Wednesday Hodgepodge (Mar. 9)

I'm joining in with the Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond today...

 

1. The season of Lent begins on March 9th this year...do you participate and if so, in what way?

I've been a Baptist all my life, and Lent isn't something that we've observed.

2. Traditionally pancakes are eaten on the day known as Shrove Tuesday which is the last day before Lent (March 8th this year) So....butter and syrup? Blueberry? Chocolate chip? Ewwww, no thanks!! What's your pleasure when it comes to eating pancakes?

I haven't heard of Shrove Tuesday before, so I didn't know about the pancake eating. I love pancakes, but I don't eat them very often. I do enjoy a standard pancake with butter and syrup.

3. Spring is coming. (It is coming, right?) What's your favorite springtime flower and do you suffer from seasonal allergies? That's two questions I know but they're lightweights.

photo © 2006 Dan Huntington | more info (via: Wylio)

In spring I enjoy Hyacinths the most. They have a sweet smell. I don't suffer with springtime allergies.

4. "Our opinion of people depends less upon what we see in them than upon what they make us see in ourselves." Author unknown. Agree or disagree? Why?

Okay, this is kind of a deep question for me at this time of the morning. I'm going with my first thought, which is pretty superficial. I do base my opinions of people based on what I see in them. Yet there are times I will look at people's failures and see my own. I should do it more because it would cause me to extend more mercy to others.

5. Since it's "March" and also the season of Mardi Gras...have you ever been in a parade? What's the best parade you've ever seen?

The only parade I was in was when I was just a young girl. We lived in a suburban neighborhood that had a bike parade to celebrate the 4th of July. I believe I participated only one year. My friend and I decorated our bikes with streamers. I also remember that we wanted the bikes to make noise as we rode. We cut small squares of cardboard and taped them to the spokes of our bicycle tires. As we rode there was a wonderful tapping rhythm, and even weeks after the parade was over, we kept the cardboard on because we enjoyed the noise.

6. You would jump up and down and shout for joy right now if someone told you_________?

our debt is paid in full. (Lord willing, that will happen within the year.)

 7. How clean is your car on the outside? Inside? Is there junk in your trunk?

My van is a bit dirty on the outside. The inside could probably use a vacuum, and I have a couple bags of clothes that need to be dropped off at the donation box I pass almost every day. Otherwise, I just don't keep junk in my vehicle.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I had a nightmare that I ran into Judy's newly refurbished Islander Jeep in her driveway and scratched the paint. She wasn't there at the time, but it was a horror to me. I couldn't bear to tell her.

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Just Roll With It

I decided to simply share a sprinkling of the highlights of my week today. I realize it's just now Friday morning, which means the week isn't technically completed, but this is what came to me. So I'm rollin' with it.

First I have to say that I'm surprised I've blogged five days in a row. Yay, me!

I have been enjoying this engaging novel by Chris Coppernoll titled Screen Play. It's about an actress who catches a break when she's hired as an understudy for a Broadway play. I am fascinated with the theater and drama, so I've been downright giddy for much of the story. I read Coppernoll's first novel Providence several years ago, and he had me pondering for months. Somehow that man knows how to touch tender places in my heart. You should read him if you haven't yet.

Hey, did you hear that Keith and Kristyn Getty had a baby girl on Wednesday? They named her Eliza Joy Getty. I must say I'm a bit partial to her name, as we share the first five letters of my name.

I'm not personal friends of the Gettys or anything like that, but somehow it seems a bit personal to me. We sing their music often at church. I was privileged to see them at a True Woman Conference last September when they told us Kristyn was expecting. I suppose with Facebook, Twitter, and emails updating us on all their goings-on, it just feels like somehow I'm a part of all of it in some very minute way. So I feel excited for them.

The Lord has done some interesting things for me this week, like helping me overcome sin, encouraging me with words from friends, and teaching me through His Word.

Overall I'd say it's been a pretty good week... even if it isn't technically over yet.

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Will you watch the Super Bowl? If so who will you root for? If you are outside the USA what is the 'big deal sporting event' in your own country?

I might tune in once to just see what's going on, but I don't care about the teams playing. I will rather be following my normal evening routine of reading before bed.

2. Is ignorance bliss?

Not really. Ignorance is more like putting off the inevitable, not really bliss. The not knowing doesn't mean the thing isn't going to affect me.

3. Which of the seven dwarfs are you? (and just in case your Disney is a little bit rusty, here they are-Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy)

I identify with Sleepy most. I'm tired a lot.

4. When you are riding in the car with another couple how do you organize the seating? (Men up front? Women up front? Couples sit together?)                                                   

This doesn't happen very often for us, but usually it's couples sitting together.

5. What is beauty?

Wow.. deep question here. Beauty is anything that reflects the glory of God.

6. If someone asks you to bring an appetizer or a dessert to a party in their home, which would you choose?

Dessert. I will always choose dessert.

7. What is your crowd pleasing go-to appetizer?

Hmmm... I don't think I make any appetizers.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

I've not done very well concerning self-discipline for months. My eating habits have gone a little haywire. I haven't been exercising. And if you hadn't noticed, I've only posted about 5 times on the blog in January. It seems like I can be disciplined in a few things and then the rest go to pot. I'm going to have to figure out how to get the balance back.

This post is in participation with "Wednesday Hodgepodge" at From This Side of the Pond.

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

Until my blogging inspiration returns, I'll jump in here as I can.  I've seen the Wednesday Hodgepodge link up every week on one of my friend's blogs, so today seems like a really good day to answer some hodgepodge questions.

                                                                      

1. Share your Christmas Eve traditions.

Every year my side of the family gathers on Christmas Eve night for finger foods, reading the Christmas story, and exchanging gifts.  That includes me and my husband, Mom & Dad, and my sister & her family. This year we add my grandma, since she moved in with my parents at the start of 2010.  It's pretty much the highlight of Christmas for us because we get to eat all those little goodies like meatballs, shrimp cocktail, smokies in a blanket, and especially the baked goods.  (Sugar cookies are my favorite.).

2. What was the best book you read in 2010? (we're not going to include the Bible here)

This is a tough one to answer because I've read a lot of books, and many are new favorites.  I'm going to choose two (or three), one fiction and one non-fiction. 

Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury was fascinating to me because it introduced me to the world of autism, and it was also the first book I had read by Kingsbury.  The story gave me goosebumps.  I must say that a tie for favorite fiction would also be How Do I Love Thee? by Nancy Moser.  Loved that book!

Under non-fiction I have to choose Outrageous Mercy by William Farley.  He's a new author to me as well, and he really gave me new eyes to better understand God's justice and love in a way I had not grasped before.  I think everyone needs to read this book because it's about making the cross central in everything we do... live, serve and worship.

3. Do you have pets and if so do you allow them on the furniture?

I have a cat and a dog, and we allow them on the furniture.  Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to enjoy them as pets.  I'd have to crawl around on the floor with them, and you know, I've got old knees at 38.

4. What event in 2010 are you most thankful for?

Unfortunately, I'm having trouble remembering a lot of highlights from 2010.  So the most recent event that stands out in my mind just happened a couple weeks ago.  A dear friend in our church, Martha, passed away from pancreatic cancer, and Judy and I were asked to sing at her funeral.  We sang the hymn "I Love to Tell the Story" because it embodied what her life was about.  I cannot express the filling of joy I experienced in those moments of singing, praising the Lord for His gospel and in honoring our friend for her faithfulness to the gospel.

5. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?

I had the privilege of being a speaker at a ladies luncheon at church in May.  It was both challenging and encouraging to me.

6. Brussel sprouts...friend or foe?

FOE!!!  The one and only time I tried brussel sprouts was at a buffet.  I took only one, just to say I tried it.  I put it in my mouth and started chewing, and all I wanted to do was spit it back out.  Ugh!  How does anyone eat those things?

7. Who would you nominate for man/woman of the year?

I am uncertain.  This question would be easier for me to answer if it was who I would NOT nominate.  *cough* Nancy Pelosi *cough*

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I got a new phone this week, and it's a smart phone.  I'm totally enthralled with the technology.  I mean, really.  I can't believe what this Android phone can do.  The only thing it's missing is the ability to "beam me up".  Now that WOULD be something!

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Chat Pack Vlog: We Need to Talk

 

                               

Vlogging these answers is not as easy as it looks.  Seriously.

 

 

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Is This Normal?

Did all of you hear me squeal from Indiana yesterday?  Three packages came in the mail for me, and I squealed with delight.  Wanna take a guess at what they might have been?

Okay.  I guess it's kinda hard to play a guessing game on a blog.  So I'll just have to tell you.

BOOKS!

Oh my.  I looked at each one's cover as I pulled them out of the bubble wrappers, oohing and aahing over the loveliness of them.  And I'm pretty sure my husband thinks I'm crazy by now.

I must say I'm starting to get psyched over becoming a book reviewer.  I mean, have I mentioned how much I really love books?  What?  I have?  Oh yeah, I guess maybe once or twice or ten times.

Thinking back now, I guess I've loved books for a lot of years.  I'm not sure when it started.  There were seasons when I didn't do any reading.  I was more into trying my hand at various crafts and sewing.  But I keep coming back to reading.

I guess my preoccupation can be traced all the way back to childhood.  My parents implemented a family reading time at night before bed.  My sister and I would crawl up into their bed while Mom or Dad read the Little House on the Prairie series to us.  Sometimes I couldn't keep my eyes open and would fall asleep, missing out on whatever was happening in "The Big Woods".

Recently I started recalling how we used to get the book fair catalogs in elementary school.  I had forgotten about that. Every time we received a new one I would look and look and look and change my mind about 8 times trying to decide exactly the books or posters I wanted to order.  I also remember being a bookmark freak, too.  I'm not sure why a bookmark was so thrilling.   Anyway, I knew I could only buy one or two items from the catalog, so I had to choose wisely. 

I've tried to understand what's going on in my head with such a desire for books.  I don't deny that I'm perceived as unusual because my heart starts racing anytime I get within two blocks of my public library, thinking that maybe, just maybe, I need to stop and see if there's a book on the shelves that is on my to-be-read list when in actuality I already have six novels awaiting me at home on my bookcase.

I know it's not about escapism.  It's utterly impossible for me to read when I've got problems on my mind, so I know that can't be it.  I just don't understand what it is that makes me do this.

Are you book readers?  If so, why do you read?  Are you obsessed with books like me?

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A Day at the Office (repost)

While I'm away at camp, please enjoy these selected posts a second time around.

Originally posted on October 13, 2008

(I apologize to whoever installed the restroom signs.  It just tickled me to see them there, is all.)

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I'm not sure you are aware of this, but I enjoy making videos.  Of myself.  And looking back at the one I did for my blog mission statement... OH MY WORD - it was awful!  I'm not linking to it, just so you won't go look at it.  It didn't show any of my personality at all.  And my hair?  Awful!

Okay, so feeling truly inspired by other bloggers who recently did their own little videos for Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee, I just HAD to do my own.  Because, like I said, I LOVE doing videos.

This probably won't be the last you see of me...

A Day at the Office: Edition #1 from Liz on Vimeo.

 

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Chat Pack (It's a Vlog)

Friday?  Did I hear someone say it's Friday?  Woo...hooooo!!!!  The weekend's here!

I guess that means I'll be answering another Chat Pack question today.  I wonder what the question is? 

Better click the play button to find out.  It's only 3 minutes and 14 seconds of your life you won't get back.  And ya never know.  I might just sing a rendition of Weekend in New England, and you surely wouldn't want to miss that.

               

 

Okay... show of hands... who clicked play to see if I would sing Weekend in New England?  You can fess up in the comments below.

Have a great Friday!

  

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Ultimate Blog Party '10

If this is your first time here... WELCOME!  So glad you could join me for the Ultimate Blog Party '10.  Let me introduce myself by way of video:

Ultimate Blog Party 2010 from Liz on Vimeo.

 

Oh, wait!  I forgot the party music...

Liz: Love Is All Around from Liz on Vimeo.

 

I love comments!  Let me know you stopped by.

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Enjoy the party!!!

 

Uh Oh... She's Back!

I'll be open and honest here.  I'm having emotional food issues. 

You know what I'm referring to, don't you?  It's when you eat junk food because you believe it will somehow take away the emotional low you are experiencing.  This is something that I had overcome months ago, but it has made a comeback in the last couple of weeks.

Did I ever tell you about being tagged The Donut Girl?  This nickname was attached to me over a year ago when I shared a story in my First Place Bible study about my weakness for donuts.  They had been my nemesis to weight loss.  I could smell them way in the back of the grocer's dairy department, even when the bakery department was a mile away.  Yes, it was that bad.  So one of the ladies in my study tagged me The Donut Girl.  But I had overcome that.

Well, The Donut Girl?  She's back.  With a vengeance.

I have to drive past a grocery store almost every time I go out.  Do you know what I think about as I drive by?  Donuts!  I don't even buy donuts at that store, but I know that's where they can be purchased.  And I want one.  It's a good thing I'm just lazy enough that I don't want to go to the trouble of parking my car, walking into the store, and buying one on my way to wherever I'm going.

Oh, what a mess I am.

I'm Sick...Sorta

I think I might have an ear infection.  For the last three weeks or so I've had a funny sensation in my ear and jaw area that feels like I have fluid in there moving around.  So.  This morning when I got up it was very noticeable.  A little more intense and sporadic feelings of pressure and discomfort.  Then as the morning wore on I realized the whole area now has developed into a dull ache.  I feel slightly stuffy and am irritable, which WebMD tells me are symptoms.  (Not that I've lost my patience with anyone yet.)

I've never had this type of thing before.  I told Rich it's like being sick, but I'm not.  He informed me that an ear infection IS being sick.  So I guess I'm sick.

I am going to lay down for awhile and apply moist heat.

Things I Miss

There are several things I miss about camp.  One of them is fishing.  I caught a few fish while I was there.  You probably didn't take me for a fisherwoman, did ya?

Another thing I miss are the sunsets on the lake.  Just water, trees and sky.

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Caffeinated Randomness - Comfort Zone

Please don't laugh when I tell you this, but I'm having lunch alone at Starbucks today.  Alone!  I never, ever, EVER have gone to a restaurant alone.  I always thought I would be completely self-conscious to eat alone, thinking everyone else who came to eat in pairs would be looking at me.

I guess that's a little egotistical, huh?

I've been wanting to come here ever since I got my laptop, and that was over a year ago.  Whoa, I guess it's about time.  The reason it worked out today is because I'm waiting to meet a friend who had a lunch appointment and is meeting me afterwards.  I didn't want to drive home just to eat lunch and meet up later, so I thought, Hey!  This is a great day to go grab a sandwich at Starbucks and write away at your blog, girl.

And so I agreed to the little voice in my head.

So as I sit here at my table, typing away at my laptop, I am okay.  Very much okay.  Nobody is staring.  {Not that I've noticed, but I've been pretty much looking at my sandwich, iced tea, and computer screen.} 

Finally, another bridge crossed.  A victory in getting out of that old comfort zone.  I think I'll be doing this again.

Click on over to Under Grace and Over Coffee for more Caffeinated Randomness!

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30 Questions

1. Where was the very last place you went besides your house?

the grocery store

2. What are you doing tonight?

Relaxing, eating popcorn and maybe some ice cream (100 calorie, of course)

3. Who last texted you?

my sister

4. Do you have a secret that you’ve never told anyone?

I'm not telling.

5. Do you get mad easily?

yes

6. Do you talk about your feelings or hide them?

I hide them from most people, but I talk about them to those closest to me.

7. Do you prefer warm or cold weather?

warm

8. Who was the last person you were in a car with?

Rich

9. What color are your eyes?

hazel

10. Have you ever given up on someone but then went back to them later?

kind of

11. Have you ever thrown your cell phone in anger?

I don't think I've thrown my phone, but I remember a night that I was ready to.

12. Has anyone told you a secret lately that you aren’t allowed to tell anyone?

yes

13. Honestly, if you could go back six months and change something, would you?

maybe

14. Are you wearing any clothes that don’t belong to you?

no

15. Do you have a lot on your mind at the moment?

I always have a lot on my mind. 

16. What side of the bed do you sleep on?

I sleep on the right side.  I'm not sure I'd even like the left.

17. What is your favorite thing to shop for?

I like buying books.  I would enjoy buying clothes a whole lot better if it weren't for the part when you must try them on.

18. Who knows you better than you know yourself?

Hmmm... not sure about that.  Nobody?

19. What are you doing this summer?

Working, as usual.  It looks like I will also be helping at Vacation Bible School and our Teen Camp.

20. Do you miss your past?

I miss being a kid, especially during the summer. 

21. Did you ever have tea parties when you were younger?

I don't think so.

22. What is your favorite line from a movie?

 I wanted it to be you.  I wanted it to be you so badly.  (Meg Ryan in "You've Got Mail")  Makes me cry every time!

23. Would you rather be the opposite sex?

No.  I would miss all the hair curling, wearing pretty dresses and high heels (on occasion)

24. What would you never name one of your children?

Anything that rhymed with one of our pets' names.

25. What is the coolest restaurant you’ve ever been to?

This is a tough one because I don't get out much.  I guess I'd have to say PF Chang's in Chicago.

26. Where do you go when you want to get a really good sub sandwich?

Subway (I told you I don't get out much.)

27. What style of house would you like to live in?

I honestly don't know what I like.

28. Do you flip the channel when commercials come on?

Not usually

29. Have you seen any of the Saw movies?

No, I hate horror flicks.

30. What was your favorite book as a child?

Charlotte's Web

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I'm Losing It!

Something sort of hit me yesterday, a realization of something disturbing.  Devastating, really.  It all came to a head yesterday when I was trying to remember how and when I made a purchase for the church.  It happened not only once, but twice.  I got a statement saying I had ordered ink cartridges, but I couldn't remember ever receiving the ink.  I opened the drawer, and there was the ink.  I DON'T REMEMBER PUTTING IT IN THERE.  It may have only been two weeks ago.  How can I not remember two weeks ago?

I used to remember birthdays, and who said what to whom and when.  I was the go-to-gal for information.  Suddenly, I need a go-to-gal.  Who's gonna keep track of me?

Don't think for a minute that I'm basing my memory issue on just a couple incidents, and I shouldn't think it to be a big deal.  It finally dawned on me that I've been struggling to remember a variety of things that people at church have asked me about for months.  I would pass them off as things that others shouldn't expect me to remember, but honestly they are things that I expect myself to remember.  I've felt a little incompetent, if truth be told.

Then...today...came the straw that broke the camel's back.

Remember my scary incident at the office when the man banged on the front doors?  Remember how jumpy I have been?  Remember how I am always going to keep the door locked and not let anyone in unless they have a key, know the password, and give the secret, sacred handshake?  Well, guess who discovered that she hadn't locked the front door this morning, only AFTER she had been there for 3 hours.  Yeah.  That would be me.  The scaredy cat.

See?  I'm losing my mind.  Someone who is afraid of intruders does not forget to lock their doors.  How could they forget, unless they were becoming senile?

Can that happen at 36?

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Friday Randomness: I'm Healed

It's a good thing I went over and read Andrea's (Under Grace & Over Coffee) post today.  She was talking about her runner's knee injury and some other pain she's having, and something dawned on me, all-of-a-sudden like.

My wrist doesn't hurt anymore!

For about 2 months I had been feeling a pain in my wrist when I'd put pressure on my hand, like when I'd get in the car and press my hand on the seat to help shimmy myself over into the seat squarely.  It hurt every time but only when I put pressure on it.  It had started hurting even worse after a month, and I was sure I was going to have to see a doctor or do something about it.

But just now after reading her blog and being reminded of that pain, I put pressure on it and felt nothing.  So when did it stop hurting?  I don't even remember the last time it hurt.  Believe me, I had tried bending my hand back and forth, turning it this way and that, really putting pressure on it, but it just wouldn't budge.  It felt like it needed to be cracked but wouldn't crack.  And now?  No pain!

Well, isn't that just somethin'.

Hey, do me a favor.  Go over to Andrea's blog and check out some other Friday Randomness.  She's real nice and will be happy to see you.

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Officially a Dot Com

Well, I finally did it.  After more than a year of blogging and deciding if I would really, really, REALLY keep doing this, I took the plunge.  I am now...

www.discoveringliz.com

It doesn't really change how you get here, but it's shorter than typing out that whole long Blogspot address.  It's also just cooler to say, Check out my blog... I'm at discoveringliz.com 

Oh yeah, I am all about being cool.  Just don't ask anyone I went to school with because they might tell you something different.  Who are you gonna believe anyway?  A bunch of strangers or your good ol' blogging pal, Liz?

Yeah, that's what I thought...

25 Things About Liz

Just for fun, today I thought I'd make a list of 25 random things you may not know about me.  Just think of this as the typical "100 Things About Me" list that I should've written for my 100th post about 200+ posts ago and never finished.  Twenty-five is hard enough.

So without further ado...

1. I have a fascination with books.  Not just reading them, but I love the covers... to smell them, feel them, and I always judge a book by its cover.
2. My feet are always cold.
3. I have a fear of being trapped in a fire.
4. It freaks me out to be upside down, so I do not like standing on my head and never learned how to do a cartwheel.  Somersaults were even debatable.
5. I do not watch any of the most popular TV shows like The Office, Lost, 24, etc....
6. Speaking of Lost... I don't get it.  Really.  I've tried.
7. The only vacation destination I love is Disney World.
8. Everyone thinks my husband is younger than me, when in fact, he is 7 years older than me.
9. I have never seen any of the Rocky movies, nor do I care to, for that matter.
10. My full given name is Elizabeth.  I was named after royalty.  :)
11. My favorite movie of all time is Anne of Green Gables, which I guess is more like an epic series, since it spans 4 VHS tapes.
12. I took piano lessons from age 4 to 16.
13. Psalm 27 is my favorite.
14. Ephesians is my favorite book of the Bible.
15. John Piper is my favorite non-fiction author.
16. The attribute of God that I love the most is His sovereignty.
17. I have never ice skated, roller bladed, or skied.
18. I own 3 pairs of running shoes.
19. My favorite food is Chinese.
20. I never tried tapioca pudding until I was 35 years old, and I discovered I like it.
21. I had a brief try at scrapbooking but found I was too much of a perfectionist for it to be a relaxing hobby.  It would take me hours just to create one page.
22. I am a recovering perfectionist.  :)
23. Whenever I am driving down the street and see a cat I say, "Kitty Kitty", every single time.  I don't know why.
24. I used to sew my own clothes.
25. I just bought a Flip Mino camcorder, which I plan to use very soon to produce riveting vlogs for you to view.

So there you have it.  Twenty-five random facts that you never wanted to know about me.  Thrilling, huh?

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.

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.