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!