Discovering Liz: A Year In Review - 2008

Well, this little idea came from ohamanda.com today, and I thought it looked fun.  Do a little recap of your blog over the last year by posting the first sentence of the first blog of each month.  I found mine to be fairly interesting, and it jogged a lot of memories for me.  Seems I had forgotten a few things.

Here we go...

January:  Musings of a Housewife is asking bloggers about the things they love right now.

February:  It's been a crazy week here with my bloggy giveaway.

March:  We had dinner with our friends Mark and Kelli tonight.

April:  Ten Things You'd Fix in Your Home (if you had the time and money)

May:  I feel like my car is on its last legs...or should that be tires?

June:  I've been wanting to tell you about something, but since I'm not very good at following through on exercise commitments, I decided not to tell anybody about it until I had a few days under my belt.

July:  Something just hit me like a ton of bricks a minute ago.

August:  Thank goodness for Ronnica, who is trying to give me some hints on blog topics.

September:  I've got bangs!!!!

October:  Has anyone ever died from being too tired?

November:  Now back by popular demand, I give you A Day at the Office: Edition #2.

December:  Hoo, buddy! Did I have a special surprise this morning.

It's December 31st Already?

It was thrilling to see so many new visitors yesterday.  And since some of you were curious to know what my dog Dixie was doing that was naughty while I was trying to record my video, let me just tell ya.  She was trying to chew her way into the box of White Fudge Covered Oreos.  Then she started chewing on the crocheted wreath.  She was probably just acting out in jealousy because the camera was not focused on her.  She is such a ham!

I have only watched a handful of videos at Linda's 2nd Cup of Coffee because I had a full day elsewhere.  It will probably take me the rest of the week to visit everyone's blogs.

I just realized that it's December 31st, and I haven't yet done any reflecting over 2008, at least not in writing.  I really wanted to do that.  Bummer!  Well, there are still some hours left in the day.  Maybe I can squeeze that in somewhere between work, meals, a music practice, studying, and preparing some type of food for fellowship after church tonight.

If you don't hear from me before the clock strikes midnight, I wish you a Happy New Year.  I'll catch ya later... in 2009!

"I See What You're Saying" - Christmas Edition Vlog

Hey, everybody!  Glad to have you here today to view my vlog for the I See What You're Saying-Christmas Edition, especially if you're visiting for the first time by way of 2nd Cup of Coffee.

Here is my contribution....

I See What You're Saying from Liz on Vimeo.

And since I seem to talk really fast and haven't quite honed my Vanna White skills, here is a snapshot of the sweater I'm wearing in the video, just in case you really wanted to see it.

       

Now, if you want to see some more I See What You're Saying vlogs, you better get yourself on over to Linda's blog and start clicking links.  I'm sure there are some funny bloggers that are just waiting to be discovered.

Cool Giveaway!

Want to win a $50 Target gift card?  You better go visit my blogging friend, Ronnica.  She's got a new blog site and a contest running through Friday, Jan. 9th.  There are various ways you can be entered to win.

Visit her blog, the Ignorant Historian.

My Christmas

Maybe it's a good idea I write a little post, just so as to not lose my two faithful readers.  You've probably been wondering what I've been up to the last few days, eh?  Between work, shopping, and Christmas preparations, I didn't have a whole lot of time to do other stuff, like blogging. 

Shall we go with a list format?

1.  I've been battling a sore throat since Monday, and it's driving me nuts.  As soon as it starts feeling better, I wake up in the morning and it's worse again.  Ugh!

2.  Rich appears to have a sinus infection, so he's been fairly miserable and living on NyQuil.  And just between you and me, he's kinda been Mr. Grumpy-pants, which can make me feel like Mrs. Grumpy-pants.  In spite of being sick, though, he has been involved in the holiday to the best of his ability, and I appreciate that.

3.  I confess with all the goodies that have invaded our home, I'm in serious trouble.  You know it's really bad when you're craving a vegetable.

4.  Judy is visiting family out of town all week.  I miss her.

5.  We went out for Christmas dinner with my parents.  We had Chinese.  It's sort of a yearly tradition, since my sister and her family spend Christmas at her in-laws.

6.  Rich and I watched Prince Caspian tonight.  It was okay, but I don't think it even compared to the first Narnia movie.

7.  If you know me in real life, I beg you not to stop by my house tomorrow unannounced.  I'd have to deny you entry.  My sink is overflowing with dishes because my dishwasher is broken sick with a sinus infection.  I'm dreading having to tackle those things all by myself.

8.  Note to self - New year's resolution #28: You need more self-discipline in 2009.

Hope you are all having a good Christmas.  Until next time...

It Hurts To Be a Hoosier In Winter

If it reached 10 degrees today where you live, count yourself blessed.  It was 0 degrees with wind gusts here in northern Indiana at noon on Sunday, but who knows what the wind chill is registering?  It's a cold that's intolerable and makes you feel like you just might die.

When I got home after church, my toes were so frozen they hurt.  I finally had to get my feet into the bathtub to try to get the blood flowing.

There was no doubt I needed a change of wardrobe before heading out to the evening service.  I decided to wear pants, and my husband loaned me his long underwear.  Thank goodness they fit me!  It made all the difference in the world.  I guess I've been missing out on the toasty-ness.  I had no idea.  After singing the praises of the long underwear, he said maybe he would get me some for Christmas. 

Hmmm.... 

I was really hoping for some new gold earrings for Christmas, but the long underwear might actually be a fair tradeoff.  Besides, if this insane arctic snap continues for very long, my earlobes will fall off, and I won't be able to wear the earrings anyway.

A Day at the Office: Edition #5

Today's edition is fun.  It was actually recorded yesterday.  Changing up the scenery a little...

A Day at the Office: Edition #5 from Liz on Vimeo.

Sweet Freedom!

It's been a long 90 days, and I am ready to burn rubber!  I found this video to best convey my feelings on this momentous occasion.  Who better to express it for me than Rascal Flatts and Lightning McQueen?

Ka-chow!

'Tis The Season?

I can't believe we're smack dab in the middle of December.  Is Christmas really only 9 days away?!?  I feel like the seasons are passing me by, and I'm hanging on for dear life.  Somebody just tell me where to be and what time to show up.  I'll be there. 

Our Christmas tree is up and decorated, but that's all.  Christmas shopping?  What's that?  Okay, I have placed one order online, but that's all.  In my defense, that small detail of not being allowed to operate a motor vehicle because of my license suspension has made it somewhat difficult to get into the full swing of Christmas shopping. 

Somehow I just don't feel right about calling my mom up and asking her, Could you please drive me to the mall, so I can buy you a Christmas present?  Suddenly I have memories of being 10 years old again and going to the Osco drugstore to buy her a gigantic, holiday boxed, Hershey's Kiss.  I mean, there's a gift that keeps on giving.

But that nasty, old license suspension is coming to an end tomorrow (Merry Christmas to Liz!), so I will be hitting the shopping centers hard in the next 7 days.  I have no idea where I'm going or what I'm buying, but by golly, I'm getting out there and mingling with all you crazies jolly, last-minute shoppers. 

A Christmas Program To Remember

Well, it wasn't a secret among those of us who were at the final rehearsal for the children's Christmas program on Saturday. Things were not going well.

Two of the actors had sore throats, one of them a main character. Children forgot their lines. They weren't standing where they had been told to stand. They were singing with less gusto. They still weren't speaking up or facing the audience. We had kinks with the sound system to work out. The actors in the play were frustrated and still working on their lines. Children were misbehaving and caused one teacher to lose it. Not that she was alone in that. Who could really blame her? We were all feeling the pressure.

The final practice for the program has always been a pressure cooker because... This is it! We have to be ready. For some reason, this one was the most difficult I have ever experienced. I was going through my own personal issues, and having a head cold didn't help matters. Tears came to my eyes as I sat at the piano and observed it all. I wasn't the only one, either.

At the snack break the Lord reminded me that... we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) It was not about misbehaving children or frustrated actors at all. It was about a battle being raged in the spiritual realm.

There is one who would not like to have seen our program succeed because of our message - adoption into the family of God. That one is Satan. We have an enemy, and it was evident that his hosts were busily working to take us down.

But God has overcome the evil one.

Last night as the lights went down and the program began, I think we each may have taken a collective breath. Then something amazing happened. The children were remembering their lines. They stood where they had been told to. They sang loudly. All the actors were present, sore throats and all, and delivered their lines to the sheer enjoyment of the audience, even if they did need a few prompts.

We were enjoying the moment.

Best of all, the gospel was presented in a most touching way, and it was evident God was there. It made my month of Sundays, with all the aches and tiredness I experienced with it, all melt away. It was worth it.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

A Month of Sundays

It's good to be home this Sunday afternoon.  This morning I realized that this is the first Sunday afternoon in four weeks that I've been able to spend at home.

Three weeks ago there was an afternoon children's program practice, and I was at church all day.  Two weeks ago we had a special afternoon service with a dinner between, so  I was pretty much at the church all day.  Last week was another children's practice... at church all day.  And today.... NOTHING. 

Can you say, Sunday afternoon nap?

Yes, I'll be going to bed for my regular Sunday afternoon nap in just a little bit.  I've been trying to catch up on sleep, especially with this head cold.  I'm looking forward to it with every ounce of my being.

Does anyone else love their Sunday nap?

Count Me In

Okay, guys.  Time for a quiz...

True or False?  Liz loves making videos.

If you answered false, you've NEVER VISITED MY BLOG BEFORE.  {gaaaaaassssp}  Where have you been all my blogging life?

Alright, enough of the sarcasm.  If this is your first visit to my blog, I sure am glad you stopped by.  Don't be a stranger.  Come back.  Tell your friends.  Subscribe to my feed.  And I am NOT afraid to beg.

Seriously, people, the answer to the quiz is true.  I do love to make me some fun videos, or at least attempt to make some fun videos.  Do you know what that means?  I'm going to be joining the I See What You're Saying - Christmas Edition "vlog" carnival over at 2nd Cup of Coffee on December 30th.  (FYI, a vlog is a video blog.)

All you have to do is make a video...about anything.  It can be Christmas oriented or something else.  Just make a video, post it on your blog, and then hook up with Mr. Linky on her site that day.

I'm helping spread the word for Linda, just in case you might like to join all of us vloggers over there in a couple weeks.  That way you'll have plenty of time to come up with a video idea by then.  Trust me, I know how hard it can be to get the video material flowing.  Your video doesn't have to be on any specific topic, so the possibilities are endless.  Go on over to Linda's, if you need some ideas.

Please Pass the Tissues

I've tried fighting off my cold with Airborne, but I think I was too late in taking it yesterday.  I really should've taken it on Monday when I sneezed about 10 times that morning.  If I had known it was a pre-cursor of the mucous to come, I surely would've done something more preventative.

I'm congested, my nose is running, and I sneeze from time to time.  I'm just glad I don't feel worse.  I know I COULD feel worse, but this is a pretty mild cold...as colds go.

At this point, I believe I will be able to make it through the play practice tomorrow and the performance on Sunday night.  Typically when I'm sick, I feel the worst in the first couple of days, and as I said, I'm not feeling horrible.  I should be good to go.

Thanks to those who mentioned they are praying for me.  I know this is just another opportunity to rely on the grace of God for the tasks in front of me.  When I am weak, then I am strong.

Under the Weather

This morning I woke up with congestion and a yucky feeling in my throat.  Now that I'm at work I'm starting to feel the energy draining from my body, and I've got the grumpies.  I think it's a cold.

Would you pray for me?  This is a big weekend with the children's Christmas program.  We have our final practice on Saturday from 9:00 - 12:00, and then the performance is Sunday night.  I play all the music, so I really need to be alert and ready.  If I'm sick, there isn't anyone else who could take my place.

Keepin' It Real

You know that new security system they activated at church?  That one I told you about yesterday (or more like this morning, since it posted so late last night)?  I guess it's not so bad now, in the light of a new day... and having used it once without any major catastrophes.

If you saw the video and thought, Wow! Liz is sure neurotic. Why is she freaking out over that?... you'd be pretty right on with your evaluation.  Just keepin' it real here, people.  Keepin' it real.

I think everything is going to be OK.

A Day at the Office: Edition #4

It's the day I've been anticipating for weeks.  Want to see how it went?

A Day at the Office: Edition #4 from Liz on Vimeo.

Have you missed the other editions?  Check out these links: Editions #1, #2, #3

Sleep

It's 3:00 AM.  I'm on the computer.  Hmmm...  There's something wrong with this scenario.  What is it?

Oh yeah.... I should be SLEEPING.

I wish I could.  I've tried.  I can't. 

{sigh}

Guess I'll try again.

{yawn}

A Love Affair Revisited...Again

*This was originally posted on Nov. 9, 2007, but I think it's worth a reprint.

Hoo, buddy! Did I have a special surprise this morning. Everything happened as any other typical day in my life this morning. I managed to get out the door a little early in order to go grab a Starbucks as I headed to the church. I had raspberry mocha on my brain... nonfat, of course.

But as I entered the store and rounded the corner I saw that everything had changed. My eyes were met by an array of red and green. YES!!!! The Starbucks menu has changed for Christmas! You may think, "What's the big deal?" But to me, suddenly all was right with the world at that moment. I can now order a Peppermint Mocha at the special price. It's on the menu! Sure, I could order that year-round, but I've been saving it up for the Christmas season because it's all part of the holiday experience. Once January rolls out of here, I will refrain from ordering until next year. So I'm savoring the beauty of this day as it marks the first Peppermint Mocha of the season, and I have included a picture of this momentous occasion.

I adore the Peppermint Mocha. There is nothing else like it in the whole world. It is a tantalizing, perfect blend of chocolate and peppermint mingled together to create a beverage like none other. (sigh) I need a moment.....

Okay.

I first fell in love with this Starbucks creation last Christmas season. I happened to stop over at some friends' house, and they were headed out to have some coffee. So I tagged along, and they introduced me to the phenomenon that is Starbucks. I had never been. It wasn't a real high priority on my list, and I wasn't even sure I would like it. I am very picky about my coffee, and I have never liked flavored coffees. Well, since we were there, I figured, "I've got to fit in. I better order something and choke it down just to be sociable." I chose Peppermint Mocha because a friend had mentioned that it was really, really good, so I figured it sounded like it might be okay. I got my mocha and sat down with my friends. I took a drink... it was love at first sip! From that moment on through the entire conversation, it was as if it was just me and my Peppermint Mocha. I don't even remember what we talked about. All I remember was the Mocha.

So that's how it all began. By the way, I got so excited over it this morning that I forgot to order nonfat. Oops!

A Thanksgiving Memory

I remember celebrating Thanksgiving when I was in Kindergarten, and if I remember correctly, each of us was to bring in a vegetable to be used in a Thanksgiving stew we would get to eat at noon.  I remember as the stew cooked throughout the morning, the aroma of it wafted through the air.  I could hardly wait to eat it.  Whenever I smell stew, my mind goes to that memory.  Even when it isn't Thanksgiving.

For art class we made hats and tops out of construction paper and paper grocery bags to look like Pilgrim and Indian outfits.  I doubt this craft has gone out of style, even after 30 years.  Here I am modeling my pilgrim ensemble.  I also had an Indian ensemble, but I liked this one better. 

Don't you love the dress I'm wearing?  It was a long prairie-type skirt with an apron.  That wonderful applique at the bottom was classic for the time.  I was totally into Holly Hobbie, Little House on the Prairie, and anything having to do with that prairie look in those days.

Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends, making memories of your own.  Try not to eat too much pie!

Busy, Busy

Hi, friends.  It's been a busy week.  Seemed like the longest week of my life, yet at the same time it flew by.  How exactly does that work?  Time sure is a puzzling element.

Tomorrow will be another full day.  After morning church service, I have another practice with the Children's Christmas Program.  They feed us lunch after service, then we start practice at 1:00.  That will run until 4:00.  Then adult choir practice runs 4:30-5:30.  Evening service starts at 6:00.  Last time I thought I could sneak a nap in there between 4:00 and 4:30, but it didn't work out because the director needed to go over some music with me.  Guess we'll see what happens tomorrow.

I'll be ready for a holiday next week.  So glad it's just a 3-day week for me.  I always take off Thanksgiving and the day after.

Have a good Sunday, all.

A Reminder

Don't forget that tomorrow is the Got Talent? blog carnival right here on my blog.  I sure hope you've captured your talent on video and are ready for your world debut. 

Okay, so maybe the whole world is not going to see your video.  My readership is not quite that vast, so just make it like I'm the only one who's going to see it.  And never-you-mind the other 3 readers who'll be viewing it, too.

If all goes as planned, you will be able to link up your post with Mr. Linky first thing on Friday morning.  Since this is my first time using Mr. Linky, please bear with me if it's not right the first time.  I heard rumors today on Twitter that Mr. Linky's website was experiencing some technical difficulties.  I sure hope that everything is okey-dokey on Friday.

I can't wait to see what you've created and to learn a little more about my blogging neighbors.

Oh...guess I better get my video finished too.  See you tomorrow.

30 Days to Freedom

Tuesday, November 18.  It may seem like just another Tuesday to you, but this day marks a very important milestone in my life.  I've been on a journey to freedom.  Freedom of the open road.

Let me take you back to September 4th, the day of my car accident.  There was one small detail I left out of the story, which unfolded into crisis.  I learned just minutes after my fender bender that our insurance had lapsed four days prior because we never received our bill.  Completely unawares, I was driving without car insurance, which is against the law.  And warrants a ticket.

Three weeks later when I went to the city building to pay the fine, much to my displeasure I was informed that my license would be suspended for 90 days.  I repeat... 90 DAYS!  That's 3 months.  I was stunned!  Of course, my mind started racing, thinking about all the places I needed to go and wouldn't be able to.  I was a mess.

But life goes on.

It's been a benefit to live within 5-10 minutes of parents, friends, the church, and the grocery store.  My loved ones have been taking turns driving me to where I need to be.  It's been interesting, and that's about all I'll say about that. 

I've been tempted on more than one occasion to just hop in my car and drive.  I wouldn't care where.  I just want to DRIVE.  But jail is a pretty hefty deterrent.  I would not fare well behind bars.  So I submit to remaining a passenger until the appointed date.

What makes today special is that it marks the countdown of my 30 Days to Freedom.  On December 18th, everyone better move out of the way.  Liz will be back on the road and ready to burn rubber!

I think I might drive to Walmart.

A Day at the Office: Edition #3

A Day at the Office: Edition #3 from Liz on Vimeo.

Some Link Love

Hey, if you are a book lover, you might want to visit Mocha With Linda tomorrow for her Booked for the Holidays.  She's doing a giveaway of some of her favorite Christian fiction that she's recently read.  It all starts tomorrow (Nov. 17) and will continue over the next 4 weeks. 

I'm going to check it out.  I'm not a regular reader of Linda's blog, so I'll be a newbie there as well.

 

Pray?

This morning I was challenged by the Internet Cafe Devotions to pray for everything.  I do spend time in prayer every morning, and I'm in process of learning to lay everything at the Lord's feet.  It's still a struggle, though.  I know I'm not surrendering everything because often after the amen I carry it with me out of my room, off to fix breakfast, and then out the door to work.  Stuff is always on my mind it seems, which tells me I never surrendered it at all.

Rather than having a continual dialog with the Lord, I mull things and fret.  I work those things over and over in my head from every angle.  Pray?  Not always my first thought. 

For instance, last night I heard the weather forecast for Monday.  It's not looking good, folks.  They're talking snow for northern Indiana, and plenty of it.  Six inches by Monday night?  That's untypical for November around here, so it caught me a little off guard.  What really started my fretting is that Judy is flying into Indianapolis on Monday and will be driving home late...in the snow...if Mr. Meteorologist is correct. 

I started mulling that over...

What if the roads are bad?  I hope she's safe.  What if there's just too much snow, and she has to stay in Indy overnight?  She has to teach Bible study on Tuesday morning.  What about that?  I love Tuesday mornings and Bible study.  It's my favorite morning of the week.  Stupid snow!  Why snow now?  Stupid meteorologist! 

...And there you have it.  Mulling and fretting, even a bit hostile toward the weatherman, but not praying. 

I was reminded how a few weeks ago I had determined I was going to talk to the Lord about everything.  We were going to have these great conversations about what was going on in my life, and I had great intentions of sharing it all with Him, knowing His great love for me.  I haven't done very well in that.  It seems like I need to renew that commitment again.

Philippians 4:6 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

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If you'd like to see what other people have on their minds concerning this devotional, go on over to Internet Cafe Devotions: Café Chat November 15th.

New Neighbors

We aren't the type of folks who get all in our neighbors' business.  We're more of the observant type.  So we haven't been exactly sure about what's been going on next door.  All we know is that the man who used to live there moved out months ago and then began doing repairs around the house a few weeks ago.  We never saw a "For Sale" or "For Rent" sign, but in the past week we've seen different vehicles out front and a couple we didn't recognize coming and going from the house.  Thus, we came to the conclusion that we have new neighbors.

It's always a tricky thing when you get new neighbors.  Will they be noisy?  Will they treat their backyard like a dump?  Will they be the type to throw parties and play loud music into the wee hours of the morning?  Yeah, it's always a wait-and-see game when new neighbors move in.

So?  Our new neighbors?  They have a dog.  Rumor has it (and that means Rich looked out the window and reported back to me) that it's a Boxer.  A Boxer who barks.  {sigh}

That's bad news.  Bad. Bad. News.

On the west side of us lives a wiry, little yipper.  Some sort of mini pinscher?  Dixie can hear that little guy the nano-second he steps out his back door and starts barking in our living room, which of course, sets the yipper to barking back in reply from outside.  Now on the east side we have the Boxer, who started barking in its backyard last night while the little yipper was on the other side barking back.  Which then set Dixie to barking because that's just what a dog does when it hears other neighbor-dogs barking.

Have I mentioned that we don't like the barking so much?  {sigh}

Love: An Action, Not a Feeling

I've been thinking a lot about relationships, about both my successes and failures in them.  I've been asking myself what has made successful relationships and what have I done that's made a mess of them.  I can never get very far from these questions.  I think it's because God won't let me ignore them.  He is very much about communication and relationships.

Maybe I appear quite congenial on my blog, but I have blown lots of relationships.  Some have been mended.  Some are in process.  Others need attention.  And unfortunately, others may be lost until Heaven.  I've had to face personal responsibility for what I've lacked, which was love.

What is love?  For me, love is an affectionate feeling I have for somebody, a tenderness, a compassion.  The Bible defines love as an action and not a feeling, and I've had a difficult time embracing that.  I want it to be a feeling, yet at the same time, I know my feelings fail me.  Or rather, my feelings fail others.

I've had to face that reality in the last month.  My feelings have failed.  I've found myself grasping onto something, demanding my own way in my heart, only to find it conflicting with what someone else needed.  Someone precious to me.  I can't have my own way and still try to promote what's best for them at the same time.  Why?  Because my love is fleshly and not godly.  My love is more often about what I get from the person, than what I am giving to them.

As I opened my Bible a couple weeks ago to 1 Corinthians 13 to be reminded what godly love is, I saw how I have failed at all of these attributes.  I decided it would help if I wrote out each quality with my name inserted because I am to demonstrate each of them in my relationships.  This is how it looks:

• Liz suffers long
• Liz is kind
• Liz does not envy (others)
• Liz does not parade herself (before others)
• Liz is not puffed up (about who she is or what she does)
• Liz does not behave rudely (toward others)
• Liz does not seek her own (way)
• Liz is not provoked (by others)
• Liz thinks no evil (of others)
• Liz does not rejoice in iniquity
• Liz rejoices in the truth
• Liz bears all things
• Liz believes all things (in others)
• Liz hopes all things (for others)
• Liz endures all things (for others)

Those are not feelings.  Those are choices of my will.  My natural man is unkind, envies, seeks its own way, and is very easily provoked....because of feelings.  The spiritual man ignores feelings and chooses to do what God says.

As I've read over my list the last few mornings, my prayer has been that God will create this love in my life because I haven't got it.  I imagine how much freedom would come to a person who loves like that.

Don't forget the Got Talent? carnival is November 21, a week from today.  Can't wait to see if anyone has got talent out there.

My Hero

I'm sending a SHOUT-OUT to my husband because he is my hero of the week.  He rescued my bathroom floor.  Let me explain.

We're having company over on Saturday night for the first time since we've moved into our house 2 1/2 years ago.  I've been concerned over my bathroom floor looking so dingy, and I really wanted to give it a hefty cleaning before company arrives. 

I purchased some cleaner and large sponges on Monday. Then I filled my bucket, got on my hands and knees, and began to scrub away at the grunge.  Much to my dismay, the grunge wouldn't budge.  Really.  It wouldn't BUDGE!  That's when my husband told me that he has already attempted to clean that floor numerous times since moving in, and he couldn't make any headway either.

Hence began my temper tantrum.  My adult-like temper tantrum.  I did not throw myself on the floor, kicking and screaming.  Sure would've like to, though.  Hubby assured me he would look for some wax stripper and see if he couldn't get that grunge up in a different fashion.

So while I was out sipping on a latte at Starbucks yesterday afternoon, unbeknownst to me, Rich was on his hands and knees in the bathroom cleaning the floor with pure ammonia.  (Someone at work had suggested this method, and he decided to give it a try.)  When I got home he took me directly to the bathroom and asked, What do you think?  The floor was SHINING.  Absolutely shining!  I could not believe it. 

And would you know that when I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, the floor was even shining by the glow of our little nightlight?  I smiled in my sleepiness.

So thanks, Rich.  You're my hero.

Got Talent?

If you've hung around here long enough, you know I love creating videos and viewing other bloggers' videos.  I think videos are a fabulous way to get a sense of the person behind the written words.  Well, I've been thinking the last few weeks that it would fun to get my readers involved with a little video participation and maybe get to know you a little better.  You'd enjoy that too, wouldn't you?

So... do you have a talent?  Sure you do.  Everyone has at least one.  Maybe you sing, play an instrument, do celebrity imitations, or know how to whip up something special in the kitchen.  I don't know what your "thing" is, but I sure would love to see it.  That's why I'm hosting the Got Talent? blog carnival on Friday, November 21st.

All you have to do is create a video of you, your spouse, your kids... goodness, it could even be your dog, if you're that desperate... performing a special talent.  Just be sure to keep it clean.  You can make it as simple or as elaborate as you like.  Then on November 21 I'll put up a Mr. Linky, and you can link your blog post up to the carnival.  (I sure hope I can figure out how to do a Mr. Linky, or we're going to be in big trouble.) 

Please don't be shy.  Really.  We'll love whatever you do.  Just relax and have fun with it. 

I'm giving you about 10 days to put it together, so do some brainstorming and then get recording.  I'm still mulling what my video is going to be, but I've got a pretty good idea.

Do me a favor?  Spread the word about Got Talent? by grabbing the button for your blog sidebar and linking to my blog.  Feel free to blog about it, too.  I'd be ever so appreciative. 

I'm so excited!  I can hardly wait!

 

<a href="http://discoveringliz.blogspot.com/2008/11/got-talent.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Got Talent? Button" src="http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq339/discoveringliz/Blog%20pics/GotTalentButton.jpg"/></a>

 

 

 

 

P.S.  If you don't have a blog but would like to make a video anyway, you could always provide the link to your video on Vimeo, YouTube or wherever yours is hosted. 

Dizzy

I woke up dizzy this morning.  Actually, I felt it coming on last night when I went to bed and hoped a good night's sleep would knock it out.  It did not.  I took half of a Bonine tablet, in hopes it would not make me drowsy like Dramamine does, but it seems both meds have the very same effect on me.

I forced myself to go to work because there is no rest for the dizzy church secretary on Fridays when the bulletin must be made.  I could function well enough for that, but forget about multi-tasking, conversing with real people, or doing anything else that requires math or thinking of any sort.  I have zero concentration ability when my head is like this.  Well, it turned out to be a multi-tasking morning, and I almost had a meltdown before 9:00.  But soon thereafter all the peripheral tasks were finished, and I moved on to the bulletin and a smoother morning.

I came home at noon, ate lunch, and then went to bed.  I slept until 3:00, which is when my husband got home from work and opened the bedroom door.  It's very possible he woke me from a near coma because I didn't know what time it was, what day it was, or just what was going on.  He says the dog was barking like mad when he came in the house, but I didn't hear a thing.  When I got up my head felt worse, and I was grouchy.  I am UGLY when I'm groggy and on that medication.  Just take my word for it.  No one should see that.

Once I really awaken I can shake off the mood, so I've been pretty okay all evening.  Rich graciously took care of dinner by running out for fast food.  I must say if being dizzy all day so that I cannot get to the grocery store means I must eat a Burrito Supreme from Taco Bell, well then I am willing to suffer.

It's almost time for bed now, and my head still doesn't feel great.  I sure hope this thing is knocked out by morning, or I'm gonna lose Saturday, too.  And that would really bum me out.

The Comments Form Is Now Fixed

If you have tried to leave comments on my blog in the last week or so, I just discovered that the links weren't working.  How unfortunate!  I changed a comments setting, so it appears to be working now. 

I had been wondering why I wasn't getting any comments lately, although I attributed it to lousy topics and sparse entries.  I was beginning to think everyone had fallen off the face of the earth, though.

So comment away...

A Day at the Office: Edition #2

Now back by popular demand, I give you A Day at the Office: Edition #2.

A Day at the Office: Edition #2 from Liz on Vimeo.

Video

Did you miss the previous edition of A Day at the Office?  Click here.

Randomness: Edition #642?

I like connecting with you guys, but man, oh man, I'm grappling for material.  Okay, so there's plenty of material in my life, but just how much I really want to share with the world is still being debated in my head.

So... I think we're going to go with the nifty little list, just to keep the blog up-to-date and to get something, ANYTHING, out there.  So here are few random things happening with me.

1.  I have refused to acknowledge that it's fall.  Granted I've been waking up to temperatures in the 30's here in good ol' Indiana, but I don't like fall.  I love summer.  It's warm in summer.  There's lots of daylight in summer.  You don't need a coat in summer.  Thus, I love summer.

2.  I am enjoying Twitter.  I know I've mentioned this before, but I believe it bears repeating.  I enjoy Twitter!  I've learned the most interesting behind-the-scenes stuff about my favorite bloggers.  And FYI... I would avoid Alyssa's home.  They have the stomach bug going around over there.  I think she may be the only one in her family who hasn't come down with it yet.  Poor thing!  And... Lisa B. is tweeting from a Women of Faith conference sitting in the RESERVED SEATING on the FRONT ROW with PATSY CLAIRMONT.  Where else but on Twitter are you going to get that kind of live feed?

3.  You need to read the novel Providence by Chris Coppernoll.  When you do, I can almost guarantee you will start delving into your memory about relationship issues of both past and present, hopefully with the intent of viewing them through spiritual eyes.  It is a story of heartbreak, but it's also a story of grace.  I read the book with a friend, which I highly suggest.  You're gonna want to have someone to discuss it with and to be a sounding board for each other.  The book has affected me like no other novel EVER has.  {Synopsis}

4.  The bouncy creme is doing its job.  Enough said.

5.  Is anyone watching The Biggest Loser?  This is the first season that I've watched religiously, and I've really gotten into it.  Does it make you cry?  Oh my!  Almost every week at the elimination I'm trying to stifle the crying, so my husband doesn't laugh at me.  And Heba, Vicky, and Brady?!?  SOMEBODY TAKE THEM DOWN!  Even Amy C. seems to have an attitude going on, and I used to like her.  I think I'm favoring Colleen, but I do like Michelle, too.

6.  This is a shout-out to Candy, who I hadn't seen in years until Wednesday.  She came by the church to pay me a visit the other day, bearing some Starbucks love, I might add.  She wasn't sure if she had the right church until she saw "THE SIGN". Who knew the sign would be so instrumental in identifying my location?

7.  Another week has passed, which means it's time for the First Place weigh-in tomorrow.  Last week I was down a pound, which was a pleasant surprise.  Don't know what I'll have this week.  My expectations are fairly low.

8.  I'm lamenting that I don't love correctly.  I've been reviewing God's standard of love in 1 Corinthians 13.  I wish I could get even close to His standard.  I find my love is selfish.  I want to get it right.

The End.

Nothing, Really

I haven't really got much to say.  It's been dreary here in Indiana with lots of wind, a sporadic rain/snow mix, and colder temps in the 40's.  (Ready or not, here it comes.)  And I'm not ready at ALL.

For some reason I've just felt sluggish all day long.  I couldn't get myself together at work, although I did actually accomplish things.  But it was like pulling teeth.  I thought once I got home and ate lunch I'd perk up, but I continued to feel the same through the rest of the day.

I'm ready to hit the pillow.  Sleep will bring a new day, and maybe this feeling will be gone in the morning.

Lips That Shine & A Healthy Body

Thanks to Philosophy® Not the Pits Cherry Cola lip shine, I now look fabulous.  Or at least my lips look fabulous.  Or maybe they'll just be moisturized all winter, and that alone would make me happy.  In any case, Judy took me to the mall today so I could pick up last week's exercise incentive, and I like it because Philosophy® Not the Pits Cherry Cola lip shine not only makes your lips shine, it also tastes EXACTLY like cherry cola.  I am so not kidding!

In case you weren't around, deleted my posts from your feed reader, or just can't remember what happened yesterday, here's the scoop.  I really needed to kick my rear into gear on my weight loss plan.  I determined after gaining some post-birthday weight that I would hit the treadmill 5 days in a row.  The incentive I chose to work for was this very expensive lip shine from Philosophy.  And the end of story is...

I earned it!

...and I'm losing weight, too.  Woot!

*I am in no way affiliated with Philosophy® and receive nothing for endorsing their product.  I'm just a gal in love with their scents.

Officially Tweeting

I just finished my first whole day of tweeting on Twitter.  (See?  Tweeting?  I'm totally catching on to the jargon.)  I've decided that it's pretty cool.  I didn't understand it before, but that's because I was following only like two people.  Now I'm following several girls whose blogs I frequent, along with one friend I know IRL, so tweets are much more interesting now.  I wish I had some other IRL friends who would tweet with me.

I told you yesterday that I downloaded that twhirl tool, and that is key right there.  Having that on my desktop is as good as my little email messenger service, alerting me to new messages.  Every 20 minutes or so I hear a little *bing*, and I know I've received another tweet.  I don't get much email, so I get pretty excited when I hear the Twitter notification.  (Humor me.  I don't get out much.  And that's an entirely different story for another day.)

Alright, you guys.  That's pretty much all I had to say about that.  How 'bout you come tweet with me.  'K?

God's Love

After a recent heart-to-heart with a friend, God opened my eyes to the way I've disregarded His love for me for a long time.  That's not to say that I didn't believe God loved me.  I think it's that I didn't acknowledge His love for me in a way that it influenced the way I responded to things happening around me, as if I just didn't take His love to heart.  It's really easy to believe something in your head and not embrace it in your heart. There's a difference.

When God spoke of His love to my heart last week, He did it repeatedly.  It would come to mind many times through the day, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.  I've been praying that He will help me see His love demonstrated throughout the day and that it would become my greatest comfort.  He's surprised me in the various ways He's been doing that.  One such act of love was pretty amazing, so I have to tell you this story. 

Before I took my vacation in August there was a small matter at the church office that I should've taken care of.  Our phone business plan contract was ending, which meant our long distance cost was going to go up.  Well, let's face it.  I'm lazy, and I didn't want to call the phone company to talk about a plan.  I ignored the notice, and I figured, How much can it really increase?  It's not going to be that expensive.  It'll be fine. 

Shows how much I know.  When we got the bill in September I just about fell off my swivel chair.  It was almost double.  DOUBLE.  Uh-oh!  E-LIZ-A-BETH, what have you done?  (That's how my mother would address me when I was in trouble, so I guess that's how I rebuke myself in my own head.)  I dialed the phone company, hoping there was an error on their part because letting our business plan expire could not POSSIBLY have been the reason for such a hike.

Unfortunately, the increase was most undoubtedly due to my negligence.  Yeah, it made THAT big of a difference.  So the nice man found me a new plan and got it set up pretty quickly, in fact, quick enough that I wondered why it ever would've been such a big deal to have called in the first place when I was supposed to.  Live and learn.  Someday I might.

You're probably wondering by now where the love of God comes through in this story.  Well, I'm getting to that.  The other day I was opening mail, and the next phone bill had come.  I was sure that our new plan hadn't kicked in by the time this billing would've already been started, so I expected another high bill.  Do you know what?  It was $25.25.  Yes, that was twenty-five dollars and 25 cents, in case you didn't think you read that correctly.  They had credited our bill for the previous amount. 

That credit was just for me, not the church, but for me - a demonstration of God's love.  Nobody else knew about the bill.  Just me (and the Lord).  It filled me with such gratitude to know He loved me that much.  Isn't His mercy so great, that He would provide something that I did not deserve?  He corrected my wrong.  What love!

That's only one example.  I could go on, but this post will become too long if I did that. 

When was the last time you acknowledged God's love for you?  Do you see see it daily, or do you take it for granted?  Watch for it.  He'll amaze you.

Ephesians 3:16-19... that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  (NKJV)

Don't You Love Topical Variety?

Just a few things...

I downloaded the twhirl Twitter application, at the advice of Jo-Lynne, in order to... ya know... use Twitter.  I think I'm getting the hang of it.  I wasn't sure how to find people, but now I see that if I visit my favorite blogs, I'll find their Twitter links.  Just another way to connect, I think.  I've got mine up now on the blog, and it's staying up.  I've had it up and taken it down a few times because I wasn't sure I was going to use it.  Now that I "get it", I think it'll be left up.  (By the way, if you want to follow me on Twitter, I'm afunnygirl72.)

I also have changed my blog design yet again.  Nothing fancy right now.  I like butterflies, but I wasn't excited about the box-y-ness of the previous design's post area, as well as the odd layout of the tabs.  I think the design had some bugs or quirks or something.  And just in case you didn't know this about me... I am THE most fickle person you will probably ever meet, especially when it comes to my blog.  So don't blink, or you might miss the next time I change it.  I guess if you're reading this in a feed reader, it won't make any diff to you.

Is anybody going to do NaBloPoMo?  Last year I had just gotten into blogging and didn't even know what that was.  By the time I finally figured it out, it was already into November, and I was way too green back then to blog under such pressure.  I'm not sure I'm up to posting every single day right now.  I can hardly get out a post once every 3 days as it is.  What are all of you doing?

I'm back at the treadmill this week.  I haven't set any crazy goals, like 5 days straight.  I do intend to put in 3 days, though, which should be a normal plan for me.  Last week I was just sort of kicking my weight loss into gear by boosting my workout, eating well, and drinking my water.  It sure worked because I'm down 3.5 pounds since last Monday. 

I haven't gotten my lip gloss incentive yet, but maybe this weekend.  I'll show it off once I have it, but I sure wish there was a scratch-n-sniff feature on Blogger.  You'll be missing half the presentation without the cherry cola scent.  Definitely missing it!

Catch you guys later...

Accountability: 5 days done!

I did it!  Today I completed the last day of my personal 5-day treadmill challenge.  After not feeling so well yesterday I wasn't sure what would happen this afternoon.  No problem, though.  I walked for 16 minutes and ran for 14. 

Tomorrow, bright and early, is First Place and the weigh-in.  I'm always nervous about it when I know I've put in extra effort or successfully escaped many food temptations through the week, unsure as to whether it will result in a loss.  I really want a loss.  BADLY.  I always have to keep my feelings in check, though, because I've been told numerous times it's not about the number.  It's about your heart.  Eventually, I'll "get it."

You're welcome to keep track of my progress here on my blog, over there in the sidebar to the right.  I have a Traineo button up that tells how much weight I have left to lose.  {But if you thought it would display my actual weight, you must be out of your mind!}  I'll be updating it tomorrow afternoon when I learn what my weight is.

Oh...by the way...guess I'll be heading over to Sephora to pick up the lip gloss that I perspired my little heart out for.  I'll bet you thought I forgot.  {wink}

Accountability Check-In

I was back on the treadmill this afternoon.  I decided I would only walk for 30 minutes, rather than doing any running.  I also chose to read a book while I walked. 

It worked out pretty well for about 20 minutes.  I was distracted by the book, which made the time pass quickly.  Only problem was, once I was 20 minutes into it, I started feeling ucky.  I tossed the book down and walked the last 10 minutes without distraction.

(I'm not sure you're aware of this, but I have dizziness/motion issues and have to be careful with things that can set it off.) 

I never did recover from the ucky feeling.  When I walk I feel a little dizzy and just *bleccckkk!*.  It even makes me want to eat a little crazy, too, but I'm not falling to that temptation.  I've worked too hard this week to succumb to a silly craving that is basically "smoke and mirrors". 

It seems this feeling should subside overnight.  I don't even know that I'm feeling it completely now.  We shall see what happens tomorrow and whether I will get back on that treadmill or not.

My husband has reminded me repeatedly today that if I don't get on the treadmill tomorrow...NO PHILOSOPHY LIP GLOSS.  It's funny how perspective changes.  I'm not even sure that would bother me.  I know the work I've put in this week by exercising, sticking to my food boundaries, and drinking 8 glasses of water a day.  All of that success is confidence-building.  I doubt I need the lip gloss incentive now.

I'll let you know how it all works out.

Tagged: "Got the Picture"

I've been tagged again, which hasn't happened in quite some time.  My bloggy friend, Ronnica over at Tale of a Kansas Girl, wanted me to post with this photo meme.  So here's the deal:

• Go to your sixth picture folder, then pick your sixth picture.
• Pray that you remember the details.
• Tag 5 others, leave a comment to let them know they've been tagged.

This is the picture I found in the specified folder.  It's my dog Dixie, who is the doggy love of my life.  There's really no story behind the photo.  I just enjoy snapping shots of my dog, and this one is particularly sweet.  She's sort of tossing her head back, so she appears a tad glamorous.  Don't you think?

I don't feel like tagging anyone today.  If you want to post this one yourself, then go for it...and leave a link to your post in my comments so I can check it out.

Accountability

I thought it would be good to stay accountable here and let you know I'm still on track with my fitness goal this week.  I spent 25 minutes on the treadmill today, and I've stuck to my food boundaries and water intake.  Things are looking good.

A Small Incentive

I've been trying to lose weight since last November (at least officially), but it hasn't happened very fast.   Obviously, since this is October.  I still have the last 10 pounds to go, which will at least get me into my healthy weight bracket. 

But that little birthday I had?  Kinda got me off track.  I basically started excusing myself from eating well for the rest of the week, and I ended up gaining weight, or so that rotten-good-for-nothing scale told me this morning.  {sigh}

Saturday is gonna come quick, and I'd really like to avoid crying my eyes out when I have to weigh in at First Place.  I decided to kick it into gear and get back to work on this thing.  I've recorded all my foods today, I've already had 8 glasses of water, and I did the treadmill thing this afternoon - 15 minutes of running and 20 minutes of walking.  Would you believe I even got out my weights and did some upper body training?  Oh yes I did!

Since I know I am about as disciplined as a 5 year old, I thought maybe a small incentive might be in order.  I set a goal to exercise Monday through Friday this week, which I have never done before.  If I achieve the aforementioned goal, I will be getting my cute, little self right on over to the mall to buy myself a present.

Are you familiar with Philosophy?  I had heard of it but never experienced it in person, until I was at Sephora this weekend.  Their bath gels, lotions, and lip shines smell out of this world.  I found this Not the Pits Cherry Cola lip shine and started yearning for it.  It smells EXACTLY like cherry cola.  EXACTLY.

I just couldn't justify spending $12 for lip gloss.  I'm just not that hip and trendy and all makeup-y.  Ya know?  But I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I fell madly in love right there in Sephora.

So...

If I keep my exercise commitment, I will be rewarding myself with this fabulous lip shine, even if I don't lose any weight.  (Although, a loss of 2 pounds would just be icing on the cake.)

Uh... maybe I shouldn't use food metaphors. {ahem}