I've been asked about making the switch from Blogger to Blogger beta, so in the interest of keeping my faithful readers (Diane and Barb) informed, here are a few of the differences I've noticed so far about Blogger beta:
Email notifications now indicate on which post you received a comment and include a link to that person's blog as well as a link to your own post.
Switching is easy, but it takes several minutes. Be prepared to wait. I haven't noticed anything gone missing, so we'll assume that means you don't lose anything in the process. Other than several minutes of blogging time.
I don't know if this was just a glitch from yesterday, but when I tried to post comments, I couldn't use my blogger ID. I had to click "other", and type in my URL.
The edit posts page shows how many comments each post has received.
There is a customize design option that allows you to drag and drop items in your template if you are HTML or CSS challenged. I haven't tried this yet. I redesigned mine the old fashioned way. : )
Are you using the new Beta Blogger? If so, how do you like it? Let us know!
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
When the Meme hits your eye like a big Pizza Pie...
I was tagged by Kelli, who was tagged by Barb for this meme adapted by Code Yellow Mom from a game she saw on a pizza box.
What was your favorite thing about being a kid?
Weekend visits to my grandparents' farm. We'd get so dirty playing outside until dark, climbing trees and pelting each other with china berries. My cousin started it.
What was your favorite subject in school?
In elementary school, I loved reading and language arts. In jr. high I loved math and choral music. In high school, I loved psychology, French, and choral music. Oh, and chemistry.
Who was your best friend when you were 10?
I don't remember having a best friend until 5th grade. Aaron who lived down the street came over to play quite often.
If you could be any animal what would you be?
I'd want to be an eagle. My most favorite Bible verse ever is Isaiah 40:31.
What would you change about your school, occupation, life right now?
If I had finished college, I'd be a Speech Pathologist, likely would not have met my first husband, would have different kids, and may not have become completely dependent on the Lord to get me through each and every day. While I do wish my kids were living with me right now, God's timing and plans are far better than my own. They are in His hands, and He knows what He's doing. Proverbs 16:9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
What's your favorite color?
I have several. Deep reds like maroon, muted greens like sage, and light purples like lavendar
What's your favorite type of crust and favorite topping on a pizza?
My favorite pizza ever is Mazzio's hand-tossed California alfredo. It's topped with chicken, bacon, and tomatoes. Second choice is Stevi B's original crust spinach alfredo. Third choice is pepperoni and mushrooms. Extra cheese.
Now whom shall I tag? The hardest part of a meme for me is choosing taggees. It appears that Diane, Tammy, and Mommy Dearest have yet to do this one. Ladies, consider yourself tagged!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
What's in a Name?
Well, Barb's at it again. She does this thing that inspires me to post when I would otherwise have been uninspired. I just love her. Can't you tell? Hers is the first name in my word cloud. You were probably thinking that's just because it's alphabetical, and while that's true, it's also true that we're like twins separated at birth by a few years and biological parents. Seriously! Yeah, I'm the evil one. How'd you know?
Anyway, I love this idea of hers because I've wondered the same thing myself. Not about my own blog, silly. About yours...unless it's, like, your own name or something, of course. If you're like me, choosing the name of your blog was more challenging than you expected.
I had chosen a couple of names that were already taken, so I had to come up with something else. I actually agonized over it, because I wanted it to be just right. It had to convey the peace of resting on God's promises. I wanted it to be welcoming and comfortable, like a front porch. I ran a few ideas past my husband, and when I said "Rocking Chairs and Rainbows?" he said "I like it." So that settled it.
I hope that you get a "come sit a spell" feeling when you visit, that you'll feel comfortable sharing your joys and sorrows with me, and that when you go, it's with the calm assurance that God always keeps his promises.
I'd love to know what inspired the name of your blog. If you would, do a post on your blog, then visit Barb (the good twin) and be sure to leave your link there. I'll come visit. I promise!
Anyway, I love this idea of hers because I've wondered the same thing myself. Not about my own blog, silly. About yours...unless it's, like, your own name or something, of course. If you're like me, choosing the name of your blog was more challenging than you expected.
I had chosen a couple of names that were already taken, so I had to come up with something else. I actually agonized over it, because I wanted it to be just right. It had to convey the peace of resting on God's promises. I wanted it to be welcoming and comfortable, like a front porch. I ran a few ideas past my husband, and when I said "Rocking Chairs and Rainbows?" he said "I like it." So that settled it.
I hope that you get a "come sit a spell" feeling when you visit, that you'll feel comfortable sharing your joys and sorrows with me, and that when you go, it's with the calm assurance that God always keeps his promises.
I'd love to know what inspired the name of your blog. If you would, do a post on your blog, then visit Barb (the good twin) and be sure to leave your link there. I'll come visit. I promise!
My Makeover
Yes, I've done it again. I went and changed my template. I get bored too easily, which is really a shame because I'm one of the most boring people I know. Makes you wonder how I stand myself, don't it?
The porch in the photo isn't mine, but I do wish it were. I found the photo online at a free site a while back, and I've forgotten the name of the site. I will be researching that today so I can give proper credit to the photographer.
I'm not finished tinkering with it yet. I want to change the thin gray border to a sage green if I can figure out how. I had a hard time choosing between shades for the background. I don't even know what color you'd call this, but I'm calling it lavendar.
It really wasn't all that difficult, though I couldn't have done it without Boomama's instructions. I went to my test blog template and changed it to "Mr. Moto." Then I copied all my links and sidebar goodies from my main template and pasted them into my test template. Then I added the photo to the header and changed the background color. Once I got everything looking the way I wanted, with a couple of exceptions, I went to my main template and switched it to the same one I chose for my test blog. You can do that without losing any posts or comments, if you're wondering. The only thing you'll lose is stuff you've added to the sidebar, which is why you save them in your testblog. After I switched my main template, I went back to the test template and copied all the links and sidebar goodies and the other changes I'd made and pasted them into my main template.
And voila! That's French for "there it is" or "look there" - or as we say in the south, "looky there!" (It's pronounced vwah lah, which is why most people spell it wahlah, just in case you were wondering.)
So now for the really important question: Does this blog make my butt look big?
The porch in the photo isn't mine, but I do wish it were. I found the photo online at a free site a while back, and I've forgotten the name of the site. I will be researching that today so I can give proper credit to the photographer.
I'm not finished tinkering with it yet. I want to change the thin gray border to a sage green if I can figure out how. I had a hard time choosing between shades for the background. I don't even know what color you'd call this, but I'm calling it lavendar.
It really wasn't all that difficult, though I couldn't have done it without Boomama's instructions. I went to my test blog template and changed it to "Mr. Moto." Then I copied all my links and sidebar goodies from my main template and pasted them into my test template. Then I added the photo to the header and changed the background color. Once I got everything looking the way I wanted, with a couple of exceptions, I went to my main template and switched it to the same one I chose for my test blog. You can do that without losing any posts or comments, if you're wondering. The only thing you'll lose is stuff you've added to the sidebar, which is why you save them in your testblog. After I switched my main template, I went back to the test template and copied all the links and sidebar goodies and the other changes I'd made and pasted them into my main template.
And voila! That's French for "there it is" or "look there" - or as we say in the south, "looky there!" (It's pronounced vwah lah, which is why most people spell it wahlah, just in case you were wondering.)
So now for the really important question: Does this blog make my butt look big?
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Photo Hunt - Blue
San Francisco, March 2006
Grab the Scavenger Hunt code.
Photo Theme List. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.
My Word Cloud
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Kids Meme
My good friend Barb has tagged me yet again. She knows I can't resist any opportunity to talk about my kids. Fortunately for you, I only get to share 3 things about each of them. This is the best photo we have of all of them together, taken several years ago, and it's one of my favorites.
Lindsey:
1) She's 16 going on 21. She's fashion-conscious and loves to shop. I miss having her as my wardrobe consultant.
2) She was the best baby ever. Never fussed, slept all night every night from the minute she was born, and would entertain herself for hours with the toys in her crib.
3) She's smart, talented, funny, and she loves babies. She hopes to be a pediatrician someday.
Sarah:
1) She's 14 and very athletic. She cares more about comfort than fashion. She's fun to shop with because she's easy to please.
2) She walked early, and was always so bouncy and bubbly. She loved to sing, and her giggle was contagious.
3) She's smart, talented, funny, and loves animals. She plans to be a veterinarian.
Emily:
1) Emily is 13 and very self-conscious. She doesn't like to be noticed.
2) She's extremely intelligent and very talented. She has an amazing singing voice.
3) She's got a great sense of humor and loves to pick on her little brother.
Andrew:
1) Andrew is 11 and is all boy. He's cute and sweet, though not terribly affectionate.
2) He likes to imagine blowing things up. He loves computer games and sci-fi movies.
3) He's extremely intelligent and very funny. He enjoys tormenting his big sister.
They're an eclectic bunch, not well-blended, but we're working on that.
Lindsey:
1) She's 16 going on 21. She's fashion-conscious and loves to shop. I miss having her as my wardrobe consultant.
2) She was the best baby ever. Never fussed, slept all night every night from the minute she was born, and would entertain herself for hours with the toys in her crib.
3) She's smart, talented, funny, and she loves babies. She hopes to be a pediatrician someday.
Sarah:
1) She's 14 and very athletic. She cares more about comfort than fashion. She's fun to shop with because she's easy to please.
2) She walked early, and was always so bouncy and bubbly. She loved to sing, and her giggle was contagious.
3) She's smart, talented, funny, and loves animals. She plans to be a veterinarian.
Emily:
1) Emily is 13 and very self-conscious. She doesn't like to be noticed.
2) She's extremely intelligent and very talented. She has an amazing singing voice.
3) She's got a great sense of humor and loves to pick on her little brother.
Andrew:
1) Andrew is 11 and is all boy. He's cute and sweet, though not terribly affectionate.
2) He likes to imagine blowing things up. He loves computer games and sci-fi movies.
3) He's extremely intelligent and very funny. He enjoys tormenting his big sister.
They're an eclectic bunch, not well-blended, but we're working on that.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Book 'Em, Danno!
I've been tagged so much lately that I'm starting to feel like Minnie Pearl. Lauren tagged me for this one a while back, and I'm just now getting to it. Sorry, Lauren! I think it's been around a few times, and I don't know who else to tag, so I'm just going to put this one out there.
1. One book that changed your life: Besides the Bible? Returning to Holiness by Dr. Gregory R. Frizzell.
2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Little House in the Big Woods. We have the Little House series, and my girls loved having me read to them.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island: Besides the Bible? The Rescuers, of course.
4. One book that made you laugh: Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.
5. One book that made you cry: What Was Good About Today by Carol Kruckeberg.
6. One book that you wish had been written: Bloggercise! Get Fit While You Sit.
7. One book you wish had never been written: Dianetics by L. Ron Hubbard.
8. One book you are currently reading: Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore and Friends.
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Pawley's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank.
Consider yourself tagged if you haven't already done this one, and/or let me know if you have so I can come visit.
Be blessed!
1. One book that changed your life: Besides the Bible? Returning to Holiness by Dr. Gregory R. Frizzell.
2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Little House in the Big Woods. We have the Little House series, and my girls loved having me read to them.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island: Besides the Bible? The Rescuers, of course.
4. One book that made you laugh: Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.
5. One book that made you cry: What Was Good About Today by Carol Kruckeberg.
6. One book that you wish had been written: Bloggercise! Get Fit While You Sit.
7. One book you wish had never been written: Dianetics by L. Ron Hubbard.
8. One book you are currently reading: Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore and Friends.
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Pawley's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank.
Consider yourself tagged if you haven't already done this one, and/or let me know if you have so I can come visit.
Be blessed!
Sunday, August 20, 2006
To Meme or Not To Meme (A Novel Idea)
Barb and Laurel Wreath both tagged me for this fun meme. I knew I shoulda done it already, then I could have tagged Barb before she got me. Ah, well, here goes:
Mine would be the story of a young maiden who isn't aware of her beauty. She longs to be adored, but she has been deceived into believing that she's much too plain and too scholarly to catch the eye or the heart of a man.
She loses all hope of ever finding true love, when one day she meets an evil beast disguised as a handsome, charming prince. He convinces her that he is the only one who is capable of loving her because only he can see how beautiful she is. He locks her in a room with a two-way mirror so that he can admire her beauty and only lets her out to cook and clean and to go bowling with him and his beast buddies. She realizes his deception when he flips the wrong switch, allowing her to see him without his disguise. Repulsed, she begins to formulate a plan for escape. She encourages him to take up a hobby, buys him a set of golf clubs, and he disappears for days at a time....
Whatcha think? Too predictable?
The genre would be autobiographical fiction. I don't know how interesting it would be to read, but I think it would be fun to write.
According to the rules, which can be found at Violet Voices, I gotta tag 5 (or so) people. So...
I tag Kelli, Grafted Branch, Lori, Dawn, Tammy, and Cheryl.
Hope you ladies have as much fun with it as I did!
If you could write a novel about any subject, what would it be?
(Just the subject–don’t give away your plot idea!)
(Just the subject–don’t give away your plot idea!)
Mine would be the story of a young maiden who isn't aware of her beauty. She longs to be adored, but she has been deceived into believing that she's much too plain and too scholarly to catch the eye or the heart of a man.
She loses all hope of ever finding true love, when one day she meets an evil beast disguised as a handsome, charming prince. He convinces her that he is the only one who is capable of loving her because only he can see how beautiful she is. He locks her in a room with a two-way mirror so that he can admire her beauty and only lets her out to cook and clean and to go bowling with him and his beast buddies. She realizes his deception when he flips the wrong switch, allowing her to see him without his disguise. Repulsed, she begins to formulate a plan for escape. She encourages him to take up a hobby, buys him a set of golf clubs, and he disappears for days at a time....
Whatcha think? Too predictable?
The genre would be autobiographical fiction. I don't know how interesting it would be to read, but I think it would be fun to write.
According to the rules, which can be found at Violet Voices, I gotta tag 5 (or so) people. So...
I tag Kelli, Grafted Branch, Lori, Dawn, Tammy, and Cheryl.
Hope you ladies have as much fun with it as I did!
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Where Have You Been?
I was born and raised in Arkansas, and I moved to Georgia a little over two years ago. When I was a kid, our vacations were road trips. Twice, we drove west to Merced, California to visit relatives, and once, we drove north into Canada. When I was in high school, I went on a youth mission trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana. I've flown to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and vacationed several times in Pensacola, Florida. My first trip to the east coast was a weekend jaunt to St. Simon's Island a couple of years ago with my husband and our kids. On our second anniversary, we flew to San Francisco for a weekend honeymoon.
I hope one day to be able to say "I've been everywhere, man." Obviously, I've got a lot of ground to cover. How about you?
Where have you been?
If you'd like to play along or see where others have been, go here.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
100 Random Things About Me
Trying to think of a hundred interesting things about me was harder than I expected. I'm sure there are tons of things no one really wants to know, so I'll just keep those to myself. I have tried not to repeat the things I've already mentioned in previous memes. To those of you who were looking forward to this, I hope you're not too disappointed. Well, let's get on with it, shall we?
1. I am abundantly blessed. Haven't counted lately, though. Have you?
2. I adore my husband. I think he's cool. I also think he's hot.
3. I love to harmonize. I'm an alto. I was a soloist in my previous church.
4. I was in choir at church and school in 7th through 12th grade. I sang 2nd soprano.
5. I'm an aunt to 24 nieces and nephews.
6. I'm the 2nd of 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy.
7. I was a middle child for 7 years.
8. I was my mom's biggest baby at 7lbs 9oz. I'm the smallest now.
9. I was bald until I was 2 years old. My hair came in curly. The curl relaxed considerably after the birth of my children.
10. I was born again when I was 14 years old.
11. I was raised Southern Baptist.
12. I do not consider myself Southern Baptist, although I'm not sure exactly which label fits.
13. I don't know why I feel a need to have a label.
14. I am not allergic to exercise. I used to be in excellent shape.
15. I'm built like an athlete. If athletes were, you know, short and dumpy.
16. I'm not very athletic.
17. I can swim, but I cannot dive. Nor can I water ski.
18. I have never tried snow skiing.
19. I was on the Bozo show in 1st grade. Clowns do not scare me.
20. I have never had a broken bone.
21. I have been to California 3 times in my life. Once when I was 7, once at 11, and again in March of this year.
22. Chocolate cheesecake is my absolute favorite dessert.
23. I am dependable.
24. I am a dork.
25. I can't dance, but I do anyway.
26. I prefer daisies to roses.
27. My favorite food is cheese enchiladas.
28. I am very easy-going. It takes a lot to get me riled.
29. I am empathetic. Other people's pain bothers me more than my own.
30. I have few close friends. I'm not good at keeping in touch.
31. I have green eyes.
32. Green is one of my favorite colors.
33. I'm not a girlie girl.
34. I do not like hard candy, except peppermints.
35. I don't like hospitals.
36. My kids don't understand my sense of humor.
37. I hate to take medicine.
38. I had my first alcoholic beverage on my 21st birthday. One is my limit. I do not drink beer.
39. I tried smoking when I was 11. I started smoking at 21.
40. I tried my first joint with my first husband.
41. He also introduced me to cocaine.
42. Until then, I had never ever put any foreign objects into my nose.
43. I have never kept a journal.
44. I can keep a secret, but I don't keep anything from my husband.
45. I did not go to kindergarten. It wasn't required back then.
46. I love to laugh.
47. I look a lot like my mom.
48. I'm late everywhere I go.
49. I do not believe in luck.
50. I can read music.
51. I took mandolin lessons in 5th grade.
52. I still have that mandolin, which is warped from years of storage.
53. My husband bought me a new mandolin, but I can't play it either. He can.
54. I have never had braces.
55. I have never had lice.
56. I have never had my nails done professionally.
57. I took piano lessons in 5th grade. I can only play with my right hand. I can pick out a melody by ear.
58. I'm quirky.
59. I am quiet.
60. I was painfully shy as a child. I'm still not terribly outgoing.
61. Red is another of my favorite colors.
62. I do not understand road rage.
63. I am very soft-spoken. I usually have to repeat myself. I SAID I usually have to repeat myself.
64. I taught myself to sew, and I have made quite a few dresses for myself and my girls.
65. I taught myself to quilt.
66. I rarely watch television. I'm the only one in the family who can walk into a room without turning on the TV.
67. When I was little, my mom dressed me and my younger sister alike. Everyone thought we were twins.
68. I prefer homemade tacos to restaurant tacos.
69. I have varicose veins.
70. I do not have stretch marks.
71. In second grade, Kitty and I painted each other's pants with watercolors. Mine were hot pink double-knit polyester high-waters. I was some kinda cool.
72. I stayed in at recess because Keith and Delbert liked me and would chase me. I didn't like boys. Mrs. Johnson was my teacher.
73. I aced all my tests in school until my senior year.
74. I was popular with the jocks because I'd let them see my answers.
75. Mr. Loibner, my 8th grade science teacher, always wrote my test score on the chalkboard. (Highest in class.)
76. I got bonus points on one of his tests because I spelled out "deoxyribonucleic acid" when everyone else just wrote "DNA". I was NOT trying to show off.
77. I got a C in Calculus.
78. I got my first F in 11th grade English when I didn't turn in my research paper.
79. I hated math until 7th grade.
80. I was in the National Junior Honor Society in 8th and 9th grades.
81. I was in the National Honor Society in 10th and 11th grades.
82. I did not graduate with honors, but I did score high enough on the ACT to merit a scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas.
83. I was going to be a Speech Pathologist, but I didn't finish college.
84. I lost my scholarship with a 3.75 grade average because I didn't have enough hours.
85. I have never taken the SAT.
86. My first husband was the first person who ever said I was beautiful.
87. That's one of the reasons I married him.
88. My sisters and I were in a family "band" when we were younger. We played (poorly) for my dad's Optimist Club meetings.
89. I'm a grandma. My ex's 28-year-old daughter has a little boy. He's 18 months old.
90. I worked at the Little Rock Post Office for 7 years.
91. I know almost every ZIP code, or at least the first 3 digits, for the state of Arkansas.
92. I was in a puppet ministry in junior high.
93. I love to be wined and dined. Burgered and fried is OK, too.
94. I have had only one speeding ticket in my life.
95. I was the financial secretary of my church for 5 years and served as church clerk for 6.
96. I taught a junior high girls Sunday school class for 3 years.
97. I taught 5th grade Sunday school for one year.
98. I fell in love for the first time in my life when my first child was born.
99. The job I have now is the first job I've ever had where I have not been subjected to sexual harrassment.
100. When I was a kid, I paired my crayons by "gender". Dark colors were male and light colors were female.
Yes, I know, it couldn't have been more random, but there it is.
1. I am abundantly blessed. Haven't counted lately, though. Have you?
2. I adore my husband. I think he's cool. I also think he's hot.
3. I love to harmonize. I'm an alto. I was a soloist in my previous church.
4. I was in choir at church and school in 7th through 12th grade. I sang 2nd soprano.
5. I'm an aunt to 24 nieces and nephews.
6. I'm the 2nd of 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy.
7. I was a middle child for 7 years.
8. I was my mom's biggest baby at 7lbs 9oz. I'm the smallest now.
9. I was bald until I was 2 years old. My hair came in curly. The curl relaxed considerably after the birth of my children.
10. I was born again when I was 14 years old.
11. I was raised Southern Baptist.
12. I do not consider myself Southern Baptist, although I'm not sure exactly which label fits.
13. I don't know why I feel a need to have a label.
14. I am not allergic to exercise. I used to be in excellent shape.
15. I'm built like an athlete. If athletes were, you know, short and dumpy.
16. I'm not very athletic.
17. I can swim, but I cannot dive. Nor can I water ski.
18. I have never tried snow skiing.
19. I was on the Bozo show in 1st grade. Clowns do not scare me.
20. I have never had a broken bone.
21. I have been to California 3 times in my life. Once when I was 7, once at 11, and again in March of this year.
22. Chocolate cheesecake is my absolute favorite dessert.
23. I am dependable.
24. I am a dork.
25. I can't dance, but I do anyway.
26. I prefer daisies to roses.
27. My favorite food is cheese enchiladas.
28. I am very easy-going. It takes a lot to get me riled.
29. I am empathetic. Other people's pain bothers me more than my own.
30. I have few close friends. I'm not good at keeping in touch.
31. I have green eyes.
32. Green is one of my favorite colors.
33. I'm not a girlie girl.
34. I do not like hard candy, except peppermints.
35. I don't like hospitals.
36. My kids don't understand my sense of humor.
37. I hate to take medicine.
38. I had my first alcoholic beverage on my 21st birthday. One is my limit. I do not drink beer.
39. I tried smoking when I was 11. I started smoking at 21.
40. I tried my first joint with my first husband.
41. He also introduced me to cocaine.
42. Until then, I had never ever put any foreign objects into my nose.
43. I have never kept a journal.
44. I can keep a secret, but I don't keep anything from my husband.
45. I did not go to kindergarten. It wasn't required back then.
46. I love to laugh.
47. I look a lot like my mom.
48. I'm late everywhere I go.
49. I do not believe in luck.
50. I can read music.
51. I took mandolin lessons in 5th grade.
52. I still have that mandolin, which is warped from years of storage.
53. My husband bought me a new mandolin, but I can't play it either. He can.
54. I have never had braces.
55. I have never had lice.
56. I have never had my nails done professionally.
57. I took piano lessons in 5th grade. I can only play with my right hand. I can pick out a melody by ear.
58. I'm quirky.
59. I am quiet.
60. I was painfully shy as a child. I'm still not terribly outgoing.
61. Red is another of my favorite colors.
62. I do not understand road rage.
63. I am very soft-spoken. I usually have to repeat myself. I SAID I usually have to repeat myself.
64. I taught myself to sew, and I have made quite a few dresses for myself and my girls.
65. I taught myself to quilt.
66. I rarely watch television. I'm the only one in the family who can walk into a room without turning on the TV.
67. When I was little, my mom dressed me and my younger sister alike. Everyone thought we were twins.
68. I prefer homemade tacos to restaurant tacos.
69. I have varicose veins.
70. I do not have stretch marks.
71. In second grade, Kitty and I painted each other's pants with watercolors. Mine were hot pink double-knit polyester high-waters. I was some kinda cool.
72. I stayed in at recess because Keith and Delbert liked me and would chase me. I didn't like boys. Mrs. Johnson was my teacher.
73. I aced all my tests in school until my senior year.
74. I was popular with the jocks because I'd let them see my answers.
75. Mr. Loibner, my 8th grade science teacher, always wrote my test score on the chalkboard. (Highest in class.)
76. I got bonus points on one of his tests because I spelled out "deoxyribonucleic acid" when everyone else just wrote "DNA". I was NOT trying to show off.
77. I got a C in Calculus.
78. I got my first F in 11th grade English when I didn't turn in my research paper.
79. I hated math until 7th grade.
80. I was in the National Junior Honor Society in 8th and 9th grades.
81. I was in the National Honor Society in 10th and 11th grades.
82. I did not graduate with honors, but I did score high enough on the ACT to merit a scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas.
83. I was going to be a Speech Pathologist, but I didn't finish college.
84. I lost my scholarship with a 3.75 grade average because I didn't have enough hours.
85. I have never taken the SAT.
86. My first husband was the first person who ever said I was beautiful.
87. That's one of the reasons I married him.
88. My sisters and I were in a family "band" when we were younger. We played (poorly) for my dad's Optimist Club meetings.
89. I'm a grandma. My ex's 28-year-old daughter has a little boy. He's 18 months old.
90. I worked at the Little Rock Post Office for 7 years.
91. I know almost every ZIP code, or at least the first 3 digits, for the state of Arkansas.
92. I was in a puppet ministry in junior high.
93. I love to be wined and dined. Burgered and fried is OK, too.
94. I have had only one speeding ticket in my life.
95. I was the financial secretary of my church for 5 years and served as church clerk for 6.
96. I taught a junior high girls Sunday school class for 3 years.
97. I taught 5th grade Sunday school for one year.
98. I fell in love for the first time in my life when my first child was born.
99. The job I have now is the first job I've ever had where I have not been subjected to sexual harrassment.
100. When I was a kid, I paired my crayons by "gender". Dark colors were male and light colors were female.
Yes, I know, it couldn't have been more random, but there it is.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Post #99 (You Know What Comes Next)
In light of the fact that my next post will be a doozy, I'll keep this short and sweet.
I've been tagged by Lauren and Laurel Wreath for a couple of book memes, and I'll get to those as soon as I can. Thank you ladies for thinking of me!
I learned from my little girlfriend Kayla's dad today that she's been in the hospital for a week(!) recovering from a car accident. Kayla is my daughter's soccer teammate from last year. She's doing well and expected to go home with her dad tomorrow, but she is lucky to be alive (the car flipped and hit a tree.) I've mentioned her before at the end of this post. Her dad is optimistic that they can work things out, and I'm so thankful for God's intervention. He is good. All the time.
I found an interesting post here , and I'd like to hear your thoughts. Agree or disagree? Let me know!
Hope the rest of your week is fantabulous!
I've been tagged by Lauren and Laurel Wreath for a couple of book memes, and I'll get to those as soon as I can. Thank you ladies for thinking of me!
I learned from my little girlfriend Kayla's dad today that she's been in the hospital for a week(!) recovering from a car accident. Kayla is my daughter's soccer teammate from last year. She's doing well and expected to go home with her dad tomorrow, but she is lucky to be alive (the car flipped and hit a tree.) I've mentioned her before at the end of this post. Her dad is optimistic that they can work things out, and I'm so thankful for God's intervention. He is good. All the time.
I found an interesting post here , and I'd like to hear your thoughts. Agree or disagree? Let me know!
Hope the rest of your week is fantabulous!
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Weekend Update
Last week in Blogland proved to be quite interesting and thought-provoking. Boomama started it off with this discussion about the Sovereignty of God, which led to many more discussions and shared testimonies, lots of encouragement and prayers for those who are struggling, and most importantly, evidence of the very topic of discussion. The way I see it, it was no coincidence that some of those who visited her blog that day and participated in the discussion were brought together. Yes, I believe He orchestrated it so that those who are struggling would be ministered to by those who had endured similar trials.
I am currently working to formulate a coherent response to Lori's post at Rattling Around, and like her, I'm sure in my beliefs but unsure of my ability to explain them to someone else. I do love a challenge. I seem to have more questions than answers, but I trust God even when I don't fully understand His ways. I hope you'll weigh in with your thoughts.
I am currently working to formulate a coherent response to Lori's post at Rattling Around, and like her, I'm sure in my beliefs but unsure of my ability to explain them to someone else. I do love a challenge. I seem to have more questions than answers, but I trust God even when I don't fully understand His ways. I hope you'll weigh in with your thoughts.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Back to School Blues
First things first: Please go here and pray for Kim's husband's safety. I'll wait until you get back.
This is the first year I haven't had to buy school supplies. I didn't get to take my girls shopping for school clothes, not that I miss shopping, it's just... different. I'm not fond of shopping, especially with my older daughter, who is so picky - MY WORD, that child is impossible to please. OK, truth is it isn't the shopping I mind, it's the spending. I could window shop all day, not spend a dime, and come home, happy as a clam, empty-handed. If a clam had hands, that is, which they don't, but you get the picture.
Anyway. My office building is located right next door to one of our two high schools. It isn't the school my girls would attend if they were here, but it's school all the same, complete with buses loaded with kids and parents in SUVs dropping off and picking up their offspring. My office window affords me a view of the school's driveway, so at about 3:30 each afternoon I get to watch the cars line up as parents wait to retrieve their children from the clutches of public education. This was my cue last year to give Lindsey a call to make sure she was on the bus and on her way home. That isn't the case this year. Sounds depressing, don't it? Yeah, well, that's not my thing, although I could stand to lose my appetite and drop a few pounds. I appreciate the irony of it is all I'm saying.
School for them doesn't even start for another week and a half. I've often wondered if we should have homeschooled. I did consider it prayerfully before Lindsey ever started school. Back then, she was the sweetest thing. I couldn't bear the thought of sticking my precious baby on a bus with all those older kids. All the schools there are on one big campus, and each bus runs one route to pick up all the kids from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Her older sister, Robin, was in high school at the time, and I knew that Lindsey would be trying to tag along with her and her friends. Terrifying thought, actually. I began to pray about it well before she turned 5, but her dad was against it. It wasn't a popular choice among parents in the community. Most of them were teachers, and many of them were members of our church. Kids need socialization, don't they?
Miraculously (?) as soon as she turned 5, all the sweetness and light evaporated, and I couldn't wait for the bus to run so I could shove her sassy little self out the door and lock it securely behind her. I didn't, of course. She turned 5 in February and wouldn't be eligible for kindergarten until August. So, you know, I had to wait.
Oh, she was so excited. She already knew how to read and tie her shoes and a bunch of other stuff that parents leave up to the public schools to teach. Can you believe some parents don't teach their children to read? Kindergarten started one week later than the other grades, and Sarah and I accompanied our school girl to her class. To get pictures of her first day of school, not because she wanted us there. We had gone the week before to find her classroom, meet her teacher, and choose a desk. I was so proud of her when she led the way down the hall straight to her class a whole week after having been shown the way only once. That's my girl!
Sarah and I hung around just long enough to let the teacher know that we were available for field trips and whatever else she might need us to help with. Then we were free to go do our own thing. That was a pretty good year.
This is the first year I haven't had to buy school supplies. I didn't get to take my girls shopping for school clothes, not that I miss shopping, it's just... different. I'm not fond of shopping, especially with my older daughter, who is so picky - MY WORD, that child is impossible to please. OK, truth is it isn't the shopping I mind, it's the spending. I could window shop all day, not spend a dime, and come home, happy as a clam, empty-handed. If a clam had hands, that is, which they don't, but you get the picture.
Anyway. My office building is located right next door to one of our two high schools. It isn't the school my girls would attend if they were here, but it's school all the same, complete with buses loaded with kids and parents in SUVs dropping off and picking up their offspring. My office window affords me a view of the school's driveway, so at about 3:30 each afternoon I get to watch the cars line up as parents wait to retrieve their children from the clutches of public education. This was my cue last year to give Lindsey a call to make sure she was on the bus and on her way home. That isn't the case this year. Sounds depressing, don't it? Yeah, well, that's not my thing, although I could stand to lose my appetite and drop a few pounds. I appreciate the irony of it is all I'm saying.
School for them doesn't even start for another week and a half. I've often wondered if we should have homeschooled. I did consider it prayerfully before Lindsey ever started school. Back then, she was the sweetest thing. I couldn't bear the thought of sticking my precious baby on a bus with all those older kids. All the schools there are on one big campus, and each bus runs one route to pick up all the kids from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Her older sister, Robin, was in high school at the time, and I knew that Lindsey would be trying to tag along with her and her friends. Terrifying thought, actually. I began to pray about it well before she turned 5, but her dad was against it. It wasn't a popular choice among parents in the community. Most of them were teachers, and many of them were members of our church. Kids need socialization, don't they?
Miraculously (?) as soon as she turned 5, all the sweetness and light evaporated, and I couldn't wait for the bus to run so I could shove her sassy little self out the door and lock it securely behind her. I didn't, of course. She turned 5 in February and wouldn't be eligible for kindergarten until August. So, you know, I had to wait.
Oh, she was so excited. She already knew how to read and tie her shoes and a bunch of other stuff that parents leave up to the public schools to teach. Can you believe some parents don't teach their children to read? Kindergarten started one week later than the other grades, and Sarah and I accompanied our school girl to her class. To get pictures of her first day of school, not because she wanted us there. We had gone the week before to find her classroom, meet her teacher, and choose a desk. I was so proud of her when she led the way down the hall straight to her class a whole week after having been shown the way only once. That's my girl!
Sarah and I hung around just long enough to let the teacher know that we were available for field trips and whatever else she might need us to help with. Then we were free to go do our own thing. That was a pretty good year.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
My Fortress
A week and a half ago, I made the trip to Arkansas fully expecting my girls to come home with me. I have explained to them and their dad (and anyone else who'll listen) my reasons for believing that they need to be here with their mother. They don't necessarily disagree, it's just not what they want. Their dad disagrees that it's what they need because it's not what they want. I've been praying non-stop, and countless others have joined me in prayer over them, and I trust they (and you) will continue to do so. I know God is listening. He's working on it. On them. On me.
Making the trip home without them was next to unbearable. I was angry. I was heartbroken. The pain was overwhelming, and I was tempted to stifle my feelings, but I realized that was my old way of coping. I would retreat into "safe" mode, behind a wall of denial and a facade of happy-go-lucky. I had many people fooled, including myself, for many years. Pretending not to care can lead to actually not caring. I don't want that. God doesn't want that. As much as I would like to not feel the pain, I can't be that person anymore.
Bev's comments on Captivating - Chapter 8 reminded me again that I am not who I was then. This quote resonates with me: "But the experience of sorrow in no way diminishes the joy of living. Rather, it enhances it. A heart awakened to its sorrow is more aware, more present, and more alive, to all the facets of life." That is so true! Numbing my heart to pain robbed me of the ability to feel much of anything. My empathy turned to apathy. How pathetic is that?
I still have moments when I wish I could retreat into oblivion, but God has been at work tearing down that wall. What then shall I do? I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (Psalm 91:2)
Making the trip home without them was next to unbearable. I was angry. I was heartbroken. The pain was overwhelming, and I was tempted to stifle my feelings, but I realized that was my old way of coping. I would retreat into "safe" mode, behind a wall of denial and a facade of happy-go-lucky. I had many people fooled, including myself, for many years. Pretending not to care can lead to actually not caring. I don't want that. God doesn't want that. As much as I would like to not feel the pain, I can't be that person anymore.
Bev's comments on Captivating - Chapter 8 reminded me again that I am not who I was then. This quote resonates with me: "But the experience of sorrow in no way diminishes the joy of living. Rather, it enhances it. A heart awakened to its sorrow is more aware, more present, and more alive, to all the facets of life." That is so true! Numbing my heart to pain robbed me of the ability to feel much of anything. My empathy turned to apathy. How pathetic is that?
I still have moments when I wish I could retreat into oblivion, but God has been at work tearing down that wall. What then shall I do? I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (Psalm 91:2)
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Hot and Bloggered
I love summer. I thrive in warm temperatures. I'm cold natured, which means if the air conditioning is working like it should, it chills me to the bone. My office building is so cold that I look forward to getting into my car at lunchtime just to thaw out. I keep a sweater in my office so I won't freeze to death.
I'm the last person you'll hear complain about the heat. You know if I'm hot, then everyone else must be miserable, and I'm telling you it's hot. Sweat-on-your-upper-lip hot. You had that figured out already, didn't you? Yeah, it takes me a while.
So I'm sitting here trying to muster up the energy to do something. Even blogging seems like a chore. I have yet to complete the Bloggy Homes Tour, and I'm behind on my regular reading and commenting. As usual, there are about a million topics zinging around in my head, but none that I'm ready to commit to a post. There are several really good discussions going on other blogs that I'm trying to keep up with, and hoping to explore a few of those further on my own blog.
I'm wondering what's up with bloglines. For some reason, I'm not getting notified of all the new posts, so if you're missing my wit and wisdom (yeah, right) in your comments, don't worry. I haven't been abducted. I'm here, just moving along at a snail's pace so as not to work up a sweat.
Did I mention that it's hot?
I'm the last person you'll hear complain about the heat. You know if I'm hot, then everyone else must be miserable, and I'm telling you it's hot. Sweat-on-your-upper-lip hot. You had that figured out already, didn't you? Yeah, it takes me a while.
So I'm sitting here trying to muster up the energy to do something. Even blogging seems like a chore. I have yet to complete the Bloggy Homes Tour, and I'm behind on my regular reading and commenting. As usual, there are about a million topics zinging around in my head, but none that I'm ready to commit to a post. There are several really good discussions going on other blogs that I'm trying to keep up with, and hoping to explore a few of those further on my own blog.
I'm wondering what's up with bloglines. For some reason, I'm not getting notified of all the new posts, so if you're missing my wit and wisdom (yeah, right) in your comments, don't worry. I haven't been abducted. I'm here, just moving along at a snail's pace so as not to work up a sweat.
Did I mention that it's hot?
Monday, August 07, 2006
I Heart Buttons
Allow me to direct your attention to my sidebar. See my new button? (Pray for Emma Grace.) If you click on it, you can read more about her and get the code to add this button to your site. Go get yours today!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
God is Faithful
By now, you've seen the update on Addison, who is in ICU recovering from surgery. As you continue to pray for her and her family, please include Peyton, Vicki's granddaughter who was born 3 weeks early in respiratory distress, and is also in ICU.
God is working in mighty ways to remind us of His faithfulness.
God is working in mighty ways to remind us of His faithfulness.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Quick Update
First, remember to pray for Addison, her doctors, and her family. Her surgery is (tomorrow) Thursday.
Second, if your family is intact, if your husband is a godly provider and spiritual leader in the home, if your home is filled with love, if your marriage is solid and your children are safe and sound, hit your knees and thank Almighty God for His blessings. Pray a hedge of protection around your family. Do not let down your guard.
Third, please pray for Kayla and Randy. Kayla is the girl I mentioned at the bottom of my previous post, and Randy is her dad. I spoke with him today, and he is appreciative of my interest in and desire to help her. He did not kick her out, and he wants her to come home. I did offer my home to her, stipulating that I would be in contact with her dad and that she would have to abide by rules very similar to his. She declined the offer.
Thank you all for you encouragement and support through prayer. You are in my prayers as well.
Second, if your family is intact, if your husband is a godly provider and spiritual leader in the home, if your home is filled with love, if your marriage is solid and your children are safe and sound, hit your knees and thank Almighty God for His blessings. Pray a hedge of protection around your family. Do not let down your guard.
Third, please pray for Kayla and Randy. Kayla is the girl I mentioned at the bottom of my previous post, and Randy is her dad. I spoke with him today, and he is appreciative of my interest in and desire to help her. He did not kick her out, and he wants her to come home. I did offer my home to her, stipulating that I would be in contact with her dad and that she would have to abide by rules very similar to his. She declined the offer.
Thank you all for you encouragement and support through prayer. You are in my prayers as well.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
God is SO good!
Great news, y'all! Amy is in remission. Praise the Lord! I'm so excited for her and her family! If I hadn't been raised a Baptist, I'd be dancing!
Thank you all for your prayers for me and my girls. I nearly 'bout cried myself sick all the way home Sunday, and I looked a sight Monday (had the day off work, so I didn't scare anyone), but I'm ok now. For the most part. I know God has it all under control, even if He won't take my advice. My older daughter hates me, but I love her, and He loves her even more, so I'll let Him deal with her (as if I really have a choice!) Amen? The same goes for my younger daughter, except that she still kinda likes me. I guess. It's a good sign if the daggers aren't flaming, isn't it?
Now I know y'all think I've blown a gasket or something, but I assure you I am not under the influence of any drug, nor have I gone bonkers. I'm praising the Lord that He hears our prayers and is faithful to answer according to His will. My pity party is over, people, at least until I find something else to whine about. See, I learned something this weekend. I am my kids' mom. Meaning that they, in all their selfish glory, are just like me. Didn't I tell them that life is hard? Didn't I tell them they can't always have their way? Why yes, yes I did. Didn't I ask God to use me as an example for them? Didn't I mean it when I prayed "Whatever it takes, Lord."? You betcha, I did! Then I have no right to complain about how He sees fit to answer, do I? I should be rejoicing in my sorrow. I should be thanking Him that He is giving me a workout, adding resistance to show me how much stronger I've become by relying on Him. My abs may be soft, but my faith is rock solid. Hoo-yah! (or whatever it is they say)
I still covet your prayers, of course, because my girls are under attack. They aren't keeping company with saints and are blind to the enemy's deception. Pray that their eyes will be opened and that they will be delivered from the enemy.
In other news, I got a call from one of Lindsey's friends here who was terribly disappointed that she isn't coming back as promised. This is a girl for whom I have a burden to minister to (pardon the extra preposition) because she is without a mother, and her father is raising 4 children on his own. He is a Christian, and we met through our daughters. Long story short, they're having some disciplinary problems which he and I had discussed after an incident with our girls. He was sure that I wouldn't want her around Lindsey, but I let him know that I would be more than happy to have her here anytime in hopes that Lindsey and I could be a positive influence on her. I had told Lindsey at the time that this could very well be our purpose here. Her story is that her dad kicked her out and she's staying with a friend. I haven't yet spoken with her dad to get the rest of the story, but I have emailed him to let him know that I'm here and available to help if he deems it necessary. My husband is opposed to having her here for reasons I won't go into, but my heart is open to her whether my home is or not. That remains to be seen if/when I hear from her dad. Pray for guidance in this area. I've never been a foster parent, and it may not come to that, but my burden is to foster a reconciliation between father and daughter.
Pray on, y'all!
Thank you all for your prayers for me and my girls. I nearly 'bout cried myself sick all the way home Sunday, and I looked a sight Monday (had the day off work, so I didn't scare anyone), but I'm ok now. For the most part. I know God has it all under control, even if He won't take my advice. My older daughter hates me, but I love her, and He loves her even more, so I'll let Him deal with her (as if I really have a choice!) Amen? The same goes for my younger daughter, except that she still kinda likes me. I guess. It's a good sign if the daggers aren't flaming, isn't it?
Now I know y'all think I've blown a gasket or something, but I assure you I am not under the influence of any drug, nor have I gone bonkers. I'm praising the Lord that He hears our prayers and is faithful to answer according to His will. My pity party is over, people, at least until I find something else to whine about. See, I learned something this weekend. I am my kids' mom. Meaning that they, in all their selfish glory, are just like me. Didn't I tell them that life is hard? Didn't I tell them they can't always have their way? Why yes, yes I did. Didn't I ask God to use me as an example for them? Didn't I mean it when I prayed "Whatever it takes, Lord."? You betcha, I did! Then I have no right to complain about how He sees fit to answer, do I? I should be rejoicing in my sorrow. I should be thanking Him that He is giving me a workout, adding resistance to show me how much stronger I've become by relying on Him. My abs may be soft, but my faith is rock solid. Hoo-yah! (or whatever it is they say)
I still covet your prayers, of course, because my girls are under attack. They aren't keeping company with saints and are blind to the enemy's deception. Pray that their eyes will be opened and that they will be delivered from the enemy.
In other news, I got a call from one of Lindsey's friends here who was terribly disappointed that she isn't coming back as promised. This is a girl for whom I have a burden to minister to (pardon the extra preposition) because she is without a mother, and her father is raising 4 children on his own. He is a Christian, and we met through our daughters. Long story short, they're having some disciplinary problems which he and I had discussed after an incident with our girls. He was sure that I wouldn't want her around Lindsey, but I let him know that I would be more than happy to have her here anytime in hopes that Lindsey and I could be a positive influence on her. I had told Lindsey at the time that this could very well be our purpose here. Her story is that her dad kicked her out and she's staying with a friend. I haven't yet spoken with her dad to get the rest of the story, but I have emailed him to let him know that I'm here and available to help if he deems it necessary. My husband is opposed to having her here for reasons I won't go into, but my heart is open to her whether my home is or not. That remains to be seen if/when I hear from her dad. Pray for guidance in this area. I've never been a foster parent, and it may not come to that, but my burden is to foster a reconciliation between father and daughter.
Pray on, y'all!
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