merry christmas?

Whatever happened to peace on earth, joy to the world, goodwill toward men, fa-la-la-la-la, and all that? Have you noticed? Lately I have been very aware of just how cranky people are this time of year. Snarls and glares and shoves and huffs seem to be the heralds of Christmas these days.

I get it. I mean people are so stressed out year round and then at Christmas they pull the strand a little harder and some of them just snap! They dump more stuff in their stress bucket until it overflows and we have stress all over the place, ruining our shoes.

"Have to decorate the house inside and out. Bake 40 dozen cookies. Make, write, and mail 200 Christmas cards. Make candy. Make pies. Cook your goose and mine. Shop, shop, shop, buy, buy, buy. Fail to find one "perfect" gift. Try to outdo what the kids already have, so they will smile. Diet. Help with the Christmas pageant by making costumes, baking a cake and selling tickets. Etc, etc, etc."

No wonder people are grumpy.

And the store clerks, who can blame them. They have to put up with hundreds of these people every day, standing on their feet. They're exhausted. They have their own list of things to do.

So, I have a two-fold challenge for you, my dear blog friends. Let us each find one thing this year that we can drop. Just let it go. I have already stopped sending Christmas cards; stopped baking,(unless I really want to – for fun); stopped decorating every room of the house; and we are seriously cutting back on spending, since we do it on a cash basis. My big meal is Thanksgiving. Christmas will be more relaxed and casual. One year we had sandwiches! Everyone loved it. So, think of just one thing. You're Christmas will not fall apart. In fact, it will be better because you will be better. I learned that my kids appreciate a happy mom, more that a postcard Christmas with the Grinch!

The second thing is for us to do the random acts of kindness thing. The season is seriously lacking in cheer. Let's do our part to restore it! Yes, some people want to be unhappy. They like being grouchy. But many will appreciate some kindness. They are just tired, over-worked, over-spent, disillusioned folk trying to be happy and missing it. Next time you are at Starbucks hand the barista an extra $5 to pay for the guy behind you. Or just give it to the barista. Especially be on the lookout for people who seem to be having a particularly bad day. People who are extra crabby. Give your favorite checkout girl a flower. Help the harried lady with her groceries. Or… well, you get the picture. It can be large or small; expensive or free.

Now, I know it's weird to feel like you are tooting your own horn. But I really want each of you to share the things that you do. It will not be a bragfest, it will be inspiring for the rest of us. It will give us ideas, too. So let's get out there and practice some goodwill toward men!

give me your opinions, please

What do you think of The Message?

See, I grew up under some legalistic preaching and remember well how evil The Living Bible was. It was as if a person reading that were doomed to eternal damnation because surely all good things had been removed.

Now, I don't have a problem with The Living Bible as a paraphrase. Use it to get someones personal interpretation of the Scriptures, or as a supplement to a real translation, no problem.

I feel the same way about The Message. It is Mr. Peterson's unique interpretation and paraphrase of God's Word. What I have trouble with is people referring to it as a translation. People also refer to Eugene Peterson as the author of The Message. How can it be the Bible if Eugene Peterson wrote it? If it's the Bible then God is the author. If Mr. Peterson is the author, then it isn't the Bible, right?

So, I am not against reading it or using it for study or reference. But I don't like the idea of it being used as one's sole "Bible." I also don't think doctrine should be determined by it.

But I believe that a person can still come to know God and accept Christ through reading this. God can use His truth and His words, even if they are re-interpreted.

But I would never give this book the standing of being infallible, inerrant, God-breathed Scripture.

I'm wanting to avoid that old legalism stance, but maintain foundational integrity at the same time. Does that make sense?

And what do you think?

things are not as the should be

My dad bought for me a mantle clock that I really like. I had wanted one for a long time, so a few years ago he found one for me at a used clock shop. The thing is that it may be 9:00 according to every other clock in the house, but that clock will chime 3 and read 12:00. An hour later, it might chime 6 and read 4:00.

This summer I discovered that we have a one-eyed squirrel. Something not quite right about that, either. I named it Jack, until I realized it was a girl, then I named it Jill.

On Thanksgiving, our guests were admiring the view and a young buck that was coming into our yard. As he approached, it became obvious that the silly thing had only one antler. The other side had just a wee nubby thing.

Something is going on around here. Things are not as they should be. And I LIKE it!

mr. magorium

I really liked Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. Reading the reviews, I find that I am in the minority. But what's new?

It had not one foul word or naughty euphemism. I thought it was fun and I laughed out loud more than once.

It is also touching and opens doors for some discussion about death and Heaven, (as opposed to Elysium and Nirvana).

I am a longtime lover of magical stories along the lines of Mary Poppins; Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang; Willy Wonka; and such. This one fits right in there.

I think God has given us all a longing for this kind of magic. He is magical beyond all imagination. The devil does not have the capability to come up with anything on his own. Every idea he has, he got from God. He takes something pure and beautiful and warps it to his purposes. So must be the case with magic. His wicked sorcery is an evil adaptation of God's Wonder Working. What is turning water into wine? Multiplying the loaves and fishes? Miracles! Magic!

So, I hope I'm making sense. I just think this thing in us that likes wonders, is a God-given thing. We must guard it, though, because the devil certainly likes to mess with us if we let him. And take this desire and turn it to things God never intended.

Anyway, if you are looking for a fun movie, go see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I can't say if your kids will like it. We didn't take ours.

drum roll, please…

I tossed the names in a hat and the winner of the creativity challenge book give-away is…

Monday through Sunday!

Thank you all for entering and I really enjoyed reading your entries!

Congratulations, Mel!

Thanksgiving

O Lord, that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.

--Shakespeare, Henry VI, part 2

Well the ten guests we had today have just left. Oh, only nine of them. My mom is still here. She is staying tonight so that hubby and I can go out to celebrate our anniversary. Which is actually Monday, but we have a babysitter today. We had a lovely, wild, goofy, smart-alecy time, as usual. And I am stuffed to the gills.

Thanksgiving is about abundance, I guess, and we had an abundance of everything. Food, laughter, and food.

I hope you had a wonderful time today, too.

wednesday thanksgiving

praying people, praying mantises, frogs, lily pads,

weeping willows, cottonwood trees, the little curly tendrils on vines,

grapes, purple, mountains, pine trees, pine cones, ice cream, chocolate,

silk, red, watermelon, green, grass, blankets, grandmas,

squirrels, pecans, pie, apples, caramel, fall,

Thanksgiving, Praying People

tuesday tidbits and introduction #6

(edited to add the link for the book give-away. Sorry about that.)
~Be sure to go here and try for a free book! If I made the book sound too rough, I didn't mean to. It is just that it is unpredictable and I like that. But it has a great ending, so don't be afraid. If you haven't entered the give-away, I hope it's because you already have the book.

~Try a turkey bag for your turkey this year! I always use one. The turkey retains it's moisture and flavor. No basting. And it cuts the cooking time almost in half!

~My doggy and I are being introduced on Kathy Mackel's blog today.

And now, I'd like to introduce Jan. I've only known her a little while, but she is fun and has a great heart for others! I'm so happy to finally be making some friends in this strange land! Be sure to check out her blog because she is doing a blanket drive for the homeless. If you live far away, consider sending her some MCD's gift certificates instead. I know there are lots of opportunities to give this time of year, and you can't give to them all, but this is another option for you.

What is your name? Jan Parrish

If I ask "Who are you?" what first comes to mind, other than your name?
Bold and Free, fun- I’m loads of fun, and writer

How did you find my blog?
Through Megan’s Blog www.megandimaria.blogspot.com

Tell us about your blog, if you have one. Bold and Free is about boldly embracing the freedom we have in Christ and moving forward in our purpose.

Where do you live? (be as general or specific as you like)
On earth. LOL. But more specifically, Parker, Co.

What movie has touched you most, (made you cry)? And why.
I will have to say Amazing Grace because I can’t even imagine a world in which anyone thought it was acceptable to own a slave. (Available now on DVD) Unfortunately, there are still slaves all around the world and even here in the US. Yes, physical slaves here in the US illegally. It astounds me.

What movie has made you laugh hardest? And why. I’m a movie buff so I see so many of them. The most significant one was when we saw Meet the Faulker’s with our daughter and her fiancé and his family several years ago after they got engaged (they are married now). A little bit awkward. I kept wondering if we were the Faulkers or the other family. Hopefully we are somewhere in the middle.

Name three books that you will never forget. And why.
Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott. My mom gave me “Beth” as a middle name but I am not her personality. I am most like Jo, though I am the middle child. Go figure.
Wind in the Willows – I loved frog. I still like frogs. My sibs and I would visit my grandparents in a little town in Nebraska and we loved to swim in the river and catch frogs. I used to imagine I was frog and my Grampa was Toad. He sorta looked like one in an endearing way.
Diary of Anne Frank – for the same reasons as listed in Amazing Grace.

What is your greatest strength?
Protector and defender for those who have no voice or are powerless.

What do you like best about me? No-- really. (ok, not really)
I like your quirkiness. Yes, really. You are not a cookie cutter person who has to be like everyone else and I love that. All my friends are unique. Not a desperate housewife in the lot (by desperate housewife I mean someone who is phony - without any real depth).

What computer game are you addicted to?
Who needs computer games when you have the blogisphere? Seriously.

Share any other tidbit about you that we might like to know.
I am doing a blanket drive for the homeless. Please visit my blog www.janparrish.blogspot.com for details.
Thanks for introducing me. J

monday thanksgiving

I actually wrote this a couple of years ago, but it is still true!

I am thankful:
That God loves me, deeply, faithfully, unconditionally, eternally.
That Jesus provided a way for me to be reconciled to God.
That God is always in control of all things.
That God allows circumstances in my life to test me, strengthen me, prove me, and purify me. It means I am worthwhile to Him!
That I have been married for 14 years to the man God created me for.
That I have a brilliant daughter who loves the Lord and is wise beyond her years.
That I have a son who is quick as a whip and so sweet and kind and giving!
That my parents are still alive and married to each other 44 years. That they raised me to know Jesus. That they trusted me and were strict at the same time. That they are still there for me if I should ever need them.
For my sister and her family. For my nieces and nephew.
That things don't always go my way.
That God doesn't say yes to all my prayers.
For blue skies that take my breath away.
For mountains to look at everyday that reminds me of the Might and Power and Steadfastness of my King.
For wind that almost always reminds me of the Sweet presence of the Holy Spirit.
For clouds that remind me that some day my Jesus will be riding on one of them to come and get me!
For brooks and streams that remind me of the Water that quenches all thirsts!
For rain that reminds me of the mercies of God.
For thunder that reminds me of the voice of God.
For the word Grace. What a beautiful word.
For my grain mill and mixer that I use to make bread. Wholesome, life-giving bread that reminds me of the Bread of Life.
For each breath I take. I can't be conscious of them all, but am thankful for each one and want God to receive each one as a Praise offering to Him.
For the moon and the stars that remind me of how small I am.
For the steam on my tea that reminds me of how short my time here on earth really is.
For the wonderful, amazing privilege of Prayer.
For my wonderful friends!! God has blessed me with so many who meet so many different needs in my life!
For God's Word. The sharp sword that wounds my flesh and heals my spirit. The WORD of God. The WORD who was in the beginning with God. The WORD who became flesh.
For my health, my sanity, my intelligence, my personality, my failures, my desires and dreams. They are what make me who I am.
For my house and car and the clothes in my closet. For all of the material blessings that God has shared with me.

from my back yard

And be sure you scroll down and try for a FREE BOOK!

others

We believers have brothers and sisters all over the world. And I admit that I can be far to egocentric and not be moved by the suffering that takes place beyond our borders.


But God is pulling me out of that. He is softening my heart and teaching me to love globally.


Last night we watched a movie called Beyond the Gates. There is one by the same name about Jim Elliot and the other missionaries who were killed in South America 50 years ago and I recommend it.


But this one is about the Rwandan genocide that took place in the nineties. It is harsh. Not good bedtime fare, I tell ya. Horrible and excruciating. I am trying to break out of my normal pattern of avoidance, though, and to let my heart break over the things that break God's heart. So I do recommend this movie, but if you watch it, be forewarned of bad language, which honestly pales in comparison to the violence. But it's real, as in it really happened, and I think sometimes we need to be shocked out of our comas of indifference. Also, if you watch it, then go read this for some positive closure on the topic. It's a post I did in April about Rwanda.


But what I really wanted to write this post about -- I got a little off track-- is the devastation in Bangladesh. More than 2,000 people dead. In places 95% of the rice crop was destroyed. Please, go to this site and see what you can do. At least pray, which is the most powerful thing you can do.


There is a scene in the movie we watched where a white woman with BBC is talking to another British guy and this is what she says, (loosely): "When I was in Bosnia, I wept every day. But here, not a tear." He suggested she had hardened herself. She said, "No, it is much worse. There, every time I saw a dead white woman, I thought about how it could be my mother. Here, all I see are dead Africans."


That's harsh. But look deep. It rings too true for me. And not just Africans. All I saw was dead Bosnians. I don't want to just see dead Bengalis. God help me.

photos

ain't she purty?

Skittles after her bath. She's not really a ribbon and bow kind of girl. I think we'll be taking those out in a bit.

introduction #5

Jen is another friend from my e-mail group. I haven't ever met her, but she is still one of my closest friends!

What is your name?
Jenny (I like to go by Jen)

If I ask "Who are you?" what first comes to mind, other than your name?
I am a wife and mother, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a follower of Christ

How did you find my blog?
From meeting you on our yahoo group for moms!

Tell us about your blog, if you have one.
It is Joyful Notes, a name I chose because I love music, and I love the topic of having joy despite your circumstances. My blog is mostly about me, my daily happenings, my daughter's life, little things to keep me occupied! :-)

Where do you live?
I live in Anderson, Indiana, just northeast of Indianapolis.

What movie has touched you most, (made you cry)? And why.
That's hard, I cry at movies a lot.... Hmmmmm... I've watched Sleepless in Seattle a ton of times, and I still cry at it. But like I said, I cry at movies all the time, because my mind puts ME in the stories, and I feel the emotions of the people in them.

What movie has made you laugh hardest? And why.
I like to laugh at movies too... I mostly love the old movies, like the ones with Carey Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart, and Doris Day... Some of those funny ones still make me laugh!

Name three books that you will never forget. And why.
The Bible ~ I couldn't live without it!
Piggy Wiglet ~ This was the book my mom read to me as a child, so many times that I think we BOTH had it memorized. I could probably still quote it to this day!
Ivanhoe ~ not that I like it, but my junior high teacher made us read it and gave us really hard quizzes over it. I was an A student, but I about flunked that class over that dumb book!
I love to read books a lot, especially Karen Kingsbury, I love all kinds of books!

What is your greatest strength?
I am a giving person. I will give money, food, time, etc. and not expect anything in return. Sometimes that's not such a good thing! :-0

What do you like best about me? No-- really. (ok, not really)
Seriously...I think you have a very wise and patient spirit. I enjoy corresponding with you on our yahoo group!

What computer game are you addicted to?
I love to play canasta, I was even in a league at one time, but I don't have as much free time as I used to.

Share any other tidbit about you that we might like to know.
I LOVE to sing, at home, at church, with my family, and in my chorus! I also love to blog and talk to friends on Facebook. I love my family with all my heart, and I am so thankful for the great friends I have!!!! That's about it! ;-)

evening from my window

creative challenge book give-away

I have been visiting Athol Dickson's blog for a while now, but I had not read any of his books. So I decided I should, and boy howdy, you don't just read them, you experience them.

I want to give away a copy of River Rising. It is one of the best books I have read, ever.

You've heard the term "weaving a story"? Well, that's exactly what this author does. You see little threads come and go. Little pieces that give you just a bit of information, but leave you with more questions than answers. Until the end where it all ties up beautifully and every piece makes perfect sense.

This story is history, mystery and spec fic; three of my favorite genres. Set in 1927 in the deepest of the deep south, the mouth of the Mighty Mississippi. Blacks and whites hang out together at the general store, work together, eat together and shake hands like equals; but the most important thing they can't seem to do together.

This is a Christmas story, yet it isn't set at Christmas and never even mentions it. But it is Emanuel -- God With Us.

For me, reading this book was a bit like being caught up in a river. There were times that it was calm and beautiful and made me smile and then I went under and thought "no, I don't want to go there!" and I was bounced around a bit and finally deposited on the shore at the feet of the one I love most. A bit battered and breathless, but weeping for joy.

Ok, so if you are interested, here's what you do -- you have to earn the chance here, man-- go to this site, pick any of the prompts you like and leave your creative effort in the comments. I won't be judging your entry, nobody will. I will take you and put you in a hat and draw one of you out. But I think we all could use a creative challenge now and then, even those of us who write, paint, whatever. We need to do a little something different now and then. Plus, I love reading what you come up with!

Edited to add: I guess I need to give you a dealine. One week from today-- the day after Thanksgiving-- I will draw a winner!

morning from my window

thursday thirteen

Thirteen things I have eaten that maybe you haven't:

1. alligator - greasy and swampy tasting

2. squirrel - tastes like chicken -- really.

3. caribou - like venison

4. kangaroo - very gamey. Reminded me of liver. Yuck.

5. shark - one of my favorite fish. Delicious. Mild and hearty, like a steak

6. octopus - like big squid, so pretty good.

7. deer - delicious if processed and prepared correctly.

8. elk - same as above with a slightly stronger flavor

9. rabbit - didn't care for it. It was fatty and I don't remember much about the flavor.

10. goat - not bad, really. We ate this in Haiti.

11. buffalo - I use it more than beef. lean and very tasty.

12. breadfruit - flavorless. You would eat it if you had nothing else to eat, but not for any other reason.

13. goat's milk - strong and a taste you have to acquire. I haven't acquired it.

my hippy side

I like what my son calls Hippie clothes. Gypsy type skirts, beads and bangles, that kind of thing. I have some Indian outfits that aren't exactly mainstream, you know, for my British type nationality.

I think if I had been born a decade earlier to a non-Christian family I probably would have embraced the hippie lifestyle. Free-living, free-loving, barefoot with kids named Buttercup and Moonbeam. And I'd have a VW van, for sure. A psychedelic one, man. Far out!

But, thank God I was spared that life, because all that free-livin and lovin can lead to some brain damage and certain diseases you'd rather not mention. As well as calloused feet, and stinky clothes.

So I have a tie dye debit card and I wear some funky clothes from time to time, but that's about the extent of it. Oh, sometimes I grind my own flour - that's a little hippie-ish I guess. But I use a machine, not a rock.

And I dressed up like a hippie for my husband's halloween Birthday last year.

There you go.

golden compass

There has been a lot of talk about the new movie, The Golden Compass. Maybe you've noticed. Maybe you haven't. But here is a great post about it, so I am going to direct you there, instead of talking about it myself. The post is call Living Victoriously with Diabetes, but the second half of the post is an interview with author Jeffrey Overstreet about the movie. It is a gentle reminder that we as Christian need to be as wise as serpants, but also as harmless as doves. Go check it out on Cindy Swanson's Blog.

introduction #4

Will and his wife Karen have been good friends to my husband and I. They have been there for us in some very trying times; praying for us, encouraging us, holding us accountable. I so appreciate their friendship. Will is my hubby's best bud and coffee shop comrade and my IM chat pal. Now with no further ado...

What is your name? William

If I ask "Who are you?" what first comes to mind, other than your name?
A JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES, MASTER OF NONE.

How did you find my blog? You and I start out blogging, I just stopped doing it and now you are famous!!

Tell us about your blog, if you have one. I dropped mine due to trust issues with the U.S. Government.

Where do you live? Colorado

What movie has touched you most, (made you cry)? And why. I really was touched by Searching for Private Ryan. I am always impressed by the tremendous sacrifices the “Greatest Generation” gave so we can be truly free from a real enemy (Nazism).

What movie has made you laugh hardest? And why.

Name three books that you will never forget. And why. 1) The Holy Bible (it holds all things necessary for salvation), 2) A Christmas Carol (I used to really, really enjoy Victorian history/nostalgia, and 3) Lord of the Rings because it allowed me to escape my then very boring life.

What is your greatest strength? My ability to put people at ease.

What do you like best about me? No-- really. (ok, not really) I like the “hippy” side of you. No, really, I do!

What computer game are you addicted to? None, but used to be seriously addicted to “Quake” and “Halo.”

Share any other tidbit about you that we might like to know. I love American football and really love Rugby Union.

veterans' day

Thank You.

poll closed

So the vans win! I drive a regular old car myself. But now that my daughter has taken up the Bass, I guess we may have to consider getting something roomier.

Here in Yuppyville, the SUV definitely rules the road. I was expecting it to win the poll as well. But this Yuppyville is mixed with a large number of horse farms, so the Pick-up is ubiquitous, as well. Pick-ups are just Colorado vehicles, though. We always had one when I was a kid. My dad still has one. And I really want one.

So if I could drive what I wanted, I guess I would get a van to haul the kids' friends and to hold Abby's bass. A 1960's VW Van would be my choice, except I heard that they don't get very warm in the winter. I would also have an old pick-up truck. Either red or yellow.

lessons learned

1. Always be sure your camera has film in it before taking all kinds of gorgeous photos. I found out last week after taking all kinds of beautiful shots of hawks on my son's field trip that my camera was empty. Had indeed been empty for who-knows-how-long. There went my beautiful prairie pictures and new-house-views. Now everything is brown and yellow and not nearly as pretty. On the bright side -- there were no wedding photos or anything like that!

2. When your son falls and injures his back and says he can't breath and can't move, maybe call a doctor to get some advice before deciding that an ambulance is the only way to go. Because it will be embarrassing when a firetruck and ambulance show up and when your son gets to the hospital and starts doing back flips on the gurney. Besides it is a very scary thing for the kid and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. No more overreacting.

3. No matter how long you wait, water will never, ever boil with the burner in the off position. Ok, if you wait until the earth is pummelled with fiery brimstone, it might boil then, but it will be kinda pointless then.

introduction #3

I met Bet online, oh...seven, eight years ago? We have been part of an e-mail list ever since and she has been a true friend in every way.

What is your name? Bet

If I ask "Who are you?" what first comes to mind, other than your name? Mom LOL

How did you find my blog? You told me about it.

Tell us about your blog, if you have one. http://www.nut-harvest.blogspot.com/

Where do you live? Massachusetts

What movie has touched you most, (made you cry)? And why. Pay It Forward. I was so mad at the ending – I just cried and cried!

What movie has made you laugh hardest? And why. Most recently, Evan Almighty. It was hilarious! I cannot pinpoint exactly why; only that the whole money was just very funny without being stupid, kwim?

What is your greatest strength? Loyalty. I am fiercely loyal. Sometimes that’s bad. Most of the time it’s good, though.

What do you like best about me? No-- really. (ok, not really) I like how you contemplate and comment on things that happen (to you or in the world in general) without being judgmental.

What computer game are you addicted to? None. I don’t care for computer games.

thursday thirteen

When I think of doing a Thursday Thirteen, my first thought is always, "Thirteen things that annoy me." But, trying to cultivate a more positive outlook I have chosen Thirteen things that joy me instead.

1. My son having a real funny sense of humor

2. Truman, the bulldog we sometimes see at the dog park

3. My daughter being wiser than her years

4. Eating Green Curry at Indochine

5. My husband doing the dishes (nothing says "I love you" more)

6. Having a houseful of relatives for Thanksgiving

7. The view from my window -- prairie, mountains, and Denver

8. Hot tea on a cold day (Earl Grey, Chai, or Constant Comment are the favorites)

9. Watching rain wash the world

10. Old movies with Kerry Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart, Judy Garland, etc.

11. The hot sun shining on me when it's thirty degrees

12. Listening to snow

13. Accents

Introduction #2

I am feeling much better, thank you all for your prayers and well-wishes!
I would like to introduce Kathy, whom I only know through blogging. Isn't that fun!? What a neat way to meet people!

What is your name? Kathy
If I ask "Who are you?" what first comes to mind, other than your name? I am a Christian wife and mother and a musician. I guess these are the main places where I find my identity.
How did you find my blog? I did a profile search of everyone who has Newsboys listed in their favorite music.
Tell us about your blog, if you have one. Kathy's Klavier is my blog and is about my Christian beliefs and thoughts, and also about what goes on in my life. I also write a lot about my grown kids.
Where do you live? I live in Alabama -- have always lived in the same city.
What movie has touched you most, (made you cry)? An old movie called "Imitation of Life" makes me cry every time I see it. It's about a white mother and a black mother and their daughters. It makes me cry because the black daughter, who looks white, loses her relationship with her mother because she doesn't want people to know she's black. When she realizes what she's lost, it's too late.
What movie has made you laugh hardest? Pee-Wee's big adventure. We first saw it in the 80's when life was tough and it just was so lighthearted and silly, it made us and our young son laugh a lot.
Name three books that you will never forget. And why. Dear John by Nicolas Sparks -- it was just such a great book to me. I loved the characters - they were so real to me. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers -- it was so amazing to see how God can change someone. It was really a very interesting book. Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke -- I love romances and watching how a relationship develops from nothing to something beautiful.
What is your greatest strength? Dependability
What do you like best about me? You are from Colorado, my dream state. You also have a great sense of humor.
What computer game are you addicted to? None, unless you count Blogger.
Share any other tidbit about you that we might like to know. My goal in life is to honor and glorify God in everything I say and do. My favorite hobby is composing music.

monday meanderings

I hab a terribo code.

So, in between naps, I thought I would post a little something.


A couple of good movies I've seen recently:


Reign Over Me. I don't usualy watch R movies and this one has absolutely unnecesary terrible language and it also has a lot of references to certain sexual behavior. But it's all talk, no action. I hate that kind of language. Some argue that it's realistic. Fine. I hear it enough in real life. I don't want to hear it in my movies. But, in spite of the language, I really, really liked this movie. And I've been trying to figure out why, exactly. I like Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle both. But I have certainly seen Adam Sandler movies I didn't like and there are some I haven't seen at all because, well... they're just too dumb even for me. But this movie is very smart. It is deep and it is very moving. It's about the power of pain and denial. And the redemptive power of friendship. No man is an island. And while sometimes we may need to find our own way, we really can't find it without help.


Spider Man 3. I didn't even see number 2, but I don't feel like I missed anything. I was able to pick right up. Again, this movie portrade redemption and forgiveness. It even had a "foot of the cross" experience of repentance and cleansing. We all make choices and we are in control of those choices. It has a great message.


Keep sending in those introductions!

Introduction #1

In September, 2001, just a couple of days before the terrorist attacks, we moved to a new house in a new neighborhood. A few days later I introduced myself to my neighbors and I met a lovely young lady with her three kids, (and her husband) and we became fast friends. Since then she moved there, and over there, and then back here, then over yonder and now she is there and I am here, but she has been a dear friend all this time. She has added two more kiddos to the mix over the years, too.
I would like you to meet my real life friend Mel.

What is your name? Melanie (Monday through Sunday)

If I ask "Who are you?" what first comes to mind, other than your name? Sentimental, a loyal friend, happy, a smile and the gap in my teeth.

How did you find my blog? You told me.

Tell us about your blog, if you have one. I set up my blog for family and friends who do not live close by.. I post pictures and stories, and odd and ends to keep them updated on our family..

Where do you live? Colorado

What movie has touched you most, (made you cry)? And why. Old Yeller, the dog dies in the end. I was so sad after I saw that movie as a child and I didn't watch it again till I was in my twenties.

What movie has made you laugh hardest? And why. Sweet Home Alabama, I saw it while living in a small town in Georgia.

Name three books that you will never forget. And why. Where the Red Fern Grows, I cried so hard...and it made me want a dog so bad. A Wrinkle In Time, It was an fun, enjoyable book.. Little Women, I did not read the whole book till way later in life, after Joe said no to Laurie I couldn't go on and read the end...I mean how could she NOT love Laurie and fall for the old professor. UGH!!

What is your greatest strength? I am encouraging, at times.

What do you like best about me? No-- really. (ok, not really) You are funny! Sensitive, honest, encouraging, loyal, and fun.

What computer game are you addicted to? Pig Pen , lol

Share any other tidbit about you that we might like to know. I am a mother of five and married for 12 years. I love to cook and find new recipes to make. I enjoy decorating and wish I had more money to do more in my home. I love the Lord with all my heart and pray that it reflects in the way I am a wife and mother.

getting to know you

If you read my blog regularly. If you read my blog ever. I would like for you to introduce yourself. Even if I already know you -- the other readers would like to meet you, too, I bet. If you are interested in guest-blogging an introduction on my blog, then send me an e-mail answering the following questions:

What is your name? (just the first name is ok, or your user name if you prefer)

If I ask "Who are you?" what first comes to mind, other than your name?

How did you find my blog?

Tell us about your blog, if you have one.

Where do you live? (be as general or specific as you like)

What movie has touched you most, (made you cry)? And why.

What movie has made you laugh hardest? And why.

Name three books that you will never forget. And why.

What is your greatest strength?

What do you like best about me? No-- really. (ok, not really)

What computer game are you addicted to?

Share any other tidbit about you that we might like to know.

This has no time limit, so even if you read this months from now, feel free to participate. I think it would be nice for us to know a little about each other.

Send the answers to me at keep1hope at msn dot com and I will post them!

recommendation

If you live in more sultry climes, you may not need this advice. But here, in Colorado, the air is dry most of the time. And when Fall arrives, it isn't just the leaves that shrivel up. My skin does, too. I try to stay hydrated. I use good skin care products, but there comes a point where I can't banish the dry-flakies. Until now. I discovered a product that really does what it says. So I want to pass it on in case you want to try it.

It's called Na-PCA. It really does make my skin feel soft. It is a natural factor in skin that diminishes as we age. But you can follow the link to read more if you want to. I just picked mine up at my health store, because they let me return things that don't work. I spray it on then apply my usual moisturizer.

So there ya go. Nothing in it for me, one way or the other. I should ask the company for a advertising fee!

poll closed

The majority vote was split between doing nothing on halloween and doing an alternate activity.

We normally do something else because it is my husband's birthday. We have had birthday parties that involve costumes. Sometimes it's just dinner out. We have done the church alternatives sometimes, too.

But this year we don't know anyone to invite over for a party. So for the first time that I can think of the kids went trick-or-treating. Which really wasn't much different from the Trunk-or-treats they've done at church.

I've done a lot of internal debating about halloween. I always did it as a kid and loved it. Our church used to put on haunted houses. But something has changed over the years. For me it is the growing prevalence and acceptance of witchcraft. Our old community had a lot of witches. I know because they advertised in on their bumper stickers. Seventy-five percent of the books in the YA section of the store are about witchcraft.

So, I don't want to personally be involved in anything that contributes to that or that the devil would see as a foothold into my family.

But last night as I prayerfully took the kids around to some houses I just felt as if trick-or-treating had very little to do with the evil of the night. I know that hundreds of years ago, the roots were pagan. But we haven't even done trick-or-treat in this country very long. And people don't seem to have any problem hiding Easter eggs or giving their children Easter baskets when that is a pagan holiday, as well.

I'm not defending trick-or-treating. I hope that next year we go back to the birthday party. It's just that I saw it in a different light last night. It really did seem innocent. And the truth is that asking for candy isn't evil. I imagine that the people who truly celebrate will tell you that it has nothing to do with trick-or-treats. The celebrations are done in secret gathering or in homes.

It is definitely a night that we should pray, because the enemy is clearly involved in the day. In fact today is a holiday for them as well. Their new year. And I think each family should prayerfully consider what part they should take in halloween and then do what God directs. Next year I would like to have a party for my husband and then also set up a hot cider station for all the freezing neighbors!