Happy Halloween!!!!

Hope everyone has a great day! Miss you all bunches!!!!

Camera Phone!!!

So yesterday my wonderful husband blessed me with a new cell phone and it just happends to have a camera. Still getting the hang of it but here is one to share. I'm gonna have SOOO much fun with this thing! More pictures soon. Promise!

Setting Clear Goals

Joel Osteen's Latest:

You have a unique, God-given purpose that only you can fulfill! God is the architect of your life and His Word is a blueprint containing all His hopes and plans for your life. One of the best ways to set goals is to start writing them down — both your short-term and long-term goals. It's amazing how your life can begin to take shape when you can see on paper where you want to go. Once you set your goals, stick with them! Don't allow the distractions of life to take you off course. Ask yourself, "Is what I'm doing moving me toward my God-given destiny? Am I staying focused?" Then, allow God to help you avoid things that are not helping you fulfill your destiny.

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you." (Proverbs 4:25)

God, please help me set my schedule each day to accomplish the goals You want me to reach in my life. Thank You for caring so much about me that You have a unique plan and purpose for my life! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Art to Share

Hi All-
Hope your weekend was lovely. Wanted to share a print that John and I just bought at the Ren Fest weekend before last. It's pretty but also cute. Enjoy!

And They're Off...

OMG!

This is SOOOO going to be our kid...

And She's Off...

Went over to help Granny get all packed up last night. We had a nice time. I hate that she will be gone so long but it's always for a good reason.
This week has flown by. Well except for yesterday. I'm hoping today will be fast because I'm not sure I can handle another SUPER long day. The weather should be nice and we will finally have a night at home without interruptions. Sounds like a great time to put up a new storm door! Kinda scary what being married and owning a house does to you.
Speaking of being messed up...John's family is coming into town tomorrow morning. We're all going out to the Ren Fest for some fun and turkey legs. Should be ok. I'm thinking it going to be awkward because John is less excited to see them than I am. Hmmm. Something is wrong with that picture. Hopefully the weather will be good and we can do our own thing. It's normally a good time and I'm hoping to find a really cool pair of black earrings for myself but maybe some Christmas gifts as well. We'll see. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Playin Ketchup

So it's been a few days. Had a weekend in there someplace. It was great. Gran, John and I all went to do participate in the Parade of Homes. Had a great time. Saw some REALLY ugly houses and some really cute ones too. It was cool to get to be inside some of the downtown lofts that I've always wondered what they look like. Way fun!
Work has been work. A lot of the team is out doing various things or are ill. I'm going to get to support a Global conference this week at our Riverport facility. I'm excited. Will be a nice change of pace away from the desk here.
We're gonna start replumbing our house this week. Everyone pray that goes well. Doing the parade of homes really got me motivated to decorate our place. It's comin alone. Pictures soon for all of you out of towners.
Gran leaves for FL on Friday and then straight to London for three weeks. LONG trip for her.
Excited about Thanksgiving coming up. Good food awaits me.

Things to Think About

‘One more day to do my job’
by John Fischer

I’m an Angels fan – God’s Angels as well as Anaheim’s. Now you immediately want to know what a partisan baseball comment like that is doing in a devotional. Well, it’s because I am an Angels fan that I read an article in the Los Angeles Times once about Anaheim’s star young relief pitcher, Francisco Rodriguez, and in that article, he revealed why he points and looks skyward every time he leaves the field. “Win or lose, I point to God when I’m done to thank him for giving me that energy and ability and one more day to do my job. I thank him for allowing me to be myself.”
Some might not recognize this as a statement of worship, but that’s exactly what it is. Our work is our worship. Francisco is worshiping God by training, practicing, and pitching in the major leagues because that is where his talents and skills have taken him. So for him to thank the Creator and give him credit is the most natural thing he could do as a created human being. Actually, every player on the field is worshiping God by doing what he does; it’s just that they don’t all know that they are. Francisco knows, and this adds a spectacular element to his life. He’s not just getting by in life; he’s getting to do what he was meant to do.
Does this only apply to baseball players? Why should it? Why couldn’t it apply to anyone, doing any job? Can a computer programmer thank God for one more day to do her job? Can a CEO thank God for the skills and abilities to run a company? Can a clerk at Wal-Mart thank God for allowing him to be himself? Of course. That’s the unique nature of this perspective. It can apply to anyone or no one.
It’s really all up to us to see our lives as gifts of God for however long we get to live them on this earth. God’s not going to tap us on the shoulder and remind us of this every few hours. Indeed, you can live your whole life and never see it as a gift of God and an act of worship. But in this case, who loses?
Our lives should worship God anyway since we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. So why not get in on the act? Why not thank God for one more day to do your job? And while you’re at it, thank him for allowing you to be yourself.

Sometimes I HATE Technology...

I've been trying all day to post something new but I keep getting an error. This morning I logged on and wrote a beautiful post about vacation and other various good stuff. Poof! In a flash it was gone. I'll try again.

Vacation was good. We did some shopping and LOTS of eating. It was lovely to see Gaga and Sharon but also nice to spend time with Mom and Gran Patti. I'm happily got all my fall and winter wardrobe purchased. I'm wicked glad to be done with that. I love fashion and clothing but hate to shop for clothing for myself. Wonder why.

Been thinking and reading a lot lately about purposeful living. All of this started because of an article I read in Relevent Magazine a while back. They of course talked about living a life a purpose for God but also living a life of purpose in other ways. One way was being more conscious of the little ways you can effect the environment. I thought about what that could mean for me. How I could in my daily life effect something so great. I came across a guy who has written a few books about just this subject. He is a really cool person and has lots of creative ideas on just this subject. His name is Danny Seo. Now, I'm just gonna stop you all right there. I know what your thinking and I can assure you that I'm not going to go crazy on you. Promise! Ok, back to Danny. His first book "Conscious Style Home: Eco-Friendly Living for the 21st Century" is way cool (I actually just bought it and am eagerly awaiting it's arrival in the mail). He actually redoes his parents house into a more eco friendly space. I love the idea. He repurposes things, he gives you great tips on donating unused items and all kinds of other cool stuff. The article I initially read about him gave a tour of his home (Which was killer cute) and showed how he has been able to be friendly to the environment but still live like a king. I know this isn't for everyone but it's something I find to be very interesting. Below are some links. One is Danny's blog. He's one of the editors of Country Home Magazine, has a sirus radio show each day and has a spot on one of the early morning tv shows called Simply Green. He also has two other books: "Simply Green Parties" & "Simply Green Giving". They both feature some really cool ideas. You can check those out here:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=br_ss_hs/104-8602102-0089546?platform=gurupa&url=index%3Dblended&keywords=Danny+Seo&Go.x=11&Go.y=10

Also, here are some other links that give more info about Danny and his cute little house:

http://dannyseo.typepad.com/

http://www.supernaturale.com/articles.html?id=202

http://decor8.blogspot.com/2006/09/eco-expert-danny-seo.html

Enjoy these links and I'll chat with y'all again soon!

No More Chains

First of all, I MUST tell you all that last night I received the cutest gift. Gold ballet flats by Dollhouse. They are wicked cute! I'm having trouble finding something that they WON'T go with! (Gran I can hear your eyes rolling right now!)

Next, something really cool happened to me today. I tend to journal after getting inspired by something. It just makes me feel good. I feel like I don't want to forget the feeling. Anyway, I was typing out my thoughts and wrote something that I hadn't even realized to be a truth. I just sat there and read over "my" words again and again. God spoke to me threw ME! I just started giggling right here at my desk. I was filled with this feeling I haven't had in a while. That wonderfuly addictive feeling that God is close to me. It's something I always know in my mind but when you encounter him in everyday life it's SO cool. He showed me a place in my life that I've been dressing fear up in a costume for myself. Making it seem to be something else but it was still just plain old fear. WOW! So then (as He often does with me at least) God gave me a song to "go" with my realization. I wanted to share the lyrics with you because they are incredibly inspiring in themselves. If you have a chance to actually hear the song, I would recommend it. Even if you don't like music.

No More Chains by Nicole Nordeman
How did I get locked up inside?
What's this that renders me paralyzed?
I lost myself in small pieces
It happened over time
I traded love for a heavy chain
Another link every other day
I pulled it up and down a mountain
It made me want to say?
No more chains No more chains
Big and small, watch them fall away
No more chains
Big and small, watch them fall away
I wonder now if the choice was mine
The door was open, I walked inside
Nobody had my arm twisted
Nobody made me stay
The face of freedom can show up small
A tiny crack in a prison wall
A song that rises up from silence
A voice that wants to say?
No more chains

I should let you give me wings
I should let you set me free

Coffee Buzz

This weekend was lovely. Well most of it. Saturday Gaga and Sharon arrived in the afternoon. It was so good to see them. We went and had a great lunch at Mimi's Cafe. Couldn't get a better chicken pot pie if you tried! Sunday evening we threw a mini party for about 13 people. Good time, however, I shouldn't have had that second cup of coffee. I was up ALL night. I have always heard people talk about not being able to drink coffee late for that reason but I hadn't ever had it happen to me. Anyway, I'm ready for a nap already!

Furniture, Fat Checks and Fun Times

So last night the quest continued for bedroom furniture for Gran's spare room. I FINALLY talked her into going out to Nebraska Furniture Mart to take a look round. We of course found a great bed room set AND, God Bless Them, they're gonna delivery it today!

More big news, I found out my compensation adjustment yesterday and let me tell you all, it's a good one. You never really can tell how your manager feels you're truly performing till they throw a fat check at you. Really cool!

As previously mentioned, Gaga and Sharon are coming on Saturday. We've got a fun week ahead of us and I'm so looking forward to it. I've got three days off next week, so there won't be anything new and exciting here for a few days. I'll hopefully however come back with pictures to post and stories to tell.

Have a great weekend Everyone!

Movie Time

Last night John and I watched the CUTEST movie. We've wanted to see it for awhile but it is finally on cable. It's called Hitch. Stars Will Smith, Eva Mendes and few others.Check it out. It's FUNny.

Post Me Party People!!!!

So it occured to me that MAYBE you all don't know how to post me (or you just don't like me) Either way, you're all gonna learn right now. That way you can't say you didn't KNOW.
So kids...all you gotta do to post a comment to any of the posts you read here is click on the X comments link at the bottom of each one. You can leave me cute notes. It'll be fun. Promise!

Restoration and the Goodness that Follows

More daily email goodness. Makes you think.

Restoration
by John Fischer

Restoring relationships is an important part of having them. As imperfect people, you can count on the fact that we will let each other down. That’s why truthfulness and forgiveness are an essential part of our life together.
It’s a commentary on our fast-paced mobile lifestyles that it often takes a death to bring family and friends together. At a memorial service I attended once for the wife of a worship leader who had served three churches in three different parts of the country, friends from all three areas came, at no small personal expense, to show their love and support. The huge turnout was, as much as anything, a testimony to this couple’s deep commitment to the people they had served, and it was an opportunity for many to remember a courageous woman and give something back to her husband and children.
It was also a time for me to be reunited with old friends who had been much more in my life when I lived closer to them. One in particular had some hard words for me. Some time ago he sent me an e-mail that had gone into considerable detail about changes in his life – personal things he was going through – and I had never answered it or even acknowledged receiving it. This had hurt him deeply and I could tell as he confessed to me his hurt and anger that he had built up a lot of resentment toward me. But at the same time, I could sense a big weight come off his shoulders as he conveyed his true feelings to me. By facing me honestly, he was rescuing what was valuable about our relationship and setting both of us free.
He could have been superficially nice to me at the memorial service and continued on in his resentment and anger, and I would have never known. I couldn’t have even asked his forgiveness if I hadn’t known I had hurt him. But by being honest and confrontational, he gave the Lord the opportunity to heal and restore. God can do wonders in our relationships as long as we face each other and tell the truth.
Jesus once said that if you bring an offering to the Lord and you are aware of something wrong in one of your relationships, you should set your offering aside and go get things straightened out with your brother or sister, then come back and worship. (Matthew 5:23-24) How we live in relationship with each other in the Body of Christ needs our attention, even before our worship. God is basically saying that we can’t be in fellowship with him and knowingly out of fellowship with each other. My friend did the right thing and we are both the better for it.

Release the Hounds...

So I found this GREAT stationery today that I've just GOT to have. It's cute and reminds me of my baby dog but still looks grown up. Love it!

Weekend Stuffs

So Friday Gran rolled into KCI around 5pm. We picked her up and it was lovely to see her. Went and had a great dinner and talked about her trip.

Slept a little late on Saturday but was up and showered by eight. Both of us. TOTALLY weird. Ran some errands (checked out house stuff at Home Depot) and then headed to Gran's for a fun filled day of shopping. Macy's was having a sale! Gran made out like a bandit, I however scored a cook book. Granted I got a great deal on it and it was one that I've wanted for a while. I was happy.

Sunday we just a lot of nonsense. Made some chili for lunch because it was totally a chili day. Rainy and grey out. Watched a movie. Read on my new book. Oh well, got another book actually on Sunday. The new Joyce Meyer book, Confident Woman. I haven't gotten that far into it but so far it's dynamite. I think I'm really going to enjoy it.

Only nine more days till I have three days off. Isn't it funny how we count the days down. I hope it's not rainy and gross while Gaga is here but who knows.

So it's Sept 11th. John had the news on this morning and it's all they talked about. Yesterday we watched V for Vendetta. Kinda creepy. If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it. Great movie. Weird though to watch it yesterday because it's about a terrorist in London. I normally hate movie like that but it was different than most. A lot of side story that still had to do with the main plot.

Anyway, back to the day. Mondays are always so...yuck.

I'm a Junkie

I'm thinking it would be super fun to do an I'm "addicted" to right now list. So here goes:

-Lemon & Honey Green Tea (They're the little packets. You just add them to water and you have this great drink and yes, they're portable. LOVE IT because it makes water not quite so watery.)

-Tab Energy (Yes, it's a drink too. I know but in my world of being almost physically chained to my desk, this is what I'm into People. It's great because it's energy without that ants under your skin feeling.)

-Quilted Handbags (It's this weird kinda granny but sorta cute thing. My new one is big, black and quilted. Oh, that almost sounds obscene!)

-Project Runway (I don't watch all that much TV these days but this one is on the DVR list for sure. What could better? It combines sewing, fashion, modeling and some really funny people. This season is pretty good. I'm crossing my fingers for Michael but I wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't mention I love Kayne. I know he's all crazy pageant dresses and way to much energy but I just can't help myself. He's fun.)

-Lost (In the spirit of TV, I'm addicted to Lost. I can't wait for the new season to start. You think I'm wild now, just wait. It gets better.)

-Black and White (Not sure what it is with me and the two fabulous colors but I'm hooked. I love the contrast I guess. Colors are great but how fancy and classic does one look in a great pair of black pants with a crisp white button down shirt? I mean come on! This also goes for the home. I love white sofa's, white flowers, black furniture.)

-Panera Bread Broccoli Cheese Soup (It's soup but oh so much more yummy than normal soup. Far superior.)

-Fall Weather (Really diggin the weather lately. Wish it would be this great all the time.)

-Little Black Hair Clippie-dos (Because believe it or not people, I actually almost have something of a mini pony going on. It's progress for me. My dad, I'm sure, is leaping out of his seat about now.)

-Blueprint Magazine (It's part of the Martha Stewart empire but way more fun. Great DIY tips for fashion and home. Great recipes and really great advice for storage and stuff. Only into their second issue as of now but cool things to come I'm sure.

-Cupcakes (They are mini cakes with brightly colored yummy icing. 'Nough said.)

-Shoes (This is vague, I know but if you know me at all you'll understand that it doesn't really matter what brand or style. I love them all. Like puppies.)


Ok, your turn. Post your "addiction" list because, well...It will be fun.

Cheers!

Meditation on God

So I receive a few daily emails from various ministries around the globe. Devotional, daily prayers but sometimes they're just random thoughts that someone had. Something that God's laid on their hearts and they choose to share it with others in hopes that it might help them too. Anyway, this morning one of these hit pretty close to home and I thought it would be lovely to share with everyone. It really did make me stop and think. Enjoy!

Why worry when you can meditate?
by John Fischer

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)
IÂ’m a chronic worrier. I come from a long line of worriers. A good deal of my conscious time is taken up with the act of worrying. According to Rick Warren, this means I would be good at meditation.
Meditation is focused thinking. It is not just for monks and clerics. David said that he loved to meditate day and night on the Word of God. Now this was also while he was running a kingdom, fighting a perpetual enemy on the battlefield, and at times, running for his life. didn'tidn’t have a lot of time to sit with his legs crossed and go “Ommmmmm.” That kind of meditation is meant to clear the mind of all thoughts. Biblical meditation is thinking focused on a particular aspect of God, a part of God’s Word, or a reminder of what he has done for you.
Worry is focused thinking as well. ItÂ’s focused on what I canÂ’t answer or solve about my situation. Worry, at least for me, is returning over and over again to a place where I am stuck. I must somehow negatively feed on that little flutter of panic each time I follow a path of worry to the same hopeless conclusion. These are thoughts that accompany me throughout the day. I donÂ’t sit down to worry. Worry is nagging negativity.
It would stand to reason that if I can do this kind of professional worrying while I go about my tasks for the day, then I could choose to meditate on GodÂ’s Word instead. Worry is usually all about what you canÂ’t do anything about anyway. ItÂ’s never productive. Imagine all that attention turned to God and his truth.
I have the feeling that if I learned to turn my chronic worrying into meditation, when I did actually sit down to do something about those things IÂ’m tempted to worry about, I might be in a much better frame of mind to find a solution.
Try it today. If you catch yourself worrying, turn your thoughts instead to God and his Word. Take a portion of Scripture and turn it over and over in your mind. Remember what God has done for you. Be thankful. Why worry when you can meditate?