Get To Know Me - Random Dozen #2

It's already Wednesday again and time for a visit with Linda and friends over at 2nd Cup of Coffee. Check out these Random Dozen...

1. Tell me the absolute best way to watch a movie.

Sitting on the couch, snuggled under a fleece blanket and eating ice cream

2. Do you ever think about your own funeral? If so, do you have specific ideas about how you would like it to be?

I have thought about what my funeral would be like, although I've never really thought of the details. I always imagine who might be there and wonder what kind of legacy I would leave behind. It's my prayer that people would remember me as a woman who loved the Lord and spent her life serving Him.

3. Are you more of a giver or a taker?

That's sort of a toughie for me. I think I'm more of a giver, but you'd probably have to ask other people who observe me to know for sure. Obviously, my goal is to be a giver based on my previous answer to #2.

4. Vacations: planned activities and schedules, or play it by ear?

Oh, vacations definitely need to be planned. I'm not one who gets into the details, but you've got to have a basic plan, especially if you're going to Disney World. And of course, I don't know how to vacation anywhere else BUT Disney World.

5. What is one often overlooked item in your home that needs to be cleaned regularly?

Yikes! Do I really have to say? It's probably my bathtub. I can't say it's overlooked, seeing as I look at it every day. So please, if you ever visit me and happen to use my bathroom and if the shower curtain is closed, don't you dare peek behind there. It's closed for a reason. {laughing}

6. Name a cause that means a lot to you.

The most worthy cause is that of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sharing the good news of receiving forgiveness of sin and giving people the tools for biblical life change is the most important cause to me.

7. Do you eat a regular old peanut butter jelly sandwich, or do you customize it? And by the way, jelly or no jelly?

It's gotta be PB & J and nothing else. Definitely with jelly.

8. If we were having a conversation in person, how would I know if you were nervous?

If I was holding something in my hands, I would fiddle around with it. If I didn't have anything in my hands, then I might play with a button at the bottom of my shirt or a tie on my jacket. I'd probably ramble about dumb stuff, too.

9. Do you have an elaborate bedtime routine, or just the basics of tooth brushing and jammies?

Just normal. Nothing elaborate.

10. Have you ever regretted something you wrote on your blog?

I always try to be so careful with what I put out on my blog for all of the worldwide web to read. One time I wrote a post that sounded quite bitter toward someone and actually published it. I meant for it to be funny, but at the same time I knew it was coming out of bitterness. Then I quickly sent the link to a friend and asked them if they thought it was too much, and they gave me a thumbs-down on it because it reflected poorly on my attitude. I was able to pull the post down before it was picked up by any blog readers. I know I would've regretted that one if it had been read.

There are times that I would like to voice my opinion on the current hot topics of the day, but I always steer clear of them so as not to cause a controversy. I guess I don't want to argue on my blog. I'd prefer to keep it a happy place.

11. Has anyone ever told you that you look like a famous person or celebrity? Did you agree?

Seems I remember someone telling me in high school that I looked like Farrah Fawcett. I don't know why anyone would think that. I had awful hair and have always been a far cry from "glamorous".

12. If you were going to dedicate a song to a loved one or friend, what would the song be and to whom would it be dedicated?

I would dedicate "You'll Be In My Heart" to my niece Meghan. When Disney's Tarzan came out on video, she was about 3 years old and my little sweetie. She was the first baby who ever really stole my heart. I would sing that song to her, and she always liked it.

Finally!

Finally... the number on the scale is going down! After more than a month of frustration in tinkering with food group servings and calorie numbers, I think I've finally found my window. I also started walking 4 days a week and drinking more water.

Yes, I think it's working. I can see the goal now!

Get to Know Me: Random Dozen

I'm joining in with the Random Dozen today at Linda's 2nd Cup of Coffee.

1. Please share one middle school memory. It can be good, bad, ugly, funny. Pictures or words, I don't care, just share.

Oh, those were some awful years for me. I think I have more bad memories to share than good. The first thing I think of when I remember the 7th grade is my hairstyle. And you'd have to use the word "style" loosely. It was a total afro. I had been visiting my aunt out of town, and she took me to a salon. I got a new cut and style, and of course, I didn't know anything about hair back then. I had no idea how to style it or that I needed products to tame it. That was the WORST hair year of my entire life.

2. What's your favorite Beatles song?

I'm not a fan. Don't have a favorite.

3. If I asked you to describe your most comfortable outfit, what would it be?

When I really want to relax, I like to put on my gray knit shorts and a t-shirt.

4. Would you rather host a party or be a guest?

I would much rather be a guest. Hosting is too stressful for me. I'm not a very seasoned cook, so all that food prep and trying to get everything ready at once is just overwhelming. If I choose to host, I'm better off ordering a pizza.

5. Do you think we will move completely from traditional books to digital ones, and if we do, are you OK with that?

I don't think we would ever move completely away from traditional books. Anyway, I am in love with the smell and feel of a book in my hands. I love choosing books by their covers. There is also just something about having the book in my own hands that makes it personal. I have tried reading books on the internet, and I just don't enjoy it. Someone might be able to sell me on Kindle because you hold it in your hand, and I'll admit it's kind of cool. I would still miss the feel of a book.

6. Do you learn best by reading, listening or experiencing?

I think I sort of need a combo of reading, listening and experiencing. But I guess if I really had to nail it down, I think experiencing is probably my best form of learning. There's something about having to actually go through the motions and being hands-on that drives something home for me. That's when things "click" for me.

7. If you are (or when you were) single, what is the kiss of death for you concerning the opposite sex? (That is, what is one trait or behavior or habit or anything at all that immediately turns you off from considering that person a potential match for you?)

I have been married for 14 years, so this isn't really an issue. I do recall a date I had, and the guy smelled. I spent the evening wondering if he was just so nervous that his deodorant failed, or if he just hadn't used it. It was uncomfortable for me. So I would say that body odor is the kiss of death.

8. Snacks. Salty or sweet?

I can go both ways on this one, but I would say 95% of the time I'm looking to find a sweet snack.

9. Look around you in a four foot radius. What object is around you that you didn't realize was there or forgot was there? How long has it been there?

Hmmm...I'm looking around and don't see anything that I didn't know was already there.

10. What is your favorite Tom Cruise movie?

"Far and Away" (I just realized I haven't seen that movie in forever!)

11. You buy a bottle of shampoo and discover that you don't like what it does to your hair at all. What do you do with that full bottle?

9 times out of 10 I would THROW IT AWAY. Yes, I'm that wasteful. (gasp!)

12. Your favorite Fall comfort food? (Last week it was beverage.)

Chili (real original, huh?)

So, those are my Random Dozen today. Click over and visit Linda's blog today at 2nd Cup of Coffee to see how other people answered their Random Dozen.

Pray Believing

Ever since I was first asked to teach the Junior Sunday School class, I've been praying over it. I prayed about the decision, and then once the decision was made I began praying for the kids. I've been praying for the ability to teach them and for the Lord to use me to impact their lives.

Ready and girded with prayer as I could be, I walked into class the first day and was met with challenges from the first minute. At first I thought...

What am I doing here, Lord? This isn't the way I thought it would be.

My next thought was...

Please help me, Lord. I know I'm supposed to be here, and you're the only One with the solution to this problem. I don't know what to do, so please show me.

So I've been praying for 3 weeks for God's wisdom on how to get through to my Juniors, to be able to connect with them as I teach, and for His leading concerning the most beneficial way to teach so as to keep their attention.

Yesterday was the third time I walked into that classroom, and as I began my lesson it became very evident to me that the Holy Spirit was there. My kids were attentive immediately. It was amazing! Oh, we still had some issues, but overall I am positive that they were listening and the changes I had made in my presentation had made a difference.

I have recently seen some big answers to prayer in the last month, and I want to encourage you to hope in God and pray earnestly to see Him work change in not only others, but in you too. I've watched God do some amazing stuff. Pray believing!

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NKJV)

No Flushing Allowed

There's a slight update to that toilet situation from yesterday. The water at church has since been turned off again. Now they have to flush all the plumbing with chlorine to clean the pipes. There's a sign on the bathroom door that says, "Do not use."

Ummm... just wondering? How's a girl supposed to hold it for four hours after 8 oz. of water, 8 oz. of milk, and now starting in on the coffee? Do I have to drive to the store down the road or what?

Guess what. I think my fluids are starting to kick in already. Help!

We Can Flush!

It's been a crazy week at the church. It started last Thursday when the janitor noticed all the water softener salt was empty. He thought there might be a leak somewhere. Oh boy, was there!

When I arrived for work Friday morning I was greeted by a sign on the front door that stated the WATER HAS BEEN SHUT OFF. And thus began the joys of trying NOT to think about how I needed to use "the facilities".

Next thing you know, men were in and out of the church... Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. In the meantime, we've had to use buckets of water to flush if we used the toilets. I did my best to hold it, so as not to use up the water we had. By Tuesday there were no more buckets. Aiy aiy aiy!

I started getting used to holding it, so much so that I realized I was holding it even when I was at home. I had to laugh at myself yesterday when I realized what I was doing.

Finally, last night they were in the final legs of the repair, turning on all the water valves in every restroom again. I was relieved when one of the men said, "The toilets are working now." Hal-le-lu-jah! Hal-le-lu-jah! (That's me singing.)

So life at the office is almost back to normal. It just feels so good to flush again.

Getting in Shape

I'm still working at losing weight. I've got those last 10 stubborn pounds that need to come off. I discovered My Fitness Pal last week, and I've loved it ever since. You can track your diet with their food diary and fitness with the exercise diary. They'll even print up a little report for you with your diary and notes on it. I print mine out and turn it in at First Place on Saturdays.

Here's my little ticker:

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Chart

If you need a tool like this, I think it's the best. I've never seen one this comprehensive before. You can set your own calorie goals, as well as fiber, sugar, carbs, protein. Whatever! You can even find out if you're getting your daily vitamin needs met, too. It makes me actually WANT to record my food because it's kinda fun.

Lots of Changes

Hi, guys. I know I'm been MIA for months. It's not that I haven't thought to spend time with my blog; I've thought of it almost every day. It's just that some new things have come into my life in the last couple months, and I've really needed to focus on them.

I had been feeling very overwhelmed at times, but that feeling is mostly gone. It started with our kids Bible club at church. We had decided to change the program we were using, and we had to be trained on how to run the new club this fall. That involved many meetings and planning.

Our Word of Life club started at the end of August, and we are now in full swing. I am working with 5th & 6th grade girls, and I already love it. My ministry involves discipling them and helping them go deeper in their relationship with Christ.

The second big change for me is that I have taken on another ministry. I started teaching Sunday School the first Sunday of September for the 4th-6th graders. I have taught before, but it's been a lot of years. It feels very new, and there are challenges in front of me.

In addition to all of that, I'm making some dietary changes. At the end of August I read an article on Kelly the Kitchen Kop's blog about which type of milk is healthiest, and I was blown away. It began a journey for me into the domain of Real Food. I have left the low-fat diet behind. No more processed foods for me! (at least to the best of my ability) My new motto is if God made it, it must be good. If man manufactured it, it's highly questionable. Anyway, making this diet move has involved much reading of books and blogs, and it's been both educational and overwhelming to take in.

So that's where I've been. I really didn't want to leave you hangin' any longer.