Wednesday, August 25, 2010

advertising works...at least on me

I was so excited about working out today I woke up myself at 4:45. When I realized what time it was, I slept for about an hour and a half. I don't know how I slept during the next 90 minutes, but I must have slept roughly. I woke up with a crazy pain in the middle of the right side of my back. I got up to work out thinking it would work itself out. Not so much...

I tried doing the warm up and it was PAINFUL. So I decided I would work out tonight. I laid back down with extra pillows for a little while thinking that would help...I was wrong. When I got up to take a shower, I let the hot water hit my back knowing this would solve the problem. For a third time in a very short span of time, I was wrong.

I got ready for work. I stopped by to pick up an icy hot back patch. I've seen Shaq with one on his back in numerous commercials. I went to a drug store first but they didn't have icy hot. They did have other brands but I wanted the icy hot brand. It's what Shaq used & if it looked big on his back, I knew it would definitely cover my pained area.

So I went to another store, found my icy hot patches and picked up some dunkin' donuts coffee (so good!). In my car, I discretely put the patch on....and I felt relief almost instantly. Thanks Shaq. I owe you one!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

New Movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This movie is about a HUGE event that happens in my hometown every year. I grew up about 2 miles from it & it was always the weekend before my birthday.

I don't even know what to do right now. I'm so excited to see what all they have to say!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Sermon Notes * Details by Ed Young

I have a little notebook from our 2009 Children's Conference. I take it to each small group & weekend service to take notes. I'm an old school note-taker. I had to stop & reread my notes from the January 9, 2010 sermon Pastor Ed shared. This sermon was over manners. I'd never heard a sermon over manners & it really struck me so I wanted to share some of the points from my notes.

In our culture, the mood is rude.

Ignorance + Arrogance = Rudeness
Knowledge + Humility = Respect

1. Manners are deep. Philippians 2:3-4
2. Manners aren't general; thy are specific.
3. Manners aren't selective; they're standard. EVERYONE MATTERS TO GOD.
4. Manners aren't about you; they're about others.

10 Things for 2010
1. I will take responsibility for honors, respect, & manners.
2. I will gladly welcome correction. (read Proverbs...)
3. I will deal with people honestly & without hostility.
4. I will look at (not through) people.
5. I will look my best because I represent the best.
6. I will expect respect in all of my relationships.
7. I will incorporate the power words in my life: Yes sir; No ma'am; please; thank you.
8. I will make hospitality happen.
9. I will live in prayer mode. (pray for everyone I see/meet)
10. I will fast to make it last. (awake21.0rg)

PS You can check out the podcast on itunes or you can listen to it here.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

bad ideas...

My next door neighbors are a really nice family. The parents (Tasi & Linda) are from South Africa & both work for Fed Ex. Their two children (Michaela & Nick) are really good. Whenever Linda has to go to Tennessee for work, I help out with the kids while Tasi is at work. It's really simple: I come over early, early, early in the a.m. so Tasi can go to work. I get the kids up & take them to either school or childcare (depending on the time of year), head to work, pick up the kids from school or childcare after work, then chill out wiht them until Tasi gets home. It's really simple & the kids are so good, I enjoy the time we spend together.

Tonight was our last night together since Linda returns tomorrow afternoon. I wanted to make tonight special so I told the kids we could cook anything they wanted for dinner. I was surprised when they told me they wanted Spaghetti Tacos. Essentially you make spaghetti, bake some taco shells, then place the noodles in the shell, and you top it off with either marinara or alfredo sauce. If you think this sounds like not your type of meal, you & I would have something in common. I was surprised to see Nick eat three & Michaela eat two. I was really thankful I was able to eat one.... No. I won't be doing that again anytime soon.

After dinner I thought we could ride around the neighborhood. Michaela would ride her bike, Nick would ride his scooter, and I would use my roller skates. Michaela opted to walk. My roller skates did not do well on the sidewalk. I didn't want to set a bad example by skating in the street so I tried to power through on the sidewalk. After almost tripping 7 times, we headed back to the house. I put on my vibrams. Nick put up his scooter & took his bike out. Michaela & I walked behind him. So not quite the fun outing I thought it would be.

I thought ice cream would make the evening better. We went to Braums...oh Braums how I love you! We had a much better experience with Braums. :-)

To cap off the night we played a game of Nintendo Monopoly. I used Link's boots for my token. :-) The kids did not quite grasp what were good purchases & what weren't.

Thankfully the kids all had really good attitudes. :-) And next time I babysit, I'll think through things a little more before I agree to things like spaghetti tacos.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

This and That

My goodness it's been a while....

Then again, I have a pattern of consistently writing then sporadically writing then no writing at all. So I really shouldn't be as surprised as the first sentence shows....I don't know, I think I always have great plans of writing more. Writing often. Writing to release.

Life has been busy with lots of change lately. My work responsibilities grew. I now get to manage my regular team of greeters for the preschool and the toddler hall. I keep wanting to yell out, "I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies!" but it's not quite applicable. I don't have to deliver any babies, I just have to care for them once they start walking. It's been a great time of growth. I am learning a lot about toddlers and my diaper changing skills are on a whole 'nother level. I'm really looking forward to learning more about how to be a shepherd for my volunteers. It's a tricky business, caring for souls.

I went to Allaso Ranch for a week. I loved teaching Bible study. I forgot just how much I missed teaching. Yes, every week I lead a devotional with my volunteers but teaching is so different! It was nice to get to teach again. I typically get to teach a lesson or two of our small group examples for the curriculum we produce. In other words, I'm trying to keep my teaching skills from getting rusty.

My baby niece had an excellent time! She was selected to be camper of the day on Monday too! She got to zipline & blob. She was able to make friends, have fun, and most importantly learn more about the mission God has for her precious life.

In Ring Watch 2010 news, Chris & I tried on some rings the other day. I didn't find the ring though. It's funny how you see a ring, appreciate its beauty, try it on, and realize this isn't the ring for you. Chris said we'd look at a few other places too. I'll keep you posted as news develops. ;-)

Chris is absolutely wonderful. I am so thankful for him!

Muse has been my ear candy for the last week.

I'm doing my Insanity workouts again. Shaun T (the fitness instructor) said that he isn't doing this to hurt me but to make me stronger....I think it might actually be a little of both. ;-) It's good to get back into a routine. I did miss working out. Plus the sweet sense of accomplishment from living after you finish a session can't have a price put on it.

I was really excited to find out my dear, wonderful, lovely friend Connie is getting married in December! I'm also really excited that I get to attend the wedding in California! I've never been to California so I'm looking forward to it. I hear very good things about it. Plus to share in Connie's big day is wonderful. I got a sneak peek of her dress & it's killer!

Mountain Dew Throwback is on shelves again. I fear I will be hoarding it since I only have about 5 cans left from the original hoard. Dr. Pepper has a made with real sugar variety out now too...soda will surely be the death of me. Why does sugar & caffeine have to be so delicious?

I'm almost finished with Beth Moore's study on John. I'm really bummed I only have 10 more days of it. I've always like John the most out of the disciples (I would call myself the beloved disciple too so we've always has a bit of a connection).

I bought a CS Lewis collection of books. I'm rather intimidated to read it...but I know I'll learn a lot from it. I'm also reading my pastor's book The Creative Leader. I am really enjoying it. My leaders are going to start studying it with me too. I'm really looking forward to seeing what comes out of it. :-)

My desk is currently drowning in a sea of papers. I need to figure out a better organizational system.

My friend, Carolyn, lent me her plaque. It's a nice edition to my already eclectic desk. Her plaque is pink with white polka dots and proudly says: Put on your BIG GIRL Panties and deal with it! With all of the change, this is a nice reminder.

My fashion sense is off as of late....I don't know why but lately it seems like I have nothing to wear. When I put on something, I'm not too excited about it. I don't know what the clothes funk is all about.

I don't have skin cancer! I celebrated by buying two new outfits....including a great pair of mustard peep toe wedges.

And that's a little bit of what's been going on lately...

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Music in the Office

It's not a secret: I love music. Not just because I was a choir kid. Not just because I wanted to sing "Vision of Love" on Star Search & would practice for hours on end. I love the way music sets the atmosphere. I just love it!

A few months ago, I moved over to the preschool from the elementary office. In the preschool, a couple of the ladies will listen to their music all day...without ear phones. Unfortunately, I had left my ear phones at home & didn't have a spare pair in my desk. No offense to the sweet ladies or their choice in music but after a while, I was ready to not hear their music.

So today, I made sure to bring my ear phones. Currently Mae is helping me tune out everything else in the office.I feel like now I'm ready to go! Now I'm ready to be productive. No more hearing the same five songs on loop for me....

ahhh....productivity here I come!