Quit Complaining About Your Job

You've got to check this post out at MommyLife.net!!  It will definitely make you appreciate your job!  =)

http://mommylife.net/archives/2006/04/quit_complainin.html

It's nothing long and time consuming.  But remember that old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words."!!

What comforts you?

People talk about comfort foods a lot, but there's more in our lives that we find comfort in. 

Clothes – When Matt and I were dating, I loved hanging out in a long sleeve button down shirt that I stole from him.  Now Matt has a Third Day hoodie that I enjoy wearing.  Both of these clothing pieces are Matt’s, and they are soft.  Sound like comfort to me!!  How many people have a favorite pair of jeans?!

Drinks – I love hot drinks!  Give me hot tea, coca, and coffee any day of the week no matter the weather.

Activities – I love going on walks with my family, spending time with Matt, receiving hugs and kisses from the girls, reading a good book, having a few moments to myself, receiving a phone call from a dear friend, a great night sleep, listening to or making music…!  I could definitely go on in this category!!

Then, of course, Food – Chocolate is wonderful, but not just any kind.  I prefer dark chocolate.  I love Godiva chocolate, however I do not like the ones with hazelnut.  I enjoy chicken strips, mash potatoes, and gravy.  I really enjoy biscuits and sausage gravy.  My grandma’s cherry pie is at the top of my favorites’ list, along with my mom’s chicken and dumplings.  I love trying new things, especially new foods!

So, again, I ask…What comforts you? 

The 36-Year-Old Virgin

"I wanted a man who could rise to the challenge, someone I could follow," says Lakita, who was a virgin when she married. "I think women don't have high enough standards. Guys want a challenge, to respect you and to see that you're different. As soon as you start putting out, you lose all of that." 

Click here to read the full article: http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2006/002/15.20.html

April 28, 2006 – Entertainment Update

I just finished a book, so I thought this would be a great time to post an Entertainment Update.  Then I need to catch up my book journal.  I record all the books I read and whether I like them or not.  I also copy sections or quotes that I enjoyed or that caused me ponder!  I have a habit of wanting to copy down too much.  But since it can take up too many pages and way too much time, I use a copy machine for longer pieces.  There is another interesting piece of information that you probably didn't know about me!

Book – Chop Shop by Tim Downs – This is book #2 in the Bug Man series.  Actually, I thought it was better than the first one, which was Shoofly Pie.  These are crime books where a forensic entomologist is asked to solve the crime.  I had most of the first book figured out, however Mr. Downs did a much better job with the second one.  There were several twists that I was not expecting.  After reading Chop Shop, I would choose to read the third one, whenever it comes out. 

Movie – Aeon Flux – This movie was good.  It was better than I thought it would be, however I think it needed a higher rating than PG-13!  Movie producers must trim just enough and only just enough to get a PG-13 rating, since it's more profitable than an R.  However, I definitely don't ever trust a movie that is labeled PG-13.

TV Show – Survivor – Actually, Matt watched it, while I read a book.  What did I watch before that? …It was What Not to Wear on TLC.  

Game – Noah's Ark – Well, Abbye calls it her game.  She pulls out this toy boat full of animals and Noah and his wife.  We set all the animals up, while Hannah tries to take them!  Abbye does actually share, most of the time.  However, Hannah is more interested in the animals that Abbye didn't give her.  Abbye points out the "Mommy" and "Daddy" of each of the animals.  The animals eat, sleep, and climb all over everyone who's playing!

Music – Third Day - I listen to them often, since they are my favorite group!  No, actually they are my favorite, period!!  Awesome, Unique, Gifted, Focused, Talented,… just Wonderful  =)

Home Should Be Where The Heart Is

At Literary Ramblings, Nicole posted Nature of Woman, which is writing from John Ruskin.  This section really caught my attention: 

“This is the true nature of home — it is the place of Peace; the shelter, not only from all injury, but from all terror, doubt, and division. In so far as it is not this, it is not home; so far as the anxieties of the outer life penetrate into it, and the inconsistently-minded, unknown, unloved, or hostile society of the outer world is allowed by either husband or wife to cross the threshold, it ceases to be home; it is then only a part of that outer world which you have roofed over, and lighted fire in.”  John Ruskin, from Of Queen's Gardens 

Home is so important. We much protect our little sanctuary.  Home should be a safe place where everyone can relax, feel safe, and just be ourselves!  Do you enjoy going home?  Does your family view your home as a “place of Peace”?  With so much falling apart in this world, let’s be willing to fight for our home.  What does that mean to you?  What do you do or not do to make your house a home?  What do you do to cause everyone to be loved and invited, to feel safe and secure?   

A Brand New Start!

My friend Nicole's Hakuna Matata post inspired me to write about starting anew today! 

• I want to get up early, so that I can workout and spend time with God before the girls wake up.  (I didn't get up with my alarm this morning.  I have a problem getting to sleep.  It took me at least two hours last night.  Matt said I think too much!  Also, Abbye's arm fell asleep during the night, and she woke up very upset.  So, I was up with her.  I know those are excuses, but they're pretty good ones!!)    
• I want to eat healthy, so I need to be more aware of what I put in my mouth and how often.  (I've done pretty well.  However, I did eat a little too much at noon because I was trying to finish some leftovers!  That's not a good habit to get in to!)  I want to eat slowly and savor my food.  I want to still enjoy desserts, because they are important as my last post pointed out!!  However, I want eat them less often and be more choosy.    
• I want to prioritize and order my day, so that I get things done.  However, I don't need to forget to stop and smell the roses, to play with the girls, …to enjoy life, too!
• I want to stay in touch with family and friends.  I made a list during church a couple weeks ago (Sorry, Pastor John, but you were repeating something you had already talked about in the Course class!!) with the names of family and friends that I want to revive, if needed, and maintain a steady, on going relationship.
• I want to practice my cello regularly.  I miss my music!

Well, that's a list that will keep me busy!!  Please pray for me!  =)

But I was wondering how you balance enjoying life and the people around you with taking care of your responsibilities?

“Dessert is what makes us human.”

I fell in love with this conversion between a young woman, Riley, and an older Italian man, Leo.  It's in the book I'm currently reading, Chop Shop by Tim Downs. 

__________________________________________________

"I usually skip dessert," Riley said.

"Skip dessert?" Leo looked around as though the voice had come out of nowhere.  "Did someone say 'skip dessert'?"

"I don't eat very much."

"We don't eat dessert," Leo said.  "What are we, gluttons?  We taste dessert.  The entrée feeds the body, but dessert feeds the soul.  Dessert is for pleasure, and pleasures are meant to be to be tasted, not consumed.  When you skip dessert, you leave with a full belly but an empty heart.  Animals eat meat and vegetables, my dear Riley.  Dessert is what makes us human."

Please Share!!

I wondered Wednesday in Its Hump Day what you had done to be a blessing to someone.  Also, I wanted you to share what someone had done to be a blessing to you. 

Ok!  Now that week is over, and I still want you to share with us.  Please brag on yourself or your friend!!

April 20, 2006 – Entertainment Update

I wrote the last Entertainment Update ealier and then saved it.  I kept forgetting to posted it, so it's info wasn't as current as my Entertainment Updates normally are.  That's the reason why I've posted another update sooner than I usually do.

Book – I just finished Finding Faith by Denise Hunter, which is the book I won back in March.  I told you in that post that I would report back to you about the book.  I loved it!  Denise Hunter really throws twists, but after the first two books I was trying to find out where it would happen in the third book.  I enjoyed the whole New Heights series–great entertainment, great writing, and definitely griping while the characters deal with hard issues.

Movie - To End All Wars – Excellent!  It's in a POW camp, so it's not pretty, but it's powerful.  I have more on this that I plan to write later.

Games – Hiding eggs and finding eggs, again and again for Abbye!!

TV Show – Americal Idol – Ace is gone!  I told you.

It’s “Hump” Day!

Let's review our week… 

Have you blessed someone this week?

Has someone blessed you?

Please share with us. 

If you haven't blessed someone, make plans to before this week is over.  It can be as simple as sharing coffee or a phone call or as complex as writing and mailing a REAL letter!!  =)  Just remember that some weeks it could be the only blessing they receive!

I love you, guys!  That's for sharing your thoughts and your time!  Have a great rest of the week!!