much to have someone who is so encouraging and supportive rooting for me!!!
Who gave you your last haircut? That would be my sweet & talented hairstylist, Debi.
Who gave you your last massage? My friend from church, Kellie, who just happens to be a professional masseuse!!

**********

Friday Feast

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APPETIZER: Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist? I'm sure I come across as a pessimist to a lot of people, but I really am a pessimist.
SOUP: What is your favorite color of ink to write with? I typically write in black ink, but I really like red, green & purple.
SALAD: How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them? Not often enough, that's for sure. I try to get a pedicure at the beginning of Summer. For me, manicures aren't really necessary because I have no fingernails. I can never make them look right, so I almost always just go to a salon.
MAIN COURSE: Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it? Yes. I've actually won a bunch of stuff by entering various giveaways on different blogs that I read. I've won books, jewelry, handbags, scrapbooking supplies, toys, etc.
DESSERT: In which room in your house do you keep your home computer? I have a laptop, so it travels with me wherever I happen to be. I typically keep it in my bedroom, though.

**********

FOUR FOR FRIDAY

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Rainbow: Rainbows--the optical and meteorological phenomena that cause a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the Sun shines onto droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere--are a rare sight. When was the last time you saw a rainbow (where was it and what were you doing at the time of the sighting)? The last time I saw a rainbow was not too long after Daddy passed away. I saw it when I was in the backyard at my parents' house. I was getting ready to leave.

Loyalty: Oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp. yesterday revealed plans to sell its 2,200 company-owned gas stations, saying they aren't profitable enough even with gasoline selling at nearly $5.00 per gallon. Are you loyal to a particular brand of gasoline or one specific gas station? If so, what is it about that brand or station that makes you so loyal? I'm not loyal to anything oil/gas-related. And, not that you asked, but . . . I don't believe for one minute that these companies aren't profitable!! GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

Sunday Morning: Tim Russert, NBC News' Washington bureau chief and the moderator of "Meet the Press," died this morning after collapsing while recording voiceovers for Sunday's broadcast. Do you watch any of the Sunday morning interview shows that specialize in interviewing national leaders on issues of state, economics and foreign policy? I've watched "Meet the Press" a handful of times, but am not really into the the issues that any of the Sunday morning shows deal with.

The Guinness Book of World Records claims that "My name is Bond, James Bond" is the most famous movie line of all time. What's your favorite line from a movie? I love the line "It's never a mistake to care about someone" from the movie "Radio."

**********

FRIDAY FUN - Superstitions Edition

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Any extra precautions for Friday the 13th? No!
What superstitions do you have? The whole black cat crossing your path thing! Other than that, not a whole lot of others.
Do you think there is really anything to superstitions, or is it something we just talk ourselves into? I would lean towards the 'something we just talk ourselves into.'
The movies … good or bad? Scary or just campy fun? I don't like scary movies at all. So, I'd say good movies that are just campy fun.

A Little Bonus

2008-06-08T00:31:00.000-05:00

So, I was reading all the blogger's answers to some of the Friday memes and saw this little added 'bonus' over at The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting and Randomness's blog.

This is an open-ended fill-in meme. I found it very interesting, so here goes . . .

My Ex . . . is someone I'd rather forget.

Maybe I Should . . . learn to relax because the stress is way over the top & it's gonna kill me if I don't chill!!

People Would Say . . . they're your 'friend,' but sometimes I have my doubts.

I Don't Understand . . . a LOT of things, but it would take too long to tell you everything.

When I Wake Up In the Morning . . . I usually want to just go back to sleep. I am a major insomniac, so I'm never well-rested. :-(

I Lost . . . A TON of respect for a few different people over the years - - - all for different reasons.

Life is full of . . . uncertainty. You can never really 'plan' your life. While you're busy making plans, life is happening . . . and, a lot of the time, your plans aren't God's plans. I've learned that over the last few years.

My Past Is . . . some good, some bad, but all what makes me who I am today.

I Get Annoyed When . . . people are loud, obnoxious and have no regard for others.

Parties Are . . . not really my thing. If they're small, private affairs, I'm okay, but I can't stand large crowds with a bunch of people I don't know.

I Wish . . . I was more financially secure.

Dogs . . . are the best!!! They're really my favorite animal and make the world a better place.

Cats . . . are fine, but not my favorite - - - mostly because I'm highly allergic!

Tomorrow . . . is a new day - - - start over!!

I Have a Low Tolerance for . . . pain. I'm a big, fat wuss!!!

If I Had a Million Dollars . . . I'd be more financially secure, but I'd still be the same person I am right now. The money wouldn't change me!!

I'm Totally Terrified . . . of deep water and public speaking. What a pair, huh??

Randomness - - - More Nosey Questions

2008-06-07T21:51:00.001-05:00

Click above to play along

What is your favorite day of the week? Sunday
How do you usually wear your hair? With my cut, there aren't many options. I basically just wash, put a little hair product in and go. It's an easy hairstyle & I love it!
What is your favorite item of clothing? My jammies, for sure.
Where would your dream vacation be? Greece, Ireland, Scotland or Italy - - - equally.
Who is your favorite author? book? Nicholas Sparks. My favorite books are "Sam's Letters to Jennifer" and "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" (both by James Patterson).
How often do you log on? I usually stay logged on since I have a wireless connection at home and at work.
What is one of your favorite internet sites to visit? I have a lot of favorite sites,but since it just asks for one, I'll go with one I visit often . . . www.youtube.com.
Coke or Pepsi? Coke
Do you prefer healthy snacks or junk food? If I'm being honest . . . junk food. But, there are healthy snacks that I enjoy.
Are you a morning person or a night owl? A night owl, for sure.

Leave a comment if you decide to play along so I can check out your answers. Have a great Sunday!

Have and Have Nots

2008-06-06T23:30:00.001-05:00

I saw this over at Amuse-Bouche's blog and thought it was pretty interesting, so I thought I'd play along. If you'd like to take up this challenge, simply reprint this list on your blog, and highlight in bold the things you have accomplished.

200 HAVE and HAVE NOTS

Touched an iceberg
Slept under the stars
Been a part of a hockey fight
Changed a baby's diaper
Watched a meteor shower
Given more than you can afford to charity
Swam with wild dolphins
Climbed a mountain
Held a tarantula [this will never happen - - - EVER!!!]
Said "I love you" and meant it
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
Seen the Northern Lights
Gone to a huge sports game
Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Grown and eaten your own vegetables
Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
Had a pillow fight
Bet on a winning horse
Taken a sick day when you're not ill
Built a snow fort
Held a lamb
Gone skinny dipping
Taken an ice cold bath
Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
Seen a total eclipse
Ridden a roller coaster
Hit a home run
Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
Adopted an accent for fun
Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
Loved your job 90% of the time
Had enough money to be truly satisfied
Watched wild whales
Gone rock climbing
Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
Gone sky diving
Visited Ireland
Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
Visited India
Bench-pressed your own weight
Milked a cow
Alphabetized your personal files
Ever worn a superhero costume
Sung karaoke
Lounged around in bed all day
Gone scuba diving
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Gone to a drive-in theater
Done something you should regret, but don't
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Taken a martial arts class
Been in a movie
Gone without food for 3 days
Made cookies from scratch
Won first prize in a costume contest
Got flowers for no reason
Been in a combat zone
Spoken more than one language fluently
Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
Bounced a check
Read - and understood - your credit report
Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
Found out something significant that your ancestors did
Called or written your Congress person
Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
Helped an animal give birth
Been fired or laid off from a job
Won money
Broken a bone [if a toe counts . . . I've broken those many times]
Ridden a motorcycle
Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
Eaten sushi
Had your picture in the newspaper
Read The Bible cover to cover
Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
Gotten someone fired for their actions
Gone back to school
Changed your name
Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
Eaten fried green tomatoes
Read The Iliad
Taught yourself an art from scratch
Killed and prepared an animal for eating
Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
Been elected to public office
Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
Had to put someone you love into hospice care
Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
Had a booth at a street fair
Dyed your hair
Been a DJ
Rocked a baby to sleep
Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
Raked your carpet [I actually own something called a 'rug rake' and it's GREAT]
Brought out the best in people
Brought out the worst in people
Worn a mood ring
Ridden a horse
Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
Buried a child
Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
Been inside the pyramids
Shot a basketball into a basket
Danced at a disco
Played in a band
Shot a bird
Gone to an arboretum
Tutored someone
Ridden a train
Brought an old fad back into style
Eaten caviar
Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
Ridden a giraffe or elephant
Published a book
Pieced a quilt [not all by myself, but I helped my grandmother]
Lived in an historic place
Acted in a play or performed on a stage
Asked for a raise
Made a hole-in-one
Gone deep sea fishing
Gone roller skating
Run a marathon
Learned to surf
Invented something
Flown first class
Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
Flown in a helicopter
Visited Africa
Sang a solo
Gone spelunking
Learned how to take a compliment
Written a love-story
Seen Michelangelo’s David
Had your portrait painted
Written a fan letter
Spent the night in something haunted
Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
Ran away [I used to 'run away' to the basement . . . ha!ha!]
Learned to juggle
Been a boss
Sat on a jury
Lied about your weight
Gone on a diet
Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
Written a poem
Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
Gotten food poisoning
Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
Hiked the Grand Canyon
Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
Gone to the opera
Gotten a letter from someone famous
Worn knickers
Ridden in a limousine
Attended the Olympics
Can hula or waltz
Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
Been stuck in an elevator
Had a revelatory dream
Thought you might crash in an airplane
Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
Saved someone’s life
Eaten raw whale
Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
Laughed till your side hurt
Straddled the equator
Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
Sent a message in a bottle
Spent the night in a hostel
Been a cashier
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
Joined a union
Donated blood or plasma
Built a campfire
Kept a blog
Had hives
Worn custom made shoes or boots
Made a PowerPoint presentation
Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
Served at a soup kitchen
Conquered the Rubik’s cube
Know CPR
Ridden in or owned a convertible
Found a long lost friend
Helped solve a crime
Responded to a NJP newsletter

Let me know if you play along so I can check out your accomplishments. Hope you have a GREAT weekend!!

More Friday Memes . . .

2008-06-06T16:36:00.001-05:00

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So, baby, what’s your sign? Taurus
If you could live in any part of your country, with money no object, where would you live? In the world? If I didn't live here in South Carolina (which, I love, by the way), I'd probably love to live somewhere in the North Carolina mountains. In the world - - - I'm not sure, since I've never been outside of the country. I'm not convinced I'd want to live anywhere other than the U.S., though.
What is your biggest guilty pleasure? A few things, actually . . . food, lazy days and the internet.
Do you have any hobbies? What is your favorite? Is there one you want to try? Scrapbooking and making handmade Christmas ornaments. I enjoy both equally. I'd love to learn how to draw and/or paint.
If you were to take a single college class right now, just for fun, what would you want to learn about? Well, I'm in college right now & I'm not having too much fun. But, if I were just going to take something for 'fun' (if there is actually such thing), it would probably be something in web design or writing HTML code.
When it comes to shopping at the mall, what is your downfall? I hate the mall & I suppose that might be my downfall. I'm not a big fan of shopping . . . PERIOD!
It is Friday night. What are you doing? This particular Friday night (as in "today") . . . going to the old house to pick up a load and then just relaxing at home - - - maybe watch a movie. Most Friday nights, it's usually about the same . . . relaxing & hanging out at home OR doing something with friends and/or family.

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Idle hands are ______. Idle hands are the devil's workshop (right????).
I love ______ in the shower. I love singing in the shower.
My favorite time of the day is when ____. My favorite time of the day is when I'm at home & in my jammies with nothing else to do but relax [this doesn't happen very often].
The last tea I drank was _____. The last tea I drank was yesterday, and it was YUMMY.
I like to _____ in the Summer. I like to stay indoors as much as possible in the Summer (the heat gives me migraines & my allergies bother me a great deal, as well).
My mother always said _____________. My mother always said there'd be days like this [Hey, that's a song!! :-)] - - - she was right, by the way.
And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include not sure yet and Sunday, I want to go to church and out to lunch with the girls.

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FRIDAY 5

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What’s something people do in public that really annoys you, even though it’s probably not a big deal? I cannot stand over-the-top PDA (public displays of affection).
How readily do you ask strangers to stop their annoying behavior? Not very readily. These days, you might get killed if you voice your issue with someone.
What’s something you do in public that probably annoys others? Sometimes, I can get really loud when I'm laughing & I'm sure that can be an annoyance.
What’s your theory about why it’s so easy to get annoyed when one is behind the wheel of a vehicle? Everyone is already stressed out about the day-to-day things. People are so rude and inconsiderate when it comes to driving. So, it's VERY easy to get annoyed behind the wheel of a car. I know it is for me.
What regular, minor annoyance have you learned to tolerate? I don't know that it's minor to me, but for others, I guess it would be. But, I've learned to tolerate negativity from others. I guess I'm not completely tolerant, but I'm more understanding because times are really hard & you never know what a person is dealing with.

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FOUR FOR FRIDAY

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Help, I'm Stuck: With gas prices hovering at more $4/gallon, motorists are said to be putting less fuel in their tanks, then coming up empty on the highway. Though national statistics on out-of-gas motorists do not exist, there's plenty of anecdotal evidence that drivers unwilling or unable to fill 'er up are gambling by keeping their tanks extremely low on fuel. In the Philadelphia area, where the average price for a gallon of regular broke $4 last Friday, calls from out-of-gas AAA members doubled between May 2007 and May 2008, from 81 to 161, the auto club reported. Have you ever run out of gas? If so, what happened? Oh yeah! It happened once and I swore I would never let it happen again. It was in the dead of winter & also the week of Christmas. I had so much going on because my father was very sick with cancer + the holidays were hectic (as always). My gas light had come on the day before, but I just knew I could get the inevitable 30 more miles. Well, don't believe that! I ran out of gas dead in the middle of one of the busiest roads the week before Christmas. Imagine the chaos I caused! And, nobody would stop and help me! I finally got a friend of mine to come & bring me gas. What a thrilling time for me!
Summer 2008 Movies: Iron Man, Speed Racer, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Sex and the City: The Movie, Kung Fu Panda, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, The Happening, The Incredible Hulk, Get Smart, Wall-E, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, The Dark Knight, Step Brothers, The X-Files: I Want to Believe, The Mummy 3, The Rocker, Pineapple Express, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and Tropic Thunder... which movies are you most looking forward to watching this summer? If I'm choosing from the ones listed, I would say The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Sex and the City, Kung Fu Panda and The Happening.
Reviews: I recently joined the consumer review website Yelp.com, where I can read, create and post reviews of everything from restaurants to my local cable provider. How likely are you to write, create and post reviews on sites like Yelp or Amazon, and how likely are you to read consumer reviews as a part of your purchasing process? I would definitely be willing to write consumer reviews, but just haven't taken the time. I almost always read consumer reviews before I purchase anything big or when I'm visiting somewhere or using a service I'm unfamiliar with. I find them to be very useful.
Bookstore: When you visit a bookstore, which sections do you normally gravitate to and which do you avoid at all costs? I love the Clearance section at Barnes & Noble, so I'm always headed there first. But, I also head towards True Crime, Children's, Self-Help and Top Sellers/Recommended.

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FIVE ON FRIDAY

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If you had to participate in one olympic event what would it be and why? I'm gonna go with 'spectator' since I'm not very athletic. HA!HA!
What is the one song you always sing along to? There are sooooo many, but the one that's been recent is "Wake Up Call" by Maroon 5. I LOVE it!
Do you wear a seatbelt in the car? ALWAYS!
Car, suv or truck and why? I have a SUV, but with gas prices the way they are, it makes me want my Honda Accord again.
Are you a good/bad drive? Explain. I think they mean "Are you a good/bad driver?" And, my answer would be that I'm a good driver. I've only gotten one ticket ever and it wasn't even my fault. I try to be very cautious and obey the laws. I'd be lying if I said I never sped because I almost always go 5-10 over the speed limit. But, if you don't do that here, you'll get run over!!

Feasting On Friday

2008-06-05T23:38:00.001-05:00

APPETIZER:

When you drink soda/pop/coke, do you prefer to drink it from the bottle, a can, or after pouring it into a cup?

Any of these ways is fine. I actually prefer a coke from the fountain. It just tastes better!

SOUP:

What television show are you willing to stay up late to watch?

Oh, this list is long, so here goes . . .

Will & Grace, Reba, Criminal Minds, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, pretty much anything on Food Network, Forensic Files, The Investigators, American Idol, Speeders and Cops . . . to name a few! Most of these don’t come on late, but if they did, I’d stay up to watch.

SALAD:

Name one person, place, or thing you think of as brilliant.

My former boss is one of the smartest people I know. I’ve always thought he was brilliant . . . not just in the book sense, but also in his approach to life.

MAIN COURSE:

Would you be willing to work 4 10-hour days instead of 5 8-hour days in order to save gas?

I’d be willing to work four 10-hour days for a lot of reasons, one being having another day off during the week, but the saving gas thing works for me, too.

DESSERT:

If you were a superhero, what would you call yourself?

I have no idea! Super Red or Big Red or something like that . . . since I’m a redhead! :-)

Randomness . . . Feed Your Mind & Your Blog

2008-06-01T19:57:00.001-05:00

My best friend is______. My best friend is Shell.
I love it when______. I love it when I don't have anything on my calendar & can just have a 'ME' day.
My favorite movie is_____because______. My favorite movie is Radio because it is based on a true story here in my hometown & is just very heartwarming.
I can't stand it when______. I can't stand it when people talk over others. Just so you know, this is one of many things I can't stand.
If I could have any job in the world it would be______. If I could have any job in the world it would be working as an event planner or for a non-profit.
Most weekends I ______. Most weekends I am burning up the roads - running here, there & everywhere!
______ tastes so good! Chocolate tastes so good!!! I mean, come on . . . what else would I say?!
Why does ______? Why does everyone [well,almost everyone] have a hidden agenda.
I have lots of ______ around the house. I have lots of DVDs around the house.
Blogging satisfies my need for ______. Blogging satisfies my need for expressing myself openly.

If you want to play along, click on the image above & be sure to leave a comment so that I can check out your answers. Have a great evening & a wonderful week!!