Today’s Love Dare Challenge

Back to the regular scheduled programming…..

My dare today is to give up on an area of disagreement that is really not that important.  I have thought of what I am going to give in to, if you will, for my little one, but am still working on my oldest. 

This is really valuable to evaluate what it is that there is conflict about and if it’s important.  So many times the conflict really isn’t going to matter in the long run.  So why is it then that it is so protected??  Ahhh, PRIDE, I forgot 🙂

Is there anything you could “give in” to?

Have a “Willing” Day!

 

Smack Down Funny!!!

I received this from a friend at church and HAVE to share it.  It’s too funny so use the restroom first, if you are married 🙂

I do have to say that I don’t have any issues with Mother-In-Law 1.0 application.  Mine works fine. 

INSTALLING A HUSBAND Dear Tech Support, Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0. In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as  Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5, and then installed undesirable programs such as:  NBA 5.0,  NFL 3.0  and  Golf Clubs 4.1 Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. Please note that I have tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail. What can I do? Signed, Desperate. DEAR DESPERATE ,  First, keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0  is an operating system.  Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme.html and try to download Tears 6.2 and do not forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update.  If that application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5.  However, remember that overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1  Please note that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will download the Farting and Snoring Loudly Beta.  Whatever you do, DO NOT under any circumstances install Mother-In-Law 1.0  (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources.)  In addition, please do not attempt to reinstall the Boyfriend 5.0. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0 . In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance. We recommend:  Cooking 3.0 and  Hot Lingerie 7.7     Good Luck Babe! Tech Support

 

Gotta Love This!

You’ll be surprised to find out who this is…

 

KURTIS THE STOCK BOY
AND
BRENDA THE CHECKOUT GIRL

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4.  Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful.  She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled  softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left.  He looked at her card, BRENDA.  He walked out only to see her start walking up the road.  Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted.  When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work.  She simply said it wasn’t possible.

He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn’t afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter.  Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday.  That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, “Well, let’s take the kids with us.”

She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed.  Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children.  She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair.  He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.

Kurtis asked Brenda, “I still don’t understand why the kids can’t come with us?”  Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities – just like her first husband and father of her children had done.  Kurtis was not ordinary – – – he had a different mindset.

That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him.  When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back.  The kids loved Kurtis.  At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. 
Since then they have added two more kids. (Actually I believe they have 7 now)

So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy at a grocery store in  Cedar Falls/Waterloo, IA and Brenda the check-out girl?  Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona , where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has his Cardinals in the hunt for a possible appearance in the Super Bowl.  Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person.

It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He has also been the NLF’s Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl’s Most Valuable Player.

 

A Big Year!

Today we have a new President.  The first African American President and history was made.  Despite differences, I am excited that our country took this stand.  I was glad to watch this history with my children and they will be able to remember this moment their children will read about.

I also have been thinking of this year for our family.  This year will be the fifth year anniversary of our youngest son placed in our home, our oldest will become an official teenager, my hubby will turn 40, and it will be our 15th wedding anniversary.  WOW!  It’s an exciting and changing time for us.

I am excited about this coming year.  Only time will tell what will happen, but I do know that it’s all flowing through the hand of God!

What does this year hold for you?  Do you see any big changes up ahead?

Have a “Changing” Day!

 

WEEK 3 BEGINS WITH…..

Today week 3 starts and we are off with a big bang.  Tricia Goyer is, not only an acclaimed author, but she is generous to boot!  She is going to give the winner of this weeks prizes TWO BOOKS GenerationNeXt Marriage and A Valley of Betrayal!  How about that????? 

Tricia the Writer:
Tricia Goyer has published over 300 articles for national publications such as Today’s Christian Woman, Guideposts for Kids, and Focus on the Family, and is the co-author of Meal Time Moments (Focus on the Family). She has led numerous Bible Studies, and her study notes appear in the Women of Faith Study Bible (Zondervan). 

She has written seven novels for Moody Publishing: From Dust and Ashes (2003), Night Song (2004), Dawn of a Thousand Nights (2005), Arms of Deliverance (2006), A Valley of Betrayal (2007), A Shadow of Treason (Fall 2007), and A Whisper of Freedom (Spring 2008). 

Tricia is also the author of Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Young Mom (Zondervan, 2004), 10 Minutes to Showtime (Thomas Nelson, 2004), Generation NeXt Parenting (Multnomah, 2006), Generation NeXt Marriage (Multnomah, 2008), and 3:16—the teen version of a book by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson, March 2008).

Life Interrupted was a 2005 Gold Medallion finalist in the Youth Category. Night Song was awarded the American Christian Fiction Writer’s 2005 Book of the Year award for Best Long Historical Romance. Dawn of a Thousand Nights won the same award in 2006. In 2003, Tricia was named as the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference “Writer of the Year”.

Be sure to check all her books out here:

www.triciagoyer.com

www.litfusegroup.com

Here is some info about the two books the winner will receive:

Marriage isn’t what it used to be–it can be better than ever.

If you are a Gen Xer, your marriage has challenges and potentials that no other generation has known. A Gen Xer herself, Tricia Goyer offers realistic help to achieve the God-honoring marriage you long for. She includes…

•Ways to protect your marriage despite the broken relationships modeled in your youth

•Stories, suggestions, and confessions from fellow Gen Xers facing the “What now?” question of real-life marriage

•Advice from the ultimate marriage survival guide: the Bible

•Stats, quizzes, sidebars, and study questions related to this “relationally challenged” time in history

•Practical helps for negotiating kids, work, sex, money, and dirty laundry–sometimes all in the same evening

If you are part of a generation of adults who don’t want to bow to their culture or live and love like their parents did . . . this book is for you.

And A Valley of Betrayal

 For reasons beyond her control, Sophie finds herself alone in the war-torn Spanish countryside. What was once a thriving paradise has become a battleground for fascist soldiers and Spanish patriots. It doesn’t take long for Sophie to realize just how far from home she really is.

Caught in the middle of what is quickly becoming a bloody battleground, she receives tragic news, but remaining in Spain is her only option. The route to safety is blocked and fighting surrounds her. On her darkest night, Sophie takes refuge with a brigade of international compatriots. It is among these volunteers, through the use of her fiancées camera and her art, that she pledges to make the plight of the Spanish people known around the world.

 

How can I win these books you ask?  Well here’s what you need to do:

1) Answer the question below in my comments.  One entry is all I need.  You DO NOT need to comment everyday to be eligible…just once. 

2) POST about my contest on your blog (but not your answer to my question-I am looking for links to my contest for others to particpate too).  I will need the direct link on my blog showing the post on your site. 

3) That’s it!!!!  Just wait to see if you are a winner of a week’s bounty of prizes.  Isn’t the EASY????

 

 

 

Question for Week 3 – Since this is my Birthday week tell me something that you have done on someone else’s birthday that was really special.  Did you make a cake when you usually buy one?  Or what about making a scrapbook for 6 months?

Have a “Curl up in a Blanket with a Good Book” Day!

 

This is when you know the ecomony has affected you…

We have a small 1970’s tent trailer that we camp in.  It works for us, but it has a lot of work that needs to be done.  We do little bits at a time and have replaced some things in it. 

Recently we took the trailer camping.  We had showers at the campsite, but no place to put our towels.  I asked hubby if we could get some of those adhesive hooks for our towels.

He said “Those are like a dollar a piece”. 

Ok, so there are four of us that’s a wopping $4.  I know we have been hit by the economy (losing about a third of our income) but still $4?

Last night, hubby proudly shows his deal.  He found a package of two on clearance at the autoparts store.  Two for 68 cents!  And the oil for our car was on sale.  He was a “happy camper”!

I have taught him well.  🙂

Have a “Frugal” Day!

 

Happy Anniversary Again?

Yes, it’s a busy month for us.  Mother-In-Law’s B Day, The Anniversary of my mother’s B Day and Death (she passed away 20 years ago today), My Marriage Anniversary, Our son’s B Day, and my blog anniversary….whew!!!  I am not even sure if I got it all.

Anyways, since my Mom passed away on September 24th and then her brother (my Uncle) passed away two years to the date, I wanted something positive on this day.  I got married on it.  And boy did I turn it around.

I am married to the best man alive..sorry ladies 🙂

Happy 14th Anniversary Hunny Bunches of O’s!

I LOVE YOU!

Have a “Lovie Dovie” Day!

 

And now, back to your regular scheduled programming…

Vacation is over and I have been trying to get back in to a routine of everything, plus get back to my business that I needed to catch up with (Pampered Chef for those who didn’t know that already), tackle the laundry, play with the animals (no not the kids), keep kids busy while on break and not on vacation anymore, and, and, and.  Well you know what I mean. 

We had a great vacation.  It is the first two week vacation we have ever done and I highly recommend it.  I know for a lot for people, us too until this year, it is not possible, but if you can swing it, do it!  I could really tell the difference having the extra time.  And don’t be one of those that say “must be nice” because well that’s just not nice now.  Work toward what you want and don’t let anything stop you, k?  Can you tell that’s a pet peeve of mine?  I hate it when someone only takes out of your life the good and never the blood, sweat, and tears that got you there.  Ok, off of soapbox now 🙂

I will be writing soon about recommendations of things we did on our trip.  I have wanted to put more pictures but it hasn’t been working right so when I have time I may be able to share those too.
How have you all been doing?  I missed all my blogging friends, acquaintances, commenter’s, etc!

Have a “Non-Routine” Day!

 

“Spare an Inch” Part II and a thanks to Diet Coke!

When we left off I was wondering what to do with the cat and myself at around 1:30 am.  I tried to pick the kitty up ever so gently and go to the sofa.  After I get there she takes off 

“Fine, be that way!”  I think is what I muttered.

I laid on the sofa for a few minutes and realized I can hear car sounds from the freeway nearby.  I don’t know why but I don’t like that sound.  Or maybe it was the fact that it isn’t the sounds I am use to.  Whatever it is I didn’t like it.

“It isn’t dark enough in this part of the house for me to sleep”, I think to myself.

As I lay on the sofa, for a few SECONDS, my mind continues to race.   

I get up and start to write, in our family notebooks where we write letters to each other, notes to everyone in the family.

“Don’t forget to plan the I Love You More” note for hubby.  See hubby and I have a little contest to see who can say I love you more for that day. 

Get up and find a note to write it and put it on the garage door for him to find in the morning.

It doesn’t stick to the door so now I need to find tape in the dark. 

“That’s what I get for getting these generic post-it’s.”  “Should have got the real thing, Debbie!”

“Am I yelling at myself?”

Then I wonder if I should start a draft with this newest part of the story.

“No, you think you have issues now, that would be ridiculous.  Stay off the computer!!!”

“Should I start some laundry?”

“No, go back to bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You are going to be too tired in the morning.”

Ok, I am going to sneak back in and see if I can get back into bed without waking hubby.

I start heading back and hear the snores.  I turn back around and go the other way.

“Just go back, you need the sleep!”

I tip toe my way back in and run into the corner of the wall.

“Who put that wall there?  I could have sworn it was a good foot the other way.”

I make it back into the room and gently climb back into bed.  Hubby is still sleeping so that’s good.

I still am not wanting to toss and turn to get comfortable so I lay and think some more…yippy!

I contemplate the evening and then it dawns on me…DIET COKE.

See I don’t drink coffee or tea.  I drink very little soda and when I do it’s caffeine free.  We went to a restaurant and they had Diet Coke -not caffeine free!!!!  I didn’t finish the soda there so I took it home with me.  I ended up drinking a a few swigs at around 11:00.   HELLO!!!!

I finally get to sleep and didn’t wake up until 9:30 am.  That is VERY late for me.  I am surprised that my children didn’t think I was dead.

“911 -What your emergency”

“I think my Mom is dead.”

“Check her breathing.  Is she breathing?”

“Yes, I think she is and I can also smell Diet Coke.”

“OK, I think she will be just fine.  Let her sleep it off.”

I got to my oldest room’s first and tell him I am sorry and that I was up late trying to let Dad get some sleep.  He was kind to forgive me, but I don’t think he even noticed or cared that I wasn’t up yet.  My little one laid in bed.  Maybe they were thankful for some time just to rest???

Thanks Diet Coke!

Have a “Caffeine-Free” Day!

 

Can you spare an inch?

Last night my hubby went to bed before I did.  He is up bright and early and works long days.  Since we are off of school (and on holiday -see earlier post) I am not up as early as he is.

I climb into bed at 11:30ish and didn’t want to wake him.  A few minutes later the cat meows.  She is very loud.  Next thing I know the Godzilla cat, who always sleeps in my oldest son’s room, is up on our bed!!!  “What are you doing here?”

He tries to settle in but I can tell that my hubby is now stirred.

I carry the “Godzilla” cat into our oldest son’s room and climb into bed.  Hubby rolls over and snuggles in tight. 

Meanwhile, back at the farm, the other cat (who does sleep with us me) is on the other side.  Hubby’s arm is tight on my right side, kitty’s paw on the left shoulder.  Okay!

I stare at the ceiling realizing I am not going to be moving for awhile.

“It’s kind of cold in here for it being Arizona and all.”  I think to myself.  “Hubby sure did a fine job with the swamp cooler.”

“It was hot today.”

“I wonder what happen to that redish shirt.”

“purrrr….snore…purrr…snore…”

Intermission for the 15 minute cat bath that I am not in a position to stop as my arm is pinned.

“You have got to be kidding!!!”

“I have got to be more positive about this!”

“Humm…this will make for a good blog if I can remember it.”

“Why is it that snores change sound?”

“I wonder what time it is.”

“Ok, my arm has now become numb.” 

I access the snores and believe hubby is out enough for me to make my move.

I slowly move my arm.  My back is too stiff to be going this slow.  “The water aerobics must be working.”

Cat starts meowing…”Will you stop already!!!”.

I moved around a tad and what do you know, I think I found an inch of space on the bed that I could have.

Cat thinks this is now time for her to climb on my tummy and get some attention.  “I don’t think so!” 

I take cat and put her back where she goes.  Now she doesn’t think so.   She moves.

“Where did she go now?” 

“Is she going to climb next to hubby?..That won’t work.”

The cat finally settles back in and hubby too, but I really am not comfortable.  I don’t know about you but it takes me a few minutes to get settled and that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.

“Okay, should I get up and go write the blog, or watch a movie, or bake something?”

“No, stay put!”

Time is 12:20.  “Is that all?”

“Count to 100..count sheep,,count something!!!”

“Did the doors get locked?”

“So if I get up how will I not stir everyone?” 

“The cat will have to be moved.”, I answer my own question.

“No, go to sleep!”

“If I try to get up and pretend I am going to the bathroom maybe that will work.”

“If you get up the kitty will go with and then you will never get back in as she will meow again.”

“Aughhh!”

“GO TO SLEEP!!” 

“But what if you forget how this goes for your blog?”

“How can you have a conversation with yourself?”

“Did you ever notice that when you talk to yourself it seems like your mouth moves a little?”

“You know you are not going to sleep right now.  You are too worried about moving around and waking up hubby.”

“What’s that sound?”

“Okay, up to the bathroom you go.”

I get up and make a move to the bathroom.  I listen very carefully to the snore sounds to make sure it didn’t awake the hubby.  I tip toe into the bathroom and partially shut the door.  I listen.  He is still asleep..yeah!

Off to the office me and the kitty go.  Kitty comes up on my lap and I get blinded by the computer light.

It’s 1:27 am and I am not sure what to do now.

“Man it sure is dark in here.”

Now my legs are sore because kitty is resting on my lap and I am on the tips of my toes so she doesn’t slide down. 

“I can’t move the kitty.”  “She is so comfortable and happy.” 

“My back and feet are sore.” 

“Maybe I can pick her up gently and go over to the couch and she won’t stir too much.”

I think I need help!

Have a “Space Filled” Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (Oops, sorry I fell asleep at the computer desk.) Day!