Sunday bulletin… April 6, 2008

• I’m toward the end for the FIRST week of 100 days of blogging and nearly forgot to post today. I really have no excuse since I’ve been on the computer a couple times today.
• Service this morning was AMAZING! A couple months ago, someone donated a new laptop to the church. It gives me something to be thankful for every week as I sit at the soundboard and run the show. The old computer was awful - if I *looked* at it wrong it would turn off. Sometimes I’d get it back, sometimes I wouldn’t.
• We’re doing a study through “How To Read The Bible For All It’s Worth” on Sunday nights. I read it once in college. I’m learning to appreciate it now.
• We leave in a week to see my Gram. I. cannot. wait.
• I think I want a handheld GPS for my birthday so we can go geocaching. I’ve wanted one for a while now, but this is the first year I think I’m ready to make the investment. If I get it now, it would be something we could do on our trip too.
• My birthday is in TWO days! I accept all major credit cards via PayPal. Or if you send me an email, you can load up my St. Arbuck’s card for me.
• Speaking of Starbucks, they have a big announcement coming out on Tuesday. I’ve got some ideas to what it might be.
• Remember back in the 80’s when having small, buttons to put on your backpack was all the rage? Facebook has added an application called Flair. And I’m collecting! My favorite that I sent today? I sent it to my hubs - “I love you like a nerd loves math!” rofl
• I just made chocolate chip cookies and I think I can actually *hear* them calling me to eat them! I’m debating pulling out the french press and the decaf for a bedtime snack.
• I still think not nearly enough people are Twitter-ing. Noah (5) asked me again today if he could have his own Twitter acct. I told him when he learns to spell enough to send his own messages.
• Chip’s brother is here from Wyoming - where he says there is still snow on the ground and the temps are near 0 at night still. Chip is going to be hardpressed to get me to visit that place!
• Chip’s dad took two of the kids home with him tonight, but the two left at home are still being loud enough for four!
• Have some serious phone envy over my friend’s new cell phone. Chip would tell me my phone is fine. I’ll agree with him until August when I’ve had it for a year.
• Seth fell asleep STANDING UP tonight at church leaning against me. I caught him just before he hit the floor.
• Seriously smelling those cookies now! Can’t.hold.out.much.longer.

The gauntlet has been thrown down… March 30, 2008

By my friend Lorelaicc - 100 continuous days of blogging!

And I’m not one to back down from a challenge, so I took her up on it. So, starting on April 1st, 2008, I’ll being doing 100 days of blogging. Thankfully I figured out that whole blogging from my phone thing because I’m not sure how often Chip is going to want to take me somewhere to blog from the laptop.

So, who else is in? Consider this is your official challenge. I don’t think most of y’all can do it. Do you feel threatened? I hope so. Are you man (or woman) enough to take me up on it? I’m hoping to get Chip involved. Who else? I’ll put together a special blogroll on the side for those of you who want to get involved. Maybe I’ll even try and come up with a couple meme’s we can do throughout it all to make it a little easier as we go along. I’ve done 30 days a couple times - 100 days is not going to be easy.

But I’m up for the challenge? How about you?

Menu Plan Monday… March 17, 2008

So, a new week is upon us. I tried really, really hard to come up with something Irish for dinner tonight. Know what I realized? We are sooo not the Irish food type of people. As a matter of fact, the only thing that I could find constant in Irish recipes were potatoes. So, we’ll have potato soup for dinner tonight. For a few minutes I considered adding a bit of green food coloring to it, but honestly I have too many food issues and just can’t eat green soup.

So, here’s my menu for this week…

M - Loaded Baked Potato Soup (potatoes are  Irish, right?)

T - Teriyaki Chicken Wings over rice (we had sloppy joes the night we were supposed to have this and then just didn’t eat tonight)

W - Spaghetti and Meatballs (which I make myself - no store bought meatballs here)

T - Turkey Stroganoff (like beef stroganoff, but made with ground turkey instead)

F - Baked Chicken with couscous and veggies

Saturdy - Enchiladas

Sunday - EASTER!!! I’m not sure what we’re eating or where yet. We’re either going to Chip’s parents house or eating out. Either way, I’m not cooking. Our day is going to start at 5am (sunrise service is at 6:30) and by the time church gets out at noon, I’m just going to be tired. And we’ll have leftovers for dinner/supper.

So, there you have it! Go do your own menu and then come let me know! I’m always looking for new recipes to try! And if there is anything you want a recipe for, let me know!

You’ll be glad to know… February 27, 2008

These 50 interesting things about me…

50 questions

1. What bill do you dislike paying the most?
The internet bill - it’s the ONLY bill that we can’t pay online! We can even pay our tithe online if we wish - but not the one bill that actually allows us to connect to the internet. RETARDED!!!

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
Panera Bread - and it really is romantic when we go there because I know there are at least 20 other places that Chip would rather eat. He eats there because he loves me.

3. Do you regret your first kiss?
Nope

4. If you could go back and change one thing what would it be ?
I would have fixed my relationship with my dad before it was too late to really do anything about it. It’s the one regret that I’ll always have.

5. Name of your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Nelson

6. What do you really want to be doing right now?
Writing on a beach somewhere in the Carribean

7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A writer. The one thing I never saw myself as was a mom. But I wouldn’t change anything about my life!

8. How many colleges did you attend?
Just one - North Central University in Minneapolis, MN.

9. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
Because I like it.

10. What are your thoughts on gas prices?
whatever…  There isn’t a whole lot I can do about it.

11. If you could move anywhere and take someone with you where would it be?
I’d love to live on a lake somewhere in a warmerish climate. Maybe Tennessee - near the mountains?

12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
I don’t want to!

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night? I really wish Chip would roll over and quit snoring. (He only snores when he has a cold).

14. Do you miss being a child?
Not at all.

16. What errand/chore do you despise?
ALL of them! But especially folding and putting away the laundry!

17. If you didn’t have to work, would you volunteer?
Maybe

18. Get up early or sleep-in?
I’d sleep in every day if I could!

19. What is your favorite cartoon character? Arlo and Janis

20. Favorite thing to do at night with a girl/guy? Meaning what exactly???

21. Have you found real love yet?
Most definitely!

22. When did you start feeling old? I’ll let you know when I start!

24. Your favorite lunch meat?
Leftover roast beef from a nice roast the night before. I’m not a big lunchmeat kind of gal.

25. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?
a headache - this is the answer from the person before me. But it rings so true!

26. Ocean or lake?
I’ve never seen either of the oceans

27. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
Married life is WONDERFUL! Those who don’t think so have never given it a chance

28. Do you own real estate?
No

29. Favorite guilty pleasure? Watching too much television

30. Favorite movie you wouldn’t want anyone to find out about?
Now if I told you, people would know about it, wouldn’t they. Defeating the purpose of me not wanting anyone to find out.

31. What’s your drink?
Triple Grande, non-fat, no-whip mocha or a Grande brew with room — depending on my mood and budget

32. Cowboys or Indians?
You mean the football team? I can’t stand that Cowboys!

33. Cops or Robbers?
Cops I guess.

34. Who from high school would you like to run in to?
Sarah - which is weird because we just ran into each other over at mySpace a couple weeks ago. Or maybe Todd.

35. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
WSOY - it’s a talk radio, AM station — from the Soybean Capital of the World!

36. Norm or Cliff?
Cliff. Norm is boring without him.

37. Grey’s Anatomy or ‘The Office?
The Office. Did you even have to ask?

38. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
I don’t have one. Seriously.

39. Do you like the person that sits directly across from you at work?
well, I work at home and the only person who works in the same room as me is my husband. So, um, yeah.

40. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Brett Favre - just so I could get his autograph for my Gram.

41. Indoors or Outdoors?
Depends what the weather is like. On a nice day, I like to be outside.

42. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?
Yep, taking my drivers test. Actually, someone crashed into me. I don’t have my license because it was bad enough that I never want to drive again.

43. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
no - but I’ve had disasters that have caused Chip to use it for it’s intended purpose.

44. Last book you read?
I don’t remember. It wasn’t worth remembering. I’ve had too many like that lately.

45. Do you have a teddy bear?
Nope

46. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
Que? I guess on a bus? We were on a choir tour in high school and I remember using bottled water and spitting into a cup.

47. Somewhere in California you’ve never been and would like to go?
anywhere - I’ve never been to Cali.

48. Do you go to church?
Yes.

49. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
new career.

50. How long have you been out of school? Almost 15 years

Sunday bulletin and silly answers… February 24, 2008

• Sometimes God asks us to do things that make no sense at all to us at the time. That maybe will never make sense to us. But He has a plan and our obedience can have eternal effects. I want to live a life that affects change in lives that are yet to come.
• It had been a LONG time since I’d been to Starbucks. We met up with Chip’s sister and her husband for lunch today - along with Chip’s parents and grandma. I had a triple grande non-fat, no-whip mocha. YUM! I’m already ready to go again.
• The lettuce wedge at Lonestar Steakhouse was much better when they use to put actual bleu cheese crumbles on it instead of just bleu cheese dressing. It was still amazing though!
• I haven’t even heard of half of the movies nomiated for Oscars, let alone seen any of them. Acutally, I’m not sure I’ve seen ANY of the movies they are talking about other than Pirates 3. *edit* I take that back - I’ve seen the Bourne Ultimatum. Twice in the theater and we bought it the day it came out. Just won an award for sound editing. And for sound mixing.

Ok - and the follow-up to my “Ask a silly question…” post. I got quite a few questions and here are the answers…

Who is your favorite cartoon character? I don’t really have one. My favorite cartoon movie is a three way tie between Disney movies Robin Hood, Cinderella and The Aristocats.

What is your favorite store for kids clothes? Food? I prefer stores like Old Navy, GAP, TCP for kids clothes. They just tend to hold up a little better than those from Target. For groceries, we go Krogering. Although, what I really wish is that there was a good organic food grocer somewhere nearby.

Who is your faviorte music group to listen to? Jeremy Camp, Leeland (have you heard “Carried to the Table? AMAZING song!), Third Day, Brooks & Dunn, Corrine Bailey Rae, Brad Paisley, John Mayer… My tastes are wide and varied.

Do you like ?McDonalds or the DQ play place best? As a self-proclaimed germophobe, I hate playplaces as a general rule. But we do take the kids from time to time. I prefer DQ because they have free wi-fi.

What is your favorite laundry soap? Tide - it’s the only thing I can find that will take all of the stains out of the clothes without me having to treat each spot.

What is your favorite book in the Bible? The epistles of Timothy.

Who is your favorite Bible person/people? Tough one. Probably Paul. I want to live the kind of life that makes an eternal difference in the lives of others.

Is the Mt.Zion Steak-n-Shake really better than the one on Pershing? I have no idea. The service is better in Mt. Zion, but the food is about the same. I can tell you that the cheese fries in Springfield are NOT the same as they ones in Decatur though. Don’t order cheese fries from Steak & Shake in Springfield.

Are you sick and tired of Wal-mart? I’ve been sick of Walmart for YEARS! We hardly ever shop there. I actually ran into Walmart for the first time today in a long, long time. And only because Effingham doesn’t have a Target.

A weekend meme… February 16, 2008

Chip got a referral to a rheumatologist and for an MRI on Friday at the dr. There is definitely something wrong and his dr doesn’t seem confident in the nerve conduction test results (I don’t think he likes that neurologist any more than we did). We’re waiting on a call from the dr’s office to let us know when all of that will happen. Y’all will know when I do…

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But for your weekending pleasure - here’s the newest addition of “Get to know your friends”…

Welcome to the 2008 edition of getting to know your friends. Okay,
here’s what you’re supposed to do, and try not to be lame and spoil
the fun! Copy this entire email and paste into a new email that you
can change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this
to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent
it to you. Some of you may get this several times (that means you have
lots of friends).

1. What is your occupation?  Domestic Engineer - or at least that’s what it says on my tax return. Chip’s mom is pretty clever that way. 

2. What color are your socks right now? White

3. What are you listening to right now?  The Illinois/Penn State game - they *should* win this one.

4. What was the last thing that you ate?  Chicken, couscous and carrots (and I didnt’ even plan that “c” thing)

5. Can you drive a stick shift?  Nope

6. What color would you be, if you were a color? Green - just like Kermit

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Chip

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you?  Absolutely - it’s a shame she lives so far away and we only get to see each other every couple years

9. How old are you today? 32

10  Favorite drink?  Coffee, duh! My newest drink at Starbucks is a simple Grande Brew with room.

11. What is your favorite sport to watch?  College basketball (note: #3)

12. Have you ever dyed your hair?  Every 6 weeks. It’s a must.

13. Pets?  Daisy - a beagle/bassett mix, Beesly - a gray tabbycat, and Rocky - a teddy bear hamster

14. Favorite food?  Anything Italian

15. Last movie you watched? Return To Me - it was on television on Valentine’s day. I love that movie!

16. Favorite Day of the year?  My birthday

17. What do you do to vent anger? I clean. Unfortunately I don’t get angry often enough. ROFL!

18. What was your favorite toy as a child?  My basketball or my bike

19. What is your favorite, fall or spring?  Fall

21. Cherry or Blueberry? I *love* blueberries - especially fresh ones!

22. Do you want people to email you back?  Yes!

23. Who is most likely to respond? not sure

24. Who is least likely to respond?  Well, since it’s a blog, I guess we’ll just have to see if this thing goes viral.

25. Living arrangements?  Single family, 2 story home. The house looks big, but when you put 4 kids in it, things get considerably smaller!

26. When was the last time you cried?  Today - reading Ragamuffin Soul’s encounters in Uganda. Man, I’m spoiled!

27. Who is the friend you’ve had the longest that you are sending this to?  Um, of all the people who read my blog, my friend Carrie is probably the one I’ve had the longest. We’ve been friends since junior high.

28. Who is the friend you have had the shortest that you are sending this to? Whoever happens to stumble across it next

29. Favorite smell?  Coffee

32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers?  How about spicy cheesburgers? I make an awesome cheeseburger. It’s about the only red meat that I eat at home anymore.

33. Favorite Car:   I have no idea. I’m so not a car person.

34. Favorite cat breed?  The kind that will kill a mouse in my house! Which does not include my current cat.

35. Number of keys on your key ring?  I don’t have a keyring. Chip does and I think his has 4.

36. How many years at your current job? 11.25 years

37. Favorite day of the week?  Mondays - Chip’s day off

38. How many states have you lived in?  4

A weekend meme… February 9, 2008

My friend Cindy tagged me..

4 Random Things meme. The rules to this one are short and sweet- name four random facts about yourself, and then tag four more bloggers to do the same.

1.  I do not have a drivers license. I was taking my test and got rear-ended when I was still a teen. I dont’ really even like riding in the car very much but was considering going through with getting it. Until we got in our accident in October. Now I find myself riding with my eyes closed about half the time.

2.  I graduated in a class of 12. It still amazes me when I hear people talk about how their class was small because it had 90 people or so in it. I guess small is relative.

3.  I got pregnant the VERY first time I ever had sex. Thankfully it was my wedding night. And thankfully there was 300 miles separating us those last few months before we got married. Elijah was born 1 day BEFORE our 9 month anniversary - 16 days early.

4.  I love to cook, but I hate my kitchen so I don’t cook as much as I’d like. And I’m not a big baker. I’d rather make a yummy meal than cookies or cakes.

I tag Chip, luvchai, Zelda1996, and Jodi.

A Christmas meme… December 13, 2007

I’ve gotten this via email from several people and decided I’d just blog it instead of sending out a bunch of emails.

So, here’s more than you ever wanted to know about me for Christmas…

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Depends on the gift - usually wrapping. I like to be able to rip into a gift.

2. Real tree or artificial?

Artificial. We made the switch a few years ago when Seth was a baby and we had a new kitten. We bought a really cheap $15 tree from Walmart. Our theory was that way we weren’t spending any more than we would on a real tree and if we hated it we could just throw it out. We upgraded our fake tree this year with plans to upgrade again either after Christmas or next year depending on if we find a great one on sale or not. I love NOT having the mess.
3. When do you put up the tree?

Whenever the kids make me! Usually the day after Thanksgiving. Although this year, we didn’t get it decorated until the middle of December.

4. When do you take the tree down?

January 2nd-ish

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

A basketball.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

Yes, but I really, really want the Willow Tree nativity set.

8. Hardest person to buy for?

Granny - Chip’s grandma. She refuses to give us any ideas and says she doesn’t want anything. I still have NO idea what we’ll get her this year.

9. Easiest person to buy for?

The kids are pretty easy to buy for since they want everything. Or Chip’s sister and husband because their tastes are fairly similar to our own.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

This awful wooden Jesus picture. If you’re reading this and not in ministry, just know that pastors don’t usually want a “Jesus” anything for their house. We’re just regular people who want regular stuff. And we really don’t want it if it doesn’t match the decor of our home.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?

I hate sending cards. Love getting them! We usually mail out Christmas cards though. Got a great card this year from a friend (hi Suzanne!) that actually made me laugh so hard I did a little dance! 

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

Elf, It’s A Wonderful Life, Meet me in St Louis

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

We usually don’t do any shopping until the week before Christmas. This year I’m ahead of the game as I’m done with Chip’s parents and the big gift for the kids and some smaller things for them as well.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Regift? ME? Yup…all the time.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

My mom makes these fabulous homemade peanut butter cups. YUM-O!!! And I make a pretty mean Italian Christmas Eve dinner if I do say so myself. This year I think I’m going to make gnocchi to go along with the lasagna.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Clear and no flashing please!

17. Favorite Christmas song?

I love most of them - as long as the theology is correct. And please, no one bring up the song Christmas Shoes in front of my husband! I’m begging you!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

We stay home. Chip’s family is all close for the most part and his sister is making the trip here this year. Not to mention his job usually keeps us home.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner,
Blitzen…and Rudolph.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

We have an angel, but I’d prefer a star.  But I’m still looking for the perfect fake tree. After I find the tree we’ll have for a while, then I’ll look for a new topper.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Christmas Eve - which was weird for me at first because growing up we always did one on Christmas eve and the rest on Christmas morning. Chip’s family has always done them on Christmas eve. Which I like because then the kids aren’t getting me up at 6am!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

The over-commercialization of the holiday. It really takes a conscious effort to make it truly an Advent season. A friend of ours is doing a series on the Advent and recently did a “man on the street” interview video in downtown Chicago. They asked what people loved most about this time of year, and while there was nothing wrong with the answers, the fact that Jesus was never even ONCE mentioned was really disheartening to me.

23. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme?

Nope - I figure I’ll have time for a tree like that when my kids are older and out of the house. For now, it’s their tree and we decorate it with new ornaments they get each year.

24.  Do you dream of a White Christmas?

Only if the white is a white sandy beach somewhere!

25.  Have you ever been away from home for Christmas?

Guess it depends what you mean from away from home? The only year I ever felt truly “away” from home was the Christmas right after Chip and I were engaged and we were apart for the holiday. Otherwise, home is where the heart is and my heart is with my husband and kids. And we’re always together for the holidays.

Because I just don’t want to talk about it… October 31, 2007

I really don’t have anything nice to say right now.  So, I’m swiping another meme from Suzanne to end the month of October with.  I’d link y’all to her blog because I think you’d really like her (I know I do), but she had some weird stalker thing happen a while ago, so she’s had to go into the blogging underground for a while.  I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it on what a great person she is!

The Breakfast Meme

1. Favorite breakfast beverage?  Coffee. And lots of it!

2. Bagel or muffin?  Depends on my mood and whether or not the muffins are still warm.  And what kind they are.

3. Favorite hot cereal?  I don’t eat hot cereal.  It’s a texture thing.

4. Favorite cold cereal?   Toss up between Cocoa Krispies and Crunch Berries.

5. Ever eat cold cereal any other time of day?  DEFINITELY!

6. Favorite breakfast on the run?  Coffee!

7. Favorite breakfast “junk food”?  Oreos.  With coffee!

8. Favorite all-time breakfast?  Gram’s biscuits and gravy

9. Favorite fast-food breakfast?  McDonald’s Egg McMuffin - which I only get when we’re away from home.  I could probably eat one every day.
10. Bacon or sausage?  Bacon. Unless the sausage is in gravy.

Where were you… October 29, 2007

Where were you?

(swiped from Suzanne who swiped it from someone else)

Where were you…

10 years ago?

I was living in Minneapolis, MN. Literally in the worst part.  We were packing up and getting ready to move and had no idea where we were moving to.  God had told us to stop looking and we ended up moving into a hotel for a week before God opened a door that was beyond anything we could have ever imagined.  Elijah was 6 months old and really starting to get into things.

20 years ago?

I was 12 years old.  It was a rough year for me.  Things in our family really started to fall apart around this time. I really don’t want to talk about it.  I was in 7th grade and made some amazing friends that I’ve been able to reconnect with lately.  Not sure how I would have made it through that time in my life without them.

30 years ago?

I was only 2 years old.  I don’t remember much about being 2, but it is when I have my first memories.  I remember my sister being born.  I really vividly remember sitting in the waiting room at the hospital and staring through the window at my new sister and my new cousin (born within just days of each other).  And I remember moving from the house we lived in into an apartment.  I really remember how HUGE the apartment seemed all empty when we looked at it and the fact that climbing the stairs seemed like climbing a mountain.  OH! And I remember the hill outside the house we lived in (it was actually a duplex) and a girl who lived up on the corner playing with me and something about being pushed down the hill in a stroller and her letting go and me going crazy fast down the hill.

 (I also want to say that I realize that it’s really weird that I remember all of that from being 2.  I see Seth now and realize that maybe some of his earliest memories in life will be from the age he is right now and it seems almost impossible!)