I am still here!

I haven't blogged for awhile now - I am not really sure that anyone noticed.

Anyway, I haven't been blogging because I am drowning in books, research and tons of paperwork.  I am operating on little sleep and my ulcer is acting up.  I think I am a little LOT stressed.

Some of you know what I have been up to with my books, videos, research and paperwork.  My paperwork and research is for the worship discernment committee I am on at church.  We are discerning where we go in the future as far as worship style at my church.  I can't say much about it other than it is a lot of time pouring over data and praying to be led by God.

My books, videos and other research are for a Sunday School class on outreach.  We've been wanting to teach a class on outreach, but didn't know what or how to start.  So, I volunteered.  Sometimes I wonder what in the world I was thinking volunteering for that!  I am no expert so, how can I teach others?  Well, let me tell you - the Lord is my teacher and He will be the teacher of this class.  I have been praying He would lead me in what to say and He has - I am still not done writing what I plan to say, but I have found some good videos to help me say what I want.

Both of those things have left me with little time blog or do other things which is okay  - when the Lord calls you have to listen!

I am looking forward to some good times this weekend with family & friends.  My mom's birthday is tomorrow - so, I am taking her to the dirt track races!  Love that my mom loves the things that I do!

Later this weekend it is demolition derby time!  Can't wait to hang out with friends and watch some good ol' fashion car crunching!  LOL!!

What have you been up to?

Need to Change It Up

I have lived in my duplex for over 3 years now.  Most of my walls look exactly the way they did when I moved in.  I think know it is time for a change.  I have been gathering ideas on-line.  Here are some of my favorites:

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Got any good ideas for me?

Need Your Help!

Awhile back I entered a giveaway on Megan's blog and I WON!!  She was giving away a photo session.  I decided to have her take photos of my 2 nieces and nephew and we finally coordinated every one's schedules and we took the pictures last weekend.  You can see them on Megan's photography blog by clicking here.  While you are there check out her other amazing photos.  She did a great job with the photos of the kids - I LOVE them!!!  Thanks, Megan!!!

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Okay everyone!  My cutie pie niece, Tennessee, is in a cutest baby contest.  I need your help to vote for her.  All you have to do is go to:  either www.wichitawolf.com or www.971bobfm.com and vote for her in the CUTEST Baby Contest. She is #212 and you can vote once tomorrow and once on Wednesday.


Your votes would be most APPRECIATED!!!

This isn't the picture they used, but how could you NOT think that face is the cutest!?! 

Thanks in advance for your votes!!

10 things

I am one day late with my list of 10 things again this month!  I was just doing too much yesterday to actually sit down to blog.  I have no pictures from yesterday - I am afraid you would be bored.

Several years ago, I made a list of 40 things I wanted to do before I turned 40.  I was too close to 35 to make a list of 35 things so, I decided on 40.

I decided to share 10 things off of that list:

1.  get a Tattoo - check
2.  go to Vegas
3.  write a blog - check
4.  start or join a book club - check
5.  Explore my family tree
6.  get NASCAR pit passes
7.  buy a designer handbag - check (from a thrift store no less!)
8.  go on a cruise
9.  road trip with friends
10.  take off more time from work - check


So, here are a few pictures from my weekend:

 the girls

 He likes Aunt Barb's sunglasses!

The kiddos with their great grandma.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

I am so thankful for my freedom!  We are so lucky to live in a country where we don't have to live in constant fear, where we have a freedom of speech, and freedom to just live.

I have had a really relaxing weekend and I have gotten some stuff done around my house too.

I took this last year - I haven't had my camera out in weeks - I don't know what is wrong with me.  Just haven't been in the mood for picture taking I guess!

We had a bbq and shot of fireworks at my parent's house this weekend - I think we enjoyed the neighbor's fireworks more than anything - they go all out - better than the fireworks show my town puts on!  It was amazing!

Last night I sat outside and watched my neighborhood fireworks with my duplex mate - we ended up sitting outside and talking until almost 1 AM - it was a nice night - the weather was perfect!

I hope you have a happy and safe 4th!

Day Off

I had the day off from work today.  Most of the time that would mean sleeping in until mid-morning, but not today!  I had gone to spend time with my niece, Tennessee.  I don't have any pics from our time as she wanted NOTHING to do with having the camera out last night.

I got up with the rest of the house got up this morning.  I love waking up to Tennessee in the morning - her smiles  when she wakes up are so, so precious and she gave me loves before we parted ways.

Then I went to get my oil changed- I was in and out in no time.  Because of their speed in changing my oil they left a big mess and I started leaving oil every where I went so, I had to go back to get things cleaned up and make sure it was all tightened up - I wasn't so happy about this.

In between my 2 trips for my oil change I went to the hospital to visit friends who had a darling baby boy on Wednesday.  I got to hold him for over an hour - he is so precious!!

I also finished reading The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand.  I started and finished Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo.  Such a good book - I highly recommend it.  If any of my local friends is interested in borrowing it, just let me know.  It was so good and such an easy read - I finished it in about 2 1/2 hours.

I guess it is time to read my other books!

Have a great weekend!

Perspective

Sometimes I let things get to me - to really irritate me.  If I just remember to stop and think and gain some new perspective I realize that it isn't really all that bad.

I was really mad my hot water heater was leaking last week, but at least I have running water.

I hate working in my yard, but at least I have a home with a yard.

I get tired of working, but at least I have a job - two in fact!

The list could go on and on, but I am choosing to really focus on how truly blessed I really am!  Life could be so much worse than it actually is and I just need to stop and remember that God is in control - what an amazing promise we have in Him.  

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I mentioned that I don't like working in my yard - exactly why I pay someone to mow my yard all summer.  In the list of things I enjoy - working in my yard doesn't even come close to making the list.  I have needed to weed eat my yard all summer now and I decided tonight was the night.  I first had to figure out how to put new string on the weed eater....it took several tries!  Once I finally got it strung right I was finally getting the yard in tip top shape and moving right along.  There is a button on the bottom of the weed eater that you bump on the ground to feed more string out - I did this and well, pieces of the weed eater went everywhere!  I didn't find them all!  oh well - guess it is time to shop for new parts!

Hope you have a good week!