Meet Me On Monday

Meet Me On Monday
Here are Java's words to explain this Blog Hop called Meet Me On Monday...
"Blogging is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is this person!?" I know them...but yet I don'tknow them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to "meet" each other!

Every Sunday I will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!"

1. What is the best dish you can make?

I love to make tacos! Otherwise I only make reservations or a phone call for pizza!

2. How often do you change your sheets?

Every 2 weeks or so, but if I had these I would never change them and I would also stay up all night reading! But I don't think I would need to hold my finger on each word like she is!

3. What is the longest car trip you have ever taken?

We drove from California to Idaho last winter for a wedding. Not a fan of hours spent in the car! A long motorcycle ride sounds like fun though!

4. What is your favorite fruit?
Too many to name but the best is fruit with thick slices of great cheese and a good glass of wine! The best!

5. Would you rather have breakfast for dinner or dinner for breakfast?

French toast for dinner with fruit and powdered sugar is the best! But a terrible thing to eat at night!

Ok, now you know me a bit better. Not sure those questions tell you much more than I've already blurted out on here, but there you go! Now I'm going to go read about you.

Let The Girls Out

I found this wonderful jem over at Traci 66, she has a super funny blog with lots of giveaways too! Go check her out! As soon as I saw this it reminded of my girlfriends and our weekly night out together.

Actually we don't "go out" anywhere. We gather at one of our homes, get comfy, drink our wine and yak, laugh, cry, share our rants and our "yays!"!

We are all very busy women. Well, I am the least busy, but the others all travel a lot on ministry trips and speaking engagements or hosting important people in their homes. We finally realized that if we did not set up an appointed time together it would still be too many short, quick hugs in hallways, at church or in the office.

So, once a week we try to jump in our cars and walk into a friend's home without knocking, slip out of our shoes and have a relaxing evening together. All six of us do not always make it to every gathering, but whoever is in town drops everything and comes!

Why did that cartoon bring this to my mind? If you think it is just because it talks about girlfriends, you'd be wrong. It immediately reminded me of our last girls night out in the tiny, cozy home of one of us who is divorced. She used to collect antiques and this super small little "granny house" on someone's property is packed to the rafters in huge but gorgeous antique furniture and pictures.

We were talking away and enjoying the different wines we had brought, when right in the middle of a sentence one of my friends stops her story and says,

"Know what? I'm sorry guys

but I have GOT to let the

"girls" out!"

And she proceeded to remover her bra from underneath her clothes. The hostess laughed and said,

"Why do you think

I'm wearing this loose shirt?"

I said,

"It is my favorite thing

about having an

empty nest!"

So from now on I am pretty sure that our Girls Night Out is really going to be a "GIRLS" NIGHT OUT!

My Son's A Nerd

Loves Comics!

My Guys!

Writer Son is a nerd, always has been. But he is a really lovable nerd surrounded by more friends than I can count!

Future Bride is peeking through them!

"Help me!"

Grandma always listens.

Grandpa always naps!

Loves the drums!

His beloved Molly.

Such a goof!

Funny Face thinks he's sweet!

With his little brother.

First car

First job, Burger King

Mr & Mrs Nerd -to-be!

Writer Son is a Nerd...but he is our nerd.
And he is just days away from having a Mrs. Nerd by his side!

*****FOLLOW ME FRIDAY!*****

Heat Wave Christmas?

At this very moment, 5:50 pm on September 28 it is 101 Degrees outside!!!

I saw Christmas decorations in a store yesterday.

So confused!

What Happens When One Movie Buff Marries Another Movie Buff?

Writer Son lives for movie and screen writing. His adorable fiance, Miss M has a degree in Film. I think I can be very confident that I will be getting some amazing videos of my future grandchildren!!

Our Story: Plain & Simple Vimeo.

B B & B Vimeo.

2 WEEKS Vimeo.

Bad Hair Day?

I went to a short one hour class taught by Bill Meyer, an author of 110 fiction books. He also wrote the beloved Christian Book series, McGee & Me. The fun video versions were worn to pieces in our home when my kids were little.

I have never been interested in writing fiction but I attended because it was in my place of work anyway and I thought I may learn something about being a writer.

I did learn something without a doubt! I am NOT a fiction writer! I just do not have that imagination at all. The class was a workshop so the author talked a bit and then gave short assignments to demonstrate the process of creating a character and story out of nothing.

My head was hurting as I tried so very hard to spend 10 minutes thinking up a scenario and main character. I scribbled some words down and then listened in absolute amazement to my fellow classmates. They read aloud about a shy, awkward young guy with huge glasses and a talent for seeing the future. Another told us about a woman who was standing on her head in a public park and all the commotion it caused. On and on they went with funny and serious situations.

Thankfully we were not forced to read our stuff aloud!

What did I write, you ask? How's this?

A woman over fifty with an empty nest trying to find her purpose.

Ha! Totally NOT fiction! It's me! Oy!

So at least now I know for sure that creating a whole story full of people and places is not happening for me. Good to know.

Now for your assignment......What is up with that strange lady at the top of this page?

Writers Write

So writers write, right?

I really and truly do not want to prove the commenter correct who said that she felt sorry for new writers who get all excited about writing but usually end up with nothing because it is so hard to do!

This summer with tons of free time, I was strongly inspired with a great writing idea and plan. But now that my new school job has begun, I have written very little in the past two weeks.

I am creatively and physically exhausted at the end of each day, and the weekends are full of doing the cleaning that could not be done earlier.

I am not making excuses.

Am I?

Where did all my creativity go?

I still have the book plan in writing. I still have the desire. I still believe that I can be a freelance writer.

And I definitely still need the $$ a LOT!

Maybe that is what has changed. The need for additional income inspired me to try again, but it also is taking some of the FUN out of the process.

Pressure can KILL creativity.

But pressure can also SPARK creativity!

Maybe I get to choose?! (Don't mind me, I am thinking aloud here a bit.) Hmm.

If I get to choose, than I clearly choose that the pressure will cause me to find a way.

I will find a way to fan the flame of creativity that is in me.

I choose not to let my two writing rejections stop me from submitting more articles to more places.

I did not fail. I did the first step in my writing plan. It was to begin a new blog and I DID that! I didn't fail.

I just got a bit tired. But that is normal at the beginning of every school year. The rhythm will come back.

I can do this. I am 55 years old, the waiting for maturity is pretty much over! If I am not mature yet....well then we are in trouble!

I want to be paid to write. Someone out there wants to pay me to write.

Here I am.

So This is Morning?!

Last Tuesday morning while getting ready for our first official day back at work,

I commented to Hubs that the sky

looked strange.

He told me that it was an early morning sky.

Oh!

After a summer of sleeping in,

tomorrow I will be seeing that early morning

sky again!

The bod will adjust soon, I'm sure.

Hopefully.

One Month To Go!

Only about four more weeks until I am to become a Mother-In-Law for the first time!

I totally love Writer Son's chosen Bride, Miss M. She is adorable, smart, creative and in love with my son! What more could I ask for? Nothing at all!

I just now ordered this gorgeous necklace as a wedding gift from me to Miss M and I am so excited about it! It will be engraved with their names on the front and their wedding date, 10-10-10 on the back. Her favorite stone is a blue sapphire, so I included that stone rather than the birthstone of their wedding month.

Isn't it amazing? It is from an awesome website, The Pretty Peacock. Go check it out!

First Week of New Job!

I have completed my first week in

our new ministry/life school.

It has been intense, emotional

and super busy!

We ended the week with a relaxed picnic

at a near by park.

My regular posting will resume once I

get into the new rhythm.

After a summer of sleeping till 8 or 9

and then spending the next hour on

my mac has led to

a major culture shock

as I am now expected to be alive, awake and

focused by 7am!

The new adventure begins!

It's Time For Fun!

It is time for fun.

Tomorrow my new job begins!

I will be "Pastoring" a whole bunch of

brand new ministry students.

My role has changed from Overseer to

Pastor, which to me means

"Lover".

All I have to do is love them.

I will be Mom to those who need

mothering.

I will be a counselor to others

and a mentor to several.

It is time to set aside my

frustrations.

I am done judging and comparing

how I would organize things differently.

It is time to take off the

Critical-details glasses

and put on the

LOVE

glasses.

Jesus on a Mac

makes me smile.

The picture would anger some

and I guess that makes me smile too!

It is time for fun!

TMI

I attended a delightful wine country wedding yesterday. Two of our former students tied the knot next to a wonderful shimmering pond. We laughed a lot with close friends during the reception and enjoyed some great Philippine food.

As always the wedding of former students became a fun and emotional school reunion! I just love seeing so many of our students together to celebrate the joy of finding a mate. Especially when the mate is also a former student! Hubs and I are cupids I guess! We take all the credit as long as the marriages work out great.

This event also answered a burning question I have had.

When you wear spanx, like you see pictured here....where does the fat go? If it pulls you in to make you look more slender, then where does the extra flesh go?

I found the answer.....it all becomes Back Fat! You basically just move the muffin top up to the bra line in back. It's a lovely feeling and even lovelier to see in the mirror when you are out with friends.

Probably Gonna Regret Writing This....(Updated)

I am at a loss.

See that lady up there? That is pretty much how my day began

and it has only gone down from there!

I know!

I am the Miss Pollyanna,

play the 'Glad Game' lady,

usually.

Today....

• I learned Hubs & I will be making a third of last years income.
• Sat in a meeting ABOUT another meeting.
• Asked a question at the meeting & was shocked it had not been figured out yet!
• I spoke sharply to the sweetest young man ever (my son's best friend!) as he tried to get my office computer to connect with the printer. (Been trying to get it fixed for three weeks!)
• Have company coming to my house tonight for the first time in years!(other than family. I know, it's a long story.)

• Got a call 5 minutes ago from co-worker. They want me to change up the forms they created for this new school.
• Deadline? Tuesday next!
• Just got an email from the eZine that I submitted a devotional to. They say no thanks but keep submitting.
• But they did not tell me what was wrong with the one I already sent them!

God, help me!

Seriously.

______________________________

Ok, my company just left and I wanted to add an update.

So I opened my Mac & here are your amazingly wonderful

and loving comments!!

Wow, you guys are the best!

Thank you so much. I feel very cared for!

AND the update is.....

We had the greatest evening!

Our company was the new Interns that have been assigned to us

in our new job.

One is a single girl and the other is married. So we had the married couple and

the single girl over for snacks.

All three of them are FORMER STUDENTS of ours!

Can you see where this is going?

Oh how wonderful to sit and laugh and share school stories,

hear their hearts and their desires and goals!

To now being working WITH them is a total joy

& a brand new experience for us.

They are so excited and happy to be able to spend time with us.

wow!

Ahem....Thanx God!

And thanx for my Bloggy friends!

"You used to be Much....Muchier!"

I realize that I am behind the times as usual, but Hubs and I just watched the new Alice in Wonderland movie last night. We were not all that interested in seeing it while it was in the theaters because neither of us cared much for the original version in the first place.

But, oh my goodness!

After wimpy little Alice fell down the rabbit hole she found herself in crazy situations that demanded she change her size to fit the need again and again. She became what was required to get the job done for that moment.

But then came the ultimate tough situation. She is being told that she is THE Alice that will be the White Queen’s champion and single-handedly slay the dreaded and horrible Jabberwocky!

Timid Alice argues that she does not slay. “I do not slay!”

The wise caterpillar agrees that she is not THE Alice. But as he agrees with her and says, “No, you are not the Alice.” I could clearly hear his silent…. “yet”!

Everyone around Alice knows that she has a huge and valuable destiny. The Mad Hatter tells her with disappointment, “You used to be much more….muchier. You’ve lost your muchness.”

Slowly she begins to see and believe that the words of destiny that all these strange creatures keep speaking over her may be true. She finds herself being the brave one, the one who solves the dilemmas for her new friends.

Alice’s “muchness” is returning.

Early in the movie during the fun and silly dialogues between Alice and the fantasy animals and the Mad Hatter, I found that unexpected tears were streaming down my cheeks. I heard Hubs quietly say, without seeing me, “Wow, this movie is really something!”

We were blown away at the power in the message of this movie! Alice had forgotten who she was. But forgetting or not knowing who you are does not change who you are. She was THE Alice, the one who would be their brave Champion and save the kingdom. Just because she did not FEEL like the Champion, did not alter the truth of it.

God has spoken beautiful words of worth to me through others, through His word and straight to my heart from His. God’s description of me (and you) is TRUTH. It just is.

I have recently lost some of my muchness. But it is returning.

As I sat on my couch and watched Alice in full armor fight the Jabberwocky, I felt that I was fighting also. I was fighting false ideas about myself that I had allowed to linger a bit too long. False ideas about my place in God’s Kingdom.

Alice renewed her strength as she fought by counting six impossible things that she had believed in the last few hours. One by one she declared some new truths, and each one made her stronger……………..

“I try to believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast. Count them, Alice. One, there are drinks that make you shrink. Two, there are foods that make you grow. Three, animals can talk. Four, cats can disappear. Five, there is a place called Underland…….”

And with the final Impossible Thing,

“ Six, I can slay the Jabberwocky.”

She swung her sword and the Jabberwocky lost his head!

God has given you a MUCHNESS that is there to stay. But you and I do need to recognize it and use what he has given us. We may even need to talk to ourselves a bit and remind ourselves that we are Champions. You are a Champion in your area of influence. Call up your MUCHNESS and believe the impossible.

Sad news, Great news!

I enjoyed a very long phone chat with Writer Son last night. He is in Texas, we are in California. He and the delightful Miss M will be married in Texas in about 6 weeks!

It was a great talk, full of wedding details, job updates, deep thoughts on being a husband and being in love. But one little item that was mentioned brought me to tears. He did not know that I was chatting with tears in my eyes though!

What did it to me this time? He told me about some game at their first wedding shower, co-ed wedding shower! A little yelp of sadness did escape me I am afraid and he immediately said, "Oh don't be sad Mom." I always pictured myself as part of the pre-wedding fun, you know.

This distance thing is really hard. Harder than I thought it would be. Due to the distance of a wedding in TX, my parents and my sis and brother and their families will not be able to attend the wedding!! Of my eldest son! The first grandchild of the family!! Dang it! (They cannot afford an additional reception in Cali.)

BUT, some really wonderful news also came out of this late night phone call! Writer Son and Miss M (gotta find a new name for her!) have chosen to begin their married life.........in California....in our town!!!! YES! I am not free to tell anyone this due to some job situations etc. but YAY! (Once again I am so thankful that this blog is not known to the people in my life. And if any of you who know me in "real" life have found this little spot of anonymity, DO NOT TELL ME OR MENTION THIS OK?)

I would say that the good news clearly outweighs the sad.

Are they not the cutest couple ever?

AAACK!!

Only six weeks

till Writer Son's

wedding!!

I really, really do not

want to hate the wedding pictures

for the rest of my life!

Just realized as I look at what

I have written.....

My FOCUS

is very screwed up!!

OY!